Four

When they crossed the state line into Arizona, Derek couldn't help feeling that it was all really behind him. That feeling of being away from the danger and evils of Beacon Hills took a weight off of him.

It wasn't ten minutes later however that the feeling was gone, replaced with a familiar emptiness. Why was it Stiles he thought of?

He hoped the boy would just leave things be. It would make things easier for both of them. Before he and Cora had checked out of the little motel in Blythe he'd struggled with a decision- to go forward or turn around. In the end his stubborness had won out. He couldn't give into weakness and turn back.

The further away from Beacon Hills they drove, the heavier that place in him seemed to become. He focused on his will, his decisions that he never backed down from, letting his drive eclipse the pain of longing for the moment.

Cora must have noticed how focused he looked, because she gave him a skeptical look with a raised eyebrow.

ooOoo

"I should have known that's how he felt," Stiles sighed irritably, falling back on Scott's bed. "Why wouldn't he? Its sad, but in a way its kinda true. Everyone Derek has ever cared about has gotten taken from him."

"He still has Cora," Scott pointed out.

Stiles thought about that. In a way it assured him, knowing that Derek wasn't all by himself out there. He was glad that Derek had Cora. Maybe he should let the former alpha go, except it wasn't that easy. Stiles was beginning to realize in Derek's absence just how deep his feelings went. He felt an empty burning, realizing a fresh hole had been opened in his heart.

"Stiles?" Scott asked in a gentle voice.

Stiles hadn't hardly noticed the tears streaming down his face.

"You're crying," Scott pointed out the obvious.

Stiles sniffled and wiped his arm across his eyes.

"I'm sorry," he managed with a watery laugh. "Just really bad allergies."

"You really got it bad," Scott observed, not at all fooled. "Why didn't you ever tell him anything?"

Stiles shot him a skeptical look, snorting with genuine humor this time.

"Yeah right. I can just imagine how that would have went. Nah, I know how he is. He needs distance."

His best friend eyed him with slight disbelief.

"How do you understand him so well?"

Stiles gave a shrug.

"I just do," he replied in a low voice, eyes distant. "I don't entirely understand it myself. I just catch on to things."

Scott went silent for a long moment, thinking about what Stiles was saying. He got Derek in a way none of the rest of them did. He opened his mouth to ask a question when his bedroom door creaked open and there stood Isaac with their take out.

"Got your sweet and sour extra crispy," Isaac shot Stiles a bright look. "See? I did remember!"

Stiles just smiled back. He and Isaac really had gotten more friendly.

ooOoo

They'd finally stopped in Tucson for a late lunch, at Cora's insistence. Derek really hadn't wanted to stop, but he hadn't realized how hungry he was either. Driving had been his therapy, his way of keeping his sights on his mission.

It was getting easier not to think about Beacon Hills. He was partly glad to see that Stiles hadn't returned his last text. It wouldn't be easy, but the boy would have to move on. He'd have to realize why there could never be anything between them.

It was the only way.

ooOoo

Stiles decided to head for the seven eleven on his way home from Scott's. He shouldn't be hungry after that huge Chinese feast earlier, but he was a growing boy. Besides, nothing hit the spot like beef jerky.

His Jeep pulled into the parking lot. Not very many cars here for it still being fairly early, just after dark.

Stiles reached for the door, not sure why he felt a sudden jolt like something dangerous. He was just being silly. The alphas were all gone, except Ethan and Aiden, and they were on their side now.

Self-assured, Stiles stepped into the slightly cold convenience store. There was only four other people in the joint. He smiled widely at a little girl holding her mother's hand. The girl's mother gave Stiles a smile.

"She's a sweetie," Stiles complimented, smiling down at the small girl again. "Yes you are. You so sweet!"

Their exchange was interrupted by a deep growl of a voice.

"Hands up!"

Their faces all turned immediately. A man in dirty, tattered clothes with long, greasy salt and pepper hair was holding a gun. Stiles raised his hands, eyes wide. He was no werewolf.

The man with the gun turned on the cashier.

"Open the register, pronto!"

The young clerk gulped and reached under the counter.

"No funny stuff," the thug threatened. "Otherwise..."

Stiles saw what the man would do before he even turned around. Even if it was only a threat, he couldn't let it happen. His feet were moving as quickly as his brain registered the thought.

"I said don't move!"

A shot was fired. Stiles felt a sharp pain in his chest, letting out a gasp. He'd managed to get in front of the girl and her mother at least.

"Mommy," the girl cried out.

Stiles gave her a small smile, breathing heavy from the wound in his chest.

"A-at least," he gasped. "P-protected... "

His world was spinning. He heard sirens, but he was falling, falling into darkness...

ooOoo

Bowie was another small town, close to the Arizona-New Mexico border. Cora wanted to stop, and she of course called the shots on this road trip. Derek knew better than to argue with her.

They'd just pulled into the driveway of another shotty-looking nowheresville motel. Derek had felt his cell phone buzz in his pocket some twenty minutes ago, but refused to take his eyes off the road. Now he checked his texts, heart feeling like it dropped into his stomach at what he read.

Scott (7:32 pm): Derek, Stiles was shot, he's in critical condition at the ER

"Derek?" Cora's concerned voice barely penetrated into his clouded thoughts.

She'd seen the fallen look on his face. On the inside he blamed himself immediately. He hadn't been able to protect Stiles after all. This was his fault.

"My fault," Derek whimpered, covering his eyes with his hand.

"Derek what's happened?" Cora demanded.

"Stiles," Derek choked out, still not moving his hand to show his tears. "I can't... "

Cora placed a hand on his arm.

"Hey," she spoke gently, almost a whisper. "What about Stiles?"

Derek took a few minutes to compose himself, not answering her, wiping at his eyes. He took a few steadying breaths before speaking.

"We have to go back Cora. Stiles is hurt. I can't leave him."

Cora nodded, knowing that deep down her brother cared about everyone back in Beacon Hills. They would always be like his pack in a way.

"Can you drive?" he asked, wiping at his eyes again.

Soon they were on the road again. Cora tried to keep her eyes and the road and not notice the deeply wounded look on Derek's face, eyes wet with tears. Maybe her brother cared more about Stiles than any of them had guessed.