Never Know What Hit You 8/8

Title: Never Know What Hit You
Authors: Sxymami0909 & Xtremeroswelia
Fandom: Teen Wolf
Timeline: Set after 3.18 'Riddled' AU from there.
Rating: R - for extreme violence
Pairings: Stiles/Lydia, Scott/Kira, Allison/Isaac, Eventual Sheriff Stilinski/Melissa, Derek Hale, Aiden, Ethan, Alan Deaton, Chris Argent
Summary: Stiles is in a race against time to figure out the latest mystery in Beacon Hills before he can no longer remember his friends and family. But when Stiles heads down a dark path, Scott and Lydia have to work with the pack to find a way to save their friend and save Beacon Hills. But are both possible? Or will they have to choose? Does one life outweigh the many? Or will a sacrifice be made to protect what's left of the town? Friendships will be tested, bonds broken, and lines drawn. And when all is said and done, nothing will ever be the same again.
Parts: 8/8
Previous Chapters: | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven |

Chapter 8

Melissa stood in front of the oven stirring the rice in the large pot at the back of the stove. She shifted stirring the smaller pot of vegetables before putting both spoons down and shifting back so she could open the oven and check on the chicken and lamb chops. It was just after six and she’d had the early shift at the hospital that day so she could make sure she was home for dinner. She could hear Scott playing video games with Stiles in the distance and her chest tightened slightly.

It had been just over a week since Stiles came home from the hospital and every day was still a struggle, not that she thought it would be any other way. He seemed sad and depressed and every time Melissa saw him all she wanted to do was hug him and tell him how much she loved him. She knew he was upset about what little he knew and about the fact that Lydia still wasn’t awake.

If Melissa was being honest she was starting to worry about that too. Derek stayed faithfully by Lydia’s side whenever Stiles wasn’t there. Melissa only ever saw the older werewolf leave when Stiles came into the room, most likely to give him privacy. Derek was a godsend. He stayed strong for everyone and helped Scott in any way he could. His loyalty seemed unbreakable and Melissa was glad her sons had someone like that in their lives.



She always made sure to bring Derek leftovers from the house, and checked in with him before leaving the hospital. Too many nights she’d covered him while he slept in a chair beside Lydia’s bed. And Stiles...Stiles was beside himself. With everything and it killed Melissa seeing him so hurt.

She sighed softly as she closed the oven and straightened up. Michael had just gotten home from the sheriff station not long ago, which worked well since dinner was almost ready. He was trying to be around more, but it was hard while trying to put Beacon Hills back together. Melissa and Michael had worked out their schedules though so that one of them was always around if Stiles needed them. She’d been at the Stilinski household since earlier that afternoon and she’d most likely stay until the boys went to bed before heading home to Isaac.

Melissa grabbed a towel and wiped her hands as she called out loudly, “Boys! Dinner in ten minutes, wash your hands and come set the table!”

Stiles didn’t hesitate to put his video game controller down when Ms. McCall called for them. They’d been playing Call of Duty for what felt like hours and his heart hadn’t been into it from the get-go. He was doing his best to pretend he cared about it for Scott’s sake. For everyone’s sake. He’d caused enough trouble and heartache to last an actual lifetime. “Smells good,” he commented to Scott as his friend paused their game. He rubbed the back of his neck. It did smell good. He just wasn’t hungry. He headed down the hall toward the bathroom, closing the door and moving to the sink and turning the water on, sticking his hands under the faucet.

He backed away as the liquid came out red, rushing red water. No. Not water. Blood. A startled sound escaped him as he looked down at his bloody hands and he shut his eyes. When he opened them again there was nothing there. The water was normal once more. Swallowing hard, he washed them quickly, not taking his gaze off his hands. All the color had drained from his face and he felt half nauseous when he looked at himself in the mirror. He wondered, idly, if this was how Jackson had felt when he’d tried to look in the mirror when he was the kanima.

He headed back out of the bathroom, leaving the light on for Scott as he moved down the hallway.

Scott watched Stiles move down the hallway looking paler than before he’d gone into the bathroom. His brows drew together and he stepped into the bathroom washing his hands quickly, before turning off the water. Scott didn’t bother wiping them on the towel; instead he shook them out and wiped them on his pants before walking back down the hall in the direction that Stiles had gone.

Melissa heard the sound of footsteps and she turned with a smile only to spot Stiles, looking a little worse for the ware. She stepped closer to him and tilted her head back, god when had he gotten so tall? They were growing up so fast, she thought as she cupped his cheek, “You okay sweetie?” She asked her gaze worried.

The gentle gesture from Ms. McCall made his eyes burn for a moment, but he blinked rapidly, nodding. “Yeah. I’m okay. It smells really good. You really didn’t have to go through all this trouble.” Except she’d done it for him and he knew it. Because she was worried. He’d been around her enough to recognize that. “Thanks.”

Melissa smiled despite the fact that she could see in his eyes he wasn’t okay, “Honey, you know it’s no trouble. I like making dinner for my boys,” she said as she brushed her thumb over his cheek wishing she could say more to make him feel better. Melissa studied Stiles for a minute before pulling him into a gentle hug and rubbing her hand down his back. “If you ever want to talk, I’m here, you know that don’t you?” She asked softly as she watched Scott make his way down the stairs pausing when he saw them.

Stiles swallowed hard, shutting his eyes when she hugged him. He laid his chin on her shoulder, hugging her back more tightly than he should’ve. “I know,” he murmured. “I’m okay. I just need Lydia to wake up and everything’ll be fine.” He didn’t, of course, actually believe that. He didn’t really believe things were ever going to be fine, or the way they had been, ever again. He didn’t know how they possibly could be.

Melissa squeezed him tighter. “She’ll wake up soon,” Melissa responded, “And when she does I’m sure she’s going to be incredibly happy to see you.” She pulled back and gripped his cheeks, “Things will all work out eventually,” Melissa told him before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. “Now come on, dishes.” She pointed to the table where Scott was already starting to put out the dishes.

Stiles swallowed hard, managing a faint smile and then moving over to help Scott finish setting the table. He gathered some silverware, putting a spoon, fork and knife at each setting and distantly wondering if Isaac was spending another evening with Allison. They hadn’t really come around him, and he really couldn’t blame them. He knew they’d tried the day he’d woken up, knew that Derek had played intercept and said he wasn’t ready. He wasn’t sure he was ever going to be ready.

He tried to push all of those thoughts aside as he followed his best friend around the table, setting up the places nice and neat, something Ms. McCall had taught him how to do a long time ago. He set the glasses out while Scott took care of the plates and the bowls. He glanced toward the hallway when he heard footsteps and he saw his dad approaching. He quickly smiled. “Hey Pops.”

The sheriff was in the process of rubbing the back of his neck when he heard his son’s voice. He glanced up and smiled. It was good to have Stiles home. “Hey,” he walked into the kitchen and glanced around with a grin, “Wow, what’s going on in here? Is that dinner? Man, a guy could get used to coming home to this,” he teased as he placed on hand on Stiles shoulder and the other on Scott’s. “How’re you boys doing?”

Scott grinned, “Good sheriff,” and it was mostly the truth. Things were definitely better than they had been. He knew Stiles was humoring him with things and that his worries ran a lot deeper than Lydia, but Stiles also knew that Scott was there if he needed him.

“Good. Played Call of Duty with Scott all day and Ms. McCall fixed us dinner.” Stiles smiled, looking at his dad and then motioning for him to sit down. “How was work?” he asked, because he always asked how work was, and even though his dad wasn’t telling him much of anything because no doubt his dad was pretty much going around and cleaning up his messes right now, he knew they both needed that normalcy in their lives. Because there wasn’t much else that was normal about their lives.

Michael glanced briefly at Melissa meeting her gaze before turning to Stiles, “It was a long day,” he commented, “But things are looking up.” He said with a smile. It wasn’t a lie; things were a lot better than they had been a week ago. But they still weren’t up to par just yet.

Scott pulled out a seat his mouth practically watering. “I’ve been smelling the food for over an hour,” he said with a smile as the sheriff took one of the seats on the other side of the table.

Despite the way his heart sank at his dad’s words It was a long day, Stiles managed to keep the smile on his face as he sat down at the table next to Scott, where he always sat whether they had company or not. And lately they’d had a lot of company. Stiles was never by himself unless he was in the bathroom, really. Scott was spending all of his free time there, although he knew his best friend had to be getting tired of not being at home, and not doing other things. And usually either Ms. McCall or his dad were home too. He just wished the togetherness was for a better reason than his recent terror-streak around town.

Melissa shut off the stove and oven before grabbing a serving dish and platter from the cabinet. She made quick work of adding the rice to the bowl and then putting the chicken and lamb chops on the serving platter. She grabbed a couple of smaller bowls for the vegetables and brought those to the table first. “Okay boys, we’ve got rice, chicken, and lamb chops. Do not forget to eat the vegetable,” she said pointedly glancing around the table before turning back to the counter and grabbing the rice and meat.

Once Melissa had placed everything on the table she took the last chair between the sheriff and Scott and across from Stiles. She sent a sideways glance to Michael, “You Mr. get chicken, less salt, more protein. You’ve got to watch the blood pressure.” She commented casually.

Scott chuckled lightly as he reached for the lamb chops.

That was the first thing that actually made Stiles smile for real since he’d woken up two weeks before. It made him love Scott’s mom a little more than he already did. If something happened to him, he felt secure in the knowledge that the McCall’s would take care of him. Scott had promised that much. It just felt like a lifetime ago that they’d had that conversation. He waited until Scott and his mom had filled their plates before he dished some vegetables onto his plate with some rice and the smallest of the lamb chops. It all smelled great, but he wasn’t sure how much of it he was going to be able to force himself to eat. He had less of an appetite now than he ever did as an Adderall side effect.

“See, Dad, I keep telling you. Be sure and eat more of the vegetables than the rice, too.”

Michael reached for the rice and rolled his eyes, “The rice has vegetables in it,” he said as he scooped some onto his plate.

Melissa arched an eyebrow, “You better take some of those vegetables Michael. Set a good example for the boys, I made sure I didn’t make the rice too salty.” She told him as she glanced at Scott and chuckled, “Honey, slow down. You’re acting like I haven’t fed you in days.”

Scott glanced up from his food, mouth full as he worked to chew and swallow sending her a sheepish look, “I don’t know why I’m so hungry,” he admitted.

“It’s because you’re an alpha,” Stiles informed him, taking a tiny bite of rice. “And your body hasn’t really adjusted to it yet. You have to eat more because you’re potentially a lot stronger than you were as a beta.” When the table fell silent, he paused and looked around at all the eyes on him and shifted uncomfortably. “I talked to Derek about this stuff while I was in the hospital and you were sleeping.”

Scott arched an eyebrow, “Good to know. I haven’t really had a chance to talk to Derek about all the in’s and out’s of being an alpha yet.” He said with half a smile, “You guys seem like you’ve been getting along,” Scott commented, his mother watching as they spoke.

Stiles shrugged a shoulder, reaching out and taking a drink of his water. “Yeah. More than before. He’s different.” And a lot less scary than he’d once been. For a long period of time, Stiles had been terrified of Derek Hale. He wasn’t sure anything was going to be scary anymore now and he wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

“But different is good, right?” his dad asked, and Stiles looked over at him.

“Well Derek wasn’t...actually the killer we thought he was at one point, but he was still kind of a jerk for a long time. His life pretty much sucked though, so I guess he gets a pass for that part. But yeah, different is good I think.” At least in Derek’s case.

Melissa smiled, “He’s a very polite young man,” she commented.

Scott snorted, “Mom,” he shook his head and grinned. Only his mother would call Derek Hale a polite young man.

“What? He is. Always saying please and thank you. And he never leaves Lydia’s side. I could have sworn I caught him reading to her one night.” She said as she pulled a forkful of rice into her mouth. “I’m glad you three are getting along.” She told them.

The sheriff nodded, “I’ve gotta say I agree with Melissa, Derek isn’t who I thought he was.” He said as he tried to steal a piece of lamb chop, but Melissa’s hand snuck out and slapped his hand gently away. Michael grunted and went back to eating his chicken.

Stiles had also noticed Derek’s use of manners, especially around Scott’s mom. He wondered if that meant that he was choosing Scott as an alpha. It was kind of a weird thought. Sure, he knew that wolves were stronger in packs, but it was still weird to think that Derek Hale, who had been a werewolf his entire life, might accept Scott McCall, who’d been a werewolf just under two years, as his alpha. It definitely didn’t fit the image that Stiles had in his head of Derek. But Derek had definitely changed in the last few weeks and months.

Then again, who hadn’t, really?

Stiles’ focused on his plate, tuning out the conversation going on around him -- something he never used to do. But he’d changed, too. His gaze darted up every once and awhile and when he wasn’t being watched, he moved some of the food around on his plate while eating small bites, mainly of the rice, but managing to eat a little of the lamb and a couple mouthfuls of vegetables, as well. His gaze moved to his dad’s plate and he was pleased to see that he was eating as Ms. McCall had advised -- chicken and vegetables with a little bit of rice.

“You know, I bet a small piece of lamb wouldn’t hurt,” Michael said glancing at Melissa with a small grin.

She watched him for a minute before sighing and rolling her eyes. Melissa cut a small piece from her plate and put the piece of meat on his plate. “That’s it. Don’t make me cut you off from dessert.” Melissa said pointedly.

Scott head perked up, “There’s dessert?” he asked glancing towards the refrigerator. “Can I have more lamb chops...and some chicken.” He asked reaching for the dish. He glanced briefly at Stiles and noticed his friend was pushing around his food. His brows drew together, “Not hungry man?” He asked turning to face him.

Stiles nearly jumped at the sound of Scott’s voice beside him trying to get his attention and he quickly looked up. “No, everything’s really good,” he assured his friend, casting a quick glance to his dad and Ms. McCall. He quickly stuffed a bite of lamb into his mouth and grinned brightly. Too brightly, probably.

Scott pursed his lips as he watched Stiles, worry coloring his features. “Are you sure you’re alright, Stiles?”

Michael paused and glanced at Stiles with a frown. It was clear that everything wasn’t okay, but Stiles kept saying he was fine. Michael wished his son would just tell him what was going on in his head.

Melissa smiled, but worry still filled her eyes. “Thanks sweetie, I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” She said as she pointed to the vegetables, “Don’t forget to eat them all okay?” Melissa knew things were hard for Stiles and she didn’t expect everything to go back to normal right away, but it worried her that he wasn’t talking to anyone.

Yep. Definitely too bright of a smile because he clearly wasn’t fooling anyone at the dinner table. His chest tightened involuntarily and he nodded at Scott’s question. “Yeah, I’m okay, guys.” This time he didn’t look at his best friend, he just shoveled a big bite of broccoli and rice into his mouth at Melissa’s request. He willed it to stay down tonight. Throwing up was gross. Throwing up regularly was terrible.

He could feel their eyes on him and it was stressing him out more than he wanted to admit. He knew they were worried, but he wasn’t sure if it was because they were worried that he was going to do something crazy or terrible, or if it was because they were worried for him. Either way, it made his heart start beating a little faster and the supreme desire to sink into the floor and vanish was very present.

Melissa could practically see Stiles shrinking into his seat and she cleared her throat. “Scott finish up your food.” She told him pointing to his plate before shifting her gaze on Michael, “How’s the rebuild going at the office? Everything almost done?” She asked drawing Scott’s and Michaels’ attention off Stiles.

Michael nodded, “I’d say about another two weeks until it’s done...maybe three. But they’re being quick about it,” he told her with a tight smile, “Which I’m grateful for.”

Stiles grew still at that. Why the hell was his dad having to have the sheriff’s office rebuilt? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer, but he stared at his plate, forcing himself to take bite after bite simply so he wouldn’t worry them anymore by not eating. If he threw it up later, that would be his own secret and his own problem to deal with. He could still feel Scott’s gaze on him and he reluctantly looked at his best friend, shaking his head ever-so-slightly.

Scott swallowed hard and finally looked away from his friend giving him some space or trying to. “I was thinking after dinner maybe we could go visit Lydia,” he said lightly sending a sideways glance in his best friend’s direction as their parents talked softly in the background. “Derek could probably use a break to change or whatever and I know it’s been a day or two since you’ve seen her.” He commented. Scott could feel how uncomfortable Stiles was and he didn’t want his best friend to feel that way.

It had been a day. And he’d spent most of today wanting to ask someone if it would be okay to go again, but he’d been afraid to. He didn’t want to upset anyone or cause any problems, so he’d just stayed there and played video games with Scott. He nodded. “Yeah. Sounds like a good plan to me,” he agreed without hesitation. He needed to see her, to make sure she hadn’t faded away. He’d watched one woman he loved do that already and if he had to see it happen again, he wasn’t going to survive it.

Scott nodded, “Cool,” he said sending his friend half a smile before finishing up his chicken.

Melissa watched the exchange and she could see some of the tension leave Stiles’ body at the suggestion to go visit Lydia. At least there was that. She could see he was probably feeling a little suffocated by them, but they just wanted to make sure he was okay and she knew a part of him knew that. She cleared her throat, “Well, if the kids are going to head over to the hospital, why don’t you and I attempt to do something?” She glanced at Michael.

He needed a break just as much as Stiles did. “How about a movie?”

Stiles raised his eyebrows, gaze sliding from Ms. McCall to his dad. “Like a theater movie?” Like a date? he wondered, glancing at Scott sideways.

Scott returned Stiles’ gaze before also shifting his attention to their parents’ conversation, curiosity on his face. “In the theater?” Scott repeated

Michael ignored the two chuckle heads across from them and glanced at Melissa and smiled, “You don’t need to waste your time babysitting me,” he said good naturedly.

Melissa arched an eyebrow, “Maybe I just want to go see one of the new movies that just came out.” She said lightly as she watched him for a minute reaching over to rest a hand on his shoulder. “You could use a break.” She suggested.

Michael seemed to calm at her touch and he watched her for a minute not able to resist returning the smile she offered him. “I’ll check the times; we’ll go when the boys leave for the hospital.” He told her before shaking his head, a smile still on his lips.

Stiles looked at Scott again, eyes a little wider than before. He was pretty sure that his dad and Scott’s mom had just made plans for a first date right in front of them. And for some reason that felt like the best thing that had happened in a long time. Stiles didn’t quite know what to do with that though.

Scott glanced at Stiles trying to hide the huge grin on his face, but it was incredibly hard. His mom was going to a movie with Stiles’ dad. They were going to go somewhere alone together...for fun. Scott had to keep from bouncing in his seat. When they were younger a while after Stiles’ mom had passed away they used to want their parents to get together so they could live in the same house and always play. But now...well Scott was still on board with it. He wondered if Stiles remembered how much they used to want that.

Stiles definitely remembered wanting that, but so much time had passed that he thought they’d both kind of abandoned any thoughts they had about it. It was clear from the look on his best friend’s face that he was remembering the same things that Stiles was remembering. He smiled, ducking his head and quickly finishing off his plate of food.

Scott grinned and finished up his food as well. He cleared his throat, “Why don’t Stiles and I clean this up and get the dessert?” He suggested, “That way you guys can decide what movie you want to see.” Scott honestly didn’t care what movie they went to see, he was just glad they were spending time together outside of being with him and Stiles.

Michael glanced at Melissa, “I can check real quick while the boys clean up...any preferences?” He asked angling his head in Melissa’s direction.

“Maybe a comedy?” she suggested, smiling softly at him.

Stiles rose to his feet, picking up his empty plate, realizing he’d finished the whole thing, mildly surprised about that. He hadn’t been hungry, but he’d been so distracted by his dad and Scott’s mom talking about going to the movies together that he ate it all. He moved out of the dining room and ducked into the kitchen, rinsing the plate and placing it in the dishwasher. “Dude.” He looked at Scott with arched eyebrows. “Okay did that actually just happen?”

Scott gripped his shoulder, “My mom just totally asked out your dad,” he whispered not able to hide the glee in his voice. He bounced on the balls of his feet slightly, his eyes widening. “They’re going to the movies…together. I feel like this is a really good thing.” He paused his eyes stretching open even further, “Dude...do you think, what if they date and get married, then we’ll be like brothers...legally.” He said not able to help being excited about the slightest possibility of something they’d wanted since they kids.

Stiles drew in a breath. “Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I mean people go to the movies without it being a date all the time, right?” Or not. He really had no idea. It wasn’t like Stiles went on dates. Ever. He’d never actually had a date at all. “But they do seem like they’re closer?”

“They definitely seem closer.” Scott agreed, “They’ve been spending a lot of time together,” he admitted. But Stiles was right, he was jumping from one extreme to the next. “...Do you think it’s a date?” He asked glancing back toward the dining room as he put the dishes in the sink.

“I don’t know,” he admitted, glancing toward the other room, too. “It sorta felt like it might be a date? But maybe we’re just reading into things because we want it to be a date.”

Scott frowned, “Dude, I really want it to be a date.” He scratched the back of his neck, “Is that weird?” He asked somewhat amused as he walked over to the refrigerator to grab the dessert.

Stiles leaned back against the counter, thinking. “If it was anybody else it would probably be weird.” He was pretty sure there was no other woman he’d be okay dating his dad. He chewed on his thumbnail, figuring that went double for Scott because that was his mom.

“I really like your dad,” Scott said quietly. “He’s been there for me a lot over the years...you know when my dad wasn’t.” He commented as he pulled out a tray of pudding with whip cream. He placed it on the counter and kicked the refrigerator shut carefully before meeting Stiles gaze. “I don’t think I’d be okay with anyone else dating my mom. But your dad...well he’s kinda like an almost dad to me too.” Scott told his friend as he shifted on his feet. “You know?”

Stiles’ chest tightened at Scott’s admission because neither of them had ever actually voiced that sentiment before, but it held true for both of them. “My dad’s pretty great,” he said quietly. “And so is your mom. I think we both know how much your mom’s done for me over the years, too.” He chewed his thumbnail again. “And my dad would adopt you in a second if he could, so.”

Scott swallowed hard, “My mom with you too,” he said quietly before taking a step forward and gripping Stiles’ shoulder. “I’m really glad you’re back man...I was kinda lost without you.” He admitted giving his friends shoulder a squeeze.

Stiles really wished that every nice word these days didn’t make him feel like crying. It was getting annoying. But he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Scott and closing his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Scott wrapped his arms around his friend returning the hug. His brows furrowed. “For what?” He asked as he kept his arms around Stiles not ready to let go just yet.

“Just in general,” he admitted tiredly. “Pretty sure I was kind of lost, too.”

Scott squeezed him a little tighter. “Well I’m here now and so are you. Let’s not let demons come between us again okay?” He joked lightly.

“I really agree,” Stiles informed him.

“What is taking you boys?” Melissa called as she moved into the kitchen spotting her sons embracing. Her chest tightened. “Are you guys hugging in here without me?” She asked eyebrow arched.

Stiles turned to look at Ms. McCall as she stepped into the room. “We are but you can always join us.” He smiled a little, breaking away from Scott with one arm and extending the other toward her.

Melissa grinned and walked over to them wrapping her arms around both Scott and Stiles, hugging them to her chest. She pressed a kiss to both of their heads and sighed. “My boys…” she shook her head, “What am I going to do with you two?” She asked.

Scott just grinned nuzzling into her slightly. “Best mom ever.” He told her with a grin.

Stiles buried his face against her shoulder as he hugged her back, chest feeling tight but somehow warm at the same time. They might not be an actual family by blood, but they were his family in every other way that mattered. And he wasn’t sure what all he’d put them through yet, but when he figured it out; he was going to find some way to make things up to them.

He didn’t care how long it took. He’d find a way. It’s what he did.

______

Lydia felt like there was something she was supposed to remember. But for the life of her, she just couldn’t figure it out. Everything around her felt dark and mildly foggy like she was floating through some kind of epic eternal fog. Nothing felt real. It wasn’t until recently that she’d started hearing a familiar voice dragging her out of the recess of her own mind.

There is an ecstasy that marks the summit of life, and beyond which life cannot rise. And such is the paradox of living, this ecstasy comes when one is most alive, and it comes as a complete forgetfulness that one is alive.

Lydia knew the words. She knew the deep voice, recognized it, but why? She listened and a part of her wanted to hear more, but the other part missed the blissful silence that she’d been living in. Everything was too loud the closer she got to the surface. The next time she heard the voice the words were different.

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.

The thought of battle made emotion stir in Lydia’s chest. Emotion that she didn’t like, didn’t want to feel and she lost the will to focus driving her further back into her head than before. That’s what it was, she was lost. Lydia was lost and couldn’t find her way back. She had tried grasping at random memories that made no sense and words she couldn’t understand, but nothing. It was too hard. It wasn’t until tonight that the urge to find her way back home became overwhelming.

I don’t know if you can hear me...I’m not even sure why I’m talking to you right now. Stiles and Scott just left, they were visiting you...they always visit. Lydia, you need to wake up now. Stiles, he’s not doing so well and I think it would do him a world of good if you just opened your eyes. Just wake up. He misses you...Scott does too. I mean I even, I don’t know. You should just wake up. Stiles needs you.

Stiles. His name brought everything rushing back and Lydia’s head filled with noise. Flashes of the last few weeks filled her head. Her memories and oh god Stiles’ too. It was all slamming into her too fast. Pain filled her head and she felt her body jerk. Lydia could feel it building in her throat and then suddenly her head jerked back, her eyes shot open, hand clenching around the larger hand holding hers and she screamed.

_____

Across town, Stiles lay in his bed, eyebrows furrowing as he slept, heart beginning to beat a little faster in his chest as his body broke out into a cold sweat. His hands clutched at the sheets that his body was twisted in, a rush of images assaulting his unconscious mind.

Kissing Lydia in a classroom where he’d trapped her. She’d been afraid; he could see it on her face.

Setting up a trap to kill Scott in the woods and getting Allison with it instead.

Setting up a bomb that exploded at the sheriff’s station.

Stiles whimpered in his sleep, shifting restlessly, knuckles turning white as he gripped the sheets more tightly.

He watched himself in the woods as Aidan and Isaac prepared to attack, recoiled in horror as he ripped Aidan’s heart from his chest with his bare hands.

And that’s what jerked him awake. Stiles sat up in bed, his scream traveling throughout the house.