Beast of Burden

Chapter Four

wake up, wake UP, WAKE UP


"Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist

But the ability to start over."

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

"I'm sorry that I fainted." Mars apologized, trying to remember why she'd done it. Well, she knew the reason but she didn't understand why her body gave out. She felt terrible. Utterly, and completely terrible. For one, she still couldn't remember any of Lydia's party. Two, for not believing Scott and Stiles when they'd told her the bloody truth despite all of their hesitations. Third, among so much else, was the fact she'd completely ruined Scotts self-esteem. Granted, she was still struggling herself to accept the fact that this boy she'd known since she was five was now a supernatural killing machine. Acceptance was going to be key though, they were all going to have to learn to live with… whatever this was. "I'm really, really fucking sorry, Scott." She pleaded, sitting on his bed and hugging a pillow while he cleaned and fixed up his lacrosse stuff. "Can you say something?"

He'd let her in the house, but he hadn't said a word. He didn't really know what to say, he was too sunken into feelings of inadequacy. "Uh… It's cool. It's not like you meant to do it."

Mars nodded. "You're still going to play in the game Saturday?" She'd been caught up to speed now, after they put Derek behind bars for the time being. Even though she was happy Scott had the choice and everything, she was really hoping he would make the right one and stay off the field. Though she hadn't seen him shift yet, and admittedly she wanted to- but not in front of the whole community.

"There's no way that I'm not playing that game." He informed her, twirling the lacrosse stick. Mars nodded, deciding to change the subject.

"So, I'm hanging out with Allison tomorrow." Scott's head snapped up. "Anything you want me to ask her?" Mars wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, making Scott blush a little.

"N-no" He shook his head.

"Don't lie to me, Scott McCall." Mars pointed an accusing finger.

His cheeks burned hotter. "I don't know, can you find out if she likes me?" He scratched the back of his head and put his lacrosse stick on the desk.

"She does." Mars confirmed with a confident smile.

"How do you know though? I mean, I seriously fucked up." Scott slipped back into his insecurities. It wasn't even that he'd fucked ... it had a little to do with that, but Allison was just so gorgeous! He almost felt as if the universe was playing some cosmic joke on him and the big reveal was on its way, almost at its exit.

"Scott, you did the right thing." Mars assured him. "You said her dad is a hunter, right? You did the right thing." The party seemed like forever ago anyways, and in hindsight, she really hoped Scott could see that this wasn't the end of the world. Reassuring people was never her strong suit, and this was no exception to the rule.

"Thanks for the painful reminder her dad's trying to kill me." Scott groaned, falling onto the bed face first in front of her, feeling even more overwhelmed than before.

"That's what I'm here for." A pillow found its way under Scott's head. "But, mate, she forgave you. She gets all smiley when you're mentioned. I can list all sorts of signs. She likes you, okay?"

"You really think so?" Scott looked up at her with a small sideways smile, his stomach was in knots hearing that Mars could see Allison's feelings for him. He just hoped they were real and Mars wasn't just saying this because she felt bad about fainting.

"Bloody hell, yes, loverboy." Mars shoved him.

"Positive?"

"I'm going to curb stomp you." The petite girl threatened, now that he was a werewolf, he wasn't even mildly intimidated by her. Apparently, he'd just heal. Plus, the most she ever would do was headlock him… sometimes bite.

"Violent," Scott commented, she shrugged. "So, Don?" Scott changed the subject. He didn't want to annoy her by only talking about Allison. Stiles was already rolling his eyes about it, no need to add his only other pre-lycanthropy real friend.

"What about Don?" Mars very nearly glared at him.

"I mean, in the woods the other day you two seemed-"

"High as kites?" She cut him off, not wanting to deal with the implications of being alone in the woods with drugs and half naked. For some reason, it had always kind of bothered her when Scott or Stiles knew anything about her real sex life, not just the jokes she made.

"Er. Cozy." He corrected.

"You know you can say it, Scott?" Mars decided if she was caught, she may as well be blunt, besides, cozy sounded too… er… involved. "Shagging, fucking, having sex-"

"Yeah, yeah, okay, got it. No more questions…. I got it." Scott shook his head, it made him just as uncomfortable as it made her, if not more. She was far more liberal than most. Except maybe Stiles who had no modesty about his wanking whatsoever.

"Brilliant." Mars commented.

A thought crossed Scott's mind. "Wait, so, what are you and Allison doing tomorrow?"

"I don't know, going over to her house? Maybe mine even though thats not so preferable." Mars could have cringed at the thought of bringing Allison home to her house. Thankfully she didn't.

"Will her dad be there?" Scott asked a little hesitantly, again looking up at the girl with widening eyes. He could see panic setting over her features.

"Oh my god, I didn't even think of that. What should I do if he's there?" She rushed, having more expression in just her eyebrows than most do in their entire bodies.

"Mars. Hey. Calm down, no need to have a panic attack." He joked, then remembered her panic attack earlier and thought it wasn't so funny. He eyed her carefully, this wasn't her. None of this was. Not the panic, not the fear or the blackouts. The idea of talking to her parents became more and more appealing everyday to him. She may never forgive him for it but he knew he'd be doing the right thing- Mars needed help. What was supposed to be just recreation seemed to be taking over and he didn't know how much longer he could watch her fall apart.

Little did he know, none of this was a side effect of drugs. The drugs were a side effect of what was happening inside of her.

"Yes there is! Scott, if he knows about you he might think I'm a wolf, too! What if he tries to bloody murder me?!" She nearly yelled, unable to make eye contact with him and beginning to breath heavily.

"Hey." Grabbing her hand, Scott sat up. He'd never seen her look that vulnerable. And he'd known her almost his whole life. But the girl in front of him was different. There were dark circles under her eyes and her eyeliner didn't help the situation, her hair was a curly mess and she was way too skinny these days. He definitely needed to talk to Mary. Soon. "Please don't faint on me again," Scott asked, making her laugh a little at how ridiculous that reaction was and begin to calm down. "You just have to… make them like you. Find out anything you can." He explained, the ears on the other side really wouldn't hurt.

"Scott, adults hate me." Mars reminded him, shaking her head and willing her heart rate to drop back down to a normal rate. At least the suffocating feeling was fleeting. "Really, passionately hate me."

"My mom doesn't hate you." Scott reminded her with a smile.

"She doesn't like me either." Mars reminded him.

"No. She doesn't like what she found in my sock drawer." He laughed at the memory.

"I didn't even know that was there!" Mars exclaimed. Because really, she had no idea.

"She doesn't know that." He referred to his mother. The whole incident had been blown out of proportion anyhow. "Anyways, can you please find out if she knows about- um- things like me."

Mars rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I love you."

"I know." Scott smiled that really goofy adorable smile where his eyes crinkle up. "So… It's 1 a.m." He announced after a minute of near silence, which thankfully wasn't awkward.

"And?"

"And I want to go to sleep." He stated, face still reminiscent of a smile.

"Are you kicking me out Scott?" Mars raised an eyebrow.

"I'd say you can stay, but you know how my mom feels about it." Scott shifted a little awkwardly, his mom was really cool about a lot of things. But not when it came to Mars. Melissa used to be okay with her spending the night and letting the door be closed and letting them be home alone and stuff. All that came pretty much crashing down when Melissa found a condom in Scott's sock drawer. Now it was- no sleepovers, door open, Stiles is here if I'm not- that sort of thing. Scott felt really bad about it, he only had it there as a just-in-case/never-gonna-happen type thing and Mars hadn't even crossed his mind when he'd bought it. Obviously though, it pretty directly affected her- seeing as she was the only girl Scott ever brought to the house. Ever. Mars and Melissa weren't so close after that little incident. Reasonably, Mars wasn't so happy with the accusation when she was just over to help Scott with his English coursework. Granted, Melissa had been kind about it. It wasn't an "I know what you're doing you little tramp." type of thing. The confrontation was more, "So, kids. I found a thing today… if you're using this thing, you should tell me because of reasons."

Mars didn't really understand the logic because if they were doing anything- it's not like they couldn't just go to her house. Also, that whole "Better safe than sorry" thing. Melissa should just be happy that when Scott has sex, he'd be safe about it.

"Right," Mars sighed at the reminder. "I'll see you at school tomorrow, get some sleep teen wolf." She joked and stood up with a stupid grin on her face.

"Oh, come on, don't start with the puns." Wasn't Stiles' joking enough? What did he ever do to deserve two complete dicks for best friends. Not that he would ever trade them.

After blinking a couple times, Mars said; "You really think I'm going to let this opportunity go to waste?"

Scott sighed, "No," and shook his head.

"You're so adorable." Mars pinched his cheek, Scott narrowed his eyes and lied back down on his bed, gesturing to the door. Mars went to it, leaning into its frame slightly so she could reach the lightswitch. "Goodnight, McCall." She said, flicking off the light and heading down the hall.

"Goodnight, Moss." Scott called after her. Mars smiled, going down the stairs. She made sure to lock the front door behind her… Not that a werewolf would really have much trouble defending himself. Werewolf.

The word crossed her mind again. It was too surreal, like she was going to wake up soon. Yesterday, monsters didn't exist. But now she couldn't help but wonder what else might be out there. She found herself mentally scanning over every book she'd ever read. And she felt like next someone was going to tell her that there were parallel time lines running and that she was going to be a tribute in the hunger games.

The next stage on her trek home was excitement. Because if Scott could be a werewolf maybe wizards were real, too! Maybe Harry Potter was out there raising Albus and James and Lily with Ginny and Hogwarts was real, which of course led her into being bitter that she was not in fact in attendance of the school. There were just so many possibilities that were overwhelming and fascinating and beautiful and horrifying.

Why was Scott chosen of everyone in the world? It was sort of easy to see in some ways. Scott was loyal, kind, selfless and had so many other outstanding qualities- but he was friends with her. It didn't feel like she was deserving of the knowledge she'd been gifted.


Mars' hunch was right, she and Allison got off the bus at the stop in front of Allison's house. It was a big old thing, well maintained, really pretty. Mars couldn't help but wonder what her mom and dad claimed they did for a living. Cause this was nice. Allison and Mars walked through the front door. "Mom, Dad, I'm home," Ally announced into the foyer.

Scott's advice to Mars was taken. For once. She wanted to make a good impression on the Argent adults, considering the circumstances. Hopefully the grapevine hadn't reached them first. So she wore plain un-ripped jeans, and unbuttoned, green plaid shirt and a plain white tee. Her hair brushed and in braids with minimal makeup. Needless to say, people at school had found it surprising.

A tall woman with a red pixie cut and an overwhelming confidence came out of the kitchen with a smile, the clicking of her heels entering the room long before her body. Mars let out a breath she knew very well that she'd been holding, it wasn't Chris. So far, she had no reason to believe Victoria knew anything. "You must be Mars." Victoria greeted, Allison had said plenty about her. Victoria's sister had said even more than her daughter, and the things Joyce said conflicted majorly with what Allison said. Better to make her own opinion- or, at least play like she would. "Pleasure to meet you."

"You too, Mrs. Argent." Mars gave the best smile she could muster and shook her hand.

Allison didn't really want to stick around for the twenty questions she knew her mom was fond of. "Mom, we're just going to go hang out in my room, is that okay?" Always ask permission.

"Of course honey, just let me know if you girls need anything." Victoria nodded before heading back into the kitchen. She wanted ears in that room, but she also knew that there was no reason to. Just because Joyce was convinced the Moss girl corrupted everything she touched, didn't mean that she did. Her sister had always been fanatical anyways. Logically there was no reason to worry. Though, the idea of her only daughter going down the wrong path frightened her.

The girls went up to Allison's room. Again, Mars found herself impressed with the seeming level of luxury, it almost matched the Martin household. "Your mom seems really nice." Mars claimed, leading the conversation.

"She is." Allison smiled, putting her jacket on a hanger and into the closet.

"Are you guys close?" She asked, taking a seat at Allison's desk. She had pictures all over the place, only with her family though. Mars guessed Allison didn't really have many friends moving around as much as she did. Admittedly, if it wasn't for the whole 'trying to kill my best friend' thing, her dad was kinda hot. Mars forced herself to shake the thought.

"Yeah..." Allison continued to smile. Mars couldn't help but wonder what it might be like, to have a close relationship with one's mother, any relationship at all really would've been nice. That just wasn't in the cards for her though. For about over an hour the girls talked about Allison's life in San Francisco and all the other places she'd lived. They talked about the struggle of growing up between two places that either had yet to find someone to relate to on- until now that was. It was nice, having someone to talk to, that really understood the feeling of being on the outside. Any apprehension or wariness Mars had had of Allison had virtually vanished. The best part was, there didn't seem to be any indication that she knew anything about werewolves at all.

"So, you'll never guess who was at dinner last night," Allison switched the topic, remembering what she had been meaning to tell Mars all day.

"Probably not. Who?"

"Don." Allison laughed at the whole thing. Dinner last night had been very awkward.

"Don?" Mars repeated. "Like… Don, Don?" She couldn't bring herself to use the word my before his name.

"Well, he was introduced as Donald, but yeah." Ally joked.

"Wasn't this supposed to be a family dinner?" Mars inquired, recalling what Allison had told her about it yesterday in the hall.

"It was, he's my cousin, I guess." She said, completely lighthearted.

"Wait. What? Seriously? You and Don are cousins?" Mars questioned, it seemed very… odd. Were they related by her mothers side or her fathers? Did that mean he could know about this stuff too? Everything was becoming intertwined and complicated way too fast.

"Apparently? I don't know. Mom said we met when we were little, but obviously I don't remember him." Allison gave yet another laugh before looking down at her phone.

"Who would've guessed, aye?" Mars added. "Small world."

"And it gets smaller."Allison commented, pulling the cuffs of her sweater into her palms.

"Really?"

"Really. Yeah, my Mom said her sister, Don's mom, called and asked for help? I don't know, but basically, I'm here because of Don's family. Isn't that weird?"

"Very." Mars just wished Allison would stop talking so she could think, but it wasn't like Mars could just snap on the girl. She had to store the information to share with Scott and Stiles later. She couldn't think of this now, because if she did, the whole evening would be ruined and she'd probably seem suspicious.

"Did you know his dad is in a wheelchair?" Allison continued to tell Mars shit she didn't know about her… person.

"Uh. No." Mars cleared her throat. "So you met Joyce?"

"His mom, right?" Mars confirmed it with a nod. "I did."

"And you're still talking to me?" Mars laughed, god only knows the things that came out of that womans mouth. Probably something along the lines of Mars being a danger to society, her criminal record, corrupting her only darling son.

"I don't quite think my "aunt" is a reliable source." Ally added. "Pretty sure you're not the anti-christ."

"She said that?" Mars feigned flattery. "That's so sweet."

The doorbell rung, Allison and Mars looked at each other for a moment, like they were debating going and getting it. Ultimately, Victoria got to it before they reached a decision. "Allison! For you!" The girls wandered down the stairs, seeing a mass of strawberry blonde curls before seeing her face.

"Lydia! Hi." Allison smiled, she wasn't used to Lydia's whole personality yet. If that was even the right word to use.

"I know you two didn't think you could have a get together without me, did you?" Lydia commented, walking up the stairs ahead of them. Mars and Allison looked at Lydia ascending and then at each other.

"Not at all." Mars commented with a smile, it was very Lydia to just show up like that.

"So, back to it." Lydia commanded when they reached Alison's room, it was now evident Lydia had been here before. "What were we talking about."

"My long lost cousin Don Butler." Allison replied.

"You're cousins?" Lydia's expression was similar to Mars', except without the underlying horror of the potential implication. Not that Lydia could be expected to know any of that.

"They are." Mars confirmed.

"Small world." Lydia said.

"That's what she said." Allison pointed to Mars behind her. There was silence in the room for the first time in hours. "So, I'm sorry if this seems a little rude but I'm dying to know. Is Mars your real name?"

"No." Lydia answered for Mars.

"It's fine, Allison." Mars smiled, letting her know that there was nothing wrong with her asking. "It's nothing special anyways."

"Just strange, unpronounceable," Lydia cut in again.

"What is it?" Allison's curiosity was spiked. She wanted to know Stiles' real name too.

"Mu-" Lydia started.

"How about we don't do that, yeah?" Mars cocked an eyebrow, irrationally angry with her.

"I'll tell you later, Allison." Lydia rolled her eyes, Mars glared.

"If Mars doesn't want me to know, it's okay." Allison attempted to break the tension.

"I'll tell you later." Lydia repeated. Allison felt bad, but knew that resisting Lydia would be futile. Besides, she really wanted to know what kind of name you got Mars from. She'd asked Scott in the hall as well, but she was pretty sure he butchered it- especially when he tried to spell it and couldn't do that either. Scotts attempt at Stiles' name was no different. They were an odd trio, that was for sure.


Saturday. Game day.

Mars sighed and ran a hand through her hair, standing in front of the hallway mirror. Blue eyes once again framed in heavy black khol, her clothes back to normal. She did keep the braids up though.

She took in another shaking breath and looked away from herself. It was gonna be fine. Scott wasn't going to shift, Derek wouldn't hurt him, it was all going to be fucking dandy. Mars looked at the clock on her phone. "A.j. are you fucking coming or not?" Mars banged on the bathroom door.

"Oi, how about we be nice to our ride, sis?" He replied from the other side.

"I'll be nice when you're done doing your hair." She replied, annoyance in her voice. She wanted to get to the field. "Bloody hell, it's been twenty minutes, how much time do you need?"

Ahmir opened the door. "Have you seen my afro? Have you?" Mars rolled her eyes, it wasn't horrid but it wasn't great either. "Yeah, I thought so." A.j. looked her up and down. "You're going like that?" He cocked an eyebrow in the same condescending manner she always did. Mars happened to like her outfit, fuck what anyone else thought. It wasn't a school day and she didn't have to follow dress code, her skirt could be as short as she wanted it to be.

"Don't be fucking cheeky with me." Ahmir pushed past her and started down the hall, their mom was already at the field and Dad and Nay were out and about.

"Do you aim to look like you've just rolled out of bed?" He questioned, grabbing his keys off the hook in the kitchen.

"No, I aim to look shaggable, can we go now?" Mars rebutted.

Ahmir started out for his truck with his little sister trailing behind him. "Tosser." He commented.

"Git." She replied.

"Nutter." He opened the door.

"Wanker." She did the same, both climbed in the truck. They didn't hate each other at all, but she'd been staying at home lately and that meant that they'd seen too much of the other. If they could've gotten out of the house it might of been different, but it seemed like Mary had her on house arrest aside from going to Allison's. If only word hadn't gotten back to Mary that Mars was there when the other half of the body was found. That was yet another earful no one wanted.

"You make it really hard to do nice things." A.j. commented, starting up his baby.

"Are you kidding me A.j.? You want to go the game as much as I do, don't act like you're going totally out of your way." Mars leaned against the door and put her feet on the dash. A.j. rolled his eyes, he didn't mind, but as a big brother, he was obligated to act as if he did.

Garth Brooks began to play a little on the loud side. Mars always laughed, here was a kid with a 1992 pickup, every assortment of flannel and denim, every country CD you could imagine and then he'd open his mouth and it'd be all 'Fish and chips anyone? Tea perhaps? I need to use the loo.' Nay liked to make fun of his identity issues, Mars on the other hand loved her brother just like that, she thought it was great he knew exactly who he was. "I liked you better before."

"I'm sorry?" Mars turned to him.

"Fix it." He stated, pulling out of the driveway.

"Fix it? Seriously Aje?" Mars glared, it was a random statement.

"Yeah." He confirmed, keeping his eyes set on the road. "I miss my little sister." He attempted, trying to figure out how to get this conversation to go where he wanted it, since it came out exactly the opposite of how he'd wanted it to in the first place.

"We're seriously going to do this deep shit right now?" Mars asked, crossing her arms.

"Look, Tera." Aje started, using the only nickname that was derivative of her first. "I'm going to college in fall, this is like… the end for me at home." There, he was on the right track now.

"Ajjeee." Mars whined, she was trying not to think about him leaving. She was never a fan of change and he was the only thing between her and mom literally killing each other at that point.

"Well it's true." He continued.

"So, what are you saying?" It was worth the inquiry.

"That I'd like a normal last semester." A.j. stressed the word normal, hoping that she'd catch on.

"So we just ignore each other like we do every other year." I guess I have to be a bit more obvious, He thought. Aje was the type to beat around the bush, always had been, always would be.

"But thats boring." He replied. Mars face lit up and she turned towards him. She got it. Lucky for him, he was the only person she didn't want to murder when he didn't get to the point. He had her patience in that respect, not any others though.

"Oh. Oh my god. You want to come to parties with me." Mars proclaimed.

"Psh. No." Aje brushed it off, he couldn't give her the satisfaction just yet. His sister had the social life he'd always dreamed of, and that he wanted when he went to college. Not that he was super willing to let the little shit know he thought she was kinda cool.

"Yes, yes you do. That's totally where you're going with this." Mars smiled, energetic, her mind forgetting the fears she'd had standing in the hallway. When frankly, they were far more important. Compartmentalizing was going to take some getting used to. She was still just a teenager after all.

"Can't I just want a close relationship with my little sister?" Ahmir tried. Deciding afterwards that his statement may have made it worse.

"No." Mars laughed. "Oh, oh. Let me guess, you're nervous to go to college as a virgin." Mars taunted, not serious. That was until she saw the caught look on his face. "Fucking brilliant." She commented, a rather large smile on her face.

"Ugh, sorry I asked." Now properly embarrassed, he retreated. Mars continued smiling, of course she was going to help him, he's her brother, but she was going to make him suffer a minute.

"I'll do it." She promised a little later, just enough so he'd been left with his own thoughts.

"What?" Aje looked over at her, pulling into the parking lot.

"I, darling Ahmir, am going to find someone for you to fuck." Mars declared with her accent coming out particularly hard on the word "Fuck". She was now excited for tonight. Projects were always fun, they kept her occupied.

"Oh! Oh. Um. Thanks. Thanks sis." Aje didn't quite know how to react when he got his way, seeing as it was such a rare occurrence living with the problem child and the little demon that wore the face of an angel. He hated to say it, but he wasn't a fan of Ineas, then again she'd been making his life hell for years. Angry little fucker she was. She'd never show that to Mum and Dad though. To them she was perfect.

"... Have you ever been drunk before?" Mars continued her game of twenty questions, devising a game plan in her head.

"Loads of times." He lied, she could see right through him. So, having him lie about shit was out, new method was going to be needed.

"Aje." She scolded.

"No. Alright, I'm not like you." He defended. "I don't get invited places." Mars felt sad for him. He wasn't lying, she'd never seen him go out. Not once. She felt isolated often, but in a different way. He must've felt like no one even liked him, and that must have been shitty. It always seemed weird to her that he never got invited anywhere. Sure, he wasn't athletic, but he was handsome. He put his heart into everything, Aje was one of her favorite people ever even if she didn't want to show it to him. Hearing of his sadness hurt her nearly as much as it did him.

"Big brother of mine, you are going to have the time of your life tonight." Mars was now on a serious mission. Ahmir was going to have fun for once, even if he didn't get laid.

"Tonight?" His eyes widened.

"After the game. Don, Jackass and Danny are throwing a party. You're going." He didn't have a say in the matter, he was going, and that was final.

"Nah, you know, tonight? I mean, I don't- I'm not dressed for… that stuff." He looked down at the hoodie over his plaid button up and very worn in jeans. He knew he wouldn't fit in.

"It's a lacrosse party, Aje. just… er. Unzip your hoodie and… I don't know, don't talk." He had this habit of rambling… like a lot. It'd been known to ruin more than one opportunity for him. He might find a girl who thought it was cute one day, but she was guessing that day wasn't going to be today.

"Comforting." He joked, pulling into a parking space. "Thanks."

"You're going. You'll be just fine. Promise." Mars smiled, innocently.

Aje eyed Mars. "Last time you made me a promise, I ended up stuck in a room for three days."

"Don't be dramatic." She rolled her eyes. "The incident" was 4 years ago anyways. "It was like, two and a half." She corrected. "It wasn't even that bad."

"I pissed myself." Aje looked at her, more like glared.

"Not my fault you can't control your bladder." Mars remarked. "Look, I promise that nothing will happen to you as long as I'm there. Kay?"

"...Okay." He accepted hesitantly. "Get out of my truck."

Mars rolled her eyes and jumped down, not bothering to straighten out her skirt. Too much work, frankly. The brother and sister walked towards the field, the lights illuminated the place, and the smell of fresh cut grass was more than pleasing. Mars caught a glimpse of her favorite man in the entire world and smiled, noticing him from just his salt and pepper hair. "Sheriff!" She exclaimed, giving him a hug, it felt like ages since she'd seen him last. Sheriff returned the embrace and clapped A.j. on the shoulder after he released her. Aje was taller than him now. "Mum." Mars nodded, she'd been talking to Sheriff before her kids crashed the conversation. "I'm taking A.j. to a party tonight." Mars oozed excitement, she'd never taken her brother to a party. The word party had sounded distinctly Scottish, she needed to stop watching the BBC.

"What?" Mary looked at her son, a distinct sort of worry underlying in her voice.

"Right?" Mars laughed. She was just as surprised as Mary that he wanted to go out at all initially. Now, she understood- but that didn't mean it would be less exciting. "We'll be a little late, Mum. Don't wait up, okay?" Mary crossed her arms. This wasn't the time or place, but she really didn't want A.j. to go out with his sister. That was the last thing she wanted. Schools might withdraw their acceptance, or just deny him all together if anything happened or if he got caught. If Mars screwed this up for him, she didn't know what she was going to do.

"Yeah. Okay. I'm glad you're getting out A.j." Mary lied, giving A.j. a pretty smile. She wanted to be happy for him but it just wasn't happening. She couldn't make herself, she could only see this domino effect ahead. Starting with this party and then spinning into drinking and then after that he'd let his grades go and he'd throw away all he'd worked for. It was ridiculous, for her to feel like her own daughter would do that to her brother- but the fear was there. It was real.

"Me too!" Aje beamed, no longer hiding what he had hidden in the car with his sister. Mary smiled again, A.j. always made her smile. He was happy, so she tried to be.

Picking favorites was a horrible thing to do, but she couldn't control it.

Sheriff realized it was about time he cut in. "Lets go find a spot before the bleachers fill up like last time." He suggested.

"Great idea." Mary agreed, happy to be looking away from her kids. They couldn't see her expressions that way. Melissa McCall came walking from the opposite direction.

"Melissa, hey." Mars greeted, in an obviously great mood.

Melissa smiled, just as excited as Mars to see Scott play his first game. "Mars." They all took their seats, Mars in between Sheriff and Aje. Waiting for the team to get out was boring. Sheriff talked to Melissa, Mary and A.j. to each other, Mars turned was glued to her phone for the majority. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mr. Argent stroll up with his daughter and take a seat next to Lydia. Mars looked down at her outfit. So much for that good first impression.

I will not let this ruin tonight. She swore to herself. Separate it. Mars glanced back and waved at Allison before turning around. He knows nothing, or he would've done something by now.

The team ran onto the field, the crowd cheering. Stiles found his worn in seat on the bench as the team dispersed. Of course, he wanted to play, but he had the title 'benchwarmer' for a reason.

Stiles jumped when Mars hopped over the bench and sat beside him. He was already lost in thought. Worried. Essentially, ever since his dad texted him that they let Derek out, he was in a panicky state. "Moss, what are you doing on my bench?" Coach approached her.

"Just a second, Coach." She held out a finger to silence him.

Coach threw up his hands, claiming; "I give up on kids."

"So, we've got a mission tonight." Mars smirked.

Stiles focused on the game that was beginning, glancing at her for only a second. "You mean making sure Scott doesn't go all hulk out there? Yeah. I'm trying." He stressed. "Or do you mean looking out for Derek Hale, who just got released from police custody that we got him put in?" Mars' throat felt dry, they released him? They'd found half a body on his property. "Body's his sisters, deemed an animal attack." He rolled his eyes. Mars reflected on his words for a moment. As always, she thought before speaking.

"Neither." She spoke up. This supernatural stuff was not going to interfere with everything.

"Wha- what are you planning than?" Stiles stuttered out.

"We're going to bring Aje to the lacrosse party tonight, try to get him a girl." Stiles' eyes widened, he sincerely hoped she was joking at that moment.

"Okay, number one, I can't get myself a girl- much less someone else. And number two, we have bigger things to worry about!" He exclaimed, looking around after he was made aware of his volume.

"Okay, yeah, I see what you're saying. But look at it this way, if the game goes good- the first thing is eliminated and we can't live in fear of Derek- just go on like you normally would." Mars insisted, hooking arms with him and leaning against his shoulder.

"You need help, has anyone ever told you that?" He commented, even knowing her for almost 16 years, he couldn't quite figure her out. What the actual hell was she thinking? There was a dude out there that Stiles was 153% certain wanted to kill all three of them. And she was friggen calm as all hell, pretending like things were normal. She'd made such a fuss about him telling her that he mistakenly believed she might actually try and cope with something for once in her life.

"Loads of people, actually. They're probably right, too." Mars commented, lifting her head from and looking him in the eyes, a slight pout present over her features. "Come on, say you'll help me? Please, mate?"

"What exactly do you expect me to do, Mars?" He inquired, considering what little he knew about the opposite gender.

"I don't know, make him look good." Mars suggested.

"And how do I do that?" Stiles rolled his eyes.

"Just be yourself." Mars shrugged and started back for the bleachers.

"Mars- Mars wait." Stiles yelled back to her. "What- what does that mean?"

"You'll figure it out." She shouted back at him, casually smiling. The whistle was blown and the game began.

Something about the game was off, everyone could see it. Not only was the state champion losing, but the teamwork they'd displayed in the past wasn't there. "I literally going to kill Jackson." Mars clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms. It was obvious what Jackson was doing. There was no way that Scott would not be passed a single ball all game when he was completely open.

"Why?" Mary asked, her arms crossed. She noticed it too but didn't believe that it was intentional.

"Because, he's not letting anyone pass to Scott!" Mars exclaimed, climbing up on her seat and standing. "You got this, McCall!" She shouted, smiling wide when he looked over and giving him two thumbs up.

"Get down before you fall." Mary lectured. It wasn't so much that Mars was going to fall as it was the boys below her looking up Mars' skirt. Aje took a cue from his sister and stood up on the bleacher beside her.

"Go Scott! Woooooooooo!" A.j. cheered, making his voice as loud as he could and pumping his fists in the air. Mars turned behind her when she heard Allison laugh a little. Mars and Allison exchanged smiles, while Lydia sat beside Ally looking pissed off. Chris nodded, smiling a little. Don't act suspicious Mars reminded herself after her breathing hitched. She returned the gesture and sat back down quickly. they can hear Allison laugh a little behind them. Mars turns around and waves.

Their support gave Scott got the push he needed. He charged through the field, adrenaline pumping through his veins; his werewolf senses were tingling as he neared his target. Scott knew he had to win this game, that this was his one chance. So despite his fears and Derek's threats he let his new abilities guide him. He threw the ball and the crowd erupted in cheers. He felt the tension leave his body. For the first time since the game started he felt at ease. He was sure they were going to win.

The rest of the game flew by in a blur as Scott scored goal after goal.

In the swarm of people that had gathered on the field when the game ended, Don found Mars and kissed her. She pushed him away, holding a hand against his chest to keep him at bay. "How about no." She piped up, looking over his confused features. In his mind, they'd won, it was time to celebrate. "You think you can pull the shit you did on the field and I congratulate you?" Mars cocked an eyebrow and removed his hand from her waist, he looked annoyed. It's not like that was his choice, Jackson was captain and as soon as Coach gave the go ahead, he was the one to pass McCall nearly every ball he caught. "Try again."

"Come on, it's not like McCall isn't the star anyways." Don stressed. He should've known better than to almost fuck over Scott. Especially when she was sitting in the stands, when he knew she would chose Scott and Stiles over anyone, any day.

"Principle, Donald." Stiles grabbed Mars' hand and pulled her away, just in time. "Allison followed Scott, come on." Mars hadn't been worried about Scott running off alone, he just needed to calm down, right? But if Allison had followed- the calming down part wasn't going to happen. In fact. This was bad. Really, really bad.

The pair booked it for the locker room, Mars a little behind Stiles. Panic had set in on her again and breathing became progressively difficult. It wasn't just Scott that needed to calm down. They reached the locker room and maneuvered through a row of lockers, stopping short.

Scott and Allison were making out. Casually. No blood. No guts. No attacking. No wolfy-ness about it. Scott and Allison pulled away and Stiles and Mars did their best to act natural. Failing miserably.

Allison turned on her heels to leave, seeing the beat red boy and smirking girl. "Stiles." Allison acknowledged. "Mars." Allison passed, nodding to tell Mars to follow. Mars almost didn't go. She knew there would be gushing that she wouldn't know how to react to. This whole friend thats a girl thing was new to her. Before she followed Allison out, Mars winked and gave a thumbs up to Scott- who looked positively smitten.

They were hardly outside the locker room doors when Allison turned around and said; "I kissed him."

"I saw." Mars offered. "How was it?" She smiled, hoping she was doing alright. She, Scott and Stiles always either ignored the things all together or the conversation went something like: 'I got kissed' 'cool, bro. Tongue?' 'Yeah.' 'That's cool. Did you remember to brush your teeth this morning?' 'Yeah.' 'Good.' 'Boner?' 'Is that a question?'

So, yeah. She didn't quite understand how to do this when the reaction to her first kiss was. 'Dude, lets get pizza'

"Great. He's uh. He's a really good kisser." Allison blushed.

"Thats good!" Mars didn't know how to reply, so she stood there for a moment, awkward. "Uh, you coming to the party?"

Allison nodded. "Not really much of a choice with Lydia around." She laughed.

Mars smiled at her, "Come on, mate. You can ride with me and Aje."


I don't wanna lie, I'm gonna take what you're giving, 'Cause I know you're willing, To take me all the way. The speakers crooned Rock Mafia while Mars scanned her surroundings, to her left was a group of lacrosse players attempting a funnel. She was nearly 100% certain that kid was going to vomit it all out in a few minutes. Behind her, there was a couple getting hot and heavy on the couch. Someone is about to get their dick sucked. Mars rolled her eyes, even she knew that you do that shit in private.

The big big bang, the reason I'm alive, When all the stars collide, in this universe inside. Raising her cigarette to her lips and inhaling, Mars closed her eyes, trying to drown it all out for a moment. "What about her?" Aje broke her out of her monetary trance and pointed to a stunning red head. Mars wanted to tell him to go for it, but she wasn't cruel.

"Her?" Mars asked for confirmation, to make sure they were both looking at the same girl.

"Her." A.j. confirmed nodding in her direction and pointing still. Mars lowered his arm for him. There was no need to be obvious about what they were doing.

"No, love. Out of your league." She clapped her brother on the shoulder.

"Rude." He replied, crossing his arms over his chest, Mars tried to smile for re-assurance. They'd been at this for over an hour.

"Honest." Mars replied. Eventually, her eyes fell on a petite girl with a choppy blonde bob. The girl had almond shaped brown eyes, slightly too big lips, and a kinda-crooked nose on the smaller side. Blondie wore a pair of distressed jeans and a Rush 2112 tee. "Um… her?" Mars suggested, thinking that the girl might be kind of perfect for her weirdo brother.

A.j.'s head turned to where his sister was looking. "She's pretty." Aje looked over the girl, his palms beginning to sweat. If Mars thought he could do it, he felt like he could, and halving it be an almost-reality made him obscenely nervous.

"So go talk to her." Mars encouraged, putting her screwdriver in his hands so he looked like he'd been drinking more than he had. One beer wasn't much to brag about.

"You want to lead and I'll just like, I don't know. Follow and stuff?" A.j. suggested, taking a sip of whatever it was just appeared in his hand. It was disgusting, as was evident by his expression of distaste.

"Wingman." Mars grabbed Stiles' arm on her right and turned him to her. Stiles rolled his eyes. "Help A.j." She demanded, gesturing to the gangly boy in front of her.

"I don't know if you heard me the first time. But I have no idea what you want me to do." Stiles repeated what he'd told her earlier.

"Be yourself. Your embarrassing, annoying, twitchy self." Mars explained. "Make Aje look like a greek god."

Stiles looked at her, waiting for her to take the major blow to his ego back. When she didn't he internalized it, shrugging it off. "You are a cruel and heartless woman."

"You really mean it? That's so sweet." Mars kissed Stiles' cheek.

"What do I get out of this anyways?" Stiles questioned, hands shoved in his hoodies pockets.

"The satisfaction of knowing you helped out a friend?" Aje tried. He figured they were about the same level of loser, so maybe this could work.

Stiles just looked at Mars. Strongly communicating that she needed to do something for him. The thing was, if A.j. had just asked he would've been more than happy to be wingman- but Mars had to go demanding. No one could tell him what to do and expect him not to do the opposite without some sort of enticement. "I'll partner up with Lyd on the next project." Mars groaned.

Instantaneously, his body language and, frankly, everything about him lit up like a christmas tree. "Spit shake." He spit into his hand, holding it out in front of him. She had to shake on it, or else she would break the deal. It was like selling your soul to a demon if you didn't get the shake.

"Still disgusting." Mars mimicked him and shook on it, wiping her hand on her skirt after. "Just help Aje." She waved them off in the direction of the blond girl.

"Yeah, you got it." Stiles bounced, He'd get his chance with Lydia! "Come on, man." Stiles pulled A.j.'s shirt in the direction of the blonde, not giving him and option about where to go.

"Hi there!" Stiles greeted the girl, adjusting his hoodie.

The girl looked him up and down before flat out stating; "No." There goes his confidence again.

"Woahkay." Stiles backed off, Ahmir nudged him. "So, uh, what's your name?"

"Poppy." She replied, uninterested.

"Poppy, that's- that's pretty." Stiles tried.

A.j. recognized her, and in knowing her- he felt like he could talk to her. "Yeah, yeah. You're in my physics class, right?"

"Am I? I don't remember an English kid." Poppy commented on his voice, hell, she would've remembered an English accent- who wouldn't.

"Well. Uh, yanno, I normally stay in the back of the class." Aje scratched the back of his head. "I'm not a mathy- person."

"Is anyone?" Poppy agreed, flashing a perfectly straight smile.

"Nah." A.j. pointed to Stiles. "Um well I'm- I'm Ahmir and this is my mate Stiles."

"What the hell is a Stiles?" Poppy wanted the sophomore to go away.

"Me. I- I'm a Stiles." He was definitely picking up the vibe she was putting out. "Yeah, yanno what, I'm gonna take this as my cue to go. You two kids have fun." Poppy looked at him as he continued to stand still, just looking between her and Aje. "I'm going." He announced, walking away to look for Scott somewhere in this mess of drunken idiots.

Back over by the kitchens, Mars leaned against the archway and Don against the wall beside her as they watched the scene unfolding in front of him. Mars gave an encouraging nod when her brother looked back and smiled excitedly. "How are you even related?" Don commented. "He's such a fucking dweeb." Mars side eyed him, annoyed. No one could talk about A.j. like that.

"If you really must know, we share parents. Thus making us siblings. Don't know if you ever heard of it, kind of a sacred bond." Her sarcasm was noted, but not appreciated. Don realized he fucked up. "And only I can call him a dweeb. I think it would be wise if you shut your trap before I knock your teeth out."

"Feisty." He brushed off her anger.

"And I don't even try." She rolled her eyes and let out a heavy breath.

"Want to go to dinner tomorrow?" Don tried, his timing literally horrible.

"No."

"Why?" If only looks could kill, Don would be dead.

Deciding not to bring up the fact he was a twat and to also, with any luck, prevent him from asking again in the future, she said; "Because first, it's dinner, then it'll be dates, then come the overnights. After that you'll start talking about love and calling me your girlfriend and frankly all of it is pointless. All fucking pointless." Mars stood up straight. "So no, Don. I won't go to dinner with you, because I will never be that girl."

"You could have just stuck with no." He huffed.

"Fuck off, Don."

"Do you know how many girls would kill to be with me?" Again, he'd said the wrong thing.

"Yes, and I highly suggest if you're looking for someone to get more than fucked and fucked up with, you choose one of them." Mars replied, disinterested. "And if thats what you decide, I'll be happy for you and it was fun while it lasted." Don felt like she'd slapped him. "We've had this conversation before. I like your cock, I like your drugs. I'm done being nice about it."

"Understood." He was going to try one last thing. "You know, no one would think any less of you if you showed that you care."

"You should walk away before I seriously snap at you." Mars didn't even look at him when she said it, she was seething. I fucking care about things. She wanted to scream at him, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Aje, Stiles, Scott, Sheriff, Doc. She ran through the 5 grand loves of her life she'd do anything for them as she's proven several times over. How dare Don say she didn't care about anything when those five were just the tip of the iceberg.

"Whatever." Don walked away, finding his way to Danny, Jackson was off with Lydia.

"Hey, Watson!" Don heard Mars' voice yell. He turned around and Mars was making out with his teammate, one hand on the back in his hair, the other holding a drink. Watson had a hand grabbing her ass, the other holding a drink as well. Don was repulsed by it. "That offer still on the table?" Mars recalled an offer to fuck from the last time she saw him, pulling away only an inch. Her hand finding his and guiding it under her skirt, she knew Don was watching and that was the whole point. Well, that, and she really was really quite horny. "It's a one time thing, can you handle it?"

Watson's eyes widened a little, but he recovered. "Yeah, of course." Mars put her drink down and removed his hand from her bum under her skirt, pulling him up the stairs to Danny's parents room.

Don watched them go up the stairs. "I fucking hate her." He glared.

"If you hate her so much, then why do you care what she does?" Danny cut a hole in his statement, between him and Jackson- he didn't know who he wanted to punch in the face more when they started talking about trouble in paradise.

"Shut up, Danny." Don snapped.

"And hasn't she pretty explicitly stated that she's going to do what she wants and who she wants and that this is nothing serious?" Danny reminded him.

"Danny." Don warned.

"Look, I'm just saying that maybe you're taking it a little personally. She never promised anything." Danny's words were met with nothing but silence. "I know her pretty well, if you want her to do something, it's got to be her idea." He suggested, and it was true. Knowing someone since the first grade does allow you to get to know a person. Don didn't reply, he decided to change the subject when A.j. walked by hand in hand with Poppy heading for the door.

"Now there's a miracle."

"I don't know, Ahmir is funny. It's not that surprising." Dan commented, shrugging. He regretted throwing this party, his parents were going to kill him when they got back from their trip.

"Do you like him?" Don questioned.

Danny held his tongue. "No." He was so annoyed, ever since he came out Don had been acting odd. Of course, he knew Don didn't mean to say a lot of the shit he said- but the mild homophobia got under his skin. Just because he was gay, didn't mean he wanted to do every guy he saw- just like Don didn't want to do every girl he saw.


Leaves moving gently in the wind was the first thing Mars saw when she opened those big blue eyes that morning. The sun wasn't quite risen yet and the skies were pink on the horizon. It's beautiful. She thought.

Mars slowly woke up, not registering much until she realized- she couldn't hear anything. What the fuck. Mars let out a breath, feeling herself sinking. She turned to the left.

She was in the water.

The calm that had been keeping her afloat was long gone by the time she screamed and water began to fill up her lungs. She knew how to swim. But she couldn't fucking remember and she was flailing. Where the fuck am I?!

Feeling pressure on her waist and tugging didn't do much to calm her down. In fact, it did the opposite. "Get off of me! Get the fucking fuck off of me!" She screeched in between gasps for air. Whomever grabbed her pulled her out of the water and onto the lawn. She began choking up water and gasping.

"You're okay." Danny held her, confused as all hell. She continued to cough and shake and held his arm while trying to steady out her breathing. "Mars. You're safe." She took in her surroundings. She was still at Danny's house, plastic shot glasses and cigarette butts littered the area around them. Danny and Greenberg had woken up to her scream, they'd been sleeping on the deck.

"What happened?" Greenberg ran over to them.

"I don't know! I just- I woke up and- and I was in there! Why the fuck was I in the pool?! How can you sleep in water?!"

"Hey- hey, calm down okay." Danny held her arms at her side, Mars took a deep breath and nodded. "You don't remember anything from last night?"

"I remember everything up until after I fucked Watson." Danny and Greenberg didn't so much as flinch at her vulgarity.

"Okay. Do you remember taking anything?" Danny was freaked out by whatever just happened. Really, overly freaked out.

"No, I only had one drink." She shook her head, before looking between the two boys in front of her. "Guys, promise me this will stay between us?"

"Promise." Greenberg agreed, Danny just nodded.

"Thank you." Mars couldn't make any more eye contact, and she was suddenly very cold.

"Are you okay?" Greenberg handed her his jacket.

"I'm fine. I'll be fine."