Drove Through Ghosts To Get Here 19/32

Title: Drove Through Ghosts To Get Here
Fandom: Teen Wolf
Rating: NC-17
Authors: Sxymami0909 and Xtremeroswellia
Timeline: Takes place 1 year after the end of ‘Beyond The Sea’
Series: Post Finale AU
Pairings: Stiles/Lydia, Scott/Kira, Isaac Lahey, Sheriff Stilinski, Melissa McCall, Chris Argent, Derek Hale, Cora Hale, Aiden, Ethan, Danny, Braeden, Alan Deaton, Peter Hale, Malia Tate-Hale, mentions of Scott/Allison, mentions of Derek/Lydia, mentions of Stiles/Braeden
Part: 19/32
Summary: The one year anniversary of Allison's death is right around the corner just in time for a new threat to make it's way to Beacon Hills. With Lydia's banshee powers growing, and dead bodies piling up near the Nemeton, Scott and his pack need to work together to figure out who's behind the latest attacks and what knew evil is on the lose. Tension is mounting in the pack and relationships will be tested when an old ally returns to town with information that could help the pack. But can the pack trust their old friend or has the year passed hardened him to a point of no return?
Author's Note: This is a Stydia story, but it's a slow burn because a lot needs to be rebuilt and there are mentions of other couples and other friendships along the way. One year has passed between this story and 'Beyond the Sea'. You will get to see the missing year in a series of one-shots taking place between 'Beyond the Sea' and this story later on.
Previous Chapters: | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten |
Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen |Sixteen | Seventeen |Eighteen |

Chapter 19

His whole body hurt in a way it hadn’t in a long time, but his stomach and his side felt like they were on actual fire. The rest of him just felt cold, like he’d fallen asleep in the dead of winter in Alaska. His body shook, but it was what woke him, slowly, a little at a time, fingers flexing against someone else’s hand and his eyebrows furrowed. He didn’t remember going to bed with anyone else.

He didn’t remember going to bed at all, for that matter. He let out a breath, turning his head toward the very faint light filtering through window blinds. It was either getting late, or it was really early. He wasn’t sure which, and his eyelids still felt too heavy to move yet.

The last time he’d woken like this, it had been to one severely upset young Hale wolf. His mind skittered from Colombia to the way he’d woken after being possessed by the Nogitsune for weeks and decided that this didn’t feel quite as bad as either of those, even if it wasn’t pleasant. A soft groan escaped him as he instinctively tried to push himself into a sitting position.

Scott pressed a hand against Stiles’ chest lightly enough not to hurt his friend. “Relax, don’t try to sit up, you’re not going to be able to do that right now,” he warned relief filling every part of his body. It had been sixteen long hours that his friend had been passed out and he had started to think he wasn’t going to wake up.

Scott swallowed hard, “How are you feeling?”

Stiles relaxed instantly at the sound of Scott’s familiar voice, lying back against the pillow beneath him. He drew in a breath and let it out slowly, this time managing to open his eyes. He resisted the urge to make a joke about being run over by some kind of truck, because he could already see the worry on Scott’s face and they’ve been through this too many times.

“I’m okay,” he told him, offering a faint smile.

Scott did not return the smile. He knew Stiles was just trying to reassure him. He frowned, “How much pain are you in? Really.” He asked knowing his friend well enough to know he’d downplay things so he didn’t worry. But Scott was already worried and that wasn’t going to change any time soon.

Stiles’ smile faded when it wasn’t returned the way he’d expected it to be and he sighed softly. “It’s not great? It could be a lot worse.” It was honest, at least. It took him a moment to register that he was in his bedroom, tucked in his bed without a shirt on, multiple bandages covering his stomach and side. He looked down at them for a few seconds and then back at Scott. “Seriously, Scott. I’ll be okay.”

Scott nodded resting a hand on Stiles’ arm again. He was silent for a minute. “You scared the shit out of me man...I’m pretty sure you scared us all nearly half to death and that’s saying something.” Even Aiden had seemed worried.

Stiles wanted more than anything to make that sad look on his best friend’s face disappear. But the puppy dog eyes were in full effect and it was all Stiles could do not to shut his own eyes, because regardless of what he’d told Scott on Thanksgiving, he was pretty sure no one on the planet was immune. Not even Stiles. “I’m really sorry,” he said quietly.

Scott blanched, “What could you possibly be sorry for?” He asked confused. “It’s not like you planned this,” he said shaking his head. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m sorry, I should have gotten to you faster or...I don’t know,” he sighed and glanced down. “You’re going to be okay.” He said quietly.

Scott didn't want to talk about the sixteen hour interlude or the sheer amount of blood that had covered downstairs, Stiles, his Mom...Scott still wasn’t sure how he was sitting there talking to Stiles right now, but he’d take it.

It was Stiles’ turn to be confused. “Sorry for scaring everyone half to death?” His voice was uncertain and then he sighed softly, giving Scott a look. “Dude. It isn’t your fault. You didn’t summon the daevas. You’re not the one out there killing and shredding people to pieces. You didn’t do this, Scott.”

He shifted slightly, turning onto his uninjured side. “And I’m betting that you haven’t even slept since…” He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. 6 a.m. “Since you dragged me out of the woods yesterday. Right?”

Scott arched and an eyebrow and shrugged. “I’ve dozed on and off.” He told him quietly. Scott glanced up at his friend. “No one goes back in that woods until we know how to kill the daevas, even you...Got it?” He asked eyebrow arched.

Stiles hesitated, then sighed softly, thinking of what he needed to do in a few days. He’d either have to find another power spot to complete the ritual he needed to do, or hope they’d found a way to kill daevas by then. “Got it.”

Scott nodded, "Good." He said quietly. "I should probably go get Mom and your Dad. They've been worried. You've been out for a while." He admitted even though he knew Stiles probably already knew that.

“How long is awhile?” he asked uncertainly, wondering how bad of a freakout he should be expecting from his dad. Another thought occurred to him suddenly and he jerked up. “Lydia. Where is she? Is she okay?” His eyes were wide.

"Sit back," Scott said his voice stern as he gently shoved Stiles back. "You've been out for about sixteen hours." He said pursing his lips, hesitating as he met his friends gaze. "Lydia is with Derek." Scott replied, "Now can you please try to calm down. You were hurt bad...seriously bad Stiles. You're heart stopped...for more than a minute. I need you to just relax, for me please." He said quietly, his chest tightening.

Stiles felt his chest tighten too, but not at the news that he’d been clinically dead. He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “Is she okay, Scott?” His eyes were pleading.

Scott was silent for a minute. "I don't know. She's not awake yet...and I haven't had a chance to talk to Deaton," he admitted guilt filling his chest. "Derek's been with her and she seems stable. It's probably just like last time where she needed some rest." He told his friend hoping that was the truth.

Scott paused, "There is something you should know though...when your heart stopped, so did hers." He winced slightly knowing his friend wasn't going to take that well, but also knowing it would be worse if he found out from someone else.

Stiles stared at Scott for a long moment, then shut his eyes tightly as guilt flooded him. Well, he supposed that answered that question. He swallowed heavily, rubbing his hands over his face as he tried to process that information. That if something happened to him, it was likely also going to happen to Lydia. “Son of a bitch.”

Scott sighed, "Now before you freak out the problem is...we don't know if it was your heart that stopped or hers. Derek thinks it might have been Lydia's. But Cora thinks it was yours. Deaton thinks your connection with Lydia was keeping you alive," He admitted his chest tight at the thought. Stiles had almost died. Scott swallowed hard. "And that's why Derek thinks it was Lydia. When her heart stopped you automatically..." Moisture filled Scott's eyes. "But we don't really know."

Stiles opened his eyes, hearing his best friend’s voice straining to finish what he was saying. He reached out, gripping onto Scott’s hand. He wasn’t sure it mattered much one way or the other whose heart at stop first. Lydia had died. He needed to talk to Deaton and figure out how to make sure that didn’t happen again, if it was even possible. Right then all he wanted was to hug his best friend. “Come here,” he whispered, reaching his arms out.

Scott went willingly standing up and shifting over to his friend. He carefully wrapped his arms around Stiles, holding him tightly. "I was really terrified," he admitted, "having you come back just to lose you...I'm officially angry. We need to find out who's doing this and soon."

Stiles hugged him as tightly as he could from his prone position and injured body. “I can’t stop thinking that this comes back to us,” he said quietly. “That it’s...about us somehow. Specifically.”

"If that's what you think, I trust your instincts." He said simply. "We'll talk to Deaton. Peter and Malia should be here by nightfall and then we're all together. I think we should all stay together...the whole pack. Strength in numbers and so we know where everyone is." He told Stiles. Scott had been thinking about it all day.

Stiles grimaced as he pulled away to look at Scott, guilt twisting in his stomach. “Uh, yeah about that...are you sure it’s a good idea for me and Peter and Malia and Lydia to all be under one roof together for extended periods of time?” Because for multiple reasons he didn’t think that was a great plan.

Scott frowned, "The only person I'd really be concerned about in that situation is Lydia...I'm pretty sure you can control your urge to maim Peter for a few days for the good of everyone. I'm not sure why you or Lydia would have a problem with Malia being here. Plus Lydia,was the one who called Peter to help us save you back when you were taken over by the Nogitsune." He explained. It had been her idea hoping it would get Stiles back and it had worked.

"I'm sure she can put aside her hatred for Peter for a couple of days. She did it for you before." He responded quietly.

Stiles shifted, rubbing the back of his neck. “No, I can control my urge to maim Peter probably? Uh, he might possibly have the urge to maim me, though.” He paused. “And it could be potentially very awkward with Malia considering…” He held his breath for a moment, grimacing and averting his eyes away from Scott. “We sort of had sex in the basement of Eichen House.”

Scott's mouth dropped open. "You what?" He held up a hand, "No don't repeat it I heard it we've got other wolves here." He told his friend before sitting down beside him on the bed. "You...with Peter's daughter? Who technically I guess we didn't know about then, but still."

Scott scratched the back of his neck and pursed his lips. He knew why they hadn't talked about it, but it still sucked that they had all missed out on so much because of that damn Nogitsune. "Well Lydia's not really the jealous type right? And technically you guys weren't together...and maybe we can not mention it. I mean you haven't seen Malia in over a year...so there's probably nothing there anymore...right?" Scott asked hesitantly.

Stiles rubbed a hand over his face. “Yeah. I don’t think she is. And no, we weren’t really together at all. And it’s not something that…” He chewed his lower lip. “I was almost out of time. And I was scared and it just…” He exhaled. “I wasn’t thinking clearly and it just all spiraled.” He didn’t look at Scott. “There wasn’t really anything there to begin with, if I’m being honest.” She’d offered, and he’d been convinced he was going to die.

Scott nodded and sent his friend half a smile. "Then it'll be our secret." He said with a shrug. "No reason to say anything or make things awkward. And Derek's loft has enough open space that we can probably all fit. I don't want Peter in our home." He admitted honestly.

Stiles chewed his thumbnail, nodding in agreement about Peter. He didn’t want Peter Hale around his dad or Scott’s mom at all. Ever. The guy tended to help when it was convenient or benefitted him in some way, but he still remembered all too well how he’d been willing to bite Melissa so get to Scott, remembered how he’d attacked Lydia on that field, and brainwashed her into bringing him back to life.

“No, I agree. I don’t want him here either. But what about our parents? I mean what if this all puts them in danger, too?”

Scott’s brows furrowed. “I was thinking that too...but I feel like the more distance we put between us and them until this is over, the better off they’ll be,” he admitted. Whenever someone was threatening him Scott instincts were always to protect the ones he loved first and he felt like his Mom and the sheriff would do better without them there since the daevas seemed to be breaking their pattern by attacking Stiles.

Stiles looked at his best friend for a moment, considering that. His mind drifted back to Jennifer Blake, to how easily all of their parents had been taken. “What if we asked Chris Argent to stay with them, just for some extra precaution?”

Scott grinned, “It’s like you’re reading my mind,” he commented with a head tilt. “I’ve mentioned I’m glad you’re back, right? Because I am.” He pushed himself up, “I’ll give him a call after I clear things with Derek. But I should get Mom and the sheriff,” he said with half a smile, “They were really worried.” His chest tightened especially his Mom and he hadn’t been the greatest son. Thank god Isaac was there to pick up his slack.

“Oh, mind reading. Yeah, that’s an emissary thing, too,” he said casually, his face neutral as he looked at Scott. “But just with the alpha of the pack, so…”

Scott’s face blanched, “Uh…” He stepped back, “That’s a joke right?” His brows furrowed as all kinds of inappropriate thoughts filled his head. Of course that’s how it worked.

“You’re thinking of sex with Kira right now, aren’t you?” It was all he could do not to laugh at the expression on Scott’s face.

Scott’s cheeks flushed, “I’m not! You almost died...Lydia’s being Lydia and I’m worried about the pack...And..it’s not my fault she’s so attractive when she’s fighting things. I like strong women...I’m leaving.” He turned on his heel and called over his shoulder, “You’re mean.”

Stiles laughed, pressing a hand to his stomach as pain shot through him, laying his head back on the pillow. “Yeah, but I had you there for a minute, didn’t I?” he called back.

Scott had just stepped out of the room and he shook his head, “Dude, you’re terrible. You’re lucky you’re half dead,” he said even though it wasn’t a joke. But for the moment he was just going to enjoy his best friend teasing him. “I’ll be back. Don’t try to go anywhere.” He said pointedly.

“What if I have to pee, dude?” he asked, arching his eyebrows. “That’s quickly becoming an issue. I mean it’s been sixteen hours -- over that, really.”

Scott didn’t answer him, but Cora popped her head into the room with a smirk, “I’d be happy to grab you a bottle...Coke or Gatorade?” She asked amused.

Stiles grinned at her, glad to see her. “To be clear, is this for me to drink or a container for me to pee into?”

“Well I can get you a full one so you can drink it and then use it.” Cora’s smirk widened, “You know how I love to kill two birds with one stone.”

“That’s because you’re a quick thinker.” He smirked back at her. “I’ll go with Coke.”

Cora arched an eyebrow, “Interesting choice,” she teased. “I’ll be back. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you not to move...because if you’re anything like me it’ll only make you want to do it even more.” She said shooting a glance at the guest bedroom where Derek was, hoping her brother heard that little piece of information.

Stiles shook his head in amusement, watching as she headed away and shifting slightly in the bed, grimacing. He drew in a breath and let it out slowly, closing his eyes and lifting a hand to his face, rubbing it warily.

Michael squeezed Melissa’s hand gently before they stepped into Stiles bedroom. His chest was tight as he moved with his fiancé to the side of the bed. He’d been terrified when he came home and found out what happened. But the sad part was, by now, Michael was used to this. Well maybe used to was the wrong phrasing. He was no longer surprised by the death and danger that surrounded their kids.

It didn’t mean that it was any less nerve wracking when it happened though. The wait was the worst part. So, seeing his son sitting there eyes open, with a tiny bit of color back in his cheeks made his chest loosen immensely. He released Melissa’s hand so she could move around to the other side of the bed like she wanted to. “What have I told you about trying to give your old man a heart attack?” He asked his tone mildly annoyed.

Melissa shook her head and sat beside Stiles cupping his cheek. “It’s about time you woke up.” She told him before he could even answer his father.

Stiles leaned into the comforting touch of Melissa’s hand against his cheek, offering her a tiny smile. “Well, I just wanted to play Sleeping Beauty for a little while,” he joked. “Thought maybe my princess charming would wake me up with a kiss or something.” He shrugged a shoulder, looking up at his dad.

“Sorry,” he said sincerely, guilt flickering in his eyes.

Melissa chuckled softly at his joke. If Stiles was making jokes then he was definitely on the mend, which made her heart a lot lighter especially after what she’d had to deal with earlier. The sight of Stiles’ blood all over her hands wasn’t something she’d ever forget. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Scott told us that you saved him and Lydia. You are a hero.” She said lightly.

Michael reached out and squeezed his son’s arm. “She’s right you know, I’ve been trying to tell you that for years, but maybe you’ll listen to her instead,” he said with half a smile. “We’re just glad you’re okay...and we’re worried, but we know that this is how things are with you and Scott...Isaac. But we’re never going to stop worrying.” He paused, “About any of you.”

“Yeah, well, as many times as Scott’s saved my butt over the years, I kinda owe him. Lydia, too.” He was really uncomfortable with the term “hero” in regards to himself. Always had been. It had just been his gut instinct in the situation. “But you know, I did grow up watching my dad save lives and stuff, so.” He arched his eyebrows at the sheriff, giving him a grin. He was silent for a few moments, looking between the two of them. “And actually, you too,” he added with a smile at Melissa. “Kinda runs in the whole family?”

Melissa shook her head. “I am surrounded by a lot of very protective and heroic men.” She told him with a grin. “It’s a good life I have with all my boys.” She said giving him a gentle squeeze.

Michael watched them and warmth filled his chest. Melissa had always been there for Stiles like he was her own and that meant the world to him. He couldn’t wait to make her his wife, officially because he was pretty sure they’d been unofficially married for years.

Stiles reached up and squeezed Melissa’s arm gently. “Just returning the favor. You know from all the times I showed up at your doorstep with bike-related and skateboarding related injuries.” And any other injuries he would get while he was out playing with Scott when they were younger. Both of them had been pretty accident-prone as kids.

Melissa chuckled, “There were definitely quite a few of those. You kids...after while I stopped being surprised when you boys came home with new and creative injuries.” She shook her head affectionately. “And look, you and Scott are still coming home with injuries.” Melissa pursed her lips, “But that’s why you have us. We’ll always be here.”

Stiles’ chest tightened at that. He thought of the numerous times that almost hadn’t been true. The times that she or his dad had almost been killed because of all the supernatural mess that they were always involved in. But maybe it wasn’t really anyone’s fault. Maybe it was just fate. Maybe it was just nature trying to keep its own balance. “I know,” he said quietly, looking up and meeting her eyes.

Melissa swallowed hard and she shifted wrapping an arm around Stiles. “I made some food, because god forbid I don’t feed the rabid wolves downstairs,” she teased good naturedly, “Are you hungry? You should eat it will help get your strength back up.”

Michael nodded before Stiles could answer. “She’s right. I’ll go downstairs and grab you a plate.” He said leaving no room for argument.

Melissa smiled, “And if it’s okay, I thought I’d lay here a bit with you. Scott’s taking a quick shower,” She added.

Before Stiles could even respond, his dad was out of the room. He wasn’t going to argue about food. He was hungry and Melissa McCall was an awesome cook. He shifted slightly on the bed to make room for her. “Yeah, it’s okay,” he told her with a small faint smile.

Melissa smiled, amused. “Good, because it wasn’t going to be an option,” she joked lightly as she rested next to him and wrapped an arm around him. Stiles and Scott were no longer eight years old, but that didn’t mean they didn’t need the same kind of affection that they’d gotten when they were younger. Sometimes it meant they needed it even more.

“That does not surprise me,” he admitted with a slight chuckle, resting his head against her shoulder the way he had so many times after his mom had died and he’d been spending the night at the McCall’s and woken from a nightmare. He was quiet for a long moment. “Thank you, by the way.” His voice was soft.

A hint of confusion crossed Melissa’s face, “For what?” She asked softly running a hand over his hair.

His eyes drifted shut. “For everything you’ve done over the years. For me. For my dad.” He chewed his lower lip. “And for taking care of him while I was gone for the last year.”

Melissa swallowed heavily. "You two are my family. You never have to thank me for taking care of either of you." She said softly as she pressed a kiss to the side of his head and held him closer, moisture in her eyes.

Stiles leaned into her, feeling the tug of sleep pulling at him again. He knew that was normal after being severely injured, so he wasn’t too worried about it. Except he was also hungry. “He’s been okay?” he asked quietly.

Melissa nodded, "Aside from missing you, he's been very good." She told him softly still stroking his hair gently.

“Good,” he murmured, yawning again.

Melissa glanced down at him for a minute. "Sleep Sweetie," she said softly, "the food will be here when you wake up."

“Okay,” he agreed tiredly, letting his mind go blank as he drifted to sleep within a few seconds.

______

Derek sat in the guest bedroom, the small desk chair pulled up to the side of the bed. His arms resting on his legs hands clenched in front of him, his body leaning forward as he listened to Lydia’s steady heartbeat. His eyes were closed, but he wasn’t sleeping. How could he? It sounded odd, but over the past nine months he’d gotten rather attached to Lydia.

Not in a ‘you’re the love of my life’ sort of way, or even in an ‘I’m obsessed with the great sex’ sort of way either. When he thought about Lydia, it was something else entirely. She was an extended member of his family, not like Cora obviously, that would be weird. And not like the pack either. It was hard for him to explain.

It had been Lydia who started things between them. He’d taken her to train with Chris and it had been a particularly bad session. Something happened to set her off, he couldn’t quite remember what. But she’d destroyed one of Chris’ workout bags and then cried hysterically for close to forty minutes.

Derek didn’t do well with emotions. So he’d offered to drive her home and when he parked he’d seen how dark and empty her large house was. He remembered being surprised that she went home to the same kind of darkness he did. It was that night he realized how alone she was, how lonely and sad.

So when she’d kissed him, it wasn’t expected and yet he understood it and he hadn’t pulled away. And while things had changed that night, it wasn’t in a way that most people around them thought. Their feelings for each other were never romantic. Lydia had loved Stiles probably since before the Nogitsune had taken him over and she still very much loved him.

Derek respected that love and offered her friendship, companionship so that neither of them were alone, because honestly he was so tired of having no one in his life. It had been worse before Cora came back. After Jennifer he’d started questioning his ability to care for people, to love them. Sure things had gotten better with Scott and the pack at the time, but they all had their connections, their friendships. People they would die for, people who knew them inside and out. Derek had always envied the friendship Scott and Stiles had.

That kind of loyalty, love, and friendship wasn’t something that was easy to come by. Derek hadn’t even realized he developed that kind of connection until Lydia had risked her life for his. Not knowing about her own abilities she’d all but laid down her life for his and that’s the moment he realized he didn’t have to be envious of Scott and Stiles anymore because he’d developed his own connection, someone he could call family outside of the conventional term for the word.

So the fact that all he could do was sit there and stare while all of this crap happened made him incredibly frustrated. Derek didn’t like being helpless. He didn’t like not knowing how to help the people he cared about. He let out a long sigh and dropped his head forward rolling his neck as he continue to listen making sure that despite the fact that she wasn’t awake she was okay.

Scott watched Derek from the doorway for a long few moments after he got out of the shower. He was pretty sure the guy hadn’t moved from Lydia’s side more than a couple times in the last sixteen hours. He could relate, considering he’d barely left Stiles’ side. He still wanted to go back and sit with his best friend even now. He couldn’t get the image of Stiles’ limp body, bleeding and broken on the coffee table downstairs, out of his mind.

His heart had stopped. Clinically, Stiles and Lydia had both been dead for several moments. It had been terrifying. Every bit as terrifying as that night outside of Eichen House with the Oni and Allison. He sighed softly. “Her heart sounds strong and steady,” he said quietly as he stepped into the room.

Derek opened his eyes and glanced over at Scott angling his head to the side. “It does.” He stated before glancing back towards the bed. “How’s Stiles doing?” He assumed that if Scott was up and about it meant Stiles had hopefully woken up.

“He’s awake. Or he was a few minutes ago.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s in a lot of pain still, which is normal, considering.” His gaze drifted to Lydia. “What about her?”

Derek pursed his lips, “I wish I knew,” he said quietly. “She’s not feeling any physical pain, if she was I’d be able to take it, but I can sense her struggling with her emotions...I think. I don’t know,” he said with a sigh. “I can feel anxiety coming from her. But I don’t know why, physically she seems calm.”

“Maybe she’s sensing that Stiles is in pain,” he suggested, troubled. He watched Derek for a moment, then shifted closer, sitting down on the edge of the bed and taking Lydia’s hand in his own. He rubbed his thumb lightly over the back of it.

A thoughtful look crossed Derek’s face, “You’re probably right. It seems like their connection is repaired.” He commented, “So it makes sense that she’d be feeling what he is.” Derek pursed his lips, “I’m just not sure why she isn’t awake yet.” He said quietly as he rested a hand on her arm. Derek swallowed hard and then cleared his throat glancing over at Scott. “What’s going on?” He asked.

Scott was silent for a moment. “Stiles thinks that the daevas are a distraction. That something else is going on.” He hesitated, looking down. “And he thinks it has something to do with the sacrifices we did in place of our parents.” He looked up at Derek after a moment. “It broke pattern with Stiles. None of his family’s ever had anyone as a victim of arson.” Scott’s voice was quiet.

Derek looked up at Scott’s words. “It seems like Stiles might be right...Then what’s the connection?” he asked with a frown. “Just random bodies? Or maybe there’s something we’re missing.” He said quietly.

“My guess is the latter. I have no idea what it could be.” Then again solving this kind of thing had never been his strong suit. It had always been Stiles’. Scott couldn’t believe he hadn’t considered that his friend was going to end up being an emissary with all of the things he figured out and all the random knowledge about stuff that he tended to know. “But that makes three people in this pack that whoever’s doing this has gone after. And you’re the only one with...that fits the pattern of the others.”

Derek nodded. “So we have to assume that they’ll be coming after the rest of the pack.” He said quietly. “Do we have a plan?”

Scott drew in a breath. “I think we all need to stick together.” He gave Derek an apologetic look. “How would you feel about the whole pack using your loft until we get this figured out and put an end to it?”

Derek arched an eyebrow and the corner of his lip turned up. “I think...we’re going to have some interesting sleeping arrangements.” He commented wryly.

Scott grimaced at that. “Sleeping bags will have to do for most, I think.”

Derek nodded, “I think I’ve got an air mattress or two from when I lived out at my old family house,” he said quietly. “I can bring them up from storage. Stiles can share with Cora, he’s going to need a bed.” He commented knowing that healing from the daevas was going to take some time. “And...I think maybe the couch pulls out?” He said though it came out as more of a question. “The lady at the store talked a lot...I just wanted to leave.”

Scott raised his eyebrows. “Stiles can share with Cora?” he echoed, more than a little surprised at Derek’s suggestion. He’d done a pretty big 180 as far as trusting Stiles went, in a pretty short amount of time. Especially considering.

Derek glanced up and Scott. “He can barely move. I doubt he’ll be making a move on my sister. Plus I don’t think Lydia would appreciate it if he did. So, I’d say it’s safe for them to share a bed.” He commented slightly amused by the look on Scott’s face, “Plus with Peter in town and Stiles out of commission I want Lydia with me.” He shrugged.

Scott was silent for a moment, not entirely sure what to make of any of what Derek had just said. “Right. Okay.” He looked down at Lydia, rubbing his hand over her arm soothingly in an attempt to quell her unconscious anxiety.

Derek was quiet for a minute. “Did you think I didn’t know?” He asked with an arched eyebrow. “About Stiles and Lydia?”

“To be honest, Derek, I haven’t really known what’s going on with all of that in a long time.” He glanced at his friend. “I try not to pry into personal stuff too much.”

Derek nodded. “It’s better that way.” He said before pursing his lips. “I suppose if Cora doesn’t mind Lydia and Stiles can take her room...we’ll figure things out later I guess.” He said with a shrug. “Peter and Malia should be here tonight at some point. Probably between seven and eight so we should try to get everyone back to the loft before then so people can carve out their own space.” He added.

Scott laid a hand on Derek’s shoulder. “And this is all really okay with you? All of us invading your place? I know you like your space, man.” He also knew Derek would do whatever had to be done to protect the pack. Even the twins.

Derek nodded. “It’s fine. I can give up my space for a while if it means keeping everyone safe. Besides I still have my room. I can have my daily brooding session in there.” He dead panned as he glanced over at Scott, a hint of humor in his gaze.

Scott grinned, patting his shoulder fondly. “We’ll let you have that,” he assured him.

“I should hope so. I get grouchy without it.” He added glancing back at Lydia with a small hint of a smile on his face. “Cora can let you guys in if you want to start bringing stuff over. I don’t have much by way of entertainment, though there is stuff.” He said lightly. “How are we getting Stiles there? He’s not good enough to stand yet is he?” Derek didn’t think he was, but he wasn’t sure, maybe the healing process was going better than he’d thought.

“Probably not. He tried to sit up and I could tell by the look on his face that he was in a lot of pain just from that.” He pursed his lips. “I’ll carry him.” He shrugged. Stiles was going to love that plan, he was sure.

Derek smirked, “Can I watch?” He asked before shaking his head, “That was a joke I take it back.” He pressed his lips together. It wasn’t that he wanted to see Stiles hurt, he didn’t. But the thought of Scott carrying around Stiles, well he couldn’t seem to make that image not be amusing.

Scott rolled his eyes. “I think you’re going to be busy carrying Lydia.”

Derek sent him a sideways glance, “I could probably do both, but I’m an adult. So I will not stare and chuckle as you carry your best friend around. Though Isaac probably will.” He added. “Just let Cora know I said it’s fine,” he said again. “And she’ll let you into the apartment. We should all try to get there before dark.”

“Yeah, I agree, which shouldn’t be a problem considering it’s not even 7 A.M. yet.” He yawned, rubbing a hand over his face. “All right. Thanks, man.”

Derek nodded as he glanced back at him. “Get some rest Scott. You’re no use to anyone least of all Stiles if you can barely stand.” He told the younger wolf quietly.

The problem was, after everything that had happened the day before, and with everything that he’d found out unintentionally about his best friend, he wasn’t sure that sleep was going to come easily. Not anytime soon anyway. “Yeah.” Scott nodded. “I’m gonna try at least.”

“Good. Just let me know if you need anything,” he responded while resting a hand over Lydia’s.

“I will. You too.” Scott headed out the door and toward his best friend’s bedroom.