potus } { of sibling reunions and political holidays

[hereditare]

Derek: [and he will be in the clothing of the common folk, waiting outside the bar & grill for his sister to arrive]

Laura: [and eventually her car will pull up and she will climb out and make her way over to her brother for a hug] Hey you. Merry Christmas.

Derek: Merry Christmas. [he will hug her back tightly, happy to see her again] You look good.

Laura: Thank you. So do you.

Derek: Well, my field days are now officially over. I'm a trainer now.

Laura: I'm proud of you. Growing up and getting an adult job.

Derek: And moving in with my long term girlfriend? [he will hold the door open for her]

Laura: [her eyebrows go up] Really?

Derek: Yup. [grins]

Laura: Color me doubly impressed then.

Derek: Some of us like settling down.

Laura: Is that a veiled comment about my love life?

Derek: Nope. We've given up on you.

Laura: Good.

Derek: But speaking of love lives, you know Cora's dating, right?

Laura: Yes, because she tells me things when we talk.

Derek: He was one of my soldiers overseas.

Laura: Really? So you actually know things about him?

Derek: Oh yeah. I have all the good details.

Laura: Good. Then you can fill me in.

Derek: Sure, but let’s get drinks first.

Laura: [nods and they head to the bar to place their order]

Derek: [and he will lean back against the bar] So Stiles. He's a California boy from Beacon Hills.

Laura: That's his name, Stiles?

Derek: No, but his real name is Polish and I can't pronounce it. He goes by Stiles.

Laura: Got it. What's he doing in DC?

Derek: He's currently a freshman at Georgetown. Using the good ol' GI Bill. I think he's still undecided but he was leaning towards computers work while he was training in the corps.

Laura: So a nice sensible boy.

Derek: He's a loyal, considerate guy. But he's also a klutz at time, quirky, and I couldn't smack the sarcastic tone out of his voice no matter how hard I tried.

Laura: So he's got spine. Good.

Derek: The thing I like is that she seems a lot happier lately.

Laura: Yeah, she does.

Derek: He still hasn't met mom though.

Laura: That doesn't surprise me. It's only been a few months.

Derek: They've also been good at keeping the press from figuring out who he is.

Laura: She's always been good at that.

Derek: I am just impressed. I mean, it's been easy for me because I'm deployed most of the time.

Laura: She has a lot of help from Freya. And she doesn't get into a whole lot of trouble.

Derek: Something neither of us ever really learned. [laughs]

Laura: [she laughs] Probably because she got into things a lot earlier than we did.

Derek: True. [and yay drinks and appetizers arrive]

Laura: [and she will dig in] So how are you and Allison going to handle the press?

Derek: We'll figure it out. It's her grandfather we're worried about.

Laura: Understandably so.

Derek: He's going to try and rip us apart.

Laura: I think he doesn't give his granddaughter enough credit.

Derek: No, he doesn't.

Laura: He's going to be very disappointed.

Derek: Oh, he's going to really be disappointed.

Laura: [her eyebrow raises] What are you going to do?

Derek: [there is a small smirk on his lips as he sips his beer] Nothing. Yet.

Laura: [big sister stare as she waits or him to spill]

Derek: I'm going to ask her to marry me. It'll be a long engagement, though.

Laura: [and ... that is not what she was expecting] Holy shit. Do you think she'll say yes?

Derek: Well I hope so. I even went out of my way to get her father's permission.

Laura: Wow. You really are growing up.

Derek: Guess you'll just have to catch up.

Laura: I think I'm good where I am for right now.

Derek: You haven't seen Jason at all since his last shore leave.

Laura: What does Jason have to do with anything?

Derek: He was pretty sweet on you. Couldn't stop talking about you.

Laura: [squints at him] We had dinner a few times, but that's it.

Derek: Somebody's sweet on you...

Laura: Oh, don't do this.

Derek: What? I think it's cute.

Laura: Don't make this into something it's not. Jason and I are friends.

Derek: So you met an attractive man and didn't sleep with him?

Laura: No, I didn't.

Derek: Maybe you are growing up too then.

Laura: I have had other male friends before, you know.

Derek: You don't talk about them.

Laura: You haven't asked about them.

Derek: Every time you tell me about things you've done, you've never once mentioned a male name. Your girlfriends, yes, never a guy.

Laura: I'm friends with Elijah.

Derek: Mikaelsons don't count.

Laura: I have colleagues, in New York.

Derek: Coworkers.

Laura: Who I am friends with.

Derek: [he gives her the look of you know what he means]

Laura: [rolls her eyes] You're blowing this out of proportion.

Derek: I'm just teasing you.

Laura: I know. But I can manage my own feelings and did you ever think that maybe I don't want to be tied down?

Derek: You can be in a relationship and not be tied down.

Laura: [eyebrow raise]

Derek: [eyeroll] Being in a relationship isn't something that ties you down. You're loyal to a person, but you're still you. That's why the person wants to be with you. In fact, you find out more things about yourself you don't know. It frees you. And there's someone who is always there for you, to help you get what you want, and celebrate in your victories.

Laura: And what if that isn't what I want? What if I don't want to be monogamous? What if find those fulfillments in my platonic relationships and don't need that from a sexual one? [she goes to cut her food]

Derek: Well, you won't know until you try.

Laura: I did try. I dated in college, I dated in grad school, and the only thing I got from them that I couldn't have gotten from a relationship I didn't already have was orgasms. And even then, that didn't always work out.

Derek: Then you just didn't find the right person, that's all.

Laura: [deep breath] Look, that worked for you. And that's great, it really is. I'm very happy for you that you've found that. But just because it worked for you, doesn't mean it's going to work for me. And I'm happy.

Derek: [sighs] Fine, I'll stop.

Laura: Thank you.

Derek: So I'm pretty sure Cora and Stiles are on the orgasm part of their relationship already.

Laura: Do you want confirmation or would you rather be left in suspense?

Derek: No, I'm pretty sure. I walked in on them in the middle of something.

Laura: I know, she told me.

Derek: This is why I always went to Allison's place.

Laura: Oh, she goes to his place. But that is her house, and you should call when you're going to visit.

Derek: I know. Last time I was staying there though so I didn't think I needed to call to walk in.

Laura: I don't remember what she told me about when it happened.

Derek: It was before I left for North Carolina.

Laura: Where you were splitting you time between her house and Allison.

Derek: Yeah.

Laura: Was she expecting you to not be with Allison?

Derek: Fifty fifty.

Laura: Mmmm. Still should have checked.

Derek: Yeah, I didn't know she was dating him at the time.

Laura: That doesn't matter. You're her guest.

Derek: [rolls his eyes] I learned my lesson.

Laura: Good.

Derek: So where are you staying while in town so I know not to visit.

Laura: [rolls her eyes] I'm staying with the parents.

Derek: Oh, you're going to the big house. The Secret Service will love that.

Laura: I'm sure they will.

Derek: Probably line up for the overnight shifts

Laura: [and that gets him another look]

Derek: [laughs] Sorry I couldn't help myself.

Laura: I'm sure you couldn't.

Derek: Here, I'll buy you another drink to make it up to you.

Laura: Yes. There should be many drinks.

Derek: Wanna do shots?

Laura: Yes. That sounds like a good plan.

Derek: [and he will get them a few rounds so they can be the responsible adults they are]

Laura: [oh yes. and eventually Talia's drunk children will return home]

Derek: [thankfully with the driver so they can get past the normal press corps and get inside, holding each other up and giggling and trying to shush each other]

Laura: [they are very stealthy! and they have help from the secret service so they don't bump into too many things]

Derek: [and thankfully he already told Allison before he left that he was probably going to stay at the white house tonight because he knows how his nights with Laura end up] So what room they drop you in?

Laura: [points ahead to one of the doors] That - [and then her arm is adjusted by one of the secret servant agents] That one.

Derek: Okay. We can make it. Just, like ten more steps.

Laura: [nods as they go stumbling and she flails to reach for the door knob]

Parrish: [being the newest secret service man, he sighs and goes to open it for her] Here you go, ma'am.

Laura: Good man. [and she will make a break for the bed]

Derek: Night! [very loud whispering]

Laura: Night!

Parrish: [and he will take up position in the hallway near her door]

Derek: [and he will go to his room and pass out]