"Renard," Sean answered his phone as he grabbed his briefcase off his desk on the way out of his office.
"Sean," Adalind sobbed and Sean paused. "She's dead."
Sean felt coldness flood through him at the woman's words.
"Adalind," Sean said softly. "Where are you?"
"She's dead, Sean." Adalind cried into the phone. "They are both dead."
Sean quickly moved out into the pen and up to Wu's desk, the sergeant took one look at him and paused. He grabbed a pen off Wu's desk and quickly wrote; 'Run this number,' on it. Wu nodded and quickly logged into his computer.
"Adalind," Sean said and Wu's fingers paused before beginning to tap away. "I need you to calm down."
"It's horrible," Adalind whispered. "There's blood everywhere. I…I lost control, Sean."
"You need to tell me where you are," Sean stated as he looked at Wu's computer. "Who is dead?"
"Diana," Adalind sobbed. "It's all my fault."
Wu tapped his computer with Adalind's location.
"I have your location," Sean told her. "Stay there."
Adalind mumbled something then hung up and Sean just stared at the computer screen.
"Sir?" Wu questioned and he slowly turned his head to look at him. "Did you want me to call Nick?"
"Yea, yes." Sean stuttered with a nod. "Tell them to get to that location but not to move in until I arrive. Adalind may do something stupid. Have back up on stand-by just in case."
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you, Wu." Sean offered and clapped a hand to the young man's shoulder.
He quickly hurried out of the office and down to his car as Wu sent him the address to his phone. He tapped it into the GPS and quickly pulled out and flicked his siren on. He cursed at the peak hour traffic as he drove and could feel the grief and anger pushing at his mind. He pulled into a warehouse area and spotted Hank's car and quickly pulled up.
He stepped out of his car just as Nick and Hank did the same.
"This could be a set up," Nick stated with a sharp look to his eyes and Sean nodded.
"I'll take the front," Sean ordered, not breaking stride. "You two, take the back."
Nick and Hank pulled their weapons and quickly slipped away. Sean marched towards the front of the warehouse and soon picked up the smell of blood. He pulled his gun and slipped around the partially open door then froze. Adalind looked up from cradling a young child with red eyes and blood in her golden hair.
His mind slowly took in the other bodies around her and the blood. It had been a hard fight and as he stepped forward and his eyes stopped on another body and he knew he wouldn't be the only one grieving that night. Kelly Burkhardt's body lay sprawled out beside Adalind and her staring eyes were locked in death as they gazed at him.
"Clear," Sean called out, hoarsely.
"She tried," Adalind sobbed. "She protected her with her last breath."
Sean slowly crept closer as he heard Hank and Nick coming closer from the back. He started when he heard a gunshot and his head snapped up.
"Did you see the size of it!" Hank snapped and Nick chuckled.
"Didn't mean you had to shoot it," Nick countered as they walked out and took in the scene.
Sean knew the moment that Nick recognised his mother for the blood drained from his face. He flinched when Nick's gun fell out of his hand and hit the ground with a sharp clatter.
"Watch it!" Hank yelped, "Nick!"
Nick ran across the warehouse and fell to his knees beside his mother. His hands shook as he grabbed the woman and Sean felt numb. It was too much as he stood there frozen to the spot. Adalind cradling the body of their dead daughter as Nick cried and held his mother's arm, he felt torn on which way to go. He slowly looked over at Hank and the detective looked just as rooted to the spot as he was. Hank stepped towards Nick and Sean gave him a nod of thanks as he closed the distance to Adalind. Not that there was much distance between Adalind and where Nick was crouched down but it felt further than it was.
Sean knelt down in front of Adalind and gently reached out and placed his hand on Diana's small head. Adalind looked up with wide eyes.
"Nick," Adalind whispered. "Gave me his mother's number…she was passing through…I pleaded with her to see her…"
Adalind trialled off in a sob as she rocked slightly.
"She sent me the location," Adalind continued softly. "She thought she was safe."
"She wasn't," Sean uttered and looked around at the men and women around them.
"When I arrived," Adalind explained. "She was already fighting. I tried to help and she quickly grabbed Diana. I was going to try to cover her while she got away…"
"She was shot," Nick whispered and Sean looked over to him.
"They opened fire on them," Adalind added. "On both of them. She tried to shield Diana but it was too late…"
Adalind trailed off in a sob before focusing on Nick and his mother.
"I'm so sorry," Adalind cried and Nick nodded sharply. "I didn't know…"
"She wouldn't have set up a meeting," Nick said lifelessly. "Unless she thought she was safe."
"We can't stay here," Hank stated and looked around.
"Yes," Nick agreed and slowly pulled himself to his feet. "We can't leave her here."
"Wait," Sean ordered as his mind kicked into gear. "Adalind place Diana in the potion that you found her in."
The other stood back as Adalind did as he ordered. Sean pulled his phone out and took a few photos of Kelly and Diana. He would take more of the scene, once Kelly and Diana were removed. He made sure to keep the others out of the photos.
"Okay," Sean told them.
Hank nodded and leaned over and grabbed Kelly's legs while Nick wrapped his hands around her wrists and between them they lifted her up. Sean flinched at the sight before helping Adalind to her feet. He looked down at the body in her arms and felt sick to his stomach. He guided Adalind from the warehouse just in time to see Nick and Hank place Kelly's body in the back of their car. He grimaced at the fact that it could leave blood stains but there wasn't much they could do. He made a mental note to get the car detailed through the department.
He gently led Adalind to his car and opened the passenger side and helped her in. He grabbed a towel from the back of the car and held it out to Adalind. She took it and gently wrapped Diana in it. Sean closed the door and slowly walked over to Nick. He stood staring into the trunk while Hank stood next to him. He gave the detective a nod and Hank walked away as Sean came to stand next to the Grimm.
He could feel the that danger around the other man and would have normally stepped back but not today. He slipped an arm around Nick's shoulders then he had the other man in his arms. He wrapped his arms around him and tried not to look at the body in the trunk. He pushed his own grief to the side as he held Nick while the man sobbed into his shoulder. To lose his mother, not once but twice. He was sure that it was hitting him harder this time.
Nick pulled back and Sean let him go. The Grimm paced a few steps away and stood there with his back to Sean.
"What do we do now?" Hank asked softly and Sean looked at him, he hadn't heard him come over. "I'm guessing we are going to have to pick up the shovels."
Sean looked down at the ground and Hank placed a hand on his shoulder. He didn't shrug it off, which said more for how he felt at that moment.
"Watch him," Sean ordered and looked over at Nick. "I'll be back soon."
"Sure," Hank replied and let his hand fall. "I'm sorry, Sean."
Sean nodded and walked back to the warehouse. He carefully took in what had happened with well-trained eyes. There were about fifteen people scattered around him and Sean knew they had come in force to take his daughter. He crouched down beside one man and slowly uncurled his hand to see the tattoo and felt rage flood through him. He moved to the next body then frowned and then paced to the next one. Only three men and two women had Verrat tattoos and he was concerned that there was a leak in the resistance. He frowned as Adalind's words floated back to him and he wondered if taking his daughter alive had been the goal.
He stood and pulled his phone from his pocket and paused. He didn't have a number that he could call Meisner on. He took photos of the Verrat and couple of the scene before logging into one of his e-mails accounts. He picked out the last one he had for Meisner and sent the images to him.
He started badly when his phone rang a couple of minutes later and looked at the unknown number.
"Yes?" Sean answered.
"What have you sent me?" Meisner asked in French.
"A murder scene," Sean answered, his voice hoarse. "My daughter is dead as well as Kelly Burkhardt, the woman that took Adalind on the plane…the Grimm"
Silence greeted him.
"She's dead?" Meisner uttered. "Verrat?"
"Only five were," Sean answered. "I believe there has been a leak."
"Can you take photos of the others and send them to me?"
"Yes," Sean answered as he looked around. "Viktor?"
"Seems to be on the edge," Meisner added. "We could do with you coming here."
"No," Sean answered.
"Sean-"
"No," Sean insisted. "My place is here."
"Send me those photos then," Meisner said. "Something is happening over here. The Royals are nervous and have pulled everyone close. Even the King."
"They are planning something?" Sean asked.
"We don't know but we believe that one of the other families is putting pressure on the King," Meisner offered. "Watch your back."
"And you," Sean countered and hung up.
Sean quickly took the photos and sent them to Meisner. He took one more look around before walking back outside. Nick was leaning on the front of his car while Hank sat in the driver's seat. Sean walked towards him and Nick slowly looked up and their eyes locked. Sean softly told him what Meisner had said and Nick nodded along without saying a word. They fell into silence and Sean reached out and laid his hand on his arm in support.
"Sean?" Adalind called and Sean looked over.
"Will you be okay?" Sean asked and Nick nodded.
"You deal with Adalind," Nick whispered, hoarsely. "Hank and I will deal with mum."
"Watch your back," Sean told him.
Nick nodded sharply and pushed away from the car. Sean watched him as he got in before walking towards Adalind. He slipped in beside the Hexenbiest as she held the body of their daughter. A life cut short too soon and he felt that grief bubble up in him. He just set his mind to putting the car in gear and following Hank away from the warehouse.
xXx
Special Agent Katrina Chavez looked around the warehouse with sharp eyes as she tried to piece together what had happened. She'd been called when the symbol of the Verrat had been found and she was surprised that she couldn't get a hold of Sean Renard or Nick Burkhardt. She had never had trouble getting a hold of either man before, especially since Renard had been the man to call the scene before her in. The officer that she spoke to had informed her that he had taken leave due to a sudden death in the family. Chavez looked around and wondered if one of those family members had been here.
"It looks like there was another body here," Jacob Fieldlings remarked as he pointed down. "We found tyre tracks for two cars outside as well. Captain Sean Renard had called in back up for this address but cancelled it shortly after. He then called the Coroner and Forensics in and declared a crime scene but didn't stay."
"Did they get a 911 call for this address?" Chavez questioned.
"They traced a phone to this address," Jacob told her. "A Detective Hank Griffin is coming down to answer our questions."
They looked over when a heavy set, dark skinned man arrived and looked around with a shield on a cord around his neck. Chavez stalked over towards the detective and his eyes focused on her. She could tell that he was holding onto his emotions and Chavez wondered just what had happened here.
"Detective Griffin?" Chavez questioned, already knowing the answer.
"Hank," the man countered and held his hand out. "Agent Chavez?"
"Yes," Chavez answered and took his hand. "Perhaps you can shed some more light on what transpired here?"
"I can try," Hank replied as he glanced around. "We got here after they killed each other."
"We?" Jacob questioned as he came to stand beside Chavez.
"We traced a phone call here from an associate of the Captain's," Hank replied easily.
"Name?" Chavez demanded.
"Adalind Schade," Hank answered.
Chavez nodded, she knew the woman and what she was.
"Was she here when you arrived?" Jacob questioned.
"Yes," Hank replied. "She came across the scene."
"You didn't stay to lock the scene down?"
"The Captain got a phone call about a relative passing away," Hank said evenly. "Both Nick and the Captain had to leave."
Chavez paused at that and looked at Hank and could see the slightly red eyes, whatever had happened had unsettled the other man. She glanced around again and her mind went to that patch of earth where another body had laid and got a feeling she knew what was going on. The Verrat had made a move and another person had died that wasn't here now.
"Can you take us through what you did when you arrived?" Chavez questioned. "So that we can rule your prints out of the scene?"
Hank nodded slowly and did just that.
xXx
King Frederick Renard looked up from his desk as his butler knocked on his door before he entered.
"Yes?" Frederick questioned.
"A parcel arrived, your highness" The man intoned and held out the small box. "It is from your son, Sean Renard."
"Sean?" Frederick questioned with a frown. "Was it checked?"
"Yes, sir." The man stated and Frederick took the parcel in hand.
"Leave," Frederick ordered.
The man nodded and closed the door behind him. He looked the plain box over before looking at his son's curling script. He opened the box to find a small vial of blood, a letter and a few photos and his frown deepened. He placed the box and vial to the side and looked at the letter and paled.
'Father,' Sean had written.
'I regret to inform you that your granddaughter, Diana, was killed on the twenty-first of this month. I have provided proof of her death and the fact that the Verrat were instrumental in her passing. Diana's mother and I are now in mourning over the death of our child.
Your son, Sean Renard.'
Fredrick looked at the photos that Sean had included and felt rage course run through him. He would never wrap his arms around his granddaughter and the chance of a direct descendant to him, taking the throne, was slipping away. He picked up his phone and dialled a number.
"Viktor," Fredrick purred. "Your presence is requested."
xXx
"Got the bloods back," Jacob announced from her doorway and Chavez waved him in.
He came in and shut her door behind him as he held out the file and settled into a seat.
"Parental connection to Nick Burkhardt," Jacob reported. "And blood from another person with a blood connection to Sean Renard."
"Two missing bodies?" Chavez asked with a frown.
"That's what the bloods say," Jacob remarked. "Where do you want to go with this?"
Chavez sat back in her seat in thought.
"Our job is to focus on the Verrat," Chavez said and Jacob nodded. "That's what we'll do."
"Unless Burkhardt and Renard push our hand?"
Chavez nodded sharply and looked back down at the file in interest.
xXx
Trubel looked through the glass doors to see Nick cradling a beer in his hands as he sat at the small table out on the balcony. Hank had filled her in on what had happened and she felt for him. She had lost many people in her life and the thought that she would lose more was always at the back of her mind. That was also why she'd found herself alone over the last few years.
"Is he still out there?" Josh asked as he came to stand next to her.
"Yes," Trubel answered and Josh sighed.
She turned to the man beside her and could feel the grief around him as well. He'd only just lost his father over a week ago and the urn in his room reminded her every time that she walked past.
"What are you going to do with the urn?" Trubel questioned.
"I should take it back to Pennsylvania," Josh replied. "I still have Dad's house to pack up and sell. I'm sure that I can kiss my old job and life good bye now."
Trubel didn't know what to say to that as they looked back out onto the balcony. Nick stumbled to his feet and walked over to the railing.
"Did you want some company?" Trubel offered and Josh looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that Nick and Sean could use some time alone."
"Sure," Josh replied. "I wouldn't mind a bodyguard."
Trubel smiled at that before looking out at Nick.
"I'll tell him," Trubel said. "When do you want to leave?"
"I'll just pack up," Josh answered and walked away.
Trubel went to the fridge and made up two sandwiches before snagging up two beers from the fridge and slipped out onto the balcony. Nick looked over at her and she held up the plate and beers.
"I got hungry," Trubel stated as she placed everything down on the small table. "Want some?"
"Thanks," Nick replied as he walked back to the table and placed his empty beer bottle down.
"They are ham," Trubel told him before she dug into one. "Josh needs to take his father's ashes back home, so I'm going to go with him."
Nick nodded as he picked up the other sandwich.
"Then I'll come back," Trubel added. "There are books that I haven't read yet, if you don't mind?"
"You always have a place with us, Trubel." Nick told her and she smiled. "You are family now, probably by blood as well…somewhere."
"Well since we are both Grimms," Trubel said. "And so was Josh's father. We probably are all family."
Nick snorted at that and gave her a smile, it still didn't reach his eyes but it was better than it had been the last few days.
"Watch your back," Nick offered.
"Sure," Trubel said blandly.
Nick looked her over and Trubel held back a shiver at that stare. She understood that stare better as Nick's eyes looked away from her and out over the view. She relaxed back once those eyes were off her, she trusted Nick but that look still put her on edge. They both fell into silence which was only broken when Sean arrived at the glass doors and stepped out onto the balcony.
"Hey," Trubel greeted the tall man.
"Do I need to buy more beer?" Sean asked as he looked the empty bottles over. "At least you have been working on the beers and not the ciders. They are easier to replace."
"Which reminds me," Nick mused. "Hank wants a case of those ciders."
"I'll be sure to add it to my order," Sean responded as he settled in one of the seats and took a sip of Nick's beer.
Trubel shifted at that casual act but had gotten used to it over the month that she'd been living with them. That look of concern and affection on Sean Renard's face when he looked at Nick convinced her more than anything else about the man. She had seen his true form and yet she could see the love between the two men. Not that they flaunted it but she had seen the looks shared between them when they thought that they were alone.
"Trubel and Josh are heading off," Nick told Sean. "I was just telling Trubel that she always has a home here."
"Yea," Sean agreed as he leaned back in his chair and looked at her. "You are always welcome with us."
Suddenly Sean stood and walked back into the apartment and Trubel watched him with a frown.
"He's writing down our new address," Nick informed her and she focused back on him. "So, you don't come back and think that we've done a runner on you."
Trubel gave him a small smile and Nick returned it. Sean stepped back out onto the balcony and placed a bundle down on the table and Trubel frowned as he pushed it towards her.
"I would advise selling Josh's car," Sean suggested as he took a seat beside Nick. "Or you can leave it here and I can give you the money for it. They would be aware of it by now."
Trubel nodded as she looked at the address written on the paper before looking at the other items that Sean had given her. There was a thick pile of money in small bills in a plain yellow envelope and a mobile phone. She looked up at Sean sharply but he was giving nothing away.
"Anyone else and I would advise for you to spend it wisely," Sean intoned. "Those words would just be insulting to you."
Nick snorted loudly and stood up.
"Coffee?" Nick questioned and the two nodded.
Nick walked away and Trubel focused on the money and phone before looking up at Sean.
"The phone is a burner," Sean told her. "If you get into trouble, call us off that."
"Thanks," Trubel muttered. "I'll ask Josh about the car."
Trubel's eyes locked on Sean and the man gave her a small smile and she could see what Nick saw in him. The Wesen could be a hard man and could still strike fear in her but not then. Sean leaned back in his chair and looked out at the skyline as they fell into a comfortable silence.
xXx
Sean eased his car down the forest trail with only a few curse words and the odd flinch as branches scrapped the side or it came down hard with a 'thunk'. He pulled up beside Nick's car and stepped out. He couldn't see the trailer as he set out along the path. He picked up Nick's scent easily and followed that. It took him away from the main trail and he sighed sadly as he saw Nick sitting on the ground. He knew that his mother's death was hitting the younger man hard.
Nick didn't move as he stepped closer but Sean knew that he was aware that he was there. Sean settled on the ground beside him and laid his hand on his knee as he looked at the overturned earth before them. He gently rubbed Nick's leg in comfort, he was still dealing with his own grief over Diana and had more than one call from Adalind. He didn't know how to deal with her and had just let her cry, seeing a mother in mourning. He had tried so hard to give his daughter a life and yet she had still ended up dead a few months after her birth.
"She was like two people," Nick whispered after a while. "My mother but also a Grimm. I had hoped to know her better. To…I don't know…"
Sean just rubbed his leg without a word until Nick picked up a crossbow bolt off the ground and Sean snorted. Nick gave him a small smile as he laid it down on the overturned earth. They both snapped their heads around when they heard someone coming then relaxed when they saw Hank and Wu up near the trailer.
"We're down here," Nick called before turning to Sean. "Case?"
"Not that I'm aware of," Sean replied as he pulled himself up and held his hand out. "It's been quiet lately."
He pulled Nick to his feet easily and they made their way up to Hank and Wu.
"Hey, Nick." Hank greeted. "How're you battling?"
"Well enough," Nick replied, then looked them over. "Do we have a case?"
"Nah, man." Hank said with a grin. "Wu wanted another book. It's been strangely quiet lately."
"Which is more concerning," Wu added.
"I agree," Sean added. "Could mean they are planning something."
"Hey Nick," Wu broached. "I had been meaning to ask if I can copy your books?"
"In what way?" Nick asked.
"I could use a hand scanner and save them on the computer," Wu explained. "Then if you want, I could print them out."
"Not such a bad idea," Hank added. "Better to have more than one copy."
"We should still take care with them," Sean warned as he crossed his arms. "But it would be better to have them saved."
They turned to Nick and he nodded.
"I agree," Nick conceded. "I'm sure that we could keep copies at the spice shop. Can you do it here?"
"You have the solar panels set up," Wu said. "I'm sure it would be enough power."
Sean then looked around when he picked up a scent and sighed when he spotted Monroe, Rosalee and oddly Juliette. He tensed at the sight of the woman and frowned. He looked at Nick to see his confusion mirrored there.
"Hey," Monroe called with a smile. "Fancy meeting you here."
Nick snorted from beside him and gave his friend a grin.
"It must look like a carpark up there," Nick muttered and Sean snorted. "What are you doing here?"
"We've come to kidnap you," Monroe replied as he stepped closer. "We have a dinner reservation, so it's a good thing that you are all here. Saves on the phone calls."
Monroe clapped a hand to Nick shoulder and gave him a grin.
"They serve steak," Rosalee added and Sean gave her a smile. "And fries."
Nick laughed as he shrugged Monroe's hand off and shared a look with Hank and Wu.
"Can't turn down steak and fries," Hank commented. "Are we invited as well?"
"Sure," Monroe replied with a wide grin. "We booked the back room of the restaurant."
Sean then tensed when he heard a car door close and looked back along the track. Nick and Monroe tensed beside him as the Blutbad's nose lifted up slightly. Sean slipped his hand down to his gun as he felt Monroe pulling his nature close and sniffing the air. He frowned when he saw Adalind walking towards them with a few curse words when her shoes slipped on the wet leaves.
Sean brushed Monroe's shoulder as he sauntered forward and Adalind focused on him. She stopped where she was and Sean easily covered the distance to her. She looked up at him with slightly red eyes but with clenched teeth and a stubborn tilt to her head that he knew well. She had her hands out to her sides as she braced her feet and looked around.
"What are you doing here?" Sean demanded. "Did you follow me?"
"No," Adalind replied with a hard look in her eyes as she pointed at Monroe and the others. "I followed them."
Sean blew out a breath and looked the woman over. He still didn't know what to do with her and by Adalind's actions, she didn't know what to do either. She looked so young as she stood there and yet he couldn't forget what she was. He didn't trust her and yet he still felt something for the woman. He glanced over his shoulder at the group behind him, he knew that Nick would back whatever he decided to do, the same as he would for him.
"Follow me," Sean ordered and walked back towards the others.
He glanced over his shoulder when he heard a yelp and snorted when he saw Adalind had slipped on the ground and landed on her ass. Rosalee brushed past him and held her hand out to the younger woman.
"Not the best shoes for a forest walk," Rosalee commented with her hand out.
"Wasn't expecting a 'forest walk'," Adalind grumbled and took Rosalee's hand. "I'm surprised that Sean would run the chance of getting dirt on his overcoat and shoes."
Sean glanced back in amusement and gave Adalind a smile, that she glared at, when she didn't get the reaction that she was expecting. He'd been around Nick too long for such a comment to stroke his temper. He turned back and shared a look with Nick and he nodded slightly.
"Where are we anyway?" Adalind demanded as she looked around. "What are you all doing out here?"
"Wilderness survival training," Nick quipped. "You did leave your key and phone in your car?"
Adalind glared at him in answer and Nick gave her an innocent smile.
"There's nothing out here," Adalind complained.
"Except five cars," Nick remarked.
"Six," Adalind retorted
"Rosalee brought her own," Monroe added.
Sean snorted at that as Hank gave him a grin and grabbed Wu's shoulder. The two men walked off down the track as Adalind watched them in interest. Monroe leaned close to Nick and whispered something to him before the Blutbad strolled back towards where the cars were parked. Juliette glanced around before following after the boys. Then it was just Rosalee, Adalind, Nick and Sean as he stepped closer to the Grimm. He started slightly when Nick slipped his hand into his. The move didn't go unnoticed by Adalind and may have been the reason that Nick did it. Rosalee glanced around before giving them a smile and walking towards where the trailer was.
"There must be something here," Adalind insisted as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"There is," Nick confirmed mildly.
Adalind looked around the forest before looking back at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I know you don't trust me," Adalind said and Nick snorted.
"What do you want, Adalind?" Sean questioned as he let Nick's hand go and crossed his arms over his chest.
Adalind eyed him off and Nick gave them a smirk. Sean then realised that he was mirroring Adalind's stance and uncrossed his arms.
"I'll leave you to it," Nick announced. "I'm just a lowly Grimm and this is witch business."
Nick waved over his shoulder as he headed towards the trailer and Sean glanced after him fondly. He focused back on Adalind to see a calculating look in her eyes.
"You've changed," Adalind uttered and Sean tensed. "He's changed you."
"For the good," Sean added and Adalind slowly nodded.
They stood in silence for a while with just the distant sounds of the others and the birds around them.
"I…I don't know what to do," Adalind confessed and Sean could tell that it cost her a lot to say the words. "Diana…Diana is gone and my life…well I don't have much of one really."
"You're a good lawyer," Sean pointed out, he didn't mention the fact that he'd been putting money into her account, since she'd come back to Portland. "You could go back to that."
Adalind looked around the forest and he could see the lost look in her eyes.
"It doesn't seem that exciting now," Adalind said after a few minutes. "What about the Royals?"
"What about them?" Sean questioned as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "They have their own problems, hopefully they will feel inclined to deal with them from where they are."
"And if they come here?" Adalind asked. "They killed Diana."
A dark look curved up Adalind's face and Sean stepped forward. He gently placed his hand on her arm.
"I know that it is hard," Sean ventured. "But if you try to get revenge for our daughter's death…you will end up the same."
Adalind pulled back sharply at that then squeaked. Sean grabbed her arm as she slipped on the wet leaves and almost ended up on her ass. Sean chuckled as he held her and she huffed before returning his smile.
"What about us?" Adalind questioned as he held her.
"There is no 'us'," Sean stated and let her go sharply. "There is only Nick and I…and friends."
Adalind quirked a smile and looked off in the direction that the others had gone. Sean slipped his hand into hers. She went to pull away and he tightened his grip.
"I'll show you," Sean offered and she paused. "At least this way, you shouldn't end up on your bum…again."
Adalind glared at him but didn't pull her hand loose as he led the way. Nick wasn't at the trailer when they got there and Sean got the feeling that he needed a moment alone.
xXx
Nick gave the woman at the food truck a smile as he turned away with the food in his hands and bumped into the man behind him.
"Oh, sorry," Nick offered as he juggled the food.
The older man's hands came up and grabbed the can of cola before he dropped it. His sharp eyes and sharper features slipped out of focus slightly. Nick got a glimpse of the creature under his skin and he pulled back from the image before him. Then a fuzziness came to his mind and the image slipped from his mind and he was left looking at the grey-haired man before him.
"My fault," The man said with a soft accent. "I wasn't looking where I was going. Do you need a hand?"
"No, thanks." Nick replied and took the can back into his hand. "I can manage."
"Of, course." The man said and stepped back. "Have a good afternoon, detective."
Nick frowned at that then his eye caught on Hank and he hurried over to his partner. The encounter pushed from his mind.
"What was that about?" Hank asked as he took a sandwich and drink from his hands.
"What was what about?" Nick questioned as he placed his food down on the table.
"The bloke you ran into," Hank commented. "You almost dropped everything."
Nick looked over his shoulder, he wasn't sure what Hank was talking about and shrugged.
"You still moving tomorrow?" Hank asked as they settled down at a table.
Nick grimaced, "Yeah, don't remind me."
