(So sorry for the update. Trying to balance things out, not doing so well…Hope y'all enjoy the update.)
Lucy Conan: Thanks.
Chapter 4: All Seems Right
(Portland, Oregon, present)
Nick was on the last piece of his report. The latest crime that called for his attention and actions was not Wesen in origin. A few gangbangers had stolen from a local store and had eluded the common cops. Nick had managed to track them down with Hank and subdue them. To their surprise they were human, not Wesen.
"Are you going tonight?"
Nick turned around, seeing Hank sitting at his desk.
"Yeah, I wouldn't miss it."
"You know Wu will kill us if we don't."
Nick smiled, chuckling.
"Don't worry, I won't."
Others in the office started clapping and whistling. Nick and Hank turned, seeing Wu walk in though not with his uniform on. The biggest smile Nick and Hank had ever seen spread across his face. Nick and Hank joined in on the clapping and whistling.
Wu stopped walking, bowing.
"Now I know things will be a little different around here, but that doesn't make things totally different. Still the same guy."
Hank smirked.
"Come on, Wu. Show us!"
Wu sighed then chuckled, pulling out his new badge with the engraving: detective.
The department cheered.
Wu smiled, bowing again. He walked over to Nick and Hank, hugging and shaking their hands. Hank grinned widely.
"Welcome aboard. Got your setup right here."
Hank held out his hand to a desk connecting with his and Nick's. Wu smirked.
"Planning on this for a while, have you?"
"Nah, just thought it would be easier for you to walk a shorter distance with that heavy badge weighing you down."
Wu scoffed and Hank chuckled. Nick grinned, shaking his head.
"Still good for later on, at Monroe's?"
"Oh yeah, definitely. For now, let's go to the bar."
The three put on their coats, some of the others in the department doing the same. They watched as Captain Renard walked in, reading a paper. He stopped as he stood a few steps distance from Wu and the others.
"Congratulations, Detective Wu."
Wu didn't answer, hands on his hips. He eventually sighed.
"Thanks…Captain."
Renard simply nodded. He turned his attention to Nick and Hank.
"Good work with the case…enjoy your party."
Nick slowly nodded. Hank crossed his arms.
"Not joining us, Captain?"
"No. I have paperwork to do. And the party is for Wu. We all know where this department is now."
He walked into his office. The three detectives looked at one another, Hank and Wu shrugged. Nick walked to Renard's office.
"Come in."
Nick walked in.
"What is it, Burkhardt?"
"You were right…we all know where the department is…we were once allies of choice rather than of convenience."
"I know. Black Claw changed all that."
"And you."
Captain Renard put the paper away he was writing on. Then his gaze turned to Nick.
"I didn't exclude myself from what I said."
"Maybe."
"Nick…what is this about? You know things can't go back to the way they were."
"I know."
"Than why are you here?"
"You…this you…you…didn't experience what happened with Zerstörer…what he did…all of you died…you died for Diana."
Captain Renard leaned back in his chair, sighing.
"As hard as it was to believe…Diana was the one that convinced me."
"After what Juliette did…and what followed…I forgave her."
"So what? You're willing to forgive me? Even if that is true, the others might not be as easily sold."
"I saw you willingly sacrifice yourself for your daughter to try to stop a monster. Maybe you don't deserve redemption…but that at the very least was you trying."
Captain Renard sighed.
"Maybe you do forgive me Nick…and I'm touched…but I'm not willing to bet on the others feeling the same…"
"I didn't say they would…but I think if there was a time to set aside our differences…or forgive old wounds or hatreds…it would be in the face or after the end of the world."
Renard smirked slightly before it disappeared.
"Maybe, Burkhardt. Maybe. For now…I have paperwork to do…and you have a celebration or two for Detective Wu."
Nick sighed, nodding. He exited the office.
(Monroe and Rosalee's house, hours later)
Nick, Hank, Wu, Monroe, Rosalee, Eve, Trubel, Adiland, and Bud all sat or stood around, raising their glasses. All but Wu cheered.
"To Detective Wu!"
Wu chuckled, raising his glass. Hank clapped his shoulder.
"Thanks everyone. I had no idea I'd get involved in a world with more than just criminals…human ones at least."
Monroe chuckled.
"Well, there's always surprises for all of us."
Bud nodded.
"Yeah, like who knew we'd be working with a Grimm? Not that there's anything wrong about working with you, Nick. It's just Wesen never in our lives think we'd ever be friends with a Grimm. You know, considering Grimms usually-"
Nick put a hand on Bud's shoulder.
"We understand Bud."
Bud nodded before taking a drink. Wu shook his head, chuckling.
"When I went into law enforcement, I never even dreamed where it would lead."
"Neither did I."
Hank chuckled before taking a swig.
Adiland smiled broadly.
"I don't think any of us ever thought we'd end up like this."
The group chuckled at this. Monroe grinned.
"Wesen, Grimms, and Kehrseite-Schlich-Kennen all friends and family."
They laughed. Nick though started to turn his attention back to his conversation with Renard. Eve raised an eyebrow at Nick.
"What's on your mind?"
Nick turned, seeing all eyes on him.
"Just couldn't help but wonder about this conversation I had with Renard before leaving."
"About what?"
"I couldn't help but wonder about how things were…before Black Claw."
Trubel's eyebrows furrowed.
"He killed Meisner."
"I'm not saying he didn't…it's just what happened with Zerstörer…what I saw…what Diana saw…I couldn't help but think…with how we all are friends and family now regardless of what we did to each other in the past…Renard…I don't know…maybe I'm just thinking to much about how it used to be."
"Nick, he tried to have every cop in the city kill you."
"I know, that's something I'll never forget. I'm not saying I forgive him. I just wonder if we may need him in case something drastic comes up again."
"Aren't you still working for him?"
"On paper, sure. Look, with everything that's happened in our past…enemies become friends…friends become enemies and become friends again…I've wondered if it's possible for Renard."
Eve ran a hand through her hair, not looking at Nick despite what she said next.
"You're really forgiving, Nick. I've often wondered if those you've forgiven should be."
Nick turned his gaze to her, expression softening.
"Eve…you've been there for us…you went to kill Zerstörer at the risk of your own life to save all of us. And Renard helped us to fight that monster…even if it was only to protect his daughter."
Rosalee put a hand on Nick's arm.
"That's really thoughtful, Nick. Still, even with you I suspect…we might not call him 'friend' again."
"Probably not. That doesn't mean he can't be of use."
Monroe chuckled.
"Pragmatism. Considering everything that's happened and what may happen, it may be helpful…I hope."
Nick nodded at this.
"Anyways, this isn't about Renard tonight. Sorry for bringing it up, Wu. Tonight's about you finally becoming a detective."
"Thanks, Nick."
They all sat down and talked, reminiscing about old times and hoping for the future. Wu talked about the celebration before this, involving the department.
"I thought the new sergeant was gonna drink the whole bar."
The group laughed.
"You shoulda seen the way he chugged that vodka down, definitely was a helluva show."
Hank threw back his head and laughed.
"And he then drunkenly asked for the bartender's number. And she just told him to keep drinking!"
They laughed. Nick took a sip before he added to the conversation.
"Some of the guys wanted to take Wu's badge and see if he could find it to test him. Problem was they were so drunk they lost their badges."
Wu scoffed.
"I would've found them anyway."
What he said next with a whisper and a devious smirk.
" Who do you think kept ordering their drinks?"
Nick spit at this and the others' laughter raised in volume, some slapping their legs. Nick wiped his mouth, smiling in embarrassment. Adiland grinned widely at him and Nick who just jokingly rolled his eyes. Rosalee giggled.
"I still can't believe it took this long for you to become a detective."
"Well, Renard going nuts didn't help."
"At least you are one now. Three detectives with ties to the Wesen community…all friends."
Wu smiled, raising his glass, as did Hank and Nick. Hank took a sip before putting his glass down.
"It's kinda odd though. There haven't really been any Wesen related crimes lately. Not that I'm complaining, it just feels like everything's in order."
Monroe nodded.
"Well things were up in the air since Black Claw came along. But after that whole mess was settled, things got better."
Nick nodded.
"I'm just glad things have worked out between everyone now."
They all raised their glasses in agreement, smiling.
To be continued…
(Again, sorry for the late update.)