I don't own Teen Wolf.

A/N: Warning-This chapter contains slash M/M.

Seeds of the Nemeton- Chapter 24- Be There

Jackson's alarm went on a 5 AM that Saturday morning. The air was still crisp as the jock put on his clothes for his run and grabbed his bag with his lacrosse gear. As he got up to leave the apartment he heard Danny call out to him.

"Dude, wait up. I want to run with you before practice."

Jackson looked back to Ethan's room and saw a half awake Danny as he rubbed his eyes. "Alright but hurry up. I want to be nice and limber before practice."

Danny smiled and darted back into the room.

Jackson asked, "Is Ethan joining us?"

Danny laughed a little as he put together his gym bag and said, "No, my boyfriend needs his beauty rest. Oh and Aiden is pissed you helped push Stiles to asking Lydia out."

Jackson laughed, "Well tell Aiden that he can eat me."

Danny stepped out of the bedroom with his gym bag over his shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I'm sure he already knows."

Jackson said, "Let's take your car this morning. It's a little too chilly for the bike."

Danny nodded and grabbed his keys as the two men left the apartment and headed to Beacon Hills High School.

They arrived at the school and parked near the lacrosse field. They left their gear in the car as they walked over to the track. They began to run at a decent pace as the cool air nipped at their skin. Their breaths fogged around them as their bodies heated up and the moisture around them condensed and gave the appearance that they were steaming.

Danny asked as they ran. "Why are we practicing here?"

Jackson smiled and said, "Just doing Coach a favor"

Danny looked to Jackson, "Finstock or G?"

"Finstock. I don't know how Coach G would react if she knew we were here. She would probably blow a gasket."

After their fourth lap the two men saw Liam and Mason walk towards the track as Liam carried his gym bag.

Jackson shouted to the young beta, "Hustle up 'mallow. Danny and I have already ran a mile."

Liam pushed his gear to Mason, ran to the track, and caught up with Jackson and Danny. Liam asked while they ran, "So why are we practicing together today? Did you guys lose a bet to Coach or something?"

Jackson smiled to the younger beta, "No, Coach just thought I should practice with you since he commented on how you are as good at lacrosse as I am, maybe better."

Liam asked, "But isn't Scott better than you?"

Jackson held up his left hand as his right went to his side to hold back laughter. He slowed his pace as he laughed. Danny and Liam stopped as Jackson brought his own amusement under control, "McCall? I am definitely better than McCall. No offense to your fearless captain but I was actually good before things changed."

Danny nodded in agreement with Jackson and looked to Mason, "Say Jacks, I am going to get Mason on the track for a few laps, why don't you and Liam push yourselves more, like I can already tell you are craving to do?"

Jackson looked to Danny and smiled, "Sounds good Danny." He slowly shifted his gaze to Liam. As their eyes met, Jackson's eyes flashed blue while Liam's flashed yellow. The two betas locked gazes until they reached the starting line. Jackson said, "First one to run two miles wins. Loser has to play goalie first."

Liam chuckled, "You're on!"

The two betas darted off and began their race around the track. Danny walked over to Mason who had sat down at the bottom of the bleachers with Liam's gear.

Danny said, "Aren't you going to join us on the track?"

Mason shrugged, "No, I'm just here for Liam today."

Danny shook his head, "Not with Coach here you aren't. Expect to practice some as well. Run with me so you can at least loosen up before our practice."

Mason sighed as he stood up, "I'm not that fast."

Danny smiled and ushered the young man to the track, "That's alright, compared to those two, I'm not fast. Plus we can just do this at your pace. Just remember, this is a warm up so don't burn up all your energy."

Mason nodded and he and Danny began to run laps around the track.

Jackson and Liam remained neck and neck during the race. Every time Liam thought he was making gains, Jackson just sped up more. Liam pushed his anger into it and Jackson only pushed more and remained ahead of the younger beta. The race ended with Jackson beating Liam by almost a quarter of a lap.

The two betas stepped off the track towards the water fountains outside of the locker rooms. Jackson said, "Liam, you are pretty fast. I hope you can play lacrosse as good as you can run."

Initially Liam was pissed at losing to Jackson but the older beta's comment took the winds out of the sails of anger, "I'm better actually."

Jackson drank a little water before he grinned his cocky grin and said, "Good, I want actual competition."

Liam drank some water and the two betas headed towards the bleachers. Jackson asked, "So Liam, what brings you to Beacon Hills High and into Scott's pack?"

Liam tells Jackson about the events that got him expelled and how Scott turned him. Jackson couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous Scott and Stiles sounded after Scott bit Liam. Liam angrily said, "I was just telling you what happened, you don't have to make fun of it."

Jackson just smiled and said, "I was just laughing at McCall and Stilinski. You seem like a pretty good kid."

Liam said, "Did you miss the part about being expelled for the Coach's car?"

Jackson grinned and said, "I didn't but when you become a tool for murder, let me know because then we'll be on the same page."

Liam looked confused, "What are you talking about?"

Jackson told Liam about being BHHS lacrosse team captain, the dealings with Peter, and becoming the kanima. Liam looked shocked as Jackson candidly shared his past with him.

Liam asked, "Do you and Derek even talk anymore?"

Jackson shrugged, "Not really, I belong to a different pack now."

Liam grabbed his bag and they walked to Danny's car and changed into their lacrosse gear.

Liam asked, "Is it really true that Stiles is your pack's alpha?"

Jackson smiled and nodded, "Yeah, we aren't the most orthodox pack to say the least."

Liam looked confused, "But I thought an alpha werewolf led a pack."

Jackson grinned, "So did I but we have two alphas and neither one is the alpha of the pack."

Liam asked, "So what keeps you guys together?"

Jackson sighed and said, "If I had to put my finger on it, I would say comradery through loss."

"Loss?"

Jackson nodded, "Yeah. We have to deal with the Nemeton but I think our mutual loss, in friends and identity kinda helped push us together. We are definitely better together than individually and I know I can trust these guys as much as they trust me."

"Things are going to get worse before they get better, aren't they?"

Jackson sighed again, "Yeah kid, they are. Don't worry though, McCall will look out for you."

"What about your pack?"

Jackson smiled, "Don't worry about us. We can more than handle ourselves and Stiles is a lot better alpha than he appears."

Danny and Mason walked off the track and towards the car. As they approached Jackson asked, "So Liam, how much does Mason know about this stuff?"

Liam looked away and said, "Nothing."

Jackson placed his hand on the young beta's shoulder, "Yeah, that'll have to change."

Danny and Mason reached the vehicle and Danny looked to Jackson and Liam and said, "I wonder what you two have been talking about?"

Jackson smirked, "Just lacrosse stuff."

Danny rolled his eyes and laughed as he grabbed his things and began to change. Jackson looked at Mason and noticed the boy immediately looked away. He shifted his gaze to Danny and asked, "I wonder what you two were talking about on your run?"

Mason quickly said, "Nothing."

Jackson noticed Danny's smile and looked to Liam, "I think your best friend thinks I'm hot."

Liam's eyes widened and Mason gasped. Jackson turned his best cocky jock, seductive gaze to Mason and said, "It's alright Mason, I'm everyone's type."

Danny couldn't help but laugh as Liam began to look irritated. He said, "That's not cool."

Jackson playfully looked confused, "What? I didn't say anything that wasn't the truth."

Mason could tell that Liam was getting angry but was surprised when he moved to walk to his best friend and Jackson's arm stopped him. Jackson said, "Anger can be good Liam. Channel that at practice. Who knows, you might actually be able to beat me."

The group moved to the field and Liam took his position in the goal. After Danny, Jackson, and Mason went through many one up drills only a few balls made it into the goal, Jackson's shots. Coach Finstock walked toward the field with a cup of coffee in hand and Scott and both Stiles followed him. He looked out to the field just in time to see Liam make an awesome catch when Jackson bulleted the ball towards the goal.

Coach Finstock said, "Now that's what I like to see!"

Both Stiles argued over who was better between Liam and Jackson and Scott stepped up to walk next to Coach. He asked, "Coach, why did you ask Jackson to be here?"

Finstock grinned at Scott before he looked back at the four boys practicing, "McCall, you and Jackson motivate players in different ways. I think Jackson's method might work better with Dunbar."

Scott looked confused, "I don't understand Coach."

Finstock yelled to the players in the field, "Danny take goal, Jackson, and whoever you are out there kid, grab long sticks. I want to see if Dunbar get actually score a goal."

The men on the field shuffled to change sticks and positions. Stiles looked to Coach and said, "Do you want us to take the field?"

"And ruin the training drill? Not a chance Stilinski."

The copy interrupted, "Coach, I'm Stilinski."

Coach Finstock looked at both Stiles, noticeably irritated, "Bilinski, Stilinski, whatever. Just go sit on the bleachers."

Both Stiles laughed and walked to the bleachers and sat down.

As the drills began, Scott could feel the anger as it flowed off Liam. Every time the young beta charged the goal, Jackson knocked him to the ground. The only thing that made it look more comical is how Mason moved out of the way.

Jackson taunted, "Dunbar, you have to get by me to score." He turned to Mason, "What are you doing? You aren't made of glass, you can stop him."

Liam charged again, his eyes burned yellow as he struck Jackson, knocking the jock to the ground. He continued to run towards the goal and Danny prepared himself to defend when Mason stepped into Liam's path. Liam struck Mason hard and the young man fell to the ground. As Liam continued to run, his feet got wrapped up on Mason and he began to fall as his shot went wide. Jackson rolled to his feet and laughed as the shot pathetically missed. He said, "Good job Mason. Using your body to stop Liam is a method, though not the preferred method."

Mason smiled as he slowly stood up and he noticed exactly how angry Liam was becoming. Scott began to run to the field but saw Jackson as he reached Liam's side.

Jackson spoke quietly to the young beta, "Dude, it's alright. That's why Coach wanted to do these drills."

Liam glared daggers at Jackson and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Jackson grinned, "He wanted me to piss you off and see if you could channel it into the game."

Liam's eyes widened, "What?"

Jackson nodded and said, "So you missed the shot. Big deal, it's practice and it's not even the purpose behind this drill."

Liam looked confused and asked, "Well then what is the purpose?"

Jackson motioned to Mason, who was dusting himself off and said, "This is a defensive practice drill. Looks like you just taught your best friend a valuable lesson."

Liam's eyes returned to normal as he saw Mason smile and wave at him. The young beta's tone shifted and he yelled to Mason, "Good job Mason. I didn't think you had it in you."

A loud, female voice erupted from just beyond the bleachers behind Coach Finstock and Scott. Coach G walked up to Coach Finstock, wearing her school uniform and carrying a cup of coffee, as she said, "This is your game Bobby, use my team to help your team's teamwork."

Everyone looked back to see Coach G walking up with Isaac, Ethan, Kira, and Malia.

Coach Finstock and Scott looked surprised as they saw Kira and Malia. Scott said, "Kira? Malia? What are you doing with their team?"

Malia smirked and Kira smiled as she said, "Isaac texted us about the practice session and I know I can use the practice so we met up."

Coach G stopped next to Coach Finstock and said, "Your Dunbar is like Whittemore, only with less confidence."

Finstock grinned at G and said, "You noticed."

Coach G crossed her arms and grunted, "Of course I noticed. So we have our teams train with one another. Work their teamwork by training their teamwork with another team."

Finstock laughed and said unusually loud, "What is with you and always talking about teamwork?"

Coach G looked at Finstock, "Teamwork is the element that causes teams to be teams."

Coach G yelled to the teens, "Pick sides, we are having a scrimmage."

Coach Finstock nodded and the teens broke into two groups. They played a light hearted game. The Coaches watched as the players maneuvered the field with ease and worked together with near expert precision. As the game continued, Coach G said, "See, teamwork!"

The game came to a conclusion but no one even kept track of the score. The teens walked towards the bleachers. Isaac walked over to the Stiles and asked, "Stiles, how did things go with Lydia last night? You didn't come home after the date."

The copy interrupted, "He crashed at home. He crashed and burned." The copy almost seemed happy at how the date ended.

Stiles shot a glare at the copy, "It didn't end like that. We had a good time and I can tell Lydia likes me, well a lot."

Isaac looked confused as they reached the bleachers. "So, what's the problem then?"

Stiles sighed and said, "You know it was cool to go on a date with her but after I stopped idolizing her, I realized that there are two bad things in life."

Even more confused, Isaac asked, "What are the two bad things in life?"

Stiles laughed a little, "Not getting what you want and getting exactly what you want. I realized I love Lydia, just not in that way. I kinda realized I've fallen for someone else."

The copy and Isaac looked at Stiles and in unison said, "Who?"

Stiles turned to Isaac and pulled the alpha down for a chaste kiss. Time seemed to stop as everyone turned to see Stiles kissing Isaac.

Jackson yelled out happily, "It is about time!"

After the kiss ended, Isaac asked meekly, "You've fallen, for me?"

Stiles threw his arm around the confused young man, "With that smile, who wouldn't?"

A look of surprise crossed Finstock's face as he asked loudly, "Stilinski is gay?"

The copy yelled, "I'm not gay", quickly followed by a muttered phrase of confusion, "am I?" Malia walked up to the copy and ruffled his sweaty hair and didn't say a word but laughed.

Coach G laughed and looked to Finstock as she guided him away from the field, "Teamwork like theirs has to blossom off the field."

Finstock asked, "Blossom?"

"Bobby, let's leave the teenagers to their drama. Plus we need to talk about future training opportunities. I don't see why Beacon Hills can't be second in the state."

Finstock yelled back as they walked away, "Forest View can't be first, Beacon Hills is first."

Danny and Jackson stood next to each other as they watched Liam and Mason talk about the game they just played. Danny leaned over towards Jackson and said, "It's like Déjà vu isn't it?"

Jackson smiled and said, "Yeah, they remind you of us."

Danny nodded and smiled.