"Beacon County Sheriff's Department has requested that all Beacon Hills High School students attend an emergency assembly today." The announcement squawked out over the Public Address System.

"Well that's weird, hey Danny have you seen Stiles yet today."

"No Scott, I'm just his lab partner. You're supposed to be his friend, so you need to start keeping better track of him."

"Hey Scott." Allison said brightly, as she kissed Scott lightly on the cheek. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing major, just Stiles is a no show."

"Mr Stilinski isn't in today, I guess I'll have to reschedule his detentions."

"Mr Harris, do you know why the Sheriff's department are holding a special assembly?"

"No Miss Argent, I have no idea. Shouldn't you all be in home room?"

"Stiles, I can't help you if I don't know how."

Stiles cowered in the corner, his sobs had quietened and his raw, red, bloodshot eyes stared questioningly at Derek. When Derek reached out to rest a comforting hand on his shoulder, Stiles shrugged away. Making it clear that physical contact was unwanted, if people wouldn't comply when he asked them not to touch him, then he would keep them from touching him. Derek hunkered down in front of Stiles, he managed to refrain from rest a hand on Stiles' knee after the noticed the icy death glare Stiles shot at him. It was clear Stiles was in distress, his reaction to physical contact made it apparent that he'd been involved in some sort of physical altercation. But Derek couldn't smell another person's scent on him, in fact not the he was trying to scent the person who hurt Stiles, he noticed that he couldn't even smell the Pack on Stiles anymore.

"Stiles you don't smell like Pack."

"I showered!" Stiles snapped.

"OK, I know something's wrong. I wish I knew what, but I'll be there when you're ready to talk. I know you don't think so, but you are Pack and it's my job as Alpha to sort out your problems. If you're... ya know unable to sort them out yourself."

"You wouldn't believe me, nobody will ever believe me."

"Stiles, I'll always believe you. I'll hear it in your heartbeat, remember."

Stiles shrugged, a clear indication that he wasn't going to talk about what had happened, so Derek strode back over to the window and climbed out. He couldn't be with Stiles, while depression hung so heavily over his head. Not if Stiles couldn't talk about his problems and enable Derek to fi them, or at least comfort him while he got his head back on straight. Derek crossed the street, shifting into his beta form as he past the tree line, he dropped to all-fours and ran. Without a scent there was nothing he could do, without a name, which only Stiles could provide, it was hopeless. All he could do was run, expel some of his energy, maybe punch holes in walls in the hope his anger might dissapate. He could maybe use his Alpha voice, command Peter to let him punch him in the face. But those were only temporary measures, he was the Alpha and his mate was both physical hurt and upset, his only real solution was to find the culprit and make them pay.

"Hello! I'm Sheriff Stilinski, which I'm sure you all already know."

The sea of faces in front of him, remained blank and expressionless.

"Anyway, there has been a serious physical assault on a Beacon Hill High student. This means that the Sheriff's department will be carrying out an investigation and your full co-operation will be required. Along with questioning the faculty and student body, taking statements and such, students are being advised not to go anywhere alone. Stay with your friends, make sure to be in a group of at least two at all times. There is no curfew in place at present, for now this is an isolated incident, but your help and vigilance will be required to keep the offender from becoming a serial offender."

The sea of faces in front of him, was suddenly more animated and lively probably discussing the new develop either as gossip or in a manner that might actually prove helpful.

"Thank you for your time, there will be deputies in the school tomorrow to take statements. If you wish to give information before then, come and see me at the Sheriff's office after school and please don't go anywhere alone."

"Mr Stilinski."

"Scott, it's Sheriff Stilinski just now. I'm on duty."

"Sorry, but it's important. Is Stiles OK, he's not in today, it was him who got attacked wasn't it?"

"Scott, Stiles is very upset right now. You can't tell anybody. I'm keeping him off school and they'll get suspicious, eventually on their own. I'd like to spare him the gossip for as long as possible."

"Is it bad? I mean, was it definitely a person or was it like those weird animal attacks, that you pretend nobody's aware of."

"SCOTT!"

"Sorry Sheriff, but he's my friend and I know I haven't been a great friend lately. Is it OK if I skip Lacrosse practice and check in on him after school?"

"Actually, Scott that would be great, maybe he'll actually speak with you. Provide some information that will be help. Right at the minute all I can do is try and build a case, but what I really wanna do is put a bullet in the bastard's Brain. Sorry.. I shouldn't be bothering you with this Scott, please forget I said anything. Call for Stiles this afternoon, I'm sure he'll be glad to see you or something."

"What do you mean, or something?"

"Scott, I'm not going to discuss the details with you, I'd like to preserve Stiles' dignity. But his assault was really bad, he's pretty traumatised at the minute and he may not seem like himself."

"OK Sheriff, I understand, I'll keep him company and try and help him get back to normal."

"Thanks Scott!"