A/N: One more section to go before I'm finished. Then on to my next fill. :)
Renard hovers at the door while Nick tries to say goodbye. It is getting late and they both have to be at work tomorrow morning. Renard leans down to kiss Nick goodbye when he freezes then tenses like he feels something is wrong.
Renard pulls back from Nick and looks to the street scanning for something. Nick stares in the same direction and sees the car carrying the repairman with his two friends sitting in its regular location. Nick groans because, except for the couple of days after he snapped at them, they have been back every night. He is tired of them there. Renard turns back to Nick with confusion clearly displayed on his face.
"Should I be concerned?" Renard asks.
"No. They're just stunned that I don't want to kill them."
Renard appears to be amused at this revelation. Nick wonders why he never noticed how expressive his captain's face was before tonight. "How do you feel about this?"
"It was cute the first couple of times, but they just won't stop even when I threaten them."
"Ah. That explains their complaint."
"I was never planning on harming them." Nick protests.
"I know. Would you like me to do something about them?"
"You think that it will work? My threats only scared them away for a couple of days."
"It will work." Renard assures.
Nick watches as his boss jogs down the steps and across the street to the car. He bends down to talk to the occupants through the window. Nick cannot hear what Renard is saying from the distance, but whatever he is saying appears to be working. When Renard steps back, the car starts up and drives off. Renard walks back across the street to where Nick is standing. He looks pleased with himself.
"It's done. If they bother you again, just tell me."
"How did you do it?"
"I told them that they were poaching and that if they didn't leave I would consider that a challenge to my claim on you."
Nick raises his eyebrow questioningly.
"A challenge would mean that I have permission to dispose of them by any means possible to keep my claim."
"But you wouldn't…" Nick pales.
"If I thought that they weren't going to leave you alone, I wouldn't hesitate. You are mine."
Nick sighs and makes a mental note that the possessiveness Renard shows has to be toned at least. Renard slides his hands to cup Nick's chin before leaning in to kiss him. This kiss is sweeter than the first one Renard gave him, but it still has a claiming edge. Nick does not mind. Renard steps back.
"Good night," he wishes before he trots to his car.
"Good night." Nick calls after him. While he is still not sure he wants to marry Renard, the kissing is nice and so is the protective edge.