Chapter 9

Monroe tapped his foot impatiently as he stood facing the wall outside of Nick's room. He knew he wasn't supposed to be using a cell phone in the hospital but it was important that he does. He needed to know. The rings continued on forever.

"Come on, pick up!" He cursed under his breath when it went to voice mail.

"Leave a message," was all he heard before the signature beep. He sighed.

"Christina, it's Monroe; I've called you five times already. It's not an emergency but Nick regained his memories and it's a good thing but I'd appreciate it if you'd… I don't know… check him over to make sure… it's gone? Does that make sense?" Monroe shook his head. He had the idea but he didn't know how to voice it properly. He hopes the message was clear. He flipped his phone shut and headed back into Nick's room. The Grimm smiled softly at him.

"Hey, is everything alright? You were out there for a long time." He asked worriedly. Monroe reclaimed his previous seat by Nick's bed.

"Yeah, the other person didn't answer so I left a message." He smiled.

"… Do I know this person?" Nick couldn't help but ask. Monroe sighed. He knew it was Nick's nature to ask. He was a detective after all.

"You did as a seven year old." Monroe admitted.

"… What?"

"When you thought you were seven you dreamt about the night you were attacked. You described an attack similar to a spell and the only people who I know that cast spells are Enchantresses."

"I've read about them. They're all females… weird species but I've read that they interbreed with human males to ensure that their genes would pass on." Nick explained. Monroe nodded his head.

"Yup, yup, that's them. I took the liberty to read your Grimm books. Hope you don't mind," Monroe chuckled nervously.

"No, it's ok. You were just trying to help." Nick shook his head with a smile.

"Anyway, I managed to get in touch with an Enchantress name Christina. I found her through Angelina. She checked you over for something called an insignia; it's like DNA for Enchantresses. She couldn't find one so she gave you a medallion." Monroe pointed to the medallion dangling off Nick's neck. Nick looked down and fingered it. He lifted it and examined its features. He ran the tip of his pointer finger along its edges. It ran smoothly around.

"Old," he muttered.

"Yeah, it is but the medallion was what brought you back. It has the power to ward off offensive spells casted at the wearer." Monroe explained. Nick peered at the markings on the medallion. He squinted but couldn't make it out.

"What are these markings?" Nick asked.

"I don't know and I didn't ask. If I were to guess it's probably the spell to ward off other spells." Monroe shrugged. Nick released the medallion from his hold. It danced and swung against his chest.

"Well it was nice of you to do all that. Not only did you take me in, you also helped me with my amnesia and the case."

"The case?"

"Yeah, I was chasing a criminal who I now believe to be wesen. Actually I already believed she was wesen. She led me into the forest and that's where I was attacked." Nick sighed.

"You got to be more careful man." Monroe winced. Nick chuckled.

"I agree." He smiled.

At that moment they froze and stared at one another. Time didn't exist anymore. It was just them and the strange connection between them. Monroe furrowed his eyebrows. He thought the connection would have broken when Nick returned to normal. It was supposed to only be because he was childlike. That was all it meant, that strange familial feeling. But even now it hasn't diminished. Instead Monroe felt the flare burst to life with intense heat. It was far from diminishing. It was growing. When it became too much he stood, excused himself with the excuse that he was going to call Hank and let him know Nick was alright. Nick didn't say anything when Monroe darted from the room. In fact he was more silent then he's ever been.

MONROENICK

Hank busted down the door about two hours later. Monroe and Nick stared up at him with wide eyes, forgetting all about their poker game. Nick recovered first and smiled when Hank took three wide strides over to his bed. His eyes were wide and disbelieving as he stared at Nick.

"It's nice to see you again Hank," Nick greeted since it didn't look like Hank was going to talk unless he had confirmation that Nick was back to normal. Immediately Hank released a breath.

"Oh thank god," Hank sighed. "I thought it was I was dreaming when I got a call from your friend." Hank jerked a thumb at Monroe. Nick chuckled. He placed his cards down so did Monroe when he realized the game would have to wait. Nick wanted to bond with Hank for a while. He made to get up and give them some space but Nick grabbed onto his arm. Their eyes connected instantly.

Stay, I want you to. Those were the words in Nick's eyes and Monroe saw it clear as day. Without a word or response he sat down obediently. But Nick didn't let go. His hold only slackened but never letting go. Hank pulled up a chair and sat down. He undid his coat to get comfortable and stretched out his legs. He didn't comment on the attachment Nick still had towards Monroe. But he wasn't hiding the fact that he saw the little gesture and plea.

"So, how are you feeling man?" He asked Nick.

"I'm still a little groggy and feeling weird but I'll be fine. My memories are back and Monroe here was filling me in on what I did while playing poker." Nick smiled at Monroe.

"The least I could do," Monroe replied without thinking.

"How'd this happen?" Hank asked with confusion. The two of them shared a look and shrugged. Nick had no idea how it happened. All he could remember was the chase and then nothing. Even when Monroe explained to him the concept of the medallion and how it was supposed to get rid of a spell, Nick was still clueless. Not to mention he doesn't even remember the person who gave him the medallion.

"I don't remember but Monroe here says that I was watching TV when I suddenly got a massive headache. He called for an ambulance and I was brought here. I slept for awhile then when I woke up I was myself again." Nick went for the fast version of the event. Monroe gave him more than enough details that he could write a novel on it. He suspected half his reasons for doing so was to embarrass the Grimm, especially with the whole watching Spongebob and begging for food and cuddling with him. Nick did feel embarrassment. He always will.

"Wow, talk about freaky medical mysteries," a new voice said. Everyone turned to take a look at the door. Standing there was Juliette. She had full make-up on, wearing a pretty figure hugging dress, and a bright happy smile on her face. Hank got up to greet her happily.

"I took the liberty of calling Juliette when your friend here says he hasn't called her yet. I thought she'd be the one you'd want to see the most." Hank patted Nick on the back in a friendly brotherly way. Nick chuckled awkwardly. The hand he had on Monroe tightened. He shot him a look before letting go reluctantly. Monroe wanted to snatch his hand back but refrained. Juliette's been through enough. He didn't want to cause anymore and it was inappropriate.

"Welcome back, Nick." She jogged forward in her heels and hugged Nick with all her might. She moaned in happiness when Nick wrapped his own arms around her waist. Monroe noticed the muscles tense when he made contact with her body. Hank laughed a belly laugh before tugging at Monroe's arm. He jerked his head towards the door. He wanted them to leave the two alone. Monroe felt conflicted. Nick didn't want to be alone with Juliette. He didn't even wanted her know he was back. However Juliette technically is, by definition, still Nick's girlfriend. And they were entitled to some alone time. However Nick still felt uncomfortable around her. So Monroe made his decision. He shrugged off Hank's hand and glared at him.

"What the hell, man? Stop tugging on my sleeves. They'll become baggy." He complained. Hank gave him a frustrated and bewildered expression. Monroe ignored him and turned back towards Nick who was still in Juliette's embrace. Nick shot him a thank you look with appreciation shining in his eyes. Monroe shrugged and looked away. Nick pushed Juliette away slowly. He looked up at her. Her smile was in place and shined brightly. However Nick furrowed his eyebrows. There was something different about her. Her face was just as he remembered, even prettier now with the make-up, but… there was something off. Like her aura wasn't right or it wasn't her in front of him. He wasn't sure which one. When Juliette pulled away to get comfortable on his bed Nick caught Monroe's eyes again. They seem to be doing that a lot lately. He jerked his head towards her and made a sniffing motion with his nose. Monroe pulled back confused but Nick urged him on. He sighed before shifting himself forward to collect the cards. When he came close to Juliette he took a whiff.

He almost gagged. She was wearing at least half a bottle of perfume. It masked her natural scent but he was able to catch an under layer of it. It smelled the same. It was still that salty human smell that every human had. However she didn't have a natural scent… He couldn't believe he didn't realize it. She was always wearing perfume and had the smell of human but he never really smelt her before. He pulled back when she turned towards him. He busied himself in fixing the cards.

"Oh, Monroe, thank you for being there for Nick. I know how uncomfortable it was having a child around." She smiled and hugged him. His nose twitched at the scent of her perfume assaulting him again. Her words were déjà vu. She had said the same thing when Nick had refused to see her. Except then it was mocking, now it was under laid with victory.

Two can play at that game. Monroe suddenly felt a competing urge spur within him. He offered his own smile.

"It was no problem. In fact, Nick was so taken with me that he did everything I asked him to. It was fun." Monroe smiled at Nick. The Grimm smiled back happily and laughed.

Score for Monroe! He cheered inside. Juliette didn't say anything. Instead she scooted back against the headboard until she was practically glued to Nick.

"That's nice to hear. So when are you ready to go home? I'm sure you're sick of this hospital already." Juliette cooed at Nick. Nick's face faltered for a moment. He didn't want to go home. He wanted to stay with Monroe. But with Hank here and Juliette he couldn't say that. He had no reason to stay with Monroe anymore. He wasn't sick or in need of Monroe's help. Juliette was his girlfriend. So it was expected of him to go home with her.

"The doctor says he needs to be kept tonight for observation. If he's feeling ok he can go home tomorrow." Monroe spoke up when Nick failed to. Juliette didn't even give him a glance. Instead she patted Nick's shoulder and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Feel better honey," Juliette cooed.

"… Thanks…" Nick didn't know how to respond to that anymore. He didn't want her to kiss him. He wanted her to be as far away from him as possible. He still couldn't get that feeling out of him. There was something wrong with Juliette. She felt different. Even when she kissed him there was something different. Just her presence was pissing him off and it used to send him into a euphoric happiness, sometimes even giving him a boner. However now it was all disgust and frustration. In fact he felt the strong urge to be in Monroe's arms. Not hers.

Lucky for him there was a knock at the door and a nurse poked her head in. "Visiting hours is over. You guys can come back tomorrow." Then she left. Juliette got off the bed reluctantly when Monroe and Hank stood and stared at her expectantly. She gave Nick another kiss, this time on the lips. Monroe curled his fingers in and stuffed them in his pocket to keep himself from tearing her off of the Grimm. He noticed his discomfort with her action but refrained. Juliette pulled away and smiled.

"I'll see you at home tomorrow, mister." She tapped his lips with a manicured nail then left with the two.

MONROENICK

The air was thick with the smell of smelly herbs and something akin to rust on metal. Nick gagged then looked around. He was standing in a forest, foreign to Portland. The air was musky and humid. The smell stuck to him much to his disdain. He scrunched up his nose when he realized he'll smell for days.

"Don't, please!" A voice shouted suddenly. Nick whirled around and came face to face with a scene. He was still in the forest but he had moved. He was hunched behind a line of bushes and was peeking over the top. In front of him, in a clearing, was a woman with red braided hair. She was wearing an ancient looking dress. It flowed to the floor with a corset tightened against her stomach and pushing her breast upwards. The top of the dress hung low, showing her smooth silk shoulders. She moved with grace, one bare foot in front of the other. Behind her she dragged a bound man. The woman circled around a large cauldron that was cooking over a fire. The smoke never traveled up but instead dissipated the moment it left the cauldron.

"My handsome beauty," the woman cooed. She dropped him next to the cauldron and crouched down. Her long nails raked over his cheek. "A wonderful remedy you'll make." She giggled. The man's eyes grew in horror. He struggled against the binds.

"Witch! Witch! Someone help!" He shouted as he struggled. The woman stood from her crouch and turned to the cauldron. She grabbed hold of the large stirring spoon and stirred whatever she was making.

"Stars that shine above

Bestow upon me your love

Grant me that I wish

For eternal beauty that it is"

The woman kicked the man in the head when his screaming grew louder than her poem. "Shut up," she ordered before kicking him in the head again. The man whimpered but remained silent. She stirred the pot once more before grabbing the man's hair and tugging him up. He was placed over the edge of the cauldron. His screams rung out in the forest as the hot pottery burnt into his skin. The woman produced a knife from in her sleeve and slit his throat with practiced ease. He gurgled, his eyes grew wide, and his struggle slacked. The woman cackled as his blood dripped into the cauldron. She lifted him and dumped him in.

"A wonderful remedy you'll make

A sacrifice to pay

For my beauty are the stars

And the stars will be paid"

She stirred the blood into the liquid once his body melted. The woman lifted a spoonful, blew on it, and then drank it. She moaned in delight. The winds picked up around her. It swished left then right then forward than backward. She dropped the spoon into the cauldron and spread out her arms. Her head fell back to stare at the stars.

"Stars that shine above

Bestow upon me your love

Grant me that I wish

For eternal beauty that it is

Eternal beauty that it is!"

Nick shot off the hospital bed sweating through his clothes. He struggled to breathe. His hands fisted into the bedding as he looked around frantically. The dream had been so real. He felt the power, the corruption, down to his last bone. His arms shook from the intensity. Shakily he pulled the covers back and headed for the bathroom. He leaned heavily onto the sink while he turned on the cold water. His breathing was still irregular. The cold water was welcomed as he splashed his face, hoping to get the jitters out. The medallion clinked noisily against the porcelain sink. Nick lowered his head to stare at it. It twirled at a fast pace, catching the light at just the right angles. He snatched it off his neck and held it up.

What the hell is going on? He couldn't help but think.


A/N: This was a short chapter but I hope it was to everyone's expectations. The story's going to pick up around here now that I've got the layout and preparation for the story down.

Please be kind and review! :D