In which Nick loosens up, some balls are figuratively busted (don't worry, literal ballbusting will come later), and a challenge is made.
The plane touched down in Las Vegas around 7 pm. The men all had carry-ons, so they were able to get off the plane fairly quickly. Monroe and Bud were debating the best way to get to the hotel while Nick, Hank, and Renard shared a smirk. They rounded a corner and a man was holding a sign that read 'Monroe's Bachelor Party', which the man in question almost walked right past before Renard grabbed his arm. The man led them outside to a black limo. The Blutbad was stunned.
"Shut the hell up! You're joking. You cannot be serious right now!"
"Do I joke? Ever?" the Royal raised his eyebrows, but couldn't keep the stony façade for long.
"Oh wow, I've never been in a limo before!" Bud commented as he climbed in. "This is really nice!"
"I've never been in one either, buddy," Monroe said. "Wow, I can't thank you guys enough for this!"
"Well, you only get married once..." Hank began.
"Unless you're Hank," Nick finished, and Hank rolled his eyes before continuing.
"But seriously, we know you and Rosalee are going to be happy, but we want to send you off into the new frontier in the best possible way."
"And also," Renard interjected, "you've been an invaluable asset to the City of Portland, and to all of us personally, so why not go big? You deserve it." Monroe looked like he was on the verge of tears.
"Damn. If I had known what jumping out my window and wrestling a Grimm to the ground would lead to, I would have done it years ago!'
"Well, this is just the start. You're in for a hell of a weekend, my friend!" They shared a laugh, and Hank opened up the bar, pulling out another bottle of vodka.
'It'll take about half an hour to get to the hotel in this traffic. Our dinner reservation is for 9:30. Who's up for some shots? There are shot glasses right by Nick's head."
They set up the shot glasses, Hank poured, and Nick handed them out. Monroe sniffed his drink warily.
"This isn't plain vodka. What is this? It smells like pure sugar." Hank read the label.
"Ummm... says 'birthday cake'. Why, you don't want it?" Monroe shrugged.
"I'm not generally into the fancy flavored stuff, but I'll give it a try."
"Really?" Nick asked, faking exasperation. The other men looked at him questioningly, "You, King Snark of the Terrible Puns, are going to give the birthday cake vodka a try? I am so incredibly disappointed right now."
"Okay, fine, smartass, I'll give it a shot."
"Thank you! Salud!" They all threw back their shot, and it took a moment for them to register. Bud woged unintentionally. Hank didn't see it, but the other men did.
"This is the weirdest thing I think I have ever put in my mouth," Bud muttered as he pulled himself together.
"I don't know, I kinda like it," Renard commented, handing his glass back to Hank, "Give me another one so I can make sure."
"Okay, I don't want to go to dinner wasted, but I'm with him, I think I need another taste to be sure how I feel about it..." Monroe agreed, "Shit's stronger than I expected, though."
"It's not that strong, you wimp," Hank joked as he filled up the glasses again.
"No way, man, that's how this stuff gets you, it's so sweet you don't realize how much alcohol is in it until you wake up in the gutter. You're a cop, you should know that,"
"Nah, I think the big, bad Blutbad is a wuss. Now drink your alcohol, there are sober kids in India or something."
"Just watch me, Kehrseite. I bet I could drink all of you under the table."
"Okay, that is a bet I will not be partaking in. Phoebe would kill me," Bud commented in his typical nervous manner. Monroe gently patted his shoulder.
"Okay, Bud's exempt. But the rest of you? It is ON. Prost!"
"Prost!"
The rest of the limo ride was spent looking at the lights on the Strip and chatting happily as their buzz grew. They polished off the bottle of vodka just as the limo pulled up to the hotel.
'I think Rosalee would like that a lot. Remind me to get her some for her birthday."
"Hey, Monroe, get Rosalee some birthday cake vodka for her birthday!"
"Thanks, Nick. Are you going be like this all weekend?"
"Possibly." Monroe rolled his eyes, but, try as he might, he couldn't muster any real annoyance. It was good to see Nick was relaxing for once. Maybe this little weekend getaway would do him some good.
"Well, I'm gonna text Rosalee that we're here. You guys should probably let Juliette and Phoebe know, too."