Disclaimer: Not mine, borrowed and nurtured. A/N: Events and timelines are not completely accurate to canon. I will be basing events from Lost Boys 5x03 and Oh Captain, My Captain 6x03 for character arcs. This chapter will be told from multiple perspectives. Enjoy.


ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Oh Captain, My Captain

(V, 5x03 & 6x03)


Sean Renard saw Juliette Silverton when he held Diana's hand as they left the safe house.

It wasn't just an image, he felt what Diana felt when she saw her – hope.

Juliette had offered her hand like he had and loved Diana like she were her own. His daughter felt safe, like she did as they entered the mayor's mansion. She gave Renard a grin and launched herself up the stairs to her new bedroom, already furbished with unicorns and dolls.

Juliette wasn't the only memory Diana let her father see before he let go of her hand.

He saw a shack in Vienna and Adalind kissing Agent Meisner's cheek, Diana against her bosom.

He saw an elderly woman with dark curly hair read an excited toddler a story.

He heard Diana laugh as Meisner threw the King to his death from a helicopter.

Sean tucked Diana into bed and read her favourite story, 'Rapunzel,' then kissed her goodnight.

He almost couldn't bring himself to leave her and kept her bedroom door open.

His mayoral campaign was over, but Conrad Bonaparte had one last request for him: to recruit Adalind to Black Claw. She was also Diana's mother and there was nothing better than promoting a happy family to the Wesen and Portland community to get more votes.

Rachel, his campaign manager waited for him in his bed, but he couldn't bring himself to move from his night cap. He had run for mayor to gain power against the Royals. Bonaparte had promised him a new world of opportunities with Black Claw as his army. Renard didn't realise he'd be a pawn in Bonaparte's plans or that his 'family man' agenda needed to be seen to be believed.

He had been asked to end his affair and have Adalind move in with him.

'Over my dead body,' he could hear Adalind in his head.

She had loved him once, the night they had conceived Diana; a Zauberbiest and a Hiexenbiest.

He took another gulp of his drink. A lot had happened since their consummation.

Renard had dropped his hunt for the Grimm's keys in exchange for being mayor. He wanted to protect his family from harm and create a new Portland under his rule. He recalled Burkhardt's ex-fiancé, Juliette, whom he'd woken from a sleeping curse which Adalind had cast to punish Nick. He had subjected himself to an intense love potion which almost killed them both.

Why, when Burkhardt refused to join Black Claw, was he reminiscing the past.

He missed how things used to be before the corruption and extortion.

Renard made no attempt to leave, he had heard Bonaparte exit for one of his meetings he was barred from. Renard had attended only a handful, but now the agenda was out of his control. He was only Bonaparte's representative and had no other role, other than to become Mayor of Portland.

Renard heard Rachel enter the lounge.

"Are you coming to bed?" she was dressed in a silk slip which barely covered her body.

Renard put down his empty glass and massaged his exhausted eyes before turning around.

"Rachel, we need to talk," he sighed.

She touched his arm, her Lohan eyes begged him to leave it 'til tomorrow.

"You did it, Sean. Your daughter is home. Can't we just celebrate that?"

Renard was tired, too tired to argue so he took her hand in his and kissed her.

Unbeknown to him, Diana watched from the bottom of the stairs in disgust.


Eve stared at the man imprisoned in Hadrian's wall, he had attacked Nick and his friends and lured them into a trap – his name was Gaspar Cortez. Meisner had asked her to persuade the mercenary to talk. He was stubborn, and his broken bones had long since mended but he refused to share any knowledge of Bonaparte's plans or his names of his allies.

"I'm going for a coffee, want one?" Meisner asked Trubel, who shook her head.

The cell door slammed shut, leaving the Grimm alone with the Hiexenbiest.

"Pity. You will change your mind?" Eve suggested.

Cortez snarled, "Wouldn't count on it, bitch!"

Eve crossed her arms, unimpressed by his attitude but not fearful.

"It's Hexenbiest. Do you know the Japanese proverb? 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil?'"

Cortez shouted, "Occultatum Libera, free the hidden!"

Trubel took a step forward, ready to assist.

Eve cracked her neck and slapped her hand over his mouth, impatient.

"Someone needs to learn some manners." Cortez struggled to escape her forceful hand.

Eve revealed Cortez' lips sewn shut with an invisible needle.

Trubel stared in disbelief as muffled sounds replaced Cortez's words.

Next, Eve walked behind their victim and said, "Monkey see, monkey do!"

She slapped her hands over Cortez' eyes and smiled at Trubel.

"You tried to kill my friends, you will give me what I want, or I will leave you to rot."

Cortez tossed his head around, trying to locate her in pure frustration.

"I'll leave you alone with your thoughts." Eve covered his ears with a smirk.

She grinned as Cortez was left without his sight, hearing, or speech.

She hoped it would be enough to persuade him.

Trubel was in awe – "where did you learn that?"

Eve shrugged, "Meisner, who else? Oh, there he is now with my coffee."


Rosalee went to lock the Spice Shop door at the end of the day when she noticed the girl from earlier. Her hair was knotted, and she wore the same shorts and t-shirt. Worried for the child's welfare, and wondering where her parents were, she called, "Are you alright? Do you need some help?"

The child hurried down the lane which Rosalee found odd, but then it was evening, and with recent Black Claw attacks she could understand how the child might be paranoid. Rosalee followed at a jog, with half a mind to turn back, she hadn't told Monroe or Hayley where she was going.

"Did you give your mother the medicine?"

Rosalee stopped abruptly when the girl turned, her eyes glowing gold.

"It's okay, don't be afraid. I'm Rosalee, I gave you the medicine for your mother, remember?"

The child seemed jumpy, which was understandable for a street kid, Rosalee gathered.

"Don't hurt her!" Rosalee turned her head to see two boys surround them.

She felt a large blow to the back of her head and collapsed with a groan.


Renard lay in bed with his arm around Rachel, the night had not gone to plan, but he felt satisfied at least. His head was no longer cloudy, and he felt a fondness for Rachel. What happened inside his house stayed inside his house. He would stand his ground against Bonaparte. He would not be forced into an unhappy marriage with Adalind, who would never leave Burkhardt anyway.

They had to be smart if they wanted Adalind to join them without violence on Burkhardt's part. He would withdraw his AVO on Burkhardt if Adalind joined him. Yes, he would call her now. Renard slipped away downstairs with his phone in hand, leaving Rachel sound asleep in his sheets.

In the room across the hall, Diana sat a doll in her hands.

She wound purple silk around the doll's limbs, face and neck and then pulled the fabric tight.

Renard returned to his room, threw his phone on his bedside table, and climbed into bed.

"Rachel?" he felt around for her hand but couldn't find it, in fact he couldn't even see her.

Renard turned on the light and stared in disbelief at the mummified body of his girlfriend.

He pulled down the sheets to check her pulse knowing what he already feared. Unsure if it was Bonaparte's revenge for not ending their relationship, Renard took his phone and closed his bedroom door, breathing heavily. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his hand shook as he locked the door.

He found himself in Diana's room where he sat in the rocking chair watching her sleep.

He was comforted by the smile upon her lips.


Adalind stood in the kitchen as Nick made them sandwiches after she had breastfed Kelly in the early hours of the morning. He had first offered tomato sandwiches, but she had declined, 'she was allergic to tomatoes.' It was something he didn't know but noted for the future. She had smiled, continuing the conversation for some time without realizing how Nick was staring at her, eyes bright with mischief.

"I don't even know your birthday; you don't know mine."

"April 14th."

"You know my birthday?"

"Yeah, well."

"I guess, you did arrest me once."

"Mine is June 18th, just so you know."

Adalind climbed from the taxi, her stomach rumbling, she hadn't even stopped for a bite. She had received Sean's call and accepted his offer to rescind Nick's AVO. She hoped he would understand.

"Where's my daughter?" she demanded when she set eyes on the traitor.

"Good evening to you too. She's safe inside. And you brought Kelly; I wasn't sure what you'd do."

Adalind hurried up the stairs with Kelly in the basinet.

"You assume I took only one cab? I took three," she hissed over her shoulder. "Where's Diana?"

"Paranoid much?" Sean strolled up the stairs after Bonaparte.

Bonaparte answered, "She's in her room. I'm sure she'll be excited to meet her half-brother."

Bonaparte had removed Rachel's body before Diana woke. Her death ruled a suicide, which Renard found suspicious considering she was strangled by his bedsheets. It wasn't until he was making Diana's bed that he discovered a doll which resembled his late girlfriend. The doll was also mummified which only made Renard uneasy about Diana's powers.

"Diana!" Their daughter hurried down the stairs and ran into Adalind's welcoming arms.

"Mummy!" their reunion was bittersweet after so many years apart.

He had no idea where Bonaparte buried Rachel, and he wasn't game enough to ask. Not with his daughter, the assassin, right where Bonaparte wanted her. Her darkness unnerved Renard, but with Adalind home, he at least had someone else to confide in, until they could say their nuptials.

Renard felt the urge to pick up the basinet, "Diana, meet your brother, Kelly."

"Can I hold him?" Diana asked, turning to Renard eagerly.

Adalind hesitated, "Oh, Honey, I don't think that's a good idea, he's still really small."

"I'll be gentle!" Diana pleaded, poking her nose into the basinet.

With as much trepidation as Adalind, Sean attempted to distract his daughter with new watercolours.

Bonaparte handed a velvet box to Renard, "To uphold your promises."

He smiled as Renard pulled a diamond ring from the box with a grimace.

"No need for proposals, the ring will act as a binding contract," Bonaparte added.

Renard reached for Adalind's left hand, which she gave reluctantly.

He slid the ring onto her finger. They both knew she was only there for her children.

"You must never remove it, or something horrible will befall your children."

"What?" Renard and Adalind exclaimed in unison. "You never said…"

Bonaparte smiled, "You are married in the public's eyes. Here, you will live under my protection away from prying eyes where I can teach Diana how to harness her powers and do the same with Kelly when he's of age. As the years pass, your love will grow, and Portland will have a King and Queen again. Now I have a meeting with dear Aurora de Martel for which I am late."

Bonaparte left them standing with their mouths agape.

Adalind was first to return to reality, finding Diana using her magic to toss Kelly into the air with gusto.

"Look, he likes it!" Diana grinned as Kelly gurgled.

Adalind caught her son, about to tell Diana off, when Renard interrupted.

"We need him in one piece, Diana," Renard reminded their daughter.

Diana laughed at his joke and returned to her watercolours.

"You ought to know, we have no control here," Sean hissed to Adalind.

Adalind looked at the diamond on her finger, "you don't say?"

Renard poured two whiskeys and handed one to her. "No need for sarcasm, you'll get used to being watched all day. As for Nick, he won't be happy to find you and Kelly gone. What did you say to him?"

Adalind had left a note, which she hoped would explain her sacrifice.

"None of your business."


Hayley offered Monroe her support, "I'll help you find Rosalee."

"Black Claw, they found out she called De Groot! They'll kill her like they did Xavier-"

He had turned around to ask if she wanted a beer when they discovered the shop door still open and no Rosalee in sight.

"Why would Black Claw want Rosalee?" Hayley wondered aloud.

"She's my wife, she's my wife…" Monroe howled into his shaking hands.

Monroe was friends with a Grimm, surely it wasn't because of association?

"I should get home," Bud hesitated by the door. "My wife and son will be worried."

Hayley collected Hope from her play pen, "Do you mind looking after one more? Please Bud."

Bud seemed chuffed by the idea, and Hayley smiled, kissing Hope goodnight.

With Cortez presumed dead and Aurora de Martel in the wind, there were only rogue members of Black Claw to pull at loose threads. But she understood the pain of losing somebody you loved. Her late husband, Jackson, had been murdered by Aurora's brother, Tristan de Martel. His Hybrid heart had been dug up and used in a spell to unsire Klaus' sire line by the Strix Coven.

Hayley heard Mary's voice echo in her head, and her reply.

"You go out of your way to fight with them and every day you do you are tempting fate."

"I fight to protect the people I care about, Mary. And you would do the same."

"Let's retrace Rosalee's steps," she encouraged Monroe.

Hayley paused, hearing another conversation play in her head from a month ago.

"Our daughter has been upset because she's still dealing with the fact that Jack is gone, and the only thing that calms her is her favourite toy which Cami stole to get back at you, so if you wake her up with all this slamming around so help me Cami will be the least of your problems."

Klaus raised his head over The Andrews' Sisters record, "It pains me that Hope is upset, so I'll add it to the long list of grievances I'm already tallying, shall I?"

Hayley couldn't believe she missed Klaus. He had returned to New Orleans to bring his siblings to Portland, a move which they hoped would threaten Black Claw. He was feared by many and hated by many, and so it was too dangerous to return to New Orleans as a family when so many of Klaus' sire line were returning to enact their revenge, but it gave her solace to know Marcel, leader of the Strix, would allow him safe passage.


Nick returned from the station none the wiser. It was crawling with North Precinct cops – all Wesen. Bonaparte had warned him weeks ago if he did not join their cause, he and his friends would be killed. Nick told him he would rather die than betray his ancestors. Bonaparte had shown his true colours by threatening him with the loss of Adalind and his son, should he defy him.

He had returned to the loft to find Adalind, scared for their lives.

"I was worried."

"About Kelly?"

"No, you."

He promised he would protect them, that whatever Bonaparte wanted, he would never let anything happen to them. He had hugged her, comforting them both, lost in his thoughts.

Today was no different. He returned home to Adalind with much on his mind.

He had seen Bonaparte meet with Aurora de Martel in the Captain's office. The leader of Black Claw had made no effort to impede his current investigation despite their last conversation. He would have stayed to eavesdrop if it weren't for Hank and Wu announcing Renard had dropped all charges against him. With Rosalee's disappearance his main concern, Nick had called Meisner for a favour.

"There's something else Bonaparte wants, something he's desperate to get his hands on, something other than the Grimm keys. When he woged, he turned into a sabretooth tiger."

Adalind nodded, "A Mauvais Dentes rumoured to be a Greek God, they turn people to stone."

"Like Medusa?" Nick mused as Adalind burped Kelly, groaning when he vomited up milk.

"It's not nice to throw up on your mama," he muttered.

Adalind removed his shirt, "I'm taking a shower. I probably look a mess."

Nick kept his thoughts to himself, she looked beautiful, despite bags beneath her eyes and milk stains on his shirt. He couldn't help but smile as she transferred their son to his arms.

"Are you smiling? Yes, you are, I think you're smiling." Nick held Kelly on his chest. "Can you say… daddy? How about mama? Can you say Grimm?" he grinned.

Sometime later, Adalind greeted him in only a towel. He was used to her walking around without any clothes. He had once reminded her to go clothes shopping with the credit card he'd got for her but had since given up reminding her when she just as easily fit in his t-shirts.

"He's a bit young for that last one. How's he doing?"

"Pretty good," Nick said, bouncing Kelly up and down.

His phone buzzed on the kitchen counter.

"Nick Burkhardt's phone?" Adalind's breath caught in her lungs. "Juli-Eve?"

Eve got straight to the point, "I need to talk to Nick."

Adalind gave him his phone, "It's Eve, I think we should trade."

Nick returned Kelly to her, "Yeah, here you go bud." He put his phone to his ear, "Yeah?"

"Meet me at HW. We have Cortez, and we have located Rosalee," Eve said, in answer to his favour.

Nick picked up his jacket and holster, "I'll be there soon."

He didn't think about why Renard would have reconsidered until hours later.


Eve lay in her cell, bidding her time, her hands resting on her stomach.

Trubel had been in awe of her Hiexenbiest powers, the same powers which she had destroyed with one crossbow arrow. Her life had been hanging by a thread – that thread still held some of her humanity. She had told Nick she wasn't Juliette anymore: she was dead and buried.

Eve barely remembered what it was like being Juliette, she was a tragic memory.

She had accepted her Hiexenbiest powers, and her new persona with gusto.

It was easier to throw herself into her work, than to remember what it felt like to be loved.

He grabbed her face with a desperate determination, "I can't stop." He devoured her. Moans betrayed her lust. She clawed at his chest, all the while fighting against the urge to mount him. "It's the potion." she shook her head. "Stay away." He raised his hands, his chest heaving in mutual acceptance. "What now?" She gasped, breathlessly. "We don't give in."

Eve opened her eyes, curious of a memory long thought forgotten.

She felt Sean's lips on her neck, "Oh!" his frenzied kisses made her dizzy with erotic passion. She fell against the wall, throwing his belt to the floor. He lifted her legs and used the wall to hold her upright, a grunt escaped him before he play-bit her shoulder. She lost her hands in his dark hair whilst his mouth sucked on her breasts, leaving her eyes to roll back in ecstasy.

There were two short knocks on her cell door, "Burkhardt's here. Coming?"

Eve removed her fingers from her pants and wiped them on her blanket, "Of course."


Renard had let Adalind put Diana to bed, drowning his concerns with scotch.

Bonaparte still hadn't returned, and he was failing to ignore the pit in his stomach that his life was not his own. He massaged his mind, reeling with accusations about Nick. How the Grimm had taken everything in his world – Adalind, his station, the chance at having an heir.

His jealousy was obsessive, just like his love had been. Sometimes it scared him.

This was what he deserved, to be alone.

Adalind sighed, "She's asleep. Had to read Rapunzel twice before she even considered closing her eyes. I'm exhausted. Is there any scotch left or have you drunk it all?"

Renard looked at his empty glass and bit back the bitter taste of reality.

"Kelly was never that hard," she said. "What's with you? It's not like you were forced to be here."

Renard stood, he removed the glass from Adalind's hand and kissed her forehead, "It gets easier."

"What are you doing?" she spluttered.

"I don't know," he murmured, his hands on her waist.

"Get your hands off me."

Renard pulled her towards him, disjointedly.

"I would, if I could," he ground out.

Adalind felt an overwhelming need to kiss Renard and against her wishes leapt into his arms. He gripped her neck, hands tangled in her hair, moaning his pleasure as they stumbled into the table, knocking the scotch to the floor. Her eyes snapped open when she felt his erection.

She yanked his hair damaging his libido.

"Ow! What was that for?" he growled.

Adalind sighed, "It's Diana, she's making us feel things for each other again."

Renard pulled her hand from his hair, "So, you don't want to sleep with me?"

Adalind rolled her eyes. "No! I love Nick. I'm only here because I wanted to see Diana."

Renard snarled, "You should never have fallen in love with Burkhardt. He's a dead man."

Adalind spluttered in response, watching him thunder down the stairs.

"Where the hell are you going?" she yelled after his retreating shadow.


Rosalee woke in a make-shift cubby house in the middle of nowhere with a throbbing headache.

"Where am I?" she shivered in the chilly night air which blew in from the window.

"You're home, mother." The girl, offered her bread, water, and berries.

"What did you call me?"

A boy's eyes flashed red in warning. "Our new mother."

Rosalee was growing impatient, "I don't have time to play your silly games."

Another boy sat up from his bunk bed, "That's what they all say in the beginning."

"Our mothers, we've had lots, you see," the little girl mumbled.

"Some better than others," another Blutbad boy muttered.

Red eyes interrupted, "Our last mother ran away and hit her head but didn't wake up."

The girl wrung her hands together, "You won't try to leave us, will you?"

Rosalee understood she might have to play the game to escape them.

"Might I call my husband, so he won't come looking? Then I can stay for as long as you need."

The girl searched for a phone beneath her mattress, but the boy closest grabbed her wrist with a forceful shake of his head. "No." This boy was relentless, Rosalee thought, growing more frustrated. "You will be our mother, or you will starve."

Rosalee opened her mouth in protest.

"We're Blutbad," the boys flashed their teeth in unison, proud of their heritage.

Rosalee turned to the girl, "And you?"

"I'm a Fuchsbau," she had flinched when the boys had woged, their subordinate.

"Won't you tell us a story, please?"

Rosalee sighed, Monroe would be freaking out, but these children deserved a home, even if they thought themselves above the rules of Wesen society.

"Fine, this is a story about a GRIMM."


Nick had met with Eve and Meisner and seen how Cortez had suffered at the hands of Hadrian's Wall, mostly, Trubel explained, at Eve's hand. Nick found Cortez slumped in his chair, the cell was dark, without any windows, and the mercenary was a broken image of the fierce vampire Nick remembered. He too was speechless as he watched Eve return Cortez to his former glory.

"Do you know who I am?" Nick asked the vampire.

"You're the Grimm," Cortez coughed, gasping for breath.

"You tried to kill me, but you failed. Bonaparte won't be pleased."

Cortez narrowed his eyes, "You hide behind witches; you will never win this war."

Nick smiled, "Eve tells me you have some information?"

Cortez nodded, "Aurora de Martel has an ally in New Orleans."

Nick raised an eyebrow, "Do you have a name?"

Cortez shook his head, "No, but one must never trust a Martel."

Nick frowned, "Anything else?"

Cortez shook his head, "Is that it? Will you release me?"

Nick turned to Meisner, "That is outside my jurisdiction."

Leaving Cortez to his fate, Nick discovered Trubel had found Rosalee with heat sensor technology in the forest adjacent to the Spice Shop – he pointed to four figures moving around the small fixture. He sent coordinates to Monroe and Hayley by text and touched base with Hank and Wu. It seemed like years since he had closed a case and written a report.

Only now as he stopped at a traffic light did he think about why Renard dropped the charges against him? Dropping the charges was one thing that guaranteed his safety. Renard would never agree unless it benefited him, unless he received something he had always wanted – Adalind. Nick parked the car, his headlights still on, as he put in the security code and slammed his fist against the lift, knowing it wouldn't make it go any faster.

Anxiety-ridden, he raised the roller door, shouting Adalind's name.

"Adalind! Kelly!"

He heard his echo, and his irrational thoughts became reality.

She wasn't there, and neither was Kelly.

There was no baby carrier, no bras hanging off the bathroom hooks, and no sign of a struggle. Nick scrambled up to their bed, finding it made with a note on the pillow. His hands shook as he opened it. His eyesight blurred in his confusion to make sense of the letters.

I'm doing something I have to do

I don't expect you to ever understand what I've done,

but it's the only way to protect my children.

And I don't expect you to believe this,

but I love you, I'm sorry.

Nick let the letter fall to the ground, his stomach knotted with anguish.

They were gone, just like Bonaparte had predicted.

He had nothing.


"Can you see Rosalee?"

"No, but I can hear her."

They crept to the window where Hayley could see Rosalee telling stories by candlelight.

"Grimms hunt Wesen like you and me. They are very strong and fast and see in the dark."

Monroe put a finger to his lips, the medicine bottle they had found in his hand.

"I'm not afraid of a Grimm!"

"I am!" The girl squeaked.

Rosalee sighed, "You should be. I know a Grimm and he's a cop."

The children hissed, "There's no such thing as Grimms."

Rosalee shrugged, "He's got an excellent sense of smell, especially for grubby children."

The children ventured out of their den. Monroe jumped out of hiding and roared his scariest roar. The children screamed, scattering in all directions and Rosalee broke free from her prison. Hayley's eyes flashed as the children attempted to run through her. Her fangs elongated, and she growled.

"You lied, you never wanted to be our mother, did you?"

Rosalee frowned, "No, and forcing people to be mothers is wrong, and you know it. Yes, I'm Fuchsbau, like you. I daresay that's why you chose me – an easy target? Unfortunately, you miscalculated my family. But if you are willing, Nick can find you a family who will tell you stories and teach you about your Wesen nature. And I can still visit if that is what you want?"

The girl glared at Rosalee in disgust, "I hate you! You ruined everything!"

Hank and Wu met them at the bottom of the road, escorting the children to Hadrian's Wall where Meisner would transfer them to a safe house where they could learn to control their Wesen abilities. Whether their lives would be better off, nobody knew, but at least Rosalee was able to live to tell the tale, unlike their previous 'mothers.'

"Thank you!" Rosalee reached out to Hayley; her face buried against Monroe's chest.

Hayley smiled, "You'd do the same if it were me."


When they returned to Monroe's cottage Hayley tucked Hope into her bed, listening to Klaus' phone ring-out for the fifth time. It wasn't like Klaus to miss a phone call, especially from her.

He would want to know how Hope was doing.

On her sixth attempt, she felt relieved, "Klaus?"

There were jeers in the background and Aya listing cities and dates in what sounded like a tribunal.

"It's not Klaus, Hayley. It's Marcel and I'm afraid I've got bad news."

Hayley bit her lip, "Where's Klaus? Is he okay?"

She had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"There's no easy way to say this but, he was put on trial for his sins."

Hayley's head spun, anger flooding her body, "You promised him safe passage!"

Marcel sighed, "I know, my hands are tied. Aya knew he was coming, she has spies everywhere. Elijah's offered a deal to lessen his sentence but a thousand years of crimes. It doesn't look good. I'll do my best, Hayley, but if Klaus dies…"

Hayley hissed into her phone, "You better stall them, Marcel, or else I'll be forced to explain to your sister why her dad never made it back."

Marcel spluttered, "Hayley I-"

Hayley grimaced, "Put Freya on the phone."


Time stopped. Nick stared at the floor with his head in his hands, he stayed that way for hours. He picked up the remote and turned on the broadcast – seeing for his own eyes, Renard supported by his 'wife and children' as the crowd whistled and cheered. Bonaparte smirking into the camera.

He couldn't be mad at her, in fact, he promised he wasn't mad, just guilt stricken. He stared in horror as the broadcaster announced the ring on Adalind's finger – 'newly married,' he was going to be sick.

"Nick!" Trubel hauled a huge trunk by the handle, Monroe holding the other end.

They dropped it down in the middle of the loft, "It was delivered from Germany, the last remaining artefact not destroyed by Black Claw – it's from my Uncle Felix! Felix Dietrich. He was a book seller in Leipzig, he travelled all over the world for his books."

Nick was too depressed to move, "Adalind left."

Rosalee and Monroe overheard the broadcast and Trubel sat on the couch.

"I'm so sorry, Nick," she rubbed his shoulder.

He stood, hugging Rosalee, "It's good to have you back," he forced a smile.

Rosalee gave him a squeeze, "She loves you, Nick. I'm sure she had her reasons."

Nick nodded, wiping fresh tears on the back of his hand. He gave her Adalind's letter which he had attempted to burn about three times, but something stopped him each time.

Monroe looked at him with a pitying look, he didn't want to talk about it any longer.

"So, what's in the trunk?"

Monroe shook his head, "We thought you might like to do the honours?"

The last box he had opened contained his mother's head, but the need to bash something overtook him, so he took the pry bar from Monroe's hand and pictured Renard's face. Nobody intervened as he released his anger at losing Adalind to Black Claw. He would get them back, he vowed that, at least.

"Nearly there," he grunted, as the lock snapped.

Trubel and Monroe lifted the lid to reveal nineteen books, all volumes covering Grimm history.

"Your Uncle was a collector?" Nick asked Monroe.

He pulled out the books to find weaponry hidden in a secret base compartment.

Monroe read aloud the letter he'd found in one of the books.

"Your mother Alice told me you were friends with a Grimm. I'm sure he will find the contents of this trunk useful, as will our enemies. If I had more time, I would have offered a price, but as it happens, I have already been found out. Black Claw are hunting me. Volume 19 lists every known Grimm thus far – these names need to be protected. Viel Glück, Monroe."

Trubel fiddled with the mechanism of the lock and pulled out the best kind of treasure – the final Grimm keys, "Nick!" she dropped them into his outstretched hand.