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Lacy here. And with me is the final chapter of season four. Now, we've got a lot going on here. Effie goes through some serious shit this chapter. But it all works out, in the end. An added bonus, she gets to dig her claws into Kate. Literally. Gods, that was too fun to write. Alright, read on!

Disclaimer: I own Effie.

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

Effie grabbed her phone while helping Derek and Braeden prepare the guns for their trip to Mexico. "Dad say yes?"

Stiles scoffed. "Did you really think he was going to?"

"Nope." Effie shook her head. "Just like I know his refusal isn't going to stop us."

"Not even a little." Stiles agreed. "You need any help over there?"

"Nah, we got this covered." Effie denied. "You get the pack ready. I'll secure things on the human front."

"How freaked out is Derek by your knowledge of guns?" Stiles teased.

Effie laughed. "That is none of your business. We'll get them back, Sti."

"I know." Stiles nodded. "See you in a bit."

"Deal." Effie dropped her phone to the table and looked at Derek and Braeden. "Dad's busy trying to do things the right way. He won't get in our way."

"Is it a good idea to lie to your dad about this?" Braeden asked.

"Most of the time," Effie shook her head. "no. But in cases like this, he's still too caught up in the human way of doing things. And I think we all know, supernaturals don't play by human rules."

Derek looked over the table of weapons. "I still don't like relying on these things."

"I get it." Braeden said. "You miss your power. I would, too."

Derek shook his head. "It's not about power. It's about being able to help. I don't like feeling helpless."

"I'm human." Braeden pointed out as she loaded a gun. "Do I look helpless?"

Effie smirked. "You're a much better shot than he is."

Braeden watched their faces before focusing on Derek. "Do you really think you won't be coming back?"

Effie dropped her eyes to the table. If there was one thing she didn't want to think about, it was whether or not she'd be coming home with her mate. Or coming home at all.

"It doesn't matter." Derek said. "It's Scott's life on the line that we need to focus on. He's the alpha."

Effie saw the argument on Braeden's face. "Let it go, Braeden. We've worked it every way there is. There's nothing we can do but wait until the dice are rolled."

"Do we even know if this is enough firepower to take down even one berserkers?" Derek asked.

Peter's laugh floated down from the stairs. "Not even close. Killing a Berserker is next to impossible. It's not just the firepower, it's breaking the animal spirit from the human."

"Well, the one person we know with that kind of experience is Argent." Derek said. "And he's not getting back to me."

"Well then," Peter said. "we're going to need help. Like Malia, maybe Liam. Definitely me."

Effie stared hard at the elder Hale. "If you're coming, we're traveling in separate vehicles."

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

"Are we really bringing him?" Derek about Liam.

"Are we really bringing him?" Stiles about Peter.

"Are we really bringing any of you?" Effie, annoyed with the men in her life.

"We're bringing everyone we can." Peter said. "And considering Scott and Kira were taken the night before a full moon, we should probably get going."

"What's that mean?" Malia asked.

"If Kate took Scott back to the same temple that she took Derek," Peter said. "how do we know she's not planning to do the same thing to him?"

"What," Liam questioned. "she wants to make him younger?"

"Or take him back to when he wasn't a werewolf." Derek suggested.

"A werewolf can't steal a true alpha's power." Peter shared. "But maybe a Nagual jaguar, with the power of Tezcatlipoca behind her, maybe she can. So, if everyone is sufficiently freaked out, I say we get going."

"We can't." Stiles stopped him. "Not without Lydia."

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

"What was she doing at the school, anyway?" Derek asked as they watched Stiles pace with his phone.

"We have Kira's sword," Malia said. "but we need something with a stronger scent. Lydia went to get a jacket out of her locker."

"Nothing." Stiles rejoined them.

"If she has a car," Braeden suggested. "she can catch up to us."

"That's a good point." Peter said. "We'll call her from the road."

"No." Stiles said. "What if something happened? What if she's in trouble?"

"Fine." Peter argued. "You stay, you find her. We're gonna go on without you."

"I could call Mason." Liam offered. "He has a study group at school. Maybe he could look for her."

Stiles looked at Effie and Derek, who nodded. "Alright, fine."

Everyone split to their vehicles. Effie pulled the triskele medallion from her pocket and handed it to Derek.

"I'm gonna sit up front with Braeden." she said. "You keep this, in case Liam needs it."

"What if you need it?" Derek asked.

Effie smiled tightly. "As long as I have your scent, I'll be fine."

"Remember what we're dealing with, here." Peter said as he pulled his jacket on. "It's not just Kate, it's Berserkers. You might see human eyes behind those skulls. Do not assume that there's any humanity left. Oh," he smirked at Liam. "This little one is terrified of them, aren't you? Don't worry, my friend. It is that fear that will keep you alive. A reminder to everyone. You do not fight Berserkers to survive, you fight to kill."

"Do you ever get used to him?" Liam asked once Peter vanished.

"No." the others chorused.

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

Effie stayed facing front as she listened to Derek and Stiles talk with Liam.

"You alright?" Braeden asked quietly.

Effie looked at the other woman and shook her head. "No, not really. And for once, it has nothing to do with the full moon."

"I know I'm not Derek or Stiles," Braeden said. "but I can listen."

Effie debated before turning to face Braeden. "You've seen me with Derek, Scott with Kira. Hell, Stiles with Malia. Have you ever loved someone like that?"

"I used to think I did." Braeden answered. "And then I saw you guys together. I don't know if it's because of your animal sides but your love seems so much deeper than anything I've seen or felt in humans."

"For Derek and I, that's exactly what it is." Effie shared. "Not only are we linked in the human sense but our shifter halves will only ever love each other. So the very idea of going home without Derek, of knowing that this rescue to save Scott could rob me of that, it hurts and angers me more than I can ever hope to put into words."

"Then why did you let him come?" Braeden questioned.

Effie smiled. "Because, werewolf or not, you don't let Derek Hale do anything. If he wants to do something, there's no stopping him. That's part of what makes our relationship so volatile at times, because I'm the same way."

Braeden smiled as well. "Yeah, I've noticed that." she reached out and squeezed Effie's arm. "I'll do whatever I can to help keep him alive. I promise."

"Thank you."

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

Effie felt the pull of the moon before it even peeked from behind the clouds. Her pulse quickened and her senses heightened to their peak. She fisted her hands and felt her eyes change but kept them closed. Inhaling deeply, she searched for one scent, drifting from the back of the van. Even though Derek was human, the base of his scent was the same and it filled Effie's nose and lungs.

"Effie," Braeden said her name cautiously.

"I'm okay," she said. "I've got control."

"Good," Braeden nodded. "But I don't think Liam does."

Effie turned in her seat and looked through the divider. She watched Liam repeat 'Alpha. Beta. Omega.' over and over but his control wasn't getting any better.

"Derek," Stiles said as he crawled away from Liam. "I don't think that talisman of self-control is working."

"Liam, say it again!" Derek tried to get through.

The sound of metal snapping signaled Liam breaking through his cuffs.

"Derek!" Effie shouted.

"I think we're gonna need to go a little faster!" Stiles called out.

"He needs something else!" Effie pointed out. "He needs another mantra!"

"Like what?" Stiles questioned.

"Think, Stiles!" Effie growled. Her own control was slipping as Liam's claws got closer and closer to Derek's face.

"Hey!" Stiles pointed at his sister. "Don't you dare lose control! Not now! You're too strong for that!"

"Keep going!" Derek shouted to Braeden as Liam's other hand broke free. Stiles moved forward to help him hold the beta back. "Keep focus!"

"Derek," Stiles fought. "I really don't think Alpha, Beta, Omega is resonating with him."

"You know any other mantras?" Derek argued.

"Think Stiles!" Effie shouted again.

"Yeah, I do." Stiles moved closer. "Liam, Liam! What three things cannot long be hidden? Liam! Look at me! What three things cannot long be hidden? What three things?"

"The sun," Liam panted as he gained control. "the moon, the truth."

"That's it." Effie encouraged with Stiles. "Say it again."

"Sun," Liam repeated. "the moon, the truth."

"Derek?" Braeden questioned.

"We're okay." he said.

"The sun," Liam repeated. "the moon, the truth."

Effie dropped back in her seat, exhaling her own words. "Alpha. Beta. Omega."

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

"I can't believe I did it." Liam said as they stopped finally. "For a minute there, I thought I was gonna tear the two of you apart."

"Yeah," Stiles nodded. "That woulda made for an awkward ride home. So, thanks."

"Think you can bring the same level of control and strength inside La Iglesia?" Derek asked.

Effie turned, watching as Liam flicked out his claws.

"Alright," Stiles said. "We might actually be able to do this. Effie?"

Effie held her fingers through the divider, smiling when Derek reached out to her. "I'm in control."

Derek moved to get out of the van first, only to be grabbed and thrown by a Berserker.

"Derek!" Effie screamed, struggling with her door handle. "Braeden! Shoot that damn thing!" she finally got out of the truck and raced around to the back. Derek was already on the ground, grunting in pain. Effie could feel him slipping away through their bond. "Derek!" she dropped to his side, hand on his chest. "No."

"How bad is it?" Peter asked.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." Derek insisted. "Just get to Scott. Just find him. We'll be right behind you. Go. Go!" Peter, Malia and Liam ran into the church while Stiles stayed. "Hey, hey, save him."

Effie looked at her brother. "Go. Save Scott. I'll stay with Derek."

Stiles started to leave, stopping for one last moment, looking back at Effie, Derek and Braeden. He saw the tears on his sister's face and the pain on Derek's. Taking a deep breath, he ran inside, determined to save Scott and get revenge for his sister and her mate.

Effie held Derek close as he fought to breathe against the pain. "Shh," she soothed him, taking what pain she could. "just breathe, baby. It'll be okay." she looked at Braeden. "Go watch around us. That thing could come back."

Braeden nodded and got up. She watched the pair for a moment before disappearing.

"Lydia was right." Derek panted.

Effie barely held back a sob. "And I hate her so much for that."

"No," Derek squeezed her hand. "no. Don't hate Lydia for this. She can't help what her powers make her do. Just like now, you can't help that your eyes are lilac, when I'd give anything to see hazel."

Effie swallowed, trying to force her fox down. But she couldn't. "I want you to see hazel but I can't calm my fox. Not when you're this hurt. Not when you're-" she let out a sob. "Not when you're dying in my arms."

"I am so sorry, Effie." Derek panted. "I'm sorry for it happening like this. I'm sorry for it happening at all."

Effie smiled through her tears. "There is no place I'd rather be than here with you. I don't care if we're in danger or if Kate's breathing down our necks right now. I have you and that's all I've ever needed." she sniffed. "I knew this was going to happen. Before you told me about your powers fading. I drew this very moment."

"Why-" Derek swallowed. "why didn't you tell me?"

"I was afraid." Effie admitted. "That if I said it out loud, it would be real." she shook her head. "Now, it's real anyway."

Echoing gunshots had Effie whipping her head towards where Braeden vanished. She listened to charging footsteps, shotgun fire and then handguns. Finally, Braeden's cry of pain as she was grabbed and slammed into a wall.

"How much did they pay you?" Kate's voice drifted to Effie's ears.

"Way more than you're worth." Braeden shot back.

The sound of more vehicles filled the air and Effie felt her hope raise just a little bit.

"Looks like back up's here." she said to Derek. He gave her a weak smile and nod. "You stay with me, Derek. Hold on." She watched the Calaveras appear and drive Kate and one of her Berserkers back. Effie threw a hand out, using wind and the desert sand to pull their feet from under them, giving the hunters more time to take them out. "Derek," she turned back to him. She watched his eyes fail at focusing. "I've already lost you once, Derek Hale. I can't do it again. You promised." a small smile crossed his face before his eyes slid shut and his head fell to the side. "Derek." she felt the mate bond pull and pull until it snapped. The pain was so severe, all Effie could do was throw her head back and howl.

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

"Effie," Parrish came to her side as she cradled Derek against her chest and cried. "Effie, you can't stay here. It's too dangerous."

Effie shook her head. "I'm not leaving him. I can't."

Parrish looked Derek over. "Effie," he looked at the broken girl before him. "I think Derek would understand. He wouldn't want you to leave yourself vulnerable. He'd want you to get up and fight. If not for yourself, then for your friends."

Effie looked at him. "How do you know?"

Parrish wiped away her tears. "Because if I was him, and the woman I loved was crying over my body while bullets were flying and our friends were in danger, that's what I'd want her to do."

Effie jerked her head up as she heard a loud howl. "Scott. They found him."

"Then fight, Effie." Parrish helped her stand. "Fight for your alpha."

"Oh, I'll fight." Effie flicked out her claws. "But not just for Scott. For Derek, too."

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

Effie watched the Berserker tear through one Calaveras after another. When it dropped the one it was holding, she charged forward, claws glowing hot with fire. Coming at its back, she dug them in and slid between its legs, dragging it to the ground, head first. She jumped to her feet and grabbed its legs, swinging it around until she let go and watched it go flying into the nearest building wall.

"You're next, Araya!" Kate growled. "Once I take care of baby druid."

Effie turned on Kate. "You do not want to mess with me, bitch." she sent a wave of razor sharp ice straight at Kate, slicing her all over. "Your goddamn creature killed my mate. You took Derek from me! And do you know what an angry she-fox does when her mate is killed?" she growled, her eyes glowing. "She gets revenge."

The two clashed in the middle of the open space, claws flying as they swung at each other without hesitation. Effie kicked Kate sharply in the stomach, spinning around to claw her across the face. She wasn't the least bit surprised when Kate grabbed her arm and tried snapping her elbow. Effie dropped her weight down and used her other arm to knock Kate's legs from under her then drove her elbow into the jaguar's stomach before bashing her fist into Kate's face.

"You," Kate laughed, spitting blood. "you won't really kill me. You're just like Scott, too good for that."

Effie growled, inches from Kate's face. "I think you'll find one big difference between me and my alpha. I've already killed before." she went to slash Kate's throat when the sound of a wolf's howl broke through the air. Everyone turned, confused, as it wasn't a werewolf howl.

A huge black wolf appeared from behind Araya, eyes glowing red, and charged Kate. It jumped, biting and tearing at any part of Kate it could reach. Effie looked around, confused as it where it came from when she noticed Derek's body was missing. Spinning back around, she watched the wolf as it backed off Kate and slowly started changing.

"Derek," Effie breathed at the sight of her mate, whole and alive. He walked over to Kate and stood over her, with all the presence Effie could remember Talia having.

"You were," Kate was in disbelief. "you were dead."

"No," Derek shook his head. "I was evolving. Something you'll never do."

The Berserker came back and Derek easily ran at it, grabbing its skull and squeezing until the entire creature exploded right before him. Kate tried to run while they were distracted but Chris appeared and Effie saw a yellow glow to the last bullet he fired, hitting his sister in the torso.

"C-Chris," she stuttered, unable to grasp what was happening. She got up, stumbling and ran into the ruins.

Effie couldn't take it anymore. She ran over to Derek and jumped into his arms. With all her grief and anger, she never noticed the mate bond return, stronger than ever before.

"You're naked." she panted against his shoulder.

Derek laughed. "I have clothes in my truck."

"Good," Effie pulled back, tears falling over her smiling face. "do not ever do that to me again."

Derek brushed her hair back. "Never again."

"Uh, guys," Parrish cleared his throat. "might be a good idea to get some clothes on."

Both laughed, nodding their agreement. They moved to the truck and it took no time for Derek to dress and pull Effie back into his arms.

"I love you," she whispered.

Derek rested their foreheads together. "I love you, too."

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

It felt weird, being back home. Watching Peter get taken to Eichen House after Scott kicked his ass for the final time and Chris doped him up on some strong wolfsbane. Turned out the bastard was working with Kate. Hello surprise twist. Then standing through her father's yelling with Stiles at her side and watching Derek and Malia snicker in the background. They really should have learned by now not to lie to their father, even if they were going to ignore him in the end. You know, for his blood pressure and all.

After holding Derek while he died, watching as he came back, as an actual wolf and shifting human once more, everything felt like she wasn't really there. Like it was happening to someone else.

"Hey,"

Effie turned as Derek came up behind her. They'd driven back to the loft once John released his children from holding. Literally, he put them in a holding cell, leaving them there while he took Derek and Malia to dinner. It was just mean, but Derek promised Chinese once they were home.

"What's wrong?" Derek asked, his face full of concern. "You look upset."

Effie shook her head. "No, actually, I'm not." she looked around the loft. "I didn't think we'd be back here, together. I didn't think I'd be coming home from Mexico whole. Or at all, really."

"But you did." Derek took her hands. "We both did."

"And I'm so grateful." Effie smiled. "More than I can put into words. I just," she frowned a bit. "I guess I don't feel settled yet? I don't think that's the right word, but it's all I've got."

Derek nodded. "I think I know what you mean. And I have an idea." he leaned back on the table, pulling Effie to stand between his legs. "Remember what I promised back when Cora was in trouble? When she was unconscious in the hospital?"

Effie took a moment to think. "You said once everything was over, we'd get away for awhile. Just the two of us, like a normal couple."

"How do you think your dad would feel about you starting your summer vacation a little early?" Derek asked with a grin.

Effie laughed. "After what we just pulled? We might have to wait a bit before asking. But," she laced her arms around Derek's neck. "I like where you're going with this. Though, I want you to do me a favor, once I come back for school."

"Name it."

"Go spend time with Cora." Effie requested. "You just died, Derek. And came back to life. Not a lot of people can say that." she rolled her eyes at Derek's cocked brow. "Outside of Beacon Hills, you ass." she dropped her smile. "Nearly losing you like that made me realize how precious life is, and how precious those we care about are. Just because Cora is in another country doesn't mean she isn't precious, to both of us."

"Counter offer," Derek pulled Effie close. "we both go visit Cora towards the end of the summer after traveling for a bit and when it's time for you to come back for school, I'll stay and spend some one on one time with her. I honestly think she'd like to see you just as much as me."

Effie smiled. "Alright, Mr. Hale, you've got yourself a deal."

Derek pulled Effie into a tight hug. "Then I cannot wait for summer to start."

Effie laughed more, holding tight to Derek. "Me too." she pulled back. "And," she held up her ring. "I wanna switch this to the other hand."

Derek's eyes widened a bit. "You're sure?"

"You promised Dad it would be my decision." Effie reminded. "And it's what I want. We don't have to called it engaged yet but it's done sitting on my right hand."

"I think your dad was hoping you'd wait until after high school," Derek laughed. He took the ring. "but if it's what you want, then it's what I want, too."

Effie grinned as Derek slid the ring onto her left ring finger and kissed the stone. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Derek said. "And I will never leave you, again."

Effie hugged him even tighter than before. "I like the sound of that."

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

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And there we have it. The end of Relief, Relive and Rebirth. It's been one hell of a rollercoaster ride, that's for sure. I lost count of the number of times I had to step back and let myself breathe before I could carry on. It was right up there with season 3b in terms of emotions. Next up with have the first chapter of our next in-between story. Look for Learning Curve coming next week. Let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thank you so much for reading. I'll see you in the next one.

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