Begin Transmission

Lacy here kids with the first chapter of Learning Curve. I know, I have yet to post a multi-chapter in between seasons story, but this one was needed. Because, we're finally getting all the answers we need about Effie, why she had no set price in the deadpool and just what her powers are truly capable of. And it's a lot. It is M rated, for the second chapter, but that's all. I will warn before that starts. For now, let's start off with a reunion between some old packmates. Read on!

Disclaimer: Only Effie is mine.

End Transmission

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

Derek glanced down at Effie as she shifted against his shoulder. They'd been flying for almost eleven hours and Effie had slept for most of it. But that was normal. Effie hated flying so she slept. Derek didn't mind watching over her.

Summer vacation had finally struck for the Beacon Hills crew and, with no attacks since returning from Mexico and John's blessing, the mated pair took off for their vacation as a normal couple. Their first stop was a surprise for Effie, something that had been difficult for Derek to pull off, but he managed. They'd gotten through the airport and onto the plane without Effie ever finding out where they were going.

"How's she doing?" the flight attendant who'd been personally tending to the pair, if only to catch Derek's uninterested eye, stopped at his side.

Derek smiled politely. Barely. "She's fine. Not a fan of flying so she prefers to sleep."

The woman smiled. "You're such a caring brother."

Derek chuckled. Oh, that was subtle. "I'm not her brother. We're engaged." He left the -ish off the end, because in the shifter world, they were basically married.

The attendant's eyes widened. "But she's so young."

"She's eighteen." Derek said. Well, almost. Details.

"I see," the woman nodded. "Well, we'll be landing soon, if you could wake her."

Derek gave his own nod. "She'll be awake when we land."

The attendant gave a tight smile before carrying on down the plane, leaving Derek shaking his head in amusement. He was glad Effie had been sleeping for that. He did not want to know how his fox would have reacted.

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

Thirty minutes later, when the plane touched down, Effie groaned awake, scenting Derek's shoulder as she went.

"Morning," Derek smiled.

Effie smiled in return. "Morning." she sat up and looked around. "Where are we?"

"Well," Derek removed some internet pictures from his carry-on. "How's the French countryside sound for a normal couple vacation?"

Effie gasped, taking the pictures. They showed the same small villa from several different angles. It was surrounded by rolling green hills and blue skies.

"Derek," Effie smiled at him. "this is perfect."

Derek leaned forward, accepting Effie's kiss. "Somehow I knew you'd like it."

Effie laughed. "Like? Try love. Now I know why you insisted I bring a high quality camera. This place will be perfect to paint."

Derek nodded. "That's the idea."

"Thank you," Effie kissed him again. "I love you."

"You're welcome." Derek bumped their noses softly. "I love you, too."

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

Head back, eyes closed, Effie let the breeze brush her hair back as Derek drove them through the countryside.

"I want to try something while we're here." Derek spoke suddenly.

Effie rolled her head towards him, cracking an eye open. "What is it?"

"Remember when Deaton said you should be able to do a full shift?" Derek asked.

Effie nodded. "Yeah, because of my Spark." she turned her body towards Derek. "You want to see if I can?"

"I thought we could give it a try." Derek said. "Now that I've done it, I can walk you through the process." he stole a glance at her. "But only if you want to."

Effie sat back, thinking over Derek's request. The idea of being able to shift fully into a fox had always lingered in the back of her mind, but it was never really something she thought to do. There was entirely too much going on to even consider it. But when Derek had managed a full shift after Kate fucked with his powers, Effie started thinking about it, again. Would she be able to do it? And if she did, what would be it like? What would she look like?

Derek had been all black with his red alpha eyes in wolf form. Just like his mother, he'd said. Effie was the first one to be bitten in her family, as far as she knew, and her mother was a druid, so there wasn't anything to go on for an idea of how Effie would look as a fox. Derek said the full shift was freeing, like taking off tight clothes and putting on something that truly fits. And to Effie, that sounded like heaven.

"I want to try." she finally said as Derek pulled onto the drive that led to their small villa. "If you think I can do it, I want to give it a go."

Derek smiled. "Oh, I know you can do it. And there's someone else who does, too."

Effie frowned, but followed where Derek was looking. Standing on the porch of the villa was none other than-

"ISAAC!"

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

Any human man would have been jealous of the way Effie was snuggling and scenting Isaac. But as her mate, Derek knew just how much she and her pup needed the bonding time. So as the three sat in the living room of the small French villa, Derek had no issues sitting alone in the arm chair while Effie glued herself to Isaac's side.

"How did you plan all this without me finding out?" Effie finally asked Derek.

The alpha smirked. "I may have gotten your father and Stiles involved."

Isaac chuckled as Effie's jaw dropped. "Bringing in the dad and twin on your evil plans, smooth Derek."

Derek threw a beer cap at him. "Stop trying to cause trouble."

"But I'm so good at it." Isaac teased, throwing the cap back.

"Why did I invite you again?" Derek asked with a fond sigh of exasperation.

"Hey, I'm an angel compared to your next guest." Isaac pointed out.

Effie frowned. "Next guest?"

"Thanks Isaac," Derek groaned. He leaned forward a bit. "Jackson should be here in a couple of hours."

Effie was sure she lit up. "Seriously?" she looked between her mate and her pup. "The old pack? Back together?"

"Minus a few." Isaac granted.

"It wasn't easy." Derek explained. "Very little about Jackson has changed, but he was eager for something from home."

Isaac nudged Effie with his elbow. "Good surprise?"

Effie grinned. "One of the best I've had in a long time."

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

By the time Jackson arrived, Effie had already prepared food, as Isaac had fully stocked the kitchen when he showed up a few hours before the couple. The grumpy London based werewolf easily, and happily, welcomed Effie's scenting and need to cling for a while. He even laughingly accepted hugs and light scenting from Derek and Isaac. He tried grumbling, saying his new alpha wouldn't like the scent of others on him, but Derek cuffed him upside the head, saying his alpha knew where he was and would expect it.

"So," Jackson sat on the patio with the others. "how'd this come about?"

"Me and Derek?" Effie asked. "Or me being a shifter?"

Jackson chuckled. "You being a shifter. I was around for the other thing." he jerked his head towards her shoulder. "Nice mating mark."

Effie grinned. "Thanks." she cleared her throat. "As for me being turned, we had to deal with an alpha pack after you left and in an effort to make Derek join them, one of them turned me, hoping he would kill his pack before accepting me as part of it, so he wouldn't have to kill me."

Jackson turned to the Hale. "Tell me you ripped the idiot apart."

Derek grunted. "She was killed before I had the chance."

"Too bad." Jackson took a pull of his beer. So Derek was the only one old enough to legally drink, who cared? They were all shifters, it wasn't like it would affect them. "So, you're okay, Effie? The transition went alright?"

Effie nodded. "Yeah, I mean, it was a little weird with my druid side, but it worked itself out in the end."

"After a fashion." Derek added, ignoring Effie's eye-roll. "The druid and the fox were two separate parts of her. So it was a balancing act for a while. But when Kate took me, Effie spiraled and they became one. And, according to Stiles, it wasn't an easy blending."

"It was nothing." Effie tried when Jackson and Isaac whipped around to look at her. She sighed. "Mind numbing pain, a three day coma and I nearly ripped Deaton's throat out when I came to, but I'm fine now."

"What made it happen?" Isaac asked.

"A combination of things." Effie shared. "I'd just done a pretty intense tracking spell to try and find Derek and my dad tried to keep me from going after the trail the spell laid out. I think," she frowned a bit. "Derek being so far away and the idea of not being allowed to go find him was just too much. I didn't have any control over any of it and something snapped."

Jackson sat back with a shake of his head. "I leave Beacon Hills and all hell breaks loose."

Derek snorted. "Because it was a picture of small town peace before."

The group laughed and Effie realized she felt more settled then she had in a long time. Even if her father and brother weren't there, it was pretty damn nice.

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

Begin Transmission

So, Jackson is Jackson, minus loosening up a little, and Isaac is the forever pup. Not that Effie is complaining. She loves her boys. Next chapter, we get a look at Effie's first try at a full shift and just what our little fox will look like. For now, let me know what you think, flame policy is located at the bottom of my profile and forever stands and thanks so much for reading!

End Transmission