Fourteen

SHE WAS RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

That thought, that phrase brokenly stuck on a loop in Stiles's mind.

His brown eyes stared aimlessly at the ceiling, his hand behind his head.

The left side of the bed felt empty without Sierra beside him, and it was because of this, Stiles knew he wouldn't be sleeping anytime soon. He needed her, and she was right next door. He could easily sneak out of his house and climb through her window like he had done countless times before.

But he didn't. Because he promised to give her space. Time to think for herself and time to talk with Malia.

His mind still buzzed from the stressful day he had experienced, unable to believe how normal it began.

Just that morning, he had woken up to her lips kissing his nose and her signature giggle floating through his ears. "Good morning," he remembered her greeting him cheerfully as he opened his eyes. She looked breathtaking despite her just waking up, but then again to Stiles she always looked beautiful.

He hadn't wanted to climb out of bed. He had leaned his head up to give her a quick kiss before dramatically scooping her back into his arms and holding her tight against his chest.

Stiles couldn't believe how one day could change everything he ever knew. He told her that he loved her, and for the first time she didn't say it back.

His fingers fiddled with the ring around his neck as he thought, Was there any way she was thinking of him too?

*^*^*^*

Raphael saved Stiles.

When Scott found out, he told Stiles he had to be mistaken. Yeah, his father was an FBI agent, but he wasn't a hero. Though, Stiles revealed the entire story to Scott without hesitation. If Raphael hadn't been there, the Chemist would've killed him.

That is why Scott stood against the front desk of the police station, despite it being past midnight. His ears tuned in to the sound of his dad doing the paperwork from the incident, speaking into a recorder. "Having heard the perpetrator's threat and countdown, I made visual confirmation of the barrel of the weapon pressed to the potential victim's head," Raphael stated officially. "Determining the danger to be imminent, I felt no choice but to respond with the use of deadly force."

Scott straightened his back as Raphael exited the office a few moments later, forcing a small smile on his face. "Thanks for waiting, I know it's late," Raphael told him gratefully.

"It's okay," Scott brushed it off, walking over to him. "It's not like we'll be going to school tomorrow anyway."

Raphael then picked up his jacket and informed his son that he now, unfortunately, had to return to San Francisco that night. "I'll need to do a review at the field office," he explained. "But I'll be back as soon as I can." Raphael hesitated, ashamed by his next words. "I might have to miss the first game of the season."

Scott looked slightly surprised at his father's concern but replied, "It's no big deal."

But it was to Raphael. He swore, "I'm keeping my promises this time."

Scott smiled softly and nodded in understanding. Though, his eyes accidentally got caught on the evidence bag in his father's hand. Raphael followed his gaze and let out a deep sigh. "What I did...was necessary. Justifiable. You know that right?" The last thing Raphael wanted was for his son to think of him as a murderer.

One question echoed in Scott's mind that he spoke into existence. "Have you, you know, done it before?"

Letting out a heavy breath, Raphael nodded. "Two other times. It's not easy...taking a man's life. Even if someone forces you to do it."

"But how do you deal with it?" Scott wanted to know.

"You look at it logically, without emotion," Raphael said first, going over his own process. "You compartmentalize."

"How do you do that?"

Raphael responded guiltily, forcing a smile, "I used to do it by drinking."

In that moment, Scott understood his father more than he had in the past. Scott never knew the reason behind the late nights or the multiple beers on the kitchen table came from a stressful work environment with emotional tethers. So, when his dad hugged him, Scott hugged him back just as tightly.

Their relationship wasn't perfect, and it wasn't fixed. But these little steps being taken gave Scott hope that maybe one day, they would get there.

"One more thing," Raphael spoke once they released one another. "When I do come back, we have to talk about some stuff."

Scott furrowed his eyebrows, not understanding. "You and your friends?" his dad asked, Scott's body immediately tensing as he listened. "The way you guys handle things? It doesn't seem to faze you like it should. It's like you guys know something I don't."

Because we do know something you don't, Scott replied mentally, though maintained his composure. Scott didn't want his dad involved in the crazy life he lived; after all, his mom was more involved than he wanted already. But when Raphael asked to be in the know, Scott just nodded his head.

Before he left with his dad, a buzz from his phone made him pause. He dug out his phone to see a text from Sierra.

Earlier, he had messaged her with a potential plan. Both of them wanted to catch the Benefactor, desperately, but this plan held risks. Scott didn't know if she'd be on board and for it to work, she needed to be all in. There was also the anger she held against him and Stiles for lying about Malia. Though, he should've known Sierra was the type of person to bury her personal feelings for the greater good.

He shouldn't have been surprised by her response.

From: Sisi

I'm in.

*^**^*^

"I'm not going to lie, I was not expecting you to be here of all places."

"Well when you find out you were adopted, home is the last place you wanna go," Malia answered quietly. She sat on the end of Sierra's bed, her hands perfectly folded in her lap with her gaze pointed to the floor.

Sierra kept her distance, fearful that if she moved closer too quickly, Malia would run away. She stayed in her doorway, resting her hands in her jacket to keep herself from fidgeting too much. Sierra awkwardly looked around her bedroom, letting the silence spread over them before she sighed. She hated this. "Do...do you wanna talk?" Sierra asked, nervous at the rejection.

"I guess."

Even though it wasn't a definitive response, Sierra took the opportunity to take a seat beside her. Malia waited a moment, trying to think of a good place to start. But the only question that circled her mind was, "Did you know?"

Sierra pursed her lips, shaking her head. "I did not."

"Thank God," Malia exhaled in relief, surprising Sierra. "I thought I was the only one out of the loop."

Sierra forced a chuckle, answering, "Nope, I was right there with you, Mal."

Malia lifted her head, her brown eyes flickering to a window that for once had the shades drawn. "You and Stiles...are you two fighting?" Sierra hesitated to respond but it was her breath hitching that told Malia the truth. "You two are fighting....because of me."

"Absolutely not," Sierra rushed out, placing a hand on top of Malia's. "In no way is my break from Stiles your fault."

"It kind of feels like it is," Malia spoke how she felt, her lips tugged down in a frown. "I mean, when I turned human again, you two were in the midst of a mental war with a nogitsune. But above everything, you still had each other. I feel like I just ruined something special because I didn't know about Peter."

"You didn't ruin anything, nothing is ruined," Sierra assured her. "I admire how strong you think we are, but every couple has their ups and downs."

"But every couple isn't you and Stiles," Malia argued, turning her head away from the window to look Sierra in the eye. "Lydia told me you two are like, the gold standard. And I know Scott thinks the same way. But because of me, because I'm the daughter of a murderer--"

"Hey," Sierra's voice hardened at the label Malia placed upon herself. "Don't even finish that sentence."

"He murdered so many people," Malia cried, abruptly raising to her feet.

She wasn't used to feeling like her world was crashing around her. She didn't like feeling too many emotions to describe or how the shock caused her head to swim. She hated all of it. She just wanted to forget and have Sierra with Stiles by her side. Because that is where she felt at home; that is where she felt safe.

"You've told me the stories," she continued shakily, wiping her eyes to rid the tears. "All for power, he took innocent lives, almost killing you and Lydia in the process. My entire life I blamed myself for losing control that night...but it's in my DNA. Because of him. And you hate him....how do you not hate me?"

"Malia, I could never hate you." That was the truth that fell from Sierra's tongue, as well as the words that followed. "You were one of my best friends long before either of us knew Peter and we will continue to be until we die. Do you hear me? I don't care that Peter is your dad. His actions do not define you. What he did doesn't change the way the others see you. What he did doesn't change the way I see you. To me, you will always be Malia: a fiercely independent were-coyote who kicks serious ass."

Malia sniffled. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." Sierra stood up, and quickly wrapped her friend in a tight hug. "You know I love you right? You're like my sister."

Malia hugged her back tightly, burying her head in Sierra's shoulder. A few tears dripped down her cheek as she mumbled wholeheartedly, "I love you too."

"Hey guys!" The two girls let go of one another at the voice of an excited Jemma. "Guess what movie I just bought!"

They turned to see the older empath grinning, a plastic bad in one of her hands. "What are you doing home?" Sierra asked with a slight laugh at her sister's enthusiasm. "I thought you and Derek were still with Braeden at the hospital?"

"Braeden got released," Jemma told them the good news. "I just dropped her off at her house and was going to check on her before I headed back to Derek's."

"So what'd you buy?" Malia asked curiously, tilting her head.

Jemma pulled a DVD out of the bag, Sierra's eyes lighting up at the title. "You guys up for some High School Musical three with me?"

"Only if we make popcorn," Sierra agreed, rising to her feet.

"I don't think I've seen that movie before," Malia told them, her eyebrows furrowing together.

Sierra grabbed Malia's hand to pull her off the bed. "Don't worry, Mal. It has that one actor that you love!"

"Zac Efron?"

"Yes m'am. You in?"

"I'll grab the blankets, you get the popcorn."

*^*^*^*^*

Being a freshman in high school, Liam felt awkward many times in his life. But nothing could beat how uncomfortable he was standing across from Scott, Sierra and Stiles. Next to Kira, he remained calm, yet the tension between Sierra and the boys made him want to scream.

Since Sierra was the one who drove him over to Scott's house, he had been well informed about the current situation. Scott and Stiles kept a secret from her; it was that simple. And even though Sierra assured the boy she'd be okay, Liam knew she was still hurt.

He didn't like the trio being at odds--especially Scott and Sierra-- and normally, he probably wouldn't chose sides. But today, he edged closer to Sierra physically and emotionally. Liam agreed with her; the boys screwed up.

Glancing at his laptop and the two others on the table, Liam spoke up. "So what exactly are we doing?"

"Stiles and I came up with a plan," Scott answered him, standing between Stiles and Kira.

"A good one?"

Sierra stifled a laugh, and she pat the freshman on the shoulder. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Liam."

"I thought you said you were okay with it?" Scott asked her.

"Um, no." Sierra shook her head, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked between Scott and Stiles. "Clearly you two never listen to me. I said I was in, meaning to be there in case something goes wrong. I do not, in any way, shape or form think this is a good idea."

"You and Lydia said the same thing about Mexico though," Stiles shrugged his shoulders. "That turned out okay."

Sierra narrowed her eyes at him. "You really think disagreeing with me now is in your best interest?"

Stiles quickly shook his head. "Nope, no, not at all," he rushed out. "Forget I even opened up my mouth. Who said that? Not Stiles. Not me."

"Anyways," Kira cut Stiles off, sending him a wide-eyed look so he'd take the hint and chill. "Is three laptops enough?"

"Honestly it depends on the number of cameras they have," Sierra told her, looking over the equipment. "But I think so."

Liam's face twisted into one of concern as he glanced up at Sierra, who was beside him. "Are we really doing this?"

"We're doing it," Scott stated confidently.

"But isn't it going to be dangerous?" he asked him. "I mean, Sierra told me in the car you're basically dying, Scott."

"It is dangerous," Stiles agreed, pursing his lips. "And borderline idiotic."

"Have you done something like this before?"

"Something dangerous or something idiotic?" Stiles questioned for clarification.

"I think it's a yes to both," Sierra told Liam honestly, aware of his fear and hesitation. "You know you don't have to be a part of this if you don't want to."

Defensively, Liam looked over at Scott, who agreed with Sierra. "I'm not scared."

"Then you're borderline idiotic," Stiles commented wittily, winking at Liam.

"No one was saying you were afraid," Sierra caught the young werewolf's attention, speaking seriously. "And even if you are, it doesn't make you weaker. Fear only has power if you let it." Turning to Scott, she sighed. "But you know that if we do this, we don't know what is coming for us. Coming for you?"

"Nothing could happen," Kira mentioned, trying to remain optimistic.

Scott disagreed. "I'm not sure about that. The tapes in Garret's bag said visual confirmation was required."

"Simon said the same thing," Stiles nodded in agreement. "He couldn't get paid by the Benefactor," his eyes flickered over to Sierra sadly, "until he had proof that you were dead."

"So our idea is, what if you kill someone on the deadpool but you can't send them proof?" Scott questioned his friends, Sierra adverting her gaze back to the table.

"You don't get paid," Kira answered simply.

Liam didn't understand completely. "How does that get us any closer to the Benefactor?"

"They'll still need to know if the target is really dead," Sierra explained to him, glancing at Scott as she thought about the amount he was worth. "Especially if it is someone high on the list."

"So if he wants visual confirmation," Liam followed, Sierra finishing his thought.

"He'll have to come get it himself."

"Now, not that I would want Sierra to fake die," Liam started, looking at Scott and Stiles, "but shouldn't she be the one to do this? She's worth the most."

"Scott is the second highest," Stiles justified their thought process. "So the Benefactor will still want confirmation. Also, we're not sure if it would be safe for Sierra to endure the shock from Kira again."

"Again?" Liam looked at Sierra, puzzled. "What does he mean?"

Sierra swallowed hard, forcing a smile in his direction. "I'll tell you later, Liam. Right now, we need to focus on this plan."

Stiles at this point also wanted to switch the topic, memories of that night flashing through his mind. He never wanted to see her like that again. Her skin pale and cold, her blue eyes shut. It was his worst nightmare.

"And on that note," Scott interceded, looking at Kira. "Is your mom on her way?"

"Yes," Kira confirmed with a nod. "She'll be here in a few."

"Perfect."

Soon, Scott rested on his back perfectly in the middle of his bed. On either side of him stood Kira and her mom, while Sierra sat in his desk chair. Liam nervously walked back and forth in front of her, making Scott and herself even more nervous about the plan.

Kira was to send a shock of electricity, slowing Scott's heart rate down enough that any monitor from the hospital would declare him dead. Then, Stiles would wait with Sierra, Kira and Liam and watch the hospital cameras that Argent would help them gain access to. Their goal was to catch the Benefactor in the act, putting a stop to the assassins.

However, their was a catch. Scott had only an hour. After that, his death would become a reality.

"Liam, stop pacing," Sierra scolded, crossing her legs. "You're freaking me out."

"Are you guys totally sure about this?" he asked, glancing between Scott and Sierra. He couldn't explain why he felt so connected to the upperclassmen, but the last thing he wanted was for one of them to get hurt. And this plan was a way Scott was getting hurt.

"I think Liam's kind of nervous," Kira concluded, rubbing her hands together as she looked down at Scott. "You know, maybe you should tell him it's going to be all right."

Scott smiled softly, aware of his girlfriend's jitters. "It's going to be all right," he promised.

Unfortunately, that wasn't enough for Liam. "So, you've done this before, right?" Liam asked Noshiko.

"Personally, no," the older kitsune answered. "I've only seen it done, but I taught Kira last winter."

"That's good, right?" he continued to question, flicking his eyes between all the women in the room. "That she's done it at least once?"

"No."

"Mom," Kira widened her eyes in surprise. "You're not inspiring confidence."

Noshiko didn't care. "Good. I agree with Sierra; this is a terrible idea. There is a lot of danger in this."

Sierra threw her hands up in the air. "Thank you!"

"Well, do you want us to do it without you?" Kira asked, her hands on her hips.

Noshiko let out a small sigh, knowing her daughter was right. Turning towards Sierra, she stated, "For your safety, Sierra, I suggest stepping out."

Sierra nodded, rising to her feet. In the doorway though, she hesitated and looked back at Liam with her hand held out. "Come on, buddy. We need to have a quick chat."

Liam cast one more concerned glance at Scott, who offered an encouraging smile and a nod, before bowing his head and grabbing Sierra's hand. She led him downstairs to the dining room table, and motioned for him to sit. Argent and Stiles were already at the hospital, getting things ready for when Scott arrived later in the ambulance.

"What did you wanna talk about?" Liam asked her quietly, folding his arms on the table.

Sitting down beside him, she answered, "Honestly, I just wanted to see how you're doing."

"I'm fine, I guess," Liam told her with a shrug of his shoulders. Though, when he met her eyes and saw her eyebrows raised, he sighed. "This is just a lot for me to take in. I mean, a little over a month ago I was a normal freshman boy who wanted to play lacrosse. Now, once a month I grow more facial hair than needed and my eyes glow yellow."

"It is a lot to take in," Sierra agreed, nodding her head. "This kind of lifestyle isn't easy. I'm not gonna lie though, you've handled it really well so far. Scott and I both think so."

"Really?"

"Yes," Sierra chuckled under her breath before continuing. "It might sound crazy to say we've survived worse than this, but we have. And Scott, Stiles and I all have had to mature quicker than others in order to keep fighting. One thing to know is that we're not asking you to do the same thing. You're only fifteen and the last thing we want is for you too grow up when you don't have too."

"But I am a werewolf," he pointed out. "Doesn't that mean I have an obligation to help?"

"Not necessarily," she replied honestly. "There are a lot of supernatural creatures who live completely normal lives. And if you need help, Scott and I will be there. It's that simple, and it's completely your choice."

"Earlier, Stiles said that Kira had to bring you back through her electric shock," Liam brought up their past conversation. "What did he mean?"

"Do you remember how I always told you my friends and I were a close-knit group?" Sierra asked him and he nodded. "Well, that's because we've been through some...intense situations. One in particular happened this past winter. I'm sure you heard about those sacrificial killings that occurred for a little bit?"

"Yeah," Liam recalled. "It was all over the news."

"They were caused by a dark druid, called a Darach," Sierra started to explain, launching into a summary of how Stiles, Scott and Allison had to sacrifice themselves in order to save their parents. Liam couldn't believe that the heroic act caused a Japanese demon to be set free. "So Kira stabbed the nogitsune with her katana, and Scott bit him because it couldn't be a fox and a wolf. This angered its other half, Mizuki."

"That's the one who wore your face?" Liam clarified, and scrunched up his nose. "That's terrifying."

"Yes, it was," Sierra paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. "Anyways, she tried to kill Scott and the others...and I killed her."

"But if you killed her, how did you die?" Liam felt bad for asking so many questions, but he couldn't help it. He held a curious mind.

Sierra furrowed her brows, recollecting that night. "Honestly, I don't know how to describe it. All I remember is taking her energy and destroying it. The next thing I know, I wake up to Stiles holding my hand. Scott...Scott said it was sudden, that I just started screaming. He couldn't get me to stop crying."

Tears gathered in her eyes and Liam softly rested his hand on her arm, Sierra smiling gratefully. "Scott told me Kira and Lydia tried CPR but it was too late. My heart had stopped beating."

"But Kira saved you," Liam finished her story and she swallowed hard, nodding.

"Yeah." She finally lifted her gaze to stare at him. "Scott is going to be fine," she promised him, placing her hand over his. "Okay? If Kira could save me from...that, she can bring him back from this."

"I believe you," Liam took her words to heart.

Sierra smiled, "Good."

"Guys!" Kira's voice traveled down the stairs. "The ambulance is on its way!"

Sierra let out a huge breath and looked at Liam again to make sure he was alright. "You ready for this?"

"Well, it's too late to back out now."

*^*^*^*

There was no reason for Jemma to be awake.

After all, the moon shone brightly through the loft's windows and Derek had switched off the lights ages before. Sierra assured her earlier she could take the night off, knowing Jemma had been having trouble sleeping just like herself. Braeden also swore she was perfectly fine in her apartment, urging Jemma to spend some time with her boyfriend.

And she did. Derek had fixed dinner and even let her choose the movie for them to watch while they cuddled in his bed. So why couldn't she just close her eyes and go to sleep?

He's dying, her conscience screamed at her. Can't you see?

His eyes no longer shone blue, and every time he got injured his body took longer to heal. The night Sierra and the others were trapped at the school, Derek got a hit to his stomach. Jemma helped him disinfect it, but knew the injury shouldn't even be there.

Tossing and turning, Jemma let out a quiet groan of annoyance. "Screw it," she whispered into the darkness, sitting up. Her brown eyes fell to Derek's sleeping figure, drifting to his torso where the wound was. Unable to combat her worry, she slowly reached over to his white tank top, gently lifting it up to see if it had disappeared. To her disappointment, the bullet hole still looked prominent and swollen.

Before she could even react, Derek's hand snatched her wrist. Jemma closed her eyes, letting out a sigh due to her being caught. Derek raised his eyebrows in amusement, asking, "What are you doing?"

"Just checking out my boyfriend," Jemma shrugged, playing it off. "No biggie."

"Is that so?" Derek stifled a laugh.

"I just want to know why you're not healing," she revealed her frustration. "Before, this would've disappeared in seconds."

Derek replied with the first thought that popped into his head. "Some wounds take longer, you know that, Jem."

"And some leave scars," Jemma nodded in agreement, "but not for people like us. Can you please tell me what's going on?"

"You know, I could just be tired," Derek suggested as he sat up, trying to hide his wince from the pain. He let out another deep breath, closing his eyes instead of looking back at her.

"Fine, then show me your eyes," Jemma deadpanned, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You just saw them," he replied wittily.

"I meant your real eyes," Jemma told him seriously. "I couldn't care less about your brown ones."

"Awe," Derek pouted, yet still kept his eyelids shut. "And here I thought it was those that made you fall in love with me."

"Derek Sullivan Hale."

"Oh, there's the middle name," he remarked. "I'm in serious trouble now."

Jemma's face fell. She was just worried about him; how could he not see it?

Derek sighed at the silence, knowing he screwed up. But it was only because he didn't want to see her scared. Slowly, he revealed his eyes again. Like before, they didn't shine blue or even glimmer gold. His normal, light brown irises stared back at Jemma even after he blinked to get them to change.

"Okay," Jemma gulped, aware of the dire situation. "Now can you please tell me more about what's going on with you?"

Luckily, Jemma was able to convince him to let her take some of his pain. Derek refused to let her heal him completely, but allowed her to help him bandage it properly. "You are so lucky it was just a graze," she commented twenty minutes later as she pressed the gauze against his torso. "You're going to have to keep cleaning it so it doesn't get infected."

"Well, that'll be a new experience," Derek stated after she stepped back, grabbing his T-shirt to slip back over his head. "Neither of us worried about that before. How do you know so much about this stuff?"

"When I first met Braeden, she taught me," Jemma shared, resting her arms on the tall table beside them. "I thought it would come in handy. Turns out I was right." She paused, thinking over the information he spilled to her. "So every power you had is gone?"

"Smell, hearing, speed, everything," Derek listed off his abilities with a sullen nod.

"What about strength?" Jemma questioned.

Derek scoffed, "I can still win a fight, Jem."

"I'm sorry, using the word still implicates that you've actually won a fight before," Jemma teased and he dropped his jaw, offended.

"Woah, taking the cheap shots now aren't we?" he asked, forcing a chuckle. "While I'm already at a low? Not cool, babe, not cool."

"Eh," Jemma shrugged. "Your ego needs to be bruised every once and a while. You're too cocky sometimes."

"Cocky or just confident in my ability to win?" he retaliated.

"Um, that sounds the same to me."

Derek raised his eyebrows. "Oh yeah, hot stuff? Bring it." He set his elbow on the table before her, holding out his hand for her to grab.

Jemma laughed, thinking he was joking. "Yeah, okay. Arm wrestling doesn't prove anything, Der. Well, it proves you're childish. You get that out of this."

"Says the girl that binge-watched the High School Musical series with her sister last night."

"Okay, now you're on," Jemma accepted his challenge, placing her arm in front of his. "No one burns Zac Efron and gets away with it."

Derek intertwined their fingers together, smirking at her. "Ready?"

"Are you?" Jemma shot back. "On three, okay? One, two..."

At the last second, her other hand shot out to poke his injury. This opened the door for her to easily slam his hand down on the table as he grunted in pain. "You cheated," he stated obviously, forcing a small laugh. "That's, uh, that's cheating. Which means I win by default. Cheaters never win."

"Cheating helps people survive," Jemma pointed out. "And if you're going to be a human, you're going to need to learn how to bend the rules a little bit."

Derek looked at her in confusion. "What're you talking about?"

"This last summer, my grandmother taught me a few extra skills," Jemma explained, motioning to the gun she had earlier set on the table. "This is a Sig Sauer P two-twenty-six nine millimeter."

"I don't like guns," Derek declared, resting one hand on his hip.

Jemma shrugged, "That's because you've never learned how to use one."

"Or because I've been shot," Derek clarified accurately. "Repeatedly."

"I've been shot before too," Jemma reminded him, "and guns aren't my weapon of choice, but it's a good skill to have. The legal clip size in California is ten, so you always need to remember how many shots you fire. Grandma told me multiple times running out of bullets makes you look like a dumbass."

"It can also get you killed."

"That too."

"I don't understand why you're making me do this," Derek complained as she placed the gun in his hands. "It's easy. You just point and shoot."

"Actually, it's a lot more than that," Jemma replied. She lifted his hand so the weapon pointed at her. "The average person, in one-point-five seconds, can move twenty-one feet. Which means if they have a sleeker weapon, like a knife, they'll strike you before you even have time to fire. With a gun you need distance."

"I don't like when you're distant."

"Right back at you," Jemma smirked, taking a step away from him. "Come on, tough guy. Pull the gun on me."

Derek rolled his eyes, but took a positioned stance. However, almost as soon as he re-raised the gun in the air, Jemma snatched it from him within seconds. "Okay, well," Derek didn't have an excuse.

"Try again," Jemma instructed, giving it back to him.

Derek cleared his throat, and got ready once more. However, exactly like before Jemma ended up with the gun in her hands. Jemma felt his frustration building as he asked to do it one more time, leading her to joke, "I can do this all day."

"Mhm," Derek bit back a smile, stepping closer to her. Without hesitation he closed the distance between them, his lips pressing against hers.

"Who's the cheater now?" Jemma called him out on what he thought was a sly action, their foreheads resting on one another's. She felt the gun gently edged in her side and Derek chuckled.

"Cheating helps people survive," he playfully mocked her words from earlier, his free hand cupping her flushed cheek.

"You're such a dork," Jemma rolled her eyes, raising herself on her toes to reconnect their lips. Wrapping her arms behind his neck, she pulled him close and he happily responded to her action by lifting her legs around his torso.

"Are you sure about this?" Derek mumbled against her mouth, wanting her to be all in before things got out of hand.

"Do you see me pulling away?"

*^*^*^*^*

Hey lovelies!

I hope you're enjoying this book because I love writing about Sierra and Stiles—even though they're fighting right now.

The reason I'm typing this is because I have seen all kinds of books have trailers and/or edits on YouTube. I was wondering if anyone would want to make one for this series?

If you are please DM me, because I will give you a shoutout and place it in front of all the books— I'd pay you but I'm a broke college freshman lol

But yeah this is something I really wanna do, so thanks!

Love y'all and see you next week for the next chapter!

Lex xx