Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Help, I'm alive
My heart keeps beating like a hammer
Hard to be soft, tough to be tender
Come take my pulse
...Can you hear my heart beating like a hammer?

Help, I'm Alive - Metric

Emergencies only...

Emergencies only.

Emergencies only.

...Emergencies only.

What...

...What would Natalie consider an emergency?

Stiles has been thinking a lot over the summer.

Mostly about the fact that Natalie literally just vanished without even saying goodbye.

It's been weeks now with absolutely no word from her. He never even got to see her off or anything - Lydia didn't even know she'd gone anywhere.

Like, seriously, the last time he saw Natalie was in the argent's basement. He woke up at the Animal Clinic without her - and right after he had...

He clenches his fist, still feeling the strain of the bite mark on the inside of his forearm as he lays on his bed staring at the ceiling. It's healing over but the skin was still kind of tender and itchy sometimes. He really thought that things might be different after that, like she might actually talk to him about, well, everything...

But she didn't.

What is he supposed to do with that?

What can he even do about that?

There's no point in calling her, not without a good reason, because... well honestly, he's kind of worried that she's not even going to answer. Would she just going to avoid him forever? It seems pretty likely, all things considered. He knows she doesn't like talking about feelings or whatever, and she definitely did not look happy to hear about his at Lydia's birthday party.

He's determined to just avoid thinking about her entirely - clearly she wants space and he should give that to her.

He has to respect her boundaries.

That lasts about a week, maybe two if he's being generous with himself.

Stiles can't not think about her. It obviously doesn't help that wherever he looks in his room there's another painting of hers staring back at him. He never realized just how many he'd accumulated - so in the habit of sneaking back into the school at night to take one or two once she was finished working on them.

Because... okay. Here's the thing, the thing he can't stop thinking about.

Why should he be respecting her boundaries when she clearly has no respect for his- well, his lack of boundaries!

His mind keeps going back to it, to what had happened and how she just left him. Like, okay, she was locked up in Allison's basement after the party and he definitely doesn't want to undermine that because that was totally messed up but, um-

Point it she definitely overheard him say to Scott at Lydia's party.

He knows that.

She knows that.

That's been established - they both know, and they know that they both know, that Stiles has feelings for her that go beyond just friendship.

And, yeah, of course she wasn't able to talk with him about it then considering where they were (locked up in Allison's basement) and he was totally fine with that! He was happy to wait and talk about it after they got out of there, but now... well, now she's gone.

She's just... she just left.

She literally knows how he feels about her, and she's left anyway.

No goodbye, no checking in on him after he'd literally passed out from blood loss, just a note that held an offer of contact with strict limitations on it's use. 

Emergencies only.
                  - Nat

Stiles stares at the paper and realizes that for the first time, like, ever he's actually... he's feeling really annoyed with her. Like, he's genuinely frustrated on a level that goes beyond just sexual for once. It's so not cool for her to be doing this to him. She's basically just stringing him along at this point!

Or, wait, does it even count as stringing along when she's not even here?

Whatever - point is she probably has no intention of ever talking with him about any of it.

The only way they're ever going to have this conversation is if he makes her - and they seriously need to have this conversation. He can't keep just walking around knowing that she knows but not knowing how she feels! He should have just asked her about it in that basement, because then at least he could have gotten a straight answer from her! There's no way he's ever going to get an opportunity like that again - and if he tries to confront her directly she's just going to disappear again or something. 

This is all assuming that she actually has any intention on coming back anyway.

What if she doesn't?

What if there's never any emergency, and he never has no reason to contact her?

In fifty years, will he just be the crazy old guy telling Scott's grand-kids about the amazing girl they used to know - with nothing to show for their time together except some old glasses and a few dozen paintings?

What if he actually tries to call, but the number's not even connected anymore because he took too long? That thought is almost enough to make him dial it right then and there.

Eventually he literally can't take it anymore, just sitting around and thinking. He's fixated on her, no matter what he does he can't stop thinking about her. It's so not healthy, he knows that - especially because it's not even like the wonderful daydreams he used to have! Now he's having mental arguments with her and replaying exactly what he plans on saying when (if) she ever comes back.

It's really not good.

So, he does something else with his time; something that he knows will annoy her too just to get even. It's probably petty but it's healthier than just stewing on it - at least that's what he tells himself. 

Stiles decides to pick up an old research project, one that he'd never quite left forgotten. It's always been there, in the back of his mind, every comment and realization just waiting to be explored in depth.

Just who exactly was she? ...and yes he does mean that in the past sense.

And what is she capable of?

He's gotta be prepared. He doesn't want to hurt anyone when (IF) she turns him.

The back of his wardrobe is still littered with different cut outs of information he's found online almost a year ago now - all connected to the grainy photo of her that he'd taken from the security camera's at the hospital. 

A suddenly horrifying reminder of Matt and what he'd been doing with Allison's pictures flashes through his mind, and Stiles quickly pulls her photo down and tears it to shreds before he can think twice about it. He knows what Natalie looks like, he doesn't need an illegally obtained photo of her to prove it - and he highly doubts she'd want it floating around in tact anyway so he's doing her a favor by destroying it.

That's not what this is about anyway, this has absolutely nothing to do with the feelings he may or may not definitely have for her! This is- He's just- He's researching because he wants to learn more about his friend who is someone that they spend- were spending a lot of time with. And he needs to know what he might be in store for, if/when he becomes a vampire. He can't risk running around town like Scott did the first few times he changed, because he's seen how fast Natalie can move. He needs to  That's only natural. There's nothing wrong with that. 

...he ignores the voice that whispers in the back of his mind that it's completely wrong because he promised her he'd stop doing this.

Because, hey, she promised to give him answers and then literally kept the whole Matt thing a secret! She literally breaks her promises all the time!

Besides he needs to learn her patters of past behavior if he's gonna have any hope of locating her - because he fully intends on doing so. He's not going to call unless there actually an emergency like she asked, and it's not like there's going to be anything crazier than a murderous lizard man running around Beacon Hills so Stiles doesn't really have anything to worry about there.

He has to be prepared for what could happen if there's never a good enough reason for her to come back. And he's got a plan- well, half a plan.

He's going to find her, and see how she likes it when he just shows up randomly in her life and forces her to have this conversation with him. 

She can't avoid him forever!

He won't let her.

A heart is a heavy burden...

More honesty words had never been uttered.

Part of Nat almost regrets assimilating her own again. It thrums in her chest, constant cause of distraction, as it had been ever since Deaton had so gently placed it inside of her chest. She had no way to ascertain how she may react to this sudden change in disposition, but nothing could have prepared her from the sudden onslaught of emotion.

It was best that she remove herself from where she may lash out, not to mention the fact she certainly must avoid... him... at all costs; regardless of the fact there was a piercing pain embedded with in her as she considered what had transpired. Just the mere thought makes her heart beat alternate uncomfortably as she struggles to refrain from seeking him out. The fact she had somehow managed to refrain from draining that boy- that clever- him entirely is nothing short of a miracle.

By all logic he should have died that day in the way that any other human would... but Nat is no longer purely logical.

For the first time in centuries she finds herself... driven by emotion.

And it is... horrid.

To be so immediately hit with the weight of her actions, with the recognition that she could have saved innocent lives had she chosen to act with intent. Her experience of this reality had certainly been entirely more streamlined before she took the plunge into this uncontrollable awareness. It is utterly unbearable.

She has to leave - that is her only option.

She cannot remain here for a moment longer, lest she put them all at risk. 

Fortunately, there are people willing to assist her.

She appears on Canyon's doorstep still in a rather... distraught manner. Unable to enter his home, she proceeds to incessantly knock upon his door until it finally opens.

It had taken so long to ascertain his location, even with her prying and pushing, and she finds herself unable to grasp these heightened emotions at all. It is horribly embarrassing. It is a rude and selfish thing for her to do, to disrupt the limited time he has to spend with his Flower, but Nat needs him. She longs for the comfort of his familiar disposition. He is the only one who could possibly hope to understand the extent of what she is currently experiencing. He is the only one who could prevent her from making an irredeemable blunder, should she choose to lash out he is the only one that could stop her in time.

After far too long, the door finally opens. 

Canyon appears much the same as he had upon their last encounter over three decades ago, and yet so entirely different. He holds an air about him that is... lighter than he had ever been during the near century they had been acquainted.

Domestic life has treated him well.

She is so happy to see him, that she promptly looses what little gasp she had and bursts into uncontrollable tears. The only thing that prevents her from wrapping him in her arms is the impenetrable boundary around his home - something she fights against regardless.

Her ultimate confidant listens with wide eyes as she immediately recounts what has occurred over the past few brief decades they had been separated - more specifically over the past week. Nat does not pause for a moment, unable to hold the words in once for long enough to even allow a greeting. She will never be more mortified in her entire existence as her body heaves uncontrollably - she had taught him of their ways and now the tables had entirely turned as she comes to him seeking guidance with problems that are rightfully her own to ponder. 

Nevertheless, he does not disappoint. He listens attentively, quite a new development to his character as he was always the more brazen one during their time together, but subtly ensures she remains unable to enter his home. The intentional act is not lost on her, but she does not hold such a coldly calculated decision against him; it is quite understandable given the nature of her visit.

Instead, it is his idea that they migrate to stay with his extended family, somewhere they had both long since been granted entrance.He insists to join her without prompting, stating with a smirk that he would not dare miss this.

Her earlier assumption is entirely proved wrong, as she nods with tears slipping down her face and a small frame wracked with uncontrollable sobs - her mortification had increased exponentially.

Still, this idea is perfect. What better place to relearn her control of emotion than with those who attempt not to display any? Ruthless and diligent with a focus on protection - traits she certainly admires and seeks to emulate within herself. They still have their priorities in tact at least, not to mention there would be plenty of opportunity for her to feed from fresh sources given their line chosen of work.

The Calavera are easy to find and infiltrate, having not relocated at all. Little Araya has grown tremendously since their last encounter, and Nat cannot resist the maternal urge to snatch the woman up into her arms and lament just how much she had missed her little princess.

An unorthodox greeting by their standards, to be sure.

Canyon continues to chuckle about it for the entirety of the first week. He insists on explaining each detail of their expressions, one utterly elated while the other struggles to comprehend the unexpected turn of the situation, even as Nat moans at him to stop.

It is difficult at first, to settle once again in this achingly familiar and barren place. The place she had once dragged many a tormented souls to face punishment now feels... wrong. It does not fit. She cannot decide whether it is impacted by the subtle changes in the physical location or simply the fact that she has become entirely different.

Nat longs to return to her new home, Beacon Hills, with her entire being. Heart, mind and soul - they all cry out for a place she had only intended to remain as a brief passage for time. She misses her family, she misses the hospital, but mostly she misses her... her friends.

Those two who had grown so much over the past year. The pup who had grown and shown no signs of stopping - a kind soul who dare not take a life to further their own position - the potential that he had yet to unlock but undoubtedly she knew he would soon do so. 

And Stiles...

...Perhaps she misses him most of all. 

For what reason - she cannot ascertain. It is all so blurry and difficult to decipher, the taste she tries to forget with each new sacrifice and yet she can never quite reach that level of impact she had experienced when-

She cannot allow herself to dwell upon such thoughts. She cannot take the risk of returning. It is not safe for them, for him, not yet. Deaton would need more time. They face enough danger with the impending arrival of the alpha pack, and she should not add to it by returning unprepared to handle herself in such a situation. 

She wonders how he- they would be handling such a scenario... she cannot help but fret. She is worried and concerned about them, and entirely unable to handle such pressing sensations within her chest. 

The mere thought that Lydia could be left unprotected-! Her niece, her family! Quite possibly the last connection that remains-

But, she- she must trust them. They would not allow anything to happen to Lydia, Nat knows that. 

She had left a method for... him to contact her should they need it, and she kept that cellular device clutched close to her pulsating chest. The mere thought of it finally ringing filled her with this strange and overwhelming... jittery feeling!

Why has he not attempted to contact her yet?

She had told them for emergencies only - so it is good. It is good it has not yet rung. She should not be upset about that...

But, it is driving her absolutely insane! To not have any confirmation of what may be happening, the possibilities run rampant through her mind. She insists on asking the opinion of everyone she encounters at the complex about how to best handle this - what do they think? Why have they not called? What if they had already perished before they were able to contact her? What if the paper with the contact information was destroyed or they had gotten their memories wiped or- or-

She can easily identify their growing frustration with her disposition, and yet remains unable to prevent the questions from tumbling from her lips. These unruly emotions are certainly getting the best of her. 

One man becomes so irate that he attempts to force her silence... suffice to say he does not live to see the next dawn.

More a likely to join him if the matter is not addressed. This must be why Araya encourages one of her mercenaries to take a contract within the area, purely to make Nat finally desist with her infernal ramblings.

Their fearless leader arranges a meeting with her the day before Braeden's departure, and Nat rapidly explains the different elements of the highly supernatural town. Her train of thought, and thereby the direction conversation, digresses often as she becomes distracted by her own speculations of possible developments but the young girl keeps pace with rapt attention. It is comforting, and quite admirable - Nat holds the utmost respect for the way Braeden had held her own in the face of something as an unpredictable as herself.

To summerise, Nat presses the importance of two factors; uncover more about the alpha pack - their location, their intention, their weaknesses - then inform Scott McCall directly about their impending arrival provided it is not already too late. Braeden nods with a level of professionalism that displays how seriously she considers this undertaking. 

It is reassuring, and Nat is simultaneously pleased and disappointed to see the dedicated mercenary leave.

Upon her departure, Araya is intent to remind her that Nat would need to cover all her existing contracts in exchange, a fitting deal that cannot be argued against...

Yet, every spare moment she has, Nat finds herself staring at that phone.

Waiting for it to ring.

...Why is it not ringing?

She sits on the roof of their complex, overlooking the vast space that surrounds them, and finds her mind entirely captivated by the endless possibilities of what she may be missing miles away. Fresh tears flow from her eyes and blur her vision until all that remains is the phone she holds reverently in her grasp. Her heart longs to join them, her... friends. She wishes to see them once again, and yet she knows she is not prepared. Nat is torn is two, half of her ravenously wanting to return to their side while the other is filled with absolute terror at the mere thought of it.

Canyon finds her, the only other being capable of reaching this height. He does not look surprised when he realises what she is doing, long since noticing her predilection for fixation upon this object. He gently places his hands on her own and gently lowers the phone from her field of view - he dare not remove it although she senses that is his desired intention purely based upon how well she knows him. He expresses his own concern of finding her in this state once again and reminds her than she is under no obligation to return anywhere. It would be far from the first time they had abandoned a town and left it in disarray... 

But this time... it is different. 

The mere thought of never seeing them again makes her heart twist uncomfortably in her chest. She wishes to yell, to scream, to fight! But she- she can recognise now that these are but fleeting experiences. She has regained enough control over the past month of so to realise that she need not give in to every passing urge.

Nat looks at her most trusted companion, the one who had stood with her since the moment they had first crossed paths, whether she wished him to or not, and explains that she does - she must return to protect her family and surely he understands that. He had taught her the importance of that. He was the one who encouraged her to reform ties with them, after all.

He rolls his eyes at that, calling it a low blow to use his own words against him. Yet, he presses her to let go of the responsibility she bares - even if only temporarily. She has done all she can to help, Braeden will send word of an update soon, and if these teenagers are truly are as impressive as she claims then she must take this time to focus on herself so she may join them.

She knows he is right, because he is using her own tactic against her - and she points out as much with squinted eyes.

All she receives in return is a blinding grin.

As much as she wishes to deny it, Nat sees the truth in his words. She does need to relinquish some control, so she can reaffirm her grip on it...

That is why she hands him the phone, with strict instructions for him to inform her should it ding for any reason.

Nat forces herself to focus more intently upon the less than kind tasks that Araya has delegated her. She continues to train her familiarity with deception, to offer her assistance in any interrogation where required, seeking to control her newfound emotions with a sincerity that cannot be falsified. The others in Beacon Hills need not realise that anything had changed upon her return, save the few who knew already.

There are other elements at play here, some muffled whispers and shared looks that seem to asses her reliability - ultimately deeming her unfit. Nat refuses to concern herself with such matters. Were it truly important they would inform her, and she must accept the limits of her current capabilities. It is best she focus on what she came here to achieve. 

Over the months, she continues to improve. She manages to make it through an entire week without bursting into tears or screaming outside of her role as interrogator. To celebrate her progress, Canyon gifts her a new jacket. It is stiff and difficult to move in, but will make a... suitable replacement for the one he had left her that had been entirely eviscerated by the Argents - and Nat does not allow her tears to fall even as her vision begins to blur. This one is unique in it's own right - a tough leather that would be difficult for even a wolf's claws to penetrate. He had chosen it specifically, no doubt.

She resists the impulsive urge to ask whether there have been any messages to her phone; although it is difficult not to. He promised to inform her if there were, and she must be patient.... yet she can never shake the crushing weight of anxiety within her chest as each day passes with no update.

She is afraid, terrified of what might have transpired - of what she may do upon her return.

She has tried not to think about it, that taste on her tongue, but she cannot help but wonder... with every set back, every uncontrollable outburst... will she be able to resist? Will that remedy that Deaton has created suffice?

It feels as though her entire world has been thrown off kilter.

She no longer knows what to expect of herself.

That realisation is... horrifying.

"So you seriously still haven't even tried to call her?" Scott asks with disbelief as they drive back from his totally failed tattoo. Like, the thing just completely healed right after Scott paid for it - perks of being a werewolf... They really should have seen that coming. Either way, Stiles is not disappointed at all - he hated it.

"No. I mean, she left her number but it's only for emergencies," Stiles points out. What's he supposed to say - 'it's an emergency because I really miss the sound of your voice?' Yeah, that would totally go over well. She'd probably change her number if he did that, and then he'd have nothing to go off of.

"Maybe she wants you to call?" Scott offers optimistically.

Stiles immediately dismisses the notion, "She doesn't want me to call."

"Well, how do you know that?"

"Scott, if she wanted to call then she would call me, alright? It's not like I changed my number and left town without so much as a goodbye..." and that's the truth of it.

He thought researching everything might make him less annoyed, and it kind of worked... sort of - not really.

He scratches his arm, the mark had mostly healed over now - if you didn't know what you were looking for you probably wouldn't even notice it. His fingers bump into the bracelet that Deaton had given him  the woven leather containing some kind of weird pendant intertwined within it - Stiles had been kind of tempted to untangle it when Deaton first gave it to him but the serious expression on his face was enough to cure Stiles of any thought of doing that. He hadn't taken it off since it was given to him, just as so intensely instructed. It was kind of weird at first, but after a few weeks he got used to it.

"Honestly, I think it's time i just faced facts. She's just not interested and I need to move on." Maybe if he says it enough he'll believe it himself. 

His words hang in the air for a moment before Scott snorts, "Yeah right."

"What?" Stiles questions, feeling totally offended by that. "I can move on if I want to!"

Scott shakes his head with a smile like Stiles has just said something totally unbelievable. "Stiles, you were obsessed with Lydia for, like, ten years and she never even spoke to you."

"Yeah, but Lydia didn't even know I existed," he reminds Scott, "that's totally different."

"Whatever. You're gonna change your mind as soon as you see her again."

"Yeah, like you won't do the exact same when you see Allison." Stiles rolls his eyes.

"I won't be seeing Allison. She's not coming back to school."

"What? Have you spoken to her?"

"Nah, we agreed to give each other the summer. No texts, no calls," Scott explains as they pull up to the red light. 

"So then how do you know she won't be back at school then?" He wonders. He looks over at him and sees- oh wait, is that Lydia and Allison in the car beside them?

Guess they're both definitely coming back to school then.

Honestly he'd been trying to talk with Lydia for a while now, but she wouldn't budge at all. After he decided to stop not thinking about Natalie he saved her new number in his phone then passed the note along to her, he figured it was what Natalie would have wanted and seriously couldn't keep staring at it all day. He still doesn't know if she even took it, because he had to slide it under her bedroom door. Seriously, she's just kind of been avoiding him. It's kind of like things are just back to the way they were before Natalie moved to town and he seriously hates it. But it is kinda good to see that she and Allison were still hanging out at least, because it means she's got someone and she's not just straight up isolating herself again... even if he really doesn't understand how she could still be friends with Allison after what she did to Natalie.

Scott scoffs, still looking straight ahead. "After everything that's happened, I'm not sure she's coming back at all."

"I think she is," Stiles contradicts knowingly. "I'd say pretty definite, you know. Like 100%"

His best friend looks taken aback by the certainty in his voice so Stiles points to the car beside them.

Scott looks over at the laughing Allison and Stiles can practically hear the soppy love music playing.

He's totally not jealous at all. No way.

Then Allison spots them, and her smile freezes, dropping into a startled and wounded expression as she quickly looks away.

And yeah, okay, Stiles is genuinely not jealous at all now.

"Oh- Oh god," Scott stutters, trying to duck out of the way as if the two of them hadn't literally just made eye contact.

Stiles waves over at the girls because they're all friends here, right? ha-ha, not awkward at all to talk with the girl who locked him in her basement and the other one he used to have a massive crush on! This is fiiine.

Lydia looks like she's actively trying to focus on the road ahead of them and not look over at him. Rude.

"Can we just drive, please, Stiles," Scott begs.

Stiles looks back at the road in front of them and points out, "Scott, it's a red light."

There's literally nothing he can do about that. He's not going to risk getting another ticket, especially when it's not a life or death situation!

"I think we should talk to her," Stiles says anyway - and it's totally not because if Scott talks to Allison it feels like he could somehow justify calling Natalie because that's just stupid logic. "I think we should say something."

"No." Scott shakes his head.

"I'm gonna say something." He leans over Scott to roll down the passenger window.

"No, no no," Scott tries to protest, "Stiles, come on!"

"Hey!" He calls out to them.

Without even looking at him Lydia just fully runs the red light - tires squealing and everything.

It's almost funny actually.

Scott sighs, and it's hard to tell if its with relief or frustration.

"You know, they probably didn't see us," Stiles says deadpan, sitting back in his seat.

The light turns green, so Stiles starts driving too.

"What are you doing?" Scott asks with wide eyes.

Stiles points out the obvious, "I'm driving."

"We're right behind them," Scott says anxiously.

"Okay, well, do you see any turns?"

"I- I don't want it to look like we're following them," Scott continues to fret over something they literally can't avoid.

"Well, what do you want me to do?" Stiles asks tiredly. This is just getting pretty annoying now honestly.

"I don't know, anything," he insists.

Anything, huh?

Okay.

Stiles looks over at Scott with a flat smile and slams his foot on the break.

There.

He did a thing.

This is not a weird thing to do at all - just stopping in the middle of a deserted road. Totally casual

Okay, yeah, it gets real weird when the girls stop ahead of them too.

He and Scott look at each other, with confusion.

Does this mean they should go up to them, or...?

And that's when it happens.

They hear smashed glass and screaming - something must have hit the girls' car.

What the hell was that?

Stiles and Scott both get out of the car and run over to check it out. By that point they'd both managed to get out of their own car too, so at least it couldn't be too bad.

"Are you okay?" Scott yell, running up to Allison.

"It came out of no where," Lydia practically sobs.

Stiles goes to her because he knows Natalie would literally kill them if someone didn't check up on Lydia. "Are you hurt?"

"It- It ran into us," she stammers.

Stiles goes to look at whats happened and.. oh.

It's a buck, that's looks like it just ran head first into their parked car. It's half hanging out of the broken windscreen.

Where has he seen this before?

That's a rhetorical question. He knows exactly where.

Last year, she orchestrated this exact thing - to stop Peter from biting Scott's mom.

"We have to call Natalie," Stiles mutters, eyes locked on the carnage. If it wasn't her then... that's kind of worse actually.

"No! No, no, no, no," Lydia protests desperately. "You can't- You can't call her."

He reminds her, "Lydia, she left her number for emergencies. This looks like an emergency."

"It's a deer," she says it like she's trying to convince herself too, "It's just a deer."

"Wait, you mean she's not here?" Allison wonders and yeah true she's been in France for the whole summer so of course she wouldn't know Natalie had left town too.

"Yeah, she left as soon as she sorted out Jackson's cover story," Stiles tries so hard not to glare because it's not really Allison fault she let herself get fully brain washed by her grandpa and outed Natalie as an immortal being to her whole hunter family and let them torture her in their basement for days on end which resulted in her leaving town for the past four months. Not at all. He's definitely still not mad about it. 

"Oh... right," Allison mumbles, and at least she looks a little apologetic. That's something at least.

Stiles tears his eyes away from her to look at Scott. "But she can help us figure out what happened here."

Scott looks between them all and claims, "No, we can... we can handle this. It's just a deer, right?"

Yeah, okay, sure. This decision definitely has nothing to do with the fact that Natalie would totally be holding a grudge against Allison or anything.

"Okay, right, fine," Stiles surrenders, throwing his hands in the air. "Then you tell us what happened."

Scott approaches the buck that's still freaking half hanging out of Lydia windscreen and says, "It was afraid... terrified actually."

He turns back to look at them.

And that- that's great. Really helpful. 

Totally not ominous at all. 

That night Stiles spends more time then he should have researching all the possible explanations for why a deer might have acted that way - and spends far more time then he'd like to admit debating whether he should just call Natalie himself. Even if she doesn't come back maybe she could, like, offer her expert option or something? He ultimately decides not to bother her about it, because... well, he doesn't want to bother her if this is nothing.

He would have spent today researching too, but his dad literally dragged him out of the house this morning and forced him to come to school. Stiles hates the fact that he just has to pretend that everything's totally normal with his dad, but has to admit it's kind of nice that he doesn't have to worry about him getting involved with any of this supernatural crap. 

Still, Stiles cant stop thinking about the deer last night. It was super weird. Was that actually Natalie? Is she finally back? Probably not, but maybe!

He doesn't know if he's really hoping for her to coming back for the start of the school year - but he still saved her seat in home room like it's a reflex at this point. He immediately notices when the teacher skips over her name and when he asks about her they just say that she's doing distance education this year - he didn't even know their school had a distance ed program! But still, at least that meant she hadn't completely vanished, right? Because if she didn't plan on coming back then she wouldn't have bothered with a cover story.

Right?

Their first class is English, and their new teacher seems pretty cool all things considered. Scott gets called out by his mom for some family emergency, which is kind of weird but Stiles is sure he'll explain once he gets back.

There's a bunch of speculation around the school now, Stiles can hear people whispering about it, and he totally regrets drawing attention to the fact that Natalie's not here. The most popular theory is that Jackson had gotten her pregnant last year and that was why he and Lydia broke up, which perfectly explains why neither of them were at school this year -  because his parents couldn't risk tarnishing the great Wittemore name.

Ugh, he seriously hates high school so much.

He sighs, scratching the faded bite mark on his arm and looking over at Lydia. It doesn't help that she's just adamantly refusing to acknowledge Natalie at all and pretending she never existed - which is only further proof for the rumor mill.

Then he notices something else weird, Lydia has a huge band-aid on her ankle.

Why does she have a band-aid on her ankle? Did she actually get hurt in the car accident and he just missed it? God, Natalie's going to hate that. He should probably ask about it.

"Hey, Lydia?" He whispers.

She barely glances at him.

He checks the teachers not looking then points his pen at her ankle and asks, "What is that? Is that from the accident?

"No." She finally says simply. "Prada bit me."

"Your dog?" He'd only met her little pomeranian a few times - but it definitely didn't escape his notice that she got the dog basically right after Natalie moved out. There's definitely a connection there, like Lydia not wanting to be in the house alone. He should have known she was a dog person - having a little dog fit Lydia way too well.. but for some reason after Natalie he figured she might get a cat. That would probably be more fitting. Natalie's a lot like a cat.

Lydia looks at him like he's an idiot - he's very familiar with that look from her by now. "No, my designer handbag," she says deadpan. "Yes my dog."

"Has it ever bit you before?" He wonders, because she's had it for, like, six months now and he hasn't noticed anything like that. It seems out if character, but how could he know?

She pauses and looks a bit distraught as she shakes her head and makes a noise of denial.

"Okay," Stiles says calmly because he doesn't want to freaking her out but he also needs to talk to someone about this and Scott's not here. He sits up in his chair and points out, "What if it's like the same thing as the deer?"

Lydia doesn't even look up. Stiles gets the feeling she knows exactly where he's going with this.

"You know, like, how animals start acting weird right before an earthquake or something?"

She gives him a flat look. "Meaning what? There's gonna be an earthquake?"

"Or something," he adds seriously. He pauses for a moment before he finally says, "Lydia, we need to call Natalie."

"She's not Natalie," Lydia denies tightly.

Oh my god, seriously? Is she seriously still stuck on that? He whisper shouts, "She helped save Jackson's life!"

"Yeah, after she first tried kill him," she whispers in a hurried rush.

What? Who had told her that? Why? Stiles gets the feeling it would not win him any points to mention that it was actually his idea (and then Scott's) to kill Jackson - if anything Natalie just backed them up after they suggested it. "Lydia, she just wants to protect you."

"She can do that by staying away."

His nostrils flare at her brazen dismissal. God. He really wants Natalie to come back but what's the point if Lydia's not on board with it? He knows Natalie's just gonna be hurt by the fact that her relative literally wants nothing to do with her. (Her descendant? Her great-great-great-great-grandaughter? He still hasn't managed to trace Lydia's family tree back that far yet in his search for more information about Natalie, but he thinks he's getting close!).

If only Lydia could see how much Natalie's willing to sacrifice for her. Stiles is pretty sure she'd do anything to make her happy again, including staying away forev-

A bird slams on the window, right next to Lydia, breaking him from his thoughts.

They all jump, looking at it. Stiles is on edge, because that's really weird. Too weird. Too many weird things, all piling up. What's worse is the massive flock they can all see following behind it. Bird after bird fly at the classroom, until they manage to actually break open the window. Stiles dives on top of Lydia, trying to pull her under his desk to protect her from harm as much as he can.

When all's said and done, the whole room is covered in dead crows and black feathers.

Lydia looks at him, with those wide doe eyes, and weakly says the words he's been waiting to hear all summer.

"Call Natalie."

So that's what he does, as soon as he gets the opportunity.

Stiles doesn't let himself hesitate - this is important. This is an emergency, or, well, it could be. Weird things are happening in town, and it's better to be prepared before people start dying. Lydia was in danger - twice now - and Natalie would want to know that. This is a totally valid reason to call her.

That's what he tells himself as the phone rings.

And rings...

And rings!

He's honestly starting to worry that he typed the number wrong - he definitely didn't though. He spent almost an entire week staring at that phone number before he passed it on to Lydia - and he knows that there's no way Natalie would write it down wrong. If she didn't want him to call then she wouldn't have left a number at all. There's literally no reason to leave him a fake number.

"Hello?" A distinctly male voice answers.

"Uh..." Stiles does look down now to check that he has actually clicked the right number.

Unfortunately, he has.

Why's some guy answering Natalie's new phone?

He tries to keep his voice steady as he asks, "Um, is- is Natalie there?"

"Who's Natalie?" The guy wonders and there's something weirdly familiar about his voice. Stiles can't place what it is, he definitely doesn't know this guy, but the way he talks feels kind of familiar if that makes any sense?

Stiles can hear a voice in the background. He can't make out the words exactly, but he knows who's speaking them. That melodic tune is instantly recognizable by the way it makes his heart flutter.

"What will you give me for it?" The man almost sees to tease her, and it's got this way too playful familiarity to it.

Stiles awkwardly waits on the phone, feeling really awkward about this. He can hear something in reply, but can't make out the words

"Hmm, I don't kno-" the man's voice is cut off quickly and replaced with something else entire.

"Stiles?"

Oh.

Oh- wow. 

God, he hates how much he missed the sound of her voice. He forgot how beautiful it is. Literally did the sun just start shining brighter? Because Stiles is pretty sure it has.

"Lumiya!" He hears someone complain distantly, "That's cheating!"

"Natalie," Stiles seriously tries not to sigh her name but he knows that's how it must sound right now.

He runs a hand over his head, through his hair. Wow, he is so not prepared for this right now. He fully had this whole thing he wanted to say but now his mind is just totally blank.

He asks the first thing he can think of, "Who was that?"

Honestly, he's just hoping one thing.

Please don't say Eziah, please don't say Eziah, please don't say Eziah.

He literally couldn't stand it if this whole time she'd just been hanging out with that priest guy from the hospital. The idea literally makes his skin crawl.

"Never mind," Natalie quickly dismisses, sounding kind of preoccupied, "No one."

He's pretty sure he can hear an indignant gasp in the background. "No one!? After all I-"

"One moment," Natalie requests, and Stiles is pretty sure she's talking to him.

There's a sudden commotion on the phone, something like the sound of wind? And then distantly that guy calls out again.

"So not fai-"

"My appologies," she apologies easily, and does she sound kind of out of breath right now? That's weird. There's a weird static on the phone too - like she's somewhere really windy. "Why are you calling?"

"Uh, well, I-" he coughs, trying not to stutter too much, "Um, things are- I mean- It's been getting weird here and I think- we! We think this might be an emergency."

There's silence on the other end, until she finally asks, "...did Deaton finish the project I left him?"

"Project?" Stiles wonders for a second then realizes what she's probably talking about. He shifts his arm in the air in front of him, like she could actually see it. "Oh, wait, you mean the bracelet? Yeah he, uh, he gave that to me a few weeks ago."

Natalie mutters something like, "Unconventional, but it should work." It's kind of hard to hear her so he can't be sure.

"So, um," He wonders where to go from here, this is so not how he was intending for this call to go but that guy really threw him off. "Uh, I know you don't like to talk over the phone, but-"

"I will be there shortly," She assures him suddenly, "Just ensure your... bracelet remains intact."

"Uh, yeah, of course," he stutters, looking down at it and shaking it on his wrist. "Um, I'll- I'll see you soon them. Uh, thank you?"

There's silence on the other line, nothing but that peculiar sound of static. "....You are welcome, Stiles."

Nat knows where she must to go first.

While her heart longs to see Imogen's descendant, and she continues to be pulled toward another much more ravenouslyshe knows to act upon any such desire would not be safe for anyone. She doubts Lydia will have forgiven her, and more than that she doubts her ability to remain unaffected in the face of such abject rejection from her beloved niece. She cannot risk advertising the fact that something had changed within her. She needs to remain practical.

The... other aspect is even more pressing, far harder to resist, but it is entirely unacceptable. she remains uncertain as to how she may react. To risk such a thing without the proper precautions in place is utterly foolish. She cannot endanger any lives, certainly not his.

First, she must see the wolves.

It is important ensure that the remedial totem the druid had created works appropriately. On the off hand chance, considering the possibility that Deaton had not completed the request to her exact specifications, they may be able to prevent her from acting upon her animalistic impulse.... Or at the very least keep her occupied enough to allow time for him to escape.

She hoped to locate them at the train station, but it is startling deserted. She does not linger there for a long. There is only one other place she could consider, only one other place she could go.

The Hale family home.

It is just as decrepit as ever, but it is not empty.

Scott jumps when he notices her presence in the room, although Derek is too preoccupied picking flowers from the floor to notice.

"Natalie?" Scott announces. He appears almost nervous, and that comes as no surprise. Their last encounter had been a rather... abrupt. "What are you doing here?"

She stares at the wolf who had prevented her from simply killing the elderly hunter who had delighted in the torture of herself and his closest friend. When Scott had explained the extent of his plans - for the man to live a horrid existence for the remainder of his days, healing and hurting in rapid succession as his body battles against his very essence - Nat could not find it within herself to dismiss such a horrid fate. She was actually quite impressed the young wolf had concocted something so heinous for his adversary. It was the final indicator to solidify his potential within her perception. "Stiles called."

"We have it handled," he says too quickly. A foolish move, to dismiss an offer of assistance; perhaps she has given him too much credit after all.

"Yes, it certainly appears so," she proclaims sarcastically.

Nat approaches the unconscious Isaac instantly to check over his injuries without awaiting any acknowledgement. Placing her glasses atop her head to focus without obstruction she can see the incisions, although they have almost entirely healed over and would be difficult for an ordinary mortal to notice. 

"I will need to borrow your hand," she informs Derek, looking to him expectantly. To search for a utensil would be a waste of valuable time, and this pup will not be seriously injured by his own alpha, not without an intent that Derek simply does not pertain. 

He offers it without protest, and she uses one claw to reopen the wound so she can insert the wolfsbain flowers he has gathered beneath his pup's skin. Fighting fire with fire, literally, she ignites it within him. Such drastic measures are necessary, given they do not know the exact length of time; the fact that he had fallen unconscious does not bode well. The burn from the flames will assist in activating his healing factor. The pup does not so much as twitch, a worrisome outcome, but at least the healing process may begin anew.

"There's something different about you," Derek notes quietly, standing far too close. She had forgotten how pungent the smell of wolf could be - and to be surrounded by three of them simultaneously makes her stomach churn 

"Wonderful idea," she responds flatly, keeping her tone controlled as fear spikes within her. She can feel her heart begin to accelerate, but concentrates on keeping it at the slow, barely noticeable, pace she had practiced. "Analyse me while your beta lays dying on the table."

Scott steps in closer toward them as he wonders, "Where have you been?"

"Around." she dismisses simply. They both look like they want to say something so she does first. "Your friend should live. He simply needs rest."

Derek nods

Scott grabs his bicep and looks thoughtful. "Hey Derek, if you wanna pay back that favour now, there's something you can do for me."

Stiles pushes the freshly-painted-red door of the burnt down hale house open and that's kind of weird. Like, why's only the door been painted? This house is so destroyed, why even bother? When he closes it he sees it's only one side he really wants to question it because, that's just super weird.

Literally so much weird stuff in town lately.

He turns around to ask Derek about it, but the words get stuck in his throat because he sees her standing there.

Natalie.

She- She's here!

He really shouldn't be surprised that she's here. He called her. And she's here. Of course she's here. Because he called her.

...Once again, everything he'd planned to say to her all just falls away completely.

Wow, she looks great.

Like, really great. Better than great. Great doesn't even begin to cover it.

She looks exactly like he remembers her, yet entirely different at the same time.

Her hair is different, pulled back in this intricate braid to keep it out of her face. It's always been luscious but now it's.. it seems different somehow? Stiles can't exactly put his finger on it. It's just- just different. Like there's more depth to it or something - the colors shine more as it's hit by the rays of the sun sneaking through the cracks in the broken wall.

And her skin is glowing. Like, luminescent. she kind of almost looks like she's blushing even? Maybe shes just decided to start using make-up or something? He didn't even think she could blush

There's definitely something different about her, he's sure of it. Maybe its just the fact that he hasn't seen her in so long but... but she seems different. More... put together. Healthier.

Part of him kind of hates the fact that she's clearly been thriving without him.

She's not wearing her denim jacket anymore - not that she could after what the Argent's had done to it - her new one looks more like a biker jacket or something. It's zipped up all the way to her chin and coupled with these tight leather pants and boots but she still has those nerdy glasses on and it's just- it's really hot (and he does not mean the temperature).

Her glasses are sitting on top of her head and those beautiful crystal blue eyes are just staring straight back at him and he swears he can see so many conflicting emotions flashing through them. They look so vivid. Like deep pools of a clear beach on a warm summers day, he just wants to dive straight into them.

Oh god, wait, if he can see her eyes that means she's looking back at him!

Quick! He needs to say something! 

Anything!

Come on Stiles!

"H- Hi," he finally says because what else can he really say right now? His voice cracks pathetically as he does it, but he can't even cringe because he's too busy taking in the fact she's actually standing here to even remember what just came out of his mouth.

Those plump lips part, almost like she wants to say something. There's a hesitancy about her, something he's never really seen before. She usually seems to self assured but right now its like... kind of like when he first saw her at that party last year, before he properly knew her - he really gets the feeling she just wants to hide away from everything.

But then Isaac murmurs something, sounding in pretty horrible pain. Her focus turns to him, breaking their connection.

He can't decide if he's elated or disappointed. 

In a lot of way it kind of feels like they're back to square one- or worse actually because they'd come so far yet nothings really changed...

She's here, and she's back, but... but she's not his.

Still... that's not enough to stop him from hoping that maybe some day he'll be able to actually talk to her properly.

Just, maybe not today though. 

Let her settle in first, yeah. 

They can talk later.

Nat is unable consider herself right now.

It is too much.

She cannot dwell on how her heart seems to stir, overwhelmingly so, upon Stiles' arrival. She has to physically hold herself back, and considers that perhaps she should have agreed when Canyon offered to return with her... These wolves would certainly not be enough to contain her should she choose to act upon her ravenous impulse.

Nor can she consider how he makes her feel as if her feet are not touching the ground, how easily she could simply float over to him. Any movement she makes seems like it could only lead to him, and she must diligently focus on her task at hand to distract herself... How fortunate Isaac had chosen that moment to briefly rise to consciousness.

She is drawn to him, entirely. Like a moth to a flame; she knows she will be burnt yet wishes to move forward regardless - or far worse is the reality that he will suffer the consequences. 

How could she not notice the way his hand lingers upon the door nob, and he seems almost as startled to see her as she is to lay eyes upon him. She had not anticipated his arrival this soon. He had grown so much over the past four months, she had almost forgotten how quickly mortals develop during adolescence. His hair... is different. Longer. She wonders how it might feel to-

She has to force herself to stay away, to stay grounded, as he walks into the room.

How terrifying of a sensation- no, of a feeling - this is!

His scent has changed dramatically, lessened with the addition of that herbal totem, but she can still almost sense it bleeding through. That intoxicating sweetness that permeates through his soul. She can practically taste it. Nothing had been the same, no other human she had drained came even close to being as entirely fascinating..

He is utterly captivating.

She cannot seem tear her eyes away or remove her gaze.

But she... she can feel some what assured by the certain knowledge that she will not harm him. 

She does not wish to cause him any suffering, would resort to any means necessary to prevent another from doing so. 

She wishes to protect him; to ensure his safety; to guarantee his happiness. 

Suddenly she is aware that this is all she desires most - for his happiness.

Is this what it feels like...

...to have a real friend?

She does not intend to undermine her connection with Canyon, but that is something entirely different. Their close friendship is built upon a foundation of shared experience and familiarity. Nor to dismiss that which she shares with any other mortal in Beacon Hills - but those had all originated from her pressing the shape of their relationship as something already existent upon their.

That has never been the case here. 

The connection she shares with Stiles is unlike any another. There is nothing familiar about this feeling that he inspires within her.

Well, perhaps... the closest thing she could relate it to... that which cost her everything.

She is not ready for that.

It is... too much.

This feeling - it is too much already.

Friendship, she could willingly accept. So that is what this is - friendship. 

Although part of Nat is aware on some level that this may not be fair, considering what she knows, what she had heard.

But, they should both move past that. It would not end well for him; for either of them.

There is enough to be concerned about with his latent bite from her, and her newly found heart.

It is best that misguided admission be left unaddressed.

The wolf wishes to acquire a tattoo.

This does not seem a fitting time or place to discuss such matters, but there is not much else they can do to assist the injured wolf pup currently. He simply needs rest and to be monitored on occasion.

Nat can hear their discussion, she hears Stiles claim he wishes to have no part in what they are doing.

He is stopped by Derek, who insists he must hold Scott down.

Before Nat can consider her action, she appears before them.

"I can do it," she offers freely.

"No!" Stiles exclaims. He follows this outburst up with a stuttering, much like her heart does in her chest, as he claims, "I- I mean, I can- I can say."

Derek simply rolls his eyes, readying the blow torch.

Nat positions herself behind Scott, attempting to assuage the uneasy feeling in her chest. She places her hands on his shoulders and attempts to jest, "Bite me and I will behead you."

He laughs uncomfortably, shifting in his seat, while Stiles looks to her with wide eyes.

...Perhaps her tone had conveyed a more serious fear she felt being in such close proximity to a wolf.

Stiles remains beside his friend, reaching out to place his hand on his arm. He acts as more a reassuring presence than anything.

Derek brings the blowtorch closer.

"Oh my god," Stiles moans uncomfortably

Nat must admit she too is feeling quite... uncertain about this. She has assisted in the torture of many mortals recently - human and wolf alike. She has held them down with little remorse, even with her freshly found heart in her chest, but this feels... different.

She cares about Scott, the wolf on the receiving end, and that makes it quite... difficult to witness him in such distress.

He screams with pain, skin bubbling and boiling. Nat winces from the sound of it, unable to withhold her reaction. She can sense Stiles looking at her as he says mindless reassurances.

"This is fine. We're fine. You're fine. It's fine."

She is uncertain who he is attempting to convince.

Nat places her hand over his before she can contemplate the sudden urge that pulls her forward, and finds a degree of relief in the sensation.

This is, quite literally, not fine. Generally it would great on her nerves to hear such an obvious lie... But in this moment... she finds that she does not mind.

It is almost as though this is what she had been missing, when she had clutched that phone to her over those long months. 

Friendship.

Eventually Scott passes out from the pain, and Nat prefers that. It makes the rest of the process so much smoother.

Still, she does not release her subtle grip upon Stiles. Not until she must.

She makes her departure soon after confirming with Derek that he had not met anyone new in town.

That is quite... troubling.

Braeden should have arrived weeks ago.

Scott wakes up, looks at his arm and grins. "It worked!"

He looks so genuinely happy. The pain was apparently worth it for the end result, but his standards at least, so Stiles is happy for him too. Even if he does really hate that stupid tattoo.

...At least it gave him a reason to hold hands with Natalie again. He'd really missed that. Even better - she fully initiated it! Maybe finally sorting things out between them isn't totally a lost cause after all.

He and Scott go to leave, not much point in sticking around here anymore.

"Well, looks pretty damn permanent now," He points out.

"Yeah," Scott agrees happily. "I kind of needed something permanent. Everything that's happened to us, everything just changes so fast."

Stiles nods along because Scott is preaching to the choir here. Honestly, even Natalie's changed - something Stiles didn't even think  possible.

"Everything's so... ephemeral."

Huh. That's a big word. Very unlike Scott.

"Studying from the PSATs?" Stiles checks, but he already knows the answer.

"Yup."

"Nice."

Scott opens the door to leave.

That's when Scott points out that Derek painted over just one side the door.

Yeah, Stiles had noticed that too - before he got a bit distracted...

Derek tries to tell them to just go home but Scott's not having it. He uses his werewolf claws to peel off the paint and reveal this weird triangular spiral type symbol. And Derek admits there's a freaking pack of alphas on the way - like, no wonder all the animals are freaking out - and that they're the ones who kidnapped Boyd and Erica. That he and Isaac and Peter had been looking for them all summer without even once mentioning anything about it.

"Lets say you find them," Scott says, approaching him with this air of intensity. "How do you deal with an alpha pack?"

"With all the help I can get," Derek says simply.

Was that- is this why he turned their three classmates last year? Just how long has he known this pack was coming?

Does Natalie know?

It would make sense, right? Like, why else would she leave her phone number unless she was worried about something happening?

That's when Isaac finally wakes up.

"Where is she?" He blearily.

"Who?" Stiles asks, because surely hes not talking about Natalie, right?

"The girl, the one who saved me."

"What girl?" Derek asks seriously.

Stiles has a pretty good idea though... 

He bets it's the girl that Natalie just left to look for.

By the time Nat finds Braden, she is already near death.

There is not much time, her blood is splattered along the lockers. The alphas had managed to find her first.

The sight is horrific, and Nat struggles to remain composed as the poor girl splutters on her own blood, attempting to talk.

Nat is quick to hush her, doing her best to patch up the injury with what little resources she has on hand. Once it is safe to move her, she stops in at Deaton's to acquire more substantial supplies that should tide them over on their journey back to the Calavera. 

How fortunate that Braden was already experienced with this instant method of transportation. It is perhaps the only thing that saves her life. 

Nat will obtain the answers she seeks with time, for the moment her current priority is to ensure this promising mercenary lives through the night.