new york wolves } { of being stood up and playing with fire

[hereditare]

Esposito: [looks up from a file folder as he's walking by and smirks] You know, you keep coming here like this, we may have to get you a little map of the place.

Laura: [glances over with a smirk] It would be incredibly helpful. You could just leave them in one of those flyer bins by the door - make everyone's life easier.

Esposito: I'll talk to Flack about that. Of course, it would take away from my favorite past time of helping damsels in distress find people in the building.

Laura: Oh, and we can't have that. Might impact your game if a girl could actually help herself.

Esposito: Hey, I'm all for girls who can take care of themselves. It's the cop in me that just wants to always serve and protect.

Laura: Ah. Gotcha. [takes a breath before glancing around and sighing] I'm getting stood up, aren't I?

Esposito: He and Beckett caught a case about an hour ago. They're probably still at the scene.

Laura: He really needs to learn to use his phone.

Esposito: He doesn't really seem like a big tech guy. We're just glad he knows how to enter in his own paperwork into the computer.

Laura: [laughs] I'm sure that took years of coaching.

Esposito: I'm pretty sure he was told that we pull our own weight here when it comes to paperwork, and if he wanted a secretary, it would come out of his pay.

Laura: Smart move.

Esposito: So were you two supposed to have coffee or something? [motions with his head for Laura to follow him because yes, he will talk and flirt, but he also has to get these leads run down before Beckett calls]

Laura: [will follow his lead, glancing around as she goes] Lunch, actually. But I guess he got distracted and forgot.

Esposito: I'll admit, he's got a very focused approach to casework. Probably why he and Kate work well together. He's probably not good at multitasking though. [looks at the clock] I'd hate to know you came all the way down here for nothing though. If you have about twenty minutes, I just need to get this lead finished and call it down to them, and you can yell at him then.

Laura: [laughs before nodding] I can do that. Where's Castle's coffee machine?

Esposito: [laughs] It's in that room over there. [points]

Laura: [nods and turns to go] I'll get out of your way, then.

Esposito: Oh trust me, you're not in the way at all. Much better conversationalist than Ryan anyway. [and better looking]

Ryan: [not looking up from his screen] I heard that.

Laura: [smirks, before nodding] Still, I don't want to distract you. I'll be in there. [and off she wanders to get herself some coffee]

Flack: [and will wander over, watching her go over his coffee cup] You are playing with fire, my friend.

Esposito: Why's that? Because she's Derek's sister? [snorts]

Flack: [shakes his head] No. You mess with her, I'd be more worried about her than Derek - as much as he can be overprotective, she's the scary one. [he holds up his hands] Not that I'm discouraging. But ... tread lightly.

Ryan: [chuckling behind him]

Esposito: How scary?

Flack: I've seen her stare down guys twice her size, and they're the ones who flinched.

Esposito: Interesting. [yeah, so not helping]

Flack: [glances to Ryan and shakes his head] I tried. If Hale asks, I tried, and you are my witness.

Ryan: I will make sure it's the epitaph on his gravestone.

Esposito: [eyeroll] You're both hilarious.

Flack: [smirks before going over to talk to Laura himself]

Esposito: [will finish his work and call Beckett and Derek to give them the info on the case. Towards the end, he starts walking to the coffee room] So that's all I have so far. However, Derek there's someone here who wants to talk to you.

Derek: Oh?

Laura: [is still chatting with Flack like she totally didn't hear that conversation with Espo because werewolf] ... I told him it was a bad idea. But does he listen to me?

Flack: You think he would have wizened up by now.

Derek: [you can hear the wince over the phone] Shit, Laura, I'm sorry I forgot...

Laura: [glances over at the phone] Text me next time? As much as I love seeing Flack, I could have made plans with him instead.

Derek: Yeah, I know. I got into the case I forgot you were coming.

Esposito: Well, now that I'm done with these leads, I will just take your place, Hale, and make sure she didn't come all this way for nothing. [smirks]

Derek: ......... Laura?

Laura: I don't have a problem with that. [Derek, did you think she would go easy on you after you stood her up?]

Derek: [just the barest of growls that Laura would probably be the only one to pick up] I'll make it up to you tonight if I'm able to come home for dinner.

Laura: [smirks] Be safe.

Derek: Always am.

Esposito: [hangs up] Permission to take Laura out to lunch, Captain?

Flack: [nods] Yeah, go. Have fun.

Laura: [smiles at Flack before nodding] Good seeing you.

Flack: [nods] You too.

Esposito: [grins and gives Ryan a quick hand motion meaning that he'll be back and call him if he needs him] So, what were you thinking of for lunch?

Laura: Pizza?

Esposito: Plain cheese or you want something a bit more? Because Patzeria's is close and I'm good with the manager.

Laura: Plain cheese is fine.

Esposito: Okay, then we can get something closer. [and it'll be one of those corner places that has no tables, just window service and smells and tastes amazing]

Laura: [she can work with that. She'll just follow his lead to wherever he wants to go.]

Esposito: So, besides coming to the office to have lunch with your brother, what else do you typically do around town?

Laura: I did the semi-stay at home mom thing for a while, but the children are now grown so I have to get some variation in my day.

Esposito: Derek didn't tell me you had kids.

Laura: Oh, no. I have younger sisters.

Esposito: [blinks] Oh. I guess you got guardianship over them after the fire?

Laura: Yeah. They were eleven at the time? And Malia needed home schooling for that first year or so, so I was home with them a lot.

Esposito: I bet it took away a lot of your ability to make a life for yourself here then.

Laura: [she shrugs] It wasn't so bad. I had a lot of family stuff to deal with, so it was good to have the time.

Esposito: And now you have an empty nest and free time.

Laura: Yep. Most of the time it's just me and the dog.

Esposito: And you're way too young to look for bingo games down at the church.

Laura: I keep trying to wiggle my way in there, but no dice.

Esposito: Well, you should stay away. Those little old ladies are dangerous. You won't believe how many times we get called to break up fights.

Laura: Really?

Esposito: Oh yeah, they take it very seriously. You call BINGO and don't have one? You're lucky if you can get out without being impaled on a walker.

Laura: I had no idea it was such a high stakes world.

Esposito: You'd be safer doing roller derby.

Laura: Now there's an idea.

Esposito: You'd probably be great at it. What would your nickname be?

Laura: [a pause as she considers] She-Wolf? [the narration facepalms]

Esposito: [thinks] You'd probably have to get some fur trim on costume. But these girls have dangerous names.

Laura: She-Wolf isn't dangerous enough?

Esposito: Alright, well there's this girl I was dating and she had a niece that was into the junior derby. Girl totally went by the name Elena Killbert.

Laura: Huh. [she shrugs] I guess I'll figure it out if I join.

Esposito: And there's always mixed martial arts.

Laura: That's too easy.

Esposito: Oh really?

Laura: Yeah. It's no fun if I kick everybody's ass because they get annoyed and then they don't want to spar anymore and it kind of defeats the point. At least with roller derby, there are other things I can focus on when I'm not beating people up.

Esposito: You really are hardcore like your brother.

Laura: It's a family trait.

Esposito: I guess so. Are your little sisters the same?

Laura: Malia, yes. Cora not so much. I think she got the benefit of being the baby of the family with the rest of the older siblings to protect her.

Esposito: Well, you ever want a sparring partner, I rather do that than just lift weights. Keeps your brain thinking.

Laura: You sure about that?

Esposito: Yeah. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. [totally thinks special ops beats whatever training she has]

Laura: Okay. Let me know when you have a day off and we'll figure it out.

Esposito: I'm sure you've noticed with Derek that there's no real days off in this job. There's just time between cases.

Laura: I have. Which is why you can let me know when, and I'll figure out the rest.

Esposito: Alright, but to do that, I'm going to need your digits.

Laura: [pauses before nodding] Give me your phone. [you never know who could be listening]

Esposito: [does so]

Laura: [saves her number in his phone, before sending a text to herself - clearly not as technology deficient as her brother] So I know who's calling.

Esposito: [sees that] And you're welcome to text anytime.

Laura: I'll try not to bug you too much. You do have murders to solve and all that.

Esposito: I don't mind being bugged. Ryan's wife texts him half the day, so he can learn what it's like to be ignored for a tiny device.

Laura: Awww, but they sound cute. At least from what I've heard.

Esposito: Cute, but when you're there every day, it can get nauseating. You remember those couples in high school that used to take ten minutes to say goodbye?

Laura: [laughs] Yes. Yes, I do.

Esposito: That's them. At least twice a day.

Laura: [laughs] Hey, it's hard enough to be happy in this world. I'm not about to judge them for it.

Esposito: Oh, I get to judge. Especially when on surveillance duty for 8 hours and that's all I hear for some of it. [but he's fiercely protective of his partner on the same token]

Laura: [laughs] Well, at least it's not teenage puppy love.

Esposito: True. I might have to gag him if he was like that

Laura: That's Cora right now. First boyfriend, all that, complete with Derek scowling at the poor kid over her shoulder.

Esposito: Yeah, we've heard about that one. And how he's not allowed to do any of his big brother duties because he's the only boy in a house of sisters.

Laura: Hey, if Cora hadn't spent so much of her time isolating herself as a teenager, I wouldn't worry about it so much. But this is good for her. So he's not allowed to ruin it.

Esposito: [laughs] He really does have no say in this after all.

Laura: [she shakes her head] If there's a next one, I'll let him intimidate the shit out of that one.

Esposito: I think he'd appreciate that. Does he intimidate your boyfriends too?

Laura: I'm sure he'd try if I actually had any.

Esposito: [just what he wanted to hear, but then again isn't] Seriously? You're kidding me right?

Laura: You remember that I was raising two girls and trying to put my family back together, right? Doesn't exactly lead to a lot of dating time.

Esposito: Still, I find that hard to believe. I mean, girl, you've got it going on. You honestly want me to believe you haven't had anyone?

Laura: [there's a hesitant pause] Nothing ... lasting. [one night stands are a great way to blow off steam but the maintenance of a relationship was too much for the time]

Esposito: Maybe we should get you doing some speed dating between roller derby matches then.

Laura: [laughs] Right. I'll add that to the list.

Esposito: Well, I mean, unless you just want to jump head first and try it out.

Laura: That tends to be my usual approach.

Esposito: Well then, how about we add on dinner after that sparring match?

Laura: [her head tips to the side] You sure Derek will be okay with that?

Esposito: Do I need to ask his permission to take you out to dinner?

Laura: No, of course not. But you do need to be able to work with him after.

Esposito: Well, depends I guess on at what point he needs to know. I don't think it's awkward myself, but if you're one of those families that share everything...

Laura: [deep breath as she thinks this over] One date wouldn't hurt him.

Esposito: Nah. One date can just turn into us thinking it's better we're friends. Not like I'm asking you to marry me out of the box.

Laura: That I would have to turn down.

Esposito: Well, that saves me a few grand on a ring, so we're both on the same page. [smirks]

Laura: [smirks back] Right. We're just ... hanging out.

Esposito: Hanging out, getting to know each other. No pressure.

Laura: Then there's nothing Derek needs to worry about.

Esposito: Not a thing.

Laura: Then that sounds good. I love a little violence before dinner.

Esposito: [laughs] And now I'm afraid.

Laura: Well, I would recommend not making a reservation somewhere, just in case you want to nurse your wounded pride. [clearly teasing, but also ... probably has happened to her before]

Esposito: Chinese takeout menu in the back pocket. Got it.

Laura: Perfect.

Esposito: So when we wrap this one, I'll text you and we can get this squeezed in before the next murder.

Laura: Sounds good. But until then - pizza?

Esposito: Yes. [points to the window coming up that's got a line at it even though it's closer to 2.] We've reached our final destination.

Laura: Let's do it. [and off they go for pizza?]

Esposito: [yup. what next?]

Laura: [do we want to jump to the date?]

Esposito: [we can. He also would like to be able to match her well as long as she doesn't try any of her wolfy tricks he doesn’t know she has]

Laura: [she wouldn't beat him up too much. She's faster and stronger than he's probably expecting, but not enough where it draws too much attention.]

Esposito: [after a while, out of breath and laughing] No seriously, who did you train with? You're amazing.

Laura: [laughs a bit, not quite as out of breath, but still sweating, so he definitely put in a good effort] Lifetime of training pretty much. Nothing really beats putting in the work.

Esposito: There a reason to it? [handing her a towel]

Laura: [she shrugs] Family thing, I guess.

Esposito: Remind me not to challenge your brother to a match then. [wiping at his neck] Pretty sure dinner out's going to require a shower.

Laura: [eyebrow raise] Did you not think you would need one?

Esposito: Honestly, I thought you were pulling the tough chick routine but I thought I could take you. [chuckles] But man, I'm glad I was wrong. Been awhile since I had a good match.

Laura: [laughs] So hit the showers and be back in twenty?

Esposito: Good plan. Don't disappear on me now.

Laura: Wasn't planning on it. [and with that, she heads off to the locker room to shower and change]

Esposito: [and he's going to take a long hot shower, a bit sore but in the good ways, before changing and coming out to meet her]

Laura: [takes a little bit longer because she's drying her hair, but eventually she comes out to join him with a smile] Ready?

Esposito: [that is a very appreciative nod] Oh yeah.

Laura: [her smile widens] Then let's go.

Esposito: [and since they're keeping it low key, he's taking her to the Corner Bistro]

Laura: [beer and burgers. her favorite. They get a table, and she flips through the menu] So how'd you wind up being a cop anyway? Not that you don't fit the bill but ... Flack's from a cop family. That's pretty obvious. Kate lost her mom. Do you have a Bruce Wayne backstory?

Esposito: I transferred down from the 52nd back during Montgomery's time after my partner got caught up in some shit. [and faked his death, but yeah]

Laura: [taps her finger against the side of the menu] That's how you got to the twelfth, not how you became a cop.

Esposito: [nods] I was in the army. Special Ops. After I got back from Iraq, it just felt right. Kinda like a calling.

Laura: [nods a bit] Sounds like you got lucky.

Esposito: Getting to the twelfth was lucky. I mean, I did good at the fifty second, but things got complicated there. Here it's a lot more black and white, and I've got a good team to work with.

Laura: That is lucky. I've found that it's not all that often that things are black and white.

Esposito: Yeah, I get that. Trust me, I've seen it, lived it, breathed it. When you can find it, though, it's a relief.

Laura: It is. We're ... still looking for it, to be honest.

Esposito: You'll find it. And when you do, you'll be better for it.

Laura: I hope so.

Esposito: And until then, you just enjoy the simple pleasures. Friends, burgers, wiping the mat with the face of a former special ops... [laughs]

Laura: [she laughs] I agree. It is the little things.

Esposito: [and their burgers arrive] And sometimes the bigger things too.

Laura: So long as they aren't on the bad side of big.

Esposito: I was thinking these burgers myself.

Laura: Definitely a pro rather than a con.

Esposito: Pretty sure you're going to enjoy them. I'm surprised you've never been here.

Laura: I don't eat out much. I like to cook.

Esposito: BIg family, probably a good thing. Single guy? We eat out a lot. Get to know where the good spots are, and I know a lot of them.

Laura: Guess you'll have to introduce me to them.

Esposito: So we already greenlighting a second date?

Laura: I think we're definitely greenlighting hanging out again, at least.

Esposito: That's what I like to hear.

Laura: [smirks] Well, I tend to like to keep people that I can enjoy the company of.

Esposito: So you're planning on keeping me then?

Laura: So far so good.

Esposito: Anything you may need to make it great?

Laura: [considers for a moment, before raking her teeth over her bottom lip] I'll let you know.

Esposito: [he'll take that] How about another round of beer?

Laura: Please.

Esposito: [and more beer, and probably more fries]

Laura: [and eventually they get ready to head home]

Esposito: [and he will walk her halfway, but not all the way because obviously don't need Derek to see them and get the wrong idea] So I'll text you and let you know what my schedule looks like?

Laura: [turns to face him and nods] Sounds good. I'm sure I'll be able to find the time.

Esposito: And if you happen to have a desire for lunch in midtown and your brother isn't answering the phone, I'm real good at checking mine.

Laura: Well, if he can't communicate with me, then that's clearly his loss.

Esposito: And my gain.

Laura: [nods as she takes another step forward] I had a really good time tonight.

Esposito: So did I. Even if you did wipe the floor with me, I'd totally do it again.

Laura: We could always make plans for that too.

Esposito: We going to make that our thing then? You kick my ass, than I take you out for dinner?

Laura: Well, you ever manage to beat me, it could wind up being my treat.

Esposito: I just got a reason to start working out more.

Laura: [a grin] No complaints here.

Esposito: [taking a half step forward] Was hoping you'd see it like that.

Laura: Definitely. [she hesitates, watching him for a moment, before taking another step in] I should probably go, but ... [before she does, she'll push up on her toes to kiss him softly, just enough for a bit of a taste]

Esposito: [oh, that's what he was hoping for. But she was going to get more than a taste as he cupped the back of her head to keep her there for just a bit longer, deepening it]

Laura: [cheating. But she hasn't done this in a while so she'll definitely not pull back, her hands moving to his shoulders to steady herself a bit]

Esposito: [not too long, not to make her think he wants more - but oh he did now that he had a taste - but enough to let her know he enjoyed what she was giving him]

Laura: [so does she, but she's not going to rush into this too fast. There's too many moving pieces for her to not look before she leaps. After a moment, she'll pull back from the kiss with a bit of smile, before taking another step back] Night, Javi.

Esposito: Night, Laur.

Laura: [and with that she will head back to her building and up the stairs and is generally in an excellent mood, thank you for asking]

Peter: [is on the couch, sees that, and just shakes his head, smiling a bit and going back to his book without needing to ask]

Laura: [thank you, Peter. She's going to just grab a bottle of water from the kitchen before making her way over] All quiet on the Western front?

Peter: It's a good day all around from what I've been hearing.

Laura: Oh really?

Peter: Mh-hmm.

Laura: Good to know. [goes and plops in one of the easy chairs] I miss anything good?

Peter: Your brother and Beckett solved another case. This one made the news, but he was good in keeping his name off the air.

Laura: That one I knew about.

Peter: I think that one was also number five. If he wasn't such a little shit about it, I may even tell him I'm proud of him this time.

Laura: [she laughs] It's good for him, though. He hasn't really been proud of himself in a while.

Peter: It's nice to see him happy about his job again. [looks over his book] You know, I think Beckett is a good influence on him.

Laura: She always was. She ... gets him.

Peter: Think we can talk to her father about an arranged marriage then? He needs someone to keep him in line.

Laura: Give him a little time. He'll get there on his own.

Peter: Mh hmm. And at that point, the polar icecaps will have melted and Pennsylvania will have an ocean view.

Laura: [a bit of a look] I think it might not take as long as you imply.

Peter: The fact that Cora is the first one of all of us in an actual relationship is a very telling sign on just how well the rest of us connect to other people.

Laura: Personally I'd take that as a sign for hope.

Peter: [thinks a moment about that word, and how it had come up in his conversation with Nadia earlier, and nods] Perhaps so. Maybe it's time we all start finding some.

Laura: [nods a bit] Stiles is good for her, though. I can tell that and I haven't even met the kid.

Peter: You think Derek would resist killing him if we invited him over for dinner one night?

Laura: I think he might be able to keep it together.

Peter: Then I think we should. We could make it causal - let Alexis come with her new boyfriend, and if Malia has a friend she wishes to bring.

Laura: We could even invite Rick and Martha. Derek will have someone to glare with.

Peter: Is there a holiday we could use as part of this elaborate rouse?

Laura: [taps her fingers against the glass before ...] Thanksgiving?

Peter: Do we know if Stiles is going home for that one? I'm sure he will return for the winter break.

Laura: I don't know. But it's worth asking.

Peter: And if not, finals won't be far behind. They can have a... before everyone goes home post finals party.

Laura: Chaperoned by Cora's scary werewolf guardians.

Peter: And Alexis' high profile father.

Laura: Totally casual.

Peter: Mh hmm. [looks at his watch and sighs] I think I'm going to retire to my room for the night.

Laura: [nods slowly] I should head in too. Before Derek realizes I'm home and tries to give me the third degree.

Peter: Good idea. [he starts to get up, then thinks a moment. He's about to ask her about what he thoughts were about getting his own place, but he stops himself. No, it's not the right time. He'd ask when it was right]

Laura: [she would be for it, if that's what he wanted. but another time. She watches for a moment, before nodding] Night, Peter.