#seeing every enlistment related announcement as one step closer to getting them back?

[heartonthejindow]

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[tomeandflickcorner]

Umbrella Academy Recap 2x07

1x01 1x02 1x03 1x04 1x05 1x06 1x07 1x08 1x09 1x10

2x01 2x02 2x03 2x04 2x05 2x06

Well, last time, it was one step forward and two steps back for the Hargreeves Siblings.  Not only did they make contact with 1963 Reginald, who proved to be no help to them (no surprises there), but there were setbacks even for the individual subplots.  Ray now knows about Allison’s powers, but he’s still leery because he knows that he wouldn’t know it if Allison had used her powers on him.  Klaus was able to have a private conversation with Past Dave, only to find that his efforts of keeping him from being killed in the upcoming Vietnam War may have backfired as they resulted in Dave’s uncle forcing him to enlist ahead of schedule.  And while Vanya managed to convince Sissy to agree to run away together, Sissy’s husband, Carl, was spying on them and now knows they’re in love.  Oh, and poor Elliot was brutally tortured and killed by the Swedes, who are looking for Diego, whom they believe was directly responsible for the death of their brother.  And Number 5 made a deal with The Handler, which involved him agreeing to kill The Commission’s board of directors to ensure The Handler could take charge in exchange for the chance for him and his siblings to return to their own time, with both apocalypses being permanently removed from the timeline.  Yeah, a lot happened last episode.

Episode 7 begins with Number 5 traveling to Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1982, which is the time and location of the board of directors meeting.  The meeting is taking place at some lodge, under the guise of the Midwest Soybean Society.  After getting directions to the correct ballroom from a lady at the reception desk, Number 5 has a hilarious ordeal with a faulty vending machine.  One that I’m sure anyone who has had their desired snack fail to dispense correctly can relate to.  In frustration, Number 5 smashes the vending machine’s glass covering.  However, he then choses to simply walk away from the damage.  Not sure why he didn’t just take the fudge nutter bar he was so determined to get, but maybe he felt it best to get away from the scene of the crime.  Number 5 then proceeds to the indicated ballroom, where the board of directors meeting is already underway, with AJ, the talking goldfish we last saw in 2x02, sitting at the head of the table.  Number 5 barges into the room, wielding a fire axe and proceeds to kill everyone in the room.  Rather gruesomely, I might add.  Yes, we don’t actually see any of the killing blows, but we do see one guy lying on the ground with his intestines hanging out.  Before long, everyone in the room is dead, apart from Number 5 and AJ.  AJ seems to realize The Handler put him up to this and tries to bargain with Number 5 to no avail.  But right before Number 5 could begin to attack AJ, the lady from the lodge’s reception desk appears out of nowhere, tackling Number 5.  She’s angry about the damage to the vending machine and intends to make him pay for it.  Which is fine and good, but still slightly confusing.  I mean, she does notice the multiple dead bodies lying around the room, right?  One would think dead bodies would outweigh a broken vending machine.  Anyway, Number 5 manages to knock her out.  But AJ took advantage of the distraction to try and make his getaway.  Of course, Number 5 manages to overtake him with his teleporting ability and smashes AJ’s glass jar head, which results in AJ flopping around on the floor.

Number 5 later meets up with The Handler, presenting her with AJ, who is now confined in a plastic baggie filled with water.  The Handler is visibly pleased to see AJ in this state.  However, Number 5 doesn’t share her excitement, stating he is not okay with the murders he’d committed, and he only went through with them for his family, and to save the world.  The Handler pretty much dismisses his misgivings over the deaths he’d caused and hands him a time traveling briefcase that will bring him and the other Hargreeves Siblings back to 2019.  However, as she turns to walk off, she tells Number 5 that he only has 90 minutes to use the time traveling briefcase.  Number 5 is aghast by this, as The Handler never mentioned there’d be a time limit.  And it will be quite difficult for him to successfully round up all the Hargreeves Siblings in only an hour and a half.  The Handler is not bothered by this, telling Number 5 that he’d better hurry.

We then cut to Klaus and Ben.  Klaus, knowing that Ben is wanting to possess his body again, is doing his best to prevent that by staying awake.  Ben points out that Klaus cannot possibly stay awake forever.  Sooner or later, he’s going to drift off, whether he likes it or not.  And I couldn’t help but giggle during this scene.  Every time Klaus’ eyelids drooped, when he opened his eyes again, Ben would be a little bit closer.  Something about this made me remember the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who.  Klaus begs Ben to give him a break, as he’s still upset over not being able to do anything to prevent Dave’s death, and he hates feeling this powerless.  To this, Ben retorts that he deals with that feeling every single day, and he hates having to watch Klaus make the same mistakes over and over again.  Upon hearing this, Klaus is reasonably remorseful towards his brother.  But not enough to allow Ben to possess him again.  He asks Ben why he’s so determined to take control of his body.  Ben explains that he wants to be able to actually speak with Jill, the young woman he fancies.  Upon hearing Ben’s reasons, Klaus finally relents and agrees to let Ben into the driver’s seat for a bit.  But only as long as Ben agrees to obey some ground rules.  For instance, no cutting Klaus’ hair and avoiding any dairy products.  (Guess Klaus is lactose intolerant?) Ben agrees to this, and so Klaus allows him to posses him.  Klaus-Ben then proceeds to relish in the ability to actually interact with the world around him.  Such as eating an orange and feeling dirt under his feet.  Finally, he is able to actually talk with and spend time with Jill.

Over at the farmhouse, Sissy and Vanya are biding their time, trying to make things appear normal so Carl doesn’t suspect their plans to run off together.  Of course, they don’t realize Carl already knows about them, so the scene has a tense overtone to it.  Sissy announces that she plans to take Harlan in for a checkup and asks Vanya if she’d like to come along.  Vanya agrees, suggesting that they swing by the park afterwards.  Clearly, this was their cover story to give them a chance to get a head start before Carl noticed they were missing.  However, Carl disrupts the plan, stating he wants Vanya to give him a ride over to Jim Garvey’s ranch.  Sissy tries to ague her case, stating Harlan likes it when Vanya goes along for his checkups, and her presence helps keep him calm, but Carl is insistent that Vanya goes with him.  Vanya assures Sissy that she’s okay with going with Carl to the ranch, nonverbally telling her that she’s fine with waiting a bit longer.  However, upon arriving at the ranch, Carl reveals to Vanya that he knows about her relationship with Sissy, stating that he will not allow such ‘unnaturalness’ to go on under his roof.  Vanya tells Carl that she’s not afraid of him.  In response to this, Carl threatens to send Harlan away to a facility “better equipped to handle his type.” Unless Vanya agrees to go away.  Vanya, out of a desire to protect Harlan and ensure Sissy won’t loose her son, agrees to leave the farmhouse.  Satisfied, Carl tells Vanya that he expects her to be gone by the time he returns home.

At the Chestnut household, Ray has received word that President Kennedy’s people reached out to their Civil Rights group.  It turns out their protest has gained their attention and they want to sit down and discuss things.  Allison voices her happiness over how things are looking up for Ray and his efforts, but says she’d prefer to sit this one out, stating that she doesn’t feel well.  You get the feeling that something is upsetting her, but she does her best to keep it to herself.  In the end, Ray heads off alone, promising to bring back some soup for her.  As he walks out, Allison tells him that she loves him, but Ray only responds with a smile.  Ray’s failure to say he loves her in return doesn’t improve Allison’s mood.

At Elliot’s apartment, Diego and Luther are gathered around Elliot’s body.  They agree that Elliot deserved better than this.  Diego wonders if the feds were responsible for Elliot’s death, but Luther points out that if the feds were involved, they would have taken Elliot away to question him.  Their attention is then drawn to the message the Swedes left behind, Oga for Oga.  Thinking that Oga is a person, Luther turns to the phone book to look her up, finding a listing for an Olga Foroga.  They proceed to call her up, and Diego threatens her.  But then Number 5 arrives on the scene and informs them that the message Oga for Oga isn’t a name, but a Swedish phrase that translates to ‘an eye for an eye.’  Therefore, it was the Swedes that killed Elliot.  Luther and Diego sheepishly claim they would have realized that eventually.  They then notice that Number 5 is still covered in blood, and Luther demands to know what Number 5 did.  It’s not clear if Number 5 told his brothers about what he had to do, but he does tell them he managed to make a deal to ensure they can all return to their own time, with both doomsdays being prevented.  They just have to find the others first.  Luther is tasked with fetching Allison, Diego is sent to find Klaus and Number 5 volunteers to get Vanya.  The three brothers then part ways, with Number 5 stating they’ll meet up at the alleyway where they first arrived in exactly 77 minutes.  Before they part, Diego questions what they’ll do about 1963 Reginald and President Kennedy.  In response, Number 5 reminds him that Elliot was killed because of them, and they are absolutely taking this chance to go home, before anything else happens.  Diego relents, but states he wants to say goodbye to Lila first.  In frustration, Number 5 informs Diego that Lila works for The Commission and was simply using Diego the whole time.  Diego is visibly upset, but makes it clear that he refuses to believe that Lila was using him.

At The Commission Headquarters, The Handler holds an emergency meeting.  She informs everyone that the entire board of directors were assassinated, and a full investigation is underway.  She goes on to say that she will be taking over as the head of The Commission, and the briefcase room will be temporarily closed as a safety precaution.  We see Lila is standing amongst the crowd, but she gives no indication how she feels about her adoptive mother taking control of The Commission.  After the emegency meeting, The Handler retreats to her new office and dumps AJ into a fish bowl.  She then proceeds to gloat a bit.  Lila, who is sitting nearby, asks if she really has to be there.  She’s clearly not sharing The Handler’s feeling of triumph over the successful coup. To try and get rid of Lila’s ‘bad attitude,’ The Handler gives her a badge that names her head of security.  Lila accepts the position, on the condition that she’s allowed to do things her own way.  The Handler agrees to this, stating Lila has earned this.

Luther approaches Allison, who is just coming back from the market.  He tells her that Number 5 found a way for them to return home.  Allison is stunned by the news, but is heartened by the notion that she might be able to see Claire again.  (Oh, good, she does remember her daughter.)  Of course, Luther admits he’s not sure what sort of world they’ll come back to.  Allison announces that she can’t handle losing people anymore.  She has doubts that Number 5 will get it right this time.  If he doesn’t, she might have to lose her brothers and sister all over again, and she can’t go through that again.  Luther does his best to console her, acknowledging that she’s right in saying it’s not fair that they can’t live normal lives.  However, he reminds her that they don’t belong in 1963, and they need to go back home.  At that moment, Ray returns home.  So Allison has to quickly fill Ray in, stating she and her siblings are going to have to return to 2019 that very day.  Ray is upset when he learns Allison will have to leave in 33 minutes, asking if there’s another way.  He clearly isn’t ready to say goodbye to her.  A tearful Allison asks Ray if he would go with her if she’d asked.  Ray ultimately decides he can’t leave the Civil Rights movement behind.  Even though Allison admits the fight is still going on in 2019, Ray knows his part of the fight is in 1963.  Which means that they have no choice than to part ways.  And they’re both grieving the fact that this is goodbye.  Allison offers to use her powers on Ray, to spare him from feeling sorrow over Allison’s imminent departure from his life.  Ray turns down the offer, stating he doesn’t want to forget Allison or the time they spent together.  And that he’d pick the year he spent with Allison over a lifetime with anyone else. They then kiss one last time.  But the moment is ruined when the Swedes show up at the door, posing as vacuum salesmen.  They quickly punch Allison in the throat, momentarily making her lose her voice so she can’t use her powers on them.  With Allison defenseless, they proceed to attack both her and Ray.  (And props to Ray, as he does put up a good fight.)  After a struggle, Allison manages to incapacitate the Swede attacking her by piercing his eye with a vaccuum attachment.  She then directs her attention on the Swede fighting with Ray and uses her powers on him, instructing him to kill his brother.  So the mind-controlled Swede turns on the other one.  When the deed is done, the last remaining Swede runs off, horrified over what he’d just done.

Meanwhile, Klaus-Ben is still spending time with Jill.  But things get complicated when Jill voices a desire to have sex.  Obviously, this is an issue, as Jill doesn’t realize that she’s actually talking to Ben and not Klaus.  So there’s an obvious dubious consent issue here.  Fortunately, Diego arrives to collect Klaus before anything could happen.  As Diego escorts Klaus-Ben away, Klaus-Ben reveals that he is actually Ben.  At first, Diego doesn’t believe him, thinking Klaus is simply high again.  Klaus-Ben offers to prove it, telling Diego to ask him something only Ben would know.  Deciding to play along, Diego asks Klaus-Ben what they reprogramed Allison’s Teddy Ruxpin to say when they were little.  (Wait, Allison had a Teddy Ruxpin?  Considering what Reginald was like, I wouldn’t think the Hargreeves Siblings were allowed to have toys.)  In response, Klaus-Ben responds with ‘Luther sniffs Dad’s underwear.’  This is enough to convince Diego that he really is talking to Ben.  And he has an emotional reaction to the knowledge that he’s speaking to his long-dead brother again.   Diego tells Ben to remain in Klaus’ body for a bit longer, as they need someone responsible in the driver’s seat for a while.  But Klaus-Ben asks if he can have ten more minutes before they leave to meet up with the others.  He obviously wants to see Jill one last time.  Diego, after a brief hesitation, states that there’s something he needs to do as well.  So he instructs Klaus-Ben to meet him in the alleyway in half an hour.  With that, Diego leaves.  But as soon as he does so, Ben starts to lose his control of Klaus’ body.  So Klaus-Ben has to hurry away to make it to the alleyway before Klaus can fully regain control.  As Klaus-Ben leaves the mansion, he is briefly held up by Keechie, who Klaus-Ben instructs to take over leadership of the cult.

Elsewhere, Vanya is driving back to the famhouse to pack her things and leave Sissy and Harlan behind, as Carl instructed.  And she is visibly upset over the situation.  En route to her destination, she passes by Number 5 on the road.  They both get out of their cars to talk.  Number 5 announces he was looking for her, stating that he found a way for them to return home and they only have half an hour to take it.  Vanya, however, hesitates, stating she can’t just leave her friends.  She insists on bringing them with her.  Number 5 tells her that’s not possible, as Vanya’s friends belong in this timeline, so they must stay where they are.  But Vanya is adamant, passionately stating that Sissy deserves better than being forced to pretend to be someone she’s not.  And Harlan can receive better, more understanding care in 2019 than he could get in the 1960s.  She goes on to say that a mother and her 8-year-old can hardly mess up the timeline, as they’re insignificant in the grand scheme of things.  Number 5 disagrees, stating nobody is insignificant.  He voices his sympathy to Vanya’s plight, but insists they cannot take the risk of bringing Sissy and Harlan with them.  This results in a real confrontation to occur between the two.  Vanya challenges Number 5, asking why he should be allowed to decide.  To this, Number 5 announces that if it wasn’t for him, they’d all be dead now, thanks to Vanya.  In seconds, Vanya and Number 5 are both staring each other down, with both of them activating their powers.  But this doesn’t really go anywhere, as Vanya backs down.  But she still asks Number 5 to allow her the time to say goodbye to Sissy, stating that if he won’t grant her that much then she simply won’t go back with them at all.  Without another world, Vanya turns to walk off, and Number 5 reluctantly agrees to Vanya’s terms, telling her to show up at the designated alley, and to not be late.

Still, when Vanya gets to the farmhouse, Sissy and Harlan are just coming back from the doctor’s office.  Despite what she’d told Number 5, Vanya is still planning on bringing them along.  Vanya tells Sissy that the time for them to leave is now, and they have to leave before Carl gets back.  Sissy is hesitant at first, believing that she owes Carl a final goodbye or something.  After all, he is still her husband.  But Vanya is insistent that she owes Carl nothing, telling her that he knows about them, and that he threated to send Harlan to an institution.  This is enough to convince Sissy to leave with Vanya right away.  But while Vanya escorts Harlan to the car, Sissy ducks back inside to retrieve he secret stash of cash.  However, Sissy then decides, rather foolishly, to leave a note behind for Carl anyway.  So they’re met with a police barricade.  One of the police officers, who Sissy identifies as her brother-in-law, accuses them of kidnapping Harlan.  Vanya ends up fighting back with her powers, which shocks Sissy.  When Vanya looks back at Sissy, as if to gauge her reaction to the revelation that she has powers, she is struck with the handle of a police-issued rifle and is knocked out, much to Sissy’s dismay.

As for Diego, he meets up with Lila while burying Elliot’s body.  Diego confronts Lila over how she’d lied to him over who she really was.  Lila states that everything else she told him was true, and that she only lied about her identity to protect him.  Diego isn’t mollified though.  He asks Lila if she has any idea how hard it is to trust people after spending an entire childhood being manipulated.  He then announces that, once he’s done burring Elliot, he’s going to go home and forget all about her.  Lila, when she realizes Elliot was killed by the Swedes, voices her sorrow over it, stating she liked Elliot and his crazy conspiracy theories.  She and Diego then share a drink in Elliot’s memory.  Only Diego realizes too late that Lila once again tricked him, as there was a sedative mixed into the drink.  Diego quickly loses consciousness.  He comes to later on, inside The Handler’s office, where Lila introduces him to The Handler.  And, to his confusion, Lila identifies Diego as her boyfriend.

The episode ends with Number 5, Luther and Klaus-Ben arriving at the alleyway, with Klaus’ body fully ejecting Ben the moment they arrive.  But because Allison was attacked by the Swedes, Diego was abducted by Lila and Vanya got held up and knocked out by the cops, they all failed to make it to the rendezvous spot in time.  Number 5 vents over how his siblings couldn’t handle the simple task of getting to the alleyway in time.  (Hopefully, he’ll feel bad about that statement when he realizes that Allison, Vanya and Diego weren’t late on purpose.)  When the time traveling briefcase activates, Number 5 is forced to throw it away, resulting in it entering the time vortex without them.  So the Hargeeeves Siblings have lost what might have been their only chance at returning to 2019 and resorting the timeline.

Closing thoughts/questions:

Yeah, I get why Number 5 and Luther were upset over how Allison, Diego and Vanya didn’t make it to the alleyway in time.  But it was still presumptuous of them to conclude that it was due to their own ineptitude or inability to follow directions.  Did it not occur to either of them that something happened to them?  

Come to think of it, why didn’t Luther stick around while Allison said goodbye to Ray?  At the very least, he could have waited outside while she had her final moment with him.  Instead, he up and heads off without her?  Because if he had stuck around, he might have been able to help her fight The Swedes.  And then they could have both made it on time.  (Sure, Diego and Vanya would have still been held up, but still.)

I wonder if Ben will be able to communicate with the other Hargreeves Siblings.  After all, Diego now knows Ben is around and can possess Klaus.  So, if he can get back to the others, he’s sure to tell them about it.

I really hope Sissy and Harlan will be able to get away.  Because they absolutely cannot remain with Carl after this.

My appreciation for Ray just keeps growing.  I feel so bad for him!  Because the love story he had going on with Allison was so beautiful.  It’s made even more lovely with him saying he wouldn’t change a thing about their time together, even though he knows it would never last.  It’s so wonderfully bittersweet!  At least Allison knows what a good, healthy relationship looks like now.

Clearly, Lila does care about Diego.  I wonder if that will be enough for her to turn against The Handler.  I just get the feeling that she’s no longer feeling loyal to her adoptive mother anymore.  So I wonder what she’s got up her sleeve. 

[hard-satin]

Parasomnia (5.02)

Masterlist

“I know his family left town when he was like nine or ten. His older sister got into an accident when he was eight.” Stiles told Noah as we followed him into his office. We had stopped by before school to talk to him.

“Please go to school. You’re going to make Jamie late.” Noah begged Stiles.

“I’m with Stiles on this. Something doesn’t smell right.” I told Noah.

“Dad this kid is a werewolf.” Stiles tried to persuade him.

“Your best friends are werewolves. You’re dating a werecoyote. I still don’t know what Kira’s supposed to be. When the flying monkeys come soaring through the station you will have my undivided attention. Until then, just go to school.” Noah begged.

“What did you do?” Stiles asked.

“What? What do you mean what did I do?” Noah asked him.

“There’s something different about you.” Stiles said looking him over.

“What are you talking about?” Noah asked him in confusion but I heard a very subtle spike to his heart rate.

“What is it? What’s different?” Stiles asked stepping even closer to his father to examine him.

“For the love of god, just go to school.” Noah told him pushing him away.

“We’ll go if you promise to do a full background check on the Raeken’s.” Stiles bargained.

“No. You know what, just because I’m the only law enforcement officer who knows anything about this doesn’t make it my responsibility to do something every time you have a minor suspicion.” Noah told him.

“Except you’re not the only one.” I pointed out tugging Stiles sleeve to point out Jordan Parrish sitting in the bullpen. Noah called him in and had him run a background check for us. Nothing came up, so we went off to school.

-

“So you ran a background check and all that came up was a speeding ticket?” Malia asked after Stiles and I had finished filling her in about the events of our morning.

“A speeding ticket signed by Theo’s dad eight years ago.” Stiles told her.

“Which means what?” Malia asked.

“Nothing.” I told her.

“No, it means that he was trying to get away from something.” Stiles told her.

“Well how many tickets do you have?” Malia asked him.

“None.” Stiles told her. I laughed at him.

“How many would you have if your dad didn’t get you out of them?” Malia clarified.

“Eighteen.” I told her.

“No! It’s seventeen.” Stiles corrected me.

“I don’t know Stiles. I mean, I see why you’re worried. He’s really hot. He’s got like great hair perfect body. You should definitely feel threatened.” Malia told him. I chuckled.

“Thank you, because I do. Now more than ever.” Stiles told her.

“You want me to torture him?” Malia asked.

“No I don’t want you to torture him.” Stiles told her.

“I’m pretty sure I could take him.” Malia assured Stiles as I laughed at their exchange.

“I have a plan. There’s steps to doing this right.” Stiles told her.

“What steps?” Malia asked.

“We get the story. Verify the facts. We find the piece that doesn’t fit and we catch him in the act. That’s how we do it.” Stiles informed her. I bumped Stiles shoulder gaining his attention. I nodded to the street where Theo was getting dropped off for school. He turned around and spotted us. He smiled and sent us a wave.

“Why are you so suspicious of this guy?” Malia asked.

“Because Stiles is and I trust Stiles.” I told her.

“Stiles why are you suspicious?” Malia turned to him.

“Because I remember Theo from fourth grade. Okay, that’s not Theo.” Stiles told her.

-

Stiles and I spotted Scott sitting out in the quad during his free period. We ran over to enlist his help in our fight against Theo.

“You’re coming with us. Come on.” Stiles told him.

“I got a free period.” Scott told us.

“So do we, and so does Theo Raeken.” I told Scott.

“Let's go.” Stiles told him before running off, Scott and I close behind.

We tracked Theo to the locker rooms. He looked mildly surprised to see me walk in with the boys but when we asked to hear about how he was bitten he just jumped right into the story.

“I was skating in a neighbor's empty pool. Nobody was home. I’m not that good of a skateboarder but I guess I was feeling pretty determined because I completely lost track of time. I didn’t even realise it was night until the yard lights came on. My last try I went down and hit hard. Really hard. I was sitting there at the bottom of the pool and I realised I’d never heard the board come back down. There was a thing standing at the edge of the pool with glowing red eyes. It came at me fast. I barely had a chance to turn around before it bit me. Right here.” Theo said pointing to the same spot on his side that Scott had been bitten.

“Well it wasn’t an accident. He wanted to turn you.” Scott told him.

“Right so why weren’t you part of his pack then?” Stiles asked from where he and I were leaning against the lockers listening in.

“Yeah, why didn’t he come back for you?” I asked.

“Because by the time of my first full moon he was dead.” Theo told us. I snorted at the convenience.

“How do you know that?” Stiles asked.

“I met another one of his pack weeks later. He told me the alpha that bit me was killed by two of his own betas. They were twins.” Theo explained.

“Ethan and Aiden?” I asked Stiles quietly. He shrugged. I sounded like them but we had no way of knowing for sure.

“Scott, Jamie. Listen to my pulse. I’m telling you guys the truth.” Theo told us sensing we weren’t quite on board with his story.

“Right or you just know how to steady your heart rate while you’re lying your ass off.” Stiles pointed out.

“Why would I lie?” Theo asked in confusion.

“Because maybe you’re not who you say you are.” Stiles suggested.

“Or you’re not here for the reason you say you are.” I added another theory.

“Okay. In fourth grade you had an inhaler. I had one too. I remember this day where I ended up in the nurse's office with an asthma attack, a bad one. I was waiting to be taken to the ER, you were waiting for the principal. You told me what would happen when you go to the hospital for asthma. How they give you oxygen and an IV. You made it sound easy like everything would be okay.” Theo told Scott before turning to me.

“Remember in the fourth grade that month we spent together on the playground. You got into a fight with Stiles about something and he wouldn’t let you play with him.” Theo reminded me.

“We both wanted to be yoda for halloween. We didn’t speak to each other until thanksgiving.” I said remembering the time he was talking about.

“So we spent everyday together on the playground. Do you remember on the last day before Thanksgiving break when we were in the tube slide together?” Theo asked me. I nodded.

“You were my first kiss.” I told him thinking back on the memory.

“ANd you were mine.” He said with a smile. Stiles looked at me with disgust. I shrugged, it’s not like I could change the past.

“I’ve been on my own for a long time. Everybody knows that lone wolves, they don’t make it on there own. I swear I’m that same kid from fourth grade. I was hoping you are too.” Theo told Scott. Before Scott could say anything the bell rang. Theo sighed.

“I better not be late to class. You aren’t the only ones I need to make a good impression on.” Theo told us before heading out.

“Don’t give me that look.” Stiles told Scott and he looked between us triumphantly.

“We have to give people the benefit of the doubt sometimes.” Scott told him.

“Not this time! Alright, I’m right. There’s something off about him. I can feel it.” Stiles insisted.

“Lydia’s the psychic.” Scott told him.

“Lydia’s not a psychic, she’s a banshee. There’s a difference.” Stiles told Scott as he walked away from us to get to class. I looked up at Stiles.

“What do you believe this guy too now? Mr. First kiss.” Stiles asked me.

“Nope, I was actually going to suggest we skip english and head down to the records office to see what we can find in there.” I told him. He smiled at me and motioned for me to lead the way.

-

We met up with the pack after school in the library. We had dug up some stuff in the records room. Stiles put the old parking ticket and Theo’s transfer papers down side by side in front of the pack.

“So you guys found something?” Scott asked looking at the papers.

“ANother signature.” Stiles said with glee.

“This is Theo’s dads signature from his speeding ticket eight years ago.” I said pointing to the print out we got from the station this morning.

“This is Theo’s dads signature from a transfer form from just a few days ago.” Stiles said pointing to the other paper.

“How did you get his transfer form?” Kira asked.

“Did you two break into the administration office?” Scott asked us.

“No, we did not break into the administration office.” Stiles told him.

“Okay we might have broken into the administration office.” I confessed.

“Can we just focus on the signatures please. They’re different.” Stiles pointed out to them.

“They’re sort of different.” Malia told us.

“They’re totally different.” I corrected.

“Focus on the change relations of the sinuous stroke totally off and look at this. Perfect example of the criminal tremor.” Stiles pointed out.

“So now Theo’s Theo, but his parents aren’t his parents?” Kira asked in confusion.

“Someone’s not someone.” I told her.

“Yeah, and when we figure out who that someone really is, someone’s in big trouble.” Stiles said confusing even me.

“But no one’s done anything wrong.” Scott pointed out.

“Yet. If Theo’s parents are psychotic murderers then obviously we shouldn’t trust him right?” Stiles asked.

“My parents are Peter and the desert wolf.” Malia pointed out.

“Okay, it’s fine you know what? I don’t need you or you or you.” Stiles pointed to Scott, Kira and Malia before turning away.

“I don’t need anybody.” He announced.

“Dude.” I called his attention back to me.

“Except for you, come on.” He said putting his arm around my shoulders and leading me out of the library.

“We should bring some back up.” I told Stiles.

“You’re right we don’t know what this guys capable of.” Stiles agreed.

-

“What’s a criminal tremor?” Liam asked as we all piled into the jeep. Stiles snatched the papers out of his hands before driving off.

We followed Theo all day. Eventually he parked at the edge of the preserve and we followed him in.

“I told you Theo was up to something.” Stiles told Liam who had started whining a couple hours ago.

“We just spent three hours watching this dude play video games in his bedroom. He better be out here covering up a mass murder.” Liam told us.

“Let's find out.” Stiles said picking up the pace to figure out where Theo was going.

“You guys still have his scent?” Stiles asked as we tracked Theo through the woods.

“We don’t need it.” I told him pointing out the footprints Theo had left behind in the soft earth. Liam suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“What is it?” i asked him.

“What;s wrong?” Stiles echoed my concern.

“I forgot I was supposed to meet Mason at the school gym.” Liam said.

“Okay why don’t you just tell him?” Stiles asked.

“I can’t just tell him.” Liam complained.

“Why not?” I asked him.

“Because I haven’t told him everything.” Liam confessed.

“You should.” I told him.

“Scott said it was okay.” Stiles reminded him.

“Yeah, but it’s not that easy. It’s a lot to accept.” Liam told us.

“He watched my dad blow up a berserker with a land mine. I think the groundwork has been pretty thoroughly laid for acceptance.” Stiles told him.

“We’ve all been through this. More than once. It’s always better when they know.” I told him before Stiles and I turned to continue tracking Theo.

“What if he freaks out? What if he doesn’t want to talk to me? What if he tried to stab me with something silver? Or what if…” Liam was suddenly cut off as I heard the sound of earth moving behind me. Stiles and I turned around to find Liam had fallen in a hole.

“The hell are you doing? I swear. Oh there he is.” Stiles said getting distracted by Theo.

“Hurry up. Stop screwing around.” Stiles told Liam before going to spy on Theo. I helped Liam out of the hole and then we both joined Stiles to watch Theo.

“Alright Liam, this is what we’ve been practicing. Now try and get his scent.” I told him.

“Get anything?” Stiles asked.

“Soap. It’s nice it smells clean.” Liam reported. I chuckled.

“Not his soap. His emotional state.” Stile scolded.

“Chemosignals, remember?” I reminded him.

“Oh, yeah okay.” Liam said turning his attention back to Theo.

“He’s sad.” Liam reported.

“Sad?” Stiles asked.

“Not just sad. It’s more like grief.” i told Stiles.

“Grief?” Stiles asked confused.

“Oh my god.” Stiles said turning us away from Theo and leading us away.

“What’s up?” I asked confused as to why he was abandoning our surveillance mission.

“Go just go.” I told us pushing us further away.

“That’s the bridge where they found his sister.” Stiles said after he deemed we were far enough away.

“Oh my god.” I said.

“What sister?” Liam asked.

“The one who got lost in the woods and died from exposure. He’s leaving a flower for her.” Stiles explained.

“Well that doesn’t sound evil.” Liam pointed out.

“I know.” Stiles told him. I pulled Liam and Stiles to a stop nodding up in a tree where Theo was standing on a thick branch. He jumped down in front of us and greeted us with a smile.

“What are you guys doing?” Theo asked. Liam growled as Theo approached me. Liam stepped between the two of us defensively.

“Whoa.” I told him wrapping my hand around his arm to keep him off Theo.

“Why do I get the feeling this kids tougher than he looks?” Theo asked hands raised.

“Only when we let him off his leash.” Stiles told Theo.

“Stiles we were in little league together. Why are you so suspicious of me?” Theo asked.

“Because of these.” Stiles said handing over the papers.

“Ones a signature on a speeding ticket from eight years ago the others a form from Beacon high. They’re different.” Stiles told him.

“They do look a little different.” Theo agreed.

“No they’re totally different! Signed by two different people.” Stiles told him. I wrapped my hand around his arm too trying to keep both boys from getting to aggressive with Theo.

“So my dad’s not my dad? Like he’s an imposter?” Theo asked.

“Something like that.” Stiles said.

“Who do you think I am?” Theo asked Stiles.

“We don’t know yet.” Stiles told him.

“Want me to give you a DNA sample?” Theo asked.

“No I don’t have anything from the fourth grade to match it too.” Stiles told him.

“You know Stiles I came back here for Scott, but I also came back for you. Someone like you. Someone who's willing to walk into the woods in the middle of the night to protect his friends. I don’t have anyone like that. Well I did in the fourth grade for a month.” Theo said looking to me. I ducked my head remembering how I had ditched Theo after Thanksgiving break when Stiles and Scott started talking to me again.

“Scott does. You all do. I know I’m in the right place. I’m meant to be here. I’m meant to be a part of this pack.” Theo assured us.

Stiles, Liam and I made it back to the car. Scott was there waiting leaning against his bike.

“Find anything?” He asked us.

“Nope.” Stiles said getting into the jeep.

“I fell in a hole.” Liam announced.

“It was the bridge where his sister died wasn’t it?” Scott asked as Stiles sat angrily in his jeep.

“Yes it was. Very embarrassing so we’re going to leave now.” Stiles tried to start the jeep but it wouldn’t turn over.

“I think I’m going to stay out a while. I haven't gone for a good run in ages. I’ll see you at home.” I told Stiles before stripping out of my clothes and throwing them into the jeep. I transformed into a wolf and headed off into the woods.

-

I was running for over an hour when I spotted it. All black. It almost looked like me when I transformed but I had some grey in my fur. It spotted me at the same time I spotted it. It came foreward. I stayed where I was until it’s nose bumped mine. There was something almost familiar in its eyes. I transformed back into a girl. The wolf in front of me did the same. I stared wide eyed a Theo as he stood naked before me.

“That’s a neat trick.” I told him.

“Yeah, I learned to do it a couple months after I turned. I was in a car wreck and I was tossed through the windshield. When I woke up I was a wolf. It took me nearly two days to change back. Scared my parents half to death.” Theo told me walking closer.

“Cool story.” I told him not quite sure I believed what he was saying.

“I know why Stiles doesn’t believe me, but what about you?” Theo asked.

“Stiles is my best friend and I trust him. If he says that you’re not the same Theo from the fourth grade then I’m on his side.” I told Theo.

“I wish there was some way to prove it to you.” Theo told me.

“Well I don’t really have a lot of memories over all from the fourth grade.” I told him.

“You remembered the kiss.” He pointed out.

“It was my first.” I told him as he walked closer.

“That’s all you remember about me?” Theo asked coming even closer. I didn’t back away.

“It’s one of my few memories of grade school entirely.” I told him.

“Then maybe that’s how I prove it.” He said smiling down at me now that we were less than a foot away from each other. I studied his face not sure how to reply. He brought his hand to my cheek cupping it gently. He looked into my eyes to make sure what he was doing was okay. I didn’t pull away. He brought his lips down slowly onto mine. It was soft and gentle and so very, very good. I couldn’t help myself I brought my hands up threading my fingers through his hair and bringing the kiss deeper. Theo groaned against me wrapping his free arm around my waist and pulling me flush against his bare chest.

Eventually I needed to breath so I broke away. I rested my forehead against his trying to catch my breath. I studied his face as he studied mine. I pulled back completely backing away from him with a smile.

“Well?” He asked.

“I’m still not sure if I trust you. I think you might have to jog my memory some more.” I told him with a wink. He chuckled at me.

“No better time than right here right now.” He told me.

“I need to get home, but I’ll definitely be seeing you around.” I told him before I turned back into a wolf and heading for home.