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Lacy here! I know I said this was just starting, but it turns out, all I needed to do was throw on some music and just let it write. And here it is. Effie has Derek back, her brother is himself again and her father is safe. So what's still bothering her? Read on and find out!

Disclaimer: I own only Effie.

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~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Getting Derek back, Effie thought she'd finally feel complete. Her druid and fox were one, Derek was back at her side, Stiles was no longer the Nogitsune and her father was alive and kicking ass at his job. But something was still hollow.

After kicking Peter out of the loft, Derek and Effie laid together in silence, just holding each other. Derek had already shared with Effie that, even though he'd been unconscious in Mexico, he still felt the time they spent apart. His wolf was desperate for physical contact. Effie was glad she wasn't alone in that feeling.

They watched the moon rise outside the window, enjoying the lack of pull in its crescent state.

"Your runes are gone when you were fighting." Derek whispered, breaking the silence. His fingers traced along Effie's freckles, drawing a shiver from her. "What happened?"

Effie burrowed even further into Derek's arms. "I lost you." she swallowed. "I lost you and Dad said I couldn't go to Mexico to find you and the tracker spell was really strong and I was being pulled in so many different directions that my Spark and fox just became one." she looked up at Derek. "I don't know if it was to make things easier for me, or if it was just the natural progression of whatever I am. Deaton has never heard of this actually happening and he's called all the contacts he can to figure it out."

"Are you okay?" Derek asked. "I mean, is it going to hurt you?"

Effie shook her head. "No. The actual blending of the two was painful, really painful, but I feel better now. More balanced."

Derek shifted to get a better look at her. "Something's still bothering you." he brushed her hair back. "Effie, talk to me. What is it?"

Effie took a minute before answering. She hadn't yet put her worries into words and wasn't sure how.

"Deaton can't find a single record of something like this happening before." she started. "He's been researching since it happened, but there isn't anything. By all accounts, it shouldn't have happened. What happened to me shouldn't be possible."

"Hey, calm down." Derek sat them up, putting Effie's hand on his chest. He slowed his own breathing, forcing her to follow it. "Breathe, Ef."

Effie fought against her panic and tried to listen to Derek's words. But now that she'd put her fear into words, or at least part of it, the panic she'd been fighting was rushing to the surface. And she couldn't stop it.

Derek cursed as he watched Effie slip completely into her panic attack. Cold sweat beaded along her forehead and her skin paled whiter than death. He could almost feel the pain flaring in her chest and the nausea flooding her stomach.

Trying to think of what would help fastest, Derek decided on something he wasn't sure would work, but he couldn't do nothing.

"Effie." Derek lifted her chin so they were looking at each other. "Focus on me. Just me. Nothing else." He waited until she was as focused as she would get then shifted his eyes and let out the lowest growl he could manage. It was more of a comforting sound then really threatening. And it seemed to be doing the trick. Effie's own eyes shifted, lilac glowing bright and she gave her own whimper in response. Derek tugged her close, tucking her under his chin and repeating his growl several times, getting a whimper or what sounded like a purr in return each time.

It took time, Derek didn't know how much, but Effie finally calmed down and all but melted against him.

"Seemed like that was building for a while." Derek commented.

Effie huffed a laugh. "You could say that." she sighed. "People are already drawn to a True Alpha being in town. How many more are going to come for the druidfox?"

Derek kissed her forehead. "It doesn't matter how many come, we'll stop them all."

"But your eyes-"

"-will be fine while we figure you out." Derek stopped her. "True, we don't know what Kate did, or what she's planning, but we've taken on two problems at once before. More than two, if I remember correctly. So trust me, we'll protect you and figure out Kate's plan, just like we always have."

Effie nodded and managed a small smile. "Okay, I trust you." she leaned up and kissed him softly. "I love you. And I'm glad you're home."

"So am I." Derek laid them down carefully, keeping Effie close. "And I love you, too."

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So the symptoms of Effie's panic attack are what I go through when I have mine. They are in no way fun and having had one recently, well it was pretty fresh and easy to write. Some of the mystery behind Effie will come out during the rest of the season, but don't look for any big answers until the in between story after the season is done. For now, let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading!

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