In which we hear Linda's version of events, and there is a showdown between the Renard brothers.
Sean and Nick waited anxiously as Donna called her coworker. Donna put her on speaker, but Linda sounded a little groggy. Sean asked her to tell them what happened the night before to the best of her recollection.
"Everybody came in, hanging all over each other, laughing hysterically about something or other. There was nobody else around, and you were all causing quite a ruckus... there was Nick and Sean, a really tall guy..."
"Monroe," Nick supplied.
"Monroe, and a girl with pink hair... her name escapes me at the moment. Unfortunately, one of the hazards of the job is I see so many people that the only names I ever remember are the ones I have to enter into the database, because I have to spell them properly. Anyway, the two of you are hanging on each other, being all affectionate, they're hanging on each other, all kisses and giggles. Nick, I think, told me that they needed to get those two married immediately. You see, at night, the gazebo is all lit up with fairy lights, and it's actually quite lovely, and the girl kept saying it was so pretty... so we print out a marriage license, and they're standing there facing each other, holding hands, and Monroe looks into the girl's eyes, and then he turns away and he just says, 'I can't.' Girl starts crying, and he pulls her into the corner and starts talking to her. I think he had sobered up enough to realize it wasn't a good idea..."
"And you don't know what they said to each other?"
"No, sorry, I figured they needed a moment. She eventually agreed with him, and they hugged each other.. in the meantime, Sean and Nick started singing and dancing together. The girl thought it was really funny, so Monroe pulled out his phone and started taking a video. Anyway, the girl suggested the two of you get married, and I explained that you couldn't legally be married, but we could do a commitment ceremony. So we do that, nice and quick, Sean gives Nick a ring he had with him, and they both "sign" the marriage license. Nick actually signed it, and I think Sean was trying to be silly, so he drew an upside-down phallus."
"Huh," Nick commented, "Explains why I couldn't read it... Sean, you don't normally sign stuff with dick drawings, do..."
"NO. This was a very, very special case. So we're not legally married?"
"No. And even if it was a legal wedding, a picture of a penis is not a legally acceptable signature."
"Even if your name is Peter?" Renard joked, causing Nick to snort and punch his arm. Donna and Linda both laughed as well.
"No, it isn't," Donna reassured him. "Is that all?"
"Yes, thank you Linda... Donna... we appreciate it."
"Anytime!" Linda said before hanging up. Donna smiled and handed them a brochure as she led them out.
"And when gay marriage is legalized here, feel free to come back and make it official! You two really are so cute together!"
"Umm, thanks," Nick said quietly as they left, turning down a quiet side street. Sean pulled out his phone.
"Hank said detention center was a dead end, they're going back to the hotel. So he didn't get married but he left with her... I don't know, that just doesn't FUCK!" Somebody smaller and thinner tackled Sean from behind, shoving him against the wall. Eric, with a black eye that seemed to take up half of his pale face.
"Bonjour, mon frère," he said in a menacing voice. Nick pulled the brothers apart and immobilized Eric by pinning his arms behind his back. Nick fervently wished he had his handcuffs as Eric struggled, but the Grimm was stronger.
"GODDAMNIT, ERIC! Okay, I'm sorry about last night. Look, here's your ring back." Sean tucked Eric's ring into his breast pocket. "And I'll comp your bottle of absinthe, okay?" Eric stopped struggling, clearly understanding he would be fighting a monster he himself had created.
"Do you think that's all that this is about?"
"Oh, I'm sure it isn't, you pompous narcissist. Care to enlighten me?"
"Oh, I shall, you malodorous simpleton; I just hope you'll understand."
"Try me, you pretentious twit."
"And I'll use small words, you half-witted half-breed."
"Will you stop being a fucking douchebag and explain yourself?" Nick yelled in Eric's ear. Eric turned to face the Grimm with a look of great disgust.
"No need to be completely crass about it!" He turned back to his brother. "Anyway, it is more a matter of dignity than monetary compensation. I was minding my own business, here for a little pleasure, and I made the acquaintance of a lovely young lady working at the blackjack tables at the Bellagio, lovely girl from Germany. I don't remember her name, but I was intending to... spend some quality time with her. I got lost, and ended up on the 29th floor. I was trying to be quick and discreet, but I was pulled into your party by the, shall I say, eager beaver. Since I was clearly out of my element, I really had no intention of staying, but you saw me and decided to," Eric chuckled, "defend YOUR Grimm. As if he can't defend himself. You yelled that he was a Grimm in front of everybody, and you GREATLY embarrassed me by punching me in front of all of those people! I woke up, bound in fishnet stockings, in a SERVICE CLOSET, my Royal family ring gone, no absinthe, and having missed my rendezvous! And I was found by a MAID! Honestly, like some kind of low-class trash! That is no way to treat a Prince of the Seven Families, dear brother!"
"So this is about your pride?"
"OF COURSE IT'S ABOUT MY PRIDE! When is it not, Sean?" Nick couldn't hold back a snicker. "All of the Wesen in that room? Somebody may have recognized me! And to see me felled with one punch..."
"But you're supposed to be dead, what would it matter?" Nick asked, thoroughly confused. Eric stopped a moment.
"Hmm, you have a point... but that does NOT change the fact that you and I have unfinished business, brother, and much of it."
"No kidding. We always have." Sean replied dryly.
"And I will continue to do my best to make your life a living hell whenever I am able." Sean sighed and checked his watch.
"Lovely, Eric, but honestly, it's getting late, and we need to find somebody." Eric smiled, a slow, creepy smile that reminded Nick of the animation of the Grinch getting his wonderful, awful idea.
"Reeeeeeeeeally? Business or pleasure?"
"It is my pleasure to tell you it's none of your business."
"Oh dear, are we in trouble, Sean? Did we lose somebody important? Actually, I seem to recall a phone call from dear Axel that told me you were here with your friend Monroe. Monroe the clockmaker Blutbad, yes? All set to marry the pretty Fuchsbau who runs the Exotic Tea and Spice Shop. Yes, he clearly adores her. Lovely mixed breed pairing; I know his parents are so proud! Looking forward to their little Vorherrsch mongrel grandchildren, I'm sure. And he's gone missing? My, wouldn't it be a shame if something were to happen to him... an accident just a few weeks shy of the wedding..."
"How do you know that?" Nick growled, holding the man's arms tighter. Eric knew too many details.
"Oh, do you think dear Sean is the only one keeping tabs on everything? I have my sources as well. Now, where was I? Oh, yes! An accident before the wedding! You see, though, Miss Calvert is quite the survivor; she would be crushed if something happened to her sweet Monroe, but not nearly as devastated as he would be if something happened to her... She's such a lovely thing, though, and Sean knows I do so hate to ruin works of great beauty. I wonder what she sees in him? I assume he makes a lot of money, Fuchsbau like that... Surely she would leave him if something better came along? Maybe instead of ruining your life, Sean, I could ruin theirs!"
"You wouldn't!" Sean growled. Eric laughed coldly.
"Wouldn't I, Sean? Dangle a few shiny baubles in front of the Vixen, invite her to come away with me and be my mistress, shatter his heart... oh, and then maybe abandon her in such a way she'd be ashamed to go back to him... Or even better, use a memory Zaubertrank on her, make her forget he ever existed, that she ever loved him, and take her back to Portland, watch him try desperately to win her back..." Eric turned to Nick. "The Grimm is familiar with this. How would you like that, Nick? Seeing your friend living that Hell you yourself experienced? He really is much more emotionally fragile than you think he is; I don't think he could handle it. Or, even better, maybe she'll react the way your Juliette did, and start beating him? And he'll blame himself. Just like you do. He's so steadfast, he'll probably waste away, pining for what once was his, allowing her to bloody and bruise him, hoping it will bring her back to him... It shall be so beautifully tragic..." Sean couldn't take it any longer and kicked his brother square between the legs. Nick held the Royal up as he sagged in pain, groaning. Sean grabbed his brother's face, and woged in anger. Eric and Nick both flinched at the appearance of the Zauberbiest, who put his face right up next to his brother's.
"If I were not already having the weekend from Hell, I would kill you right here, right now. The only reason is that I know that with my luck right now, I would be caught. I am letting you go because we need to find him and get him home. And we will find him before you do. And I will make sure that you do not come anywhere near either of them, EVER, because if you do... well, let's just say that I can't murder somebody who is already dead. Find Axel and get the hell back to New York, and God have mercy on you if I ever see you again." He gave Eric one more solid kick to the groin, and Nick dropped the Royal to the ground. Eric writhed in pain for a few moments before staggering to his feet.
"This isn't over, Sean," he mumbled as he limped away.
"It never is." Sean and Nick watched Eric disappear, and Sean sighed deeply. Nick instinctively reached out and rubbed Sean's back. "You are so lucky you're an only child, Nick," he muttered.
"You don't think he'd really do that to Monroe and Rosalee, do you?" Nick asked. Sean shrugged.
"I somewhat doubt it... he doesn't generally like to do the Bond villain thing, explain his entire plan. I think he was trying to get a rise out of us... especially you." Sean turned and caught Nick's hand. "Was he right, though?"
"About what?" Nick stammered. Shit, shit, shit.
"About Juliette? She beats you?"
"Umm..." Sean's hand was warm in his, and it caused his skin to tingle. Sean's other hand gently cupped Nick's cheek, raising the Grimm's blue eyes to his own, searching.
"I don't bruise anymore." Nick whispered, shaking his head. That was apparently all Sean needed to hear, as he enveloped Nick in a tight embrace. Nick wanted to hold everything in, but the dam burst, and tears fell like rain onto Sean's shoulders as the Royal calmly stood, rocking his Grimm back and forth. At some point, Sean gently kissed Nick's temple and whispered in his ear.
"It's okay. We'll take care of you."