"Derek, I'll be back later tonight. Okay?"

Cora was dressed in black flats, sleek black leggings, and a flowy cream colored top. Her hair was placed in a neat bun at the top of her head. Her leather jacket was draped over her arm, and the pretty diamond stud earrings her brother had given her while they were on their cross-country trip as an 'I'm glad you're alive' present adorned her ears.

"Where are you going all dressed up? Another date with Scott?" Derek questioned from his seat at the couch as he peered up at her, looking up from his book. Cora's hand was already on the metal door handle, prepared to bust it open and exit the loft when he asked.

"Uh- I'm actually having dinner with the McCall's," she said truthfully. She didn't really want to tell Derek about the dinner. She didn't want him getting any ideas and then inviting Scott over, along with Peter for some sort of interrogation session about their relationship. But, she also didn't want to lie to him. Derek actually received their relationship much better than expected, and she didn't really want to jeopardize that.

"Really?" He asked curiously. "What's the occasion?"

Cora sighed. "Scott's dad walked in on us kissing last week. I'm pretty sure his parents want to grill me. Raphael more than Melissa." Derek chuckled softly at this.

"Have fun kiddo. Just be yourself. Melissa likes you, and if Raphael doesn't, I doubt Scott will even care that much."

Cora smiled at this. "Thanks bro," she said as she exited the loft and bounded down the stairs to her shiny new car. She took a deep breath as she revved up the engine and made her way down the road. Soon, she would be entering the lion's den.

"Hi honey!"

Those were the first words out of Melissa's mouth when she swung the door open. Cora had only knocked twice before she was me with the smiling face of Beacon Hills' favorite nurse. Cora's face was probably pained, as she hardly had enough time to prepare for any of this. She really wished she hadn't come now. She was nervous and shaky. 'What am I so worried for? Melissa likes me. Scott likes me. And I really don't care about what Raphael thinks. What on earth. I still want to go home.'

Melissa could feel Cora's hesitation as she choked out a response to her friend's mother. Melissa giggled and tried to console Cora as she entered the house. "There's nothing to worry about honey. We'll have a good time, okay?" she said as she lead Cora to the kitchen table. Soon, Scott came bounding down the stairs, wide grin spread across his face.

"Hey Cora," he greeted her as he approached her. He swiftly dipped down and his lips grazed her cheek, leaving Cora with her eyes wide. Scott laughed at her confused response and took her hand.

"My dad will be here soon. I was just about to help my mom with the rest of the food," he said.

"I can help?" she offered. Scott smiled back at her as he led her to the kitchen counter where Melissa was pulling food out of the oven.

"Oh, thanks kids. But, I have it under control. Just grab the plates and forks and stuff," she said warmly. The two then took the plates and utensils to the table and began to place things where needed. Just a few seconds later, Rafael McCall walked in the front door, and made his way to the kitchen.

"Hey son, Melissa," he greeted. "Oh, hello Ms. Hale," he greeted politely, yet also seemingly cautious.

"Hi Mr. McCall," she responded with a smile as she set down a plate. 'Gotta be polite Cor. Gotta be warm and all that junk.'

"Dinner is ready," Melissa said with a smile as she brought a fresh and delicious smelling pot-roast to the kitchen table.

Derek's food was pretty good. But Melissa's? Cora could die. Pot roast, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and corn on the cob? Cora hadn't eaten like this since her mother was alive. Cora sat across from Scott, while Melissa and Rafael each sat across from one another. For the most part, things were pretty silent. Not awkward, just silent. They were eating quietly, but Cora thought it would be wisest if she were the one to break the ice.

"This is really great Melissa. The food is delicious," she said sincerely.

"Thank you, honey," she thanked. Scott echoed Cora's sentiments.

"So Cora," Rafael began. "Where, exactly are you moving to Beacon Hills from?"

Oh man. She had gone over every possible awkward conversation except this one. As far as Cora knew, Rafael knew nothing about the supernatural, and all of her answers tonight were going to have to be as 'human focused' as possible.

"Uh, I was living in Colombia."

"But your brother and sister were living in New York?" he questioned. His face was obviously not pleased by her answer.

"I stayed with family friends," she responded smoothly. 'Just keep it cool kid.'

"For six years?" Rafael countered.

"Derek and Laura visited. I visited too."

"So why did you come back?" Cora could tell that Scott was about to speak up, but his mother beat him to it.

"Okay, how about we halt the investigation Rafael," Melissa interjected.

"Just wanted to know a few things, that's all," he said smoothly. But Cora could tell that there was more to this. He wasn't giving her the third-degree out of mere curiosity.

"It's fine Melissa. Really," Cora said looking back at Melissa, gratefully.

"Mom," Scott interjected, "how was work today?"

"Good, Scott. Thank you for asking. Everything went well, all my patients had a good day. You coming in tomorrow, Cora?"

"Yeah, I am," Cora responded nicely.

"Good. The patients like you. Ms. Lang is scheduled for surgery, she always like it when you're the one to bring her the flowers her family sends."

"You volunteer at the hospital?" Rafael said to Cora.

"Tuesday's and Thursday's afterschool, and Saturday mornings."

"You want to be a nurse?" he asked.

"I'm not really sure yet, but I volunteered in Colombia so Derek told me I should try it out here. I enjoy it." 'Okay, maybe things are getting better. He doesn't seem to be so interrogatory now.'

"You should apply for the summer program. It's a little more med school directed, not nursing, but it's something to think about. They give out applications after Christmas break and we know you're pretty smart. The GPA requirement shouldn't be too much of an issue" Melissa said politely.

"And we know she's got enough to pay for as much med-school as she wants with that great settlement from the city," Rafael said smugly.

Cora basically choked on her pot roast.

"What are you talking about dad?" Scott said. Cora could see his shoulders tense up. His jaw was clenched tightly too. Melissa's eyes darted amongst everyone at the table nervously.

"The settlement she got from the city for the Hale fire. The one she waited six years to file for."

"That's confidential information, Mr. McCall," Cora said curtly.

"I'm a federal agent," he relayed with another smug expression. "The city might have bought your little sob story but I'm not. You sue the city, but before you can even get your hands on the money you're driving around in a shiny new car. Which conveniently isn't in you or your brother's name?"

"Dad-" Scott said warningly.

"And this is none of your business. Agent or not, I would appreciate it if you didn't speak anymore about me or my family's affairs," Cora responded in an attempt to shut down the conversation.

"This is my business. You are running around town with my son, who apparently knows very little about very big things going on in your life. Scott doesn't need some money-hungry want-to-be socialite screwing things up for him."

"Scott does know about big things going on in my life, but that doesn't mean that I don't understand the value of privacy. There are some thing that I keep within my family and I would appreciate they not be looked into by low-level FBI officers," Cora said sharply. "And this 'money-hungry want-to-be socialite' has a GPA higher than your IQ." She was trying to keep it cool, but the cool didn't seem like it would last very long.

"I am a parent-"

"When you feel like it, from what I understand. Please don't badger me about not telling Scott every detail about my life; because it appears to me there are many details you don't know about his. This also seems to not be because of privacy issues you have, but rather ones regarding liquor bottles."

"You are out of line-"

"I'm also leaving now. Thank you Melissa, I enjoyed dinner. Scott, I'll see you at school."

Cora stood up and quickly made her way to the door, Scott trailing behind her. She opened the door, but before she stepped out, turned to face Agent McCall once more.

"Oh and Agent? Is this your permanent residency, or you do plan on going back to San Francisco? Oh well, doesn't matter. I'll have my family's lawyer send the subpoena to both locations. I doubt the Bureau is going to be happy to hear about one of their lackey's overstepping the bounds of confidentiality," she said as one last final retort as she turned her heel.

Cora swiftly made her way out of the house and to her car, huffing the whole way there. She opened her car door and slammed it behind her. As she heard the engine turn over, there were three swift knocks on her window. She rubbed her temples before rolling her window down completely to be met with Scott's troubled face.

"Hey-"

"I'm sorry," she started. "I didn't mean to snap like that. I definitely didn't plan for things to turn out like this."

"Are you okay?" He asked out of genuine concern.

"I'm fine. Are you?" At this, Scott's hand reached out to her face, and he was soon wiping away the small tears on her right cheek. She hadn't even noticed they were there until he wiped them away.

"Let me drive you home," he offered.

"I'll be fine, really."

"Cora, come on. I'll drive."

Cora didn't fight him. She simply exited and hade her way to the passenger side, while Scott buckled himself in on the driver's side.

"How will you get home?"

"I didn't really plan on going home. Think Derek will be mad?"

"Doubt it."

Cora was slumped low in her seat, a sign of defeat, before they pulled off into the street, Scott pulled her hand to him. They drove with their fingers linked the whole way to the loft.

The rest of their ride was quiet. When they entered the loft, Derek was spread across the couch, reading a novel.

"How'd it go Cor? Uh, hey Scott."

"Bad. Really bad. Like 'let's just talk about it tomorrow' bad. Can Scott stay here tonight?"

"That sounds bad. Yes, Scott can stay here. On the couch."

"Really Derek?" Cora said with a roll of her eyes.

"It's fine Cora. Thanks Derek," Scott said with a nod.

"I'm going to go to bed. Night Scott, night Der." They echoed the same 'goodnight's' to her. But before Cora retreated to her room upstairs, her stood on the tips of her toes and allowed her lips to press against Scott's cheek.

I'm back to writing. I'll be honest, I do have some things going on , but I'm definitely going to try to be more attentive to this story than I have been. Like always, I'm super sorry for the long delay and I hope you guys are still following my story.

Pellinore the Great: Yes hun! So sorry for that inconsistency. A screw-up on my part for not cross checking my own story. Overlook that detail for me please.

How did you guys like this chap? You didn't think things would go well, did you? Send me your reviews!