"Oh my God, there's so much…sexual tension," Allison said quietly to Claire, a smile on her lips.

Claire laughed. "I mean, maybe on my part, but he certainly made it clear that he does not want me around."

Allison rolled her big brown eyes. "I don't believe it for one second. Actions speak louder than words, and trust me, there's sexual tension. So, are you going to tell me this mystery man's name?"

To be honest, Claire almost didn't want to tell Allison Derek's name. It felt nice to get the story off of her chest, but she felt that if she gave up his name, something of hers would be lost. But wasn't like there was anything there in the first place to lose, Claire reminded herself. She finally decided that since Allison was new in town, she probably would have never heard Derek Hale anyway.

"Derek," she said blushing.

Allison got a curious look on her face. Then, like a realization had just occurred, her eyes grew wide.

"Wait, wait, wait. You said he was tall, with black hair, and some stubble? Dangerous looking with a leather jacket, yeah?"

Oh no no no no no. Inwardly (and possibly outwardly), Claire cringed.

"Yeah…why? Do you know him?" Claire prayed that she didn't. She was seriously beginning to regret telling this story.

"He drove me home that night I told you about when Scott left me at the party! Derek Hale, right?"

Claire made a face.

"It is him, isn't it?! You're right Claire, he is really good looking. But, you know, Scott doesn't seem to like him that much," Allison said, looking halfway between excited and concerned.

"I know. I got that impression from Scott as well, but it kind of makes sense. The guy certainly doesn't come off as friendly."

"That is true. You have to promise that you'll keep me updated," Allison smiled, a mischievous look on her face.

"Only if you keep me updated with you and your Mr. McCall."

"Deal. He's actually coming over to my house to study tomorrow after school, so hopefully I should have some news."

They grinned at each other.

oOo

Claire slowly turned the doorknob, trying to make as little noise as possible. She slipped her body in through the small crack she had made, and shut the door behind her just as quietly. She could hear her parents moving around in the kitchen, so she started to climb the staircase, putting her hands on the stairs to distribute her weight, and make less sound. When she had made it about halfway, her dad's face popped up in between the railings. Just the person she didn't want to see. Claire squeaked. She really needed to learn to control that. Her dad was like a freaking ninja.

"Heeey…Dad," she said awkwardly, giving him a half smile.

"Good to know you're back," he replied sarcastically. Lowering his voice, he pointed upstairs. "I'll be up in a few minutes to talk."

Claire just nodded, straightened up, and walked up the rest of the stairs. Here we go, she thought sullenly.

After sitting in her room, trying to come up with anything and failing miserably, her dad knocked quietly on her door and then came in. He sat down on the end of her bed and faced her.

"So. The truth, please."

Claire heaved a big sigh. She grimaced, and looked up at him.

"If I tell you, can you not tell Mom? I just don't want to have to answer all of her questions," she said, her blue eyes looking up at him hopefully.

"Why do you think I've kept this between ourselves so far? You're an adult, and I respect that, but I just want to make sure you're staying safe."

"I know, Dad. Okay, where do I start? Well, yesterday I was at the grocery store picking up the stuff for Mom, when I ran into this guy I met a few weeks ago. He asked if I wanted to go for coffee, and I said yes. After we got there we got into…an argument, and we were both really angry, so he left me there. I had to call-,"

"Wait, he just left you there?" Her dad looked pissed. "Who the fuck is this guy?"

Ignoring the 'who' question, Claire went on. "Yeah I know, I was pretty angry, too. But I can take care of myself, so I called Scott McCall, and he and his friend came and picked me up. I forgot to tell them that my car was still at the grocery store, so they just dropped me off at the house. And you know the rest. My car was here this morning. Honestly, I think De-…the guy I went to coffee with brought it back."

Once she was done with her explanation, her dad looked at the ground and started rubbing his face scruff. It was his thinking pose. His silent analysis made her nervous. After about 15 seconds he finally looked up at her. "Okay. So, my question for you is, do you still have your car keys?"

Claire slowly nodded.

"So how did this guy get your car back to the house?"

"Well, I don't really know for sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if 'this guy' had…skills," she said vaguely.

"Skills?" her dad said, his eyebrows high.

"You know, like, hot-wiring skills."

God, she couldn't even look at her father right now. She heard him sigh.

"And he knows where you live?"

Instead of making her dad put everything on lock down, she decided on a little white lie for this question.

"Well, we've hung out before, and he came and picked me up."

"Are you romantically involved with this guy?"

She laughed to herself. "No. I don't think so."

He looked at her pointedly. "Good. He doesn't sound like someone I would want you to be with anyways. As cheesy as this sounds, just promise me you'll make good choices. I love you, honey. I just don't want to see you get hurt."

"I promise, Dad. I love you, too."

He stood up. "Alright, I'm going to leave before this gets too mushy. Dinner's going to be ready in a half hour or so."

oOo

Claire woke up the next morning not ready to go to work. Still, she rolled out of bed and headed to the shower. After making herself smell nice (or at least not like she just rolled out of bed), she drank a cup of coffee, and trudged upstairs to get dressed.

When she walked into her room, she had to cover her mouth to keep from screaming. There in the middle of her bedroom stood Derek Hale, pale, sweaty, and swaying on the spot. Her whole body reacted, heart racing, body tensed.

He looked at her, his green eyes circled in darkness, and his eyebrows furrowed. "Claire? What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? Derek, this is my bedroom. What's going on? What wrong?" She quickly scanned him. That's when she noticed the blood dripping down his hand underneath his leather jacket. "Oh my God. You're hurt."

Claire walked over to him and gingerly lifted his hand to try to see what was wrong. He grimaced and pulled away.

"I have to – I have to find…" he trailed off, his unfocused eyes looking all around him, searching for something.

"You have to find what, Derek?" When he didn't answer, she decided to take action. She grabbed his unhurt arm, and gently led him to her desk chair. He sat down heavily when he felt the chair hit the back of his knees.

"Look, I'm going to go get the first aid kit. Take off your jacket, if you can. I'll be right back."

She rushed down the stairs, thankful that her dad had already left for work, and her mom was off running errands with the kids in tow. She grabbed a handful of dishtowels, filled a bowl with water, and found the first aid kit under the sink. She could feel her heart beating hard in her chest. She would have liked to say that her reaction was because of the fact that a grown man was bleeding in her house and needed medical attention, but if she were being honest with herself she knew that his presence was enough to set her heart racing. Damn him! I thought he didn't want me around, she thought bitterly. Setting her mind back on task, she carefully walked up the stairs as quickly as possible, trying not to spill any of the water she carried with her shaking hands.

She shouldered open her door, and looked around her room.

Derek was gone.

All that was left was an open window and a few drops of blood on the carpet.

"Derek?" she called out. There was no answer. She set down the items she had brought up and stuck her head outside her window. Everything looked as it should, no sign of Derek Hale anywhere. She stood up and stared straight ahead, heart still hammering, hands still shaking. Worry flooded her system. He didn't even know where he was, and now he was walking the streets, dazed and injured? But what could she do? He was gone, and she didn't even know which direction to start looking for him.

All of a sudden, her phone alarm went off, making her jump a foot in the air. She still had too much adrenaline in her system. The alarm was her cue to leave the house for work. What a trivial thing it seemed now, but what else could she do?

Claire climbed into her car, and drove to the department store, her mind thinking of nothing other than where Derek Hale could possibly be.