Guess who got up another bloody chapter? :)

Chapter Four: Seeking Out Refuge

Stiles snatched an apple from the table and sat down beside his father, who was filing through his work.

"So-o-o," Stiles began. "Anything new?"

"No," His father answered, giving him the 'you-can't-know-my-police-cases' look.

"Alright!" Stiles said, lightly punching his dad's shoulder. "What about missing kids?"

"Stiles," Mr. Stilinski groaned, "Why do you want to know about missing kids? Did you kidnap any?"

"What!" Stiles put a hand over his chest dramatically. "Why must you doubt me? I'm just curious."

"Curiousity killed the cat." The Sheriff told him.

"I'm more of a dog person-"

"Stiles!"

"We have no names yet, thank God." Mr. Stilinski said. "Well, in Beacon Hills, anyways."

Stiles nodded. "Just wondering."

He escaped up the stairs and collasped on his bed, dialing Derek's number.

The dog had finally gotten a cellphone.

"Nothing's come up in Beacon Hills, yet."

"Alright," Derek answered gruffly. "Keep an eye out."

With those last words, the conversation was over and Stiles was left glaring at his phone.

"You don't know how to finish a conversation!" He told the phone, fully knowing that Derek couldn't hear him.

He tossed the phone on his bed and closed his eyes.

.

Derek was sitting on the couch and looking through books.

They were his dad's journals on instructions of training. Derek had never really finished, so he read them for his betas.

Ruby was playing a game on his phone. It was Angry Birds or something close to it.

Boyd and Erica had come to the house from school just a few minutes later and spotted the little girl.

Derek looked over at them and saw them wide-eyed. Obviously, Isaac hadn't said anything to them yet.

"Who's your visitor?" Erica asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Boyd sat down in another chair and looked to Derek expectantly.

"This is Ruby." Derek told them, setting the book down and standing up.

Ruby looked up at him and then over to Boyd and Erica.

"Ruby, this is Boyd," he gestured to the teen sitting in the chair and then to the young blonde. "And Erica."

Ruby looked back over to Derek. He looked down at her and patted her shoulder.

"You don't talk much?" Boyd asked her. She looked over at him and shrugged.

He gave a small smile and she smiled back, seemingly relaxed.

Boyd had a naturally relaxing presence in the room. Erica smiled at the little girl, too.

"Ruby. I like it," she said. Ruby shrugged to her and looked over to Derek, who was rummaging through the books again.

"Just play your game, again," he told her. Ruby pouted, but went back to the flying birds.

"Derek," Erica snapped. He looked over to her. She mouthed, "Where did you get her?"

He rolled his eyes and walked closer to them, explaining.

"Is she missing?" Boyd asked.

"Stiles hasn't found anything." Derek answered. "I still have no idea where she came from."

"She obviously likes you." Erica stated. "Do you by chance have a kid you don't yet know about?"

Derek knew she was teasing, but glared and mumbled, "Hope not."

"What if she's looking for an alpha?" Boyd suggested. "She said she came to you. You are an alpha. What if she's like us?"

Derek looked back at her.

Boyd was full of ideas, the little pup.

"Maybe," Derek admitted.

"You have to get her some new clothes." Erica said. "And a bath, look at her."

Derek looked back and saw that her hair was getting greasy and the hem of her dress was hanging by a thread and had grass stains and some of the strawberry ice cream from before.

"Right." Derek dug out his wallet and handed Erica a wad of twenties. "Go buy her some clothes."

"Me?" Erica asked.

"You're a girl, aren't you?" Derek responded.

Erica rolled her eyes. "I suppose you want me to give her a bath, too."

Derek gave her the alpha look.

"Fine, whatever." Erica muttered. "At least she's cute."

Derek followed Erica out and sat by Ruby. She smiled up at him.

"Erica is going to take you out to buy you a new dress, okay? And you're going to take a bath."

Ruby pouted. "No."

"Ruby," Derek warned her. She groaned and collasped onto the couch, mumbling, "Fi-ine."

"Be back before dark." Derek warned.

Erica shrugged and said, "Come on, kid. We can do your hair."

Ruby sat up and sighed as Erica held out her hand.

Derek gave her a questioning look.

"You expect me to tow a six-year-old to the mall without a car?" Erica said, raising an eyebrow.

Derek gave her a threatening look while she smirked at him and dug his keys out of his pocket. He tossed her the keys and she caught them easily, smiling.

Ruby tugged on Derek's shirt and said, "I'll make sure she won't break it."

Derek scoffed and patted her shoulder. "Good girl."

She smiled and skipped over to Erica.

Ruby looked up at her and cracked a half-smile. Erica smiled back and said, "Why don't we get you a nice, exspensive princess dress."

Ruby smiled back at Derek and waved as she followed Erica out the door.

Derek sighed.

He would be broke in a week.