Sean tapped his pen on the table in his office at the station in thought. He was getting more and more concerning reports from Austria about the movements of the Royals. His cousin had taken Eric's place and he wasn't sure if that was an upgrade or downgrade. He really should have left by now and yet something held him back.

With a sigh he threw his pen on his desk and sat back in his chair. His eyes caught on Nick Burkhardt through the windows of his office. He knew what was holding him back, he had spent so many years getting everything into place and now was his time to move. He just hadn't realised how much his place, here in Portland, meant to him. He had built a career and a home here, believing it was just a stepping stone to something else, now he wasn't so sure. He had marked out a territory and had held it, more or less, without violence and now he had a Grimm beside him. No, he couldn't think of Nick that way. The man was something more than just a Grimm.

"Hey, Captain," Wu greeted after knocking. "Parcel arrived for you."

Wu placed a long thin box, about the size of an envelope, on his desk with a smile and left. Sean eyed the box off and carefully pulled on the leather cord around it and opened the lid with care. He stared down at the white feather sitting on a bed of white silk and tensed. The message was very clear as he replaced the lid. He'd started this with the death of his brother, both a relief and a headache.

"Yeah," Sean called at the knock at his door and Nick and Hank stepped in.

"Have you ever heard of real mermaids?" Hank asked and Sean just stared at him.

"Mermaids?" Sean said slowly.

"See," Hank exclaimed and turned to Nick. "I'm telling you this is new levels of strange."

"More so than walking zombies?" Nick countered with a quirk to his lips.

"Hey," Hank added and lifted up his hands. "Don't have to tell me twice about them!"

Nick snorted then his eyes caught on the box and Sean watched in interest as Nick took a sniff and shuffled closer.

"So," Sean intoned. "Mermaids?"

"Or river creatures," Hanks amended. "It looks like something dragged a boy under the water of a lake and drowned him."

"Something?" Sean asked as he sat forward in his chair and pushed the box closer to Nick.

"Yeah," Hank exclaimed. "The boy reports that something grabbed his ankle and pulled him under the water. He even has scratches down his leg to prove that something was there. There were two girls involved as well, so…"

"Could he have tangled it up in something?"

"Doesn't look like it," Nick added. "The kid then said that a woman saved his life but she didn't look human."

"He said that?"

"Not in such simple terms," Hank countered. "But we could read between the lines."

"Could be any number of things then," Sean commented.

"Yeah," Hank agreed. "We're heading back out there now."

"Good luck then," Sean offered. "Nick, a moment before you go?"

Hank shared a look with his partner before leaving, they could see him heading straight for the coffee and Nick grimaced.

"That will be his fourth today," Nick muttered before focusing on Sean. "I'm not looking forward to the car ride. What did you want to talk about?"

"Someone wanted to make a point," Sean remarked and looked at the box.

Nick picked it up and opened it with a frown.

"I would be hard pressed to call you a coward," Nick stated and placed the box back down.

"Someone would disagree," Sean commented.

"Someone doesn't know Captain Sean Renard of the Portland PD," Nick countered.

"I believe I will have no choice but to go," Sean answered with honesty and Nick looked him over.

"Just make sure it's for the right reasons," Nick retorted then opened the box again and picked out the white feather. "It's only worth doing for the right reasons."

Nick held up the feather then slipped it away into his coat pocket and left without a word. Sean leaned back in his chair and looked at that empty box for a while before work pressed in on him again. He lost himself to the workings of a police department for a while.

xXx

Nick ducked and twisted to the side while Sean quickly spun and brought an elbow up and Nick grunted. Sean followed it up with a foot behind his leg and brought the smaller man down hard. He heard Monroe groan from the sidelines. Nick yelped as Sean twisted his arm up behind his back and pressed his knee into his spine. He'd learnt quickly that hand to hand training and Wesen strength was winning out. While he'd managed to get the upper hand with Monroe, Sean had training behind him.

"Hey!" Nick yelped and Sean released him and stood back.

Nick quickly twisted around and glared up at him while Monroe giggled. Both men looked over at him.

"Just feel like I'm getting my revenge from all the times that I've ended up in the same position," Monroe stated in his defence.

"Do you want to change spots then," Nick demanded as he jumped to his feet and fell into stance.

"No, no!" Monroe squeaked. "I'm now a sideline coach!"

Sean snorted and launched his next attack. Nick slipped away from his punch and quickly threw his own which Sean deflected with ease. Both men circled around each other looking for a weakness as Monroe yelled from the sideline. Suddenly Nick jumped forward and Sean slipped to the side and down. Moving faster than a human eye could see, he stepped into Nick's space and grabbed his arm and pulled forward.

"No!" Monroe groaned.

Nick suddenly slipped a foot around his and pushed. Sean grunted as he went down with Nick on top of him.

"Go, Nick!"

Nick tried to twist out of his grip but Sean grabbed him with legs and arms and twisted them. Nick squeaked as Sean used his greater weight and height to change their positions and straddle the other man's waist as Nick tried to wiggle loose.

"Use your knees!"

Sean grunted as Nick brought his knee up into his back and he rolled off the smaller man and to the side. Nick had hit his weak spot and he grimaced at the pain shooting up his spine as he crouched slightly.

"Take him!"

Sean grunted as Nick just barrelled into him and they went down hard in a tangle of limbs. He grabbed one of the detective's arms as he brought his knee up into Nick's stomach. They had said at the start, no holding back. Nick rolled off him and staggered to the side and Sean flipped back onto his feet and eyed him off.

"Yield," Nick coughed and Sean was concerned he'd hit him too hard. "Fuck."

Nick stumbled to one of the trees and braced his hand on it as Sean doubled over with his hands on his knees. Panting and sweating just as heavily as Nick was.

"Water anyone?" Monroe questioned and got two sets of glares in answer. "Round two then?"

xXx

Nick knocked on the door of the Captain's apartment in interest, he'd been surprised by the call but now that he was here. He wasn't sure why he'd been surprised in the first place. He placed his hands into his jacket pockets and looked around the hallway. He looked back when Sean opened the door and gave him a smile and stepped to the side.

"Come in," Sean offered and Nick stepped through the door. "Feel up to a steak?"

"Any time," Nick answered with a grin.

"I have cider as well," Sean said over his shoulder. "Or beer?"

Nick paused at the offer and Sean turned back to him.

"Is this to apologise for beating me up?" Nick inquired and Sean gave a chuckle.

"No," Sean purred with a smile.

Nick fell back into step with him as they walked into the large kitchen. He settled on one of the seats at the bench and took in the view. He could get used to seeing the city through those glass doors. He looked back when Sean placed a cider down in front of him and he gave him a nod of thanks.

"You gave as good as you got," Sean mentioned as he placed the pan on the stove and let it heat up. "Back is still hurting."

Nick snorted and gave him a grin.

"Good to hear I can still hurt the big and bad," Nick commented before taking a sip of the cider. "Nice."

"Take a few home with you," Sean offered before pulling a key out of his pocket and placing it on the bench between them. "In case you need to get away from the happy couple or they need time away from you."

Nick frowned as he looked at the key before focusing on Sean.

"You're leaving," Nick stated more than asked.

"Just for a little while," Sean answered.

"If you are giving me a key, you're not sure if you're coming back."

"I'm coming back, Nick."

Nick gritted his teeth and Sean gave him a slight nod before placing the steaks in the pan. The sizzle of the meat filled the silence as Nick looked at that key before sliding it along the table and into his pocket. Sean gave him a glance and he got a flash of the beast that lay under his skin for a second. The other man was concerned.

"So, this is a going away meal?" Nick questioned and Sean snorted.

"If you want to think of it that way," Sean answered mildly.

"Well," Nick said sharply. "I'm not thinking of it as a last meal."

Sean stilled and his eyes came up his met his and Nick saw something shift in his expression. He felt his stomach drop before the man turned away to flip the steaks.

"I would ask if you will be safe," Nick continued. "But I know you."

Sean snorted and gave him a small smile. He dished up the steaks and pulled some chips from the oven. They settled into their seats with the food and drinks as Nick started to relax. He knew that Sean didn't give trust easily and from his experience of his family, he could understand why. However, at the same time. He got a feeling that Sean was saying something without saying it with this meal.

Images from his nightmares came to mind and he shivered as a memory rolled over him.

"Are you cold?" Sean asked. "I can put the heating up."

"You bit me," Nick blurted out and Sean paused.

"I bit you?" Sean questioned as he placed his knife and fork down.

"When I was poisoned," Nick clarified. "I remember the feeling of someone on my back and then they bit me."

"And you think that was me?" Sean asked.

Nick turned to the other man and could read the truth there, even if Sean's expression gave nothing away.

"I know it was," Nick stated. "What I want to know is why?"

Sean calmly stared back at him.

"I don't know," Sean answered and Nick could see and hear the truth in the words. "Just a reaction."

Nick blew out a breath then started slightly as Sean placed his hand on his arm. The move was out of character for him and drew his attention back to Sean. Those pale eyes were focused on him and for a second Nick saw passed the mask to the man underneath. Not the Zauberbiest or the Royal but the man under all of that. A proud man that was just trying to do what was right. That had to fight for everything that he had.

Nick placed his hand over Sean's and felt like this was a turning point for them. What that meant, he still wasn't sure yet.

"I'm surprised that the Blutbad hasn't done the same," Sean remarked as he removed his hand and went back to his meal.

Nick snorted loudly.

"Been close a few times," Nick muttered. "Makes a guy stop wearing red at least."

Sean barked a laugh and Nick gave him a grin.

xXx

Nick twirled that white feather in his fingers as he sat at the desk in his Aunt's trailer. Sean had been gone for three weeks so far and his life just didn't feel the same. He had found himself at the man's apartment more than once. Just walking around and taking in the view from the balcony. The temptation to sleep in the man's bed had entered his mind, just so he could see the sun rise in the morning. He tried not to think it was for any other reason. He had claimed one of the spare bedrooms, near the second bathroom, to give Monroe and Rosalee a break.

He really didn't want to think too hard about where Sean was or even if he was still alive. The thought that if the man was killed, they may never find out, still plagued him. He had also heard that Juliette had moved back and was staying with a vet friend. She had called him a few times, wanting to talk and going on about remembering everything but he just couldn't deal with her. He knew that Rosalee had been speaking to her and he wasn't sure what to think of that. Monroe hadn't complained, so he'd let it slide.

Nick sighed and placed the feather on the desk and looked at the clock. It was well past midnight again as he packed up and made his way out of the trailer. Monroe knew he wouldn't be home tonight.

xXx

Sean walked into his apartment and the first thing he noticed was the scent of Nick. He closed his door behind him and placed his bag and keys down before slipping out of his overcoat. He walked into the apartment to the soft sounds of music, the smell of Nick getting stronger until he spotted the man. He stood in just his jeans at the glass doors, looking out at the city.

"Nick?" Sean questioned.

The man turned and gave him a grin that had his stomach flipping. The Grimm stalked towards him with smooth steps and silent feet which pulled at his wilder nature.

"Hey," Nick greeted as he stepped close and wrapped an arm around his neck.

Sean tensed as the man wrapped both of his arms around his neck and pulled on him slightly. Sean ducked down then Nick was kissing him. Sean growled in the back of his throat as his arms pulled the man close to his body and deepened the kiss. Tasting the other man as Nick's hands slipped down his shoulders.

"You're been gone too long," Nick whispered in his ear when he pulled back.

"Nick," Sean gasped as Nick kissed his neck.

"Way too long," Nick whispered before bitting down on his neck.

Sean groaned as the smell of the man wrapped around him, the same way his arms did. He could feel himself responding as Nick kissed, licked and bit down on his neck and to his shoulder.

"Welcome home, love." Nick whispered before bitting down hard where his shoulder met his neck.

Sean woke with a start and his eyes darted around the warehouse but he was alone. He sat there as he held the blanket to his waist and wondered what the hell had brought that dream on.

xXx

Sean hesitated before placing the note down with the rose for Adalind. He still wasn't sure if the child was his. Adalind had never been known as being selective and he was aware of the fact that she had been close with his brother. He sighed and knew his time was running out. At this stage, he just wanted to go home, back to Portland and his life.

Back to Nick.

He pushed down on that last thought roughly as he silently slipped from the room and away. He couldn't afford to get distracted now. He had to keep a clear head, whether the child was his or his brother's, didn't come into play. He had his role to play and he couldn't turn away from that. Even if Nick's words came to him as Meisner fell into step with him. He had one last task to complete then had to get out. He could already feel the noose tightening around his neck and knew it was just a matter of time.

xXx

Sean stepped into his apartment, feeling exhausted. The flight had been too long with too many interchanges as he tried to evade anyone that could have followed him or for an 'accident' to be set up. He dropped his bag to the floor and just threw his coat over it. He glanced around the hallway before making his way into the apartment. He paused when he spotted Nick on the balcony and felt Deja vu wash over him. Except Nick was fully dressed with a cider in his hand.

Sean's eyes ran over the other man as he stalked toward the doors to the balcony. The Grimm turned towards him and gave him a grin.

"You look like crap," Nick remarked and waved his cider at him. "But alive at least."

Sean snorted at the greeting and the tension of the last few weeks started to drain out of him.

"Good to know that you care," Sean replied as he came to stand next to Nick.

"Of course," Nick replied as he turned back and rested his arms on the balcony railing. "I've only just trained you, I don't want to have to break in another Captain, the one you left us with was bad enough."

Sean chuckled and felt the last of the tension in his body disappear as he leaned on the railing next to the man. He looked out at the city before glancing at the man beside him.

"Do you think that if I dropped this bottle from here," Nick suddenly said. "It would hit that security guard?"

"Why would you do that?" Sean drawled.

"Because he's an ass."

Sean looked over at the man beside him and Nick wiggled the bottle with a grin.

"I hear that murder is a crime," Sean commented mildly.

"So it is," Nick mused. "So, if I drop this bottle from here, do you think I would almost hit that guy?"

Sean laughed and took the bottle from his hand and Nick let it go without a fight.

"How about I take that temptation away from you?" Sean suggested, then without thought drank the last of the cider.

"Well, that's one way to do it." Nick laughed and pushed away from the railing. "I was due for another one anyway. Do you want one?"

"Sure," Sean answered.

Nick walked back inside and Sean found himself watching the man's smooth steps. He followed after him with a grin on his face, it felt good to be home.

xXx

Sean woke late the next day, feeling more like himself as he stretched in his own bed. He looked out through the curtains at the soft light before pulling himself up and to the bathroom. He could pick up Nick's scent in the room and knew the man had been in there, but that didn't upset him. He'd gotten used to the man now as he showered and dressed.

He walked through the apartment then paused outside the room that Nick had been using. The door was open and he could see the mess of blankets and sheets. He stepped into the room and could tell that Nick had spent more than a few nights in the room. He'd been unsure, when he'd given Nick the key, whether he would stay here and by the bag on the floor and the heavy scent, he had.

He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge to find it well stocked and he had to smile at that. On a plate at the bottom was a large steak and a note. Sean picked up the note and snorted.

'To repay you for the last steak,' Was written in Nick's hand with a drawing of a wolf howling at the moon.

Sean chuckled and placed the note on the bench as he pulled out the milk and some cereal. He made up a bowl before he headed over to the lounge and clicked the tv on. He flicked on the news as he ate and took in the dramas of other people's lives for a while. He had never lived with anyone, besides his mothe,r and was unused to another person's scent around him. However, as he sat there, he started to get the feeling that he could get used the Grimm being in his territory and house.

xXx

"ID sir?"

Nick glared at the security man, Phillip Bolin, as he pulled his badge and held it up.

"Was the same as yesterday," Nick snapped. "And the day before that."

"We shall see," The man drawled and gave him a leer. "I heard that Captain Renard is back and I know how he likes his privacy. Do you have ID with a photo, sir?"

Nick growled low in his throat but knew that Bolin wouldn't let him pass until he showed him what he wanted. He pulled his wallet and showed him his card.

"Thank you, sir." Bolin sneered and pressed the buzzer to let him pass.

Nick strolled past and tried not to let the man's attitude get to him as he stepped into the lift. He knew what it was about as he pressed the button to the penthouse with a little too much force. He fumed as he rode the lift up and was glad he was alone. The other security guards just waved him past without a word except that asshole. He flung the door to Sean's apartment open a little too hard and the door hit the wall and he cursed. He felt like slamming it shut but he wasn't sure if Sean was home or not and he'd already dinted the wall.

He carefully closed the door and looked at the mark he'd made and cursed again, he would have to fix that. He knew how Sean liked to keep the apartment.

"Rough day?"

Nick spun around with a start to see Sean standing there with his hands in the pockets of his pants.

"That asshole on the door," Nick fumed and Sean raised an eyebrow in question. "Forget about it. I know that he's just doing his job and I'll fix the wall."

Sean snorted.

"Want a drink?" Sean asked over his shoulder as he strolled away. "You sound like you need one?"

"Ah, yeah sure." Nick answered. "Hey, did you want me to move back to Monroe's place, now that you're back?"

"No," Sean stated, without stopping. "You're welcome here."

Nick stumbled a step at that answer as Sean walked over to the fridge.

"You don't mind me crashing here?" Nick asked. "Cos, I've been looking for somewhere to stay."

"Nick," Sean stated as he turned back to him, holding two beers in his hands. "It's a big apartment and from the looks of your room. You've already moved in."

"Ah, yeah." Nick stuttered and rubbed the back of his neck. "Thought I would give Monroe and Rosalee a bit of space. I could move in with Hank-"

"What," Sean muttered. "On his couch."

Nick snorted, he knew how small Hank's place was.

"Well, if you don't mind."

"I don't mind."

"What's the rent then?"

Sean leaned back on the bench and looked at him.

"That high?" Nick mused. "Well, I could help a little. I used to help Monroe with his mortgage."

"You already pay me in steaks," Sean stated and Nick paused before laughing.

"That sounds like a fair deal then," Nick agreed then grinned. "You know what?"

"What?"

"I think this bit of news might just send Hank over the edge."

Sean chuckled.

"Do you mean that he can deal with Wesens, zombies, mermaids and other creatures." Sean intoned dryly. "But can't deal with his partner living with his boss?"

"Yep, I'll leave that one up to you to explain. I explained the other things."

Laughter was the only thing that greeted those words.

xXx

Sean pulled the warm body before him closer and kissed the back of the man's neck as his hands drifted lower to tease him.

"Hmm," His bedpartner purred as Sean wrapped his hand around him and gave him a stroke. "Morning to you too."

Sean chuckled as he kissed down the man's neck before gently bitting his shoulder. The man groaned as Sean could feel himself responding to the noise. He licked and nibbled down his back as he slowly made his way down his body. The man shifted and he allowed him to roll onto his back. Nick looked up at him with lazy eyes as Sean moved to kneel between his legs and took in the sight of the man sprawled out before him.

Nick gave him a grin as Sean leaned down and captured his lips in a burning kiss.

Sean woke with a start and a hard on then groaned when he realised that he was alone. He fell back to the bed and ignored his hard cock. The dreams reminded him of when he'd been under the obsession spell with Juliette and he wasn't sure what he should do. He slowly pulled himself to the side of the bed and bowed his head. He cupped the back of his head and pulled on his short hair and took in the sting.

Now that Nick was living with him, the frequency of the dreams had kicked up and it was driving him mad. He didn't want to make the wrong move and ruin what he had with Nick but knew it was just a matter of time before the man worked out that something was wrong. He wanted to be honest with him but didn't want to drive him away either.

With a heavy sigh, Sean just pulled himself from the bed and to a cold shower instead.

xXx

Sean slowly stirred his coffee as he let his thoughts drift and his eyes took in the café. He picked up Nick's scent and presence before the man appeared with Hank beside him. He dropped a collection of burnt papers before him on the table.

"We come bearing gifts," Hank announced as he signalled a waitress. "Burnt papers in Russian."

"Just because I speak Russian," Sean intoned. "Doesn't mean I read it."

"Well, anything at the moment would help," Nick pointed out.

Sean shuffled the papers around and tried to work out what the Grimm had given him.

"There were a few lines in English," Nick added. "It looks like you are correct and he's a koschie."

"Interesting," Sean remarked and gave up on the papers. "I can't get much off these. It's an old style of Russian. Sounds like you know enough anyway."

"Can never know enough," Hank added.

Something out of the corner of Sean's eye had him turning that way to see a woman turning away.

"Nick," Sean whispered and tilted his head. "That woman?"

Nick followed his line of sight with a frown. The woman just turned the corner and out of sight and Sean cursed.

"What about her?" Hank asked.

"I've seen her twice today," Sean replied as he focused on Nick. "Did you get anything?"

"Nothing," Nick answered. "But I just saw her as she went around the corner. I need to see their face to get an image. Did you get a good look of her?"

"No," Sean answered as he sipped on his coffee. "Just keep an eye out."

"Will do," Nick replied easily. "See you later."

Hank gave him a nod and with that, both men were gone. Sean sat there for a while before gathering up the papers, he had a man to call.

xXx

Nick casually sat in a seat outside a coffee shop, two doors down, from where Sean was having lunch with someone. He's been there a while as his eyes watched the street and knew that he really should be helping Hank with their latest case but something didn't sit right with him.

"Burkhardt," Nick answered when his phone rang.

"Where are you?" Hank demanded.

"Stalking the Captain," Nick replied and silence greeted him.

"Isn't it enough that you live with the guy?" Hank asked.

"Not like that," Nick sighed. "I'm trying to get a glimpse of this woman that's been following him."

"Yeah," Hank replied. "Her name is Nick Burkhardt."

Nick snorted loudly before picking up his coffee.

"Any luck on your end?" Nick asked.

"Nothing so far. You?"

"Nothing."

"Good thing they pay us by the hour then," Hanks commented with a laugh. "Have fun stalking Renard."

Hank hung up and Nick smiled, he then started when a woman slipped into the seat across from him. He looked up and into Juliette's face and tensed.

"Hey, Nick." Juliette greeted.

"Hey," Nick responded and an awkward silence fell between them. "How's work?"

"Good," Juliette replied. "I missed the clinic while I was living with mum…"

Nick leaned back in his chair and tried to keep both Juliette and Sean in his sights but couldn't quite manage it.

"I'm on the clock, Juliette." Nick stated.

"Oh," Juliette exclaimed. "I've been trying to get a hold of you and I remember everything and you're not living with Monroe anymore and they wouldn't tell me where you had gone. I even went to the precinct and they couldn't tell me anything and I have seen them."

"Seen them?" Nick picked out from that scramble of words.

"Monroe and Rosalee," Juliette whispered. "I know what they are. I remember your Aunt's trailer and that night."

Juliette looked at him with pleading eyes, that wish to believe her and not to tell her that she was crazy was on the air. His own Aunt's words echoed back to him about breaking up with her, running through his head. In the end it hadn't been him that did it but the combination of everything around them.

"I need someone to talk to," Juliette pleaded and Nick could tell that she was holding back tears. "Please, Nick."

Nick blew out a breath as he glanced over to see that Sean was still at the restaurant across the road. The woman could have been Juliette he realised, with a coat on and he sighed. The hair colour and height were similar.

"Fine," Nick relented. "I'll call Monroe and we'll met at his place tonight."

"Oh, thank you Nick." Juliette gushed.

Nick just hoped he didn't live to regret it.