Summary: Lines get crossed and now the gloves are off, The Prince of Portland is piss off and his Grimm is out for blood

Notes:

Playing With Fire

As Sean's SUV came to a halt outside the Spice Shop both men's heart sank at the sight before them, the ornately painted window was now gone. Reduced to no more than fragmented glass pieces littered upon the sidewalk and the floor within the shop. Sean had pulled out his cell almost immediately after getting out SUV, while Nick looked over the crime scene without entering. His concern was for Rosalee who so far, he'd failed to see, as Sean brought the call to a close, he approached Nick.

"Hank's on his way over, Pouge and Meacham are with Serena and Frank so he and Wu are heading here" Sean spoke but Nick picked up on the unspoken words within.

Steeling himself he knew that he couldn't publicly get involved in this, he was just here as a worried friend of Rosalee's and as Sean's still injured fiancé but once his people had left the hunt was on for Nick. Part of him worried that his friends were being targeted but the other more dormant side was just happy to be back upon the hunt, his Grimm had been dormant too long. As the sound of another vehicle approaching confirmed this Nick slipped away from Sean having spotted Rosalee outside one of the other shops, he headed towards her but before he could speak, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged her hard.

"I'm glad you both came, I'm sorry that I interrupted yours and Sean date" she sighed as Nick shook his head as he hugged her.

"Hush, there was no way neither Sean nor I would put our date above you needing our help. Especially for this. Is Monroe on his way?" Nick asked as Rosalee shook her head making Nick look at her in confusion.

"I've been trying to call him, but he's not answering. I know what he's like when it comes to his love for his work, but it's not like him not to answer after this long" she said worry marring her words causing Nick to dismiss himself and pull out his own cell.

After the seventh- or eighth time trying Nick was getting worried, seeing Sean stood outside the shop on the phone he put his away and raced over to speak with his mate. Sean was deep in conversation but hadn't missed Rosalee stood over the road, he was about to approach her when he saw Nick talking with her so he waited. He was filling Commissioner Hartford in when Nick reappeared at his side, the look upon his face filled Sean with a feeling of dread as he ended the call and turned his attention to his mate.

"How's Rosalee?" he asked as Nick looked concerned

"Worried. She's been trying to reach Monroe since she fled, he's not picking up. He was heading to a rare clock job when I saw him earlier, it's not like him to be out of contact. Luckly he's a creature of habit" said Nick as he held up the message from him sent earlier

"He keeps Rosalee and me informed, with everything going on I'm worried too" said Nick as Sean nodded and after directing Wu to Rosalee, he grabbed Hank and the three of them got into Sean's SUV and headed to the address.

The drive was about thirty minutes away, Nick was nervous the whole time as they explained everything to Hank. As the pulled into the gravel path an uneasy feeling hung over them all, that's when Nick spotted something. He was out of the SUV before Sean had it in park, as Hank and Sean approached, they realised it was Monroe. He was battered, bruised and bloody but alive, Sean had his phone out and was calling his people while they checked him over. He was alive but out of it, Nick didn't know how long hand passed to him it felt like a lifetime but in reality, id was less then fifteen minutes before Mai and several others were checking Monroe over and shifting him to a stretcher before putting him in the back of an ambulance. Nick went with him while Sean promised to fetch Rosalee and meet them there.

Nick was sat at Monroe's bedside as Mai settled him, his face was swollen and according to her he had a few broken bone and a twisted wrist. She joked how they both had matching injures, but Nick could only give her a weak chuckle.

"I don't know, I think I still look better then him" laughed Monroe weakly with a cough from the bed making Nick jump to his feet.

"Monroe…I…..." Monroe put his good hand up and looked Nick dead in the eye or the best he could with one eye being bloodshot and his vision being limited at the moment.

"Don't….Just don't dude…...Someone's got a problem with you and Sean. They came after me to make a point but they underestimated my loyalty to you both, the assholes can take their prejudices and shove it up their ass. Your family and I don't turn my back on family" Monroe growled as his good eye turned red, Nick was about to speak up when another voice spoke up.

"I agree someone want to make examples of us, to drive us from your side. If that's true then they choice the wrong people to pick a fight with, together we drove Kimura out of Portland…." Nick turned round to see Rosalee stood in the doorway

"And we will stand together and drive these asshole out too, this is our home and your our Grimm. You might be mated to our Prince but you are a part of our families now" Frank spoke up as he and Serena entered the room followed by Hank and Sean.

"Someone want you isolated from those around you, don't let them do this Nick. Don't blame yourself for any of this use it to focus your Grimm on the matter at hand. Someone's around us isn't playing fair" with that Monroe settled back into the bed as everyone nodded in silence, Nick knew that Monroe was right and it was time to get ahead of the game.

A few days later Nick would get his chance, on top of the attack on their friends and family Sean had informed him about the case that had come across his desk. Sean knew the reality of the case before him, Nick had seen Sean's displeasure before but he'd never seen his mate let alone his Prince but in this case Sean was furious. Not only had his boundaries been crossed but they had been obliterated causing rift allowing old wesen grudges he'd long ago gotten in hand rising up once again.

This case was one of them, Hässlich were an unpleasant race, greedy and arrogant. It had taken years for Sean to get them in hand. Now they were overstepping again, he had a feeling they had a hand in some of the misfortune's that were arising. He knew one of the names that kept coming up in the case Sal Butrell, he warned both Nick and Hank to tread carefully around them.

So, Nick was carefully as he made his inquiries, that's why he was stood against a wall watching some kids as they were playing in the local park as he waited for his contact. He didn't have to wait long as a young woman dressed in jeans and a black leather jacket approached him, her features were similar to his own but far enough apart not to label them as siblings. The smile upon her face as she spotted him made Nick smile back, walking over she hugged him before resting against the wall beside him.

"Your face still looks like a kids painting" laughed the young woman as he referred to the changing colours of the bruising upon his face.

"Ha, ha, Ha, cuz. Tell you what Trubs next time you get your ass handed to you by a Wesen, I'll remind you about it evetime I see you" Nick laughed at his cousin before she thumps his on his arm playfully.

"Whatever Nicky, so here's what I could find for you. I almost ran in to that detective you told me about" answered his cousin as she handed him a small USB stick.

"Hank, he's a good guy but I'd rather keep all this under wraps until I tell Sean, when you heading back?" he asked as they began to walk

"Soon, you still need me to pick up what you asked me to?" she asked as they came to a halt beside a bike that mirrored Nick own, as she mounted it Nick nodded.

They hugged before she pulled on her helmet and headed off, Nick let out a sigh before heading back towards home that's when he ran into someone he didn't expect too.

"Bud?" Nick questioned as the other man jumped, that wasn't unusual for the jittery man but something about him was stranger than usual.

"We…we need to talk; I know who did it?" stuttered Bud as Nick looked confused

"The murder…... the one the detective…what his name? Hank is working on" he once gain stumbled over his words quietly making Nick pull him out the way of prying eyes

"You know who the killer is?" Nick questioned

"Not me personally….but the one who does…...he's Eisbiber like I am. He's scared, Hässlich aren't something we go against. They know this, the Prince he brought all that to an end but with everything going on and you getting hurt….well Hässlich aren't bright but they are opportunistic and they've taken full advantage of this.

The other Eisbiber's want to bury their head again, but I can't live in fear I can't look my kid in the face's and willingly pass my fears on to them. But I can't fight back on my own, I can take you to him but I can't make him come to you. I was hoping you'd convince him and the other's that we have a chance" Bud said his words less shaky and a flicker of determination within his eyes, this made Nick smile as he nodded.

"Ok Bud, you tell me where and when" and with that Nick jotted down a time and address before bidding Bud goodbye and heading off.

Renard's bad mood was palpable as the whole unit could feel it, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place and had never dislike his position more in his life as he did now. He knew what was going on around him and was powerless to do anything about it, as his Canton and it's laws were being mock allowing it to slowly chip away and corrode over a decade worth of progress in a only a few weeks.

He didn't envy Hank at this moment; he knew that he was doing his best to find anyway to make changers stick to Sal Butrell. But he was still new to this world and didn't understand it like Nick and Sean did, he knew it was going to take a hell of a lot more to bring the Hässlich asshole in and for now at least they had nothing. So, when a knock at his office door brought him out of his musing, he was expecting to see Hank stood before him, looking sorry and defeated once again but was surprised to see Nick instead.

To say he was surprised was an understatement, not that he didn't welcome the chance to see his mate or enjoy his presence but he was still unsure to why he was suddenly before him. The smile upon his face gave Sean a curious sliver of hope as he strolled forward and placed a small USB before him.

"I'm no cop but what's on here ties your guy to not only this murder but at least six more victims. It also ties him to the Reaper as well as your not so friendly Councillor friend, he'd the reason they are here and why the Canton's going to hell. He's been trying to play you from the start, destroy all you build and disgrace you in the eyes of your people. If you give me a few hours I might not only be able to get you a witness to this murder, but also, I can clean up the Reapers too. Then you can deal with this scum suck asshole once and for all, so your Canton and it people can heal in peace" growled Nick as he saw the faintest evince of his mates disgust in the evidence he was presented, as the telltale ripple under his skin and slight golden huge to his eyes indicated his growing rage.

"Good the sooner this is over the sooner I can pay our good Counciler a visit, do what you have to Mon coeur. You are my Chosen, Arbitrator of my laws, its shield against attack, it's sword against injustice and it's ruler at my side. This is as much your will as it is mine, these are your people and your bonds forged that are under attack so I trust you to do as you believe fit. Should you need to my people are at your request, otherwise I trust you to see this through my love" with that Nick bowed to his mate respectfully before leaving him to his thoughts, picking up the USB Sean quickly locked it away within his draw before calling Hank into his office.

"You wanted to see me, Captain?" Hank asked

"I did" he motioned for Hank to close the door behind him

"Nicky may have just come through for us, he has evidence on Butrell tying him to this case and a few others, he also may have a witness but we have ground to believe he also may be tied to the Reaper activity of late" Renard explained making Hank wince.

"So, we hold fire?" he asked

"For now, Nick has asked to allow him time to deal with the Reapers. Once he brings us the witness we will need to move, bring Butrell in then that should have the Reapers make their move and if all goes well it will be over finally" Renard explained but Hank didn't miss the worry within his words, Hank wouldn't say it out loud but he too was worried that Nick was still to injured to cope with this alone but he was smart enough to know when to keep his thoughts to himself.

It was dark when Nick pulled into the address Bud had given him, he was surprised to see him stood waiting outside a rundown building with another waiting for him as he pulled up. Getting out he wasn't surprised when the other man woge, it was after all a fear induced fight or flight response for their kind. Nick introduced himself to the other man, John as Bud introduced him to Nick before Nick turned to Bud and spoke.

"So where are you taking me?" he asked

"The Lodge, I'm presuming as a Grimm you know about this?" he questioned as Nick was taken back as he nodded.

The Eisbiber Lodge was known to many Grimm, it wasn't actively sort out by any other that the Endezeichen Grimms and they made even Nick shudder. So, he knew what a great honour this was, how much trust Bud had for him and was giving him bring him here and how dire the situation had become. Nick gave him a smile and indicated for Bud to lead the way as they headed inside and down some stairs, quickly the rusted metal and leaking pipe disappeared and in its place was vines, leave and even a few trees, like something out if an enchanted forest. It made Nick wonder if the Eisbiber's could possess a small amount of woodland magic in order to protect the Lodge and conceal it from prying eyes.

Nick stayed in the shadows as they entered the main gathering hall, three elders stood at the head of the room dressed in robes of old. The rest of the hall was filled to capacity with men and women of all ages and types, all with a common goal the protection and preservation of their people. The echo's of so many voices speaking together over each other began grating on Nick's heightened senses.

"The Assembly has been advised about tonight's question, as well as it's speaker. Rupert Ferdinand Wurstner would you and your guest step forward" commanded the speaker as Bud and Nick stepped forward, the crowed fell silent.

The sea of people parted as Nick followed behind keeping his head down, the hushed whispers as he passed by made Nick uneasy but he understood why. After all he was a Grimm daring to walk into the scared sanctuary of these people, the least he could do was be respectful their Princes chosen or not. Bud guided him to the head of the crowed and stood just before the three speaker as he spoke up introducing Nick.

"Mr speaker thank you for allowing me to request this meeting, If it pleases the Lodge, I would like to introduce to you to my friend Nicholas Burkhardt, chosen to the Prince, Arbitrator of his laws and the Grimm of Portland" said Bud proudly as he smiled at Nick who just nodded having no idea how to react to his friends introduction.

After all this was the first true instance of him having to be addressed by his full title given to him by Sean, as well as hearing the acknowledgment of his and Sean's bond laid out before him. He was nervous to see how he was truly received when he was among the Wesen, on their own turf and not protected by Sean or the others. Nick took a deep breath as he was addressed by the Speaker of the Lodge.

"As Arbitrator of our laws this Lodge bid you a humble greeting, though your mate is yet to grace us it is no less an honour to have you among us I just wish that circumstances were better" spoke the speaker with a smile as Nick nodded respectfully.

"Thank you for allowing me to attend here tonight, I know that it's taken a great amount of trust to allow me to stand before you all but is not without reason. One among you has witnessed a murder and without that testimony that murderer will walk free. As a Grimm I am aware of the long-held fear you all have of the Hässlich but that does not need to control you, look at us now I am the combined Nightmare of all Wesen yet I stand here with no malice in my heart asking you to help me by helping yourself.

The Prince my Chosen has made it his mission to put a stop to these long-held beliefs that one Wesen is better that another just because of their birth, if he and I can break away from our dark histories then you all can too. If not then well…." Nick paused debating whether to mention the rest of his reasoning but after letting out a sigh he decided the Wesen of Portland needed to understand.

"If not, then darker thing are destined to come" Nick sighed out as audible gasps wrung out the hall.

"The Hässlich is only the tip of the iceberg, it is our belief that many of the hardships that have befallen us have come because of these fears. The Hässlich Salvadore Butrell is believed to be connected to the Reapers and through them the Siegbarste Oleg Stark who tore up the city not to long ago. This group's singular goal is to undermine the Prince and your faith in him, even I his chosen was not speared from their crusade, they would bring back the ways of old that had so many too afraid to come out of the shadow. But myself and several other both human and Wesen refuse to fall on bended knee to them, we believe in the Prince and we believe in the Wesen of Portland and will stop at nothing to see this city free from fear.

All it take is one weak link to bring down this house of cards and we believe this is it, I understand your fears but now is the time to stand up and fight back. Take back what was taken from you and show all those stuck in the past that you cannot be controlled by fear anymore" with that Nick thanked the speaker and the Lodge before leaving, hoping that his words would get though to the right person before it was to late.

Renard was sat in his office long after most of his officers and detective had left for the night, his office darkened except for the single lamp upon his desk as he lost himself in the paperwork before him. It was only in these moments would he admit that this case as getting to him both publicly and in private, after Nick's visit and gift of evidence they sorely needed he'd set to work making sure they could use it and that it would be airtight. Not to mention Nick's saving grace had lit a fire under him to do some digging of his own, now he had enough dirt to bury his not so loyal Councillor both figuratively and legitimacy.

He had enough grounds to prove treason beyond a shadow of a doubt, and Sean knew that once it got out about his involvement with the Reapers and Stark no one would side with him let alone argue with Sean ruling. A dark smirk formed on his face allowing a small part of his true side to bleed through, for if he walked this path, he knew it would have to be by his hand and his hand alone that punishment be brought forth. He knew he was within his right to ask Nick or the good Father to do this, but seeing as this was his Canton it should be by his hand. Not to mention the small joy it would bring to see the smug look taken off that pompous ass's face once and for all.

As the muscles in his back began protesting at his hunched posture, Sean decided to sit up and stretch. It was at that moment he realised he was not alone, reaching for his gun his hand stopped when the familiar sent filled his lungs. Blood, steel and leather the things he had come to associate with his mate. A loving smile broke over his face as he decided to put on a small show as he stretched out.

"Enjoying the show?" he laughed as Nick stepped out the shadows and dropped his hood before coming to sit on his usual place on the edge of Sean's desk.

With a walm but worn-out smile Sean placed his hand on Nick's leg, rubbing his thump over his denim clad thigh allowed him to centre himself a bit. Letting out a sigh Nick could see the weight weighing down upon Sean, Nick reached over with his uninjured arm and placed it upon his shoulder supportively.

"How did it go with the Lodge?" Sean asked Nick, this took him back for a second before he shook his head.

Nick hadn't spoke about where he was going just that he had something, but of course Sean would know. Sam or Serena of course the eyes and ears of Portland, the only people upon earth that could get past his highted senses.

"It's the Lodge, I'm not sure how formular you are with them? I ran into another one years ago, they will go to ground until the danger passes, but while doing that they will make a decision about it" Nick sighed as Sean nodded while squeezing his leg in appreciation.

"Now what?" Nick asked as Sean sat back in his chair

"Now we strike, I'll have Hank bring in Salvadore Butrell. This will make Jackson scramble and hopefully within his panic he will make a mistake and force the Reapers to make their move" Sean answered the dark smirk returned to his face, to a lesser man it would have made their blood run cold but to Nick it just please his Grimm and readied him for the hunt.