Alexander (Grimm) Chapter 9
Alexander jumped into the car with you. When they exited the building, there were a number of bodies around. All possibly wesen. What was left of those still trying to bring up the failed revolution that was Black Claw.
“Nick told me what you were doing. He said you were trying to rebuild the council. Make it better, different than before.”
“Although the methods of the past were often barbaric, some of those traditions kept us safe for centuries. I didn’t always agree with De Groot’s choices. Going after Nick was foolish, that’s why I’ve decided to form an alliance with Burkhardt.”
Your eyes were focused on the road as you drove.
“Nick couldn’t make the trip here, so I jumped on the first plane I could get. I really didn’t think I’d make it in time.” Your hands gripped the steering wheel, something Alexander took notice of.
He knew first hand that Grimms were a force to be reckoned with, but the way you moved, it was like muscle memory. Nick was a cop, so naturally he was skilled. But you were a doctor. Yet your combat skills in that moment were far greater than half the assassins De Groot often recruited in the past.
“I needed to send a message. This wasn’t the first stop I made. I have a friend dealing with the same issue in Germany. We’ve cleared most of the other places. In a matter of weeks, they’ll give up the fight. Black Claw is dead, and it’s going to stay that way.”
There was no doubt in the words you spoke. Alexander’s gaze shifted back to the road.
“Are you returning to Portland now?”
“I haven’t slept much in the last two days. I’ve booked a place a few miles from here for us. I’m going to stick around for the next few days just to make sure no one gets any stupid ideas, then I’m heading back.”
“I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I don’t remember asking your opinion. It wasn’t a request.”
“You’re still as tenacious as I recall.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
You made a turn, and Alexander couldn’t stop the smile.
“Het spijt me, we hebben maar een kamer beschikbaar. O-Only one room.”
The frown on your face makes the woman at the desk very anxious.
“I booked two rooms, Twee Kamers!”
“We’ll take the room.” Alexander said. She typed on the computer, handing him the key.
She nods repeatedly, and you glare until she’s out of sight. Alexander laughs.
“If you torment the locals, the least of our problems will be hits from wesen fanatics.” You just heave the bag higher on your shoulder.
You’re both heading for the room number, and when you get there, Alexander swipes the keycard. It unlocks, and he steps aside.
You enter, flicking on the lights. You had to admit. It was a very nice room. The most glaring problem you now face is the bed at the center. There is only one. Albeit a king size, but still.
“It seems I’ll be taking the floor. “
“I’m not heartless, you almost died. I don’t think I’d sleep well knowing you’re on the floor. We can share the bed.” You drop your bag, and Alexander does the same.
“Get cleaned up, I’m going to do a sweep of the place.”
You grab the key card from the desk heading out. He's grateful. If the world did end up burning, he knew who he’d go with.
A few hours later, and you’re both already getting ready for bed. You’re sitting on the chair cleaning your blade, and Alexander just watches you from across the room. His hair is still a little damp, a towel on his shoulder.
“Are you waiting for something?” You don’t look up as you ask the question.
“Do you intend to stay up all night?”
“Nope, I'm just feeling a bit antsy. Figured I’d get some cleaning done.”
“Afraid I’ll take advantage of you.” He’s wearing a stupid little smile on his face. You just roll your eyes.
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
With a little chuckle, he takes a seat on the bed. There’s a silence that follows. Your eyes lift for a moment, and Alexander is already looking your way.
“Something else is bothering you.” The statement you make isn’t as confident as he’s used to.
“I think I understand why you’re so efficient as a fighter.”
“Don’t go there Alexander.”
“From what I’ve seen, you followed in the footsteps of your parents. You helped kill a vast number of wesen. But the killing must have taken a toll on you, so you shifted to something less suspecting. No one would even think to look for a Grimm in a hospital. Am I wrong?”
He looks so proud of himself, and you drop the blade on the floor. When you reach down, you lift your shirt right over your head. Alexander is a bit speechless at the many tattoos that cover various parts of your torso and shoulder.
“Think you have me all figured out huh. You must be really proud.” This is the first time that your words are actually venomous.
“I wasn’t following in the footsteps of my parents, I barely remember them. When I was a child, some men with pretty significant palm tattoos raided my home and killed both of my parents. “
Alexander can only listen. But with that description, only one organization comes to mind.
“The verrat..” He mutters.
“Bingo. See the royals wanted a pure breed Grimm working for them. When my dad refused to join their corrupted system, they used force. They slaughtered my family and took me from my home. I was only three years old.” Your voice cracks, and now he wishes he’d never brought up the topic.
“I was trained, programmed to do whatever they said. I killed people, so many people…” You look down at your palm.
“They made me into an assassin, their very own weapon. I never thought that I’d ever be anything more than that, but then Kelly found me. She protected me, saved me. She gave me a life. A real one.” Your finger brushes the initials KB on your wrist.
“When I turned nineteen, she helped me change my identity. She moved me across the country to a nice small town in Portland. She showed me that I could be so much more than the killer they trained. Because of her I found my passion. That’s why I save people. No amount of lives that I save will ever make up for the ones I’ve taken. But at least this way..this way I can repay some of the pain that I brought for countless people.” You inhale, shrugging your shoulders.
“Anyway, now you know. So you can stop trying to read me.”
Alexander stands, and you can’t get yourself to look up at him. He kneels right at your side, taking your hands.
“You’re not a weapon. Nor do you owe anything to anyone. You were trying to survive. You were just a child. "
It’s taking everything in your body not to burst into tears right there. Nick was the only one other than Kelly that really knew about your past. That day he told you she was dead, it felt like you'd lost your parents all over again. When you look up at him, your lips quiver.
“I’m a monster...” You lament.
Alexander shakes his head defiantly.
His eyes move to the tattoos on your body. It’s an array of flowers, all kinds. Somehow he knows what they represent. They're all connected by vines. As far as he can see, they stretch all the way to your back.
“Everyone I’ve ever hurt. Each petal represents a life. I got it because I needed the reminder. I didn’t want them to be forgotten.”
“I wish I could erase your pain.”
He wasn’t sure how he could be so wrong about everything. There isn’t much more that he can say that will bring you comfort. He rises, about to release your hand, but you tighten your hold just a little and he stops.
“Can you..hold me? Just for a little while.”
In this very moment, you show so much vulnerability that he isn’t even certain that it’s the same person he’s looking at.
He doesn’t even need to think about it. You stand from the chair, and you look a little lost. It’s clear that you haven’t made a request like this before from anyone. Your eyes meet, and he opens his hands, urging you closer slowly. You lean into him hesitantly. When his hands wrap around your body, you don’t reciprocate right away. Your response is a bit delayed. But when you do, you bury your face into his chest, hold on tight. Alexander runs a hand over your back with a chuckle.
“Quite the grip you have there.”
You loosened immediately, about to pull away.
Alexander keeps you close.
“I never said I didn’t like it.”
You relax a little, you chance another look up at him. His hand comes down, brushing your cheek gently.
All he saw was a woman who’d been through far too much pain. Something he fully intends to fix.
