Lydia, Stiles, and Scott stand together in the loft, watching as Jennifer pleads with Derek to believe her and listen to her story.
Scott interrupts her, his voice clear and firm across the open space, "She's the one killing people."
Jennifer scoffs. "Right. I'm committing human sacrifices. What, during my lunch hour as a high school English teacher?"
Lydia steps from behind Stiles, her voice croaked but clear, "I saw her do it. She tried to kill me."
Jennifer meets her gaze, her innocent expression falling as she smirks slyly. "Would've gotten away with it, too. It's always the banshee, you're not expecting."
Derek's grip around Jennifer's throat tightens.
Stiles reaches out for Lydia's hand as he pleads with Derek to let Jennifer live, if only to use her for information on his dad's whereabouts.
Jennifer led them to the evacuated hospital to rescue Cora, with the promise of the Sherriff's location in exchange for her own safety.
An hour later, Stiles and Lydia are stuck in an empty ambulance in the basement, the Alphas fighting their own pack on the floors above them.
"We're gonna be ok. Scott's gonna get us out of this." Stiles raises his brows and tilts his head. "I can't believe I just said that."
Lydia's face falls as she reaches for his arm. "You're right. He's gonna get us out of this."
"I used to be the one with the plan." He shakes his head, a tear falling down his cheek. "I can't find my father's body, Lydia."
Her hands frame his jaw as she lifts his head to meet her gaze. "He's not dead, so quit talking like that. And this isn't on you or Scott anymore. We're all here. We're all gonna find your dad."
He nods, clearing his throat and wiping his cheeks.
She wants to stay here. She wants to stay with him in this nearly safe place they've carved out.
But, her nerves are on fire, and it's not just due to her anxiety over her friends' safety upstairs.
Something is going to happen. She can literally feel it. Jennifer is still moving pieces. While she has no idea how to stop it, Lydia feels a drive, a need, to warn them.
She swallows roughly and whispers, "You have to let me go."
His head spins towards her. "What?"
"I can't sit here, Stiles. I need to be up there. I need to help Scott."
His eyes dart towards the ambulance doors. "Alright, I'll go—"
She places her hand on his arm, stilling him. "You need to stay here with Cora."
He shakes his head.
She shifts forward, her voice breaking, "You need to let me do this, Stiles."
"You don't know what you're asking—"
She nods, her own eyes filled with tears. "I do."
He lets out a stuttered breath as his hands frame her face. He rests his forehead against hers, before tilting his head slightly and kissing her.
She leans away, pain marring her features. Her eyes clench shut, and her hands form fists in her lap.
She knows this is a bad idea. She should stay for him. With his dad's disappearance, Stiles is a step away from a full-fledged breakdown. She should stay for herself. She's still recovering from Jennifer's attack. The cuts on her neck are still fresh and her throat is still raw from screaming.
But, the thrumming in her veins and the pounding in her head overtake all her rational reasoning.
"Find Scott. Stay away from the alphas."
She nods, pressing her lips together to form a semblance of a brave face for him.
He drops his now shaking hands. "You're gonna be fine."
Scott and Isaac open the ambulance doors.
"We need to move Cora, now."
Stiles nods, helping them move her into the awaiting car.
"Where's Lydia?"
Scott and Isaac freeze. "She was with you."
Stiles' eyes widen and he feels his breath leaving too rapidly from his lungs. "No. She left like twenty minutes ago. She went to find you."
On the roof, Melissa McCall flips the switch for the electricity in the hospital.
With a satisfied smile, she turns, yelling and jumping as she spots Lydia directly in front of her.
Her hand over her heart, she scoffs, "Lydia, you scared the hell out of me! What are you doing up here, honey?"
Lydia's glassy and distant eyes widen and Melissa turns slowly to find Jennifer waiting.
Lydia lets out an ear-piercing scream as Scott's mother is taken.
Scott and Isaac arrive on the hospital roof first.
Both stop short at the sight of Lydia lying on the ground unconscious.
They take the last few strides to her side, checking for vital signs and sharing a sigh of relief when they find her pulse.
Stiles and Allison emerge from the hospital stairs, immediately sprinting towards them.
Stiles skids to a stop and falls to his knees. "Is she ok? Is she—"
Scott places a hand on his friend's shoulder, steadying him. "She's alive."
Isaac turns to Allison, speaking softly, "Her pulse is too slow. She needs help."
She meets his gaze with wide eyes and nods. "I'll call my dad."
"Have you seen my mom?" Scott asks.
With her phone to her ear, Allison shakes her head.
Deucalion steps out from the shadows, and Isaac and Scott shoot up, standing to face him.
"Your mother's gone, Scott. I could've told you this would happen. We could've stopped Jennifer together."
Stiles' eyes widen as he raises his head.
"Lydia knew," he whispers, "That's what she was feeling. That's why she was here."
Allison hangs up the phone. "My dad's waiting downstairs with a car."
Deucalion smiles. "Let's help each other, Scott. You help me catch Jennifer, and I'll help you get your mother and Stiles' father back."
Stiles stands. "Scott, don't do this. Don't go with him. We need you."
Scott turns to his friend. "I don't know what else to do."
Stiles' jaw locks as his eyes fill with tears. "There's gotta be somethin' else. Lydia knew—ok? She knew. We can figure this out."
Allison pleads, "He's right, Scott. We can find your parents. Deucalion knew and he didn't help you. Lydia was trying to help. Let us help."
Scott shakes his head as if to clear it.
"You're right. Let's get Lydia out of here."
Isaac watches as Deucalion seemingly disappears.
Stiles lets out a long, shuddering breath and embraces his friend.
Police sirens erupt from the ground below them.
Stepping over to the roof's edge, Isaac surveys the chaos below. "They're gonna have a lot of questions."
Allison nods, wrapping her jacket around Lydia. "Scott, help me get Lydia out of here. Stiles, you stay here. Find Derek and distract the police."
"What? No. I'm going with you."
"Lydia needs help, now. They aren't going to let us leave without some kind of explanation. Let us get Lydia to the hospital. You can meet us there."
He sighs, gritting his teeth, his hands forming fists at his side.
Scott picks up Lydia and nods at his friend.
Licking his lips, Stiles agrees, "I'll find Derek and give you guys a head start. Just—make sure she's ok."