Title: Blindsided
Author: N'kala
Disclaimer: Not mine
Summary: An accident during a case leaves Nick blind and dependent upon friends while danger lurks in the shadows.
Author's Notes: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews you left on my fic 'Missing'. I really loved hearing from all of you. I actually have 2 stories I'm in the process of writing for Grimm; I hope you enjoy.
As a further note, I want to let you know some of the things I will NOT write. I do not write any 'ship, whether it's het or slash. I do not write deathfics (well, I won't kill off canon characters. I make no promise for my own creations). I do not write permanent disability fics. Basically, I borrow all of the characters, put them through the wringer, then return them to their owners a little worse for wear, but intact for the next person to play with. That said, enjoy the story!
Blindsided
By: N'kala
Chapter One
"Portland PD! Freeze!"
Nick Burkhardt flew down the road, easily outpacing his partner. Ahead of him, running faster than anyone Nick had ever seen, was their suspect.
"You keep running, you'll only go to jail tired!" Hank yelled ahead.
The suspect ignored him, darting down a side street.
"You didn't really think that would work, did you?" Nick tossed over his shoulder, turning the corner sharply.
"Worth a shot," Hank threw back, trying to save his breath.
The two detectives turned down an alley behind several shops, then slowed cautiously. The alley before them was deserted; there was no sign of their suspect.
Nick and Hank withdrew their guns, keeping them low but ready as they scanned the scene.
"Police officers!" Nick called out again, edging forward. "Show yourself!"
Nothing moved. Nick's eyes slide over brick walls and stained garbage cans, looking for anything that could shelter their suspect from sight. He felt more than saw Hank move to one side of the alley and automatically moved to the other. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise; whether it was cop instinct or some part of his Grimm heritage, Nick couldn't say. His senses were on full alert for some kind of ambush.
"All this for a jewelry store robbery?" Hank muttered. He raised his voice. "Jonathon Price! Come out and put your hands on your head. Don't make this situation any worse for yourself than it has to be."
Nick had no warning.
Their suspect leaped out from a hidden niche that was tucked into the rear of a small coffee shop, swinging a broken two-by-four. Nick darted out of the way, but not before the slab of wood struck his temple.
Nick stumbled, his gun dropping to the ground with a clatter. Before he could recover, Price scooped up his gun and grabbed the young man, pulling him to his chest to use as a shield against Hank. Nick winced as the barrel of his gun pressed tightly into his injured temple.
"Let me go, man!" Price yelled at Hank, wild-eyed with something that seemed to be more than plain adrenaline.
Hank's eyes narrowed, recognizing possible substance abuse. He tempered his voice. "It's okay, Jonathon. Just let my partner go and we can talk about it. No one has to get hurt here."
"Put your gun down!" Price demanded. "Put it on the ground or I'll blow his head off!"
Hank slowly raised his hands, nonthreatening. "All right, take it easy. I'm putting my gun down on the ground. Just relax."
He slowly lowered himself to the ground, setting his gun at his feet, then rose. Hank made sure to make his movements fluid, not wanting to risk the man startling and accidentally killing his partner.
"Nick, you okay?" Hank asked, risking the question. His eyes were drawn to the blood beginning to trail down Nick's face.
"Fine," Nick grunted. "Small headache."
Hank smiled softly. "I bet." He turned his gaze to Price. "How about letting my partner go? I'll go with you. Wherever you want to go. Just let my partner go, huh?"
Price frowned, confused by Hank's friendly and open demeanor. "I-I . . . n-no . . ." The gun in his hand wavered, the barrel slipping away from Nick.
That was all Nick needed. Bracing himself, he threw his full weight backwards, sending himself and the suspect careening into the brick wall behind them. The force of the impact forced Price to release Nick, who spun around to face him.
Fueled by a sudden flush of rage, Price roared and grabbed Nick by the front of his shirt, spinning them around and slamming Nick into the brick wall with all of his strength. Nick's head bounced off of the brick, sending stars exploding before his eyes. Price pulled him forward and slammed him back again.
Hank seized Price from behind, fighting to free Nick from his grip. Price managed to send Nick into the wall a third time before Hank kicked his right foot out from under him, sending him to one knee. Hank used his momentum to force Price all the way to his belly and wrenched one of his hands behind his back.
Price screamed incoherently as Hank placed the cuff on one wrist, then the other. Gripping a handful of Price's hair, Hank pulled his head back.
"Shut up before I shut you up!" he snarled.
Price responded by trying to spit on Hank.
Hank spared a glance for Nick, who was lying against the brick wall, unconscious. There was a disconcerting trail of blood on the stones, tracing Nick's gradual slump to his current position.
"Nick?" Hank called. "Nick, can you hear me?"
Nick didn't respond.
Unable to go to his partner for fear of Price making it to his feet and running again, Hank pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dial to dispatch. "This is Detective Griffin requesting back up and an ambulance to the alley behind Mac's Coffee Shop on Wabash. Officer down."
TBC
