Family Ties

by albwtw

What if Diana hadn't been taken away from Adalind? What if the Grimms worked with her instead of against her? What if, by keeping mother and child together, a new family was made? A re-write of Season 3 and beyond.

21. Chapter 21

Family Ties Chapter 21

-G-

AN – Ok, first, sorry for the wait, real life got in the way this week and my self-imposed posting schedule went out the window. Second, lots of questions in regards to if certain events are coming and I think you'll get some answers here. But really, you'll just have to keep reading. I hope you do and that you're enjoying the story as we go.

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-

"I have just sent over copies of a reported incident that I believe gives us another location of Miss Schade," Rispoli states as their meeting begins. "I have included pictures of the scene and think we can confirm the use of Hexenbiest abilities at the site."

"From Miss Schade?"

"That we cannot tell. The damage looks significant, so potentially."

"If not her then who would it be?" Victor asks as Kenneth leans back in his chair.

"The child perhaps? We have heard from the gypsies that Miss Schade had performed the ritual to return her Hexenbiest spirit. There is the possibility that this child will be more because of that." He speaks slowly, the idea forming in his head. He clicks through the attachments, looking specifically for the photos of the scene. "Whoever did this … it's a good indicator for a real source of power. If it was the child, well if so, then this child is even more important than we realised."

"They are important because of their blood, their place as the next generation," Victor states curtly and he inclines his head in agreement.

"Yes, yes. That must not be forgotten. But certain Hexenbiests, with enough power, can perform certain spells. And the troubles our family have had may have a solution."

"I had thought you were all for exercising the biest out of the child," Victor reminds them of his previous comments.

"Of which, there is still a time and place for such actions. But with the potential amount of power we are talking about … that could be line changing."

"That is all supposition," Victor points out. "Until we have the child, we cannot know any such thing."

"Of course, Rispoli, any more news?"

"We are aware the Wesen council are now looking for a child of power who they are worried will break the code of honour. They are sending an agent of theirs to Portland to gather intelligence and report back to them."

"Well, it does seem like Portland is the place to be," Kenneth notes. "I think I too shall join you there. This search has gone on long enough and if certain Wesen need to be reminded of where their loyalty should lie then I am all too happy to remind them." Victor nods and quickly summons several different people to the meeting room.

"Very well, we will get an update to the king and then travel to join you. It is beyond past the time we brought the child home, to their rightful place."

-G-

Nick watches as the captain steps out of his car, looking unruffled and competent as usual. He wonders how long that look will stay on his face with the coming conversation.

"Nick," he greets and he nods in return. "Are you ready for this?"

"I'm trying to think through all of the possibilities," he replies, being more truthful with those words than he has been recently with his superior.

But he is concentrating hard, aware this is another key conversation that may significantly impact his actions, and that of his charges. His talk from the previous day still rings in his mind, all the reactions as he told of Diana and her abilities. As well as what he and his mother had done, so far, to help Adalind and her little girl. And he'd talked about Adalind. He had stressed her change the most, trying to convey how being a mother now was her focus and little else. Certainly not following orders from people she had previously followed, and detailing her relationship with the captain had been eye opening for Hank and Wu. The Wesen in the room had understood a little better but it was hard to express his own reaction, and then hide it, when he realised, he was potentially getting involved with a woman who had previous relationships with two others from his workplace.

He had wondered if it counted when for one it was an illusion and for the other, more of a transactional type of prove yourself to me and I'll give you something back relationship. And from how Adalind views him now, Nick isn't sure she ever really got anything worthwhile back from Renard. Certainly not the relationship she thought would develop and never considering the place she would end up, having used him to get pregnant to then be used herself. In his opinion and from what he knows, there might not be an honest, untwisted relationship within the royal family. Plus, he still thinks of the time Renard was with Juliette, obsession non-withstanding his superior still went behind his back to 'help' cure his girlfriend at the time by kissing her. Really, looking at it that way, they are all rather entangled in each other's lives.

They had all been understanding of the threat of the royal family, and Rosalee in particular had been upset about the idea of a new mother having their child forcibly taken away. He had stressed that he didn't really know what the royal families would do with Adalind but Monroe had pointed out that it was well known in Wesen circles that the royals liked to be above everyone else, including the Wesen they ruled and often used. Plus, looking at past precedent and how the family had treated Renard and his mother, a Hexenbiest herself, then it really didn't look good.

Then they'd had to stop to actually focus on their job, taking Monroe with them where he'd given Hank and Wu a crash course on the politics in the Wesen world as they'd travelled to and from the murder scene and the camp Monroe's nose had led them to.

"Ok, then let's see what's going on." Nick lets the captain take the lead as they walk towards Henrietta's front door and allows his senses to absorb the feeling warped around the house. It doesn't feel as threatening this time, but it still sits heavy on him. He sees Renard give a quick shake and knows he feels it too.

"Good evening, gentlemen," Henrietta says as she opens the door. "I welcome you to my home." Nick nods as they both step inside and he feels the heaviness ease slightly. "If you follow me, I have set up refreshments in the parlour for us." He walks the familiar hallway and sees she has set out a teapot and a plate of some type of biscuit but neither he nor Renard accept when she offers them. Their actions produce a smile and it stays as she settles herself into the largest chair in the room. Nick takes the one to her left as Renard sits in the one to the right. His back to the wall and, perhaps unknowingly, flanked on either side by the two people in the room, who are in the know about what this is all about.

"Firstly, it is good to see you again Sean. How is dear Elizabeth?"

"Yes, it has been a while, Henrietta," he replies. "My mother is well, thank you. She's currently traveling, catching up with some old friends."

"Please pass on my regards when you next speak, and that your mother is most welcome to my home whenever she comes to visit. I hold our time together fondly in my memories." Henrietta's voice is soft as she talks about the other woman and Renard gives a small smile in response and confirmation.

"I will," he confirms, before sweeping his gaze around the room and it's two other occupants. "Alright, Nick said you had something you wished to discuss with us both?" Renard directs towards Henrietta.

"Yes, although I must correct you and say that it is Nicholas and I, together, that have a situation we need to bring to your attention." He gets a look from his captain then and shrugs back at the man. "Before I start, I wish to say to you both, that any extreme reactions, be they verbal or physical, will not be tolerated and I will use all at my disposal to settle any unbalance in the room." She glances at both of them, Woging to reveal her Hexenbiest side and Nick feels the room drop in temperature a little. He nods almost immediately at the implied warning and sees Renard do the same, after considering them both for a moment. His eyes seem to linger on Henrietta and he leans headfirst as he studies her. She retracts and offers another smile.

"Very well, I am delighted we have all agreed. So, Sean, I must discuss with you a case of a young Hexenbiest asking for help." Henrietta pauses here to pour her own cup of tea. "I believe you know her, Adalind Schade." The reaction is instant, Renard lurching forward in his chair with his face pulled back, several emotions running across it, before continuing his movement to come to his feet.

"That witch came to you?" He practically roars before rocking on his feet and taking a step towards Henrietta. Nick shoots to his feet and takes a guard position between the two, though makes no other move when the captain pauses. Throughout it all Henrietta simply sips her tea.

"I believe we just agreed on maintaining calm during these discussions, as such …" she lifts a hand and Renard is magically forced back into his chair. He glares at the move, shifting in his seat as he tries to reclaim his cool persona. Nick retakes his own seat slowly, watching the captain for any further moves, staying tense and ready to move if the other man goes to try anything. Instead, he shakes his head before turning his gaze onto Nick.

"She said you were both involved? How? What the hell are you up to?"

"An associate of mine came to me for help," Nick starts, seeing no need to give Renard the full details in the connection to his mother. "I agreed and only later found out who it was I was helping. I'm not so biased in my feelings or prejudiced to turn away a mother and newborn child in need of help."

"You forgotten what she did to you?" Comes the snappy reply and Nick leans forward in his chair.

"No, and I haven't overlooked who put her up to a lot of it either," he retorts back and has the satisfaction of his captain not being able to hold his gaze.

"There may be a fair amount of, shall we say, bad blood, between us all," Henrietta starts delicately. "But for now, we must put that aside and discuss what truly matters. Adalind and her child are in hiding from your family and do not wish to remain so for the rest of their lives."

"My family can be ruthless," The captain states. "I spent a fair amount of my childhood on the run too."

"So, you wish the same for you daughter?" Renard looks up then and Nick can't read him at all.

"Daughter? She's a girl?" His voice holds some emotion but otherwise he remains in his ever-straight lines of somewhat cool detachment.

"Yes," Henrietta confirms.

"Does she have a name?"

"She does," Nick says. "But we'd like to hear more from you right now."

"This isn't right, you know more about my child than I do!" His voice starts to increase in volume but Henrietta raises an eyebrow and Renard takes a deep breath.

"Because her mother didn't know if she could trust you." Nick says, keeping his own voice even.

"Oh, and she trusts you? You were happy to plot her death once upon a time!"

"And you rejected her and pushed her to the very people that are now hunting her down. Neither of us are saints here, captain." He points out, knowing they both have more skeletons in their closets.

"So, we all have our faults," Henrietta once again placates the rising tensions between them. "We have acknowledged them and so, can move on. Our focus now is on the child and what is best for her."

"She should be with me; I am her father." Renard quickly states. He shifts in his chair and his fingers begin to tap out some rhythm on the armrest.

"Away from her mother?"

"Of course not, Adalind is, ah, welcome too. I know my family and what they are capable of, I can protect them. We should raise the child together." Something in Nick twists at those words and he gulps. He senses Henrietta glancing at him but doesn't look away from the captain.

"And how would you do that?" He queries, keeping his voice even. "Your family know where you are and pretty much all of Portland knows your status. You suddenly appearing with a child would definitely raise questions and it most certainly would get back to your family." Everyone knew who he was because he wanted them to, wanted them all to know his position of power. Nick just couldn't see the captain giving that up, not without something else in place.

"Then we would leave. My mother and I stayed in many places, in which the royals do not have the influence they think they do. I have friends in Russia who could help." Nick fights the jolt that wants to shudder through his body and instead squeezes the arm of the chair he sits in. Russia is a long way away.

"That would bring its own set of problems," Henrietta supplies. "They may not want her for her royal blood there but they would be very interested in a child that is three quarters Hexenbiest."

"You exaggerate," Renard scoffs, his fingers still tapping away. He leers slightly at Henrietta and Nick shifts in his own chair to gain the other man's attention, not liking how he's looking at the Hexenbiest.

"Even if she does, it's still a valid point," he argues. "Your child will be wanted and needs protecting."

"This child-"

"My child," Renard snarls and Henrietta dips her head in acknowledgement.

"Your child, along with Miss Schade, is innocent and it will do us all well to remember that. She cannot help how or why she was born." She speaks slowly, throwing Nick a glance and at that moment Nick realises that Henrietta is not going to tell Renard about the other circumstances around her birth, and subsequently Diana's extra power. He thinks she must have deduced something and so is happy to follow her lead. "We can all work together to protect her."

"Which is why we're having this conversation," Nick comments and it's his turn to get a glare.

"So, I have to come up with the perfect plan right now? When I've only had a few minutes to take this all in?" Renard snaps back and she smiles gently at him.

"Of course not, Sean. We are here to talk about this situation and try to find the best solution possible. That cannot be done in one night. No, we will be having many more conversations, I believe,"

"So, where are they?" Renard questions and Nick takes the lead here.

"In a safe place," he states firmly, not elaborating anymore.

"Nick …"

"You can growl all you want, but even I don't know the actual location." He comments and sees the captain look away in frustration.

"You trust this … associate of yours? Whoever it is, is helping to protect them as well?"

"Yes, I do and yes, they are. Adalind isn't alone and there are a few people who will help to protect and keep her with her daughter." More now than she's had, probably in a long time. And while it may be slightly conditional, his friends doing more to help for him rather than for Adalind specifically, it won't stop them from helping and doing what they can. Certainly, no one is going to just abandon them and let a mother and young child fend off the royal family on their own.

"My daughter too," Renard snarls again and Nick inclines his head in acknowledgement but doesn't verbalise it. "I want to see her."

"That could be arranged," Henrietta offers and Nick fights the urge to snarl his own thoughts of opposition at that. "But we first must agree to the elements of their safety. I am sure no one here wishes harm to come to the child, or the mother."

"I need some time to think this through," Renard states suddenly, standing up. "I'll be in touch." He strides out before Nick can even offer a good bye and they both hear the door slam shut.

"Ok …?" He says, looking towards Henrietta but she holds up a hand and closes her eyes. He waits as she takes several deep breaths, the time passing in silence, before opening her eyes and looking at him.

"He is gone," she states. "I wanted to make sure he had truly left before we discussed our next steps."

"He reacted … well, he reacted," Nick says dryly, as he really hadn't been able to make any predictions about what his captain might do.

"Something was not quite right," she says slowly. "It was something in his aura, a sense of being muddled. And I have never, in all my times meeting Sean, seen him tap his fingers or fidget. Such a thing would be seen as common and unduly for how he views himself, and wishes to be perceived by others, being a man of royal blood."

"So, what?"

"I am not sure but it made me hesitant to reveal any more than what we needed to," she shakes her head. "I find myself, like you Nicholas, protective of Diana and Adalind. I am willing to give Sean a chance, he is her father and has a right to see that relationship grow and be explored, but I do not wish to place anyone in harms way. I will be most displeased to find out that any intentions are not true."

"Me too," he agrees softly. "So, I guess we're in a waiting game now. We have to see what captain will do next."

"I believe so," she nods.

"I think it would be best for both of us to not meet him alone. I mean, I have to see him at work but I really doubt he's going to bring this up there. So, if he contacts you let me know," he instructs.

"I will," she promises and he nods before they discuss how he'll let Adalind and his mom, Mrs Reed still to Henrietta, know how this meeting went. It's not much to report really, and he already knows both women will not be best pleased with having to wait longer before any of them know what's coming next. There's not much more they can do though so he offers Henrietta a goodbye before turning to leave. A thought pulls at him, something Hank had said that had created a tiny, nagging worry in the back of his mind.

"You have more questions?" Henrietta asks as he hesitates in the doorway.

"When you spoke about magic, about the link you sensed between me and Adalind …" He trails off and she waits, her face calm as he forms his next sentence. "Could … could that link create, ah, feelings between us that were, erm, false?"

"You are wondering about what is happening between the two of you? Are you not trusting your own emotions?" He meets her eyes and instead of criticism, is met with calm reassurance.

"I just want an answer please," he says quietly.

"Magic can create many things and influence different senses. It can ensnare and fashion and form echoes of feelings, but it cannot create true, abiding feelings that hold exact. An attraction towards someone can be used, both amplified and twisted, but it will not last. If you are feeling certain emotions towards Adalind, I would say that while magic may be a part of it, as linked as the two of you are, it is not the start of such feelings. And I do not believe it will be the end, either." He pauses, taking in her words, before nodding and verbalising his thanks, then walking out.

Her words settle something inside him, a little niggle that he could no longer ignore. This thing between them feels so real and if he's honest he'd hadn't wanted a different answer. He wanted to know that it was real and the idea of building something more, something that was just them, was not going to be based on anything but the emotional state between them.

Maybe he shouldn't be feeling this way, maybe he should try to stop it now, before anything really gets started. Afterall, it's just been some dreams and one, ok two, well a few kisses. A conversation about where they might go, what they could build between them. And all of that could be put down to the situation they are in, high emotions and seeking comfort from others involved. Adalind is alone, with only another female and her small child for company and he's been experiencing the break down of a long-term relationship. Being in such close contact, magical contact, of course they could turn to each other.

That doesn't seem fair though, to her or himself. Adalind isn't just a body filling a spot or helping scratch an itch. She's her own person, someone he's enjoying finding out more about and giving him support back in ways he didn't know he wanted or needed. They're building a partnership, of sorts, and communicating in more in-depth ways. Partly because of the situation they're in but also because he genuinely wants to. She's always managed to catch his attention and now, being able to find out so much more, it just seems to want to stay there. And Diana … well, she's special, in so many ways and he will do everything he can to keep that little girl safe, and happy and whole. And definitely with that beautiful, cheeky, little grin on her face that also reminds him of her mother.

No, these feelings aren't to be stopped. Diana has already made her way into his heart, in that way only small children can do that leaves you putty in their hands after only one meeting. And he wants the opportunity to figure out where he stands with her mother, whether they can be anything and what Adalind could come to mean to him. If that puts him at odds with his boss, well it wouldn't be the first time and he's going to make sure that this time round, the captain understands the consequences any actions he might take will have.

-G-

The discovery of another body on the same highway, and in similar condition, means the investigation now has the possibility of involving a serial killer. This body is older and so evidence is not as clear, but they are definitely dealing with Wesen. Sending Monroe undercover at the near-by camp, which deals with hunts and connecting with your inner Wesen side, is one step but he and Hank still chase other leads, such as clothing labels and missing person reports.

Any interaction with the captain has been somewhat frosty, though the man has barely been in the office. Nick has no idea what he's up to but tries to keep track, unsure if his superior is trying to work his own angles in regards to his daughter and Adalind.

He does finally hear back from the realtor though and makes an appointment to see the lot he's interested in. If it works out, and with the manoeuvres his mother has advised him with, then he could have a safe place secured and with no outward ties to his name.

-G-

Adalind settles into the sofa, letting Diana snuggle in close and wraps an arm around her daughter. She takes a moment to just breathe before looking down and meeting her daughter's bright gaze.

"We're going to try something new today," she starts and Diana grins, always happy to explore the magic between her mother and herself. "We're going to talk about our magic and also our feelings and how it can all be mixed up."

"Magic mama?"

"Yes, honey, magic." She flicks her fingers and Diana giggles as the ends of her hair move at the same pace. "But also, feelings. Our emotions. Its all tied together, you see, magic and moods and how our spirit is. But mama's getting ahead. First, let's start with what emotions there are." She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes to focus, before reopening them and passing her hand slowly through the air in front of them.

"We have lots of feelings inside of us, some good and some bad. Listening to our emotions can help us and being aware of how we are feeling keeps us healthy and safe. And, we have lots of emotions, that's another way of saying feelings, feelings like happy or sad, tired or mad." She creates a rainbow in the air in front of them and Diana gasps. "Sometimes, it helps to use colours to describe our feelings. They can be linked with our moods and how we can express, or show ourselves." She makes the colours bounce around the room before twisting her fingers and it shifts to a more yellow hue.

"When we feel happy, we might use yellow," she starts. "It's bright and fun and bouncy and uplifting." The light show she creates reacts to her words and Diana watches in fascination. "When we feel sad, it can be described as blue. Things seems a little darker and deeper and not ok." The whole room darkens as the colour in the air transitions to a cool blue, giving everything a shadowy feel. Diana presses closer and Adalind kisses her daughter's head.

"Sometime we feel mad or angry or really frustrated and that might be the colour red," she explains and again manipulates the light to change. "And then it can all become a bit grey, if we are feeling worried or anxious, unsure or uncomfortable." The colour shifts and gives the whole room an eerie glow.

"And we have love," she says softly and sends a rush of sparkles through the air. They mix with the light, everything becoming metallic in tone and shining bright, twinkling like stars or diamonds. Diana gasps and stares wide eyed, watching keenly like at a firework show. "So much love, that it can fill us up and make everything special and warm and wonderful."

She lets it stay for a moment before concentrating on lightening it all up, bringing back the rainbow she started with. "And it's ok to feel all that, we are made up of lots of different feelings, so lots of different colours." The rainbow arches through the air, from one side of the room to the other at her command and soon Diana is smiling again. "We just have to make sure we have all our feelings, let ourselves feel it all and don't let one become too much. We want the rainbow, not all one colour, understand honey?" Diana blinks up at her and Adalind sighs. She hopes this is making sense, hopes that the verbal and visual will be helpful. She feels a little lost with all this, her expertise being more explaining the law to adults than emotions to toddlers but for her daughter she will try, will do the best she can.

Diana flicks her own fingers and creates a small ball of yellow light in front of her.

"Happy mama?" She asks and Adalind can't help but beam at her daughter.

"Oh, honey, I'm so happy with you!" She squeezes her into a tight hug and Diana lets out a loud laugh.

"Happy," she chants as she creates more balls of yellow light that bounce around them and Adalind laughs along side her daughter. "Nana Kelly, happy!" She turns to see the Grimm in the doorway and Diana makes a yellow ball of light bounce to her too.

"I see," the older woman replies with a smile of her own. She walks closer and Diana wriggles free of Adalind to settle on the floor and concentrate on creating more colours in the air. Kelly takes the seat next to her and they watch together.

"You're good with her," she comments softly and Adalind blows out a breath.

"I feel like half the time I have no idea what I'm doing," she replies honestly and gets a laugh in response.

"All parents feel that way, trust me." She states with confidence and it makes her smile, just a little. "You just have to keep trying, keep doing what you can. With every step you help them grow and learn, but it's not perfect, nor should it be. Being a family is about being together, not about being perfect." They sit in silence for a moment, watching Diana amuse herself with her new magic trick before Adalind shifts to face Kelly a little more.

"What was it like, raising Nick?" She asks quietly.

"Like nothing I thought it would be," Kelly responds. "And I know I wasn't perfect, far from it and I didn't get it all right, but I got to experience so much and I loved being his mother, loved our family. Raising him, being with Reed, my husband and Nicky's father, and being a family … those are memories that keep me hopeful in some of my darkest, saddest days."

"Sad?" Diana parrots and the light balls in front of her flicker before turning blue. She looks up at Kelly and then Adalind and the room takes on a blue tint as she controls the light in front of her. Kelly slides off her chair and sits on the floor next to Diana.

"No sad, I'm happy. Can you show me what colour happy is?" Diana nods and then they watch as the colour lightens and changes to a bright, sunny yellow. "Oh, wow. That's great, Diana."

"Happy?" The little girl asks, looking from Kelly to Adalind.

"Happy," Kelly smiles and nods and she copies her with a bright grin. "Now, what was mad? What colour?" The room takes on a tinge of red as Diana changes her balls of light and Kelly laughs. "That is brilliant, you are so smart. Red is mad, angry, ggrrr." She holds her hands up and makes the shape of claws with her fingers as she leans towards Diana, growling out as she moves. The smaller blonde giggles and shifts with Kelly following her movement, making more noises as she goes.

They spend the next little while going over emotions and feelings and colours, working together and making it as fun as possible for Diana whilst also trying to impress on her the importance of her feelings. She keeps up with them well, using her gifts to create the coloured light and only really struggling with creating the mix that makes a rainbow. Adalind takes over then, arching streams of rainbow coloured light around the room and illuminating them all.

Even throughout dinner and getting ready for bed, balls of light in different colours bounce around them and Diana falls asleep with a smile on her face as Adalind makes the bedroom ceiling sparkle like stars in the night sky.

"Sleep well, my darling girl," she whispers as she presses a kiss to her forehead. "Mama loves you, so, so much."

-G-

He paces the room, papers spread across the table and old shirts tossed to the side. His laptop sits open but even with multiple tabs open and several emails sent, he's still no closer to figuring out what's wrong. And something is wrong. Blank spots in his memory, flashes of emotion not his own and just a feeling of unease, discomfort in his own skin.

And Sean Renard may be many things, to many different people, respected by some and feared, rightfully so, by others. But he knows his own mind and body, knows that something isn't quite right and isn't adding up. Yet he can't figure it out. His mother isn't currently answering and he's still waiting to hear back from his contact in Russia, so for now he has to put it aside and focus on the other problem in his life.

The child. A girl. His daughter.

A legacy to morph and make his own. She is more him than his family, more Wesen than royal, and that was important. It could give him the edge that he needs. For, he can see it now. The possibilities it can bring. A new family of power, with him at the helm and a daughter he can raise to be just so. A new generation for the royal family, and a new regime for the rest of the Wesen world.

He can't start on his own though, he doesn't quite have the needed resources at his disposal. His family does, though, and if he spins this right, he could get everything he wants in place with some manoeuvring. He can appear loyal whilst working his own angle, keep his family in sight while also working closely with Wesen and his Grimm, so keeping them on side as well. Sean Renard has always played games well, and this time he'll be in control. Snapping the laptop shut he reaches for his phone and the first step to getting all he wants.

"Rispoli," he greets as the call connects. "I have information that needs to be discussed. We need to meet, in person, and let's agree to no one getting shot this time, hmm?"

-G-

Breath flutters across his neck and fingers ghost along his bare back. They leave a trail of sensation, sparks of magic as well as prickles of awareness, that sends shivers down his spine. He grips her tighter in response, wanting her closer.

"Oh, please," she gasps out.

"What," he pants back, dropping kisses to the skin he can reach. "What do you want?"

"Closer, please, hold me, ah," she moans as he rolls, bodies brushes and sending jolts of sensation through them both. He settles with her above him, arms wrapped tight around her and their upper bodies pressed as close as they can get.

Still, he needs more and he pushes forward, forehead in her hair as his lips latch on to her neck and he feels the vibration of her moan. Feels it through his whole body.

"Better?" He asks as she threads her fingers through his hair.

"More," she pleads, griping his hair with a tug that shoots electricity done his spine. "Nick, more." He nods, hands running over her body as he rolls them again, as something buzzes between them, buzzes and builds and buzzes.

He comes to awareness as the buzzing stops but starts almost immediately again. He groans as he shakes away the dream, looks around to gather his bearings at the trailer.

"Burkhardt," he answers with a croak.

"Hey, we got another body," Hank greets him with before quickly giving him the details of how to get there. They end the call after that and he takes another minute or two to really shake off the dream, and it's lingering after effects, before making his way to the new scene.

Driving out gives him some time to think and he tries to focus on everything he needs to do; keep an eye on the captain, check in with Trubel, move some money around, check out the new site, get ready for this Wesen council operative, try keep everyone up to date with everything. It's a lot and part of him would much rather spend the time recalling his more recent dreams but they'll have to wait.

Pulling up behind Wu's car, he quickly makes his way to where he can see him and Hank standing by the newly discovered body.

"Ugh," Wu comments, "This one is anything but fresh."

"Guesstimate, what, at least a week? Maybe more?" Hank leans closer to look but manages to avoid moving physically closer to the malodourous body.

"Could still be Hans or his son," Nick adds in, looking from the body to the road and then to the woods beyond. "We are close to the ranch."

"Well, he says they have those camps every weekend." Hank points out. "That's opportunity every week."

"I'm gonna call Monroe, see if he's still up there." He states and when he gets through things quickly escalate. It's then a mad dash up the highway and run through the woods but the whole situation takes a turn when the Kehresite somehow bests the Wesen and they have to watch as Maggie dies from her knife wound.

Watching Albert and Todd react as their family suffers such a loss hits different, maybe because it was a daughter begging to be seen by her father. The love was there but not the understanding, not a true relationship. Would Diana ever feel that way? Would she ever get a chance? Were they keeping her from her father, and in doing so, keeping her from a relationship that could impact her life, health and happiness?

He doesn't know Renard well enough to guess at what kind of father he might be. From the relationships he does know about, it's been more about power and control than any real and meaningful feelings. The man doesn't exactly where his heart on his sleeve, so there is a lot unknown there. But he could have said something similar about Adalind and look at them now. Look at how she was with Diana and how strong their relationship was. Who was he to deny or stand in the way of something that could help Diana, and possibly aid Adalind as well.

Even if he did have any type of feelings, towards Adalind or her daughter, his place isn't the same as Renard's. And he's had interactions with them, had the opportunity to build, or start to, a relationship. Watching as one breaks down in front of him, and thinking of his own past, he thinks he doesn't want to be the reason, or part of it, that would ever cause Diana to be in such a situation. Which means being the bigger man and somehow coming up with a way to keep them all safe and happy at the same time as giving opportunities to grow as a family, even as messy as it is.

"I can't believe that happened," Monroe states as Maggie's body is taken away in the back of an ambulance. Other officers were now on the scene. Taking the hitchhiker's statement as well as talking to Albert and Todd. Hank stays close to them as Wu makes further arrangements.

"Did she seem ... in control?" Nick asks as gently as he can.

"Oh boy, did she. She was talking about the old ways." Monroe shakes his head. "The stronger take the weaker. That's what she was saying, about the real way which is where it's seen that Wesen are on top, because we are the stronger species. And she said that, how everyone around her was weak."

"Sounds like she had more going on than anybody realised," he says and Monroe huffs.

"Yeah, maybe. But the old ways only go so far and in the natural order of things, well, it's not just about the strong overcoming the weak. It's also about who can fight the hardest to survive."

"Survival of the fittest," Nick comments.

"Being on a hunt like that? You give yourself over to your senses, your focus is on the hunt and it can bring its own type of high. But to get so lost that you don't even sense danger? That's not right." He sounds slightly distraught and Nick can't help but step closer, concern for the Blutbad etched on his face.

"Monroe, are you ok?" He asks and his friend gives a small shudder.

"Yeah, yeah. It's just …" He trails off with a sigh "I've been there, I've done that. I'm not proud of it now but at the time? I could have very well said something similar to her." He looks at his friend then and reaches out to offer a quick, comforting pat on his arm.

"But you chose to do something different. Go your own way. And I probably wouldn't be here if you hadn't."

"Oh, you definitely wouldn't have survived without me in those first few months!" Monroe corrects. "Man, you were such a baby Grimm!"

"Who would've thought, hey? A Grimm getting help from a Blutbad, then becoming friends."

"Where did my life go wrong?" Monroe quips and Nick gives him a quick elbow jab. "Hey! Kidding, kidding!" They both chuckle. "Still, we definitely lead unexpected lives."

"I guess, we can never really take things as being obvious," Nick says and it makes him think of Henrietta and her words about Diana. They can't expect the ordinary with her, as there's nothing ordinary about her, so they have to be cautious. "When we see the things we do, we should almost expect the unexpected." The words may be simple but the feeling behind them isn't.

He'll give Renard a chance but he's not going to give him an inch further than that. He wants his friends to meet and come to know his mother and Adalind, and then see those relationships grow. He wants more time with Diana, as well as to keep her safe and happy. All of them to be safe. And he'll do what he has to for that to happen.

-G-

AN – Thank you for staying with me and continuing to read!