Disclaimer: "I do not own Teen Wolf. The show, the characters, and any quotes from the show belong to Jeff Davis and his amazing team of writers. I only own Nixie, and anything I make her do or say."

Hello Everyone! Did you miss me?

As always, I wanted to give you guys a heads up. Just like the people at MTV did with season 3 of Teen Wolf, I will be breaking the third season into two different parts (A and B). So this is the start of Teen Wolf Season 3a, with Nixie weaved into the plot.

Thank you to everyone who has read and commented to me on these stories. At one point in time, I didn't even really want to post these stories. I was so sure that I was the only one who would actually like what I was writing and trying to do. But you guys are awesome, and have let me know that you love reading these works as much as I've enjoyed writing them.

As usual, I've interrupted you from starting the story. And as usual, I'm sorry. Here is the beginning on Teen Wolf Season 3a, with Nixie! Enjoy! :)

Chapter 1: Episode 3x1

"Boy, good thing you drew me a picture."

Nixie smirks while Scott just smiles up at the big, bald, tattoo artist before them. When Scott had shown it to her the first time, she hadn't really known what it was supposed to mean. And Stiles, to this moment, still doesn't like the thing at all.

But Scott's a werewolf. And he told Nixie that it was something that he'd been thinking about for a while… dreaming about even.

So, though Nixie's not sure what exactly is supposed to come of this symbol that he's pictured in his head, she's all for it. Getting it tattooed on his arm seemed to be a little excessive, at least in her opinion. But it was Scott's 'reward', so to speak, so it was his to choose. And since he'd been thinking about it for a while, even before summer had started in fact, Nixie felt that it was a good thing to go with as far as his first tattoo went.

That's why Scott asked Nixie. She had rules about tattoos. Not that the boys had to follow them, but she had a set of ideas about them that, he himself, thought were pretty good. And the top rule on the list was that, you couldn't just get a tattoo that you'd seen or drawn and wanted just for one day. It had to be something that you've had time to mull over and think about for a while. For Nixie, herself, if she ever did get a tattoo, she'd set the time limit for a year. If she could stick with the same idea for at least a year, then she figures it's something she'll be able to look at and enjoy for the rest of her life.

Scott had only wanted his for four or five months, but Nixie figures the time limit doesn't have to be so strict with him. So here they are, with a slip from Scott's mom that said she was fine with him getting the tattoo, and readying themselves to needle these two bars across Scott's arm.

Bars… circles… whatever you want to call them. Nixie will call them circles when they're actually all the way around his arm. Right now, on the paper, they look like two bars. One slightly larger than the other. Pretty simple, actually.

Hence the guy's sarcasm on the fact that Scott had drawn him a picture to go by.

Nixie pats Scott's shoulder and says, "And a beautifully done drawing at that." The guy grins at her, and then moves around to grab his workstation and inks so he can get started. As he's moving around, Stiles turns around to them and asks, "Hey Scott, you sure you don't want something like this?"

The picture he shows them, of a lizard type creature, has Scott giving him an exasperated look. And then he grins when Nixie says, "I think Scott and I are good. If you would like one to commemorate one of the worst years in existence though, I'm sure that can be arranged. Right Howard?"

The tattoo artist, Howard, smirks a little at her and says, "I can fit him in right after this one if you like." "See! Howard's on board! How bout it Stiles?" Stiles gapes at her for a moment, and then quickly sits the booklet of tattoos aside and says, "Um, I think I'll pass. Is it too soon? It's probably too soon. Yeah, I think so."

Nixie laughs at him, but then doesn't argue when Stiles says, "Are you sure about this though, Scott? These things are pretty permanent, you know?" Scott nods and says, "I'm not changing my mind." "Okay, but why two bands?" "I just like it."

Scott doesn't miss the gentle slap to the back of his head that Nixie gives him. If he didn't want to tell them, in full, exactly why this tattoo was what he wanted first, then that was his choice. She'd told him as much when he didn't go into much more detail about the design when she asked him earlier in the week. But… she had made a solid point of ensuring that this wasn't just something he'd thought about and just 'liked' for a week or so.

Looking back at her, grinning gently, he nods that he understands. She wasn't really berating him. Just reminding him that he'd better damn well have a better reason for getting the tattoo, aside from 'just liking it'.

And she knew that he did, which is why she smiles back, and then glances at Stiles when he tacks on, "Yeah, but don't you think your first tattoo should have some sort of meaning, or something?" Scott shrugs and says, "Getting a tattoo means something." Stiles grins and says, "I don't think that's accurate."

But then Howard says, "He's right. Tattooing goes back thousands or years. The Tahitian word 'tatua' means 'to leave a mark'. Like a rite of passage." Scott smiles and says, "Yeah, see? Howard gets it." Stiles gives him a look and says, "He's covered in tattoos, Scott. Literally."

But Scott grins in victory when Nixie holds up her phone and says, "He is right though. I just looked it up." Of course, as they share a look, Scott knows that Nixie remembers what getting the tattoo actually means for him. Not the Tahitian translation or meaning… but something else.

But Nixie had promised to keep that private for now, and she smiles and nods at him gently, affirming that she is still keeping it between them. Then, patting Scott on the shoulder, she looks at Howard and asks, "Are we ready?" Howard holds up his needle and says, "Whenever he is."

Scott nods and clears his throat, settling into the seat as comfortably as he can. Then Howard asks, just to be sure, "You don't have problem with needles, do you?" "Nope." Then he glances at Nixie, standing right next to Scott's other shoulder, and she says, "Don't like em'. Not gonna throw up on you or anything though. No worries."

So he starts in, but then Stiles says, "Actually, I tend to get a little squeamish though, so…" As Howard begins needling the pattern onto Scott's arm, blood leaking out from where he penetrates, Stiles looks at it intently for about two seconds, and then collapses on the floor.

Nixie sighs and says, "I told him he shouldn't start watching." Scott nods, wincing a little at the pain in his arm. Nixie squeezes his shoulder in comfort, and then says, "Look at the bright side Scott. Soon as this is over, we can go to your house and watch Grey's Anatomy." He looks up at her and grins and asks, "Still on that, are we?" "Obviously." "And what happened to the girl who loved Clint Eastwood?"

And he can't help chuckling when she says, "Clint Eastwood will forever be a great man. But, even I can overdo him, as I have done this summer. Jackson probably shouldn't have given me all of those movies." Scott shrugs and says, "He was trying to make amends for years of pissing you off." "And I have to say this, my dear Scott, he has nearly succeeded. I still think he's a bit of an ass… but maybe not a total ass anymore. Progress. It is a beautiful thing."

It takes a couple of hours to get the tattoo done, simply because there was a lot to be filled in on the bands. But once finished, they all head out to the jeep, Stiles with an ice pack that Howard kindly provided for his headache, and prepare to head home.

Scott winces again, to which Stiles looks at him and asks, "You okay?" Scott grits his teeth, but then says, "Kind of burns." Nixie leans forward a little, but then laughs when Stiles says, "Yes, you just had your skin stabbed about a hundred-thousand times with a needle." Nixie nods and says, "Bound to have a length of time in which pain is to be expected. Even for a werewolf, Scott."

He nods, but then adds, "Yeah… but I don't think it's supposed to feel like this." Turning to him again, Nixie asks, "Like what?" He shrugs, not really knowing how to explain. And then he jerks at the pain in his arm, visibly, and says, "Oh God! No, it's definitely not supposed to feel like this. I have to get the bandage off."

Stiles immediately turns away and says, "No, Scott no!" Nixie rolls her eyes at Stiles, but then pulls a blade from her jacket pocket and quickly helps Scott cut the bandage off.

And before their very eyes… his tattoo heals. Nixie watches as the two black bands sink into his skin, healing over as though they hadn't just spent two hours getting them done. Scott stares at them in shock and says, "It healed."

To which Stiles says, "Thank God. I hated it."

He jerks a little when Nixie slaps him in the back of the head, to which he sighs and says, "Sorry. But… well, I did!" Nixie can't help chuckling at him, and then she pats Scott's shoulder and says, "Don't worry Scott. We'll figure something out."

He smiles at her in appreciation, and as they head off down the road, Scott asks, "Any theories to start with?" Nixie leans back in her seat now and says, "As always, I have several. But give me a little while to narrow down the pool… then I'll start listing them off to you. In order from the most likely to the least likely to be successful."

Stiles grins at her in the rearview mirror, and then as they are approaching a stop light, he asks, "So… what's the deal with Alison? Anyone heard from her?" Scott sighs and says, "No. We agreed to give each other the summer. No texts, no calls." Stiles nods, and then glances back at Nixie and asks, "And you?" "Not quite as strict for me. I've called her a few times while she's been over there. But, I think she figured if she called me every week, that would leave me as being the one to constantly update Scott on her habits and whereabouts."

Scott turns to her and says, "I wouldn't have bothered you that much. Not after how we both hogged your attention so much to help us keeping dating last year." Nixie smiles and says, "I know that, my dear Scott. But, Alison felt the same as you about hogging my attention. So we've only talked a few times. But, last I heard, she and her dad are enjoying France. She's still being trained as a hunter… but more along the lines of one who actually has a moral compass rather than a demented brain and ego."

Scott chuckles at that, and then Stiles asks, "So… does anyone know if she'll be back in school?" Scott scoffs a little and says, "After everything that happened… I'm not sure she's coming back at all." Then he grins when Nixie says from the back, "Of course she'll come back! She has to! For at least a week. So I can see her, if for no other reason. Either that, or someone has to find time to fly me to France so I can see her. Either way… I'm not that picky."

They both look at Stiles though, when he says, "Uh, yeah, I don't think that'll be necessary Nix. I think she's coming back. Pretty definite. Like… one hundred percent." Scott looks back at Nixie, who simply shrugs and asks, "And how did you suddenly become so confident in that, oh brilliant one?" Stiles gives her a look, though his grin takes any sting out of it. Then he simply points through the window next to Scott.

And wouldn't you know it… there's Lydia's car. And Alison was in the passenger seat with her.

So that was the surprise Lydia had mentioned. Well, Nixie had to give her props. Lydia had done an excellent job of not revealing anything about what the surprise might be. Nixie was almost worried that, in spite of what Lydia knew, that she might actually be getting her another dress or something. But no… Lydia was picking up Alison. Awesome!

Of course, Scott's reaction is a bit different. Having spent the entire summer away from each other, no calls or texts between them… he's not exactly sure how they're supposed to react around each other. And it doesn't help when, as Alison turns to finally see them as well, she doesn't react any better.

Scott immediately slumps down into the seat and says, "Oh God. Can we just drive please? Stiles?!" "Scott, it's a red light." Nixie looks over to see Alison and Lydia having a similar conversation in their car, and Nixie sighs before saying, "And with school starting again, so does the drama that I was so happy to be rid of for a while. No offense Scott. You and Alison, I love… but still…"

Stiles chuckles, but then says easily, "I think we should talk to them. I think we should say something. Or, you know, Nixie say something. I don't think they know you're here yet. Maybe that'll help smooth things over."

Nixie holds both hands out, palms up, and says, "Both of you are here. Why wouldn't they just assume that I'm here too?" Stiles chuckles again and says, "Maybe because, unlike everyone else, you spend time with them too. They're not as set on the idea that, wherever Scott and I go, you should be expected to be there at some point." "Well, maybe we should tell them that then. I mean, it's pretty obvious that at least eighty percent of my time is spent with you guys. Well, maybe seventy, but that's as low as I'll go."

Stiles chuckles again, and then reaches across the protesting Scott to roll down the window. "Hey!" And that's when Lydia speeds off down the road, in spite of the red light. Nixie trails them with her eyes before saying, "Well… that was interesting." Stiles purses his lips, but then says sarcastically, "You know, they probably didn't see us."

He grins when Nixie busts out laughing from behind him. Sighing, she says, "Yeah, they definitely missed us. That's why they ran the red light." "Obviously."

As the light turns green, Stiles starts moving as well, to which Scott asks, "What are you doing?" And Stiles just grins and waits while Nixie leans forward and says, "Well, you see Scott, it's this new thing. It's called driving. Requires machines with two or four wheels, and also a buttload of gas." Stiles nods and says, "And a driver. That would be me." "Exactly."

Scott gives them both a look, and then points at Lydia's car and says, "We're right behind them." Stiles looks around and says, "Okay, well, do you see any turns?" "Stiles, I don't want it to look like we're following them." "Well, what do you want me to do?"

Scott shrugs and says desperately, "I don't know, anything!"

To which Stiles slams his foot on the brakes, bracing a hand back to reach Nixie and keep her from slinging forward into the front seat. Once they're stopped, he grins when Nixie says, "A-plus, by the way, on protective instincts. No wonder I always feel safe in this thing." He gives her an appreciative glance, but then all three look forward to see Lydia's car stopping as well.

Stiles and Scott look at each other in confusion, but then laugh when Nixie says, "Well, that's not ominous at all. Totally not creepy. We're lucky the road's abandoned, or horns would be honking all over the place."

And that's when a deer, through the fog out front, sprints at full speed and crashes into the front of the car windshield. Stiles jerks and launches out of his seat, about to yank it forward so Nixie could climb out as well.

She's already lifted herself into the front seat though, and is out literally a step behind him as they all sprint to Lydia's car. And if Stiles were to guess, if he hadn't moved fast enough himself, Nixie probably would've climbed over top of him as well, on her way out of the jeep. As the girls get out of Lydia's car, Nixie, Scott and Stiles all running towards them to see what just happened, Scott yells, "Are you okay?"

And Nixie can't help but love the fact that, even as strained as Scott and Alison's relationship might be right now, nobody was letting that get in the way of checking to make sure everyone was still okay. It didn't matter that they hadn't seen each other all summer. Now that Alison was back, she was back on Scott's radar, as a person he needed to make sure he kept safe.

While Scott checks on Alison, Stiles has a hold of Lydia and asks, "Are you hurt?" "It ran right into us."

Then Lydia looks over at Nixie, who is scanning the area for any other possible threats. Well, until Lydia launched herself into Nixie's arms. Then Nixie focused on her, asking, "Are you hurt?" "I… I…"

Scott asks Alison the same question, and she says, "I'm okay." There's a brief pause after that, and then Lydia lets go of Nixie and turns to look at everyone and says, "Well, I'm not okay! I am totally freaking out! How the hell does it just run into us?!" She asks the question more to Stiles than anyone else, as though he's the one who should somehow know the answer.

He doesn't obviously, and shows as much by throwing his hands into the air, one remaining in the air while the other drops to run throw his hair worriedly. Lydia then looks over to Scott, who is now looking down at the deer in question. Coming closer, she says, "I saw its eyes right before it hit us. It was like… It was like it was crazy."

But Nixie watches as Scott takes a deep breath of the air around them, and when his eyes open in understanding, Nixie asks, "Scott?" He looks up at her, and then shakes his head and says, "No… it was scared." And as he reaches out to put a hand on the creature, Scott amends, "Actually… it was terrified."

And then he looks up the road in wonder, trying to figure out what the hell could've scared the deer so badly that it committed suicide by Lydia's car. Nixie, however, shakes her head and says, "No. No, school starts tomorrow. We are not getting into this tonight. Scott, to the jeep. Stiles, to the jeep. Get it up here. We're giving these two a ride home."

As Stiles and Scott move to do what she said, Lydia moves to her side and asks, "How does Scott know it was scared?" Nixie shrugs and says, "Something about the smell. He can smell certain emotions… chemo-signals and things like that. I thought we told you that?" "I knew he could smell diseases. I didn't…" "Right. Sorry. There's still a lot to learn. We can't remember all of it." "It's alright, I understand."

Then Lydia turns to Alison, and says, "Well… surprise." Nixie grins and then says, "And it's a great surprise. I approve." Alison smiles wide and moves to wrap Nixie in a huge hug. Sighing, she says, "It's good to see you again." "Likewise. We were just pondering moments ago, if I was going to have to book a flight to France so I could see your lovely face."

Laughing, Alison says, "Well, no worries. I'm back for good. At least, I hope so." "Good. We've missed you." Alison glances over at Scott and Stiles, and then sighs and says, "How has he been?" "Oh, you know Scott. Loyal as ever, and still confident that you and he will end up together. But… he's not as pining as he used to be. I consider that a good thing though. Distance should make the heart grow fonder… not more desperate."

Alison laughs again, and then tugs on the sleeve of Nixie's jacket and says, "I see it still fits pretty well." "Oh yeah. This beauty is all kinds of perfect. And I think I've found all the secret compartments it has, and have filled them with all the weapons I've been learning to use. Deaton has even been good enough to provide me with a few non-lethal looking weapons, just in case I need to take one out in school or something and then explain it later."

Lydia grins, and asks, "How are the classes going by the way? Are you done with those for now?" "Yeah, for the school year anyway. Mr. Mendez says I exceeded his expectations though, and that as long as I kept practicing on my own time, I might not have a need to come back to him next summer. I'm still going to… but it's nice to know I don't have to."

Alison grins and nods in agreement. Chris had been keeping tabs on Nixie's progress throughout the summer. And Mr. Mendez' reports on Nixie's progress would always give Chris pause. The adults always seemed to need to pause for a moment, to take in and understand just how dedicated Nixie was to learning and perfecting how to protect the people she cared for.

As for Alison and Lydia, and Scott and Stiles too… they weren't surprised. Learning how to fight with blades and learning how to shoot… it was something they knew Nixie would see as a way of helping keep them safe from the dangers that were bound to come. So of course, she would jump at the chance to learn how.

As the boys pull up in the jeep, Lydia pauses for a moment on Stiles side. He leans the seat forward for them and holds his hand out for Nixie to take as she climbs inside. When he offers the same hand to Lydia though, she steps up to him and asks, "You grew out your hair?"

He blinks at that for a moment, and then runs a hand through his hair. It was still plenty short… but compared to the buzz cut he'd had before… yeah, it was definitely longer. "Uh… yeah… just… I wanted it a bit longer. And… I just…"

He freezes altogether when Lydia reaches up and runs a hand through his hair gently, her fingers catching at some of the longer strands. Smiling gently, she says, "It's nice." Then she climbs in, taking the hand still offered to her.

Nixie bites her lip to keep from laughing as Stiles practically hops into his driver's seat, giddier than she'd seen him all week. And all it took was for Lydia to notice his hair. Who knew?

As Scott pulls into the school parking lot the next day, he glances over at the two shiny and new looking motorcycles that are also in the parked there. Crossing his arms, wondering who in the hell in his grade had replaced Jackson as being the rich kid, he then turns to his right when he hears another motorcycle pulling in.

Nixie pulls up right beside him, and as she takes her helmet off, she asks, "Your bike running good?" "Like a charm. Thanks for the help putting the new parts on." "Hey, that's what I'm here for." Scott chuckles and says, "Along with a never-ending list of other reasons to keep you around."

She smiles as he wraps an arm around her shoulders, and then he motions to the other bikes and says, "Looks like we have competition though." "For what? On who can look like a shinier and richer asshole? Let them hold that title. We worked hard for what we ride. Anyone with common sense can see that. Anyone who can't… we don't want to deal with them anyway. So there."

Scott chuckles again, and then squeezes her tighter as they begin walking to school. Then he asks, "Oh, by the way, how are those theories coming for keeping my tattoo?" "Well, and I'm still working on finding a few more, but at this point… I think I know what our best option is going to be."

Raising an eyebrow, Scott says, "You seem hesitant." "Only because I know Stiles isn't going to be all that thrilled about it."

And sure enough, he isn't. As soon as the idea is out of Nixie's mouth, Stiles asks, "You want to ask Derek for help?! Why? Why?!" But Nixie had already prepared Scott with a reason for this, and he immediately defends her idea by saying, "He's got the triskele tattooed on his back. So, there has to be a way to do it without healing, right?"

Stiles sighs and says, "Okay, yeah. But still… doesn't he have his hands a little full at the moment?" He gestures to the two signs that are posted on the billboard in the hall. They'd been posted around town as well… of Erica and Boyd.

And Stiles puts an arm around Nixie's shoulders in comfort when the small smile immediately disappears from her face. Neither Erica or Boyd had called her after she'd set them free from the Argent's basement last year, and it had bugged her to no end. And all that Derek could tell her, when he had time to tell her anything, was that he hadn't found them dead yet. Which… Nixie supposes is something… but isn't exactly comforting either.

They all pause for a moment when they heard a voice coming from the principal's office. And as they round the corner, they hear him say, "And whatever happened to the library while I was gone, I want it cleared up." Peering into the room, Nixie then hides her face against Stiles' shoulder to keep from laughing, as the man in the room asks, "And what… the hell… is this?!"

The giant sword in his hands wasn't exactly a happy memory for them… but the principal's face was priceless as he'd stared at it. Stiles simply wrapped an arm around her waist and said to Scott, "Go, go, go!" They left the vicinity quickly, and then Stiles sighs and says, "You know, you have a rather twisted sense of humor Nix."

And both boys chuckle when Nixie says, "Oh whatever. Did you see his face?! He was like, 'What the hell is a sword doing in my office?' It was priceless. Literally priceless. I wish I'd had a camera."

As they're settling into class, Stiles leans forward towards Nixie, who is sitting in front of him. "Hey, by the way. You said we'd need to do more work on my paper that I wrote over the summer. What exactly is wrong with it?" "Several things that we will not go into detail about right now. But rest assured, I am a word-usage expert, and we will save your paper from the C-grade category." "Nice."

Lydia, taking a seat on the other side of Stiles, smiles when she sees Nixie lower her hand behind her and Stiles reach under his desk to give her a high-five. Settling down, she asks, "Can I get in on that?" Both turn to her, and then Nixie asks, "You need help with a paper? I don't remember the last time you actually needed help." "That's because you have taught me well. But I'd still like for you to see it." "Works for me. We'll pick a day and all hang out at Stiles' house. It'll be great. Someone should order pizza."

Stiles smirks and says, "On it." Then they both look over at Alison, who asks Scott, "Is this seat taken?" Referring to the seat in front of Scott, which was conveniently the only seat left available to her. And though Stiles gives Nixie's shoulders a squeeze, she says, "I swear, I had nothing to do with that."

Scott simply says, "No, no… no one's sitting there. It's all you. It's totally vacant." Alison can't help but grin at him a little. Scott was a dork. An adorable dork, and he always would be in some ways. But as she sat down in front of him, resting her head in one hand, Nixie can tell she wasn't planning on having to deal with all of this on her first day back.

Alison jumps when a stick of gum lands on her desk, and then she grins and looks over at Nixie. Blowing a bubble and then grinning back, Nixie says, "Welcome back, by the way. Pretty sure I never got around to mentioning that." "No, but the hug said it pretty clearly." "Still, I am ashamed of myself. How can I ever make it up to you?" "You can hug me again after class." "Done."

And then, of course, that's when everyone's phones go off. Well… except for Nixie's. Stiles leans forward to share the text with her, since everyone else apparently got it except her. They both frown for a moment, wondering what it's supposed to mean.

Then the new English teacher walks into the room, high heels clicking on the floor as she reads the text aloud from her own phone. So… apparently she sent out the mass text to her whole first period class. Yeah… because that's not creepy at all.

She smiles sweetly at everyone though and says, "This is the last line to the first book we are going to read. And… it is also the last text you will receive in this class. Phones off, everyone."

Nixie immediately frowns at the idea of cutting her phone off, and then as Stiles leans back from her, the teacher's eyes are drawn towards their desks. Frowning herself, more in concern than anger though, she steps a little closer and asks, "Did I miss someone? I was sure I got all the numbers from the office this morning. I…"

Nixie shrugs and says, "The office doesn't have my cell information." "Oh! Well, I do still apologize. I didn't mean to leave you out. If you'd like, in the future, I'll include you with everyone else. Just…" Nixie shakes her head before the woman can even hold out her phone, and then says, "Sorry. No offense intended to you. I'm just very choosy about who gets my phone number." "Oh! None taken at all. Alright then. Well… is your phone off?"

Nixie makes a show of cutting it off, but as soon as Ms. Blake turns around, Nixie cuts it back on and switches it to silent. Stiles watches as the teacher moves away, and then as Nixie keeps her phone on top of her leg beneath the desk so she can see if anyone does call her while she can't hear it go off. Squeezing her shoulder, he whispers, "I'll warn you if she looks this way." "Thanks Stiles."

It annoyed Nixie to no end, having her phone on complete silent. Vibrate was something she could deal with. She'd still feel it go off. But with it on complete silent, she found herself checking it every two minutes, trying to make sure no one had contacted her recently.

It was good that she didn't have it off though. About halfway through class, Melissa texted her phone, asking, "Where the hell is Scott? He's not answering his phone." Nixie glances back at Stiles, who lifts his head from his work to see what she wants. Nodding silently, he moves his gaze to the teacher to watch her, while Nixie types out a text to Melissa. "New teacher made us cut our phones off. I'm breaking the rules. Call the principal if you need him badly. Otherwise, it needs to wait another twenty minutes."

Not even five minutes later, the principal walks in, and after a brief moment with the new teacher, who they now know is named Ms. Blake, the principal walks back out. Then Ms. Blake says, "Mr. McCall." Scott looks up from the note he'd been writing back to Alison, and then gathers his things and walks out the door. Nixie shoots him a text as well, telling him to let her know what the hell is going on that is so important, that Melissa pulled him out of class.

Ten minutes later, with his phone cut back on, he responds with, "I'll keep you posted. Meantime, keep an eye on Lydia, Stiles, and Alison. Something feels off." Sighing, Nixie types back, "Of course it does. Don't worry. I've got these three."

Scott shoots back a smiley face, and Nixie sets her phone back down and relaxes for a moment.

It's short-lived though, as Stiles then whispers, "Hey, Lydia." Lydia turns to look at both of them, and then as Stiles points down to the bandage on her ankle, he asks, "What is that? Is that from the accident?" At Nixie's concerned look, Lydia quickly say, "No, it's not from the accident." Then, when that doesn't appear to satisfy either of them, she concedes, "Prada bit me."

Frowning in confusion, Stiles asks, "Your dog?" Giving him a look, Lydia says, "No, my designer handbag." Nixie turns forward in her seat, fighting to keep the grin from her face while Stiles just gives Lydia a look in return that clearly says he doesn't appreciate her sarcasm. Then she says, "Yes Stiles, my dog." "Well, has it ever bitten you before?"

Lydia shakes her head, no, and then doesn't miss how Nixie instantly turns back around to them when Stiles suggests, "Okay. What if it's, like, the same thing as the deer? You know, like… like…" Lydia looks up when Nixie finishes for him, "Like how animals start acting weird right before an earthquake or something?"

And Lydia, not exactly in the mood yet to possibly go through any of the same stuff that happened last year, asks sarcastically, "Meaning what? There's gonna be an earthquake?" Stiles gives her an urgent look though and says, "Or something. I just… maybe it means something's coming. Something bad."

Lydia shakes her head and says, "It was a deer and a dog. And… what's that thing you guys always say about threes? Once, twice…"

And then the whole class jumps when a crow flies straight into the window, guts and blood smashing and staining the glass. And as Ms. Blake stands up to go and see what it was, everyone can see the flock of crows that are now heading for the building.

Lydia jumps when she feels a hand grab her arm, but upon seeing Nixie out of her desk, she doesn't argue when Nixie pulls her up and then over to her side of the row. Putting Lydia behind her, Nixie asks, "And what about when, instead of going one, two, and three; we jump straight to one hundred?" Stiles shakes his head and says, "No way that's a coincidence."

And as the birds start thudding into the glass and the first one breaks through, Ms. Blake shouts, "Everybody get down!" Nixie drags Lydia and Stiles to the ground, and doesn't bother telling Stiles to stay with Lydia. He's already using himself as a human shield to protect her. So Nixie jumps over top of the row of desks she was in and drops down next to Alison. Wincing as a claw nicks the back of her ear, Nixie then grabs a pen from the top of someone's desk and throws it at one of the birds hovering over another student's head. Piercing that one in the throat, it goes down a second later.

When all is said and done, most of the birds killed themselves running into desks or shelves or walls or something similar. Standing up, bringing Alison up with her, Nixie asks, "Are you hurt?" Alison shakes her head, still staring around the room in shock. Then she looks at Nixie, and then reaches forward and says, "Oh, but you are. Nix…"

Nixie touches the back of her ear, feeling the blood there. But upon looking at her finger, she sighs and says, "It's not that bad. Just a little cut. Probably just needs to be rinsed out and it'll be fine."

Then she turns to where Stiles and Lydia were. Lydia looks around them in shock, and then turns to Stiles and wraps her arms around him in a hug. Stiles holds her in return, but can't really find it in him to enjoy the feeling right now. And as he meets Nixie's gaze, he knows their both thinking the same thing.

What in the hell is going on here?

"Ms. Blake? You okay?" Nixie glances up as Stiles asks the new teacher if she's alright. But as Stiles makes to step closer to the woman, Nixie touches his elbow and says, "I don't like her." "Why? Because she wanted your phone off?" "No… I just don't."

He nods after a moment, and then says, "Chalking it up to Nixie's sixth sense. Noted." Then he moves over to Ms. Blake anyway, removing a crow feather from her hair that had been left sitting there.

Back to her phone, which Nixie has taken the liberty of putting back to vibrate, she reads the text that Scott sent, saying that Isaac was in the hospital and he might need backup in a few minutes. Pocketing the phone, she turns to Chris, where he's standing with Alison.

Holding his daughter's hand gently, inspecting a small scratch, he says, "Next time you're feeling you wanna stay home, you're staying home." "I'm fine dad. But… the deer and now this?" Chris nods and says, "I know, I know." "It can't be a coincidence." And Alison smiles a little when Nixie comes up beside her and says, "My thoughts exactly."

Chris grins at her too, and then they all turn to Noah, who had arrived just moments ago, when he asks, "Mr. Argent, you wouldn't have any insight into this, would you?" Widening his eyes, Chris asks, "Me?" "Yeah. All this… bizarre animal behavior… it's… You must've seen something like this before, right?"

Chris looks at both girls before him, and though Alison ducks her head, Nixie simply shrugs in confusion. She hadn't said anything about Chris to Noah that should make the sheriff think Chris would know anything about crows barging into classroom windows.

Back the Noah, Chris says, "I'm not sure why I would, or why you would think I would." Noah seems frazzled for a moment, but then says, "Sorry, I… uh… I could've sworn I heard my son talking about how you were an experienced hunter."

Chris darts his eyes over to Stiles, who then ducks his head to avoid eye contact. And Stiles doesn't have to look up to know Nixie is looking at him too. Then, to save Chris having to explain, Nixie jumps in and says, "Exclusively for bear, Noah. Chris doesn't know anything about birds though. Unfortunately. It would most certainly come in handy right about now."

Noah nods in understanding and says, "Sorry." Chris just shakes his head and says, "No apologies needed. Happy to know every avenue is being explored to try and explain this." Noah smiles at him, and then looks over at Nixie and asks, "You alright?" "Yeah." "You're bleeding." She touches the back of her ear again and says, "No, I was bleeding. It's stopped now. I just need to clean it up. Don't worry. I'm fine."

He gives her shoulder a squeeze and says, "Drop by for dinner tonight. I wanna see to that myself." "Sure thing. Never pass up dinner with the Stilinski's." Noah grins at her, and then steps away to ask some other people a few more questions.

Chris then grabs Nixie's attention and asks, "In the meantime, why don't you come home with Alison and me? I can patch you up there. None of you need to stay here any longer today." Nixie smiles, and then sighs and says, "I can't. Not yet anyway."

To Alison, she says, "Scott says he was pulled out of class by his mom because Isaac was in the hospital and Derek wasn't answering. He said he might need help. That's where I'll be. I'll keep you posted." Alison nods, but then sighs when Chris says, "We had a deal."

Nixie frowns slightly and looks between the two of them. Crossing her arms, Nixie asks, "What? What deal?" Alison looks to her, and then says, "We come back here… but we leave the hunting and the supernatural behind us."

Nixie's frown deepens, and Alison knows why. Nixie had explained as much last year, while Gerard had been in town and the battle lines had been drawn. When you knew something… when you had the ability to do something to help others… you did it. It was an obligation, a duty, and a choice that you, as a decent individual, were supposed to make.

And Alison and her father were clearly doing the opposite. And Alison can tell that Nixie would probably say as much… except that Alison gripped her wrist gently. Nixie switched to looking at her, meeting Alison's pleading look with her own disappointed one.

Alison felt the disappointment lift, and in its place was an understanding gaze. Alison may have promised to leave it behind so she could come back… and maybe she would try, at times, to stay out of more dangerous situations. But Alison also hadn't forgotten what Nixie had said last year. And Alison, if they needed her, would be more than ready and willing, to help them in whatever way they needed.

Nixie then turned to Chris again, and said to appease him, "Don't have a fit. I'll just keep her updated on my whereabouts. If worst comes to worst, I'll only be able to come by later tonight, before we all turn in for bed. But I'll stop by eventually. Scout's honor."

Alison laughs and asks, "Were you ever even a Scout?" "No, but I feel my word is at least twice as good as theirs. I mean… I'm on call twenty-four-seven. That's gotta count for something, right?"

After she leaves them, and gives Lydia a firm hug before heading out, Nixie is sitting on her bike when Stiles scrambles down the steps of the school and catches up to her. Putting his phone on speaker, he takes in a gasping breath and says, "I've got Scott on the phone."

Nodding, Nixie asks, "How's Isaac?" "Worse for wear right now. Listen, Stiles tells me something happened at school. Can it wait?" "I'm gonna say no to that. Stuff is getting weird. Again." Scott sighs, and then says, "Then… can you guys meet me at Derek's?"

Stiles stands up straight and asks, "Derek's? Why are you at Derek's?" "Look, just meet us here."

Stiles nods and prepares to hang up, but Nixie holds the phone still and says, "Tell Derek he is in very big trouble for not answering anyone's phone calls. I am pissed."

Silence for a moment, and then Derek's voice says over the line, "Sorry Nix. I'll make it up to you. Promise."

Then the line goes dead, and Stiles chuckles before saying, "Well… I never thought I'd live to hear it. Derek actually doesn't sound all that cranky or grumpy." Nixie rolls her eyes and says, "Just get on the bike." "Uh… I think I'll drive my jeep." "My bike is faster." "Exactly!"

He ends up hopping on anyway, and after sliding on the spare helmet, he asks, "Can you at least keep it at only ten miles above the speed limit?" "Isaac is in trouble. I make no promises."

Sure enough, they blow past twenty above the limit in no time, but no one bothers to pull her over. All the speeding tickets Noah already got her out of… they really don't see the point anymore.

As Nixie marches into the house, she stops by the table that Isaac is laying on. Running a hand over his head, she asks, "What's wrong with him?" Derek comes up to her side and says, "He was wounded pretty deeply by an alpha. A very strong alpha at that. Outside, he's fine. Inside, it's still being worked on. But he should be fine now. Give him another hour, and he should wake up."

Nixie sighs when she hears that, and then spins to look at him and asks, "And where the hell have you been?" "Looking for Erica and Boyd." When she still punches him in the shoulder, he raises an eyebrow curiously at her. To which she just raises her hands in emphasis and asks, "And you can't pick up a phone to answer me, or call me to let me know how it's going? You have my number for a reason Derek. Going any more than a week without informing me that you are still alive is unacceptable, unless you, yourself, are actually in mortal danger."

Hands on her hips, she says, "Got it?" He stares at her hard a moment more, but then softens his gaze. Stepping closer, planting a kiss to her forehead, he says, "Got it. I'm sorry." "Good. And in that case, it's really good to see you again." She wraps him in a tight hug, to which he chuckles and says, "Good to see you too. Now, come on over here." "Where?"

He leads her to the chair and table that Scott is sitting at. His jacket removed and long-sleeve shirt gone, Scott grins up at her and says, "You were right. He knows how to help." But upon seeing the blowtorch on the table, Nixie frowns and asks, "But is it worth it? And… is it necessary?"

She looks to Derek at that, but he nods and says, "For us… tattoos have to be burned in. They have to be imbedded deeply into the scar tissue, beneath the flesh." Nixie nods, and then looks to Scott and asks again, "And is it worth it?"

He nods, sure of himself. So Nixie sighs and says, "Fine. But… can you even see it? I mean… the old one that healed?"

Derek makes his red eyes glow, and as he takes a seat in front of Scott, he nods and says, "Yeah, I see it. Two bands, right?" He points to the spots on Scott's arm where the bands had indeed been before, and Scott nods in answer. Leaning back, Derek asks Scott, "What's it mean?"

Maybe it's because Derek is an alpha… or maybe it's the air of older wisdom and experience that the man carries with him now… but apparently Scott feels like trying a little harder to try and explain to everyone what the tattoo means to him. And he's still not sure… but he tries.

Looking over at Nixie, he still says, "I don't know. It's just… something I traced with my fingers. Something I dreamt about." Nixie nods to that, and then Derek asks, "Why is this so important to you?" Stiles looks over at Nixie at that, and whispers, "You know?"

Nixie nods that she does… but puts a finger up to her lips and points at Scott, who then asks, "Do you know what the word 'tattoo' means?" Stiles grins and says to Derek, "To mark something." Derek glances at the spastic teen, but then they both look to Nixie when she says, "In Tahitian… yes, that's what it means. But that's not the definition Scott was thinking about when he made his decision."

Scott nods and smiles at her in appreciation. Then he says, "In Samoan, it means 'open wound'." Looking at all of them now, he explains, "I knew I wanted to get a tattoo when I turned eighteen. I always wanted one… bearing in mind that I could still stick to Nixie's rules." Nixie grins, and at Derek's curious look, she says, "I'll explain later."

Scott nods in agreement, and then says, "But… I decided to get it now, to make it kind of… a reward." Derek raises an eyebrow at him and asks, "For what?" And Scott sighs and says, "For not, calling or texting Alison all summer. Even when I really wanted to… even when it was so hard not to sometimes. Even when I had to give Nixie my phone for a day to make sure I didn't do it. I was… just trying to give her the space she wants."

Sighing again, he says, "And… even four months later… it still hurts. Still feels like a, uh…" Stiles puts a hand on Nixie's shoulder and squeezes gently before finishing for Scott, "Like an open wound." Scott nods in agreement, and then looks up at Nixie. Smiling gently, he says, "And even though I still can't really explain why this particular design is the one I want… Nixie still says it's fine by her standards."

Derek looks to Nixie with a raised eyebrow, but then grins when she shrugs and says, "I have a very high set of stands when it comes to tattoos. Strike that. I have a very high set of standards for a lot of things. People, being the most crucial among those things." Nodding, Derek then picks up the blowtorch and says, "The pain's gonna be worse than anything you've ever felt."

Stiles huffs and says, "Oh yeah, that's great." But Scott just says, "Do it."

As soon as the torch is lit, Stiles steps back and says, "Okay! That's a lot for me. So… I'm gonna take that as my cue. And I'm just gonna wait outside." Nixie rolls her eyes and moves around Scott to hold down on one of his shoulders. Then Derek snags Stiles by his arm and says, "Nope. You're gonna help Nixie hold him down. No offense, but this is gonna hurt… a lot. You're gonna need some help."

Nixie shrugs and says, "No offense taken." Stiles moves, disgruntled, over to Scott's other side and asks, "You aren't going to fuss at Derek about manhandling me?" Nixie looks at him and asks, "Did he hurt you?" "Well… no." "Then Derek and I have no problems." Derek grins, though Stiles gives her a look and says, "I liked it better when you were constantly angry at him." "Yeah, well, I'm a happier individual in any case. Surely that counts for something."

Stiles grins, and then presses down on Scott's other shoulder. Scott grins up at both of them, and then nods for Derek to go ahead and do it.

After Scott passes out and Derek finishes burning the tattoo in, Nixie hops up on the table to sit next to Isaac's unconscious body. Holding out her hands, Nixie then says, "So… tell me what happened at the hospital." "Nixie, you don't…" "Scott's gonna tell me later anyway. Just, fill me in. What happened?"

So Derek tells her about the rival pack being in town, and how they attacked Isaac to put him in the hospital, and also tried to kidnap him from the hospital. Nixie frowns deeply and says, "Where are they?" "I'm not sure. Why?" "I'm better at fighting now. I'm quite confident I could kick his ass. His entire pack too. Just point me in the right direction." Derek grins gently and says, "Another day perhaps."

Then they all turn to Scott when he gasps and sits up in his chair. Looking down at his arm, touching it gingerly and smiling, he looks back up at all of them and says, "It worked." Stiles nods and says, "Yeah, looks pretty damn permanent now." Scott chuckles and Nixie hops off the table. Running a hand over Isaac's head again, she looks up at Derek and says, "Call me when he wakes up. Tell him to call me too. Both of you need to learn to call me. For anything. Always. I'm serious!"

Derek nods, kissing her forehead again before giving her a gentle nudge towards the boys. "I will. I promise." She nods back at him, and then joins Scott and Stiles in the hallway.

Scott looks at his tattoo again before pulling on his long-sleeve shirt and saying, "I kind of needed something permanent right now. Everything that's happened to us… everything just changes so fast. Everything's so… ephemeral."

Nixie grins at him as Stiles asks, "Studying for the PSAT's next year?" Scott grins down at her and says, "Yep. Got a new word every day thanks to Nixie." Stiles asks, "You mean that app she told us about? You got that?" "You didn't?"

Stiles blanks for a moment, and then rubs a hand against the back of his neck and says, "I… meant too. I got distracted." Nixie just wrap an arm around him and says, "Don't worry. I'll help you download it later before I leave tonight." "Thanks."

As Scott opens the door and they prepare to head out, Nixie runs into his backside when he stops and stares. He turns and gently puts a hand on her shoulder in apology, but then looks back to the door and says, "You painted the door."

As Derek looks at them from the other room, Scott asks, "Why'd you paint the door?"

Derek gives them all a look. Not an annoyed or aggravated look. A pleading look. He looks to Nixie in particular, as though expecting her to understand, and then says, "Go home guys." But Scott doesn't move, and as he inspects the paint job further, he asks, "And why only one side?"

As Scott draws out his claws, Nixie takes a step back and watches as he begins scraping at the paint, removing it from the door to try and see what was concealed beneath. And even as Derek moves forward in protest, he doesn't move to try and prevent Scott from continuing his work.

Derek then turns to Nixie and says, "Please take them home." "Derek, what is going on?" "Please." "No."

When Scott has the symbol uncovered, they all stare at it for a moment, wondering what on earth it is. But then Scott turns to them and says, "The birds at school and the deer last night… it's just like the night I got trampled by the deer when I got bit by the alpha." Nixie nods in understanding, but then says, "Yeah, but that's all that happened. The deer, I mean. At least… that's all that happened in great succession. This… the birds, Lydia's dog, and the deer… I mean… it's a lot for just one alpha to instigate."

Scott nods in agreement, and then turns to Derek and asks sternly, "How many are there?" Derek sighs and finally says, "A pack of them. An alpha pack." Nixie looks at him and says, "You said there was a rival pack. You didn't say anything about it being all alphas." "I know. I…" "Derek! You're supposed to tell me everything! How are we supposed to know how to proceed if you don't give us all the facts?"

Stiles holds up his hands and says, "Hold on, hold on. An alpha pack? As in… all of them are alphas? How does that even work?" Derek moves to Stiles question first and says, "I hear there's some kind of leader. He's called Deucalion."

Then he turns to Nixie and says, "We know they have Boyd and Erica. Peter, Isaac, and I have been looking for them for the last four months." Nixie is frozen for a moment, so long that when she doesn't speak, Scott takes over and says, "Okay. Let's say you find them. How do you deal with an alpha pack?"

Derek looks at all three of them, and then says, "With all the help I can get?" Nixie snaps her eyes to him and says through her teeth, "Then why didn't you tell me?" Derek moves in front of her now, gently holding both of her shoulders. "Because I put all of you in danger enough already. Last year alone I put you and your boys in danger countless times, and half of those were my fault entirely."

Sighing, he says, "I just… wanted to try and avoid that… if I could. I just wanted to try and keep it away from you guys. I thought if I did, maybe that would make up for…" Nixie puts a hand on his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. But her tone is gentle when she says, "You are sweet Derek. Still a slight ass at times, but sweet, which makes up for it."

He grins a little at that, but then nods his head in defeat when she says, "But you do not get to decide which battles are ours to fight. We get to make that decision. And we can't make that decision if you don't tell us everything we need to know. So from now on… tell us what we need to know."

Derek kisses her forehead again, and says, "I will." "Good."

Then they all jerk towards the room Isaac is in when he says, "Where is she? Where's the girl?" Nixie frowns and looks to Derek first… but he's just as confused as they are. Meeting her confused gaze with his own, and then finding the same confusion on Stiles and Scott's faces, he turns back to Isaac and asks, "What girl?"

Isaac leans wearily on his arm that's he's sitting up on. He was awake, and a lot better than before. But he still had a lot of good resting that he needed to catch up on. Nixie moves around Derek finally and into the room, hurrying over and wrapping Isaac in a hug. Sighing against him, she says, "Don't ever do that to me again." Isaac grins and says, "I'll do my best." "Good."

He holds her close for a while longer, breathing in the scent of security, safety, and protection that she always seemed to exude. Then he slumped wearily and says, "I'm sorry. I'm so tired. I…" "Don't you dare apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for. Not a thing. You hear me." Chuckling, he says, "Yes ma'am." "Good. Now… lay back down and get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow. Alright?" "Alright."

As soon as Isaac is back asleep, Nixie walks up to Derek and says, "Keep me posted." "Alright."

Then Stiles, Scott, and Nixie all finally leave. And as Stiles loads up on Scott's bike instead of Nixie's, she gives him a briefly offended look. But then she just laughs when he says, "Hey, I value my life. And I value my body, preferably without any road burns or broken limbs from a high-speed crash." "I'm not gonna crash!"

But when she still gets back to Stiles' house a full thirty minutes before he arrives, he points at her and says, "I'm gonna pay dad to let you have one speeding ticket, just so you can see how it feels." Nixie shrugs and says, "I don't think you could convince your dad to do that. He probably considers getting me out of speeding tickets as a sort of payment for continuing to edit all of your papers. So ha!"

And she can't help but laugh when Stiles wraps an arm around her shoulders and says, "Damn it. Thwarted again. But if that's to pay for my papers, what is my coffee for?" "That's because you love me." "Oh! Of course! How silly of me."

When she reaches Alison's apartment on the second to top floor of the complex they're now staying in, Nixie finds Alison tracing something onto a piece of paper. Lydia looks up at her and says, "She thinks the bruises on our arms are a pattern." "Bruises?"

Nixie moves over to look at their arms, and then asks, "When did that happen?" Lydia fills her in on the woman who showed up in school looking for Scott, and about how, when she gripped their arms, she ended up bruising them somehow. Nixie frowns and says, "Well… they do look like unusual patterns for a simple bruise. Still… who does she think she is? We'll have to find her again and introduce me to her. That's unacceptable."

Lydia grins, and then sighs and says, "Come on." "Where are we going?" "To the bathroom. You still haven't cleaned up your ear." "Oh. I honestly forgot all about that."

As they're cleaning her up, Lydia sighs and says, "Is it too much to hope that this is all just a coincidence?"

Nixie looks up at her, and then gently takes one of her hands in her own. Smiling gently, Nixie says, "You can hope all you want Lydia. And I will never discourage that. But… I don't think it is. I've seen too much in the last year alone to think that way." Lydia nods, and then sighs and says, "It's just… last year… I feel like all of us almost died. I almost died. And if you hadn't…" "Hey."

Lydia looks to her again, and then smiles when Nixie says, "I have you. And so long as I have the ability to do so, anything that is coming after you, will have to go through me first, before it can get to you." "I know. And that worries me too. You're not indestructible Nixie."

But Lydia can't help but laugh when Nixie says, "No, I'm not. But I am incredibly stubborn, and hard headed enough to survive anything short of the apocalypse. So… barring the chance that God decides to make the rapture happen tonight, I intend to be here for a really long time, making it really hard for evil people to get to you." "And I suppose hell will freeze over before you allow that to happen, if you can help it." "Damn straight."

And that's Chapter 1! Yay! As always, I ask for you opinions on what you think of these stories. I love hearing if you guys like what I've put here. Thanks for reading, and Chapter 2 will follow shortly. And for anyone who cares to know in advance, Season 3a will consist of 12 chapters. :)