This chapter is now betaed. Thank you to Senema for her help.

I have gotten stuck a little with the story but I hope that soon my writer's block will be over and I can continue it.

Chapter 2

Josh liked it when Rousseau was so busy. Firstly, because he made a lot of money and secondly, because he liked being around people. It was an eclectic mix of vampires, witches, werewolves and humans, with the tourists among them being immediately recognizable.

When the couple entered the bar, Josh noticed them immediately. Both man and woman moved with an unconscious sureness and smoothness, which served as a warning to all the supernatural beings in the bar that they were dangerous. Were they perhaps hunters, who had come into town?

Josh kept an eye on them as they walked straight to the bar. The man ordered beers for both of them and Josh poured two glasses, which he then placed in front of his customers. Until now, the woman had always stayed a little behind the man, so that Josh only now had the opportunity to look at her. To be honest, until now he had focused more on the man, who was very attractive and looked vaguely familiar.

The first thing that struck him about her was her beauty and the second that she looked very familiar to him too, although for some reason the blond hair irritated him. When he pictured her with red hair, he knew why. Before him stood Black Widow in the flesh!

Of course, Josh had heard about the trouble with the Sokovia Accords, which had caused some uproar and concern in the supernatural community as well. And he knew that Black Widow was on the run along with the other true Avengers. That meant the man had to be an Avenger as well.

Josh turned his head to look at him abruptly and now he recognized him too. Captain America and Black Widow were in his bar. The inner nerd in Josh nearly fainted.

He heard the Avengers' heartbeats soar and immediately reassured them that they had nothing to fear from him. He took them to the table the Originals often used when they wanted to be alone and still keep an eye on things. Neither of them were in the bar now, so that was ideal.

Then when Black Widow tried to seduce him, Josh had one of the best days in a long time.

Josh eavesdropped on the conversations in the bar in case any of the tourists recognized the Avengers, but that didn't seem to be the case. With the supernatural beings in the bar, things were different. They knew who was among them and so the two Avengers garnered more than the usual amount of attention. But luckily no one had any intention of approaching or provoking the Avengers.

Of course, it didn't take long for his good day to be ruined when Marcel entered Rousseau with three of his Strix minions.

Josh made a face. "What would you and your minions like to drink, Marcel?"

"Nothing, it's about the new rules taking effect", said Marcel arrogantly.

"New rules?" Josh drawled. "Which ones?"

"The Strix want both, werewolves and witches, to be no longer served at Rousseau. From now on, it is supposed to be a bar for vampires only." Marcel spoke a little louder so that everyone could hear him. "The other factions will each be assigned their own bar where they can meet in the future."

Josh heard an angry murmur going through the bar. Even the vampires didn't sound enthusiastic about the news. The Strix had already alienated most of them with their condescending behaviour with which they treated them.

"Well, it's my bar", Josh replied mildly. "And I decide who I serve or don't. As far as I'm concerned, all factions are welcome at Rousseau." He looked disdainfully at the Strix. "And I definitely prefer them to these snobs, I don't like them in my bar. I like Rousseau and its clientele the way it is now."

"You have no choice", Marcel replied condescendingly. "Now that Klaus and Hayley are gone, things will change. It's time for the vampires to rule New Orleans again, like they did before the Originals arrived, under my rule."

"Elijah will probably have something to say about that", said Josh with a slight grin. "Does he know about it?"

"I'll let him know when I think it's appropriate", Marcel said self-importantly.

Josh saw the Strix look at each other uneasily. Apparently, Marcel severely overestimated, how loyal they really were to him at the end of the day.

"You know, Marcel, you shouldn't endlessly rely on the affection that Klaus and Rebekah harbour for you, it is the only thing protecting you. The Originals may have killed your previous minions, but your pride and arrogance was ultimately their downfall. You failed them and saved your own skin. I know that Davina was the only reason you saved me." Josh eyed his former boss with contempt.

"One day you'll overdo it and I know at least one Original who doesn't feel much affection for you anymore." Josh was now smiling maliciously. "And as far as I know, Freya isn't a big fan of yours either. And that's one witch I wouldn't want to have as an enemy!"

"Watch the way you talk to me, Josh", Marcel warned through clenched teeth. "Our previous acquaintance only gives you so much leeway."

"Acquaintance?" Josh asked scornfully. "You mean when your minions at the time used me and my friend for food, gave us their blood and then killed us?"

"Klaus killed you", contradicted Marcel immediately.

"So what, it was you who decided he could only use one of us", Josh countered immediately. "You murdered my friend, I have never forgotten that."

"You mean the one who betrayed you?" Marcel replied carelessly.

"Which she never would have done if you hadn't forced our hands." Josh snorted derisively. "You always talk about loyalty, but you don't have it, you've never felt loyalty, only to yourself and all others be damned. Even the Originals feel more loyalty and integrity than you do and that is saying something.

You always say you don't harm children. What about the children of the werewolves that you cursed. They lost all their parents because of you and then were left completely alone in the world. How many of them died because you left them without protection?

Or the many witches you subjugated and killed with Davina's help? They also had children. Just because you may not have killed a child yourself doesn't mean those resulting deaths aren't your fault. You made the witches of New Orleans hate Davina, and then you and Vincent made sure she was cast out."

Josh was angry now. It was the first time Josh had really the opportunity to rub Marcel's hypocrisy in his face. Before, he'd just never been angry enough. However, that Marcel now wanted to pull the same crap a second time in New Orleans had erased the rest of the goodwill he had felt for Marcel because of Davina.

"I hope that one day Davina realizes what you really are and she cuts you out of her life. For my part, I don't want anything to do with you anymore and you can forget your plans for your dictatorship 2.0. I will inform Elijah about them and this time I will side with the Mikaelsons when the time comes. And I bet I won't be the only one."

A low murmur went through the bar again, but it didn't sound to Josh like those present disagreed with him. The Strix and Marcel's increasing use of them as a means of intimidation had ensured that the Originals' reign was seen as progressively better.

Josh saw with satisfaction that Marcel was as angry as he was now, but more importantly, his words had hit him where it hurt. And Marcel must have heard too that Josh wasn't alone in his views.

"I should kill you right now", Marcel hissed. "We can easily compel the tourists to forget what happened here. And for everyone else you would be a cautionary tale."

Josh chuckled. "This might be a little tricky. See there are two Enhanced in the bar. Who knows what abilities they have? Remember that one girl you thought was easy prey. How long did it take you to thaw again?"

Soft laughter rang out, which could only be heard with vampire or werewolf ears and Marcel flushed in embarrassment. He had been an ice statue for almost two days and Josh knew that practically every witch, werewolf and vampire had gaped at it and made fun of Marcel. Till today werewolves, witches and even a few vampires regularly asked Marcel with a sardonic grin if he needed some ice or if he had enough left from his time as a statue.

Vincent's and Davina's magic hadn't worked, and it was Freya who, using her older and more powerful magic, had at Rebekah's request finally freed Marcel. Marcel had yet to live this incident down. Since then, Marcel had become quite cautious when he had to deal with Enhanced.

"Where are they?" Marcel asked.

"At the Originals' table", Josh replied. He was curious what Marcel would do now. As it turned out, his injured vanity and pride, as usual, trumped his sanity and he made his way to the two Avengers.

Josh sighed. He hadn't wanted that to happen. It was time to get reinforcements.

Josh picked up the phone and dialled the number of the compound. He was quite relieved when Elijah answered. "We've got a little problem at Rousseau. Marcel is about to mess with two Avengers."

At first the line remained silent, then Elijah asked calmly. "You're sure they are Avengers?"

"Yes, I am", Josh answered softly.

"I'm coming." Elijah hung up.

Josh made an unobtrusive sign to clear out the bar and to his relief the vampires responded immediately.

Josh breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as the bar was empty, Josh went to the table to assist the two Avengers if the need arose.

xxxxx

Josh rubbed the spot, which still smarted from the Strix snapping his neck. As it turned out he hadn't been much help in the fight, but at least he could tell Marcel that he was only the leader of the Strix for as long as Elijah allowed him to be.

However, he had to admit he was surprised to learn that both Avengers knew about Elijah and his abilities. At least enough to give the Strix a good fight for humans. In hindsight, he shuddered to think how Elijah would have reacted if something had happened to them.

Not to mention, watching Black Widow effortlessly take down Marcel and knocking him out was the icing on the cake for him, he never wanted to forget this sight. Somehow, Marcel didn't seem to have much luck with petite enhanced females.

Luckily Elijah was there when Josh woke up again, both Avengers pretty much unharmed. Elijah announced to the Strix that the Avengers were under his protection and that he would take any attack on them as an attack on himself before sending them away - properly terrified.

Josh knew they would spread that message among the other Strix. When Elijah then also stood in Marcel's way and he told Josh that he would now have a favour with him, Josh knew that Elijah valued the well-being of the Avengers clearly more than Marcel's.

And the way Marcel looked, he knew that too. His bragging about being the king of New Orleans was simply rear-guard action, and Josh throwing him out and threatening to call in Elijah's favour if he didn't go was the last salvo fired.

Josh knew that what happened at Rousseau was going to spread through town like wildfire and that Marcel hadn't made a good figure in it. But more importantly, Elijah had chosen two humans over Marcel, which effectively meant Marcel could no longer rely on the Original's or at least Elijah's preferential treatment.

Now that Josh learned why the two Avengers were in town, he was even gladder that he got himself involved. As he had said to Steve, he knew what it was like to be hated and discriminated against for who he was. Offering his help to the Avengers and Elijah was the only right thing to do.

And if he ever caught Elijah alone and in a good mood, he absolutely had to ask him under what circumstances he had met Captain America in World War II and what he had to do with building the underground railroad.

Josh and Rebekah left the bar to look for Robin LeGrange. They found him fairly quickly as he was just leaving his apartment.

"Let me talk to him", Josh said softly. "He knows me, and he knows enough about the supernatural to get nervous when an Original is suddenly interested in him."

"Do that, Josh, I'm holding back", Rebekah replied just as softly.

Josh approached LeGrange. "Hello Robin."

"Hello Josh." The man looked at him impatiently. "I don't have time; I have an appointment to keep."

"I know. It is the reason why I'm here." Josh smiled reassuringly. "There was a little trouble at Rousseau and your appointment had to change the location. I have the order to bring you to them."

LeGrange made a face. "Then they can forget about it. I decide where and when I meet with someone who is interested in my skills as a forger."

"You should make an exception this time", Josh said nervously. He knew Rebekah was listening and if it wasn't going fast enough for her, she would interfere.

"Sorry Josh, but you really aren't intimidating enough to make me deviate from my usual habits." LeGrange was about to turn and go back into his apartment when Rebekah suddenly stood in front of him and stopped him.

"And what about me? Am I intimidating enough?" she asked with a smile that showed a little too much teeth.

LeGrange swallowed, he seemed a little stunned and increasingly anxious. "You are Rebekah Mikaelson."

"Exactly Robin." Rebekah edged close to him. "And I am very interested in you deviating from your habits. But if you think I'm not intimidating enough either, I'll just inform my brother Elijah that you don't want to comply with his request."

Josh inwardly rolled his eyes, as LeGrange looked at Rebekah in utter horror. All of the Originals knew how to intimidate people, but there were degrees and no one from New Orleans, who knew the supernatural part, would dare to refuse a 'request' from Elijah.

"I'll come with you, of course," LeGrange said anxiously.

"Very good", said Rebekah kindly, taking his arm. LeGrange looked pleadingly at Josh, but Josh just shrugged, unable and this time unwilling to help. Rebekah began to pull LeGrange with her.

"Where are we going?" asked LeGrange, resigned to his fate.

"We're going to the compound. Like I said, Elijah is very interested in this meeting taking place", Rebekah explained with amusement.

Josh saw LeGrange give up the last bit of resistance. Having been in this situation himself with the Originals, he felt sorry for him, but not enough to help him. This time it was for a good cause and Josh wanted to be a part of it.