ANOTHER STORY ANOTHER TIME

CHAPTER FORTY ONE * LONG DAY

Stiles looked at every one in his large room, he was glad to have the house filled with his friends and family, he tried hard to have a brave face and attitude, but he was in complete and total agony over Michael's absence. The two men had just realized and committed to the fact they belonged together. 

Over five years of picking on each other, unknowingly flirting, then the slow unwillingness to feel their true feelings. The events in Dubai started it, there in the world's tallest building they had their first kiss, they each blamed the liquor, but silently still crushed on the other. They only had a few hours really together, and he felt it wasn't fair, Michael was in the hands of that evil entity again. He knew his personal depression had to be set aside, this group needed a good memory, and he was determined to give them one. Raising his glass,

 "I would like to propose a toast," He watched Liam give the twins a glass of sugar free punch each. He smiled when Jordan handed Lydia a glass of seltzer water. He was happy to see that his father, Chris, Natalie, and Melissa had grown to be good friends. Scott and Malia had brought some wine with a touch of wolfsbane to get the werewolf's and Malia drunk, and of course they shared it with Alec and Liam. He waited a brief moment for the twenty one people to get their individual drinks to cheers with. As he looked around the room he saw that they were all ready. "Lets toast to the original pack, the ones we picked up on the way, all who are here today, and to ones we have lost along our way, and to the ones still depending on us, This groups moto has always been, and as far as I'm concerned always will be. "We protect those who can not protect themselves." He looked at his friends, "And we never give up on each other." then a small tear ran down his cheek. Everyone in unison said, "Here, here."

Stiles emotions started to get to him, he walked into the den and looked out of the window. The lake was the last place where he and Michael sat and watched the moon rise. He started shaking, he knew his breathing was the next problem coming. He was going to fall apart, and Derek was beginning to follow him, but Liam grabbed his hand as Max walked into the room with Stiles instead. 

"Stiles I am so sorry." Stiles was staring at the lake.

 "This doesn't feel like home, I feel lost." Stiles said solemnly, as he turned, Max smiled as Stiles leaned into his arms. Speaking softly to Max,

 "It is not your fault, but I am unable to wait, I need to go get him, I can't leave him out there any longer Max." Max looked at Stiles, 

"I am stronger now, I have a few new powers and reclaimed old ones after getting some rest, I am going with you." Stiles worried look, disappeared. 

"We are going with you as well." Stiles turned around, Scott, Isaac, Liam, and Ethan were standing there. Stiles was happy that his friends were coming together for him but he decided that he needed to say out loud, 

"This is our battle mine and Max' we need to go get Michael, I can't ask you guys to risk your lives, you've already done enough" Scott walked up to his best friend 

"Did you not even hear your own speech, we don't give up on each other Stiles, and we're not going to let you do this alone." Alec hugged his brother tightly and spoke almost in his ears 

"It's going to take all of us together to defeat this entity. Stiles stood a moment, then turned to Liam, 

"Ok then, Liam where are they?" Stiles quipped as he took charge of the situation, Liam pulled out his phone. 

"According to my findings, they are located in the basement of the old Beacon library. That building has been abandoned for years now." Stiles walked up to Scott,

 "Get these guys in the jeep, I need to tell Derek and Chris to stay with everyone else incase this goes south." Ethan looked at Scott, "I need to get something, I'll be there momentarily." Stiles walked into the room after talking to Chris and Derek, "It looks like the General needs a couple of us to do him a quick favor, so everyone enjoy you dinner, and we will see you for dessert." He lied to keep everyone' spirits up.

Noah walked up to Stiles, 

"What's going on son?" Stiles stopped and gave his dad a quirky look. "What do you mean, we will be back in a little bit, save me some stuffing." Stiles winked as he turned and quickly went to the jeep. Chris looked at Malia, 

"Here get this on their jeep before they leave." Malia grabbed the magnetic device and ran outside and yelled for Scott,

 "Hang on, this will only take a second." Scott exited the jeep and walked up to her, 

"You didn't say goodbye." Scott shook his head, 

"Come on Lia, we are in a hurry." She opened his door for him and stuck the magnet on the inner door at the bottom. 

"I love you." She said as Ethan returned and jumped in. She turned and walked away. Chris opened the front door, 

"I got it on." She said with a smile.

Noah entered the den with Jackson, Malia, Jordan and Joey. 

"Ok, I have asked Derek ,Peter, Alec and Pete to stay behind and keep watch. I'm pretty sure Stiles probably didn't think this through, so I am glad to have you guys as backup." Jordan looked at everyone with a stern face, 

"Michael is a big part of Stiles life, thus he has become family, With that being said, the General is also family and our boss, so we will bring them home for Stiles." Everyone in the group acknowledged his sentiment and agreed. Noah looked at Jackson,

 "Hey if Ethan had a car, do you think he would mind if we barrowed it?" Jackson looked confused, 

"He would let you drive, but not me, he hates the way I drive." Noah winked,

 "Follow me then." the small group walked into the garage there were five cars covered with tarps and he went to the one in the center, he pulled the tarp off and the group of men just stood and stared. 

"Don't just stand there get in. He handed the keys to Jordan. 'As an F. Y. I. don't ask, this is Stiles story to tell." the group left with Stiles group about twenty minutes ahead of them.