new york wolves } { of reinstatement and netflix nights

[flack]

Derek: [after leaving Sweets and getting a new coffee, heading to Flack's office with a smile and a piece of paper tucked into his jacket] Hey boss, got a moment?

Flack: [glances up and eyes him for a moment] You're in a good mood.

Derek: Well, I have a reason to be. [he pulls out the report from Sweets and hands it to Flack]

Flack: [brow furrows more as he takes it from him and once he reads it he smiles] Welcome back.

Derek: Good to be back.

Flack: Then I guess you're going to need these. [and with that he will fish out his gun and his badge and place them on the desk in front of him]

Derek: I think they will probably help. [he will put his badge chain on over his neck and check his gun load status] I'm going to keep seeing him, though. But I'll work it into my schedule around cases.

Flack: Good. And if you ever need the time, just let me know. We'll make it work.

Derek: You know I will. The others in yet?

Flack: Not yet. Though Lanie called and said that some info on the recent case came in if you want to head down to the ME's office and get up to speed. Beckett and Castle will probably meet you there.

Derek: Yeah, I can do that. Lanie can catch me up on gossip while I wait.

Flack: Sounds good. Keep me posted if there's anything I need to know.

Derek: [he tosses a lazy salute and heads to his desk where he unearths his shoulder holster and quickly gets it on under his jacket, holsters his gun, and goes to make his way to the ME's office]

Alexis: [where Alexis is doing preliminary notes on another body that's come in for her internship, and looks up with a smile] Hey! I haven't seen you around in a while.

Derek: [smiles back] Yeah, I've been working on the paperwork side of things for a while, but I got my freedom reinstated.

Alexis: Congratulations. How's it feel?

Derek: So far, going good. I heard your dad and Beckett was heading in this way.

Alexis: Probably, the results just came back on their victim. Want me to catch you up?

Derek: Sure.

Alexis: [makes her way over before pulling back the sheet so he can see her face. the claw marks are obvious, but superficial] Her name is Amy Morgan. She was found in the park dressed up like Red Riding Hood.

Derek: [his eyebrows both go up and then he looks at Alexis] Are you punking me?

Alexis: [she shakes her head] Nope. Wasn't the claw marks that killed her though. She died from a drug overdose.

Derek: [rubs at his eyes because no, the big bad werewolf cop was not just being put on a case involving little red riding hood.] What did the toxic screen bring back?

Alexis: [is clearly amused as she rambles off the aforementioned cocktail] Whoever killed her definitely had a thing for fairy tales.

Derek: And let me guess, your father is enjoying this one more than Beckett can handle.

Alexis: Of course he is. Despite all evidence to the contrary, he's currently looking for the Big Bad Wolf.

Derek: Should I tell Peter to have an alibi? [smirks]

Alexis: No need. The claw marks were done post-mortem. Unless your uncle has a thing for potent drug cocktails, we're looking for a human killer.

Derek: No, plus technically, those aren't our type of claw marks.

Alexis: [nods] Detective Beckett was talking to her family yesterday, so maybe she has a better lead.

Derek: I guess I should just wait here for them then. [looks over at her] How are you doing otherwise?

Alexis: [nods] Pretty good. Lanie's been keeping me busy.

Derek: Good. It'll keep you out of trouble. Not that Malia and Hal probably don't get you into your fair share of it.

Alexis: I think you'd be surprised how much Hal tries to avoid getting into trouble.

Derek: Oh?

Alexis: I think New York intimidates him a little, sometimes. Plus there's the whole new worldview he's adjusting to.

Derek: Well, true. It does take a while to adjust to the whole "werewolves are real" mindset.

Alexis: I think he's glad to be home for a little while.

Derek: Fall will be here soon enough. Enjoy your summer.

Alexis: I intend to, trust me. I just miss him but that is what Skype is for.

Derek: And the Amtrak express train to Boston.

Alexis: That too. I'm probably going to do that for Fourth of July, actually. I was thinking of seeing if Stiles and Cora wanted to go with me.

Derek: [pulls out his phone and does a quick search] Um... as long as you leave on the 3rd. [ shows her that the full moon is on the 2nd]

Alexis: The third is perfect! That's the Friday, and we can stay for a long weekend.

Derek: As long as Laura ok's it. She's the one you three need to puppy eye at.

Alexis: [nods] I will start bringing in my A game.

Derek: Good girl. So, any gossip I should know about?

Alexis: Probably none that you actually want to hear.

Derek: ...... [he just sighs] Yeah, probably. Thanks. I guess I'll just read the report until Beckett gets here... [awkward now]

Alexis: [laughs a bit] It's mostly just people curious about Detective Esposito's new girlfriend. [and since he already knows who that is, he probably doesn't want to hear the speculation]

Derek: Are they actually using those titles now?

Alexis: No idea. He's being very secretive about it.

Derek: And in secretive you mean respectful about Derek's sister, right?

Alexis: [nods] He won't even talk to Ryan about it.

Derek: [good boy. as long as Espo keeps that up, he will live another day]

Alexis: I thought you'd be pleased with that.

Derek: I am. He may have a few redeeming qualifies after all.

Alexis: [she shrugs] She seems really happy too.

Derek: She is, and that makes me happy to see her happy.

Alexis: Good.

Derek: [aaaand back to looking at the file]

Beckett: [and a little while later, the doors push open and ...] Hey! [Her face lights up with a smile when she sees her partner] What are you doing here?

Derek: [looks up and grins back, holding up the file] Apparently murphy decided to give me back my badge in time to help figure out who killed little red riding hood.

Beckett: [laughs] Perfect timing then.

Derek: Maybe. Alexis was filling me in on the case. [hands over the folder to her]

Beckett: [takes it from him with a nod] Anything good? [and she and Alexis will talk about the case for a bit and we're going to gloss over it because I don't remember the details!]

Derek: [that's fine, I don't either] But there is a very human person on the other end of this, like Alexis says. If nothing else, these claw marks are not from a wolf.

Beckett: Which means we should get back to our very human suspect pool.

Espo: [and that would be Espo calling in with information]

Beckett: And ... looks like we've got another body. Wanna head over with me?

Derek: Technically, it's my job again. Someone's got to keep you focused.

Beckett: [smiles] Then let's go.

Derek: [waves goodbye to Alexis, and goes to walk with her] So who are the suspects so far?

Beckett: Hard to say, but we know that she was being blackmailed somehow.

Derek: [and then can talk about the case as they go to see poor dead Snow White]

Beckett: [yep, lots of chatting about the case and more policework and then we skip to dinner later with just the two of them in the precinct?]

Derek: [sounds about right. Chinese at the desk, both of them staring at the white board looking for answers]

Beckett: So how does it feel, being back at work?

Derek: You mean beyond the obvious irony of my first case?

Beckett: [she chuckles] Yeah, except for that.

Derek: Good. I finally feel like I'm back on my feet again.

Beckett: [nods] Good.

Derek: Castle's going to miss the passenger seat, I bet.

Beckett: Oh, I think he'll live.

Derek: I'm sure. But it's real nice not being chained to a desk. Remind me to leave snacks in my desk for Espo and Ryan to find during long cases when we ask them to chase down financials.

Beckett: Will do. Or you could always buy them doughnuts.

Derek: The reason I don't buy donuts is because they won't make it to the office once I get them.

Beckett: You have that little will power, huh?

Derek: High metabolism and a sugar craving just don't mix well.

Beckett: I guess not.

Derek: What, you don't have that one thing you will dive head first into a vat of and have no regrets about?

Beckett: [considers, then points to her food]

Derek: [chuckles] Well there, we both know how to bribe the other with food.

Beckett: We do. You know my weakness. Use it wisely.

Derek: I will use my powers only for good, I promise.

Beckett: Good.

Derek: [looks back at the murder board as he takes another bite of his food. But he's focusing his ears, trying to see if there was anyone in listening distance]

Beckett: [nope, the precinct was mostly empty at this point - it was basically just the two of them and the night shift]

Derek: [nods to himself] So while I was out in the Hamptons, I worked on your case a bit.

Beckett: [glances back at him and for a moment her face was torn. It's been so long since she thought about it, since she looked at it, but there's a part of her that still wants to know if he found anything] Find anything?

Derek: [he sees that, and offers her a small shrug.] Castle was right - that fire that destroyed the evidence back in 98 killed the trail. And the notes you had about a dragon - there's not enough of a footfall to even start figuring that out without something.

Beckett: [nods slowly] Figured as much.

Derek: But, you know there are trails there. I think if we give it some time, some distance... something's going to come out of the woodwork again and give you that footfall and then we'll take it and run it down until we find the bastards.

Beckett: [exhales slowly and nods] I know. I know it'll take time, I've just never really been all that patient.

Derek: Well, if it comes down to it, I'll find ways to distract you. [smirks] Though I'm not going to play it easy on the mats anymore, you know.

Beckett: [eyebrows go up] I don't recall asking you to.

Derek: [raises one back up at her] I'm a hundred and eighty pounds of supernatural muscle. I've been taking it easy on people since I was nine.

Beckett: Well, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself.

Derek: I didn't say you couldn't take care of yourself. I just said I wasn't going to take it easy on you anymore.

Beckett: [smirks] Then bring it.

Derek: Sure you don't want to give all that lo mein time to settle?

Beckett: I meant figuratively.

Derek: Oh. [and he looks back at his food, nodding] Alright.

Beckett: We'll settle this later.

Derek: Any time. [and he's so not smirking as he eats]

Beckett: [smirks a bit herself before she looks up at the board] So what do you think of this case?

Derek: I think that I'm probably in the middle of some CW show where fairy tales come to life.

Beckett: [laughs] Anything actually helpful?

Derek: Well.... vic one and two both had that money missing from their accounts, right? It's a very specific number... maybe there's a way we can see if anyone else has taken out that exact amount from their accounts?

Beckett: Might be worth a shot. But we'd need probable cause to get their financials.

Derek: [sighs] True. Unless..... Instead of the banks, that amount would trigger notice by the IRS.

Beckett: ... That might worth looking into.

Derek: See if Ryan can work his magic on that?

Beckett: I'll get him on it in the morning.

Derek: [thinking] We should also see if we can get any hits on fairy tale type parties or conventions in the last few days. See if we can place them all at one.

Beckett: [nods] I think I would have heard about something like that, but I'll look into it.

Derek: You have a habit of dressing up as fairy tale characters?

Beckett: I am a woman of hidden talents. [a beat] Also, it would have come up in our initial canvas.

Derek: Maybe it wasn't a public party. Fetish?

Beckett: We should check their schedules, see if there's anything about their last day that can tell us something.

Derek: [nods, yawning a bit as he puts the empty food container down] I should probably get another coffee if we're going to do that.

Beckett: [she pauses, glancing down at her watch before shaking her head] Nah, we can do it in the morning. It's been a long day.

Derek: Yeah, tell me about it. [moves to get up] My sister is probably wondering why I'm not home yet.

Beckett: [nods] C'mon. Let's get out of here.

Derek: [goes to grab his jacket] Want me to walk you home? It's not that out of my way.

Beckett: You sure?

Derek: Yeah.

Beckett: [nods] Okay.

Derek: [and yup, he will walk at her side, hands in his pockets because he is a good friend]

Beckett: [will just walk next to him] How is your sister doing, by the way?

Derek: Cora? Better. She's still a bit shaken at times, and mostly just snuggled into her boyfriend most days.

Beckett: How're you handling that?

Derek: Her boyfriend's a good kid. He grows on you after a while.

Beckett: That's good. I guess she didn't fall victim to the bad boy phase?

Derek: No, she didn't. After the fire, she's actually had a hard time opening up to people. I guess I didn't really see it all the time, wanting to think that was good, but after everything... I see how important it is for her to be able to form those kinds of connections. She needs them.

Beckett: Then I'm glad she has him.

Derek: Me too. Most days. [chuckles]

Beckett: I'm sure the overprotective big brother still rears his head now and again.

Derek: Oh, it does. And then I usually get something thrown at me or glared at by Peter or Laura so the urge is completely useless at this point.

Beckett: [laughs] They must really like her boyfriend.

Derek: Well, he's actually a part of the pack now.

Beckett: Really?

Derek: Stiles... his mother passed when he was little from a rare disorder called Frontotemporal dementia. And he inherited it, but in a more extreme form.

Beckett: So your sister ... turned him into ... ?

Derek: [nods] He didn't want to die. Kid's only nineteen. But he had to tell his father first, which was fun in itself. And he's staying with us for the summer to learn control so that he can have a normal life.

Beckett: That's good. That he had that option.

Derek: Yeah. And it doesn't help that Cora's pretty much in love with him and isn't planning on letting him go anytime soon. That kind of bond really helps bitten wolves learn control better.

Beckett: Good.

Derek: [thinks as they walk] You know, you never really had an opportunity to ask me about it. [it meaning being a wolf]

Beckett: [glances back to him, before giving a bit of a sheepish shrug] A lot of it just seems ... personal, I guess.

Derek: Well, you're my partner, Beckett. I mean, to be fair, after Flack, you're probably the only other person in the world I trust that isn't my family.

Beckett: Yeah, I know, I just ... [there's a pause as she tries to find the right way to phrase it] I guess I just don't want to ask dumb questions. If that makes any sense.

Derek: [chuckles] You just found out werewolves were real. Pretty sure what you may think as a dumb question is us separating the fiction from the reality, which is a good thing for people to learn.

Beckett: [rolls her eyes a bit but it's mostly at herself] I make my living asking informed questions. Don't judge me for holding myself to a standard.

Derek: Would you feel better if we did this in an interrogation room? I may even let you handcuff me to the table if you're nice. [smirks]

Beckett: [okay, this time she's rolling her eyes at him] I think we can do without.

Derek: [laughs] And here I thought I was getting lucky. [it's an offhand remark though. With maybe a hint of more]

Beckett: [yeah, she doesn't miss that. her feelings are a little mixed on that but it's more of a conflict of heart vs. head which is all too prevalent with her] Maybe next time.

Derek: [nods. Nope, just confirms that she's not interested to him, so dropping that line of thought] But you can ask. I'm not going to think you're dumb.

Beckett: [nods as she considers for a moment, coming to a stop in front of her building] Want to come up for a beer?

Derek: Sure. [he'll just text Laura his whereabouts as they walk so she doesn't worry]

Beckett: [and up to her apartment they go, where she will kick off her shoes and head towards the fridge] So when you say control - what does that mean, exactly?

Derek: Not letting your heightened senses overwhelm you. How to use them to your benefit, and how to keep them reigned in so that you don't draw notice to yourself. And how not to shift into a wolf in front of people. [there's a smirk at the last one]

Beckett: [smirks back as she places the beer down on the counter] So once you get enough practice, you can just turn it on and off?

Derek: Pretty much. It's mostly about controlling your heartbeat and emotions more than anything else.

Beckett: Your heartbeat?

Derek: Yeah. When your heartbeat gets too fast, it releases adrenaline and that spike can set off a chain reaction. So you have to learn to control it so that if you do spike, you don't end up shifting. But at the same time, you also need to learn to be able to shift when you're calm to be able to use it as a defense.

Beckett: So it's part fight-or-flight response?

Derek: Mostly, yeah.

Beckett: [nods] Okay.

Derek: It's actually part of the reason I play basketball. Sports help burn off the energy, and give you a natural way to learn control. You remember when we were rookies and if I was angry Flack would throw a basketball at me and make me go to the court with him?

Beckett: [nods] Yeah. I always figured that was him helping you cool off.

Derek: Pretty much. But more in a 'you need to cool off now before your fangs show' way.

Beckett: [nods] I get it.

Derek: [he sipped his beer, going to sit down] It does come in handy though. You know, like when you're being attacked by a tiger.

Beckett: So you did do something.

Derek: [blushes a bit and looks at his beer] Yes, I did.

Beckett: Good to know I wasn't completely crazy, then.

Derek: You've never been crazy, Beckett. But I also wasn't going to risk your life for my secret.

Beckett: I appreciate that.

Derek: You're welcome.

Beckett: Okay, so ... your sister made someone into a werewolf? Is it like the movies where they just ... bite someone?

Derek: Yes. But only an alpha wolf can do it.

Beckett: Alpha?

Derek: Yeah. Pack leader. You can tell because their real eyes will glow red, instead of blue or yellow. It's something you inherit or steal from another alpha.

Beckett: How do you steal it?

Derek: ... You have to kill the alpha to steal their power.

Beckett: ... Oh.

Derek: My sister inherited hers though. When our mother died.

Beckett: And I'm guessing this is Laura, not Cora.

Derek: Correct. In our family, it's a matriarchal power. Eldest daughter to eldest daughter.

Beckett: How forward thinking.

Derek: It's been like that for generations. Which pretty much explains why I'm used to strong women in my life.

Beckett: Not a bad thing.

Derek: No, it's not. Until you get taken advantage of, but that's more the specific woman than anything else.

Beckett: [grits her teeth] Yeah, well ... at least you don't have to worry about her anymore.

Derek: [nods, looking at his beer a moment] I know this is going to sound weird, but she's also the reason I don't call you Kate and stick with Beckett. I never want to associate her with you.

Beckett: [shakes her head] I don't blame you. I'd probably do the same.

Derek: [nods, staying silent a moment because yeah, he's not sure where to go from there]

Beckett: [yeah, neither is she. so subject change get.] Do you want to hang out for a while? We could see what's on Netflix or something?

Derek: [he looked up at her with a small smile] If you want. I don't want to keep you up.

Beckett: [shakes her head] I'll probably wind up putting on something dumb until I fall asleep anyway. It'd be nice to have company for a little of it.

Derek: [nods] Then yeah, I can stay. I'd probably just go home and do the same.

Beckett: Okay. Let's see what's on. [and they will probably do that for a few hours?]

Derek: [yup, and he may actually drift off after a while if they don't actually talk during any of it.]

Beckett: [so passing out on Beckett's couch is go]

Derek: [yup. And if she passes out with him, he will unconsciously hold her close like he does with his sisters when they do that to him]

Beckett: [she probably will, it's been a long day]

Derek: [then there is totally sleep snuggling on the couch]

Beckett: [yep. lots of snuggling. at least some part of them is acknowledging whatever feelings are there]

Derek: [and it is only going to lead to conscious awkward panda moments in the morning]

Beckett: [yes, but for right now, there's just snuggling]

Derek: [and dice roll has him waking up first, shifting and opening his eyes because that was sunlight. And that was Beckett up against him. And this was very, very awkward even if there was a part of him that was liking it]

Beckett: [stirs when she feels him move, mostly confused because she hasn't really been sleeping with anyone lately. She makes a face before shifting to roll away, not realizing that they're both still on the couch]

Derek: [he sees that and is quick to tighten his arms around her] Careful, roll that way and I'll be taking you to the ER before work.

Beckett: [blinks her eyes open and finally glances up at him] ... Hi.

Derek: Hey. I guess that last one bored us both to sleep.

Beckett: I guess so. [throws out a hand to steady herself so that she can push herself into a less awkward sitting position] How'd you sleep?

Derek: [sits up and rotates his neck] Pretty good, actually.

Beckett: Good. At least there's that. [reaches for her phone and looks at the time] And we didn't massively oversleep. I'd say that's pretty good all around.

Derek: [he's going to reach for his phone to see if he has sister worried texts] Yeah, I may even have time to go home and change quickly.

Beckett: [he does, but if he texts back before he leaves, she may not murder him when he gets home] Coffee before you go?

Derek: [yeah, no he knows that and is texting her the 411 now] Yeah, coffee's good.

Beckett: [will get up to go make that, running a hand through her hair sleepily as she does]

Derek: [text] I’m sorry, I fell asleep on the couch watching a movie. I'm coming home in a bit to shower and change.

Laura: Everything okay?

Derek: Yeah, no I'm fine. Just crazy case and needed to unwind.

Laura: Okay. See you soon.

Derek: [sighs and gets up, shoving his phone into his jacket] My sister is so going to get Espo to put a tracking anklet on me one day.

Beckett: [smirks] Or track the GPS on your phone.

Derek: I have that turned off.

Beckett: We can get it turned back on.

Derek: So you're going to go against me and team up with them? Thanks partner.

Beckett: Hey, I may not have anything to do with it. I'm just letting you know it's an option. I meant "we" as in "the cops."

Derek: Uh huh. And I think you need to have some evidence of probable cause to get that. Finding out where I slept the previous night isn't worth that.

Beckett: I think they would use the last time we went missing and wound up being roommates with a tiger would be probable cause enough for them.

Derek: Everything is always going to come back to that tiger, isn't it?

Beckett: We are never going to live it down.

Derek: We just need to let Ryan and Espo do the next potentially embarrassing case.

Beckett: Sounds good to me.

Derek: [and then there is coffee and he is a very happy, albeit scruffy unshaven wolf]

Beckett: [yep. and she has to get ready for work, so she will walk him to the door once they're done] See you at the office?

Derek: Yup, see you there. [and he is going to make use of werewolf speed to get him home quickly]

Laura: [where his sister will be to smirk at him knowingly]

Derek: [going to grab a bagel] I hate you.

Laura: I didn't say anything.

Derek: You don't need to. I can smell your smugness. Nothing happened.

Laura: Mmmm-hmmm.

Derek: She's my partner. Nothing's going to happen there.

Laura: But you do have feelings for her.

Derek: No. [his heart totally gives him away]

Laura: [she knows you better than that, and that's clear in the look she gives him]

Derek: And even if I did, she's my partner, Laura. It's can't happen. And if it was, it would have back when we were rookies and splitting up when she was getting promoted. So stop your little daydream fantasy right there.

Laura: Whatever you say.

Derek: [and now that he has breakfast to go...] And now I'm off to find out who killed Little Red Riding Hood. Literally. Which, by the way? [holds up his badge]

Laura: [face brightens] Hey! Congrats!

Derek: Thanks. But I have to run. [and it's a kiss on her cheek and then he's rushing for the door. Murder to solve, bad people to lock up]

Laura: [will just smile a bit as she watches him go, before going to fix some breakfast of her own]