And There It Is
CH12
Note: I am so sorry for taking so long, I have no idea how long it has been but I hope this makes up for it!
Stiles stared at the screen for 15 minutes thinking of what to write, the tiny cursor blinking for him to input the first word of the profile.
"You can do this." He pushed himself gently like a life coach in his own head.
Under interests he typed: Video games. Star Wars. Netflix. Staying in.
He sighed and deleted the last statement so it read: Video games. Star Wars. Netflix.
"Great they'll think you're a hermit." He sighed, typing in: Trying new things to complete the sentence. He scrolled to find the second question: Longest Relationship. He typed in 10 years. Then deleted it as fast as he had typed it.
"Longest Relationship: 2 years." He nodded a pang of sadness registering when he thought about Mark and what had happened to him. He made a mental note to himself to check in with his dad about it that night.
I'm a nice, available guy in his late 20s with a great job and a good sense of humor. He typed, then uploading a picture that made him look like a normal, available guy who knew nothing about werewolves, antidotes, and hunters. "Here goes nothing" he muttered closing his laptop.
XXXXXX
Stiles rubbed the corner of his eye and yawned at his computer screen in his cubicle as he started sorting through his code. The whole phone call scenario quickly got pushed out of the forefront as soon as he had sat down at his cubicle and the whole thing felt like a bad dream when the work week kicked in. By Sunday, he was excited to actually go out and fulfill his dating bio. He was going to try something new in the form of visiting the local farmers market with George.
"I'm a nice, available guy in his late 20s with a great job and a good sense of humor."He repeated while staring into his rearview mirror as he waited for George to get out of his apartment.
"So how's your weekend been Geo?" Stiles rambled looking around the neighborhood as he drove.
"Fine. I keep hearing a helicopter or chopper at night though." George muttered looking through his phone.
"What?"
George shrugged. "It's probably my night terrors returning."
Stiles laughed as they parked at the local farmers market. "I don't often get to say this to other people. But your kind of weird dude."
"Yeah yeah" George replied with an eye roll.
"Are you looking for something specific?" George asked looking around the bustling market which was full of booths selling local handicrafts and fresh produce.
"Nah." Stiles shrugged.
"Then why are we here? Its freezing out." George whined, irritated from being pulled from his warm apartment.
"I told you to bring a jacket. Come on its Seattle, G. The weather changes at the drop of a hat." Stiles grumbled lightly as he took off his jacket and handing it over to his new friend.
"No. I can't wear that" George grunted, shooting him a scandalized look.
"Why not?"
"People will think I'm the girl." George replied looking around to see if anyone saw.
"Wow dude. Just wow." Stiles chided zipping his jacket back up. 'I was going to get some fruit or something. Besides it…" he stopped for a moment when he saw someone staring at him in the distance. A female figure that disappeared as soon as he blinked his eyes.
"Besides what?" George echoed next to him. "I love it when you stop mid sentence by the way." He mumbled pulling out his phone.
"Oh. Uh. It's nice to try new things." Stiles shrugged, trying to shake off the weird feeling.
The two walked and chatted idly until George did his own double take. "Isn't that?"
Stiles looked to where his coworker was looking. "No way. Is that Stacey?"
"I would recognize that butt in a lineup of pumpkins." George confirmed nodding.
They headed towards her until they saw a man coming up behind her. He hugged her tightly and the two watched as she turned around and they kissed, revealing himself to be none other than Hendrick, the head of development.
"No way." Stiles managed in disbelief.
That's her boyfriend? George echoed.
They watched as Hendrick took Stacey's hand and led her to another stall. Stiles immediately reevaluated the situation. He did not like what he had just seen for some reason. If hanging out with the pack had taught him anything, it was better to look from afar to determine if the new development was good for his well being or otherwise.
"How could she date a douchebag like him when there are so many guys who are better for her out there?" George grouched as they walked in the other direction.
Stiles quickly led George back to his jeep and got in scanning the area furtively as not to get caught.
"Didn't you want to buy fruit or whatever?" George inquired to which stiles shook his head.
"You're right it is too cold out here. Let's go grab some coffee and order a pizza."
"That's the first thing I've heard you say this morning that I can agree with" George enthused.
"Yeah. I'm full of great ideas" Stiles grinned as they pulled out of the parking lot.
XXXXX
Stiles had stayed way too long at George's apartment, pulling into his apartment's parking lot at nearly one in the morning. He just felt like someone or something was watching his every move and every shadow seemed to lengthen into frightening new shapes because of the fact. He quickly made his way to his apartment and locked the door behind him before switching on enough lights to feel safe.
"Even in Seattle" he shook his head as he started the shower, realizing that he had to be careful. Something just wasn't right and Stacey's secret relationship with one of the worst people he had ever met in his twenty something years was extremely unsettling.
After his shower and a generous dose of some herbal tea, he picked up his phone and dialed his father.
"Hey daddy-o" he greeted cheerfully.
"Hey there stranger, how you been?" His father answered cheerfully, trying to hide his weariness over the phone.
"I'm good. I just wanted to check in"
It's great to hear your voice son. Anything exciting happening on your end? Any promotions in sight?"
Stiles laughed. "Not yet. Working on it though….Dad, have you heard anything about Mark?"
The Sherriff sighed on the other end. "Nothing Stiles. Absolutely nothing."
"Wow." Stiles managed picking at a piece of lint on his pajama pants.
"I'm sorry.' His father spoke after a moment of silence.
"Yeah. Me too" he admitted.
xxxx
The detectives drove in the dark, the headlights of their car turned off, the moon being the only source of light as they scoured the deserted highway.
"You sure it's this way?" Detective Marshall asked looking into the distance as the stars glittered above.
"Yeah." Detective Stevens grunted
"How can you tell? I can't see a damn thing."
"I told you, just let me work." Stevens growled.
"Whatever" Marshall muttered leaning back into the passengers' seat.
"He just disappeared" Stevens shook his head.
"It's some unexplained mysterious shit I swear." Marshall uttered his eyes still closed.
"Wait. It's there on the wind." Stevens nodded, his eyes widening in hopes of seeing something. .
"Huh?" Marshall responded sitting up.
"I can smell him."
"Ugh you and that werewolf shit." Marshall hissed.
"That werewolf shit has saved your ass several times jackass" Stevens replied as he stopped under a tree, effectively hiding their vehicle from the freeway. They made their way down the hill and into a ravine where they could both make out the wreck that had once been Mark's car.
Marshall shook his head as he looked over the wreck, taking notes. Several massive hemorrhages on the sides of the car were evident along with a massive gash in the roof.
"It's completely ripped apart. Like in terminator two or something" Marshall spoke in awe.
"You ok?" Stevens asked quietly, gauging his partner's reaction.
"Could you do something like that? Rip open sheet metal?" Marshall asked in response not taking his eyes off the wreck.
Steven's nodded slowly inching closer, a clawed finger looping under his partner's belt and bringing his hips against him.
"This is bad." He spoke lowly knowing that this was worse than he or the conclave could have imagined.
"I know."
"You want to continue? I'll have them take you off the case. I can't risk you getting hurt." Stevens pressed.
"Yeah, I do. You know I do." Marshall replied running a hand over his partner's chest smoothly.
"Could you transfer for this one? It would make me feel better. Knowing you're safe." Stevens replied quietly.
Marshall shook his head. "No. No backing down. That's what you said right?"
"I hate when you listen" Stevens grumbled with a smile as he took at his phone. "Hello? Alpha. Yes we found his car. There are significant signs of damage, but the wreck is almost unrecognizable. The smell is extremely faint. We'll need a full forensics team to confirm an actual match. "
Xxxxxxx
Stiles held two large pizzas in one hand while knocking on the heavy door of Mr. Domell gives him an antidote
Xxxxxx
Stiles was halfway into his second round of analytics when his desk phone rang. Surprised he picked up thinking that he could count on his fingers the number of times someone had actually called him on there.
Hello?
Is this Genim Stilinski? A tired but official voice asked
Yes.
Hi. I'm calling from the Beacon Hills Memorial Hospital and John Stilinksi was just admitted here for a heart attack -
"Oh shit." Stiles' own heart went into over drive and he didn't hear the rest of what the lady was saying. He took a deep breath and focused himself to the voice on the receiver.
"Like I was saying, it was a heart attack like event. Not an actual heart attack. However his cholesterol and blood pressure are off the charts. We're going to keep him here for a few days to get him fully checked out."
"Oh ok. Thank you. Can I talk to him?"
"Not right now, he's still recovering and on a statin IV. We need him to not be excited for the next few hours." The voice finished.
Ok you better go because that burger's doing things to my digestive system.
Derek rolled his eyes
Hey it's true. Stiles shrugged. He could be friends. They could be friends he thought objectively.
Derek was silent for a moment before saying I fart too.
Oh. My. God. We are not having a conversation about farts right now Stiles hissed before pushing the exhausted looking alpha away.
Go home.
Derek stood finally and made his way out. He stood at the exit and turned
You want me to return once you've cleared the air?
Derek hale Stiles whisper shouted blushing red. So NOT funny
Derek grinned goofily making Stiles' heart pound something fierce and not just because of amount of grease running through his blood stream.
Stiles stood and nudged him gently.
Actually I just want to spend some time with him alone. He's sedated and stuff but I dunno, just sleep next to him like when I was a kid and I was scared of a storm or some stupid horror movie I watched.
Derek slid up and hugged him tightly dropping a kiss on the back of his head.
He'll be fine.
Then why am I so scared? Stiles mumbled into Derek's chest.
He's strong. And he has a lot to live for.
Stiles nodded, gathering himself. Yeah. Thank you.
See you later.
Stiles watched as the alpha faded into the distance. Wishing that he would have asked him to stay but knowing that he couldn't.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Notes: Wow what a journey….it's finally getting close!