Disclaimer: Not mine, borrowed and nurtured. A/N: The plot thickens, like molasses. Who will be left? I had to change some events around for the story to work, but key scenes will be prevalent.
ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Map of the Seven Knights
(vi 3x22, 5x10, 6x01)
'History is the nightmare from which I am trying to awake' – James Joyce (Ulysses)
Nick grabbed the Grimm keys he'd hidden beneath the Spice Shop's floorboards. The keys had started his quest and caused Renard and the Royal family to hunt Grimms. He eyed Monroe's coffee and in silent agreement, Monroe spilled his mug, allowing Nick to dip each key into the liquid on the table.
"We have all seven keys from all seven knights," Monroe murmured. "Finally."
"Grimms," Trubel corrected.
Excitement built in his chest. Nick steadied his shaking hands as he printed the keys one by one onto the parchment paper Rosalee had provided. He put the last key down, understanding why the Grimms had hidden them – something was kept in the Black Forest: 'X' marked the spot.
"It's a map of the Black Forest in Wolfach, Germany," Nick explained to Hayley on speaker.
"Germany?" Hayley's voice echoed, "What's buried there?"
Trubel caught Nick's determined look.
"I don't know but we can't let Black Claw, or the Royals find it. Monroe and I will leave tonight."
Monroe cleared his throat, "How's Klaus?"
Hayley sighed, "I spoke with Freya, but The Strix won't release him, yet. I'm not giving up."
Nick nodded, "If there's anything we can do…"
"Nick, what if it's a trap?" Trubel warned, "Black Claw and The Royals will have eyes everywhere."
Nick furrowed his brow, scanning the map once more. There were seven churches, one without steeples. It had to be a clue.
"The Grimms hid something in that church, something that could kill Bonaparte," he said.
Hayley interrupted, "Klaus speaks fluent German, maybe if we made a deal with the Strix…?"
Rosalee frowned, "The Strix Coven dwell in dark magic, they can't be trusted."
Nick planted his hands on the table, "I can't be sure what's hidden won't be dangerous. But I won't say no to helping Klaus escape trial, so you can have closure. At least one of us, deserves that."
Hayley's voice wavered with emotion, "We'll see you soon."
Hayley dialled Elijah, pacing in front of Hope's bedroom door. Her daughter had gone down without a fight, her arm snug around the little wolf plush toy Klaus had bought for her nursery three years ago. Hayley owed it to herself to fight for Klaus, despite all the bad things he had done, they agreed they would be partners in raising Hope. She needed her other half.
Besides, she was a fighter, and when backed into a corner, wolves fought for their pack. She massaged her neck, keeping her breathing deep and steady, hearing Klaus' words 'You will always have a home here.' Klaus was Hope's father, and he had tried to be someone Hope could be proud of. Somebody she could be proud of. She knew Marcel and Elijah would be doing everything they could in his defence.
Maybe, just maybe what she had to say could change his verdict.
Aya was Elijah's former lover, would she trade Klaus for Elijah? Would he agree?
"Hayley?" he answered in his smooth voice which used to provide comfort.
Now it was a reminder of everything she had lost.
"How is he?" she didn't need to say Klaus' name.
"He's restrained in the Garden; I lent him my copy of Shakespeare."
Hayley frowned, "Marcel promised me he wouldn't be harmed."
Elijah sighed, "Marcel may wear the crown, but the Strix pull the strings."
Hayley closed Hope's door to keep the noise from travelling.
"Burkhardt's ancestors hid something in Germany during the Wesen Wars of 1285. Tell Aya if she wants it, she needs to release Klaus to me and give us her protection from Black Claw and the Royals."
There was a pause, she could picture Elijah's stance.
"Aya will never trust a Mikaelson, not since I abandoned her."
Hayley sighed, "Well, it's a good thing I'm not a Mikaelson," she said.
WOLFACH, GERMANY
"You took your time?" Nick lowered his gun as Klaus Mikaelson appeared in front of him.
Klaus frowned, "Sorry, there were a few… complications."
Monroe gestured them forwards, signalling a 'hello' with a nod of his head. "It's clear."
Nick noticed the catacomb floor was made from crushed human bones.
"Where's Hayley?" he asked over his shoulder. "She isn't with you?"
Klaus had agreed to Aya's deal, facilitated by Hayley, but there was a loophole. Aya wanted a share in the Grimm's secret weapon, but Aurora de Martel had a white oak bullet with his name on it.
"Aurora de Martel didn't agree to the deal, at first. In fact, some would say my ex had trust issues."
Klaus fell silent reliving his last few hours in silence.
'How can you be sure he will keep his word, Aya? The Mikaelsons can't be trusted,' Aurora sniffed.
'I fear we have created another monster," Elijah addressed Klaus. "A pity."
Aya stood before the Strix, raising her hand to silence Aurora and the tribunal.
'I cannot forgive your betrayal; you took Tristan from us. We are now forced to take Elijah,' Aya gestured to Aurora.
Aurora de Martel raised her pistol, a malevolent spark in her eye. 'It's ironic that the bullets I forged from the little white knight you made to protect your sister, will cause your brother's demise.'
'Aya, NO!' Marcel had leapt from his throne, intercepted by The Strix. 'This wasn't what we agreed.'
'Such a beautiful little knight, since you have an appreciation with chess, Queen takes King.'
The bullet hit Elijah's heart, and his knees buckled – shock etched in his honourable features.
"Elijah! NO!" Klaus roared in anguish.
Marcel free from his captors, hauled his sire from the compound.
"Go! I'll take care of this," Marcel yelled.
Freya's scream echoed in his ears as she cradled Elijah in her arms.
"Go, before it's too late," Marcel pulled the chains from his sire.
Klaus gripped Marcel's shirt, a mixture of shock, grief and anger surpassed him.
"Help Freya, Marcellus. She'll know a way to bring Elijah back."
The kick of a stone against the tomb brought Klaus back to reality. He picked up a medieval torch which Monroe lit with a match and raised it in front of him. There were no etchings to say they were on the right path, nor any clue of how long the tunnel was. His thoughts rested on Hayley, and he was glad she hadn't come to New Orleans – he wanted her and Hope safe and out of reach from their enemies.
"She and Hope are with Rosalee and Trubel in Portland. The Strix have eyes everywhere."
They walked in silence for some time, each preoccupied with their own problems.
Monroe sighed, "We've walked hours, there's nothing here."
Nick held up his torch, shaking it, as if it would make the batteries last longer.
Klaus raised his torch, peering at the dead end in front of them.
Nick pointed at the strange pattern.
"Do you see that? Seven skulls facing in the opposite direction."
Monroe nodded, "In the shape of a 'G,' seven Grimms…"
Klaus wrapped his fingers around each skull, dislodging them to reveal seven key holes.
Nick handed out the keys, eager to unlock the Grimm's secret.
"What do you think it is?" Monroe said, as the wall began to move, revealing a small cave.
Klaus shrugged, "A weapon? Something important judging by their need to hide it."
Nick pulled the small box out, but the lid was stuck, or spelled shut.
"It requires a Grimm's blood." Klaus presumed, his Hybrid eyes glinting beneath the flicker of flames.
Monroe handed Nick a pocketknife, and Nick cut his finger, smearing it over the box's seal.
"What is it?" Monroe asked as Nick handed the box to him and showed them an old plain cloth.
"I'm not sure, it's light." Unwrapping the cloth, Nick held out what looked like a very old piece of wood.
Aghast, Monroe said, "Tell me we didn't risk our lives for this… splinter?"
Klaus leant forwards with interest, "I believe this was stolen from Constantinople – Moses' staff."
"Something tells me we should keep them together."
Nick re-wrapped the stick and put it inside his jacket for safe keeping.
Monroe returned the empty box to the cave.
"How are we going to explain this to customs?"
Klaus smiled, "We don't."
They had pulled themselves free from the catacomb when bullets ricocheted over their heads.
Nick caught sight of Father Eickholt from the first Church they had visited.
He must have followed them.
"How do we get out?" Monroe sheltered his head, his Blutbad eyes flashed fiercely.
Nick pulled out his gun, checking how many bullets he had left.
Klaus put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "This is why I'm here. Go, I'll catch up."
Nick and Monroe watched as Klaus leapt into the battle with a suicidal death wish.
"We can't let him die for us," Nick said as a Gottlob woged meters in front of them.
Monroe nodded, "You're right. Get to the car, I'll meet you there."
Klaus pulled the hearts from two Wesen at once, their bodies falling in a pile at his feet.
His roar of frustration and determination only made Monroe join in on his adrenaline rush.
It was a pack thing.
Monroe watched Nick escape the hill and grabbed the Gottlob after he raised the alarm.
"Oh no, you don't!" Monroe growled.
The Gottlob bit Monroe's arm, making Monroe howl in pain, clutching his arm.
Klaus hauled the dwindling torch at the Gottlob, smiling when the Wesen caught fire.
His screams were muffled when Klaus noticed poison seeping into Monroe's veins.
"Let's go," Klaus said, helping a weak Monroe back to the car.
PORTLAND
Bonaparte gave Adalind the creeps. She hated she was his prisoner as much as Renard, but this was the price she paid to see Diana again. Adalind ran a brush through her daughter's hair. The simple gesture of doing her hair distracted them from the lie they were currently living.
Footsteps stopped outside the landing and Diana's door banged off its hinges.
"Time to pay Burkhardt a visit. Where is he?"
Adalind pursed her lips, irritated by the interruption.
"How should I know. I haven't seen him in months," she quipped.
Bonaparte frowned, "He was your lover, Miss Schade."
He lifted Adalind by her throat, forcing the air from her lungs.
"I'm an impatient man. Please tell me before I am forced to do something you'll regret."
Purple flames flicked across Diana's pupils.
Renard stepped in, Kelly in one arm, the other squeezed Diana's shoulder in warning.
"Don't hurt Nick, please." Adalind spluttered.
Bonaparte sighed, "You have a choice. Your son or this…. Grimm?"
Kelly was ripped from Renard's arms, gradually turning to stone.
"NO!" Renard yelled. "He's just a child."
Adalind's strangled cry paused the spell, but Bonaparte had not lessened his grip. "I'm waiting?"
Adalind spluttered Nick's address through tears of grief, fearful for her life.
She fell to her knees as Kelly was returned to her, unscathed.
"Please…. Sean?" she whispered, pleading for him to change Bonaparte's mind.
"It's not up to me," Renard kissed Diana's head. "Look after your mother."
Diana nodded, but Bonaparte had other ideas.
"Bring Diana, she might be useful," and he summoned her to him.
"Diana!" Adalind and Renard cried out in protest.
Renard grabbed Diana's hand, "She stays with me," he warned.
Bonaparte shrugged, "Suit yourself," and he disappeared into the armoured vehicle.
Adalind hugged Kelly tight to her chest, alone and fearful.
They reached 'Imperial Paints' at dusk; Diana was able to trigger the mechanisms of the lift with her powers. It impressed Bonaparte so much, he told his Blutbad officers to stand down eager to see the full effect of her powers. Diana looked around the loft, her mother's perfume resided in the sheets. She could smell Nick's aftershave, but he was long gone.
The loft was empty.
Bonaparte rummaged through Nick's belongings, flicking through novels and magazines, only to be left disappointed. Renard pulled open the door to the bathroom, finding trinkets Adalind had left behind. A necklace, earrings, and keys to the loft with an 'A' keyring – a hint of jealousy rushed by him. Black Claw assassins upturned furniture in their haste to find something of importance.
The noise made it hard for Diana to concentrate. She opened one eye out of irritancy.
"What do you see, sweetheart?" Renard asked, kneeling on his knee to speak with her.
"A dead man," Diana stated without emotion.
Bonaparte laughed, "Hear that Burkhardt?"
Renard pulled a sword from a nearby armoury, he wielded it in his hands and with one blow, stuck it into Bonaparte's back. His eyes widened in shock, horrified to see Bonaparte collapse, blood pooling beneath his body and staining the concrete. Renard tried to let go of the sword, but it was forged into his hands – he turned around to see the cogs working in the Blutbad's expressions.
"TRAITOR!" They lunged, but Diana, unnerved, clutched her fists together.
"Daddy, duck!"
Seconds later, their heads exploded, and Sean was left to process what had just happened.
"Diana, did you? You didn't?" he couldn't bring himself to ask.
Diana stepped over Bonaparte's body, "He was a bad man, Daddy. He hurt Mummy."
Renard picked up a doll with a pin sticking inside its chest, guilt and fear followed.
He released the sword, letting it clang to the ground.
He held Diana's shoulders, "Diana, is Burkhardt here?"
She shook her head, "No, he's in Germany with Monroe and Klaus."
Renard stared at her, "Who? What's in Germany?"
Diana opened the secret door to the tunnels; an envelope was taped to the door.
"He found the Grimm keys," she passed him the note.
Renard felt a pang of guilt as he read it: Tell Adalind I love her, N.B.
"Let's get some icecream," Renard took Diana's hand, dropping the note beneath them.
He'll deal with the consequences later.
"Daddy!" Hope hugged her father as he got off the airport shuttle.
Hayley had dressed her in overalls and a white t-shirt, she was a mini, Hayley at this point.
"You look like Hell," Hayley smirked as Klaus carried Hope in his arms.
He chuckled, "Sorry, didn't get time to shower."
Hayley took in his appearance, "Whose blood?"
Klaus looked down at his shirt, "Monroe's and mine."
Monroe emerged from the shuttle next, sweat ridden but in high spirits.
"I would have died of Gottlob poisoning if not for Klaus."
Rosalee waved at them, alerting them to the minivan she had hired.
"What did we miss?" Nick asked, putting their bags in the boot.
Rosalee kissed Monroe as they climbed inside, strapping themselves in.
"Renard killed Bonaparte. Meisner said he wants a truce," Trubel said.
Nick sighed, "Renard killed Bonaparte? Why?"
Rosalee shrugged, "I don't know, but he did us a favour."
Klaus' mind wandered to Elijah and the peril he faced in returning to New Orleans.
"Aya will be wanting her share of the weapon too."
Nick took the stick from his jacket pocket, unwrapping it one more time.
"Perhaps she can analyse the mysteries of this cloth first?"
Klaus smiled, "Perhaps."
Rosalee parked the minivan outside the Mayor's manor, turning to Nick, her eyes soft.
"Renard left. Adalind's been texting me all morning, she's safe."
"We'll wait here," Monroe grinned, giving him a wink.
"Speak for yourself, I've got an appointment I can't miss," Klaus pocketed the cloth.
Hayley climbed out of the car, unstrapping Hope from her car seat, "Thanks Nick, all the best."
Nick shook their hands, before running up the steps and pushing open the door.
The house was strangely deserted. There were no guards, no signs of a struggle either.
"ADALIND?"
"Nick, is that you?"
He heard footsteps, and pushed his way inside, meeting Adalind at the bottom of the stairs.
"I'm sorry! Bonaparte would have killed me or our kids!"
He grabbed her face in his hands, taking in the marks around her neck.
"I know, you didn't have a choice."
An overwhelming sense of joy and fear washed over him, and he did what he'd craved for weeks. He kissed her, awakening his soul. She wrapped her hands around his wrists and kissed him back, her lips feverish against his. He sucked in a breath, forcing himself to break away, if only to check on the wellbeing of his son.
"Where's Kelly?" he pressed; his hands tangled in her hair.
"He's upstairs," Adalind almost pulled his arm out of its socket.
Standing on the landing was Renard, Nick stopped in his tracks.
"I thought you'd left?" he grimaced, one hand on his gun.
Renard was dressed in a grey suit, with a tie and black polished shoes.
He smelt strongly of blood.
"I did. I took Diana for icecream, and now I'm returning her to her mother."
Nick's eyes flickered to Diana, still holding her father's hand.
Adalind let go of Nick to hug Diana, "Nick's here to see Kelly, his son."
Diana's curious eyes washed over Nick, and she pointed at Monroe and Rosalee now standing in the doorway. Their worried faces joined his. He wished they had stayed in the minivan, but at least it was four against one now. He could make it six if he called Hank and Wu, but something told him, they had enough on their plates. Adalind raised her hand, stopping anything stupid from going ahead.
"Bonaparte is dead, and so is Black Claw. Renard is Diana's father and he's part of this family."
Diana walked down the stairs, saying nothing until she was right in front of Rosalee.
She put her hand on Rosalee's stomach and smiled, "You're going to have babies."
Rosalee stared in disbelief at Diana, "What did she say? A baby?"
"No, babies, plural," Nick corrected, watching Monroe and Rosalee's awed expressions.
Adalind's mouth dropped, "How did she know?"
Renard shrugged, "She's special, our daughter."
"How many?" Rosalee asked, looking down at her stomach.
"Three," Diana grinned, her purple eyes flashing.
"Aya gave me her word," Klaus murmured as Hope drew at the table in Monroe's lounge room.
Hayley crossed her arms, "You can't go back Klaus. It's too dangerous."
Klaus sighed, "This is my punishment to bare, Hayley, not Elijah's. I would have thought you'd be glad to be rid of me. Besides, you loved my brother once, don't you remember?"
"That's ancient history," Hayley watched Klaus rummage the fridge for wine.
Klaus poured a glass of Pinot Noir, "I won't allow Hope or you to be labelled traitors."
He thumbed contacts in his phone, "This is my burden to bare."
Hayley sat in the chair beside him, "You're not a burden, Klaus, not to us. You're stubborn but brave. You're a Hybrid, like me, and you've shown incredible loyalty over the years. You care for your family whether blood related or not and you're dedicated, annoying sometimes, but also kind."
"Anything else?" Klaus cocked an eyebrow, enjoying the attention.
Hayley picked up his wine bottle and took a swig.
"It's our last night in Portland, do you really want to spend it in self-pity?"
Klaus swirled his wine glass in one hand, savouring the taste.
"I enjoy our little chats," he muttered as Hayley returned the bottle.
"Good night, Klaus," she said, returning to the living room.
There was a screech of a chair and Hayley was alerted to Trubel and Meisner restraining Klaus, who now supported a broken nose. Ordinarily, nothing could stop a Hybrid, but something was keeping Klaus on his knees – magical restraints?
"Sorry, but finders keepers," Meisner pocketed the cloth.
"The Strix can have it after we've deciphered the symbols," he explained.
"What symbols?" Hayley demanded, intent on reaching Hope.
Trubel raised her crossbow, "We only came for the cloth."
Klaus growled in response, "Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you all."
Meisner sighed, "Eve was drawn to the cloth. What makes you think you're safe from our enemies? If we can find you..." Meisner's voice trailed off into the distance. "Besides, those chains render you human even after they are removed. I suggest you lay low for a day. As for the cloth, when we've finished analysing it, it will be returned to you."
"Hope?" Hayley called, starting to get anxious by Eve's presence near her daughter.
Hope lifted a drawing and passed it to Eve, before returning to the safety of Hayley's clutches.
Eve showed it to Meisner, "Hope drew the symbols for us."
Nick studied Adalind's ring with deep regret.
Her breath was shallow against his neck, and her arm resting on his chest.
He'd missed this.
He should have known Adalind wouldn't be unfaithful to him, that her being with Renard was only a stunt to show unity. He wished there was a way he could force the ring from her finger, but she was too superstitious to try, what with her children's lives at stake. Even Renard was spooked – so the ring would remain, with only a few knowing the truth.
Nick heard the unmistakable sound of a crossbow being laid to rest.
"Trubel? What time do you call this?" Nick groaned, rubbing his eyes.
It reminded him of the time she used to live with them in her first days as a Grimm, when she used to raid the fridge full of Juliette's cooking –
"Nick, we need Diana's help. Can you wake Adalind?"
Nick hesitated, but Adalind had already joined him on the stairs.
"What's going on?" she asked, wrapping a robe around her nightie.
Eve cleared her throat, "We need Diana. We need her Hiexenbiest powers to translate something."
Adalind shook her head, "It's midnight, she's asleep."
Meisner appeared from the shadows. "It won't take long."
Adalind stared in horror as Eve flicked her hand and every light turned on, waking the household.
"I know I said I wouldn't kill her but-" Adalind hissed as Nick grabbed her.
Diana emerged from her bedroom, carrying a crying Kelly in her arms.
"Is Eve here to take us away again?"
Adalind shook her head, "No, honey, she needs your help."
Nick felt his phone buzz in his other hand, Hayley was calling. He let it go to voicemail. Adalind took Kelly from Diana and went to re-settle him, cursing Eve under her breath. Trubel led Diana to the living room where Nick wondered what Meisner wanted with a six-year-old child. He hadn't had much time with Diana over the years, what with the Resistance and Royals fighting over her, he knew she might not be open to his relationship with Adalind – the matter was delicate. Nick felt protective over her and her Hiexenbiest powers. He, like Adalind, didn't want her to be used as a weapon of war.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. If you're too tired, or it's too much, you just let me know, okay?" Nick whispered.
Diana nodded, "Okay," her face remained expressionless.
It was impossible to know what she was thinking most of the time, he thought.
Eve lay the cloth he'd given to Klaus that evening on the table in front of them.
Confused, Nick looked at Trubel, how did they get it? Her avoidance of his gaze made him check his phone again – three missed calls – something was wrong. He motioned to his phone, keeping Diana in sight to listen to his voicemails.
"Nick, it's Hayley. Eve took our powers, and Meisner wants Diana to decode the cloth they stole from us. We're laying low until we get our powers back, but I'm worried. Hank and Wu are monitoring the house by satellite. Monroe and Rosalee are at Bud's. Be careful, Black Claw might be disbanded but The Strix and the Royals are still out there."
Nick sent a quick text, looking up to see Diana was still with Trubel.
HW are here with Diana.
Not five minutes later, he received another text from Monroe.
Renard is resigning as mayor.
"What does it say?" Meisner asked through Nick's stunned silence.
Diana waved her hand, to everyone's astonishment they were visible in the air.
"It says, 'the Darkness is coming'. Can I sleep now?"
Eve nodded, brushing her hand through Diana's hair with a longing look on her face. "Yes."
Nick turned to Meisner, after Diana joined her mother upstairs.
"Care to explain what you did to my friends, Klaus and Hayley?"
Meisner smiled, "I did them a favour. One night of normalcy."
Nick frowned, "You made them sitting ducks."
Meisner shrugged, "Care to share what you found in Germany?"
Nick hesitated; he could almost hear his own heart pounding.
"That's what I thought." Meisner indicated for Trubel and Eve to leave.
"I'll keep your secret, Burkhardt, if you keep mine."
With that, Hadrian's Wall exited the manor and Nick was left to deadlock the doors.
"Coming back to bed?" Adalind asked, dropping her robe on the floor.
Nick was reminded of the first night they'd slept together, at the time, he thought it was Juliette.
"In a minute," he murmured, checking that Diana and Kelly were both safe and asleep.
It was strange to think how his relationship had changed from hating Adalind to calling her the mother of his child. How she had sacrificed her Hiexenbiest powers for him and continued to be the best mother she could to her two children, despite Bonaparte's threats. It dawned on him how much he was in awe of her strength. If it weren't for the two children sleeping in the next room, he would have shown Adalind how much he missed her company, but he needed sleep.
He shut the door to meet Adalind in an unexpected kiss.
He melted against her need for him, his hands firm against her back.
She broke her kiss to say, "I love you Nick, and I don't care if this is a mistake or not. I just got you back, and I'm not letting you out of my sight again."
Her hands rested against his bare chest, and Nick held onto them, tight.
He smiled, touching his forehead against hers, "What about the kids?"
Adalind pushed him onto the bed, "They're asleep, aren't they?"
Nick sighed, "Yeah, but for how long?"
Adalind smiled, straddling him, his heart rate doubling.
"I've missed you."
He brushed her hair out of her face, admiring the curves of her body with his hands.
"But I'm not traumatising Diana," he said, sitting up and taking Adalind with him.
Adalind sighed, "You're really saying 'no' to all this?" she asked, climbing off his lap.
Nick leapt from the bed, "No, I'm saying we have to be smart."
He locked the door, then leapt into the bed, collecting Adalind's arms before the force of him toppled them both onto the bed.
Adalind laughed aloud.
Nick covered her mouth in desperation.
She chuckled, wrapping her thighs around his waist, her breasts heaving in anticipation.
Nick admired her for the taking, adjusting her body beneath his, "Is this, okay?"
Adalind nodded, "It's perfect," she whispered, lost beneath his steady thrusts.
Nick grinned, sliding his hand into hers, and becoming lost under her spell.
