Chapter 6: Fight For Your Love
Isaac and Scott woke up to the door being opened and a laugh of happiness from Mrs. McCall the next day. Scott rubbed his eyes and yawned as Isaac opened his eyes a crack, vision blurred by the sunlight. "Wh-ts g-going on?" Isaac said sleepily, the warmth of Scott's body making him feel so comfortable that he was falling back to sleep.
"Dunno," Scott said and put his arms around Isaac, holding him close and nuzzling into his hair, "Bed too comfortable." Isaac smiled and was just about to fall back into the sweet oblivion of Scott's touch when they heard a male laugh echo through the house. Scott opened his eyes and looked at the door, wondering who it was… because that laugh seemed familiar. Then it dawned on Scott and he told Isaac that he'd be back.
Scott quickly got out of bed and after making sure Isaac was tucked in good and proper, he ran down the stairs to see his mum and a man sitting at the kitchen table laughing at something. The man turned to Scott and his smile grew wider. "Scott!" he said rising from the table and Scott grinned and went over to him to give him a hug. "Derek!" he said as Derek hugged him tight, "It's been a long time, huh?" Derek let go and put a hand on his shoulder, "Too long, kid." They sat down at the table and Scott noticed that his mother was extra happy to see Derek. "As per usual," Scott thought to himself and smiled.
Derek Hale and the Hale family had been friends of the McCall's since Scott was a kid and although he was only a few years older than Scott, Scott felt like Derek was someone to be respected. A trainer of combat and a truly good person, Derek had seen the demise of his entire family in a terrible shooting that had occurred when they were out for a meal. Derek's mother had shielded her son and given her life to save him and Derek never forgot that.
Derek had tracked the gang that had killed his family down and had brought them to justice, earning a medal of bravery and in the process becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the United States. He was, by no means, a celebrity, but he still found it hard to make house calls once in a while; especially to the people he loved. Melissa, knowing him since she was a teenager, had helped him open his self defense center and had even picked up a few tricks from him in the process. They were close friends and now, in the McCall's hour of need, the Hale's answered.
"So Scott," Derek said as he sipped his cup of coffee, "Melissa was telling me that you've got yourself a boyfriend." Scott looked at his mother in shock, the color draining from his face. "I… Mum?" he stuttered out and Derek chuckled. "Nothing to be ashamed of you idiot," he said and put down the cup of coffee, "I couldn't be happier for you, Scott. You must love him a lot." Melissa smiled and raised her eyebrows, "Oh, Derek you should see him with Isaac! You can practically see the little babies in diapers singing their praises around them!" Scott, embarrassed beyond no measure narrowed his eyes at his mother as the both of them burst into laughter.
"Ha ha," he said sarcastically and the three of them stopped as Scott saw a figure entering the kitchen slowly. He was at Isaac's side before Isaac even entered the room properly, holding on to Isaac's shoulder and arm. "Hey," he said gently, "What're you doing out of bed, huh?" Isaac smiled up at him and stood up a bit straighter, "I'm feeling better." Melissa got up from the table and brought a soft pillow for Isaac to sit on and Scott lowered him into the chair slowly, careful not to jar his body too much. Isaac smiled and thanked them and then looked at Derek.
"H-Hi," Isaac said in a shy, quiet voice and Derek smiled and extended his hand to Isaac. "I'm Derek," he said and when Isaac put his own hand into Derek's, Derek was able to read a lot from him. "I'm Isaac," Isaac said, but didn't let go of Derek because Derek wasn't letting go of Isaac's hand. Derek was, admittedly, surprised that Isaac hadn't reacted like how most people would with breathless smiles and quick, frantic conversation, and he liked that. He looked down at Derek's hand, so much larger and strong and then back up at Derek again. "I-Is something wrong?" Isaac asked and Derek let go, his smile returning to his face. "No, sorry, Isaac," he said and glanced at Scott who was sitting back down after pouring Isaac a glass of orange juice, "Scott was just telling us how much he loves you."
Isaac looked at Scott, his eyes growing a little wide and Scott took his hand and looked at Derek. "So what brings you here, Derek?" Scott asked, but his mother replied instead. "Derek is going to be staying with us for a while," she said, "He needs a vacation away from the lights and the people, you know." Scott raised his eyebrow, unconvinced. "Coincidence is amazing, isn't it?" he said and his mother kicked him under the table. Isaac looked from Scott to his mother to Derek and it dawned on him. "You're here to look out for Scott?" he asked and Derek smiled a lopsided smile. "I'm here for the both of you, Isaac," he said and Isaac cocked his head to the side. "I don't understand," he said and Derek shook his head.
Mrs. McCall looked at Isaac and smiled softly. "Derek is here to protect the both of you," she said, "He knows how to and he'll make sure that the both of you are alright." Scott shook his head, "Derek can't be like some bodyguard, mum," he said defiantly, "You can't."Derek looked at Scott and saw the conviction on his face and chuckled. "Scott I don't see you having much of a choice right now," he said, "My guys dug up a lot about Lahey and let me tell you, Scottie, he's not some school bully that you can teach with a well placed fist. This man is smart and his methods are cunning."
Derek looked at Isaac who was looking down at the table, having retraced his hand from Scott's. "Sorry," he said quietly and Derek stood up from his seat. He went over to Isaac's side and crouched down next to him. Isaac was thinner than Derek first thought he was and when he put his hand on Isaac's thigh, he was careful not to press too hard. "Don't be sorry for anything you didn't do, Isaac," he said and looked up at Scott.
"Scott," Derek said and cracked his knuckles, "You're going to learn how to fight." Scott and Isaac both said, "What?" at the same time and Mrs. McCall stood up. "Isaac, here's the deal," she said, "It's either Scott learns how to defend you or that Scott learns how to defend you." Scott rolled his eyes, "Not much of a choice, is there?" he said and Melissa shook her head, "No, there isn't. I'm not going to let my boys be hurt by anyone anymore." "But…" Isaac started, but Derek smirked. "Don't worry, Isaac, once you get better, I'll teach you too," he said and pointed at Scott, "Get on your trainers, Scott."
Three hours later and a few shades darker, Scott had finally been allowed to take a break. He was covered in sweat and as he collapsed on the steps of the patio in the backyard, Derek came and sat next to Isaac who had been watching them from the shade. "That was amazing," Isaac said in awe and Derek smiled at him, sweaty and a little grubby. "Developed it myself," he said and wiped a hand over his forehead. Isaac looked at Scott who was breathing heavily and resting on his elbows at the patio. Half naked and covered in sweat, Isaac had to take self discipline to a whole other level to not look. Derek noticed and laughed as Isaac blushed a little.
"There's no harm in looking, you know," he said and Isaac looked down at the grass which had become amazingly interesting. "No," he said simply and Derek softened a little. This kid was so unsure of himself that Derek found it endearing. Now he knew what Melissa had meant when she said that you couldn't help but love Isaac. "Isaac let me tell you something," he said and Isaac looked up at him. "There's nothing wrong with looking at the person you love," he said and inclined his head to Scott, "He's looking at you right now." Isaac turned and saw that it was true. Scott was looking at him and when Isaac and his eyes met, Scott smiled at Isaac breathlessly. Isaac shook his head shyly and smiled again.
"Okay," Derek said and got up again, "I'm gonna borrow Scott for two more hours then you can have him back. How does that sound?" Isaac looked at Scott again and laughed for the first time in a while. "Don't kill him," he said and Derek smirked. "I'll try," he said wryly.
By the end of the day, Scott lay sprawled out on his bed completely exhausted and fell asleep before dinner. Isaac couldn't help but smile at Scott's effort and pulled a blanket over him. He went out of the room and descended the stairs slowly. Mrs. McCall greeted him at the dining room and together with Derek; they sat and had a pasta dinner. The food was delicious and listening to Mrs. McCall and Derek talking about old stories and past experiences; Isaac began to relax and for the first time, he didn't think about his father.
After dinner, Derek helped Mrs. McCall wash up and much to Isaac's protests, made Isaac sing. Mrs. McCall was stunned by Isaac's voice, quiet and controlled, unlike anything she had ever heard. It was beautiful as he sang Hey Jude by The Beatles and when he was finished, both Derek and Mrs. McCall gave him a round of applause. Isaac blushed and then excused himself, bringing a plate of food up for Scott.
When he was gone, Derek and Mrs. McCall sat down in the living room in comfort. "He's a good kid," Derek said and Mrs. McCall nodded. "Been through a lot too," she added and Derek looked at the stairs. "Reminds you of yourself?" she asked and he looked at her. "In some ways," he said and sighed, "Scott sure about him?" Mrs. McCall leaned forward a little and smiled at Derek. "Honey when has Scott ever NOT been sure of what he wants in his life?" she asked and Derek shrugged. "Good point," he said and leaned back into the soft armchair.
"Y'know Mel," he said, "The boys found out some pretty bad stuff about Lahey. Stuff that… Well it's bad." He looked at her seriously and her face turned serious. "I know," she said and looked down at her hands, "The sheriff showed me the files." Derek nodded and put a finger to his lips, contemplating his thoughts. "Scott finishes high school next year right?" he asked and Melissa nodded to him. "Why?" she asked and Derek shook his head. "Thinking of something," he said and Melissa shook her head. "You can't separate them," she said and Derek nodded. "I know," he said and looked up at the stairs again, "I was thinking more along the lines of taking Isaac away from here."
Melissa looked up at him, eyebrows raised and Derek looked at her, his ice blue eyes serious. "Are you sure?" she asked and he nodded. "Isaac can't stay here anymore. Not under his father's thumb," he said and Melissa cocked her head to the side. "Why do you want to help him?" she asked curiously. Derek stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the street. "Isaac deserves it," he said and then he saw Lahey Sr. looking at the McCall residence through his window and Derek's fingers closed, his knuckles popping.
"He deserves freedom."