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"Oh…You met how?"
‘Truly ,really, this does not bode well for the rest of winter break,’ Stiles thought as he slumped back into the driver seat of his beloved jeep. Red and blue lights were lit up behind him. Barely in Beacon Hills City limits, and he was already being pulled over. Really if this was Parrish trying to give him a hard time, he was taking it too far. He was already late in meeting his dad at the station to grab dinner, after his drive back from Stanford. No doubt Jordan was looking forward to causing Stiles some trouble. He didn’t have a big brother but Jordan Parrish was a close second.
“Do you know why I pulled you over,” Stiles jolted in surprised as a new voice he didn’t recognize was standing outside of the driver door. Before him stood a tall, grumpy, hot looking glass of water.
“No, but I’d love for you to frisk me,” Stiles grinned back. The deputy just sighed. The deputy was built with short black hair and a light trimmed beard growing in, exactly Stiles type. Well that’s what Jackson would have said if he was there, and not having his last final tomorrow.
“License and registration. You were going 10 over the speed limit. That’s a class C misdemeanor which-,” the deputy stated before being interrupted by Stiles.
“Which is punishable up to a fine of 500 dollars,” Stiles finished rolling his eyes. He finally fished his license out of his wallet.
“You get these a lot…Mr-,” Stiles handed over his id with the biggest shit eating grin on his face.
“Stilinski. I’m sure you know how to pronounce that given me and my dad share the same last name. Deputy-” Stiles finally looked at the name tag that was hanging from the brown uniform. “Hale,” he let out a long low whistle. “Dad said he had a new Hale hire, but I thought it might have been Cora. She was super serious in high school. Dad loved her when Scott and I were paired with her on a history project. She kept us in line.”
“No, my little sister actually in nursing school. Stiles…heard of you before from Cora,” Derek looked over the aviator sunglasses he was wearing, “the tales of your sarcasm and annoyance were greatly understated.”
Stiles looked affronted, “Rude Deputy Hale. Here I was hoping the tale of family and high school memories so close to the holiday season would encourage you to show some leniency on this young naïve soul traveling in this harsh cold this December day.”
Deputy Hale just sighed hand going to the bridge of his nose, “Its 75 degrees outside, and I doubt you’ve ever been naïve a day in your life. You are getting this citation. Sign here. It’s not a plea of guilty.”
“Yeah yeah it’s just a plea you’ll be in contact with the judge,” Stiles was put out by the actual fact that he got a ticket. “Can I pl~ease get going now? My dad is already expecting me at the station.”
Derek just snapped his ticket book closed, and walked back to his cruiser. Stiles started his car back up, and took off again in the direction of the station. Of course after a few miles he saw Deputy Hale’s cruiser trailing behind me. The car trailing his car the whole way. Finally Stiles spotted the Station, and parked in the first open parking spot he could find.
“Finally Stiles,” Sheriff Stilinski exclaimed as he stepped out of the Station walking over to the familiar old jeep.
“Dad,” Stiles yelled as he engulfed his Dad in a hug that would leave bruises if they held it any longer. “I would have been here sooner, but Deputy Grumpy gave pulled me over and gave me a ticket.”
By then Deputy Hale had gathered his stuff from his cruiser, and was walking into the building most likely the end of his shift. When he was passing by Stiles stuck his tongue out at him, but his father pulled his head under his arm in a mock head lock.
“Stiles, Derek is one of the best and newest Deputies I have. He takes no bull so if he gave you a ticket it was for a reason,” John said as he patted Derek in the back as the other man walked through the doors.
“Derek that’s right. I forgot his name. I know I heard it from Cora but that was a few years ago.” Stiles then reared back a hand over his chest. “Derek… one of the best Deputies, wait till I tell Jordan about this. He’ll be devastated.” Stiles laughed.
“Alright kiddo what’s the damage. Just a warning,” John asked holding his hand out waiting to be handed the ticket.
“Not exactly,” Stiles grimaced.
John’s face grew stony as he read over the ticket, “Really Stiles 10 over. I taught you better than this.”
“Come on Daddio. I was late meeting you, and I didn’t want to be late. Plus it was over at the beginning of the reserve. That straight road with no curves or view obstructions. I was going to slow down once I reached a more populated area. This is over kill. An actual misdemeanor?”
“Did you forget Stiles the Hales live out in the reserve? Not only is it part of the city but Derek’s family actually lives out there. Of course he’s going to want to be more protective of that part of town,” John looked up at the sky as if asking Stiles’ mom for guidance.
Stiles just winced and said in a rather miserable way, “Oh yeah I can see how that is not something he might take lightly. But for reals Dad a fine. No matter how much it is I can’t afford it. And I won’t be working at the school library over break so I can’t actually pay it off right now.”
“Oh you’re going to pay that off. I already know how,” the Sheriff had his own shit eating grin on his face. Stiles knowing the apple didn’t fall to far from the tree, and sometimes that came back to bit him in his own ass.
*~*~*
“Dad I swear,” Stiles voice came out muffled from the Station’s restrooms.
“Unless its age appropriate Christmas swears. Then save it,” the Sheriff was leaning outside of the doorway waiting for his son to come out. “I talked to the judge on duty and she agreed that this would serve as your community service instead of a fine for the ticket. Now do you want to pay the ticket or do you want to help out the Sheriff department put on Santa meet and greet for the good, kind citizens of Beacon Hills that have put up with you for years.”
Stiles slowly edged his way of the bathroom a light blush painting his cheeks. He was decked out in a felt shirt with a striped red and white long sleeve tee. Some felt shorts in the same color as the shirt with matching leggings in red and white. “I now know the cost of my own dignity this holiday season.”
The sheriff’s department was decked out with different types of Christmas decorations and yuletide garlands. The annual Blue Santa meet and greet was being hosted. Instead of getting one of the younger deputy’s or county administrator interns to dress up; the Sheriff and Judge Mehealani agreed that having Stiles ‘volunteer’ would be good enough to work off the citation.
Stiles just sighed, “OK ok. Alright. This is for the kids. Christmas cheer, Christmas cheer.” Stiles moved to his place at the base of the small stage that held the Santa chair and the man of the hour himself. His job was to help the kids move up the small steps or the ramp on the side and then help them back down. Once Stiles got out in front he realized he was in his element. He helped the kids, kept most of them occupied while they waited in line, made faces and made the kid in line laugh. He seemed to take up the mantle of mischievous elf and even the Santa they hired seemed to play into the energy Stiles brought as well.
As the night seemed to wind down he saw Deputy Derek bring in a little girl that looked like a smaller version of Cora, maybe around the age of 5 or 6. ‘Of course Derek has a kid. Probably has a cute little family. All Hallmark cute and stuff. All the good looking ones area already taken.’
While Derek encouraged her to get in line he pointed over to Stiles’ Dad as if saying he was going to be right over there. She seemed to be the last kid for the night. The closer the girl got to the front of the line the more nervous she seemed to get. Derek was watching attentively most likely trying to not seem like a helicopter parent but still keep the girl at ease.
“Do you know what you’re going to ask Santa for,” Stiles asked his voice quieter than it had been for most of the night, kneeling down to her level to try to get on her level. She just shrugged her shoulders her hands being wrung in front of her.
“Well that’s no problem. I personally know Santa takes request right up to midnight on Christmas Eve. Late night deliveries are kind of his thing,” Stiles smiled.
“Well how about what’s your name. I know Santa knows that but I’m pretty bad with names, except my own. I’m Stiles the elf,” that seemed to finally get a little giggle out of the girl.
“That’s not a name,” She said shyly.
“Of course it’s a name, and it’s my name. My special elf name,” Stiles said puffing his chest out. “And you are,” Stiles held his hand out.
The girl gave a big smile a missing tooth visible adding to the cuteness her dimples gave her, “I’m Talia Hale.”
“Oh you must be named after your grandmother huh,” Stiles smiled. “Well I do know some of the Hale family, but I have never had the pleasure to meet you. It is a great Yuletide blessing to be able to meet you today Miss Talia Hale.”
Once Stiles was sure that little Talia seemed to be calmed down he returned to the front of the line to continue to help funnel the kids up to talking to Santa. He glanced at Derek and saw a gentle smile on his face. Stiles of course distracted almost tripped over the edge of the stage before he corrected himself. He straightened out his shirt trying to look like a professional.
When Talia was up at the front she tugged at the end of Stiles shirt as soon as he returned from helping up the next kid to talk to Santa. “What is it little Miss Talia,” Stiles asked.
“What do you want for Christmas Stiles,” she asked.
“Hmm…I don’t really know. I guess I’m still wondering myself. I have my dad, my friends, I’m doing well at school. I mean elf school. I don’t know I guess it’s a little lonely at the North Pole at the end of the day, but I’m pretty happy right now.” Stiles just smiled as he moved to help the child before down the steps and returned to help Talia up.
“Now what do you want for Christmas Talia,” Talia’s name lit up when Santa said her name without her telling him. She looked from Stiles to over at Derek who was just smiling at her. She giggled and leaned into whisper something into Santa’s ear.
“Well I’m not sure that is Santa’s area of expertise, but seeing as you waited so long in line, I’ll see what I can do. Oh I have an idea,” Santa whispered something into her ear and smiled as he held out a candy cane for her to take. Before Stiles could help her down she raised her hands as if to ask to be picked up. Stiles knew that she was the last kid that was in line so went ahead and picked her up. No doubt his elf duties were done with.
As he made his way to the other side of the large room Talia yelled out, “Uncle Derek.” Stiles froze as Derek started to make his way over to the both of them.
“Uncle,” Stiles asked. Talia was moved into Derek’s arms before she asked to be let down. She raced across rest of the room over to Sheriff Stilinski and Deputy Parish to show off the candy cane she got.
“Well would you look at that boys,” Santa said as he passed by the Stiles and Derek. “Seems like someone added some mistletoe to the place.”
Stiles looked up, and there hanging was some mistletoe like Santa said. “T-this is some kind of HR violation. I’m-” before Stiles could finish Derek leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Even redder than he had been at the beginning of the night, a blush lit up Stiles face.
“So I assume Uncle Derek is not Talia’s dad or seeing anyone right now,” Stiles asked looking Derek right in the eye. Now was not the time for him to lose his nerve.
“No, Talia is Laura’s daughter, and I am not seeing anyone right now,” Derek smirked.
“Well I’m off Elf Duty after a handsome yet grumpy Deputy gave me a citation. Do you want to take little Talia out for some hot coco,” Stiles asked not sure when Talia had to be home.
“Laura is 5 minutes out so if you want to get changed we can go out for dinner instead,” Derek offered.
“That sounds great,” Stiles smiled.
*~*~*
Years Later
“So how did you all meet?”
“Mistletoe” “Speeding Ticket”
If little Talia was in the room when asked she would yell, “It was my Christmas wish.”