darkest timeline } { of lost alphas and changing dynamics

[braveandstupid]

Elena: [it's been a long time since Elena's gone through a full banshee episode. One minute she's in radiology, waiting for patient scans to come back, the next, her throat aches with a fresh scream and she's in the darkness of Central Park, alone and in her scrubs. Her eyes fall naturally to the body next and the revulsion comes through her so quickly that she has to back away quickly, spilling whatever food is in her stomach and trying to do it far from the crime scene. She really had hoped she was done screaming for Hales, but apparently there was one more left for her to scream for.

Once she's rid herself of the weight in the pit of her stomach, she makes her way back and pats herself down, hoping she at least has her phone. There's a bunch of texts and missed calls, wondering where she's gone, and she ignores them for now and calls the only person she can think to call right now, and cross her fingers that Espo isn't with Laura]

Esposito: [nope, he is leaning against his car eating a taco from a nearby food truck, waiting for Ryan to rejoin him. When he hears the phone ring, he pulls it out and looks at the ID, then puts it to his ear] Everything okay, Elena?

Elena: Not really. Is Laura or Peter with you? [she doesn't want them to overhear this from someone talking on the phone]

Esposito: No, I'm with Ryan today. Why?

Elena: I found a body. [meaning she screamed for a body] It's Talia Hale.

Esposito: [there's a moment of silence as he takes this in, putting his food on the hood of the car] Is this in an it's about to happen scream, or the I'm in front of the dead body scream?

Elena: I'm in front of the dead body.

Esposito: [cursing in Spanish, waving Ryan over as he heads for the drivers side, tossing away the food] Where are you?

Elena: Central Park - looks like it's by the Columbus Street entrance? I'll drop you a pin.

Esposito: Alright. Stay there. [he debates a moment] We're only a few blocks away.

Elena: Okay. Get here soon. I'm not sure where they are. They might have heard me scream. [because, unfortunately, banshee screams carry further than normal human ones]

Esposito: On our way. [when Ryan gets in the car, he fills him in on what they are walking into as they drive, sirens and lights on full show]

Elena: [and Elena stands there and waits, but she does inch closer, trying to get an idea of what might have did this - but the body is a mess and there's so much blood that she can't get a clear look at any of the wounds]

Esposito: [and they arrive and he asks Ryan to set up a perimeter while he goes down to check the body. When he sees Elena, he moves next to her] Hey you alright?

Elena: [she nods, because yeah, while she's not great, she'll manage.] Thanks for coming.

Esposito: Always. [He pulls a pair of gloves from his inner jacket pocket, along with a pen. Crouching down, he does a quick exam of Talia Hale, whom he had never met.] You sure this is Peter's sister?

Elena: [she nods] We've met before. She's hard to forget.

Esposito: Shit. [he stands back up, pulls off the gloves and leaves them and the pen on the ground before guiding Elena back to where their squad car is.] I need to call this in. You can sit in the car and I can have Ryan get your statement once CSI is here.

Elena: [nods] I should let my boss know I'm okay. They know I'm a banshee, but I'm not sure how long it's been since i left the hospital. [then, after a beat] I also threw up, being that tree over there. Just in the interest of full disclosure. I tried to get as far from the body as I could.

Esposito: I'll make sure I have them know that. Do you need something to drink or eat?

Elena: [she shakes her head] I'm okay.

Esposito: [and he'll call it in, then lets his finger hover over the phone to call Peter, but no, this is something to do in person. So he waits until all the others arrive to check the scene, and after Ryan finishes getting her statement...] I'm going over to Peter's house to inform him, well, officially. They'll already know she died.

Elena: [she nods as she looks up from her phone] Can I go with you? [she may as well. she was there]

Esposito: Are you sure?

Elena: [she nods] I owe them that much. [it's not her fault, just because she screamed for her, but it's probably better if she doesn't make it seem like she's hiding from them]

Esposito: Ok. Let's swing by the station first and take quick showers. I'll grab you some sweats. [because they don't need to bring the scent of her blood and death into the house with them]

Elena: Good plan. [and she'll slide back into the car to let him drive]

Esposito: [and they will go and do that]

Laura: [and in the meantime, Laura is feeling off. Something is wrong, she can feel it in her gut, but it's not the right kind of wrong. There's what her instincts are trying to tell her but it's not matching up with what she knows should be true. She pushes up from the couch and wanders into the penthouse, wanting to see if anyone else here is feeling this deep sense of being severed from something]

Derek: [nope, she's not alone. He's sitting on the floor against the floor length living room window, staring out absently as his fist clenches and releases from where it's resting on top of his knee. Something hurts deep inside and he's not sure if it's his anxiety or something else. He doesn't even realize the few tears that have slipped free and left drying tracks on his cheek]

Laura: [she glances up at him as she walks in and frowns] You feel it too?

Derek: [he nods, not looking over at her] Something's wrong.

Laura: [she nods] Cora's out. Is Peter here?

Derek: I don't think so. He said he'd be home by dinner.

Laura: [and she'll go grab her phone to text him] Check on Malia?

Derek: [he nods, pulling himself up off the floor and padding upstairs to his cousin's room]

Malia: [looks up at him when he gets to the door] Why am I sad?

Laura: [texts Peter] Where are you?

Derek: [and he'll shut the door and go over to her, pulling her into a hug] I don't know, kiddo. We're trying to find out. But right now you're safe, okay?

Peter: [he doesn't respond because he's frantically trying to find Talia because he has felt this before and he knows what it means and IT CAN'T BE HAPPENING]

Laura: [gdi Peter. When he doesn't respond, she will try calling]

Malia: [will just curl into him because she doesn't like it] Where's Dad?

Derek: He went out to work, I think. He'll be back soon. Want me to ready you a story while we wait?

Peter: [and he'll answer, out of breath] Are you okay?

Laura: Fine, mostly. But something feels off. Derek feels it too. Where are you?

Malia: [nods and just hands him her phone so he doesn't have to get up and move]

Peter: [he's outside the diner he was supposed to meet Talia for lunch, where her scent trail ends] I'm at Gertie's diner. Is Cora with you two?

Laura: No, she said she was going to Hal's.

Peter: Call her and tell her to go home immediately. She can bring Hal if she has to, but she needs to rejoin the pack. I'll be back soon, I promise.

Laura: What's wrong?

Peter: I'm not doing this over the phone. I'll explain when I get back. Just lock the doors, keep your brother inside and get Cora home.

Laura: ... Okay. Okay. [that's ... a lot but she will text Cora to tell her to come home, and after Cora agrees, she makes her way up to find Derek]

Derek: [and he's just sitting there reading with Malia off the phone, but will look up when she enters] Hey.

Laura: Hey. Peter will be back soon, and Cora's on her way home.

Derek: He tell you what might be causing this?

Laura: [she shakes her head] But I've never heard him like that before. [so something is very, very wrong]

Derek: ... Was Mom with him?

Laura: He didn't say.

Derek: [that doesn't make him feel any better. In fact, he feels worse. But he keeps it off his face for Malia's sake.] Oh.

Laura: [yeah, she's trying to do the same] Hey, Malia, why don't you head down to the theater room and pick a movie? Just until your dad gets back.

Malia: [she knows that voice. that's the "it's grown up talking time voice"] Yeah, okay. [and she'll slide off the bed to go pick a movie]

Derek: [and he'll hand Malia back her phone and sit up on the bed, trying not to freak out] It isn't getting better, Laura.

Laura: No, it's not. [she listens, waiting until Malia's out of earshot, before her eyes flash again and they're still beta gold] That has to mean something, doesn't it?

Derek: It means you're not the alpha. But that doesn't mean she's not hurt. [he bites his lip because he knows it's Mom. He knows the touch of her in his mind better than any of the others, and that's the spot suffering]

Laura: It means it's not over. [because other options aren't acceptable right now]

Derek: I'm scared.

Laura: Me too. But Peter'll be home soon, and we'll figure it out.

Derek: [nods. Then gets up to follow her out and wait for Cora and Peter to arrive] Should I call Stiles maybe? He might be able to magic up an answer.

Laura: [she nods] Yeah, sure. See what he can find out.

Cora: [and soon after, Cora will make her way back in] What's going on?

Derek: [and he will go off to text Stiles about what was going on and any insight he might have. When Cora arrives, he'll look over at her] Peter asked Laura to get us all together.

Cora: [her head tips, curious, before looking at her sister] Did he say why?

Laura: [shakes her head] But whatever it is, it did not sound good.

Peter: [and he will arrive right about then, ragged and out of breath, his eyes filled with fear and pain - something the kids have not seen in a long time] Is everyone here? All safe?

Laura: [she nods] Everyone but Mom.

Peter: [he takes a deep breath at that] I've look everywhere in the city for her I could think of, and I can't find her. She was supposed to meet me for lunch.

Cora: Where would she go?

Peter: I don't know. [he rubs at his face] I take it you're all feeling the same pain in your chest? Like something's wrong?

Derek: [nods]

Laura: [she and Cora nod as well, but Cora doesn't seem as bothered] You think that's Mom?

Peter: The last time I felt this way was when our parents were dying. [he looks at Laura] What do you feel?

Laura: [looks at Derek, before flashing her eyes. still gold] We just checked.

Peter: Then there's hope. We need to figure out what we're up against and a way to find her.

Laura: Maybe Stiles can do a locator spell? Or one of the Mikaelsons?

Derek: Stiles isn't answering my texts. I think he's at work right now.

Cora: [shifts to grab her phone] I'll ask Kol. [but as she does, there's a knock on the door]

Peter: [turns quickly, looking at the door nervously.] Who's there?

Derek: [stands and moves to join his sisters]

Elena: It's Elena. And Detective Esposito. [she feels weird saying it through the door, but Peter's clearly on high alert]

Peter: [and he closes his eyes, composing himself before he heads to the door. He knows. A banshee and his partner at the door together? It's obvious what they are there for, and he opens the door] Come on in.

Elena: [offers him a small smile, sad and apologetic around the eyes as she steps in, scanning the faces in the room. When they land on Derek, the look saddens even more, because she knows this feeling - she doesn't want to be the one to bring this to him, but she wouldn't have been able to forgive herself if she hid from it either]

Cora: [is also connecting the dots, and her eyes flicker to Laura, concerned. Laura doesn't seem to be putting two and two together quite yet, however]

Esposito: [yeah, this is a hard one. Not only is he telling his partner about his sister, but the victim is also the mother of his girl. It's easier to face Peter, so he focuses on him.] I'm sorry to inform you, but we found a body of a woman fitting your sister's description in an alley about ten blocks from here. She was attacked and already dead when I arrived on the scene.

Derek: [he refuses to believe it, but he knows it's true so he just closes his eyes and clenches his fists, resisting the urge to scream]

Peter: [and he nods, his face closing down to not betray his emotions] Okay.

Elena: [moves closer to Derek, reaching out for his hand, but also understanding if he wanted to keep his space] I'm so sorry.

Laura: [she shakes her head, closing her eyes as the denial hits her hard] No, it can't be. Because if she was dead, I would be an alpha and I'm not.

Peter: [and he looks at Espo, since he is the one who has the description.]

Esposito: [turning to face her] While CSI still needs to run their tests, from the looks of it, she was attacked by a clawed creature.

Laura: So she's not just dead, she was murdered. By another wolf. That's what you're saying. [she understands that he's just doing his job, and she's not making things easier, but in some ways she feels like the floor is falling out from under her. It's not just that her mother is dead, but that her birthright has been stolen too]

Derek: [and he will take her hand, squeezing it gently, but not able to speak right now]

Esposito: That's my guess. How many of those alphas from the summit stuck around after?

Cora: An alpha wouldn't. [she seems calm, more focused on the problem at hand] They wouldn't need it. Unless you're Deucalion, but he's not in town. We would have known. The wolf you're looking for would be an alpha now, but they would have started that fight as a beta. And there are a lot more of them in New York than there are alphas.

Elena: [that's okay. she squeezes back, lacing her fingers in his and holding on tight. she's not going anywhere]

Peter: I can probably narrow that down with some work. There's too many alphas already in the city so I new one would not be able to hide for long.

Cora: If I were a beta and I just murdered Talia Hale, I wouldn't have stayed in town. [she shrugs] But that's only if they're smart.

Derek: [looks at Elena] Did you see anything before your scream?

Elena: [she shakes her head] Don't even really remember it. The last thing I remember is the hospital - it came on really fast.

Esposito: We're going to check local cameras in the area. We'll be able to get a face. [he looks over at Peter] But this could also be a personal vendetta.

Laura: Great. [Laura's voice breaks slightly at that, and she goes to slump down onto the couch, burying her face in her hands] Just ... great.

Esposito: [and he'll kneel down in front of her] Hey, we're gonna find this asshole, okay? Then we'll figure out the rest.

Laura: [she looks up at him and she nods] Just be careful, okay? New alphas aren't exactly known for their control.

Esposito: I will be. Plus if I need help, I've got a great partner to help.

Peter: [snorts]

Cora: [looks uncertain at that, but she knows how this has to end, so she keeps her mouth shut. at least for now]

Laura: [nods, before leaning back into the couch] You should probably go start figuring this out. [as much as she would like him to stay, she has a feeling her family should take priority right now]

Esposito: [nods, and he'll get back up and give them a quick once over before stopping on Peter] They'll send someone over to ask questions later--someone not as emotionally tied to your family. But I'll keep you in the loop.

Peter: Thanks. [and he'll see him out before coming back, the gears in his head already spinning]

Cora: [sees that, concerned]

Elena: [glances over to Derek, because that's her ride] I can stay, if you want.

Derek: [shrugs] It's your choice, but it's probably not going to be pretty.

Elena: [she shrugs back] I can handle it. [she's been around death before, and she knows the feeling of dead parents]

Peter: Actually, Elena, I was hoping you could tell me exactly what you saw. [looks at the younger ones] You kids don't have to listen.

Laura: [shakes her head] I'm good.

Cora: [sits on one of the stools near the island, intent on making sure Peter doesn't take this too far]

Elena: [nods, before looking back at Derek]

Derek: [he licks his lips, then shakes his head] I don't want the image. I'll watch Malia.

Elena: [nods as she lets him go, waiting until he disappears into Malia's room before turning back to Peter. The only way she can think to do this is logically, medically, devoid of emotion. Like a doctor] As I said, I don't really remember much beyond the body. But there was a set of lacerations across the throat - [She gestures to indicate what she means before adjusting, to draw a line up the center of her chest] - and one large one up the center of her chest. There was a lot of blood in the field, though so I couldn't see more than that.

Peter: [nods, his brain building an image in his head, but one he refuses to put his sister's face on. It wasn't a pretty death. Or a fast one] Did they appear surgical or more ragged?

Elena: I couldn't tell, there was too much blood. But the ones around the throat seemed fairly ragged.

Peter: Okay. [he's going to anxiety pace now. Something he does when he's trying to plot and keep his energy in check]

Cora: Peter. Maybe it's best we wait and see what Espo comes up with.

Peter: I'm worried that any scents left behind by the killer will be gone with the investigation.

Cora: And Espo knows that. If he thinks there's anything to gain there, he'll ask. I think right now we have bigger concerns.

Peter: [nods, then looks to Laura] What are you thinking?

Laura: [her eyebrow goes up, before looking over at her sister] What are you thinking? Because I would think that finding out who killed Mom would be pretty important.

Cora: I'm thinking that this new alpha isn't trying to make himself known to us. Isn't trying to claim our pack for his own. So as of right now, we are a group of omegas in another alpha's territory and we need to make sure that alpha is willing to have our back. [looks to Peter] I think we need to talk to Victor. Sooner, rather than later.

Peter: First of all, we are NOT omegas. [there's conviction in his voice at that] We are a pack without an alpha. There is a difference there, and right now it's an important one. [deep breath] But you are both right. We need to talk to Victor since we're not in our territory and without Tali, we're guests who may no longer be welcome. And we need to figure out who killed her and took our family power, and GET IT BACK. [he looks at Laura] You realize what that means for you, right?

Laura: [nods, trying to seem convincing in that she'll be able to do what's expected of her. That's a crisis of conscience she can have later to someone who's not pack]

Cora: [concerned about that but not hers to bring up] We should reach out to our other allies too. Not just wolves.

Peter: [nods] Yes. Cora, will you contact the Mikaelsons? Derek can contact Stiles. I'll send word to Satomi and then visit Victor. Laura, you should come with me for that.

Laura: [nods] Yeah, I can do that.

Cora: [nods, then glances over to Elena] Will you stay here with Derek? I should probably talk to them in person.

Elena: Yeah, I'm off tomorrow so I can stay as long as you need.

Peter: Good. Seeing how long he was living with Tali on his own, I'm not sure how her death may affect him as opposed to the rest of us, who've lived away from Beacon Hills.

Elena: I'll keep an eye on him.

Cora: [nods and with one last concerned glance between Laura and Peter, she'll head out to the Abattoir to talk to the Mikaelsons]

Laura: [she straightens a bit] Do you want to reach out to Victor, or should I?

Peter: I will. Until we get you back our power, being your mom's second gives me a higher place in the pack structure [there's a hinge of regret in his voice]

Laura: [she nods, before turning to head back to her room] I'm going to go get my shoes.

Elena: [watches are go, before turning back to Peter] Is there anything else I can do while I'm here?

Peter: You have a friend who's an omega who should have been an alpha, right?

Elena: Technically Tyler isn't an omega. But Damon killed his father to become alpha, yeah.

Peter: Maybe he can talk to Laura about it? How to deal with that specific level of trauma?

Elena: I'll text him and see.

Peter: Good. And later, I'm going to need more information on that Salvatore alpha. If he's done that once, and he's in town, it's pretty suspicious.

Elena: [shakes her head] I don't think he is. He left two days ago.

Peter: Still, I'd prefer to know.

Elena: [she nods] Okay. Whenever you're ready.

Peter: [looks up the stairwell] I'm going to leave Malia with you two. There's an envelope with some cash in the island's drawer that you can use to order something to eat.

Elena: [she nods] Okay. Good luck with Victor. [and with that, she will head back to find Derek and Malia]

Derek: [and he's just in his bed, cuddling with Malia while staring up at the ceiling]

Elena: [moves to the doorway, leaning against it with a small smile] Hey.

Derek: [and he'll look over with a tired look] Hey.

Elena: Peter and Laura are going to see Victor Kirsanov and Cora went to touch base with the Mikaelsons. Peter wants you to reach out to Stiles and let him know what happened, but beyond that it's just going to be you, me and Malia for a while.

Derek: Oh. Yeah, I can do that. [but he doesn't reach for his phone, just returns his eyes to the ceiling.]

Elena: [makes her way closer, sitting on the edge of the bed and reaching for his hand] Want me to handle it?

Derek: [shakes his head] I just... I don't think I could handle his company right now, and he'd want to come here. He's a good friend and wants to help, but he has a chaotic energy I don't think I could handle at the moment.

Elena: Okay. [brushes her thumb against the back of his hand] Well, Peter says there's money if you guys get hungry, but other than that we can just stay here. For as long as you need.

Derek: I'm not hungry. [he looks down to see if Malia is still awake and has an opinion]

Elena: [she's not, just curled up and passed out against his side] Do you want me to stay here? [as in in this room, not leaving the apartment]

Derek: [he thinks a moment, then nods, making room on his other side for her]

Elena: [she toes off her shoes, before moving to settle in next to him, giving him space to curl up so that he's sandwiched between her and Malia]

Derek: [after a few minutes] I feel like a piece of me has died.

Elena: [nods] It can feel that way. When it's such a huge part of your life is gone, you feel like it takes a piece of you too.

Derek: No, it's more than that. [he turns to face her] Mom was drawing on my energy to keep herself from succumbing to the mate bond death. I don't know, maybe our energies merged at some point, but it just feels like a real part of me inside is gone. Like a hole in my soul.

Elena: [nods as she runs her fingers through his hair] I know when Tyler lost his dad and his alpha, he described it like losing a limb. You were reaching out for a piece of you and were surprised when it wasn't there.

Derek: [nods, swallows] We were trying to help her leave us with dignity. It's too soon.

Elena: I'm so sorry you didn't get more time with her.

Derek: [and he's just going to close his eyes, tears slipping free]

Elena: [and she'll just curl her arms around him tightly, letting him lean into her and take whatever comfort he needs]