AN: So this the last chapter for season one, season two starts in the next chapter. Should I split the story into season segments or just keep going? What do you guys think?

Chapter 28

Stiles took them back to the house, where they changed clothes, before going back to the hospital. Stiles went to find Scott so they could check on Lydia. Jackson stayed with her, while the doctors checked her out.

"You know we should really call your dad about this," the doctor said as he examined her.

"I know, but he's working, apparently something happened at the Hale house tonight. I'll tell him about it when he gets home. I don't want to bother him over me being such a clutz," Scarlet said quickly.

"Are you sure that's what happened," he asked. "It had nothing to do with your boyfriend?"

Jackson and Scarlet exchanged a glance. "I'm not her boyfriend, we're just friends," Jackson explained. "She called me to come get her, her brother had the car that they share."

"Where is your brother?"

"One of our friends was hurt tonight, that's why I fell down the stairs. I was rushing so I could get to the hospital and I tripped over my own foot and fell down them. Stiles is checking in on her, he should be back in a minute."

At that, Stiles stumbled through the door and gave them both a thumbs up. "How are you doing in here," he asked.

"She'll be fine, no piano for a few weeks, and you will be sore tomorrow. Try to take it easy for a few days. If you have any problems, come back and see me," the doctor said before writing her a prescription for some pain meds and leaving the room.

"Are you going to stay here with Lydia," Scarlet asked Stiles.

"Yeah, you want me to take you home first?"

"I'll take her, that way you don't have to leave and come back," Jackson offered.

"That's fine, I'll see you later Stiles, call me if you need anything or anything happens," Scarlet said before sliding off the exam table. She hugged Stiles, giving him a look that said they would talk later. Jackson wrapped his arm around her shoulders and guided her back out to his car. He made sure she was settled before he climbed in as well. It was a silent drive, but Scarlet kept glancing at Jackson out of the corner of her eye.

"What is it Scarlet," Jackson finally asked.

"You are going to ask Derek to give you the bite, aren't you?"

"He's an alpha now, that means he can do it."

"There is no way I can talk you out of this," Scarlet asked.

"No, there's really not."

They pulled into the driveway and Scarlet stared down at her lap for a moment. "Jackson, just be careful. I know that from the outside it seems like the answer to all the problems, it seems like it makes everything better. It makes things harder, not just for you but for the people you care about. Derek was born this way, he didn't have a choice, you do Jackson. Just be sure this is what you want before you do it," Scarlet said. "I don't want to lose you too."

"You won't lose me Scarlet, I'm not going anywhere. Can I ask you something though?"

Scarlet nodded before looking up to meet his gaze. Jackson reached over and intertwined his fingers with hers.

"What is the deal with you and Derek? I mean tonight you said someone was trying to send a message to the two of you. What are you two," Jackson asked.

"We... I'm his... it's kind of hard to explain, but I'm his mate, I guess his soulmate would be a better term," Scarlet twisted in her seat and tugged the back of her shirt down just slightly so Jackson could see her mark. "Derek and I have the same mark, mine showed up after he told me that he... that he wouldn't leave me. We are linked together, he knows when I am in trouble or in pain, and I can kind of tell the same with him."

"Do you know how insane that sounds," Jackson asked. "You are permanently tied to a man you barely know."

"Says the boy that is about to go ask that man to give him the bite," Scarlet shot back. "Look I don't pretend to have all the answers. God knows, Derek and I have problems, things are far from perfect between us. Everything he has done, has been to protect me though. Derek isn't as bad as people think he is. Being in a relationship with him is hard though. I just want you to be aware of all of this."

Jackson stared out the windshield for a long moment, not saying anything. He finally met her gaze and nodded his head. "I get it Scar, I do, but from where I am sitting, the good, seriously out weighs the bad."

Scarlet pushed car door open and climbed out. She leaned back in for a moment and stared at him. "I... I hope you get whatever it is that you are looking for Jackson. I really hope you don't regret this."

Scarlet kissed him on the cheek and headed inside the house. She ran her fingers over the dress her dad had given her. She hoped that it could be saved. She sighed as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her face was bruised, her hand was in a splint, and her ribcage looked like someone had used it for batting practice. She took a long shower and climbed into bed.

Scarlet let out a whimper of pain as she rolled over. Her ribs were screaming in protest. There was a knock at her window, Scarlet sat up too quickly groaning in pain. She stumbled over to the window and found Derek kneeling outside. Scarlet stared at him for a long moment before unlocking the window and pushing it open.

"What are you doing here? What happened with Jackson," Scarlet demanded.

"That's between the two of us," Derek said vaguely.

"Not when my boyfriend is going to turn one of my friends into a werewolf it isn't."

"You need to stay out of it Scarlet."

"You need to tell me what happened. Did you give it to him?"

"What," Derek asked.

"Don't act like you don't know what I am talking about! The bite, did you bite him or not Derek," Scarlet shouted.

"Why are you so angry? It was his choice, just like it is your choice."

"What?"

"I'm an alpha now Scarlet, if I bite you, you'd change. You would be like me."

"Derek... that's not what I want," Scarlet said softly. She was staring down at her feet, her fists clenched tightly.

"Why not," Derek asked.

"There is nothing wrong with it, there really isn't, but I honestly don't think I can handle it Derek. Even with your help, I don't think it would be a good idea."

"We would have an unbreakable bond."

"How often does that happen Derek? How many werewolves get to keep their mates for their entire life," Scarlet asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Are unbreakable bonds something that happen all the time? Or are they something rare? Whether I'm human or not, the Argents know about us, its only a matter of time before they come after us, especially after Peter killed Kate."

"Kate had it coming," Derek snapped.

"I'm not saying she didn't, but if you think Peter being dead is going to be the solution to all our problems you are crazy! This is just another chapter in the same book," Scarlet cried.

"Do you want the bite or not Scarlet?"

"No, not right now, not tonight. I want you to be my boyfriend and tell me everything is going to be ok. I want you to tell me that everything is going to be ok, even if it isn't. I want you to be ok with my decision, and know that it doesn't change how I feel about you. I thought I lost you tonight. I can't keep losing you Derek."

Scarlet sat down on her bed and drew her knees up into her chest. She pressed her forehead against her knees and sighed. Tears slipped down her face and she bit her lip. Derek sat down next to her and carefully pulled her into his arms. Scarlet breathed in his scent as he fingers trailed through her hair.

"Everything is going to be ok Scarlet, Peter was right about one thing."

"Can we not talk about him?"

"Just listen to me, the night we found out he was the alpha, he said he could see why I had fallen for you, he said that one who's light burns as brightly as your does would be an excellent addition to the pack. It's true Scarlet, I know you don't want the bite right now, you are stronger than you think, you could handle it. You are meant to."

Scarlet stared at him in confusion for a long moment. "What do you mean?"

"Didn't you ever wonder how Peter was able to attack you the way he did and you didn't change? Its because you are meant to have the bite from me. He tried to turn you, it didn't work. That's why you got so sick."

"Derek, I don't... not now ok? It would make things so difficult. We barely made it out alive tonight, can we just take a few days and let things settle down," Scarlet asked. "Is Jackson going to be ok?"

"I'm sure he thinks he can handle it."

"Can he though?"

"We will have to wait and see."

"What is that supposed to mean," Scarlet asked.

"It means that we will have to wait and see what happens. Peter tried to change you and it didn't work. It might not work for Jackson," Derek explained.

Scarlet sighed and raked a hand a through her hair. She rested her head on Derek's shoulder for a moment. "For the rest of the night can we not talk about Jackson, or Peter, or werewolves, or any of the other insane shit that is going on? Can you just stay here with me?"

"Yeah, I can do that."