chapter twenty

little miss. perky

・❥・

      JORDANNA STOOD AT the bar, her fingers drummed across the surface impatiently as her eyes followed the bartender who busied himself—getting her what she had asked for, her eyes boredly fell down onto her glass of water in front of her, tracing the rim with her eyes.

     Just as he handed her the bottle of scotch Marcel sauntered beside her, asking for a glass of bourbon as he side-eyed her questionably. 

     Jordanna pursed her lips before she formed a tight smile and raised the bottle—shaking it slightly, "Not for me, dumbass."

      Marcel nodded with a grin pulling at his lips, "How you doin' J? How's little J?"

      Jordanna rose a brow as she inched her body to face him, "I'm fine, we're fine." She paused breifly. "What about you baldy? I heard you and little Miss Perky have been fucking."

      Marcel shook his head as an amused look painted across his features, "Nai told you, huh?"

      "Of course she did," Jordanna scoffed. "Woman can't keep a secret for shit."

      Marcel huffed out a laugh as the young woman grinned before she disappeared off into the crowd. Jordanna found her way to the table in the corner, where Klaus sat by himself, downing the remains of his drink before he placed his glass down onto the wooden surface.

      Jordanna put the scotch bottle on the table with raised eyebrows as she took the seat opposite him. Her eyes followed Cami across the room as the blonde took a seat down onto the bar stool beside Naomi. 

      Jordanna sighed and looked back to Klaus, whose eyes were solely focused on the whiskey glass in front of him, a harsh kick in the leg caused him to look up at the raven-haired witch with narrowed eyes.

      "What's up your ass?" Jordanna asked as she unscrewed the cap from the bottle.

      Klaus scowled, snatching the bottle from her he filled his glass up, Jordanna mockingly rose her hands in a surrender movement. "Seriously, Nik, what's wrong with you?"

       Klaus looked over at her reluctantly before a sigh escaped his lips, he placed the bottle down onto the table—chugging the contents of his glass before he, too, placed that down, he lifted a hand up to his chin, rubbing his stubble in hesitation.

      Though the continuous kicks in the shin were enough for his free hand to grab her foot at a heightened speed, Jordanna tilted her head sending him a look.

      He released her foot, before looking anywhere but her, in slight embarrassment, "I've been having these dreams about my father, who, as you know, is dead. But don't worry sweetheart, I've got this one covered, my fears of fatherhood, of scarring our child as my father scarred me, are manifesting as nightmares."

      Jordanna let out a small, breathless. "Oh." As she rose to her feet and took the seat beside him, rather than opposite. 

      "It's horrifically cliché," Klaus smiled falsely.

      Jordanna placed a hand on his knee. Her body turned and she rested an elbow on the table, placing her chin in her palm, she looked at him, "If it makes you feel better I feel like I'm gonna fuck up too."

      He gave her a look.

      "No? Okay—" her eyes followed his as she caught him staring at something behind her. "Talk to him," Jordanna suggested as she watched Marcel and Klaus exchange a look before the former looked away.

      "No," Klaus huffed, picking up the scotch bottle he refilled his glass. Jordanna pursed her lips as he continued sulking.

      The Jones witch had tried to lift his mood, even slightly, but the more he drank the more he became annoyed. The best she got was him talking again, small, short sentences, the Mikaelson would merely smile, the smallest of ones but she managed to get that out of him too—midway through their conversation Elijah had joined the pair, drink in hand.

     "I know I haven't been around these parts lately. It's a testament to Father Kieran that we could come together and share a drink, and a story or two," Marcel began, he raised his voice slightly, a smile creeping up onto his face. "Kieran rolled into town on a rusty old cruiser after his daddy died twenty five years ago. And damn it, that guy could party!"

       The occupants of the bar laughed, the sound echoing across the room as Marcel carried on.

      "That was, of course, before he took his vows. But even then, he was committed to the Quarter. He knew that this town needed him and we still do . . . " Marcel trailed off sadly before he raised the bottle of scotch he held in the air. "To Father K!"

      "Seems rather uncivilized, to laugh and dance around the body of a loved one," Klaus huffed, scowl still present on his face as he eyed the guests of Kieran's wake.

      Elijah's eyes flitted up to his brother's momentarily, he poured himself a drink before the bottle of scotch was snatched out of his grasp by Jordanna who refiled the younger Mikaelson brother's glass, Elijah rose a brow.

      "What?" Jordanna shrugged as she placed the bottle down onto the table. "He's drinking for me too," she pointed down to the large baby bump.

      Elijah shook his head before his eyes landed on his brother again, "Yes, far better to practice your process of grief, Niklaus—denial, rage, and hoarding coffins in basements."

      Jordanna snorted at Elijah's response whilst Klaus shot the pair a look. Hayley smiled at the trio as she took a seat across from the couple, Elijah reciprocated her smile, "I will warn you, Hayley, Niklaus is in a spectacularly foul mood today."

      "Sod off," Klaus mumbled under his breath, shooting his brother yet another look. 

      Hayley's eyes fell onto the hybrid. "What's the deal with these moonlight rings? Oliver's trying to set a revolution every five seconds, people are scared, angry, and frankly, I'm tired of stalling."

     "It's a day of peace, Hayley. Try and enjoy it," Klaus muttered, picking up his glass and taking a long sip. "And, in the meantime, with all manner of unknown enemies conspiring against our family, you'll move back in with us before I take the white oak stake myself and drive it into my heart after having to listen to Elijah worry about you all the time."

      Jordanna and Hayley shared a look as Elijah huffed, pursing his lips he avoided the Marshall's eyes.

     "The rings are in progress. I live up to my word. We will find and punish whoever launched the attack on the Bayou, and you will return to the compound and keep Jordanna company before she, too, drives me insane," Jordanna slammed her foot down onto his, shooting him an offended look at his words as he narrowed his eyes at her. 

      "But right now, I'm gonna finish this bottle and the next, in the hopes of drowning the demon who has chosen today to haunt me," Klaus smiled bitterly, looking up to the ceiling he raised the bottle. "Cheers, Mikael. Impeccable, Freudian, timing."

      Elijah's eyes widened as a stunned expression flashed across his face, "Elaborate. Have you dreamt of our father?" 

      "Go ahead, have a good laugh," Klaus said before he took a large drink from the bottle.

      Elijah's face contoured into one of a frown, the original leant forward, "I can assure you there is no piece of this that I find even remotely amusing, Niklaus. Especially considering I've been dreaming of him too."

      "Oh, great," Jordanna mumbled under her breath, tone sarcastic as she sent the Mikaelson's false smiles. "This is great, reallly great."

      "What?" Klaus asked in shock, the arm that rested at the back of Jordanna's seat tightened around her shoulders.

      "If you are also seeing him . . . " Elijah began to think, before his face fell as he noticed Genevieve enter the bar. The redhead smiled in his direction as she caught his eye, her gaze drifted along to Jordanna—the older witch sent her a false smile that came out more of a grimace. "Perhaps our elusive, unknown, enemy is orchestrating a further attack?" 

      "Well then," Klaus began as he followed his brother's eye-line. "What better way to punctuate a day of peace than by killing someone?" 

      "Agreed," Jordanna mumbled under her breath, clinking her own glass with his.

       The hybrid lifted the hand that was rested on Jordanna's shoulder and waved at the red-head, smiling falsely at her. 

・❥・

      "So, turns out, it's not the doing of a witch," Jordanna spoke into the phone as she and Hayley walked down the darkened streets of New Orleans. "It's not just your father who's been tormenting people."

     "What are you talking about?" Klaus asked, he and Elijah shared a look as he placed the phone down onto the table—letting the witch's voice fill the room. 

       "So you know how the other-side disintegrated or whatever, well, it must be having an off day cause I've seen at least 5 people I've killed in the past and I seriously doubt they're here to catch up," Jordanna told the two.

      "So, you're saying that our father, faced with permanent extinction, has decided to spend this time tormenting us?" Elijah asked. "How delightful!"

      "I know, what a darling he is. Anyway," she brushed it off. "Don't worry about it, if he and the others don't go away any time soon I'll look into it, but it shouldn't be long."

      "Thank you," Elijah breathed out, the witch heard some muttering before another voice spoke up.

      "Be careful," Klaus sighed down the phone. "Try not to die, okay? I love you."

      "Aw, he cares," Jordanna gushed sarcastically with a large grin on her face.

      Klaus rolled his eyes, "Goodbye, Jordanna."

     "Bye-bye, gorgeous."

     "You two gross me out," Hayley complained as the pair had finally arrived at Francesca's house, the two young woman took a seat down onto the Guerrera's front porch.

      "Don't give me that shit," Jordanna snorted. "How do you think I feel around you and Elijah constantly eye-fucking each other?" She scoffed. "It's disturbing."

      "Hey—We don't!" Hayley stammered out in denial.

      "You keep telling yourself that, Hales," Jordanna hummed patronizingly. 

      Hayley huffed in annoyance, pulling her knees up to her chest as she began sulking.

      So the two waited, bickering back and forth about Hayley and Elijah as they awaited on the arrival of the Guerrera woman. The Jones was only with her for two reasons: 1. She was a good friend, and 2. She was bored and would suffocate to death if she stayed inside any longer than she had to.

      When Francesca had finally returned home her eyes caught sight of the two, she pulled a face—groaning in annoyance before a fake smile pulled at her lips.

      "Ah, good to see you again Jordanna." Jordanna sent her a large, fake smile—wiggling her fingers slightly in greeting whilst the Guerrera's eyes fell onto the Marshall hybrid beside her. "Hayley, right? I'm guessing you're not here because you want to make a new friend?"

     "I don't count terrorists as friends," Hayley snapped, rising to her feet hastily—causing Jordanna to lazily come to a stand.

      "Yeah, and I just don't like people," Jordanna told the woman boredly.

      Francesca chuckled at the pair, "Wow! I've been accused of everything from grand larceny to blackmail, but 'terrorist', that's new!"

      Jordanna narrowed her eyes at the woman, watching her closely.

      "A human pulled up to my home in the Bayou on a motorcycle and blew himself up," Hayley told the woman.

      "I heard," Francesca jutted her lip out, holding her hand out to her bodyguard who dropped her keys into her palm. "Awful! Goodnight!"

      Jordanna rolled her eyes at the feigned empathy the woman held as she sauntered passed the pair, making her way over to her front door. The two went to follow her only for the bodyguard to hold his arm out in front of them, stopping them in their place.

      Jordanna huffed as she shared a look with Hayley. The witch brought her arm out in front of her and watched as the bodyguard gritted his teeth, groaning out in pain before he dropped to his knees. The witch sent a harsh pick to his groin before she shoved him aside.

      She grinned at the Guerrera woman and blew a strand of hair out of her face dramatically as Hayley smiled largely at the apprehensive look on Francesca's face.

      "Word on the street is, he owed a hundred grand to the Palace Royale casino!" Hayley spoke up as she and Jordanna approached the woman, the latter rested her body up against the house as she watched the woman opposite her with a taunting smile, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "And then, after he died, the debt was erased!"

      "Just like magic," Jordanna breathed out, tilting her head.

      Francesca's face held onto that polite smile as she looked between the two, "Jeff was a fixture at my roulette table. Sometimes he was up, sometimes he was down. I absolved his family of the debt he owed out of the goodness of my heart."

      "The goodness of your heart my ass," Jordanna scoffed. 

      Francesca shot her a glare, before her gaze focused on Hayley, "Feel free to sniff around. My hands are clean."

      "Oh! A dog joke," Jordanna clapped her hands together sarcastically, her voice at a deadpan. "Funny."

      Only she was allowed to make dog jokes about Hayley.

      Bitch.

      Francesca huffed. "And I'd advise you to mind your manners. It's lucky the two of you are still alive. I mean," her gaze fixated on Jordanna. "The Jones witch who just so happens to be carrying around Klaus Mikaelson's miracle baby," her eyes travelled along to the Marshall. "And the girl all the wolves whisper about like royalty. If I was interested in hurting the wolves you'd be my target."

      Her eyes fell onto Jordanna again, "And you? You're lucky you're still breathing. Do you know how many people want your head on a silver platter?"

      "I'm aware, yes," Jordanna said dryly. "Your point?"

      "My point, Jordanna, is if I were out to get some respect in the supernatural world, piss off the Mikaelson's and earn myself an alliance with the witches you'd be the perfect target," Francesca ran her tongue along her teeth. "And, when I go after someone? I don't miss."

      "Was that a threat?" Jordanna turned to Hayley, and rose her eyebrows as she slammed a hand across Francesca's doorway so that the Guerrera woman couldn't move. "It sounded like a threat."

      "I'm pretty sure it was a threat," Hayley hummed, nodding her head.

      Jordanna nodded slowly, pursing her lips, turning back to the woman, "I'd watch my mouth if I were you Franny, see, like you said a lot of people want me dead—but yet, here I am right as rain. So I'd be careful throwing around threats like that, got it?."

・❥・

      Jordanna walked between Klaus and Hayley—Elijah on the other side of the Marshall. Jordanna's head throbbed at the loud jazz music being played down the street.

      The witch raised a hand to her mouth as a cough spluttered out of her. Hayley frowned, "You okay?"

      "Peachy," Jordanna drawled sarcastically as her eyes caught sight of Francesca, who patted her dry face with tissues. The witch snorted at the woman. Seriously? 

      "Do you think I was the target of those bombings?" Hayley asked curiously as she followed Jordanna's gaze.

      "Of course you were the target," Klaus spoke up, his voice held an obvious tone. "Were I to wager a war on the wolves, you'd be my first kill! I would string you up, for all of your worshippers to see," Klaus grinned before looking down at Jordanna. "And then I'd kill Jordanna as well, everyone wants her dead anyway," she shot him a look. "And therefore bringing the downfall of Klaus Mikaelson."

     "That was lovely," Jordanna muttered, looking up to him. "I really liked the bit where you'd string Hayley up."

      "Ahh, yes, thank you," Klaus matched her sarcastic tone as he smiled down at her. Hayley and Elijah shared a look, the former rolling her eyes as the latter sighed in frustration.

      "I believe, in some strange way, that was my brother's way of asking you to return home with us," Elijah spoke, looking toward Hayley. "Perhaps try a different approach, Niklaus, fewer references to murder?"

      "Hm. I would hate to throw you over my shoulder, and drag you kicking and screaming to the compound, we both know I will, for the sake of my sanity."

      "What's that supposed to mean?" Jordanna frowned as the hybrid threw an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to his side as his fingers fiddled with the strap of her dress.

      "What it means, sweetheart, is that I am going insane. Pregnancy hormones," Klaus looked toward Hayley, dramatically rolling his eyes as he dismissively waved a hand in the air. "I would much prefer it if you kept her company before she stabs me to death over the most minor inconvenience."

      "I'll stab you right now if you don't shut the fuck up," Jordanna rolled her eyes the hybrid looked down at her with a sweet smile before his face fell as she spluttered out another cough.

      "Are you alright?" His voice lowered.

     "Yeah," Jordanna nodded, clearing her throat before she spotted Naomi in the crowd. "I'll be right back," she muttered to the Mikaelson, disappearing off into the crowd. 

      The witch trudged through the crowd of people as she attempted to find the Tate vampire before Naomi disappeared from her sight—wandering off somewhere into the crowd. 

      Jordanna sighed as she pursed her lips—she'd just have to just talk to her later—she looked back to crowd in attempt of finding the three she was previously with.

      Jordanna stumbled as she felt a wave of dizziness hit her, another cough left her lips, followed by another and another. The witch moved aside, holding onto a lamppost for stability, her eyes widened as she began to cough up blood. 

      Her face paled as she stared down at the crimson that covered her hands before she began to sway. "What the fuck? . . . " Jordanna trailed off before her eyes rolled to the back of her head, her body going limp.

・❥・

      Jordanna gasped, shooting up with a start. Her hand immediately going to her bump. Looking around, Jordanna realized she was in the Compound—but there was no one there. 

      Just her . . . Or so she thought.

     A shadow moved around in the corner. Jordanna squinted her eyes as a chuckle erupted from the unknown person before they stepped out from the shadows. Jordanna pursed her lips, and an annoyed groan left her mouth as her gaze fixated on Mikael, "Seriously?"

      "Nice to see you again, Jordanna."

      Jordanna shook her head as she pushed herself off of the table she was laid on. Slowly, she backed away from the man.

      "It's really not."

・❥・

      Jordanna started to back away from the Mikaelson, staring at him warily, "This is definitely a nightmare, explains why you're here."

     Mikael merely chuckled at her, "On the contrary, my darling—this is very real." The vampire sped toward her and put her in a headlock, causing the young woman to choke, gasping on air against his hold. "Welcome to my hell! Stuck in an eternity of watching over that hideous creature my children call brother!"

      Jordanna fought against him, grimacing as she felt his breath at the side of her face. "I wouldn't try using your magic either, it won't work."

      Jordanna's eyes widened.

      Oh fuck.

      A nine month pregnant human vs an Original.

      Someone definitely has it out for her.

     "You're dead! How the fuck can I be here? The other side is gone! Oh god! The baby! The fucking baby," Jordanna thrashed around in his grip.  

      She didn't know where the fuck she was . . . but there was no way in Hell it was good.

      "The baby?" Mikael sneered, Jordanna choked as his grip on her neck tightened. "That kid never had a chance. You poisoned it by merging it with Klaus' bloodline!" Mikael laughed manically. "The deathless vermin, fancying himself a daddy?" 

      Jordanna grew more annoyed by the second, and without having magic to help her, she did the only thing she could think of. 

      She bit him.

      Her teeth sunk into the arm of the original sharply, the witch grimaced as she felt the blood from his arm trickle down into her mouth.

      Ew. Ew. Ew.

     The original grunted out as she tore the skin from his arm. He immediately let go of her, the witch spat the blood at his face as she spun around to face him. 

      "It's not dead! I'm not dead! If I was dead you wouldn't be trying to kill me," Jordanna snapped before a manic chuckle erupted from her crimson stained lips. "Touch my kid and I'll eat you for breakfast you piece of shit-"

      Her words were cut off as the back of Mikael's hand collided with her face, the man pointed a finger at her, as her head stayed aside, "Watch your mouth, girl."

      A chuckle left her mouth, "Fucking hell you're weak." Her thumb came up to her mouth as she wiped the blood from her face, looking down at it, with an amused look on her face. "I mean seriously, my dad was a bigger pussy then you but at least he could pack a punch, damn."

      No, but for real? That hurt like a bitch.

      But she wasn't gonna give him the satisfaction, duh.

      "Listen here, girl! You're no better than-" Mikael started but was soon cut off as Jordanna picked up a coat rack and swung it at him, hitting him across the face with all the force, her tiny, human strength could.

      "I'm sorry? What was that?"

・❥・

      "Nik already beat you, Mikael," Jordanna taunted as she stood in front of the original. "Your son already beat you!"

      "He is not my son!" Mikael raged, face contouring into one of anger. "He's a scourge, a walking symbol of weakness!"

      Jordanna internally panicked as he began stalking toward her, oh how she missed Alaric, she needed training again. The witch looked around, finding the banister behind her.

      Jordanna kicked at the banister, breaking a piece off and made her way up the stairs, muttering a small. "Ow." Under her breath as a surge of pain shot up her leg after every step she took. 

      "Weak?" Jordanna scoffed at his words. "The only weak thing here Mikael, is you."

      Mikael clenched his jaw as he jumped onto the second floor balcony, startling the witch. The original neared her, causing her to panic.

      Ahh fuck.

      The witch merely spun on her feet and ran back down the staircase, grip on the wood tightening. 

      Mikael rolled his eyes and jumped, landing on the floor, he began stalking toward her. The witch's foot shot out, causing him to stumble before he looked back up and she was no longer in front of him. 

      Mikael let out an agonized scream as he felt the stake plunge into his back. Jordanna leant down toward him, twisting the stake as she pushed it in further. 

      "You see, my kid has an advantage Nik never had—they will never, ever know you," Jordanna spat, harshly pushing the stake in further, grinning as he let out an another cry. A breathless laugh left her lips. "Who's the weak one now, huh?"

・❥・

      Klaus paced as he stared down at Jordanna's body. Her still, body. She just laid there, motionless—no heartbeat, nothing. Dried blood ran down her neck and covered her mouth.

      He swore his dead heart jumped as she woke, a large gasp leaving her lips as she did. The Mikaelson rushed toward her, helping her sit up. Her hand gripped tightly onto his arm as he held onto her body, pulling her closer. 

      "You're alright, sweetheart. You're alright," Klaus' hand rubbed up and down as he held her close, a relieved sigh left his lips as he looked up to the ceiling. 

      Elijah watched his brother visibly relax as he hugged Jordanna to him, his fingers ran through her hair as he looked down at her. 

      "What is it with your parents trying to kill me?" Jordanna breathed out, leaning against Klaus as her chest rose up and down rapidly. "Your family is so fucking weird."

・❥・

      Jordanna was staring up at the ceiling as she laid on hers and Klaus' bed, mind somewhere else as Klaus knocked on the door, letting her know he was there.

       "You've proved quite resilient, sweetheart, like you always are. Fighters, both of you," Klaus smiled as he made his way into the room. 

      "Have to be," Jordanna shrugged after she pushed herself up into a sitting position. 

      "I suppose," Klaus grinned. "Our child has no shortage of enemies, I suppose that is our fault. Just-" Klaus hesitated, his smile faltering. "You're not allowed to do that again."

      "What?" Jordanna frowned.

      "Scare me like that. You almost died, Jordanna," Klaus breathed out. 

      A smile pulled a her lips, "Aw—"

      Klaus rose his hand, rolling his eyes as he pointed at her, "If you make a joke right now . . ."

      The witch raised her hands in a surrender, climbing off of the bed. "I won't, promise. Look, I'm fine, okay? Always am, aren't I?"

      Klaus huffed lightly. "True." He paused before clearing his throat. "Anyway, if you would come with me, I have something I'd like to show you." 

      He held out his hand to her, the witch placed her own in his and followed him out of the room. He led her to another room in the Compound—one that Klaus never let her go in, anytime she'd see him come out of it she'd always ask but he merely brushed it off. 

      He glanced back at her briefly before pushing the door open, Jordanna's eyes widen as her breath gets caught in her throat at the nursery he had set up.

      "I—Uh," Jordanna spluttered, not knowing what to say. An amused look pulled at Klaus' face. "Wow."

      Jordanna released his hand and made her way around the room, fingers gliding along the wood of the crib before her eyes found his, "You, me, Elijah, Hayley and a miracle baby all under one roof? Sounds like we've got our very own version of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashian's'." 

      Klaus smiled as Jordanna snorted, he hadn't got a clue as to what she was referring to but smiled nonetheless. 

      "Uh, you said you saw my father?" Klaus asked hesitantly after a moment of silence, Jordanna lifted her gaze up to him from the small teddy that sat in the crib. 

      "Why do you still call him that? He's not your real dad," Jordanna pondered.

      "Why do you still call your father that?" Klaus shot back, a small smile on his lips.

      "Touche," Jordanna muttered, her lip curved slightly.

      "He's done damage only a father can do," Klaus answered nonetheless, Jordanna felt herself internally agree. "What did he say to you?"

     "Nothing true," she shook her head. "Just bullshit."

      Klaus smiled warmly at her, "I love you, you know."

      She nodded her head, smile growing, "I know, I love you too."

AUTHORS NOTE 

just jj having a little rick grimes moment, yk tearing people apart with her teeth

anyway this was jj's last happy chapter for a while, cherish it cos shes gonna b sad and mardy and emotionless xxx

*unedited cos im lazy asf*

(edited 06/04/22)