Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN TEEN WOLF
Sheriff Law Number 27 - Don't play matchmaker for the sheriff.
He really did wonder why Stiles was making him dress up so fancy if they were just going to their usual pack dinner. It was of course at one of the nicer restaurants in town but still, did he really need the tie? He didn't really have the energy to fight with his son on this one. Besides, maybe he'd see Stiles in some nice dress clothes for once. It would be worth the stupid tie if he could see that.
His phone rang and he picked it up checking the caller I.D. to see that his son was calling him. "Hey Stiles."
"Hey dad. We're running a little late the suburban got a flat. Hurry up and leave so Ms. McCall doesn't have to wait alone."
"I'm leaving right now. I just have to put on my shoes."
"Are you wearing the tie?"
"Yes Stiles I'm wearing the stupid tie."
"Sweet. I'll see you when we get there."
"Alright kiddo, bye."
He hung up and went downstairs slipping his shoes on before leaving the house and driving to the restaurant. He pulled up and saw Melissa getting out of her car. She waved at him and waited while he parked so they could walk in together.
The host was smiling as they walked in. "Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes, it should be under Hale."
"Right this way."
They were led towards the back and seated at a small table with only two places set. The host walked away as a waitress walked over and took their drink orders.
"I feel like we've been set up."
They both laughed and decided to enjoy the evening together. After all it was on Derek's credit card. It would be just plain rude not to eat the lobster.
After two hours and then some in each other's company they finally called it a night. He smiled and asked Melissa if she'd like to go to dinner with him again sometime. He left with a smile and went home to find the entire pack sitting in the living room waiting for him.
"So? How was it?"
"It was nice. We're going out for dinner next weekend so you can stop setting me up on surprise blind dates."
Stiles bumped knuckles with Scott and sat back in Derek's lap.
"That reminds me, we had the lobster. It tasted sweet, like vengeance."
Derek just snorted and went back to his book. The sheriff threw his tie at Stiles and walked upstairs to his room with a small smile.
Sheriff Law Number 31 - The Sheriff reserves the right to send anyone to their room. Even Derek.
Derek was usually one of the best behaved males in the group. The sheriff had really been wrong about him last year with all the murders. If he had known Derek even a little bit he would have known that Derek was like everyone else. Life had thrown too many things his way and he was just a little broken.
Some days he really couldn't help but want to throttle the guy. Derek surprised him sometimes and did things that made him question the safety of everyone in the general vicinity. It was never anything specific sometimes Derek just freaked out and went off. Watching Derek flip out was like watching a tornado tear through things leaving a wake of disaster behind him. Or it was like watching a three year old throw a tantrum. A sharp, snarly, frowny, glowy, tantrum.
The first time Derek broke the T.V. was not the first time he'd had a hissy fit. It was probably the fourth or fifth. The sheriff had already been fed up with another Law 15 violation and he lost his cool. He marched over to the young alpha and grabbed him by the ear.
"THAT IS ENOUGH YOUNG MAN! GO TO YOUR ROOM UNTIL YOU CAN BEHAVE LIKE AN ADULT."
He pulled Derek along behind him until he reached the stairwell. He pointed with a frown. Derek looked like he was going to argue so he grabbed the ear again and started walking up the stairs. Three steps up and Derek was walking past with his shoulders slumped.
"Stay in that room until you can act your age."
He walked back down the stairs to see the Lydia and Allison laughing quietly.
"Something funny you'd like to share?"
"You just sent our alpha to his room. It was just too much. We didn't think it was possible for anyone to boss Derek around."
"Aside from Stiles that is."
They went back to cleaning up the mess while he went and grabbed a beer from the fridge. Danny was supposedly shopping with Stiles for pants that he could easily wear over his brand new boot cast. The other boys were probably hiding for a while before they went to get food for everyone. That was fine with him. He really just needed some quiet time. With only the girls home he could relax a little.
About half an hour later Derek came down and apologized to all three of them before leaving. The sheriff wasn't sure if he would come back until he heard some one kicking at the door. He opened it to find Derek carrying a T.V. He moved aside and let the other man carry it inside and start setting it up.
Scott and Jackson cam in carrying Philly cheese steaks for everyone and Danny was carrying a loopy Stiles on his back. When everyone was settled in at the table Lydia gave a wicked smirk.
"The sheriff sent Derek to his room today."
Stiles had a barely there expression on his face. "Did you go into 'Super Alpha Rage Mode'?"
"Almost." Derek refused to meet anyone's eyes.
"What do you mean almost?"
"He grabbed my ear and marched me halfway upstairs." Derek's cheeks were the faintest of pink that got darkened every second no one replied.
Stiles gave a loud snort first and everyone else burst into laughter. And then of course, Stiles drooled on himself, which made everyone else laugh harder.
Today may have started off slow and had a sketchy middle but this was on his list of okay endings for any day. Family, laughter, great food, and a blushing Derek Hale made for a nice bonus.
Well I thought last chapter would be the end but this is clearly not the case.
I have returned with a small gift of humor (at least I think it's funny) because I've had small bursts of inspiration. Don't let your knickers get all twisted in anticipation for coming chapters. I think the updates will be few and far between. Hopefully this makes you smile as you read it. That has been my goal with this entire fic with the exception of the dreaded chapter 7. My goal for that was to make everyone to feel at least a small tingling in their nose and a lump in their throat.
I'm glad to have readers like you and I hope you enjoy,
HalfDrunk
