| Primary Characters: | Nick, Hank, Wu |
| Rating: | M |
| Spoilers: | Some |
| Warning: | m/m sex |
| Description: | Nick and Hank investigate a gruesome case, involving ritual killings. They find out that the gates of hell are about to be opened and demons are about to be unleashed on the world. Rosalie tells them a wedding/union between two people is the only thing that can save them all. But where are they going to find a suitable couple in time? |
When Nick picked up the phone and was given the case, he’d had no idea what the consequences would be. If he had, would he have made sure he had an excuse not to take it? But how could he have done that? It was exactly the sort of case he, not only as a cop, but as a Grimm, had to take. A number of people had been found ritually murdered. Sacrificed. A number of anomalous phenomena had occurred surrounding the murder scenes. Several different religious groups had been swearing this was the end of times. They could read the signs.
Renard was planning on sending more people up there (several miles up the coast) but to find out the basic facts, he’d sent Nick and Hank. Nick didn’t have time for anything but to pack a few essentials and get in the car. Hank had done the same.
An hour and a half later, they arrived. The town they came to looked ordinary, except for one thing: no one was around. People seemed to have left in a panic or barricaded themselves in their houses. Only one slightly nervous colleague in a uniform greeted them. He seemed to have been the one to draw the shortest straw.
”Portland Homicide?”
”Yes, that’s us. I’m Hank Griffin, this is my partner Nick Burkhardt.”
”Jim Wilder. Would you like to go out there now?”
”You mean the first murder scene?”
”They all happened out there, within a mile-and-a-half radius. Here.”
The uniform handed over a computer printout of a map. Nick studied it with growing misgivings. Wilder was right. The victims had been found very close to each other. But that wasn’t what was bothering him right now. It was the fact that by now, with nine victims found, a pattern was already emerging, an extremely unnerving one if you were superstitious. Unfortunately, though Nick would never have referred to himself as superstitious, he was a Grimm. Most of what he did and saw would be labeled superstitious by ‘ordinary’ people, the lucky ones who didn’t see what he did.
”Ok. Let’s go.”
No point in putting it off any longer. Nick could tell that Hank had seen what he’d seen and judging by the look on his face, he might as well have been the Grimm.
These days, after the Blue Moon, last month, there had been more and more of awkward silences between Nick and his partner and best friend. Hank couldn’t deal with what had happened between them under the influence of the Wesen Blue Moon.
By now, there were no traces left of the victims, their blood or any other evidence, but Nick sensed a disquiet in the air. No animals seemed to be around, at least judging by the uneasy silence that was weighing on Nick’s ears. He was surprised that neither Hank nor officer Wilder noticed. Even the sky seemed to be hinting of unnerving things to come – there was a deep low cloud cover of a color Nick had rarely seen. It was a dramatic mix of red and black, with streaks of dark, gunmetal blue. On the edges there were traces of sulphurous yellow and a dirty brownish orange. It was completely still. Not even the slightest breeze lifted the leaves on the trees nearby.
What was left, were a pile of rocks that seemed to have been put in a semblance of order, reminiscient of a crude altar. Taken one by one, these details were all too familiar, but Nick didn’t think he’d ever seen such a dismal, gloomy crime scene.
Officer Wilder took them to three of the other crime scenes that looked virtually identical, until Nick had had enough. He told his colleague he’d seen what he needed for now.
They drove back to the police station, then to the local hospital, to see the bodies of seven of the nine victims, that were still in the morgue. The other two seemed somehow to be missing. Nick would track them down later, or direct someone else to do it. In the meantime, the same depressing similarities were found on the victims’ bodies as well. They were young and old, female and male and seemed to be relatively varied. There was an elderly farmer, a clergyman, a woman who had been working in a cafeteria, a doctor and a cop, not to mention a student and a local petty criminal and two drug addicts. The clergyman and the female doctor were the ones that were missing. Later it turned out that the doctor’s family and the church had claimed the bodies and were preparing them for burial.
Nick took in the injuries on the bodies with a growing sense of horror. It seemed the killer had wanted to leave a certain pattern on the victims as well. He forced himself to focus on solving the crime and giving the victims justice. If that would even be possible.
He had vague feeling of disquiet, that wouldn’t go away even when he followed his familiar routines.
”I think we need to check back with the Captain and see if we can send some reinforcements out here.”
Hank made a noise that Nick interpreted as consent.
”Office Wilder? How many people do you have to offer us?”
”There’s just me and McClintoch and Norris.”
He nodded towards two men who looked even older than he did. Nick didn’t think cops stayed that long on the job. McClintoch looked about seventy. Norris might have been three or four years younger and Wilder maybe a few years younger still. Neither of them much younger than about sixty.
They really needed to get Wu and Renard out here, if they would come, but preferably at least five or six more uniforms. The area was vast and rough, and the roads weren’t in great condition.
”Do you have any suspects?”
Wilder stared at him incredulously.
”Nothing like this ever happens here. It’s been almost four years since the last homicide and that was ruled manslaughter. There aren’t people here who would do something like this.”
”No new arrivals?”
”I don’t think anyone’s moved here in over a year. That was a family with two young children. And a retired teacher – Mrs Betty Ivanic. She’s about ninety. That’s it. People usually stay here and no one really comes here. Mrs Ivanic used to work here thirty years ago or so and wanted some peace and quiet so she decided to come back. The family – yes, the father is a relative of the mayor’s. Their grandparents came from here.”
”What about other violent crimes?”
”We get some drunken fights down at the diner sometimes during the summer. In winter it gets too cold. People stay indoors. I’m not saying there might not be quarrels there but nothing much that we get called out for.”
”Drug addicts?”
”A few. Two of them are among our victims.”
”Yes.”
Nick didn’t want to admit defeat but it seemed they had very little to go on. The forensics lab in Portland already had what little had been collected at the scenes and they hadn’t heard anything yet. He wanted to send one of the bodies back to Portland as well for closer examination. At least that was something to do.
”I’d like to send one of the bodies back to Portland for more study.”
Wilder shrugged.
”Sure. No problem. Doctor Elroy will help you.”
Nick couldn’t think of anything else to do at the moment so he might as well settle in at the motel.
”What did the Captain say?”
”He’s sending Wu out right away and will get here himself tomorrow as early as he can. We can’t get anyone else yet, because of that mob case.”
”What?”
”You heard me.”
”Ok. Let’s go to the motel.”
Hank nodded briefly and got up and made for the door.
Ten minutes later they were outside a rather dilapidated building with fading paint and windows that were slightly tarnished or perhaps worn down by too many washes. At least there was no smell in Nick’s room. He assumed there wasn’t in Hank’s room either or he was sure his partner would have made a complaint to the reception desk.
It was getting dark already, even though it was the end of April. In Portland, nights were getting lighter, not darker. Of course it had to be the cloud cover.
An impulse made Nick call Monroe. If there was a Wesen connection Monroe might know something and if not he, then maybe Rosalie.
”Hey. What’s up, Nick?”
”I’m not sure. It’s a very depressing case. Ritual murders. Nothing to go on really.”
”What sort of rituals?”
Nick hesitated. He didn’t want to do this on the phone, but Monroe was miles away so he might as well, if he wanted his friend to help.
”Gruesome, bloody rituals. The victims were found on altars and if you look at the map they’re forming a pattern. A pentagram.”
There. He’d said it. This sounded like the worst kind of B-movie.
”Yikes. Anything else?”
”Yes, the same pattern on the bodies and – I’m not sure – those patterns seem to be forming another pattern -”
”It can’t be.”
”Is it something to do with Wesen?”
”Yes and no. It’s – just a story I heard as a kid, when I went camping with my cousins. But I think there’s more to it than just a story to scare kids around campfires. I heard a little about it later on, from older relatives.”
”What can you tell me?”
”Not much. No one seemed to know very much. Just one thing: if it’s anything to do with what I heard about, it’s extremely bad news.”
”In what way?”
Monroe seemed to hesitate, then laughed hollowly as if trying to take some of the bleakness out of his comment.
”The end of the world. The opening of the gates of hell. The unleashing of demons on our world.”
”Really? You’re serious?”
”Sure I’m serious. I just don’t know how much truth there is in it.”
”Oh. Well, thanks, I guess. Thanks for cheering me up. Do you think Rosalie knows something?”
”I’ll ask. Hold on. And Nick – I’m sorry. But you did ask.”
Yes, he had asked. And he needed to know as much as possible even if this didn’t sound like a case for a cop at all. More for a Grimm, maybe, but if so, he’d need to consult his books. Now he didn’t have anyone he could ask. He’d have to turn to the internet, but he didn’t have that many details to go on to be able to do a proper search.
As a last resort, he decided to call Captain Renard himself. When Hank called him, he hadn’t known about this new information from Monroe, such as it was. Come to think of it, Hank still didn’t know. With a sigh, Nick decided to tell him, before calling Renard.
He knocked on Hank’s door. There was a pause that felt long to Nick, then Hank opened the door a crack and cast him a glance that while not outright hostile, didn’t look very friendly either.
”Yes?”
”Can I come in? Or can you come over? I called Monroe and he had some information that might be relevant to the case. He’s going to call me back and let me know if Rosalie knows more.”
”Ok.”
Hank came over and stood by the door in Nick’s room. He didn’t even want to sit down. Suddenly Nick was tired of Hank’s reaction. He wasn’t thrilled at what they’d done either. Far from it, but it had been out of their control and whatever they felt about it deep down, they had to be able to do their work. To cooperate. It wasn’t as if he’d been secretly lusting for his friend’s body all these years and just used the Blue Moon as an excuse to jump him, if that was what Hank was thinking. Nick wanted to confront his partner, but decided now was not the time. They had to focus on the case.
Monroe called back to say that Rosalie knew about the same as he did, but had a book she could consult. That sounded odd. Why would a pharmacist know anything about this sort of thing? But Nick wasn’t about to question his friends’ help, just thanked Monroe and terminated the call. Time to call Renard.
”Sir -”
”Nick. I’m sorry I can’t get you any more people right now. Did Hank tell you I’ll be there tomorrow morning? I have to consult a – an old friend about this. If she knows something, I might have more to tell you tomorrow.”
Nick recounted what he’d learned from Monroe and mentioned Rosalie’s book.
”I see. All I can tell you is that if this is what I think it is, we’re in really big trouble.”
”Wesen-related?”
”Partly. But just as much human-related. I only heard about it, because the Royal families know about all kinds of ancient customs and rituals. The trouble is, no one really knows anything. Or believes in it, I suppose. If we’re lucky this is just some lunatic who believes in the old stories, nothing more.”
Nick was hoping the same thing, but he noted that Renard didn’t sound hopeful. Come to think of it, his Captain never really did sound very cheerful about anything. Perhaps it was just the sort of person he was, or it was something to do with having the position he did in the Royal family or simply the fact that he was a Zauberbiest. Who knew about what they were like?
Later that evening, Rosalie called Nick sounding agitated and scared. That didn’t bode well for what she’d have to say.
”Hi Rosalie. I appreciate your help. What did you find out?”
”I really hope I’m wrong about this, Nick, but – well, just listen to what I have to say and judge for yourself.”
”Ok.”
”If this killer finds four more victims and kills them the same way he has up to now – but I’m just saying ‘he’ – it could just as easily be a woman – then they’ll have succeeded in opening the gates of hell and unleashing demons on the world. It would mean the end of our world and of humans and Wesen.”
”You can’t be serious.”
”I’m afraid I am.”
”So how can we stop this person?”
”You’ll have to find them, if you can. But there’s something else – Something the powers of good can do. You need a union. A wedding. Two people joined together in defiance of evil.”
”A wedding? I don’t -”
”I’ll email you the rest of the info and you can check for yourself.”
”Thank you.”
A wedding? This town was pretty much empty and the only people he’d seen since arriving were three old men. And anyway, how on earth could a wedding stop the impending apocalypse? This time, Rosalie had to have got things wrong. But if not – Could they have someone taken here – but who? They were expecting Wu and Renard, also men. And Juliette – Nick angrily shook his head. He wouldn’t think about Juliette anymore.
When the email came, he opened the attachment even if he really didn’t think he’d find anything useful there. He felt completely helpless.
The document described, not merely a wedding, but a romantic and sexual union. Obviously, wedding and marriage had been Rosalie’s euphemisms, even though there was something about a ‘true commitment’ between the two parties. The description seemed to hint at two people who were compatible, knew each other well, were close and not just two random strangers pressed into action by necessity. He couldn’t think of anything to do. Unless he could find someone here?
Where was the number to Wilder? He’d call and find out. If there was just someone, maybe a couple who had been about to get married –
The older man picked up on the third ring.
”It’s Nick Burkhardt here. I was wondering – this may seem a bit – but just answer the question, please. Is there a couple who’s about to get married – or any couple I suppose who isn’t already married? Yes, here, in this town?”
With a sinking heart Nick was listening to the old man, a puzzled tone in his voice.
No, of course not. Only a handful of people remained, mainly men and older couples, respectably married, of course. Almost everyone had already got away. There was a grumpy old woman with a major drinking problem, who spent her days, when not drinking or sleeping, writing angry letters to the local paper’s editor complaining about pretty much anyone in town, but quite naturally, no one in the entire town even liked her, and he doubted he could make Wilder or one of his colleagues change their minds about her.
Though he knew it was no use, he called Rosalie back and told her helplessly, that there was only one woman left in town and that she was hated by the few who remained, as well as everyone else who had already got away.
”Well – it doesn’t have to be a straight couple. It doesn’t say anything about that here.”
”Ok. I really doubt if there are any gay men here either. It’s just a handful of people. A dozen or so, most of them old, married people. Just two or three single older men and the ones I’ve seen don’t look gay to me, but I suppose I shall have to ask. I’ll call you back.”
He knew Wilder would find his question odd, but he didn’t have a choice.
”Yes, I realize this is a weird question, but – do you have any minority groups here? Like gay men?”
Wilder’s response left Nick doubting Wilder was even completely sure what gay meant in this context, but surely it was just the old man’s distaste for something he didn’t understand? At least it seemed this town hardly had a gay scene and if there had been one, they had left with the rest.
He called Rosalie again, with a sense of hopelessness.
”No. No gay men here. And it was pretty clear Wilder and his colleagues are not only straight but probably a bit homophobic.”
”And there’s no one else?”
”Not that I can think of. Could you and Monroe come out here and – marry again? Like some people repeat their vows. That kind of thing.”
”No. It has to be a new union.”
He hadn’t really expected anything else.
”Ok. Thanks.”
Nick tried to think of anyone he could call who could get here in time and get married or at least consummate their ‘union’. He even briefly considered Truble and Josh, but he couldn’t be sure if they were even a couple and in any case, they would never be able to get here in time. It would have to be someone else and he really couldn’t think of anyone.
As a final resort he called Wu, who was on his way, but he didn’t know anyone suitable either. Of course he didn’t. Most of his friends would be men. Nick was desperately hoping that might mean Wu was gay, but he knew he was only deluding himself. He didn’t have time to explain to Wu so he just said he’d inform him when he got there.
Knowing it was no use, he called and asked Renard, feeling like a fool, and anyway, even if he didn’t know who Renard’s friends were, he wasn’t expecting any miracles this late in the day.
They had no way of finding the killer or killers in time and this – no matter how impossible it seemed, was the only way to deal with the situation.
Just as he’d thought, Renard had no idea of who to suggest. Even so, there was a tone that Nick didn’t know how to interpret. Maybe one of his friends had come up with something. If so, he wasn’t ready to share it with anyone.
By the time Wu got there and was in his turn installed at the motel, then briefed by Hank and Nick about the case, Nick had had a glimmer of an idea. It didn’t fill him with any enthusiasm, but in his desperation he was grasping at straws.
He and Hank had a commitment to each other, knew each other well and were close, at least had been until last month. And they’d even had a sort of union, albeit against their will. They weren’t gay – but in this context – perhaps a Grimm had to make this sacrifice to save the world. Wasn’t that his job to do? Hank – he had no illusions about what Hank might think but he wasn’t this close to anyone else.
Suddenly, he knew he’d made his decision. Now all that remained to be done was to tell Hank. Or rather – to ask Hank, to explain the situation and hope that Hank too would feel strongly enough about saving the world, to agree.
Once again, he went to knock on Hank’s door. Hank’s welcome wasn’t any warmer than the last time.
”Oh, it’s you. Any news?”
”No, but I need to talk to you about something. Can I come in?”
Hank glared at him, in a way that didn’t bode well for Nick’s suggestion, but Nick knew he had to make himself understood. And Hank had to agree. The alternative didn’t bear thinking about. Although to be honest, neither alternative bore thinking about.
”Rosalie told me about something we might be able to do. You agree that we don’t have any way of finding the killer with what we know now?”
”I suppose so. How do you mean?”
”According to Rosalie, if we don’t stop him or her before four more people have been sacrificed, the gates of hell will open and the demons will overwhelm our world. We have to assume that the killer is out there now, finding and killing victims.”
”And there’s nothing we can do about it? Is that what you’re saying?”
For the first time since the Blue Moon, Hank’s face lost is perpetual scowl and he actually looked disturbed.
”No, that’s not what I’m saying. There is something, but we – don’t have anything much to work with. What’s required is a wedding or at least a ‘union’ between two people. Two people who know each other well, have a commitment and are close.”
”Ok. Where do we find them?”
”You’ve seen this town. There’s no one here that would work. I asked Wu and he doesn’t know any women, except for his mother and as you know she’s married already. An ‘old’ union won’t do. I already asked Rosalie if she and Monroe could come out here and – sort of renew their vows. It won’t work.”
”Ok. Renard?”
”He said he didn’t know anyone suitable either. Do you?”
”Even if I’d be willing to try again with my exes, you’re saying that won’t work. I don’t know anyone who’d marry me right now.”
”That’s what I thought. I don’t have any suggestion either. Except – it doesn’t have to be a straight couple. Two men would do.”
”Ok. I don’t know any gay men that I can think of right now. At least no one who can get here in time. Do you?”
”No. And I’m pretty sure neither Wu or Renard can help either. I asked Wilder and he told me there’s no one left here who might be suitable. He and his colleagues sounded more than a bit homophobic.”
”I’m not surprised. So are you saying we’re screwed?”
Nick winced at Hank’s choice of words.
”Pretty much. Unless you and I could -”
Hank’s face twisted into a mask of what Nick thought looked almost like hatred.
”No way. You’ve got to be kidding me. There has to be someone else.”
”Who?”
Nick let the word sink in. After a moment, he could see that Hank had got his meaning.
”It’s not fair. You can’t ask me to do that. It’s impossible. I’m not – You know I’m not -”
”And you think I am?”
Hank looked as if he was going to say something, then thought better of it.
”You’re out of your mind. I can’t.”
”Ok.”
Nick turned to go. He should have known that Hank wouldn’t agree. There was a part of him – a stupid part – a cowardly part – that was relieved. Come what may he wouldn’t have to – On the other hand, there was a stubborn part of him that wanted to survive, that didn’t want to die, not like this. That part felt a numbing disappointment and even terror of what was to come.
Before he closed the door behind him, he heard Hank calling him back.
”Wait.”
Nick turned to face his partner, and closed the door again.
”Yes?”
”I’ll have to be ‘the man’. Ok? I won’t agree if you don’t -”
”Fine. I’ll call Rosalie and ask her, but as far as I’m concerned, just let’s get this over with.”
Nick felt his face heating up. How could he ask Rosalie this? Damn. The situations he got into as a Grimm.
”Hey, Rosalie. I talked to Hank and -”
”Oh, you’re going to do it. I want you to know that we appreciate your – sacrifice. All you have to do is think about what you’re going to do – make a firm commitment to – then just – do it.”
”Uh – yes. I think I got that. It’s just that Hank says that -”
No way could he say this.
”What?”
”He says – he wants to be the – man.”
That was it. He’d officially passed all limits to his embarrassment. Not that it made any difference. He still felt like –
”I’m not sure that – I mean, you’re the Grimm. Maybe you have to -”
”No, it’s alright. Does it really say that – I mean -”
”Of course not. It doesn’t have any instructions on exactly how to do it. I suppose the author assumed that everyone would know.”
”Then it can’t matter. I have to go.”
”Ok. I’m sure it will be ok. We’re counting on you. Tell Hank that we -”
”Yes, uh – I will.”
”What?”
”Let’s just do this. Rosalie is extremely grateful.”
”I’ll bet she is. I wonder how she would have felt if she had to do this with Juliette or Adelind?”
”Forget it. We don’t have time for this. Wu’s going to bed. Unless a new body is found I think we’ll have until morning. Rosalie said we need to think about what we’re about to do. Focus on the commitment and – the – uh – union we’re entering into.”
”So this isn’t just about the – we have to be – uh – committed?”
”That’s what she said.”
”Fucking – ”
Hank bit off the last word, remembering what was at stake.
”Oh, what the fuck. That’s the least of my problems.”
Nick sank down on the bed and began to get undressed. Hank was muttering under his breath, but Nick could feel the vibrations in the bed, even though he couldn’t bear to look at his partner. Partner – this gave a new meaning to the word, but Nick forced himself to focus on the commitment. If it hadn’t been for the sex, he knew he wouldn’t have a problem with that. He already had a commitment to Hank. They’d worked together for years and there was no one he trusted more, counting his own mother. He was hoping Hank would remember that, or this might not work.
Afterwards, Nick gathered up his clothes and sneaked back to his room, hoping Wu would be fast asleep. When he was already in the shower, it occurred to him that maybe he shouldn’t have left Hank. But in his mind, there was no doubt about his commitment. He just needed time to deal with the rest.
Nick lay down on the bed, thinking he’d just get a few minutes of rest, but woke up several hours later, at nine thirty, to the sound of knocking on the door.
He came to with a start and went to open the door. Renard was standing outside.
”Sir. Any news?”
”No. Nothing. I was wondering if you had anything to tell me.”
Yes, in a way he had, didn’t he? The only problem was, just how was he going to explain what he and Hank had just done to the Captain?
”I’m afraid I don’t have any suggestion about a woman who might be suitable, and we’re running out of time. How long did it take the killer to sacrifice the nine victims you’ve found so far? We can’t even be sure that there aren’t more, that we haven’t found yet. Any time now, it might be too late.”
Nick found that he had come to a decision. Renard needed to know. Wu too, unfortunately.
”Sir – there’s something I need to tell you.”
”Yes?”
”Uh – last night, I came to the decision that as a Grimm, I needed to do something. So – Hank and I -”
For a second, Renard looked as if he had no idea what Nick was getting at, then Nick could see the realization sink in.
”Oh. Well – that was -”
It was clear that Renard didn’t know what to say.
”Then – I suppose – we might be alright after all.”
”Uh, I hope so. I really hope so.”
”Uh – yes.”
”I’ll talk to Rosalie again and see if she has any more – instructions – but, I don’t think that there isn’t anything more I can do.”
”I’ll – uh – see about getting some breakfast.”
Nick nodded, painfully aware of how his cheeks were burning. It wouldn’t have been so embarrassing if he’d really been gay. At least he thought not.
”Rosalie?”
”Yes, have you done it?”
Nick winced and clenched his teeth.
”Yes, I was just wondering – do you have any other – instructions?”
”You have to stay together for at least three years, apparently. Until -”
Nick wasn’t listening anymore. Three years? Not only did he have to – he’d have to be virtually married to Hank for at least three years. Three –
”Yes, ok. I got that. Thanks. I have to go.”
”You have no idea how grateful we both are.”
”Ok.”
As if he needed to be reminded that Monroe knew about what he and Hank had had to do.
He changed clothes and went to have his breakfast too, even though he had no appetite. It was time to face Wu. He decided to leave the next meeting with Hank for later. Telling Hank about the three years they had ahead of them, was something he wasn’t looking forward to. He was sure it would go down really well.
Wu was sitting at the table, more or less finished with his breakfast.
”Good morning.”
”Good morning.”
”So, what do you have for me?”
”We haven’t had any news so – at the moment, you can just stick around. I’ll let you know.”
Wu looked baffled, but shrugged and nodded like he always did.
Renard was coming back to his table, a cup of coffee in his hand. He raised his eyebrows at Nick, clearly wondering if he’d informed Wu. Nick shook his head faintly. He’d need a little time to prepare himself.
After staring at his sandwich and coffee for twenty minutes, Nick got up and left. Better get it over with. Hank would have to know. It occurred to him that Rosalie might have been trying to tell him that they’d have to live together and his face lost all trace of color. No way. He couldn’t – that was just too much. And he was even more sure that Hank would oppose the idea.
Before he went to see Hank, he called Rosalie again.
”Hey. It just occurred to me that – are you saying that we need to live together too?”
He waiting, hoping that Rosalie would reassure him.
”Of course you do. What did you think? You may not have to get formally married, but how else would you show your commitment to each other? I mean, apart from -”
This just kept getting worse and worse.
”Ok. I got that. Thanks. I have to go.”
He was sure that Rosalie would be thinking about his more or less empty house. Which gave him an idea. He’d have to see what Hank had to say first though.
Once again, he slowly made his way to Hank’s room. He was wondering if Hank had already had his breakfast, or if he was on his way out.
It seemed it was the latter. Hank was standing fully dressed inside the door.
”Oh. What now? Don’t tell me it didn’t work?”
”No, no. As far as I know it did work. We haven’t had any news so I think it’s ok. I just thought I’d tell you that Rosalie says we need to live together.”
”What?”
Hank looked as if he wanted to slam the door in Nick’s face.
”Yes. I don’t like anymore than you do, whatever you seem to think.”
”I’m not thinking anything except – I hate this. Ok, fine. Can I go now?”
”I thought – since my house is almost empty now after Juliette – we might say that you’re my roommate.”
Hank stared at him, then nodded.
”Ok. Whatever. I have to go.”
”Wait. Can’t we just accept that – this happened? Do you really want to throw away all our years of working together? Until that thing last month – and this – I would have said you’re my best friend. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
Hank was silent for so long, Nick was beginning to think he wasn’t going to reply at all, then his partner let out a long sigh and opened the door a little wider.
”Yes. It does. Come in.”
Nick stared at Hank. What was going on?
”I’m sorry. I realize that you didn’t want this anymore than I did. It was just – really bad luck for both of us. Ok. I guess I don’t mind the commitment – as much as the – uh – you know.”
”Thanks.”
”So what are we going to say to Wu?”
”Yeah, good question. He already knows about the ‘union’/wedding thing. We have to tell him. I’ll – I’ll do it. I’ll think of something. Renard knows. I had to tell him. We – I suppose we’ll have to stick around long enough for the old officers here to think we did what we could, but – we should be able to get back soon. They don’t know anything about the ‘end of the world’ thing, so – for them it might just be a really gruesome serial murder case. And if nothing happens for a while, they’ll believe the killer or killers moved on to somewhere else.”
”Ok. I’ll go and – see about breakfast, I guess.”
”I’ll come with you and look for Wu. He might be gone already, back to his room. I told him to wait for new orders.”
”Ok.”
But Nick found Wu outside, about to unlock the door to his room.
”Hey. I have something to tell you.”
”Ok.”
Wu opened the door and let him in. Nick had his hands in his pockets, staring down at his own feet. How did he say this? He didn’t know Wu well enough to be able to tell how he’d react.
”Uh – remember that – union/wedding thing?”
”Yes.”
”It’s been taken care of. We probably don’t need to worry about it anymore.”
”Oh. How did you -?”
Wu took a closer look at Nick’s burning cheeks and hunched down posture.
”I see. Hank?”
”Uh – yes.”
”Oh – wow. I don’t know what to say. Except – I suppose I should say thank you. Rather you than me.”
”Uh – yes. Ok. Well, now you know. I’ll -”
”Ok. So what are we doing about this case then? I’m guessing we can’t tell the local PD?”
”No. Wait here for the results about the body I sent for further analysis to Portland. Then – just check in with the old guys once in a while and ask them if they’ve had any other news. You know – make them think we’re dealing with this.”
”Will do. What’s Renard doing?”
”I’m not sure. I’ll ask. He’ll probably return to Portland soon, since he won’t be needed.”
”Ok.”
Nick could sense Wu’s eyes following him out through the door and couldn’t help wondering what the sergeant was thinking. He was hoping that he wasn’t imagining what had occurred between him and Hank last night. Now that Wu and Renard knew, they’d always see him like that. The guy who’s Hank’s bitch. Because he found it hard to imagine anyone thinking the other way around. He couldn’t stop himself from thinking of Rosalie, and worse still Monroe, who would have had plenty of time by now to imagine him and Hank together – No, he had to stop. He wouldn’t be able to do his job if he kept dwelling on this. There had to be a way he could go on anyway. Learn to adapt to the situation. He just had to.
They ended up having to stay for another week, but by then it was obvious that they had really stopped whoever the killer was in his tracks. Unfortunately, that killer was still on the loose and there was no telling what he or she could do once it was clear that this attempt had failed. At least they wouldn’t have to stick around, going through the motions. It felt wrong to fake work on such a case. They did follow up on the few leads the autopsies had yielded, but as they’d suspected, they led nowhere. It was all a dead end.
Wilder and his colleagues appeared relieved that the killer seemed to have moved on. Before they returned to Portland the locals were beginning to come home again, reassured by the lack of activity by the killer. Nick and Hank and Wu checked them out, but they couldn’t find anything wrong with any of them. Bitterly, Nick discovered that there really was a couple who were about to get married. Where had they been when he and Hank needed them? But it was too late for that kind of thinking.
It was done. They just had to learn to deal with it. And Nick knew he couldn’t have stood by while the world ended. Not when there was something he could do about it, no matter how – impossible.
Back in Portland, Hank emptied his apartment and moved in. Nick mentioned the room-mate idea in passing to Wu, who looked as if he was thinking ‘whatever’, but at least Wu wouldn’t – Nick was pretty sure of that – expose them to the other cops. Neither would Renard.
Eventually, their colleagues found out, but assumed Hank was just doing Nick a favor, in contributing to the costs now that Juliette was gone. Some of the others had had to resort to that kind of thing in the past, so no one was really wondering. At least it didn’t seem that way to Nick.
Rosalie had insisted they live in the same room, and Nick could tell she was being honest. She really thought it would be necessary. But there were limits. After a while, she also conceded that as long as they stayed committed, they might not have to have sex again. She sounded doubtful, but this was as much as Nick and Hank could bear and it would have to be enough. In every other way, they stuck to the bargain and treated each other as – sort of – spouses. Without the sex. Nick had to admit that embarrassment aside, it wasn’t that different from simply being partners. Partners watched each others backs. Partners knew each other like – spouses.
But every time he talked to Wu or Renard, Nick was painfully aware of what they knew and he could tell that it bothered Hank as much.
After a while, they became used to the situation and began to – heaven help them – have ‘couples’ dinners with Rosalie and Monroe. What else could they do? Nick knew it was neither Rosalie’s or Monroe’s fault that they’d known how to remedy the situation. Or that he and Hank had been the ones who had to do it.
But he couldn’t help hating seeing especially Monroe looking at them, knowing – At least Monroe had had to go through the Blue Moon with them. He had nothing to be smug about. Except being married to Rosalie of course, not Hank. Nick sighed. This was never going to get any better. He just had to make the best of it. He knew Hank was trying too. That was all either of them could do.
FIN
© Tonica