Chapter 12 - New world order

AN – Many thanks for all of your support while I played for the first time in this fandom! While I don't resolve all the issues I prefer to take on a few (Juliette, Chavez) and then leave the characters open to a new adventure. I do hope you enjoy this final chapter and have enjoyed the story as a whole!

DISCLAIMER – Alas, no change to report as I play without profit or rights to Grimm!

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Expecting to be shot, Juliette was shocked to find Chavez suspended in midair. Her gun was pointed uselessly toward the sky and her expression was one of surprise mixed with fear. The battle fell silent and all stared at the sight.

Glancing around, Juliette saw Adalind standing next to Diana at the edge of the forest. The child's eyes were glowing but she still smiled at Juliette. As she continued to smile, Chavez went flying through the air and into the forest.

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Chavez's troops abandoned the field following her abrupt departure but no one gave chase.

Meisner found his feet and moved toward Diana's side just as Captain Renard stumbled toward Adalind. The child continued to smile and seemed undisturbed by the violence that surrounded her. Both of her parents were unnerved by their daughter's actions even as Meisner smiled at the child.

Nick was slowly gaining his feet after checking to ensure that Truble hadn't been wounded while trying to save him. The younger Grimm gave him a weak smile and spoke softly as she laid her head back on the ground.

"I think I just need a moment to catch my breath." Truble's head throbbed but she was glad that she and Wu had made it to the fight. The sergeant had been torn between protecting her and helping the others and she had used that to prompt him to move closer to the clearing. Breathing a sigh of relief, Truble was glad that her choices hadn't cost Nick his life.

"Okay, stay there." Nick ordered as he turned to check on the others.

He watched Hank give Monroe a hand up. The Blutbaden shook his head no as he returned to his human form. After clapping a hand on Hank's shoulder Monroe turned to find his wife. Rosalee was checking on an injured Wu but she smiled in relief upon sight of Monroe. Nick smiled at the couple helping Wu to stand before they turned to him. It was Hank who caught his eye next and Nick gave his partner a nod as the other man started toward him. His eyes kept moving though until he found Juliette walking his way as well.

As he continued to watch the others move toward him, Nick noted the various blood stains, limps, and other injuries. Each also sported a worried frown and tension rolled off of them in waves. However, they kept moving toward him.

In that moment, Nick realized that he didn't need to do anything alone. He also realized that he didn't want to be alone. Crosley had been right that he had done his Grimm duties his way. His way meant that he had the help of humans and Wesen alike. His way meant that he used his own gifts just as they did. There was a darkness within each of them but that darkness helped them to fight, to do good. Together they were even stronger than they were alone. Just as cops formed tight bonds with their partners and joined a family of blue, each of those walking toward him had come together as well.

Rosalee spoke before Nick could do so. "Juliette, did you move the bullet while it was in the air?"

Juliette hadn't been sure she could do it but the Crone had trained her to redirect objects in motion. It was the child who was truly gifted in Juliette's mind so she just nodded absently. As her gaze was directed on Adalind and Diana she missed the surprised expressions on both Rosalee's and Monroe's faces at the revelation of her power and her use of it to save Nick. Juliette continued to stare as Adalind and Diana approached with both men at their sides.

All were surprised when Diana ran forward to hug Juliette's leg. The hexenbeist knelt down and gave the child a hug in return before she spoke. "Thank you Diana. I couldn't have stopped her on my own."

The child didn't speak but she did smile and briefly touched Juliette's face before she returned to her mother and took her hand. Adalind was concerned about being close to Juliette but her daughter's actions gave her confidence. Surprise was still evident in her tone as she shook her head slightly and spoke. "She likes you Juliette."

Wu was still in shock at seeing the action and hearing Juliette give credit to the child. His tone reflected that emotion as he lost his typically deadpan delivery of his words. "Someone want to fill me in on what happened?"

Renard stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Diana's head. The girl pressed against his leg but didn't let go of Adalind. "Our daughter is very gifted. The Royals want her for her blood but Crosley wants her power."

As Renard nodded to Meisner the other man spoke and confirmed their suspicions. "Crosley is a chameleon but instead of only looking like other Wesen he can steal their powers. It only works for a little while but he is experimenting to make it last longer. If he gets Diana then he'll also get her powers."

Again Renard spoke. "You won't find him in any of your books Nick. He's something new and apparently he's not alone." Pausing briefly as he considered what Grimms of the past would have done, he pulled Diana closer to him. "What are you going to do?"

"It's not what I'm going to do, it's what we are going to do." Nick saw the relief flash across his captain's face as well as Adalind's as both clutched their daughter. He glanced around at the others as he continued. "We need to stop Crosley but it will take all of us working together. He's built an army and Chavez won't be the only one hiding in a position of power. It won't be a quick or easy battle."

Looks were exchanged as each considered the Grimm's words. They all represented different aspects of their world but none of them fit easily into it. Their pasts had separated them from others but had also brought them together. Crosley had been right about that as well - none of them fit the traditional molds but they were dedicated, loyal, and they were willing and able to fight.

Meisner spoke first. "I can see why you are of interest to so many." He looked away from Nick to smile again at Diana. The child was the one who had brought him here and he remained ready to stay by her side. "I don't think you know what you are up against but I will do what I can to help you. I know of others in the Resistance who are ready to fight as well."

Nodding at Meisner, Renard spoke next. "Chavez was right about there being a new world order. We need to make sure that it is ours instead of theirs."

Adalind glanced between the men but she wasn't ready to speak. She could feel everyone's eyes on her and she was glad when Rosalee spoke next.

"Freddy had some other contacts that we can reach out to as well. We need to be careful though as the Council will get involved and they may put a price on all of our heads this time." Rosalee placed an arm around Monroe's waist and was grateful when he squeezed her tightly. She had grave concerns about what they were doing but she couldn't see any other way. Someone needed to do what was right and stop Crosley from hurting Wesen and humans alike.

Monroe spoke up in support as well. "Anyone who would use Schakals to kidnap babies needs to be stopped. I'm in too Nick."

"We need to get over to the warehouse and free the Wesen Chavez has locked up. I bet they will help us too." Truble was anxious to right the wrongs of her past choices. It was Nick who had helped her realize just who she was and what good she could do. She still felt the need to repay that debt.

Hank and Wu stepped forward together but Hank spoke first. "We're partners Nick. I go where you go."

"I really don't want to go back to the asylum or a desk job so I'm in too." Wu confirmed as well.

It was only Adalind and Juliette who remained silent. All eyes were on them but their eyes were locked in a silent battle. Adalind turned away from the other woman and almost yelled her answer at Nick.

"I won't have either of my children used as pawns - not by the Royals, the Resistance, or Crosley. I won't have them used by you either. I just want out."

"Adalind—" Renard began but the blonde spoke over him.

"No! You all decided what was best for my daughter before and look how that turned out. I won't lose her again. I won't lose this child either." Adalind rested a hand protectively on her stomach. "We are getting out."

"You can't protect them. You gave up your powers." Nick tried for a soft tone as he reminded her of that. She had done so to help them, to help Juliette and he wouldn't forget that.

Adalind felt the baby in her kick as Diana laid her hand on her belly as well. A warm tingling feeling flowed through her body and she couldn't help but smile. Whatever they might think, whatever was supposed to have happened when she had taken the potion, she wasn't powerless. "As long as I'm not surrounded by Grimms and Wesen, my family and I will be okay."

It wasn't to Renard that Adalind turned but to Meisner who immediately nodded. While he would help the others, his loyalty lay with the child and therefore her mother.

Nick and Renard were prepared to argue but Juliette spoke next. "She is right to protect her children. It is what I would do as well." Seeing Adalind meet her eyes suspiciously Juliette continued. "You won't be safe entirely cut off and alone though. You should remain in contact."

Once she saw Adalind give a reluctant nod of agreement Juliette turned her focus to Nick. Her voice was softer as she spoke again.

"The Crone may be able to help us too and we have access to her library." Juliette still felt the need to make up for the loss of Nick's trailer by her own hands. "You have me as well. I want to help and I'm on your side."

Nick breathed a sigh of relief at her words. His life had changed when he had inherited his Grimm powers and not all of the changes had been good or easy. He had made some mistakes, lost a few battles and even felt that he had lost himself at times but he also knew that he had gained a lot as well. The war wasn't over and the future probably wouldn't be any easier but he was determined to do both of his jobs as well as he could.

Looking around at the others, Nick was grateful that he wouldn't have to fight alone. He had friends, a family. They were putting their own spin on old traditions but they were doing what was right. Realizing they were waiting for him to speak, the Grimm cleared his throat and began.

"Crosley was right…about me, us anyway. I don't think any of us would have expected to end up here, together." Nick swallowed with some difficulty as inspirational speeches weren't his thing. The slight smiles and nods of the others encouraged him though. "Regardless of what happened in the past, we are all in this together now."

Nick again looked around the circle of friends and was grateful for each of them. He gave a final nod before shaking off the emotional mood. "Let's go! There's a lot to do and we need to get started."

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AN2 – I am giddy that new shows return and I can't wait to see what happens! I'm not sure if I'll write episode tags or just wait for breaks but I'm always open to suggestions. I am considering myself on break though so I may be slower to reply to PMs and reviews but pls know that I appreciate the contact. Now is the time to move on to…

SHAMELESS BIT OF SELF-PROMOTION

My newest book (Azimuth) came out this summer and if you enjoyed this or any of my fanfic stories I hope you'll be brave enough to try my original works. Please check out my website (remove spaces) w w w . rennie . st . james . c o m for sneak peeks, character studies, contests, and bonus materials. Azimuth is available at all major retailers and the prequel/ character study (Nadya's World) is posted in its entirety on Wattpad under my pen name Rennie St. James. I would love to get your feedback on either or both so pls don't be shy!

Thank you! Happy reading and watching my friends!