Made of This Chapter Three

-G-

AN – Have you heard there's going to be a Grimm reboot? Or a new film that has links to the show but with a new direction? Or something like that. I'm excited and nervous and can't wait to see what they do, but the news has made me start re-watching the series, again, so my Grimm obsession is going nowhere anytime soon, lol. Hope you like this chapter.

Disclaimer – I do not own any characters or stories from the show Grimm. No copyright or infringement intended. It's all for fun, no profit being made here.

Title and song quotes come from the lyrics of Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams'. If you don't know that song you don't belong in this fandom (I joke, but still …)

-G-

Hold your head up.

-G-

"Hello again," I say as I come face to face with an increasingly familiar blonde. Her eyes widen in surprise at seeing me and then dart around the shop that she's just stepped into and where I'm standing close to the shop counter, having been getting some information from my friend who runs it. It's been two weeks since the community ties day and the last time I saw her, but already I know hers is a face I won't forget. "It's Adalind, right?" Her shoulder's hunch up but she doesn't immediately bolt, though from her quick look towards the entrance I know she's considering it. I'm surprised by the feeling of reticence that brings, that I don't want her to go. "I'm Nick, uh, Detective Burkhardt," I say, offering a polite and, hopefully, friendly smile.

"I remember," she replies softly and I can only hope she remembers what else I said. I don't want to drive her from places she wants to be, certainly not because of fear. I really don't like the idea of Wesen fearing me, especially because of old tales that I don't nor ever want to represent, but I really don't want this woman to fear me. I don't look too closely as to the why of that, just try to focus on what might help settle her.

From the corner of my eye, I see Rosalee cock her head in interest then shoot a look at Hank, who shrugs, and I decide some introductions might help. "This is my friend Rosalee Calvert, she owns and runs this business and I don't know if you met him at the community ties day, but this is my partner Hank Griffin, also a detective at south central." She looks at them both then to me before coming back to stare at Rosalee. I can guess what's going through her mind, knowing my friend's business is well-known in the local Wesen community.

"Hello," Rosalee greets with a warm smile as Hank gives a nod in her direction before looking back at me, question on his face. Adalind says nothing, her eyes still flittering around us and the shop and I pause to see if she'll add anything, sweeping my eyes over her form dressed smartly in a figure flattering dress and some impressive heels, before turning my focus back onto the people I know.

"Guys, this is Adalind Schade, she's a lawyer who knows our new captain at the precinct." I introduce, deciding to leave any further information out. It can be her decision to share anything else.

"Nice to meet you," Hank offers, with a smile and Adalind gives a small one back, eyes still darting between me and my friends. He turns to me with a pointed quizzical look that I ignore. "We should probably head back in, partner."

"Yeah," I agree with a nod before shifting so I face Rosalee once more. "Thanks for everything."

"Keep me updated and if anything changes, let me know," she replies and I give her a grin and nod of confirmation before turning to leave. Adalind hasn't left, has in fact stepped to the side so she's further in the shop and no longer right by the door.

"Will do," I reply and go to follow Hank as he opens the door and steps outside, glancing to the side as I move, unable to stop myself doing a once over her body, before meeting her eyes. "It was nice to see you again."

"Wait," Adalind calls and I catch the door, lingering in the opening as I look towards her. "You're friends?" She asks hesitantly, looking between Rosalee and myself, and we both share a smile.

"Yeah," I confirm as she nods positively.

"And you know … what he is?" She asks Rosalee next, her look cautious but also determined, and my friend doesn't lose her smile.

"Yes, I do," she states, words proud and face kind. "I'll admit, it was unsettling at first. But Nick isn't like anything we've ever heard, none of the stories are true in regards to him. Getting to know him has been one of the best decisions of my life, it's changed it in so many ways and I can't imagine him not being here, not being part of it." Adalind just stares and as much as I want to stay and further this conversation, I know I can't; plus, Hank will only wait so long.

"Rosalee is my friend, she's engaged to my best friend, the Blutbad I mentioned before?" I say and see Adalind's eyes widen again, before shooting back to studying the brunette stood at the back of the shop. "Look, I have to go, otherwise I would be happy to stay and answer any questions you have. Here," I step back inside and walk towards the counter as I pull out my wallet and produce one of my cards. Quickly borrowing a pen from the pot Rosalee has by the till, I scribble my number on the back before turning and offering it to Adalind. "Here, this has my work and personal numbers, if you want to, feel free to contact me, to talk about anything. I'm sure Rosalee can answer a few questions about me as well." I nod to my friend, giving her permission to do just that and she smiles and nods along, even as she eyes me with interest at my actions. "But, there's no pressure, no repercussions if you don't. Just, an offering for a conversation." I really don't want her to feel like she has to do something, even as I hope she does contact me. Hesitantly, Adalind reaches out and takes the card, looking down at it before back up at me and then nodding. I return the gesture, give one more smile to Rosalee then head back outside, to catch up with my partner and get back to what we were working on.

I have the brief thought that maybe I should have given Rosalee a head's up that Adalind is a Hexenbiest, knowing from the books that many Wesen fear and distrust them, because of their abilities, but don't really know how I could have done that without being obvious about it, and then possibly insulting Adalind. I don't want the blonde to have a negative opinion of me, and again, I'm not looking too closely as to the why of it. I barely know her but there is definitely something that draws me in, makes me want to know her. And I have no idea if that's a good thing or not.

-G-

The message comes through later that day, a question that's really a demand and I agree easily to it, even if I do get the sense that it's partially a trap. Still, dinner at my best friend's house with his fiancé, another good friend, is never a hardship, and I can admit to being curious about what Rosalee possibly talked to Adalind about after I left. That she's arranging this for tonight makes me think something was said.

I spend the rest of my shift reviewing surveillance footage to check on a suspect's alibi, as well as try to use the material on the tape to give us a better time frame for the robbery we're investigating. I know there's a Wesen element, Rosalee had helped confirm that, but so far everything seems to be, well, more normal than Wesen cases normally are. Still, I reach a natural stopping point when I finish the tapes and Hank agrees that we're at a good point to pick it back up in the morning. We chat about our evening plans as we pack up, Hank keen to get out on time as he's meeting a woman from his local shop that he's run into multiple times. They're not labelling it a date, not yet, but I can tell with how Hank's talking that he's hoping it'll head in that direction. I say about seeing Monroe and Rosalee, and acknowledge with the on time leave that I can pick up a decent bottle of wine to go with dinner, and Hank makes me promise to arrange another dinner, with all of us, soon.

Since my partner found out about my Grimm nature and the world of Wesen, dinners at Monroe's have been a regular occurrence. At first, it was a safe place for me to discuss Wesen and learn more from the Blutbad, who had a lot of knowledge and quite a bit of experiences to share, until it melded into regular evenings where we could discuss anything, and slowly grew from the two of us to include Rosalee and Hank, and even Wu on occasion. Juliette had also been a regular fixture, but had always had a slightly different air about her, even as the rest of us laughed and she appeared to be having a good time too, there had always been something there, a slight disconnect. Looking back now, there were some very obvious signs that I should have taken note of but at the time, I just didn't see them. Or maybe I didn't want to see them.

I haven't thought about my ex in a while and it seems to have triggered something, as I suddenly can't get her out of my mind. Not in a, suddenly 'want her back' way, that won't happen, but in a reassessing, 'see what was there all along' way. Even as I change, pick up the wine and drive to my best friend's house, memories and thoughts just tumble through my head, of our time together and words that were said. We may have started out great, and formed a seemingly strong relationship, but it wasn't always like that, and it certainly didn't end that way.

"Hey, man, come on in," Monroe greets as he opens his front door and then eagerly inspects the bottle of red wine I hand over as I step inside. "Rosalee's in the kitchen; I think we're almost ready to eat." I make my way down the hallway, knowing the layout of Monroe's house probably as well as my own, and greet Rosalee with a kiss to the cheek as she steps towards me with a warm greeting.

"Hey Nick, anything new from your case?"

"No, not yet," I reply. "The confirmation you gave us about the herbs, and their uses, was backed up by the lab report but so far, nothing else has popped up to confirm Wesen involvement, though my gut definitely tells me it is. The lab tech kept mentioning how 'eccentric' this case seemed to be, then how Hank and I always seem to end up with 'the weird ones'."

"Ha, 'eccentric'," Monroe huffs. "If ever there was a word that Kehresite used to help explain away Wesen complexities, that would be it." Rosalee hums a laugh and waves away my offer of help, moving to finish setting the table as Monroe grabs me a beer. We fall into easy conversation as the food is plated and we all sit down, Rosalee chatting through some interesting interactions with customers and I'm relaxed, enjoying the time with my friends, and having forgotten that there might have been a reason behind this dinner-date, when she turns to me with a gleam in her eye.

"Of course, I haven't told you about my most interesting customer from today," she says, words directed at her fiancé but eyes very clearly focused on me. I sit up, knowing exactly who she's talking about.

"Oh?" Monroe asks, eyes flicking between the two of us as he picks up on the change in atmosphere at the table. "And who might that have been?"

"Well, turns out it was someone Nick knows," she replies, eyes still firmly on me, even as the rest of her body is angled towards Monroe. "Or rather, someone he, perhaps, wants to know."

"Rosalee," I start as they both stare at me. "You're making this sounds a lot more … well, more than what it is."

"And what is it, exactly? Wait, who are we talking about?" Monroe asks. Rosalee twitches an eyebrow at me and I sigh.

"Her name is Adalind, she's someone I've run into a few times, who I've tried to reassure that I'm not the typical, bloodthirsty, revenge driven Grimm, that she was fearing and expecting," I say.

"Someone you've run into?" Monroe repeats. "Just a someone or a Wesen someone?"

"Oh, she's Wesen," Rosalee interrupts me as I go to answer. "She's a Hexenbiest."

"A Hexenbiest?" Monroe echoes, surprise in his voice, and both of my friends turn to stare pointedly at me. "Dude." I rub the back of my neck as they continue to stare.

"Look, I saw her across a shop and we both, kind of, surprised each other and she disappeared so I thought that was it, another Wesen I had seen but would have no further action with, then she popped up at the community ties day that the new captain held, and it turns out she's his ex and mother of his child. We had a brief talk, where I tried to impress on her that I wasn't out to get her, or her daughter, and she was scared before she started to, somewhat, believe me; and that's it. That's the total of my interactions with her. I haven't seen her since and haven't had much to do with her. I've done a bit of cursory research into Hexenbiests at the trailer, but other than that, it's not much of a story."

"I beg to differ," Monroe immediately states. "A Hexenbiest? You don't hear of many of them, nor do you want to. They're reputation is among the lines of how most Wesen view Grimms. Definitely persona non grata in most situations."

"Well, she didn't give me that impression," Rosalee says next and I turn more fully towards her. "She mainly just seemed curious, very wary but curious. She asked about you."

"What did you say?"

"I told her how we met, how you helped when my brother was murdered and how you introduced me to Monroe. Told her of some of the things we'd been through, how you ask for help with your cases, and how … different you are to what's expected." Rosalee takes a final gulp of her drink as Monroe looks between us.

"And she seemed ok with that?" I ask next and Rosalee shrugs.

"Hard to say, she didn't seem like she fully trusted what I was saying, but then she didn't seem to instantly dismiss it either." She stops to fill up her wine glass and gestures to both Monroe and me for re-fills. "Cautious, is what she was, as well as curious."

"But, come on! A Hexenbiest? You seem destined to run into every Wesen, particularly the bad ones," Monroe states and I frown at that, because I can't see the blonde woman I met, and who was so worried about her daughter, as bad. "Hey, does that mean your new captain is Wesen too?"

"I don't know," I admit, but internally feeling glad that my friend's mind has gone in the same direction as my own. "I've not seen any evidence to suggest it, other that his ex-partner and daughter appear to be Wesen too. Then again, I've not been around him much other than in meetings, where I don't think he'd have any reason, or emotional reaction, to incur a Woge."

"Well, keep an eye on it," Monroe advises. "If he is and he knows, or doesn't know, what you are then that might be one hell of a meeting when you both find out."

"Yeah," I agree with a nod before shifting my attention back to Rosalee. "But otherwise, she appeared, ok?"

"Who?" The brunette asks with a tilt of her head.

"Adalind? The blonde?" I prompt and she nods quickly in understanding.

"Sorry, yes," she replies. "We didn't talk long; she asked some questions and I answered them and then she asked for some ingredients. I didn't have all of what she wanted but she seemed happy for me to order them and for her to come back to get them."

"Good, good," I nod and don't miss the look shared between my friends. "It's just … she was really scared of me, scared I would kill her daughter. I tried to be as clear as I could that that wouldn't happen, that I wouldn't do something like that, but I'm not sure she believed me. I guess, with all the things that have happened lately and with the support from you guys, Bud, the lodge, Jarold … I guess I just haven't had an uncomfortable Wesen encounter for a little while, apart from the criminals involved in my cases." I could admit that, because that part, her unease and distrust, had made me uncomfortable and been a reminder that my ancestors did things very differently than how I try to do things.

"Hey, we get it," Monroe says. "To us, you're not that Grimm, we know you wouldn't do something like that."

"But we have had three years and multiple examples of your behaviour to base that off of," Rosalee finishes with an understanding look. "This might just take time." I nod, then decide to move the conversation on. It really shouldn't matter what a woman, who I probably won't see again, thinks about me, and if we do meet again, hopefully my actions will reenforce my words that she has nothing to fear from me.

"Speaking of time, have you got any responses back from the venues you were looking at?" I ask, knowing they had been talking through several different options and that the time was coming when they had to make a decision and book somewhere.

"Oh, yes, but it's getting complicated and confusing," Rosalee replies before launching into the details of all they had researched so far and the decisions they were trying to make. Hearing of where both their parents got married is nice, but seems to be putting on pressure for them to choose a similar option. Yet, I can tell from how Rosalee talks that there's one place she really likes, as much as it differs from what's expected. Monroe offers his opinions here and there but it's clear he's ready to default to Rosalee's choice, keen for this day to be what she wants and has envisioned, and really not caring all that much as long as they end up married by the end of it. She calls him on it and I watch my friend blush and bluster before becoming the romantic goof that only appears around Rosalee, and watch her responding flush and smile. Offering to clear the plates gives them a moment and I pretend not to hear the softly murmured 'I Love you' before rejoining them at the table.

"We do need to discuss best man duties," Monroe stated as I sit back down and I nod, still feeling pleased and proud that he asked me. We all know it might be … interesting … with all the family and friends that will also be involved in their wedding, but Monroe hasn't let either of our natures impact or hold back our friendship before and I'm more than willing to stand up for him, and Rosalee, no matter the circumstance.

"I hope you're not going to torture me too much," I say. "Though I will remind you that I'll be giving my speech after these duties, so think carefully my friend." Rosalee laughs and Monroe holds up his hands with a grin. "Have you sorted out your, ah, numbers?" I ask next and see Rosalee's face fall slightly. Mine and Juliette's separation hadn't just impacted me. When Monroe had asked me to be best man, on a night similar to this, Rosalee had stated her desire for Juliette to be her maid of honour. She'd smiled and agreed, their friendship meaning much to her, but it had led to a long and painful conversation on our way home about our own relationship status.

I'd proposed and she'd turned me down and Rosalee's comment, truthful as it was, about her sister being matron and Juliette being maid, as she'd never been married, had brought up feelings for us both about the situation. I'd always envisioned our relationship getting back into a place where taking that next step, and having a family beyond it, would be in our more immediate future. Juliette had had a different stance, and different opinion on how we got there, and those words said that night ended up being the start of our end.

"I'm still considering," she replies softly. "But there's still time."

"Time," I repeat and feel suddenly like they have all of it and I have very little. That they are so settled and moving forwards where I'm, well, rather stuck.

"Nick, you ok man?" Monroe asks and I force a smile. "Don't lie. Your face just did a complete one eighty on us."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to … just, got some flashbacks, I shouldn't have asked," I reply and both of their faces crease with understanding.

"We can talk about it, you know," Rosalee says gently. "She was my friend, yes, but that doesn't mean I can't see the things she did and that I disagree with."

"We both did things that weren't quite right," I state. "But with everything that happened, and all that's been happening since, it just makes me question and, I guess, re-evaluate."

"About what?" Monroe asks and I shrug.

"I feel like I'm just going from case to case, like I can't make plans or be definite about anything. Maybe Juliette had a point," I say quietly and Rosalee looks at me sharply.

"Nick, you can't take something that was spoken in the heat of the moment, in an intense conversation, and apply it to the rest of your life," she says softly.

"Can't I? What if she was right? My life has been dictated by cases before but now, with the Wesen element, it's every facet. And part of me doesn't mind, not really. I like being a Grimm, and seeing things differently, but it is a lifestyle, it's a way of being, and maybe I haven't figured everything out yet but after three years I thought I'd be closer to getting a balance, I guess." Words said previously resurface in my mind and I feel the weight of them on my shoulders, even if a small part of me knows there's only partial truth in them.

"You'll get there," she replies with an understanding smile.

"But at what cost? My personal, intimate, relationship? Or would it be better to just go it alone?"

"Dude, no," Monroe objects.

"Look at you guys, you're living together, getting married and making plans for your future," I sigh. "Sorry, I don't mean to turn the conversation, or even be so negative, guess I'm just … not quite in the right frame of mind to be good company tonight." I feel awful now, having let my thoughts and memories of recent bad experiences flavour my mood.

"Nick, do you know how long I spent thinking I'd be on my own for the rest of my life?" Monroe asks quietly, yet seriously. "I mean, I was older than you are now, very into my own routine to make sure, absolutely sure, I led a life I was at peace with. I never thought there would be much more than that. Then you came barrelling into my life and brought so much more with you. Friendship, true, accepting friendship and then love. I met Rosalee because of you. I didn't think that was in the cards for me, and yet it happened. So, if it worked out for me, I think, no, I know it'll work out for you. Maybe concentrating on things without being pulled into so many different directions will give you a chance to figure it all out."

"And we'll be there for you," Rosalee adds in and I can't help but smile at them both. No matter what negatives being a Grimm has brought, the positives are also pretty amazing. As are the two people I'm currently sat with.

"Thanks," I say and Monroe nods before Rosalee effortlessly turns the conversation onto a new topic, talking about the spice shop and how a new order of herbs could potentially lead to an improved recipe she's been wanting to try. The evening returns to the usual warm and comfortable time, spent with friends over good food and drink. It's exactly what I need and I push my melancholy thoughts away. Monroe re-fills our drinks as Rosalee states that I'm staying in the guest room tonight and I accept both easily.

Waking the next morning, I quietly get ready and then tidy the room around me before heading to the kitchen, where I intend to make myself a coffee but after checking my phone, I see there's a message from Hank, about picking up breakfast on his way in, and also a call from an unknown number. I message my partner back as I ponder who might be that unknown caller but get distracted as Monroe enters the kitchen, dressed for morning Pilates, and we talk quietly before I bid him goodbye and head into work.

Hank is in an unusually good mood, his night a lot more positive than my own, and he shares little snippets here and there throughout the day. It gives me and Wu several good opportunities to rib my partner, even as we collect some more footage to review of our robbery and then spend the rest of the day chasing down a potential witness. By the time we do, they're not in a co-operative mood and neither are we so we get captain's agreement to let them sit overnight in a holding cell, to think about their willingness to be helpful and maybe jog their memory.

Getting home and readying a late dinner, I eat quickly and decide to boot up my laptop to do some more research and have just settled into a chair when my phone rings out.

"Hello?" There's no immediate response and I check my phone screen to see if the call was lost before returning it to my ear. "Hello?" This time I hear the smallest sound, a hitch of breath, and my gut tells me who's on the other end of the line. "Is this … Adalind?"

"Hi," comes the timid reply and my own breath catches at the confirmation. "It's Nick, ah, Detective Burkhardt, right?"

"Nick is fine," I say quickly. "It's, ah, I mean, I'm glad you called." I shake my head as I stumble through that sentence. But it' true, I know I offered the card with my number on it with the hopes she would reach out, but it makes me glad that she actually has. Another long silence comes and I decide to just wait, to see what she does next. It's tempting to talk, to say what I can to keep her on the call but I don't want to come across as controlling or well, possibly desperate.

"I don't even know why I called," I hear her mutter after another pause and I grip my phone tighter, as if that could make her stay on the line.

"But you did," I say, as softly as I can. "And I thank you for that. I really don't want to be the bad guy, here." She huffs a laugh, though there's little to no humour in it.

"I've known plenty of 'bad guys'" she replies. "So far, nothing you've done can put you anywhere near that category."

"Thanks, I think. And I hope to keep proving that, with my actions and my words." I hear her sigh again.

"What am I even doing? What is this?" She mutters lowly and though I don't think I'm supposed to hear it I choose to say something anyway.

"It's just a conversation, that's all." I reply and hear another sigh.

"A-huh." She sounds weary, I think, but still stays on the line and that gives me some hope. For what I'm not sure but I know I want the chance to keep talking to her, to prove that I am a man of my word and that she can trust me.

"I think … maybe we just talk," I suggest. "That's it. No pressure, no expectations, we just … talk to each other." I wait to see what she'll say to that.

"Just talk?" She asks and I nod, before realising I need to give a more verbal response, so hum my reply. "Alright, what do you want to talk about?" I can't help but release my own sigh at her agreement, leaning back into my chair as I grip the phone. I say the first thing that comes to mind, what my favourite sandwich is, and hear her breath catch before she replies, her words starting slow before quickening as she warms to the subject.

I'm glad of my comfortable position, as we stay on the phone for over an hour, discussing a wide range of topics and end with an agreement to talk again soon. It might be late and my body is definitely feeling the exhaustion of a long day and late night, but as I finally fall into bed, Adalind's voice still fresh in my mind, I have no regrets.

-G-

AN – Thank you for reading!