A/N:

The plot is mine, but the prompt is from 'pligrimkitty' on tumblr. Also I don't own Teen Wolf.

There is one main change in this fic in that Isaac actually has an alibi for his father's death, he was caught on camera riding around on his bike at time of death. However as he's been bitten, he's still rescued by Stiles and Derek and goes on the run because he doesn't want to go into foster care.

Also this is AU, I tried working around some of the canon, which I liked, but it's going to be more protracted/slightly different.

Chapter One:

Sheriff Stilinski had had a long day, what with trying to track down who or what had killed the former Coah Lahey. He was still on the case after all, even if it was seemingly on it's way to becoming a cold case. But today in particular had been hard, it was a couple of days after Isaac had mysteriously escaped custody and gone missing and they'd finally been able to enter the Lahey home. After all they'd needed legal permission but what with Isaac being under age and missing there'd been a slight delay. He looked down at the photographs littering his desk, abuse had been implied by numerous sources but he'd never expected this. How could anyone do this to their own kid? Hell, if Lahey senior wasn't already dead the Sheriff would have been tempted to rectify that himself. Locking your son up in a freezer and countless other things, John Stilinski didn't have the stomach to think about at the moment. Rubbing his tired eyes he started reading through the reports again, at first Isaac had been suspected, especially due to Jackson Whittemore's testimony, but a couple of security cameras on other side of town had picked up Isaac riding around on his bike, in fact he was nearly hit by a car at one point. John shook his head at the kids foolishness but it cleared him of the murder charges, even if the kid didn't know it. He'd escaped lock up before the information was in, some thought it was because he was guilty, the Sheriff however thought it had more to do with trying to escape going into foster care. He had a late birthday and wouldn't be of age for a while and had no other family, both parents were dead as was his older brother. He'd probably end up living in a halfway home or centre or something of that nature until he finished school.

John rubbed his tired eyes and started packing files away, taking some with him, he wanted to go home and read them whilst enjoying a nice glass of whiskey. He left the practically deserted station, nodding a tired farewell to the night desk manager before walking to his cruser. He put the files on the passenger seat before pulling away from his designated parking spot. The night was dark but clear, there was barely any traffic. The Sheriff glanced down at the glowing numbers, it was nearly two am. He haddn't realised how late it was. Something kept nagging at the Sheriff and without thinking he ended up driving around the streets Issac had been seen on, it was very near one of the only bad areas of Beacon County, trusting his gut he headed in that direction, figuring Stiles was probably fast asleep in bed. His son was used to him staying over at the station and coming home at odd hours. The elder Stilinski grimanced at the nonchalant nature of that thought, he really shoud be around more, but after Sarah's death... He pulled himself out of his thoughts and resumed looking around the streets. There were a number of homeless people around, but none would talk to him in the cruser. Making up his mind he drove over to a parking lot and got out to search on foot. He chatted with the numerous homeless, finding tibits here and there before he found Skidder an old bum who spent most of his time inebriated.

"Wha-whaddy want?" Skidder hic-cuped, his bottle swaying dangerously.

"Answers."

"Well whadd'ya kn- kn - know." He stumbled over his words, "It's the sheriff! You here to arrest me? I ain't done nothin'."

"No Skidder, I'm looking for someone. Isaac Lahey. Teenager, thin and tall. You seen him?"

"The coaches kid?" Skidder asked in a lucid moment.

"Yes."

"Maybe." He leaned heavily against the brick wall behind him, "Maybe I don't."

John sighed before getting 20 bucks from his wallet and holding it in front of the drunk. Skidder reached to take it, "Information first." The Sheriff said pulling his hand back.

Skidder held up his hands in mock surrender, the liquid in the dirty bottle sloshed around, "Hey hey! I gots your info." Skidder stopped for a moment and started of into space, John was tempted to shake him but he knew Skidder tended to space out when thinking. "The kids been seen around a bit, I don't know where he's sleeing, no one does, but he's been seen at the burger place on 5th."

John looked at the man, "Anyone seen who he's been with?"

"No, mostly keeps to himself. He's a strange one that boy. But nice. He helped ole Paullie the ot'er day."

"Helped her how?"

"Oh some youths knocked her down, and and they started messing with her cart! He drove 'em off. He did." Skidder nodded to himself.

John smiled and handed him the money, "Take care of yourself Skidder, remember Martha's has a cot for you if you want a better nights sleep."

"Aye aye Sheriff." Skidder said taking the money and sliding back down the wall drinking from his bottle a fiendish smile on his face as the Sheriff walked off over to 5th street.

The Sheriff knew Skidder would end up at Martha's soup kitchen, he usually did, particuarly when he had money and wanted to be somewhere safer. He walked through the neighbourhood which slowly got nicer. There were a couple of fast food joints on 5th and luckily they were near each other. John found somewhere to watch the comings and goings, he knew it was a long shot and een if the kid was there, he probably wouldn't talk to him.

It was two days after he'd first gotten the tip about Isaac being seen around the burger joint when the kid had finally turned up. The Sheriff had been here both evenings but to no avail. There'd also been another murder, the Sheriff knew they were all related, but figuring out how and why was the problem. His leg was starting to fall asleep when he notice movement, someone was skulking in the shadows and heading into the main burger joint. He sat up in his seat, waiting for the light to hit the person's face. It was him. The Sherff got out of his car locked it before heading over to the shop. A little bell chimed above his head when he entered, there were a couple other people in, an older man and a young couple out for a late night snack, there were two people working and Isaac was ordering. John headed over to the counter, Issac trailed off his order as if he had smelled him and turned around slightly to look at him. His face was pale and he took a step away.

"Relax kid. I'm not here to arrest you." The Sheriff said holding up his hands, he was in plain clothes. "I have no reason to."

Isaac visibly relaxed, but it was obvious he was still on edge.

"You do know you were cleared, right? You were caught on camera at the time of death." The teenager nodded, "Why didn't you come back then?" John asked, "Oh I know, because you don't want to go into the foster care system, right?" Isaac nodded grabbing at the excuse. The Sheriff looked at the thin boy, "You need to eat more." He shook his head, "I'm starting to sound like Stiles. He always nags me about my weight and health." There was still no response from Isaac. John took a moment to look at the boy he was thin and not that clean and he was angling his face away from him. "What happened to your eye?

Isaac jumped and turned to look at the Sheriff he could feel the swelling surrounding his left eye, a training gift from his alpha. He'd ducked out after practice to get some food, Boyd and Erica had headed home. He didn't know where Derek went, he often disappeared off on his own. What should he do? He didn't want to go into foster care that was true, but he also needed to stay around Derek and it wasn't like the guy was going to accept guardianship of him. He turned his head towards the door, he could make it easily, but what would be the point. He glanced back to find the Sheriff asking him something again. "What?" He asked.

"I wanted to know what you wanted." John said gesturing to the counter, where he'd just placed an order. Isaac mumbled his response and they stood there in silence for a few minute sizing each other whilst waiting for their food. Sheriff Stilinski nodded almost to himself, "I know you don't want to go into foster care and I don't blame you kid, but you need to finish school." He paused as if waiting for a response but knowing he wouldn't get one, "Look, at least let me help you for tonight, I have a spare room that you can have, it's next to Stile's room. I won't make you go to the station or to school, but I'd be happy knowing you had somewhere decent to sleep for once." When Isaac still didn't respond he carried on, "The offer stands just let me know." They then waited in silence for the food, which Isaac realised too late the Sheriff had paid for.

The rest of the people in the food place were watching them, whilst pretending not to, the Sheriff did his best to appear unaffected but Isaac could tell he was uncomfortable. The tension was palpable in the air. He tried focusing on the emotions and smells surrounding him; there was a lot of arousal, namely from the couple in the joint and there was a mixture anger, frustration, interest and fear along with some subtler scents he couldn't work out. The Sheriff was afraid, not of him or what might happen, but for him. Isaac realised, he knew the guy had been looking for him, and he'd kept at it. Was going with him a bad idea or not. Isaac couldn't decide.

John waited patiently for the food, he knew that Isaac was weighing his options and he wasn't going to force the kid. He did his best to not stare at him, but made sure to keep him in the corner of his eye. Out of habit for the most part, but by the time the food was done and packed away he kid still hadn't said anything. Resigning himself to failure he picked up his food, knowing his son would make his life hell for eating it. and without looking back he headed out of the burger place and over to his car. He smiled when he heard the foot steps behind him. The teenager walked over the the passengers side and got in, not saying a word the whole time. The car journey passed in a like manner and when they got back to the house the lights were still on, it was around 11pm and a friday so Stiles was still up without pretending not to be.

Issac got out and trudged up the couple of steps to the front door, behind the Sheriff. The house was a two story and smelled of Sheriff Stilinski and his son, there were two other scents mixed in, Scott and Isaac paused when he realised the latter was Derek's.

"Stiles?!" John called out, whilst taking off his jacket but leaving his piece strapped on, he figured he'd take his gun up his room today, "You here? We've got company." He lead Isaac out of the entryway and into the lounge.

"Yeah dad?" Stiles called thundering down the stairs and through the doorway, he was dressed in jogging bottoms and a worn t-shirt. The smell of toothpaste and sweat and something intrinsically Stiles assaulted Isaac's senses. "Isaac what're you doing here?"

"He's going to stay with us." John informed him before turning towards the teen, "Isaac you're more than welcome to stay here for a while, if you decide to stay we'll talk on Sunday about what you want to do." He started walking away, "Stiles can you give him a tour?" He asked before getting away from the awkward feeling in the air.

Stiles stood stunned for a moment whilst his dad made his escape with the junk food. Isaac just stood there holding his now empty bag of food, he'd eaten in the car at the Sheriff's expense. Shaking himself Stiles motioned for Isaac to follow him out into the L-shaped hallway, the lounge door was opposite the front door and there was a door on the left in between them. "This is the lounge obviously. The door down at the end next to the staircase is the toilet, this door leads to the kitchen and dining room. The door opposite the staircase leads to the garage. Upstairs there's three bedrooms, the master with an ensuite and then two others that connect to the bathroom which also connects to the landing, so I'm afraid you'll have to share with me. Which shouldn't be much of a problem..." Stiles trailed off and grabbed the trash from Isaac's hands, "You finished with this?" When he got a nod, he threw it away, "Remind me to give Dad a meal consisting of celery and carrot sticks tomorrow." He muttered to himself but Isaac caught it. "Do you have any clothes?"

"No."

"Ah! I finally get a response!"

"I can talk you know."

"I just wondered, what with the imitating of Derek going on."

"You seem to spend more time with him."

"What do you mean?" Stiles asked catching it.

"Just, your house smells of him."

"Seriously?" Stiles sniffed the air, "No wonder Scott always looks so confused whenever he comes over. Come on, lets head upstairs, dad will be working on the murders cases in the dining room for a couple of hours yet."

"Why's he here so often?" Isaac inquired referring to Derek.

"I dunno, I think scaring me to death is one of his goals." He lead them into his room, where the stench of Derek clouded Isaac's senses.

"This room smells more of him than it does you."

"Yeah, well I've come home to find him asleep here. I have no idea why and quite frankly it can be a little creepy but I just figure he has no where else."

"Are you two together?"

Stiles laughed, "No. What with everything that's happened we trust each other even if it's reluctant and he makes some very stupid decisions." He shrugged, "Besides Derek's straight."

"Ever tried to move him to the spare room?" Whilst silently asking in his head if Stiles was also straight.

"Yep, that room probably smells more like me than him." Isaac nodded and looked at the other door in the room, "You can look around you know, I'm just going to find you something to wear. It'll probably be to small though." Stiles said almost taking to himself as he rooted around in his closet.

Isaac took in the blue bedroom, full of posters, lacrosse stuff and books. He glanced in the bathroom but the other doors were shut before sitting in the swivel chair. Stiles' computer was on, it was open to iTunes, a chat box and mythology research. He started scrolling through the music, when Stiles burst from his closet in a veritable explosion of clothes and carrying an outfit similar to the one he was wearing. "This should fit. The trousers were a present but they're too big, the top is Derek's."

"Cool, do you mind if I go to bed?" Isaac asked grabbing the offered cothes.

"Sure. There should be a spare toothbrush in one of the draws." He called after him. He wanted to demand his dad to tell him what he was thinking bringing him here, but he knew no matter where they were in the house Isaac would hear them. So he turned his attention back to his research.

Isaac ducked out of the room, shutting the bathroom doorway behind him, he quickly went over to the other door and opened it. The spare room was simple and decorated in a plain colours, just as you'd expect. It mirrored Stiles' room with a built in closet, a bed, some bookcases and a desk. Then he went back and rooted through the draws for a toothbrush and cleaned his teeth. He splashed his face with water from the tap, his reflection stared back at him from the mirror. His father's words resonated through his head.

'You're worthless. You can't even get an A. You can't even get on the Lacrosse team. I'm glad your mother's not here to see the failure you are.'

"No, no stop this." Isaac muttered to himself tearing his eyes away from his reflection. He stumbled over to the bed and curled up on it. Memories ran through his head. "He's gone. He's gone."

'But you're still a disappointment aren't you?'

"I'm a disappointment." Isaac whispered, tears threatening, as he curled up into a ball. He closed his eyes, he was so tired, so tired of feeling this way of the thoughts that threatened to spill over of going through the motions. The bite helped but not as much as he thought it would. He still felt paralysed by fear at random moments, he hated how weak he was. He buried his head into the pillows, they were covered in Stiles' scent. Isaac snorted to himself and focused his thoughts. Slowly he drifted off to sleep. Jerking awake everyone in a while, but that was nothing unusual.

He was back in the freezer again. It was cold and dark and he could barely breathe, it always started the same way, he would scrabble and fight to get out, to get out! But then a weight would settle on his chest and he would just lie there not moving the only thought in his head was to breathe in and out, in and out, in and out. His fingers were clenched and he could hear the blood rushing in his ears as he lay there in the confined darkness and when it started to reach the last possible moment, the time when his father just seemed to know that he had to let him out now. It never happened, the darkness stayed, his vision blurred even more, spots dancing as he slowly took one las-

Isaac jerked awake and jumped over to the other side of the room, knocking someone over as he did. He crouched in a corner and slowly looked over to see Stiles sprawled on the floor by the bed and light streaming around the Sheriff from the hallway. And Isaac just kept muttering, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'll be good. I swear I'll be good."

John and Stiles had both been woken up by whimpers and screams coming from Isaac's room. John crouched down in the doorway, "Isaac. You're all right. You're safe now." He just repeated it over and over, slowly moving towards the kid not wanting to spook him further. Stiles sat up on the floor and watched patiently, knowing that stimulus from too many different sources would overwhelm him. Eventually they calmed him down.

John half carried the boy downstairs to the couch. Stiles ran and got a blanket, he wrapped it around Isaac and sat with him. They put on the TV for background noise, whilst John went and made some hot chocolate for them. They sat on the couch for a little while, not talking until Isaac stopped trembling.

"I want to go back to bed." He muttered hesitantly.

John just nodded and took the barely touched drink off of him and went into the kitchen to wash up. He knew he wouldn't get much sleep tonight and when he went back into the lounge with the case files the boys were gone. So he settled in for a long night.

Stiles helped Isaac upstairs, he was so very tempted to prattle on about this and that but the haunted look in Isaac's eyes held him back. Stiles all but tucked him into bed and turned to leave when Isaac grabbed his hand. "Stay." He whispered turning his head away.

Stiles just nodded goofily and climbed into the double bed. Stiles was just starting to nod off when he felt Isaac snuggle into him. He smiled to himself for no reason before succumbing to sleep.