Sorry for the delay. I didn't realise how long it had been since I last wrote anything. Enjoy.

Chapter 8

Breakfast with the Hales was a strange experience. Laura and Derek seemed to be having a conversation using only their eyebrows whilst Mrs Hale, who kept insisting Stiles called her either Mom or Alice, was studying him like he was a work of art. It was both flattering and creepy. Anna was yet again silent as she watched her family whilst eating. Even if the young girl was a little quite Stiles thought she was probably the sanest member of her family.

The sound of cutlery hitting plate signalled that Derek had finished eating. It also signalled the end of Derek and Laura's wordless conversation. Looking up from his plate Derek noticed he was being watched by Stiles. He cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away causing Laura to smirk at her brother before winking at Stiles. The short haired boy studied his plate with a new found interest whilst Derek kicked his sister under the table. It was times like this that Stiles was glad he was an only child.

Even though everyone had finished eating they remained sitting at the table in silence for what felt like an eternity. Stiles was never very good at keeping quiet but for once he was reluctant to speak, knowing whatever he said would only prompt more teasing from Laura. He hadn't known the older girl for long but if he had to use 3 words to describe her they would be devious, trickster and unstoppable. In any other situation they might be good friends but stuck in the same building as her for a long period of time was starting to make Stiles paranoid. He was constantly waiting for her to do or say something to embarrass him.

Finally giving in to his need to talk, Stiles asked Mrs Hale if there was any chance he would be able to get back in to town this morning.

"I'm afraid not dear. The storm brought down some trees and they've had to close off the main road." She replied before swiftly continuing after seeing Stiles worried expression. "Don't worry I'm sure we'll get you home soon and until then Derek will look after you." She finished with a smile that could seriously beat Laura's in deviousness, it was almost wolfish. Not for the first time since he had arrived Stiles felt like he was missing something.

"It's fine Mrs Hale. I'll just borrow your phone to call my dad though if that's okay, my cell died this morning and I think it's got some water damage from the rain." Stiles said as he pushed his chair back from the table to give him room to stand "Oh and I'm sure Derek has better things to do than look after me, I'll just find something quiet to do and try to stay out of everyone's way. I've caused you enough trouble as it is." He walked around the large table and headed to the hallway where he was sure he saw a phone yesterday. As he passed Derek a large hand shot out and grabbed his wrist holding him in place. Both he and Derek seemed caught off guard by the action and the older boy quickly let go, moving his hand to rub the back of his neck in what Stiles realised was a nervous habit.

"Sorry." Derek mumbled without looking at him.

"It's… fine?" Stiles said hesitantly, looking at Derek with eyes full of question and curiosity before turning away. He was almost out the door when Derek spoke up again.

"Stiles, I have nothing better to do." He mumbled only looking at the younger boy once he finished speaking. Stiles nodded sharply once and left the room.

As he dialled his dad's number he thought back to the strange event of the past 24 hours, focusing on breakfast especially as it was still fresh in his mind. So Derek had nothing better to do? If anyone else had said it he would have thought they were being rude, or maybe they didn't want to spend time with him but had no excuse not to, but when Derek said it he could almost believe that the older boy wanted to spend his day with him. He knew Derek rarely spoke more than a few words at a time so maybe this was him trying to make Stiles feel welcome, in his own twisted way. Then again maybe it was just Stiles romanticising what had happened and hoping that Derek didn't hate him as much as he sometimes made it seem.

The sound of his dad answering the phone brought him out of his thoughts and he quickly explained what was going on to his worried father. Once he had finished his story, leaving out certain parts such as Scott abandoning him, the sheriff let out a frustrated sigh.

"I don't like the thought of you out in the middle of nowhere with a family of strangers Stiles. Is there really no way you can get home sooner?" he asked his son.

"I already told you dad, the road is closed, there's nothing I can do." Stiles replied calmly knowing the sheriff was on edge already due to the storm without having to worry about him.

"I know I know. I just wish there was something I could do but the damage in town is worse so all emergency services are there. The earliest we should be able to get the road cleared is tomorrow morning. You think you can manage there till then?" the sheriff let out another sigh and Stiles could picture him rubbing his free hand over his face.

"I'll be fine dad, trust me. The Hales are…" he tried to think of an appropriate word to describe them that wouldn't cause his dad to worry. Of course that meant he couldn't use the first 20 words that popped into his head. He didn't think telling his dad that he thought Derek was a serial killer at first would help in this situation.

Lifting his gaze from the spot he had been absently studying on the floor Stiles noticed Anna lurking shyly by the door in a less creepy, cuter imitation of her older brother. He waved her over and slid down the wall planning to sit next to her on the floor. However, once he was sat the little girl wasted no time in climbing into his lap and tucking her head under his chin. As he started running his fingers through her long dark hair he heard his dad trying to get his attention through the phone.

"Hello? Stiles? You still there?" He asked repeatedly.

"Yeah sorry dad I just got distracted, what was I saying? Oh yeah, the Hales. They're nice dad, a bit unusual but nice." Stiles said as he looked at the little girl curled up in his lap. "anyway dad I'll talk to you later. Don't worry about me I'll be fine, I mean they haven't tried to kill me yet so that's a good sign right?" he joked

"Sure Stiles I'll see you soon." The sheriff replied choosing to ignore his sons last comment "Love you son." He said quickly before hanging up the phone.

"Love you too dad." Stiles whispered to himself as he put the phone back in its holder.

Stiles hated that he was causing his father extra stress yet again. He didn't mean to but somehow he always ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sighing Stiles rested his head against the wall and closed his eyes. He thought back to when his mom was still alive and everything had been easier. Back when he was a normal kid without ADD. Back when his dad didn't always have to hide his pain at the thought of another day without his wife. Back when they were happy.

He didn't often let himself think about his mother as it only brought more pain and bad memories. Today, however, he was able to focus on the good things, the happy memories and for once he didn't cry at the memory of her smile. Soon he was asleep, leaning against the wall with a dark haired bundle on his knees, dreaming of his family.

That was where the rest of the Hales found them half an hour later. The teenage boy and little girl wrapped around each other on the hallway floor, Stiles still running his fingers through Anna's hair even in his sleep. The sight brought a smile to everyone's, even grumpy Derek's, face. Alice placed a delicate hand on her only son's arm to get his attention.

"I know it, you know it, Laura knows it and even Anna knows it. The only person who doesn't know is him." she said as Derek tried to avoid eye contact. "You have to tell him, he knows something is going on, it isn't fair to keep this from him." she finished as Derek let out a deep growl.

"I'll tell him when I feel like telling him, when its right. That's if I tell him at all." Derek said in a rough voice, continuing before his mother or sister could protest his decision. "He isn't like us. It wouldn't be fair to just throw him in the deep end and hope he can swim. I'll tell him when I'm ready, when he's ready." He finished before heading towards the living room leaving the others to deal with the sleeping teen and child.

End Of Chapter

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Any idea what Stiles doesn't know?

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