Family Ties Chapter Sixteen
-G-
AN – Well, I know I keep saying this but thank you so much for reading this story. I hope you enjoy this next chapter but grab a drink, any left-over chocolate you've got and get comfortable, it's the newest holder for longest chapter yet.
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 cries out as he nips at her, covering her body with his and pressing into her. He's so hard and he's aching and he just wants more. One hand holds himself up as the other curls around her, bringing her closer as he settles into place and she wraps her legs around his hips. The movement rubs her breasts against his chest and sends little sparks across his skin.
"Oh, yes, oh," she gasps and he can feel her heat, feel how wet and wanting she is, and he moves to join them together, to thrust in and finally feel all of her but instead wakes with a growl.
"Argh!" He exclaims, throwing his head back onto the pillow but getting no satisfaction from the action. Closing his eyes all he can picture is long blonde hair, creating a curtain around him and topping off a body he longs to explore. Feel phantom weight, her body pressed so intimately against his and wet heat he longs to feel wrapped around him. With those visuals fresh in his mind, he grips himself and starts to stroke, picturing Adalind above him, hips rocking against his and just as eager to-
His phone rings and he honestly considers throwing it across the room.
"Burkhardt," he practically snarls into the mouthpiece. He hears Hank's surprised inhale at his greeting and forces himself to deliberately take several deep, calming breaths.
"Sorry, we got a case?" He listens and takes note of where they're heading before ending the call. Laying back he wonders if he could still take the time to finish, but shakes the thought away and instead rises for what is becoming his new morning routine, a shower on the lower range of the temperature scale.
-G-
Adalind grunts as she hits the ground, rolling with her momentum and trying to rise back up to her feet. She dodges the punch but goes back down from a swipe to her feet.
"Better," Kelly praises and helps her back to a standing position.
"I still ended up on my ass," Adalind mumbles and Kelly chuckles.
"Well, yes. But here, we're concentrating on your movements and how to react in certain situations. In a real fight you'd be using everything at your disposal, including your, not inconsiderable, powers." She hums in response to that. "Has Nicky been in contact with that Hexenbiest yet?"
"He said he'd let me know as soon as he has, so I don't think so," she replies. "I know it might take him a few days, or possibly longer, to have the time free but the longer it takes the more nervous I feel. I don't think Henrietta will cause any issues but I don't know that and I don't like the thought of putting Nick in a dangerous situation." She feels Kelly's eyes on her and tries to shrug off the attention.
"Nicky can look after himself, he does have some experience fighting Hexenbiests."
"Oh, I know that, personally," she mutters. "But Henrietta will be very different from the Hexenbiests he's dealt with before."
"And you've made him aware of that, yes?" Kelly checks and she nods quickly. "Then you've done what you can and it's up to Nicky now. You felt like we needed help from this person and we've both acknowledged that more information is required if we're to do what's best for Diana. It's not always the easiest thing to do, to wait and do what appears to be nothing, but sometimes that's what's best for the overall situation."
"I suppose," she looks at the Grimm. "I guess I'm just used to planning and executing these things, not passing it on to someone else and then waiting."
"The waiting can really get to you," Kelly says, with an air of experience. "But I have complete confidence in my son. You should too."
"I do, I just also … worry about him." Kelly gives her a sympathetic smile.
"I do too which is why it's best to keep occupied, as you pointed out we don't have a time frame for this. So, let's go again."
-G-
"Everything ok Nick?" Hank asks as he steps out of his car at the scene of the body discovery. He goes to deny it but hesitates and sees the older detective take note of his reaction.
"Actually, not great," he admits. "Juliette and I broke up."
"Whoa," Hank murmurs and he hears Wu's gasp of surprise as well. He holds his hands up to both of them.
"Look, we've got a case. I'm alright and I can do my job. If I need anything I know I can talk to either of you." He tries to tick off all the usual talking points as quickly as possible.
"Well, alright then," Hank says slowly, clearly sharing a look of disbelief with Wu.
"Body was found early this morning by a maintenance guy," Wu starts, speaking deliberately slow and shooting looks at Nick. He shakes his head at him before Hank steps up, getting them back into the usual flow of the start of an investigation.
"Witnesses?"
"Not yet."
"It looks like an acid attack," Nick comments as he looks closer at the body. They check the victim's I.D, discuss the state of the body as well as location before heading back to the precinct to start following the early leads. He's very grateful he came in his own car, giving him a small reprieve before the conversation he knows he needs to have.
He really needs to pick his timings better. First with Monroe and Rosalee and now with Hank and Wu. He knows this is going to be a shock for his friends, hell maybe he's still in shock and that's why he's not thinking these things, his actions, through. It's just, there's so much going on for him, so much that his friends don't know. He feels like he and Juliette have been dancing around their issues for awhile now but they have still been a couple and, to most who have seen them, still a successful one at that. How long ago was Monroe and Rosalee's wedding? Anyone who had seen them that day would have said they might be next up the aisle. And yet they'd already been heading towards a change. That day showed him how much his friends loved each other and gave him just another niggle that he didn't have the same kind of relationship with his own girlfriend.
But he needed to keep in mind that Hank and Wu weren't aware of all that, so to them, this would be a significant change in his life.
Getting to his desk he finds a fresh coffee waiting as well as his two colleagues and friends. He slips off his jacket and slings it onto the back of his chair before taking a seat and leaning forward to take a gulp of the hot liquid and then looking up to meet the gazes aimed at him.
"Nick," Hank starts. "I know what you said earlier, but are you really ok?"
"Really? I'm not sure. We've been having problems lately and communication has not been our strength, at all. But … I think this is for the best." He shrugs slightly and glances away before looking back again. He spies the captain in his office, on the phone and looking slightly agitated.
"After everything you've been through?" Wu asks and Nick guesses Hank has caught him up on the run his relationship has been through.
"Yeah. I know. And we have been through a lot, but most of which never would have touched Juliette if it weren't for me. If she weren't with me and I wasn't a Grimm. And that has become more of a problem, like another person in our relationship. I'm a Grimm, I can't and don't want to change that. But she still sees me as I was before and it just makes everything harder."
"While neither of us can say we know what you're going through, especially with the Grimm thing, I do know what it's like to have your relationship fail and send your world spinning so, if you need anything …" Hank trails off and Nick nods at him as Wu chimes in with similar offerings.
"Thanks," Nick states, making sure he makes eye contact with both of them before his desk phone rings and work becomes their focus once more. Wu gets called away and Nick passes on the information from the Hotel manager as Hank indicates they've got preliminary reports back from the M.E. They're discussing where to go next when the captain calls them into his office with a request for an update as to their case and where they're up to.
"Do we know how the victim got these burns?" Captain asks.
"According to the M.E the victim choked to death on viscous matter which then ate its way through his lungs and moved onto other organs. The substance is consistent with a parasitic enzyme like necrotizing fasciitis. It's a skin eating bacteria found in contaminated water." Hank explains as Nick leans against the side cupboard.
"Apparently there are certain animals that produce this enzyme that eat your body tissue," he continues on with the explanation. "Spiders, earthworms, snails, slugs, insects and some plants like the Venus fly trap."
"Sounds Wesen to me," the captain comments with a nod.
"Or a big ass snail," Hank quips and Nick shoots him a small smile. The captain suddenly starts and then jerks forward, bumping into the edge of his desk, a look of pain on his face.
"Captain?" He asks and the older man blinks and looks confused for a moment before shaking his head and looking between the two detectives and then clearing his throat.
"Do we know what the victim was doing in the neighbourhood?" He continues the conversation and Nick shoots a look at Hank who tilts his own head in acknowledgement.
"You ok captain?" Hank asks.
"Fine, fine," he replies quickly, waving away their concern. "Victim's whereabouts?"
"Not sure yet," Nick says. "Car was parked on the street. No restaurants or bars nearby."
"Maybe he had a friend in the area?"
"That's what we're thinking," Hank offers. There's a knock at the door and Renard motions for Wu to enter.
"Got an approximate location to the victim's cell. It's in a condo, not far from where the body was found." They all turn to the captain who nods his head in the direction of the doorway.
"Go," he instructs and they all take their leave.
"Was captain just a bit weird?" Hank asks him as they both collect their jackets.
"A bit," he replies back. Looking over his shoulder at the captain in his office. "We'll keep an eye on him."
"Alright. Lead the way Wu," Hank says and they follow the sergeant out.
-G-
They spend the next few hours chasing phone signals and condo owners and then stumble upon a fraud case and their investigation suddenly has another angle which means more work for them. Nick handles the fraud aspect, gathering the evidence of identity theft, the names involved and then looking up how many times this has happened. Setting up an alert for said names so they can track if any are still active. Hank meanwhile is on with the condo owner, though they get little more information there than what they got from the building manager. Still, it all helps build a picture and they're able to get a focus and have Wu put out an APB on the new target who seems to be involved.
They decide to head to the trailer but Wu calls Hank aside for a moment and Nick is sat at his desk, waiting, and his mind wanders to the other place he needs to head to soon.
1118 Old Stable Drive. He writes down the address, even though he knows he has it memorised, just to see what Adalind was talking about. Sure enough, after a few seconds the numbers and letters shift and scramble on the page, until they are completely indecipherable.
"Neat trick," he mutters to himself before screwing up the paper and chucking it in the bin. It somehow misses, bouncing off the rim and Nick sighs before leaning down to pick it up and put it in the bin properly. Words on the newspaper propped up inside catch his eye and as he drops the page in, he brings the old paper out. The page is detailing several properties and he reads through the listings quickly before ripping the section he wants out and dropping the rest back into the bin.
Moving back to his desk, he inputs the contact information quickly, going with his gut that tells him this could be what he needs. Seeing Hank from the corner of his eye, he sends an enquiry email and thinks, or rather hopes, he'll have another place to visit on his to do list soon.
-G-
"I think this is what we're looking for," Hank calls out and Nick turns to him. "It's called a Huntha Lami Muuaji." He says it really slow and Nick doesn't blame him, the name of this Wesen being a bit of a mouthful. "They're some kind of a wormy Wesen. 'Much like the flatworm Platyhelminthes, the epidermis of the Huntha Lami Muuaji secretes enzymes that feed on it's hosts skin'."
"That sounds like our guy," he agrees and Hank nods.
"This is kind of interesting. 'Huntha Lami Muuaji always travel in pairs, one male, one female. But no female has ever been captured or killed. The males are extremely dangerous. Decapitation upon contact is the best course to take. Unlike other Wesen, Huntha Lami Muuaji appear to have only one Wesen state, visible to all, but whoever has seen it has died. Even Grimms have been especially cautious in dealing with this Wesen and the data recorded on them is incomplete'."
"So, we have a pair – Linus and the woman he's working with. No ID on the woman." He adds, naming their new target and taking the facts from the case with the new Wesen information they're learning and starting to fit them together. He and Hank talk it through and when Wu calls it helps them make an action plan on what to do next.
"We're headed to the Spice Shop." Nick states to Wu as he and Hank start packing up. He sees the book on Hexenbiests and hovers over it for a moment. "Let's regroup later."
"Okay," Wu replies and the line goes dead. He picks up the volume and flips through it quickly before feeling Hank's eyes on him and setting it down quickly, picking the relevant book back up and motioning for him to leave first so Nick can lock the trailer up.
Getting to the Spice Shop, showing the book and talking through their plan with Monroe and Rosalee takes just enough time for Wu to get a break through regarding the stolen credit card use and then they have a new focus and location to stake out, as well as Monroe acting as willing bait. The plan goes smoothly until it doesn't and then someone's gone through a window, Nick is running down the streets and they're all left feeling slightly bewildered as to how it went wrong. Meeting back inside the room Monroe swears the woman didn't leave and Wu and Hank quickly follow the floorplan while Nick retraces his steps and investigates the left behind coat.
"What if she didn't go anywhere?" He ponders and receives several confused looks in reply.
"Well, she had to go somewhere because she ain't here." Hank says back but Nick is stuck on his thought and he's sure he's right.
"The book says the female is never found. What if they're the same person?" Monroe catches on to what he is saying, stepping forward in his movement of thought.
"You're saying, what if this Wesen, this Huntha Lami Muuaji, whatever, is both? Like, male and female?"
"They can woge from one to the other?" Hank sounds slightly disturbed. Nick nods and shrugs at the same time.
"I'm just guessing, but that would explain why the woman is never caught. And the Grimms always kill the male when he woges. That would explain why they never find the female."
"Oh, that hurts just thinking about it." Hank shudders. Wu joins in but then turns to Nick.
"That explains why she's got no record; only Linus does."
"Ok, so how do we find him? Her? Them?"
Heading back to the Spice Shop, and Rosalee's expertise, they come up with another plan, even if it is slightly morally ambiguous. The grey world that being a Grimm makes him occupy is really grey with this case but he feels like their hands are tied, if they want to stick with the legal case then they have evidence against the male. So, they have to make the male side stick, so the murder conviction can have a chance at being made and this Wesen paying for their crime.
"I can make a pretty potent batch of hormones, but you're gonna have to figure out how to get it into him. You can't get too close to this Wesen, remember. He's got flesh-eating slime." Rosalee points out and they all start suggesting ideas.
"Darts," Hank says first.
"Doppelarmbrust," Monroe adds as Nick states, "Crossbow." The two of them meet eyes and nod as Hank catches up with them.
"Perfect."
"How long to make this hormone mixture?" He asks Rosalee and she looks through the ingredients.
"I'll need a couple of hours, probably, just to make sure it's strong enough," she says and he nods, ideas coming together in his mind's eye.
"Ok. Hank, Wu, head back to the precinct and check the APB we have out as well as any other hits on Linus or the identities we have linked to him. I'll make a stop and then grab the crossbow from the trailer then check in and head to whoever is needing help, sound ok?" They all nod at him and Hank and Wu head out quickly as Rosalee starts reeling off needed ingredients and Monroe begins to gather them up.
"I'm going to see if that Hexenbiest is in on my way to the trailer," he says, almost casually, and watches as both Monroe and Rosalee freeze in their movements.
"Now?" The Blutbad questions and he shrugs in reply.
"You said you need some time and Hank and Wu can handle the more official side of things for the next little while. If I don't reappear, you'll all know something is up and track me down."
"Are you sure you have to do this?" Rosalee asks and he nods straight away.
"Yes," he says. "I do and I'll be back with you soon." He leaves them then, trying not to take in their worried expressions.
Fixing the address in his mind, he drives slowly and also concentrates on remembering everything Adalind had said about how to act and what questions to ask. She had been very particular about certain things and he know she was worried. Still, he has all the information she has given him and he can use his own, improved, senses to guide him through this. It'll be worth it, if he can find out anything that helps Diana and eases Adalind's worries and fears.
Pulling up in front of the stately looking house, he takes a moment to breathe, slow and deep, keeping his muscles relaxed and fluid, ready for movement if he needs, before exiting the car and slowly walking to the front door. He pauses here before raising a hand and knocking. There's a moment of quiet, almost unnatural silence and then a buzzing sensation begins in the back of his head.
"Ah, so it was you who I sensed," a deep, regal voice greets him as the door opens. "Tell me, Grimm, have you come to cut off my head?"
"I just want to ask some questions," he replies but makes no move to enter the house. His senses are on high alert and he knows if he steps forward, he would be trapped in something and be at her mercy. Right now, they are at an impasse and he needs to wait to see how she will react.
Movement draws his eye and he watches as she seemingly appears from the shadows. Tall, dark and with an aura of power and mystery, he understands why Adalind was so nervous about sending him here. She is appraising him as he takes her in, eyes roving his face and deep inhalations of breath that make her nostrils flare. They stand watching each other for many minutes before she suddenly smiles.
"And what is this? An entanglement? Oh, how very curious, now I must know more. You may enter." She turns her back on him but he feels a shift in the air and knows whatever may have trapped him from before is gone. He's still cautious as he enters her home but his senses tell him he's no longer in immediate danger.
The house feels light and airy, with a thrum of power wafting through each room. Objects and artifacts line the walls and she leads him into a sitting room.
"So, tell me Grimm, what brings you to my door?"
"I would like to enquire to your knowledge," he replies, using the wording that Adalind taught him. She cocks her head to the side and stares at him before a slow smile spreads across her face.
"Well, now I am even more intrigued. That is not how a Grimm would usually ask. Most would not even think to ask. It is however, etiquette that most Hexenbiests are taught." She's suddenly right in front of him, holding a hand up just centimetres from his face. "Ah, yes, I can sense it now. You *are* entangled, with a Hexenbiest no less. And you seem quite alright with that, almost… happy? Hmm, now, what else …" He feels the power in the air, feels it as if it's wrapping around his body, is hyper aware she is doing something and his worry kicks up a gear. If she can sense that, what else can she tell? Could she know or discover which Hexenbiest? Could she use him to find them? Would the concealment spell they'd done, back at the beginning of all this, protect them from someone with Henrietta's abilities and power? His protective instincts rally inside him and he closes his eyes, thinking of them all and keeping them safe and away from anyone who would do them harm.
Feeling a surge in his veins, Nick opens his eyes and glares at the witch in front of him. He feels his own power join the air in a rush and watches as Henrietta stumbles back, away from him, Woging with her surprise. She stares at him in astonishment but Nick doesn't change his stance, almost waiting for retaliation. It doesn't come, instead she retracts then straightens and regards him with, what could almost be, respect.
"I underestimated you, Grimm," she says. "I will not try to read you again. But you give yourself away, now I know you protect someone, and a Hexenbiest no less."
"I could have told you that," he comments dryly and she cocks her head to one side. "I came here to ask some questions, that's all, and I would have told you they came from a Hexenbiest."
"Well, I'm sure you can understand my initial reaction to you. Most Grimms have other actions on their minds."
"I'm not most Grimms," he replies and she smiles at that.
"Indeed. Well, shall we sit? I have a feeling that there are more surprises to come from you today." Nick inclines his head at that then takes a seat in one of the free-standing arm chairs, keeping his back to the wall and eyes on the rest of the room, as well as the Hexenbiest who settles opposite him.
"Would you accept if I were to offer you a drink?"
"I would thank you for the offer but, no," he says and gets another smile in response. "No offense."
"None taken," she replies. "This is a most unusual situation, though I confess I am happy it has been so. I did not feel like losing my head today. However, we must agree that going forward we can affirm to a detente, you are not here to do me harm and I will not do any unto you, so long as you hold true. As such, we can speak freely and without fear. You have questions, I will try my best to give you answers."
"That's some pretty speak for declaring a truce," he notes and she laughs.
"I am a product of my times, Grimm," she comments.
"Nick, you can call me Nick."
"Very well, then please call me Henrietta." He nods and shifts slightly in his chair. This is for Adalind and Diana, and though he's hesitant to give any information out about them, he can be as vague as possible whilst also following the instructions he's been sent here with.
"I am here to enquire-"
"You may dispense the pretty words, Nicholas," she interrupts his attempt to put together the phrases Adalind had advised him to use. "You are not a Hexenbiest so I can forgive you the lack of propriety in your words. You do get, as the youth say, props for trying." He can't help but huff a laugh at her words and then nods his head in thanks.
"Ok, thank you for that. Well, I am here to ask about knowledge of Hexenbiest powers and how they can manifest in children." She cocks her head at him and he can feel a swell of energy in the room but there's no sense of threat within it.
"A curious conversation topic for a Grimm. And you must be aware of what you ask me to do, by giving you this information I could be endangering the next generation of my kind. That is a rather big leap of trust to place in you."
"I'm aware. And I hope my actions so far have helped to give you the impression that I'm not that type of Grimm, or man, that would use trickery to hurt innocent children."
"You have shown you are not the usual Gimm, yes," she admits. "That has allowed us to have this conversation. I am not sure it entitles you to much more."
"Then know it's not information for me, but a mother with a young child who needs your help." She leans forward at that.
"Your Hexenbiest?"
"My Hexenbiest," he repeats, ignoring the slight thrill inside that he gets thinking of Adalind as his. He can't afford to be distracted right now; he needs all his awareness on the witch in front of him.
"A Hexenbiest with a young child who has a Grimm to help her, how interesting." Henrietta leans back and taps her fingers along the armrest.
"Two," he can't help but add in and watch her eyebrow raise. "So, keep that in mind going forward."
"I am not likely to forget your nature, Nicholas," her tone is slightly reprimanding. "As I am sure you are not forgetting mine." The air suddenly crackles with her power and the hair on his arms and back of his neck stands up. He meets her gaze and gives a slow nod.
"Then yes, our circumstances could be described as … interesting. But given our roles and abilities we have still come to a place where we need help. And that has brought me to your door. I just want to know about Hexenbiest powers and how they can manifest, what age is the most usual and what powers come first."
"These are questions most Hexenbiest would know the answers to already."
"Then you can consider this a most uncommon Hexenbiest situation."
"Very well. Then I can tell you that most Hexenbiest manifest their abilities in the young teens, though it can be as young as ten. The power most show first is telekinesis, as this is an ability all Hexenbiest can tap into. Other powers come and go, and some can be skilled in certain areas, through genetics and or interest. Elementals, for example, often show their gifts earlier, as they are more tied to their emotions and so must learn control sooner, rather than later. Spiritualists can be later, as they must have confidence in their own minds before they can begin to affect those around them."
"You talk about Hexenbiests as if they have sub categories," he comments after taking in what she has said so far.
"Because that is true, although I am not sure we would refer to it in such a way. It is more an awareness of strengths, in our abilities and what we can sense." She motions with her hand and a book floats across the room to her hand and hovers in midair. The pages slowly flip until it stays open on a set page and then turns to hover in front of him. The illustration it shows seems to be alive, light and dark playing out across the page as the swirls of penmanship depict different powers and the Hexenbiests associated with them.
"Whoa," Nick breathes out and Henrietta gives a slow smile.
"You Grimms are not the only ones with books," she jibes. "And I can almost guarantee that yours look nothing like ours."
"That would be a safe bet," he says as he takes in the details on the page. He thought he'd been learning extra from what Adalind had said but this was so much more. He looks back up at Henrietta, watching him, and gives a respectful nod. "There's a lot we don't know about each other." He offers quietly, thinking again of past conversations and his ever-changing world.
"Indeed. Perhaps we will have a chance to move forward in a much more educational, peaceful way."
"I don't suppose you would let me borrow this?" He points to the book but it snaps closed, floating back to Henrietta who holds on to it tightly. Her look back at him is not dangerous but has definitely become frostier.
"That would be something I would struggle to agree to with an old friend, let alone a new acquaintance."
"Understandable," he acknowledges. "That is information that could help my Hexenbiest, so I would like to be able to figure out how to get her that information - would you be up for an exchange?" She tilts her head at his words.
"I am curious as to what such an exchange would be," she says and Nick quickly repeats in his head all the names of the books he'd rescued at Adalind's insistence from that storage locker.
"A book for a book?"
"Possible," she admits. "But I have a better idea. It seems to me that I could be of more use to you if I were to meet your Hexenbiest and talk to her, directly and perhaps meet this child, who may or may not be manifesting early, and see what help I could offer then." Nick jolts, the thought of someone else knowing where they were and having someone else know such vital and risky, to them, information, making him extremely antsy. She eyes him somewhat appreciatively as he holds her gaze.
"You are protective of them," she states and he sees no need to deny it.
"I will have to check with them, to see if that would be something they would want to do." She inclines her head at his words.
"Of course," she agrees. "I will wait to hear from you again, unless there is anything else I can do for you today?" He thinks for a moment but shakes his head slowly.
"Thank you, but no, not today. Is there a better way for me to contact you, rather than just turn up at your door?" He asks as he stands.
"I have a phone number you may use," she replies then steps forward and presses a finger to his temple. Numbers flash into his mind and he knows he won't forget them even as his senses flare up at the magical intrusion. "I will await your call."
"Right," he gives his head a little shake and tries to settle his instincts. "I guess I'll talk to you soon."
"Allow me to walk you out," she gestures to the hallway leading to the front of the house and even though they've been talking amicably for the last little while, he's still slightly uneasy at putting his back to her. She grins at him as if she knows this and is setting a challenge.
They walk in silence for the minute it takes to get there and he pauses as the door swings open to let him leave.
"I think it would be best if we kept this meeting between the two of us," Nick says as he stands at the door.
"I am not in the position to advertise socialising with a Grimm," Henrietta laughs with her words and he smiles back respectfully.
"All the same, who I am protecting, they are important to me and there are very few things I wouldn't do to keep them safe. We don't want any heads to roll, do we?" He keeps his tone polite but locks his eyes on hers and hopes she can read his intent. See him as a Grimm and more. Hope she sees that, with the darkness inside her with her Wesen side, he can be just as dark and even more brutal if he needs to be.
She gasps slightly, eyes widening and Nick sees a glimmer or ripple of something, not quite a Woge and not something she seems to be in control of, before she steps back. She shakes her head and takes a deep breath before meeting his eyes again.
"We understand each other, Grimm," she says, tone deferential and he nods at her. "I am most intrigued as to where our next steps will take us."
-G-
Slamming the car door shut, Nick quickly pulls out his phone and dials Monroe, looking at the house as he waits for the call to connect.
"Hey, man, you alright?" His friend's voice doesn't hide his worry and he smiles, even as he feels his own relief that it all went well.
"All good," he replies and hears Monroe's own huff of released tension. "I'm out and on my way to the trailer, I'll be back at the Spice Shop in, about 35."
"Alright, ok, see you soon." He hangs up and shoots one last look at the house before starting the car and driving off. He really wants to get in touch with Adalind, talk to her and let her know what he's found out. Which isn't all that much but there is the potential for more. They might have a new, powerful, ally in Henrietta and that is something worth investigating. But he's got a case to finish first and friends to reassure even before that.
The drive gives him time to go over everything she said again, as well as put together his own theories about what could be happening. He knows he's got probably the least amount of knowledge about magic from everyone involved, but he can follow patterns and lines and he remembers what Adalind has said. There is something more with Diana and with such an unknown, involving the amount of power she has in her small body, getting more help is not a bad thing.
He's in and out of the trailer in the shortest amount of time he's ever spent inside the airstream, but the Doppelarmbrust is exactly where it should be and he has no reason to linger. Getting back to Monroe and Rosalee is more important, as he knows that even though he's checked in with them they will not stop worrying until they see him. Which is how he would feel so he's not holding anything against them. It's why he's hurrying to get back to them.
Pulling up outside the Spice Shop, he holds the crossbow close to his side as he walks the short distance between his car and the entrance. Both Rosalee and Monroe stop what they're doing as he walks in.
"I'm ok," he says and then spins around and holds his hands out wide. "See, all ok." They both step forward and give him a good sniff and he holds still as they use all their senses to check what he says is accurate.
"And it went well?"
"Yeah, I think it did. It was a first step at least."
"And are you going to tell us now why you even had to have this meeting in the first place?" Monroe asks and he feels bad but shakes his head in the negative.
"I can't, not right now. When I can, I will explain but I can't do that yet." They both look at him and he feels bad but holds true to his word. There must be something in his expression as Rosalee nods and moves back to the batch of hormones she's been making.
"That's it?" Monroe asks her, gesturing towards him. "We're not going to, you know, pressure him or point out how insane he's being or sounding right now?"
"No," she states. "We're going to trust him. And we're just going to keep reminding him he can trust us. With anything." She levels a look on him that has Nick stepping forward and reaching out to her.
"I do trust you, both of you. But this isn't just about me. Just give me some time, ok?" He looks from her to Monroe and back again. They share a look between the two of them and he sighs as she nods. Monroe growls slightly but moves to stand next to his wife.
"Alright man, but I'm saying now that I don't like it."
"Noted," he replies as his phone goes off. "APB picked up Linus' car outside a bar on Thurman. They've got it under surveillance. I'm meeting Hank and Wu there, so I'll say this now, thanks for your help."
"Let us know how it goes," Rosalee says as he leaves.
Confronting the Wesen goes exactly to plan. Wu draws the unsuspecting human man away and he and Hank take on Stacey, who Woges, where they can shoot them, and then Woges again into Linus. Nick definitely feels a real rush of pride that, for once, he's figured something out and isn't just following notes from the books or advice from his Wesen friends. He picked up on this and can add it into the book as an addition of his own.
Getting the confession from Linus is only eased by his distress at losing Stacey but they can close the case and get another criminal off the streets. Whether the male and female are ever reunited, they don't know but as Hank said, he won't be alone where he's going.
As they pack up for the night he spies the captain in his office, clutching at his chest and then rushing out in the direction of the restroom. He adds it to his growing pile of things to keep an eye in regard to his half-Wesen superior before taking his leave, knowing he's got a dream to dream.
-G-
Laying back in bed, he tries to clear his mind as he closes his eyes, other than that feeling, that buzz and hum and sensation of magic that fills their dreams. Thinks of Adalind and seeing her, talking to her, touching her.
Muted colours take over the darkness of his vision and swirl all around him as he connects and watches as Adalind's figure comes slowly into view.
"Adalind," he calls and she turns with a smile.
"Nick," she steps towards him and wraps him in a hug he happily accepts. They stay that way for a moment before he steps back and looks down at her.
"You ok? Diana? My mom?"
"We're all alright," she replies. "How about you?"
"I'm alright. I've got news."
"You met with Henrietta? Did it go ok? How was she? Did she try anything? Did she say anything? How-"
"Adalind," he interrupts, gripping her bicep and pulling her closer again. "Hey, it's ok. Just take a breath and listen." She does as he says, gulping in a breath and closing her eyes before refocusing on him. "Yes, I met with Henrietta and it went ok. She was wary but listened and she didn't try anything once I was in the house. We traded niceties and declared a truce. She shared some information and had a really interesting book but we didn't agree on what would happen next."
"Oh," she breathes out. "What book?" He describes what he saw and how Henrietta reacted and sees her eyes light up in interest.
"She's not letting that book out of her sight," he warns and her face falls slightly. "We talked about agreeing to an exchange, possibly a book for a book."
"What book? Oh, like one of the books from my mother's collection. Some of them are rare and would probably be interesting enough to someone like Henrietta that it might be enough to arrange a trade." Her brow furrows as she thinks it through.
"She did offer to meet though." He says softly and watches as her eye widen.
"Meet?"
"Yeah, she was able to put together quite a bit, even with my half answers. She knows I'm protecting you, well a Hexenbiest, and she guessed that said Hexenbiest had a child who had manifested early. That's what she put together and I didn't tell her any more. I do think the idea might have some merit; she was able to sense quite a bit from just being near me."
"She's very powerful and very in tune with her senses," Adalind says. "She would be able to tell us a lot. I'm just not sure."
"I understand. Talk it through with my mom, get her opinion and I'll try to do some digging my end. We have some time; we don't need to rush into anything." The colours start to move around them and Adalind presses closer to him.
"We never have enough time here." She complains and his agreement is lost as their shared dream fades away.
-G-
Waking the next morning he can smell coffee and he takes a moment before he rolls out of bed and gets ready for the day. Juliette is stood by the sink as he steps off the stairs and she offers him a small smile.
"Morning," she greets and he nods as he makes himself a cup of hot coffee.
"Morning."
"I'm glad I've seen you this morning. I wanted to let you know I'm going to be away for a couple of nights. Alicia has won a weekend away and asked me to go with her. I think the break will be good for both of us." He nods at her words and doesn't ask whether she thinks it's better for her and Alicia or Juliette and himself.
"I hope you have a nice time," he offers with a smile before transferring his drink into a to-go cup.
"Thank you. I'll let you know if anything changes." She adds and he nods before taking his cup and heading out the door.
Honestly, a break for them sounds good. It hasn't been bad in the house but it hasn't been easy either. They're in this weird phase and he's starting to think he should have let her find a place to move into instead of trying to be nice. He can still be nice while giving them the space they need to figure out this next step, and if it's going to work.
Heading into the precinct he knows he's got a pile of paperwork to catch up on, which he can use as cover while he does some searches of a more personal nature. He's been doing some regular checks of anything linked to Adalind's name, as well as checking the companies he knows are linked to the royal families. Now, he's adding Henrietta to that list so looking like he's busy with work at his desk and computer is something he actually wants, for once.
He gets a hit almost immediately, tickets linked to the company that has ties to the royal family of Kronenberg, GQR industries and he's now almost certain the royal family has a presence in Portland. Which would mean his captain might know more than what he's sharing. His running list of things to do with the older man, and keep aware of, is just getting longer and while he doesn't want to involve him at all, Nick wonders if this is something he could enquire about. Of course, then he would have to admit why he's keeping an eye on links to the royal family and that will bring further questions he does not want aimed his way.
Wu joins Hank and himself at their desks briefly, for once not giving them a case but asking for clarification on some details before leaving them to it. He keeps going with his dual work, writing up cases and his searches giving him results as he tries to build a picture of the state of affairs in the Wesen world, in regard to knowing about and looking for Diana.
A sensation tickles at the back of his mind, like déjà vu and he makes a comment to Hank that excuses him from his desk as he remembers what happened last time. He makes his way quickly downstairs, to a quite corner and pulls out his other phone and waits. Within minutes its vibrating in his hand with the in-coming call.
"Hey," he greets, just remembering not to greet his mother by name or title out loud.
"Nicky, Adalind told me about your meeting. What do you think?" She gets straight to the point and so he replies in kind, detailing meeting Henrietta, what she said, what he sensed and how they parted, as well as his thoughts about what their next action should be.
"It's something to consider," his mother says somewhat neutrally as he finishes, which surprises him.
"You don't think it's a good idea?" He asks.
"Honestly, Nicky, this is starting to be outside my realm of expertise. I can hide, I can fight and I can execute a plan, as well as anybody who gets in my way. But thinking ahead with it involving this much magic and unknown? I don't think I'm wrong in saying that I just don't know." Instead of feeling annoyed at her answer he instead feels relief. He's started to view his mother as this all-mighty Grimm so hearing her say she's not sure lets him feel a bit more secure in his own unsettled feelings. They fall silent and it gives him a moment to think and he's saying the next words before he's fully thought them through.
"You're not going to ask me how I am?" He asks quietly, a little hurt that she hasn't enquired about him.
"I'm sorry, Nicky, it's just I hear how you are fairly regularly from Adalind. That doesn't excuse me not checking with you when I have you, so I am sorry about that. But I'm getting more updates than I've had in years about you."
"Yeah, well, I guess I can understand that. I just thought you'd ask, especially with all the changes right now. Juliette and I breaking up and –"
"Wait, what?" She interrupts and he pauses before realising she couldn't know that.
"Oh, I guess I haven't really talked to Adalind about that so you wouldn't know." He really hadn't, his relationship with Adalind being something, something intense and intimate and building into possibly something more, but not quite enough to just talk about the other main relationship in his life.
"I'll be better at asking you, Nicky, and not relying on other people." His mother says quietly and he hums his agreement. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I am. It was coming and something that needed to happen."
"Alright, well if you need anything …" She trails off and he laughs a little at the offer.
"I think you have enough to be thinking about right now," he offers, noting the slight unease in her voice even if the words warm him.
"I might not have always been around but I have always been thinking of you," his mother says fiercely. "Don't doubt that."
"Ok," he agrees. The line falls silent again for a minute before he hears her breath and knows their moment is over, for now.
"Alright, well, I think we're all in agreement that this meeting needs to happen. I've got a location in mind and I'm going to scout it out and then I'll send it to you to check as well. If that all goes well, we'll be arranging a date to meet."
"Ok, keep in contact, by the traditional means as well as the supernatural." She laughs at that and they say their goodbyes before he heads back inside.
Wu almost immediately catches him, before he can even get to his desk.
"Can I show you something?" He asks in a hushed tone and Nick is instantly alert.
"Sure," he replies. "Everything ok?"
"You'll have to tell me," Wu replies strangely and he follows him to the corner of the office where he's handed Wu's tablet. "See anyone familiar?" He looks down and tries not to show any reaction as he focuses on the image displayed and sees Adalind's face staring back at him. It's not the clearest picture, but it's her. And she's holding a child, appearing much older than the age Nick knows she actually is. Due to the angle, the child's face isn't clear and you could probably only guess at the gender due to the clothes she is dressed in.
"You wanted to know anything I found before I took it to captain," Wu prompts and Nick looks up at him.
"How did you find this?"
"A lot of searching and probably a moment or two of luck. There's no name, officially linked, with the person in that photo but it is being associated with Ms Schade and has a search attached. Apparently, they may have been a witness to a crime and have since then gone missing, so it's being looked at."
"Can you give me some time with this?" He asks and although Wu pulls a face he shrugs.
"Alright, but if I found this then there's only so much time before it crosses other people's paths." He advises and Nick nods, handing the tablet back and watching as the file is deleted.
"Thank you," he emphasises and receives a nod in acknowledgment before they both part ways. He may have only just talked to Adalind, and made contact with his mother, but he's already feeling the need to talk to them again. Making a schedule in his head for his day, he decides to keep researching so he has more to say when he does make contact again.
-G-
"You're not sure?" Adalind can't help the wobble in her voice as she stares at Kelly as they talk and clean up after eating. She has to admit she has started to come to rely on the older woman's confidence and so her words definitely cause a reaction inside her.
"I think we have to admit we're all in the dark with this and that you weren't wrong to bring up asking for help."
"But that involves talking to people and telling them about … everything," she glances at her daughter, still in the room with them, and shoots a look at Kelly. "That might not keep her safe."
"We've done what we can so far, and we can keep going as we are. But we've already discussed giving Diana as normal a life as possible and moving every few months, maybe quicker if she ages any faster, that's not going to achieve that. Our plan worked when we had time, now? It's questionable at best." Kelly points out.
Adalind looks at her daughter again and thinks it through. Thinks about all the unknowns they are facing and her fears for what her little girl may face. The danger she's still in from those that are looking for them and won't be giving up anytime soon.
"Mama, sit!" Diana suddenly barks out and both she and Kelly look at her.
"What?" The little girl jumps over to her and starts tugging at her arm, pulling her down to the floor.
"Sit, Mama, sit! It coming!"
"What's com-" A wave of dizziness suddenly takes over and she stumbles, dark and light competing to take over her eyesight. She feels more than sees Kelly grab hold of her and help her sit, then lay back so she is on her back on the floor. Little hands pat her face gently.
"Mama dream Nick," Diana says but her voice sounds far away and blackness takes over her vision.
It's dark for only a few moments before muted colours start swirling and she feels that familiar magic settle over her.
-G-
"Nick?" Adalind's voice is sharp and he looks around before finding her.
"Hey," he greets and moves towards her.
"Did you start this?" She asks and he pauses, cocking his head to the side as he considers her question.
"I'm not sure. I mean, I have definitely before but I'm not sure I did this time." He pauses before recalling slowly. "I was thinking of you … and I was at the trailer … I must have fallen asleep."
"Oh," she hums.
"Is everything ok?"
"I was just still awake when I felt it start, it was an odd sensation."
"I'm sorry," he starts but she waves him away.
"It's ok, Diana warned me." He raises an eyebrow at that but then notices a small smirk grow on her face.
"So, you were thinking of me?"
"Yeah," he admits before explaining about the photo he's seen and how its out there now, as well as his talk with his mother.
"We're all feeling the same then," she notes.
"I think we're in a catch 22, we don't really know what will happen whatever we choose to do. We just have to make a decision and then react to whatever happens next." He shrugs and she shakes her head, a glare settling over her features.
"This is my daughter; I don't want guess work and maybes and rough plans!"
"I know and I wish I could offer you something better." He says and she lets out a deep sigh.
"I know, I'm sorry. I just feel so unsure and worried and scared." He steps closer and she moves into his arms, pressing her face into the crook of his neck.
"At least we can face this together," he offers. She nods against him and he takes the moment to just feel the warmth of her in his arms, as well as the hum of magic having her so close brings.
"So, I guess we'll be seeing each other, in the flesh, soon," he says and feels a sense of anticipation settle in him. The last time they were in the same room they were uneasy allies, only in agreement on the protection of her child. Now … now, it's much more than that. She's more. And he's in a position to do … could do … something he's been thinking about far too much lately.
"Yes, I guess … see you soon," she murmurs and smiles before fading way.
-G-
AN – A certain meeting is coming! Wonder how that will go? Lol, let me know what you think!