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Lacy here and oh my gods, we're so close to the end of season two. Cannot believe it, honestly. And wow, that sounded so unlike me. Anywho, we've got some drama ahead in this chapter. Shocking, right? As with most, I believe Stiles knew nothing about Scott working with Gerard, so when Derek finds out, he confronts both Stilinski twins. He doesn't want to doubt his girlfriend, but his history does make him cautious. And we learn just how fucking creepy Matt is. Seriously, no. Read on, friends!

Disclaimer: I own only Effie.

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~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Effie cried out in pain as she woke up.

"Easy,"

Her vision cleared faster this time and she saw Deaton nearly next to her. "Doc? What-" her memory came back. "Peter! Lydia-"

"Effie," Deaton put a hand on her shoulder. "you have to focus on your breathing or you'll have another attack." he glanced over his shoulder, where Effie could see Derek laying. "I already know what happened." he looked back at Effie. "I'm just unsure of how you got involved."

Effie ran a hand over her face. "Something happened at Lydia's party, something was in the punch, and I had a panic attack and passed out in the front lawn." she looked at the vet. "Next thing I knew, I was here and tied up."

Deaton sighed heavily. "Lydia must have used you as a distraction or lure to get Derek here. Peter picked up more about the two of you when he was alive the first time then I thought."

Effie slowly sat up with Deaton's help. "But we didn't get together until after we killed him. There was nothing for him to pick up."

Deaton smiled. "Even the faintest attraction leaves evidence, Effie." he pulled something from his pocket. "What's say we wake your sleeping wolf now?"

Effie let out a breathy laugh through her nose. "Sounds good to me." she took a closer look at what Deaton was holding. "Is that a dog whistle?"

Deaton gave a slightly evil smile. "It might be."

Effie shook her head. Oh Derek was going to love that. "How about we try talking to him, first? See if that brings him out of it."

The two knelt on either side of Derek, calling his name. When that showed no sign of helping, Effie motioned for Deaton to use his whistle. Effie winced a bit at the pitch of the whistle and could only imagine what it was doing to Derek's sensitive hearing.

Derek finally gasped as he woke up and started pushing himself up. "That sound, what was it?"

Deaton held up his whistle, a small grin spreading across his face.

Derek huffed and started to stand up, only to nearly topple backwards once he was standing. Deaton and Effie barely caught him, keeping him on his feet.

"You're gonna be weak for several hours." Deaton explained to Derek.

Effie kept an arm wrapped around him while watching his face. She watched him as he looked at the marks on his arm and the hole in the floor boards.

Looking around, he held Effie closer, as if protecting her from an unseen force. "It actually happened."

"Don't worry," Deaton said. "you're still an alpha. But, as usual, not a particularly competent one."

Effie gave the vet a look. After what Derek just went through, his ego didn't need any further beatings.

"Where is he?" Derek asked, referring to Peter.

"I wish I could tell you." Deaton said.

Derek let go of Effie to approach Deaton. "Then how 'bout you tell me what you're doing here? And why you're helping me."

"Helping your family actually used to be a pretty important part of my life." Deaton said. "Helping you, was a promise I made to your mother."

Derek backed down at the mention of his mother, returning to Effie's side. She took his hand, wrapping her other around his elbow.

"You're the one my sister talked about." Derek said. "She said you're, uh, kind of advisor."

"She was right." Deaton confirmed. "And I have some advice that you need to listen to very closely right now. What Peter managed to do, doesn't come without a price. He'll be physically weak so he'll rely on the strength of his intelligence, his cunning. He's gonna come at you, Derek. He'll try to twist his way inside your head, praying on your insecurities. He'll tell you that he's the only way you can stop Gerard. Do not trust him."

"There's only one person I trust." Derek said, tightening his grip on Effie's hand.

"I know," Deaton said, giving Effie a quick glance. "if you trusted more, you might be the alpha you like to think you are. And unfortunately, the one person you should trust, doesn't trust you at all."

"Scott." Effie and Derek didn't have to guess. Though, Effie felt as if Stiles trusting Derek would go a long way to getting Scott to trust him.

"He's with Stiles right now." Deaton said. "You need to find him. You need to find him right now, as fast as you can. I've known Gerard for a long time. He always has a plan." he glanced at the hole. "And something tells me," he looked back at Derek and Effie. "it's going exactly the way he wants it to."

Deaton's words running through her head, Effie let Derek pull her closer and felt him press his face into her hair.

"Can you take us back to my house?" Effie asked quietly. "He needs to get cleaned up before we can do anything."

Deaton nodded, seeing that Derek had no problem letting Effie take the lead while he wrapped his head around everything Deaton had told them. The pair followed Deaton outside to his car, both knowing their long night was far from over.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

While Derek showered, Effie changed out of her dress. Wanting to be as comfortable as possible after everything that had happened, she grabbed gray leggings, a matching tank and an oversized beige sweater. She was just lacing up her Mad Hatter boots when Derek walked into her room, in clean clothes she'd stolen from him and stashed in her closet. He occasionally slept overnight, not that her dad knew, and she got annoyed with him going home in the same clothes.

"Feel any better?" Effie asked as he sat beside her.

Derek sighed, leaning his arms on his thighs. "Not really." he looked back at her. "Where's your dad and Stiles?"

Effie handed him the note they'd left on her bed. "They went to the station with Scott. Something to do with Matt and the killings."

Derek frowned at the note and what he assumed was Stiles' handwriting. "You can read that?"

Effie laughed. "I've learned. Being his twin does have some advantages." she removed the tie from her hair and shook the braid out. "Ready to go?"

Derek stood in front of her. "If I tried to suggest you stay here,"

Effie gave him a look after parting her hair. "I'd ignore you and follow about fifteen seconds after I heard your car leave the drive."

Derek nodded. "Figured." he paused as he turned to leave. "Hey Ef,"

Effie frowned. "Yeah?"

Derek caught her lips in a soft but passionate kiss. "I'm so glad you're okay."

He didn't give Effie a chance to respond. He just looked into her eyes for a long moment before taking her hand and leading her out of the room. Effie just followed, not minding one bit. They'd talk and deal with what happened later. For now, they had other things to focus on.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Effie looked at the station as Derek pulled into one of the parking spots. "Something feels off."

Derek put the car in park. "Yeah, I think you're right." he looked at Effie, his eyes dead serious. "Once we get out of this car, take my hand and do not let it go. No matter what happens."

Effie didn't try to argue, she knew it was useless. She'd seen the picture Lydia had sent Derek on his phone and knew his need to protect her was in overdrive. So she nodded and waited by her door for him to join her before doing as he said. She laced her fingers through his and held on tight.

They headed into the station and looked around. Normally the night crew hung out in the front since there were so few of them.

"This isn't right," Effie said quietly. She felt Derek tense seconds before feeling a clawed hand on the back of her neck, squeezing gently. She didn't have to turn to know it was Jackson, half transformed into the kanima. From the strength of Derek's grip, Effie knew he was in a similar position and they had no choice but to move forward as Jackson applied more pressure. Effie caught sight out of the corner of her eye the body of the desk clerk and had to bite her lip to hold back a gasp. The people at the station were family to her and Stiles, most had watched them grow up.

Before too long, they reached a closed door and only had to wait a few seconds before it opened to reveal Scott, Stiles and Matt, who was holding a gun. As the words, 'Oh thank god,' left Scott's lips, Jackson cut the back of Derek's neck, paralyzing him instantly. As he fell towards the ground, Effie didn't let his hand go, falling to her knees at his side, her eyes trained on the gun in Matt's hand.

Matt moved to Derek's free side and leaned over him.

"This is the one controlling him?" Derek questioned. "This kid?"

Matt looked annoyed and insulted. "Well Derek, not everyone's lucky enough to be a big bad werewolf." he straightened and looked at Stiles and Scott. "Oh yeah, that's right. I've learned a few things, lately. Werewolves, hunters, kanimas. It's like a freakin' Halloween party every full moon. Except for you, Stiles, what do you turn into?"

"Abominable snowman," Stiles shot back easily. "but, uh, it's more like a winter time thing. You know, seasonal."

Effie saw the quick cock of Matt's head seconds before Jackson slashed at the back of Stiles' neck, sending him crashing down on Derek.

"And Effie," Matt looked down at her. "he's the older guy you told me you were dating? Seriously?"

"What can I say," Effie snarked back as easily as her brother. "the extra hair on the full moon just turns me on. I can't help it."

"Effie." Derek and Stiles both growled at her.

Matt smirked as he walked over to Effie. "Relax boys," he squatted down and brushed a finger along the side of Effie's face, drawing a more fierce and angry growl from Derek. "she is definitely one the last people I intend to hurt tonight."

Effie jerked her face away from Matt, moving closer to Derek and resting their joined hands on her thigh. "If that's supposed to make me grateful, I'll point out that you paralyzed my brother and boyfriend and god only knows where my father is and what you've done to him. Not to mention holding us here against our will."

Before Matt could respond, they were all distracted by the sound of another car.

"Is that her?" Matt asked Scott.

Effie saw Scott close his eyes and knew Matt was referring to Scott's mom.

"Do what I tell you to," Matt said. "and I won't hurt her. I won't even let Jackson near her."

"Scott," Stiles piped up. "don't trust him!"

Matt grabbed Stiles, rolling him off Derek, before pressing his foot down on Stiles' chest and throat, cutting off his air.

"Stiles!" Effie shouted, fear lacing her tone. She went to help her brother but Jackson took a step forward, freezing her in place.

"This work better for you?" Matt questioned Scott.

"Okay, just stop!" Scott gave him. "Stop!"

"Then do what I tell you to."

"Okay." Scott said. "Alright. Stop!"

Effie choked back tears of relief as Matt moved his foot off Stiles and her brother coughed as air returned to his lungs. She was so focused on Stiles and Derek that she didn't hear Matt's instructions to Jackson and Scott until Jackson was behind her, his scale covered hands grabbing her away from Derek. Trying, and failing, to fight him off, she watched helplessly as her hand slipped from Derek's and she was dragged into her father's old office. She was forced into the guest chair before Jackson left and proceeded to drag Stiles and Derek in, dropping them in front of the desk. Effie knelt between their legs, a hand on each of their knees, as she glared at Jackson.

"Count yourself lucky that I know you have no idea what you're doing," Effie said to the kanima. "otherwise, you'd be dead as soon as I got my hands on something that would make sure you stayed dead."

Jackson just looked at her, tilting his head slightly. A gunshot distracted the room, followed by Melissa screaming and John shouting from the area with the holding cells. Fear peaked in Effie's chest faster than it ever had and both Stiles and Derek were calling her name as her breathing grew uneven.

Remembering Deaton's words about focusing on her breathing, Effie reached out, taking Stiles' and Derek's hands. She slid her fingers to their pulse points and focused on matching her breathing to their heart beats, which they seemed to be syncing, knowing what Effie was doing. It only took a minute or so before Effie looked at them.

"I'm okay," she said softly. "Thank you,"

She felt them squeeze her hands and was relieved to see the poison was wearing off. There was at least some hope.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

"Effie," Derek spoke quietly. "move to my other side."

Effie didn't question Derek as she carefully slid over him. She saw his claws extend and knew he was trying to speed up his body's healing process.

"Hey," Stiles spoke next. "you know what's happening to Matt?"

"I know the book's not gonna help him." Derek said. "You can't just break the rules. Not like this."

"What'd you mean?" Effie asked.

"The universe balances things out," Derek explained. "always does."

"Is it because he's using Jackson to kill people who don't deserve it?" Stiles questioned.

"And killing people himself." Derek said.

"So Matt breaks the rules of the kanima," Stiles filled in the blanks. "he becomes the kanima."

"Balance." Derek said simply.

"Will he believe us if we tell him that?" Effie asked.

"No likely." Derek answered.

"Kay, he's gonna kill all of us when he gets that book, isn't he?" Stiles easily guessed.

"Yup," Derek agreed.

"Alright so, what do we do?" Stiles said. "Do we just sit here and wait to die?"

"Unless I can figure out a way to push the toxin out of my body faster." Derek said. "Like triggering the healing process."

Stiles managed to look down and saw Derek gouging himself with his own claws.

"Oh gross,"

"Well you're paralyzed too." Derek said. "And Effie, no offense, isn't strong enough to break my arm."

"So it's our only option." Effie concluded. "Cause if I try to move and go free Dad and Melissa, I'll be right on the ground with you and Derek."

Stiles sighed. "Yeah, let's avoid that, please."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Effie ignored Derek and Stiles as the main lights in the station blacked out and the backups, and the security alarms, went on.

"What the hell," Effie looked around, trying to see.

"Effie," Derek's tone was panicked.

She took his hand without thinking. "I'm right here. But that bad feeling is back and just multiplied by ten."

Loud, rapid gun fire had Effie ducking down, pressing her head against Derek's chest. She felt his hand slide from hers and his arm wrap around her back, holding her close.

"Someone's shooting up the police station?" Stiles questioned. "Seriously?"

"Gerard." Derek said simply. "Has to be."

"Hunters don't usually break out the machine guns for the supernatural." Effie pointed out.

"I think we've learned by now that Gerard doesn't play by anyone's rules but his own." Stiles retorted.

Smoke started pouring into the room from the main area and Scott quickly followed, kneeling at Stiles' side.

"Take him," Derek said as he started sitting up. "go!"

"What about Effie?" Stiles asked.

Derek helped her up. "Go with them."

Effie stared Derek in the eye. "Be careful."

Derek nodded and watched Effie vanish with Scott and Stiles before moving off on his own.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Effie tapped her hand on the table shortly after Scott vanished. "We can't just sit here." she stood and grabbed Stiles by the arm, looping it around her neck. "We gotta go find Dad and Melissa."

"Holding cells," Stiles said as Effie dragged him from the room. "Melissa's locked in one of the cells and Dad's cuffed to the wall."

Effie nodded as she moved slowly and carefully through the station. Hunters, Matt and Gerard could be anywhere and she wasn't armed with anything but the dead weight of her brother's body. And while, over the years, she'd considered beating Scott over the head with Stiles, Effie didn't think now was the time to try that idea out.

As they got closer to the holding cells, they could hear Melissa encouraging John as he grunted and strained. The two easily guessed their father was trying to pull the metal plate he was cuffed to off the wall.

"This is why I tell him to carry the mini screwdriver set." Stiles muttered.

Effie rolled her eyes. "Oh not the time, Stiles."

They looked around the corner just in time to see Matt pistol whip their father, knocking him to the ground, unconscious. Effie barely held back a scream, which was thankfully covered by Melissa's scream. Her eyes stayed focused on her father's prone body as she shifted Stiles, feeling the anger radiating off her brother.

"Matt," Melissa tried talking to the psychotic teen. "Matt, listen to me. My son has been shot and I've heard other gun fire and I don't know what's happening but can you please just let me see my son?"

"How totally clueless are you people?" Matt asked.

Hearing familiar growling, Effie turned herself and Stiles and saw Derek, wolfed out, red eyes glaring straight at Matt. He bared his fangs and Effie could see the fear overriding the rage in Matt's eyes. Before Derek could strike, a low hissing announced Jackson's arrival, distracting Derek from his intended target.

The two charged each other and Effie backed herself and Stiles up as the two threw each other around. The last thing she wanted to risk was getting hurt or Stiles being hurt. Effie saw the confused disbelief on Melissa's face and didn't envy what Scott was going to have to go through when this was all over.

As Jackson kicked Derek back into the wall and climbed the bars of Melissa's cell, Effie couldn't keep quiet any more.

"Get away from her!" she shouted, hoping to distract Jackson long enough for Derek to get back on his feet.

Scott appeared out of nowhere, jamming his claws into Jackson's back and throwing him away from his mother. Derek shot over the desk in the room and charged after Jackson, who fled from the room.

Effie and Stiles stayed silent as Scott revealed his secret to his mother. Her reaction was nothing they'd hoped for. Melissa was scared of her son. Effie saw the pain on Scott's face before he, too, ran from the room. Knowing they were safe, for now, Effie dragged Stiles into the holding area and sat him on the bench by their father.

While Stiles bent down to see what damage Matt had done to their father, Effie worked the cell door open and held her hand out to Melissa.

"I don't," Melissa shook her head. "what-" she looked at Effie. "your boyfriend-"

Effie drew in a deep breath. "Don't try to understand it right now. Let's just get out of here and make sure you and Dad are taken care of."

"Stiles," John groaned as he came awake. "Effie,"

Effie turned a teary smile to her father. "Hey Dad,"

John looked at his kids in turn before focusing on Effie. "When the hell did you get here?"

Effie didn't know why and she couldn't help it but the look on her father's face and his choice of words brought laughter bubbling up in her chest. Shaking her head, she shared a look with Stiles. Longest night, ever.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Effie and Stiles walked into their house, having left their father at the station to help with the investigation. Apparently, being held hostage and figuring out vital information about the recent murders was grounds for getting his job back. Effie and Stiles decided they'd be happy later. Now, they were drained, physically and emotionally.

"Did you two know?"

The twins spun and found Derek standing in their kitchen.

"Derek?" Effie was confused by the closed off expression on her boyfriend's face.

"Know what?" Stiles asked. He was too tired for the run around.

"That Scott is working with Gerard." Derek explained.

Effie started shaking her head slowly, almost in disbelief, while Stiles stood frozen. Derek took in their reactions, listened to their heart beats, and knew they were as in the dark as he'd been.

Derek sighed, leaning back against the counter. "I overheard him at the station, telling Gerard he'd done everything asked of him; becoming part of the pack, giving him information on Matt, Jackson, all of it."

Stiles suddenly moved, grabbing his keys as he stormed from the house. Effie watched after him, knowing there was nothing that would stop him from getting answers from Scott.

"I guess that paranoid feeling of yours was right." Derek said quietly.

Effie turned back to him. "I didn't want it to be. Especially not like this."

Derek crossed to Effie and tucked her against his chest. "I know," he kissed her head. "your dad okay?"

Effie nodded. "He's got one hell of a headache but no concussion and," she blew out a breath. "he got his job back."

Derek could practically feel the last of Effie's energy leaving her. "Come on," he pulled back and took her hand. "let's go to bed."

Effie nodded absently and followed. "Wait, the betas."

"Already taken care of," Derek said as they climbed the stairs. "Isaac found an anchor so I left the keys with him."

Effie gave another nod. "Okay, good."

They entered Effie's room and quickly stripped off the clothes that weren't need for sleep; Derek's pants and shirt and Effie's sweater and leggings. Once they climbed in bed, Effie curled against Derek's side and let him wrap his arms tightly around her.

"One problem solved," Effie sighed. "two more to figure out."

"Tomorrow." Derek said as he stroked his fingers up and down Effie's spine. "They can wait until tomorrow."

"Derek?" Effie spoke so quietly, if Derek didn't have his wolf hearing he'd have missed it.

"Yeah?" Derek looked down and saw Effie staring at him with tear filled eyes.

"I'm glad you're okay too,"

Derek didn't respond, he just grabbed Effie in the tight embrace he knew she needed and let her tears slip down onto his bare chest. No sobs left the girl but the tears continued to flow, releasing the fear and stress Effie had been holding back, even long after she fell asleep to the sound of Derek's heartbeat.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

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I think it's safe to say, it's all getting to be a bit much for Effie. And it isn't going to get any easier. Sorry kiddo. But at least Derek knows he's got the twins on his side, and always will. For now, let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading!

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