darkest timeline } { of death and coming clean

[braveandstupid]

Elena: [Elena had decided to have another library study day and Derek happened to be her periodic distraction, a bit of human contact so that she didn't go completely crazy. It had been a good day, and they were both leaving together at closing, but when she reaches the bottom of the stairs of the library there's a jingle of keys, followed by the slide of a deadbolt, and she frowns] Did you hear that?

Derek: You mean the traffic? [confused]

Elena: [she shakes her head, and her feet just start ... moving, taking her down the street, away from the direction she usually goes and to somewhere else entirely, unable to really stop herself. That's how these things usually go, but maybe, maybe if she follows her instincts quickly enough, maybe there's something she might be able to do] I need to go.

Derek: [blinks, because there is not like her.] I'll come with you. I don't have to be back right away.

Elena: [if she heard him she doesn't acknowledge it, just continuing to put one foot in front of the other as she moves through the streets of the city. She seems to at least have enough awareness to stop at crosswalks and pay attention to lights and the people around her, but other than that, she doesn't seem to really be aware of what she's doing]

Derek: [he realizes this after a bit. It fits what he has read about banshees, both in the Argent bestiary and the other books he found while at the library when Elena wasn't around. He doesn't try to stop her or disturb her, but he becomes a self-proclaimed bodyguard as he follows her]

Elena: [eventually they get to an area where the streets are sparser and the buildings are more industrial. She stops in the mouth of an alley between two buildings where one of the owners steps out, the jingle of keys in his hand as he locks up his office for the night, the slide of a deadbolt coming into place after closing the door. She starts to come out of it just enough when another man approaches him, and there's a hushed argument about money that she can't quite make out, and then the bang of a gunshot. Her hand comes up over her mouth, clamping down on any kind of noise she makes, but unable to move]

Derek: [nope nope nope he is going to grab her and pull her out of the mouth of the alley and even away from the street, getting them hidden in the doorway of a bank entrance where he can fake trying to open the door if he has to. He puts her behind him, listening carefully to see if the gunman is coming after them]

Elena: [her eyes close as she leans into him, burying her face against his shoulder as she stays close and lets him listen, trying to friend a way to regulate her breathing again. She wants to scream, but her rational mind is overriding the banshee at this point, knowing if she does they're going to get caught. Fortunately, Derek is fast enough, however, and after the thud of the victim hitting the ground, the footsteps move, but away from them and the alley, not coming any closer to the couple]

Derek: [once he is sure they are safe, he is going to pull out his phone] Call 911. [he will then head for the alley to check on the man who was shot and see if he can help or if the man is already dead]

Elena: [is going to follow him because she's the med student, Derek, but she's going to do as she's told and call 9-1-1 telling them that there was a man who was shot but falters when asked for the address because she doesn't remember much of how she got there and therefore doesn't know where she is, but they tell her to just leave the line open and they'll use the phone's GPS. which she does, placing the phone to the side as she drops down next to the man to evaluate. The gunshot is not in a great position, but she goes to try and apply pressure anyway] It's a little low to have hit him in the heart but it might have punctured a lung. [and the man kind of confirms this by aspirating blood as he grabs at her arm to try and get her attention] It's okay. [she says softly, her free hand moving to take his] I'm a doctor, I'm going to help you.

Derek: What should I do, Elena? [he's going to take his jacket off and ball it up for the man to lay his head up on so that he can breathe easier]

Elena: Here. Apply pressure. [he has larger hands than she does so she'll take her hands off the wound and place his there instead, and she's going to pull her hair back so it's out of her way, ignoring the fact that there's already blood on her hands and then reaching to go through her purse to see what kinds of supplies she had, but unfortunately the guy is fading fast with the blood in his lungs. Finding what she needs is going to take longer than they have]

Derek: [he is going to do that, and when she isn't focusing, he is going to try and pull the man's pain away. He knows the pain from being shot, and if he isn't going to make it, at least he can leave without pain]

Man: [as he starts to pull the pain, the man's breathing starts to come a little easier. One hand comes up to rest on Derek's arm, and he manages to force out:] Barry. Barry. [and after some more hacking his lungs give out and he stops breathing]

Elena: [knows the moment it happens and something in her shoulders slump, defeated, her hands dropping into her lap as she does]

Derek: [he feels the man slipping away, and he stops pulling just at that moment because he could hurt himself if he doesn't. Still, there are tears in his eyes at that feeling and he scoots back while rubbing at his hands]

Elena: [she glances over to him after a moment of silence] I'm sorry ... I'm sorry you had to ...

Derek: [shakes his head, wiping the blood on his jeans before rubbing at his eyes with his arm] No, it's not that... [deep breath] He kept saying Barry.

Elena: We can tell the cops when they get here. Maybe it will help somehow.

Derek: [nods] Are you okay?

Elena: [she takes a deep breath before looking down at the blood on her hands and her clothes] I'll be better when I can go home and take a shower. But ... not my first dead body. You kind of get used to it. [but the words are a little hollow and there will definitely be crying later.] It's been a while since I've actually witnessed it though.

Derek: You did try.

Elena: [she nods a bit, still a little out of it, as the sirens start to come in from the distance] Are you okay?

Derek: Yeah, I just need to wash the blood off.

Elena: [she nods and the cops will arrive! and they will tell them they need to wait for the detectives to give their statements. and when the Detectives arrive ...]

Ryan: ... It's Elena, isn't it?

Elena: [swallows and a thin smile] Hi, Detective Ryan. Sorry about this.

Ryan: From the looks of things, it doesn't seem like it's your fault. Why don't you guys tell me and my partner what happened?

Esposito: [and he's going to be taking the notes]

Derek: We were walking past the alley and heard a gunshot. We saw some other guy standing near him, and left the other side of the alley. Elena called 911 and I went to see if I could help. She joined me and we tried to stop the bleeding, but it didn't help.

Elena: There was blood in his lungs. He was suffocating faster than we could handle the bleeding.

Ryan: Did you get a good look at the guy who shot him?

Derek: [shakes his head] I didn't.

Elena: [shakes her head] They were arguing a bit at first though. I think they knew each other?

Ryan: [he nods and makes a note] Any other details you can give us?

Esposito: Like did he say anything?

Derek: Yeah, he um, before he died he said the name Barry. Twice.

Ryan: [nods as he glances back to Espo with an eyebrow raise. maybe the name of the guy who killed him?]

Elena: Is there anything else? I think we both kind of want to ... [gestures to how they're covered in blood]

Ryan: ... I think you both might need to be processed for evidence, but we can do that back at the station. Then we'll give you both a ride home.

Derek: Processed?

Esposito: Yeah, get your DNA and fingerprints so that we can eliminate them off the body and scene for the forensics team.

Ryan: And also see if any evidence was transferred from him to you when you were trying to help him.

Elena: It's fast and fairly painless.

Derek: Alright. I just need to text my sister and let her know I'll be late.

Elena: I should let Caroline know too.

Ryan: No problem. You can talk to them on the way to the station. [holds out his hand towards the car]

Derek: [and he will look back at his jacket] You can keep the jacket. I don't think I could wear it again. [and he will follow Elena into the waiting car which Javi is holding the door open for them]

Elena: [and off they will go to the crime lab where they are very gently prodded by the crime techs to collect any evidence and Elena is given a set of NYPD sweats when they need to take her clothes. She also does not want them back. They're also given a chance to use the showers so they don't walk out looking like they just came from a crime scene]

Derek: [and by the time they are ready to leave his anxiety is spiking because of the prodding and the small rooms and the equipment around and when he finally gets to take a shower he just stands under the water a moment, trying to keep himself from losing his control. He is so ready to leave when they regroup]

Elena: [she's not a werewolf so she can't smell his anxiety but she's always been good at picking up on stuff like that, so she gently, brushes her fingers against his as they sit waiting for the cab, offering her hand if he wants to take it]

Derek: [and he will take it, squeezing it in thanks and then just holding onto it]

Elena: [will squeeze it in return, staying quiet until they're in the cab and she frowns] Your place first or mine? [since they're kind of in different directions, but this was on the NYPD's dime]

Derek: Yours. I want to make sure you get home safe.

Elena: [she nods, before leaning forward and giving he driver her address, then leaning back against the seat]

Derek: [and when they are going, he will lean in] Do you remember leaving the library and getting to the alley?

Elena: [she looks back at him for a moment, before shaking her head] Not really.

Derek: [making sure the driver isn't paying attention to them] But you didn't scream this time.

Elena: [her stare this time is longer, searching her face for something that would help give this conversation context, but she's also not really comfortable talking about this in the cab, so since they're rounding the corner to her block ...] Come up and stay for a while? I don't know if Caroline is home yet.

Derek: Okay. [it's not like he can't afford his own cab ride]

Elena: [and they'll make their way inside after the cab stops and she's quiet until they're in the safety of her apartment, and looks at him with a little more scrutiny than she has previously] You know?

Derek: [he nods, hands in his pockets] When you and Caroline were talking the other day, I heard her say it. I did a bit of research to refresh my memory, but it was the fact I heard you scream through a soundproof window that confirmed it to me.

Elena: [she takes that in for a moment, because Caroline was on the other end of the phone and Elena was in another room, and then again, hearing her scream through a soundproof room is ... new but it has her asking:] Are you ...?

Derek: Yeah. I think you've met my kind before. Werewolf.

Elena: [and that makes her relax, her shoulder slumping a bit because okay, werewolves. Werewolves were okay] One of my best friends is an alpha in Mystic Falls. So yeah, I'm familiar. [a pause] And to answer your question, I don't always scream. Sometimes I'm aware enough that I can stop myself, and I've been doing this long enough at this point that I only really scream if the whole ... trance part hits me especially hard. Like ... if I'm in a dead sleep.

Derek: That makes sense. You've gotten control over it.

Elena: [she nods] Not enough to make an actual difference, unfortunately, but ... enough that sometimes I'm more me than it. When it's like tonight, that can come in handy. [at the hospital she can talk to them, sometimes. help put them at ease]

Derek: I'm sure if you keep at it you'll get to a point where you can make that difference.

Elena: I hope so. At the same time ... death wants to happen, you know? Sometimes I wonder that if I tried and really managed to save someone, it would only just happen to someone else.

Derek: I guess that's a question you can't answer until it happens, and you have to decide if the risk is worth the life you could save.

Elena: [she nods, before moving to sit on the couch] I've been dealing with this since I was sixteen so ... I gotta figure it out eventually, right?

Derek: Right. I mean, we're given these gifts for a reason. I believe that it's for us to make a difference.

Elena: Maybe. But I guess it depends on who's hands those gifts wind up in. [Some of the things Damon made her do ... were not making a difference in the right direction]

Derek: Always does. Human and non.

Elena: [she's quiet for a moment before taking a deep breath] I don't know about you but I need a drink.

Derek: I don't drink. But coffee would be nice.

Elena: Okay. Then I'll have Irish coffee. [and she'll get up to go make that, as well as fishing a bottle of whiskey out of the cabinet for her]

Derek: [and he will follow to keep her company] I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I don't usually tell people.

Elena: [waves a hand] No, it's okay. It's not like I was sharing it myself.

Derek: My family spent a long time in fear of a family of hunters. It's hard to give up that level of paranoia.

Elena: No, I don't blame you. I've had ... a lot of bad experience with other supernaturals myself, let alone other people.

Derek: [snorts] sounds like we can both understand each other's issues then.

Elena: [she nods, before turning back to him] Is it okay if I tell Caroline? We don't really keep secrets from each other, and she'll keep it to herself.

Derek: [nods] Also, you should know that my sister is an alpha. So if you need help or protection, you just have to ask.

Elena: [she nods, before teasing] Though if I keep getting you into trouble, I'm sure she might have opinions about that.

Derek: I think she might thank you for getting me out of the house more often. Even if it's to come help you.

Elena: I'm sure if you would prefer that there were less dead bodies though.

Derek: Yeah, probably. [chuckles]

Elena: [and she finishes making the coffee, handing his off to him, before adding a healthy helping of whiskey to hers. she then holds it up to him in a bit of a mock toast] To less of that in the future, hopefully.

Derek: God I hope so. [toasts with her]

Caroline: [And as she takes a big sip, Caroline comes in] You guys okay?

Elena: [nods] Yeah, we're fine. Oh, by the way, Derek's a werewolf.

Caroline: [turns and looks at him, before tipping her head to the side] That makes so much sense.

Derek: [one eyebrow goes up] How's that?

Caroline: All werewolves are hot.

Elena: Care!

Caroline: What? Sure, humans can be hot too, but I have literally never met an ugly werewolf. [A beat] Well, I have but they were ugly on the inside. The exterior was still pretty good.

Elena: [looks over at Derek and shakes her head like "I'm so sorry"]

Derek: [and he just blinks, looking between them and he looks confused. Because he spent six years being degraded that his ego from teenagedom about his looks was gone. He has no perception of his looks compared to others, and knowing the scars he has under the clothing adds to that] Thanks, but I'm not hot.

Caroline: I beg to differ. [and she'll go and get herself her own cup of Irish coffee, because this is a party now] Elena totally agrees with me. [And this would be Elena's cue to totally blush into her cup of coffee]

Derek: [and he will look at her, and when she blushes he will have a hint of a smile before looking into his own coffee] Well, I think you both have low standards then, but thanks.

Elena: Anyway! Derek is all in the know now so we don't have to dance around the whole banshee thing when he's here.

Caroline: Which honestly is easier for all of us.

Derek: I also am good with research if there's anything you may not know.

Caroline: That is great! As our resident research expert is in Mystic Falls.

Derek: [and he won't have anything else to say to that, so he will just focus on his coffee]

Caroline: Anyway. Thank you for the coffee, I have to go finish up a story.

Elena: [nods and waits until she hears her door close] I'm sorry about her. I hope she wasn't making you uncomfortable.

Derek: It's okay. I'm just not used to having that kind of attention focused on me.

Elena: Caroline just has ... zero filter. [she'll hold back the comment on how that honestly surprises her, but she knows he's been through a lot]

Derek: I'm used to people without filters. They are just more serious and not so... bouncy.

Elena: [she laughs] She is an unreasonably positive person.

Derek: Yeah, we don't have one of those in my family. Laura tries, but that's about it.

Elena: Well, if you ever want to release her on your family to see what happens, you're more than welcome to borrow her during finals.

Derek: I have no idea how they would handle her. Pretty sure my younger sister would disappear until she leaves.

Elena: Yeah, she tends to have that effect. But it also makes her a good reporter, because sometimes all that sunshine actually puts people at ease.

Derek: I bet. [he nods, and then finishes his coffee] I should probably be going.

Elena: [she nods and goes to walk him to the door] You want me to call you a cab?

Derek: I have this Uber app on my phone. I can use that. But thanks.

Elena: Okay. [and at the door she'll pause] Thank you, again, for being there tonight.

Derek: You're welcome. And honestly, anytime you need help, just call. [he doesn't really have much else going on]

Elena: [she nods, and with a small smile she'll open the door for him] Text me when you get home?

Derek: Sure. Goodnight Elena. Tell Caroline I said goodnight as well.

Elena: I will. Night, Derek.

Derek: [and he will head home, where he is way late for dinner and wearing NYPD sweats]

Laura: [that's okay though, because he texted, and Laura will get up when she hears him come in the door] You okay?

Derek: Yeah, I'm fine. Just a long evening.

Laura: Do you need Peter to handle anything with the cops?

Derek: No, we're fine. But if a Detective Ryan or Esposito call for me, it'll be about this.

Laura: [and her face totally doesn't show anything about that second name, nope] Okay. Good to know.

Derek: [her face might not, but her scent and heartbeat do] You know something I don't?

Laura: [glances around and listens for Peter before she speaks] No, I just ... know Detective Esposito.

Derek: Did he give you a ticket or something?

Laura: No, not ... professionally.

Derek: Oh. [three, two one...] OH. I really don't want to know.

Laura: I wasn't planning on sharing.

Derek: Yup, don't want to know.

Laura: Good. So there's food in the fridge if you're hungry, and I was going to go watch a movie if you wanted to join me?

Derek: What movie?

Laura: I was debating between Zombieland and Independence Day?

Derek: I don't think I ever saw Zombieland.

Laura: It's not bad. I'll make popcorn?

Derek: Sure.

Laura: [smiles] Cool. If you want to go set it up, I think I left it on the coffee table.

Derek: Sure. Can I get a root beer too?

Laura: You got it. [and she will make the popcorn and bring him his soda and they will settle in to watch a ridiculous zombie movie, with feeling snuck in here and there]

Derek: [and he will eventually snuggle up against his sister and fall asleep because it's been a long day and he was actually up for most of it]

Laura: [and that will make her smile a bit, turning and pressing a kiss to the top of his head]

Derek: [and he will just make a content noise and nuzzle closer]

Laura: [and she will just stay there for as long as he sleeps, not wanting to move too much and disturb him, and if he's out long enough she may fall asleep with him]

Peter: [and he will come home to see them both and smirk, turning the tv off and putting a blanket over them both before heading to bed]

Laura: [thanks Uncle Peter]

Cora: [and he'll catch his niece coming in from the fire escape, smelling like work]

Peter: Welcome back. [he would point out there is a front door, but he knows at this point it is useless]

Cora: Thanks. I need a shower. [she's not expecting much in the way of small talk] Everyone home?

Peter: Yes. Your siblings are sleeping in the tv room.

Cora: [she nods] Okay. I'm just going to clean up and go to bed.

Peter: Okay. Sleep well.

Cora: [she nods and disappears into the bathroom to shower]

Peter: [and he will go change into sleep clothes and go to the kitchen to make a sandwich before bed]