'Okay little man, you're all set to go,' Derek said softly fixing Isaac's collar on his t-shirt, tucking it carefully into his hoodie.

'I don't want to,' Isaac's lip trembled. Derek watched those eyes fill with tears and he pulled Isaac close, wrapping a strong arm around him.

'Baby I know you're frightened but I promise you I'm going to be there when you get out okay.' Derek said squeezing Isaac's upper arms and dropping a kiss one his forehead.

'Like Forest Gump?' Isaac wondered curiously. Derek chuckled at him.

'When did you watch Forest Gump?' Derek asked leaning across the floor and dragging Isaac's new school bag to them.

'Grandma let me,' Isaac smiled a little.

'There we go!' Derek said playfully poking Isaac's chest. 'I've been saying it all along, Grandmas a bad influence!'

'When you go back to work Grandma takes me to school,' Isaac said, confirming the conversation Derek had with him last night.

'That's right, and sometimes Aunt Cora too,' Derek reminded Isaac gently. He watched his son nod and he stood up, reaching out for the boy's hand. 'I'm sure Aunt Laura would too if she's visiting.'

'I like Aunt Laura too.' Isaac nodded as if this was news to Derek. 'Where's Erica?' Isaac paused.

'Aunt Cora is cuddling her in the kitchen, waiting for you to say goodbye to her.' Derek said.

'But just until later,' Isaac asked. Derek scoped him up and kissed his blond curls.

'Just until later baby, I promise you'll see your little sister later.' Derek said carrying him into the kitchen. Erica fussed when Isaac pressed a wet kiss to her cheek. Derek touched her cheek with his knuckle, smiling as she blinked up at him. She was big for two months old, big and strong just like a Hale baby should be.

'I thought you wanted to be early,' Talia said as she played with Isaac's hair.

'I do mom, we have plenty of time. Kiss Grandma,' Derek said leaning so Isaac could do as he was told. He waited until they hugged and kissed again then carried Isaac outside. It was raining lightly so Derek jogged, opening the door and setting Isaac onto his booster seat.

The drive was quiet and there were a few cars in the parking lot when Derek pulled in. They went inside without fuss, but Isaac's hand was squeezing Derek's so hard his little fingers were almost white. They got to the classroom and Derek knocked the open door.

'Hi, come in!' A female voice said. Isaac stepped closer to Derek's legs, his eyes widening in fright. 'Hello,' the woman knelt down to Isaac's level. 'What's your name?'

Isaac looked up at Derek and Derek nodded. 'Go on,' Derek encouraged.

'My names Isaac,' Isaac said biting his finger.

'Isaac, wow, it's so nice to meet you Isaac. I'm Ms Blake.' The teacher said.

'Ms Blake?' Isaac repeated the words carefully.

'That's right. Are we going to be friends?' Ms Blake asked softly.

'Are you going to go away?' Isaac suddenly asked. Derek's heart clenched. He wanted to pick his son up and carry him home to somewhere he could hide him from the world and protect him from everything, but that would hurt the boy even more in the long run.

'Of course not, I'm going to be right here every day to teach you lots of new things and play and have lots of fun together okay?' Ms Blake asked holding a hand out. 'Shake on it!'

Isaac looked unsure and huffed a breath out, finally pushing his hand into Ms Blake's. They shook, and Ms Blake gave him a tour of the classroom while Derek stood back with his arms folded and watched. He waited until several parents with kids arrived before pulling the teacher to the side.

'Isaac has lost two mothers; he's very insecure as I'm sure you noticed.' Derek said. 'If anything happens I want you to call me immediately.'

'Of course but I hope you don't mind if I try and work through those issues first, you're going to be my last resort.' Ms Blake explained gently. Derek was taken aback for a second before nodding his understanding. Of course she had Isaac's best interests at heart but it was a bitter pill to swallow for Derek.

'Of course,' Derek said. 'I'm not at work at the minute, I'll be starting back in the next month or so,' Derek trailed off.

'Why don't you say goodbye for now,' Jennifer suggested, 'and it'll be over long before you know it.'

'Okay,' Derek said. Isaac was talking to two little kids, and Derek couldn't keep the smile off his face as he crouched by Isaac's chair. 'Hey little man.'

'Daddy, this is my friend Scott!' Isaac said.

'Yeah? Hi Scott,' Derek leaned around Isaac to greet the little boy. 'I bet you two are going to have a good day.'

'We are,' Scott said nodding his head.

'Okay, I'm going to go home buddy, I'm sure Erica's wondering where I am.' Derek kissed his forehead again.

'Okay, but you're going to come back,' Isaac clutched Derek's hand.

'Try and keep me away,' Derek said. Isaac nodded and Derek left with a lump in his throat.

-/-

Isaac loved school, and Derek was delighted. He went every day with no problem and got himself a little group of friends. Each day he had a new story, Scott had said something funny, or Stiles had did something hilarious or Ms Blake had taught him something awesome. It warmed Derek's heart watching his boy come out of his shell.

Things were good at home too. The nightmares decreased to a few times a week. On the third Thursday into the school term Isaac crawled into bed beside Derek with a wet face. Derek was half asleep as he rolled onto his back to help Isaac. 'I miss momma,' Isaac said.

'Me too,' Derek whispered. 'Did you have a bad dream?'

'No I woke up and got excited about seeing her and then I remembered she went away to heaven,' Isaac whispered. Derek felt tears coat his eyes as he held his boy close, remembering Rebecca and her easy smile, her sassy retorts when they were supposed to be disagreeing, the way she treated Isaac as if he were her own, holding Isaac in her arms with Erica four hours after giving birth.

'Mommy loves you, don't you ever forget that, but I love you too.' Derek told Isaac running his fingers through Isaac's hair.

'I love you daddy,' Isaac whispered.

'Go back to sleep for a little while,' Derek suggested glancing at Erica in her crib.

Rebecca was nine weeks dead today, sixty three days. Derek looked at Isaac, head relaxed on Derek's shoulder where the bullet wound had once been, the wound Derek got the day his wife was killed. He closed his eyes and pushed away the hurt and pain, he needed to be strong for his children.

'I'm never going to love anyone but you two ever again,' Derek promised his sleeping children.

Outside the clouds shifted and a thick beam of moonlight fell over the family. Derek closed his eyes, ignoring his heart, his pain, everything except for the breaths in and out that his children made and the beating of their hearts.

-/-

Derek waited until October to pull the teacher aside. The classroom assistant was busy tidying up and Ms Blake asked her to play with Isaac for five minutes.

'Isaac is fine Mr Hale, sure he's shy and not always first to take part in group activities unless his friends are, but he does take part and enjoy them.' Ms Blake explained.

'What about nightmares during the rest period?' Derek asked.

'They don't normally sleep long enough to have nightmares to be honest, and Isaac doesn't seem to sleep anyway, he watches what I'm doing most of the time.' Ms Blake said.

'He does?' Derek asked glancing at his son. Sure enough even now the little boy's eyes were on Ms Blake. His scent was heavy with contentment.

'Yes, would you like to see some of his work he completed last week when his grandmother and aunt collected him?' Ms Blake offered.

'I'd like that.' Derek said.

'Hey Isaac,' Ms Blake called. 'We have an art critic in town, why don't you come defend your work!'

Isaac ran to them with a beaming smile on his face and took Derek's hand, leading him to a wall decorated with paintings and pictures. There was a cork board that had Isaac's name painted with his own rough skill at the top. Derek picked him up and Isaac explained each of the pictures with a smile on his face. When they left Derek thanked Ms Blake.

'It's no problem, Isaac's a delight to teach, isn't that right Lucy?' Ms Blake asked the teaching assistant, a bubbly girl with as many blond curls as Isaac.

'Sure is,' she said winking at Isaac.

'Thanks again,' Derek left and instead of going straight home, they went for a milkshake. Derek watched as Isaac happily slurped on the straw.

'Daddy?' He asked.

'Yeah son?' Derek leaned across the table.

'On Saturday can we play wolves in the forest?' Isaac asked.

Derek had arranged to meet with an architect on Saturday morning with a view for renovating the old house his grandparents had lived in. He'd already received planning permission for an extension to the property; he just needed to find out what the rebuild would consist of. 'In the afternoon, I'm a bit busy in the morning with the new house.' Isaac's face fell and Derek's heart ached a little. 'Hey Isaac, we're definitely playing in the afternoon, but you're busy in the morning too.'

'What am I doing?' Isaac asked with a little frown between his eyes.

'Well Grandma and you are going to bake cookies aren't you, remember?' Derek prompted. Isaac's face split into a grin and Derek beamed at him, reaching out to ruffle his hair.

-/-

It was just shy of lunchtime when Derek stepped into his mom's kitchen. Isaac was crouched on the floor holding Erica's hands as she tried valiantly to sit up on her own. Talia was keeping an eye on them as she packed a picnic.

'Did he see this?' Derek asked indicating the food.

'No, we made cookies then he spent a good hour in the garden chasing insects. He's only in.' Talia smiled. 'How did it go?'

'Good, the house is in better condition that we thought. The basement is perfect and we talked about the attic being used as living space too. All the bedrooms are sound and he can reduce the seven to five and get a few en-suite bathrooms rather than just the master having one.' Derek said watching Erica clutch Isaac's fingers to her mouth.

'An en-suite is going to make your life with a teenage daughter so much easier,' Talia muttered and Derek remembered bathroom wars as a kid himself. 'Have you got a starting fee?'

'Yeah, yeah I have,' Derek said.

'Use the company profits; it'll never be spent in Erica's grandkids lifetime!' Talia said. Derek snorted gently. He hated taking money the family had gained from the company that Laura ran that he could have joined her at. He was still considering it, truth be told, but he enjoyed his work as a detective, he got a tremendous amount of job satisfaction. Perhaps though, if he wasn't a cop, if he worked at the company, would Rebecca still be alive? He thumbed his wedding ring as his mom squeezed his arm.

'I think I will,' Derek said. This house was for his family, not just Derek himself, and there was very little guilt at the thought of using it. 'Hey Isaac, want to play wolf now?'

'Yeah!' Isaac said.

Derek picked Erica up and received at wet slobber on his cheek as a reward. She stuck her face in his neck and he held her close, absorbing her scent. 'Hey little woman.'

She blew a bubble, and laughed when Derek poked it with his finger. Talia was there, taking her from Derek with a smile. She was in no hurry for them to leave, had told Derek so.

'Okay, you ready Isaac?' Derek asked. Isaac was in a grey onesie in the style of a wolfs coat, complete with a tail and a hood with ears. Isaac pulled the hood up and Derek hauled him into his arms tossing Isaac over his shoulder.

'No dad, not like this!' Isaac cried.

'How then?' Derek pretended to be confused as Isaac wiggled around until he was comfortable on Derek's back, arms around his neck and his legs hooked over Derek's arms. 'Oh!'

They crept into the garden, Derek making a show of crouching and twisting. Isaac screamed with laughter at a few false starts until Derek darted into the trees. They took their time, moving slowly. Isaac would identify birds and small animals by scent and Derek couldn't help the pride prickling in his chest.

'A squirrel lives in that tree,' Isaac breathed close to Derek's ear.

'Yeah, what colour?' Derek asked. Isaac took his time, concentrating on the smell.

'Red,' Isaac finally decided. Derek grinned and they trotted forward, Derek purposefully making noise. Something caught the corner of his eye, but he waited until Isaac spotted it. 'Dad over there!' He pointed.

It took off through the trees, Derek reacting half a second later. Isaac panted with adrenalin; little claws pricked the skin of Derek's neck where he held on. 'Dad hurry!' He breathed. Derek could see a cleaning, a family favourite. It was a sheltered grove where a stream fed into a pool of water, a beautiful waterfall on the other side. It was sheltered enough to be safe from danger, and open enough to enjoy.

Derek broke through the trees and Isaac let out a delighted scream. Talia and Laura were setting up the picnic; Cora had collapsed in an exhausted heap beside a wobbling Erica. 'Hi!' Derek beamed at his family as Boyd trotted from the trees with a large backpack.

Isaac scrambled from Derek's back and fell to his knees beside Cora. Derek lay down, the length of the picnic blanket and let Erica use him as a backrest.

The sun shone down on them, and Derek relaxed into the comfort of his family.

-/- -/- -/-

Jennifer curled a leg under her bottom and pulled her long sweater over her knee. Across from her Rita her sister handed her a large glass of wine. 'Okay Ms Blake, spill!' Rita said.

'What's there to spill?' Jennifer asked with a coy smile. 'And kids call me that!'

'New town, kindergarten, hot daddies and mommies too...' Rita said wiggling her eyebrows.

'Nope. Not going there.' Jennifer took a sip of her wine. 'And that was three weeks in college!'

'What about that fortune teller you went to last week? Without me, I might add!' Rita tried to look scandalised.

'The usual nonsense! You are a motherly figure, but there are children who need you, and there's a lawman with a wild side linked to you, a man who needs you even though he denies it.' Jennifer said in a dramatic voice. Rita laughed.

'What else?' Rita demanded.

'I've already met the man I'm going to spend the rest of my life with, and his mother too! She was unsure if I'd have children of my own, she saw at least one. Family's important to me and my sister and I will have a long life together.' Jennifer sighed. 'I can't remember much else.'

'Wait, you waited until the end to tell me she mentioned me, you little bitch!' Rita said climbing the coffee table to cuddle Jennifer. 'You baby sister are going to have the best life in the world!'

Jennifer snorted. That was hardly true. Rita was engaged to her high school sweetheart, he was a star quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, they had a jet set lifestyle and owned several homes across the country.

'Rita, this isn't planning your wedding!' Jennifer scolded.

Rita made a noise. 'I can plan tomorrow; tonight I want to drink more wine!'

-/-

'Okay everybody, quiet time, let's go for a nap huh,' Jennifer knelt down and made sure to tuck the kids carefully together. Isaac pulled his blue blanket over his head as he snuggled close between Scott and Lindy, resting his cheek on the pillow. He blinked and Jennifer wondered if the boy would perhaps sleep.

Isaac did sleep that day, and Jennifer smiled happily to herself. She was busy organising a painting project when whimpers caught her attention. Isaac was fussing terribly, tossing his head and wringing his blanket. Jennifer made her way to him quickly, lifting him into her arms, blanket and all. His eyes flew open, and then he relaxed in her arms. She carried him to her chair, rocking him against her as she talked quietly in a soothing voice.

'I had a nightmare,' he confessed in a tiny voice.

'You had a nightmare huh?' Jennifer said. 'You know you're safe here with me in this classroom don't you, you're safe at home with your daddy too.'

'Mummy was at home when the men got her, I heard them downstairs.' Isaac pouted and Jennifer tucked his head underneath her chin. As she rocked and soothed him she decided that perhaps she should suggest Isaac see a child councillor. She lifted her phone and checked the time, class ended in another hour but she had no idea who was collecting Isaac. Isaac's grandmother had dropped him off.

'Hi Mr Hale,' Jennifer said when he answered his phone.

'Ms Blake is something wrong?' Mr Hale asked.

'No nothing, I just wanted to ask who was picking Isaac up today?' Jennifer asked.

'I was going to, why?' Mr Hale sounded guarded. Jennifer swallowed but at the end of the day she was responsible for this little boy, not his father's feelings.

'I would like to talk to you for a moment,' Jennifer suggested.

'Okay, that's not a problem.' Mr Hale said. Jennifer smiled, and wasn't at all surprised that Derek was early to collect his son.

-/-

'Isaac had a nightmare today during quiet time,' Jennifer said as Isaac and Lucy picked the toys from the sandpit. Mr Hale gave Jennifer a sharp look.

'I said call me if anything happens!' He snapped.

'I can handle a nightmare, but that's not why I wanted to talk to you. I picked him up and brought him to my desk, away from the children. When he calmed down a little he told me he had heard his mother's killers in the house.' Jennifer said.

Mr Hale paled and looked longingly towards his son. 'He never told me that.'

'PTSD works and presents itself in many different ways,' Jennifer explained. 'I'm not out to offend you, but I would like for Isaac to have a few chats with one of my good friends who is an accredited child psychologist.'

'A psychologist?' Mr Hale asked dumbly. Her heart ached for him. He looked so lost, confused about the situation. He was still obviously grieving for his wife. Knowing that made Jennifer feel deep churning guilt for her attraction of him.

'Yes, obviously we can take it slow, but Mr Hale he's hiding his trauma very well.' Jennifer said. Mr Hale nodded to her.

'Derek, you can call me Derek.' Derek said. Jennifer smiled at him.

'Jennifer,' Jennifer returned.

'Okay, do you have literature or-'

'I made up a little folder; there are a few websites here and leaflets.' Jennifer pushed the brown folder to him. Derek took it and stood up.

'I'll be in contact.' Derek said as Isaac darted towards him. When it was just Isaac alone in the room Jennifer didn't have the heart to enforce the no running rule, especially when he ran to his father.

'We'll talk soon.' Jennifer smiled.

The next day, a Friday, Isaac missed his first day of school and Jennifer spent the weekend fretting that she'd done the wrong thing.

-/-

Derek was there first with Isaac on Monday morning. 'Ms Blake I broke my arm!' Isaac beamed proudly.

Jennifer frowned because there was no cast. Isaac's smile immediately slipped from his face and he looked up at his father in alarm. Jennifer watched his face as Derek looked down at him, completely blank, but they were obviously communicating. 'Go hang your coat up Isaac,' Derek said. Isaac slumped away and Derek turned to Jennifer.

'He had an accident on Thursday night. I'm building a tree house and he thought it would be a good idea to join me in the tree,' Derek admitted. 'His aunt Laura caught him before he did much damage.'

'Oh, I was worried that I offended you,' Jennifer said without thinking.

'No not at all. I had a chat with my mother and she thinks you're right. I do too, for the record.' Derek smiled and it was devastating, his stubble framing pearly white teeth, his green eyes crinkling at the corners.

'Thank you,' Jennifer managed to keep her cool as she smiled back at Derek, but she felt like a fifteen year old girl with a crush on the teacher all of a sudden. This was bad and wrong and had to stop now.

Luckily Melissa came into the room with Scott and Jennifer's crisis was averted.

After school Jennifer made plans for her friend Tilly to contact Derek about Isaac and set up an appointment. She gave Tilly a brief outline of the little boy's condition and they chatted about Tilly's approach, deciding that if Derek agreed, Tilly spending some time with Isaac in the classroom environment might be beneficial before the one on one meeting.

On Saturday Jennifer treated herself to coffee and a delicious chocolate filled croissant. She had just finished and picked up her book when she noticed Derek paying for coffee to go. 'Derek, hi,' Jennifer waved awkwardly.

Derek smiled and paused by her table. 'Morning,' he said sliding into the seat opposite her. He was wearing an olive green t-shirt stretched tight over his chest and a leather jacket. His shades were hooked into the collar. 'I got a call from your friend,' Derek said.

'I was going to talk to you on Monday. We've set up a schedule where Tilly's going to spend some time in the classroom with us first. I explained about his trust issues.' Jennifer said.

'That's a good idea,' Derek said blowing his coffee through the lid.

'He hasn't slept during quiet time since last week,' Jennifer said softly. 'He just tracks me in the room, it's strange.'

'He's taken to you. Honestly it's just Halloween next week and I'm worried about his teacher next year.' Derek said testing his coffee temperature.

'Has he told you about the Halloween party? Parents are welcome to arrive early in their own costumes to collect kids,' Jennifer said with a smile on her face.

'Oh, I'm working late that day,' Derek said looking shifty. Jennifer couldn't hold back the laugh in her throat. Derek smiled back at her. 'Look I'd love to stay and chat but I'm supposed to be working,' Derek said.

'Oh yes of course, I'm sorry to disturb your work.' Jennifer said.

'I enjoyed the distraction. I'll see you next week,' Derek stood up and Jennifer made the mistake of glancing behind her, giggling a little when she returned to her book, but she couldn't concentrate.

I am a wicked woman!

Jennifer text her sister, a moment later a reply came through.

What did you do?

I checked out a parent's ass!

Well if it was a cutie ass there ain't much wrong with that babe! xx

-/-

On Halloween Isaac came to class in a grey wolf onesie. Scott, much to Jennifer's amusement was in a brown wolf onesie. Stiles came as a little squirrel. Derek laughed as he dropped the kids off, grinning at Jennifer in her Hermione Grainger costume.

'What?' Jennifer asked as Melissa, Scott's mom who had offered to hang around and help with the party paused beside her.

Derek just shrugged and left as the two wolves chased the squirrel around the table.

'You know, I would,' Melissa said nudging Jennifer in the ribs as Derek left the room.

'I'm a responsible adult!' Jennifer scolded turning to the class and asking everybody to sit down, promising that soon they'd be making their own candy. The kids all cheered in delight.

It was Talia Hale, Isaac's grandmother who came to collect him dressed as Morticia Adams. 'I'm here for a party!' She called and Jennifer laughed as half the kids launched themselves at her. Jennifer smiled at her, disappointed that Derek hadn't come. She chastised herself immediately, Derek was a busy man and her immature crush had to end!

The class had a great time, and Jennifer watched as Isaac convinced Talia to allow Scott and Stiles to come to their house, and soon Talia had invited half the class and Jennifer too.

Jennifer declined, she had plans, but she wished everybody a lovely evening as they left. She did have plans, a sexy pirate wench later she was leaning against a bar with some of her girlfriends, drinking all sorts of disgustingly named cocktails. It was almost midnight when she noticed him, Derek, in no costume at all, talking to Marilyn Monroe. She tried not to watch but it was like a train wreck in slow motion as Derek left with his arm around Marilyn, and the cocktail in her hand suddenly soured.

Some crush, she thought to herself in the taxi ride home.

-/- -/- -/-

November was quiet for Derek and his family. Erica learned to crawl properly and she literally turned into a holy terror. She got into everything, Derek found her one Sunday morning half buried in the dirty laundry basket, her delicate werewolf senses obviously upset by the pungent stenches. He saved her, much to her delight, and dropped her into a bath with half a dozen floating ducks. Twenty minutes later Erica sat in an inch of water while the rest of the water swam around Derek's soaked knees.

Isaac changed too. He began to come out of his shell more, and Derek organised an after school play date with his friends. He spent time with Tilly, his therapist. She didn't come cheap, but Talia more than happily paid the bill. Derek would have but Talia looked so cut when he said he would take care of it that he caved. She was already paying for his house, he felt bad taking money for this too, but his mom was right, none of them needed to work a day in their lives, not really but Derek didn't idle easily.

Isaac loved school, rushed around in the mornings to get ready to go, hurrying whoever was taking him. Derek enjoyed taking him, enjoyed little glimpses of the teacher that gave him a warm spicy feeling at the pit of his belly that he ignored but his wolf rolled in. He didn't care to examine it too much, he was a busy man, and he found what he needed in crowded bars, a quick fuck at their place then home to scrub himself clean in the shower. Sometimes Isaac scented Derek's unhappiness, and Isaac's face fell, because he was only a boy, but Derek knew he felt responsible, felt like Derek was upset with him.

'Hey,' Derek said picking him up. 'Have you thought about what you'd like for Christmas?'

'A puppy?' Isaac asked hopefully. Derek smiled and shook his head. Rebecca had been frightened of dogs and Derek on the rare occasions he wolfed out in front of her, and she had cried for hours the first time Isaac shifted.

'Well, I think Erica's a little young for a puppy,' Derek mused.

'Yeah, I know,' Isaac said sadly. 'When I'm older.'

'Isaac buddy, I know you'd love a puppy now but we have to consider others when we make a decision like this. We wouldn't want Erica to hurt the puppy and for it to bite her or something equally terrible,' Derek explained. He was more worried for the puppy to be honest; if Erica felt threatened she might maul the puppy.

'I know daddy.' Isaac said.

'Do you think we should maybe leave it up to Santa?' Derek asked. Isaac nodded quietly and Derek closed his eyes and prayed to every wolf deity that Erica wouldn't maul the puppy Derek was sure to get at Christmas.

-/-

'Good morning!' Jennifer beamed at Isaac as he came through the door. 'Someone got a haircut.'

'I got stuck in grandmas brush,' Isaac huffed. Derek bit his lip to stifle his laugh; Isaac had been so disgusted with the curling brush Talia used that he ran into the forest with it after it had been cut from his hair. It had been Cora who trotted after him but she had no idea what he did with it, only that he looked smug the rest of the day.

'Wow, is that going to be your picture of the day?' Jennifer asked gently.

Isaac shrugged. Derek tapped his shoulder and big eyes looked up at him, and then flicked back to Jennifer.

'I'm sorry I was rude Ms Blake,' Isaac said. Jennifer smiled and thanked him for his apology.

Isaac shuffled off to his table and Derek smiled at Jennifer who merely glanced at him. 'I wanted to thank you,' Derek said.

'What for?' Jennifer asked.

'For helping Isaac,' Derek frowned at her. She'd been cool with him all month, but Talia hadn't noticed a change at all.

'It's my job,' Jennifer answered looking around Derek to greet one of the other parents. Stung Derek left, trying to work out why their friendly relationship had suddenly changed.

Beacon Hills crime rate was relatively low. Derek had been working on a burglary case the last few days, but he spent a lot of time doing other police things he never got a chance to do as a detective in New York. Sometimes he visited domestic disturbances, or directed traffic when it clogged up. He didn't mind, he enjoyed the mundane tasks as life passed him by.

Derek used to crave excitement. The small town of Beacon Hills held no appeal. When Kate Argent came along Derek chased her like a wolf starving for meat. His own wolf was never fussed on her much, he still felt protective and possessive but not like Rebecca or the kids. Kate was a lost cause; from a famous hunter family she had renounced them because she fell in love with Derek. They went to New York, but they never married. Isaac was born a year or so after they arrived in the city, and things were better than ever between them.

Kate was a good mother, happy, confident, but one day when Isaac was fifteen months she walked downstairs with her bag packed. Her father had visited the day before with an ex-boyfriend and hunter. Kate left with them, and he never heard from her again.

Rebecca wasn't exciting. She was six years older than he was, and she worked part time in a library. She was quiet, but always had an answer for him. She was beautiful too, soft blond hair, quietly spoken, tiny frame. She disliked his loud brash family, but she loved Isaac like her own and that was enough for Derek.

Jennifer though, she was nothing like either of them. She had dark hair, a beautiful long neck that distracted him sometimes. She cared so much for Isaac, and she had been pleasant until lately. At first he put it down to stress, but it had carried on too long. And Isaac was always talking about her. No Derek had obviously offended her and he didn't know how, but he needed to mend the relationship because Isaac didn't deserve someone to treat him badly just because Derek hadn't realised he was being a jerk. He decided his mother would do all the dropping off and picking up of Isaac from now on.

-/-

Derek blinked awake and yawned, 05:07, his alarm read as Isaac straddled his chest. 'Baby it's too early,' Derek complained.

'It's Christmas!' Isaac stage whispered. Derek groaned and caught his son, twisting him into the bed and tugging him underneath the duvet.

'It's Christmas!' Derek agreed. 'It's also dark outside and will be for another three hours.'

'But Daddy,' Isaac's lip trembled, disappointment filling his face, which is why three hours later Talia found Derek on the living room floor helping Isaac build his Lego police station, which meant Derek was doing the building while Isaac examined something else. The fire station and hospital were already constructed and sitting nicely out of Erica's reach. Isaac was busy with his Etch a Sketch, a toy dragon cuddled close to his chest.

'Merry Christmas!' Talia said and Isaac dropped his toy as Derek reached for Erica. They opened the rest of their gifts together but when Laura's car pulled up at ten Derek snuck outside and collected the puppy from her arms.

'You owe me,' Laura hissed, but Derek didn't have time to be alarmed because Isaac was squealing and the puppy was struggling to escape Derek's arms to get to what was going obviously to be his new best friend.

Later as Derek cleaned pee from the rug in the kitchen Talia warned Derek that he owed her too, but he didn't care because both his kids were having the best Christmas of their lives. He knew Talia didn't care much either as she fed the puppy slices of thick cut ham dipped in gravy.

-/-

Derek was forced to pick Isaac up on the first day back to school in January. He stepped into the room and was immediately assaulted by his son. 'Hey,' Derek crouched down to his son's level.

'I got a new friend, her names Allison and we're going to get married on Thursday!' Isaac babbled.

'Married, wow, that's quick.' Derek teased.

'Scott's marrying her tomorrow.' Isaac explained with a sage nod.

'Oh?' Derek tilted his head.

'Yes and then on Friday I'm marrying Scott.' Isaac carried on.

'Wow!' Derek was impressed. Isaac grinned and dragged Derek towards his friends. Derek crouched down again. 'Hi Allison it's nice to meet you,' Derek shook her hand. Allison blushed. 'So I hear your marrying my son huh, you better treat him right.'

'Tomorrow I'm going to bring cookies,' Allison looked unsure. Derek smiled at her.

'I think you're going to do just fine then,' Derek stood and turned as a male voice sounded behind him. Derek swallowed as he met the eyes of Chris Argent, the brother of his first girlfriend. Isaac's werewolf murdering uncle.

'Derek,' Chris said stepping closer.

'Chris,' Derek nodded.

'Look I-'

'I have nothing to say to you,' Derek said quietly taking Isaac's hand leading him outside ignoring the frown Jennifer sent his way. He helped Isaac into the car and drove home listening to Isaac chatter away.

When he finally got Isaac settled for ten minutes with a colouring book he pulled Talia to the side. 'Chris Argent was picking his daughter up from school this afternoon.' Derek said. 'I knew Victoria had a girl around the same time Kate had Isaac but it all came together in the class room.'

Talia scowled, and for a second her eyes flashed red. Her hand squeezed his arm and she nodded. 'I'll take care of this.'

'Mom,' Derek trailed off.

'I'll not go alone, I'll take Laura,' Talia said.

Derek nodded his understanding and let out a long sigh. 'Call me,' he said. Talia pecked his cheek. Derek wandered over to where his son coloured, watched Erica stroke Bumbles thick fur as she dozed beside him.

It was surreal, sitting there while his mother went to the hunters, Derek coloured in the grass and sky that Isaac couldn't be bothered to do. Erica woke up and Derek popped her into her play pen, making a start on dinner. Cora and Boyd sat morosely at the breakfast bar working on their homework together. The life of a high schooler wasn't easy apparently.

Talia was home before dinner, furious. She barely spoke as she stalked outside and into the trees. Laura was quieter, pulling Derek to the side.

'Victoria left Chris, so he's moved back here to be with his ex,' Laura said shifting from one foot to the other. The air was cold, her breath misting as she spoke.

'Who's his ex?' Derek asked walking across the decking.

'Uncle Peter,' Laura said with a grim smile.

Derek let out a shocked puff of air. 'Fuck.'

'That's not all, you'll never guess who Victoria ran away with,' Laura said.

Derek cocked his head to the side. Laura scuffed her toe against the boards. 'Who?' Derek asked.

'Kate,' Laura said quietly.

'Well now,' Derek sighed rubbing the back of his neck.

'Derek,' Laura stepped forward.

'She doesn't give a fuck about that boy!' Derek snarled, his fangs aching to slip from his gums. 'He sits in there and he's taken to a fucking teacher rather than his own mother coming back to support him when I called and left her a message, told her what she lost.'

'Derek,' Laura said quietly, 'Derek calm down.' Laura said. Derek froze, submitting to his sister, baring his neck. 'Its okay, go, go take a run, I'll take care of my nephew and niece.'

'Thanks,' Derek said. Laura nodded and watched him go.

-/-

It was Thursday, and it was time to discuss Isaac's progress with the teacher who hated him. Derek wasn't looking forward to it but he was keen to take the opportunity to resolve whatever bad feeling was between them.

'Derek, sit down.' Jennifer smiled politely, not friendly. Professional.

'Can I just clear something up?' Derek asked.

'Of course,' Jennifer shifted in her seat. Derek was distracted for a second by her nylon covered legs.

'We seemed to be getting on well, but then something changed, and I don't know what, but you got colder towards me.' Derek said. He watched Jennifer pale, her scent changed, spiking slightly of nerves.

'I ah,' Jennifer trailed off blushing now and Derek caught a faint whiff of arousal. His son's teacher was attracted to him, that's why she had started acting cold towards him.

'Why don't we talk about Isaac,' Derek said. Jennifer smiled gratefully and opened a folder. It was full of paintings, writing and observations Jennifer had made herself, and Tilly's reports on him too. Jennifer talked Derek through them all; the drawings which at first had been dark and lonely were now bright and open, hopeful. His childish writing and counting, the games he took part in.

'Isaac is a changed boy, he perhaps understands more than some of his fellow classmates. He's a loyal little boy and his relationships are strong for a child.' Jennifer said. 'I don't grade but I know that if encouraged properly Isaac is going to do great things. Honestly Isaac, children like him, that's why I wanted to teach, to make a difference.'

'You have made a difference, Isaac's fond of you; he talks as if you're part of our family.' Derek admitted.

Jennifer nodded and looked down, and Derek caught the scent of salty tears. 'I enjoyed this, more than I expected.' Derek said standing. Jennifer stood with him and shook his hand, and Derek could barely draw his eyes away from her beautiful neck. He left the classroom with a smile on his face, and about eighty per cent of it had to do with Isaac's progress.

-/-

Over the Easter break Laura and Cora kidnapped Derek's children for a short beach holiday. This would be the first time the kids were apart from Derek since Rebecca's death, and he was dreading it.

'I'll call you every night young man,' Derek said comfortingly to Isaac as his sister packed the car.

'Why?' Isaac asked. 'I'll be okay daddy; I have Auntie Laura and Auntie Cora.'

Derek sighed and closed his eyes. Isaac might be okay, but Derek didn't think he would be. 'You call me if you need to talk okay buddy!'

'Yeah!' Isaac threw himself into Derek's arms for a tight hug. Erica was next, and Derek accepted her usual sloppy kisses as he put her into the car seat, pecking her one last time on the forehead.

'I hope people assume we're a lesbian couple and say something rude,' Cora said as Derek closed the back door.

'Then we can kick some ass and make out!' Laura agreed. Derek closed his eyes tight and took a deep breath.

'What am I doing to my poor children? Boyd did you know about this?' Derek asked but Boyd's eyes were glazed over and Derek left him to his fantasies, waving the car goodbye and going inside. He'd taken in extra shifts at the station, and he needed to get to work.

Later, after he clocked off, he headed over to his favourite bar for an after work drink. He was alone and comfortable when a louder group of women came in, laughing and giggling together. They took a booth at the back and kept the barman busy. No one seemed to mind when they sang along badly to the eighties glam rock playing from the duke box.

Derek was just returning from a toilet break when she caught his eye, Jennifer, his sons beautiful blushing kindergarten teacher. When their eyes met he offered her a wave and she returned it. He lifted his glass and raised an eyebrow, ignoring the catcalls she got as she walked over to him. She was wearing a little white dress that displayed her beautiful neck and shoulders and Derek wondered what it would look like bruised with his teeth and his stubble burns.

'Hi,' she slid onto the barstool beside him.

'Hey, are you having a nice evening?' Derek asked flagging Billy over.

'Yes, fourth grade Miss Bishop will be Mrs Thompson next semester. This is her work colleague's bachelorette party.' Jennifer explained as Billy set a glass of wine in front of her, and a beer for Derek.

'You want a chaser with that son?' He asked. Derek nodded.

'You're drinking all alone,' Jennifer observed.

'Yeah, the kids are away so I took a few extra shifts, my buddies are with their families.' Derek sighed.

'Oh, where are the kids?' Jennifer asked.

'My sisters kidnapped them, took them to the beach for a few days. I'm home with Mom,' Derek made a face.

'Isaac told me you were building a house, although he seems to be under the impression that you're doing it all yourself!' Jennifer grinned easily.

'He is and I'm not, I just go help out when I can,' Derek said. He talked about the house, his plans for the garden, how he was dreading Erica being old enough to walk. He talked more to Jennifer than he had to anyone who wasn't family, than he had to anyone in a long time. He listened too. Jennifer was interesting, well read. She loved books and confessed she had only bought a television for her apartment last week, and it was still in the box.

'It's supposed to be wall mounted. I have no idea how to do that,' she blushed. 'My sister's boyfriend Taylor was supposed to help me next time he's here but I have no idea when that will be.'

'I'll help you if you want,' Derek offered.

'I'm in no rush, I saw Les Mis in the theatre,' Jennifer said. She finished her glass as one of her friends came over.

'You're a cop,' the woman smiled.

'I am,' Derek said eyeing the woman.

'You're fit too,' she winked. 'Fancy stripping for the bride?'

'I'm afraid my public stripping days are over!' Derek said taking a mouthful of his beer.

'I'll strip for ya!' Billy winked.

'Well don't strip for Denise, strip for our Jennifer!' She said squeezing Jennifer's shoulder. Derek was surprised at the possessive snarl he could barely hold back, but he smiled instead.

'Carol!' Jennifer hissed. Derek laughed darkly as she shrugged the other woman away.

'Tell you what. There's a strip club in Monkstown. I'll call a friend of mine I know who can get you in to a VIP table tonight,' Derek said. 'You just have to get there.'

He laughed at the girl's excitement and made the call, and twenty minutes later their taxis had arrived. 'Are you not going?' Derek asked Jennifer.

'I'm,' she bit her lip.

'Stay, with me,' Derek suddenly said. He had no idea where the request came from, but he was glad he said it when Jennifer nodded and sucked at her beautiful full lip like he wanted to.

'Come home with me,' Jennifer asked boldly.

Derek smiled and took her hand, paid his tab and left the bar.