Today's is a short little chapter, but it didn't entirely fit with either adjacent one, so I just left it as is. It's been a fun challenge trying to get Daria's presence to line up with the show with as little change as possible (even little things like when Derek is wearing or not wearing his leather jacket in scenes of the show!), but there will be a couple scenarios that are altered slightly later on. Thank you for all of your feedback! I appreciate it so much. And thank you for reading! -V

Chapter 9: Home

Daria sat in her cubicle of the Beacon Hills Wildlife Resources Division and yawned. She was grateful for Agent McCall's help in finding her a job, but the days when she was stuck inside analyzing data dragged beyond belief. She yearned to be outside doing field work - feeling the earth beneath her feet. Thankfully it was nearly time to clock out.

Days passed since Daria had seen Deucalion. She'd had no word as to Derek's whereabouts, but she hoped that the mercenary Deucalion had hired would find him soon.

She and Derek weren't together. They'd made no promises to one another and no commitments of their feelings. But somehow Deucalion had known it would be the one thing that could get Daria to forgive him for abducting her.

And why did he want her forgiveness anyway?

Daria's phone buzzed, and she jumped. After being totally disconnected from technology for a month she still wasn't used to having it back.

It was an unknown number, so she ignored it. Probably a robocall.

Then her phone buzzed again, and she picked it up with a groan.

"No, my warranty is not expired. My social security number has not been compromised, and no, I haven't won a cruise!"

"Daria."

Her heart pounded as she heard Derek's voice.

"Derek?" Her heart swelled with relief. "You're alive, are you home? Are you safe?"

"I'm home."

"That-that's great." She hesitated. "I'm sure you have a lot of things you need to catch up on, and wolf business, and groceries to restock–"

"When can I see you?"

It was a good thing he couldn't hear her pulse via cell phone, because it began racing at a dangerous pace.

"I work until five most nights, but I have tomorrow off, so maybe–"

"How about tonight?"

Her pulse slowed to a deep rhythm. "B-Be at the house at eight. And… you don't have to use the front door."

–

When she saw him climb in through the window that evening, she felt her breath catch in her throat. Her imagination hadn't done him justice.

"You are… hotter than I remembered."

He smirked. "You're just as beautiful."

Daria rose from her bed and coyly made her way to where he was standing.

"So, uh, the last time I saw you, I told you to wait to say some things–"

"Mm hm…"

She lifted her hand and dared to trace it along the side of his face down the stubble of his jawline. As her thumb grazed his chin he leaned down and kissed it, and her whole body flushed with heat.

"–so if you still want to… or - yeah, you know, you can just keep doing that." A breathy sigh escaped her lips.

"What do you want?" he murmured in her ear.

"Actually–" She scrunched her face. "–First of all, I want you to give me your number so I don't keep wondering if it's you or a spam call."

"I was trying to protect you."

"I get that. But you're here now."

He nodded. "What else do you want?"

A flurry of inappropriate thoughts flitted through her mind.

"I want to know if you have any Halloween plans tomorrow."

"I don't."

"Okay. I… want you to spend it with me."

"I can do that." He grabbed the hand still resting against his cheek and kissed the top. "What else do you want?"

"I… want you to bring your leather jacket. I like when you wear it." Her cheeks burned at the admission.

He pressed his lips to her temple, kissing his way down until they lingered next to her ear.

"What else do you want?"

"I… want…" Her breath quivered as his eyes fell to her lips. "I…"

She felt the stubble of his chin graze against her cheek, and she tipped her chin upward until she could feel his breath on her lips.

Finally she closed the distance, sighing at the contact, and Derek responded with low growl. Kissing him was everything she had imagined and more. It was dizzying and addictive, and she never wanted it to end.

At that moment the power flickered and went out completely.

She pulled back with a gasp. "Ah, I think I need to check the breakers."

"You don't." He held her in his arms and turned to the window. "Look outside."

Daria's mouth fell open. "The whole street is blacked out."

"It's not just your street." Derek murmured. "It's the whole city."

He kissed her lips once more before she felt him pull away. "I'm going to see what's going on. I'll meet you tomorrow." He went in for one more kiss that left her lips tingling, and then the wolf leapt through the window and disappeared into the night.

In spite of the power outage, she felt a surge of excitement, looking forward to tomorrow.