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Lacy here, kids! And I don't know why I put the exclimation point, because this is seriously not a happy chapter. I mean, yeah, Stiles is back, but the Nogitsune has Lydia and Aidan and Ethan are in trouble and we lose another member of the pack. So, yeah, not happy. But Effie has her brother back and that's what matters to her right now. Until all hell breaks lose, anyway. Read on!
Disclaimer: I own only Effie.
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Effie hadn't let go of Stiles since the Oni proved he was actually himself. Not after he got off the floor, not after Scott offered to drive them to the station to see John. Not even as they walked by a very shocked Parrish. But she did find herself letting go as they entered John's office.
"Ah, if I could just find my keys." they heard the sheriff mutter.
"In your coffee cup." Stiles spoke, causing John to turn. "You always drop 'em in your empty cup."
John looked from his son to Scott, who nodded, to Effie, who also nodded, tears in her eyes, then back to Stiles. Dropping his jacket on the ground, he raced around his desk and grabbed his son in a tight hug. Effie couldn't help the tears that streaked down her face as Stiles chuckled at the strength of the hug.
"Hey Dad," the boy greeted softly.
Releasing Stiles, John pulled Effie in for her own hug, kissed her forehead as she let out a sob like laugh.
"Is it over?" John asked Scott.
Scott picked up John's keys from his mug. "Not yet."
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Effie wiped her eyes as she dialed Derek's number again. He hadn't answered before but Effie felt like he would this time. And he was constantly telling her to follow her feelings.
"Hey baby," Derek greeted. "I'm so sorry-"
"It doesn't matter." Effie stopped him. "I felt you were in trouble but not bad enough to need help. Just tell me you're okay."
"I swear, I am." he said. "Are you?"
Effie looked at her brother and Scott. "Almost. We have Stiles back but the Nogitsune has a body of its own, still looking exactly like Stiles and he has Lydia."
"Tell me what you need." Derek said.
Effie laughed a bit. "A hug and a cuddle longer than I can put a time frame on. But right now, I'll settle for you just being here and helping us figure this whole mess out."
"Of course. I'll be-ah shit."
Effie frowned. "Derek, what's wrong?"
"Someone's after Ethan and Aidan."
"Alright, go." Effie said. "Get to me when you can but help them first."
"I love you, Effie."
Effie smiled shyly. "I love you too, Derek." she saw the look her brother was giving her as she hung up. "Oh shut up."
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Effie raced through the high school, looking for Meredith. Coach had told them she disappeared from his office and that three guys from Eichen House were looking for her. Scott and Stiles had gone off with Kira, leaving Effie by herself, which she preferred.
Pausing in a deserted part of the school, Effie closed her eyes and focused. She drowned out the sounds of the other students and teachers, narrowing in on the music room, where she could hear Meredith pulling cord after cord on the grand piano.
Opening her eyes, Effie gained her bearings and took off again. She reached the music room in no time, coming in behind one of the orderlies from Eichen House.
"Let's go, sweetheart." the man said. Meredith faced him and Effie saw the fear in her eyes. "As you know, I am not averse to using to tools," he held up a taser. "of my trade. As often as necessary."
"I just," Meredith angled back towards the piano. "I need another second, okay? They're trying to tell me something."
"Meredith."
"Please. They're trying to tell me something."
Effie went to stop the man when Coach appeared and stepped past her. She watched as he grabbed the taser and aimed it at the orderly.
"This school has a very strict no bullying policy." Coach informed in an angry tone. He jabbed the taser into the guy's chest, causing him to cry out before falling to the ground. Effie couldn't believe it as Stiles, Scott and Kira came running in. "Well?" he looked at the kids. "Get her outta here!"
Effie put a hand on Coach's arm. "If you weren't so damn weird, I'd hug you for this."
Coach coughed. "School has rules against that, too."
Effie rolled her eyes. "There we go, back to normal."
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Effie knelt between Aidan and Ethan with a bucket of water and a cloth. She was carefully washing away the black and dirt from their skin as they panted and fought against the wolfsbane poison in their systems. She'd left Stiles to take Meredith to Scott's house and had gotten a text from Derek, explaining what happened to the twins. She headed for the loft without even asking if he needed back up.
"Why are you doing this?" Aidan asked.
Effie sighed, resting her arm on her leg. "Just because you guys gave the worst first impressions possible, doesn't mean I'm gonna be a bitch when you're sitting here, fighting for your next breath. You may have noticed but I have a thing for helping men who used to be complete assholes."
Ethan grinned as best he could. "You know Derek heard that, right?"
Effie glanced over at the Hale, who was talking with Chris. "Yeah but he already knows I thought of him as an ass. And that wasn't his first impression." she went to dip the cloth in the water again but heard Chris's phone vibrate.
"Allison?"
"They found her. Scott found her. They found Lydia. I'm on my way."
"Allison, hold on. You have to wait."
"I can't, Dad."
"Allison, wait for me."
"There's no time. It's already night. There's no time, Dad."
"Wait, Allison! Wait!"
Effie stood up. "Chris, go. Derek and I can take care of Ethan and Aidan and whoever attacked them can wait. Go."
Derek nodded, backing Effie. "Scott and Allison need you more. We'll be there as soon as we can."
Chris watched the two with a slight smirk. "The next generation of Hale hierarchy. It's good to know some packs survive, no matter what comes their way." he focused on Effie. "I won't let anything happen to Stiles."
"Focus on your daughter." Effie countered. "Stiles has enough protection."
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Chris hadn't been gone for longer than twenty minutes when Effie felt it. Derek had just finished burning the wolfsbane out of Aidan and he was passed out on the couch, slowly healing while Ethan got ready. Effie stood in front of the window, arms crossed over her stomach seconds before her eyes grew wide and a choked gasp broke free from her throat.
"Effie," Derek was by her side in seconds. "Effie, what is it?"
Effie fought to breathe, feeling the pain of those she called pack, those she called family. Felt the pull that connected her to one snap and sever forever.
"I-Isaac," she whispered. "K-Kira and Scott. St-iles. God, Lydia." she looked at Derek, tears streaming down her face. "Allison's dead."
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
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*grins sheepishly* I know, horrible ending, but that's how it goes when Effie isn't there to see things happen. When she only feels it happening. Pack bonds severing, I imagine, is like losing a limb. I think we were told that in the show. Either way, now we know what Effie goes through. And it only gets worse from here. I hate saying that. Let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading!
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