Jess was woken suddenly from her nap by Scott storming into the breakroom swearing about Chris Argent. "You were fucking right to call him a Silver Psycho!" Scott yelled to Jess as he barged through the door of the breakroom. He only made it two steps into the room before he was grabbed and flung up against a wall with a snarling, red eyed, partially transformed Alpha werewolf holding him there.
Startling awake Jess yelled. "What's dying?" As she flailed slightly before sitting up, rubbing her face with her hand, and trying to focus. Seeing Scott pinned against the wall she groaned loudly. "You get that it is only the hospital part of the PTSD that is a made up cover story right? The actual PTSD is in fact very real." Jess said calmly motioning to the snarling Alpha.
From his place against the wall showing his neck and whining softly Scott nodded ever so slightly. "Help?" He asked hopefully glancing at Jess.
Standing up Jess made a big show of stretching out her back, even going so far as to touch her toes a few times before she walked towards the snarling Alpha. Standing a few steps away from him she tilted her head to one side. "You good honey?" She asked calmly but loudly. Watching his eyes flick to the side and take her in before flicking back to Scott Jess smiled. "I think you've scolded him sufficiently for his rudeness. To be fair I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I don't think he knew we were sleeping in here. I think he though we were working on the fundraiser or looking online for apartments." Jess said gently shifting closer to the Alpha and setting her hand softly on his arm.
"I didn't! Really! I didn't know!" Scott muttered frantically.
"See, just careless, not rudeness. You've given him a scolding. Now let him down so he can tell us what had him so upset that he would be so careless." Jess said tugging at the arm her hand was resting on.
"Argent came after me with a gun!" Scott wailed.
Instantly Derek had shifted his hold and was dragging the younger wolf out the door of the breakroom and towards the exam room. "DEATON!" Derek bellowed in a panic.
"He didn't shoot! I'm ok he didn't actually shoot me!" Scott babbled to Derek trying to squirm out of his hold as they came to a stop in the exam room where the vet was working on files.
Jess who had hurried after them and was yanking open drawers to grab supplies froze and turned to Scott in disbelief. "Scott, honey. I get that you're clearly a little shaken up." Jess said slowly closing the drawers and putting away the supplies. "But could you lead with that next time? I swear you just took a year off my life with the workout you just gave my heart." Jess exclaimed putting her hand on her chest and taking big calming breaths. Looking across the room to where Derek had shoved Scott away slightly and stood staring at him in disgust Jess had a thought. "Wait...Derek, shouldn't you have known he wasn't hurt when you didn't smell blood?" Jess asked the alpha.
Shaking his head and leaning against the wall behind him Derek groaned. "I don't think I was even fully awake until he mentioned Argent going after him with a gun. Then all I could think of was getting him to the Doc to be treated." Derek muttered staring down at the ground.
Chuckling Jess walked over are wrapped her arms around Derek and snuggled into his chest. "Aww such a good and protective Papa Wolf." Jess cooed illiciting matching looks of disgust on both Scott's and Derek's faces. Still chuckling Jess was turning to the vet mouth opening when suddenly she froze and slowly turned to face Scott. "Ok...the adrenaline rush then crash seems to have really slowed my brain's processing power." Jess said moving away from Derek and towards Scott. "Argent, Chris Argent. Came after you with a gun?" Jess asked saying each word slowly as if considering if it was actually the word needed.
"Yes! Chris Argent, Silver Psycho as you like to call him. I was in mom's car with Allison and he smashed in the window, hauled me out of the car and slammed me down on the hood with a gun pressed against my head!" Scott ranted getting worked up again now that he was thinking about it. "Allison had to beg and plead and promise to never go near me again to stop him from killing me!" Scott wailed the last words his eyes starting to well up with tears. "He said if he saw me with her again he would kill me!" Scott chocked out the last words breaking down into tears.
Stepping forward Jess yanked the taller teen down into a tight hug pulling his head to her shoulder. With one arm around his neck and the other around his waist Jess started to croon comforting words to the teen. "Oh sweetie it's ok. You're alright." Snarling slightly Jess continued talking while holding the sobbing teen close. "Let that bastard try getting near you and just see what I do to him." Jess threatened. "Everything will be OK sweetheart." Jess crooned.
Stepping forwards his teeth bared Derek placed a hand on Scott's back. "We won't let that bastard hurt you." Derek promised.
Sniffling against Jess's shoulder Scott gave Derek a watery smile. "Thanks." He said softly fighting to try and pull himself together.
"Shhh, just let it out sweetie." Jess said rubbing his back. "You just got attacked, threatened, and dumped and had your window smashed in on you. You are allowed to cry for more then a minute over all of that." Jess said softly.
Pulling gently away from Jess Scott frowned. "I don't have time to have a break down. I need to get the window fixed on mom's car and switch the car for the Camero before mom gets up and I'm suppose to be here working right now as well." Scott ranted looking stressed. "I don't even know where to start!"
Stepping closer to Scott and giving his shoulder a gently squeeze Derek turned him toward the bathroom. "Start by getting yourself cleaned up." Derek ordered. "I need to speak with Jess a moment first, but then we can help you. You're not facing this alone Scott. We can help." Derek reassured the teen giving him a soft push towards the bathroom. The minute the teen closed the door behind him Derek had his arm around Jess and was dragging her towards the breakroom. Getting inside he closed the door and started stripping out of the baggy sweats and t-shirt he was still wearing from the hospital. Standing in his boxer infront of Jess he sighed. "I know I said I wouldn't heal myself..." Derek said quietly head hanging low and staring at his feet.
"That was when we had a tentative truce with the Argents." Jess replied stepping forward and placing one hand on Derek's chest and tilting his head up with the other. "That bastard just blew the truce out of the water. Which means we need to be prepared for a fight." Jess said with a snarl. "Which means you heal your injuries! But leave the bandages in place to fool anyone who knows about them and sees you. After a week you can loose the ones on your wrists and just wear long sleeves for a while." Jess said calmly looking up at Derek. "I want you to still take it easy and rest today though while you heal and to recover from healing. Tomorrow you can start hunting for a place." Jess said going on tiptoes to kiss Derek's cheek.
Wrapping his arms tightly around Jess Derek lowered his head and buried his face in her neck. "You. Are too perfect for words." Derek murmered against her neck squeezing her almost desperately. "It's like you don't even have to try. You just get me." He sighed, content to just be near her.
"Yeah, I am pretty great. Also getting kind of hungry." Jess joked squirming slightly. "Lemme go." Jess whined. "I need to cook comfort food for everyone."
Laughing Derek let her go watching as she scurried to the counter by the fridge and started searching for anything she could cook with. The breakroom had a stove and an oven but was very lacking in cookware. "How exactly do you plan to cook with no food and no cookware?" Derek asked her.
"Is that a challenge I hear oh great and powerful Alpha?" Jess asked turning to look at Derek.
"It just might be, oh Queen of the Dramatic ones." Derek replied with a smirk.
"Well you just go deal with getting the car window fixed ASAP then bring it back here. I can bring it home to the McCall house to keep Melissa from seeing you and I'll get the Camaro while I'm there." Jess ordered grabbing her phone from where it was laying on the bed where she had left it when Scott barged in and got tackled by the sleeping Alpha. "By the time the cars are switched and everyone is back here there will be something to eat. Maybe not up to my usual standard but we will have something. Just need to see if my Knight is available to help me out by getting some things and working as my Sous Chef." Jess said pressing a kiss to Derek's cheek and pushing him towards the door. "Go, get the window fixed before Melissa needs the car to get to work." Jess promted.
Jess got Derek out of the breakroom, closed the door and turned to walk away when she heard uproarious laughter from behind the closed door. "What?" Jess demanded pulling the door back open to reveal Derek laughing so hard he couldn't stand up straight slumped against the wall and barely able to breath he was laughing so hard.
Grabbing the elastic band of his boxers and snapping it lightly he looked up at her still laughing too hard to speak. Still wearing nothing except his boxers and bandages.
Blushing beat red Jess turned and made it a few steps towards his bag before she was snorting and gasping with laughter herself. "Ok, yeah you better put on some clothes before you go. Not everyone will enjoy the view as much as I do." Jess giggled dropping onto the corner of the bed and waving weakly towards Derek's bag. "Clearly I need some real food as fuel. I have been knocked stupid with hunger."
Pulling out her phone Jess opened her messenger app and started texting Danny. Happy when he responded instantly.
Sos -Jess
Ah, honey do you have a hangover?
Is that why you didn't send me any updates about anything that was happening last night? -Danny
I am SO sorry!
Last night was a freaking circus and somehow I became the ringmaster who had to make all the decisions and arrange everything and handle everything! When things finally settled down I just needed to sit and process shit and I totally forgot about updating you.
Can you ever forgive me? -Jess
Of course I can forgive you! Honey, everyone knows you are a total wreck right now with Derek and his Uncle both missing and a murderer on the loose. -Danny
Oh hell! No one has told you anything! Derek is fine! He is who I have been ringmastering all night and morning! -Jess
WTF? Details! -Danny
I am at the vet clinic and need food for my circus troops. I have a stove and an oven but no ingredients or cookware. If you bring some food I can tell you all about it in person. There is WAY to much drama to be contained in text. -Jess
My mom batch cooks and freezes meals. I will grab a couple things that can be tossed into an oven and head straight over. See you in like 20 minutes. -Danny
By the time Jess had finished her texted conversation Derek was dressed and gone. Looking around the cluttered breakroom Jess made a face. Grabbing up two of the four bags in the room Jess left the breakroom and headed for the storage room that had been emptied for the eventual calander project. Stashing the two bags there Jess went back to the breakroom and moved the other two bags into a corner. Grabbing a pair of cargo pants and a tight longsleeved shirt Jess got changed. Putting the t-shirt and boxers she had stolen from Derek in her bag to wear as pajamas the next time she needed them. Jess took a can of pepper spray and a small first aide kit out of the bag and put them in her pockets, adding the keys to the truck, and her phone to her many pocketed cargo pants. Stepping into her combat boots Jess did them up tight. A scarf to wrap around her hair to contain it and make it look like it had been done instead of just being left to drip dry after her shower completed the outfit. Straightening the blankets and pillows on the bed took another minute. Left with nothing else to do to get ready Jess turned on the oven to preheat to 350 and headed for the front of the clinic to check up on Scott and wait for Danny.
Walking to the front area of the clinic Jess found that it was a bit on the busy side. Walking over to Dr. Deaton who was looking harried while trying to give a squirming cat an injection Jess touched his arm to get his attention. "Anything I can do to help?" Jess offered while taking a firm hold of the cat to free up the vet's hands to give the injection.
Quickly giving the injection Dr. Deaton smiled. "Yes, thank you." Pointing at a stack of charts and papers on the edge of the counter and the crowded waiting room he begged. "Anything in there you feel able to handle just dive right in. I had a busy day planned already, booking several vaccinations, and now have several drop offs of strays that need intake exams and vaccinations and two dogs that got in a fight over a bone that both need to be looked over." The vet said sounding exhausted just thinking about it all. "Scott is getting cages ready and can handle the intake exams for the strays if one of us can help him with the vaccinations. Maybe you could exam one of the combatants and I could take the other?" The vet asked while carefully putting the cat back in the cat carrier on the counter before updating its chart. Moving the chart to the done basket on the counter the vet flipped through the stack of files pulling out two of them. He handed them straight to Jess. "These are for the two fighting dogs. They are owned by the same woman. I'll send her back here with them while I return this cat to it's owner."
Glancing down at the files Jess smiled at the names. Bambi and Faline. Those were cute names. Imagining a little pair of toy poodles, or Bichon Frise or some other tiny breed Jess just prayed it wasn't Chihuahuas. Hearing nails clicking Jess looked up to see a tiny woman come into the room walking two massive Scottish Deerhounds. Blinking rapidly for a moment Jess opened the top file. Yep, right there under breed. Deerhound. The names suddenly made both more and less sense. Shaking her head slightly Jess approached the woman. "Hello there. I'm Jess Black. I'm one of Dr. Deatons assistants. And these two gorgeous animals must be Bambi and Faline." Placing the two files on the table Jess flipped them open and scanned the front page of each file to see if there was an easy way to distinguish between the two dogs. Both females, the same age, the same color, the same general size. "Could you point out who is who and introduce me to them?" Jess asked turning away from the files.
"Hello, I'm Miss Ramirez. The beauty in the pink collar is Faline and the beauty in the purple collar is Bambi. The silly things each had a bone of their own on opposite ends of the room. I got a phone call and took my attention off of them for one minute and the next thing I know they were tearing into one another. I think they are getting close to having their first heats and the hormones are making them testy. I guess from now on they will need to be in their separate kennels when I give them bones. They have always been fine in the same room with them before now." Miss Ramirez said with a sigh. "I don't think either dog is seriously hurt but it is hard to get a clear look with all the fur and with how anxious they both are after the fight." Miss Ramirez added pointing at the panting dogs.
Just then Dr. Deaton stepped into the room. "If we can just get one of the girls up on the table and you can take the other dog to the other end of the room to be seen by Miss Black. Miss Black and I will each examine one of them to see what damage they may have done to one another to save some time. " Dr. Deaton offered taking the lead for Bambi in his hand and leading her to the table.
Miss Ramirez glanced nervously at Jess. "Yes, I suppose I should go with the dog that Miss Black is going to examine. They can be a bit much for some people to handle."
Lifting Bambi up onto the table Dr. Deaton chuckled softly. "Miss Black is actually one of our resident canine behavior experts. She has a natural gift for managing fractious canines." Dr. Deaton said softly his eyes sparkling as he shot Jess a mischievous grin.
"An expert? Really? At her age?" Miss Ramirez asked looking at Jess with obvious doubt as she led Faline to where Jess had laid out a thick blanket on the floor.
Kneeling down to the dogs level and letting the nervous dog sniff over her hands and arms Jess smiled when the dog got to her neck and slowly started wagging her tail and and lowering her head in submission. Stroking the dogs head and murmering praises Jess quickly and efficiently started to gently feel all over the dog for any tender or swollen areas. Finding a puncture wound on the shoulder and bite marks on the front right leg but no other injury Jess gave the dog a gentle scratch behind the ears as she told the owner about the injuries she had found. "From what I can see it looks like a single puncture on the shoulder and them a set of teeth marks lower down the leg. I can shave the shoulder area and give it a good thorough cleaning and tape on a bandage and the leg should be shaved, cleaned, and kept wrapped. None of the wounds look like they need any stitching. They are barely even bleeding. We just want to get them good and clean and keep them that way to avoid infection."
"Oh thank goodness. I'm so relieved." Turning to Dr. Deaton Miss Ramirez looked nervous. "Would you agree that they just need to be cleaned and covered?" She asked the vet, shooting Jess a look of apology. "I'm sorry dear but you just look so young."
Smiling Jess went and started gathering the supplies. "And these girls are clearly your precious darlings. Just look at how gorgeous and tangle free their coats are and how clean right down to the skin. You obviously devote a lot of your time and energy to giving these dogs the best life possible. Of course you want to give them the best medical care as well. I feel the same way about my dog Anne." Jess said pointing to the waiting room where Anne was sitting in one of the chairs being loved on by random people who had brought in their pets.
Looking into the waiting room at Anne sitting patiently in a chair getting spoiled Miss Ramirez looked at Jess in shock. "Anne is YOUR dog?" She asked amazed. "She has been in the waiting room almost every time I stop in for food, treats, or toys for the girls for the past couple of weeks. She is so well behaved. Never tries to get out the door or gets into the treats or toys in the store area. Always goes under the table to her bed if a nervous dog comes in, or if Dr. Deaton tells her she will go to one of the backrooms. I thought Dr. Deaton had finally fallen for one of his strays and decided to keep her for himself."
Chuckling Jess shook her head. "He dogs sits her while I am at school so she doesn't get lonely sitting at home. And she is a shared dog with me and my..." Unsure what to label Derek as since brother didnt seem to fit anymore Jess paused and finished lamely. "...Derek." Blushing slightly Jess quickly carried the supplies back to the waiting dog and started to treat the wounds on Faline.
At the exam table Dr. Deaton had found similarly mild injuries on Bambi and began to treat them. "You'll need to clean the wounds and apply this cream twice a day. I will give you some oral antibiotics for each dog to prevent any infection starting on the deep puncture wounds." Dr. Deaton instructed.
"Hello?" Danny's voice called from the waiting area. "It is I, Knight Daniel the Dramatic! I am here with sustenance in reply to an SOS from my Queen. The magnificent Queen of Drama, creator of the greatest fundraising ideas of this age!" Danny proclaimed loudly. "Yes, Anne I love you and have missed you too. I'll pet you as soon as I get these to the kitchen and get them in the oven." He said more quietly.
Leaning around the edge of the doorway Jess smiled at Danny her hands full of gauze and a tube of cream. "Anne take him to the breakroom." Jess ordered watching as the dog pushed through the halfdoor and started walking towards the breakroom looking back at Danny repeatedly over her shoulder to make sure he followed. "I started the oven preheating to 350. Not sure what temperature the stuff you brought would need. I just need to finish treating Faline here, update her chart, and gather up the supplies for her and Bambi. Then I will bring you into the back and we can talk while I help Scott with some intake exams for new strays." Jess said to Danny as he walked through the exam area carrying three large pans wrapped in foil.
"I'll pop these in the oven, set a timer and be right back. I can scribe for you and update the charts while you gather the supplies." Danny called disappearing down the hallway towards the breakroom.
Turning back to the Deerhound Jess had just finished treating her when Danny came back into the exam room. Handing him Faline's chart and a pen Jess started describing the cause, type, and placement of the injuries and what she had done to treat them and what she was prescribing for continues treatment as she gathered up two sets of antibiotics and labeled them one for each dog. Then she got a bag and started packing ointment, gauze squares, betadine soap, surgical tape, and rolls of gauze bandage material. Handing Danny a new sheet of paper Jess listed off everything she had gathered. Watching the two dogs moving easily around the room Jess turned to Dr. Deaton. "Neither of them seem too bothered by their injuries. I think painkillers would just mask the pain too much and leave them feeling too normal and active. The slight pain might teach them not to be so harsh and keep them a bit calmer for the next few days while the wounds get a chance to close up properly." Jess said quietly.
"I completely agree. What you have there already is perfect." Taking the chart and paper from Danny and gathering the bags of medicine and the bag of supplies from Jess he smiled gratefully. "Thank you for your help with this. It was much faster with a second set of hands and a scribe. The vaccinations are in the fridge in the clinic. There is a list on the fridge for what vaccines different animals get when they are brought in with dosages and such listed. Feel free to let Scott help administer some of them if you like. He has been helping me give them for a while. He just isn't quite ready to fly solo yet." Dr. Deaton said while slowly ushering Miss. Ramirez and her two huge dogs our of the exam room and towards the front desk.
Turning to Danny Jess slumped against his chest groaning softly. "You are my hero. My knight in shining armor. My soul mate. My one truest dearest friend." Jess praised him as he reached around and started massaging her shoulders.
Laughing Danny spun Jess around and pushed her towards the hallway. "Come on lead me to these abandoned babies so I can help you and Scott save them and you can tell me all about your circus." Danny ordered.
Leading Danny to the back exam room where Scott was working on intake exams for the new strays Jess grabbed a box of tiny syringes and needles and the tray full of assorted vaccines. Setting everything on a wheeled tray Jess pulled up two stools and held her hand out for the file Scott had started for the cat he was examining. Looking it over Jess selected two vaccines and drew the correct dosage into the needles, handing them to Scott one at a time Jess added the information to the chart as he administered them. Closing the chart Jess set it to the side and motioned toward the cat. "Danny can play with it and watch for any reaction to the vaccinations while you start examining the next one and I tell Danny all the details of the current circus." Jess ordered with a smile. Watching as Danny easily scooped up the cat and in seconds had it settled purring on it's back in his arms cradled like a baby Jess sighed. "Marry me Danny. Our babies would be smart, beautiful and oh so DRAMATIC!" Jess joked.
Laughing Danny shook his head. "While I agree we would make absolutely stunning babies who would be both intelligent and dramatic I am afraid you lack the necessary equipment to make our union possible." Danny said shaking his head sadly.
"Sad but true." Scott said with a sigh. "Danny only dates people who HAVE dicks. And Jess only dates guys who ARE dicks."
All three teens laughed at the comment for a moment before Jess calmed down and protested. "Seriously though, Derek and I are not dating. You can't go around telling people that we are." Hearing this both Danny and Scott just laughed harder. "What? We aren't! I mean. Ok so we clearly aren't quite giving off a sibling vibe anymore." Jess admitted. "But that doesn't necessarily mean we are dating. Does it?" Jess asked sounding baffled.
Setting the cat down to wander around the closed room Danny wrapped his arm around Jess. "Oh you poor confused little lamb. First of all no one said you and Derek were dating. Except for you. Scott just said you dated guys who are dicks. And second off all if you and Derek don't end up dating each other at some point I will give up dating men and marry you instead. Because that level of unfairness is not something you should have to face alone. And you are right our babies would be gorgeous. Your hair and eyes and my cheekbones. The world is not ready for the level of beauty they would have."
Blushing Jess pushed Danny away and pointed to the cat. "Just worry about that baby for now." Jess ordered.
Chuckling Danny picked the cat back up and sat down on the floor with it. "Tell me about your circus now. I am dying of curiosity."
Telling Danny the highly edited cover story they had come up with including the hospital stay over night, the no sleep over rules from the adults resulting in Derek now being on the lookout for an apartment, and the mornings threats from the Argents for Scott to stay away from their daughter or get shot took nearly an hour. By the end all the new cats and dogs had been examined and given shots and set up in cages or were exploring the room and the three teens were all sitting on the floor watching them and trying to come up with names for them while also randomly commenting on the circus of the past 24 hours.
"You can't name the pug Milo and the orange tabby Otis!" Jess argued. "It will just confuse everyone."
"That is what will make it cute and unique." Scott argued back waving his hands at the dog and cat who had been found together in a crate in the woods abandoned and were obviously best friends.
"It's a bonded orange tabby and fawn pug. They are plenty cute and unique already." Danny said siding with Jess.
"So you think that Allison KNEW that her Aunt had him locked up and was torturing him?" Danny asked Jess shocked.
"No! There is no way. She may have suspected at the very end but there is no way way knew for any length of time." Scott said trying to defend the girl.
"ANY length of time knowing and NOT calling the cops or at LEAST calling me is TOO long." Jess argued back. "Derek has been an absolute Saint and not said anything to the cops about it but he told me and you quite clearly that Allison was there and WATCHED as he got tortured by Kate and she didn't DO anything to stop it." Jess snarled.
"It was her AUNT doing it though. What was she suppose to do get her Aunt ARRESTED?" Scott argued back. "It's really complicated when the person doing bad shit is family." Scott said weakly.
"Not when they are doing bad shit to your friend's family it isn't! If you can't handle getting them arrested then you physically stop them or free the person or something! You do something! You don't just leave them to keep being tortured and do NOTHING!" Jess snarled getting to her feet.
Shaking his head Scott stood up as well. "You just don't understand because you don't HAVE a family." Scott said sadly.
Danny was on his feet and punching Scott in the face seconds after the words had left his mouth. "That was way out of line McCall." He bellowed. Turning he stepped towards Jess who was standing stunned in the center of the room. "Don't listen to that idiot." Danny said softly wrapping his arms around her. "You have plenty of family. Scott is just too immature to have learned that family doesn't have to be connected by blood."
Pulling away from Danny Jess stared down at the floor. "I should go check on the food. Scott can handle putting the rest of these guys in cages." Keeping her head down Jess hurried from the room.
Groaning loudly Scott buried his head in his hands. "Why am I such an idiot? I can't believe I just said that to her! I didn't even think. I just said it. I was just so frustrated. Everything is so complicated." Scott said slumping down onto a stool.
"It isn't that complicated. Allison royally fucked up. Jess is right it doesn't matter if they are family. That doesn't mean you let them hurt people. And if definitely doesn't mean you let them hurt your friend's family members and leave your friend literally sick with worry. Jess and Derek are being absolute ANGELS for not throwing Allison to the sharks over this. You and Allison should both be bowing at their feet praising their graciousness and instead you are trying to rationalize and make excuses for her awful behavior. If it were my family member I would want Allison to rot for what she did just leaving him there and doing nothing to stop it. I kinda want it now just because of how much she hurt Jess and because Derek is kind of my friend too. You need to imagine it was anyone other then Allison who saw Derek being tortured and did nothing and just pretended it didn't happen. And ask yourself if you would be forgiving them." Danny said seriously before turning and leaving Scott with his thoughts and with a few animals to catch and set into cages.
When Derek got back to the clinic a little while later he found Danny and Jess in the breakroom each finishing off a piece of shepherds pie. Walking up behind Jess he leaned over the back of her chair and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Witchcraft, sorcery, magic of some type! The way you just wave your hands and poof, wholesome food appears." Derek joked stealing her fork and taking the last bite of the shepherds pie off her plate.
Standing up Jess stepped close to Derek and buried her face in his chest breathing in the smell of him for a minute without saying a word.
Looking down at Jess with concern Derek wrapped his arms around her and rested his head atop hers. "You ok?" Derek asked softly. When she didn't answer Derek looked at Danny in concern.
Sighing Danny held up his hand and made a So-So gesture. "She and Scott had a bit of a fight..." Danny began to explain.
"Honestly when faced with a bonded pair of animals including a orange tabby and a fawn colored pug what kind of idiot wants to name the tabby Otis and the pug Milo?" Jess exclaimed angrily. "I think Argent scrambled his brain this morning. I don't remember Scott being this stupid." Jess said starting to search through Derek's pockets for the keys for the cars. Pulling out both sets she dropped them into her pockets and walking over to the table she grabbed her wallet from her purse.
"Really? Cause I distinctly remember SEVERAL conversations where I tried to warn you about just how idiotic that boy was. And each time you just excused his behaviors because he was young and didn't know better." Derek joked softly grabbing her from behind and pulling her against his chest. "I think I could almost be qualified at this point to say I told you so...but I'm much to much of a gentleman to ever say such a thing." Derek quipped nuzzling his face into her neck and placing a soft kiss there.
Coughing loudly Danny got up and pointed at the door. "I'm just gonna go say bye to Milo and Otis. Let me know when you are ready to head out my Queen." Danny said blushing red and hurrying from the room.
Freezing Derek slowly pulled back a bit from Jess. "I think I am beginning to see what you mean about people jumping to conclusions based on the way I treat you."
Turning around inside the circle of Derek's arms Jess put her hand on his chest and looked up at Derek head tilted slightly to one side exposing her bare neck.
Staring down at Jess Derek slowly lowered his head and nuzzle against her bare neck breathing deeply and tightening his hold on her. "The problem is that I am not sure that I can stop treating you this way." Derek said softly into her ear. Moving slowly to give her a chance to pull away Derek began kissing her neck softly.
Breath catching slightly and something inside her clentching in pleasure at the feel of Derek's lips on her neck Jess leaned forward and softly whispered in Derek's ear. "I am not sure I WANT you to stop treating me this way." Before she placed a trail of soft kisses from just below his ear down his neck to the neckline of his shirt feeling his heart racing under her hand in response.
Suddenly Derek had pulled away and leapt across the room and was digging around in the cupboard for a plate and fork leaving Jess swaying slightly at her place near the table. Worried that she had triggered him somehow Jess opened her mouth to ask if he was alright when the door to the breakroom banged open.
Scott walked into the breakroom looking back over his shoulder at Danny and saying loudly. "What do you mean I wouldn't go in here because Jess and Derek are necking?" Looking around at Jess and Derek on opposite sides of the room Scott turned back to Danny. "What the hell are you talking about Danny?"
Checking to be sure she had everything in her pockets and to hide her slightly flushed face Jess walked past Scott and grabbed Danny. "Off to switch the cars and might get some groceries. We will be back later." Jess called to Scott and Derek as she dragged Danny down the hallway and out of the clinic. "Seriously Danny? Necking?" Jess chided.
Danny scoffed. "What the heck else would you call that? He was practically making love to your neck!" Danny hissed. "I can not believe that you didn't tell me that you two had started dating!" Danny pouted. "To have to find out by seeing him just randomly start sucking at your neck like that! So not cool." Danny ranted as they got into Melissa McCall's car.
Turning on the car Jess pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the McCall's house. "It's not like that Danny. Fuck! You found out the same time I did. Actually I think you technically found out first because you left to give us privacy before our brains even let us know we needed privacy. You left and what we were doing clicked in and we stopped and I faced him and he said we should stop because of how it looked then admitted he didn't know if he could stop and kissed my neck again and then I admitted I didn't know if I wanted him to stop and then I kissed a line down his neck. And then Scott burst into the room." Jess said her voice slightly breathless and glancing nervously at Danny.
Beside her Danny's eyes were sparkling and his pupils were blown wide with wonder. "Fucking Scott!" Danny gasped out slightly breathless himself just hearing about it.
Snorting Jess replied. "We should get t-shirts printed with that phrase and hand them out to everyone he pisses off."
"Everyone he pisses off plus one for Allison." Danny said giggling.
Jess gasped. "We could get another one that said 'Damn it Stiles!' " Wheezing she continued. "And one that said 'WTF Allison?' " Another wheeze. "And 'Really Lydia?' "
Danny snorted. "And 'Jess, don't!' and 'Derek! No' "
Laughing so hard she was crying Jess pulled into the driveway of the McCall house. " How about 'Danny just likes Dicks'. "
"And 'Jackson is just a Dick." Danny said.
Both teens were laughing so hard they were crying as they climbed out of the car. Locking the doors Jess handed the keys to Danny and asked him to go give them to Melissa while she got in the Camero. "I don't want to talk to her. Just hand her the keys and come get in the Camero and we can go do some shopping." Jess said climbing into the Camero.
Sighing Danny walked over to the house and knocked on the door. It was yanked open almost instantly by Melissa McCall.
"Danny? What are you doing here?" Melissa asked.
Holding up the keys wordlessly Danny handed them to Melissa looking down and avoiding eye contact.
"Why do you have my car keys? Danny I would like an answer." Melissa demanded when he kept staring at the ground.
"Yeah, well Jess would like a home where she can feel safe and accepted even though she isn't a normal teen." Danny said angrily. "Scott had some trouble and needed the window fixed and the car brought back here but he was busy with work so Jess and Derek helped him out. But they didn't want to talk to you so they asked me to return you keys so you could make it to work on time. Now I need to go shopping and help my friends get everything they need for their new place." Danny snapped turning and jogging over to the Camaro and scrambling into the passenger seat. As soon as the door was shut it was peeling away from the curb.
Suddenly Jess's phone was blowing up with texts. Handing it to Danny Jess asked him to read them to her while she drove.
You can not move in with Derek! -Melissa
Don't make me have to send the police to arrest him. -Melissa
I'll do it young lady! Don't think I won't! -Melissa
Even if it makes you hate me forever. -Melissa
"What the hell did you say to her?" Jess asked Danny in shock.
Danny groaned. "Sorry she was being bitchy and bossy and demanding. So I may have snapped and said something about needing to leave to go shopping to get my friends everything they needed for their new place." Danny said wincing.
"Oh, she must be pissed." Jess laughed. Pulling over Jess grabbed the phone. And sent a reply.
What the fuck are you talking about. I told you this morning that I wasn't stupid enough to try and move out. -Jess
What the fuck could you get him arrested for? He hasn't broken any laws. Why the hell do you always act like he is some sort of bad guy? -Jess
Do what? Try and get Derek arrested AGAIN when he hasn't done anything wrong? What do you McCall's have against him? What the hell has he ever done to you? -Jess
You are right if you keep harassing Derek and trying to get him arrested for no reason I WILL hate you FOREVER! -Jess
Handing the phone back to Danny so he could read her responses Jess pulled back onto the road and continued towards the grocery store while Danny cackled in the seat beside her.
Danny and Jess ended up each needing to push a cart for all the stuff they bought. The need for pots, pans, mixing spoons, measuring cups and spoons, baking trays, spices and more filled an entire cart. Then the actual groceries filled the second.
The ride back to the clinic was cramped with Danny having to hold a few bags on his lap. "Next time we take the truck." Danny grumbled.
Looking into the totally filled back seat Jess nodded. "Next time we take the truck." She agreed.
When they got back to the vet clinic Derek, Scott, and Dr. Deaton all helped to carry in the stuff they had bought. When Derek had opened his mouth to ask about all the cookware Danny had frantically shaken his head to signal him not to ask before handing him Jess's phone to read over the texted argument.
When the phone went off with another text Derek read it before handing it to Jess with a snort.
I don't want to fight. I am just trying to look out for you. Let's just forget about all that for now. Scott mentioned you were starting back at work soon. What hours will you be working? You agreed to let me know where you are when you weren't at home when you moved in. -Melissa
"Oh yes, let me just tell you my hours so you can design a strict curfew around them. " Jess snarled at the phone.
Beside her Dr. Deaton smiled. "I'm afraid the only hours available are early early mornings and until late in the evenings." He said. "Maybe 6am until you would need to leave for school and then 6pm until 10pm?" The vet suggested.
Laugh Jess typed a reply text.
I don't want to fight either. But I don't need looking after and I don't appreciate being bossed around like I am a helpless, witless child. I start work again on Monday 6am until I need to leave for school then after school I am free for a few hours then start at 6pm until 10pm. Dr. Deaton has already suggested I take my school stuff with me to work on in my spare time when things are slow and during my breaks. -Jess
If your school work starts to suffer you will need to cut back on hours. -Melissa
Not likely! I plan to be a vet. If my work suffers I may need to cut back on school. -Jess
"Come on now you are just baiting her." Scott chided from where he was reading the text over her shoulder.
I'm not joking! If your school suffers you WILL cut back on work hours so you can study more! -Melissa
Or maybe I just stop cooking 99% of the meals eaten in the McCall house? That would give me more time to study. -Jess
Beside her Scott whimpered softly. "But I love your cooking. It's so much better then the crap we use to eat."
Laughing Danny pointed at all the groceries scattered around the breakroom. "I don't think you need to fear that she is going to stop cooking."
Fine. But If you stop cooking you will need to do other chores. -Melissa
Of course! I will do exactly as many hours of chores per week as Scott does. -Jess
"Hours of chores? All I do is take out the garbage and recycling once a week and keep my room neat." Scott said sounding confused.
"I know." Jess said putting the phone down and starting to plot out where best to store everything.
"But you spend hours cooking every week for us. And you spend hours meal planning and buying groceries too. That was your share of the chores? That isn't fair." Scott said still staring at the phone angrily. "That isn't fair at all."
Walking over and giving Scott a one armed hug Jess smiled softly at him. "Life for people with no blood relatives to stand up for them is often not very fair. It's why we build ourselves families out of the people around us. To try and get support to make life a little more fair." Jess said softly.
Letting go of Scott Jess was reaching for some more groceries on the table when she was suddenly yanked into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. It was stupid and it was wrong. You've been like a big sister to me since the day we met even when I was being an idiot. And as long as I don't mess up and make you hate me I want to be able to think of you as a big sister. Even if you are about the size of a little sparrow." Scott apologized finishing the apology with a joke.
Turning in Scott arms and wrapping him in a tight hug Jess laughed. "Yes, you can always call yourself my little brother even when you finish growing and are twice my size."
Beside them Danny was sniffling softly and Derek was looking at Danny with concern. "Jess, I think you broke your gay guy." Derek said inching away from Danny as if he may explode at any moment.
"Then fix him." Scott called. "You stole Jess's mechanic job. So you must be a regular Mister Fix'it." Scott called back mischievously. "I would do it myself but I'm too busy getting caught up on a lifetime of sister hugs over here."
Jess pulled back away from Scott and turned to Derek. "You did what with my mechanic job?" Jess asked quietly.
Shooting death glares at Scott Derek smiled nervously. "I was going to tell you. I mean ask you. I mean. You can't handle the work for quite a while still. And you are busy with school and working here and your fundraisers. And I didn't go in looking for a job. We needed the window fixed and they were really busy so I asked to borrow the tools to fix it myself since they had a replacement window available and when I finished and had cleaned up and put everything back away they were all standing around staring at me. Then I asked how much for the window and loan of the tools and they said I looked like I knew what I was doing and that I could work it of by doing a few small jobs if I had time. Next thing I knew the jobs were done and they were asking if I would consider taking a part time job. Just until their other part time worker was able to come back to work." Looking down at his feet Derek glanced at Jess to try and read her expression. "I told them I would have to think it over." Derek said quickly. "I can tell them no."
"Why would you tell them no?" Jess asked. "Sounds like the perfect job since you can set your own hours. And it will be ages until I am strong enough to go back to work there and I don't know when I would even have the time. This way the work gets done. You get some income and relief from boredom while I am at school and you get more people getting to know you as a good stand up guy. I think you should tell them yes." Jess said simply.
Derek looked stunned for a full minute before stepped over to Jess and wrapped her in a tight hug whispering in her ear. "Perfect, perfect, perfect. You are absolutely perfect." Before placing a lingering kiss on her cheek. Turning around he bounced away out the door and down the hall pulling his phone from his pocket as he went.
Scott, Danny, and Deaton just stood staring after the bouncing Alpha werewolf.
"What...?" Scott began.
"...the..." Danny continued.
"...fuck?" Deaton finished shocking everyone.
"What you three never seen a happy puppy before?" Jess asked going back to putting away groceries and cookware humming happily to herself as she went.
When Derek came back from his phone call he was practically vibrating with excess energy. After helping organzie the kitchen he was too jittery for Jess to want him around the knives while cooking with Danny so Jess sent him out to help exercise the dogs, clean cages and feed with Scott and Deaton. When the three came back to the breakroom Derek and Scott were both practically vibrating and Deaton was smiling happily. "I don't think most of those dogs will have the energy left to even eat their dinners after the way you two ran them around the exercise yard." Sitting down at the loaded table full of food he smiled. "I don't think we could possibly finish our dinner ourselves with this much food served."
"Leftovers go in the new containers I bought and go in the fridge or freezer for lunches for the week and suppers for anyone working late. Spend two hours cooking way more the you can eat for supper and then divide it up for lunches or suppers for the rest of the week to save time then." Jess said taking tiny amounts of each dish.
When supper was over the fridge and freezer were full of containers of food. Everyone helped pitch in to get the kitchen area cleaned up.
Stretching and groaning softly at his overly full stomach Danny pouted. "For a chick that doesn't eat much you sure know how to cook." Danny complimented. "Text me tomorrow if you want help looking at apartments." Danny offered giving Jess a hug and a kiss and turning and grabbing Derek in a hug before freezing and squeaking when he realized what he had done.
Turning with Danny still hugging him Derek turned to Jess. "I believe this is yours..." He said slowly looking perplexed.
Tugging Danny off of Derek Jess turned him towards the door stage whispering to him as she did. "Quick! While he's still in shock. Run for your life man!" Jess joked breaking into laughter when Danny sprinted out of the breakroom and disappeared around the corner.
Grabbing Jess by the shoulders Derek steered her over and pushed her into the bed. "Take a nap while Scott and I go out for a run and start looking at places to train. We'll come back in time for you to drive Scott home. Leave your window unlocked and lock your room door. Once Melissa is asleep I will come and join you." Derek ordered laughing as Jess grabbed the blanket and rolled over a few times rolling herself up like a burrito. The blanket burrito wiggled slightly and a phone, pepper spray, wallet, first aide kit, and keys all came flying out of the top one at a time.
Laughing the three guys turned and left the girl to sleep switching off the lights and smiling when Anne ran over and laid on her back beside the burrito.
When they got back Jess figured they would be calmer. She was very wrong. The two werewolves were literally bouncing off of the walls gushing about the place they had found. An abandoned train depot with a few old subway cars and lots of open space. The boys made plans to haul dumped furniture from the side of the road into the space to have seats and maybe find a table and some chairs for when Jess inevitably brought food to the space. Smiling at the way they were getting along for once Jess gathered her things in her purse and went to the truck with a bouncing Scott. When they got home Jess and Scott both walked inside and went straight up the stairs to their rooms. Jess locked her door and listened as Melissa knocked on Scott's door and went into his room to talk. A short while later Jess got a text at the same time as there was a knock on the door. Opening her phone and reading the text she rolled her eyes.
Mom just implemented a curfew. 10:30pm on days when there is school the next morning. Midnight when there is no school the next day. -Scott
Called it. -Jess
Getting up Jess went and opened the bedroom door and just stared at Melissa silently. Waiting for her to speak
"Hi, may I come in?" Melissa asked.
Sighing Jess backed up enough that Melissa could come into the room. Staring at the woman once she had entered.
"Listen, I know you are upset with me. But I would really like to talk to you and to Derek about all of this. Just sit down calmly and talk things out. Like we talked about when you moved in." Melissa said smiling at the girl.
"Oh, like when you said you would sit down and discuss any new rules and give me a chance to give my arguments before you made them actual rules? Or like how Derek would ALWAYS be able to come and see me ANY TIME? Are you talking about that conversation?" Jess asked.
"Yes, clearly I have already messed things up a little but I would really like to have a talk with you and Derek about all this and try and just talk through any feelings the two of you are having so you can understand why this rule has been put in place." Melissa said smiling widely.
"So, not a discussion about IF we implement the rule. But a discussion about how we feel about the rule you are arbitrarily putting into place?" Jess scoffed. "Um, yeah HARD pass on that one. Derek doesn't really DO talking feelings with people he doesn't feel like he can trust and neither do I so...not really worth the time is it?" Jess said calmly.
Scowling now Melissa sighed. "Well even if you don't want to talk you WILL listen. Effective immediately this house has a curfew. 10:30pm on days where you have school the next day. Midnight when you don't have any school the next day. You need to get into the habit of telling me where you will be when you aren't at home. I am suppose to know where you are and who you are with at all times. You will put effort into getting good grades or you will stop working at the clinic." Looking around the room Melissa frowned. "And where is Anne? I haven't seen her for days." She finished sounding concerned.
"Ok, I get it be home by 10:30pm or else. Work hard in school. Report my movements and associates to you." Jess said folding her arms and glaring at Melissa. "Anne is with Derek. She is HIS Service Dog. Which means she lives with him. I'll be bringing the rest of her stuff to him tomorrow. So you get your storage space under the stairs back and no more dog hair in the laundry. Yay. Now can you leave me alone so I can go to bed?" Jess asked with a snarl.
"I really wish you could try and talk to me about this rationally. So that we could go back to how things were before all this." Melissa said sadly.
"Yeah, well that is the funny thing about trust. It's like a piece of fine china. Every time you break it it gets harder to glue all the pieces back together again. And I just plain don't spend time with people I don't trust. Not if I can possibly help it. So, I talked to Scott about the few minutes per week of chores HE has been doing since I started doing all the cooking and shopping and meal planning. When you think of something for me to do in the same amount of time just let me know. Until then expect to only see me briefly in passing." Jess said motioning to the doorway.
Flinching guiltily Melissa turned and walked out of the room closing the door softly behind her.
Walking over Jess locked the door and then flouncing over to the window she opened it wide. Plugging in her phone and setting her bag on the nightstand Jess reached into her nightstand drawer and pulled out the two keys for the large lock on her bedroom door. Putting one on her Keychain she set the other on the nightstand for Derek. She wanted to start locking her door when she wasn't at home. Changing into her bike shorts and a sports bra and a t-shirt Jess crawled into bed and closed her eyes.
An hour later Jess heard the bedroom window sliding shut and opened her eyes to see Derek slowly undressing beside the bed. Shifting over Jess flipped back the blankets and smiled when he slid into the bed and immediately pulled her up against his bare chest.
"Missed you." Derek grumbled his voice so low Jess could barely hear it. Pulling the blankets up over them Derek sighed and nuzzled the top of her head. "Thank you for letting me break my promise to heal slowly." Derek murmered into her hair.
Pulling back slightly Jess looked up at him. "You can't keep yourself and the pack safe hurt like that. When there was a truce it was OK. We were safe. But as soon as there was a sign of danger of course you had to heal fast. I am amazed you took the time to even say anything to me about it. I had just assumed you would be as soon as danger was mentioned." Running the fingers of one hand through his hair Jess placed one hand on his chest over his heart and rubbed slow circles and frowned. "I didn't want you to be in pain. I just wanted you to rest for a while to let yourself process things. I still think you need to spend some time to process things. I think we all need to spend some time processing things. That is why I haven't spoken to Allison. You mentioned her being there and seeing you tortured. But I wasn't sure when she saw you. Minutes before you escaped, hours, a day, days? Until I know when she saw you I don't know how to process her seeing you." Lying beside Derek, one hand on his chest and one hand in his hair, Jess bit her lip scared of the answer.
Derek closed his eyes. "I don't want to talk about everything that happened. But I will tell you that Allison was there almost at the very beginning." Derek said his body tensing as he remembered the days trapped and being tortured.
Tears filled Jess's eyes as she remembered those days of worry and stress for herself, and pain and torture for the man lying beside her in the bed. Knowing that it all could have been prevented if not for the betrayal of a friend made it feel so much worse. Feeling Derek tensing under her hand as he spoke of the time Jess dug her fingers into his hair and rubbed soothing circles on his chest. "Shhh, shhh, it's okay baby. You're safe. It's ok. I've got you baby." Sliding the hand in his hair down to his neck Jess gently pulled his head down to the crook of her neck feeling him shudder as he nuzzled almost desperately at her neck and shoulder until she tilted her head to the side so Derek could bury his face completely against the skin of her neck breathing her smell in deeply. "Shhh, that's it puppy. It's me baby. I'm here. I've got you." Sliding the hand on his chest around his ribs and curling her arm as far as she could reach across his back she pulled Derek against her. "Shhh, She is dead. She can't hurt you anymore. She can't touch you anymore. I'm here. I've got you now. You're safe puppy." Feeling Derek's heart still beating wildly against her chest Jess dug her fingers down through his hair until she could run her nails gently along his scalp. Something about the sensation always seemed to help to calm and settle him. Sure enough as her fingers carded through Derek's hair and her nails scratched along his scalp his heart beat slowly calmed, his breathing settled, and his muscles relaxed, leaving her with her arms full of suddenly exhausted cuddly Alpha werewolf.
Pressing a soft kiss to Derek's temple Jess smiled as she felt Derek start to place soft kisses on her neck and shoulder. "It's time for sleep now puppy." Jess crooned. She was ignored as Derek continued to kiss her neck with more and more energy. "We need to sleep now so we can look for an apartment for you tomorrow." Jess said trying to reason with the suddenly amorous werewolf. When Derek suddenly licked at her pulse point Jess lost all her reason and just moaned tilting her head way back to expose more of her neck. When he started to nuzzle, lick, and lightly brush his teeth over her neck Jess gasped loudly.
Pulling back away from Jess Derek whined softly. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry was that too much? Did I bite to hard? I'm sorry!" Derek babbled pulling back slightly than ducking his head and shifting closer before pulling back again slightly. Worried and unsure what to do he whined again. "Do you want me to leave?"
"What?" Jess said shaking her head and coming out of the pleasant daze she had been sinking into when Derek suddenly pulled away and started babbling questions and apologizing and asking if he should leave. "No, no, don't go! It wasn't too much. You didn't hurt me baby. It's ok. That was a good sound." Jess said with a soft laugh. "That was a happy sound." Jess practically purred catching Derek's neck and pulling him to lay back down beside her. Stroking her hand up and down his arm Jess smiled as he slowly settled back down beside her. Jess licked her lips before chuckling softly. "You gave yourself a scare there didn't you? Lie back. I've got you. Lie back baby." Waiting until Derek had settled on the bed beside her Jess slowly lay down with her head on his shoulder and started to softly kiss the side of his neck. Smiling when Derek instantly cranked his head way to one side to expose more skin Jess softly licked his neck and giggled when his response was to groan and pull her on top of him so she was straddling him with her hands on his chest looking down at him. Leaning down Jess kissed and licked at his throat while he clutched at the blankets and moaned beneath her. "Shhh, shhh, your going to wake Scott."
On the bedside table Jess's phone chimed to notify that she had gotten a text. Reaching for the phone Derek unlocked it and glanced at the message before he snorted loudly and gently pushed Jess off his lap to lie beside him again. Handing her the phone he rolled so he was face down on the bed with his face buried in the pillow and his shoulders shook with quiet laughter.
Too late. Please help him find an apartment ASAP and use it in the future for this kind of thing. -Scott
Oh, and congratulations. You two were made for each other. -Scott
Sorry, not sorry. Was totally worth it. Apartment hunting tomorrow. -Jess
Thanks -Jess
Settling down beside the still chuckling Alpha Jess sighed. "We really should sleep now. Need to be up early to be gone before Melissa wakes up." Jess said yawning and closing her eyes.
Rolling onto his side Derek pulled Jess against his chest, covered them both with a blanket and placed a single soft kiss to her neck before lying down and closing his eyes to sleep.
