| The Line in the Sand |

The Argents pulled up to the front gate at Eichen House, five cars now back in their company. Martine opened the door for their leaders and six armed hunters accompanied the trio to the lobby. At the front desk was the same woman as before: young, dyed, and inattentive. "We'd like to see Peter Hale," Martine said.

"Visiting hours aren't until one," the clerk replied, not taking her eyes off the scheduler before her.

"Sandra, my dear," Helena started, "that wasn't a request."

The orderly looked up, scanning the room, the situation becoming clear; there was little attempt on part of the hunters to mask their weapons. She finally looked back at Helena and, with no emotion, said, "Visiting hours aren't until one."

"Young lady," Gerard began, taking a step forward, "Eichen House is a private institution with private funding. The largest contributor to this fine establishment—"

"Is Argent Arms International," Dr. Fenris said with a mannered smile, walking out from the door leading to the stairwell, a tall African American orderly behind him. "While we appreciate every donation, I'm afraid there's no one by the name of Peter Hale staying with us. And if there were, there are matters of kinship and," nodding to Sandra, "timing."

Gerard smiled, accepting the set back and knowing the play. Scott. "One o'clock, then," Gerard said. "And double check your system—he's here somewhere." The hunters took their leave and found, by their SUVs, five BHSD cruisers and nine anxious deputies all out of their cars. Even the sheriff himself was there, sunglasses on, waiting for them. The nine hunters rejoined their associates that waited behind, Helena motioning for her own nervous people to stand down.

"Morning," Noah said in his casual and cordial, yet knowing manner. "I don't think we ever had the pleasure when you were in town a couple years ago. Gerard, right? Gerard Argent?" he said, sticking out his hand to shake. The patriarch didn't take it. "You must be Mrs. Argent," he continued, turning to the light-colored haired woman.

"Helena," she said, taking his hand a shaking gently. "How do you do?"

"How do you do?" The sheriff nodded cordially, smiling at her. "What brings you to Beacon Hills if you don't mind me asking?"

"I'm visiting some family," she replied. "I haven't seen my son in quite a while and so much has happened."

The sheriff put on an acknowledging and remorseful face. "I had the pleasure of knowing your granddaughter. She was friends with my son and she was a great kid. You have my condolences."

Helena also put on a faux expression. "Thank you, sheriff."

"I can't help but wonder, what brings you to Eichen House?" he said, feigning ignorance quite well.

"Business as it were," she said with a smile. "Our family likes to support the community as often and in as many ways as it can. We're large beneficiaries of Eichen House."

"From a law enforcement perspective, I can tell you we more than appreciate it. Too often people need help, not jail."

"Indeed."

"Madame," Martine interrupted,

"Our apologies, Sheriff; we have another appointment this morning that can't be put off. Will there be anything else?"

"Not a thing. Don't let me keep you," he replied with a smile. "You all drive safe and have a great rest of your day."

"Likewise," Helena said, a threatening undertone to it. The hunters clambered back in their SUVs and the sheriff and deputies all stood in place they took off, U-turning and passing by speedily.

/ | * | * | \

The alarm on the nightstand was reluctantly set for 8:00 AM and it went off diligently. As Scott roused from it, it suddenly turned off. Before he could see how—or who—he felt it. A hard, clothed erection pressed tight against his butt and an arm draped over his side, a hand wrapped around on his stomach. A thigh was on top of his, a foot pressed against his own. A clothed chest was tight against his bare back.

He was being spooned.

"Morning," Derek said and Scott could hear the grin.

"Derek, what're—"

"I know this, seeing me this way, has to be weird for you. I don't have any memories, or, yeah, but I know how familiar you are. More than anyone else. I trust you," he said, his pinky finger on Scott's happy trail twitching. "Do you trust me?"

"Derek," Scott half breathed, his semi starting to pulse.

"Scott," Derek whispered against his ear, finger pressing under the alpha's waistband.

"Scott," Melissa's voice said as it approached the bedroom door. The boys jolted upright, seated as the door opened. She startled, looking at them with a frown. Her eyebrows were raised and her arms crossed. "Scott," she said again, a slight smirk on her lips and subtle amusement in her voice.

"Uh, this...this is, uh—" he stammered.

"Derek," the other boy said, smiling at the woman.

"Derek...Hale?" He nodded. She couldn't help but look him over, her brain not adjusting to the sight of a teenager that had once been a grown man. "Right. Well, come downstairs. Dressed. I've got breakfast ready." He nodded again, still smiling. Melissa walked away and Liam was revealed to have been leaning against the wall in the hallway. He was grinning at Scott, an air of devilishness to it before he followed Melissa.

Scott blushed, his threshold of embarrassment peaking and pouring over. His heart began to race, his stare just lost out into the hall. Until he felt a hand on his hairy thigh. Scott blinked and turned to look at Derek, when the latter leaned over and pressed a close-lips kiss to Scott's mouth. Scott's shock only lingered for a second before he pressed back and eventually opened his lips for Derek's prodding tongue at his crease. The kiss, while firm, was tender in its motions. Derek explored his mouth slowly, feeling the buds on Scott's tongue. Grazing under the roof of his mouth. Driving back deeper, further back towards his throat. His hand on Scott's thigh moved higher and the alpha covered it with his own.

The Hale boy pulled back dreamily, his closed eyes and agape mouth fluttering in lust-quenching delight. Scott couldn't take his eyes off him, flustered, his own lips wet. Derek finally opened his eyes and smiled at the alpha. He reached over and patted Scott's pec, saying with a toothy grin, "Come on, I'm hungry."