salvatore school } { of road trips and prying questions

[vampireboulevard]

Caroline: [one of the handy things about having a member of the prestige werewolf packs on staff is that it brings a lot of credibility to the school. The downside is that Caroline occasionally has to prove he exists and isn't just false advertising. So Caroline rolls her suitcases to the car for another work trip and glances up as she hears him approaching] Ready to go?

Derek: [and he's carrying a duffle in one hand, a suit bag flung over his shoulder with the other] I guess. I wasn't sure if I needed casual or business, so I packed both.

Caroline: This pack can be a little bougie so that's probably smart. I'm expecting at least one fancy dress event.

Derek: My mom always told me to be prepared.

Caroline: So did mine. But she usually meant pepper spray. [smirk]

Derek: [chuckles] I didn't have to worry about that a lot after my first shift. Though my uncle was particularly evil in teaching me all the reasons to carry a condom.

Caroline: [she laughs] God, my mom tried to give me the sex talk, but was so awkward about it, I had to gently break the news to her my dad's long-term boyfriend had already given it to me a year earlier.

Derek: Was she relieved after that?

Caroline: Yes and no? I think she was glad she didn't have to talk about it but didn't really like that I felt comfortable enough to go to the man my dad left her for about it.

Derek: Understandable.

Caroline: [nods as she starts loading things into the car] We struggled a lot when I was younger. It's weird, when I became a vampire is when we actually started to get close.

Derek: My mom and I were always close. When she died... there's a pain a pack feels when their alpha dies. For me, it was also my mother so it felt like my heart was ripped out of my body.

Caroline: I'm sorry. My mom was just a regular mom and I already couldn't handle losing her.

Derek: She's still around, right?

Caroline: [pauses and shakes her head] No. She passed a few years ago. Cancer.

Derek: Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know.

Caroline: It's okay. I don't really talk about it. [mostly because she's not really proud of how she handled it. suitcase goes in the trunk and she nods to the back seat as she reaches for the suit bag] I can hang that in the back seat if you want.

Derek: Yeah, probably a good idea. Can't let your token werewolf appear in a wrinkled suit.

Caroline: [smirks as she takes the bag and goes to hang it up, before they get too far down sad parent lane. Because talking about her mom would inevitably mean talking about her dad, and that's a much harder pill to talk about. Once the bag is stowed away and the rest of Derek's luggage is in the trunk, she slides into the driver's seat. Once he joins her:] So I have snacks, drinks, and other assorted road goodies. Just don't grab from the red cooler because that's the Vampires Only selection.

Derek: [snickers as he buckles up] And here I was thirsty for an O-neg.

Caroline: Well, you would be sorely disappointed, because my favorite is actually B-Positive. [get it, get it?]

Derek: Well, you'll have to pull over at the next blood bank for a withdrawal.

Caroline: [laughs] Guess so. [and she goes to set up her console map and start the car] Anything else before we leave?

Derek: Music. We need to decide that now before we start, otherwise we'll end up annoying each other later.

Caroline: Well, I have three dedicated road trip playlists. [she opens the phone and pulls them up before handing them off to him to browse]

Derek: [and he will take her phone and thumb through them, wrinkling his nose at half the songs] You really enjoy your female power anthems.

Caroline: Obviously. I was a child of the early 2000s, they were at their peak.

Derek: [sighs, and just decides on one that at least has some classic rock in it]

Caroline: [smirks] Excellent choice. [because she's totally going to sing along as they drive. and she's got a pretty good voice]

Derek: [which will make it a bit better.] You have a nice voice

Caroline: [her smile widens] Thanks. I don't get to do it often. At least, not for other people.

Derek: So no karaoke parties for the kids?

Caroline: I'm not really the star of those. But Josie's getting pretty good. She's a little shy, but I think she got a bit of the musical bug.

Derek: You might need to start a theatre club to encourage her along.

Caroline: We're already working on a talent show, much to Ric's dismay.

Derek: Are you making him sing? [grins]

Caroline: [laughs] No. But some students believe themselves to be more talented than they actually are.

Derek: You may want to ban recording devices from the auditorium. Keep the bad ones from appearing on YouTube.

Caroline: I'll do my best.

Derek: Can the witches use their magical talents in this show?

Caroline: We're still working out the format. Ric had ideas of having each faction have an act. Limit the need for try outs and such.

Derek: What about individual groups within the fractions?

Caroline: I don't know. As I said, it's still in the planning stages.

Derek: Well, I won't be of much help, I'm afraid. I'm more of a jock than an artist.

Caroline: That's fine. Though if you'd like to put your jock talents to use, I'm sure the kids would appreciate someone who could help them be successful with sports without standing out too much? We have this regular touch football game with the local high school, and Ric tends to have them lose for obvious reasons. It'd be nice if they got to win sometimes.

Derek: I could do that. Basketball is more my sport, but the idea on how to contain oneself works for all efforts.

Caroline: Yes. Exactly. And touch football is touch football. It's easy not too intensive.

Derek: Oh, come on, it's teenagers trying to impress their peers. It's very intensive.

Caroline: I mean, physically. It's not like they're playing tackle football and we have to worry about concussions and broken arms.

Derek: True.

Caroline: But yeah. I think having a sports person who actually wants them to succeed will be good for them.

Derek: I'll see what I can do.

Caroline: Good. I think you're doing really well with the wolves by the way. I know you're not technically their alpha, but ... taking that role out of the student's hands is probably for the best.

Derek: They're good kids.

Caroline: They are. But power struggles can get a little ... intense. And whatever future alphas may be in that pack could use someone to learn from when it comes to being a good one.

Derek: [snorts] I was a horrible alpha in my short tenure.

Caroline: They can learn from your mistakes then. There aren't exactly a lot of werewolf alphas left - at least for our kind of wolf.

Derek: I just wish I could be of more help during the full moon.

Caroline: I think we all wish that. I still remember the first time i actually watched what they went through. It was horrifying.

Derek: I've been thinking about inviting the Beacon Hills alpha out as a guest speaker. He's not that much older than them and knows what it's like not to have control.

Caroline: That would be great. The more positive werewolf role models the better.

Derek: Scott oozes positivity. Like a puppy on a sugar high.

Caroline: [laughs] I like him already.

Derek: He's hard not to like. [rubs the back of his neck] That kid's probably the main reason I'm not dead or evil, to be honest.

Caroline: Oh really? [please, tell her more. she's happy to have unlocked your backstory and they have a long car ride]

Derek: After I got my blue eyes, the world just seemed colder. There was a part of me always in pain, angry at myself for what I did. After Mom died, it only got worse. Then when my sister was murdered by my uncle, a sociopath, for the record, everything just compacted. I killed him, thinking the world would be better but... [he just stares out the window] Anyway, I still let the anger and fear guide me as an alpha, thinking I was protecting people, but it just seemed like I made things worse.

Caroline: Anger and fear are hard things to break free of. I've done a lot of things out of fear that I shouldn't have. But the important thing is that we can change.

Derek: [nods] Only if we want to.

Caroline: Yeah. And sometimes half the battle of wanting to is realizing that it's an option. Especially when you're as young as these kids are. I know the werewolves, especially - a lot of the people they killed to trigger their curses were accidents. But that's a lot of guilt to put on a kid.

Derek: I know.

Caroline: [she nods] Anyway. All this to say, I think you're fitting in really well.

Derek: [smiles at that, but still looking out the window, lost in his thoughts] Thanks.

Caroline: [and there will be more driving and more singing until they arrive at the admittedly fancy hotel where they'll be spending the weekend]

Derek: [and he will grab the bags and her suitcase because he's a gentleman like that, and follow her to their room]

Caroline: [which is a very nice suite so they can both have their privacy, and she'll reach out to take her bags from him when they get there] Thanks.

Derek: No problem. So which room do you want?

Caroline: [she shrugs, no preference] I go right, you go left?

Derek: sounds good.

Caroline: [nods] So dinner with the Kirsanovs is at seven and it's just downstairs, but until then you're free to explore. There's a pool, a gym, a nice little town square - whatever you like.

Derek: I think I may just take a nap. We can explore later.

Caroline: Okay. Then we'll be ready to go, six-thirty?

Derek: Six thirty. Is this the fancy dress or the business casual?

Caroline: Business casual. It's just Victor and his second. Tomorrow is the big formal event that involves networking. [which she has a feeling won't be his favorite thing]

Derek: [takes a deep breath] Alright. [he'll deal.]

Caroline: We won't have to stay long. And it's here in the hotel, so if you want to slip away, you don't have to go far. We don't have to drive or anything.

Derek: I'll be fine. I just may need to take a good run afterwards.

Caroline: Fair enough. [she steps back towards her room again] So, see you at six-thirty?

Derek: Yup. [and he'll close the door to just relax, trying to refocus and mentally prepare himself for meeting another alpha. The last alpha he met was Hope's mother. He also texted Scott to let him know he was meeting with another alpha for the school, just in case his true alpha senses picked up his nerves.]

Caroline: [and she'll take a bath and go over her notes on Victor and all that jazz, just trying to keep her mind fresh and ready to go. And once she's done, she'll get dressed and do her makeup and make her way out into the common area]

Derek: [and he'll be waiting there, making sure his shoes are tied. He's wearing a cranberry sweater with thumbholes and black pants. He didn't bother to shave, since he'll just have scruff against ten minutes later.]

Caroline: [and she's got her usual jewel tones and dress pants, and she glances over to him with a smile] Ready to go?

Derek: [he will look up and smile at her] Yeah. You look amazing.

Caroline: [her head ducks with a wide smile] Thanks. You look pretty good yourself.

Derek: Thanks. [and he will go to open the door for her]

Caroline: [and they will head out to the elevator and down to the restaurant where they're meeting the Kirsanovs] Do you have any questions about the pack before we go?

Derek: Well, I can tell from the name that they are Russian in origin. My mother knew about them, but since they were in New York and we were in California, there wasn't any interactions between our packs.

Caroline: [she nods] Old money family. For all intents and purposes, generally a nice guy. Nothing in the reports brought up any red flags.

Derek: What are their names?

Caroline: Victor and Leah. Victor is the alpha, Leah is his wife. She's a turned beta, and his second.

Derek: So be polite and no hitting on the second. Got it. [smirks]

Caroline: [she laughs] Please don't. Definitely would be in poor taste.

Derek: Well, wolves are affectionate by nature. You just need to know what lines you can't go over.

Caroline: Is that so? [she raises an eyebrow]

Derek: You've never noticed how the werewolves group stay physically close together, touch each other when giving support? Plus, the couples with one wolf, one non-wolf tend to be way more affectionate than those with no wolves.

Caroline: [she thinks back on her previous wolf relationships and ...] I just thought it was because we were super horny teenagers with hormones on speed.

Derek: Nope. We like cuddles. We just don't say it aloud to make us look weak.

Caroline: [smirks] I guess that explains a lot about Tyler.

Derek: I will leave that revelation all to you.

Caroline: He's been gone for a long time, sadly. [and she misses him. every day]

Derek: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories.

Caroline: [shakes her head] No, it's okay. It was a long time ago. [a beat as she looks over at him] He would have liked you though. And he would be glad that the werewolves had people to help them.

Derek: [and he gives her a small, embarrassed smile at that] Well, I do try.

Caroline: That's all he would ask of you.

Derek: That, and I'm sure to make sure I'm impressive so you can get what you want.

Caroline: [laughs] Oh, he knows me well enough to know that even if you weren't, I'd find a way to get it anyway.

Derek: Oh, so I don't actually have to be here.

Caroline: Well, if I wanted to work really, really hard.

Derek: [laughs] Fine, I'll stay and make it easier on you.

Caroline: Your sacrifice is appreciated. [and the elevator dings and they step off to head to the restaurant]

Derek: [and he will be keeping a nose out for the smell of wolf]

Caroline: [and as they make their way in, he'll find it, hanging off to his right. There's a table for four with a pair of wolves sitting at it, one blond, broad man who clearly reads alpha, and another dark-haired woman and they seem to be having a rather close conversation]

Derek: [and he will nod his head toward the table, and then escort Caroline there, still on his arm]

Caroline: [nods to follow and when they get there, Victor and Leah will notice them and Victor will get up with a smile]

Victor: Ms. Forbes, I presume?

Caroline: It's so nice to finally meet you, Mr. Kirsanov.

Victor: Victor, please. [he shakes her hand before turning to Derek] And you're Derek Hale.

Derek: [nods] Yes, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you. [Talia taught him manners]

Victor: Pleasure to meet you as well. I was fond of your mother. She had style. [he nods as he gestures for them all to sit] And this is my wife, Leah.

Leah: Nice to meet you both.

Derek: She did. Though a horrible taste in tea. [and he'll pull back the chair for Caroline, getting her settled before sitting himself]

Victor: [shakes his head] Satomi tried to get me to drink that stuff once. Couldn't do it.

Derek: [chuckles] It would stink the whole house up. [he tilts his head] You've been to Beacon Hills before?

Victor: Not Beacon Hills directly, no. But there was a summit in Los Angeles a few years before she died. My father had just passed and I was coming into my paws, so to speak, but she was very kind about it. Kept some of the more questionable alphas off my back.

Derek: I remember her going to that. I had a basketball tournament game that weekend.

Victor: She was a good woman. I liked her a lot.

Derek: [and he'll just nod, a sad smile before he schools his features back to cheerful] She had to have taken a liking to you too, if she kept the alpha pack off your back.

Victor: [he nods] It also helped that I wasn't really anything special. My family line isn't really known for any special alpha gifts.

Derek: Ours didn't either. Unless you call patience a gift.

Victor: [eyebrows go up] That's not as I understood it.

Derek: The gift you're talking about... that's not something you gain just by being an alpha.

Victor: No, but it is unique that multiple wolves in your line have achieved it.

Derek: It's not a pleasant experience to go through, though. I wouldn't recommend it.

Victor: Oh, I doubt I'd ever have any reason to achieve it.

Caroline: [is confused, and doesn't know if it's polite to ask]

Derek: [notices that] The wolves you're used to can fully shift on the full moon. That's a rare gift in my wolf species. My mother could do it any time she wanted, and there's no pain involved. Just... a lot of nudity.

Caroline: Oh. Like the Crescent pack?

Victor: [frowns] In New Orleans?

Caroline: [nods] Hayley Marshall, the current alpha, was a hybrid when she took part in this fancy alpha marriage ceremony that allows the alphas to share the gifts of their bloodlines with their packs. As a result, most of them can control when they turn or don't. They still have to do their first turning, but after that, they only turn when they want to.

Derek: Kinda. Only with us, it's a personal journey one takes--sometimes doing so without knowing that they are on the path.

Caroline: That's very interesting to know.

Victor: So how are our two species blending at the school? I know you don't have many wolves like us yet, but you're looking to change that?

Caroline: We want to give as many supernatural students as we can a place to feel safe.

Derek: Since they all go through a period of learning to keep themselves in control, being able to commiserate and get suggestions from the other species’ issues has made some headway into both control and interpersonal relationships.

Victor: That is very good to hear. I'll admit, I've been curious, but given as I have no children yet, I haven't really looked in as much as I should have.

Derek: I'm sure, if you want, you could come out and give a guest lecture to them. I think they're getting bored of listening to me talk all the time.

Victor: Oh really? Would I have to have the topic prepared in advance?

Derek: Probably. I actually don't know the protocol for guest lecturers... [looks at Care]

Caroline: Yes, but we could discuss it beforehand and see what would be the best option.

Victor: [nods] I'll consider it.

Derek: Good. [and he's drawing a blank on what else to talk about]

Caroline: [and they'll fill the time with the business talk]

Leah: [at some point, when things are getting too dull, she will reach over for Derek's hand] Help me get another round of drinks?

Derek: Sure. [and he will give a quick look to Victor, because Leah's his mate.]

Victor: [nods and waves them off. It's not like they're going that far]

Leah: [and she will lead the way over to the bar] Once they get too far into the business weeds, interesting conversation kind of goes out the window.

Derek: True. And I'm not really a big conversationalist.

Leah: So the literal opposite of him then. [she says with all the fondness in the world] You'd probably get along with his brother, Nik. He tends to be more in favor of the comfortable silences.

Derek: Yeah, probably. My sister Cora is also this way.

Leah: Does she live with you in Mystic Falls?

Derek: No. Not yet. She's waiting for her boyfriend to finish college in Boston, then she's thinking about trying to move here.

Leah: A boyfriend that will probably eventually be more than a boyfriend?

Derek: [sighs] Yeah. He's good for her, but he's very annoying.

Leah: [laughs] Maybe he'll grow out of it?

Derek: I hope and pray every single day.

Leah: But having her close will be good? Even with the obvious growing pains?

Derek: It will. She's the only family I have left. Well, her and Peter.

Leah: Victor's mentioned him. He found him ... particular.

Derek: Peter is a recovering sociopath. Or, just a sociopath in general. Can you recover from sociopathy?

Leah: The working theory is no, but the human brain is a crazy place.

Derek: Well, he's currently working with Scott instead of trying to kill him, so that's an improvement.

Leah: Always a step in the right direction. [their drinks arrive and she gestures for Derek to take his and Caroline's]

Derek: Just hoping he stays that way. [and he'll grab the drinks and follow her back, handing Caroline hers before sitting down]

Caroline: [flashes him a smile as she takes it] Thank you.

Leah: So how much money has she talked you out of?

Victor: A reasonable amount.

Leah: Mmmm-hmmm.

Derek: But it's for a good cause.

Victor: It is. Therefore, worth spending.

Derek: Cheers then, for the future of the school. [and he will lift his beer mug]

Caroline: [and they will enjoy their drinks and chat some more, and will eventually be released back into their evenings]

Derek: [and when they get to the lobby, he'll look out the door] Want to go for a walk?

Caroline: [glances back over her shoulder before nodding] Sure. I could walk a bit.

Derek: [and he will go to open the door for her, and they can find a park to go walk in]

Caroline: [and it's a lovely night, and Caroline will look up at the stars as they go] The sky here is so clear.

Derek: It is. Not as clear as the preserve back in Beacon Hills, but pretty damn close.

Caroline: You must miss it.

Derek: I do. But more the people who made it home than the town itself.

Caroline: Well, your sister's moving out soon, isn't she?

Derek: She's actually in Boston right now. She doesn't have the same ties to the town I do.

Caroline: Oh. I meant to Mystic Falls.

Derek: I know. But I'm thinking about the rest of my family that I lost.

Caroline: [she nods] It's hard being alone. The last one left.

Derek: For awhile, after hunters killed my older sister, Laura... I thought I was the only one.

Caroline: It's the worst. [and she's still dealing with it, even if she has her girls, they're still not hers, not completely. She's still the last Forbes] I'm sorry you had to go through that. But I'm glad you found your sister.

Derek: She actually found me, and came back to be in my pack... back when I was alpha. That's how she met the boyfriend.

Caroline: Sounds like things really worked out for her, then.

Derek: When she wasn't dying, yeah.

Caroline: [her eyebrows go up] Dying?

Derek: [nods] You remember Victor bringing up how my mom shielded him from certain alphas?

Caroline: [she nods] You mentioned something about an alpha pack?

Derek: Yeah. Five alphas who killed their entire packs to gain some super-alpha status. The leader of them, Deucalion, wanted me to join them. I said no, but they didn't take that for an answer. Meanwhile, my girlfriend at the time turned out to be a darac, and poisoned Cora with mistletoe to manipulate me to fight at her side.

Caroline: Yeah, that sounds on par with Mystic Falls terrible. [she makes a face] She's okay now though?

Derek: Yeah, but it was touch and go. [he massages his right wrist] I don't like being used. When Peter and I knew we weren't getting a cure for her, I remembered a legend about how an alpha can heal one of their pack, but it comes with a big cost.

Caroline: What kind of cost?

Derek: The alpha power. I burned it out of me by taking all her pain. Plus it drained me completely - I couldn't even stand on my own after it.

Caroline: But you saved your sister.

Derek: Yes, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I just felt... lost after that.

Caroline: Kind of like a loss of purpose?

Derek: Kind of. But also, I just didn't feel completely right. I burnt away the spark my mother had for so long. I wasn't even sure who I wanted to be anymore.

Caroline: Are you figuring it out?

Derek: For the most part. [and he gives her a smile] There's just a few things left to put into place.

Caroline: And what are those?

Derek: [laughs] Personal things.

Caroline: [laughs] Okay, fair enough. I just tend to be a highly-motivated, checklist-oriented person.

Derek: This is more a "I'll know it when it happens" thing

Caroline: Got it. I was never really good at those.

Derek: There's only a few surprises life can actually give you.

Caroline: I never really liked surprises.

Derek: So don't spring anything on you spontaneously

Caroline: Side effect of people trying to kill me too many times. And one time actually succeeding, obviously.

Derek: [snorts] Obviously.

Caroline: And then the whole magically winding up pregnant thing pretty much killed surprises forever.

Derek: ....... Hold on, what?

Caroline: Oh, yeah, we haven't talked about this yet. [she nods] So I got turned when I was seventeen, way before I had my daughters. But I just happened to be the nearest adjacent womb when Ric's wife was murdered at her own wedding, and her coven magically transplanted the twins into me.

Derek: ... I take it they aren't big on consent.

Caroline: There wasn't really a lot of time, but no. They really weren't. They even have this fun ritual where one of the twins will have to absorb the other when they turn twenty-two that Ric and I are currently trying to find a way around.

Derek: Would it still work if one of them was turned?

Caroline: I don't know but I'm not going to force that on them. There has to be another way.

Derek: No, it'd have to be their choice. Most alphas I know won't just bite people without a real reason.

Caroline: Oh, I don't know if being a werewolf would do it either. I feel like it'd have to be ... a vampire.

Derek: Yeah, I don't think either of your daughters would enjoy the vampire life.

Caroline: They might. I mean ... I like who I am as a vampire better than who I was as a human. But it needs to be their decision when they're ready to do it. I don't want the choice stolen from them the way it was from me.

Derek: Well, they've got a few more years before it'll become a priority.

Caroline: Yeah. We have time to figure something out.

Derek: But that does explain why you and Ric aren't married with the kids.

Caroline: Yeah. Oh, God no. Ric was my teacher.

Derek: Please tell me you had graduated before the miracle pregnancy.

Caroline: I had. I was in college.

Derek: Good. Because that would have been very bad for both of you if he was still teaching you.

Caroline: Oh. Incredibly.

Derek: But it's good that things didn't get worse. They didn't get worse, right?

Caroline: I got married and widowed on the same day?

Derek: Tyler?

Caroline: No. Tyler and I were over long before that, though he did die shortly beforehand. [that was ... a year] No, his name was Stefan. He and his brother died to save the day.

Derek: I'm sorry. [and he'll reach out to take her hand, offering her some comfort]

Caroline: [she'll let him take it with a nod] It's rough, when a lot of your past relationships are dead. [when we get to that point in canon, eventually Matt will be the lone survivor.] But they were both good guys.

Derek: You got lucky then. I'm sure they both loved you dearly.

Caroline: [she nods slowly] Not enough to stay though. [Tyler didn't love her enough to choose her over Klaus, and Stefan didn't love her enough to just let Damon save the day. then she shakes her head] But you did not invite me on this walk for me to have a pity party.

Derek: No. But I think I've learned more about you tonight than I have since I arrived in Mystic Falls.

Caroline: I try not to vomit all the crazy things that happened to me all over people I just met.

Derek: But now I've reached the point where you are comfortable vomiting all over me. I'm not sure if I like that. [laughs]

Caroline: [laughs] Well, the cocktails helped. But I can stop if you want. Or you can vomit all over me if you'd rather we be even.

Derek: And ruin my reputation of being dark and broody?

Caroline: Maybe you're looking to turn over a new leaf?

Derek: Since you shared a lot, how about I give you three questions that I answer fully? [he's teasing, making himself sound like it's a big sacrifice]

Caroline: Are you sure you want to make this offer? Because I'm kind of professionally nosy.

Derek: Oh, now I am. [but he's smiling, amused]

Caroline: Okay. [and she turns back to the path, trying to figure out where to start] Question 1: what is the most ridiculous thing you've ever done to impress a potential significant other?

Derek: Hmm. Take on two of my betas who lost control during a full moon in the broiler room of the high school to keep them from killing her I think is high up there.

Caroline: Yeah, that's ... why was she in the broiler room?

Derek: It doubled as the supply room.

Caroline: Oh. So she was down there for supplies and then the werewolves happened?

Derek: Well, we didn't know she was in there, and thought it would be a safe spot for them to wait out the night. Only after we locked them inside did I hear her heartbeat. I don't think letting my betas tear her apart is a good way of flirting.

Caroline: Probably not, it's true.

Derek: She helped clean my wounds later. Great first date, huh?

Caroline: [she laughs] I mean, it could have been worse.

Derek: She could have tried to kill me then?

Caroline: Would have probably saved you a lot of time.

Derek: She probably would have succeeded. Though my betas would not be happy.

Caroline: Then it's probably better that she didn't.

Derek: I believe so. [grins]

Caroline: Plus, if she killed you then, we never would have met. I think this is going pretty well.

Derek: That's true. I mean, I've really gotten to like the school and the kids.

Caroline: That's good. I'm glad you're happy here. Really.

Derek: Thanks. [and he licks his lips, not sure if he should tell her that he likes her too]

Caroline: [is not even thinking that because why would he? her life is too complicated for anyone to want to jump into]

Derek: [and he will see a cider and muffin food truck ahead.] Want some dessert?

Caroline: Yes, yummy. [and she will follow his lead]

Derek: [and he will order them ciders and cinnamon crumb muffins, then carefully hand her a cup] Careful, it's hot

Caroline: Just how I like it. [and she will take it from him and glance around, before pointing to an empty bench] Sit?

Derek: Sure. [and he will go sit with her, but it's a small bench so they are a tight fit]

Caroline: [she doesn't mind. he runs warm in comparison to the way she runs cold] So. More questions. [she mulls as she takes a sip of her cider]

Derek: You've got two, so use them wisely.

Caroline: If you could pick one place to spend the rest of your life, where would it be?

Derek: A house in the woods, like my family had. Less than an hour drive to town, but far enough out to have space. A big library attached with a skylight to bring in the sun and keep it warm.

Caroline: That sounds really nice.

Derek: It's how I grew up. It's like you own the entire forest, and it's your playground. My siblings and cousins... we'd run and climb and chase each other around until we were exhausted, then just all pile onto pillows and blankets by the fire to take a nap.

Caroline: Aww, that's cute. I, on the other hand, would probably lose my mind if was stuck in the woods that long.

Derek: It can get lonely sometimes. That's why it's not that far from town.

Caroline: It's just too much quiet. I, if you haven't noticed, need to be surrounded by people at all times.

Derek: Yeah, the point of living in the woods is the peace from the quiet. You'd never survive.

Caroline: I could visit though? I could totally handle like ... a week in the woods. Maybe.

Derek: [chuckles] Well, until you smart up and realize I have no idea what I'm doing, I'll be in Mystic Falls.

Caroline: [she nods, before turning and pointing] You would get along really well with my friend Elena. She'd be totally into the whole house full of books in the woods aesthetic.

Derek: Who wouldn't want their own library?

Caroline: See, that's exactly what she'd say. You'd be good friends when she finally moves back to Mystic Falls.

Derek: Where's she now?

Caroline: Indiana, learning how to doctor. She's going to restart her dad's old practice, but she needs the degree first.

Derek: Are you trying to set me up with a hot doctor?

Caroline: Oh, no. That would scuttle all the hard work I've been putting in with her and her hot med student friend. I just think she needs more friends outside of me and Bonnie who she can talk to about stuff and you're a good listener and have also done the whole "My life is a horror show and the person I loved spent most of our relationship fucking with my head" thing going for you.

Derek: [would point out that it happened more than once, but just sighs] Thanks.

Caroline: I'm kidding. You don't have to talk about that. But ... Elena's lost so much and she has a hard time making friends because of it. And you are new in town, therefore in need of friends. A match made in friend heaven.

Derek: Well, maybe our paths will cross during the holidays.

Caroline: Maybe! She should be back for Christmas.

Derek: I still need to check with my sister on what we're doing.

Caroline: Well, if you're around I'll nudge her in your direction.

Derek: Alright. [and he finishes his muffin] One left.

Caroline: [leans back and sips her cider] Better make it a good one. [she's going to think on it a second]

Derek: Yeah. It might be the last thing you ever learn about me.

Caroline: Don't challenge me. I'm very good at getting things out of people. [pauses before turning back to face him] If there's anything you could do differently, what would it be?

Derek: [and he gets a serious look at that, then sighs and looks up at the stars.] That's a loaded question.

Caroline: I figured. [she follows his eyeline up] You don't have to answer if you don't want to.

Derek: No, I'm a man of my word. [he thinks. Would it be leaving Peter and Cora behind? Going to NY after Laura died. Dating Kate? Turning Boyd and Erica?] I wouldn't have asked an alpha to turn Paige.

Caroline: [she nods. that makes sense. Caroline has a lot of regrets, it's hard to find the biggest one] That's a good one.

Derek: I think it's the linchpin to everything bad that's happened to me and my family. If I had just trusted Paige to understand...

Caroline: Maybe things would have been different. [she nods] I have a lot of regrets but I don't think there's one moment that would fix all of them. A lot of them were happening, whether I wanted them to or not. [another beat as she considers] Actually, no. The lynchpin would be never meeting my best friends. And I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Derek: Mine would have saved a lot of lives, especially my family.

Caroline: [she nods] I can't blame you there.

Derek: [and he's going to finish his cider] Most of my recent issues have come from women I've been involved with. It makes a good case why I should never date again.

Caroline: Ah. Same thing with me and my significant others dying.

Derek: [laughs to himself] Imagine if we dated. It's almost certain that you'd end up killing me somehow.

Caroline: [she laughs as well, before nodding. That self-deprecating humor comes into play] If that's the case, then we probably shouldn't risk it. Better to stay friends. [even if she really likes him]

Derek: Especially since it would be me dying. [but his voice is hinting that he's of the opposite opinion]

Caroline: And then I would be right back to where I started trying to find werewolf teachers.

Derek: Well, I'm pretty sure that won't be a big worry since my uncle and sister would probably try and kill you in revenge.

Caroline: [she winces] Honestly, I'd probably deserve it.

Derek: So no matter how nice it might be, we just keep it professional.

Caroline: [she nods] Probably for the best.

Derek: [oh good, she didn't notice him saying how he thought them dating would be nice. He sighs in relief, glad his slip went over her head] We should probably head back.

Caroline: [she did notice, but she didn't think he was serious. instead she nods] Yeah, probably a good idea. Tomorrow's going to be long and fancy.

Derek: [so he'll stand up, offering her a hand]

Caroline: [and she will take it, letting him lead the way back to the hotel]

Derek: [and when they get to their room, he will head towards his room, then hesitate.] Tonight was nice.

Caroline: Yeah, it was.

Derek: Maybe we could do it again before we go. Just, enjoy the city and the night sky.

Caroline: I think that could be arranged.

Derek: [smiles] Good.

Caroline: Good. [and she will turn back towards her room] Sleep well.

Derek: Goodnight, Caroline. [and he will go into his room and as he closes it, he takes a deep breath and lets it out. His heart is racing because that was close to saying his real feelings]

Caroline: [and she will take her own deep breath and try and get ready for bed, definitely not thinking about that conversation over and over again until she passes out]

Derek: [nope, not replying in his head either]