Twenty-Six

WHEN EVERYONE EMERGED FROM LA IGLESIA, the sun started to rise. Dirt covered their clothes, blood smeared across some of their faces. But they were alive. And they were together.

That's all that mattered.

The second Sierra laid eyes on her older sister, she abandoned Stiles and attacked Jemma in a tight hug. "Are you okay?" she rushed out, her voice muffled from being pressed in Jemma's shoulder. "Is Derek okay? Are you both okay?"

Jemma kept Sierra close by gently holding the back of her head. "Yeah," she breathed. "We're both fine."

Leaning back, Sierra looked at her in concern. "What exactly happened?" Sierra wasn't blind; she noticed the Calaveras, Parrish, and Argent all conversing with one another off to the side. Braeden and Derek stood together too, though Derek kept glancing over at Jemma.

"Kate happened," Jemma answered, crossing her arms over her chest as she recalled the intense events. After Stiles followed the rest of the group inside, Kate and other Berserkers attacked Braeden, Jemma, and Derek. However, since Derek was injured, he had been forced to stay put while Jemma and Braeden tried to fight them off.

The Calaveras showed up with Argent and Parrish only a few moments later, acting like they were an entire artillery. Jemma watched helplessly as Derek's head slump over in the midst of it all, his eyes fluttering closed just as Kate challenged Araya head-on. Jemma thought she had lost him. Until a howl alerted everyone within the radius, Kate turning her face just as a black wolf attacked.

Jemma told Sierra she watched Derek transform back into a human right before her eyes, still in disbelief that Derek now could shift just like Laura used to. "I was evolving," he had told Kate, glaring down at her.

"Something you'll never do."

Sierra's eyes flitted over to Derek, impressed as he joined Jemma's side. "So, I hear you're a full wolf now?"

"I heard you're a mind reader," Derek retorted sassily, wrapping an arm around Jemma's waist.

Sierra bit back a smile and shook her head at him. "Touché, Sour Wolf. Touché."

"So, how'd you do it?" Jemma asked her younger sister, proud of her accomplishment.

"Wait a second," Sierra read between the lines. "You know I'd be able to read minds and levitate stuff but you didn't tell me?"

"You had to figure it out by yourself," Jemma reminded her. "I didn't say anything because it wasn't the right time. I knew once you changed into a True Empath, your powers would grow. So, how'd you do it?"

Sierra smiled to herself, thinking back of the conversations she held with her mom and Allison. "I got some really good advice," she answered honestly, shrugging her shoulders. "It only took me getting cocooned for me to actually listen."

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?"

"Sierra!" Scott's voice made Sierra sigh with relief.

Offering a small grin towards Jemma, Sierra stepped away from them. "Sorry, duty calls!"

"This conversation isn't over!" Jemma called after her, Sierra throwing up her thumb in response.

Sierra approached Scott, her head tilting to the side as she glanced between him and Kira. "What's up?"

"I was just telling them that there's enough yellow wolfsbane to keep Peter out for the trip back," Chris replied instead, making her turn towards him. "But I still want you all to be careful."

"We always are," Sierra nodded as Scott glanced behind him to see Araya and the rest of the Calaveras.

Scott questioned, "Are you really going with them?"

"I made a deal with the Calaveras weeks ago," Chris explained, his hands in his pockets. "They'll leave you alone." His blue eyes flitted over Liam, Stiles and Malia, who were waiting patiently against the outside wall. "All of you." Focusing back on the duo in front of him, he continued, "But only if I help them catch Kate."

"What if you can't?" Kira couldn't help but ask.

Chris answered confidently, "I'll find her. Someone has to." Nodding his head as a goodbye, he stepped back from the teenagers in order to depart with the Calaveras.

"Wait!"

Chris paused, turning back around just as Sierra threw her arms around him. He looked down at her, surprised by the sudden hug. However, he didn't pull away and even smiled, hugging her back gently. "Thank you," Sierra said to him genuinely. "For coming back...I know it wasn't easy."

"You know, she always said you were a hugger," Chris commented, a soft smile on his face in remembrance of his only daughter. "Every time I see you, I believe her more and more."

"I just believe it's important to show people how much you care about them," Sierra replied wholeheartedly. "Be safe out there, 'kay? You never know when Scott and I might text you."

"You two are precisely why I never turn my ringer off," Chris assured her, patting her shoulder one more time before joining Araya.

Sierra watched him leave, Scott stepping up beside her with an arm around Kira. Fingers intertwined with hers and she glanced to her left to see Stiles offering her a small grin, Malia and Liam joining him. Returning his gesture, she smiled back and squeezed his hand.

Jemma, Derek and Braeden all climbed into a vehicle as well, Derek nodding at Scott and Jemma telling Sierra she'd meet her at the house. More than exhausted, the three friends were heading straight for a bar when they got across the border. They needed to relax and actually take a moment to breathe.

After they left, Sierra glanced between her friends and asked hopefully, "Time to go home?"

Scott sighed with relief, and nodded his head.

"Time to go home."

*^*^*^*^*

Malia sat in the back of the jeep, her elbows resting on her knees. Her palms gently pressed against her cheeks as she leaned between the front seats, continuously glancing between Sierra and Stiles. Sierra was looking at Stiles as well, her hands folded in her lap while he stared forward with his fingers tapping against the steering wheel.

"You know," Malia finally spoke up, unable to take the silence anymore. The radio wasn't even playing and Malia thought she was about to go crazy from the lack of noise. "Usually when someone parks a car, it means they get out and go inside."

Stiles released a heavy breath, but didn't say anything. Sierra bit down on her lip, flicking her eyes over Malia before she spoke. "She does have a point, bub."

Parked in the sheriff station's lot, Stiles still refused to move twenty minutes later. Everyone else had been dropped off at their houses to clean themselves up, and Malia was supposed to be the next stop. However, since the police station was on the way to Malia's house, Sierra insisted they stop by to assure Noah that they were okay.

Stiles, obviously, was hesitant. He directly disobeyed his father the second he drove across the Mexican border. He knew he had to face Noah, but at the same time, really just wanted to stay in the jeep.

"Stiles," Sierra's soft voice broke him out of his thoughts and he blinked, turning towards her.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"We need to go inside," Sierra told him seriously, moving her hand to rest over his own. "He's probably worried sick about you. The last time you two talked was in the church."

"I know, I know," Stiles sighed once more, finally meeting her gaze. "I know I have to go inside. It's just...what if he's mad at me?"

"Of course he's mad at you," Malia snorted. "You illegally went across the border after telling him you wouldn't."

Sierra widened her eyes. "Malia!"

"What? It's true!" Malia defended, holding her hands up.

"We're supposed to assure him that Noah isn't mad," Sierra explained to her as Stiles pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. "We want him to go inside, not pull out of the parking lot!"

Malia cringed at herself, trying to fix her mistake. "My bad. How's this? Stiles, your dad probably won't be mad at you or throw you in a cell for disobeying him and running off to another country." Malia lowered her voice, whispering to Sierra, "Though come on, you know he's going to be pissed."

Sierra groaned, letting her head fall back against the seat as she covered her face with her hands. Malia was getting better at school, this much was true. But the werecoyote really needed to work on her pep talks.

Peeking through her fingers, Sierra saw Stiles still staring forward, his lips pursed together. An idea forming in her head, she sat up and poked his arm. "Hey, you--Pouty face."

Stiles stifled a laugh at the name, turning to her with his eyebrows raised. "Yes, string bean?" he asked, amused.

"If you go inside and talk with your dad," Sierra started with a grin and lightly bopped his nose. "I will make you my signature blueberry muffins."

Stiles squinted his eyes in disbelief. "Are you serious? You can't joke about the muffins, Sierra, you know that."

"I am one hundred percent serious," Sierra announced.

Not even a second later, Stiles unbuckled his seat belt and pulled the keys from the ignition. Malia watched him scramble out of the car and scrunched her nose as he walked in front of the jeep to get to Sierra's side. "That's what will get him to go inside? Muffins?"

Sierra chuckled, nodding her head. "Yep, they're his favorite. The way to anyone's heart, Mal, is food. Remember that."

"Duly noted."

Stiles opened Sierra's door, holding her hand as she hopped from the jeep while Malia climbed out from the back. "Come on, guys," he urged them, pulling on her fingers so she'd walk faster. "The sooner I talk to him, the sooner I get my head bit off--which means the sooner I get muffins."

Sierra shot Malia a knowing look over her shoulder, before picking up her pace to follow Stiles inside the police station. Deputies and officers were conducting their normal duties, barely glancing up as the kids walked in.

Stiles paused once he actually reached the door to his dad's office, seeing the man sitting on the edge of his desk with his head down through the blinds. "You know what, maybe this isn't a good idea," Stiles took a step back. "I'll just see him at home, I should just wait...yeah, that's a good plan. I'll wait."

"Not so fast," Sierra grabbed his arm before he could turn away. Tucking two fingers under his chin, she forced him to look her in the eye. "Muffins," she stated bluntly, Malia still confused by how food could make Stiles listen so simply. "Remember the muffins."

Stiles went to argue, but the way Sierra looked at him made him quickly close his mouth again. Instead of speaking, he nodded, releasing another sigh before he moved towards the door.

He didn't even have to knock, the door partially open already. Noah's head shot up at the slightest creek of the wood. His son hadn't even stepped inside all the way before Noah pulled him into a tight hug.

Stiles wrapped his arms around his dad's shoulder, hugging him back as he sighed with relief. Using his signature wit, he commented, "Dad, you smell terrible."

"Yup," Noah agreed, chuckling, "You do too."

"See, that wasn't so hard," Sierra teased her boyfriend, stepping inside the office with Malia beside her. Noah tilted his head, confused, leading her to explain. "He was worried you'd like...I don't know, handcuff him to a desk or something."

Noah scoffed, playfully pushing Stiles's arm. "I would never." He glanced at the two girls and opened up his arms again. "Now, are you two gonna join the hug or not?"

Sierra smiled, immediately stepping up next to Stiles. Malia, a little more hesitant, was taken aback. But the wide grins on everyone's faces made her own appear and within seconds, she hugged the three tightly.

"I'm just glad you're all safe," Noah expressed, looking between the teenagers. "Hey, why don't we get outta here, get some ice cream before you all go home? My treat."

Sierra's eyes lit up at the mention of the frozen treat. "I'm in!" she declared, raising her hand. "I feel like it's been ages since I had ice cream."

"Me too," Stiles agreed. "I'm starving."

"As long as there's chocolate," Malia nodded, accepting the offer as well.

"Perfect!" Noah grinned, patting Malia on the back before he started to lead her to the door. Sierra squealed, unable to hide her excitement. Stiles went to follow them out of the office, but stumbled back from his wrist getting caught on something.

"Dad," he called to his father, narrowing his eyes on the handcuffs that kept him attached to the desk. "Dad!"

"Now, Malia," Noah started, purposefully avoiding his son. "Have you ever been to the Frozen Spoon? It's this lovely little place downtown owned by the sweetest of folks. I'm sure you'll love it...."

"Sierra?" Stiles tried next, the girl hesitating in the doorway. "Babe, come on!"

"I'm sorry," Sierra apologized with a sheepish smile on her lips, backing herself out of the doorway. "You know how much I love ice cream!"

"String bean!" he shouted as she darted off, joining Noah and Malia as they headed for the front of the station. "Sierra, wait!"

Stiles huffed in irritation, waiting for any kind of response. When he no one replied, Stiles lifted his hand and raised his voice once more.

"Does this mean I don't get my muffins?"

*^*^*^*^*

"Muffins, muffins, muffins! Muffins, muffins, muffins!"

Sierra couldn't help but laugh at the cha-cha dance Stiles performed in her kitchen, unable to contain her giggles. They had dropped Malia off at her house about half an hour before, so she could see her dad and get freshened up while Noah unfortunately had to go back to work.

Knowing everyone needed a night to relax, Sierra texted everyone that she wanted to have a movie night. It was the same tradition she used to do with Scott and Stiles, with a few more familiar faces. After showering and changing his clothes, Stiles walked over to help her set everything up.

However, all he really did was be a distraction for her while she baked the blueberry goodies she promised him earlier.

Sierra jumped slightly as Stiles snuck his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Have I ever told you that I love you?" Stiles asked her, swaying their bodies together.

"Maybe once or twice," Sierra replied like she always did, stifling a laugh. "But you know, the more you bother me the longer they'll take to get done."

"If it means I get to hold you captive a little longer, I'm okay with that," Stiles shrugged, slightly tightening his grip on her. Moving one of his hands, he brushed her hair behind her ear before he gently pressed his lips to her neck. "Count it as revenge for abandoning me earlier."

"It does not count as abandonment when one has been offered ice cream," Sierra pointed out, referring to herself as she unconsciously leaned back into his embrace. "And it wasn't a big deal, Stiles. You ended up joining us anyways."

"Yeah, twenty minutes later," Stiles snorted.

"Still got there though."

"Because I had to pick the lock on the handcuffs," Stiles deadpanned, making Sierra giggle. "It's not funny! I thought I'd have to go all Green Arrow and dislocate my thumb."

"I'm sorry," Sierra apologized, though a giant grin was stretched across her face. "At least now you know how to pick the locks! Who knows? That could be a trait you need one day."

Stiles rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything as she continued to pour flour in a measuring cup. As soon as she dumped it in the bowl, he tucked her fingers under her chin and tilted her head towards him. Without speaking a word, he pressed his lips against hers.

Caught off guard, Sierra took a moment to respond. But when she did, she completely forgot about the muffins. Turning her body so she could kiss him properly, Sierra wound her arms around his neck to pull him closer. Stiles smiled as her fingers wove through his hair, feeling his heart rate accelerate.

The familiar spark caused Sierra to grin as well, loving how he made her feel. Stiles didn't want to let her go as they took a second to breathe, already kissing her once more. Sierra laughed at his eagerness, his hand gently cupping her cheek.

"You know what I'm thinking?" He mumbled against her lips, their foreheads leaning together.

Sierra raised her gaze from his lips to his cinnamon eyes. "That you really want me to finish making these muffins?" she joked, a teasing sparkle among her blue irises.

"Hmm, maybe you are a mind reader," Stiles played along, purposefully bumping her nose against hers. "But, nope. You're wrong."

Sierra rolled her eyes, "Boy, I'm never wrong and you know it."

"Oops, my mistake," Stiles cheekily grinned, already leaning back into her. "Guess I gotta make it up to you somehow." Pressing a quick kiss to her lips, he then leaned back and questioned, "How's that?"

Sierra shook her head, smiling brightly while she moved her hands to around his torso. "Not enough. You gotta give me another."

"Well, I certainly can't disappoint my queen," Stiles remarked before leaning down to kiss her again. Backing her up slowly against the counter, he didn't part from her and their bodies swayed as if they were dancing. His hands gripped the curve of her hips and fell until he touched her thighs as she held onto his forearms.

Realizing what he wanted her to do, Sierra jumped and allowed Stiles to swiftly lift her up on the counter top. Stepping forward, Stiles continued to kiss her as he stood between her legs. When they finally came up for air, Sierra whispered, "I really love you, Stiles."

The joyed grin that split his lips apart made her heart flutter, and she never wanted to forget the adorable look in his eyes as he replied softly, "I really love you, too." Pecking her pink lips once more, he added, "So much."

Sierra smiled at this, her voice gentle as she agreed, "So much."

Suddenly hearing the doorbell made Stiles tear his gaze away from her, frowning as his eyebrows furrowed together. "Surely, they're not here already."

Sierra matched his confused expression, lowering her hands from his face as she glanced at the clock. "If it is them, they're really early. I told everyone six and it's only four-thirty."

"Here, I'll answer the door," Stiles stated, stepping back so he could help her hop down from the counter, "while you continue baking. Just in case."

Sierra nodded, already moving past him to get back to where she had placed the recipe. "It's not, Scott," she told Stiles, picking up the measuring cup again. "He would've just walked in 'cause he has a key."

Stiles grasped the doorknob and shrugged at her. "It's probably Lydia, then. Out of all of us, she's the most well-mannered."

Opening the door, Stiles squinted his eyes at the person in front of him. "Okay, what're you doing here?"

Liam awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable from seeing Stiles standing there. "I, er, came to talk to Sierra."

"Sorry, she's busy," Stiles lied bluntly, Liam well-aware that he wasn't stating the truth. "Come back later." He went to shut the front door, but Liam quickly stuck his foot in the doorway to keep it from closing.

"Come on, Stiles," Liam looked at him in exasperation. "You know I need to talk to her."

Stiles opened his mouth to reply, but instead turned his head from hearing Sierra from the kitchen. "Babe, who was it?"

"No one important," Stiles answered over his shoulder.

Liam rolled his eyes. "Stiles—"

"No one important?" Liam paused from hearing Sierra laugh, and forgot everything he had prepared to say the second she appeared at Stiles's side. "What's that supposed to—oh."

"This Boy Scout wanted to sell us cookies," Stiles stated, not hiding his distaste as he glared at the freshman. "I told him we weren't interested."

Sierra rolled her eyes at his antics, "Hush, you." Her gaze shifted back to Liam, who gulped. "You...come on inside."

Gently moving Stiles aside, Sierra opened the door wider. Then, she turn on her heel and walked towards the living room.

Liam slowly followed her, shrinking away from Stiles as he passed him. He knew he held an upper hand if he ever had to physically fight Stiles, due to his werewolf reflexes. But, seeing Stiles get overwhelmingly protective of his girlfriend and cold made Liam pray that it never would happen. Werewolf strength didn't compare to Stiles's fury if someone hurt Sierra.

Sierra sat down in a recliner, but moved forward on the edge of the seat. Liam hesitantly lowered himself onto the sofa, Stiles taking a defensive position between them with his arms crossed. Looking up at Stiles, she asked kindly, "Can you give us a minute?"

Stiles met her gaze, clearly hesitant. Yet he understood this conversation needed to just be between Liam and Sierra. Nodding his head, he stepped back towards the kitchen. "I'll finish making the muffins while you two talk."

Sierra smiled at him gratefully, but didn't say anything until he completely disappeared. Turning towards Liam, she forced a small smile on her face. "So, what're you doing here?" she asked. "You told me you couldn't come because you wanted to hang out with Mason."

"I am—I mean, I can't," Liam tripped over his words before he let out a sigh. "I am going to hang out with Mason. I just wanted to stop by and talk to you first."

"Okay," Sierra nodded, wanting him to go on. "Talk about what?"

In shame, Liam lowered his gaze and fiddled with his hands as his elbows rested on his knees. "About how mean I've been recently. Especially to you."

Sierra's lips parted in surprise and she went to stop him. "Liam, you don't need to—"

"Yes, I do," Liam declared before swallowing down the lump in his throat. He lifted his blue eyes, revealing the tears starting to gather as he apologized genuinely. "I am so sorry, Sierra. You, you helped me so much when I came to Beacon Hills...and I've been, I've been treating you like dirt."

"Oh, Liam," Sierra's face softened at the sight of him crying. She moved to sit next to him on the couch so she could pull him in a hug. "You're okay," she soothed, rubbing his back. "I'm not angry, Liam. I could never be angry at you."

"How?" He dared to peek through his fingers, since he previously buried his face in his hands. "How are you not angry with me?"

Sierra offered him an assuring smile, keeping one hand on his shoulder. "Because I know what you've been through these past few months," Sierra explained honestly. "Liam, you transferred schools a semester into the year. That's hard for anyone—even more for a freshman. And then Scott bit you and you were kind of thrust into the supernatural world without warning. No one can blame you for being angry, especially me. When Scott first turned, I wanted nothing to do with it."

Liam tilted his head, lowering his hands back into his lap. "Really?"

"Really," Sierra chuckled before she continued. "I separated myself from Scott and Stiles because I didn't want to accept that things were different. But then, Peter scratched my neck and activated my abilities that I wasn't supposed to get until I was eighteen. My view changed because I was now a part of it, but Scott and I didn't want to force you into making the same call."

Liam thought back to conversation Stiles had with him in the locker room and quietly spoke up, "You didn't want me to have to worry about making the sacrifices you all have had to make before."

Sierra cinched her eyebrows together. Liam practically took the words right out her mouth. "Yeah...how'd you know?"

"Stiles talked to me before the lacrosse game," Liam admitted, Sierra tilting her head as he went on. "It took me a while to understand what he was talking about.  This whole time I was just afraid. Afraid of my parents or Mason finding out, afraid of dying...afraid of the Berserkers. I didn't want to talk to you or Scott about it because I was afraid you'd be disappointed in me."

"Don't ever count yourself out because of fear," Sierra advised him, since she recently learned the lesson herself. "Fear is something we all battle and we all think about. It's a part of life. The key is to not let it consume you, because then it holds you back from what you're already capable of doing."

Liam nodded his head in understanding but still had a question. "But how do you do that though?"

"You just have to focus on the good," Sierra replied with a shrug, a smile on her lips. "You know, think about times you wish you could repeat and people you love spending time with. Plus, I know it's hard, but talking about your fear does help a lot. It gives you a support you can't have if you keep it to yourself."

"How is it that you're only two years older than me?" Liam asked with a slight laugh. "You always have the best advice."

Sierra chuckled as well, responding teasingly, "I'd like to say it comes naturally but it's because I've learned a lot over the past year and a half. Having your life always be on the line makes you think things through."

"Well, I appreciate it," Liam thanked her. "And I really hope you can forgive me, I am sorry I was so mean. You didn't deserve it, especially since you helped me transition to Beacon Hills and to being a werewolf."

"You're already forgiven," Sierra promised, and leaned forward to pull him in a hug.

Liam smiled, wrapping his arms around her to return the gesture.

When he first arrived, it was painfully obvious he held a crush on Sierra. Getting to know her, especially after being bitten, Liam realized his feelings changed. The way she worked with Scott and how she viewed life caused Liam to think of her with nothing but respect. Sierra is a force to be reckoned with, but at the same time she holds a caring heart. Liam admired her greatly, for everything she stood for.

Formerly being just his tutor, Sierra was now the older sister he never knew he wanted—or needed for that matter.

The two pulled apart, Liam asking her, "Do you think Stiles will forgive me too?"

"He's been one to hold grudges," Sierra replied with a twinkle in her eye. She playfully pushed his arm. "But I think you'll be okay."

"Did you know he can be very..." Liam struggled to find the right word.

"Overbearing? Protective? Sarcastic?" Sierra suggested jokingly, making him laugh.

"I was going to say intimidating," Liam finished, Sierra nodding her head to agree.

"Yeah, on some levels he can be. Though to be fair, I think he's as scary as a puppy," Sierra shrugged.

Liam laughed, adding, "If that level is you then yes."

Sierra waved her hand, rolling her eyes. "Oh, pish posh. You'll understand when you fall in love, Little bro."

"I think I'm going to just focus on school for now, Big sis," he played along with the bit she started.

"You say that now but I'm telling you," Sierra smacked her hands together. "It'll just hit you one day. Now, I don't know your preference or anything but if you do want a girlfriend, I can hook you up."

Liam looked at her, amused. "Oh, can you?"

"Oh, heck yeah!" Sierra exclaimed. "There's this one girl that I did the Big Sister program with who is in your grade. Adorable—you'd like her."

Liam held up his hand to stop her from going on. "I think I'm good for right now," he told her honestly. His eyes accidentally glanced to the clock and he realized how much time has gone by. "I should be going," he said as he rose to his feet. "I need to get to Mason's house."

Sierra stood as well, and followed him to the front door. "Well, thanks for stopping by, Liam. You know if you ever need to talk you can always text me," she reminded him seriously.

"Of course," Liam nodded and offered a kind smile as he stepped outside. "See you on Monday!"

Sierra waved her hand as a goodbye, echoing his words. "See you Monday!"

She closed the front door, a small smile on her lips as she turned back around. However, her movements paused as a sudden scent filled the air. Alarmed, she rushed to the kitchen. "Stiles?!"

Upon entering she found her boyfriend coughing in front of the stove, waving a dish towel in attempts to clear the now smoky air. "I, uh, might've left them in too long," He sheepishly admitted but quickly raised his hands up. "But don't worry, that was only the small pan! The others came out great!"

"Step aside, amateur," she teased, bumping her hip against his to make room and taking the rag from him. "You go handle setting out the other snacks and drinks while I finish cooking. They're gonna be here in like, half an hour."

Stiles stood straight and saluted her with a smirk on his lips. "Yes, m'am!"

Sierra playfully glared at him, shooing him away with her hands. Stiles called out to her over his shoulder as he faced the pantry.

"I still get first dibs when the muffins are cooled...right?"

"Depends. Can you set out the chips without burning my house down?"