Chapter 8: Don't Doubt Yourself

Sliding to the floor with her back to the wall, Lydia let out a tired sigh burying her face in her hands. The others were standing off in the corner. None of them wanting to approach her.

She didn't need to look at them to know what they were thinking. She was useless and she couldn't even get them out of here, they were trapped.

A hand grabbed hers gently, squeezing it slightly. Looking up she found herself staring right into Stiles eyes. "Hey, don't give up ok. Well make it out of here" He said softly. Smiling at her.

"Didn't you here what I said. I can't do it" she croaked. Looking at their fingers laced together. "Remember what I told you once. Don't start doubting yourself now, especially when we all need you…. I need you" He whispered the last part.

"What if I'm not strong enough" She said. Looking anywhere but at his eyes. "Are you kidding me, you're the strongest person I know. If anyone can get us out of here it would be you" He said.

"You never gave up on me, even when you couldn't remember me" he said. Holding her hand tightly in his. "You would have done the same" She mumbled. Looking away embarrassed.

"Lydia, you know why" He said. Raising an eyebrow. He didn't need to tell her. She knew and she has always known. She had just been too stubborn to admit what was right in front of her.

"But you don't know why" She pointed out. Stiles had never heard her answer before he had been ripped from the car. He didn't know how she felt. He thought she only saw him as a friend, but the truth was, her feelings ran much deeper.

"your Lydia, when have you not helped your friends" He said softly. "No! you don't understand what I am trying to say" She pleaded. Grabbing his hands tightly in hers.

"I didn't realize until after you were taken. I don't know, maybe I was too scared to see the truth. I…." She paused taking a deep breath. Why was this so hard she had said it before to Allison, nut now the words wouldn't come out.

"You what?" He said softly. Cupping her face in his hand and caressing her cheek absently, almost like second nature.

"I love you" She blurted out in a rush. All the air leaving her lungs. Her heart pounding in her chest rapidly. A shocked look crossed over Stiles features as he processed her words.

"What?" He breathed. She could feel his breath fanning her face. She hoped to god that he wasn't about to have a panic attack.

"Are… are you sure? I mean, did you hit your head or are you confusing your feelings because I had been erased. I mean you might just not know what…." Leaning forward. She pressed her lips to his cutting him off.

She had forgotten what it had been like to kiss stiles. The first time being due to a panic attack, but there was no attack now it was just them and only them. His lips soft against hers.

Feeling him apply pressure back he began to reciprocate. Slowly their lips began to move together in a leisurely kiss, soft and gentle almost like they were exploring each other for the first time.

"Are you kidding me? We are trapped in this hell hole trying to find a way out and here you two are smacking your lips together" A voice said. Startling the both as the jumped away.

Peter glared at them. A blush coming onto Lydia's face at someone having been spying on her.

Standing up. She chanced a glance at Stiles. Who seemed to be ringing his hands together nervously not meeting her eyes.

"All right" She said. Stepping forward and taking charge. "How the hell are we going to get out of here" She said. Coughing slightly to draw their attention towards her.

"You need to focus, Lydia" Deaton said. Walking over towards them. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "What do I have to do" she said.

"Visualize Beacon hills in your mind. Imagine a portal opening and when you have it use your scream to blast your way out of the astral plane" He said.

A hand gently gripped hers in a tight squeeze. Looking up she saw Stiles smiling gently at her in comfort and that was really all she needed.

Taking a deep breath, she did what Deaton said visualizing her home. As well as imagining a breach opening. Letting out a scream, that shook the whole place. Everything around the trembling she shoved her hands out ward directing the scream.

Nothing was happening, it wasn't working. She could feel Stiles behind her, gripping her shoulder in reassurance. That was the only thing she needed.

Letting her voice ring out. A crack began to appear in the seams of the plane. Followed by more, like a spider web. Raising her voice everything around them began to come apart.

She could feel blood sliding down her nose. She couldn't do it all of it was too much, but the hand on her shoulder was the only thing keeping her going. Almost there she thought. A light began to stream out.

A blast, and suddenly everything fell apart. The astral plane disappearing before them.

Slowly opening her eyes. Lydia frowned taking in their environment. They were back. They had made it back to Beacon hills. People all around were blinking in confusion. Getting up almost in a daze.

The sound of horse hooves broke her attention away from everyone. The wild hunt sat there on horses, pacing almost as if they were afraid to go near her. Taking a step forward. She could see them back up cautiously.

"They're afraid of you?" Stiles breathed. His lips brushing her ear, so close that she could feel his chest pressing into her back. "I'm afraid of me" She whispered.

The ghost riders seemed hesitant. Their horses pacing back and forth, they wouldn't move another step. A fog began to roll in around them, as they began to disappear.

"What's happening?" Lydia said. A frown marring her face. "Their leaving" Deaton said. As they disappeared completely.

"I don't understand, why?" Lydia asked. "Even they know when they've lost. We destroyed their world. The very place where they hide erased people away. The power they had is gone" He said. Almost like he was sure they wouldn't be back.

"Stiles!" A voice yelled suddenly. Pushing through the crowd to get to them. Turning, Stiles gasped. "Dad" He yelled. Running towards the sheriff and throwing his arms around his neck in a tight grip.

Both clutching to each other. "I'm sorry, I am so sorry, that I forgot you. How could I forgot my only son?" He mumbled clutching Stiles. As the rocked back and forth together.

"So, what happens now?" Lydia asked. Her eyes flickering over all their faces. Deaton took a step forward, before his eyes began to fall on Scotts.

"Now? We get Allison back" he said.