darkest timeline } { of clearing the air and hot dates

[braveandstupid]

Elena: [it's a quiet night at the Mystic Falls transplant house. Caroline and Tyler are out on a date, Bonnie and Matt are off at the Abattoir, and Elena is home, helping her new feline friend adjust. She wishes she could say she was surprised when she went to the shelter and there Barry was. she would have thought that another family would have adopted him, but since they hadn't, Elena made up for that mistake. She's currently perched on the couch, watching as Barry investigates his new place, and enjoys a glass of wine. She won't deny that she's been off-center ever since her memories came back, trying to adjust to the new world she's living in, but Caroline and Bonnie helped. Now she just has to figure out the rest]

Peter: [and he will arrive at the house, taking a deep breath before ringing the doorbell. He's been to this home more times than he can count, but this time feels different. They are different. But they can still find a way to work together, he's certain of that.]

Elena: [frowns when she hears the doorbell, before getting up and heading to the door. Pushing up on her toes, she checks the peephole. Seeing Peter on the other side, she hesitates, unsure of why he's here, but eventually she swallows and opens the door. Better to get into this sooner rather than later] Peter. Hi.

Peter: Hello. I know it's unannounced, but if you have time, I'd like for us to talk.

Elena: Yeah, sure. [she steps back and holds the door open] C'mon in. I hope you're not allergic to cats.

Peter: No, but cats tend to not like wolves. [he enters] When did you get a cat?

Elena: Very recently. But this cat was in a shelter run by a werewolf, so I think he's used to them. [she closes the door behind him, but in the spirit of honesty] Technically, in the other timeline, he was Derek's therapy cat. I was going to take him before we decided to time travel, but since Derek wasn't here to adopt him in this timeline, I decided I would. [then a pause as she gestures for him to have a seat in the living room] Is that weird?

Peter: No, I don't believe so. [and he'll sit] You cared for my nephew greatly, didn't you?

Elena: I did. [it was more than that, but as much as she wants to reach out and try to pull him back in, she knows she can't] I ... worked really hard to earn his trust and be his friend, and he was a good friend to me, even before it became more than that. And I really miss him but I can't force him to be my life again so ... adopting his cat. Feels like meeting in the middle.

Peter: [nods] I think you should know about the effects your warnings had on him. You can already see that there is a difference.

Elena: [nods] He really seems a lot better. Stiles mentioned that things are complicated with his mom but ... still a lot better than the situation he was in before. And I'm happy for him. He deserved the second chance.

Peter: From what I now remember of your trip, I agree. But you should know that he's been isolated in Beacon Hills until the last year or so. With Cora moving to New York with me, and Laura continuing to pursue her medical degree, he was the only member of the pack that stayed with Talia. After their father passed, the two of them existed in what is probably an unhealthy set of attachment issues. For all intents and purposes, he hasn't had a life.

Elena: [she nods] Yeah, but he can ... hold eye contact. Hold a conversation. Probably hang out in an elevator or have other people touch him without freaking out. [she's not saying that he should be in that situation forever, but ... well, baby steps.] Not the same, I know, but still.

Peter: I do know he hasn't been in a relationship since Paige, who left him after that night. So, if you wish to get to know him further, you'll have to be patient.

Elena: I can do that. [she's the bastion of patience] But I'd also get if this is too weird for him. [she'd even settle for being his friend, if he was okay with that, but the ball is in Derek's court in that respect]

Peter: That you would need to talk to him personally about. Something you can't do sitting here with your guilt therapy cat.

Elena: Harsh. [she makes a face as she reaches for her wine glass] But fair. [she'll get there eventually. She was possibly going to let Stiles feel him out first and see how receptive he was, but that's probably not why Peter's here] I also get the feeling you didn't come here to talk about Derek.

Peter: No. I came here to talk about us. [he leans forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped] If you wish to have someone else at the precinct become your main handler, so to speak, I would understand.

Elena: No, I don't. [as long as Peter doesn't find it weird, she doesn't want to break in a new cop] The only other person I would feel comfortable enough to do that with is Detective Esposito so it's not like I would be going very far. We'd still be dealing with each other anyway.

Peter: Yes, well, my partner has other people in my life on his mind, so I'll be greedy and remain your contact. [smiles]

Elena: [she does her best not to give anything away on her face. she just takes a long sip of her wine to cover her suspicions before nodding] Works for me.

Peter: But with that settled, I'll let you get back to your evening.

Elena: [nods as she gets up to walk him out] Have you talked to Freya?

Peter: Not since that night. I'm still debating on how to handle that.

Elena: [nods] Freya ... is complicated. But the you she loved was a lot different than the you here. I don't think she'd hold it against you, but ... limbo is worse.

Peter: Well, I haven't dated since Malia's mother and i broke up. Focused more on the girls than me. [shrugs] Who knows. Sometimes the world gives you a course correction to push you back to where it wanted you to be.

Elena: [nods] It's your choice. She won't want it if it isn't real.

Peter: [nods] I'm sure you feel the same. [smiles] He's here the rest of the week. Stiles and Cora know his schedule, so check with one of them.

Elena: I'll do that.

Peter: Well, always nice to see you, but as always, I hope I don't see you again soon. [he winks, then heads out]

Elena: [laughs as she lets him go. As he makes his way out, however, he'll cross paths with a dark-haired woman about his age. Her scent is close enough to Elena's to be familiar, but not at the same time. As they brush past each other, her eyes follow him as she continues to her daughter's apartment, but otherwise doesn't acknowledge him.]

Peter: [and he notes that and his eyes turn to take her in. He'll stop to watch her, not moving in her direction or speaking, but sending a quick text to Elena about if she has an older sister.]

Elena: [frowns and is about to say no when Isobel actually arrives and she sends off a quick response] No, that's my biological mother.

Peter: Everything ok?

Elena: [it comes later, as they need to disagree for a bit first, but she does respond:] Everything's fine, she just has concerns about how I handle my abilities. And since she's in town with Damon, she's taking the opportunity to be in my business about everything.

Peter: Well, call if you need me.

Elena: I will. Enjoy the rest of your night. [and with that, Peter is free to return home to the surprise nephew in his apartment]

Peter: [which he will and he will totally agree to it if Laura is willing to go back to Beacon Hills with Talia]

Laura: [definitely, but please wait to discuss this with her until after her date]

Esposito: [yes, because he's been waiting for this, and might have a single rose for her]

Laura: [oh, that is very sweet. It will get him a bit smile as she takes it from him] I love roses. Thank you.

Esposito: You're welcome. So, do you have someplace you prefer, or should I surprise you?

Laura: Surprise me. You know New York better than I do.

Esposito: Alright. Hope you like spicy foods. [and off they will go to Gonzalaz y Gonzalaz, where's it's also got live salsa music at the restaurant]

Laura: I love spicy food. [and dancing, so this is about to work out well] Do you come here a lot?

Esposito: Yeah. Some of the regulars are from where I grew up.

Laura: [she nods, because it's good to have places like that. Fancy restaurants are great, but they lack character at the end of the day] So you'll know what's good then?

Esposito: Everything's good, girl.

Laura: So what I'm hearing is I should try everything.

Esposito: Not everything. Need a reason to bring you back, after all.

Laura: Okay. Then maybe we should order your top two and share?

Esposito: I can do that. [and once they get a table, he will put in the order, not needing a menu] What do you want to drink?

Laura: [grabs a menu as she asks] Do they have any specialty drinks?

Esposito: [and he will point out two options] Or you can just get a coronoa and tequila.

Laura: [weighs her options] I think I'll have the mojito.

Esposito: [the waiter nods, then leaves] So how've you been enjoying the city?

Laura: It's been good. I wish I had the time to see more but my sister has been seizing on every opportunity she can to drag me to her favorite spots.

Esposito: Then maybe you should stay a few days after your whole conference is over, ya?

Laura: [she shakes her head] I wish I could, but my mom needs me back home. My brother's been dealing with her solo for years while I got my degree so it's my turn to pick up the slack. We're hoping to arrange it so that he can stay for a while.

Esposito: So you can't both be here at the same time. That sucks.

Laura: It does. But he's barely gotten to have a life of his own, so it's a sacrifice I'm happy to make. Besides, I'm going to have to take her place one day, so it's probably time I started learning the ropes.

Esposito: So I guess after this week, I'll never see you again, eh?

Laura: I wouldn't say never. [she has a feeling there will be times when she can take a short break or they travel out here] But ... probably not frequently.

Esposito: Then I guess we'll have to make tonight something to remember for a long time.

Laura: I'd like that. [because she really likes him, even if their timing is completely off] I'm sorry the timing sucks.

Esposito: Eh, can't be helped. But we got tonight, so let's just enjoy it. [and their drinks arrive]

Laura: Sounds good to me. [she sips her drink as she leans back to take in the atmosphere] This really is a great place.

Esposito: Told you you'd like it. Sit back, drink a few, forget about how bad of a dancer you are...

Laura: [mock gasp, scandalized] Excuse me, do not impugn my dancing ability before you've even seen it.

Esposito: Oh, is that a challenge I hear?

Laura: I happen to be a fantastic dancer. Where do you think Malia got all her talent from? Not Peter. [that's mostly teasing, she hasn't seen her uncle dance in a while]

Esposito: Ha! Where do you think Peter met his ex-wife?

Laura: Yes, and I'm sure Corrine would agree with me.

Esposito: You're not giving your uncle enough credit. He was a king here, from what I heard. Worked at the bar right over there. Chicas were all over him, but Corrine... she just entranced him.

Laura: Really? [she leans back with a smirk] He never actually told me how they met.

Esposito: My papi got me a job as a busser here when I was sixteen. Your uncle just got here, needing a place to work that didn't ask too many questions. He learned quick how to mix drinks, and he was a charmer. Made more tips in a day than the others did in a week. Cora, she'd sit over in that booth [he points to one right next to the bar] and do her homework before the place got packed. Couple months in, Corrine showed up with a buncha girls graduating from grad school. For what I heard, they made a bet on who'd convince the bartender to take them home. All I know is Peter paid me fifty to take Cora home and babysit her that night. After that, those two were unseperateble. Until, well, they were.

Laura: [nods as she considers that] Yeah, I think once Malia came into the picture, things were always bound to get complicated. But he really likes the life he's built here. That's why I can't let him give it up either.

Esposito: He's a good man. Takes care of his people, and loves those two little girls... well, one not so little. When I got out of the rangers, he convinced me to be a cop. He was working in some crime lab by then.

Laura: Sounds like he's been looking out for you for a while.

Esposito: Yeah. He said I reminded him of Derek. I think he shifted some of that onto me. When my papi died, it helped, having that.

Laura: Then I'm glad you had him. And that he had you.

Esposito: [he sips from his beer and nods, and then the food is there, because mexican food is always cooked and served fast]

Laura: [yes and she will enjoy all of it, because it is delicious and there will be many compliments to the chef.]

Esposito: [And then there will be some hot salsa dancing after because the music is ON tonight]

Laura: [yes, and it turns out she can dance! not necessarily an award winning salsa dancer, but by virtue of her werewolf grace, she manages to keep up pretty well]

Esposito: [and so can he, and they can get all nice and sweaty, the crowd getting bigger and pushing them in nice and close, a sea of young, hot bodies sliding along each other]

Laura: [which she's certainly not complaining about because it's a nice body to be pushed against, if only they were in a much less public setting, but she will enjoy the closeness all the same, shifting her stance so that they can save as much space as possible]

Esposito: [and when he's drunk enough to be brave, he'll ask--loudly--] You wanna get outta here?

Laura: [yes, she very much does] Yeah, let's go. [though she'll want to double check before they get too crazy, given how soon she's going to be gone]

Esposito: [nope, he is a live for the moment type, and will just happily go with the flow]

Laura: [yep, but they will pay their tab and gather their things and once they make it outside to the fresh air she will pull him to the side as they wait for their ride or whatever it is they need to do. And once they're both steady, she'll push up on her toes and kiss him - a small chemistry check to ensure that the rest of the evening will likely be enjoyable]

Esposito: [oh yeah, he's drunk, but not that drunk and he will kiss her back eagerly]

Laura: [oh no, this is really nice and only going to make this that much harder to leave, but she also really wants to so, when she breaks the kiss to catch her breath] Are you sure? Since I'm going to be gone soon.

Esposito: Better to long and remember, than abstain and wonder

Laura: [smiles a bit at that, before nodding] Okay. But we have to go to your place unless you want to meet my mom.

Esposito: My place it is. [and off they go to have hot sex all night long]