Scott:

Passing streets, I couldn't help reminiscing. I haven't really been back here on an extended stay in 10 years. The annual visit for holidays and special occasions aside. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to come back, not until recently. After finishing undergraduate and vet school I settled down into a local job near the school and I was happy. I hadn't had much trouble in the years I was away from Beacon Hills. I would sometimes run into other supernaturals. Most were friendly and just wanted someone to talk to that could relate to the difficulties in being abnormal in a normal world. There were a few that wanted to test me. I'm not the same naïve kid I was thinking that things could always be solved without a fight. In fact, I have had to fight a few times, still managed to not kill anyone. But once they realized I wasn't just an alpha but a true alpha they backed off. It's impossible to steal a true alpha's power even in death. There's only one way I know of and since I only have two betas,' one here in Beacon Hills and the other I have no clue where they are, I wasn't too worried about them trying to steal my power.

I have also run into a few hunters as well. But was able to evade them as best I could. I did call Argent a few times on a couple of them who was relentless. He was able to help eliminate the issue, I didn't ask questions. We still stay connected from wherever he goes in the world. A few times he has even asked for my help, which I willingly gave. Right now, he was taking a break from hunting and taking a sabbatical from life in general, somewhere on an island.

I managed weekly FaceTime's with my friends. None of whom wanted to return to Beacon Hills either. Well except for one. She went back as soon as she graduated and got her certification. Sometimes it was just Me, Malia, Lydia, Liam, and Mason/Corey, because those two are just one person now, on the call. Times when Stiles was off working some case. But sometimes he would be there, and he and I still managed to call or text at least a few times a week to let each other know we were okay. It's been about a month since I last heard from him though and I was starting to get worried. I was thinking about launching my own investigation, but I didn't want to interfere if he was just off on a case.

I turned onto the familiar street, smiling as I got closer to home and my mother, who had been watching for me, stepped out onto the porch. Parking my truck in front I hopped out and jogged to meet her halfway in the yard. She launched herself at me, hugging me tight. Laughing I hugged her back.

"Welcome home, honey." She giggled, peppering my face with kisses.

"Thanks mom." I told her, chuckling, setting her back down. Wrapping her arms around my waist we walked up the porch steps and into the house.

"I'm so glad you're back. I missed you so much. I kept your room just like you left it. Well, I did air it out and change the sheets, but nothing else I promise. Oh, and I got a listing of houses that I have been looking at for you, unless you decided to rent for a while. Which is perfectly fine while you get settled back into being here. Oh and-." She was rambling on and on in her excitement and as much as I was loving the fact that my being back was making her this happy, I needed her to take a breath.

"Mom, calm down. I'm staying, remember? We can go over all this later." I told her kissing the top of her head.

"Right, right. Sorry. I'm just so happy." She said letting go and we both sat at the dining room table. "So how are you sweetheart? How do you feel being back, so far?"

"I'm doing fine and it's an adjustment being back here. So many memories, good and bad, hit me as soon as I crossed into town." I told her as I looked around my childhood home. Not much had changed. A few new pieces of furniture and fresh paint in the living room and kitchen. A brand-new fridge but nothing else. Same pictures and decorations as before. I smiled at the nostalgia.

"I would imagine. I hope the good outweigh the bad though. I wouldn't want you to come back and be miserable." She said squeezing my hand from across the table.

"Good definitely outweighs the bad. As much drama and trauma came with living in here, I remember more the good times I've had. I'll be fine, I promise. And I get to work with Deaton again, at least for a little while."

My old mentor was thinking of retiring and wanted me to buy into the clinic. It's a deal we worked out. He would stay on for another full year while I paid into it and then he would retire and let me take over. I was honored when I got the call from him just a little over a month ago. I had already been toying with the idea of coming back, feeling the draw once again to the Nematon, but I didn't feel I had a real reason to leave my life there and return. He gave me one.

"I'm glad. And speaking of Deaton…" she started, a wide smile threatening to break through on her face.

"What?" I asked fearing the answer. I had an inkling since I wasn't able to reach Liam or Mason earlier today on my way into town.

"Why don't you go get cleaned up and we can head out." she said patting my hand with a smirk.

"Please tell me you guys didn't." I groaned.

"We did. Now go, we need to leave soon." She said shooing me away from the table.

With a sigh I got up and trudged up the stairs to my old room. Opening the door, I stood there remembering… everything. Times when Stiles and I would hang out, my second full moon where I was chained to the radiator, and he stood by my side even though he was angry at me. Allison, Kira, taking refuge from enemies. But the last memory of being here was the one that stuck with me.

The night before I left for college. Malia. Flashes of the night invaded my mind, like a movie reel. Every word, every moan, and every second of every minute we spent connecting in the most animalistic way. I will always cherish that memory. It was the first and only time ever, I was able to just lose control and let my wolf, the alpha, take over. We went hard that night, repeatedly until we were both worn-out and passed out from exhaustion. The next morning, she had been gone and I hadn't seen her before I pulled out and left town. Still the memory of that night was a yardstick for me. The few encounters I have had since then could not measure up. It was why me and the last girl I had been seeing broke up. She felt I was holding back, and I was. But this was why. I couldn't be my true self with her. Malia was the only one that ever got all of me, in this instance at least.

Shaking my head to dispel the memory I quickly freshened up, changing into a fresh t-shirt that I had left behind. I did a quick finger comb of my hair thinking I need to schedule a cut soon before heading back downstairs to see my mother with her purse waiting by the door. Snickering, I pulled my keys from my pocket and followed her out.

"I'm driving. Where are we headed?" I told her.

~~WHAT IF~~

We ended up at the Grille, another place with great memories attached to it. I was confused since it was only noon, and they usually don't open until about three, but mom just smiled at me and hopped down from the cab. I slowly got out and followed her to the door.

"Mom."

She grinned broadly before opening the unlocked door and ushering me into the dark restaurant. As soon as I stepped foot in the door the lights cut on and a crowd of people shouted, "Surprise." I could only stare in shock at the dozens of people standing around smiling at me. I could see Deaton, Stilinski, Parrish, Derek, Argent, who was supposed to be on an island, Liam, Mason, and Corey up front and center. But there were so many others here as well. I was happy but confused.

"What is all this?" I asked with a chuckle as I stepped further into the room. Soon I was bombarded with people, shaking my hand, hugging me, and greeting me.

"This, is your welcome home party." Derek said, giving me a hug. "Welcome home man."

"Thanks. But…"

"Oh, just take the party. So glad your back." My beta, Liam, said giving me another hug, followed by Mason and Corey. Stilinski and Parrish both came up to shake hands and Argent greeted me in his normal, one-armed hug and shake.

"This, my old friend, is all the people you have helped to protect and save when you were here. They all wanted to be here to welcome you back." Deaton said, embracing me in such a fatherly way that I almost teared up.

"But I didn't do it alone."

"We know, but we still remember the things you did that saved our lives. We just wanted to show our appreciation and we are all so happy you are back." A woman said. I remember her being in the library the same night the beast attacked at the game. I had told her and few of the others hiding in there to go upstairs as the beast tossed my ass around like a used condom.

"Thank you for coming, really. But I really didn't do anything, not alone. I just tried to do what was right." I told her. She smiled taking the hand of man who was holding a little girl, I'm assuming her family which just filled my heart with joy that she was able to gain this because she survived.

"What, no hug for me?" I tinkling voice said from behind me. I whirled around and smiled.

"Lyds." I called, grabbing her up in a hug. I didn't know she was even in town, but I was so happy to see her. "How are you screamer?" I asked, calling her a nickname I had given her after she saved Mason from the beast. Laughing she slapped my arm as I set her down.

"Don't start calling me that again."

'Does it still fit?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes but didn't respond moving past me to hug Liam and the others. Looking at the door I saw another familiar person lingering there, shuffling from foot to foot, and looking unsure if she should come in or not. I walked slowly toward her as the noise behind me got louder, everyone talking and laughing, music had started from somewhere, but I locked eyes with the brunette in front of me.

Malia:

He was here, I could smell him even from the parking lot and I would never forget that scent, not in a million years. My stomach flipped as I followed at a snail's crawl behind Lydia to the door. I could hear the greetings and noise clear as day. Scott denying he did anything worth praising, as usual. Always so humble. We might have been there to help him a lot of the time. But it was he who put himself at deaths door every single time. It was something none of us would ever forget.

Hearing his deep voice sent me right back to that night. Always to that night. What was supposed to have been just one night was so much more than that, for me at least. It was what I replayed when my urges became overwhelming, and I needed… more. Ten years and I had only been with one other person since him, another shifter, but it didn't measure up, not even close. I ended up having to bite my tongue whenever we got together so I wouldn't scream out Scott's name instead of his. Things broke off quickly with him because my heart wasn't in it.

I watched from the doorway, trying to lock down the longing I felt in the pit of my stomach seeing him again after all this time. Though we all stayed connected over the years we had yet to get together as a group again. It was easy over computer or phone to ignore my bodies reaction to seeing or hearing him. But in person, this would be tough.

I watched him hug Lydia, smirking when he called her by her nickname, which we all still used on occasion. But when he let her go he saw me. That same intense gaze was focused on me, and I swear he prowled like a wolf closer to me. I took a deep shaky breath when he was right in front of me.

"Malia." he exhaled, and I fought the shiver, hearing my name on his lips again.

"Welcome home, Alpha." I whispered, the title just slipping out unintentionally, but his eyes flashed red anyway and I knew he was thinking of the last time I called him that. Over and over again that night, always in a scream, always in pleasure.

His arms wrapped around me in a tight embrace that almost felt to intimate for friends to have. Another memory that I held onto at night when I was alone in my room. I had never been held by anyone else like this. As if I was special, as if I were wanted, needed, as if I was being protected. Closing my eyes, I hugged him back just as tightly. God I missed him, more than I should.

"I am so glad to see you." he said into my ear. Pulling back, I smiled up at him.

"Me too."

I took a step back from him and awkwardness took over. He even looked unsure of his next move, rubbing at the back of his neck, and taking another step away from me.

"How have you been?" he asked. "How's business?"

"I'm good. And business is great. Who knew I would have a knack for running my own business, even if it is just an auto repair shop." I shrugged.

"Doesn't matter what it is, it's yours and its doing well. That's all that matters."

When I graduated I took a certification course in auto mechanics, turns out I had a talent for working on cars. As soon as I came back home I opened up the shop, but not alone. I had a partner and things were going well.

"Well, mine and Derek's." I corrected. "It was rocky for a minute there but now that Eli is in school, things have smoothed out."

"Shit, where is Eli, I didn't see him when I came in." Scott said looking around for Derek's son.

"He's running around here somewhere. Probably terrorizing the norms." I snickered.

Eli was eight and he was starting to feel the shift. He got a kick out of scaring the locals by jumping out and growling at them. At his age it was only the eyes that were changing. Derek was trying to break him of the habit before the claws and fangs grew in.

"He's still doing that?" Scott laughed just as Eli came running up behind him and rawred at him. Scott's eyes flashed at him before he kneeled in front of him.

"Hey little man." Scott greeted.

"Hey Uncle Scott. You're home." Eli said throwing his little arms around Scott's neck. I smiled at the two of them and quietly eased my way around them heading for the bar.

"Jack straight, double, please." I ordered taking a seat away from everyone and people watching. I still wasn't a crowd, person. I came here for two reasons. To see Scott and to see Scott. The second one being more to see if I was imagining the feelings I had started harboring for him for over ten years. I wasn't, unfortunately. I was hoping it was just me feeling lonely, but it wasn't. I had no problem being alone. Sometimes it got frustrating, but I couldn't bring myself to really try dating.

I didn't need to look when someone sat down right next to me. I also didn't need to scent them. But I still took a giant gulp from the drink just set in front of me because I could feel the interrogation coming. I was prepared to wait them out, but I could feel them staring an intense hole into the side of my head.

"What?" I sighed looking over at Lydia who was smirking at me.

"I saw that." She sing-songed.

"Saw what?" I asked, she gave me a look that said, 'don't play stupid.'

"It was just a hug."

She barked a laugh, drawing the attention of a few people.

"Bull, even I felt the heat from that hug." She said.

"There was no heat." I sighed. There was definitely heat. Even now I could barely sit still because his voice was still close enough that it incited urges that were taking up residence in my body.

"Are you going to tell me what's going on with you two?" she asked ignoring my statement. I opened my mouth to tell her nothing was going on when a presence approached us, and she stiffened turning to look straight ahead.

"Hey, I'm heading out. I have to get back to work. But I'll be by the shop tomorrow to settle my bill and pick up my car." Parrish said from behind us. I turned to face him, Lydia ignored him and now I'm curious about what happened between these two.

"Sure, no problem. I should be in about 10 tomorrow, so any time after that is fine." I told him.

"Great, see you then. Have a good night." he said with a forced smile, his eyes darting to Lydia and away.

"You too."

He looked as if he wanted to say something else but to Lydia, she stayed steadfast in looking forward. He nodded and gave one last smile before leaving. She seemed to sag as soon as the bell over the door jingled signaling his exit. I turned back to her with a grin.

"I saw that." I sing-songed to her in return.

She rolled her eyes and grabbed my drink, downing it. I blinked at her. Lydia doesn't really do hard liquor, not often, and that glass was still over half full. I signaled for another and stared at her. She looked at me and sighed.

"Fine, we'll do tit for tat. You tell me what happened between you and Scott, and I'll tell you about Parrish."

I wanted to argue that it's not the same thing, but I couldn't, and my curiosity peaked at what I just witnessed. She talked about tension between me and Scott but the tension between her and Parrish was just at palpable.

"Fine you damned redhead." I muttered looking around to make sure Scott wasn't near us and no one else was paying attention to us. Leaning in I spoke quickly and quietly.

"I slept with Scott." I told her waiting for her reaction. Her reaction was to blink at me as if this was an everyday admittance.

"I slept with Jordan." She shrugged. I was not as calm as she had been.

"Holy fuck, are you serious?" I shrieked then cringed as people turned to look at us. I apologized then turned back to her.

"Was that necessary?" she whispered.

"Yes, yes it was. When? Where? How? Why?" I asked.

"That's a long story and one for a different time and place." She sighed and stared at me as if asking the same questions.

"Ditto." I told her. She nodded and we both concentrated on the drinks in front of us.

"Ladies." Liam came up and draped an arm around the both of us. "Why are you both sitting over here in a corner? There's a party happening, you know."

Our mini alpha got even cuter over the years. Actually, I don't think cute is the word we can use for him anymore. He wasn't 16 years old anymore, he was twenty-six and had filled out well. Only a bit taller but he was stockier then he had been in school, and he grew facial hair which fit him and alleviated that baby face he had.

"Have you met me?" I snorted.

"You got a point." He said nodding then focused his attention on Lydia. "What about you screamer? Want to take a spin with me on the dance floor."

She laughed at the brow waggle he aimed at her. I shook my head at his antics. You wouldn't look at him now and think high school teacher and coach. But he was both and from what I heard really good at both jobs.

"Fine." She sighed sliding off the stool and taking the hand he offered her. Off they went to join the few people who didn't mind making a fool of themselves dancing. I sat watching as he took her hands spinning her in circles and dancing around her, until Mason shoved him out of the way and took over dancing with her. Liam shrugged and grabbed up Corey as his new partner.

Someone soon took Lydia's spot. Again, I didn't need to look at or scent to know who it was. The brush of a warm chest against my back as the slid by me, the clenched feeling in my gut and sudden arousal I was feeling told me exactly who it was. I tried not to clutch my glass to hard feeling the heat from his body.

"Malia, come on. We aren't supposed to be awkward around each other, remember. That was the agreement." He said. I turned back around in my seat to face him.

"I know." I said setting my glass down. "And I'm trying but…"

"All you can think about is that night." he said nodding.

"Exactly. It's making it hard to be around you."

"Yeah, same for me." he nodded. "But we are still friends, if nothing else, right?"

"Of course. It's just going to take some time for the tension to fade away. Seeing you again just brought it all to the forefront." I told him. He doesn't need to know that it's been on the forefront of my mind for years.

"I get that. It was actually my first thought when I opened the door to my old room. And I get to stay there until I find a place." He said picking up Lydia's drink and sipping from it. My brain registered the bell jingle again and wondered who else had joined us. But my eyes were on Scott's lips around the glass, and I wondered what they would taste like this time. Shit, I'm not supposed to be thinking that.

"You have a weird habit of drinking out of discarded glasses, don't you?" I said to distract myself.

He laughed, taking another sip.

"Only you guys. You wouldn't catch me doing it with a complete stranger."

"At least it's not mine this time." Came a familiar voice from behind us. Scott stiffened before setting the glass down and turning around, so did I.

"Stiles?"

"Hey Scotty."