"Stiles?" My dad's voice called from the dining room.

"Yeah, dad." I responded. I took a deep breath, bracing myself, before walking into the dining room. I froze when I saw Scott and Melissa McCall sitting across from my dad. Scott immediately stood and came over to me. Scott's not a very affectionate guy, except with Allison, so the hug he gave me surprised me. I appreciated it although it lacked the warmth that Derek's had.

"Hey Scott." I mumbled. I had hoped to come home just to dad so I could hug him and then go lock myself in my room. Looks like that wasn't happening. I looked at dad and Mrs. McCall. Dad made a shooing motion, saying we could go up to my room. I turned towards the stairs and Scott followed me. We were silent going up to my room. Scott didn't know what to say and I just didn't want to talk. I threw myself on my bed, avoiding looking at Scott. The silence didn't last very long.

"Stiles, I'm sorry-" Scott started.

"Don't, Scott. Please. Not right now. I don't want to talk about it." My voice cracked and I mentally cursed myself. Now that Derek was gone I had to put up a wall. No one else could see me as vulnerable as I let Derek see me. That thought scared me a little bit. Why am I willing to let Derek see me break down but when it comes to Scott, my best friend, I refused?

"I-uh- I got you something. For your birthday." Scott grabbed the bag that I had just noticed and handed it to me.

"Thanks Scott." I said blankly. My birthday didn't seem so happy anymore. I pulled out the Avengers DVD case and felt the corner of my mouth twitch up in a smile. Scott noticed and his whole face brightened so much that I had to look away. "Thanks." I said more warmly. I didn't like that Scott was worried about me.

"So you and Derek, huh?" My head snapped up to look at Scott.

"What?" I squeaked, my face heating. Scott's grin widened.

"Everyone at school was talking about how he was cuddling you in the hallway and your dad said you were at his house. Is there something going on there?"

"What, I mean no what would, how do you even, where in the, how?" My rambling seemed to be all the answer Scott needed. He gave me a knowing look and smirked. "No, Scott. Just no. That's not even…" I gave up. Scott wasn't going to believe a word I said anyway.

"Well you spent the night as his house, you're wearing the same clothes as yesterday, when I hugged you earlier you smelled like him, and I'm pretty sure there was some serious cuddling that happened. There's something." Scott smiled smugly, nodding once. "And you didn't call me once so you must have been, um, busy."

"Scott! Really, dude? He found me in the woods and he took me to his house. His mom made me cookies and hot chocolate and I fell asleep. When I woke up we had dinner and he asked me to stay then we went to bed." I left out all the details about the cuddling and sleeping in the same bed, but those were things Scott didn't need to know. From the knowing look he gave me, he had already figured it out.

"Scott?" Melissa's voice called from the living room.

"Guess it's time to go." Scott stood and walked over to me. I stood up so he could hug me before I flopped back on the bed. "Call me if you need anything. Or if you need to talk. Just… for anything, okay?" I nodded at Scott and tried to give him a reassuring smile. I knew it wasn't very convincing but it appeased him enough to leave. I tried to keep my eyes open, knowing dad would be up to my room soon, but I drifted off to sleep before I even finished the thought.

I woke with a start, my stomach churning. I knew what was coming so I rushed to my trash can just in time to empty my stomach. I collapse to the floor, resting my head on the cool floor. I tried to calm my breathing while wiping my mouth with my shirt.

"Stiles?" I nearly jumped out of my skin at the voice. A hand rested on my shoulder, rubbing soothing circles. I turned my eyes and met Derek's concerned green ones. "Are you okay?" It took me a moment to find my voice, surprised that Derek is in my bedroom.

"I… yeah." I sat up, crossing my legs. My head was spinning from the lack of oxygen my puking had caused and I groaned. Derek sat down right across from me. He reached out and took my hands in his larger ones.

"Was that because of…?" He trailed off but I knew what he was asking.

"No. I think I might be getting sick. Wait, what are you doing here?" I looked at him, my brow furrowed in confusion. He smiled at me.

"Your dad called my mom to thank her for letting you stay last night. Mom got it out of him that he wasn't going to be home today and that you were going to be left alone so she sent me over here to keep you company. I felt my face fall and cursed myself for it. I pulled my hands out of his and stood up, ignoring the confusion on his face. He wasn't here by choice, his mom made him come over here. I was pathetic, thinking he just wanted to see me. I turned toward the bedroom door, heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Derek followed me and I didn't stop him.

"Did my dad say where he was going?" I questioned after I finished brushing my teeth. Derek studied my face, which I schooled into a blank mask. He looked disappointed and when he finally spoke I could hear it reflected in his tone.

"He said he had some arrangements to make and that he didn't like leaving you alone. He said he would be back by dinner. I felt my guilt crash over me and I sucked in a deep breath. "What?"

"I haven't talked to him since… yesterday." Was it only yesterday? "I don't want to leave him dealing with it all by himself I just… I can't… I don't know how… I-"

"Stiles," Derek cut me off gently. "he understands. He's not mad at you. He's worried about you. He's letting you cope with it in your own way."

"But he needs me!" I protested weakly. Derek stepped forward, tugging me against his chest. I went willingly, only so he wouldn't look so sad.

"Your dad's a sheriff. He's strong. He sees tragedy all the time." Derek's soothing tone calmed my nerves, but not my guilt.

"But he hasn't… he loves her. He doesn't love those people he sees hurt. He's heartbroken. I'm his son and I should be there for him." I took a shuddering breath while my tears started to fall. Derek held me tighter. "We're all we have left."

"You have me, Stiles, and my family. We'll do everything we can. You guys don't have to be alone." Derek held me for awhile longer, until my sobs subsided. After that we went downstairs, where I made lunch, and watched movies on the couch until my dad returned home hours later.