spamalot } { of bad news and steps forward

[littlebitscary]

Fiona: [wanders in from the kitchen where she was fixing herself some lunch and spots him on the couch. She pauses for a moment, concerned before making her way closer] Hey.

Derek: [snaps out of it, looking up at her.] Oh, hey.

Fiona: [yeah, that doesn't have her looking any less concerned as she goes to sit next to him, one hand moving to rub his shoulders] Everything okay?

Derek: [looks back at his phone, bouncing it a bit in his hands] That was my dad. He's um..... he's moving back to Beacon Hills.

Fiona: [she pauses as she takes that in] Is that a good or a bad thing?

Derek: [licks his lips] I don't know. It's good because it's where he should be. He never should have left. But he's coming back because he's sick and mom convinced him to come home so she could take care of him. He wouldn't tell me what, but... it has to be something bad for mom to insist he come home and he agree to it.

Fiona: [the hand between his shoulders doesn't slow, but turns into a more firm massage] But if you're mom's got him, he's in good hands.

Derek: My dad hasn't lived with us since I was fourteen. And I mean, it's not going to affect me much since we're here, but Cora's going to have a lot of issues with it.

Fiona: [she pauses because her follow up is a bit personal] Why did he leave?

Derek: He never really said, beyond that it wasn't our fault. I just thought he was having some kind of human mid-life crisis.

Fiona: But then he never came back.

Derek: He only moved an hour south of us. He came up for my graduations, and Laura's, and sends cards. Calls us sometimes. Laura's really the one who keeps in touch with him the most. [looks at his phone] He got sick once when I was ten. I remember that, and it wasn't good.

Fiona: How old was Cora then? Four?

Derek: [nods] He left when she was eight.

Fiona: So she's never really had a dad.

Derek: She won't remember him at most. She had Peter. [nods] We both did.

Fiona: So ... try not to think of it as him coming back in trying to be a dad to you again. Just ... try and think of it as him coming back. If you can, start fresh.

Derek: Still kinda hard when you're 3000 miles away

Fiona: At least it gives you time to get used to the idea.

Derek: [nods, sighing] I should tell Peter.

Peter: Oh, I heard. [has been standing in the doorway since Fiona had asked if he was okay]

Fiona: [glances back to him, before starting to pull away] Should I let you two ... [talk or something, she doesn't want to be in the way]

Derek: No, stay. [you're part of this family. turns to look at Peter] Him coming home isn't a good thing, is it?

Peter: [clasps his hands behind his back] Probably not, for the short term. If he's sick and it's what happened when you were young, that means his cancer has come back.

Derek: Cancer?

Fiona: [she resumes rubbing his shoulder gently] If they caught it early, he could be okay.

Peter: They caught it early last time. Mostly because a certain werewolf nose noticed his dad wasn't smelling right.

Derek: [blinks, then sits back] I forgot about that...

Peter: Thomas was forced to face his own mortality after his cancer went into remission, and he came under the delusion that his choice to remain human was going to lead to a continuous cycle of pain as he grew older and risked becoming sicker. He felt the pain of him leaving would be easier for you kids to overcome than watching him age and die.

Fiona: [she makes a face for a moment before shaking her head] Your sister's not going to take that well.

Peter: No, Cora won't. And I don't blame her, to be fair. But this will be something she and Thomas will need to figure out on their own. [deep breath] I'm just happy he's home for your mother's sake, Derek. With all of you growing up, she needed her mate to return for her own happiness.

Derek: [nods] Yeah, I get that. And I know he misses her too. He always asks about her every time he calls.

Fiona: Maybe this will be good for all of you, then.

Derek: Maybe. But like you said, I've got time to get used to the idea.

Peter: And I will take care of Cora is she needs time. Though I should probably aim to return home earlier than planned to prepare for this.

Derek: But you still have two days here.... [puppy eyes]

Fiona: I think some of the preparing can be handled from here. I mean, I'm not saying you shouldn’t call Cora to talk to her, but ... I don't think Talia would want you to cut your stay short.

Peter: [sighs, because Damn you Derek and your eyes] You're right. I do have to send a few texts though. What are our afternoon plans?

Derek: Driving out to Historic Annapolis for dinner and walking around.

Peter: [nods] I can text from the car. Are you joining us, Fiona?

Fiona: [she pauses before shaking her head] Unfortunately duty calls. I have to follow up on that job I was working on when you got here.

Derek: Everything okay?

Fiona: Yep. Just checking up on the family making sure everything's kosher. [leans forward and kisses him on the cheek] But you guys have fun.

Derek: [kisses her back] Call if you need me.

Peter: [looks at Derek] If you don't want to go out this afternoon...

Derek: No. I need to go out. I just... need to clear my head a bit.

Fiona: [she squeezes his hand gently] I will. [And with that, she's off to get ready to go]

Derek: We can ask Nadia to come along, if you're up for it.

Peter: [sighs] Derek...

Derek: I'm not trying to set you up with her, Peter. I just thought you two would be able to talk to each other about art that I can't with you.

Nadia: [as if on cue, swans her way on and hops slightly as she moves to get her heels off] Oh. Hi, boys.

Derek: Hey, Nadia.

Peter: [nods] Nadia.

Derek: How was your morning?

Nadia: The usual. Lots of art. Lots of barking orders. You guys have a good morning?

Peter: We did. Can I get you something to drink?

Derek: It was great. Thank you for all those calls. The tour through the air & space museum was amazing.

Nadia: A water would be great, thank you. [she smiles at Derek as she makes her way in, moving to settle on the couch with a sigh] Oh, it was my pleasure. Don't even mention it.

Peter: [nods and leaves to get her a water]

Derek: Are you done for the day?

Nadia: Until the opening tonight. I usually take the afternoon off to decompress before the polite smiling and idle chatter portion of the evening. Plus it usually takes at least an hour to goad your girlfriend into getting ready.

Derek: ...... Um, Fiona just left for work.

Nadia: [... sigh] Well the opening isn't until eight. Hopefully she'll be back before that.

Peter: [returns with the water and holds it out to her] Which artist is at the opening?

Nadia: [takes it from him with a smile] Her name is Rachel Valteri. She's fairly new to the art scene but her work is ... very intriguing. She has a rather unique perspective.

Peter: Interesting. [thinks a moment, then offers her a small smile] If you wish... if Fiona doesn't return in time, I could accompany you. I would just need something suitable to wear.

Derek: [his eyebrows go up because what?]

Nadia: [her smile widens in return] I don't think Fiona would mind if you took her place, honestly. In fact, she would probably thank you profusely.

Peter: Well, I believe I do owe you an apology for last night, and I would like to make it up to you. After all, it is something a friend would do.

Derek: [his hand just covers his mouth because who is this person?]

Nadia: [she nods in return] The opening starts at eight, I need to be there by seven. I'm sure one of Victor's suits should fit you, if you need it.

Peter: I'll be ready by six thirty. That is, if Derek doesn't mind postponing dinner plans.

Derek: No, I'm good. I'll just tell Nik he can enjoy kicking my ass around the backyard this evening if he doesn't have plans.

Nadia: Perfect. [she gives him a small smile] Thank you.

Peter: [nods his head] You're welcome.

Nadia: Well, I won't hold you up any longer. I'll go dig around and see if I can find a suit for you.

Peter: [nods, then goes to sit next to Derek on the couch]

Derek: [waits until she's gone] Are you okay? You voluntarily offered yourself up for that…

Peter: I know. She and I talked a bit last night and I misread her intentions. I owe her an apology.

Derek: Do I want to know?

Peter: [rests his chin on folded hands] Ever since Jennifer, I have had a hard time trusting people, Derek. But it was one person who made a strategic, aimed attack at me. Yet I was taking it out on any woman lately as being unable to trust. Nadia made an effort to try and be friendly and I was disrespectful to her. That is on me, and I need to make my amends.

Derek: You sure this is how you want to do it?

Peter: We can talk about art. I think I can do that for now. And work my way back to something comfortable from there.

Derek: [rubs Peter's back] Well, I'm glad to see you at least trying to make friends again. We've been worried.

Peter: I'm a complicated enigma of a puzzle right now, Derek. The girl should stay far away from me, but if she wants to be friends, I can at least honor that request.

Nadia: [she's hardly a girl, Peter, but she appreciates the friendliness all the same]

Fiona: [ten minutes later, a text to Derek's phone:] Did Nadia just tell me I'm off the hook for one of her fancy gallery openings because PETER is going with her?

Peter: [has gone off to do his texts to his sister and Cora, leaving Derek on the couch on his own. He sees the text and smiles and texts back] Yes and get this he actually offered.

Fiona: Please tell him I am going to buy him a cake.

Derek: LOL I will. He is fond of strawberry cheesecake.

Fiona: Done. But hey, this means you get me all to yourself for the evening.

Derek: Do I get a cake too?

Fiona: Maybe.

Derek: I seriously love my uncle right now.

Fiona: You will have to give me the details later.

Derek: I will. See you soon.

Fiona: <3

- - - - -

Peter: [meanwhile..... to Cora] Hey, I got the news. If you need me to talk to, don't feel you are interrupting. Just call or text.

Cora: [she gets the text and she feels a little better.] I'm okay. Stiles and Scott helped.

Peter: I will be back home Monday. You know you can always come and stay with Malia and myself if you need time to get adjusted to this.

Cora: I do. But right now, I'm okay. We won't be home until after the weekend anyway.

Peter: Are you at least having fun at Stanford with your friends?

Cora: Yeah. It's a really cool place.

Peter: I'm glad. Make sure your sister shows you the cafeteria. Always judge a school by how good the food is.

Cora: She did. It wasn't bad. How's DC?

Peter: It's nice. Derek and I spent most of the day at the Smithsonians. Very insightful. I may have gotten you and Malia something.

Cora: I do love a good present.

Peter: Well, just behave and you'll get it.

Cora: I always behave.

Peter: Uh huh.

Cora: I'm the nerd, remember?

Peter: You are also with Stiles currently.

Cora: And Mr. Argent. I doubt there's much trouble he can get me into.

Peter: Ah, I forgot he was going with you. I feel much better now. [sarcasm.]

Cora: I'll be fine, Uncle Peter.

Peter: Good. I will see you when I get home. Love you.

Cora: Love you too.

- - - - -

Peter: What is going on?

Talia: Thomas and I talked about it. We decided it was the best choice for both of us for him to move back to the house.

Peter: How bad is he?

Talia: Stage Two or Three. The doctors are going to run some tests to confirm. Laura and Cora don't know yet - he wants to tell them himself.

Peter: Damn. I am sure Thomas told Derek not to tell his sisters. I will refrain from mentioning it as well. I have also reminded Cora she can stay with me if she is in need of space as she adjusts. But I agree - it is past time for Thomas to return home.

Talia: He mentioned that you used to visit him. You never said anything.

Peter: I didn't want to upset the children. [or you, but he's not going to say that]

Talia: It would have been nice to know how he was doing. [and while it might have hurt, a little, at least he wouldn't have felt as far away]

Peter: I know, but I was respecting both your decisions to keep your distance from one another.

Talia: I know. [and she appreciates that too]

Peter: Plus I did need another dad to talk to sometimes.

Talia: I understand. [and she's glad he had that, even when she couldn't provide the advice he needed]

Peter: I hope you're not mad at that

Talia: No, of course not.

Peter: Okay. I never intended to hurt you with that.

Talia: I know. It's fine, Peter. Really.

Peter: Are you doing okay though with all this?

Talia: It feels better to be doing something. Right now we're packing. We'll see how things change when we get home.

Peter: I will be back Monday unless you need me home sooner. Though your son has already flashed his pity eyes at me at the suggestion.

Talia: I will be fine until Monday. Relax and enjoy your vacation.

Peter: I will. Please be safe and I will see you then

Talia: I will. You too.