First of all I want to say a very big and special Thanks for my incredible beta Merlyn Pyndragon. I don't know if I could do this without your help and all the work I put you in. I know, I'm big in forgetting to thank you, now I do - and will remind myself to say it more often ;).

Nick had watched how the daylight was changing during the last hours. First it got brighter, then it changed its color from a nearly golden-white to a deep orange, and only then finally faded away into dusk's embrace. While it got darker in his cell, lights sparkled to life from the ceiling. Mini-LEDs, which didn't turn really bright but gave enough light that he probably would have trouble trying to sleep.

Nick was hungry and thirsty. No one had entered his cell until Eric left it. Fortunately for Nick - even Hans and Franz had left him alone. Unfortunately, however, while the day dragged by, he recognized how much he needed food, and especially water.

Damn, what he would have given now for one of Monroe's imported beers! Or even a bottle of water. Something to kill this feeling that his tongue was getting bigger inside his mouth.

Nick leaned his head against the wall behind his back. Still he was sitting on that bed, or better, he was again sitting on this bed after he'd tried to figure out where he was and if there was a way out of this cell.

A look through that peekhole told him that there was a hallway on the other side of the door. Like his cell, that hallway seemed without any decoration, only some old brackets. Now there was light shining through the peekhole, telling him that outside the cell there were lights illuminating the hallway.

He was supposed to kill his own boss, and it sounded like Eric wanted more from him.

Nick shivered. Not that long ago he was more than ready to kill Renard, but not now! Not anymore! Since he drank that purification potion he had calmed down, the reunion with Juliette was the last step to grant him peace.

He was no killer! He only killed when his own life was in danger so far, and he had no intention of changing this.

But what would happen if he was to decline? What Eric would do to him then? Nick doubted that he would give a simple, "okay, thanks anyway!" and let him go. Eric himself told him there would be another way. And didn't the captain already tell him about when he asked him about the keys?

Again Nick shivered, a shuddering spasm that wracked his entire, weakened frame.

He feared what was possibly awaiting for him in the future. He didn't want this to happen, never! He had tried his best to become that kind of Grimm Aunt Marie would be proud of, and he hoped she also would understand.

Would Eric try to torture him? Now? It was 2013, not the 15th century anymore! But nowadays, torture was still an option for some. Unfortunately for him now, a very efficient option.

What would happen if he was to decline? What would happen if not?

Maybe he was wrong and whatever Eric wanted from him was nothing that big or bad or illegal than he thought now. Eric had already told him, this wasn't about the key, not in the first degree.

What then?

Nick already began to miss the others. He missed Monroe and Rosalee, Wu and Hank. But he missed Juliette the most. This wasn't fair! They had just reunited! He couldn't imagine how Juliette would be now. It was the first time she was part of his group and then -

The door opened and Nick turned his head, not sure what he was to be expecting.

"Food!" that voice with the heavy accent (Hans? Franz?) told him. A metal tray with a dish and a plastic bottle of water was pushed into the cell.

Nick stood up shakily, not sure what to do now. Still he was handcuffed, true, bound in front of his body so he could use his hands, but there was no furniture. Was he supposed to eat his meal on the ground?

"Where's Eric?" This question slipped from his tongue way too easily and Nick cursed himself silently.

One of the two men - Nick wasn't sure but he thought it was Franz - peeked into his cell, frowning at him. "It's late. The prince is probably already asleep," he answered gutturally.

Nick felt guilty and bit his lips for a second before he said, "I want to talk to him!" Surprisingly, his voice sounded harder than he thought.

What was he supposed to do?

Franz leered at him suspiciously. "He will be come for you, tomorrow," he said.

Nick shook his head. "Now," he answered bluntly. "You should tell him, maybe I will change my mind, if he makes me wait."

Franz still sneered at him. "You would be surprised how much he would appreciate it if you would change your mind, Thomas," he grinned.

His heart missed a beat but Nick did his best to act very determined. "Call him! Now!"

"What's wrong?" he heard the voice from Hans outside his cell.

Great! It looked like he would have to deal with both of these clowns again.

"Thomas wants me to call the prince," Franz explained.

"Are you serious?" Now it was also Hans who peeked into his cell. "Are you playing games, Shorty? You have no idea what will happen if you do, believe me."

Again Nick bit his lips, but then he shook his head.

If this job Eric mentioned wasn't about killing people, he probably would give it a try. Only to find a way to flee back to Portland, to return into Juliette's arms and Monroe's warm kindness. Probably they would find a way to help him get rid of Eric, and the captain surely would be interested in what he'd found out so far.

"I am serious!" he said. "Call the prince! Go!"

Hans and Franz exchanged a look, then Franz shrugged. "It's his funeral, not mine." Hans nodded.

A moment later, the door was closed and locked again.

Nick needed a few minutes to calm down. He had to take some deep breaths before he was sure to be relaxed enough. Then he took the water bottle from the tray, ignoring the dish with something that was supposed to be his food. Water was more important for him now, he decided, and opened the bottle.

Adalind stood once more in front of the fullbody mirror in her bathroom, studying her body. Her pregnancy had slowly become visible. Since then. she had been lucky, but it was getting harder from day to day now. It was such a relief that Eric only was barely around during the last two months. On the other hand, the last two months probably were the last ones she could have met Eric before this situation got too risky for her.

Anyway, she hadn't managed to get back what she wanted. Stefania had told her this wasn't possible as long as she was pregnant. And the baby still wasn't able to survive on its own. At least she would have have to wait two or three more months before she could give birth to this baby.

Adalind touched her belly with one hand, slowly massaging that little curve there. Somewhere inside her body, there was this tiny little life, and for a second Adalind thought she could feel a response to her touch. Appalled, she lifted her hand again.

What she was going to do here? She never wanted a connection to this thing inside her body. She wanted her Hexenbiest back, nothing more. This baby was already sold now, and the day she would get the part back she lost before, she would be the luckiest, happiest Wesen on Earth!

Really? A small voice inside her head seemed to ask.

Adalind shook her head and stepped back from the mirror.

No! There was no connection to the baby. She did her very best to avoid this. She didn't want it, it was only a good, something she had already sold away to get her Hexenbiest back.

Really?

Adalind lifted her eyes to the mirror again, not sure what she was supposed to see there, when suddenly a hard knock came from the door of her suite. She started and turned around. Closing the bathrobe, she tried her best to forget what she witnessed a moment before and went to the door.

Maybe the server with the hot chocolate I'd ordered, she thought. But something, a sixth sense, whispered otherwise.

"Who's there?" she wanted to know after she realized that the door was still closed.

"It's me, my sweet. I wanted to spend a short visit."

Adalind stopped in the middle of her movement.

Eric!

Again her hand touched that telltale curve of her belly, making sure her bathrobe hid it as much as she could.

Damn! Why she asked? She could have pretended not to be here, or else asleep. Eric would have left if she hadn't responded, she was sure. If he noticed her condition, nothing would save her from being murdered. Not as long as they weren't married.

Adalind took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind. Then she put on her best smile and opened the door.

"Eric! It is so good to see you! How've you been?" she asked.

Eric looked at her, a bouquet and a bottle of red wine in his hands.

"You are looking beautiful!" he said, stepping into the suite. "And I missed you, my dear. I missed you very hard, I have to confess."

Adalind had the feeling her smile was noticeable plastered on her face when she took the flowers. "You must really missed me if you are coming here this late," she said, searching for an excuse to make him leave again.

Eric ditched his coat on a chair and sat himself down on the couch, one foot on the table. "Well, I'm back now and I'm all yours, my sweet witch," he said to her, grinning, and then lifted an eyebrow. "And I see you are already ready to use your powers on me again, huh?"

Adalind did her best to keep her smile. "Whatever you desire, your highness," she answered with a curtsey.

Eric hummed and looked very pleased. "I like that, you know?" he asked.

Surely she knew. That was why she was doing all this. She needed his protection until she got her Hexenbiest back, and maybe afterwards. Adalind wasn't sure if she would be able to hide the Biest long enough to become Eric's wife. IF she could, she would definitely make history, the first Hexenbiest ever as a princess. With that step she would be untouchable by Sean and Nick, and the most other Wesen. The only ones she would have to fear then would be other Royals. And Eric was mighty, and one day he would follow his father on his throne and be the head of the entire family. If she could trick him that long, she would rule this world one day, of that she was sure.

Was that really what she wanted? That tiny voice asked her.

Adalind startled and turned around. "I'll give the flowers water, my dear," she said.

What the hell was going on with her? It's been five months now and nothing had come between her and her plan. And now this!

"I would say let them die, but I know you women well enough to know you would probably never forgive me," Eric laughed.

If only!

Adalind brought the bouquet into the bathroom, not sure what to do with it.

Damn! What she was supposed to do now? Eric hadn't seen her now for two months. If she was able to see the curve, he would be too, maybe more as he had her in his mind in her state two months ago.

This was getting way too dangerous, Adalind realized. She thought she could hide herself long enough to give birth and restore her Hexenbiest but now she knew that there was no option anymore. Maybe she would be able to play another trick this night but it was only a matter of time until Eric finally realizes that she wasn't so lean anymore. And not from comfortable living.

Adalind put the bouquet into the sink and turned around, still avoiding to look into any mirror. Again she startled when she saw Eric standing in the door, watching her.

"Everytime I see you, this glow is all about you, you know?" he said. " I like that somehow."

Adalind put the smile back on her face. "Who doesn't?" she asked, stepping closer. She opened her arms to embrace him. "I missed you."

Eric's arms surrounded her and he leaned forwards to kiss her.

"You taste different," he decided afterwards.

"Maybe the dinner?" Adalind smiled in his face.

Eric again lifted an eyebrow. There was a little light in his eyes which she always made shiver.

"Yeah, maybe," he said before he kissed her again. "Or not."

Adalind's heart missed another beat.

Not now! Not after she came this far!

Eric looked at her very serious. "Is there something you have to tell me?" he asked.

Adalind did her best to keep the smile but it felt like a mask on her face now.

The moment she opened her mouth to answer, Eric's cellphone rang. With another loathy humming, he loosened from her, pulling the phone out of his pocket.

"Give me a second," he said to her after he looked at the display. "Could be important."

Adalind took a deep breath while Eric moved around, putting distance between himself and her.

"What?" he asked sharply, and then listened avidly. He took a look over his shoulder at her and smiled one of his cold, predatory smiles. "Is he? Really? That was quick!"

Adalind took a short look down at her bathrobe making again sure everything conspiuous was hidden.

"I'm on my way," Eric decided and ended the call. Turning back to her he shrugged. "I'm sorry, I fear this is very important."

Adalind nodded. "We will continue later," she said. "Can't await."

Eric's smile grew. "Me neither, my dear, me neither." With that, he left her.

Adalind swore. She had never been more relieved all over her life.

Nick was again sitting on the bed when finally the door to his cell opened once more. He looked up anxiously and took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself, when he noticed Eric entering his cell.

"So, I've heard you've changed your mind. Good for you," Eric said instead a greeting.

Nick stood up, didn't remove an eye on the Royal, and shook his head. "I didn't. I've questions to ask," he told his visitor.

Eric frowned, the excitement he showed before fast dying in his features. "Really? That's disappointing," he decided, and came over to the bed.

Nick stepped aside, still watching the Royal while Eric sat down where he had sat a moment before.

"What questions?"

Nick studied the face of the nearly complete stranger. Darn! Just like Renard, he was only barely able to "read" Eric. Whatever a Royal was, he was definitely good in hiding himself.

"What job do you want me to do?" Nick finally asked.

Eric lifted an eyebrow. "That's the reason why I had to return from a romantic night with my fiance?" he asked, sounding exaggerantingly indredulous. "You could have waited until tomorrow. I'd already planned to give you a little tour then."

"What job?" Nick repeated.

Eric layed one knee on the other and leaned back. "Well, I lost one of my bodyguards when I came to Portland to get you. I thought you could fill in for him," he told Nick, looking at him thoughtfully. "You are in a good condition, well, you need a little training and good food, I would guess, but afterwards you would be a good replacement in from my point of view. Good looking, in a neat suit, new haircut and clean shaving."

Bodyguard? Was he serious?

As a bodyguard, Nick would be able to move without being tied or locked away, at least during the day. It was possible to leave this place, to flee. He could plan what would be the best way to do this and finally return to Portland.

Eric's smile grew again, devilishly straight. "I know what you are thinking now. Forget it! Now one would help you and no one would be stupid enough to not report to me if you planned to leave without permission. This is my country, Grimm. Here, I am the master. And I can and will take care about keeping you, even as you do become my bodyguard, which you definitely will."

"So that's the part I cannot decline then?" Nick wanted to know.

Still there was a chance. True, this was most likely Eric's headquarters, but he also was a businessman and had to travel a lot. There would be a way to flee, Nick was sure. If this didn't get any worse than being a bodyguard, it would be bearable, at least for some time.

Still, that cold little smile was in one corner of his mouth. "The part you cannot decline will be that first you have to prove that you will stay. That could be a little difficult, I guess. On the other hand, you already began that job last year. Now it's time to come to an end with it."

Nick frowned. "What job I began last year? I became a Grimm. I cannot change that," he said.

Eric sat up. "It has something to do with you being a Grimm. To be true, you wouldn't have had a chance had your Grimm blood not awoken last year."

What was Eric talking about? Nick was confused. Again he searched his slowly working memory but there was nothing. He could remember everything until that night at the container yard. That night and the following time was blurry or completely in the dark. But what happened before that he could not remember now?

"What is it?" he asked after he again tried to prepare himself.

"You will kill my fiance with my permission, under my lead," Eric told him.

Nick stared at him. "What?"

"You've done the job already. Well, halfway through. You killed her Wesen part, now it's about time to bring the rest to the grave. She's a little -" He shrugged, searching for adequade words. "It was amusing for a while, but her time is already running short. It would be a graceful act to do, you know?"

Nick shook his head, lip curled angrily. "I'm not going to kill anyone!"

Eric stood up and slowly meandered over to him. Nick found himself caught in the corner of the room with no way out. Pretending to be tougher than he felt, he lifted his chin and looked straight into Eric's face. The Royal still smiled, and touched him now with one finger at his chest.

"You will do whatever I order, sweet Grimm, believe me. I know many ways to get what I want. You'd better give in now, freely and fullhearted. Every attempt to deceive me will be very, very painful for you. And so it will be if you are steadfast in declining my offer. I have no intention of breaking your will but I shall, if you will make. Do you understand?"

"I'm not killing innocent people!" Nick barked boldder than he actually felt.

Eric came closer, stepping into Nick's personal space. "But she isn't innocent, sweet Grimm. In fact, you know her pretty well."

Nick's heartbeat sped up again, so loud and fast he thought the prince would be able to hear it. "Who is it?" he wanted to know, still not taking an eye from the Royal.

Eric suddenly looked very satisfied, a self-content cat, still only an inch away from Nick's face. Coolly, he whispered, "Do you remember Adalind Schade?"

Nick's face grew deathly pale ...