OMG you guys are so amazing! Thank you for all the wonderful comments and all the support. Your kind words keep me going, and I want to write the shit out of this story to show you what I can do! ^_^ Thank you Immy and Cait for helping me out, I forced you guys to read this chapter so many times, i'm so sorry.
Major thanks to: PrettyPink01, ApolloArgent, Wildrecklessyouthinme, It Belongs In A Museum, Maddie Rose, Friendlyneighborhoodhufflepuff
There will be flashbacks in this chapter, those flashbacks will be italicized. This chapter is pretty short compared to what I usually write, but I hope you guys enjoy it all the same! We're so close to the end of season one!
Nikita lay on the thick low branch of a tree that nature had intended to grow sideways. Her legs swinging back and forth, arms hanging off the edge. The soft blades of grass grazed against the tips of her toes with the slightest tickle, enough to bring a smile to her lips. The Winter air was frigid and cold, yet the golden light of sunshine spilled over her through the thick green canopy of leaves above, warming every inch of her; skin and bones. It was silent here, away from the roads, away from the everyday pressures of a teenager who didn't belong in the sleepy town of Beacon Hills.
She came here to decompress, let the solitude take a hold of her in order to find peace.
The twisted branch which she laid upon was like something out of a Fairy Tale, the wild wood covered in lush green moss and small red toadstools. The beauty and whimsy of the woods created a safe and nostalgic atmosphere she could never get sick of. Although her heart belonged to the woods, her mind was drifting away to sea.
Nikita's eyes- usually a dark hazel- now looked a warm toffee in the ethereal light of the woods. She closed them, taking in the sounds of the leaves rustling above her. It sounded eerily similar to the ocean. A detailed image painted behind shut eyelids, the black ocean tide crawled forward, pearly seafoam kissing beige sands. She was swept away from Beacon Hills and brought back to Los Angeles.
"I like to call them Mermaid Tears."
Her mother's soft voice echoed in her head. Nikita feared she had forgotten her mother's voice, eventually a time would come where she so desperately wished she could remember. She could feel the sting of briny tears.
The turquoise sea glass was held between her mother's thumb and index finger, allowing the light of the roaring fire to shine through it with a brilliance. It indeed looked magical, like a jewel of the ocean; when in fact it was merely glass. Nikita marveled at it's beauty, Sarah smiling at her daughter's innocence and wonderment. The translucent glass was indeed tear shaped, an eleven year old Nikita having found it buried in the sand.
She sat in her mother's lap, the warmth of the bon fire making her sleepy. Nikita could taste the mixture of salt and sunscreen on her lips, it tasted like summer. Her mother's family sitting around the fire, enjoying a beach day in July.
Nikita - often told she had her father's eyes- was a spitting image of her mother. The two of them had the same heart shaped face, the strong brows that set them apart from the rest. Sarah Grace held out her hand, revealing even more sea glass. Nikita's eyes lit up, all the different vibrant colors before her. She went to pick up the smooth amber sea glass, holding it up to the fire, the honey flecked stone's beauty causing her to gasp.
"Why do Mermaids cry?" Nikita looking up at her mother, curiosity swirling behind wide deer-like eyes.
A moment of silence passed between them, save for the sound of laughter and chatter amongst her family and the soft lullaby of the Pacific tide. Her mother's arms came around her, cloaking the two of them in a warm blanket, her chin resting on top of her daughter's head. Sarah started, choosing her words carefully. " They wish their human friends could coexist with them, but their world is not meant for us. Their world is dangerous, Nikita. There are bad people out there who want to hurt them."
Nikita thought that to be preposterous, of course living beneath water wasn't meant for humans.
Sarah planted a kiss on top of Nikita's head. "I love you." She whispered, squeezing her little girl tight. Sarah having troubles masking the melancholic quiver in her voice." don't you ever forget that. All I want is for you to be happy."
The scent of smoke from the bonfire wafted into the night air. She was one of the few who loved the rough scent of fire.
Nikita's watery eyes opened to the woods around her, the scent of bonfire still lingered in the forest air. She sat up quickly, hair disheveled, brows bunched together.
It was the Hale house.
The breeze traveling through the trees carried the charred scent of the burnt down home. It was as though the house was calling to her, beckoning her, haunting her. Nikita had only seen the House behind a few rows of trees, she could never bring herself to go inside. A tight knot settled in the bottom of her stomach, any peace she had felt had turned into a bitter unease. Nikita hopped off the branch, grabbing her shoes and backpack. She had spent enough time with nostalgia and nature.
Walter and Derek's voice in her head. "Stay out of the woods."
"So like I said...First String." Stiles leaning his elbow on the bleacher, looking as effortless as possible. It was as if he took a page out of Jonesy's book.
"Wow." Nikita forcing herself to sound enthusiastic, when she really didn't care for lacrosse. She was only here for Stiles; no one else.
Stiles shrugged his shoulder, licking his bottom lip for a moment. "Yeah it's like- you know, it's not a big deal. It's just what I do."
"Are you nervous at all?" Nikita purposely trying to get him to squirm.
"Pfft." Stiles looked to the side and swallowed thickly. "N-no.'
"Really? Because the other team has the biggest midfielder I have ever seen, have you seen the size of him? He looks like a bouncer, I bet-"
Stiles raked his fingers through his dark hair. "Wow, you're just, really at it with the motivation tonight." His words full of sarcasm.
"Go Cyclones! Blow them away! Blow them until you can't blow no more!" Nikita throwing an enthusiastic fist in the air. "Is that motivation enough?"
"I'd rather not partake in the blowing, thank you." Stiles nodded his head. "Anyways, you being here is motivation enough."
Nikita's arms went to wrap around her stomach, wrangling the butterflies that flew with iron wings, those iron wings crashed against the walls of her stomach. "Shut up!"
Stiles let out a laugh, his hand rubbing the back of his head."The act of shutting up isn't one of my strong suits. And it looks like taking a compliment isn't one of yours."
Her hand went to wrap around Stiles' mouth, Stiles playfully putting up a fight, grabbing at her wrists. The two of them erupted into laughter. "Why are your hands so small? You're so dainty! You have to try better than that."
Stiles had yet to get into his uniform, instead he wanted more time with Nikita before hitting the locker room. Her fingers came around the end of her beanie, pulling it down to cover her ears, Beacon Hills was freezing once the sun set. Stiles let out a half wave, looking past her. Nikita peered over her shoulder to see Sheriff Stilinski up in the bleachers, giving his son two thumbs up -encouraging Stiles- quickly putting them down at the sight of Nikita, and giving her a wave instead. She gave him a friendly wave back. The bleachers were starting to fill out, her attention returning to Stiles.
"That's adorable, you're dad's here!" Her hand patting the side of Stiles' arm.
"And yours too!" Stiles on the tips of his toes, looking over Nikita even though he was much taller than her.
Walter stood beside the popcorn cart, a soda clenched tightly in each hand, his eyes burning fiery holes into Stiles. Walter had what Nikita called the 'Derek Hale glare' making no effort to mask his dislike for the Sheriff's son.
Stiles' lips pulled into a hard line, his keen observations going off the charts. "I don't think your dad likes me…"
Nikita snorted a laugh, waving her hand in the air with dismissal. "Nah, he for sure likes you, he just has that kind of face, you know? Plus he's just trying to figure out if he wants buttered popcorn or- hold on-"
She turned around to face her father, with her hands hollowed around her mouth she shouted obnoxiously. "I CAN'T WAIT TO PUT YOU IN A RETIREMENT HOME!" Nikita expertly wearing a fake smile and nodding her head.
"WHAT?" Walter shouted back across the field, passersbys giving the two of them annoyed glances. "I DIDN'T HEAR WHAT YOU SAID- BUTTERED? OR KETTLE?"
Nikita didn't bother giving Walter an answer, instead giving him a thumbs up, she would just have to be surprised with whatever choice of popcorn he went with. Knowing Walter, he would be fearful of messing up, and go with both options.
"I think he got the hint." Stiles finger wiggling in his ear. "And I think I have a possible case of tinnitus, thanks for that."
"You think so?" Nikita's lips scrunching to the side. "I'm certain I could have been a bit louder."
"I could get you Coach Finstock's megaphone, if you like."
Nikita let out a laugh, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet. "Don't be reckless Stiles, you're just asking for a death wish. Also, that's the most romantic thing a guy has ever offered me."
Stiles' brows danced up. "Really? Wow Jackson really set the bar low."
A blanket of stiff silence fell between the two, Nikita nervously tucking her hair behind her ear, looking to his worn out sneakers rather than his eyes. Being here was enough, she didn't want to hear Jackson's name.
"Look, I know things have been...awkward for you...at school." Stiles easing her into a conversation she so desperately wanted to avoid.
Nikita could feel the heat of humiliation crawling up the back of of her neck. Not only was he mentioning Lydia and Jackson -both of whom were at the game- but Scott as well. Stiles must have known what had happened between her and Scott. She grew uncomfortable where she stood, yet she managed to look him in the eyes again.
"I just wanted to thank you for actually showing up. It means a lot to me." Stiles' bourbon eyes bright with gratitude. "Anyways." He started, pushing them away from the topic. Stiles jumped, surprised by the vibration of his phone, which was tucked away in his back pocket. Nikita could see the illumination of the screen reflecting in his dark eyes, wondering what he was reading. Whatever it was, had him worked up, his brows met together, worry washing over his features.
"Hey." Nikita's hand going to gently place on top of his shoulder, garnering his attention. "Are you okay?"
"I..have to go. Uhm. I'll talk to you later?" Stiles tucking his phone back into his pocket.
Nikita blinked wide, he planted a kiss on the top of her cheek. She wasn't sure if she was mortified or just surprised. Stiles pulled back looking rather horrified himself. The two of them found it impossible to hold eye contact with each other, Stiles seeking out a much needed distraction in the thread hanging off the end of his sleeve. Nikita finding it easier to look at her chipped pink nail polish, chipping her polish even more.
"I shouldn't have done that…." Stiles having yet to look at her.
"...Yeah that was-" Nikita trying to find a way to let him down easy. " Generally people don't go around kissing...that was weird..you shouldn't do things like that unannounced." She admitted, attempting to hide her dimple.
A rosy blush spread across Stiles' fair complexion."I'm going to pretend like that didn't happen, and I ask you do the same."
"At least you didn't punch me in the tit this time." Nikita attempting to make light of the situation, it only seemed to make things worse. Stiles mouthed the words 'oh my god' the red in his face deepening in color.
She watched his awkward ostrich-like run, Stiles sprinting off the field and heading for the locker room. That was the second time Stiles had run away from her, he really didn't know how to handle situations such as this. Nikita couldn't get rid of the smile on her face, yet she would never admit to the reason of her smile. The moment turned sour when her intrusive thoughts kicked in. She didn't want things to move fast, especially with how things ended with Jackson. Nikita needed time to heal from her wounds, she needed to stop plugging her grieving with boys and distractions.
- Walter's POV-
"I'm so nervous." Melissa McCall sighed, Walter planting a kiss on her forehead. "What if she doesn't like me? You make her sound so terrifying."
Walter cupped her face in his hands, thumbs brushing the top of her cheeks. "She'll like you, everyone likes you."
Melissa took in rapid breaths in and out, like she were going into labor. "Alright i'm just going to uh, grab a hot dog, maybe three. Here I am meeting your teenage daughter for the first time and all I can focus is on stress eating." The nurse going off on a tangent before excusing herself.
He made his way to the bleachers, looking for a spot to save for his girlfriend and daughter, two sodas in hand. Walter came face to face with Chris Argent. He knew they would cross paths eventually, hoping it wouldn't have to be so soon. The Argent patriarch looked much the same as Walter had seen him last all those many years ago. He was a hardened man, one could tell by the deep lines around his vibrant eyes. Chris Argent could never look like a dad next door, he walked with far too much confidence for a man who joined the monthly homeowners association club meetings.
"Walter." Chris being forced to look up, Walter being the taller of the two.
Every fiber of his being wanted to scream at the top of his lungs and throttle the hunter before him. Walter would never forgive the Argents and their reckless actions. He was in no mood for small talk, so Walter cut straight to the point."What are you doing here, Chris?"
"My daughter and I are here to watch the game. It seems as though you and I are here for the same reason." Chris holding an olive branch, waiting for Walter to take it; with no such luck.
"I need you to stay away from my daughter." Walter stepping up to the older hunter, the intensity of pure loathing burning behind his hazel eyes. "More importantly I need your homicidal sister to stay far from her too."
"Did someone say my name?" Kate butting into the conversation with her dazzling mocking smile.
Walter could feel his anger threatening to break the calm facade he wore. Just the sight of her face enraged him. How could she stand there? Pretending she had done nothing wrong. She had disobeyed her code, and murdered innocents. He didn't dare speak a single word about Scott McCall being a werewolf, or warn Chris to stay away from Melissa's boy, for fear of putting his life at risk. Kate was a wildcard, she wouldn't care if Scott was a boy. A target would be painted on his back immediately.
"Don't worry, Walter. Nikita is fine...unless she's a werewolf. Would make sense given how close she was to those insufferable whelps." The snake of a woman purposely prodding at his impatience. Walter stepped towards her, only to feel Chris' hand on his chest, pushing him back.
Chris and Kate remained unmoved, assessing Walter to be a non-threatening human. "We have more in common than you think, Walter." Chris' eyes landed on Allison who had just arrived at the game. "We would never hurt Nikita, and we would never expose her to the supernatural. You and I both seem to understand that's the best and only way to protect our girls."
"Stop comparing us. You end lives, I save them."
Kate let out a snort. "There's an Alpha out there, and you two are bickering like two school 'll both find out about the supernatural, it's inevitable; and you better pray to god they'll be prepared for when it comes."
- Stiles' POV-
Stiles wasn't supposed to be here, no. He was supposed to be scoring goals in front of Nikita and sweeping her off her feet. It was a last second decision when Derek had texted him, something about the possible Alpha hiding out in the hospital. It was a sacrifice that had to be made in order to save his best friend and the innocent citizens of Beacon Hills.
Cold and calculating red eyes paralyzed Stiles where he stood. Fear had gripped him with no intentions of letting go. The hospital lights above him flickered-of course they were flickering- completely normal in a small town hospital.
He had missed his first game off the bench - the chance to wow the girl of his dreams- to possibly meet his own death instead. The Reaper being none other than Derek's uncle, clad in a leather cloak, like he had shopped in the Matrix. He stood there, observing Stiles in all his fearful glory with a smirk on his face. The puckered and burnt skin starting to heal and smoothen itself out like magic.
Peter's head tilted in a quick bird-like manner, deep oceanic eyes gleaming with mischief. "I knew it would be you who figured it out."
Stiles swallowed thickly, his heart pounding like a drum in his ears. He took several steps back. "This isn't where I parked my car." As if that could have fooled Peter.
Peter took several steps forward, large shadows fell across his face,the deep umbras captured in the hollow of his eyes. "Aren't you going to ask why? Or what i'm after?"
Stiles shook his head, or perhaps it was his entire body that was shaking. "Nope, no, I hear curiosity killed the cat. And I would like to very much remain alive, if that's okay with you."
The corner of the Alpha's lip twitched before pulling tight into a line."It was satisfaction that brought it back, Stiles. Satisfaction is what will bring me back, after I slaughter anyone bearing the Argent name. Even the innocent doe-eyed ones."
Scott's claws scratched across the surface of his dresser, shreds of wood curling beneath his sharp nails. Stiles watched his best friend in distress, sitting on the edge of the bed. He was panicking much the same as Scott, the two of them having found out who the Alpha is. Derek seemed to form a strong alliance with the older Hale, taking Peter's side, even attempting to convince Scott to join Peter's cause.
"I can't believe the Alpha is Derek's uncle." Scott said between his heavy breathing, trying his best to tame the beast that lurked inside. "What did he say to you Stiles?"
"That he's going to kill anyone with the Argent name, and he specifically hinted...at Allison."
Scott began to pace back and forth in his room, fingers gripping painfully at his hair. "Did he say Allison's name?"
His friend was sinking deeper and deeper into denial. "No, but he made it pretty clear." Stiles' long fingers tapped at the side of his head, as if trying to get the gears into motion. "Although he didn't mention Lydia, Jackson, or Nikita.."
The Beta turned to look at him, his face pinched together with confusion. It was Allison who was under a direct threat, not the other three. "So? If he wanted either one of them dead, or hurt, he would have done it already, back at the video store.."
Scott slumped onto the bed with exhaust, both of them were too tired and much too overwhelmed to sleep. Stiles let his head hit the mattress, feeling the beginnings of a migraine, running Scott's words through his head.
"And Nikita is like family to Peter." Scott trying to ease Stiles' worries, although it should have been Stiles who should have been talking Scott down, with Allison's life in danger.
Once again Stiles let Scott's words sink in. The word family really stuck out and weighed heavily on him. He turned to look at Scott.
"That didn't stop him from killing Laura Hale."
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Please let me know what you thought, if you enjoyed it or not ^_^