a/n: MJ's last day in Mystic Falls! (until after TOS2's finale anyway lol)
I lowkey hate everything but the end of this chapter, but it's okay, 'cos the next two are Kol heavy, and I'm too ill to rewrite

Comment and vote xx Bea

~***~

Since she was with Bonnie, MJ decided to press pause on the no-humanity bombshell. She didn't know how to feel, act, or what to do, so going after them would've been pointless. 

MJ wasn't in a position where she was willing to hurt them. She didn't know what she was capable of, and after her accidental stabbing of Tyler, she couldn't risk learning her limits with volatile versions of Stefan and Caroline taunting her. Given her luck, they'd somehow say the things the Kai hallucinations had burned into her memory.

An evening spent curled into Bonnie was better than that, even if she didn't really let herself doze off for more than a few minutes. She didn't want to add to her friend's pain by accidentally siphoning in her sleep, and she knew she had a habit of doing so when she wasn't completely healthy. Not after Jo and Ric's reactions to Kai.

In the morning, MJ crept out of the bathroom, washing her hair after a week of not doing so, only to find Bonnie awake, staring at her.

"You don't have to do this," She reminded her, "Not alone – not at all, really."

"I'll..."

"You really don't have to put yourself through it."

"I won't be alone," MJ focused on that comment.

Bonnie sat up in the duvet.

"I texted Enzo."

Her eyes went wide.

"He's not that bad!"

"Your bar is Klaus Mikaelson," Bonnie countered, "I don't think anyone is that bad."

"I think I need to start saying my bar is Ryos Jung."

A beat.

MJ processed that she'd willingly said that without a second thought.

"Am I allowed to laugh at that?"

"You know what," She nodded, "Yeah."

When it came to what she would put up with, her brother technically was the most.

"We can definitely laugh at the fact my brother seems to have fewer morals than the Great Evil himself."

Bonnie held out her hand, MJ creeping back to the bed, taking it and letting her squeeze, "Know we'll handle it if you can't."

"It's my job as her best friend."

"Except," Bonnie tugged her in a little closer, "The real Caroline would rather you got yourself better, and you know it."

She had a point.

But, the no-humanity version had been texting her that too.

MJ inspected herself in the mirror one final time. She still looked like trash, warm skin worryingly pale, tired eyes, no thought put into the clothes she was wearing...but at least she was clean. Simultaneously washed and washed-out.

"Be safe."

"Enzo isn't going to hurt me."

Bonnie made a sound.

"Honestly," MJ picked up her things, "He's a good dude."

"Sure."

"He is!"

Bonnie put up her hands, smiling and settling back into the sheets.

"He's a romantic at heart," MJ reasoned, "Funny. And attractive."

"And he has an accent."

"I'm not into him," She clarified, "Like, at all."

"I'd hope so," Bonnie smiled, "You're ex seems like the vengeful and jealous type."

MJ half-laughed, "He's a really good friend."

Bonnie let her have it, smiling to herself while resting back on the pillow.

"Honestly. Ten-out-of-ten would recommend."

"Point made," She motioned to the door, "I'll consider re-evaluating my opinion on him."

MJ smiled as she headed to the door to track down no-humanity Caroline.

She'd texted Enzo because she knew she couldn't see her friend alone, and she couldn't do it with Damon or Bonnie either because of other things. She was pretty agitated by Damon's treatment of Bonnie and her the previous day, and she didn't want to push her damaged state on Bonnie since she was almost certain seeing Caroline would do some severe damage.

She also didn't want Tyler to join her.

He'd be a massive target for a no-filter Caroline, and MJ definitely couldn't deal with one best friend openly hating the other. Their break-up had been bad enough.

Instead, MJ had needed her emotional support serial killer.

On top of her needs, Enzo could actually track Caroline because she'd nicked his phone.

He met her outside of Skull Bar, "You look..."

"Shit?"

"A bit better," He grinned, "Actually."

"Ha-ha."

He scanned her properly, "You look like you've had a nap – even if it was a short one."

She had.

Bonnie was home.

Enzo could just read her perfectly. They hadn't had much time together, but that much was clear.

"Any nap is a cause for celebration."

MJ wished she had his optimism about the tiny sense of peace she'd gained. She'd gotten Bonnie back, but she'd still almost killed Tyler, and now she was going to face a version of Caroline that might try to kill her.

He opened the door for her, revealing a sight MJ recognised.

The whole place was wrecked but in a very particular fashion. It was clear the damage wasn't from an actual fight, not enough was broken for that, but it was clear super strength had been involved, and super strength mixed with rushed moving and slight lack of thought.

"A hard knock life," Enzo announced their arrival, "Isn't it?"

Caroline turned to face them, agitation across her features, a bright yellow tank top on. Her hair had been changed since before the funeral, twists keeping thin sections grouped together, like she was on a summer beach holiday, not in her second semester of school, and her make-up looked relatively fresh.

Enzo headed towards her first

"Don't walk there," Caroline stuck her arm forward angrily, "Ugh!"

She looked ready to throw her mop at him, marching to re-clean the spot they'd stepped through.

"I just washed that."

"My apologies," He looked her up and down, "Cinderella."

MJ bit her lip.

"What are you doing?"

"She and Stefan had a fight," MJ assumed, "Or sex."

The room kinda felt like sex-mess.

"Where things broke in the progress."

The irritated glare on Caroline's face at the suggestion implied it was a fight.

"So," She ignored the look, "I didn't end up leaving last night."

"Clearly."

Enzo gave her a look, "You see a messy room and assume sex?"

"Well," Caroline got back to cleaning the place up, "And she would know."

MJ braced herself for it.

"God knows she has a thing for freaky vampire sex."

Not as bad as it could've been.

"And when I say freaky – I mean freaky."

"You let a guy tie your hands back one time – "

Enzo took a step closer to MJ like he wasn't sure how he was meant to react.

"I'm not talking about the broken bed in your apartment," Caroline smiled slyly, "Enzo, you should've seen the messages she used to send her you-lookalike when he was in Europe."

"Come on, Care."

"She's probably sending him the same stuff while she's here," She scrubbed the surface, "She's not even a vampire, yet she just can't seem to keep her clothes on."

Enzo raised an eyebrow.

"He's not even in the right body!" She half-laughed, "And despite being Miss-Socially-Correct, consent doesn't matter."

MJ tried not to let the point bother her.

"Because she's never met a morally corrupt British man she hasn't wanted to sleep with," Caroline paused to think, "Or, she's never met one who hasn't wanted to sleep with her?"

"In my defence," MJ forced herself to be okay, "I didn't intend for you to see those messages."

Caroline had known about her sexting relationship with Kol because of a phone mishap.

"I told you not to read my notifications."

"What's the point in having scandalous sex if you can't shove it in everyone's face," She stopped her cleaning, "Want me to tell you how good Klaus was?"

"Not really."

"Hm?" Caroline came out from behind the bar, "You sure?"

"Definitely."

"I mean...with that family..." She pulled the yellow gloves off, "It's only a matter of time before you become another one of those objects they just pass around."

MJ kept her face blank.

"Original groupies?" She taunted, "That was the term, right?"

"Okay, love," Enzo put a hand forward, "I think that's enough."

"I'm just trying to help," She mocked, "Klaus has been obsessed with MJ for years."

Even if he'd been flirting with Caroline, they couldn't act like he hadn't been fixed on MJ first.

"He's probably thinking about ripping her clothes off every time they butt heads," She reasoned, "She might as well try it out."

Enzo took another step closer to MJ.

"I'd certainly recommend."

MJ bit into her lips even harder.

"Kol or Klaus?" Caroline pointed at her, "Now – that's certainly a more interesting choice than Damon or Stefan."

MJ kept her voice light, "Because Stefan is the obvious winner?"

"Duh," Caroline ran her hand over one of the standing tables, "We know you have a soft spot for wolves, so it's only a matter of time before you climb into bed with one – why not make it a hybrid?"

MJ didn't respond.

"Then again, Kol is a witch right now, which is probably up your alley too," She listed, "And they're both equally awful people...both hot...both come with accents – which makes everything automatically hotter – though Klaus is an art man. Is that more points for him?"

She laughed at something.

"Imagine if he painted you naked or something."

A hand wave to dismiss the thought.

"Forever is a lie anyway," Caroline finished, "Might as well work your way through the family. Give them even more of a reason to act like they care about you."

"You've put some thought into this," MJ noted, "Your brains way of not wanting to let you think about Stefan?"

"Speaking of," She dodged, "You turned him down too, didn't you?"

Enzo shot her a loot, not having known that information.

"I wouldn't say I turned him down," MJ forced herself to come further into the room, "I stopped us from making a huge mistake."

"Sure you did," Caroline nodded falsely, "That was definitely the only reason."

"Just say what you wanna say, Care."

"Totally wasn't to do with the fact you have an Elena Gilbert complex."

"Maybe I do."

"You know that while having sex with you, he'd just be picturing her – because, why wouldn't he?" Caroline was an arm's reach away from her, "Klaus will picture me when you finally give in. Because that's all you are, MJ."

"Go on," She challenged, "Say it."

"You're a stand-in."

"Uh-huh."

"The second choice people get dumped with because you just never let go."

"Completely."

Caroline faltered at the relaxed smile on her face

Enzo was also staring at the pair. It was clear he was incredibly unsure of how to act, one hand floating in front of her, ready to interject, trying to follow the interaction. Two best friends he'd grown used to showing nothing but love towards each other being somewhat snappy, yet MJ almost unbothered.

Caroline glared, "Why are you happy?"

"Because you're so clearly trying to drive me out of town," MJ stepped towards her, "Even without your humanity, you were trying to tell me to go."

No-humanity her had been faking humanity a little too well.

"But since I'm still here, you're attacking me with things you'd never think."

"You don't know what I'd think."

"I do, Care-Bear."

"I hate that nickname."

"Not when I say it."

They'd talked about it before.

"You're saying things you don't even wanna say," MJ shook her head, "Not because you haven't got emotions, but because you're scared."

"I'm not."

"I know you too well to believe such a blatant lie."

Caroline was incredibly still.

"You know I'd never sleep with Klaus. You know I'd never do that to Kol."

"Kol was worse than Damon."

MJ laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"Damon compelled you to be his blood bag sex doll. Try again."

"You're boyfriend compelled me to spy on you for him."

"He also gave you all the memories back, cancelled the instruction, and told you to have confidence in yourself."

That didn't make it okay, and it didn't mean Kol hadn't done worse in the past – but that wasn't the point.

"I repeat, pick a better lie," MJ looked around, "Or go back to tidying the place up."

Caroline huffed, but she did, taking the spray bottle.

"The whole point of flipping your humanity switch is that you don't care how you leave things," Enzo pointed out.

"I go to school here," She sighed, "I want to keep going to school here."

Interesting.

"The second I draw any suspicions – break-ins, broken property, dead bodies," Caroline moved the mop back to bucket, "People will try to interrupt my routine."

MJ considered the deal she'd set up with Elena.

"Then I will end up rotting in a cell somewhere instead of doing what I should be doing."

"Which is?" She asked.

"Preparing for my audition tomorrow."

"You, Caroline Forbes," Enzo teased, "Vampire without humanity, auditioning for the school play?"

"Musical," She looked at them over her shoulder, "And obviously, duh."

"She is a drama major," MJ added, "And she has a good voice."

Caroline really looked at her, "You're not here to stop me?"

MJ considered it, then shook her head.

"Seriously?"

"The deal is, you clean up your messes, you don't kill anyone," MJ spelt it out, "And we let you do this your way. Leave you be."

"There's no way you're on board with that plan," Caroline scoffed, "You're here to 'fix' me."

"Caroline," MJ took her hand, "I wish I could save you right now."

She did.

"But, the last thing you need is me," Her body untensed, "You're not about to hurt me. You know hurting me would turn your humanity back on."

"You really think you're that important to me?"

"You know what," She nodded, "Yeah."

"You're not."

"Then why are you so desperate to get me to leave?"

Everything since the funeral was meant to lul her away.

"Killing Matt got Elena back," MJ used their joined hand to pull Caroline in closer, "The idea of losing Damon, losing hope, got Stefan."

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but Stefan's the emotional trigger, not you."

"Bullshit."

Caroline was just staring at her.

"Your feelings for him are important, sure, but it's me, Care," MJ cupped her face a little, "I died, and you dedicated your life to trying to get us back."

She was stroking her cheek.

"We love each other – and not in the dumb Mystic Falls way where everything is over dramatic and twisted, and entwined with feelings towards other people. We're us, and I know how important that is to you."

Part of MJ was mad Caroline had told Stefan about Kol, but that could wait until later.

"You've told me how important it is enough times."

The first being after the werewolf kidnapping fiasco.

"And, when you've got through this," MJ could see the panic in Caroline's eyes, "Once you've turned it back on, I will be waiting for you. And, hopefully, I'll be doing better too."

"I don't care."

"Not right now, but you will," MJ was sure of it, "I know you're smart enough to keep all of this in control. And strong enough to live with the choices you make, but..."

MJ's big problem with the situation.

"I want Stefan back on."

Caroline rolled her eyes, "No."

"You'll be fine, Care. He won't."

"I don't care."

"And I don't care that you don't. Because I care about Stefan."

"And there she is!" Caroline shoved her away, "You make such a big deal about how you don't want to be Stefan's second choice, yet, he's yours."

"I don't need a second choice," She shut down, "I'm ending up with my first."

Caroline pointed, "If you're not here to try and get me to flip it, what are you doing here?"

"I needed to see you."

And,

"To tell you that I get it," MJ stood by what she'd told Kai about never wanting to flip her switch, but she still understood what Caroline was trying to do, "And that I'll wait. And I'll love you regardless."

She gestured to Enzo, "And the stand-in?"

"Find my phone led me here," He spoke up, moving to lean on a standing table, "Though it didn't explain why your sticky little fingers needed it last night."

"Because you're the only one with Sarah Salvatore's phone number."

"You got her number?" MJ was almost impressed, "Did you compel it?"

"Nope," He gloated, "You both know how charming I can be."

Mid brag, Enzo remembered the problem, turning back to Caroline.

"Why'd you need Sarah's number?"

"To use her life as leverage to convince Stefan to shut his humanity switch off too."

"That's both clever," He had to give that to her, "And..."

"Deeply unsettling?" MJ suggested.

"Agreed," He nodded nervously, "Tell me she's still alive?"

"She's alive," Caroline assured them, "Assuming she survived any infections resulting from Liam's amateur surgery."

Enzo clicked his teeth, "Which means Stefan's humanity truly is a thing of the past."

"Like I said, I will stop at nothing to maintain my routine," Caroline eyes up MJ, "So I suggest that you stay away."

"Not here to get you to flip it."

"You just want Stefan," Her eyes started to change, "And there's a little voice telling me to tear your throat out for that."

"Which almost sounds like jealousy."

"You're right," She frowned, "But nope! That's what I think I should feel – except, I don't."

"Good for you."

"Now," Caroline looked at the almost tidy room, "If you don't mind, I need to prepare for my audition, and Mira has a boyfriend to sext."

Enzo curled his lips in to mask his amused reaction, while MJ just kept facing the bar, letting Caroline reach the door before speaking again.

"Kol died."

The sentence filled the room.

"Like, two years ago," Caroline halted in front of the wooden object keeping her from the outside world, "And?"

"A week ago."

The silence turned heavy.

"He got hexed," She turned to face her best female friend, "I couldn't save him because of my Floare problem."

Ana Ruiz had raised a pair of liars.

"He was dying, and I was vomiting up bugs and blood, unable to do anything other than watch."

Caroline slowly spun to face her too, "Tell me your kidding."

"A little."

The bored expression was back.

"I did actually manage to save him."

"Whoop-Dee-Doo, the Mikaelson's investment in you is paying off – "

"By slitting my own throat."

And her best friend was back to frozen.

"Kol had the final Floare stone, I smashed it, then slit my throat, so the magic that kept me alive exploded with the magic as it bonded with my body, curing everything in the area, including his hex."

Caroline's lip was quivering.

"I can still feel the knife cutting my skin," MJ's voice caught a little, "I got one load of trauma from thinking he was going to die again...I couldn't touch him without feeling the dark magic as it tore him apart...Round two from killing myself...again."

Enzo's eyes were pinned on Caroline, genuinely looking like he thought she might attack her.

"That's why I'm not sleeping."

Nightmares from Kai, cold air reminding her of what it felt like to hug him.

"That's why I was so desperate to get Bonnie home," She let the words pour out, "I wasn't convinced I'd live much longer, but I couldn't let myself die until she was safe. Then Kai was waiting at the house. And now I can't sleep."

Caroline's lips turned down.

"He was in my arms, and I just acted, and it felt so good to just," She couldn't feel her fingers, "Think that if I lost him again? If my life-or-death move didn't work? I didn't really have to lose him..."

Her eyes were watering.

"His entire final message for me was that he wanted me to grow old, and have kids, and find love, without him, but Care – " Her throat was closing up, "I couldn't."

She loved him too much.

"He's the only person I can picture a future with besides...well...you...and then blood was pouring down my neck, and the world was spinning, and there was this awful relief flooding everything."

Because she wouldn't have had to deal with any of it anymore if it had gone wrong.

"But then I was okay, and he was okay, and I realised what I'd done – "

The spiel she could finally get through because she'd managed to talk to Tyler, Bonnie, and Ric about it. Because Tyler and Bonnie had reacted in the right way, so MJ had to think Caroline would too.

"He said he wouldn't even be too jealous if I ended up with you because – I don't know..."

Slow tears were falling over her cheeks.

"Because we love each other?"

They'd always been an affectionate pair.

"But your mum died, and I didn't want to add to that, but I almost ended it again."

"MJ," Caroline was rushing forward to meet her, arms coming up, "Please don't keep – "

She was ready to sob, but she couldn't let herself fully break yet.

"I can't – I need – MJ!" She was on the brink of tears too, "I love you too much, and you need to stop, because I can't – If you freaking die on me again, I swear – "

Caroline caught herself, shoving MJ back from the head, and looking at her, terrified.

"How the hell did you do that?"

MJ smiled lowly, wiping her tears.

"No, no, no!" Caroline inched towards the door, still facing MJ, "You gotta go."

Her finger raised accusatively.

"Get out!"

Enzo and MJ shared a look.

"Caroline," She didn't want to push too hard, "I'll stay if you want me to. If you wanna feel this out, we can get through this together."

"I don't wanna feel."

"You know it's the only real way forward."

"Leave!" Her fangs came out, "Before I rip your throat out."

"You wouldn't."

"I don't care enough not to."

"It's clear you do."

"I just don't want a desperate nervous train wreck ruining my week."

"I love you too much to let you do this to yourself."

"I'll be in control."

"I know that," MJ trusted Caroline to stick to her plan, "And you'll forgive yourself and do better than whatever you end up doing once you come out the other side – but you won't forgive yourself for hurting Stefan."

Caroline had gone through dealing with murder before, but her biggest setbacks always came from friendships.

"I know you well enough to know that."

"I don't care!"

"Then you shouldn't care if I flip him back."

"If he turns it on, he won't leave me alone until I turn mine on too."

"And maybe that's a good thing."

"For god's sake!" She yelled, yanking the door open, "You of all people should get why turning it off for a year is a good and healthy thing."

"You know," MJ kept her voice firm, "You know better from anyone that that's not true."

Caroline looked ready to bolt.

"We feel Caroline. We live, and we love, and we get through the mess that is our lives together – we do not shut people - connection, out."

"That's all you've ever done!"

The way Caroline's voice broke gave MJ hope.

"Getting you to open up is a living nightmare!"

MJ already knew that, accepting Caroline's almost break down.

"I spend every second of my freaking life thinking about how I can try and make you feel safe, but you never will! You'll never accept help because you're a broken little doll who'd rather be trodden on by the universe than tell me how you're feeling. You're a doormat, and it's almost like you like it."

As MJ sobered up, Caroline's eyes watered.

"You make me feel worthless because you're always right there when I need you, but you never let me close enough to help you in return! You hide everything you go through – it's impossible to help!"

Enzo straightened up, fighting off a smile.

Caroline was crying.

"I love you, MJ. But you never let me show you – you never let me play the hero the way you do."

MJ nodded for her to keep going.

"I sent you away from the worst day of my life because I knew having you there would set me off – I knew you'd keep me human, and I don't wanna be human anymore!"

MJ's feet moved, carrying her to hug her bawling best friend.

"I can't – I can't do this," She cried into MJ's shoulder, "You need – you need to go, and you need to let me not feel for a bit."

"You're clearly feeling something, Caroline."

"BUT I DON'T WANT TO!"

Silence.

"My mum died, my best friend is suicidal, and god knows what Bonnie's got going on and – and I can't."

MJ held her tighter.

"Please just let me turn it off again."

"Turning it off isn't the answer."

"You're not a vampire. You wouldn't know."

"But I know you. And I know this cycle. And I know what losing a parent is like."

Wet drops were staining her shirt.

"Let me hold you for a little bit, Care," MJ whispered, "Let it all in."

"No!" Caroline pushed her away so hard that she hit the nearest table, "This – this isn't how it's meant to go!"

She was furiously wiping her cheeks.

"No."

Enzo stepped forward, "Listen to your friend, love."

"I'm supposed to have the year! I'm supposed to get a year off from giving a damn about other people. From being someone people expect to just be okay – I should be allowed to not care for once."

She was heaving, closing her eyes to concentrate.

"She's just a jealous bitch who wants Stefan on her string," She spoke to herself, "None of this matters."

As her eyes opened, the emotion was gone, humanity-less all over again.

"If I see your face, I will rip it off."

"Caroline – "

"Actually," Her smile was cruel, "You'd probably like it if I killed you."

MJ sucked on her teeth, almost laughing at the dark point.

"Instead, if I see your face, I will force-feed you my blood and snuff your magic out like a light, making damn sure your boyfriend doesn't get to – and making you Klaus's sire-line."

The siphoner stilled.

"Imagine the hell that would unleash in the household."

In a whoosh of air, she was gone.

"Well," MJ straightened her clothes out, "Good to know I was right."

She'd wanted to work out how Caroline had turned her switch off so easily, but now it was obvious. She'd deliberately gotten MJ out of the way, which meant she knew MJ was going to be a problem, and the evidence was right there. MJ had broken through, but Caroline's need to not feel meant that even with the breakthrough, she'd just flipped it off again, desperate to escape.

Telling her about Kol had triggered it.

Empathy.

Caroline's need to be a friend.

"Want to chase after her?" Enzo asked.

MJ really thought about it.

The fact she was on the brink of properly crying all over again now she didn't need to seem unbothered.

"No."

"What?"

"Caroline's smart. She'll keep herself together," MJ knew that was true, "The problem is Stefan."

"So we target him?"

"Ish."

Turning Stefan on would cause Caroline to lash out.

They needed to be smarter than that.

Before her brain could properly flip into gear, her phone started ringing.

Bonnie.

"Digame?"

"Damon's still on his mum quest," Bonnie declared, "And – "

"Deep down, you wanna help him, even if you're mad."

"That," Bonnie nodded, "And something else?"

"Something else?"

"Don't worry about it."

That was the problem. MJ worried about almost everything, especially when tired and stressed and incredibly on edge thanks to heightened magic.

"Damon has this make-up plan."

"Telling me Damon has a plan is a guaranteed way to panic me – "

"Point is," Bonnie continued, "I know you wanted to handle Stefan and Caroline today, but their mum could flip Stefan back, who'll help with Caroline, and Kai wants to meet with me...and I can't do that alone."

"Completely understood," MJ wasn't letting her do that alone, "Where should I meet you?"

Bonnie gave her the address of a diner on the edge of town. The exact same one Bonnie had used to make a deal with Katherine pre-Graduation, but that was something MJ wasn't fully letting herself acknowledge.

MJ looked to Enzo, "You okay to handle Stefan and Caroline?"

"You sure you should be throwing yourself into the fray rather than sticking with me?"

"I'm not about to collapse when I perform magic," She assured him, "And Bonnie needs me."

"Then you'll go home and get better?"

"Then I'll go home and get better."

~***~

They were sitting at a table in the middle of the dinner when MJ arrived. Well, Kai was. Bonnie was waiting outside, taking MJ's hand the second she saw her and not letting go, even once they were sitting down. One hand remained intertwined on the table top, Kai eyeing it up, almost enviously.

For the first time, MJ didn't feel herself shutting down at the sight of him.

He perked up when Bonnie actually started talking to him.

Directly to him.

Explaining why they were there.

"You want the 1903 Ascendant?" He smiled giddily, snacking on raspberries, having ordered pancakes while he'd been waiting for them, "Well, sure. Just let me reach in my pocket and pull it out."

He mimed patting down his jacket.

"If you're sincerely looking for a way to make up for the hell that you put me through?" Bonnie lent forward to tap the table, "This is it."

"Okay," He matched her stance, "The problem is, the Gemini kept the existence of the 1903 prison world a secret for generations."

MJ rolled her eyes, knowing he knew about it.

"To find the key to that particular jail cell, I'd have to navigate ancient texts, undo layers of magical cloaking spells, and, wait..." His hand slid into the inside pocket of his jacket, pulling out a device almost identical to the 1994 Prison world, just in a black case, the golden design engraved into it, "Oh, that's weird. Haha!"

He waved it in the air.

"It was in my pocket."

"Of course it was," MJ muttered.

"When Damon told me about Mama Salvatore, I started looking."

Bonnie reached forward to touch it, only for Kai to pull it out of reach.

"If I wanted to, I could get her out," He confirmed, "Newly minted leader of the Gemini coven and all, I don't even need a celestial event to zap us there."

"We get it," MJ yawned, "You're top dog now."

"And you will be too, one day," He winked, "But first, this lovely little discussion."

"What's the catch?" Bonnie huffed.

"I'll go if you go."

Simple as that.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Come on!" He tried, "It could be fun, you know, 1903, the-the Gilded Age. Didn't you ever dream about time travel?"

"I would rather die of cholera than spend an afternoon with you."

"And I'm not leaving her alone with you," MJ reminded him.

"You can come," He nodded in assurance, "I'll need your help."

Both girls looked confused.

"The spell is meant for coven use, i.e. more than one person – to move in and out, not just escape; I'll need help, and who else would I wanna channel?"

MJ hated herself for feeling flattered.

It was Kai.

But, he was the only person alive she could channel. And the rush?

Despite how awful Bonnie's birthday had been, it was a moment she'd felt truly complete as a witch, as shit as that felt to admit to herself.

"And Bonnie," Kai started to nibble on his food again, "You're way more likely to die at the hands of your gal-pal Caroline than me."

Somehow Kai had known about no-humanity Caroline before MJ had.

Then again, he'd been eavesdropping on Damon's phone call.

That realisation actually made her incredibly angry. Damon had the nerve to call her out for abandoning Caroline when it was his girlfriend who failed to stop her from flipping her switch, while MJ hadn't even been told about the situation! She really just wanted to wring his neck sometimes.

"I bet it will be over something stupid, like," Kai's voice was droning, "She stops doing laundry, and you make some snippy comment, and she snips off your tongue."

He had a point.

"I'm mean, if only there were some way to reunite her with her humanity..."

MJ realised what he was doing, "Stefan's humanity will flip back regardless of this."

Bonnie was staring at Kai's hands, trying to make her choice.

"This is about you, Bonnie," She reminded her friend, "I promise you, if we don't do this, I will still get Stefan back myself. And then we will get Caroline."

"I don't want you to have to do that, though," Bonnie shook her head slowly, "I want you to get to go home, and be happy, and sort yourself out for once."

"That sounds like a decision," Kai grinned.

Bonnie swallowed, "Let's do this."

~***~

They were standing in the Salvatore living room, dressed for winter since Bonnie remembered it snowing during her short run through 1903.

MJ was itching at her coat, wanting to chuck it off, already overheating after about a minute wearing it.

Kai was holding the ascendant out while Bonnie used one of Jeremy's larger hunting knives, cutting her palm. As the blood appeared, she winced, but it was needed for the spell.

"Wow," Kai overtly checked her and the weapon out, "Crocodile Dundee called. He wants his knife back."

"He's no longer a thing," Bonnie smiled falsely, "And neither is that joke."

"Ouch."

Damon arrived wearing a black ski jacket, greeting all three witches with a nod.

Then Elena arrived, "Is this presentable attire by 1903 standards?"

MJ felt herself growling.

"Down girl," Bonnie whispered.

Elena looked at the pair, confused, "I thought you were on Stefan and Caroline duty today?"

MJ laughed.

Everyone tensed at the reaction.

Damon took a careful step towards her, "Sabrina?"

She looked at him, and his eyes started to bleed.

"MJ!"

"M," Bonnie grabbed her hand.

She reigned it in, knowing Bonnie still cared about him.

"That's what you get for trying to guilt-trip me about ditching Caroline while simultaneously not telling me she flipped it," She snipped, "And, for your information, I got Caroline's switch on."

Their eyes went wide.

"And she proceeded to have a meltdown about the fact I'd done it, turned it straight back off, and fled."

"Damn," Damon looked almost impressed, wiping the red from his face, "And you're not trying again?"

"She said that if I tried again, she'd turn me," MJ admitted, "And I can't exactly risk starting that fight since my magic might kill her if she takes it too far."

He clicked his teeth.

"Caroline wants a year off; I'll give her a year off."

"You're kidding," Elena shook her head, "We can't."

"Why not?"

"She'll hate herself for it!"

"She's cleaning up her messes, and she's not killing anyone," MJ reminded the group, "I don't see why it's any of our business."

Even if MJ believed that feeling was the way forward...

"I want Caroline to feel – as much as emotions have ruined my life, I think having them is a hell of a lot better than not, but," She knew her voice was bitter, "She's not you. She's not lashing out unnecessarily."

"It wasn't my best moment, but," Elena fiddle with the fur hood of her coat, "I wasn't unnecessary."

"Are you kidding me?" MJ's anger turned back to her, "Texting me every thought Stefan's ever had about me while talking about how ghosts were probably watching me shower was necessary?"

Elena's eyes were wide.

"Oh my god," She almost laughed again, "You never looked at what you sent me after?"

"I wanted to put it all in the past. You know...forget."

And she did laugh.

"MJ," Elena's face was sincere, "I'm – "

"You became the worst person on the planet," She didn't want to listen, "Caroline just wants a time out. There's a massive difference."

Her glare was cutting.

"And, at least she'll care enough to apologise when it's over."

"I'm – "

"I don't care!" She'd told everyone that she didn't want to talk to Elena, "Caroline can take a goddamn beat if that's what she needs. Stefan's the problem."

"Agreed," Damon ended the potential argument, focusing on his girlfriend, "And who said you were coming?"

"To meet the woman who gave birth to the two epic loves of my life? Me."

"You just don't learn," MJ shot down, "Throwback to when we destroyed The Other Side. Both of you just had to be a part of it! When you actually had no business dying – literally wasting the energy of the spell, indirectly causing Bonnie more pain. You don't need to be here."

Elena opened her mouth, then closed it, taking it.

"Powerful as I am," Kai spoke up, "There's a limit to how many people we can transport with this spell."

"Right," Bonnie played middle ground, "Which is why there's three of us."

MJ forced herself to deal with the plan for Bonnie, taking one of her hands, then Kai's.

"Shall we?""

"Fine," Damon took Elena and Kai's, "Let's go get Mama."

Eventually, all of them were holding hands in a circle.

"Sangoma Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema," Kai and MJ chanted, Kai channelling Bonnie into MJ, "Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

The feeling was a little unreal.

Channelling Kai had been one thing, but finding a way to channel Bonnie through him, was something else.

Three witches, focused on magic, working together to look for someone in a Prison World.

"Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

It was nice to feel in the witch loop for once, smiling despite herself.

There was no pain inside of her, just a flow of power, changing the world around them.

"Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

They were outside with a flash of light, standing in a snowy version of the Mystic Falls forest. Though the trees weren't identical, it was close enough, and, considering MJ had been through a Middle Ages version more than once, she was pretty adaptable at re-establishing her senses in the almost familiar surroundings.

"Well, isn't this a picturesque slice of hell?" Damon commented.

"You guys go ahead," Bonnie motioned to Elena and Damon, "The three of us will start the locator spell on the Ascendant."

MJ was not okay with that suggestion, "Um – "

"But Kai just had the Ascendant," Elena looked at the now empty hands, "Why do we have to find another one?"

"The Ascendant can't travel between worlds," Kai explained, "Which means we gotta find its mirror image in 1903."

"Page ten on the world-jumping rule-book," MJ mumbled sarcastically, "Would've given it to you to read if you were meant to come."

Damon offered Elena his arm, "Shall we?"

Her eyes drifted to MJ and Bonnie as Kai hung off to the side, "I don't want to leave you guys alone with him."

"I'll be fine."

"I'd rather we all stuck together," MJ admitted.

They were all shared a look at the comment.

It was clearly honest, but it didn't quite match up considering how anti-Elena she was.

"Doesn't that seem smarter?"

Damon cleared his throat, "Bonnie's made us something."

Out of his pocket, he pulled out what looked like a standard coin.

"I have one too," Bonnie patted her own pocket, "They'll beep if either of us needs help."

MJ still wasn't happy.

"They'll be right to our rescue if something...happens."

"Guys – "

"MJ," Bonnie took her hand, "It's a quick mission, and we'll be back in the real world."

She forced herself to nod.

She couldn't leave Bonnie alone with Kai, and if she went with Damon and Elena, that's what she'd be doing. Plus, she'd have to spend time with Elena. But...Kai...and her and Bonnie alone with him hadn't ended well previously...she'd ended up losing an organ. But Kai wanted to be alone with them.

Elena didn't seem happy with the arrangement either, "Are you sure?"

"He's good now," Bonnie motioned to the current 'problem child', "Remember?"

Kai was trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue.

"New leaf."

Reluctantly, Elena accepted the decision, taking Damon's arm and letting him lead her towards the Salvatore House to start the search for his mother.

Once they were out of sight, Kai risked coming closer to them.

"New leaf?" His smile was so hopeful, "You believe me."

"Hell no."

Bonnie crushed his dream of forgiveness in a second, causing MJ to tighten her hold on Bonnie's hand in panic.

"But Damon and Elena need to meet his mum alone."

He looked MJ up and down, processing her nervous state, "...And here I thought we were doing good."

"This isn't about you," She shifted in her too heavy coat, "This is about being back in a place like this."

Which was technically about Kai.

They were back in an ascendant, with Kai and Bonnie.

It felt like they were asking the universe to reset everything, getting Damon and Elena home while forcing the three of them to recreate her nightmares.

"It's," Her throat was scratching, skin itching, "I just – "

No matter how big it all felt, it was a small metal object.

"The – um – the – "

It was too enclosed.

"Let's find the ascendant," Bonnie started to walk in the opposite direction, "And get out of here."

Bonnie was looking for a clearing to do the locator spell in, MJ dawdling behind her, scanning everything like she expected someone to jump out at her. Halfway through the walk, she shoved her coat off, dumping it in the snow. It still wasn't enough. Her skin felt like it was getting tighter around her bones.

"You okay?" Kai asked, in between her and Bonnie, like a prisoner being escorted to the chopping board, "You don't look it."

"Have I ever looked okay?"

"Fair enough."

She was tugging at her jumper next, incredibly tempted to ditch it and allow her body to breathe.

"You're claustrophobic!" He remembered, "This must be killing you."

Bonnie sent her a nervous glance.

"It's fine," She assured them, "And you said you had it too."

Kai shrugged, "I do."

"If you're fine, I'm fine."

"But I also told you that I didn't experience pure panic anymore," He lifted a hand towards her, like he was going to pat her face, but didn't, "I was forced to face my fear pretty head-on."

MJ looked to the floor.

"You're still terrified of suffocating."

"Don't plan on facing that any time soon," She focused on the trees, "Can we get on with this?"

"Yes," Bonnie held up her knife, "We need Kai's blood to track it."

As he cut, he let the blood drip down and onto Bonnie's hand.

She wasn't looking at him, glaring holes into the liquid and causing him to smile uncomfortably, fidgeting on his feet and waiting for anything to happen.

The lack of noise sent chills through MJ's body. To the point where she was desperate to say anything.

Luckily, Kai broke first, "You have really nice palms."

She laughed at the disgusted expression Bonnie pulled.

"Phasmatos Tribum, Nas Ex Veras, Sequitas Sanguinem," Bonnie began to chant a spell to find the ascendent, using her blood and his, Bennett and Gemini, "Phasmatos Tribum, Nas Ex Veras, Sequitas Sanguinem."

There was a slight change in the wind.

"Phasmatos Tribum, Nas Ex Veras, Sequitas Sanguinem."

"Do you know why I'm here?" He blurted out.

"Phasmatos Tribum, Nas Ex Veras, Sequitas Sanguinem."

"Because my guilt keeps me up at night."

"Phasmatos Tribum, Nas Ex Veras, Sequitas Sanguinem."

"I don't – I don't expect you to believe me. But I need you to give me one more chance."

MJ sucked on her lip at the bad wording.

"Phasmatos Tribum, Nas Ex Veras, Sequitas Sanguinem. Phasmatos Tribum, Nas Ex Veras, Sequitas Sanguinem."

"Bonnie!" He snatched her wrist roughly, "LISTEN TO ME!"

Both girls were frozen, eyes locked on each other, preparing to bolt.

He looked between them, realised what he'd done, and quickly stepped back.

"Sorry, I – " He shook his head, "Oh my God, I didn't – I didn't mean to do that – "

"But you did it anyway," Bonnie lashed, "Because, even if you're telling the truth, the old you is still inside of you."

She turned to MJ.

"Is this what living with Klaus is like? Walking on eggshells to keep the monster from jumping out?"

She swallowed.

"Sorry," Bonnie's eyes dropped, "I didn't mean to yell at you, I'm just – "

She sighed, exasperated, motioning to Kai.

He looked shell-shocked, to the point where MJ almost felt bad for him.

Then she reminded herself of the fact that Bonnie had every right to scream and shout and hate him. Because he was demanding a second chance like a baby. Because MJ knew, at her core, she was still just as traumatised standing near him. But she was more scared of what he'd do if she denied him a second chance.

"Klaus knows to let me have my space," She needed to talk, "He does things to show that he's sorry rather than just demanding forgiveness."

Then again, MJ was lucky.

Most people didn't even get the kinder gestures; they just got a haughty speech explaining why Klaus didn't need to apologise because he thought he was justified.

Most people lived in fear of him the way she feared Kai.

"He's a work in progress."

Incredibly true.

"We all are."

Kai relaxed a little at that comment, taking it as a sign he wasn't wholly detested by her.

Bonnie frowned, though, "The Ascendant is this way."

She marched off, letting the pair follow behind her again.

MJ did end up ditching her jumper after that, incredibly conflicted about the choice. Her hands were freezing, fingers tempted to turn numb, lips slightly blue, but she needed her arms exposed. She needed to feel the forest around her instead of the emptiness inside. Layers of clothes were layers of things to keep her in.

"How come this is so much easier for you?" Kai whispered.

"It's not easy," MJ felt herself glaring, "I'm just used to my nightmares becoming part of my life."

"If you accepted my help, you wouldn't need to be scared of anything."

"Kai," she gritted her teeth, "You do remember that you are, in fact, one of my nightmares."

"Which means I'm gonna become a part of your life," He joked.

"My life is in New Orleans."

"Yet you're still here."

"Because I'm still needed."

"After today," Bonnie spoke up, "You won't be."

"Caroline and Stefan."

"Doesn't matter," She shook her head, "I told you, we'll handle it."

MJ did actually trust Bonnie when she said that.

Years ago, Bonnie had lied about deactivating a machine, but ever since then, she'd done everything she could to help everyone. Once again, actions proving change – something Kai never did. Simply talking instead of taking MJ's advice and putting the work in...though, he was hardly the first person to ignore her advice.

"You said you weren't in the right place to help them," She reminded her, "That's you making a healthy choice. Don't back-track on it."

Before anyone could say anything else, a beeping noise came from Bonnie's pocket.

She pulled out her version of the enchanted coin and tossed it to MJ, "Check on them for me?"

"No chance," MJ wasn't leaving Bonnie alone with Kai.

"MJ."

There was something about her tone that had MJ faltering.

"We're the only two that can track the ascendant," She reminded her, "And you can teleport. If they're actually in danger, you'll be way more help."

That was true.

"The second it's sorted, I'll jump back."

After a moment of hesitation, Bonnie nodded.

MJ focused on the metal between her fingers, closing her eyes and picturing Damon's version. She knew the couple were meant to be at the house, but who knew where they'd ended up on the quest for Mumma Salvatore. She had to lock onto the magic and go from there.

~***~

Enzo and Alaric had ended up teaming up to try and deal with Stefan and Caroline. Alaric had to be talked into it, mainly hoping Stefan would be down and ready for detox when everyone returned from the prison world, while Enzo? Well, Enzo had a few reasons for lending a hand.

As they moved through the dorm, he held a crossbow to his chest, leading the way, Ric fiddling with his stake-modified rifle.

One covered in old but still active chalk runes.

As he cocked it, Enzo noted the decorations.

"There you are!" He mocked, "Definite role-model material – especially with the kiddy drawings up the side."

"Damon really spent five years in a cell with you without killing himself?"

"Oh, a fellow smart-ass."

Ric rolled his eyes.

"I see why you were his drinking buddy," He tutted as they moved, "You're gonna have to knock off the hard stuff while you're breastfeeding, mate."

"What are you even doing here?" Ric glared, "I thought you hated Stefan."

"I do," He happily nodded, "In fact, I have a whole elaborate revenge scheme against him. But, unfortunately..."

They turned a corner.

"To truly hurt someone, they have to care."

"So, you want Stefan's humanity back just to remind him how much you two hate each other?"

He shrugged, "A game's more fun with two players."

"You know," Ric grimaced, "Last night, an innocent girl had an involuntary splenectomy because you brought her into your life."

Enzo sighed.

"Now, if this is your idea of fun? You need to take a long look in the mirror, pal."

"And what?" He knew he sounded bored, "Re-evaluate my flippant disregard for human life?"

"Nah, just your deep, obvious loneliness."

"Oh, got me there!" Enzo nodded furiously, "I'm just a sad nobody, up to no good, while you're at home ticking off your life milestones."

He started counting on his fingers.

"Girl, kid, death. Heh."

Despite the fact he was trying to joke, he almost sounded bitter.

"...Sounds lovely."

"Whatever, I know I'm right," Ric challenged, "Your pull to MJ gives you away."

"Ah yes, the girl you've made miserable."

"Don't act like you know anything about the situation."

"I know more than you realise."

"Doubtful."

"Even if I didn't, liking her has nothing to do with loneliness."

Ric chuckled lowly, "Except, you vampires are all surprisingly similar."

Enzo stilled.

"You come into her life, you realise she's fun, she reminds you that the good times come with the humanity, so you steal her's away."

He didn't like that implication, "I'm not taking anything from her."

"You enjoy yourself," Ric ranted, "And she ends up thinking she's not worthy of good things, just bad and manipulative people – you're bad for her."

"Now," Enzo pointed, "Why do I feel like you're projecting?"

Ric didn't respond.

"For your information, I'm not about to corrupt your eldest kid," He snorted, "I care about her."

"That's worse."

"How is that worse?"

"It means you won't just leave her alone to live her life."

"Comradery is never a bad thing," Enzo argued, "I'm her friend, nothing more, nothing less. And if you think me – people like me, are the problem, maybe you need to do a little self-evaluation."

Ric grabbed the back of his shirt to turn the vampire round, facing him, "I care about her. People like you use her."

"If you actually cared about her, surely her happiness would be the only thing that matters?" Enzo pushed him back, "She's happy in New Orleans. And, she's happy with people like me."

"Keeping her alive is what matters."

"She died for all of you. She died here."

"You don't know the history," Ric argued, "You'd probably enjoy seeing her go off the deep end."

"You don't know anything about me!" He squared up, "And you clearly don't know anything about her life anymore."

"I – "

"The amount of protection and love I felt towards her in New Orleans beats most of what I've seen here."

Ric shifted.

"You want to know why I'm here today?" He waved the weapon about slightly, "Because I want Stefan dealt with. Because I want Caroline back in her right mind. Because MJ asked me to help, and I do not wish to let her down."

She did have a way with morally corrupt British men.

"Because," He slowed his words down, "I may not have the history you do, but that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to care about her, and, full offence, I know I haven't made her cry recently – not sure you can say the same."

Ric looked ready to shoot him.

"I'm not focusing on her because I think I can use her," Enzo lowered his tone, "I was trapped, in the dark, for an incredibly long time."

A step away from the ex-vampire hunter.

"I'm let out, set to die, and not only does she listen to me, but she makes it seem like I could be a person someone values after decades of just being a number."

MJ knew how to make a first impression.

"And she saved my life. For no real reason beyond it being the right thing to do, regardless of the different 'sides' we were on," He defended, "People like me know how to appreciate people like her."

A simple way of putting it.

"You could learn a thing or two from people like me."

He walked forward, returning to their quest to hunt down humanity-less vampires, Ric staring after him, reminding himself that Enzo wasn't actually Kol. He could use that as an excuse to try and hold onto his anti-Mikaelson stance. To think he was doing the right thing by trying to change who MJ wanted to be, despite the fact she'd walked out. Parents can believe they've been making the right call, but being a parent didn't mean you were automatically right about your kid's life, no matter how much you can want to be.

~***~

MJ landed on the front porch, swaying, stabilising herself against the door.

She really needed to get back to actually practising magic.

Once she felt steady, she headed inside, tempted to call out their names but also knowing better than to just alert her arrival. If they were in danger, she had to think there was more than just one prisoner in the world.

"Attic!" Damon's voice made her jump.

He'd been listening out for her arrival, calling down the staircases without popping his head out.

"You're in trouble?"

"Not exactly."

She hurried up to the room at the top of the house after that declaration, halting at the sight of everything.

A tall woman with black hair, pale skin, and striking blue eyes was standing in the middle of the attic, playing a record on a gramophone MJ was instantly envious of. She was wearing a long white and layered dress, a tight golden belt around her waist. Elena and Damon were by the doorway, staring around the room in horror, allowing MJ to take it all in too.

Desiccated vampires set up around a table, frozen eyes watching them, clearly imprisoned alongside the Salvatore mother.

The way she looked like Damon was almost uncanny, but MJ tried not to focus on that.

"I got your beacon," MJ stared at the grey vein covered skin, "How can I...help?"

The woman eyed her up, "One of the witches here to rescue us?"

"Yes?" She wasn't sure she wanted that information out there, "MJ Ruiz."

"Lily Salvatore."

"Nice to meet you?"

"Hopefully."

"What's going on?"

"My mother has some complicated luggage."

MJ blinked.

"These vampires have been trapped here with you?" Elena clarified, "The whole time?"

"We went everywhere together," Lily smiled easily, "They happened to be on the boat that night, poor souls."

"These 'poor souls' don't happen to have the same affinity for rolling heads?" Damon alluded, "Do they?"

"On the contrary, these people saved me from that part of myself."

MJ hadn't been fully brought up to speed on the situation, "Part of yourself?"

"Stefan's drinking problem seems to be genetic," Damon summed up.

"Wonderful."

"My inability to cope with blood is a habit of the past," Lily dismissed, "I was banished here because I was a monster. I drank with no remorse from whatever human I could sink my teeth into. But, locked in this cage, I was forced to confront the animal I had become."

She straightened a handkerchief tucked into one of the vampire's pockets affectionately.

"And, as we ran out of resources."

No fresh blood supply in their prison world, it seemed.

"My friends sacrificed their rations for me," She placed a hand on her chest, "I knew if I drank as every bone in my body demanded, there wouldn't be enough to wake them. So, I learned to control my bloodlust."

MJ focused on the stone faces.

"For them."

Six people in out-of-date clothing.

"These people made me feel human again."

To MJ, Damon didn't look happy about the declaration, but his mother wasn't paying him any attention anyway.

"I'll fetch the rest of the blood so we can revive them."

Lily left, leaving the three of them to properly look over the group they were supposedly unleashing on the world. A collection of vampire dolls ready and waiting to be awakened, them none-the-wiser to their identities or pasts, which MJ usually had a soft spot for. But Lily? She was acting too possessive of them, almost like Klaus post-Mikael's first death about the coffins.

"Not only is she a Ripper," Damon lowered his voice, "She's an insane Ripper!"

"Or," Elena moved her fingers in front of the eyes, seeing how they responded to her despite the grey colour of their skin, "Maybe she feels responsible for them?"

"Are you kidding me?" He hissed, "Vampire dollhouse?"

MJ didn't actually have a silencing rune on, considering she was still trying to restrict what magic her body came into direct contact with, meaning the whispering would only do so much.

Taking the room in properly, her eyes passed over the candelabras, bookshelves filled with recipes and classical literature, and, oddly enough, a few Grimoires. She'd been through the Salvatore House enough times during her imprisonment, and during her New Year cleaning, to know that they weren't meant to be there. They had to have been collected and brought by the group.

"Odd," MJ inspected one of them, "You're mum seems to be one of those vampires who like to keep witch memorabilia floating about."

"Really – "

That was when she noticed something sitting on the table top.

"Isn't that the Ascendant?"

Elena picked it up, just as confused, "Damon?"

He nodded awkwardly.

"Bonnie was leading us in a different direction..."

"Because Bonnie isn't looking for the Ascendant."

MJ's eyes went wide.

Bonnie's vague explanation about why she was suddenly on board with working with Kai suddenly made sense, as Damon explained the plan to them. They were leaving him behind. Lily would go to the real world, Kai would stay, imprisoned, and everything would be a-okay. Except, now Lily wanted to bring a group of vampires with her, which would require more magic, and potentially unleash all kinds of hell on Mystic Falls.

MJ hated prison worlds with her entire being.

She hated the way they stole time, and the way they drove you mad with silence, and the way they'd brought her to Kai and fucked with her sense of living.

But the last imprisoned vampire group they'd accidentally unlocked in Mystic Falls had been the tomb vampires.

And that had also given her a whole bag of trauma.

She didn't want to leave anyone behind, though – not if they were awake. No one deserved to be awake in a prison world, slowly going mad and waiting until the next poor soul unintentionally ended up in one.

She just wanted to go home.

Heading down the stairs, closing the attic door, MJ was tempted to lock it shut with a spell.

They were grabbing their coats to keep an eye out for Bonnie, waiting for the Celestial Event to start that would get them out of the Prison World. MJ wouldn't leave any of them behind, but she also really didn't want to risk another day in a Prison World. She couldn't do that to herself. Then, the Kai of it all.

The fucking Kai of it all.

How the hell was she supposed to feel about that part of the plan?

Damon's apology gift to Bonnie was a plan to rid Kai from their lives, but another Prison World?

But it was Kai!

Stepping into the cold evening, she could see the colours starting to change.

MJ wished she'd brought her camera to photograph it, but also knew it wouldn't have been the time anyway.

Her hands kept fiddling.

They were leaving Kai behind.

The isolation had driven him mad enough the first time around; could she really do that to him again?

It was Kai.

Her living nightmare.

If he was in the Prison World, and they locked off the magic, he wouldn't be able to siphon his way out. There'd be no more worrying about someone invading her mind while she was asleep. No more creature cutting her organs out while she slept, or demanding forgiveness, or unintentionally making her feel like the bad guy for not wanting to give in to his tragic past.

Trauma wasn't an excuse. Trauma wasn't an excuse.

They all had shitty childhoods, and sure, she was sympathetic to the Mikaelson's, but that was usually situational. Klaus's random lashes out about being a bastard usually had her mocking him – she'd only ever give in if she had actually said something triggering – and she never triggered Kai! Not intentionally! He'd freaking scarred her so, of course, she stepped away from him, yet he still had the nerve to call her out for it.

Logically, MJ's problems should drift away if he was gone.

But...

She was pacing to keep herself from freaking out.

Kai was the one person alive she could channel.

He was working with them –

Forgiveness.

He may have been going about it the wrong way, but he was still trying.

And eternity in a second prison world, one with desiccated vampires?

"You're gonna be able to handle this, right?" Damon checked, motioning to the small group of them, "No channelling, just you saying the spell?"

She managed a nod.

"Woah, Woah," He grabbed her wrist, forcing her to still, "Sabrina."

"I'm fine!"

Elena's eye caught on them.

Lily was putting on a jacket, holding a jar of blood, standing on the porch, looking between them and the stairs, where she wanted to wake up her friends. The only reason she wasn't was because she was confused about all the sudden fuss.

"You can do this."

"We can't leave him behind," She whispered.

Damon glanced to his girlfriend, "Why not?"

"We just can't!"

"How do you, of all people, have a problem with this?"

"Because – because – " She didn't want to have a problem, "I – "

"Okay, stop," Damon pulled her to the porch, pushing her down to sit on the steps and kneeling in front of her, "That feeling in your stomach? That thing you're calling guilt?"

"I can't do this to him."

"It's not guilt, MJ."

"Don't tell me what I'm feeling."

"It's not," His voice actually sounded softer, "It's fear."

"I'm – " She wanted to say she wasn't scared of Kai anymore, but that just wasn't true.

The speed of which she'd gotten to Elena and Damon proved that.

The fact she was still having nightmares proved that.

"You're scared that we'll fail, and it'll make him mad and that he'll come after you all over again. Or for Bonnie. Or everyone else you care about – but he won't," Damon re-affirmed, "This will work, MJ."

She didn't believe him.

"He will be tucked away in here, and you will be safe."

She looked to the snowy floor, feeling a presence sit next to her.

Elena.

"I know I'm not your favourite person in the world," She was squeezing her hand, "But you're not alone right now."

Actual physical contact with someone, second hand joining to really press against MJ's fingers.

"It's not just you guys and him anymore," She reminded her, "Being scared is expected, but we're right here with you."

MJ could feel herself shaking.

It was Kai.

Every single time she thought she had one up on him, he'd win, and she'd be left bleeding out – she couldn't –

She couldn't –

"We're not going to leave you here," Elena's arm was going over her shoulder comfortingly, "And if he somehow escapes?"

MJ didn't want to think about that part.

"He'll have to go through all of us."

There was a soft quiet between the three of them.

MJ closed her eyes to try and steady out her breathing.

Having them tell her that did help, but she still couldn't quite shake her unease about the plan.

Yes, MJ was scared of Kai, so locking him up should help, but it was so much more than that. No matter how many times people told her she wasn't a bad person, she couldn't stop herself from spotting similarities between the pair of them – between him and all the awful people she'd ended up getting soft spots for.

Maybe Ric had a point.

Maybe she was just hiding in dark figures as a way to hurt herself.

No.

Klaus didn't hurt her. Not anymore.

She just needed to jump the group back, and they'd be free of Kai forever.

His 'we are each other's true equals' theory would be disproved, and she could go back to figuring herself out, no dark whisper in her ear claiming to know the real her. Asking her to give in. Mentally torturing her.

"What's going on?" Lily finally asked.

"Your vampire-menagerie is going to have to take the next train out," Damon returned to his feet, "We're down a witch."

"You want to leave them behind?" She looked crestfallen, "Damon, you can't save me without saving them."

"We'll come back for them."

A clear lie.

"Let's go."

Clear to MJ, anyway, because she wasn't going to stick around to dive back into the Prison World if Kai was the person waiting for them inside it.

"Damon, look," Elena pointed up, "Is that the Aurora Borealis?"

"It is," MJ nodded as the colour came properly into focus, confirming that it was time to go, "Where's Bonnie?"

"Right here!" She ran up the drive, red-faced but grinning, "Let's take our ticket out of here."

She took a moment to catch her breath, looking at the group.

"You got it?"

"Yeah," Elena pulled the ascendant out of her coat pocket and handed it to Bonnie.

"Okay," She started to cut her palm on it.

Damon glanced around, "You gotta be kidding me!"

His mum had vanished.

"Start the spell," He instructed angrily, "I'll get her."

Bonnie smiled warmly at MJ, and she tried to return it, watching the Bennett blood drip over the object before it was handing it to her.

Kai was nowhere in sight.

They were genuinely leaving him behind.

She felt lightheaded.

"You good to go?" Bonnie checked, "No Floare magic puking?"

"Nope," MJ walked forward, standing on the edge of the front lawn, "Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

Bonnie put a hand on her shoulder, then took Elena's.

"Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

Having technically channelled two people to get there, she felt almost empty trying to get them out on her own. She had enough magic, but that wasn't the point. Metaphorically empty. Back to being 'MJ Always Left Out of The Witch Group' empty.

"Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

Siphoner. Floare. Alone.

"Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

She couldn't let herself think like that.

The 'alone' mentality had caused her to kill herself, and MJ knew it wasn't really true.

Maybe Elena wasn't the person she'd wanted holding her hand, but the words she'd spoken were the right ones. They were all right there with her. If Kai escaped, he'd come for all of them – not just her.

Tyler was her family, even if her brother was dead.

Stefan and Caroline would be fine, and once she was better too, she could be there for them.

Jeremy and she were technically working together.

Bonnie and she were definitely in it together.

"Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

She'd cut Ric out of her life, and she didn't regret it, but she missed him.

MJ missed him not being on her list of names.

She was ready to put Mystic Falls into her past, but that didn't mean abandoning them; it meant moving forward with her own life, a life in New Orleans, where she was, as Klaus put it, 'anything but alone.'

"Damon!" Elena called out to him, stretching her hand.

He grabbed it, also taking his mother's.

"Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema," MJ's voice got louder, trying to hurry the spell up now that all of them were there, "Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

"BONNIE!" Kai was limping towards them, covered in blood.

MJ's concentration almost faltered, "Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

"Stop!"

Bonnie lifted her own hand up, letting MJ handle the spell while she made sure he couldn't get any closer.

"Sangiema Meam Et Nos Mundo Carcerema."

"MJ!" His voice cut through the rush of energy she was feeling, "You said you wouldn't – "

In a flash, they were gone, leaving Kai behind in a new prison, no pork grinds to munch on since they weren't invented in 1903.

As they landed in the modern-day Salvatore House, MJ was breathing heavily but focused.

"Bon – "

"On it," Bonnie grabbed their version of the ascendent from the floor and waved a hand, summoning a sheet of paper from MJ's room.

She started to chant, using her still bleeding palm over the device to change its properties.

Damon was holding MJ steady as she tried not to pass out.

Her lack of sleep was really turning into a problem since she wasn't low on magic, she was just incredibly physically weak – and she didn't like it.

She'd spent two years practically at the top of her game, and she wanted to get back to that.

As Bonnie's magic died, MJ waited for a wave of relief to hit her.

It didn't.

"It worked?" She checked.

Bonnie nodded.

"What did you do?" Elena asked.

"Changed how the world's held together," Bonnie fiddled with the box, "So he can't just siphon his way out."

Both girls were staring at the box.

Bonnie began to smile.

MJ didn't.

Her fingers were trembling.

Kai was gone.

That was supposed to make her feel better, body ready to crash and sleep the way she had when she'd found Bonnie waiting for her in the Salvatore kitchen.

"You need a top-up?" Damon offered his arm.

"You sure?"

"You're not him," He shrugged, "You know what you're doing."

It was probably his way of making it up to her for being a dick the previous day, but MJ would take it.

A careful grip, five seconds of a glowing red hand, and she was waking up slightly, hoping the boost would reset her brain and settle her about the situation.

It didn't.

She'd found peace killing Silas.

That had felt really good.

But she'd also found peace by not killing Marcel.

However, she'd watched the elder, Agnes, die a few days later, and she didn't regret that either.

So why the hell didn't she feel good about finally being free of Kai?

They'd done it.

They'd left him behind and blocked his easy escape route.

He couldn't retaliate...

"Wait," Lily was staring at the hand as the glow died, "You're a siphoner?"

"Um," MJ didn't like that, "Yeah."

"I've met a few over the years."

"You have?" MJ glanced about, "I'm sorry if they hurt you – we aren't all..."

She couldn't really finish the sentence considering she didn't think of herself as a good person.

"No, no!" Lily shook her head, "They're lovely people."

She blinked, "They are?"

"They have so much potential!"

MJ looked to see if anyone else was followed, "Could you be a little less vague?"

"It's nothing," Lily turned to take the house in, "I admire a siphoners ability to grow. Feel whole in a world that treats them as less."

She looked at her hands.

"Overcoming barriers no other witch can."

"Well," MJ shifted, "Working around the fact we can't really just channel people, Floare Siphoners anyway, hasn't exactly been a fun barrier, but I guess siphoning has some perks."

She had to force herself to start viewing her abilities as a good thing again.

She deserved to think of them as a good thing.

Lily's smile became almost sly in response.

"Why don't we sort you out a room to stay in?" Damon tried to dispel the odd tension in the room.

He led his mother away, but until she was out of sight, her eyes had stayed on MJ with an unsettling amount of intensity.

"She looked like she wanted to kill you," Bonnie said, so MJ didn't have to.

"Thank god," She relaxed, "I thought I was being overly paranoid."

"Another reason for you to get out of town."

MJ laughed, "Almost seems like you want to get rid of me."

Bonnie grinned.

"You're really gonna go?" Elena's voice was quiet, "Right now?"

MJ really thought about it.

All the different factors.

"Yeah."

If she didn't make a choice, she never would.

"Caroline made it pretty clear that if I tried to do anything to sort her out, she'd kill me, so," MJ used the simplest reason, "Letting her hurt me will only give her more of a reason to keep the switch off."

"I guess that's true."

"Plus, I've lowkey been saying goodbye to everyone?"

She and Stefan's last conversation had been a bit of a wrap-up of their unfinished business, even if it hadn't been a goodbye. Her chat with Tyler's had been pretty standard for them, while Caroline's had been more a 'see-you-later.'

And she'd completely cut off Ric.

She tried not to let that thought hurt her as much as it did.

She and Enzo never really said hello or goodbye, they just vibed, then...the people she was in the room with.

"Well, um," Elena nodded, "See you when I see you?"

"If something does go disastrously wrong...you can call," MJ couldn't stop herself from saying it, "But I mean, disaster, end of the world level problems only."

"...MJ..." She bit her lip, "Thank you...for everything."

There was a light brush of relief travelling through MJ's body.

"If I tried to list off all the reasons, we'd probably be here a while," She awkwardly laughed at herself, "Just, thank you. For all the times I haven't said it, and for today...and for last week. And I'm sorry."

She wasn't specifying what for, but it was still something.

"Thank you for saying that," MJ rubbed her hands together, "And, well, we kinda forgot, but, uh?"

She held them to Elena.

"I low-key owe you your memories back."

Elena stilled, "I forgot about that."

Part of the reason why MJ was willing to do it.

It was the first time in a long time that a thank you had felt genuine, Elena genuinely forgetting about the massive thing MJ technically held over her.

...And Kol was technically alive.

Part of her still wanted a way better apology, but to leave town, she needed to let go of her Caroline titled Elena-Gilbert-Complex.

Her ability to siphon memories was the last thing holding them together really.

"No promises that I won't go a little wrong," MJ reminded her, "And it will definitely hurt. But I'll try and just get the compulsion."

"Seriously?"

"I said I'd do it once Bonnie was home, well..."

Bonnie did mock jazz hands, "I'm home."

MJ also felt a hell of a lot less bitter about helping Elena now the two magic words had come from her mouth.

Elena sat on the couch, MJ placing her fingers on her temples and slowly starting to siphon.

She had to be careful, considering she hadn't siphoned compulsion in forever, but once she started, she slipped into the right technique. Just like riding a bike.

Bonnie was home.

Kai couldn't hurt them anymore.

She was successfully siphoning Elena.

Maybe she did just need a moment to settle for her nightmares to become easier to sleep with.

And MJ missed her home.

Elena was yelling and shaking, trying her best not to lash out, knowing that doing so would only make it harder for MJ to get it right until, eventually, the noise stopped.

MJ let go.

Elena collapsed back, all her memories falling back into place. Memories could be painful, and her body was healing from the siphoning, meaning it made sense the girl completely conked out on the sofa to take it all in.

Bonnie was beaming, "Damon's gonna be so happy."

"Not my goal in life," MJ cringed, "But I guess if it makes you this happy, it's worth it."

"And, now we're technically alone," Bonnie stood up tall, "I have something I need to tell you."

MJ turned from the unconscious Elena to look at her friend.

"I brought something else back from the Prison World," She spoke slowly, "Other than the Grimoire and the headstone."

MJ realised what was happening, "The cure."

Bonnie did one single nod of her head to confirm it.

Was MJ meant to grin or destroy it?

"My initial plan was to give it to Damon," She looked at her sleeping best friend, "So he could give it to Elena, but..."

"But what?"

"I also wanted to give you an extract."

MJ straightened up.

"I know you have notes from Senior Year, but I also know you stopped looking," Bonnie started to root around in her jacket pocket, "And, an extract won't be enough to cure anyone, but it's something to use."

She was staring at Bonnie's hands as she revealed a case with the cure inside, a tiny vial with a few drops waiting for her to analyse them.

"Because," Bonnie pressed it into MJ's hand, "If anyone's gonna figure out how to make a second one? It'll be you."

MJ's mind was racing, "Stefan and Rebekah."

Her first two contenders.

"And," Bonnie put her hands up, "Well...like I said last night. I'm not the biggest fan of 'notoriously violent and blood-crazed Original Vampire's' but, you care about him."

MJ stilled.

"And I'm not going to act like Kol wasn't trying to save your life even after we'd killed him, which means he clearly loves you...and I support you...so...a way to get rid of the bloodthirsty part."

"Kol?"

They'd talked about it, and he'd chosen to turn, but he had said he'd take it when she'd been freaking out...

Did MJ want him to?

She'd told him she wasn't against forever, and that hadn't been a lie, but –

It was a pointless conversation to have, with herself, when they weren't even dating anymore.

"Obviously, he might not wanna take it," Bonnie revealed that she was perfectly aware of that, "But having it as an option isn't a bad thing."

If she could figure out how to make a second, so many people would benefit.

"We both have a tombstone, and we have Qetsiyah's notes," She added, "Elena can take this one, and then we can figure out the rest."

MJ hugged her tight, "I really missed you."

"I missed you too," Bonnie whispered, "And I'll miss you when you're gone."

"If you want me to stay?"

"I want you to be happy."

"I hope you get to be happy too."

"I will."

"I still highly recommend Enzo over Damon if you're really determined to have a moral corrupt vampire friend nowadays."

Bonnie laughed.

With that, MJ slowly gathered her things, said a quick goodbye to Damon, trying not to let Lily's eyes unnerve her too much, then headed to make a few last-minute stops. She'd been packing for about three days, managing to get dragged into things after declaring she wanted to leave, so she was ready to go, but she did need to say goodbye to Matt first. He thanked her for the healing and wished her a safe trip after a second of trying to convince her to stay.

Then, MJ was waiting on a bench for a bus to the nearest airport, phoning Stefan.

"Your humanity's off," She started, "Meaning you won't care that I'm leaving town."

They'd already had a talk to wrap up their leftover feelings.

"But I still wanted to tell you."

"Thanks," He sounded chipper, "One less person for me to keep an eye out for."

"Exactly," She matched his tone, "Though, I don't think you're gonna stay like this too long, Rippa."

He snorted, "You've officially spent too much time with Klaus."

"Or maybe I just wanted to check your sense of humour was still intact."

"It is."

"Good," MJ wanted to think that meant he hadn't gone too off the rails yet, "You can tell Caroline that she's getting her wish. I won't be around to act as an emotional trigger, but once you guys get through this, I'll be a phone call away."

"We'll keep that in mind."

She could picture the false expression on his face, "And if you go too off the rails, I'll be back to chain you into that basement all over again."

"You see," He chirped, "That's just a motivator to go on a binge drink."

"Hm?"

"You know I find you incredibly hot when you're torturing me."

Her turn to laugh.

"See you around, MJ."

"Try not to miss me too much."

"Missing you implies emotion."

"And we wouldn't want any of that now, would we?"

"Definitely not."

She hung up, contemplating how well she always seemed to get on with no-humanity Stefan.

"I guess this means you're actually leaving then."

MJ jumped.

Ric was stood a little down the pavement, each step closer to her making MJ feel like a cat about to be attacked, eyes jumping and body tense.

"I did tell you I was," She murmured.

"I know," He bobbed his head, taking a seat next to her, her duffle bag in between them.

The evening was a little cold, February weather, and there weren't many cars about. It was quiet, and it was making her uncomfortable. The silence was a little too close to the Prison World. MJ needed the music of New Orleans underscoring her life until she was through the panic flushes.

"I had this conversation with Jo today," He started talking, staring across the road, "I got hurt trying to stop Caroline and Stefan."

MJ's eyes went wide, scanning him for any visible injuries.

"I can't get hurt anymore," He shook his head, "I'm gonna have a wife. And a baby. And I can't be running around playing vampire hunter."

MJ felt her shoulders curling in.

"And," He swallowed nervously, "Everything about today felt wrong anyway."

"...Wrong?"

"Doing this stuff?" He gestured out, "You were the person I did it with. You and Damon."

Ric finally looked at her.

"I was using gear you'd modified, but you weren't there with me."

MJ couldn't pull her eyes away from him.

"I can't be putting myself in danger," He repeated, "But you're not danger, MJ."

Her main point.

"You're a part of my life – you're part of the reason I can't do life-risking activities."

Her features softened in time with his.

"So, after quite a few months of lecturing you," His head went to the side awkwardly, "I finally received a bit of a lecture today. From both my fiancé and a vampire who is very fond of you."

MJ wasn't quite sure what that meant.

"And listening to them was all well and good, but it made me realise I needed to listen to you for a change," Ric put a hand on her bag, "Talk to me, MJ. One final time for the road, and I promise, no matter what you say, I won't yell, I won't make it worse, I'll just listen."

They held a look for about a minute as MJ tried to find the words.

"I only came home to say goodbye, in a way," She admitted, "The back-and-forth I've done the past year has been me trying to hold on to all of you, but the version of me that fits here isn't the version of me I like."

"You don't like being a good person?"

"I'm a better person in New Orleans."

A long breath in.

"I know it's selfish to leave when Caroline, Stefan, Tyler, and Bonnie all need me, but, you know what? After everything, I think it's my turn to be selfish."

He didn't argue back.

"I finally want to be alive again, and I needed to come here to admit that," MJ didn't regret coming back, "Because I was so upset I almost messed up again, and I'm not used to feeling like that in New Orleans."

"You came back because you knew you'd hate it?"

"Because I needed to say a proper goodbye," She corrected, "I hit my lowest there too, but it's only by hitting the low that I can rebuild. And I want to rebuild in New Orleans...making that choice? It means putting Mystic Falls behind me."

After a moment, Ric nodded, completing the movement he'd started and taking her hand, "I hate that I've lost you to them."

"You haven't lost me."

They both lent towards the centre, MJ's head resting on his shoulder.

"I used to feel found," She whispered, "I want to feel found again."

The quiet hurt less that time.

Ric was moving, second hand going into his jacket pocket on the side she couldn't see and holding something out to her.

A red envelope with golden pinyin on the back.

"I was going to give this to you the other night."

MJ was staring at it.

"I have Chinese New Year marked in my calendar, and I was going to give it to you, but then I acted like an idiot, and you left, so I didn't get to."

The same type of envelope he'd given her years prior.

"Then Damon called about twenty minutes ago and said you were heading out, and I knew I needed to catch you before you went..."

Her heart warmed.

"...I couldn't let you leave without it."

"I'm not a kid anymore," She reminded him, "I'm not sure I'm meant to still get the envelopes."

"You'll always be a kid to me," He squeezed her, "And you have about eight years of catch-up, so I'd say the universe will let it slide."

MJ smiled.

"I'm sorry I wasn't sensitive enough the other night."

"You're forgiven," She knew she couldn't ever really get mad at her friends for not being on board with her status as a member of the Mikaelson's circle of trust, "And I'm happy you came to see me off."

"Want me to drive you to the airport?"

"That would be nice."

"...I'm never gonna be on board, MJ," He added quietly, "But I'm done trying to stop you."

It would've been weird for him to get on board with it all.

"Take as long as you need to find a home...I'll always be waiting. Whenever you need me."

"I'm going home."

Ric nodded, taking her hand, knowing that since he'd met her, he'd decided she'd never have to wait for a bus while he owned a car, ever again. Following through on that as a middle ground instead of creating more conflict about her choice to finally leave Mystic Falls behind. He'd love her. He'd be there when things went wrong, because they always did. It wasn't the perfect arrangement, but it was all MJ needed to know.