'We apprehended several gunmen,' Deucalion the chief of staff to the president said. 'We believe they've been working as part of a terrorist group opposed to government. We've been tracking them for some time sir, but our intelligence didn't suggest they were this dangerous. We suspect they're an extremist splinter.'

'I think you need better intelligence,' Lydia spoke up. The room quietened and everyone turned to look at her.

'I think-'

'I'm covered in my securities blood, we were shot at and almost killed. If you've been tracking this group and they didn't suggest danger then you need better intelligence.' Lydia raised her chin and looked around the room. Her father pursed his lips and turned to Deucalion.

'My daughter has a point,' he said.

'Yes sir, she does,' Deucalion admitted.

'Domestic terrorism, that's how I'd define the attacks,' Lydia added.

'With all due respect Miss Martin, you're no expert.' Deucalion turned to her.

'With all due respect, you didn't notice that there was to be an attempt on my father's life,' Lydia stood up. She was barefoot and still covered in Derek's blood. They had attended to her father first, checking he had no wounds. Lydia's confirmation that she was fine was all they needed to leave her in peace but now she was cold, and tired and so desperate for news about Derek.

'Lydia,' her father sounded tired. He stared at her, pleading almost for her to let this drop. After a silent conversation she took the hint.

'Can I please go home? I want to shower and change,' Lydia pleaded. Her father nodded and she turned to Boyd. 'Do we have any news?'

'I'm sorry, no one's come back to me yet,' Boyd said.

'Try again.' Lydia instructed as she made her way downstairs.

'Lydia why don't you-'

'I want to go to my place. My apartment. Where I live,' Lydia hated being this person but right now being here made her want to puke.

'Of course,' Boyd said. As they walked Lydia listened to Boyd make another enquiry about Derek.

'Derek's alive,' Erica said as she handed Lydia a warm cup. Lydia took it gratefully but her eyes tracked her protection detail.

'And...' Lydia prompted. Erica sat down opposite Lydia.

'He's in surgery. He took a bullet to the gut, that's all I know.' Erica said.

'The gut?' Lydia said. A strand of wet hair fell from the messy bun she'd made after her shower. Lydia tucked it behind her ear and curled her toes underneath her feet.

'Dangerous, plenty of internal organs to damage,' Erica said.

Boyd cleared his throat and Erica startled. Lydia could feel her eyes wet with tears. 'I'd like to go see him.'

'Not possible I'm afraid. Your father wants you to stay here.' Boyd rocked on his heels and Lydia nodded. There was no point in fighting him now, she didn't have the energy and besides, Derek was in surgery and there was nothing she could do.

'You'll give me regular updates,' Lydia told Erica. It wasn't a suggestion and Erica knew it.

'Yes ma'am.'

Derek woke slowly. At first everything was a blur of lights and noise. His body ached but he couldn't pinpoint where exactly he hurt.

Lydia, was she okay? Derek turned his head to the side but he was trapped by wires and blankets and he was tired again already. He tried to speak but his mouth was covered and his throat felt tight. He closed his eyes, just for a moment.

Derek woke from a dreamless sleep to pain and slight nausea. The room was dark, and someone sat next to the bed. Derek turned to see his mother asleep on the large armchair. Lydia wasn't there and disappointment filled him. He wanted to see her, to touch her skin, kiss her lips. He wanted her bright smile to make his heart soar. He looked for his cell phone but it was nowhere in sight.

'You're awake,' Talia sat forward. Derek offered her a smile and she kissed his cheek.

'Lydia?' Derek said.

Talia rolled her eyes. 'Always on the job.' She said fondly. 'She's fine. You saved her father's life Derek.'

'I know,' Derek licked his lips and his mother held a cup to his mouth. The water was warm but Derek didn't care. He sipped it gratefully.

'I should probably get a nurse,' Talia moved.

'Don't,' Derek caught her hand. 'Not yet, just give me a little time to process please.'

'Anything you say son,' Talia kissed his forehead and stood next to his bed as Derek took slow deep breaths, just like he'd been trained to do.

'Captain Hale.'

It took Derek a moment to recognise President Martin's chief of staff. Deucalion stepped into the room and looked around.

'The President wants to thank you,' he said without making eye contact. 'You saved his life.'

'It's my job,' Derek said.

'You know he'll be running for re-election soon, and he's going to get in. This has guaranteed him votes. A scandal will just hamper that re-election. I suggest you take this,' Deucalion handed Derek an envelope. Inside was a cheque for half a million dollars.

'Lydia mistrusts you,' Derek said as he examined the paper, the writing. It was from the president's personal account, signed by the president. The writing on the rest of the cheque was different though. 'Says you don't do enough research for her liking. I have no need of this.'

'Everyone has a price Captain Hale,' Deucalion said.

'Three times I've went through surgery to remove bullets from my body. My mother owns a multi-million dollar company and there's a trust fund waiting for me. Has been for three years. I turned it down because I like what I do,' Derek took a deep breath to mask the pain in his abdomen.

'Perhaps you don't have a price but your neglect of duties when you're with Miss Martin have put her in danger. Think, Derek, if for one second you were distracted. What would that mean huh?' Deucalion asked.

Derek didn't answer. He didn't need to. Deucalion was right. Derek was a danger to Lydia.

'Hi, I was hoping for an update on Derek Hale,' Lydia said. She heard some muttering on the other end of the line. Papers were shuffled and then the nurse spoke.

'Derek is awake and sitting up,' she said.

'Is he accepting visitors?' Lydia asked.

'Just family I'm afraid Miss Martin. I'll let him know you called.' The line died and Lydia sat back to look at the blank screen of her cell phone.

Derek hadn't responded to any of her messages, and Lydia surmised he'd lost his phone or perhaps there was no power left. It only took a few calls and thirty minutes later a new cell phone was on its way to him along with a card and a fruit basket.

Lydia tried to push Derek from her mind and turned to her research papers. It was dark when she finally decided to eat and check her cell phone. There were no messages. Lydia ignored the disappointment. Derek would be resting.

She called the hospital again in the morning.

'Mr Hale has politely requested that you no longer call the ward,' the nurse said.

'Is he ready for visitors?' Lydia asked.

'Mr Hale wants to see only close friends and family at this time. Please respect his privacy.' The line went dead. Lydia stood for a long time staring at the wall.

Derek didn't want to see her or contact her. He was shutting her out and it hurt.

The knock on the door startled her. Erica was smiling, explaining that Lydia had a lecture soon and the car was waiting. In a daze Lydia slipped her feet into her shoes and pulled a coat around her shoulders.

When she returned to her apartment later the gift she had purchased for Derek sat unopened in her mailbox. The card was unopened too.

Lydia tossed them into her bag and headed up the stairs.

It hurt. Lydia couldn't hold back the tears as the man she loved refused her help. She was more alone than ever, and her dreams were fading into memory as she walked through life. It was as if she were trapped but couldn't speak. Only Allison suspected something had been going on between Lydia and Derek but she was back in Paris. Lydia had no one to talk to, no one to share her pain with.

'He's a stubborn son of a bitch,' Erica said one afternoon as they left the White House. Her studies were getting her full attention now, and Lydia took the opportunity to learn from her father's staff. She found she enjoyed the speechwriting the best, watching ideas and notes turn into eloquent language delivered to a waiting and eager audience. 'At least he's home though.'

'Derek's out of hospital?' Lydia asked.

'He got home day before yesterday,' Erica confirmed.

Lydia slid into the car and looked out the window. She was hurt but she missed Derek terribly. She didn't think it would look weak to seek him out for a conversation.

'Can I go see him?' Lydia felt pathetic asking but Erica smiled.

'He's a fool, you know, but I have the utmost respect for you. We're not friends but I hate to see you hurting,' Erica squeezed Lydia's shoulder. 'Just, make him see what he's losing.'

Lydia rapped her knuckles against the door and was surprised to see a woman on the other side. Lydia didn't recognise her but she knew this woman wasn't one of Derek's sisters. She'd seen pictures of Laura and Cora.

'Can I help you?' The woman asked leaning against the door.

'I'm-'

'I know who you are; what do you want?' The woman snapped.

'I would like to see Derek,' Lydia said. She could feel tension, a heartbeat passed then the woman opened the door and stood back. She was barefoot, at home in Derek's apartment. Lydia stepped into the room and looked around. Derek was sitting on the corner of the sofa, another woman sat with her legs over his. Lydia didn't recognize her either.

Derek stood, shaking the legs off his thighs. He didn't look surprised to see her but he didn't look happy either.

'You look well,' Lydia said. Her heels clacked against the wooden floor. She knew how she looked, her skirt was short and her hair was up. Derek loved her legs, and when they made out his lips always chased the sensitive parts of her neck. He would bury his face there during sex, always kissing and touching her whilst his fingers explored her thighs.

'Thanks,' Derek folded his arms over his chest but his eyes flicked down over her body. 'This is Jennifer, my ex-wife. She came with Kali her girlfriend. They're here to make my life difficult,' Derek looked behind him. Lydia ignored the twist in her chest at the smile Derek's ex-wife gave him, but she remembered Derek telling her they remained friends after the divorce.

'I was worried,' Lydia took a slight step towards him but Derek stepped away. Her chest tightened. 'I-'

'I almost got you killed. I was distracted.' Derek looked at his feet. 'We need to finish this. It's not professional.'

'At least look me in the eye when you're telling me you don't want me,' Lydia snapped.

Derek's eyes were hard when he met her gaze. 'This needs to end.'

'I came to invite you to the ball at the White House, I was hoping you'd be my date,' Lydia said. She bit her lip, she knew Derek had a thing for stopping her from doing that, but he kept his arms stubbornly folded. She wanted so desperately to ask his audience to leave but they didn't, they just stayed where they were and blatantly watched.

'Lydia, it was fun while it lasted, but it's over now. I need to find-'

'Tell me you don't want me and I'll leave.' Lydia's bottom lip trembled. She felt naked, standing here in front of Derek's ex-wife and her lover, standing waiting for Derek to say it, hoping he wouldn't.

'I don't want you.' Derek said.

Lydia turned away. She tossed the envelope she held in her hand onto the counter and pushed out the door. It closed with a slam as Boyd fell into step behind her. She didn't speak, didn't hardly breathe until she was safe at her own place. Her whole body shook as she slipped into the shower. The spray hit her face, and Lydia tipped her head back letting the water wash away her tears.

'I think you're a fool. For the record.' Kali said as she examined the ticket and the post it note on front.

'Me too.' Jennifer said.

Derek closed his eyes and wished for male company. Scott or Isaac, hell even his brother in law Stiles would be preferable right now to these two. 'Go away.'

'That girl is head over heels for you,' Kali said. 'And those legs. I bet she's a firecracker in bed.'

Derek turned his glare on Kali but she just winked. 'Don't.' He warned.

'And you love her. I can tell,' Jennifer said. 'Are you going to give that up?'

'I'm a liability. I almost got her killed,' Derek said. He turned back to his window. His apartment was modest, there was a view of a dog park. Derek usually avoided the window, his job didn't allow him time for a dog, especially as he had given up his time in the Secret Service and was due to return to active duty once his recovery was complete.

'No, you didn't. You were hyper aware of what was going on. You were close to them both, Derek if you hadn't of been there either Lydia, her father or both of them would be dead or seriously injured right now,' Jennifer said.

Derek rubbed his face and wished them quiet. His chest felt tight and his head was pounding.

'Imagine giving up the love of your life just because you think you might not have saved her life,' Kali said. Jennifer made a humming noise.

Derek folded his arms and examined his reflection in the window. He wondered where she was now, what she was doing. She'd be fine, in the future. She'd find happiness with someone else. Someone would come along who would love her right, protect her, and hold her. Derek tried to imagine someone else with Lydia, someone kissing her, making love with her, but his hands curled into fists. He hated the feelings inside right now, hated how much he loved Lydia, how much the thought of someone else touching Lydia made him angry. He imagined her standing in front of crowds of people, imagined her as President.

Lydia wanted family, she wanted kids and a career. She had a future fully planned out. Derek was surprised to find that he wanted that too, only he wanted that with Lydia and no one else.

Lydia knew her smile was false but she didn't care. Jordan Parrish may be a genius politician and the youngest member of congress but Lydia really didn't care anymore, all she was interested in were the steps he took to get where he was. She knew why he was flirting with her, she knew why they all flirted with her. She didn't want to date any of them, no matter how much they pleaded. There was only one thing she wanted tonight and that was to disappear back to her apartment, get drunk and forget this last shambles of a year.

Lydia's acquaintances were many but friends were few. She turned away as Jordan entertained a large group and bumped into a wall of warm muscle. Jordan quietened behind her but Lydia didn't care.

'I'm a fool.' Derek said. Lydia bit her tongue. 'It's just that I've never felt this way about anyone. I thought I might lose you.'

'You know you were the one who was shot, I was the one who was going to lose you,' Lydia pointed out. He looked handsome in his tux and he'd shaved at one point because his jaw was stubbled.

Derek smiled at her. 'I've always had this fantasy of being the husband of a beautiful lady President.'

'I would make a good President,' Lydia told Derek. He smiled at her.

'I would make a good house husband.' Derek pointed out. 'I've quit the secret service, I'm going back to the marines for a year or so.'

'What will you do after that?' Lydia asked him, but her heart leapt with hope.

'I don't know, I might go to University,' Derek shrugged. 'I've always loved history.'

'Oh yeah?' Lydia said.

Derek nodded. 'Yeah.' He took her hands and led her onto the dancefloor. 'I'm sorry I hurt you but I love you so much baby. I was trying to protect you.'

'I'm a big girl Derek, I can take care of myself. People are always making decisions for me, I don't appreciate you being one of those people,' Lydia said.

'I know, I'm sorry about that too. I hate that I've been an asshole, I just listened to the wrong person,' Derek said. He was looking at someone over her shoulder. Lydia turned and saw Deucalion looking at them like a bad taste lingered in his mouth. Lydia turned back and squeezed Derek's hands.

'This doesn't mean I forgive you. There's making up to be done. I may want that belt.' Lydia watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.

'Yes ma'am,' he said. His hands tightened on her waist and he pressed a quick kiss to her lips. A promise of later.

'Derek I don't need protection. There's plenty of that around me. What I need is someone who loves me to trust me, to trust that I know what I'm doing and where I'm going with my life,' Lydia linked her fingers behind his neck.

'I trust you, I just don't trust me anymore,' Derek said.

'I trust you, I always have. I trust that you'll take care of me however I need you to and I'll do the same for you. I trust you to make me happy,' Lydia pecked Derek's lips again.

'I will make you happy just like you make me happy,' Derek smiled.

They danced together until her father caught her eye, beckoning her close to him. Lydia held Derek's hand as she walked towards her father.

'Hale,' he nodded to Derek. Derek nodded back. His eyes fell to their joined hands. 'Thank you, for saving my life.'

'You're welcome sir,' Derek said.

'I hear you're going back to the marines,' the president said.

'For a while sir,' Derek said. The president's eyes fell to their joined hands again.

'Daddy...'

'You know I wondered how long it would take for you two to finally see sense,' The President said. Lydia gave her father a hug. 'I'm glad you've fallen in love,' her father whispered in her ear.

'So am I,' Lydia said as she pulled away from him. 'I assume you're going to help me become President.'

'I thought you hated politics!' The President said.

'So did I,' Lydia smiled. 'But I'll have a higher approval rating than you.'

Her father rolled his eyes and Derek tugged her hand.

'Come on, I want to dance with you,' he said. Lydia let him lead her away and wrapped herself in his arms.

'I think we should dance forever,' Lydia admitted. Derek pecked her lips, just one chaste kiss but it was full of so much promise and hope that Lydia felt butterflies fill her tummy. Derek held her close, and Lydia rested her cheek on his chest and wondered what it really would be like to dance with Derek at her Inauguration Ball.

Lydia stepped from the pool of silk her dress left around her feet. Derek was lying on the bed. He was watching her, his eyes travelling her body as she smoothed nervous fingers over the lace underwear that covered her hips.

He looked good, he was resting his elbows on the bed and his shoulders were pushed forward. The scar was clear on his stomach and Lydia couldn't resist bending forward and placing her lips over the new bullet wound. Derek made a soft noise and ran his fingers up her legs to the hem of her panties.

'Hey,' Lydia whispered as she crawled over his body. Derek wove his fingers into her hair and pulled her close to his lips. The kiss was warm and safe, but there was something different behind it that Lydia couldn't put her finger on.

'I'm sorry,' Derek said as he trailed his fingers over her cheek. 'I could have lost you.'

'I wasn't giving up you know, I had just retreated and was thinking of how else I was going to approach the problem,' Lydia said.

'I'm a problem huh?' Derek asked. His voice was husky, Lydia could feel the bulge in his shorts pressing up against her panties.

'You're a big problem,' Lydia teased grounding down. Derek's pupils were almost black with desire. 'But I'm going to see if I can reduce it.'

Derek chuckled and cupped her face in his hands. Her fingers teased over the skin of his shoulders then Lydia sat up. 'Are you going to ride me?'

'You'd like that, lying back there watching me, but you've got to work for me,' Lydia said. Derek smiled and sat up, catching her in his arms.

'You haven't forgiven me yet,' Derek nipped the skin underneath her eat and Lydia squirmed on his lap.

'No,' Lydia said. Her voice sounded breathy but Derek didn't seem to notice. He flipped her and dragged her panties off with one easy move. He removed his own as an afterthought. 'Derek.' Lydia said. His eyes met hers but he didn't speak. With gentle hands he spread her thighs and ducked to kiss her mound.

Lydia cried out, Derek's mouth was hot and it had been a while since she had felt him there. He used his thumbs to part the lips of her pussy and then he was licking over her clit. Lydia gasped as Derek alternated between long licks and quick flicks. Her hands gripped at his hair as he sucked her clit into his mouth and scraped his teeth gently against her.

Lydia bucked against him and cried out as his soothing tongue made her come. 'I'm sorry,' Derek said from between her legs. Lydia dragged him up so he covered her body.

'You better be,' Lydia said. She smacked his ass with one hand whilst she guided his cock into her cunt with the other.

'Condom,' Derek said but he was already inside her.

'Contraceptive pill,' Lydia nipped the lobe of his ear.

'Lydia,' Derek groaned as he rocked into her.

Lydia gripped his butt cheek and with her other hand cupped the back of his neck. 'Derek, please, fuck me,' she moaned.

Derek did, and the slap of hips was all she could hear in the room. Lydia wrapped her legs around his waist and sought his lips. They didn't kiss, just touched and shared. Lydia was afraid to stop touching Derek least he disappear from her arms.

'I'm sorry,' Derek muttered in her ear. Lydia turned to him and pecked at his lips, his cheeks.

'I forgive you love,' Lydia said.

Derek shifted, moving so he was resting on his haunches. He gripped Lydia's hips and fucked into her hard. With a shout she caught onto the headboard as Derek grit his teeth. 'Yeah, fuck me,' she panted.

'Demanding aren't you,' Derek said. She was sure there'd be bruises on her skin later but she didn't mind, she looked forward to Derek's marks on her skin.

'Lift me into your lap,' she said.

'Yes ma'am,' with a grunt Derek did as she asked. The angle changed and Lydia felt a shudder run through her when Derek's cock brushed her g-spot.

'I love how strong you are,' Lydia kissed Derek's lips.

'I love how strong you are,' Derek's hands ran up her back. The kiss was soft this time. Lydia rocked in Derek's lap and Derek helped her move. 'Baby you're going to make me come.'

'I want to,' Lydia clenched around Derek's cock. He groaned and jerked, brushing her g-spot again. Lydia cried out. Her toes curled as her spine tingled. Derek's thumb worked between them and brushed her clit.

Lydia came first with her teeth against Derek's neck. A moment later she was on her back and Derek was pushing into her. It only took a few thrusts before he collapsed on top of her.

'That was...' Lydia kissed Derek again and scratched at his shoulder.

'I know,' he agreed above her. 'We should shower.'

'Not yet, don't move, just stay there,' Lydia pleaded. Derek nuzzled her cheek and let his wet lips brush her skin.

'Whatever you want,' he said softly. The light flicked off and they held each other in the darkness of Lydia's apartment, a view of the White House from the window in the back ground.