Binding Fate

Subtle Tensions

Juliette was glad that her friends had come over, she was grateful for the distraction from her worries about Nick. Despite this, her mind still wandered to the question of how was she going to approach her kind-of-boyfriend. But for now, she was going to focus on the present.

"So, Roni have you spoken to David recently?" asked Juliette, wanting to focus on someone else's relationship.

"Yeah, but these days we're just friends, "

"I still don't understand why you two broke up," pressed Kelsey.

Roni shrugged, not wanting to comment on relationships not working out in front of Juliette due to her current situation.

Rosalee watched the veterinarian with hidden concern, she didn't know how to help her any further. All she could do was watch and hope for the better.

...

The next day Nick couldn't help but feel awkward and tense around Veronica, it had barely been a day since his subconscious situation with his best friend. He tried his best not to think about the resurfacing pull he felt for her but it was all to no avail, it was too big of a deal not to think about. Little did he know that right across from him Veronica was having the same problem.

"So, what do we have on the potential Darkspire associates?" asked Nick

"We've got three drug manufacturers possibly associated with them and five weapons-makers that have been tied to working with Endezeichens in the past." answered the female supernatural warrior.

Veronica subtly looked to Nick, using a folder to hide her stares. It was getting more and more difficult to not think about Nick as more than just as her best friend, making it increasingly frustrating.

...

Sean Renard had been sitting in his car surveying Rosalee Calvert's exotic apothecarium for almost an hour. He had lost contact with Nick ever since went had gone to work for CILESO; he hadn't answered any of his calls, texts, emails, and he hadn't been to the house that he shared with Juliette in months and Monroe denied Renard entrance into his home. The captain was getting impatient, he wanted to confront Nick, to see to it that the Grimm returned to the department. He couldn't afford such an inconvenience.

The bastard marched into the store, this time he would make sure that he would get the answers he was looking for. He stepped inside, turning the sign to "closed" and locking the door as he did so. Rosalee walked back in from the back of the store, stunned at the site of the Zauberbiest hybrid.

"Ms. Calvert, " greeted the exiled prince, cold courtesy lacing his voice.

"Captain Renard, " said the Fuchsbau, containing her surprise. "is there something I can help you with?"

"As a matter of fact yes. I was wondering if you could put me in contact with Nick, he doesn't seem to be responding to me."

The corrupt captain slowly walked towards the apothecary at the register counter, who in response slightly backed away.

"I'm afraid I can't help you he hasn't contacted me in a while, " Lied Rosalee. "he's been very discrete ever since he became a federal agent. A quirk of the job, I suppose."

Renard was unaware of the Watcher apothecary specialist in the back, she had arrived at the store hours before the captain had begun scoping out the place. Christine Bradwell was watching from the door, her hand reaching for a remote that signaled an emergency tactical squad with this device a team of Watcher agents would be here in less than two minutes. Bradwell had another idea, without hesitating she stepped inside the store and made a coughing noise.

"Ahem–excuse me," Both Wesen paused, stunned to see her. "Sorry to interrupt but I was wondering when my sleeping drafts were going to be ready."

"Oh—that's right just ten more minutes," said Rosalee, playing along.

Both women looked to Renard, who was both frustrated and in discomfort.

"Well, I guess I'll be leaving."

Without another word the captain left.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, " answered Rosalee. "Just a little shaken up."

"Alright, so now that that's been handled let's get back to analyzing those blood samples," suggested Christine.

Rosalee nodded and went back into the back of the store.

...

As Renard drove away Dorian Maxwell photographed him as he left. He had listened in on the conversation by recording his confrontation with Ms. Calvert by using new audiovisual aid equipment that had just recently passed its testing phase. As he packed up the gear he called in to alert the director of the bastard prince's intentions: he was trying to reach Agent Burkhardt.

Dorian began tracking Renard's cell phone and started his car. If he was going after Burkhardt's associates then precautions had to be taken.