Groaning, Alex rose her sleep deprived body out of bed. Glancing at her cell phone on the night table, 2:00 flashed maliciously at her. She had wanted to be up and out of the motel by noon but apparently her beaten body had different plans. Stretching her tight muscles, she listened to the distinctive pop of each joint. The past week had been grueling for her. She had pushed herself, spending very little time sleeping, trying to get to Beacon Hills as soon as she could.

A couple unfamiliar scents outside her door alerted her senses. Growling, she approached her window and peered out to find a few men staring at her bike. Dropping the curtains back in place, she made for the shower. If they touched her bike, there would be hell to pay.

She was out her door by 2:30, already cruising through the streets. Six years she had been gone and not much had changed. It was still the small town where everyone seemed to know everyone. Unfortunately that could create more problems for her than she was ready to deal with. Her family had moved from the area a few years back, didn't mean the residents wouldn't remember their 15 year old daughter who ran away.

Once she reached the grounds of her old high school, she slowed down; 15 years old and she had ran from all of this. Social cliques gathered outside, ready to part ways to their respected classes. She wasn't exactly the most emotional individual anymore but she found herself missing the social prejudices of going to high school. She didn't get to experience the dances, definitely not a senior prom. Dating had been out of the question, especially when she had spent most of her time with Derek.

Clenching her teeth, she grumbled a string of profanities to herself. Had it been so long now that she had forgotten about Kate? Kate had been her demise back then. Alex hadn't been able to stand her, Argent had given her the creeps; even more since she was Derek's girlfriend. There had been something about that woman that Alex hadn't been able to place. When she had finally ran, their relationship had been on the rocks; something that had everything to do with Alex. Smiling to herself, Alex revved her bike and took off again.

The rain had indeed washed away most of the old trails, making it difficult for her to get a lockdown on Derek. Releasing a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding, she made the decision to go to Derek's house. She wasn't quite sure how his family would receive her. They hadn't been the biggest fans of his decision to change her but they had cared for her. Laura had been the older sister her own family hadn't been able to gift her with.

The smell of charred wood and decaying remains reached her nose before the house was in her line of sight. She pushed her bike off the main road and took to the woods, expertly weaving through the trees. She finally stopped in front of the skeletal remains of the Hale house.

Ripping her helmet off she ran to the house, pushing through the front door. Black soot covered everything, broken glass decorated the floor. Placing her jacket sleeve over her mouth and nose, she concentrated on keeping her breathing even. She was beginning to panic; had everyone been inside when this happened?

Stifling a quiet sob she turned to leave; a scent to her right caught her attention. It was sweet and fresh, like the woods after a heavy rainfall. Walking through the archway, she headed into what used to be the sitting room. Breathing in deep, she savored the scent, HIS scent. The trail was old but it was him, he had been here.

"Dude is it just me or does Derek seem extra grumpy today?" Scott turned to Stiles, his eyebrow raised in question. They were supposed to be chasing Jackson and Derek and Stiles comments on Derek's mood?

"What are you talking about? He's always grumpy."

"Yeah I know that. I tend to be on the receiving end most of the time but he seems more" Stiles gestured wildly with his hands, Grumpy!"

"It's not everyday that you have to chase down a giant lizard!" shouted Scott. They were speedily approaching a chain link fence.

"True. What are we going to do now?" The gentle sway of his jeeps' door answered his question. Jumping the fence, Scott took off around the corner Derek disappeared to.

She was being selfish. She should've been running through town trying to find any member of the Hale family, but she still sat inside the burned out home. Still sat upon the makeshift bed set up in the sitting room; the bed that distinctively smelled like her Derek. Lying down upon the padded bedroll, she curled up within the cool sheets. Clutching the old fabric between her closed fists, she brought it to her chest clenching it for dear life. The cool sheets should've been warm, should've been cradling his heated body next to hers. His arms should be around her now, holding her together, whispering their song in her ear.

Hours passed. Night had fallen, casting broken shadows about room. It had taken all of her energy to try and keep her eyes open, but exhaustion had won. Alex rose from the crinkled sheets, grabbed her jacket and left the room. Mounting her bike outside, she peeled out of the driveway, heading back into town. She had questions that needed answers. Spinning around, she sped towards the convenience store she had spotted back a few miles; her growling stomach certainly agreed with her decision.

The store was pretty empty save for a few cars gassing up. Alex immediately made her way to the sweets aisle; she had a soft spot for sour gummy worms. The front register was manned by a acne scared teenager, who was paying way too much attention to her breasts.

"Is this all for you today?" Alex raised her eyebrows at the double meaning behind his words.

"Of course it is." Snatching her gummy worms from his sweaty palm, she stalked towards the exit. Unfortunately she paused, her hand on the door, her freedom so close but she needed to ask him a few questions. Turning around, she smiled and swayed up to the counter one more time.

"Can I ask you a question? Do you know what happened to the Hale house?" The young mans' smile faltered. His hand that had been smoothing his greasy hair back, stalled, puzzled by her question. He had obviously been hoping for something different.

"Yeah it like burned down six years ago."

"Yes I know that, but where did the Hale family?" His eyes squinted at her, his head tilted to the side. His incredulous stare uprooted her calm demeanor.

"Most of the family perished. Only Laura and Derek Hale survived." She was out the door before he had finished his sentence. Her lungs refused to draw in air, her breathing coming out in short gasps. She had never felt pain like this before. Her eyes burned with the effect it took not to cry but her heart soared in the realization that Laura and Derek were alive.

A deep howl reverberated through the streets, snapping Alex back to reality. The parking lot paused in it's own commotion, staring across the street. Alex ran back to her bike and hopped on. Revving her bike, she sped towards the one noise she had been dreaming about hearing for six years.