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Lacy here kids! Sorry that season two is late to upload. I got food poisoning Tuesday morning and haven't quite bounced back. Not to mention, I had to fly home yesterday, while feeling and looking like death warmed over. It was great. (Watch the dripping sarcasm.) But here we are with season two! And as we know, it's not an easy season for anyone in the Stilinski family, so why should it be any different for Effie? That's right, it won't be! *pauses* I'll stop sounding happy about that now and just say, read on!

Disclaimer: I own only Ef.

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~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Golden brown. It was different but a different that Effie found she liked.

After helping Derek bury Peter's body under the floorboards of the Hale house, Effie decided the funny feeling in her mind was a need for change. She'd had it before, after her mom died. Back then, she'd simply gotten her ears pierced by a friend's older sister, and grounded for a month for not asking her dad first. This time, she streaked her hair and gave it a new look. It was now just a little longer than shoulder length and her bangs were shorter but still long enough that she could sweep them off to the side. And the color now had golden brown mixed in with the light brown.

Effie really liked it. She felt, well she wasn't sure but her need to change something was gone and she was thankful.

"I like it,"

Effie saw Derek in the mirror and turned around. He was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.

"Yeah? Not too different?" Effie asked. She normally wasn't insecure but she'd also never changed her hair color before.

Derek stepped into the room and twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. "No, just different enough." he tucked the lock behind Effie's ear. "Come out with me tonight."

Effie cocked a brow. "You sure? You said it wasn't safe while you were still learning the ropes."

"I trust myself enough to have you with me." Derek said simply. "Besides, the alpha in me hates the idea of leaving you alone."

Effie smiled, draping her arms around Derek's neck. "I'm not alone, Derek. I can simply go home and I've got Dad and Stiles right there."

Derek shrugged. "Call it my protective side. I prefer it when you're with me."

"Well how can I say no to that?" Effie huffed playfully.

Derek grinned. "You really can't."

Effie laughed and kissed him. "Fine, I'll come out with you tonight." she pulled back. "But I expect something in return."

Derek's grin grew. "I think I can handle that."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

"So, it's a feeling?" Effie asked as she and Derek walked through the woods.

Derek nodded. "In a way. I guess while betas instinctively feel the need to be part of a pack, the alpha instinct is to create their own." he looked at Effie. "Does that make sense?"

"Surprisingly," Effie confirmed. "I mean, what's an alpha to do if it doesn't have anyone to lead or protect. But," she frowned a bit. "it's not like Beacon Hills is filled with betas just roaming around."

Derek blew out a breath. "That's the tricky part. I'd have to," he gestured with his free hand.

"You'd have to literally create your own pack." Effie finished for him. "From scratch. Turn your own betas."

"Yeah," Derek looked at the ground for a moment. "that's exactly what I have to do."

Effie held up the hand that wasn't holding Derek's. "Well don't look at me. I love that you're a big bad wolf now but I'm not really looking for my own trip down that lane."

Derek laughed. "Don't worry, Effie. Unlike my uncle, I would only turn people who were willing."

"Like people the bite would help," Effie guessed. "someone who could use the benefits that come with being a wolf."

"That's pretty much what I was thinking," Derek nodded. "yeah. Course, it could take ages to find suitable people."

"Not necessarily." Effie commented, her voice full of thought. "It's easier to turn teens, right? Since their bodies are already changing?"

"That's one of the theories," Derek agreed. "Why?"

Effie smiled. "Derek, I'm a sophomore in high school. I'm surrounded by teenagers all day." she shrugged. "I could probably make quick work of finding suitable people for your pack."

Derek pulled Effie to a stop and faced her. "You'd do that?"

"If I know they're being turned for the right reason and it's one hundred percent their choice, yes." Effie explained. "Off the top of my head, I can already think of one person who would definitely benefit from the bite." she shrugged again. "You need a pack and some kids need some place they truly belong. Plus," she smirked a bit. "I think dating you makes me the den mother. So why shouldn't I help pick out the pups?"

Derek laughed. "Effie Stilinski, you are one of a kind."

Effie grinned. "So I've been told."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Effie looked up at Derek as he suddenly stopped and turned his head, as if listening for something.

"What's wrong?" Effie asked.

"There's an omega nearby," Derek said. "he's stalking a human."

Effie tried to think of what they were near that would have people around so late.

"The cemetery!" she said suddenly. "There's a grave being dug for Kate's funeral tomorrow."

Derek gripped Effie's hand. "Ready to run?"

Effie groaned. "Oh I so wore the wrong shoes for this."

Derek laughed before pulling Effie along through the woods, in the direction of the cemetery. Once they got close, he told her to hang back so he could handle the omega, then they'd make sure the human digging the grave was okay.

Effie kept herself concealed behind a tree as she watched Derek approach the omega, who was digging through a grave in search of something. Effie could see the added confidence Derek had since becoming the alpha. She watched the omega bare his teeth at Derek. She could see Derek was amused seconds before he bared his own teeth and let out a growl that sent a shiver down Effie's spine. Oh yeah, he gained a whole lot of confidence with his new role.

As the omega ran away from Derek, Effie stepped out of the woods and to his side. Looking around, she saw a construction digger tipped on its side.

"Over there," Effie pointed.

Derek moved to the digger and started lifting it from the fresh grave it was on top of. Once Derek had it up right, Effie moved to the grave and looked in.

"Isaac!" she saw her and Stiles' classmate cowering in the corner of the new grave. "Are you okay?"

Isaac blinked, confused at the sight of Effie. "Effie? What the hell are you doing here? Was that you making all that noise?"

Effie shook her head. "Not me," she glanced over her shoulder as Derek stepped up beside her. "That was him."

Derek looked down at Isaac. "Need a hand?"

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Effie caught sight of the black eye Isaac was sporting and bit back a curse. "Again, Isaac?"

Isaac turned his face away. "I don't wanna talk about it, Effie."

Effie stepped up to the boy and turned his face back. "Did you at least ice it?"

Isaac nodded. "Yeah, I've learned."

Effie sighed. "You can't keep letting him do this."

"Do what?" Derek asked.

Isaac shook his head. "Nothing." he pulled out his cell. "I should call your dad."

Effie nodded. "Alright but let Derek and I get out of here first. Dad just might lose it if he finds me here."

"Just might?" Isaac snorted. "Ef, not only is it a school night but you're here with a guy who's five years older than you. There is no 'just might'."

Effie playfully scowled at Isaac. "Oh hush. I'll see you at school."

Derek gave Isaac one more look before following Effie back to the woods. "How do you know him?"

"Isaac?" Effie asked. "We've been in school together for years." she clenched a fist. "I've been cleaning up the damage his father does to him since we were ten."

Derek blinked. "His father gave him that shiner?"

Effie nodded. "Yeah, when Isaac's mother died, his father didn't take it well and started taking it out on him. He," she shut her eyes for a moment. "he tortures him, Derek."

"Is he the one you were thinking of?" Derek asked.

Effie stopped walking to look Derek in the eye. "If there was ever anyone who needs the bite to be able to fight back and help himself, it's Isaac. He's suffered for too long."

Derek looked into the forest for a second. "Alright, I'll talk to him." he kissed Effie. "I'm gonna hang around, make sure the omega stays away. You head home." he smiled. "Like Isaac said, it's a school night."

Effie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, fine." she returned Derek's kiss. "Keep an eye on him, his dad might show because of all this."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Effie looked up from her textbook in the library as someone sat across from her. She wasn't surprised to see it was Isaac.

"Has your boyfriend lost it or does he really think he's a werewolf?" Isaac asked.

Yeah, Effie was expecting this too. "He hasn't lost it and he doesn't just think it. He knows it and so do I."

Isaac leaned forward. "Effie, werewolves are make believe things we read about as kids. They're not real."

Effie tapped the table. "Answer me this, have you noticed a change in Scott lately? Especially his performance on the lacrosse field?"

Isaac frowned. "Well, yeah but I thought maybe he worked out over the summer."

Effie smiled. "Isaac, Scott had severe asthma. That's not something you grow out of over a summer. Think about it."

She watched Isaac's face as he took in the information she'd given him. She knew it was a lot to wrap his head around but knew he would accept it once he ruled out all other possibilities.

Isaac ran his hands over his face. "I have got to be dreaming."

Effie shook her head. "Sorry sweetie, but you're not. This is all, scarily, very real." she glanced at her watch. "You don't need to think about this now. Just get through the rest of the day."

Isaac looked at the time as well. "Crap, lacrosse." he stood up and looked at Effie for a long moment. "Tell Derek, I'll have an answer soon."

Effie nodded. "Okay."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Effie flipped through her notebook as she walked down the hall during her free period. After Isaac left her in the library, her focus had drifted. She knew it would be hard for him to wrap his head around being turned, literally having his life changed but strangely, he was taking it better than she thought he would.

"Effie,"

Hearing her boyfriend's voice, Effie turned with a frown. "Derek, what's wrong?" His face screamed that something was seriously concerning him.

Derek glanced around before taking Effie's hand, leading her to an empty room. "I want you to stay away from Jackson."

"Alright," Effie said, dragging the word out. "I already make an effort to do that, he's a jackass, but I can tell that's not why you're asking."

Derek ran a hand through his hair. "His body's rejecting the bite. I don't know why and I don't know what it means but he's pissed and I don't trust him not to hurt you to get to me."

Effie blew out a slow breath. "Alright, well most of the school is focused on trying to find Lydia but Jackson couldn't seem to care less so I'll just stick with Scott and Stiles once school's out."

"Good," Derek nodded. He also blew out a breath. "I'm sorry that you might be in danger. You'd be safer if we-"

Effie stepped up to Derek, so they were chest to chest. "Don't even think of going there, Derek Hale. I know what I'm dealing with, and Jackson has been harassing me since he learned what that little dick of his was for. Just because his life isn't going how he wanted doesn't mean I'm going to let him get to me." she framed his face. "I will be fine. I promise."

Derek settled his hands on Effie's sides, a gentle smile on his face. "Told you I was going to need you to get through this."

Effie laughed a bit. "And like I said, I'm not going anywhere."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Allison saw Effie coming out of a classroom and jogged to catch up with her. "Effie,"

Effie smiled. "Hey Allison. You okay?"

Allison shrugged. "As okay as I can be." she bit her lip. "I know this is going to sound crazy and weird but, is there any chance you can come to the funeral with me? With Lydia missing and all the media, I could really use someone on my side."

Effie took Allison's hand and squeezed it. "Of course. I'll meet you at the grave site." she smiled reassuringly. "You'll be okay."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

"Dad," Effie came downstairs in a knee length, sleeveless black dress that tied around her waist, with an elongated collar but open chest area. Her tights were a shade lighter than the dress and her boots reached her knees and matched the color of the dress. She walked into the kitchen were the sheriff was. "Dad, can I ride with you to the funeral?"

John looked at his daughter, floored to see her wearing black, a color she hadn't worn since her mother's funeral. "I didn't realize you were going."

Effie sighed. "I wasn't planning on it but Allison asked me. And with Lydia missing, she just really needs a friend right now."

John smiled softly and nodded. "Alright, you can ride with me." he kissed Effie's forehead. "You're a good friend, Effie. I'm proud of you."

Effie returned the smile. "Thanks Dad,"

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Looking up from her seat at the grave site as she heard the media go crazy, Effie saw Allison fighting her way through the crowd with her parents on either side. Standing, she dusted off her dress and prepared for the onslaught of questions she knew Chris Argent would throw at her.

"Effie," Allison smiled in relief, beyond glad to see her friend.

Effie hugged her. "Told you I'd be here."

Allison had tears in her eyes but her smile didn't falter. "Thank you so much."

"Effie," Chris greeted. "what are you doing here?"

Effie held Allison's hand. "Your daughter asked me to come. She wanted a friend by her side during all this."

"Chris," Allison's mother sounded confused. "who is this?"

"This is Effie Stilinski, Mom." Allison introduced her. "She's a friend of mine from school."

The red headed woman smiled and held out her hand to Effie. "Victoria Argent. It's so wonderful to meet a friend of Allison's, even given the circumstances."

Effie shook Victoria's hand. "Same to you, ma'am."

Victoria laughed softly. "Mrs. Argent will be fine, Effie." she waved a hand to the seats. "Let's sit, shall we?"

Not releasing Effie's hand, Allison followed her mother's instructions and pulled her friend down beside her.

"Someone else is coming," Allison whispered to Effie. "I don't know who but Mom and Dad both seem edgy about him being here."

Effie nodded slowly. "Probably a head hunter." she glanced over where Scott was hiding with Stiles. "Looks like bigger and badder players are coming to town."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Effie stood in front of Derek, watching him pace after she'd informed him of Allison's grandfather being in town.

"Derek," Effie tried to get his attention. They may have been in the middle of the woods but he could still pace a decent hole. "Derek please, let's not freak out until we know they're here for more than the funeral."

Derek ran a hand over his face. "Effie, my family has known the Argent family for a long time. Up until Chris, there has never been a hunter that's given a damn about their children. They don't show up for funerals, hell they don't even have them, unless they're proving a point."

Effie let her back fall against a tree. "Yeah, I got that feeling from Chris' reaction to the funeral and Gerard showing up with body guards. You don't think he knows about you and Scott, do you?"

Derek shook his head. "Argent's focus right now is to keep his daughter safe and happy. Getting Scott killed would push her further away."

"What about you?" Effie asked.

Derek finally stopped pacing. "My uncle ripped his sister's throat out."

Effie pushed off the tree. "But you killed Peter after. That has to count for something, even in the eyes of a hunter. By killing Peter, you not only protected the rest of us but Chris and Allison too."

"Even if Chris sees it that way," Derek said. "we have no way of knowing if Gerard will." he paused and smelled the air. "The Omega is near. Scott too." he took Effie's hand. "Time for another run."

More prepared this time, having changed from her dress to jeans and sneakers, Effie held tightly to Derek's hand as they ran through the woods, headed towards the river where the Omega's scent was leading them.

Just as the two came into sight, Derek motioned for Effie to stay back and charged at Scott as the Omega was caught in a hunter trap.

Keeping herself concealed behind the tree, Effie watched as Derek wrestled Scott over to her and kept a hold on him as others surrounded the Omega. She immediately saw Chris and Gerard and knew this wasn't going to end well.

"What are you doing?" Scott struggled. "I can help him."

"They're already here." Derek stopped him.

"I can help him!" Scott insisted.

"Quiet." Derek barked. He felt Effie step closer, for protection and to put an extra restraining hand on Scott.

The three watched the hunters circle the Omega, Chris pulling out a taser wand before striking the wolf with it. His howls and cries of pain caused Scott to struggle more and Effie to turn her head away, not wanting to see the torture. Seeing the Omega like that had images of Derek strung up in the hidden tunnel, where Kate had tortured him running through Effie's head.

"Who are you?" They heard Chris asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing." The Omega said. "Nothing, I swear."

"You're not from here, are you?" Chris guessed as Gerard stepped closer. "Are you?!"

"No." The Omega answered. "No, I came," he paused. "I came looking for the Alpha. I heard he was here, that's all. Look, I didn't do anything. I didn't hurt anyone. No one living. He wasn't alive in the ambulance. He wasn't, I swear."

"Gentlemen," Gerard addressed the hunters. "take a look at a rare sight." he looked at Chris. "Wanna tell 'em what we've caught?"

"An Omega," Chris supplied.

"The lone wolf!" Gerard announced. "Possibly kicked out of his own pack. Or the survivor of a pack that was hunted down, maybe even murdered. Or possibly, alone by his own choice. Certainly, not a wise choice."

They watched Gerard move around before picking up, of all things, a sword.

"Effie, look away." Derek said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Effie didn't have to be told twice. Releasing her hold on Scott's torso, she buried her face in Derek's available shoulder and shut her eyes tightly. With a hand over her exposed ear, Effie was able to block out Gerard's talking but she could feel Derek's increased heartbeat and could tell the moment Gerard killed the Omega. She heard Derek tell Scott why they needed to work together and that the hunters had just declared war.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Sitting in Derek's arms, Effie had finally stopped shaking after making the mistake of looking back when she, Scott and Derek had left the woods. Seeing the top half of the Omega just dangling there was seared into Effie's mind.

"I'll forget, right?" Effie asked. "Like with Laura?"

Derek kissed the side of her head. "You will. And I'll help, just like before." he tightened his arms. "It'll be okay." they tensed when they heard footsteps and saw a light. "Isaac."

Effie smiled a bit. "He decided." the two stepped into the open train car door as Isaac flashed his light at them. "Isaac,"

The tall boy swallowed a bit. "Wasn't expecting you to be here, Effie."

Effie glanced up at Derek. "It was a complicated night. Dad's busy so he won't notice I'm not home." she kissed Derek's cheek. "I'll be up in the loft." stepping passed Isaac, she squeezed his arm. "He won't hurt you. You have my word."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

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Alright, so we're off to a wonderful start. Also, I just realized, we do not see Stiles and Effie interact at all in this chapter. Oops on my part, but that'll change. I promise. Not in the best ways, but it'll change! For now, let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading!

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