A/N: Many may think I'm writing Sean too cruel in this story, but he's always been cruel to Adalind and I don't think he believes she means anything to Nick. How could she? She's a Hexenbiest, right? In this story, and I believe in the show, Sean will learn he's very wrong ;).

Chapter 12

That night after their first date, Nick slept well for the first time in weeks. Perhaps the delicious dreams he had helped him, although it didn't much help his body's reaction to those sensual scenes when he awoke the next morning. Now that his mind had caught up with his heart, he was flooded with every desire for Adalind that he had suppressed for months, maybe years. Despite their antagonistic past, Nick had to admit he always had a serious sexual attraction to her. It was only since she sought him out pregnant with Kelly, hunted by Juliette and abandoned by her royal protection, that he had begun to see her in a new light. Adalind had been at her most vulnerable, yet her courage didn't fail her. Nick had always imagined her as selfish and sadistic, but the woman who offered up her mother's body to make the suppressant, tested that concoction on herself losing her powers yet again, and let a room of people that stole her first born hold her down during the process was not who he thought she was.

He should have known then, Nick told himself, but there had been too much between them. Too much hate and prejudice. Too many tricks to steal powers and to take her baby. What must have been Adalind's opinion of him that day when she had walked into Sean's office and humbled herself for help? All this time Nick had been fixated on what he must overlook, what he must forget to move on with Adalind and he never stopped to consider what she must have had to overcome. And Nick had thought she was selfish! She had forgiven him as readily as she had fought him in the beginning. He never had to wonder what Adalind thought, because she couldn't hide her emotions. She was supremely passionate and sexy as hell. Definitely a woman worth winning. Worth him showing her just how rare and valuable she had become to him.

Nick threw back the covers and couldn't help but acknowledge his inner dialogue with himself about Adalind's finer qualities had not helped take care of an immediate problem. In fact it made that dilemma one he couldn't ignore, he realized heading to the shower. It might take him a few more minutes today to get out of the door.

An hour and fifteen minutes later, Nick walked up to his desk. Hank, as always, had been there before him. "You look way too happy this morning," Hank noted. "Especially for someone who's been without his son for a few days." Nick's smile slipped a little with the reminder that this situation wasn't resolved with the Captain and Adalind.

Looking to see if Renard was in his office yet, Nick said quietly, "We met yesterday evening for dinner and Adalind's bringing Kelly by the station this evening so I can take him for the weekend." Nick's smile returned at the thought of a daddy/son weekend. "We've got to try and wrap this case today. I don't want even a part of my weekend spent running this down, while Kelly's with a babysitter. I've missed the little guy."

"Now you really sounds like superdad," Hank teased.

"Good," Nick countered as Hank laughed.

"I've been thinking, we need someone to feel this doctor out that is not carrying a badge. You think Rosalee would do a little recon?" Hank inquired.

"Well, let's find out," Nick responded not even taking off his jacket as Hank grabbed his. "I'll call Monroe on the way. He might want to know his wife is doing this." Hank sent him a sneaking grin that Nick couldn't quite figure out.

In route to the spice shop, Nick got a call. "Burkhardt," Nick gave his standard answer in cop mode.

Meisner's voice, once again, came from the other end, "Renard contacted me for arrangements. Sunday at noon is the set time for the hand off." Sunday! That might be best, while Nick had Kelly.

"Understood. When should I join the team?" Nick wouldn't leave this to everyone else.

"HW at 11am," were Meisner's succinct instructions then the call was over. Nick thought there was definitely more to discuss with Monroe and Rosalee than this case of beauty gone bad.

Nick had to hand it to Monroe, the Blutbad was a fierce protector of his woman! Really anyone Monroe loved brought out the beast, Nick thought remembering the way Monroe had gone after the two Anubis that killed his Uncle Felix. Nick never wanted to be on the receiving end of his claws and bite. It made leaving Kelly with the Blutbad and Fuchsbau on Sunday reassuring to know that the couple adored his son.

Finishing his report on the now closed case as quickly as possible, Nick blew out a sigh of relief as he hit enter and Adalind walked through the door with Kelly. He gave her a true warm smile which she returned in kind. "Hey," he said standing up and took her hand, for once not looking around or being self-conscious that someone who knew them would think it strange.

"Hey," Adalind replied, handing Kelly over when he reached for Nick. She smiled so big, Nick realized, as he tickled this son till Kelly was a riot of giggles. When Nick settled him in one arm and gave her his full attention, their eyes locked making it feel very hard to breath. Adalind flushed and broke their stare.

"He had a good nap, which, you know, means he could be up till 8:30 or 9 tonight. Here's all you'll need, but I'm sure you still have everything at the loft so...," she trailed off emotionally. Nick couldn't care less who was watching, he wrapped his free arm around her and drew her into his chest. At that moment Renard came out of his office, flipping off the lights, then froze as he took in the scene before him. Nick gave him a very cold, deadly stare until Sean looked away leaving by the back exit. Nick was relieved Adalind hadn't see Sean. She got her fill when she had to stay at the man's house.

When she lifted her head, Nick said, "Let me walk you out."

"No," she took a deep breath. "I need to make a clean break from you guys or I'll never be able to do this." Adalind leaned over and kissed Kelly, still in his dad's arms, and when she looked back up at Nick, he wished for the same treatment, but after chewing her bottom lip for a second she turned and left.