Summary: During a training session Nick stubbles over a nine-year cold case

Notes:

Mon coeur – My Heart (French)

Monster In The Woods

As life fell into a normal pace, Nick started feeling the life as an Officer's partner. Renard and his people had caught a bad case and he'd been pulling long day's late nights and some nights not coming home at all, other's he'd been forced to return to his apartment so he was easier to reach. Nick missed him but he understood why, he just made sure to send reassuring messages, deliver food so he remembered to eat and reassure Renard that he'd still have a boyfriend to return home too. For Nick life was moving at a much quieter pace, he'd even started working parttime for Rosilee at the shop.

Thanks to this he'd come to know the Wesen of Portland a lot more, at first, he was worried that Rosilee's suggestion would backfire. He didn't want to hurt her shop but after the first few encounters things calmed down, now many come in to chat with the local Grimm asking advice as well as to gossip. Rosalee had finally found the courage to speak up and explain to Nick what had happened with the stranger days earlier, Nick had been annoyed and had told her that he'd speak to Renard once he'd finally come home. Rosilee's sad smile had Nick reassuring her that he was fine with Renard's hours, after all he was a Grimm and understood the pressures of closing cases and hunting down suspects. Nick pointed out at least for now his presence should keep away those Wesen like the stranger, and for the most part he'd been right.

But for now, Nick was keeping himself busy with other things, today was one of those days. Dressed in his fateful boots, his faded jeans, a short sleeved graphic t-shirt, his favourite blue checked shirt and his beloved leather jacket as he hunted his prey through the rugged terrain. He could hear the distant heartbeat as if his prey was beside him, he kept himself low and silent as he moved like a ghost through the leaves. Then he saw his opening closing his eyes he slowed his own heart rate, the world around him seemed to slow to a crawl as the tiniest flash of movement crossed his vision. Moving with his grace he jumped from his spot and hit his target disabling him without a sound.

"Dam dude I didn't even have a clue you where there, if this is normal, I'm beginning to question some of the stories about wesen one upping your kind. No wesen can move like you" laughed Monroe as the world around Nick returned to normal, standing up he offered him his hand and pulled Monroe to his feet.

Nick smiled as Monroe carried on rambling about Nick's skills, but to Nick, it filled him with some pride to be praised by his closest friend. For a while now he'd been training alongside Monroe, despite his eccentric look the clockmaker was every bit the Blutbad he was proud to be. His skills as a hunter where only second to some of the older Grimm's he'd grown up around, Sam and Serena had begun joining them which too had earnt him awe from Renard's most trusted agents. Recently Frank too had begun training alongside him once or twice meaning Nick was becoming more adept within his skills.

Nick was about to push Monroe over playfully before the Blutbad blew a gasket when the sound of gunfire rang out, both men instinctually ducked for cover.

"It's coming from further in" Nick commented but before Monroe could answer Nick was off towards it, Monroe groaned before trailing behind the other man.

Reaching the source of the noise Nick and Monroe were greeted by the sight of a campsite set up in the middle of nowhere, two people bound and face down upon the floor, a heavily armed man's body beside them and what appeared you to be a young girl rooting through the body. As they approached the girl spun round and her face morphed as she let out a howl and raced off deeper into the trees, Nick was torn between giving chase and aiding the bound individuals upon the floor.

The safety of the people won out as Nick and Monroe raced over, Nick pulled his dagger from his boot. Cutting their ties he helped them to sit up. Monroe arrived with Nick's pack and Nick reached in and passed them both water before using his own kit to attend to their wounds. After that he sent Monroe to the opening to the forest to wait for help, explaining to him he'd call Renard and get him to send his people out while he attended to the two people sat with him.

Less than an hour later Renard arrived alongside several armed Detectives and a handful of D.E.A Officers, Nick took a step back and let them deal with the victims, the body, and the site. For a brief moment he caught Renard's gaze, he looked haggard and older than his years. This tugged hard at Nick's heart but he knew he couldn't approach him at the moment, he was in full Captain mode and he didn't want to undermine that. Nick walked over to were the young girl had disappeared, he was crouched down examining the hidden track's upon the ground. Far enough away from the site not to be counted, most would have overlooked them but Nick was a Grimm with over a decade of hunting and tracking under his belt.

He sensed the approach of another but Nick didn't move from his position, he could sense the young girl somewhere within the surrounding forest. The strong hand that landed upon his shoulder made Nick smiled, as the walm feeling's associated with Renard filled his heart. He was well aware of wesen bonds and more and more he was beginning to believe that one day he'd be wearing Renard's and him his, just being close to the older man filled him with more them just affection.

"What can you see?" Renard asked as he crouched down beside him, Nick knew the open meaning to the question asked.

"Look at the broken ground, someone or something moved through here recently, but this isn't the first time too. Givin the size of the plants and the freshness of the soil, whatever passed through was here long before the camp" Nick said as Renard watched his actions before he turned to face Nick and smirk at him.

"Now tell me what I'm not explaining to my Detectives" Renard whispered.

"His killer was a young girl, teenager if that. But what's strange is she knew these woods, we spooked her. She shifted. a Blutbad I believe but it wasn't smooth like your own or Monroe, you know like you'd learned how to do it smoothly over years of accepting it. Her's were forced almost like she had no control over it" Nick spoke as Renard became interested at the description of the young girl.

Briefly Renard's hand moved over Nick's and he squeezed it before letting it drop, he stood up and straightened up his clothing. Nick too stood up and turned to face Renard while they both were away from preying eyes.

"Do what you can Mon Coeur, I trust your judgment. I will return to the station and see what I can find out for you" Renard spoke as the Captain stood before him but Sean bled into his words.

Nick bid him goodbye before heading back to Monroe, casting one last walm look in Renard's

direction which caught his gaze making him smile before he and Monroe headed back down the trail.

The ride back was silent as Nick tried to make sense of all he'd seen, he realy wished he'd had his family books at this moment in time but it wasn't safe yet for that. Pulling up outside Monroe's home Nick looked confused until he spoke.

"Dude don't tell me you've forgotten your promise? I train with you so you can blow off some major league unresolved sexual tension since prince tall, dark and Captainly has been working lates, in return you help me set up the house for the holidays" explained Monroe excitedly making Nick groaned.

It was December, almost four months to the day since he'd first arrived in town and soon it would be Christmas time, he himself hadn't even bought decorations yet let alone put them up. Not that he'd celebrated this particular holiday or any for that matter in a long time. Smiling to himself he wondered if Renard celebrated Christmas or yule? That's when it dawned on him, he'd need to get a gift for the older man making him groan.

"Don't worry I'm sure his highness will love anything you get him" laughed Monroe making Nick wonder if his best friend had suddenly become psychic.

"No, I can't read your mind, but I can read your face. I had the same thoughts a few days ago when I remembered I have to get Roslie something. Hey, we can go together on a buddies day then no one will suspect anything" suggested Monroe making Nick laugh as he followed his friend into the house.

When Renard arrived back at the station, he quickly took charge and began directing his people around. With three major cases on going and now this, Renard had his hand's full so after assigning people to their places he retired to his office. Closing the door, he groaned as it closed shut, pulling out his cell he finally found a moment to contact Nick. He was grateful to hear his mate to be's voice. They spoke of inconsequential things before Renard made promises for them to spend a few days together when all this had blown over, before he hung up and sat back in his chair pulling up his laptop and beginning the groundwork for the events to come. That's when Hank came knocking at his door with Karl, Renard indicated for them to enter.

"feds just confirmed this guy was bad news" Hank said as he put the file down on his desk and looked at Renard for permission to use his laptop, nodding he moved and allowed Hank to boot up images from the scene.

"How do we know it wasn't the hikers?" Renard asked them after skimming through the file.

"We ran their backgrounds they run and doggy wash in Beaverton, their clean" answered Kyle.

"So, what was it another drug dealer getting rid of the competition?" Renard suggested as Hank shook his head.

"If it was, they would have taken his plants" he stated as Renard just nodded.

"Who kills a pot grower in the woods for a sleeping bag and some food?" Renard questioned himself as Nick's words still echoed in his mind.

Suddenly a hard knocking brought the three men's attention to the door as Wu burst in, he was holding a file as he joined them.

"Just got the results back on the brunette hair we pulled off the body and you're not going to like it Hank" said Wu as he handed him the file.

"Holly Clark?" Hank whispered hoarsely as he had a look of disbelief upon his face, sitting down on the desk Renard became increasingly worried about his Detective.

"You sure?" he asked as Wu nodded.

"Hank?" asked Renard

"She was a seven-year-old girl, before I joined this department. She was taken from her mother's backyard. Massive search, her birth mother was an addict. I chased down leads for two years but nothing came of it. That was nine years ago" Hank explained the pain in his voice took them all back.

The two men stood back and admired the festive monstrosity they had achieved in a few hours, Nick had to admit as over the top as it was, he'd enjoyed it. Too long had passed since he'd celebrated anything with anyone so it was fitting it was the celebration of family, Monroe's enthusiasm was infectious as Nick found himself getting in the holiday mood. Just then the sound of his phone brought him out of his musing, as Monroe popped up from within his huge train track chuckling about Nick's lack of love life when he pointed out it was Renard.

After chatting for a moment his demeanour changed, Monroe sensed this and stood watching on until the call ended with Nick turning to him.

"Sean just got an ID on the mystery Blutbad I thought I saw. Her name is Kelly Clark but get this. She's been missing since she was seven years old" said Nick making Monroe sit down.

"Nine years, she's been on her own nine years?" question Monroe.

"As a Blutbad could she survive nine years on her own?" Nick questioned Monroe.

"If she was seven years old then society hasn't had much influence on her so she'd be running on instinct, a pure wild child" said Monroe as Nick nodded.

"Apparently she was adopted at a very young age, I don't think her adoptive parents were Blutbad…"

"Probably not, if they had been they'd have been out their searching day and night for her" Monroe added as he skirted round the pack conversation.

"Could that be a problem?" Nick asked realizing something, he'd never had a conversation with Monroe or any wesen about how they knew about who they were.

"Hell yeah, if she didn't have anyone to guide her she'd have no clue about who or what she was" Monroe said worriedly.

"Did you know you were Blutboden when you were born?" Nick asked cautiously as he watched Monroes demeanour change as he sat down.

Nick gave his friend a moment as he saw a mix of emotions washing over his face, he knew this was one of those 'your my friend but your still a Grimm' moments he knew his friends and even Renard had around him. As Monroe let out a sigh, he waited for his friend to speak.

"Let me put it this way, the first time you feel the surge and you 'fang out' it's pretty weird, I bit through my lip and ripped my pants. It scared the crap out of me. I was barely ten years old man, I rushed to the bathroom and saw myself in the mirror and freaked out, had nightmares for weeks" Monroe said as pain and shame painted his words as well as a hint of embarrassment.

For once Nick was getting a small realisation of the trust his friends placed in him when they would tell him about who they were, this wasn't something his ancestors would have cared about. Not one would have cared about the fears of a child suddenly finding out they were the creatures of nightmares, something Nick could relate to.

"So, your telling me she could not know what she is, seeing as she might not have had parents that understood?" Nick asked carefully, he didn't want to overstep and insult his closest friend.

"Yeah, totally that could be why she never came out of the woods" Monroe said taking pity on Nick, he knew it wasn't Nick's fault he knew so little about all this.

He knew better that anyone how little Grimm's thought to actually document about wesen beyond killing them, he and Nick had spoken at length many times about Nick and his family history. Monroe had come to believe he'd barely scratched the surface when it came to his understanding of Grimms, so he could take pity on his friend for doing the same with him. He was just happy that Nick felt comfortable to ask him questions even if they were somewhat sensitive in nature, because he knew that way at least one Grimm out there understood the wesen around them a little better.

"I'm going to have to go out there, she's injured and afraid and the last thing I or Sean needs is for his people to stumble on her" Nick said with a sigh.

"Then I need to come with you, I may not be a match for her but I may be able to make her see reason. But not tonight, that's her territory we'd be at a disadvantage. In the morning though" said Monroe as Nick nodded and headed into the kitchen to grab them both a beer.