the present.

It had been years since the last time. She couldn't remember how many at the moment, but it had been a few. Standing outside his resident alone made her nervous enough; actually knocking on the door and face him seemed impossible at the moment. Once she remembered why she was back, her fist rose and connected with the door three times. Soon after, a male opened the door with his eyes glued on the female in front of him. It was Derek but it didn't look like Derek. He was so much more muscular, more grown up and sexier in a way. Not that Vanessa imagined herself as her young self, but still. She hadn't changed that much too, had she?

"Nessa? Is that really you?" Derek Hale asked the latina girl in front of him. Her dark hair was damp from the rain and her clothes were sticky, which didn't look nor felt comfortable. He examined her carefully until she cracked a weak, nervous smile.

"Hi. Sorry to just drop by like this, but-" He didn't even gave her the time to finish that sentence before reassuring her that it was fine.

"No, it's okay. It's been a while, huh?" He huffed and eyed her discreetly. She too looked so much more different. The most noteable thing was that she had really grown into a woman of her age. She looked twenty three, had a healthy and nice body, her face wasn't as chubby and plump as it used to be and her features were sharper and more beautiful.

"Yeah." She laughed before entering his loft. Vanessa gazed around in the place before allowing herself to lay her eyes on Derek. It really had been a while; longer than both of them had realized. Derek had no idea why she was back all of sudden, and at this moment, but he didn't quite care. Vanessa felt no need to explain at the very moment as to why she was there, but she wanted to give him an idea at least. "I heard a funny rumor which is why I'm... Back."

"A funny rumor? So you couldn't come back in years but you can come back for a rumor?" He questioned, with half a smile on his face so that she wouldn't believe he was angry with her.

"Yes." Suddenly, she looked stern, which scared him. She always managed to scare him sometimes. "I heard about Scott Mccall, and in case you forgot, he's my cousin."

"Shit." He sighed quietly, folding his arms and lowering his head a little.

"Yeah, shit. Family means everything to me, Hale. Now where can I sleep?" She asked and eyed the place. With an amused look, he folded his arms together and shrugged lightly.

"This isn't exactly the Plaza but there's a bedroom right there. Don't worry, I have a spare room upstairs where I can sleep." He offered, making her smile gratefully. She put her big bag down on the floor and bit on her bottom lip in thought.

"So what happened to Scott? Who turned him?" She asked bluntly, feeling sick to her stomach simply uttering those words.

"I don't know." He sighed and gazed down at the floor. "There's this new alpha in town who turned him. I don't know who it is, but I'm planning on finding it out."

With her eyebrows furrowed, Vanessa examined his stone cold expression. Just like she moved her foot when she lied, he had signs as well. For example, when he lied, he always had his arms crossed together so he could tap on his arm. When he was holding something back, his lips pursed.

"What else is there? What did this alpha personally do to you?" She questioned and took a few steps closer to him.

With glossy eyes, Derek looked back up at her and her entire chest ached. Something really bad had happened while she was away, something that seemed to dawn on him. Maybe she shouldn't have asked. Not because she didn't care, but because pushing him to just open up after four years of disappearance might not be fair of her.

"It's better if I show you." He finally murmured before seizing her arm and leading her outside. The forest was still as eerie at night as it was years ago. He brought her to the side of the house where a large pit was visible. The knot in her stomach almost made her turn around and run.

"No..." Vanessa whispered while she covered her mouth with her hand. In the pit lay Laura Hale's body. Or, the upper half of it. She kept shaking her head all the while Derek stared down at it, wet eyes but not letting any tears fall.

To his surprise, she turned to face him and embraced him in a tight hug. Since she was so tall, they were almost on the same level, her head forehead pressed against his shoulder. Slightly taken aback by the action, Derek slowly placed a hand against her back and allowed one tiny tear to fall.

"Thanks." He mumbled against the top of her head. She let out a silent laugh and pulled back. "Scott's not handling this very well, maybe you should stay at theirs instead."

Vanessa sighed and watched him fold his arms. Maybe he was telling the truth about Scott coping but he didn't want her with him. She didn't blame him. Being vulnerable wasn't his thing and now that he had let her see him weak, he didn't want her to keep softening him up. Not now when Laura was dead and he had just gotten out of jail and the hunters knew about him.

"You're sure you don't know who turned him?" She asked again, grabbing her bag from the floor.

"I'm sure. Why, are you suspecting someone?" He frowned and watched her shake her head.

"I don't have anyone to expect. I mean, I know there are a lot of supernatural creatures in this town but I don't know any except for... You." She shrugged.

"What about your old pack? Maybe they're pissed you left." He suggested. She looked to the side and blinked a few times.

"It's not them."

"So that leaves me?" His change of tone made her snap her head back. She had a baffled expression on her face.

"What? You think I'm suspecting you? Derek. No motive. Why in the world would you turn him?" She chuckled humorlessly, crossing her arms together. "Unless you wanted to draw me back here."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"You suggested yourself!" She scoffed, shook her head in disbelief and then hurried out the door. When it slammed, Derek groaned to himself and leaned back against the wall. What the hell was his problem?

Vanessa made her way through the familiar neighborhood until she reached the Mccall residence. On her way, she spotted her old house and made a mental note to visit it soon. She knocked on the door carefully since it was pretty late and fidgeted. It'd been so long since she'd seen Melissa or Scott and a smile began growing on her face since she'd missed them so much.

"Jesus Christ, it's–" Melissa muttered as she opened the door, messy hair and a weary aura. That, however, changed once she registered who was on the other side of the door. "Oh my god, Vanessa!"

"Aunt Mel!" Vanessa squeaked and pulled her aunt in for a hug. Melissa dragged her inside so she could close the door and eyed the girl quickly.

"Oh wow, you've grown. You look so different! In a good way, of course. Why are you back? I'm glad you're back, but why?" Melissa asked in a hushed voice and frowned.

"Long story. Is Scott awake?" She glanced behind Melissa's shoulder. As if on cue, Scott groggily walked down the stairs rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"Mom? Who's here?" He asked and blinked hard to get his eyes open properly.

"Oh gods." Vanessa whispered and put both hands against her mouth. Scott definitely wasn't twelve years old any more. "You're so big! What the hell happened to my baby cousin?"

"Vee?" Scott laughed before he launched at her and hugged her so tightly he almost crushed her back. "Dude, where the hell have you been?!"

"'Dude'?" She scoffed and raised one eyebrow. "Look, I'll explain everything tomorrow. I just need to sleep right now, I'm so tired. And you have school tomorrow."

"Alright, alright. Goodnight." Scott chuckled and went back to his room. Melissa smiled softly and placed her hands on his hips.

"Oh, I don't have an extra bed." She suddenly remembered, but Vanessa waved her off.

"I'll sleep on the couch." She proclaimed, walking over to the living room. Melissa disappeared and returned with some sheets and a pillow.

"All good?" She asked and rubbed her hands uncertainly.

"All perfect. Now go sleep, you look really tired." Vanessa laughed over how adorable she was and watched Melissa crack a smile before leaving the room. Vanessa made herself comfortable and slowly fell asleep herself, somewhat content over being back.

The next morning, Vanessa woke early as always. She did all the usual morning things (brushing her teeth, her hair, washing her face and lastly getting dressed) and then made breakfast for the three of them. Scott definitely wasn't a morning person. When he saw all the food ready on the table, he almost looked shocked.

"You're weird. Who the hell has the energy to do all this at seven in the morning?" He murmured, then yawned and stretched his arms.

"It's all about routine, Scotty. I used to sleep late and have a hard time wake up myself but then I became a substitute teacher and I had to change my schedules and–"

"Wait, you're a teacher?" He cut her off, sitting down on the chair. "Don't tell me you're gonna be a new teacher at our school."

"Really? Would that be so bad?" She scowled, raised one eyebrow and stared at him.

"No, not for me. I'd love that. But man, Stiles hasn't seen you in years. He used to think you were so cute. Imagine how he'd faint if he saw you now. And let's not ever speak of this again." He explained, making her giggle a bit.

"Oh, I've missed that goofball and no, I'm not a new teacher at your school. Though I am a substitute so I'm gonna inform them that I'm qualified to step in if they need it. Which is why I'm driving you today." She rambled all the while Melissa joined them, silently thanking her niece in ex-law for the breakfast.

"What kind of car?" Scott asked, chewing on a sandwich. How charming.

"Does it matter?" She retorted and poured them all some juice. He lowered his head and twitched his lips sideways.

"Not really. Anything looks better than Stiles's jeep." He sighed with a weak grin and finished his meal.

"Stiles has a jeep?" She questioned with a frown and leaned back against the counter.

"Yeah, and don't ever insult it because he will literally kill you." Scott added quickly, knowing just how much Stiles cared for that jeep.

"I'd like to see him try." She snorted and drank from her glass. He frowned suspiciously at her but shook it off.

Melissa left sooner than them and when Scott saw what kind of car she actually was driving, one that she parker nearby before visiting Derek, he dropped his jaw. She smirked at him as she unlocked it and sat down in the driver's seat.

"A Chevrolet Camaro SS... This year's edition... And it's blue..." He whispered in awe, almost getting tears in his eyes. "I've never been one for cars but oh God... How? What? How can you afford this?!" He stared at her with wide eyes. Truth to be told, he barely dared to get in the car since he thought he'd dirt it down.

"I have a job, you know. A full-time one." She ignited the engine and tucked some hair behind her ear.

"Yeah? So what do you do besides teaching?" He asked curiously and put his seatbelt on simultaneously as she did. A wide, happu grin spread across her face.

"I'm an architect." She shared quietly, watching him grin with her.

"That's awesome! I'm so happy for you. It's what you've always wanted, right?"

"Mhm." She nodded and began driving toward Beacon Hills High School.

Arriving, a wave of nostalgia hit her like an unexpected brick in the chest. She gazed out the window at the building for a long time before she inhaled deeply and turned the engine off. Scott looked at her with soft eyes, got out the car and carefully closed the door. Vanessa did the same and locked it, her eyes still glued to the building and the students roaming around.

"Weird to be back, huh?" He asked and nudged her weakly.

"Yeah." She whispered and licked her bottom lip between her teeth. "I remember my first day here. And my last."

"I can't wait for my last day here." Scott murmured so quietly that she wouldn't have heard it if she wasn't a werewolf. "Anyway, I'm gonna go and find Stiles. They haven't rebuilt the place so I guess you can find your way."

"Yeah, you can go." She smiled and ushered for him to go. Scott walked away, so she turned back to her car since she forgot her phone inside it.

"Woah, nice ride." A male voice uttered from behind her. Vanessa put her phone in the back pocket of her jeans and turned to face the guy who was, especially compared to her, unusually short for a guy.

"Thanks, I know."

"I drive a Porsche." He then added, making her roll her eyes discreetly.

"And I don't drive a nice car to brag about it." She sighed before passing him and approaching the school entrance.

"Are you new?" He called. This made her frown and turn around slowly.

"Take a good, long look at me, kid. Do I look like I'm new here? Like, age-wise." She asked, folding her arms together. He did eye her for a moment and ended up shrugging.

"Yeah, you do."

"Okay, thanks for the compliment, but it's a stupid one. I'm twenty five."

"I'm Jackson." He smirked.

"Smooth. But I'm not telling you my name." She chuckled and finally left him standing there. Jackson spent a few seconds admiring her car until he did whatever he did before school started.

Vanessa walked the hallways until she abruptly stopped by her old lockers. Pursing her lips, she remembered all the items she had in it during her time. But mostly though, she remembered when Derek tossed that basketball at her.

"Excuse me." A female voice said softly.

"Oh gods, sorry." Vanessa quickly stepped to the side, not realizing that she had stepped closer to the locker and that her eyes were stinging.

"No, it's fine." The girl smiled and looked at her. She had raven dark hair, pale skin and a long but thin body. She was pretty, but something about her seemed familiar. "You don't go here, do you? I mean, I'm not calling you anything, you just– Just don't look like the rest of us."

"No, I don't." She chuckled and shook her head. "This used to be my locker. Sorry for being a little creepy."

"You weren't. Nice to meet you..."

"Vanessa. McCall."

"Allison. Argent." She smiled.

Vanessa's chest tightened and it was tough to force her smile to stay put. The name still sent shivers down her spine, even if this girl looked innocent and kind. She quickly excused herself and hurried away from there, though she didn't get very far because she soon bumped into Scott and Stiles.

"Why do you look so... Alarmed?" Scott asked with a worried expression. Stiles however, limped back against the wall and fixed his eyes on her.

"Oh wow, hot stuff." He whispered to himself, feeling nervous just by looking at her. That managed to lift her spirits.

"Did you just call me hot stuff?" She laughed and raised her eyebrows at him.

"N–No. What?" He faked a laughter, waving her off. Scott only whispered a pray and rolled his eyes. His best friend was a hopeless cause.

"That's adorable." She giggled and fist bumped his arm.

"Unbelievable." Scott mumbled and wiped his forehead with his thumb and index finger.

"I really need to go to the principal's office, but come over to Scott's later. I've missed you boys." She proclaimed, turning her heels and walking away. Thankfully she could still hear the last part of their conversation.

"Why didn't you tell your cousin got so hot? Warn me?!" Stiles whisper-yelled.

"Because I knew you'd get that exact reaction. It was gold, why would I waste seeing it?" Scott laughed, most likely smirking evily at his friend.

"I hate you."

"You called her hot stuff."

"Shut up."

"Hot stuff."

"I swear to God, I will kill you."

"I'd like to see you try."

With a wide smile, Vanessa shook her head and continued approaching the principal's office. Even if the boys had physically grown, they were still the same kids she used to babysit. After she knocked on the door, a voice called for her to come in. She didn't know what she expected, but in the seat sat the same man who ruled the school when she was a student.

"Vanessa McCall, is that you?" He chuckled and quickly got up.

"Mr. Ford." She grinned and accepted his brief hug.

"When I saw the note about a potential substitute visiting, it didn't click. I read your name but I didn't realize it was you. How have you been, dear?" Mr. Ford sat down again, as did she opposite to him.

"I've been good. How about you?" She asked back politely, tucking some hair behind her shoulder.

The two small talked a little until they got to the point where she informed him about the school subjects she was qualified to teach in — which were english and history, and some p.e. Scott texted her that Stiles would drive him home, so she drove home alone and sat by the kitchen counter until he walked through the door.

She was back for a reason. No matter how much the school and Mr. Ford and even her family made her miss the town, the bad parts weighted them out. She needed to speak with Scott, help him and maybe get on better terms with Derek. Scott dropped his backpack in his room, passed the kitchen and then walked back to look at her for a moment.

"Sup?" He asked carefully, considering she looked deep in thought with her elbows against the counter and chin against her knuckles.

"When does your mom come home?"

"Not for another few hours. Why?"

"We need to talk." She announced gravely, making him slightly nervous.

"About?"

"Do yoy know who turned you?" She asked bluntly, watching him fidget and then shrug. Scott's thing was that he most of the time looked away when he lied. He never could look her in the eyes when they were younger and lie.

"Turned me? I don't know what you're talking about."

"Scott, please. Just cut the bullshit because I know that someone turned you into a werewolf. And I need you to be completely honest with me about everything so we can figure out who he is." She interrupted. His big eyes and baffled expression made her sigh. "I'm a werewolf too, Scotty. An alpha even, okay, so no lies, no weird excuses."

"You're... Wait. You're– You're a werewolf?" He frowned deeply and took a few steps closer to her. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, she bit on her bottom lip and nodded.

"Yeah. Like I said, we have a lot to talk about."

HEY YALL! vanessa's back and ready to kick some butt. also dont forget to go to my tumblr, princes-jasmine, for more Vanessa content!