Krystal let out a shaky breath as she felt the strong wind whip her hair away from her face, the smell of the Californian sea surrounding her. She had never been to a beach before, let alone at night, with a boy keeping her close to his side for warmth. Everything was perfect. Almost too perfect…she was expecting something to go wrong, life could never be so easy. She turned to look at Billy, who was sitting beside her, a cigarette on his lips, and a genuine smile on his face. The last few weeks of planning had been worth it just to see him looking so carefree. It had been difficult to fake a basketball tournament on the other side of the country, that Neil would believe, and even more difficult to get him to agree to let Billy go. And that was only half the problem. Luckily, Krystal had managed to convince her mother to let her go to a fake Medical Summer school before Neil was even aware. If either of them were suspicious about the events being at the same time they didn't mention it. They were probably just happy to have the teenagers out of their hair for the Spring Break. Of course, Krystal hadn't been thrilled at the prospect of leaving Max alone with them, but the ginger girl had convinced her she would be staying with El most nights. She knew Max was hoping the getaway would help with whatever had been going on with Krystal. Nightmares they could handle…hell, there wasn't one person in the Hargrove household who didn't have nightmares. But the random bursts of aggression that were so unlike Krystal? That was scaring them all.

Krystal's thoughts were cut off as she felt Billy pressing soft kisses against her shoulder, his cigarette stubbed out and lying on top of his beer can. His attention was needed elsewhere.

"Where'd you go?" Billy mumbled, referring to how Krystal had been zoned out for the last few minutes.

"Just thinking…" Krystal trailed off, as Billy wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Let me help with that" Billy grinned, gripping her jaw and turning her to look at him.

Krystal smiled into the kiss, as she crawled over to straddle Billy, who was already shirtless. Running her hands down his abs, she heard him let out a breathy moan as her hands got lower and couldn't help but giggle.

"Someone seems happy" Krystal stated, quirking an eyebrow.

"Ecstatic" Billy grinned, as he suddenly gripped her thighs and pulled them upright.

Krystal rolled her eyes as his hands quickly moved to grope her ass, while she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist so she wouldn't fall.

"You want to have some fun?" Billy mumbled against her lips.

Krystal simply nodded in response, as Billy slowly placed her back on the ground, making her frown. He grabbed her hand and pulled her closer towards the thrashing waves in one swift motion. Once they were near to the water, he began to tug his shorts down his legs, as Krystal's jaw dropped open.

"Billy! What are you doing?" Krystal giggled with a blush, as she tried to keep her eyes on his face.

"Skinny dipping" Billy replied, wiggling his eyebrows mischievously.

Before she could stop him he was racing into the waves, completely nude and uncaring of who could see him. She had never seen him look so free. He made a motion with his hands for her to follow him, as she ran a hand through her hair.

"Anyone could see!" Krystal cried, biting her lip.

"Then they're gonna' get a damn good show" Billy called back, over the sound of the sea.

With a shake of her head, Krystal removed the oversized shirt she was wearing, leaving her in just a bra and shorts. With a nervous laugh, she removed the rest of her clothes, unable to believe what she was doing. Covering herself up with her hands as best as she could, she rushed into the water, gasping at how cold it was.

"You could have told me how cold it was, asshole!" Krystal exclaimed, as she swam over to where he was.

"I'll warm you up, baby" Billy smirked, as he leant forward to press a kiss against her lips.

Krystal quickly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, as she deepened the kiss with a smile. She felt Billy's hands ghost over her hips before resting against the small of her back, as their legs kicked under the water. Just as Billy's tongue touched her bottom lip, asking for entrance, they suddenly dipped under the water, too distracted by what they had been doing. The two teenagers swam back up quickly, both laughing as Krystal pushed away the wet hair that had been splayed across her cheeks.

"Do you like it here?" Billy questioned, running a hand over his wet face.

"What's not to like" Krystal shrugged, a motion which was useless in the water.

"No, I mean…well, would you want to live here?" Billy asked, as Krystal's forehead wrinkled.

"In California? What, are you expecting Neil to send me off?" Krystal frowned, confused.

"…After we graduate, I was thinking…maybe we could move here. You, me, and Max. I've got a job lined up this summer as a lifeguard and-" Billy started, as Krystal cut him off.

"Are you asking me to move in with you?" Krystal gaped, as Billy scoffed.

"We do already live together, Krys…" Billy trailed off, as Krystal practically lunged forward to press a kiss against his lips.

"Of course, I want to, idiot" Krystal muttered, against his lips, making Billy grin.

"…But I am starting to freeze my ass off here, can we go back to the beach?" Krystal giggled, as Billy nodded, pulling them back to the shore.

"I've got to protect your ass, don't I?" Billy smirked, slapping her backside as they walked out of the waves.

"Unbelievable" Krystal giggled, wrapping her arms around her chest as Billy rushed forward to grab their towels.

Billy quickly wrapped her towel around her shoulders, as he pulled his own beach towel around his waist. He looked away as Krystal rearranged the towel to cover her properly.

"Did you really mean what you said back there?" Krystal questioned, as Billy nodded slowly.

"…Are we still just friends with benefits, Billy?" Krystal went on, as Billy's eyes dropped to the sand beneath his feet.

"No. You're…you're more than that. You always have been" Billy admitted, in a small voice.

Billy flinched slightly, as Krystal raised her hand to cup his jaw, pulling him up to look in her eyes. She was surprised to see such vulnerability there and knew how much Billy hated feeling weak. Krystal slowly leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips, as she touched his other hand and placed it over the top of her towel. Billy's eyes opened as she made a tugging gesture, so that Billy's hand was the only thing holding her towel up.

"I can't be your boyfriend, Krys. just…I can't" Billy sighed, as she stroked his cheek lightly.

"I'm not asking for that, Billy. I'm asking for you to be my first time" Krystal answered, leaning forward to kiss him again.

Not needing to be told twice, Billy pulled her towel away from her skin, as she pressed her body close to his. He then slowly moved to push her down against her towel which had been discarded on the sand, as he pressed a soft kiss to her neck. Almost agonisingly slow, he kissed his way down her chest, as his hand came trailed up her thigh, as she arched against him.

"Are you sure about this?" Billy questioned, looking up at her.

"Y-yeah, just…go slow" Krystal mumbled, biting her lip as Billy's hand dipped between her legs.

"Don't worry, baby. I always go slow" Billy grinned, kissing her as she let out a breathy moan.

"Want to join me?" Billy questioned, as he pulled his shirt off, turning the shower on.

They had been back in their crappy motel for a couple of hours, as they had both needed a shower after swimming in the ocean. Krystal shook her head fondly, as she continued to brush her teeth.

"Your ready for round two already?" Krystal laughed, spitting out the remaining toothpaste.

"I was just thinking about how it's a waste of water" Billy shrugged, pulling his shorts down.

"Oh, how considerate of you" Krystal giggled, catching a good view of his ass in the mirror.

"Well, you know where I'll be if you change your mind" Billy smirked, as he stepped into the steamy shower and closed the sliding door.

While the night had been better than Krystal had been expecting, she was too sore to go another round with Billy. He had been a perfect gentleman the whole time, asking her if she was okay with everything he was doing and going as slow as she needed. It had hurt at first, maybe even a little more than she thought it would, but it was worth it. She could see what all the fuss was about now. With a sly grin, she splashed some water over her face, deciding maybe in the morning they could—

"Krystal…" A voice trailed off, interrupting her thoughts.

"Billy?" Krystal frowned, turning around to find he was still in the shower.

"You changed your mind?" Billy called back, as Krystal's forehead wrinkled.

"…You wish…no, I just thought you…never mind" Krystal shook her head, running a hand through her hair.

Just when she was almost convinced she had imagined the voice she heard whispering from not far away and turned to the vent in the bathroom. It sounded like more than one voice, but she couldn't make out what it was saying. She cautiously jumped up onto the counter by the basin and put her ear against the vent, listening closely the garbled voices.

"Don't turn around" A strange voice warned, as Krystal jumped back.

She quickly whipped her head around, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw there was nothing there. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she decided she was just tired. Her mind was playing tricks on her as usual. As she jumped down from the counter, she felt a sharp pain shoot through her chest and pulled her shirt up. Krystal grimaced as she saw a black line running down her stomach, almost pulsing underneath the skin. The bite wound from the demodog had healed almost completely, only a small black outline left. However, the strange black vein seemed to only be growing. She was happy that the beach was too dark to see much, meaning that Billy couldn't have seen it. She didn't want to give him anything else thing to worry about.

Billy's cheeks were starting to hurt as he pulled onto the road that led to their house. He had one hand on the steering wheel and the other clasped over Krystal's thigh, who grinned at the action. To say the last few days had been good was an understatement, but he was already starting to dread going back home. Having to deal with Neil's abuse again and spend time away from Krystal. He just wanted his life to be easy. The smile quickly faded from his face as he spotted a familiar face on their driveway, as Billy's father rushed into the middle of the road, a bottle of vodka in his hands.

"Stay in the car" Billy murmured, as Neil stormed towards the driver's seat.

"Get out!" Neil yelled, banging on the roof of the car.

Not needing to be told twice, Billy cautiously opened his door, swinging his legs around. Before he got far, Neil had grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and slammed him against the back door.

"Dad, you can't-" Billy was cut off as his father slammed his fist against his cheek.

Krystal's jaw dropped open as she rushed out of the car, Billy's warning be dammed. By the time she got to other side of the car, Neil was kicking Billy in the stomach, who had fallen to a heap on the floor. He didn't seem to care that he was in the middle of the street where everyone could see.

"Neil, stop!" Krystal cried as she tried to shove him away from his son.

Neil gave her a furious glare before sending a hard punch her way, as she was thrown against Billy's car. She gave him a look of disbelief, as Neil marched forward to grab her by the neck, his fingers digging into her skin.

"You goddamn whore!" Neil exclaimed, beginning to strangle her.

"Stop! Stop it, please!" Max's voice could be heard in the distance, but Neil showed no sign of stopping.

Krystal clawed madly at his hands, his arms, anywhere she could reach, but Neil was far too strong. Billy crawled forward to grab onto Neil's leg, trying to pull him away, but Neil effortlessly kicked him away.

"You fucking freak! I know what you've done! You seduced your brother-" Neil began, as Krystal tried to plead her case.

"I…I didn't…" Krystal choked, her eyes welling with tears.

"I know that the basketball tournament, your summer school…it was all fake! What, did you want a little romantic getaway you sick fuck?!" Neil went on, banging her head against the car door, as Krystal's vision started to blur.

"Dad, please…" Billy begged, from where he was sprawled out on the ground.

"You think you've got him wrapped around your little finger, don't you? Well, maybe he'll feel differently when you're not so pretty…" Neil trailed off, bringing a pocket knife out and holding it dangerously close to her face.

Krystal started to sob as she felt the cold touch of the knife against her cheek, scrunching her eyes shut, not knowing what else she could. Neil grinned as he pulled back, about to start carving up her face when Krystal's eyes shot open. Neil's forehead wrinkled as he noticed the dark veins that spread out from her pupils, as he felt a shiver go down his spine. Before he could do anything else, Krystal's right hand shot out to grab Neil's wrist, causing him to drop the knife. Neil let out a howl as Krystal's grip got tighter and he felt something crack in his wrist. She was quick to pull his other hand away from her neck, bending two of his fingers backwards until they snapped. Neil let out a cry of pain as he stumbled backwards, holding his injured limbs close to his chest. His frown deepened as Krystal silently leaned down to grab his discarded bottle of vodka. Just as he opened his mouth to ask what she was doing, she began to throw the contents of the bottle over him, soaking him from head to toe with the alcohol. Neil's eyes widened with fear as she suddenly brought a lighter out from her pocket, flicking it on with ease. He backed up a few steps, holding out one of his injured arms out, as he shook.

"Krystal, think about what you're doing…" Neil stuttered as she took a step forward.

"Oh, I have…you're not going to hurt me anymore. Or anyone else for that matter…in fact, from now on, you're going to stay out of my way all together" Krystal told him, as she came to stand close to him, the lighter still in her hand.

"You wouldn't dare" Neil insisted, his eyes never leaving the flame.

A strange smile spread over Krystal's lips, before gripping his face roughly. Neil grimaced as he felt her fingernails dig into his skin, cutting into his cheeks. Billy watched from where he was still lying against the floor, as Krystal leant forward to whisper something in his father's ear. As she pulled away, Billy had never seen Neil look so horrified. He stumbled backwards a few steps, before tripping against the kerb and falling onto his back with a thud.

"Krys!" Billy exclaimed when he saw her raise out the lighter once again.

Krystal's face hardened, but she flicked the lighter shut, nonetheless. Billy watched as she blinked a few times, rubbing a hand over her face. She then looked at the scene in front of her in confusion, seeing how Neil was practically crawling away from her. Her eyes snapped up to where Susan was pulling a shocked Max back into their house, slamming the door shut. Krystal's eyes dropped to Billy, her mouth going slack when she saw the expression on his face. Fear. He was scared of her?

"…Wait, Krys! Wait!" Billy called after her, as Krystal turned on her heel and sprinted away from him.

She didn't stop running until she came to the edge of the forest, her breathing so fast that she was almost hyperventilating, as she dropped to her knees. What had she done? She could only remember flashes, bones breaking and…the lighter? She pulled the strange object out of her pocket and frowned. It wasn't Billy's…so where did she get it? Pain shot through her head as she tried desperately to remember but came up empty. She let out a sob as she collapsed against her knees, not understanding what was happening to her. Krystal's eyes shot open as she heard a rustling in the distance, snapping her head up. She let out a gasp when she saw a figure stumbling towards her, only able to see their outline in the glint of the moon. As they stepped closer, she felt her heart stop for a moment, too horrified by what was in front of her to run away.

"Dad?" She gaped, as the man came to a halt in front of her.

Krystal was slow to push herself to her feet, as her legs begged her to run away. From the close angle, she was able to see her 'father' and felt bile rising in her throat. His beard, which he had for as long as Krystal could remember was nowhere to be seen. Even more concerning was the way some parts of his face had seemed to cave in, as Krystal could see part of his jaw had completely worn away. He had a waxy appearance that left his skin a tan colour, completely different from his pale complexion when Krystal knew him. Some of the muscles in his cheek were visible, as the skin there had rotted. His body was mostly covered by the suit he was wearing which Krystal was grateful for, but she had seen how he was limping. Krystal looked away as soon as her eyes met her father's, the strange way his eyes protruded from his face, making her feel sick.

"No…no, this isn't real" Krystal shook her head, placing her hands over her face.

She must have been hallucinating. That was the only explanation. Her father's corpse couldn't have been walking towards her. A shiver went down Krystal's spine as she felt something touch her wrists, as she slowly pulled her hands away. Her bottom lip trembled as she found he was standing closer to her now, and found his fingers were wrapped around her wrist. She grimaced as she saw most of the skin had come away from his hands, leaving mostly bones left.

"What…what are you?" Krystal cried as the corpse opened its mouth.

"It's me, honey. It's your dad" Benny told her, as Krystal noticed how his lips didn't move at the same time the words were spoken.

"My dad's dead" Krystal insisted, taking a step back.

"…Not anymore" Benny answered, his head shooting up as they heard sirens in the distance.

"You're not real" Krystal shook her head, a tear dropping down her cheek.

"I'll be in the diner when you change your mind" Benny replied, his lips pulled back in what would have been a smile.

Krystal turned her head to the side as she saw a police car hurtling towards her, the red and blue lights lighting up the trees that surrounded her. She frowned when she saw her father was gone, not leaving any sign that he had ever been there. Was she really imagining things?

"Krystal?" A familiar voice called out, as the police car stopped near her.

"Hopper?" She questioned, wiping at her wet eyes.

"Hey…are you okay?" Hopper inquired, finding it strange how she had just been staring off into the distance.

"…Are you here to arrest me?" Krystal mumbled, expecting that the neighbours had called the cops on her.

"No. Neil's admitted to everything tonight, beating you two kids, how he threatened you-" Hopper began, as Krystal cut him off.

"Did…did he say anything about me?" Krystal frowned, as Hopper looked conflicted.

"Like I said, he's not bringing any charges against you…" Hopper trailed off, as Krystal could tell there was more.

"But he did say something?" Krystal inquired, as Hopper slowly nodded.

"He asked us to keep you away from him. He was…well, I've never seen a grown man like that before" Hopper confessed, as Krystal gulped.

Author's Notes: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Well, that was a cute update...until it wasn't, haha. Did Krystal really just see her dad again? Was it all in her head or could something more sinister be happening? Please leave a review:)

NotRob: I think you could definitely be onto something there, haha. Billy's going to have his work cut out for him trying to save her in Season 3!

LoveFiction2020: Glad you liked it:) Thanks for reviewing.

Guest: Aw, thank you! Thanks for letting me know, I think we'll definitely have a few chapters of seeing what happens to Krystal during this time period.

teenwolfismylife101: I hope I've given you enough time to process that last chapter, haha.

Medi2020: Thanks!