Breakfast the next morning could best be described in one word. Tense. Jess had gotten up early and dug out the ingredients to make French toast. She was happily standing at the stove cooking up mountains of French toast while Scott, Stiles, the Sheriff, and Melissa were sitting at the island eating the fresh French toast in complete silence. Derek was standing so close behind Jess that she bumped into him every time she tried to move.
Sighing eith exasperation Jess turned around to chide him and found Derek with his head ducked, chin tucked close to his chest and staring down at her with his puppy dog eyes blazing away at full force. "Derek! We've been over this twice already!" Grabbing him by the arm she spun him around so he was standing facing Melissa and the Sheriff puppy dogs eyes blazing. "I would love to stay home with you all day but I promised to meet Danny and the gang at the coffee shop. And these two don't want me at your meeting. You can join us at the Coffee Shop if you want to after your meeting with Melissa and the Sheriff. "
Suddenly finding himself faced with the most potent pair of puppy dog eyes he had ever seen the Sheriff gulped. "I uh, I need to run home and shower and arrange some things at work before our little meeting this morning." The Sheriff said shoving the last few bites of French toast from his plate into his mouth and making a break for the door. "You coming Stiles?" He called from the doorway.
Looking sadly at the giant platter of French toast Stiles sighed sadly. Grabbing a fresh slice of French toast and using it to wipe the syrup from his plate Stiles folded it in half and rushed out the door after the Sheriff.
Melissa glared after the retreating Stilinkies. "Cowards!" She called after them playfully. Turning back to Derek she sighed. "I'm sorry honey. But we need to all sit down and tallk this out ASAP." Wincing when the man seemed to deflate she continued "You can go back to bed and rest if you like. I can drive Jess to her get together."
Derek scowled and turned away. "No! If she has to go I will drive her." Picking up Jess's bag he started to check that she had everything she needed packed. Tucking the sling inside her bag so she could wear it at the Coffee Shop he closed her bag and set it by the door.
Finishing frying up the last of the French toast Jess made up two plates and snagging a hold of the back of Derek's shirt she tugged him over to sit down and eat. Making sure to sit between Scott and Derek Jess started eating her single slice of French toast. Seeing Derek just staring down at his plate she sighed. "If you aren't feeling well enough to eat then I guess you can't drive me to my meeting." Jess said smiling when her words caused the man to snatch up his fork and knife and start eating. When they finished their breakfast Jess packed away the rest of the large stack of French toast into the freezer. Calling Anne over Jess and Derek headed out to the truck grabbing her bag on the way out the door. They were sitting in the truck and halfway to the clinic when Jess suddenly asked. "Hey Derek, If you are going to be home all day. Why are we bringing Anne to the clinic?"
Looking over at Jess in surprise Derek frowned. "Well because she wants to go and play with her friends of course." Derek said simply. "Not that she doesn't love us and love spending time with us. But she likes to meet all the new animals and people at the vet clinic every day. Just like how she would hate to disappoint her fans in the parking lot after school each day." Derek told her as they got to the clinic. "She is living her best life. Though she does wish we would switch her from the salmon flavored dog food to something using chicken."
Getting out Derek helped the dog down out of the truck and brought her into the clinic giving the vet a nod as he held the door open to let Anne into the clinic. Despite how often he went to the clinic he had never exchanged more then a few words with the vet or been close to him. There was normally an entire room of space between them. Something about the man put Derek slightly on edge.
Getting back into the truck Derek headed for the coffee ship where Jess was meeting her friends.
"Why do you think that Anne wants new dog food? She gobbles her food down when ever she gets a fresh helping." Jess asked confused.
"What do you mean why do I think she wants new food? I know she wants new food because she asked me for it." Derek replied looking confused as he pulled into the parking lot.
Jess simply stared at the man "Do you honestly expect me to believe that you can understand our dog?" Jess asked him incredulous.
Head tilting to one side Derek stared right back. "I'm a wolf, the relationship between wolves and dogs is close enough that I can understand the basics. The language is pretty simple. Not nearly as complex as English and it is like talking to a toddler most of the time. Certain dogs are smarter then others. Don't get me wrong I love that little dog but she is a bit like a smart two year old. Lots of repeating the same idea and always living in the moment. She likes that we are always going lots of places and meeting lots of people." Pulling into the park space Derek parked the truck and stared at Jess. "If you don't believe me I can prove it later. You can show her pictures and have her tell me what you showed her. We will have to pick pictures of things she can name. But it should work to prove it to you."
Sitting in the parking lot waiting for her friends they began to plan out what kinds of things to get pictures of. Derek promised to get the pictures while Jess was with her friends.
Going quiet Derek stared hard down at the drink in his hand. "I haven't thanked you for last night yet." He said quietly staring at his hands.
"Don't be silly. We're family. Or using a term you might understand better. We are pack." Jess said with conviction. "I may mutter about being back in Foster Care because of the Incident but when it comes right down to it I think that the Incident was one of the best things to ever happen to me. Because it was where I met you and you adopted me into your pack. You've been looking out for me ever since." Staring down at her hands Jess whispered. "I would be lost without you."
Looking up at her eyes flashing blue and a smile showing too many teeth on his lips Derek gave a snarl. "You're right. You are part of my pack. And I will do whatever I need to do to keep you safe and happy. Even if that means I don't kill those idiots and instead just make them do chores forever like you suggested last night." Looking out the window and seeing Danny approaching the truck he sighed. "Speaking of idiots." He grumbled too softly for Jess to hear just pointing out the window so she would notice the approaching figure.
Turning in her seat when Derek pointed out the window at something Jess squealed and scrambled out of the truck and ran to greet Danny where she saw him approaching with her two laptops. "My knight in shinning armor returns to me!" She cried hugging him tightly.
Stepping back Danny looked down at her in surprise. "Hey! No sling! They finally tell you to ditch it?" He asked confused when Jess winced and looked over to the truck looking worried then slumping as if in defeat.
Sitting in the truck with Jess's open bag in his lap glaring at them was Derek, holding Jess's sling in his hand. "Oy, Knight Daniel the Dramatic! You going to come get your Queens bag anytime soon?" Derek called.
Gulping Danny leaned close to Jess and handing her the laptops whispered under his breath. "Remember me fondly my dearest heart. My favorite flowers are Cosmos. I would like an open casket if possible. Let Lydia pick the outfit to bury me in. Her taste is impeccable. Don't mourn me too long. We are true Soul Mates we will meet again." Danny finished dramatically turning and lifting his chin he sashayed towards the truck. Getting to the truck he smiled nervously.
Smiling with a few too many teeth showing Derek motioned to the front seat of the truck. "Hop in a minute Knight Daniel. I think we need to have a little talk."
Looking over his shoulder at Jess Danny mouthered the words REMEMBER ME. Before he turned, climbing into the truck and closing the door.
As soon as the door closed Derek turned the ignition on and turned the volume up on the radio. Turning to Danny and seeing how pale the boy was he chuckled. "Relax Daniel. I just want to have some privacy to talk to you for a minute." Smiling and waving reassuringly at Jess through the window Derek said without moving his lips. "Smile and wave Daniel. Smile and wave."
Turning to Jess Danny gave her a pained smile and weak wave before turning back to Derek. "What exactly do you want to talk to me about Mr. Hale?" He asked.
Chuckling Derek reached over and clapped a hand down on Danny's shoulder. "No need for that Daniel, my friends get to call me Derek. You did me a real solid last night. Helped out my family when I couldn't. Stepped in when things got heated and gave Jess the support I wasn't mentally capable of giving her. You helped keep my family safe. I really appreciate it. Family is everything to me. And Jess is the only family I have left. I would do anything to protect Jess. And I would do anything I could to keep her happy. So in light of all of that and realizing how important you have come to be to her, I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for your help last night. And how glad I am that you two have found each other. You make her happy. And anyone who makes her happy can count themselves as a friend of mine. And I would do almost anything to protect and help my friends. So if you ever need anything just let me know." Smiling widely Derek handed Danny the sling and bag.
"Well, Derek, I would be glad to call you a friend. My friends call me Danny. Jess is really important to me as well. And her happiness is more important to me then my own happiness is. I will do everything in my power to make her happy and to keep her safe when needed." Danny replied smiling as he took the sling and bag and turned to leave the truck.
Derek waited until Danny had turned and reached for the handle of the door to suddenly hit the lock button and add quietly. "But something important that you should also remember is that while I would do ALMOST anything to protect and help my friends, I would KILL for my family. If you EVER hurt her I WILL kill you. And no one will ever find your body." Derek promised smiling with too many teeth again and unlocking the doors.
Freezing Danny turned and looked seriously at Derek. "Derek, after everything that girl has been through in life, if I ever accidentally did something to hurt that girl you wouldn't need to kill me. I would kill myself." Danny promised solemly. "And if anyone else ever hurt her and you needed a hand getting rid of the body you just give me a call." Turning he opened the door and climbed out of the truck. Taking the laptops from Jess and holding up her sling he helped her into it chuckling at the way she was scowling past him at Derek. "I will meet you at the table." He said slinging her bag over his shoulder he gave her a gentle hug and whispered. "Don't be mad at him, this is how he shows his love." Before he turned and sashayed off towards the coffee shop.
Standing in the open door of the truck and leaning on the seat Jess stared up at Derek. "Are you finished threatening my knight?" Jess asked.
"For now." Derek replied with a smile. "Honestly though. I think I am actually starting to like that kid." Looking towards the Coffee Shop he sighed. "You better go, don't want you to be late. I will work on those pictures and see you later."
Smiling happily and blowing Derek a kiss Jess closed the passenger door of the truck and rushed up the stairs and into the Coffee Shop.
Entering the Coffee Shop Jess looked around and seeing her group seated on couches around a low coffee table already she headed over. Walking up to the group of teens gathering in seats around the table, with Danny standing waiting to take orders, Jess pulled her arm out of her sling and as she stepped through the space between the end of the couch Stiles was sat at and the armchair Scott was in she reached up and slapped them each HARD upside the head without saying a word. Placing her arm back in the sling she walked up to a laughing loudly Danny and slumped against him burying her face in his chest.
"Ow!" Stiles whined.
"Are you done punishing us now?" Scott asked angrily. While Stiles nodded beside him.
Freezing where she was standing leaning heavily against Danny Jess spun on her heel and snarled lunging at the two boys hand raised. She was stopped by the still laughing Danny. "Done! You think I am DONE! I am JUST getting started. You blithering idiots!" Jess hissed hand reaching towards them and fingers curled like claws.
No longer laughing Danny looked over her head at the two boys. "This is the part when you RUN AWAY!" He told them loudly pretending to release Jess and watching them jump back away from her in fear before scrambling to their feet and turning and stomping away from the group and heading for the counter. Pulling Jess against his chest he hugged her tight. Swaying gently from side to side. "Don't waste time thinking about those idiots. Think about the fundraiser meeting at lunch yesterday and about your shinny new laptop that I finished programing last night. I also finished wiping and upgrading your old one. Not sure if your plans for it have changed. But it is ready when you decide what you want to do with it."
Allison, Lydia and Jackson stood watching the drama unfold. When the boys had sulked away they turned expectantly to Danny. When he didn't say anything Lydia scowled. "Um...explanation?" She asked expectantly.
Raising an eyebrow at her Danny replied. "Um...not your buisness?" Wrapping his arm around Jess's waist he walked with her to the counter letting her lean heavily into his side. "How is Grumpy today?" Danny asked.
Jess sighed. "Clingy. He clung to me all night and fussed all morning about me coming here without him. Wanted me to call you guys and reschedule or else he wanted Melissa and the Sheriff to reschedule. He was VERY pouty when they refused to reschedule and said that I had no buisness at their meeting. He was ready to just not go but I convinced him that he should go. I won't be at all surprise if he ends up showing up here at some point though. He seemed stressed out by the idea of a bunch of us meeting at the coffee shop for the morning. Speaking of being worried about this meeting. I'm not sure what we are actually meeting about. Give a girl a hint?" Jess pleaded as they reached the front of the line and ordered drinks.
Looking down at her fondly Danny leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. "You poor sweat innocent little muffin you. In this group 4 of the 7 of us are paired up. If you hadn't come people would have assumed this was a group date thing and thought I had settled for Stiles. You being here is saving me from a fate worse then death. This is just a group of us hanging out when we don't have a bell to call us to class. If we do it at one person's house then we will end up watching TV or a movie instead of actually hanging out. So we figured we would hang out somewhere with no TV for a change. They are also interested in helping out with the animal character fundraiser. I think they are mostly just hoping for an excuse to get to play with a bunch of animals. But they also offered to help brainstorm costume and prop ideas." Letting go of Jess to pay for the drinks and pick up the tray of drinks he had gotten Danny looked down at her again. "Are you going to be ok hanging out with Scott and Stiles or should I tell them to get lost?"
Shaking her head Jess sighed. "This is their last chance to hang out for at least the weekend and possibly most of next week. Not sure what exactly their punishments are going to end up being. Derek really did want to physically beat them. But he settled for long term drudgery. If it goes how we think it will those boys will be washing his car and once he gets a place of his own will be cleaning his place for him every week for a long time to come."
Sitting down in an oversized armchair Danny set the tray of drink on the table in the center of the circle of seats and grabbing his and Jess's he moved them to the coffee table beside the chair he was in. "Come and sit with me my Queen of Drama and I will show you your new laptop while our drinks cool a bit." Danny offered setting her bag on the ground beside the chair and pulling out Jess's new laptop.
Sitting slightly sideways across Danny's lap Jess took the laptop and setting it on her lap she laughed when Danny entered in a new username but her same old password. "Really? QueenofDrama is my new username?" Jess asked him.
Ten minutes later Danny had shown Jess the main difference she would need to know about with her new laptop and it had been closed and placed back into her bag. Pulling out a binder and a pen Jess opened the binder and asked the group for ideas for the fundraiser.
Two hours later the group were all on their second drinks and the table was covered with ink sketches of set ideas, props, and costumes. When Scott's and Stiles's phones both chimes at the same time they froze and pulling out their phones they checked their messages and groaned.
"Well it's been nice knowing you guys but apparently the jury has come to a decision and Scott and Me are being called home to my place to go and hear the verdict." Stiles said solemly.
Allison got up and walked with Scott out of the Coffee Shop to give him a proper goodbye while Stiles brought the jeep around.
Lydia and Jackson watched them go then turned to Jess. "Are you guys seriously not going to tell us anything about what this is all about? It must be something serious if Scott's mom and Stiles dad had to have a meeting to discuss punishment." Lydia whined. "Why does Danny get to know?" She demanded pouting at the pair in the armchair.
"Because Danny is my Soul Mate. I didn't tell him. He just knew." Jess said slowly as if talking to a child.
When Allison came back inside it was to ask Lydia for a ride home. She said she didn't feel like hanging out anymore when Scott was going home likely to be grounded. Lydia instantly agree to give her a ride grabbing Jackson and saying he should head home as well fingering the key around her neck and wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. Jackson instantly got up and headed for the door smiling happily.
Rolling her eyes as the pair Jess started gathering up all the papers and pens from the brainstorming session. Tucking them into her bag Jess laughed when Danny grabbed her waist and pulled her back into her lap. "Don't look now." Danny whispered in her ear. "But we are being watched."
Freezing Jess started to scan the shop trying to figure out who he meant. Seeing no one Jess started glancing out the windows and suddenly noticed a particular shade of blue. "How long?" Jess asked cuddling back further into Danny's lap.
"Since around the time the boys got their texts." Danny replied with a chuckle.
Pulling out her phone Jess typed a text and showed it to Danny before sending it.
Are you going to come inside or text me to let me know you are ready to go or are you just going to sit out there and watch us like a creeper in a horror movie? -Jess
They both laughed hard when they received a reply that read.
Duh dun duh dun duh dun duh dun duh dun duh dun DUH DUN
Groaning Jess got up off Danny's lap. "I better head out. I think he is going to need a good bit of extra attention this weekend to get him calmed down enough to let me go to school next week without spending the day parked in the parking lot." Jess said picking up her cup of tea and stretching a bit.
Getting to his feet Danny slung Jess's bag over his shoulder and grabbing his cup he put his arm around Jess's waist and walked outside with her. Walking her to the truck he leaned close and dropped a kiss on her forehead before opening the passenger side door for her and offering his hand to help her up into the truck. Once Jess was in the truck he gave Derek a nod and handed Jess her bag before bowing low and turning to leave calling back over his shoulder. "Until we meet again my darling, my destiny, my shining star of wisdom, beauty, and light. I shall count the seconds until we meet again...one...two...three...four..."
Shaking her head at his antics Jess closed the passenger door with a giggle. Turning to Derek Jess asked him softly. "So, how did the meeting go?"
Grimacing Derek put the truck in reverse and shot backwards out of the parking space and backed all the way out of the lot and onto the road before putting the truck in drive and taking off towards the Animal Clinic.
"Wow! That bad?" Jess said reaching for the oh shit handle.
Sighing Derek slowed slightly and taking a deep breath he started telling Jess about the meeting. "They held it at the Stilinski's house. Lots of talking about all the legalities of everything. The Sheriff basically pulled up reports of what judges had chosen as punishments for teens who roofied people and got caught and then looked real sad as he asked what I wanted to do. Melissa spent the whole time looking like she wanted to cry or throw up. When I suggested the stuff you said about cleaning the car for me weekly and doing a major cleaning once a week of my place once I got a place for a set number of times they both looked like they wanted to cry. Thought I had messed up for a minute until the Sheriff grabbed and shook my hand and said it was very kind of me and very mature of me to think about the boys futures and how it would effect them to have something like this on their record and to choose a type of community service type punishment that their parents could monitor and enforce instead. Then Melissa hugged me and started trying to talk about my feelings about what happened and mentioned therapists and I quickly got out of their by saying I needed to pick you up." Reaching into the backseat Derek pulled a shopping bag from a local bookstore to the front and dropped it in Jess's lap. "When we get home we can use those to prove I can understand Anne." Derek said pulling into the Animal Clinic parking lot and jumping out to go get Anne. Returning a few minutes later Derek loaded up the dog and climbing back into the truck he started for home.
