Spending a whole weekend in a hospital is not what I would consider my idea of fun. The last time I did something like this was when my mom died. But at least then I got to stay in her room.

Lydia has gotten better. Like I thought, the bite didn't take, but she didn't die. Lydia just likes to break all the norms, and changes the rules to fit her. Okay so maybe there could be a supernatural reason why this happened, but it is beyond me to know, or be able to discover why. It's not like you can just type in a Google search, 'why didn't my friend turn into a werewolf after she was bitten?' I tried that. It got me nowhere. And in all the research I have on werewolves it never mentions this kind of thing happening.

So that is why I have been here all weekend. Well me and Allison, we have been taking shifts. Right now it is my turn, and I am sitting here reading through my notes and books again trying to figure out why an Alpha would have purple eyes. That is a mystery I can't figure out. I really want to go to Dr. Deaton and ask a bunch of questions, but the fact that he has barely started to tell Scott anything is holding me back. Plus he seems like the kind of guy to answer your question with another question. Not what I need right now.

When I'm not here, I am home in bed. Trying to sleep, but not really being able to. I am still reeling from everything that has happened. And then there is the way I now know I feel about Derek. I can't believe that it took me this long to figure out I was in love with him. Well maybe I can. I didn't know I liked guys until a month or so ago. I thought I was in love with Lydia. But looking at her now, well I still feel love, just more of a friendship kind of love. Like I feel about Allison.

Speaking Allison, she and Scott have been having a rough weekend too. When she does come it is usually not alone. It's usually her father that comes with her. Him I can handle. The few times her mother has come… well let's just say that the creepy factor that Peter had can only be rivaled by Victoria Argent. That woman… the way she looks at me makes me shudder. Allison isn't too happy that she is being watched like this. But her parents don't trust her. We don't acknowledge each other than a brief nod. But our code is still working. We have been texting back and forth frequently. I have been mostly a message boy for her and Scott, but often times when that happens, I just hand the phone over to Scott so they can text all the lovey dovey crap they want. I have to say that I am bit jealous that they both have someone to be like that with. I can feel love and adoration rolling off Scott every time her name is brought up around him.

Oh yeah, that's the other weird thing that has been going on. Ever since the night Peter died, I have been able to hone in on the way people feel. Mostly I have started to look for all the telltale signs, creased brow, bead of sweat, slight upturn of the mouth, twitch of the eye. Little things that when put together give more emotion away. It has also helped me to give off fake emotions. Well not fake, just not what I am really feeling at the time. Right now I kind of feel like I am heartbroken, but I have been exuding happier emotions. It is what Lydia needs right now. It's what Allison needs, and my father. Yeah he wasn't so happy after the dance. The fact that Scott, Allison and I all disappeared for a few hours… The only reason I am allowed at the hospital is because he knew I would sneak out to come anyway. Everyone still thinks I am in love with Lydia, and I haven't corrected them yet. If they think I am in love with her, then they won't know where my true affections lie.

I am broken out of my reverie by a blood curdling scream. And it came from Lydia's room. Mrs. McCall, Lydia's physical therapist, and I run in the room, and then to the bathroom only to find it empty. The window is open and the curtains are billowing in the breeze. Why would she run naked? This is so not right, and I hate Peter for what he did to her. I give dad a description of her, and he tells me to get home. He has a concerned look in his eye. After being mad that I was 'missing' for a few hours, I that I wouldn't tell him where I was, he has been giving me worried looks. He can tell that I'm not sleeping. I don't know what I am going to do. I don't like him to worry.

I send Allison a message telling her what happened, and also to Scott. I am going to need Scott's nose. I took the gown she was wearing before she ran. We are going to try and track her. Allison meets us at my jeep as I get out to it. Scott is already inside. I let Allison in the back, and hand Scott the gown. She says that her dad left with some guys in three SUVs. They are going to hunt her.

"If she is turning would they actually kill her?"

"I don't know. They won't tell me anything. Okay, all they'll say is, 'We'll talk after Kate's funeral, when the others get here.' And to be quite honest, I don't even want to go to the damn funeral. As far as I am concerned the Aunt Kate I loved died a long time ago."

"What others?"

"I don't… They won't tell me that either." I feel for Allison. She needs to keep up appearances and act like she is grieving but I don't blame her for the way she feels.

"Okay, your family's got some serious communication issues to work on. Scott, are we going the right way?"

"Take the next right!"

Eventually all the turns he has me take lead us back to the Hale property. I don't think that she would come here. I don't see why she would. I still don't think she is turning. But I don't know what she is. I park back further like the last time I came here. And we walk up to the house. I haven't been here since Peter died, and it wasn't someplace that I really wanted to come back to. But then at the same time I do. We haven't seen or heard from Derek since he became the Alpha. I text him once in a moment of weakness after seeing Lydia for the first time since I left her on the field. She was still unconscious, and I told her everything that had happened. I couldn't keep it inside any longer. And even though she didn't hear me it still felt good getting it off my chest.

Not I just have to wait to run into Derek again. Hopefully it can be under better circumstances this time. "She came here? You're sure?"

"Yeah, this is where the scent leads."

We keep walking but then I stop again, "All right, but has Lydia ever been here?"

"Not with me." Allison and Lydia spent a lot of time together these last few months. I don't think that an abandoned house in the woods is exactly Lydia's style. "Maybe she came here on instinct, like she was looking for Derek."

"You mean looking for an Alpha."

"Wolves need a pack right?"

"Not all of them." I want to tell them that I am pretty sure that she isn't turning. I just don't know what to say to back up my theory. I don't have any tangible evidence, just this feeling in my gut. And I don't think that will be enough to convince anyone. Maybe Allison would believe me. But I still don't say anything.

"But would she have been drawn to an Alpha? Is it an instinct to be part of a pack?"

"Yeah, we're stronger in packs."

"Like strength in numbers."

"No, like literally stronger, faster, better in every way." So some of what I have been telling Scott is actually sinking in.

"That's the same for an Alpha?"

He nods. I am still looking around for any clues as to where she could be. "That'll make Derek stronger too." It's then that I notice the trip wire.

"Whoa! Hey, look at this. You see this?" Allison comes over we are looking at it, so I activate it.

"Stiles."

"Yeah buddy?" We turn and Scott is hanging upside down.

"Next time you see a tripwire, don't trip it." Allison and I can't help but chuckle a little bit. We walk towards him to help him down. "Wait, wait, wait, wait. Someone's coming. Hide. Go." Allison and I get behind a tree just as Mr. Argent and some others walk into the clearing. I can't really hear the conversation, but I don't really want to either. We try to get him down, but he cuts himself free, and we head into the house. I look up stairs while they look down. The bedroom that Derek was obviously using is empty. I didn't expect him to be here, but a guy can hope. I look over the room, and it looks like he hasn't been here in a while. A few weeks at least. There are some empty food wrappers and a bare mattress. I am glad that he isn't living here anymore, I just hope wherever he is, he is okay.

We don't find anything and it is getting too late to stay out any longer. I drive back to the hospital to drop Allison off, and then take Scott home. When I get up to my room, I go to change for bed. I take the Henley that Derek left here and put it on. I know it's not healthy but it's the only way I can sleep at night. If Scott notices Derek's scent lingering on me, he doesn't say anything, but then he wasn't always the quickest on the up-take.

…

The next morning Dad is gone before I get up. There is a note that says he had to leave early for work. I am not surprised.

At school Scott and I confront Jackson to see if he has seen Lydia, but he is his regular douchey self and is no help at all. In chemistry I can't help but to say what I feel. Maybe I push Mr. Harris on purpose. I know I'll get in trouble. But I can't leave this hanging. "All right, it's causing me severe mental anguish to say this, but what if she hurts someone?"

"This is a pop quiz Mr. Stalinksi. If I hear your voice again, I may be tempted to give you detention for the rest of your high school career."

"Can you do that?" No filter, just word vomit. Always with the word vomit.

"Well, there it is again. Your voice. Triggering the only impulse I've ever had to strike a student repeatedly and violently. I'll see you at three for detention." I really don't think that he is legally allowed to say anything like that. I am pretty sure that it is still considered a threat. I should be used to it by now. Jackson rushes out of class with a bloody nose. The rest of the day goes without too much happening. Then in detention Mr. Harris pretty much tells me that because my dad figured out that he helped Kate with the fire, I am going to suffer the consequences. Not his exact words, but that is pretty much the gist of it. He is going to pick on me even more than he did before. This is just great.

By the time I get out of there and to the funeral there is an old man there. He is apparently Allison's grandfather. I try to be optimistic. But we know that they are reinforcements. This is not good. Hopefully Derek will be okay.

Dad catches us and takes us to his squad car. We sit there in silence for a bit, and I send a text to Derek. I'm weak okay. I just want to warn him if he didn't know already that there are more hunters in the area now. And to be careful. The last time I talked to him was that night he came to my bedroom to tell me that he wasn't with Peter. I thought that we shared a moment or something. He let me see his vulnerable side. I saw him without his mask. And he saw me without mine. I haven't let anyone in like that in a long time, and even if nothing will happen between us romantically, I would like to be his friend. I feel like I need to be his friend.

Then we hear over the radio about the ambulance, and how something got in and attacked the guy who suffered from the heart attack in the back. We go to check it out. Have to make sure that it wasn't Lydia. She isn't there, but Scott does pick up her scent. As he turns to leave I grab his coat. "Just… I just need you to find her. All right? Please just… Just find her." I can feel all the guilt of leaving her on the field alone creeping up. I feel that I put her in the situation. It's my fault she got hurt, and it's my fault if anything happens to her. I don't know that I can deal with it any longer.

"I will."

Scott leaves and when my dad gets there I step out and come up to him. He looks at me like he wants to say something, but he doesn't. He looks hurt. It's because I won't tell him what is going on. I am surprised that he hasn't grounded me, or yelled at me. I would almost prefer that. This silent pained look he gives me is worse. I am disappointing him, whether he will admit it or not.

It is during one of these nonverbal communications that I look away from him, and I see Lydia coming through the trees. "Lydia?"

She is naked, and I run up to her taking off my button-down shirt wrapping it around her. She doesn't look like she knows where she is. And that is terrifying. Dad called in an ambulance, and when it gets there I ride with her to the hospital. She is clutching at the shirt, and then after we hit a bump in the road, she is clutching me. Now if this had happened a year ago, I would have been thrilled. Now, I feel like protecting her, like she is a really close friend, or a sister. She is shaking so hard, I can feel myself start to shake too. I just hold her close and whisper into to hair that it will be all right. That everything will be alright.

When we get to the hospital, I have to let her go, so she can get looked at by a doctor. She is going to be kept for at least one more night for observation. Sometimes knowing one of the nurses has its perks.

I call Allison not even bothering to use the track phone. This is me calling about a mutual friend. "We found her."

"Really!? Is she okay, is she hurt?"

"She is okay I think; she just wandered out of the woods. I rode with her to the hospital, and now she is in with the doctor getting looked over. She probably has a mild case of hypothermia, and they will keep her overnight for observation, but she should be back to school by the end of the week."

"That's so good! I am so glad you found her. Is Scott there?"

"No, we heard a call come in over my dad's radio about an ambulance being attacked, and we went to check it out thinking it was Lydia. Scott got a scent, and went to check it out. I hung back. And that is when Lydia came out. I haven't heard back from Scott yet."

There is a moment of silence. "Stiles are you okay?"

"I'm great. Just peachy." I try to put on as much of a positive voice as possible, but my shoulders are slumped and my eyes are drooping. This weekend has kicked my ass.

"You don't sound too good. Are you sure?"

"I am sure Allison. This weekend is just catching up with me. I don't think I have slept for more than two hours at a time."

"I know what you mean."

"You having nightmares?"

"How did you know?"

"You watched your aunt die. A person just doesn't get over something like that in a few days. Even if it is someone like Kate. You were close weren't you? You have to mourn her, if not who she was these last few months, but for who she was when you had that closeness with her. It is hard now, but believe me it will get better. Just try to focus on some of the positive things. I know we are lacking on them right now, but Derek is the Alpha now, Lydia is going to make a full recovery, and you and Scott are still going strong even in the face of all the odds against you."

"What about you Stiles? What is going good for you?"

"My dad is still alive. We are all still alive. I count that as a victory." She is silent again. I can tell she wants to ask a question. "Just ask me Allison. I know you want to, whatever it is."

"You are just trying to take care of others, and I just want to know, who is going to take care of you? You should really try to talk to him, I-"

"-Allison, I am going to cut you off right there. I don't know what you think you know, but even if it is the truth, there is no way he would want someone like me. So we are just not going to go there."

"He would be lucky to have you Stiles. Anyone would be lucky to have you."

I don't want to have this conversation. And I really don't want to have this conversation on the phone. But it's like a floodgate that is bursting in me. Before it spills over I run. I end up on the roof. Away from everyone. Allison is still on the other end of the line. She doesn't say anything as I run. And when I get to the roof, I am breathless. "He won't even talk to me Allison. I have texted him and called him, and he hasn't responded. I thought that he would at least text me back. But he hasn't. He doesn't want anything to do with me. And there is nothing I can do to change that."

"Give him time. I am sure that he is unsettled by become the Alpha. He wasn't expecting that. I really think he thought he would become an Omega. This is a big deal for him."

I don't say anything back. I believe what she said, but I still don't know. I really thought that he trusted me. Now, though I am not so sure. "Thanks Allison. Just… can you please not tell Scott? I don't know how he will react. I don't think the gay thing will bother him, but I think the guy will." I can't even say his name out loud. Not when I am talking about how I feel for him. Is that pathetic?

"I won't, I promise… So Gay thing, guys all the way for you?"

"Yes. No? Maybe only one guy. I'm not sure. And I am trying hard not to read too much into it."

"That's okay. You can't control who you like."

"Yeah… How are you holding up?"

"As about as well can be expected. But I think that Gerard is going to be a problem."

"Your grandfather?"

"Yeah. He went with my dad tonight. I am not so sure he is here to help us deal with our 'grief'. I think he wants revenge. And I don't think he cares who gets in the way."

"What!? Did you overhear him talking?"

"No, but just from the way he is trying to be nice. It is saccharine, over the top. He is trying too hard. They don't think I suspect anything. I'll keep my eyes and ears open though."

"You know you don't have to do this, right?"

"Yes, I do. I have a lot to make up for, for my family. My dad told me what the code is. It is something that I can believe in. I stand with you, Scott, even Derek. And I will help my friends. Just like you."

There is nothing much I can say to that. I think she knows it too. We don't say goodbye, but we don't need to. I don't know how, but she is quickly becoming another best friend. I thought I would only get one of those in my life time. Now I have two. Things may yet turn around. Who knows…