“Grief makes people do stupid things, Sheriff.” He watched the way the man drew his lines, taking in the certainty with which he did so but not commenting on it. Not now. Not when the topic had shifted upon his friends, a portal, and FINDING someone. “I’ve made a couple of mistakes myself, but I’ve learned my lesson.”
The man who had been ready to burn down the world in order to safe, protect, and get back his FRIEN, might know what he is talking about when he talks of these mistakes. Sure, he’d do it AGAIN, but he knew the price that came with it and he’d not only warn but stop the kids no matter what.
“I still can’t shake off the feeling that you aren’t telling me the full story.” It’s not fair of Steve to point it out this blatantly, he’s aware how rude he sounds and how ungrateful he must appear, but he wouldn’t lie NOW. Not when telling the truth meant he could get Hopper to open up to him a little bit more.
His lips thinned, brows furrowing, but Hopper didn’t look up from his sketch; didn’t comment on the Captain’s words. He sure as hell didn’t need to be told about the effects of grief. Grief had been what had ruined his marriage after Sarah’s death. Grief had been what made him turn to booze and pills to numb away the pain. Grief had turned him from someone with a career, a loving family, to an isolated dead beat cop with nothing to his name except for guilt and wariness. Even now, after having saved Will, having found purpose again, it was still there. It hadn’t been just duty, just purpose, or concern for Eleven’s safety that had made him accept their offer, after all; but the idea of finding more parallel universes ... ones where Sarah could still be alive ...
Jim forcefully pushed the thought and sour taste of his own hypocrisy from his mind as he put the finishing touches on the sketch, pushing the paper towards Steve.
“ Neither have you. “ After all, though Jim’d guessed the kid’s involvement, he was still waiting for Steve to actually confirm that fact. “ And I know you’ve got your reasons. So do I. “ He sat back again, arms crossed; his head cocked, gaze assessing. After a beat, a soft sigh escaped his lips. “ What do you know about MK Ultra? “