SONG: I woke up with the sun…Thought of all of the people, places, and things I've loved…I woke up just to see…With all of the faces, you were the one next to me…If I lose myself tonight…It'll be by your side…If I lose myself tonight…Yeah, yeah, yeah ~ If I Lose Myself Tonight by OneRepublic

Chapter 28

Stiles:

I was ready to hobble out of this room, wound be damned. He had been looking at it for ten minutes now trying to determine… what I don't know. but it was taking forever. I swear if he prodded it one more time I was going to hit him. what part of stab wound sounds like it feels like a hot oil massage when touched.

"And how did this happen again?" the doctor asked for the third time.

I was tempted to tell him that a psycho mother from hell, dead set on killing her only child in a play for power stabbed me just for shits and giggles. But I stuck with the story we all came up with.

"Uh, carjacking attempt." I told him. My dad was standing in the corner watching and I could see his lips twitch. He could tell I was on my last strand of patience.

"And they threw a knife at you?" he asked dubiously. Fourth time asked.

"Crazy, right. Who brings a knife to a gun fight." I snarked cause he was really getting on my nerves.

"So, what's the verdict doctor?" my dad interrupted before the doctor could ask any more stupid or repeat questions.

"Well, it doesn't look like any major arteries were hit, only a small amount of muscle tear and I don't think there is any nerve damage, but we need to take some x-rays to be sure. Who took the knife out?"

I looked at my dad.

"A passing car saw what was happening and scared off the perpetrator and I guess they thought they would be helping if they took it out and wrapped the wound." He lied, well not really it was a passerby who took it out and wrapped my leg.

"I see." He said as if he doubted him. but who really is going to question the motives of the sheriff especially when it comes to his own son?

"okay. well, I'll get a tech in here soon to get you to x-ray. For now, stay off that leg." The doctor said, leaving the room. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. I needed to go check on Malia.

Dad walked over and pulled me into yet another tight hug. He's been doing that since we arrived, just randomly while we waited in the room. Melissa had come in to check on us. She also gave me a hug and said she was glad I was okay. She promised to check on Malia for me and I was grateful, but I really needed to see her for myself.

"Oh God, Stiles. I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you. Don't you ever scare me like this again. Understand?"

"I didn't plan it, dad. but don't worry. I have no future plans of being kidnapped, stabbed, or shot at anytime soon." He pulled back to give me a look.

"Too soon? Yeah, too soon." I nodded. "I'm okay dad, I promise."

"I swear I'm going to wrap you in bubble wrap and put you in the highest tower I can find one day." He sighed.

"Come on dad, what would I do up there? The Wi-Fi is horrible at high altitudes."

"Stiles." He said pulling back.

"I'm fine."

"You were stabbed Stiles, and almost killed. You're not fine." He shouted and then took a breath. I watched and saw that he was really shaken. I knew he was upset but he usually just concentrates on the present. Overthinking the what ifs was what I do, not him.

"I'm sorry. I know you were scared. I was too. but I am really okay. You still got me." I told him, reminding him of what he said to me when mom died and again when Scott died.

"Yeah, I do." He breathed relaxing a bit.

"I knew you guys would find me before anything really bad happened." I reassured him.

"We got lucky Stiles. This could have gone the whole other way."

"No dad that wasn't luck. I trust my pack. I knew that you all would figure this out and find me."

"Why don't you have safer hobbies, like…knitting or… painting." He said switching topics randomly.

"Knitting? Really?"

"Or painting. Drawing. What about drawing? you use to be pretty good at that."

"Yeah, when I was in elementary school. I don't think there is a market for macaroni art now days. I know you worry, and I know that tonight scared you. I feel the same way every time you go to work. It only takes one call to a robbery, or one traffic stop for things to go sideways. But I have to have faith that you will be okay. What we do is not too much different then what you do on a daily at work. Its just a different… branch of justice."

"Yeah, but you are a teenager. You're biggest worry should be the SAT's or pimples or… I don't know, whatever it is that teenagers worry about. Not super strong, super powerful beings that could maul you to death or-."

"Kidnap you for a human sacrifice ritual?" I added. He sighed but nodded.

"Yeah."

"We don't live in a safe town. we haven't ever really, its just more prominent now. But between you and your deputies and me and my pack we try to keep it as safe as possible. I love that I can help people, just like you. And just like you, we try to be careful, but things happen. Isn't it better that I'm aware and can help prevent it then if I was ignorant and was caught off guard?"

He studied me in the same way I usually study others before he huffed out a humorless laugh.

"When did you grow up on me, Mieczyslaw?"

"I haven't grown enough to respond to that name." I told him rolling my eyes. He laughed.

"Good, don't grow up on me too fast. But Stiles I need you to be safe. You guys are good at your form of protection, I'll give you that. Just be careful. If anything, ever happened to you…"

"I will, I promise." I said giving him one last hug as the door opened again. Scott stopped in the doorway when he saw us.

"Should I come back?" he asked.

"No, come on in. I'm going to go check on Malia, call in to the station, and see what's going on." my dad said letting go and stepping back.

"Stay with him Scott. Don't let him try to walk on that leg."

"Will do." Scott said as my dad left.

"How are you doing?" he asked pulling up a chair.

"Well, I was hit over the head, kidnapped, held in a dog cage, stabbed, and almost shot in the last two days. But on the bright side I got my splint off. So, I'd say I'm doing amazing." I grinned at him. he snorted and shook his head.

"Are you going to tell me what all happened?"

"yes, but I would rather wait until we can all get together to talk about it. there's really a lot to go over." I sighed. He nodded.

"I'm glad you're okay. I guess this makes us even in the losing our mind thing. Cause I almost lost mine when she pointed that gun at you."

"Yeah, you died Scott. We are not even. But good try." I told him, making him roll his eyes. "Did you update the others on what happened?"

"Yeah, they are all camped out in Theo's room keeping an eye on Liam. But I don't think its needed." He smirked. I quirked a brow.

"Really, why's that?"

"Let's just say, I think Liam found his own anchor tonight."

My mouth dropped open. I'm not really sure why I am shocked, but I am. We could all see mini wolf and Theo growing closer. I guess I am still seeing the scared kid that was first bitten and so unsure of himself.

"Well, that's… not really a surprise but, wow."

"I know right." He laughed. Speaking of Liam and Theo reminded me.

"So, I know we need to all meet to talk about what happened. But there is some news I can share. But I think Theo needs to hear it first." I told him.

"Okay." he said slowly watching me. the tech came in then to take me to x-ray.

"Later." I told Scott. He nodded helping me off the bed and into the wheelchair the tech brought in.

Malia:

I wasn't sure if he was sleeping or just resting his eyes. I'm also not sure if I'm surprised he's still here or not. Maybe I shouldn't be. He has been here through all of it of his own free will and he hasn't asked anything of me, just to be careful.

"Hey." I said sitting up in the hospital bed, gaining his attention.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" he asked coming over and sitting on the side of my bed.

"I feel fine. Still sore but okay overall. How are you, did you get hurt at all?"

"Good. And no, I didn't, not really. She took a few swipes; I got a few scratches, but I've healed from those."

"What happened with her?" I asked.

"I'm not really sure. I'm sure the sheriff took care of it. I'll check in with him later."

"Have you seen Stiles?"

"No, I've been here the whole time."

"How long was I out?"

"A few hours. But its helped you. your wounds didn't look so bad once we got you here. But still enough that they are keeping you overnight."

"I need to see Stiles." I said, moving the covers.

"No, you need to stay in bed and rest. I'm sure Stiles will come to you when he's been checked out." he said pushing me back gently and pulling the covers back over me. it was such a fatherly move that I giggled.

"What?" he asked.

"You just pulled a dad move." I told him. he chuckled.

"I knew at some point those instincts would kick in."

"I don't know. you've kind of been acting like a dad the whole time. You've been there for me every time I needed you. You never pushed me to do what you think is right but did give me advice. I'd say you've been a father to me every time. You even stayed with me now."

"Did you think I wouldn't?"

"I don't know. I guess not."

"Because of what you heard about me." he nodded. I shrugged.

"I deserve that. I wont make excuses for the things I did. not anymore." He sighed. "I don't regret many things that I have done in my life but some I do. I regret not being a better maker for Scott, even though he turned out fine without my help. I do regret how I manipulated Lydia to resurrect me but desperate times, desperate measures. And I really regret not making sure Kate was dead."

I snorted. I think everyone could agree on that.

"my biggest regret, was not knowing about you from the start."

"You said your sister took your memory."

"She did. I had no recollection of Corinne or you until a several months back."

"How did you get your memory back, I never asked."

"Last summer, after this alpha pack had been destroyed. Derek and I went to Mexico. Derek wanted to search for something. At the time I didn't know what it was. Turns out it was Talia's claws. They were buried as a safeguard. She was a very powerful alpha, and her claws could still be used for different purposes. Derek wanted them so he could talk to her again. He never told me what he needed to talk about, and I didn't ask."

"Wait if she died, how would he ask her something?"

"Its an ancient, dangerous practice. The claws would have to be worn and used on another being to read their minds or in this case talk to the loved one who originally owned them. Like I said its dangerous and very painful. After he used them, I asked for the same thing. I knew she had taken something from me I just didn't know what. When I uncovered the memory, I didn't know what to do."

"Did you ever think to look for me?"

"Yes, all the time. But at the same time, I knew I wasn't in any position to raise a kid, even if you are a teenager now. And I wanted to believe that you were in a happy home. I didn't want to disrupt that."

"I was, am. I love being back with my dad. But sometimes I do wonder what it would have been like to have known you back then." I admitted.

"Me too. I like to think I would have turned out a different man if I had known about you back then. Hindsight 20/20." He smiled faintly.

"but I am happy to get to know you now." He said placing a hesitant hand on mine. I placed my other hand over his.

"I would like that too. for the record. I don't judge you by your previous actions. I'm cautious but I don't think your completely evil incarnate."

"Who says I'm evil incarnate? Wait, never mind. I can guess." He rolled his eyes.

"If it helps I don't think he or any of them really think that. Its just hard for them to see past what you did before."

"That's understandable. I can only do better from here on out."

"I'm glad I went to you Peter. I wasn't sure at first. Not because of your past but because… I already have a dad and I wasn't sure if I wanted to open that door."

He nodded in understanding.

"Stiles was right when he said I was completely overwhelmed with everything then. School, being human, him. But after spending time with you, even it if was mostly because of all of this, I'm happy that I decided to get to know you for who you are now."

"Me too. I hope we can really have some kind of relationship. I don't want to take your dads place, at all. But I still want to be a part of your life."

"I'd like that." I smiled then yawned.

"You should get some rest. Stiles will probably be here soon. I'm going to go check with the sheriff on Corinne. I'll come back tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay. thanks, for staying."

He smiled and leaned over to place a fatherly kiss on my forehead.

"Good night, Malia."

"Good night, dad."

His eyes lit up, but he gave me a small smile before leaving.

I settled back against my pillow and looked out the window, full moon. It was still the night of the full moon yet I'm human and laying comfortably in a bed instead of chained to support beams in a basement. I could still feel the urge to shift, to give in, but they were at bay right now. I'm not stupid enough to think that this is it and I will never have issues with it again, but I will take it this time.

I'm not sure when I actually fell asleep. But I woke to a body pressed in behind me and an arm around my waist, just below my wound. A very familiar arm. I sighed in relief.

"Stiles." I said turning over to face him. I don't know when or how he got in here but I'm glad he came. I traced my fingers down his face and kissed his lips. He hummed and opened his eyes.

"Hey." He said smiling.

"Hi, you're okay."

"I'm okay. how are you?"

"Better now." I told him, pulling him closer. What started as a small kiss turned frantic and filled with so much emotion. I clung to him, gripping his arms to keep them around me.

"I don't know what I would do if I lost you." I sighed pulling away.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Stay with me?" I asked hopefully. I don't think I could take being separated from him right now. Not after the last 2 days.

"all night." he promised.

"Love you." I whispered against his lips.

"I love you, so much Malia."