Summary: Nick and Frank confront his ex-wife, but soon realise that time is running out for the missing man

Notes:

By The Blood Of The Hunter's Moon

Frank was nervous as he drove them towards his ex-wife's home, the car was silent and he was more than aware he was sat only inches away from one of the deadliest predators within the Wesen world. And yet there was a calmness that the young Grimm beside him brought, Frank didn't understand it but he had hope, he had a feeling that whatever was to happen Barry was coming home with him in one piece.

Even with the small rucksack at Nick's feet causing Frank's attention to faulter from the road to its contents, he felt at ease with him as they came up on a rustic looking log cabin house. It was quite large so Nick knew she must have money so she could have other locations, this could be a problem if Frank didn't know about it. Getting out the car Frank swallowed hard as he watched Nick pick up his bag, removing his crossbow, his trusted blade and a small dagger Renard had gifted him after his service's with the rogue Blutbad. He concealed each skilfully until you'd never know he was carrying, then he turned to Frank who schooled himself before leading him up the drive.

His ex-wife was busy on the porch as they approached, her demeanour changed as she spotted Frank making Nick reach behind him for his dagger and slip it up the arm of his jacket. She put herself between them and the door as she pulled off her gloves throwing them behind her.

"What do you want Frank? I've told you all I intend to say on the subject" she spat then growled in Frank's direction before she noticed Nick.

"Who is this? Your new little slut? how dare you bring that thing here" she growled in Nick's direction; he watched the change in Frank as he pulled himself up and dropped the loving father for the cold-blooded lawyer.

"Diane Bar meet Nicholas Burkhardt right hand to the Prince and arbitrator of this Canton's laws" he growled as her smug look faded and she looked at him for a second before she paled somewhat.

"He is the Grimm? You brought the Grimm to my door?" she growled half panicked half defiant.

"It is not for my will; the prince knows about your plan. This is his will and warning before this goes too far. His will is clear end this or he…" Frank indicated over his shoulder to where Nick stood emotionless.

"He is under orders to end this" Frank spoke, his words cold and callas but Nick knew this was his mask created from years of arguing his cases, he knew his own words were cutting deeply within the fathers heart.

"If you'd stand with that MONSTER, then you've made your choice. We stand with our ancestors, who do you stand with?" she growled before rushing into the house and slamming the door behind her as Frank turned round to face Nick.

"She will go to ground now, it's her way. Whatever she's planning will be pushed forward before you can be ready for it. But she knows nothing about you, she's expecting you to be slow not the lightningly fast hunter we've all come to know and respect" Frank spoke fear heavy in his words as Nick placed his hand upon his shoulder.

"So, your saying I have until sundown to find her hunting grounds?" Nick asked as Frank sighed and nodded.

"Come on then we'd better make haste" Nick said as Frank pulled himself together and followed Nick.

Renard let himself into Nick's home, it was quickly becoming a Sanctuary for him away from his day-to-day duties as a Captain and his regal responsibility's as a prince. He could feel the wards he'd put up humming just under his skin, it was a welcome comfort making him feel like he finally had a loving place to call a home within his Grimm's world. Getting out of his clothing, showering and pulling a beer out of the fridge he smiled to himself as he spotted the post it note with his name on it. Short and sweet it was just a small message letting him know Nick was making sure Renard had food ready to eat, it filled him with a warmth he'd come to enjoy when it came to Nick.

Pulling it off he put the food on the side ready to heat up, the note on the other hand went within his wallet to join his postcard and drawn sketch within his bedside table. Picking up his phone he checked the clock before calling Nick, after being filled in Renard sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose before assuring him that he had his full backing whatever he decides. He also informs him that he can use any of his agent's and resources within reason if he needed it, finishing with the reminder that he is to be safe and Nick asking him would he see him later. With a small smile he reminded Nick that he'd always be with him and that he got his note.

After a few more loving words spoken he ended the call and went back to his food with a sigh, he sent a message to all his available agents who'd be able to help Nick encase he needed them. Before sitting down with his food and waited for the fallout from Nick's duties.

The sun was setting fast as Nick moved through the sprawling forest around the house and it's grounds, Frank had changed from his working clothing and into something that looked more like jogging wear. He considered himself fit, his wesen nature ment he was faster than most humans but compared to Nick he felt unfit. He was starting to understand why Grimm's were considered what they were, but also, he was beginning to see Nick for the asset the Prince did both as an arbitrator and a potential mate. He could see what Renard saw in Nick that made in attractive as a lover.

Nick came to a halt close to an open cave, before he could speak up Frank got a face full of a familiar scent. Tapping his shoulder, he indicated for Nick to follow him into the cave, inside they found evidence of it being used for rituals for a long time. The paintings upon the walls were tribal in nature and Nick could appreciate their beauty for what they were, Frank was looking round when he found a torn shirt. Picking it up he woged and scented the shirt before growling making Nick reach for his weapons.

"It's begun" he growled again before racing from the cave, Nick followed on his heel's easily, they found the three boys as they had just brought down the male they were chasing.

"BARRY STOP!" yelled Frank making the boy's stop and look at him.

"This is not the way Barry, if you go through with this you will regret it. This has gone beyond us; this is Nick he's a Grimm and he's here on the order of the Prince" growled Frank as the colour drained from the three boys.

"We can walk away from this now but if you continue, then Nick has orders to stop this" he continued to explain but before they could answer a growl filled the air, out from the forest came a full-size bear racing towards them.

"MUM NO!" yelled Barry as the bear lept at Nick and Frank but instead she fell into one of the hidden traps.

The bear gave out a pained screech as they all raced to the trap, within was a fully grown bear impaled on more than a dozen carved stakes. Quickly the bear shifted from its animalistic form and back into the form of Frank's ex-wife. Reaching for his phone Nick dialled Renard's number, filling him in while Frank corralled the boys he listened for the instructions. Before repeating them back to Frank and the boys as they waited for Renard's Detectives and the ambulance to arrive.

Nick was surprised to see Hank arrive with the other's; he stood there waiting for them to approach him. He watched as the boys were cuffed and both Diane and the young man, Rocky he believed his name was being brought out the clearing on stretchers. Frank looked defeated as he returned to Nick, he whispered to him about what he'd been told, Barry and two of his friends, Jason Colbert and T. B. Colbert were being charged with assault. Under Renard's command Frank had instructed the boys to explain to them that they were doing this under Diane's instructions, Barry wanted to argue but Frank explained that is assault or kidnapping, imprisonment and attempted murder charges, at the realisation of how much trouble he was in he agreed to what he was being told.

After giving their accounts Nick walked alongside Frank back to his car, they both rode back in silence. Arriving back at Nick's home Nick was pleased to see Renard stood at the door waiting for them, Nick got out and after many words he convinced Frank to come in with him. Walking over to the fridge he pulled out a beer and gave it to the other man, Frank sighed and took it but didn't drink. Nick could see the other man wasn't dealing well with the events of the day, walking over to him he offered Frank the spare room making Renard give him a questioning look. Nick placed his hand upon Franks shoulder, he looked up at him and Nick could see the broken man before him.

"Time is a great healer; you did all you could for him. He's alive and knowing Sean he will do all he can to see the boys are brought back to the right path. All you can do is stand beside Barry and be the father he needed. For tonight you can take the spare room, I'm not trusting you to be alone. I will leave Sean and you to speak" with that Nick stood and left Renard and Frank to talk.

He went up to his room and showered away the stress, strain and dirt of the day. He let out a sigh as he felt his muscles pop and his joins grind as finally, he felt the weight leave him, as the water ran cold, he got out and slipped into some sleeping pants before getting into bed. Pulling out his journal from his nightstand Nick began writing, time passed and before Nick realised it Renard was in the doorway watching him with a weary smile on his face.

Nick smiled at him as he finally noticed him, Renard stood off the door frame and walked towards Nick who was putting his book away. He lent down and kissed Nick.

"Thank you" Renard spoke making Nick smile confusedly at him.

"Frank is hurting but he needed someone to talk to, he opened up to me and we spoke as friends. By the time he retired to sleep his worries were lighter, your heart is like no other Nick. You can see a side of people no one else can, I love you Nick never change" spoke Renard as he stole another kiss before heading to get ready for bed.

Nick slipped into the bed and after feeling the bed dip he welcomed the strong walm arm as it wrapped around him, the kiss to the back of the neck made him sigh happily as he settled into a restful sleep.