potus } { of welcome home parties and cute boys

[impetere]

Cora: [is still a little off kilter after her conversation with her brother, and has essentially autopiloted through her classes and made her way to lunch. she's sitting quietly at a table by herself with Boyd and focusing intently on the notebook in front of her]

Stiles: [and since it's one of their days that they normally eat lunch together, he will cheerfully make his way over to the table and stand at the empty chair. He can see she's a bit more distant than usual, so he won't sit down right away] Are you two up for company today?

Cora: [she glances up, blinking in surprise, before nodding with a small smile] Yeah, of course. Sorry.

Stiles: Because if you don't, I can find somewhere else. I don't want to intrude.

Cora: No, no! Please, sit. I can use the distraction from my own head, honestly.

Stiles: Only if you're sure. [and he will go to sit down, and then pull some snack out of his backpack for Boyd] Here, I remember you like these and saw them at the store. [because Boyd puts up with him, and respect between service type guys and all that]

Boyd: [eyes it for a moment, before nodding and taking it] Thanks.

Cora: [and that makes her smile] I am sure. I promise.

Stiles: [and he will pull out his lunch that he brought from home because he has a limited budget and he doesn't live on campus so he doesn't have a real meal plan either.] So how can I distract you from whatever is bothering you today, ma'am? [he still slips back and forth between using her name and the honorific]

Cora: [she shrugs] It's kind of silly. My brother's home and he doesn't really understand what I have to deal with because he's not here for seven months at a time. While I know he means well, he's never really had to live this life. He's had his own complications to deal with.

Stiles: Not to speak ill of Corporal Hale, but I can say from being on deployment and coming back - it is hard to readjust your way of thinking. I would also assume that since he's been a commanding officer for awhile now, he may have a hard time not wanting to be on the sidelines and have no control on something he cares about and wants to make right.

Cora: I'm sure that's part of it too. But ... it's a little too late for him to do it. I know he cares, but what's done is done, you know?

Stiles: Yes, ma'am. But your brother is probably also one of the most stubborn SOB's I've ever met.

Cora: [laughs] That is also very true. Something we're very grateful for when he's overseas, but less fond of when he's home.

Stiles: [laughs as well] I'm pretty sure the entire junior level of the Marine Corp thinks the opposite.

Cora: [she shrugs] It keeps him alive and ensures he comes home. It's hard not to appreciate it when he's in danger. Not that we wish his wrath upon you, of course.

Stiles: Of course. [nods, and he will take a bite of his pb&j.] But otherwise it's still good to have him home, right?

Cora: Absolutely. I would rather have him here and be fighting with him, then have him that far away and at risk.

Stiles: [nods] My dad felt the same way. I'm sure it was hell for him dealing with me being overseas.

Cora: [she nods] Worse than for us, I'm sure. He likely didn't get the reports my mother does.

Stiles: He had a few ties, but most of them were Army so getting info on the Marines was tricky. No, it's more that it's just him and me. I only went in because if I wanted to go to college, I needed the GI bill. I didn't get any scholarships and my dad couldn't afford to help pay for college so I wasn't going to ask him to take out loans again.

Cora: At least you made it through the other side then.

Stiles: Yeah, that's the one thing I got going. [there was a close call he's not ready to talk about - and the reason he didn't reenlist] He said he'd rather me be across the country in school than out of the country in the line of fire. At least in DC he only has to worry about bad drivers.

Cora: Very true. [and she's about to say something else when a tall man straddles the bench and drops down next to her]

Klaus: Hello, love. [he leans in to give her a kiss on the cheek, before nodding to her bodyguard] Boyd. [then a glance to Stiles] Person I don't know.

Cora: [rolls her eyes a bit] Klaus, this is Stiles. Stiles, Klaus.

Stiles: Pleasure to meet you, Sir.

Klaus: How formal. Military boy, I take it?

Cora: Stiles served under Derek. What are you doing here?

Klaus: Well, your brother is too busy being a wonton trollop to answer my phone calls, so I thought I'd pay a visit to my second favorite Hale. [and he'll reach over to steal one of her French fries]

Stiles: [snorts because that's not something he's ever heard before, and he will then clear his throat because manners]

Klaus: [Klaus doesn't mind, and there's a smirk in the other man's direction] Any requests for our little shindig tomorrow?

Cora: [smirks in return] You know my requirements. I'm sure Rebekah has already told you.

Klaus: [less than pleased with that answer] Yes, but one day I do hope you'll override her.

Cora: Not a chance. [there's a beat, and then she glances over to Stiles] Do you want to come to a party tomorrow?

Stiles: [blinks, eyes widening a bit because him? a party? what are these things?] I could. I don't have anything else planned.

Cora: If you want to. It's a private thing for my brother being back, so no politics or anything like that. You could meet some more people in the area?

Stiles: As long as the Corporal doesn't expect me to obey his orders while I'm there.

Klaus: I think the corporal will be far too preoccupied with his date to be issuing any orders. [pulls up his phone to make a note] Last name?

Cora: Stilinski.

Klaus: [a beat as he looks over at Stiles] Stiles Stilinski?

Stiles: Yes, sir.

Cora: It's a nickname.

Klaus: I see. I'll have Kol add him too the list. Any other guests?

Cora: [she shakes her head] Nope, that should do it.

Stiles: Two questions, Sir. Where would I be going, and what is the state of dress for this event?

Klaus: She can give you that. I have to get back to work before Freya thinks I'm lying down again on the job. [another kiss on the cheek for Cora] I'll see you later.

Cora: See you. [and as he heads off Cora will turn back to Stiles] It's at the Abattoir. It's a club not far from here, I'll find you the address.

Stiles: [and he's pulled out a small notepad from his pants and writes it down] I think I can find it. What time should I be there?

Cora: Anytime after nine. And it's not super formal so whatever you would normally where clubbing is fine. [so basically a mix of dressy and casual]

Stiles: To be honest, ma'am, I've never gone "clubbing". But I'm sure I can figure something out.

Cora: Oh. [sorry Stiles, she was spoiled by the Mikaelsons] Um. Think dressy casual? Not jeans and a t-shirt but not a three piece suit either.

Stiles: [nods. he'll probably have to hit up a goodwill, but he could figure that out] Got it.

Cora: Good. It'll be fun!

Stiles: It sounds like it.

Cora: [and she glances down at her watch] And I have to get to class, but if you have any other questions just text me, okay? [because they've swapped numbers at this point?]

Stiles: [totally. he just doesn't use it for anything but it's there] Yes ma'am. I should probably hit the library before my next class anyway.

Cora: I'll see you tomorrow. [and with that, she and Boyd will be on their way]

Stiles: [and he may have spent a good portion of the following afternoon at Goodwill trying to find something and eventually decided a nice white shirt and dark pants would probably work so he shows up feeling a bit awkward and after he's waved in he will just look around to see if he can find one of the two people he recognizes]

Rebekah: [is hovering over in one of the booths with Cora as people file in, catching up on their lives in general, when she looks up and spots Stiles] Ooh, he's cute.

Cora: [turns to follow her line of sight before raising her hand to catch his attention] Oh! Stiles!

Stiles: [and he will see her and nod his head, shifting through the people to get over to where Cora is with the blonde he doesn't know] Hi. [and he can't help but notice just how fabulous she looks. That is totally not school appropriate clothing] You look great. Like, really great. [totally flustered and stammering just a bit]

Cora: [and that's the shy ducking smile before she glances to her friend] Rebekah Mikaelson, Stiles Stilinski. Beks is one of my best friends and Stiles goes to Georgetown.

Rebekah: [grins widely, because she totally didn't miss that, as she holds out a hand to him] Charmed. Can I get you a drink?

Stiles: Just a beer. Thank you, ma'am. [takes her hand and shakes it gently]

Rebekah: One beer coming up. [to Cora] Your usual?

Cora: Yes please. [and Beks will head off to get drinks while Cora inches over to give Stiles room to sit in the booth that curves around the table like a seashell] Did you find the place okay?

Stiles: [and he will go to sit down, nodding] Yes. It's actually only two blocks from my place. It's just not on my normal route to the metro.

Cora: Oh good! I'm glad, I know how crazy DC can be sometimes.

Stiles: Yeah, it can be a bit crazy. But I try to explore a bit on my days off. I can walk for hours without getting tired.

Cora: Sometimes I would love to do that but it would involve several burly ex-military servicemen following me, so it doesn't quite have the same effect.

Stiles: They wouldn't loosen up if you went with a Marine, would they?

Cora: Unfortunately not. Probably won't loosen up until my mother's no longer in office.

Stiles: Well, I could plan out a route in advance and give it to Boyd so that they could pre-plan it and not need to be as present? If you'd like to do that.

Cora: Maybe. It seems like a lot of work just to take a walk.

Stiles: You'd be surprised how easy that would be for me.

Cora: Well, things are a little crazy right now, but if I have some time, maybe I'll take you up on it.

Rebekah: [and with that, Rebekah returns with a small tray of drinks] One beer [in front of Stiles] one hurricane -

Cora: Thank you. [and she will reach for the glass for a ship]

Rebekah: And one very dirty martini. [which she will sip] What did I miss?

Stiles: Oh, well, the offer stands. [and he will be grateful for the beer, taking a drink from it after giving Rebekah his thanks] Not much. I was just telling Cora that I didn't have a problem finding this place. I live two blocks over.

Rebekah: Oh, lovely. You won't have that far to stumble home then. Especially if someone wants to go with you. [she's totally not subtle in the way she looks at Cora there and Cora will give her a look right back, to which Beks will put on her best innocent face] What? It's true.

Stiles: [chuckles, rubbing at his neck] I appreciate your concern, but I'd need a lot more to drink before I'd be stumbling, and a party for my commanding officer is probably not the best place to get drunk.

Rebekah: Oh, you served under Derek?

Stiles: Yes ma'am. We were both overseas together on my previous deployment.

Rebekah: Well, thank you for your service, and I'm glad you made it back in one piece. [while everything else has been a bit more glib, she is serious in that - she could never do what Stiles and Derek have done, and she is grateful that they are willing to]

Stiles: [and he will grin at that, nodding his head] Same here. So may I ask what you do? I haven't seen you around campus so you must not be a student.

Rebekah: Not at Georgetown, no. I have a bachelor's degree in political science and I'm planning to go back to grad school but my mother is ambassador to Norway, so I've been working as her attaché while I'm trying to figure out where.

Stiles: Oh. Oh, well that's a nice place to be. [and he's going to slowly realize there are a lot of politicians here and their children, isn't he?]

Rebekah: [yes, yes there are. small tight knit circles, unfortunately] It is, yes. But very far away which can make keeping in touch a smidge complicated. But enough about me - What are you studying at Georgetown?

Stiles: I'm in the pre-FBI program. My best friend's father had connections and thought my service record showed promise to be an agent.

Rebekah: I suppose military to law enforcement does make sense, doesn't it? Best of luck, then.

Stiles: It's a better option than being a deputy under my father, that's for sure. But you need a bachelors degree for any kind of job anymore.

Rebekah: It is the way of the world. Some would say it's a good thing, but with how expensive college can be, it's hard to really say for sure. I'm very lucky that my family is as fortunate as it is.

Stiles: It's definitely a blessing. I'm not as lucky, but I try to make my own.

Rebekah: As all the smart ones do. Hopefully you enjoy the work.

Stiles: If not, I could always try the CIA and become an American James Bond.

Rebekah: [laughs] Perhaps you should have gotten the martini then.

Stiles: [grins] Next time.

Rebekah: [finishes hers off before getting to her feet] Alright. I am going to mingle, but I will be back.

Cora: [waves her off before running a hand through her hair] Yeah. That's Rebekah.

Stiles: She seems like a good friend.

Cora: She is. She's the best. But she can also be a lot.

Stiles: And a bit too helpful? [there's a small smile there]

Cora: [she laughs] A little bit, yes.

Stiles: [and he's going to take another drink of his beer and think a moment before he looks at the dance floor] Well, if you don't think it will make her more encouraging - would you like to dance? There's enough people on the dance floor I don't think my lack of any dance skills will be noticeable.

Cora: [she glances over for a moment, before nodding with a small smile] Yeah, sure. I'd love that.

Stiles: [and he will slide out and then offer her his hand]

Cora: [and she will take it and they will head down to the dance floor for a bit]

Stiles: [and while he lacks the spazzy dancing skills from high school, Cora is going to find that her new friend is a bit of a dork in his dancing, which he better than the bump and grinding that most of the others are doing]

Cora: [that is really a-okay with her, because she's a bit dorky too. especially when her and Rebekah's "condition" comes over the speakers, and you can hear the blond shrieking from across the dance floor before she tries to cut her way through the crowd to Cora. As well as all four of her brothers rolling their eyes somewhere in the distance]

Stiles: [and he is not a fool and is going to jump out of the way of the incoming blonde] Want me to get you another drink?

Cora: [laughs as she's swept up in Rebekah's arms for the dance] Sure! Thank you!

Stiles: [and he will go off to the bar where he will be intercepted by Derek who saw him dancing with Cora and goes to say hello with his sister distracted]

Allison: [and probably isn't far while this happens so hi, here's Allison too] You said your name was Stiles?

Stiles: Yes ma'am. You must be the lovely Miss Argent that the Corporal s fond of speaking about.

Allison: [she laughs] Allison, yes. Good to know he's still thinking about me.

Derek: How could I not think about you all the time? [and he sees someone trying to catch his attention] You watch over my lady a moment, Stilinski? Make sure no one tries to sweep her away.

Stiles: Yes sir.

Allison: He says like I can't be trusted to control myself. [squints up at boyfriend]

Derek: You I know can control yourself. It's some of the mongrels out there I worry about. [and he will kiss her cheek and step away]

Allison: [and she sighs and will resume her perch on her stool] So you go to Georgetown with Cora?

Stiles: Yes ma'am. I'm in the pre-FBI program there.

Allison: Oh, that's great. I considered going FBI once, but got distracted by other endeavors.

Stiles: I'm still not sure if it's the best fit, but if not I'll still have a full college education and a degree in criminal justice that could give me other options.

Allison: [she nods] It's definitely a good balance between local law enforcement and larger, more interesting cases. But it wasn't where I felt I could make the best difference, so I moved into community organization instead.

Stiles: So what is it you do then?

Allison: Right now I'm working with town halls and state legislatures to help craft legislation and programs to help improve quality of life in their areas. Very liberal in tone, which my grandfather isn't necessarily fond of, but I like helping people.

Stiles: That's very cool. We need more programs like that.

Allison: I think so too. People need the government to listen to their needs and then actually see that those needs are being implemented. It can even be done in a fiscally conservative way, if you work at it hard enough - people just aren't usually willing to try.

Stiles: Or to listen to people like you who want to show them how it can be done.

Allison: That too. It's far too easy for them to dismiss what I want to do as millennial idealism rather than seeing it as a viable policy.

Stiles: I really hate the whole opinion the older generation has on millennials.

Allison: You and me both. But fortunately, I'm more stubborn than they are.

Stiles: [laughs] And here I thought the Corporal was stubborn.

Allison: Oh no. I can out-stubborn Derek Hale any day of the week.

Stiles: You may have just become my hero. [big grin]

Allison: [she laughs] Well, I appreciate the honor.

Stiles: So I take it this is primarily the generation of politician children in the city here?

Allison: [she shakes her head] Not all of them. Some of them are people Derek enlisted with or friends of the Mikaelsons. Some politicians children aren't as pleasant, so we pointedly leave them out.

Stiles: I'd imagine that would get them uninvited to a lot of parties.

Allison: You'd be surprised. [she inches closer and glances over the rest of the room] Want a cheat sheet?

Stiles: Oh thank God, yes please.

Allison: [she laughs before glancing over and trying to pick out faces in the crowd] Okay, so there are six Mikaelsons. Esther, their mother, was named ambassador to Norway, and when she was living there she met their father, so they're all dual citizens. Freya is the oldest - [and she turns and points to where she's drinking with Peter, probably trying to convince him to mingle a bit] That's her with Derek's Uncle Peter, who's the president's chief of staff. Freya is what people like to call a fixer - she cleans up problems to help people avoid scandals and she is scary good at it.

Stiles: Does she work for the president as well?

Allison: If she does, she'd never tell. Her discretion is what helps her keep her clients. The second oldest is Finn, and he never really leaves Europe. Went to Oxford, fell in love, got married young, and is living in London with a couple of kids. He's not here tonight, but he and Freya are very close, so she talks about him a lot.

Stiles: [nods] Okay.

Allison: After that is Elijah - [she turns and points to where Elijah is on the dancefloor, dancing with Laura while clearly trying to have a conversation with her at the same time] - junior senator from Louisana. He's a big rising star, and he's been working with this mayor in New Orleans, Marcel Gerard, who is basically the Superman of the French Quarter. As much as he has a reputation he's a very nice, very kind person and he and Cora are very close, so odds are if you're spending time with her, you'll be spending time with him at some point.

Stiles: Yes, I think I heard mention of his name. And I've met Klaus and Rebekah. Briefly.

Allison: Okay. Derek and Klaus are best friends, so odds are you won't see him too much unless you've been given reason to make him angry. [because she's seen how Klaus handles people who mistreat Cora and it's not great] Klaus is also Elijah's chief strategist. Rebekah is the baby, and she and Cora have been super close since they were really young, and the only one left then is Kol - [and she'll turn to point to the man who's talking to one of the bartenders down the way] Kol, Cora and Rebekah basically wound up spending a lot of time together growing up so he treats her like a second little sister. He also owns the club.

Stiles: So they are all very close - Hales and Mikaelsons?

Allison: [She nods] Elijah and Laura met in boarding school, and even dated for a while, which kind of brought the families together. A lot of people say that Talia is grooming Elijah to be her successor.

Stiles: [looking around] What about Peter and Freya?

Allison: [smirks] She's just trying to get them to date.

Stiles: Let me guess - too busy to think about his own social life?

Allison: Also stubborn, bitter, and kind of a dick so not many people actually want to spend time with him.

Stiles: So I should steer clear of him.

Allison: I would if you can help it. It might just be that he's biased in regards to me, but my day is usually better when Peter Hale isn't in it.

Stiles: I will do my best to follow that advice.

Allison: [she reaches behind her for her drink, before asking, curiously] So what are you looking for in this?

Stiles: [confused] Sorry, ma’am?

Allison: With Cora.

Stiles: Oh, we're just friends. I don't have many in the area since I just moved here for school, and we tend to have lunch at the same time and there's not a lot of chairs around. I just happened to be there when Klaus came to remind her about the party and she invited me and I thought it'd be rude to decline, especially since it's celebrating the Corporal's return stateside.

Allison: [oh. that's slightly disappointing] Well, that's good. She could use more friends in DC.

Stiles: [he nods, looking over at her and smiling a bit to himself. Because he does like her, but it's the Corporal's sister so he isn't sure it's proper]

Allison: [she watches him, as the drinks that he was ordering finally arrive] Probably should get those where they're supposed to go.

Stiles: [turns and thanks the bartender, going to give him a tip since he was told it was an open bar for their area] I probably should. Though you tell the Corporal that you ran me off so that I don't end up having to do twenty in the middle of the dance floor for disobeying orders.

Allison: [she laughs] I will make sure he knows it's all me.

Stiles: [nods his head] It was nice getting to know you, ma'am. [and he will pick up the drinks and make his way towards Cora]

Cora: [who is laughing and breathless with Rebekah at this point and her eyes light up when she sees the drink] Oooh, thank you.

Stiles: You're welcome. After all that dancing you probably need it.

Cora: Mmmm. [and Rebekah being Rebekah about her and Stiles' relationship. regardless, she doesn't say that and takes a long sip] Do you want to keep dancing?

Stiles: Yeah, I think I can get back at it if Rebekah is done with you.

Cora: I think she's wandered off to flirt elsewhere.

Stiles: Should I be worried about her not wanting to flirt with me? I mean, I'm totally flirtable with, right? [sips his beer]

Cora: Oh, no. The first thing she noticed about you was that you were cute, don't worry.

Stiles: [grins] She thinks I'm cute? [sips his drink]

Cora: [she just nods, looking away because why does that bug her] Yes, she does.

Stiles: I don't think I've had anyone tell me I was cute before. Even in uniform, I'm told I'm dorky.

Cora: Maybe you just needed a different perspective.

Stiles: [and yeah, he's had a beer and a half in him and he's 147 lbs of muscle and skin so he's a bit looser in the tongue] Well, what's your perspective?

Cora: [and in this verse she doesn't have a healing factor so she is also a little tipsy, so this word comes out more of a squeak as she whirls back around to face him again] Me?

Stiles: Yeah, I mean, we're friends, right? So I trust your honest, unfiltered opinion? Am I cute, or dorky? [teasing grin]

Cora: [she pauses for a moment, eyeing him over the top of her drink, before giving a nod] I would err on the side of cute.

Stiles: [and his grin grows, a bit lopsided] Well, thank you. And you, for the record, are kinda hot. You sure you don't want to be tied down dancing with me and not fliting at Rebekah's side?

Cora: [she blushes a bit at that, looking away before shaking her head, then taking a step in closer so she doesn't have to speak too loudly] Most of the guys who try to hit on me don't actually care about me. They just want to say they bagged the president's daughter.

Stiles: Well, that sucks. They think that, they're missing the real prize.

Cora: [she shrugs] It's their loss. But I'm not going to waste my time on people not worth my time. [and, you know, she's never actually slept with anyone before >.> While she's beyond the teenage ideals of finding The One, she does at least want her first time to be with someone she can trust]

Stiles: [and he sips his beer, debating on if he can be brave enough to go there] What kind of people are worth your time then? I mean, you give me time, and I'm not anything special.

Cora: You're genuine. There are so many people around here who aren't, who just want what you can do for them and don't actually care about what you want but you do. [she looks over at him with a small shrug] It's really been hard for me to find friends like that. Which is why I'm really glad I met you.

Stiles: I'm really glad I met you too. Cora. I try hard to be myself, even when it can be an embarrassment to others. [laughs]

Cora: Well, I happen to like the you that you are. [that sentence got away from her a bit and it shows on her face]

Stiles: [and that makes him smile just a bit more, finishing his beer] Well, I also happen to like you for who you are, too.

Cora: [and that makes her smile, before she places her now empty glass on one of the tables] So. Dancing?

Stiles: Yeah, dancing. [and his beer bottle will join hers and they can go back out on the floor again]

Cora: [yep, and then just more fun dancing until her heels are telling her it's time to sit she's starting to get tired.] I think I need to sit a bit.

Stiles: Alright. Come on, let's grab a booth. You want another drink?

Cora: [she considers for a moment, before nodding, but] Water?

Stiles: I think I can do that [but only after he gets her sitting and kneeling down to help her get her strappy heels off and just may help massage her feet without asking because he had a feeling those heels were killing her.] How you girls can wear these things I don't know.

Cora: [oh that's really nice, thanks Stiles] Propriety and spite.

Stiles: I can believe it. [and once he's sure her feet are taken care of, he will pull himself up] Two waters coming up. You want some snacks too?

Cora: [nods] Cheese fries.

Stiles: [laughs] Girl after my own heart. I'll grab us some of that too. [and he'll head off]

Cora: [and she will curl up in the booth, watching the party around her and feeling the fatigue set in, closing her eyes for just a minute]

Derek: [and he is going to check in on his sister] You doing okay, Cora?

Cora: [her eyes open and she sucks in a breath] Yeah, fine. Just a little sleepy.

Derek: Well, you've been partying hard.

Cora: It's been a very good party.

Derek: It has. Pretty sure Klaus is going to talk about it for years until I'm able to return the favor.

Cora: [nods] He always throws good parties.

Derek: He has a knack for it. [sees her bare feet] Shoes try to kill you?

Cora: Aren't they always?

Derek: Foot massage help?

Cora: Huh? [did he see it or is he offering she's too drunk to tell]

Derek: [leans down] You know, Kol and Rebekah may have a bet going on if you leave with Stilinski. And they may be trying to get him to do shots while I'm over here to get him drunk.

Cora: [her nose wrinkles a bit] Don't do that, that's mean.

Derek: I'm not participating. They're your friends.

Cora: I didn't tell them to!

Derek: I know. They just think they're helping. [laughs]

Cora: [huffs] I don't do that.

Derek: And Stilinski better not either. But, he is a good guy. I'm sure you already know that.

Cora: [she nods]

Derek: Well, I just wanted to check up on you. If I don't get to see you before you leave, I should be back to your place Monday.

Cora: Okay. Have fun with Allison.

Derek: Will do.

Stiles: [and he will come back with a plate of cheese fries and two bottles of water in his back pockets] Your friends are a bit too friendly.

Cora: [she wrinkles her nose] Sorry. [but immediately reaches for a fry]

Stiles: Kol said something about how we should try the brownies.

Cora: There's pot in those.

Stiles: [coughs] What?

Cora: Those are pot brownies.

Stiles: Then I should probably not eat them.

Cora: They're good when I'm feeling anxious or panicky but I don't like eating them all the time.

Stiles: We have random dug screenings in the FBI program.

Cora: Oh. Then you definitely shouldn't eat them.

Stiles: Yeah. But the whiskey he has is pretty damn good.

Cora: Yes, it is. [and these fries are very good, she's going to keep eating them]

Stiles: Hey, save some for me.

Cora: Then you should be faster in eating them. [she says, oh so innocently]

Stiles: [laughs and he will sit next to her and get to work on eating them]

Cora: [and she will eat her fries and drink her water, but as they get to the end of the plate, she's not recouping any of her energy] I think it's time for bed. [which is probably not how she should phrase that, but she is very sleepy]

Stiles: You need me to walk you to your car?

Cora: [she shakes her head as she goes to slip her shoes back on and starts to get to her feet but she's only on her feet for so long before she starts to sway a little and lose her balance]

Stiles: [and he is going to swoop in and catch her] Alright, I'm taking that as a yes.

Cora: [sigh fine. She'll let him steady her, and direct him to the back exit where her security is, where Boyd and Isaac are waiting] Do you want a ride?

Stiles: It's only two blocks. The fresh air would probably do me good.

Cora: [is being loaded into the back of the car] Are you sure?

Stiles: [nods] Yeah, totally sure. You go home and get some sleep. I'll see you at school or lunch Monday.

Cora: [she nods and stops at the door before she can get all the way inside] Did you have fun?

Stiles: I did. [and he will smile at her] I'm really glad you asked me to come.

Cora: [and there's a bright, unreserved smile, probably the first one he's seen out of her since they met] Good. Night, Stiles.

Stiles: Night, Cora. Sleep well. [and he will step away and nod to Boyd and Isaac before heading off towards his apartment.]

Cora: [and she will be driven home, before crawling right into bed to pass out]