EPILOGUE

The sun was out but Allison still felt darkness hovering over her body as she woke and got ready for school. She dressed in a black dress, as some sort of testament to the friend they couldn't truly mourn. Alex and Connor had taken Jessie's body to bury her with her birth parents in the Sange tomb. They couldn't explain her getting impaled by crates from the distillery, so she was destined to turn into one of Beacon Hills runaways.

Allison walked passed her father's office, stopping when she noticed he was packing away his weapons. She stood in the doorway, "Back to storage?"

"That's the plan," he told her.

"What if I've got a different plan?" she posed for him. "Deaton said that what we did in order to find you—he said it might draw things here, make Beacon Hills kind of a beacon again."

"I hope not," Chris answered her sincerely.

"I was thinking that maybe I should be prepared," she told him. "Learn to be a better fighter and learn all the things that you can still teach me."

"And maybe a few things more," Chris added, hesitant.

Allison nodded, "But we're going to have a new code." She spoke a eloquent statement in french.

Chris let the corners of his mouth quirk up, "We protect those who cannot protect themselves."

"Jessie died for us—for that belief," Allison spoke, her voice shaking a little. "I have to honor her and honor our family, the way we should have done things from the beginning."

Scott sat, almost numb, with Deaton in the lobby of the clinic, just staring at what used to be Jessie's desk. He'd gone through his first day of school without her, three days after her death. He thought back to all that had happened since. Derek was packing to leave with Marissa and Cora, to get away.

"I honestly don't know if he's ever coming back," Scott told his boss. "And part of me hopes so, but another part hopes that maybe he'll be okay somewhere else."

Deaton listened to the boy, wishing he could do more to help with his grief.

But Scott could only hope to distract himself.

"My dad doesn't look like he's gonna be leaving for a while. But just because he's staying... doesn't mean he's welcome."

He clasped his hands together, sighing, "Stiles and I both feel it every day, just like you said we would. And it makes me think about that quote Jennifer used to start out first class. Because when I feel it, yeah, it's like... I'm looking into the hart of an immense darkness."

"So, what do you do instead?" Deaton asked him.

"I look for my friends," Scott told him. "I look for Jessie... but I don't see her." He paused as something occurred to him, "What's going to happen to her father?"

"He's still being treated according to Melissa," Deaton told him. "And that it actually looks like he'll wake up any day now."

"What are we supposed to tell him?" Scott asked, feeling guilt rack his body. "Both his son and daughter are dead."

"He will grieve just like we all will," Deaton told him.

Scott slowly walked downstairs of his house. He paused slightly when he saw Isaac sitting at the kitchen counter, holding a mug. The other boy noticed him and nodded, "Melissa made pancakes. She had to go to work though."

"Okay," Scott nodded, taking out some milk and a glass. "Did you do the history homework?"

"No," Isaac shook his head distractedly.

Scott was about to say something when the doorbell rang throughout the house. Scott and Isaac looked at each other confused. They weren't expecting anyone to come over this morning. And Stiles would just walk in or break in if it was him. Scott and Isaac just walked over to the door and opened it. There was a mailman there.

"Good morning," the young man greeted brightly. "Are either of you Scott McCall?"

Scott gaped a little bit but pointed to himself, "That's me."

The man handed him a medium sized box, "Here you go. I need you to sign here."

Scott signed for the package and bid the mailman a good day before closing the door. "What is that?" Isaac asked.

Scott shrugged, setting the box on the kitchen island counter, "I don't know." He peered at the label, "It's from someone named... Nick Burkhardt in Portland, Oregon."

"Who is that?" Isaac asked curiously.

"I don't know any Nick Burkhardt," Scott answered, using his claws to open up the box, pulling back the flaps to reveal a Grimm Bestiary. Scott felt some foreboding feeling in his chest as he pulled it out of the box.

"That's Jessie's!" Isaac commented in shock, going over to stand by Scott and peer into the box. Scott pulled a sticky note off of the book that said; You'll need this soon. Take care of it.

"We'll need the bestiary?" Isaac said out loud. "Who even had that? It's Jessie's."

"There's something else," Scott said, reaching into the box to take out a manila envelope with something written on it. "Oh my god."

"What?" Isaac asked, and Scott showed him what was written on the envelope.

I'm alive.

The McCall living room had become populated with school-ditching teenagers, a former Alpha Werewolf, his sister and the head of the house. Lydia, Allison and Georgie sat on the couch, the first two clasping hands in between their legs. Stiles sat on the arm of the couch next to Georgie, an arm around her shoulder. Derek leaned against the mantle of the fake fire place, arms crossed stoically. Cora stood next to him, somewhat awkwardly. Melissa sat in an arm chair with Isaac sitting on the arm of it. They all stared at Scott who stood in front of them with a large manila envelope.

"This arrived this morning," Scott mumbled. "From Portland, Oregon."

"What is it?" Lydia drawled.

"It's from Jessie," Scott revealed.

Everyone sat up straighter or stood from their perches in shock.

"What?" Derek demanded.

"What—what does that mean?" Stiles asked, stammering. "Scott—she's dead. Jessie died last week."

Scott turned the envelope around to reveal sharp black writing, "It's in her writing. Guys—she's alive."

"And in Portland?" Lydia snapped. "Why? Why isn't she here?"

"She explains that here," Scott held up the envelope.

"What does it say, Scott?" Melissa asked tentatively.

He turned the envelope towards him again and prepared to read it, but his mouth got stuck on the words, "I..."

Melissa stood up from her seat on the armchair and gingerly took the envelope from her son's grasp. She turned it towards her and took a breath, "The blood worked. It just worked slowly."

Allison let out a breath of relief, that confirmation being what she needed. She intertwined her own fingers together in anticipation.

Melissa continued in a shaky voice, "I have a distant cousin on the Grimm side of my family up here in Oregon. His name is Nick. Alex took me to his house to meet my Great Aunt Sienna from my mother's side of the family, she can help me. The blood – it unlocked powers inside me meant to be dormant. And it unlocked other sides of me, unstable sides. I don't have control. It's too dangerous for me to be around you guys, for me to be in Beacon Hills surrounded by all the supernatural things that will be drawn there. When I have control of myself, I can come back. I don't know when, but I know that I'll keep working and fighting to get there."

Melissa paused, peering into the envelope, "There are letters in here."

"For us?" Stiles asked meekly. He felt Georgie take his hand and peered down at her, squeezing her hand in return.

"Here," Melissa whispered, handing him a three-folded piece of paper.

He took it carefully as if it was on fire.

"Allison," Melissa handed her a letter. She then turned to Derek, handing him one as well. Derek stared at the paper, his thumb creasing the edge of the paper. She paused at the next name, "There's one for Peter." She looked at Derek. At his nod, she handed him the letter meant for his uncle. She handed one to Lydia, then Isaac, then Georgie. She paused, looking at the next letter in confusion.

"What is it, Mom?" Scott asked, concerned.

"It's a letter for me..." she murmured.

"Well, you were part of her life too," Scott replied. "It makes sense."

Melissa set aside her letter and handed the last one to Scott, "Here you go, sweetie."

They all handled their letters like their were lethal weapons or as if they held all the answers to all the secrets of the world. Georgie sighed loudly, looking up from her letter, "Is it just me, or is anyone else not ready to read these?"

There was a collective murmur of agreement.

"Why don't we just head out and read them when we're... ready?" Stiles shrugged.

They agreed, and one by one made their way out of the house.

Lydia didn't respond to her mother's greeting when she arrived back home. She ignored all of Aiden's texts as she made her way up the stairs to her bedroom and sat at the foot of her bed. She just carefully unfolded the piece of paper and let her eyes soak in the words.

Lydia,

At first, we didn't really like each other I guess. I was just a tag-a-long to Allison. But in such a short amount of time you've grown so much. And I was glad to call you my friend.

I know you don't know anything about what being a banshee means just yet. Honestly, I don't have much to tell you about it either. But maybe there's something in my family beastiary. Feel free to look through. But you're a hell of a lot smarter than anyone gives you credit for. I'm sure you'll figure it out.

I don't want you to look for me. I don't want you to find me and bring me back like I'm sure you've already suggested. It's like you learning how to control your new abilities, only mine are volatile. Once I've got it figured out, I'll come back.

But if you ever need me, really need me, just scream, and I'll be there.

Lydia let the letter fall out of her hands and laid back down on her bed, feel tears fall down her temples onto the comforter beneath her.

Marissa was in the middle of packing an overnight bag with everything she'd need for an extended period of time, toiletries, clothes etc. She looked up when she heard the heavy sliding door rumble against the floor as Derek pushed it open. "Hey, what did Scott want?"

Derek was numbly walking towards the window, staring aimlessly.

Cora decided to answer for him, still as confused as he was, "Jessie is alive."

"What?" Marissa gasped. "How is that possible? I—I mean—we saw her..."

"The blood worked," Derek remarked bluntly. "And Alex took her to Portland to learn to control her new powers."

"Why take her away?" she asked. "Why couldn't she stay here if she lived?"

"It's too dangerous for her here," Derek murmured his answer, his eyes falling to the folded letter in his hands.

"What's that?" Marissa asked him, standing in front of him with a concerned expression.

"A letter from her..." Derek whispered.

Marissa carefully took it from his hands and unfolded it for him. She gently placed the unfolded piece of paper back in his hands, "Why don't you read it?"

Derek let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding when he read the first greeting.

Hey Derek

It was so casual, and so her. It was further proof that she really was alive and well somewhere. And suddenly, he didn't care that she was gone. As long as she was okay.

I'm so sorry about all of this. I know it must have been hard to watch all of that. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you all what was happening. I woke up in Alex's car already leaving Beacon Hills. And I've been asleep for like three days.

I will come back. I have a feeling, even though you plan on leaving Beacon Hills – don't ask me how I know that – I have a feeling you'll be there when I get back.

But just in case this is the first time one of my feelings is wrong, I want you to know that I love you like family. To me, there's no difference between Hales, Grimms, Sanges or Hansens. We met when you were a child and I was a baby and when my family moved to Beacon Hills, I feel like we both felt that pull back to each other as living links to the families that were torn away from us. And I don't care what happens between us or around us, I will never leave you behind.

Yes, I realize I just left... But I just told you I'd be back. And it's not impossible to contact me if you're up the river without a paddle. You know I'd be there in a heartbeat.

I don't want this to sound like a goodbye forever letter, so I'll end it here. I'll miss you until we see each other again.

Love,

Jessie.

"What did Scott want?" Chris Argent asked his daughter the minute she walked back in the front door. He didn't want to admit it but he had been anxiously awaiting her return, fearing another supernatural crisis before they'd even recovered from the first one.

"Dad..." Allison murmured in slight surprise, she didn't expect him to be right there, "Jessie is alive. The blood worked."

"What?" Chris asked slowly. "What does that mean for her?"

Allison slightly shrugged, "Her powers are stronger. And there's more of them. We don't really know what to expect because there hasn't been a full blooded vampire in centuries. But they're... volatile. She doesn't have control. So, she's working on it up in Portland. And then she'll come back."

Chris absorbed the information, noticing the piece of paper clutched in her hands.

"What is that?"

Allison clutched the letter tighter and looked at it as if she'd forgotten that she had it. "Oh... it's a letter from her."

"What do you think it says?" Chris asked slowly.

She shook her head, "I don't—I don't know."

Her father took the letter from her hands and unfolded it for her, "Why don't you read it?"

"Yeah," she gulped. "Yeah. I should, um, read it in my room." She took the letter and slowly stalked down the hallway to her room. She set the letter down on her bed and stripped her jacket off, setting it at the foot of the bed before sitting down. She pulled up the letter, prepared to read it, but her mind wandered to the night Jessie died, when she went in to say her goodbyes.

Allison made her way to the back room of the vet's clinic, gasping, covering her mouth with her hand when she saw Jessie laying pale and bloody on the steal operating table. She rushed to her side, taking one of her hands in hers, "Oh my god, Jessie."

"You should see the other guy," she croaked.

Allison was at a loss for words, "Wha—why?"

Jessie swallowed a lump in her throat, "Any one of us would do the same. Facing certain death – we wouldn't run and hide."

"I'm—I'm so sorry," Allison whispered, tears streaming down her face. She didn't know what she was apologizing for this time, but the words felt the need to come out.

"Don't be, anymore," Jessie sighed. "After Baako died, I wanted to kill Kali. I didn't care about myself, or what killing her would mean, I just wanted her dead. And I wanted Jennifer dead for what she did to my dad. But when they finally were dead... I didn't feel lighter or fulfilled. I felt dead too. But after all of that, I understand what happens to your mind when you lose someone you love like that. I get what changed in you when your mom died. I get that you just needed someone to blame, needed some kind of closure and you thought vengeance would give that to you. I get it."

Allison sobbed, "Jessie..."

"I'm saying I forgive you," she whispered abruptly. "I do. I'm sorry it had to happen like this."

Allison wiped the tears she hadn't noticed fell down her face and clutched the letter in her hands, beginning to read it.

Allison,

I know you didn't believe me when I forgave you on my death bed. I know you thought I only did it to give you peace of mind in my death. But now I'm alive again and telling you that I really do forgive you. I know now where you mind must have been when your mother died. You blamed Derek because it was easier and convenient and Gerard manipulated you. I know that. When Baako died I wanted Kali dead more than anything – and I wanted to be the one to do it.

But just in case we haven't learned from our pasts, I want to tell you that that kind of path is not the answer. Vengeance gets us nowhere. Eye for an eye and all that jazz. Letting that kind of hate take you over won't get you anywhere. Trust me, it's not worth it. It is much better to simply let it go.

Now... I don't want you to blame yourself for anything that's happened. We're all kids, doing the very best we can. And that's all that can be expected of us. We aren't supposed to be dealing with kanimas and Darachs and psycho alphas. We're supposed to be dealing with prom plans and worrying about boys, not unstoppable powers or big family dysfunction because of a werewolf hunting life style. We all pulled the short stick in life, but we just need to use that stick as a cane and keep walking with it. Some day it'll be better, we'll know what we're doing and truly be able to help people. Some day we'll save some one.

Don't worry about me. It isn't home here but it doesn't matter. I'll be back, I promise, and then I'll forgive you in person.

See you soon,

Jessie.

Stiles used his house key to let himself and Georgie inside his home. It was quiet since his dad was at the station so he didn't bother walking upstairs for privacy. He fell onto his couch in a heap of limbs. Georgie quietly sat next to him with both of their letters in her hands, "Do you want to read it?"

Stiles shook his head, resting his chin on his clasped hands, "I don—I don't know. What could it possibly say?"

"That she loves you, and she'll come back," Georgie offered. "Stiles, she's your best friend. And she's alive. You haven't lost her."

"It still feels like I did," Stiles croaked. "I wat—watched her die that night. There was nothing we could do."

"But she didn't die," Georgie insisted. "She's alive."

"Because of Alex, not us," Stiles argued. "We were powerless until he came in a saved the day."

"But she's alive," she repeated. "Isn't that enough? Does it really matter why she's alive?"

Stiles was quiet, looking down at the ground, "I guess not. I just... wish she was here. I wish I could have made a difference when it was my best friend's life on the line, literally. But I was useless."

"Stiles, you're not useless," she argued with him. "Half the time it's your know-how and detective skills that saves everybody's asses. You're the one who figured out Scott was a werewolf before he knew and accepted it. You're the one who knows more about lycanthropy than him. You found out Kate was the one who set the fire. You knew it was Matt who was controlling Jackson. You sacrificed yourself to find your father in time to save his life. You... you were able to read spells to heal me... that's..."

He looked at her when she trailed off, "That's what?"

She considered her answer, "That's..." impossible, incredible, unbelievable, "that's amazing..."

She gently unfolded his letter and put it in his hands, "Read it."

Stiles licked his lips, shaking his head, "You first."

Georgie sighed and nodded, unfolding her letter and reading it to herself.

Georgie,

We didn't get to get close before everything happened, but you are my friend. And being a witch doesn't change that. You helped us, and I have to thank you for that.

But I have to ask you something. Watch out for my boys. Don't let Stiles, Scott, or Isaac blame themselves for what happened because it's guaranteed that they will. And since I'm not there to do it, I need you to step in.

I'm sure you're already trying to convince Stiles that being human doesn't make him useless. I think that's always been an insecurity for him. You need to help him see the immense strength he really has. He has been one of the most important people in our lives, the backbone of our little pack and he needs to realize that.

As for Scott and Isaac, I know they both care for me and blame themselves for what happened to me. But you can't let them. Please watch out for them.

-Jessie.

"She asked me to watch out for you guys," Georgie told her boyfriend, smiling. "Now, your turn."

Stiles sighed and opened his mouth, but said nothing. He turned his attention to the letter and read it.

Stiles,

To start off, don't you dare blame yourself for what happened. You're only human and that is no weakness. Your humanity and your brilliance has gotten us out of deep shit situations more than once. You've got to stop being so hard on yourself. You're my best friend, you know that. And we'd both do anything for each other. I know that, so I don't blame you for anything that happened.

I know it was hard on you and Scott. And I know it must be a real kicker to suddenly hear that I'm alive. I understand if you're mad at me for not staying in Beacon Hills. If it helps, Alex sort of made that decision without my input. I'm glad he did take me away though. Things are nearly just as hectic here with my cousin but I have time to find my own anchor and get control.

I've met my Aunt Sienna. She's Wanda's sister on my mother's side. She and Wanda had some big spat when they were in their twenties and never looked back. Ever since, Sienna has been working with my Aunt Marie to protect the Duster line of the Grimm family – Wanda was the Torvus side – and protecting people from supernatural beings. This is my calling. Unfortunately Aunt Marie died over a year ago. She was attacked by something called a Reaper when she came to tell my cousin Nick about the whole Grimm thing. She was already dying of cancer though.

Nick had no idea about being a Grimm. The sight didn't come to him until a little over a year ago, then he started seeing the real monsters behind peoples' faces. They're called wesen, a whole different line of strange than what we get in Beacon Hills. There haven't been any wesen in Beacon Hills that I know of, but they can hide their real identities. Maybe I won't get the sight yet, I haven't seen any wesen yet. Nick is getting his friend Monroe – who is similar to a werewolf – to come over and try showing me. We'll see if it works.

I've gotten so many answers about a part of me I thought would always be a secret. Sienna never knew my parents, so she can't tell me how or why they died or who killed them. That may be something I have to find out for myself or something I'll never know. I may have to live with that, I don't know.

So, don't feel guilty that I ended up up here. It's not home, that will always be Beacon Hills with you, but it's not bad. I'm getting to know family I would have never met without all of this. Aunt Sienna is lovely and has been helping me discover my Grimm roots. My cousin Nick is new to all of this too so we're sort of experiencing it together. And he's nice to talk to. He's had a hard time since discovering his Grimm side and having to adjust.

And Alex has been bending over backwards to make me happy and help me find out everything I want to know about my family. He's gone out of his way and put himself in danger to calm me down when I lose control. He really does love me. It makes me hate myself that I can't love him back. But he knows that and still, he stays. I don't get it.

I'm getting carried away. I'm not writing all of this for everyone else because I'm sure you're the one who can absorb all the new information and give everyone else an update.

But just... don't be too hard on yourself. You're my best friend and that will never change. I love you. And I'll be back, I promise.

Jessie

Melissa excused herself to her bedroom, giving her son and Isaac some privacy and getting some privacy herself to read her letter.

Hey Melissa,

I know you don't know it, but you are very important to me. I don't know what it is, you're awesome. I guess you've somehow stepped in for my mom ever since she and Beth left for LA. That's not really fair but whatever.

I know Scott loves you more than anything. And you've done so well with accepting all this new supernatural shit that's been thrown at you, even when you're locked in a jail cell at gunpoint by a teenager or being kidnapped to be sacrificed by a scarred up English teacher.

You have a the spirit that I see in Scott. The man he is today, the one that had the kind of character to lift him up to Alpha status without killing anyone for it, is all because of you. I hope you keep that spirit throughout all of this and whatever comes next. Because Scott is going to need it. I've seen him lose hope, feel defeated, but it's the spark he gets from you that gets him back off the ground when he's down. Honestly, he's the one I worry for the most, because he feels like he has the fate of us all on his shoulders. I know he blames himself for what happened to me, I know he's going to be struggling with that for a long time, especially when he has yet to see me alive and well in front of him. You're his mother, so I know you will look out for him, but I'm asking you to keep his spirit alive, his spark going. For me too.

Scott may be the leader of this untraditional pack we have, but you're the glue. Jennifer knew how important you were, that's why she took you. Without you, our Guardians, we would all fall apart.

One more thing, can you please be there for my family? I hope with Jennifer gone, my dad will recover. And I know my mom and Bethany will probably come back to be with him. Can you explain everything to them for me? It's too painful for me right now. Just let them know that I'm okay, that I'll be back. That's really all I can do to reassure them. And that I'm sorry. They're going to need someone, and if it can't be me, maybe it can be you.

Don't ever underestimate the power of your spirit.

With great love and admiration,

Jessie.

Isaac was sitting on the couch, holding the open letter in his hand, but not reading it. He was still trying to get his head around the fact that Jessie was alive. She was alive. He had been completely destroyed when he listened to her heart beat slow to a full stop. He had been hoping against hope for her to be safe and come back to him. And now she was, but had not come back to him, or anyone. She was still gone off somewhere else. Yes, they knew where. And in the back of his mind, he was plotting to go to Portland, and drag her back home, even as a volatile vampire. But first, he wanted to know what she had to say to him.

Isaac,

I honestly have no idea where to even start with this letter. I could say the same kind of things over and over again and they wouldn't even cover what I'm feeling right now. I'm sorry. I love you. Those words don't seem like enough.

So, I guess I have no choice but to go with the deep truth, even if it hurts. I didn't want to die. I didn't want to leave any of you. And even though we broke up, it doesn't mean I suddenly stopped caring about you. You're always going to be one of the most important people in my life. And I am always going to be there for you, wanting to help you, protect you. It's that kind of feeling that went into my decision to stay behind with you guys even after Alex and Emily told me doing so would mean my death. And I don't want to toot my own horn, but I think I showed them, huh? Still alive, bitches!

He couldn't help but laugh at that part. Leave it to Jessie to make him find the humor in her predicted doom.

I could never have left you guys to that fight alone. I realize that I'm gone from Beacon Hills now, but that part wasn't my choice. I see the wisdom in that choice now though. Alex made the right call. I've been struggling with control since the moment I woke up. I'm actually astounded that I've been able to sit still long enough to write these letters. So, I may be away for a while. I have no idea how long it will take me. None of us do. It's not like we have access to vampire archives or a teacher I could turn to. All we have is Grimm lore, and that tells us nothing about what vampires do to control themselves or harness their powers. Just, you know, how to kill them.

But please don't come looking for me. I know what you must be thinking but I don't want any of you to see me like this. I just couldn't handle your opinions of me changing because of what I'm going through right now. Be patient. I promise that I'll be back as soon as I'm ready. And I'm never too far away if any of yous really need me. But let's keep it to life or death, okay?

The reason this letter has been so hard to write is because you're one of the hardest people I have to say goodbye to – even if it is a temporary goodbye. I know when I get back, things won't be the same between us. But I hope we'll always be close. I hope you know how much I do still care for you and take comfort in that and the fact that I'm alive.

I'll see you again, Isaac. Someday.

Love, Jessie.

Isaac let out a breath just as he heard Melissa walk back downstairs. The older woman quipped from the entryway, "Jessie sure has a way with words, huh?"

Isaac let himself chuckled in good humor, "Yeah. Yeah, she does."

"How are you, Isaac?" she asked in concern, taking a seat next to him.

He shrugged, folding up his letter again, "She has no idea when she'll be able to come back. It could be weeks, months, maybe even years. How long does she expect us to just wait for her to be ready to come back?"

"As long as she needs," Melissa answered, putting a motherly arm around him. "We have to respect that and give her time. She'll come back. This is her home."

Slowly, he nodded, "Right."

Melissa looked around, "Where did Scott go?"

Isaac gestured out of the room, "He just folded up the letter and went to his room. He didn't look good."

"Okay," Melissa sighed, standing up. "Keep your head up, kid. Jessie's a strong girl, she'll be back here in fighting shape in no time."

Isaac accepted her kiss on the cheek before she went upstairs. She lightly knocked on Scott's room but got no answer. She waited a second and knocked again, hearing the muffled voice of her son call for her to come in. She found him sitting numbly at his desk, the letter open in front of him. But he wasn't reading it. Just staring off.

"Did you read it?" she asked, coming to sit at the foot of his bed so she could talk to him.

He shook his head, "I can't do it. I can't admit to myself that she's really not coming back."

Melissa reached over to lay her hand on his forearm, "But Scott, she is. Of course she is. She loves all of you so much, this is her home. There's no way she isn't coming back."

"What if she can't come back, mom?" he asked, looking over at her, so lost and defeated. "What if, whatever she's going through, never ends? And she can never come back? What are we supposed to do then?"

"That won't happen," she swore. "Jessie is one of the strongest girls I've ever met. You know that. She was on the brink of death, in a way that no one else would have been able to come back from – but she did. She was dead. And now she's not. That alone can attest to the fact that she's stronger than you're giving her credit for right now. Whatever is changing within her, will run it's course, and she'll be right back here beside you, ready to face whatever is thrown at you all."

He didn't say anything to answer her. So, she pulled his chair around so he had to face her fully. "Remember, when I told you that if you didn't say goodbye to her, you'd regret it?"

He nodded.

"Well, if you don't read that letter, you'll regret that too," she answered him. "Your best friend is reaching out to you, giving you something of her to hold onto while she's away. You need to meet her halfway, and accept what she can offer right now. She loves you. She's do anything for you. I think she's proven that. Now, you have to do this for her. You have to read that letter, accept what she's telling you, and keep going. She needs you to still be her best friend when she comes back."

Slowly, he reached to pick up the letter from his desk. Melissa stood and gave him a hug, "I'll give you some privacy. But I'm here if you need to talk about anything, sweetie."

"Thanks, mom," he answered her as she left his room, holding his letter up so he could read it.

Scott,

It's not your fault.

It's not your fault. It's not your fault. It's not your fault. I could write it a million times if that's what it took to get it to sink in for you. I made my own choice to stand by you, knowing what would happen. And I would make the same choice over and over again. It really isn't a choice. I just would. I would never run away just because I was scared. I could have never abandoned any of you like that.

I owe you so much, Scott. You were the first friend I ever made here. You became my best friend in the world that I will love forever, just for being there for me whenever I needed someone. Even when I didn't say anything, you just knew and were there. You have this spirit in you that I draw strength from. It's the spark that made you a true Alpha. It's what makes you the leader of this pack we've built and the one that we turn to when things start going bad.

But it's not all on you, okay? You need to accept the support from your pack. That means Stiles, Lydia, Derek, Isaac, Allison, Georgie, your mother. Even me. I know I'm not there right now, and I'm so sorry for that. But you will always be my Alpha. You're irreplaceable. It's your good soul that keeps me from going off the deep end, and keeps me sane while I'm here going crazy.

I have no idea when I'll be back, just know I'm working as fast as I can to be back to who I used to be so that I can come back. I know you say I don't have to protect you, because you feel like you should be the one protecting me. But Scott, you're my best friend. I'm always going to want to protect you. And be there for you. Which I will be again, soon.

I've asked Georgie and your mom to look out for my boys. I know what you guys did with the Nemeton is going to change you. Just keep your spirit, Scott McCall. Your righteousness, your dignity, your sense of service to anyone who needs you. It's what makes you who you are. And I expect that Scott to still be in Beacon Hills when I come back. Look out for yourself. Hold onto your relationships – with Stiles, your mom, Deaton, everyone. Your friends and family are the light in whatever darkness is inside of you now because of your sacrifice. I'm sorry I can't be a part of that light at the moment. But know that you're my light in the darkness encasing me right now. I'll pull through, and I'll be back. I promise you that.

Until then, I love you,

Jessie.

Scott wiped under his eyes and let out a breathless sigh, setting the letter into a drawer in his desk. He felt just a little bit lighter, knowing that she really was okay – for the most part. And she'd be back. That's all he could hope for. He was happy she was alive, even if he wanted to see the proof in front of him. But he'd be patient, and wait for her to come back. It couldn't be long. He knew she wouldn't allow that. So, he'd wait. For her.

PORTLAND, OREGON

Jessie let out a loud gasp as she folded herself into the corner of her guest room in her cousin's house. She heard voices calling her name, but she couldn't tell who they were, just that they were concerned for her. She grimaced and cried in pain as she dug her fingernails into her palms, cutting into the skin, blood dripping onto her lap. She turned her head into the wall, hearing the blood pumping through all the people in the room with her. Her instinct was to clamp down on their arteries and get her strength from their blood. But she couldn't do that. She couldn't hurt them – kill them.

"It won't stop," she whimpered, pressing her forehead into the wall. "I can hear your blood. I'm too weak to fight."

"We will help you control it," a gentle feminine voice called to her, and she knew it was her Aunt Sienna. "You're strong enough."

"No, I'm not," she cried pathetically.

"Jessie," it was Alex's voice, his hand pulling her to look at him. She kept her eyes shut, because she knew her new sharp eyesight would hone in on the vein popping in his neck. "I know something you can do. It's not a permanent fix, but it'll keep you from hurting anyone. It will also just change you even more. But I can coach you through it if you're willing."

"Anything," she whined. "I'll do anything. Just do it."

"Okay," he sighed. "Here we go."

And there you have it! The end for now. I'm going to get right to work on finish the next installment, but hopefully this satisfies you for now. Jessie will be back.

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