spamalot } { of nightmares and kitsunes

[littlebitscary]

Derek: [the last few minutes of sleep are filled with a sight that Fiona wouldn't have seen from Derek in years - not since the days after the original sacrifice incident. His breathing and heartbeat start to skyrocket and he is laying on his back. Fingers bunch up into the blanket and there's a soft whine from him. The dream is confusing because it's so real, he isn't sure if he's sleeping or not until he is standing in front of the nemeton, staring down at the blood on the wood before he look up to see a bandaged face with silver fangs hovering over him before he rushes at him as if it's ready to bite him. And then his eyes open bright blue and he's screaming]

Fiona: [jerks awake at the sound of the scream, eyes wide in panic until she turns to him. She isn't sure what's driving this particular event but she's reaching for him, trying to soothe him even if she doesn't know what's wrong] Derek. [her hand is moving to his shoulder and the other to the side of her face as she tries to direct his attention to her] Derek, honey, it's okay. You're okay.

Derek: [he struggles against her at first, his mind still caught in the places between sleep and wakefulness but it isn't until the baby cries in response to her father's screaming that he snaps back awake fully, his eyes seeing Fiona and he looks at her scared and confused]

Fiona: [there's a soft smile as she brushes a hand against the side of his face, thumb brushing against his cheekbones] It was a dream. It was just a dream.

Derek: It didn't feel like a dream. It felt real. [he's shaking all over, his eyes flickering to look at the shadows of the room just in case]

Fiona: Bad dreams do that. [Lucy's still crying and she pulls away from him to reach for her. She can totally comfort both at the same time. She's supermom. She scoops up the baby girl before making her way back to bed, slipping in next to him] What happened?

Derek: I was on the preserve. [he stared at the ceiling, trying to figure things out.] It was one of Peter's night trainings. I thought I was trailing him, but the scent was off. At first I thought I had a fox, but the tracks were boots. I kept going deeper and deeper and it was getting cold. [he shivered, rubbing his arms and if she felt them, she would notice that he was cold too. He wet his lips, not wanting to continue]

Fiona: [Lucy starts to quiet and Fiona shifts so that she's resting between them, rubbing her stomach gently to soothe her back to sleep. She knows Derek doesn't want to keep going, but she knows he needs to keep going] What happened next?

Derek: [normally he would respond to the baby being there, but he just keeps staring at the ceiling before he shut his eyes tight] I ended up at the nemeton. I couldn't stop myself and I just walked over to it, and it was still covered in blood. And then I heard something at my side and turned and there was a shadow figure next to me. I couldn't see it's face, but the moonlight shown off silver fangs, and it started to come at me as an attack. [and that's when he woke up]

Fiona: [nods, watching him as Lucy settles back into sleep. Once she does, she reaches for his hand, noting how cold he felt. Still, she squeezes it tightly] It was just a dream.

Derek: [he squeezed back, nodding] Yeah, just a dream. [he wasn't so convinced. It had felt real]

Fiona: [she curls her hand in his, bringing the back of it to her lips to bring his attention to her] Hey. Talk to me.

Derek: [he looked over at here, shaking his head a bit] No, you're right. It was just a dream. It just... it didn't feel like one.

Fiona: [she looks back at him, resting on her side as she looks at him] Sometimes they can do that. It sounds like it was just a really bad nightmare.

Derek: I haven't had one in a long time though. Not like that. Not about that.

Fiona: Maybe there was something today that triggered it.

Derek: I don't see how. All we were doing was going through a records room at Eichen House

Fiona: Anything happen there?

Derek: No. Not it was a bust. We didn't find what Lydia was hoping we would.

Fiona: Anything else happen?

Derek: I thought I heard something but when I went to look, I couldn't find anything. [he shrugs] The place is creepy, Fi, and everything echoes. We figured it was probably just an echo I was hearing.

Fiona: [she nods a bit, keeping her hand in his] It probably was.

Derek: [he takes a deep breath, then goes to sit up] I'm freezing. I'm going to go turn the heat on.

Fiona: [nods and moves her hand back to the baby, feeling the soft rise and fall of her chest]

Derek: [he goes to head into the main part of the loft and looks over towards the balcony at the moon, and there's a shadow on the balcony that is looking at him. He blinks, and then it's gone. Shivering, he just shakes his head and goes to look at the heat setting, seeing that the thermostat says it's 68. He turns it up to 75 and then heads to the bathroom to wash his face with some warm water too]

Fiona: [she'll be waiting for him when he gets back, possibly dozing off a bit next to Lucy in the process - a combination of long days/late nights, but when he comes back she'll probably wake up again]

Derek: [he does, looking less haunted, feeling a bit warmer, and he goes to gently pick up the baby and cuddle her a bit before putting her back in the crib]

Fiona: [she stirs a bit when he takes Lucy, watching as Derek holds her with a small smile] She always quiets down faster for you than she does for me.

Derek: Yeah, well I probably scared her screaming like that. I hope I didn't hurt her ears.

Fiona: They're not that sensitive yet. She'll be okay.

Derek: [reorganizes Lucy's pillows to keep her in the right position in the crib, then goes to sit on the edge of the bed] I'm not sure I'm going to be able to fall back asleep. You should sleep though.

Fiona: You should try. [she sits up a bit to tug on his arm, pulling him back to bed] Besides, you're a very comfortable pillow.

Derek: I'm a very cold pillow right now. [but he does lay back]

Fiona: [moves to shift against him, draping one arm across his waist and rest her head against his shoulder] I'll warm you up.

Derek: [his arms wrap around her like they always do, keeping her close] I'll hold you to that.

Fiona: [she smiles a bit, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck and closing her eyes] I love you.

Derek: I love you too. [he kissed her forehead, nuzzling closer. But he wasn't going to fall asleep and just stare at nothing as his mind kept trying to play over the details of the nightmare to try and figure it out]

Fiona: [and with the rhythm of his breathing and his presence there she will slip off to sleep, oblivious of whatever he's doing while she's asleep]

Derek: [and he'll act like he's fine the next morning, but when he's at school, he's going to start having problems reading, and keeps thinking he sees the shadow figure at the end of the hallways]

Cora: [and she'll drop by when she has lunch and he has a free period and frowns when she sees the look on his face] What is it?

Derek: [he's rubbing at his eyes, a bit anxious before looking back at his book and no, the writing is back to normal] I'm just tired, I think.

Cora: [frowns at that, before leaning back against the edge of his desk] Everything okay?

Derek: Yeah, just fine. I had a bad dream last night and it's thrown me off my game this morning, that's all.

Cora: Okay. [she eyes him for a moment, concerned, before taking a bite of her apple] Anyway, I just wanted to make sure everything was okay for me and Stiles and Lydia to start moving in next week.

Derek: [nods, reaching for his coffee mug that was still half full and cold] Yeah, you should be good. I'll make sure to leave you the keys for the service elevator.

Cora: Great. [she reaches over to rub a hand against his shoulder] You sure you're okay?

Derek: [nods, unsure but more like he's trying to convince himself] Yeah, I'm fine.

Cora: Okay. [she pushes up and gives his shoulder a squeeze] I'll see you after school.

Derek: [he nods his head a moment, then blinked] After school?

Cora: [glances over] Dinner? At the house? Or are you and Fi not going?

Derek: Oh that's right. I forgot it was tonight. [nods] Yeah, we'll be there.

Cora: Okay. See you then. [And with that, she'll head back to her own classroom]

Derek: [goes to try and text Fiona to remind her and looks at his phone, unable to read the keyboard. He closes his eyes, and just tries to type by memory so the text message may have a few autocorrects but he can get his point across about if she remembers dinner plans at his mom's that night]

Fiona: [frowns a bit at that, before texting back] Yeah, I got it. You okay?

Derek: Just tired. Long daily.

Fiona: [frowns some more] Okay. I'll see you tonight.

Derek: Love u. [and he will make it through the rest of the day, go pick up Liam, and he's just going to go stretch out on his mother's couch when he gets to the house and probably fall asleep instantly]

Fiona: [will convince Talia to let him sleep for a little while, possibly through dinner, and will make her way over and sit on the edge of the couch next to him, brushing her fingers against his forehead gently]

Derek: [his eyes pop open, and his body jumps a bit almost as if he was startled, but then he closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and his shoulders roll and he relaxes back into the couch] Hey.

Fiona: Hey. [her fingers curl a bit, sliding her fingers through his hair] Another bad dream?

Derek: [shakes his head] No, nothing bad. I just... when I woke up I couldn't move.

Stiles: [having come into the living room to grab something for Dina] Sleep paralysis. It's not an uncommon thing. Your brain just woke up before your body.

Fiona: [she glances back at Stiles, before turning back to Derek] Have you felt that before?

Stiles: Yeah, sometimes. Usually mornings after I had a bad night. [he rubs at the back of his neck] I got nightmares, and sometimes when I woke up, I'd still feel like I was being attacked and held down.

Fiona: [she nods a bit] Maybe it's just a holdover from last night.

Derek: [sitting up a bit, nodding] Maybe.

Stiles: Having nightmares about something?

Derek: It was just one. I'm fine, just didn't sleep well afterward.

Stiles: I usually do some deep breathing exercises to try and relax before I sleep on bad days. It helps keep the nightmares away. Want me to send you the link to the website I found them on?

Derek: Yeah, thanks Stiles.

Fiona: [nods as she glances back to Stiles again] Thanks, Stiles.

Stiles: No problem. [and he grabs the child tablet and heads back to the kitchen]

Derek: [looks at Fiona, tired] Did I miss dinner?

Fiona: [nods a bit] I wanted to let you sleep a bit. Your mom made you a plate, though.

Derek: [nods] I should eat before it gets too late.

Fiona: [she nods] Go ahead. I'm gonna see if I can get Lucy to sleep.

Derek: [nods and pulls himself up, stretching a bit and heading into the kitchen as Stiles takes Liam out to play lacrosse a bit before the sun is gone]

Fiona: [goes to retrieve her daughter from her father-in-law - sorry, Thomas]

Talia: [is in the kitchen, doing the dishes when she glances over to Derek with a smile] How'd you sleep?

Thomas: [will pout but gives her up]

Derek: Alright. I should be fine in the morning, I just didn't sleep well last night.

Talia: Everything okay?

Derek: Yeah, I just had a bad dream last night, and the feelings are still haunting me a bit.

Talia: What kind of bad dream?

Derek: [he licks his lips] I was in the forest doing a training session at night with Peter, and I lost his scent and picked up a fox or something. And then I ended up at the nemeton. [he shrugged] I haven't had a nightmare in a while, so it just shook me, that's all.

Talia: A fox?

Derek: Yeah, a fox. It's not uncommon on the preserve, right?

Talia: No, they're not. But it seems odd that in the dream you remembered that so specifically. Do you remember any of the other scents?

Derek: Just normal stuff in the forest. [and his blood all over the nemeton]

Talia: But nothing specific comes to mind?

Derek: Just the fox. It threw me off Peter's trail, but I never found it.

Talia: Mmmm. Anything odd happen yesterday?

Derek: No. I thought I heard something while we were at Eichen House, but it was probably just an echo. That place is creepy.

Talia: [her face sobers a bit at that and she nods] Yes it is.

Derek: But that's it. [shrugs]

Talia: [nods a bit] I'm sure it will pass.

Derek: I hope so. [he's just been picking at his food, staring at the plate]

Talia: [glances down at that and frowns] Not hungry?

Derek: I thought I was, but I guess not.

Talia: [she nods, making her way closer and rubbing one hand against his shoulder gently] I'll wrap it up so you can take it home. In case you're hungry later.

Derek: [leans into his mom's touch] Thanks, Mom.

Talia: [she nods] If you keep having these dreams, it might be worth it to talk to your sister. See if she can pinpoint what's going on.

Derek: I'm sure it's just a one night thing, Mom. I'll be fine.

Talia: Mmmm. [she's sure it is too. But on the off chance it isn't.] I'll get you a container for the food.

Derek: [he nods, and when she brings the container over he will put the food in it] I'm sure I'll devour it later.

Talia: Good. But it's getting late and you should take the kids home.

Derek: Yeah, probably should. [with the food packed, he's going to kiss his Mom on the cheek, call for Liam and then head to find Fiona] Ready to go?

Fiona: [looks up from where she's rocking Lucy to sleep in her car seat before nodding] Yep. Let's go.

Derek: [and home they go]

Fiona: [and once they get there, Fiona will say goodnight to Liam before taking Lucy right to bed, trying not to jostle her so that she can just sleep right through the night.]

Derek: [he's going to go put the food in the fridge, and then go to his desk to look at the mail. His eyes start to read, but as he blinks, the words shift on him and he sighs in frustration]

Fiona: [she comes up behind him when she hears that sigh, sliding her arms around his waist as she presses close] More bills?

Derek: [nods] Fiona, how long ago was it since that day? The one with Jennifer and everything.

Fiona: [she takes a deep breath, trying to think back] ... God, over a decade now, I think. Cora was sixteen, wasn't she? She's twenty-eight now?

Derek: [nods] Do you think after all that time, I'm still connected to that thing?

Fiona: [she sighs softly, pressing her cheek against his shoulder] It's possible. I mean I don't think it's the kind of thing that lets go easily. These things last for centuries and gain the power they do for a reason.

Derek: I just don't want to think that there is someone out there trying to use it now and that's why I saw it in my dream.

Fiona: Want me to go and check it out tomorrow?

Derek: Can you?

Fiona: [she nods a bit] Yeah, I can. No problem.

Derek: [he'll wait until he hears what she finds out before he tells her about his loss of the ability to read]

Fiona: [Derek, no, you need to tell your wife things.]

Derek: [he will. Tomorrow]

Fiona: [uh-huh. For now she's just going to push up on her toes to press a kiss to his neck] Come to bed.

Derek: Alright. [he smiles and goes with her]

Fiona: [she tugs him back to the bedroom, sitting him down on the edge of the bed once they get there and working on the buttons of his shirt]

Derek: [he looks up at her, shaking his head.] I'm going to regret this later, but I'm still exhausted, babe. I think I'm just going to go to sleep.

Fiona: [she frowns a bit] I'm not seducing you. I'm just helping.

Derek: I know. But I can do it myself. [he looks up at her, grateful but needing to do it himself so he doesn't feel like he's being coddled]

Fiona: [she sighs a bit before nodding] Okay. [she leans in to kiss him softly before pulling back to go get dressed for bed herself]

Derek: [he's going to do the same, curling up on his side of the bed and just closing his eyes, unsure if he is going to be able to sleep again tonight]

Fiona: [she'll crawl in next to him, tucking herself into her usual place next to him and closing her eyes]

Derek: [and he's going to sleep for a while, until he opens his eyes back in the dream world. But it looks like his bedroom. Everything is gone though, destroyed in what looked like a wolf attack. He screams for his family, running from room to room but they are gone. They aren't here a voice speaks, and Derek turns to see the shadowed form that had been haunting him. They aren't coming for you. They can't help you, Derek. But I can. But he refused to listen and continued to look, and opened the door to the loft to try and leave only to end up in the forest suddenly, standing over the nemeton. I can help you, Derek. But you need to let me in first.

In reality, Derek was sleepwalking. Right out onto the balcony, his eyes half closed but not conscious, standing right at the edge of the railing.]

Fiona: [wakes up to find herself alone in the middle of the night, and is confused for a moment] Derek? [when she gets no response she climbs out of bed, heading for the balcony. When she sees him standing at the edge, panic surges through her and she rushes at him pulling him back off the railing and tackling him down to the ground] Derek, what are you doing?

Derek: [connecting to the ground wakes him back up and his eyes blink awake, looking at her in confusion] Fiona?

Fiona: [her face is all concern, real worry all over her face] What are you doing out here?

Derek: [he sat up a bit, looking around in pure confusion] I don't remember coming out here. I was just... dreaming.

Fiona: [she frowns a bit at that] You almost walked off the balcony.

Derek: [he looked at the balcony and scooted away from it, then back to her in fear] I wasn't out here. I was... [he looked away a moment, then back at her and sighed] I was at the nemeton again.

Fiona: [yeah, that's not good, at all. She glances to the edge herself for a moment, before turning and reaching for his hand to pull him up] Come on. Let’s go back inside.

Derek: [nods, taking her hand. He's frozen again, so cold he doesn't feel it at the moment]

Fiona: [she pulls him inside and back to bed. when they get there she rubs his arms gently, pulling up the blankets as she does] You're so cold.

Derek: I don't feel it. [but he pulls the blankets tight around himself anyway]

Fiona: [she curls herself around him, pulling her into his arms to keep him close] What did you see this time?

Derek: [he thinks a moment] Everything was destroyed. And I couldn't find you. But there was this... man? Thing? It was watching me. Talking to me.

Fiona: What did he say?

Derek: ... That he can help me.

Fiona: Help you find me?

Derek: He didn't say. He just said he could help me. If I let him in.

Fiona: Let him in where?

Derek: I don't know that either. I was about to ask before I woke up on a balcony.

Fiona: [nods a bit, carding her fingers through his hair] I'll go look tomorrow, see if there's anything there.

Derek: [nods] Maybe you should tie me to the bed before I go back to sleep.

Fiona: [she gives him a bit of a look at that] Derek, I don't ...

Derek: [he's serious] Fi, if I could sleepwalk out there...

Fiona: [she's not comfortable with this, but she nods] Okay. Okay.

Derek: After you check the nemeton, we'll go talk to my mom about it.

Fiona: [she nods, going to find her handcuffs, before making her way back to the bed] I'm not sure if this will be strong enough if you really try to break out, but I'll at least wake up.

Derek: [nods] That's better than nothing.

Fiona: [she puts the handcuffs around one wrist, before making her way closer before trying to find a place to attach him to the bed. She moves to the headboard, finding one of the lower rungs] Comfortable?

Derek: [he tests them, then nods] Yeah, I'm fine.

Fiona: [she latches them into place and then crawls back into bed next to him, resuming their usual sleeping hold]

Derek: [he wraps his free hand around her] Just... if I start something in my sleep again, Fiona, do whatever you have to to wake me up, okay?

Fiona: [she nods] I will. I promise.

Derek: [he's scared, but he nods] Love you.

Fiona: I love you too. [she leans in closer and kisses him softly] Everything's going to be fine.

Derek: I hope so. [nuzzles against her cheek]

Fiona: [she sighs softly and settles in comfortably next to him, closing her eyes to fall back asleep again]

Derek: [he's scared to fall back asleep, but he eventually does, but he wakes himself up over and over again to keep himself from dreaming for the rest of the night]

Fiona: [stirs a bit whenever he does, but doesn't wake up completely, just nuzzles his neck a bit and sinks back into sleep again]

Derek: [so needless to say, he's exhausted and tired and sore from being unable to move much when the morning comes]

Fiona: [wakes up in the morning and looks up at him with a small smile] Hey.

Derek: Hey.

Fiona: [she shifts, leaning over him to get the key for the handcuffs before undoing the lock and releasing his hand] How'd you sleep?

Derek: Horribly. But no more dreams.

Fiona: [she brushes her hand against the side of his face] Maybe you should take the day off today. Just take a break.

Derek: I was thinking of that too. I'll take Lucy to Mom's after I drop Liam off and just stay there.

Fiona: Okay, good. I was going to go to your mom's first to ask her to watch her while I checked out the nemeton, so I'll ride over with you.

Derek: Okay. [he looks up at his arm] I think you can let me go.

Fiona: [smirks a bit as she leans in to kiss him, before she finishes undoing the handcuffs and giving him his arm back] Next time I tie you up, I don't want it to be because I'm worried about you hurting yourself.

Derek: [he rubs his wrist, chuckling through his nose as he looks up at her] Duly noted.

Fiona: Good. [she pulls back after that, as Lucy starts to get fussy, and she climbs out of bed to see what she's after] Don't forget to call out.

Derek: I won't. [he reaches for his phone and goes to call. It's not really all that hard to make himself sound sick because he felt like crap. And the office is shocked that Derek is taking a sick day for the first time in years that they don't question it]

Fiona: [changes and dresses the baby before taking her out so that she can make breakfast. She sits Lucy down in the high chair and pours her out some cheerios to keep her entertained before heading to the fridge to see what they have to cook]

Derek: [he walks back out, pulling a shirt on and heading right for the coffee] I took off the rest of the week. I figure I'll need it if for nothing than to just sleep.

Fiona: [nods a bit as she pulls out eggs and bacon] Good plan. [she glances down at her watch before glancing up the stairs] You hear him moving?

Derek: [closes his eyes to focus better and nods] Yeah, I hear typing. I think he forgot homework last night.

Fiona: Good. [and she'll get right on cooking while Lucy happily slaps her high chair tray, trying to catch a wayward cheerio]

Derek: [sips on his coffee, and once the bacon hits the griddle there is feet pounding down the steps and a teenager stuffing a backpack] Good to see you made it for breakfast.

Liam: I just had to finish something up since I have practice after school and didn't want to worry about it tonight.

Fiona: [and she's serving up plates] Breakfast is up.

Liam: [sees the extra bacon] I love you, Mom. [and he's then stuffing his face]

Derek: [is going to sit with his coffee and try and eat a bit, but he's still not all that hungry.]

Fiona: [notices that, but will just sit and eat, trying not to worry about it too much]

Derek: [watches Lucy reach for her daddy and smiles a bit, holding up a piece of bacon] You want this, sweetie? Not until you have more teeth.

Liam: I'm not sharing mine with her. [playfully hoards his closer]

Lucy: [there's a bit of babble as she reaches for him before getting diverted by a cheerio she hadn't gotten before]

Derek: [goes to nibble on a piece of bacon, but even that isn't making him hungry. He notices Liam eyeing the two pieces left on his plate and pushes it over] You'll need it for practice.

Liam: [looks at Derek a bit] You not feeling well?

Derek: [gives him a small smile] I'm okay. Just not all that hungry this morning.

Fiona: [yeah, that's her worried face, but she covers it up with a small smile not long after] Don't question free bacon.

Liam: [nope, he's not going to. He's going to just take it and eat it quickly in case Derek changes his mind]

Derek: [looks at Fiona and gives her a small shrug. He tried at least]

Fiona: [reaches over to give his hand a small squeeze, before finishing her food and getting to her feet] I'm going to get Lucy ready to go to your mom's. Can you do the dishes?

Derek: Sure. [seeing that he's all dressed] Liam, you want to get the car ready?

Liam: Okay. [he hands Derek his empty plate and goes to grab his stuff and the baby bag and head down to the car to pack it]

Fiona: [it takes her about ten minutes to get herself dressed for heading up to the nemeton, as well as getting her usual gear together and getting Lucy all ready to go before she makes her way out into the main area again, her daughter sitting on her hip and her bag over one shoulder] Ready?

Derek: [he finished the dishes and was looking down at his coffee a moment, but nods and goes to add it to the dishwasher and start it] Yeah, I'm ready. Let me just grab my jacket. [and he's good to go, and will let Fiona drive and try not to doze off in the car.]

Fiona: [and if he does doze off, she won't wake him until they get up to the preserve and she needs to get him out of the car]

Derek: [no, he's awake, too scared honestly to sleep in a space like that. He leaves Fiona to get the baby and just goes to get the bags out of the back.]

Talia: [makes her way outside as she hears them come up, frowning when she sees Derek] No classes today?

Derek: I called out sick. [he looked at Fiona, then at his mother] Fiona and I have a feeling this isn't just bad dreams.

Talia: [glances to Fiona as she comes up with Lucy, who reaches for her grandmother the second she gets close enough, and Talia is happy to oblige her, but she's still looking at her son with concern] Not just bad dreams how?

Fiona: Last night he nearly sleepwalked himself off the balcony.

Talia: [yeah, that's not good] What do you think it might be?

Fiona: Can't say for sure, but I'm going to go check out the nemeton just in case. And after that, probably go talk to Deaton and Marcus and see if they've heard of anything like this.

Derek: I figured possible druid trying to mess with the balance of the earth was a good reason for calling out sick.

Talia: Probably, yes. [she tips her head back to the house] Come inside.

Derek: [goes inside, putting Fiona's gear bag by the door and bringing the baby bag to the living room]

Thomas: [looks up from where he's reading the paper] Derek? Aren't you supposed to be in school, son?

Derek: Not sure it's a good idea at the moment, Dad.

Talia: He's not sleeping well, and there's a few things we want to rule out first. [moves to sit next to Thomas, letting Lucy settle in her lap and play with her necklace]

Thomas: I knew it was getting too quiet around here. [leans over to make a face at the baby]

Derek: Oh yeah, thanks Dad. Nothing good ever happens after someone says that. [goes to sit in Peter's chair]

Talia: [Lucy just beams at him, reaching over to pat him on the nose because touching things is cool. Talia smiles a bit at that, before looking back at Derek] I'm sure it'll be fine.

Derek: [just nods, leaning back into the chair and he closes his eyes a moment, then they open again and he sits up, turning to look at the chair. His nose flares as he tries to smell harder, but he can't smell his uncle's scent. He closes his eyes and tries to focus on anything, but he can't smell any of his families' scents at all and his jaw sets]

Talia: [is watching him carefully, eyes narrowing at his reaction] Derek?

Derek: [he looks over at his wife, then mother] I can't smell anyone. I can smell the forest, what you had for breakfast, but I can't smell any of you.

Talia: [the narrow look turns to a frown of concern. She hands off the baby to Thomas for a moment, before getting up and making her way closer, holding up her wrist for him to take] Try again.

Derek: [he nods, trying. Even that close, he can't. He can smell the soap from the kitchen where she had probably washed the dishes, but he can't smell her] No. Just the soap from the dishes. I can't smell you at all.

Talia: [there's a small, thoughtful noise at that, before she gets up to move for the phone] I'm going to call Deaton.

Thomas: [bounces the baby a bit] I'm going to take Lucy on a walk while you guys talk. [he remembered Cora and Derek, when they were babies, would get upset when bad things happened around them, so he was going to get her out of there for a bit]

Talia: [glances back to him with a small smile as she goes for the phone] Thank you.

Fiona: [just watches them for a moment, before making her way over and kissing Derek on the cheek gently] I'm going to head out too. It'll be okay.

Derek: [nods, just sitting forward and trying not to look like he was really starting to freak out. Losing his ability to read was one thing, but his nose was his primary scent. His comfort.]

Fiona: [gives his shoulder a squeeze as she goes to leave, taking her bag with her]

Talia: [finishes on the phone quickly, before making her way back to him again] Are you sure you can smell everything else normally?

Derek: I think so. I just... I can't smell any of you. I know this chair is supposed to smell like Peter and I can't find his scent at all, Mom.

Talia: At least that's a sign that whatever this is is psychological in some way. You're not losing your senses completely - not with something that specific.

Derek: [nods] I also... I thought it was just because I was tired... but I can't read anything right now. It's like the words just jumble up into something unintelligible.

Talia: The inability to read can be a sign of lucid dreaming. But ... you're clearly awake now.

Derek: [his hands are shaking nervously] So how do I even know if I'm awake right now?

Talia: Check your fingers. [she sits on the edge of the coffee table from him and places her hands palm up in front of him] Count them. If you have too many, you're dreaming.

Derek: [looks at her, then at her hands and starts to count her fingers out loud, relaxing a bit when he only counts ten]

Talia: [nods a bit before reaching out to take his hands] Whatever this is, we'll figure it out.

Derek: [she will feel that he's colder than normal, shaking a bit] I hope so.

Talia: [she curls her fingers around his, rubbing his hands as though to help warm them] Have you eaten anything today?

Derek: Coffee? A few pieces of bacon. I'm not hungry.

Talia: [frowns] Did you finish the food I sent you home with last night?

Derek: No, we pretty much went right to bed when we got home.

Talia: You need to eat something, Derek. Let me make you some soup.

Derek: [just nods] Okay. I'm not hungry, but I'll eat it.

Talia: [she nods and makes her way to the kitchen to start cooking]

Derek: [goes to follow, and then stops in the doorway. To Talia, it will look like Derek is frozen in place while in his mind, his mother isn't alone as the shadow figure looms over her, snarling a bit. Don't let her fool you, Derek. She knows what is happening to you. She will kill you when she knows. But I can help you. We can stop her.]

Talia: [glances back when she hears him stop moving, turning back to face him again] Derek?

Derek: [he doesn't hear her, or see her turn to him. In his mind, he's backing away into the house, and the shadow form is following him.] I 'm just dreaming. I need to wake up... [you know this is more than a dream, Derek. You need me to make it end. Let me in]

Talia: [Her eyes narrow in concern, and her eyes flash, putting a bit more of her alpha voice behind the words] Derek!

Derek: [that at least snaps him out and he blinks, back in the doorway, his eyes flashing in response and he falls back into the doorframe, looking around in confusion]

Talia: [moves closer to help balance him, easing him gently towards the kitchen table] You were in some kind of trance.

Derek: [he is shaking as he sits, shaking his head] But I was here. You didn't... you didn't see anything?

Talia: [shakes her head, watching him carefully] No. What did you see?

Derek: You were going to make the soup and this... this shadow figure was here and he said... he said you knew what was happening and you were going to have to kill me if I didn't let him in.

Talia: That's the phrase he used. "Let him in"?

Derek: [nods, looking at his hands and he's obviously trying to count his fingers] Do you know what he's talking about?

Talia: No, but I have a suspicion. We'll wait and see what Deaton says when he gets here.

Derek: [rubs his hands through his hair in frustration. He wants to ask his mother if they are going to have to kill him because of this, but he doesn't want to go there] I need to just stay awake. Can I get some more coffee?

Talia: [she nods as she straights to go make it, pressing a kiss to the top of his head] Of course.

Derek: [and he's just going to sit there and not move and focus on staying awake]

Talia: [and she will fix him a cup of coffee and some soup, and wait patiently for Deaton to show]

Deaton: [and eventually he shows, letting himself in the back door] I came as soon as I could.

Thomas: [has also come home and Lucy is in a bouncer in the doorway nearby] Good to see you, Deaton. Can I get you something to drink?

Derek: [looks up a bit, giving the man a half smile in greeting]

Deaton: I'm fine, thank you. What seems to be the problem?

Derek: [looks for his mom] You mean beyond the fact I'm going crazy?

Deaton: [smirks, amused, as Talia returns downstairs] Is that an official diagnosis?

Talia: Nightmares, sleepwalking, hallucinogenic trances. He says that someone was talking to him, trying to get him to "let them in" - phrased exactly like that.

Deaton: [pauses as he considers] Interesting.

Derek: Fiona's out checking at the nemeton to see if someone is messing with it since the last two nightmares have had me end up at it.

Talia: I think it might be something a little more ... subtle.

Deaton: [he pauses for a moment, before nodding] I'd be inclined to agree.

Thomas: What are you two thinking?

Deaton: Derek's connection to the nemeton is still present due to what the darach did all those years ago, and that connection could manifest in nightmares, however it would most likely cease at nightmares. They wouldn't need to access Derek in any way. Which leads me to believe it may be something else. [his head tips to the side] Are you having any other ... symptoms?

Talia: Low appetite.

Deaton: [considers and nods] That could come with the lack of sleep. It's not the recharge his body is looking for.

Derek: I can't pick up anyone's scent. I can smell things, but not people. And I um... there are periods I can't read.

Deaton: [strokes his chin thoughtfully] Have you had episodes like this before?

Derek: I lost all my senses over a decade ago, back when I was in DC. But that was everything at once, and not like this.

Deaton: What about the nightmares?

Derek: I used to have nightmares about it after... [he looks at his mom] After everything with Paige. But they let up after a while. They started again after the incident with everything at the nemeton but they stopped for the most part after a year.

Deaton: [nods slowly] Was it similar subject matter?

Derek: No, those were usually just replaying the events from the time in my head. This is different. Half the time I'm not even sure I'm dreaming anymore.

Deaton: So you weren't triggered back to that time in some way. This is something clearly different.

Derek: So someone messing with it then?

Deaton: Possibly. Or it's someone messing with you, specifically.

Derek: Yeah, that doesn't make me feel any better. [looks down at his hands]

Deaton: [sighs heavily] We'll figure it out. I have some friends I can consult, and once Fiona comes back, we'll see what she's found.

Derek: [just nods, licking his lips and reaching for his coffee to finish it off]

Deaton: [reaches forward and places his hand on his shoulder gently] Why don't you spend some time with your daughter while we wait? [if anything, Lucy'd probably be a good distraction]

Derek: [looks over at Lucy, biting on his lip a moment. He's worried he may fall asleep and hurt her]

Thomas: I'll help. [he stood up and held onto Derek's shoulder] She's getting to be a handful these days.

Derek: [relaxes a bit] Thanks, Dad. [and off they go to play with the baby]

Talia: [meanwhile Talia and Deaton will stay in the kitchen, keeping their voices low as they discuss their options and wait for Fiona to come back. Which she will in about a half hour or so]

Derek: [and he will remain episode free the whole time, his daughter's constant desire for attention helping keep him focused.]

Fiona: [and she will return, frustrated, because as she walks in the door she will make a face as she announces] I've got bupkis.

Derek: [gets up, going to the door with Lucy in his arms] Deaton's here already with Mom.

Fiona: [nods a bit as she makes her way closer, giving the baby a big fake smile] How are you doing?

Derek: She is spoiled and drooling all over everyone, and grandpa keeps sneaking her apple jacks when he thinks I'm not looking.

Lucy: [the most innocent face in her father's direction. Don't be mad at me, Daddy.]

Fiona: [laughs a bit before reaching to take her] So she's happy as a clam then.

Derek: Yes, that she is. [gives her over easily. He's faking being cheerful, but once he's not holding the baby, the edges of fear and exhaustion are back on his face]

Fiona: [sees that, and she gives him a small smile] Tell me what Deaton said.

Derek: A lot of "interestings" and thinking it's someone messing with me directly, but wanted to talk to you first.

Fiona: [she nods] I'll get her down for a nap, and then I'll go talk to him.

Derek: I wish I could go down for a nap without being afraid of something lurking in the shadows.

Fiona: [she moves one hand to his shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze] We'll figure it out, and then you can take all the naps you want.

Derek: Promises, promises.

Fiona: [raises her eyebrows] Have I let you down yet?

Derek: No.

Fiona: Then have a little faith.

Derek: I'm trying to.

Fiona: Good. [she leans forward and gives him a soft kiss] I'll be right back.

Derek: [kisses her back, a small smile] Alright. [and he will go sit with his dad, watching something on the television]

Fiona: [and it'll take her a bit to get Lucy to sleep, but once she does she'll make her way out into the main area again, directing her question to Talia and Deaton] So what are you two thinking?

Deaton: [glances back with a soft sigh] Process of elimination leaves us with options that aren't particularly pretty.

Derek: [he's watching the television, but he's trying to listen in on the conversation in the kitchen. His head turns though as there is a flicker of movement just out of his line of sight]

Thomas: [watching his son] Derek?

Derek: [leans back on the couch] I'm good. [nods to his dad, watching the TV again]

Fiona: Always enjoyable. What are you thinking?

Deaton: It sounds like the early stages of possession. However, the what is what is uncertain.

Derek: [he hears that and sits back nervous. He turns to look at his father, but Thomas is gone and instead there is the shadow figure. Only this time he's visible - a bandaged wrap form in a leather jacket, watching him intently. He holds a finger up to his silver teeth in a motion for Derek to stay quiet. Listen to them, Derek. They think you aren't paying attention. They don't think you're strong enough to handle the truth]

Who are you?

]I'm the one who will make sure you will always be strong enough to take care of your family.]

Talia: [turns towards the sound of Derek's voice, trying to see who he's talking to]

Fiona: Possession is ... a broad term. Any way we can narrow that down?

Deaton: Hopefully, yes. It's simply a matter of running the right tests.

Thomas: [is getting up anyway because Derek is fast asleep, his lips muttering] Tali...

Derek: Get out of my head. [Let me in, Derek. Let me in, and I will let your family live.]

Talia: [yeah, she's up and moving, making her way closer and placing her hands on his shoulders, shaking him gently] Derek, wake up.

Derek: [his eyes open, but it's not Derek staring back in that moment, and his head tilts just a bit to look at Talia, a small little smirk coming to his lips. Because the nogitsune knows they know he's there now, and he's making a point to the alpha]

Talia: [yeeeeeeeah, nope. Talia knows the second it happens her face goes cold for a moment, pulling on that alpha strength of steel that she hasn't needed to use in years. Her eyes flash red and she squares her jaw] Get out of him now, before you pick a fight you can't win.

Not!Derek: [the smirk grows at that] Oh, Talia, you should be the one worried. [his eyes slowly flick over the rest of the people gathered around] All of you should be. [and his eyes find Lucy and he smiles at the baby] All of you.

Fiona: [yeah, she sees that and she's instinctively putting herself between him and her daughter, even if she knows it probably wouldn't do much good]

Talia: [the low, dangerous growl at his words is something that most don't hear all that often] Don't mistake peace for complacency. If you take this road, I promise you'll regret it.

Derek: [his eyes flick back to her and there is a look of a challenge in his eyes, and then the look fades away as Derek blinks awake and jolts at his mother leaning that far over him that his eyes flash blue in submission to her]

Talia: [her face softens almost instantly, and she frowns] Derek?

Derek: [yup, he's trying not to freak out] You saw him too, didn't you?

Talia: [her eyes fade as she sighs, before moving to sit next to him] I did.

Derek: [he looks at everyone else, then back at her] I'm not going crazy then. There's someone in my head, isn't there?

Talia: [she nods] But we're going to get it out, Derek. I promise.

Derek: What is it? [he turned to look at Deaton] What the hell is it? How did it get in me?!

Deaton: That we don't know yet. But I need you to tell me everything you've been seeing or experiencing. Try not to leave any details out.

Derek: [he explains his two dreams with as much detail as he could, and then with this one] This was the first time I've actually seen him. Covered in bandages, wearing a leather bomber jacket... silver teeth.

Deaton: Use all your senses. Was there anything else distinctive that struck you as odd.

Derek: [he thinks, just shakes his head] This time, though... this time he threatened everyone. He said if I let him in... he'll let my family live.

Deaton: [pulls back slowly before nodding] I'll have to do some research. But we'll find it, Derek. We'll fix this.

Derek: [shakes his head] What am I supposed to do until then?

Deaton: Until then? We'll have to make certain ... arrangements. But the less you know about those, the better. [it's for the kids own protection]

Derek: [he looked up at Fiona, scared. But he nodded] I understand.

Fiona: [and she crosses the room to him easily, sliding her arms around his shoulders and pulling him close] Hey. It'll be okay.

Derek: [he rests his forehead on her shoulder, holding her back tightly]

Talia: [takes a deep breath, before stepping back and letting Fiona take the seat next to Derek] I'm going to go talk to Peter about this. I shouldn't be gone long.

Derek: [just nods, and he's going to lean into his wife for support. He's just so tired, emotionally drained and scared that he doesn't know what to do or think at the moment]

Fiona: [is just going to sit there and hold him tightly while Talia heads out of the house and across the preserve]

Peter: [is upstairs in the nursery, covered in paint as he has the house to himself for the day and can do this without worrying about either pregnant member of his family complaining about the fumes]

Talia: [follows the smell of the paint and just leans in the doorway, out of the rage of the walls that are still wet] This looks like it's coming along.

Peter: [turns to look at her, smiling a bit as he rubs at his yellow and green splotched face] Thank you. It's hard trying to find time to work when you're on backup duty for one baby and trying to make the other mother to be comfortable at all times.

Talia: [she smiles a bit at that, but it's a little sad on the edges] I'm sure it is.

Peter: But I learned how to do it taking care of my big sister three times over, so I'm usually a master at it. [he turns to face her, and then tilts his head a bit. He knows that look.] What's wrong, Talia?

Talia: [exhales slowly, trying to say it in a way that doesn't sound ridiculous, even if to her it does] Derek ... is possessed.

Peter: [both eyebrows go up at that because no, no that can't really not sound ridiculous.] Possessed by what?

Talia: That we don't know. But I saw it, and there's definitely something there.

Peter: The nemeton connection?

Talia: It might be related, but its not the thing that's controlling him.

Peter: [and he's putting the roller down and grabbing his rag to wipe at his hands] Tell me what you know.

Talia: [she sighs] He's been having trouble sleeping. Nightmares, sleepwalking, hallucinations. It hadn't actually taken control until this afternoon when it decided to speak to me.

Peter: It spoke to you? What did it say?

Talia: That I was the one who should be afraid of it. [there's a mirthless smile] I believe it intends to use my son to kill me.

Peter: Well, it would be poetic.

Talia: Mmm. [and then her face is a little more serious] He threatened the baby.

Peter: [that raises his hackles] Well, shall we go to the library and see if we can figure out what this bastard is?

Talia: Please. We're also going to need a plan for the children. I'd recommend asking the Kirsanovs, but given how close Derek is to them, that might not be the wisest choice. [she pauses as she turns to follow him] Maybe we should see if Tyler has some friends nearby.

Peter: Perhaps, but depending on what we're dealing with is going to depend on how far we send them. One call and I can have Nadia take them anywhere and not just to one of their homes, but anywhere.

Talia: [nods in agreement, before her head tips to the side] Maybe I should make some ... new alliances.

Peter: Or use ones we never have before. I hear Japan is wonderful this time of year.

Talia: Mmm. Or New Orleans.

Peter: Doesn't Tyler have an alliance there?

Talia: [she nods] Klaus Mikaelson.

Peter: [wrinkles his nose] I'd prefer Jason's in-laws over the Mikaelson pack, but they are geographically further, even if there is an ocean between here and Japan.

Talia: [glances to him, amused] Klaus has been looking to curry favor with me. Now might be the time to take advantage of that.

Peter: Just pray that currying favor doesn't equate to killing Derek first and asking questions later

Talia: Hardly. But if we need to send the more ... vulnerable members of the pack to him, he and his siblings are all very powerful werewolves. We can at least trust they'll be safe there.

Peter: True. [still doesn't like it. But Talia is the alpha and the family will go where she feels they are the safest, He nodded his head for her to follow him downstairs where he washed his hands in the kitchen sink before heading to the library] Did you get any hints on what it may be?

Talia: Not much. [she drums her fingers against her arm for a moment] He kept saying he smelt a fox.

Peter: A fox? [he groans a bit, heading over to the section on Asian mythology] Yes, sending the family to Japan would be a very bad idea then.

Talia: [frowns] What do you mean?

Peter: Jason and I had a long talk many moons ago about the other creatures that ran in his family tree. He mentioned that there was a branch who were all kitsune. You may have heard Cora talking about one of them - Kira? She was in school with them out in Boston.

Talia: [she pauses, then nods] Kitsune can't possess people, though.

Peter: The ones that live - no. But older ones that have become spirits? Those are different. They are old, the youngest would be at least over a hundred years old. Some of the ancestral ones would be thousands of years old. But they don't just randomly show up without being invoked.

Talia: So how would one have wound up in Derek?

Peter: That I don't know. [he pulls off a book from his shelf he had picked up in Japan with Nadia once, opening it up to the Kitsune page.] And on top of that, there are thirteen types, each with their own purposes and powers.

Talia: Lovely. Lots of options to choose from.

Peter: If he smelt a fox, this is where I'm going to bet my money on what it is. But Jason will be the one we need to talk to. He can tell us how to figure it out.

Talia: [she nods] I'll head over there after we finish here. I'd like to try and keep as much of this out of Derek's range of hearing as possible. The less this thing can learn through him about what we know, the better.

Peter: Smart plan. [stops] You should call Laura and Cora while you're here and warn them now.

Talia: [she nods, reaching for her phone and placing it on speaker on the table. It doesn't take her long to get them both on the same phone call] Are you both busy?

Laura: Nope. [there are sounds of ruckus in the background for a moment before the door closes] Just the usual challenges of having four children.

Cora: [there's a smirk in her voice] I'm good. What's up?

Peter: It seems your brother's current lethargic nature is a bit more complicated than a simple cold.

Cora: [she frowns at that] What's wrong?

Talia: He seems to be possessed by something. Peter thinks it might be a kind of kitsune.

Laura: [colorful swearing] Do you want me to ask Jason about it?

Peter: Yes. We need to move quickly and figure out how to identify what kind and … [no, that picture is not very nice of a town beating a person to death to try and exorcise it] ... and if his family has any information on how to remove one if he doesn't know.

Laura: He should be home in an hour, I'll ask him then.

Talia: Cora, I also need you to get in touch with Klaus. See if he would be willing to ... provide a bit of protection.

Cora: For the kids?

Talia: If possible.

Cora: I'll call him. He owes me a couple favors anyway.

Peter: [thinks] We should get Allison and Stiles out of town too.

Cora: Have them go with the kids to New Orleans?

Talia: That'd probably be best, so they're not traveling alone.

Peter: I'll call Nadia and see if I can get the jet here immediately to take them. [and her. She needs to go and protect the kids and humans]

Talia: [she's not going to like that] Cora, do you think Elena and Matt would mind a visitor? I think Malia's too far along to fly, but Isaac could drive her up to Palo Alto.

Cora: I'll ask. I'm sure they won't, once they know what's going on.

Peter: [he knows, but he will try and be convincing] Tyler could have Caroline drive her. Isaac would be better served being here.

Cora: Yeah, it's better for Caroline to go anyway. Human and all.

Laura: We'll meet at my house tonight and coordinate all of this. We should probably get them out of here as soon as we can.

Peter: [stands up a bit] Lydia. I don't know if she's better here as a warning system, or being sent away.

Talia: We should probably leave that decision up to her.

Peter: [nods] Fair enough. But now we have to figure out what to do with Derek. Because we can't leave him to wander around like nothing is wrong.

Cora: He's out of school for the week, so they won't be expecting him there. Is there somewhere we could ... lock him down? Would he be willing to do that?

Talia: I don't know. But I can handle that tonight with him and Fiona while you're working on the travel arrangements.

Peter: I'll work with Jason on trying to figure out if this is a kitsune and what kind in the meantime after I talk to Nadia.

Laura: Sounds like a plan. [swallows hard] Be careful, Mom.

Talia: I will. I promise. Just make sure the more vulnerable members of the pack are safe. [and with that the girls hang up and Talia sighs heavily] I'm getting too old for this.

Peter: [looks over at her, and then goes to wrap his arms around her and kisses the side of her head] We will get through this, as we always do.

Talia: [sighs softly as she leans into him, nodding] I know. I just thought we were past this.

Peter: I know. But it was the reason we sent Derek to DC all those years ago. We got complacent that he would be safe after all this time.

Talia: I didn't expect anything like this.

Peter: Maybe we need to look more into the history of the nemeton. Perhaps it's linked to some sort of issue before our time that I don't know about. [pulls back a bit, looking up at the books] Perhaps during World War II? There was a relocation center in this area, wasn't there?

Talia: [she nods] Satomi used to talk about it - not often, but sometimes it would come up.

Peter: We should talk with her. See what she remembers.

Talia: [she nods] I'll call her once I'm finished with organizing things here.

Peter: I'll see what Father may have in the histories around that time until Jason calls me.

Talia: Alright. [she gives his hand a squeeze before pulling away] Let me know if you find anything.

Peter: I will. [squeezes back] And we will save him, Tali. I promise.

Talia: [nods with a small smile, before turning to head back to the main house, leaving Peter with his books.]

Peter: [and he's going to do that and be caught up in it all until either Nadia or Jason show up.]

Nadia: [well, since you play Jason, Nadia will make her appearance first, oblivious to whatever drama is happening and just walking in and relaxing into the couch, exhaling softly as she does]

Peter: [good, because I don't need to talk to myself for 30 minutes anyway. Plus Peter likes Nadia a lot more - no offense Jason - and when he hears her, he will look up from the books before moving out to see where she is. He sees her nice and relaxed and is going to hate breaking that moment]

Nadia: [she hears him coming and doesn't have to open her eyes to know something is off] You're stewing.

Peter: I'm worried. We have a big problem.

Nadia: [she opens her eyes to look at him, starting to sit up a bit more] What's wrong?

Peter: Derek is possessed. Theory right now is a kitsune spirit, but Jason is coming over later to help. But from what I read, this isn't going to be very easy to deal with, and we're going to be sending the children and the pack humans away for their own safety. We need you to take the children, Stiles and Allison to New Orleans if we can get the Mikaelsons to agree to protect them during this.

Nadia: [her eyebrows go up] Your nephew may be possessed and you're sending me away? [no, she doesn't like this at all] Why aren't you sending the children to Victor?

Peter: Because if this creature can access Derek's mind, he will know where they are. Derek's had no interaction with the Mikaelsons, and Klaus has been trying to garner favor with Talia. She can use that desire of his to her benefit. I'd prefer to sent them to Jason's family, but it's Talia's decision.

Nadia: [she sighs] The Mikaelsons aren't all completely unreasonable. Elijah is at least ... sane. [a beat] You'd rather like him, actually.

Peter: Needless to say, sending eight children in the care of Stiles and Allison only is not comforting. [he kneels in front of her] I'm not asking you to go to take you away from here. I don't have reason to trust them. You've spent time with them that I haven't, and you can protect these children in ways that Allison and Stiles cannot if things go bad.

Nadia: [she sighs softly, one hand coming up to brush against the side of his face] I don't like leaving you here alone.

Peter: I know. And I don't like not having you here at my side. But the safety of the pack comes first, and I can't make the choice on where they go. I can only better the odds and send one of the two I trust most to protect them.

Nadia: [sighs softly] I'll go. But they'll be fine. Klaus has a bit of an ill reputation for the way he became alpha, but if you knew Mikael, you'd understand that he's the lesser of two evils.

Peter: [presses his forehead to hears, closing his eyes in relief. It was also his own protective nature wanting to get her away, and he knew she knew, but he would have let her stay if she fought hard against him.] Thank you.

Nadia: [she sighs softly] They'll be safe with Klaus, Peter. It's you I'm worried about.

Peter: I know, but it's Derek we need to be worried about. I'm not sure there is a way to save him from what I've been reading.

Nadia: You'll find something. Has Talia contacted Satomi yet?

Peter: She's going to.

Nadia: Good. When should I have the plane ready?

Peter: Tonight. We need to do this without Derek himself learning about it. We can't trust him right now.

Nadia: [she nods, before turning to reach for her phone] I'll make the calls.

Peter: [he stops her, pulling her back gently to face him and he kisses her gently] Thank you.

Nadia: [she relaxes slightly into the kiss, nodding a bit as he breaks it] Just promise me you'll be careful.

Peter: I will be, I promise.

Nadia: Good.

Peter: [he's going to be a nervous wreck: mate in one place, daughter in another, both pregnant, and then possessed nephew.... yeah. totally ball of worried Peter]

Nadia: [one hand finds it's way to the back of his neck massaging softly] Will me telling you what I know about the Mikaelsons make you feel better about at least some of us?

Peter: [nods] Yes, it would.

Nadia: [nods as she leans back again, patting the seat next to her.] There have always been werewolves in New Orleans - two packs, the Mikaelsons and the bayou wolves. The Mikaelsons came over in the early seventeen hundreds, I think? They settled in the French Quarter, claiming that territory for themselves. Naturally the bayou wolves didn't take that well and there was a lot of ... clashing for a long time. No party looked particularly congenial, but so long as they stayed to their respective territories things were ... mostly quiet. At least, until Klaus's father, Mikael.

Peter: I take it he wanted to be king of the werewolves?

Nadia: Oddly enough, no. But he was an abusive, toxic alpha who did not deserve the power he had. All of his children were terrified of him, but Klaus, from what I can tell, bore the brunt of it. And eventually he simply ... snapped. He killed Mikael and took the position of alpha for himself and oddly enough it's probably the best thing to ever happen to the Quarter. He's not the most ... diplomatic leader, but he managed to settle three hundred years of territorial bullshit with one wedding.

Peter: [just nods. He's familiar with that kind of upbringing, though he probably had it better than Klaus, or young Tyler who held a similar story.]

Nadia: [she nods] Klaus is egotistical and brash and impulsive. He tends to get his way whether other people like it or not. But he tries, at least, to do it for the right reasons.

Peter: Let's just hope then that he will continue to act that way towards us.

Nadia: I think so. Especially considering Cora helped make that alliance happen.

Peter: She was doing it to help Tyler though, not the Mikaelsons.

Nadia: To Klaus, I don't think it matters. He wasn't doing it to better himself, he was doing it to make his brother happy.

Peter: Which is always a good reason to end a century old feud.

Nadia: I think so.

Peter: Just be safe.

Nadia: I will. I promise. So long as you do the same.

Peter: I will. [and he kissed her again to seal the promise]

Nadia: [she kisses him back softly, before pulling away and getting to her feet] I should go get things ready.

Peter: Let me know if you need any help. I'll be in the library.

Nadia: [she nods and heads to their bedroom to pack]

Peter: [and he's going to go research, and Jason will eventually join him, writing down notes to try and figure out what kind of kitsune was in Derek based off the information that Talia had given them]

Talia: [and somewhere along the way there's an angry phone call from his sister reporting that Derek has disappeared]

Peter: [and then they will join in the hunt to find Derek, who has suddenly gotten good at hiding his scent]

Talia: [gdi Derek]