Derek Hale

She laughed and walked with him outside to his truck, strapping herself in, regardless of whether she was a metal vampire or not. The drive was calming, and she kept her window rolled down so that she could enjoy the crisp country air. There were moments when she closed her eyes to enjoy the steady rumble of the truck engine and the feeling of the cool air on her skin, the wind sometimes blowing her hair back and away from her face.

"Well, I think we should have a common story. You know they're bound to ask questions about us when they get the chance, and it's going to be very awkward if our backgrounds don't match." She turned to look at one of the farmhouses they just passed, the weathered wood providing further proof for his observations. "And that sounds good. Gives us time to prepare. But I still think you'll make a good cattle rancher, cowboy." She winked at him, smiling at her own playfulness. It was a nice change from all the doom and gloom. As they reached the town proper, she could see what they had and didn't have, a small library and a two-screen movie theatre being one of the things they had. "Look. We can still catch up on movies. Unless you think we can get internet all the way out there."

The drive felt nice even though it was long. They didn't live close to the town center and it was clear that they would need to take a good chunk out of their day if they ever wanted to get some supplies. "A cover story? Maybe we can say that we are recently married and relocated here in the hopes of starting in a place where there aren't so many distractions." He imagined the county would have traditional values which meant they needed to have a reason they were living together besides being friends.

He parked the truck in the grocery store parking lot and looked over everything they had just signed up for. "They probably have internet. What else would they do out here?" There seemed to be one of everything besides the couple coffee shops. "It's going to be strange getting used to all this. I'm used to a lot more of a city vibe though I hated most the people." He shrugged while turning off the engine. "Let's go grab some groceries then we'll go to the hardware shop and get a couple things we need for improving this new ranch you signed me up for. End with some coffee?"

"perhaps." the blond smirked at her boyfriend. "but i still stand by it. mindset is different than younger guys. skills are better. knowledge is more renowned."

"so you prefer having someone who has knowledge that's more renowned? maybe you should explain that to stiles. he might be able to hook lydia if he had interests other than video games." he joked, smiling at her softly.

"Your boss. Of course he is," she said, deadpan. "Him and Falcone seem tight. Always going off to discuss important things." Selina didn't hear anything they talked about because they always used Falcone's secure office. She looked away until she was sure his picture was gone, not wanting to see his smug look any longer than she had to. "And we could. But he might not have any of the papers in his office. Maybe his home, if you know where it is." In her condition, she couldn't sneak in, but she would once she could take the stitches out. "Does...should your partner know? I'm not sure if we can trust anyone else, not when your boss has been trying to steer more cops towards the mafia."

The information she shared with him worried him, his features expressing the emotion with furrowed brows. "I know where he lives, we all do. He has a big mansion just outside the city. It pisses out most people in my division because he makes so much more than all of us for barely doing anything." He sighed and thought of how difficult it was going to be for them to find a way in. "No, I don't trust him with this information. For now we should keep it between us. I don't need this getting out before we make a move." He brought up his phone so he could look at the calendar he had for work. "Looks like we could try next week. He has a training all day. Not sure if he's actually going to it or if it's some sort of front to meet up with your old boss but it wouldn't hurt to check out the place if you're feeling up to it."

Things scarier than gods and demons. What in this world could possibly be so scary? It was an easy answer for her. People. People were the scariest things. The spirit possessing her was the scariest thing to her and was at one point human. Someone close to her. Someone who by default should've done everything to protect her but just wanted to protect themselves. "Wow... that's a lot to unpack there." Vanessa said, not to dismiss his experiences by her words but surprised to hear just how complicated the world is here. "I'm sorry to hear. Exes can be messy, think you take the cake there."

There was a bit of relief when she looked around and saw they were leaving the wooded area. Vanessa didn't want to go back into those woods unless it was bright outside. You'd think she would've known better to not go into the woods at night. "A kitsune? Like, the foxes?" There was some research she did, but it was all the basic folklore.

He's a little amused by her reaction to what he said because he didn't realize how farfetched all of it sounded. It was so normal to him at this point that even the demon under her skin wasn't scary, he had plenty experiences with the unexplained. "I know, most my exes were women that wanted to kill me." Which just went to show that the wolf couldn't always be the best judge in character. Life had taught him to be less trusting of others and yet he was giving her a ride and trying to figure out what they could do to get the demon to leave her. "Maybe that's why I'm not that worried about whatever it is that has a hold of you. Many have tried to kill me and I'm still here."

He kept his eyes on the road, knowing the way to clinic as well as he knew the woods. "Yes, just like the folklore you've probably read about them. We had a couple here." He doesn't mention everything else he had seen as he had another question on his mind. "So did whatever is inside of you make you come here and drive you to the woods in the middle of the night?"

Mary knew that everything was easy, that their world was so close to descending into a war but she also didn't want to pretend like nothing was going on. "That depends on who we're talking about. My cousin and her court fear that I may have a claim to their throne. Some in Scotland think a woman shouldn't lead," she shrugged softly. "It's just how the world works." It wasn't always but it was for her. "I do not want you to risk your life for me when I know who is most likely behind it."

Derek listened to her intently even as he watched their surroundings. He knew that threats existed everywhere but he didn't believe she had to worry about them as much when she was home. "People fear what they cannot understand. A woman ruler scares them and your cousin likely believes you are power hungry like every other noble that wears a crown." He shrugged his shoulders before looking back at her. "If I find anyone that is plotting against you than I shall handle them." His words were vague to keep her at ease about what might happen to those he did find.

@dalphahale asked: “I’ve got you” - Connie

"Mmm..."

Eyelids flutter until they are open fully. Her vision is a blur and her breathing, deep and steady. It's as if she's woken up from a serious sleep but as her vision clears and her surroundings are taken in, she's not in a bed, but in a bath. With Derek cleaning her.

Eyes flick down to the water and there's an audible gasp coming from Connie. "W-What happened?!" Her body is tensing as she sees the blood on her hands and streaking up her arms. But strangely, no wounds of her own...

"Derek, what the hell happened?!!"

It had been hell for the last week. When he had first met Connie he had no idea about the ghosts that were in her home. He also had no clue that they had powers of possession, but he had come face to face with Constance as she navigated for Connie. He had been out of his element, unsure of how to get her great great grandmother to leave. The only thing he could do was give in and he had. There was a dark gold wedding band on his finger that matched the one on the woman he was currently cleaning off in the tub.

"You're okay," he said calmly, meeting her gaze. The wounds she had inflicted on him were already healed. All that was left were the blood stains to show something had happened. "How does your body feel?" He isn't sure that Constance didn't hurt her and he wouldn't put it past the spirit to do so. "You haven't been yourself for the last week, you were possessed which is why you can't remember any of this. I'll give you a few guesses on who might have wanted to take you over. She has a history of getting married which is the only clue I'm giving you." He continued to use a sponge as he spoke, washing away any remnant that remained of the whole situation.

DAISY JONES & THE SIX Track 8: Looks Like We Made It

TEEN WOLF (2014) Riddled - 3x18 dir. Tim Andrew.

"Blackbeard's treasure? I...that must be a huge treasure trove by now." It was impossible to not have heard of that notorious pirate. With the amount of treasure ships and raids he and his crew had done, he must have amassed enough gold for him, his crew, and their families to live comfortably for generations. The only problem being that those who knew its exact location were dead, making Derek's mission difficult and dangerous. She glanced around to see if anyone else was close by in case they overheard whose map he had in his possession. Her worry was briefly interrupted by his suggestion, and she nodded. "You know me better than most, Captain. I...could stay here and wait for you and just travel the nearby areas. I've made a few acquaintances here already, so I could stay with them." There was no guarantee that he would return, but she believed that he would do it. Just because he didn't have the same kind of reputation as Blackbeard didn't mean he was any less capable. With his hands in his pockets, all she could do was meet his gaze steadily, at least until she held her hand out. "It seems we have an accord."

He had the same thought as her concerning other's ears listening to them and he glanced around to make sure they were very much alone. "I don't want you to wait here just for me. If something arises and you want to follow it, do so. I will still travel here after my adventure and if you are gone then that is the fate it was meant to be." He would be sad but at least the answer would be clear. He took her hand in his and shook, nodding his head. "Our accord is that we follow what we feel is right. My journey will be long as this has been every pirate's dream. I can't imagine it will be easy." He had a feeling that everything he learned would be tested in some sense. He squeezed her hand tightly and then let go, not wanting to be overbearing in any sense. "Maybe you start up a tavern here and I join you? That would be very interesting. I'm sure pirates all over will flock to this place once they hear it's owned by a woman who is very easy on the eyes."

"I mean right now, I don't see anything I want to change. Well. Except the complete lack of my things," she teased. She kept glancing over the spot near the big doors leading to the back of the house; in her head, she was already claiming it as her little artwork nook. Hearing of Lydia's involvement in the design had her murmur an oh wow, but she wasn't that surprised. She always had a good eye as seen with her clothes alone. "She could make a living out of it if she wants. It's really really good." Ysabelle looked around again, her smile fading a little but not completely going away. "And I'm sure. I knew what I was signing up for when I decided to stay the first time." There was a pause as she slid her arm over his, resting her head against his shoulder. "Even with Scott's tendency of bursting in with a crisis in tow."

"And that will be the easiest change," he agreed with a smile. "I think she might be considering it. She's pretty smart though, I could see her being in science as she knows a lot about everything." He listened to her decision about staying and nodded, feeling content with how she was close to him. "He's gotten a little better with that but he's still working on it." He turned to face her and take her hand in his. "Once everything is set in place then you and I can come up with what rules we want to give for our space. They'll respect what we say." They just had to make it so it was very clear to the other wolves that they didn't want to be bothered unless it was some sort of emergency. "We have great views all around this property so I believe your art will flourish being here."

She took the phone from him and began scrolling through the photos. Most seemed to be taken in between emergency calls and cases, and she smiled a little to have a further glimpse into his professional life. However, as she flicked to the next photo, her smile faltered and vanished, her hand trembling. "Him," she whispered, handing the phone back to him, the screen still displaying the current picture. It was a photo of three, Derek with an unknown woman and an older man. She'd met the latter twice and only knew his initials, G.A., after Falcone had introduced him to another mob boss. Selina wasn't easily shaken, but something about that older man scared her to her very core. Maybe it was her feline instincts, but whatever it was, she trusted that. "He's always with the cops who visit Falcone. I don't know if he's recruiting them or not, but it seems like it."

Derek felt vulnerable with her looking through his phone as he didn't usually just hand that information over to anyone. He took the device back when she pointed out the person from his inner circle that was betraying them all. His eyebrows immediately went up as he was shocked it was him. "That's the captain of my division." He had no idea how he was going to get anything past him to take him down. "I can't believe it." He took a seat, processing it all. It was no wonder they were never getting anywhere with the people Selina worked for, they had been two steps behind since he could remember. "What happens if we say the real leak for this information is him?" He asked as he turned to look at her. It was the best plan they had at the moment.

“Might not be a good idea for me,” she grumbled. Kisa had to keep her mouth a little open so that she didn’t pierce her chin. Slowly, she noticed the metal teeth retract until her regular canines returned, and she exhaled in relief. “Now we know what adamantium features they gave me. Seems like they think I’d make for an effective vampire.” She shook her head and turned around, meeting his gaze. What she was more concerned about was what caused her fangs to appear since they hadn’t done it before. The only thing she did before they appeared was feel a little extra playful than before.

Could that be it?

Thankfully, he mentioned a trip to the town, and it shifted her focus to a better distraction. “That sounds good. Could be a farm, a horse or cattle ranch…we have the space for it. Whatever would help them and us.” Kisa checked her reflection in the mirror – no more fangs, thankfully – and grabbed one of the flannel shirts hanging from the hooks near the door. It wasn’t until she was outside that she realized it was one of his, but it was so soft and comfy that she didn’t want to take it off.

"It would make you a pretty effective vampire. You would have a very good grip." He joked with her, hoping it might make her feel a little less embarrassed about the whole thing. Derek grabbed his leather jacket and moved towards the door, following her outside into the crisp air. He hadn't noticed her choice in shirt until they got to his truck. He decided not to bring it up, letting them get in without much hassle before they took off.

The ride showed how much open land was around them. Their neighbors weren't very close which told Derek that they would have the privacy to do whatever they thought was fit. "Seems pretty small," he commented as he let his eyes wander briefly as he drove. "We're going to be the talk of this town because we didn't grow up here. I imagine these houses we are seeing have been here a long time." He sighed softly to himself, thinking over the options they had talked about earlier. "Once we show we aren't any sort of threat then we can hone in on what we want to do and prove that we belong in whatever community they have."

Vanessa stepped into the car and put on her seatbelt. As she was doing this action, her eyes were still locked on him as he spoke. She got why someone would want to see or curious about how all of his worked. She didn't understand it fully either but it was nothing like she's seen before. "Never taught to fear demons? Well, you got a big storm coming then." Vanessa exaggerated. She didn't know when William Afton was gonna pop out and make an appearance. She hoped not any time soon. Not until his emissary could help her out.

"With this town being the way that it is, are you not familiar with possession then?" After all, Derek said he was curious about what could happen. "With dead people possessing someone else is what I guess I'm trying to ask.'

"My family was never religious," he responded to her question, reminiscing about his mother's teachings as he drove, "I was told that there were things much scarier than gods and demons." And from his experience, there was. He had met a good handful of creatures that he had nightmares about. "The only possession I have been made aware of is when my ex decided to use the blood of my dead girlfriend to revive herself but I don't believe Paige was in her at all. She wasn't telling her what to do or anything. Jennifer merely used the power to bring herself out of death."

Talking about it made it feel ridiculous to him and it also made Derek feel as though he was dumb in some sense for trusting the English teacher in the first place. They were getting closer to the vet's office, the town becoming less of a forest as buildings appeared. "But I've heard stories of spirits doing something like that. A trickster kistune took over someone in my circle. That's probably even closer than what Jennifer did."