Chapter 2 Threatening

Adalind POV: Nick had gone to sleep an hour before, but she laid awake watching him. He was engraved even deeper into her heart than ever before. Since she awoke in that hospital bed, he was different to her. He looked at her clearer, without the shadow that had haunted his eyes since Juliette was killed. Then tonight as they lay in bed, Adalind saw a real concern for Diana in his eyes for the first time, not just sorrow for taking her away.

She reached up gently so she wouldn't wake him and put a hand on his face reveling in the feel of his stubble. He shifted, almost without waking, and turning his face he kissed her palm. Then he put his arm around her her waist and seemed to be back asleep. How in the hell was she going to wait till Friday, she asked herself as she felt her belly tighten with desire.

Nick POV: Kelly was a handful. Even though Nick knew Adalind did a very good job, he hadn't realized what the whole job entailed until now. Teething seemed to be turning his precious little boy into a different child. Nick knew how to handle many ferocious Wesen, but this one little baby had him conquered. When Kelly was finally down for his long nap, Nick sat down on the side of the bed next to Adalind. "So I know now why you want a couch. At this moment, I want a couch to just flop myself down in comfort for a minute," he finished in a sigh.

"I think every dad needs to take over for a week, especially during teething for perspective," she snickered. "You're doing wonderful." Nick huffed his disbelief with a shake of his head. "It's not been any easier for me you know. I never got to this stage with Diana," she finished.

"That reminds me, I need to go see Meisner. Do you still think he'll help?" Nick was not Meisner's biggest fan. Not only for obvious reasons, but because of the part he played in the creation of Eve. That was hard to forgive.

"I don't know fully. He was a good man, Nick. Otherwise I wouldn't have trusted him like I did. Look at Trubel. You thought she was to be trusted," she pointed out.

"I still believe Trubel can be trusted if push comes to shove. She has a good heart," Nick paused. "Okay, I see what you mean," he admitted while rising. "I'll try to be back as soon as possible, and hopefully before Kelly wakes up," he finished reaching down to kiss her.

When Nick pulled up to HW, he didn't recognize the guy outside the door. Getting out he said, "I'm Nicholas Burkhardt. I need to see Meisner."

"I know who you are," he replied flatly and turning placed his hand on the panel. Escorting Nick to that same door, the guy let him in. Meisner stood with Eve on his right and a couple of others around the table as they all examined some papers.

Nick's blood boiled at the sight of the deadly automaton, and he spoke with a louder voice than he anticipated, "Meisner!" When Meisner looked up along with all conversation ceasing, he continued, "You better keep your dog on a leash!" Eve's eyebrows rose in surprise at his audacity. "She tried to kill me and almost did killed Adalind." When Nick spoke Adalind's name, Meisner dropped his gaze, not meeting Nick's. So he knew, Nick thought. That made him bristled the more. "Outside. Alone!" With that Nick turned without bothering to check if he followed.

"Burkhardt, this is not the time," Meisner started when they stepped outside.

Nick cut him off, "Don't you even want to know how she's doing?" With that Meisner's mask slipped and there was concern showing for the first time Nick had ever seen.

"How is she?" Once Meisner spoke those words, Nick knew he wasn't immune.

"Her life was hanging by a thread for about four days, and they had to replace half of her blood, but she's finally home," Nick finished feeling a combination of jealousy and pity for him. Jealousy that Adalind had put her trust in him so freely and pity that he could put an organization before such a woman.

"Why was she even there?" Meisner asked incensed. Now that feeling Nick could relate to, having berated himself so many times.

"She wanted to protect us," no she wanted to protect me, Nick thought, "and when Eve turned on me, that's what she did. Her powers returned about three weeks ago. Mentally she kept diverting everything Eve threw at me till a piece of glass got through and caught me in the leg. Then she protected me with what could have been her life, throwing herself in front of a huge piece of glass aimed at my heart," Nick paused for significance. "It's a good thing she's so much shorter than me or she wouldn't be here." He didn't care that his voice was raw with emotion. Meisner watched him closely.

"I would never have let that happen had I known," he said sincerely. Nick believed him just looking at his eyes, so he pressed his case.

"Adalind almost died without spending but a handful of days with her own daughter. I know HW has Diana," he continued earnestly. "Don't you think you owe it to her to tell her where Diana is?"

"I wish I could. Her guardians have moved her again, ," he replied with emotion. "I've loved that little girl since she was delivered into my hands." Nick could understand that emotion, after having Kelly.

"If you find out where she is again, will you contact me?" Nick held his breath. Meisner searched Nick's face.

"Yes," Meisner simply said. "You're a lot like your mother, fierce in your protection," he observed. "Thank you for doing that for Adalind." Nick nodded feeling humbled by the comparison.

Meisner turned to leave when Nick called, "Meisner." As he looked Nick spoke in a deadly voice, "If Eve ever comes within a mile of Adalind or Kelly, I'll put a bullet in her head. No warnings!"