canon au } { post-s4, of hard choices and old alphas

[hereditare]

Peter: So it would do what then?

Willow: She would materialize here with us. Which is why I thought it would be better if it was just you and me.

Derek: [listens, his fingers folded in his lap and watching Peter, but also Laura]

Scott: So like, a ghost?

Peter: [looks over to Buffy, not sure he likes the sound of that]

Willow: Kind of! Less tormented than a ghost. More like a visitor. Who is incorporeal. But could still probably hurt us if we piss her off.

Peter: I'm pretty sure that means I'm going to hurt a lot with this option.

Derek: You would the other way too. And to be fair, from her you deserve it.

Peter: [looks at Derek] Thank you for the vote of confidence.

Laura: He's not wrong.

Willow: I'm sure it will be fine. That's what you have me for. To be the go between.

Scott: I can be here too. Not that you're in my pack. [they were a long way from that] But being the alpha, I should be here at least.

Peter: No, it's fine, Scott. I have to face her sooner or later anyway.

Willow: [takes a breath so glancing around the rest of them] So ... yay for séance?

Peter: [looks over at Laura & Derek] You don't have to be here if you don't want to.

Laura: [glances back at Derek because she isn't really sure they should be there for this, as much as she wants to see her mom]

Derek: [and as much as he wants to see his mom again, he nods and gets up, wrapping his arm across her shoulder] We'll just be at the coffee shop. If something happens, call us and we'll be back in an instant.

Peter: [nods] I'll let her know you both love and miss her. [even if she already knows it]

Scott: [is just going to hug the wall because he actually meant it, being the alpha and watching over Peter]

Willow: [she starts setting up the ingredients for the spell as Laura leaves with Derek and Buffy, glancing over at Scott as she does] You sure about this, Scott?

Scott: Yeah, if something goes wrong, you may need some help. [and if Peter goes crazy, Scott can take him]

Willow: Well, you should sit. [she points to the spot across the table from her.] Sit across from me. Peter, on my left.

Scott: [nods and goes to sit, and Peter shifts to where she wants him]

Willow: [eventually she settles in her chair before holding out her hands to each of them, and expecting them to close the circle without her having to say it.]

Peter: [does so with Scott, looking first at Willow, then at the claws on the table]

Willow: [and with that she'll begin the chant. It's just a simple séance spell, one she's done before, and she closes her eyes as she feels the magic flow through her. Eventually they'll feel a bit of a crackle, and the wind will whip through the room, slowly growing in power until the one whip blows the candles out around them. The room stays dark for a moment, but eventually, in the seat across from Peter, there's a pair of red alpha eyes]

Peter: [he can feel the eyes and lifts his head, looking into them and swallowing hard]

Talia: [it takes a moment but eventually she solidifies, just as Peter remembers just seeing her last] Peter. [the look that she wears is not a happy look, that's for sure]

Willow: [grins! Séance successful.] Hi, Talia.

Talia: [glances over, and the look for Willow is a bit warmer] Hello, Willow. [and then she turns her attention on the third member of the party, apprising him for a moment] And you must be Scott McCall. [she says as though she doesn't already know who he is, but she's just being polite]

Scott: [nods] I've heard a lot about you. It's nice to meet you.

Peter: [just licks his lips, silent for the moment because yeah, he knows that look]

Talia: As have I about you. I'm sorry this couldn't be under different circumstances. [you know, due to her being dead and all]

Scott: [small smile] Hopefully it's all good.

Talia: Depends who you talk to, but most of them have been glowing recommendations. [her eyes turn a bit sad] My son's betas were both very fond of you.

Scott: [he bites his lower lips] I liked them too. It's good to know they are somewhere better though.

Talia: [she nods] They are. [she takes a completely superfluous breath, before turning back to Peter] So. Why am I here?

Peter: [and now that she's there, he doesn't even remember what he was going to ask her. There's a very sad brother just looking at his sister, and missing her so much, before he licks his lips] I need your help. For Malia.

Talia: [her gaze flickers for a moment, with something akin to regret, before it's back to giving away nothing at all] I'm not sure how much help I can be, but I'll try.

Peter: She wants to know who her mother is, and she's not going to stop until she knows. You took that from me, and I need it back to know what we're going to be getting into so I can prepare her.

Talia: [sighs softly] I can't give it back to you, Peter. It doesn't work that way. Not with me ... like this.

Peter: [he nods, looking down a bit] It was a long shot anyway.

Talia: I didn't know - about the baby. If I did I would have been more careful.

Peter: Laura said that you didn’t like the person I was becoming with her around.

Talia: No, I didn't. She was just beginning to make a name for herself as a mercenary and a killer and she brought out ... the worst in you. I was worried about what it would mean for the pack.

Peter: You were worried that she would turn me into a monster.

Talia: I was.

Peter: You had a good reason to be worried about that.

Talia: [the specter flickers for a moment, and her eyes flash again as she tries to stay present] Now is not the time, Peter. [she does not want to talk about how you murdered her daughter right now]

Peter: [he looks up at her, and then back down in submission. He doesn't want to talk about it either, but to be fair, it will never be the right time, and he won't have the chance to talk to her again as far as he knows] I tried to find you, Tali. After I got Cora out, I went back to find you.

Talia: [she flickers again, her face softening to something sadder] I know.

Scott: [watches Peter a moment] That's why you were inside and got burned?

Peter: [nods] I didn't always put myself first all the time. And I loved my sister more than anyone else.

Talia: You saved Cora. That was what mattered.

Peter: I just wished you had listened to me back then. None of this would have happened.

Talia: I listened, Peter. I just didn't think it would be that.

Peter: I'm not sorry that I killed them, even now. [the ones who started the fire]

Talia: [she takes a breath, because no, she wouldn't expect him to be. She's not sure how she feels about it either] Be careful, Peter. You have to strike an even more delicate balance than you did before.

Peter: I'm trying to, every day. For the kids. For Buffy. But there are nights that I can't stop the voices. Nights I'm not sure if I'm going to wake back up again if I go to sleep.

Scott: [yeaaaaaah, probably something Peter hasn't told anyone yet and he's not sure he likes hearing that]

Talia: Then you have to keep. Trying. [there's a meaningful pause] It's something you have to fight for, Peter. Every day. Find your anchor and control it.

Peter: And if I can't?

Talia: Then you know the consequences. The burden that you're going to have to place on Buffy. And Scott. And Derek. [she huffs a bit] You are the most stubborn person I know. So which are you going to be? The man or the monster?

Scott: [he watches Peter, sitting up a bit a moment as Peter stays silent] It'll be the man. He's got enough people here who care about him to help keep him in touch with his human side. If that's what he wants.

Peter: It's what I want. [softly] I just want my family back. And safe.

Talia: [She doesn't look at Scott, keeping her eyes on Peter as she watches him] Then you know what you need to do. You know that control doesn't come easy. It's something you need to work at, every day.

Peter: Yeah, but it's not something that'll come easy with a little trinket to rub and say a mantra at.

Talia: It's was never about the mantra, and you know it. The triskelion provided focus - Laura did the rest.

Peter: I'm aware of that. That's why Derek didn't take to it.

Talia: So prove that you are stronger than it.

Peter: [nods] I'll try.

Talia: [stares for a moment because he's going to have to do more than try, but in the end she nods]

Peter: You'd be proud of your kids, by the way. I'm sure you can see the people they've become.

Talia: [nods] I am.

Peter: [he thinks for a moment, trying to see if there was anything to ask. He went over their conversation in his head, and then he started a bit, and then looked up at her] If you didn't know about Malia when you took my memory... how was Lydia able to learn about it from your claws?

Talia: [she sighs softly, more regret lacing her features] I read about the car accident in the paper. The more I looked into it the more obvious it became that there was more to it. That was when I found out about Malia.

Peter: Why didn't you tell me then? We could have helped her.

Talia: I couldn't find her. And by the time I figured out who she was, she was so far gone as a coyote, I wasn't sure that I could reach her. Then ... other problems presented themselves. [namely Deucalion and Gerrard and Paige.]

Peter: [it's not an answer he likes, but he just nods] And then the fire.

Talia: [she nods] It wasn't for lack of trying.

Peter: I wish I knew what to tell her. If this woman is as bad as you and Laura remember... finding her risks bringing that down on us. But it's her mother, and she deserves to know something.

Talia: I can't make that decision for you, Peter. It's something you have to decide for yourself. I'm not your alpha anymore.

Peter: I don't have an alpha. [which was... a healthy admission. Far from his belief that he was the alpha even without the power]

Scott: No, but you have me, and I'm Malia's alpha. I'll help you.

Peter: [looks at Scott, then nods] Thank you.

Talia: [glances over at him at that and nods her thanks as well]

Scott: [nods back, smiling just a bit.] You know, you remined me a lot of Derek.

Talia: [eyebrows go up a bit] That's not a bad thing.

Scott: [chuckles] Yup, that's where he gets it from. The whole, eyebrow thing.

Talia: [she laughs] Apparently. [there's a pause] Laura can teach you a lot, if you let her.

Scott: I don't mind learning. Derek's taught me a lot already, though he's busy trying to figure out the whole evolved wolf thing.

Peter: And soon planning a wedding.

Talia: [amused] I know. Dawn. Took them long enough.

Peter: It was finally the right place and right time.

Talia: I suppose it was.

Peter: He's happy though. All of them are. [pauses] We don't by chance have a book that would hold an answer on how to remove the Mark of Caine from an idiotic human at all.

Talia: [her eyebrows go up at that, before she shakes her head] No. I don't think we do. But you could have Laura check the vault.

Peter: If you hear anything, find a way to tell us. We need to know to keep her here.

Talia: I know. [and she won't interfere with that] I'll see if I can ask around.

Peter: Thank you. [because nope, he will probably go as far as to sell his soul to keep her safe and not to die again]

Talia: [she nods before glancing over to Willow] I don't think we have much time left.

Peter: [and his eyebrows go up a bit at that, sad because no, it's not long enough. He doesn't want to let her go, and that look he gives her shows just how much he doesn't want to lose her again]

Willow: [she's feeling the strain of maintaining the spell and she nods a bit] Unfortunately. It's not that I want to, it just ... I kinda have to.

Talia: [glances back to him, before giving him a small smile] This wasn't meant to be forever. You know that.

Peter: I know. [rubs at his eyes] I just miss you. Didn't realize how much until you were here.

Talia: [her face is solemn, but it is what it is. She's dead. She's not meant to stay.] Still. Time to say goodbye.

Peter: I promised Derek and Laura I would tell you that they love you and miss you. Do you want me to tell them anything for you?

Talia: The same. Anything more will take more time than we have. [as she is already fading as the spell starts to conclude]

Peter: [he watches her fade, trying not to let that part of him inside break that felt like he was losing her all over again. He didn't know what else to say, and finally...] I love you, sis.

Talia: [there's a small smile] I love you too. [and with that, she's gone. It lights flicker and suddenly the candles are lit again and the rooms are back as it is]

Peter: [and he's leaning over a bit, chewing on his finger while he's trying to hold back the tears that are threatening to flow]

Scott: [just watches, curious. It was weird seeing Peter being so human still, that it was almost fascinating to watch]

Willow: [leans forward to blow out the candles, before reaching for Scott's elbow] C'mon. Let's give him a minute.

Scott: [nods, getting up to leave, but turning back to look at Peter a moment. He wanted to say something. He knew how hard it was to lose someone you love that much, but he had a feeling that words weren't right for the moment, and left with Willow]

Peter: [and he's going to sit there a moment, and then just get up and all but sprint up the spiral staircase to get to the roof access, and find the spot he usually went to when he wanted to be alone and just... sat there, not caring about the cold and just looking up at the stars]

Willow: [will just link her arm in Scott's as they walk] So what'd you think?

Scott: What do you mean? About Peter or Talia?

Willow: Either. Both.

Scott: Well, Talia's pretty much what I was expecting. She's a lot like Derek, though I'm sure it's the other way around. [shakes his head] I'm still not used to seeing Peter being human.

Willow: [she nods a bit] She always brought it out in him. She was the heart, he was the brain.

Scott: I guess Buffy has to be his heart now. Otherwise he's not going to have a chance.

Willow: Or Malia. Personally, I'd put my money on Malia. But Cora could be a good choice too. He always doted on her when she was little.

Scott: See, I can't really imagine that either.

Willow: [grins] It was really cute. I mean, they weren't close the way he was with Derek, but you could tell he had a soft spot for her. He would teach her things - he always said she paid attention better than Derek did, and she loved the attention.

Scott: I guess when you spend two years staring at the monster, you forget there once was a human in that person.

Willow: [nods a bit] It's not your fault. That Peter's all you've really known. It's easier for us because we were there.

Scott: I mean, I've seen parts of it now. Being in his head and all, but I also know what he's capable of. And I can't just hope for the best. I have to think of the rest of the pack.

Willow: No, and you shouldn't. You're the alpha.

Scott: I want to hope though. For all of them. I mean, Peter's got a hand with more than just the Hales. Stiles is involved because of Cora. And Lydia... I mean, I don't think anyone's even asked her how she is feeling with this since Peter would have been her alpha if the bite had taken.

Willow: I think you have to worry about more than just that with Lydia.

Scott: I know. But there's a bond there between them. He may have been an ass about helping her, but he always helped her when asked - always for a price, but he didn't turn her out. I don't think he ever did.

Willow: That bond ... it's not a pack thing. Not with a banshee. [a beat] I've been doing some reading, and that spell Peter used to resurrect himself? I'm pretty sure she was hallucinating him on some level for a while. No matter what, I don't think Lydia will ever be okay with Peter.

Scott: [nods] Which means that even if I wanted to, I probably can't ever bring Peter into the pack. Lydia will always be first.

Willow: Probably. But that's something you'll have to talk to her about.

Scott: [nods] This alpha stuff never gets any easier.

Willow: Nope. You're always going to have to be the one making the hard choices.

Scott: Great.

Willow: But you're good at it. So don't worry so much.

Scott: Sometimes I don't think I'm as good at it as the rest of you think I am.

Willow: For a teenager who just sort of became one out of nowhere? You're doing pretty okay. And Talia isn't wrong when she says to ask Laura for help. Laura spent her whole life training to be the alpha. She can help handle your instincts.

Scott: I guess. I just... it's still weird talking to her, you know? I'm the one who found her body.

Willow: I know. That probably won't get any less weird. But I'm also sure that she wouldn't mind helping you, if you wanted it.

Scott: No, no I don't mind at all. Just ... weird.

Willow: I know.

Scott: I should, um, probably go. Before the others get back.

Willow: [nods a bit] Text Stiles and let him know the coast is clear.

Scott: I will. Talk to you later? [and he's pulling out his phone to send that text]

Willow: [nods and she's going to do the same for Derek and Laura] See you around.

Derek: [looks at his phone when it buzzes, then up at his sister] They're done.

Laura: How bad do you think it was?

Derek: Not sure. [texts back asking how it went]

Willow: [there's a pause before] ... It remains to be seen.

Derek: ...... Not good.

Laura: Think we should get back there now?

Derek: Probably. Just be ready for anything.

Laura: [nods a bit before getting up to follow him]

Derek: Do you want to join us, or wait for an all clear? [to Buffy]

Buffy: What do you think would be better?

Derek: [thinks a moment] Why don't you come with us, and you can take Willow back and we can see if he wants you?

Buffy: [she nods] If anything I can meet him at the apartment later and you can give me a heads up to clear out if I need to.

Derek: Yeah, that works. And I can text you if he needs you.

Derek: [nods, and they walk back]

Peter: [still hiding on the roof. He's cold, but the stars are pretty and relaxing]

Laura: [and eventually they make their way upstairs, and follow his scent to the roof. Laura isn't really sure what to do so she hangs back a bit, ready to follow Derek's lead]

Peter: [he hears them, sighing a bit] Your mother sends her love.

Derek: You okay?

Peter: [he goes to say he's fine, but he just shakes his head and wipes at his eyes a moment] No, I'm not.

Laura: Is there anything we can do?

Peter: Your mother suggested you talk with Scott to help him learn more about being an alpha. [looks at Derek] No offense, I'm sure.

Derek: None taken.

Laura: [takes a breath then nods a bit] I can do that.

Derek: Anything else?

Peter: She didn't know about Malia until after the accident. When she did... it was the same time everything happened with Gerard and Paige and she just never was able to work on it more. [looks at his hands] She didn't think she would have been able to reach her in that form.

Laura: [nods a bit. she doesn't know much about Malia, but that sounds about right] She wasn't perfect. There were only so many things she could juggle at once.

Peter: I have to tell her everything now that I've got as much as I can... I don't know how she's going to take it though. The more I hear, the more I wish I didn't know it anymore.

Laura: There's a lot of things we wish we didn't know, in the end.

Peter: I'll figure it out. I just hope she doesn't run off on her own and do something stupid.

Laura: I'm sure none of us want that.

Peter: [nods. he's quiet a moment, and then] I just wasn't ready to see her and lose her again so fast.

Laura: That's why I thought it was best to keep Cora out of it.

Derek: [ just puts his hand on peter's shoulder because he knows this one]

Peter: She's also going to see if she can find out anything about the Mark of Caine up there and will find a way to let us know if she does. [because yes, he was going to ask for help to save Laura from EVERY source]

Laura: [exhales slowly before nodding. That's good, at least. even if she still doesn't know how she feels about jumping through all these hoops to help her]

Peter: [he takes a few more deep breaths.] We also talked about my problem. About refinding my anchor to keep focus.

Laura: What'd she say?

Peter: That I need to just keep working on it everyday. To choose the man over the monster. [he looked up at the two of them, seriously] You both should know - [since Scott overheard it] - the voices are back in my head again.

Laura: [her arms cross in front of her chest defensively] Is this something we have to worry about?

Peter: I hope not. But you should be prepared, just in case.

Derek: We'll help you, Peter. We're not going to lose you, alright? Just have faith in that.

Laura: You just have to ask for it. [the help. Because unless you tell them when you're slipping, they're not psychic. They're not just going to magically know.]

Peter: [he looks up at her, because they were still on fragile ground between them in some ways, and then just nodded.]

Laura: [they are. And there's a part of her that wants to take ten steps back in case her uncle is going to go tumbling over the edge again. but she's doing her best to try and stay calm]

Peter: If you notice me slipping though and you can't reach me to bring me back... you both need to lock me up. I refuse to hurt any of you again.

Laura: [there's a hesitant pause as she looks to Derek because she really isn't sure what to say]

Derek: [licks his lips] Peter, we're not...

Peter: Derek, I'm serious. I'm trying, but I need to know you're going to do this. I need to know you two will make sure Cora and Malia never see me like a monster again. Kill me or toss me into Eichen House...

Derek: [growls and just walks away] No. I'm not going to kill you again. I refuse to.

Laura: I will. [her voice is quiet and maybe it's because Peter has killed her before that she's able to make that promise, but she won't let the next victim that he catches by surprise be Malia or her sister. Or any other member of the pack for that matter] I'll do it.

Derek: [there is another growl, this time aimed at his sister]

Peter: Derek. [firm look at him, and then he looks at Laura, understanding and grateful] Thank you. I can't ask this of Buffy either. Hopefully we'll never have to cash this card in though.

Laura: [there's a look in her eyes that says they'll discuss this later, but right now she focuses on Peter] She's waiting for you at the apartment. But we can tell her to patrol or something if you want some time to yourself.

Peter: [sighs and looks up at the stars] No, I'll go home. I think I've been alone in the cold long enough today. [pushes himself up]

Laura: [nods as she turns to walk down with him]

Derek: I'll be down in a bit. [he's going to stay and stew]

Peter: [is just going to be quiet, and then he remembered something] Your mother mentioned going to look in the vault for a certain book that might be able to help.

Laura: [glances over and nods] Yeah, I'll look. She had a lot of books and stuff there, so maybe there's something that'll help.

Peter: [and he's at the door] Good. I'll talk to you later. Don't beat your brother up too much. He's sensitive. [a small smirk]

Laura: [she smirks a bit before going to sit on the couch and wait for Derek to reemerge to yell at her]

Derek: [which isn't going to take too long before he's storming down the spiral staircase. But he's stewing still]

Laura: [watches him and sighs] Derek.

Derek: I'm not talking to you right now. [nope, he's pissed. And going into the kitchen to make coffee. Because caffeine is what he needs, right?]

Laura: [huffs] Someone has to do it, Derek. I'm not going to let anyone be another me.

Derek: It didn't stop him the last time he was killed. He had a backup plan. That's how Lydia's powers were turned on - because he knew he could die on what he was doing and he had a plan in motion. Killing him isn't going to be an answer. Scott knew that and that's why he didn't kill Peter in Mexico.

Laura: And if it comes down to him and Cora or Malia, I'm going to choose them, Derek. Every time. I'm not going to let him do to them what he did to me.

Derek: Unless they spontaneously become alphas, he won't. He'll go after Scott.

Laura: Then someone has to protect Scott.

Derek: You don't get it. Even in the height of his madness, he still cares about his family, Laura. He can snap out of it. He doesn't need to die.

Laura: And what if he doesn't before someone gets hurt. Because he killed me, Derek. And he can't tell me why.

Derek: He was still half in a coma at the time, Laura!

Laura: How long are you going to keep making excuses for him!? Stable or not, he's dangerous. He recognizes that. You need to, too.

Derek: I'm NOT going to lose any more family. [there's a flash in his eyes, angry and challenging]

Laura: You may not have a choice!

Cora: What the hell is going on? [whoops. Maybe Willow shouldn't have told Stiles it was all clear]

Derek: There's always a choice! [no, probably not the best time. Derek growled, hands flat on the kitchen counter] Peter was being melodramatic, and Laura agreed to kill him if he ever went crazy again.

Cora: [eyes turn and narrow at her sister] What?

Laura: Someone has to. Judge me all you want but I'm not going to let him kill anyone else.

Derek: So what, that's just going to be the answer now? Something goes wrong and we kill someone and you're going to be judge, jury and executor? Well then, you may as well go kill Stiles because he was possessed for a while by a nogitsune and has more blood on his hands than Peter does.

Laura: Now who's being melodramatic.

Derek: Peter needs help, Laura. We did this to him. He's a monster because of me, and I'm not going to let you kill him.

Laura: This is not your fault, Derek. None of this is your fault. He made his own choices. [huffs a bit as she shakes her head] You can't take responsibility for everything, because it's not yours to take. All the blood on his hands? Is there because he put it there. He made the choice, you didn't force his hand.

Derek: He wouldn't have been in that coma if I hadn't told Kate about the tunnels.

Laura: No, but being in a coma doesn't turn someone into a killer. Peter still made a decision and he chose to be a monster because that was what he wanted. At the end of the day, Peter is going to have to decide what he wants. He's going to have to decide whether to keep himself together or fall apart and it was a line he walked long before Kate, so you don't get to absolve him of that choice by making it your fault.

Derek: [his fingers are just going to dig into the counter top, claws out as he tries to reign in his own anger] I'm not absolving him of it. But he doesn't deserve to be killed because of it. He wasn't a killer before the fire. And except for going after Scott, he's only ever killed those who have hurt the pack. I was an alpha for over a year and he never once tried to kill me.

Laura: [she recoils a bit because she was family. She was an alpha and he killed her for her power, but apparently she didn't count in that category. Which frankly she doesn't like] Maybe he wasn't strong enough. Maybe he was buying his time. I don't have an answer to that, but one of these days, Derek, you're going to have to pull your head out of your ass and realize that making excuses for him doesn't actually help him. [and that's all she's going to say on that because she's going to go and blow off a bit of her anger on her own]

Derek: [and that is going to be his coffee mug flying across the kitchen to shatter on the wall as she leaves because he's also pissed and hurt and knows he just hurt his sister too and obviously can't do anything right.]

Cora: [flinches at the smash of the mug as she watches her sister go and just ... stays there standing in the middle of the room, not sure what to do or say. Because she can see both sides of the argument and she doesn't want Peter to die any more than Derek does, but it's something they have to consider]

Derek: [and nope, he's done with talking to people. So he is going to sulk in a way that only he can - By kicking off his clothes and turning into a large, black wolf and just curling up into a fluffy ball on the couch. He's done with words]

Cora: [sighs softly before making her way over and curling up against his side. Words aren't working? That's okay. She'll just be there until she figures the rest out]

Derek: [just whines and nuzzles her, snuggling closer. Yes, he's cheating being in this form, but he gives no fucks.]

Cora: [doesn't really care. She'll snuggle him right back, shifting so that her legs are curled up under her and her head is resting against his side]

Derek: [pretty sure he will just fall asleep like that. Sorry Dawn. And if Laura comes back that evening, it's what she gets to see]

Cora: [her head is still spinning a little because she doesn't know what brought this on at all, but she'll just fall asleep with him and stay on the couch. Laura, however, probably won't be back tonight. She needs to blow off some steam of her own]