Chapter 4: Friendly Fire

Scott groans as he slowly starts to wake up. He feels dizzy and worn-out. But he is surprised to be feeling warm and covered. He opens his eyes, hoping it was all a dream and he is sleeping in his bed.

But unfortunately he finds himself lying in a sleeping bag in a tent. He slowly gets up and looks around in confusion. He finds Jackson lying next to him, still asleep. The memories of what happened come back as he checks to see if Jackson is breathing. He sighs in relief when he hears a soft snore coming from his friend.

He softly gets up and quietly moves out of the tent, careful as not to wake Jackson. Outside of the tent, he finds a small fire and Danny sitting on a log warming his hands to it, covered with a sleeping bag.

'Hey, look who's awake.' Danny smiles at him.

'You look like you're feeling better.' Scott replies.

'I guess so. How do you feel?' Danny asks as Scott comes to sit beside him.

'I'm okay.' He replies, not looking Danny in the eye. Danny raises his eyebrows. 'What? I am.'

Danny sighs. 'How's Jackson?'

'He's sleeping. Did he wake up before?' Danny shakes his head.

'No, neither of you did. I have to say, I've never been so scared. I mean Stiles and I heard you screaming, so he ran off and ordered me to stay here and…'

'Wait, Stiles ordered you?' Scott interjects.

'Yeah, I know. I was just as shocked. Anyway, all I could do was sit and wait for him to come back. It seemed to take forever, until I finally saw him. I was hoping you guys would follow. So to see him carrying both of you, completely out cold and soaked to the bone…' He shudders at the memory. 'You looked so pale.. I was really scared…' Scott doesn't respond. Danny looks at him and sees he is deep in thought. 'Scott?'

Scott snaps out of it after hearing his name.

'Huh?' He sees Danny watching him with concerned eyes. 'Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about what you said. You're saying Stilles saved both of us?' Danny just nods.

'Yeah, I'm guessing he jumped in after you, since he was soaked as well. His eyes were all wide, but I've never seen him look so determined, you know. It was weird. Then I helped him put dry clothes on you guys and..'

'Whoa, back up. You undressed us?' Scott asks wide-eyed.

'Well, we had to. You couldn't stay in wet clothes or would you like to get pneumonia?'

'No, of course not. It's just, weird, I guess..'

'What's so weird about it? We always showered together after lacrosse practice.'

'Well, yeah, but we were conscious those times.'

'Whatever Scott, my point is, you're alive and warm now. All thanks to Stiles.' Scott grows quiet again.

'Yeah. I still can't believe it was Stiles. I mean I know he's a good swimmer and all, but it's still Stiles we're talking about here.' He chuckles a little.

'Why are you selling him short?'

'Because he is short.' Scott states, trying to make a joke. Danny doesn't laugh. 'Come on, it's Stiles, Stilinski. He runs into walls voluntarily and he takes way too much aderal.'

'He didn't take aderal when he saved your lives.' Danny tells him.

'I know, all right. I know he saved our lives and I am forever grateful. But you have to admit, he's not the first person you would think of calling when you need help.'

'He's a certified scuba rescue diver! In this case he is the only person I would call!' Danny shouts, getting angry and getting up from the log.

'But in any other case?' Scott asks him. Dannt doesn't respond, he just sighs. 'Face it, Danny. You wouldn't, because in our group, you are the smart one, I am the responsible leader, Jackson is the pretty one and Stiles is, well, the crazy one.'

'Wait, you're the responsible leader?' Danny asks with a laugh. 'You're kidding right? If you are so responsible, why did you need to be rescued in the first place? How did you fall into that river, Scott?'

'That's not the point!'

'Actually, it is. If you were such a good leader, we wouldn't even be here right now. Maybe if you had been a leader, we wouldn't be fighting all the time. As a leader you're supposed to keep this group together and pay attention to everyone. You wouldn't be doubting the maturity of the one person who saved your life!' Danny yells.

'Excuse me for doubting the person who manages to run into a wall, eat 20 corndogs before getting sick and then tripping over his own two feet, resulting in knocking over all the paint at Derek's house when we were remodling it! All in one day! I'm sorry to say this, but how can I not doubt his maturity or intelligence for that matter!' Danny is no longer looking at Scott now, rather than at something or someone behind him. Scott turns around and instantly regrets all of his words, when he sees Stiles standing there, with obvious pain in his eyes.

'I just came to get my bag.' He says in an almost whisper, with the bag in his hands.

'Stiles, I…' Scott starts.

'No, Scott. You're right. I'm not mature or smart. I wouldn't call me either when I need help.'

'I didn't mean that… I..' Scott tries again.

'Save it. I'm going back to bed. Goodnight Danny.' Stiles quietly adds, hurt evident in his voice, purposely not saying goodnight to Scott. Then he turns around and gets back into the other tent.

Scott sighs. 'Thanks for saving my life…' He quietly adds. Then he turns around, coming face to face with a very angry looking Danny. 'What?'

Danny shakes his head. 'A good and responsible leader is what you said, right? Wow, Scott. A few weeks ago, I would have agreed with you. But lately you're nothing but a selfish jerk. Great job, leader.' Danny spats out the last word, before heading to the same tent Stiles disappeared into.

Scott doesn't follow. He just sighs in frustration and heads to the other tent.

This was going to be a long trip…