It's 5am. I re-wrote the last 2000 words or so twice tonight. They got deleted the first time and I couldn't recover the file. So please excuse any mistakes you find. Better late than never. Enjoy! TW: Character Death.


Melissa is just returning from her shift when Stiles drops Scott off. They bump into each other in the driveway and Stiles can tell Melissa has to physically stop herself from running over to him. He thinks he likes her that much more for it. He wonders how big a role she played in his life, and given the massive amount of time he and Scott supposedly spent together, he thinks maybe she was like a second mother to him, something that is not hard to imagine at all.

After she restrains herself, Melissa gives Scott a kiss and asks Stiles to stay over for dinner. She mentions she's making lasagna, and Stiles swears he sees her face fall a little when it doesn't get a reaction out of him. She goes into the house and Scott explains to him that he used to say Melissa made the world's best lasagna.

Stiles is nothing if not curious and so he decides to stay.

Isaac shows up fifteen minutes later. He can barely contain the grin on his face and Stiles wonders if this is typical Isaac behavior. Scott seems to be as puzzled about it as he is, so he guesses it's not.

His dad is there about an hour later, and the way he seems to know his way so well around the kitchen, Stiles knows this is the not the first time they've done this. Or the second. He wishes he can remember, but then his dad bumps his head into the cupboard - he really is his father's son - and Scott snickers as he chops some carrots on the island next to Stiles and Melissa laughs as she presses some frozen peas to his dad's head and Stiles can't help the smile that takes over his face. These people are his family. He doesn't remember it, but he knows it, and he sure as hell wants to be around them as long as possible.

He wishes Lydia was here. It doesn't make sense but that doesn't make it any less true.

The smile on his face turns into a stupid grin as he remembers the glint in her eyes when he held her hand at the diner and the blush on her face when she kissed him goodbye. He's thinking of red hair and green eyes and freckles when he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. He's still smiling when he reads the text.

You forgot your jacket. I think you should claim this one back, otherwise I'm gonna keep it too.

Right. The jacket he gave her when they were by Derek's house in the woods. She got cold and he happened to have it in his car. His heart speeds up and his grin widens because it's as if she heard him thinking about her.

I was just thinking about you. I kinda miss you.

Shit shit shit shit. Did he really just send her that? He's barely known this girl for a week. He knows she likes him, she's made it clear, but that doesn't mean it won't probably freak her out.

He can hear everyone still laughing around him and he steps out of the kitchen for a second. His phone buzzes a minute later and it feels like the longest sixty seconds of his life.

Where are you?

His heart drops. He shouldn't have sent her that text. What was he thinking?

Dinner at Scott's.

He sends the message then quickly types up another one.

Please ignore my first text. It was a spur of the moment thing and I didn't really think it through.

He presses the send button just as he receives a reply from her and he knows she sent it before she read his last reply.

I wish I was there. I miss you too.

He stares at the message unsure of what to do. Shit. How did he manage to put his foot in his mouth over fifty times in less than three minutes? He's contemplating banging his head against the wall when his phone vibrates again. He looks at the screen to see Lydia calling.

His eyes widen and he lets out an inhuman noise as he holds the phone as away from him as possible.

Why is she calling?!

He takes a deep breath and tries to calm his nerves. He can't find out unless he answers. So he does.

"Hello." He tries to go for calm and contained but he's pretty sure the squeak he lets out isn't associated with any of these words.

"Hi." Her voice sounds tiny and he can't explain the effect it has on him. He somehow misses her even more.

"Hi," he says again. Is there a hole nearby where he can bury himself?

"Hi," she repeats and the nervousness in her voice somehow calms him down.

"You said that already," he manages to let out and they both chuckle. He's standing by the window fiddling with the curtains.

"Sorry," she lets out. They're both quiet for a second yet somehow it doesn't feel uncomfortable. "Sorry for calling, I, um, just- I wanted to, um- I don't actually know why I'm calling." She sounds slightly frustrated.

Stiles doesn't know how to react to that but he doesn't have time to think of a response because she finally powers through.

"Wait, I do know why I'm calling. I don't want to ignore your first text."

Stiles can't help the sigh of relief that escapes him. "Good, cause I don't want you to ignore it either."

"Good," she says on the other line and he can hear the smile in her voice.

He's startled out of his trance by the sound of footsteps behind him and he turns to see Scott standing there.

"Sorry, I was just checking up on you."

"I'm fine," Stiles says failing to hide his smile. "I'll be there in a sec."

"Say hi to Lydia for me," Scott says before turning around and walking back into the kitchen and Stiles stands there opening and closing his mouth like a fish a few times.

Lydia seems to have heard all that and she knows exactly what he's thinking.

"Don't try to understand how he knows. He just always knows," she explains.

Stiles chuckles. He can imagine Lydia rolling her eyes at Scott.

"I kinda wish you were here, too," he says. He nearly tears the stupid curtains apart.

"Only kinda?"

Stiles chuckles again but he doesn't say anything.

"Do you, um, do you wanna do something tomorrow?" She asks timidly. "It doesn't have to be just us. We can try to recreate another one of those memories you want to learn about."

"Definitely," Stiles replies smiling. If there's anything he knows he wants, it's to be with Lydia every moment he can.

"Great. I'll plan something." Her voice sounds relieved. "Will you call me tomorrow when you're up?"

"Are you sure you want that? I tend to wake up pretty early."

"I'm sure," she insists and Stiles hears the curtain make a small tearing sound under his fingers. His eyes widen and he tries to hide the small tear in the folds before he steps away from the sensitive fabric. He looks around and steps a little further back when he's sure no one's here to witness his crime. "I'll let you go back to your dinner. If Melissa's making lasagna tell her to save me a piece." Now he definitely wants to try her lasagna.

"I will. I'll see you tomorrow, Lydia."

"Bye."

She hangs up before he can say anything else and it takes him a minute to stop staring at his phone. He tries to readjust his face as he walks back into the kitchen but a grin seems to have permanently taken residence there and he can't seem to do anything about it.

Scott gets off his phone just as he is walking in and maybe it's his imagination but he thinks he sees him nod at Melissa who nods back.

"And that would be the Lydia look," Isaac comments nodding his way and snapping him out of his trance.

"And that would be your 'I'm an idiot' look. No wait, that's just your face," Stiles replies, not missing a beat. He doesn't know where it comes from, but it seems like such a natural response and somehow he knows this is how they used to interact. Scott barks out a laugh and his dad tries to hide his own laugh behind a snort.

"Boys," Melissa warns when Isaac flips him the bird, but even she can barely contain her grin.


She stands in the middle of her room for a few minutes with the biggest smile on her face. Did that really just happen?

She'd been sitting in her room only a few minutes ago trying so hard to convince herself not to cave in and text him, but she couldn't stop thinking about him. So she found an excuse to do it and before she knew it she had hit the send button. One harmless little message won't hurt anyone.

His reply caught her so off guard, she didn't really know what she sent back. Then came that text telling her to ignore what he'd sent and she couldn't stop herself from calling because was he kidding? He couldn't say something like that and then expect her to let it go.

She contemplated banging her head against the wall because why was she even calling but he answered before she had a chance to hang up and the sound of his voice washed over her like a tidal wave of relief. How it took her so long to realize just how much she cared about him, she'll never understand. She likes to think of herself as smart but she knows when it comes to Stiles she's all kinds of stupid.

Their conversation was awkward and brief and just about the best phone call she's had in her entire life.

She hears the sound of an engine outside on the street and she snaps out of her Stiles-induced daze. She needs to stop thinking about him. This is getting ridiculous and borderline crazy. But it's not like she has anything to occupy her mind with. Her mom's left on another of her business trips last night, and by business trips she means a ten-day-vacation at boyfriend number four's beach house. She doesn't even remember the last time her dad was here.

Thoughts of her parents are enough to sober her out of her dreamlike state and almost drag her down into one of self-pity. But she won't let them. She's been on her own way too long to let it get to her now. She resigns herself to a night in and is about to change into some sweats when she hears the door unlock.

"Lyds?" She hears Allison's muffled voice through her bedroom door. What is she doing here?

The key was Stiles' idea. Before his accident. When they officially accepted themselves as a bonafide pack, he thought they should all make copies of their house keys, that way, in case of emergencies, they all have safe places to fall back on. The parents were more than okay with this as long as boundaries were maintained.

"Allison?" Lydia asks opening her bedroom door to see Allison at the bottom of the stairs. "Not that I'm not ecstatic, but what are you doing here?"

"Scott called. It's lasagna night." Allison is looking at her like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Grab a jacket, come on."

"But..."

"But what?"

"Stiles is there."

"And that would be problematic because...?"

Normally she would flip at Allison's patronizing tone, but her stomach's doing weird things and the thought of seeing Stiles is making her feel dizzy.

"I guess it's not," she answers instead.

"I'll be in the car," Allison says before heading for the door. "And I'm not even going to ask how you know Stiles is there," she shouts on her way out and Lydia blushes despite herself.

She grabs his jacket off her bed and follows Allison to her car. Anything beats staying home alone.


Stiles is staring at the table wondering why there are so many plates set up when he hears someone open the door.

"Hellooo."

He recognizes Allison's voice. His heart starts hammering in his chest because somehow he knows without seeing her that she's with Allison. He looks at Scott for a moment is not surprised to find a sly smile on his face and in that moment he remembers exactly why he loves his best friend so much.

"In here!" Scott yells back and suddenly Stiles feels as nervous as can be which is ridiculous because he was with Lydia barely 2 hours ago. Why would it be any different now? Probably because in between then and now they had a very awkward and revealing exchange. But that should make things better for them, right?

Still, no matter how much he tells himself that, he can't stop fidgeting and suddenly he doesn't know what to do with his hands and Jesus, why do people need hands anyway?

He's in between stuffing one hand in his pocket and leaning on a chair with the other when Allison walks in with Lydia in tow and suddenly he can't contain the smile on his face. Lydia's here. And she looks like the most beautiful thing ever in clothes too big - his jacket - and that wide smile and blush on her cheeks. He can't stop staring at her and it doesn't help that she doesn't seem to want to look anywhere other than at him.

Thirty seconds into their staring contest Allison clears her throat. They both look away in time to see her pull Scott by his hand and outside the room. "I think I heard your mom calling," Stiles hears her say and he smiles to himself because seriously, his friends are the best ever.

He looks over at Lydia who seems to find Allison's not-so-subtle attempt at giving them a few moments alone just as amusing.

"Hi," Stiles says when Lydia catches his eye. He feels that same overwhelming pride when she chuckles.

"Hi," she replies. "I hope you don't mind that we're here because we were together just a few hours ago but Melissa's lasagna is kind of a big deal..."

"No, no, not at all," Stiles is fast to reply. "I'm actually really glad you're here." He doesn't feel as nervous about admitting it anymore. "I did mean it when I said I wished you were here."

Lydia smiles and her cheeks burn darker as she approaches him. "Wish granted," she whispers before linking her fingers with his.

They stand there staring at each other for a few moments and Stiles thinks about leaning in and stealing a kiss but they're interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming and are quick to let go. They're comfortable acting however they want when it's just Allison and Scott, but with the parental units around, it's better to keep things quiet until they themselves figure out what they are.

"Dinner's up," Isaac announces barging into the room with what looks like the most delicious lasagna Stiles has ever seen. He's torn between laughing at Isaac's powder blue apron - complete with white lace - and drooling at the delicious smell of cheese and herbs.

"Hi sweetie," Melissa says smiling as she approaches Lydia and Stiles's attention is momentarily claimed by the two of them. Melissa envelops Lydia in a hug and Stiles wonders at how this tiny woman can hold so much motherly affection in her.

His dad is quick to follow and he leads Lydia a bit farther away from everyone. "I hear they're gone again. You know, despite everything you can still come to ours if you want."

He notices Allison following them too and Stiles has to strain his ears to hear what she says. She's spending the night at Lydia's is what he manages to understand but even then he can't make much sense of it. Why would his father know/care if Allison's staying over at Lydia's? Still, it tugs at his heart a little when he hears Lydia whisper a thank you. His dad smiles sadly as he kisses her head.

Stiles might not remember much but he knows his dad well enough to know that he only acts this way around family. Suddenly, seeing the way Allison and Lydia hang on either side of his dad, he understands more than ever the importance of his pack. He still has the distinct feeling that he's missing something, but it can wait.

"Chris and Derek not coming?" Melissa asks frowning a little as everyone settles into place.

"Derek said to start without him, he'll drop by later, and dad thought it a good time to pay Gerard a visit," Allison replies.

Stiles stands still, momentarily trying to figure out where to sit. He's wondering if he should just slide down into the nearest seat when he notices Scott nodding towards the chair facing his. Across from Scott and next to Lydia. Of course that would be where he used to sit.

Melissa sends a plate with a large piece of lasagna his way and he digs in. He wants to cry because how could anyone forget the taste of something so delicious.

His leg brushes Lydia's every once in a while and Isaac has a nasty habit of talking with his mouth full. Stiles thinks he might want to do this every night now.


They're still seated at the table eating desert - which translates to Lydia and Stiles sharing Reese's - when they hear the door unlock. Everyone stops what they're doing for a second before they all seem to simultaneously remember it's probably Derek. Lydia wants to laugh at the level of paranoia they have all collectively reached but she thinks back on it when she remembers their track record.

She hears footsteps and waits for Derek to walk in. Instead, she is treated to straight long hair, combat boots and a sneaky smile.

Cora.

Lydia is the first to admit she did not really like Cora when she first met her. No one can blame her really, the girl showed up out of nowhere to remind them of their shortcomings as a pack over and over again. It did not help that she seemed to get on particularly well with Stiles, so much so that for a time Lydia believed they were hooking up. She's still not sure they weren't. But then she got to know Cora. She saw Cora react to Boyd's death. She saw Cora jump in at the opportunity to help. She saw Cora come back to town because Lydia screamed. And she liked Cora.

Which is why she can't stop herself from jumping off her chair and running to engulf the girl into a big hug. She doesn't care that Cora is a person that doesn't like to be touched a lot, or that she herself has a reputation to uphold. She missed Cora.

She feels Allison join them a second later and Cora laugh despite herself as the three girls have a hard time finding their balance.

"Alright, alright, I missed you guys too," Cora gets out as she chuckles.

Lydia and Allison back off but Scott is there to scoop Cora into another hug. He lifts her off the ground and she lets out such a high pitched shriek Lydia has to blink twice to make sure the feminine sound came out of Cora.

Lydia backs away a little to allow others room too. She looks over at Stiles. He's standing up but hasn't moved away from his seat as he watches the scene unfold in front of him. His eyes move to Lydia, a little scared but mostly unsure, and Lydia knows what he's asking.

It's okay, she mouthes and Stiles starts walking her way. He automatically links his fingers with hers when he's next to her. She squeezes his hand before he lets go just as Cora catches sight of him. Her eyes go wide for a second and she suddenly looks more nervous than Lydia has ever seen her.

Stiles takes a step forward and Lydia almost allows herself to feel the ache of seeing Stiles step away from her. She's trying really hard not to think about what he and Cora may or may not have had.

"Hi," Cora says nervously. She wipes her hands on her dark jeans.

"Hi," Stiles replies and Lydia doesn't have to look at him to know he's smiling. She can hear it in his voice and it makes her happy and sad all at the same time.

"I'm-" Cora starts to say.

"Cora, I know," Stiles interrupts. "You're in a lot of pictures," he continues trying to explain.

"Oh," Cora laughs nervously.

They're quiet for a second and Lydia notices Derek standing by the door watching the exchange with the rest of them.

"I'm sorry, this is so weird, I haven't met people with memory loss before," Cora lets out suddenly and Lydia can feel everyone stop breathing for a second.

Stiles chuckles and everyone lets out a collective breath.

"I wanna tell you I missed you but that's weird because you don't remember me and that might freak you out. Does it freak you out?" The honesty in Cora's voice is almost heartbreaking and Lydia has never envied Cora more because here she was, five seconds in, and already she's told Stiles everything Lydia has been thinking for the past weeks.

"It's kinda weird," Stiles admits and Cora's smile falters for a second. "But it's okay, I have a feeling I would've missed you too if I remembered you."

The smile is back on Cora's face and Stiles' own smile is growing.

Lydia may have spoken too soon when she said that was the most she'd envied her.


After about an hour sitting in the vicinity of Cora, Stiles decides he really likes her.

At one point, he remembers Lydia telling him how there was maybe something going on between him a the younger Hale, but somehow, despite not remembering, he knows it's not true. Don't get him wrong, Cora's a knockout. She could even pass for Lara Croft if she just braids her hair. And from the little he's spent with her, he knows she's funny and genuine, and to top it off, she seems to know exactly what to say to put Isaac back in his place. But she's no Lydia. And besides, Stiles has always liked Mary Jane better.

They're all gathered in the living room now, Cora telling them about her time away from Beacon Hills. She doesn't know if she's staying permanently this time, but she's not leaving anytime soon anyway. Stiles doesn't miss the hopeful look on Isaac's face and he wonders for a second how everyone seems to think Allison and Isaac have a thing going when it's so clear Cora is the only thing on Isaac's mind. He knows it's probably cause he's Allison's emotional tether or whatever but Deaton is Scott's connection to this world and they're not exactly having the romance of the century, are they?

He feels Lydia shift on the couch beside him and it pulls him out of his thoughts. He turns to look at her but she doesn't return the favor. Instead, her eyes stay focused on Cora. There's a small smile on her lips, but Stiles doesn't miss the pain that flashes in her eyes for a second. He wants to put his arm around her, but they're not there yet. When he did it the last time, it was hesitant and awkward and he could blame it on the fact that they were sleepy and hopped up on sugar. But now the whole pack is here - Chris made it back to the McCall's place a few minutes ago - and he really doesn't want to be subjected to questions he doesn't have the answers to. He likes Lydia, yes, and he has a constant need to be around her, but he doesn't know anything beyond that.

He settles on moving closer to her instead and he feels her relax slightly when their arms touch. He relaxes as well, loving how easily they can take strength in each other.

Cora's just agreed to spend the night with the girls when he feels Lydia flinch beside him. He turns to look at her and is met with wide frightened eyes. Her lower lip is quivering and she's got a blank look in her eyes.

"Lydia?" He asks, effectively turning everyone's attention to her. He puts his hand on her arm and almost pulls it back when he feels the cold skin.

"S- Scott," Lydia stutters when her eyes meet the young alpha's. She nods slightly and Scott's eyes widen in understanding. Stiles doesn't remember ever feeling so afraid.

"Someone's dead," Scott whispers and Stiles feels a shiver run through his body. "COVER YOUR EARS!" Scott orders just as Stiles feels Lydia's body spasm next to his.

He looks at her in time to see her open her mouth wider than anyone has any reason to. He covers his ears just in time but that in no way lessens the impact of her ear splitting wail. She looks so anguished and in pain and it takes all of Stiles' willpower not to uncover his ears and take her in his arms. The blank look in her eyes is what scares him the most.

She's breathing hard when she stops screaming and Stiles catches her in time before she collapses on the ground. He feels her limbs go weak and he knows his arms are the only thing keeping her from falling.

"Lyd- Lydia? Lyds?" He mutters frantically trying to feel for a pulse as he holds her up in his arms.

Allison is by their side in a second and Stiles has never been more thankful. The calm look on her face is the only thing that keeps the growing panic he feels from taking over his whole body.

"Lydia, look at me, you're okay," Allison whispers putting her hands on either side of the girl's face and forcing her to look at her.

Stiles watches the scene in front of him with utter disbelief, his arms refusing to pull away from Lydia.

Lydia's unfocused eyes turn to Allison and Stiles feels her skin warming up slightly under his palms.

"It drains her," Allison explains looking at Stiles. He nods in understanding but he doesn't really understand. All he knows is he wants Lydia to get back to normal.

Realization flashes in Lydia's eyes and she turns to look at Stiles. She squeezes his hand before linking her fingers through his. Stiles recognizes the reassuring gesture for what it is, and he almost wants to cry because even during her distress, she's still worried about how he might be feeling.

"Lyds," Scott whispers kneeling beside Allison on the floor in front of Lydia. "Can you control it yet?" He asks putting his hand on her knee.

Lydia flinches at Scott's touch but turns to look at him and shakes her hand frantically, tears making their way down her face. The blank look is gone, instead replaced with an overwhelming sadness, and Stiles feels his own eyes water.

"I gotta find it," Lydia whispers jumping off the couch suddenly. She's unsteady on her feet, and again, the only thing holding her together is Stiles.

She starts walking towards the door with Stiles by her side every step of the way.

"I guess we're going body hunting," Isaac declares taking his coat off the rack.

Stiles stops to pick up his own jacket and Allison takes Lydia to the car.

"Don't worry," Scott reassures Melissa. He wipes a few tears off her face and Stiles feels another burst of affection for this woman. "We're just going to find it and come home," he adds before turning to look at the sheriff. "We'll let you know when to come," Scott adds and Stiles knows this is not the first time something like this has happened.

Sheriff Stilinski nods and then turns to Stiles.

"I'm not leaving her," Stiles says before he can speak.

"Be careful, son," his dad replies patting his back.

"I will," Stiles whispers before running out of the house.

Lydia's already started the engine when he jumps into the passenger seat. She's looking at him, and despite the despair in her eyes, Stiles sees gratitude also.

Scott and Allison are in the back seat. Cora and Isaac are riding with Derek right behind them. As Lydia pulls out of the driveway and onto the street, Stiles takes a moment to let it all sink in because Isaac had it right the first time: They're going body hunting.

Stiles tries to talk to Lydia while she's driving but she doesn't answer. Scott explains to him that she's in a trance and cannot actually hear him. He also learns that she's trying to learn to control her banshee powers, but she's not there yet. She can now feel an episode coming before it does, something that she wasn't able to do before, and she can sometimes take control of her body for a few seconds during the episode, but for the most part she's dead to the world.

They come to a stop about 20 minutes into the ride, in the middle of the woods. Lydia gets out of the car and the pack follow her silently.

"Please tell me she's not going to the Nemeton," Cora whispers.

"Lydia?" Scott tries again, but she's still elsewhere.

Lydia walks further into the woods until she's next to a big tree stump. She walks by it until she reaches a wooden trapdoor and opens it. She looks down into the hole and tears flash in her eyes and Stiles somehow knows that she's Lydia again.

"No," she whispers covering her mouth with her hands. "No, no, no no no, please no," she mutters frantically and Stiles reaches her in time to stop her from collapsing.

She's shaking in his arms and it's all Stiles can do to stop his own body from shivering. He pulls her back and she tries to let go but he tightens his grip on her and she only manages to turn her back to him. She stops squirming and instead rests her arms over his holding his hands with her own and crying into her own chest.

"Who is it?" Stiles asks when Scott makes his way with Derek to the trapdoor. He can see the tears that immediately spring to Scott's eyes at the sight of the victim. "Who is it?" He asks again, louder, more forceful and Lydia holds on tighter to him.

"Aiden."


This isn't real. It can't be. Aiden isn't dead. He can't be.

She's in her room. Her curtains are purple. Her bed too. There's a stuffed wolf on there. Nothing's changed. Except that Aiden is dead.

She doesn't know how long ago she saw his body laying in that dingy hole, but she's in her room now, sitting on her bed. Allison and Cora are with her. They're trying to help her out of her clothes. Apparently they want to help her shower or something.

The boys are downstairs.

Aiden is dead. No matter how many times she repeats it to herself, it doesn't seem real. She saw him just last week. They went out for coffee.

It's not like that between them. At one point, a long time ago, something could've happened. They'd even hooked up a few times, but when Aiden wanted to move on to a more serious thing, Lydia couldn't. And he knew why. She didn't even have to tell him, he figured out on his own that it was because of Stiles. They'd decided to stay friends after that, and Lydia was surprised that they really did.

But they weren't friends anymore because Aiden is dead.

Cora's trying to get her jacket off and Lydia sees Aiden's mangled body again. Only this time it's not Aiden. It's Stiles, and the blood covering his neck has stained his grey flannel, and his eyes are lifeless and unseeing.

Her eyes go wide and she can barely breathe.

"Lyds?" Cora asks kneeling in front of her.

She can't breathe.

"Lydia, what's wrong?" Cora asks and she can hear the panic in her voice.

"St- Stiles, where is he? St- Is he okay?" She manages to say. It feels like there's the sound of a thousand drums in her head.

"He's downstairs, Lyds, he's okay," Cora tries to reassure her but somehow her panting worsens.

Suddenly, Allison's next to Cora holding Lydia's face in her hands, trying to calm her down.

"Breathe, Lydia. Stiles is fine, he's just downstairs," Allison says, and she flashes a reassuring smile like she always does when she's trying to comfort someone.

Except that Lydia won't calm down because all she can see is blood staining grey plaid.

"Please, Stiles," Lydia pleads between heavy breaths, looking from Cora to Allison.

Cora disappears and five seconds later she's back with Stiles. It's five seconds too long.

"Lydia," Stiles whispers replacing Allison and holding Lydia's face in his hands.

She's so relieved to see him that she wants to cry. She might be already crying.

"Lyds, what's wrong," Stiles asks, frantic, and Lydia tries to calm her breathing down because she's worrying him and he looks so tired and so good and she can't believe she wasted 13 years ignoring him.

"Nothing," she says sniffling, "I just..." She holds one of his hands to her face. She pushes his hair back with the other. "You're okay."

"I'm okay," he repeats, tracing patterns on her cheek with his thumb on one side and playing with her hair on the other and it feels so impossibly good. She wishes he was holding her like that under different circumstances.

"I just," she tries again because she wants to justify this momentary hysteria to herself more than anyone else. "I was worried," she tries to say.

"I don't want you to worry," Stiles interrupts. "I'm right down the stairs and I'm not leaving. We're all staying here tonight."

"But, you're not, you're not ready," she mutters because this boy lost his memory and it's been less than a week since he decided to open up to them again and how can he be okay with all of this?

But he's not okay, she can see it in the lines of his face and the creases on his brow.

"I'm not leaving," he repeats leaving no room for arguments. She nods because she wants him to stay and she's always been selfish, so so selfish. "The girls are just gonna help you get cleaned up, and then you can come downstairs," he says letting go of her and she feels so cold without his touch but she doesn't say anything. He leans in and kisses her temple before backing out. "I'll see you in a bit," He whispers when he's by the door.

Lydia tries to smile but she misses him even before he disappears outside the room and down the stairs.

"Come on, Lyds, let's get you cleaned up," Cora says softly holding her hand out to Lydia.

She takes a minute to breathe before reaching up and taking Cora's hand. She gives her a hug. She doesn't care that Cora's not the most affectionate of people. Or that she might like Stiles a little more than Lydia would like. She missed her. And she's glad she's back.


"She okay?" Scott asks when Stiles makes it back into the living room.

"Not really," Stiles says sadly. "She seems pretty shaken up."

"She knew Aiden the best so that's only natural," Isaac says and Stiles senses that he's trying to reassure him in more ways than one. He likes Isaac a lot more than he likes to admit.

"Yeah," he mutters darkly and he feels horrible because the guy is dead but he's still slightly angry that he might have had something with Lydia at one point. "How's Ethan?" He asks looking to distract himself.

"They had to sedate him," Scott says. "Danny's with him now."

"You know sedatives are not gonna cut it. He's going to want revenge."

"We know that, Isaac, but on who?" Derek asks and Stiles is thankful for the distraction.

"Could it be the Darach?" Stiles asks trying to remember everything he was told earlier in the day.

Was it really only this afternoon that they were sitting in the woods by the tree? It feels like so much longer than this.

"Not possible," Derek argues joining Isaac on the couch across from where Stiles and Scott are now seated. "Jennifer was done for the last time we saw her."

"Yeah, and even if she did make it out alive, there's no way she would be strong enough by now to pull something like that off," Scott adds. "Besides, she had a flair for the dramatic, and those wounds on Aiden looked more like nothing worse than a werewolf attack."

"I can't believe a werewolf attack isn't the worst of our issues anymore," Isaac mutters darkly. "What about Deucalion?"

"He'd be an idiot to show his face here again," Derek says.

"A new creature then?" Isaac tries.

"Or an old one showing his true nature again," Stiles says in a low voice and all eyes turn on him.

"Who?" Derek asks and Stiles has a feeling they all know who he's talking about.

"Peter."

"He's too weak. Betas can almost never kill Alphas," Derek tries to argue.

"Almost," Stiles states. "But you did it. You were a Beta when you killed the Alpha. Besides, according to you guys, the twins are not worth much without each other. And you said Peter's been gaining strength lately."

"Suppose he did do it. Why?"

"Power," Stiles answers like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "He's a recovering werewolf. What's better than an Alpha status to strengthen him both mentally and physically."

"Derek, I know that you don't want to hear that your uncle's back to his old ways, but what Stiles is saying makes a lot of sense. Besides, that old hag seemed out of it more often than not," Isaac mutters.

"Isaac's right," Scott agrees. "I know we would never think of Stiles' memory loss as a good thing, but this is where we could use it to our advantage. He's the least emotionally involved which makes him the most objective."

"He IS emotionally involved, have you seen him with Lydia?"

Stiles can't help the blush that creeps up his neck.

"You know that's different, Derek," Scott says. "Stiles has always been like that with Lydia. Doesn't mean he can't see the bigger picture. You think of Peter as your uncle first, a werewolf second. Stiles sees him as the guy with the most motive."

They're all quiet for a few moments. Stiles knows Derek agrees with them, but that doesn't make it any easier.

They decide to drop the subject for now, so he and Scott go to grab some pillows and blankets from one of the spare bedrooms.

Scott explains to him that they usually sleep in the upstairs bedrooms, but when one of them is feeling under the weather, they all sleep together in the living room. Pack Pile, Scott calls it. He also shows him where they keep their stash of spare clothes at Lydia's. He changes into a t-shirt and sweats. He's happy to find he has the most spare clothes here.

He settles down on the floor next to Scott. They're both leaning on the couch where Derek and Isaac are sprawled.

There's old reruns of Lost playing on the TV, and Stiles wants to laugh because he remembers what the flight number of the plane that crashed was - Oceanic flight 815 - but he doesn't remember his best friend.

His socks have holes in them so he stuffs his feet under the blankets.

The girls come down a while later and Lydia doesn't think twice before plopping down on the floor beside him. She's dressed in another hoodie that looks like his and he wonders how many of them she has.

She shares her blanket with him and he immediately links his fingers with hers under the covers. She smiles and leans over to kiss his cheek. She looks tired and beautiful and perfect.

Cora lies on her other side and somehow Isaac's hand finds its way into her hair. She doesn't seem to mind and instead looks like she's actually enjoying it.

Stiles wonders what Derek would think about his sister and Isaac, but that one's already snoring the night away.

Allison's already asleep too, right next to Scott.

Stiles scoots down when he feels Lydia do the same. She doesn't let go of his hand but leans her head on Cora's shoulder.

Stiles feels his arm brush against Scott's and Lydia's hand in his. It doesn't take him long to fall asleep.