canon au } { post-605: radio silence

[kiss_evilgoodbye]

Buffy: [and eventually Buffy and Willow show up, and Malia can hear them as they approach down the hall] So Malia's missing dad just showed up out of nowhere and she suddenly remembered him?

Willow: That's what she said.

Peter: [and he hears Buffy's voice and he will turn his head towards her. He can't really speak, but his lips try to form her name]

Malia: [perks up a bit before she realizes that Buffy doesn't remember and she will go out, grab the Slayer by the arm and drag her back towards the hospital room]

Buffy: ... Hi, Malia? What are you ... ? [and she rounds the corner to see him, lying there, intensely burned and the first reaction is shock. But then a memory shakes itself loose, from a long time ago, and her eyes widen as memories suddenly fall back into place] ... Peter.

Peter: [and that's relief on his face hearing his name. He is going to owe Malia an amazing birthday present soon]

Malia: [yes, yes he does]

Buffy: [still kind of reeling and needs to sit down because her fiancé disappeared three months ago and she didn't even notice. In fact, she forgot he existed entirely. so she's going to need a minute to process that and will distract with:] Will, get in here!

Willow: I'm coming, I'm come - [and there's a beat as it takes a moment and] - Oh! Oh my God, Peter! [and with that, she'll make with the magic]

Peter: [and he's going to groan because magic healing isn't painless and yeah, no PTSD issues at all right now]

Willow: I know this is not fun, but you also need to not die so ... sorry? [sorry Peter, she's working as fast as she can]

Peter: [he's been through worse. recently too because that escape was not easy at all. Cora and Stiles are going to owe him forever for not letting Stiles try this]

Buffy: [probably, and Buffy is just going to be over here, burying her face in her hands] I'm going to destroy these things.

Peter: [and finally he gets his voice back, rough and low] You can't. But... appreciate the... thought.

Buffy: Oh, you just watch me. As far as I can tell, they're solid. Unlike the First, they can definitely be punched in the face. [but since he's talking now, she'll get up and move over to take his hand] I'm sorry.

Peter: Don't. [word fits for both]

Buffy: I don't think you can tell me not to be sorry right now. I have three months of guilt to work with.

Peter: You couldn't help it. [he looks at Malia and gives her a small smile of thanks] It's what they do. It's what they are going to... to keep doing.

Buffy: All the more reason for me to find them and punch them. A lot.

Peter: Not until after... [he looks around] Cora. Where's Cora?

Buffy: Probably at the Sheriff's. Why?

Peter: [tries to sit up] Stiles. She needs... [fuck that hurts and he flops back]

Buffy: Wait. You know the Stiles?

Peter: Yes. So do all of you, somewhere inside of your memories.

Buffy: [sigh] So he is a real boy. Good to know.

Peter: He's a pain in the ass, but he is real and she... she needs to know.

Buffy: Well, right now she doesn't even know you're real, so let's take this one giant revelation at a time. Especially considering ... she's a bit of a mess at the moment and not too happy with him.

[and there’s more chatting before they get around to how Peter got out of ghost town.]

Peter: Yes, I am but you already knew that and I'm still working on recovering.

Buffy: [S I G H]

Peter: [he feels better at least, and to a point where he is healing on his own. But it's an itch under his skin - like the Riders portal is still trying to erase him and he can't figure out how to scratch that itch just yet] If I didn't, Stiles would have kept trying and he doesn't have a healing factor.

Buffy: I'm either going to be incredibly endeared or incredibly annoyed by this Stiles kid, aren't I?

Peter: You actually will be both, surprisingly. I tend to be more annoyed but I've known him longer.

Buffy: Mmm. [deep breath] We have to get him back. Get all of them back.

Peter: [and he thinks a moment, and then lifts his head] The Winchesters.

Buffy: Sam and Dean? [she frowns] I still remember them. And I think the world would have been broken if the hunt had tried.

Peter: No, no their kids. [he saw them before he escaped. Just after the first time they tried the intercom]

Buffy: .... They only have one kid. Michael. [her eyes narrow] There are more Winchester children?

Peter: Yes. [leans his head back, groaning] There were over a hundred people in that waystation.

Buffy: [exhales with a huff, then tips her head to the side] If there [are] Winchesters in there, maybe we can use that to our advantage.

Peter: And if Stiles can get that radio working... we can find a way to hear him and communicate.

Buffy: I'll go talk to the family angel. They're built for jumping between worlds - maybe he can manage to do it safely.

Peter: This world isn't a part of his mythology. Parrish would have better luck.

Buffy: I don't think your niece would appreciate you abducting the father of her child to go in somewhere blind, especially when the Riders have already proven that they can put him out if needed. Cas might have better luck getting in and out without notice.

Peter: I didn't say to send him. I don't even know how to get there beyond being taken.

Buffy: Hence, the angel. But let's not worry about that now. Cas is currently having a buddy cop adventure with everyone's favorite demon, so he might not be able to get here for a bit anyway.

Peter: [he nods. They should know, but the fact knowing but having nothing to remember will not help them right now] Did you call... [Laura. Derek. Cora?]

Buffy: Malia did. Apparently she and Derek found out they were missing someone else, but ... didn't really know what to do about it, since no one else seemed to. They didn't even realize I was connected.

Peter: She wouldn't have. [worried] Has she been ok?

Buffy: Emotionally? It's always kind of hard to tell with her. But she's been struggling with the power she stole from her mom, even if she doesn't want to really talk about it.

Peter: [nods] I will talk with her. See if I can help. [because he needs something to focus on and not the feeling that he's burning still]

Buffy: [she nods] Just take it easy, alright? You are trying to heal from something that most people don't heal from.

Peter: A reason why I shouldn't wait too long. [in case]

Buffy: Don't talk like that. [not when she just got you back after not remembering you] You asked me to marry you, do not think that's something you can reneg on by dying.

Peter: Oh, I know. But I also can't promise you that the Riders won't come back for me.

Buffy: I return to my earlier proposition of punching them in the face. With the scythe.

Peter: [just chuckles, leaning back and smiling] I missed you. [when he finally remembered her because that place sucked]

Buffy: [wishes she could say the same, but she can't, not really. She gives his hand a small squeeze again, before stepping back] Get some sleep. I'll let you know when the other Hales get here.

Peter: [squeezes back, taking a deep breath] Alright.

Buffy: [and she will retreat to one of the seats to settle in for babysitting duty]

Peter: [and he is going to try and sleep, but the images and feelings of burning alive are right at the edge of his mind and it's a fitful sleep]

Buffy: [poor boy. and which Hale child is going to show up first?]

Laura: [it's Laura, who has left her daughter with Parrish while she tries to sort out what all of this is. She rounds the corner of the doorway and when her eyes land on his face she has to stop, memories slamming back into her of her childhood, the loss, her death and she needs a minute to process some of that]

Scott: [having come to the hospital to a. feed his mother and b. check on Peter is in the hallway and sees her take a step back. He knows what's happening] Give it a minute. You probably have a lot more memories of him to shake loose.

Laura: [it's not the amount of memories that's bothering her so much as the one] He killed me.

Scott: He's also the one who bit me. And tried to kill me. But it feels like that was a good time ago.

Laura: I know. But at the same time ... it's really not. [it's complicated. really, really complicated]

Scott: You don't have to stay if you don't want to.

Laura: [shakes her head] No. It's okay. [it's not, but she can fake it, and she'll start to make her way further into the room]

Peter: [just ignore the semi-burnt Peter smell and his twitching in his sleep. everything is TOTALLY fine]

Laura: [she glances to Buffy, and Buffy will nod that it's okay. Then a hand comes down gently on his] Peter.

Peter: [she will get a nice little taste of the undercurrent of pain he's in before his eyes snap open, afraid. But he sees her and his breathing settles…then then turns nervous] Laura?

Laura: [she pulls on instinct more than anything else, a werewolf's natural reaction to someone else in pain, but she'll pull her hand back once his eyes meet hers] Yeah.

Peter: [deep breath] I take it you just relieved all the memories of me again in your head. Do you remember how we were the last time you saw me?

Laura: I do. But I'm still adjusting to some of them. [like, you know, getting murdered]

Peter: I understand. [the third time now she gets to live through that...]

Laura: [y e p, and with that she'll take a breath and step back] Jordan's shift starts soon, and I told him I wouldn't be long. But I'll be back later.

Peter: If you can't, that's fine. You have a family to think about, and I should be out of here soon.

Laura: Okay. [she nods] Get some rest. [and with that she will all but flee, needing space to get everything back in their proper place on her own]

Derek: [and in age order, Derek is next and will he have Dawn?]

Dawn: [she can if he asks her too, but she'll probably just sit to the side with her sister. she is a bit curious about actually seeing who this guy is though]

Derek: [so they can both come because if they need to see him to remember him, probably a good idea his wife also remember this guy. And they come bearing coffee for Buffy at least]

Buffy: [reaches for the cup with a smile] You are a good man.

Derek: I try. [he knows that he's going to get a memory jolt when he turns around] Everything ok?

Buffy: Yeah. Laura was here first. Which ... you will get more in a few minutes, but hopefully this will go better!

Derek: [looks at Dawn and gives her a smile and a hand squeeze before turning to look at Peter, who is resisting rolling his eyes because he is not that bad, Derek, no matter what your memories may say as they flash through your brain]

Dawn: [also turns and looks and ... subsequently makes a face] Hey, Peter.

Peter: Hello to you both as well. Have you finished reliving our greatest moments, Derek, or do you need another minute?

Derek: [rubbing at his eyes] At least the fact you're still a dick hasn't changed.

Dawn: I don't think they could separate that from Peter that easily.

Peter: Not for the lack of trying. If it wasn't for Stiles, I wouldn't be here.

Dawn: Oh. So Stiles does exist. Good to know.

Peter: Yes, and I'm feeling like a harbinger of doom suddenly at revealing his existence to the world.

Dawn: Oh, you're not. Lydia's been filling the harbinger position nicely, but it's nice to have confirmation that she's not slowly losing it. Not that that's going to help Cora, but ... it's something.

Peter: He's working on trying to find a way to communicate using a radio. We had to stop because of the Riders, but I'm sure he will continue to work on it.

Dawn: [nods once] Doesn't help us get him here though.

Peter: And the path I took - I only survived because of my healing ability, and even then. [he shudders]

Derek: [sniffed the air, and his eyes widen] How bad was it?

Buffy: Bad. Just ... leave it at bad.

Derek: So what happened?

Peter: [and he will give them the whole story from the top]

Dawn: [winces] This is like Glory all over again.

Peter: The only problem is - I don't know how long we have before we lose those people. Before we lose Stiles. The Riders can move on at any moment, or they can take the entire city and leave it a ghost town.

Buffy: So we have to find a way to get those people out before they decide to move on.

Peter: And I don't know of any way to get in.

Buffy: I suggested we have Cas take a crack at it. Apparently there are Winchesters in there.

Derek: Winchesters?

Peter: Ben and Olivia, but you don't remember them so it won't help.

Dawn: [her face scrunches] Like Ben Braedan?

Peter: Yes, but the thirty plus year old version from Michael's reality, not the seventeen year old out in Michigan.

Dawn: [squints some more] I'll take your word for it. I don't think you'd make up Winchesters for fun.

Peter: Not those kids.

Dawn: Guess Giles and I better hit the books.

Derek: Which means I'll go and help Scott with whatever they are working on.

Dawn: Teamwork makes the dream work.

Peter: And hopefully I will be out of here soon. [hates hospitals]

Buffy: Fingers crossed.

Derek: Do you want me to...

Peter: No, go. Go save the world. Buffy is better company anyway.

Buffy: [grins] Let me know when there's something that needs punching.

Derek: I will.

Dawn: [nods as she links her arm in his] Let's go hit the books.

Derek: [and off they will go]

Peter: They are still disgustingly adorable.

Buffy: They'll probably never grow out of it. In fact, they'll probably be worse once Cora's baby is born and they actually become parents.

Peter: I fear for that child.

Buffy: I think they'll be good parents.

Peter: They will be, and that child will be spoiled.

Buffy: Oh, that's already true.

Peter: [looks towards the door] Do you think Cora will avoid me?

Buffy: Honestly? I don't know. She's been a bit unpredictable lately.

Peter: I can't imagine why.

Buffy: [he gets a bit of a look at that]

Peter: She has more of a physical reminder of what she lost than you did.

Buffy: Yeah. And he's not here. She's tired of losing people, she's tired of being left behind, and now she's having this baby with a person she can't remember and he left her.

Peter: He was taken. He didn't leave by choice, and he's doing everything possible to try and get back.

Buffy: Yeah, but she doesn't know that and her teenage pregnant brain is not exactly a logical place right now. Right now, I'm pretty sure the overwhelming emotion she feels for this Stiles guy right now is anger, not love.

Peter: And what I brought back for her probably won't make her any happier.

Buffy: What's that?

Peter: Look in my jeans pocket. [he has Stiles' wallet that was next to the car keys. Complete with his driver's license]

Buffy: [and she will go and fish it out, before picking up the wallet and flipping it open and] .... Stiles!

Peter: ... You remember him now?

Buffy: Yes. Sort of. I remember yelling at him. A lot.

Peter: That's a common thing.

Buffy: [there's a pause, before she moves to sit back in her chair again] I don't know if we should show her.

Peter: That's not our choice to make, Buffy. It's hers. I'm just giving her the ability to get him back at least in her mind.

Buffy: Maybe it isn't. But ... Peter, she may be miserable and angry, but at least she's not in pain.

Peter: And what, you think giving her back her memories would hurt her physically?

Buffy: I don't think that knowing what she's missing is going to make things easier for her.

Peter: Do you feel that way about me? If Derek had told you he thought I was gone and what I was to you?

Buffy: No, of course not. [she gets up and makes her way closer, taking his hand again] But ... you haven't seen her since Stiles disappeared. She's isolating herself, she's depressed - I don't want to make her worse by adding heartbreak to the mix.

Peter: What if it gives her purpose?

Buffy: You can't guarantee that it will, and she's already asked Scott to leave her out of the search. She almost took Lydia's head off the other day - literally.

Peter: [sighs]

Buffy: You're right, though. It's her choice. But don't hold it against her if that choice is no.

Peter: I won't.

Buffy: If she doesn't though, I do know someone who would probably want to see this.

Peter: I'm sure there are a bunch.

Buffy: I was thinking his dad.

Peter: His dad. Scott. They’re his family after all.

Buffy: [she nods]

Cora: [and while they're doing that, Cora eventually appears in the doorway, probably hearing more of that then they would have thought, and squints at Peter, memories falling back into place, seemingly more gently than it did with her siblings] Hi.

Peter: [well shit. He can only guess how much she heard] Hi, Cora. Come in.

Cora: [she does. she's hiding in a large hoodie she probably stole from Derek, but even then it's obvious from the shape of her midsection how far along she is. She stops next to him and gives him a small smile] Welcome back.

Peter: It's good to be back, but remind me to send a strongly worded letter to the Riders on their lack of a safe exit ramp. [he will lean back, his body done with trying to sit up straight] You doing alright?

Cora: [she shrugs] Some days are better than others.

Peter: [nods] How much did you hear out in the hallway?

Cora: Enough.

Peter: I know it may not be worth much... but he's trying to get back to you.

Cora: [looks away for a moment before shrugging] Right now it isn't. We'll see when he actually gets here.

Peter: Just don't write him completely off, alright? He's trying. He's only human.

Cora: I'm not. [if he was stubborn enough to mean as much to her as people keep implying than he obviously is stubborn enough to escape Rider Hell] I just don't want to remember until he does.

Peter: He being Stiles?

Cora: [she nods a bit]

Peter: I can understand. That's why I was going to make it your choice if I gave you something.

Cora: If he never comes back, I just ... I don't want to be grieving. Again.

Peter: [he wants to tell her that she will anyway, because he knows how it feels to lose someone who is a part of you. But he says nothing on that] So how are you feeling otherwise?

Cora: [glances down] Three months to go?

Peter: Three months and then you're free. Got any plans yet to celebrate your freedom?

Cora: I'm going back to Scotland.

Peter: That so? Holiday or permanent?

Cora: Don't know. But ... I need to be out of Beacon Hills for a while.

Peter: You know, if you wanted to go now, I wouldn't blame you. In fact, with the danger of the Riders being here, I'd actually suggest it.

Cora: [she pauses for a moment, before shaking her head] Derek would worry. I told him I would stay until the baby was born.

Peter: Take Derek and Dawn with you. They can do their research and hovering thing just as easily in Scotland.

Cora: [her eyes narrow a bit] Why?

Peter: [he watches her a moment, then looked at Buffy] Because the Riders are going to take everyone in this town before they leave.

Cora: So if we don't want to be taken, we should leave town.

Peter: If you haven't seen them yet, it may be the only way to save the people you care about. I've seen them - I'm marked wherever I go. But you can get somewhere safe still.

Cora: [long, long pause as she weighs the pros and cons of that] I'll talk to them.

Peter: Good. [because it will make them safe. And he is going to probably talk to Buffy about going too]

Buffy: [yeah, Peter, that's not going to happen]

Cora: Are you okay?

Peter: [smiles, shifting and then wincing] I will be.

Cora: Okay. [she takes a deep breath before stepping away] I'll go talk to Derek.

Peter: Cora. [he held out the wallet] You may want to give this to someone else who you think should know.

Cora: [she hesitates for a moment, before taking the wallet from him and nodding. And she will probably just leave it for the sheriff to find somewhere in the house]

Peter: [it's a sad smile, wishing he could help and make things better, but it is her choice so he can't force her]

Cora: [and with that, out she'll go. she'll probably regret it once Stiles comes back, but for right now, she's comfortable with the decision. If he doesn't come back, she doesn't think she has it in her to grieve again]

Peter: [and now that his family has come through] I think I need another shot of morphine.

Buffy: I will go find Melissa.

Peter: Thanks. [and when she is out of the room he's going to lift the side of the gown and look down at his ribs that are starting to burn again]

Buffy: [and she will eventually return with the nurse that gives him the morphine]

Peter: [and he's going to try and hide the reburned flesh from Buffy and the nurse]

Buffy: [the nurse is very oblivious but Buffy DEFINITELY NOTICES and gives him a concerned look over her shoulder]

Peter: [when the nurse finally leaves, he leans back] I'm burning up inside still.

Buffy: Do you want me to call Willow back? Or Cas, maybe?

Peter: I don't know if they can help, but you can try.

Buffy: I'll go make some calls.

Peter: [nods, and as the morphine kicks in, he starts to relax]

Buffy: [and she'll see if she can get ahold of an angel, but it will take a while for him to get here, so we'll fade on them here?]