spamalot } { of genetics and interrupted dinners

[hereditare]

Laura: [settles onto the bar stool next to him, before reaching over to grab one of the menus] Okay, food first. Even if we have crazy fast metabolisms we have to at least look like responsible drinkers.

Derek: After all the work I've been doing, I'm starving. So there's no complaints from me. [grins]

Laura: [head bobs a bit to whatever's on the jukebox as she browses through the menu] So where are you staying in DC?

Derek: Fiona's family - or maybe it's her sister's pack - they have a brownstone townhouse near Georgetown that we're basically going to be housesitting in since the only time someone's in it is when they have business in DC. I swear, Laura - I didn't realize how affluent this family was. It's mind-blowing.

Laura: Yeah? [she raises an eyebrow] So you're gonna be living in style, huh?

Derek: [scratches at his ear, smirking a bit] You're expecting me to have time outside of school to be doing anything but eating and sleeping. But yeah, it's going to be interesting.

Laura: What pack is this again?

Derek: [says the name because my brain isn't pulling it out]

Laura: Huh. [there's a shrug] I say enjoy it.

Derek: I'm sure once the weirdness of it all fades, I will. Fiona has made it a personal mission to make sure I'm happy.

Laura: Good. [the bartender wanders over to take their order and she orders a burger and a beer. after he leaves:] So you two are going really well, then?

Derek: [burger, beer, and a thing of pretzels and beer cheese as an appetizer] We are, actually. To be honest, I wasn't even expecting it to work this well, but yeah. [he's smiling like an idiot in love]

Laura: [she laughs a bit] Oh really? Why didn't you think it would work?

Derek: You remember how I was before I met her. I.... I honestly didn't think I'd ever get that with someone. I mean, after Paige, and then seeing Mom and Peter... you got lucky with Jason, but I wasn't see it ever happening for me.

Laura: And then she basically beat you over the head with it?

Derek: Pretty much. I mean hell... [rubs his neck, not talking until the waiter leaves after bringing their beers and the pretzels] Our first date she learned about my eyes and actually got it. Any other hunter or person who knows what that means would haven't even let me talk, but she wanted to know and understood.

Laura: [ smiles slightly at that before nodding] Good for her. And good for you. It's nice to see you happy.

Derek: I was always happy, Laura. This is just... more.

Laura: Well, it's good to see you more happy then.

Derek: [smiles] Thanks. So, I have to ask - you and Jason... is there any talk about anything more going on between you?

Laura: [turns. stares. Her eyes narrow as she squints at him] Why? Do you know something?

Derek: No, Jason doesn't talk to me about anything relevant. I just want to know if I need to know or plan anything for next year to come back for.

Laura: Well, there's nothing I know of. [she shrugs] We're still figuring out here. But if there is something you need to know, trust me, you will know.

Derek: I'm sure I will hear all the way in DC. [grins]

Laura: [she laughs] I don't know about that but you will definitely be one of the first phone calls.

Derek: I better be.

Laura: [she smirks as she takes a sip of her beer before shrugging] I'm not rushing though. It'll happen when it happens. I'm not going to be one of those girls who's constantly obsessing over whether or not he's going to ask me.

Derek: Are you one of those girls who is secretly planning it though on Pinterest?

Laura: [she makes a face before shaking her head] No. [there's another sip of her beer] I have binders for that.

Derek: [laughs. Because he knows his sister that well] Smart.

Laura: [rolls her eyes] I've been doing it on and off since I was twelve. Occasionally I'm a girl.

Derek: Honestly, I don't know if I want to see you when you're not a girl. [grins]

Laura: [gives him a slight shove] You know what I mean.

Derek: [laughs and takes the shoving] I'm still trying to figure out what kids you and Jason may have are going to look like.

Laura: [her eyes narrow again] How do you mean?

Derek: [leans closer as he reaches for a pretzel] Wolf or Raccoon, or some hybrid.

Laura: Oh. [she gives a bit of a shrug] Most would say that cross-breeding doesn't really ... happen.

Derek: But wolves with little ringed tails would look adorable.

Laura: [she laughs softly at that, before shaking her head] The one guy I talked to said that they'd probably be human. If we could conceive at all, that is. He says the latter is probably more likely since we're both shifters from birth.

Derek: Well, time will tell. And it's not like they aren't pack if they are human.

Laura: [she nods] And even if we can't there's always adoption. I doesn't matter if we can or can't the important thing is the only person I even want to consider having children with is him.

Derek: [smiles at that] You're right, that's the most important thing. And I really like how happy Jason makes you.

Laura: [she smiles a bit at that, before shrugging] Guess you see where I'm coming from about Fiona, then.

Derek: Yeah. And you can never tell her this, but I like seeing how happy Stiles is making Cora too.

Laura: They are awkwardly adorable, in their own way.

Derek: And hey, if nothing else, me being on the other end of the country will really give you and Cora time to bond without me in the middle. She probably is going to need you more than me at this point of her life anyway.

Laura: Yeah, I have a feeling there are a few things she really won't want to talk to you about.

Derek: I'm sure more than a few. God, I'm going to miss you both so much.

Laura: We'll miss you too. But I think this will be good for you too.

Derek: I've just never been this far from home. I mean, I'm going to be under the protection of Fiona's sister's pack, but it's not the same as my family. Not being able to come home after a bad day and just curl up and not have to explain why I need that.

Laura: No. But you'll have Fiona. And Skype and phone calls and after a while, it won't be so bad.

Derek: And we'll be back for semester breaks and holidays.

Laura: Exactly.

Derek: And you guys can come visit me too. I mean, DC is beautiful, so you can use visiting me as a reason to see the city.

Laura: Even better. Plus I'm sure Cora and Malia will start needing to do college tours at some point.

Derek: They will, and knowing them, they will all go to the same place. I'm sure Stiles, Scott and Isaac will follow them too so they can be a mini pack.

Laura: [smirks a bit] I have a feeling they won't mind being stuck with each other.

Derek: however, if they end up in DC... that's going to make me the stand in second to mom on that coast. [leans back] Heh, I don't know if I could manage all of them as well as she does.

Laura: Half of it is mom instinct. The other half is just being really scary.

Derek: Yeah, I don't think I'm good at being really scary.

Laura: Maybe Peter will come visit. A change of scenery might do him some good.

Derek: [mentioning Peter makes Derek look away a moment, his thoughts elsewhere] Maybe.

Laura: [frowns a bit] He still not talking to you?

Derek: A few pleasantries when I see him at the house, but not really. I think he blames me for Jennifer latching onto him.

Laura: [sighs softly] That's not your fault.

Derek: I know, and it's probably not even that, but it's just been off between him and me since that day and I'm giving him the space he needs to work it out.

Laura: You have to figure it out before you leave. He's stubborn, sometimes he needs a little push.

Derek: I'm going to go over tomorrow and try to talk to him. I don't want to leave with it like this either.

Laura: Good. You shouldn't have to.

Derek: I miss having my uncle around.

Laura: [reaches over and rubs his shoulder lightly] I know. It'll work out.

Derek: [sighs] I know. He's not going to toss away 25 years of bonding, but it still stings.

Laura: [she nods, giving his shoulder a squeeze] I know. Especially when it's not really your fault.

Derek: I'd hate to think what would have happened if I wasn't dating Fiona. She would have come after me.

Laura: Don't think about it. The only difference would be that instead of Fiona trying to shot gun her in the face, it would have been me or mom tearing her throat out.

Derek: [he shrugs, but he's always going to think about it in a way. he's the overthinker in the family] Good to know.

Laura: Peter will be okay. He just needs a little time.

Derek: I hope so. [and hey look, dinner. Derek orders the next round of beers too]

Laura: [yay food! Laura takes a bite of her burger with a happy sigh, before glancing back to him] Are you excited about your classes?

Derek: [takes a good sized bite and mmmm burger] Yeah, I'm stoked. They have a professor there who's a transfer from Boston that specialized in the American Revolution time period, but has a lot of knowledge of post-war movements in American history.

Laura: Nice. So he's like a walking source book.

Derek: Yeah. He's looking to be the associate Dean next spring, so I'm probably going to do a lot of work for him as well as my advisor.

Laura: Sweet. Make sure you really get along well with your advisor.

Derek: He's an interesting guy. He was a history teacher in Virginia and came up a few years ago to teach American mythology. It's like looking at our own fables and finding the truth in them. He also teaches the mythology and folklore classes on the English department side, which is why they put me with him since I'm doing the whole dual grad work.

Laura: [nods] And he thinks it's all just folklore?

Derek: I don't know. I'm still feeling him out. I think he wants to be a believer, if he isn't already. But he doesn't smell like a hunter. No gun oil on him at all.

Laura: [nods] There's a biologist at Stanford who studies cryptozoology. Incredibly bright. Terrible at people. I've been helping him with his interpersonal skills which he finds incredibly ironic.

Derek: Sounds like we both have some challenges to play with.

Laura: Matt is sweet, if not hopeless. We're working on boundaries.

Derek: [his eyebrow goes up as he takes another bite of his burger] Boundaries?

Laura: He's very practical. He forgets things that would be considered courteous in favor of efficiency.

Matt: [as she speaks, a man bustles through the crowd, reaching for her shoulder gently before turning her to face him. Once she does, he says one word:] Kanima.

Laura: [blinks at him for a moment] ... Like calling in advance. Matt, what are you doing here?

Matt: I needed to speak with you.

Derek: [and both eyebrows go up and he leans back, amused]

Laura: [there's a beat] You could have called.

Matt: I may require a blood sample. I determined it was easier to do this face to face. [there's a pause] Though now I realize that that would be considered a violation of your boundaries. I apologize.

Laura: [glances to Derek] Believe it or not this is progress. [back to Matt] Have you eaten?

Matt: No, actually, I'm starving. May we sit?

Laura: [nods as she grabs her own burger] I'll order you a burger. Go grab a booth with Derek.

Derek: [looks like he's getting pulled into her crazy.. He gives his sister an amused look, grabbing his food and drink] Come on, there's one over in the corner that we can talk about without people listening in.

Matt: Lovely. [turns and follows him, before extending a hand] Dr. Matthew Ward. I'm a colleague of Laura's from Stanford. Derek means you are her brother?

Derek: [holds up both full hands as meaning for lack of handshake] Yeah, that would be me. I'd shake your hand but...

Matt: Right. Of course. [he glances around the bar as he goes, taking in all the people] I'm trying to get into the habit. A good handshake makes a strong first impression, or at least that's what I've determined.

Derek: [they get to the booth and Derek puts the plates down, wipes his hands on his jeans and then holds out his hand] That's a good observation.

Matt: [there's a brief hint of a smile as he shakes his hand firmly, before sliding into the booth across from him as he waits for Laura to return.]

Laura: [she follows after them with a fresh beer a few minutes later, sliding into the booth next to Derek as she does] Alright, so what's this about the kanima?

Matt: That email you sent me, about the wolf who had been a wolf for his entire life but spontaneously shifted into a coyote. I have a theory.

Laura: And this theory has to do with the kanima?

Matt: Yes. You understand the psychology of this better than I, I'm sure, but most known cases of kanimas involve bitten werewolves. Their behavior indicates that they seek a master and act as a weapon of vengeance. It's also been posited that a kanima seeks a master due to a lack in their own identity, and as a result, take on their master's identity as their own.

Derek: [blinks. wait a sec] A wolf that shifted into a coyote?

Laura: [ignoring that for right now, Derek. She's supposed to let Peter tell him] It's a sound theory. It's why he doesn't seek a pack, a pack would be too complicated.

Matt: Now, there's a story from Portugal, of a man who was bitten by an alpha and became a kanima instead of a werewolf. They say that he was able to reclaim his identity, not through his bond with his master, but through his bond with his adoptive father, that the reassurance of his place in their family allowed him to work through whatever emotional process was triggered by the bite, and he was released from the kanima form and was able to shift into a werewolf, as originally intended.

Laura: Okay. [she takes a beat as she considers that] What do you think it means?

Matt: That thing you told me that your mother used to tell you - the shape you take reflects the person you are. What if that is much more literal that we have considered thus far? What if it's not just biology - what if it's both biology and psychology - even for born shapeshifters.

Derek: [has been listening in, and has a very good guess at who they are talking about from some of the way things were worded] So basically if someone is told they are more coyote than wolf their whole life, they would come to believe they are even if their heritage line is wolf.

Matt: Not ... exactly. Socialization would play a role in it yes, but from what Laura indicated he's successfully shifted into a wolf for several decades. It would have taken something else, another catalyst of some kind to trigger the change in shift. But from what we've observed, born shifters don't present until nine or ten years of age. If it were simply biology, there's no reason it wouldn't affect them from birth. Whatever it is genetically that makes you different from a normal human waits to emotionally develop and presents at that time.

Laura: Wait, so what you're saying is ...

Matt: It all comes from the same place! [he gets more and more excited as he continues to talk, pausing only long enough for the waitress to place the burger in front of him before pushing forward] The same bite that creates a werewolf creates a kanima or a Nagual or a waheela or a tanuki. What if it's the same for born shifters. For ages we've been treating you all as separate species, what if it's not the difference between dogs and cats but the difference between blue and green eyes that causes the differences in shifters? If it's all the same gene ...

Laura: Then it's not cross-breeding. It's all the same thing.

Matt: [he nods eagerly, taking a bite of his burger] I'd have to take some blood samples. Run a DNA assay, see if I can pinpoint the gene itself, but if I can find this gene? What I originally told you about your and Jason's ability to procreate could be completely wrong.

Derek: Well, that very good news...

Matt: So I'll need a sample from you and from Jason. Also, from that wolf you mentioned - we could see if there's any kind of variation that might have caused the shift. When it happened, was it in the middle of a period of extreme emotional stress?

Laura: If the state of his living room is any indication? Definitely. But he's not really feeling human friendly right now.

Matt: [waves a hand as he chews] Not the priority. It would have just been an interesting auxiliary to the research.

Derek: [nope, pretty much confirmed there that it was Peter] But someone not human could ask for it. If it was a way to help him find some closure. [ looked at Laura]

Laura: [looks at Derek and nods a bit] I'll try and talk to him. If anything Jason can draw the blood and get it to you.

Matt: I'd also like to do a comparison with a bitten werewolf at some point, but that can come later. But yes, if he's interested perhaps we can pinpoint exactly why that shift happened when it did. Though it wouldn't be a completely biological component, he would also need some kind of counseling.

Derek: [snorts] Good luck with that.

Matt: [frowns] Aren't you already treating him? I assumed he was a patient.

Laura: [shakes her head] He's family.

Matt: Ah. Unethical. [he nods as he takes another bite of his burger]

Derek: [yeah, is just going to go and sit on Peter's porch in the morning] He's not a big talker to begin with either, so it'd take someone patient.

Matt: Laura has been extremely patient with me. Were it not for the ethical issues she could probably make a great deal of headway.

Laura: [she smiles at him] You also want to be helped. I'm not sure he's quite so receptive at the moment.

Derek: My sister is a good person. Stanford is lucky to have her.

Matt: Indeed. We all are.

Laura: [another smile before nodding] I'll talk to Jason too. Though I have a feeling he'll be easier to convince.

Derek: Though Georgetown gets me, so they may have some competition. [grins]

Matt: I did my undergrad at Georgetown. Good school.

Derek: My undergrad was at Berkley. But I think I'm going to like it out there. I'm working under Professors Mason and Doctor Saltzman.

Matt: I can't say I'm familiar with them. I was mostly in the science department.

Derek: History and English. I'm doing a masters in writing and my thesis novel is looking at the reconstruction age of America through the eyes an an immortal and blending in common American mythology into it.

Matt: [he nods for a moment] I can appreciate that. I wouldn't read it, but it sounds like it would be interesting for some.

Laura: [sighs softly] Progress comes in baby steps.

Derek: No, it's fine. [amused] That's why there's a lot of books out there. Everyone has their own tastes.

Matt: I'm mostly focused on my own research at the moment. Not a lot of time for light reading.

Derek: I get that.

Matt: [he nods as he finishes his burger] Well. I should return to my hotel. Thank you for the burger, and you can call me when you're ready to draw the blood samples.

Laura: I will. [she watches him as he starts to get up] And Matt?

Matt: Yes?

Laura: Call first.

Matt: [small smile] I'll remember. I promise.

Laura: Good. I'll call you later. [and with that, the other man nods and heads out the door]

Derek: [nods his head in parting, and then looks at Laura with eyebrows up] A coyote?

Laura: [sighs softly as she leans back in the booth] Malia and Isaac were sparring and Peter went off on both of them. I was told Mom tried to help him, and I don't know what went down, but when Cora came in from her run she said that Peter was a coyote, and Peter's living room was a mess. Mom had to command him out of it.

Derek: So that's what I heard when you texted me about a coyote problem. [crosses his arms] I didn't think any of us were powerful enough to fully shift into anything.

Laura: I don't know. It might be a natural trait of coyote shifters, the way that tanuki can.

Derek: But he's always been a wolf. Did Cora say what he looked like beyond a coyote?

Laura: [shakes her head] I don't know. You'd have to ask her - I never saw him.

Derek: I think we need something stronger than beer.

Laura: [she laughs a bit before glancing at her watch] Wanna get it to go? If I'm gonna try and get Peter to do this I need to do it now, before I lose my nerve. But we can pick this up on the couch after he shuts me down?

Derek: I don't think you can take alcohol out in to go cups in California, but we can wait until later.

Laura: No, but we can probably get a bottle? It just not open it until later.

Derek: That's what a liquor store is for. You pay the bill, I'll go get the afterparty?

Laura: [she nods] Sounds good. [and with that she heads to the bar]

Derek: [and he heads out across the street to the liquor store to get them a bottle of whiskey]

Laura: [and when she's finished she'll meet him at the car, leaning against the passenger's seat as she texts Peter: Heading home in a bit. Want to go for a walk?]

Peter: [pulls out his phone, thinks] Is this a way to distract me, or is there a purpose?

Laura: Little of both?

Peter: [since he's alone] Fine.

Laura: See you in a bit.

Derek: [returns with two bottles and puts them in the back] So?

Laura: We're gonna go for a walk.

Derek: I'll stay at the house and wait. He probably will be more open with you right now.

Laura: [she nods as she goes to get in the car] Let's go.

Derek: [and he drives them back, stopping at Peter's on the way to drop her off before heading to the Hale house]

Peter: [Comes out as the house as Derek drives away, hands in his pockets] Laura.

Laura: Peter. [she tips her head towards the preserve and turns to start walking] Where's Malia?

Peter: Studying with Isaac and Scott at his mother's house. She's bringing Malia home when she gets off work.

Laura: [nods] So taking advantage of some alone time?

Peter: Catching up on my reading, mainly. [trying to figure out what was going on with his shift, obsessing over it really]

Laura: [well, luckily she's here to talk to him about just that! She waits until they wander a little further into the woods] Uh. So I was thinking. About what happened?

Peter: Still trying to approach it from the psychological angle?

Laura: Biologically, actually. Well, technically both. [she pauses] I have this friend who's a cryptozoologist. He works in genetics. And he thinks that it's one shifter gene - we're not different species, just different factors in making us what we are. He thinks an extreme emotional reaction might have triggered the change in shift.

Peter: It's a plausible theory. Though have you ever heard of a tanuki biting another to make more? They're all born as far as I'm aware.

Laura: [she nods] All shifters present the same way if they're born. They don't shift until nine or ten years old. It gives them time to develop emotionally. [she takes a breath] He wants to run some tests to prove it. Bloodwork, nothing invasive. Right now he's just focusing on me and Jason, but ... he'd like to look at you as well.

Peter: And what is he hoping to find what between the three of us?

Laura: [takes a deep breath] That we're all the same species. That it's more like eye color than it is the difference between cats and dogs. And if he's right, maybe it'll give us a better place to figure out where to start with you. If you're actually changing into something else, or if it's just something you need to work through. [and if he's right, it means her and Jason stand an actual shot of having a family of their own, but she's not going to put those hopes and dreams on Peter right now]

Peter: [he's silent as he walks, hands at his side] Do you trust this man to protect our family secrets if you give him samples from our family, Laura?

Laura: [she nods] Matt is ... a lot of things. He's awkward and socially inept, but he's loyal. And he considers me a friend. He wouldn't betray me. Whatever he learns, he'll keep it safe.

Peter: [quiet for a bit longer, not all that sure he liked this. But answers were not easy coming and someone with access to a lab and an interest may be beneficial.]

Laura: [she waits patiently, not pushing him but hoping he'll at least try. But after a moment, she pauses before turning to face him, placing a hand on his arm] You don't have to do it right now, if you want to wait. Looking into what's going on with you is something that he offered to do in addition to all of this. The stuff with me and Jason he's doing because I asked. You can wait for the results with the two of us and see if that helps.

Peter: [he looks at her, tilting his head a bit, then there is a small smile] You're trying to see if you can have children with Jason.

Laura: [she gives a small smile in return, before her eyes fall to her shoes] It doesn't really matter - [because in the end it'll still be him] - but ... it's good to know, right?

Peter: [he nods] Your mother and I both agree that the best thing we both have gotten from our relationships with humans are our children. If you and Jason are able to find the same joy together, you should do whatever you can.

Laura: [she takes a deep breath before nodding and looking up at him] Right now, it's cross-breeding. It probably won't work. But Matt thinks that if it's all the same gene and we're all the same species - we at least have a chance.

Peter: [he sighs, going to put his hands into his pockets finally] If this experiment is meant to help you form a family, and you need my blood as a sample to compare against.... then I will give it to you. If only because the results will benefit your siblings and cousin as well in their future endeavors.

Laura: [she grins at him, throwing her arms around his shoulders as she pulls him closer. She knows that this will be helpful for him, too, but the fact that he's willing to do this for her means the world to her] Thank you, Peter.

Peter: [hugs her back, then kisses her cheek. He knows that Jason is working on some plans of his own, but he is sworn to secrecy for now] You will be a wonderful mother, Laura, whether they are your own or ones you bring in to give a family when they don't have one of their own. And Jason is a good man. I'm happy for you.

Laura: [she nods a bit, closing her eyes into the hold. She lets them stand there in silence for a moment, before pulling back and looking up at him] Derek's leaving, Peter. [it's an abrupt segue but it needs to be said]

Peter: [nods] I know. Your mother told me. It's better for him to be away from here while we figure out what to do with the nematon. But Fiona will keep him safe, and Victor's an honorable man. He'll keep him safe.

Laura: I know. [she places her hands on his shoulders and gets him to look at her] Derek is leaving, Peter. [this isn't about the whys. it's about what's sitting between them that hasn't been said]

Peter: [he sighs] This is going to be your speech about how I need to talk to him before he goes so that I don't have any regrets later on?

Laura: [she shakes her head] No. No speech. [she gives him a small smile as she steps back] Just reminding you.

Peter: Thank you for the reminder. [and he takes a step back] Tell Jason to let me know when he wants the sample.

Laura: [she nods, before turning and heading back towards the house] Night, Peter.

Peter: Goodnight Laura.

Laura: [and with that, she heads back to the house to hang out with her brother]