willow | d. hale [on hold]

45 | worried

"How do we know something's definitely coming?" Kira asked.

"Because the tape from Garrett's bag said visual confirmation required," Scott told them.

As it turned out, the bag under Scott's bed that Malia asked about was a bag full of cash — though he wasn't sharing how much cash. There was also a cassette tape with instructions on how the Deadpool operated. It was safe to assume all the assassins received the same tape.

"Simon said the same thing," Stiles said, referring to the PSAT testing administrator who almost killed them all the day before. "He couldn't get paid by the Benefactor until he had proof that you guys were dead."

"So, the idea is... what if you kill someone on the Deadpool, but you can't send the proof?" Scott prompted.

"You don't get paid," Kira said.

"But how does that get us any closer to the Benefactor?" Liam asked.

"He still needs to know if the target is really dead," Scott said.

"Especially if it's someone high on the list," Stiles said, cutting his eyes to the alpha worth twenty-five million.

"So, if he wants visual confirmation..."

"He's going to have to come himself," Scott told Liam.

Willow continued to pout the entire time they went through the plan. She still gave input though, not wanting to risk them making any small mistakes. Only one day had passed since they almost died at the school. Couldn't they take a break before trying something so drastic?

Though Willow was helping bang out the details of the plan, she wouldn't be with them at the hospital. Truthfully, she didn't like leaving Derek, especially with more and more assassins surfacing. So, she'd be staying in with him at the loft.

Well, she'd be staying in with Derek and Braeden. After being released from the hospital, Derek was letting her stay at the loft until she was actually fully recovered. He felt a bit guilty since she got shot while doing work he hired her for.

It comforted Willow, knowing that Braeden was there. Not only did she like the older woman, but she knew Braeden could hold her own. With Derek's strength not what it was, having Braeden and her endless supply of weapons assured Willow that Derek had some kind of protection. They didn't want a repeat of when the Mute broke in and nearly killed Peter.

Braeden's presence was one of the only reasons Willow felt comfortable enough to part from Derek for a few hours to come and discuss this whole 'killing Scott' plan. She would head back fairly soon — Willow couldn't stand to be in the room when Noshiko stopped his heart.

While Kira was going to pick up her mother and Scott was talking to his own — Melissa hated this plan with a burning passion — Willow sat with Liam in the living room. He didn't say much else after Stiles and Scott repeatedly shut down his concerns and worried questions.

"Liam," Willow said softly, getting the boy's attention. "You—"

"I'm not scared," he insisted, not even waiting to see what she was actually going to say. It was a lie. They both knew it. She could see the fear swimming in his big, blue eyes.

"Okay," she said, nodding. "But I'm scared. I'm not very good at being brave — that was always Allison's thing. So, to ease my terrified mind, can you promise me something?"

"I'll help protect Scott. Don't worry," he assured her.

"Not that." Willow knew he'd protect Scott. "I want you to promise to protect yourself, Liam. You didn't ask for this life, so don't get so caught up in trying to be brave and fearless that you get yourself hurt. Please."