Chapter Text
Derek normally didn't greet Stiles when he came home from school, but his elevated heartbeat mixed with an unfamiliar scent put him on edge. When he came out to see what was going on, Gabby practically flew through the door and into his arms. It took him a moment to recognize the soft sounds of crying and the smell of tears.
“What happened?” he growled.
“Yes,” said an unfamiliar girl coming through the door with Stiles. Derek could smell sickness on her and remembered something about Gabby’s best friend being epileptic. “what happened?” the blond girl asked Stiles.
Stiles was looking at Gabby like he was trying to solve a puzzle. He turned to Derek then and asked him a question he had hoped he would never have to answer.
“You wouldn’t happen to know a Kate Argent would you?”
While Stiles explained what had happened at school and what it could possibly mean, Derek couldn't help but feel sick. He had suspected, of course he had. But having it all be confirmed was something else entirely different. It really had been his fault, all of it.
“That must come in pretty handy for your dad.” Erica was saying. She had taken the news of Gabby’s abilities with an eye-roll and an “I know, Stiles. I’m not an idiot!”
Stiles nodded at her, “Yeah. I mean, he still has to find evidence and stuff but it’s a lot easier when you know what you’re looking for.” He turned to Derek, “Anyway, about my earlier question because I’m pretty sure the last time Gabby actually cried was when our mom died.”
Derek took a breath and looked at Stiles, “I- yes. I knew her. I’m pretty sure she’s the one who- who set the fire.”
“Oh my God!” Stiles replied. “I guess she really is a psycho. Ok. New plan. We have to assume, for now, that she’s here to finish the job. So Derek is going to lay low for a bit. You’re staying at the Sheriff’s house so I don’t think she’ll attack you here. Meanwhile, Erica, Scott, Gabby and I will gather evidence so my dad can put her crazy ass away for a long, long time. Any questions?”
“Yes!” Erica cut in, “Why the hell did she burn down a house full of people? Even if she is crazy, that’s something that has to be pre-meditated. Planned!”
“Well, you see: the Hales are werewolves and Kate is a werewolf hunter…?” he sort of trailed off at the end but Derek nodded. That was about the sum of it.
“Dude! Why didn't you tell me there were werewolves?” Erica demanded.
“Well I didn't know myself until a few weeks ago and I didn't want you to think I was crazy?”
Erica rolled her eyes but nodded. It was a fairly reasonable argument, after all.
“Ok, so now that that’s settled, I have to call Scott because he is now not only dating a girl from a werewolf hunting family, but a werewolf hunting family with a total psycho in it. Do you wanna stay the night, Erica?”
“Yeah, I’ll stay.” And with that, the group disbanded. All except Derek, who stayed on the couch lost in thought. Sure, he may be safe here (although he doubted it) but Stiles was forgetting something. He was forgetting the last Hale, the most vulnerable one.
What about Peter?