2:

The bartender grunted disgustedly at the man sitting at his counter, spewing nonsense about how it was after all good that she had walked out on him, how his world was too dangerous, how she deserved someone better. Poor pathetic self-pitying idiot. And to think that he was a cop… No wonder the crime rate was so high these days.

He searched through the man's contacts on the phone he had given after a slightly baffled look and something about the bloody bath not wanting to be disturbed. Ahh there, the bartender heaved a sigh of relief as he found a number listed as 'Emergency Use Only.' Well there wasn't an emergency, but he wanted the man out of his bar before one occurred.

Renard glanced at his Rolex before flipping open his phone. He frowned when he saw the caller ID, equally afraid and alarmed at whatever the grimm had gotten himself into to be calling him at such an hour, and picked up.

Fifteen minutes later, he was pulling up at some run down bar in the cheaper part of town. He got out of his car and walked in cautiously, aware off the possibility that this could be a trap, though he had definitely heard Nick singing some god forsaken song very loudly in the background when the bartender had called. Still they could have had him drugged…

He relaxed immediately when he made out the slumped form of the detective on one of the bar stools. He knew he should be pissed: it wasn't exactly protocol to have disgruntled bartenders calling him in the middle of the night to tell him to come and pick up one of his detectives before they threw them out; but one glance at the dejected look etched on the young detective's face as he stared forlornly at the empty glass in front of him, stirred something deep inside the captain. He placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, causing him to look up.

It took a few seconds for the confusion to clear from those eyes Renard knew so well, before Nick broke into a grin. "Hey cap'ain!"

Renard winced slightly at the raised tone. Nick was clearly drunk out of his mind. "Come on Nick, let's get you home." He said placing one around the younger man's waist to help him get up.

"No! I don't want to go home, there's no one there!" Nick brushed off the arm and declared. "I need a drink. This man won't give me one…" He trailed off before suddenly turning towards Renard, who was busy trying to figure out why he was finding drunken Nick so damn attractive. "Can we arrest him for not giving me a drink?"

Renard chuckled at the hopeful tone and pleading eyes before shaking his head. "Sure buddy, let's get you to the car, then we'll call for backup and get some policemen over." He placed an arm around his waist, grateful that Nick actually stood up this time. Though as soon as he was on his feet, he swayed dangerously and leaned against Renard, his smaller frame fitting comfortably at the larger man's side. Renard shook his head at the content sigh that escaped the grimm's lips before he closed his eyes and buried his face in Renard's sleeve. Bending down a little, Renard lifted one of Nick's arms and swung it over his neck, effectively carrying most of the drunk cop's weight. He placed several bills at the counter and walked out, half carrying the grimm.


Pulling up in front of Nick's house, he turned to awaken the unconscious man only to find a pair of silver grey eyes studying him intently. Renard's breathe caught in his throat as he stared back.

Nick's head was turned towards him, his cheeks flushed, his mouth half open and his eyes… his wide sorrowful eyes, boring into his, as if looking right into his soul.

Renard swallowed and licked his lips which suddenly seemed parched, as Nick suddenly leaned forward a little and closed his eyes.

Renard leaned forward too, one hand automatically coming up to cup the smaller man's cheek, eyes fixed on those full lips, so tantalizingly inviting… when he suddenly jerked back and pulled away.

He couldn't do this! Not like this, not when Nick was drunk out of his mind, and hurting after his recent breakup.

A deep feeling of self-disgust enveloped Renard. The poor man had no idea what he was doing, but Renard did, didn't he? And to think that he had lost his control and had almost kissed him!

A sudden desire to distance himself as much as possible from the detective surged through him and he opened the door of the car and got out, hoping to clear his head of all thoughts involving those lips in the night air. In his hurry he failed to see the flash of hurt on Nick's face or the single tear that rolled down his cheek before he closed his eyes and slumped back against the seat.


AN: What say you? Reviews are love :)