Thank you to everyone who has read this and enjoyed! I am so thankful.

Jane didn't sir the entire car ride home. She was pretty exhausted, as Hopper could imagine. When they pulled up to the house, Hopper walked around to carry her inside.

"Dad?" she muttered, stirring.

"Yep. Go back to sleep, I'm just getting you inside," Hopper told her, picking her up bridal style. Hopper got Jane into her bed. He pulled off her shoes and tucked her in. Laying a quick kiss on her forehead, Hopper left her bedroom, pulling the door only partially shut behind him.

Jane woke up from a dreamless sleep. Glancing at her clock on the nightstand, it was a little past noon. Yawning, Jane got out of bed. She realized she was still in clothes from the night before, which reminded her of everything that had happened yesterday. That explained the headache, she thought. Jane pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind. Right now she only wanted one thing: eggos.

"Hey," Hopper said when Jane walking from the hallway to the living room where he was reading the paper from his recliner.

"Hi," Jane grumbled.

"I'll go throw your eggos in," Hopper rolled his eyes knowingly. Jane grinned and shuffled to the kitchen table. While the waffles were toasting, Hopper tried to pry his way into how yesterday had gone down.

"So, I'm not mad, but I need to know what the hell happened yesterday," Hopper explained. He'd been trying to control his temper for the last couple of months, and he was doing very well. Jane seemed to respond better to warmth anyways, which was probably why she liked Mike so much. He was always the nicest to her. "So," he continued, putting her waffles on a plate. "I'll give you the eggos when you start talking."

Jane rolled her eyes. Hopper held the plate away from her, raising his eyebrows. With an unenthusiastic shrug, Jane relented.

"Fine." Hopper put the plate in front of her and handed her the syrup.

Jane and Hopper talked at the kitchen table for over an hour. She explained everything that had happened last year when she had met Kali, and what happened the day before. Hopper got riled up at some parts, like the fact that Jane and Kali had literally walked right into a lab where Dr. Psycho himself was operating. Hopper took a few deep breaths to keep from getting angry. He wasn't pleased that his adoptive daughter had killed almost thirty people, but hey, what are you gonna do?

Mike felt like absolute shit. His side, though significantly better because of Dr. Owens middle of the night stitch job, was still extremely sore. Mike also was running on only four hours of sleep. He basically sleep-walked his way through the day. Mike really wanted to see Jane, but by the time school was let out, all he wanted to do was sleep in his own bed and be babied by his mom. On the car ride home, Mike decided to open up a little to Nancy, considering how she had saved his ass last night with her cover story.

"I definitely owe you, Nance. I'm sorry I'm such a shit brother," Mike said as Nancy drove to their house.

"Yeah, you seriously do," Nancy agreed, causing both siblings to laugh. "I just want you to know, Mike, you can open up to me. I'll always be here for you, no matter how annoying you can be."

"Thanks. I know… I'll try to be better about that. I missed hanging out with you before you got too cool for all my nerdy stuff. I guess, now's our second chance to be better," Mike said, not even knowing he'd felt that way until he started talking.

"Don't get all mushy with me, Mike. I'm still too cool for your nerd shit," Nancy joked. Mike laughed.

"I know," he agreed, laughing. They pulled up to the house and Mike took a deep breath, ready to act like he wasn't in pain so his mom wouldn't be suspicious. The pair walked inside their house.

"Hey kids, how was school?" Mrs. Wheeler called from the kitchen.

"Good!" both of them replied, heading up the stairs. Mike immediately collapsed on his bed and instantly fell asleep. Nancy rolled her eyes and tucked him in, grateful that he'd made it back yesterday. Nancy didn't know what she'd do without him.

Jane was getting in the shower to clean off all the grime from yesterday. She left the door partially open, like she always did and stepped into the hot water. Immediately, Jane felt relief when the heat hit her shoulders. She let the water massage her back for a while, just enjoying the feeling. Jane tried to push the thoughts away, but she couldn't. Images of killing Papa plagued her thoughts. She didn't feel fear from them. Jane just felt… embarrassed? She really wasn't sure. Jane was definitely glad that he was dead, but she wished she wasn't the one who took his life. She'd killed lots before, another thing she wasn't proud of, and the worst part was that she didn't feel guilty. Mike would feel guilty, she thought. Mike had always been a better person than her. Jane looked down at her arm. 011, a permanent reminder that she'd never be a normal person, like Max and Mike and Dustin and Lucas, and even Will. Sighing, Jane finished her shower and stepped out in her towel. She got dressed and went back into the living room, where Hopper was enjoying his 'sick day' by watching some 'trash tv' as he called it.

"What time is it?" Jane asked him.

"Half past five," Hopper replied.

"Can we go to Mike's for dinner?" Jane said.

"Uh- well you can call and ask I guess," Hopper answered, not expecting that. He wouldn't refuse, because if he was being honest, Karen was a great cook. He still had dreams about the roast she'd made last time…

"Okay. I'll ask."

"Mike," his mother called from downstairs.

"What?" Mike called back, still half asleep.

"The Chief and Jane are coming over for dinner!" she told him. That perked Mike up immediately.

"Coming!"

"That was delicious, Karen," Hopper said, finishing his lasagna.

"There's plenty, if you want seconds, Jim," she told him. Hopper laughed.

"I'm uh, on a diet, so..." Karen smiled.

"Nancy, are you going to help me clean up?" her mom asked her.

"Sure Mom," Nancy replied, standing up and grabbing empty plates. Ted took Holly into the living room with him, which left Mike, Jane, and Hopper at the table.

"So, I was wondering," Mike began.

"Yes?" Jane said.

"I mean, as long as it's okay with you, Hopper, I was wondering if I could take Jane to the Homecoming dance. She really enjoyed the Snowball, so…" Mike trailed off, feeling a little insecure asking this in front of Hopper.

"I'd like that," Jane answered, smiling. Mike looked to the Chief.

"Yeah, that's fine. You kids deserve some fun," he said, cracking a smile.

"Did I just hear what I think I just heard?" Nancy said, coming back to clear the table some more.

"Uh, yeah," Mike said, embarrassed.

"Awesome! Jane, I can totally take you dress shopping this weekend! And Max too, if she wants to come," Nancy offered.

"Thank you," Jane said, blushing.

"We'd better get going, Kid," Hopper said, standing.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow," Jane told Mike.

"Yeah, I'll see you then," he replied. Hopper took a cue and went to the kitchen to tell Karen thank you for dinner. Mike took the opportunity of privacy to plant a soft kiss on Jane. She grinned and grabbed her coat off the rack.

"Bye, Mike!"

"Goodbye!"

This goodbye was a nice one, because they both knew they'd see the other one very soon.

Epilogue:

Dustin grabbed Margot's hand and led her to the dance floor. Lucas and Max shared a glance like Dustin is making moves, okay! Lucas looked at Max, who rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand before he could even ask her to dance. Nancy and Jonathon were also at the dance together. They were sitting at a table with a bunch of other seniors, and Nancy was even on Homecoming court. Will was there as well, sitting at the table with Mike and Jane when, Kelly Watson walked up to him.

"Will, do you wanna dance?"

"Sure," Will said, smiling. Mike couldn't help but feel proud for his friend, who had really come out of his shell in the last couple of weeks. Will denied having a crush on Kelly, who he had danced with at the Snowball last year, but you never know. Kelly certainly seemed liked him.

Mike felt a familiar smaller hand grip his. He looked down at Jane, who looked absolutely radiant tonight. Nancy had done her one better with this dress. It was pastel purple with a hint of a metallic shine. The neckline was off the shoulder and covered in lace ruffles. The dress accentuated Jane's waist before flaring out at the bottom. More ruffles went down to her mid-calf. Jane's hair was much longer now, and Nancy had teased it to give it the volume that was very trendy, and she had a hair clip on one side to keep it off of her face. Jane had some blush, lip gloss, and eye makeup on that only made her look even more out of this world gorgeous.

"You wanna dance?" she asked him, looking up at him under her lashes. Mike's heart skipped a beat.

"Y-yeah of course!"

This time, Mike didn't have to show her how to dance. They simply held onto each other and swayed along, totally lost in each other.

Nancy looked over from the other side of the high school gym. Jane and Mike were kissing and holding each other.

"They're cute," Jonathon mentioned, following Nancy's gaze.

"Totally," she agreed, pulling on Jonathon's tie to pull him into a kiss.

"I did kiss her, I swear!" Dustin said in the Wheeler's basement.

"I didn't see it, I need proof," Lucas argued.

"Just hand over the money, Stalker," Max said. She and Lucas had made a bet that Dustin wouldn't kiss Margot at the dance and well… Max wanted the five bucks she deserved for giving Dustin the benefit of the doubt.

"Fine, whatever," Lucas mumbled, opening his wallet.

"I'm proud of you, Dustin," Will said, giving Dustin a pat on the back.

"At least I have one supportive friend," Dustin exclaimed, causing lots of "hey, I'm supportive," from everyone else.

"Hey, guys! It's getting late," Mrs. Wheeler called down the steps.

"Okay!" Mike replied, standing up to put the snacks away from their 'after-homecoming-party'.

"I'll see you guys on Monday," Will said, heading upstairs to where Jonathon and Nancy were hanging out in the living room.

"See you Monday," Lucas and Max said, heading upstairs as well.

"Don't have too much fun down here," Dustin said as he left Mike and Jane alone in the basement.

"Shut up, asshole," Mike replied, rolling his eyes.

Once they were alone, Mike and Jane snuggled up on the couch together.

"I had a lot of fun with you tonight," Mike told her.

"Me too. I like dancing," she said. Mike couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm.

"You might be better at it than me," Mike teased.

"Well, it's only fun with you," Jane said. Mike blushed. Jane sighed contentedly in the silence. Was this what it was like to be normal? She hoped so, because this was the best feeling in the world. "Do you know about black holes?" Jane asked Mike, looking up at him.

"Oh yeah. I mean- they're this thing in space that kind of sucks everything up in its path. Why?"

"Do you think I'm a black hole? Hopper thought he was one," Jane said. Mike considered what she was getting at and realized it was metaphorical.

"No, Jane. You aren't a black hole. I don't think Hopper is either. I just think… maybe you have to have felt the worst to be able to appreciate the best," Mike explained.

"Oh," Jane said with relief. "So, now is the best?" she asked.

"I guess you could say that," Mike responded, his cheeks getting hot as she moved her face closer to his. Jane kissed Mike, leaning into him. She felt the most whole she'd felt in forever.

"You've always been the best," Jane whispered, leaning away. Mike couldn't help but grin.

Hopper picked Jane up from Mike's and soon they were on the way home.

"How was it?" he asked.

"Great," Jane replied, her smile revealing those adorable dimples.

"I'm glad to hear it," Hopper responded.

"You aren't a black hole," Jane said after a pause.

"What are you talking about?"

"I think you're just scared to feel the best," Jane told him.

"Hm," Hopper said. "Maybe."

"So, it's okay to tell Will's mom that you like her. Because she won't get sucked in to the black hole," Jane said bluntly. Hopper nearly gasped.

"Wait a minute- What are you getting at?" Hopper asked, shocked.

"It's obvious that you like her. So just tell her," Jane said, not seeing a problem with what she was saying.

"You're going to be the death of me, Kid. I swear," Hopper grumbled. In the back of his mind somewhere, Jane's words did give him a little confidence...

"You look chipper this morning, Hop," Steve said when the Chief walked into the station.

"Good weekend?" Steve asked.

"You could say that," Hopper said, reminiscing on his date with Joyce.

"Bout time," Flo whispered to Steve as Hopper made his way to his office, smoking a cigarette and grabbing a donut.

I hope you all enjoyed this story because I have a really fun time writing it! Stay tuned for a sequel, I am definitely interested in adding onto what I've created in this story! Anyways, thank you to everyone who took the time to read this story, it means so much to me.