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Songs:

- Bells in Santa Fe // Hasley

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Scott and Charlie both leave the garage, the werewolf leading the pair up a flight of metal stairs and into the hospital. He suddenly slows down at the sound of someone moving about in the hallway ahead, head moving to look over the okami's shoulder. 

Charlie freezes at the sound of a metal object dropping to the ground, tensing at the lack of movement around her. Scott suddenly ducks as a fist thrown from the twins flies toward him, the momentum causing them to fall heavily into the metal cabinet. Charlie then sends a kick to their stomach as they move to stand, forcing them backward again.

The twins hesitate for a second before quickly swiping their claws down her arm, lifting her up and sending her crashing into a shelf and then to the ground. Charlie staggers up, seeing Scott being held against the wall by his neck. "Where is she! We're trying not to hurt you!"

"Then try harder," Scott gasps in response, trying to pull out their grip with no success. Just as Charlie is about to run forward, a shout from Ms. McCall causes her to turn.

"Hey! I'd like to try something," she offers before throwing two electrically charged paddles from a defibrillator by her side, to their chest. The twins convulse for a few seconds before falling to the ground. "Sweetheart, get up!" Ms. McCall shouts holding out a hand to her son who was lying on the ground. Scott nods at Charlie slightly as he stands,  all three of them running down the hallway and away from the twins. Scott leads them down into a ward, turning to his mom with a questioning look on his face. "What happened?"

"Deucalion, he just let me go and said it was a gesture of goodwill," his mother answers with a concerned frown, shaking her head as they continue through the hospital. 

"He had to have had a reason," Scott replies, letting out a breath as they slow down a little. "I don't think he does anything without a reason."

"Well if that means I should continue to be profoundly terrified, then I've got that covered."

"Maybe he's trying to get on your side, showing you that he's better than you think he is?" Charlie offers with a shrug, earning a few nods from Scott. The sound of a gun's saftely being removed causes the werewolf to suddenly freeze, the boy throwing an arm around his mother while Charlie steps froward toward the threat. 

They both collectively let out a breath at the sight of Mr. Argent, Isaac, and Allison emerging from around the corner. Chris' eyes move over the group, frowning slightly. "Where's the Darach?"

"She's stuck in the elevator with Derek," Scott replies quicklu, following behind the Argent as he moves past them quickly.

"So they're essentially trapped?" he questions, turning back toward the group who now was following after the man. Scott nods a few times.

"There's no way of getting them out without turning the power back on," Charlie tacks on, causing Chris to pause in thought.

"Hold on, if the power's back on, Deucalion and the twins, they're going to hear the elevator moving right?" Ms. McCall counters with a frown as the group was beginning a plan to get them out. "They'll be onto Jennifer and Derek as soon as it stops."

"We can't get into a fight with them," Scott adds on with a shake of his head.

"Well you've got us now," Chris shares a look with his daughter who stands up a bit straighter, gripping her bow.

"It's too much to risk. They want Jennifer dead and if she dies, there's nothing we can do for Stiles' dad or Cora," Scott is unrelenting, eyes on the hunter who frowns even deeper. Allison breaks the silence after a few seconds. 

"I've got an idea, I can disguise myself as Jennifer. It would distract the Alphas. Then Isaac can get Cora and Stiles as soon as he sees them heading towards me," Allison formulates the plan in her head, a smile curving her lips as she explains. "I would lead them out of the hospital, where you and I will be there to attack them. Then Ms. McCall and Charlie can run-up to the roof and turn the backup generator on so Derek and Jennifer can get out while the Alphas distracted," she looks toward Scott and her father who was nodding slowly.

"Scott, if you meet them at the elevator you can help Derek with the Darach, make sure she doesn't escape," Chris adds on, eyes flicking to the boy who nods warily. 

"I'll make sure she doesn't get hurt," Charlie replies with a slight smile, sensing his reluctance to leave his mother. 

"Ok," Scott looks down before taking a deep breath. "Lets do this."

Charlie follows Ms. McCall out of the room quickly, running behind her as she leads them up the stairwell on the side of the building to the roof. It takes a few minutes for them to reach the top, Charlie getting out her phone, waiting to see a text from Scott telling them to turn the power back on. 

Mellissa leads them to the other side of the roof where there was a large switch on the side of the brick wall. They wait for a few minutes until Scott sends the message to Charlie who relays it to the woman. "Turn it on!" Ms. McCall moves the lever, smiling slightly as the roof lights up. They both share a relieved look, the older woman letting out a breathy laugh. 

The world spins around her, Charlie falling to the ground as something heavy collides with her head. The girl winces, reaching a hand up to feel blood starting to coat her skull and forehead. She looks up at the sound of gasps, eyes widening at the sight of Ms. McCall being held by the Darach. "No!" The okami shouts, staggering slightly as she stands up, holding a hand to her head. 

Jennifer lets out a sharp laugh, moving backward towards the edge of the roof. "Do you really think you can stop me?"

"Please! Just take me instead!" The okami's desperate, chest heaving as she staggers forward.

"It doesn't work that way, sorry Charlie," the woman taunts with a raise of her brow. "Tell Scott that his mother's going to be sacrificed, just like all the others." The moment the Darach finishes her sentence she envelops herself into the night sky and disappears, leaving the girl alone.

A yell tears from Charlie's throat and echoes across the roof, the girl threading her fingers through her hair as she grips it tightly to the point of tearing. "Shit," she could feel tears pressing against the back of her eyes as she gasps.

"Well, that was unfortunate," Deucalion's now-familiar drawl breaks the silence on the roof, Charlie going rigid as she spins around. A glare marrs her previously guilt-ridden expression, anger pushing through in its place. 

"I swear to god," the okami grits out, hands dropping down to form fists at her sides. "What the fuck do you want?"

"You won't be able to find them in time," Deucalion continues with an exaggerated sigh and a shake of his head. "Poor Scott and Stiles, both of their parents dead, because of you." Charlie swallows once, teeth gritted together at his words. "Don't deny it, I smell the guilt all over you."

"I'm not denying it," she counters with a frown. "What's your point?"

"Join me," the Alpha tilts his head slightly. "You'll find their parents in time and they won't have to die by your mistakes."

There's a moment where Charlie actually considers it. But then she thinks it through. Having an okami in an Alpha pack would spell disaster for most, if not all werewolf packs. He would be the most powerful supernatural creature in the world. Even though she desperately wants to save Scott and Stiles' parents, she couldn't. They'll find another way. 

The girl looks up before giving a tight shake of her head. "Never," Charlie gasps as the Alpha suddenly moves a clawed hand to her throat, lifting her into the air and squeezing tightly. The okami coughs, grabbing desperately at Deucalion's fist as she struggles to breathe. "I'm getting very impatient with you Charlie," he sighs before turning at the sound of Scott running up the stairs.

"Mom! Mom!" The young werewolf shouts, running towards where Charlie and Deucalion were standing toward the edge of the roof.

"They're gone," the Alpha states after a pause, stepping forward with Charlie in a hand, still struggling for breath. "Guardians, Scott. If you were with me, I could've told you what it meant. I could've warned you."

"Let me help you, Scott. Let's help each other. You help me catch her, and I'll help you get your mother and Stiles' father back." There are a few moments of pause, Scott's gaze moving desperately between the alpha and Charlie. The conflict in his expression was clear but after a few seconds he seems to come to a resolution, stepping forward with tears in his eyes. 

"Don't," Charlie gasps out, drawing the werewolf's gaze. "Don't do it," Scott just shakes his head at her, the hopelessness in his face apparent. Deucalion takes this opportunity to then drop the okami to the ground heavily, the girl coughing as she finally takes in a breath. 

"Scott," Stiles' voice breaks into the silence, all three of them turning slightly toward the boy. "Scott, please don't do this. Don't go with him," he continues, stepping forward. He tries to changes his friend's mind with the intensity of his gaze but the werewolf just takes a breath.

"I don't know what else to do." 

"No, it's not-Scott, there's gotta be something else, okay? We a-always have a plan B," Stiles replies softly as his head shakes side to side. Both Charlie and Stiles watch as the boy starts to cry lightly and the decision was made. 

"Not this time," Scott shakes his head before turning his head back and walking toward the Alpha who was now failing to contain his victorious smirk. 

"Scott," Stiles voice cracks, tears breaking into his eyes. The boys plea hangs in the air, Scott looking down at the ground before swallowing once. 

"I'm gonna find your dad. I promise," Scott replies, nodding slightly with one more look towards his friend as he turns away to leave with Deucalion.

"Scott! No! Scott!" 

They both disappear as quickly as the Darach did, leaving Stiles and Charlie alone on the roof. All that's left is Stiles' heavy and panicked breaths, the girl coughing a little as she staggers to her feet. "You okay?" The boy steps forward, looking at her in concern. 

Charlie nods, pushing her hair back out of her face. "Yeah," she replies simply, blinking a few times. 

"Are you sure?" He pushes a little, figuring he was friendly enough with the girl that it wasn't out of bounds. 

Indecision flickers across Charlie's expression, the guilt of letting Stiles and Scott's parents get taken pressing against her chest. Her teeth grit together before she forces another nod, the boy frowning. "We should go," she offers, the harsher note in her tone stopping Stiles from pushing the conversation further. 

"Yeah, we should," the boy nods too, both of them running from the roof and down the stairs. He leads the way to the elevator where Derek and Jennifer were trapped. "There's Derek!" Stiles shouts toward Charlie and they both run into the elevator which was clearly missing the Darach and had taken out Derek to escape. The werewolf was unconscious on the floor, the lights flickering above them.

"Derek? Derek, can you hear me?" Charlie asks, kneeling beside the alpha, shaking his shoulder harshly.

"Hold on," Stiles says, causing the girl to pause with a frown, leaning back slightly. "Derek!" The boy shouts, slapping him forcefully on the face. "Derek, come on!" Stiles shouts again, slapping him repeatedly, Charlie wincing. 

He lifts his hand, forming a first before forcefully bringing it down towards the alpha's face. Before it makes contact, Derek suddenly lurches awake, grabbing Stiles' arm and holding it away from his face.

"Where is she?" The man gasps out, wide eyes darting around the now empty elevator.

"Jennifer? She's gone and took Scott's mom with her," his voice has a sharper tone than usual, Stiles letting out a tense breath. 

"She took her?"

"Yeah. If that's not enough of a kick to the balls, Scott left with Deucalion," Stiles tacks on, teeth now gritted together. "The police are coming right now, we gotta get you the hell out of here."

Charlie and Stiles both grab one of Derek's arms, helping him up off the ground and towards the stairs. "Wait, what about Cora?" He looks towards the Charlie who shifts her gaze slightly, shaking her head.

"Not good," her heavy reply causes the werewolf to let out  a harsh exhale, grunting as they help him walk. "I'm gonna stay and hold off the cops," Stiles pauses, breaking off from the two just as they reach the stairs to the exit.

"You sure?" Charlie frowns a little, gaze flicking toward the boy who shrugs his shoulders. 

"Honestly, with the number of times I had to talk my way out of being at a crime scene it's pretty much second nature now," a smirk breaks onto his face and the okami nods a few times before helping Derek out of the hospital. After a few minutes they reach the exit, the sound of the police sirens in the distance prompting them to rush towards his car. 

Derek quickly throws the Land Rover into gear, reversing out of the parking spot toward the side of the hospital with Charlie's directions. The alpha slows down the car as Isaac and the Argents come into view, throwing open the door.

"Where's Scott and Stiles?" Allison frowns, noticing their absence as Issac and her father help move Cora to their car. "Derek?"

"Stiles is still at the hospital, he's gonna hold off the cops for us," Derek shouts over the wind as he puts Cora into the front seat. "We have to go right now."

"What about Scott and Melissa?" Chris narrowing his eyes as they flick between Charlie and Derek, the former diverting her eyes downward.

"Jennifer took Melissa," Derek replies quickly, shutting the door and heading back toward the driver seat. Allison's eyes widen, her hair blowing wildly in the wind as she practically runs toward the alpha.

"What about Scott?" The girl shouts at Derek as he moves pasts her, ignoring the question with a shake of his head. "Derek! Where's Scott?" Allison is unrelenting, gaze fixed on the man. 

The alpha hesitates when reaching the car door before turning around to face her. "He went with Deucalion," Derek states bluntly before nodding at Charlie to get in the car, leaving Allison staring blankly at the space where he was. "Come on," Issac leaves the Argents and jumps into Derek's Land Rover. Charlie throws Allison an apologetic look before doing the same.

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Lockdown, lockdown I love being trapped in my house for 11 weeks :)))) (and about 2 months left).

But at least I get this done in my breaks! Also am lucky to have a good healthcare system and our increasing vaccination rate.

xx