darkest timeline } { of backsliding and getting answers

[braveandstupid]

Elena: [they had been out on a date, checking out one of the local street festivals to see what they had to offer. they had gone early in the day to hopefully avoid the crowds later. It had been going well so far, until she feels Derek completely still next to her, and she turns to him in concern] Derek?

Derek: [his face is white, terror making his jaw grit as his eyes twitched left and right, trying to find the source of the scent.] We need to leave. [whispered, scared]

Elena: Okay. [she doesn't fight him, she just takes his hand as she looks for the nearest subway to take them back to her apartment - it's closer, from what she knows of the city by now] We'll go right now. [the source is lost in the crowd at this point, but from what he can tell, it's coming from downwind, and is definitely fresh]

Derek: [he nods, unable to speak, afraid to be heard. He pulls his hoodie hood up over his head to hide in it, struggling not to take off at high speed and holds Elena's hand as she leads him]

Elena: [and she makes an executive decision that putting him in a tiny metal tube underground might not be the best idea so once they're clear of the crowd she calls an uber to take them to the Abattoir. She wants him to feel safe, and she knows the bar has protection spells around it up the wazoo]

Derek: [That was the right decision, especially if he caught her scent there too. He was shaking, tiny tremors barely noticeable unless she touched him]

Elena: [she can feel it, but for now she just holds his hand for the car ride. once they arrive, she leads him up the back stairs to Freya's private rooms - she gave Elena a key a long time ago for if she needed somewhere to go - and once they're closed inside it, she turns to him and pulls him in close winding her arms around his neck] Okay. We're safe.

Derek: [he shakes his head, the shaking getting worse now that he was in a safe zone.] No, no we're not.

Elena: Yes, we are. [she pulls back, doing her best to get him to look at her] We're at the Abattoir. Freya has this place warded like Fort Knox, no one is going to get to you here. I promise.

Derek: [he does, and she will see pure terror in his bright blue eyes] They have ways. They always do. They won't stop coming...

Elena: Derek, look at me. [she cups his face in her hands] It'll be okay. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out.

Derek: Argent.

Elena: You saw an Argent?

Derek: Scent. I would know it anywhere.

Elena: Okay. How many of them were there?

Derek: Only one. Her.

Elena: Who's her?

Derek: [he bit his lip, breathing faster until he needed to lean against the wall before he hyperventilated] I can't. I haven't told you yet…

Elena: Okay, okay. [she lets him go guiding them both until they're sitting on the ground. she takes one of his hands in hers and gives it a small squeeze] You don't have to tell me anything you aren't ready to. I just want to help.

Derek: I know. I know. [he presses his forehead to his knees] We... she... I thought we were...

Elena: [is empathic enough to read between the lines. She looks over his shoulder, staring at the wall for a moment as her own complicated history bubbles up, but she tamps it down, because now isn't the time. One hand moves to rub slow circles over his back, one at a time] You thought she loved you.

Derek: They found out and were going to kill me. I escaped. Came here. Then I learned it wasn't true.

Elena: How? Did you find out it wasn't true, I mean?

Derek: I was worried. Laura had someone go back to check on her. There were photos.

Elena: So you haven't spoken to her since then? It was just the pictures?

Derek: [nods]

Elena: Okay. [and putting aside her own very complicated feelings on the matter, she looks over at him] Do you want to speak to her? [it may seem like an odd thing to ask when he's so scared, but sometimes these things can be complicated] Even to clear the air, once and for all?

Derek: [shakes his head] It could be a trap.

Elena: It could be. But if you knew for sure it wasn't. Just -- a hypothetical.

Derek: No. Too risky. My family. [and his anxiety ramps back up] Cora. I need to call my sister.

Elena: Okay. Do you have your phone? [Cora's number isn't in hers]

Derek: [nods, his hand shaking as he reaches into his jean front pocket]

Elena: [and she'll move to sit with him, offering whatever support he needs while he calls his sister]

Derek: [she is on speed dial and will just press the button, leaning into Elena as he waits, his hood still over his head to hide him]

Cora: [picks up after a couple rings] Derek?

Derek: Where are you? [it's been awhile since Derek's had that kind of fear in his voice]

Cora: [yep, that does not make her happy] Stiles' apartment. Why?

Derek: [he swallows, knowing this is going to be bad, but she needs to get somewhere safe] Argent in town.

Cora: [N O P E] I thought there weren't any left?

Derek: It was Allison.

Cora: Have you told Laura?

Derek: You first.

Cora: Tell Laura. She made some kind of deal with Allison's father. She's not supposed to be here. And tell her before Peter finds out.

Derek: Okay.

Cora: Where are you?

Derek: Abattoir. With Elena.

Cora: Okay. Stay there. Freya will keep you safe.

Derek: I'll call Laura. [his voice is wavering, the adreneline of his anxiety breaking down into straight fear.]

Cora: It'll be okay.

Derek: Will it?

Cora: Yeah, it will. It just might really suck for a while.

Derek: [nods, even if she can't see it] Be safe.

Cora: You too. [and with that, she'll hang up]

Derek: [and he will rub at his face before calling Laura]

Laura: Hey, Der. What's up?

Derek: [he's shaking again, trying to not break down] Argent.

Laura: Where?

Derek: City. Allison. [he leans into Elena hard, curling up tighter. Almost like all his progress was just ripped away]

Laura: [Elena curls around him, keeping him close and trying to soothe him as best she can, while Laura swears on the other end of the line] Are you sure?

Derek: Yes.

Laura: Where are you?

Derek: Abattoir.

Laura: Okay. Stay there. I'll take care of it. [aka she's going to get on the phone and yell at Chris Argent] I'll keep you posted, okay?

Derek: 'kay.

Laura: It'll be okay, Derek.

Derek: Mhmm. [he can feel the tears making their way down his face.]

Laura: I'll call you back when it's done. [and with that, she'll hang up and go find out what's going on]

Derek: [and he's going to just let his phone drop and curl up into Elena, trying to hold back the sobs. He's afraid, his mind back in the basement with the torture and pain, and the heartbreak and betrayal]

Elena: [and she'll just keep him close, letting him get out what he needs to get out. She'll rub his back, run her fingers through his hair, every soothing gesture she can think of for as long as it takes]

Derek: [and he'll eventually cry himself to sleep, emotionally exhausted and his body curled into the smallest ball possible.]

Elena: [and she will let him sleep, possibly doze off with him for a bit until there's a knock on the door. she picks her head up] Yeah?

Laura: It's Laura. Can I come in?

Derek: [he'll just whimper, not fully awake]

Elena: Gimme a sec. [and she'll shift very slowly, slipping out from around him and then reaching down to shake his shoulder gently] Derek, wake up. Your sister's here.

Derek: [the touch will jerk him awake, eyes wide and bright before his brain catches up. He'll nod, rubbing at his face, groaning at the stiffness in his body from sleeping in a ball]

Elena: [and she'll get up and let Laura in.] Hey.

Laura: Hey. Do you mind giving us a minute?

Elena: [shakes her head] Derek, I'm gonna head down to the bar for a bit. Want me to get you something to eat?

Derek: [he shakes his head] Just water.

Elena: Okay. [and with that, she'll slip downstairs]

Laura: [makes her way to her brother's side] Okay. So ... I've got some news. And I thought it would be better if we talked about it in person.

Derek: [nods. He knows Laura can smell the remnants of his panic attack, and he's still drained.] How bad?

Laura: Well, Allison isn't here to kill us.

Derek: Okay?

Laura: [takes a deep breath] So when we took out a good chunk of the Argents last year, we made a deal with Chris. We could have his father and sister so long as we didn't go after his daughter. I didn't ask too many questions at the time, because it made sense, but I agreed as long as she stayed out of New York. So what's happening now obviously goes against our very clear terms of engagement. But since I didn't feel like murdering anyone today if I didn't have to, I decided I would talk to Chris first and see what he had to say. And what he had to say was ... very interesting.

Derek: Interesting how?

Laura: After everything that went down with you, Allison got put through an indoctrination process by her grandfather. Trying to "fix" what he felt had obviously been broken. Chris strongly disagreed with what his father was doing and teamed up with another hunter to get her out, but by the time he got to her the damage had already been done. She remembers somethings, but ... she doesn't remember you. [and she's not sure if this is going to be better or worse for him so she's just going to ... leave that information there]

Derek: [thinks, picking at the cuff of his hoodie] So those pictures, they were taken after she was "fixed"?

Laura: [she nods] Yeah, from what I can guess.

Derek: [in a way, that makes things a bit better. Allison hadn't played him. She had cared for him, back then. And now] Maybe it's for the best. But why did Chris let her come here?

Laura: He didn't. She's willfully ignoring his request that she stay out of New York. Something about wanting to see the Statue of Liberty before she died. [she doesn't sound thrilled at the prospect] She's not a hunter, not anymore, and she's not here to do us any harm. But I can be more forceful about it, if you want me to be.

Derek: [he's going to think on that. That pull to go back, to find her was gone, replaced now by his affection with Elena. If she wasn't a hunter, he'd be safe. Knowing she was in the city would not give him the spike of fear like today. And... he did want her to be happy. He had loved her, after all.] No. If she doesn't remember me, I'll be able to catch her scent to get away from her. [swallows] Let her have her vacation.

Laura: Okay. But if you change your mind, let me know. I'll force Chris's hand. [she reaches out to rest a hand on his shoulder gently] You gonna be okay?

Derek: I think so. I just... it was a lot. [thinks about something Cora said] Does Peter know?

Laura: [she shakes her head] I wanted to handle it myself. Why?

Derek: If he catches her scent... I don't want her hurt. Just leave her alone.

Laura: I'll make sure he knows she's off limits. Especially since Chris would not be happy and that would bring a real war.

Derek: I'll let Cora know. She's at Stiles' place.

Laura: Okay. Are you going to stay here for a while, or are you going back to Elena's? [aka should she expect you home?]

Derek: I don't know.

Laura: Okay. Just call if you're going to be out longer than a night. [and she will lean in to give him a hug if he'll take it]

Derek: [she's the alpha, and his sister. He'll always take it, hiding his face against her neck as he hugs her back tightly]

Laura: [rubs his back as she gives him a good long hug, before pulling back with a smile] I'll see you later. [and with that, she'll head home, sending a text to Peter on the way, asking him to call her when he has a chance]

Peter: [and when he is done dealing with the destruction of a clan of bogeymen threatening to expose his family's secrets, he'll clean his hands on their shirts before checking his messages and returning Laura's call]

Laura: [answers with:] So I have to tell you something you're not going to like.

Peter: Who do I need to kill?

Laura: No one. I need you to absolutely not kill this person. Got it? No killing.

Peter: [sighs but she is his alpha so, he'll listen. Mostly] Fine. Who is in town that I'm not allowed to kill?

Laura: Allison Argent.

Peter: [snarls] They were told explicitly not to return to this city.

Laura: Yes, but Allison is not a hunter. Not anymore. [and she'll explain the whole thing about Gerard's indoctrination going wrong and what Allison does and doesn't know about the Hale family] So both your nephew and Chris kindly request that we excuse this little indiscretion and just let her have her vacation. She's not staying. She's just visiting.

Peter: I have a hard time trusting the word of Chris Argent. But, out of deference to Derek's request, I will restrain myself.

Laura: Thank you. I and he appreciate it.

Peter: Is that all?

Laura: That is all. Everything okay with you?

Peter: Yup. Just getting off the subway now and thinking about getting lunch. Want me to bring you anything?

Laura: Where are you going?

Peter: Well, I'm down in the village, so I've got a few choices. I was thinking Rocco's, and I could bring back those cookies that Cora loves.

Laura: Oooh, Rocco's sounds delicious.

Peter: Then I already know what you want. Should I also bring something for Derek and Cora?

Laura: Derek is at the Abattoir with Elena, and I think he's staying there for a while. Cora, I think is with Stiles, so I would say just bring her cookies and she would be fine.

Peter: Alright. I'll be home in an hour. [and he will hang up and go get the things to bring back]

Laura: [and she will be there waiting, hanging out with Barry]

Peter: [and he may have picked up a treat for the cat at the pet store between the abandoned subway station and Rocco's] Want to eat in here or the kitchen?

Laura: Here's good. Thanks for bringing it home.

Peter: I was on my way. [he'll leave the sandwiches and go to put the cookies in the kitchen. He'll let Cora believe that Laura got them, as he always does. When he returned, he tossed the catnip toy--a cannoli--to Barry as he sat in the recliner across from Laura]

Laura: [Barry is grateful for your gift, good sir. Laura reaches for her sandwich and nods] So anything else interesting with you today?

Peter: No. Just took care of some business.

Laura: Mmm-hmm. Hopefully I didn't interrupt anything too serious.

Peter: No. It was a quick meeting. We negotiated, but in the end, I got what I wanted. [smirks. he's such a predator]

Laura: [yeah, she can tell. This is going to be fun when her cop boyfriend finally figures that out she's related to him] Then I'm happy for you.

Peter: And luckily, that was my final meeting for the week. So I'm free if you need me to do anything.

Laura: I will let you know. But since the Argent problem is not a problem, I think you're even free to have some time to yourself if you wanted.

Peter: I wouldn't know what to do with myself. It's been eons since I thought of taking a vacation.

Laura: Maybe Freya has some ideas.

Peter: Perhaps. [he'll stop by and check on her later. Especially if Derek hasn't come home by then]

Laura: Just a suggestion. If you'd like to stick around, I wouldn't complain either. I'm not trying to kick you out.

Peter: But you'd also like me not to be around when your police friend is here. [he looks at her, one eyebrow lifted]

Laura: My police friend doesn't come here, usually. You know that.

Peter: Usually. But he should. You're more relaxed, calmer after you see him. Happy.

Laura: He is very relaxing. But we're still getting to know each other and i haven't told him some things that I need to be sure he's okay with before he comes here. [because Laura is the only person dating someone who wasn't already in the know that she knows of]

Peter: Mmm. [nods]

Laura: Don't worry. All goes well, I'm sure you'll get to terrify him at some point.

Peter: [smirks] I do not try to terrify potential mates.

Laura: [eyebrow raise]

Peter: I said try.

Laura: Mmmm-hmm. Well my suggestion was purely out of the goodness of my heart, not to try and sneak my cop friend around you.

Peter: Well, how about I stay home for a few days and you spend time getting to know him a bit better? It's not like Cora or Derek need a babysitter.

Laura: I think that's a fair proposition. I'll see if he's free.