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Disclaimer: Don't own Teen Wolf or anyone in it. If I did, I'd be busy having way too much fun doing other stuff. ^_~

Redemption

Chapter 4

Derek stared at the broken chains in shock for a moment as he couldn't believe how strong Jackson was. Then he took off running after him.

"Jackson! Stop!" Derek shouted out to Jackson, knowing it was futile. "Shit, shit, shit!" With Scott and the others looking for his missing pack members, Derek knew he was on his own to corral Jackson.

Letting his own wolf out, Derek easily picked up Jackson's scent. Being faster, he was able to catch up quickly and tackled Jackson to the ground. "Stop it!" Derek growled as he tried to force Jackson to look at him in the eyes.

Jackson thrashed wildly as Derek attempted to hold him down. He couldn't see anything. Everything was covered in a haze. He had to do something. Jackson couldn't think of what, but there was something he had to do. But the burning in him was overpowering. It was too much! Slowly, thru the haze Jackson caught a glimpse of...Derek? Then he heard Derek's voice. Murky at first, then growing louder.

"Remember what we talked about!"

A shudder ran through Jackson as a face flashed before his eyes, then another, and yet another. Faces of people the Kanima killed, that he killed. Then Jackson remembered. He couldn't let it happen again. After a few more moments, Jackson stilled.

Sitting up and breathing hard, Derek let him go. It had taken more than he anticipated to keep a hold on Jackson. "Are you ok now?"

Nodding, Jackson sat up as well. Though his wolf was still out, he had calmed and regained his thoughts. "Yeah, I'm ok," he assured Derek. Looking around, Jackson saw that they were still in the industrial part of town, away from everyone. "Thanks for not letting me get too far."

"As if I had a choice," Derek responded. "Come on, let's get back before someone sees us." He led Jackson back to the warehouse.

Jackson woke up the next morning curled up in a seat, back where he remembered being chained up the night before. Startled, he sat up and looked around anxiously. Derek was nowhere in sight. Did he leave while Jackson was asleep? What happened last night? Jackson noticed chains on the floor, but he wasn't bound in them. Did he get loose? But there wasn't blood on him either, so that was definitely a good sign, right? Before he could build himself into a panic, Jackson heard a door opening and looking up, he saw Derek come in.

"You're finally up," Derek said. "I was just coming to wake you. How do you feel?"

"I think I'm ok. What happened to the chains? Wasn't I supposed to be in them? Did you unchain me?" Jackson asked.

"You don't remember?" Derek gave him a look. "You freed yourself, quite forcefully, I might add. I had to chase you down. But you were able to calm down and rein in your wolf. We came back here and you fell asleep after a while and then turned back to normal."

Suddenly the events of the previous night came rushing into Jackson's mind and he remembered everything. Thank God Derek was able to catch him.

Derek threw something at Jackson. As he caught it, Jackson saw that it was his backpack. Where did Derek get it?

"I figured your parents might have some questions about where you were last night, unless you were smart enough to tell them something ahead of time," Derek said.

Jackson shook his head. The thought to make an excuse to his parents never even crossed his mind. Granted, he did have bigger issues occupying his mind last night.

"Yeah," Derek nodded. "That's what I thought. I snuck in your room and got your backpack and some clothes. You should go shower at school."

Shocked at Derek's thoughtfulness, Jackson only managed, "Umm...Thanks," in reply. He couldn't believe that Derek had considered his feelings enough to go to his house and get his things for him. Jackson opened his backpack and saw that Derek even brought him a matching set of clothes, as if he actually gave some thought over what to bring Jackson to wear.

"Come on, I'll drive you to school," Derek said gruffly, feeling slightly uncomfortable all of a sudden.

The ride to school was silent and when they arrived, Jackson felt hesitant to get out. "Hey, uh, thanks for your help, everything you did," he said as he climbed out.

"Yeah, well," Derek cleared his throat, "It's not like I had a choice in the matter what with Scott hounding me to death and all." Derek gave Jackson an awkward look and drove off.

Jackson stood there and watched Derek drive away. He was hopeful that all this meant a new beginning for him and Derek, for him and everyone really. Jackson couldn't remember the last time he felt this grateful to someone as he felt towards Derek. And it really wasn't just Derek he should be grateful to. It was time for a change. As Jackson walked into the school, he was determined to change for the better. Somehow, he had to redeem himself.

"Hey, McCall… Scott," Jackson called as he walked up to Scott standing by his locker.

"Jackson!" Scott smiled in surprise when he saw who it was that called him. "So I guess everything went ok last night?"

"Yeah, it went ok," Jackson nodded then swallowed nervously. "Um…listen, I know we don't exactly get along and it's probably mostly my fault, but uh, I just wanna say, you know, thanks. For, you know, helping me during that…uhh…situation and then convincing Derek to help me for the full moon. And I'm sorry for being um, a jerk." Jackson looked away awkwardly and scratched the back of his neck as he said the last part.

Scott just looked at Jackson as if he'd sprouted horns. He stared, mouth agape, for several moments, stunned by what Jackson said. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected to get thanks from Jackson let alone an actual apology. Jackson was damned lucky that Scott wasn't the type of guy to crow over something like this.

Looking back at Scott, Jackson furrowed his brows. "Ummm…are you gonna say something?"

"Oh sorry! Yeah, no problem! Happy to help, you know. Just wanted you to be ok. That's just what I wanted," Scott said, jolted from his daze. Then he realized his words, 'Happy to help? That's just what I wanted? WTF?' He thought to himself. Lame!

"Ok, uh, so I'll see you in class." Jackson gave Scott and awkward grin, turned and walked down the hall.

"Hey! Was that Jackson? Did he kill anybody?" Stiles asked as he ran up to Scott.

"Uh huh, yeah." Scott nodded absently, still dazed by Jackson's words.

"He did?! Omygod! I thought Derek was supposed to help him?" Stiles practically shouted.

"Wait, what?" Scott looked at him confused. "Jackson didn't kill anyone."

Stiles hit Scott on the shoulder. "Then why are you all…you know zombiefied in shock, like something unimaginable happened?"

Scott turned to Stiles and said in a serious tone. "Jackson thanked me for helping him and then he apologized for being a jerk."

Mouth dropping open and eyes bulging, Stiles promptly collapsed to the floor.

Jackson tried to concentrate on his AP history assignment, but when he re-read the same page for the fourth time, he gave up. He couldn't remember a single word he had read. Thoughts of Derek occupied his entire mind. Up until these last few days, Jackson would have bet his life – well, maybe not his life – that Derek hated him and wanted him dead. But then that flicker of hope had ignited in him after Derek's visit the other day and has been slowly growing ever since.

"I don't want you to die!" Derek's words replayed over and over in Jackson's mind. That had to mean that on some level, Derek cared about his well-being, about him, didn't it? And then there was the morning after, the full moon that is. Derek was so considerate towards him. Worried about how his parents might react, bringing him clothes and his backpack. That all meant something, right? They could have a peaceful co-existence, be friendly-ish. Maybe even something more?

Then Jackson thought back to a conversation, or was it a confrontation, from earlier that day when Danny cornered him in the locker room after practice.

Flashback

"Are you going out with Derek Hale?" Danny asked without warning.

Water droplets flew from his mouth as Jackson chocked on the sip of water he had just taken. "What the fuck?!" Jackson's brows shot up and he quickly looked around to make sure no one else was there. "What the hell are you talking about? No, I'm not going out with him! Where the hell did you get a crazy ass idea like that?"

He tried to leave, but Danny stood fast in his way and revealed, "I saw you get out of his car this morning…in yesterday's clothes." Danny gave Jackson a pointed look.

"What the hell? Are you following me?" Jackson accused.

"No, I was here early to help set up some audio stuff for the drama club. I see you're not denying it," Danny replied.

"I am not going out with Derek," Jackson insisted. "My…car broke down on the way to school and he saw me and…" He trailed off, realizing how pathetic that sounded.

"So he saw you and offered to give you a ride?" Danny finished for him. "Last I heard, you hated that guy. But that was all an act, wasn't it?"

"No! I did hate him. Just – things happened and it's kind of different now," Jackson said hesitantly.

"Uh huh. Look, I don't care if you are dating him. I thought he was hot, but that was it. You guys actually look good together," Danny said supportively.

"What?" Jackson looked at him incredulously. "Where do you even get off thinking that? How do you even know Derek's gay? I mean, look at him. He's as – as tough a guy as they come and hello! Did you forget Lydia? I dated her for almost two years. And when we broke up, I went out with Allison. I could have any girl I want."

"I know these things Jackson." Danny gave him a knowing look. "Derek would be very receptive to the idea of you being into him. And you dated Lydia cuz you were both at the top of the popularity list. And the only reason you went out with Allison was to get at Scott cuz you were mad coach made him co-captain. And don't deny it."

"Hey, I liked Lydia ok, I thought she was hot," Jackson defended. "And I'm pretty sure I heard that I read in the papers that Derek dated Kate Argent or something."

"Right, the crazy cow who burned his house to the ground with his family in it?" Danny said patronizingly with a look. "That's what I call a psycho bitch taking advantage of a much younger guy who was probably trying to hide his real feelings. And you can think girls are hot. I do. Maybe you're bi or whatever. Just stop pretending with me ok? I saw you sneak off with Kevin Sanders from West Lake High after we beat them back in freshman year."

Shocked, Jackson opened his mouth, closed it and then nodded. "Well, considering how we destroyed them during the division championships, I figured it was the least I could do to console someone from the losing team," he said with his usual confidence. "I can't believe you kept quiet about it for so long."

Danny shrugged, "As long as you didn't get hurt, it was none of my business and you're my best friend."

"Thanks…you too," Jackson said awkwardly. "But just because I was sort of into Sanders, doesn't mean I'm into Derek Hale," he tried to deny.

With another look, Danny replied, "Yeah, right. I saw the way you looked at him as he was driving away."

End flashback

Maybe Danny was right, Jackson thought to himself. It definitely wouldn't be much of a stretch for a guy to fall for Jackson. 'I mean, look at me,' Jackson thought with a smile. He might have decided to try to be a better person, but in some aspects, Jackson will always be Jackson.

And Derek was smoking hot. They would definitely look amazing together. Except, Derek wasn't just a random guy. He was Derek. It wasn't as if Jackson could just go up to him, flash him a smile and say, "Hey."

So that was why Jackson found himself squeezing his steering wheel for dear life as he drove up the path that led to Derek's house. He had almost turned back twice on the way over, he was so nervous. When he got to the house, he just sat there for a while, still unsure of whether or not to get out of the car. The choice was taken from him a minute later when he saw Derek come out the front door, arms crossed, as he stared right at Jackson.

"H – Hey…umm…how's it going?" Jackson said nervously as he got out.

"What are you doing here?" Derek asked in reply.

"Umm…I just wanted to you know, thank you again for what you did. And um…I wanted to also say sorry, if I made your life any harder and for being…an ass." Jackson gave him a small smile.

"Ok," Derek looked at him with disinterest. "Now that you've said what you came to say, you can leave."

"Wait…it's just that, since you helped me, I thought that maybe we were cool now?" Jackson asked hopefully.

"You think we're cool?" Derek shrugged. "I don't hate you, but I don't like you either. And I definitely don't give a damn about you." Lie.

Jackson's face fell. "But – but you said…"

"I said what I had to, to get you to stop feeling sorry for yourself," Derek said impatiently. "I said I didn't want you to die, but I also said it was because I didn't want your death on my conscience. And seriously, how many times do I have to tell you that I only helped you because I turned you and so I feel some sense of responsibility. So really, I helped you to in order to help all the innocent people who you could have killed. So get it through your thick skull. Unless I absolutely have to, I don't ever want to be near you." Lies…all lies.

Derek stood on the front porch as he watched a very pale Jackson flee to his car and drive away as if a beast was chasing him. And that beast's name was Derek.

Walking back into the house, Derek ran his hands over his face. Then in a fit of rage, he punched his fist through a wall. "Arrrggh! Damnit!"

"Ouch, that was harsh," came Peter's voice from the stairway landing as he made his presence known. "I get that you don't like the kid, but was that really necessary? And to take it out on a poor defenseless wall? We don't have many of those left you know."

Glaring at him, Derek retorted, "I have way too much to worry about to babysit some stupid jock, ok? Two of my pack members disappeared without a trace and we still have no idea when the alpha pack will show up and what they could possibly want. I don't have time for anything else. I gotta get out of here." Derek grabbed his keys, got in his car and drove off.

As he drove aimlessly around town, Derek had to admit to himself that everything he'd shouted at Jackson were lies. He'd known they were even as the words came out of his mouth. But like he told Peter, he had far too much to worry about. Who knew what the alpha pack could want with him. If Jackson was around him, he could get hurt. And it astonished Derek that it made him so upset to think that Jackson could get hurt because of him.

He suddenly stopped the car. What the hell was he thinking? Jackson was already hurt because of him. Because of what he said. Derek remembered seeing Jackson's face as he took off. Part of him wanted to go find Jackson and tell him everything. Derek wasn't sure when the hell that happened, but these last couple days with Jackson hadn't been as unpleasant as he thought it would be. Derek knew he should stick to his guns. Let Jackson think he hated him. He might be upset, but at least he'd be physically ok.

Then a thought struck him and Derek mentally kicked himself for not thinking of it earlier. If Jackson was in his pack, they would all be stronger. He would be stronger. He and Peter were wolf-born purebreds. They were stronger than normal wolves. Peter might even be able to take on a turned alpha. They might be able to fend off the alpha pack together. Derek had already decided to tell Scott and Isaac about them and he might as well include Jackson, too. And while he was at it, maybe he should even warn the Argents. No, let Scott tell the Argents. But first thing tomorrow, Derek would tell his pack and Jackson about the alphas.

Derek turned the car around and headed back home. As soon as he got back, he could sense that he wasn't alone. And he knew it wasn't just Peter either. The air was thick with scents of other werewolves. Other alphas.

Taking cautious steps toward the house, Derek's eyes darted to the side of the house as he spotted movement from that direction. He watched warily as a tall blonde guy around his age strode up to him with a smirky smile on his face.

"Hey there, my friends and I are new in the area and we figured we'd come by and introduce ourselves."

Slowly, but surely the fic is progressing… Thanks for sticking with it!

Reviews would be greatly appreciated. =)