AN: I know, I know, it's been a while. Still trying to balance Shifted with Med, I've even asked one of my friends to help me with this. Oh and bit of a disclaimer, I do not like sports. Like at all. So, please forgive any mistakes I made here during the lacrosse scenes. If there are any lacrosse enthusiasts who have suggestions on how to make the scene better, please let me know :D

Fans cheered and players ran as the lacrosse season was kicked off with the match between the Beacon Hills Cyclone and the Hawthorne Academy Lancers. To the sports enthusiasts in the audience, this match was all the more exciting because of who the teams were. The previous year, the Cyclones had dominated the game under the leadership of Team Captain Jackson Whitmore and Coach Bobby Finstock while the Lancers hovered on the lower end of the spectrum. Normally, a match between the two would be an obvious win for the Cyclones but these weren't normal circumstances. The Cyclones were playing with two very obvious disadvantages: a rookie, asthmatic goalie; and an arrogant, injured team captain. And the Lancers' new coach was determined to use these weaknesses to their advantage.

The Lancers charged forward, taking advantage of the rookie goalie's inexperience. The first shot came with a deceptive fake, followed by a swift pass that left Scott scrambling to defend. The ball sailed past him and into the net, giving the Lancers the first point of the game!

The Lancers crowd erupted in cheers while the Cyclones fans groaned at the loss. Stiles joined in the Cyclones fans' disappointment but one point was hardly the harbinger of doom for the Cyclones. He hoped.

The referee retrieved the ball and play resumed. The Lancers, bolstered by their strong start, made another attempt, this time with a calculated combination of swift passes and deceptive moves. Scott struggled to anticipate their tactics, and the ball found the net again! The Lancers crowd was louder than before. Each cheer and clap from them sent Scott's already low confidence on a steady dive down a deep abyss.

Scott knew he was letting the team down. He was damn lucky to make first line and he was blowing it! But what could he do? He was honestly trying his best but the Lancers kept swarming him and he had no idea where to look or who to block.

On the other end of the field, Team Captain Whitmore was doing all he could to hold on to his fraying temper. Two goals in quick succession within minutes of starting the game was the worst position he's ever been in and that included his first game where he barely caught the ball. And it was all that loser, McCall's fault! Not only was he losing the game for them but Jackson had trained and vouched for him. This was embarrassing! He shook his head, he could throttle the boy later but right now he had to think up a way to salvage the game because there was no way he was starting off the season losing to the Lancers of all people.

Thinking quickly, he looked back at the bench. Immediately, he groaned and remembered why McCall was even on the field. The previous year, most of the team had graduated leaving Jackson, Danny, and a couple of other guys who had first line experience and a couple of the reserves. None of the guys currently on the bench were first line material at all.

There was Rodriguez who was flexing his biceps at the girls behind him. He was big and strong, the school even gave him the nickname "Toro" and he'd be a hell of an asset on the field. But he had one problem, like the animal he was named after, he tackled players without thinking! Stilinski wasn't the first team member he hit because he thought he was in the way. Hell, there was a time during a scrimmage last year when he cost the team a goal because he thought Jackson was in his way. No, with the way the game was going, a loose canon was the last thing they needed.

Lahey was on the bench too but other than his inexperience and self-confidence lower than even McCall's, the shouts Jackson heard from his window the other night most probably meant the other boy was hiding some fresh bruises in that lanky body of his. No, he'd be useless on the field too.

Greenberg was still there but the less that was said about him the better.

Stilinski was out of the question. Even if Jackson could stomach letting the jumped up little druggie on his lacrosse field, the boy was still out of commission thanks to Rodriguez.

No. As much as Jackson hated to admit it, McCall was their only option. So, should he ask Coach to put Danny back in goal and have McCall run with them? It could work, he'd just make sure McCall never got the ball. He's just there to make sure they didn't get disqualified anyway and Danny would get the team back to a good spot.

Jackson shook his head, that wouldn't work. He remembered working with McCall on the tennis court or the lacrosse field before. He was better able to manage his breathing but he could still barely keep up with him. Every time he began to wheeze, he'd have to sit on the ground and rest before he could even get up. Jackson couldn't risk that right now because if McCall got pulled away for medical reasons, one of the useless lumps on the bench would take his place.

That left him with no other option but to keep McCall in the goal. He was marginally better at blocking shots when Jackson worked with him. He could do this.

He better do this or else.

Something had to change though because if they kept going like this, he'd not only start off the season losing but he'd face the worst loss in his career and he could kiss the college scholarships goodbye.

Decision made, Jackson raised his hand and called the team to a huddle.

"Jackson, what are we gonna do?" Danny asked, "We're dying out here. Do you want me to get back in goal?"

"No." Jackson said, "McCall stays in goal but we're gonna switch things up. Ed, Steve, the three of us will get us back on the board. Take back the ball from them and go for the shot. Danny, you and the others just focus on one thing: Protect McCall. Keep the other team from getting close to him. If you can't, make sure they can't crowd him. Got it?"

"Protect McCall, got it." Danny repeated.

The team all nodded their agreement, trusting that their Captain's new tactic would work.

OoOoO

The game resumed once more and Jackson immediately gained control of the ball. He winced as he cradled the ball in his crosse, but he ignored it. He couldn't afford to let his injury hold him back. With a determined grimace, he sprinted downfield, dodging defenders with expert finesse. Now within striking distance of the opposing goal, he knew he had to make up for his team's struggles. With an expertly timed shot, he fired the ball past the opposing goalie, giving his team a much-needed point! The crowd erupted into cheers, rallying behind their captain's valiant efforts.

That one shot gave the losing team all they needed to take back the game. They followed Jackson's new play and to their delight, it was working! While the trio of Jackson, Ed, and Steven focused on stealing the ball from the other team and making shot after shot, the rest of the team worked as one big defence for their rookie goalie. Hardly anyone made it passed Danny and any who did were separated to keep them from crowding Scott. Scott noticed the change in play and was extremely grateful for it.

This is what a team feels like. He thought.

In no time at all, the Cyclones were in the lead and the Lancers scrambling to catch up to them.

The Cyclones crowd roared their delight and joy at seeing their beloved team take back control of the game!

OoOoO

Stiles surged to his feet and raised his fists in the air when Scott made his first save!

With all the worry he felt about his wolf coming out or being jealous of Scott, he'd totally forgotten one very important thing. He'd forgotten how much he actually loved lacrosse! He didn't just love the sport after he got to actually play, no, he just loved the game. Once Stiles was no longer a mess of nerves, it was very easy for him to slip into fanboy mode and just enjoy the game he loved.

He booed with the rest of the crowd when the Lancers scored. Actually, it was even worse for him because it was like he could feel the team's embarrassment and frustration as the Lancers absolutely creamed them during the first goals. Beside him, Coach Finstock was losing his mind. He alternated between shouting instructions at the team and muttering under his breath that eternal suicide runs awaited anyone who made him lose to the damn Lancers.

Hell, Jackson's anger at all of it was evident all over his face as he looked between the bench and Scott. If Stiles wasn't absolutely sure the other boy wasn't a werewolf, he would have expected claws and fur to burst through his lacrosse jersey. That was how mad Jackson was and for the first time since meeting the jackass, Stiles couldn't even blame him.

OoOoO

The tension in the air was palpable as the game continued. With Jackson's new strategy earning shot after shot and Scott's improved defense, the Cyclones quickly regained control of the board. The Lancers, caught off guard by the sudden change in strategy, struggled to adapt. They managed to score a couple more times but it was clear that they were no match for the Cyclones.

Stiles, initially caught up in the excitement, found himself slowly getting overwhelmed by the chaotic energy in the field. The cheers and roars from the crowd, once invigorating, now felt like a relentless assault on his senses. The constant ebb and flow of the game, coupled with the anxious expressions on the players' faces, started to weigh on him.

Beside him, Coach Finstock's mood had transformed from grumbling to animated encouragement, his shouts now piercing through Stiles' already frazzled nerves. "That's it, Cyclones! Show 'em what you're made of!" the coach bellowed, each word feeling like a thunderous drumbeat in Stiles' head.

On the field, Jackson's determination was evident in every move. His injury was pushed to the back of his mind and ignored as he led the charge. The trio of Jackson, Ed, and Steven orchestrated a seamless offense, putting the Lancers' defense to the test. The Cyclones' teamwork, with the rest of the team forming a protective shield around Scott, showcased a newfound unity.

The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the match. The scoreboard read 7:4 in favor of the Cyclones!

OoOoO

The open field felt louder than a rock concert as the Cyclones fans cheered and clapped as they descended on the field with their banners and noisemakers, drowning out the disappointed groans from the Lancers' supporters.

Jackson, despite the earlier frustration, wore a triumphant smile as he led his team in a celebratory huddle. The smile remained on his face as Lydia jumped into his arms and gave him that victory kiss he'd been waiting for, his shoulder felt strained but he ignored it. This was his moment and no one was going to take it away. He was pulled off his girlfriend when he was suddenly lifted up onto Danny and Ed's shoulders. He raised the lacrosse stick over his head and elicited more cheers from the crowd.

Rodriguez and Greenberg hollered as they threw the jug of sports drink over Coach's head. They posed for a picture by the yearbook photographer and then, with matching grins on their faces, carried Coach on their shoulders and ran to join the celebration on the field.

Scott stood at goal, stunned after the buzzer went off. He couldn't believe it. He actually did it. He actually helped the team win the first game of the season! A wide grin spread across his face and he ran to join the rest of the team who were calling him over. However, he didn't make it far before a pair of arms spun him around and a pair of lips were pressed to his own. When he realized it was his girlfriend, his smile grew wider as he enthusiastically returned her kiss heedless of the chaos around them.

Stiles, however much he enjoyed the game in the beginning, couldn't join in the celebrations. The excitement of the team, the raucous cheers of the crowd, and even the Lancers crowd's disappointment and anger combined into a chaotic symphony that echoed in his mind. He tried to shut it all out but it felt like he was drowning in it all. He ran away from the crowd and to the empty locker room. No one stood in his way as they were all cheering for the Cyclones or commiserating with the Lancers.

Well, almost everyone. Unseen by the huge crowd stood three people watching the whole thing with varying degrees of interest. One of them remained in the bleachers, clapping politely for the team. Another stood by the cars, his leather-clad arms crossed over his chest.

The last man stood just on the edge of the treeline in the distance, his all-black ensemble serving to camouflage him in the shadows of the trees. Unlike the other two men, his steady gaze wasn't fixed on the team, rather it was focused on one of the men, this man took away everything from him and he would pay for it. Red glowing eyes broke through the dark of the night promising lethal vengeance.

OoOoO

In the locker room, Stiles headed straight for the showers and stood under the cold water. His breathing was shallow, his heart was pounding in his chest, and there was a familiar tingling in his hands and mouth. He knew what this meant, he knew that despite all his preparations, he was losing control and on the verge of shifting. He knew his family was a few feet away and if he didn't get a hold of himself soon, he would do something horrible.

But all he could think about was everybody's emotions choking him! The cheering, the yelling, the anger, the disappointment… the rage. They were everywhere! He couldn't think, he couldn't breathe… They were killing him!

He screamed in pain and fell to his knees. His now-clawed hands clasped around his head to cover his ears in hopes that he could drown out the noise but it didn't work! Blood dripped down the side of his head from the claws cutting into his head but he barely noticed it.

As another rousing round of cheer exploded from the field, Stiles snapped and the next time he opened his eyes, they were a brilliant gold.

He would make the noises stop.

He leapt to his feet, cold water dripping off him, he snarled and lunged for the exit when something grabbed him by the neck and caught him midair! Stiles was forced to the ground and dragged to the showers. The hand around his neck tightened and a knee pressed down on his chest. Blue glowing eyes fixed on his golden ones.

"Again Stiles?" Derek growled.

Instead of replying, Stiles roared and used every bit of strength he had to try and push the older werewolf off him. But, for all his anger, Derek was still stronger. He lifted Stiles off the concrete floor only to slam him back down again.

"Find your anchor!" Derek said, "Come on Stiles! Remember who's out there. Your dad, your family, your friends. Get a hold of yourself!"

Derek slammed Stiles into the floor once more, pain overtook Stiles' body and he stopped struggling.

Dad

Melissa

Scott

Tara

Tris

Tiana

Lydia

Erica

The gold in his eyes faded and the wolf was pushed back once more as the teenager took center stage. His breathing slowed and his heart calmed, once more grateful to the older werewolf for keeping him from hurting anyone.

PS: a) How did you guys like this? I admit, I was very close to letting Stiles play in the game. I had imagined "Don't pass to McCall" still happening, Stiles hearing it, and that's what pushes him to take Melissa up on her offer of vouching for him so he can play. In the end, I bailed on that idea because there's been such a lead up to Stiles NOT playing and it just felt weird to have that all go to waste. Also, Sciles reunion is not happening any time soon.

b) I don't know if you guys remember this, but in the show, the BHHS' opponents for this game wore a jersey with the initials MFH. I cannot tell you all how badly I wanted MFH to stand for Mystic Falls High hahaha the only thing that stopped me was that TVD didn't have lacrosse so it wouldn't have made any sense.