Finally I'm updating soryr it's been so long but I've been really busy sad thing is I have all the chapters written out already. Again I'm sorry but please enjoy hopefully all of you will start to notice Alex's developing persona

Thanks

Jana

The sky had darkened and the stars were coming out. "It's beautiful here. Oh Derek look you can see all of them and there aren't any lights to interfere with their twinklingness"

"Twinklingness?" asked Derek an eyebrow raised as he smirked.

"Yuppers" answered Alex in her cute little baby voice. Derek burst out laughing as he wrapped his arms around her squeezing her tightly.

"You're too cute."

"I know you are but what am I?" she asked playfully. Derek smiled as he pulled her hair back behind her ear. He stopped when he saw the mark on her neck. The blood had dried but there was a large bruise from his loss of control. Derek's smile faded as he sighed his fingertips brushing it lightly. "It doesn't hurt. It's just a nice big hickie from the famous Derek Venturi. Which I guess makes this a famous hickie." Derek leaned forward bringing his lips back up to her neck kissing the bruise softly. Alex closed her eyes leaning into his kiss. Derek continued kissing her neck as he slowly made his way to her ear. He nibbled softly on her earlobe before blowing softly in her ear.

"I'm sorry" he whispered.

"Please forgive me." Alex opened her eyes staring over Derek focusing on the view behind him. She could feel the blood thickening as it pumped through her veins. Her vision sharpened her senses were growing as her eyes glowed dangerously their color violet. She could feel them her fangs growing longer protruding over her lower lip. She closed her eyes trying to ignore the pulse from his neck so close to her yearning jaws. She had to control it Derek was different. He hadn't meant to hurt her it was an accident. Derek wasn't like him he had even shied away from her when he thought he had hurt her and he hadn't. Alex closed her eyes breathing in deeply clearing her head. She looked up towards the sky smiling as she felt Derek's lips upon her breast.

"Derek look at the stars."

"Please no" he murmured placing supple kisses all over her body. Alex laughed as she looked down struggling to see his face.

"Yes come on do it for me." Derek sighed looking up at her his gaze shifting towards the sky.

"It's really beautiful."

"Derek"

"What?" he asked leaning back still holding onto her.

"Will you come visit me sometime at my father's cabin. I really want you to see it."

"Of course I'll come visit you. Anytime you want me to. No matter what I'll be there."

"Promise?"

"I promise." Derek touched her arms gently rubbing them. "Oh my god you're freezing. Come on let's get you inside." Alex laughed slightly

"Umm Derek how are we going to get back in the dark?"

"You're actually going to question me?" Alex rolled her eyes as she rolled onto her side laughing.

"Yes Derek I am." Derek wrestled her playfully as he pulled her up into his arms.

"Come on let's get you inside to a nice warm fire."

"oh can we make s'mores please?"

"Well I guess so if we must."

"Yay! Now come on follow me I'll get us back to the cabin." Alex started walking Derek following close behind. Alex's eyes adjusted and her head twisted sharply as she heard a branch break on her right. There in the distance was a large grey wolf like creature. Alex instinctively raised her lip baring her teeth her eyes a light violet.

"What's wrong?" asked Derek as he stopped by her side blocking her view.

"Nothing let's just keep moving alright?" Alex continued forward her grip on his hand tightening. Derek rolled his eyes as Alex practically sprinted across the bridge and back into the clearing. Alex tried to lighten his mood by smirking and letting his hand go. "I'll race you. Ready. Set. Go." Both of them took off running and Alex beat him by a few feet to the door. She smiled at him her eyes still scanning the trees around them. "Ha ha told ya I'd win." Derek just smirked as he grabbed her and carried her into the living room laying her down on the couch and started a fire. Alex laid there curled up as she watched him and within a few minutes there was a roaring fire in the large fireplace. Derek sat down near the head of the couch leaning his head against her own. Derek leaned over and pulled a blanket up over Alex wrapping it around her frame. "Thank you" she whispered yawning slightly her eyes closing. "So what about your dad? Is he gonna flip out because we're both gone?"

"Actually no because we both have good excuses I'm going out with my friends to a party and should my dad call one of them will answer and make an excuse. As for you Sam's sister is hanging out with you."

"Isn't he going out with Casey?"

"Yes but I'm kinda sorta blackmailing him."

"You're so bad."

"You have no idea." replied Derek chuckling deeply. Alex yawned stretching her arms over her head wrapping them gingerly around Derek's neck.

"Tired?"

"Yeah just a little bit" she replied smiling sweetly.

"Come on let's get you into bed." Alex got up the blanket still wrapped around her. Derek walked behind her his arms wrapped lightly around her waist leading her to the bedroom.

"Here we are."

"Derek what am I supposed to wear to bed?"

"Well you can think about that while you're in the shower." Alex looked to her left she laid the blanket on the bed and walked into the small bathroom. Derek sat down on the bed as he heard the water begin to run. He laid back sighing his eyes closed. He was so tired but he wouldn't allow himself to fall asleep. Alex stepped out of he shower and rubbed the condensation off the mirror. Alex suddenly felt a splitting headache as she looked down. When she looked up again the reflection in the mirror wasn't her own. She could see a group of the large creatures she had seen in the woods surrounding her. Alex closed her eyes and she felt the cold breeze on her wet body. Alex looked around as each of the creatures offered the side of it's head and it's neck in a sort of bow as her gaze passed over them. The largest of them all a big gray male stepped forward his eyes lifting slightly.

"Your majesty we have been sent here..." but Alex cut him off.

"Yes I know you were Lucas. I sensed your presence before on the hill." Alex glared at them all. "Because of you I almost turned on that hill the blood lust was upon me. I fought as hard as ever to keep control."

"I beg your pardon majesty but your father was overheard wondering about his daughter and we thought that if we could pass along good information on his daughter's well being his worries would be laid to rest." Lucas looked up at Alex his amber eyes glinting softly in the moonlight but that did not fool Alex she knew he was one of the strongest hunters in her pack and he hoped to find favor with her and become the next alpha male.

"Yes well have your informants tell my father I am doing splendidly and you may pass along to the others that soon enough we will need a gathering of the packs."

"Your majesty that means that you will be choosing a male to rule at your side." interrupted Markus. Alex glared at him as she descended from the rock. She issued a low unearthly growl from her throat.

"Markus do you think I do not know the meaning of the calling?"

"No your majesty I just meant." "Did you think that by bringing up the issue of my mate you would win favor and thus become him." Markus looked up at her his eyes somewhat hopeful her gaze softened.

"Perhaps Markus you should learn when to bite your tongue."

"It's just your majesty that when your mother chose her mate he was not exactly one of us. There has not been an alpha male since before her time." Lucas growled low as he pinned Markus down his fangs bared.

"Your will not speak of her majesty's mother in that way."

"Forgive me your majesty" sputtered Markus as he yelped in pain from Lucas nipping his leg harshly.

"Lucas" scolded Alex gently as he made his way over to her nuzzling her leg gently. "Leave us" commanded Alex a snarl forming on her lips. The small group of wolves exited the small clearing leaving Lucas and Alex alone together. By now the towel she was wearing had fallen off. Lucas crawled closer to her his nose on her belly he sat down by her side. Lucas whined eagerly as he licked her gently his smooth tongue quickly darting between the tight spot in between her leg causing her to moan softly. Lucas whimpered as he felt Alex's grip tighten on the fur on the scruff of his neck. Alex looked down at him her eyes violet and her fangs long. "Lucas no we must stop." Lucas growled low his anticipation was building. Alex noted his large member slowly becoming unsheathed as he inhaled her scent deeply. Lucas tried to nip her playfully hopelessly trying to encourage her to respond to him. Alex growled low pulling away from him. "Lucas first off you are not my mate..."

"Larka it is my right to become the next alpha along with you."

"But Lucas I must choose who the other alpha shall be you know when the time comes for me to mate you can fight for the right." Lucas sighed slightly his tail still twitching as he licked her gently.

"But you know the law Larka you must choose one of our own so you can bear the pups, our next generation."

"Lucas look at me I'm already pregnant." Lucas stopped moving growling low.

"What do you mean pregnant?"

"Precisely what I said. Lucas you know that if I were to mate with you now you would kill the child."

"Is it a human?"

"I do not know we won't know until it's born now will we?" Lucas growled low his fangs bared slightly his hackles raised.

"You gave yourself away to that human. How could you do that to me to the packs."

"Lucas you know as well as I that I only gave away the human part of me not the wolf form."

"But I can give you both sides of the pleasure. I mean your mother did the same thing when she ruled." Alex bared her fangs now her anger growing.

"You will not speak of my mother like that. She fell in love with a great man and a powerful one at that."

"Yes Larka I understand but why can't you understand that I care about you so much. I can give you everything and more. What can he give you? A few years of pleasure and then when he dies and you are still alive who then will you have?"

"For your information I believe that there is more to him than meets the eye even secrets he does not know about himself. Now leave me!" Alex let Lucas' fur go and he slowly retreated his tail between his legs as his pace quickened. Alex closed her eyes and slowly felt herself propping herself up by the sink. Alex shook her head and made her way towards the door. Derek opened his eyes as he heard the bathroom door open. Alex walked slowly over to him as she laid down on the covers her fingers running through his hair. Derek rolled over as he slowly took off his clothes laying next to her their foreheads touching. Derek rubbed her gently all over kissing her passionately. Alex smiled when he finally let her go.

"I love you." he whispered just loud enough for her to hear.

"I love you too Venturi." Alex smirked as she moved closer to him.

"One day Alex I can imagine us living in a nice house and there will be kids running in the yard while you and I make love every night."

"Well aren't you ambitious? And why would you even think we would have children?" Derek rolled his eyes he didn't notice Alex's slightly downwards glance at the mention of babies and the perfect future life.

"Because after all the time we're going to be spending together if you don't have any kids well I'll be amazed."

"Derek" she growled playfully rolling onto him her fingertips making tiny circular motions on his chest.

"So how long are we staying here for?" Derek sighed slightly

"Well unfortunately we can only stay one night because if we do stay longer then we won't have excuses to tell the parents. Then the jig will be up and facing them is not number one on my priority list." Alex laughed lightly

"Yeah it's so much easier here we don't have to worry about anyone coming and bothering us at crucial moments." Derek yawned as Alex laid her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat. Derek closed his eyes rubbing her back.

"I can hear your heartbeat and it calms me."

"Just go to sleep we'll sleep in tomorrow and then we'll head back home."

"Home..." whispered Alex sighing as she closed her eyes falling to sleep. Derek cradled her gently as he too fell asleep soon after her. Alex stirred lightly as the rays of sun shown through the small window. She could feel the warmth of Derek's arms draped across her body. She dared not move in case of waking him. Her eyes fluttered slowly open as she felt him stir and heard him groan loudly as he tried to roll over forgetting she was there. "Morning sleepyhead" she said yawning holding onto him tighter. "Where do you think you're going mister huh?" she asked playfully.

"Ugh nowhere thanks to you."

"What time is it?" Derek groaned as he looked at his watch over her shoulder.

"A little after nine o'clock."

"Does that mean we have to leave soon?" she asked groggily kissing his chest.

"No not if we have some business to take care of." Alex raised an eyebrow.

"Oh we do do we?" she smirked as she kissed him deeply her legs rubbing against his.

"Only if you say so." Derek smirked but Alex got up slowly pulling the sheet off the bed and wrapping it around her.

"What are we being modest now?" Alex rolled her eyes as she walked into the bathroom. Derek followed her inside. He wrapped his arms around her as she ran her fingers through her hair.

"Thank you Derek this was wonderful." Derek smiled kissing her neck.

"Oh yeah I forgot about this" he whispered.

"Well you see that's what long hair's for." Alex messed her hair back up covering the hickie.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

"Yes you are very beautiful indeed." he chuckled burying his face into her neck. Alex laughed as she turned around grabbing his sides. Alex jumped up wrapping her legs around Derek's waist.

"Muahahaha" she said as Derek brought his head back up to look at her. Alex smiled at him her arms around his neck she leaned forward into him her eyes twinkling. "Derek let's go home." Derek stood there for a moment shocked that she had actually said the word home but he quickly recovered himself as he smirked kissing her head softly.

"As you wish my lady. Let's go home." Derek made his way towards the door.

"Oh and Derek let's try and behave ourselves okay?" Alex asked an eyebrow raised waiting for his reply. Derek hung his head as he let Alex go.

"Oh alright." Alex smiled lifting his chin up to look into his soft brown eyes.

"There's my boy." she chuckled as she turned around pulling up her jeans and throwing her shirt back on. Derek was still slowly getting his own clothes back together when Alex finished had already finished getting dressed.

"Derek" she whined "Come on we gotta get going. I still have to buy my dress and get everything together for the dance tomorrow."

"Oh that's right I almost forgot about that."

"Forgot forgot? Oh you had better call Sam or Josh or Jake and get your skinny little butt shopping."

"But what about not seeing your dress?"

"Well I'll go with Casey and Emily and we'll buy it then you can get your guys together and buy stuff to match it. Sam probably still has to buy all the stuff for the dance with Casey." Derek hadn't been paying attention passed her comment about his ass.

"Skinny little ass eh?"

"Yeah but it's a cute skinny little ass and it's all mine." Alex was leaning against the door frame smiling as Derek made his way over to her. Alex reached for his hand lacing her fingers with his as she lead him towards the front door. Derek smiled his rare smile as he closed the door behind him and walked towards the passenger side of the door waiting for Alex to get in. He closed the door behind her and quickly got in the other side. Alex rolled onto her side as Derek leaned over to her side kissing her. "This has been the best day of my life. Thank you." Alex smiled sweetly at him as she closed her eyes. Derek continued to drive forward as he darted glances at Alex's sleeping form. He turned his focus back to the road slowing down as they pulled into the driveway.

"Alex come on it's time to wake up we're here." Alex stirred as she propped herself up sitting up straight rubbing her eyes yawning.

"Alright alright I'm up I'm up." Alex crawled out of the car dragging her feet up the steps. She opened the door as she noticed everyone was still asleep. She crept up quietly to Derek's room as she threw herself onto the bed sighing gently. She looked over at the computer and noticed that there was something hanging from the closet door. She turned her head to the right and saw a beautiful aqua dress hanging on it. She got up to examine it closer and saw a note in Casey's handwriting.

Dear Alex,

I went shopping with Emily today and we saw this dress at the boutique. we thought it would look absolutely stunning on you.

Love ya,

Casey

P.S. sorry we looked in your suitcase to find your size.

Alex smiled as she made her way back to the bed. She pulled the covers around her they still smelled like Derek. She looked over her shoulder as she heard someone come into the room. She just closed her eyes trying to fall asleep. "Oh come now I can't be that boring can I?" she heard him whisper as he climbed into the bed next to her.

"Actually Venturi you are. Too bad you don't see it." Alex pried one of her eyes open to see Derek looking flabbergasted at her reply. Alex grabbed his hand massaging it gently. "Don't worry I still love you though." She brought his hand to her lips kissing it. Derek pulled her closer resting his head on hers his arms on her side as he breathed in her scent deeply. Alex closed her eyes as she thought about what had happened and what could have happened with Lucas in the woods. But that was the past and soon enough she would have called them all together and let their love prove them all wrong. Actually her father and the team would probably be the ones most happy with Derek and that was not something to really boast seeing as how they made up less than one percent of the people who mattered in her life these days. Alex didn't know how long she had been asleep for or how long Derek had been lying awake for just watching her. Alex continued to lay there not moving as she buried her face in his chest her eyes still closed.

"You know you should get up now."

"No Derek just five more minutes please." Derek smirked.

"How can I say no to you."

"Precisely you can't he he." mumbled Alex through the clothes. "Derek why do we act like this? Me and you. Like at school I'm a total rebel bitch and you're the cool guy who thinks he's perfect."

"Well aren't I?" Alex pinched him lightly.

"Ow alright alright I don't know I guess it's because you can act like something one day and then all of a sudden people expect you to keep acting like that and it becomes a habit so natural that it's scary at times because you can't even remember a time when you were yourself." Alex didn't answer she just laid there silently her breathing slow and steady.

"I guess you're right" she finally mumbled she tilted her head up towards Derek's. "ready to get up and face everyone?"

"No not really you?" he asked her yawning as well.

"Nope but I'll be fine as long as I have you." Derek smirked.

"Oh yeah" added Alex "What are we going to be fighting about this time."

"Oh I have an idea." he replied chuckling as he slowly sat up and walked towards the door. Alex raised an eyebrow

"Really do tell."

"Well" said Derek smirking as he pulled her closer off of the bed.

"Just follow my lead or is that too hard for you?" Alex's mouth gaped as she hit him roughly. "Now that's more like it." he continued unphased by what she'd just done. Derek opened the door as he cleared his throat. "Yo what's wrong with you I just wanted to get something outta MY room. God could you be anymore annoying." he bellowed as Alex covered her ears grimacing.

"I don't know can you? Besides I don't want you looking at my dress for the dance tomorrow." she screamed back moving her face only inches form Derek's as the rest of the family poured into the hallway from their rooms.

"Derek what's going on." asked Casey yawning as she stared at the two.

"SHE won't let me into MY room." "It's not your room and like I said all you wanted to do was look at my dress." said Alex poking his chest roughly.

"Oh yeah right" said Derek rolling his eyes poking her backwards towards the room.

"Why would I want to see your dress?"

"Because you're jealous that I actually look good in it and you think you're missing out on something." Derek glared at her as Casey interrupted.

"Yeah Derek why don't you leave her alone. She's the guest god you never stop." Derek walked over to Casey messing up her hair even more than it already was. Casey shoved him into the wall but staggered as well since she was too tired to really fight.

"Nope I never do" continued Derek smirking as he leaned against the wall yawning slightly. Alex had her nose stuck in the air in defiance as she closed the bedroom door behind her.

"That'll teach ya" she smirked nodding her head in Derek's direction. Edwin and Lizzie had also come out into the hall. Edwin was still standing there his mouth hanging open at Alex's defiance of Derek. Lizzie had slowly made her way over to Casey her eyes beaming in admiration as Alex absentmindedly leaned against the wall copying Derek move for move. Edwin watched her however noticing how she acted and Lizzie saw the glances that passed between Alex and Derek.

"Come on Lizzie let's go get something to eat." said Casey yawning.

"Yeah sure Case sounds good. You coming Edwin?"

"Ow" he grunted as Lizzie elbowed him sharply. "I mean yeah coming are you Marti?" Marti nodded silently smiling at both Derek and Alex as she headed down the stairs. Alex smiled sweetly giving her a little wave. Derek only moved when he was sure that the small group was making breakfast. Alex smirked as he made his way over to her pinning her against it their bodies touching.

"So how do you think it worked."

"Your plan was perfect." Alex placed a soft kiss on his lips as she wrapped her arms around his waist pulling him closer to her.

"Gotcha"

"Oh help me somebody help me" he whispered playfully.

"Oh get over yourself Venturi" Alex pushed him away her eyes gleaming in amusement as she started to descend the stairs.

"Coming Venturi?" she asked an eyebrow raised.

"Of course meemellow. I'm right behind you." Derek followed Alex down the stairs a satisfied smirk on his face. Alex yawned as she walked into the kitchen.

"Morning everyone."

"Hey Ed get me some breakfast."

"No" interrupted Alex sharply. "Ed eat your own breakfast. If Derek's hungry he can get his own." Ed stared at her shocked as he hesitated before getting the box of cereal.

"No really It's fine I don't mind."

"I said NO now sit down and eat." commanded Alex. Edwin hung his head darting fearful glances at Derek as he sat down on one of the chairs quickly scarfing down his food. Derek was pissed off Alex had gone too far and he was not in the mood right now to not have things done his way. Alex looked at him smirking innocently. Derek plastered a fake smile on his face as he made his way to the cereals. He glared at Alex who simply ignored him and continued to eat. Derek sat down next to her lightly kicking her. Alex pinched him hard continuing to eat as if nothing was happening. Derek poked her hard in the ribs as he to continued eating glaring at Ed who was hiding behind Alex for protection.

"Don't even think about it Venturi"

"Or what you'll hurt me?" asked Derek his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Say Edwin why don't you go upstairs while your brother and I have a little heart to heart eh?" Edwin silently got up from the table making his way up the stairs as Alex turned to look at Derek.

"Hurt you eh? More like torture you until you beg for mercy." Derek smirked as he poked her playfully.

"I'm already begging for more because if this is your torture I'll learn to live." Alex shoved him roughly as she stood. "Hey what was that for?" he growled standing pressing his nose against hers.

"Derek please I'm not in the mood right now" Derek wrapped his arms around her but Alex pushed him away her eyes downcast.

"Alex what's wrong?" Derek moved closer to her again his voice soft almost a whisper. Alex continued to look at the ground her body stiff. She shook her head slightly something was wrong with her why was she acting like this? Finally Alex chuckled lightly as she walked into Derek's arms.

"God damned hormones" she muttered.

"What was that? I didn't catch it." asked Derek looking down at her letting her go to turn her face up to his.

"What's the matter Venturi can't understand me?" she whispered smirking. Derek arched his eyebrows a smirk playing across his lips.

"Alex I'll never understand you will I?"

"Nope" answered Alex playfully as she turned walking towards the back door. But Derek was too quick as he grabbed her arm pinning her against the wall.

"And just where do you think you're going Missy?"

"Anywhere I want" replied Alex matter of factly as she ducked under his arm running out into the living room as Casey squealed.

"Alex!" Alex turned around to see Casey running down the stairs as Derek's smirked faded. He had stopped dead in his tracks when he had heard Casey's voice.

"What's up Case?"

"It's Sam" she squealed handing the phone to Alex.

"He wants to say hi." Alex smirked as she saw Derek rolling his eyes leaning against the door frame.

"Hey Sam" said Alex unenthusiastic."

"Hey Alex I need to tell you something." Alex walked over to the couch flopping down on it.

"Okay shoot."

"Well I found something in one of the books I borrowed from Derek and I think it's about you." Alex laughed trying not to draw Derek over.

"Why would he write anything about me?"

"Well personally I think he's very taken with you. No girl's turned him down before."

"Oh well there's a first time for everything. Anyway fire away."

"Oh right here it goes.

I see her walking down the halls

and the way she acts has caused me to fall.

She's not like the others from before,

She's defiant to the core.

She didn't fall for my charms,

Yet when she was hurt she let me hold her in my arms.

If I changed my hair

If I changed my clothes

Would she notice me?

And I know is she doesn't care,

But I can't help it if I stare.

I know I'm not perfect,

Can she forgive me for that?

All I want is a chance to be her knight in shining armor,

Beneath this fake smile there is more.

Please look at me, look into my eyes

See past my disguise.

I know I'll never be able to tell her how I feel.

Because it's just a dream it isn't real..."

Alex was sitting there her mouth hanging slightly open. "Alex you there?"

"Wha...? oh yeah sorry Sam. Wow that was beautiful. so you really think he wrote that."

"Definitely I'm his best friend plus it's his handwriting."

"Well thanks Sam that was wonderful thank you." Alex got up handing the phone back to Casey.

"well what did he say? "

"Oh nothing" replied Alex smirking as she headed up the stairs. Alex walked into the room and pulled her guitar out of the closet. Alex started plucking at the strings the words spilling off her lips.

"I'm trying not to notice you but you just brush by

and if you dare to cross that line

you know my toes would step on fire.

Oh sizzle when it's face on face and skin on skin

I'm trying to keep you out and I'm trying to keep me in.

One hundred million eyes behind these walls

watching ya hearing ya knowing ya

Keep me a secret Keep me out your arms

Keeps my kisses off your lipstick

stop me swallowing your charms

keep yourself a secret

Lock up all your doors

I'll keep you out of my dreams just you keep me out of yours..."

Derek climbed up the stairs stopping as he heard Alex's muffled voice through the door. She was singing that he could tell at least whatever it was the song was beautiful. Derek leaned his ear against the door trying not to make a sound his brow furrowed as he tried to make out the words. Suddenly Alex stopped and Derek became alert for her footsteps coming towards the door but still he heard no movement. "He doesn't know... Oh God why can't I tell him?" he heard her broken sobs. "Please God give me the strength to tell him the truth." Derek couldn't take it anymore he opened the door and found Alex cradling her guitar laying down on the bed. Alex didn't seem to notice him enter but her sobbing continued.

"Alex what's wrong?" he asked slowly laying down on the bed spooning her next to him. Alex didn't answer him she just laid there silently her body practically limp. Derek tried to pull her closer but she wouldn't move any further. Derek buried his face in her hair kissing her head softly he whimpered softly trying to get her to speak to him. "Alex please talk to me tell me what's going on." Alex closed her eyes breathing deeply trying to calm down. Derek wrapped his arms around her tighter. "please talk to me I want to help you" Alex silently rolled over facing him a tear still running down her cheek. Derek kissed her forehead silently breathing deeply. "Come on it'll be alright. Talk to me Alex let me in let me help you." Alex looked up at him slowly her eyes glistening from the tears.

"Derek it's just so hard." Alex sobbed lightly burying her face in his chest.

"But I'm here for you. You know that Alex no matter what I'll always support you."

"Derek I'm...I'm..." Alex wanted to tell him about the baby but she couldn't not now not like this. She knew he wouldn't be ready until he knew more about her and that meant time. Derek rubbed her back gently showing her his rare smile.

"you're what?"

"Well I'm feeling a lot better so I think I'm not sick anymore."

"That's wonderful but Alex are you sure there isn't anything else you wanna talk about?" Derek asked. Alex shook her head trying to calm down.

"No Derek I'm fine I just got so upset about my father" she lied.

"Why what's wrong with him?"

"He's just so upset about missing me and he wants me to come home but I said I wanted to stay for at least a bit longer." Alex smirked as looked back up into his soft brown eyes. Derek held her tighter kissing her forehead softly. Alex tilted her face slightly as he kissed her her lips met his as she kissed him passionately. Derrek moaned softly as the kiss ended he pushed his forehead against Alex's. Alex rubbed her forehead lightly as she started a forehead war.

"Oh so you think you're gonna win eh?" he chuckled as he tickled her sides causing Alex to burst out in laughter.

"Derek st-stop please"

"How bout no" replied Derek matter of factly his fingers still tickling into her sides. Alex continued to laugh as she squirmed trying to escape his grasp. Derek finally stopped his breathing heavy as he laid down on her practically collapsing. Alex smiled as her laughter faded and her breathing slowed. "I forgot how ticklish you are." Alex rolled her eyes.

"Oh yeah you conveniently forgot did you?"

"You know it" Derek whispered rolling onto his back. Alex closed her eyes as she imagined how her mother must have felt when Jack and her had fallen in love oh so long ago it seemed. "I hope you're proud mother" Alex smiled as she looked over at Derek who had his eyes closed resting. Alex rolled onto her side draping her arm across him sighing lightly cuddling closer to him closing her eyes. Derek's eyes opened at her touch as he stared at Alex softly. He could tell she was already drifting back to sleep. "Alex" he whispered.

"Yeah Derek" she mumbled in to his chest. Derek took a deep breath silently before he continued. his voice dropping to an even lower, softer whisper.

"Can I keep you?" Alex moved closer to him pulling his shirt towards her.

"Derek it's cold." she answered quietly. Derek hung his head as he pulled her closer his body heating hers. He knew she was fast asleep again but it was alright he would ask her again when the time was perfect and they could answer each other properly.

"Sweet dreams baby. I love you." Derek laid his head over hers slowly drifting off to sleep.