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"Am I too late?" Bobby asked as he and Fluffy entered the Stilinski home.
"Just got home myself, to be honest," John said, still in his uniform. "Although I think Stiles has already eaten his weight in snacks."
"You didn't have to wait for me," Bobby protested. "I'd have been happy with a re-heated plate." Late nights after lacrosse practice meant a lot of re-heated plates and sandwiches over the years.
"It's another of Stiles' casserole things and they waited for both of us," John admitted. "So it's not something that needed to be served at a certain time."
"I love that kid's cooking," Bobby admitted as he kicked off his sneakers inside the door and Fluffy wandered to the kitchen. "I'm getting spoiled."
"We all are," John nodded. "Come on. Drinks on the table. There's a lot to work through."
As they stepped into the house, the lights went out.
"I didn't do that!" Stiles called. The echo indicated he was still in the kitchen.
"DOWN!" Peter roared.
Bobby dropped to the floor without hesitation. He worried momentarily about Fluffy and hoped Stiles helped the dog.
Gunfire rattled through the house, piercing wall and shattering glass from the front and the back.
"What the fuck?" Bobby muttered, trying to flatten himself further.
"Really? Someone is trying to shoot us?" Bobby thought that was Alec.
"Bad intel, darling. They don't know who really is here," Magnus said. "Stiles, make your way to me. Carefully."
Bobby heard movement. The hail of bullets stopped and started. Those outside were moving around to the sides of the house.
"Sheriff, call your people," Magnus said.
"Is it safe?" John asked.
"It will be by the time anyone gets here," Magnus promised.
Bobby tuned out John's call to the department as Magnus whispered with Stiles. While he couldn't hear what they were saying, the kid's voice was steady and sounded agreeable to whatever Magnus was saying. Bobby couldn't see what they were doing but there was a sudden heavy feeling.
There was a wash of magic that went from the house to the outside. The shooting stopped.
"Don't move yet," Magnus ordered. "Peter? Heartbeats?"
"A dozen," Peter reported. "But all are slow and steady, like they are sleeping."
"Good!" Magnus sounded pleased. "Careful. They should be asleep but do not assume."
"Bobby, stay there," John ordered. "You're a civilian and human. Stiles, don't move away from Magnus."
"Got it!" Bobby nodded.
John got up carefully and pulled his service weapon. Peter moved behind him.
"There's wolfsbane in the bullets," Peter said. "I can smell it."
"Then you be careful out there," John said as he went to the door. Bobby noticed that John didn't stop Peter from going outside with him.
Sirens started in the distance.
"Everyone stay inside, so I know where you are," John said.
Bobby was somewhat impressed that either Derek or Stiles didn't fight that. He peeked around the corner. Oh. Derek was next to Stiles, hovering over Stiles the same way Alec was hovering over Magnus. Stiles had a hand on Fluffy, to keep the dog from moving.
Red lights flashed through the broken windows as emergency vehicles pulled up outside.
Derek tilted his head, as if listening. "Oh. Parrish is taking lead."
"Good," Stiles said. "He's in the know."
"Wolfsbane means hunters," Alec said.
"Is it safe?" Stiles asked eagerly.
"We wait for your dad," Derek said firmly.
"Okay, okay," Stiles huffed.
"They're walking the perimeter," Derek reported. "Double checking."
John came in the door. "Okay. Let's get you all outside. I know no one is hurt but let the EMTs do a check."
"Follow the protocol," Magnus said with a nod.
"Exactly," John agreed.
Fluffy came over and whined at Bobby. Bobby scritched behind his ears. "You did good, boy!"
Fluffy wagged his tail.
There was controlled chaos outside the house. They were herded toward two waiting ambulances to be checked on. Bobby saw what he assumed were neighbors congregated on the sidewalk across the street.
Oh, great!
"Stiles!" McCall came running up to his friend. "What happened?"
"Sorry, I need to check him over first," the EMT neatly cut Stiles out of the group.
"I'll call you later," Stiles promised as he moved to the rear of the ambulance.
"Stiles!" McCall protested.
"McCall!" Bobby barked. "Let Stilinski get checked!"
"But, Coach..." McCall whined.
"No buts!" Bobby said firmly. "You should know better than that!"
McCall got a mulish look on his face for a moment but moved a few feet away.
He saw Magnus roll his eyes and McCall awkwardly moved to the sidewalk. McCall looked confused for a moment, then crossed his arms and frowned at them.
"I assume this is not a good friend," Magnus said softly.
"You got that!" Bobby nodded, keeping an eye on McCall.
"Will he leave on his own?" Magnus asked.
"Probably not," Bobby replied.
"Good to know," Magnus nodded. He moved closer to Alec as they waited their turn.
By the time the EMTs had checked them over, McCall was gone. Bobby chalked that up to Magnus. Stiles was still pretty soft-hearted when it came to his friend.
"Now what?" Bobby asked. "You could come back to my place but, well, there isn't a lot of space."
"Nonsense! You all can come back to my place," Magnus offered. "I have plenty of room."
"Really?" Stiles bounced in place. "New York?"
Bobby saw Derek wince but then take a breath and hold steady. Peter noticed and put a hand on Derek's shoulder. Derek nodded at Peter. A story there that Bobby suspected he should ask Peter about at some point.
"Can you come with us?" Peter asked Bobby directly. "For security, you should but I don't know what your schedule is like."
"Let me call in so they can get a sub. I suspect I can use being shot at as an excuse for taking a day off," Bobby decided with a wry grin. "I can cancel practice tomorrow. So I'm okay for twenty-four hours."
"Good," Peter nodded. "John won't leave, so I'll stay here with him. While I know Magnus and Stiles can take care of themselves, I trust you to keep an eye on all of them."
Bobby nodded. Although he did wonder what his life had come to when someone like Peter considered him to be the responsible adult in the room.
"Call the second you're done and I'll send Magnus back for you," Bobby replied. "Stiles isn't going to tolerate leaving his dad behind well, even if you're here."
Peter nodded. "Understood."
Stiles didn't protest leaving his dad but he had a pinched look that Bobby interpreted as worry. Bobby hoped the clean-up on this end wouldn't take too long.
Between them, Magnus and Stiles did something that gave them the privacy they needed to create a portal. Bobby hadn't been through a portal before but it definitely was cool to take a few steps and be across the country. Fluffy followed, never hesitating.
They were in an apartment that Bobby realized must be Magnus'.
"Make yourselves comfortable," Magnus waved a hand. "There is food in the kitchen, since we were deprived of Stiles' presumably wonderful dinner."
As if Magnus had pushed a button, which Bobby knew was on purpose, Stiles poked Derek. "Let's see what we can do with what's on hand."
Derek followed on Stiles' heels.
Woof
Stiles turned and grinned. "Yes, we'll make something for you, too!"
Fluffy wagged his tail but stayed close to Bobby.
"Izzy's at the Institute," Alec said. "She'll let me know if she needs anything."
"Good," Magnus nodded. "I'm going to slip into something more comfortable."
Alec nodded as Magnus left the room.
Bobby dropped onto what turned out to be a very comfortable couch. Fluffy considered for a moment and jumped up to sit on the couch so he could put his head on Bobby's lap.
"Yeah, not what we expected," Bobby said to Fluffy. "Getting shot at like that is scary." He pet Fluffy, who turned on his side and made himself even more comfortable.
"Something to drink?" Alec asked.
"Something non-alcoholic," Bobby replied, seeing the drink cart Alec pointed to.
"Hmm..." Alec nodded. "Okay." He fussed for a moment and then handed a glass to Bobby.
Bobby took a sip. A 'shirley temple' with fruit juice and something carbonated to give it some fizz. But it was tasty and refreshing.
"Nice," Bobby nodded. "Thanks."
Alec grinned. "Magnus taught me that."
"You two work well together," Bobby said.
Alec blushed and nodded. "We went through a lot to get this far, but it's worth it."
"It certainly is," Magnus said softly, dropping down to sit on the other end of the couch. He looked at Fluffy and rolled his eyes. "Good thing you're a good boy," he said to the dog. "Otherwise, I'd be kicking you off the couch."
Fluffy sneezed.
"It's not special but it should be filling," Stiles announced from the door of the kitchen. "Come and make a plate."
Bobby realized he was starved. He got up and went to Stiles and drew him in for a hug. The kid looked like he could use it.
"You did good, you know?" Bobby said, holding Stiles by the shoulders. "You didn't panic and you followed directions. You... well, you and Magnus saved our lives."
Stiles nodded. He took a breath. "Thanks. It all was so fast that I didn't have time to think too much."
"Yeah, but you still kept your cool," Bobby said. "So, thank you."
"Thanks," Stiles said. "I'm sure I'll have the heebee-jeebees at some point, but, well... let's eat."
"Got something for Fluffy?" Bobby asked.
"Yeah," Stiles nodded. "Derek found a bowl, so we put some lunch meat and some veggies together for him."
"He'll pick through it, but that's fine," Bobby said. "Peter will take care of your dad. You know that?"
Stiles huffed. "My head knows that," he admitted. "My heart? Not so much."
"Pack takes care of Pack," Bobby reminded him. "You're taking care of us while Peter watches over your dad."
Stiles nodded. "Come and eat."
Bobby followed Stiles into the kitchen.
It was another hour before Stiles got a call from his dad. "They're ready!" He bounced on his toes.
"You will wait here!" Magnus pointed a finger at Stiles. "I will be right back."
"We will be right back," Alec corrected.
Magnus grinned. "Of course!"
Magnus created a portal and the left, returning not five minutes later. Peter and John looked tired.
Stiles went and hugged his dad, who hung on to his son tightly. "You okay?" John asked.
Stiles nodded. "You?"
"Yeah, just... makes for a long day," John admitted.
"There's food," Derek said.
"Oh, thank goodness," John said. "I'm starved."
"Sit," Stiles said. "I'll bring you a plate." He looked at Peter. "You, too!"
Stiles let John eat most of the food before asking, "So? What can you tell us?"
"It definitely was hunters, all mercenaries," John said. "You did well, knocking them out. They're all in lock-up, for at least the night."
"I'm almost positive they were sent by Gerard Argent," Peter said. "But nothing I can prove. Yet."
Magnus drummed his fingers on his knee.
"What are you thinking?" Bobby asked.
"Might be worth our while to bring all the players together," he said.
Peter looked thoughtful. "Worth a try."
"What do we need to do?" John asked.
"I know just who to start with," Magnus said with a grin.