Chapter Text
"God, this is a mess..." one of the deputies sighed as he brought in another box of evidence.
Another deputy that entered the room with a stack of files nodded and gave a heavy sigh of his own. "Tell me about it."
"Do you know where the sheriff is now?" the first deputy asked.
"Kate Argent's body just arrived at the coroner's office. He should be over there getting the report. He'll be back soon to oversee the interrogations though. I think the FBI just landed and should be here soon." the second deputy replied.
"McCall?" the first deputy inquired.
"Would be surprised if he didn't show up. Any time anything big happens, he always shows up. Ex-wife and kid living here and all."
"Speaking of family...how are the Hale kids? Only three survived right?" the first deputy asked.
The second one sighed again. "Yeah. One boy and two girls. Everyone else...if they didn't parish in the fire, they were gunned down in the massacre."
The first deputy glared at one of the files he pulled out of the box. "Why the hell would anyone do anything like that?"
"No idea...all I know is that a family is dead, we've got plenty of John Does to identify, though most of the Argent employees are arrested, some of them are still out there. The leader of this, Gerard Argent, being one of them. We've got three orphans, oldest still a few months shy of being a legal adult. And a town that's full of unrest and tension."
The first deputy could only nod in agreement, not having anything else to add.
"So...what the hell happened?" Rafael asked the Sheriff once they met up in the hospital.
The Sheriff looked ragged and haggard. The FBI agent hadn't seen him this bad since his wife's passing. The Sheriff passed over a file before beginning to speak. "We got a call about a fire. The fire department being what it was, we sent a few deputies there as well to help as much as they could. But when they got there, the house was already consumed by the flames. You'd think that was bad enough, but in front of the house lay bodies...some had arrows and bullets shot into them. Others had their throats slashed. Whatever happened...we don't have the full story. All we know is that most of the Hales are dead, some of the John Does we could identify seem to be coming from out of Beacon, and even out of California. The ones with the slashed throats all worked for Argent in some way...including his daughter. She got her throat and stomach slashed. His son, Chris, is in custody as well as his wife...seems like the whole damn family was involved the more we dig."
"You knew the Hales through Stiles...do you think-" McCall suggested.
The Sheriff shrugged, "No idea..." then he sighed and rubbed his temple, "But it seems plausible. It was too much blood spilled and too many arrows for choice of weapon to not be something like that."
"But Stiles and his pack are all alright?" Rafael asked.
The Sheriff nodded, "Most of them aren't even in Beacon. Just Stiles...who's watching over Scott tonight."
Rafael let out a slight sigh of relief. A long time ago when he first learned about the supernatural, it scared him to know that Melissa and Scott were so close to one. But Stiles not only proved to be more calm and mature after his turning, but also quite the guardian and protector. As far as Rafael knew, with Stiles and the Hales, this side of California was the most peaceful in regards to supernatural activity. "I'll have our techies see how much they can track on paper and online. If so much has been found so far...I can only imagine what more we'll find."
"Hopefully Gerard Argent. I don't think I'll sleep soundly again until he's behind bars." Sheriff Stilinski said.
"Agreed." The agent then paused before clearing his throat and asking, "Have you seen Melissa?"
Sheriff Stilinski nodded. "She was working tonight. Two floors above us. Should be a busy night. But she'll be safe here. She's strong. And as far as anyone else is concerned, she's not involved with anything supernatural. I have deputies making rounds here too, though I could only spare a few. And it's under the orders to keep a look out for Gerard Argent. With how violent it was at the Hale home, there is a chance he may come for medical help..."
"I'll post some of my agents too, have them dress in civilian clothing, maybe it'll help. We'll catch him." The Agent swore.
"Are we gonna get split up?" Cora mumbled into Laura's hold.
They were in a room in the hospital set aside for them. They were there to be checked for any injuries before being sent to the police station where they would give their statement and then wait to be told what happened next. Cora was sitting in between Derek and Laura while Laura hugged her tightly. Derek had his hand on her knee and rubbed her thigh soothingly. They were all rattled and full of mixed emotions, but at the same time were trying to comfort the other. Laura and Derek doing it more so for Cora.
Laura straightened up and hugged Cora tighter, afraid that someone would forcibly try to take Cora away. "What? No, sweetie."
"I keep hearing them talk about us..." Cora mumbled. She lifted her head and looked in the direction where some nurses were huddled and an officer could be seen. "They keep saying foster care. Are we going to be in the system?"
Laura shook her head, "No way, kiddo. Not gonna let that happen!"
"But we need an adult to take care of us...you're not eighteen yet." Cora whispered as she clutched to Laura's shirt tightly.
Laura kissed the top of her head and Derek squeezed her knee. "No one is going to separate us." Laura promised.
Sometime later the three are in another room alone, this time at the police station. They're all so tired. There was a couch where they laid Cora out and let her get some rest. Derek covered her with his jacket.
Both he and Laura gave up trying to remain sitting. They were as tired as Cora, but more aware of what the possibilities were at this point. They were also restless and angry and afraid.
"They...they can't really separate us, right?" Derek asked quietly.
"Of course not." Laura replied offhandedly as she bit her thumbnail.
"I'm not a little kid, Laura. You don't have to protect me. We're...we're all that's left. You can count on me to help you."
Laura whimpered and tried to swallow down the emotion that clogged her throat. Blinking away the tears that weld up in her eyes she took a deep breath before facing Derek. Placing a hand on his shoulder and giving it a tight squeeze she swore to him, "I don't care what we have to do...even if we have to run away, I'm not going to let anyone separate us. I'm not going to let anyone hurt us anymore. If...if they say something then I'll demand emancipation. We still have lawyers and money, and my birthday is only three months away."
"What about Peter?" Derek asked suddenly.
"What?" Laura asked confused.
Derek didn't blame her. A few years ago Peter had gotten them in trouble. Derek was about ten at the time and it was the time of the year where packs would come and conference with their mother. Derek wanted to learn as much about Werewolf culture as he could and listened to anyone's stories. One of those stories came from Peter and one night hunters almost killed him and Peter while injuring members of visiting packs.
His mother had been very pissed and her hand was forced. Peter had been asked to leave.
...Which was the polite way of saying he was kicked out.
Most of his family has lost contact with Peter. His mom would call him on holidays and special events, but that was pretty much it. Except when Derek received a post card from the older wolf. Peter had been Derek's best friend once, and the younger Hale loved that his uncle hadn't forgotten about him. Derek worried about what his mother would say, so he kept it a secret. And that's been how they've been in contact, through post cards.
It was never anything too detailed. At least, Derek didn't think the information was all that detailed. All he knew for sure was that Peter had found a new pack in California. His Alpha was someone Peter cared and respected so much more than he ever did for his mother. Maybe that was the answer.
"I know we haven't seen him in years, but I've been mailing him." Derek said.
"What?" Laura demanded.
Cora stirred but didn't wake. Laura pulled Derek out into the empty hallway and demanded more information.
"We wrote post cards to each other. His pack is in California."
"And what?" Laura questioned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Drop by?"
"Why not?"
"Mom kicked him out for a reason, Derek! He nearly got you killed!" Laura hissed.
"But he's changed! Pack dynamics are tricky, mom was teaching us this when she...when she was...prepping you...to be Alpha..." Derek mumbled, emotions of nostalgia and sadness hitting him again like a wave. He shook his head and continued. "Look, he's still family and should know what happened. And I'm not saying we need him, but they think we might." he hissed as he pointed out to the bullpen of officers. "Look...we know we can survive on our own, but their laws and ways say otherwise. Peter's a legalized adult and family. Let's just...contact him and see what happens, okay? What have we got to lose?"
Laura stared at him for a long moment before sighing. She brought him in for a tight embrace that he returned. She sent Derek back into the room to stay with Cora while Laura went to find an officer and try getting in contact with their uncle.
Cora was still asleep when Laura came back.
Derek looked up and asked, "Well?"
"They're looking for him. If they reach him, they'll let us know." She replied professionally. She sat at the other end of the couch and caressed Cora's hair.
Derek rested Cora's feet on his lap and played with her laces.
"Where are they!"
Derek and Laura sat up straighter, both had been nodding off. Cora blinks awake, but still unfocused.
"Sir, please calm down."
"They say most of my family is dead and you want me to calm down!"
"Can we get your name, sir?"
"Hale! Peter Hale, and you better tell me where the hell my nephews and nieces are!"
"Peter..." Laura mumbled in an unbelieving voice.
Derek got up and headed towards the voice. When he got into the bullpen, Peter was surrounded by three officers trying to get him to calm down. Peter looked angry and agitated, well, he smelled it.
"Peter!"
Peter's eyes snapped to Derek and he pushed passed the officers and hugged his nephew tightly. Placing his nose at Derek's neck, Peter took a deep whiff, scent marking him. Derek wasn't sure what Peter would do since he probably still smelled a bit like smoke mixed with hospital disinfectant and whatever dominating smell the station had. The older Hale held Derek at arm's length and inspected him. "Are you hurt?"
"Uh..." Derek thought of how to answer. It took him a moment before he said, "I wasn't in the fire."
"So...it's true? There..." Peter looked around, confused, as if he couldn't really wrap his head about the thought. "Did...anyone...?"
"Peter..."
Peter looked over to Laura who had Cora at her side. Peter immediately rushed over and hugged her. It didn't matter how long it's been, or whatever had happened then. Right now they were family and they needed the comfort.
Having someone older who was family present broke something inside of Laura. She had someone she could turn to and ask how to proceed. She let out a sob as she clung to Peter who hugged back.
"They're gone, Peter...they're all gone..." Laura cried.
Cora joined in the embrace, and then Derek did so too.
The officers gave the broken family some privacy for as long as they could.
"Where are we going?" Cora asked as they got into Laura's Camaro.
"A hotel for the night. We still have some paperwork to fill out but that can wait until you've all rested and gotten something to eat." Peter replied from the driver's seat. They pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the road.
"Not hungry..." Derek muttered.
"I know. But some soup or something just so you'll have energy." Peter reasoned and Laura sent Derek a stare that told him that's what will be happening.
Derek rolled his eyes some. Then he turned his attention to Peter. "How did you get here so quick?"
"My Alpha called me. He was in town visiting family when..." Peter took a deep and gripped the steering wheel. "He called me and I was on my way over when I got a call from the station." Peter seemed to want to ask more, but he held back the last moment. "One of my pack-mates gave me a ride. They're with my Alpha now. Discussing matters."
"Matters?" Laura asked.
"Yeah, you guys." Peter replied easily enough.
"Us?" Derek piped up.
"Your Alpha will take us in?" Cora asked.
"Of course. You're my family."
"We don't need pity." Laura huffed.
"And it's not." Laura was about to argue but Peter sent her a look. "Everything can be argued or discussed at a later time. You guys are going to bathe and shower, eat and rest...it's been a long day. Just let me take care of you guys."
Derek, Cora, and Laura shared a look before just sitting back into their seats. Peter turned on the radio and let the music fill in the silence the rest of the car ride.
They arrived at a nice hotel and checked in. The room had apparently already been reserved. They all trudged behind Peter to the elevators and then down the hallway to their room. When Peter opened the door, people were inside. They both wore a leather jackets, but the one that stood out had moles decorate his pale skin, and whiskey colored eyes that flashed red for a moment when he landed his sight on Peter.
The Alpha pushed his hair to the side as the other wolf went around him and grabbed a suitcase.
"I thought we'd meet tomorrow over breakfast." Peter said as he stepped up and embraced his Alpha.
"I know but I-" he cut himself off as he looked at the other Hales. He smiled at all of them before turning to give Peter a meaningful look. When Peter nodded, the Alpha continued. "I just wanted to make sure you all got here safe. And I need a word with your uncle. Peter?" the Alpha motioned for the door.
Peter nodded then pointed to the other wolf, "That's Boyd. He doesn't talk much. You should get along fine. Looks like he's got you all some spare clothing to change into. Figure out what's what, kay? Be back in a sec."
Peter and the Alpha walked out of the room and closed the door behind them.
"Who was that?" Laura asked.
"Stiles Stilinski. Our Alpha." Boyd replied as he spread out unopened packs of t-shirts, undergarments for both genders and around their ages each, sweat pants, and socks.
"Stiles..." Derek mumbled under his breath as he stared at the closed door the Alpha had just walked out of.