A/N: For those of you who have followed me from the beginning of my writings for Nadalind, you know I've already brought the biest back once before. I fully believe they can survive this, but I'm not so confident that the writers are going to make it easy. Here's hoping TPTB are gentle to them because I think they've had enough sorrow on their plate already. This is my short spin on how it should happen in this timeline. Maybe five chapters.

Nick POV

So the value, the treasure, the power in that stick was healing, but healing to what extent? Where and how was that splinter of wood formed? These questions plagued his mind and there was one person who might have some answers, Adalind. She was incredibly and, at times, surprisingly well informed. Blowing out a long breath, Nick registered how much he had missed them, missed her in particular. Her soft warmth pressed up against him at night had become so familiar that he didn't know how much he craved it until they were apart. Perhaps he craved it more because of their last night together, despite the fact that he awoke that next morning with reservations. When she had made her declaration, laying herself open and vulnerable before him, Nick couldn't stop his response to her. No, he didn't want to stop, and now he wanted her again, he acknowledged to himself. Still he couldn't go straight home just yet.

They had stopped by the spice shop first, so he could drop off Monroe and of course open that box. It had been such a disappointment, just a piece of knarled wood, that is until Monroe almost passed out. Blood poisoning didn't sound good, and Nick felt immediate guilt and worry for putting Monroe in harm's way. Then suddenly the bite on his arm started to disappear. It could only have been that piece of wood. Very gently, he placed the wood back into the cloth they had found it in, then back into the box. After, they all helped move Monroe to the bed even though he kept protesting he was fine. Rosalee gave him a stern glare and finally he acquiesced. Pulling her aside, Nick asked Rosalee if there was anyway else he could help.

"No Nick, that piece of wood did some sort of miracle. Monroe is going to be okay. I couldn't ask for more," she replied then inquired, "How do you think a mere stick could do such a thing?"

"I don't know but perhaps Adalind will know something. If everything is good with Monroe, I think I'll head home," he finished.

"I think that would be best. Adalind had a rough time while you were gone, in more ways than one," Rosalee responded cryptically.

"What do you mean? What happened?" Nick questioned with a sinking feeling.

"Listen Nick, no one is hurt but the rest I think Adalind would want to tell you. Go home and see them, but I want you to know I think she will be okay, " Rosalee finished with a sympathetic smile.

Walking into a very quiet loft, Nick thought either they were out or Kelly was down for a nap. He called out in a medium voice, "I'm back. You guys home? "

When at first there was no answer, Nick figure they were gone until a stark-faced Adalind came from their bedroom. She had circles under her red-rimmed eyes that alarmed him. "What's wrong?" Nick asked but she didn't answer right away. "Is Kelly okay?" His heart dropped at the thought of something happening to their son.

Finally she nodded and said, "He's taking his nap. I put him down thirty minutes ago," she responded pathetically looking down. Nick came towards her reaching out to draw her into a hug when she drew away. "I need to tell you something and I need to do it before I lose the strength," she replied swallowing nervously. She raised her pain filled eyes to his and Nick decided to at least take her hands that shook a little in his.

"Whatever it is I'll take care of it," he tried to reassure her.

Shaking her head with those woeful eyes, she returned, "You can't take care of this." Then removing one hand from his she stretched it out towards his coat laying over a chair. Suddenly his coat flew over to her grasp. He sucked in a deep breath and knew his eyes were large. So what he had been fearing had finally occurred.