I DO NOT OWN TEEN WOLF, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.

Chapter Six:

Derek was leaning against his car, as he waited for me. He looked up and smiled, when he saw me. Heat crept into my face. I couldn't ignore how much differently Derek makes me feel, compared to everyone else. It's like nothing that I have ever experienced.

"I'm glad that you decided to come… There's no one else that I would rather keep me company." He admitted, as he opened the car door for me. I offered him a shy smile, as I saw down and put on my seatbelt.

"Thanks for thinking of me." I replied, softly.

We didn't say much during the car ride to his house. We just listened to the songs on the radio. Most of my worries seemed to dissipate. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence. There's just something about Derek that puts me at ease. It's something that I would ever experience with a man – ever – after Damon.

We pulled into the driveway of the house that was hidden away in the woods. Even though it's dark outside, I can tell that it's well-kept. After meeting Derek, you'd think that he'd be the type of guy to have a tricked out loft somewhere, but somehow, as house seems more fitting. He's just more comfortable with his own space.

"It's kind of sparse, but it's home. I'm sure it'll look much better, after Laura moves in." Derek admitted. I looked over and nodded. "I know that this is probably going to sound weird, because I know that you've been staying with Caroline… but if for whatever reason you ever need to just get away… You're always welcome here." He professed.

"Thank you, Derek. That – that really means a lot." I whispered. We got out of the car and I gave him a tentative hug. It took him a moment to relax into it. He seemed surprised by it. I can't really blame him. It's the first hug we've shared. He pressed his lips on the top of my head, before PI pulled away.

"How about a tour?" He offered.

"I'd love one."

I yawned and snuggled up closer to my bed. I started to stretch and immediately regretted it. Everything still aches, but it's not nearly as bad as it was.

Once my eyes put everything into focus, I realized that I wasn't in the room that I had been sharing with Caroline. I had fallen asleep at Derek's. I looked over the room and saw a sleeping Derek next to me. His arm was around me, lazily. It seems like we both dozed off. It was so late… I can't believe I actually felt comfortable enough around him to let myself sleep…

"You okay?" He asked me, sleepily. My moving had woken him up.

"Yeah," I whispered, not really sure if I was. It's a big change. I don't know why he keeps surprising me.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep on you." He apologized, as he sat up and rubbed a hand over his face. "Do you want to shower or anything? You can sleep in my room if you want. I don't really have the other room set up. Laura wanted to move all of her stuff down… I don't mind crashing on the couch, if you're still tired." He offered. I bit my lip.

"You're so patient." I thought out loud. "It's… really refreshing. You keep being so nice and you really don't have to." I said, before I could stop myself. He gave me a look that even with all of the words I know, I wouldn't be able to describe.

"I do. Nice is how you should be treated. I just… It's like you don't know how incredible you are, Bonnie. You're just this wonderful, selfless woman and this animal you were with made you believe that you were less than a person. It's not right. It's not right and I will never make you feel that way. No person should be degraded like that. You make everyone else feel comfortable around you. Why shouldn't be allowed to feel the same? I know we haven't known each other long, but you're important to me. I just… it kills me that someone tried so hard to break down that bright light inside of you. You might not see it anymore, but even when you're not trying, you make everyone in your life feel better. If you're trying to thank me for treating you right, you don't have to. You never have to thank me for that." He lamented. I stared at my hands in my lap. I didn't know what to say to that. I didn't know what I wanted to say to that.

"Okay," I replied, simply, still processing his words.

"I'm serious, Bonnie." He whispered.

"I know."

Things didn't really get too awkward after that. I took Derek up on his offer to shower. I ended up taking a nap in his bed. He insisted that he didn't mind the couch. He wouldn't let me sleep on the couch, so I didn't really have much of a choice. I felt bad about making him sleep on the couch in his own house.

Everything here smelled like him and it made me safe. Derek makes me feel safe. I'm worried that I'm starting to feel things for Derek that I'm not ready to feel. It scares me.