Author's Note: Apparently if you really focus and are properly motivated, you can crank out a chapter in a short amount of time. Here's the next chapter. Lots of Stiles and Derek interaction. Thanks for reading.

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Chapter 9

Stiles POV

Scott was right. I should've waited a few more days. I couldn't help but stare at Derek. He just had to wear an outfit that hugged him in just the right ways. I mean I know that he wore those same clothes all the time before, but now I was actually aware of how perfect it was on him. It took Scott clearing his throat to pull me out of my zoned state.

"Where have you been?" And there was Derek's annoyed voice, that was definitely a way to snap me out of my current state.

"Hanging with my Dad and doing some work. Why do you care? I'm not one of your betas." I was hoping that if I was snarky I would be able to disguise my nerves.

"I don't care if you're not a beta; you're still a part of my pack. As Alpha, it's my responsibility to make sure you are ok and not out there doing something stupid." He was being his usual jerk self, but there was something about how he was saying that. It may be because I'm a lot more attentive to what he is saying, but it felt as if he barely remembered to attach the 'do something stupid' part. Like he had to add that in. I'm sure that it's just my imagination, there's no way.

"Sorry, I'll be sure to keep you better informed next time." Of course that was sarcastic, do you really expect anything else from me?

"That's all I ask." Wow, I think my sarcasm has now become contagious. "Now, that we've got that out of the way, we actually have something to talk about. I just got word from one of the packs in Oregon that there is a pack that has been challenging packs for their territory. They have slowly been working their way south towards us. They've taken out two packs already. I'm not sure if they will make it here, but I think it might be smart to start to set up patrols just in case."

"Really?" Scott groaned. "I hate patrolling, I never get to sleep and all I do is run around for hours and hours."

"Would you rather get sleep or get all of us killed?" Derek says raising his eyebrows at Scott, who starts to look ashamed of what he has said. "Now is there anyone else that has something to say?"

I raise my hand like a ridiculous school child. "Yea, what the hell?! Why don't we ever get breaks? I mean I get that we live in 'Beacon' Hills, but do we really need to be a beacon for everything supernatural. Can't they just give us a break for once? I mean how hard is to ask for a month off or even two?!"

Derek looked over to me, apparently shocked that I would have a reaction like that. To be honest I don't understand why, it's not like I haven't said something like that before. "Ok, thanks for that little whatever Stiles." He shook his head and went back to business. "Regardless of what you've both said, we have to deal with the possibility of a threat. We will each have different tasks. Scott, Isaac, Peter, Cora, and I will run patrols in rotation. Allison, I need you to tell your father about this threat. Also try to use whatever connections you have to see if you can keep track of the pack's whereabouts. Lydia, you will be helping Allison do the necessary 'human' preparations. Stiles,"

"Let me guess, research the pack and the packs in the areas to figure out what I can about them?"

He glared at me, crossing his arms across his body (which by the way only accentuated the fact that he was unimaginably ripped). "Exactly."

"Glad I know my place in the pack." I mumbled.

Everyone grumbled about the new tasks but didn't act upon their frustrations. The rest of the meeting went over pretty smoothly, just setting up schedules and our next meeting.

Throughout the meeting I decided to start my plan to become friends with Derek. Hopefully I can turn these feelings I have into friendly feelings. Maybe I should start by asking him if we could research together and try to see if we could have a conversation with a minimal amount of insults and injuries. Hopefully we can find something that we have in common and actually become friends…or he shuts me down and throws me across the clearing. Hopefully he chooses the first option.

The meeting ended and Scott walked up to me. "You ready to go?"

"Um, would you and Isaac mind jumping in with someone else? I gotta talk to Derek about something?" I saw Derek turn towards me when I said that. I tried to keep from staring back at him.

I looked over at Scott who looked flabbergasted, hahaha how can you not laugh at that word, "Are you sure about that?"

"Yea, I'm sure. I'll meet up with you later tonight." With that he turned and walked away. I took a deep breath and walked over to Derek, working to keep my heart rate under control.

Derek walked over to meet me. "You have something you want to talk to me about?"

I instantly felt nervous speaking with him. What is with me? I mean I'm acting like a middle school girl with a crush. "Umm, yeah. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind coming over later to help me with the research."

"You've never needed help before and you're the best researcher I've ever met."

"Aww, Derek, I didn't realize you thought that. I'm flattered." I couldn't believe he actually gave me a compliment. Maybe he is warming up to me.

"Well there really isn't anyone to compare you with." Well there went that idea. "Why do you want me to help?"

I had to come up with something fast. "Well, you said you have a connection up in Oregon that told you about the pack."

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Maybe you could talk to them and see what other information you can get. I'll try to cross reference the information you give me with other cases throughout the area. Maybe we can pick up a pattern?"

"That sounds good to me. I'll call the Alpha after we're done here and I'll come by your house later." I started to walk away, "Stiles?" I turned back to face him. "What is the real reason for you avoiding the pack? I know that you wanted to spend time with your father, but you could've came around in the evenings when he was working."

"How do you know when he was working?" Derek looked down at the ground avoiding eye contact. Suddenly something clicked in my mind. "Were you watching my house?"

"I was only coming by to check on you. You weren't coming around and whenever I asked Scott or Isaac what you were doing there was the slightest hint of a lie in their voices. I was worried something had happened to you."

"We're back to you actually caring about me. I'm constantly shocked by that revelation."

"I've told you already. You're in my pack and that makes you my responsibility. Now it's your responsibility to tell me what was going on."

"I don't really want to talk about it." Which wasn't a complete lie. Part of me really wanted to tell Derek and hope that he also would declare his feelings for me but the other knows that the first part won't happen.

"Stiles," I turned to see him coming closer to me, "I want you to know, that even though you and I might not get along all the time, I do care. I'm sorry if you were avoiding me because of something I did."

"It's not that at all. I just needed a break from all the supernatural stuff." That wasn't really a lie. I always am in need of a break. I couldn't believe the way that this conversation has gone. He was actually talking to me about feelings and the fact that he cared about me. This wasn't good for my whole 'get over Derek and be friends' plan. I had to get away quick and let myself calm down if I was going to hang out with him later. "I have to go, but I'll see you tonight." I turned and walked to my Jeep and drove off. I have a feeling my plan may need more work than I initially thought.

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Author's Note: Hope you liked it. If you think Derek is too lovey dovey or whatever trust me it's not what you think. I have a whole plan in my head. If only you could transfer thoughts into chapters without actually having to sit down and write them. I'll try update soon. Please review.