Summary: Nick and Sean start putting pieces into place for their plan, Nick finds and ally in an unusual place and Akira Kimura send Nick a message.
Hope never truly dies, it just fades into the shadows a little
The Portland weather seemed to be mirroring the growing unease within the Canton. Nick stood fresh from the shower dressed in just a towel, in front of the full-length mirror within the room. To the side of him hung a beautiful, tailored suit, Nick had been taken back when he'd seen it a few days ago, after he'd received word of Freddy's death. He'd wondered how Renard….sorry Sean, had known his size and measurements. Talking to him about the suit and other things on his mind he'd told Nick to use his first name since they were now allies. Nick was sceptical about his motives but over time he began realising that he could see in Renard the same empty void and loneliness he felt.
The more they talked the more he saw them walking the same path but from different starting points, Nick was grateful to have a kindred spirit to talk to and that was how he found himself in the situation he was in. Today was Freddy's funeral, Nick had dreaded this day and hoped to skip it and visit the grave later to pay his respects. Sean was going with a few officers under the guise of the Pd supporting the victim's family, as well as showing the Wesen of Portland he cared.
Nick's arrival Sean had confessed, had been a wake-up call for him, he'd grown so out of touch with his Canton as he did his best to stay in the shadows. After talking to his people, he'd come to realise how close he was to losing control over all he worked to keep safe, so he'd started becoming more and more of a presence. It didn't take long for the news to spread far and wide, nor did the rumours of the alliance between the Prince and the wandering Grimm who'd been seen around town.
A genteel knock at the door brought Nick out of his darkening thoughts, looking round as the door creaked open. Sean was lent against the doorframe with a walm smile on his face, Nick fought the urge to blush as he felt the Prince's sharp gaze upon his current state of undress.
" I came to check in on you, I thought today would be hard on you" Sean's words were walm and made Nick smile at the care hidden within them.
Nick had come to see the Prince in a different light, he saw a side of him that Nick soon realised not even his closest agents would have seen. Letting out a sigh he sat down upon the bed, Sean moved from the doorway and came to sit beside him. They were silent for a moment before Nick looked at him.
"I can't help but feel guilty, I should never have aloud myself to become close to anyone. It's better and safer if I'm feared and hated" Nick admitted sadly as he looked at the floor as he spoke.
"Do not talk that way Nick, without friends to keep us anchored we risk becoming something we'd come to hate" spoke Sean as he placed his hand on Nick's shoulder, as Nick smile's weakly at him.
The rain was falling freely from the darkened clouds, the graveside was fuller then Nick had believed it would be. It seemed that Freddy was a popular shopkeeper both in and out of the wesen world, but within their world he was a pillar of the community and in the absence of the Prince he was often turned to for advice. Seeing Monroe among the well wishes had eased Nick nerves so what but not his guilt.
Nick stood beside Sean who to his surprise, placed a protective arm around his waist and pulled him closer. Nick wasn't completely unaware of the comings and goings of the Canton, so he figured this was a move to show all present his connection to the wandering Grimm. What Nick wasn't expecting was how much his action ment to him and how comforting it felt. It also didn't go unnoticed within his people; he could see the looks his officers and Detectives were giving their captain. The wesen on the other hand seemed less cautious as they began approaching him, eventually Freddy's family approached them away from the eyes and ears of others. Sean greeted them kindly and offered them condolences both as a captain and the Canton's ruler, the eldest girl was pleasant but uninterested by them but the youngest greeted them with a smile before giving Nick a look that told him she recognized him.
Nick knew he was going to see more of her but for now he'd let it lie, once the last souls had left the graveside Sean watched on along side Sam who was just out of sight as Nick approached the headstone. After speaking a few words, they watched as Nick placed several coins upon the stone, gifts for the ferryman's purse before heading back to them.
"What now?" questioned Nick cooly as he looked Sean dead in the eyes, who didn't hold back the shudder but did the woge.
"The foundation has been laid, our presence has been noticed and will spread throughout. It's only a matter of time before Kimora will crawl out of his hiding place, if the warnings about the coins are true the craving will force him to confront you soon" answered Sean as he allowed the malice and anger, he felt seep into his words a little, as his own Beist rose to meet the Grimm's spirit as an equal.
Nick nodded before accompanying Sean to his SUV, watching him and Sam get in Nick bid them goodbye for now as he pulled on his helmet. Walking over to his bike he gave it a once over making sure Sam had treated it well, he was impressed with the care shown he mounted up and headed into Portland to wait for Kimora to show his face.
The spice shop was still the site of a battle, now cleared by the Pd but not cleaned up as Freddy's younger sister stepped safely through the debris. She knelt down as she ran her hand over the dry patch of blood were Freddy had been stabbed, lowering her head she fought back the tear's until something at the back of her mind. Her flight or fight kicked in forcing her to woge and while snarling she turned to face the intruder, that's when she stopped in her tracks and her blood ran cold.
"Grimm?" she questioned as Nick stood before her still dressed in his suit, he held up his hands and stepped back surprising her as she returned to normal.
"I'm not here to hurt you, Freddy was a friend. If you're here I owe it to him to talk to you" Nick explained as the woman as her posture became less aggressive but still guarded as she watched his movements closely.
"Do you know what happened here? the detectives believed it was a robbery gone wrong, apparently they'd had a spate of them recently but the guys who did them had already been arrested" she asked as Nick chuckle making her give him a dirty look.
"Sorry I'm not laughing at you, let me explain. I came to Portland looking for the cursed Coins of Zakynthos, a jeweller here had come into possession of them. When I arrived, he'd been murdered by two junkies Skalengecks, they had been robbing businesses for money and even robbed your brother of the J he had in storage" Nick watched as the woman flinched and remembered Freddy's words and figured she was the sister he'd almost lost to it.
"He told me he'd almost lost a sister to J, so he agreed to help me bring them in. It took time but I caught them and handed them over to the Pd, it's then that the Prince became aware of me and he asked a favour of me, a child was taken off the streets and Freddy pointed me in the direction to save her. While I was saving her, a shadow from my past descended on Portland. I believe he attacked Freddy…"
"For helping you" she asked angerly as Nick shook his head.
"No, he's under the spell of the coins, he hungers for them and anyone that doesn't have them are in his way" Nick explained sadly as he gave her a look of sorrow.
"He'd seen me come and go from here and must have thought I'd stashed them; I can promise you he's not getting away with what he did. Mark my words, if I don't get him the Prince is personally going to handle him. But for now, I owe it to Freddy to tell you the truth, encase he tries to return here.
I know the Prince will have his agent's watching the shop, I also think he's sending an officer during the day but if you'd prefer it. I do have a wesen friend Monroe he was at the funeral who I can ask to stay with you until this is all over?" asked Nick as the woman just continued to look him over.
"So, you realy knew my brother? After all you wouldn't have known about my struggle with J. I didn't think he still worried about me so much he'd join forces with a Grimm to see it taken off the streets" answered the woman with pain and sadness in her voice at the revelations as she tried to hold back the tears in her eyes.
"I lost so much to that crap and now I can never thank him for all he did, he died thinking I hated him for forcing me to get clean" she sobbed as Nick took a chance and moved towards her pulling her into his arms to comfort her.
"He knew, he was your brother and he knew. He didn't speak of his family much but when he told me of your struggle he spoke with pride, what little time I knew him for I could tell he was proud of you" Nick reassured her until the sounds of purring filled the small space.
Pulling back Nick was amazed at the young woman, she was woged and purring at him before looking him dead in the eyes. Nick knew what she saw when she did this and yet for the first time he wasn't met by fear, hatred or self-loathing in the other's eyes but peace, happiness and comfort. As she turned back her walm smile caught Nick off guard.
"Thank you, I'm still not sure what to make of all this let alone you. Your nothing like we've been warned of our whole lives but at the same time you are every bit the hunter we've come to fear. I believe you when you say you'll get Freddy's killer, so after my mother and sister leave tomorrow, I'll clean up here and help you out" she said determinedly taking Nick by surprise.
"You don't…."
"I do, this man your hunting killed my brother, he may come back to search the shop. So, I'm helping plus my brother wasn't the only one that could run this shop, it's in our blood the shop was my father's before my brother. If I can help out even if its for healing then I will, but I do know one thing if we are to beat him, we need to give you every advantage we can that includes keeping you alive" explained the woman as she began walking round the shop picking up bottles, glasses and debris.
"Ok then, I'll send Monroe to help. I'm Nick by the way" said Nick with a smile as he picked up a glass vial and placed it on the counter before offering the woman his hand.
"Rosalee" she counted before taking his hand and shaking it.
"Nice to meet you Nick, now you get out there and find this asshole. I'll expect your friend soon" she said smiling as Nick nodded and headed out the door feeling a little lighter, pulling out his cell he dialled Sean to inform him about the feisty Fuchsbau taking over her brothers shop.
Sean smiled to himself as he finished the call with Nick, placing his phone back in his shirt pocket as he sat back down at his desk. It seemed the younger Miss Calvert was more of a pistol then he'd expected. More so he'd been amused to find out the young Grimm, had weaved his way into her protection despite being the demon of her nightmares. So, he'd agreed with Nick's suggestion of getting his wesen allies to watch over her as well as his agent's and officers.
Standing up he straightened his clothing before opening his door and summoning one of his most trusted detectives within. After explaining the situation, he dismissed him with a smile, before firing off a short text to Nick and his people before sitting back and waiting for word to be sent to him.
Nick was waiting as Monroe pulled up outside the spice shop, he'd been worried that the Blutbad would be offended about his suggestion but once he explained the situation. Nick had been surprised how quickly he jumped at the chance to help. Monroe seemed cautious as he approached but steadfast in his walk, he flashed Nick a walm smile.
"So, she does know I'm coming right? See Blutbad and Fuchsbau are not drinking buddy's, like Blutbad and Bauerschwein it's a whole bloody mess. But you'd know that being a Grimm and all….I'm rambling?" questioned Monroe making Nick roll his eyes but laugh at his friend as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Her name is Rosalee she was Freddy's younger sister, and yes she knows you are coming and what you are. She also is aware of what's going on and she wont take no for an answer when I've asked her to return home with her family" explained Nick as they entered the spice shop.
Rosalee was behind the counter; the shop was a whole lot clearer now than it had been earlier but still it bore some scars of battle.
"Roselee meet Monroe he's the one I suggested to help you out, I've also just got off the phone with the prince who is sending a detective to watch over you. He's human so I was told to warn you, he's got no clue about the truth about all this" said Nick, Monroe groaned as Rosalee approached Monroe.
Nick stood silently as he watched Rosalee and Monroe face each other, after a second, they woged and initiated a form of greeting before returning their attention back to Nick.
"I just needed to check; this is so strange to me" spoke Roselee as Monroe nodded before she looked over at Nick with a smile.
"Same here but it works, he's a good man" Monroe spoke softly as Nick was out of hearing range to Rosalee who smiled at the unaware Grimm.
"So, what's the plan?" asked Rosalee as Nick turned round.
"Now we wait, I'm hoping now you are heavily covered he will have no other choice but to come after me" Nick growled cooly making both of them shudder until the bell above the door indicated they were no longer alone.
"Miss Calvert? I'm Detective Hank Griffin from the south precinct, Captain Renard told me you'd be expecting me?" he asked as Rosalee nodded before indicating for him to enter.
Nick nodded to them before pulling up his hood, wishing them all goodbye he slipped quickly from the shop. This got Hank's instincts up but he couldn't follow without breaking his duties.
The sky's had darkened and night long fallen, when Sean had finally realised it was time to get up and leave the station for the night. Since he'd not heard from Nick since he's text earlier he'd figured all was quiet, so after packing up he headed down to the garage to retrieve his SUV. The darkened and empty lot was eerie as his steps echoed, but he cared little about it as he stood beside his vehicle. Placing his briefcase upon the roof he reached into his pocket to pull out his keys, but stopped when his heightened senses warned him of something approaching.
But before he could react the back of his head erupted with a searing pain before he felt himself bounce off his SUV and hit the cold floor hard. His vision was blurred and fading as he tried to get to his feet, but suddenly a figure appeared beside him
"Tell the Grimm, the coin's or his friends" growled the figure to Renard as seconds later the world went dark.
Nick arrived at the hospital in record time, he was sure he'd been caught on numerous cameras' throughout the city but he didn't care. His only care was to reach Sean as quickly as he could, even if it ment he would have to slip into his room to see him. Luckly for him both Sam and Serena were stood at the receptionists desk waiting for him, they ushered him towards a private room out of sight. Nick's heart was pounding in his chest until he entered the room.
Sean was lent back against the pillow, which had been raised for him to look round the room from his bed. His face was bruised, his lip cut, his arm was resting in a sling while his wrist was bound in bandages. His face was pained but his green eyes were full of warmth as he smiled at Nick who let out the breath, he'd been holding in. walking over he took a seat beside his bed and without thinking he took Sean's hand within his as he sat, Serena and Sam watched them and after giving each other a look they came to stand at the base of the bed.
"It was Akira Kimura, he caught me off guard. In my tired state I was no match for him." hissed Sean as Nick's guilt became present on his face.
"Do not blame yourself Nick, it was an error on my part that caused this not your arrival. With myself out of the way Kimura may get sloppy. Keep your guard up Nick. He wants the coin's just as you said, he'd planning on using 'your friends' to make you hand them over. I believe he's unaware of your precautions. while I'm in here I'm protected, your friends are protected now so you are the last piece of the puzzle. The board is set now and there is only one move left to play" with that Sean patted Nick's hand.
Nick got to his feet and after speaking to Sam and Serena, he headed out of the hospital and off to finish this game once and for all.