Disclaimer: This isn't mine.
Summary:
Sometimes field work just sucks. It could have been so easy... if not for another unfortunate incident.
What can I say, here are sprained ankles and serious talk about bunnies! ;)
Characters featuring:
Nick Burckhardt
Sean Renard
Chapter warnings:
cursing
Hop Along 1:
Their plan is destined to succeed, its outline clear and easy to follow. After hearing Wu's report on a second victim and having a look at the crime scene, Nick calls Hank and they discuss plans. Still on crutches and thus not able to brave muddy hellish forest roads Hank will begin to interview witnesses and possible suspects while Nick and the Captain will revisit the place where their first victim has been found.
Wu drives back to precinct while Nick takes a ride with Renard. So far so good. Luck begins to run out when they get to a point where even Renard's powerful SUV cannot pass the muddy thing that once has been called a forest track. They are about 3 miles from their destination but they are nothing if not determined.
"Up for a hike?"
The Captain raises an elegant eyebrow in challenge as he turns to look at his Grimm.
"Always. But are you, Sir? No offence, but you are the one who usually does the talking and politics... not this..."
The Grimm Detective makes a sweeping gesture encompassing all of that muddy track of hell in front of them.
"Careful, Detective. You might be surprised."
"Or maybe not. Hank and I have seen you in gym a few weeks ago... I think I believe you when you say you're ready."
With a lopsided grin Nick exits the car and leads the way toward their destination.
It could have been so easy...
If it hadn't been for what happens half an hour later:
Nick is completely focused on his task of searching in a group of bushes for a similar token like they have found near the second victim. It's been left there deliberately and looks to be some kind of message, which leads them to search for a similar one here. Nothing has been found the first time forensics searched the place but then again it's been raining for ten days straight and maybe they've simply missed it before. Now that they know what they are looking for the situation presents itself quite differently.
Thus, Nick is practically crawling through greenery, gaze pinned to the ground and otherwise oblivious to his surroundings. Even when Renard cautions him that right after that line of bushes follows a steep slope he doesn't react.
Well, what can he say, accidents do happen. While the zauberbiest Prince is searching another part of the crime scene Nick goes farther and farther...
Until he loses his footing when the ground suddenly drops down into a great ditch and the hardened Grimm rolls ass over heels down said slope! His sudden descend comes as such a shock that he cannot even make a sound as he tumbles down.
Finally coming to a stop he sits up and shakes his head a bit dazedly.
Damn! Where have I landed?! And who in their right mind thought it funny to place a frickin' ditch right behind some bushes?
There are leaves everywhere – in his hair, plastered to his face – simply everywhere! Surprisingly little mud, though, considering the general state of things.
He looks around to orientate himself and cannot help the full out grin of triumph when he notices a colourful tin box just barely visible from under another bush.
Things could have been really good, you know? Nick has found what they are searching for, he's relatively unscathed...
... Or so he thinks until he tries to put weight onto his right foot. He barely represses a colourful curse as he crashes back down to the ground, ankle throbbing heavy as hell!
Of course Nick, that's what happens to cocky little Grimms who tease their boss with comments about being unfit for field work!
He completely ignores the fact that the voice in his head sounds eerily like to Monroe.
Well, he's left with two options now:
1. He gives a shout to his Captain, who for once doesn't seem to be aware of what's going on, let's his boss help and possibly berate (worst case) or mercilessly tease him (not really best case either).
2. He grits his teeth, grimms up and goes on despite an obviously sprained ankle.
Nick considers that for a moment, looks from the tin box in his hand to his right ankle... and decides he doesn't need to tell his Captain, after all.
Track roads are all muddy and soft, anyway, I've been through a lot worse (always a valid excuse) and hey, what are 3 three miles, anyway? Come on, Nick, how bad can it be?
Very bad as Nick will soon notice!
Somehow he manages to climb back up that slope and hide his discomfort from Portland's bastard Prince. He even endures Renard's sarcastic remark about Nick's state of appearance in good humour.
And finally, when he shows Renard his find and the man is as fascinated as he is, he's able to forget the crazy throbbing of his ankle for some time.
GRIMM GRIMM GRIMM
Now, two miles walking later forgetting about that pain – keeping it from showing on his face – seems an insurmountable task. He's walking, no, limping behind the taller man, conscious to keep away from that observant gaze if he can help it.
"Nick, what is the matter?" The Captain's smooth voice cuts through the silence that has descended over the odd pair.
"What?!" Nick's head whips up, caught off guard. For at least half a mile he's been plodding on, keeping his eyes to the ground, just focusing on setting one foot in front of the other.
"I asked you, what is the matter? I noticed something was off quite some time ago and wondered when you would say something."
Nick averts his gaze in embarrassment before he can stop himself, face regaining a little colour as he blushes at being found out.
"Is it so obvious?" For a moment Sean lets him stew, pins him with a stern disapproving frown.
"Actually no, but your response just cleared away my last doubts."
The Grimm groans in frustration. It is more than a little embarrassing that the Captain managed to fool him with such an easy trick. Renard chuckles quietly.
"May it be that you are in too much pain to use your otherwise impeccable acting skills?"
When Nick looks up again Renard is standing in front of him, arms crossed in front of his broad chest, putting his unfair advantage in height to good use. Green eyes lock with his own.
And suddenly the normally unflappable Grimm finds himself entrapped by that sharp gaze, by those watchful, intelligent eyes.
"Maybe you should consider telling me exactly what happened earlier while we go on."
It is a difficult decision to make, not least because of a fair bit of hurt pride. Oh, well.
Might as well lay the cards on the table.
Nick does not give in to pain easily. On the contrary, in his years as homicide Detective and Grimm he has developed an uncommonly high pain tolerance, but after an hour of stomping through mud (which is not in the least soft but rather bitchy because it pulls at your injured ankle every time you take a step) even he is at his rope's end.
"I would rather not... continue walking right now, that is."
This time he makes eye contact with his zauberbiest Captain deliberately. He knows that his attempt at hiding an injury out of pride backfired spectacularly but he'll face his Captain's judgement without fuss. If he's done something wrong (and has gotten over his own pride and hotheadedness) he stands by his actions and answers for them.
Renard seems to be aware of his inner struggle for he waits patiently for his Grimm to come around.
"To make it short: I tumbled down a slope, twisted my ankle, didn't say anything and most likely made it worse in the process."
"Was it, by any chance, the steep slope I explicitly warned you about?"
"You gave a warning? I didn't hear one..." He trails off, honest confusion on his face. Renard actually groans at that.
"Honestly, if you are focused on a task there's no distracting you... even by issuing words of caution."
"Well, ... Juliette once told me she finds it adorable."
He says that as if it's a valid excuse.
"Yes. And I am sure she would have told you a lot more if it made her get the good looking guy." The zauberbiest's distinguished tones drip with a whole lot of derision and a small bit of teasing. Nick cocks his head to the side.
"I'm not sure, Captain, but I think there was a compliment in there somewhere."
"I'm very sure, that you must have imagined that." His angular face is set in seriousness but even Renard cannot hide a mischievous spark lighting his eyes.
GRIMM GRIMM GRIMM
The Captain has slung Nick's arm around his broad shoulders to take some weight off Nick's foot and support him while they walk. To do so, though, he has to stoop quite a bit, which makes the Grimm's gut twist slightly with guilt.
"Are you sure you won't get a crick in your neck doing that?"
"No I am not. And now that you are mentioning it, your lack of height is a bit inconsiderate." Sean deadpans and continues on as if they have never spoken.
GRIMM GRIMM GRIMM
It's some time later and honestly, Nick has never been happier to sit on the edge of a car boot! He leans his head back against the metal framework; eyes squeezed shut, grimacing.
When Renard carefully rotates his foot to test if anything is seriously damaged, he inhales sharply.
"It's swollen to nearly twice its size but as far I can see nothing else is wrong."
"You have many hidden talents I see." Nick attempts to tease but with his voice hoarse as it is it comes out rather tired. Renard humours him none the less or maybe especially because he is aware of Nick's pain.
"Then let's see, if my hidden talents extend to bandaging a sprained ankle or if it will look like I simply wanted to tie you to something sturdy. Nobody would question me on that after what you pulled off once out of my sight for a moment."
Nick gives a breathless laugh.
"At least that's something a long standing police officer should be able to do. Although that's no reason to actually tie me down..."
He throws the other man a mock suspicious glare before focusing on those large elegant hands as they wind round after round of white gauze around his ankle.
Tying the loose ends of the bandage Renard prompts his Grimm to move with a jerk of his head.
"Hop along, Detective." Nick looks at him incredulous.
"This, Captain, sounds so totally like some children's dance show! Please, next time you say that, wear a bunny costume... lends it more credibility, you know?"
With 6 ft 4' of a pissed zauberbiest glaring at his back Nick proves that he can hop quite fast on one leg as he makes his way to the passenger's seat. The Grimm knows one thing: Even wearing a pink life size bunny costume Captain Sean Renard could kill you with a single black stare!
"Oh, and Nick..."
"Yeees?" He draws the word out comically, slowly turning from where he's standing with his hand already gripping the handle of the passenger door.
"I hope you are aware that you are on desk and paper work duty for the next month."
Damn it. And here I hoped he had forgotten about that.
GRIMM GRIMM GRIMM
Another bad day for Nick... or maybe not... he's passed the day with his Captain, after all.
That said, I hope their more teasing relationship (not slash... sadly) still is in character enough. I try to find a line somewhere between their normal behaviour in the series and a more humorous side...
By the way, if anyone has a wish of what he/ she would like to see in future chapters, please text me, I'm always open to suggestions. ; )
