Disclaimer: "I do not own Teen Wolf. The show, the characters, and any quotes from the show belong to Jeff Davis and his amazing team of writers. I only own Nixie, and anything I make her do or say."

And again, I just want to throw out there again, that I am not an expert in the legal department or anything like that. Nixie's situation that I created concerning her mom, concerning where she had been staying, and concerning where she ends up... I have no idea as to how realistic that may be. But, again, I'm hoping you'll provide some leeway on that, considering Isaac in Seasons 2 and 3.

Okay, sorry to interrupt. (I always seem to do that.) Enjoy! :)

Chapter 7: Episode 4x7

Nixie was staring at her old shirt, debating whether to even put it on. She could just zip up her jacket until she got to the shack, and then change into something else. Currently, she was still in Jordan's shirt, but she planned on taking it off soon. She didn't plan on asking him if she could have it. No… no, she was definitely not that desperate.

Tossing the shirt in her bag, about to content herself with removing Jordan's shirt and zipping up her coat… Nixie hears her phone ring from out in the kitchen.

Jordan looks up from the stool he was still sitting on as Nixie comes back. She was still wearing his shirt, which had him looking back down so she wouldn't see him grinning like an idiot.

His smile slipped though and Nixie answers her phone, "Yeah, Lydia? What's…" Lydia cuts her off over the phone, and as she speaks rapidly, Nixie blinks in confusion before saying, "Hey, whoa, take a breath. Slow down. Lyd… Lydia… Lydia!"

Lydia pauses and asks, "What?" "Lydia, I love you to death, you know that. But I didn't understand any of what you just said. I swear, you were speaking faster than Stiles usually does, and that is certainly saying something." "Sorry. I just… um… I found something, and… You just need to come here." "Okay, I can work with that. Where's here?" "The lake house. I'm at the lake house." "I'll be there in ten."

Hanging up, Nixie then glances down at what she's wearing again and groans. Raising an eyebrow, Jordan asks, "What's wrong?" "Oh, nothing really. Lydia needs me, which means I don't have time to go home and change. Which means I'm going to have to show up in the same clothes I wore yesterday. And if Lydia sees me wearing the same outfit two days in a row, she's going to blow a fuse. And I cringe at the thought of what she might try to make me change into."

Jordan chuckles a little, and then says, "Well, then keep the shirt." Nixie pauses and then looks at him again before saying, "I… really? I mean, it's your shirt, I don't…" "Nixie, I can't even wear those anymore. Take it with you. And good luck with Lydia." "Thanks, Jordan." "Anytime, Nixie."

When Lydia steps out of the lake house to meet Nixie as she pulls up, she calms down a bit when she sees Nixie wearing Jordan's shirt. It was good that it took her mind off of Meredith… she needed to focus on something else for a bit.

Crossing her arms, Lydia asks, "Why are you wearing one of his shirts? Again, I might add." Nixie rolls her eyes and says, "I promised you guys no more secrets. But you'd think that I'd at least be allowed to step inside first. I mean, geez. What happened to the common courtesy around here?" Lydia raises an eyebrow and says, "I'm pretty sure the assassins killed it." "Ah. Touché, my dear friend. Touché."

After getting inside, Nixie sighs and says, "Okay, so to recap the remainder of last night… after you and Stiles left, Jordan refused to let me go home alone. He was worried that I was going to have a nervous breakdown from nearly being killed by my mother. And, to his credit, he was correct. I… sort of had a meltdown later on at his house. But, in any case, he took me to his house, made me dinner… and then he… put me to bed.

When Lydia doesn't say anything, Nixie turns to find her staring in shock, her mouth hanging open a bit. Raising an eyebrow, Nixie says, "That's an excellent way to catch flies, you know?" "Oh, shut up! You stayed the night at his house! You slept with him!" "No! God, no! He put me to bed. He slept on the couch. Get your mind out of the gutter, please."

Smirking, Lydia says, "Oh my gosh. This what like your first date." "Lydia, this was not a first date. He took me to his house. He let me cry, which turned out to be some exceptionally ugly crying, I might add. And then he put me to sleep in his bed, because I was exhausted, and he slept on the couch. It was not a date. Not even close."

Lydia just crosses her arms again and asks, "So why are you wearing one of his shirts? Again?" "Because you called and said I needed to come straight here, which meant I had no time to go get a change of clothes before coming here. And I was not about to let you dress me up in one of your outfits… and when I told all of that to Jordan, he said I could have his shirt."

Smirking again, she says, "Uh huh." "What?! That's what happened!" "Nixie, come on. I can't believe you seriously don't think he is falling in love with you right back. I mean, how many other women have you ever seen wearing one of his shirts?" Nixie gives her a look and says, "Lydia. How many other women has he met that he has, A, picked up out of a rain storm? And B, allowed to sleep in his house for fear of them having a complete emotional meltdown from nearly being murdered?"

Huffing, Lydia says, "I can't understand how you can be so optimistic for the rest of us, and then so pessimistic for yourself." "It's a simple fact, Lydia." "Which just makes it that much more ridiculous, since nothing… literally nothing… that we ever have to deal with, is simple."

Nixie finally laughs at that and says, "Well; I concede that you do have a point there." Smiling, Lydia says, "I'll take it for now. Alright, I'll badger you more later. Right now, come and look at this." In the den of the lake house, Lydia picks up the picture of Meredith from the coffee table. Showing it to Nixie, she says, "See this? This was taken in the soundproof room with the record player. I found it in the box of her things that I got from Eichen."

Nodding, Nixie asks, "What do you think it means?" "I'm not sure. I mean… I don't even think my parents know Meredith. They wouldn't have ever heard of her before." Nixie makes a thoughtful noise in the back of her throat, and then says, "So… aside from your parents, and you… who else would've had access to the lake house? Who would've been able to bring her here? Furthermore… why was she brought here in the first place?" Lydia nods, "All very good questions. And I'm not sure. Yet."

Nixie grins and says, "I'm enjoying the determination. So, we should probably begin researching who in your family first purchased this place. Maybe we could…" But before she finishes, she tilts her head towards the sound of the TV in the living room. Frowning, she asks, "What?"

Lydia looks to her, and then asks, "What? What's going on? Do you hear something?" "Yeah, the TV. But… that can't be right."

She marches into the room, Lydia on her heels. And as they look at the screen, Lydia gasps as they see the footage of all the hazmat teams in front of the school. The CDC was there, along with the FBI and the majority of the police department. And at the bottom of the screen, the headline reads of the potentially fatal virus that is spreading amongst the students inside the school.

Lydia and Nixie look at each other, and Lydia doesn't argue when Nixie says, "I'm driving. Don't you dare let go of me."

As Lydia approaches the police barricade, one of the officers moves forward to shove her back. "Sheriff! Sheriff!" The officer makes to grab and push her, saying, "Look, you can't…" Then Nixie fixes him with a glare so fierce, he actually feels a dreadful chill wash over him.

Lydia stares between the two, marveling at what Nixie can do. Beforehand, she'd never seen the action as strange. It was just Nixie… the way she always was. But now… knowing that Nixie was on the dead pool… it put everything about Nixie, everything she ever did and could do, into a whole new light.

Glaring at the officer, Nixie says, "Touch her, and I will break you in half." Then she looks past him and shouts sharply, "Noah!" From where he is, closer to the school, Noah turns around and then says, "Hey, whoa! I know these two, let them in." Nixie fixes the officer with one more look, and then pulls Lydia to follow behind her. Approaching Noah, Lydia asks, "My mom is in there. What is happening?"

Drawing them further away from the rest of the people, Noah says, "We're working on it. I promise. Just… give me a minute, and stay close." Nixie nods, and then puts an arm around Lydia. Squeezing her tight, Nixie says, "Focus on the bright side." "And what is that, exactly?" "Well, for now, it's that your mom is almost assuredly going to be fine." "You don't know that."

Nixie gives her a look and says, "I know, that this is probably another assassination attempt. In which case, I also know, that the targets aren't human. The targets are supernatural. Your mom will be fine. It's the others we have to worry about."

Then Noah comes back. Pulling them further aside, he looks to Lydia and says, "As all this is still very new to me, and I don't know how it works… I still have to ask. Do you have any kind of… indication? Any kind of feeling… about this? Is someone in there going to die?"

Nixie freezes for a moment when Lydia says with certainty, "Yes. And it's not just a feeling."

The hand over Lydia's shoulder becomes so cold that Lydia glances at it and winces from the dropping temperature. But upon seeing that it's Nixie's hand causing it, she turns back to Nixie worriedly. "Nix?" Looking up at Lydia, Nixie shakes herself back to normal and says, "I'm fine. But we need to figure out how to save them. Noah, do we have any idea what is causing this?"

He sighs and says, "The CDC is working on it… but so far, nothing. It's not appearing to be anything they've ever seen before." Nodding, Nixie then says, "Then maybe we're asking the wrong expert." When both of them look at her in confusion, Nixie says, "If we're thinking assassin, which means it's targeting the supernatural; that means we need a supernatural expert to try and help us figure out what's going on. And we only really have one of those."

Lydia nods, "Deaton." "Exactly. Now, I'm gonna step over here to make a call. Noah… please tell your officers to not stop me from coming back in when I want to. I will not hesitate to kick all of their asses. I don't care if they press charges of assaulting an officer right now."

Noah nods in understanding, and then Nixie hurries away, trying to find the signal on her phone again so she can make the call to Deaton. She's just gotten a signal back, when her phone rings on its own. Tilting her head, curious at seeing Melissa's name, she answers, "Yeah?" "Nixie! Oh, thank God! No one was answering! I thought…" "Melissa, we're at the school. They've shut down the cell service here. I just got far enough away to get signal back. Listen, I can't talk right now. I have to call…"

But then Deaton's voice says over the line, "Nixie, you're on speaker. You need to listen." "Oh! Hi Deaton! I was about to call you. What's up?" "We know what's going on."

Satomi, who is listening beside Derek around the table where the phone is sitting, tilts her head curiously when Nixie says, "Ah; and that is a beautiful sound. People giving me answers. Lay it on me." Deaton answers, "It's a virus specific to harming and killing animals in the wild. This version has been enhanced and weaponized, and it will kill werewolves."

A pause, and then Nixie says, "Okay, for the record, I don't have time for dramatic pauses. Somebody cut to the chase, and make it snappy. We can save them, right?" Deaton nods and says, "There is an antidote. It's called Reishi. You might not know what…"

But everyone is surprised when Nixie cuts him off and says, "Yeah, got it. Reishi. A mushroom. Noshiko used some last year to save Ken from dying because of something the Nogitsune did to him. But she doesn't have nearly enough for everybody. Where else can I find it?" Moving forward, Derek says, "There's a jar of it in the vault beneath the school. Somehow, you need to find Scott and tell him to find it." "Derek, how? He's not a Hale, and no one else around here is. How in the hell is he…" "Nixie, I'm sure it'll be explained later. But for right now, you need to tell him this, or they're going to die."

Nixie sighs and says, "Fine. I'm running back to the school, I'll probably lose you. Anything else I should know?" Satomi answers, "Depending on how long they've been infected, they may not have much time. If it's worse for them, like it was my pack, then they've probably isolated themselves from the rest of the humans."

Taking a breath, Nixie then asks, "Is that Satomi?" Deaton answers, "Yes." And in spite of the danger looming over them, all three of her friends smile while Satomi's eyes widen as Nixie says, "Well hi, Satomi! For the record, I'm exceptionally happy that you're not dead! I'd talk more, but I'm in a hurry. Thanks!"

The line dies a few seconds later, and then Melissa says, "Now all we can do is hope she's fast enough."

Derek smiles a little and says, "I don't think there's anyone who could possibly get it done faster. And yes, I'm comparing her to werewolf standards, too." Melissa smiles her appreciation at the confidence. Satomi looks between all of them, and then says, "She is… rather odd." Derek chuckles and says, "Yes, perhaps she is. But in all the best ways, I assure you."

Then he turns back to Melissa and Deaton, and then says, "And… I don't know if anyone has told you guys or not. But… Nixie… she isn't just special because of how overprotective she is. And she isn't just amazing because of how fiercely she fights alongside all of us."

Glancing between the two, he sighs and says, "She's… on the list. She's on the dead pool."

Melissa and Deaton take a moment to process that, and then Deaton says, "I'll begin working on figuring out what she might be… based on what we do know is unique about her. Anything else?" Nodding, Derek says, "She's… something special. You know how Scott is a true alpha, and he's worth twenty-five million?"

They nod, and then Melissa gasps when Derek says, "Whatever Nixie is… she's at least as unique as that, because she's worth the same amount. Twenty-five million." Deaton and Melissa look at each other, and then Deaton says, "I'll get to work on it. Fast."

Nixie blows past the barrier of cops, not one of them daring to get in her way as she barrels past them. Noah is about to ask her what the sudden hurry is, but she blows past him too and shouts, "Rafe!"

Agent McCall spins around to look at her, and actually takes a step back for fear that she might not be able to stop, and just run right into him. Panting as she reaches him, she says, "I don't have time to explain. Can you get into the school? Will they let you?" Blinking in surprise, he answers, "Yes." "Good. Go in there, find Stiles, and tell him that there's an antidote. It's in the vault, with them. It's reishi mushrooms. In a jar, on a shelf, in the vault."

Frowning, Rafe says, "Nixie, what's going on? I need to know more if…" The look she fixes him with stops him cold, literally. It wasn't one of anger or frustration. It wasn't even annoyance.

It was fear. Terror like he'd never seen in a person's eyes before. And not for herself. That's confirmed when she says, "Rafe, I cannot take the time to tell you everything. We are out of time. If you do not get in there and find someone we trust and tell them what they need to know… my boy is going to die. Scott, Kira, and Malia… they're going to die. And that is not acceptable. Do you understand?"

He doesn't waste time arguing with her. He nods and asks, "Reishi mushrooms?" "Yes! In the vault, in a jar, on a shelf. Please, hurry!" Nodding again, he says, "They're gonna be alright." Then he hurries past her to get a suit from the CDC.

Lydia and Noah come up to her to ask what happened, and after she explains it, Noah sighs and says, "I guess there's nothing left to do now… except wait." Lydia glances down to Nixie's bouncing foot, and then whispers to Noah, "Yeah… unfortunately when we're in danger, that's not exactly her strongest suit." "I know."

But, seeing that she can't do anything else, Nixie does let Noah lead her away from the scene. Back to an area where her phone service will work again, in case Melissa or Deaton need to call back with some other bit of information. Lydia sits with her back to some of the cop cars, in a chair someone had gotten for her. There's a chair for Nixie too, but she doesn't bother. She simply paces back and forth, and Lydia can see the gears in her head turning a mile a minute. And every second longer it takes for them to start coming out, is another minute closer to Nixie snapping and finding a way in, regardless of who she had to take out of the equation to make it happen.

Noah glances over at them, sighing as he watches Nixie's frantic pace. Then his radio goes off, so he says into it, "This is Stilinski. Go." "Sheriff, it's Parrish. I just saw the news. What's going on at the school?" "At this point… we're still not certain." "Do you need any extra help down there? I know it's my day off, but I don't mind."

Noah smiles a bit at the offer, and then says, "No, but thank you, Parrish. The thought is appreciated, but I think we've actually got more hands down here than we know what to do with, at this point." Nodding, Jordan says, "Alright. If that changes, let me know." "I will."

After signing off his radio, Noah looks back to Nixie again. She was still pacing, and a hand was running through her hair every few seconds. If something didn't change soon, he was actually worried about what she might try to do.

Then a thought occurred to him, and he steps far enough out of the boundary zone so that his cell phone will work for a minute.

Jordan glances down at his phone, and then tilts his head in confusion when he sees Noah calling him. Answering, he asks, "Sheriff? Did something happen?" "No, nothing yet. We're still good, as far as hands go. But, if you wouldn't mind, I have a favor to ask of you." "Of course, Sheriff. Whatever you need." "Well, I need you to talk to Nixie."

Blinking a bit in surprise, Jordan asks, "Why is she at the school? Is she alright?" "She's fine, and so is Lydia. But Scott, Stiles, Kira, and Malia are all still inside the school while this is going on." "Ah. Nixie being there makes sense then." Chuckling, Noah says, "Yeah. Anyways… Nixie's done all she can to help at this point and now all she can do is wait."

Jordan can picture her pacing back and forth, as though she were trapped with no way out. Then he asks, "So… what can I do?" "I'm not really sure. I just know she trusts you, and you seem to have a better idea of what to say to her half the time, than any of the rest of us. Just try to keep her talking to you instead of trying to stampede past the authorities and into the school."

Jordan nods, "Sure. Um… I don't have her number or anything though. Unless you're giving her your phone." "No, I need to keep mine on me. Just sit tight, I'll call you back in five seconds." Hanging up, Noah walks over to where Lydia is sitting. They both watch Nixie for a moment, and then Lydia comments, "She hates it when she can't do anything." "I know. Where's her phone right now?"

Lydia stands up and pauses Nixie in her pacing for a moment, long enough to pull her phone from her jacket pocket. Nixie doesn't really question it. Maybe Lydia wanted to make a call and wanted to make sure they answered immediately. People usually did that when Nixie called… unless something was preventing them from doing so.

Handing it to Noah, she watches him punch in a number that he reads from his own phone. It barely even rings once, and Jordan answers, "Sheriff?" "Yeah. This is her phone. Here, I'm handing it over to her."

Coming up to Nixie, putting the phone in her hand, he looks to her confused expression and says, "Come here." He sits her down in the spare chair and says, "Now, talk to him. Calm down. And for the love of God, quit pacing. You antsy, is making me antsy, and I'm too old for that right now."

Nixie gives him a look and says, "You are not old. You're in your prime." But she pauses in surprise when Jordan's voice says over her phone, "Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about that. He's getting on up there."

There's a moment of silence, and then Jordan chuckles when he hears Nixie say, "Noah, you should know that your best deputy just insulted you." Noah just grins, "If it makes you relax even a little bit, I'm okay with that right now."

As he walks away, Nixie smiles a bit and then asks into the phone, "So, why'd Noah call you? And why'd he use my phone?" "He called me so I could talk to you. And he needs to keep his phone." "Why'd he call you to talk to me?" "Are you saying you don't enjoy having a conversation with me?"

He grins when she laughs and says, "No, that's not what I'm saying." Gently, he replies, "Good. As for why I'm talking to you; I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the trench you were walking into the ground." "Oh, don't be ridiculous. It's not even a foot deep yet."

Chuckling, Jordan asks, "How is everything?" Nixie sighs, "I don't know. And if it takes much longer, I'm going to hurt somebody." "FYI, that's also why I'm talking to you. Trying to prevent bloodshed." "Nice try, but if I decide I'm gonna punch somebody in the face, I can still do that and talk to you at the same time." "Hmm… you make a sound point."

Lydia smirks over at Nixie, watching her laugh as she talks to Jordan on the phone. Whether Noah was aware or not, this just helped to further prove what Lydia kept saying. Because if it were anybody else on the phone, Nixie would most certainly still be pacing while she was talking. But, it was Jordan; and Nixie was sitting down and relaxing for a moment. Granted, she was still very worried… but the odds of her charging into the school dropped drastically.

After a moment of silence, Jordan asks, "Are you alright?" There's a long sigh on the other end of the phone before Nixie responds to him. "I mean… I guess I am. As good as I can be, I suppose. I've done all I can. Which… really wasn't much except relay some messages from one person to another." She sighs again and adds, "It really sucks to not be a person that can just go in there and do some things myself." Jordan nods in understanding, but says, "For what it's worth, I'm glad you're not able to go in there."

Another long pause, and then Jordan hears Nixie say, "You need to elaborate on that a little bit more. Because I hate this. And I hate it enough that, if you like it, I'm going to come find you after this is over, and knock all your teeth out." "Well, that would be quite a shame. I'm rather fond of my teeth."

When she laughs a little, Jordan relaxes and smiles at the sound. Then he says, "But… to explain. I just mean that… well, I'm glad you can't go in, because then you might get infected by whatever is in there. And after all I've seen you do so far, losing you to something as trivial as smallpox… well, it's not only absurd, but it would suck, immensely."

Nixie smiles over the phone, and then glances at the school, where her friends are still trapped. Jordan hears the shaky breath she lets out before she says, "I can't… I can't lose them, Jordan." "You won't." Blinking in surprise, Nixie says, "You don't know that." "Maybe. I have a pretty good feeling though." "And why is that?" "Because they have you. And they know it would break your heart to lose them. Believe me, they're hanging in there, and they're doing it for you. They'll make it, Nix. I promise."

Hearing her nickname come from his lips has a sense of completeness rushing through Nixie that makes her feel like mush. But, in a good way. In an exceptionally good way. Softly, she says, "Thanks, Jordan." "Anytime, Nixie."

Another moment of silence, and then Nixie asks, "Now what?" "Well, as far as topics go, I have a question, if you don't mind?" "Fire away." He pauses, but then asks, "Why Haven? I mean… you said you had to change your last name after… well, after your mom was sent to Eichen. So… why Haven?"

Leaning her head back, Nixie says, "Because my mom was my safe haven. She always made me feel safe, when she was herself. And when she had to go… I don't know. I wanted to be that. I couldn't have her anymore… but I could try to be that for other people. And in a way… I guess I figured it would sort of keep her with me… even if she really wasn't. And I figured naming myself 'Haven', was as good a place to start as any."

Lydia puts a hand on her shoulder, and Nixie looks over to find her smiling gently. "You are a safe haven, Nixie. No one feels safer, than when they're with you." Nixie smiles back, and then laughs when Jordan says, "So I'd call that a success. Now, in the interest of keeping the conversation going… have you had any other papers to write lately?" "Oh, Jordan. There is always a paper to write. Whether it's been written well or not? Now that is the real question."

It still takes another thirty minutes before the school is deemed habitable again. When Nixie starts seeing some people coming out, she says, "Jordan, they're bringing them out. I have to…" But before she can finish, he says in understanding, "Call me back and let me know they're okay." "Alright. Bye, Jordan."

Hanging up, she waits about ten seconds to see if any of her people are coming out… and then huffs and says, "I'm going in." Lydia simply grabs hold to the back of her jacket, a sign that so long as Nixie cleared the way, Lydia was going to stick right behind her.

When they get inside, the first person they find is Natalie, and Lydia rushes after her mom. Nixie spins around in a circle briefly, before tilting her head and trying to pinpoint the sounds that are most likely her friends. Finding what she thinks is them, down a more deserted hall, she takes off that way.

Sighing in relief when she sees Malia first, Nixie says, "Thank God. I've been freaking the hell out. Are you…" Malia glances down at her, and the hard set in her eyes slips a little bit. Looking back to the others, Malia then says to Nixie, "Kira says you didn't know. That you're the only one who didn't know." Frowning deeply, Nixie asks, "Know about what? What don't I know? Son of a bitch, what aren't they telling me now?!"

Malia stares at her hard for a moment more, and then comes forward and wraps her up in a hug. Nixie squeezes her back, and then Malia pulls back and says, "I'll text you later." "Okay. But…" "They'll tell you." And with that, Malia walks off without another word.

Making her way over to the others, Nixie is about to demand to know what Malia was talking about. But then she sees the blood still staining Stiles' shirt, and some smudges still on his face. Eyes widening in horror, she sprints the rest of the way to him. Stiles, for his part, offers no argument. He just opens up his arm and braces for her, actually having to take a couple steps back to keep from falling when she gets to him. Her arms wrap around and squeeze him so tight, he knows he'll have bruises. But he doesn't care. He just hugs her back and assures her, "It's not mine. I swear."

She only relaxes a little it, and then sighs shakily against him before saying, "Never again. None of you ever do this to me, ever again. Understand?" They all nod to her, and then Nixie looks up when Rafe approaches them. He'd waited a moment, giving Nixie time to reassure herself that Stiles was fine.

He was about to ask Stiles if he could give a statement to the FBI, when Stiles explains to Nixie briefly, "It was the killer's blood. He was about to kill me. But… Rafe stopped him. He saved my life." And Rafe would've played it off as nothing more than his job… except Nixie then switched over and wrapped him in a hug just as tight.

Smoothing a hand down her back, trying to ease her further, he then says to Stiles, "They can wait a while, if you need more time. But they will need your statement before you leave." "Sure thing." Rafe pats Nixie on the back one last time, and then gently pulls away so he can talk to the CDC, and hand over his gun to Noah since it had been fired and had to be taken into custody for the remainder of the day.

As soon as he's beyond hearing range, Nixie spins back to her friends and asks, "So… you're all okay?" They all nod, and then duck their heads when she demands, "Then someone had better tell me what the hell Malia was talking about before she left."

It takes them all a bit, more because they're ashamed than anything else. But they do reveal to her the secret they'd kept from Malia… and consequently, from Nixie as well. The fact that Malia Tate was actually the daughter of Peter Hale.

Nixie stares at all of them for a moment, and then says, "If… If I weren't so happy that all of you are still alive and fine right now; I would most definitely be slapping all of you upside the head. Because this is definitely not the sort of thing to keep to yourself." They all nod in response, and then Nixie puts a hand on Stiles' shoulder. Gentler now, she says, "We'll work it out, Stiles. She just needs time. Plus, she still likes me. So I'll work with her a bit. Forgiveness is probably a strange concept for her, but we'll work it out."

Stiles smiles his appreciation, and then they look over as Lydia and Natalie come to join them. Nixie smiles at them, and then sighs and says, "So… I propose that the rest of the evening be spent in complete and total relaxation. You three definitely need some time to recuperate. I'm thinking pizza, a movie, and sleep. Lots of sleep. Who's in?"

They all smile at her, and then Nixie beams when Natalie says, "I'll buy the pizza." Throwing her hands up in victory, Nixie exclaims, "Natalie's on board! Yes! Alright, let's get out of here. Everyone. On the double. Let's move. And for the love of Pete, quit laughing at me. You can laugh after we get home. Geez.

Jordan was fixing himself a light dinner when his phone rang. Still stirring the meat he had in a pan, he swipes to answer it and says, "Parrish."

On the other end, Nixie smiles before answering, "I feel like I'm supposed to give you some code number for the next bad thing that's happening. You know? Sending you off on an assignment or something? 'Go and save the kitten from the tree, Parrish.'"

Grinning, Jordan says, "Well, it'd have to be a pretty adorable kitten. That's not a part of my usual job description." "Come on now, Jordan. All kittens are adorable." She smiles when he laughs, and then he asks, "It's been a while. How is everyone?" "Good. Everyone is good. Alive, which is kind of the main thing right now. So… yeah, we're good."

There's a pause, and then Nixie smiles again when Jordan says, "But something is still bothering you. What's wrong, Nixie?" She takes a breath, and then lets it out slow before answering. "I… almost lost them. Scott, Kira, and Malia were infected with whatever the virus was. And I almost lost them." Jordan pauses, and then asks, "But you didn't almost lose Stiles?"

Nixie pauses, and then concedes, "Not… to the virus. He… um…" Nodding to himself, Jordan says, "I'm going to mark this particular detail up with the rest of the ones I'm not really supposed to know about." Blinking in surprise, Nixie asks, "You have a list?" "Oh yes. It's a mile long. If you guys ever feel like cluing me in; I'll show it to you."

Another pause, and then Jordan says, "Nix… it was a joke." "Oh. Um…" "Nixie, come on. I know there are things you guys aren't telling me… or anyone else for that matter. If I were mad about it… really mad about any of it… you wouldn't have to stand there and wonder about it. You'd know."

She smiles again, and then says, "Thanks." "Anytime. So… Stiles wasn't in danger from the virus. But… he was in danger?" Nodding, Nixie says, "Yeah. He… the bastard behind all this nearly shot Stiles in the head with a gun that had a silencer on the end."

Jordan blinks at that, and then says, "That… sounds professional. Very professional. Why… why was he trying to kill Stiles? Wait… is Stiles on the list too?" "Oh! No, Stiles is definitely not on the list. But um… he… he knew where Scott was… and Scott is… well, he's on the list." Tilting his head, Jordan says, "I didn't see his name." Nixie nods, "He… isn't on the sheet we showed you. He's on another one. One of the other thirds."

The divide between what Jordan was allowed to ask about, and what Nixie clearly wouldn't tell him, was becoming more blurred by the second. Just a few months ago, he's quite certain she never would've revealed to him that Scott was on the list at all. He was getting closer. Much closer.

But… the divide was still there. And he felt it surface again when Nixie says, after another long pause, "I'm sorry, Jordan. I can't… I…" Gently, he says, "Nixie, please don't worry about it so much. Focus on the good. Stiles is alright?" "Yeah. Rafe killed the son of a bitch before he could shoot Stiles." "Good." Leaning against the porch railing of Lydia's house, Nixie says, "I just… I wanted to let you know that we're all fine. And to thank you. Again. For talking to me, and…"

She thinks about it for a moment, and then says, "Well, there's honestly an incredibly long list of my own that exists. Of things you should be thanked for. Your patience with… well, all of this? Yeah, that's definitely at the top." Jordan chuckles softly and says, "As it should be. I don't spend a great deal of patience on just anybody, you know."

Nixie smiles, and then says softly, but no less earnestly, "Thank you, Jordan." "Anytime, Nixie." Smile widening, she says, "You always say that. Do you know that?" "I do." "Why?" A pause, and then he says, "Because I mean it, Nixie. I always mean it."

God; it was not possible for the man to become anymore perfect… and yet he continued to do so. Blushing a bit at her own thought, Nixie then says, "I have to go now. Everyone's inside and we're all trying to recover. But um… I'll see you later, sometime." "Alright, Nixie. Please get some rest. Goodnight." "Goodnight, Jordan."

After hanging up, Nixie leans forward, resting her arms on the railing of the porch. And though she hadn't known he was there, she doesn't jump in surprise when Scott comes up beside her after a moment. Leaning against the railing with her, he comments, "You trust him." "Yeah. I thought we established that." "We did. But you really trust him." "Meaning?" "Meaning I know you, Nixie. And if it were anybody else, you never would've talked to him or explained to him as much as you did just now. Not without asking me and the others first."

Looking over at her, he says, "If things keep escalating like they have been… we may have no choice but to bring him in. Which, I know, is sort of mixed blessing for you."

And yes, it most certainly was. Having Jordan in the know, would be wonderful. She could talk freely around him, maybe help him figure out what he was. But if he was in the know, then he was in even more danger than he already was on a regular basis.

The situation was a lose-lose in Nixie's opinion. No matter which way you turned it. She nods to Scott in understanding anyway, though he can tell she's not necessarily comforted by that thought. Coming closer, he presses a kiss to the side of her head and says, "We'll keep him safe. We'll keep all of them safe. I promise."

She nods to that as well, but then groans when Scott changes the subject to ask, "Now… what was this other secret you wanted to tell us about?" Looking up at him, she says, "Scott… I promise. Tomorrow. I will tell all of you, I swear. But not today. Not after everything that happened today. We've dealt with enough for now."

Scott watches her carefully for a moment, and then says, "Alright. But tomorrow." "I promise." "Good. Now, come back inside. Lydia managed to find a Clint Eastwood movie on the shelf." "Well, in that case, what in the world are we still doing out here. Let's go!"

This is not the secret that Lydia had thought Nixie was going to tell everyone. She'd thought Nixie was going to talk about her scars, and finally reveal all of them to everyone, including her.

But that would have to wait for another day still. Because currently, they're standing in the middle of the woods, down a long and winding, almost non-existent trail. And in front of them, is a rickety old shack that, in her opinion, is not suitable for any kind of life to be living in.

And yet, as Nixie shows them in, she says, "So… I don't really know if you'd call it home sweet home. But… well, ta da!"

Most are speechless. Even Stiles, for a moment, is speechless. Then he finally manages to ask, "You… you've been staying here? Living here? But… the apartment? What about…" Nixie holds up a hand to stop what might've been a bombardment of questions, and then asks, "First of all, we're all clear on the fact that I was lying about my mom, right? She's always been in Eichen. Everyone got that?"

Everyone nods, so Nixie continues, "So… and I am not a lawyer, so I don't know how it was worked out. But in the agreement that was made, a portion of the money that insurance provides for my mom… it was put towards my living expense in the apartment. It went to the landlord, Marcus. The deal was he's supposed to be my guardian, and that way I get to stay here, in Beacon Hills. Why mom wanted me to stay when she wouldn't even allow me to visit her, is beyond me. But anyways…"

Walking over to her bag shoving some of her stuff back in it, she goes on. "There were some changes recently in the insurance coverages. How much she gets and where it goes. The money for the rent of the apartment was one of the things that got pulled. And Marcus… he was only ever in it for the money that got sent to him. As soon as that quit, I had to leave. I couldn't afford to pay him."

Nixie motions towards the shack as a whole and says, "I've known about this place for a while. I found it back when I was scouring the woods, trying to pinpoint the best starting place for the hunt to find Malia." Stiles pulls his attention from her investigative walls, which are almost identical to his boards back home. Snapping his gaze to her, he asks, "And you came here, instead of coming to any of us?!"

She gives him a look that asks for his patience, and then she says, "Yes. And before you berate me any further, I actually put a lot of thought into that before I made my decision. Scott's dad is now in the spare room at their house. I can't stay there. And you, Stiles, have Noah for a dad. The sheriff of Beacon Hills. And if he even so much as began to wonder why I was staying around more than usual, he'd figure out I'm homeless, and maybe think it was his duty to put me into the system. And that, is definitely not okay. They'd try to take me away from you guys, and I am not letting someone in a suit drag me away from here."

Looking to Lydia, Nixie says gently, "And you and your mom have enough financial trouble, without having to add me to the list." Between all three of them, Nixie says, "I know I'd be more than welcome. I get that. But I am not going to impose myself onto you guys, given all our current circumstances."

Kira takes a meek step forward, and then asks, "And… what about me? I mean… I would…" Nixie smiles gently, "I know you would too, Kira. You're not the reason I'm not going to your house." "Then what? What is…" "Your parents."

A pause, and then Nixie says, "I like them now. I promise. But… I don't know that they really consider me a friend. Chris is the only other adult who's really seen me get that angry at him, the same way I did with your parents. I've been frustrated with Melissa and Noah before… but not angry, like I was at Noshiko and Ken."

Shrugging, Nixie adds, "And I didn't want to risk that either of them would try to report me to the system either. So… I came here." For a long moment, all is quiet. Then Kira straightens up and says, "You can't stay here anymore. It's unacceptable. We're a pack, and we take care of each other."

Scott smiles and nods in agreement with her. And as he grabs one of her bags from the floor, Kira then adds, "We can talk to my mom. I know you don't know what they think right now, but I do. And she still feels incredibly bad about what she put all of us through. You, in particular, Nixie. She wants to make it up to you. And if we have to, we can make this the way she does that."

Raising an eyebrow, Nixie asks, "And your dad?" "Mom will keep it a secret for us. Dad doesn't have to know. As long as mom tells him not to worry about it, he'll get on board. But… just to be safe, we should probably hurry and get your stuff to the house. He'll be easier to convince if we've already moved you in."

Stiles grabs her other bag from the floor, and Lydia grabs the blanket that had been laying there for Nixie to sleep on. Coming up to her, Lydia says, "I know you. And I know you just… you don't want to be a burden on us. But… let us help you now. Okay?" Nixie stares back at her for a moment, and then nods before saying softly, "Okay." "Good. Now, come on."

Lydia hops on the back of Nixie's bike with her, and before they head down the road, Lydia gently presses against where she knows Nixie's worst scar is. Nixie glances back at her; sees the silent question in Lydia's eyes. She wants to know when Nixie is going to tell the others about her scars.

Nixie just smiles a bit, and then says, "Baby steps, Lydia. Baby steps."

Noshiko was in the living room when they all piled inside. Kira was at the front, looking both determined, and also a little fearful, at the same time. Noshiko looks around at all of them, and then simply says, "No." Frowning, Kira says, "We haven't even asked you anything yet." "I know. But when all of you come at the adults in a large group, the request usually ends up being something dangerous and terrible. So, no."

Kira's frown deepens so much that Noshiko wishes she could take it back. She'd meant it more as a joke than a real answer to whatever it was they wanted. But it was apparently much more serious than she'd realized. So much so that, instead of continuing to ask, Kira wheels around and is about to usher everyone back out of the house. They would find somewhere else for Nixie to stay, and she wouldn't even speak to her parents again for the remainder of the month. That's how mad she was right now.

But before she can get them out, Nixie puts a hand on her shoulder and says, "Take it easy." "But…" "Kira, come on. We look like we're about to ambush her or something. Her assumed conclusion is not exactly that far of a jump. Plus… she's not exactly wrong. Not entirely, anyway. We are about to ask her to do something that is, technically, illegal."

Looking around at all of them again, Noshiko asks, "What is it that you all need?" Kira turns back towards her, and then begins rambling, as she tends to do. She stumbles over her words, trying to explain the situation; trying to find the best way to put it.

Nixie puts her hand on Kira's shoulder again. Smiling gently, she says, "Thanks for trying to paint me in a brighter light. But I'm a sad story at the moment, so how about we stick with the shades of gray." Then she looks to Noshiko. "What Kira is trying to say, without making me look like I'm a hobo, is that I'm homeless. And I have been for the past… oh, maybe three or four months."

Noshiko's eyes widen, and she opens her mouth to ask a question. But Lydia beats her to it by blurting out, "Four months?!" Turning to look at her friends, Nixie says, "Yeah. Oh, did I forget to mention that part? My bad." Stiles runs a hand over his face and says, "Four months. Nixie… seriously?! Four months?!" "Hey, take a chill pill. I'm an incredibly resourceful individual."

The argument would've continued, except Noshiko cut them off and says, "So… she needs a place to stay." Kira nods, and then adds, "A place where no one is going to turn her over to the foster-care system. We're not going to lose her."

Noshiko looks over at Nixie, who had averted her eyes to the ground. Noshiko was aware, maybe even more than Kira, that she had a lot of making up to do with Nixie. She had kept too many secrets from them. She'd nearly killed Stiles. And though she may not have done it directly, she did have her own role in the death of Alison Argent.

The young woman could've called it in as a favor of Noshiko, but Nixie hadn't. She had moved out on her own. Where that had been, Noshiko has no idea. But… if this could even become a start to making amends for what she'd done…

Nixie's eyes snap up in surprise when Noshiko, without any sort of argument, says, "Of course she can stay." Turning to Kira, she adds, "And if her things are already put away, your father will be more easily convinced." The smile that lights Kira's face practically glows, and she grabs one of Nixie's bags and shouts, "Come on! Let's go!"

As she sprints away, Nixie looks to Noshiko again. Nodding her head, she says softly, "Thank you." Noshiko nods, and then steps forward. Cupping Nixie's face gently in her hands, she says, "You should not have ever been alone with this burden. I am sorry that you felt you could not come to us sooner. I promise, I will do everything I can, to make it easier for you, from here on out."

It takes Nixie a moment before she thinks she can answer without tearing up. Then she nods and says, "Thanks." "Of course, dear. Besides, we were already moving here permanently so that Kira would not be separated from her pack. It would seem rather unfitting, if we allowed you to be sent away after all that."

Nixie nods, and then turns in surprise to see both Lydia and Kira tugging at her to hurry up and come on. Huffing, Nixie says, "Geez, you'd think we could at least properly thank the woman for taking me in off the street. God bless her soul, or something. I mean, come on people." Noshiko just laughs, and follows along with the others to help Nixie settle in. It wasn't much to put away, but they made the spare room belong to Nixie, so it was a good start.

By the time Ken came home from the teacher's meeting he'd had, the others have left, and it's just Nixie, Noshiko, and Kira left in the house. Coming back to the spare room where he hears them, he finds Nixie laying on the bed on her stomach. Noshiko is sitting at the end, and they are playing the game of 'Go', which Nixie had agreed to learn as a sort of 'payment' for being allowed to stay.

Smiling, Ken asks, "What seems to be going on here?" Kira, who had been sitting at Nixie's side, watching the game, scrambles up to her feet in a frenzy. Nixie quickly grips the board to save the game. Then she sighs and says, "Good. That would've been tragically disappointing at this point. I might be mistaken… but I think I'm currently winning."

She looks up to Noshiko for confirmation, and the woman nods her answer. Then Noshiko adds, "But remember. Things can always change quickly, in the game of 'Go'." Nixie looks at her again, and then looks to Kira and says, "I don't like how she said that. It's like I have a piece of cake right in front of me, but she's threatening to swipe it and eat it first. And it's a good piece of cake too. We're talking triple chocolate with icing, sprinkles, and whip cream."

Ken chuckles at her analogy, but as Kira begins talking and explaining the situation, he grows more serious. He glances to Noshiko for a moment, almost not believing that she'd agreed to this, without even talking to him first. But then he sees the look on his wife's face. And in her eyes, was the hope for redemption.

Finally, he sighs and says, "And I suppose you've already moved everything of hers in here. Am I right?" Kira nods, and then Ken looks around a bit more. Settling on the game of 'Go', he says, "Fine. But if you get to teach her how to play that game, then I get to teach her how to cook sometimes."

Nixie just grins and says, "Ironically enough, the cooking classes are the ones I can never fit into my schedule. I think this sounds great." Ken chuckles, and then comes in to join them and watch the game. Kira eagerly takes her seat again and says, "This is awesome. Now, let's continue. I want to see if you can actually beat my mom on only the second try."

And all three of them laugh when Nixie scoffs and says, "Yeah, that's definitely not going to happen. A seventeen year old facing off against a nine-hundred year old kitsune? Let's be real. I was doomed before I even agreed to learn how to play."

And laying in bed later that night, warm and comfortable and at ease for once, Nixie can't help but realize that this feels more like home than her vacant old apartment ever had.

Chapter 7! Woohoo! I'm trying to post this story as fast as I can, since I had to take the previous one down. So Chapter 8 should follow soon after. Fingers crossed for the internet to continue going strong. :)