Family Ties Chapter Fifteen
-G-
AN – The responses to the break up were great, thank you so much! A few of you seemed a bit disappointed by the lack of drama around that and that's fine, this might just be the calm before the storm, you'll have to keep reading to find out, lol.
I do not own any characters or stories from the tv show Grimm. Some dialogue is lifted from various episodes in Season 3 and Season 4. No infringement or copyright is intended. It's all for fun, no profit being made here.
-G-
She gasps in his ear and he groans as their bodies press together. Hands tangle in his hair and pull him closer, his lips trailing up her neck as he moves.
"Oh," she moans, one hand griping at the back of his head and the other curling around his bicep. Where she touches feels electric and the space around them hums.
"Yes," he grunts as she rolls her hips against his. He's never felt like this, never been so hard and he just wants more.
"Nick," she pants and he wraps his hands around her hips to pull her closer, position her just right.
"Adalind," he murmurs back and startles awake.
With a groan, Nick turns over and punches the pillow, trying to get his body to settle down. These dreams … he's a bit surprised to still be having them, though he's no longer denying his attraction to the blonde in them. But he had thought they were linked to his feelings around his relationship woes and with that situation now resolved, albeit only by a few hours, maybe they will filter off as more time passes. He is still in a dry spell and that fact probably isn't changing, no matter that he's now newly single.
Still, he's glad he's in the guest bedroom as he can only imagine how long his and Juliette's amicable parting would last if she heard him saying another woman's name the night of their break up. Especially *that* woman's name.
These dreams though are like nothing else he's experienced. They feel so real, he wants so much and waking to his body ready to go is starting to wear on him. Another cold shower to start his day.
Breakfast is nice, if slightly strained. He and Juliette move around the space and each other well but hesitate in moments that used to be easy, like handing each other a drink or talking about meal plans for the rest of the day. She talks about grocery shopping and he makes it awkward by mentioning sorting out their finances.
For once their conversation is not interrupted by his phone and they spend an uncomfortable few minutes discussing what and if anything needs to change around the house before she makes a joke about Bud repairing the refrigerator and the tension breaks with their laughs.
"We'll figure this out," he says as he leaves for work and she nods and smiles.
Nick really hopes that that doesn't become another thing he lets her down with. Part of him is relieved that they were able to talk it out and part on such good terms but another part inside him is also waiting for the other shoe to drop. Was it too easy? Was there something he was missing? As with a lot of the situations in his life right now, only time will tell.
For once he has beaten Hank to the precinct and Wu shoots him a look before deliberately raising his arm to check the time on his watch. Nick gives him a gesture back and settles into his desk chair quickly, checking through emails and paperwork he hasn't caught up on in a while as well as looking for any updates from the enquiries they started yesterday.
It's looking like, to him, a case of family feud turned ugly by stealing but they'll know for sure once they get to see a copy of the late matriarch's will.
"Morning partner," Hank greets and Nick nods at him before asking if he's had any replies from the day before. He has and it looks like their case will be handed over to an insurance investigation, as more details about the family are revealed and just what monetary costs are at stake.
Sudden volume and the start of clapping alerts them and they both stand to see Captain Renard walking through the bullpen, officers cheering and greeting him as he moves through the space. He pauses by the door to his office, turning to address the small crowd.
"Thank you! Alright, thank you. Well, you know lying in a hospital bed really gives a man a chance to think. These past few years, this precinct has basically been my home and I-I just want you all to know how grateful I am to each and every one of you for all your support. And, it's great to be back." He nods and receives a few more cheers before entering his office.
"Captains back then," Wu unnecessarily says, appearing at Nick's shoulder. "Think I should tell him I found that report request he left and have already started looking into Ms Schade now, or wait till he calls me in?" Hank shoots them both a look but Nick gives him a gesture to wait as he replies to Wu.
"I guess he'd probably appreciate the admission, what with our job role and all. I can come with if you want?"
"I'm a big boy, Nick, I can handle my own confession. And it's not like he didn't write my name on the damn file." Wu squares his shoulders before turning to face the captain's office.
"I'm here if you need," Nick adds in before he walks away. He watches as the sergeant knocks before turning to give Hank a brief description of what he and Wu had done, along with the file. He can't help but keep an eye on the meeting going on, trying to read the captain's facial expressions as well as Wu's body movements.
He wants to ask what was said but Wu is intercepted as soon as he comes out of the office and then he's bringing them a case and they're off to the crime scene.
The body of a 17-year-old surrounded with blood is not a pleasant sight and talking to the mother is even more distressing. She obviously loved her son a lot and tried to save him. The missing foot is an oddity and Nick is suspecting it's Wesen related before he gets any confirmation.
"We're going to do everything we can to find whoever did this," Hank offers, trying to comfort but the woman just starts to cry, her emotions leading to a Woge Nick can see and takes note off.
"I'm sorry," she sobs out. "Um, is there anything else? My daughter is back in the house and she's just lost her brother, so I'd really like to be with her." Hank nods as Nick replies.
"All right, that's all." She leaves and he steps closer to Hank. "She's Wesen."
"Yep, got that feeling." Hank replies and they both move back to the body to look again.
Returning to the precinct they discuss the case and who is going to start where, ending up deciding with Nick to focus on researching the family as Hank checks for historical similarities.
"Here's something. Similar case. The body was found in the woods, foot chopped off, three years ago in Lane County. Victim was a 23-year-old male." Hank reads as he scrolls through the information. "Only lead was a young boy on his bike who saw a big guy in a long coat walking through the woods with, and I quote, 'a really big ass axe'."
"Sounds a bit familiar," Wu comments as he arrives at their desks. "We've both seen your axe collection, could this be the work of another Grimm?" Nick frowns before shaking his head.
"I mean, I can't say for sure but I don't think so. My lot are more famed for cutting off heads, not feet."
"There was an all-out man hunt, but the case went cold. I'm thinking serial killer." Hank adds in.
"I'm thinking serial foot collector." Wu quips.
"Yeah, but why the foot? I mean, if it's Wesen."
"Is it?" Wu enquires with a look and both Nick and Hank nod.
"The mom is." Nick confirms.
"What kind?"
"I'm not sure but … she looked a little rabbit-like."
"So, Peter must be a rabbit-like Wesen too."
"Okay, wait, Peter is a rabbit-like Wesen, and somebody cut off his foot? Anybody else thinking lucky rabbit's foot?" They all share a look.
"We are now," Hank comments and Nick rises to grab his coat.
"Let's go," he says, knowing he doesn't need to elaborate about their destination.
They move quickly through the precinct, heading to the garage and splitting up once they get to their vehicles. Nick lingers as Hank climbs into his car and catches Wu's eye. The sergeant dawdles getting into his own car, reading his intent, and Nick waves at Hank as he drives passed before quickly stepping over to Wu's side.
"Everything ok?" Wu asks and he nods.
"Just wanted to check that everything went ok with the captain?" He keeps his voice neutral and hopes his face is that of a concerned friend. Wu seems to appreciate it and replies in a positive tone.
"Oh, yeah, he was alright. He wanted me to do a dive so was grateful I'd already started."
"He wants you to stay on it?" He's not sure he wants the captain to continue to look into Adalind. On the one hand, he knows about the situation and seemingly did have a hand in helping with the initial escape from the royals and getting them out of Europe, but he remains unsure about the captain's true motivations. Does he want his daughter, and her mother who is his previous partner, to be safe or does he want them for his own, self-serving purposes?
Adalind may be biased in her opinion of him but Nick has had too many of his own experiences with his superior to not be thinking along the same lines.
"Yeah," Wu frowns at him. "Nick, is everything ok?"
"Yeah, sure … just, could you keep me in the loop with anything you find? And … before the captain?" Wu shoots him a look and he shifts on his feet while trying not to look guilty or anything else that might arise Wu's interest.
"Is something going on?"
"It's something I'm keeping an eye on. Just me, Wu, and I'd appreciate it if we could keep this between us."
"Alright," Wu drawls out and he nods at him again before turning to get in his own car. He might have just shown his hand sightly but it needed to be done. Wu is very good at his job and if he goes digging, he could very well find something and that is a situation Nick needs to know about. And he can trust Wu. Though it might be time to reassess keeping everything a secret. He's thought it before but having his friends in the know could only be helpful, more eyes looking out for Adalind, Diana and his mom to keep them safe. Something for him to think of and then it might be his turn to do some convincing with his mother.
-G-
Getting to the trailer and starting their search makes him think of asking Wu about if he's found any solutions to safely getting the collection digitalised but surprisingly, they find the desired information quicker than usual.
"Found it, it's called Willahara … they were considered sacred." Nick states as he reads from one of the Grimm books. "Here we go. 'Due to the fecund nature of this Wesen, it is believed that good fortune and fertility is bestowed upon the newlywed couples who participate in a practise known as Spedigberendess'."
"What is that?" Wu asks. "Wait, do I want to know?"
"Probably not, but he's going to tell us anyway." Hank adds in.
"It says here, 'before relations are to begin, the severed Willahara foot must be placed beneath the couple wishing to procreate'."
"You're joking," Wu states and Nick show him the entry, and illustration, in the book he's reading. "Ok, not joking." Hank leans over to see as well and they all pulled disturbed faces at the book.
"There's more," the older detective adds. "It says here 'the fresher the foot, the more fertile the female will be. Within three days, conception will occur'."
"They leave a severed foot under the bed for three days?"
"That's what it says," Hank replies.
"Does anyone else think this is messed up?" They're all quick to agree with that assessment. Nick references the book again.
"Here's something about the Wesen who hunt them. They're called Leporem Venators."
"There's something to be proud of."
"If these Willahara are still being hunted by the Leporem Venators, then maybe the accident the mom told us the father died in wasn't an accident. Let's see what we can find out."
"I'll hop on it," Wu cracks then holds his hands up as both Nick and Hank glare at him. "I tried to stop myself before I said it, sorry."
"This is happening in Portland?" Hank asks, sounding disturbed and disgusted.
"Well, if this has anything to do with Wesen fertility, I'll bet you Monroe and Rosalee know something about it."
-G-
He and Hank enter the Spice Shop to find Rosalee with a customer so move into the side room and greet Monroe. They check in with how he's doing after his ordeal with the Wesenrein and his reaction to the council call is on par to how Nick felt, if not more. Rosalee joins them as they discuss the, in their opinions, out of touch Wesen advisory body.
"I don't think that's the reason you came here today though," Rosalee adds in as she joins them.
"Yeah, no, not that we couldn't keep discussing that but we do have a case we could use your help on," Nick replies. "Have you heard of Willahara?"
"Willahara? Yeah, I've heard of them. Never seen one, though, my grandfather swears he found one hiding in the Bavarian Forest." Monroe reminisces.
"He didn't cut off-"
"Oh no, no." Monroe cuts Hank off before pulling a face. "He did eat him though, but that's beside the point."
"From what I've heard, Willahara don't stay in one place for long." Rosalee comments.
"It's the same reason they don't want to woge in front of other Wesen, you know? Fear of being exposed." Monroe's tone is grave and from their understanding of the situation, he completely understands.
"The thought that they are still being hunted … don't get me started." Rosalee growls and all the men nod in agreement. They talk about some more details of the case as Rosalee tries to settle her emotions, though they all seem to be feeling it with this case.
"There's Wesen fertility doctors in every big city, although what we're talking about is illegal. They're not going to be, like, advertising, 'come on in for the Spedigberendess severed foot option'." Monroe quips.
"But a Wesen couple could speak with these doctors without any suspicion."
"Are you guys volunteering?" Nick asks and he's not surprised that they only need a glance at each other to come to an agreement.
"Hell yes," Rosalee almost growls out. "If we can help to stop this savagery, we're in."
Nick's phone rings and he greets Wu before putting him on speaker so they can all hear.
"Peter's father was killed in a hit-and-run accident; driver was never apprehended. Left foot severed off and not found at the scene." Wu reels off and Nick hates that their hunch was right.
"Left foot? Does that matter?"
"It's supposed to be the lucky one. I just went out there to follow up on the accident report. Mom and daughter are gone, nothing left in the house."
"They're running scared," Nick states and shares looks of understanding in their small group. He can't help but think of Adalind right now, either, some parallels in this case making him reflect on the other mother daughter duo he knows, running for safety.
"We need to find them," Hank states and they quickly make plans to do just that. They split up to head back to the precinct and Nick lets him leave first, hesitating at the door before deciding to stay, just for a moment longer, so he can talk to Rosalee and Monroe on his own, before getting back to work.
"Look, I need to go but I just wanted to say uh, to let you know that Juliette and I … we broke up last night."
"Oh Nick," Rosalee breathes out and steps closer to him, placing a hand on his arm and squeezing gently as Monroe's face scrunches up.
"Dude, are you alright?"
"It's ok, I'm ok and I know I'm just dumping this on you now, really quickly and as I leave no less, but I wanted you to know and if you see Juliette, well you know that it's all very amicable."
"Really? Are you really ok?" He picks up on the shared look and thinks maybe he shouldn't have done this right now.
"We talked and it's for the best. I'm not saying it's easy but … it was a good talk." Ho shrugs and nods before stepping back. "I do have to go now, sorry."
"Nick, that's not-urgh, ok fine, you have to go. But you're coming to our place tonight, no excuses!" Monroe instructs and he gestures his agreement as he leaves.
-G-
"Ok, honey, are you ready?" Diana grins up at her from her perch, standing on a step stool to make her the right height to view what's on the counter. Spread out in front of them is all the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies and all the utensils they'll need.
"Let's make, mama!" Her little girl implores and Adalind can't help but grin down at her.
"Ok, but do you remember what to do?" She nods her head vigorously, blonde waves flying around her face.
"Can't touch mama! We have to make fly!"
"That's right, honey. We have to concentrate on what we want and add it into the bowl at the right time. Now, going slow is good. We want to have lots of cookie dough, don't we?"
"Yes mama," Diana replies, "Yummy in my tummy!" She is so glad she had this idea, a way to teach Diana how to concentrate and use her powers in a safe, yet controlled, way. And if they all happen to get chocolate chip cookies at the end, well it's a great lesson re-enforcer for her daughter as well as keeping Kelly happy, apparently the older Grimm has a sweet tooth.
"So, we start with the sugar," she gestures with her own hand and the bag moves across the counter top to stop next to the mixing bowl. Diana's eyes glow purple and the top of the bag splits open and slowly rises up in the air. It wobbles and some sugar grains spill out.
"Slowly," Adalind murmurs. "No need to rush." Diana tilts her head and the sugar bag copies the motion, the sugar slowly tipping out and into the bowl.
"Well done," she praises as they get to the right amount and Diana motions for the bag to re-seal. "Do you remember what we need next?"
They spend the next hour working together to mix and make several batches of cookies, all the while with Adalind encouraging her daughter to learn how to use her powers and how her concentration can make all the difference. It hadn't been the easiest thing, figuring out how to explain everything in a way her daughter could understand. Diana is obviously advanced for her age and seems to have a high level of understanding of the world around her but that also seems to be based on her magical senses, and they have to teach her how to stay safe when using something that so obviously sets her apart. The little girl loved when they connected magically but Adalind felt it was no longer enough, as the sheer amount of power inside her was something that could create both positive and negative situations, in many different ways.
Adalind had come up with the method of, what they were calling, picturing. Whereas an older Hexenbiest would learn about focus and energy flow, internal awareness of their abilities, she was teaching Diana to picture things in her mind and think on them. It helped that the little girl loved Kelly's drawings and they had started to use little flashcards with drawing of her favourite toys to help her focus.
Watching as she gained confidence in what she was doing, as well as building awareness in her daughter about what having these abilities could mean, was both glorious and terrifying. She could only hope she was doing it right. Diana was amazing in herself, but also in the manner of the sheer possibility of what she could do.
It also really helps with the time it takes to clean up, as Diana is still a young child, no matter how powerful a Wesen she is, so spillages happen, and are laughed at.
The new house they are in is very similar in layout to the first one, with Adalind still sharing a room with Diana and a living room space that is slowly being taken over with toys, but has one, very important, extra space. A basement, set up to Kelly's specifications and somewhere they go to 'exercise' every day.
Of course, it's more than that but that's how they explain it to Diana. She enjoys the moving around and Kelly is very clever in teaching her survival skills masked as fun games, such as the roly-poly game that is really all about how to fall safely.
Adalind herself is learning too, after having admitted to Kelly that while she knew some moves, she had always used her powers to amp up her fighting abilities. Saying this to a Grimm was clearly a mistake and so she's been taking instruction from the older woman, often with Diana dancing around them, making up her own moves as she goes.
"Do I smell cookies?" Kelly asks as she enters the kitchen.
"Nana Kelly!" Diana launches herself off her stool and Kelly catches her mid-air. "We made lotsa cookies!"
"Excellent, they can fill my hungry tummy! Although, I am peckish now so maybe I need a snack …" Diana screeches as Kelly pretends to munch on her arms.
"Hey now, don't fill up on Hexenbiest! Somebody needs to help eat these cookies," Adalind calls and Kelly lets Diana wiggle her way down to the ground.
"I help mama!"
"Ok, but first they need to cool." Diana pulls a face but shrugs it off quickly and makes her way to the living room, intent on finding some of her toys to pass the time before she gets her treats.
"Everything go ok?" Adalind asks quietly, aware that even distracted Diana can pick up on their conversations.
"As well as it could. There's only so much I can enquire about without drawing attention to myself, even with the people I know. Still, I was able to get confirmation that Victor is still in Europe but the royals are still very much looking for you both." She nods, disappointed but not expecting anything less. "I did manage to complete an assignment though and received payment so we're good for money for a while."
"That's good as Diana is going to need some more clothes, again," she sighs but Kelly just chuckles.
"Trust me, children growing out of their clothes faster than they can wear them is a perfectly normal thing," she acknowledges.
"That might be true but what is also true is that's your money being used on us. I can't help but feel bad and like I'm not helping, in any way, at all."
"Hey, you're focus is your daughter. Let me worry about the rest. I've done this before, living while staying under the radar and making ends meet. I can handle this and we'll figure out other ways you can help as we go." She grips her shoulder in a reassuring way before enquiring about the state of the cookies. Diana pops her head into the doorway with a hopeful expression on her face and Adalind laughs as she expresses to both of them that the cookies will be ready, but only after dinner. It's funny to watch the matching disappointment morph over both their features before Kelly gets pulled into Diana's game and Adalind focuses on making said dinner, treasuring the normalcy of their afternoon into evening routine.
-G-
Nick wishes he'd taken the time to actually think through telling his friends about his break up in such a way, but clearly, he wasn't thinking much in that moment at all. Of course, they were going to have questions and want to talk, hell he's been going to Rosalee to talk about this very topic so naturally he should have given more thought and time to them when he brought it up again. He hasn't even broached the topic with Hank yet. It was just easier to sink into work and let that be his focus. His relationship status can be addressed at another time.
The rest of the day is spent chasing, first information, then multiple leads from different witnesses, with the major break-through coming from Monroe and Rosalee's undercover sting, and finally, literally, running through the forest to save Chloe from the same fate as her father and brother. It's a close call but they get there in time and there's some justice done when she takes the stake the Leporem Venators had tied her to and drives it through his own foot. Hank takes the shot when that doesn't stop him and it's with relief that they can reunite mother and daughter, together again and no longer hunted.
It's a bit strange to go back to the precinct and fill in the captain on the case, having just gotten used to not doing so, while he recovered from his shooting. He takes an interest in the case before giving them the go ahead on how they plan to skirt around the Wesen parts in their investigation write up. It's another night where they can leave at a reasonable time and Nick is on automatic and half way home before remembering Monroe's words and knowing his friend will not let him skip out on the invitation.
Parking outside their house he takes a moment to gather his thoughts before sliding out of the cruiser and locking the car as he walks up the path. The door opens while he's still several passes away.
"I'm glad I didn't have to hunt you down," Monroe calls out and Nick can't help but smirk.
"Because that worked out well for you, the last time we did that," he replies and Monroe scrunches his nose.
"Yeah, well, I think I still have the lead, based on all our combined escapades," the Blutbad says back and Nick can't help but scoff at that.
"Alright, you're both excellent hunters and can catch your prey, yada yada," Rosalee mocks them both before greeting Nick as he steps inside. They head into their sitting room, where drinks already sit on the coffee table ready to be poured, and Nick sinks down onto one of the chairs.
"First, how did the case go?" Rosalee asks and he's happy to be able to talk about something else, if only for a little while. Detailing the parts they missed and how their help was invaluable.
"The couple were pretty distressed when I mentioned the council," he admits.
"I'm not saying it makes actions like this ok, murdering innocent people to increase your own fertility, nothing could, but I understand the urge and intent wanting a child can build in you." Rosalee says and Nick shifts in his seat.
"Have you two thought about it?" He ask, remembering the jokes at his dining table not long ago.
"We've talked about it," she admits. "It's something we both want but it'll be … a journey when we decide we're ready for that."
"It's not guaranteed, in situations like ours, what may happen," Monroe explains. "We have to think of Vorherrscher and how that will relate to our genetics."
"You've mentioned that before," Nick says, a brief memory coming to mind.
"It's a prevalence and will have an effect on our children. In our case, Blutbaden are considered the more dominant so will be the stronger genetic contributor over Fuchsbau. Any children we have will most like by Blutbad."
"So, not a combination of you both?"
"Hybrids have happened," Rosalee admits. "But it's rare and can come with their own complications."
"It was always another reason thrown around for keeping the bloodlines pure," Monroe adds, a slight growl to his voice. Rosalee links their fingers together and he kisses the side of her head, both obviously thinking of their recent experience with the Wesenrein.
"Yet, you still think about having children?" He asks, trying not to sound insensitive. With his own conversations about children, as well as his knowledge of Diana and that whole situation, a thought niggles that it would be easier to just not have any.
But he does want children, always has. He wants to build a family and raise them right, experience all the good things he remembers from his childhood as well as being there for that little someone, in all the ways that count. Have a family, hold them close and protect them from all that he can.
Rosalee sighs and Monroe shrugs as they share a look and Nick knows they feel the same way as him. That, although there are so many risks involved, it will be so very worth it when they have their family in their arms.
"Of course we do. I'm not saying we're ready for that right now but we talk about it a lot, we have to. We have to really be prepared for whatever may come our way. Having children will be amazing, it's something we both want, but we also want to keep our expectations realistic. We're the rarity here, not what's commonly done."
"Ou children, should we ever be graced with any, would be so lucky with a mom like you," Monroe says quietly, eyes locked on Rosalee and Nick quickly grabs at the empty beer bottles on the table, taking them into the kitchen to give them a moment alone. He lingers for a moment, getting both himself and Monroe a fresh, cold drink before rejoining them in the sitting room. He sighs as he sits down.
"Juliette said she didn't think she wanted her children to be Grimms and I-I think that was the first, real death blow to our relationship … I've always been upfront about wanting children, a family. To hear her say that …" He trails off and shakes his head, the hurt rising unexpectedly inside him. She hadn't just put a shock on him with her words, her change in attitude to the plans they had talked about, but had also put a blow to the trust in their relationship. Whether she meant it or not, it had felt like she was saying she didn't or couldn't trust him to keep his family safe.
"Becoming a Grimm changed well, everything for me. I know that and can understand how it would cause an effect on everyone around me, especially those closest to me but … She called it an infection on our lives," he sighs. "And I just, I never saw it like that. Not really. I mean, I know I was a bit hesitant about it all at first, and asking about how to stop it," here he motions to Monroe who raises his glass in acknowledgement to their first Grimm chat, in which Nick begged to know how to not be a Grimm. "But once I understood, once I learnt more, I can't imagine not being who, and what, I am."
"Not all Kehresite can handle a Wesen life," Monroe says gently. "Maybe Juliette has just reached her point of acceptance."
"I get that, I do. I just can't pretend that it doesn't hurt. She said some things that are just stuck in my brain and I don't think I'll be able to forget them."
"But you said you talked, that you felt ok?" Rosalee prompts.
"Yeah. I think we were both just tired by the time we finally sat down. I know I could have said more but, at that moment, I didn't feel like it would have added anything other than possibly hurting Juliette."
"That sounds like you didn't get to say everything you've been feeling but Juliette did." Nick shakes his head at that before pausing.
"I don't know, maybe. I honestly feel ok about what happened and how we said we're going to go forward but that doesn't mean I'm entirely sure of how we're going to do that."
"You might think I'm a broken record Nick but I'm going to tell you that communication between the two of you will be key," Rosalee smiles softly and Nick huffs out a laugh.
"I think I may have heard you say something similar before," he comments.
"We're here for you, man, for whatever you need." Monroe adds and he can't help but smile gratefully at his friends. He really doesn't know where he'd be without them.
"Thank you, both of you." He looks between the two of them. "I might be needing to call in a favour of that like sooner rather than later."
"What do you mean?"
"I might need some back up while I do something … potentially dangerous."
"Coming from you, I reckon that means there's a high chance of injury and or death." Monroe replies and Nick shrugs at that description.
"Truth is, this is a situation I have very little information about and I'm walking in, pretty much blind."
"Nick, what are you talking about?"
"I … I can't tell you. I'm sorry, I just can't. But I'm trying to be smart about this and knowing you have an idea of where I am and what I'm up to, while knowing what to do if I don't come back, that will be really helpful."
"Well, of course we'll help but Nick, this doesn't sound very practical or safe." Rosalee points out. "What exactly are you going to be doing?" He takes a moment to weigh up how much he can tell them.
"I'm going to meet a Hexenbiest." He says it quickly, like ripping off a plaster, but still gets the reaction he expected.
"What?!"
"Nick, a Hexenbiest? They tell lies and are master manipulators. You've seen the entries in the Grimm books. Why would you be going to meet one?" Monroe looks flabbergasted and Nick can't blame his friends for their reactions.
"It's something I have to do," he replies and then continues as both Monroe and Rosalee start to question him. "I can't tell you anymore, not right now. Just, trust me, this meeting needs to happen."
"Well, I'm stating for the record that I think this is a bad idea," Monroe says and Nick nods at him.
"I get that, but it's still what I need to do." Monroe opens his mouth but Rosalee puts her hand on his arm, looking intently at Nick.
"Ok, if you have to do this then you need to tell us when and where," she instructs him. "We'll want to know when you're leaving and as soon as you're on the way back, and you'll be coming straight to me so I can check you over."
"Alright," he agrees quickly, knowing everything she's saying is the sensible thing to do.
"Alright," she parrots back and though Monroe looks like he still wants to argue, he settles after receiving a look from his wife. He knows they're going to worry about him, especially as he's being quite vague with what he's doing when they're used to him being a lot more up front. Still, for those three ladies he's willing to risk some uncomfortable moments and a lot of questions from his friends.
"I'll let you know when I'll be going." He says as he gets ready to leave, as well as thanking them for the drinks and food that evening. Both of their gazes are heavy on him as he leaves and Nick gets the feeling he's started something tonight that might cause more trouble than he currently knows.
-G-
"You didn't call," Juliette greets him as he enters the house, even with the late hour. She's sitting at the dining room table with a half full cup in front of her and an accusatory expression on her face. Nick pulls up at both her words and countenance.
"I, uh, I didn't realise I needed to," he admits slowly.
"You always used to tell me when you would be home late," she replies sharply.
"Yes, I did, when we were dating. I didn't think I would still need to, now we're not…" he trails off. Juliette shakes her head then lets out a dark laugh.
"I suppose you're right. That's not information I need to know anymore. Still, while we're living together, as room-mates I guess, I would appreciate if you could let me know if you'll be late. So, I don't worry."
"I can try," he concedes before adding, "But Juliette, that's not always going to be possible and, not to sound uncaring, it's not going to be a priority I need to make … but I will try."
"That's all I can ask for, I guess," she replies quietly.
"We'll figure this out," he says again but definitely sounding less sure of his words this time. She nods tersely before heading upstairs and Nick sighs, running his hand through his hair in frustration. Maybe he was a bit premature in his talk about this whole situation between him and Juliette being all ok. Climbing the stairs to head into the guest bedroom he finds himself longing for sleep and, hopefully, dreams with Adalind's comforting presence.
-G-
AN – So, thoughts? And I did warn you Juliette wasn't completely gone so don't get too mad at me. There is a plan, I promise.