Chapter 2

Ev waited outside the police station, pacing back and forth and deciding whether she was doing the right thing or not. It was early morning and she didn't have to be at work for at a couple of hours. Sheriff Stilinski came out and they embraced in a friendly hug.

"Hey, Ev," he said," You sounded upset on the phone. Is everything alright?"

She nodded," I'm fine, but it's a friend of mine."

"Alright, how can I help?" he asked and she took a deep breath.

"The Lahey's," she said quickly before she changed her mind," Isaac and his father."

"What about them?"

She looked down, trying to find the right words.

"Ev whatever it is you can tell me," he said.

She looked back up," I dated Camden Lahey for two years and I spent a lot of time at his house and with his family and sometimes I'd noticed that their father always seemed…angry. Camden never talked about it and I never saw any physical abuse or signs of it, but I think maybe after he died…he got worse. I never thought about it until I saw Isaac the other day with a black eye."

"You think there's physical abuse now?" he realized.

She nodded," I tried to get Isaac to tell me about it, but he denied it. I even offered him a place to stay instead, but he just wouldn't budge. I think he's too afraid to do anything."

The sheriff sighed," I noticed it too."

She sighed in relief," Oh thank God you believe me."

"I can get a social worker in there," he said, weighing his options," but if Isaac keeps denying it than there's nothing we can do. He's older and the system isn't too good to his age group."

She sighed," Just try and do something. Anything. I'll take care of him if he gets out of there. He's a good kid. He doesn't deserve this."

The sheriff nodded," I'll try my best."

"Thank you," she said in relief.

He gave her a small smile," You've got a big heart, Ev Deaton. I'll never forget what you did for Stiles…and Claudia. I wasn't there that night and you were. I don't know what we would have done without you."

"I just babysat," she said, putting a hand on his shoulder,"You did the heavy lifting and you got one hell of a kid."

"Yeah," he said with a scoff," One hell of a pain in the ass too. You know I caught him and Scott sneaking into the Argent funeral. And Stiles passed out when we found Lydia, naked in the woods."

She laughed.

He shrugged, "I don't even know how to handle those two. It's like lately they have a new level of crazy."

"You know how they are," she said with an eye roll.

"Don't I," he said, shaking his head," I'll never comprehend how you handled both of them at the same time when they were just kids."

She smiled,"Lots of SpongeBob and cookie baking dance parties."

He laughed and then his face sobered," Don't you worry about Isaac. I'll take care of it."

She nodded with a smile and he patted her shoulder," You want a cup of coffee before you go?"

"Thank you but I have to get going," she said with a smile," I actually told the boys I'd be at their morning practice today."

"Try not to cringe too much," he said and she chuckled.

"Will do," she said with a final wave and went back to her car.

TEEN WOLF

Ev walked into the locker room, looking for Scott and Stiles to see a bunch of half naked teenage boys.

"Not my best idea," she mumbled, turning to leave.

"Ev."

She turned to see Stiles and Scott coming towards her.

"Hey," she said with a forced smile, looking around to see if anyone noticed her," Just came to tell you guys I'm here."

"Yeah, we've got a problem," Scott said and she looked to him.

"What's wrong?" she asked, looking Scott over," Are you hurt? Is someone else hurt? Is the full moon affecting you too much? "

"Ev, I'm fine," Scott said quickly.

"Oh," she said in relief," Than what's wrong?"

He leaned close to whisper," I smell another wolf in here."

She began looking around, staring at different faces," Are you sure?"

"Yes," he said gravely.

"Damn it, Derek," she mumbled.

"What did he do?" Stiles asked.

"He said he was creating pack," she whispered," I didn't think he'd use kids."

"Don't take this the wrong way but your boyfriend's kind of a psychopath," Stiles said and she shot him a look," I'm just saying. Derek's not exactly the most stable human being."

"I get it, Stiles," she said, pinching the bridge of her nose and dialing Derek," He makes bad choices. "

"Yes, but his bad choices make drug abuse look good," he said and she pursed her lips in annoyance as the phone kept ringing.

"He's not answering," she said as she got the voicemail.

"Shocker," Stiles began," You could be dying for all he knows and he can't answer the-"

"Derek Hale so help me god if you don't call me back in the next ten minutes I will find you and put an arrow up your ass. Do you understand? In case you don't. I'm pissed at you and there will be hell to pay."

She ended the message and the two teenagers stared her," We have our issues."

"Yeah, we can see that," Scott said.

"Is there any way you can figure out who the werewolf is?"she asked.

"What if you can get him one on one? Would that help?" Stiles asked Scott.

"Yeah," he answered.

"But how are you going to do that?" Ev asked.

"I think I have an idea," Stiles said and Ev exchanged an alarmed look with Scott.

TEEN WOLF

Ev sat on the bleachers behind Coach Finstock and Stiles, biting on her nail and shaking her leg furiously. Scott took his goalie position and she watched as he tackled a player. He helped him up and she assumed that wasn't the one.

"McCall! The position's goal keeper. Not goal abandoner," Finstock roared at him.

"Sorry, coach," Scott called back.

"Stilinski, what the hell is wrong with your friend?"he asked Stiles.

"Uh, he's failing two classes. He's a little socially awkward and if you look close enough, his jaw line's kind of uneven," Stiles said and she chuckled at him, spotting Derek hiding behind some bleachers.

"I'll be right back," she said to Stiles and walked towards Derek who didn't know she'd seen him.

"I know you got my message," she said, getting his attention and he turned to her.

"Which is exactly why I'm over here," he said and she rolled her eyes.

"Who did you turn?" she asked.

He nodded towards the field where Scott tackled one more player and she frowned when they stayed down longer than usual," Who's that?"

"Isaac Lahey," he said and she froze.

"No," she whispered, turning to him," No, you didn't."

"What's wrong?" he asked as he eyes started to water," Ev, he has a crap life. His father was abusing him."

"Was," she repeated," What do you mean was?"

"He's dead now," Derek told her and her eyes widened.

"Did Isaac kill him?" she asked, searching his eyes frantically," Did you help him?"

"No," he said quickly," Neither of us killed him. Something else did."

"Something," she repeated," Oh God not Isaac."

"I didn't know you knew him," he said gently.

"Camden Lahey was the soldier I was going to marry you idiot," she said, shoving him," Isaac is his little brother. His baby brother. I used to watch cartoons with that kid and you turned him into one of your attack dogs."

"I didn't know," he said, grabbing her before she could shove him again.

She yanked away and turned back to the field to see the sheriff and two deputies leading Isaac away, "What's going on?"

"I have to go," she heard him say and when she turned to ask him where he was gone.

She let out a frustrated scream and ran after the sheriff who was ducking Isaac into the back of his squad car.

"Sheriff," she called after him," What's going on?"

He made sure Isaac was locked inside before he walked to her," Ev, how much do you know about Isaac?"

"Enough to know that he should not be in the back of that car," she answered," What the hell is going on? Why is he being arrested?"

"His father was found dead," he said and she gulped, trying to find a sensible reaction.

"You don't think he did it?" she asked with wide eyes.

"After what you told me I'm not so sure," he said carefully.

"I told you so you would help him," she whispered harshly," Not so you would arrest him."

"I'm sorry, Ev," he said.

"Don't put him jail," she begged," Put him under house arrest. My house. I'll make sure he stays put."

"You know I can't do that, Ev," he said, shaking his head," He's a murder suspect. I can't put you in danger like that."

"He's no danger to me," she pleaded," Please, sheriff. Don't lock him in there."

"I'm sorry, Ev," he said one last time and walked away. She watched as he drove off and Isaac looked at her from the backseat. She gave him a small, reassuring smile which she hoped he saw.

"What just happened?"

She turned to see Scott and Stiles behind her.

"This is all my fault," she said quietly," I told your Dad that Isaac might be being abused and now he thinks he might have killed his own father."

"He arrested him?" Scott asked.

"Pretty much," she said.

"They can lock him in a holding cell for 24 hours," Stiles said and Ev closed her eyes, shaking her head.

"And that means he'll be in there during the full moon," she said," Son of a bitch."

"How good are these holding cells at holding people?" Scott asked.

"People, good. Werewolves, probably not that good," Stiles said.

"This is his first full moon," Ev said, looking between them," He will be anything but under control."

"What are we gonna do?" Scott asked, looking between them.

A bell rang and Ev checked the time," You two are gonna go to class and I have to work."

"How is that gonna help?" Stiles asked.

"I know how to extreme multitask," she said.

TEEN WOLF

Ev held her phone between her ear and her shoulder as she force fed a hamster its medicine. The phone was still ringing and she was afraid she wouldn't pick up.

"Her Royal Amazingness speaking how can I help you?" Mary Ann said, finally answering.

"Yes you answered," Ev said, still trying to get the hamster to take the medication," Damn it Yuko take the medicine. This bladder infection will not disappear on its own."

"Do I wanna know?" Mary Ann asked on the other line.

"No you not," Ev said, finally getting the medicine his mouth," Take that you little bastard."

She put it back in his cage and said," Alright, I know you're studying to be a lawyer so I need your help."

"Fire away," she said," Don't tell me you're in legal trouble?"

"I'm not," she said quickly," It's a friend."

"Ooh is it your mystery man?" she asked," Is he a bad boy?"

"No…yes," she said, flustered," That's not the point. It's Camden's little brother, Isaac. He's a suspect in his father's possible murder and they're holding him. I know they can hold him for up to twenty four but is there a loop hole?"

"Wow that's some heavy stuff," she said and sighed," Hold on let me think."

"He's a kid, Mary Ann," she said," Sixteen years old. Does that affect anything?"

"If he's a teenager than they can't hold him," she said quickly," Not without a witness or solid evidence."

"Crap," Ev mumbled.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I was trying to help Isaac," she explained," I thought his father might be abusing him and I told the sheriff. I was right, but does that make me a witness?"

"It makes you witness number one," she said," but if you go to the sheriff and tell him you were wrong he has to let him go."

"You're the best," she said with a sigh of relief.

"I know," she replied," Oh and Ev we really need to sit down and catch up."

"Agreed," Ev said," I have to go now but I promise we'll work it out."

"Alright good luck, babe."

"Thanks," she said and hung up.

TEEN WOLF

Ev dialed Stiles phone number, pacing the length of the waiting room. Her father watched her go back and forth.

"Ev, we've got a problem."

"I know," she answered," I told you I was multitasking. Because Isaac's a teenager your father can't hold him without a witness. I just have to go tell your Dad I was wrong about Isaac's father and no witness."

"That's the problem," Stiles said," Jackson's in there right now telling my Dad God knows what."

Ev stopped mid pace," Than that's it. Your Dad can hold him tonight."

"I have to go," Stiles said suddenly and hung up the phone.

She turned to her father," Derek turned Isaac Lahey into a wolf."

He nodded," He's looking for a pack."

"He told me what he was doing but I assumed it was with adults not kids who have their whole lives ahead of them," she said and sat down in a waiting room chair with a sigh, burying her head in her hands," Just when I think things are looking up."

Deaton sat down beside his daughter, gently rubbing her back," Welcome to adulthood."

She looked at her father and cracked a smile," Sorry but there was no Werewolf 101 at NYU."

He sighed," Maybe if I'd taught you about all this sooner than-"

"I would have grown up always looking over my shoulder," she finished," You did the right thing. I couldn't have handled it, Dad."

"And can you handle it now?" he asked.

"I have to," she answered, getting up," And right now there's someone who needs me."

"What are you going to do?" he asked, standing up as well.

Derek's Camaro pulled up and he rolled the window down as they met eyes.

"Go fix Derek's mess," she said, not breaking eye contact with him.

"You seem to be doing a lot of that lately," he said under his breath and she chose to ignore it.

She turned back to her father with a wary look," I'll be back."

"Go," he ordered.

She sighed and took off her lab coat and grabbed her bag before going out the door. Derek leaned over and popped open the door for her. She opened it all the way and slid in without a word. She fastened her seatbelt and they were off.

"You're mad at me," he stated.

"No shit Sherlock," she said, staring out the window.

"Look, Ev," he began," I know you can't see it now but I gave Isaac a way out."

"I gave him one too," she whispered.

"Everyone wants power, Ev," he said quietly as she finally met his eyes," It's just the way we are. I gave that too him."

"Power is what corrupts people, Derek," she said, staring at the road," Where are we going?"

"I need Scott," he said," I know you don't like involving him but-"

"But nothing," she said, her temper flaring," Obviously what I think isn't a deciding factor for you. I get it. You're a big, bad alpha wolf now and I'm a hunter. It doesn't matter that any move you make could be your last as long as you get your way."

"Ev, don't do that," he said pleadingly, his fingers gripping the wheel.

"Do what?" she asked with a humorless laugh," Tell you what I'm thinking. What we're both thinking. You saw what Gerard did to that Omega in the forest. That could have been you."

He pulled over and stopped the car, turning to her he said," But it wasn't."

"Okay so what about the next time?" she asked," There's only so much I can do. I don't have claws. I'm new to all of this. I don't know if I can keep you safe."

"I'm supposed to keep you safe," he said, cupping her face in his hands.

She moved out of his tender hold, "I can keep myself safe, Derek. It's your total lack of fear that bothers me."

"I'm not going to be afraid of the hunters," he said, clenching his jaw.

"Yeah, well I'm one of them," she yelled at him," And I can tell you without a doubt that you should be. You should be very afraid of us."

"Us," he repeated," Why are you talking like you're actually one of them?"

"Because I am," she confessed," I love you, but not all of you use your abilities the right way. You're one of the good ones but there's a wolf out there who literally ripped my mother to shreds. I looked up her autopsy report, Derek. She was barely identifiable. I'm doing this for her. I'm doing this so no one else will have to feel the pain of knowing that someone they cared for was butchered like they were nothing. I'm doing this to protect Scott, and Stiles and my Dad and everyone in this town…Derek…I'm doing this to protect you."

He was silent at her words. They stared at each other and a single tear fell down her cheek. He reached out his hand and brushed it away. He cupped her face again and pulled her in, pressing a light kiss to her lips.

"I know I make bad choices sometimes that you don't like," he began, staring into her eyes," but it's only because I'm so crazy over you. You're such a good person. You have the biggest heart I've ever seen and in my world it makes you a target. You're my weakness, Ev. If I lose you…I lose it all."

"You won't lose me," she whispered.

"I've lost everyone else," he said and her heart broke at his words.

"Not this time, Derek Hale," she said, making him look at her," I'm here to stay. No one is going to tear us apart. No one. You can bet you ass that if I'm ever in trouble, I won't stop fighting until I find my way back to you."

He kissed her fiercely and she reciprocated as he pulled her closer.

"Derek," she said into the kiss.

"Yeah," he said huskily, kissing her neck.

"We need to go," she whispered reluctantly.

He growled, releasing her," Fine, but once we fix this you're mine."

"I'm always yours," she said, giving him one last kiss and they sped off towards the high school again.

TEEN WOLF

Derek pulled up into the parking lot of the high school as the bell rang and students started flooding out. It wasn't too long before they saw Scott leaving the building. Derek rolled down the window as he approached the car.

"Get in," he ordered.

"No, I've got a better idea. I'm gonna call a lawyer. Because a lawyer might actually have a chance at getting him out before the moon goes up."

"Scott I have a friend who's studying law right now and she said there's no way he'll be out by tonight with Jackson's testimony," Ev said sadly," Now please get in and help us."

"There has to be a better way to do this," he offered.

"Not when they do a real search of the house," Derek said and Scott wasn't the only one with a questioning look," Whatever Jackson said to the cops, what's in the house is worse. A lot worse."

Ev gave Scott another pleading look, "Please, Scott."

"I'm doing this for Ev," he said to Derek," Not you."

TEEN WOLF

"Where the hell are we going?" Scott asked from the backseat.

"To show you something," Derek replied as Ev's phone began to ring. She pulled it out of her purse to see it was an unknown number.

"Ev Deaton," she answered robotically.

"Evangeline," the all too cold and familiar voice of Gerard said on the other line," It's Gerard."

She held the phone perfectly still to her ear," What is this about?"

She saw Derek's jaw tick as he drove and she met eyes with Scott in the backseat.

"I don't know how much that wolf of yours tells you but it seems we have a new threat to our lovely town," he said and she looked to Derek.

"And what do you want me to do about it?" she asked.

"We need an opinion of one of our leaders," he said as if it were obvious and she took a deep breath to keep from letting him know he was getting to her.

"I'll be there as soon as I can," she said and hung up without another word.

"I don't like it," Derek said, clutching the wheel so tight his knuckles were going white.

"And you think I do?" she asked, looking out the window," I need you to drop me off at home."

"Ev-"

"Don't."

TEEN WOLF

"Do you mean to tell me we're going to murder a teenage boy?" Ev roared at Gerard.

She'd gotten used to standing around the table in the Argent's garage and taking charge. She gave orders and men twice her age and twice her size followed them. It gave her a definite boost in confidence and even though Gerard terrified her, she wasn't about to back down

"We have all the evidence we need," Gerard said, attempting to intimidate her with his menacing tone," Unless you're willing to sacrifice the well being of others for a delinquent."

"I know Isaac Lahey," she said angrily," He would never kill his father regardless of what he's done."

"You knew Isaac Lahey," Gerard corrected," He isn't the little brother of your high school sweetheart anymore. He's a cold blooded killer."

"Don't you try and drag my personal life into this," she said with a scoff," Even if I'd never talked to Isaac a day in my life I'd tell you that killing a sixteen year old boy is wrong!"

"I'm not interested in whether they locked up a sixteen year old kid. I'm interested in the monster that sixteen year old is going to become when the moon hits its peak tonight," he countered and then added with a glint in his eyes," The monster Derek Hale created."

She narrowed her eyes and put her palms down on the table," Are you so threatened by me that your only defense is hidden insults?"

"Can we all just calm down?" Chris asked, attempting to keep the peace as Ev and Gerard stared down from across the table.

"I'm merely questioning where your loyalties lie, my dear. My son may not be bothered by your choice in company, but I for one have a bit of a problem with it."

"Gerard," Victoria said, clicking in on her heels," Evangeline's loyalties lie with us. I was as skeptical as you are at first, but she's proven herself extremely useful. She is in our chain of command and I wouldn't have put her there if I had any speck of doubt. If she says we shouldn't go after the Lahey boy than we don't go after the Lahey boy."

Ev gaped at the older woman as she put a comforting, motherly arm around her shoulder," After all, let's not forget who really runs this operation."

Gerard held a fury in his eyes, but as quickly as it appeared it was gone," If you feel it's necessary, Victoria."

"Come, Evangeline," Victoria said with a gentle smile, leading her away," I have something to discuss with you."

She led her to the kitchen and began staring at her with a small smile, waiting for her to speak the first words.

"Why are you so nice to me?" she finally asked.

"Because you never had a mother," she said simply," Allison's not much for hunting so I like to think we share a certain bond."

She squinted at her," But Derek…"

"As long as he doesn't interfere with your mission than who am I to pass judgment," she said with a shrug and offered her another uncharacteristically kind smile," Your defiance is much like your mother's."

Her gaze softened and she whispered," You knew my mother too."

Victoria tapped her nose," Of course and she was every bit as pretty as you are."

Ev brushed her hand away," Do you know why she-"

"Was brutally ripped to pieces," she finished for her and Ev recoiled back," No, we have no idea why. No one does."

"That doesn't make any sense," Ev said, leaning close," There must have been something you were tracking in the area or-"

"Ev I believe you should let this go," Victoria said gently, but with a firm tone that said it wasn't a suggestion," It was a senseless act of werewolf violence."

"So you're telling me a werewolf went after my mother in her own home and she didn't fight back," Ev said in disbelief," You keep saying she was like me so that means she was trained and she was smart and she would have gotten away."

"Maybe it's best to leave your mother at peace," Victoria said and looked over Ev's shoulder before leaning in close," If I were you I'd go check on that Lahey boy. Gerard likes to have…back up plans."

"Why are you helping me?" Ev whispered back, narrowing her eyes.

She pulled back and gave her a wink before sauntering off without answering her. Ev turned to see a man in a policeman's uniform holding a box marked with the fatal mark of wolfs bane. Allison rounded a corner and she saw it as well. They exchanged a knowing look before the man sauntered off.

"Call Stiles," she mouthed at Allison and the girl gave her an imperceptible nod before both of them turned on their heels and escaped the house.

TEEN WOLF

Ev pulled up to the back of the police station just as Isaac was being led out by Derek and Stiles. She hopped out and ran to him, throwing her arms around him and he welcomed her embrace.

"Oh God Isaac I'm so sorry," she whispered, hoping her embrace would take away all the pain. She wasn't even sure what she was apologizing for. His father, his brother, leaving him, him being a werewolf, it all blurred into one giant piece of sorrow for him.

He simply held her tighter," I'm okay, Ev."

She reluctantly let him go and looked to Derek," Where is he going?"

"He's a part of my pack now," he said, almost dismissively," He'll stay with me."

"Oh that's fun," Stiles remarked.

"Why can't he stay with me?" Ev asked, raising a brow.

"Because he's also a fugitive," Derek added and she saw that flash of emotion in his eyes that always happened when something was pertaining to her," If they find out he's with you-"

"They'll charge you," Isaac finished," I don't want that. I'll be fine."

"What about school?" she asked, knowing it was completely irrelevant," And clothes and food and-"

"Ev," Isaac said abruptly and gripped her shoulders, staring into her eyes," I'll be fine."

She slumped in defeat," If you need me I'm one call away. Okay?"

He gave her a small, reassuring smile," Okay."

She turned to Derek," Get out of here. They'll notice he escaped soon or some more hunters might come."

He looked like he wanted to say something else to her, but he just led Isaac away. She stood next to Stiles as she watched them go.

"Why are you still with him?" Stiles asked, a twinge of disgust in his voice.

She sighed," It's complicated."

"Why are you getting on Scott's ass about being with Allison when you two do the same thing?"

She looked at him in surprise. He'd never said anything like that to her.

"I'm sorry I can't hold it back anymore," he said, running his hand over his head," He's just not right for you. He's gonna get you killed or worse."

"What's worse than dying Stiles?" she asked, searching his eyes.

"What if he turns you into a werewolf?"

"He wouldn't ever take that choice from me," she said with firm tone," He knows I don't want that."

"Because of what happened to your mother?"

She frowned. She'd never told him about that.

He sighed," When I was researching animal attacks in Beacon Hills your mom's was the strangest."

"It's not just because of her," she whispered," Don't get me wrong I love Scott and that hasn't changed because of what he is and Derek…I'm not afraid of him, but I've seen the ugly side of this. I've seen what they can do to people like you and me and sometimes…they don't even mean it. I don't ever want to lose control like that, Stiles..ever. So if being with Derek means I have to become a wolf I won't do it. I can't."

"Don't you think you deserve more than all this?" he asked, gesturing wildly with his hands," You deserve a normal life. Derek can never give you that. You'll always be in danger."

"Maybe I don't want a normal life, Stiles," she challenged," Not everyone's cut out for it."

"Are you telling me you don't want kids?" he asked with a scoff," You're the most maternal girl I've ever met. Motherly instincts are more natural to you than breathing."

"What does that have to do with anything, Stiles?" she asked, growing frustrated.

"You honestly think a guy like Derek wants a family?"

The words made her freeze. She'd thought about it. From the minute he'd said I love you and she'd realized this was going to be a very long term thing she'd thought about it. She wasn't in any rush to have a family, if fact, she wanted to hold off as long as possible. However, Stiles was right. She wanted kids one day and maybe Derek wasn't the guy to do that with.

"Stiles I'm twenty two years old," she said with an eye roll," I've got more than enough time to figure this out and even more importantly I'm six years older than you. I think I can handle myself."

"I know you can," he said and then with his signature sad eyes added," I just don't want you to have to."

She sighed in defeat and gave him a hug," You're so sweet."

"Than why won't you listen to me?" he asked brokenly.

She shrugged in defeat as she pulled away," Because I love him. I know it's difficult to understand, but I do and he loves me. We're not perfect, but we're not quitting on each other. Hell, I don't even know if we can."

"Ev, I swear if he's ever the cause of you getting hurt I'll…" he trailed off, his eyes going dark with something she'd never seen.

She gently took his face in her hands," It'll never happen. Don't you trust me?"

"With every fiber of my being," he replied, "Just not him."

Searching his expression, she realized there was nothing else she could do," Go home Stiles."

He gave her one last hug and reluctantly retreated to his jeep.

Going back to her car, she climbed in and braced her hands on the steering wheel. Her thoughts should have been preoccupied with going home, but there was another place she needed to see for herself.

TEEN WOLF

The Lahey house was just like she remembered it, minus the police tape at the front door. Derek had been here earlier with Scott and the house was empty now.

"Why'd you tell me to come here?" Ev asked with a giggle as Camden pulled her though his front door and pressed his finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet.

"I wanna show you something," he whispered and led her towards the staircase.

The memory was so vivid it hurt. She made her way up the stairs, one by one.

She stumbled over the steps in the pitch darkness of the Lahey house.

"My Dad's out of town for the night, but Isaac's asleep," he said, helping her up the steps. They rounded a corner and they were extra quiet past Isaac's door.

She paused to stare at the door and then kept going and came to the very room she hadn't seen since his wake. Slowly, she put her hand on the knob, twisted, and pushed the door open before she could think better of it.

Camden pulled her inside his room with a smile and quietly closed the door.

"Alright now what was this about?" Ev asked, raising a brow.

Suddenly, Camden's expression became very serious and he sat on the bed and patted the space next to him.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, gently stroking the back of his neck where the ends of his hair were because that always soothed him.

He took a deep breath and put his piercing green eyes on hers," I love you."

"I know," she said with a confused frown," And I love you too."

"Ev I just need you to not say anything until I'm done with what I'm about to say. Can you do that?" he asked and she nodded slowly.

"I love you and I'm going away soon into the army. I wish I could take you with me, but I can't. If all goes well and I complete my training then I might be sent to a war zone. I don't know when you'll see me or when I'll even be able to visit, but I promise we'll keep in touch and-"

"Are you breaking up with me?" she asked with wide eyes.

"No," he said quickly ,took his hands in hers, and chuckled lightly," The opposite almost…I love you so much and I know this is crazy because we're so young but when I picture my future I feel like I don't have one unless you're in it. You stole my heart and I don't ever want it back. I know I'm a hothead and I get in fights and I might not ever be good enough for you, but I want all the time possible to make myself better so that one day I can be even a little close to being what you deserve. This all might sound like a pointless ramble to you but I guess what I'm trying to get at is…"

He got down on one knee in front of her and she became paralyzed. All thought left her mind.

He took a deep gulp and as she looked down at him, she realized she was witnessing the first time she'd ever seen Camden Lahey nervous.

With wide eyes and a soft yet firm grip of his hands on hers he asked," Will you marry me?"

She sat on the bed now and tears openly flowed through her eyes. The room was exactly the same. If it didn't mean so much to her she might have found it creepy, but no it was all they'd had left of him. Even his swimming trophies were in the same order by size like he'd liked them.

She snorted a laugh as she remembered her response.

"What the fuck Cam I'm sixteen!"

"Not now," he said, with an eye roll and a kiss on her lips," You don't even have to give me an answer. I just want to know that when I come home…I'll be coming home to you."

Gently, she cupped the side of his face," I'm not going anywhere."

She got up from the bed and wiped her eyes. Careful not to look back so she'd stop crying, she left the room and gently closed the door behind her. She made her way down the stairs and just as she was about to leave she noticed the basement door was skew.

Her feet carried her to it as she made her way down the steps. The cold, unfinished basement was menacing in the dark with its concrete walls. In the corner she noticed and ice box. She noticed the lid of it was dented and askew as she got closer.

"Oh my God," she whispered, covering her mouth in horror as she stared at the scratch mark on the lid. It didn't take her long for her to know what had happened in their…what Isaac's father had did to him.

As a sob escaped her throat and tears began spilling over again she realized the worst part was she wasn't there to protect him from it. She claimed to have loved Cam, and a part of her always would, but she abandoned his family…his little brother. Now he was going to live a life of always being on the run, always watching over his shoulder and a part of her felt a guilt that couldn't be lifted.

"It's not your fault."

"Why, Derek?" she asked without turning to look at him," Why him? Out of everyone…it had to be Isaac."

"Ev," he said gently," Look at what his father did to him. Do you honestly think he would have gotten out any other way?"

"Yes," she whispered, wiping tears from her eyes and turning to him," I was getting him out here. I was going to."

"You can't save everyone, Ev," he said gently and cupped the side of her face.

She wanted to be angry at him. She needed to be angry at him, but that one simple touch made it leave her mind as she leaned into him. He wrapped her in his arms and she buried her face in his chest as he held her.

"I have to try," she said finally.

All he could do is kiss the top of her head and pull her closer.