A Lot Like Pompeii

Chapter Nine: Don't Forget to Remember Me

Stiles slowly opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. The tv was on and he could see his friend Scott in the doorway with his head down mumbling some sort of request.

His hearing was slowly coming back, by the time it was fully there he heard voices in the hallway.

"Stiles is awake."

A doctor came in and walked over to him a smile crossing his face. "Good afternoon Mr. Stilinski. You've given us a run for our money with your stay here. We almost lost you a couple of times." Stiles stretched and looked around the room, Scott walked over and smiled, "Hey buddy." 

"Hey Scott."

"I'm going to ask you a few questions Stiles, is that okay?"

Stiles nodded.

"What's your name?"

"Stiles Stilinski."

The doctor nodded and pulled out his clip board and started to write. "Who's the president of the United States as of now?"

"Barack Obama."

"Correct." The doctor sighed and looked up at Stiles. "Do you know why you're here?"

The room fell silent as Scott and Derek looked at Stiles. Stiles sat there for a momemnt, confusion covering his face. "No. I-I can't remember."

"That's fine. Stiles, you were in a car crash." The doctor said.

Stiles eyes widened and he slowly shook his head in disbelief. "Oh my God. Is my family here? Are they okay?" He looked over at Scott, "Is Allison okay?"

The doctor walked over, "Stiles, your family passed away in the crash. You were the only survivor."

Stiles sat there for a moment and looked at Scott. "Allison?" Scott shook his head and looked down at the ground for a moment before looking back up at his friend. "I'm sorry Stiles, she's gone."

Stiles shook his head and could feel his eyes start to feel with tears, "I'm all alone? I don't have anyone?"

"No Stiles, you're not alone. You'll never be alone. You still have me, you still have Derek."

Stiles froze and looked over at Scott in puzzlement, "Who's Derek?"

-

Derek could feel his heart break in two. How could Stiles not remember who he was? He backed out of the room and turned, walking away. He had to get away from there.

"Derek! Derek wait!"

Derek turned to see Scott and the doctor walking towards him. "Scott please. I can't deal with this right now."

"Alright then listen. Derek, he has dementia. He started to forget his own family. You had to have known he would eventually forget you too." Scott said walking up to him.

"Scott I almost lost him. He was almost dead. And now you're telling me that I just have to deal with the fact that he can't remember me at all?" Derek asked, the pain clearly heard through his questions.

Scott sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Trying to collect his thoughts. "Listen, I know this isn't what you wanted. None of us wanted this. If I had my way his whole family would be here and he wouldn't be alone, but he is alone, and right now Derek...right now he needs you. Whether he knows that you're dating him or not. He needs stability and you're his stability."

Derek sighed and turned to the doctor. "Is there a chance that he'll ever remember who I am?"

The doctor frowned and shook his head, "Derek, I can't promise you anything. But I can tell you that no natter how many pictures of you he looks at, you'll probably never regain that level of trust ever again."