Chapter 4 – Axe to grind

AN – This is a Nick chapter and next week should be back to Juliette. This story really is turning into a twisted little fairy tale but I hope you guys like it anyway! Pls feel free to leave a review and share your thoughts as I am open to requests and suggestions!

DISCLAIMER – Still not my toys!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As he stared at the bank's exterior, Nick caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye and turned to his right. A brunette woman in a business suit smiled at him before she crossed the street. He didn't return her smile, he couldn't - his mom was dead, the Royals were issuing threats as Diana and the King had disappeared, Adalind was barely coping with her daughter's second disappearance and Juliette was apparently alive and kicking. He had thought he had gotten a grip on his Grimm duties but his life had spiraled out of control recently. His Aunt Marie's words about letting go of Juliette and being alone echoed in his mind even as he heard Hank call his name again.

"Nick?" Hank repeated his partner's name much louder the third time.

"Considering the enhanced spidey sense thing, I would guess that he's ignoring you." Wu supplied without blinking.

Nick turned to face both. He wasn't sure why Wu had called them as there had been no murder. He frowned and opened his mouth to ask that question but Wu continued.

"I heard the report and wanted you to question the bank manager. His story is that he doesn't remember what happened which once upon a time I would have considered a lame excuse that would get him a nice trip to jail…but now I don't know. He also mentioned that the last thing he remembers is a pretty woman smiling at him."

Hank wasn't sure what Wu was implying as it still didn't seem like their kind of case. Before he could speak, he noticed that Nick's puzzled frown disappeared as if he had understood the sergeant's words and then he frowned once again.

Wu saw Hank's confusion and spoke again as while he wasn't sure what had happened he was suspicious. "There's been no activity on Juliette's cards or even the joint accounts. She would need money, right?"

Nick turned away once more and focused his attention on the bank manager. As he watched, the man woged into an Eisbiber.

"I recognize that look." Hank spoke quietly as he too turned to look inside. All he saw was a nervous man in a suit wiping his forehead with a handkerchief but he knew his partner could see much more.

"Eisbiber. Call Bud. I'll go inside and have a chat with him." Nick couldn't think about whether or not Juliette was responsible but as it was Wesen related then he needed to work the case.

After questioning the man and seeing his reaction to picture of Juliette, Nick stepped out to call Monroe to verify the facts. He then made his way back to Hank and Wu only to find that Bud had joined them.

"He's a good man Nick, been married over twenty years, has two kids that go to school with mine. He wouldn't have robbed his own bank. He—" Bud's impassioned defense stumbled to a halt when Nick placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke over him.

"Relax Bud. I don't think it's him either." Nick glanced at all the men before he continued. "Monroe confirmed that hexenbeist usually target Wesen as humans aren't as easy for them to manipulate."

Hank grimaced as he remembered just how much Adalind had manipulated him and how easy he had been for her. That had been before he knew about the Wesen world and well before the blonde had gotten pregnant by Nick and then had given up her powers to try and help Juliette.

"They can use magic on humans Hank." Nick spoke quietly as he had caught his friend's expression. He glanced around again and realized that both Hank and Wu had been hurt by his choice to be a Grimm. Juliette had suffered the most though and she was also the only one to turn against him.

"Are you saying that Juliette did this?" Bud's voice rose in a panic and he glanced around suspiciously as if he expected the hexenbeist to have remained nearby after robbing the bank.

"If so, it's probably good news." Hank offered bringing all eyes to him as he continued. "She didn't kill anyone and she may have used the money to get out of town."

"I'll check reports on bus, trains—" Wu started but Nick interrupted him.

"Check for stolen vehicles too." Nick advised before he turned back to Bud. "Get back home Bud. Truble is taking care of Adalind."

"The missus is coming back today. I really should…but are you sure…" Bud glanced between the men as Hank reassured him.

"We've got this, Bud. Wu—"

"On it." Wu gave them no time for additional instructions but moved to alter his current searches for Juliette. He just hoped that he could find a lead and soon.

With a final nod from both Nick and Hank, Bud left as well. Nick went back to staring at the bank even then he no longer focused on what was going on inside. Memories were crashing through his mind at an alarming rate – memories filled with blood, fear, danger, tears. After several long tense moments, he spoke.

"Hank, I am sorry you are all involved in this because of me. If Juliette—"

"It's okay man. Wu and I both wanted to know and we know the risks. We're staying and we've got your back." Hank interrupted to shrug off Nick's concerns.

Nick heard the words but it didn't change the anger suddenly rolling through his body. Flashes of the bar fight that had resulted in him killing a man replayed in his mind – the sensations returned as well and he felt like he was back there. His breath came in hard and stayed as he remembered glimpses from that time. He also remembered how his friends had stood by him, protected him and even concealed evidence of his crime. His actions could have destroyed them. He could have killed them all.

"Nick." Hank spoke softly but urgently before he grabbed Nick's arm and gave him a jerk. When his partner turned to him he continued speaking quietly. "You looked like you were…"

Watching as Hank's voice trailed off and he looked away, Nick knew what the other man had seen. Juliette had told him about how he looked like he was dead – pale and cold as death. He took a few deep breaths and tried to reassure his partner. "I'm fine. Can you work the rest of the scene? I've got some things to do but call when the reports come back."

Hank tightened his grip so Nick couldn't leave. "Maybe you should get Monroe or Truble." He wasn't sure what was going on in Nick's head but it obvious he was struggling. Hank wanted to make sure that his partner had back-up, even if it wasn't him.

Gritting his teeth, Nick knew he didn't want to be around either of them or anyone else. He was angry, feeling dangerous and had to get away from his friends before he hurt them more than he already had.

"They've got other things to do. I'll be fine." Nick pulled his arm free and took off without a backward glance.

Standing there watching Nick sprint across the street, Hank wasn't sure how to help his friend deal with everything that was going on.

Nick made his way to a forest just outside of the city of Portland. He and Monroe had come there to help him first test his new senses. He hoped he could find peace once more. While he hadn't planned the trip and didn't have all of the weapons with him, he had started carrying a bag. It was one thing to go to the trailer to get something, it was another to have to bug Rosalee. He needed to find another location and he needed to find another source for books and weapons.

Walking blindly with his bag in hand, Nick finally stopped and drew out several choices. He chose the battle axe – the weapon was heavy and sharp and just what he needed. Turning around he spotted an old tree that looked like it had been split in two by a recent storm and stepped toward it. His initial swing neatly split the trunk further and the power of his strike reverberated through his arms even as the sound echoed through the forest.

Slashing, chopping, hacking, Nick swung the axe time and time again until his muscles trembled and sweat ran down his back.

Finally stepping back to catch his breath, he let the axe fall from his hands and land with a dull thud on the moist forest floor. Nick continued to stare at the destruction for several minutes as he tried to slow his racing heart and regain his control. The physical exertion had dulled the edge of his emotions but he was still reeling from just how much his life had changed once again.

Stepping back, Nick opened his senses as he looked around. The forest was eerily silent and he heard only his own breathing. He knew there was more out there – more in the world that he needed to face. What he didn't know was how he was going to do it.