the ground could open, he could still say please

Depends on the illness. Most of the time we're treating the symptoms, not the disease itself, but there are at least ways of slowing things down and buying you more time.

[And time is important, in the grand scheme of things.]

But if Kieran is willing to share the details, I can dig through the grimmoires and see what I can find.

I'll ask.

( He didn't want to bring this to his family, it's between them. It's theirs. But, all help could be welcomed. Kieran is already treating the symptoms holistically and with herbs, with potions. Eventually, that won't be good enough. )

What do you make of H's histrionics?

[Freya considers. Kol isn't the only interesting conversation she had in the past day. Granted, Bonnie hung up before they got to the good stuff, but she doesn't think it's a coincidence.]

Did you happen to get the name of the witch H worked for? The one who trapped Julian in the first place?

Barnet Hallewell.

( He got a name and a modus operandi. )

[There's a sharp laugh at that, when the name rings an all too familiar bell (15).]

That old windbag, hmmm? Why am I not surprised that he's still living off the rest of us like a parasite.

We found Julian, not the parasite. Do you think he's in the wind?

( Something cut their connection off. )

Would it have benefited him from breaking his bond himself?

Not unless he had another victim lined up or he would have found himself starting to look his four hundred plus years of age. But even if he did, why give up one power source for another?

[It doesn't feel like he would have abandoned Julian, he would have just worked faster.]

But if he had been killed, there would have been a much larger magical backlash. I think someone else interfered.

( Meanwhile, in the other car, Scott navigates them off the highway, asking Davina if there's somewhere nearby they can all stop and eat.

Julian sits backseat center taking advantage of the car's cell charger as he catches up to missed messages, an angry voicemail, and Alice actually checking in out of concern. )

[Davina points them to the nearest service station off the turnpike - gas station and fast food all in one, but at least the fast food has options. She sends a text to Freya about where they intend to stop, and then leans back against the seat.]

Do you want to change drivers when we leave? Or are you feeling okay?

[Kieran leans back against her brother's shoulder, making a face when he gets to her voicemail. "That was a heat of the moment voicemail."]

( (8) Scott has been feeling the strain of the week, having come straight out of New Orleans on the run East and now North, so, he tries to lie, but he's tired. )

Taking a break to eat is probably enough.

( Ever the noble werewolf, he sticks to his task.

Julian deletes the voicemail he deserved.

"Wasn't the first time you called me a dumbass," he says, tilting his phone back, finished with playing catch up. "Didn't know you graduated to the C-word." )

[Yeah, neither Davina (19), nor Kieran (17) believes that one, and Kieran leans forward to say to Davina. "I can drive after we stop. I'll be good for a few hours."

Davina glances back to her and nods.]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[Kieran then leans back to her brother. "Versatility is the spice of life."]

( "I don't think that pertains to curse words, Kier," Julian says, generally happy to be around his sister, and to be alive again. It feels as normal as it should being in a car with two virtual strangers. )

I'm okay.

( He's not. )

Did Freya get back about where we're stopping?

[He is not and he and Davina will take a nap in the backseat when they get back on the road. She's not taking no for an answer. Glancing down at her phone, she nods.]

Joyce Kilmer Service Area.

[A few signs whip past and she points.]

About another couple of miles, should be on the right.

Couple of miles

( "Sounds like it was named after a dead white lady," Julian says, popping an eyebrow up. "What services was she providing?" )

[Kieran shrugs as she googles it, mostly because she likes knowing things.]

He, actually. Alfred Joyce Kilmer was a super prolific poet before he got shot by a sniper in World War I.

[The more you know.]

I died in World War I and all I got was a rest stop named after me on the New Jersey Turnpike.

( There's a reason they are siblings. )

I think he might be the least famous of all the rest stops, honestly. Though he's not the only one that died from a gun shot, Alexander Hamilton got one in Secaucus.

[A beat.]

Maybe it's because he haunts the place. He had his duel in New Jersey, didn't he?

She dragged me three times. Great musical, but three times? Yeah, Kier. It's etched into my soul.

( Maybe she can 'Take a break.' Badumch. Anyhow, Scott gets them to the rest stop in one piece, pulls into a parking space and finally lets himself feel the fatigue from the past few days as he puts the car in park.

"You don't mind driving the rest of the way?" he asks Davina, still trying to mask the reasoning (13). It's just very nice of her. )

["Not at all," she promises, and after a quick bite to eat, she resettles behind the wheel and drives them the rest of the way to New York.

And when they arrive at the Mikaelson stronghold in New York ... Klaus and Rebekah are fighting. About what? Something dumb they've likely forgotten about already. Klaus made some sort of off-hand comment to his sister and she fired back with her usual aplomb.

Elijah likely has a headache. Cami, Doc, and Bela have likely done something sensible, like gone to dinner with Henry. They figure they'll come back when they're done. After Freya knocks on the door, footsteps come their way.]

You do this every time, you nitwit.

[Then she turns to see who's there, and smiles at her remaining siblings.]

You made it!

[Immediately pulls Kol into a hug since he's the one she hasn't seen yet.]

Everything go alright with your friend?

( "Only with the men who couldn't hold a candle to you!" her brother yells from further within the apartment. He'd complimented her husband, but in a way that insulted her past indiscretions backhandedly. Marcel not withstanding. Except for those years when he was not on their side and had him imprisoned. They've all come a long way. Even though it was Rebekah's decision to turn down his proposal, Klaus still blames Marcel.

Somehow, his sister can do know wrong but also make the most idiotic decisions.

Kol, familiar with the sturm and drang of his siblings' wars, embraces his sister he hasn't seen in too long.

Did it go alright? They saved her brother, but stumbled into a witch conspiracy. Yes, nobody died. )

We're all alive. ( Shitty benchmark a thousand years in. Julian stays back, still wary of every Mikaelson under one roof, but if they're keeping his sister safe, he supposes he can - be chill for now. He is more caustic (9), a smile plastered on his face, worry just behind his eyes. ) Everything alright with our brother?

Just being his usual cantankerous self.

[She may have been spending too much time with her husband from the 1880s. She pulls back with a smile before turning to hug her sister as well.]

Please. come in, all of you. There's plenty of room and we can do introductions somewhere not the doorway.

[Freya moves past her sister to where her brothers are waiting smirking at them as she does. "I leave you alone for less than a week and you're already picking a fight?"]

I said Henry resembled Henrik.

( "And nothing at all after that?" Kol asks, knowing there is more to the story. )

I like John Henry.

( Kol isn't buying it (15) and neither is Julian (14), but he is new to this dynamic.

"And?" )

For a cowboy, but the cowboy stacks up better than the hunter.

( Maybe not better than Stefan, but who doesn't have a soft spot for Stefan?

Enough about their insufferable idiocy, Klaus sees a familiar face and one not so familiar face. )

Well, well, if it isn't Kol's interloper. Kieran, right?

Lovely to see you again, Klaus. Elijah.

[Because she did notice that the other brother was there too. She makes her way in and gives Kol and Rebekah their space.]

This is my brother, Julian.

[Rebekah shakes her head at Klaus, before glancing to the last two members of the group. "Davina! It's been so long."

"Good to see you too, Rebekah," Davina smiles as she moves to embrace her. "This is Scott McCall. Scott, Rebekah Mikaelson."

Rebekah smirks. "Do I complete the Mikaelson collection?"]

( "I guess, yeah," Scott says. He'd met the others under siege but this counts as everyone.

Julian is more curious than friendly, and he doesn't trust a Mikaelson, but he has no choice. He is here in his sister's stead. (It is his fault he's here. It's his fault she found him) )

How long has it been since your whole family has been in one place?

Oh ... quite a while. My wedding, I think?

[That seems right.]

Not the longest amount of time we've been apart, but long enough.

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