Well, who could have seen this coming? Not me. I never thought I'd end up taking such a long time to put up another chapter of this. Frankly, it's been years. Better late than never, here is the next chapter! Now for the belated thanks speech. NCIS FTW: Your use of course language pleases me:) Banhan: Thank you, and I'm sorry it's taken this long for the next chapter to come out. XmissxSpunkyx: Sorry it's taken me literally years to update. I hope updates will be more regular from now on. Unfortunately, I can't make any promises. MaryCementary: Here you go, sorry for the overlong wait. Guest: Thanks for the praise. :)

Chapter Fourteen: Awoken

I woke slightly better rested. It seemed Stiles' body was finally starting to catch up with all the lost blood and the drowsy medicine.

Moonlight shone in through gaps in the window blinds, striping the wall above me. I was surprised to see a patterned wall paper that I didn't recognize. Quickly, I bolted upright. The sheriff's sleeping grunt made me breathe out in relief. I noticed him then, stretched out on a padded window seat, face crammed against a folded cushion. A thin blanket was spread over his legs, but it looked like he'd tried to kick it off in his sleep.

I turned my attention back to the room. Short dark carpet covered the floor, there was a television mounted on the wall, and beside the door hung several clip boards. My bed had also changed to a more sturdy model, though it still had wheels and side bars. I did a quick scan for Stiles' cellphone, but didn't spot it anywhere. Another thing I was glad to see was that the dialysis machine's absence. The IV was still in, but it wasn't such a nuisance.

A gentle rap sounded at the door. Scott at last, I thought, only to have my hopes dashed when a deputy stuck his head inside. He smiled at me, before turning to Stiliniski, "Hey Sheriff," he called, "The nurse is here."

Stiles' father jolted awake and got to his feet, "that's fine, Rob," he mumbled, untangling the blanket from his legs.

A plump red headed woman turned up the florescent lights as she entered the room. "You're awake," she smiled at me, "how are you feeling?"

'Annoyed' was what I wanted to say, but I kept my answer light. "Better."

Her smile deepened, "That's good," I watched as she flipped through one of the clip boards. Under the sheriff's hawk like gaze, my temperature was taken. "Are you in any pain?" The nurse asked.

Stiles' broken fingers burned, but I shook my head, afraid of more medicine.

"Would you like something to help you sleep?"

"No!" I snapped before catching myself and forcing a yawn. "Thank you. I don't think I'll have any trouble sleeping."

"Alright then," she made her way back to the door, "Oh sheriff," she exclaimed, "we got another call from-"

Stilinski shot her a look before glancing at me, "I'd like to speak with you outside, if I could."

Puzzlement crossed the nurse's face, "of course."

I watched both of them leave the room, wishing I still had wolf hearing. What was Stilinski hiding from me? It was doubtful that Stiles had a surprise party coming up any time soon. Could this body be dying? I wondered with a jolt. That's what usually happened with the bite, either it changed you or it killed you.

Maybe that's why I'd been moved to this fancier room, and they'd taken me off the dialysis, because it didn't matter anymore. I felt my heart beat faster and took a few breaths to calm it. No, I reasoned, if Stiles was dying, his father wouldn't have been asleep even if he was exhausted.

Whatever it was, I hoped I wouldn't be around to see any of it happen. 'Come on, Scott,' I shouted with my mind, 'where the hell are you?'

The door opened again, and Stilinski reentered. His eyes were dark and hooded for a moment before he gave me a half grin. "How's it going. Kiddo?"

I studied him, wondered what he expected me to say and then shrugged, "about the best it can be when all your blood turns black." His mouth formed a hard line again, but the moment I grinned he did too.

"Glad to see your sarcasm's recovering anyway."

I acknowledged this with a nod. "What happened to the dialysis machine?"

An unreadable look crossed the sheriff's features. "We're going to keep you off of it for a little while. See how things go... Are you thirsty?" He crossed to the side table and poured some water.

Although this answer didn't satisfy my curiosity on the matter, knowing I wouldn't have to put up with that machines' beeping was a relief. I accepted the cup Stilinski offered me and took a sip. "What time is it?"

He made a show of looking at his watch, "one thirty A.M."

The cold water sloshed in my empty stomach. "Could I get something to eat?"

"There's some crackers here." Plastic crinkled as the sheriff opened a packet of saltines.

I took one and nibbled it tentatively, unsure how Stiles' stomach would react. After there were no ill affects, I grew more bold, finishing half a sleeve.

Stalinski seemed on edge, he paced the room and kept glancing at his watch. When he did stand still his fingers were constantly tapping. I remembered Stiles doing the same things when he'd been here with Scott. What had that nurse said to him? About someone calling? Had something happened to Scott, was that why he hadn't shown up? Had Stiles gotten into some sort of trouble in my skin? Had the Alpha made another appearance? Or was something wrong with this body? Could I be dying? I was going to die outside of my body...

"Dad, is everything OK?" I asked, "you're making me nervous."

"Everything's fine," he replied a little too quickly.

I wasn't buying it. "Is it something about what the nurse said?" I asked, reaching out to refill my cup. Stalinski beat me to it. I watched him as I drained the cup.

"Oh that," he forced a smile, "that's nothing."

"Dad, you're not helping with the nerves." I felt my pulse skyrocket and searched Stiles' body for some sort of malfunction. Aside from the still broken fingers, everything seemed normal.

The sheriff sat down in the chair next to my bed. I watched his face grow more serious. "There's another doctor coming in to have a look at you. Now it's nothing to get concerned about. She's a specialist flying in from out of state."

Was that all? Another doctor, that's what had him so nervous? I smiled in relief. "Oh, I thought I was dying."

"What? No." Stalinski shook his head, brow furrowed. "No, son, you're fine. Doing much better than you were before. G-d." I let him pull me into a hug, knowing that refusing would look suspicious. "You're going to get through this."

I was surprised to find my cheek wet, and brushed at it with the heel of my palm. "I thought... I'm off the machines and you're all nervous-"

"Stiles, you're going to be fine." He patted my knee. "We wouldn't have taken you off dialysis if your condition wasn't improving. I wouldn't be surprised if we even still need a specialist by the time she gets here." He smiled broadly, but I could still feel the tension coming off of him.

"What has you scared then?" I knew I was being blunt, but if Stalinski was concerned I needed to know why.

He looked ready to deny any abnormal behavior, but after giving me a long look he continued. "Derek Hale's missing."

I felt Stiles' eyebrows raise in surprise. "What do you mean, 'missing'?"

"We can't locate him. He's not at the Hale place, and his car was found by a cheep motel. It's like he

vanished."

A motel? I frowned in distaste. What was Stiles doing? Still, I wasn't unduly concerned. "What about Scott?"

"What about him?"

"Does he know where Derek is?"

"Scott's mixed up with Hale too?"

I shook my head. "Why were you looking for Derek, anyway?"

"We just want to ask him some more questions."

I sighed, "Dad, when will you let this drug thing go? There were no drugs. Derek didn't hurt me either. It was all that mountain lion..."

"He'd almost cracked," Stalinski muttered as if not hearing me. "I was this close," he held up two pinched fingers. "And now he's gone to ground. He could be out of state now, maybe half way to Mexico."

I settled back against the bed. I doubted my body was in any danger. Scott probably had Derek somewhere safe. I yawned and the sheriff turned down the lights. "Why don't you get some sleep?" He pressed, "I don't want you overtaxing yourself."

I nodded against my pillow, breath already slowing. Everything was alright. Stiles' body seemed to be dealing with the venom, my own was somewhere safe away from prying eyes, and the Alpha seemed to be laying low for the time being. It was all I could ask for.

Sleep was a moment or two away before a thought struck me like a lightning bolt. I jolted upright with a sharp intake of breath.

"Stiles?" The room flooded with light as Stalinski stumbled to my side. "Son, what's wrong?" His hand hovered over the nurse call button.

"The Argents! I have to call Scott!"