Family Ties Chapter Eleven
AN – I love reading all you comments and some of the theories so far. I'm following canon as much as I can, whilst having changed it, because there are bits from the show I loved but also obviously bits I didn't quite agree with. More of my own lore is coming as well and I hope everything makes sense as we go on.
Also, heads up that my pre-reader couldn't get to this chapter so any mistakes are my own. She's been a very good sport as I've dragged her into the world of Grimm and this story of mine.
I do not own any characters or stories from the tv show Grimm. Some dialogue is lifted from various episodes in Season 3 and Season 4. No infringement or copyright is intended. It's all for fun, no profit being made here.
Hope you're sitting comfortably; this is now the longest chapter so far. In Adalind's words, it's a whopper, lol.
-G-
Nick swings the Kanabo as his opponent ducks, trying to use the momentum of his swing against him and go for his legs. But his senses flare up, giving him warning and so he is able to shift, swing around on one foot to bring the club down to knock them onto their ass instead. They roll away as he moves to incapacitate them and he follows, swiping as he goes and blocking their attempted attacks back at him. They shuffle backwards and forwards for minutes, meeting move for move until they reach an impasse, him bringing the Kanabo down as she brings the Machete up.
The thud can be heard around the clearing as well as her panting breaths.
"And you want me to learn to do that?" Josh calls out and both Nick and Trubel turn to him. He looks disbelieving and Trubel snorts as they disengage their weapons from each other.
"Maybe not exactly like this, not at first," Nick says back as they walk towards him.
"But close," Trubel adds in with a grin and Josh shakes his head at her.
"You guys fight like … I don't know, something else."
"I fight like I do because I had to learn, from the streets no less. Nick has the training from the police and Wesen encounters," she explains before angling towards Nick. "I do think it's a bit unfair that you seem to hardly be out of breath. That was intense and you're barely sweating, how come?" He thinks of the zombie episode and really doesn't want to get into that now so just shrugs.
"Grimm-ness," he replies vaguely and she raises her eyebrow at him. He chuckles before turning back to Josh, who's sitting just outside the trailer, Grimm book in his lap.
"We all have to start somewhere,"
"Do I, though, really?" Josh asks, "I'm not even a Grimm!"
"But it's in your blood," Nick points out. "So, I don't think we can rule out the possibility. It came to me late. I don't think there's any harm in you learning about Grimms and some moves, just in case."
"The Verrat found you once, they could do it again," Trubel points out and Josh nods. "Besides, learning to defend yourself is never a bad idea."
"It is when you're sitting where I am, watching the two of you fight like that, then realising you're going to be the ones teaching me," Josh mutters and Trubel laughs. They start to bicker good naturedly and Nick smiles as he listens from collecting more weapons inside the trailer.
It had been his idea to do some more training and Trubel had jumped at the chance. Honestly, with what he's seen her do in fights he'd been a little hesitant himself to face the younger Grimm but what she could do in moves he made up for in senses and experience.
The physical fighting was also a really good way to let off some steam and Nick was feeling calmer than he had in days. With everything going on right now, this was exactly the kind of distraction he needed, though it was still a worthy cause. Getting Josh trained up a bit and testing his own skills against Trubel were added bonuses.
And if it also keeps him away from the precinct, where Wu is waiting with questions and the general atmosphere after captain being shot, as well as his home where there's another long overdue conversation that needs to be had, well he's not concentrating on that so much right now. He's just working through some of his feelings in a more physical manner.
He wonders if he can convince Monroe to come and join in, once he's back from his honeymoon. Getting some, somewhat positive, experience fighting Wesen would be good for both of them and if it gave him a bit of payback after Monroe jumping on him so many times in his early days of Grimm training, well he won't pass up that opportunity.
Showing them both several of the weapons from the trailer and telling them how he's used them, he then proceeds to demonstrate their uses and ways to defend against them. Josh looks overwhelmed but Trubel is eager, asking questions and getting her hands on most of the items.
"Ok, pick your poison," he instructs and Trubel picks the three bladed knife almost instantly. Josh holds his hands up and backs away. She laughs at him and Nick shakes his head but gives him the retreat. He turns back to the younger Grimm, picking up the vambrace as he goes.
"Let's go again," he orders and doesn't miss her grin before she settles and there's a moment of quiet, calm, his senses zone in and he takes a breath, before Trubel launches herself at him and he pushes off to meet her.
-G-
"Hey man, thanks for doing this." Monroe says as Nick loads the suitcases into the back of his Land Cruiser. Both he and Rosalee are looking tan and healthy and so happy.
"It's not a problem. Did you guys have a good time?"
"Oh, it was amazing," Rosalee smiles and leans in as Monroe wraps his arm around her. Nick grins and has no issue as they both climb into the back, sitting close together as he gets behind the steering wheel.
"Well, if you're up for it then Juliette and I would be happy to hear all about it over dinner. Trubel will be there too."
"She still living with you?"
"Yeah. It's been interesting but great. I may be, what could be considered the more experienced Grimm out of the two of us but I feel like we're both learning from each other. I really hope she stays for a while."
"And what about the other one, uh, what was his name?"
"What, Josh? He and Trubel have been spending time together. I think he may find me a bit … intimidating." Nick shrugs. "So, was that a yes to dinner?"
"We'd love to Nick,"
"Good," he smiles at his friends and huffs a quiet laugh at their oversized grins in return. They both seem so happy and relaxed and though he doesn't begrudge them, isn't that how someone should return from their honeymoon, he can't help but feel a little jealous. He hasn't felt like that, really anywhere close to that, in his own relationship in what feels like a long time.
"How's Portland been while we've been away?"
"Oh, you know, the usual unusual." He spends the rest of the drive back from the airport telling them about his recent cases and the Wesen he's encountered. They are both intrigued by the golem and happy to hear how Trubel has been helping and learning along the way.
He's less sure when Rosalee asks how Juliette has been, able to tell them some of the work stories she's shared with him but otherwise he lapses into silence. It's not that he doesn't want to talk to his friends but he's still unsure about where he stands in his relationship. It kind of feels like that time after his proposal. He'd asked and she'd turned him down. She had her reasons, with merit, but their relationship definitely hit a roadblock. Revealing his new truth to her and her working through to acceptance had given them a new foundation but it had been far from solid. He can see the cracks now, especially with again her throwing another negative at him. He hadn't even asked about the topic. But they had talked about children and knowing how she feels about it now, he can't help but think that, this time, it's more like a bomb blast has gone off than what happened before. This is a crater, big and possibly insurmountable compared to the cracks from all that came before.
"Nick, are you sure everything is ok?" Of course, Rosalee has picked up on his sudden change of mood. He forces a smile back onto his face and is glad to note they are just moments away from their house.
"Yeah, yeah." He nods to emphasise his words but doesn't miss the shared look in the back seat. He pulls up in front of their house and offers to help get their luggage inside. Monroe is quick to accept and Nick laughs as he bumbles his way through explaining his desire to carry his wife over the threshold. Rosalee gives in with a kiss and Nick makes sure to take a few extra moments getting the cases out of the trunk before following them inside.
The atmosphere when he joins them is very different from what he'd just experienced in the car and Nick drops the bags down at the look on their faces.
"Everything ok?" He asks and is surprised when Monroe's eyes turn red in anger. "Monroe?"
"It's probably nothing," Rosalee murmurs and Nick steps closer to see something in the Blutbad's hand. A letter, made up from cut out newspaper clippings, repeating the same meanings, over and over, in different languages, types and fonts. Imagery that looks like blood.
Objection. Disapproval. Dislike. Oppose. Denounce.
"Put it down, try not to touch it any more than you already have," he instructs tersely and Moneros follows his words. "I'm going to get an evidence bag from the car, don't move it, ok?" They nod at him and he jogs outside, getting the bag and some gloves before returning to carefully place the letter inside.
As he does another symbol catches his eye, drawn on the back. A thick black line with two shorter diagonal lines on either end. Rosalee gasps as Monroe growls.
"A wolfsangel," he snarls.
"What?" Nick asks.
"It's German, a symbol meaning wolf trap, and sometimes it's used as a warning."
"A warning for what?"
"Some Wesen are against mixed marriages. It's a warning to us that we have broken the purity of Wesen blood." Rosalee says quietly and Nick finds himself wanting to growl. These people need to be caught and to leave his friends alone.
"Nick," Monroe starts but he cuts him off.
"I'll get this analysed and added to the case from your wedding day," he says and looks at both of his friends. "I'm sorry you've come home to something like this but I'll do everything I can to make sure it stops here."
"Thanks Nick," Rosalee says softly. "I think we might need some time to unpack. What time do you want us at yours tonight?" They arrange a time and Nick takes his leave, hoping he can pass this on to the lab and they can get some evidence which could tell them what the hell this all means.
-G-
Meeting with Hayes and Milliner to hand over the evidence and give a brief description of how it was found, Nick is disappointed to learn they haven't made much progress. They haven't given up the case but he can tell, with the little evidence and leads they have that it's not getting all their focus. He wants to argue but knows it's not his place, he's personally involved in this one, so the most he can do is extract a promise to inform him of any changes or advances in the case.
Dropping down into his seat he checks his emails for any notifications and is about to ring in when he hears footsteps and looks up. Wu meets his gaze and raises an eyebrow and Nick sighs.
"You ready to be honest with me yet?"
"I am," he states and Wu's eyes widen but he holds up his hand. "But not yet, not here or now. And this isn't a put you off thing, it's a we need time to tell you which none of us have right now. I will tell you Wu, just let me get some things in place, alright?" They had been called apart before, what with the captain being shot and the handling of an active investigation to one of their own. Nick is secretly glad he's not been put on that one, unsure as he is of how he feels about his superior right now. Still, Wu holds his gaze before nodding slowly and tapping the folder he holds in his hand on Nick's desk.
"Ok, alright. But I'm not going to wait long," he says and Nick nods back.
"I won't do that to you, Wu." He says, even though he kind of has already done a version of it to his friend. It's time now though and he can only hope it goes well. Asking for help from Monroe, Rosalee and even Trubel, he's hopeful they can get Wu in the know and acclimatised, in a manner of speaking, more smoothly than the rest of them.
"Hey, do you remember an Adalind Schade?" Nick jumps at hearing her name and sees Wu looking at him strangely. He definitely didn't expect to hear that name and he quickly thinks through what might be the right answer, for Wu, and that doesn't involve all the behind the scenes so many are unaware of.
"Ah, the Wincroft case?" He hopes his tone is as neutral sounding as he's projecting.
"Yeah, she was involved with that. Anyway, Captain left a folder behind for me to look at and it looks like it's centred around her. Figured I'd work on it so when he gets back, he's got some good news waiting for him."
"Have we heard anymore?"
"He was in critical condition but seems to have pulled through. Doctors aren't telling much and I think, last I heard, his mother was with him."
"And Meacham and Pogue are investigating?"
"Yeah, think they got some security camera footage they're working with." Nick nods before leaning back in his chair.
"You want any help with that?" He gestures to the folder still in Wu's hand. "I'm just sitting here right now so…" He tries for casual, hoping he's pulling it off. Wu shoots a look at him before shrugging and opening up the paper file.
"Guess a little divide and conquer can't hurt. I've got recent known locations and here's info on family." He hands Nick a couple pieces of paper before retreating to his own desk. Looking down at the information he sees it's the basic write up of Adalind's personal information, date of birth, marriage status, job history and known addresses. Also, data on her family and that brings a lurch to his stomach.
Does she know that his mother, who she's currently with and entrusting her daughter's life as well as her own to, killed her mother? The case remains unsolved but the list of Catherine Schade's assets catches his eye. They remain unclaimed and this is something Adalind is entitled to. It should go to her. The house has already gone through probate, with a significant sum owed due to unpaid taxes but there's a small sum left as well as several other items that could be of interest.
As discreetly as possible he copies down the information, hoping to memorise it so he can talk to Adalind about it later.
-G-
"It sounds like you had an amazing time," Juliette says as she tops up the wine glasses on the table. Trubel edges hers forward more and receives a small smile in response.
"We really did," Rosalee says and Monroe drops a kiss on her head. Nick shares a look with Juliette and they both grin at their friends.
"So, you're like married now. You going to have kids next?" Trubel asks and gets several looks cast her way. Nick can't help but stiffen at the question, thinking of Juliette's recent declaration. He's always wanted children, had pictured the scenario that Trubel is asking about. Get married, have children and build a family.
"I think we'll enjoy being married first," comes Rosalee's soft reply before adding with a grin. "Maybe just lots of practise for now." Trubel snorts into her drink and he thinks Monroe might actually be blushing. Juliette smothers a laugh and then hurriedly brings up whether they've got photos from the wedding back as Rosalee looks mischievously on.
They talk more about the wedding, steering clear of the rock incident, and then somehow shift onto music from the reception. Monroe and Juliette get quite involved with it while Trubel makes some truly horrifying suggestions of songs that should never, in Nick's opinion, be played at a wedding. He's happy to sit back and watch, the atmosphere at the table light and happy. He's not the only one though and Rosalee catches his eye as she too glances around, eyes shifting from person to person.
He tries to see what she might be picking up on. Him, hopefully looking content. Juliete and Monroe at odds in a playful dispute. Trubel just lapping up the atmosphere whilst sneaking more wine. It's not like she isn't legal but he knows she hasn't had many experiences like this and if she wants to act out the rebelling youngster, he's not going to stop her. He edges her glass just out of reach for fun and gets a tongue poked out at him in reply. He grins then senses Rosalee's stare again and looks up. She's looking around the table and he thinks he finally gets it. They're not in their usual seating arrangement. In fact, they're nowhere close. Trubel is at his side with Monroe the other. Rosalee next to him and Juliette opposite but one. With their table the two couples could be next to each other but Juliette had set it up so they weren't and he hadn't questioned it. Actually, felt more comfortable this way.
Turning to engage Trubel in discussion, he tries not to feel Rosalee's weighted stare and knows she's noticed it too. There'll be a conversation in their future and he has no idea what he'll say.
-G-
The familiar muted colours greet his eyes and he stretches as his senses flare with that magic feeling he's coming to associate with these dreams and with Adalind.
She greets him with a smile and he responds automatically before it falls away as he remembers what he has to talk to her about.
"Uh oh," Adalind says and her own smile drops. "Is everything ok?" She steps closer to him, hand coming to rest on his bicep and he feels content at the contact, the offer of comfort.
"I have to talk to you about some things and it might not be entirely comfortable," he states and sees her head tilt in curiosity before eyes widen in alarm.
"Is it the Royals? Have they found something? Found us? They're not getting Diana-"
"No, no! That's not what I meant." He cuts her off and then reaches up to hold both her shoulders. "I'm sorry, I should have said it better. No one knows where you are. Diana is safe. You're safe." He meets her gaze and lets his words sink in for a moment, thumbs brushing the tops of her arms softly.
"Sorry," she mumbles, looking down but he ducks his own head to keep her stare.
"No, I'm sorry. I should have thought of how that would sound." She nods at his words and lips move in a quick smile. Her hands come up to rest on his forearms but otherwise she doesn't move away from him.
"I do have some news that you might not like hearing though, and it involves your mother."
"My mother?"
"Yeah. You already know she died but I never told you how it happened-"
"Nick," she interrupts, "I don't hold that against you. I put you in a horrible position and I can only imagine my mother's response to you going to her for information. I am sorry for all that happened back then. I know it might sound a bit trite but I really was a different person then to who I am now, who I'm trying to be."
"I know you are Adalind, I can see it, but I have to tell you it wasn't me." She blinks up at him. "I wasn't there, I wasn't involved in her death. It was my mom."
"Oh." With all the times they've met here and shared dreams he's never felt uncomfortable like this. Silence stretches between them and she steps out of his hold. Cold rolls through him without her touch.
"Adalind-"
"It's fine, Nick." She says but keeps her face angled away from him.
"I'm sorry," he tries to touch her but she steps further away. "I didn't … I mean …" He trails off and then shakes himself. "I'm sorry to have to tell you like this. I wish it had been brought up sooner, as I can't imagine how you're feeling right now. But I did have a reason to tell you. First, Captain was shot." She whirls back around to face him and Nick holds up his hand to stall any interruption. "We don't know much. He was meeting someone and I'm not handling the investigation, though pretty much everyone at the precinct is talking about it. I am keeping my eyes and ears open. But from that we found he had some information on you, and so on your mother. Including the state of her affairs after her death."
He gives her a brief overview of the report, the money, the taxes and the other items mentioned. Her face remains closed off to him but he reassures himself that at least she's listening to him.
"A storage locker?" She queries quietly and he nods. "Nick, I think I might need you to go check that out. My mother had a lot of Hexenbiest artifacts that she wouldn't just leave at home. They could be very useful and possibly dangerous in the wrong hands." He nods and goes to respond but the colours around them start to mix and for the first time he fights the end of their shared dream.
"Wait, no, Adalind, are you -" He gets no further, the edges of his vision spinning and leaving him with a last look of her face, pale and drawn with blue eyes wide and weary.
-G-
He wakes feeling unsettled and the feeling stays with him as he moves throughout the day. Juliette questions him but he brushes her off and even Trubel picks up on his mood. Hank and Wu both call him out on it and he can tell them nothing so distracts them both by arranging to take Wu to the trailer and finally telling him the truth. Driving out to the trailer and parking he and Hank move with confidence while Wu cautiously follows them.
"Uh, what are we doing?"
"You'll see," Hank says and Wu's eye brows shoot up.
"I'll see what?"
"It'll be a lot easier to show you than tell you Wu."
"No, wait, wait, wait. I don't care if it's easier, why don't you just tell a little first?" Hank's reply causes a disagreement and they go back and forth for a few minutes, listing the things Wu has seen and been a part of and begun to question. Finaly Nick just goes into the trailer and brings back the book on Aswang, handing it to Wu.
"I've got more of these books. If that's not something you're interested in, we can turn back around and never talk about this again." Wu looks at the book in his hand, the very accurate drawn picture before glancing between Nick and Hank.
"No. Let's see what you've got." Going inside the trailer leads to more questions and answers but Wu doesn't negatively react. Nick doesn't know if this is the calm before the storm but he'll take it, explaining as best he can as Wu listens to his every word.
"So … you think you can handle this? Or do you just want to walk away?"
"I'm not going anywhere." Wu says and sits down, unknowingly copying many before him to settle in and lose time reading Grimm books.
-G-
It's like she knows. Adalind tries to not be emotional, not fly off the handle and begin a confrontation. But the older woman's eyes don't leave her all morning, her tone seems sharper as she critiques her and it just all build inside her until she can no longer say nothing.
"Were you ever going to tell me?" She demands and Kelly looks at her in query.
"About what?"
"Nick told me, about what happened between you and my mother." She nods as if she's been expecting this to come up and it irritates Adalind even further.
"I'm not going to apologise," Kelly states and she frowns.
"Why not? I've apologised to Nick, I've said sorry. Why can't you?" She glares across the room as it becomes apparent that the other woman isn't going to respond. "You killed a dangerous Wesen, fine, I get that. But that person was also my mother and you can't even say sorry for being involved in her death?"
Kelly just sets her shoulders and Adalind feels herself settling into her anger. This isn't how she wanted this conversation to go but she's almost past caring. She feels wrung out and still on, seemingly always on, the backfoot with this woman.
"I can't do this; I can't be here right now." Her words spurn a response and Kelly steps closer to her even as she turns away.
"Adalind, you can't-"
"Can't what? Leave? Why not? You get to go out, leave these four walls! Don't deny it, I know you do! Well, I'm going to take my daughter for a walk, something a normal family would do! Get us out of this house just for a little while and away from you!" She whirls around and strides into the lounge, picking Diana up as Kelly blocks the doorway.
"Adalind, I understand-"
"No, you don't! Don't try that with me!" She feels her face ripple with a partial Woge due to her emotions and tries to take a deep breath to calm down. Diana gurgles in her arms, eyes on her face.
"We can talk about this," Kelly starts and she snorts out a dark laugh.
"Oh, now you want to talk? Just a minute ago you weren't going to say anything!"
"I handled that wrong, I'm sorry but-"
"So, you can say sorry for a conversation but not for killing someone!" Her voice rises as she talks and Diana lets out a whimper. Adalind cuddles her close as she goes to leave but Kelly doesn't move her station in the doorway. "Don't try to stop me!" She almost growls and sees Kelly's face shift into a scowl.
"Adalind, you can't leave-"
"Try and stop me!" She barks out and there's a sudden blast of power through the air. A cold breeze rushes through and the doors around them open and close with a bang. She sees Kelly's face drop in alarm then she spins towards the front door.
"Adalind! Wait, come back!" She's rooted to the spot as she watches the Grimm fling open the door and rush out, as if chasing someone. She gasps as shock helps the anger fade and then looks down to see Diana's eyes glowing bright and purple.
"Oh," she whispers before moving to the door to see Kelly and call her back. The Grimm pauses in her rush, looking around as if she can't quite make sense of what she's hearing and seeing.
"It's ok Diana, let Kelly see us," she murmurs and holds her up to show her the older woman standing and peering around in confusion. "We're ok, little one, just a misunderstanding." The purple fades and Kelly sighs out their names before striding over to them.
"What happened? I saw you leave! You walked right past me!"
"We didn't," Adalind replies. "We never moved. I think Diana made you see that." She looks down at her daughter who coos back up at her.
"That was impressive. I absolutely believed you got past me and left." Kelly says. She nods before moving to set Diana down on the carpet again, watching as she floats a favourite toy over to herself.
"I guess we have some things to talk about," the older woman takes a seat opposite and Adalind sinks onto the floor by her daughter. Diana looks between the two of them and chatters something before turning back to her toy.
"I'm out of practise at this," the brunette admits softly. "I have had to do many things in my life that I did with the purpose of keeping people I loved safe. I am not without regrets over many of them. You mother's death wasn't intentional, though I was being fairly persistent in my questioning of her. Nicky was rather distraught over that spell on Juliette and I was trying to help. Trying to do the right thing for him. One small act to make up for the many I didn't do as he grew up away from me." She pauses here and Adalind waits, watching as she too fixes her eyes on the infant in the room.
"I didn't do right by my own son, though I do still believe it kept him safe. But I can't deny that seeing your situation made me re-think how I could have done things differently. Kept my family together. I don't know. She's so powerful and has to be protected. I believe that but that doesn't mean I'm always going to get things right. Especially the more emotional side of things. I've been mostly on my own for years now, so including others in planning and being aware of different opinions and feelings is something I will have to work on."
Silence settles between them and Adalind tries to picture it, having her daughter and loving her and having to leave her for her own protection. It's a different situation but she can see the parallels and why Kelly might have seen some redemption in her actions.
"Adalind," she looks up to meet her stare. "I am sorry I was involved in your mother's death. I will try, going forward, to be aware of more than just the facts and actions in a scenario. Your feelings are valid and if we hope to survive this, all of us and remain relatively intact, then we need to work on our communication."
"I know I need to work on that too," she says after a few moments of silence. "I guess I also haven't had many experiences of people caring enough to know my feelings and opinions." She takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders.
"Thank you for the apology. I guess part of me is still working through my own feelings in regards to my mother's death. It wasn't the only thing Nick talked about though. He had news that Sean, her father and the Royal in Portland, had been shot. He couldn't tell me much but did say it looked like Sean had been investigating me." Kelly leans forward as she talks. "Nick was going to look into it."
"Alright, it was always a possibility that Renard would be more likely to look, as he has awareness of your daughter and did attempt to help get you out of Europe. But the Verrat were also there so we can't be positive he wasn't involved in warning them. In my experience, members of the Royal families are slippery and never to be fully trusted. I know it's not ideal but our best action right now is to stay as we are, lay low and learn what we can." She nods, knowing what Kelly is saying is true. She can't help but feel like her outburst earlier did reveal some things she had been keeping hidden, even from herself.
She will do anything for her daughter but that doesn't mean she isn't starting to go a little stir crazy only being inside this house.
"I said Diana needed to be raised as normally as possible and I stand by that. But this isn't normal, in any way shape or form, and maybe we need to work on that too. So perhaps we can work into getting some outside time for all of us." They share a look and Adalind smiles, nodding and working on the feeling of being part of a team. It's a nice feeling and she hopes it's something they can build on so Diana grows up knowing she has people who care about her. Care about them both, for simply being who they are and nothing more.
-G-
"Adalind." He greets as the swirling colours fade and steps closer to her. She looks wrung out and he hesitates.
"It's ok, Nick. Your mom and I talked it out." Her words are soft and he's not convinced.
"Are you alright?" She looks up and pauses before shaking her head slowly. He doesn't hesitate now, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around her in a hug. She sighs and leans into him, warmth and sparks erupting where their bodies press against each other.
They stay just like that and far sooner than he'd like the colours and edges of their dream speed up. He pulls her closer, breathing in her scent and appreciating the familiar feeling of her body pressed against his before the sensation of her in his arms fades away.
-G-
He knocks on the door and waits, glancing around down the quiet street. A car drives past and Nick follows it with his eyes as he hears the lock turn from inside and Rosalee opens the Spice Shop door to let him in.
"Morning," she greets with a smile and he echoes the sentiment, looking through the shop as she closes the door behind them. "No Monroe?"
"I thought it might be more comfortable, just us." She replies and Nick nods, knowing now where this conversation is heading. "I made some tea," she gestures to the side room and the high table with stools set aside and warm tea pot on the top. He doesn't really like tea but appreciates the effort Rosalee is going to, to make this as calm and relaxing as possible. He settles beside her and waits, letting her take the lead.
"Nick, is everything ok? I couldn't help but notice some … changes in atmosphere the other night." He chuckles darkly at her wording before meeting her gaze and shrugging.
"I'm not really sure," he starts. "There's been a lot going on recently. Some of it, I'm not sorry for, meeting and getting to know Trubel has been amazing. But it feels like something is building or maybe even falling apart between Juliette and I. She's been saying things, here and there and I guess I'm just unsure where it leaves us." He runs his hand through his hair, dropping his shoulders down as he prepares to say more.
"We've been through so much, I thought we'd reached a good place where she was ok with the Grimm part of me but … she said … she doesn't want her children to be Grimms. And I can't help but think, if she doesn't want that, does she really want me? I can't change who I am, Rosalee, I like who and what I am, being a Grimm. And I … I just don't know …" He trails off and feels Rosalee shift forward to hug him.
"Oh Nick," she sighs. "I'm sorry."
"Where do we go from here?" He asks quietly. "I want to have children. And if they're Grimms I want to teach them the right way and not let them be blindsided like I was. I can't do that with someone who doesn't want what I do."
"I guess you have to keep talking to each other," she replies softly. "And figure out if this is something that can be overcome or if it's not."
"If we're not on the same page any more than what are we doing?" He jolts as he realises the meaning behind what he's just said. He's talking about breaking up. With Juliette. The woman he thought he'd marry, settle down with and build a family. That thought no longer brings the comfort it once did and he admits to himself that even if they can get past this, their relationship will never be the same. Her words have hurt him and he's not sure it's something he can just move past and recover from. Not from this.
"Whatever you decide, whatever you need, Monroe and I are here for you." He nods and leans into her offering of comfort for a moment more before pulling away.
"Thanks," he mumbles before glancing around, looking for another topic. "Did you ever get to do any research on magical connections?" Her eyes light up and she nods, moving away herself to collect a book before bringing it back to the table.
"I did and some of what I found is fascinating. Other parts, not so much. Frankly it's a bit disturbing. Anyway, there are multiple Wesen who can form or force connections between people, all with varying results. You've had experience with several on them, like the Musai and the Cracher-Mortel." He nods and remembers the sensations from those encounters. Neither felt anything like what he's currently going through with Adalind.
"There's also spells and potions that can be used to create false feelings and connections, again we've had some experience with those too." More memories come to him, these even less pleasant and he realises that he has completely separated the Adalind he knows now to the person from before. In his head they're two different people. The witch with a mission and the mother with a plea. But he's the only one who knows and feels that way. He has to remind himself of that.
"So, nothing new then?" He asks and Rosalee shrugs over the book.
"I mean, this was a general enquiry, right? Unless we're looking for something more specific?" She holds his gaze and he shrugs back.
"Yeah, just research."
"Well then, yes magical connection between people are possible and do happen. Whether it's linked with a Wesen's abilities or outside influences, like a spell, will all depend on circumstance. Of course, we've seen how you being a Grimm has meant you've reacted in different ways than what would normally be described as typical so having an awareness of things that could affect you can only be a good thing." She points to a paragraph on the page and he leans down to read.
Did it all come back to being a Grimm? He'd used his blood in an enchantment. And apparently activated something inside that gave him more abilities, most of which he didn't understand or fully know. Adalind had said there might be side effects. What if his use of his blood, his willingness to protect, and so, had triggered these unknown capabilities and had inadvertently linked them together. Two people who in that moment had nothing in common bar the desire to protect a child.
He doesn't know, that doesn't quite feel right in his gut but there's not much more he can do about it so thanks Rosalee for her help. He hopes she lets this go but knowing his friend he has definitely piqued her interest. And when Monroe finds out he'll be having this conversation again, he's sure.
The phone rings, interrupting them and Rosalee goes to answer as Nick studies the pages.
"Rosalee Calvert?" He can't help but hear, his extra sensitive ears picking up the man's voice even from the other side of the shop and telephone line.
"Yes?"
"You made a mistake." His head shoots up at the tone and words.
"Who is this?" Rosalee demands as Nick moves closer.
"Your marriage is an abomination. A cancer on the institution of rightful Wesen marriage."
"Go to hell," she snarls as he reaches her side and sees her hands trembling.
"At your back door, it'll be your blood next." Nick is moving before the threat is finished, checking the alleyway for any signs of a perp before meeting Rosalee's horrified gaze as she looks up at the dead fox hanging and dripping blood down.
"Oh my God," she lurched forward and Nick catches her, bringing her back inside and closing the door on the awful sight. "Oh my God."
"I'm calling Monroe," Nick states as he pulls out his phone. "This is serious, that man was threatening you."
"Because we got married, because some Wesen believe we've made the bloodline impure." He helps her back to the side room. Pressing the numbers on his phone he also flips the sign on the door to closed. This isn't the time for a customer to come calling.
"Nick? Everything ok?"
"Monroe, I'm with Rosalee at the Spice Shop. Can you get here, now?"
"What's happened? Is Rosalee ok?"
"She's ok, Monroe just … just come now, alright?"
"I'm coming." The line goes dead as he walks back to Rosalee who's sitting still and quiet. He offers to make tea to which she shakes her head so he just settles beside her and lets her lean into him.
The knocking on the door makes even him jump, coming much sooner than he expected and they both rise as he goes to open the door. Monroe rushes in and then sweeps Rosalee into his arms, shooting Nick a look as she buries her head in his chest.
"Rosalee got a phone call; a man was threatening her and they left something outside for her to see. Both of you to see." He explains.
"I can't look at that again," Rosalee whispers and retreats to the small day bed as Monroe steps with Nick to look outside.
"Oh God," Monroe gasps as he sees the hanging creature and then bolts back to his wife, holding her closer than before.
"What is this?" Nick asks after several tense, heavy moments. Rosalee lifts her head from Monroe's chest and begins to explain, but her voice is detached and slow.
"They call themselves the Secundum Naturae Ordinem Wesen. They've been around for centuries and are dedicated to keeping the blood of Wesen pure. Inter species coupling are not, according to them, right and they do what they believe is right to stop it from happening. Stop the couple from being together. They … they …" She breaks off but Nick thinks he understands. He looks at his friends, clinging to each other, and can't understand how anyone would think that their love was wrong.
"This isn't a police issue anymore," Nick states. "This is a Grimm problem. I'm going to hit the trailer, see if I can find any more information of this group and then I'm going to pull all the notes from the cases filed and investigate further." Monroe nods and Nick steps closer, griping his friend's shoulder as he claps Rosalee's arm.
"I am not going to let them hurt you. I will do everything in my power to stop them and make sure you can live, in love and together, for a very long time to come." His fingers shift slightly, coming into contact with bare skin on both sides and he feels a thrum pass through him. "I swear it, to both of you." A pulse shoots through him, coming out almost like a static shock and both Monroe and Rosalee start but he knows. He understands what he's just done and so nods at his friends before taking his leave.
-G-
AN – You made it to the end! Well done, hope you liked it.
