darkest timeline } { of grad parties and cat meetings

[braveandstupid]

Elena: [the Abattoir was cleared out for the evening, minus the Mikaelsons and their associated guests. In their place was a crew of Mystic Falls transplants, there to celebrate Elena and her finally finishing med school. There isn't a lot of them - they basically make up the half of the party that isn't Mikaelsons, but when Derek gets there, Elena will be more dressed up than he's seen her before, looking as though she really is celebrating something, rather than it just being every other day]

Derek: [He and Peter arrived together, but separated at the door as Peter nudged his nephew to go play with his new friends. He did have a side mission on spying on him and reporting to Laura about who this mystery friend was, but for now he just disappeared into the party. Derek stood at the door a moment, taking in the new scents and trying not to get overwhelmed from the amount of people there.]

Caroline: Derek! [the blond spots him first, diverting from Tyler's side and greeting him with a bright smile] You came!

Derek: [that smile is contagious, and he gives her a nod and a small one] I was invited.

Caroline: Elena will be so glad. She's in the back, but let me introduce you around. [and she'll hold out a hand because she knows he's hesitant about touch, but she's also offering an anchor with someone he already knows] Nice suit, by the way.

Derek: Thanks. My sister felt I should forgo my jeans and hoodies tonight since it was a special night. [and he will take her hand, thankful for her consideration]

Caroline: Well, it was a good call. You look really nice. [and with that she will lead her way to the first group] Guys, this is Derek. Derek, this is Matt, Tyler, and Elena's brother Jerermy.

Tyler: [and he will straighten up because he recognizes the name and scent instantly. He also knows the rumors about this particular werewolf and his history] Nice to meet you, Derek. We've heard a lot about you.

Matt: [yup, eyeing the new guy who's dating his ex] More from Caroline than Elena.

Jeremy: [holds his hand out, already a bit tipsy] Don't mind them. They're just trying to act tough.

Caroline: [Matt gets a look because BE NICE] Mostly because Elena is a private person, and they tell me that I can't keep a secret to save my life. [and Derek might also notice that Caroline and Tyler's scents are ... all over each other]

Derek: [nope, totally got that] I think we went over that one already. Elena's told me a bit about you, but not a lot.

Caroline: Matt, Tyler and Elena and I all went to high school together with Bonnie who is back at the bar with Elena, probably plying her with shots.

Derek: [nods] Meanwhile I'm just the guy she met at the library.

Jeremy: I think it's more than that, if I know my sister.

Derek: [confused look]

Caroline: [and now Jeremy is getting the look] I think it's that she considers you a good friend.

Tyler: That's what they call it. [smirking, testing boundaries]

Derek: What else would they call it?

Caroline: [WHY ARE YOU ALL THE WORST] Oh look, there's Jenna! Let's go talk to Jenna. [and she will pull Derek by the hand over towards where Ric and Jenna are sitting with Klaus and Hayley]

Derek: [and he will actually relax a bit because Klaus and Hayley he knows already]

Klaus: Caroline, luv, are you going to drag the pup to meet everyone at once?

Caroline: It's not like there are a lot of people to meet. He already knows you guys.

Hayley: [raises her nonalcoholic drink to him] Hey, Derek.

Jenna: [looks amused, if nothing else, before holding a hand out to him] Hi, I'm Jenna. I'm Elena's aunt.

Derek: [nods at Hayley, then reaches out to Jenna carefully] I'm Derek. Elena and I are friends.

Klaus: You need something to drink, mate. [and he walks off, not actually asking Derek what he wants or if he even wants it]

Caroline: [sighs as he goes] And he hasn't changed at all.

Hayley: I'm sorry, were you expecting Klaus Mikaelson to change?

Caroline: No, but I was hoping fatherhood might mellow him.

Bonnie: [... meanwhile, from the bar, comes a voice] ... Oh my God, who is that hot back?

Elena: [turns and ... oh. Eyes are definitely lingering, but she doesn't comment on Bonnie's comment directly] That's my friend, Derek. I wasn't sure if he was going to come.

Klaus: [sliding up beside them, getting a beer and another whiskey] You may want to go save your friend, Elena, before Caroline overwhelms him.

Derek: I've only known Klaus for a few weeks and even I knew that wasn't happening.

Bonnie: [is giving her a look that says "yeah, sure, friend]

Elena: [finishes her last shot, before nodding and making her way over, placing a hand on Derek's shoulder gently] Hey. You made it.

Derek: [and watch him jump, even as he caught her scent just before she touched him] Hey. [he tried to cover his nerves with a smile] Yeah, I had nothing better to do. Congrats.

Klaus: [puts the beer in Derek's hand and winks at his packmate]

Elena: Why don't we get you something to eat? [her hand slides down to his, pulling him away from Caroline] Something to go with that beer?

Derek: Yeah, that'd be okay. [looks to Caroline] Thanks for showing me around.

Caroline: No problem. [and she's going to slide into the booth next to Jenna]

Elena: [leads him back over to trays of food and hands Derek a plate] I'm really glad you came. You look really nice.

Derek: Thanks. You look pretty amazing yourself. [he will take the plate, putting the beer down and conveniently forgetting it. Sorry Klaus]

Elena: [her head ducks a bit as she tucks her hair behind her ear] Thanks. [and she'll make a plate for herself because she's maybe had a little too much booze on the booze to food ratio] I hope Caroline didn't overwhelm you too much.

Derek: Oh, you mean by introducing me to the Mystic Falls alpha, your brother, and who I'm assuming is an ex from the jealous chemosignal he was giving off right as I walk in the door? No, not at all.

Elena: [s i g h] Matt is my ex, yes, but it was a long time ago. Before my parents died. [but he was her first, and firsts have a way of sticking with you] He's a good friend, when he's not being overprotective. And to be honest, I've kind of earned it. The last werewolf I was close with ... it caused a lot of problems. I think he just wants to make sure I won't get hurt again.

Derek: [and he will look up at her a moment, an eyebrow raised] I'd be the last person to hurt you. At least intentionally.

Elena: I know that. All he knows is that you're a strange werewolf and we're good friends.

Derek: [nods] The alpha. He's shorter than I expected.

Tyler: [trying not to choke on his drink from the other side of the room as Klaus smirks]

Elena: [she laughs] Don't let the height fool you. He can hold his own.

Derek: I figured. He's meeting my sister tomorrow for lunch.

Elena: He told me. Hopefully it goes well.

Derek: I think it will. My sister can be intense, but she is fair and knows the value of having allies.

Elena: So does Tyler. I think they're both coming into it for the right reasons.

Derek: Me too. [and he has his plate made. He's totally a carnivore from the amount of protein on that plate]

Elena: [has more of a smattering, but she'll take him over to a table that doesn't have too many people at it] So you came with Freya's friend?

Derek: Yeah. That was my uncle, Peter.

Elena: Oh. I didn't realize they were the same. [she's seen him around the Abattoir, but she didn't know who he was]

Derek: Yeah. I didn't know until he told me he would drop me off. He's a big lawyer downtown so I don't see him that often.

Elena: [nods] He seems nice. [though "lawyer" is sticking with her - her experiences with lawyers haven't been great for obvious reasons] Though when it comes to hanging out with Freya, nice isn't always a requirement.

Derek: He can be a bit of a dick, or at least he was before. [he licked his lips, not wanting to talk about it] One of those high school jocks who doesn't want to give up his glory days.

Elena: Mmm. [a pause] Before?

Derek: [he hesitates a moment] There was a fire and my parents died. My mom was his sister.

Elena: ... Oh. [great job, Elena] I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ...

Derek: No, it's okay. You didn't know. It was seven years ago now.

Elena: Losing your parents when you're young can be rough. I would know. [she glances over] I don't know what I would do if I lost Jeremy, though. I guess I don't blame him for taking it hard.

Derek: [he just nods and takes a deep breath, starting to look uncomfortable as they edge that topic he doesn't talk about] And you have your aunt Jenna too.

Elena: Yeah. She took us in after our parents died.

Derek: Now who is that Ric guy with her?

Elena: Alaric Saltzman is my old history teacher. They hit it off when he moved to Mystic Falls.

Derek: So he's dating her.

Elena: They're living together, so I think it's a bit more intense than just dating, but yeah.

Derek: [nods] Well, I think I met everyone.

Bonnie: Except for me. [and she slides into the seat across from them] Hi. I'm Bonnie. [and other than Caroline, Bonnie's probably the person he's heard about the most]

Derek: [his eyes brighten a bit in recognition] Hi Bonnie. I'm Derek. Nice to put a face to a name.

Bonnie: Same. I've been hearing a lot about you. [and she's pleased that she's been recognized]

Derek: Really? I didn't think there'd be much to say about me.

Elena: [is very much paying attention to her food]

Bonnie: Well, Elena doesn't make a lot of new friends. So when she does, it comes up.

Derek: Elena doesn't come off as being a shy person.

Bonnie: No. But she's a cautious one. [someone shouts for Elena across the room, and she excuses herself, leaving the two of them alone]

Derek: [and he's alone with someone he doesn't know and he will just focus on his food a moment, not knowing what to say]

Bonnie: [glances back over her shoulder for a moment] Look, unlike the rest of them, I'm not looking to give you any shit. I was actually really happy when Elena started talking about you. It meant that she was really starting to build a life up here.

Derek: It's not that. I just... don't get out a lot.

Bonnie: That's cool. Neither do I. This is the first trip I had out of Mystic Falls in literal years.

Derek: [he chuckled, because he meant literally, but nodded in understanding] You probably should come up more. I'm sure Elena would like it.

Bonnie: It's a little more complicated than that. Tyler and I are a team, so unless he's making a diplomatic trip of some kind, me showing up places randomly could get ... dicey. But hopefully once he wins over your sister and the Kirsanovs, things will be a lot ... smoother and my appearances won't be considered a power play. [a beat] I'm his emissary. I don't know if Elena told you that.

Derek: She did, but that was awhile ago. I'm still getting reacquainted with pack dynamics.

Bonnie: [she nods] That's fair. They can be complicated when you've been out of sync for a while.

Tyler: [coming to join them, smiling] Seven years, if my math is correct. Am I right, Derek?

Derek: [his eyes narrow, suddenly on alert]

Tyler: Relax, I'm not here to judge you on that. Your history is not for me to tell Elena, but you may want to soon before she pries it out of you.

Bonnie: [eyes him because what do you know that she doesn't] Though I think she's come to appreciate Derek not trying to pry hers out of her.

Derek: If she wants to tell me, she will when she's ready.

Tyler: And with the lack of Argents now in the world, you have your own time to talk as well.

Bonnie: [then ...oh. it clicks and her face gets a bit softer.] She's also pretty good at not judging too. In case you were worried.

Derek: [and he's lost his appetite] Good to know. Excuse me. [and he's going to go find a quiet corner for a moment]

Hayley: [will let him hide upstairs in the Mikaelson living space if he needs to]

Derek: [yeah, he will probably do that as long as his uncle and Freya aren't sexxing it up]

Freya: [nah, she's saving that for later. someone has to bartend. but the rooms are soundproofed and nice and quiet, and he'll be left alone for a little while]

Derek: [which he will do, sitting on the couch and just putting his head between his knees, taking a few deep breaths. No one had mentioned the name Argent in awhile now, so it had blindsided him]

Elena: [which is totally fair. But about forty five minutes later, Elena will come up to check on him] Derek? It's me. Are you okay?

Derek: [takes a deep breath and sits up, nodding] Yeah, just a bit overwhelmed, that's all.

Elena: [she nods and gently eases the door open, offering him a small smile] I know this was a lot for you, so I really appreciate that you came. It means a lot to me. But you don't have to stay the whole time if it's too much.

Derek: [he licked his lips] I want to stay, I just... I don't know if I should.

Elena: [frowns] Why not?

Derek: Just a feeling.

Elena: [she closes the door, sealing out the sounds of the party again, before moving to sit next to him] Want to tell me about it?

Derek: [he shakes his head] I do, but I also don't.

Elena: [there's a soft, half laugh, not mocking, just ... at the familiarity of it all] I know that feeling.

Derek: It seems that we make a great pair, huh?

Elena: That we do. [she pauses before looking over and taking her hand in his] Look, you don't owe me anything. And you certainly don't owe them anything. And if you want to hide up here until the party's over, then that is your choice. I will even stay up here with you if you want, because it's my party and I can do whatever I want.

Derek: [smiles a bit at her] It's your party. If you don't go back, they will come looking for you and then I won't be able to hide.

Elena: There is enough booze and food down there that they'll be way more entertained with speculating about what we're up to than actually coming to look for us.

Derek: Are you okay with that?

Elena: [she pauses for a moment, before she shrugs] They're ... kind of hoping for things that I'm not sure I'm ready for right now. If they ... think I have someone to focus on, then maybe they'll stop nudging me in the direction of someone else. [she glances back to him] Does it bother you?

Derek: No, but you should probably know something about me then. I don't know if Tyler has told you things about me.

Elena: [her head tips to the side, before she shakes her head] Just that he knew you were a Hale.

Derek: Well, there's more to it. Some I can't talk about, and some I'm not supposed to. But if you want to do that, you should know what you're getting into with me. [he is going to assume that she knows about werewolf eyes and he will close his eyes, opening them to the sapphire blue that he's had since he was fifteen.]

Elena: [she does know. Damon's were blue and one of the reasons Richard Lockwood had told her to be careful around him, and he had been right. It cost him his life, in a way, because Elena didn't listen. But she doesn't flinch away, one hand coming up to brush against his cheekbone gently] How did it happen?

Derek: I had a girlfriend, Paige. One of the local alphas noticed that I was interested in her, but hadn't told her what I was. So he tried to turn her so that he could gain favor with me, and therefore my family.

Elena: [and knowing what she knows about werewolves, one thought leads to another] It didn't take?

Derek: No. She was in a lot of pain, and I tried to make it hurt less, but she knew she was going to die. Turned out she knew what I was all along. I didn't want her to suffer so I made it fast and painless.

Elena: [her eyes soften a bit and she nods] You did the right thing. No one should have to suffer like that.

Derek: I know. But being a blue eye isn't an easy life.

Elena: No one has an easy life. [but that isn't the point] You also aren't the only blue eyed werewolf I've known. Some of them are good people and some of them aren't. [a beat] What I'm saying is that it may matter to other people and I acknowledge that it does, but you don't have to worry about it mattering to me, because it doesn't. It's your actions that matter, not the color of your eyes.

Derek: [nods] Thank you.

Elena: Of course. [she squeezes his hand again before leaning back into the couch, her shoulder brushing his] Anything else I should know that you're ready to talk about?

Derek: ... You're not allergic to cats, are you?

Elena: [shakes her head] Nope.

Derek: Good. Because if you come over to visit, I have one.

Elena: Yeah? Do you have any pictures?

Derek: I think I do. [he will pull out his phone and after a bit he figures out how to open his gallery. There are barely any pictures there, but there is a cute one of the ball of fluff stretched out on his bed with the city in the background through the windows. It will become obvious that he has a million dollar view of the city]

Elena: I would hope so. You're not a real cat parent if you don't have pictures. [and she will shift to lean over his shoulder so that she can see the picture and smiles as she does] Awww, he's cute.

Derek: Yeah. He's my unofficial emotional support cat.

Elena: What's his name?

Derek: Barry.

Elena: Barry. I like it. I'll have to come over and meet him sometime.

Derek: I'd like that. My sisters may grill you the same way your friends are grilling me.

Elena: I think I can handle them. [and then, because she is a little tipsy:] Want to go now?

Derek: Yeah, I think I can go back.

Elena: Cool. [she texts Caroline to let her know where they're going, to which the response is: "pics or I'm going to assume it's a euphemism"] We don't have to go through the party if you don't want. I think Freya has a back entrance somewhere.

Derek: Wait, where are we going? [so confused. He didn't think she was talking about going to his place]

Elena: To meet your cat?

Derek: But your party and guests...?

Elena: I don't think they'll miss me. And they're going to be here all weekend.

Derek: ... Okay then. Let me just tell my uncle we're leaving. [and he is going to text Peter, and then summon an Uber]

Elena: [she turns her phone to him as she heads downstairs with him] If you need further proof that they won't care. [and there is the text with Caroline not being offended but requesting pictures] By the time we get there and I take them, she and Bonnie are going to be so drunk that they may have been offended if I chose not to go.

Derek: Well, then I guess it's ok. [and he will hold the Uber car door for her]

Elena: [and she slides in with him] My friends are weird. I don't question it.

Derek: Well, they can be assured that I will make sure you also get home safe.

Elena: Good.

Derek: [and he is going to text his sisters quickly to warn them that he is bringing a friend over for a bit and to please not freak her out]

Laura: [texts back that she's not home, she's with her cop friend]

Cora: [doesn't text back because she's "busy" but she is also not home, which he would have known as she took a dozen doughnuts over to Stiles' earlier that evening]

Derek: [laughs] Well, you may be off the hook. They aren't home.

Elena: [she glances over and laughs as well] Lucky me?

Derek: But Barry is who we're going to see anyway.

Elena: Exactly. He's the important thing.

Derek: [and eventually they will arrive outside the doorman operated condos on the upper west side]

Elena: [which she knew he lived in a nice neighborhood, and she'll just stick with him and let him lead the way]

Derek: [he will head inside, the doorman giving Elena a once over as they head for the elevator. Derek will close his eyes and take a deep breath as the elevator goes up to the penthouse]

Elena: [notices that, and reaches over to take his hand, giving it a small squeeze]

Derek: [he will squeeze her hand back, and when they get to their floor, he will release the breath he held and motion for her to go first because he is still a gentleman]

Elena: [and she will step off the elevator but not go far because she doesn't know where she's going]

Derek: [well, it will be to the only door on the floor, and he will use the biometric door lock and in they go to the expansive foyer]

Elena: [this is so fancy, Elena doesn't know how to comment so she won't. At least not beyond:] I feel like I should be taking my shoes off.

Derek: You could, if you want to. [he will take her jacket though and hang it up next to his]

Elena: [... then she will, because who likes wearing heels, slipping them off her feet and leaving them by the door]

Derek: [enjoy the plush carpet. He is going to walk further into the condo, where there is the kitchen, and the steps leading up to the bedrooms]

Elena: [and she will just follow, taking everything in as she goes and keeping an eye out for a furball]

Derek: [and as they get towards the kitchen, Derek will reach into a cabinet and get the baggie of treats]

Barry: [he hears that and comes running down the hallway]

Elena: [turns at the sound of trotting cat feet, and she smirks as she drops down towards the floor to be more on Barry's level] He knows what he likes.

Barry: [oh wait hold on that's a strange person. And doesn't smell like wolf. He is going to sniff carefully because the last time non wolves were in the place the house changed furniture]

Elena: [holds out her hand to him gently, because it's always a little touch and go with animals due to her banshee-ness, but she hopes she can win him over]

Barry: [sniffs a bit more, and then rubs his cheek on her hand. He has claimed you now. Give him treats]

Elena: [and that makes her smile as she goes to brush her fingers over the crown of his head] Nice to meet you too.

Derek: [is just leaning back, watching] If you give him treats, he will follow you everywhere.

Elena: [her free hand comes up and waves in his direction] I am not above bribery. Gimme.

Derek: [and he will hand them over]

Barry: Mrow! [come on people, open it up already]

Elena: I got it, hold on. [and while skillfully petting him with one hand, she'll open the bag and scoop out some treats with the other, holding them out to the cat]

Barry: [you are his new favorite person. Hear that purr]

Elena: [and that makes her grin as she strokes her hands over his fur] Nice to meet you too.

Derek: Would you like something to drink, or eat? [since they are in the kitchen and all]

Elena: [she shakes her head as one hand goes for her phone so that she can take some pictures] No, I'm good. But thank you.

Derek: Okay. [and he's going to just... stand there and watch Elena and his cat.]

Elena: [well she's just going to take cute pictures of him to send to Bonnie and Caroline and give him lots of scritches and have half conversations with the cat because she's drunk]

Barry: [nope, going to soak all of this up since Cora isn't around as much anymore]

Derek: Should I leave you two alone? [smirking a tiny bit]

Elena: I'm just making a friend. Don't judge me.

Derek: Sorry, I've already judged you. That ship has sailed.

Elena: Well, too bad. You're stuck with me. Barry and I are now best friends and you can't get rid of me.

Derek: [there is a small smile there] Well, I wasn't planning on getting rid of you. Either of you.

Elena: Good. [she shifts a bit on the tile and grimaces] This floor is kind of uncomfortable, though. Maybe we should go to the couch?

Derek: You can do that. Or I could show you the rest of the place.

Elena: But we can't leave Barry behind. [and she'll very gently scoop the cat up off the floor if he'll let her]

Barry: [he will. He's a sucker for pretty girls and snuggles]

Derek: He'll just follow us... but yeah, he's a softy.

Elena: I can't pet him if he's just following us. [but she'll get up to let Derek lead the way]

Derek: [and he will show her around up the short flight of stairs that led to the bedrooms, baths, and another smaller family room with the mini theatre for Laura's horror movie-a-thons. He won't show her the other's bedrooms, but he will guide her into the main part of his room with the library and all the books, as well as the sitting area for reading. The wall as closed so it doesn't show the bedroom side]

Elena: [and she comments and gives scratches the entire time, and only puts Barry down when they stop in the library, going to look at all the books]

Barry: [and he is going to go to where the entrance is for him and his microchip will allow the cat door to open for him, and he will literally disappear between two books.]

Elena: [and she will be distracted by the books for a bit, but eventually turn to look for him again and pout a bit in confusion] Where did Barry go?

Derek: [leaning against the reading table] My bedroom.

Elena: Oh. [okay then] I guess he's done with me for the night.

Derek: That or he wants you to snuggle up in my bed with him.

Elena: [... her brain definitely went places there, thanks booze, but she pulls it together] Well, that is not my call to make.

Derek: Do you want to ask him?

Elena: If it's your bed, I think you're the one I should be asking.

Derek: I can sleep on the couch. But then again, I don't really sleep at night. I usually sleep in the early morning. [and he will walk over to the bookcase right next to her, reaching for a book almost over her head to unlatch the door]

Elena: ... I don't want to put you out of your own room. [also when did this change to her staying the night?]

Derek: [Barry is trying to play matchmaker?] You wouldn't be. I'm offering, if you are tired and want to sleep with a cat, of course. [and he will push the bookcase in to show Elena to other side of the room with his large bed, desk, dresser, and amazing view. And there is Barry, curled up by his pillow licking his arm and looking up at her with cat smirk]

Elena: I should actually get back tonight. But we can hang out in here for a little bit? [she's totally going to pass out once she gets comfortable and starts petting Barry again]

Derek: [and when she does that, he will cover her in a spare blanket, and then go into the library half and change quietly into something more comfortable before curling up with a good book on the library couch]

Caroline: [and around the wee hours Caroline will text him with:] Elena stopped texting, is she still with you?

Derek: Yeah, she passed out asleep. I'll bring her home when she wakes up. [and he will snap a photo of her curled around Barry on the bed]

Caroline: [oh precious, that is so getting put in the group chat] Okay. Thanks again for coming tonight.

Derek: Thanks. Sorry for bailing early.

Caroline: No, it's okay. We can be a lot, I don't blame you. Or her.

Derek: I'll tell her to text you when she wakes up.

Caroline: Thanks. Night, Derek.

Derek: Goodnight, Caroline. Sleep well.

Caroline: You too. [and with that, all will be quiet from Elena's friends for the rest of the evening]

Derek: [and if she doesn't wake up by 4am, he will end up falling asleep with a book on his chest, probably the only time he looks relaxed and not guarded]

Elena: [she will sleep through it, waking up around seven or eight and startling a bit because she doesn't know where she was, but then she looks down and sees Barry, and it starts to click back into place]

Barry: [and he will stand up and stretch, and then jump down off the bed and go looking for breakfast. You're going to feed him, right Elena?]

Elena: [she ... has no idea where the food is, but sure, she'll follow the cat and make her way out into the main room, where she glances over to the couch and smiles when she sees him]

Derek: [yup, passed out, a bit scruffy with a 5 o'clock shadow forming, wearing jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt. The book is still there across his chest]

Elena: [she goes back into the room, taking the blanket and draping it over him gently, before she goes out to find the cat again]

Barry: [is leading her to the kitchen where he puts his paws up on the pantry where his food is kept] Mrow.

Peter: [drinking coffee at the breakfast bar and reading the paper, already dressed for work]

Elena: [comes around the corner and jumps when she sees Peter] Sorry. I was just ... following the cat.

Peter: You're fine. Barry tends to rule the condo. [he can smell that there is nothing elicit coming from her so he won't say anything. He's actually a bit disappointed but eh]

Elena: [well you can have that conversation with your nephew, Peter, Elena isn't pushing him. But she will go to the cabinet indicated to find his food] How much does he normally eat?

Peter: One fourth cup.

Elena: [nods and she'll do that, pouring some into the bowl, before glancing over at the coffee maker] Is that coffee?

Peter: Yes. Very strong. Creamer is in the fridge.

Elena: Oh, me and strong coffee are old acquaintances. Never would have gotten through med school without it. [and she actually takes hers black with a little sugar so ...] Sugar?

Peter: [slides the sugar jar towards her]

Elena: Thank you. [and she'll mix that, before bringing the cup up to her face and taking a deep breath before a long sip]

Peter: Your party continued on for quite a bit of time after your departure.

Elena: That doesn't surprise me. Between the Mikaelsons and Mystic Falls, I'm lucky I haven't needed a liver transplant.

Peter: [chuckles] Yes, I've noticed their love of alcohol. You may want to look into securing a donor early on. They are hard to come by.

Elena: So I've heard. Fortunately I'm going into my residency, and it's hard to get me drunk when I'm either working or sleeping.

Peter: Ah, the residency years. I hear it's just as bad as working in a law firm cubical farm.

Elena: Well, that I wouldn't know. But I'm actually really looking forward to it. I like the work.

Peter: [looks at her a moment, and smiles] I think you'll do well in it.

Elena: Thank you. [and she takes another sip of her coffee] Derek said you're a lawyer? [from the quality of his clothes she's guessing he's not a DA, but she's interested in taking the conversation off her for a little bit]

Peter: I am. Managing partner of Pearson Hale.

Elena: [she nods] I think I've met one of your attorneys. They're ... charming. [they were not charming, they were trying to pin a murder on her]

Peter: Well, you won't be again. If you're friends with my nephew, you're now a conflict of interest.

Elena: [her brow furrows] I didn't realize that was how that worked.

Peter: It is a complicated process.

Elena: I didn't think that conflict applied to witnesses.

Peter: Oh, I thought you were a suspect. My mistake.

Elena: No. They were trying to turn me into a suspect.

Peter: Ah. [and he will look at his watch] My apologies but I need to go. I have a meeting first thing this morning.

Elena: Of course. Thanks for the coffee.

Peter: You're welcome. If you're hungry, I believe there are eggos in the freezer.

Elena: I'll keep that in mind.

Peter: [and he will put his mug in the sink, rinse it, and head out]

Elena: [and she will finish her coffee, before washing it out and making her way back upstairs to find her phone and see what her family is up to]

Derek: [and he stirs a bit, hearing someone enter his space. Meanwhile, Barry is sitting on her phone licking himself post breakfast]

Elena: [sees him stir] It's just me coming back for my phone.

Derek: What time is it?

Elena: Around eight, I think?

Derek: Shit. I was going to take you home.

Elena: No, its okay. I only woke up maybe twenty minutes ago.

Derek: Still, your friends are going to think... [you know]

Elena: They won't. They just like giving me crap. I think they'd rather have me spend the night here then being out on the streets of New York in the middle of the night.

Derek: Oh. Well, that is a safer alternative.

Elena: Yep. [she goes to see if she can find her phone under Barry] There's coffee downstairs if you want some.

Derek: Peter's home and up I take it. [he will get up and stretch]

Elena: He's left already.

Derek: Oh. Then I guess I'll get a cup. Do you want something comfortable to change into? Maybe take a shower?

Elena: I guess that depends how much longer I'm staying?

Derek: I'm not holding you hostage. [smiles] Oh, and text Caroline. I told her I would tell you when you woke up.

Elena: [nods] Well, you did say you were going to take me home.

Derek: Then I guess I'll take you home.

Elena: Okay. [a beat as she looks at her phone] ... Actually, let me make sure that Care and Tyler are ... done.

Derek: Done?

Elena: They had the apartment to themselves so they probably were ... making use of that?

Derek: Oh. Yeah, you're going to want to do that. If they aren't, we can go get breakfast or something.

Elena: [she nods and glances down as her phone buzzes] Yep, they're asking for me to give them till lunch.

Derek: So shower, change of clothes? I could see if Cora has something you can borrow?

Elena: Sure. That works. [she doesn't have a frame of reference for Cora, but she's sure she can make it work]

Derek: [and he will text his sister asking if he can go into her room and get something for Elena to wear since she can't go home until after lunch]

Cora: [and she'd be okay with it and tell him where to look for stuff so he doesn't have to wander into drawers he doesn't want to think about]

Derek: [thank you for that, little sister. He will bring Elena with him though so that she can see what might fit her]

Elena: [well, there's nothing perfect as Cora is shorter and slimmer than Elena is, but if he finds something without too rigid a waste and a fairly baggy shirt they should be okay? might be better with one of his shirts over Cora's but Cora has yoga pants or something she can wear]

Derek: There. At least you look civilized.

Elena: [glances down at the very casual look and she laughs] I think I can make this work.

Derek: I think so too. Do you want to grab a shower?

Elena: Sure. Just point me in the right direction.

Derek: [and he will take her there and get her a towel and stuff] Need anything else?

Elena: [she shakes her head for a second before scooping her hair up] Could you just get my zipper?

Derek: Sure. [and he will do so, one of his fingers trailing along her spine as he lowers it]

Elena: [and her eyes close a bit as it's been a while since she's been touched by someone else, and part of her does want that, but she thinks Derek doesn't want that so she's just going to swallow and pull herself together] Thanks.

Derek: [and he's going to lick his lips nervously and take a step back] No problem. I'll um... I'll be in my room when you get out.

Elena: Okay. [and she will close the door before running a shower that's more on the cold side]

Derek: [and he's going to go into his bedroom side of the bookcase and talk to Barry for a bit before going to find his clothes and start changing]

Elena: [twenty minutes later, she will emerge, showered and clean, and she flashes him a smile as she comes back in] Can I leave my dress in here?

Derek: Yeah, sure. [he snaps his head out from staring out over the city and motions for her to put it on his dresser] So what do you want for breakfast?

Elena: Pancakes?

Derek: We can do pancakes.

Elena: [smiles] Good. [and she will let him lead the way]

Derek: [and soon they will arrive at a tiny old-time diner not that far from the condo]

Elena: [takes a deep breath as they walk in and slides in to the booth across from him to look over the menu] So what's good here?

Derek: The pancakes, of course.

Elena: There isn't multiple pancakes to choose from?

Derek: There are, but why would you want anything other than buttermilk?

Elena: Well, sometimes it's good to shake it up. And personally, I'm very fond of chocolate chip.

Derek: I'm sure they would make it for you. I think that's on the kid's menu. [look, he made a joke!]

Elena: [and she laughs] Wow. Okay, if that's how it's going to be then I'm one hundred percent going to order my chocolate chip pancakes. You just convinced me.

Derek: Okay. [laughs as well]

Elena: What about you? What are you thinking?

Derek: Probably eggs and bacon.

Elena: Very sensible.

Derek: I like bacon.

Elena: [she considers for a moment, before closing the menu and resting her chin in her hand] Fair. Bacon is delicious. But if you were just going all out because you could - what is like ... your luxury breakfast? Something you're not getting because you need it, but because you just really want it?

Derek: [his eyes shift a bit, a moment of thought because that idea of getting something he wants just to have it has become foreign to him. It forces him to think a moment, until he shrugs] I don't know.

Elena: [she shrugs in return] Maybe you should think about it. Not just with food, but with ... anything. [is she being a little obvious? Maybe. But she's not wrong, either. "Treat yo self" sounds over indulgent, but sometimes it can just make you happy]

Derek: [he sits back in his half the booth and thinks. She can tell he's taking it seriously, but nothing drops to him instantly.]

Elena: [she'll give him time to do that, but if it's too long a silence, she shrugs] You don't have to know right now. But just, maybe keep it as something to consider.

Derek: I'm not in a situation where I have to want for things that I can't have. At least physical items.

Elena: Okay. But what about ... interpersonal things?

Derek: [he licks his lips] That's a thing I can't have.

Elena: Why not?

Derek: Because what I want it for my family to be the way it was before my mother died.

Elena: [.... oh. That's not the kind of interpersonal she was thinking, but she tries not to let it show. She pauses, trying to find the right phrasing before she turns to face him] There's this phrase, you know, "No plan survives the first encounter with the enemy." That's kind of true about people and trauma too. It doesn't matter how small the trauma is or how distanced you are from it, there are always going to be ripple effects. Little ... cracks. So it's never going to be a literal perfect match, I know. But those feelings of safety, and security and love don't have to be gone forever. It'll take time, and it will take work, but ... eventually some of those cracks can heal.

Derek: [she gets a small smile out of him] You know, I love the amount of optimism you have. It never seems to run out.

Elena: [her head ducks with a bit of a bashful smile] When it comes to some of the stuff I've been through, I remember how ... crushing it was when I had no hope at all. I never want to be in that place again, and hopefully I never will. [because Damon is dead, and while part of her knows she can never be one hundred percent sure, she hopes against hope that he stays that way]

Derek: I'm still trying to remember what it's like to have hope.

Elena: [she moves her hand, reaching across the table to take his] It takes time. And effort, honestly, to find things to look forward to every day. But you'll get there. You just have to take it one day at a time.

Derek: [he sees that and offers his hand to her, and just holds it.] You're a good success story to follow.

Elena: I'm still a work in progress. And I have a really good therapist.

Derek: My sister keeps wanting me to go to one.

Elena: I know a good one that knows about people like us. I work with him at the hospital, if you wanted to come in with me sometime to meet him. But therapy is the kind of thing where if you're not ready to talk about things, you might not get much out of it. But it's really helped me.

Derek: I'm not a big talker in general, if you haven't noticed.

Elena: I have. And I don't hold it against you. But I also think whatever bad stuff you have hanging out up there has to come out if you want things to be better with your family. Even if it's just as simple as ... owning up to the fact that it was real and it's something you're dealing with. Maybe they already know, abstractly, but it's hard to really contextualize something you weren't there for.

Derek: I don't want them to know.

Elena: Then if you can't talk to them, maybe the therapist would be better. They're neutral and objective and you don't have to worry about their guilt or feelings. It's about you, not about them.

Derek: [sighs, and he's saved for a minute when their food arrives]

Elena: [she will take that pause, and steps back] I'm not trying to pressure you. I'm just trying to help.

Derek: I know. It's just a lot of baggage.

Elena: I know. But you don't have to carry it all by yourself.

Derek: It'd be easier if I could just lock it away and never remember it again.

Elena: You're right. It would. But wouldn't you rather give it to someone else so you don't have to hold it at all?

Derek: No, No one should have to bear this.

Elena: Yeah. And that includes you.

Derek: Better me than someone else.

Elena: [she takes a breath, brushing her hair behind her ear with one hand as she tries to weigh her response there] I just worry that ... by trying to lock it away, all that pain you're feeling is just going to get worse. When an organ goes bad, sometimes the best way to deal with it is to take it out. Whatever happened, you don't have to torture yourself because of it. It wasn't your fault.

Derek: I know that.

Elena: I also think that ... telling stuff like this to a therapist is different than just telling it to another person. Because they're trained for this kind of stuff.

Derek: [and he will just nod, lips pursed and he's going to look at his plate]

Elena: [and she will drop it there, changing the subject to something lighter because she can sense that she's pushed too far]

Derek: [thank you. But he's going to slip into being quieter again]

Elena: [which is fine. he doesn't have to suffer with her too much longer as eventually they will go pick up her dress and send Elena home, and Derek can have the afternoon with just him and his cat and Elena's scent lingering in his room and on his bed]

Derek: [which will really be him falling asleep on his bed right after he returns, and he doesn't mind her scent on his bed at all]