The first part of the story is based off the last chapter of "Death of A Friend" From the Derek fanfiction, this is after Meg attacks Stiles and he gets home all bruised and such. The rest is relating to the incidents that occured in the episode Frayed and the beginning of Motel California.
There is also a little Meg/Stiles friendship in here :D. I am sorry but I had to.
xx
SSC
Stiles trudged up the stairs of his house. Thanking his lucky stars that his father wasn't home to open the door and see him in his wounded form. Confronting Meg was difficult but he had managed to knock some sense in to her. At his expense of course but it worked and her friend would hopefully be back to normal and he was expecting a long apology.
The wounds stung her claw marks had dug deep but the blood had stopped seeping out so they weren't as deep. He groaned, the blood was going to be a bitch to wash off. He was going to have to throw the shirt away
A long bath that should do the trick and wash off all this dirt it can't be sanitary. He opened his bedroom door and did not expect the hounding questions he received from the frequent visitor that was Ariel Carden.
"What the hell happened?" She demanded with such protective instinct he had never seen in her before. She actually looked like she would rip the head off the person who attacked him.
"You told me to watch out for Meg and I did." He grumbled back stepping in to the room while struggling with his school bag. She took it from him and tossed it into some corner in the room.
"She did this?" Her anger was dissipating but the annoyance was still there. He could see it when her forehead crinkled in distaste and the way she glared at the gashes.
"She didn't mean to, things got a little out of hand and well I over stepped my boundaries—as usual."
"Let me see—"She reached out to him.
"No its fine I—"He protested.
"Let me see." She stated sternly and the strict piercing gaze cut his words and he stopped struggling. Her expression softened and her stare moved down to his neck, to examine the scars. Her finger tips brushed over the skin delicately. Afraid to hurt him, even though her face remained passive he could see the dissatisfaction in her eyes.
"I don't want my dad finding out, he has enough on his mind—in fact I am not sure if he would notice." He murmured. She glanced at him before looking to the abrasions again, tugging gently at the collar of his shirt to see how far they ran down.
"He is the sheriff and your father, he will notice."She replied, Stiles had to admit she had a point.
Ariel sighed and leaned back, her hand dropping to her side "Where is your white box with the red plus sign on it?"
He grinned. Figures she wouldn't know what to call a first aid kit, considering werewolves never had to use one.
"In the bathroom under the sink," He said she nodded and went in search for it. Stiles took the opportunity to sit down on his bed, groaning from the stretch of his muscles. Ariel came back with the box in hand and sat down beside him with the box in between them. She unlatched the locks and began to riffle through the contents.
"Do you even know what you are doing. I thought werewolves didn't need to use first aid kits." He wondered as Ariel began to pull out everything she thought would come in handy.
"We don't, you are going to tell me what to do." She said looking to him and waiting for him to give the word. He peered into the contents of the box.
"Ethanol cleans the wound there are some cotton balls in that sachet."
Ariel cleaned the wound as tenderly as possible. Stiles had to pop open a few buttons of his shirt to reveal his vest underneath. That way she could access his wounds with ease. He considered taking off his shirt but he didn't feel particularly attractive that day and didn't have nearly enough confidence to.
"The injuries aren't too deep or serious. There isn't any risk of you sharing memories with her but they are pretty vivid. You could try covering them up with the collar of your shirt." She noted disposing of the blood covered cotton ball and reaching for the band aids.
"The fat lip I can blame on cross county or something. I'll just have to avoid my dad till the weekend."
"What's happening in the weekend?" She asked while ripping into the plaster seal.
"This stupid cross county meet I agreed to go to." Stiles remembered she was part of the run "Are you coming?"
"I've never been to a meet so it should be interesting." Ariel mused in vague interest.
"Great—I mean I am glad you are coming."
"To protect you from angst-y werewolf wrath," She teased while pressing the band-aid to the tears was glad her tense mood had lightened.
"No just glad, in the simple sense." She froze and looked to him in that same calculating way she always did. He stared back fearlessly and honest. Sometimes Stiles wondered what he would do without her and how quickly she became part of his life and so effortlessly too. Little did he know—Ariel was wondering the same thing.
She brought out her flask and began to pour the clear green mixture into the cup and offered it to Stiles. He groaned and turned away in disdain.
"It helps, trust me."
"You are like freaking Radagast with your herbs and stuff." He grumbled begrudgingly taking the cup and consuming the liquid in one immense gulp before shuddering from the bitter taste. Ariel smiled pleased and he rolled his eyes though he was resisting the urge to blush just at a glance from her.
Meg stood outside the Stilinski's doorstep glaring at the doorbell. She had reached for that button and hesitated at least a dozen times. Her hands were steady but internally she was a nervous wreck. A thousand scenarios had run in her mind and they all ended with Stiles slamming the door on her face.
Stiles was watching her from behind the window. Through the gap between the curtains. She was just standing there, clearly struggling to push through that barrier of that had formed.
Stiles scoffed, it was hardly a barrier more like a thin membrane—but let's not get started on the biology. Meg was never very good at that…or confrontation.
Knowing he had to be the one to take the first step. Stiles stepped out of the living room and made his way to the main door. He opened the door and Meg was startled by his appearance. She stood there staring at him for a moment and Stiles watched as a blush took over the apples of her cheeks as she smiled awkwardly at him. Her smile slowly dropped when she took in the sight of him, bandaged around the neck and tousled hair, her amber eyes softened to one of wholesome guilt.
"Hey um, can we talk?" She asked. Stiles managed a smile and nodded opening the door wider.
"Sure, come in." She stepped in and Stiles shut the door behind her. She was distracting herself by looking at the interior of the house with much interest. Stiles stood back, shuffling with his feet. Unsure of what to say or do.
"Where is your dad?" She asked turning to face him. Though she was avoiding looking into his eyes for too long.
"He had to get to work early, solving cases and all." Stiles answered while scratching at his jaw line out of habit. She nodded in understanding before a silence fell over them.
"Do you want something to drink?" Stiles suddenly asked, not waiting for an response. He walked past her and to the kitchen assuming she would follow him " I think there is some root beer in the fridge—"
"I am sorry." She said. Stiles froze mid opening the fridge door, his back to her.
"I am sorry I did this to us, I know you were only trying to get me to see reason and you did. I didn't mean to hurt you—"
"You didn't hurt me Meg." He cut in turning to face her, she gaped.
"Look at you, look at what I did!" Meg exclaimed animatedly pointing at the bandages around his neck and across his hand. Stiles chuckled at an attempt to ease the situation, his slender fingers stroking at the binding.
"Hey they are not that bad, makes me look kinda manly and you know chicks dig scars." He joked but she was frowning and near tears. His heart fell to his stomach.
"Meg, hey it's okay these things happen and I had it coming you know?" He stepped to her. His hands itching pat her or something but it felt inappropriate and not something he was accustomed to. She raised her gaze to meet his, they were glistening in unshed tears. She sniffled and her mouth was twisted self loathing.
"Still, I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that, it wasn't right."
Stiles sighed "You were trying to be strong for too long, I would have done the same if I was you." He tried to reassure her.
He didn't regret what he had done. Sure it didn't go the way he had planned but he would do it all over again. Meg was watching him unsure of what to say. She hated herself for hurting Stiles. The last person she thought she would ever hurt and the most innocent too.
He shouldn't even be involved in any of this, he still has a chance for a normal life and we are all holding him back. But at the same time Meg knew, she would be lost without him.
"I feel like you are the only one who is level headed in all of this." She mumbled. Stiles grinned shoving her lightly to snap her attention from the kitchen tiles.
"I hadn't seen you that mad since you found out that old timer beat me." He reminded. Stiles liked the spark of hatred that lit up her eyes just at the thought of Allison's grandfather last term.
He remembered that day all too clearly. The shock on her face when she held his face in her hands examining the wounds. He was too startled by the contact of her warm hands on his face at first, but then when her concern twisted to such a fiery dangerous intent to maim. He was mesmerized and terrified at the same time and could only stare when she demanded who had hit him so brutally.
"I still can't believe you allowed yourself to be beaten up by an old man." She was laughing though Stiles could still see a shadow of hate on her. He began to wander what would happen if that old geezer crossed paths with Meg, being all weak and pathetic now with black snot running down his nose.
"Hey crazy and determination is a very powerful combination." Stiles retorted defensively, she was full on laughing now.
"By the way, I know about you and Derek." Stiles stated before taking a sip from his can of root beer "You know I disapprove right."
They were currently sitting on the carpeted floors of his living room. It was a childhood habit they never out grew. Although Stiles never shared it with Scott he always sat on the floor with Meg. She loved the warmth of the carpet and he really didn't mind where they sat.
"Why do you think I never told you?" She retorted smiling fondly.
"It's not just physical is it?"
"Stiles! Do you really think I am that shallow?" She was wide-eyed and scandalized by his inquiry. An expression Stiles wasn't used to seeing from her.
"Well you've seen the man. He is all muscle and frowns."
"He isn't always like that—"
"Yeah there is sarcasm too, not to mention the mood swings."
"You are just as sarcastic." She concluded. Stiles couldn't disagree and chose to take another gulp of his drink.
"I am surprised you managed to keep this a secret for so long, but I kinda already figured there was something going on." Meg pouted at his words and pulled her knees up to her chest. Her empty bottle of root beer stood beside her.
"I didn't realize I was being so obvious, I tried so hard too."
"Not you, it was Derek who gave it away. You should have seen the way he looked at you—well looks at you."
"Really?" Meg couldn't hide the curious, chagrined look on her face and Stiles smiled while rolling his eyes.
"Geez if you get any redder you could literally bang your head against something else that's red and wake up in Kansas."
"Oh yeah? What about you?" She uttered before swiftly poking him in the face. Stiles frowned and rubbed at the spot she probed.
"Hey I have a mild Erythematic problem, I can't help it."
"Not that you fool, I mean Lydia—I do not approve. You can do so much better Stiles."
"So could you." He didn't approve of her accusatory tone and neither did she.
"I did, you can't sit there and tell me he didn't do what a boyfriend would do. As grateful as I am for what you did, Derek he…" Meg sighed and rested her chin on the tops of her knees while her hands fumbled with the carpet's stitching "There is a darkness in me that I kept hidden, papa's death affected me more than I pretend and the trigger for me to just lose it will always be there but he pulled me back, yesterday wasn't the first time."
His gaze softened at the sight of the melancholia in her amber eyes. Stiles looked to the window and at the street where Derek's new jeep was parked, waiting for her.
"There is darkness in all of us Meg. We all have that someone who can see it in us." His words surprised her. She looked to him from under her dark lashes. She was intrigued by the maturity of his expression, the way his eyes were glazed over in deep thought.
"You sound like you already know what I am talking about." She murmured he snapped out of his thoughts and looked to her. Meg expecting a smile or a witty rebuttal of some kind but he only stared contemplatively.
"I have someone you should meet." Her interest peaked and something told her he wasn't referring to Lydia.
FRAYED
Stiles sat on a bus beside his best friend feeling completely and utterly clueless, not to mention worried. Not only was Scott in pain beside him after last night's events. Ariel was missing in action too. He hadn't heard from her since last night when she texted to tell him she wouldn't be able to make it. After the disappointment had left he was more concerned.
Now he was at the edge of his seat and dying for a text from her.
Maybe I should text her? But what if her phone is left unattended and one of them sees it's from me? They can't possibly be all brawn and no brain.
Stiles's thumb was tapping at the screen of his iPad in a jittery tendency waiting for Scott to respond to the SAT word he uttered, while struggling to remain conscious at the same time.
She hadn't even shown up for the cross county like she had planned to. Stiles sighed and leaned back in his seat.
Where are you?
Ariel felt her phone vibrate within the pocket of her jeans. She sat up on the waiting chair in the reception of the animal clinic and dug her phone out.
From: Ethan
How is Ennis?
The door's been shut for nearly an hour now, Kali was pacing. She texted back speedily, she waited for a few seconds to receive his reply.
Let me know if anything changes.
Ariel sighed and leaned back into the chair. Kali nervously running her fingers through her hair. Aiden sat beside Ariel staring into sighed and fell back against the chair and gazed up at the ceiling, remembering the events of last night.
Ariel was lounging on the sofa reading one of the books Miss Jennifer Blake had assigned "Heart of Darkness" she didn't have much to do ever since she finished reading the book Stiles had given her. She didn't want to take anymore and risk Deucalion finding out.
The doors of the penthouse slide open and she heard his heavy footsteps and the tap of the cane against the tiles.
"How was the walk?" She asked in vague interest not diverting her eyes from the book. The alpha maneuvered his way around the settee, and sat on the single seater couch, with the cane resting between his legs and his hands crossed over the walking stick.
"Enlightening for him," He mused with a mysterious smile on his face thinking about his conversation with Scott "We are going to have a very busy night."
"Why is that?" She asked flipping through another page in the book.
"The young Beta wishes to discuss terms of reconciliation." His words grabbed her attention. She looked to him.
"And you are going to consent?"
"That all depends on the events of the night ahead," He stated still smiling before slowly getting to his feet "Contact Aiden and Ethan, they are needed." He ordered gently.
"I'll get right on it." She replied and his smile widened, pleased by her obedience.
"Thank you," She nodded and began to type furiously. Unknown to Deucalion who she was actually typing to.
Won't be able to make it tonight.
She texted Stiles while trying to seem as nonchalant as possible. Even though she was experiencing nausea from a strange foreboding feeling.
Why? What's happening? Was his hasty reply.
I don't know, but I'll inform you the minute I know more.
Grrrreaat. She could practically picture that adorable roll of his eyes and twist of his lips, but even that didn't elevate her mood.
Later that night...
"What do you suppose is happening?" Aiden wondered looking to Ariel from beside his twin brother. They had all parked their vehicles in a recluse space. She was placed under driving duty, taking the twins with her and others took Ennis's car. They were approaching an abandoned site that Deucalion was being mysterious about, but then again he didn't tell the younger alphas much and she hated it.
"Why do you think I would have a clue?" She retorted while keeping her gaze focused on Deucalion's back. Kali and Ennis stood on his either side walking in the confident powerful way they always do.
"Come on you are like his pet, you get all the Intel way before us." He reminded with a teasing smile on his lips. She shot him a flat look.
"Gossip, really? Aiden I am surprised by how quickly you adjust to the measly life of a teenager."
"Coming from number five on the soccer team, I am not that insulted." He shot back leaning towards her.
"You are the one who suggested I take up an extracurricular to keep me occupied." She replied in her usual passive tone. His eyes gleamed at her vague response.
"I meant with me. I can give you one hell of a work out." He whispered huskily. She glanced at him with little or no interest in her electric blue eyes.
"I doubt it." She mumbled and feigned a yawn. Ethan grinned when Aiden frowned.
"Aiden get a hint and besides, you already found someone to inflict your cheesy pick up lines on." The less possessive brother said. Aiden glanced his way and shrugged.
"Hardly, we don't do much...talking. She knows how to make full use of my mouth—and hers."
"Ew." Ethan and Ariel responded in unison and the other twin's grin widened.
They eventually arrived at the interior of the abandoned mall. Ariel's eyes wandered around the empty, dusty place. There were blocks of rubble scattered about the room but it was spacious. Her absorbing eyes wandered up the frozen escalator that Deucalion was currently climbing.
"Look at this dump," Ethan mused with clear distaste in his eyes.
"I can already tell we are going to knock a few heads here." Aiden responded, eager to use his animal instincts. Ariel wondered why she didn't possess the same urge to maim and kill like they do.
"Might as well take our shirts off now right?"Aiden pondered looking to his brother. His hands already gripping and tugging his shirt over his head "I don't want to rip this one, I bought it yesterday."
She stifled the urge to chuckle and rolled her eyes at him "Sometimes I wonder who is queerer."
He narrowed his eyes down at her and she turned away indifferently.
"Blend into the shadows, we are going to have company soon." Deucalion stated. The moment he spoke everyone scattered about to find a hiding space. Kali was climbing up steps to the top floor. Ennis stomped down the escalator leading to the floor below them. The twins jogged up the escalator and Ariel followed them in her leisurely pace.
She wanted to text Stiles, warn him, but even though Deucalion was blind she could tell he was paying attention to her every movement with that charming pinch of his lips.
"Come now Ariel do hurry up, things are about to get, very interesting."
His usual way of saying, deadly.
Only a few moments passed when they all heard the crunching of bike wheels heading their way. Ariel stayed crouched towards the edge that way she had a perfect view of the stage.
Scott and Isaac approached Deucalion on a higher step on the escalator. They had a business like air about them, especially Scott.
"You didn't come alone." the alpha leader stated and indeed they didn't. Ariel had to admit it would take a complete moron not to hear the many other footsteps approaching Deucalion.
"Yeah this is Isaac." Scott introduced his friend who stood stock still, thinking that's what the alpha meant. Ariel pitied the teenager.
"I am not talking about, Isaac" The moment those words left Deucalion's lips Derek emerged from the shadows with Cora, Boyd and Meg trailing after him. Ariel tensed and glared down at her uncle.
This was going to be a blood bath, she knew she had to protect Bridget's daughter.
"You knew I would do this, Derek don't we can do this so no one gets hurt, if someone else dies—"
"Him...just him." The Alpha Hale threatened pointing a finger in Deucalion's direction.
"Just me?" the demon wolf echoed, clearly amused "Now, how's a blind man find himself into a place like this all on his own?"
The screeching sound like nails on a chalk board echoed within the hall when Kali sliding down a tall pillar, her crimson eyes enlarged and terrifying. Ariel rolled her eyes, not understanding Kali's need to be so blatantly sinister. She was clearly compensating for something. The rest of the alphas emerged from their hiding places, startling the unprepared Betas.
Ariel guessed it was her cue too. Straightening up in to a stand she casually strolled down the descending escalators, her stare focused on Megra Day. She knew she had to get the timing right, keep the girl away from danger while trying not to reveal her true intentions. Deucalion was out for blood that night. She knew he was going to corner Derek into making the decision into killing a member of his pack. Ariel was not going to let it be Megra.
They attacked. Ariel wasn't going to react completely on whim, and she was going to time her move. She watched the chaos unravel. The twins forming into one giant alpha and Isaac taking the first step to battle them and then Scott following to protect his friend.
Boyd tried to claw Ennis's eyes out and the alpha dodged with ease. Derek fought fiercely against Kali, kneeing her in the abdomen. Megra made an attack when Cora's scream cut into the air as a result from Ennis's infliction.
Ariel pushed off and flipped in to the air before stealthily landing in Meg's path. Her provoked bright yellow eyes widened unsuspectingly but she soon reacted and sent a blow in Ariel's direction. She side swept with ease before swiftly delivering a powerful kick to her chest that sent the Beta flying back.
Cora cried out for Meg when her body made impact with the floor. The enraged Hale stumbled to her feet and Ariel was already predicting the attack. She moved stealthily avoiding each swipe of her claws. Ariel wasn't even in a provoked form which seemed to anger the girl further. She used the rage to her advantage and squatted away Cora's arms before plunging her fingers down on to a pressure point in her neck.
Cora felt the familiar pins and needles feeling tingle throughout her arm, spreading to her body and she lost all control of her arm. It was a temporary stun which Ariel took to her favour and delivered a sharp kick to Cora's stomach that made her fall to the floor in pain.
Ariel heard a growl behind her and spun around to immediately catch Meg's clawed arm intended on wounding the alpha. The girl was fast. Ariel had to give her that, but she was obviously faster. Ariel snapped the girl's wrist and her scream echoed in the air. The sound momentarily distracted Derek giving Kali the perfect opportunity to claw at him.
Ariel didn't want to have to hurt the girl, but if she left this hall unharmed it would arouse suspicions. She quickly grabbed her head in her hands and ruthlessly slammed her forehead against the female's head.
The impact of the blow left her dizzy and disorientated and soon enough she was an unconscious pile on the floor. She nudged her with her foot and her body flipped over to face the ceiling. Ariel lightly placed the sole of her sneakers on her stomach. Tying to look like she made a conquest when it was actually more— protecting.
She faced the rest of the alpha's direction. Boyd was on the floor badly scratched. Kali had the curve of her foot over Cora's throat restricting her movements and the twins were restraining Isaac and Scott, while Derek was left standing helplessly.
"You are beaten," Deucalion stated factually, descending the escalator in slow steps "Do it, take the first step."
"Are we serious with this kid?" Kali asked presumptuously her fangs protruding from her lips in a terrifying manner "Look at him, as an alpha? To what? A couple of useless teenagers."
Cora was struggling to breath under the pressure of Kali's foot on her windpipe.
"Some have more promise than others." Ariel didn't miss the way Deucalion looked to Scott when he said those words, it was almost foreshadowing.
"Let him rise to the occasion then. What will it be Derek?" the alpha Hale looked to all his Beta's struggling to find a strategy.
"Pack or family?" She demanded increasing pressure on Cora's throat. The female gasped and struggled to lift the weight.
Everyone waited anticipating his decision—some more fearful than others—but then blinding flashes erupted around them instantly stinging her eyes.
Ariel had never seen Deucalion react so defensively but then again it wasn't just any flash of light. It was from the result of a hunter arrows. Ariel knew that her uncle always had abhorrence to hunters more than the usual wolf. Maybe it was how he lost his eyes. She had wanted to ask him for a while but there was never a good time. The last thing she wanted to do was to resurface bad memories.
Deucalion walked in through the clinic doors. She watched him walk past and right into the operation room.
Her suspicions were hard to ignore, so she listened intently.
"Surprisingly optimistic, he is going to make it" Was the vet's relieved reply to a question Deucalion uttered. The alpha leader hadn't replied with Ariel found out and there was silence for the longest time but she could hear the vet's heart rising abruptly.
Only a few minutes passed when he emerged in his usual casual walk. Completely disregarding the presences of his subordinates and exiting the clinic. Ariel glared after him for a moment until Kali's outraged screaming startled her out of her thoughts, just as she looked to the doors— Kali stormed past her with Ethan following after her.
Ariel knew Ennis was dead. Kali's wretched roar ricocheted through the walls of the clinic.
Ariel paced the length of her bedroom.
Ariel wanted to see Stiles. She had never felt such a need to see anyone before it was strange. She knew she should be wary of her feelings for him but at the same time it felt so right. She wished she had been the one to go on the cross country meet but Deucalion assigned Ethan because he had leverage—Danny. Ariel had to play along. The last thing she wanted was to arouse any suspicions from Deucalion.
Considering he just killed Ennis to gain his power.
She looked to her mobile on her desk and walked over to stare down at the screen. It was black and lifeless. She was resisting the urge to contact him, but gave in.
Is Scott alright? She texted before hitting send, the reply was instant.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?
Ennis is dead and it wasn't Derek's fault. She typed
Stiles was on his way to get a snack from the vending machine when he received her text. His eyebrows furrowed down at the message, confused by the message.
Scott is getting better and what do you mean? He didn't die from the wounds? He asked.
Deucalion, I have to reveal who I am to Meg the moment you get back.
Panic immediately set in. Deucalion killed one of his own—Ariel is one of them—the risk of their friendship set in on Stiles, if he found out about Ariel she could be dead too.
I have no idea when that will be, late tomorrow night I am guessing. He replied after gathering bits of his wrecked senses. He hated that she seemed calm but then again emotions can't really be analyzed through ha text message.
Alright, see you then, stay safe Lieutenant. He smiled slightly at the nickname though the worry never left.
You are the one who should be safe, Captain.