p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"I do not own Teen Wolf/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Chapter One/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""River," Stiles' voice whispered, causing her to groan. "River."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Go away," she said, burying her head under her pillow./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Someone found a dead body in the woods," Stiles said./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Good for them," she grumbled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No. They only found half of it," he tried again./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Which half?" she asked, sitting up and hitting Stiles with her pillow./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No clue," he said, placing the pillow on her bed. "Let's go."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River groaned, flopping back onto the bed. She felt something hit her chest and opened her eyes just in time to catch the jeans that were flying towards her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What the hell, Stiles?" she asked, sitting up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Come on!" he repeated, opening her top drawer and rifling through it until he found a pair of mismatched Star Wars socks./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Get out of my dresser!" she yelled jumping up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles froze, realizing what else was in the top drawer. She grabbed the socks from his hand, pushed him back, and slammed the drawer closed. She pushed him out of the room, slamming the door in his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'll be out in a few minutes!" she called through the door, grabbing the clothes he had thrown onto her bed and changing out of her pajamas quickly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She put the socks on and then pulled her Converse on, tying them before running a brush through her hair and tossing it up into a messy bun. Looking into the full-length mirror on the back of her door, she noted the outfit that Stiles had pulled out for her. Dark skinny jeans paired with a black tank top, perfect for sneaking around in the woods at night. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She opened her door, half expecting Stiles to still be standing where she had left him in shock. She heard the horn of the Jeep honk and rolled her eyes, grabbing two flashlights from the entry closet, along with Scott's lacrosse jacket that he had left behind the night before, and heading out the door. She threw the jacket on and climbed into the passenger seat of the Jeep, Stiles taking off towards Scott's house immediately./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River watched from the Jeep as Scott almost attacked Stiles with a bat while he hung upside down, a weird image of Stiles as a pinata popping into her head as Scott went back inside to change. She had climbed into the backseat once Scott came back out of the house, ready to follow Stiles anywhere. She handed Scott a flashlight the moment they reached the woods. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He only ever grabs one," Scott smirked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Which is why I always grab two," River matched his smirk as they followed Stiles into the darkness ahead. "Should we split up?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""If this was a horror movie, you would be dead," Stiles said from ahead of them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Good thing that this isn't a horror movie then, huh?" River responded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I don't know," Scott sighed. "Three dumb teens wondering around the woods in the middle of the night looking for half of a dead body? Sounds like a horror movie."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""In that case, I'll wait by the car so that I can drive away the moment everything goes sideways," River responded, turning back and heading to the road. "Call if you need me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Scaredy cat!" Stiles called, causing River to roll her eyes and smile as she continued./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Once at the Jeep, she pulled the extra key from above the back tire and unlocked the driver's side door before placing the key back in its hiding spot. She climbed into the driver's seat and pulled the door closed, relocking it before climbing into the backseat. She grabbed Stiles Chemistry book from his bookbag and used her flashlight to begin reading it. She had already read through it over the Summer, but she remembered hearing that the teacher was a hard-ass and wanted to try to make a good impression. She had read through three chapters when there was a tap at the window, causing River to jump and look around. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Noah smirked at her from outside the Jeep and she put the schoolbook back into Stiles' bag. She climbed into the front seat, unlocking the car and watching as Noah pushed Stiles into the driver's seat. Noah looked to River./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Where's Scott?" Noah asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River shrugged, honestly unsure./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Why were you in the backseat?" Noah continued his questioning./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""That's where the books are," River shrugged, trying to look innocent./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Noah sighed as he stared into her blue eyes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Get home," he told them. "When I get home, you both better be in bed."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yes, sir," River agreed as Stiles started the Jeep./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles turned the Jeep around and, as soon as they were on a different road, River turned in her seat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Where's Scott?" she asked, worry working its way up her body./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""We split up," Stiles shrugged./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You said not to split up," River growled out./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Don't worry," Stiles told her. "He has his phone and we aren't going far. I'll call him in a couple of minutes and we'll go find him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River sighed as an SUV passed them, leaning back in her seat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""If something happens to Scotty, I'm feeding you to bears," River threatened./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"'Yeah, yeah. I know," Stiles waved his hand, pulling over and pulling his phone from his pocket./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"A few minutes later, Stiles' phone rang./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Scotty, you okay?" Stiles asked, putting the phone on speaker./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No, dude! Something bit me and I almost got ran over!" Scott answered. "Where are you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""We're coming right now," River spoke up. "We parked on the side of the road to wait for you. Stay where you are."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles turned around and they found Scott a few minutes later holding his side. River opened the Jeep door and slid into the middle, Stiles resting his elbow on her thigh so he could still switch gears. Scott climbed in, shutting the door and leaning into River a bit./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What bit you?" she asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""A wolf," he whispered./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""To the hospital," River said./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No," Scott argued. "Then Mom will know that I snuck out."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You were attacked by a wild animal," River stated. "You could be bleeding out or have rabies."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Please, River?" Scott asked, turning his puppy-dog eyes on her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Fine," River ground out, noticing that Stiles was already driving towards Scott's house, causing her to send him a glare./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"He smiled widely at her glare as they pulled into Scott's driveway./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Let's get you cleaned up," River sighed, following Scott out of the Jeep./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles and River cleaned Scott's wound and wrapped it before heading out. They beat the Sheriff home and both ran up to their rooms, throwing on their pajamas and climbing into their beds. Stiles' voice came from her nightstand drawer and River rolled her eyes. She reached over and pulled out the walkie talkie./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Repeat that? Over," she released the button, waiting for Stiles./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Are you okay? Over."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm fine. I was safe in the Jeep. Over."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I know your anxiety goes up when one of us gets injured. Over."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm okay," River promised. "Go to sleep, Sti. Love you. Over and out."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Love you, too," River heard Stiles' sleepy voice respond before you put the walkie talkie back into the drawer./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River thought back to the day that the Sheriff had brought her home. They hadn't been able to find her family, but there was an open case for her missing person throughout the state. The group home that she had been placed in had been rough and, when Noah had come to check on her, he had pulled her into "police custody" for fighting. The fight had actually been her defending one of the younger kids to three older ones. When she had told them to leave the little boy alone, they turned their attention to her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River had fought all three of the older, bigger boys at once, defending herself quite well. Noah had come in at the end of the fight, right when River had knocked the third boy out. He pulled her from the room, wrapping her in his arms and demanding an explanation from the adults that should have been around. He took her home that night, setting her up in the guest room that was beside Stiles' room./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles had come flying through the front door ahead of Melissa and Scott when Noah had called her to come check over River. He had been shocked to see her to say the least. Or maybe the shock was due to the black eye and split lip that she had been sporting. Melissa had cleaned the blood from her face and given her an ice pack. When River and Melissa went downstairs, they found Stiles pacing back and forth in the kitchen, ranting about how terrible group homes were and telling his dad that River was staying with them, as if it was completely up to Stiles and no one else./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I already made a few calls!" Noah yelled over his son's raised voice. "She's staying."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Well. Good," Stiles had run out of steam and flopped down into the dining room chair beside Scott. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Scott just looked amused at the whole thing before making eye contact with River. His face dropped when he saw the bruising on her face before his eyebrows furrowed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Well, it's a good thing she's staying, or else I would be giving mom the same lecture you just gave your dad," Scott had said./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River had rolled her eyes and opened her arms. Both boys had run straight into her arms, causing a very tight group hug between the three of them. Since that day, the two boys had sworn to each other to watch out for River. They knew she could handle herself from the bruises on her knuckles, but that didn't mean that they wanted her to. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Six years later and River fell asleep with a smile on her face, not even waking when Noah checked on her when he got home. He walked into her room, brushing the hair from her face and kissed the top of her head. He left the room, checking on Stiles next. He held in a laugh when he saw Stiles, his limbs all over the place. Noah stepped into the room, picking up the walkie talkie that he wasn't supposed to know about from the floor and setting it on Stiles' desk. He moved Stile's arms slightly, making his son more comfortable and unwrapping the blanket from Stiles' legs. He laid the blanket over Stiles before kissing his head and leaving the room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Chapter One/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""River," Stiles' voice whispered, causing her to groan. "River."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Go away," she said, burying her head under her pillow./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Someone found a dead body in the woods," Stiles said./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Good for them," she grumbled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No. They only found half of it," he tried again./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Which half?" she asked, sitting up and hitting Stiles with her pillow./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No clue," he said, placing the pillow on her bed. "Let's go."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River groaned, flopping back onto the bed. She felt something hit her chest and opened her eyes just in time to catch the jeans that were flying towards her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What the hell, Stiles?" she asked, sitting up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Come on!" he repeated, opening her top drawer and rifling through it until he found a pair of mismatched Star Wars socks./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Get out of my dresser!" she yelled jumping up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles froze, realizing what else was in the top drawer. She grabbed the socks from his hand, pushed him back, and slammed the drawer closed. She pushed him out of the room, slamming the door in his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'll be out in a few minutes!" she called through the door, grabbing the clothes he had thrown onto her bed and changing out of her pajamas quickly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She put the socks on and then pulled her Converse on, tying them before running a brush through her hair and tossing it up into a messy bun. Looking into the full-length mirror on the back of her door, she noted the outfit that Stiles had pulled out for her. Dark skinny jeans paired with a black tank top, perfect for sneaking around in the woods at night. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She opened her door, half expecting Stiles to still be standing where she had left him in shock. She heard the horn of the Jeep honk and rolled her eyes, grabbing two flashlights from the entry closet, along with Scott's lacrosse jacket that he had left behind the night before, and heading out the door. She threw the jacket on and climbed into the passenger seat of the Jeep, Stiles taking off towards Scott's house immediately./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River watched from the Jeep as Scott almost attacked Stiles with a bat while he hung upside down, a weird image of Stiles as a pinata popping into her head as Scott went back inside to change. She had climbed into the backseat once Scott came back out of the house, ready to follow Stiles anywhere. She handed Scott a flashlight the moment they reached the woods. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He only ever grabs one," Scott smirked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Which is why I always grab two," River matched his smirk as they followed Stiles into the darkness ahead. "Should we split up?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""If this was a horror movie, you would be dead," Stiles said from ahead of them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Good thing that this isn't a horror movie then, huh?" River responded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I don't know," Scott sighed. "Three dumb teens wondering around the woods in the middle of the night looking for half of a dead body? Sounds like a horror movie."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""In that case, I'll wait by the car so that I can drive away the moment everything goes sideways," River responded, turning back and heading to the road. "Call if you need me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Scaredy cat!" Stiles called, causing River to roll her eyes and smile as she continued./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Once at the Jeep, she pulled the extra key from above the back tire and unlocked the driver's side door before placing the key back in its hiding spot. She climbed into the driver's seat and pulled the door closed, relocking it before climbing into the backseat. She grabbed Stiles Chemistry book from his bookbag and used her flashlight to begin reading it. She had already read through it over the Summer, but she remembered hearing that the teacher was a hard-ass and wanted to try to make a good impression. She had read through three chapters when there was a tap at the window, causing River to jump and look around. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Noah smirked at her from outside the Jeep and she put the schoolbook back into Stiles' bag. She climbed into the front seat, unlocking the car and watching as Noah pushed Stiles into the driver's seat. Noah looked to River./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Where's Scott?" Noah asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River shrugged, honestly unsure./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Why were you in the backseat?" Noah continued his questioning./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""That's where the books are," River shrugged, trying to look innocent./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Noah sighed as he stared into her blue eyes. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Get home," he told them. "When I get home, you both better be in bed."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yes, sir," River agreed as Stiles started the Jeep./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles turned the Jeep around and, as soon as they were on a different road, River turned in her seat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Where's Scott?" she asked, worry working its way up her body./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""We split up," Stiles shrugged./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You said not to split up," River growled out./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Don't worry," Stiles told her. "He has his phone and we aren't going far. I'll call him in a couple of minutes and we'll go find him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River sighed as an SUV passed them, leaning back in her seat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""If something happens to Scotty, I'm feeding you to bears," River threatened./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"'Yeah, yeah. I know," Stiles waved his hand, pulling over and pulling his phone from his pocket./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"A few minutes later, Stiles' phone rang./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Scotty, you okay?" Stiles asked, putting the phone on speaker./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No, dude! Something bit me and I almost got ran over!" Scott answered. "Where are you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""We're coming right now," River spoke up. "We parked on the side of the road to wait for you. Stay where you are."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles turned around and they found Scott a few minutes later holding his side. River opened the Jeep door and slid into the middle, Stiles resting his elbow on her thigh so he could still switch gears. Scott climbed in, shutting the door and leaning into River a bit./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What bit you?" she asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""A wolf," he whispered./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""To the hospital," River said./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No," Scott argued. "Then Mom will know that I snuck out."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You were attacked by a wild animal," River stated. "You could be bleeding out or have rabies."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Please, River?" Scott asked, turning his puppy-dog eyes on her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Fine," River ground out, noticing that Stiles was already driving towards Scott's house, causing her to send him a glare./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"He smiled widely at her glare as they pulled into Scott's driveway./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Let's get you cleaned up," River sighed, following Scott out of the Jeep./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles and River cleaned Scott's wound and wrapped it before heading out. They beat the Sheriff home and both ran up to their rooms, throwing on their pajamas and climbing into their beds. Stiles' voice came from her nightstand drawer and River rolled her eyes. She reached over and pulled out the walkie talkie./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Repeat that? Over," she released the button, waiting for Stiles./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Are you okay? Over."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm fine. I was safe in the Jeep. Over."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I know your anxiety goes up when one of us gets injured. Over."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm okay," River promised. "Go to sleep, Sti. Love you. Over and out."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Love you, too," River heard Stiles' sleepy voice respond before you put the walkie talkie back into the drawer./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River thought back to the day that the Sheriff had brought her home. They hadn't been able to find her family, but there was an open case for her missing person throughout the state. The group home that she had been placed in had been rough and, when Noah had come to check on her, he had pulled her into "police custody" for fighting. The fight had actually been her defending one of the younger kids to three older ones. When she had told them to leave the little boy alone, they turned their attention to her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River had fought all three of the older, bigger boys at once, defending herself quite well. Noah had come in at the end of the fight, right when River had knocked the third boy out. He pulled her from the room, wrapping her in his arms and demanding an explanation from the adults that should have been around. He took her home that night, setting her up in the guest room that was beside Stiles' room./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles had come flying through the front door ahead of Melissa and Scott when Noah had called her to come check over River. He had been shocked to see her to say the least. Or maybe the shock was due to the black eye and split lip that she had been sporting. Melissa had cleaned the blood from her face and given her an ice pack. When River and Melissa went downstairs, they found Stiles pacing back and forth in the kitchen, ranting about how terrible group homes were and telling his dad that River was staying with them, as if it was completely up to Stiles and no one else./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I already made a few calls!" Noah yelled over his son's raised voice. "She's staying."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Well. Good," Stiles had run out of steam and flopped down into the dining room chair beside Scott. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Scott just looked amused at the whole thing before making eye contact with River. His face dropped when he saw the bruising on her face before his eyebrows furrowed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Well, it's a good thing she's staying, or else I would be giving mom the same lecture you just gave your dad," Scott had said./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River had rolled her eyes and opened her arms. Both boys had run straight into her arms, causing a very tight group hug between the three of them. Since that day, the two boys had sworn to each other to watch out for River. They knew she could handle herself from the bruises on her knuckles, but that didn't mean that they wanted her to. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Six years later and River fell asleep with a smile on her face, not even waking when Noah checked on her when he got home. He walked into her room, brushing the hair from her face and kissed the top of her head. He left the room, checking on Stiles next. He held in a laugh when he saw Stiles, his limbs all over the place. Noah stepped into the room, picking up the walkie talkie that he wasn't supposed to know about from the floor and setting it on Stiles' desk. He moved Stile's arms slightly, making his son more comfortable and unwrapping the blanket from Stiles' legs. He laid the blanket over Stiles before kissing his head and leaving the room. /span/p
