Running Up That Hill

by Joelheart13

Summary:

Away at college, Stiles struggles to maintain his focus with his mind on Beacon Hills...more importantly Derek Hale. With the arrival of a stranger from Derek's past, will Stiles and Derek's relationship last?

Chapter 1

Running Up That Hill
Chapter 1. Stiles
Running his hands through his buzzed hair, Stiles huffs as he flings the last of his clothes into the brown suitcase that is embroidered with Star Wars patches. Derek chuckles as he encircles his arms behind Stiles. "What's the matter?" Derek chides. Stiles hums as he replies "I'm just going to miss you". Sighing, Derek says "I'm going to miss you too but I'm not going to miss your sarcasm or you calling me sour wolf". He wraps his arms around Derek's neck and chuckles. "You know you love my sarcasm" he softly tells Derek while stroking his check. With tears in his eyes, Derek's face grew alarmed. "Stiles" he murmured softly. "I know we will see each other on breaks but after everything we've been through between the Argents and various creatures I just don't want to be apart from you especially our pack" Stiles replies. Nodding, Derek helps Stiles down gently on the bed, sitting next to him. "I understand, baby, but you going to school is important and I won't jeopardize that" Derek says, kissing Stiles' forehead. Standing up, Stiles paces the loft, wringing his hands anxiously. "Derek, just promise you won't forget me, okay" he says softly, almost too quiet to hear. Shaking his head, Derek gets up and pulls Stiles into a hug. "I could never forget you, sweetheart. You're my anchor, my heart" he says sincerely. Stiles smiles and presses a quick peck to Derek's cheek. "If I mean that much to you, you wouldn't mind them packing all my bags into the car, huh" Stiles replies cheekily. Laughing, Derek grabs the suitcase as he hears a knock on the front door. "Were you expecting someone" he questions Stiles. "That should be Scott" Stiles replies, getting up and making his way out of their bedroom.

Standing in the crème colored hallway, Stiles reaches out and opens the mahogany door. Leaning against the door frame is none other than his best friend, Scott McCall. Scott smiles as he says "So does this mean I can finally get your lacrosse jersey or do you still want to be remembered as twenty-four who sat on a bench for two years in a row for all time?". Hugging Scott, Stiles fakes a laugh and replies "You're an asshole man, but you're my asshole". Scott playfully hits Stiles on the arm, being wary of his heightened strength, and remarks "I know but you're my dumbass". Mocking his offense, Stiles rolls his eyes as he spots Derek heading towards them with his suitcase in hand. Seeing the suitcase, hurt flashed in Scott's eyes. He didn't want to leave Derek, Scott, his dad, and the pack behind but he wanted a successful career in forensics. "I'll visit man, I promise" Stiles says patting Scott's back. "This is your home, Stiles. You better visit me and your dad and not leave me with this sour" Scott exclaims before being silence by a warning growl from Derek. Sighing, Stiles replies "I know man but it's going to be hard and weird not seeing you all everyday especially with all the threats we face on a daily basis. I know I can do this but I'm going to worry so much". "We'll get you updated" Derek promises as he starts guiding Stiles out the door.

Closing the loft's door, Stiles, Derek, and Scott both descend the stairs into outside where Derek's and Stiles's car is parked. Huffing, Derek throws Stiles' s suitcase into the trunk as Scott and Stiles hug goodbye. Sliding into the car, Derek watches their warm exchange. He fiddles with the radio stations as Stiles opens the passenger door. "Ready, babe" Derek questions as Stiles buckles his seat beat. "I don't think I'll ever be ready but we have to go now or I'll miss orientation" he says. Smiling, Derek shifts the car into gear and drives onto the open road as Scott closely follows behind them in Derek's Camaro.

Chapter 2

Ch.2 Over and Over Stiles
Drumming his fingers anxiously against his thighs, the drone of the Forensics professor almost lulls Stiles into a dreamless sleep. The alert of his text tone jolts him upright as he nervously glancing around towards his classmates, praying the noise wasn't loud enough to disturb the lecture. Glancing down, he sees a message from Scott.

 

Placing his phone down, Stiles tries in vain to write out his notes on the differences in blood splatters, but for the life of him he can't concentrate as his mind keeping going back to Scott's text. Aimlessly doodling and completely giving up on writing down his lecture notes, he thinks about what possibly could be wrong with his mate. Worry grows in the pit of his stomach, he can't shake this terrible feeling. Derek's position as Alpha enables him access to heightened abilities not even Isaac or Boyd possess. There must be something truly horrific going on if Derek left the sanctity of the pack. Rubbing the back of his head, he then raises his hand and catches the eye of the professor who stopped mid rant on his lecture on how a higher -velocity bullet is more likely to remain inside a body. Excusing himself, he grabs his blue checkered bag and heads out to his dorm room. The heat of a California summer is pulsating throughout the air as sweat beads on his lower brow. Nervously, he checks his phone again, biting his thumb and awaiting Scott's message. Passing by various students, a wave of envy hits him like a freight train. He so desperately wished he could focus on his studies but he knew deep down he must return to Beacon Hills. Grabbing the door after a sandy haired male, Stiles walks briskly to his room. Once inside, he begins paces as his mind wanders endlessly from all the past threats they faced like Jennifer or the Argents or even..no he won't go there, he can't, he can't think of the demon that ensnared him so long ago. Hands shaking, he runs to his old beaten down book shelf, desperate for an answer on Derek's condition.

Derek

 

Sunlight streamed through the glass of the loft's large window, as Derek huffed out a breath. Pumping iron with one hand, he tried to concentrate on his work out but found his mind wandering elsewhere more importantly Stiles. Sweat pools down his muscled back, as he sets the weight down. A brisk but sharp knock echoes through the silence that Stiles has left in his absence. Sighing, he grabs his faded wife beater and pulls it over his tan chiseled torso. With his guard up and claws extended, he slowly creeps towards the door and comes to an abrupt halt as he smelled a scent he hasn't smelled in years, specifically his teenage years. The scent of pears and lilies wafts throughout the loft and his throat begins to thicken. Memories fill his mind of sweet laughter, long brown hair, and the sounds of her pleas as he ended her life. This can't be possible. Another knock, this time sharper, draws his attention. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he clasps the metal door handle, the cool mental jolting him further into this reality. A dead woman can't be outside his door and yet he's seen stranger things in Beacon Hills. Opening the door, he felt all the air rushed out of him. Standing before him was Paige.

Chapter 3: When You’re Gone

Slumped in his red gaming chair, Stiles's mind races as he desperately tries to put together all the research he complied and what could possibly be bothering Derek. So far, he's come up with a rival pack, kelpies, fairies, and even sirens. Huffing, he grabs his phone and texts Derek.

 

His heart hammers in his throat as he sees the read notification from Derek. He never leaves him on read and is always quick to answer him. Hurt grips his chest as his throat swells and tears prick his eyes. This was not like Derek at all. He then emails administration that he needs to leave his courses for a couple of days due to pressing family issues. Throwing his phone in frustration, he grabs his jeep keys off his grey metal desk. Grabbing his black duffel bag, he quickly stuffs it with a few flannels, his tooth brush, his research notebooks, some mountain ash that Allison gave him, his jeans, and his wallet. He then opens the dorm's door and heads out towards his parked jeep.
Derek
Rubbing his chiseled and bearded jaw, Derek listens intently as Paige reclines on the black leather coach with him and recalls how she took her last breath and then awoken near the nemeton tree, covered in dirt, twigs and vines as if she's become one with the earth. She then addresses how she wanted a fresh start and left Beacon Hills. "It's not that I wanted to leave you Derek but what happened to both of us was traumatic" she says quietly, pleading with him almost to believe her. Sighing, Derek crosses his arms tightly and looks away, glaring out the window. "If you wanted a fresh start, why didn't you come to me you right away instead of letting me believe you were dead for eighteen years! I saw and heard your heart stop beating because of me. It killed a part of me when you died and now that you're back in Beacon Hills you wanna fresh start?" he exclaims in hurt, anger, grief and frustration. A tear slips out his eyes because a part of him still loves her and seeing her is bringing back old memories he buried deep away in his head a long time ago. He can almost smell the popcorn from the concession stands at his basketball games, the sight of Paige wearing his maroon jersey and cheering him on, the thunderous roar of his family in the stands, the adrenaline rush of running up and down the court, and the taste of her glossy pink lip gloss that always stuck to his lips.
A small hand on his thigh brings his attention back quickly. Grabbing her hand gently, he slides her hand off. "I'm with someone else now Paige" he replies trying to get her scent out of his nostrils. Pear and lilies wafted around him as he tries to remember his bearings. Unease rocks through Derek's body. He loves Stiles but the sight of Paige is bringing back some long forgotten memories. "You should leave, I'm glad you're alive and well but I moved on and you coming back is opening old wounds" Derek says in defeat. Paige's lip begins to wobble as she brushes back a long strand of her chestnut brown hair. He had always liked running his hands through it. "I can't just leave, Der. We have so much history between us. I shouldn't have left, I admit it but I'm here now" she remarks running a red manicured hand down his arm. "Paige, please go" Derek says almost strained. He needed to get her out of here before he does something he regrets. Sighing, she grabs her beaded clutch and gets up, swaying her hips past him. She then abruptly stops and tears out a piece of paper and pen from her clutch, writes down her phone number, and places it on the glass table. "I hope we will be in touch" she says warmly, a strange glint in her eyes that goes unnoticed by Derek. Gripping the table, the glass begins to strain under the force of his strength as his wolf comes to the surface. His eyes flash cobalt and he tries to calm his racing thoughts. "You know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Peter" she says as he tenses at the mention of his uncle. The very same uncle who pressured him to bite and turn her. A flash of grief hits him, knowing what he was capable of doing to her. Paige then walks out of the loft, out of his life once again.
The sound of his phone alerts him to the buzzing in his pockets and he looks down in a daze. Stiles's name flashes across the screen as he quickly declines the call. He knows he should answer Stiles and explain to him what's has been going on but he can't bring himself too. He feels as though he's outside his body, watching someone else puppeteer his movements. He couldn't help but think if this is how Stiles felt when the nogitsune possessed him and then felt ashamed of himself for thinking about that and comparing himself to one of Stiles's lowest moments in his life. Again, Stiles's name flashes across the cracked screen. He was always reminding Derek to get that fix but he could never be bothered. He then grips the phone so tightly, swearing as he feels even more cracks begin to form. One thing was for certain he loved Stiles more than anything. If Stiles was his moon, then Derek was the sun but his heart ached at the reminder of how Paige was once his anchor.

Chapter 4: Nobody’s Home

Stiles
Rain slams down on his windshield as his wipers battle to keep up with the onslaught, developing his field of vision into a temporary pool of grey. The radio blares an upbeat song, in contrast to his depressive mood, as he turns onto the intersection passing the welcome to Beacon Hills sign. A chill runs down his spine, almost a warning to turn back now. He chuckles to himself, chiding himself for being ridiculous. Lost in thought, he almost forget to stop at the stop sign resulting in him nearly hitting the Honda civic in front him and slamming his breaks. Startled, he tries to catch his breath as the driver ahead of him honks at him. "Yeah, yeah I know" he mutters, running a shaken hand through his hair, now longer than his previous buzzed cut. Pulling off to the side of the road, he tries to call Derek again but only gets his voicemail. Frustrated, he huffs out a breath. He dials Derek's number again and waits and waits resulting in his voicemail again. "Babe, listen I almost got into a car accident on my way home and I really need to hear your voice right now so please call me back" he says then quickly hangs up the phone. Cursing in frustration, he pulls back onto the deserted tree lined road and starts to head to his father's house.
Numerous cars blur past him as he speeds towards his father's home. Pulling into the driveway, he turns the keys out of the ignition and sighs. This is not how he wanted to start his academic career more importantly his budding relationship with Derek. Standing on the porch of the bricked house, with his gun on his holster, and a fresh mug of coffee in his hands, is Noah Stilinski. Waving at his son, Stiles heads out his jeep towards his father. "Hey Dad" Stiles says as he jogs up the porch stairs trying to avoid the sudden downpour. "Hi Son, it's good to see you" Noah remarks pulling his son into a warm embrace. In his Dad's embrace, Stiles struggles to hold back the sudden tears pooling in his eyes. The sudden stress of Scott's text messages, his overwhelming course load, and Derek avoiding him is getting to him. The sudden shift in Stiles's demeanor alerts the Sheriff as his hold on him suddenly tightens. "You know you can talk to me about anything, Stiles" his father remarks. "I know, Dad. That's actually why I'm here, I'm here about Derek" he says defeated.

Derek
Formula by Labrinth blares throughout the loft as Derek paces back and forth, sunlight streaming in from the large window. Frustrated, he runs a hand through his black hair and sits on the leather couch. Seeing all the missed messages from Stiles hurts him, hurts him even more knowing he's intentionally avoiding his mate but he just can't wrap his mind around Paige's sudden return and the onslaught of grief, love, and pain that comes with it. Dialing Paige's number, he waits to hear her raspy voice. "Derek, I've been waiting to hear from you" she says. "I want to see you at Beacon Hills High School. I'll meet you at midnight in the music room" he replies in longing. He shifts on the couch, as if feeling Stiles's accusatory stare. Her laughter echoes throughout the phone, the sound like a babbling brook. "I'll see you there, Der" she hums running a red manicured hand down her thigh, smoothing out her silky black dress. Hanging up the phone, he slumps back into the couch suddenly mentally and emotionally exhausted.
Racing in his black Camaro, he quickly pulls up to the brick welcome to Beacon Hills sign. Vines entwined around the sign and blooms of orange and red litter the ground, as the first leaf begins to fall. Slamming the driver's side door shut, he breathes in the scent of pear and lilies and something else he can't quite decipher.
Walking towards the school's entrance, he unleashing his claws and tears off the chains that now dangle loosely from the door. Striding
down the school's corridors, he can't help the onslaught of memories that flash before his eyes. Leaning against a nearby locker, he sees his younger self running down the halls with his groups of friends, making the winning basket at his game as the thunderous applause rings throughout his ears, and holding Paige's delicate hand to class. Stepping into the music room, posters of Wicked, Heathers, Phantom of the Opera, Mean Girls, and Anastasia litter the wall. Almost in a daze, he moves to the far side of the room and sees the younger version of himself desperately trying to impress Paige by playing the triangle and utterly failing miserably. Laughing in childish glee, the younger version of Paige pecks his cheek and begins to beautifully play the cello. It's all too much, he thinks gripping at his chest. Flashes of her death come to the forefront of his mind, cradling her lifeless body, and his eyes changing from yellow to cobalt. Gasping for breath, he feels the onslaught of an anxiety attack. "Der, are you okay" a voice says from behind. Flinching back, he didn't even hear Paige enter the room. "I'm fine" he replies shortly gesturing for her to sit down in one of the student chairs. "How are you here Paige? I watched you die, held you in my arms.." he says tearfully. She moves to wipe away his tears but Derek flinches back as if burned. Honey amber eyes come to the forefront of his mind and the scent of apple blossoms wafts through his nostrils. He had to get back to Stiles and his pack. "I woke up filthy, covered in dirt and branches, under the nemeton tree" she purrs in response, a feline smirk appearing on her face. "I still can't believe it myself sometimes, still feeling as though apart of me is back in the grave.." she mutters, trailing off. Leaning forward, a frown on his face, Derek replies "I'm so sorry for what happened to you Paige. I never wanted to hurt you but what we had is over. I'm with a great guy now, his name is Stiles". Something cold came over her face but it was gone in an instant before he could decipher it. "Stiles, huh. Well you always attracted so many Der" she tutted. Standing up briskly, she smooths down her dress and gives him one last look, her eyes almost appearing cat like. "Bye Paige" he says, feeling the closure he so desperately longed for.

Chapter 5: Ch. 5 Alice. Stiles POV

Stiles
Parked in his jeep, sitting outside the loft, Stiles struggled to find the nerve to go inside. This is ridiculous, he thinks. This is his home too and he has to communicate with Derek if he wants to remain a couple. Still, he struggles to move a muscle as if his body is warning him not to go inside. His dad's words echo throughout his head. He pretty much told him the same amount as Scott did that Derek has been avoiding everyone and everything. A part of Stiles wonders if this is Derek's way of saying he doesn't want to be with him anymore. He fingers the no wooden wolf figurine keychain that dangles from the ignition. Smiling at the memory, the key chain was a birthday gift from Derek as a reminder of their love. Pressing his head against the steering wheel, he struggled to calm his breathing. He was not going to have a panic attack right now. Cutting the ignition, he steps outside and heads towards the loft. Before he can open the front door, his eyes catch something glinting off the ground. Picking it up, in his hand, was a part of a cat's claw and in the pavement were claw marks, almost like a jaguar.
Grabbing his phone with the other hand, he begins to research on wild cats. Before he can read much, the sound of an engine cuts him off. Derek steps out, a warm smile on his face which quickly transforms into a mask of cool indifference. Lifting his head into the air, Derek looks around his surroundings as if looking for an imaginary threat. "Derek, what's the matter?" Stiles ask hesitantly, stepping forward and reaching out towards his mate. His hands brush Derek's leather jacket as he pushes past him and slams the front's door in his face. Grabbing the handle, Stiles curses as he fights to get the door open. Upon opening the door, all the air is forced out of him like a punch to his gut. On the couch, straddling Derek, is a woman with long, luscious brown hair and a curvaceous figure. Her red nails skim down his abs as his hands brush against the naval of her stomach. He could only see the back of her head as moans of pleasure reached his ears as he saw his boyfriend of two years kissing a woman. Biles rises in his throat as he slams back into the wall. He couldn't believe this, this was not happening. Derek loved him, had promised to always love him. Agony rips through his chests as his breathing quickens. He hears his name being called as though he was underwater but his body immediately went on autopilot. He raced out the loft, not looking back.
Not waiting to see Derek's reaction to his, not waiting for an explanation. He felt as though his heart was just ripped out of his chest and stomped on. Racing out onto the street, tears blur his vision. Pulling over, he slams the steering wheel over and over again, the pain radiating up and down his arms. Screaming out in frustration, he rips the keychain off the key holder and flings it out the window. Gasping for breath, his vision tunnels as he fights to put oxygen in his lungs. He desperately tries to count his breaths in his head but he feels so lightheaded. Flipping the visor down, he sees his tear soaked face and red rimmed eyes. Wiping away his tears, he desperately searches for his phone, wanting to text call Scott. An icy chill races down his spine as he hears the soft buzzing of a fly. He then slowly lifts his head and looks into the rear view mirror. There, in the rear view mirror, was the face of the nogitsune.

Chapter 6: Runaway Love Stiles and Derek POV

Stiles
Flinching back in horror, Stiles lets out a hoarse scream. The laughter of the nogitsune fills his ears as he quickly looks behind him in the back seat but there's nothing there. The only thing in his backseat is his checkered backpack, one of his red flannels, an empty Dunkin Donuts cup, one of Derek's shirts, and a half eaten snickers candy wrapper. Tears pooled down his cheeks as he quickly dialed Scott's number. After the first ring, he heard Scott's warm booming voice. "Hey man, what's up" Scott asks. Hiccuping, Stiles could only let out a whimper. "Stiles?" Scott questions, sounding desperate now. Hanging up the phone and texting him his location, he waits for Scott to show up as he's in no condition to drive or let alone speak.
Not even five minutes pass and Scott is banging up the driver's side window. Unlocking the doors, Scott jogs to the other side of the car and slides into the passenger's seat. Reaching over, he quickly engulfs Stiles into a tight embrace and rubs his back. "What wrong, buddy?" he softly asks him. "I caught Derek kissing another woman and I saw the nogitsune, Scott, you have to believe me.. I swear I did.. I.." Stiles tearfully mutters as Scott shushes him. Rocking back and forth with Scott holding him upright, he balls his eyes out, wailing over Derek, agonizing over the loss of normality in his life, and crying over the loss of himself again. He felt like he was one step closer to losing his mind again. "It's going to be okay, Stiles. I'll be here for you every step of the way and I won't let Derek near you if that's what you want. I can't believe he would do something like that, I'm so sorry" Scott mutters into his ear, holding the back of his head firmly, his heartbeat echoing in Stiles's ears as a comforting melody. He then helps Stiles into the passenger's seat and moves to sit in the driver's seat. Starting up the car, Scott pulls off from the side of the road and begins to drive. Stiles leans his head against the window, briefly closing his eyes and listening to the sounds of traffic. A sudden lurch has his body jerking upright and his eyes bolting open as the car jerks sideways and tumbles. Stiles screams and he reaches out towards Scott, worried for his best friend as the car begins to roll at the sudden impact of another vehicle. Blood pools down Stiles's face as he hangs upside down from the passenger seat. "Scott" he yells in panic. He can barely shift his head without wincing in pain but forces himself too to check on his friend. Scratches cut into Scott's face as glass lay scattered at their feet. Blood drips from Scott's arms and face as his breathing becomes slowly ragged with his eyes shut close. A screech alerts Stiles that they are not alone. Yellow eyes peer into the jeep as Stiles heart races.
Derek
Pushing Paige off of him, Derek grows angry at the kiss she forced upon him. He was getting ready to tell her to leave when she suddenly got on top of him and started kissing him and that's when unfortunately his mate walked in. "Stiles" Derek yells. He watches as the tears stream down his mate's face and as he sprints out the loft. Spinning around, he begins to yell at Paige only to find her gone, only with the strange scent left in her wake. Something isn't right about Paige, his gut is telling him. Dialing Stiles's number, he curses when he only gets his voicemail. Heading out, he gets into his car and speeds down the road, on the look out for any sign of Stiles. Anxiously, he grips the steering wheel in one hand and dials Stiles's number again in the other, only to result in his voice mail again. "C'mon Stiles" he mutters. He feels the ground beneath him give away as he sees Stiles's jeep, upside down and smashed with glass shards littering the road. He doesn't even register himself getting out the car and running towards the jeep. Deep thick claw marks litter the sides of the jeep as he stops in front of the passenger's side. He peers in but no one is in the crushed
jeep. Blood spatters alongside the asphalt leading into the forest on the edge of the road. He starts running, following the trail of blood and the scents of both Stiles and Scott. His hearts pounds as he desperately hopes Scott and Stiles are okay. He howls and Scott's answering howl pierces the air. Tree branches smack his face as he finds Scott leaning against a tree, face scratched and bruised, and claw marks raking his side as he holds his hands to the blood pooling down his side. "Scott" Derek yells in urgency and rushes over to Scott, putting his arm around him, taking all of his weight. "It happened so fast.. they came out of no where. You gotta find Stiles, he's in danger. There's some kind of were-creature attacking us. It looks like a huge jaguar" Scott pants out in pain. Helping Scott sit down against a tree, Derek then starts running towards the direction Stiles's scent is strongest in.
Stiles
Dry heaving, he staggers over tree branches and roots. Breath haggard, pulse racing, he tries to calm down and get familiar with his surroundings. Limping, he spins in a circle as bruises litter his skin and blood steeps from a cut on his right knee. A hiss alerts him to the sleek black jaguar that is circling behind him. Before he can move so much as a muscle, the jaguar leaps towards him. Appearing so fast in a puff of black smoke he flinches back, the oni surround him.
Suddenly, Derek crashes through the underbrush and tackles the jaguar. Snarls and growls echo in the distance. "Derek!" Stiles exclaims in panic. Swiping with his claws, Derek manages to rake down the jaguar's underbelly as it limps away pitifully into the forest. Stiles then runs toward Derek, assisting his mate for any physical harm. Derek then scoops him up in his arms and places a passionate kiss upon his lips. Pulling away, Stiles wearily looks around for the oni warriors. He sees nothing but trees for miles on end. "Where's Scott" Stiles demands, worried about his best friend's life. "He's okay, just some cuts and bruises" Derek assures Stiles, attempting to pull him back into his warm embrace. Stiles then slaps Derek across the face. "How could you.." Stiles utters in rage, a dark expression forming on his face. "Just let me explain Stiles, but first we need to get you and Scott to a hospital" he explains.
Putting an around Stiles's waist, Derek then leads him towards Scott. After briefly walking, they stumble upon Scott who's moaning in pain. Stiles quickly rushes over and kneels next to his best friend, assisting his wounds. He then helps Scott up, both of them grunting in pain. Derek then comes over and takes Scott's other arm and places gently around his neck. They all then slowly make their way towards Derek's car, unaware of the yellow eyes glaring down at them.

Chapter 7: Pacify Her

                                    Stiles
Leaning his bruised and concussed head against the passenger seat, Stiles blearily watched as Derek drives them towards Beacon Hills Hospital. Derek drives slowly as to not aggravate Scott's wounds as he lays in the back seat, whimpering in agony. Derek lays a hand on Stiles's thigh as if trying to soothe them both. A part of Stiles felt disgusted with him, how he can easily touch him after kissing someone else. Anger boils in his blood but he holds his tongue as now isn't the time to discuss what Derek did. Between the cheating and avoiding him, he felt as if his heart was breaking. The brisk air of Fall bites at his face as he attempts to shut his window. Derek then shuts his window for him. "Thanks" he says softly. "Of course, babe. We're almost there Scott" Derek explains and Scott hums in agreement. "That thing that was out there, it's gonna come back. We need to alert the pack" Stiles grunts out, as a hot flash of molten pain flares up his side. Hissing, he gingerly touches his side and when he draws back, there's blood on his fingertips. Horrified, Derek further accelerates the gas and holds the steering wheel with one hand while ripping off his shirt and handing it to Stiles to apply to his wounds.
Melissa meets them at the hospital and rushes them all to a private room. After first stitching up Scott and leading him to a hospital bed, Melissa then turns to Stiles and begins to stitch him as well. Stiles sits next to Scott in the hospital bed, gently stroking his face while he grunts in pain. Flinching at the anesthetic, Stiles looks to Derek who has his arms crossed and a worried expression on his face. "What is it this time?" Melissa asks sternly while applying ointment to the cuts on Stiles's face. "It's some time of were-creature, a jaguar" Scott pipes up helpfully. A dark look crosses Derek's face, as if he suspects something they don't. "I found a part of its claw next to my jeep the other day. It's targeting us on purpose" Stiles addresses in frustration, suddenly exhausted with the turn of today's events. "I'm going to call the pack" Derek announces grimly and steps out the room to call Allison, Boyd, Isaac, Erica, Jackson and Lydia. Melissa then excuses herself to check on her other patients.
Looking at Scott, Stiles can't help but grimace. "You look like shit, bud" Stiles says while chuckling. "You too man" Scott responds back with a smile. "Why do you think this creature is targeting us?" Stiles asks. Running his hands through his long brown hair, Scott replies "They probably got wind of our territory and went after us because I'm Derek's second in command and you're his mate". Humming, Stiles tries to piece the clues together in his mind and what Derek could possibly be hiding. Derek then walks back into the room and Stiles gets up and walks towards him. "We need to talk" Stiles says coldly, walking past Derek into the hospital's hallway.