a/n: This chapter is gonna be a trip

ALSO;
I try to keep this fic a positive space
Can we stop with the female-coded/misogynistic insults?
(A little less hate overall would be nice)

I love comments. I love talking to y'all, but I there's a limit.

- Bea xx

P.S. a lot of MJ's opinions are mine for once (Mikaelson's wanting Davina as Regent still blows my mind)

The sky was not helping MJ feel good about the remaining time she'd given Elijah to fix everything before she'd release Klaus on them.

Thunder and lightning rumbled through the city, fog forming across the Bayou like a protective blanket. There was a thin line between protective and imprisoning. A line Klaus often crossed. There was a slight pressure in her chest at the idea of being isolated, but MJ just kept chanting, 'you're awake' to loosen it. In her eyes, the fog felt protective and soft, like a fallen cloud, but to everyone else, it was like the walls going up around the city, cutting it off from the rest of the world.

MJ was always torn about how superstitious she was.

She was a witch.

Witch feelings weren't something to ignore. But prophecy and fate?

She'd talked about it enough times, and she still didn't have an answer.

Beni didn't believe in prophecy, and Kitsunes were prophets. Just because lousy weather usually meant bad futures didn't mean she needed to stress! It just meant power. Which was obviously involved. The storm had come on too quick to not be magically influenced – but summoning a storm didn't mean Dahlia was going to win. It meant she was stupid enough to waste power on being a showboat, while MJ preserved herself...ish.

Kol was setting up the unlinking spell for Davina and Rebekah for them in The Cemetry.

He was clearly still adjusting to not being able to do it himself, so they were all letting him micromanage.

Candles were everywhere, large enough to hold, tops glowing.

MJ had handed over the doll to turn Freya into bait to Elijah, then moved on to her next task. Making sure Rebekah could be let near Dahlia without putting eight other people at risk. Eight other children.

While Kol worked, she watched from the side of the Lycée with Vincent.

"All right, then," Rebekah sounded nervous, "Just a little bit of witchy business. How difficult can it be?"

Davina smiled at her encouragingly, in an oddly good mood. At least, to MJ, it was odd. She hadn't seen Davina smiling recently, and the expression instantly had her slightly concerned, trying to work out why...

Maybe she'd had a breakthrough with her Aiden-Ressurection plan?

Hopefully, it was as simple as that.

"Remember," Vincent spoke up, "The hard part was Eva linking herself to the kids."

He crossed his fingers in demonstration.

"Now, you just gotta," He uncrossed them and flicked his wrist, "Do the unlinking yourself."

"Linking spells are a great way to start learning magic," MJ added, "If you don't get it right, nothing bad happens."

"And if you do?" Kol grinned, mock cheering, "Woohoo! Two successful spells on your own."

"Is this easier or harder than jumping you back?"

"It's all relative," He scrunched up his nose, "In reality, this in nothing compared to what you could be forced to unlink."

MJ laughed, catching all of their attention, "...Sorry."

Kol was grinning at her reaction.

She tried to hope he wasn't faking his ease with the situation.

Having to teach Rebekah after just losing his powers couldn't have been fun, but at least there was something else to focus on for a few hours.

"He's right," MJ tried to stay on topic, "Unlinking people to make their lives less stressful is incredibly low pressure in the big picture."

Unbinding Klaus as the most obvious example.

"If you get it wrong, it's okay."

"Just read what I wrote," Vincent encouraged, "'Abracadabra', link severed."

"Lovely," She nodded, "I guess I'm hoping I don't turn us all into a horde of bull frogs."

Davina lifted her own hands forward, allowing Rebekah to channel her, Kol drifting back to be closer to the group, not performing as they began.

"Sai Por Ce Kai Sai Ma Nous Couve Gran."

Their pronunciation was perfect, Kol leaning in.

"Sai Por Ce Kai Sai Ma Nous Couve Gran."

They were both chanting, but Rebekah was in sole control of the spell, guiding its power and severing the link laced through her body.

"Sai Por Ce Kai Sai Ma Nous Couve Gran."

The wind picked up, MJ glancing around to check that it was the magic, not the storm – which wasn't easy. The magic in the storm was frying her senses.

"Sai Por Ce Kai Sai Ma Nous Couve Gran."

"Okay, almost there," Vincent untensed, "Keep going."

"Sai Por Ce Kai Sai Ma Nous Couve Gran," Rebekah spoke on her own, still pulling on Davina's power, "Sai Por Ce Kai Sai Ma Nous Couve Gran."

As she continued, Davina opened her eyes, smiling bigger at the familiar feeling of working with another witch – sharing power and strength.

Doing something meaningful with magic.

"Sai Por Ce Kai Sai Ma Nous Couve Gran."

MJ tried not to feel too jealous.

She'd channelled Kai. She officially knew what it felt like to share magic with someone, not just take it, but she had to push thoughts of doing it again out of her head. Internal magic couldn't just be given to someone without something like the merge, and the only person she could've done a power snip with was her brother.

Who she'd killed.

And who never would've just given her his magic.

Unless she found a way to give herself a natural store of magic – one that wasn't Floare, she couldn't be channelled, and that seemed like an unreasonable task to give herself.

She was a siphoner.

She couldn't just change her biological make-up.

"Sai Por Ce Kai Sai Ma Nous Couve Gran," Rebekah was starting to sweat, "Sai Por Ce Kai Sai Ma Nous Couve Gran."

Their hands were thrown apart, everything coming to a halt.

Davina and Rebekah looked at each other, then to MJ, Kol, and Vincent.

"Is it finished?"

MJ pulled out her pocket knife, "Only one way to find out."

She offered it to Rebekah, who reluctantly slashed the blade over her fingertips, wincing as she held it up for them to all see too.

Davina's hand was wound free.

"Yes, Bex!" MJ cheered, jumping forward to take the hand, muttering the easiest healing incantation she could think of, "Go you!"

The blood was vanishing, a warm glow around it.

"Everyone's safe," Rebekah breathed out in relief, "And I can punch my aunt in the throat."

"I love that plan," Kol offered her a high-five, Rebekah ignoring it in favour of a celebratory hug.

It took him a second to settle into it, MJ winking at him, trying not to beam too much.

"MJ," Vincent cleared his throat, "You realise what the time is?"

"About ten minutes till I told Elijah I'd un-dagger Klaus."

"No."

MJ raised an eyebrow.

"You said you'd sit vigilance for Josephine."

It was nearly sunset.

"Shit," She clicked her teeth, "Okay, well, I'll be back in time for it, and then...then it'll go straight into the coven meeting for Regent? Yeah..."

Her schedule was weirdly organised for a crisis.

"You can give someone your vote."

"I'm aware," She'd read the rules, "I won't, though."

"You sure?" He bowed down slightly, "I'll take it off your plate."

She narrowed her eyes, "Why?"

"Because I'm gonna be there anyway, making my alternate proposal."

Something about the offer felt off.

"My vigilance coincides with it," She shook her head, "You can make your pitch to me."

He smiled, "Okay then."

To the next task!

Kol, Rebekah, and she were rushing through the rain to get back to The Compound, the storm only growing, rain officially splattering down. He was speeding about the place to take the mick out of their human speed, MJ giggling at the sight of it.

Every time Kol came to a halting stop, water sprayed at Rebekah thanks to the contrast of vamp-speed and puddle, her cursing at him, running down the pavement after his human speed, trying to spell him.

She didn't know enough spells.

The sight was somewhat adorable, even if Rebekah was in the wrong body; MJ happily running after them until she realised something that made her panic even more than before.

She'd waited a day to do vigilance because it was a full moon that night. A celestial even she could channel into her witch-post-death ceremony, further securing Jo's place among the spirits.

Hayley and Jackson were at the Bayou, in the rain, trapped by fog, simultaneously making them harder to find but keeping them around – all of it reeking with magic. The channelling of a celestial event. MJ had been banking on Dahlia wearing herself out, but the event itself would be doing the heavy lifting.

Marcel was waiting for them, stilling at the sight of Kol's mischievous face and Rebekah's drenched clothes.

"You're back."

"I am," He held his head high, marching right past him and inside.

Freya was sitting, working on a spell, Elijah standing by a window to watch the storm against the street.

"That's it!" MJ arrived as her timer went off, "I'm un-daggering Klaus."

"You will do no such thing," Elijah spoke from his point.

"Miri Benet Midicen..." Freya chanted under her breath.

"I will."

"As much as I appreciate your concern for his wellbeing," He pushed off the wall to face her, "I cannot allow you to."

"Like you can stop me."

"Hayley has left."

"Yeah. We've been over that."

"For good."

MJ stood down slightly.

"She phoned us an hour ago, told me she would wait for our help, then decided she no longer wishes for Hope to be a Mikaelson."

MJ frowned.

"Can't really blame her if I'm honest," Rebekah murmured, tossing off her jacket and glaring at her brother, "I wouldn't want to be related to Kol either."

"This is about the rest of you," He shot back, "In which, correct, I also praise her choice. I'm the only sufferable one."

They started to make noises at each other.

Elijah's glare shut them up.

"This is ridiculous," MJ felt an odd amount of rage fill her stomach, "I'll find her."

"You will let her keep her daughter safe."

"Fleeing into a literal storm is safe!?"

"It is her child, Mira!" Elijah matched her volume, "She acts as she sees fit, and we respect that."

MJ wanted to punch him, but that would've only hurt her.

Instead, she turned on her heel to move towards the room storing Klaus's body.

"Do not make me hurt you again."

"I dare you to try."

She didn't turn around.

He didn't move.

"If Hayley runs, I can't keep her safe from Dahlia or Klaus."

In the big picture, Hayley was making the right call.

All of Sam's points about how he couldn't knowingly put a child into an abusive household was valid. Even if he hadn't had a personal reflection on it, it would've been correct, and MJ knew that. It was what made her feel so sick about being dubbed 'Team Klaus.' She was technically on Team Emotional Manipulation and Physical Violence against the mother of his child.

A mother who had literally died giving birth to the kid because of witches who hated him.

Who'd had him choke her on a wall and threaten her at the prospect of an abortion.

A victim to a supernatural anomaly.

A situation she'd never signed up for.

MJ couldn't blame Hayley for running.

No one could claim to be a feminist and blame her.

Klaus was the problem.

Elijah was a problem.

Freya was the freaking problem.

"I can't keep Hope safe if I don't know where she is!"

MJ wouldn't have been mad at Hayley if the choice to run didn't feel so terribly timed.

While Klaus was daggered, they really didn't need to go anywhere.

It felt like a wolf-pack plan, and as much as MJ loved wolves, they tended to be stupid.

"If Klaus is up, focus him on Dahlia," MJ's hand was shaking from stress, "I can get Hayley back before he finds out, and this doesn't have to get worse."

Kol was behind her, "Klaus always finds out."

"No – I – "

"Mira," He pressed a hand still, "We adapt."

"Whatever Klaus ends up doing to get Hope back – it 'll be worse, I – I – I – "

She couldn't let him hurt Hayley again.

"I don't want worse to happen."

Silence.

"If you un-dagger Klaus," Freya broke it, "He will attack us before he goes for Dahlia."

"You were– "

"Un-daggering him is bringing unnecessary violence into this situation."

"And who's fault is that?" She snapped, "I have a feeling an ultimatum was involved, which, by the way, is pathetic of you to do."

Freya held her glare.

"His child is in danger! And you forced his family to – "

"It's my family too!"

"Okay," Rebekah put her hands up, "I think we all need to calm down. MJ is trying – "

"You're my siblings, not hers."

MJ shifted uncomfortably, her skin feeling off.

Freya was right.

She wasn't actually a Mikaelson, and she had experience when it came to pushing too much with people who didn't actually have to care about her. If LA had taught her anything, it was that Elijah had made a big impression on Mary. She'd been teaching MJ one of his lessons about 'sticking to words,' and she'd shown her how the actual family would be preserved while she was pushed away.

At the time, MJ hadn't known it was an Elijah lesson, but now?

Clear as day.

"And Klaus is your family too," She kept her cool, "Which means you need to have a civil conversation with him before one of you ends up dead."

She let go of Kol's hand.

"I'm un-daggering him, and you are all going to listen to each other. I will force you to – "

Entering the next room had her freezing.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

The coffin was empty, dagger gone.

Rebekah came up behind her, "Elijah!"

He skidded to see the empty box too.

"No," Rebekah looked around, "Where the hell is he?"

"Marcel, Kol, " Elijah pointed at him, "We'll scour the city while you all attempt to track him."

"Assuming Nik doesn't slaughter the city," Rebekah shook her head, "You know as well as I do that he'll be on the warpath, which again raises the question – how the hell is he even awake?"

"Dahlia," MJ gritted her teeth, "You daggered him, and she got on the wavelength and spoke to him. Guaranteed. Like I said she would! Because Elijah! You know it's possible!"

It was all bubbling out.

"She killed Aiden, hoping you'd all blame him!"

Angry footsteps echoed as she stormed into the rest of the house.

"Breaking up the family so she can manipulate him!"

Down the stairs.

"And now, she has."

Onto the bottom floor.

"Congrats!"

"That's ridiculous," Rebekah moved to the main corridor, everyone following behind, "Nik would never align with Dahlia."

"You continue to defend him," Freya shook her head patronisingly.

MJ stilled in the courtyard.

While she'd headed to the door, Freya had stayed on the balcony, talking to the group from it.

"Ooohhhhh," MJ actually laughed, "I have had it with you."

The stupid Finn necklace was hanging there.

"Are you so stupid as to not understand why?"

"I am – "

"Get your head out of your selfish ass," MJ snarled, "And it's fucking obvious."

"You held your tongue for all of five seconds," Freya dismissed, " This is a family matter."

"And this is a wake-up call."

"Mira," Elijah gave her a careful look.

"Worried I'll tell her you were the one who orchestrated her beloved father's death the first time?"

Freya's bravado faltered at MJ's over-dramatic tone of voice.

"Yeah," She nodded enthusiastically, "Your siblings all hated him."

Kol tried not to laugh at the slight 'performance.'

"Whatever act they're putting on to win your favour?"

It was ridiculous.

"Yeah, they're sad, but it's more about you and Klaus than Mikael. No one actually really gives a shit about Mikael," She could read them well, "They drink for a night, then forget about it after a day."

She'd seen how they operated.

"He was the worst person alive."

There was more rage inside of MJ than she'd let out in a long time, and knowing that Klaus was now on the loose, probably on a killing spree – an innocent people one, drove it to overload. She was gonna have to clean the mess up because they'd been stupid, and he was starved.

"Klaus is an ass. He treats Hayley like shit, and he shouldn't."

A fact.

"But he loves his family. More than anything."

The words felt amplified given the Mikaelson Crest on the wall.

"Mikael created the monster – the person you demonised him for killing."

"I loved him!"

"And Klaus loves Hope!"

The fact that no one else seemed to make the Mikael-Klaus parallel only drove her more insane.

"And Elijah, and Rebekah," She listed, "You all hate Klaus so much for everything he's done to you, but, at the end of the day, he still loves you. He's made deals, and murdered, and manipulated, for all of you."

She spun to glare at them all, Marcel watching her carefully.

"Some of us get family that would genuinely murder us!"

A silver dagger was a mercy compared to the one that had gone in her.

"That carve up faces and leave physical scars for the rest of time."

Having Vincent touch, the lines had made them sting.

"That'd rather kill every supernatural creature in existence than be related to you."

Even if Freya didn't know the story, she could connect the dots based on MJ's face.

The scars were permanent.

Well, MJ couldn't find anything to make them go away...

"If Klaus had thought you actually had his daughter's best interests at heart, he would treat you like family, but you were lying!"

She was Dahlia's power source and main amplifier.

She wanted to use Hope as bait.

"Hope is his kid, and if it was your kid, I have a feeling you'd do the same. Anything to save them."

"I did."

Something changed in Freya's tone, MJ really looking at her again.

Posture rested weakly against the railing, eyes low.

"I killed myself the only time I fell pregnant."

MJ felt her heart tug, voice softer, "I'm sorry you had to make that call."

It was a weird thing to have in common with someone, but it was something.

"I'm so sorry."

There was unique scarring that came with thinking that ending it all was the only good option.

It never was.

But brains were marvellous gaslighter.

"Dahlia has been this force in your life – but if you want to be free of her?"

No more yelling.

"You need to stand down. Work with him before Klaus goes too far."

A nicer quiet.

"We need to get Hayley back here."

Elijah's voice was softer, too, "We can't."

"I can," She had to, "Klaus is missing, and there's a storm flooding everything."

A magical storm.

"Dahlia's setting a trap, and I'm not letting Hayley walk into it."

Elijah was stretching his neck back.

"Because I actually care about her."

"How dare you imply - "

"If you did, you wouldn't put her in this position."

Every light in the room exploded.

"If she walks into a trap, Klaus will use it as evidence that Hope is safer with just him. Not instantly hunting her down does that – encouraging her does that – not using your – "

Breathe.

MJ was exhausted from trying to hold the household together.

The Elijah who sat on benches wasn't the same man, but maybe that was her own naivety.

He was a Mikaelson.

He'd told her that she would be his first kill if they'd been on enemy sides the previous year. He'd phrased it as a compliment. Advice post-faction-tension, telling her not to get too loud as it would make her a target. She'd taken it that way anyway. In reality, it had been a warning about himself.

He'd always seen her potential, but that wasn't necessarily a good thing.

"We need to find him first," Rebekah played middle, "If we can get him back, she's safer too."

"We need to know where he is," Kol rephrased, "Finding him involves contact that will end with wolf fangs. Locate him, trap him, let Mira reason with him. Then let him near any of us."

"If he's with Dahlia," Freya finally came to the stairs, "She'll cloak him."

"I'll find him," MJ assured her.

"You held yourself against her well," Freya reached the bottom, "But briefly."

"And, right now, I'm hyped up on anger, and I'd be delighted to take a boost," She smiled falsely at Elijah, "Perhaps the man who snapped my neck would like to volunteer as the siphon battery."

He clicked his teeth, "I would say that's a fair arrangement."

"Tell me what you need me to do," Rebekah tried for a smile.

Elijah shook his head, "You can't – "

"We just de-linked me from the children," She revealed, "This was meant to be a celebratory family meeting."

MJ had ditched that plan instantly.

"The coven's almost grateful," Rebekah joked, "If we need more power, the coven's could help."

MJ gave her a look.

"Davina will play her part?"

"Yeah," Marcel huffed, "Against my better judgment."

Rebekah elbowed him, "Stop being so overprotective."

"Wait," MJ stopped them, "What?"

Kol looked confused, too, "What part is Davina playing?"

"Vincent's going to put her forward to be Regent," Rebekah frowned, "She didn't tell you?"

MJ's open mouth said everything.

"She wants to resurrect Aiden – she still has time."

Twenty-something hours, in MJ's estimate.

"They'll give her the power, and she'll have the political clout to unite the witches to our cause."

"She won't," MJ whispered, "No, no – Marcel!"

He put his hands up, "I said no too!"

"She can't!"

"What's the problem?" Rebekah looked between them, "She'll be perfect."

MJ laughed.

She didn't mean to, but the idea was just so incorrect.

"It'll be a train wreck!"

Kol shifted back, "She's a good witch."

"Agreed," MJ was ready to tear her own hair out, "She's also freshly eighteen, has no patience for people, doesn't know how to write spells, and is an emotional wreck."

"So are you," Rebekah pointed out.

"And I don't wanna be Regent!"

Not yet.

"Last year? I wanted it."

Unaware of the whole channelling clause.

"But I was too young."

"...Oh."

"I may be a mess, but at least I'm a self-aware one."

Kol almost smiled at the phrasing.

"Davina is anything but."

A stressed breath in.

"Being an elder is a nightmare enough – I mean," MJ shook her head, "The stuff I put up with, like – and I'm terrible at holding my tongue!"

She'd never claim to be a temperate person.

"But I try my best. I'm smart about what I do."

You had to be.

"I understand deals and middle grounds. Davina is a nightmare child with no experience or – "

"She's not a nightmare," Marcel tried.

"Name one time she's gone more than seven days without claiming to hate all of us!"

Nothing.

"You can't for a reason," MJ couldn't believe that they'd okayed it, "She hates this family."

"She doesn't hate me," Kol pointed out.

"She stole your ashes to keep you from being a vampire!"

"You were the one who told me to be forgiving about that."

"Forgiving, but not forgetting," She clarified, "An ash stealer is who we're giving power to?"

It was literally petty theft for selfish reasons.

"Marcel," She stressed, "She hates you every time you try to have her back because she's 'not a kid, dad!'"

Her Ariel in The Little Mermaid impression was very good, and as she made it, MJ was fully aware that she acted pretty similar with Ric sometimes. More proof that Davina was just too young. MJ had been like her, but she'd grown up, and she'd been through more things that required more nuanced thinking.

"She's the same with me, and I'm not even her makeshift parent."

A teacher, or a sister, or something...

"She flip-flops with Sam whenever he tries to be there for her."

He'd texted her for advice about it before.

"I don't think she's seen Josh since Aiden died, so he can't help keep her cool for us– in fact, seeing him might make her worse because she'll feel bad if she hasn't brought Aiden back yet – and I don't even know if we can bring Aiden back without The Other Side!"

The spells were based on The Other Side, not the fleeting hours a spirit lingered behind.

"I give her a week before she orders the witches to turn their backs on the Mikaelson's and/or the vampires. And the witches will both hate her and love her for it because the witches are impossible."

Marcel grimaced in agreement.

"They'll tear her to pieces."

The panting breathes escaping MJ's mouth just made her head hurt more.

"She can't be the Regent! She won't be able to handle it – I can't let her put herself in that position."

"We need her to be the Regent," Elijah may have spoken, but he didn't sound sure, "We need her on our side."

"She's ranted to me about how much she hates Mikaelsons at least six times this week alone!"

"She's the next best choice," Kol reminded her, "We can't have you, and everyone else is also against us."

"No! She's not the second-best choice."

"You'll be in charge of her."

"Davina throws a tantrum whenever anyone tries to tell her she's wrong. And she's wrong a lot," MJ wasn't voting for her, as simple as that, "A leader needs be someone who believes in teamwork, and she doesn't listen, Kol. Not anymore."

MJ closed her eyes and counted to ten.

There was an exception to that statement.

Davina did seem to listen to Kol...

Could they use that?

But then they'd be using her, and if she realised, it'd blow up badly.

"Not your problem," She was wasting time, "I'll sort it."

She'd add it to the list of things to fix.

"And I'll get the witches to fight off the storm. And find Klaus."

Who'd be drinking people dry...

MJ didn't need to see a bunch of innocent bodies, even if talking to Davina about resurrecting Aiden had proved some progress.

"Rebekah, you have the spell I wrote to trick Dahlia into coming here."

"I do."

"You're gonna have to do it without me."

"I'll teach her," Kol assured her, "But we might need some help."

MJ opened her eyes and looked to Freya, "Let's get you in the magic room. Use whatever you need."

"...Okay," Freya seemed surprised by her sudden willingness.

"Mira," Elijah paused her, "Are you sure you – "

"I'll try and get back here in time to face Dahlia, but," She doubted the witches would make the Regency easy, "If I don't, Freya will have access to everything she needs. Kol knows where to find everything."

Freya bobbed her head, "Thank you."

"Look," MJ held a hand towards her, "My anger is nothing against you."

It was against her actions.

"I'm just trying to stop this entire thing from getting blown out of proportion, and you lit the match, so...urgh, sorry, you're now the bait. Thank you for that. I will try and be back to keep you safe."

It was like they'd forgotten what MJ's MO was while she'd been gone.

"My goal is to minimise who gets hurt."

"Exactly, so," Marcel really looked at Freya, "No offence, but are we really going to put all our eggs in one still-kinda-mysterious basket?"

"I assure you, I am quite motivated to aid in Dahlia's defeat," Freya's voice was flat, "Particularly now that Elijah has forced me to be the bait."

"And, if we should fail," Elijah looked to MJ, "The witches will take up the task, distracting Dahlia long enough for Hope and Hayley to disappear."

"So she can spend her life running?" MJ repeated, "She needs to come back."

Her heart slowed slightly.

"Distractions only last so long. Running only lasts so long. Dahlia needs to go."

Freya tried for a friendly nod, "Which means it's a good thing I finished my spell."

In the courtyard, she drifted closer to the three paintings of the trio.

"The paint of his artwork."

Klaus's hidden ashes.

"Combined with my blood."

The ingredient MJ still didn't understand.

"Will render Dahlia vulnerable," Freya pointed to two newer paintings marking the entrance way, "The moment she passes into here, she will be mortal."

The hunting knife was revealed from her pocket.

"You can kill her using this."

Elijah's face softened, "Father's knife?"

"I thought it appropriate."

The siblings exchanged a small smile.

MJ felt sympathy for the situation. Losing a parent wasn't easy. She was just mad at Elijah and Rebekah's attitude towards Klaus about it. Klaus hadn't liked killing his father the first time, and considering he'd been crying doing it the second time too, that hadn't changed.

Sometimes MJ wondered if she was the only one who could see the tears.

And Kol was the only one who'd never spoken of how he wished his father to die. He wa the only one with a right to be –

Elijah tensed, "We have a visitor."

He vamp-sped to the entrance, where Gia was standing, talking to her in a hushed voice.

MJ couldn't help but notice the look in Kol's eye as he clocked the sight of it, clearly eavesdropping.

She just turned to Marcel, "We need to start looking."

"You sure you can handle the witches?"

"I'll try."

While Marcel headed out straight away, MJ headed back upstairs to bring the spell down on her room, Kol automatically grabbing things he thought would help, setting Rebekah up with the golem and talking Freya through the spell.

Their focus was solely on him, allowing MJ to linger by her bedside table.

All of her Klaus blood was gone...

Kol's reformation spell would've needed the blood of two relatives, and Elijah and Klaus were the only two samples in the right body – yeah, fair.

She wasn't gonna get mad he'd used up her stash to get his body back.

Instead, MJ changed locations, grabbing her last backup – her secret backup, from a different drawer. Kol's words sounded firmer as he clocked what she was doing, working to keep his sisters focused. He knew what MJ looked like when she was trying to be sneaky, and he could figure out what the vial was (and why she'd want it) pretty quickly.

"I'll try and be quick," MJ announced to re-grab their attention, "But, no promises."

Then she was gone, teleporting to the street.

MJ curled the vial in her hand, muttering as she walked, letting the warm glow between her fingers lead her down two streets, a corner, and past a shop. Each second meant more rain hitting her jacket – soaking through. The mess had made sensible clothing the least of her priorities. Nothing like that mattered.

Nothing other than the warmth bringing her to an alley.

Human after human lay dead on the ground, Klaus grinning down at them, completely drenched from the rain too.

"Seriously!" She complained.

He shot up to look at her.

"This is the opposite of helpful!"

MJ marched forward, letting the torrential storm catch in her hair.

"What's the plan?"

"Where were you?"

She stilled.

"They daggered me," His voice was low, eyes pinned on hers, "You weren't there."

"Elijah snapped my neck!"

His turn to freeze.

Everything just felt loud thanks to the weather; yells the only way for MJ to hear anything.

Cons of not turning into a vampire.

"And we," She shoved a finger into his chest, "Need to have a very serious conversation about spiking my drink with your blood – "

"You..." Klaus's eyes were big, "No."

He grabbed her wrist, running his nose down her forearm and breathing it deeply.

A grip so tight, like the gesture was a lifeline.

A breath in, then a breath out in relief.

"You're still mortal."

"A break is something my body can heal."

He nodded in half-understanding.

She closed her eyes, having to rub them to get the droplets out of her eyelashes upon reopening.

It was just them.

Bodies behind her, the end of an alley, Klaus and she staring at each other.

"I didn't break my promise," His hands came up to cup her face, "I didn't kill him."

"I know," She stepped away, not in the mood to play distance pushing with him, "What's going on?"

The yelling would probably give her a sore throat.

"Dahlia let me in her head," He seemed offended by her pull-back, "I have a plan."

"Tell it to me."

He didn't.

"Klaus!"

"You won't approve."

"Then don't do it."

"First things first," He started to wipe the blood from his face, "Rebekah. If she dies in Eva's body, what happenr?"

"She'll go back to the Original model."

"Are you sure?"

"When aren't I?"

"Mira."

She paused, thinking he already knew, "When you were in Tyler's, you threatened to – "

"I was bluffing."

"You might've been. But you were right."

He almost smirked.

"When body jumping's done right, it's a circuit," MJ waved a hand, "Remove Eva; Rebekah will go back to her own. – and Rebekah's free of the kids. You can kill Eva without killing them – wait!"

He smiled.

"Nik!"

"The less you know, the better."

"Please," She grabbed his hand, "Don't do whatever you're planning."

"It has to look convincing."

"Dude – "

"They picked their side. They suffer for it."

"I can't let you hurt Hayley."

She'd let him get mad at his siblings, but she couldn't let Hope lose her mother.

"I refuse – "

"Mira," He used her hold on him to pull her closer again, "Do not doubt me now."

"Then just talk to me!"

They were standing in the rain, no hoods, or coats, or umbrellas, staring at each other as MJ tried to get a breakthrough. To get him to think rationally. Held against him, his hand tight on her wrist, too familiar of a rush in her system as the move put her right back in her summer pre-senior year head.

Before she'd met Kol, or Rebekah, or Hayley.

The power Klaus had always imbued her with.

Pushing her limits more than anyone else on the planet.

"Tell me what the hell is going on."

Nothing but loud drops of water splashing against the ground.

His face drifted closer, quieter than ever before, forcing her to lean closer.

"Are you scared of me, Mira?"

He could feel how tight every muscle was.

Quick breathing.

Quick heartbeat.

"I could kill everyone on this street."

There was blood everywhere.

"Are you not going to tell me to 'go ahead.'"

Water and red, and flesh, and bone, and darkness in his eyes she'd grown too familiar with. Too comfortable with. MJ barely noticed it anymore, Davina right, in a way. It posed no threat to her anymore.

"Dare me to?"

Well, it hadn't.

"Prove how important you – "

"Kol's back in his body."

Klaus's message paused.

"He found the ashes and jumped back," She let her voice drop too, head resting on his shoulder, "He wasn't part of daggering you – "

"You're worried I'm going to do the same in return," Klaus ran a hand up her back, "Aren't you?"

"A little."

"Look at me."

She turned her head, so she could still take a second to rest in his arms while doing the request.

"For once in his life, my little brother has actually been quite helpful."

MJ almost relaxed.

"His device enabled this, but he did not wield so...perhaps I shall pardon him."

"You don't need to hurt anybody, Klaus."

"Oh," His other hand came up to her face again, "But I do."

"Klaus – "

He rested his forehead on hers, "You need to leave."

"...What?"

"Dahlia will be here in a moment."

"Don't work with her."

"It's the only way."

MJ considered that.

Then she remembered something.

"You took the dagger with you."

"I did."

"Klaus," She couldn't not know, "I'm needed with the witches all day. I need to get them to help."

"And when you are done. Do as I ask and keep Hope safe."

She didn't like the vagueness.

"I trust you to do that," He pushed his wet hair back, one hand still on her jaw, "Do not falter on me now."

"Then let me in Klaus."

He gently brought her hand up to his head, "I am open."

She had a few seconds, but she only needed a few seconds to make a link.

He didn't want to tell her, but MJ needed a way to keep in contact.

A mental connection since he couldn't exactly pull out a phone to text while working with Dahlia.

Pain kicked in the same way it had when Kol had let her fall into his thoughts, though, it was different. Klaus wasn't trying to show her who he was, he was just letting a door get propped open for if his plan got derailed, and he needed her to swoop in and fix it. No visions. No answers. Just a channel for the pair of them.

As it settled, MJ became acutely aware of their position.

His nose could touch hers thanks to their resting foreheads, a hand on each other's faces, even if hers was oddly placed, his thumb caressing her jaw.

"Nik - "

As her hand moved, mid-step back, his second came up to bring her lips to his.

The palm was against her neck, nails grazing into MJ's hairline to feel through the roots, hold strong and eyes closed, the second hand slipping down her body, against the damp clothes before she really had time to think. The warmth of the gesture countered the coldness dripping down on them torrentially, mouths somewhat desperate for contact.

Then MJ shoved him back with both her palms, raging, "What the hell!"

A smug smile, Klaus's glinting eyes taunting her instead of responding.

'Perhaps I'll punish him.'

"Klaus!"

And he was gone

The vial of blood was still in MJ's hand.

She could've found him if she wanted to.

Except, her phone started to ring.

Vincent.

"Digame."

"Um, okay," He accepted the greeting, not used to it, "You coming or what?"

"Be there in five."

~***~

MJ's confirmation of attendance should've been the last thing Vincent needed to get before the meeting, except, he was starting to realise that, while Davina did try to do good, she was also a stubborn teenager. He stood in The Playhouse explaining why she needed to meet with the elders while she was fiddled around with the spell MJ had given her the previous day, trying to de-code it.

"Davina. The Rite of Supplication is just a formality," He explained, "You meet the Elders, you show a little bit of respect – "

"What happened to just telling them I'm gonna be Regent?"

"They only listened to me when they thought I was accepting the job," He sighed, "If it's gonna be you, we've gotta grease some wheels."

"The covens aren't gonna choose me," She frowned, "And, I mean, for that matter, why'd they want you?"

"Because they think I'm a selfless saint who betrayed his wife to save a bunch of kids."

Davina gave him a look, not quite following why Vincent disagreed with the sentiment.

"And, I've got no one to answer to," He'd quit covens too, "I'm less inclined to play favourites."

She seemed to accept that answer more.

"I'm an outsider," He appealed to her other side, "Just like you."

For a moment, she wanted to trust him.

Then the paranoia kicked in.

"You know," Davina continued to flick through the paper, "I was put to death by people like this."

He clicked his teeth.

"They sacrificed me and my friends for nothing."

"And now you'd have the power to make sure nothing like that ever happens again," Vincent stressed, "And it's not even the same elders – MJ is one of them."

Davina breathed in slowly, "True."

"She'll have your back."

Davina had to think that was true.

A slight sense of security at the thought.

Even when they disagreed, MJ was MJ.

Disagreements were 'teaching moments,' not things for her to worry about.

"I'm only doing this because you said it will give me the power I need to bring back Aiden."

Another reason why she thought MJ would be on her side.

"Davina," Vincent spoke carefully, "This guy...he's not a witch."

"Nope."

"Vampires and wolves aren't easy to bring back. The Other Side – "

"The spirit lingers in the body," She motioned to one of the pages, "I have until around this time tomorrow to fix it."

Vincent bobbed his head in acceptance, "Then let's get you the power."

Slowly, she stepped back from the spell, willing to meet with the elders.

MJ rushed to The Cemetery in a flurry, teleporting small jumps. She was still building her power back up, working out how much she could use before she'd start vomiting bugs, but it certainly felt like she was getting back in her old groove, able to control most spells.

She also texted Rebekah during one of the jumps.

A slight warning that Klaus might be targeting her body.

In the centre of The Cemetery, around Jo's now covered body, the other elders were all waiting. Many of them had drawn sigils on their foreheads, showing they were going to complete their vigilance for the spirit that night, too, cueing MJ to pull out her chalk pen and do the same, but on the back of her hands. Jo had told her she'd need to play by some of the rules to get accepted.

Jo was dead...

MJ had to be on her best behaviour to keep her position with the witches.

The sun was setting, a celestial event due, a storm was surrounding them – though the rain was getting lighter.

And Klaus was running around the city on a blood-bender with an evil witch.

Determined to burn all bridges...

Focus.

MJ had to sit through one evening with the witches, and by doing so, she'd gain some favour, which would give them more power to protect Hope the following day.

The rain had stopped by the time Vincent arrived with Davina.

MJ twiddled her fingers, lighting the torches in the area to give them some light, Vincent taking centre stage, Davina leaning on a tomb with a bored expression on her face – though, she did manage a smile at MJ. The first smile aimed at her in a while.

Was MJ wrong?

Was the chance to be in charge what Davina had needed the whole time?

"As you know," Vincent started, "I will be pitching Davina Claire as the next Regent to our covens."

MJ tried to keep her expression blank as that sentence alone set off an argument between the elders.

"Okay. Okay!" He waved his hands, "Listen – Listen to me, people."

MJ snapped her fingers, and their vocal cords shut down, turning their glares to her.

"He wants to pitch. We let him."

With a second click, they could talk again.

"Of course, you're on board," The man who'd phoned her, Carter spoke up, "She's a Quarter Witch. That plays in your favour."

MJ pulled a face, "Not on board at all, actually."

Davina tensed.

"But I wanna hear the pitch."

She paused, trying to work out if MJ was actually helping her by disagreeing, showing the positives and the negatives in a way the elders would understand. That seemed like an MJ plan in her mind...

"Now," Vincent gestured to Davina, "This lady serves as an opportunity for all of us."

A middle-aged female elder from Algiers stopped him, "She aligned with vampires – how many witches died because of her?"

Davina opened her mouth, but MJ spoke quicker, "Not true."

"Incredibly true."

"She was saved by a vampire," MJ corrected, "And she didn't target your witches. She targeted the French Quarter alone."

The Nine Covens had been completely uninvolved.

"I mean," MJ stepped forward a little, "If we're talking about the fact she's a remnant of the failed Harvest ritual, then yes, I agree, that's not someone we should be idolising as a way to get promoted."

Davina's glare was back on.

"We don't want people trying The Harvest again."

The glare paused.

"We're not doing that," Vincent countered, "We're showing redemption. She was manipulated!"

"By the witches, which made her give up magic."

"But the ancestors forgave her – they brought her back to life."

"Marcel Gerard and Rebekah Mikaelson brought her back to life."

"MJ – "

"And they did it by murdering the witch the ancestors actually revived, in an attempt to murder a baby," MJ lifted a finger, "I don't think we should be listening to their guidance."

"Excuse you," A Gentilly Man glared, "Listening to the Ancestors is a Regent's job."

"A Regents job should be protecting the living."

"Which is what Davina will do," Vincent interjected, "The ancestors forgave her, but they also don't control her. Exactly what you're talking about, MJ."

She pulled a face.

"She will – "

"She is no Regent," A man from the Ninth Ward shot him down, "That role was meant for you."

"And I already told you," Vincent lowered his voice, "I ain't gonna do it."

The first elder to talk crossed her arms, "You recuse yourself and instead offer an inferior candidate?"

"Hey!" Davina finally lost her temper, "I've – "

"Davina – "

"No," She pushed past Vincent's attempt to stop her, marching towards the lady, "I've stood here long enough."

MJ bit her cheeks.

Nope.

She'd been right – giving Davina the role wouldn't stop the outbursts.

"My whole life, the witches of this city have lived in fear."

Not an incorrect statement.

"Vampires run wild, children are sacrificed – nobody took charge."

The Elders were glowering at her, a look MJ was used to receiving herself.

"Be honest," She gestured around to them, "Have any of you ever stood up to the vampires?"

Nothing.

Something MJ didn't like.

They'd fought back; they just hadn't won.

"The Mikaelsons?"

People looked away in embarrassment.

"No?" She spoke clearly, "I have, and I have won."

"Debatable," MJ murmured.

"I might be young," Davina ignored her, "But the truth is, I know better than anyone here what we're really up against!"

"Incorrect," MJ stepped forward to face her, "Ridiculously so."

They were locked in a stare-off, the rest of the elders realising that MJ hadn't been trying to manipulate them by pointing out flaws.

"If I'm in charge," Davina continued, "I can help build peace."

MJ waited.

"Or I can burn our enemies to the ground."

Vincent was smiling at her, impressed by the confidence, MJ's deadly look focusing on him.

"The question isn't whether or not I should be made Regent," Davina turned back to the crowd, "The question is, what the hell would you do without me?"

No one argued, all looking at each other significantly, cueing Davina to smirk.

MJ let her have the moment.

Then she shut it down, "Was that speech meant to impress me?"

The smirk faltered.

"Are you guys kidding me?" She spoke to the witches, "You fold that easy?"

No one knew how to respond.

"All that speech shows is how unprepared you are for this role."

It was all MJ worried about.

"You'll lash out and start a war."

"Coming from the girl who stabbed Elijah at a faction party to prove her point."

"Da – "

"The person who announced that she was going to kill the only other elder of our coven at a witch celebration – while on the arm of Klaus Mikaelson."

Silence spread through the air, the elders all shifting closer to Davina's side.

"Tt," MJ looked down for a second, "Let me fill you all in on some context."

Head slowly rising.

"Since none of you did anything to help last year."

Though Davina had a point, she'd clearly missed the point.

"I didn't stab an Original Vampire to show my strength."

Davina faltered.

"The fight started because a vampire attacked a werewolf," She wanted to be straightforward, "A Harvest Girl told me she was scared of vampires."

If Abigail hadn't spoken to her, MJ's approach would've been different.

"I didn't attack Elijah to show her that I could protect her, I did it to show that we could stop the fighting."

Hayley and her, working together.

Using their words.

Pointing out how pointless it all was.

"I interrupted, and I offered them a choice."

Diego was a difficult topic for her.

"To show Abigail that vampires wanted peace too."

"You staked him in the neck," Davina gave her a look, "And you told the vampire and the werewolf in question to 'have at it' while Klaus cheered you on."

"And did they 'have at it'?"

Silence.

"I gave them a choice," She repeated, "Showed the power we all have to craft the future."

And it had worked.

For a night, anyway.

A good few months, actually.

"It reminded everyone that we don't want to die."

Not like that.

"We want to live. And that is what we need to focus on," MJ stressed, "I bring up Abigail's fear for a reason."

Vincent was watching closely, having expected her to be on their side too.

"That night was the first time she'd ever seen a vampire show mercy."

Given her recent interaction with Elijah, she hoped she sounded genuine.

"Elijah made no move against me in response," MJ lifted her wrist, "I let him use me to heal, and he gave me his own blood in return – people working together."

She returned to Davina.

"Your speech is about your strength against the Mikaelson's? Sorry, but I don't want to sign my coven up to fight them. I want to work with them. And the wolves."

Davina was glaring daggers.

"And, my message about Gen? I didn't announce that I was going to kill her at a party!"

That had happened earlier in the day.

"I repeated it. And I called her out for stealing the life of a teenager."

Revealing the truth to everyone.

"And for performing The Feast of Blessings incorrectly to bully you."

Was bully too strong of a word?

No?

Monique and Gen had targeted Davina for being saved, which was trashy considering one of them was a full-grown adult.

"When The Feast of Blessings is done incorrectly, the land is cursed – she was getting the city cursed because a teenager asked her to."

Another point.

"Gen allowed herself to be controlled by a teenager; I will not do the same."

People started to mumble again, really looking at Davina.

"She's been eighteen for about a week."

It was ridiculous.

"You are putting the job of an adult on a child," MJ turned to Vincent, "Fobbing off a role that requires maturity and practice, and patience."

Clarification.

"I'm not saying I should be Regent."

Age did matter, in a way.

"I'm only twenty – how the hell am I supposed to tell any of you what to do?"

All middle-aged Elders who'd lived in the city far longer than her.

Who knew the streets.

Who should've known what mistakes not to repeat.

"But, at the very least, I have some understanding of what leadership is."

And how terrible so many people were at it.

"I attended the faction meetings last year. I was the one proposing solutions."

Bar the time she'd suggested murder – but she'd only don't that to Elijah, so she didn't need to mention it.

"Having power is nothing if you don't know how to use it. Yes, Davina is strong, but she doesn't know what she's doing, and the power will get out of control."

Any teenager would lose control; it wasn't personal.

MJ just also had experience with the out of control Davina.

Evidence it lashed out with her every emotion.

"We need someone with a plan to do better than our recent history," She stressed, "We shouldn't be picking a leader who tells us she can build a peace or burn our enemies –we shouldn't be planning to make enemies."

People living everyday lives didn't have enemies.

"Peace is the only way forward, and you did not speak like someone who wants peace."

"I want the power to do more," Davina re-phrased carefully, "I thought you of all people would want me able to make a difference."

"You want power in order to not feel weak," She corrected, "Power for that reason is power that corrupts."

Power that killed.

The Floare elder she'd met in Tibet, giving her real direction when she'd said the same excuse.

Losing the power of The Harvest had clearly not helped Davina either, leaving her almost craving it, and control, and respect, the same way MJ's mother had.

"And the fact you're not even taking my criticism speaks miles."

Davina started to look panicked.

"You are arguing instead of adjusting – you yell instead of reason," She needed to end the fiasco, "Are you willing to have this type of a discussion every time you want to do something?"

Davina blinked.

"Being Regent means managing nine covens."

A whole city.

"Five elders from all but ours."

The people gathered.

"And all of their own people, and their different opinions."

It was going to be hell.

"Then, you have vampires, and wolves, with completely different goals, super speed and strength to tear your throat out – if you can't even handle me trying to be smart, because no seventeen-year-old should have this job, you are not gonna be able to handle real issues."

Davina wouldn't know how to argue over territory.

"Things that could cost people lives – and you shouldn't be expected to!"

With that bit down, MJ momentarily returned to the elders.

"You say it's her fault the witches died under Marcel's rule? She was sixteen."

The speech wasn't an attack on Davina.

"No sixteen-year-old should live with that guilt, and the fact that your first instinct was to blame her?" Her voice went up, "The audacity!"

They were the adults who'd let it happen.

"Where were you?"

Hiding.

"Doing nothing, so you could play high-and-mighty now," She breathed in, "If you attack her for that, you'll attack her for every slip-up."

MJ could feel it in her bones.

"This city leaks witch-blood, and I will not let you put that on a kid."

"You're only twenty."

"I'm aware," She agreed with the elder from Tremé, "Which is why I'm trying to reason with all of you. Adults who have lived – who should know better than to elect a teenager!"

"A teenager who has done more for this city than any of them," Davina defended herself again, "I had Klaus on his knees, spewing blood."

"Using a spell I gave you."

Davina's mouth opened.

"You've never beaten the Mikaelson's Davina. No one has."

Except for the time they'd gotten Klaus down during the Dark!Alaric fiasco.

Or maybe when the werewolves pulled one over on them using the witches?

The Mikaelson's had still come out on top...

"Hence why we should ally with them, rather than wage war."

The massive red flag in MJ's head.

"The sire lines are filled with innocent people. You can't beat them because you always have to leave them alive – unless you want to set a new record for most creatures murdered in one day," She hoped Davina didn't want to do that, "If you're talking about close wins, I'm the one who's 'beaten' them."

"Because they'd never actually hurt you!" Davina scoffed, "You don't have to play the same game as the rest of us."

Klaus's lips on hers.

"It's easier for you."

"Another reason we should listen to me," She rolled with the accusation, "I – "

"Can't be channelled."

The cut off seemed to echo.

Davina's voice stronger than ever before.

Probably the only thing she'd said that she'd actually thought through.

"You're basically a Mikaelson, and you're a siphoner," She took a firm stance against her, "I'm a Harvest Witch."

"This siphoner taught you everything you know."

"And I don't need a teacher anymore."

MJ should've stopped Vincent before the meeting.

"I may only be eighteen, but I'm the strongest witch here."

Oh, MJ wanted to chuck her through a tomb.

But that would only prove her point, marking MJ as 'different.'

As the bitter enemy to 'them.'

"When you can be channelled," She added sarcastically, "Maybe we can consider you actually having a say in this."

The statement was the only thing Davina needed to make to have everyone on her side.

And Davina knew it.

And MJ hated it.

She took a long breath in, "She's a kid."

The low blow of that retort further proved that.

"She hasn't been in a coven for a year. She doesn't know the responsibilities she's taking on. She's never taught magic. She's never had to make political agreements. She doesn't know how to write or record spells – and you all clearly don't like her."

The list was long.

"Voting her in is voting for violence."

And MJ would not do that.

"And when you all try to blame her for it, I won't let you."

As much as she wanted to slap her, she would keep her cool in front of the crowd.

"Today, you are making a choice to hand the power of nine covens to someone who does not understand the wider world, and when it goes wrong, it is on you for doing that."

"I think that leads us into a vote," Vincent stepped into the centre, using his hands to push MJ and Davina apart, "Those that are for?"

Out of the forty-one people there, twenty-two people raised their hands.

"Those against."

MJ and eighteen others.

She did the maths.

"Fifty-two point four per cent."

There was no expansion needed.

52.4% of people had voted for, which meant Davina won, and MJ was left shaking her head and bitter.

She didn't want to watch the ceremony, but when she tried to leave, a Tremé who had voted against caught her arm.

"Already backing out on your word?"

"...Um?"

"When they try to blame her..." He started, whispering, "...You said you would be there to stop them."

MJ grimaced.

"We both know you're right," His body language was open, "They will turn on a child."

She bit her lip.

"To show that you support witches – That she is wrong about your relationship with vampires."

MJ had literally been about to run off to The Mikaelson Compound.

"You cannot be at their beck and call."

She was definitely going to slap somebody.

"You need to be the witch we both know you are."

MJ turned to look back at the elders helping set up the area.

Davina moved to a separate tomb to get ready, summoning messages being sent out to the covens, telling them to come and bear witness to the situation. Anyone could witness an ascension; the elders were just needed to officialise it.

She focused on the guy, "MJ. You?"

"Marco."

"Nice to meet you."

He half-smiled, "Welcome to the constant nightmare that is being an Elder."

"I hate it," She smiled falsely, "Surely there's something we can do?"

"Democracy," He dismissed, "We lost the vote."

MJ knew that was true.

She couldn't just fight the vote, even if it had been close.

The only thing she could hope to do was keep herself in the ring, monitoring the situation for when it exploded.

"If you leave, it will be held against you."

"I know."

"And we need to work together."

"What's it to you?" She narrowed her eyes, "Why be welcoming to me?"

"I'm tired of history repeating."

MJ scanned him.

"I may not like your..." His eyes drop, "Particular skills."

She tilted her head, "The siphoning, or the Mikaelson whispering?"

"Siphoning."

"Ah."

"But it exists," He shifted on his feet, "And you're trying to help."

"...Thank you for acknowledging it."

MJ didn't actually know how to react to someone being relatively positive about her contributions to society. Especially with everything else going on. She was waiting for it to be undercut by him knocking her out and offering her up as a sacrifice or something...

But the blow never came.

He was simply looking tiredly at the supporters the same way she was.

"What can I do to speed this up?"

Her job was to handle Jo's body.

Because, of course, it was.

Funnily enough, performing the final rituals over it helped her steady her heart, MJ performing and slipping into her mental link with Klaus. If he was going to be an ass, she was going to be the most unavoidable voice in his head, peer pressuring him into making good life choices.

You will not hurt Hayley.

You will not hurt Hayley.

You will not make this worse.

'I will do as I see fit to protect my daughter.'

You will not hurt Hayley.

'Will you be at the compound for Dahlia's retrieval of Hope?'

Hope's not there

'I'm aware.'

You will not hurt Hayley.

'I am merely asking your whereabouts.'

Still with the witches.

'Good. Take your time.'

You will not hurt Hayley.

'You will help me protect Hope.'

She sighed; I will.

Then I'm going to kill you.

'You asked me not to punish Kol with a dagger.'

I'm going to kill you.

It was nearly an hour until enough witches had gathered, lining the pathways of Lafayette Cemetery and gathering in sections based on covens.

It was probably the first time most of The French Quarter had seen her back in the city.

MJ needed to fix that.

Once Dahlia was gone, she needed to be in their lives, teaching them better ways and making sure the coven was strong. Not leaving them open to outwards manipulation.

She offered them all smiles and most managed a polite one back in response.

Personal feelings aside, MJ was their elder.

She was the person who'd gotten them reinstated with all the other covens.

She'd put in the work to make progress the previous year, and they had to give her some respect for it. Even if she'd been a bit MIA as of late – though, that wasn't her fault. Did she need to tell them she'd been dead? That she hadn't just abandoned them?

The main ceremony happened in front of the Lycée, the prettiest building in the cemetery, starting with lanterns lighting up around the doorway, Davina stepping into view.

She wore a long teal dress, styled to make her look like a regal ruler.

To MJ, she just looked like a puppet.

It was too old for her. The wrong colour.

Even if it complimented her colouring, it just wasn't something the Davina she knew would've picked. The Davina who'd hated how Marcel's idea of supplying her with things to wear had been dresses. Sure, back then, it had been about the dresses feeling kiddy and the longing to make her own choices, but the same logic could still apply.

She was still a puppet.

It was just a different man pulling her strings.

Vincent, holding the torch at the end of the path, the man who'd nominated her.

He had clout with the witches; he knew that even if he had to argue his case, the fact he was pushing her forward would sway anybody stuck on the fence.

Though, MJ had managed to keep eighteen other people on her side.

The black chocker on Davina's neck also didn't feel right.

She'd never worn necklaces like that before.

Still, she wore it, head high, walking towards the alter at the end of the path, eyes pinned on her movements, the celestial event overhead.

The torch in Vincent's hand was passed to her as she began the address.

"Fellow witches of New Orleans," Her voice carried in the night, "The Ancestors call us here today to bear witness as I accept the role of Regent to our people."

MJ bit her lip firmly.

"Should any among you have cause to argue my acceptance of this role," Davina looked right at her, "Now is your final chance to speak."

The vote had been made.

She'd won.

Calling it out with the elders and openly resisting in front of almost every coven member in the city were too massively different things. One was talking through the system's flaws, the other was asking for a revolution by dragging too many impulsive people into, i.e. more fighting.

The opposite of what MJ wanted.

Davina smiled, "Then it's settled."

Vincent smiled too, motioning for her to proceed to the next section, the torch going into a thin metal bowl, lighting the oil inside the stone basin at the front of the altar.

The torch was then switched for a sacrificial knife.

"Not too long ago..."

The bitter undertone was clear to MJ.

"I was sacrificed by my own coven."

Her eyes closed, almost wanting to forgive the child for her pettiness at the reminder.

"Feeling betrayed, I sided with vampires against the very witches who lied to me."

The fact she was feeding into the elder's narrative would only make it worse!

It wasn't Davina's fault!

She'd been mad. She'd asked Marcel to attack them. But Marcel's regime had been like that pre-her-birth anyway!

"Tonight," Davina unsheathed the blade, "I say, let the past be the past."

Hold on to hope...

"From now on, we stand together..."

So close.

"Against anyone who dares hold us down."

MJ hated it.

It sounded like a summoning to war.

Everything Davina said was a mess of contradictions!

"Even Klaus Mikaelson himself."

She wanted to laugh too.

The room in The Compound claiming Davina would be an ally!

War on one Mikaelson was a war on all of them, so that statement wasn't just about Klaus. It was about anyone who might defend him, which, actually, included MJ. And not just MJ. It technically covered Marcel and Josh – they were his sire line!

Kol was the interesting one.

In a way, Davina was right; Kol wasn't like his family – she was just wrong in her reasoning.

She claimed him as 'different' because she'd never seen the bloody side. 

His biggest difference was his willingness to leave the others behind.

But even he would help when needed.

"Here and now begins the time of the witches."

She cut her palm, MJ keeping her eyes shut, so she didn't have to see the blood hit the fire.

They were meant to be moving towards the age of peace.

All factions working together.

Not the time of the witches.

Davina had literally said, in her little speech, that she had the choice to help or go to war, but claiming it as 'the time of the witches' cut everyone out of the loop, locking them into discord.

Another, goddamn, contradiction.

Davina flicked her wrist, more falling into the oil, the fire sizzling loudly.

Like a bad omen.

Then she turned to face the crowd, looking out over the coven, that same fire in her eyes, meeting MJ's as they reopened.

Fire that wasn't warm and friendly but raging.

Davina had been the Harvest girl representing fire for a reason.

Then again, MJ represented fire too.

Maybe, to other people, she looked the same. But she was just that little bit older after everything she'd been through. Wise enough to know that fire wasn't the way forward anymore. Not that type of fire anyway. The type of fire Jo had wanted and dubbed her as. MJ wanted to live up to that image of herself.

The belief from someone who didn't love her – who had no reason to say it, that she was warm.

In all honesty, now MJ had made that initial connection; she couldn't look at Davina and see anything other than her mother.

Everyone was so scared about MJ turning into Ana, and maybe MJ shouldn't be so dismissive about it. She walked a dangerous line of imitating her mother's path.

Her shutdown of Freya would've been a better example for Davina to use when implying she was a hypocrite earlier, but even that had more to it. She hadn't shut Freya down for nothing. She'd shut her down for murdering Cassie. For ruining her promise of peace and a better life. MJ didn't really know her mother well enough to know what was and what wasn't an Ana Ruiz move.

Either way, her mother had put herself as the coven's weapon.

She'd promised power, and she'd told them they were nothing without her...

MJ couldn't let Davina become her mum.