October 30, 1984

As morning broke, the town as getting ready again for another night of Halloween. The news was full of information for the citizens to get their pumpkins before it was too late. The stores in Town Square were opening as people begin to shop for candies and costumes. Owners swept their streets and greeted joggers going by.

Jim pulls up in front of the station after dropping Amelia off at the bakery and groans in annoyance as he spies Murray Bauman standing in front of the station, impatiently waiting for him.

"Great." Jim mutters and lights up a cigarette. He promised Amelia he was going to quit smoking but dealing with this man...he needed a smoke to get through this day. He quickly gets out of his truck and tries to avoid him, but Murray was on his tail.

"Good morning, Jim." Jim doesn't say anything as he tries to avoid Murray, but Murray wasn't having it, "Jim. Hold on a second. We need to talk." He says as he follows him into the station.

"Get away from me." Jim says bitterly as he continues to walk away, but Murray was determined to be heard as he follows him.

"Okay, no... I think you really wanna hear this."

"Get away from me." Jim repeats as he walks inside the building.

"Trust me. I only want five minutes!" Murray states as he follows.

Jim moves to take his coat off and Flo comes up to yank his cigarette out of his mouth, "Yeah, I want a date with Bo Derek. We all want things." He mutters sarcastically as he gives Flo a bitter look.

"Amelia called me. I swear that woman must know you better than me." Flo states and places her hands on her hips, "She said you promised you were going to quit." She scoffs.

"You try quitting while dealing with Murray." He mutters lowly at her, making her scoff out a laugh and sees that Murray caught that, giving him a bitter look.

Murray gives him a glare, "This isn't a laughing matter, Jim. This is serious, okay?" He states strongly.

Jim groans, wanting to get away from him badly. He throws his coat over the rack and walks away.

"I really got something here. I'm telling you!" Murray says.

Continuing with ignoring Murray, Jim walks towards the snack table as his deputies greeted him and Murray, "Hey. Mornin', Chief." Powell and Callahan says.

"Morning."

"Morning, Murray." Powell mutters.

Flo walks up to Jim and snatches the donut out of Jim's mouth, giving him an apple instead. Jim groans as he grimaces at the apple.

"Don't you think you had enough of Amelia's treats? Good lord, she feeds you enough at home." Flor scoffs.

"Hey, I'm healthy as a horse!" He scoffs as he fixes himself some coffee.

"Got any proof on your butt-probin' aliens yet, Murray?" Callahan asks sarcastically as Powell laughs.

Murray rolls his eyes and continues to beg the Chief to listen, "I believe there was, and may still be, a Russian spy presence in Hawkins."

Jim nearly spits out his coffee as he laughs, "Russian spies!"

"Are the spies in cahoots with the aliens? Or how do they fit in here? I'm confused." Callahan continues to tease Murray. The whole station erupts in laughter.

"I'm talking multiple reports now. Multiple reports, okay? Of a Russian child in Hawkins." Murray states.

Jim stop laughing, "Child? What are you talking about?" Jim asks.

"A child who carry unique powers. A girl who may have psionic abilities." Murray says.

Powell frowns, "'Psionic'?" He asks.

"Psychic." Murray says.

Jim hides a hidden, knowing look as the deputies continue to bicker back and forth with jokes against Murray.

"What about that girl that made that kid pee himself?"

"A prank." Jim says quickly.

Murray frowns at this new information, "What girl?"

"Wasn't a prank." Callahan frowns.

Jim mocks him and turns towards Murray. He needed to see how much he knows. Jim grabs Murray by his shoulders and forces him to turn to head to Hopper's office, "You got five minutes. Not a second more." He warns.

Propping his feet up, Jim sits back and listens to what Murray had to say. He crunches on his apple as Murray begins to speak.

"I talked to a Big Buy ex-employee who said some little girl shattered the door with her mind." He says.

"I heard that story. Did you hear the one about the fat man with the beard who climbs down chimneys?" Hopper says sarcastically. Hopper grimaces at the apple in his mouth and spits it out to throw it away, "Ugh."

"I spoke to your friend, Earl. He told me about a child being caught at the local diner, stealing food from the back, then bam! The owner is dead." Murray scoffs. "Sounds a little bit too much of a coincidence. Then last month, a co-worker of Ted Wheeler's claims some Russian girl with a shaved head was hiding in his basement. Ted now denies this."

"Oh, wow. That's a surprise." Jim says sarcastically.

"But it connects."

Jim scoffs and leans back in his chair as, "Enlighten me." Jim says sarcastically.

"The girl, she's some kind of a Russian weapon, right? Barbara sees the girl, tries to help her, perhaps. But before she can, the Russians find her, takes her--" Murray begins his theory till Jim stops him with a confused frown.

"Wait. You're telling me Barbara Holland was kidnapped by Russian spies."

"Kidnapped. Killed." Murray suggests with a suspicious glare.

"Killed?" Jim frowns.

"Don't you get it, Jim?" Murray glares at Hopper to listen.

"No."

"This isn't a joke! This has potentially international implications. I'm talking a full-on Russian invasion right here in Hawkins." Murray states.

Jim goes along with it as he plays with his typewriter, making it whirr as he turns the knobs back and forth to drown him out. Murray wasn't in the mood for his games.

"Do you have any proof of this girl? I mean, has anybody seen her recently?" Jim asks.

"These are separate--" Murray was about to speak, but the phone rings.

"Excuse me. Sorry." Jim says quickly as he answers.

"Okay." Murray scoffs as he watches Jim.

"Hello?"

"Merrill called, wants you to check out his pumpkins. Says they've been contaminated..." Jim listens carefully to Flo, making his brows shot up as if he was more interested in the 'case' she was giving him.

But Murray could see right through his bullshit, "All right."

"...by his vengeful neighbor, Eugene. You're welcome." Flo ends the call.

Jim hangs up and begins to get ready, "I'm sorry. I really hate to do this, but I gotta run. It's an emergency."

Murray quickly stands to protest, "You gave me five minutes."

"Yeah, listen, you know what? I liked your alien theory a lot better. And you want my advice? Why don't you stop bleeding those people dry and go home? All right?" Hopper says.

"I am not bleeding anyone...dry." Murray trails off when Hopper gives him a serious look.

"Listen to me. Go home." Hopper demands and takes off out of his office.

Murray sighs deeply and had no choice but to leave the station. He walks out of the office just as Jim was getting into the truck.

"I'm not going to stop, Jim! I'll find the answers!" He shouts out as Jim drives away, tires screeching as he speeds off.

Murray grunts in frustration and sighs as he gets into this car and begins to drive. He needed to find solid proof that the Russians were behind this. This girl had to be the answer, and he was going to look for her. He'll find her, just gotta be patience.

His stomach growls lowly and he scoffs when he realizes he hasn't eaten since yesterday. He looks around for a place and sees a place called 'Sweet Talk'. He frowns in curiosity. Remembering the rumors about Jim Hopper having relations with the local baker. He wonders what she looks like and if she knows anything about Barbara Holland's whereabouts.

Murray gets out of his car as he parks in front of the shop and heads towards the door. When he steps inside, he's hit by an aroma that took him back to his childhood. He sighs at the smell and head towards the counter, looking around for the owner. He looks down and sees the service bell, hitting it rapidly.

"Hello?" He calls out and turns to look around. "What's a guy gotta do to get a little service around here?"

"You carry a lot of tension on your shoulders."

He shouts in surprise when Amelia stands behind the counter with a welcoming smile.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." She says.

Murray stutters and clears his throat, straightening himself, "You sure are a quiet person. Didn't hear you move around. Um, I'm looking for the owner of this place..." He pulls out his notebook to find the name he wrote down. "Amelia Holloway?" He asks.

Amelia smiles, "That's me. How can I help you, Mr. Bauman?"

Murray nearly drops his notepad as he stutters in shock as he looks at the beauty before him, scanning her up and down quickly, "You're the one screwing the Chief?!"

Amelia was startled by his outburst but laughs as he tries to contain his shock and nerves. He couldn't believe this beauty was with the Chief of police...of all people she could have, she picked Hopper!

"I apologize. That was very rude of me."

Amelia holds up a hand, waving off his apology, "Um, It's okay. I guess some people still find it a big shock how the both of us are lucky to have one another. But I have a feeling it's not just that you want to know. I understand you're working for the Hollands, to find their daughter...Barbara?" She asks.

"Um, yes...yes I am. I would like to ask you a few questions as well, if you don't mind."

"Of course. Please, have a seat." She gestures him to sit at a table nearby the window. When she approaches the table, she was carrying a tray. He was shocked to see what she brought.

"Oh, my...is that what I think it is?" Murray exclaims.

"I've been trying new recipes to embrace every culture and religion in the world. And from the sound of your stomach, I thought you may be hungry." She smiles.

"Oh, my god. It smells..." He inhales deeply, "Oh, God. It smells like my Bubbie use to make. Mushroom Barley soup and rye bread?" He exclaims.

"And Apple cake." Amelia grins.

Murray had to try it all before he could ask her questions. He covers his mouth and moans at the delicious foods. He was close to tears! It tasted just like his Bubbie's cooking when he was a small boy.

"Now, I know why Flo was raving about your cooking. Miss Holloway, you are a miracle worker with rolling pin." Murray exclaims and continues to eat till his spoon clatters in the empty bowl and he lies back with a stuffed belly. He exhales and exclaims once more, "Jim is sure lucky to have a beautiful woman like you and a hell of a cook." He clears his throat and takes another sip of his drink before sitting up and gets started with the questioning. "Ok. First thing I would like to know is, do you know the girl personally? Barbara Holland." He asks.

"Barbara has come in here a few times with her friend, Nancy. But only thing I know about her is that she is a smart girl and watches out for her friends."

"And when the last time you have interactive with the victim?" He asks.

Amelia thinks back, "About the same time when Will went missing. She came to my shop for a slice of my carrot cake while she was studying for an exam. We didn't talk much, I didn't want to disturb the poor girl with her studies."

"Did she happen to mention where she was going when you last talk to her? Was it before when she..." He flips through his notes. "...before she and Nancy Wheeler went to Steve Harrington's house for a party?"

"Hmm, she did mention she was accompanying Nancy for an event. She never said it was a party. She did have strong negativity with the whole thing. Just trying to watch out for her friend, I believe." Amelia shrugs.

"What do you know about these reports of a Russian girl being spotted in Hawkins?" He asks with a curious eye.

"A Russian girl?" She asks with a frown and shakes her head, "No, I don't recall hearing about that.

"Several people have reported seeing this girl, and I believe there's a connection between the girl and Miss Holland." He states.

Amelia frowns in curiosity, "How so?"

He leans in close, "I have several reports about the unknown girl around the time Will Byers was reported missing, and not too long after she was spotted several people, including Barabara Holland, disappeared. Never seen again. And I strongly believe it all points towards the Department of Energy, who happens to claim to be building weapons against the commies. It all seems too much of coincidence. Has the Chief ever talked to you about how he's been handing the case to find the girl?"

Amelia just gives him a smile, "I know well enough to never ask Jim about his stressful cases. All I can say is that he's working very hard to find the girl and wants to bring her home to her parents as soon as possible to put them all at peace. And he will. I strongly believe that. I wish I could help you more with your case, and I do wish you all the best luck to crack it. I know this town could use all the help."

Soon, Amelia sees Murray out, opening to door for him. He turns and gets his wallet, "I should pay for that wonderful meal. You didn't have to do all that."

Amelia places a gentle hand over his, "Oh, don't worry. Your effort of finding the girl pays for everything. Good luck, Mr. Bauman."

"Murray, please." He gives her a smile.

Amelia gives him a nod, "Of course, Murray. Be safe out there."

"Thank you for your kindness and cooperation, Miss Holloway."

"Amelia, please."

"Amelia. You really need to rub some of that kindness on Hopper. Would it kill him to at least give me the time of day for a little attention?" He scoffs.

Amelia giggles, "I know how stubborn and hardheaded, Jim can be, but he's a good man and a hard-worker." She looks at her watch, "Oh, that reminds me, I need to pick up some pumpkins at the local farms. What's a Halloween without some pumpkin cake and roasted seeds?"

"What indeed." He chuckles. "Well, thank you again. I'll be sure to stop by here more often when I'm in town."

"Oh, before you go." She turns back inside and goes through a cabinet.

Murray jumps when he feels something rubbing against his legs and sees a cat, "Is this your cat?" He asks.

Amelia looks up as she was packing up a paper bag, "I see you've met Theo. You could say he's the mascot and the co-owner of Sweet Talk. Also the security."

Meow...

She walks back towards him and gives Murray the bag, "A little something for the road." She smiles.

Murray sniffs and moans, "Apple cake. I cannot get enough of it. Thank you again." He says and heads to his car.

Amelia waves, "Drive safe."

Theo meows and rubs against her ankles as Murray drives away, "Yeah...he's a little too curious. But he's a good person. You could tell." Meow... Amelia giggles, "Yeah, maybe a little paranoid. I know you read his article about the UFOs." Meow... "Why would Jim be mad if I talked to him?" She frowns. Meow... "Hey, I would never do that." Meow... "Don't worry, I know they're listening, and they just think I'm a crazy cat lady who talks to animals." She scoffs and goes to the coat hanger. "Now, come on. We need to go pick up the pumpkins." She places on her coat and places a sign on the door before locking up.

"Be right back in 30 minutes."

She walks to her car with Theo behind her and gets in to head to Merrill's farm for her shipment of pumpkins.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After leaving the station, Hopper went on to investigate what's going on at Merrill's farm. When he got there, he was welcomed by the overpowering scent of rotten pumpkins. He has smelled rotten pumpkins before, but this was more overwhelming. Merrill was waiting for him at the house and begins to guide him towards the 'scene of the crime'.

"You're saying this was fine yesterday?" Hopper asks as he looks at the large field that was covered with hollow black pumpkins and flies swarming around them.

"Fine?" Merrill scoffs, "These were prize winners, Chief. You should've seen 'em. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what happened. And then I remembered...Eugene."

"What about him?"

"He's been complaining about me to just about anyone who'll listen."

"Why's that?"

"Well, he started this 'Pick Your Pumpkin' thing. Acted like it was trademarked. I said, 'Hire yourself a damn lawyer. See how far that gets you.'" Merrill states.

They stop walking and Hopper turns to face him with a frown, it didn't make any sense for two farmers, who've been butting heads since he became Chief, to go so far over a feud.

"You're telling me that nice old Eugene came out here after dark and doused your field with poison?" Hopper asks.

"Not Eugene himself. I'm thinking one of his field hands." Merrill suggests.

"Uh-huh." Hopper reaches in his back pocket for his swiss army knife and bends down to exam the pumpkin better. It was completely rotted inside and out. Hollow as if the the mold ate away in the innards.

"Listen, Chief, I don't go throwing around accusations lightly. You know me. This happening the day before Halloween, when sales are peaking? That's a hell of a coincidence. Hell of a coincidence." Merrill says.

Hopper looks up as he catches a glimpse of the withered stalks moving. He couldn't hear much with the flies buzzing around his ear, but he could see that someone was in there. Watching them.

"You got somebody working on that field?" Hopper asks.

From the looks of Merrill's face, he could see that Merrill didn't. Hopper places his knife back into his pocket and orders Merrill to stay behind. He walks into the stalks. He takes off his sunglasses and gets his gun as he begins to hear rustling. He walks slowly through the stalks, scanning the area as he continues to hear rustling. It grew louder as he reaches the scarecrow.

A loud screeching makes him jump and yell in fright when a big black crow flies out of the stalks and lands on the shoulder of the scarecrow. Panting heavily as he tries to calm his nerves, Hopper glares at the crow that caws at him repeatedly.

"Yeah, screw you, too." He mutters and turns to head back to Merrill.

Hopper had to admit, it was strange to see the pumpkins rot so quickly. Poison was an option, but he didn't believe it was Eugene who could have done this. Maybe it was a prank. But, throwing poison everywhere was a health risk for his town. He couldn't let this go. He needed to find out who was doing this.

When he walks out of the field, he sees Amelia talking to Merrill. As he gets closer, he could make out their conversation.

"I'm sorry, Miss Holloway. But all the pumpkins I had ready for you have been destroyed." Merrill says with an apologetic look.

Amelia looks at him in shock, "How?" She gasps.

"Like I told the chief, I strongly believe I've been hit by a very jealous farmer." Merrill states.

Amelia sighs in disappointment, "Oh, dear."

Merrill looks up and sees Chief Hopper walking up to them, "Anything, Chief?" He asks.

Amelia looks and sees Jim walking up to stand next to her.

"Just a very annoying crow, that's it." Jim scoffs, then leans down and kisses Amelia's cheek, "Hey, honey."

"Gotta watch out for those Ravens. They don't call them tricksters for nothing." She giggles.

Merrill sighs, "I'll give you back your money, Miss Holloway."

"Oh, no, no. Keep it. You're going to need every cent to recover. I can't believe this happened." Amelia says gently.

"Bless you, Miss Holloway. You're so kind." Merrill says. "I'll give you a discount next year." He adds.

Soon, Jim walks Amelia back to her car, holding her close, looking back a couple of times at the rotten field.

"This is awful. Who would poison Merrill's pumpkins? That's insane." She sighs.

"I don't know. Merrill is blaming Eugene but..."

"Eugene? Don't tell me they're still going through that silly vendetta with each other." She scoffs as they reach her car.

"Looks like it." He sighs.

"Looks like I have to look somewhere else for pumpkins." She gets into the car and he leans on the door after she shuts it and buckles up, rolling her window down. "Is this gonna put a hold on you tonight?"

"Maybe. Best let her know that." He says bitterly.

"Hey, you're trying. It's not your fault that you want to protect the town and her at the same time. It's hard. No one said it was going to be easy." She says, placing her hand over his that rested on her window frame.

He sighs softly, gripping her hand gently, "And you." He gives her a gentle look, "I'll be home as soon as I can."

She nods, "Just be safe. That's all I want. You safe."

He gives her a crooked smile and leans down to kiss her softly, putting his passion for her in his kiss.

Amelia kisses back, returning the passion and sighs as it breaks.

"Drive safe." He says softly and gets off her car . "I'll pick you up when I'm done here." He adds, reminding her about Will's appointment with the lab.

She sighs out a displeased groan, "How much longer are they going to torture that poor boy and Joyce?" She scoffs.

"Till they give them the green light." Hopper shrugs.

"In other words, 'Until they get bored or never'." She scoffs and sighs as she turns her key, "I'll see you soon."

He gives her room To let her drive off.

He sighs and scoffs at himself. 'Why didn't you tell her? It's simple, you dumbass. You never told her even after sleeping with her. Three little words.' He bitterly thinks to himself, kicking himself internally.

After they found Eleven, Jim was starting to analyze his relationship with Amelia. They spend time together as friends, sleep together as lovers...but...they never expressed how they felt for each other...with words at least. Well, Amelia admitted that she was falling for him, even if she was joking about falling for his pecker. He could see it in her eyes that she...

Ugh, he can't even say the words in his head. He's terrified of getting hurt again, losing someone he cares about greatly. His heart can't take that again. He was happy she never said it out loud and never complained he never says it but he fears it'll be a matter of time before she decides to give up if he makes her wait longer.