Chapter Four:
"Okay, so… Imagine you've got this big exam coming up and everything to do with your future depends on this one exam going well. And things are going really well with it, you've reviewed your notes, clip noted the important factors involved in the exam, organised such notes in order, yet you've still got that deep nagging feeling practically imprinted on your brain. What do you do?"
"I'm going to take a wild guess and say that this isn't an exam," Deaton closed the folder and pushed it to the side, giving Alexis his full attention, "You rarely get this fidgety over an exam."
Alexis paused, chewing on her bottom lip. It was already sore from being gnawed on the past couple of days, "So this big event you told me after the dance. Now isn't going to happen because of event changes?"
"Don't change the subject." He gave her a certain 'spit it out' look, in his usual kind and calm way.
"It involves what I'm talking about," she sighed after defending herself, he just chuckled his response, "This big event was supposed to happen the night of the dance right? Well, things obviously didn't go that way (we're not getting into that), but here's the thing: We need the police to know who started the fire in the first place."
"Do you think that what could have happened after the dance, could have sorted a lot of problems?" he queried and she shrugged,
"I don't know, maybe?" she wrapped her arms round her middle, "I had this… this nightmare the other night… I don't remember much of it, but enough to think more into the 'what if's' of the situation…"
"The 'What if's'?" Deaton sat back in his chair with a knowing look as if he had some form of idea on what was going on. Alexis's brow arched slowly and her head bobbed in confirmation,
"Like… What if Peter didn't agree with me, or… we didn't find Derek, or even now with the police, what if they find out I've got their so-called fugitive living with me and an ex severe burn slash coma patient living with me or-" she sighed a hand running through her hair, "I don't know. My brain has just started jumbling everything together and I feel like I'm losing control."
Deaton had a soft comforting smile on his lips as he entwined his fingers together on his stomach, "I think you have complete control of the situation and you don't realise it because you're thinking far too much into every little detail. If you keep on the same track, you'll… ace this exam." He explained in his soothing voice instantly relaxing her and her shoulders sagged.
"The dinner is tonight."
"Then you need to get ready, ensure your table is booked, people are arriving a good half an hour before seating so you can stand by the bar and make small talk, mingle, and finally, ensure Derek stays home." He smiled and Alexis's head bobbed as she slipped her phone away from checking it. Her head then stopped its bobbing movements as she slowly looked to the elder with a guarded look.
"Do you…?"
"Of course not, now-" He stilled, a comforting tug on his lips as she slowly stood up, matching his movements as he guided her out, "you need to make sure everything is ready." He walked her to the front door, passing Scott sat by the computer who was completely focussed on paperwork and not some silly internet game.
"See you later Scott, good luck with solving that puzzle before the zombie horde get you." She grinned as the sound of frantic clicking could be heard before he stood up with a flushed face muttering something about Stiles. Alexis cackled as she made her way to her car.
Alexis was pacing the kitchen, Suki's head following her movements. Her dark hair fell down her shoulders in soft vintage curls and she was doing everything in her power to not touch it, instead check her appearance now and then. She was wearing a new dress, courtesy of Peter, the white V neck shift dress was fitted with a gold plate belt and tulip skirt that ended just above her knees. She wore this with a matching pair of white heels and had a clutch. A clutch which held money, keys and phone. Nothing else. Her back felt restricted. No matter what, she couldn't release her wings since the dress wasn't backless. Not like she would need to anyway, but it was something she made part of her life. Her wings were a part of her after all.
She continued to pace, pausing briefly to look at the time before beginning again. Suki looked away to notice Derek watching and the pup got up and made her way over to him. Derek automatically pet her, stroking the soft fur on her head and neck, scratching in the right spot that relaxed her. Eventually Suki nudged him and he stood up, walking away before she jumped on the sofa and curled up.
"I think you've made a hole in the floor from your pacing." He stated and she paused,
"Huh?" Alexis gave his a perplexed look before she regarded the floor. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she shook her head, hand on forehead, "oh, right, sorry."
He had a small smile on his lips as he leaned on the counter, crossing his arms. Seeing her stood there in front of him, hand on forehead the other on her hip, in her new dress, he couldn't help but admire her. She wasn't the best of hiding her emotions, she struggled to lie to people she loved yet she still managed to jump those hurdles and come out stronger and with that soft smile on her face. He admired that plus more about her. Even when they were teenagers.
"Tonight will be fine." He said and she turned her gaze to him, her hand dropping from forehead as she walked into his offered arms. Their foreheads touched and he felt the way her muscles instantly relaxed. He won't lie when asked, but he knows this happens almost every time he holds her, but she was the same for him. Just by being in her presence he felt like he was happier and when he held her? He felt content.
"I know, but…" she sighed and pecked his lips before pulling away, her hands on his shoulders, his on her hips, "I just wish you could be there, just to hold my hand through it."
"Soon." He smiled and stood away from the counter to press his lips to hers. She sighed into the kiss, her arms wrapping around his neck, one snaking its way into the back of his hair as she deepened his kiss pulling him in. Of course he obliged, loving the feel of her body pressed against his own. He wasn't sure how long they were kissing for, but he was about to lift her on the counter when the sound of a familiar engine turning into her drive reached his ears. He slowed the kiss, hands caressing her face as he gave her a final peck before pulling away. She felt flushed in the face, her heart beating rapidly. Her hand landed on her chest before she noticed the lights outside and her eyes widened as she turned to the nearest reflection to smooth her hair, dress and re-apply her tinted red lip gloss. She then turned to Derek, hand on his jaw before she gently wiped the slight red tint off his lips with her soft smile and as there was a knock on the door she pulled him in for a quick final peck before dashing to the door.
"Hey Mum! Oh wow, that…"
"That's his car, I know," Melissa replied, "you look beautiful."
"And you are one foxy lady," Alexis grinned and before she closed the door she left Derek with a warm smile, her eyes thanking him for the distraction. Derek moved, careful to not be seen through the windows as Peter opened a door for Alexis with Scott and Allison in the back. He tried to look out to see if she had a chain around her neck but he couldn't see too well as the car then started to pull away…
It was hard for her to not just chug her glass of wine. Nervous drinking wasn't never a good thing in her books, but right now she understood the beauty of it. The Sheriff and Stiles were late. She knew this to be a normal thing with the Stilinksi's but this time however? It stressed her out to no end.
Peter gave her a comforting smile from his spot next to Melissa as the group made small talk. Scott and Allison with their studies and the next lacrosse game. Allison was wearing a scarf, decorative one admittedly, but Alexis couldn't help but feel like Allison knew. The little future huntress knew what was going on and she was just playing with Alexis. Paranoid? Oh yeah.
"So when did you decide you wanted to train to be our school nurse?" Allison asked and Alexis responded with her automatic response: A soft smile.
"Well, ever since I was young I wanted to protect and help people. I get I can't just heal people with magic, but there are many ways to go around it," she started and shared a look with Scott before facing Melissa, "Mum's job, though stressful at times, always inspired me. How she would always leave and return with a vibrant smile on her face. Still make time for Scott and myself and in general? How she does so brilliantly at her job and being a mum. So you can say she unintentionally gave me that push." She had noticed the way that Melissa was just grinning proudly, and even the slight well in her eyes but Melissa was strong enough to hide it. Alexis chuckled before facing Allison with a smile. She noticed the way Allison's hand was in Scott's.
"Would you like to stay the School nurse or move up in the world?"
"Oh I don't know, I got my place in the school because I wanted to stay near Scott and Stiles really. I suppose you can call me sad, but I really do like to stay near family. Family-" she paused and smiled at her wine, "Family are important to me."
"That's a very admiring trait to have and one I have to say I completely agree with," Peter then spoke up and Alexis smiled brightly in his direction, "after all, family is all we have in the end and the need to protect them is always strong and I certainly know that's how a certain young lady feels for her family." he grinned as he nudged Melissa who flushed and fumbled with her words slightly,
"Oh come on, young..." she had this vibrant smile on her features and Alexis could feel both hers and Scott's hearts swell at the sight in front. She was happy, "I work hard to ensure my family are safe and happy."
"Which again is a trait I strongly admire." he returned her smile and Alexis had to refrain from biting her bottom lip in attempted to hide the grin on her face. It was sore from her nervous gnawing...
Her eyes flickered to the car park and saw a very familiar sight of the Sheriff's patrol vehicle. She handed Scott her wine and went to the bar to order a soda and beer (the kind she Knew the Sheriff enjoyed) before greeting them at the door.
Of course after giving them their drinks, she as pulled into a hug from the Sheriff and she savoured it. After all, she considered him her father figure. She felt a hand at the ends of her hair and she sighed, a content smile on her features. He smelt the same as always, the aftershave she got him every year for 'fathers day' and a naughty take away much to Stiles dismay, but he always agreed to it.
"Thank you for coming." she said after pulling back and pulled Stiles in a one-armed hug, resting her head against his, for once being taller than the lanky teen.
"Yeah, sorry we're late, a bit of trouble at the fort as always." The Sheriff explained and she shrugged it off, more than happy he was there. Then the introductions happened between Papa Stilinski and Peter and after a chat, they seemed to hit it off. Of course Alexis went between groups of adults and kids joining in on conversations, even at the dinner table. Though there were conversations where everyone was involved and she had to laugh, enjoying the night, forgetting the reason for it. Yes she wish Derek was there, but Stiles was next to her, arm round her shoulder making her feel that bit more secure, understanding she was missing him.
Admittedly, there were times Alexis would feel like she was being watched, but she shook it off. This was probably the first night in a very long time her and her family were out and having a a good time, it felt so natural and right. Something she wanted to do more, money or not, just have everyone together. Peter was fantastic with her mother, papa Stilinski and the boys and equally charming to Allison who was opening up a little bit more tonight with the adults. At some point, Alexis and Stiles had gotten into a serious debate about video games causing the table pause and listen in for a second before they realised they had no idea what the two were debating about. Eventually Alexis shrugged it off, refusing to accept defeat.
Even during dessert, everything seemed to be going more than fine, but that nagging feeling was now shivering up her spine and she shared a look with Peter whose head bobbed and he excused himself from the table and when outside. Her brows furrowed before she joined in on a convo about staff hours at the hospital.
Then it was time to go. Alexis shared a hug with Papa Stilinski and Stiles. Papa Stilinski shook hands with Scott and Peter, hugged Melissa and when Stiles was hugging Allison. Alexis had to grin, was this their first hug? The smile Allison was giving Scott indicated so. Being the klutz he is, he dropped his phone and both Allison and Stiles bent down to grab it, knocking heads together and Alexis had to cover her mouth in attempts to stop the laughter. It didn't work.
"Allison, may if I have a look at your necklace?" Papa Stilinski asked after the laughter died down and as if being snapped back to reality, Alexis remembered what tonight was about. She felt her brows knot together tightly, her eyes averting to Peter in concern. This didn't go unnoticed by Scott and she felt the anger bubble up from him.
"Of course, my Aunt Kate gave it to me for my birthday." she smiled and lifted it, not taking it off for the Sheriff to see. He seemed to pause for a few minutes before she noticed the way his shoulders seem to sag in defeat, a hand running through his hair and Alexis felt her stomach drop with guilt.
"I'm sorry but... Allison I need you to come with me." he began and Scott took a step forward offering to accompany her and Papa Stillinski accepted this. Alexis had to look at her feet when she felt both Stiles's confused and Scott's angry gazes at her.
"Sheriff, we've all had a lovely evening, can't it wait till tomorrow?" Peter offered and the Sheriff paused before shaking his head,
"I wish it could," he sighed before pulling Alexis in another hug, "I'm sorry for ruining the evening."
"Of course not, you can never ruin an evening Papa S," she gave him a warm smile, but she could feel it wouldn't reach her eyes like normal. The guilt bubbled away and she felt her hand land on her stomach in attempts to sooth herself, but it did nothing. She felt guilty, she felt the Sheriff's guilt. She felt this strong need to try and talk to Scott, explain herself maybe, but knew better of it, "I'll change and be at the Station soon to drop them home." she smiled softly,
"Don't worry about it..." Scott almost growled, emotions getting the better of him and Alexis had to avert her eyes, "We'll sort ourselves out."
"Scott's right, I'll drive." Peter placed a hand on her shoulder and she felt his calm slowly wash over her.
"O-Oh kay."
Alexis hadn't slept at all the night before. Even with Derek rubbing her back in the comforting way he did, or a camomile tea, she found it incredibly hard to relax. At some point, she feigned sleep just so Derek could fall asleep and that took a lot, considering he could hear her heartbeat.
As soon as Peter had arrived home at a late hour, Alexis managed to sneak away from the sleeping Derek. Peter had automatically switched the kettle on and got two mugs out before pulling a hesitant Alexis into warming hug. Alexis melted into his hold, burying her head in his collarbone.
"He may be angry for now, but he'll be over it, the main thing is that Kate is now officially a suspect." he explained and Alexis pulled back,
"Are they doing anything else about it tonight?" he voice small, quiet almost as if afraid to wake Derek up.
"No. The sheriff was able to agree to a nights sleep before the questioning and bringing all the evidence in," he said and Alexis tensed as a thought struck her, "what is it?"
"What if Allison has gone and told Kate?"
"She won't do. She's staying at Scott's tonight, she phoned Lydia and asked for a favour," his serene charismatic voice just relaxed Alexis as he eased her mind. She slowly nodded, though concerned for Scott, "Just relax, it's the weekend."
"I know, but I can't help it." Peter had tighten his hold around her as he rested his head in her hair.
"I know." he sighed and they remained like that for a minute before they parted and stood side by side and made their teas in silent. Peter even pulled out another mug before they finished. Alexis found that Derek had woken up and made his way out. She smiled, though guilty she felt happy. She had a good little family here.
They had made their way to the sofa and made small talk whilst they enjoyed a cup of herbal tea, Derek wasn't the most awake to start with, but woke up as soon as Alexis asked about dinner. Turns out he snuck out to watch and make sure everything was going alright. Peter had been able to sense it most of the night, but didn't realise Alexis knew till she shared that look with him at the table.
He was very sheepish, but stubborn in case he was needed. Alexis had finished her tea at that point and had her cup next to Derek's. So she was more than free to elbow him in the torso, which of course did nothing, but he wrapped his arms tighter around her to she couldn't move or attempt to hurt him.
"Peter help! He's being a bully!" she pouted but Peter had thrown his arms in the air before walking to bed say goodnight, Suki following him. Alexis had to pout at this, pausing her struggles, "Oh my days really? You're leaving me to defend myself?"
"Looks like it," Derek muttered from behind before jumping up with Alexis in his arms, "It's 4 am."
Alexis could see his bloodshot eyes before sighing and snuggling into his hold, "Okay, too bed!" she pointed in the direction to the bedroom, Derek sighing, shaking his head but he didn't let go of her. She couldn't help but feel like he was about to drop her and walk off. On the sofa of course, he's not that much of a jerk face.
Here it is!
So what do you thinks going to happen next? Kate being brought in for questioning. Will Alexis need to be in? Will this cause problems? Is Derek a big jerkface or a cutie pie? :)
Let me know. You got any ideas? Say!
Love y'all!
Lennatha
