spamalot } { of overheated boyfriends and rules of horses

[beanchaointe]

Parrish: [and of course, like the stubborn man that he is... he's going to want and try to get himself something to drink. Luckily he's cool enough that he can wear cotton pants now without worry that it was going to melt on him]

Lydia: [is an incredibly light sleeper. By which she means she's not sleeping at all really. She's watching terrible infomercials on low when she hears the sound of footsteps and glances back over the back of the couch] Jordan?

Parrish: [and he's in the doorway, sweaty abs and glowing eyes, looking at her] Water...

Lydia: [she nods as she gets up to do as asked] Okay. I'll get it. [and she will and add extra ice to boot to keep it from boiling right off the bat]

Parrish: [and he's going to just lean against the doorframe. He looks at the thermometer on the door and chuckles] I'm at least down to... a temperature that won't fry the earth.

Lydia: [she laughs softly before bringing the glass over to him] Maybe now that you're up you can try and take a cold shower to cool you down the rest of the way.

Parrish: [he holds he hand flat for her to put the glass on so that he didn't risk burning her fingers] Maybe. I almost wish it was winter and I could just lay in the snow.

Lydia: Now you know. Save getting shot for Christmas and Valentine's Day. [teasing as she does as indicated and places the glass on his palm]

Parrish: [smiles a bit, drinking the water quickly and just enjoying the ice in his mouth a moment before it melts.] I'll remember that.

Lydia: Good. [tips her head to the side] I was serious about the shower though. Or maybe an ice bath?

Parrish: Shower works. One where there's a window. Last time Jason tried, it became a sauna pretty quickly.

Lydia: [she nods] I think the upstairs bathroom has one.

Parrish: Okay, I think I can make it up there. [he's just exhausted]

Lydia: I can help.

Parrish: Just keep me company? I don't want to burn you.

Lydia: [she nods] Okay. [she doesn't really care if she gets burned, but she'll just nod and follow his lead]

Parrish: [he cares, okay? He doesn't want to hurt her. But he can walk himself, and once he's in the bathroom and shower, he was the cold up high and just steps into it, tilting his face into the spray]

Lydia: [opens the window as requested in case he starts steaming and flips down the lid of the toilet so she can sit on it] Other than the heat, how are you feeling?

Parrish: Better. It's easier to breathe now, and I think most of the poison is out.

Lydia: Good. That's ... good.

Parrish: I'll admit I like it better when I'm unconscious and don't remember the healing. [chuckles]

Lydia: [she laughs] Well, eventually you do have to be conscious again.

Parrish: Yeah, but I'm fine missing the healing part.

Lydia: Good to know.

Parrish: [he looks at her, and then puts his hand into the water for a bit until it feels nice and cool, and then reaches over to her with a small smile]

Lydia: [She sees the wet hand and smiles softly, before reaching over to give it a squeeze] I was worried about you.

Parrish: I didn't mean to worry you.

Lydia: Your intention doesn't change the fact that you got shot.

Parrish: I also didn't mean for that to happen either.

Lydia: Again. Intention doesn't change the facts.

Parrish: Well, the fact that I'm a cop means that eventually I was going to get shot.

Lydia: True. But that doesn't mean that I have to be happy with it. At all. Ever.

Parrish: Jason told me I should change careers and become a fireman. Less chance of getting hurt on the job.

Lydia: Do you want to be a fireman?

Parrish: I'm a cop. We have an unspoken rivalry with firemen. It would be like turning traitor.

Lydia: Then you will just have to be more careful.

Parrish: Trust me, I'm not going to be far from my vest for a while.

Lydia: Good.

Parrish: I'm sorry I made you worry though. At least I know now what will happen.

Lydia: And they'll know not to take you to the hospital.

Parrish: Yeah. Better to take me to an industrial size freezer.

Lydia: [smirks]

Parrish: At least I didn't lose my humor.

Lydia: In a world like this one, you're going to need it.

Parrish: Yeah, tell me about it.

Lydia: [watches him for a moment] Think you're cool enough that your temperature will stay down at this point?

Parrish: [he goes to play his fingers along the bullet wounds that are closed and still a bit pink] I think so.

Lydia: [pushes up and moves closer, closing her free hand over the one he gave her and pressing a kiss to the back of his hand] Then maybe we should get you out of there and see about giving you actual food.

Parrish: That sounds like a good plan. [he goes to reach for his pants]

Lydia: [steps back to let him dry off and do that, before they head back downstairs so Lydia can see what's in the fridge]

Parrish: [and he's going to open the window to let the cool breeze hit him. He didn't really dry himself off to get the added benefit.] So how was your visit to Elena? I didn't get to ask yet.

Lydia: Good. The kids are getting ... big. Jacob's skipped walking and went right to running and Ellie's in preschool.

Parrish: It's amazing how fast they grow.

Lydia: It is. Ellie's already reading, though that's not surprising. Elena was all about the books. And Matt told me to tell you that he's priming Jacob to be the next big running back.

Parrish: [laughs] Yeah, I'm not surprised. Too bad he's living on a coast where lacrosse is the local sport.

Lydia: Palo Alto actually has a pretty decent football team. He verified it before he and Elena moved there. [she smirks] They're going to try and come down during the summer to see Cora and Ben.

Parrish: We will have to go up there and watch a game. But that's good. Cora could use company.

Lydia: I'm sure. And the five tons of baby boy clothes that are going to come with her. Caroline is getting all of Ellie's.

Parrish: Wait... Caroline's pregnant?

Lydia: [she nods with a small smile] She's not very far along. She and Tyler are having a very strong difference of opinion about what the gender will be.

Parrish: Well, I'm just happy for them. I know Tyler was nervous about it with the whole alpha chain.

Lydia: Well, biology doesn't always wait for your nerves to settle.

Parrish: I guess not.

Lydia: This pack is going to be drowning in infants soon enough. Malia's due any day now and Allison not long after that.

Parrish: [he thinks a moment] Do you feel left out?

Lydia: [and then she will turn on him with a bit of a look] ... Not that the scientist in me isn't curious about what a quarter-dragon half banshee baby would look like, I'm not in any rush. We still have a lot of stuff we're figuring out anyway.

Parrish: [chuckles] I didn't mean getting on that right this second. I just meant in general.

Lydia: [she shrugs] I've never exactly been what someone would consider ... maternal. I mean, I'm good with them when they reach a certain age, but before that ... [there's a beat as she tries to put on the right words] I don't know. Plus, I'm always going to be worried about what happens if I'm alone with the baby and I have an episode. Or we're driving to the store and I wind up two towns over screaming for a dead body. I can't ... put them through that.

Parrish: [he nods slowly] I can understand that.

Lydia: [she shrugs, not looking up at him because she knows on some level that has to be disappointing and she can't bring herself to see it] I don't know. Maybe things will change, but ... in some ways it's easier not to get my hopes up.

Parrish: [he actually isn't disappointed] The reason I ask... I'm not sure I can.

Lydia: [her head snaps up, confused] What do you mean?

Parrish: It wasn't something I was ready to bring up... but when I talked to William about it he wasn't sure I'd be able to. Remember, I'm not supposed to exist in nature?

Lydia: [nods slowly] Right.

Parrish: I was worried you'd be upset.

Lydia: [shakes her head] No. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable passing down any of this - [she gestures to her head] - anyway.

Parrish: So we can just be the fun uncle and aunt who hand the kids back to their parents when we're done with them.

Lydia: [she laughs] I think we pretty much fill that role already, considering who we're living with. [there's a pause] Dina was very worried about you too. And I have a feeling it'll be a lot harder to make it up to her.

Parrish: I probably will still be on leave for a while to keep up appearances. I'm sure I can make it up in time.

Lydia: [she nods] Which I'm sure she will appreciate.

Parrish: I see too many days in a cape in my near future.

Lydia: [smiles softly] But you make such a good super hero.

Parrish: [smirks] Well, I try.

Lydia: But right now, just focus on getting better enough to go home.

Parrish: Yeah. I'm working on it. [he shook his head]

Lydia: Do you feel yourself getting warmer again?

Parrish: A little bit, but not nearly as much or as fast as before.

Lydia: That's good, at least.

Parrish: I think if we can get me down to a normal fever level for 24 hours, we could probably go home.

Lydia: Sounds good. I think Cora and Stiles would rather have you there anyway.

Parrish: Does this mean they've adopted me now?

Lydia: I think they adopted you a long time ago.

Parrish: [laughs] I wonder if it will freak them out then if I call them mom and dad.

Lydia: [she laughs] They might look at you funny, definitely.

Parrish: And then I can call Sheriff Grandpa. THAT will be hilarious.

Lydia: Not at the office.

Parrish: No, it wouldn't make sense there.

Lydia: The deputies you work with would be so confused.

Parrish: All the more fun.

Lydia: I'm sure it is.

Parrish: I'm also pretty sure Sheriff is going to bench me for a while.

Lydia: It makes sense, given what happened.

Parrish: Yeah, can't say I blame him.

Lydia: It'll be fine. You could probably use the break, even if desk duty is boring.

Parrish: I will get to catch up on my solitaire skills.

Lydia: See? Bonus.

[And eventually they will con their way into letting Parrish go home, and off they go to spend some time with the Stilinskis.]

Lydia: [lets them in slowly, peering into the apartment] Anybody home?

Stiles: [wandering out of the home office he has, stretching a bit. Someone was asleep at his computer] Yeah, we're here. Hey, They let you come home.

Parrish: Yeah, but I'm probably going to owe you for the water bill this month.

Lydia: Lots of cold showers and lots of relaxing until his temperature is normal for two days.

Stiles: [nods] Well, I'm sure we'll survive. Why don't you guys go relax? I should make Cora and Dina something for lunch when they wake up from their naps. Want something?

Lydia: [shakes her head] Talia fed us before we left. Though he might still be hungry.

Parrish: I'm apparently still burning calories like crazy so anything with protein would be good.

Stiles: Alright. I think I can find something. You guys hang out. [he goes to the kitchen and turns on the iPod radio in there, fiddles with it a moment, and yes, Hot Blooded starts to play]

Lydia: [rolls her eyes as she moves to sit on the couch] Stiles.

Stiles: It's on random! [it totally is. but he chose the first song]

Parrish: I have a theme song now, don't I?

Lydia: Apparently.

Parrish: I'm going to go upstairs and put on something that's actually mine. I'll be back in a few. [and he will wander upstairs]

Lydia: [and she will stay there on the couch, idly drumming her fingers to the music]

Dina: [and then there are footsteps running down the stairs, intending to find her father but stops] Aunt Lydia!

Lydia: [glances over with a smile] Hi, Dina. Miss me?

Dina: I did! I didn't think you were coming back until Uncle Jordan was better.

Lydia: Well, guess what.

Dina: [thinks really hard, and then hears the movement upstairs and she breaks out in a smile and will go all out running to Lydia's side of the house]

Lydia: [smiles and just lets her go, letting them have their moment]

Parrish: [and from upstairs in the room there will be the sound of Parrish being tackled by a Stilinski and gentle roughhousing on the bed. That’s not strenuous at all]

Stiles: [chuckles] She's missed him, that's for sure.

Lydia: I'm sure she did. [then moving to the stairs to call up] Take it easy, Dina. He's not completely better.

Dina: HE STARTED IT.

Parrish: I DID NOT.

Lydia: Doesn't matter, I'll finish it!

Stiles: [laughs]

Lydia: [sighs as she moves into the kitchen] So how have things been here?

Stiles: Hectic. Cora's still working on getting on a more even keel with all her new feelings, so I've been working from home. Dina's apparently betrothed now to Jonathan on the promise of a pony, and I still have yet to figure out why she dumped Ryan.

Lydia: I guess he couldn't deliver.

Stiles: Friendzoning, man. It's rough. [smirks at her]

Lydia: [she laughs] Hey, she has standards. At least you know she's not going to be offering her hand to just any six year-old boy.

Stiles: Yeah, only the ones who promise her ponies. I'm going to get Fiona to help me learn to clean a shotgun.

Lydia: I'm sure that will end well.

Stiles: I wouldn't actually bring bullets into the house.

Lydia: That's good, at least.

Parrish: [and he's going to return, Dina in tow] Alright, you win this time but when I'm feeling better we will have a rematch.

Dina: Daddy, I'm the king of the mountain!

Lydia: [she laughs] Good job, Dina.

Stiles: That's my girl. You want to go upstairs and ask Mommy quietly if she wants to come down for lunch?

Dina: What are we having?

Stiles: Turkey sandwiches and baby carrots.

Dina: [nods and goes off on her mission]

Stiles: [to Lydia and Parrish] I've got a couple made already for you Parrish.

Lydia: [watches her go before turning back to Stiles] How is Cora doing?

Cora: [is dozing on her and Stiles’ bed, not quiet asleep, but close enough that she doesn't hear Dina coming]

Stiles: She's doing okay. Most of the time. She just gets tired easily, and she has a hard time processing the new feelings and instincts. But she'll get there.

Dina: [goes to lean on the bed near Cora's head and whispers] Mommy.

Lydia: [she nods] She never was the most emotive Hale. I'm sure she'll figure it out, though.

Cora: [her eyes blink open] Hey, Dina. Everything okay?

Stiles: And I'm trying not to be too much of a bother and let her figure things out. I mean, I know a lot of it and I try... but I just... I don't get the wolf side sometimes when it comes to stuff like this.

Dina: [still whispering] Daddy wants to know if you want lunch. Uncle Jordan came home.

Lydia: [she nods] You could always try asking Talia?

Cora: [she was going to say no and try and get some actual sleep, but when she hears that Parrish is there, she nods] Okay. Tell Dad I'll be down in a little bit.

Stiles: I don't want to worry her mom.

Dina: Okay. [and she leans over and kisses Cora's cheek before slipping out to tell her daddy that]

Lydia: [tips her head to the side] Yeah, see, worrying about not worrying people doesn't exactly help the person you're worried about.

Cora: [and she will get up and stretch and check on Ben to make sure he's still sleeping before she goes down, because sometimes Ben will lie awake before making his consciousness known. When he's older this will evolve into him learning to climb out of his crib and give his mother a heart attack but for now he's still sleeping and she will brush a hand against the top of his head and then head downstairs.]

Stiles: [welcome to the wonderful world of raising Stilinskis. Sheriff has a guide book waiting for you] That’s.... I think I lost where that was going.

Lydia: [she smirks as she hears Cora coming down the stairs] Talk to Talia.

Cora: [makes her way in and smiles at Parrish] Hey. You're looking better.

Parrish: [yeah, he's been inhaling his sandwich. sorry] Hey, yeah, a lot better, thank you.

Stiles: [just nods, and turns to Dina, telling the girl to get the carrots out of the fridge and put them on the table]

Cora: That's good. You had us worried there, for a second.

Parrish: You weren't the only one. [smiles] I solemnly swear to wear my vest under my uniform anytime I go into the field from now on.

Cora: [nods with a small smile] Good. I will hold you to that.

Parrish: You won't be the only one.

Stiles: [leans in to kiss Cora's cheek] How many sandwiches do you want?

Cora: [glances over with a smile] Just one is fine.

Stiles: [and he goes off to make it, rubbing Dina's back as she is counting out carrots onto plates for them, including reaching across to put them on Parrish's plate]

Cora: [and she and Lydia will chat amongst themselves about all things Donovan]

Parrish: [and he's going to just enjoy being back in the normal world, and making faces at Dina over the dinner table]

Cora: [and eventually Ben will rise and shine, and she'll bring him down to hang out with the rest of the family, sitting propped up against her chest]

Parrish: He's gotten so big already.

Cora: [smiles a bit as he looks around wildly, trying to take in everything] Yeah, he has. And he's only going to get bigger.

Parrish: Hopefully not too big. [and he takes another carrot from Dina with a smile]

Cora: Yeah, not too big. Just big enough.

Dina: I'm always going to be bigger.

Stiles: Oh?

Dina: Yup. I'm older, so I'm bigger.

Cora: We'll see, Dina. Though I'm sure Aunt Laura will tell you that doesn't always work.

Dina: Of course it will. I'll just wear bigger heels. [grins]

Lydia: [smirks] Girl after my own heart.

Cora: [laughs] Whatever works.

Dina: [just beams at Lydia]

Stiles: Please don't spend your entire trust fund on shoes when you turn 21.

Dina: I promise. [nibbles on a carrot, no idea what daddy means at all]

Cora: Well, you never know. He could take after me in terms of height.

Dina: He could wear heels too.

Stiles: [swallows his sandwich before choking] Yes, he could if he really wants to. I guess?

Cora: Or he could be a jockey.

Dina: [blinks] I don't know what that is.

Cora: The people who ride horses in races.

Dina: Oh.

Stiles: Yeah. The smaller you are, the less you weigh on the horse.

Cora: It makes it easier for the horse to go faster.

Dina: So if I want to ride a fast horse, I need to ride now because they get slower as I get bigger?

Stiles: In a way.

Cora: [she nods] Yeah, sort of. There's more to it than that, but basically.

Dina: Daddy, I need to ride all the horses now before I get too big.

Stiles: [laughs] You have time, sweetie, I promise.

Cora: [smiles a bit] Lots of time. Way more time than you think.

Dina: But I still want to start now.

Stiles: Well, now that Uncle Parrish and Aunt Lydia are back, maybe Mommy will be okay if we sneak out one afternoon and go to the horse ranch and see if you can ride one of the ponies?

Dina: [looks at Cora] PLEASE MOMMY!

Cora: [she gives a small shrug before nodding] Yeah, sure. That sounds like fun.

Parrish: I'm sure we can more than entertain you, Cora.

Cora: [she nods] Definitely. We will be fine.

Dina: Yay!!!!!

Stiles: [chuckling and shaking his head] I'll see what days rides are being given and we can figure a good day out.

Cora: [smiles a bit as Ben reaches forward and lets his hands bang against the table] And it seems like your brother approves too.

Stiles: Sorry, Ben. You have to be Dina's height or bigger to ride on the ponies.

Ben: [that's cool, Dad, he's figured out this banging thing makes some really interesting noises so he's going to play with that for a while]

Parrish: [laughs] Well, just to be safe, I'm probably not going to be holding him until my temperature’s back to normal.

Dina: You have a fever?

Parrish: Yeah, but it's going away.

Cora: [nods a bit] Probably for the best. I don't think he'll hold it against you - he doesn't have the long term memory for that.

Stiles: Do you need us to set anything up for you?

Parrish: Nah, I'm probably just going to end up sleeping and taking cold showers mostly.

Dina: You need to eat too. We can get you soup!

Lydia: I think soup is an excellent idea, Dina.

Parrish: I like soup.

Dina: Daddy always gets me one with little stars in it.

Stiles: I think we have some in the pantry. Do you want to make that for dinner then?

Dina: Yes. It will make Uncle Jordan feel better.

Cora: [smiles softly] Sounds perfect.

Parrish: I think it's time for me to take a nap though.

Lydia: [she nods] I'll walk you up.

Parrish: [and of he goes]

Stiles: Dina why don't you go upstairs and make him a welcome home picture?

Dina: Okay! [and off she goes!]

Stiles: So, how is he really?

Lydia: He's better. Jason says he needs to take three cold showers a day until his temperature is normal for 48 hours, but after that he'll be fine. And no strenuous activity. [she shrugs] I slept next to him last night, and it was fine.

Stiles: And no weird after effects?

Lydia: Aside from the abnormally high temperature? No. [that other part Stiles doesn't need to know about] A cold shower brought him down a lot though. [there's a beat] Maybe we should invest in an ice bath.

Stiles: Or a meat locker?

Lydia: That might work too.

Stiles: Just... never tell Isaac about it.

Lydia: [she nods] Of course not. [and then she gets up] Anyway, I'll see you guys for dinner.

Stiles: See you then.