Side Effects

"Are you crazy?"

Meredith cringed at the volume the Sheriff's voice had leapt to.

"I know, I know. It was stupid. Incredibly stupid. But he was so young. I couldn't just do nothing. I saw him and I saw Jeremy."

There was a long pause where both women sighed.

"How is he?"

"Not awake yet," Meredith glanced over her shoulder.

"And what are you telling people?"

"Medical miracle."

"Yeah," the voice scoffed.

"They happen."

"Not like this."

"Look, I'm sorry I bothered you with this. You have more important things to worry about."

"No, Meredith. I'm glad you called. Look, the council has a lot of connections."

"But I thought -"

"I know some people that I can trust. I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you, Liz."

"Of course. Just be careful. Keep the kid under surveillance. Tell the family that it's for observation. You need to be sure that blood is out of his system before you let him leave. The last thing that you, or that town, needs is a new vampire on its hands. If something happens, you call me."

"Liz, he's just a teenager. Same age as Caroline and the others."

"I know. Which is why you call me. If something happens, I'll send someone there, to help him."

"Thank you."

"Take care of yourself."

"You too."

After the trio had departed from Stiles' room, it was barely five minutes before the Sheriff did indeed bust through the door. Derek made himself scarce after that, lingering still at the hospital, though, to ensure his pack's safety. Scott wasn't about to leave Stiles anytime soon, which meant Derek couldn't leave either. Despite the teenager's betrayal, Derek felt a sense of responsibility for the Beta. He had instructed Boyd, Isaac and Erica to leave. They were not as close with Stiles and their continued presence would cause further suspicion, despite Erica's earlier performance. He told them to find the closest house or business that was empty and remain there for the rest of the day. It was a game him and his siblings had played when they were young. They would find a home with the smell of its owners having faded, whether they were on vacation or had moved, the children didn't care. They had just wanted a place to play. Of course, it had been more than a simple game, though. Born wolves were taught early on how to run, how to hide. That's what they were instructed to do when hunters or any other threat found them. To hide. To heal. Boyd and Erica were still somewhat weak from their time in the Argent basement. Derek briefly informed them on how to hide their scents as well.

Lydia was determined to see Jackson, even if his father wasn't allowing his son to have any visitors. The look in her eyes when the man had refused her request was enough to tickle even Derek's hackles. Peter was probably lurking somewhere nearby, Derek didn't care. His focus was on his pack. Scott was emotionally unstable and therefore vulnerable. Both Stiles and Jackson were healed, but only the latter was awake, and a werewolf to add to the chaos. He needed to be there for the new Beta as he made the transition. And then, of course, there was the mystery of Stiles. There was no telling what would happen when he awoke, or what he might be.

Scott and Melissa both kept a constant vigil over the teenager and his father. The Sheriff had fallen into the chair beside the bed and refused to move. Due to the miraculous nature of Stiles' recovery, he was also under constant supervision by the staff. Doctors and nurses were running more tests than Derek could count. Every time they drew more blood or asked more questions, Scott would subtly shoot Derek an update from his phone. As much as the Alpha wanted to know what had happened to Stiles, he needed to keep his pack safe first. If these tests revealed anything outside the realm of humans and hunters somehow found out, another teenager in Beacon Hills would have a hunter's target on his back. Not to mention the possibility that skinny, human Stiles could potentially be the threat to his pack, depending on exactly what had happened to him. Derek didn't really feel like having another Kanima or the like on his hands.

The Alpha was on his way to the labs when he saw her.

He recognized the woman and immediately tensed. He had had his secret suspicions about her. A new doctor arriving, just in time for the supernatural shit to hit the fan, and Stiles' miracle recovery was a bit too much of a coincidence to overlook.

Through the door's window, Derek watched with increasingly furrowed brows as the woman worked.

"What the hell did you do?"

The doctor gasped and whirled around as Derek slammed the door open.

"You can't be in here," came the steady response.

Interesting.

Her heartbeat had spiked at the initial surprise, but had quickly leveled.

"I might not know much about hospital policy, but I'm pretty sure you're also not supposed to switch those tubes right there."

He was keeping his voice calm now, matching hers, playing her game. If she wasn't scared of him, then she didn't know what he was. That, or she was something stronger. She smelled human though.

"Who are you?" The woman's eyes narrowed.

"A friend."

"I'm new in town." She remarked as she sidestepped behind a table, creating an obstacle between her and the intruder.

"Didn't say I was yours," he stepped forward, allowing the bite to disappear from his voice. "Look, I'm sorry." He smiled faintly, stretching some of his rarely used skills. "I didn't mean to scare you. I took a walk to clear my head. I recognized you as the doctor who saved my friend's life. I wanted to say thank you."

"I've seen a charmer or two before," Meredith crossed her arms. "That isn't going to work on me."

"How about threatening to tell everyone else here what you were doing just now?" Derek let the act drop like a crashing curtain. "Will that work?"

"Look," she lowered her head, "it's complicated."

"Then explain it to me." Derek walked around the table separating them.

"I – can't."

"That sounds a lot like 'won't'," Derek moved closer.

"No, I mean, I can't. Telling you could get a lot of innocent people hurt, including your friend. He's alive. Let that be enough and just stop asking questions, please."

There was an earnest glow in her gaze that gave Derek pause. Not to mention the absence of a lie from her heartbeat.

"Is he okay?"

"Yes." Her answer was swift, but not too fast to cause for concern.

"No – side effects?"

"If we keep him here, under constant supervision, then no."

"For how long?

"About 48 hours and he'll be fine, I promise. Just keep him in his room and out of trouble."

"Keep Stiles out of trouble for two days," Derek huffed.

"Just keep him safe," Meredith amended.

"What happens if I don't?" Derek caught the warning.

Meredith didn't match the werewolf's glare, but her eyes were just as piercing.

"Side effects."