new york wolves } { of ivanovs and recovery periods

[hereditare]

Nik: [his eyes flash gold before speaking, his tone clear] Put him down.

Ivanov: No you see, my friend, this one here is ours to do with as we see fit. The other Hales, they will get their feel of what it means to bite the hand that feeds them. But this one, this one is a betrayer, and we do not care for betrayers among us.

Nik: [does not seem impressed. He'll repeat it again, in Russian, for emphasis] Put. Him. Down.

Ivanov: [digs the dirk into Peter's neck, making the man gasp as it draws blood. Peter tries to lift his arm to swipe at the man, but it's a futile attempt] One step closer, I slice his throat before you reach me.

Nik: [smirks] You assume I need to reach you. I don't. [and with that his wrist will lash out, launching a throwing knife into the hand holding the dirk]

Ivanov: [cries out in pain, dropping Peter who collapses to the floor and the dirk is nearby. He reaches over with a shaky hand to grab it to give him some kind of protection because he can't control his shift]

Nik: [takes a few steps forward, before reaching down to haul Peter up and give him something to lean on] We're leaving. You follow me, I will kill you.

Ivanov: [growling over his hand] This isn't over.

Peter: [tries to attempt to seem like he's standing on his own, but most of his weight in on Nik.]

Nik: Heard that before. [but with that he's just going to steer them out of there and too his car. Once they're out of earshot ...] You must be Peter. I'm Nik.

Peter: [settling in the seat, focusing on trying to breathe though the pain in his chest] Just like your sister described. Thank you.

Nik: [chuckles] Nadia mentioned she met you, which ... is saying something for her.

Peter: I leave interesting first impressions. [he groaned, clutching at his chest] I don't think they used normal wolfsbane.

Nik: Do you need an emissary?

Peter: [nods] I think so. [he coughs, and there is a yellow discharge coming from his lungs] That's not good.

Nik: [and he's going to make a hard left and head in the direction of a local emissary who is yet do be determined - do you want to be him or should I?]

Marcus: [so by the time they get to his office Peter has lost consciousness and pretty much spasming from the toxin, and he will have Nik drag him into the lab and hold him down on the table] What the hell happed to him, Nikolai?

Nik: Some kind of wolfsbane. He was coughing up some yellow crap on the way here.

Marcus: [looks at Peter's lips where it's coming out as drool the more Peter spasms] I know this type. This is a very rare type of wolfsbane. A few assassins and hunters use it, but only on their most dangerous prey. It's a way to ensure they can kill from afar without having to even go near the wolf. [he grabs a scalpel from his drawer and goes to cup Peter's shirt away] I need you to hold him very still, Nik, or I may kill him.

Nik: [nods and uses his strength to hold him down, keeping his shoulders steady]

Marcus: [he goes to press the scalpel against Peter's sternum] Hold your breath, Nik. [and he's going to cut, and as Peter gasps, a cloud of yellow gas rises into the air]

Nik: [does as he's told, watching with concern as the gas rises out of his chest. He withholds the smartass comment, mostly because he was told not to breathe]

Marcus: [waits until the cloud dissipates and goes to check Peter's vitals as the Hale werewolf relaxes against the table, panting as he can finally breathe again]

Nik: [and eventually exhales through his nose before looking over at him] That's disgusting.

Marcus: Whoever shot him really wanted this man dead. [he turns Peter's chin as he's cleaning up to discharge] An Ivanov?

Nik: Yep. They were waiting for him at the airport.

Marcus: Defector from their family?

Nik: Laura Hale's uncle.

Marcus: [nods] Talia Hale's brother. I've heard stories about him. Interesting. Well, he should recover fine with some rest and fresh air.

Nik: [nods] I'll call Laura and let him know he's okay, we're just delayed. She'd probably be pacing if she were steadier on her feet.

Derek: [snatches the phone and answers it] Laura's phone, Derek speaking.

Laura: [totally scowling]

Nik: Hi, Derek, it's Nik Kirsanov. I have your uncle.

Derek: Good. Do you need me to come down and help with his baggage?

Nik: No, but we're going to be a little delayed. The Ivanovs were there waiting for us and nabbed him with a rare form of wolfsbane. I took him to our emissary and he's going to be fine, but he needs a little rest.

Derek: [and he's up, worried eyes at his sister] How bad was it?

Nik: Bad. But we fixed it.

Derek: When will it be safe to move him?

Marcus: [is checking Peter over, fingers moving along the burns on his chest before a hand comes to weakly bat it away, and the doctor smiles] And he awakens.

Nik: [glances over] I'm gonna guess soon. Maybe within the next hour or so.

Derek; Alright. If you need help bringing him up, just call and I'll come down to meet you.

Peter: [deep, steadying breaths, looking around the medical exam room trying to figure out where he is.]

Nik: Will do. I'll text you when we're en route. [and with that he's going to hang up to draw Peter's attention] Peter? Remember me?

Peter: [blinks, then nods] Nadia's brother.

Nik: Good. This is our emissary, Marcus. He took care of your little wolfsbane situation.

Marcus: You look like you're someone accustomed to a little discomfort, but you really should watch the kinds of wolfsbane you ingest.

Peter: Hilarious. [sighs] Thank you though. Both of you.

Nik: Our pleasure. I got in touch with your nephew, told them you're going to be fine, but whenever you're ready I can take you home.

Marcus: I would love to talk to you more on your healing from these burns... it looks like you have had quite and extensive...

Peter: Perhaps another time? [it's obvious it's not a topic he's fond of discussing] I think returning to my family will ease their fears.

Nik: Don't mind the doc. He's just a little too curious for his own good. [extends a hand to help him up] I agree with the getting you home.

Marcus: This is how I learn how to take care of you all. Be grateful I'm not afraid to ask questions. [smirks though] If you feel any more buildup in your chest, Peter, you will want to seek an emissary help immediately.

Peter: [nods, and then takes Nik's hand to get up, then works to steady himself.] You didn't by chance get my bags while you were waiting? I would prefer not to go topless.

Nik: [a beat, before shaking his head] I was interrupted when I had to go my wall ball with a few werewolves. [to Marcus] Got something he might be able to work with?

Peter: I will call the airport and get them shipped to the loft then.

Marcus: [went to find something and returns with a Hawaiian shirt] Best I can do.

Peter: [is seriously debating going shirtless, but takes it anyway] Thank you.

Nik: [laughs] Don't worry. I'm sure your family will be too concerned for your well-being to ridicule you too much.

Peter: I hope so. [and he will go with the large man of a wolf] I believe I owe you one. [or his life, same difference] I had hoped by now they would have decided coming at me wasn't worth it.

Nik: Oh, they're much dumber than they look.

Peter: Dumber, but with a lot of resources. Trust me, I used to help acquire them

Nik: Unfortunately. But ours are better.

Peter: I'm aware of that. We're still in a rebuilding phase.

Nik: Nothing wrong with that. I wasn't judging - well, I wasn't judging the Hales. I can't help but judge those mongrels.

Peter: [chuckles and leans back in his seat] You aren't alone. I've been judging them since we got to New York.

Nik: Good to know. [and with that they'll head back in track to the penthouse again]

Peter: [and he will make his way upstairs once they are there, walking in] Hello?

Laura: [still moving slowly, so she wants to get up and go see her uncle but Derek probably has her by the arm and is giving her a look that says "don't you dare"] Bedroom!

Peter: [is going to first take off the Hawaiian shirt and pull one of his sweatshirts from the front hall closet before heading to the bedroom and leaning against the door frame] Good to see we are all feeling just super.

Derek: You doing alright?

Peter: Oh, fine. Just a little wolfsbane to work out of my system. Nothing major anymore.

Laura: You sure? [there's that "don't lie to me, I'm the boss of you" look she inherited from her mother]

Peter: There may have been a threat of eventually continued violence at me until they have my head on a platter, but Nik ended the threat before it was finished with a dagger at the man's hand holding a dirk to my neck.

Derek: [growls] I hate not being able to report any of this.

Laura: [rubs Derek's shoulder gently] You and me both.

Peter: [makes his way over to the bed, sitting on the edge and reaching over to run his fingers through Laura's hair] How are you two?

Derek: Laura kept getting in the way of blows meant for me. And I was wearing body armor yet she still insisted on it.

Laura: [sighs as her head tips into his hand] I'm fine. It was instinct.

Peter: Yeah, big sisters tend to have a way of interfering in your life more than you want, Derek. Get used to it.

Laura: See? He agrees with me.

Derek: I think that was more a statement than an agreement.

Peter: It was both, and it's sometimes harder to handle when your sister is an alpha, but you just have to trust it was done for a reason.

Derek: [eyebrow raised and looking at Laura]

Laura: Hey, you should just consider yourself lucky I'm not freaking out over you being a cop. That's about all the overprotective leeway you get.

Derek: Hey, being a cop I only get shot at. I can heal from bullets.

Peter: Unless it's at your head.

Derek: [look]

Laura: And humans totally stab cops too. And punch cops. Never mind if hunters catch wind of you being a wolf and set you up ... trust me, I've run through all the scenarios.

Derek: Well, I'm a detective now, and not on the street walking a beat. It's a lot safer.

Laura: Good. I'm glad for that.

Peter: We all are. [and he's going to just lean back against the headboard and keep stroking your hair, Laura]

Laura: [oooh, that's nice. Don't judge her if passes out on you, Peter, because she's still healing and both her boys are there and she's due for a nap. They can talk about home later. And maybe, just maybe, Derek and Peter will actually talk to each other.]

Peter: [they will for a bit, but more small talk then anything of substance since that's a lot of talking. But Peter will eventually drift off too, and Derek has to go to work]

Laura: [will stir around that point, mostly because when Derek leaves, Barron takes his place like the giant needy puppy he is. She rubs the dog's back gently, before shifting and tugging a sleeping Peter with her so that he can stretch out more.]

Peter: [he will do that, curling around her protectively in his sleep like the good uncle he is]

Laura: [yep, perfect. She's just curl into his shoulder and then it's back off to sleep again]

Peter: [ and seeing that he's sleeping off jet lag and wolfsbane, he's going to probably sleep until woken]

Laura: [the girls still aren't home yet, she's taking a big window to make sure the coast is clear, but eventually she'll just not be able to sleep anymore and will very slowly attempt to wiggle her way out to take care of the dog and make some food]

Peter: [and once the dog is done eating he will come and nose at Peter awake because big daddy dog needs to eat too. Peter goes to swat at the dog, but his cold nose is insistent and finally he pushes himself up and to stumble downstairs]

Laura: [looks up from where she's cooking the people food and flashes him a smile] Hey.

Peter: Good morning. You feeling better? [gets a water from the fridge and goes to sit at the breakfast bar]

Laura: I was feeling fine. Derek was being a worrywart. [she's still moving slower than she normally would, but she seems fine on her feet]

Peter: Uh huh. [just a raised eyebrow and a knowing smirk]

Laura: [sticks her tongue out at him] Hungry?

Peter: [chuckles, amused] Yes, please. I haven't eaten since I was in Los Angeles.

Laura: [goes to fix him a plate] How was home?

Peter: Different in some ways, but the same in others.

Laura: [nods a bit] Anything I need to know?

Peter: The city has taken over the land where the house used to be and it has been torn down. They said that there had been a lot of squatters in the property, and it was a safety hazard. I did petition for the land rights to be returned with understanding that there will not be any rebuilding on the property without approval of the preserve management team.

Laura: [nods] Probably for the best that the house is gone to begin with. Saved us some money in demolition.

Peter: True. The vaults are all still very secure, and I was able to get some items into my luggage that may be helpful. [and he's pulling out his phone because yeah, needs to call LaGuardia]

Laura: [nods and waits for him to do that, and once he's finished] About Malia?

Peter: That too. I had a nice conversation with a Sheriff Stilinski. [smirks] Her name was Malia Tate, but she has no surviving family. Her father didn't handle the news of the loss of his family well, and he was gone before we even found her. She was still a missing person case, so I was able to help them close that file. There was no estate as the family was in debt, but I was able to retrieve from her a few family photos from her case file in case she wants them.

Laura: [nods a bit] That's good. She doesn't have to worry about ... conflicting loyalties. To be honest, I'm not even sure if she would have wanted to see her father.

Peter: Probably not. She has enough issues in that department at the moment.

Laura: And how is Sheriff Stilinski?

Peter: Doing well. We were talking about the kids, since Stiles has been talking his ear off about this mysterious girlfriend.

Laura: Oh really? Does Cora know that?

Peter: No, not yet. But he was true to his word - the Sheriff didn't know the girlfriend's name.

Laura: [nods] Good.

Peter: [and he's going to stop talking to her a moment to talk to LGA's baggage team and arrange for delivery and pay the appropriate fees easily]

Laura: [pokes at some of her food while she waits]

Peter: [once he's off the phone] Well, at least the Ivanov's aren't bored enough to go into luggage theft. Both bags were there and will be delivered tomorrow.

Laura: Good. Then it looks like everything is in order, at least for now.

Peter: For the most part. However, there is one thing I was waiting to share with you. When no one else was around. [he goes to reach into his boot, and pulls out a tiny silk bag]

Laura: [frowns for a moment, before reaching forward and taking the bag from him gently]

Peter: The hunters were trying to obtain them apparently and they wanted to get into the Northside vault. He snuck in and had them removed while your mother was still at the morgue. Deaton had meant to get them, but as he put it nicely, you failed to leave a forwarding address.

Laura: [her eyebrows go up a bit at that] Didn't really have one at the time. [and with that, she'll start to open it and see what's inside]

Peter: [and he watches, already having gone through this once. Inside were his sister's claws]

Laura: [she just stares at them in her hand a bit of heaviness settling into her shoulders and sighing softly. She's never really allowed herself to actually grieve her mother, never really having the time when there was a family to take care of. But it's moments like this that hit her a little harder than most, and she closes her hand around them quickly to put them back in the bag]

Peter: [reaches over and puts his hands on hers] You know, you were right. Going out there to get some closure helped a lot. I think you kids may benefit from that. [there's a softer edge to his eyes now, something having shifted in his mind while out in Beacon Hills]

Laura: [glances up, trying to blink back the tears as she nods] Maybe. We'll have to see if there's time. [she slips the claws in gently into the bag, keeping her focus on their hands] It just ... it's weird. I miss her so much, and consciously, I know, you know? But ... this is all that's left and ... [and there come the tears. Apparently she wasn't holding it together as well as she thought]

Peter: [and he's around the table and pulling her into his arms tightly immediately, cupping the back of her head with one hand, the other rubbing circles on her back as she cried]

Laura: [will just bury her face in his shoulder, letting out what's probably eight years’ worth of grief. It's far longer than she should have waited to deal with this, but better late than never]

Peter: [which is a pretty similar feeling, since he had done the same thing in a shower stall in the hotel a few days after arriving back in Beacon Hills] Just let it out, sweetheart. I've got you.

Laura: [she does. She pretty much cries until she can't cry anymore and when she does and finally comes back to herself again, she pulls back to see the damp spot on his shirt and frowns] Oh ... God, I'm sorry.

Peter: [cups her face, looking down at her and looking like the uncle she hasn't seen in a long time] Don't. There's nothing to be sorry about. You miss her just as much as the rest of us do.

Laura: I know, I just ... [can't show weakness. Not like she used to. The alpha is the one who has to be strong for everyone. Who has to comfort the rest of the pack, even when they're hurting themselves. Especially when the other betas are just kids. It doesn't really matter if you're still a kid yourself] ... It's been a long time since I've done something like that.

Peter: [runs his hand along her cheek] The benefit of having a second is that while you have to be strong for the pack, I'm the one you can be human around because I'm the one who needs to keep you grounded. And you keep me grounded.

Laura: [looks up at him, before nodding a bit to acknowledge that she understood] Thank you.

Peter: [smiles and kisses her forehead] You're welcome.

Laura: [sighs heavily before gesturing back to the food] Go. Eat. We've still got a couple of hours before Malia gets home.

Peter: [nods.] I hope she was able to think about all of this while she was gone.

Laura: Me too. I know Cora went up to talk to her when she got home.

Peter: Your mom did a pretty good job removing her from my memories and the vault, but I found a picture. I don't feel anything when I look at it, so she can have it. [opens his wallet and pulls out a silly photo booth photo of a very younger Peter Hale with Magda.]

Laura: [she frowns slightly as she looks, before nodding] Yeah. That's who I remember. The girl, anyway.

Peter: [nods and looks at the picture, sighing] I did look happy.

Laura: [she nods] You did. And you probably were.

Peter: I wish I remember. One of the things I realized while I was home that I don't remember ever being happy like that. Ever. I was happy, and content... but not this kind of happy.

Laura: [pauses as she considers] Maybe you should take this as proof that you can be, not ... another sign of something you lost.

Peter: [takes a deep breath] Perhaps. I just... I have to see still if there is anything really left of me to offer another, and Malia gets priority on that.

Laura: No one ever said it couldn't be Malia. That kind of happiness isn't just the romantic kind.

Peter: [nods] I guess we'll see. And you, my dear, once we're free and clear from the Ivanov's... you should get a little bit of that for yourself as well. Otherwise you'll turn into me and we don't need two of us in this household

Laura: [laughs] Me? Dating? That's ... hilarious. [although there was that super attractive detective in Derek’s precinct but ... no. bad Laura. Derek will kill you]

Peter: I could pull the whole heir to the crown argument, but it isn't about that.

Laura: Oh God, I'm not even thinking about that.

Peter: Oh come on, you already mother three adult children.

Laura: They're my siblings. It's different when you actually make one and are suddenly responsible for making sure they turn into a good person.

Peter: You pretty much did it with Malia. [just saying]

Laura: [sighs before shaking her head] Still. I don't know. I know we're supposed to grow the pack and all that, but I'm too nervous to even consider giving someone the bite. And that would be a full grown person I'd just have to train to be a werewolf.

Peter: The training part I can help you with. And you don't have to turn them.

Laura: Do you know any werewolves around here that you'd trust with Cora and Malia?

Peter: You're assuming that I trust anyone who isn't pack.

Laura: My point exactly.

Peter: But that's me. I'm also old, angry and set in my ways. You still have a chance.

Laura: [sighs and shakes her head] Right now, I still just want to hold on to what we have. Right now, what we have is good. Especially since you don't have to run around risking your life anymore.

Peter: No, I just need to make sure I don't cross their paths anytime in the near or distant future.

Laura: Maybe you should hang out with some of the Kirsanovs.

Peter: In an official or unofficial capacity?

Laura: [gives a bit of a shrug] Whichever makes it easier.

Peter: You're going to force me to be sociable.

Laura: If you're going to force me to date, you bet your ass I'm going to force you to be sociable.

Peter: [eye roll] Be careful, or I'll let your brother write your match.com profile.

Laura: That is uncalled for. I was just going to suggest you hang out with people you already like.

Peter: Umhm. [and he's going to go and actually make his plate of food.]

Laura: [just smirks and turns back to her own food]