canon au } { post-5a, of learning to drive and letting go

[impetere]

Derek: Until his jeep is fixed, he's going to need someone to help him run errands and if I recall, Stilinski only has a police cruiser which stiles won't be allowed to drive.

Cora: So your solution is to have me drive him?

Derek: Or be able to drive to him.

Cora: You know it'll take at least six months before I can drive him on my own, right?

Derek: Yes, and that's six months he can focus on helping you and not dealing with everything else happening in the world around him.

Cora: [....okay she can see the logic in that. she sighs] Fine.

Derek: Then congratulations, let's go buy you a car too. [which he will give Stiles permission to drive, obviously]

Cora: [and she will bring the boyfriend since he's going to be driving it more than her at first and he can tell her what's better and what's not]

Stiles: [and while it's good to get out of the hospital, he's not fully there right away. But he's there which is big right now]

Cora: [and she'll just keep his hand in hers as she wanders through the cars] So what do I actually need?

Stiles: Well, are you going to be using it for a lot of long distance driving, or just short trips? I mean, if you want to drive it to Berkley you want to look for good gas mileage, but if you're sticking around town you could probably get something electric.

Cora: I don't know. It depends on how long we're at Berkeley, I guess? Not that I really use it because we can walk to campus from Dawn's place.

Stiles: And we should have Roscoe back before spring semester. Would Derek put in an electric charging station in the loft parking lot for you? I mean, he'll get some kind of tax break for it.

Cora: [she shrugs] Probably, if I asked for it.

Stiles: Well, we can look at them? I mean, do you want something small, or big?

Cora: I don't need something big. And you're probably going to be driving it more in the beginning than I am.

Stiles: This isn't Derek’s way of trying to buy me a new car, is it?

Cora: No, but it's his way of making sure you can move around if you need to until the Jeep is fixed. Besides, someone has to teach me how to drive it.

Stiles: He's sneaky.

Cora: Very. Much more than people give him credit for.

Stiles: It reminds you that Peter was his best friend growing up. [smirks]

Cora: [she laughs] Yes. At least he uses his powers for good.

Stiles: True. [looked around a bit] Well, you're a practical person - you don't want anything fancy or sporty, right?

Cora: [she shakes her head] I don't really need all of that.

Stiles: So no little red convertible for you. Got it. Hot image, but totally not what you want.

Cora: [she smirks before shaking her head] No. Just something ... simple.

Stiles: Let's go look at the sedans then. [and look at all the Toyota's]

Cora: [and she will mostly let him tell her what's important and what isn't to help her make a decision]

Stiles: [and he will ramble on about mpg's and stuff as they look at things]

Cora: [And eventually they will come out of it with a nice practical green Camry. Probably much to her brother's chagrin]

Derek: [and he's been waiting in the customer room, sipping coffee as they went to shop. But hey, it's her car.]

Cora: [it is. and it will be very interesting watching her learn to drive it]

Stiles: [and he will be a good teacher. trying to be helpful and not judge]

Cora: [she appreciates it. Even when she looks like she's going to run into a telephone pole]

Stiles: [he will try not to scream and grab the wheel]

Cora: [lets him pull the wheel out of her hands and tries to catch her breath] This was a bad idea.

Stiles: No, no you do need to know. I mean, it gives you a bit of freedom. You'll figure it out.

Cora: I had freedom. I may not be able to leave town but I can walk.

Stiles: But now you can leave town. Drive to the beach... or like, use a drive thru?

Cora: [she laughs before looking over at him] Yeah, but I like it when you drive. And I probably wouldn't be doing those things without you.

Stiles: But like, what if I'm studying and want In and Out? You can go get it and bring it back.

Cora: I can also walk and bring it back.

Stiles: But why walk when you can drive?

Cora: Because I like to walk. It gives me time to think.

Stiles: Okay, what if I broke my leg playing lacrosse and need to go to the hospital?

Cora: [she'd get Scott to drive. But Scott is currently a sore subject] I'd get Kira to drive.

Stiles: Okay, but then my leg is broken and in a cast and how are we going to get back and forth to class each day or home for the holidays?

Cora: [okay. That she can't argue with. She just makes a face as she stares back at the steering wheel]

Stiles: You don't have to always drive. I have no problem chauffeuring you around. But you may need it one day. Human and fragile remember? I break easy.

Cora: I know. [she looks back at him] But not as easy as you think.

Stiles: But still easier than you.

Cora: [she stares at him for a moment before reaching for his hand and squeezing it gently]

Stiles: [he squeezes back] Yeah, one day I'm gonna be old and walking with a cane, and people are going to be saying how nice it is that my granddaughter takes such good care of me.

Cora: And you can say no, that's my super hot trophy wife. You should all be super jealous.

Stiles: Yeah, but you're totally not a trophy.

Cora: They don't have to know that.

Stiles: No, but I don't want anyone to ever think I'd think that of you either.

Cora: Then what will you tell them.

Stiles: That I'm a very lucky man.

Cora: And you're not the only one.

Stiles: [sits back in the passenger seat a bit, smiling] You know... I kinda like that... thinking about us being together fifty years from now.

Cora: [the smile is good. It's been a while since she's seen him really smile] Yeah, me too.

Stiles: So you own this car, right? You realize that this is probably going to be the only place we can have privacy in for a while...

Cora: That is very true. What are we going to do with our privacy?

Stiles: Well, we should totally check out how comfortable that back seat is.

Cora: [she nods, before putting the car in park and turning it off, before moving to slide into the back seat] Seems pretty good. Could do with some company, though?

Stiles: [grins and goes to follow her, sliding into the seat beside hers] It's a bit small.

Cora: Yeah. Luckily I don't mind you getting close. [which she will emphasize by tugging him in to kiss him firmly]

Stiles: Good, because I like being close. [and he will slide closer, pulling her into his arms and kissing her]

Cora: [and she's just going to kiss her boyfriend for a while, because he's starting to seem like himself again]

Stiles: [for a bit, but eventually he's going to pull back, his thoughts starting to get worked around in his head. He sighed, pressing his forehead against hers]

Cora: [brushes her fingers up against his cheeks, keeping that connection with him] Tell me.

Stiles: It's just... with everyone hurting right now... it doesn't feel right to be happy like that.

Cora: But you're hurting too. And it's okay if you want something for yourself.

Stiles: I know. I feel like I'm disappointing you now.

Cora: You're not disappointing me. I just miss you.

Stiles: I know. [sighs and goes to lean back in the seat, rubbing at his face] I'm trying.

Cora: [she reaches for him] I'm not trying to rush you. But what if this gets dragged out for months.

Stiles: [he will pull her close] I don't know.

Cora: I know things are really tense right now. But for right now, Theo is laying low. Things are quiet, and you're allowed to take what you need. Because if you're better, you can help them get better too.

Stiles: Maybe. [sighs looking over at her and running his fingers along her face] I guess I ruined the moment, huh?

Cora: [smiles a bit as she tips her head to press a kiss to his palm] I think you could get it back.

Stiles: [smiles] Come here. [and he will guide her over to kiss him again]

Cora: [grins as she kisses him back, sliding her arms around his neck]

Stiles: [and he's going to just kiss her slowly, taking his time and just focusing on her and just her lips]

Cora: [hums as she settles into the kiss, letting him take his time and relaxing into kissing her boyfriend and keeping him in the moment]

Stiles: [this time, teenage hormones will won over his overactive brain and he will stay there with her, his hands going to start wandering, feeling up along her ribs, and then over her breasts]

Cora: [she moans softly at the feel of his hands, pushing into them and starting to shift so that she's straddling his waist]

Stiles: [and he will shift to help her get comfortable, kissing along her jaw as his fingers go to work to get her shirt off]

Cora: [she will do the same with his, running his fingers down over the buttons and slipping her hands under his t-shirt when she reaches the bottom]

Stiles: [and once her shirt is off, his hands will go to work on her bra as he kisses her neck]

Cora: [she sighs softly, pulling off his shirt and letting her fingers trail over his sides. She's missed this, and she just wants him and to forget about everything else]

Stiles: [and right now he is, caught up in the moment with her. His hips are going to try and press up into her as he kisses down to her breasts]

Cora: [she moans softly at the press of his lips, pushing her hips back down against his her nails dragging against the back of his neck]

Stiles: [he'll groan at that, pulling on her nipple with his teeth a moment before going up to kiss her lips against, deeper this time]

Cora: [she kisses him back eagerly, one hand trailing down to find the button of his jeans to get them open]

Stiles: [normally he would be fine with that but] Cora.... Um... you don't have a...

Cora: [she pulls back and her teeth rake over her bottom lip because nope. She doesn't. When they do this, they're usually in the glove compartment of the Jeep. So she groans.] Damnit.

Stiles: Hold on. [and he's going to reach awkwardly for his wallet and] Oh thank god.

Cora: [she sags with relief] Good.

Stiles: [grins] Unpause. [and he will pull her lips back to his]

Cora: [and she will sink into him eagerly, her hand dipping below the belt again to let her fingers close around him]

Stiles: [groaning again, his hips pushing into her hand as his own hands are moving southward to start pushing her own zipper down and sliding his hand inside since she's not in a position he can get them off her]

Cora: [jeans are really the most impractical kind of clothing for something like this. She rocks up into his hands before hooking an arm around his neck and flipping them pretty masterfully so that she's stretched out on the seat and he's on top of her]

Stiles: [laughs and leans down to kiss her, and his hands are yup, pulling her jeans away and he's going to go to tease her between her legs as he presses his body up against her body. She has successfully distracted him into just thinking only about her]

Cora: [yes. mission accomplished. She moans as he teases between her legs, her hips rocking up into his fingers as she deepens the kiss]

Stiles: [and he will keep teasing her until he's ready and grabbing the condom where it had fallen onto her stomach, going to put it on and then pressing himself deep inside of her with a groan because it has been at least a week or two at this point since he's been in the mood]

Cora: [she moans as well, shifting her hips so that he can slide in deeper, one hand coming up and sliding her fingers through his hair]

Stiles: [he'll help guide her legs around his hips, and he's going to take his time, just enjoying the feeling of them after all the last few days]

Cora: [she's all for taking their time, rolling her hips with his as she tries to drag out the sensations]

Stiles: [and eventually he's going to shift them, sitting up and pulling Cora into his lap, keeping her straddling his hips and planting his feet to be able to thrust up into her as he kisses along her breasts again]

Cora: [she moans as she continues to rock her hips against his. Her lips move to his neck, teeth grazing against his skin as she gets close to the edge]

Stiles: [He tilted his head to give her better access, not realizing that it was the same side as the scar on his shoulder. But he's going to thrust in harder, wanting to get her there with him]

Cora: [her eyes flash, a surge protective and possessiveness all at once, and she manages to pull together enough will power to keep herself from biting down, even as her fangs start to slip. One hand comes up to gently cover the mark, and she looks away, keeping herself together as she falls over the edge. She tries not to add too much pressure so as not to cause him pain, and any she does she'll take, hopefully before he can feel it]

Stiles: [he groans, falling over with her and feeling her body against him. He doesn't mind the pain from her nursing his neck at this point, but it is making his shoulder stiff after a moment and he just winces and leans back against the seat, wrapping his arms around her]

Cora: [she moves her hands as soon as the feelings pass and she relaxes into him. Her hand moves to the side of his neck as she settles closer, nuzzling against his neck with her cheek] I love you.

Stiles: [he nuzzled back, smiling softly] I love you too.

Cora: [she smiles as well, before pulling back to look at him] Feel better? [she does, but she hopes it worked for him too]

Stiles: [he looked at her and nodded, his grin growing] Yeah.

Cora: [grins in return before leaning in to kiss him again] Good.

Stiles: [kisses her back] You can now consider your backseat christened.

Cora: [she laughs] Yeah, I'm sure Derek won't be thrilled with that.

Stiles: It's your car, not his.

Cora: Yeah, but I'm going to air it out anyway. He'll notice if he's driving in it.

Stiles: We'll get you some of those febreeze sticks you can put in the air vents.

Cora: Sounds perfect.

Stiles: But right now... I'm glad just staying here like this.

Cora: [she nods as she shifts to curl in closer, getting comfortable] Me too.

Stiles: [his hands gently rub her back, just relaxing in the moment before he groans and reaches up to rub at his shoulder]

Cora: [she cringes a bit] Sorry.

Stiles: No, it's not you. It's just still sore.

Cora: It probably didn't help that I put pressure on it.

Stiles: I don't mind your pressure.

Cora: [she smirks a bit at that] I just didn't expect it to bother me.

Stiles: It bothers you that much?

Cora: It was weird. [she straightens a bit so that she could look at him] It doesn't now, but in that moment ... I don't know it was a weird mix of protective and possessive. Like my wolf was reading it as a claim and didn't like it.

Stiles: Huh. I guess I should put bandages and condoms in the glove box then.

Cora: Probably a good idea. At least until it heals.

Stiles: Bandages it is.

Cora: [makes a face] Sorry. I just ... don't want to slip and do something we're not ready for. [more like she's not ready for but same difference]

Stiles: No, I get it. It's fine.

Cora: [she nods, stopping herself before she apologizes, because she feels like she should]

Stiles: [he will just distract her by kissing her again]

Cora: [mmm kissing Stiles. Much better]

Stiles: [and he will kiss her a bit longer before looking at the time on the dash] We should probably head back. Melissa has to go on shift soon.

Cora: [she nods, before reaching for her clothes to pull them back on] Sounds good.

Stiles: [and they will get dressed and head back to the hospital]

Cora: [and will continue to hang out there, as they do.]

Sheriff: [and while Stiles is grabbing a snack at the vending machine... his eyes start to flutter open]

Cora: [she straightens a bit, darting forward] Sheriff?

Sheriff: [he looks over at her, and gives her a dopey smile] Hey Cora.

Cora: [and she smiles in return, reaching for his hand] Hey. How're you feeling?

Sheriff: Numb. I'm drugged, aren't I?

Cora: Extremely. I've been trying to help so they don't have to give you so much, though.

Sheriff: That's good. [he goes to turn his head a bit] Where's... is he...?

Cora: He went to get a snack. If you want I can go get him?

Sheriff: No... no he'll be back. He's... he's okay though?

Cora: [she hesitates because no, he hasn't exactly been stable, but ...] He'll be better now that you're awake.

Sheriff: [he just nods. too drugged to get that]

Stiles: [and he's coming back] So I was able to find you those red vines... [blinks] Dad?

Cora: He woke up. [and she'll immediately take a step back so that Stiles can get close]

Stiles: [yup, going to put the snacks on the chair before going to his dad's side, taking his hand carefully] Are you okay? In pain I can go get you something...

Sheriff: Stiles.... I'm drugged up to my eyeballs. I'm fine. You're okay. It's okay.

Cora: [will just hang back and let them have their moment, because they both need it]

Stiles: [getting teary eyed] I was so scared that he... I didn't know...

Sheriff: [squeezes his son's hand] I'm fine, Stiles. What happened...?

Stiles: He got away. But we'll get him.

Cora: [she nods] We will. Just a matter of time.

Sheriff: Okay. Don't do anything stupid though...

Cora: [she shakes her head] We won't. We're going to be smarter this time.

Sheriff: [looks at Stiles, then Cora] Don't let him do anything stupid.

Stiles: [laughs] Yeah, you're going to be okay. [and he's going to lean in and carefully hug his dad]

Cora: I never do. [or she tries, at least]

Sheriff: [pets his son's back. they both know they have to have a talk, but right now isn't the time.] Do me a favor, kid?

Stiles: Yeah, anything. What do you need?

Sheriff: Call Jody. Let her know I'm awake.

Stiles: Yeah, yeah I can do that. You want me to have her come over and see you?

Sheriff: I'd like that.

Cora: I'll stay while you call. [because hospitals don't usually like phones around the equipment]

Stiles: I'll go use the nurses' station. I'll tell Melissa you're up too.

Sheriff: She's not my biggest fan at the moment.

Stiles: You'd be surprised right now about how much she's willing to forgive, I think. [and off he goes]

Cora: [and she will just settle into the chair next to the sheriff and keep him talking] Stiles is teaching me how to drive.

Sheriff: so I'll be writing off your speeding tickets soon as well?

Cora: I think right now you might have to worry more about me hitting innocent telephone poles than actually speeding.

Sheriff: No matter what he tells you, there is no point system on hitting things. [chuckles, relaxing into the pillows a bit]

Cora: [she smirks] No, I knew that part. Property damage, bad.

Sheriff: Good girl. [deep breath] Thank you for taking care of him.

Cora: Of course. [she doesn't really know how to do anything else in times like this]

Sheriff: No... I mean... before I got hurt. [he looked at her] I'm sure you were there for him too.

Cora: [oh. then.] I tried to get him to tell you sooner. [then she doesn't think she was doing as good a job]

Sheriff: I'm sure you did. He's just stubborn when he gets something in his head.

Cora: I know he is. I'm usually better at getting him to beat it.

Sheriff: [nods] I'm sure you're the reason he talked to Lindsay, though.

Cora: [she nods] I wanted him to tell [someone], just so it wouldn't ambush him later. These kinds of things don't stay buried.

Sheriff: No, they don't. It was also the thing that made Theo mess up. I told Stiles that if they were guilty, they would always mess up, and he did.

Cora: [she nods] He messed up big time. [she makes a face] but I have a feeling that's going to get worse before it gets better.

Sheriff: You kids can catch me up later when my head isn't so foggy.

Cora: [she nods] Sounds good. There's ... a lot. [a beat] Are you sure you don't want to be drugged for it?

Sheriff: I'm sure. I'd rather be of help when I hear it all.

Cora: Okay. [because the drugs might make it all easier to process, but she'll respect his wishes]

Sheriff: I think I'm fading back out again, Cora. Tell him to wake me up when Jody gets here?

Cora: [she nods] I will. Just get some rest.

* * * * *

Melissa: [at the nurse's station doing nursing things]

Stiles: [leans over the desk] Hey, he's up.

Melissa: [her head lifts up and relief floods her features] About time. How's he seem?

Stiles: Oh, he's totally doped up, but he's okay.

Melissa: Good. At least he's feelin' no pain.

Stiles: Oh, he ain't feeling anything I'm sure. [chuckles] Can I borrow the phone? I need to let Deputy Mills know he's awake.

Melissa: Go right ahead. I have to go check on another patient, but I'll be around to see him after.

Stiles: Cool. Thanks Melissa. [and he's going to just hang over the desk to grab the phone and dial because why walk around?]

Melissa: [and she'll wander off to do more nursing things]

Jody: [will pick up on the second ring] Deputy Mills?

Stiles: Hey, it's Stiles. Got a sec?

Jody: Sure. What can I do for you?

Stiles: Well, there's a Sheriff who wanted me to call and let you know that he's awake and if you have some time, he'd like to see you.

Jody: Oh thank God. [there's some visible relief that Stiles can't see over the phone but he can probably hear it in her voice] I think I can make some time for that.

Stiles: [smirks a bit. yeah, he's finding their dating relationship amusing. Sometimes] He's pretty doped up though, so I don't know how long he'll be awake.

Jody: I've got some stuff I need to finish up here, but I'll try to get over there as soon as I can. If not, I'll catch him next time.

Stiles: Awesome. I'll tell him

Jody: Good. [a beat] Thank you, Stiles. [because she knows that he hasn't always been Team Jody]

Stiles: Hey, no problem. I'll be seeing you soon, then.

Jody: See you soon. [And with that she'll get back to work so she can get out of there as quickly as she can]

Stiles: Yup, see you soon. [and he will hang up and head back and by the time he gets there, Sheriff will have already slipped back asleep] He's out again?

Cora: [she nods] He said to wake him up when Jody gets here.

Stiles: [rolls his eyes] Of course he did. [snorts]

Cora: [she smirks] He's drugged and he's healing. He needs to rest. And he probably wants to be a little more aware when she's actually here.

Stiles: It's still weird... him dating.

Cora: But it's good though, right?

Stiles: Yeah, I mean... he's not going to be alone and that's good. It's just... it's weird.

Cora: [she nods] I think you'll get used to it.

Stiles: I won't be around as much. I just... I have to learn to share I guess.

Cora: [she nods again, reaching for his hand and giving it a small squeeze]

Stiles: But I guess he had to learn to share me too, so probably only fair I figure it out too. [squeezes back]

Cora: I don't think it was sharing you so much as gaining me.

Stiles: [he smiles at that] Well, I'm glad we did.

Cora: [she smiles back] Me too.

Stiles: I guess we just have to wait then. [and he's going to go pull her back to the guest chair and sit down, pulling her into his lap and just leaning back]

Cora: [and she will be more than happy to curl up with him, and might pass out for a nap herself if she gets comfortable enough. She's probably been getting less sleep than he has]

Stiles: [and she is a warm safe presence and he will join her in that nap]

Jody: [and much later, while the kids are sleeping, Jody will manage to score some time away from her desk and make her way over to the hospital. She comes into the room quietly, so as not to disturb the sleeping teenagers, and just makes her way over to the sheriff's side, one hand reaching out to brush his hair from his forehead gently]

Sheriff: [and he will take a deep breath, waking up at the touch and looked up at the person touching him, and then smiling] Hey.

Jody: [she smiles back, her thumb brushing against his forehead affectionately as she does] Hey, yourself.

Sheriff: You keeping the other deputies in line?

Jody: They are learning to fear my wrath.

Sheriff: Don't try to take my job for good though, alright?

Jody: Don't worry. I will be just as happy as everyone else when you're back on your feet again. This is only temporary.

Sheriff: [nods] Yeah, I know. But still... my closing rates haven't been good as it is. You show me up, I might be under you sooner than you think.

Jody: [she glances over briefly to make sure Stiles is out before glancing back to him with a smirk] Relax. That's not really the kind of instance where I want you under me. [they are not talking about this depressing topic while he is still in the hospital]

Sheriff: [his eyes go to look over as well, then chuckle] I guess I'm going to have to keep putting that date off on you.

Jody: Oh really?

Sheriff: Pretty sure morphine alters the ability to give informed consent. [drugged smile]

Jody: Good point.

Sheriff: So you are okay though?

Jody: Me? I'm probably the one who's most okay out of everyone right now. The last few days have been pretty rough all around.

Sheriff: What's been happening?

Jody: I only know half the story. But I know that Lydia Martin was found catatonic due to sharp force trauma at the back of her neck. And apparently your favorite deputy is a hellhound.

Sheriff: And here I was hoping he was a dragon.

Jody: Sorry to disappoint.

Sheriff: How's he handling it? Hellhound... doesn't sound all that friendly.

Jody: Bout as well as you can expect. But given that he melted through the bars in the holding cell in one of his ... hound states, I guess, he put in for a leave of absence and he and Laura Hale are seeing if they can give him a little more control.

Sheriff: Hopefully she can. He's a good kid. It's been, well, hell... watching him go through this.

Jody: [nods] I know what you mean. But if anyone can figure it out, it's probably a Hale. They know the supernatural best around here.

Sheriff: [chuckles] Yeah, they do. I didn't know Talia well, but Claudia knew her a bit. They had a good mother.

Jody: Then let's hope that a little of her rubbed off on them.

Sheriff: More her than Peter's influence at least.

Jody: I haven't met this Peter guy yet but Parrish seems to indicate he's quite the character.

Sheriff: You're probably better to stay away from him. The kids say he's getting better but he's still dangerous.

Jody: Duly noted.

Sheriff: [he reached up to take her hand] I'm glad you're okay.

Jody: I could do with you being a little more okay, but I'm glad you're at least awake. [she gives his hand a small squeeze before leaning forward to kiss him softly] Now get the rest of the way.

Sheriff: [yeah, that feels nice and he's going to just hold her hand a moment] Is that an order?

Jody: You bet it is.

Sheriff: I guess I have no choice but to follow it, Sheriff Mills.

Jody: Smart man. [she kisses him again, before pulling back] I gotta get home and check on my own teenagers. But I'll swing by tomorrow if I get a break.

Sheriff: I'll try and be awake.

Jody: Good. [and she'll squeeze his hand one last time, before pulling back and heading out the door again]

Sheriff: [and he'll just look over at Cora and Stiles - making sure they are both asleep - before slipping back out unconscious]

Cora: [And they will continue to sleep through things like the exhausted balls of angst they are]

Stiles: [though he will probably shift and nuzzle along her neck because he isn't someone who stays still]

Cora: [that's cool, she likes the nuzzling]

Stiles: [and he drools]

Cora: [that she's less fond of]

Stiles: [sorry baby]

Cora: [it's fine, there are worse things he could do in his sleep]

Stiles: [especially when they are all sleeping in the same room with his dad]

Cora: [yep.]

Stiles: [but eventually his leg is going to get a cramp from being in that position too long and he's going to wiggle and whine in his sleep, trying to move]

Cora: [which will wake his girlfriend as she stirs on his lap] Stiles?

Stiles: [and he will wake up a bit more] My leg... it's tingling and... I need to get up.

Cora: Oh, sorry. [and she will get up to give him some room to move]

Stiles: [and he will try to get up, but fall ungracefully to the ground instead and lay there, wiggling his ankle in the air to try and get it to work out] Owwwwww.

Cora: [she laughs softly before dropping to her knees next to him] You okay?

Stiles: Yeah, just... I need to stretch it out.

Cora: Okay.

Stiles: [and he's breathing through it as he moves his leg around] Yeah, next time we want to sleep together, preferably somewhere a bit more horizontal and -

Sheriff: [clearing his throat] Stiles.

Stiles: And in separate beds staring across the space at each other. Hi Dad.

Sheriff: [laughs, leaning his head back in the pillow]

Cora: [she laughs as well] Horizontal is definitely better.

Sheriff: I've given up pretending I don't know what you two kids do when I'm not home.

Stiles: Good, because I was getting tired of trying to hide the dirty sheets. [pulls himself to his feet]

Cora: [rubs the back of her neck as she gets up with him]

Sheriff: It finally got you to start doing your own laundry.

Cora: [wrinkles her nose, but she's not going to comment on that one]

Stiles: Well, you're obviously in a better mood and still drugged. How are you feeling?

Sheriff: Hungry. But I've already been told I'm on a liquid diet while my throat and stomach heal.

Cora: Milkshakes are liquid.

Sheriff: That they are. But I don't think a bacon and egg milkshake sounds all that appetizing.

Stiles: That's disgusting, Dad.

Cora: [she wrinkles her nose] I was thinking something more like chocolate.

Sheriff: You're probably going to need to check with Melissa. I learned a long time ago not to be a bad patient around her.

Stiles: [looks to Cora] It's true. She will surprise you with needles.

Cora: I could go and check if you want? [especially if Stiles wanted some time alone with his dad]

Sheriff: Thanks, Cora.

Stiles: [to his dad] Need anything else? Want some water? [goes to hold up the water thing and pour him a glass without his saying yes]

Cora: [she will nod and slip out and take her time finding Melissa so they can talk]

Sheriff: [and they will probably talk about nothing special since they are in the hospital and all]

Stiles: [Well, until...] So um... I talked with Berkley. Cause you know we should be leaving this week and I told them you were in an accident on the job and sent some info from Melissa and asked if I could start in the spring instead.

Sheriff: Oh? You know, you don't have to do that...

Stiles: Dad, I'm not leaving you and going four hours away while you're hurt. They understood and it's fine.

Sheriff: What about Cora?

Stiles: She knows. But you're my dad - we take care of each other, remember?

Sheriff: [he remembers, and nods] Are you sure?

Stiles: Totally. I mean, who else is going to take care of you while you're recovering?

Jody: [and swinging by again, but this is a little more official, uniform and all. She collecting statements on another case, and she was coming by to see the sheriff and happens to catch the end of that] You certainly don't have to do it alone, Stiles.

Stiles: [looks over at the door, blinking] Um... but I can?

Jody: [holds up her hands because she's not trying to start a fight] I don't doubt that you can. I'm just saying you don't have to. I can help.

Sheriff: Stiles, I love you, but you can't handle the entire house on your own. You don't even know how to cook.

Stiles: I can use a phone, and I can learn.

Jody: Look, I'm not trying to infringe on your territory. But stuff like this can be really stressful, especially if you're doing it all on your own.

Stiles: [he purses his lips, because he's never been good at asking for help anyway. He's used to doing it on his own. Or with Scott. And since Scott isn't an option...]

Sheriff: Stiles, she's right. I don't know yet what I'm going to be able to do. You're going to need help.

Jody: [she gives him a small smile] Let's see what happens when your dad's actually ready to be discharged, alright? Nothing's set in stone until then.

Stiles: Alright. [and he's going to rub the back of his neck]

Sheriff: [goes to Jody] So you're here early...

Jody: Work stuff. Had to get some statements but I figured I'd swing by and check in before I left.

Sheriff: Well, I do appreciate that. [even if he had just seen her a few hours ago] Everything okay?

Jody: Yeah, everything's fine. Just following up on an old case. How's everything going here?

Sheriff: Debating the merits on breakfast milkshakes and what wouldn't work.

Stiles: He really has bad food tastes, just so you know.

Sheriff: I think I said that it wasn't a good idea to start with.

Stiles: The fact you still thought of it is gross, Dad.

Jody: How gross are we talking?

Stiles: Eggs and Bacon in a blender.

Jody: [considers for a moment ...] Dean would eat it.

Stiles: Ew.

Sheriff: I wasn't going to eat it. I just am expressing my frustration at not being able to have solid food.

Jody: I can understand that. Dean wouldn't have been kidding. He will take his terrible food however he can get it.

Stiles: No wonder why Sam is a health food nut. Having to deal with that all the time.

Sheriff: [looks at Stiles] And don't even get it into your head to convert me to juicing.

Stiles: Well, I wasn't thinking it... but now... I'm sure I could find a cheap juicer... [evil grin]

Jody: [laughs as Cora comes around the corner to pop in next to her]

Cora: Melissa vetoed the milkshake.

Sheriff: [groans]

Stiles: Ask her if juicing is allowed?

Sheriff: Stiles!

Cora: She said she'd send something up from the cafeteria.

Sheriff: [just groans]

Stiles: You'll live. Stop being a baby.

Cora: And hopefully you won't have to eat it for long.

Sheriff: At least it won't be as bad as whatever Stiles is going to learn to cook.

Stiles: Another benefit to going to juicing, Dad. It'll all taste like Kale.

Sheriff: Jody, I beg you please help him help me or I may not live a week.

Jody: [she laughs] Don't worry. I will teach him how to actually cook.

Sheriff: Thank you.

Jody: My pleasure.

Stiles: Deputy Mills - how long you planning on visiting?

Jody: [glances down at her watch] I should probably head back soon, but given that I'm now the boss, I say whatever's waiting for me there can keep waiting.

Stiles: Great. Can you watch him them while Cora and I grab something to eat and maybe go home and change? Shouldn't take too long.

Jody: Sure. Take your time.

Stiles: You two behave now. [and he is going to just grab their stuff and slip out]

Jody: [Cora will follow him and Jody will move to sit next to his bed] He's a good kid.

Sheriff: Yeah, he is. I'm afraid he's going to use me as a distraction though.

Jody: Is it better for it to be you than his girlfriend?

Sheriff: I'm not sure.

Jody: I think between me and Cora we can keep him from losing himself too much. Not that I know Cora that well.

Sheriff: You should get to talk to her more. She's a good kid - you read the file yet about the Hales?

Jody: I got the cliff notes from the Winchesters. I don't know how complete it is.

Sheriff: Well, she was eleven when the fire happened. Spent the next six years of her life with Slayers thinking she was the only survivor.

Jody: [her face softens a bit] Poor kid.

Sheriff: Yeah. Derek had a stint as alpha and she got wind of it and came back for him. She got poisoned after that and Derek actually gave up his alpha powers to heal her from what I've gathered. She and Stiles became friends after that, and somewhere after that to when he was dealing with the nogitsune did it become something more.

Jody: And now they're pretty much attached at the hip?

Sheriff: Pretty much. Which is good in a way since before her, Stiles pretty much was all about Lydia Martin.

Jody: The girl who's catatonic?

Sheriff: Yeah, that would be her. [sighs] Any word on how she is, or how her mother's doing?

Jody: [she sighs] Last I heard she was weighing the pros and cons of Eichen House.

Sheriff: Oh god... I need to tell her not to send her there. I can give her the name of a better place in Los Angeles...

Jody: I'm sure you could use Stiles as a ruse to direct her your way.

Sheriff: I can try.

Jody: I doubt Stiles wants her there anymore than you do.

Sheriff: Oh, I'm sure Stiles can also be a lot more graphic about what happens to him and Lydia when they are in there.

Jody: There you go. The perfect amount of persuasion.

Sheriff: She will also probably end up barring Stiles from ever seeing Lydia again...

Jody: How do you mean?

Sheriff: Pretty sure some of the times they were in there were Stiles' doing.

Jody: From what I've seen of Lydia, though, she's a big girl. If she didn't want to go with Stiles, she wouldn't have gone.

Sheriff: My son can be very persuasive.

Jody: Yes, but Lydia is just as headstrong as he is.

Sheriff: And she's also smarter than him too.

Jody: Exactly. So if she's there, she wanted to be there. It might even be possible that she was the one dragging Stiles into trouble.

Sheriff: I doubt that, but fair enough.

Jody: I'm not saying that Stiles can't get himself into his own trouble, but never underestimate a wily pretty girl and a boy who likes to play white knight.

Sheriff: But anyway - back to the original topic. Cora really came out of nowhere and I didn't think she would be his type at all because of his infatuation with Lydia. But there's just something about them.

Jody: [there's a small, fond smile at that] The relationships that hit you out of nowhere are usually the best kind.

Sheriff: I know that one.

Jody: They seem like they're really happy together.

Sheriff: I'm pretty sure he's going to marry that girl.

Jody: And that's father-approved?

Sheriff: I've pretty much approved of Cora for a while now. Technically she lives in the guest room. Technically. I've yet to see the bed in that room used.

Jody: [she laughs] I think at this age you can just make sure they're safe and hope no accidents happen along the way.

Sheriff: I'm sure they are very safe. I'm the least of Stiles' worries if there was an accident.

Jody: Big brother?

Sheriff: Brother, Sister, and Uncle. Not sure which one would be the worst.

Jody: I've only met Laura briefly, so I can't really tell you.

Sheriff: Three former alpha wolves with protective instincts. Cora is the baby in the family. Pretty sure they would kill Stiles and resurrect him so the next one could kill him...

Jody: So it would be a family effort.

Sheriff: Exactly. And then he would have to deal with a pregnant werewolf because they won't let him stay dead.

Jody: Personally I think the words "pregnant werewolf" would be punishment enough.

Sheriff: [laughs] Yeah. Hopefully that's a few years down the line. After college.

Jody: [she nods] That's definitely a better idea.

Sheriff: [looks towards the door] Where did Melissa order food from? China?

Jody: [she laughs] Want me to go check on it for you?

Sheriff: Please. It feels like I haven't eaten in a week. [which he actually hasn't]

Jody: [she nods before getting up leaning in to kiss him gently] I'll be right back.

Sheriff: [yeah, he's really starting to like these kisses] I'll hang out here.

Jody: [and off she goes in search of his food]