Lacey was deep in sleep the following morning, exhausted from her full day of travel the previous day. However, her peaceful state soon evaporated when she felt Stiles' arms constrict around her in a panic. She sucked in a breath through her nose as her eyes flew open groggily. Once she came to, she began to pick up on the things she had missed in sleep—his erratic heartbeat, the smell of sweat, and the soft, fearful sounds he was uttering.
She rolled over so she was facing Stiles, staring into his face. "Stiles," she whispered, taking his face in both her hands. Her boyfriend's brow twitched with concern and he mumbled something indiscernible. "Stiles, wake up," she tried again, speaking more firmly.
"Don't let him in," Stiles uttered in response, his face contorting in fear. His heart rate picked up even further and his entire body tensed. "Please, don't let him in."
"Stiles," Lacey said, trying to keep her voice down in case Sheriff Stilinski was home. She moved her hand to his shoulder and shook it gently. "Wake up, Stiles."
Stiles only seemed to grow more agitated and he began to thrash around in bed. "No, no, no," Stiles lamented, louder than the previous few times. "Don't—!" Suddenly, his body jerked up to a seated position, his eyes opening wide as he let out a tortured scream.
Lacey sat up beside him, her eyes wide with worry. "Stiles, it's okay," she soothed, though her voice was strained with panic. She moved so she could kneel in front of him on his bed. She placed her hands on his shoulders and looked into his fear-stricken eyes. "Stiles, you're awake. You're safe. You're here with me."
Stiles' eyes registered hers and he seemed to relax for a split second before his face fell. "No," he wailed, shaking his head. "You're not real. I'm—I'm dreaming."
Lacey reached down to grab one of his hands, bringing it up in front of his face. "Count your fingers, Stiles," she urged. "It's not a dream."
As Stiles began counting, Sheriff Stilinski threw his bedroom door open. "Stiles—" His speech cut out as he saw Lacey and understood what she was doing. He stood frozen in the doorway, holding his breath to see if it would work.
Stiles had lost count, startled by his dad's entrance. Lacey knew she would have a lot to answer for later, but she wouldn't allow herself to be distracted by the Sheriff's entrance—though, she was glad she had put on a pair of boxers and a t-shirt before falling asleep the night before.
"Come on, Stiles," she urged gently. "Try again."
Stiles drew in a breath and stared hard at his fingers. Lacey watched with rapt attention as his eyes scanned the digits in front of him. "One, two, three, four…five," he pronounced the last syllable in a gust of relief. Then, he slumped back against his pillows, looking dazed. Lacey stared down at him with a relieved expression and reached out to run a comforting hand through his hair.
Sheriff Stilinski let out the breath he had been holding. "Good thinking," he complimented Lacey on her counting tactic.
As if she had forgotten he was there, Lacey started, glancing over her shoulder at him. "Oh, uh, thanks," she answered.
She quickly climbed off Stiles' bed and stood facing the Sheriff. It was then that she became aware of her discarded undergarments at his feet and the condom wrapper on Stiles' dresser. She tried not to stare obviously at either as she ran a hand through her disheveled hair, her face flushing. Her eyes darted toward the window, her only safe escape. "I should probably—"
"Can I get you a cup of coffee, Lacey?" Sheriff Stilinski asked mercifully. He wasn't fully smiling, but at least hinting at it.
"Y-yes, please," Lacey stuttered, nodding as though trying to detach her head from her neck.
The Sheriff nodded back. "It'll be waiting for you in the kitchen when you're ready," he told her as he turned and exited the room, closing the door behind him.
As soon as he had left, Lacey dropped her face into her hands, shaking it back and forth and willing the heat to leave her cheeks.
Stiles scooted across the bed so he could reach her, putting a hand lightly on her hip. Lacey let her arms fall to her sides and looked down at him where he lay, still shaking her head slightly. She uttered a small laugh, attempting to alleviate some of the tension inside of her. "Well, that was…."
"Don't worry about it," Stiles replied gently, gazing up at her "Just, come here."
Lacey acquiesced and stepped forward before falling into bed beside him, positioning herself on her side so they were facing each other. Stiles brushed the hair out of her face and swept it behind her ear.
"So, how are you?" Lacey asked softly, her brow bowing in concern.
Stiles gently pressed his thumb to her lips. "Can we start over?" he asked earnestly. "And pretend that I didn't wake up screaming after the single best night of my life?"
Lacey nodded minutely, her lips twitching up slightly on either side of Stiles' thumb. Then, they lay there on their sides, staring at each other without speaking. Silent communication passed between them, their eyes searching each other as they recalled the events of the night before.
The sound of a cabinet slamming in the kitchen jolted Lacey back to reality. She began to move, on her way back out of bed. "Stiles, your dad—"
"Can wait." Stiles grabbed her around the waist, holding her there with him. "Just a few more seconds," he beseeched, pulling her closer. He pressed his lips to hers with a passion that hadn't existed mere hours before—as if some part of him had been unlocked.
Lacey kissed Stiles back with fervor, finding herself wishing it was just the two of them again. She grabbed onto the side of his face as her eyes fluttered shut, losing herself in him.
It was a few long seconds before Stiles reluctantly pulled away. "Okay," he murmured, his eyes still closed. "I think I can make it through the day."
Lacey snorted softly. "You're ridiculous," she teased adoringly, her stomach swimming with butterflies as she rolled out of bed and onto her feet. She walked to her pile of clothes and began undressing, finding that she wasn't the least bit self-conscious anymore.
Stiles remained in bed and watched her in rapt amazement, his eyes drinking her in until she had successfully slipped back into her clothes. "Seriously," he said after she had finished. "Best night of my life, Lace. Th—"
"Don't say thank you, unless you're going to pay me," Lacey interrupted, holding up a finger and giving him a sassy look. She cracked a smile and returned to his bedside to lean over him. She bent over and brought her lips inches from his. "It was just as amazing for me, you know." She kissed him softly.
"But now it's time to face the music," she said, straightening up and marching for the door. "Wish me luck."
"Lacey, wait," Stiles urged. "I'll come with you. Just give me a second…" He was already throwing the covers back.
"It's okay, Stiles," Lacey reassured him. "I can stand on my own two feet." She nodded curtly and headed for the stairs, her stomach in nervous knots.
As she pushed open the kitchen door, Sheriff Stilinski looked up from his morning paper. "Coffee's there," he told her, nodding at a mug across the table from him. "You can pop it in the microwave if it's not hot enough for you."
Lacey nodded wordlessly and sat, knowing the temperature of the coffee didn't matter. She picked up her cup and took a tentative sip.
"Oh, shoot," the Sheriff said, moving to rise. "I forgot the creamer—"
"Sheriff, I'm sorry," Lacey blurted, setting her cup down shakily and forcing herself to look directly at him.
Sheriff Stilinski stopped mid-stand and then sat back down. He folded his hands and placed them on the table in front of him. "And what are you sorry for, exactly?" he wondered, cocking his head to the side.
Was he really going to make her say it? Lacey cleared her throat. "You know, for…spending the night—without your permission. I-it won't happen again."
The Sheriff surprised her by barking out a laugh. "Like I'm going to believe that," he replied.
It took Lacey one panic-stricken moment to realize he was amused. However, she stuck to her course. "I'm serious, Sheriff. I don't want to betray your trust. Stiles and me, we—"
"Are two love-struck teenagers," the Sheriff cut her off. "Believe it or not, Lacey, I've been there."
Lacey swallowed hard as her heart hammered in her chest and heat rose up her cheeks. She was at a loss for words, wondering which direction the conversation would take.
Sheriff Stilinski sighed and scratched at his hairline. "Was I shocked to see you? In the moment, yes, but overall…not entirely. And, above all, I was happy you were there when he woke up. You seemed to know how to handle his…outburst."
"So…what are you saying, exactly?" Lacey asked, giving him a look between confusion and apprehension.
"I'm saying at ease, soldier," the Sheriff replied kindly, motioning to where her hand had her coffee cup in a death grip. "That's one of our good mugs."
Lacey let out a nervous laugh, releasing the mug she held and leaning back in her chair. It felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, but she knew she wasn't off the hook completely.
"Listen," the Sheriff leveled with her. "I think you're a good kid—and, on top of that, I think you're good for my son." He gave her a very stern, fatherly look. "That doesn't mean I'm running some sort of motel. You're welcome here anytime—but not every night. For my sake, be discreet, but don't sneak around like some sort of criminal." He jabbed a finger at her. "And your foster sister needs to know where you are, understood?"
Lacey nodded readily, wanting him to know she understood completely—and was so grateful for his lenience she felt as though she might cry.
"Well, glad that that's over with," Stiles said, walking briskly into the room. Lacey hadn't even noticed him hovering near the doorway.
"Nice of you to let Lacey take all the heat," the Sheriff teased.
Stiles looked like a deer in the headlights. "She said—"
"Don't worry, we'll talk later," Sheriff Stilinski said, giving him a look that said he was in no way kidding.
Stiles chuckled awkwardly to hide his worry as his father rose from the table. He clapped his son on the back and headed for the door. "Back to work," he said over his shoulder. "It'll probably be another late one. Mischief Night tonight, and all."
As soon as the kitchen door swung shut, Lacey looked at Stiles, noticing the grin that had spread over his face. "All right. What's Mischief Night?" she asked, eyebrows raised curiously.
By the following afternoon, the fun of Mischief Night had come and gone, and Lacey found herself on her way to basement of the high school, accompanied by Scott, Isaac, and—to her dismay—the twins. A lockdown had them all trapped inside the school while the police conducted a search for the escaped criminal, William Barrow. While the police believed one thing, Lydia's banshee senses lead the werewolves to believe that Barrow was somewhere in the school.
"My mom brought me some of Barrow's stuff," Scott explained to the four of them. He held the bundle out. "Take a good whiff. It's our best chance of finding him."
All the other werewolves leaned in, exchanging hostile glances as their faces were brought close together. They all breathed in, catching and committing the scent to memory.
"All right," Scott concluded, tucking the clothing back under his jacket. "Ethan, Aiden, you two take the east hallway. Isaac, Lacey, and I will take the west."
"Actually, I'll take east, too," Lacey countered. When Scott looked at her questioningly, she eyed the twins. "Someone needs to keep them in line."
"We're on your side," Aiden growled.
"Then searching the east hallway together shouldn't be a problem, right?" Lacey inquired, raising her eyebrows at him, daring him to challenge her.
Aiden grumbled out a sigh. "After you," he said, gesturing down the hallway.
Lacey smiled triumphantly and sauntered into the darkness, switching on the flashlight on her phone to light the path ahead of her. Ethan and Aiden turned and followed.
After making their way along in silence for sometime, Lacey put up a hand to stop the two behind her. "I hear something," she uttered, creeping forward. The twins followed suit. Lacey turned the nearest corner, her eyes falling on the source of the sound.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, watching Danny and another boy in their class jump apart as their make-out session was interrupted.
"Really?" Ethan demanded as he came around the corner behind Lacey.
Danny looked sheepish, while the other boy looked away.
"Come on," Lacey urged, grabbing the sleeve of Ethan's jacket and tugging him gently back toward the main hallway. "We have to keep moving."
The three of them continued on in strained silence for the next few minutes and Lacey attempted to ignore Ethan's strong chemo-signals. They were nearly to the boiler room when the fire alarm rang out throughout the building.
"Argh, what the hell?" Ethan growled, clamping his hands over his ears.
Lacey mimicked his action and looked just as perplexed. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I think we should make our way to the nearest exit."
"I agree with Lacey," Aiden replied. "We wouldn't want to be trapped down here if this psycho set a fire in the school."
The three of them sprinted back the way they had come, meeting Isaac and Scott at the door. Together, the five of them climbed the steps and ran until they were safely outside the school. There, they met Lydia and Stiles.
"What happened?" Scott asked, wild-eyed.
"I pulled the fire alarm," Stiles announced proudly.
"We think Barrow was trying to lure you all to the boiler room," Lydia explained. "He had the skills to turn that place into one giant bomb."
Isaac's face went slack. "Jesus," he swore. "Well…thanks…"
"No problem," Stiles replied. "It's totally worth the months of detention."
Lacey smiled slightly and walked over to take his hand. "My hero," she joked.
"So, what now?" Ethan asked, looking between them all.
"Well, the school is officially off lockdown," Lydia responded. "We're free to go."
"And do what, exactly?" Aiden asked, staring intently at Lydia.
"I don't know, have a happy Halloween?" Lydia deadpanned with her usual sass.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi, readers! Sorry for the hiatus. I was traveling for a few months without a computer. I'm happy to be back and bringing you new chapters. Please let me know what you think of this one! If I seem a little rusty, tell me so ;)