Chapter 9 - Choices

AN – My sincerest apologies for the delay! I struggled with the Muse and then RL to get this one done! It is just a short one but the action picks up in the next chapter and I still hope to wrap this one up in 2 more chapters! Get in your final requests now! :)

AN2 - Special shoutout to MegKh! Thank you for your continued support!

DISCLAIMER: Still not mine!

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Nick spoke as both Rosalee and Monroe nodded. "It's more than that. It looked like Crosley was somehow able to channel Camilla's power when he spoke. If they are different from traditional Wesen then what we know in the books may not help us fight them."

Remembering Juliette's words about wanting to help and having more to share, Nick stuck a hand in his pocket to touch the folded twenty. Making his decision, he spoke with determination as he looked up at his friends.

"There may be another way – someone who can help us even the odds."

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Nick and his friends did discuss the matter further but he didn't reveal his contact with Juliette. He simply wasn't sure about her or what the others would think. The friends' discussion did include the need for getting some sleep though so eventually they went their separate ways.

Unable to sleep himself after returning to his home, Nick pulled out the books from Juliette instead. Memories crashed through his mind though and he hesitated to open old wounds. He sat still for several minutes with his hand just resting on the cover. Images of a smiling Juliette warred with those of her as a hexenbeist and Nick was torn. He pushed away from the table and paced for several more minutes. Frustrated by his inability to make a decision about his former fiance, he forced himself to take a seat and then with a deep sigh he opened the book with more force than was needed.

Surprisingly, he found that it looked a lot like his ancestors' books. Each page included pictures of various Wesen and descriptions of someone's deadly encounters with them. Most had been translated into English but he noted many other languages too. The main difference was that the Wesen were handled with potions instead of arrows, guns, or other weapons. As he read further he did start noting other differences as it seemed the reports were told secondhand.

Flipping to another book, Nick saw more of the same even if he didn't recognize most of the Wesen. It was obvious that whoever was writing the books helped the Grimm by creating the potions and recording the events but he couldn't figure out why. He also couldn't figure out how Juliette had gotten the books or why she had decided to give them to him.

Rubbing his forehead as he leaned back and closed his eyes, Nick realized that there was too much that he didn't understand. He wasn't sure about Juliette's involvement or intentions. He wasn't sure what was going on with Truble's continued absences. He wasn't sure about Crosley and his followers. He wasn't sure about Adalind and their child. Sighing, Nick realized that he couldn't afford to be ambivalent, not as a cop or as Grimm. Lives were on the line including his own and those he loved. He needed to take action which meant that he had to pursue all possible leads and sources including hexenbeists.

Nick decided that he needed to call Juliette and ask for her help - that was the only logical thing to do.

Pausing, Nick stared at the phone in his hand. A small voice in his head told him that logic wasn't the only factor. He wanted to call Juliette and that desire bothered him. After he had found out that she was a hexenbeist she had seemed like a stranger to him. They stopped talking and he didn't understand her desire to remain cursed instead of allowing him to help her. He also didn't understand her desire to kill him and his friends but when the time had come, he had been unable to kill her.

However, when she had bandaged his injuries after helping him defeat Crosley's followers it had felt familiar, comfortable, right. It certainly wasn't the first time she had helped him but it was the first time she had done so as a hexenbeist.

Hexenbeists were mortal enemies of Grimms - he had learned that lesson early from Adalind. The hexenbeist Henrietta had told him that he had to accept Juliette or kill her though as if he had a choice. His ancestors had killed Hexenbeists...at least that's what he had always thought.

'Our kinds haven't always been enemies though. Read the books and if you decide you want to talk then you know how to reach me. I want to help you.'

Nick could hear Juliette saying the words and finally it clicked for him. The books were written by hexenbeists who had helped Grimms. They might even have been written by Juliette's ancestors which would explain why she had them. Turning back to the books, he flipped over the small one that looked more like a personal journal. It took a bit to find the English translation but he was soon reading the story of the witch who had helped and loved a Grimm enough to sacrifice her powers.

Flinching, Nick turned away from the book as he read about the Grimm turning away from what the witch had become. He too had turned away from Juliette when she had become a hexenbeist. Forcing himself back to the book, he read about the hexenbeist then turning in anger to help the Royals and he couldn't help but remember Juliette's part in his mother's death. Taking a deep breath to push the painful memories away, he found himself staring at the picture of the hexenbeist crying and grieving over the Grimm's body.

More painful memories assailed Nick as he recalled other moments of his and Juliette's relationship - his choices and hers. They had both made mistakes along the way and they had both hurt the other. Their story was very similar to the witch's but a part of Nick wondered if they could have a happier ending.

It seemed that he did have another choice to make in that moment. However, somehow it seemed easier now and he picked up the folded twenty that Juliette had given him. Unfolding it, he watched the serial numbers realign to provide an address that seemed familiar. When the twenty burst into flames in his hands he remembered where he had seen the address previously – it was Henrietta's house.

Despite the time, Nick called Juliette as he got into his car and drove her way.

Juliette opened the door as soon as she heard Nick's knock. She had been surprised that he had called as quickly as he had but she was glad. The Crone had just laughed and given her two more books for him by sending them flying at her head.

"Hi Nick. Come in."

Somewhat nervous, Nick smiled and stepped into the house when Juliette moved back to allow him entrance. He glanced around the room and was startled to see an old woman standing in the corner. Turning slightly, he looked back to Juliette in question but she only smiled. He then turned back to introduce himself only to find the woman was gone.

Watching as Nick stepped forward to scan the room, Juliette buried a smile. The man was a cop, a Grimm and he wanted always wanted answers. "She does that a lot. I couldn't make the introduction anyway as I don't know her name either."

"She's your teacher though?" Nick was still searching the room as he asked the question.

"Yes...I call her the Crone." Juliette just watched and waited as Nick walked through each room before he returned to the entryway. She found herself nervous being around him - it felt like a date, a first date actually. The thought made her laugh quietly.

"Care to share the joke?" Nick stepped closer as Juliette's face softened and her eyes twinkled. He couldn't help but remember the Christmas party and kissing her under the mistletoe. The framed picture was still in his house.

Juliette was still smiling for a moment but then she got serious. "The guy who tried to kill you is going to try again."

Nick frowned suspiciously as he spoke. "What do you know about Crosley?"

"I'm not working with him." Juliette's tone was sharp, defensive and she felt the power rise within her but she pushed it back down and took a deep breath. "The Crone knows things - I don't know how but she was the one who sent me to help you. She said he's power hungry and you've got power Nick. Your gifts and your friends are your power and he wants that. If you aren't on his side then he will destroy you."

As he had reached the same conclusions, Nick didn't dispute her words. There was one point that he wanted to clarify though. "You have power too. What's to stop him from coming after you?"

Juliette smiled slightly. "I can take care of myself now Nick. Besides he doesn't know about me." Hesitating, she frowned before she continued in a quieter voice. "My offer stands. I can help you."

The pair stared at one another for a long moment as memories, fears, and hopes warred within them. Both remembered the past and worried about the future. Both knew things had changed between them and accepted that there was no going back. Both also wondered if there was still a way to move forward together though.

"So Grimms and hexenbeists are going to work together again?" Nick asked just as quietly.

Realizing that he had already read the books Juliette breathed a sigh of relief. Unlike the Crone, she wasn't sure of what their future held but, in that moment, the choice was easy. Smiling once more, she spoke more confidently.

"I think this hexenbeist and this Grimm can."