It was hard on Nick. His mother leaving threw the Grimm in a way he hadn't expected. She wasn't dead; not any more. So he knew she was out there, hunted by who-knew-what, trying to get to some mysterious island to destroy the coins.

Monroe found the Grimm on his doorstep more often than not. It was reminiscent of the beginning of their friendship. They shared a beer, a meal, a good bottle of wine, a movie. Not necessarily all in one evening.

"Don't you have a mate to pester?" the blutbad grumbled as he cleared away the third bottle of beer.

Nick looked a little contrite. "Sorry. I… didn't mean to bother you. Sean has enough on his hands as is."

Monroe rolled his eyes. "It's fine, Nick. You can come here as often and as long as you want, eat me out of house and home, and you'll still be my best friend. Gruesome crazy Grimm mom or not."

He smiled dimly. "Thanks, Monroe."

"And everyone else still loves you, too. Bud's been calling me all time yesterday, asking if you're okay, if you need help, offering the lodge if you need it or them."

Nick blinked, looking surprised. "Oh."

"You still don't get it, do you? It's been how long? Nick, you're our friend, our Grimm, and we like you. We care about you. You might have a terrifying mom, but who hasn't?"

"Thanks, Monroe," Nick repeated, touched. "And maybe I should go home."

The blutbad shrugged. "Like I said, I don't mind. You want to hang out, you hang out. I can work on my stuff with you around, no problem."

X

Which was what happened. Nick had the TV on, volume low, watching a game, while Monroe worked on a clock.

X

Nick left before midnight and drove to his own home. He shouldn't really be surprised to find that he had someone waiting there already. Bud jumped up.

"Uh, hey, I… I'm not stalking you or anything. The guys and I decided to wait up on you, after what happened, you know, and it's my shift."

Nick tried to hide his surprise and smiled openly at him. "It's okay, Bud. Thank you. All of you. I'm sorry what happened with my mother."

Bud waved it off. "We're okay. I'll let the others know you're home."

"Alright. And none of you have to keep guard at night, okay?"

The eisbiber nodded emphatically, then hurried to his car that was parked across the street..

Nick shook his head as he walked into his house, feeling warm and touched by their worry and care. He closed the door after him.

The house seemed silent and lonely, but it wasn't an oppressive silence. It was welcoming and warm and his home. It was a house which a lausenschlange had helped him buy, a house which eisbiber had renovated – mostly against Nick's will – and a house which he shared with his mate.

He smiled a little as he stripped off his jacket and shoes.

His mother might have upset his life and didn't really approve of that life, but it was a life he loved and lived. He didn't really want it any other way.

xxx x XX xx x x xX X X X

The letter was on his desk when he came in late. Renard had been in a meeting, accompanied by good food, good music and a very good wine. He had listened, talked little, listened some more, and had shaken hands. He knew how to keep his allies close, how to be where he had to be, how to bring his point across. As a captain he might not have the political influence of a commissioner – at least on paper – but as the Guardian he had their attention. Those he had met knew exactly who and what he was, knew that he would make sure his orders were followed.

Now there was the letter.

A classic ecru-colored envelope, his name written in black ink. It wasn't sealed, simply glued shut. He opened it with a letter opener and unfolded the thick, equally ecru paper. The letter was handwritten in ink, like his name.

I'm aware that I overstayed my welcome. I'm very much aware that your tolerance of me in your territory was due to my son.

Renard grimaced a little. Not solely. Nick's balance to his life didn't keep him from dealing with threats the way he was used to. Kelly had survived her meddling because she hadn't poked around the real hornets' nest.

You know why I came here and you know why I have to leave again. I love my son and the decision to leave him behind as an orphan had been the hardest of my life. I trusted in my only family to keep him safe. Marie did just that. I'm now starting to understand what she had seen all along.

Understanding the dynamics surrounding Nick was harder. I'm still not sure what to think of his alliances. I realize that those he trusts can be trusted, that they protect him like he protected and protects them. My instincts scream how wrong it all is, but for my son it's his life.

Like you are.

Renard's brows rose at that.

Acceptance is hard for someone who has lived my life. My trust is never easily given and hardly anyone I met in the past two decades was deemed trustworthy. It's the life of a Grimm. This Grimm. Your lives are different, I know that now. Nick needs to live it his way, not my way.

Be careful. Watch your back. I heard whispers, I heard rumors. You know how dangerous you are for the Royal Families. You know how powerful you are with a Grimm on your side. You will soon know what the rumor of a second Grimm in your Protectorate will bring you.

He smiled darkly. Sean had been aware of the grapevine early on, of how his tolerance of another Grimm had stirred up those watching him, his every move, waiting for a mistake. No one had expected a second Grimm; no one had expected him to let the new Grimm leave alive. It had strengthened his position in a way that would insure the Families would keep their fingers out of Portland for a while.

Rest assured that I will do nothing to lessen the impact of these news; quite the opposite. I have learned something from my son and that is to nurture alliances where you can find them. The Families are our greatest opponents in this game. Let them believe what they see. Let them see what they want to believe.

Let them be afraid of a Guardian who can send out a Grimm to destroy the Coins of Zakynthos on his behalf.

I'll see you again when I'm done.

Renard stared at the letter, which hadn't been signed. His mind was racing and he was aware what had been written between the lines.

Kelly Burkhardt had more or less proclaimed her alliance with him, telling him that she would leave that knowledge wherever she went. Portland had two Grimms, one bonded to the ruling Guardian of this Protectorate, one working like a freelancer.

He chuckled softly.

A move worthy of a chess master, he mused. It gave him a bit of breathing space to fortify his Protectorate, to prepare for the inevitable next blow to come. The Families wouldn't simply stand by and wait for him to gather even more resources, but right now they had enough to think about, enough to deal with on their own. They wouldn't act rashly; that had killed their reapers.

"Well played," he murmured and folded the letter, sliding it into the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

He gathered his coat and switched off the lights, walking almost noiselessly through the almost deserted station. He nodded at the sergeant manning the desk and two detectives just coming in for their shifts.

Renard drove home deep in thought, aware he would have to inform Nick of the letter, of the contents. It was their deal: openness. Nick would know whatever was going on politically so he could act and react according.

And this he had to know.

xxx x XX xx x x xX X X X

"So my mother, in her own way, supports you? She claims an indirect alliance?"

Sean looked at his mate. Nick was stretched out on the couch, looking more relaxed than he would have given him credit for after the revelation of the letter. Dressed in loose-fitting jogging pants and an old, faded t-shirt, he looked pliant and warm and good enough to eat.

"Apparently."

"So now you have two Grimms?" he teased.

Renard chuckled. "In the eyes of the Families."

"Appearances are everything, right?"

He sat down next to his mate, looking into the clear gray eyes. There was no anger any more, just acceptance and determination.

"Right," the Guardian murmured. "Though they wouldn't believe I could bond two to me."

Nick laughed. "I hope not."

"Only sleeping with one," Renard added, leaning down to kiss him.

"Good to hear. And it would be too creepy for words."

That had Renard chuckle. "For all involved."

Another kiss, playful and not meant to arouse.

Renard answered the kiss, which turned into smaller ones, both men enjoying the contact. When Sean drew back he brushed two fingers over Nick's temple, a gesture that was common between them, something that spoke of so much more than just sharing a physical relationship. The gray eyes were deep and knowing, Nick's face open and accepting.

X

They ended up snuggling on the couch and the Grimm very much enjoyed the tender contact. Sean was in a cuddly mood and sought closeness, either by sliding a hand under Nick's shirt or nuzzling a path down his mate's neck. The Grimm let his hand caress the broad back, felt the power in the muscles underneath the deceptively soft skin.

He pushed everything from his mind. His mother, politics, work, everything. He just wanted to enjoy this rare moment of relaxation.

Nick knew his mother would be back; she had promised. And he knew it would stir up trouble once more because Sean wouldn't be happy.

Until then he wouldn't think about it all.

There was enough to occupy his waking and sleeping mind.

xxx x XX xx x x xX X X X

She followed silently, like the shadow she had been born to be. Of a bland nature, her description never staying long in anyone's mind, the unfassbar trailed after Kelly Burkhardt. She knew the Grimm was unable to sense her, wouldn't really see her unless she wanted to be seen. Dark eyes would slide over her without recognition.

It was their trait.

Invisible to those who saw more than anyone else.

Even the wesen she passed by or met had no idea.

The unfassbar followed her target, keeping to her orders to watch and wait and report to her master. Renard wanted to know where this Grimm was going and the unfassbar wasn't shaken off lightly.

There was no hiding.

Already halfway to New York on the train, the Grimm was making good headway. The unfassbar knew where she was going, knew it was a long and dangerous road, and she would keep her alive if it came to that. Those were her orders.

Only a Grimm could handle the coins without becoming addicted to them. And she had no wish to touch them in any capacity.

The unfassbar settled back into the shadows, calm, relaxed, waiting for the next move.
It would come.

She was sure of it.

fin for this one!