Elijah carefully made his way down a row of seats to reach his wife and take a place by her side as she looked at him curiously and rubbed her belly. "Why's the hearing not happening yet?"

"Well, Lucifer's being as disruptive as we should have expected," Elijah rolled his eyes. "He says the chair provided for him is too dirty and will ruin his designer suit."

Selina's jaw dropped. "Are you serious?" She asked, shocked.

"How are you surprised by this?" Angelica asked her aunt. "He's being so stupid and childish and wants to piss everyone off because he's mad he got caught and is going to be in big trouble." Just thinking about her father made her hands ball into fists and her whole body tense up.

"Here," Klaus said, offering her some bubble gum. "Eat that. It'll help calm you down."

"Are you trying to silence me, Klaus Mikaelson?" Angelica wanted to know. "Do you want me to be mad at you too? Because we're headed that way!"

"Oh, well I'm sorry," Klaus told her and reached across her lap. "If you don't want the gum, I'll just take it away."

"No," Angie shook her head and threw the pieces inside her mouth.

There was silence and then Selina stood up. "I have to go to the bathroom," she told him. "I'll be back."

"Do you want me to come with you?" He offered.

"No," Selina shook her head. "I know you want to help but I'm okay for now. I don't need you to hold my hand while I pee."

"Let me guess," Elijah told her through gritted teeth. "You're still mad because of…"

"Let's not talk about that now," Selina said. "I need to go to the bathroom before I mark my territory on your leg!" She then excused herself and made her way down the corridor before bumping into a tall man, quickly begging his pardon.

"It's okay," he said, grabbing her arm to steady her. "It was my mistake. I'm the on who should be apologizing."

"Thank you, but I was the one who…" Selina trailed off as she caught the man's eye and went pale. "John, it's you! What are you doing here?" She backed up a little.

"Well, hello, Selina Warren." He smirked. "Or have you finally decided to take your husband's name after marrying Elijah so many times and fall from your feminist pedestal?" He grinned and buried his hands in his designer jeans.

Selina scoffed. "Whether I do take Elijah's name or not is none of your business." Then she raised her chin. "Not that it's any of your business, but I go by Selina Warren Mikaelson now."

"How clever," John returned. "Throwing your husband a bone while still being able to look your friends who kept their own names in the eye."

Selina gave him a tight smile. "You know, I would say I'm pleased to see you, but I'm not. In fact, I'm more surprised than anything else that you're here of all places. Didn't they ban you from the Council years go when you so politely told everyone that you wished, and I quote, that all supernatural species would shrivel up and die? And this was after you lied to Astrid and told her you were done being a pain in the ass and would start being on your best behavior instead."

John chuckled. "I'm so touched that you remember my exact words." He put a hand over his heart and gave her a fake smile.

"Yeah, I bet you are," Selina huffed, crossing both arms in front of her chest.

"To answer your question," John began, "I was having a lovely lunch, and I saw…"

"Never mind," Selina interrupted. "I'm not interested in gossip, especially if it comes from you!"

"Well, your loss," he shrugged. "It's no big deal to me. And you're right concerning my presence here. I was banned from the Council for good years ago, but I thought I should be around while the devil is on trial. It's interesting that now, he's presenting a bigger danger to everyone than I ever did, considering he committed murder and I never did.

"Yeah, that we know of," Selina grumbled under her breath. "And not killing someone doesn't make you, you know, purer than Steve, considering how many other bad things you've done!"

John burst out laughing. "Oh, but Steve's not so pure now, is he? We know that." He tilted his head, an evil smile curving his lips as his eyes landed on her prominent belly. "Pregnant again, my dear? Don't tale this the wrong way, my dear. But you and your husband are worse than rabbits! Or are mice a better comparison?"

"Well, I bet you were raised in a pigsty!" Selina spat. "How's that for a comparison?" She knew it probably didn't make any sense, but she had to say something.

John threw his head back and burst out laughing. "I'll take that as a compliment considering that you and your husband are farmers now. Who would have thought?" He smirked. "Another baby girl, I suppose?" He shook his head. "You must have a gazillion by now. I don't know how you do it!"

Wanting so badly to kick him in the shin and watch John fall on his ass and glad that Elijah wasn't around to stop her, Selina took a deep breath, her hands balled into fists on either side of her tensed body. "Yes," she growled. "Elijah and I are having another girl, but I don't see how it's any of your damn business! We're very happy about it!" She gave him a sly smile. Then the effect was ruined as she winced and put a hand to her belly, leaning down a little.

"Something the matter, dear?" John asked, legitimately concerned. He tried to help her up but she moved out of his reach.

"I don't believe you'd actually give a damn, but to a person who's never met you, you'd probably come across as a very good actor," Selina spat. "It's nothing, the baby just kicked a little. Probably because she hates listening to your voice. She's a good judge of character!"

"Well, don't you worry, dear," John promised. "That little girl of yours won't ever cross my path."

"Good," Selina nodded. "And it won't be a day too soon if you do the same for me." Then she remembered she had pee and turned to head for the bathroom. "Farewell, John!"

"It was a true pleasure, Selina warren Mikaelson!" He called after her with a chuckle.

"The Council calls to the witness stand Angelica Morningstar, Klaus Mikaelson, and Azrael, the Angel of Death," Alistair called out as the door to the hearing room closed with a thud and Lucifer finally took his seat.

Seeing that Angelica was hesitating, Selina put a hand on her arm and gave her a smile. "You can do this, sweetheart. I know you can!"

Angelica returned the smile and stood up after Klaus offered her his hand. She was surprised to see Milo stand up too, coming over to give her a hard hug.

"I'm with you," he whispered in her ear as he let her go. "You can do this!"

Meanwhile, Azrael was getting to her feet, and although she didn't have the same level of encouragement her niece did, she caught Leighton's eye and he gave her a firm nod. Then she looked down and saw that Avery had a hand on hers.

"I'm with you," her younger sister whispered. "I'm with all of you."

With that, Azrael nodded resolutely and made her way to a small row of chairs to the left of where her brother sat.

After Alistair was certain everyone was seated and ready, he approached Lucifer, a stack of papers in hand. "Well, Mr. Morningstar, are you comfortable now? Is that chair more to your liking?"

"Well, it seems to be cleaner, anyway," Lucifer replied as he ran his finger over the arm in search of dust and found none and then straightened the sleeve of his silk shirt. "I wouldn't want to ruin my designer suit. I'm sure that a man in your elevated position would understand the importance of making a good impression, Mr. Fale." He grinned wickedly. "I mean, isn't it because your wife was forced to resign her position that you're allowed to prosecute me here today?"

Alistair paled as Astrid started to rise to her feet, eyes narrowed as she watched the devil. She had almost forgotten what an asshole he could be. Almost. Though she was still struggling with Alistair taking over the Council from her, she could only hope that Alistair wouldn't let himself be bested by the devil's dirty tricks.

"I understand completely," Alistair nodded. And trust me, Mr. Morningstar, no one here wants you to be uncomfortable." He grinned. "As for my new position, consider yourself lucky that it's me you're facing. My wife, who is very good at what she does, would probably put you through much worse. If you're in fact guilty, that is."

Lucifer heaved a big sigh and rolled his eyes. "This entire hearing is simply ludicrous!" He cried. "What could have possessed me to use my energies for something as trivial as killing an elderly human woman? People like that mean nothing to me. And the fact that I came here without protest should prove my good will and innocence."

"Oh, would you shut up?!" Angelica yelled, voice full of irritation as she rose on wobbly legs. "Don't listen to him, Alistair, he lies now! He killed her and he knows it!"

"Thank you, Ms. Morningstar, please be seated," Alistair told her kindly. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Yes," Klaus hissed and pulled her down to sit. "Sit down before you make a fool of yourself. Should I be worried? If you weren't expecting, I'd wonder if you'd been drinking."

"Oh, no," Angelica narrowed her eyes at her father. "I'm just pissed off. I don't want him to get away with this."

"I promise you'll get your turn to speak," Alistair assured her softly. "Just please be patient."

"Oh, all right," Angelica rolled her eyes and let Klaus ease her back into her seat. "Thank you, Mr. Fale."

Then, Alistair turned back to Lucifer. "Any comments on what your daughter just said?"

Lucifer clicked his tongue and shook his head. "The poor girl is set on getting revenge on me. That's why this whole hearing is taking place. She's angry and wasting the Council's time with false accusations."

Alistair raised an eyebrow. "Revenge? Really? Tell me more."

"I'd be glad to," Lucifer continued. "I've been against her relationship with Klaus Mikaelson from the start. Not only is it worrying to see her in the presence of such a beast, but we have a certain reputation to keep in our family. He doesn't fit." He paused. "As his former servant, you have to know how Klaus Mikaelson is viewed within the larger supernatural community."

"Oh, please," Klaus scoffed. "Say what you will, but who's the subject of this hearing? Me or you, Morningstar?" Then he grinned as people around him burst into laughter.

"I wouldn't get cocky," Lucifer returned, his eyes a little mad. "I'm sure your time in this room will come soon enough."

Alistair cleared his throat to get the devil's attention back on him. "So, what you're saying, just so I can be sure, is that your daughter lied about your killing Mrs. Johnson to get back at you for not supporting her relationship with Klaus Mikaelson?"

"Yes," Lucifer nodded in agreement. "That is exactly what I'm saying."

"You know that's bullshit you're saying, right?" Angelica called, unable to keep quiet. "It doesn't matter to me whether you approve of me being with Klaus or not. And I definitely wouldn't give you the pleasure of taking revenge against you for being against it. You don't have that power over me anymore! Nothing you say or do matters to me. I just want to live my own life without a crazy helicopter parent at my elbow all the time! I'm not a kid anymore. I'm an adult who wants to be with the man I love! Why can't you get that through your head?"

"You know, a few months ago, I was her dearest father, the only man she loved," Lucifer shook his head sadly and chuckled. "But then Klaus Mikaelson came along and twisted her mind. Poor thing doesn't even know where she stands these days."

"I do so!" Angelica countered. "You're just so frightened by what it would mean for you that you're ignoring me on purpose! And just so you know, the days of me loving you more than myself even, or referring to you as my father are over!"

That finally got a reaction out of the devil, who went pale as he turned to face his daughter, eyes narrowed.

"Interesting idea, Mr. Morningstar," Alistair replied calmly. "But I believe you left some things out…didn't you?" He then began to pace back and forth in front of the podium.

"Is that so?" Lucifer smirked. "And just what are those things?"

Alistair met his eyes. "Your sister, Azrael, is the Angel of Death, is she not?" He smiled.

"Correct," Lucifer nodded, his expression sobering as he realized that maybe Alistair was up to something.

"So, if I call her to the stand later on, she should be able to tell us who killed Mrs. Johnson, right?" Alistair paused, eyes on Lucifer. "Am I mistaken, or is she governed by a very strict policy of having to tell the truth about how people died, as decreed by Steve?"

Lucifer straightened up, swallowed wrong, and began having a coughing fit. Alistair waited until he was done before he spoke again. "Are you all right, Mr. Morningstar?"

"Yes," Lucifer nodded. "Fine."

"Then please answer my question about your sister. Would you like me to repeat it?"

"No," Lucifer shook his head. "But as death is my sister's department and not mine, you'll have to ask her what rules she must adhere to because I have no idea."

"Thank you, Mr. Morningstar." Alistair then turned to the crowd. "We will now take a ten-minute recess before we continue. Thank you." Then he caught Astrid's eye and she nodded encouragingly.

Meanwhile, John had sneaked in and seated himself next to an irritated Mikael. "Hello, my friend," he said.

"Are we really friends?" Mikael questioned through clenched teeth. "I don't believe we've been since you insulted my wife at our wedding."

"You can't still be angry about that," John told him. "I was just surprised to see a beautiful demon woman on your arm." It was a lie, of course. Then he gave Sybil a smile, which she didn't return. "Hello, Sybil. Nice to see you again."

"I wish I could say the same," Sybil drawled. "But I don't believe in lying and if I never saw you again, it would please me immensely."

"Well, you know I always appreciate honesty," John remarked, all smiles.

"Why are you annoying us with your presence?" Mikael asked.

John shrugged. "Well, I went out to lunch and then, needing something to do after, I decided that I, like everyone else, wanted to see what was happening in this circus of a hearing." He grinned. "And It isn't disappointing me. Quite the circus, isn't it?"

"Well, you didn't need to sit by me," Mikael huffed. "You should have sat yourself at the back of the room so it would take less effort to throw you out."

"Oh, come on!" John shook his head and punched his shoulder in an attempt at a friendly gesture. "I spoke with your daughter-in-law earlier. It seems you have another granddaughter soon. Congratulations." He grinned.

"I doubt you truly give a damn," Mikael remarked with a wince.

"Well, do I at least get credit for trying to make civil conversation?" John asked with a wink.

Alistair grabbed his glass of water and took a few gulps, then put it down to continue his interrogation of the devil as the room fell silent

"Could you please tell us your name and your relationship to Lucifer Morningstar?" He asked the young woman who now had his attention.

Angelica took a deep breath. "I'm Angelica Morningstar, and I'm his daughter, although I assure you that there's much more to me than that." She watched her father out of the corner of her eye. "I now only consider myself is daughter because he fathered me. I don't intend to have a real relationship with him anymore."

"You tell yourself that if helps you sleep at night," Lucifer muttered under his breath. "We both know the truth."

"Ms. Morningstar, were you present when Mrs. Johnson lost her life?"

"I was," Angelica nodded. "It was one of the worst experiences of my life."

"If I understand correctly, the human called Mrs. Johnson was Klaus Mikaelson's neighbor, right?" Alistair checked. "And you know of her because you are now living with Mr. Mikaelson?"

"For the time being," Lucifer interrupted before Angelica could get out a word. "But I know her well enough to know it won't be long until she's back with her father, where she belongs."

"Yes, Mrs. Johnson was Klaus' neighbor," Angelica nodded, whole body tense as she glared at her father, even though she knew it was a terrible idea to give him any attention. Especially when he was acting like a spoiled toddler. "And it's true also that I'm living with Klaus Mikaelson, the man I love, and the father of our baby daughter, who will be arriving soon." She knew she didn't need to add the last part, but she got an odd thrill from rubbing her father the wrong way, even if all she got was an eye roll.

"Ms. Morningstar," Alistair continued. "Could you please tell everyone assembled why your father came to Klaus' home that day?"

"He…he came to get my mother from Klaus' and my house," Angelica explained, her eyes going to her lap. "They'd been having problems and Mom had had enough. My father was having trouble accepting that he'd screwed up royally and that things were over."

"What sort of problems?" Alistair asked. "Simple ones like forgetting to buy milk, or really serious marital problems?" He smirked.

"I don't see what my marriage has to do with any of this?" Lucifer snapped as he rose to his feet

"That's what we're trying to figure out, Mr. Morningstar. Now if you don't mind, please sit back down." Alistair warned.

Lucifer narrowed his eyes but sat.

"My father found out that my mother was having an affair with Mrs. Johnson's grandson," Angelica continued, full of shame and embarrassment, her cheeks becoming red.

Alistair looked through his notes and then looked back at Angelica. "Are you speaking of Mr. Julian Johnson?"

"Yes, sir," Angelica nodded.

"Interesting that you mention your mother, Ms. Morningstar," Alistair said, holding his pen between his teeth and going to stand in front of Lucifer. "Mr. Morningstar, I sent your wife a note about this hearing a few days go. She told me that she would be here to testify. But I don't see her. Would you care to share with me why that is?"

All eyes turned on Lucifer who tilted his head and smiled. "I'll have to beg the court's pardon on my wife's behalf, Mr. Fale," he said as he pulled an envelope from his blazer. "My wife was unable to attend the hearing today because of some duties that came up at the last minute. A man guilty of every one of the seven deadly sins." He handed him the envelope. "You must know it's impossible for her to leave hell when such a prisoner appears. She has to stay until he's dealt with. The letter presents her apologies and proclaims my innocence. She signed it herself."

"You son of a bitch!" Angelica yelled as she rose to her feet and pointed at her father. "You forged that letter! Mom never would have agreed to this of her own accord!"

Everyone in the room gasped in shock as Angelica stepped down from her chair to approach her father. But Klaus hopped up and sprinted toward her, picking her up and bringing her back to her seat. "No, Angel! Not that it's not justified, but this is just what he wants, attention, bad or good! Don't give it to him!"

"Klaus, let me go!" Angelica cried, squirming madly in Klaus' arms. "Let me go so I can slap that smirk off his stupid face!" She tried to get free from Klaus' grip but didn't succeed.

"Order!" Alistair cried as everyone began shouting. "Order in the room! Ms. Morningstar, please restrain yourself and return to your seat!"

"I would but Klaus is carrying me!" Angelica lashed out. "He won't let me go!"

"Well, would you mind?" Alistair asked Klaus, who nodded and sat Angelica back down.

That dealt with, Alistair turned back to the devil, who was grinning. "Is there a problem, Mr. Fale?" Lucifer smirked.

Alistair sighed and opened the letter to read it. "What proof do you have that this letter isn't forged?" He asked suddenly.

"Who's to say you didn't use trickery to usurp your wife's position of power in the Council and take it for yourself?" Lucifer shot back as everyone gasped.

"That's enough!" Alistair shouted at the tall man, trying to hide the color in his cheeks, hands in fists on either side of his tense body. "Time for a half-hour recess, everyone!"

Alistair breathed a sigh of relief as he stepped away from the hearing room and shut the door behind him, then sprinted to the men's room, pacing in front of the sinks for a little while before pausing and removing his blazer, throwing it on the counter. Then he rolled up his sleeves to his forearms and grabbed the counter, head down. Damn! Damn it, damn it, damn it! Then he heard a noise and raised his head, staring not just at his reflection that but that of Astrid behind him as she watched him with narrowed eyes, her arms crossed over the deep neckline of her dress.

"What are you doing here?" He asked. "You're in the men's room!" He didn't wait for her to answer before he turned the cold water on and began splashing it over his face. "Did you notice this is a men's room? Can't you read signs anymore?"

"Oh, please," Astrid scoffed. "Hardly anyone comes in here. And it's not like I've never seen a penis before. It hardly makes me run for the hills." She grinned slyly.

"How could I forget?" Alistair asked. "You've turned into a whore now, haven't you, since you've gotten bored with me? I should have known and I was stupid to think I was the only man you'd ever seen naked." He pulled some paper towels from the dispenser to dry his hands. "I have to admit I don't know much about what you're up these days besides drinking yourself into a stupor and ignoring your children."

This made Astrid flinch. But instead of fighting him, she decided to swallow her pride and talk to him. "I don't know much about you anymore, either!" She told him. "I mean I thought you would be able to take an asshole like Lucifer Morningstar down pretty easily, but I keep wanting to go up there and help you because you're struggling so much." She stomped over to stand by him. "What's happened to you, Alistair? You're a strong, capable man. I know you are. Stop messing around and take him down for fuck's sake!"

"Oh, I suppose you think you could do better than me with the whole world watching, could you, Astrid?" He spat, hands on either side of his waist.

"That's not what I said!" She shook her head. "He's changed from how he used to be. He's a buffoon now, a clown! You are a hundred times more the man he is! Remember that and make him pay for what he's done!"

"What do you think I'm trying to do?" Alistair spat. "If you weren't so jealous of the fact that I'm running the show, you wouldn't feel the need to barge in here and tell me all the things I'm doing wrong!"

Astrid listened to Alistair's accusations and burst out laughing. "Jealous? Do you think I'm jealous of you? Thank you so much for the good laugh. I needed it!" She stopped and took a deep breath. Just what exactly am I supposed to be jealous of?" She wanted to know.

"The fact that this is one of the most important hearings the magical world has ever seen and I'm in charge of it, not you!" Alistair replied, raising his chin as a smug grin spread over his lips.

"You know what, no!" Astrid shook her head. "I feel no such thing, and how dare you for suggesting it!" But redness was filling her cheeks that she hoped he didn't see. "Screw you, Alistair!" She gave him a good, hard slap and had just turned on her heel to leave when she felt a grip of iron on her right wrist. She turned just in time to see Alistair's smoldering dark gaze on hers, but before she could say a word, he pushed her against the wall.

"What…what?" She breathed as he got close. He smelled like peppermint and fancy cologne. "What are you doing?"

"I think…" He whispered against her ear before he nibbled on her earlobe. "I think I wanna fuck you."

"Really, I…no, you don't…" Astrid shook her head, more stunned than unwilling. "Do you really?"

His eyes shone bright as he pushed her against the door to shut it the rest of the way. "Yes," he said as their breaths both picked up. "I want to fuck you. Would you tell me no?"

"N..no…" Astrid shook her head, having just enough time to get out the one syllable before he put a hand on the back of her head and crashed his lips against hers.

She whimpered and tried to squirm out of his embrace, shocked by the urgency and intensity, but his grip was like iron. He'd obviously been working out enough to get a very muscular body!

His tongue soon invaded her parted lips, desperately exploring the warmth of her mouth and seeming to pull all the air from her lungs as his hands slid downward to grab the hem of her leather dress and bring it up her thighs.

Then she moaned in ecstasy as his lips slid down her neck to bite and lick her skin there, and as he did so, her eyes turned red. She hadn't been this aroused in who knew how long, and she wanted him to keep going. She needed him inside her like, yesterday.

"What made you decided to go commando?" He questioned with a smirk and a raised eyebrow as he cupped and caressed her bare bottom.

She kept her eyes on him. "The dress…the dress was too tight to wear anything…" she trailed off and leaned her head back, giving him more access to her deep neckline while she caressed the base of his neck.

"I'm not complaining," he was quick to assure her. "Believe me! I like this look on you!" He then unzipped the dress down the front and pushed it down her arms, cupping both her breasts.

She closed her eyes to try and hide their redness as she unbuttoned his shirt and ran her fingers over his muscular chest. Then she undid his belt and the buttons on his pants, her hand reaching out to grab and stroke his hard length as his pants fell around his ankles.

"Hey," he said, trying to focus, even though it was getting to be difficult. "Will you open your eyes for me?" He asked, thumbs stroking her exposed nipples.

Astrid did, although reluctantly, waiting for him to react with horror, as any sensible warlock would. But instead, he just smiled.

"You're so beautiful," he breathed, before busying himself with pushing the lace fabric of her bra aside to bite gently into one of her nipples.

"Oh, Alistair!" she cried out as he cupped her ass and raised her up against the closed bathroom door, her legs wrapped around his pelvis as he entered her with one good, hard thrust. "Yes!" She cried, riding him hard, and kissing him so soundly that they could hardly breathe as she rode him hard.

He then growled, going faster to match her pace as she tightened around his hardness. She was so close! "Give it to me, Astrid," he demanded over her parted lips.

A little more and she cried out his name as she reached her release, their lips touching as he climaxed too. Then they stayed still, clinging tightly to one another as they tried to catch their breath. Then, at last, he set her down on her feet.

Then he took a few steps back toward the sinks to fix his clothes while she headed to another corner to do the same, both silently. He didn't look at her again until he'd put his blazer on, looking nothing like the man who'd just had his way with her. "It was nice chatting with you, Astrid," he told her. "And thanks for the good fuck! I needed it!"

Before she could say a word in reply, he eased his way toward the door, opened it, and left the restroom as she stood, shocked and speechless in his wake, before reaching up to zip up her dress and leave the bathroom.

When he returned to the hearing room, Alistair did his best not to let on what he'd just done, dropping his blazer on his desk and snatching up Lucifer's file. He knew he shouldn't have let her get the best of him like that, but she'd just strode into the room like she owned it, all sexy in that tight leather dress and, well…head of the Council or not, he was still a man for crying out loud! It was the fucking truth!

Not long after, Astrid sauntered in, hiking up her dress and looking in her husband's direction, who raised his eyes to look at her, a wicked grin curving his lips.

She blushed bright red and looked away, scurrying back to her chair.

"What do you think is going on with them?" Helene whispered to her brother, gesturing at their parents as they came into the room. "They look weird. And I think Daddy has lipstick on his face. Do you think they made out or something?"

"Oh, I think they did more than that," Leighton grinned widely. "I think I'm right when I say they fucked in one of the bathrooms. Or somewhere else, but a bathroom would give them privacy."

"Ewwww!" Helene cried, a shudder going through her body. "Do you want me to throw up? I don't want to think of them doing…that!"

"Well, how do you think we happened?" Leighton asked simply, enjoying his sister's discomfort. "The stork? You think they picked us up out of a cabbage patch? They obviously have sex or we wouldn't be here!"

"I know where babies come from," Helene snapped. "It's not like I haven't had any myself. But…I just don't want to be reminded that our parents just…Oh, my Steve!" She gripped her brother's arm as what he said finally hit her, a grin lighting up her face. "You think they got close like that? It's been such a long time!"

"Well," Leighton nodded. "That's what it looks like. But I doubt they'll admit to it if we just come out and ask them. They're way too stubborn to do that. But if they, say, found a bathroom and did it…well, it's a step in the right direction, I say!" He gave Helene a wink.

Meanwhile, Alistair was sighing at Astrid's attitude, and trying to keep his mind off her by seeing if he could find their son and daughter. He quickly found them, and Leighton gave him a comical wave and a look that seemed to say something like 'I know what you did!' But how could he? He rolled his eyes and shook off the nervousness, wiping off his face and heading back to the podium to continue with all this excitement. He was glad to talk to someone else, that was for sure. "Please state your name and relationship to the defendant, Lucifer Morningstar, he requested of the next witness, praying he wouldn't make things worse.

"The one and only Klaus Mikaelson!" Klaus smirked. "And as for my relationship with that clown, he's my mortal enemy!" Then he gave Angelica a wink and she just rolled her eyes.

"You know, you really shouldn't talk about yourself that way," Lucifer told him easily before Alistair could ask his next question. "Not that I'm disputing the fact that you are, in fact, a clown, mind you." He then adjusted the sleeves of his silk shirt. "In fact, it's refreshing to see you admit it in public."

"Mr. Mikaelson," Alistair said as he tried and failed to keep himself laughing with pretty much everyone else in the room. "Everyone here is aware of your penchant for sarcastic remarks. But could I have clear answer to the question, please?"

"I'm in a relationship with his daughter, Angelica Morningstar," Klaus replied more seriously. "And we're expecting our first child." He put a hand on Angelica's belly and gave her a smile.

"First and last," Lucifer spat. "Your relationship with my daughter won't last a year!"

"We sure are expecting," Angie confirmed, a blush coloring her cheeks as she smiled. Then she leaned over and whispered in Klaus' ear. "What was it that you said about our first child?"

"Don't worry," he whispered back, trying not to laugh at her wide-eyed look. "It was just something I said to rile up your father." Then he turned back to Alistair. "Also, no matter what her father says, it was her grandfather, Steve himself, who put us together, so…yeah. She's my mate, and there's nothing he can do about it!"

Lucifer growled a little and scoffed. "Your mate, my ass. He must have been drunk or something when he decided that!"

"Congratulations to you, Mr. Mikaelson," Alistair said. "Not everyone is as fortunate as you when it comes to finding 'The One'." He tried to catch Astrid's eye, but she just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Now, could you please tell us what you saw the night Mrs. Johnson died?"

"Of course I can," Klaus nodded. "Lucifer barged over to our place to pick up his wife, Eleanor. There was an argument, and then Lucifer pushed Angelica onto the grass. May I remind all assembled that she was pregnant then, too." He smirked.

"I barely touched her!" Lucifer protested as everyone booed and hissed. "I just wanted to move her aside a little with my shoulder and she fell all by herself." It was a lie and a bold one.

"You are such a liar!" Angelica spat. "It was the first time in my life that you laid a hand on me! If Mom was here, she would back me up!"

"Calm down," Azrael urged again. "You're getting all worked up and giving him the attention he wants. Just ignore him."

"The trauma is making her lie again, I'm afraid," Lucifer heaved a sad sigh.

"What else can you tell us, Mr. Mikaelson?" Alistair asked.

"Mr. Morningstar here had learned that his poor wife had finally come to her senses and was having an affair with Mrs. Johnson's grandson, who was just minding his own business his grandmother's porch. "Lucifer got angry very quickly, pushed Angelica, then basically picked Eleanor up and carried her off!"

"Why are you allowing him to keep spouting such lies?" Lucifer lashed out at Alistair.

Alistair turned. "Mr. Morningstar, if you can't be quiet as I question other witnesses, I'll have no choice but to dismiss you from the room and have the hearing proceed without you present!"

Lucifer rolled his eyes and crossed his arms in response to the warning, but he said nothing more.

"What about Mr. Johnson?" Alistair continued. "How much did he know?"

"Nothing," Klaus shrugged. "The poor man genuinely had no idea he was having an affair with a married woman. Eleanor must've kept quiet about it to keep him from doing something stupid and getting killed. As this was all going on, Mrs. Johnson arrived home in a taxi after visiting a sick relative. Once she arrived, things got messy really quick and she was pushed to her death, hitting her head on a rock. Then Lucifer pulled out a knife that he'd brought with him and buried it in Julian's abdomen with the intention of killing him."

The crowd gasped in disgust.

"You are a horrible, despicable man!" Angelica yelled at her father. "I don't know what's making you act like this, but you should be ashamed of yourself!"

"So should you, for throwing your life away to be some low-life hybrid's whore!" Lucifer spat in return.

"Silence!" Alistair cried before things could get worse. "Everyone, please sit. And thank you for your testimony, Mr. Mikaelson."

"Oh, believe me, it was an absolute pleasure," Klaus grinned.

Alistair rolled his eyes and moved on to the next witness.

"You seem like a sweet woman," he told Azrael, trying to put the tense woman at ease as he built his case against her brother. "The kind of woman who wouldn't lie. The kind of woman a man would want his son to marry."

Azrael blushed bright red, as she turned to look at Leighton, who gave her a wink back. It wouldn't be so bad if he was embarrassed too at his father spilling all their secrets in the hearing room, but the fool looked positively giddy!

Then Alistair cleared his throat. "My apologies, back to something that will put you more on solid ground. Will you tell everyone assembled how Mrs. Johnson died?"

Azrael shut her eyes and took a deep breath before speaking. "My brother pushed her. Then, she stumbled and hit her head on a rock hard enough to kill her."

Everyone gasped in horror at her words.

"So…" Alistair pressed, light in his eyes. "Would you say, in your expert opinion on all matters of death, that your brother, Lucifer Morningstar, committed murder?"

"No," Azrael shook her head. "I wouldn't call it murder."

Alistair's heart sank. "What precisely would you call it?"

"Well," she shrugged. "He pushed her and she hit her head, sure. But it wasn't…wasn't intentional. He didn't storm over wanting to kill her specifically. Her death was an accident, an act of an emotionally overwrought, troubled man." She admitted it against her better judgement as Klaus, Angelica, and Avery sat open-mouthed in shock. "I won't deny that my brother did a bad thing, but I wouldn't call it malicious, premeditated murder."

Alistair lowered his head and tried to catch his breath. Damn!

Meanwhile, Lucifer grinned, considering himself all but free. Until they were interrupted.

"Excuse me!" called a new voice. "I would like the chance to tell you why she's wrong."

Everyone turned their heads to stare at Julian Johnson as he barged into the hearing room.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Angelica whispered to Klaus as she gripped his upper arm tight. "I thought you locked him in the basement!"

Klaus shrugged. "I did, but I guess he got out." Then he smirked and gave Lucifer a cheeky wave, causing the devil to flinch.