Binding Fate

The Task

Renard was in his office going over the anonymous email, despite how simple the message was it had him puzzled.

Who were they?

How did their know he was associated with Nick, a Grimm?

What did they want with a Grimm?

And more importantly, what could they provide him that was worth one?

The half Zauberbiest was almost as conflicted as he was confused. What did they mean by power? Authority over others? Actual supernatural abilities?

On the other hand, a Grimm was a unique asset that was virtually irreplaceable. He worked hard to find one and went through a lot of trouble to remain close to it.

He knew that he was dealing with a skilled and possibly dangerous individual, whether they could be a threat or useful was debatable.

For now, he would play along and see how it goes, but he wouldn't make any promises.

...

Nick and Veronica were walking into the CILESO Portland base of operations.
It was a simple glass office complex on the far side of the city. The windows were tinted so no one could see into the building and the vicinity was void of any civilians passing by, the entire grounds were accessible to authorized personnel only.

Nick got an ID badge on his way through security. He was pretty uncertain about the whole operation, how was he going to protect the secrecy of the Wesen world while working with a federal organization?

"First we need to check with the director and see where everything is at so far. Then we can get to work."

Nick nodded, trying not to show any nerve, but Veronica saw through it.

"Are you okay? You seem a little uncomfortable."

"Yeah, I just feel a little out of my league here," covered up the detective. "I don't even know why they wanted my help."

"Well, A) you're a brilliant investigator and B) I put a good word in for you," answered Veronica. "Relax you've got this. They wanted you as an operative in this organization when you were just getting started as a detective and now you've come so far along the way."

"Thanks, I needed to hear that."

Hearing this made Nick feel like it was the good old days back when he and Veronica were working their way towards detective. But there was always some distance between them, she would always be out somewhere and keep it a secret, brush off his questions about her whereabouts, and she had these injuries that she never told him about. All this made Nick realize how similar her behavior was whenever he was hiding his life as a Grimm to the people in his life, he knew that he couldn't judge Veronica when he was so similar.

The elevator stopped and the pair entered a command center filled with agents going through their respective work.

A middle-aged man with silver hair and blue eyes approached them. He was wearing slacks, a collared shirt, and a blazer. He had an air of authority around him that went straight into his eyes, it wasn't like Renard's regal and proud aura that others saw in him, this man gave off a seasoned, trustworthy sense of command that immediately earned respect.

"Nick, this is Director Joshua Raymond, he's the man in charge of all this."

Nick extended his hand and the director accepted.

"Sir."

"Detective Burkhardt, glad you could join us."

"Happy to be here. So the case we're working on is happening on a near-global scale, right?"

"That's correct and we'd like to put it down before it gets any worse."

The three walked into a debriefing room and sat in front of a monitor full of images of the murders from the case Nick was asked to assist in.

"So it's come to my attention that you've dealt with someone with similar methods to all this."

Nick immediately knew that he was referring to Ryan Tate, the Wesen police intern who masqueraded as a Grimm and killed multiple other Wesen.

"Yes, but he was never apart of any groups with similar intentions, we checked and we found that he was acting alone."

"Well, whether he was a member of Darkspire or not we still need your help in this Burkhardt."

"Darkspire? That's the name of the terrorist we're dealing with?"

"Uh-huh, I've seen a lot of the work Endezeichen Grimms can do, but these guys really take the work our kind do down a really dark path."

Nick froze when he heard the last part, he tried to form words but couldn't get it out properly.

"E-excuse me?"

Director Raymond looked to Donovan, half smiling at his fellow Grimm's shellshock.

"You didn't tell him, did you?"

Veronica shook her head.

"I'm so sorry, Nick. All those years I wanted to tell you."

The Director, still smiling, looked to Nick again.

"Well, son welcome to the Watchers."

"This is an organization run by Grimms." Nick thought aloud, finally able to form words.

"Damn straight it is." said the Director, patting the Detective on the back.