Disclaimers, etc in Chapter 1
"Have a good weekend, Margaret."
"You too, Winnie. Any plans?"
"Having dinner tonight with someone, then more unpacking when drowning in case files becomes too much to handle."
She smiles.
"Have fun. If you need help, give me a shout."
"Thanks, don't stay too late."
I smile at my assistant and head out the door. Leaving on a Friday at 5:45. I think this is the earliest that I've left ANY office. Being the DA has its advantages, I suppose.
I reach my house, head upstairs and have a shower – thinking the whole time about where we may be going for dinner. This might be a good idea, because I don't know Portland all that well, and knowing a good restaurant in town would be a good thing. Always important for taking clients or important people for lunch.
After my shower to shake off the craziness of the day I head into my closet and pull out the dress I am going to wear. A dark purple color with a tiny slit on the side. That should be nice. Since I don't know where we're going, I don't want to over OR under dress. Just as I'm putting the finishing touches on my minimal makeup – which is very standard for me – I hear a knock at the door. Woah. Why did I just get butterflies in my stomach? Calm down, Winnie. It's just dinner. I head to the front door and open it. Wow. He went home and changed. There's something about a powerful man in a well made dark suit that just...
"Captain."
He smiles slightly at me.
"It's Sean, Winifred. I'm a little early. Do you mind if I come in?"
"Not at all. Please excuse the state of things. I'm still unpacking."
He comes in my house and takes in the scene.
"I'm just finishing getting ready. Please make yourself as comfortable as you can in the chaos."
I head upstairs and finish putting on my lipstick, and I spray on a tiny spritz of perfume. My low heels are put on and I collect my purse. As I walk slowly down the stairs, I look to see where he is. He's in the Living Room looking at the books on the shelf. As he hears me come into the room he turns abruptly and smiles.
"You look lovely."
I smile and I can feel myself start to blush.
"Thank you. You as well."
He chuckles.
"Quite the collection of books you have."
"That's only partial. The others are in my office upstairs. These are just a few of my favorites."
"You must enjoy history."
"You can learn a lot about the present from the past."
We stand looking at each other in an awkward silence for a moment.
"So where are we going?"
"A little place I know. Excellent food, you'll enjoy it."
"I'm sure I will. Let me just get my wrap."
I head to the front hall closet and get my black wrap off the hanger. As I toss it over my shoulder I feel his hand on the small of my back. I turn my head abruptly and he removes his hand.
"Sorry, I was brought up with old world manners."
I relax under his explanation.
"I just wasn't expecting it. Thank you."
He opens the door for me and I lock the door after we exit. As we walk down the front steps he gently places his hand on the small of my back. I smile as we reach his car. He holds the door open for me and I smile at him as I sit. He closes the door and comes around to the driver side door.
"This is going to take some getting used to."
He shuts the door and looks at me.
"What is?"
"Chivalry. It's a lost art form, you know."
"Not with me."
We pull away from my house and he goes to change the music.
"Don't change it, I love classical."
"Who's your favorite?"
"I love Mozart. He has such a youthfulness to his music. So light and happy."
"Except Don Giovanni."
"True. That wasn't a very happy piece, was it?"
He shakes his head.
"So where are we going for dinner?"
"It's a little place on the West side of Portland. It's very small, but the food is incredible. It's one of the best restaurants in town."
"I trust your palate. You've been here a lot longer than I have. What cuisine?"
"They have a little of everything, which is why I thought it would be good. I wasn't sure of your preferences."
"I'll eat anything. My mother always taught me to respect the host and eat what was served."
"Someone else was brought up with old world manners, I see."
"Somewhat."
"So. You know that I have at least one cousin. How about you? Do you come from a big family?"
I shake my head.
"No, I'm an only child. I would have liked to have a brother or sister tho."
"It's not all its cracked up to be. Trust me, you're not missing much."
"Sounds like there's a little animosity between you and your brother?"
"Half-brother, actually. We had different mothers and therein lay the main source of the animosity."
I look at him with genuine concern.
"You had a brother?"
"He died a couple of years ago."
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. We were never really close."
"Did he live in Portland?"
"No, in France."
"Is that where you're from?"
He chuckles.
"Initially, I suppose. My mother and I left Europe when I was 13 and we came to America."
He pulls into a parking lot.
"Here we are."
He parks the car and as he turns off the ignition I reach for the door. He clears his throat in my direction and I turn to look at him.
"What?"
He gestures at the door handle.
"Chivalry, remember?"
He smirks and I shake my head as he opens my side of the door, extending his hand to help me out. As our hands touch I feel the butterflies in my stomach again – the same as I felt when I was at home. He places his hand on my lower back and escorts me into the restaurant, holding the door open for me.
"Captain Renard. It's been a while since we've seen you."
The Maitre' D seems very pleasant.
"Thank you, Richard."
"Please, follow me."
He gestures for me to walk in front of him and follow Richard to our table. He holds the chair for me as I sit, and Sean sits on the other side. Richard hands us our menus.
"Something to drink, Miss?"
"A glass of red, please."
"Captain?"
"The same, Richard. Thank you."
He nods and heads to get our drink orders in.
"This looks like a wonderful place."
He peruses his menu for a moment then places it down.
"It is."
"So, what do you recommend?"
"Whatever you'd like."
"Well, why don't you order for me then."
"Done."
Just as I put my menu down our server comes with our drinks.
"I brought the bottle for you, Captain."
"Thank you."
He places our drinks in front of us.
"Are we ready to order or would you like a few more minutes?"
"I think we're ready. The lady will have the Chateaubriand."
"How would you like it done, Miss?"
Wow. I'm shocked by being referred to as a lady. It takes me a split second to realize that the server has asked me a question, but I respond quickly enough.
"Medium rare, please."
"Excellent choice. And for yourself, Captain?"
"I believe I'll have the same. Rare for me please."
"Excellent. I'll put these in for you right away."
He reaches for his glass and I reach for mine.
"So, Sean. What should we drink to?"
He thinks for a moment, then his smirk re-appears.
"How about to a fresh start?"
I can't help but chuckle.
"Sounds perfect. To a fresh start."
We clink our glasses and take a sip.
"So you enjoy classical music?"
"I love classical music. Opera is my favorite."
He seems amused by this.
"Interesting."
"What is?"
"Not many people our age have an affinity for Opera."
"True. I think you either love it or you don't. You do, I assume?"
"I have season's tickets to the Portland Opera. I hardly ever get to attend because of work tho."
"That's a true shame. You should make the time to go."
"Perhaps now I will."
"Do you know what's being featured this season?"
"I know that Die Enfuhrung Aus Dem Serail is being featured, which is..."
"The Abduction from the Seraglio."
"I forgot. Mozart."
"That and German."
I take another sip of my wine.
"Another fluency?"
I nod my head.
"I can't remember offhand the others that are being featured, I just remembered that one for certain."
Our waiter brings our plates to us. He places mine in front of me, then Sean's.
"Bon apetit."
"Merci, monsieur."
Sean smiles at me as we start eating. We make small talk during our meal, mostly talking about our respective jobs, how my move went from Nevada to Oregon and aspects of the upcoming trial that could be considered common knowledge to the general public. Both of us being involved in the law in some way, we know about gag orders and not speaking about cases until cleared by the presiding Judge.
"That was a fantastic meal."
"I hoped you'd enjoy it."
There's a slight tension in the air between us. We haven't talked about what I overheard in his office today. He pays our bill and holds my chair as I stand up to leave, helping me with my wrap.
"It's a little chilly out, you don't want to catch a cold."
I smile softly.
"Thank you."
We don't speak much on the way back to my house. He points out a number of local hot spots tho, so I know where they are should I ever need them. He pulls into my driveway so I turn to face him.
"Would you like to come in for coffee?"
"Coffee?"
"Instead of precinct tar, yes. Actual coffee. We've ignored the pink elephant in the room for long enough, haven't we?"
He nods his head and turns off the ignition. I stay seated, knowing that he'll come and open the door for me, which he does. He extends his hand and I grasp it, accepting his assistance. He smirks at me.
"You're learning."
I smile as we walk to my front door. I unlock it and we head inside.
"May I take your coat?"
He hands it to me and I place it on a hanger.
"Please make yourself at home, Sean. I'll go put on the coffee. What do you take?"
He removes his tie and undoes the collar on his shirt and I think I'm going to go weak in the knees.
"Just cream, thank you."
A few minutes later, after regaining my composure in the kitchen, he stands as I come into the living room holding two steaming mugs of coffee. He smiles as he accepts his.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Please sit."
He waits until I sit beside him and put my cup on the table. A moment of awkward silence passes between us.
"So."
"So."
"Who was the Hexenbiest?"
"Her name was Juliette."
"How did she die?"
"She was killed by a Grimm."
A look of shock is on my face, I'm certain.
"A Grimm? You have a Grimm? In Portland?"
"Two that I know of, actually."
"TWO?"
"Yes. The Grimm that killed her has fled, I believe, as I said earlier today."
"However there's still another Grimm in Portland?"
He smirks.
"Yes."
"So you're not going to tell me where this Grimm is, are you?"
"You didn't ask me to."
"Smart ass."
"I'm taking the DA's advice."
"Well, you know where the Grimm is, do you not?"
"Yes."
"Where is this Grimm?"
"My turn to ask you a few questions. I am assuming that you're Wesen since you know what a Hexenbiest and a Grimm are. What type of Wesen are you?"
"I'm a Felingefӓhrte."
"Really?"
I nod my head.
"Really. You?"
He hesitates and puts his coffee on the table.
"Well, maybe I should just show you."
A few seconds later and he woges. In reaction, I realize that I have as well.
"Well this is interesting."
I can't help but laugh.
"No kidding. A Zauberbiest and a Felingefӓhrte."
He returns to his normal self, and as he does I do as well.
"I'm half, actually. My mother is a Hexenbiest, my father was human."
"I'm full on Wesen."
We sit in awkward silence for a few moments.
"So who's the Grimm?"
I take a sip of my coffee.
"Detective Burkhardt."
I start choking, and he puts his hand on my back.
"Are you okay?"
"I will be. I'm stunned. That nice detective is a Grimm? Does he know about you?"
He nods his head.
"As does his partner and Sergeant Wu."
"He hasn't tried to kill you?"
He laughs and what is becoming his trademark smirk crosses his face.
"He did, once. Technically twice. But we work together when Wesen are involved, and it happens more often than not."
We sit silently together, him allowing me the time to process all this new information.
I woge and speak to him quietly.
"So knowing what I am doesn't bother you?"
He woges and responds.
"So knowing what I am doesn't bother you?"
We stand facing each other and get as close as we can – taking in each others' scent in our Wesen forms.
"Doesn't bother me at all, Sean."
He lifts my chin to look at him.
"Witches have always had a soft spot for cats."
"You're not a witch, tho."
He smirks.
"Fair enough. Hexen and Zauberbiests then, have always had a soft spot for cats."
"What about half Zauberbiests?"
"Yes, even half Zauberbiests."
He looks at me intently.
"May I?"
He gently places his lips on mine and I can feel myself smile. I close my eyes, then he pulls away.
"What?"
That smirk of his is almost intoxicating.
"You started purring."
Oh God. I pull away from him and turn my head.
"Well, that's embarassing."
He turns me towards him and makes me look directly at him. Oh god, now he's fully smiling. We both change back into our human forms.
"Winnie, cats purr when they're happy. I think it's adorable."
"Winifred."
"Don't you think we're friends now?"
"We are, but I just like how you say my name."
He smiles.
"Okay then. Winifred. I should go."
I nod my head.
"Yes, I think that would be a wise decision. On both our parts. Let me get your coat."
I hand him his coat and head to the front door.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening."
"You're welcome. Have a good night, Winifred."
"And you, Sean."
We smile at each other and as I close the door I lean my back against it. I sigh. I can't believe I purred. I'm so embarrased.
I stand on the front porch of her house and sigh. A Felingefӓhrte. Wow. This could be very interesting.
TBC – Please take a moment and send a review – it's as wonderful as a delicious dinner and old world chivalry! It encourages me to write, and being my first Grimm story I'm not sure if people are enjoying it or not. Thanks!