new york wolves } { of chess games and new allies

[hereditare]

Nadia: [Laura and Victor went off to talk about alpha things, so she is lingering in the living room, admiring one of the bookshelves with a glass of wine. She's dressed in her usual flair, and turns when she hears footsteps behind her] ... You must be Peter.

Peter: [as he's taking off his hat, he had smelt the wolves at the entranceway and knew what Laura was doing today, so he wasn't as surprised as he would have been.] That would be me. Since you don't look like a Victor to me, I'm assuming you are Nadia.

Nadia: [nods, before pointing to the bottle of wine sitting on the counter] We brought a lovely Cabernet, if you'd like a glass.

Peter: [thinks. He's more of a beer and whiskey guy, but he needs to be hospitable.] I may try some, thank you.

Nadia: [small smile as she turns back to the books again, letting her fingers run along the spines] This is a lovely collection.

Peter: Most of them are Derek's, or family volumes. [down to his normal clothes, he made a move to go and stand by her] After the fire, Derek and his younger sister worked to rebuild it so they could have something from their childhood that the hunters couldn't take from them. Or that is what I think was behind the motivation.

Nadia: [nods a bit] The classics are some of my favorites.

Peter: Same, though I have a fondness for the mystery novel now and then.

Nadia: [small amused noise] Are you a Nikki Heat fan?

Peter: [snorts] As much as our family is friends with Richard Castle, his novels tend to be very formulaic.

Nadia: My mistake. Any recommendations, should I stray too the more pulpy end of the stacks?

Peter: [looking at his shelf, and then he pulls one down] True Confessions by John Gregory Dunne. It starts with a crime based on the Black Dahlia murder.

Nadia: [takes the book from him gently to read the back] Mmmm. An interesting narrator?

Peter: Yes. It's been on multiple top ten mystery book lists, so it's worth the read.

Nadia: I will keep it in mind. [and goes to hand it back to him since it's his book and all]

Peter: [goes to put it back in it's spot, Meticulous in making sure it's the same distance back on the shelf to be even with the rest of the books] I'm sure Laura has already offered you much, but is there anything I can get you?

Nadia: [shakes her head] No, I'm fine. I'm just waiting for them to finish their alpha summit.

Peter: My niece does speak highly of your brother, so hopefully he will be able to help her.

Nadia: Victor is very fond of her. He was fond of your sister as well, though they only met once or twice. I think he hoped you would have reached out sooner.

Peter: [his jaw sets a bit because he has a hard time talking about his sister even now. But he took a deep breath] It was more of the Ivanov's finding us first. Laura had barely started to understand her alpha side and she was put in a hard place. You can't fault her for that.

Nadia: No, of course not. New York is a hard city to navigate. We're just happy we can help now.

Peter: We are very appreciative of whatever help you can give us. We're not looking to control any territory, only to stay hidden and survive.

Nadia: [nods] We've always understood that. Otherwise, I think you would have heard from us sooner.

Peter: We belong in California. Perhaps my sister's children will remain here, but we can't ignore our land and territory forever.

Nadia: [nods] Some healing takes longer than others.

Peter: I'm well aware of the analogy.

Nadia: It's not an analogy.

Peter: My mistake. [and he's going to walk away from the books and back into the loft. He thinks a moment, and passes up the wine instead for a bottle of Perrier in the fridge]

Nadia: [turns and watches him, a little curious as she takes another sip of her wine] So what do you do while you're here?

Peter: I'm working in the library in the historical preservation section. I used to help my parents preserve the family journals, so I have a rare set of skills that pay handsomely.

Nadia: How fortunate. Do you enjoy the work?

Peter: Not particularly, but it's better than my side job.

Nadia: Mmmm. Nothing interesting in the documents?

Peter: A few things here or there. Mostly historical facts.

Nadia: Are they local stories?

Peter: Yes. It is the New York Metropolitan Library's historical section. Most of it is local. [sorry, Nadia, Peter is not really the wolf that gets brought out at fine social occasions]

Nadia: [apparently not, but that's okay. She can carry a conversation] I'm a bit of a history fan. I'd probably find a job like that rather fascinating.

Peter: [sighs] Sorry, you would probably find it a lot more interesting than I'm making it sound. I'm not really the best at idle conversation.

Nadia: [shakes her head] It's fine. I do event planning for socialites, I've practically become an expert.

Peter: Most of my company comes from books or from Russian cartel thugs. Pretty sure I wouldn't know what to do with a socialite.

Nadia: Oh, I'm sure you'd be fine. You're certainly handsome enough, all you would have to do is smile and nod. Socialites are generally shallow creatures by nature.

Peter: [there is a small smirk as he drinks his water] I have a hard time staying quiet around useless people.

Nadia: [smirks] Then I would avoid the high society life

Peter: Pretty sure even after this is over, I'm not going to get many yacht invites with this stamp on my neck.

Nadia: [glances forward] Oh, I'm sure it would be an excellent conversation piece. See how many different ways you can explain it away. [a beat] Or invest in turtlenecks.

Peter: [groans] I'm too young and pretty for turtlenecks.

Nadia: It's probably for the best.

Peter: I could try the hipster look and invest in scarves.

Nadia: [her head tips to the side] I think scarves would work for you.

Peter: Then I guess I know what to put on my Christmas list.

Nadia: [smirks a bit, before going to pour herself another glass]

Peter: [tilts his head, trying to listen into the other room]

Laura: [Peter that's rude. Also she's in the soundproofed room so pbbbbbth]

Peter: [he's a second. He likes to be in the know.]

Laura: [she'll fill you in later, just entertain the pretty other second]

Peter: [sighs. So mean, Laura] So, do you play chess at all?

Nadia: [finishes pouring and nodding slowly] A little.

Peter: It's been awhile since I've had a willing participant. Derek gave up on the game about the same time he started dating.

Nadia: I can't promise I'll be a worthy opponent, but I can certainly try.

Peter: The other option would be just to watch a movie until their summit is over.

Nadia: I think chess will be a bit more engaging. [and she's not as terrible as she claims. She just likes it when people underestimate her]

Peter: Alright. [and he will go and get the board, which is more of an old fashioned ivory carved set that had been hand made by some artisan a long time ago, down to the handmade wooden board with hale family personalization] One of the few treasures we still have left that was in the vaults.

Nadia: [admires the board as he sets it up, before glancing back to him] Black or white?

Peter: Ladies' choice.

Nadia: [tips her head as she considers, before moving to sit on the black side] As you wish.

Peter: [takes the white side, and since he is white, he moves first] So, if we're going to be allies, perhaps you can tell me more of your pack.

Nadia: [her approach is more sneaky than aggressive, and she makes her move as she nods] Of course. What would you like to know?

Peter: Structure, numbers, tax exempt status? [he smirked a bit at the last piece]

Nadia: [laughs] Mostly family. There are a few wolves we've taken under our wings over the years, but we're a bit like your family. But patriarchal instead of matriarchal, obviously. Most of our power is centered in New York, but we do have a small group of us in DC as well.

Peter: Do your human heirs stay with the pack, or go off on their own?

Nadia: We haven't had many humans, actually. But family is family, so if they want to stay they're more than welcome to, just as much as they're free to leave. We're a bit more nomadic, in a sense. We like to travel so leaving home for a little while has always been part of the package with us.

Peter: That is where our packs differ. I guess due to our age and history, we are firmly attached to our land in California. Some have tried to strike it on their own, but they always get drawn back to the town. [there is a moment as he makes his next move] Perhaps if that instinct wasn't as strong, there would be more of us.

Nadia: Perhaps. But roots are not a bad thing. I think our problem is we just like the rest of the world too much. And we all have different ways of going about it. My younger brother Nikolai rides a damn motorcycle across the country whenever he gets a chance.

Peter: So he falls into the stereotypical "howling at the moon" persona?

Nadia: [laughs] In some ways, yes. But he's a puppy for the most part. Not as terrifying as he looks. [and she considers the board for a moment, before sliding her next piece]

Peter: I will try to remember that. Looks often are deceiving, after all.

Nadia: Indeed. In fact, our world is far more about deception than most people would like.

Peter: Trying to find the real person beyond the facade that they show to the world. Sometimes its fascinating, and other times it's a look at the world that makes you fear how far humanity has slipped. And they call us animals... [he sees that move and thinks a moment before he counters]

Nadia: [clever. Okay then.] They like to believe they're the morally superior, but in the end, everyone has a little animal in them. It just depends how much they let that show. [and another move to counter his.]

Peter: And how much they are willing to admit it and control it.

Nadia: [nods] That too.

Peter: [sits back to look at the board, and then raises his eyes with an amused smirk. He doesn't say anything, but he's giving off the feel that he knows you were underselling yourself on your chess skills]

Nadia: [rests her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand, drumming the fingers of the opposite hand against the table while she waits]

Peter: [goes to make his move and sits back, silently waiting to see how she moves next]

Nadia: [smirks. She was hoping he would do that. She picks up a piece that he wasn't paying attention to and slips it into place] Check.

Peter: [nope, he knows this gambit, and he's going to move his pawn up to block the piece, which means move it or lose it]

Nadia: [tricky, tricky. She'll do as requested, but is thinking about a new strategy as she does]

Peter: [and he's going to attack while you retreat] Check.

Nadia: [makes a face as she moves her king out of the way]

Peter: [nope, chasing it but holds his finger on the piece as he looks to see the options in that move before letting it go] Check. Again.

Nadia: [yes, but this time the piece is in a position where she can just use the king to take it] Enough of that.

Peter: [smirks, enjoying the battle on the board as he slides another piece down to take that piece] You were saying?

Nadia: [and another piece swoops in behind that defense to move into place] Check.

Peter: [and he goes to slide a piece in to block it]

Nadia: [and she'll just take that piece, funny how that can be turned back against you]

Peter: [and the king will take that piece]

Nadia: [sits back from the board from a moment, scanning for her next move. She lets one elbow rest on the arm of her chair, fingers curling in the air as she thinks]

Peter: [he leans back and watches her, sipping from his water. He's not blind - she is very attractive - but his focus on living for another than to protect his sister's children and Malia was too ingrained into him that he wouldn't act on it beyond the harmless flirting.]

Victor: I haven't seen her think that long on a move since she was playing our father.

Nadia: [snaps and points in his direction] Shut up, you're being distracting.

Peter: [turns his head easily. He had long since taught himself not to jump when startled. He gave the other man a nod] And she tried to make it that she wasn't very experienced to me when I suggested the friendly game.

Victor: She likes to be underestimated. Most people do, and she's found it serves her well.

Peter: I don't blame here. It's a good advantage. I just am one who doesn't make those kinds of assumptions.

Nadia: [eyebrows raise at that] Oh really?

Peter: Most of the time. [there's a small smirk there]

Nadia: [makes a thoughtful noise before she finally makes her move]

Peter: [he looks at the board, seeing what she had done and how it would end as he evaluated the moves to come, and nodded before reaching to lower his king to the board] I had hoped you wouldn't have seen that. Good game.

Nadia: [smiles] Good game indeed.

Laura: [wanders out after Victor] You two seem to be having fun.

Peter: We were getting to know one another while we waited. I'm sorry I was late getting home, but I was called on to run an errand and, as always, no is not an answer.

Laura: [makes a face] Well, very soon it will be.

Peter: So we have a plan set?

Laura: We do.

Peter: Good. [to Victor] Thank you.

Victor: It is my pleasure.

Peter: [he hasn't moved, not offering to stand of shake the other man's hand since he's not big on the touching if he doesn't have to. He looked to Nadia and gave her a smile and a nod] And thank you for the game.

Nadia: That pleasure was all mine. [glances to Victor and nods] But I think we're going to be going. It was nice meeting you, Peter.

Laura: [Victor gives a bit of a wave and off they go, Laura walking them to the door. Once they're gone, she turns back to him with a sigh] So. What do you think?

Peter: Well, they are more refined than the Ivanov's, that's for certain. [he leans forward to put the chess pieces back into their starting positions] I think that it's much better company to keep. What does Victor ask for in return for his help?

Laura: An audience with Satomi. Which I already spoke to her about and she's agreed to.

Peter: [tilts his head] Why would he want an audience with her? Is he looking to claim property in California?

Laura: [shakes her head] He likes making friends, and wants to be on her good side. His pack travels, if his people are in her territory for business or whatever else, he doesn't want it to be considered an act of war.

Peter: [nods as he focuses on the chess pieces] That would be a good reason then.

Laura: [nods as she watches him] You worried?

Peter: About the Krisanovs? No. I'm worried about the ramifications that the Ivanovs will bring down on us when this happens. Derek can take care of himself and has the entire NYPD behind him. But Cora and Malia will need to be very observant to protect themselves.

Laura: Maybe we should have them stay away from the penthouse for a while.

Peter: Where would they stay that could give them any more safety than we could?

Laura: Do you think the Ivanovs won't consider charging the penthouse to prove a point?

Peter: They would, but if they stayed with Castle, they could pick them off their too, or any point in between. Most of the time, the times I've been involved in errands enforcing space, it's usually picking people out when they are alone and in public. No one in New York stops to help another - they would rather film it and post it on YouTube.

Laura: I wasn't thinking Castle.

Peter: Who were you thinking?

Laura: Well, Malia has a dance competition in a few weeks in DC. Victor has pack members there who can keep an eye on her. I don't know if we should send Cora with her or hide her in the city just in case.

Peter: She may be able to hide herself with that boy she's been following around, but it would put him at risk as well.

Laura: Stiles was my first thought, too. The NYU dorms are pretty safe. You need a keycard to enter.

Peter: The campus is pretty secure too. As long as they remain indoors as much as possible and avoid ordering takeout, they would be fine.

Laura: I think she might be able to manage that.

Peter: I wonder if Stiles can manage that. [small smirk]

Laura: [a look at that] His roommate has to be okay with it too.

Peter: I think they are all mutual friends at this point.

Laura: Still. [sighs] Do you want to talk to her when she gets home or should I?

Peter: I can talk to her. What's the timeline for this to happen?

Laura: [moves over to the calendar on the wall] The competition is the weekend of the fifteenth. That gives us three weeks.

Peter: [nods] That will be long enough to get plans in place for all of them. [Derek too, but he isn't much of Peter's concern as the girls are]

Laura: [glances down at her watch] She gets back from class around eight.

Peter: Alright. [he thinks for a moment] And what's my role when this goes down?

Laura: Honestly? I'd like you to be as far away from this as possible. I'm not entirely convinced they won't kill you once the deal is broken.

Peter: No, I think your evaluation of that is spot on. [thinks] I think it's time I go home for a bit anyway and check on our territory. I haven't even been... I wasn't in any shape to pay respects.

Laura: [nods, giving him a small smile] Leave some lilies for her from me.

Peter: They were always her favorite, especially when you picked them for her.

Laura: [nods, sighing softly] I miss her.

Peter: I know. We all do. [he got up to put the chess board away, making sure that it was positioned just right on the shelf] And you may not notice it, but the three of you look more like her every day. Even Derek, but don't tell him that or he will question his manliness.

Laura: [she laughs] I will keep that to myself.

Peter: [and he goes to pick up Nadia's glass and heads to the kitchen. Very meticulous and tidy, Peter was] He will be the safest out of all of us. You'll probably want to talk to him about even seeing what resources he may have in the new precinct.

Laura: [nods] I haven't gotten a chance to take him out for a "Yay new job" celebration lunch. I'll swing by the precinct later.

Peter: Good. I will make dinner for the girls while you do that.

Laura: [nods, and goes to get dressed] And if the Ivanovs call for anything, let me know first.

Peter: I will.

Laura: [and with that she's off to pay her brother a spontaneous work visit!]

Derek: [and he will be sitting at his desk across from Kate, working on looking through the recent case files to see how the office procedure was on paperwork handling]

Laura: [will wander into the twelfth, scanning the room for her brother. She's never been there before, so she's just going to glance around, looking a little confused]

Esposito: [oh look, beautiful lost woman] Can I help you, ma'am?

Laura: [glances up and flashes him a bright smile] Uh, yeah. I'm looking for Derek Hale?

Esposito: [smiles back, even though damn, rookie has all the luck] Sure thing. I'll walk you over to his station. I'm Detective Javier Esposito.

Laura: Nice to meet you. [holds out her hand to shake his] Laura Hale.

Esposito: [goes to shake it, and notices there is no ring. So not wife] I take it you're his much more attractive sister then.

Laura: [laughs] Older sister. Aka the boss of him.

Esposito: [laughs] Yeah, that's good. You did a good job on that. Ain't ever seen a rookie that dedicated to doing everything right before in all my time in this place.

Derek: [he's hearing all this, and nope, going to turn in his chair and look at the two of you like seriously?]

Laura: Well, I know how to kick his ass into line, that's for sure. [grins at her brother, totally innocent] Hey, Derek.

Esposito: [nope, he's just going to smirk because wow, your sister is HOT, Derek] Well, there he is. But if you need anything else, don't hesitate to find me.

Derek: I think I got it, Detective.

Laura: [grins a bit as she watches him go, before turning back to Derek] Wanna get lunch?

Derek: [looks at Kate's empty desk, then shrugs and stands up] Sure. I can do lunch.

Laura: Great! Because I figured I owed you a celebratory promotion lunch and there's something I wanted to talk to you about.

Derek: Alright, there's a great deli down the street we can hit up. [and he'll grab his gun and jacket and head out, leaving Kate a post-it note that he was having lunch with his sister at the deli]

Laura: [turns to follow his lead] Sounds good.

Derek: [and they walk and get food and head out to sit on the steps in Times Square?]

Laura: [that works. She takes a bite into her sandwich, before leaning back against the step behind her] So how's the job going?

Derek: So far so good. Kate and I are relearning each other, but not a lot has changed in how we do things so it's been easy

Laura: Good. That's good.

Derek: Yeah. I admit, it feels good being back on the street again and not always in the lab. I mean, I was on the street for the lab too, but this is different. Better.

Laura: You seem happier, too.

Derek: It's a good group I'm in. Flack knew what he was doing bringing me along.

Laura: Didn't I say that?

Derek: You did. But I'm not telling Flack. It'll give him more of an inflated ego.

Laura: [laughs] Good plan.

Derek: So what did you want to talk to me about?

Laura: So you know that our situation with the Ivanovs isn't really working out, right?

Derek: No, I hadn't noticed at all. [sarcasm]

Laura: Well, I've been looking for a way out and Victor Kirsanov is going to back my play.

Derek: [nods thoughtfully as he takes a bite of his sandwich] That's a very powerful ally to be backing you up.

Laura: Yep. But I wanted to have my bases covered and make sure you were aware so that you can watch your back when they decide to retaliate.

Derek: Which they will. But I'm sure they are smart enough not to pick with the legitimate cop in the pack.

Laura: They're not that smart.

Derek: I haven't had to deal with them yet. At least not directly.

Laura: Peter's been doing most of the one-on-one time with them. You'll have to talk to him if you want an accurate picture.

Derek: Like he'll actually tell me. [bites his sandwich, avoiding his sister's gaze a moment]

Laura: [raises her eyebrows before turning to face him more] Okay, what is going on with you two? I thought it was a survivors guilt thing and that it would blow over but that was eight years ago.

Derek: We just changed, Laura. That's all, and whatever we had got burned away with the fire.

Laura: It doesn't have to.

Derek: Trust me, it could be a lot worse.

Laura: Enlighten me.

Derek: [finishes his sandwich and he wipes at his mouth] Laura, it's eight years ago now. It's not worth bringing it back up.

Laura: Bringing it back up indicates that it was actually brought up in the first place, which it hasn't been. I kept hoping that you would tell me and I wouldn't have to force it out of you.

Derek: [he's just going to keep quiet, looking down at his hands] Laura, please don't.

Laura: I don't want to. But you need to tell someone sometime.

Derek: [he scowls, because no, he doesn't believe he needs to. He needs to find the argents and bring them to justice. Then maybe he can tell them and know that they won't hate him forever]

Laura: Derek, you keep bottling this up, it's going to destroy you. The longer you wait, the harder it's going to be.

Derek: [he looks up at her, his eyes showing so much behind them that his face tried to hide. Pain and guilt]

Laura: [she sees that, and she inches closer, placing the sandwich to the side for a moment so that he doesn't even have to say it loudly for her to hear him] Just tell me.

Derek: [he looks like he just may, but he shakes his head, his hands fisting] I can't, Laura. I can't.

Laura: Yes, you can. Derek, it's okay. It's safe.

Derek: No, I can't. Because you'll never forgive me.

Laura: Doubt that. As your older sister it's my job to put up with your crap, good or bad.

Derek: [shakes his head] Not this.

Laura: Even this.

Derek: [he's still a moment, and then looked up at where they were. Times Square was covered in more surveillance cameras than the rest of New York. It may be the safest place to tell Laura something like this, or risked accidently exposing her as a wolf.] You sure you want to know? [and there's something in there that's very real, and very much telling Laura that if he says it, there's no going back for them]

Laura: [nods. yes, she wants to know. she can't help if she doesn't]

Derek: [he can't look at her as he says it, so he just looks up at the billboard across from them.] I was sleeping with Kate Argent. Mom and Peter knew. One night we were out late past my curfew and I snuck back home with her still and used the tunnels. That's how she knew where the entrance was. And that was a week before the fire.

Laura: [There was always a part of her that somewhat knew. His emotions after the fire had always been more guilt than grief and while she never fully understood why, this makes sense. Still, it's a stab to the gut that has her closing her eyes and looking away for a moment, before squeezing his shoulder gently]

Derek: Everyone in our family died because of me. And there's nothing any of you can say that can change that. And Peter told me back then I was going to get someone killed because of it but I told him that she was different and it wouldn't. And then it did, and he was right and I just... [he took a deep breath, pushing back the tears and letting the anger settle on his shoulders that helped him keep his control. His anchor] Mom died because of me. And there's no forgiving that.

Laura: [she tugs him into her, letting her chin rest against his shoulder] Kate would have found another way, even if it wasn't you. She's a psychopath. It's not your fault you fell in love with her.

Derek: [he's stiff in her embrace though, not letting himself take the affection. He is stubborn in feeling that he doesn't deserve it.] No, it is my fault, because she never cared about me. I should have known better. I should have listened, but I wanted to prove Peter wrong.

Laura: You're not the first one. You certainly won't be the last. He's an ass that way.

Derek: Doesn't matter. I lost everything because of it.

Laura: We all lost everything. You aren't the only one.

Derek: [is quiet a moment, then pulls back but he won't meet her eyes]

Laura: Derek, look at me.

Derek: [he looks down a moment, then sighs and looks over at her, sad puppy]

Laura: [looks him dead in the eye] You are my brother. And I love you. And you made a mistake. It was a big fucking mistake, but you didn't mean to get anyone hurt.

Derek: [he just watches her, staying silent, but there is a tiny shift in his eyes. the all encompassing anger and guilt lifts just a bit. He'll never be rid of it because he can't forgive himself yet, if ever, but not having his alpha sister excommunicate him to omegahood was relieving one of his fears]

Laura: [she gives him a small smile before pulling him in again] C'mere.

Derek: [this time he isn't as still, but it takes a moment still for him to just bury his eyes in the crook of her neck as he took a deep, shuddering breath] I'm sorry, Laura.

Laura: [lets her hand brush against the back of her head] I know. It's okay.

Derek: [he wants to shake his head that it wasn't okay. He was far from okay. But he didn't. He just let his sister hug him a moment longer, than pulled back and rubbed at his eyes with his arm a moment] I should get back to work.

Laura: [nods] And I should get back to the penthouse. Peter's going to talk to the girls about our situation. See if Cora can stay with her new boyfriend at NYU, and Malia's got a dance competition that weekend. Peter said he'll probably go home.

Derek: Beacon Hills?

Laura: [nods] He wants to pay his respects.

Derek: If he thinks it's safe.

Laura: Satomi'll have his back.

Derek: [nods]

Laura: It'll be okay. Just ... keep busy, weekend of the fifteenth, okay? Maybe you'll catch a good murder, have to be around a lot of cops.

Derek: [snorts] I'll see if I can put in an order for that.

Laura: Do that. [and she goes to scoop up her sandwich. Time to go home and check on her sisters. And probably talk to Peter] But for right now, to work you go.

Derek: ... You're not going to tell Cora, are you?

Laura: [shakes her head] Not my story to tell.

Derek: She went through so much back then... if I told her, I don't know what it would do to her.

Laura: She's going to have to know eventually, and it'll be hard on her - but it's better she hear it from you. Not someone else using it as ammunition.

Derek: [nods] Eventually.

Laura: As I said. Don't wait too long. You never know what could change.

Derek: [nods and goes to head off back to work where oh look, a case is waiting for him]

Laura: [heads home and hopes that Peter's talked to Malia and Cora already]

Peter: [he given them both the 411 on what's going down and a realistic expectation of what to expect and how to keep themselves safe]

Laura: [and Cora probably wandered off to try and figure out how to invite herself into Stiles’ dorm room, clearly underestimating a college boy's desire to have a pretty girl sleeping next to him. Laura comes in and drops her coat on the chair with a sigh, rubbing her eyes and looking more tired than she should]

Peter: [yes, she is, and Peter was amused at how hard she felt it was going to be. But he was cleaning up from their meal when Laura came back in. When she didn't come into the kitchen right away but sighed and stayed in the living room, he stopped the sink and wandered into the doorway, drying his hands on a towel] You okay?

Laura: [glances up at him and closes her eyes before taking a deep breath] Where are the girls?

Peter: Cora went to talk to Stiles about staying with him that weekend, and Malia had practice with her dance partner.

Laura: [good. no listening ears. She goes and sinks into the couch, burying her face in her hands] Derek told me about Kate.

Peter: [he sighs, tossing the towel to the sink and going to grab two beers from the fridge. He brings one over, popping the top and holding it out to her] Finally.

Laura: [takes the beer from him and leans back against the couch] If I ever see her again? I'll rip her damn head off.

Peter: If I see her in Beacon Hills when I'm home, I'll be happy to do that for you.

Laura: Please do. I won't even feel a little bad about it.

Peter: You may have to send bail money my way, and a plane ticket to Europe. Just so you know.

Laura: I'll make sure they're on standby.

Peter: [nods and goes to sit down next to her, sipping on his beer a moment] You know she didn't do it alone.

Laura: Oh, I know. But I'm not about to authorize a blood bath. Kate's the brains, she organized it, she's the one who'll pay.

Peter: It's been eight years, she probably won't even be expecting it.

Laura: We're not planning some revenge plot either. [she points at him over her beer, stern alpha face on] If she happens to wind up on our radar, we'll deal with it then. Do [not] go out there to go looking for her.

Peter: [he takes a deep breath, closing his eyes a moment because no, that had been part of the things he had been planning on doing while out there, but he sighs and nods in submission] As you command.

Laura: [sighs] I do not want Chris Argent on my doorstep, Peter. Or worse, Gerard.

Peter: Neither do I. [goes to sip his beer] I honestly would rather never see an Argent again.

Laura: So don't go looking for one. I can't handle a turf war and hunters at the same time.

Peter: I will steer clear of the Argents then, if they are even still living in Beacon Hills at this point.

Laura: Thank you. [a beat] But if you hear anything while you're there, keep me in the loop.

Peter: I will. As long as you call me home if you need me, no matter the risk from the Ivanovs.

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

Peter: Then it's settled [and he goes to head back to the kitchen, hoping to avoid any other topics regarding him and Derek.]

Laura: Not so fast. We're not done. [she will even crook her finger for good measure, get back here Peter]

Peter: [dramatic sigh and turns around to return to sit back down]

Laura: Now that things are all ... out in the open, and I know and hopefully sooner or later Cora will know - you need to sort this shit out with Derek.

Peter: Derek knew what he was risking when he chose Kate over me, Laura.

Laura: Yeah, and he's paid the price for it too. And he needs you. And whether you choose to believe it or not, you need him.

Peter: [he just gives Laura a sidelong look, jaw tilted up a bit in contemplation.] Is that so?

Laura: Yep. [she doesn't flinch, just staring him down right back] You two and your little boys club was annoying as hell, but it wasn't just him idolizing his uncle. He hurt you when he made his choice, otherwise you wouldn't have held a grudge about it for this long. You would have let it go a long time ago.

Peter: His choice led to me watching my sister die in front of my eyes while I lay there helpless to save her. I can look past that for the benefit of the pack survival, Laura, but you got to keep your siblings alive and well. I lost mine, as well as everyone else I cared for most because of a stupid horny, egotistical teenager. I still hear her screams at night in my head. That is not something I will just "let go".

Laura: You don't think he knows that? Peter, he kept this from me for eight years because he was afraid that I would excommunicate him. But he was a stupid, horny, egotistical teenager just like you were a stupid, horny, egotistical teenager once. Where do you think he learned it from?

Peter: [he just barely resists the eye roll, but his head tilts to the side, his face hardening just a bit] If I recall correctly, the only reason I'm still here is because you didn't want to take on this responsibility alone, my dear niece. That is my soul purpose in this pack, and I don't pretend to be anything different. In my opinion, Derek deserves everything he gets, and an apology and some puppy eyes won't work as well on me. I'll keep the boy alive, but I don't have to take care of him.

Laura: [eyes widen] Oh, fuck you. [because are you kidding her, Peter? That is not the only reason why you're here]

Peter: Are we done now?

Laura: Yeah. Fine, we're done. [and she'll leave this time but man is she not happy with you]

Peter: [and he will get up and go finish the dishes, and then he's going to go get some air because he is not a happy wolf at the moment]

Laura: [yay, no one is happy]

Peter: [he's in the dangerous unhappy mode though, and that never leads to good things]

Laura: [goddamnit Peter]