A/N: Sorry for the hiatus. You would not believe what has happened in the last month! By the time RL finally slowed down, my computer died on me and I had to get it replaced. Fortunately, with the help of some amazing friends, I was able to recover chapter ten!

Chapter Ten

Life over the next several days settled into a comforting routine for Nick. Every morning, he would wake up and find the clothes Juliette set out for him for the day to save him the embarrassment of being mismatched. Once dressed, Nick would head down the stairs and sit at the dining room table, where Monroe had breakfast waiting for him. Light conversation peppered the meal before Juliette left for the vet clinic, leaving Monroe to bundle Nick into his car and drive him to the station.

Upon arriving at the station, Monroe would lead Nick to his desk amidst friendly greetings that included both men. As soon as Nick was settled with whatever project Renard managed to find to keep Nick occupied, Monroe would excuse himself to take care of his own errands.

Nick spent most of the time at his desk, working hard to prove to the other cops, and to himself, that he could still contribute. Still be a valuable member of the team. He was deeply grateful to his captain for finding him projects to work on that weren't simply ways to keep him out from underfoot. They were assignments that needed doing to help with active cases, and Nick felt for the first time since the accident that his future wasn't quite so bleak.

One thing Nick was still unsuccessful in doing was convincing Hank to let him help out on the homicide case he was working on, which had rapidly become a serial killer case. Half of the precinct seemed to be working on it, including Renard. Three young men had been killed, their throats deeply slashed. No one had been able to find any connection between the three victims. In spite of this, Nick could not convince Hank to let him help.

Surprisingly, Renard was vehemently against the idea. Nick knew that Hank's reticence was due mostly to Hank not knowing how Nick could help (as well as his not wanting to put Nick in anything remotely resembling danger), but Renard wanted the young Grimm nowhere near the case. Nick had the feeling that there was more to the case than Renard was letting on, but with no proof, Nick couldn't confront him. So he contented himself with the work he was given.

Monroe usually returned mid-afternoon to pick Nick up and take him to the park for fresh air. Nick appreciated the time with his friend, getting to know each other a little more as they walked the familiar path, chatting easily as if they'd known each other for years. Part of him hoped they could continue after his sight returned.

Around dinnertime, Monroe and Nick would return back to Nick's house where Juliette would have dinner ready for them. The three would sit and talk about their days over the home cooked meal, clear the dishes, then relax in front of the television for a few hours before retiring for the night.

A week passed in relative peace when, early one morning, Nick's frantic calls sent Juliette and Monroe scrambling up the steps, trying not to trip over each other in their haste to reach Nick.

Nick was hovering in the doorway to his bedroom, an excited grin on his face. Monroe and Juliette skidded to a stop before him, hearts pounding and eyes wide with fear.

"What's wrong?" Juliette demanded. "Are you all right?"

"Did you fall?" Monroe chimed in. "Cut yourself on a rusty nail? What?"

Nick's unfocused eyes darted between the two. "I-I can see!"

"You can?" A grin spread across Juliette's face. "Nick, that's wonderful!"

Monroe narrowed his eyes. He wasn't convinced. "What can you see, exactly?"

Juliette's head swiveled to Monroe, then back to Nick to take in Nick's off-set gaze.

Nick's enthusiasm dimmed only slightly. "Er . . . I woke up, and I was able to see shapes. It's still dark, mostly, but I can see some lighter blobs. But I can see more than before! My sight's coming back!"

Monroe allowed himself a small smile. "That's great, man. See? Only a matter of time before the rest of it comes back."

Juliette wrapped Nick in a tight hug. "That's great news, Nick, but don't overdo it, okay? Let it come back on its own."

Nick returned the firm embrace, eyes still darting around as if hungrily devouring new images. Monroe rolled his own eyes and shook his head.

"Telling him not to overdo it is like telling the sun not to rise in the morning," he stated. "Come on, man, breakfast is getting cold."

Juliette withdrew and pulled Nick back into the bedroom to help him get dressed for the day while Monroe headed back downstairs to the kitchen.

Nick's improved sight was welcome news to all of them, but that also meant that Nick wanted to do more things for himself. As a result, Nick and Monroe were an hour late to the precinct.

His tardiness didn't bother Nick in the slightest. A bright grin adorned his features as his head turned left and right, greeting his coworkers as Monroe doggedly pulled him to his desk.

There were more police officers than normal gathered near Hank's desk as Monroe sat Nick down at his desk. A feeling of unease swept through Monroe, and instead of leaving, he hovered protectively behind Nick.

Nick frowned at the crowd, his brow furrowed as he tried to make out distinct images. "Hank? What's going on?"

Hank broke away from the crowd. "Hey, man. There was another body found early this morning. Same MO; Captain's in a meeting with the mayor right now. I think they're talking about pulling in the feds if we don't get a break soon."

"All the more reason you should let me help," Nick insisted. "One more cop can't hurt. And I can help more now; I woke up and some of my sight came back."

A smile broke out on Hank's weary features. "That's great, man! I knew you'd get it back."

Monroe snorted behind him. "It's not back all the way yet; don't let him fool you."

Nick tossed a half-hearted glare over his shoulder. "How is that helpful?"

"It's very helpful," Monroe shot back. "You're still having trouble seeing, and you have a propensity for jumping headfirst into dangerous situations. I'm helping your partner keep you out of trouble."

Nick shook his head playfully and turned back to Hank, casting a nod at the crowd. "So is that why the board is out?"

Hank nodded. "Yeah; maybe if we put everything up together, we can see something we've missed."

Monroe's interest perked. "Oh, I've seen those on those TV cop shows. The board with the victim's pictures, and a giant map with yarn attached to where they were found, right?" He craned his neck around, trying to glimpse the board through the small crowd of officers.

Hank quirked an eyebrow at Nick, whose amused expression focused on the Blutbad. Monroe ignored the exchange, moving closer to the board in curiosity.

Sharp brown eyes caught one victim's image on the board; a young man's driver's license picture. A feeling of foreboding filled Monroe, and his eyes sought out the other images.

Four young men. Dark hair, blue eyes.

A growl began to rumble deep in Monroe's chest, and he retreated back to Nick's desk, one hand falling on Nick's shoulder and gripping it tightly.

"Monroe?" Nick asked, sensing the change. "What's wrong?"

Hank's penetrating gaze scanned Monroe's face. "Do you know the victims?"

Monroe swallowed the snarl that tried to fight its way free and shook his head. "No, just . . ."

"What?" Nick demanded.

Monroe looked down at his friend, feeling his protective instincts beginning to rise to the fore. "Nick . . . the victims . . . they look like you."

TBC