When Jess finally woke up the next morning and glanced at the nightstand to check the time she saw her wallet and watch had been removed from the plastic bag and placed on the nightstand. The garbage in the can had also disappeared. Smiling at the quick sneak tidy Melissa, or possibly Derek had done she reached for her phone. Frowning when she found the end of the charging cord empty Jess began searching all around the nightstand and bed. Jess felt a ball of anxiety building in her gut as she realized that her phone was also missing. Grabbing her watch to check the time and seeing that it was nearly 2pm Jess's stomach filled with dread. The case of pills was also missing. Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong. Pulling on her shoes Jess grabbed the keys to her truck and double checked that the pepper spray was still in her sling. Stuffing her wallet in her pocket she hesitated a moment before walked over to the dresser and opening the top drawer. Shoving aside all the scarves and clothes she picked up a small knife in an ankle sheath. Putting her foot up on the bed Jess managed to get to attached properly one handed and carefully covered it with the too long leg of the sweatpants. Grabbing a scarf she quickly wound it around her head and neck to cover her frizzy hair and the bruises on her neck.
Stalking to the door of the room Jess opened the door as quietly as she could and stood listening to see if she could hear anything. Muffled voices from downstairs floated up to her. Melissa's voice speaking too softly for Jess to make out individual words and a second voice. It sounded slightly familiar and was definitely male, but it wasn't Derek. And by this time Derek should have either shown up or messaged to let her know he would be late. Jess had also missed 2 doses of antibiotic but no one seemed to care. That along with the missing phone and pills put Jess on high alert. Something was going on here. And she wouldn't rest until she found out what the hell it was. Slowly stalking down the stairs Jess slunk into the kitchen keeping a tight hold on the can of pepper spray. Seeing that the male voice had belonged to the Sheriff made Jess loosen her hold on the pepper spray but didn't calm her at all. The Sheriff and Melissa were standing close together each holding a cup of coffee with their backs to the entrance of the kitchen. Jess's phone and pills where on the kitchen island infront of them.
"What's going on?" Jess demanded loudly. Watching both adults jump and spin around to face her both of them immediately looking guilty. Waiting a moment to give them a chance to answer Jess repeated her questioned again. This time talking slowly and carefully emphasizing each word. "What...is...going...on?" Jess growled. When the adults just seemed to continue to share slightly panicked looks. Jess pointed accusingly at the phone and pills on the kitchen island. "That phone is my personal property! You had no right to take it from me. And those pills were prescribed to me by my doctor. Keeping them from me when I need then is a major violation of my right. Stalking forwards Jess reached for her things but was blocked by the Sheriff who grabbed at her arm. Jumping back Jess pulled the pepper spray from her sling and raised it threateningly.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Everyone needs to just calm down." Melissa said stepping between the two. "Jess we will give you your phone in a moment but we wanted to talk to you first. We have some upsetting news and we didn't want you to read about it in a text. I took the pills away because there are enough pills in there to do you some major harm and I don't know you well enough to know if you are someone who might be tempted to hurt themselves when they get bad news." Seeing Jess slowly lower the can of pepper spray as she backed up away from the Sheriff Melissa let out a sigh of relief. Picking up Jess's phone she put it in her pocket. Then grabbing the pill case Melissa pulled out a dose of antibiotics and one of painkillers. Grabbing a yogurt and a small bottle of juice from the fridge she set them down on the counter and adding a spoon to the pile she pointed at it. "You need to eat with these pills so eat the yogurt and take the pills and then we can all sit down calmly and talk. After we talk we will give you back your phone."
Stepping forwards Jess inhaled the yogurt and swallowed the antibiotics with a few chugs of juice. Putting the lid back on the juice she set it down beside the painkillers and turned to Melissa. "There. Important drugs taken. Now tell me what the hell is going on."
Frowning at the pain pills still on the counter Melissa bit her lip and turned to the Sheriff nervously.
Sighing the Sheriff glanced at Jess and turned back to Melissa. "It might be best if we all go into the living room and sit down for this." Turning he and Melissa made it out of the kitchen and half way to the couch and chairs in the living room before realizing that Jess hadn't followed. Rushing back to the kitchen they saw her standing where they had left her.
"I'm fine right here. Stop stalling and tell me what is going on or give me my fucking phone so I can find out for myself." Jess growled at the two adults. The longer they put off telling her the more her anxiety grew.
The Sheriff sighed and opened and closed his mouth several times unsure where to start. Finally deciding to treat it like taking off a bandaid and do it all at once he blurted out. "Scott and Stiled found the second half of the dead hicker buried in the woods beside the old Hale house last night!" Pausing he watched Jess for a reaction. Seeing none he hesitantly continued. "The old Hale house is where your foster brother Derek has been staying since he came to town." Seeing the girl crumple slightly and the horrified look on her face he nodded sadly.
"That's awful." Jess cried softly. "Poor baby has been living in that burned out shell of a house. The place doesn't even have a roof. Did he freak out when Scott and Stiled told him about the body? He had enough nightmares about the horrors that happened in that house when the fire killed his entire family. Now he has had another one added to it. Did he panic and take off? Is that what all this is about? You are all worried I will be upset Because Derek left town?" Jess said slowly feeling a bit of relief. "It is fine, I am sure he will be back." Reaching for the bottle of juice and the painkillers Jess tossed the pills in her mouth and chugged some juice to wash them down.
Shaking his head hesitantly the Sheriff frowned. "No...No the boys didn't tell Derek about the body. They told me. And I and my deputies were forced to place Derek under arrest for the suspected murder of the young women." He said slowly carefully watching the girl for a reaction.
Dropping the bottle of juice Jess looked from one adult to another in disbelief. Raising a trembling hand to her head she pinched the bridge of her nose as hard as she could and breathed heavily through her nose for a few moments. Several times she opened her mouth as though to speak. But each time she snapped her mouth closed again without saying a word. Finally she held her still slightly trembling hand out to Melissa and snarled one word. "Phone!"
Swallowing nervously Melissa gently placed the phone in Jess's trembling hand and stepping closer tried to comfort the girl. "I know that this must be a severe shock and I understand how scared you must be right now. But everything is going to be OK." She said softly smiling gently at the girl.
Unlocking her phone Jess checked for a message from Derek. Seeing none from Derek she saw there were several from Scott and Stiles. Pausing a moment she shook her head and closed the messenger app. The boys were young, young and stupid, young and stupid and misguided, young and stupid and misguided and at serious risk of being murdered by Jess if she made the mistake of reading any text from them right now while her brother was rotting in a jail cell and they were the ones that put him there. Putting the phone in her sling Jess turned to the Sheriff. "Can you drive me there? Or ar least give me directions so I can get there quickly?" She asked pulling up the zipper of her sweater fully and walking towards the front door of the house.
"Drive you where?" The Sheriff called hurrying after Jess. He caught up to her as she stood in the driveway beside her truck looking from the truck to the squad car.
Turning to the Sheriff Jess replied speaking slowly as if to a child. "I need to get to the police station." When he just stared at her in confusion Jess pulled out her phone and started trying to search for directions.
"Why do you need to go to the station? If Mr. Hale assaulted you or coerced you in any way you can tell me about it right here at home. No need to go all the way down to the station." The Sheriff said gently pulling out his notepad. The poor man never even saw the kick coming as Jess stepped back and putting her all into it kicked the Sheriff as hard as she could in the lower leg.
"How DARE you!" She screamed at him and he curse and grumbled leaning heavily against her truck to get his weight off the extremely sore leg. "How DARE you suggest that Derek would do such a thing. Get off my truck." Jess roared shoving angrily at the Sheriff's shoulder and interrupting his balance badly enough that he fell down landing on his ass in the driveway. Scrambling into her truck Jess locked the door and fumbled to get the keys in the ignition. Failing several times because her hand was shaking so badly she finally managed to accidently drop the keys to the floor. Slumping forwards against the steering wheel Jess gave up on trying to drive at the moment and broke down sobbing. This was all so typical of her life. She finally started to let down her guard thinking she had possibly found a real home and a family and fate had to come and fuck it up. Jess was sure that Derek would be released soon. From what he had told her and what the Sheriff had said there wasn't any kind of evidence linking Derek to the crime. He would likely be out within 24 hours. But what kind of person was going to want to let an jnjured teen girl be around someone who was suspected of murder. And how was she ever going to talk to Scott and Stiles again knowing they are the ones that had gotten Derek arrested.
When Jess finally stopped crying she glance around and saw that the Sheriff had pulled his car up tight behind her truck and Melissa had managed to manuever her car so it blocked the truck from turning sideways and cutting across the lawn. Both adults were standing quietly infront of the truck watching her with concern. Surprised that neither adult looked particularly angry. Jess figured it was time to face the music.
Feeling weak as a newborn kitten Jess slowly gathered her keys, unlocked the truck, and slowly climbed down out of the driver's seat. Closing and locking the door she held the keys tightly in her hand and stood beside the truck staring at the ground and waited for the yelling to begin. Sensing a presence come to a stop infront of her and recognizing the Sheriff by his boots Jess clenched her fist and ducked her head a little more bracing slightly incase he lashed out at her in retaliation for the kick. When no yelling or hitting happened Jess looked up to the the Sheriff staring at her. Once she made eye contact Jess saw him start to raise his right arm and acting on instinct she dropped her head and turned her back to face the direction the blow looked to be coming from. Bracing for the blow Jess waited for 10 seconds then slowly opened her eyes and glanced around. Melissa was still standing in front of the truck. There were tears pouring down her face and her hand was pressed tightly to her mouth as she stared at Jess. The Sheriff was standing where she had left him. His face was pale as a ghost. His right arm was still slightly raised and in his hand was a clean white handkerchief.
Ducking her head back down Jess stared at the ground embarrassed by her reactions. "Stupid pain meds are really messing with my head." Jess muttered kicking the ground with the toe of her shoe and hugging herself tightly. "I'm sorry for kicking you Sheriff. I should have had more control of my emotions, these damn pills just screw with my filter so bad." Taking a few hesitant steps towards the house Jess watched carefully to see if either adult planned to stop her. Slowing as she drew even with Melissa Jess said softly. "I don't think I am in any fit state to be driving right now. If it's alright with you I think it would be best if I just head back to bed. When Scott gets home can you please ask him to stay the hell away from me. I know he was just doing what he thought was right but until the charges have been dropped and Derek is out of jail and I have seen him and am sure he is alright I don't want to see or speak to Scott. That way I can't accidentally loose my temper and say something I will regret later." When Melissa simply nodded her head and waved towards the house Jess sighed shakily and shuffled into the house, making a detour through the kitchen and grabbing her pills she shuffled quietly up the stairs.
Reaching her room Jess noticed a lock on the door for the first time when she closed it. It was shinny and new and the wood around where it had been added showed that it was a recent addition. Suspecting that Derek had installed it at some point before being arrested Jess smiled and gratefully locked the door. She had plenty of food and drinks on the off chance she got hungry and to take with her meds and she had her meds. There was no reason she would have to leave her room for at least a few days. If Derek hadn't been released yet by then Jess would reasses. She wasn't above planning a jailbreak if that was what ended up being needed. Lying down on her bed Jess hugged the stuffed wolf to her chest and cried herself to sleep.
Hours later after darkness had fallen, and a few hours after an alarm had woken Jess telling her to take her antibiotics and pain meds and eat something, Jess was woken again by a strong knocking on her bedroom door. Climbing out of bed Jess walked over and stopped a few feet away from the door. "Who is it?" She asked praying it wasn't Scott.
"It's your exhausted, smelly brother hoping you will let me borrow you shower and sleep on the floor tonight after spending all day in jail." Derek called back loudly. Smiling at Jess when she ripped open the door he held a large duffel bag up to keep her from hugging him. "Do NOT touch me. I am disgustingly dirty. Please let me have a shower first. I sent a text asking you if you thought it would be alright for me to spend the night but you didn't respond. I didn't want to wake you by calling if you were asleep so I called and talked to Melissa." Derek motioned to where Melissa was standing beside him in the hallway. "She demanded I come straight over. When I got here she yelled at me for a solid 20 minutes or so about squatting in a condemned house, and not telling anyone my sister was missing, and installing locks on doors in her house without asking. Then she marched me up here." Carefully moving into the room and around Jess without touching her or anything in the room Derek dropped his bag on the floor and ducked into the bathroom closing the door behind himself. Just 5 minutes later Derek stalked out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel around his waist and still slightly damp. Smiling at the bed where Jess and Melissa sat nibbling their way through a bag of dried fruit Derek stepped forwards to get some clothes from his bag.
Ignoring the fact that he was wearing nothing but a towel Jess launched herself at the man and clung to him desperately while he chuckled and clutched a bit desperately to his towel.
Sitting on the bed Melissa tried not to stare at the very, VERY fit young man standing practically naked infront of her. When asked about it later she would deny that she had began to drool because of the man's looks and blame it on a particularly sour piece of dried apple she had been eating. Wiping the bit of drool from her chin Melissa got to her feet and cleared her throat. When the two young people turned to look at her without letting go of one another she sighed. Reaching into her pocket Melissa pulled out two identical keys. Holding them out to the pair she explained. "These are keys to the front door of the house. I had them made before the arrest happened and I am glad it got cleared up so quickly so I could give them to you both at the same time. Jess this is your home and everyone needs a key for their home. And Derek I am so sorry that you had to go through such and awful experience today. To be arrested for a murder was bad enough, but then to find out that the murdered women was your missing sister!" Stepping forward Melissa put a gentle hand on the young man's shoulder as she handed each of them a key. "You can stay here as long as you need sweetheart. The couch pulls out into a bed if you get tired of sleeping on the floor in here." Turning away from the pair Melissa headed for the door. "I'll bring some blankets and pillows up in a few minutes. I'm sure you are both exhausted after the awful day you have had." She called closing the door behind her.
The minute she closed the door Derek grabbed his bag and pulled out a pair of boxers and some sweatpants. Stepping back into the bathroom to pull them. As he stepped back out into the bedroom he took Jess's hand and led her over to the bed. Pulling back the blankets he motioned for her to get in. "I don't know about you but I am more then ready for this day to be over." Watching her settle into the bed Derek gently tucked her in before sitting in the chair beside the bed. "I think I better be careful not to end up in your bed tonight. We don't want me to loose my new key."
Sitting up on bed Jess folded back the blankets aggressively. "Not a chance brother. Either you join me on the bed or I will join you on the floor. There is no way you are sleeping alone tonight. And Melissa won't say squat. The entire reason she invited you to stay is because she doesn't thing you should be alone tonight. Now stop trying to be a tough guy and get you butt in bed." Watching as Derek ducked his head and meekly climbed into the bed Jess nodded firmly before lying down again. Slipping her right arm around him she felt him stiffen and cooed softly to him tugging gently to pull him up against her side. "Come here baby. Come here. I've got you." Settling him against her side Jess felt his arm wrapped around her waist and his head come to rest high on her shoulder with his face cuddled into her neck. Feeling how tense he was she laid her head gently on top of his head. Cooing softly to him she began rubbing small circles on his back where her hand was resting. "Shhh, shhh, shhh. Relax baby. I've got you now. Shhh, shhh, shhh." Ever so slowly Derek began to relax against her, until eventually he fell asleep with his face buried in her neck and clutching her tightly around the waist with one arm. His other hand was tucked up against his cheek. A few minutes after Jess got Derek to fall asleep the door to the room opened and Melissa peeked her head in the door. Seeing the pair snuggling together on the bed she set the blankets and pillow down on the corner of the desk. Seeing that Derek was asleep but was mostly uncovered Melissa picked up a light blanket and carefully laid it over the sleeping man. Turning she left the room again closing the door behind herself.
Closing her own eyes Jess settled more firmly into the pillows and let her body drift off to sleep. She was woken up several times through the night by Derek who seemed to be plagued with nightmares. He would start to tremble and whimper in his sleep and start to nuzzle frantically into her neck. Each time Jess would resume rubbing his back and coo to him softly. "You're alright baby. I'm here. You're not alone. It's OK. I've got you. You're safe. Shhh, shhh, shhh. Go back to sleep baby. I've got you." Eventually all the words started to slur together so much that the last time it happened Jess had just cooed. "Shhh, shhh, shhh, baby, shhh, shhh, shhh. You're ok baby shhh, shhh, shhh. Go to sleep now, go to sleep baby shhh, shhh, shhh." It had seemed to work just as well as the other times making Jess think it was more about the tone of voice used and less what she was actually saying that settled him back down. Making a mental note of that Jess happily fell back to sleep.