Disclaimer: All characters and basic concepts used in this story are the property of their respective owners. I own nothing; they are used solely for entertainment purposes. Any copyright infringement is not intended or implied.

Credit: A special thanks goes to pink chocolate unicorn—without you it would not have been possible. Thank you for always standing behind me; for everything you do for me :)

Note: Excuse me for the long delay - but I hope you like the new chapter.

Chapter 8

After visiting Adalind and Kelly at the hospital, Nick drove Trubel and Rosalee to his house. He quickly packed up a few things and then they headed over to Monroe and Rosalee's. They had offered Nick and Trubel a place to stay for the next few days. Nick hadn't wanted to go back to his house... not after everything that had happened there. He'd rather sleep on Rosalee and Monroe's floor before going back to that house; he knew sleeping there, after the horrors that had happened, would be impossible.

He would eventually go back, but only once everything was cleaned.

For Trubel, it was actually not much different than for Nick. Neither of them had felt comfortable with the idea, and were both grateful when Rosalee offered to call a cleaning company which would clean up the house in their absence.

xxxx

Nick sat in the chair, Trubel with Rosalee on the couch. Monroe was perched on the arm of the chair.

Nick looked between Rosalee and Monroe. "Are you sure? I—we—don't want to make things... complicated for you." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Trubel nodding her agreement.

Monroe gave Nick a patient look, raising his eyebrows. "Are you kidding? Do you really think we would leave you both to sleep there? After everything that happened there yesterday?!" he asked, incredulous.

"Listen; Monroe, Rosalee," Trubel started, "We don't want to be any trouble." She glanced at Nick, then Rosalee and Monroe. They were both good friends and the thought of bringing more drama and pain to their home was unthinkable.

Monroe and Rosalee shared a look, both silently agreeing once again. She rested a comforting hand on Trubel and Nick, leaning forward a little so she could reach both at the same time. "This is the worst time to argue. You two are welcome to stay here—and no arguments," she insisted. She paused a moment. "And besides, where else are you going to go? To a hotel? That's silly—we have the room and I'm not going to let you two go anywhere else," she said in a voice that brook no argument. Besides, it was a tough time for them all; staying together just made sense.

Trubel and Nick both looked at each other, briefly pondering. They both knew that tone from Rosalee very well. They both looked Monroe but he just only nodded to his wife to confirm he agreed with what she'd said. It was a very clear offer.

Nick looked repeatedly between his friends. "Thank you so much for the offer. Are you sure that we're not going to be a burden?" he asked, as a precaution.

Rosalee and Monroe both moved to slap him upside the head, and luckily he ducked in time. He was almost falling out of the chair, his legs having slipped down. He complained with a "Hey!" At first he looked puzzled but then he managed to grin. After Trubel saw his face, she wasn't able to hold in her laughter. Even Monroe and Rosalee had to laugh. It was nice... but the moment didn't last long, their laughter tapering off and stopping abruptly. Of course, it was not funny what happened yesterday but Nick's confused expression was worth gold.

They all settled down again and chatted for a while.

Soon enough, yawns were breaking into the conversation and everyone decided it was time to call it a night. It was decided that Nick and Trubel would sleep in the guest room. No one should sleep on the couch; it was too small for either of them to be comfortable. It would certainly be strange to share a room and a bed, but both of them were adults and definitely knew what they were doing. What they would naturally not do. Why couldn't a man and a woman share a bed? They were friends, after all—that was the main thing.

I know it is a bit short, but I did not know how I should make it longer. But I hope you like it nevertheless :)

TBC?