𝐊𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐦, 𝟏𝟕𝟗𝟕

"We shouldn't have left you in the rain," Kaz muttered as he and Wylan walked out of the mansion, rain pouring down on their hats.

The eldest brother quickly pulled off his black trench coat and draped it over her shoulders before Wylan did the same.

"I'm fine," Juniper grumbled, her teeth chattering as her wet hair stuck to her face.

"No, you're not, Juniper," Kaz leaned on his cane, supporting his weight as he led them down one of the empty cobblestone streets in Ketterdam.

Wylan had his arm wrapped around her waist as he led her soaking wet body to the Slat.

— — —

Kaz sat completely still, not moving an inch as he stared at his sister. Wylan sat beside her on the bed, gently dabbing her sweat covered forehead with a damp cloth.

It was his fault, Kaz thought to himself. It was his fault she was sick. It was the worst cold they had seen since their father died.

He cursed at himself for telling her to stay outside. He had told her it was to keep watch but in truth, he hadn't liked the way men's eyes never left her body as she walked past.

It took everything in him not to kill every last man in that building for looking at his sister in such ways. So, instead of killing them and sabotaging the heist, he sent her outside.

Her cheeks were red and blotchy, presumably from wind burn. And her body shook with every round of coughs.

"Stop blaming yourself," She told him from her bed, eyes watching as he fiddled with the golden crow on the end of his cane.

She hadn't learned how to heal herself yet. That was a skill only master Grisha knew. So she was stuck like this for however long it would take.

"I'm not," He scoffed, his eyes not fully meeting hers.

Before she could argue, Wylan spoke up, "Would you like some tea? Dad used to add honey, ginger and garlic in it when we used to get sick, remember?"

Juniper smiled weakly, "That'd be lovely. Thank you, Wylan."

"Are you warm enough?" Kaz asked after Wylan walked out. He stretched out his bad leg, fingers discreetly rubbing the skin to ease away the ache.

She nodded, humming slightly as she cuddled underneath the blankets they had given her from both their beds.

"You should go to sleep," He spoke again after a beat of silence.

She peaked out of the open door, Kaz doing the same and silently watched as Wylan made the tea.

"I'll wait until it's done," Juniper whispered, her throat dry as she leaned back down onto the flat pillow.

He sighed, standing up and walking next to her. His hand came down to hold her cheek, silently telling her he was sorry, "Sleep, little sister. We'll bring you the tea when it's done."

She smiled as she leaned into his comforting touch. It took her mind away from her throbbing headache.

"I love you, Kaz. I know we don't say that a lot but... I really do love you. Both of you."

His lip curved upwards slightly, "I love you, too. Now sleep or I'll hit you with my cane and knock you out."

She laughed softly at his faux threat before she closed her eyes. Not even a second later, her heart slowed down as she fell into a light slumber.

"How is she?" Wylan asked as Kaz approached him, joining him in the small kitchen just outside of her room.

"She has a headache so I told her to sleep."

"I'm sure the tea will help. It always used to."

A comfortable silence filled the room as Wylan made the tea. After a few minutes of observing, Kaz spoke up, "You didn't cut the garlic small enough."

The younger boy chuckled, "I've never been good at that."

"Here," Kaz spoke as he moved to stand next to him, taking the knife from his hand before showing him how to cut it, "Just like that. But watch your fingers. I don't think Juniper would take too kindly to waking up to your screams and blood everywhere."

Soon enough the tea was done and both brothers walked back into her room. The tea smelled awful to say the least but in some way it also smelled like home.

The unforgettable scent reminded them of their father. The way his glasses constantly fell down his nose as he worked. The way he would pick them up when they were children and spin them around until their stomachs twisted from too much laughter.

They didn't bother knocking as they walked back into her room. They never did knock. It kept them on their toes, Juniper would say after she and Kaz ran into Wylan's room unexpectedly.

"Oh, yes. Come in why don't you," She said, her voice rough as she smiled at them. Wylan was the first to sit on her bed, helping her weak body sit up before propper her back against a few pillows which had also been taken out of his and Kaz's rooms.

Kaz joined them not a moment after, pulling the blankets up to her chin before tucking them around her legs as if he were making a human burrito.

Once he was sure she would be warm enough, he handed her the cup of tea he had placed on the nightstand.

"Drink slowly," He instructed, "It might be hot."

She smiled as she sipped on the warm liquid which tasted awful. She didn't care about the taste though. She was just happy they were all safe, breathing and in the same room together.

"Your hair is a mess," She commented, eyes glancing at his greasy hair, "You look emo."

Wylan smirked, "It's his Kazzle Dazzle, love."

Kaz grumbled, turning his head to the side as he fought back a smile.

"Oh, come on, Kaz. You love that nickname," Juniper teased after taking another sip of the tea, her voice becoming less hoarse.

"I hate that nickname."

The twins smirked, "Bullshit," They said simultaneously.

"I hate it when you do that."

"Also bullshit," They said, smiling at him before high-fiving.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝟏𝟗𝟎𝟗

Juniper stood in the corner of the Crow Club, gloved fingers tapping against her thigh as she watched the poker table.

Kol had left a few hours prior to meet with Rebekah and Elijah.

Men chattered loudly as they threw coins on the table. The Heartrender's eyes moved around, taking in every flicker of metal until they came across one man's coins.

They didn't have the right glint to them.

She stood up straighter, leaving her post at the wall as she approached the table, a false smile on her face.

The men watched her, eyes wide from her beauty as she picked up the coin, testing the weight in her hands. She sighed after a second, her eyes flickering to the owner of the coin, "Get out."

"Excuse me?" The man asked, his voice rising.

She held back an amused smile as she stared at him, "These are fake. Get out."

"And who are you? You can't tell me what to do. Go back to the pleasure house down the street."

This time, she didn't hold back the smirk on her face as she held up her hand, the coin between her fingers.

"Jesper!"

Not even a second later, a bullet pierced through the coin, leaving a hole in the centre. Juniper nodded at Jesper before she moved closer to the man, holding up the coin to his face, "You see, you're playing with Zemeni coin and I happen to be an expert in that area. You know what else I know?"

"What?" He shook, finally realizing who she was.

"Heavy, but brittle. Zemini coin can take a bullet... but a knockoff ends up just like this one. Now get the hell out of my club. And don't come back unless you want to end up just like this coin."

As the man ran out, she moved back to the wall, her eyes once again watching over the club as Jesper approached her.

She had met Jesper a few years before Kol had been undaggered. He had been one of the few to help her with a heist. One that ended with her in Hellgate prison.

Jesper, along with Inej, a Suli woman and Matthias, a Fjerdan, had broken her out.

It was all part of the plan though. They needed someone inside, and Juniper had already been to prison before, so she opted to be the one to get arrested.

Hellgate was nothing like the prisons in Kerch, it was much worse, but Juniper didn't really mind. The people there knew her name. They knew the infamous Grisha who was under Mikaelson protection and if they didn't it was quickly made known.

She was in Hellgate for a month, gathering intel and kruge. She also gained a name. Angel of Death, they called her.

She was Hellgate's best fighter. Even the guards liked her, though that was because they got a show almost every night of her merciless power and fighting strength.

Klaus never knew where she disappeared to, he just knew she came back with a lot more money than she had before.

He never brought it up, he was nervous to know the real answer to her ever growing bank account and bruises on her body.

That's when he noticed she began wearing gloves. He never brought it up until that night in the compound but he figured it was for a reason.

And it was. Starting the Crow's back up had been traumatic to say the least. But it also healed her in a way.

It made her feel like her brothers were right next to her, cheering her on as she robbed rich businessmen in broad day-light.

𝐊𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐦, 𝟏𝟕𝟗𝟕

"How do you think it tastes?"

Kaz looked over at her, "Like tea."

They were in Shu Han for a heist. Wylan stood above them on a building, overwatching the busy street and his siblings as they sat, waiting for a Shu Han woman who supposedly knew the owner of what they were looking for.

Juniper rolled her eyes at her older brother, "Yes. But is it floral? Bitter? Mildly sweet with notes of buttery..."

Kaz glanced up at Wylan before his eyes met hers, "Warm. And wet."

She sat back, her back hitting the chair as she sighed in annoyance, "Saints."

Kaz looked up once again, his eyes meeting Wylan who signalled to the left. The siblings glanced beside them, using their peripheral vision to watch the woman approach them.

She soon enough sat down, before dipping her finger into a small metal tea cup. She flicked the liquid off her skin before pressing her finger against her forehead.

Once the woman was done, Juniper followed suit, mimicking the actions of the woman perfectly.

The two women looked at Kaz, who seemed to be wishing he could fall into the Earth. He shook his head at the woman.

Juniper held back a sigh at her brother before she spoke in Shu, "We were hoping you could put us in contact with one of your clients, The Disciple."

The woman smiled at her, surprised at the young girl's talents, "Your pronunciation of our language is impressive for a Ravkan."

Her eyes widened slightly, "That is quite the ear you have. My intended and I are from Ketterdam, but my mother is Ravkan."

The woman looked at Kaz, earning a silent glare from the man.

"I inherited my affinity for Saint and royal-related artifacts from her."

"Intended? Surprising. I thought the Kerch were more affectionate."

Juniper grinned as she leaned forward, "Well, in private he's all hands," She held in the bile that rose to her throat from saying those words as she turned to him, "Isn't that right... Waffles?"

Kaz glanced at her, his eyes hard as he himself held back vomit.

"Does 'waffles' take issue with my culture's customs?"

Kaz looked as though he was going to kill the woman or himself.

Juniper leaned into him, "Dear. We've come all this way... for this."

He sighed, he had been in a bad mood that day. Probably because Wylan and Juniper had made fun of his hat all morning long.

He gave her one last look before he dipped his finger in the tea, flicked it, and placed it on the centre of his forehead, just between his brows.

They slowly drank the tea before setting the cups back down on the wooden table.

"Anyway, our contact mentioned that since The Disciple's retirement, he has periodically parted with some of his personal collection."

"You're looking for something specific."

"The Lantsov ring," Kaz answered.

"The Lantsov ring is in Ravka."

"From what we understand, that one's a fake."

"I wouldn't know anything about that."

Juniper sat up slightly, "What if we told you The Disciple could name his price?"

"I'd say you have a surprising amount of disposable income... for thieves."

She chuckled softly, "We're not thieves, we're, we're just collectors."

"I've worked with enough thieves to know them when I see them. If you want the ring, you'll have to steal it."

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝟏𝟗𝟎𝟗

Juniper breathed out as her eyes opened, the Crow Club coming into her vision immediately. She remembered that heist as clear as day.

They had gotten their asses handed to them but still managed to get the ring. They also managed to meet Prince Nikolai, or as they knew him, Sturmhond, along the way.

The blonde privateer had become a friend to them and another brother to Juniper. He took care of her after he found her covered in blood, surrounded by bodies as she held Kaz in her arms, sobs racking through her body.

Nikolai had been the one to bring her to The Wandering Isle, Ketterdam, Shu Han and finally, Portsmouth.

But soon enough, he had his own life to deal with. He became the King of Ravka and with all that on his plate, Juniper was alone once again.

"Hello, Inej."

The woman walked up from her spot behind her, "Boss. Matthias needs to speak with you."

Juniper nodded silently, leaving the bar before she walked into her office where the Fjerdan sat, an icepack pressed to his forehead.

She stayed silent as she sat across from him, awaiting his speech.

"Pekka Rollins tried to cut a deal with me," He started.

She stayed silently, completely still.

"He wants me to take you to him... So he can kill you in front of the Mikaelsons."

"He has the Mikaelsons?" She spoke for the first time since entering the club that night.

"Yes. Klaus, Rebekah, Elijah," He paused, his eyes glancing over her face, "And Kol."

"And where is Marcellus?"

"He's out of town for business. I don't think he knows about any of this," He answered, holding his side.

"You're hurt," She observed as she stood up, "Did Pekka hurt you?"

"Just a few punches," The Fjerdan spoke, gritting his teeth.

Juniper rolled her eyes, "Let go of your masculinity for a moment, will you, Matthias?"

His lips curled, "Only if you let go of your attitude, June."

"You know, he's lying. Whatever he promised you."

"His darting eyes confirmed that. But if I don't deliver, then... he says he has the power to kill the Mikaelsons. Some sort of dagger."

She nodded, "He might. I need you to do something for me and I need you to make it look real."

— — —

After roughly healing Matthias's inner wounds, leaving the bruises on his face, she made her plan.

"Smells like these haven't been washed since last year," She heard Inej say as she walked inside the club, sunlight filling the empty bar.

She held a wooden box in her hands before placing it on the table and opening it.

"That's going to mimic it in every way?" Jesper asked as he looked at the spray bottles filled with what looked like smoke.

Juniper scoffed, "Do you need to ask?"

She closed the case, her gloved hand resting on the top of it as her eyes met Jespers.

"You're gonna say you can't do this without me, yeah? And that you hate it when we're angry at each other, but sometimes siblings fight. And that when all this is over, you're gonna open a tab for me at the club of my choosing, 'cause when Pekka's gone, you'll take it all. That's what you're going to say."

Juniper stared at him.

"Yes?"

"There's a cap on the tab. But otherwise, yes. To all of that."

"Then let's go take down the king."

"The plan is this, Jesper, you're going to hand out Komedie Brute costumes and vials of the compound to all the Dregs. Per Haskell's gang, our gang now. By sunset, the streets will be crawling with Sankt Emerens revellers. They'll provide us with the cover we need. Hit all of Pekka's businesses, the clubs, the brothels. All to destroy Pekka's reputation."

"Inej will cover the harbour, and when the chaos begins, she'll hand the note to Pekka's driver. Matthias and I will handle the Mikaelsons. See you there."

She glanced around the table, "No mourners."

"No funerals," They all answered before leaving Matthias and Juniper.

As soon as they left, her eyes moved back to Matthias, "You ready for this?"

The Fjerdan nodded, "I'm sorry," He told her before his fist collided with her jaw.

— — —

Juniper's hands were tied behind her back, her face bloody as Matthias dragged her inside one of Pekka Rollins's homes. The room was filled with people, clearly, the man had been celebrating.

Reaching the center of the room, Matthias pushed her body to the floor, silently apologizing to her as he heard her grunt in pain.

"Tell your boss I have what he wants," He said to one of the men, his foot pressed against Juniper's back.

The man left before Pekka appeared behind him, his men surrounding them as the Mikaelsons were brought out.

Their eyes widened at the sight of Juniper on the ground, a foot held to her back. They didn't recognize the man holding her down.

"No match for Drüskelle, are you, Zenik? A real boss knows how to inspire loyalty in his people. Isn't that right, boys?"

The men nodded.

She grunted as she looked up, her eyes meeting Kol's.

"Good job, mate. I got it from here," Pekka spoke, directing his words to Matthias before his men pulled out their guns and aimed them at the Fjerdan.

"Hey!"

"Move those hands and you lose 'em."

Pekka stared down at Juniper as he took off his jacket, "I'm gonna make you regret the day that you crossed me. Get her on her feet."

"We had a deal. I did my part," Matthias spoke, holding his hands up.

"We'll get to that," He reassured as two of his men held Juniper up, the girl pushing them off of her.

"But first, I need to make an example out of this rat."

Juniper glanced back at Matthias, "You'll pay for this you double dealing Fjerdan!"

"No, he won't," Pekka said before his fist punched hard into her ribs.

She fell to her knee, coughing, as he grabbed her by her hair.

"After I beat you, I'm gonna dump your body in the harbour as a reminder to anyone who forgets that I'm king of this city."

Juniper stared up at him, "Do your worst."

The hits seemed to never stop. Pekka's foot constantly kicked into her ribs, which were most likely already broken from his first punch.

She coughed constantly, her eyes screwed shut, unable to meet Kol's terrified eyes as he watched the man pick her up by her neck before his fist smacked against her temple.

She fell to the floor, her head hitting the ground harshly as blood dripped down her face. She breathed heavily.

"What's the siren for?" She remembered asking a woman.

"Firepox, girl. Brought in on a Ravkan ship," She answered quickly before running off.

Juniper turned back to the alley, hidden by a few drapes of fabric before walking inside.

Wylan weakly leaned against Kaz's shoulder, red spots and sweat covering his pale skin.

She quickly grabbed a rag from her pocket before pressing it against his skin as she and Kaz shared a look of worry.

"I'm gonna try to find some medicine," She told the older boy, "Stay with him."

"Don't be gone long," Kaz told her as Wylan shook, "I love you, Juniper."

Her watery eyes met his, "I love you too, Wylan. I'll see you soon."

Pekka's foot smashed against her ribs hard enough that everyone in the room could hear a crack.

Suddenly, sirens filled the city as a man quickly walked in and approached Pekka, "Boss, Firepox is back."

"We can all hear the bloody sirens, Edyck. Hope you brought more than that."

"Word is it started on the Drakonasha."

"The harbour."

"Yeah. The Counsel of Tides shut down the harbour. No ships in or out."

"Damn it."

"Shay said the Menagerie and Sweet Shop both got hit hard."

"Sweet Shop? That's not near the harbour."

Juniper looked at them as she stood up, her hands still behind her back silently working on the lock, "There will be outbreaks at all of your establishments. And only yours. The path of contagion will be clear. A ship in your harbour spread the disease to your clubs."

"What did you do, girl?" He asked as he walked a step closer to her.

"There's nothing a nation fears more than disease. The Merchant Council's going to want a proper investigation."

Pekka hummed as he loaded a gun, "You got my attention. But you're not even worth the time it'll take to put a bullet in your head."

The gun clicked.

"Your harbour is shut down. Your businesses are tainted," She told him as Jesper silently walked inside the room.

"My businesses will be fine," He pointed the gun at her forehead, "But you–"

"I'd reconsider. If you want to see your Kaelish prince again."

"Oh... What are you gonna do? You gonna blow it up? You need to learn some new tricks."

The Mikaelson's eyes widened at the new knowledge. They thought this was just some random kidnapping. They didn't know Juniper and Pekka had history.

"No, I mean the little Kaelish prince." Pekka stilled. "Fond of sweets, blonde hair like his father. Doesn't take very good care of his toys."

The rope and chain that was bound to her wrists fell to the ground. Juniper reached into her pocket and drew out a small toy train. The colours were faded, bits of it were chipped off– and it was stained with dark soil.

Juniper let it drop to the floor.

Pekka stared at it. "What is that?" he said, his voice little more than a whisper. Then, as if coming back to himself, he shouted, "What is that?"

"You know what it is, Rollins. And weren't you the one who told me how much alike you and Van Eck are? Men of industry, building something to leave behind. Both of you so concerned with your legacy. What good is all that if there's no one to leave it to? So I found myself asking, just who is he building for?"

Rollins clenched his fists, the meaty muscles of his forearms flexing, his jowls quivering. "I will kill you, Zenik. I will kill everything you love."

Now Juniper laughed. "The trick is not to love anything, Rollins. You can threaten me all you like. You can gut me where I stand. But there's no way you'll find your son in time to save him. Shall I have him sent to your door with his throat cut and dressed in his best suit?"

"You trifling piece of Barrel trash," Rollins snarled. "What the hell do you want from me?"

Juniper felt her humour slide away, felt that dark door open inside of her. "I want you to remember."

"Remember what?"

"In 1794 you ran a con on three siblings from the south. Farm children too stupid to know any better. You took us in, made us trust you, fed us hutspot with your fake wife and your fake daughter. You took our trust and then you took our money and then you took everything."

She could see Rollins' mind working. "Can't quite recall? There were so many, weren't there? How many swindles that year? How many unlucky pigeons have you conned in the time since?"

"You have no right—" Pekka said angrily, his chest rising and falling in ragged bursts, his eyes drawn again and again to the toy train.

"Don't worry. Your boy isn't dead. Yet." Juniper watched Pekka's face closely. "Here, I'll help. You used the name Jakob Hertzoon. You made my oldest brother a runner for you. You operated out of a coffeehouse."

"Across from the park," Pekka said quickly. "The one with the cherry trees."

"That's it."

"It was a long time ago, girl."

"You duped us out of everything. We ended up on the streets and then we died. All of us in our own way. But only one of us was reborn."

"Is that what this has been about all this time? Why you look at me with murder in those shark's eyes of yours?" Pekka shook his head. "You were three pigeons, and I happened to be the one who plucked you. If it hadn't been me, it would have been someone else."

"Well, it's your bad luck that it was you," she bit out. "Yours and your son's."

"I think you're bluffing."

Juniper smiled. "I buried your son," she crooned, savouring the words. "I buried him alive, six feet beneath the earth in a field of rocky soil. I could hear him crying the whole time, begging for his father. Papa, Papa. I've never heard a sweeter sound."

"Juniper—" said Kol, his face pale. He had never seen this side of her. Klaus, however, stared at her with a smile on his face.

Rollins bulled toward her, grabbed her by her dress, and slammed her against the wall. Juniper let him. Rollins was sweating like a moist plum, his face livid with desperation and terror. Juniper drank it in. She wanted to remember every moment of this.

"Tell me where he is, Zenik." He smashed Juniper's head against the wall again. "Tell me."

"It's a simple trade, Rollins. Just speak my brothers names, let the Mikaelsons go, and your son lives."

"Zenik—"

"Tell me my brothers names," Juniper repeated. "How about another hint? You invited us to a house on Zelverstraat. Your wife played the piano. Her name was Margit. There was a silver dog and you called your daughter Saskia. She wore a red ribbon in her braid. You see? I remember. I remember all of it. It's easy."

Rollins released her, paced the room, ran his hands through his thinning hair.

"Two boys and a girl," he said frantically, searching for the memory.

He whirled on Juniper, pointing. "I remember. Two boys and a girl from Kribirsk. You had a piddling little fortune. Your brother fancied himself a trader, wanted to be a merch and get rich like every other nub who steps off a browboat in the Barrel. The other wanted to learn how to build explosives..."

"That's right. Three more fools for you to cozy. Now tell me their names."

"Juniper and..." Rollins clasped his hands on top of his head. Back and forth he crossed the room, back and forth, breathing heavily, as if he'd run the length of the city. "Juniper and..." He turned back to Juniper. "I can make you rich, Zenik."

"I can make myself rich."

"I can give you the Barrel, influence you've never dreamed of. Whatever you want."

"Bring my brothers back from the dead."

"They were fools and you know it! They were like any other mark, thinking they were smarter than the system, looking to make quick coin. You can't fleece an honest man, Zenik. You know that!"

Greed is her lever. Pekka Rollins had taught her that lesson, and he was right. They'd been fools. Maybe one day Juniper could forgive Kaz and Wylan for not being the perfect brothers she held in her heart. Maybe she could even absolve herself for being the kind of gullible, trusting girl who believed someone might simply want to be kind. But for Rollins there would be no reprieve.

"You tell me where he is, Zenik," Rollins roared in her face. "You tell me where my son is!"

"Say my brothers names. Speak it like they do in the magic shows on East Stave—like an incantation. You want your boy? What right does your son have to his precious, coddled life? How is he different from me or my brothers?"

"I don't know your brothers names. I don't know! I don't remember! I was making my name. I was making a little scrub. I thought you three would have a rough week and head home to the country."

"No, you didn't. You never gave us another thought."

Rollins groaned. "I am begging you—"

"Are you?"

"You son of a bitch."

Juniper consulted her watch. "All this time talking while your boy is lost in the dark."

Pekka glanced at his men. He rubbed his hands over his face. Then slowly, his movements heavy, as if he had to fight every muscle of his body to do it, Rollins went to his knees.

Juniper saw the men shake their heads. Weakness never earned respect in the Barrel, nor in New Orleans, no matter how good the cause.

"I am begging you, Zenik. He's all I have. Let me go to him. Let me save him."

Juniper looked at Pekka Rollins, Jakob Hertzoon, kneeling before her at last, eyes wet with tears, pain carved into the lines of his flushed face. Brick by brick.

It was a start.

"Your son is in the southernmost corner of Tarmakker's Field, two miles west of Appelbroek. I've marked the plot with a black flag. If you leave now, you should get to him in plenty of time."

Pekka lurched to his feet and began calling orders. "Send ahead to the boys to have horses waiting. And get me a medik."

"The plague—"

"The one who's on call for the Emerald Palace. You haul him out of the sick ward yourself if you have to." He jabbed a finger into Juniper's chest. "You'll pay for this, Zenik. You'll pay and keep paying. There will be no end to your suffering."

Juniper met Pekka's gaze. "Suffering is like anything else. Live with it long enough, you learn to like the taste."

"Let's go," said Rollins. He fumbled with the locked door.

"Where's the damn key?" One of his men came forward with it, but Kaz noticed the distance he kept from his boss. They'd be telling the story of Pekka Rollins on his knees all over New Orleans tonight, and Rollins must know it too.

He loved his son enough to wager the whole of his pride and reputation. Juniper supposed that should count for something. Maybe to someone else it would have.

The door to the street burst open, and a moment later they were gone.

Kol leaned against the wall, his eyes boring into hers. "Will he get there in time?"

"For what?"

"To..." He stared up at her. She was going to miss that look of surprise. "You didn't do it. You didn't bury him."

"I've never even seen the kid."

"But the train—"

"It was a guess. Pekka's pride in the Dime Lions is plenty predictable. Kid probably has a thousand trains to play with and a giant wooden train to ride around on."

She walked toward him and quickly untied his hands before she walked away from them, her eyes meeting Jespers, "Untie the rest. Don't follow me."

— — —

It had been hours.

No one dared to enter Juniper's room. The Crows knew to stay away. Jesper had warned them of the time he made the mistake to walk into her room after a failed heist and had a knife thrown just inches above his head.

The Mikaelsons sat silently at the bar, drinking the liquor behind them as they watched the Crows speak.

They had never met them, only having seen Jesper hanging around Juniper once or twice. They never knew Juniper had her own club of misfits.

They also never knew she was involved with Pekka Rollins. Or that he had been the reason both her brothers had died.

Klaus only knew the way they had died, not why. He thought it was all chance, that Juniper had bad luck. He didn't know her life had been torn apart by one man.

Kol sighed as he stood up, "This is stupid."

"I wouldn't go up there," Jesper warned as he twirled one of his guns.

"She's my girlfriend."

"And I'm her best friend and yet she still threw a knife at me the last time I did what you're about to try."

The vampire sighed once again as he walked to the stairs, "Thanks for the warning but I heal fast."

Kol walked to her door, which happened to be on the highest floor, farthest away from people, and tapped her door softly.

He opened the door knowing she wouldn't answer before walking in and closing it behind him. He heard a tap turn on in the bar, one of his siblings work as a way to give them privacy.

His eyes widened as he noticed the bruises and cuts littering her skin, "Your face... I'm sorry I couldn't help you."

She stayed silent, her eyes leaving his as she pulled a paper out from her pocket, "Give this to Inej."

"I'm not leaving you. Not now. You should talk about what happened– Or at least let me heal you."

Juniper shook her head silently, "I don't need to talk about it. What's done is done."

"Well, you're clearly not over it so it isn't done. And it won't be done until I can listen to your breaths and not hear it hitch every time you think about it."

She stood up, leaning on her right leg, unable to hold herself up on her left as her hand held her side, "I can't talk about it, Kol. Every time I even think about what that man did to my family, I want to do is kill him and everyone else on this earth."

"Then I'll help you. I will deliver them to your feet. I don't care who you have to hurt, I will not let you go through this alone again."

His eyes moved around the room, glancing at the crow headed cane in a glass case along with a pair of brass goggles.

"You don't have to let them go to heal. You just... You just have to accept what has happened and be happy that you got to know them."

"Everyone I have ever loved has died because of me. My mom, my dad, Wylan, Kaz. Even you, Kol. I can't let myself be weak."

His hand softly touched her shoulder. She didn't flinch.

"You are not weak, Juniper Rietveld. You are anything but. You don't need your science or magic to be strong. The little girl from Kribirsk, the girl who played with her brothers day in and day out, she was strong and she still is. And she's fighting. You just need to keep fighting with her."

Her voice broke as she spoke, "I don't know if I can."

It felt as though his heart had been ripped out of his chest. Seeing her so broken physically hurt him.

"You may not feel like you can but I know you can. We all do. You are the strongest person I have met in my 900 years."

He slowly ushered her to the bed, practically carrying her as her leg barely worked. He held her, her body between his legs, the back of her head against his shoulder.

"You can tell me, darling. You're safe."

Silence filled the room for a few moments before she spoke, "We had just sold our father's farm. We wanted to make a new life for ourselves. Then we met Jakob Hertzoon and he conned us out of all of our money. When Wylan and I turned fifteen, he got sick with Firepox. It had spread in on a Ravkan ship. I left to get him medicine but by the time I got back they were gone."

A tear fell down her cheek.

"I found them on the beach. Wylan was in Kaz's arms. They had been taken out on one of the sick boats and Kaz woke up. He was surrounded by bodies... Wylan was already dead. He had to use his body as a float to get back to the shore."

"A few years later, the war broke out. Grisha were hunted everywhere. Kaz ran with me. We went back to Ravka after receiving a letter saying they were giving out shelter and protection but as soon as we got there, the bombs started going off. Kaz and I hid under the floorboards in an abandoned home until a witch found us. Kaz fought her but he wasn't strong enough so I killed her. We ran into the forest and he was attacked by three vampires. By the time I killed them, he was too far gone. He died in my arms."

"The letter was sent by Pekka, wasn't it?"

She nodded.

"I'm so sorry, darling."

He held her in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again, "I think you've been spending too much time with Nik."

She chuckled, "Maybe a bit.... The Kaelish Prince. The Emerald Palace. The Sweet Shop. All businesses owned by Pekka Rollins. They'll be shut down and quarantined for weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if the city closes some of his other holdings as a precaution if they think his staff is spreading disease. It should take him at least a year to recover financially, maybe more if the panic lasts long enough. Of course, if the Council thinks he helped set up the false consortium, they may never grant him a license to operate again."

The vampire grinned as he kissed her cheek, "That's my girl."

So.... Juniper is in her dirtyhands ark. How are we feeling about it?