The World Needs More Grimm
Chapter 26
Big Setback
It's approximately 8:00 am. It is still Saturday March 14th 2020.
Josh has just received a piece of the staff that Nick gave to Trubel to keep him safe.
Josh is finding himself deeply pondering the significance of what Trubel told him back at the campground in Upstate New York. He can't stop thinking about his dad, Rolek Porter, safeguarding the "Porter Key" for all those years. Then in 2014 when his dad was dying, it lead to the road trip to Portland Oregon when they met Nick & Trubel. He imagines what it must've been like for Nick and Monroe, upon travelling to The Black Forest in Germany, finding the box with the stick inside it.
All this information makes him want to ask Trubel more questions. But he's being silent because he's knows he can't discuss it with her in their SUV.
As they approach the outskirts of the town where Karl Borski's wife, Anna Borski runs a textile factory, Josh's cell phone beeps and rings at the same time from his pocket.
Josh smiles. "I'm sure that's Matthews." He says.
Trubel looks at him. "Hopefully she has more leads." She says.
Josh pulls over to the side of the road and answers. "Matthews! We are approximately 3 miles from the textile factory. What have you got?" He answers eagerly.
Matthews lets out a deep sigh. "Very bad news Porter. Anna Borski skipped town." She says with dread. "She was identified through facial recognition software on a surveillance camera." She reveals.
Josh is shocked. "WHAT?" He almost yells.
Matthews continues with her bad news. "Yep. She must've been tipped off that her husband was captured. She boarded a flight to Minsk about 90 minutes ago using a false ID." She explains.
Josh is pissed. "CRAP!" He yells.
Matthews sighs again. "Yeah, and it was a one-way ticket." She reveals more bad news.
Josh can't help it. This is a Big Setback for them. "This REALLY SUCKS! Matthews we have no HW contacts there you know." He almost yells.
Matthews can't hide her disappointment. She feels she really let Josh down—personally. "I know, I'm sorry." She lets out a deep sigh.
Josh ponders—for 2 seconds. "I'll need a few to tell Trubel the bad news. And to regroup. Call you back later." He lets out a big sigh, hangs up and literally drops his phone into his lap in disgust.
Trubel already knows. "Let me guess, something happened to Anna Borski." She sighs.
Josh is extremely frustrated. "Anna Borski skipped town. She boarded a flight to Minsk 90 minutes ago using a false ID." He sighs.
Trubel is devastated. "This means I have no leverage against Karl Borski now." She realizes, verbalizing it.
Josh responds angrily. "Yep. And I don't know how else we can get him to talk." He says.
Trubel tries to think on the bright side. "Maybe he'll talk now that he knows she's somewhere safe, you know?" She adds.
Josh lets out a frustrated sigh "Yeah maybe. Well, I'm not going to waste time going to the textile factory now. Let's head back then." He immediately makes up his mind.
Trubel wants to calm him. "Josh I've never seen you so upset. I think you need a break. Meaning food. And a restroom. Let's stop somewhere alright? My treat." She smiles slightly.
Josh lets out a big sigh. "Alright Trubel." He nods to her.
He resumes their drive, pulling out, then turning around and going back the way they came on the main road.
Josh ponders again. "Yeah Trubel, I think you're right, I'm running out of steam." He says.
Trubel nods. "Yep. Davis would agree with you." She tells him.
Josh reminisces for a moment. "Ha! That WAS funny—him calling you mother." He tells her.
Trubel smiles. "That's only because he doesn't like being the center of attention." She explains.
Josh agrees. "It's hard not to be when you're hurt. Well, one thing is for sure-I really like that guy. He's proven myself to me." He says.
Trubel nods. "Irving also. To me that is." She adds.
Josh looks at her for 1 second. "Apparently Irving's been doing this for a long time." He reveals.
Trubel returns the look. "I'm not surprised. It's because of the type of Wesen he is." She suddenly smiles. "Hey! Remember the day I made you a sandwich at Nick's house, and Chavez' guys were outside with the car they were towing away?" She asks.
Josh ponders, remembering. "Yep, I do." He responds.
Trubel nods. "The guy I confronted outside that day was Pflichttreue, just like Irving." She explains.
Josh brightens up a bit. "I did not know that. I guess HW likes that Wesen—obviously why they were our backup team." He explains.
Trubel smiles slightly. "Same reason they like Steinadlers. Or Taureus-Armenta." She adds.
Josh nods. "And of course you can't forget the Grimms!" He smiles.
Trubel nods. "Yeah, HW really likes Grimms." She states factually.
They drive on for awhile in silence.
Josh begins to feel a little anxious. "I don't go out in public anymore, since I became a Grimm." He tells her honestly.
Trubel misses the significance of what he just told her. "I never have time to." Is all she says.
Josh ponders a moment. "I'm thinking a diner or restaurant off the beaten path, so it's not too crowded you know?" He tells her.
Trubel nods. "Sounds good to me Josh." She replies.
Approximately 10 minutes later, they approach a diner a few miles away from the main thoroughfare.
Josh pulls up close to the building and parks. The diner is not full. There are approximately 8 people sitting inside, eating.
Josh glances inside. "This looks like a safe bet." He says.
Trubel has her hand on the door handle already. "Yep. I'll see you in there. Restroom." She says as she opens the door and gets out.
Josh nods. "Alright." He says.
Trubel & Josh enter the building separately. Trubel takes off for the far end of the building and the restrooms.
Josh approaches the Hostess and she seats him in a booth.
Unfortunately, he's very nervous in public.
The old Josh, the pessimistic, moody & insecure guy from 2014 is trying hard to come through the new Josh—The Grimm.
For the time being, the Grimm Josh is calmly sitting there, drinking coffee, waiting for Trubel to join him.
He keeps reaching inside his jacket for something, but doesn't take anything out.
Trubel joins him a minute later.
Because he's no longer alone, a calm feeling begins to take him over.
Trubel sees the look on his face, and the hand inside his jacket. He promptly removes his hand and picks up his coffee cup.
Trubel finally understands. She smiles. "Takes a while to get used to doesn't it?" She asks.
Josh nods. "Yeah. A very long while for me." He lets out a deep sigh. "Can you believe 10 days from now, it'll be 3 years?" He tells her.
Trubel now looks down at his hand, then looks at him intently. "You still want to use your sunglasses, don't you?" She asks him, smiling.
Josh smiles, embarrassed. "I can't help it Trubel. I do sometimes. Only when I'm not working." He reveals.
Trubel actually laughs. "I understand that Josh. It's normal to feel that way. I don't judge you." She smiles at him.
Josh nods. "I appreciate that. How do you deal with it? You don't seem nervous at all." He says.
Trubel shakes her head. "Nope. I guess it's because I realized right away that being a Grimm is not just a job—it's my identity. It's who I am. It's not like you or I can take off a badge at night and no longer be a cop. It's WHO we are—24/7/365." She explains, rationally.
Josh nods in agreement. "That's very true. For a moment I thought you would say that you feel invincible." He lets out a nervous laugh.
Her eyes light up. "No. I don't allow therapy to lull me into feeling that way." She says, firmly.
Josh ponders. "I guess that wouldn't be a good mindset to face Wesen in the field. They might sense it." He concludes.
Trubel nods. She then looks at him curiously. "You know Josh, if I'm out in public and get confronted by Wesen, I just tell them the truth. And—if they can't handle that then I'll get aggressive." She explains.
Josh thinks about it for a second. "Wow. That's keeping it simple." Is all he can say.
Trubel nods, but before she can say anything else, they are approached by their waitress. Josh can't help but be relieved she isn't Wesen. She takes both of their breakfast orders and heads back to the kitchen.
Josh smiles. "Honestly Trubel, I was worried what you would think if you saw them on." He confesses.
Trubel smiles back at him. "Are you afraid I would think you're being a wuss?" She asks.
Josh lets out a nervous laugh. "Yes." He responds, embarrassed.
Trubel shakes her head. "That is so far from the truth anyway! Josh, sounds like you just need—needed a saying or sentence to get your point across. To Wesen that confront you when you're out in public like this." She explains.
Josh is now curious. "Such as?" He asks.
Trubel ponders a moment. "You got a problem, cause I don't. Or-Yeah, I'm a Grimm. Keep walking. And Josh, the key is to hold your gaze and don't look away. Let THEM look away first." She explains.
Josh feels more confident as the seconds go by. "Alright, I get it. Thanks for the advice Trubel. I feel better already." He tells her.
Trubel looks at him. "Glad I could help." She responds.
Josh smiles. "I'm actually looking forward to trying it out." He tells her.
Trubel looks at him. "Really? Now I'm looking forward to seeing that." She says, slightly smiling.
Josh now smiles widely. "Alright. I get dibs on the first Wesen confronting us." He says.
Trubel nods. "Ok Josh." She responds, smiling at him.
Suddenly Josh feels weird. As if he owes Trubel an explanation—for EVERYTHING.
Josh sighs, then looks at her apologetically. "Trubel I—" He hesitates.
Trubel sighs. "I'm almost afraid to ask Josh. But if it's important to you please, speak." She nods at him.
Josh leans in closer to her. "I've been thinking-feeling like I overwhelmed you. After the plane crash. Telling you that I love you. And—I just want to say that I'm sorry." He feels better immediately after apologizing.
Trubel looks at him curiously. "Sorry—how Josh? Sorry you feel the way you do or sorry if you overwhelmed me?" She asks.
Josh responds quickly. "Sorry if I overwhelmed you." He says.
Trubel realizes that he's not far from the truth. "I see. Well, even if that's true, and I do feel overwhelmed, it's too late to do anything about it." She says, matter-of-factly.
Josh nods. "Yes, I know. It also crossed my mind that maybe—you—" He hesitates a lot this time.
Trubel nods softly. "Yes Josh?" She asks.
Josh responds quickly. "Maybe you like somebody else." He says as he sighs.
Before Trubel can respond, their waitress arrives with their food.
The conversation at this point, is dropped.
The eat for a while in silence.
For a change, Trubel speaks first. "How do you feel now Josh? Recharged?" She asks.
Josh smiles. "Yep. Just don't let me lay down. I'll be out in a flash." He warns her.
Trubel shakes her head. "No chance of that right now." She leans back in her seat and ponders a moment. "So tell me Josh—have you ever met anyone else that you liked? Specifically, since your last girlfriend up until now?" She asks.
Josh is slightly puzzled. "You're serious?" He asks.
Trubel smiles widely this time. "Yes Josh. I wouldn't joke about that." She tells him honestly.
Josh nods. "Alright then. The answer is no." He replies smiling back at her.
Trubel looks at him curiously. "Would you honestly tell me why?" She asks.
Josh nods. "Sure. Well, as you know, before I became a Grimm I was afraid of accidentally dating a Wesen so I didn't date at all." He begins.
Trubel nods. "Yes, I remember." She says.
Josh ponders for a moment. "And after I became a Grimm—I don't know, I guess I just never connected with anybody else, Grimm or human." He explains.
Trubel looks at him, trying to hide a smile. "I'm sure that has EVERYTHING to do with how you feel about me." She says boldly.
Josh smiles. "Well—I would say that's part of it Trubel. Perfect example is how I was completely clueless that Alisha Matthews liked me." He explains.
Trubel ponders what Josh just said. "I see." She responds.
Josh quickly moves on. "But I don't want you to get the wrong idea and think the only reason I haven't been with anyone else is because I was waiting to be reunited with you." He says.
Trubel is slightly puzzled. "Well-it sure seems like it Josh." She tells him.
Josh shakes his head this time. "It's just how it turned out, that's all." He explains.
Trubel ponders again. "Alright, good enough. So, if you had found out about Alisha Matthews another way, lets say, someone else and I wasn't in the picture at all—would you?" She asks.
Josh is somewhat caught off-guard. "You're asking me if I would date her? Or hook-up with her?" He elaborates.
Trubel now smiles wide. "Yes, I guess I am Josh." She finally responds.
Josh scratches his head. "Now, I really don't know. I can't answer that Yes or No." He lets out a nervous laugh. "Trubel, you got me on that question." He finally responds.
Trubel slightly smiles this time. "I see." Is all she can say.
Josh feels he needs to explain himself. "You have to understand that I respect her a lot Trubel. And—when I feel that way about a woman I'm not going to have a one-night-stand with her. So that being said would prevent me from hooking up with her." He says matter-of-factly.
Trubel leans back and smiles. "Yeah, I already knew that about you Josh." She says.
Josh nods. "The same way I feel about you. Respect you a lot, I mean." He tells her, noticeably lowering his voice.
Trubel nods. "And I knew that too." She replies, smiling.
Josh ponders a moment. "I guess—I probably would Trubel. Date her I mean." He reveals.
Trubel is actually surprised he admitted to that. "Really?" Is all she can say.
Josh comes out of his deep thought. "Yes but—that would only be in an alternate universe where I never met you." He reveals.
Trubel laughs this time. "Interesting term—alternate universe." She says.
Josh now looks at her intently. "The fact that I love you prevents me from dating anyone else. Ever." He says firmly, but noticeably lowering his voice.
Trubel actually returns the intent look. "Even if nothing happens between us Josh?" She asks softly.
Josh doesn't hesitate. "Yes Trubel." He responds softly.
Trubel can only think of 2 words. "That's—sad." She says.
Josh nods. "Such is the life of a Grimm." He responds matter-of-factly.
Trubel shakes her head, almost in disbelief. "Wow." Is all she can say.
Josh looks at her with surrendering eyes. "When you meet the right person in life, you stop looking. That sums up how I feel about you Trubel." He says, whispering.
Just then, a family of 3 enters the restaurant; mom, dad and their 4-year old boy.
They walk slowly past Josh & Trubel.
The husband nervously woges into a Willahara, and catches Josh's' gaze. Frightened, he stares Josh down, backs away slowly, and says Grimm?!
As he promised Trubel, Josh jumps at the opportunity.
Josh continues looking at him for a moment. "Yes, I am a Grimm. Have a nice day!" He says smiling, addressing the father.
The Willahara family swiftly move past them to the other side of the restaurant.
Trubel smiles, proud of Josh. "See how easy that was?" She asks.
Josh smiles back. "Yep. I wasn't mean because of the type of Wesen they are." He explains.
Trubel nods. "Yeah, that's what I thought." She says.
Josh looks at her. "Well, it's my turn for the restroom." He passes her the fob. "How about I meet you back at the SUV and we'll head out?" He asks.
Trubel accepts the fob. "Alright Josh." She says.
While Trubel pays for their meal, Josh takes a swift restroom break. Trubel then goes outside and gets into the passenger side of the SUV.
A few minutes later, Josh enters the driver's side, locks the door and then fastens his seatbelt.
Josh is pondering. He turns and looks at her. "Trubel, I was thinking we should try putting Ben Peters together with Karl Borski in a holding cell with a recording device. If they've never met, they might start talking about Oscar Torres and reveal something important." He explains.
Trubel agrees. "It's worth a try. But first, I want to interrogate Karl Borski again." She says.
Josh nods. "Sounds like a plan. Well, let's call Matthews and let her know." He grabs his phone.
Trubel nods. "Alright Josh." She adds.
Josh calls Alisha Matthews again.
Matthews answers her phone, somewhat apprehensively. "Hey Porter. What's up?" She asks, trying to sound casual.
Josh immediately sounds better to her. "Matthews. I was running out of steam so we stopped to eat." He tells her.
Matthews is relieved. "Good idea Porter." She says.
Josh continues. "We are eventually heading back to HW, but we are first stopping at the interrogation facility." He informs her.
Matthews sighs. "Alright Porter." She says.
Josh gets to why he called. "Anything else we should know before we leave?" He asks.
Matthews sighs, still somewhat disappointed. "I got nothing Porter." She reveals.
Josh isn't fazed. "Ok. I'll call you before we leave the interrogation facility." He adds.
Matthews is even more relieved at his positive attitude. "Thanks." Is all she can say.
Josh hangs up.
Josh turns on the SUV, and they drive away from the restaurant, on their way back to HW NYC.
END OF CHAPTER 26
