Derek drove around the tightest bends on the road like a bat out of hell. Lydia found it amusing. Jackson never wanted to take any risks. That was one of the reasons she did what she'd done. She laughed at the thrill. Derek quickly glanced at the beauty. He found her quite infectious. He noticed the harder he turned, the more she smiled and laughed. When they reached their destination, they stepped out of the car and looked over the place called Beacon Hills.

They both drew in a deep breath, releasing it simotaneously. Lydia looked at her knight in shining armor as she walked toward the hood of the car. He stood near the edge of the cliff looking out, remembering the names of all of the familiar buildings.

The wind whistled silently as it passed him and the green-eyed girl. He turned around as if the wind was gently turning his head towards her. The breeze sent her hair flying. She gave a seductive smile and patted the empty spot next to her on the hood. He emphasized the moment by looking both ways and then pointing to himself. She smiled and nodded with a slight laugh. He slowly made his way over to her side and sighed.

"So, what now?" he asked completely clueless about what to do next.

"Tell me about yourself." she said with a shrug.

"What do you want to know?" he asked nervously.

"Whatever you want to tell me." she said gazing into his eyes, trying to figure him out.

He looked down at his hands and off into the woods. There wasn't much that he could tell her. He didn't care much about favorite colors and favorite foods. He licked his lips nervously and faced her.

"I wasn't always this intimidating. I used to be gentle. I have my secrets. My past isn't the best. I've hurt people, families, I've broken promises to protect myself and those I loved. . . Looks like I've done a terrible job." he said referring to the death of his family.

"How did it all happen?" Lydia asked with a sorry feeling in her chest.

A scowl appeared on his face remembering the familiar face from Wal-Mart.

"I'll tell you another time." he tried hiding his body language from the small girl.

Althought she didn't want to, she accepted his rejection of her trying to penetrate that cold memory. She wanted to help him, to see him, but she couldn't because he stayed so cautious. She didn't know what else she could do. He sat there with a blank, yet frustrated, look on his face. She could tell that he was holding back; he didn't want to hold back. He wanted to let go and to be able to trust. He didn't want to lose anything that was so close. She scooted closer and pulled his arm around her as she laid her head on his shoulder.

Derek looked at the blonde haired girl who had quite the charisma. She had the most beautiful smile. He felt so alive when he was with her. The way she touched him, the way she said his name, the way she. . . made him fall in love her.

"Come on, Derek!" she said pulling him by the hand behind her.

"Slow down, Kate. Where are you taking me?" he asked with a curious chuckle.

"You'll see." she said, her usual answer.

"Can I at least get a clue?" he pushed.

"Be patient." she urged him.

The teens trudged through the woods happily. The cresent moon shone brighter than before, lighting the way for the two. Derek eyes grew when he saw the amazing sight.

"Wow, Kate, what is all this?" he smiled.

"Oh no. Did I overdo it?" she asked nervously.

"It depends on the occasion." he answered taking the girl into his arms and kissing her on the forehead.

"I believe you know what it is. Is it okay? I didn't want to get caught so I thought 'Hey, why not do this thing on a romantic date in the woods?'" she jumped lightly.

"Well, it's perfect. I see you have candles and rose petals and a. . .tent." he laughed at the word tent.

"You hate it don't you?" she said feeling discouraged.

"No, no. I love it. I just need to know if you're sure you want to do this now." he gripped her shoulders staring into her eyes.

"I've never been more sure."

She kissed the young and naive Derek. She grabbed his hand and brought him to the blanket. She fed him a few strawberries and he returned the favor. They shared the last one which led them into the tent. Derek interrupted the make-out session and asked the girl again.

"Are you sure?" his eyes wild with the question.

"Yes," she said reaching for his face. "I love you."

He smiled and continued doing his deed.

The thought replayed through his mind. He held back the tears of how he felt about the girl he fell in love with while on the Road of Redemption by his father. His father said that every future pack leader had to be sent away on his own to learn how to become strong and focused before taking on the job of pack leader. Along the way he fell victim to Cupid's arrow, and now all of his family is dead.

He looked down at the girl that currently laid in his arms and felt all of the pain he felt when he remembered the first girl he held the same way.

Lydia hadn't realized she had fallen asleep. When she had woken up, she was in her room with her mother hovering over her.

"Lydia, sweetie, are you ok? What happened? What were you thinking?"

"Mom, what are you talking about?" she asked, confused about alot of things.

"Jackson called and said you got in the car with a complete stranger. I'd called you so many times and I didn't get an answer, and then this. . . this. . .guy brought you home. He looked so troubled. What did you do? Who was that?"

By now, her mother was having a complete panic attack.

"Mom, he wasn't a stranger. He's Derek Hale. He's going through a few things and I'm just helping him through it all. Nothing happened. I just fell asleep." she reassured her mother.

"Derek Hale? As in the Hale house fire?"

"Yes, Mom." she said matter-of-factly.

"I don't want you hanging out with him." her mother defended quickly.

"What? Why?" she sat up quickly trying to figure out what just happened.

"That guy is bad news."

"But, Mom, he needs me."

"My statement is final." her mother said leaving the room.

"It's not fair!" she screamed and threw a pillow at the door after her mother left.

She got up from her bed and looked out ot the window and towards the woods. Her upsest nature melted away as she looked out and saw a familiar frame standing outside. She smiled at the dark haired male and his beautiful car, who seemed to be waiting for her. She ran to her closet and grabbed a suitcase and began filling it with clothes and other items.

"Just because love failed in her favor, it doesn't mean it will fail for me."

Meanwhile, her mother sat in the kitchen at the island with a cup of coffee, sipping slowly. She looked at the cabinet and remembered that that was the hidden place for her cigarettes. She went to the cabinet and grabbed a miricale stick to help calm her nerves before dialing the number. The phone rang and a voice answered the phone.

"Chris, it's me. He's back."