Chapter 6 – Power play

AN – Many thanks to the guests leaving such nice reviews! If you don't write, you may not understand just how much each review is appreciated as treasured inspiration! I truly can't thank you enough!

AN2 – This is another Nick chapter but I'm laying the groundwork for Juliette to join for a showdown if you can be patient just a bit longer! Also, I'm adding a couple original characters as Wesen baddies but the story remains focused on the real characters. Just an FYI in case anyone has something against OCs.

DISCLAIMER: No change to legal status and no change to my plan to continue to play!

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Nick Burkhardt glanced down at the file once more before handing it to his partner. They were both seated at their shared desk with Captain Sean Renard standing next to Nick. It was to the Captain that Nick turned as he spoke in a quiet voice.

"So this guy isn't with the Royals but he isn't with the Resistance either?"

"No, apparently he's another Royal bastard like me. I'm not even sure what he is but my sources tell me he's gathered a following." Renard cleared his frown and nodded as a uniformed officer walked by but his thoughts remained dark. Meisner had been his source for the intel and he trusted the man but his instincts were telling him that something was off.

"What kind of following?" Hank Griffin gave one last look at the passport photo of Mateo Crosley before he closed the file and returned it to the Captain. There was no mention of Wesen in the documents but he knew that it was best that all information be concealed.

"He's won over some Royal guards, even some of the Resistance followers but we think there's more. He has an agenda that we don't know yet." Renard answered while his mind continued to play scenarios out. Royal politics were dangerous already and the King's death only increased the risks but it had seemed like a good time for the Resistance to gain ground. The addition of a new player brought questions and concerns though.

"Is he looking to topple the Royals or just replace them?" Nick asked shrewdly with a raised brow. He had spent as much time as possible studying his books – it was little consolation for what he had lost when Juliette had burned down the trailer but he had still learned a lot. Rosalee had provided additional information with her family books and the trunk from Josh Porter had also proven beneficial. The new resources had not only inspired him to train differently but also to ask Rosalee to work on various potions to restock his supplies.

"Despite his rhetoric, I think he's after the power. He's not coming here for me. He's coming for you." Again Renard frowned as he replied. His thoughts went immediately to his missing daughter. Diana represented power just as Nick did so therefore she was also a threat.

Nick and Hank exchanged a look. Since Nick had become a Grimm, many had already come for him. They had managed to defeat them all so far but both realized that the odds couldn't remain in their favor. There was also the fact that they still had problems of their own. Despite nearly two months of searching they hadn't been able to find Adalind's daughter or gain any leads on Juliette. Truble had even just left to help out Josh once more so they were again down a Grimm.

It was Hank who broke the tense silence. "Any idea on what he'll do once he gets here?"

Before Renard could answer, Sergeant Wu joined them and spoke in a loud voice. "Who's up for a walk in the park?"

After a brief look around, Wu stepped closer and continued much more quietly. "Rosalee is the witness and she said to tell you that it was…"

"Was what?" Nick asked impatiently when Wu's voice trailed off.

"Wesen isn't my first language Nick. It sounded like jackal—" Wu struggled before he was interrupted.

"Schakal." Renard and Nick spoke at the same time but it was Nick who continued.

"There could be a pack. We need to stop by the Tea Shoppe—"

"Rosalee also said that she would call Monroe to meet you there. We need to move. It was an attempted baby abduction." Wu returned the favor and interrupted Nick with the additional information. His voice softened at the end as he gave a hesitant look to his Captain.

Nick and Hank exchanged looks after Wu's update as they too worried of the Captain. Renard gritted his teeth as he stepped away slightly. When he spoke, his voice carried out over the din of ringing phones, radio static, hysterical citizens, and harried detectives in the police station.

"Get out of here and follow-up on the reported abduction. Update me when you have something."

With a nod, Hank stood and grabbed his coat as Nick did the same. Both were still occupied with thoughts of the new threat though as they wondered just what else was coming their way. Those thoughts were pushed aside as they reached the park and found both police units and reporters on the scene. The reporters pounced on the detectives but both waved them off with well-used retorts of 'no comment'.

"Get a line out and push those people back. Where's the witness?" Wu called out to several uniformed police as he waved Nick and Hank next to him.

Nick had already spotted Rosalee and tapped Hank lightly on the arm to get his attention as he spoke. "Monroe is already here too."

Nodding, Hank turned and spoke to Wu. "We'll take the witness statements. Check and see if the techs have found anything."

"I'm on it." Wu confirmed before he headed in the opposite direction.

Monroe smiled tensely at the uniformed officer as Rosalee tried to answer his questions as truthfully as possible. He had been relieved to see Nick show up and he was anxious for the Grimm to replace the officer. Rosalee continued to hold his hand and he could feel her tension as well.

"Thank you – we'll finish up." Nick wasted no time on pleasantries as he approached the group. Hank was mere steps behind him and Nick watched as his partner nodded to the officer and spoke.

"Why don't you check in with Sergeant Wu?" Hank gave the young man a slight smile in encouragement.

No one spoke until the officer was several feet away but then the words seemed to burst out of Monroe.

"I'm glad you're here! If there's a Schakal abducting kids, well, that's just not good. I mean all Wesen have bad histories, or at least most of us, but dude, they eat babies! This is so bad! Do you even know—"

Rosalee placed a hand on her husband's arm to calm him and to stop the flow of words. "That's not our only problem. He woged in front of the baby's mother."

Surprised Nick glanced around and found the hysterical mother sitting in an ambulance. Her glassy eyes and pale complexion were obvious signs of the shock she had received. There was a man standing beside her holding a small infant and he too looked wild-eyed. As he continued to scan the scene Nick's eyes fell on a pretty brunette. She stood out as most of the by-standers were dressed for the park but she was wearing a dark dress suit. There was something else about her that struck a chord with him but he wasn't sure what it was. As he watched, she smiled at him before turning to walk away.

"Nick!" Monroe spoke loudly to gain his friend's attention. When Nick met his eyes, Monroe continued in a softer voice. "You know these violations will have to be reported to the Wesen Council. They will want to get involved."

"Or just have Nick do their job once again." Hank offered with a grimace. He had always thought mayors and city council politics were bad but his experiences in the Wesen world had made those seem easy.

Nick barely acknowledged their words as he heard a low growling howl. He tilted his head to the side and focused on finding the soft noise despite the chaos of the scene around him. Recognizing the look, Hank tensed and glanced around himself. Monroe and Rosalee exchanged a look but neither spoke.

As the sound again came to Nick, he turned and sprinted toward it. Quickly he was enveloped in the dense Portland forest that surrounded the city park. With his senses alive, Nick felt the change in his body as despite the speed of his run and even being forced to jump over fallen trees his heartbeat remained slow and steady. For just a moment, he focused on the sensations of power and freedom and he ran even faster.

Suddenly remembering his job though, Nick came to an abrupt stop and froze. Taking a deep breath, he focused once more on finding the source of the howl. Hearing faint noises behind him, he changed directions and headed back. He again sprinted easily for several minutes before slowing his pace so he could better use his senses.

Loud sounds of pursuit made Nick tense until he realized it was just Monroe. Stopping once more, he waited as he could hear not just his friend but the others approaching as well. Monroe arrived in moments and when Nick saw the Blutbad he gave him a nod and spoke.

"Can you smell anything?"

"There's a lot out here Nick. What did you hear?" Monroe asked as he walked a large circle around Nick and continued to lift his head and sniff the air.

Nick didn't answer as he closed his eyes and tried to sharpen his senses further in order to locate the noise. Monroe glanced briefly as the silence lengthened but with a shrug he then went back to exploring the forest scents.

A few more minutes brought both Hank and then Rosalee to join them – Rosalee hadn't woged but Hank had pulled his gun. Nick waited until they stopped to answer Monroe.

"It was a low cry…howl, something not human." Frowning with annoyance, Nick knew that it wasn't much of a description. He ignored the others and again tried to open his senses but just as Monroe had noted there was a lot of stimulation. The snapping of a branch grabbed his attention and he turned in surprise to face the pretty brunette in the business suit.

"Nick Burkhardt, the Grimm. So nice to finally meet you in person." The brunette spoke with a smirk and sly tone.

Nick shifted slightly to face her completely as he realized that he had seen her not just earlier that day but also outside the bank that Juliette had robbed. "Who are you?"

"I'm Camilla. Mr. Crosley would like a meeting with you."