The Fox and The Wolf - Book Two {Sterek}

Chapter 13: Human

"Piece of crap," Derek mumbled under his breath, again. He had been driving for about 15 hours when the Jeeps tire blew, and I knew he was as tired as the rest of us.

"Hey! Don't hate the Jeep!" I said defensively.

He frowned at me as I took the spare tire and jack off of the back of my baby. He moved to the flat tire and tried lifting the Jeep for me- but he couldn't do it. His biceps were straining underneath his perfect skin, bulging hugely with the effort. My heart sank. His werewolf strength must be gone now too. Isaac placed his hand on Derek's, gently removing it from the Jeep.

"I'll do it," he said quietly. Derek nodded silently, his face blank. But I could feel what he was feeling. He's scared.

"Der-," I started in a soft voice.

"I'm fine Stiles!" He snapped. I closed my mouth and focused on changing the flat tire. I was only trying to make him feel better, but what was the point? What could I possibly say to make him feel better about this? While Isaac held the Jeep in the air, I set to work getting the spare tire on. I was almost finished when I felt Derek's hand on my back.

"I'm sorry Stiles- I just..." he trailed off, not knowing how to explain what he's feeling.

"I know," I whispered, reaching to squeeze his hand. He gave me a small smile. I stood up with the flat tire in hand. "Fixed! Let's get going again." Malia took the tire from me and loaded it into the back of the Jeep.

I moved to the Impala and knocked on the window to wake Dean, who was snoozing with his head in Castiel's lap. He jerked up at the sound of my knuckles rapping on the glass.

"We're ready," I said through the glass, and he nodded, blinking himself awake.

"Alright! I'm ready!" He said half heartedly. I sympathized, I was exhausted too. But we needed to get to Kate as soon as possible, and we only have a few more hours to go.

I had gotten nearly 10 hours of sleep, Derek refusing my offers to drive every time. But I took the opportunity now and beat him to the drivers seat, swinging myself inside happily. This Jeep always felt like home, and reminded me of my mom. It was hers, and now it's mine. Another piece of her for me to cherish. It's the reason I love the thing so much, and refuse to let go of it. Never, would I ever give up on this Jeep. Only Scott, Melissa, and my dad knew that was the reason I adored it. I would have to tell Derek sometime, he would understand. Better than most. When he came back to Beacon Hills after the fire, he insisted on living in the half burned down house of his family. And I knew it was for the same reason. While death and tragedy were associated with that house, so were his family. All of the happy times, the feelings of belonging and love- happened in that home. My mom had loved this Jeep, so I love it.

We were all back in the vehicle and on our way, the Impala still following behind. We had been driving at least another two hours when I was pulled out of my own thoughts by Derek's sharp intake of breath. He was looking out the window and I couldn't see his face.

"Derek?" I asked hesitantly. "What's wrong?"

"My eyes, my eyes won't change," he said in a quiet, but panicked voice. "And I can't- I can't smell emotions anymore. And I couldn't lift the Jeep... Stiles. I think I'm human." He finished in a whisper.

My eyes grew wide and I pulled over, off of the dirt road and into the sand of the endless desert. We were only an hour out now, but this was a big deal. I got out and went around to the passenger side, yanking his door open. I stepped in close and held his face in my hands. He had his eyes squeezed shut and his mouth formed a hard line.

"Let me see," I whispered. He shook his head between my hands. "Der- let me see," I insisted. I could feel his emotions through the mate bond. He's scared again, and panicked. He knew it was coming, but it was still a shock.