Family Ties – Chapter Seven
AN – There's some more expanding of my version of the Grimm-verse in this chapter so I hope you like. Thank you for all the responses to this story so far. It really means a lot and I love the fact others still like Grimm even as I'm new to this awesome (and story inspiring) world.
I do not own any characters or stories from the tv show Grimm. Some dialogue is lifted from various episodes in Season 3. No infringement or copyright is intended. It's all for fun, no profit being made here.
Hope you've got a drink ready; this is the longest chapter yet!
-G-
Adalind lies awake and watches the trees sway from the wind through the crack in the curtains. She does her nightly routine of stretching out her senses and feeling the magic in the area. Diana is a warm glow at her side, perhaps too warm really, and she pauses to concentrate on the feeling of her daughter before moving on to sense Kelly's cooler presence from the next room. Nothing else in the house draws her attention so she relaxes. Now if only she could sleep.
She can sleep, she admits to herself as her eyes grow heavy but she also worries what will happen when she does.
This connection she seems to have with Nick, the shared dreams they're experiencing and the magic that she can sense in them. It has to be linked with the spell they cast but she doesn't understand how. That was protective magic, the intent behind it to shield and conceal. Nothing that should or would be able to forge this link. Something else must be at play but she can't think of it.
Casting her thoughts back she relives the moment again, trying to see anything she missed. The warehouse, cleansing the space, the charm and ingredients. Nick. His blood and that flare of something in the air. That has to be it but as she knows so little about Grimms and their blood and its magical properties, she'll have to settle for questioning Kelly. Which is not the easiest thing to do.
She also needs to be honest with herself. These dreams are unexpected and uncomfortable and yet, also maybe, slightly reassuring. She's not alone in this. And she can definitely think of worse people to be connected to, especially in this personal and intimate way, than Nick. They may have a very turbulent history but there's also a realness to their interactions. They've never pretended to be someone or something other than what they are, not really.
He's the good guy and she's the wicked witch.
Well, her wicked days are done, or rather in reserve for those that would take her daughter from her, and she's coming to depend on that good streak in Nick.
Sighing, she closes her eyes and wonders where her dreams will take her, what she might see and feel tonight.
-G-
Nick leans back as he lets another book fall closed. He knew it might be a long shot but he still hoped that he would be able to find something, some reference, to sharing magical dreams with another person. Although, as he was currently in this predicament with a Hexenbiest and most of his ancestors would have only found out enough information to then kill said Hexenbiest it's probably understandable why there's nothing in any of the books so far.
Hell, just last week he would have potentially done that. Except, perhaps not. He took Adalind's powers, in a way killing her, but he never thought of actually ending her life. He could have, he has taken several Wesen's lives when he's had to but he didn't go that way with her. There was a problem and he found a way to neutralise it. And she stayed alive.
Which came back to bite him, and Juliette, but also showed him more about who she was than what she was. She was a fighter and even without her powers she still came back to have another shot at him. She didn't just give up. Which made him think of all that she would do now, for her daughter. He was just something to prove, a target she was aimed at and then a focus for her revenge. She did that so he reacted and then she did this and so on. Now, she had something more to fight for and he believed her when she said she'd do anything for her child.
Could he respect her at the same time as detesting her? Except, that seemed like too strong a word. He didn't know her well enough to like her, or even truly hate her, but he could respect her in that abstract way of thinking when an enemy made a good move. And she had definitely earnt some admiration from him at not just giving up and her dedication to her child.
Nick thought of what his mother said, in the few moments they had alone in the warehouse. She'd been as practical as he's come to know her to be, more Grimm than mother but it still hurt him that she was like that. They'd had better conversations when fighting the Mauvais Dentes in that very same warehouse than about his, or hers, feelings of her leaving.
Because she had left. And she'd had her reasons and he could understand them but he didn't really get why she was choosing to still stay away. Would he ever know if his mother would have returned after destroying the coins if not for this situation? Would it have had to have been another situation, fight, reason for her to come back, other than him? Was he, himself, not reason enough?
Thinking that way was not getting him anywhere. Nick had to accept that and move on. He had so many things in his life right now, bringing up the past wouldn't help any, especially when he didn't have time to have a proper conversation about what had happened. No, he needed to focus on what was in his present. Work, Wesen, wedding and weird dreams.
He can keep looking here in the trailer but what he really wants is to ask Rosalee. She has an awareness of more in the Wesen world than he does and might have heard of something like this before. If he's careful he can inquire without having to break his vow of silence.
"Magical connections?" Rosalee asks when he brings up the topic at dinner that night. Monroe looks curious whilst Juliette looks forlorn. "What kind are we talking about? Between objects or people or something else?"
"People," he replies and when Rosalee looks intrigued continues on but he keeps his eyes on Juliette. "It was … mentioned and I haven't been able to find any references in the books I've seen so far."
"I thought we were going to talk about the wedding, not more Wesen topics," she mutters and shrugs as the rest of the table look at her. "I mean, we talk about that so often, what with Nick's cases and everything else that comes into our lives. This is your wedding; we should focus on that."
"You're right," Nick quickly agrees, "I'm sorry." He takes Juliette's hand in his as he turns back to his friends but notices her grip is feeble in his grasp.
"It's not a problem," Rosalee smiles.
"You know we like playing detectives alongside you Nick," Monroe agrees and Nick laughs.
"Playing? You guys do more than that! We should get you your own version of badges to have, with all that you help me with."
"Dude, that would be so cool! Like the Grimm Gang or Wesen Investigates or something awesome sounding that I currently can't think of!" Monroe is off on a tangent and Rosalee smiles indulgently as he suggests more and more outlandish names for them, with badge designs to go alongside.
"I think Scooby gang is taken," Nick adds in with a grin and he's happy in this moment until he notices the only one at the table not enjoying the conversation is Juliette. He squeezes her hand but she pulls it from his hold.
"Speaking of badges and things that pin on, did you decide on flowers or something else for the buttonholes?" Her question steers them back to the wedding, which Nick is happy to hear about as he watches his friend's glow in their excitement for their big day, but unease settles into his gut. Maybe she really is just all about the wedding. Some women get like that, and though he wouldn't have thought Juliette necessarily would be one of them, it's a better thought than what else is creeping inside him. That she doesn't want to talk about Wesen. That she doesn't want to talk about his world.
Because it is. He's part of it. He's trying to build a better version of it. Is sat at this table with two good, life-long friends who are entrenched in it. It's their world and he's happy to be there. What if Juliette's not? Her only connection to any of this, really, is him.
The conversation goes on and Nick shakes the thoughts away so he can contribute but they linger in the back of his head. Once the meal is eaten and the wine drunk, he and Juliette pick up their coats to head home.
"I'll see if there's any mentions of anything connective at the shop," Rosalee murmurs as he leans in to give her a hug goodbye. Nick moves back slightly as he realises, she's answering his question from before and with a side sweep of her eyes and tilt of her head, knows she picked up on Juliette's reticence about the topic discussion too.
"Thank you," he breathes and she smiles.
The drive home is silent and not in an entirely comfortable way. Nick doesn't know how he can start the conversation without it becoming a potential fight and right now he just wants to get into his bed and sleep. He's probably just focusing on a small issue as he can do nothing about the other, main issue in his life right now.
They move together and get ready for bed with the ease of two people who've done this many times before. She goes into the bathroom first while he changes and then she leaves his lamp on for him to find his way into bed. Settling under the covers he thinks they might even be considered an old married couple before also realising that their routines are very individual. They hadn't interacted with each other at all. She's in the space but she's not in it with him.
His thoughts from earlier surface and he thinks it's the same for the Wesen world. He's the common denominator. He's the link to this world that's hidden beneath the surface and he likes it that way. Likes who and what he is. Likes learning about all the possibilities around him. Especially now he's just beginning to know what being a Grimm truly is. Discovering a whole other side to himself and that he's more than just an enhanced fighting machine. He belongs in that world of magic and marvel and monsters.
-G-
Panting breaths reach his ears and he clutches the writhing body on top of him. Guides her movements so she can feel him and then holds her there with his strength. The beast in his belly approves as she pleads with him, gasping as he sucks her skin into his mouth and scrapes it with his teeth. A mark to show he's had her this way.
She shudders against him and his hands move, one to the back of her neck to hold steady as the other grips her hips securely, her blonde hair swaying around them. He rocks up and feels himself press close and groans. Where their skin touches is a live wire of magic and wanton need. He needs this, needs her.
"Oh," she cries out. "Nick!" He uses his hold on her neck to pull her back, position her so she can watch as he claims her. The beast inside him calling to the biest in her.
-G-
Nick shoots up in bed and gazes wildly around. He's in his room, the body next to him topped off with red hair and he falls back to the pillows in shock.
What the hell had that been? What kind of a dream was that?
He runs this hand through his hair before realising the movement jostles the bed and he watches to see if Juliette will wake. She doesn't but Nick knows he's not getting any more sleep tonight so eases himself out of bed and quietly opens the bedroom door to head downstairs.
Seriously, what the hell. He's never had dreams like that before. I mean, he's had the odd raunchy fantasy, he's a red-blooded male after-all. But never anything like that. And blonde hair? Where had that come from? It felt …
He shakes his head, keen to not think about it. He's just stressed, too much going on right now, too many balls in his court. Not that thinking of balls is helping him this exact moment.
Heading to the kitchen he grabs a drink then stands in the living room, drinking it slowly. The darkness doesn't bother him and he actually finds it calming to note the number of details he can see in the room, even in the state of having barely any light.
It makes the flash of headlights through the window more obvious and definitely the appearance of said light lingering. He steps closer to the edge of the window, spying through the smallest gap and sees a car hovering in the street. In front of his house. No one gets in or out, it just idles there for a few minutes before driving off.
Nick can't fully see who is inside but he does get the plate numbers and quickly jots them down on a nearby pad. It could be nothing but his gut is telling him this is something to investigate.
The thought that someone may be watching the house drives all other thoughts from his head.
-G-
"Can you tell me anything more about Grimm's blood?" Adalind had been trying to bring up the topic in a subtle, delicate way but ends up blurting it out as they prepare dinner one evening. Kelly raises an eyebrow at her abruptness and Adalind tries not to show any nervousness.
"I could," she replies, "but you could also tell me more about these dreams and how they involve Nicky."
"I told you when I asked you to send that message." Kelly shakes her head.
"I think there's more to it than that."
"Well, so do I! But that doesn't mean I know how or why this is happening. This type of magic, it's actually quite rare and usually only managed with a lot of focus and intent behind the spell." She tries to keep her voice calm but something about the way Kelly is staring at her makes her unsettled. If she knew more, she would say, or at least feel more comfortable about the whole linked dreams, visions, whatever they were.
"So, if we know that something like this can be done then we should be able to find out more about it. How would we do that?" Adalind sighs.
"We'd need access to a Hexenbiest Library. Which means going to a Hexenbiest and so alerting those in the community to my presence. We might not be terribly social with the rest of the Wesen world but all Hexenbiest meet to gossip when given the chance. I don't know if it's worth the risk, asking for this information might lead to others knowing we're enquiring and that could lead to questions, and then us being found, and that would not be a good thing." She's rambling and she tells herself to stop. But she can see all of that happening and she knows Sean, though not proficient in the use of magic, keeps tabs on all the chatter by those who do. He'd definitely hear about her.
"Ok, then maybe we use this shared dreaming of yours to tell Nicky to investigate. There might be something in the books that can help."
"The mighty Grimm books," Adalind mutters then squirms slightly when Kelly cocks an eyebrow at her. "Is there anything in them about the use of Grimm's blood?" She wants to get back to her original topic.
"There might be but I doubt it." Kelly answers. "When I talked to … who I talked to," this time Adalind raises her eyebrow but the older woman carries on, "he was very insistent on this being word of mouth. It was precious information and so treated highly clandestine. Paper can fall into the wrong hands and this knowledge must be protected."
"Sound intense," Adalind murmurs.
"I'm not sure I fully understand it," Kelly admits. There's a bump then a crash sound from upstairs and Adalind is on her feet instantly, knowing only Diana should be above them. Kelly is still quicker and gets up the stairs before her, entering her bedroom with knife drawn before coming to an abrupt halt. Adalind almost crashes into her and steps to the side to take in the room.
Their bags are in disarray and Diana is sitting up in her crib, making several objects float around her. Her purple eyes meet Adalind's and her daughter most definitely laughs.
"Ok, honey, time to put all this down now," Adalind says calmly, walking over to stand beside the crib and not giving away how freaked out she is. Magic in times of high emotional stress is understandable. This? This is more than that. Diana meets her gaze then the light in her eyes fades as everything drifts down. "Thank you." She reaches inside and picks Diana up, giving her a tickle so she laughs again. Kelly re-holsters her knife and looks between the two of them.
"We need to talk about her powers and figure out a way to teach her how and when to use them." Adalind nods and kisses the top of her daughter's fine, wispy hair. That feeling of panic builds inside her again as she thinks how it's far too soon to be having this conversation. Oh, what has she done to her beautiful girl?
-G-
The muted colours swirl around him and for a moment Nick thinks he's alone before he becomes aware of the body behind him.
"Nick," Adalind greets as he turns to her. For a moment they do nothing but stare at each other, the air humming with energy and power.
"So, this might become a regular thing?" She quips and he can't help but huff in exasperation.
"You really think so?"
"I don't know," she replies. "I don't really understand how this is happening, let alone knowing more details. But it stands to reason if it's happened more than once, it'll keep happening."
"I guess that makes sense, plus," he trails off and Adalind raises her eyebrow at him. "Well, doesn't it feel like it might be more?" This is more than what he usually relies on his instincts for but he sinks into the feeling now, thinking of all that he's learned in recent days.
"I think I know what you mean … and yes, there's power in the air here and a sense of something … more." They share another look and Nick nods.
"So, where do we go from here?"
"We have to find out more," she replies. "And that will be on you."
"Yeah, you're not exactly in a position to be asking questions," he murmurs and her lips quirk up.
"Pretty much what I told your mother," she says and Nick can imagine how she would've reacted to that. The colours begin to swirl faster and the air thickens. They share another look and come to an understanding.
"Seems our time here is limited," he mutters.
"Well, we're in your hands Nick." Her words seem to echo as their shared world spins faster and then blends into black.
-G-
"We had a murder last night. Holtby and Bauer caught it. But this came to my attention," The captain shows them the evidence picture and Hank frowns but Nick recognises it.
"Looks like Verrat." He states and the captain grimaces.
"Only different. That's Verrat Ahnenerbe. Special section 'D'. Tasked with finding anything involving rare objects, the occult and the supernatural." That information is intriguing and they talk about a few more details before the images from the security cameras is shared.
"What's in the trunk?" Hank asks. "The Holy Grail?"
"Probably the reason the Verrat agent was in that room. I want to find this Rolek and his son before anyone else does. We need to know what's in that trunk. This is a top priority." Nick cocks his head at the captain's tone.
Obviously, they need to keep the Verrat away from anything that could be potentially dangerous or powerful but he wonders, if they manage to find them and what's in this mysterious trunk, whether it'd be better off in the captain's hands. Because it seems clear to Nick that if they find it the captain will definitely want to keep it. He really hopes he's not looking at another situation like the key and fighting over objects that they have no proof mean anything other than being part of old tales. Or, heaven forbid, something like the coins.
They leave the captain's office and Nick reaches his desk just as his phone stops ringing. Seeing its home, he hits call back and gets Trubel.
"Nick, can you come home? Like right now?" Her tone is off and Nick straightens in worry.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine but there's a guy here, says he needs to see you. Nick, he has a picture of a Hundjaer. It looks like it's from one of the books."
"I'm on my way. Don't go anywhere and don't let him leave." Nick grabs his coat and looks to Hank as his partner tilts his head in question.
"I've got to go see Trubel, can you cover for me?"
"Sure. You need any help?"
"I'll let you know," Nick replies as he speeds walk out of the precinct. The last few minutes run through his mind. Dead Hundjager, in town potentially looking for rare objects or artefacts and then a stranger turning up with possibly a Grimm book. That would definitely be considered rare and wanted by the Verrat and the royal families. He may by jumping the gun here, and he'll find out as soon as he gets to his house, but his gut is telling him this is big. And he should keep it as quiet, with as few people knowing as possible.
Walking into his house he sees Trubel glaring at a young man and as he turns towards him, his face clicks in Nick's mind.
"Hello, I don't mean to disturb you but my name is-"
"Josh Porter," Nick finishes and watches as his eyes widen.
"You know him?" Trubel asks but he shakes his head.
"No, but he is a person of interest in a case involving a dead body in a hotel room."
"Oh god," Josh slumps and runs his hands through his hair. "It wasn't like that! My dad, he had to! That man just came and then he didn't stop and then my dad was going on about tattoos and Ver-what and oh, God this can't be happening." He looks up at Nick. "He's sick, my dad. I've driven him here from Pennsylvania because he had to see you. That's all he wants and tells me. Well, beside the crazy bits about animals and fights. But I don't know about that, just-he's talking nonsense. He's dying and he just wants to see a stranger."
Nick follows along as best as he can but there's clearly more here than the young man in front of him is saying, or possibly knows. Still, he's clearly in distress and Nick glances at Trubel, who shrugs at him, before stepping closer.
"Look, I don't know why your dad would be looking for me but I am a police detective and I can help. I will help you." Josh looks at him and slowly nods.
"Ok, alright. I better take you to my dad then."
Pulling up at the abandoned building doesn't give Nick a good vibe but looking again at the man by his side doesn't present a sense of danger either. At least the worry of the car from outside his house is solved, being the one Josh is driving. Everything else is still just a bit mysterious. Josh leads them forward but stops at the door.
"My dad's losing his mind, you know. I don't know what you think you're going to do for him, just…" he trails off and shrugs before heading inside.
"Dad?" There's silence for a moment before an elderly, frail looking man snuffles towards them, leaning heavily on a cane. "Dad, this is Nick Burkhardt and uh, Trubel. This is my dad, Rolek Porter." Nick steps forward and takes the man's outstretched hand. His grip is surprisingly firm, given how he looks, and his skin hums with the touch. The old man smiles.
"You are a Grimm, and you have accessed Rittsritter, good." Nick gapes at him as Josh mutters about the ramblings of old men.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"You are a Grimm, are you not?"
"I am but I've never heard of a Rit-uh, what you just said." Nick can feel Trubel's eyes on him but stays focused on the man in front of him as he shuffles closer.
"Do you not know? How can you not? You must have felt it, when you bled." Nick straightens and his gaze sharpens as he thinks of the most recent time he bled and all that's been happening to him since. "You know," the old man states.
"Nick, what is he talking about?" Trubel's question brings her to the old man's attention and he peers at her.
"Another Grimm? Good, good. I can pass it to you both." He releases Nick's hand but grabs hold of his arm and uses it to steady himself as he leads them further into the building.
"You know about Hundjager," Trubel questions as they walk. "You know about the books?"
"The books? Yes, yes. I know about the books, know more than the books." He stops beside a very familiar looking trunk. "This has been in my family for a very, very long time. My son doesn't even know what any of this means. I'm dying and I must pass this on." He goes to open it but sways then falls to his knees.
"Dad!" Josh rushes forward as Nick grabs hold so the older Grimm doesn't faceplant on the floor. "We have to get him to a hospital!"
"No!"
"Yes! Enough of this nonsense!" Josh puts his arm under his father's shoulder and supports him to stand. They start to move but he grabs Nick's arm as they go to pass him.
"Don't-don't leave the trunk!" His eyes are desperate and Nick completely understands. This here is this man's, this Grimm's trailer and Nick knows what he'd do for it. He nods and his arm is released.
"We'll secure the trunk. Take him to St. Josephs but try to give as little information as possible. Tell as few people as you can your names. I'll follow you there and if any police try to talk to you, call me first." He hastily passes over a card and Josh still looks bewildered but nods.
They walk out as Nick turns to Trubel who's gazing at the trunk in something akin to wonder. Nick feels the same.
"This is full of Grimm books?" She sounds thrilled with the prospect.
"Possibly more," Nick adds, thinking of all the things his Aunt Marie collected. "We have to protect it. Let's get it into my car and covered."
-G-
By the time they catch up to the Porters, Rolek has been settled into a bed and Josh is sat by his side.
"I don't understand any of this," he mutters as Nick and Trubel stand at the end of the bed.
"I didn't either, not for a long time," she says as she moves closer to him. "But Nick helped me and he'll help you and your dad too."
"You both see what he talks about?" They both nod at his question but rather than look reassured he just looks more stricken. "I've spent so long telling him he was crazy."
"I thought I was crazy too, at first," Trubel comments and Nick nods along. "It helps to talk to others who know."
"All my dad has wanted to do was talk to you," Josh says and Nick cocks his head to one side.
"How did your dad know about me?" Josh shrugs.
"He just did," he replies and it doesn't settle Nick at all.
"Josh?" Rolek mumbles and they all turn to see him blinking slowly.
"I'm here, dad," Josh grips his father's hand. "So is the uh detective, Nick and the uh Trubel." His father slowly nods before focusing on Nick.
"I have to give you something."
"We have the trunk, it's safe."
"That's good. But no … There's-there's something else. Something that was given to me by my father. And by his father. I couldn't do what they did. What you do." He pauses to take a deep breath. "Maybe that's why Josh isn't … I have to give you the key. I promised my father I would protect it and pass it on. But Josh isn't one of us. I had to find someone like us. Used the blood. And you were the only one I could find." Nick takes his own deep breath as he realises what he's being told. A key. Another key, passed down just like his Aunt Marie passed one to him. Definitely something the Verrat would hunt and kill for.
"Where is it?"
"I'll show you. Give me my cane."
"Dad, you can't get up!" Rolek waves his worry aside but coughs as he tries to move again. Nick moves to push him down gently and keep him on the bed.
"Stay in the bed. We can go wherever you need us to but please rest." He's worried about overexertion. This man is very sick and selfishly Nick wants him to be ok to answer more questions. He's revealed so much but also generated lots more queries too.
"My cane!" The two men share a look, in agreement that Rolek really shouldn't be moving anytime soon but Trubel steps forward with the object in hand.
"I don't think he wants to move," she comments quietly and Rolek nods at her before attempting to twist the top of his cane. His strength fails him but Nick finally understands.
"It's here," he states and Rolek nods again before giving up and passing it into Nick's hands.
"Keep it safe," he implores and Nick takes his hand in a firm grip as he vows to do so. Rolek relaxes on the bed and silence envelops the room once more. Nick stares at the wooden object in his hands, thinking of what's hidden in plain sight. Another key. His phone rings, abruptly shattering the quiet in the room and he hooks the cane into his elbow as he steps outside to take the call.
"Nick, where are you?" Juliette sounds worried and he glances at the time to see he should have been home, or at least contacted her to say he wouldn't be, some time ago.
"I'm at the hospital with … uh, family. I won't be home for a while." He doesn't know why that word comes out but it does.
"Family? Nick, what is going on? What family? Your mother?"
"No, no. Uh, he's someone who needs my help and he's a Grimm."
"Being a Grimm doesn't automatically make someone family!" Comes the biting response and Nick recoils at her tone before sighing.
"Listen Juliette, I'm sorry but I have to stay here. This is something I have to do."
"Of course it is," she snaps back, "Well, let me, you know the woman you wanted to build a proper family with, know when you're coming home," The line goes dead and Nick debates calling her back before accepting it will do no good.
With a sigh he steps back into the room to see Rolek looking around, more alert than when Nick left the room.
"Son, go get a drink," Rolek orders and Josh looks befuddled but Nick catches on.
"Trubel, go with him." Both of the younger adults look at them like they're crazy but since neither of them say anymore Trubel shrugs and leads the way out of the room. Josh lingers at the door, glancing between his father and Nick before leaving and closing the door behind him.
"You are Rittsritter," Rolek states.
"I don't know what that means," Nick confesses and the old man sighs.
"It is from the old ways. When Grimms could be more and was known only to Grimms. You have accessed the strength of your blood, our own type of magic and you use it now to achieve what you wish, your own cause as it could be seen. Such as our ancestors did before, a knight fighting to protect his own in a crusade of his choosing." Rolek pauses to cough but continues to speak before Nick can say anything. "I felt it when we touched. You have the awareness now; you can get a sense of a person with proximity and the power in your blood. It is how I could find you; I felt the shift and knew you were the one to pass my families collection to."
"Rittsritter," Nick repeats as he tries to wrap his mind around everything he's just heard. Some of it makes sense to him but otherwise he still doesn't understand.
"It's a type of magic?"
"Yes, blood magic. Very powerful. Gives strength to what you will and how you fight." He coughs and Nick passes him a drink from the side table.
"You must take care," Rolek warns. "Rittsritter is more power and that can bring more danger. There are those that would use you for their own gain, if they knew what you could do. What or who you protect, they will be at risk if you fall. Be careful who you trust with that knowledge." He nods and then lays back onto the pillows. "I think I am- I need to see my son, now." Nick wants to ask more, needs to know more about this new thing he is and what else it means he can do. But he sees the man's laboured breathing, thinks of his precious time as Aunt Marie passed away and rises to honour the man's wishes.
He and Trubel wait in the hospital but it feels like very little time has passed when Josh comes out of the room looking heartbroken.
"He died," he whispers and Nick is surprised when Trubel steps forward to slip an arm around his shoulders. Josh doesn't react to the move, seeming to be in a daze.
"I'm sorry," Nick says quietly. "Look, I'm sure you still have questions. So, why don't you do what you have to here and then come by my place?" Josh looks up at him as though he's speaking another language. "We're here for you, if you want that. And we'll help in any way we can. Just, come back to my house, ok?" Josh nods slowly and then gets called away, back into the room with his dad.
"Come on," Nick says to Trubel. "We've got several things to move that really need to be out of sight." He spins the cane in his hand before leading the way back to his car.
-G-
AN – Hope you're still with me.
Just a note to say Rittsritter is a word of my own invention, taken from two German words. Ritter meaning knight and Reichsritter, a Free Imperial knight or a term used for the remnants of medieval free nobility. I in no way mean to cause any offense by mashing words together and creating my own terminology, I'm just writing this thing that's stuck in my head and I love history and I do a lot of research, in regards to all aspects of this story, to make sure it's as accurate and credible as possible. Just for me but I hope you guys get the benefits from the world crafted in this story.