A KINK FOR DANGER

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ROBIN AND STEVE HAD BEEN ENTIRELY FOCUSED ON THE LATEST NEWS OF HAWKINS AND WERE IN NO MOOD FOR SHENANIGANS. Saturday was busy enough with the crowd of customers, but the recent murder in Hawkins had continued to add to their day.

Dustin Henderson had his eyes set on setting up a base of operations with two more people he knew he could count on. No matter what happened within the months from the fall of Starcourt until now, Dustin needed them together. Whatever it was, something about them all together just clicked. They were always better together than apart.

He was the first to step inside Family Video with Max only a step behind. Alex should've been at his side but he knew that she needed to understand that whatever this was, she had to be there. She needed that time to take it all in— the group she tried to leave behind was coming back together and no one was letting her go off alone.

Placing Dustin's bike against the building, she held her breath, for how long she didn't know. Standing just inside had been Steve Harrington. All of last night, she only thought of him. His hoodie was once a home to her as she began to bring her room back to life. Now she felt empty without it on and craved another piece of him back in her life. Right through those doors was that piece just waiting for her, longing to have her back.

At the sight of the younger Henderson, Steve turned over, already scolding him for barging in to disrupt his work day. Any other slow day he would've leaped at the chance to have him as a way to entertain his long, boring day. Today wasn't that case. There was plenty to be done and he made that clear by stating he wasn't babysitting today.

Dustin ignored him, his mind set on proving Eddie Munson's innocence. "How many phones do you have?"

"Someone was murdered," Steve spoke clearly.

Placing his hands on the counter, he repeated his question once more. "How many phones do you have?"

"Two. Why?"

Sitting up, Robin gave a quick correction. "Technically three, if you count Keith's in the back."

Max and Dustin shared an agreeable nod. Three phones were perfect. Each of them could have one and Robin and Steve could continue with their work until they could fill them in. The first thing they needed to do was use their computer as a way to contact each of Eddie's friends.

Whipping his backpack off of himself, Dustin tossed it over the counter, taking down a stack of papers and movies with it. Only when he had jumped onto the counter to throw himself over, he had taken the few that had managed to escape the tumble of his bag. Max chose a calmer approach as she made her way around the counter, avoiding the disapproving yells of the other two.

Dustin made himself right at home as he overtook their computer but Robin and Steve were not so eager to let him off the hook that easily. "Man, we're working here. You can't just barge in here..."

The door chimed in welcome of another customer causing his voice to trail off as he turned over. Stepping into Family Video after all this time was Alex Henderson. It was as if the world was crumbling away at Steve Harrington's fingertips because it was her and she was all that mattered. In just those few seconds, he felt that everything was going to be okay because she was here. It had to be.

Alex could feel all their eyes on her and none of that mattered because all she felt was her heart beating against her chest. Every fiber in her told her to just smile— it was just one simple act, but it became so hard. She thought she didn't deserve to smile after hurting all those that looked at her.

The only one who didn't care, that felt all wrongs were fixed, was Robin Buckley. Hurrying herself around the counter, her excitement fueled her moves. She showed how easy it was to have Alex back in her life and that all those could do the same if they tried, if they were just as annoying as her— rambling was all it took.

Rushing over, Robin called out to her, "Henderson!" Colliding into her, Robin wrapped her arms around her and just as easily Alex placed her arms around her in return. Then it happened. It was so sudden and it made things feel normal somehow— but Alex smiled wide. Before they could all take in that moment, she was hidden away against Robin.

Steve reeked of jealousy, but what else could he do? To race forward just as Robin had would cause her to flinch, tense up, or even run. He couldn't bring himself to be the very reason she left anyone else behind. All he could do was watch.

Pulling herself away, Robin slipped her hand into Alex's, pulling her along behind the counter. Flashing Steve a grin, Robin wiggled her eyebrows in a teasing manner. Now was his chance and she hoped more than anything he would take it.

Everyone crowded around Dustin, watching as he returned to work and made himself right at home. He was on the hunt for contact information on everyone and anyone that talked to Eddie. Moving around, Steve hesitantly took a stand beside Alex, forcing his eyes to only stay on the computer. "What the hell are you doing, man?"

"I'm setting up base of operations here. I need Eddie's friends' phone numbers."

Sighing, Steve made a face to himself at the mention of Eddie. It seemed that he was all Dustin ever wanted to boast about. Eddie played Dungeons and Dragons, which made him feel cool and comfortable with the things he liked and Steve felt that he was left behind. "Oh, Eddie, your new best friend you think is cooler than me because he plays your nerdy games?"

Pulling his hands off the keyboard, Dustin whipped around to face him. "I never said that."

Taking a step back from the bickering, Alex had turned over to Robin picking up the mess Dustin created in his reign of chaos. Bending down, she gave a small apology for his mess as she picked up the rest of the movies for her. "I know this is annoying having us crash your work, but this is an emergency. I mean, you know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't."

"An emergency?" Robin repeated back. Leaving the pile of movies in a disorganized mess, she scrunched up her face in confusion. "Calling all of Eddie's friends is an emergency?"

Opening her mouth, Alex went to explain until Steve appeared beside her once again. "Want me to strangle him or do either of you want to?" It was small, but he felt that was an olive branch, an opening for Alex to say anything to him. However, the only one amused by him was Robin. "We could all take turns," she suggested.

Alex reordered the stack into a neat pile as she let out a sigh. "Listen, I have my own reasons to strangle my brother, but this is serious. Chrissy Cunningham was the one who was murdered and it happened at Eddie's place. We need to find him."

Robin and Steve looked away from her as they met each other's eyes. "And you're searching for the prime suspect for... what exactly?" Robin asked curiously. "Do you have a kink for danger, Alex? Is that your issue?"

Pursing her lips, Alex tilted her head at her with a small glare. "No, I don't have a kink for danger, Robin." Licking her lips in frustration, she placed her hands into her pockets. Only she failed to realize that leaning forward, Steve was desperate for a look at her hands. All he needed to know was if she still kept the ring he gave her or if she threw it away with everything else. But Alex was focused on clearing Eddie's name. "We're convinced it's not him. He's a total marshmallow. He'd never hurt Chrissy."

Standing up straight, Steve scrunched his face up in confusion. "He's totally insane," he corrected. "Eddie Munson? H-How are you even fully convinced he didn't do it?"

"I live down there," Max interrupted. "At the trailer park and I saw them go into his place together but then weird things started happening. Like seriously messed up. Eddie ran off screaming. Maybe he was freaked out he just killed her, but to me, he seemed terrified. Like something else did it. All we want to do is find him so we're calling his friends to see where he could've gone."

Robin frowned as she thought this all through. It was a shot in the dark and with very little proof, but she couldn't have her doubts. Whenever anyone in this group had a bad feeling, it was a guarantee that something was wrong. It was better to be on board than to pick a fight. "Okay, then I call a phone. I can scare any of those dinguses into giving me answers."

"I call a phone too," Max agreed.

From the computer, Dustin raised a hand. "Phone," he claimed. This was his plan and his friend, no one would take away his moment to step forward and be the one to save him. However, this left only Steve and Alex with nothing.

Crossing his arms, Steve turned his head over to Alex to find her already looking his way. The moment their eyes met, each turned away with a step away from the other. It was as if they were only ever strangers and Robin's plans were just a waste, nothing but a hopeless dream.

Robin's eyes danced back and forth between the two and she could see her plans crumbling. All they needed was a push in the right direction, a way to find a reason to talk to one another. She was willing to be that shove. Taking a hold of Alex's shoulders, she spun her around and guided her out from behind the counter. "Why don't you go find yourself some movies and Steve will attend to customers."

Following after the two, Steve raised a finger in confusion. "So you expect us to not do anything? I thought this was some type of emergency."

"It is," Robin agreed. "And there's three phones and five of us. If we can agree on anything, weird things search for Alex and, let's be honest here, Harrington, you don't want to talk to a bunch of dweebs on the phone."

Frowning, Steve lowered his finger as he nodded in agreement. Coming to another stop on the other side of the counter, he waited as Robin held Alex close to her. "And hey, Henderson, if things get too busy, you can go ahead and work with Steve. You loved doing that kinda nonsense before."

"Before," she mumbled under her breath for only Robin to hear. Squeezing onto her arm, Robin soon gave a small pinch to keep her mouth shut. Alex pulled her arm away in annoyance, "I'll go start browsing then," she said quietly.

Left together, Steve crossed his arms as he narrowed his eyes at Robin. "Remember how you said she's still into me? Total bullshit. Did you think when she said she didn't exactly hate me that it must've meant she loved me? Are you completely clueless, Robin, huh?"

Scrunching up her nose, she gave a sharp punch to his shoulder at his lack of trust. "Is it so wrong of me to want what's best for my friends? To see an old flame reignite? As I said, we're combining and you're officially going to ramble. Jabber on to your heart's desire, Harrington."

"Yeah, about what then? How you've completely lost your mind?"

It was reasonable for him to have his doubts, but to allow those to swallow his last bit of hope was not happening on her watch. She could see that as he talked, his eyes only stayed on her as she browsed the shelves of the horror movie section. All Robin could see was a lost, love-sick puppy that needed a good kick in the right direction.

Turning to the shelf beside them, she spotted the perfect thing. They were standing here, surrounded by movies, and if anyone loved movies, it was Alex Henderson. This morning she had the plan for her and Steve to watch a movie, a drama. Doctor Zhivago was her pick, it was the perfect movie in her eyes and now she felt it was his perfect opening to talk to Alex. Taking the movie off the shelf, she pushed it against his chest for him to take a hold of. "Trust me, she'll love it. And, as I said, Julie Christie is crazy hot in this."

"I don't think that's her main concern."

"It's also about doomed love. It's perfect. Action, suspense, romance. Who knows, maybe she'll even invite you to watch it with her." Seeing his doubt as he looked it over, she grabbed at his vest and pulled him closer to her until they were just inches from touching. Closing her eyes, she hoped he could see the things she dreamed for the two, a blossoming romance. "Just imagine it, Steve. It won't even matter it's double VHS because you will be next to her the entire time and you'll get to hold her ever so closely." Her voice was soft as she spoke, feeling her own heart beat as she imagined how much it would've meant to her if it had been her and Vickie."And she will have no choice but to fall in love with you all over again. It's pure genius." Quickly releasing his vest, she opened her fingers and peeked out of one eye. "Do you see it?"

He kept his eyes on Robin, and despite his glare, he saw it all perfectly. It's all he ever thought of. Going back to how it was used to be a far away dream, but holding onto Doctor Zhivago and with her finally standing so near, he could see it more clearly. Giving in, he looked down at the movie and shook his head in disbelief that he trusted Robin so easily with his heart. "I guess I'll try it out. I'm not saying this'll work though so don't get so full of yourself."

Now opening both eyes, Robin flashed him a wide smile as she stepped back. "I will happily take all the credit once it does work. I won't even say I told you so, but I'll be eagerly awaiting your ass kissing when you realize I'm a genius and you want my help again."

He shot her a look but decided that listening to Dustin wasn't what was best. It was a way to give up so easily to protect himself. Following Robin's advice could hurt, even destroy him inside, but he could say he did more. And if it did work, it would be worth it just to hold her again, to see her smile, and hear her laugh.

With every step toward Alex, his stomach twisted and his throat felt as if it were moments away from closing. He could collapse and everything would've been fine because he'd be whisked away from this feeling of dread of what was to come.

His feet just kept dragging him along as if she had a pull on him. He could just barely see how her eyes lit up as she picked up another movie, looking it over in excitement. To see that reminded him why Robin was always right. He would have that chance to see that again and to fall in love with the perfect girl. Someone he could see himself with for the rest of his life. Everyone else didn't matter, only her.

Swallowing his nerves, he held up the movie and ignored the lurching pain in his stomach. Replacing his worried expression was a smile, one that came to his lips easily when he realized he'd get to hear her talk to him, and only him. Approaching her, he kept his head held high, feeling his chest swell. "Okay, Henderson, Doctor Zhivago."

Hearing his voice call out to her took her by an instant surprise. He sounded so happy, so like himself that she questioned if what Robin told her was true. The way Robin spoke was as if he was miserable inside, broken, but this was the same person she always loved and he was speaking to her. As she turned over her shoulder, she soon realized that if he was as happy as he truly sounded, then he didn't deserve to be hurt by her any more than she already hurt him.

There he stood before her as if nothing changed between the two. Nothing like how they were at the basketball game. "It's a double VHS. It's long. But that's because it's filled with action and romance, a little bit of suspense."

Lightly taking it from his hands, she had trouble meeting his eyes as she looked it over. "It's not my typical movie," she said softly. Pulling her eyes up, she looked at him with a small smile. "But if you say so, I guess I can give it a try." Whatever it was about him, he had an affect on her she couldn't ignore or fight back against it. He was the reason she could ever be her happiest and she threw it all away so easily. Now this felt like it was a start over, one she didn't deserve.

Reaching around her, he plucked another movie off the shelf and handed it her way. "Well, if that doesn't do you any justice, Friday the 13th. I know you love A Nightmare on Elm Street, but trust me, Jason Voorhees is just as awesome. There's a ton of movies so you could make a marathon of it."

"Oh, I know," she laughed. She was more than a fan, but from the way Steve had spoken, she had a feeling he already knew that. He was just searching for a way to keep talking to her. "You know I like A Nightmare on Elm Street?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah, uh, your mom had to wrestle Keith for it. He said other people wanted it, but I, um," he grew nervous the more he spoke. Holding onto the back of his neck, he turned his eyes towards the floor. "I told him you returned it but I sort of rented it out for you in my name. So, you know, keep it as long as you want."

"I didn't..." Alex grew embarrassed and her cheeks felt warm in an instant. "I didn't know that. Sorry."

"Don't even worry about it," he brushed off quickly. Dropping his hand down, he motioned to the movies in her hands. "Well, I think you're all set for a movie night for yourself."

She glanced down at the movies in her hand and nodded along in agreement. "Yeah, and I'll let you know if Doctor Zhivago really is the switch up I needed when I bring it back." Turning her eyes back up to him, she saw how his worry vanished and a smile grew once again. Doctor Zhivago truly was the key whether Robin truly knew that or not because Alex Henderson offered to come back to Family Video just to see him.

Alex had seen how much she had missed him and how easy it was to be around him. She craved to keep this feeling forever because that emptiness that consistently consumed her had felt less small. He could easily take it all away and she felt selfish for wanting to take that pain away and be with him.

The world had stopped as she felt like herself once again. Despite her fight to stay alone for as long as she could, he had a pull that she couldn't resist. One that made her act on her selfish needs. "Maybe if you're ever free or anything, we could watch it together. I-I know double VHS isn't really your thing but if you wanted..."

"I'd love that," he said quickly. He was not going to let the moment pass so soon when it was right there in front of him. "So, yeah, we can totally work something out. I'm free whenever."

"Me too. Maybe tomorrow night, if you want." He had gone to nod, but Alex's smile dropped as she gave a small shrug. A darkness settled across her eyes as her lips curved downwards into a frown. "I don't mean to sound like I'm expecting anything either. I know you've been seeing Brenda, I-I saw you two together at the game. So, um, I just don't want you to think I'm ruining anything between you two or... or whoever you're dating."

"No," he said immediately. His heart began to sink to know she had crossed a line that he was certain didn't exist. There was no one else, at least none that could compare to her. His hunt for the perfect girl seemed endless but here she was. She was always right there and no doubts could ever have him see her as anything less any longer. "No, I'm not seeing anyone. There's no one I want to be with besides..." He brought himself to a pause as he awkwardly cleared his throat, "uh, yeah there's no one. Don't worry about any of that. Not that... not that I'm expecting anything either. We could just catch up and watch a movie."

A glow had replaced her demeanor to hear there truly was no one else that caught his eye. This was Steve Harrington and he could have anyone in the world but he chose her. "Movies," she corrected. "If you think Jason Voorhees is truly awesome, then you wouldn't turn down the chance to watch it."

"And I'm totally down to watch A Nightmare on Elm Street too. See what has your mom taking on Keith for it. It's gotta be pretty awesome."

Alex gave him a smile and nod of agreement. Tomorrow night was going to be just them and several movies. Even if the two claimed they didn't expect anything more, they each hoped for much more. There was no doubt that their hearts still beat for one another. It only confirmed that when Alex turned back to the movie selections and Steve saw what had been attached to her backpack. Both his and Robin's Scoops Ahoy name tags were still pinned to it. It was a small sign, but it was one that was enough to tell him Robin knew what was best for him. She always did even when he didn't understand.

Getting back to work, he caught Robin's eye just in time as he passed by. Phone to her ear, she had sent him a small thumbs up. Her eyes flickered back and forth between the two, seeing how each of them glowed with pure happiness to be around one another. It was nothing less than perfect.

Steve moved on to putting away movies, but he couldn't help his eyes from lingering off to watch Alex as the day continued on. She was quiet and he missed hearing her voice, longed to be a reason she was laughing. Slowly, it had started to feel that it could be a reality very soon. And even then, it still wasn't close enough.

It was when Max had finally been the one to give them a lead. It was a long shot, but it was the only thing she could get from anyone. Placing the phone down on the receiver, she called over the group to discuss information on someone who went by Reefer Rick.

Rick supplied Eddie with drugs. The only issue was, that Reefer Rick was more of a legend than someone that people knew personally. Not even a last name was given to them.

Alex sat up on the counter as she listened. "Yeah, I've heard of Reefer Rick," she said softly. All eyes turned to her, but even she lacked much information on him. "Eddie told me about him is all. He'd stay with him whenever he needed somewhere to crash at night but I thought he was still in jail."

"In jail?" Dustin questioned curiously. "You think he'd stay there if he was gone?"

Alex gave a shrug. "Probably but I don't even know where he lives or his last name. I never asked and Eddie never told me. We don't really talk about that kinda stuff." Steve's eyes shot up towards her as she spoke of Eddie. For months she was gone and no one could see her or talk to her, but here she was talking about Eddie Munson. He told himself there was no reason to be jealous, he couldn't feed into that when he was the one that would get to spend time with her again. He was the one making plans with her after all.

His eyes turned back to his work, not looking to look at the group as he shared his thoughts on how they could move forward. "Bet the cops know his last name."

Alex looked up at the mention of the cops. They were the last ones that needed to be involved in their search. Officer Powell never concerned her, he would give her a warning for anything he caught her in and often offer her a ride home to keep her out of trouble. Then there was Officer Callahan and her blood boiled just thinking of getting him involved with their findings. "The cops?" Alex questioned him in disbelief.

Looking up to her, he gave a small shrug. Placing his movies down, he made his way to the counter beside her. "I mean, listen, if this Reefer Rick is actually a drug dealer," he paused as he pointed a finger down on Alex's leg. "I guarantee you he's been busted at some point. Means he's in the system."

Alex knocked his hand off of her as she considered his idea. "I'm just confused," she whispered, "You want someone like Callahan to know what we're doing and catch Eddie?"

Steve avoided her eyes, ashamed to have touched her when she was not ready for that. He just couldn't help but act on instinct. Being near her made him feel as if everything was how it always was, but it wasn't. It was very different. "I think they should be filled in on what we know, what's going on. If that means Callahan, then, yeah, I guess."

Standing up from his seat, Dustin approached the counter in awe. "You think Eddie's guilty, don't you?"

"Whoa, I believe in innocent until proven guilty, all that constitutional shit. I just, you know..." Clapping his hands together, he looked around at the four to see that no one was on his side. Not even in the slightest bit. "I just don't think we can rule it out."

"That's precisely what we're trying to do here, Steve," Max had snapped. Immediately jumping in agreement, Dustin crossed his arms. "And maybe we'd have a little bit more luck if you spent less time trying to get a girlfriend and more time trying to find Eddie."

Mouth hung open, Steve took a step back with his arms raised. Being called out in front of everyone for his clear motives was not what he wanted or even expected. "Somebody has to attend to the customers."

"Especially if they're babes, right, Henderson?" Robin immediately shot Alex a knowing wink that had her cheeks grow a rosy pink. Leaning back on the counter, Steve raised a finger at Robin in warning. "Hey, not fair. I attend to all the customers equally, babes and non-babes alike."

"And do you have movie dates planned with all your customers or only the ones you've previously dated?" Dustin questioned curiously. He was itching to get under Steve's skin for quite some time and now, laying before him, was his golden opportunity. It felt like old times again and it was something he longed to get back.

"It's not a date," Alex and Steve said together. Clearing his throat, he gestured to her in proof that he was only a great employee that helped his customers. "Yeah, so, you know, all of you just relax. There were only three phones and you left us out. We can have a friendly conversation with each other if we want. We've got a very big selection here. Alex hasn't been here in a while and it can be super overwhelming to some people."

Smile growing, Robin backed away from the counter and threw herself down in the seat in front of the computer. "It can be. So maybe we don't need a last name." Searching in the store's database, she looked for all the Ricks that had ever rented a movie from them. Hopping down from the counter, Alex followed with Steve to get behind it and find out exactly what was running through her mind.

Gathering around, they watched as she narrowed down their search based on movie rentals. Most choices were not ones that said Reefer Rick was a family man or interested strictly in chic flicks. Rather Reefer Rick seemed to be the one that was renting the Cheech and Chong movies— Rick Lipton at 2121 Holland Road. It was a start to finding Eddie Munson.

"That's out by Lovers Lake," Dustin said with a knowing smile.

"Middle of nowhere," Max whispered.

"It's a perfect place to hide," Robin said with a large smile. Behind her, two others did not have that same enthusiasm as the rest. They had done their best not to look at one another, but Steve and Alex couldn't help themselves from feeling that ache in their heart. It used to be where they would hide away from all their friends in Hawkins. Now it was just another hideaway place for anyone else to use, stolen from them.

They would head back together, this time further apart from one another than they ever had been. It was a walk down their memories that added to the haunting nightmare that now flooded Hawkins. Where they once hid away, stealing kisses and acting on lustful touching, was now a place that would feel the wrath of the curse that overtook this town and soon all of them.