Grease Monkey

Chapter Nine: It's Time to Begin

"It's time to begin, isn't it? I get a little bit bigger but then, I'll admit, I'm just the same as I was. Now don't you understand that I'm never changing who I am?" I sang as I locked up the station for the night. It was just me, headphones in my ear, mop in hand, dancing around like no one was watching. For all I knew, no one was anywhere near the station that late at night. Well… no sane person was. I got up to date with the attacks going on in town. Apparently there was a mountain lion killing people. I knew that wasn't true. It had to be the werewolf that bit me. Just thinking about that sort of stuff caused my blood pressure to spike. But, again, no sane person was out that late at night.

Off in the distance I could hear police sirens. Probably another attack. I pressed myself against the automatic doors, not so automatic after getting locked, and peered out. An ambulance and a stream of cop cars whizzed by. I couldn't see where they were headed but it looked like they were going into town. I shrugged. Not my problem. I turned around and I was going to continue mopping when I thought I heard a noise in the back. I took out my headphones to hear it better.

Not a peep. Subconsciously I sniffed at the air. Something was out of place. There was a distinct scent of… burning flesh. That's what I smelled the night I wandered into that house in the woods. It was absolutely revolting. Being the extremely curious critter that I was I placed my mop against the register and ventured towards the "employees only" door.

Just as I placed my hand on the door something grabbed my shoulder and yanked me back, forcing me out the glass of the automatic doors. I landed hard on my side, causing me to wince in pain. Whatever yanked me was out of the station in seconds, "Fuck!" I swore, scrambling to my feet and getting the hell out of there. Immediately I went for the tree line. When my pained side started to get in the way I yelled at it, "Heal, damn you!" That's one thing I loved. I could yell at my body and it would obey me. Now, if only I could become my little wolf self and get away! When my side began to heal I was able to run a bit faster, but not fast enough. I felt my flannel rip; I heard the stitching tear, as it was cast to the wind.

That's when I felt a surge of power. I looked at my hands. My nails started to protrude from their beds, the points of my canines nudged at my lips. I felt the instinct take over. I looked left, I looked right, trying to find a way out. My new accommodations allowed me to orient myself. I couldn't exactly go home. I don't think a door would stop the Alpha from ripping me to shreds. When a thin tree came up on my left I leapt at a horizontal, whipping around and planted my feet firmly in the monsters side, sending it crashing against another cluster of trees.

"You won't get away."

Nothing like a voice from hell to kick you into motion! I scrambled back to my feet and continued to run. But it didn't matter how far I distanced myself from him, he probably memorized my scent. I'd have to get to where he'd have a hard time reaching me. As I ran I focused up to the trees. They were so tightly spaced that something as large as the Alpha would have a hard time maneuvering through it. I leapt at the nearest tree and climbed for all I was worth. I've climbed trees in my lifetime but these trees barely had any limbs on them. I had to rely on my claws to get me up. Meaning: the trees would have an even harder time supporting that freaks weight. I could actually here him struggling underneath me. I looked down and smiled. Promptly driving me to jump to another tree.

"I'll get you, someday…" The voice growled. That time I realized that there was no physical "voice", it was all in my head! I shook my head to shake his creepy voice from it. I then jumped through the trees for a while longer just to be certain that he was gone. Carefully, I sniffed at the air. No sign of that putrid scent. I was in the clear. Save for me being 60 feet in the air and no way down. My claws were gone, can't free climb anymore. I tested one of the branches below me, too wobbly for my tastes. The one I was sitting on was starting to freak me out even then.

A crazy thought crossed my mind as I hugged the life out of the tree. I summoned the wolf, who seemed to be cozying up by the fire somewhere, to try out my crazy theory. Eventually I felt it stretching and coming out to play again. Not to the extent where I was physically changed. I started to open my mouth when the branch underneath me gave way, sending me straight for the ground. Desperately I grabbed for other branches, only to have them break almost as soon as I touched them. But, they did help slow my momentum. Not enough for the flat-back landing to be anything other than excruciating.

I was winded. Each breath required extreme force and extreme pain. I kept thinking, "Heal!" to myself. If I was healing it wasn't healing fast enough to make a significant difference. As I laboured for each breath that crazy thought crossed my mind again. And with the wolf pawing at the confines of my skin to get out it was going to be much easier this time around. I opened my mouth and let out a pained howl, like in the movies. Wolves howling to other wolves and all that crap. It wasn't a good move if the Alpha was still in the area but I was dead meat anyway. With a lot of struggle I pushed myself against a tree. As I tested my moving capabilities I prayed to an unknown God. Hopefully, Scott or Derek would make it to me first.

Apparently it was my lucky day or my prayers had been heard. Derek burst through the tree line… at least… I thought it was Derek. His face didn't look quite right but he was wearing the grey shirt I left him in. As he approached me his face returned to the scowl I had grown to love, "What the hell are you doing?" He snarled. He grabbed my arm and yanked me to standing, causing me to scream out in extreme pain. I collapsed to my knees and looked up at him.

"Sorry… I didn't know what else to do…" I tried to explain to him. I probably looked pathetic. I didn't really care. I was in sooooo much pain, "The Alpha attacked me at the station and I…"

"What?!" He yelled, "Why didn't you…" He started to say before shaking his head and looking directly into my eyes, "Can you stand?"

I couldn't help my sarcastic look, "I collapsed, dip shit. You think I can stand?!"

He rolled his eyes and gently wrapped his arm around my shoulders as he hooked his other arm underneath my knees. It hurt like a bitch, but I sucked it up. I just grabbed at his shirt and bit back the pain.

"You shouldn't have let yourself known like that."

My eyes nearly popped out of my head, "Derek. Run." I tried to warn him. He just looked at me, "He's coming, run!"

A felt the growl reverberate through him as he heeded my warning. He started to run back in the direction he emerged from. Expertly weaving in and out of the trees. The movement wasn't probably the best thing for my injured spine, I'd rather the pain than the whole dying thing. As we maneuvered through the woods I felt the pain begin to recede. I don't know if it was me getting used to the position I was in or if I was actually healing. I hoped it was the latter.

Eventually we came out of the woods, right near my house. He looked at me. I got the message. I sniffed at the air, no sign of that putrid smell, "We're safe." He nodded and led me inside. Once inside, Kipper was on us in seconds. Tearing at Derek's pant leg, "Down boy!" I said from my position in Derek's arms. Very, very, carefully he placed me on the couch, laying me out flat. I winced. The pain had diminished, making it bearable, but had not completely left me.

With me safely on my couch, Derek ventured into the kitchen. He went over to the stove and turned on one of the smaller eyes, placing the kettle on it. The thought of tea soothed me more. My eyes fluttered shut. Successfully preventing me from asking him how he knew I liked tea.

I woke up a couple of minutes later, the pain in my back almost gone, with a cup of tea awaiting me on the coffee table. I sat up. I stretched out my arms and cracked my neck. I was about to take a sip when I realized it lacked the sweet smell of honey. I always had honey with my tea, "Hey." I called to Derek who was busy putting the tea away in the kitchen. He barely paid me any attention, "Honey. In the cabinet next to the tea." I informed him.

He didn't look like he liked to be ordered around but he complied. He brought the honey over to me, sat down next to me, and said absolutely nothing. I laughed a little at that.

"Thanks. For saving my sorry butt." More silence. That's Derek for you.

I squeezed my usual amount of honey into my rose tea and stirred it with my spoon. I then brought the cup to my lips and took a sip. Being content with the amount of sweetness I thumbed the access honey from the spout of the contained and licked it off. Causing a shiver to run down my spine. I love honey. Always have. Always will. I was about ready to drink some more when I noticed that Derek was getting closer to me. I started to open my mouth to speak only to find Derek's lips on mine. His hand came up to cup my neck. The tip of his tongue pressed against my bottom lip, dipped into my mouth slightly, and he broke away.

The confusion on my face must've been evident. Because I was confused, "You had some honey on your lips." He said nonchalantly as he propped his feet up on the coffee table. I blinked a few times. Still thoroughly confused.

"So… you hate people." He shrugged, okay, half-truth, "But you openly kiss girls to shut them up and to get honey off their lips?" Another shrug, "Is this a common occurrence? I haven't been single since I was 13. I don't remember much from before I was dating but guys didn't really do that, that much I know." I rushed out, trying to gauge Derek's reaction. I think I would've had better luck trying to read a statue. He was just sitting there. Just sitting there with his arms crossed and that typical angry look on his face.

I sighed, "You are impossible." With that I started to stand, letting out a small groan when greeted with the pain. I felt Derek's hand on my back. Helping me the rest of the way up. I gave him a small smile and headed towards my room.

When Derek started to follow I stopped and turned, "Unless you want to join me in the shower, I think I can do this alone." I said sweetly with a side of cheekiness. Once in my room I closed the door behind me, and as I did, I heard a slight thumping in the distance. I got closer to the door. It had to be Derek's heartbeat. I smirked to myself. I liked telling myself that I caused the increased heart rate.

Carefully, I stripped off my clothing. My back was feeling a lot better. So I threw myself onto my bed to wiggle out of my jeans, "Stupid… pants…!" I gritted out. That's when I remembered my boots. Had to take off my boots first. I untied those and threw them across the room.

Back to the pants.

I hooked my thumbs into the waist and pulled them off, "Sweet freedom!" Was all I said when the last piece of fabric was removed from my skin. I was gloriously naked. And I swear I could hear someone chuckling. I ignored it and headed for the bathroom.

About half an hour later and I was squeaky clean and cleanly shaven with clean clothes and clean hair. Lots of cleanliness. My hair was done up in a sloppy bun at the top of my head, one of James' white shirts hung just below my hips, and a pair of my boy cuts were nice and snug up against my butt. My usual home attire. Seeing as I had no sex appeal it wouldn't matter if I walked around stark naked. I walked back out into the living area to find Derek looking at one of James' old books. His eyes drifted up to me, lingered, and then returned to the page he was reading. See? Zero sex appeal. I smiled to myself and went to grab my tea from in front of him. He barely gave me any of his attention. Just the way I liked it.

"You want anything to eat?" I asked him as I headed to the kitchen, "And how long are you even staying here?" He shrugged. I let out a laboured sigh, "Okay. For your information, I don't speak "shrug"!" I said with an exasperated tone. Again, he shrugged, "Okaaaaaaay. I'm making stir-fry. If you want any, just holler. Or… howl. Or bark." That earned me a glare. I held up my hands up defensively, "Your choice." So I reached into my nearly barren fridge and pulled out the bare basic, an onion, flat beans, mushrooms, and broccoli. From the freezer I got the chestnuts, and in the cupboard I pulled out the garlic and ginger. Well. I tried. It was way in the back. I had to get on my tiptoes to even get close. Still wasn't enough.

I landed back on my heels in a huff. I hated being short. And 5'5" isn't all that short! But I was determined. I hefted myself up onto my counter and I got up on my knees. The angle was awkward enough to not smack my head on the cabinet. Actually, I nearly fell back a few times. That is until I felt something up against my butt. I looked down to see Derek standing there with his hand supporting my rump. He wasn't looking at me. He was looking out towards the front door. I'll take what I can get. I reached back into the cabinet and wrapped my hand around the clove of garlic I had back there. I then fumbled around for the ginger. Eventually I got that too. When I tried to get down I was met with resistance. I looked back and wiggled my butt.

"Oi. Let me down." I commanded. But as soon as his hand was removed I fell back. Turns out he had yanked me back by my collar into his arms, "Oh, Derek, if you just wanted me in your arms, all you had to do was ask." I joked, removing myself and I headed over to the pantry, "Veggie oil, veggie oil, veggie oil." I practically sang. I opened the door and found both the veggie and the sesame oil. With one in each hand I flounced out of the pantry and closed it with my foot. When I came back, Derek was slicing the broccoli, the mushrooms, and my big honking onion.

That was fast.

And I really appreciated the help, "Thanks." I said in his direction. He looked up at me briefly before continuing his slicing and dicing. That was progress, at least. I pulled a frying pan out and placed it on the stove. When Derek stopped cutting, apparently looking for something. He opened the fridge and looked at me, "What are you looking for?" I asked.

He gave the fridge another look, "Meat."

I laughed, "I'm a vegetarian you idiot."

He let out a weird chuckle, "Let's see how long that lasts."

My hand dove into the bag of flat beans and I chucked a couple at him. More glaring. I smiled and returned to stirring the veggies in the pan. When he came over to dump the rest of the ingredients in I went a little crazy with the oils. This big plume of smoke puffed up in my face, causing me to retreat into Derek, "Mother of fuck!" I shrieked. Once the smoke dissipated, I felt the need to explain, "James did all the cooking. I fixed the cars and the leaky roof." I shrugged, getting back to my "cooking". If you wanted to call it that.

After half an hour or so, our feast was done. At the last minute I dished out my portion of food and threw some frozen slices of chicken in. For the big boy. Everything was as perfect as a stir-fry could get. Well, for me, that is. We took our plates over to the coffee table. I threw myself on the couch, a common occurrence, and Kipper followed suit. Jumping on my stomach and trying to get at my food.

"There's no meat in this you little carnivore!" I said as I tried to push him away, "Go bother tall, dark, and brooding over there. That's where the chicken's at!" And, to my surprise, right as Derek sat down Kipper was all over him, "What the hell. You can understand me yet you were trying to rip off my limbs for the past month!" I growled at my pup.

Derek arched a brow at me, "You do know your scent has changed since you became a werewolf. The competitive scent probably confused him and put him on the defensive." He said, forking a piece of chicken in his mouth.

I let that thought simmer for a second, "That makes sense. Guess I never really considered that I was the problem." As if hearing my self-pity, Kipper returned to me, lapping at my face with his nasty dog breath, "I get it, I get it! All is forgiven!" I said with a laugh. And that seemed to make him very, very happy.

That's when Derek suddenly stood and made his way to leave, "Thanks." He said, motioning to the empty plate he was placing in the sink.

"Anytime. Just… knock first." I said with a wave and a kind smile. And, Derek was gone. Much in his usual fashion. Now you see him, now you don't. Very Spider-Man-esque. I'm sure I've said that before. One time I called Derek Spider-Man. You can imagine his reaction.

Once my tummy was full of mediocre stir-fry, it really wasn't good at all; I started cleaning up the mess we made. Only to find that everything I had gotten out was neatly tucked away. I was only settled with cleaning the dishes used and putting them on the drying rack. What a chivalrous bastard. Cleaning the dishes only took a minute or two. That's when I warranted sleep time.

Seeing as I was already ready for bed I just started turning out lights. Couldn't have the electric bill running through the roof. I didn't have much money as it was. After all the lights were out and I was sure that everything was as clean as it could get I ran into my room and dove onto my bed. My only companions that night were Kipper the Wonder Dog, and the restless sleep I endured as I dreamed of a single man, nearly dying in a fire that killed the rest of his family.

Author's Note: GO REREAD THE LAST CHAPTER, I CHANGED IT. About 600 words less and cutting out part of the scene... oh, and... nicely placed "kisses"? I love writing this version of Derek. If you see ANYTHING from "The Tell" in the last chapter, PM me, yell at me in a review, unfavourite, do something to gain my attention so I'll go and fix it. I just couldn't scrap this chapter. I love the honey bit. And the cooking. Derek. Cooking. He's such a mother. ANOTHER DREAM SEQUENCE NEXT CHAPTER, AND MORE KISSES. Eventually leading up to something hot and heavy the episode after "Night School". ;) Keep reading! xoxo, Momma Love