Lydia marched toward the humming drone of a death knell that would inevitably lead her to a violent, bloody scene. The noise was undetectable to the rest of the world but for a banshee, it pounded through and disoriented her. Weaving her way through the trees, the cacophony grew louder until her head swam with it. Lydia's vision didn't clear again until she was standing in the middle of the woods, her breath coming in ragged spurts as she stared down at the body of a woman not much older than Lydia herself. The woman's eyes were clouded and dead but remained wide, her body still contorted with fear. There was no doubt that this poor soul had died screaming.

The morning sunshine sparkling over dewy leaves and grasses was a stark contrast to the gory scene that stretched in front of Lydia. The victim had been slashed and ripped apart by claws, the entire lower half of her body was a congealed mess of torn flesh. What bothered Lydia the most was not the scene itself but that this wasn't even the most gruesome one she'd happened upon lately. So-called "animal attacks" were on the rise again. Scott and Stiles were trying to figure out who was doing it…but Lydia was far more interested in the why. The victims had been mostly young women—all were between the ages of eighteen and thirty. The first victim who'd turned up slashed had been a buxom blonde; the second was also blonde but she'd been very tall and athletic. The third woman they found was an Asian girl passing through town on her way to visit family in Sacramento. She died on the same night as a woman who had shaved her head entirely. The woman at Lydia's feet had dark hair and was rounder than the rest. The women who died were from all over the country and the world, they shared no common acquaintances, and all looked completely different. The pattern seemed random and varied, which was absolutely terrifying.

A shrieking cry dragged Lydia's attention away. The sound dissipated almost as quickly as it had come but it made her realize that she was not alone. The man who stood over her should have startled her but Lydia was not afraid. Peter Hale was many things but a killer of defenseless women was not one of them; of that, Lydia was sure. He looked profoundly disturbed as he reached down, tugging Lydia away from the corpse. The sound that had pulled her focus seemed to be coming from the woods and she took off with no regard for whether Peter followed her or not. She knew he would… "Why are you here?" Lydia asked nonchalantly.

"I smelled blood," Peter responded coolly. He stayed at Lydia's side and dogged her every step. "You do realize that this psycho is killing young women and you are out here making yourself a walking target!?" Lydia Martin infuriated Peter Hale. She needlessly put herself in danger time and time again; if there was trouble, she would find a way into the center of it. There was no way he was going to allow her to stay out here all alone. He could withstand her glaring daggers at him if it meant her safety. A hundred yards ahead there was a car with the driver's side door hanging wide open. Peter could tell from here that it had belonged to the dead woman…but the scent that hit him next made it feel he'd been stabbed in the chest. With a soft curse, Peter broke into a dead run.

Lydia gasped softly at the suddenness of his movement. She picked up her pace, jogging after him. She stayed back as Peter ripped open the back door and leaned inside."Peter, that's evidence. Sheriff Stilinki said never to touch anything-" Her heart suddenly dropped into her stomach as Peter pulled a tiny, mewling baby out of the abandoned vehicle. Obviously, the woman in the woods had recently given birth. Lydia had never seen a baby so small up close. Her eyes filled with tears as Peter cradled the angry infant in his arms. This monster had to be stopped once and for all. Lydia's phone was instantly in her hand, "I need to call the police now…"

Peter nodded in agreement but his focus was almost solely on the child in his arms. Thankfully the baby had been protected from the elements by the car. It surprised Peter that the monster who killed the mother had not laid a single hand on the child. The cause of the child's distress was discomfort from being stuck in a car without anyone to care for him. Peter was going to rectify that immediately. "Grab the bag from the car," He called to Lydia. "You don't need werewolf senses to know this kid needs a diaper change and something to eat."

The police were on their way, along with Scott and Stiles. Lydia's heart twisted up in her chest as he laid a blanket on the back of the car and pulled supplies from the bag. "Do you know how to do that?" Lydia asked, incredulously. It wasn't that Peter wasn't paternal; Lydia could easily picture him as a father… but she also had a hard time believing that he would willingly volunteer for diaper duty.

Peter wordlessly went about changing the soiled diaper and ignored her question. Of course he knew how to change a diaper! He had always been there to change Cora and Derek's diapers while Talia was out performing her duties as the pack alpha. He didn't mind the time spent with his niece and nephew at all; it was the lack of power that he lamented. Gazing up at Lydia, he caught her worried gaze, "Is there any powder or diaper rash cream in there?" The poor baby had been sitting in this diaper the entire night. Lydia dug through the bag until she came up with a tube. Once the baby had a clean diaper and onesie the little boy began to calm.

Lydia watched the child with a fascination that she could hardly comprehend. A rush of protective hormones surged through her the moment Peter slid that baby into her arms. Lydia knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, she'd never let anyone hurt him. The sirens of police cars and an ambulance dragged Peter's attention away but Lydia saw nothing but the baby. Peter made up a bottle and the child fed hungrily, happy as a clam now that his most basic needs were being taken care of.

Sheriff Stilinksi stepped out of the car, his hand resting on his gun the moment he caught sight of Peter Hale."What's he doing here?" The sheriff groused, moving toward them slowly. He was looking for any excuse to bring Peter in and charge him with these heinous crimes. Scott and Stiles were half a minute behind, clearly wondering why Lydia and Peter were standing in the woods with a baby.

"Peter's with me," Lydia replied, without explanation. Every one of them—especially Peter—seemed surprised by her answer but no one dared speak. She forged ahead, "The mother's body is a little ways from here. Same claw marks as the others." When the baby finished his bottle, Lydia slipped him over her shoulder and patted his back until he let out a loud burp. Now that he was clean and fed, his tiny head drooped into the crook of Lydia's neck and he was asleep there within seconds.

Watching Lydia and the infant affected Peter somehow. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the gorgeous woman and the infant that she had bonded with so quickly. There was something primal that rose up in him and he stayed glued to Lydia's side. This woman and child needed someone to look after them and he would be damned if anyone took that position but him. Unfortunately there were external influences that threatened the balance. Peter's cobalt eyes locked onto Sheriff Stilinki's as he folded his arms. "Let's just get what you want to say out of the way…you think that I had something to do with these crimes."

"Bingo," Stiles piped up. "You're a werewolf, you're a jerk, and you're at the scene of the crime. It makes perfect sense to me!" But when Stiles peered over at Scott for confirmation, the true alpha's expression gave him pause. "What is it, Scott?"

Sniffing the air several times, Scott shook his head. "I don't know…it's familiar but I can't quite place it."

"Gardenia and lilac," Peter offered. "I've smelled the same combination at each scene." Peter stepped closer and bent as if to tell Scott a secret. "But there's something else. Something that's different about this one…" Derek had not helped Scott cultivate his werewolf senses the way that Peter could have. It was shame really…but Peter took this as an excellent opportunity to teach Scott something. "Focus on the scent and tell us what you feel. Try and get a sense of the emotion behind the scent…"

"You were at all the scenes!" The sheriff was already reaching for his handcuffs when Scott stepped between them. "Wait…" Scott pressed and sniffed at the air, "Peter's right." All eyes remained on Scott as he paced away from the car. "The scent is the same but there's something more I'm getting. It's female…"

"What does that mean?" Stiles moved immediately to Scott's side. "We already know the victims are girls. That's the only consistent link between them…"

"No, I mean the killer," Scott's eyes widened in shock. "It's a woman."

Chaos erupted. Sheriff Stilinski was arguing that Peter could be leading Scott to the wrong conclusion, Scott was—shockingly—defending Peter, and Stiles was trying to get a peek at the body while everyone was distracted. Peter stood back, rolling his eyes in annoyance. After several minutes, Lydia let out an angry cry, "Can't you see that I have a sleeping baby here!?" She chastised. "This little guy has been through enough today. The last thing he needs is to listen to all of your petty arguing during his nap." Lydia glared between Peter and the Sheriff for a moment before turning to Scott. "I want to get the baby checked out at the hospital. Is your mom working?"

Scott nodded immediately, "Yeah, she's got the double shift in the ED. I'll let her know you're on your way."

Peter earned himself a dark glare from Stiles when he pressed his hand against the small of Lydia's back. "I'll grab the carseat and meet you at the Prius." Stiles was clearly upset but Lydia gave Peter a soft smile…and that was all Peter cared about. Ignoring Sheriff Stilinski's chatter that the car seat could still be evidence, Peter plucked it from the car. "I'll see to it personally that it gets returned but for the moment, my obligation is getting this child to the hospital safely." Without another word, Peter stormed toward the car where Lydia was waiting. It took some maneuvering to get the car seat strapped in safely but finally, they were ready to go. He noticed the reluctance in Lydia to let go of the child for even a moment. "I can drive if you want to sit in the back with him," Peter offered.

Relief flooded through Lydia immediately and she nodded. Without hesitation, she handed over the keys and made sure the baby was strapped in securely. He didn't even stir when Peter started the car and headed toward Beacon Hills Memorial Hospital. She was eternally grateful that he didn't speed but took it slow, making sure the baby didn't get jostled on the drive. "He's so small…" Lydia murmured almost inaudibly yet she knew Peter could hear her.

"He's a fighter," Peter soothed. "Thankfully he won't remember any of this." His expression was pensive as he eased into a parking spot near the front. There was something about this child…something he was keeping from Lydia until he could be sure. He remained silent as they walked into the ED, immediately greeted by Melissa McCall. It was clear she was still uncomfortable around him…and for some reason that made him smile.

Lydia pretended not to feel the tension as she tightened her hand around the handle of the carseat. "This little guy was in the car when his mother was killed. We're not sure how long he was there but it could very well have been all night. We changed him and he ate well, he took the whole bottle, and then fell asleep." Her heart pounded with fear, "Do you think he'll be alright?"

Melissa gave Lydia a tender smile, "I called pediatrics already and they're on their way down. Bring him into exam room two. I put a crib in there…and then the two of you can leave."

Peter immediately rested a hand on Lydia's shoulder to steady her. "I am not leaving!" Lydia balked, "This baby has been through enough, he needs a familiar face when he wakes up." Peter nodded in agreement, "I am also staying."

Melissa gazed between them. She opened her mouth as if poised to say something before she shook her head, "Fine, you can stay with him for now. I need to go check in on a couple of patients but the doctor will be in shortly." Casting one last glance in their direction, Melissa hurried down the hall.

Stepping into the cold hospital room, Lydia carefully slipped the baby from his car seat again. He slept so peacefully in her arms and that plastic incubator-type crib seemed cruel. The child's even heartbeat and soft sighs during sleep were comforting. Lydia watched Peter as he paced the room and gazed out the window into the waning morning sunshine. Storms were predicted to roll through tonight, giving way to much cooler weather…Peter was grateful that they had held off for the sake of the baby.

When the doctor came in, Lydia was very reluctant to hand the child over. Peter moved to her side, watching earnestly as the man listened to the child's heart and lungs, took his blood pressure and oxygen saturation level, and tested his reflexes. The stimulation woke the child up and he shrieked in anger. Lydia clutched at her chest at the child's plaintive screams and instinctively snuggled closer to Peter. He wrapped an arm around her without question. After a long moment, Peter let out an exasperated scoff, "Well, is he alright or not?"

The doctor looked up, nodding. When he pressed the call bell, Melissa popped her head into the room. "He's a little bit dehydrated. I want you to make sure that you give him a little bit of extra formula with his next feeding. As for the diaper rash, keep putting the zinc oxide cream on and call me if it doesn't get better in a day or two." When he turned around, Melissa was staring at him incredulously.

"They are not the parents," Melissa informed him, curtly. "Sheriff Stilinksi said the child's name is Owen Harris. His mother was Roberta Harris but she's deceased. There's no father listed on the birth certificate." She licked her lips, "I had to call social services but they're a little backed up at the moment. They don't have a placement for him yet." She sighed, "We'll have to admit him until they can take the child into custody…"

Lydia stepped forward, "I don't want him all alone here…" Or in the custody of strangers who couldn't possibly care for him as deeply as she did. "If they need someone to care for Owen, I'll do it!" She argued.

"Lydia, they aren't going to grant temporary custody to an eighteen year old girl," Melissa replied matter-of-factly. "You have school."

"They may not consider Lydia but they will grant it to me…" Peter replied without fanfare. "Think of me what you wish but I have no known criminal record. I'm a doting uncle. I own my own home and now that I have my money back, I'm a very wealthy man." Melissa gave him an incredulous look but he simply laughed. "I think you'll have a hard time finding a better choice on such short notice…" His lawyer could draw up papers for temporary guardianship with a few short strokes on his keyboard and get it implemented within the hour, thanks to a few well placed friends in high places. "I'll petition the state immediately."

Melissa shifted uncomfortably. Roberta Harris was twenty years old, she had no living relatives, no close friends, and no one to claim her orphaned child. Still, Melissa wasn't sure that Peter Hale was the right choice. "I'll send the hospital social worker by…" She folded her arms, "Lydia, can I speak to you outside for a moment?"

Lydia could tell by the worried look on Melissa's face that she was in for a lecture. Reluctantly, she handed Owen over to Peter and smoothed her rumpled outfit. As soon as Lydia stepped outside the room, the lecture promptly began—just as she had predicted. "Are you out of your mind?" Melissa pressed, "Do I need to remind you that man tried to kill you, Stiles and Scott on more than one occasion? He is bad news, Lydia!" She warned. "You have your studies and your friends. Your whole life is ahead of you, don't get mixed up with Peter and this baby. I'm not your mother but I've watched you grow up. Lydia, I don't want to see you get hurt."

A blank expression remained on Lydia's face. "You're right…my actual mother would tell you that I could've graduated high school two years ago but I chose to stay in class with my friends. With all my AP credits I can skip my freshman year of college altogether." Lydia's brilliance was unparalleled by anyone at that school—student or faculty. "She'd also tell you that I'm not like Scott and Stiles." Lydia leaned in closer, "I'm a banshee. I'm drawn to the dead wherever I go. I wake up at crimes scenes and I don't remember how I got there…" She sighed, "I may not have claws and fangs but I'm never going to live a normal life." Lydia smiled sadly at Melissa, "Peter can't pull the wool over my eyes. I'm not falling into his web and I certainly don't trust him any further than I can throw him…but this? This is genuine." Stepping back, Lydia tilted her head toward the door. "Look…"

Despite her reservations, Melissa did as Lydia asked. Peter was leaning against the counter with Owen snuggled into his chest. Owen was still whimpering, unhappy at being disturbed from his nap, but Peter's gentle touch and soft soothing voice were quickly calming the babe. Melissa clenched her jaw. "Temporary guardianship can last up to sixty days but if anyone close to Roberta or the father of that baby comes calling or if something happens, it can be revoked in an instant." She sighed, "Just please be careful, Lydia, I don't want to see you get hurt…"

"I appreciate your concern but I can handle Peter." Those were words that Lydia Martin would come to lament many times but in this moment, everything seemed to be falling into place. Melissa was called away and Lydia stepped back into the room. "Melissa is going to help." Moving back to Peter's side, she stroked Owen's tender cheek. "He needs a stable environment right now more than ever…"

Peter looked up at Lydia, "I'm surprised to hear it." He peered over at her, sizing her up. Lydia reached for the child immediately and Peter handed Owen over without argument. He took the opportunity to text his lawyer to get the paperwork started. After a long moment, he plopped down in a chair near the window. "She's right, you know."

Lydia raised an eyebrow. "I'm aware of that, Peter. And as you heard, I'm not afraid of you."

"You should be," Peter chuckled darkly. "I'm the big bad wolf, sweetheart."

Chortling softly, Lydia snuggled Owen tighter. "I think I'll take my chances. I feel connected to this child somehow." It was instantaneous, like a flash of lightning that slammed through her. "I-I can't explain it." When she looked into Peter's face, she knew he felt the same way she did. She licked her lips, "I will be around to help you but that doesn't make us allies and it doesn't make us friends." She narrowed her eyes. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Message received loud and clear." Peter grinned predatorily. "For now, be on your best behavior. Melissa and the social worker are headed our way." Lydia immediately straightened herself up. Owen had fallen back asleep with his small head resting against her chest. By the time the social worker in the room, Peter's lawyer had already faxed the paperwork to the nurse's station. It was amazing what a bit of cash could accomplish when it came to lawyers.

Two hours later, Peter and Lydia walked out of the hospital with the baby. There was no contest to Peter's temporary guardianship since Roberta Harris had no one. Social services would be out to make a surprise home visit within the next seventy-two hours and Melissa made it very clear that Scott and Stiles would be checking in on them as well. Lydia slid into the back of the Prius again as Peter headed toward the house he'd bought in the woods.

Coasting along the familiar streets, Lydia looked up every so often. Darkness descended over Beacon Hills as they turned off the road onto a dirt path. Peter slowed as they circumvented a tree that had to be millennia old and eased up a gravel driveway. The massive brick house loomed ahead of them, wrapped in regal ivy. Owen began to stir as they eased into the garage. "Someone's hungry," Lydia remarked, though she wasn't sure exactly how she knew.

Peter carried the carseat into the house. "There's still plenty of formula in the can but I'm going to run out to pick up some things. Will you be alright here alone for a bit?"

Lydia was already making herself at home as she nodded. She hummed softly to the baby as she set about washing the bottle and then mixing up the formula. Owen kicked his tiny legs while he gnawed on his fist. Lifting Owen from his carseat, she padded into the living room. Later on she'd admire the pristine kitchen with its dark cherry cabinets, onyx granite countertops, and the little breakfast nook that overlooked a small vegetable garden that was well tended. She'd notice the paintings of majestic wolves lining the hallway to the den. Peter lingered in the doorway a moment to make sure she didn't need anything before he slipped away.

Lydia eased herself down on the buttery leather sofa, cradling the child in her arms. Owen ate hungrily until he was satisfied once more. When he finished, Lydia decided it was time to give the baby a bath. She collected a clean towel and wash cloth, she padded into the kitchen. There was a small bottle of Johnson's baby shampoo in the bag and Lydia got everything set up. Letting the warm water run, she laughed as the baby let out a little howl of displeasure at first…but soon after, he was languid under the warmth of the water. When Peter returned, she was just bundling the baby up in the towel, freshly washed and happily cooing against her shoulder.

"Someone's happy, I take it…" And he didn't just mean Owen. Lydia was radiant. There was something in her face that he'd never seen before and he reveled in it. Passing Lydia another clean onesie from the bag, he made several trips from the car. The all-night drugstore had everything they could possibly need and Peter bought it all: diapers, wipes, more diaper cream, onesies, baby socks, a thermometer, a baby monitor, formula, bottles, and one of each baby toy he could find. Peter had even gone so far as to buy the sensitive baby laundry detergent the woman recommended, just in case. "I'll have to call up the baby store tomorrow and have them deliver everything for the nursery. Tonight, I believe I have the perfect place for him."

Lydia followed Peter up the grand staircase to the master bedroom. Pulling out a large drawer from the chest, he set down several blankets to pad the drawer. "Is that really going to work?" She asked, eyes widening slightly. Peter eased the child from her arms, settling the baby down. Within moments, Owen's eyes were drooping and he found his tiny thumb to suck. "I suppose it'll be alright for one night…" Peter would only be a few paces away in case the baby needed something at night. The room was well lit and clean, obviously Peter took pride in his home.

When they slipped from the room, Peter turned to Lydia again, "Are you staying…or going…"

There was a moment of hesitation as Lydia looked around. Peter had everything under control. He'd purchased things she wouldn't even have thought of. "If I stay, I think it'll cause a stir…"

"That it will," Peter replied, holding his position leaning in the doorway.

"But I don't think I can go knowing that he could need me during the night…" Lydia whispered. She took a shaky breath, weighing the options carefully. "It's his first night home," She declared finally, "I'm staying."

Peter nodded, "I'll show you to the guest room." It hadn't been used yet but the room was painted a soft cream. A large, comfortable looking bed was made up with a thick down comforter wrapped in a duvet just a few shades darker than the walls. The sheets were fresh, crisp cotton that would feel wonderful against her smooth skin. "The bathroom is across the hall. I'll be sleeping in the same room as Owen, for tonight. If you need anything, help yourself."

She'd gotten a bite to eat at the hospital and now that Owen was in bed, all she wanted to do was curl up and go to sleep. Peter headed back downstairs to figure out the baby monitor and to put away some supplies. Lydia checked on Owen one more time, bending to kiss his tiny head as she lingered. Since she didn't bring any pajamas, she grabbed a pair of boxers and a shirt from another drawer. After washing up in the bathroom, Lydia changed and slipped back into the guest room. Normally, she'd never be caught dead sleeping in Peter Hale's house…let alone with the bedroom door wide open…but Owen could need her during the night and she certainly wasn't going to chance not being there if he needed her. Lydia crawled into bed and flicked off the light a few minutes later.

Peter waited until Lydia was all tucked into bed and her breathing was even before heading back upstairs. Everything that had happened today was…surreal. He'd walked into the woods this morning because he'd smelled Lydia Martin and blood. His pulse raced with fear and he had to make sure she was okay. He'd ended his night with a tiny child and Lydia Martin sleeping in his bed. Well, one of his beds… as he paused in her doorway, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. This house was too eerily quiet until she arrived and he didn't want to think about what it would be like when she left again.

Stepping into the bedroom, Peter peeked at Owen where he slept in his drawer. The child was passed out, smiling in his sleep. Kneeling over him, Peter stroked the child's baby-soft blonde hair, almost too white to be noticeable. Stroking the child's cheek, Owen's tiny eyes opened for a moment…and that's when Peter knew. The soft yellow glow lasted only a moment before the infant let out a contented sigh and closed his eyes once more. Owen Harris was a born werewolf…and now Peter had the proof he needed. Smiling to himself, he climbed into bed. There would be more questions about Owen's father tomorrow but for right now, the world was at peace.

I've heard you guys. Thank you SO much for taking the time to read my "Moments" Oneshot collection featuring Pydia. I've gotten so many requests for a full-length Pydia fic and this idea struck hard so I decided to run with it. I'll continue so long as I get reviews! You are in control! Let me know!

HUGE shoutout to my amazing Beta JustVisiting80 so is the BEST ever. She is an amazing writer and friend. Check her out!

P.S. I am learning how to Twitter. Follow me and you can encourage me to write, help give me ideas, and get down and dirty in the creative process! MarinaBlack99 Twitter it up! I adore you all!

-Marina