"That went well." Stiles said as we drove away. I snorted, keeping a look out in case Peter doubled back. I was pretty sure I hadn't seen the last of him tonight. He was never one to concede without reason.

"About as well as I expected, though Peter showing up was very unexpected." I should have though. Even before Peter never wanted to hurt Derek and he tried, in his own way, to look out for him. Of course he would be keeping watch over him. Now I need to figure out what exactly I am willing to reveal to Peter without giving it all away. If there was one person I didn't trust with everything I know it was him. well, him and one other person but that's a conversation I need to have with Stiles.

"Do you think it was a good idea to tell him all of that?"

"Derek? Yes, he really is a stubborn ass sometimes. It was the only way I could see to get him to at least hear me out."

"Even though he attacked you?"

"Yep. He was never just going to take my word for it, and I knew that once I showed him my eyes he would think that I was the one killing. he would eventually find out, it's better that I be as upfront as possible with him if I want to gain his trust." I said as Stiles pulled up in front of my house.

"Okay, that make sense. But what about what you said to Peter?"

I groaned, leaning my head back. Turning off the car he turned to me.

"Peter is another problem. I really should have expected him to show up. even in the previous timeline he tried to protect Derek. He may be a narcissistic ass, but he cared about his family."

"You did say he killed Laura, his niece, right?"

"Yeah, but he's not exactly in his right mind at the moment. I honestly kind of get why he went crazy." I admitted.

"You do?"

"Think about what he went through. He was in the house when it caught fire, with most of his family. The people he was closest to in the world. He could hear the screams and cries as men, women, children burned to death, and he couldn't do anything about it. Then when he was able to escape with his life he spent months in recovery, not able to move or talk just stuck in his own head while in pain. The whole time he was probably thinking about that fire. Probably thinking about the fact that they were gone. He knew Derek and Laura were still alive, but they had no clue he was, not until they came back here, so they left. He was alone with all of that. He's had months to think about it and plan his revenge. If it had been you, what would you have done?"

"Okay, I get what you are saying. But not all the people you say he went after had anything to do with the fire, besides running their mouths too much to the actual perpetrator."

"He's not thinking clearly I think. Or, because its Peter, he just doesn't care. They are all guilty in his eyes. It's his usual M-O."

"So, how are you going to change that? Can you change that?"

"I'm not sure if it will completely change him but I do have an idea or two."

"Okay, and what is that?"

"Let's head inside and we'll talk more." I told him. We both got out and climbed the porch steps, Stiles pulling out the key he had a copy made for my house. I'm still not sure when or how he did that.

"I'm going to call my dad and let him know that I'm staying here for the night." he said, opening the door. My ears perked up when I heard what sounded like dry leaves rustling. I strained my ears to see if I could hear more but I didn't. still, I could feel it.

"Yeah, you go ahead and do that. I'll be there in a minute." I told him, pushing him through.

"Scott, what's going on?"

"Don't worry, it'll be fine. Just get inside and lock the door. Don't open it for anyone." I told him. he looked around nervously then nodded.

"Yeah, okay." he said before going inside and doing as I said.

Once I heard the lock click into place I turned back to face the street. There was nothing to be heard, no cars, no crickets, not even wind rustling the leaves on the trees, but I knew he was there. I'm sure he had a plan to wait until our guard was down then he would confront me. But it's been a long day and I was tired so I didn't want to watch for him all night. I sighed, rolling my eyes.

"I know you are there Peter; you might as well come out so we can talk." I called no louder than I would if he were standing just two feet in front of me instead of hiding in the shadows like a creeper. I heard a faint chuckle and then watched him prowl out of the dark in that stupid long leather jacket he wore when I first really met him, dark clothing underneath. With his pale skin, blonde hair, and deep red eyes he looked like a vampire. "That's close enough." I said when he made it to the front yard. He stopped giving me that enigmatic grin of his. It was eerie to see those burn scars still so prominent. I know he could lose them if he wanted, not sure why he hasn't yet. Unless he was still planning to keep up the façade.

"You look like the villain in every Bond movie ever, you know that right?" I told him.

"And you look like the same kid I bit just two nights ago, but you can't be." He said with a tilt of his head.

"You're right, I'm not that same kid." I told him and I wasn't. That kid had been stupid, and naïve and bitter about his whole life being ruined. I wasn't him anymore. Haven't been for over a year now.

He hummed in acknowledgement, studying me. I'm not going to say that on some level Peter still didn't intimidate me because he absolutely did. But it was only because he was so unpredictable. The whole Mexico thing was a good example of that. Just when we think he is on our side he proves that the only side he is ever really on is his own. I will admit he did have a heart in there somewhere, even if it is smaller than a normal persons. But no matter that small amount of fear I would probably always hold of him I still remembered that when I was shot he was the one to retaliate. I know any of my friends would have but he didn't even hesitate so I was semi positive that he wouldn't just attack me, especially since I had info he wanted. Still, I stayed tense.

"You said you had information that could help me." he said, getting back to why he was here at my house which really didn't sit well with me.

"I do." I nodded. he stared at me, and I stared right back. maybe a part of me was giddy to hold this over his head, even just a little.

"Well, are you going to tell me?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"That depends. Do I have your word that you will leave my friends and family alone?" I asked. He opened his mouth to speak, probably to lie. "No lies Peter. No half promises, no half-truths, no manipulation, and no loopholes, nothing. Your honest to God word that you won't touch them. You won't approach them, you won't speak to them, you won't stalk them. They aren't even on your radar."

"You seem to be under the impression that you have the upper hand here."

"Ditto." I snorted. "But in this case I do. I know what you want Peter and I know why. I honestly understand your reasons for it. I don't know if I wouldn't consider doing the same thing. But I also know that the way you are going about it is going to backfire on you. I can help you and I will, to an extent. But first I want your word."

He said nothing as he stood there, contemplating. I waited, not willing to give an inch on this.

"Why were you talking to Derek before? What do you want with him?" he asked instead.

"The same reason I am talking to you now, to help. I have no ill will towards Derek, at all. Behind that angry exterior I know he's a good guy and he deserved nothing that has happened to him. What I have to tell you will not only help you but will help him as well. for no other reason than that I am willing to share what I know."

"How do I know I can trust whatever it is you are going to tell me?"

"You know as well as I do that wolves have a way of knowing if someone is lying, even other wolves. We can learn to control our heartbeats, but we can't control our scent. If I'm lying you will know." I smirked. Okay, so I was feeling a bit cocky.

"Okay, so tell me what you know." he said.

"Your word first, then I will tell you." I bargained. He sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Fine, you have my absolute word that I will not go after your friends or family. I'll even stay away from the cute little redhead I've seen you with at school and the meathead she's dating."

I was surprised by that. I didn't know he had been around to even see Lydia and Jackson this soon. I know Jackson at one point decided he wanted to be a wolf and went to Derek, I assumed that's how he knew about him and with that was Jackson's and Stiles' connection to Lydia. Shaking that off, I decided I would think more about that later.

"Good. Now let's talk." I said leaning against the pole, relaxing just a bit. I nodded for him to join me and stood opposite me; arms crossed trying to look nonchalant, but I could scent differently. "The woman you are looking for, isn't here yet, but she will be in a couple of weeks."

"And what woman is that?" he questioned. I faced him, giving him a look. he was testing me, I know, to see if I really knew anything. "Kate Argent."

Pursing his lips he nodded slowly.

"Your plan to draw her back is working. Hunters have already started arriving, a few of the Argents are already here and I am sure they are reporting back on any strange activity right now. But they have nothing to do with that fire. They don't even know she set it. They only came back because they heard about the recent murders, that's all."

"How can you be so sure they had nothing to do with it?"

"I just know." I told him, shrugging. I wasn't going to reveal my knowledge of the future. "The thing is the way you are hunting now, puts Derek in danger. The hunters here now and the ones to come know there is an alpha here and right now, they think that Derek is a part of his pack. They want to use him to draw you out."

"I can protect him." Peter assured me, his voice hard and I could hear the slight spike in his heart. I shook my head.

"You're gonna stop a dozen hunters, alone? No, you'll just end up getting yourself or him or both killed. Their plan is to capture him and leave just enough evidence around so that you will know where to go. It's a trap, a really good one. I don't want that to happen. I'm trying to prevent that from happening. I want him safe just as much as you do."

"Why? You don't even know him, do you?"

"I know enough. I know that from the age of 15 on he has been through hell. He's had to deal with things no kid should ever have to deal with."

"You talk like you are much older than he was when those things happened."

I laughed. if he only knew.

"Trust me, I might only be… 16," Now, I thought to myself. "But I have seen and been involved in enough shit to understand, at least kind of understand. I have more in common with him then even he knows." I grimaced at how true that really was.

"Somehow I believe that." he nodded, consideringly. "Anything else I should know?"

"I know that the hunters you are after, Kate and another one, definitely were involved but I think you are missing the bigger threat."

"And what's that?"

"Kate may have implemented the plan, but she didn't come up with it at least not on her own. She was working on behalf of someone else. And they won't be here for a few weeks after she arrives."

"Who?"

"Her father, Gerard Argent."

"Gerard? Isn't he pushing like 80 now? he should already have one foot in the grave."

"You don't know how true that is." I murmured. "He's in his 60's and surprisingly strong and agile for an old guy. He's also far more cunning and dangerous then you are giving him credit for. Don't underestimate him. but like I said he won't be here for a while longer. It would be better to lie low for a while until they are both in town. Getting one without the other is going to create problems that you don't want to deal with."

He nodded as if he was actually listening to my advice.

"The bus driver, Mr. Garrison, I get why you would want to eliminate him, but I think that would be a mistake. It will just draw more attention than necessary. But I think there may be a way to have him arrested and put away for what he did. the minute he conspired with Kate about the fire he became a criminal. But since he was only suspected that he committed fraud there was no proof of that before. I think we can get the proof."

"You want me to let him live, why?"

"Because the connection between his murder and the arson case would lead more suspicion back to your family and since everyone thinks that only you and Derek are the only living members and you are supposedly stuck in a rehab facility still recovering from it, everything will lead to Derek being the main suspect. Do you really want him taking the fall for that?"

"Thinks? You said everyone thinks that Derek and I are the only surviving members. What does that mean? What do you know?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. I groaned. I hadn't actually meant to say that, but it's getting harder to keep track of who should know what when.

"Fine. Its why I went to see Derek in the first place. You and he aren't the only members of the Hale family still alive."

"Who else?" he perked up.

"Cora made it out." I told him.

"Cora." He whispered, staring off into space before looking at me again. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. It's another reason you should lie low on this for a while. You don't want to put her in the middle of this. As much of an ass as you are I know you actually do care about your family. Why else would you be doing this?"

"Anything else?" he asked.

"Adrian Harris." I sighed. "The man's a condescending prick and as much as I don't think I would ever miss him if he went 'missing,' he's not really responsible for Kate's actions."

"How do you figure?"

"He didn't know he was giving her information to help her set that fire. He didn't realize it until after the fact. He met her one night in a bar and after getting him drunk she coaxed the information out of him when she found out he was a chemistry teacher. He had no clue who she was or what she planned to do."

"So, he should go unpunished because he was stupid?"

"Let him live yes, but not go unpunished. How do you feel about using scare tactics?"

A slow evil grin spread over Peter's face.

"What kind of scare tactics?"

"When Mr. Harris learned of the fire he kept quiet because he was afraid that telling her made him an accomplice and that if he went to the authorities he would lose his career. I think we should make that happen. I'm not sure it would cause him to lose his career but it would make him person non-grata in the teaching world, that already has a stigma attached to it. But being a recovering alcoholic who had a part in the fire and death of a well-respected family in the community and leaving two kids orphaned would definitely do a lot of damage. If he doesn't leave town after something like that he would be lucky to get a job at Dairy Queen."

"So, essentially you want to ruin his life and run him out of town."

"Not his whole life, just his life here in Beacon Hills. But yes I do hope that it runs him out of town."

"My way would be quicker."

"You're way would be dirtier, but like I told you your plan won't succeed. You're not going to even get a chance to kill him anyway and honestly it seems like it's more trouble than it's worth to even try. Besides, think about it. He's a veteran who became a teacher. Besides the drinking thing he has no record of doing anything even remotely close to this. Killing him would just make the town honor him in some way. a veteran turned teacher getting murdered by a serial killer. Is that really the result you want?" I asked him.

"You make a good point." He admitted begrudgingly. "Why are you doing this? Why are you so willing to help me and Derek?"

"I told you; I think you both deserve closure, all of you actually. Your sister was a good alpha and she loved you and her family; she deserves justice. Derek is a good man behind the anger and bitterness, and Cora… she's Derek in female form." I snorted. He laughed, nodding.

"Yes, she was. But how do you know that? Have you even met her?"

"Kind of. It's a long story and one I am not willing to share. Just know that I want to see this done. I want Kate and Gerard to pay for what they have done and for the things I'm sure they will continue to do in the future. Them running around loose is a threat to all supernaturals."

"So how are we planning to make them pay?" he asked.

"That." I said standing straighter and stretching. I needed to end this little chat before he could ask more questions that I wasn't ready or willing to answer. "Is what I am still trying to figure out and I have a few weeks to do it. But it will be hard to come up with something if you are running around killing off people. It will raise more questions, cast more suspicions and it will definitely make things harder for all of us. Right now, the hunters are looking for the alpha causing all the chaos which is what is leading them here. I know that's what you wanted but you didn't consider the other shifters and supernaturals you were putting in danger of them when you started this. They shouldn't pay the price for your vengeance."

"Who are you?" he asked, looking at me, surprise, and a bit of awe on his face.

"I'm just a kid who got caught up in something that flipped my whole world around. Now I just want to make sure no one else I care about gets caught up in it as well."

"I can respect that. But you're an alpha." He said.

"I am and that is a story for another day. Right now, I'm tired, starving and I still have homework I need to get done. Just lie low for a while alright. I promise that once Derek gets back we will come up with a plan."

"Back? Where is he going?" he asked, suddenly alert and worried.

"He's going to bring Cora home." I admitted. Thinking about it, there is no reason for him not to know. if he is keeping watch over Derek then he would know soon enough anyway.

"He knows where she is? Where?"

"he knows what area she is in and he's on his way there now, I hope. If he believes me that is."

"I really want to know how you know all of this."

"I know you do." I grinned. "But I think it's good for you to not know everything all the time."

He scoffed.

"Give me some time Peter. I promise I will find a way to get you the justice you all deserve."

"I don't know why I am trusting you but for now I am. Don't make me regret it."

"You won't. Oh, and your nurse, the one that is covering for you and helping you. Don't kill her. I think she stupidly believes that helping you will keep her alive. Let her have that."

"Fine, I won't kill her." he sighed, put out.

"Good, thanks. Good night Peter and stay out of trouble." I told him, turning to head into the house.

"You know, in that negotiation earlier, you didn't mention not going after you as part of the deal." He taunted. I turned back, key in hand, and smiled at him.

"If you think I told you everything I know that pertains to you, you are wrong. Call it an insurance policy. If I disappear then you will never know what else I know." I said. he blinked at me. "Good night Peter."