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And we've reached it. Lacy here with our final in-between chapter. After this, it's on to season five. This is gonna be bittersweet, as I'm sure we all know. Effie is leaving Derek behind and heading back to Beacon Hills alone. It won't be an easy change for either of them. But they'll manage. Read on kids.
Disclaimer: I own Effie.
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Morning dawned over Effie's departure day and it was met with quiet whispers and lingering glances. Derek had yet to leave Effie's sight, or even her arm reach. Neither had slept the night before, wanting to just hold each other. No matter what Derek had said at the waterfall, neither was ready to be parted.
"You all packed?" Derek asked.
Effie nodded. "Yeah," she smiled. "With all the things Cora bought me, I'm surprised I don't need another suitcase."
Derek chuckled. "She certainly gave it her best shot." he picked up her sketchbook, seeing the drawing from two mornings before, at their campsite. Effie had drawn the sky through the tree canopy. "I-"
"Dad's picking me up at the airport." Effie stopped him, moving anxiously. "Stiles wanted to, but Dad and I agreed the jeep wouldn't make the drive."
"It's a miracle it makes the drive to school and back." Derek muttered. "Effie-"
"I'm sure the pack will want to see me," Effie pressed on. "But I think I want some one on one time with Dad and Stiles-"
"Effie," Derek took her by the arms so they were facing each other. "Look at me." It took a moment, but she eventually raised her eyes. "The moment you need me to come home, the moment, you tell me. Call me, text. I don't care. I want to know the moment it gets to be too much."
Effie swallowed. "What if it's too much before I get on the plane?"
"Then Cora can mail my stuff to me." Derek said, his tone entirely serious. "And I buy a ticket right there."
Effie gave a watery laugh. "Just knowing that already makes it easier, even if it does sound crazy."
Derek shrugged. "What about us isn't crazy?"
"Good point." Effie sniffed. "Alright, let's get the other goodbyes over with. I think ours will need a while."
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Effie hugged Cora tightly. "I want an invitation to the wedding."
"You'll be my maid of honor." Cora replied. "If you want."
Effie smiled. "Read my mind." she pulled back. "I'll let you know when I've landed and make sure Stiles calls to apologize for keeping you out of the loop."
"Let's not do that again." Cora said sternly. "Derek isn't the only one who's a call away. I can handle Beacon Hills for my family."
"Deal." With another hug, Effie released Cora and moved to stand before Ralph. "Alpha Otero-"
"I think," Ralph smiled. "We can drop formalities. It was an honor meeting you, Effie, and I look forward to seeing you, again."
Effie smiled. "Same here, Ralph. Take good care of Derek for me."
Ralph grinned at Derek's huff. "I'll see what I can do. He doesn't strike me as the type to listen all that well."
Cora snorted. "You just summed up my brother in one sentence, babe."
"I'm right here." Derek pointed out. He gave his sister and future brother-in-law a look. "I'll be back after her flight takes off."
"I can't promise we'll have anything to distract you," Ralph said. "But we'll do our best."
Another round of hugs and goodbyes were exchanged before the pair finally got into the SUV that would take them to the airport. Effie was silent as Derek started the drive, keeping her eyes on the horizon instead of the fading pack behind them. The longer she was at the compound, the more fledgling pack bonds she felt towards them.
"As long as Ralph and I have an alpha pact," Derek said. "You'll still feel those bonds."
Effie laughed. "How did you know what I was thinking?"
Derek gave her a look. "Yeah, because after so long, I can't basically read your mind."
Effie giggled. "Good point. They won't interact with my other bonds, right?"
Derek shook his head. "No, because it's two different packs. And with the distance between us and Scott, it wouldn't affect us anyway."
"Think Stiles has managed to fix that?" Effie asked. "I mean, we do have to cohabitate Beacon Hills until graduation."
Derek sighed. "If anyone can get through to Scott, it's Stiles. And if he fails, well I have yet to meet someone Melissa can't intimidate."
"Just because she made you actually take off your jacket," Effie teased.
"The woman has a worse mother stare than mine ever did." Derek pointed out. "And she was backed with Alpha eyes."
Effie shrugged. "Being a single parent does that. Why do you think Dad makes such a good sheriff?"
Derek shook his head again. "What have I gotten myself into?"
"Family," Effie grinned. "One big, mostly happy, family."
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When the time came to let Effie go through security so she could make her flight, Derek found it hard to let her go. His wolf was practically pacing madly at the idea of her being so far away and he could tell from her shifting feet that her fox felt the same.
"It's just a couple of months, at best." Effie repeated Derek's words from the night before. "Graduation at worst."
"I'll be back before then." Derek swore. "Cora can't put up with me for that long."
"You'd be surprised what a sister is willing to put up with after almost losing their brother." Effie reminded him. "Fingers crossed, the peace will continue and you won't need to come back until graduation."
Derek held her close. "Fingers crossed." he pressed his face into her neck. "I love you, no matter what. You need anything,"
"I'll have you on Skype, text or phone call before either of us can blink." Effie finished. She nuzzled Derek's throat. "It's going to be okay. We're going to be okay."
Derek pulled back, framing Effie's face. "Yes, we will be." A long lingering kiss filled the space between them before Effie quickly pulled away and nearly ran into the security line. Both knew if it wasn't done fast, she wouldn't leave. Or Derek wouldn't let her.
Derek stepped back, watching Effie as she moved through the line, removing her shoes and placing her things on the x-ray belt. Only once she was through security and he'd lost sight of her, did he turn and make his way out of the airport, feeling as though he'd left a piece of himself behind.
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Effie looked around the airport, trying to spot her father in the crowds of people coming and going from different flights. Deciding to use a little supernatural cheating, she followed the pull of John's pack bond and quickly found him waiting at baggage claim.
"There's my girl," John gathered Effie into a tight hug. "It's good to see you, Effie."
"You too, Dad." Effie sighed in the comfort of her father's arms. "That was a long time to be away."
"You'll get used to it." John promised. "I've already got your bags, so let's get out of here. I'm sure all the smells aren't that great for you. Lord knows my nose hates it."
Effie laughed. "It is a lot, but you get used to it. High school helps."
John cringed. "I don't even want to begin to imagine." he looped his arm around Effie's shoulders. "You doing alright? Being without Derek?"
"It's not easy." Effie admitted. "But I've got you and I've got Stiles. And the pack, for the most part." she smiled at John. "I'll be alright."
John smiled with pride. "Yeah, you will be. You always are." he kissed her head. "Come on, your brother's got to be going nuts by now."
"Too late for that."
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And there we have it. Effie is back home, Derek's spending some more time with Cora and next week, senior year begins. I hope you all enjoyed Learning Curve. It was harder to write than I thought it would be, but I think that's because it was multi-chapter. I'm not used to that with my in-between stories. So, let me know what you think, flame policy stands, thanks so much for reading and look out next week for the first chapter of Alone, Afraid, Avenged.
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