I See a Red Door (Stiles)

"So, what are we doing here?"

Derek filled them in on the drive there.

Supposedly, he and Isaac had reason to believe that there was another wolf pack nearby. They'd heard foreign howling near the south side of town in the woods. Derek wouldnt tell them much other than that. What was more important was that they appeared to have Erica and Boyd with them. Derek seemed sure they were hostages.

"So how do you know Erica and Boyd didn't just ditch you and join this other pack?" Stiles kept his eyes on the road.

" No. It takes a lot of power just to withstand the wishes of your alpha let alone full out betray them. Being turned so recently, they are far too weak to do that. In fact the only reason they survived running away is that they were with each other. They'd be dead if they were on their own."

"Okay, that's great and all, but where's your proof that they're even with them?" Scott wasn't too eager to be on a wild goose chase.

Derek huffed, frustrated, "Just listen okay? I'll tell you everything, when we get to the house, but I need you to just listen right now.

Scott nodded in agreement and Derek told them the plan of action.

...

Derek finished explaining right as the old Hale house came into view, but before Anyone could get out of the car, Scott spoke up.

"Wait, what!? You can't just use Isaac as bait! How do you know these wolves won't just kill him on sight!? He's been turned for what, two months? You don't know how experienced these guys are! You don't even know if this is really a wolfpack! What if its hunters trying to lure you in to a trap? You can't just sacrifice him!"

"You don't know the whole story yet," Derek's voice was unusually steady for having just been yelled at, "and besides, it's not like I'm forcing him to do this, he wants to help. And he owes me anyway."

Derek hopped out of The jeep, Scott and Stiles in tow.

"Oh yeah, cuz you've done so much for him." Scott rolled his eyes.

"Hey," Derek spun around in a flash and pushed a hand into Scott's chest.

To Scotts credit, he didn't budge.

"You owe me too ya know. I taught you how to control yourself when-"

"Oh cut it with this "wolf teacher" crap," Scott shoved away the older male's arm," you haven't taught me anything. In fact,if it wasn't for your crazy uncle, I wouldn't even be in this mess! And I bet Boyd and Erica are thinking the same thing about you!"

"You better shut up McCall or-"

"Or what Derek? I'm already a freak, how else can you possibly ruin my life?"

"Maybe I'll just end it!"

The claws came out and teeth were bared on both sides.

Thats when Stiles decided to intervene.

"Ladies, please, no need to scratch up your pretty faces! Lets put the claws away for now. This is about Boyd and Erica, alright? Your wolf-off can wait."

There was a moment of silence filled with heavy breathing.

Then Derek and Scott became far less pointy and dangerous and Stiles let out his breath.

"Phew, okay, good. Now lets get inside, away from my jeep, in case either of you decide to assert your alpha-ness again, yeah?"

Derek growled at Stiles.

He flinched predictably, but that seemed to satisfy Derek's rage and they all headed to the house.

"Painted the door I see. Red, lovely choice: brings out your eyes." Stiles flashed a smile in Derek's direction.

A smack to the back of his head was all the response be got.

Stiles and Derek passed over the threshold, but Scott paused,"Why'd you paint the door?"

Stiles wasn't sure why this seemed to matter so much.

"I don't know," Derek's words were short, clipped, "it just needed to be done. Are you coming in or not?"

"Yeah I just," Scott put his hand on the door and instantly doubled over clutching his head like his skull was gonna fall apart if he didn't hold it together.

Stiles stepped forward, about to help his friend up but stopped short.

As quickly as he was down he was up again, scratching away at the paint on the door with vigor.

Derek was behind them both yelling at Scott to stop, telling Stiles to hold him back, but Stiles just watched utterly oblivious as the paint Scott tore at floated through the air in little red flecks.

Then he saw it. A symbol.

"What is this!?" Stiles could hear the hurt of betrayal in his friend's voice.

"It's nothing just come in." Scott didn't budge.

"Derek this is important, I know it is. I can feel it! What does it mean?" Scott sounded worried and that worried Stiles.

"Why'd you paint the door Derek? So I wouldn't see this?"

"Scott. Drop it."

"No way Derek! If your gonna ask me for my help, then you better start explaining."

Scott's eyes flashed.

Stiles did not want to be in the middle of this, so naturally, he stepped right in between them.

"Okay I get it, we're both very grumpy here. How about we just take some deep breaths-"

"Get out of the way Stiles." Derek's eyes lit up as well.

Stiles laughed nervously,"Or I could just let you guys handle it. Yup, I'll just wait...over here...way over here." Stiles gestured behind him, backing up slowly.

"Move!" Both of them growled this.

Stiles ducked down just in time to avoid having his face slashed.

He crab walked awkwardly away from the scuffle, feeling a little embarrassed and very helpless.

"How long do you plan on keeping me in the Dark!? If you want my help you're gonna have to trust me!"

Stiles wasn't sure Scott was getting his point across considering he lunged straight for Derek's throat after that last line: not exactly a trust builder, but we all have our methods.

Derek easily sidestepped the attack, elbowed Scott's exposed back, and brought him crashing to the ground. He grabbed Scott's hair using it to smash his face into the wooden floor below, then kept his palm there, pressing his face down while he managed to get down next to him to place a knee into the small of Scott's back.

"Listen Scotty," Derek's sarcasm looked tangible as Stiles watched the spit fly from in between his gritted teeth.

"I'm not 'asking for your help'. You said you wanted to be included if we found a lead on Erica and Boyd," He leaned down right next to Scott's ear, " If you've changed your mind," Derek stood up so fast Stiles wasn't sure how it happened, "Well, you know where the door is."

Scott panted from his position on the floor, trying to get his heart rate back to human speed while Stiles watched Derek disappear down the stairs into the

Basement.

"You good Scott?" Stiles pulled his pants up as he got up, making his way toward his friend.

"Yeah, I'm good." Stiles offered a hand to help him up and Scott took it with a reluctant scowl.

"Hey don't sweat it man, " Stiles patted his friend on the back leaving his arm on his shoulders, "He still scares me too." He whispered the other part under his breath hoping that Scott was the only one using his 'super hearing'.

Scott answered with a commiserating nod and the pair followed Derek down the stairs.