"I know I said this already earlier & for all intents and purposes but this is a really bad idea, Nick." Monroe said in a loud hush of a whisper as they stood in the kitchen. Trying to imply how against this he was but not trying to have Adalind overhear & draw the ire of her at all in the living room.
"Look I'm aware that this seems impossible" Nick said with a knowing tone, he planned to add on to it but Monroe interrupted him. "Uhhh maybe because It is!" Monroe exclaimed but manage to catch himself before he got too loud & finished speaking in a hushed tone again.
"Nick I know you want to help get this, powerful, magical, kind of creepy kid back but there just some things that you have to really & I mean really think about if it's a good idea or not." Monroe warned cautiously.
"It's not about it being a good idea, it's about what's right." Nick said in defense of himself. "Besides my mother specifically said this child needs to grow up normal & she can't exactly do that if she's there now can she"
"Well, it's not like it's much more normal here dude" Monroe immediately said as a rebuttal. "Even if you somehow manage to pull this off, it's not like you can just come back & relax. So what's your plan for that?" Monroe was having trouble trying to maintain his hush exclaims now as the more he went back & forth with Nick, the louder he couldn't help himself from going.
"I figured I should stick to the trying to stay alive & escape part first before getting to that part" Nick with a little hint of dry humor & Monroe's eyes widened at that a little. Nick wasn't sure if it was from him downplaying it or not being as frantic as Monroe.
Monroe took a slight inhale of breath at the response. He was starting to realize Nick really was going to go through with this. "You really think you can just do this alone?"
"Absolutely not, that's why Adalind will be there." Nick said almost as quickly as Monroe's sentence finished.
"Adalind as in the same person who you just hated & wanted dead just a few days ago." Monroe said with some derision. Nick knew he was right & that even Juliette was right about how wrong this was probably going to go but it just felt like something he had to do. Besides he is growing tired of the Royals interfering in his life & just sitting back and taking it.
"I'm aware. Look for one this isn't about her or even me in the big picture. The child can't stay with the royals & the more we wait, the stronger their hold on her will be. Also, keeping Adalind close may be a good thing right now. She's pretty..." Nick paused to think of a word. "...Erratic?" He said with a questioning face to himself. "Well more than usual"
"Yeah, I'll say" Monroe nodded with agreement, gesturing his face towards the direction she was. Nick leaned over to see that she was pacing in front of the window right now. "I have to say, I know what she did in the past but she seems like a different person just a little." Monroe said as he put his hands into the pockets on his robe.
"Yeah right up until the point she woge & threatened me at Renard's a few days ago & when she did it to Juliette like an hour ago." Nick remarked.
"That's why I said just a little" Monroe said while pulling his right hand out of his pocket to hold up two fingers to show how little he meant. Nick gave a small chuckle at that, rubbing his hand over his face as more fatigue set in for him.
Monroe checked to make sure Adalind still wasn't close before turning back to Nick. "I still can't believe Renard gave the baby to the royals" Nick shook his head slightly with a small shoulder shrug. Sliding his hands into his jacket pockets.
"I've learned that no matter what it is, Renard always going to make sure his own ass is covered first." Nick leaned against the counter he was standing beside. "So can't say I'm too surprise"
"I'm surprised Adalind didn't kill him"
"Don't speak too soon" She said as she walked into the kitchen with them, spooking Monroe somewhat & Nick just turned to watch her walk in. Monroe had grown a dumbfounded & wide-eyed expression on his face.
"Why can't we just go there?" She asked as she walked in front of Nick. Her face was flushed from the emotions earlier still but she was more composed now so Nick felt more comfortable addressing her now. "I asked for help to get my daughter back, not to just sit around"
"I'm just going to uh...Go...see how Rosalee is doing with the passports" Monroe said nervously, looking for any excuse to get out of that room immediately. "Try not to...Well you know...kill each other." He made a fast turn out of there. Nick still gave an unamused look in the direction he went.
He turned back to face her now.
"Haven't we been over this" He stated simply with no hostility.
Her face remained a little cold-looking "I'll do anything to get her back so yes we've been over this but that doesn't mean I'll continue going along with it." She said sternly, never even blinking once.
"As I recall, you asked for my help."
Her face scrunched up in a little annoyance. "As I recall I asked for your mother first"
"Well until or if she shows up you can ask her but until then, you should get some rest." He had a very small smugness in his tone but was mainly firm.
"I don't want to rest"
He took another sigh, damn that's been happening a lot lately. "I know but starting tomorrow it's going to be pretty hard to come by" He saw her still have a look of defiance on her face. "It doesn't have to be long, even if it is just an hour or two" She still didn't seem happy about it but her face lost the defiance in it.
She looked like she was going to say something but balled her mouth up & walked away. Nick watched her & followed behind her a little until he saw her get on the couch so she must have decided to listen. She grabbed one of the pillows & laid it on the couch arm as she then layed her whole body down finally. He could see her rub her eyes a little & he assumed she was most likely wiping away tears.
Once again he shocked himself by feeling bad for her. He lingered his gaze on her for a little longer before leaving to go find Monroe & Rosalee's room.
He knocked on the door & they both were in bed but sitting up as they turn to look at him. Nick wondered what they could have been talking about, but considering the current situation. That probably wouldn't be a hard guess right now.
"How is she?" Rosalee asked in that calming voice only she seems to have.
"I got her to get some rest right now" Nick slid his hands back into his pockets. "I'm really sorry about all of this guys."
Rosalee gave him a little reassuring smile with a hint of compassion on her face to let him know it was okay. "You really think you can help her get the baby back?" Rosalee questioned, grabbing ahold of Monroe's hand.
"In all honesty, I don't know. But I have to try." She looked concerned but nodded her head.
"Can't believe he just gave his daughter away" She said in distaste. "I still can't wrap my head around it either" Monroe added on. Rosalee shook her head at the thought of it all.
"I know it's hard to believe after everything she has done, but I can't imagine how Adalind must be feeling right now." She said genuinely.
Nick contorted his face in amusement at the truth in that. "Yeah, I've been doing that a lot lately too." He took a deep breath before looking back for no particular reason and then back at them. "Look I'm going to go out & get a few things, you guys good here?"
"Loosely speaking" Rosalee said & Monroe gave him a face that shared the same sentiment. He felt bad about what he asked of them a lot. He hopes that he has time after this trip to Vienna to make it up to them at some point.
As he walked down the stairs, he remembered Adalind should be sleeping so he stopped walking as quickly and soften his footsteps down the rest of the stairway. The image of her revealing itself each time he walked down. He assumed she probably still be stirring to sleep but it looks like everything she has been through up to this point has caused her to be fully conked out asleep right now. Looks like it will be more than the hour or two he said to convince her earlier.
He stood in his place for a moment as he reached the last step & hated himself a little more for wondering if she was comfortable on the couch. He shouldn't be caring about her well-being at all but he just shrugged the thought away & began to leave. He got a few steps away from the door but stopped in his tracks once again. Part of the reason he was leaving now to get some things was for her & now here he was wondering if she is asleep enough for him to pick her up carefully to take her to the spare bedroom.
He put his hands on his hips as he craned his head upwards towards the ceiling to swear at himself in agitation for what he was about to do. He slowly walked over to her form on the couch, standing over her for a second in hesitation. He looked up at the stairwell again, no particular reason at all, just wondering how much more crazy his life can even get at this point.
He leaned down, scooping his left arm under the upper part of her back & his right arm went under the middle of her thighs as he slowly picked her up so she wouldn't wake up.
Beginning to ascend the stairs again, he was amazed that she smelled pretty nice still. For someone who hasn't had a chance to probably even shower, running around for days & apparently was housing in a cabin at one point. She still had a floral-like scent coming from her, most likely her hair along with a hint of Vanilla he could smell as well.
He furrowed his eyes at the realization of liking her scent & wanted to hurry up the stairs even more now.
This got weird to him for whatever reason & he needed to be away from it immediately, he has a high level of disdain & hate for this woman like no other and it will stay that way.
It only got worse from there though because a couple of seconds later Adalind curled herself into him more, either for warmth or comfort. Hell, maybe both. She balled up more & her face burrowed into his space even more now. This has got to stop he thought to himself, so he sped up a little more as he finally reached the last step upstairs. He ran into Rosalee who looked like she was ready to finally officially go to bed & pass out herself.
She gave him a small smile & mouthed the words "Good idea" & she helped him out by opening the door to the spare bedroom and then stepping aside. He walked in, turning to the side so he would bash her head against the wall 'Remember when that would have been a good thing, he joked to himself.' Rosalee stepped in & pulled the covers back so he could lay her down which he did as softly as he could.
Rosalee then pulled the covers back up but over Adalind now & Nick walked out who was followed by Rosalee who closed the door quietly before turning to face him. "Thanks" he said to her.
She gave him a little nod. "Should have the passports early in the morning" she whispered. "Goodnight" She put her hand on his shoulder as she walked by before walking into the bedroom & shutting the door. He looked back at the room they just put Adalind, shaking his head at it all. One crazy day & night after another at this point.
He finally left to go take care of the few things he needed to before they had to be off in only a matter of hours.
"Adalind" She could have sworn somebody was calling her name, but it felt muffled like her ears were covered by a pillow. Oh, she was just waking up still that's why. She felt sunlight hitting her face but she didn't open her eyes yet. It felt kind of peaceful right now, feels so rare these days.
"Adalind, Adalind" She finally open up her eyelids to see who was calling her name.
Her vision is a little blurred from the sleep in her eyes leaving but she sees she's in Monroe & Rosalee's living room. Oh yeah, that's right, she fell asleep on the couch because of Nick. Wait a minute, Nick! that's the voice.
Why did it feel so angelic right now? That was weird.
She turned around in the direction she last heard it from & she sees Rosalee standing behind her with that heartwarming smile she has. Her whole aura really.
"Nick has a surprise for you" She said to her offering her a hand which Adalind accepted. Walking with her to the stairs where Monroe was standing with a smile as well & he walked her up the stairs into their spare bedroom & Nick was standing there with his back to the door. He slowly turned around but his arms looked like they were holding something.
He had a smile on his face & she saw what he was holding.
"Diana!" She exclaimed. Running to grab ahold of her out of Nick's arms. She looked even more angelic herself, perfectly sound asleep. She looked up at Nick & she thinks this is the first time she truly saw a genuine smile from him to her. Well, it looked genuine but it felt a little too happy if that even made sense.
She wasn't complaining though. It was a nice smile that's for sure.
He put both his hands on the sides of her shoulders, staring into her eyes with a caring gleam, touching her with a fond grasp. Something felt wrong but it was just so amazing. This was something she always imagined having even when she was a kid. "This doesn't even feel real" She said to him as they were inches apart with Diana between them.
He rubbed her shoulders softly but thoroughly. "Oh, Adalind" He took a quick deep breath with an overly cheerful smile still present on his face. "It isn't" He said extremely gleefully & she was still smiling...then she realized. "Wait what"
All of a sudden she turned around to see Monroe & Rosalee had disappeared. She looked back forward & Nick was just gone now as well. All of a sudden everything was dark & dank. She held onto Diana tight as panic began to sink in, fear creeping on her thoughts now as well then Sean came busting in the door & all of a sudden took Diana out of her hands. "Wait, no no, Sean please I need her!" She begged but it was like she couldn't even move.
It's like she couldn't even fight, or was even given a chance. It was just taken from her, she didn't have a say in it at all.
"Sorry Adalind" He said hastily before shutting the door.
"Nooooo!"
"Noooo!" Adalind shot up from her sleep holding out her hand, grasping at air. Her breathing felt labored & she had a cold sweat on her forehead. She can't even say oh it was just a bad dream because, in reality, she was already living her worse nightmare.
She closed her eyes & took a deep breath. She was definitely awake for real this time. She was pissed at herself though, it was sunrise outside & she was only supposed to nap for an hour or two.
She looked around & realized she wasn't in the living room anymore though. She was in a bed, a pretty comfortable one actually. She remembers Monroe saying he had a spare room but she doesn't remember ever going to it last night. So what the hell?
Not that she was too upset though, it made the physical aches she had been having feel much better. Too bad her heart can't feel better right now too but that's why she was here in the first place. Getting help from the most unlikely person anyone would ever expect to help her.
She stood up out of bed & began descending the stairs. The more she walked, the more she smelled food.
She reached the bottom & looked over in the corner of the living room to see Nick was asleep in the chair there. Weird he didn't just sleep on the couch since she wasn't on it but at least he was here so she wouldn't have to wait much longer to get Diana back. For some reason, she feels like she has a chance with his help. When she asked for help from him she didn't expect it at all.
She was truly taken aback. She is great at lying & manipulating while having also been around a bunch of liars & manipulators in the past so she can tell when someone is doing either.
He wasn't at all though & it took her breath away. It was the first time someone was genuine with her & wasn't playing their own angle. Well maybe he was but not to gain something out of her she's pretty sure. Made her almost smile at him but she still hates him of course. She lingered on his sleeping form for a few more seconds before turning into the kitchen.
She saw Rosalee cleaning up some glasses & handing them to Monroe who set them on the table then went back to watching the eggs that she just noticed were cooking. Rosalee looked up & saw her. "Morning" She said cheerfully & Adalind gave her a furrowed smile along with a wave. She still wasn't in too much of any type of mood let alone a good one for obvious reason.
"We figured we make eggs this time since last time we asked, everything went to hell" Rosalee explained. "How'd you sleep" She asked as Monroe put one of the glasses in front of her.
"Fine, for the most part, I guess" She didn't want to think about the odd dream she had so she just stuck with that. Rosalee gave her a sympathetic smile before taking over and watching the eggs for Monroe who grabbed orange juice out of the fridge. "Yeah, we figured since Nick has refused to let us help him in any way by going there, we could at least, well you know...give you a proper meal." Monroe said to her as he awkwardly finished.
She was pretty jealous of Nick for the first time because these two were amazing people in her eyes. So sweet & friendly. Even though she thought Monroe was going to be the opposite for some reason. "Thank you seriously. You two have done more for me than my own mother did" She deadpanned sadly.
Monroe looked like he didn't know what to say, so his awkwardness came right back. Rosalee gave her another apologetic look. "How are you doing with everything?" She spoke so soft & calmly.
"Aside from having my daughter taking, getting help from somebody who wants me dead & being homeless. Pretty awful" She meant it all but tried to pass it off as very dark humor.
"Nick will help you get her back" Rosalee said reassuringly. Adalind just gave a sad smile again but it did help raise some of her hopes. "How'd I end up upstairs?" Adalind questioned.
"Oh, Nick carried you up there when you were pretty out of it." Monroe informed her, placing eggs on her plate in front of her.
"Oh" Adalind was shocked by that, she didn't even know he could touch her without revolting or it being violent. She looked back to see him starting to stir awake & she couldn't believe that Nick Burkhardt has done or has tried to do more for her & her daughter than Sean who she use to long for so dearly.
She still wondered why he just didn't sleep at home with Bitchette...Juliette, she meant or on the couch here. He also looked like he didn't get much sleep at all in her opinion. Maybe he was up doing something?
He stood up fairly quickly as if he already was on high alert but came over into the kitchen now to join them. "Morning Nick" Rosalee said as she got the fourth plate ready.
"Monroe, Rosalee" He said their names as a greeting."You guys didn't have to do all this" He said.
"Uh dude, you are about to get into the literal belly of the beast. The least we can do is make you breakfast" Monroe said as if Nick questioning it was preposterous & ridiculous. Nick gave him a nod as he sat down with the rest of them.
He looked at Adalind now. "Your fake passport is on your suitcase by the door & our flight is in an hour & a half."
She nodded her head in understanding at most of it but was confused by the suitcase part. "I don't have a suitcase" She gave him a questioning face. Stabbing the fork into some of the eggs & about to eat it.
"I got you a few change of clothes" He said slightly withdrawn but simply. Rosalee had a look on her face like she found it nice that he wasn't letting his hate for her make him act a certain way & Monroe had this look on his face like he was wondering what was going to happen next.
Adalind found herself taken aback by him once again, she forgot to even take the fork out of her mouth after she ate her eggs. She cleared her throat a little. "Thanks" Was all she managed. He didn't look at her or acknowledge it too much but she was still surprised.
She still doesn't think that's the sole reason why he still looked so tired. Then she remembered, your not supposed to care Adalind.
"Figured you could use a change from the ones you been stuck in" He did finally say, giving a little glance at the days & days old clothes she had been wearing. She looked down & truly forgot she had been running around in these for days. She started eating some more but first she has a dream where he is the good guy in it & now this.
It felt nice & that made it weird to her. So she made sure she had to get away from that table right now so she came up with the excuse that she was going to go change now. Thanking Monroe & Rosalee before departing & grabbing the suitcase to see what exactly he got her. She just had a feeling it was going to be not her style but she didn't care at the moment. This was about getting her daughter back now and getting her back was exactly what she was going to do even if it required her last breath.
Nothing much happened after that as Monroe & Rosalee held each other, arms wrapped around each other's waist as they watched them both drive off to the airport on this mission that everybody was truly worried may be the last time they see Nick.
"You think we still should have gone with them anyway" Monroe questioned as the car faded away into the distance.
Rosalee had an extremely worried look in her eyes as she took in a deep breath. "I hope not" She said, hoping that they won't come to regret not forcing Nick to not do this alone.
Thank you for the reviews, everybody! Glad some of you enjoyed the opening. Also thank you to the person who said they couldn't tell I had a strong disliking for Juliette. I really am trying to remain unbiased :) But she makes it hard haha. Sorry for the slightly rushed ending but I will be trying to update this pretty regularly.