Chapter 65

After a good run and some great post-run activities I was all smiles. After our shower, I held Monroe tightly, trying not to think about poor Freddy. Monroe nuzzled me as I fell asleep in his arms.

We'd slept far too long and it was already dark by the time we awoke. Monroe put on his brown, sweater jacket on top of his white t-shirt and I changed into my spare jeans and lavender, long-sleeved shirt from my overnight bag. Nothing fancy. I smoothed out my hair in the bathroom and freshened up. My neck was much better today. Actually it was healing faster than what I was used to. I glanced down at my necklace. Maybe it was doing something. I reapplied a new bandage and moved my hair. No matter, Monroe didn't need to see it.

We had a great dinner thanks to Monroe, and I was feeling mostly human. Well, as human as a Wesen and Grimm hybrid could feel. Nick called Monroe to let him know he was on the way over.

"Wow, he actually called first?" I asked as Monroe hung up the phone. "Wonders never cease."

"Maybe you can teach a Grimm new tricks," he joked. I gave him a look. "Hey, I've taught you some great things, don't give me those accusing, green eyes."

"Sure, sure," I replied.

Nick arrived shortly after and we went to the breakfast nook to talk.

"So awful to hear about Freddy, man." Monroe shook his head as he handed Nick a beer and poured us another glass from the Big Fire pinot noir bottle. "It's such a shame. He was a nice guy."

Nick had a folder of chemicals for Monroe to look over. While he was going over the list, I gave Nick the supernatural portion of my statement.

"So, then two Skalengecks…"

"What? Skalengecks?" Monroe's head jerked up. "You didn't mention Skalengecks killed Freddy," he said in my direction.

"Sorry, I forgot," I replied. "There were two nasty ones."

"Those dudes are always trouble. The punks of the Wesen world," Monroe commented, going back to the folder.

"Forked tongues, pointy teeth, and gills?" asked Nick.

I nodded. "Did you go to the trailer first?"

"Yeah, I did my homework." Nick smiled like he deserved a gold star for his efforts. Monroe simply gave him a slight nod.

"Nick, they weren't there to rob the place for money. They were there for 'J.'"

"'J,' really?" Monroe's wide eyes flashed up from the file folder. "Freddy had that at his shop?"

"Someone wanna tell me what 'J' is?" Nick asked.

"'J' is a by-product of Jacene," I began. "It's a Wesen street drug. It's like the human equivalent of meth."

"Worse than that," Monroe chimed in. "Try meth mixed with helium and rat poison, then you're close."

"These guys that robbed Freddy were definitely addicts," I said.

"What's Jacene exactly?" Nick asked.

I motioned Monroe to finish. He'd be able to explain better than I would.

"Jacene is a kind of mold," Monroe explained. "It's lethal to most humans, but it has an opiate like effect on… us." He gave me a sideways glance to see if I'd say anything about him separating. I held my tongue. Monroe continued. "Used correctly, it's an incredible pain killer, but some Wesen, like Skalengecks as a good example, have found its recreational purposes the more enjoyable of its uses. It's highly addictive and is terrible for your liver and your brain, for that matter. I wouldn't expect anyone with even half a brain to actually want to do the stuff, anyway."

"So, why haven't I heard of this stuff before?" Nick asked.

"It's just a mold," I replied. "It's not illegal."

"She's right. That's why you wouldn't have heard anything about it," Monroe said to Nick, handing him his folder back. "As for this stuff? Man, I don't know what any of these words mean. Those chemicals don't tell me what any of it really is. But if they were looking for 'J,' then that's what you need to find, dude."

Nick turned in his direction. "Well, do you think you'd know it if you saw any, Monroe?"

"Yeah, I'm sure I would."

I gave Monroe a look.

"Not that I'd ever touch the stuff or anything," he quickly added, gesturing with his hands to assure me he wasn't into that kind of thing.

My cell rang about that time, and I excused myself from the conversation.

"Where are you? Why aren't you at home?" Chloe yelled into the phone as soon as I answered.

"I'm at Monroe's. What's it matter where I am?" I asked.

"Pete and I are at your front door," she responded like I should've known.

"Huh? What?" I sat down on the couch. "Why are you guys in Portland?"

"Jack is en route here. Pete has tried everything, but he wants to talk to you in person and confront Monroe so he can prove he's not crazy. I warned you this might happen, Renée."

"Are you fucking serious?!" What the fuck was Jack thinking?

"Yeah, we figured we'd just fly out as soon as we could. Jack told Pete he's leaving tomorrow. You're gonna need all the help you can get with this, I'm afraid."

Monroe walked over as I was cursing some more into the phone. He was looking at me with eyes wide. He knew I didn't curse often. Nick was just as puzzled as he followed Monroe to the living room.

"I'll be there in ten to fifteen minutes tops," I replied and hung up the phone.

"What's going on?" Monroe asked.

"Apparently Jack is heading to town tomorrow to confront the 'Bluerod,'" I fumed as I stood up. "Chloe and Pete are at my house. Why doesn't anyone just call ahead?" I was already walking over to the cedar chest to get my jacket.

"What?! Fucking asshole!" Monroe growled, having a woge, but then retracted.

"What's a Bluerod? Who are Chloe and Pete?" Nick was asking all kinds of questions I really didn't want to get into with him.

"Renée's crazy ex, Jack. You remember him right?"

"Oh, yeah. I remember that guy."

"Well, umm, when I was in Louisville, I kinda had a lapse moment and showed myself to him," Monroe said as he calmed down. "So now he's kinda, you know, questioning his sanity since he saw me."

"What?! Monroe, you showed yourself to someone?" Nick's mouth was slightly agape like he'd just seen a Wesen.

"Yeah. It wasn't my proudest moment, dude," Monroe replied, shaking his head.

"And a Bluerod is…?"

"Jack found one of my notebooks that talked about Blutbaden," I said hurriedly as I put on my jacket. "He kept calling them Bluerods. I convinced him it was a fictional character I made up for a class in college. But now I'm not so sure he thinks they're fictitious."

"So, then who are Chloe and Pete?"

"Chloe is my best friend, and Pete is her brother."

"They're the Karnickelhöhles," added Monroe. I shot him a look. "What? You didn't tell him?" Monroe seemed a bit surprised.

"Karnick-whats?" Nick asked, scratching his head.

"They're rabbit-like Wesen." I used layman's terms for Nick's sake as I pulled out my car keys.

"Why didn't you tell me anything about them, or that kind of Wesen?" Nick snapped. "I thought we were done with the secrets."

"My secrets, yes. But I'm not going to reveal everyone else's secrets. But now you know, so congrats."

"Dude, I didn't know you hadn't mentioned them," Monroe said. "Sorry."

"And they know about you, right?" asked Nick.

"Yeah, of course they do," I shook my head in frustration. "And while I'd like to discuss this further, I really need to go home. Monroe, call me when you're done with Nick." I rushed over to give him a fast kiss and headed toward the door.

"Renée, I really think I should go with you," Monroe urged as I was leaving.

I turned as I held the door open. "Go help Nick. I'll be fine for right now. Jack isn't here yet, so it'll be all right," I assured him as I closed the door behind me.

I practically stomped to my car, threw on Limp Bizkit's 'Break Stuff' full blast, rolled down the windows, and drove off to my house. I sang out the lyrics and tried to control my reckless woge, but it was in full force.

"It's just one of those days,
When you don't wanna wake up.
Everything is fucked,
Everybody sucks.
You don't really know why,
But you want justify,
Rippin' someone's head off…"

Jack was so lucky he wasn't already here. I would've done more than rip his head off! I pounded my fist into the steering wheel, imagining it was his head.

After the song ended I put on some Mozart's 'Symphony No. 25,' which was still too upbeat to calm me down. I let the practiced calm wash me over as best it could. I was resilient and I would get through this. Jack, however, probably wouldn't survive. I couldn't play out a scenario in my mind that didn't end up badly for him. Either Monroe would kill him or Chloe would. Maybe with my newfound skills, I would. I pushed the negative thoughts out and let Mozart take me out of my anger.

I pulled in my driveway, and there were two bunnies sitting on my front porch. Chloe practically ran to my car as I got out.

"Okay, so are you ready for this?" she asked me before I could even close my car door.

"Chloe, I have no clue. It's been a horrible day," I said while making my way to the house. Pete remained on the porch with a half-grin on his face.

"Where's Monroe at?" Chloe asked and I turned as she peeked into the car like she expected to find him in there somewhere.

"He's with Nick looking for some Jacene," I replied, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Jacene?" Chloe gasped. "Like the drug, 'J?'"

"Yeah." I walked through the front door with my rabbit friends close behind. "A Fuchsbau had some in the basement of his spice shop. Two Skalengecks came in to rob him and score the drugs. I got to witness his murder today."

"What?! You witnessed a murder?" Chloe was as concerned as I knew she would be. She and Pete removed their jackets quickly. "What else has happened? I know there's something more."

I really didn't want to tell her everything else, but one look at me and she knew. There was always so much to tell Chloe.

"Of course there's more," I bleakly replied. No use trying to hide it. I wasn't in the mood to feign innocent tonight. "I'm glad you're here though." I gave her a hug, but then stopped to look into her crystal blue eyes. "I can't believe you're here in Portland." I finally found a small smile.

"It's not for a fun visit," she reminded me. "I really wish it was." I didn't want to be reminded.

I pointed to my living room. "You guys make yourselves comfortable on the couch. What can I get you to drink?"

"Oh, I don't want anything," Chloe replied.

"You'll want something. Trust me," I said with a knowing look. "Pete, what's your poison?"

"Just a beer is fine, Née," he said, looking over my house. "This place is huge."

"Yeah, I decided if I was going to live here I may as well get something roomy. There are guest bedrooms upstairs you guys can have," I commented while motioning my hand toward the stairs.

Thank goodness I'd slowly been furnishing the upstairs rooms, since now they had a purpose. I had two spare guest rooms in case Chloe and my parents ever decided to visit for the weekend. Well, now my mom and Chloe… Oh, I really didn't need to think about that right now, too. One thing at a time, Renée.

I shook my head and went to the fridge, pulling out a bottle of Rogue for Pete. I grabbed a bottle of vodka and some orange juice out for Chloe. If only I had something stronger, because she was going to need it after I told her everything I'd been avoiding. Even vodka wasn't strong enough for this conversation.

I handed the drinks over and set the bottles of vodka and juice on the coffee table.

Chloe tilted her head awkwardly. "You're leaving out the bottle?"

I plopped down on the light blue and gray carpet, looking up at both of them.

"Yeah, you'll understand why in a minute. Are you ready for some story time?" I asked and they both nodded.

A/N: So, okay... Grimm story mode continues while we have a bit of an arch in play. Jack! (Queue ominous music) But Chloe and Pete are in town! Oh, boy!

Sorry, no details on Renée and Monroe's run. I figure you guys have had enough stories of running through the woods that you'd get the drift there. LOL!

Let's continue to the next chapter, shall we? (: (Or stop and comment, whichever.)