Drove Through Ghosts To Get Here 31/32

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: 31/32
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 | 
Nineteen | Twenty | Twenty-One | Twenty-Two | Twenty-Three | Twenty-Four | 
Twenty-Five | Twenty-Six | Twenty-Seven | Twenty-Eight | Twenty-Nine | Thirty |

Epilogue

Something was wrong.

It was his first thought upon waking up from a very vivid dream about wolves. Actual wolves. They had been everywhere, and several of them were hurt, dying. It made him think of the wolf pack in Alaska, but he couldn’t imagine why a dream would leave him that shaken, beads of sweat on his forehead. He swallowed heavily, sitting up in bed as his heart beat quickly against his chest.

Something was wrong. He closed his eyes, feeling out with his senses and letting his presence touch every single member of the pack. Everyone was all right. The only one who wasn’t sleeping seemed to be Derek. When did Derek sleep? He wondered tiredly. He rubbed a hand over his face and crawled out of bed.

Stiles made his way down the hall, pausing outside of his dad and Melissa’s room, grimacing and then opening the door just a crack until he could hear both of them breathing -- steady and even. Also fine. Feeling uneasy, he started back to his bedroom, but paused in the hallway before making his way to Scott’s room instead.

Stiles chewed his lower lip for a moment and then slowly opened the door and slipped inside. He felt Scott wake up almost immediately. “Just me,” he whispered.

Scott frowned and sat up immediately, rubbing a hand over his face. “Everything okay man?” He could sense Stiles’ anxiety and it was definitely higher than the normal level. “Nightmare?” he asked covering a yawn.

“Yeah,” he admitted, swallowing heavily. “It just -- it wasn’t like usual. It was...vague and I don’t understand it.” Which was probably why he was more anxious than usual. He hesitated for a second before shutting the door and moving over to sit down on the edge of the mattress.

Scott shifted over in the bed and laid back down on one of the pillows patting the one next to him. “Maybe it was just a nightmare,” he offered before turning his head and glancing at his friend, “Wanna tell me about it?”

Stiles laid down beside him, eyes focusing on the glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. “I was dreaming about wolves.” He paused, glancing at Scott sideways. “Not werewolves, but...actual wolves. Like the Alaska pack. There was some kind of trouble. A lot of them were hurt.”

Scott frowned, “That’s strange...have you ever dreamt of wolves before? That kind,” he clarified as he shifted onto his side so he could listen to Stiles better.

“Yeah. But not often? Just since Alaska, really.” He drew in a breath and let it out slowly, trying to focus his attention on how calm Scott was feeling rather than how anxious he was feeling. He didn’t want to say the words. Didn’t want to think them, even though they were on the tip of his tongue. I have another bad feeling.

Scott pursed his lips as he ran a hand through his hair, “What do you think it means?” He asked quietly knowing his friend said he didn’t understand his dream, but maybe there was something there that would lead them to an explanation.

Stiles drummed his fingers on his stomach for a moment. “I don’t know. But I don’t...have a good feeling about it,” he admitted reluctantly. He sighed softly and shut his eyes, rubbing a hand over his face.

Scott was silent for a minute. If it wasn’t a good feeling it was bad. “What kind of bad feeling is it? Do you think…” he paused, “Is it about the pack?” He asked quietly.

Stiles considered that. “I’m not sure. But I think…” He shifted onto his side so he was facing Scott. “I think I should check things at the Nemeton later. When it’s daylight.” His voice was quiet.

Scott’s brows draw together at Stiles’ words. “You think it has to do with the nemeton?” He asked with a frown. “It’s been weeks,” he commented quietly. “I’m sure things at the nemeton are fine.”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” But even the word nemeton made him feel more uneasy and he had to take a deep breath because he was starting to feel a tiny ball of panic in his chest.

Scott reached out resting a hand on Stiles’ arm trying to combat the anxiety building inside of his friend. “Look if it makes you feel any better we can go check it out in the morning...okay?” He asked figuring it couldn’t hurt.

Stiles relaxed almost instantly, wondering if that was weird or if it was because of the pack bonding thing he’d done. “Okay,” he agreed quietly, nodding. “Sorry I woke you up.”

Scott smiled softly and patted Stiles’ arm. “Dude, you don’t have to apologize,” he said lightly, “Get some rest.” He told his friend.

Nodding, he let his eyes drift shut because he was tired and his own room seemed way too far away right now. Plus, he had a very clear image of going back to his room and being instantly wide awake again. “Night, Scott,” he mumbled even as sleep began to claim him once more.

“Night, man.” He said glancing at his friend and letting himself settle back into sleep.

______

Derek made his way down the hallway, a handled paper bag in his hand. He paused in front of the familiar door and lifted his hand, rapping on the door lightly, but firmly. It was late morning and he was just getting back from a trip to a rare book store a few towns over. He clutched the bag tightly as he waited, glancing around the hallway that would soon be his as well. He’d put a deposit on the apartment Chris told him about last week and they were planning on painting and furnishing it before moving everything in.

Correction. Lydia and his sister were planning it out, though no doubt he and the rest of the pack members would end up doing the actual painting and moving of furniture. The sound of footsteps on the other side of the door drew Derek’s attention away from his thoughts.

A moment later the door opened and Chris smiled at him, eyes crinkling around the corners. “Derek. Come on in.” He stepped aside to let him in.

Derek stepped inside returning Chris’ smile with a small one of his own. “Sorry I’m a little late,” he commented with a grunt, “Traffic,” he said with a wince. It was one of the things he hated most about driving, which was why he didn’t typically take long trips in the car. Derek liked to stretch his legs, run, and tended to only use his car to get around town.

“Not a problem,” he assured him, closing the door and ushering him inside. “Traffic is always a pain.” He led him into the living room area. “Find anything of interest?” He nodded toward the bag he was carrying.

Derek followed Chris to the living room and sat on the couch, shifting forward and resting the bag on the glass coffee table. “A couple of books on channeling energy and two on banshee lore-mythology,” he corrected with a shrug. “Deaton said it was the only place around that I’d probably find anything. A Druid friend of his runs the shop. There wasn’t much, but it’s something I guess,” he said, resting his arms on his legs and clasping his hands together and he glanced at Chris. “How are you?”

“It’s a good starting place,” he assured Derek. “I’ve ordered a couple of books from Ireland,” he informed him. “They’ll take a few weeks to get here. I’m hopeful they’ll be useful.” He pursed his lips, moving to sit down beside him. “I’m all right.” He paused. “I’m glad the three of you are going to be in the building.”

Derek nodded glad that Chris had, had the forethought to do that. Most banshee lore was rooted in the Irish heritage. “I am too,” he said honestly. “The loft was impractical, especially now with Lydia and Cora.” he responded. “Plus...A lot’s happened there. I’m surprised any of us stayed as long as we did.” He admitted rubbing a hand over his face and leaning back. He was tired. Despite the fact that he was used to less than eight hours of sleep, lately he felt like he was getting less than usual.

“All the paperwork is pretty much taken care of. Once it’s furnished we’ll probably be moving in.” He explained.

Chris watched him carefully for a long moment, taking note of how tired he looked. “Yes, well.” He understood the need to leave a place once something bad had happened. It was why when he and Allison had returned from France they hadn’t gone back to the house even if they still owned it. “Hopefully the change will be for the best.” He leaned back against the couch. “I assume the pack’s going to help with the moving?”

Derek arched an eyebrow, “You ask that like they have a choice?” He responded amused. “My sister and Lydia can be persuasive.” He commented. “I mentioned it the other day at one of the meetings and apparently they’ve already been given jobs to do.” Derek shrugged. “Fine with me, makes my life easier.” He said with half a grin.

Chris smirked. “Yes, I’m aware,” he agreed with a nod. “I’ll be more than happy to help out however I can, as well.”

Derek eased back on the couch and nodded, “Thanks, I’ll let them know.” He was silent for a minute before once again shifting forward and sighing. “I’ve been debating with something for the last two weeks,” he hesitated, “There’s been something I wanted to talk to you about, but I promised Lydia I’d keep it to myself because, well she doesn’t want to worry you.” He explained rubbing the back of his neck.

He let out a breath and spoke quietly, “The night of the winter formal, I told you Peter attacked Stiles and tried to sacrifice him on the nemeton so he’d have enough power to go through us and kill Scott.” He told Chris knowing the other man already knew that. But he had to be wondering why Derek had asked for his help with researching, or maybe he wasn’t.

They’d been trying to figure out a way to stabilize Lydia’s powers for a while, so his asking for help hadn’t really been out of the ordinary. But Chris was his friend and he cared about Lydia too. It wasn’t fair to keep him out of the loop. “What I didn’t tell you-what the pack didn’t tell the sheriff and Melissa, is that Lydia died that night.” Derek told him quietly.

Chris opened his mouth to respond and closed it again, rubbing a hand over his face as he sighed softly, shutting his eyes. He was starting to think he was getting too old for this stuff. He rose to his feet, moving over to stand at the balcony doors, staring outside. “And how is she alive now?”

Derek hesitated, “Stiles performed a ritual...he went in the ice bath and brought her back from Bardo using their tether connection. Scott tried to talk him out of it...but that didn’t work.” he said and he was glad it hadn’t. Like Derek had told Lydia, if Stiles hadn’t of done it, he would have. “Kira had to shock her heart three times before it started again.” He paused. “Seven hours she was gone...a very long seven hours.” He replied watching Chris closely. He could see the weary look on the other man’s face and he wondered briefly if he’d made the right decision in telling him.

Chris rubbed the back of his neck, falling silent as he tried to absorb that information. “It goes without saying that I’m glad that she’s alive.” His voice was very quiet.

Derek nodded. “I know.” He responded pushing himself up and walking over to stand beside Chris. Derek slipped his hands in his pockets. “I’m telling you because you deserve to know,” he repeated, “And because...I’m worried.” He admitted. “Lydia insists she’s fine, but I also know she’s worried about the balance that Stiles no doubt upset bringing her back and,” he hesitated, “I don’t know what it is...but something is unsettling me.” He replied honestly.

Derek had come a long way in the last two years and he’d learned to trust his instincts. “She sleeps fitfully and sometimes when she does too much...I see the strain in her. She’ll pause or stutter in her movements and I wonder if maybe when she was brought back, not everything was healed.”

“So not only is Lydia not entirely healed, but we may be looking at serious consequences from this, as well.” Chris pursed his lips, glancing at Derek sideways, expression troubled.

“He had to bring her back,” Derek responded quietly, “He couldn’t--she’s needed here.” He said crossing his arms over his chest, not defensively, not really. He just needed something to do with them. Derek looked away from Chris and out the balcony doors. “And Lydia says she’s fine, but...it’s Lydia. She doesn’t like to worry people unnecessarily.”

“I’m not saying he did the wrong thing.” Chris’ tone completely lacked judgment. “We’ll just have to keep a close eye on her. And on things here. Closer than usual.”

Derek nodded sending a sideways glance at Chris, “I know, I’m sorry.” He offered. “I know why Scott’s worried, why she is, why we all are.” He expressed, “But at the time...It really just didn’t matter.” Derek admitted. He wasn’t going to voice that they were ready to kill Malia, he didn’t exactly think Chris would appreciate that, though it didn’t make the reality any less true.

Chris glanced at him, as well, nodding. “I understand,” he said quietly. If there had been a way to bring Allison back after she’d died, he would have done it.

Derek nodded dropping his hands and once again sliding them into his pockets. He knew what Chris was thinking about. They all missed Allison, even he did believe it or not. “Are you hungry?” He asked lightly, “It’s just about lunch time...I was going to grab a bite to eat in town before heading back to the loft. Any interest in coming?”

“I am hungry, actually. Lunch sounds good.” He reached out and patted Derek’s shoulder. “I’ll go get my wallet.”

Derek cocked his head to the side, “I’ve got this one,” he said with a nod as he shifted back.

Chris arched an eyebrow. “All right. But I’m ordering lobster.” He smirked as he headed for the door.

______

If possible, Stiles was even more keyed up as they climbed out of his jeep at the preserve later that day. It was as if the closer they got to the nemeton, the more anxious and jittery he felt. He hadn’t been quite this anxious and jittery in a long time, really. Even the day he’d returned to Beacon Hills, while he’d been nervous, it hadn’t been like this. He felt keyed up, like he needed to run. He wished he’d taken a Xanax.

He was trying to suppress it because he knew Scott could feel it, knew Lydia and possibly the others could, too. He wasn’t sure how much it took for the others to feel him. He knew they had the night that Peter had kidnapped him. But his emotions had been running higher than usual then.

Stiles forced himself to take a deep breath as he glanced at his best friend sideways before heading into the woods. “How many times over the years do you think we came across the nemeton without having any idea what it was?” he asked, voice hushed.

Scott glanced at Stiles considering his question as they walked through the preserve, stepping over broken branches and through leaves. “Probably a lot. The fort we made as kids isn’t far from it,” he responded. “So we probably passed it every time we went up there.” He looked forward the weight of Stiles’ anxiety filling his chest. “Dude, I know it’s hard, but you’ve got to calm down man or Lydia is going to come out here and track us down.” He said softly.

Stiles pursed his lips, nodding in acknowledgement of Scott’s advice. “I know. I know. I’m trying,” he said honestly. It was like the closer he got to the nemeton, the more distressed he felt. And considering the last time he’d been there, he supposed that made sense. It wasn’t like his overall history with the tree was a great thing that made him feel at ease.

Scott reached out and gripped Stiles’ shoulder lightly. “I know,” he said quietly as they continued walking. “Speaking of Lydia how are things going with you guys?” Scott asked trying to distract Stiles enough to lower his anxiety.

Stiles relaxed a little, glancing sideways at his best friend as they walked. “Good,” he told him with a small smile. “Really good.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Things finally back on track? Have you worked out all your issues?” Scott asked feeling his chest loosen as they veered toward the right taking the path that cleared in that direction.

“We still have a long way to go on the trust thing,” Stiles admitted. “But the rest...yeah. I think we’re on the right track.” He was silent for a few moments as they trekked through the familiar forest. “We’re just...going kind of slow, you know? Doing the whole actual dating thing.”

Scott nodded as he glanced around the area cautiously. “That’s good.” He replied as he caught movement out of the corner of his eye and tensed. He turned his head, eyes flashing red until he saw the rabbit several yards away, his body unclenching. “Kira and I were thinking about going camping next weekend, maybe you guys want to come.” He offered sending his friend half a smile before turning his attention back to the path they were on.

Stiles tensed at the same moment Scott did. Not because he saw the movement, but because Scott tensed. He relaxed at the same time, then chuckled lightly at the suggestion. “I’m trying to imagine Lydia Martin going camping.”

Scott smirked, “It’s a funny sight,” he told his friend as they climbed up the small hill, not far from the nemeton now.

Stiles smirked, too, shaking his head a little and looking ahead. He came to a sudden stop, all the air leaving his lungs as he stared at the sight in front of them.

Scott’s gaze was on Stiles and when his friend stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening and chest tightening. “What is it?” He stopped immediately and when Stiles didn’t answer him he followed his friend’s gaze. Scott’s eyebrows lifted, mouth dropping open. “What the hell…” his voice trailed off as he stared at the large tree in front of him.

Stiles swallowed heavily as he reached out and gripped onto Scott’s arm, heart beating more quickly in his chest.

The nemeton...had regrown itself.