A/N: Starts at the end of Episode 2.14 "Natural born Wesen", follows along the story line for a little while before splitting near the start of Season three. I've tried not to go into too much detail of cannon, since we all know what happened in each episode. This story only takes in the events of the first three seasons and is slash between Nick Burkhardt and Sean Renard. This is not a short story, so enjoy.
Just a side note: I've taken a little bit of an artistic licence for Sean Renard's apartment, Hank's apartment and the trailer (there is no way it's that big inside).
xXx
A spilt second can be the difference between life and death. When Nick Burkhardt is shot at the precinct, Sean Renard had no idea the change that it would have on both of their lives. For in that spilt second, two lives were saved. Now, they just have to work that out.
xXx
Nick held his head up high as he tugged on the arm of the Wesen bank robber as they walked into the station. He was riding on a high as Hank and him pulled the two Wesens along as they did a victory walk. He glanced into one of the meeting rooms to see Captain Sean Renard already talking to the press then he noticed the man coming towards them.
"Gun!"
Everything happened at once, he saw the gun, heard the shout then staggered as the man he held was shot. He locked eyes with the man with the gun, whom jolted his gun to the side, firing again. Nick grunted as he felt something connect low on his abdomen without connecting the dots. He stumbled back into a wall as he heard shouting and saw the gunman go down hard under two officers. He glanced over to see the two robbers laid out on the ground.
Press and police pushing on each other as shouting sounded on the air.
Then the pain got through to him and he placed his hand on his stomach, felt the wetness and glanced down. He'd been shot, he felt the hardness of the wall behind him as his legs grew weak. He leaned into the wall heavily as everything seemed to slow down around him.
"Nick!"
Nick slowly turned his head and locked eyes with Captain Renard's wide pale eyes. The man quickly pushed his jacket against his stomach and he hissed a breath. Hands slowly lowered him down to the ground, against the wall, as the police got the scene under control and pushed the press back. Nick felt his eyes slip closed as the pain started to eat at him. The noise around him, pressed down on his head. The hand shifting on his stomach had him flicking his eyes open to lock with the Captain.
The man wasn't looking at him as he barked orders and held his jacket to the wound. Nick could see that something else under the man's skin as his Grimm senses were pulled to the front of his mind. However, when the other man looked back down at him, all he saw was his pale eyes watching him in concern. It was at that point that Nick started to realise that he felt cold and that the gunshot wound must be worse than he thought as he looked at Renard.
"Nick?" Renard hissed. "The paramedics are on their way."
Nick could see Renard's mask slip, not a woge, but his normal mask slipped. Those cold eyes were filled with concern and Nick gasped then flinched at the pain. Renard pressed down harder on the jacket. Nick groaned and tilted his head back against the wall. He could feel his heart beating in his ears and the quick breaths of the man beside him. The pain had started to drain off, leaving him feeling numb.
"Nick!"
Nick slowly blinked his eyes open and his head rolled to the side to lock eyes with Renard. He felt a tug as their eyes met but his mind was in confusion now as he felt a warmth on his stomach and down his side but couldn't feel much else. He felt like he was tapping into energy that he didn't have as he seemed to see two images of the man before him. He could see Renard's lips moving but couldn't hear the words as he tried to focus on those shifting images.
Then the man was gone and he felt a mask over his nose and mouth then hands were on him. The odd sensation of being lifted then the darkness took him down.
xXx
Captain Sean Renard tried to calm his rapidly beating heart and control his anger. He watched as Nick was wheeled out and he was left holding his ruined jacket in his hands. Hank was on the heels of the paramedics as he watched them. He wanted to follow but knew he couldn't as he glanced around the organised chaos of the station. He looked at the two bodies of the Wesen and sighed. At least one thing had gone to plan. He turned and started barking orders as he ignored the fact that he had the Grimm's blood on his hands and clothes.
xXx
Nick woke feeling groggy and with the soft sounds of a hospital around him. He looked around and blew out a breath. He was alone and he could tell from the darkness from the windows that it was night. The drugs in his system tried to tug him back down but he couldn't relax as something pulled on him but he didn't know what. He chalked it up to blood loss and drugs as he scanned the room for danger before letting himself be dragged back down.
xXx
Sean Renard looked down at Nick Burkhardt as he slept in the hospital bed.
"He's a very lucky man," the Doctor announced as he walked into the room and picked up Nick's chart. "If he didn't get here as quickly as he did…"
The doctor trailed off and Sean looked at him.
"He should recover well," The Doctor continued. "He's healing well, so far, but we'll keep him here for a while under observation."
"Anything else I should know?" Sean asked and the Doctor shrugged.
"Nothing else, sir." The Doctor replied and replaced the chart. "Good night."
The Doctor walked away briskly and Sean looked back down at Nick's pale face. After the mess with Juliette and Adalind. The last thing he needed was the death of the Grimm, the death of Nick. Sean sighed and looked up when he heard footsteps and Hank walked into the room. He paused when he saw him and shifted his stance.
"Sir?" Hank asked.
"Just checking on Nick," Sean replied mildly. "The Doctor mentioned that he was very lucky."
"Yeah," Hank remarked. "They descended on him pretty quick when we arrived. Was chaos, what about the man that shot him?"
"He was found dead in his cell this morning at the prison," Sean told him and Hank started.
"Dead?"
"Throat ripped out," Sean added. "With no sign of entry. The prison is in lock down while they try to work out how that happened."
"Good thing it wasn't in our cells then," Hank commented with a look that Sean ignored.
"Very true," Sean drawled and looked back at Nick. "Bad enough that this happened at our station."
xXx
"So," Monroe announced as he held his door open. "Everything is just as you left it and I have dinner ready to go and since you're on some nice drugs. Hopefully, you'll be awake long enough to get something into your stomach before they knock you out."
Nick just carefully limped into the house and looked around. The soft ticking of the clocks easing the tension in his muscles as he slowly shuffled to one of the armchairs. He eased himself down carefully as Monroe hovered, before in a rush, he was off to the kitchen. He'd been released that afternoon and Monroe had been quick to come and pick him up. He was happy to be away from the hospital and his well wishes.
"So," Monroe called from the kitchen. "Rosalee said she would drop by with a tea that should help you heal and for dinner. If you don't mind?"
Nick waved his hand when Monroe's head popped around the wall and the man gave him a grin.
"Hank will no doubt stop by with all that stuff that they left at your hospital room as well," Monroe continued as Nick rested his head back on his seat and just relaxed.
The Blutbad's voice and dark presence rolled over him. The ticking of the clocks lulled his senses and for that moment, Nick didn't want to be anywhere else. He felt more relaxed now, than he had the week that he'd been at the hospital, as he sat boneless in the armchair.
"Nick?"
Nick started slightly and looked up at Monroe and the man gave him a smile.
"Dinner is ready," Monroe told him.
With a groan, Nick pulled himself to his feet.
xXx
Nick could still feel the pull across his stomach as he pushed himself while Monroe put him through his paces. He knew that the Blutbad was being careful to keep his strength as 'human' as possible as Nick sweated. He had recovered quickly and he thanked Rosalee and her teas as he blocked another punch before turning and stepping back. He still tired quickly and was plagued with fatigue but it felt good to move.
"Stop," Nick ordered in a pant and Monroe paused.
He could tell that the other man was getting himself under control. Nick let him as he panted with his hands on his knees. He could feel the sweat soaking into his shirt and knew that the scent was pushing on Monroe as the Blutbad stepped further back. He glanced up and could see the two aspects of his friend without him woging and he stared.
"What?" Monroe questioned and rubbed his face.
"Nothing," Nick gasped as he just looked at his friend.
"You had an odd look on your face," Monroe stated.
"Just saw your other nature," Nick remarked and slowly staggered over to a log, sat down and snagged up his bottle of water.
"I didn't woge," Monroe stated, not moving closer. "What did you see?"
Nick sighed and dumped the water over his head. Monroe relaxed slightly and gave him an amused look.
"Like looking at two images," Nick answered as he pushed his wet hair out of his eyes. "Both you and the Blutbad."
Monroe looked at him and cocked his head slightly and Nick's lips quirked up. The move made him look more like his wolf side.
"I wonder if that's normal?" Monroe questioned. "Your Grimm powers settling?"
Nick shrugged a shoulder as he shifted around to lean back against the trunk of the tree and grimaced at the stiffness in his body. It felt good to move again and he was due back at work next week which he would be happy with. Even if he would be at a desk for a few weeks. Monroe slowly stepped towards him and Nick could feel the power around the other man as he hooked up one of the water bottles.
"Juliette wants to sell the house," Nick announced. "She says that she can't deal with all of this anymore. I don't think me getting shot helped, life with a cop is hard enough but with the secrets and more…well Grimm stuff…"
"Oh, man." Monroe blew out and took a seat next to him but with a good gap between them. "Sorry."
Nick shrugged a shoulder, he'd seen it coming. Their relationship had been strained since his Aunt had turned up at the house. Then the Grimm stuff, the cat scratch, Juliette losing her memory then the obsession spell with his Captain… not to mention Nick moving out of the house. He was surprised that Juliette hadn't mentioned selling the house earlier.
"She's talking about moving back in with her mother," Nick expanded with a sigh. "I think everything just caught up with her."
Nick could tell that Monroe wanted to move closer but didn't trust himself at that moment. Nick glanced at him and could see the slight red tinge to his eyes.
"I don't know what to say, man." Monroe growled.
"Probably for the best," Nick mused. "I'm not sure that she would have been able to deal with everything. She couldn't even understand that the cat scratch was more than just a scratch. Not to mention the mess with the Captain which I'm still not sure about. I know that they were both under a spell but…"
Monroe carefully reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder in comfort and Nick took it for what it was. He could tell that the Blutbad was still warring with his nature in that moment and Nick gave him a smile.
"Come on," Nick announced after a few minutes. "I could do with a shower."
Monroe's lips twitched up in a grin, showing off teeth that were just on the edge of not human and Nick gave him a grin back. Grimm and Blutbad going against everything to work together due to the fact they were friends, no other reason.
xXx
Captain Sean Renard looked up when he heard the station erupt into clapping and cheering to see Nick Burkhardt standing there with a big grin and Hank beside him. He still looked pale and he had a slight hunch to the way he stood but he looked better than when Sean had seen him at the hospital and a hell of a lot better than when he'd been shot. Nick gave a slight bow and cat whistles sounded on the air.
Sean pulled himself to his feet and to the door to his office and watched as Nick weaved through the station as people welcomed him back. He could see that the man was still hurting but he also had a wide grin on his face. When that grin turned his way, he expected it to slip but Nick just stepped towards him. Everything was out in the open between them now.
"Welcome back, Detective." Sean intoned.
"Thanks, sir." Nick greeted, then an odd look came onto his face before he covered it up. "I'm sure my desk has been waiting impatiently for me."
"You bet," Hank crowed as he clapped a hand to Nick's shoulder. "I've made sure that you have plenty to keep you busy."
Nick groaned as he glanced at his partner and Hank gave him a grin. The two men worked very well together and Sean was relieved that they had each other's backs.
"Sir," Wu interrupted. "Homicide just came through, messy one this one."
"Right," Hanks stated. "On it. See ya, Nick."
Hank and Wu wandered off leaving Sean and Nick behind. Sean could see the look of longing on the younger man's face before he turned back to him.
"Do you have a moment?" Nick asked.
Sean inclined his head and stepped back into his office. He firmly put his mask on as he slipped back to his desk and Nick took a seat across from him. He settled in and was surprised that Nick had taken a seat. The Grimm normally liked to stand in his office, since he'd found out what he was. Nick just relaxed back and for all the world looked comfortable and Sean frowned in concern. Maybe Nick wasn't as recovered as he first believed. Anyone else would have still been at home recovering.
"What can I help you with?" Sean intoned.
"I wanted to thank you," Nick said softly.
Sean started slightly and his mask slipped for a second.
"For when I was shot," Nick carried on. "I'm still dealing with everything else."
"Of course," Sean intoned, his voice giving away nothing.
"I would also like to ask you for a favour?" Nick questioned and shifted slightly to sit up.
Sean tensed at the request before tilting his head slightly.
"Juliette wants to sell the house," Nick stated. "I was wondering if you could give me a number of a lawyer?"
Sean tensed all over again and he felt something stir in him at those words as well as a sense of guilt. He knew that his role, while under the obsession spell, with Juliette was playing a part in the break up.
"Of course," Sean replied as he pulled his writing pad close and a pen. "That is not a favour, Nick. I can give you a number of a good real estate agent as well."
Sean wrote the numbers and names down on the paper then looked up to see Nick watching him carefully with an odd look in his eyes.
"Are you alright?" Sean asked in concern as he placed the paper on the edge of his table.
"Ah, yes." Nick stuttered and took the paper. "Pain meds are a little strong."
Sean frowned at that answer and picked up Nick's file and flicked it open. They then set about laying out what Nick could and couldn't do while he recovered. Both men falling into working together easily, similar to how it was before Nick found out about him or the fact he was a Grimm. Sean didn't take advantage of that feeling, knowing it was probably due to the pain killers that Nick was on and not a change of attitude.
xXx
Monroe cursed as he dropped his keys and quickly scooped them up to open his front door. He could smell Nick the moment that he walked into the house with a shopping bag in one hand. He dropped his keys onto the table near the front door before pausing. Nick was asleep on the lounge with one arm dangling over the edge as he snored softly. Monroe could feel his wilder nature brush against him at the sight of the man then concern. He walked through to the kitchen and quietly placed his shopping away.
It was only early afternoon and he hadn't expected Nick back from work so early. He stepped back into the lounge room and noticed the cold mug of tea on the table beside Nick's chair. He could smell that dangerous scent around the man as he stood there and looked him over. He could also see his friend and that overrode everything else. He checked Nick over before placing a blanket around him. He had work to be getting on with.
xXx
Sean looked through the glass walls of his office to see Nick Burkhardt asleep at his desk and he frowned in concern. The man normally had energy to burn as Sean pulled himself to his feet and opened his office door. The precinct was mostly empty since yesterday's homicide was taking up most of the detectives' time and they had the room to themselves for now. He paced over to Nick's desk and looked down at the report that the man had been entering into the computer.
"Nick," Sean called and the man twitched slightly.
Sean didn't touch the Grimm as slowly woke up and then started. Sean winced as Nick gasped and grabbed his stomach at the movement as his eyes locked on him. He didn't make a move as Nick calmed down, then his eyes were drawn to the mug on the detective's table. He reached over, picked it up and took a sniff and could tell that it wasn't coffee.
"Rosalee," Nick gasped as he held his stomach.
"Ah, yes." Sean muttered and placed the mug back down. "Your roommate's girlfriend."
"Works well," Nick stated and leaned back in his chair with a grimace. "Better than the pain killers."
"With the side effect of sleep?" Sean questioned.
Nick blew out a breath and ran a hand over his head, anyone human would have still been at home resting. Sean knew that Nick wouldn't have been happy with that.
"Perhaps you should refrain from this type of narcotic at work," Sean suggested mildly and met Nick's sharp eyes. "Or at least counter it with coffee."
Nick went to retort then stopped as Sean quirked a smile.
"Was that a joke?" Nick stuttered.
"Poor form?" Sean questioned with a slight shrug of his shoulder as he leaned his hip on Nick's desk.
"Just unexpected," Nick muttered and slowly eased himself up and grabbed the mug. "I shall take your advice and top up on coffee."
Sean snorted as Nick gave him a nod and slowly turned and walked towards the bench with the kettle and coffee (sanity savers) were kept. Sean stayed where he was as he glanced over the detective's desk. He sniffed, taking in his scent as well as his roommate's as Nick made his coffee. He glanced up just as Nick froze, his eyes locked on something and Sean frowned and moved to his feet. The behaviour was odd for the detective.
"Nick?" Sean questioned.
He looked over at what had caught the man's attention but there was nothing there. The Grimm just looked frozen to the spot as Sean stepped closer.
"Nick!" Sean called and grabbed his arm.
Nick jolted and lashed out but Sean calmly grabbed his wrist as those wild eyes focused on him. They were unfocused as Sean held him and slowly something seemed to come back to the Grimm and Sean released him. Nick staggered into the bench to give them space as he panted.
"Are you alright?" Sean asked. "What were you looking at?"
Nick shook his head as he panted with an arm wrapped around his middle.
"Go home, Nick." Sean ordered. "I'll drive you, ease back on the tea and get some rest."
Nick nodded and slowly looked up, Sean shivered at that look. Something wild looked back at him briefly before he was looking at his detective again and they both paused.
"Yes, sir." Nick whispered. "I'll just get my bag and call Monroe to give him the heads up."
xXx
Sean glanced over at Nick beside him in the car. The man was sprawled out in the seat and he could tell that he was close to falling asleep. He was sure that once he dropped Nick off that he would be seeing a certain Fuchsbau after that. They pulled up in front of Monroe's house and Sean took a look around as he stepped out of his car. He could understand why the Blutbad had chosen this spot. Nick slowly pulled himself out of the car and grabbed his bag.
"Thanks, sir." Nick offered as Sean stepped around the car and looked him over. "I would invite you in but I don't believe that Monroe would like that."
"Yes, I believe you would be correct." Sean agreed, he knew how territorial a Blutbad could be and he'd been surprised that he'd let a Grimm into his house.
Nick gave him a small smile and he looked more awake as he gave him a nod and walked up to the door. Sean watched him until he'd stepped into the house before slipping back into the car. He drove on auto as he made his way through the city that he knew so well and stopped in front of the apothecary. He walked up to the door and through, to the slight tingle of the bell, announcing his arrival as he stepped into the shop. He glanced around, nothing had changed since the last time he'd stood there and he tried not to think about the reason for his last visit.
He walked up to the counter as he heard movement from the back and the different scents on the air, making his nose twitch. Rosalee paused with her smile frozen on her face when she saw him and Sean would normally take delight from that response but not today. Rosalee seemed to gather herself before stepping closer.
"How can I help you?" Rosalee asked, an edge to her voice.
"You made a tea up for Nick," Sean stated, not bothering to toe around the issue. "Something in it is reacting with him."
"I know how to make a healing tea," Rosalee hissed, with an amber tinge to her eyes.
"I am not implying that you can't," Sean replied calmly. "I am just stating that something is reacting with something else that he is taking."
Rosalee paused as her eyes looked him over before with a huff, she stomped out the back and Sean waited. The woman came back quickly with a book in her hand and slammed it down on the counter. Sean winced at the sound as she opened it up and pointed, he slowly pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and unfolded it. Rosalee watched his every move with alert eyes as he smoothed the paper out and placed it next to the book.
"The medication that he is on and the compounds," Sean intoned. "Perhaps you can work out what is making him fall asleep at his desk."
Rosalee pulled back slightly and Sean saw a hint of furry ears before she grabbed a hold of herself again.
"Oh," Rosalee whispered as she looked between the list and her book.
Sean leaned a hip on the bench and quirked his lips up as the woman ran her finger down the two lists. He could tell that she was keeping an eye on him as she worked but he knew that he would be doing the same thing in her position.
"Is it just causing fatigue?" Rosalee questioned. "Monroe mentioned that he fell asleep on his lounge…"
Rosalee trailed off when she realised who she was talking to and Sean gave her a small smile.
"I believe so," Sean answered.
"I think I know what the problem is," Rosalee said quickly to cover up her slip. "I'll just mix something else up for him."
"I dropped him off at his house," Sean mentioned and Rosalee tensed. "I'm sure that he is sleeping off what you gave him."
Sean smirked at the growl that came from the woman in warning. Nick instilled loyalty in the people he attached himself to. Sean himself had been drawn to that feeling around the man, even before he came into his Grimm power.
"I shall leave you with it," Sean told her calmly, ignoring the slight fur and amber eyes of the woman before him. "I'm sure that Nick doesn't need to know about our meeting."
Those amber eyes watched him the whole way out of the store.
xXx
Nick woke to soft voices, he knew that Monroe and Rosalee were trying to be quiet but his sense of hearing was more than normal. He slowly rolled out of bed in his loose shirt and pants and felt a lot better. He padded through the house to the lounge room and both Wesens looked over as one as he walked in.
"I have a different tea for you," Rosalee announced. "The one I gave you was reacting with the pain killer you are on."
"Thanks," Nick offered and slowly eased himself down into the armchair that he had come to realise was 'his.'
"You don't want to know how we know that?" Monroe questioned and Nick noticed the look that the two Wesens shared.
"How did you know that?" Nick asked as he sprawled out.
"Your boss came to see me," Rosalee said and Nick focused on her.
"Yes," Monroe added. "And he had a list of medications that you are on."
"He handed that over."
"He even said that he dropped you off here."
"And knew that I had mixed you up a tea and didn't want me to tell you that he had been by."
Nick stared at the two as the words tumbled out.
"Whoa," Nick cried. "Settle down."
The two shared a look before settling back in their seats.
"I fell asleep at my desk," Nick told them. "The Captain gave me a lift back home, which reminds me that I'll need a lift to work tomorrow."
"Just be careful, Nick." Monroe warned. "You know what he is."
Nick blew out a breath as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Hard to forget," Nick muttered. "So, how was your day?"
Monroe and Rosalee grinned and Nick sat back as the two Wesens fell into telling him what they had done that day.
xXx
Nick tensed and shifted his hold on his gun as he crouched down outside the back door of a run down house . He could hear Hank yelling out a police warning from somewhere to his left and could feel that slight sense of Wesen around him. He crept along the wall that he was hidden behind as he zeroed in on that feeling. A sense that he'd only just started to understand.
"Give yourself up!" Hank yelled just before gunshots spilt the air.
Nick moved as he kicked in the back door. He slipped easily through the house as the gunshots grew louder as he hurried closer to the front room.
"Police!" Nick yelled.
The large man turned in surprise and Nick got the image of a furry face before he shot him. The man's gun slipped from his hand as he hit the ground and Nick quickly twisted out of the way as the man's partner started shooting. He ducked down and slipped to the side of the couch and quickly shot the second man as he heard Hank somewhere in the house.
"Police!"
Nick glanced over as Hank appeared with his gun out as his eyes assessed the situation. Nick jumped to his feet and quickly used his foot to remove the gun from the first man he'd shot.
"Ambulance needed at Ace and Regent," Hank called on his radio. "2 suspects down."
Nick quickly rolled the first man onto his stomach and cuffed his wrists together as Hank dealt with the second man. Suddenly the man under Hank growled loudly and woged. He kicked out at Hank and his partner fell back as the man lashed out again. The Wesen growled loudly as Nick jumped to his feet and he turned on him.
"Grimm," The man snarled.
Nick just swung his fist and the man quickly side stepped. His inhuman eyes locked on him with a growl. Nick and Hank went separate ways to divide the man's attention in the small space as the beast swung around. They could see the blood dribbling down the man's arm from the gunshot wound as Nick lunged forward. The beast roared and Nick swung in close as he ducked the man's punch and hit him in his stomach. They both went down as the beast started swinging wildly. Nick grunted as the man hit him hard in the side of the head and he tumbled to the side with the blow. His vision doubled as he stumbled to his feet and saw two images of Hank swinging a pot, of all things, at the man's head.
The Wesen roared and then yelped as Hank hit him again and the beast landed hard on his knees. The dark man quickly landed on the Wesen's back and drove him to the ground as the man shifted back to human. Hank quickly cuffed one of the man's wrists and tried to grab a hold of the other as Nick stood there feeling sick in the pit of his stomach. The room rocked around him and he stumbled into a wall when he tried to step forward to help his partner. His balance was completely off from the hit to the head and he didn't trust himself while he could still see double images. He could see Hank getting the upper hand as he clipped the second cuff around the Wesen's wrist.
"Nick!" Hank called and Nick waved away his concern.
The sound of sirens pieced the air and Nick flinched as it shot through his head. He made an effort to pull himself up, feeling dizzy and knew he had a concussion. He glanced over at Hank and the man and could see two images overlapping on the Wesen's face and he shook his head to try and clear it. That just set off his headache and the sickness.
"Right there?" Hank asked in concern as he held onto the man's handcuffs. "Got a bit of blood on your face."
Nick gave him a rough grin as he leaned back on the wall. He watched from his place as police and paramedics swarmed on the room before making his way out of the house. He felt his stomach suddenly roll and quickly hurried behind some bins before throwing up. He knelt down as everything he'd eaten came up as the world tilted on him. He hadn't realised that he'd been hit that hard.
"Concussion," Hank stated mildly from behind him. "You know they will have to look you over. That was one hell of a hit you took."
Nick just nodded and threw up again.
"Can you get me some water?" Nick requested.
"Sure thing, partner." Hank replied. "I'll find you a medic as well."
Nick quirked a smile over his shoulder before shifting to sit next to the wall. He bowed his head and ran his hands into his hair to try to ease the thumping.
"This seems like a vaguely familiar situation."
Nick's head snapped up to look at Renard then groaned as his head pounded and his vision greyed. He shook his head and his Captain came back into focus then slipped into that double image and he felt his stomach roll. He bowed his head again and cupped it, wincing as his hand touched on the side of his face, where he'd been hit. He wasn't sure if he was going to be sick again or not.
"Just stay still," Renard warned and Nick glanced at him to see that he was only looking into those pale eyes as he crouched before him. "The paramedics shouldn't be long."
"Why are you here?" Nick asked hoarsely.
"I was in the area when the call came in," Renard replied, easily. "There were two more that did a runner."
Renard reached into his jacket and pulled out a cloth and held it out to him. Nick reached for it then noticed the blood on his hand and grimaced. He wiped the blood off his face first then his hand. He looked at that bloody cloth, feeling a little detached from the situation.
"How much is Grimm blood worth?" Nick asked roughly and without thinking.
Sean quirked a smile.
"Thinking of making some money on the side?" Sean inquired and Nick gave him a rough grin. "I wouldn't recommend it."
"Sorry I took so long," Hank huffed as he hurried back with a bottle of water and a paramedic behind him.
Sean stood and stepped back as the woman crouched before Nick and started asking a hundred questions as Nick answered and sipped on the water. Hank verifying any questions that needed it. Sean just watched it all, his sharp eyes taking everything in.
xXx
Monroe started awake as he heard the sound of Nick throwing up and he grimaced. If the smell of the Grimm's blood wasn't bad enough, the smell of vomit was even worse. He rolled over in his bed and flicked his blanket over his head. He heard the toilet flush and Nick's soft steps as he walked to the kitchen and the fridge opening. He knew that the man was trying to be quiet but the Blutbad's hearing was very acute. He frowned when he heard the front door open then close and the house went silent.
Monroe laid there for a while but didn't hear Nick come back in and he grew concerned. He pulled himself from the bed with a groan and walked silently through the house to the front door. He opened it up and Nick glanced over at him from the top step. He could feel the moonlight touching on him as he stepped out of the house and settled down next to the other man.
"Did I wake you?" Nick asked after a few minutes.
"Yes," Monroe answered and laid a hand on his shoulder. "How do you feel?"
"Better," Nick replied as he leaned back on the porch post and Monroe let his hand drop.
"I heard you," Monroe countered.
"Alright, I feel better after throwing up." Nick amended with a smile. "Better?"
Monroe chuckled and lean back on the other porch post as he eyed off his friend. Nick looked up at the almost full moon before giving him a smirk. He tilted his head back and howled loudly. Monroe started at the sound before with a laugh he added his own howl to the mix. Nick laughed as they set off a few dogs around them.
They shared a look before both let off a howl before dissolving into laughter.