Azrael hurried into the room where they were holding the hearing, looking for a seat. But damn, the room had filled with people much quicker than she'd expected. Stepping toward the front of the room where Lucifer would soon be prosecuted, she looked around and saw her sister, Avery, sitting at the end of the row by a few empty seats.

Azrael headed over to her sister, although she had no plans to sit with her.

This made Avery roll her eyes. "Are we really going to do this?" She asked. "Are you really not going to sit near me?"

"It depends," Azrael raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to mind your own business and leave me alone?"

"Don't I always?" Avery questioned, smirking.

"No!" Azrael replied with a big sigh as she sat down, holding her Chanel bag in her lap.

"Fine," Avery rolled her eyes. "We'll sit next to each other in silence then!"

"Fine!" Azrael agreed.

Avery looked straight ahead and heaved a loud sigh. "You know, it's a shame that you don't want me to talk to you, considering that I know all about that kiss you shared with Leighton Fale."

Azrael's jaw dropped, full of shock as she met her sister's eye. "How did you know that?" Then she paused as it hit her. "It was that snake Malachai Fale, wasn't it? He blabbed!"

"I'm not gonna deny that," Avery nodded.

"You know that your boyfriend has a big mouth," Azrael spat. "He's got a big mouth and he likes to spread gossip! Things might have happened with Leighton Fale, or they might not have, and if they have, it's none of your damn business!"

"First off," Avery corrected, "Malachai Fale is not my boyfriend!"

"Are you sure?" Azrael asked. "Didn't our father pick him out for you?" Her voice was smug. "Maybe he and I could have a chat and I could tell him that you lied about Malachai being the love of your life."

"Don't you say a word about me and Malachai to Daddy," Avery warned, waving a forbidding finger at her.

"Fine, I won't if you keep your mouth shut about Leighton and me," Azrael nodded and raised an eyebrow. "I think that's fair. Don't you?"

"I don't see why you're treating this as a big problem," Avery sighed. "I'm just trying to be there for you. To be a friend and confidante. But if that's not what you want, whatever!" She shrugged and turned away, looking very nonchalant. "But it's obvious Leighton wants you. He hasn't stopped looking at since you came in here."

Azrael paled, then slowly turned her head, glancing left to see that Leighton Fale had his eyes on her for sure. When he saw she was looking back, he winked playfully and gave her a wave, not even seeming to blink, which made her blush deep red before she turned back to her.

"Did you see that he just winked and waved at you?" Avery told her. "I sure did!"

"What did I just say?" Azrael snapped, eyes wide.

"I'm pointing out people's behavior in this room," Avery shrugged. "That's not a crime!"

"We have more important things to think about now that Leighton Fale is officially gone from my mind. Like poor Ellie and Angelica! And how it'll make them both feel to go through this."

"Ellie's supposed to be here?" Avery asked. "I haven't seen her." She paused. "Do you think we should be worried?"

"Maybe, but not yet," Azrael replied, glad her sister wasn't pointing at Leighton anymore. "Maybe there's nothing to worry about."

"With Ellie and Angie?" Avery asked before she grinned. "Or you and Leighton Fale? If you were just open with me, I could help you!"

Azrael ran her fingers through her hair and shook her head, not believing she was actually talking to her sister about this. "He…he told me he had a last wish before he finally agreed to go to heaven with me. He's in a lot of pain and it's making him want to end his life."

"Really?" Avery's eyes widened. "And his last wish is you?" She was in shock.

Azrael made shushing noises. "Keep your voice down, please!" Her face was bright red. "I never said that!"

"You don't have to," Avery assured her, clapping her on the back. "It's all over your face!" She shook her head, still not quite believing it. "He wants to do dirty things with you! That's so scandalous and erotic that I can't even deal with it right now!" She grinned and fanned herself.

"There's nothing! It's not happening!" Azrael shook her head stubbornly.

"Why not?" Azrael asked, shrugging her shoulders. "He wants you. You want him. What's the big problem?"

"The problem is that this is all insane! No one should want to be with me that way!" Azrael lashed out.

"Why does he think he'll die soon? Things could change at any time!"

"Because he's been on the list to die since he was a baby," Azrael explained. "This isn't just some random idea he came up with out of nowhere."

"But is he dead yet? No!" Avery pointed out. "He's still here, so why aren't you enjoying this time you have together?"

Azrael kept silent, biting her bottom lip and rubbing her hands together. "That's unethical and you know it! I'm the Angel of Death, not a person's plaything!"

"You want to be, though, right?" Avery winked. "You can say it! It's all right!"

"Oh, look!" Azrael looked away from her sister. "Malachai is talking to Alistair! We should probably go and say 'Hello!' Or I can!" She began to inch away from her sister.

"Fine, the subject is closed for today," Avery rolled her eyes and sigh. It looked like there was no way in hell Leighton Fale would know he was her destiny!

Helene Fale entered the hearing room, looking around to see if there was anyone interesting to sit with. Her father had noticed her arrival and gave her a wink and a smile, but was busy with the Council so he couldn't do much more. She finally found her brother Leighton in the second row of chairs and decided to go sit with him.

"Hey," she greeted him as she took a seat.

"Hello, Helene!" He greeted her and gave her a big smile as he tried to hide his pill bottle, hoping she wouldn't see it as he put it back in his blazer pocket. "No kiss for your incredibly handsome brother?"

"You're my only brother!" Helene chuckled and kissed both his cheeks. "And don't think of trying to hide your pill bottle. I already saw it. If you've been taking them, are you hurting?"

"Every day of my life, sis, but I'm here!" He gave her a wink. "I've learned to live with it."

"You shouldn't be here," Helene chided. "You should be at home, resting. She was concerned, that was for sure.

"Why would I want to be at home when I could be here, watching the horror show of Dad prosecuting the devil himself! That would never happen!" He grinned. "Don't worry, I took my pills. It helps with the pain for a few hours.

"I do worry about you, Leighton. You know that," Helene told her brother and gave his hand a squeeze. "I know its annoying, but it's because I love you."

"I know," Leighton nodded, then lifted her hand to his lips to kiss it. "And I love you very much for it. It's nice to know that people care." He looked around. "Are you here alone? Where's Prince Charming?"

Helene just shook her head. "He wanted to be here, but apparently the werewolf Council or committee or whatever it is, needed his attention more. I, of course, have no idea, because the only time the werewolves wanted me anywhere near them was when Ludovic and I got married."

"Well, I guess it can't be easy to be a prince," Leighton told her with a wink. "Or a princess. I know I should probably be kneeling in front of you now. You know I would if I could, your highness!"

"Oh, you don't even think about it," Helene chided, ruffling his hair. "None of that 'Your Highness' garbage. It sucks, all of it." She paused and thought of Ludovic's beautiful dark eyes and his lithe, handsome body that at the very least she got to see every night. "Well, it has some advantages." She blushed.

Leighton rolled his eyes and put up a hand. "No need to go any further. I don't need to know about your husband's bedroom prowess! Thinking about rekindling things between our parents is enough!"

"Our parents?" Helene's eyes widened. "Mom's here too?"

"Yep," Leighton nodded. "Over by the window, third row." He tilted his head in that direction.

"She came?" Helene cried. "I can't believe she's here!" She paused and shook her head. "And she's sitting by Sybil Mikaelson and her friend…wow!"

"Yeah, but I'm not sure how it's going," he shrugged. "It wouldn't be bad for her to have some demon friends, especially if they're women."

"Oh, I agree," Helene nodded. "And the fact that she's here for Dad is huge!"

"She denies it," Leighton informed his sister. "But I think we both know that Dad is why she's here." He then turned and went back to looking at Azrael, eyes narrowed. "Just like Dad would deny that he's stared at Mom since she came to anyone who asked him."

"You mean like you're looking at the cute brunette sitting by Avery Morningstar?" Helene teased.

"Yeah," Leighton grinned. "Just like that."

"You're not denying it? Care to tell me more? Please tell me more!" Helene begged with a smirk.

"Well, she's the object of my affection and, I suppose, my obsession." She shrugged.

"Really?" Helene's jaw dropped as she ruffled his hair. "My little brother has a girlfriend!"

"Not at the moment, I don't," Leighton contradicted her. "She's trying to keep me at a distance, but she really underestimates how persistent I can be!" He smiled.

"Oh, don't I know it!" Helene rolled her eyes in a comic fashion. "The poor woman doesn't know what will hit her!"

"She does, I think," Leighton replied with a chuckle.

"Who is she?" Helene asked. "What's her name?" Her voice was eager/

"Azrael Morningstar. Or whatever she called herself," he responded.

"Avery's sister?" Helene raised an eyebrow. "You do realize that she's the Angel of Death?"

"Oh, yeah," Leighton shrugged. "But it doesn't bother me."

"Leighton!" Helene grabbed his arm. "Why her? What do you have in mind?"

"Calm down, calm down!" Leighton told her. "You don't have to worry. I'm just attracted to her. I mean, look at her! Isn't she the cutest woman you ever saw?"

"Well, of course, but…" Helene continued to worry; she knew how her little brother's mind worked.

"Please don't worry," Leighton pleaded. "This is my love life. I won't screw it up. Just trust me!" He spoke gently.

"All right," Helene put a hand on his shoulder, a small smile on her lips.

Mikael entered the hearing room, chin raised as he looked around for his wife. He didn't find her but found his sons. He headed over to them, nodding politely. "Elijah, Kol." Then he turned to the women with them. "Selina, Amy, Ms. Morningstar."

"Father," Elijah returned as the others nodded.

"I guess I'm so powerful a hybrid that I'm invisible!" Klaus teased, although his body tensed, and Angelica put a restraining hand on his arm.

"I highly doubt you give a damn whether I greet you or not, Niklaus," Mikael replied with a roll of his eyes.

"Look at you, saying something that I agree with!" Klaus remarked with a grin. "You're right! I don't give a fuck whether you greet me or not!"

"Hey, listen up!" Angelica barked. "I'm hormonal, I'm hungry, and I'm about to have to relive some of the worst moments of my life with my father at this hearing. I don't have any patience for you two snapping at each other. Am I clear?"

Both Klaus and Mikael went quiet and swallowed hard as Klaus pulled a small sandwich bag full of cookies and held them out to her. "Oreo?"

"Give me those," Angelica yanked it away from him and began eating the cookies.

"The queen has spoken so let's all behave ourselves," Kol told the group and gave Amy a wink.

"I hope you mean the 'Queen' remark as a compliment and you're not being condescending," Angelica scolded the youngest Mikaelson.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Angelica. Amy and I are very fond of my family jewels, and I wouldn't want to lose them." He gave a blushing Amy a wink.

"Kol, we're in public!" Amy reminded him.

"It's good you meant well," Angelica nodded. "Let's keep it that way."

"I didn't mean to offend you," Mikael told her. "It truly was not my intention."

"Don't try to pretend like you want to do anything other than insult my girlfriend!" Klaus rolled his eyes.

"Of course, I do!" Mikael told him. "She worked for me and did a wonderful job!"

Angelica grinned and bit her lip on a smile.

"Right, I forgot about that!" Klaus shook his head and rubbed his hands together. "Poor her! I hope you paid her well for putting up with you."

"I would say the same to you!" Mikael shot back.

"Father, Niklaus, please behave yourselves in public, especially here," Elijah chided. "The last thing I want to do is be witness at another murder trial."

"I don't know what you're scolding me for," Mikael replied. "I was just looking for my wife!"

"Oh, so of course it's my fault, like always!" Klaus huffed.

They didn't go on for much longer before a shrill whistle quieted them both. They turned and saw Selina, a bright red whistle falling from her lips and hanging on a chain down the front of her.

"Selina, for heaven's sake, what did you do that for?" Elijah cried, surprised.

"I thought I might need this to break up a fight, and apparently I was right." She gave Angelica a wink. "Thanks for the hint!"

"So proud of you," Angelica remarked. "It works for angry mothers-in-law and drunk groomsmen, so it stands to reason that it would here too. I like how you think!"

"I agree," Amy replied. "You saved us all a lot of headaches, thank you." Then she grinned while Klaus and Mikael rolled their eyes.

"Now I remember why came here in the first place," Mikael shook his head. "Would any of you be so kind as to tell me where my wife Gabrielle and her friend are?"

"No, we wouldn't be so kind," Amy replied, tit for tat.

"I beg your pardon?" Mikael asked, dumbfounded.

"Don't beg my wife's pardon, Father," Kol shook his head and moved closer to Amy.

"Let's say Gabrielle and your wife Sybil have done us a favor," Selina tried to explain.

"Why should I be worried about this?" Mikael asked suspiciously, narrowed his eyes on both women.

"Because you really should be worried," Klaus grinned.

"Well, I suppose I should wait for her here, then," Mikael shot back, sitting and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yippy!" Klaus winced as he took Angelica by the hand and led her away to sit down.

Astrid had hold of her cell phone and was looking at her emails as an excuse to ignore the two women sitting next to her, who were looking at one another and shrugging, unsure of what to do, since their efforts were failing.

"You know," Gabrielle said at last, leaning as close to Astrid as she dared, "this is the first time we've met and I promise I don't have any ill intentions toward you, but you're being awfully rude to me."

Astrid didn't look up at this but spoke bluntly. "Didn't you hear? I used to be a witch. Now I'm a demon bitch. Don't expect me to be nice to you or anyone else." She raised her head and gave Gabrielle a wicked grin.

"Well, you don't have to tell me," Gabrielle replied dryly. "I can see that pretty well myself."

"Listen, you two," Astrid told the two women, trying to sound as friendly as possible. "I'm a nice person usually, I swear. And I have nothing against either of you. But…I've been through a lot, and it's still happening so I'm not really in the mood to make friends or stupid small talk with people who are walking examples of one of the ways my life was turned upside down. Please go away." She sat down in a huff, turning away from both of them.

"Wow," Sybil remarked. "Are you always this pleasant? No wonder Alistair is keeping his distance, even though you used to be the talk of the magical world!" This remark made Gabrielle's eyes widen as Astrid turned around, anger in her eyes.

"I beg your pardon?" She spat.

"Well, it's no secret you're on the verge of a divorce," Sybil shrugged. "Everyone knows."

"And what…what concern is that of yours, Sybil Mikaelson?" Astrid asked between clenched teeth.

"It's not," Sybil shook her head and shrugged. "But it's a real shame for a couple who was always so in love. If you would just get over your fear and stubbornness, you could be as happy as Mikael and me."

"I don't see what your marriage has to do with mine," Astrid told er.

"I'm a demon woman and I married none other than Mikael Mikaelson," Sybil reminded her with a raised eyebrow.

"So what?" Astrid asked. "Am I supposed to congratulate you?"

"Well, apparently, you've forgotten how much hate Mikael used to have for the demon community. And yet, he fell in love with me, and I fell in love with him." Sybil paused and clicked her tongue. Shame that you can't let go of your pride and let your husband love the woman you have become, especially when you consider the reason you became a demon in the first place." She paused. "It happened because you wanted to save your son, right?"

"I was forced into it!" Astrid cried. "It's not something I wanted."

"And if you had been given a choice, would you have let your son die?" Sybil questioned, a final blow.

Astrid went pale. "No," she shook her head, lowering her eyes in shame. "No I wouldn't."

"Well, there you go," Sybil remarked.

Gabrielle reached out and put a hand on Astrid's arm. "I believe you've been very courageous all this time.

"How do you know?" Astrid asked, tears filling her eyes. "I'm not courageous. I'm a mess!"

Gabrielle shook her head. "I sense a powerful woman with a strong will in you," she said.

"And no one said becoming a demon was easy," Sybil added, squeezing Astrid's left hand, even as she pulled away like Sybil had burned her. "It wasn't easy for me when it came to Mikael. Seeing how much he hated my kind, and yet still developing feelings for him." Tears began to roll down her cheeks. "But we fell in love anyway. What is making you so afraid that Alistair won't fall in love with the woman you've become even though I'm sure he's loved you for years."

Astrid remained silent, as Sybil pulled a handkerchief from her clutch bag, standing up and signaling for her best friend to do the same. "You've put up with us long enough and I see my husband is sitting with his family. We'll go sit with him and leave you alone."

Astrid nodded, staying silent.

As Gabrielle followed her friend down the row of seats, she whispered in Sybil's ear: "Are you all right?"

"Me? I've never been better!" She winked. "What did you think of my performance?"

Gabrielle gave her a wink. "You are a true demon bitch!"

The loud clacking of heels on the corridor floor attracted the attention of some spectators sitting near the entrance door.

Lucifer Morningstar strode through the door, chin raised, and a pernicious smile spreading over his full lips. He pulled on the sleeves of his silk shirt to straighten them, nodding a few people. "Lovely day, isn't it?" He greeted them all with a smile, but it wasn't lost on hm that no one would meet his eyes and everyone he tried to go near turned away from him.

This made him frown as he stepped inside the hearing room, noticing his sister Avery coming to meet him, arms crossed in front of her chest.

"Avery!" Lucifer's eyes brightened. "What a lovely surprise! How nice of you to come and support me during this utter farce!"

Avery rolled her eyes as Lucifer waved to Azrael over her shoulder. She rolled her eyes at him too.

"Drop the act, Lucifer!" Avery snapped. "Azrael and I are here to testify against you, not give you a 'get out of jail free' card!"

"Really?" He continued his game. "And just what is my family accusing me of this time?"

"I'm not evening going to dignify that with a response because you know perfectly well why you're here today! Your charm and smooth talking won't change any of that, especially since you can no longer con Angelica into thinking you're the victim in all this!" She poked his chest with her manicured nail!"

"Is that so? I guess we'll just see then." He gave her a smug grin.

"How are you feeling, Milo?" Natalie asked, squeezing his hand and feeling very reassured as he squeezed back as they marched through the hallways to the hearing room.

"I…I'm fine," he got out. "T-thank you for asking." He gave her a smile, but she could tell he was forcing it.

"Right," she nodded. "You know you don't need to put on some brave front for me, right? Or anyone else at this hearing?" She paused in front of the hearing room. "I hope you feel like you can be honest with me. It's gotta be hard going through something like this about your father."

He sighed. "I don't have a father anymore, Natalie. I don't know if he ever thought of me as a son, or if I was just the result of too many glasses of wine and no condom. But it doesn't matter. Angelica's going through a lot worse and all I want is to support her and see the devil get what he deserves."

"Even so, I can feel in my heart that you're hurting, Milo." Natalie raised her hand to stroke his five O'clock shadow that was beginning to cover his face. He really was growing up.

"Don't you worry about me," he winked at her and took her wrist, kissing the inside of it gently. "I saw my sister and your father. Let's go sit with them."

"Sure," Natalie nodded. "You go. I need to head to the bathroom. Be back in a second." She kissed his cheek gently, looking to her right out of the corner of her eye. She had seen Milo's father, and it was time for her to give that asshole a piece of her mind.

Milo nodded and made his way to their family, and when he was comfortably conversing with her father and his sister, Natalie narrowed her eyes, closed fists on either side of her tense body, quickly stomping over to Lucifer and Avery Morningstar, not hesitating to break up their conversation.

They looked at her for a few seconds before Lucifer gave her a forced smile. "Natalie Mikaelson…what a surprise to see you here!"

"Maybe for you," Natalie told him. "But I've been waiting to see you here for the longest time, you jackass! This is for Milo!"

Then before Lucifer could speak, she punched him hard in face, sending him sprawling to the floor, under the loud exclamations of the crowd as they turned to look at the angry young woman, her hands still balled into fists.

Noah Morningstar grabbed the handle to the door of the Da Vinci restaurant where he'd reserved a table for two for lunch. He pulled on the sleeves of his blue silk shirt he'd paired with a designer blazer and pushed the Fedora up higher on his forehead before meeting the eyes of the hostess, who openly looked him over and gave him a seductive smile.

She was very beautiful and in the distant past, he wouldn't have hesitated to get her number. She was clearly interested and would have given it to him, then they would have spent the night together. But since Celine Mikaelson had entered his life and tried to seduce him and caused a scandal, he knew no other woman could compare to her!

"Can I help you, sir?" The hostess purred. "I'd be more than happy to…in any way you would like." She eyed him seductively.

"I have a reservation for two, under Noah Morningstar," he said flatly.

"Lucky lady," she smiled and grabbed two menus. "Please come this way."

"Thank you," he followed her to the table and took a seat.

Once she'd left, he looked around and didn't recognize a single person around him. Good! He had carefully planned this lunch, knowing that everyone else would be so engrossed in his father's hearing that no one would bug them. For once, his father was doing something good for him. As for his goddaughter's parents, they were occupied by shopping for new furniture in a nearby city. That had given him so much peace. He wanted to get this over with as quickly and painlessly as possible.

It wasn't that he had any choice but to agree to Celine's lunch invitation. She'd bombarded him with requests by text message for so long now. If one thing could be said about her, she was very persistent when she wanted something!

Even though he wasn't very hungry, Noah took hold of his menu and looked down at the list of options without really seeing them. He was thinking more about how today was the day he would finally set Celine straight and get it in her head that there was not a fucking chance in hell that he would allow her to seduce him, or come anywhere near his bedroom. And the thought of them having an affair just…it was a terrible idea! He was too close to her parents and considered them too good friends to do that. Plus, there was the fact that her grandfather was going to be his brother in law at some point probably, so…the less messy he could keep things, the better.

Suddenly, a discreet cough brought his eyes upward, and he found himself choking on spit as he gazed at a blonde beauty.

Fuck him! In spite of himself, Noah couldn't think of anything other than that she was a vision!

"Celine," he murmured, slowly rising to his feet and pulling out a chair.

"Hello, Noah," she said with a smile. Then she shook her head. "Sorry," she winked. "Uncle Noah."

Loose blonde curls flowed down her back, she had thick black mascara on her eyelashes and bright red lipstick on her lips. She wore a black silk trench coat over a pair of flared black trousers and white platform heels.

He breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn't dressed in a sexy way that would be the end of him!

"You want me to help you with your coat?" He offered gallantly as he started to stand up.

"Thank you, but I think I have it under control." She then slowly unbuttoned her coat. "And you look very dashing today, Uncle Noah!"

"Thank you," he said, hiding behind his menu so she wouldn't see that her compliment had made him blush bright red.

After a few seconds, he took a drink of water and raised his head to look at her. Big mistake. The sight of her made him spit out the water he hadn't swallowed.

"What the hell are you wearing?" He asked, shocked by her sexy outfit.

"You like?" Celine grinned before handing her coat to the hostess and thanking her. Then she took her seat. "It's a sleeveless vest. I found it online, a New York designer's website. It's a replica of the one the actress wore in that Flashdance movie. Have you seen it? Do you know what I'm talking about?"

"A vest?" Noah's eyes were wide.

"Yeah," Celine smiled. "I have no idea why you're so upset."

"Because that is not a vest!" He muttered between clenched teeth. "That is barely covering your chest, young lady, and everyone here can see your bare back! I don't see what my seeing that movie has anything to do with anything, but I have. What could have possessed you to wear something like that out in public?"

"You seem stressed, Uncle Noah," she winked. "Maybe you should relax and just enjoy dinner. We could get a little wine. And if my wearing this vest in public upsets you, I guess I could just wear it in our bedroom…if that's what you want."

Noah shut his eyes tight and thought of things like old ladies in lingerie to stop himself from thinking about what Celine would look like wearing that vest and not much else in his bed, taking one deep breath after another.

But just when he thought it was safe to open his eyes again, he felt her bare foot sliding up his calf under the table.

"Do not!" He told her warningly and gave her a gentle kick.

But just as she was about to swear at him or something, a voice stopped her. A voice that made his blood go cold.

"Well, well, well…what do we have here?" They both turned their heads to glance at a tall man who showed up by their table. "Lucifer Morningstar's offspring, if I'm not mistaken. Noah, right?" He smirked. "That has to be right…and in the company of a barely legal young lady too! I had no idea that you liked them so young, but I shouldn't be surprised!"

Noah narrowed his eyes at the intruder. Fucking John! One of the most troublesome villains in the supernatural world! He hated everyone but himself. If there was one person who had decided not to go to his father's hearing and had decided to be in the same restaurant as them…John was the last person Noah would have chosen to see him and Celine having lunch. But he had, and now it would probably be everywhere. What would he and Celine do now?