North Starr

50

Melanie frowned, staring at the younger version of her brother. "We should take him to Scott's boss."

Scott glanced at her and nodded. "Good idea."

When they reached the Animal Clinic, Deaton took one look at Derek and his eyes widened. "Wow."

"Wow?" Stiles questioned. "Wow as in, "I've seen this before and I know exactly what to do" kind of wow? 'Cause that's the kind of wow we were hoping for."

Melanie studied Deaton's expression. "I'm pretty sure it's the other kind of wow, Stilinski."

Deaton turned to Stiles. "I think you might be overestimating my abilities."

Lydia took Derek's hand. "He's cold. Really cold."

Scott looked up at his boss. "Do you think this is permanent?"

Deaton shrugged. "I'm not sure a medical diagnosis is even adequate. This is well beyond my experience."

While staring at Derek, Melanie asked, "Okay, what are we going to do with him?"

"Until he wakes up, probably not much. It might be best to leave him with me. He'll be safe here."

"You mean from Kate?" Stiles questioned.

Deaton glanced at Stiles. "If she's alive and she is what you say she is, she won't be able to walk past that gate."

Lydia frowned. "Why would she want to do this to him?"

Melanie let out a scoff. "Knowing how Kate was, it's good for her and bad for us."

Deaton looked between them. "You guys should probably go home. He doesn't look to be in any danger. So maybe the rest of you should get some sleep. It's a school night... And you all need to start taking care of your own lives again."

Scott looked up at the druid. "Someone should stay with you."

Lydia glanced down at Derek who was still holding her hand. "I'll stay. My grades are fine... Despite missing a few classes."

Melanie crossed her arms. "I don't like that idea. I should be with him too."

Lydia looked at her as she said, "Guys, go."

Scott pulled Melanie away and said, "Text us if anything happens."

Outside the clinic, Melanie put up a fuss. "Scott, that's my brother! Whatever gaoorner to him, I want to be there to help." She started back and Scott grabbed her, holding her tightly.

"No. Lydia can handle it. She'll let us know if anything happens. Your brother would want you to go to school, right?"

Stiles turned to the brunette. "Mellie, I don't like it either, but Lydia can handle herself, okay?"

She met his eyes and his gaze turned slightly tenser before she nodded. "Okay. Fine."

---

At Scott's, he knocked into something and picked up a toolbox.

"Scott?" Agent McCall asked.

Scott gave his dad an awkward smile. "Hey, Dad. What's with the tools?"

He sighed. "Oh, I was just, uh... getting started on a list of repairs you guys need done. What time is it?"

"It's um... Midnight," Scott lied, glancing at the clock.

Agent McCall sighed once again. "We were supposed to have dinner. We had a deal. When your mom has a night shift, we eat dinner."

Scott nodded apologetically. "Sorry, I totally forgot about it. When we got back from the camping trip, I had to go straight to the Animal Clinic to finish up work."