Georgina was tossing and turning. She kept seeing these weird visions of trees and people trapped under roots. She jolted awake.
"What happened?" were her first words when she looked around the room. She was back in her house but the last thing she remembered was being in the woods. She had gone out to where the Nemeton used to be. It was a pool now and a perfect place for her to boost her energy.
"What happened is that you did something stupid and scared the shit out of all of us," her Uncle Isaac was sitting in a chair across the room. "Everyone thought that you had been attacked or something. It wasn't until your Pops showed up that any of us actually had a clue about what was going on," he said. Gina's head thunked back against her headboard.
"I fucked up," she said plainly.
"Yeah you did," Isaac took pity on her. "But we're glad that your safe and you being stupid is better than anything else that could have happened."
"Thanks," said Gina weakly "Now where's Danny?" she asked looking up.
"We were going to ask you," Isaac frowned. "You're dads are pissed," again with the pity.
"Great," grumbled Gina as she rubbed her eyes. "I feel him, he's safe just not….here," she finished struggling to find the right words.
"Well that's helpful," came another voice. Gina snapped her head up and found her Pops leaning in the doorway looking tired and worried. Great like she didn't feel crappy enough along with everything else.
"Pop I'm so sorry I just wanted to see how things were before," Gina got out of bed and rushed to her dad but instead of hugging him she stopped short. She lowered her head like she would if he was the alpha. Growing up with wolves had caused her to pick up a few habits. Stiles mouth was a line. Gina knew that he worried about her being too serious. She was training to be the next emissary and that meant she was more disciplined than he thought any teenager should be.
"I just wanted to see what it was like," Gina repeated while still looking down.
"I thought so," Stiles said before pulling her into a hug. Gina relaxed a bit before pulling back and straightening up.
"I'm just going to head out," her uncle muttered before exiting the room. Stiles called out his thanks for watching Gina before turning around with his serious face. Gina knew that look, she could handle this. It was the emotion and feelings that she had trouble with. She got that from he Dad.
"Now what exactly happened? Obviously something didn't go right but what did you cast?" Stiles asked.
"A looking glass spell but I wanted to look backwards so I added a time element that I thought fit the best," explained Gina not wanting to think about what could have happened.
"Do you remember which spells and how you combines them?" Stiles was still thinking in emissary mode. Gina only nodded.
"Good you're not supposed to mix but that'll be a good start," Stiles said. Gina winced not liking to let her pack down. It frustrated her that she had allowed herself to put them in danger. It hurt her ego when she had to admit that she was wrong but in Gina had never actually hurt anyone else.
"I'm sorry," Gina managed with a lump in her throat. She hated to be wrong or even fail and to her this was the epitome of both. Stiles saw how upset Gina was and paused his planning.
"Hey get over here you felt that he's safe right?" Gina nodded. Stiles wrapped his arms around her again and pulled her into another hug. "And you're recovering?" again she nodded. "Then he's fine and I know that we'll get him back," Stiles said firmly. Gina wasn't sure if he was hiding his worry since both her father's had been known to do that well. Despite the different supernatural abilities in their family, her parents had always found a way to protect their kids. She didn't sense that he was lying but it never hurt to ask. When they separated she took her chance.
"I thought you'd freak out more," was Gina's way of checking on Pops.
"Your Dad is doing that enough for the both of us besides you'd have felt it. I trust in your instincts and I know that if anything had happened you would know no matter where he is. It's a thing with us Stilinski's just ask your grandpa," Stiles smiled. "I just want you to be ok. After everything that's happened you deserved to be a kid and make your own messes."
"My messes did something to Danny," Gina interrupted him. She looked back down. Her training taught her to never cut off anyone higher ranking but this was Danny they were talking about.
"And mine affected by brother too. Did I ever tell you that I set your Uncle Scott on fire?" Stiles tried.
"It's not the same and you know it" Gina said crossing her arms.
"No but we can fix it. Come on let's go before your father starts another pack war." Stiles hugged his daughter once more. It was a weak joke and they both knew it. After everything that they'd been though in the past month it was hard to joke. For a while it seemed like there was one crisis after another. Gina forgot about that because right now she just wanted to find her brother.
After working through some father issues that Daniel didn't even realize he had, he decided it would be better to just stick with Stiles for the night. Not that he chose Stiles over Derek it was just a heavy day. Then Isaac showed up and Derek started to act like the dad he was used to. He wasn't quite there yet but Daniel could see the glimpses of where Derek would end up. It was Isaac's turn to cook so while he did, they talked about his day and lacrosse practice. It gave Daniel a sense of normalcy but at the same time it made him miss his own pack and his own dad. It took a while for them to settle into the situation since the feeling of anxiety was still in the air but they got there in the end.
"So what are your plans for tomorrow?" asked Isaac as Daniel cleaned the kitchen.
"I don't know just whatever I guess," shrugged Daniel as he washed plates.
"I thought you wanted to try and get in contact with your time," came Derek's voice from behind him. Daniel would have jumped if he hadn't been used to it by now. Apparently Isaac was too since he didn't bat an eye instead asking what Derek meant.
"I thought you weren't even listening," admitted Daniel.
"Yeah he does that," Isaac said glaring at his alpha. Derek gave him a small smile like this was maybe something they bickered about. Daniel looked on in fascination as he continued to see Derek in a new and weirdly familiar light.
"I think it'll be good to use all of our options right?" Isaac argued. Daniel was relieved to have Isaac sticking up for him. It made things easier especially since he thought they were going to turn on him when he arrived.
"We don't know if it'll work though," Daniel started slowly. "I'm willing to try if you are but I don't know what'll happen." Daniel was a little worried Deaton wouldn't be there. Stiles hadn't started magic and his skill was nonexistent in this time.
"What if we do it on pack night," Isaac suggests. "We usually train but what better training than working for Danny here," Isaac clapped Daniel on the shoulder. It made Daniel wanted to laugh. Isaac was trying to act big but he looked so small. He wouldn't bulk up until he had already lived with Derek for a few more years.
"Yeah thanks man like I said I'm willing if you guys are," Daniel nodded.
"What do you need?" asked Derek which Daniel took as his approval on the subject.
"Just a few items, should only take a day. It's nothing compared to what Deaton's trying to do," Daniel almost forgot about him until he was brought up again.
"Welll," came Isaac "I'm sensing a chance to skip school." Derek raised an eyebrow "For the greater good of course," he added happily.
"You shouldn't miss anymore school," Derek said firmly.
"I have to miss school all the time for life and death situations at least let me miss this time for something cool," Isaac pleaded. It all clicked for Daniel, maybe Isaac was smarter than he thought. Daniel could tell that Derek was starting to waver when he finally nodded.
"Ok fine but no more missing unless it's an emergency," Derek finally gave in.
"And maybe I could even take your car," Isaac suggested.
"Don't push it," Derek had a warning tone but smiled as he shook his head.
Which is how Daniel and Isaac ended up in a store looking at different sized kiddie pools.
"Are you really sure that this is going to work?" asked Isaac as he was eyeing the pool Daniel was currently holding.
"Look honestly no, I don't have as much information as you'd like. This is usually my sister's thing," Daniel said comparing all the different sizes who knew there'd be so many.
"Yeah how does that work exactly, can she turn?" Isaac asked. He noticed that Daniel stilled but then continued as if nothing changed.
"Sometimes but not really it's complicated man," Daniel was trying to change the topic. Isaac could sense his discomfort and let it go. It was weirdly cool to hang out with Daniel. He wasn't pack yet but he could get used to the kid. He could picture them in Derek's loft. It wouldn't be much of a family but it could be theirs. Isaac shook his head. Daniel was going to be sent back that was the whole point of this. Still it was a nice thought. His old family wasn't much but last night was cool He could get used to something like that.
"I'm surprised you asked Derek if you could skip is he like your-"Daniel trailed off.
"No," Isaac said maybe just a little too fast. Daniel looked uneasy. "It's just he took me in. Well actually he kicked me out again and I'm not officially sure when I started living there again." Isaac wondered when this had been turned back on him and decided to give this kid credit. He was either really good or really lucky. Isaac hopped the latter was true. In the meantime Daniel looked at him like he was crazy. Yeah there was probably a way that Isaac could have explained that better.
"Ok I'm going to try and assume that that makes sense." Daniel said as he started to walk around the market again.
"I know it's weird but it's pack," Isaac tried to explain. He was thankful that Daniel could understand that at least.
"Well that helps a little," Daniel gave a little smile and nodded. It was easy to think that he could fit in with the rest of the pack. It was killing him Isaac needed to ask.
"Look Derek gave me the run down. I'm not supposed to ask but how are you connected to pack? I mean you kind of smell like us but different and don't take this the wrong way but I really want to fix that," Isaac cringed as the words left his mouth. He didn't want to be weird but pack smelled like pack. This kid was somewhere in between and that needed to change. Just a little scenting wouldn't hurt. Isaac calmed his wolf before it got weird. He liked him well enough hell so did Derek. They needed to get him in there as pack.
"No don't worry about it. You're right actually about being part of pack. I just can't tell you how and you can't tell anyone that I told you," Daniel finished. Isaac could tell he looked a little nervous.
"But you are one of us?" Isaac asked. Daniel nodded his head and looked like he was waiting for Isaac to react.
"Good" Isaac hooked an arm around Daniel. If this kid was going to stay he was going to smell like them damn it.
They ended up at the Nemeton and almost all of the wolves were there gathered in a sort of circle that kind of freaked Daniel out. If any of them thought he smelled more like them they didn't mention it. It seemed like smells were always changing when it came to this group. That's probably because they were all teenagers. Which also meant that they weren't very subtle when it came to all the weird looks he got as he hauled out all the supplies for the spell. Daniel took out a knife, a silver knife and whittled away at the wood of the Nemeton. He was careful not to damage it too much, even he knew this was some crazy power in that old stump. He threw all the ingredients together and set a match before throwing it in. The surface of the water caught on fire before settling down. The water was no longer clear but a silver mirrored surface. They stood waiting.
"Something should have happened. Why is nothing happening?" Daniel heard Scott say after a while.
"Give it time," Derek ordered.
He was about to give up when Daniel started to notice shapes forming in the pools surface. Everything started to sharpen up and then he herd it.
"Danny!" his sister's voice came from the pool and he dropped to his knees in relief.
"George," he peered in and smiled. She looked tired but in one piece. He hadn't realized how worried he'd been up until now. He'd been thrown into the past but she cast the spell, she could have died.
"Danny where are you? Where did I send you?" She was talking too fast to answer either question. Daniel waited until she took a breath.
"You're going to flip when I tell you this sis. You sent me back to old Beacon Hills," Daniel couldn't give her a real time without revealing it to anyone else. He hoped she got the hint before she said anything too revealing.
"Wait I actually sent you back? I thought I blasted you to another site with power that drew you in. Dad's going to be pissed and Pop's going to be proud," Gina herself looked conflicted herself. It was like she was both proud and mortified at the same time.
"It's working right you can hear them who are you talking to?" Isaac asked. Daniel turned his head Gina looked confused when Daniel looked away.
"Can you hear them? The people that are with me?" Daniel asked.
"No" Gina shook her head.
"No" replied Scott at the same time.
"Yeah, it's her, my sister, we got through," Daniel reported to the pack who were all watching him closely.
"Can you hear Pops?" Gina looked to the side.
"No, is he there too?" Daniel tried to see but the pool only showed his sister.
"Yeah hold on," Gina started to get a little fuzzy "He's going to try something. I can't believe you're still in Beacon Hills," she said in awe.
"Yeah it's so weird being here different but the same, older and newer at the same time," Daniel chanced a glance at the others watching them. He still needed to be careful even if they couldn't hear the whole conversation.
"Can you hear me now?" came the deeper version of Stile's voice. Daniel instantly relaxed when he heard it and he felt the wolves take notice.
"Pops," he wished he could just melt into the pool back into his own time.
"Hey there kiddo. You really in the past?" worry lined Stiles face. This was so weird looking at his Pops and having young Stiles standing across from him.
Yeah you should see-" Daniel started.
"Don't worry I did. Don't say anything. You could still mess with a time line. Tell me what's going on and what plans you have to get you home," Stiles slipped into his emissary role. That's the Pops Daniel remembered.
"Yes sir. Deaton's off collecting things for a spell. We figured if we do them at the same place on the same time focusing I'll go back," Daniel reported. Stiles next to him was watching him closely could he hear? No way, he didn't even really start studying magic until after they all graduated. He took deep breathes trying to reign in his feelings. It was weird that he could see both of them. He actually wasn't sure if he could look at past Stiles for a while after this. It might give something away if he was still thinking about his dad.
Finally Pops disappeared off to talk to Dad and start planning while Gina stayed behind.
"I know it's going to be weird but good luck. Keep the water from the pool and we can talk later," Gina also gave him a look and Daniel knew they'd be going through plans of action later. They were a team and they were going to get through this.
"Ok yeah. I'm by the Nemeton. I wish you could see it sis. You'd flip it's so beautiful," Daniel said knowing how big of a history nerd his sister was. She was even more passionate about history of magic and Beacon Hills.
"Good take a few more shavings from the water. To communicate-" Gina replied all business.
"I'll bring you some," Daniel interrupted.
"Only what you need," said Gina with a small smile. She was always the more rational but he knew she'd appreciate it. He noticed that his Pops had come back.
"You're sure you're alright?" Pops looked more confident. He had probably ironed out or confirmed the plan to bring him home. Dad may have even been in the room but there was no way of seeing him.
"Yeah I um I think I had a panic attack though," Daniel said and felt surprise go through the group surrounding him. He almost forgot that he was there with them. Young Stiles went still and started to smell a bit like anger. Daniel had to hold back a smile at that.
"How is that even possible?" Pops asked curious and worried. Daniel probably should have known that one Stiles being upset meant that the other would be too.
"We went to the Hale house," Daniel said softly. Pops only nodded.
"Listen to me are the others around?" Stiles asked. When Daniel nodded he continued. "You need to go so you don't give anything away but there's something that you need to know. Things are different. Pack is different, your dad and me. We were still figuring all of it out still," Stiles explained.
"Yeah I could see that for myself." Shaking his head in their direction next to him. His Pops eyes went wide with understanding. He went back into command mode as Daniel liked to call it.
"You need to watch yourself. I trust that you'll be safe that they'll keep you safe but you can't let anything slip. I know you've heard this probably a million times before. Stay strong we believe in you. Love you kiddo," Stiles shape wavered for a bit and then disappeared.
"Keep the water close. I'll find a way of contacting you when we straighten things out. Be safe big brother," Gina smiled.
"Love you guys let the pack know I'm ok," Daniel said. Gina nodded and disappeared too. Daniel looked up from the pool. Everyone was looking at him with different levels of concern. He was confused until he realized that he was hunched over the little pool with both hands digging into the soft plastic. He really needed to get home. Daniel wanted to get up but he couldn't look at them. It was all too weird but he had gotten a command and he couldn't ignore that. Daniel took a deep breath and finally stood up and scooped the water into a flask he'd bought. Isaac had questioned him at the time but now he felt better for bringing it.
"You good?" Isaac looked at him with concern
"Yeah," Daniel addressed everyone. "I needed a reminder of where I came from. I'm sorry for dragging you out but I appreciate it," He was back in alpha training mode. This wasn't training anymore though and Daniel knew it was time to be his own type of leader.
"It was no problem man," said Scott.
"If anything it was very informative," said Lydia leaning against a tree. "A panic attack at the Hale house?" her eyebrow arched up. Daniel could see the gears turning in her head. Lydia was probably the one person who could put this all together. When he saw the way she was trying to figure him out all the warnings his Pops threw at him made sense. Daniel made a mental note to not spend that much time with her after today.
After that night Daniel bounced from house to house for a little bit. The Pack started to treat him a little bit differently. It might have been because his conversation reminded them that he had a pack and family somewhere. He had a suspicion though that it was because he was starting to be accepted into their pack. Isaac took it upon himself to scent him and the rest had joined in. Daniel wasn't complaining it was nice to feel welcomed. It was one of those days that he stayed with Stiles. No one was home since the Sheriff was at work and Stiles had lacrosse practice. He was reading on the couch when he felt the flask start to heat up. Daniel kept it near him worried that he was going to miss whatever signal Gina was going to send. Daniel grabbed a bowl from the kitchen and went up the stairs and into the extra room that was designated as his. He poured it out and hoped that this worked.
"Danny!" he heard his sister's voice come from the bowel.
"George." he relaxed. It was nice to see her again when no one was monitoring their conversation.
"Tell me about everything," she ordered. Daniel wanted to laugh. Only George would get away with ordering a wolf around. He let himself speak freely for the first time since arriving.
"You're not going to believe how weird it is. Grandpa is younger and kind of a bad ass and Pops wait 'till you hear this," Daniel told her about everything. He went through the first few awkward days and the switch to the pack accepting him. Daniel was worried that George would get mad that he told Isaac about being pack but she praised him for thinking on his feet. Finally he took a breath and asked how she was doing and how their family was adjusting.
"We're recovering," Gina said after some time.
"I'm glad after everything," Daniel smiled.
"I know but I kind of wanted to talk to you about something," Gina said looking nervous.
"What is it George?" Daniel asked.
"You, we, have a chance at seeing out parents. Our real parents," Gina eased in.
"Don't you dare say-" Daniel started.
"I'm not saying Dad and Pops aren't our real parents. It's just don't you think we should try?" Gina asked.
"First of all you don't know if anything'll work. You messing with magic and time is something that got me in trouble in the first place and second actually you know what that's pretty much it. You tried messing with things and I repeat that I'm the one that got blasted back into another time," Daniel stopped when he heard the jeep in the driveway. He had been so distracted he forgot to keep an ear out. Coming back to himself he realized what a jerk he had been of course she'd want to look into the past. Their time that he'd left was crap. It was easy to forget what made her cast that spell in the first place.
"God I'm so sorry I need to go," Daniel said but it was too late. He could tell that Gina had shut down into her own version of command mode damnit.
"It's ok just think about it for me," Gina said as she wavered away.
Notes:
This was a different style of writing for me. It had a little bit of Gina's perspective but this fic will mostly be set in the time Daniel was sent back to. I have it in my head a whole other back story of what was going on in Daniel's original time which led Gina to casting the spell. If I wrote this but from Stiles/ Derek perspective would you be interested? I'm thinking of connecting the two fics but I want to know that people would actually read it. Mentioned in this chapter was a whole lot of missing back story which will be covered later don't worry. Please let me know if you think I should make this into a series with comments/reviews or message me on tumblr at fanflailingmess.