When Stiles got home he wanted to collapse. Practice had been rough especially since coach got it into his head that they needed to train longer. He barely made it to the couch before flopping down face first into the cushions deciding not to move. Stiles was glad that he took a shower at school as he felt himself start to drift off to sleep. He thought he heard a noise and opened an eye. He noticed Daniel coming down the stairs. He must be getting better at this. Now if only he could manage to pull that trick when Derek was around. Guy needed a bell around his neck because Stiles would not admit that he still got freaked out when Derek snuck up on him. Nope wouldn't do it.
"Rough day?" asked Daniel as he plopped onto the other couch.
"You'd think running from wolves would get my ass in better shape," Stiles voice was muffled into the couch cushion.
"To be fair in lacrosse you're also running into people not just avoiding," said Daniel.
"Eh true," Stiles closed his eyes again. It was nice to have Daniel here, pack had been going in and out of the loft but it felt nice to have people at the house too. According to Derek it was also better for pack to spread out on their territory. Stiles had to agree they were all pretty comfortable and it was a nice change for them.
"I know you usually cook for the sheriff but how about instead I pull me weight." Daniel popped up off the couch. Damn werewolves and their damn energy Stiles thought. "Just walk me through it because no offense but you look pretty beat."
"Don't burn down the house and you get my never ending thanks," Stiles rolled himself over and propped himself up. "Thanks man," he said pointing out the different ingredients. He was thankful Daniel didn't seem to care about the amount of restrictions Stiles put on food. Scott was always complaining but Stiles would put up with that as long as his dad was eating healthier. They worked in balance for a while. Stiles told Daniel about how much of a jerk coach was during practice and occasionally Daniel would ask a question about how to prepare something. Stiles actually really liked this. It was different than hanging out with Scott who admittedly still acted weird around Daniel. It was good though or at least it was until Daniel started to act twitchy.
"Hey so don't take this as weird or anything but I've been thinking," Daniel started. "If you had the chance to go back and…see your mom would you?" Daniel struggled to get the last part out. Stiles turned to him in surprise. He must have looked angry because Daniel shrunk back a little. It was almost satisfying until he realized he was pulling a Derek on the kid.
"How do you know about my mom?" Stiles asked a bit angrier than he mean to.
"Just trust me ok, please. I was talking to my sister and-"
"You talked to your sister?" Stiles interrupted. "That whole time and you couldn't mention hey I got news from the future today?"
"Yes but I mean shit sorry I'm fucking this all up," Daniel took a breath. Stiles tried to calm down as he watched Daniel attempt a coherent explanation.
"I have a chance to visit people who were dead when I was growing up," Stiles could tell that Daniel was making an effort to keep his information straight. That alone was a red flag. He was more worked up telling this story than when he was confronting Stiles. "These people they died saving me and my sister. She contacted me because she wants to be able to know more about them. We have almost nothing to go on in our current time," Daniel said. It was clear that there was a lot more that Daniel should be explaining. Why did he compare them to Stiles mother and how the hell did he even know about that in the first place. He took a second and tried to think about Daniel's perspective. If he was Marty McFly'd back into the past there was no way that he'd pass up the opportunity to see his mom.
"I would do anything to see my mom again and I would do even more if it meant giving my dad reassurance," he paused as Daniel held his breath. "If you want we can talk to Derek about it tomorrow," Stiles said finally. Daniel had given them reason to trust them. Stiles knew that they had to at least try and make an effort for him.
"Thanks man" Daniel relaxed. He put down a spoon he was holding and Stiles noticed that it was dented. He sighed. Stiles couldn't blame the kid but the more that they all spent time together the more that he wanted to ask questions. They'd lost people too but who was important enough to travel back and see?
Gina was waiting in her room with water set up in case Daniel tried to contact her. It was set up in a basin on her vanity. Next to it lay the same flask that Daniel used in his time but now it was worn with years of use. She felt like someone was watching her as she looked up from the book she was reading. Gina has been looking up time travel but now bent over the basin and cast a looking glass spell.
"You rang," she said as Daniel started to appear in the water.
"How did you know?" Daniel asked.
"Seems like I haven't lost my touch," Gina said smirking. She felt more like herself lately or at least more put together. Between everything that had happened it was crucial that she slipped back onto her training which meant acting confident even if she was still worried. Gina had never really messed up before sure she was hard on herself but this was different. This was her acknowledging she was a fuck up and being able to move on.
"I'll do it," Daniel said and the smile slipped from her lips as she snapped back into command mode.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yeah," Daniel said looking grim. Good that meant that he was taking this seriously.
"Ok I want to ask you something else then," Gina was ready to spend at least half an hour convincing him of her plan but Daniel surprised her.
"You want to make a switch," he said as a statement rather than a question.
"You knew," Gina tried to hide a smile.
"Come on George I know you," Daniel almost rolled his eyes. Gina noticed that he was different, more steeled somehow. This might be good for both of them then.
"Ok if we're ready then. It might not work this same way though," Gina began to outline what was going to happen.
"And it might not work at all," Daniel finished. "Don't worry I believe in you," he finished. Gina raised her eye brow but didn't say anything. It wasn't like him to be so forward especially with magic. Still it was good that he trusted her. That would be good for them later on when they were in charge of the pack.
"There you are," she said. "That's the alpha I knew you could be," she felt like they were finally fitting into their roles. More importantly they were able to see each other in their roles. The both put their hands to the water and concentrated. Gina started to mutter a few words under her breath. Usually they didn't need assistance but when you're dealing with another time it was better to be safe. At least as safe as anyone can be messing with time. It wasn't long until they felt the weird spinning sensation and before they knew it Gina looking at herself in the water. It was always weird looking at each other after they switched their bodies. Gina closed her eyes one more time and cast another spell. They needed to look like themselves even if they were actually switched. When she opened her eyes once more she was looking at her brother again. Good.
"I managed to voodoo a little so we can look like us. Don't want a repeat of last time," Gina said as they both cringed. The first time they did this had been on accident and had been really rough on both of them. Neither of them even knew this was a thing that could happen with wolves.
"Try it," Daniel ordered. Gina felt herself shift. She touched her face and her eyes widened as she looked at Daniel. Gina couldn't switch in her own body so this was a rare experience.
"I'll get us close and then I'll switch," Gina said staring at her claws. She kept her voice steady but it was hard to keep all the werewolf senses straight especially since she didn't have that much practice. Still all that training kicked in and helped her anchor.
"Try to get to them fast," said Daniel. "As awesome as your magic is it gets weird after a while." He looked uncomfortable too and Gina knew it was the magic in him. He was as unaccustomed to the feeling as she was to the wolf.
"Trust me I know," said Gina taking a deep breath. "It's always weird getting used to this. It's hard to keep it up but at least it won't be as bad as the first time," they both cringed again and laughed when they noticed each other. The first time really had been awful. Gina could tell that Daniel was giving her one of those looks, she knew this look because she was usually the one giving it.
"What?" Gina asked finally.
"Good luck with our parents," Daniel said with a smug grin. Gina let out a groan.
"Seriously though thanks and hey you too," Gina said.
"Oh shit," Daniel said realizing that he had to deal with his parents. The last thing he heard before Gina disappearing was her laugh.
Gina was taking in everything in the house. When she closed her eyes she could hear the heartbeat of her Pops downstairs. She realized this was going to get really weird really fast. It didn't matter though. She was going to leave before seeing him anyways. Looking into the water she could still see her own reflection and touched her teeth with a fascination. There was a noise and turning around Gina saw her Pops and froze. Her senses weren't as in tune as she thought.
He was so tiny. Gina knew a grown man with muscle earned from keeping up with wolves over the years. This kid was lanky, smelled like some weird body wash and had way too much gel in his hair. Still it was her dad and before she knew what she was doing Gina went forward to hug him. Unfortunately she wasn't good at reigning in her wolf and before she knew it she picked him up off the floor. She was shorter but that didn't matter, it felt good to be near pack.
"Not trying to be rude or anything but why are you in my room?" Stile's muffled voice came through. He was surprised but not scared. Gina could smell his hormones and sweat. Werewolf senses gave her a different reading than magic senses but that didn't excuse her behavior. Gina scolded herself a little bit and straightened up. This was no time to be acting like Daniel. Her mind was still hers and it was time to act like it.
"I'm sorry I'm not used to being like my brother. I still have some of his habits." She tried to explain but it all came out a little but faster than she had intended. Was it always like this for Danny?
"What. The. Fuck?" Stiles looked worried not but not scared. Gina had a weird pride that her dad wasn't scared of her.
"I know Danny talked to you about seeing our family, we lose them later on and we need to see them now. That's why we switched places," Gina blurted.
"Ok so did you throw the whole don't change the timeline thing out the window? Because I'm sure like ten people have already said that including people from your side," Stiles gaped at her. "How did that even happen in the first place? Deaton's looking for all this magic crap and you were able to come through?" Stiles was trying to work this out. Gina had to back pedal or else this was going to get even messier.
"Let me start over. We switched because it's a twin thing. I get us close enough and then we switch back and Danny gets his turn to see our-to see them. I'll bring him right back but this is our only chance. I'm not messing with your plan it's more of a detour."
"Do I even what to know the details?" asked Stiles shaking his head.
"No probably not," Gina gave him a small smile tilting her head.
"Okay" sighed Stiles. Gina could tell that he didn't want to say yes. he recognized this look. It was the looks gramps would give before they all took off to fight some creature and couldn't stop it. Gina wanted to laugh but it was hard to see her dad this way. He was older and younger all at the same time and it was all her fault. Instead she surged forward again to hug him. Stupid werewolf need to comfort but still she had to admit it was nice. She kissed him on the cheek and ran before he could do anything else. He called for her to wait but it was too late.
Gina leaped out the window and ran. She ran and felt pure bliss as she took in the smells of the forest. She shifted and wanted to feel the dirt. She stopped and ran her hands through the cool earth. Wolfing out didn't happen unless she switched with her brother which was not very often. It hurt too much for both of them when they changed back and felt the other half of themselves missing. Gina had forgotten this high that came from getting back to her wolf. She was born not turned but people often forgot. Hell even she felt like she forgot sometimes. This meant she had grown up with mainly emissary training. Sure she had paid attention to the wolf training and probably knew more about wolves than Danny in theory but she never had any practice. All text book and no application meant that Gina couldn't spot the traps as she kept running too caught up in the rush. Before she knew it Gina was strung upside down and hanging from a tree.
"Are you kidding me?" Gina huffed.
"No and you little wolf are further than you should be," came a familiar voice.
"Argent," Gina said trying to locate the hunter. Chris walked out and tilted his head as if trying to measure her up. Gina's wolf didn't like the challenge.
"How do you know me?" he asked. Gina chuckled at how surreal this was. Now she knew what Danny had been putting up with for the past few days.
"Who doesn't remember the great family of hunters," Gina said. She had to remember to dial her wolf back. He challenged her and her competitive nature combined with these old senses were causing her to be more aggressive. An emissary didn't have the luxury but wolves did. Danny probably would have handled this differently but he was more like Pops and Uncle Scott where Gina was more like Dad and Argent.
"Then you know that we don't like strange wolves on our land," Chris snapped. Gina saw this a as a test. It was just like when she had first started her training. Argent took an interest in her because in his eyes she wasn't really a wolf. He always said she needed to know how to protect herself. This was just another practice interrogation for her and Gina wouldn't back down. Time to use all the skills he taught her. It was weird, here she was before him as the thing that he promised to save her from.
"I haven't hurt anyone I'm just looking for my pack. Maybe you can even point me in the right direction. Hernandez, supposed to be not far from here," Gina softened her eyes and tried to plead. See how close she could bring him in and attack she remembered.
"Hernandez is south you're heading the wrong way," Chris said. Gina could tell he was evaluating her, testing her story. In a weird way they were both trying to test each other.
"Got confused" Gina was on a roll now. "By the scent of another pack, figured I could go through but I see how wrong I was now." Gina gestured to her restraints "please accept my apologies," she finished.
"You know in my experience the reason wolves like you talk so smoothly is to get out of something," Chris said. Gina resisted the urge to make a comment about Peter.
"In case you didn't notice I am trying to get out of chains here. Oh and the wolfsbane in the cuffs nice touch. It's not as…barbaric as some of the other traps I've seen," Gina said. She heard different footsteps and a weird smell. It was a mix of Argent and something else that Gina couldn't place. She tried to turn but was held in place.
"Dad we should call the others, they need to know what's happening on pack land," Allison came into view. What the hell? Ignore her just try to get away Gina thought.
"Pack land? Interesting. Look just let me down and you don't have to see me again," Gina said still looking at Chris.
"And if I don't let you down?" Chris asked.
"Then you still won't see me," Gina's grin showed off her canines and her eyes fpashed. Part of her training had used to be learning how to break out of traps. This was a little different but the mechanics were the same. Gina used a trick that he taught her years ago and twisted the cuffs in a way that hit a special pin, the only flaw in them that you only found if you were looking. Gina chucked the cuffs at Allison to distract them and took off. She wasn't fast enough though and an arrow went through her shoulder. She snapped it and left the tip in and ran for all she could. She ran longer than she thought possible until collapsing in the edge of another forest. Danny's going to kill me she thought before passing out.
Daniel felt weird like they usually did when they switched. His inability to sense everything through smell and hearing was frightening. Everything was so quiet and still it made him feel weird. He immediately felt an absence where his wolf should be. Daniel took a deep breath and let all the magic in. He was hit with this rush and he could see again. It wasn't like with his wolf where everything was a smell or a feeling. Emotions were colors and colors were sounds. Time left echos and light could be touched and molded. Damn he really did forget how cool this was.
He wondered if he should hide out or face his parents. He decided it would be easier to just face them. Daniel walked into his Pops study and knocked. It was weird to see his Pops jump up and hug him. Especially when he had been spending so much time with younger Stiles. This was his less flaily more strict Pops and Daniel had missed him.
"Oh you're not you" Stiles said pulling away. He looked Daniel up and down to make sure that he was ok. Daniel wasn't surprised that he had noticed so quickly. Gina was good but no one could fool her own teacher.
"Yeah I know we shouldn't have," Daniel prepared himself for a lecture.
"No you shouldn't have this isn't ok. You could be switched or anything could happen to your sister." Stiles was patting him down to check for any wounds.
"I'm sorry dad but I've missed you. The real you. I needed to come back home for a bit," Daniel explained. It wasn't a lie and it would save Pops from what they were doing. He didn't want to hurt him like that.
"Miss you too like crazy kiddo," Stiles pulled him in for another hug.
"Where is everyone?" Daniel asked. It was eerily quiet even for the study. There was always a buzz of sound. His magic let him feel the anxiety and worry that had occurred here.
"You're sister didn't tell you when you switched?" Stiles asked noticing his discomfort. "We think there might still be some pack members left over from the turned pack," Stiles explained.
"What the hell? I thought we were done with that fighting," Daniel jumped up. A gust of wind blew through the study. Daniel realized that he caused it and looked at his hands. They weren't claws but at least with magic he could help in some way. "I need to go be with the pack I need to help," he tried to leave but Stiles grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him to sit down. It was weird that he no longer had the power to fight his Pop. Sure he could probably use magic but that was a muscle he hadn't stretched for years. He was as close to human as he could be and that thought scared him.
"Calm down. They're all searching not fighting. They realized that there were one or two stragglers out there. It's definitely something we can handle and they were messengers not fighters," Stiles said.
"And that makes it any easier to let them go out there? When all you've been doing here is surrounding yourself with books." After the words left his mouth Daniel instantly regretted it. His wolf made him angry but magic made him frantic. "I'm so sorry dad but I just mean that we should be helping the pack." Daniel bowed his head to his superior, a habit from his training with his dad. The grip around him was weaker.
"I'm researching for them to make sure there aren't any hunters out there they might run into. We don't need this getting bigger so I'm trying to stop it before it starts again. The pack can handle it. I trust them just like you should be able to. Your dad wanted me to only research time traveling spells but I convinced him to trust your sister. We trust pack," Stiles was stern but Daniel could hear the forgiveness in is voice.
"He's going to kill me" Daniel said after a while.
"He'll be happy you two are safe but in case anything happens we need back up plan. Grab a seat kiddo you're going to be helping me out," Stiles gestured to a huge stack of books. Daniel had to suppress a groan instead laughing as he realized something.
"It'll be weird to see you sit still for once. Well I mean after the past you," Daniel added quickly.
"Ha yeah, you went back pretty far, probably farther than your dad and I being together," Stiles mused.
"That was weird and not going to lie you threatened each other a lot," Daniel said and was surprised when Stiles smiled. God his parents were weird.
"We were and probably still are the weirdest couple Beacon Hills has even produced," Stiles laughed. Yup his dads were crazy. Something was bugging him though.
"This might be a question for Dad but do you know why I was getting weird smells off of everyone?" Daniel asked. "Like everyone had a weird scents even though it was pack they got shuffled around pretty fast."
"What can I say" Stiles shrugged. "We were kids and we didn't grow up like you or at least most of us didn't. We had the time to date and try for a little bit to act like we were normal. Pack changed around a lot yeah but it was just dumb teenage stuff something I wish you and your sister had more of," Stiles finished. Daniel heard what he didn't say though. If things were a little more normal then Gina wouldn't have cast that spell in the first place. He felt his dad wanting to say thing but tried to ignore it.
"You did fine Pop better than fine," Daniel said looking up at him. Damn it he'd seen this before in the past with young Stiles and the Sheriff. Guess he really was his father's son. He smiled to himself and they set into the familiar pattern of research.
Notes: Sorry this took me so long. I wanted to get this up last week but I ran into some uploading problems and was also doing gishwhes. Let me know if there are too many mistakes since I'm finally getting this up and it's almost midnight. I'm leaving to study abroad at the end of the month so I may deviate in uploading. I'm still going to try and keep to my schedule as much as I can. Also I am planning on talking about their first switch but that will be in another work I'm planning. I know this was a twin heavy chapter but I do want to swing this back over to the rest of the pack again. I miss writing Derek weirdly enough.