Big Bad

Chapter 29

Stiles' phone begun buzzing again, snatching it out of his pocket, he glanced at the screen, it was his dad, again. Sighing grumpily, he couldn't ignore him, no doubt his dad was getting really worried with his avoidance. Standing up, he moved over to the doors, and wrenched them open and stepped outside. Yes, everyone could still hear him, he wasn't coming out so they couldn't hear, it was merely so he could hear his dad. He knew what it was going to be about, Scott, without a doubt, and Stiles hadn't wanted to deal with it.

He didn't want to deal with Scott full stop.

"Hey, dad, is everything okay?" Stiles asked, answering the phone, bringing it up to his ear, tense and alert, he just fundamentally didn't want to deal with anything. He just wanted to remain with his pack, especially given there may be a threat converging on them as they speak. It would be just his luck that if he went home, he'd miss everything.

"Stiles where are you? Don't you dare hang up or I'll send out Parrish to look for you." Noah threatened him, anxiety somehow exuding from Noah, and this was a man used to keeping himself calm in all situations.

"Dad, I'm fine," Stiles blurted out, brow furrowing, guilt suffusing him for worrying his dad so much, just to avoid Scott and everything that would come with it. "I promise."

"Where are you?" Noah asked again, less anxious knowing his son wouldn't lie to him, at least not where it came to his safety.

"I'm with Lydia, Jackson, Erica, Boyd, Cora, Isaac and Derek," Stiles explained, deciding against mentioning Harry or Peter, that would likely worry his dad if he mentioned them. "We're at Isacc's place." Which happened to be Derek's but it sounded better.

There was a very pregnant pause after Stiles told him.

"Since when are you friends with them?" Noah asked, completely befuddled. He wasn't blind, he knew his son found it difficult making friends, and keeping them for that matter. He was too blunt, completely uncensored, and people didn't like that. Not to mention they were unable to keep up with his sons hyperactivity. Although, lately he had been seen in the presence of everyone he'd mentioned, it hadn't always looked friendly he'd been told.

Stiles swallowed, did that mean his dad didn't think he could be friends with them? Or was it just a general question? Stiles almost jumped out of his skin when arms wrapped around him, squeezing in comfort at the hurt his dad was causing. He didn't need to look to know it was Derek, he wasn't good with words but his non-verbal communication lately was very tactile and Stiles? Well, he was all for it, he couldn't deny the comfort he got from it. "You think I can't be?" it was a loaded question, much like the one where Stiles came out to his father, and his father had blasely brushed it off as if he was being dishonest.

There was a pause before Noah said, "This isn't why I called,"

"So that's a no then," Stiles said, unable to censor the bitterness in his throat.

A subvocal growl left Derek's throat, deeply displeased by what was going on.

"Mel has been calling you for days, why didn't you pick up?" Noah changed the subject, unaware of the heartache he was causing his only son.

"She has?" Stiles blurted out confused, glancing at his phone, as if he expected to see 'missed calls' sign while he was on call with his father. "Oh, she doesn't have my new number, I told Scott to give it to her, he mustn't have done it yet."

"You've had that new number for six weeks, Stiles," Noah pointed out in amusement.

"I know," Stiles muttered, he didn't matter to Scott when he had a girlfriend or something better to do, or at least it felt that way. He liked to say to himself that he would have still been there for Scott if he ended up with a partner, and to others, but was it the truth? Would he have still been there for Scott like always?

"When was the last time you saw Scott?" Noah questioned.

"That's your interrogation voice, why are you using your interrogation voice on me?" Stiles was quick to jump onto the things he'd usually notice if he was unaware of the situation as hand. Not a literal jump since Derek still had his arms around him, keeping him warm and not to mention rather happy. Who wouldn't be? Derek was very muscular, very comforting, he wasn't blind to the fact Derek wasn't quite like this with the rest of the pack. So, it could be because he saw him as vulnerable, and in need of protection…or something else entirely but Stiles doubted that was the reason.

Derek growled lowly; Stiles' father better not be heading in the direction he thought he might be. He'd find a way to make Noah pay that wasn't permanent if he went down the road of accusing Stiles of anything to do with Scott's state.

Stiles felt naught but a burst of gratitude at Derek's silent defence of him, feeling the growl shifting through Derek's chest. Closing his eyes, relishing in the fact, if his father didn't know him, the pack did. It was difficult for his dad, he worked so much to keep a house over their heads, to pay his medical bills, his moms medical bills, it was no surprise his father didn't know what to think.

Noah sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly, "Scott was in an accident,"

"Wait, what? Accident? Is he alright? where is he? At home?"

Derek remained stalwartly pressed against Stiles, keeping him upright and giving him the comfort he greatly needed but never would seek for himself. Easing when he realized Noah just thought it was an accident that he wasn't interrogating his son, and very impressed with Stiles acting, he was deceiving even his own nose. He could sense the worry and fear for Scott, even if it was only in that brief moment in time before it faded into a dull background ache that was constantly there if Scott was brought up. Stiles was so heartbreakingly loyal to the wrong people, he had deserved better, and would get it, from them, from the pack.

"Stop waiting, Derek." Peter told Derek from inside, "Let me see the pictures of that book you were sent. Boyd, see if you can get information on the sewar system in Beacon Hills online."

"He's at the hospital, Stiles, it was a really bad accident, eighty percent of him is covered in road rash," Noah explained, Stiles made a loud strangled sound, that sounded extremely painful. "That's not all…"

"There's more?!" Stiles' voice pitched higher.

"He's got amnesia, he thinks its 2010," Noah revealed.

Stiles took a few seconds realize, yeah, it was very early, January 2011 when he was bitten, made sense that they'd take a little bit extra away just to be safe. It had actually worked, not that he'd doubted Harry, not much anyway. Just the idea of someone being able to wipe someone's mind that way was mindboggling.

"Stiles? Stiles are you there?" Noah called through the phone, now the one worried for his son, perhaps he should have waited until he could see his son before laying this information on him. No, his son was strong, stubborn and resilient, he'd be fine.

"I'm here, is he receiving visitors?" Stiles asked, only his pack could sense the utter abhorrence at the idea of visiting Scott and making nice with him.

"Not tonight, you'll have to wait until tomorrow, he's been asking after you," Noah said, a curious lilt to his voice, but whatever he was thinking, he didn't ask about.

"I should have been there," Stiles said, sounding upset, "At least he's got Allison though." Not able to curtail the bite when he said her name.

"The Argents have moved away," Noah told him, "I'm going to try and go see him tonight before my shift, Mel's not working tonight so someone should go see him even if only for a few moments. Will I tell him you'll be by to see him tomorrow during visiting hours?" and visiting hours was well known to them both, they did not need to enquire. They'd done enough visiting when his wife – Stiles mother – had been there when her illness got too much for them to cope with towards the end.

Stiles lips curled at the prospect, "I will." His teeth bared unpleasantly, becoming more and more wolf like with his mannerisms the longer he was part of the pack. "Not for long though…"

"Ice rink and cinema," Derek murmured into his ear. "Lydia has purchased them."

"Everyone is going to the ice rink and cinema; we've had it planned all week." Stiles declared, "Lydia already bought the tickets." And it was true she'd literally just bought them before Derek told him.

"I'm sure he'll understand," Noah explained, "Do you have Scott's laptop in your room?" it wouldn't be the first time their stuff had been in either room, the boys had once been as close as brothers.

"His laptop? He broke it a few days ago, he didn't want to tell Mel because he knew he'd be grounded." Stiles blatantly lied, glancing up at Derek with a raised eyebrow, wondering if the pack had anything to do with it?

"I'll let her know," Noah said, "Are you going to be home tonight?"

"We're all staying at Isaac's," Stiles told his father, "But I'll bring you something healthy to eat." Ignoring his father's theatrical groaning, he likely had eaten nothing but crap the past few days with him staying over. He wouldn't let it continue, no way, no how. His dad was going to live until he was a hundred if it was the last thing he did.

"Fine," Noah grumbled, "I'll see you later, be careful and call me if you need anything."

"His laptop?" Stiles asked, still standing outside with Derek, the others inside, door closed, but able to hear perfectly.

"His phone was destroyed as well," Harry replied bluntly, watching Peter work his way through the information that had been emailed to him. "All photos and videos were searched through and most deleted." Their eyes gave away their status, and there had been many on the idiots phone. Now his life for the past few years had been erased entirely. Nothing would give away the supernatural world to the idiot once again. Part of him had wished to just end him, but he knew that Stiles would never forgive himself, and Harry wouldn't wish that sort of guilt on anyone, except the guilty parties. Cleared all websites he'd visited, not that he'd done a lot of research, no from what he understood, he'd shoved that all on Stiles.

"Here's the information," Boyd said, plodding over and showing the werewolf the information on his phone.

"Print out the maps," Peter told Boyd in turn, they were no good on a phone, he needed to see.

"All of them?" Boyd asked dubiously.

"For all of Beacon Hills, starting from the…Old Hale mansion working its way outward in all directions." Peter told him.

"Do we have a printer? I didn't think we had a printer." Boyd said, glancing between Harry and Peter as if they were about to proclaim it a joke.

"I do, I'm heading home to make some food for my dad, I'll get it printed off, but you're better off heading towards the sewer board, they'll have 3D print outs of what you're wanting, home print outs just won't be the same." Stiles told them, print out maps were always blurry he found.

"We can go," Erica immediately volunteered both her and Boyd to go.

"Be quick, and check in every half hour, and if you're in trouble, you know what to do," Peter warned them, Harry and Stiles had made items for the pack that offered them the most protection possible.

"We will," with that Boyd and Erica left the loft with a sense of determination, having something to do to help the pack always followed a sense of deep accomplishment, since they'd become a real pack, it was…indescribable.

"We'll see you two later," Erica added, once they got out of the building where Derek and Stiles still stood, making for the car.

"Honestly, what's the point in driving? You can run quicker," Stiles said, as they left, laughing when Erica stuck her tongue out at him having heard his words. Which, rude much. "The cinema and ice skating?" turning to face Derek now that Erica and Boyd had disappeared from view in the car.

Derek just grinned at him, showing his adorable front teeth, it's not often he smiled like that, and Stiles made sure to soak it in, not sure when it would happen again.

"Are we meeting up with them or back here?" half wishing he was back in Derek's arm's; it had been very warm.

"Them? It's just the both of us." Derek stated, moving Stiles over to his Camaro instead of the jeep. "Together. As in a date." Ensuring that Stiles understood fully what he was asking. That might be at Peter's insistence, for some reason, Stiles had very little self-esteem. He was not going to let anyone have Stiles, he refused to let anyone get their paws on him because they wanted his power and not the boy himself. Just like that little cretin, Sammy.

Stiles just stared at Derek stunned, not even trying to grapple with the car doorhandle. A date? Him? really? "Why ice skating?" he couldn't just get over the fact that ice skating of all things had been picked. If it was just them, he knew Derek didn't care about ice skating either, at least he could stand up whereas he'd constantly be on his ass, he was too off balance for such activates.

Derek flushed red, refusing to answer as he sat in the car.

Stiles got in, perplexed by Derek's reaction, only to understand once he got a text message from Lydia that caused him to laugh.

'To hold and touch each other, of course, best foreplay there is.' Only Lydia could state as such without care.

There was nothing but silence in the car after that, it was difficult to tell who was the most embarrassed…but both were undeniably a little flush over the idea that Lydia had instilled in their minds.

Next Day

"Hey, dad," Stiles said, as he entered his father's office, after making sure there was nobody there. He'd learned the hard way to make sure there was no grieving widow, or lawbreaker there before he came in. It had caused his father a whole slew of bother when he'd been young and well, too young to understand how the world was. He'd learned quickly though, probably far sooner than he ought to have.

"Stiles, what are you doing here, son?" feeling guilty over the steak he'd eaten during his break, hand unconsciously checking his shirt and tie to ensure he hadn't left any sign of his illegal – according to his son – activities. He hadn't expected Stiles to come with food again tonight, he'd come yesterday. "I thought you were going to visit Scott or are you leaving for the Cinema?" he did listen to his son, and kept all the information neatly stored.

"And why is Derek Hale's car out there?" very familiar with the Camaro, he had run out of times he'd given the boy speeding tickets since he got back.

The words out of Stiles mouth surprised even him, "I'm going out on a date with him." he told his father as he set the Tupperware container on his father's desk, unashamed and unabashed.

He was going on a date with Derek bloody Hale! Of course, he had nothing to be ashamed of, and it's not like he was underage. His father couldn't do a damn thing to stop him, or Derek actually. He'd softly confessed to being gay to his father, but he hadn't remotely believed him, typical. Well, now he would have to believe him.

Noah gaped at his son, grappling with what he'd just been told, eyes zeroing in on the car, then his son, then the car, then his son over and over and over again. Part of him wanted to laugh it off, a greater part, actually looked at his son, and saw the seriousness of the situation, his son wasn't lying, and if he laughed, he'd cause irreparable damage to their relationship.

Leaning back in his seat, Noah narrowed his gaze on his son, "Is he now?"

"Yes, we're going to go see Scott first," Stiles told him, he wished he could just claim he and Scott had stopped being friends, so that he didn't need to face him. Yet he couldn't, the best he'd get away with claiming was that they were friends just not best of friends anymore. Which was likely what Mel and his father believed, with them not spending much time together but still doing so. Unaware that it was just supernatural disasters they gathered together for, Scott had stopped being a proper friend a long time ago.

"He'll be fine, son, he just needs a bit of time." Noah reassured his son, seeing his despondency.

"Yeah," Stiles grimaced, "We best get going otherwise we will have to give it a miss," which he honestly wouldn't mind at all, he didn't want to do it full stop.

Noah frowned, "You alright, Kiddo?" there was more to Stiles mood than just Scott being hurt, he knew it, he just couldn't figure out the what or why. "Were you angry at him before the accident? Did you have a falling out?"

Stiles perked up, this was the perfect out, "Yes," emphatically nodding, and they weren't wrong, every time he met up with Scott turned into a falling out, until he was needed again. "We had."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Noah asked him, saddened to hear Scott and Stiles were still having trouble, honestly, one day they were thick as thieves and the next they're not talking to each other. Teenagers got like that, he knew, he'd been like that with his own friends, right up until he joined the army. Not that he had a lot of time for friends, his time had been spent defending his mother from his father. Even just thinking of it had Noah rubbing his shoulder where the wound he got from when his father pushed him into a glass table.

Just then the phone went, frustrating Noah immensely.

"I'll see you later, dad," Stiles murmured, already making for the door.

"Beacon Hills Sherriff station, Sherriff Stilinski speaking, please hold," Noah said, holding the receiver to his chest to muffle their conversation. "Hey, come home tonight, then we can talk, catch up, alright? I promise." He'd pulled a double, he couldn't stay working even if he wanted to, and Parish was a stickler for the rules, and would make sure he took off home for sleep.

Stiles just smiled, gave a nod before disappearing out the door, Noah felt his heart drop into his stomach, realizing what that look meant, his son didn't think he'd keep his word. Had their relationship deteriorated that badly? Yes, yes it had, how many times had he actually promised something and not lived up to it? How many times had his son known he wouldn't be able to keep his word but continued on? How many times had he thought that Beacon Hills was more important than him? No, Stiles knew he loved him, knew he'd do anything for him.

Cursing when he heard the tinny voice on the phone, distractedly he went back to work, promising himself that he and Stiles would talk.

"You can still change your mind," Derek stated as Stiles got back into the Camaro, he had heard the conversation, and to say he was surprised by Stiles honest would be understating it. He hadn't expected him to reveal anything remotely truthful, not because he wanted Stiles to lie, but just because of the age difference and the lies he had already told since he got mixed into the supernatural.

Not to mention he was used to being a dirty little secret, something that had stemmed from his brief relationship with Kate when he was younger, under false pretences of course.

Stiles stared out the window, hunched in torment, his feelings for Scott was all over the place. "Harry said it would be best if I stuck to my usual routine when it comes to this whole thing."

"Nobody would be surprised if you didn't show up." Derek pointed out, as he started the car, "It's well known that you were both going through a massive rough patch that's lasted two years." The school itself could attest to that, hell, he'd probably get his kill out of all the rumours that were likely floating around about the two of them.

"Go," Stiles said, straightening his spine, "I need to know he doesn't remember anything…and I need to say goodbye."

Just like that, Derek didn't question him or judge him. He merely pressed down on the gas and took off towards the hospital.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" Derek asked him, ten minutes later as they made good time towards the hospital, there wasn't too much traffic and he was attempting to keep to the speed limit.

"You weren't going to?" Stiles seemed genuinely shocked, and Derek would have bought it if he didn't sense the tiny pang of amusement he was attempting to hide.

Derek snorted, "You're getting better." Referring to of course, his ability to mask his true feelings. He didn't think Stiles was doing it with magic, but evoking emotions he wanted to put on display with his thoughts.

"Thank you," Stiles said smugly, he was proud of his abilities, and mores so the ability to actually make money off his magical abilities.

"If you'd prefer, I stay outside, I won't be offended," was all Derek had to say on the subject, he would come if that was what Stiles wanted, truly, he'd do anything for Stiles at this point, he just didn't want anyone to know it – thus everyone actually did – except for Stiles.

Stiles was blind to Derek's plight.

"It's not just about me though," Stiles said, tapping his fingers on his knee, his leg jiggling unsteadily, as unease spread through him. "You shouldn't do something just because of me." he knew Derek hated Scott, no, perhaps not hate, disappointment, anger and sheer annoyance but not hate, Derek didn't hate many people, he didn't have the heart for it. He didn't even hate Peter for killing Laura, even if they'd came to the realisation, it hadn't been on purpose. Stiles had realized long ago; he didn't hate anyone as much as he hated himself. He wasn't sure there was a way to convince Derek that he wasn't responsible for what happened, that he was just a bloody kid.

"That's what being a pack is all about," Derek murmured as he indicated to go into the hospitals parking lot, "Having that support, should you need it." And stiles would need support when faced with this incarnation of Scott, he wasn't sure Stiles realized what he was getting himself into by going. He wanted to think he knew; Stiles was quite frankly just as intelligent as his uncle Peter who was without a doubt the most intelligent person he'd ever met. When it came to some of the most obvious things though, Stiles was often blindsided. He could recall the look on Stiles face when he expected the same loyalty, he'd shown Scott to be given back, only to be met with disappointment after disappointment.

The steering wheel squeaked under the pressure of Derek's hands, as he thought about it.

"Woah! Easy Sourwolf, you kind of need that to steer the car!" Stiles said, utterly amused and not at all concerned, why should he be? When he had the means to protect himself? He was advancing every day in his magical studies, to the point where he was actually contemplating taking on an entirely magical career instead of being a police officer like he'd wanted to be since he was a kid. He wasn't drowning in the deep end like when he was first introduced into the supernatural world.

What a bloody introduction it was!

Derek parked the car, the word 'sorry' on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't say anything.

Not that he got a chance, since Stiles opened the passenger door with a grumbled, "Let's get this over with." Staring up at the hospital as he closed the door, a sinking feeling in his gut, he really didn't want to do this.

The two of them made their way through the hospital, the nurses and doctors knew who he was, not just because of his frequent visits while his mother was ill (dying) but because of his presence there when anyone he cared about was hurt. Whether it was when his father was injured, Scott with his asthma, and even when Lydia was brought in with an illness they hadn't figured out to this day. Of course, the doctors didn't have a supernatural directory for Banshees, did they? So, to this day, it had baffled the doctors to what had happened to the girl.

"Is there anyone in Beacon Hills that doesn't know who you are?" Derek asked, amused, as he followed Stiles towards McCall's room. Between the hospital and the police station, everyone seemed to know who he was. Did Stiles even realized how highly he was respected and thought of? His loyalty was seen by everyone and admired.

Stiles snorted derisively, "More like wishing they didn't know me." he knew how annoying he was, and likely how much they just wanted him to shut up. He'd heard it often enough to know that.

Derek grasped his wrist, as they entered the elevator, "No, they respect you," Derek refuted Stiles belief, pressing the button, and sighed in relief when it begun moving before anyone could come aboard.

Stiles opened his mouth to argue only to realize who he was talking to, so his mouth snapped closed, there was nothing he could say on the matter.

They had barely stepped out of the elevator when they heard Scott and both stared at each other for just a second, suspended in time, the desire to just turn around and leave had never been greater.

"Stiles!" Mel called upon catching sight of him, a bright smile crossing her face, as she moved to hug him, even with the food in her hands.

"Hey, Mel, you just get off work?" Stiles asked, once upon a time he actually had her schedule memorised, not so much these days, even with all the overtime she used to take – especially after Scott had severe asthma attacks – not something that was needed these days. Or hadn't been, as the case may be.

Derek remained stiff and aloof, standing further apart from the woman and Stiles as they greeted one another.

"I am, feels like this is home right now," Mel murmured, closing her eyes tightly before opening them once more, she found it was the best way to wipe away exhaustion. Not for long, but it helped, that and coffee, which she had in her hands for the long night ahead. She was so worried about her son's state of mind; to lose such a huge chunk of his memories, she worried about permanent brain damage. The doctors didn't believe he was going to regain his memories, not now, but were very pleased that he remembered what he did, and that he was retaining knowledge despite the gap.

"Go get some rest, I'll keep Scott company for a bit," Stiles suggested, she was a nurse, she likely knew the best places to get some sleep undisturbed.

"You wouldn't mind?" Mel asked, the very thought of actually getting real rest was too enticing for her to argue with Stiles about it.

"No, go ahead," Stiles declared, regardless of his relationship with Scott he loved Mel like a second mother, she'd always been there when he needed her. Even when he and Scott fell out, she remembered to get in touch with him to ensure he was well.

"Thanks, sweetie, it's good to see you," she murmured, giving him an extra squeeze before letting go. "Give him this, he's being stubborn and not eating the hospital food." A vexed look on her face, before it was wiped away, if there was a time where you didn't get vexed at your child, it was after getting a call from the hospital telling her, that her son had been severely injured. He'd been extraordinary lucky, there was nothing left of that bike, and given the extent of the road rash, he'd gone a great distant after falling from his bike. There was no sign that another vehicle was involved, she should never have let him have that damn bike, too much wrong with it but Scott needed a way about, and he'd chosen it and bought it with his own money.

Stiles just blinked watching her go, straightening and stiffening his spine, gaze narrowing determinedly, he strode towards Scott's room, he already had the number from the front desk.

"Stiles!" came the absolute joyous tone as Scott stared at his best friend, a beaming grin on his face from where he sat on the hospital bed.

Derek remained in the hallway, shaking his head, yes, Stiles hadn't been aware of what he was getting into.

Stiles heart twisted violently, he hadn't seen such a look on Scott's face for years, "Hey, Scott how are you doing?" noticing the bandages, he was more mummy than not at the moment.

"Where have you been, man? I've been stuck in here for days!" Scott good naturally complained, "Did you get grounded again?" it wouldn't be the first or last time they got grounded.

Stiles just stared, feeling like the rug had been pulled from under him. He'd been so foolish to come here, he shouldn't have done it. The sheer unmitigated rage and despair filled him. Rage that he shouldn't say anything, this Scott hadn't done it, and he couldn't reveal the supernatural again, he knew if he did, Scott would be killed. Harry would do it in a heartbeat, it was only due to him being a fellow magic user that stayed Harry's hand. It hurt, it really, really hurt to see him this way again. It could be a clean slate, but Stiles couldn't do it, he knew it would only end the same way again, even without the supernatural. The first time a girl paid any attention to him he'd be set aside until he screwed up and came crawling back expecting him to make everything better. He thought he could just tell Scott they weren't friends, that they'd grown distant in the years past, even their parents couldn't deny that if Scott did ask.

"Stiles?"

"Stiles?"

Derek entered the hospital room, pressing his hand down on Stiles shoulder, grounding him, silently letting him know he was here if he needed him.

The look that Scott McCall sent him told him that even without the supernatural knowledge, they were not going to get on.

The jealousy and envy written as plain as day broadcasted that Scott McCall did not like sharing anything, not even Stiles.

A/N – Oh my gosh! I don't know why, perhaps it the length of time since I last updated? I just find it very difficult to write this one…maybe it's the absolute annoying muses that are just continuing to canter around my mind LOL I am going to have to get them out my head, likely post them on my Facebook group heh annoy everyone else with them :P lol

So, will Stiles manage to contain herself to let Scott know kindly they were no longer in his life? Or will a whole load of vitriol come spewing out that will make Scott avoid Stiles like he had the plague? Or will he just turn around and walk away? Physically and metaphorically wiping his hands off him without a reason? Do you want to see their date or will it just be mentioned? After all this is a Peter/Harry story really, and I cannot wait until we get to the Kate scenes aaahhh so much anticipation for those scenes now I never have trouble writing revenge scenes the only problem is she's died in all the different ways I can imagine for her throughout my stories (I do dislike re-using ideas) so all ideas would be welcomed! R&R