It felt like waking up with an extreme hangover, like it took every ounce of will to drag himself out of an impossibly deep ocean. It was gradual, right until he remembered the clawed hand pulling out his intestines, and then he fought to the surface in a panic.
"Stiles, Stiles it's ok," Scott said as he gripped the very much alive Stiles attempting to sit up.
Stiles stilled and caught his breath. He looked at Scott and then let his gaze fall toward his own gut. He gently laid a hand on the bandages there, above the rusty spot where the blood was dried underneath.
"Stiles…" the sheer worry in Scott's tone made Stiles take a deep breath. Which hurt a bit, but not as bad as it could. Stiles nodded, and with speed that surprised himself and Scott, Stiles grabbed Scott and hugged him tight.
"Thanks," Stiles whispered, his throat scratchy.
Shocked, Scott just stood there for a moment before gripping Stiles with just as much force. A breathy laugh escaped the alpha, "I thought you were gonna hate me."
"No, no man," Stiles finally let him go and leaned back on the table he'd been laid out on. "Fuck, no," Stiles said looking down at his hands and flexing them. "I mean, this wasn't my ideal plan but it's whole shit ton better than being dead."
"Yeah," Scott said, most of the worry and fear melting away for a moment. "I'm gonna be pissed later when I kill you for getting yourself killed, but for now, I'll let it slide."
Stiles barked out a hoarse laugh. He was alive. He was ok. Everything was too bright, too loud, and god the scent of the clinic made his nose burn, but he was alive to feel it. He gasped suddenly, jumping off the table and turning to Scott, "where's Ana?"
"Ah, Mr. Stilinski. Already up and moving too much. Somehow I'm not surprised," Deaton quipped from where he was checking Ana's now healing injuries.
"Ana?" Stiles nearly pushed Scott out of the way, which made his best friend frown a bit.
"Ms. Kaizer is fine. Her wounds are finally healing and injuries mending. She may be out for a bit longer, however. The alpha inflicted significant damage. Now, if you're quite satisfied, you should take a seat and let your body finish healing."
From the other side of the room Derek watched Stiles ease himself onto a stool. He knew Stiles was alive, had been waiting with Scott and watching as he healed but it was another thing altogether to see him awake. A knot came undone in his chest, but he didn't move or say anything when he saw Stiles look up at him suddenly with a confused expression.
"How much longer until she wakes up?" Scott asked, his voice low.
"Considering she's already woken up once, not all that long. I suggest," Deaton looked Scot right in the eye, "you wait patiently." The vet nodded and left the room.
The first thing Ana asked for was her phone so she could call her aunt. Scott shook his head. "Not until you explain. Everything."
Ana looked at him incredulously. "I'll be more than willing to, but I need to warn my aunt so she doesn't end up murdered by Marla."
There was a heavy moment and Stiles looked at his friend like he was crazy. "Dude, just let her make the call. I'll help explain. This isn't her fault-"
"You died, Stiles. She is responsible and I want to know what happened."
Derek raised an eyebrow. He noted how Ana flinched like she'd been slapped and she seemed to curl in on herself. Stiles gaped at Scott, for once speechless. In the tense silence, Derek pulled out his own phone and tossed it to Ana, who caught it, surprised.
"Call your aunt. I'll send Issac and Jackson to check on her." Ana nodded, quickly dialing the number and keeping her head down. Scott gave Derek a look of disbelief as Ana hurriedly talked with her Aunt Sonya, telling her she was ok and that she should expect two guys to show up to check on her. Derek kept his gaze steady. He wondered, with bitter humor, if this was what it felt like when two parents were trying to discipline their kid but disagreed on how to go about it.
Ana finished and handed the phone back to Derek. He asked for Ana's address and sent it to Issac, with orders to check in. He put his phone away and found Ana glancing at him from the corner of her eye, confused but also thankful.
"Now, spill it," Scott said, his eyes narrow and mistrustful of the girl in front of him.
Ana took a deep, shaky breath and in her quiet voice said; "It all started with a big, black dog running in front of our car."