darkest timeline } { of returning home and new adjustments

[hereditare]

Derek: [it's been six years. Six years since his mother died. Since he kidnapped Cora away from the Argents, and then took her place to protect his baby sister from any more torture. In a way, it should have always been him. He wasn't stupid. He knew that part of the reason his mother had made the deal was because of what had happened with Paige. So it was only fair that he be the one to suffer. To pay penance. And he had paid greatly, and wasn't expecting to be freed the way he had. However, he wasn't stupid - he knew when to run. He knew how to hide, and thankfully Laura had faith he would eventually escape and had a plan. He didn't mind the two weeks it took Braeden to smuggle him across the country. But now he stood at the building and knew that he was home.

No, home was a house in the forest that burned down a long time ago. This was a condo. It was where they lived. But it wasn't home.

The doorman must have known he was coming because he opened the door for Derek and told him that his sister was in the penthouse. He then stood in front of the elevator, and shook his head before heading for the stairs. He didn't care how many flights - better than being trapped in a box.

Then, once he was in front of the door, he saw the doorbell. His finger hovered over it a moment, then licked his lips and knocked instead.]

Laura: [there's food wafting out from under the door, because Laura has been cooking like crazy since Braedan sent her a message saying that they were less than a day out. She's willing to bet that Derek hasn't had a home cooked meal in years, so that's what she's trying to do. Lots and lots of good home cooked food, because she needed to keep her hands busy. Cora was down at the bar, she wasn't really sure what Peter was up to, but she was cooking. And when she hears the knock on the door, she pauses, not really sure what to do. Then she takes a deep breath, and goes to open it. There's a small breath of relief when she sees him, and while she wants to go hug him, she doesn't. She knows how Cora was about touch when she got back, but she will offer him a warm, teary smile as she nods] Hey, you.

Derek: [he had been unsure about the delay in answering the door, and he had been about to knock again when the door opened. He dropped his arm and involuntarily took a step back, then he looked at his older sister. He managed a smile, still unsure where he stood with everyone at this point. Part of him feared they wouldn't want him back, or would send him back.] Hey.

Laura: [she steps back and opens the door wider, giving him space to come in past her and into the apartment] C'mon. I made dinner.

Derek: [and he will come in slowly, his eyes instantly checking out all the corners of the main room before his shoulders relaxed a bit] Smells good.

Laura: I made all your favorites. [she pauses as she closes the door and sets the chain - Cora usually uses the fire escape] Literally, all of them, I had a lot of nervous energy to work out.

Derek: [he looks at his sister a moment, confused. He honestly doesn't remember his old favorite foods anymore] You didn't have to do that.

Laura: Well, it was either that or pacing ruts into the floor. I think this was more productive.

Derek: That's probably true. [another look around] Who else is here?

Laura: Just me. Peter's settling up with Braedan and Cora's at work.

Derek: [nods] How is she?

Laura: Angry, distant and aggressive. The Hale trifecta.

Derek: [nods, his hands slipping into his pockets] And she's at work?

Laura: At a bar down the street. It keeps her busy, and she likes to be out of the house.

Derek: [nods again. So quiet.]

Laura: [she watches him for a moment] We've got a room for you. Sound proofed, so it's quiet. Do you want to see it, or do you want to eat?

Derek: I'm not really hungry. Sorry. [which means the room.]

Laura: It's okay. It's nothing that won't keep. [and she gestures for him to follow her as she heads to the stairs. she leads him up to a big room that was probably intended to be the master, as it has a large wall of windows so he can see the city below. There's a big bed, and lots of space] I know it's not much, but I figured I'd see what you wanted. All you have to do is ask.

Derek: It's big. [he's not used to having space. And the windows are a bit intimidating]

Laura: I know. I didn't want you to feel like you were in another box.

Derek: I appreciate that. [even though he was. It might be a window, but it was still a box] I think I might just sleep. I didn't sleep much while Braeden was moving me around.

Laura: Okay. No problem. [she points to the bed] There's towels and clean clothes if you want to take a shower. Bathroom's on the left. If you need anything just let me know, I'll be here. [there's a beat and she gives him another small smile] It's really good to have you home.

Derek: [she gets one of his half smiles] Thanks.

Laura: No problem. [and she'll head back downstairs to put the food away]

Derek: [and he will walk around the room, not bothering to turn the lights on. Eventually he will strip down to just his jeans, leaving his clothes folded perfectly on the desk chair. He'll sit on the bed, but it will sink with him and he will all but flail back out. Eventually he will just grab a pillow and curl up on the floor between the bed and the window where he could see the door under the bed, and just look up at the sky until he fell asleep]

Cora: [and eventually, at a very wee hour of the morning, he'll hear the drag of the window in the room next door, and the near-silent shuffle of his sister coming off the fire escape and climbing into her room]

Derek: [yup, light sleeper. The room is soundproof, but the vibrations still jerk him awake, blue eyes glowing in the darkness.]

Cora: [the door to the room next to him opens, a soft thump of a leather jacket hitting the floor but when she steps into the hallway, she stops, catching a scent she hasn't been able to for a very long time] Derek?

Derek: [nope, still in his soundproof room, not hearing her. But he feels the vibrations and is pulling himself closer to the shadows of the bed, watching the door from under it]

Cora: [and there's the thump thump thump of her boots as she comes to the door, one hand resting against it for the moment, before knocking lightly]

Derek: [it takes a minute, and then he gets up and grabs his shirt, shrugging it back on before going to the door. He's safe here, he reminds himself as he takes a deep breath before opening the door]

Cora: [and there's his baby sister, smelling like booze and a little bit of vomit and cigarette smoke, very appealing, but it's still Cora and she's looking happier to see him than she's been to see any other member of her family] Hi.

Derek: [luckily he was prewarned that she worked in a bar, otherwise he would have questions. But instead he was looking at his little sister, all grown up and looking way too much like their mother. He smiled at her, feeling the happiness coming off her] Hey.

Cora: You okay?

Derek: [shrugs] I'm here. [she would know what he meant. He doubted the words okay would ever apply to him]

Cora: [she nods] It'll be like that for a while.

Derek: [just nods back, a small huff from his nose] I guess you'd know.

Cora: [she shrugs] I wasn't gone as long as you were.

Derek: I know. I'm glad for that.

Cora: [glances down at herself, then up at him] I should go shower, I smell like crap.

Derek: Yeah, you do. [a small smirk there]

Cora: I can come back when I'm done?

Derek: [he looks into his room thinking a moment, then nods] Okay.

Cora: [a beat as she tries to gauge that] Or do you want to come hang out in my room?

Derek: Does your room smell like vomit? [hey, it's a honest question]

Cora: No. It does not.

Derek: [and he thinks a moment, because he's not sure. But he doesn't like being alone in such a big room] Your room.

Cora: Okay. [she darts back in to get a clean change of clothes, before gesturing to the open door] Go ahead. I'll be back in a little bit. [the room is fairly comfortable and lived in, with a big bed that's low to the ground and a nest of blankets. on top. there's a laptop on the desk and a worn dresser and all in all the room is a bit of a mess. She's also got a big wall of windows but she likes having the natural light coming in in the morning, along with a small balcony that leads to the fire escape]

Derek: [he's not sure what to make of it all, but it feels lived in. It shows that his little sister got to have a life after that one bad year. It makes him smile, and he will wander over to go look at the stuff on the desk]

Cora: [the desk is pretty sparse, it's mostly just the laptop and a digital clock, but the desk is old and scuffed because she found it on the side of the road]

Derek: [he won't get too close to the laptop or clock, but when he's done looking at the desk he will probably go towards the nearest book]

Cora: [there aren't a lot of those - most of them are text books from her classes]

Derek: [it's a book. He's not picky. It's not like he's gotten to choose his own books the last few years. At least Victoria asked him what book he wanted for Christmas each year. Otherwise it was whatever he had.]

Cora: [well, if you want to read about organic chemistry and physics, you are more than welcome to them, Derek]

Derek: [No, he won't actually touch anything. His hands are firmly in his pockets.]

Cora: [and a few minutes later, a fresh and clean Cora will make her way back in, in her pjs]

Derek: [and he will step back from her stuff] Got a lot of science books there.

Cora: [she nods] I was thinking about being a chem major for a while.

Derek: And now?

Cora: I decided I didn't really want to do the college thing.

Derek: You used to like school.

Cora: I used to like a lot of things. [and she goes to sit on the edge of her bed]

Derek: [nods, shuffling a bit and looking at his feet, but not answering verbally]

Cora: You can sit, if you want.

Derek: [shakes his head] The bed in the other room almost ate me. I'm good.

Cora: [and she gives him a bit of a look, before patting the bed next to her] Sit, Derek.

Derek: [sighs and he goes to sit. on the very edge so he doesn't sink in]

Cora: [the mattress is a bit firmer than the one in the other room, so he doesn't sink in as much] We can get you another mattress.

Derek: [shrugs] I'm just not used to it, that's all.

Cora: I know. [she sighs as she shifts to face him more] Laura is going to wait for you to ask for what you want, so if you want something to change, all you have to do is tell her. She'll pretty much give you whatever you want.

Derek: [and his eyes will drop and look away because he isn't supposed to make eye contact. So he will just turn to look out the window] She told me that.

Cora: Hey. You can look at me. [she remembers this conditioning and while Laura will wait, Cora's a bit more forceful, reinforcing that the rules have changed and he's going to have to learn them]

Derek: [he closes his eyes because that tone makes him think he's in trouble, but he will take a deep breath and look back up at her]

Cora: [and she'll give him a small smile, because he's not in trouble] Laura ... is trying. But she has no idea how to deal so she'll overcompensate a lot, and give you room to come to her, rather than actually saying what she wants. If she's doing anything you don't like, or you need something, just tell her. She won't take it personally.

Derek: Okay.

Cora: Peter is still Peter. He'll be a dick no matter what, so there's not much you can do there. Outwardly, he hasn't really changed much.

Derek: I haven't seen him yet.

Cora: He'll come around eventually.

Derek: [nods]

Cora: The fire escape goes up to the roof. I sleep up there sometimes when inside is feeling a little too ... claustrophobic.

Derek: Does Laura own the rooftop?

Cora: Yeah. We're allowed to be up there.

Derek: And this is the only way up?

Cora: There's an official stairway in the building somewhere, but I tend to use the window.

Derek: I don't think my windows open.

Cora: They do. Not up and down, but they fan out, I think.

Derek: Oh.

Cora: We could always have them swapped if you want different ones.

Derek: [shakes his head] No, it's fine. As long as they open.

Cora: They do. [a beat] Do you have any other questions?

Derek: [thinks, because he isn't sure] Do we have any books around?

Cora: Yeah, probably. A lot of the boxes from your room didn't get unpacked yet.

Derek: Boxes from my room?

Cora: From the house. Laura tried to salvage everything she could, so there's a bunch of stuff that was yours that she brought with us.

Derek: Oh. [from when he was a kid. A decade ago. It was his, but it wasn't really anymore. He barely remembered that arrogant teenager he had been]

Cora: [she shrugs] It's not much, but they're books. Laura could probably take you to the library too.

Derek: I'll ask her in the morning.

Cora: [she nods] She likes to feel like she's helping. [which is why Cora said ask Laura rather than volunteering to take him herself. She doesn't blame Laura for the thing she's trying to make up for, because they're not her fault. She and Peter have fought on more than one occasion about the way she tends to talk about their mother though]

Derek: [he just nods, and looks out the window a moment before looking back at her] How are you?

Cora: [she shrugs] I'm fine. Boston isn't so bad.

Derek: Just fine?

Cora: Is fine not good enough?

Derek: Yes, I just... [he huffed, looking away again] I hoped you'd be happy. Have a better life.

Cora: Objectively, yes, my life is better. I'm not being tortured every day and I can make my own choices and go where I want. But ... just bringing me home wasn't going to fix me, Derek.

Derek: I know. Trust me, I know.

Cora: [shifts just a bit to let her chin rest on his shoulder] I'm happy I'm not there. And I'm happy that you're not there anymore either.

Derek: [and he will stiffen a moment under the touch, his heartbeat jumping before he took a deep breath to calm himself and relax. He wished he could say that she was right, but he would always be there. There was no real escaping for him, not after that long.] Okay.

Cora: [she doesn't pull away, trying to get him used to good touches again] I have to sleep because I have to go back in early. You want to stay here?

Derek: No, I'll go back to my room. [he had good touches. Not that she knew that. But those touches are long gone now.] Thanks though.

Cora: Okay. I'll see you tomorrow?

Derek: Yeah. Not going anywhere. [and he will stand up, hands back in his pockets]

Cora: [and she'll get up too and walk him back to his room] Night, Derek.

Derek: Night. [and he will go in, closing his door and finding his little billet on the floor. He's actually tired now, and he's going to curl back up and just.... sleep for like 2 days.]

Laura: [Laura will leave him be for the most part, figuring he had things he needs to heal from, and will be ready when he's ready to rejoin them]

Peter: [and he will have slipped in during the night, and will make Laura and Cora breakfast in the morning. There is enough for Derek too, but he isn't going to press his nephew to join them.]

Laura: [comes down towards the smell of coffee] Morning.

Peter: Morning. How did last night go?

Laura: Pretty good? He and Cora were up talking when she got home.

Peter: Good. She's going to be key to his readjustment.

Laura: [she nods] We'll see how things go.

Peter: [and he will put a plate of breakfast in front of her] So what do you plan to do today?

Laura: [she shrugs] I think I'm going to wait and see if he wants to go out. Otherwise, I've got housework to do.

Peter: Do you need me to pick up anything on my way home from work?

Laura: Not that I can think of now, but I'll text you if that changes.

Peter: Good. [and he will bring his plate over as well, leaving the other half in the pan to stay warm]

Laura: So things all taken care of with Braedan?

Peter: Yup. Reward paid as well as all the expenses. She is happy with the compensation.

Laura: Good. Hopefully we won't need her again, but if we do ...

Peter: We know how to find her. [sips his coffee and goes to look at the paper] How did he look?

Laura: Not bad, actually. But it's not like he was fresh from the house either. He was very quiet though.

Peter: Well, he isn't a teenager anymore.

Laura: No, but .... still.

Peter: He's been there ten years. We knew that he would come back different.

Laura: No, you're right. I just don't think I was ever going to be ready for it.

Peter: Just don't hover too much.

Laura: I'll do my best.

Peter: I know you will. He'll come around. Cora did, and Derek will too.

Laura: Yeah, I know. [but in some ways it's different with Derek. She was a lot closer with Derek than she was with Cora, and Cora was still a kid when they got her back. Derek went from being a teenager to an adult and she doesn't know where she stands anymore]

Peter: He's still in there somewhere.

Laura: [nods and glances down to pick at her food]

Peter: [and he will finish his breakfast and look at his watch] Well, I need to go into work for awhile. See you later.

Laura: Have fun.

Peter: [and he will kiss her cheek as he walks by before heading off to wherever Peter goes during the days]

Laura: [who knows. Laura sure doesn't ask]

Derek: [and he's going to be pretty much dead to the world unless someone comes to wake him]

Laura: [Nope, she will let him sleep. There's plenty of food in the fridge for when he's ready to be awake]

Derek: [which will be the next day, sometime in the afternoon]

Laura: [looks up from the couch when she hears him coming down] Hey. Have a good sleep?

Derek: [he is coming down from a panic attack from waking up in an unfamiliar room, his hair all over the place and a light scruff on his face] Yeah. I guess I needed it.

Laura: [yep, that comes soon after when she catches his panic] You okay?

Derek: [he just nods] Forgot where I was.

Laura: [she nods] Cora had a little of that too. It takes a little time to get used to new places.

Derek: I've been in a lot of new places this month. Can't keep them straight.

Laura: Well, now you can stay still for a while. We're not planning on going anywhere.

Derek: [nods, and he will stop outside the kitchen. His stomach growls a bit] Can I have something to eat?

Laura: Absolutely. [and she'll get to her feet and head to the kitchen] We've got a lot of leftovers, or I can make you some eggs ...?

Derek: No eggs. [he will go to sit at the counter] Some rice and beans will be fine.

Laura: ... I don't think we have those.

Derek: Oh. Then just something small.

Laura: Cereal? Or I can make pancakes?

Derek: Cereal.

Laura: Cereal it is. [and she well head over to the cabinet and open it, revealing a series of colorful boxes] Take your pick.

Derek: [and he will look, squinting a bit.] Um, I guess corn flakes.

Laura: Okay. [and she will pull out a bowl and spoon, and place it on the counter, before going to get the milk.] If you want we can go to the grocery store today. Pick out some stuff you like.

Derek: I'm not really picky. [and he will go to pour himself a bowl. Well, more like half a bowl.]

Laura: [and her eyebrows go up at that, before, gently] You can have as much as you want.

Derek: [looks up at her, confused] This is how much I normally eat.

Laura: Okay. [she knows that his body will have to adjust to a normal appetite again, but she just wants to let him know] But in the future, if you decide you want more, you can have as much as you want.

Derek: ... Okay. [and he's going to try and not feel self conscious as he eats his cereal. He knows Laura is trying]

Laura: [she is. and she's bad at it sometimes. So she'll just give him a small smile and go back to what she was doing before he came down]

Derek: [and he will eat, finish and go to wash his bowl and spoon, and then wipe down the counter, before he wanders out into the living room] Um, Cora said there were boxes of mine somewhere?

Laura: [glances up from the laptop where she's paying bills] Yeah. Upstairs. [she shifts to put the laptop on the coffee table before getting up to show him] This way.

Derek: [and he will go to follow her] I don't know if I need most of it, but Cora thought there might be some of my old books.

Laura: There are. To be honest, not much survived, but one of your bookshelves was pretty intact.

Derek: I probably wouldn't be able to use anything else that was there now anyway.

Laura: [nods as she opens up the storage room where there's a few stacks of boxes that are labeled with various rooms of the house. She finds the stack that says Derek and places her hand on it gently] Here you go.

Derek: [he sniffs the air and there is a hint of the fire and he keeps himself a step away] I think I'll get new books.

Laura: Okay. Would you prefer a bookstore or a library?

Derek: [and he will lick his lips because that involves going out into public] Which can you have delivered?

Laura: Anything you want. We can even get you a tablet so you don't even have to wait, just download the book onto it.

Derek: [shakes his head] I rather have the book.

Laura: Okay. Well, we have Amazon Prime and 2-day shipping, so all you have to do is tell me which ones you want and I'll place the order.

Derek: I was reading American Gods. I'd like that one.

Laura: Okay. Want me to get you a couple of other Gaiman books to go with it?

Derek: Um, sure. [he doesn't know what they are, but books are books and are meant to be read]

Laura: Okay. [and she'll head back down to the living room and pick up her laptop again, giving him room to sit next to her if he wants. She'll grab a copy of American Gods, and throw in Good Omens and Neverwhere and will call back over her shoulder] How do you feel about comics?

Derek: I haven't read a comic since I was a kid.

Laura: Because the guy who wrote American Gods also did a comics series. I can grab that too, if you want.

Derek: [shakes his head] No, the books are good enough.

Laura: Okay. [and she'll grab Anansi Boys too, then place the order] Should be here day after tomorrow.

Derek: That fast?

Laura: That fast.

Derek: [nods] Alright. Thank you.

Laura: Of course. [she puts the laptop to the side again] There's some stuff that's going to be hard to order though, at least at first. We probably should make one trip to a department store and at least get you sized for clothes.

Derek: I can tell you my size. I'm a 32 in jeans and a large in t-shirts.

Laura: Okay. [not pushing] Any particular colors or materials?

Derek: [thinks, and remembers something Allison said] Blue looks good on me.

Laura: Got it. I'll see what they have in blue. Boston gets cold in the winters, do you want me to see if they have some long sleeves too? Like henleys?

Derek: You can get one and I can try it?

Laura: I think I left you one of Peter's actually, in case you wanted to shower.

Derek: Oh. I should probably do that.

Laura: [she nods] I left you a towel to use, and whichever of the soaps and shampoos is fine. Most of them are fragrance free.

Derek: Okay. I'll come back when I'm done. [he still feels awkward, but this he can at least do without any handholding]

Laura: [one can hope] I'll be here.

Derek: [and he will go to the bathroom, but looking at the room he sees the light over the shower and nope, he's not going to turn it on. He'll just leave the door cracked to give him some light into the room, and then run a lukewarm shower.]

Laura: [and she'll just keep an ear out in case he calls for help]

Derek: [and he will change and there isn't enough light to shave by, so he will come back in with the henley. He's built different than Peter with defined shoulders and tight abs] This shirt doesn't fit.

Laura: I didn't think it would be perfect. It was just a stop gap until I could get some new stuff for you. [gets up to appraise it a little] How does the material feel?

Derek: [he'll play with the edges] It's ok.

Laura: Okay good or okay you're just saying that to not make waves and you're not really a fan?

Derek: [huffs] I don't know what to say, Laura. It's okay. I don't really have opinions on stuff like this.

Laura: [holds up her hands because she's not trying to make him angry] I just don't want to buy something if you're not going to actually wear it. I'd rather spend the money on something you'll actually use.

Derek: I know. I know. it's just... [he runs his fingers through his hair in frustration] I'm just used to regular t-shirts and jeans. I don't know if I'll wear anything else.

Laura: Okay. Okay. Winter's a bit of a ways out so I'll just get you the basics and we'll just cross the long sleeve bridge when we get to it.

Derek: I don't mean to be difficult.

Laura: I know. And I don't mean to make it hard.

Derek: I know you don't. [sighs] I just don't know how to do all this. I never had to.

Laura: I know. [a beat, before she clasps her hands together] How about this. If you are willing to try some new stuff, like new foods or new clothes, I will buy things and/or prepare them, and if you really love it, or really hate it, you tell me and I will adjust accordingly. If it's just kind of meh, then we'll just leave it where it is.

Derek: [he thinks, then nods] I can do that.

Laura: Okay. Good.

Derek: [and he turns to look behind him] Can you, um... get me a flashlight for the bathroom?

Laura: [confused] Is the light not working?

Derek: I don't know. But it's over the shower.

Laura: [a beat, and then] ... Oh. Yeah, hold on. [and she'll head into the kitchen and sort through one of the closets until she finds one of the spare flashlights and comes back in again] Here. I can see if I can get the light moved too, but that'll take a little time.

Derek: No, I'm fine with this. [and he will just hold it] I can use it in my room too.

Laura: [a beat, because how to approach this delicately] Is it the light itself, or is it the electrical circuits?

Derek: [and he will look at the floor a moment, then nods] The circuits.

Laura: Okay. [she's not judging, she's just trying to think of the best way to look at this] There are these battery powered tea lights that I can get you for your room. You just push a button on the bottom and they turn on, and they'd be a little easier on your eyes than the flashlights.

Derek: [nods] Okay. I can try them.

Laura: Is there anything else you want me to get for your room?

Derek: [thinks, and then adds] The bed almost swallowed me.

Laura: Firmer mattress?

Derek: Yeah. I slept on a crappy mattress so I'm used to hard and flat.

Laura: I can take care of that. Any other furniture?

Derek: Maybe a comfortable chair to read in. And something to put the books on.

Laura: Comfy chair and a bookcase. Noted.

Derek: That's all I can really think of.

Laura: Okay. That's good. If you think of anything else, just let me know.

Derek: I will. [and he will look down again at his bare feet] Um, yeah, I could probably use socks and underwear. Maybe a new pair of sneakers too.

Laura: Do you know your shoe size?

Derek: Yeah. [tells her it, along with the underwear size and that he prefers briefs]

Laura: [and will grab her phone to make herself some notes] I'm also going to get you a phone. I know you don't really want to go anywhere right now, but in the event that eventually you do, you have it. Also we don't have a landline, so when we're out, we can call you.

Derek: [looking at it] That doesn't look like a phone.

Laura: Phones have changed a lot. [she turns and holds it out to him] Wanna have a look?

Derek: [leans back a bit, at first, because it looks a lot like a taser. But he will come back] No, I'm good.

Laura: Okay. I'll get you a fairly simple one, just for phone calls.

Derek: Okay, I can probably do that.

Laura: Good. We'll set up a charging station for it, and you can unplug it when you need it.

Derek: Un... plug?

Laura: You charge the battery in order to use it. Then you can take it anywhere.

Derek: I can't just change batteries?

Laura: Not that kind of battery.

Derek: [sighs, uncomfortable at the idea of touching electric plugs] Okay.

Laura: I can see if I can get a wireless one though. So all you have to do is put it down on the pad?

Derek: They do that?

Laura: They do.

Derek: Then maybe I can try that.

Laura: Okay. Then I will start on some of these today, and we'll see how we do.

Derek: [nods, and he will eventually sit down on the couch next to her because standing and being silent is probably awkward for both of them]

Laura: [little bit yes. she gives him a small smile before settling back to finish up the bills and just letting him be quiet for a while and just get used to being around people again]

Derek: [and he is used to being silent unless spoken to, so he will just sit there, looking around the room. He will eventually see where Peter left the newspaper and lean forward] Can I read this?

Laura: [glances over] Yeah. Knock yourself out.

Derek: [and he will take the paper and sit back, reading it slowly. He doesn't know a lot about the changes in the world history, but he can figure things out quicker this way]

Laura: [well you are in for a doozy, Derek, enjoy]

Derek: [and he will look up after a bit] Did the world go crazy while I was gone?

Laura: [she laughs] A little bit, yeah.

Derek: [shakes his head and goes back to reading]

Laura: [goes back to bill paying]

Derek: [and eventually] Who thought it was a good idea to elect this guy as president?

Laura: Idiots.

Derek: Figures. [and he will put the news down and go for the sports section] So you know, you don't have to stay home and babysit me.

Laura: I'm not babysitting you. You have to get used to being around people again and believe it or not, I missed you.

Derek: I missed you too. But what do you mean get used to being around people again?

Laura: There's a difference, between people around people who are your people, and people who are just there, or are hurting you.

Derek: [and he will look down at that] They didn't all hurt me.

Laura: [that's surprising but also good? maybe?] Oh?

Derek: [nods] On my birthday, Mrs. Argent... Victoria. She would give me a book. She also gave me one on Christmas. Once a month she would let me choose my own dinner. After awhile, she knew what pizza to order me and sometimes I'd get it more than once a month.

Laura: Well ... that was nice of her. [she doesn't want to take away the good, even if the protective alpha part of her is going "she didn't stop them from torturing you though"]

Derek: It was all I had, until... [until Allison. His face fell, worried about her]

Laura: [softly, gently] Until?

Derek: [he just shook his head] Until I escaped.

Laura: [she nods] She didn't let you go, though?

Derek: No, not her.

Laura: [she nods again] Derek, I don't want to take any of that away from you because it's good that you were allowed to have those things, but there's a difference between doing something nice for you out of guilt or routine and ... actually doing right by you.

Derek: [he doesn't answer that, just looking away from his sister towards the door]

Laura: [a pause] I also know that I didn't necessarily do right by you either.

Derek: [and he will look back over at her]

Laura: I left you there for a long time, when I should have been protecting you. And I'm not saying that it was one hundred percent my fault, but I wouldn't blame you if you were a little angry at me too.

Derek: I'm not angry at anyone. I was angry because Cora was there. I made the choice to take her place. Not you or Mom. Me. There's nothing to be angry about.

Laura: [she pauses for a moment, before nodding] Okay.

Derek: And I took care of myself. I know it doesn't seem like it, but I did.

Laura: I don't think you would have gotten out of there if you hadn't.

Derek: So you don't have to worry about me.

Laura: I'm your big sister. I'm always gonna worry about you.

Derek: Yeah, but I'm not seventeen anymore either.

Laura: I'm aware. That doesn't really make me worry less either. It's a stupid sister thing you're just going to have to deal with until we find a rhythm again.

Derek: [sighs] Okay, fine.

Laura: We've been without each other for a while. So it's going to be a while before things feel normal again.

Derek: [looks up at her with a raised eyebrow] You actually think I'm going to feel normal again?

Laura: I don't think its going to be right away, and i don't think it's going to be the same as before. But I think with time, this situation will start to feel like something normal instead of something weird.

Derek: Nothing's the same as before. [just saying] But I hope you're right.

Laura: [she nods, before very slowly reaching over for his hand. If he pulls away she won't take it personally, just let it rest on the couch between them, but she's touchy feely.] We'll figure it out.

Derek: [he wants to pull it away, but at the same time she is his alpha and he misses the affection. So he will force his hand to stay under hers, but it will feel stiff]

Laura: [stiff she can deal with. she lets her fingers curl around his and gives it a soft squeeze.] Also, I don't work so I'm going to be around a lot anyway.

Derek: It must get boring not working.

Laura: I find ways to keep busy.

Derek: Like what?

Laura: Cook. Clean. Sometimes I volunteer at the local places.

Derek: But Peter and Cora have jobs...

Laura: Yeah. But I spent a lot of time when we got here homeschooling Cora and making sure she was okay, and I never finished school anyway, so this just became ... easier.

Derek: Well, you can go back to school now.

Laura: We'll see. I'm good with what I'm doing for right now.

Derek: [nods, and he's hit his touch level and carefully pulls his hand back] I don't think I'm going to go outside for awhile.

Laura: Okay. I go out almost every day, so if you ever want to come with me just to test the waters, let me know. No pressure, though. Whenever you're ready.

Derek: No. But... do my windows open?

Laura: Yeah, they should. [puts down the laptop as she gets up] Let me go check.

Derek: I'll come with you.

Laura: [she nods and up they go to his room, where she'll study the windows until she finds the handle to spin to push them out. there's still a screen in place, but at least there's some fresh air coming in]

Derek: [and he will close his eyes, taking in the air and the breeze] Thank you.

Laura: Of course.

Derek: [and he will walk to the window, pressing a hand against it and just taking in the scents]

Laura: [and she will retreat and give him his space again] I'm going to head out to run some errands in about a half hour. Let me know if there's anything you want me to bring back, okay?

Derek: Sure. [not moving]

Laura: [wasn't expecting him to. and eventually she will head out for her errands and come back with all kinds of fun things for him, and dinner]

Derek: [and she will have found that Derek redecorated the room a bit. He put his mattress on the floor near the open window. The platform bed is up on its side to create a wall on the other side of the mattress. the desk is on the other side of the platform bed to support it. Derek is curled up on the mattress, nose near the open window as he sleeps]

Laura: [she smiles a bit when she sees him, and won't bother him. She leaves the bags of clothes in the corner for him to go through when he wakes up, and heads back downstairs, plugging his phone in to charge and getting dinner ready for the whole crew to eat]

Peter: [and he will return home after work, pulling at the tie of his fancy suit] Dinner smells good.

Laura: Thanks. Should be ready in a bit.

Peter: Anything I can do to help?

Laura: Set the table?

Peter: Easily done. Red or white wine? [he will go and get the necessary supplies from the cabinets]

Laura: Ooooh white. [and goes back to stirring] I hashed some stuff out with Derek. I think we've got a good start.

Peter: So he has awoken. Good.

Laura: Yep, for a few hours. Then he rearranged his room a bit and went right back to sleep.

Peter: I wonder if they ever let him sleep. Though some of this could just be jetlag.

Laura: I think it's a little of a lot of things. [a beat] He wants a firmer mattress and he doesn't like electrical circuits so tomorrow I'm going to go get him some battery powered lights he can use.

Peter: It's going to be hard for him if he doesn't like electricity. Everything runs on electricity.

Laura: Yeah, I know. But the least we can do is try to accommodate him while he adjusts.

Peter: We can try. But he'll also need to slowly face reality and come into the modern age. [pauses as he evaluates the wine] In his own time, of course.

Laura: Well, let's start him with a cell phone and work our way up.

Peter: Sounds good.

Derek: [walking down the stairs silently]

Laura: Did you hear when Cora would be home?

Peter: She did say she would be home for dinner.

Laura: Perfect. Family dinner. [and just as she says it, there's the sound of the scrape of Cora's window] Dinner's in ten!

Cora: Okay, I'm just gonna clean up!

Derek: [standing on the stairway, just listening in]

Peter: [as we all know you're there, Derek]

Laura: [they do, but they won't hold it against him. He needs to figure things out, she's going to let him] Have you settled on a wine yet?

Peter: Yes. A Virginian shiraz will be good.

Laura: Lovely. Let's serve it up.

Cora: [and is coming down the stairs behind Derek] You okay?

Derek: Yeah. Just waiting for you. [not the total truth, but he doesn't want to face Peter yet]

Cora: [gives him a small smile before nodding] C'mon. It smells good.

Derek: [lets out a deep breath, and will then follow her the rest of the way]

Laura: [and there will be a spread that includes barbecue chicken and potatoes] Great, gang's all here. Have a seat.

Peter: [taking off his jacket and putting it on the back of his chair] Derek. Good to see you about.

Derek: [nods, but takes the seat between his sisters]

Cora: [will just settle and start serving herself, before glancing over to Derek] Chicken?

Derek: [nods, and he will reach for the serving spoon and will get himself a plate that is about half the amount the rest of them take]

Laura: [won't push him, the leftovers are there if he wants to go back for more]

Peter: [notices this but doesn't say anything] So how was your day, Cora?

Cora: I didn't get arrested so we can call it a good one. [smirks as she takes another bite of her chicken] My shift was pretty chill.

Peter: [chuckles] You still owe me my fees from your last case.

Cora: Have I outgrown the family discount?

Peter: We all have to grow up sometimes. [he's smirking though]

Derek: [looks at his sister] What did you do?

Cora: Defended myself when a dumbass fratboy who's father has too much money decided that the "hands off the bartenders" sign didn't apply to him.

Derek: [there is a small smirk there] Good for you.

Peter: And then she broke his jaw.

Cora: That wasn't because he touched me. That was because he touched Melanie who is less assertive about standing up for herself than I am.

Peter: Yes, and yet controlling your power is still on you.

Cora: [yes, she knows that, but she doesn't seem all that bothered by the admonishment] He got what he deserved.

Derek: So where do you work? [changing subject]

Cora: Stucky's bar, down the street? It's kind of a dive, but I like it.

Derek: You're old enough to work at a bar?

Cora: I'm twenty one. I'm old enough to drink in a bar.

Derek: Oh. [and he will look back at his plate] It's just been a long time I guess. Longer than I thought.

Cora: It's okay. You missed a lot.

Derek: Yeah, I've noticed.

Peter: [can hear the edge of humor in that and smirks a bit]

Cora: You'll catch up.

Derek: [just nods, not really sure about it. He's totally pushing his food around the plate]

Peter: [watching that and flicks his eyes to Laura]

Laura: [watches him for a moment] So what do you think?

Derek: About?

Laura: The food. [a beat] What we talked about before? [about how he needed to let her know when he liked and disliked things]

Derek: Oh. It's okay. I just don't eat a lot.

Laura: [she nods] Well, if you're hungry later, there's usually a lot of leftovers.

Derek: I know.

Peter: I think I may have some Peanut Butter cup ice cream in the freezer, if you'd like it for dessert.

Derek: No, I'm good, but thank you.

Cora: [finishes her plate before getting to her feet] Thanks for dinner. I'm gonna go see Very.

Derek: Very?

Cora: Verity Price. She lives a couple buildings over.

Derek: Oh. It's a person.

Peter: A very energetic person.

Cora: We were going to go for a run if you wanted to come. Verity likes to go freerunning so there would be no people around. Just rooftops.

Derek: [shakes his head] No. I don't want to go outside.

Cora: Okay. I'll be back later. [and with that she will head back to her window to go to the roof]

Derek: [and when dinner is over he will go back towards his room]

Laura: [and she will let him go, because she's still giving him his space]

Derek: [and he will crawl into his little den in his room and just watch out the window.]

Cora: [and from his window he can probably see Cora and Very hopping from rooftop to rooftop]

Derek: [and he will watch them curiously, unsure of why they are being insane like that.]

Cora: [because it's fun? At least Cora thinks its fun]

Derek: [a good way to fall to your death]

Cora: [not when you have fast werewolf reflexes]

Derek: [werewolf reflexes are no match to gravity]

Cora: [they are when you are a well trained werewolf]

Derek: [uh huh. Keep telling yourself that]

Cora: [don't knock it til you've tried it, big brother]

Derek: [give him some time. Right now he's happy just hiding in his room and cataloging all the smells]

Cora: [you do that. She'll be back in a few hours to shower and collapse into bed]

Derek: [he will probably be asleep by then. Same thing every day unless someone drags him somewhere]

Laura: [will poke her head in after a week of this] Wanna go hang out with some animals?

Derek: [from where he is reading his book] Animals?

Laura: I volunteer at the shelter down the street. You don't have to talk to anyone, just fill a few feed bowls or give them some pets.

Derek: [he will look at his book, really wanting not to leave his little fortress of solitude, but he should get out for a little while. Even he knows staying inside too long is unhealthy] How long?

Laura: An hour, maybe two.

Derek: [thinks, and then puts his book down] Okay.

Laura: [smiles and nods] Okay. Meet me downstairs in ten?

Derek: Okay. [it won't take him that long, but he will get dressed and head down to meet her.]

Laura: [and off they will go to the shelter! it smells like animals and a werewolf, the one standing at the front desk doing some paperwork as they come in] Hey, Raph.

Raph: [glances up with a friendly smile] Hey, Laura. Who's your friend?

Laura: This is my brother Derek. He's gonna help me out today, if that's okay?

Raph: The more the merrier. [he holds out a hand to him] Raphael Robinson.

Derek: [he will hesitate, and then shake the other wolf's hand with a nod, staying silent]

Raph: [he can see that hesitation and will keep it short and sweet] I'm gonna be in my office, but Laura knows where everything is. Still, if you need anything, just shout.

Derek: Thanks. [and nope, just going to stick with his sister because she did NOT warn him about another wolf]

Laura: [and she'll just guide him to the back to the cages and play areas, where it seems like the puppies have already been let out to wrassle behind the baby gates] You doing okay?

Derek: You didn't tell me about him.

Laura: About Raph?

Derek: [nods]

Laura: I didn't think I needed to, sorry. He's a nice guy, he's a member of one of the local packs.

Derek: Packs?

Laura: There are a couple in Boston.

Derek: Do they know... about me?

Laura: They know all they need to know. That you're my brother and part of my pack.

Derek: If they find out what I've been doing the last ten years...

Laura: They wouldn't do anything.

Derek: [he isn't so sure. He was helping hunters train to kill werewolves. But he will look at the puppies instead]

Laura: You want to take the dogs or the cats?

Derek: I'll take the cats. They are used to wolf smell I take it.

Laura: [she nods, before walking him over to the closet] They each have their own bowls, and they get a cup a piece of the dry food.

Derek: Okay. [he can do this. it wasn't that hard.]

Laura: Okay. I'll be out here with the dogs if you need anything. [and she'll hand him a big bag of cat food, and steer him towards the door, where there's a rows of cages with various felines in them, all crying because that means food is coming]

Derek: [and he will head in and wow, you're all loud cats. But he will start feeding them cage by cage, trying to figure out how to get the food in the bowl through the cage door]

Cats: [and the cats will occasionally brush against his head as a thank you, before digging in: bonus, as he feeds him, the room gets quieter]

Derek: [and he will eventually get to the big kitten condo at the end and will crack a smile as he watches the tiny fluffballs playing]

Cats: [they are precious. and across from them, in a larger cage, is a big ol' orange cat who just looks up at Derek pleadingly]

Derek: [and he will look up at the cat as he feels the eyes on him, and will walk over to the cage, going to scoop out the cup of food]

Cat: [and unlike the other cats, because he's been here a while, he'll just lower himself down to the cage, waiting patiently for Derek to finish]

Derek: [he tilts his head at the cat because he's not acting like the rest of them. He's being submissive.] What's going on, big guy?

Cat: [mrows softly, he knows he gets his food faster if he doesn't get in the way]

Derek: [and he will put the food in the bowl] You don't have to be afraid of me. I'm not a big, bad wolf

Cat: [oh, he's not afraid. he'll show that when he steps forward and brushes his head against his hand once the food's been deposited, before ducking his head down to start eating.]

Laura: [ducks her head in the door to check on her brother] How're you doing in here?

Derek: Doing ok. [and he's going to just pet the cat while he eats.]

Laura: [tips her head to see who he's chilling with and smile] I see you've met Barry.

Derek: Yeah. He's a good boy.

Laura: He is. He's been here a long time.

Derek: That's a shame. [he'll look back at Barry] How come?

Laura: [she shrugs] It's just never clicked with anyone, I guess. He's an older cat, and a little cranky. Most people who come in are families with kids wanting playful kittens.

Derek: So a literal grumpy cat. [smirks]

Laura: [laughs] He is, yeah. [watches him with Derek] Seems like he really likes you, though. He doesn't normally like people petting him when he eats.

Derek: Yeah, well I guess he knows a fellow convict when he smells one.

Laura: [nods] Still. It means he trusts you too.

Derek: You have horrible trust instincts, cat. [smirks]

Laura: Or maybe really good ones. [she shrugs] Never know.

Derek: [and he will take his hand out and go to close the cage up] Be good, Barry. You'll find the right person soon.

Barry: [just stares back at him because you're a dummy, Derek. And he'll still be there every other time Laura convinces Derek to come with her]

Derek: [and probably about the third time Derek will pull a chair over to sit by the cage as Barry eats] We've got to figure out a plan for you, cat. You can't stay here forever

Barry: [he's got a plan, you're it. Get with the program, sourwolf]

Derek: [yeah, someone needs to communicate the plan to him. He's just getting used to independent thinking]

Barry: [well, fine, if he has to do everything himself, he'll step around his bowl once the food is done, take advantage of the open cage and just plop himself into Derek's lap]

Derek: [and he will jump a bit because he wasn't expecting that, and then sigh and relax into the chair] Careful with the claws there buddy.

Barry: [he won't claw. he's just going to make himself comfortable by kneading his leg a bit before stretching out with a content purr]

Derek: [chuckles] You're gonna make the kittens jealous. [but he will pet Barry, since the rest of the cats are fed]

Barry: [ooooh good pets. now take him home, please]

Derek: [well, first his sister needs to come find him]

Laura: [and she will, sticking her head in when she doesn't see him for a while] Having fun?

Derek: Just talking to Barry here. [looks over at her] You done?

Laura: Yep, pretty much. [her head tips to the side] Our building is pet friendly, you know.

Derek: I don't know if I'm pet friendly.

Laura: You seem to be doing pretty well right now.

Derek: [looks down at Barry] Yeah, but a cat in a house full of wolves?

Laura: [she shrugs as she makes her way closer, offering her hand out to Barry and he sniffs at it before leaning into it] He's never had an issue with me or Raph.

Derek: I'm thinking about him verses Peter.

Laura: It's a big apartment. He doesn't have to spend time with Peter if he doesn't want to.

Derek: True. [looks down at Barry] You sure know how to pick them, cat.

Laura: [smiles softly] I think he'll be good for you.

Derek: Mmm. We'll just see how that plays out.

Laura: I already know Cora is going to love him.

Derek: Cora will spoil him rotten.

Laura: So she'll balance Peter out.

Derek: [snorts, then pets the cat once more] So what do you say, Barry? Wanna join the pack?

Barry: [mrows softly at the suggestion]

Derek: Alright, looks like you got a home. We're gonna need a crate or something.

Laura: Raph's probably got something up front.

Derek: We can bring it back later.

Laura: Yep. [and she'll walk him and Barry up to the desk where Raph is, and the other werewolf grins when he sees who Derek's holding]

Raph: Look who made a friend.

Derek: Yeah, we've got a lot in common. [holding Barry securely in one hand, petting him on the other.]

Raph: Well, good. He's been in need of a good home.

Derek: Well, he won't be lacking any affection at our place.

Raph: Good. I'll get the paperwork together. He's got a couple of toys he can take with him - Laura knows where they are.

Derek: You got a crate I can borrow?

Raph: I do, in the office. Follow me. [and he gestures for Derek to follow him]

Derek: [which he will do, keeping his steps steady not to jostle the cat]

Raph: [and he'll open to the door to the back office that is covered in paperwork, but has a stack of cardboard crates. he grabs one and pops it into shape on his desk] Here you go.

Derek: Thank you. Come on, Barry. Last cage you'll ever be in. [and he will lower the cat into the box]

Barry: [mrows unhappily but Raph is there to help close the top so that Barry is safely inside. and after that, they fill out some paperwork, collect the toys, and off they go]

Derek: [and when they get home, he will take Barry out] Welcome home, buddy.

Barry: [and he's going to hop out, look around for a moment and ... make a break for the nearest thing he can hide under. Ew new spaces]

Derek: [which will be Derek's desk since he released the cat in his room] Yeah, that's my first instinct too. You stay where you feel safe until you're ready.

Barry: [well good. cuz he's gonna]

Derek: [and it will give him time to set up the room with a litter box and then food and water and his toys]

Barry: [and he'll just watch curiously, tail twitching as he does]

Derek: [and he will watch Barry for a bit, and then yawn] Well, I'm going to take a nap. Feel free to explore. [he closed the bedroom door, stripped down to his boxers, and then curled up into his little hiding spot of his own.]

Barry: [and he'll stay there for a while, before inching his way out and curling up on the corner of the mattress next to him]

Derek: [and like most nights, Derek will have a bad dream and whimper in his sleep, twitching a bit]

Barry: [and Barry will mrow softly, brushing up against his leg]

Derek: [and that will wake him up, and he will jump a bit, pushing away from the touch and deeper into the corner]

Barry: [mrow. why are you in distress, human? he won't come any closer but he won't run away either]

Derek: [takes a deep breath and runs a hand along his face] I'm ok, Barry. Just a bad dream.

Barry: [we'll they're dumb. you should stop having those]

Derek: [he wishes he could. He pats the mattress, then holds his hand out] Come here.

Barry: [and he will go where he's told, stretching out next to him]

Derek: Good boy. [and he will resettle down, petting Barry and looking out the window]

Barry: [and he'll just close his eyes and goes back in to another cat nap]

Derek: [and he... will sleep better having that comforting presence next to him]

Laura: [should have gotten him a therapy animal sooner]

Peter: [the kids were always easily manipulated with cute fluffy things]

Cora: [hey! she resembles that remark]

Peter: [he rests his case]

Cora: [mmm. then why didn't she get a puppy when she got rescued?]

Peter: [because you didn't ask. And he got you fluffy stuffy animals]

Cora: [that's true. but eventually, when Barry is feeling adventurous, there will be a very happy tiny wolf who just plops down in the middle of the hallway to say hello]

Peter: [the house smells like cat. Peter is going to point that out the moment he gets home]

Cora: [get used to it, Peter, they're cat people now]

Derek: [well, he will probably run into Cora in the hallway when he finally wakes up]

Cora: [and she will be loving on Barry, who is appreciating being loved on] Hi.

Derek: Hi. [rubs his eyes, looking down at them] I see you met Barry.

Cora: I did. And we're becoming good friends.

Derek: Good. He's going to be staying with us.

Cora: Oh yeah? Where'd you get him?

Derek: Pound.

Cora: [nods] He's a good cat. You made the right choice.

Derek: More like he did. He chose me.

Cora: You decided to take him home.