The True Family

The D Day

DEREK POV

"Happy birthday Stiles!" the pack exclaimed as they entered Stiles' room without knocking.

"Thanks." Stiles replied.

There was very little enthusiasm in his voice, not that anyone could blame him. I was in a foul mood myself this morning and yet I spent the night sleeping with him preciously against me. I have to admit that I dread this night, the success of our mission is a matter of life and death and I won't survive it if we fail. Now that I've had the chance to hear the sweet sound of a laugh come out of Stiles, I know that I need to hear it again and again every day of my life.

"I'm afraid for tonight..." Stiles admitted and I felt my throat tighten and I hugged him even closer.

"We'll all be there to protect you Stiles, we promise." Scott replied, putting a comforting hand on his, quickly followed by Isaac and the rest of the pack like they would do before a Lacrosse match.

"And tomorrow we'll all celebrate our victory." Erica agreed.

"But for that, Stiles, you have to work on your endurance." Allison's dad said as he entered the room with my uncle. "It starts now, I have to ask you to stand up."

"He's still weak." I said, keeping my arms tightly around Stiles' body. "What he needs is rest."

"What he needs is the ability to run away if he's in danger and we're not in a position to protect him." Christ replied firmly, pointing a baseball bat at Stiles and me. "What do you think, Stiles?"

"I agree..." he replied.

While my instincts were screaming at me not to separate from him, I couldn't deny his request when he begged me with his damn beautiful eyes to let him join Christ and I felt my rib cage tighten painfully when he kissed my lips in thanks. I stood there watching them silently, with my pack in silent support as Allison's father showed Stiles how to handle the bat so that he could hurt without hurting himself with muscles that hadn't worked in two months.

I hate to see him suffer without saying anything, a reminder of the endurance he has built up in the face of the pain due to the suffering he has suffered in silence for too long. I must admit however that I am proud of Stiles, I love to see this strength that emanates from him, strength that did not exist before today. He wants to live and will fight for his life, I could not have asked for better in such a circumstance.

After a while, though, I decide it's time to step in. Stiles is exhausted, and while I understand he needs to work on his stamina, I don't want him to be completely drained before he can even defend himself. Not to mention the growing concern I sense among my pack isn't helping keep me calm.

I get up from Stiles' hospital bed that I still haven't left and grab the end of the bat Stiles is swinging before it hits the target Christ is holding at arm's length.

"That's enough, you need to know when to take a break too." I warn with my attention on Stiles's ragged, slightly wheezing breath.

"What? But I'm fine." Stiles tries to convince me. "I can still..."

"Go sit down, Stiles." I said, my look must have been pretty convincing because he didn't try to refuse a second time.

"He's got a mind of steel." Argent complimented as I handed him the bat back. "A few more workouts like that and he'll be ready for tonight."

I must be the least prepared person for tonight, but I ignored that information as I offered a nod of thanks to Scott who was bringing Stiles a glass of water, then turned my attention to my uncle, I needed to hear his plan for tonight one more time and how certain he was that it would be a success.