new york wolves } { of new roles and surprise choices

[killmypatience]

Derek: [and he's pulling the pictures down] So... um, my sister told me the other night that Peter's going to be leaving for an extended vacation. To London.

Beckett: [glances over with a small smile] London's great. I'm sure he'll love it.

Derek: I'm sure he will too. But he's... also stepping down from his rank in the family. [which was what he referred to the pack as at work]

Beckett: [eyebrows go up] Is that a good or bad thing?

Derek: He's pretty much the second in command. It needs to be filled and... well she wants me to fill it.

Beckett: [her eyes widen a bit and she goes to lean back against the side of her desk] Is that what you want?

Derek: I don't know. I mean, I know it's my place now. Peter was my mom's brother. I'm Laura's. But I don't know, I just... my brain doesn't work that way.

Beckett: Just because it's your place doesn't mean it's where you meant to be. And if you take it simply out of obligation, that's not fair to you or Laura.

Derek: I know, which is why I don't know what to do. I feel I should, because it's what was going to be expected of me. But I feel like I'm not the right person anymore. Maybe if we didn't have the fire, I'd have been... but I'm not that same person.

Beckett: No, but neither is she. That doesn't mean it won't still work.

Derek: But if I don't do it... I don't know who will.

Beckett: That's not a reason to do it either.

Derek: I just... I always feel like I let my pack down.

Beckett: [she takes a deep breath, before pushing up and moving to stand next to him, placing her hands on his shoulders] You shouldn't do this because you have something to prove. You should do it because it's something you want, and because you know you'll be able to take care of your family.

Derek: I can take care of my family in other ways. I don't think me doing that will help.

Beckett: Do you really think you're the best person to be her second?

Derek: ......... No, I don't. But I don't know who is.

Beckett: Then let her figure it out. That's a decision she has to make, and she may have been offering it to you because that's what she was expected to.

Derek: Plus.... it would put me in a very difficult position here. Because choices that get made for the family aren't always ones that would work with human laws...

Beckett: Then let her figure it out. That's a decision she has to make, and she may have been offering it to you because that's what she was expected to.

Derek: Plus.... it would put me in a very difficult position here. Because choices that get made for the family aren't always ones that would work with human laws...

Beckett: [she nods] I'm sure she wouldn't want to constantly put you in that position.

Derek: I'd probably have to leave here. I can't do both.

Beckett: [nods]

Derek: And I don't want us to be put in a position to be on opposite sides of each other.

Beckett: That would not be fun.

Derek: No, especially since you're pretty much up there on my priority list. [smirks a bit]

Beckett: Well, I would hope so. [moves closer with a smile] You're pretty up there on mine.

Derek: [thinks] You know, if Peter is going... Laura's probably going to need me to stay at the penthouse still. You um... well, you wouldn't want to by chance... move... in with me?

Beckett: [eyebrows go up] With your whole family?

Derek: I know, it's a lot. My sisters can be... a lot. But.... [he goes to take her hand] you're pretty much a part of the pack at this point because of me. Instead of this being us having nights when it works in our schedules... we make it a little more permanent.

Beckett: [pauses for a moment] I just thought when we moved in together it would be into a place that was ... ours.

Derek: I did too. I just... every time it feels like it's almost the right time for it... something happens. I guess I just don't want to wait to be able to wake up with you every morning.

Beckett: [she nods weighing the options for a moment] I'll think about it. It's not that I don't want to move in with you I just ... don't think we should give up our escape pod just yet.

Derek: [nods] Okay. Yeah, probably better to have that.

Beckett: [she nods] Doesn't mean I can't sleep over sometimes, though.

Derek: [smiles] That I really like the sound of.

Beckett: [grins] You should go home. I'll finish up here.

Derek: You sure?

Beckett: Yeah. You should go talk to your sister. And if you need a break, you can meet me back at my place.

Derek: I'll text you if I'm coming over.

Beckett: I'll see you then.

Derek: [looks around and since no one is paying attention, pulls her in for a kiss] I love you. [said against her lips before he pulls back and goes to grab his jacket]

Beckett: [smiles at that before whispering] Love you too.

Derek: [and he is going to take a long walk home, knowing that he is probably going to be disappointing his sister and uncle]

Laura: [will be waiting up, watching more movies. She's supposed to go see Espo later, but she's been turning some things over in her head and she's come to some conclusions that Peter isn't going to like but Derek might.]

Peter: [is in the kitchen working on translating some Latin from a book]

Derek: Anyone home?

Laura: [picks her head up and goes out to join him] Kids are out but the adults are here.

Derek: Good. The adults are who I was hoping to talk to. Where are they? [smirks]

Peter: Ha.

Laura: [tosses a pillow at him from across the room]

Derek: [catches it] I wanted to talk to you both about the changes.

Peter: [turns his head a bit] Give me a minute to save this then.

Laura: [nods as she makes her way closer and plops in one of the chairs] You made a decision?

Derek: [goes up to join them] I've been thinking about it a lot. Not just the position itself, but what it needs... what the pack needs... and I.... I'm not the person that should be in it, Laura, I'm sorry.

Peter: Derek, this is not something you just toss aside lightly. This is the role you're supposed to fill in the pack when your sister became alpha. You were a kid then, but you're an adult now and it's time you stepped up to it.

Laura: [shakes her head] No, Peter, it's okay. If he doesn't want it, then he shouldn't have to take it.

Peter: So are you going to ask Detective Esposito instead?

Derek: Espo? Really?

Laura: [shakes her head] Nope.

Peter: [sits back] So what then, Laura? I've already told Nadia I was going with her...

Laura: And you're still going to go. I have someone in mind, I was just waiting to hear back from Derek before I talked to them, since ... birthright and all.

Derek: I just think after the fire... the person who would have been able to do that for you Laura... I'm not him anymore. And with my job... it's too many things that would keep me from being able to shut myself down and think the way the person in that role has to.

Peter: [scowling. He doesn't like this at all. And he's very disappointed]

Laura: No, you're right. And it's fine. Really. I'm not the same alpha I would have been before the fire either. It makes sense that this doesn't work.

Peter: So... who are you thinking about then?

Laura: [licks her lips, glancing between the two of them for a moment before sighing] Stiles.

Derek: Stiles?

Peter: What?

Laura: I did a lot of thinking about the kind of second I need. And there are reasons that I didn't want it to Javi, beyond the not-a-wolf of it all and I need someone that can make the hard choices when I can't or don't want to. You said it yourself, Derek. Head and heart. He's got Peter's appetite for knowledge, I trust him, and he's already proven that he can think logically and not emotionally. Plus, he's a clever little shit.

Peter: And he almost got this pack killed in that!

Laura: But he didn't! And if we're actually working together, think how much we could get done. Plus, you know you're a little annoyed you didn't think of that trick first yourself. [a pointed look] You gave up the spot. You stepped down and said I needed to pick a real second, so I'm picking. I'm thinking about what I need in a second and what I need isn't Derek or Javi. Before I needed experience and family and now, if I'm going to do what you said I should do, I need something different. I don't need someone to lead me. I need someone who isn't a Hale.

Peter: And what happens when he graduates college and has to choose between his home in Beacon Hills, and his home here?

Laura: We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Peter: [huffs] I don't like it.

Laura: Well, it's not your decision. It's mine. I'm the one who has to live with it. And for what it's worth, I think he'll be pretty damn good at it.

Derek: [arms crossed] You know, I have to agree with you on that. He needs training to understand what it means, but I think you're right. He'd be good at it.

Peter: [scowling] I'm still a part of this pack, and he is too young and arrogant to take this on.

Derek: Oh, like you were any better.

Peter: [glares]

Laura: Yeah. He's a kid. But I need an outsider perspective.

Derek: And after what he did do, I think he's learned the hard way about making sure he look at every angle.

Peter: [nope, still scowling]

Laura: No matter which way I sliced it I'd be starting from scratch. If Derek doesn't want it, Stiles is a good choice.

Derek: He is. Hopefully he accepts it.

Peter: [nope, not stopping anytime soon]

Laura: [gives him a look at that] What would you have suggested?

Peter: [nope, scowls because he doesn't have an answer either if Derek and Javi are off the table. Cora's too sensitive, and Malia is too instinctive]

Laura: [sighs softly] It's a good match, Peter.

Derek: I'm pretty sure you would have suggested it too if you stop acting like a butthurt child.

Peter: [GLARE]

Laura: [laughs as she gets up and moves closer to him, placing her hands on his shoulders] We will be fine.

Peter: He better be ready then to listen to everything I teach him, and not talk back.

Laura: I will warn him.

Peter: Good. [sighs] I will tell the girls then while you talk to him.

Laura: Good plan. Tomorrow, though, because I have a date.

Derek: [snorts] I told Beckett I'd text her if I could come see her. So I think I'm going to do that. [and not sit here and listen to Peter's grumbling]

Laura: You should go see your significant other. You'll feel better.

Peter: Fine. [and he will get up, closing his book and storming past them to get his shoes from his room so he could leave]

Derek: [leaning in a bit] At least he didn't rip my head off?

Laura: That's why I made him work for the Stiles bit. Otherwise he still probably would have yelled.

Derek: The more I think about it, the more I think you're right. He's a much better choice.

Laura: [nods] Yeah, he is. So long as he accepts.

Derek: I have a feeling he will.

Laura: Yep. But that's tomorrow's problem. Right now, I'm going to tell my boyfriend to bring me over some food since you're all going out.

Derek: Tell Espo I said to stay out of my room. [and he's going to tell Beckett that he's free and on his way]

Peter: [and he's going to storm out of the penthouse and slam the door behind him]

Laura: [smirks and will just go to text Espo and wait for him in the living room]