chapter fifty-three

hello titty

・❥・

    JORDANNA LAID ON the couch in the study, squinted eyes fixated on Klaus as he paced up and down the floor ⸻ sure enough to leave a Klaus-sized dent in the wood.

She shook her head in dismissal, lifted a long leg into the air, and twirled her ankle, cracking the bone. God, was she bored. You'd think after the love of your life says yes to a marriage proposal he'd want to spend his time leaving a Klaus-sized dent in her.

But no, Klaus, to no one's surprise, was a man on a mission. He was paranoid, and truth be told, so was Jordanna. Everyone knew how many enemies Klaus Mikaelson had made over the years ⸻ the number was shocking, and it was no less of a surprise to only assume that they would seek vengeance, after all, they were no longer sired to him, they could finally find solace in the demise of Klaus.

Only Jordanna was worried, not particularly over the fact that, most likely, his enemies would be coming after him ⸻ more over the fact that Klaus was worried. Because if Klaus was worried, his head wasn't put on straight, and if his head wasn't put on straight, he was deemed ( in Jordanna's words ) screwed like hell.

Just then, footfalls interrupted the Jones' thoughts, her eyes shifted over to the doorway, watching as Freya and Elijah slowly, almost hesitantly, made their way into the room.

It seemed as though while Jordanna had been floating away with her thoughts, Klaus had dug out an old, chipped wooden box from the safe hidden snugly behind a rather large painting on the wall.

Jordanna slowly pushed herself up from the couch as Freya neared her brother, stopping in front of the desk. She tersely picked up one of the envelopes that sat inside the wooden box.

She gave her brother an incredulous look as her fingers skimmed against the parchment, "You collected trophies from all your victims?"

"Of course he did," Jordanna spoke up with a slight scoff. "Obviously, he keeps their letters like some creep. Besides, it's Nik we're talking about ... hellllo!"

At the deadpanned, unimpressed stare the Mikaelson gave her, Jordanna rolled her lips into her mouth and diverted her stare onto the ring that sat on her left hand.

It was only three days ago when he asked her, and she was already obsessed. She, Caroline, Bonnie and Stefan ( who had been forced into it ) had been looking at wedding stuff; flowers, cake, dresses ⸻ more importantly, shoes!

But every time she looked down at her ring, her heart tore just the slightest bit for three reasons. One, her mother would not be there to witness her psychotic daughter getting married, and she wouldn't be there to berate and threaten Klaus if he hurt her.

Two, their daughter wouldn't be able to see it, and that felt like the weight of one hundred knives ripping her heart out.

Three, Kol. After Klaus had asked her, they, of course, had celebratory sex, then laid in one another's arms, talking. It was then that Klaus had revealed to her that Kol, yes, Kol-fucking-Mikaelson, had actually helped his brother pick out a ring for his beloved best friend. He picked out a ring for an event he could not even attend.

Just as a lump formed in Jordanna's throat, Elijah's voice broke her concentration. "Letters to their loved ones, to be specific," the smartly dressed man commented with a tinge of sass held in his voice, he rose an expectant brow as Klaus turned to him with an apathetic look on his face.

The dirty blond focused his attention back on the letters as he tried to air out the incompetents, as he deemed them. "It was a phase," he shrugged absentmindedly, sifting through the pile of parchment.

Elijah gave a dry blink at his brother's words. "A phase in which we were forced to learn a different kind of stealth." He leant forward in his chair and turned to look at his older sister. "You see, over time, Niklaus' enemies grew so numerous, we had no choice but to artfully withdraw from the world."

Amusement puckered on Jordanna's lips at the offended expression that painted across Klaus' face at Elijah's words.

"And then ... well, I wouldn't exactly describe our presence in this city as discrete. Wouldn't you agree, Niklaus?"

Klaus, growing exasperated, finally joined the conversation in earnest. "We all saw the white oak destroyed! Plus, this city is crawling with vampires, all of whom had no choice but to shield me from potential foes!" He all but yelled out, angrily slamming his palms down onto the surface of the desk. "Were I to die, they would die, too. I couldn't have been more safe, and now my sire link is undone. Those very foes will come for me ... like never before."

Freya sighed, rubbing a hand across her forehead as she shared a look with Elijah, "It's only been a few days since the link was broken. Must you jump into crippling paranoia already?"

"Of course he's gonna do that, Freya," Jordanna drawled as she came to a stand, she shuffled over to Klaus and grabbed one of the letters sitting in the box. Narrowing her eyes, she gave Klaus a teasing stare. "It's Nik we're talking about."

"Must you always say that?" Klaus grumbled in question, shooting her a stern look as he watched her take a seat down onto the armchair beside Freya, her eyes flickered up from the letter held in her hand and she gave a small shrug in answer. "You make it out as though I am predictable."

Jordanna chuckled, "That's cause you are, Nik."

"It's a default setting," Elijah added, Jordanna craned her head sideways, giving the brunet a nod of agreement.

Klaus' tongue met the inside of his cheek in annoyance. He looked between the two with narrowed eyes ⸻ he was being ganged up on by Jordanna and Elijah. He felt like a child being bullied at school. "And for good reason!"

Elijah let out a sigh at his brother's obvious distress, and rose to his feet, walking over to where Klaus was standing. "Well, Niklaus, if it offers you any solace whatsoever, you've ransacked Aya's belongings, torched Aurora's hunting ground, and obliterated every last splinter of the white oak."

Klaus lowered his voice, his eyes shifted into a dark look as he sent his brother a palpable glare, "I would be mad to believe that."

Jordanna, of course, unable to keep her mouth shut for more than a minute, lifted her hand and pointed at her fiancé in agreement. "Yeah. Can we just remember that this is us, okay? We don't get that lucky. I can guarantee you someone out there has a white oak stashed somewhere waiting for the perfect opportunity to kill Nik. God knows how many people want him dead." At the deadpanned stare she was getting from Elijah and Freya she pursed her lips. "... What? I'm just saying."

Klaus lifted his shoulders in a shrugging motion. "She's not wrong, a lot of people want me dead," he paused, seeking dramatic effect as a sarcastic smile pulled at his lips. "I wonder why."

"Cause you're an ass who kills, like, thirty people a day," Jordanna crooned. At the stern look he shot her, she gave a bright grin back.

"Perhaps you should see a therapist," Elijah joked light-heartedly, trying to defuse the anxious feeling floating in the air.

Jordanna gave the man an unbelieving look. "How many times do I have to say this? Therapists cannot be trusted," she enunciated slowly. "God ..." she muttered before her eyes flitted back down onto the letter held in her hand, a dramatic gasp left her lips as her eyes skimmed the words.

The three, highly unimpressed, Mikaelsons turned their attention to her, watching as she leant forward in her seat. "Dear Angela," she spoke, a sultry, deep accented tone to her voice as her eyes held a teasing glint in them. Her eyes flickered up to meet each Mikaelson's every time she spoke a word, adding on to her dramatic stance. "It has been seventeen days since I last held you, touched you ..." Another loud gasp left her lips as she continued reading passionately, "tasted you. Oh my God.  My wife is yet to leave with the children, but I promise you, my love, when they go ..." she paused, eyes wide. "Okay, even I can't read what's next ⸻ what kind of people have you been killing, Nik? This dude sounds like a pimp."

Klaus opened his mouth to say something, but instead, he just shook his head and began walking away without a word. An amused smile pulled at Jordanna's lips as she discarded the parchment and threw it down onto the desk before she got up and followed after him.

Not caring for his bad temperament, Jordanna all but skipped over to him and linked her arm to his own, she smiled up at him, but Klaus could see through her, there was a motive hidden behind her eyes; he could practically see the mischief brewing.

"What is it, Jordanna?" He asked with a mumble, briefly glancing down at her.

"Why the hell didn't you kill Aurora when you had the chance?" She questioned, unlinking her arm from his so that she could stand in front of him ⸻ putting him to a stop.

"Because she deserves a-"

"-A fate worse than death, yeah, yeah," the Jones rolled her eyes, wafting a dismissive hand about. "I'm not being funny, Nik, but me and Nai want her dead. Not shoved behind a wall like a goddamn secret passageway ... dead dead."

"For what she did to you, she deserves endless suffering, not a quick, easy death," Klaus retorted, raising his eyebrows at her.

Jordanna pursed her lips and slowly shook her head, "No. What she needs is to die. Plain and simple. Do you really wanna risk her coming back, knowing that your sire link is broken?"

"Jordanna, sweetheart, she won't come back, I can guarantee you that," he said in a reassuring tone that did everything but reassure her. He leant down, hand gripping the side of her neck as he pressed a brisk kiss to her lips before he pulled away.

Jordanna stood, stunned, as she watched him walk off. Her eyes narrowed onto his retreating figure. "Old age is getting to you, Nik!" She called out from across the compound. "You're finally going insane!"

Jordanna shook her head as she received no answer from the man, instead, she pulled out her phone and pulled up Naomi's contact name, sending her a quick message. I guess it was up to Naomi and Jordanna alone to rid the city of the scum.

After all, this city is only big enough for one manipulative bitch.

・❥・

    Naomi shoved her phone into the back pocket of her jeans after replying to the Jones' message. She pushed the large doors of St. Anne's church open, being greeted with the sight of Cami ferociously kicking a punching bag, Vincent struggling to hold the bag still for her.

Naomi only caught the middle of their conversation as she walked in, treading lightly so that her heels didn't click with every step she took.

"-According to Hayley, he said he condemned her to a fate worse than death. Translation ⸻ not dead. Which means sooner or later ... I'm screwed," Cami grunted as she brought her leg down and lifted her fists, resuming to punch the bag.

"Yeah, you are if you keep hitting like that, untuck your thumbs, Cami," Naomi voiced her entrance, earning both their attention. Vincent turned to her and gave her a nod of greeting.

While the Griffith man was not a fan of vampires, at all, he honestly didn't mind the Tate's company ⸻ she wasn't that bad to be around. He just wasn't a fan of her choice of friends.

Cami shot Naomi an irritated look and began punching the bag harder and harder, Vincent visibly winced with every blow as he struggled to keep it still.

"She turned me, thinking it would hurt Jordanna and Klaus. It didn't, so once she gets out, wherever she is, ripping my heart out will be number one on her to-do list."

Naomi tilted her head and let out a large sigh, "She won't come for you, Cami. It's not you she wants dead, it's Jordanna, you know that. She killed you knowing it would hurt me, and for some reason, she assumed it would hurt them. If anything, Klaus and Jordanna not giving a damn about you dying is gonna save your ass!"

Vincent, noticing the tension rising in the room, released his hold on the bag and took a step back, Cami then threw her leg out and kicked it so hard it nearly flew off of the stand.

"She still killed me, Naomi! And no one's doing a damn thing about it," Cami sighed in annoyance, turning to face the brunette. "So-"

Naomi's jaw clenched and she tersely shifted her eyes to the witch. "Vincent, do you mind?" She asked, the Griffith man nodded with wide eyes and slowly excused himself, muttering something under his breath as he did. Once he was gone, Naomi turned her attention back to Cami. "Okay, are you mad that Klaus didn't kill her, or that I didn't do a damn thing to stop it?"

Cami shrugged as she picked up her bottled water, "You said it, not me."

Naomi ran her tongue across her teeth, she inhaled deeply. "What, you think that I don't want her dead either? You don't think that Jordanna, of all people, doesn't want her dead?" She questioned, brows furrowing. "You just have to trust me on this, trust JJ, okay?"

At her words, Cami couldn't help but scoff. "Jordanna is unhinged."

"Jesus Christ, Cami, be an adult," Naomi muttered. "That is what is gonna keep us all alive. Jordanna knows what she's doing. But if this is gonna work, we need time and you need to trust her."

・❥・

    At the sound of footsteps, Hayley's head inched up, finding a bloodied Jordanna strolling into her room. The Marshall perked up from her place on the edge of the bed, her eyebrows raised expectantly as she anxiously gripped onto a piece of paper with a long list of names on it.

"I got another, name's Arthur Bailey," Jordanna announced, snatching the list out of Hayley's hand as she walked over to the cabinet pressed up against the wall, the raven-haired woman crossed out said name on the list.

Before Hayley could even open her mouth to ask the Jones any questions relating to Arthur Bailey, the vampire shed herself of her crimson-stained t-shirt. Luckily for Hayley, Jordanna's back was to her ⸻ luckily for the people who just so happened to stare up past the window, they were getting a free show.

"Mind if I borrow this?" Jordanna asked Hayley as she picked up one of the Marshall's discarded t-shirts from the floor, not allowing her a chance to answer before she shrugged the shirt over her head.

"Go ahead," Hayley muttered sarcastically.

Jordanna craned her head back and gave the woman a gleeful smile, leaning forward to look into the small mirror that sat atop the dressing table, she used her thumb to wipe the small remnants of blood that painted her face.

Jordanna whirled on her feet and made her way over to Hayley, who was sat watching her ⸻ the Jones handed the brunette the list, about to say something when Elijah, unannounced, walked into the bedroom.

Hayley quickly crumpled up the list and shoved it into her pocket. Elijah narrowed his eyes in suspicion at the action, but nonetheless, brushed it off, instead, he turned to glance at Jordanna ⸻ who, for once in her life, immediately took the hint.

The Jones excused herself and walked into the conjoining room ⸻ where Sebastian sat in his crib, playing with a toy. Whilst Jordanna was out, Hayley was watching over him for her.

"Hey, baby," Jordanna grinned softly as she crouched down by his crib, but her gentle smile slowly fell as she noticed the toy in his hands.

She was about to sue Toys R Us, and Caroline for getting her child a toy she was ninety-nine percent sure was being haunted by the ghost of her daughter.

Jordanna came to a stand and reached into the crib, taking the toy from the toddler, who grumbled incoherent words to her at her action ⸻  and at the interruption of his playtime. 

Jordanna was sure he sent her a scathing glare.

The second her skin made contact with the teddy, it shot out of her hands, now that was no damn accident. The teddy hit the floor, eerily rolling over to the play mat that was laid out on the floor ⸻ numbered blocks scattered out on top of it.

But what made her brows furrow even deeper was when it stopped right beside the block numbered seven. Jordanna wracked her brain at the irony of it, when she spoke to Anastasia ( it must've been around a year ago, now ) she said that she was seven, and when Howard came back it was the seventh day of the month ⸻ she didn't put it together back then ... she wasn't entirely sure she had now, but-

"Hey, you ready?" Hayley called out, popping her head into the room, not only startling Jordanna but bringing her out of her thoughts. Jordanna only nodded in answer. "Elijah said he'd watch Seb for you while we're out ... at the Bayou."

"Okay," Jordanna breathed out, mind somewhere else as she followed Hayley back into the bedroom.

Elijah's brows furrowed in confusion. "You don't like the Bayou," he pointed out.

Jordanna shrugged, "What can I say, Elijah? I'm feeling charitable."

And before the Mikaelson could question her any more, the pair sauntered out of the room. Hayley waited for the Mikaelson to be out of earshot before she spoke up. "I deal with Bailey, you get the next guy," Hayley said, pulling a folded photo out of her pocket. "His name's Isaac Pack, last I heard he was seen on Jackson Square."

A sly smirk pulled at Jordanna's lips as she tugged down the top she borrowed from Hayley, showing more cleavage. "Well, I'm gonna go play a game of hello titty."

Hayley sent her a deadpan look as they stopped in the doorway of the compound. "This is how you've been getting them?" She questioned, Jordanna only sent her an obvious look. The Marshall shook her head. "You know what? I don't care, I'm just grateful for your help."

Jordanna sent her a brisk wink. "Anything for you, gorgeous," she called out before they parted ways.

・❥・

    A prominent scowl rested on Jordanna's face as she, for the second time that day, walked into the study ⸻ at the sound of her heels clicking against the ground everyone turned to look in her direction, taking in the obvious annoyance that lay on her face.

"Are you guys co-dependent on me or something? Did it occur to any of you little pricks that I actually have stuff to do today?" Jordanna snapped, tossing her phone onto the couch before she took a seat on the armrest.

Jordanna could feel Klaus' eyes on her before she even turned to look at him, though his attention wasn't on her face ⸻ no, his eyes were fixated on her shoulder. Jordanna inched her chin down and discreetly widened her eyes as she saw a splash of blood coating her ( Hayley's ) t-shirt.

She pushed her hair forward, using it to cover that crimson stain and, as nonchalantly as she could, she cleared her throat. "What's up then, asshole?"

Klaus gave her a look. "I saw someone from my past," he began. "It was him. It was Gaspar Cortez."

Freya let out a sigh at her brother's paranoia, "I assume this is someone from your box of letters?"

When Klaus nodded in answer Jordanna rose from her seated position and made her way over to the desk, where the wooden box sat. She sifted through it, finding a picture, she flipped the glossy paper over ⸻ Gasper Cortez, was messily scribbled on the back. The picture of the man didn't look too old, she could only assume that Klaus had people following his enemies over the years.

"This him?" She asked, flipping the photo so that Klaus could see it clearly, he nodded in answer. "Fuck. He's hot. Why do you always go for the hot ones, feeling insecure?" She teased.

Klaus gave a sarcastic smile and snatched the photo out of her hand before placing it down on the table. "He was the youngest son of a particularly vile family of warlords I dealt with in the seventeenth century."

Elijah's face scrunched up as he tried to wrack his memory, he pointed at Klaus with a look of understanding, "Didn't they burn that philistine pigsty into the ground?"

Klaus scoffed, visibly appalled by Elijah's words, "Pigsty?! Belaga was my favourite artist retreat! Someone had to pay for that, so I murdered Gaspar's brute of a father."

"And?" Freya questioned, raising her eyebrows as she stared expectantly at her brother.

"And one or two-"

"-Five," Elijah interjected in frustration, shutting his eyes briefly.

"Five of his bloodthirsty brothers!"

"Don't forget the mistress," Elijah muttered as he brushed down his sleek suit.

Klaus rolled his eyes in offence and jutted a finger in Elijah's direction, "That was an accident!"

"The point is that Gasper was but a footnote," Elijah told both Jordanna and Freya.

Jordanna's eyes squinted every so slightly, what the hell is a footnote?

"Until he became a vampire, hell-bent on hunting me. He's a cunning deviant, known to compel hoards of the helpless to aid him with his tasks. You see, this is exactly what I was concerned about. Devils of all kinds, crawling out of their crevices to strike at me," Klaus paused as he heard footsteps and unintelligible murmuring echo through the compound. "Speaking of which ..."

Jordanna stared at him in disbelief as he vamp-sped away from them, she threw her arms up in frustration and hurriedly followed after him, Freya and Elijah in toll. "Why does no one in this damn place finish sentences? It's not cool and edgy, it's irritating."

"Rather foolish of you to come here alone," Klaus' voice echoed out from the courtyard, Jordanna braced her hands atop the railing of the balcony as she, and the other two Mikaelsons, watched from above.

The Jones rolled her eyes and muttered profanities under her breath as she was welcomed with the sight of Klaus pinning Davina to the wall by her shoulders.

"Nik-" Jordanna began to speak as she sped down to the ground floor, about to interject only for a blur to speed toward Klaus, tossing him backwards across the courtyard.

Jordanna's jaw simply dropped.

Kol Mikaelson stood tall and protectively in front of Davina, a sly, playful smirk on his face. "She didn't come alone, brother," Kol stated, only receiving the same shocked look from Klaus. "Now, Nik, I mean, you did go after my girl."

"It can't be," Klaus muttered in astonishment, disbelief coated his face.

"It's Kol," Davina said, stepping in to mediate.

"No shit," Jordanna murmured.

Davina took a deep breath at Jordanna's words, she swallowed roughly and ignored the deep stare the Jones was giving her. "When I broke Klaus' sire link, it created a surge of power."

Freya gave Davina a cold look, "You stole the nexus vorti."

Davina rolled her eyes in frustration, "And brought your brother back from the dead!"

Kol walked toward the four. "You should be thanking her, really- ow!" He cut himself off as he received a harsh smack upside the head.

Before he could even begin to start complaining, Jordanna wrapped her arms around him, pulling him in for a tight hug. A relieved breath hit his shoulder as Jordanna held him close ⸻ only for her to pull away and her hand collided with his shoulder. "Three days! Three days, Kol!" She angrily jutted a finger in his direction. "You're telling me you've been alive for three days and you didn't bother to give me a damn call?!"

"If it makes you feel any better, I slept for three days straight, couldn't really call you if I wanted to," Kol muttered, shying away from her hand that was flying toward him once again.

"Oh! Yeah, no, that makes me feel so much better," Jordanna retorted sarcastically.

"I can sense the sarcasm so I'm just gonna ..." Kol muttered, slowly shifting over to his brother, who was still staring at him in utter disbelief. "Nik ..."

The Mikaelson didn't even get a chance to finish what he was about to say before Klaus, surprising Kol, lunged forward and pulled him into a tight hug.

Once they pulled away, Kol turned to Elijah. "Hello, Elijah," he smiled, though he looked unsure of what to do.

"You haven't aged a day," Elijah said, a soft smile on his lips ⸻ Kol barked out a laugh in reply.

Kol turned his attention to Freya, frowning in confusion, "And you ...?"

"Freya," she settled on, with a light smile on her face.

"Right," Kol nodded. "Long-lost older sister. Speaking of twists and turns in our family tree, where might Rebekah be?"

Klaus pursed his lips and shared a look with the other three, "That's a long story, and one reserved for family. Davina can see herself out."

Jordanna rolled her lips into her mouth at the look Kol gave Klaus. "Uh, are you-"

"-As per usual, our family faces a multitude of threats. The sooner you become acquainted with them, the better. I won't have you distracted."

"He's literally been back five seconds," Jordanna muttered to herself, though Kol heard her and thrust a finger in her direction as a sign of agreement.

"You know, if you could only pull your head out of your-"

"Kol, it's okay. I'll go," Davina announced, taking a step forward to reach him, she put a hand on his arm softly. "You can make it up to me."

Kol's face shifted from annoyance into a loving stare and Jordanna didn't know if she wanted to gag from the soppiness of it or smile because, even if she was a little pissed at Davina, she still thought it was cute as hell.

"And I will, dust off that fancy dress, cause tonight we're going dancing."

Though at his words, Jordanna's brows scrunched ... Kol Mikaelson ... dancing?

After the two kissed goodbye, Davina turned her attention to Jordanna, she fumbled with her fingers and awkwardly cleared her throat. "Uh, JJ, can we talk?"

Jordanna pursed her lips. "Later, I'm busy," she stated, earning a disapproving glare from Kol, she ignored the stern look he was shooting her and turned her attention to Klaus. She gave him a brisk kiss on the cheek and turned on her heels.

"Where are you going now?!" Klaus called out to her in confusion.

"To go have sex with fifty other men," she called back teasingly, brushing past the Claire witch with nothing but a quick glance.

She wasn't exactly lying ... if having sex with fifty other men meant killing the Strix then yeah, she wasn't lying.

But, oh, she totally was.

・❥・

    Jordanna and Hayley were currently in an abandoned warehouse ⸻ near where Jackson was killed. They were waiting on one of the Strix members; Claire B, to wake up from her unconscious state.

Jordanna sat, twirling a knife between her fingers and Hayley's knee anxiously bounced up and down, though her attention was stolen as she noticed something in the corner of her eye. Jordanna's ring.

Hayley's eyebrows furrowed at the sight, "You don't have to hide it from me, you know?"

Jordanna turned her attention to the brunette and her face fell into one of confusion. Hayley nodded down to her hand. The Jones opened her mouth to say something, but the brunette beat her to it.

"I'm happy for you, JJ. You don't have to feel guilty," Hayley told her, eyes softening, because truth be told, Jordanna did feel guilty. She knew the weight on Hayley's shoulder after Jackson was killed ⸻ she didn't think it'd be fair on her to flash her ring, or even mention it.

"I ... I just didn't think with everything going on you-"

"Okay. Stop talking, what have you done with Jordanna?" Hayley questioned teasingly. Jordanna gave her a deadpan look. "Not to be blunt, Jords, but you don't give a damn about how other people feel, don't get soft on me now."

"I ain't going soft," Jordanna scoffed, earning a look from Hayley. "I care, but I ain't going soft."

"Hm. Okay," Hayley chuckled before her expression fell as she noticed the woman tied to the chair, slowly shift in place.

Hayley abruptly stood to her feet, followed by Jordanna, who threw her knife down to the floor and instead, picked up her baseball bat.

Jordanna watched as Hayley slowly circled the woman before she settled behind her. The Marshall hybrid gripped onto the woman's hair and tugged it backwards ⸻ getting a good view of her carotid artery.

Hayley sunk her teeth into the woman's neck, lacing her with the werewolf venom that pumped through her veins. As Hayley pulled away Jordanna leant down and smiled sinisterly at the woman.

"Fucking pussy," she breathed out as the woman winced. At Jordanna's words, the woman gave her a vicious look, Jordanna rose her eyebrows at that, but then her face coaxed into a wide smile.

A manicured hand trailed down the woman's arm, which was tied to the chair, before she reached her hand. Goosebumps erupted all over the woman's skin before a scream fell from her lips as Jordanna's hand wrapped around her fist tightly ⸻ breaking all of her fingers.

Jordanna held a mischievous glint in her eyes as she looked up at Hayley. The Jones held out the baseball bat for the Marshall. Hayley rose her eyebrows in surprise. "I give you this with pride," she spoke with a teasing tone to her voice.

Hayley took the bat in her hand and got ready to swing at the woman, only for a loud, commanding voice to interrupt. "Hayley! What do you think you're doing?"

Hayley craned her head toward the doorway and glared at Elijah, ignoring his words she brought the baseball bat above her head and swung it down with a forceful swing, blood splattered along hers and Jordanna's faces.

Jordanna clenched her fist and gave it a small tug, ensuring that the woman was dead ⸻ even though she did look like a smashed-up watermelon.

"This has to stop!" Elijah commanded as he angrily made his way over to them.

Jordanna pursed her lips. "I'm gonna let you two love birds talk this out," she said before lowering her voice in Hayley's direction, as the Marshall slowly handed her her baseball bat. "If you close your eyes, he disappears, I'm telling you."

And with that, she spun on her heels and began to make her way out of the warehouse, only for Elijah to grab her forearm in passing. "I will speak to you later."

Jordanna rolled her eyes. "Not happening, Elijah."

As she made her way out of the warehouse and reached her car, she sluggishly pulled the trunk open and shoved all of the other crimson-stained weapons aside, allowing room for her baseball bat to sit when suddenly, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Pulling out the device she was welcomed with the sight of Klaus asking her to meet him. That was it. No information just, 'I need your help.' He started typing again, but the three little dots slowly fell flat.

Jordanna cursed at his actions and pushed all the weapons in the trunk to one side, rounding the front of the car, she pulled the passenger side door open and opened the glove compartment.

After shuffling around, she found a map and made her way to the back of the car. Biting into her hand, she let the crimson drops splash against the parchment.

Why couldn't he have just said where he was like a normal person?

・❥・

    Jordanna sauntered over to Rousseau's, a frown pulled at her face as she noticed the bar empty out, floods of dazed people exited the doors, not one turning their attention to Jordanna as she walked past them; which was weird, everyone at least turned around to watch her walk away.

Her only conclusion as to why, was that they were compelled to leave. It was the only reasonable explanation, of course.

Jordanna's eyes crinkled in anticipation as she pushed the door open, finding Klaus hovering over the man from the photo; Gasper Cortez. Cortez was pinned to the floor, stake shoved in his chest, crimson pooling around him.

"Well, helllloo," Jordanna grinned as she slowly approached the two. Klaus turned to her, giving her an annoyed stare as the flirty tone to her voice didn't go unnoticed. "You didn't ask me to come here for some kinky three-way, did you?"

"No, love, I did not," Klaus gave her a sarcastic smile. "I've barely seen you all day, I thought we ought to catch up."

A wide smile pulled at Jordanna's lips. "That's so sweet!" She gushed before gesturing to the man lying on the floor. "Shouldn't you, uh, kill him first, though?"

"Ah, yes, I almost forgot," Klaus chuckled before he pulled the stake out of the man's chest and pulled him up to his feet, slamming him against the bar. "Before I end you, I just have one teensy little question. How do you know about the white oak?"

"There's no shortage of vampires who loathe you," Cortez spat out breathlessly, struggling in the Mikaelson's hold. "Over the years, we've found ways of staying connected. The world evolved, and those connections became simpler ..." a smirk pulled at his lips as he pulled out his phone and held it up, "stronger and instantaneous," he dropped the phone to the floor, "It started as a rumour on a private message board-"

"Hold on, I'm sorry," Jordanna interrupted, stopping the man from speaking, both men turned their attention to her as a scoff left her lips. "You seriously had a whole ass group chat dedicated to Klaus? Do you people have no life? Oh, sorry, my bad ⸻ I guess when Nik killed your families your lives kinda ended ... but seriously, that ... that is so pathetic."

Cortez ran his tongue along his teeth as Klaus gave him a mocking smile. "She is right, how pathetic," Klaus drawled menacingly.

"Go ahead, kill me," Cortez shook his head ferociously, narrowing his eyes. "But I will die filled with joy. Your sired are coming, Niklaus!"

Jordanna pulled a face as a loud laugh boomed deep from Cortez's chest, is this man mentally okay?

"They will destroy everything you love," Cortez continued his threats, casting Jordanna a quick glance at the last word, causing Klaus to grab the man by the jaw, angling his face so that he was looking at him. "And then they will use the white oak to kill you. And at last, you will get the retribution you deserve!"

Klaus, now filled with rage, swung his hand back and karate-chopped Cortez's head clean off his shoulders. Jordanna whistled as the man's head rolled by near her feet.

"A little head's up woulda' been nice," she joked, earning an unimpressed look from the Mikaelson.

She could see the distressed look on Klaus' face clear as day, she knew that he was growing more worried day by day and she'd be damned to say this, but she wanted to kill Davina for causing him this kind of stress.

Obviously not kill her, kill her, duh. While she may not be in the best of moods with her at the moment, Davina still held a place in Jordanna's heart ⸻ but Klaus overthrew her on that list every damn time. It was him before anyone, and while she knew he was to blame for creating such enemies over the years, Davina was the one to blame for giving said enemies an opportunity to kill him.

She'd be damned if she let that happen.

・❥・

    By the time they had arrived back at the compound, tensions ran high as they all gathered around the large map that sat on the table, watching as drops of blood headed straight towards New Orleans ⸻ some faster than others.

"So, this may only be a fraction of our potential enemies," Elijah said, rubbing a hand down his face in dismay.

"Only a fraction?" Hayley muttered, eyes discreetly going wide. If this was a fraction, she dreaded to think how many enemies they had in total.

A small chuckle left Kol's lips, "In hindsight, we could've been nicer to people, or at least left fewer survivors."

Hayley, Klaus, Elijah and Freya didn't seem too pleased with his glib comment as they each shot him dry, deadpan looks ⸻ Jordanna, on the other hand, couldn't hold back her laugh, earning a brisk wink from the youngest brother.

"We don't know all their motivations-"

"They want you dead," Jordanna drawled from her place beside Kol. "Doesn't matter what their motivation is, they've gotta die."

Kol pointed to her in agreement, "Pretty and smart."

Jordanna gave a coy shrug, though a smirk danced on her lips, "I try."

Klaus rolled his eyes, and turned his attention back to Elijah. "Half of these people could want to put the bullet in your heart, end the sire war with the pull of a trigger."

"I have an army devoted to keeping me alive. The only people that care to protect you are standing in this very room," Elijah said, face holding no emotion.

Jordanna and Kol shared a look at his words, ouch!

"As you well know, Niklaus, there is another way."

At Elijah's words, Klaus let out a sigh, but he knew deep down what his brother was insinuating was probably for the best. Freya looked between the pair in confusion, and Jordanna pushed her body up, leaning forward in anticipation.

"You're going to run?"

Klaus chuckled at the surprised tone in his sister's voice. "There was a time when the name Klaus Mikaelson was a little more than a rumour. A shadowy figure who cast fear into the very bones of any who heard whispers of him. I don't run, sister." He paused. "I disappear, and tonight, the four of you are going to make that possible."

"Wait, you couldn't have given me any notice?" Jordanna abruptly shot up from her seat. "How long do we have? You know what? Never mind, I've gotta go get my shoes!"

The Jones' rambling was cut short as she vamp-sped up the stairs ⸻ leaving the five to stare up at her in utter disbelief. They were worried about their brother's supposed impending death and all she could think about was her shoes? Go figure.

Crap! Thinking about it, she needed to cancel her nail appointment.

・❥・

    Jordanna approached Kol, who was sitting in the courtyard, messily jotting down a spell on a bit of parchment. His head lifted at the sound of her heels coming toward him.

"You've not even been back here a day and I already have to leave," she sighed, taking the seat in the armchair next to him.

"I can only imagine your pain," he drawled teasingly, placing the piece of paper down on the table.

"Don't miss me too much," she said, feeling a tightening sensation brew in her chest. "And don't give Freya any crap, I saw how you were practically glaring at her earlier, be nice to her."

Kol lifted a hand and dramatically placed it on his chest. "Me? Being nice? I'm incapable of the task." Jordanna rolled her eyes at his words. "I'll start being that nice little brother you want me to be when you talk to Davina."

Jordanna groaned, pushing herself further into her seat. "I'm going on the run, Kol, I don't have the time to stop for a quick chat," she muttered, earning a hard stare from the Mikaelson. "Okay, fine, God. I'll give her a call some time this week."

Liar.

A successful smile pulled at Kol's lips. "Perfect!" He exclaimed, clasping his hands together. "Anyway, how is that nephew of mine? He's quite the handsome sod, takes after me, clearly. Now, tell me, I'm his favourite, aren't I?"

"He thinks your name is Cole," Jordanna's lips slowly pulled into a smile. "You're not that special, assface."

Kol rolled his eyes, "I beg to differ."

"Whatever," Jordanna muttered before she shifted in her seat. "I need to ask you for a favour."

Kol pursed his lips and leant forward in interest, "If you're about to ask me to-"

"If you're about to say something gross, I'd rather you just not speak at all," Jordanna interrupted before he could even talk. His silence gave her the answer she needed. "My dad's back-"

"The dead one?"

Jordanna pulled a face. "No, Kol, the other one," she rolled her eyes. "Yes, the dead one. I need you to watch over him for me while I'm gone. Find out anything you can. Even if it's a little thing, let me know, okay?"

"Anything for you, darling," Kol winked. Once again, Jordanna rolled her eyes at his words. It seemed like all she ever seemed to do was roll her eyes at the Mikaelson siblings.

After she had hugged Kol goodbye, she made her way down to the gardens, where her father was still being held. At the sound of her heels clicking against the concrete, Howard's head shot up.

"Ahhh, so you haven't forgotten about me!" He exclaimed sarcastically, letting his cuffed hands rest in his lap. "And you've brought me no food. Do you want me to starve to death, Jordanna, is that it? How am I supposed to tell you what I know if I die of starvation."

Jordanna let out a sigh and crouched down in front of him, a dry smirk pulled at her lips. "C'mon, you and I both know you don't plan on telling me jack until you feel like it."

"What can I say? I like the suspense," he retorted, voice dry from the lack of water he had been given.

"Or you're just a dick," Jordanna stated, reaching out to tighten the shackles on his wrists. "I'm gonna be gone for a while, but don't worry, a friend is gonna watch over you for me ⸻ and if you piss him off, you're gonna wish you stayed dead."

"Whoa, whoa. You're leaving me here?" Howard scoffed. "In this creepy ass dungeon with your creepy ass friends? Hell. No."

Jordanna's face pulled into a mocking one, "You seem to think you have a choice."

"Jordanna, I swear to God-"

She clicked her tongue as she stood up, "What? You gonna threaten me? Let me remind you of something, you're not in charge here, okay? You're in my house, my city, surrounded by people who would love to see your head on a stick. Step outta line and they aren't gonna hesitate to kill your ass."

"But you ain't gonna let that happen, you need me! Okay? You need me!" His voice rose, anger evident in his tone before a dark chuckle left his lips. "If you, or anyone else, lays a finger on me, you ain't gonna know shit! And trust me, oh, you wanna know what I gotta tell you!"

At least that crappy, chirpy front he had been putting on was finally done with. Jordanna was growing sick of it if she were being honest.

Jordanna tilted her head, "No."

"No?" He scoffed. "What the hell do you mean 'no'?"

"I don't need you, Howard, I don't need you to tell me shit, because I already know why they sent you of all people, I know what they sent you for. If you even think for a second, that you have a card to play in this, think again, because if you so much as lift a finger, I will hurt you in ways your sick mind can't even fathom."

"You know, huh? Why am I still alive then, Danny? I know you, I know-"

"You're still alive because I ain't done with you yet, I need you but not in the way you think I do. Is that why you wouldn't tell me, huh?" She tilted her head in contemplation. "You knew what I needed to do and you ain't ready for your ass to be hauled back to hell, is that it?"

"It won't work," Howard shook his head. "Your ancestors are full of crap, you think that'll bring her back, think again."

Jordanna merely smiled. "I know what I need to do," she settled on. "And the second I get back, you can kiss your life goodbye."

Howard watched as she turned on her heels and began to walk away, his eyebrows angrily furrowed together. "Jordanna! Jordanna, we ain't done! Jordanna!"

But with a quick twist of her wrist, Howard's head slumped forward as darkness overtook his body.

・❥・

    Jordanna walked beside Klaus as they made their way down the stairs and into the courtyard, where everyone was stood waiting.

"Is it done?" Klaus asked, approaching his sister.

"Yes, and now any witch who does a locator spell will believe you're right here in New Orleans," Freya nodded reassuringly with a small smile.

An amused smile perked at Elijah's lips, "You know, for all of his mischief, Kol truly is a master of his craft."

"Yes, well, drawing trouble is his forte. You'll thank him for us?" Klaus asked, turning to face his brother.

Elijah nodded, "Don't stop driving 'til you're absolutely certain that you are safe."

"You don't have to remind me how precious my cargo is," Klaus smiled at his brother, briefly glancing down at the car seat in Jordanna's hand ⸻ Sebastian sat uncomfortably fidgeting in it.

Jordanna turned her attention to Hayley, who seemed to have tears in her eyes. The Jones approached the Marshall whilst Klaus spoke to his siblings. "And you said I was going soft," Jordanna pointed out with raised eyebrows before a soft smile pulled at her lips. "Don't cry, or you'll make me cry, and that's bad for my rep, Hales."

A choked-out sob left Hayley's lips involuntarily as she chuckled. "Of course, that's what you're worried about," she rolled her eyes playfully, before lifting a hand to wipe her eyes. "It's just ... three years ago we came here together and ... and you're leaving."

Jordanna placed the car seat on the ground carefully and wrapped her arms around the Marshall, who immediately reciprocated her actions.

"I'm not gonna be gone forever," Jordanna told her, against her head. "I'll be back to annoy you before you know it."

Hayley chuckled before they pulled away, only, Jordanna placed both hands on the Marshall's cheek, ensuring that she was looking at her before she lowered her voice. "Promise me something?" She whispered, voice low. Hayley nodded hesitantly. "Do not sleep with Elijah while I'm gone. I beg, don't let yourself stoop that low."

Hayley scoffed playfully and pushed the Jones away with an eye roll. "Shut up."

"I'm serious, Hales," Jordanna spoke with wide eyes. "Your favourite piece of eye candy ain't gonna be here to capture your attention, I'm afraid you're gonna go looking for the next best thing."

"I hate you sometimes," Hayley muttered sarcastically.

"You love me," Jordanna shrugged with a wide grin before she turned her attention to the rest of them.

Freya sauntered over to Jordanna and held her arms out for her, pulling her in for a hug. Jeez, this family does not hold out on physical affection, do they? "We'll talk, okay?" Freya muttered against Jordanna's head, an underlying meaning to her words. The Jones merely nodded. "I'll miss you."

"Obviously," Jordanna joked as they pulled away. "Watch over those three idiots for me, will you?"

Elijah and Hayley both rolled their eyes at the Jones' words. Freya nodded her head, and smiled at Jordanna as she leant down to pick up the car seat from the ground. Jordanna walked back over to Klaus and gave their family one last smile before they headed out to the car.

The three moved over to the balcony as they watched Jordanna saunter over to the back seat and buckle Sebastian into his seat, Klaus migrating into the driver's side.

"It's going to be quiet around here," Freya muttered sadly, watching as Jordanna gave Klaus a stern look and he, with argument, moved over to the passenger side of the car, allowing her into the driver's seat.

"I wouldn't bet on it."

Author's Note!
right, what would you say jj's most iconic moment is?

also, we're slowly getting closer and closer to the end of season 3 and i'm kinda depressed bc seasons 4 and 5 are like really depressing :/

but kol's back, so get ready for some jj and kol content, kol and sebastian content, howard being a dick as per and little hints towards anastasia that are very important!

also, i kinda forgot why i brought howard back, i know it had something to do with anastasia but i couldn't remember exactly what it was soooo i had to just make up another plot lmao