Theo reflected back on his time in Beacon Hills that seemed like a lifetime ago. It wasn't that long, just two years, but in that time so much had changed. He remembered the Geyer/Dunbar household taking him in shortly after the Ghost Riders were dealt with when Mrs. Geyer found out that Theo was homeless and living out of his truck. He remembered dealing with the hunters and the Anuk-ite with a certain beta at his side, or more aptly described with him being at said beta's side. One event pushed itself into his mind, one event that was small in the scale of what the world, supernatural or otherwise, would care but huge to his world. It was the reason he had to leave.
It was the second week after the Anuk-ite had been dealt with. Beacon Hills was still recovering from the fear induced damage that it caused itself. Community leaders such as The Sheriff, The McCalls, Natalie Martin, Chris Argent, and the Hewitts worked to bring order and civility back to the town and county. For the front line fighters in that conflict, they breathed a sigh of relief as they relaxed at the local bowling alley. Scott, Malia, Stiles, and Lydia occupied one lane while Theo, Liam, Mason, Corey, and Nolan occupied the one next to it. There were several large pizza boxes open on the standing bars located behind where they sat to bowl.
Liam looked to Mason and asked, "How are we dividing up? Teams or free-for-all?"
The teen responded, "I don't know. We've got an odd number so if we did teams then someone wouldn't play."
Theo smirked as he responded, "I could sit out playing."
Liam glared at the older chimera, "No. If we agree to that, you are just going to sneak away when things get intense. I sometimes think you don't know how to have fun."
Theo rolled his eyes, "Alright Little Wolf. I'll be on your team." He subtly half grinned, "And I assure you, I know how to have fun."
Mason shook his head as he looked to Nolan and Corey. The younger chimera stated, "Why don't I sit this one out or we can play it round robin style for our team. Since we ultimately share points, it shouldn't matter who is up to bowl."
Mason smiled widely, "That's why I love you."
Corey blushed as Nolan looked at the team breakdowns, "Isn't this a little unfair, with them being different."
Mason leaned towards Nolan and grinned, "You're right. We should probably give them an advantage. They are going to need it."
Nolan's eyes widened at the teen's statement and the teams were decided. After quite a few frames, team Pin the Tail was considerably ahead of Fangs out Balls out. Theo glared at Liam after the beta rolled yet another gutter ball. Nolan snickered and Liam shot the former hunter a golden eyed glare.
Mason stepped between Liam and Nolan and said, "Liam, it's just a game."
Liam fought back the anger and muttered, "I know. I know."
Theo stepped up to Liam, "It's alright Little Wolf."
The beta turned to the older chimera, "That's easy for you to say. You just bowled a turkey."
Theo smugly grinned, "And here you thought that I didn't know how to have fun."
Liam crossed his arms and pouted his lip slightly before he responded, "I still don't think you know how to have fun."
Theo playfully raised his eyebrow, "Really? I'm going to the skate park after this. Clear my head. You are welcome to join, Little Wolf."
Liam looked at Theo, his mouth slightly open, speechless as Nolan interrupted, "Can we join?"
Theo glared at the hunter, "I said clear my head, not babysit."
Nolan smirked and responded, "But you are inviting Liam. Sounds like babysitting to me."
Corey and Mason laughed as Liam glared at Nolan, "That's not funny."
Corey interrupted, "Actually, it was kind of funny." Mason elbowed his boyfriend as Liam huffed.
The bowling game ended with Liam and Theo losing badly to Mason's team. After a couple of slices of pizza and hanging out, Theo stepped away from the celebration. He made it back to his truck and opened the door to see Liam sitting in the passenger's seat. Theo asked, "What are you doing, Little Wolf?"
Liam wore a shit-eating grin and said, "You said I could go with you."
Theo innocently laughed, "I guess I did." He climbed into the truck and drove to the skate park. When they got to the park, Theo pulled out two boards from the back of his truck. Liam looked surprised and asked, "Do you always have those in your truck?"
Theo smiled, "Yeah. I never know when the urge might strike."
The two boarded for a few hours with Theo mainly teaching Liam. Towards the end of the evening, Theo thought about how much he had changed since coming back from hell. The ice that originally hardened his heart and numbed him had thawed and the Geyers and Liam were a huge reason for that. He actually felt loved and began to reciprocate those feelings to his new "family". His heart was freshly exposed again and the chimera had to fight to contain himself.
Long after the sun set, the two finished up. They walked back to the truck and put the boards away. When Theo opened the doors, Liam heard his phone go off as it sat in the passenger's seat. He picked up the phone and answered the call from his father. Theo watched Liam's expression as he controlled his hearing to not overhear the conversation. He watched the happy expression fade quickly to concern and finally fear and dread. He looked at Theo and quietly mumbled, "Theo. We need to go. To the hospital."
Theo assessed Liam's expression and stepped into the truck. He started up his truck as Liam buckled himself in. Theo drove to the hospital without asking what the emergency was. Liam fought back tears and Theo could smell the fear and despair that flowed off the young beta. Theo rushed to the hospital and parked near the entrance. Liam rushed out of the truck and through the entrance.
Theo rushed to keep up with the young beta and they were met by Melissa. She ran over to Liam and said, "I'm sorry Liam. She was moved to her room. Your dad is waiting for you."
Liam muttered, "Thanks Mrs. McCall."
Melissa guided the two to the hospital room and when she opened the room Theo heard the slow beep of a heart monitor and the gentle whoosh of a breathing machine. Liam stepped in and was immediately greeted by his dad with a firm embrace. Theo stepped into the room and finally saw what had Little Wolf distraught. The chimera looked to the bed and saw Mrs. Geyer unconscious, her facial expression twisted but unresponsive. His eyes widened as he thought to how much she had been there for him over the last year and how much this family had grown to mean things to him.
The chimera's vision focused to an intense pinpoint as his hearing faded except for the sound of Mrs. Geyer's beating heart. The old Theo would've approached the situation with intellectual detachment but now, with this new beating of his heart he felt sorrow and fear creep into his body.
He missed the conversation between Dr. Geyer and Liam, only catching the movements out of the corner of his vision as the young beta cried and yelled and embraced his dad. Theo snapped out of his daze just as Dr. Geyer motioned for him to join the hug. Theo stepped over and hugged them as he fought back his tears.
After several minutes another doctor stepped in and asked the two to step out of the room while he ran some tests. Liam and Theo stepped out into the hallway and took a seat near the room.
Theo blinked away the tears as he remembered the event that drove him from Beacon Hills. He hadn't realized that he was driving on autopilot and his truck idled in a parking spot at a graveyard. He turned off the ignition and stepped out of the truck. He slowly walked, his eyes firmly locked on the ground, as his body moved towards a tombstone that he would always know how to find it without looking. He stopped in front of the tombstone and looked at the letters carved into it.
JENNA GEYER
Loving mother. Truly Heaven has gained an Angel.
Theo thought back to the funeral.
The day was shrouded in darkness as thick, black clouds covered the sun and a light misting began. Around the casket there was a large gathering of people to pay their respects to the departed mother. Theo stood next to Liam. The beta's face was red and puffy from the tears that had fallen over the last few days. The chimera stood in solidarity with the wolf. His heart ached from the pain of the loss but also from the pain that wolf carried, and Dr. Geyer. The tender heart of the chimera seemed to absorb the pain of those around him as his mind fought for a way to contain it.
When the funeral ended and people paid their respects, the chimera approached the seasoned hunter at the gathering. Theo asked the hunter, "Argent, I didn't think you knew Mrs. Geyer, what brings you here?"
Chris nodded and solemnly responded, "You're right Theo. I am here to show support to those that lost her and what she meant to them."
Theo nodded, "I see. What will you do when you leave here today?"
Chris eyed the chimera suspiciously, "I have teams maneuvering on Monroe's followers and to stop the plans that Gerard set into motion globally. The fight here is over, for now, but there are more forces to stop."
Theo took a moment to absorb the information and responded, "Would you be looking for more talent?"
The hunter was taken aback by the chimera's statement and replied, "We could use someone with your skill set but I thought you had connections to hold you here."
Theo looked to the muddy ground as a tear slid down his face, "I do."
Chris shrugged, "I'll be flying out early tomorrow morning." Chris stepped away from the chimera before he could respond.
Later that evening Theo sat with Liam in the wolf's room. After the funeral they ate and came home and remembered Jenna. After staying up late, Liam began to get tired and laid down on his bed. The wolf looked up at Theo, "I know it's hard right now, but I'll get through it."
Theo smiled slightly, "Yeah. Things are tough but they do get better in time."
Liam cracked a small smile, the first in many days, and said, "I'm going to get some sleep."
Theo nodded and said, "I'm going out for a drive."
Liam acknowledged, "Alright. I'll see you when you get back."
Theo weakly muttered, "Yeah" before he stepped out of the room. As he drove in his truck, his heart fought to change his mind but the same heart threatened to shatter the weakly restored humanity of the chimera so the mind won. After many hours he reached the airport and met the hunter for his new life.
Theo knelt down in front of the tombstone and placed his hand against the cold stone. He whispered into the air that seemed to carry the gentle words beyond, "I'm back home, mom."
Theo drove to the high school, it was Friday night and there was a lacrosse game happening. It was a match between Devenford and Beacon Hills to see who would advance to the state championship. He grabbed a six pack from the store before driving to the field. He parked on the far side and walked towards the field with the six pack in hand. He stepped up to Dr. Geyer, who watched from beyond the bleachers. The chimera set down the beer and pulled one out. He offered it to Dr. Geyer, who politely shook his head. Theo popped the cap off and took a sip before he asked, "How are they doing?"
Dr. Geyer pointed to the score board, "Not good."
Theo glanced to the score and saw that the cyclones were down by 3. He sighed as he watched the play maneuver for the cyclones to score, only to be stopped by the goalie.
Coach Finstock yelled, "Dunbar, you need to stop the cowboy shit."
Liam yelled back as he ran into position, "If I did that coach, we'd still be down by 7."
Corey walked over to the coach, holding up his I phone, as he recorded for the podcast. He asked Coach, "How are you feeling about the game tonight, Coach?"
Finstock glanced at the camera and asked, "What's that for Bryant?"
Corey replied, "The podcast for the school Coach."
Finstock yelled towards the field before he replied, "Does it allow profanity?"
Corey quickly replied, "No sir."
Finstock yelled, "Then get that shit out of my face."
Corey stepped away from the coach. Within the next few moments, Liam charged down the field and scored another goal. The cyclones only trailed by two. Theo and Dr. Geyer clapped from the sidelines.
At the face off Brett squared up with Liam and growled, "Your ass is mine, Dunbar."
Liam grinned as he growled back, "What? Hitting on me again Brett? How many times does that make it tonight?"
Brett's eyes glowed yellow and Liam's reflected the same as the young beta won the face-off and got the ball to Nolan. The play shifted down field and Liam got the ball back and after fighting around the defensive players while Coach shouted for him to pass, he scored the goal.
Theo looked to the time left and there was thirty seconds left on the clock. Once again, the cyclones won the face off but the ball was taken by Devenford. Liam was able to regain possession and charged downfield as the last ten seconds counted down. Coach yelled for him to pass but Liam continued to run. He lined up the shot and released it just as the clock was going to zero. The shot flew wide and missed the goal. The announcer called the game with Devenford Prep 9, Beacon Hills 8.
Theo looked to Dr. Geyer and said, "Liam brought the game back."
Dr. Geyer nodded and replied, "But it just wasn't enough this game. Welcome back home, Theo. How long do you think you'll be back?"
Theo half smiled, "At least a couple of weeks. Chris doesn't want me taking on any more dangerous missions until I've had some down time."
Dr. Geyer patted the chimera on the back as they walked back to their respective vehicles. He said, "That's good. It's good to have you back home for a bit. I know Liam is looking forward to seeing you."
Theo asked, "Did you tell him I was going to be back in town?"
Dr. Geyer nodded, "I let him know when you called me from Mexico. You know he wouldn't like it if it were a surprise."
Theo weakly acknowledged, "I know."
Liam sat outside the field, near the parking lot, his gear bag in hand as he waited for Hayden to show up. The buses for Devenford drove away with the players and cheerleaders shouting towards the young beta. He let out a sigh as Hayden's blue Camry pulled around and parked near the wolf. She grinned as she lowered the window and eyed the beta, "Come on Li."
Liam smiled and ran over to the car. He opened the door and tossed his bag into the back seat. He looked to Hayden, "Hi."
She rolled her eyes and said, "Hi yourself, Li."
Liam's mood shifted as he stared out the window as the chimera moved slowly through the parking lot. She said, "We've got to pick up Malia before we meet up with the rest of the pack."
Liam shrugged weakly. When she stopped at the exit, she hit Liam across the chest. He weakly muttered, "Ow. What was that for?"
She smirked, "Get out of your head Dunbar." As he looked at her, she enticingly nibbled her lower lip. He leaned across the center console and brought her in for a kiss before they drove off.
Theo stepped into the local family/sports bar and restaurant, not too far from BHHS named "Cyclones". He walked up to the bar and ordered a beer. After being carded, he was supplied with a dark green bottle. He took a sip, relishing the taste, before he turned around and assessed the bar. Many of the players and their families were present, eating a post-game meal and having a drink to forget about the loss. A couple of guys his age, wearing their old lacrosse jerseys, looked to Theo. One asked, "Hey, Aren't you Theo Raeken?"
Theo looked to the guy, "Yeah, What's it to you?"
The guy smiled, "I didn't know you were in town. I heard you had locked yourself away at college and swore to never come back."
The other guy argued with him, "No, Theo went to work with the DEA and is hunting down drug smugglers."
Theo rolled his eyes as they argued. The first guy replied, "But I heard a rumor that he started a singing career and already has a label."
The other guy argued back, "That's not what you said before but I heard he works in porn."
Theo growled at the two, "If you two don't mind, I have some actual friends to meet up with." He walked through the bar and caught Mason and Corey's scents and saw that they were sitting in the outside wrap around porch. He walked out the door and grinned, "It's been a while."
Mason looked to Theo and his eyes threatened to pop out of his head as he said, "Theo? You're back?"
Theo sauntered over to the table and widened his grin, "For a little while. Funny the rumors going around about me."
Corey looked to Theo, "I started the porn star one. I was tired of hearing about you working as FBI, CIA, DEA, or any other three letter acronym."
Theo laughed and asked, "What porn name did you give them?"
Corey smirked, "Wolf Richards."
Theo took a long sip of his beer before he smiled, "I like it."
Mason took a sip of his soda and asked, "Does Liam know you are back?"
Theo nodded but didn't say a word. Corey stated, "You should know that Malia is in town."
Theo downed his beer as he thought about the werecoyote and their confrontational relationship. He hadn't seen her since bowling before everything happened but he knew she'd still be the usual Malia.
As he brought the beer down he glanced towards the door inside just in time to see the coyote charge through it and slam him up against the wall with her hand wrapped around his throat. Her eyes glowed blue as she growled, "Theo. Nice to see you."
Her words caught him off guard as he dropped his empty bottle and flashed his eyes golden. He growled back as he caught her scent. There was the usual anger but something else shifted the scent. He fought to think of the smell as her gripped her throat and flipped their positions. Then he noticed the change. She put off a strong scent directed at the chimera. Arousal.
Theo smirked with golden eyes, "You gave up that fight too easy. What gives?"
She growled before she responded, "I was at Tijuana."
Theo thought for a moment, remembering the missions he took part in over the last couple of years and some change and the Tijuana mission came to mind. He whispered, "The supernatural kidnapping and exploitation. You were there?"
She slowly nodded her head, "They had me for a couple of months before you dealt with them. I saw it all."
Theo shook his head as he released the grip, which only caused Malia to close the tiny amount of distance, "I don't remember seeing you or catching your scent."
She grinned, "You were focused. It was hot and I never thanked you." Malia pulled Theo into a savage kiss before she released him and stepped around the dumbfounded chimera. She looked at Mason and Corey, who wore equally dumbfounded expressions as she reached forward and ate a fry out of their basket. She walked inside after giving them a telling glance. Theo slowly turned around and caught Liam's scent but also Hayden's. He saw them step out of the door, a drink in their hands while Liam carried a giant nacho plate.
Liam ignored Theo's presence while Hayden just tilted her head and gave a knowing glance to the confused chimera. Liam set his drink and the nachos on the table as Theo walked over. The chimera said, "Hey Little-"before the beta turned and struck him, the dead center of the tip of his nose. The older chimera feel to the ground, fresh blood flowing from yet another broken nose as he slowly pulled himself to his feet. He grabbed a napkin from the empty table not far from him and wiped his nose clean as his healing popped the broken nose back into place.
He smugly remarked, "Nevermind. I'm going to get a beer." Mason commented about whether he could get drunk but Theo ignored him. The chimera walked back into the bar and found Malia leaning against it. The two guys from earlier seemed to be trying to flirt with her but were only accomplishing annoying her. Theo stepped over to her and asked, "Are these two bothering you?"
Malia growled, "Only by asking annoying questions." Theo smugly grinned and looked at the two, "You heard the lady. Move along."
The muttered something to Theo as they left but he ignored it as he leaned on the bar near Malia. He ordered another beer and looked to the coyote. She smiled and said, "Liam broke your nose, again."
Theo nodded as he grabbed his new beer and took a sip. He weakly said, "Yeah. He's still mad."
She took a sip of her drink before she asked, "Do you blame him?"
Theo shook his head, "No." As he took another sip, the power grid for the area went out and cloaked Beacon Hills in darkness. Not long after that, Theo finished his beer and drove to the Geyer residence.
Dr. Geyer met him at the front door and said, "They are calling me in tonight. Seems like this power outage has caused a few accidents."
Theo nodded and Dr. Geyer continued, "I put out some blankets and sheets for the couch. I would've had the guest room fixed up but I didn't really have time from your message."
Theo shook his head, "No need. The couch is fine. At least it isn't the back seat of my truck."
Dr. Geyer smiled and embraced the chimera. Theo slowly responded by embracing the man back. Dr. Geyer softly said, "It's good to have you back, Theo. We've missed you."
Theo weakly croaked, as his emotions threatened to open the wound from a year ago, "I've missed the family too, Dad."
Dr. Geyer pulled away from the hug, a look of pride in his eyes before he stepped out the door. Hayden's Camry pulled up to the house and Liam stepped out with his gear bag and walked towards the front porch. He tossed in down next to the steps and walked over to his dad as Dr. Geyer was opening the front door.
He asked, "Did you catch the game?"
Dr. Geyer looked to his son, "Yeah. You did your best and that's what counts. The team is lucky to have you."
Liam smiled and embraced his dad, "Thanks dad."
Dr. Geyer continued, "I'll see you when I get home in the morning. Stay home tonight, I don't know what's going on but there have already been quite a few accidents."
Liam droned as he stepped away from the car and Dr. Geyer sat down in the driver's seat, "Yes Dad."
Dr. Geyer waved as he drove off towards the hospital. Liam turned and walked to the porch and saw Theo leaning against the door frame, a beer in his hand.
The wolf snatched up his gear bag as he made it up the steps and muttered, "You're back."
Theo stepped out of Liam's way and followed the wolf inside. He weakly agreed, "Yeah. I'm back."
Theo sat down at the kitchen table, next to the beers he brought home earlier and asked, "Want a beer?"
Liam glared at the chimera as he grabbed a Gatorade from the fridge and closed it. Liam closed the door forcefully as he felt the chimera's eyes on him and asked, dripping with contempt, "Don't you have to check in with Argent or something. Find out where the next big supernatural thing that is more important than anything else in your life is."
Theo began, "Little Wolf"
Liam cut him off, "Don't call me that."
Theo sighed and took a long drink of his beer as the wolf walked from the kitchen and to his room.
Theo spoke to himself, "Well this turned out well."
