puppy love } { of drastic plans and saying goodbye

[impetere]

Stiles: [oh yeah, Hayley is totally getting a text that reads "I'm on CIA lockdown. Can't come to work. Direct complaints to Director Irene Kennedy, CIA. (insert cell phone number here)"]

Hayley: [OH THERE WILL BE SO MUCH COMPLAINING. But not to Irene, she'll just direct Hayley to Hurley and if/when Stiles shows up with/without Thomas, she'll probably be there arguing in person]

Stiles: [oh yeah, he's showing up because he needs something to punch and if he can't punch Hurley, he will punch out the rest of the Orion Team and they will take it. But he will actually smirk and hold Thomas back as he crosses his arms and just enjoys watching his boss rain hellfire down on his former handler]

Hurley: [probably trying to gage who the f she is, why the f she's here and no, he doesn't really give a damn anyway but this is his place and he's feeling very angry at the moment]

Hayley: [and since Stiles is upwind, she'll catch his scent and give a wave] Hey, partner. This actually the asshat who trained you?

Stiles: Yeah, pretty much.

Stan: [looks up to see them, shaking his head] And you let this bitch talk to you like that? Guess you lost your nuts over in Europe too, huh?

Stiles: [snorts] Yeah, fuck you too.

Hayley: Well, considering "this bitch" also happens to be his boss, I can talk to him however I damn well please. [though she's usually less angry. usually] My problem is the fact that despite the fact that everyone tells me we're all on the same side here, I still keep getting left out of the important stuff. Like when someone is trying to kill my partner.

Stan: Yeah, well welcome to the fun world of inter-agency cooperation. We don't share, we do. Maybe we'll tell you after the fact.

Hayley: Yeah, well, fuck that bullshit. I'm here now, so you might as well read me in. Maybe I can actually help you get some shit done. [says this skinny slip of a girl who honestly doesn't look like she has much beyond a serious attitude problem]

Stan: Uh huh. Sure. Go back home to your hole under a tree. This isn't CONTROL's jurisdiction.

Hayley: Do I look like I give a shit about jurisdiction? That's my partner. [points to Stiles] And until I'm sure he's actually safe, I'm not going anywhere. And I'm pretty sure the Chief will back me on that, and so will your boss. Especially considering I was one of the ones cleaning up your mess in Europe that time one of yours sold him out and nearly got him killed.

Stan: Oh, you mean the time he broke protocol and called his girlfriend instead of actually checking in with his superiors and going lone wolf on us. You really want to use that as an example as to why you should be included when that's a prime example of you not sharing information with us that you're already bitching to me about?

Hayley: I did tell you. I told Matt Donovan. And before you tell me how much of a half measure that was, I'm going to call bullshit because he was working for you at the time. He was aware of every move we made the entire time and in case you forgot your team was trying to kill Stiles.

Stan: I'm not going to argue with you anymore about this. The answer is no. [waves for Thomas to join him and turns his back on Hayley]

Hayley: We'll see. [and she's just going to sit on his front steps, pull out her phone, and not go anywhere. It's not like she can't hear what's happening inside anyway and Stiles will probably join her once Thomas gets past her]

Stiles: [yup, especially when Hurley closes and locks the door so he can't come in while he talks to Thomas. There will be angry punching of the door, and he will then move to go sit on the step next to her] For the record, I really hate this shit.

Hayley: Oh, on that we are agreed. [she glances over to him] Aside from that, you okay?

Stiles: As good as a guy with a mark on his head can be doing.

Hayley: Any idea who put that mark there?

Stiles: Not a clue. Cora took the guy out before I got there, and the CIA took him away before I could ask any questions. Then Stan and Cora decided where I was going to go to ground and I pretty much just held my balls to make sure they were still there.

Hayley: [she laughs, still texting the Chief to give him an update] I could compel it out of him.

Stiles: Not worth the crap you'd have to deal with in the aftermath. We both already knew with my cover broken this would become a reoccurring problem. I just don't like not being an active participant in the solution anymore than you do.

Hayley: Yeah, well, at least I can listen in, if nothing else. [she couldn't get in the house, but her hearing was still just as good from out here] But I sure as hell ain't going anywhere.

Stiles: [looks over there Orion Team is testing out some new recruits] I think I'm going to kick some rookie ass.

Hayley: If you get bored save a few for me.

Stiles: I'll try. But I've been angry longer. [and he will get up and Hayley will see that as he walks away cracking his knuckles, she will see him regain that posture he had before she recruited him when he was a deadly government weapon. He'll put himself in the ring and the senior members of the team will take a step back to let the younger members try to take Stiles down. But he is wiry and looks harmless that gives him a lethality that the younger members will soon learn as he takes them down one by one.]

Hayley: I'm genetically wired to be angry all the time! [is her response but she'll lean back, resting her elbows on the stairs behind her as she watches as they go down one by one]

Stiles: [the last one had enough time watching to prepare for his turn and so he gives Stiles a run for his money]

Hayley: [she smirks a bit at that, and since she can still hear from where they're practicing] Not bad, rookie.

Stiles: Yeah, good job. You might actually survive. [helps the rookie up and then stretches a bit]

Hayley: [she glances around at the senior group who had set back to let Stiles do his thing with a smirk] You boys just gonna stand there or do you want an actual challenge?

Stiles: [reaches for the garden hose to wet his head and get a drink] Careful boys, she'll rip your throats out if you don't watch it.

Agent: Sure, why not. [smirks because it's a girl] You sure you can handle it, sweetie? This isn't the Farm where the girls get different regs

Hayley: [she laughs a bit at that, before shaking her head] I didn't learn to fight on the Farm. [she pulls her hair up into a ponytail and rolls her shoulders] Let's go.

Agent: [and he'll weave in, sending a test punch (9)]

Hayley: [and she just leans to the side to dodge it, like she's not even trying, and he's moving in slow motion (15)] That all you got? Honestly, I'll give you that one for free. Let's try that again.

Agent: Alright, you asked for it. [and he'll head in again, no mercy this time (19)]

Hayley: [and she smirks a bit, dodging to the side and grabbing his arm. She yanks him forward and jabs her knee up into his gut (nat 20)] Okay, that was better. You're learning.

Stiles: [and he's going to just stand in the circle and watch, smirking as the agent is totally out of his league]

Hayley: [and it doesn't take long before he's on his back on the ground and she's still standing] It was a commendable, really. A for effort.

Agent: Yeah, thanks. [ow. so much ow]

Stiles: I'd joke we should give it a try, but I think that would ruin our relationship.

Hayley: Yeah, probably for the best. [she glances around to the rest of them] Anyone else?

Stiles: [nope, they are older and know better]

Hayley: That's a shame. I was having fun.

Stiles: Sorry, I should have left more for you. [and the agents go to take the rookies for a run because scary combination is leaving]

Hayley: [she shrugs] It's alright. I'll see if Rebekah wants to spar when I get back.

Stiles: I'd say I'd join you, but pretty sure Cora put a tracking device on me while I was sleeping.

Hayley: [she laughs] That worried about you, huh?

Stiles: Like I said, had to hold onto my balls. [of course he's not complaining to her heavily. He knows why she is worried. Nope, all the anger at Stan, and then at Thomas for other reasons]

Hayley: It'll let up once whoever's responsible for this is taken care of. And at least she's probably fun to be on lockdown with.

Stiles: Not when I'm angry. And we're in the same compound with her family.

Hayley: Ah.

Stiles: We were on a date last night. We were going to have the entire weekend to ourselves. So not only this shit, but it ruined that.

Hayley: I'm sure we can figure out a way to reschedule.

Stiles: I'm sure.

Hayley: If you want, Ben can come have a sleepover with Hope.

Stiles: Such a hard sell.

Hayley: I'm sure he'll be very put upon. [and she's still listening in on the conversation in the house]

Stan: [and he's not stupid. the important stuff is being done in code on paper. She's getting a whole load of bad naval stories]

Hayley: [that dick. but she still doesn't leave. Because she's more stubborn than him]

Stiles: Get anything good?

Hayley: [she shakes her head] Just old war stories.

Stiles: Probably code talking.

Hayley: Great. So we'll have to wait for them to tell us the old fashioned way.

Stiles: Yeah, like that will happen. I think we're going to have to figure things out ourselves. [smirks] Hey, does Matt still have access to CIA databases?

Hayley: .... Maybe. [and she'll pull out her phone to text him to ask just that]

Matt: [because he's at the office, he will look at his phone oddly before replying that he could try]

Hayley: Someone tried to take out Stiles last night. CIA knows who it is and isn't really playing nice and sharing.

Matt: And you want me to try and see what I can find?

Hayley: If you don't mind.

Matt: I don't mind at all. Don't need some assassin trying to take me out because I'm standing next to him. [and he'll start to go typing into the computer]

Hayley: Your care and compassion for your fellow agents is very touching. [glances back to Stiles] He's going to try and check it out.

Stiles: Let me guess - because it saves his own ass?

Matt: Hey, I'm actually doing it instead of deflecting that he save himself. That's real love right there. [type type]

Hayley: Oh, I know. I can totally feel the love. [but she nods at Stiles as she speaks]

Matt: [type type and....] Stiles' file is above my clearance level. Safe to say they knew I'd go looking.

Hayley: Great. [there's a beat, then she pinches her eyes closed] Give me a minute. [and she switches out of her texting app to the phone end and dials a number really quickly, placing her phone to her ear]

Matt: [and he is going to just sit and wait because nope, he's got nothing]

Stiles: [and he just raises an eyebrow because what's going on?]

Hayley: Hey, it's Hayley. I know it's early but I need a favor. [a beat] I will not be sending Freya out there with another angry werewolf, no. I just need some information from your dark web contacts. [a beat] I can get you the securest if servers if you come to DC. [a beat] I know you have a life, and I do not intend to interrupt it. It's just someone's killing a friend of mine, and I'd like to find out who. [another beat] Thank you. I'll meet you on the Mall, and I will bring dinner. You're the best.

Stiles & Matt: [nope, still waiting, though both of Stiles' eyebrows are up now]

Hayley: [takes a deep breath and texts Matt back] Bringing in some extra muscle. Will talk when I get back to DC. [then to Stiles] Okay. Now I think we might be able to get somewhere.

Matt: Alright. See you then.

Stiles: Care to fill in the guy currently being killed?

Hayley: My friend Josh is a burgeoning hacker. He might be able to find the source of the hit without using the CIA's file. I figure if you've pissed the guy off enough to put a hit on you, you can fill in the other blanks.

Stiles: It'll come down to which guy did I piss off the most. Which I can't tell you until I get a crack at talking to the assassin myself.

Hayley: Well, we'll see. But I want to at least take one more shot at interagency cooperation. [to which she will walk back up to Hurley's door and knock on it]

Stan: [and he will look over at the door and sigh, getting p and going to open it enough to put himself in the crack between the door and frame] You done beating up on my boys already?

Hayley: Yeah, I got bored. Or they got smart. Either way - last chance to actually read me in at least get some of the credit for taking care of this before I do this myself and you get zero credit.

Stan: [looks back over his shoulder at Thomas]

Thomas: I live in a household of female werewolves with the eldest being the alpha. I'm not getting involved in your agency lovers squabble.

Stan: [looks back at Hayley, giving her just one long, very evaluative once over. He had been watching her and Stiles get their anger out on his boys. He'd gotten the notification of Matt's login and trying to access Stiles' file already, so he knows what she'll do next]

Hayley: [her eyebrows go up a bit in response, not saying anything either, because she knows whoever speaks first loses in this game. She knows she looks young because she was turned young, but she really is older than she looks. She understands the risks. And she learned how to negotiate from Elijah Mikaelson]

Stan: [rolls his eyes and opens the door more] Might as well save you from ruining your career.

Hayley: [you act like she doesn't do that with the Chief all the time] So I can come in? [sorry, she needs an explicit invitation DUMB VAMPIRE RULES]

Stan: [smirks and starts to walk away, leaving the door open. Nope, going to make her ask nicely]

Hayley: Wow you're a dick. [yeah, she won't even be shy about that part but then she'll put on her best polite face] May I please come in?

Stiles: [going up to join her] Was that ever actually a question?

Stan: Both of you, in here now.

Hayley: [and she exhales and makes her way inside, closing the door behind her once Stiles was in too]

Stiles: So are you going to tell us what's going on?

Stan: Sit down and shut up, Stilinski. Right now, you're here because it's the safest place for you. [looks at Hayley] So while in and against my better judgment, Director Kennedy set Stiles after a target in Italy before he rejoined the team on our original mission. As you can expect, the rookie was sloppy, witnesses everywhere, and he killed the target very publicly.

Stiles; He was holding a woman hostage in an alley. What choice did I have?

Hayley: Hostage negotiation. Remind me to sign you up for some training classes.

Stiles: He already shot me. Twice.

Hayley: [rolls her eyes] So this is about that guy?

Stan: Yes. He was a part of a larger organization, and it seems the leaked file has made it's way into their hands, and they are taking it very personally. Twenty Million seriously.

Hayley: How big is the organization?

Stan: A few hundred. We know who issued the hit - our contacts in Moussad picked it up. Problem is, they didn't know where to find him at first so it's pretty much an open contract.

Hayley: But now they know where he is, and it's turning into a party.

Stan: We've got our cyber division scrubbing the hit from every social media account and website it can find. We're working on coming up with a plan dealing with the source, but until then we have an unknown number of assassins who need some cash starting to make their way to see who can claim the crown.

Hayley: So why don't we give them all one target. Like in Smoking Aces, except instead of the good guys getting ambushed, we're actually ready to take them out?

Stiles: Because they aren't going to be working together, and that doesn't account for the people who are have the info but are going to sit back because they know what we're doing right now by circling the wagons, and they'll wait until that tide passes and we think I'm safe and then they will come in. Because even if we take out the source, there will still be others connected by the organization who will pay the money on their behalf.

Hayley: They weren't working together in Smoking Aces either. They were taking each other out to try to get to the pay day, which may also be to our benefit, but okay. I see your second point. [there's a beat] Maybe instead of taking out the source, we need to get him and the organization to revoke it?

Stiles: Or we can just fake my death.

Hayley: [turns to look at him] Is that a serious suggestion or are you making fun of me?

Stiles: Serious suggestion. Fake an assassin, fake my death. When they send the money we follow the wire transfers back to the source and either make them see reason or take them out.

Hayley: We could do that. I'd need Freya. Maybe Peter. He's terrifying enough, it could work.

Stiles: Make it public. Very public that it can't be denied. [looks at Hayley] We can work around a bit of blood loss and it wouldn't be the first time I was shot.

Stan: [shakes his head] This is a bad idea.

Hayley: Oh, no Freya has a spell. You'd be legit dead, but you'd be fine after. [after she finishes she glances back to Stan] He said the "w" word so I'm assuming you know that there are more dangerous things in this world than terrorists and assassins.

Stan: Honey, my daddy fought the Russians in the sixties. There's a lot of weird shit out there.

Hayley: And you haven't even met my family yet. But yeah, between Freya and Rebekah or Peter we can make this work. I'd rather have Klaus or Kol play the assassin but beggars and choosers. [a beat] Probably better Rebekah. She's less killable and would have had less contact with you.

Stiles: If we do this, the Hales shouldn't be involved. [looks at Thomas] We can't have anything traced back to them, including an assassin who missed their mark and wants to get the money.

Hayley: Okay. Also if we send Rebekah, the odds go up that the hit just goes away thanks to a little power of persuasion?

Stan: [leans back, talking with Thomas silently through looks]

Stiles: And if she needs backup, I can be there with a scope half a mile away

Hayley: Unless they've got Marcel Gerard on a leash, I wouldn't be all that worried about Rebekah.

Stiles: [nods] true. Though what happens if they want proof in my dead body being brought to them?

Hayley: That's the spell. So long as they don't chop your head off or something, you'll be dead, but you'll come back when Freya lifts it.

Stiles: Then tell Rebekah for god sake don't chop my head off.

Hayley: She would never. She'd rip your heart out. [teasing]

Stiles: Luckily I already know how that feels. [sarcasm. Then turns to look at Stan and Thomas] We have a plan. What do you two have?

Stan: We have a bet on how dead you're going to be at the end of this.

Hayley: What do we get if we win?

Stan: You're not a part of the bet. You are the bet.

Hayley: I think we should still get something if we pull this off with only bad guys dead.

Stan: Yeah, you get to keep your job and he gets to live a life without having to look over his shoulder constantly. Isn't that enough?

Hayley: You're really no fun. [sighs and turns to Stiles] C'mon. We gotta smuggle you back into DC and I have to call off Josh.

Thomas: You better let Cora know what the plan is or she will kill you after Freya brings you back to life.

Stiles: That's the first stop.

Hayley: Can I trust you to give Matt enough clearance to get the information he needs or should I make sure we get a copy of the file before we leave?

Stan: I'll put the request through for your team.

Hayley: Thanks. See, interagency cooperation. Much easier. [and she will start to leave and let Stiles say whatever he needs to say before they go]

Stiles: [nope, he's just going to follow, and when they are out of earshot] You know, if you had asked I would have told you I know Stan's password into the secured network.

Hayley: But that would have gotten us into even more shit, and we would have been doing the same plan anyway.

Stiles: True.

Hayley: You sure you're okay with this?

Stiles: You just better make sure Freya brings me back or I'm going to haunt your ass.

Hayley: Don't worry. I will. I've seen her do this before. You'll be okay.

Stiles: Good, then you can explain that piece to Cora.

Hayley: ... Really?

Stiles: You said you've seen Freya do this before. You can tell her what will happen. I'll obviously tell her the actual plan myself.

Hayley: Okay.

Stiles: [looks at the path her and Thomas had hiked on and then Hayley] You drove?

Hayley: [she nods before tossing him her keys] You drive back, I need to make some phone calls.

Stiles: Works for me. [though of course he will need to leave the compound for the main road and then turn off to the Hale compound which will take them about as long as it would have taken to walk it.]

Hayley: [yep that's fine, she'll just call off Josh with a thank you and there will be no hard feelings since he hadn't even left the bar yet, followed by a phone call to Freya and a text to Rebekah and Matt indicating that there's going to be a planning session in a few hours]

Stiles: [and as she finishes up, they will be driving onto the Hale property, which is she to make the people on guard duty come out looking at who's approaching, including Peter.]

Hayley: [and they will roll down the windows and wave] Hi there. How's things?

Peter: [walking over to stand near the car] Quiet for now. Cora's waiting for you, Stiles.

Stiles: Yeah, I know.

Hayley: We have a plan!

Peter: Do you now? Is it one where no one ends up dead?

Stiles: On that note, I'm going to go talk to Cora. [looks at Hayley because you're coming with him]

Hayley: It's one where only the bad guy maybe ends up dead.

Peter: [nods, but he sees that deflection Stilinski and nope, not sure he believes either of you]

Hayley: [look, Stiles doesn't count because he's only going to be temporarily dead]

Stiles: [LA LA LA going to go inside to find Cora]

Peter: [goes to open Hayley's door since he is technically blocking it]

Hayley: Thank you. [and she'll get up to go follow him]

Cora: [is in the living room with Ben watching a movie]

Stiles: Aw man, I missed the movie?

Ben: [turns and sees his dad] You snooze you lose.

Stiles: Wow, harsh.

Cora: [and glances over with her nervous face] Where's Dad?

Stiles: Spending time catching up with Stan. Hayley and I drove back.

Cora: Hayley's here?

Hayley: [follows Stiles in a few seconds later and gives a small wave] Hey.

Stiles: We figured it was probably time for lunch. Wanna join us in the kitchen?

Ben: Can I go too? I'm hungry.

Cora: [and she'll raise an eyebrow back at both of them like "should he?"]

Stiles: [makes a very quick motion that Ben won't be able to catch shaking his head no]

Cora: Why don't you stay here and keep watching the movie, bud? I'll bring you back a sandwich.

Stiles: You're not going to miss anything important anyway. I promise.

Cora: [leans in and kisses the top of his head] What kind of sandwich do you want?

Ben: Mmm, boloney and cheese. With ketchup.

Stiles: [so trying not to make a face because the ketchup?]

Cora: You got it. [and she'll get up to follow Stiles and Hayley into the kitchen. She heads to the cabinets first to reach for a plate before looking at both of them] What's wrong?

Stiles: So the problem is a bit more complex than originally thought. [and he will explain what Stan told them]

Cora: [which all just sounds ... great, to Cora, and it's clear on her face as she makes the sandwich] What are you going to do?

Stiles: We have a plan. [looks at Hayley] And it's one that should hopefully keep me from looking over my shoulder more than I usually do for the rest of my life.

Cora: Which is?

Hayley: ... We're going to kill him. [holds up her hands before Cora can flip out] Temporarily.

Cora: [yeah, that's not really much better] Explain.

Stiles: I need to make it so that I die in a very public manner that would look like an assassination. Coroner, government records - everything legal and showing me a dead man. And those records need to stay that way. But Hayley says the Mikaelsons have a way that is not turning me into a vampire, but will make me physically being dead not a permanent thing.

Cora: [yeah, okay, they're going to set that to the side for a moment, and come back to it] Then what does that mean after?

Stiles: The assassin is one of the Mikaelsons who will then ask for payment on the job, and we can trace the wire transfer back to the source and take care of it there. But it would also negate all contracts on me from the source since they will believe I'm dead.

Cora: No, I mean what does that mean for you after? If you're legally dead then what are you going to do?

Stiles: Legally? I'll just take on my identity I have in Europe. It's free and clear from anything connected to the CIA. I can forge dual citizenship and update my fake life to include having moved America for work since the tech company I own there has US contacts.

Cora: But Stiles Stilinski would be dead.

Stiles: Technically, Mieczyslaw Stilinski would be dead. The file doesn't know I go by Stiles. They have it as Iron Man.

Cora: Okay, but does this file have your dad in it, because if you're really trying to sell this as a long term solution, spending time with him is going to be hard.

Stiles: I know. And it probably will be for awhile. But if I don't do that, sooner or later you and Ben will be added into it some an assassin that's playing a long wait on the job and then neither of you will be safe. So awkward times with dad verses you and Ben being in danger?

Cora: I'm not advocating for that I'm just saying that this seems ... really extreme and not something you can keep up if you stay in DC.

Stiles: Sometimes the extreme way is the only way, Cora. I want to be able to be here with you and Ben. I want us to be safe, and I don't want to have to live the rest of my life behind a bulletproof pane of glass. Computers I can trick to make a new life. But people out there who are trying to kill me don't believe in computers. They want to see it. They need to know it happened and that there are witnesses who confirm it. And there's a chance that they want to see the body themselves so I need to be dead for that possibility.

Cora: [exhales slowly as she cuts Ben's sandwich in half and then takes off the crust] Look, I know I don't understand any of this, but I'm just ... not really seeing how it keeps us together. Because even if you're living under a new name, you said it yourself - they know computers can be conned. If you just go back to living your life in DC after this happens, just with a different name, don't you think that the people who know what you look like will be able to figure it out?

Stiles: [and he will look at Hayley because he knows CONTROL has ways to deal with that piece]

Hayley: Okay, first of all, my plan did not involve actually getting the metro police involved, I was just going to have Rebekah snap his neck and then bring them the body so I don't know about all this. I'd have to talk to the Chief.

Stiles: [and leans his head back because well great, they had two plans going] You could have interrupted me if you had a different idea in mind, you know?

Hayley: I was trying to follow your train of thought, that's all. I mean, we could do it your way, but the last time a CONTROL agent got burned, she had to have radical cosmetic surgery before she was allowed back in the field again, and I think you're pretty attached to your face.

Stiles: I think we are all attached to our faces.

Hayley: So yeah, if you really want to go whole hog with your version of the plan, that's a longer conversation we need to have with the Chief.

Stiles: [leans forward rubbing at his eyes] Snapping my neck alone won't work without a public element because they will suspect a trap if they can't corroborate the death with an independent source that can't be planted.

Hayley: Okay, so if we do the public murder, do we need to have the police corroborate that you're you if we're going to bring them the body as confirmation?

Stiles: No, because they will expect the government to hide my identity from the public because they will want to not reveal the truth about what happens. They will expect a fake story spun to make it not be a CIA spy assassinated on the streets of DC.

Hayley: Okay, so what if we do this. We kill you, we take the photos, you have no ID on you when someone calls 911 so you're a John Doe, and then we steal your body out of the morgue before they can positively ID you. Or, alternatively, we arrange with the target for a private execution.

Stiles: [thinks] It could work. We'd still need to make sure my CIA file is silently changed to Killed in Action so that anyone hacking for verification sees that. And remove any mention of my transfer to CONTROL.

Hayley: Which is doable, I think?

Cora: ... Which one could work?

Stiles: [rubs the back of his neck] It could work, but it leaves a greater chance that someone will eventually see through the rouse.

Hayley: Well, it's either that or WitSec, Stiles. If you're going to do this publicly, those are your three options.

Stiles: [and he looks at Cora because her opinion matters to him]

Cora: [her throat is tight and she literally has no opinions on any of this because she doesn't really like any of them. But he looks at her, and she can't help but shrug] What do you want me to say?

Stiles: I want you to be a voice in this because it's going to affect us, I know. I'm trying not to just make a choice and jump without thinking of us. I know right now the choices suck, but the whole situation pretty much sucks in general.

Cora: [she's quiet again for a moment, before she lets her hands close around the edges of the plate] Ben's safety comes first, before anything else. But if you're going to be leaving for a while, you have to be the one to break it to him. [and then she exits herself from this conversation and goes back to the living room with her son]

Stiles: [licks his lips and turns to lean against the kitchen counter and watch Cora go, then sighs] Well, that went better than I thought.

Hayley: Are you sure? [because Cora's way, way calmer than Hayley thought she was going to be, and that's also not what her chemosignals are saying]

Stiles: Seeing that I was expecting to be yelled at, and possibly hit. Maybe thrown out and told never to talk to her again... yeah. [he knows Cora's not happy, he can tell that from her demeanor. But as he says, the situation in general sucks. There is no happy wave the wand and make it disappear.]

Hayley: Well, what do you want to do?

Stiles: Honestly, want to go back in time and not join the CIA. [rubs at his eyes]

Hayley: Yeah, well, unless we're going to run out and compel anyone you ever crossed, that's not really an option.

Stiles: Let's talk with Rebekah and Freya and see what ideas they have to pull it off since they are going to be involved with the actual physical portion of this. Maybe they know something that can help more. [looks into the room] I don't know what else I can do here but let Ben know I won't be back for a few days because of work.

Hayley: [she nods] Okay. I'll be in the car.

Stiles: [nods and he goes into the other room, going to sit on the floor next to Ben] Hey kiddo, can we talk a moment?

Ben: [mouthful of sandwich, but nods]

Stiles: So Ms. Hayley and I are going to be working on a project for my job, and it's going to mean I need to go travel out of town for a bit. You think you can take of your mom while I'm gone?

Ben: When will you be back?

Stiles: I don't know, but probably a week, maybe two.

Ben: That's a long time.

Stiles: I know, but when I get back, you and I will totally have an us day so I can make it up to you, alright? Maybe have a superhero marathon day and dress up in costumes and run around the zoo?

Ben: [his eyes wide] Can we wear costumes to the zoo?

Stiles: As long as we don't wear masks or let the animals eat them, I'm sure we can.

Ben: [nods] And you promise we'll do this when you get back?

Stiles: I swear. But you have to take care of mom for me so she doesn't miss me so much, ok? Think you can handle all that?

Ben: Uh huh. [looks at Cora] I'll protect her.

Cora: [she gives him a small smile when he does before pulling him closer] I know you will, bud.

Stiles: Good, because you know I love you both, and I need to make sure you're both going to be okay. [and he will lean in to hug his son tightly] And you be good.

Ben: I will. [totally getting ketchup on Stiles' shirt]

Stiles: [and he will eventually let him go, then look at Cora] I love you both. [he's not sure if she will let him kiss her goodbye, but he really wants to]

Cora: [she doesn't. at least not here. it feels too much like an actual goodbye and she's not sure she can handle doing that in front of Ben. She takes a deep breath and gets to her feet] Let me walk you out.

Stiles: [nods, reaching down to kiss the top of Ben's head and tousling his hair] See you soon, mini-me.

Ben: Bye Daddy! [and back to his movie and sandwich]

Stiles: [and he will get up and head out, looking at Cora with a small smile as they walk] I'm so going to end up in tights over this, I know it.

Cora: [she nods as she stops in front of the door, crossing her arms in front of her chest] So did you make a choice?

Stiles: We're going to see if Freya and Rebecca have any better options they can think of that will lessen the circle of impact this could create, but we're going to look more towards Hayley's option with a less public display and my having no ID on me and getting pulled from the morgue before anyone can.

Cora: [she nods] Okay. Be careful.

Stiles: I will. [and he's going to take her hand] You going to be okay?

Cora: I'll be fine. [she's not but putting it in the future means it's probably true, right?]

Stiles: [and he's going to take her other hand and turn so they are facing each other, and he will squeeze them] I'm coming home to you, I swear. And if we're lucky, it'll be the last time we have to ever worry about this.

Cora: [she reluctantly unfolds her arms when he does that, and part of her wants to tell him not to make promises he can't keep, but she doesn't, just gives him a thin smile in return and nods] Fingers crossed.

Stiles: Though you are missing out. Stuart Twombly is a devilishly handsome IT genius with a good fortune over in Switzerland. [smirks] You'd never have to work that bar again.

Cora: I don't have to work in the bar to begin with. You forget that the Hales are stupid rich. [she shrugs] I think I'll stick with Stiles.

Stiles: Well, Stiles would like to stick with you too. If you're not going to kick me to the curb when this is over, that is.

Cora: Not planning on it. [he's the only thing she has that's really hers. she swallows hard and shakes her head] If it were just me, I would go anywhere you wanted to go. [she could get used to Stuart Twombly. she could deal with being without her family if it meant she could have him. her family didn't really need her anyway]

Stiles: I wouldn't want you to have to make that choice again. I want to make it so you never have to.

Cora: I know. But I would choose you.

Stiles: Good. Because I choose you. I will always choose you, Cora.

Cora: [she nods and very reluctantly lets go of his hands] You should go, Hayley's waiting.

Stiles: Kiss me? For luck?

Cora: [she hesitates for a moment, before stepping in and pushing up on her toes to kiss him softly] You better come back.

Stiles: When I get back, you should never have to worry about me leaving again.

Cora: [she nods, before she takes another step back. if she doesn't, she may not let him leave] Call me when it's all done?

Stiles: I will. Call Hayley if you need an update.

Cora: [she nods, and she will step back and head towards the nearest sitting room because nope, not watching him walk away today. Can't do it. And she needs some space to breathe a little before she goes back to Ben]

Peter: [and once they are off, he will wander in because wolf ears were listening in. It's a gentle tussle of Ben's hair, and then standing beside Cora] Need help with anything?

Cora: [she's in the other room where Ben can't hear her, and she may be panic breathing a little bit, so yes, she does, but she's going to try and play it off as her being fine, but she's very much not] I'm fine. [her eyes are glassy and she tries to wave it off] I'm fine. I'm ....

Peter: Shh, you're not fine, and you don't have to pretend to be. [and he is going to just pull her into his chest]

Cora: [and as he pulls her in that last thread of holding herself together snaps and the tears start coming, and she buries her face against her uncle's shoulder as she cries herself out]

Peter: Stiles is going to survive, I promise.

Cora: It's not just that. [she sighs as she pulls back, brushing her fingers against her cheeks] Did you know that Dad knew where Stiles was the whole time?

Peter: No, I did not.

Cora: [there's a bit of relief there because she was worried that it was another thing where everyone knew but her] Apparently he and Stiles' CO were old Navy buddies and he knew where Stiles was and he gave said buddy information about our relationship to use when they were testing him.

Peter: I know he had a friend in the area from the Navy, but I didn't know he was connected with Stiles.

Cora: [she nods] And I just ... I understand why he did it? But ... it's bad enough Laura was making all my decisions for me. I didn't think that he would too. And I'm just ... tired of not mattering.

Peter: I just think they, in their own way, were trying to protect you. We tend to have a habit of taking over and choosing how to protect someone without asking them their opinions, or if they want to be protected.

Cora: Yeah, well, that plus Derek asking me my opinion when he's already made up his mind, it just ... makes me wonder why I even bothered to stay. Because no one trusts me to decide for myself and no one actually wants to listen to me, so ... why am I here?

Peter: I can't give you that answer. You have to find it yourself.

Cora: [she looks down at her hands and nods] I miss my family.

Peter: Cora, you miss the family of your childhood. We're still here, we're just different. [chuckles] This is your family. It's smaller, and broken. But still good. [because Lilo and Stitch on repeat has stuck]

Cora: [she knows that, but at the same time] Maybe. But I feel like I come here and I'm surrounded by family, but I feel completely alone.

Peter: [pets her hair, then kisses the top of her head] I think we all have put up walls around ourselves and all these walls make it hard to see the hearts around. I'm as guilty of it as the rest.

Cora: [and she doesn't know what to say to that, so she lets him keep her close until she's breathing normally again, before she pulls back with a sigh] I need to get back to Ben. Do I look like I'm a mess?

Peter: A little. Go wash your face with cold water to take the redness out of your eyes and cheeks.

Cora: [she nods before pulling away] Thank you. [for putting up with her]

Peter: You're welcome.

Cora: [and she'll head to the bathroom to wash her face a bit and then head back to the living room where her son is]

Ben: [and he's done with his sandwich and he's just sitting on the floor with some legos, the movie having ended and he's just building something without any instructions]

Cora: [smiles a bit as she goes to sit down next to him] Whatcha building?

Ben: A house.

Cora: Who's going to live there?

Ben: You, me and Daddy.

Cora: [smiles softly] I like it already.

Ben: We should have a house. I mean, I like our home, but we don't have a yard. I can't learn to ride a bike there. And what if you and dad want to give me a brother? We won't have room.

Cora: [she laughs] Well, first of all, we are nowhere near giving you a brother territory yet. Or house territory. But maybe one day.

Ben: Will it make you happier though? Having daddy live with us?

Cora: [she brushes a hand over the top of his head gently] I would be very happy to have him live with us. I'm not sure what you mean by happier though.

Ben: You're sad when he leaves. You're sad now. If he lived with us, he won't leave as often so you won't be sad.

Cora: [she sighs before glancing down at his house] We'll see, kiddo. We'd have to talk with your dad about it too. [she gives him a small smirk] And I'm sad when you leave me too, you know.

Ben: I don't have to go to school anymore! I can stay home with you.

Cora: [she laughs] No, you have to go to school. And being sad when someone leaves isn't always bad. It means that you're extra happy to see them again when they come home.

Ben: Like how I'm happy to see Dad when he comes back from work trips?

Cora: Exactly like that.

Ben: Oh, okay. Because I'm sad too that he left, but he said he would be back.

Cora: [she nods] He will be, I'm sure of it. And until then, you'll just have to remember everything that happens to tell him.

Ben: Uh huh. And think up costumes for us to wear!

Cora: Yes! He pulls off tights very well.

Ben: I could be batman and he could be robin!

Cora: [she laughs] That sounds perfect.

Ben: [grins]

Cora: I think he'll love it.

Ben: I know you're not coming, but we could get you a Batgirl costume and we can all go to dinner in costume.

Cora: I think that sounds perfect.

Ben: [grins] So can we go home now?

Cora: You want to go home?

Ben: Yeah. All my stuff is there.

Cora: I thought you were having fun with your Aunt and Uncle Peter.

Ben: Yeah, but I did that already. I want to be with you now.

Cora: Okay. We can go home. Clean up your legos and get your stuff together.

Ben: [and he will get up to go and do that]

Cora: [and she will find someone to let them know they're leaving]

Ben: [and he will be back after a ten minutes with his backpack] I'm ready to go

Cora: Okay. [and off they go back to their little apartment]

Ben: [and he is totally going to demand mommy time and snuggle time]

Cora: [which she will be more than happy to give him]