Isaac and I didn't talk much on the way back to the lake house. He was basically sprinting ahead of me, barely ever glancing back to see if I was still here. Something was wrong with Isaac. I had never seen someone so afraid before today. I wanted to help him somehow, but I knew he would have a problem telling me about what had scarred him so. On the bright side though, whatever Isaac had hidden from in the woods didn't bother us while we raced back to the others.

When we burst in through the back door into the kitchen, me out of breath and Isaac wild eyed, everyone rushed over to us immediately. Isaac quickly explained what happened to Derek, and it was less than a minute before the entire wolf pack was off, trying to save the day once again. When the boys were gone and Stiles had been ordered away by Lydia, the two girls closed in on me.

"What happened, Ashlyn?" Allison asked gently, frowning a little. She probably really just wanted to know whether Scott was in any real danger.

"I don't know. Once second everything was fine, and then Isaac sensed something and he pulled me into some shack and then he got really claustrophobic and then I…I kissed him." I blushed, embarrassed.

"You kissed Isaac?!" Lydia demanded. "What happened to Derek?"

I shrugged which only infuriated her more. "There's something about him that seems broken. I don't know what it is, but I can't help wanting to take care of him."

Lydia just rolled her eyes, though she allowed a small smile to creep onto her face. Whatever Lydia might say, I knew it all came from her heart. It was hard for her to really connect with someone, but when she did, the bond was for life. I knew Lydia would support me no matter what, even if I rebelled over her choice of guy for me.

"Well, did he at least kiss you back?" Allison asked.

"Yes." I said slowly, "It was nice. He's a pretty good kisser actually. Afterward I think he was kind of weird about it. But I don't know. Anyway, congrats on you and Scott getting back together."

Allison just smiled, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. After that, we just went night swimming, trying to forget that the boys were out, possibly risking their lives on a trip that was supposed to be pure fun.

By the time midnight rolled around, the guys still weren't back so we all decided to head to sleep. I drifted off to sleep fitfully, my stomach churning over Isaac's wellbeing.

I woke to screaming. The kind that comes from someone who is in pure agony. The sound sent my stomach whirling in fear. I ran down the stairs, following the noise. When I reached the room where Isaac lay thrashing about in his sleep, I noticed I wasn't the only one who had been woken by him. Derek and Stiles were there too. "Go back to sleep. I've got it." I told them. They just gave each other meaningful looks before stepping back into the shadows towards their own rooms.

"Isaac! It's okay; you're just having a nightmare." I told the screaming boy, cupping my hand against his cheek. The physical contact sent him sitting bolt upright, his eyes darting about wildly. A fine sheen of sweat shone on his tan skin, yet there were goose bumps running up and down his arms. I stroked his cheek with my finger, shushing him. Finally I hugged him, and he tightly hugged me back for a long time, not letting go. Neither of us spoke for a long time. Even when he did speak out, he made sure his arm was draped around my waist, pulling me close to him.

"I have nightmares like these every single night." He began, "Scott and his mom are used to them. I keep expecting them to throw me out, but they never do. It's surprising, but then again, maybe that's what all loving families are like." He paused, resting his head on top of mine for a moment before continuing, "You know why I said yes to the bite? I said yes because I didn't want to feel so weak and worthless and powerless all the time. I wanted to matter. I sure as hell didn't matter to my father. Maybe I did once, but that was a long time ago. I used to have a mother and a brother too. They're dead. Camden died in combat, and my mother just walked out, just left. She left us, she left me. Camden did too, even if he couldn't help it. All my life, people have left. I just wanted a pack that would stay with me. But their deaths aren't the reason I have nightmares. I have nightmares because my father abused me. He beat me, he threw things at me, and he even locked me in the god damn freezer in the basement downstairs. Every time he imprisoned me, I always wondered if maybe that time would be the last time. I wondered if I would die in there. If he'd forget to get me out, or worse, purposefully keep me in there. I wondered if I would die and the last words I would ever say were an apology for something that was always my fault. I broke something; I wasn't good enough at lacrosse, my grades sucked. Sometimes I got beat because I was just there." Isaac's voice was breaking more and more the longer he talked. My heart was breaking too. "Derek told me the bite would make all of that go away. I thought it would too. I didn't realize how long the scars would last. That's why I freaked out earlier today, if you hadn't already realized. Old memories were stirred up."

Finally, I spoke. "You didn't scream last night."

He was quiet for a moment, gently turning my face until I was staring up at his. "That's because I was with you." And with that, he kissed me.

This kiss wasn't like the one from the cement block shack. That kiss was tentative and reassuring. It was gentle. This kiss was all passion. It was desperation and longing to be loved. My fingers tangled in his hair as he picked me up to straddle his lap. We only stopped kissing to gasp for air every once in a while. He'd trailed kisses down my neck, gently sucking, and I'd nibble on his ear before our mouths would crash together again. His hands were everywhere, but I didn't push them away. I was too busy tugging off his shirt, and unclasping my bra when his fingers fumbled. He picked me up, gently laying me down on his bed as he pulled my top over my head. I was fumbling at the buttons of the jeans he had fallen asleep in when he broke our kiss and removed my hands.

"No, not right now. This will be sympathy sex." He told me, though he didn't move his body away from mine an inch.

"Isaac. It's fine. I want to. I know you want to." And I did. I could feel how much he really did want to pressed against me.

"No. We need to be together before we get together, Ashlyn." He threw his shirt at me then, motioning I should put it on. I did, scowling as I slipped it over my head.

After that, he just lied down, pulling me close to his chest, wrapping his arms around me tightly. I fell asleep to his small snores tickling my ear.