A/N: Thank you everyone who read, favorited, followed, and reviewed! Sorry for the delay, I'm having some ongoing health issues right now that have taken their toll on me. This story is feeding off of my mood so it's a bit darker than planned and will most likely be much shorter than the two preceding stories. Hope you enjoy.

"You're back? I thought you were gone for good this time. Had my hopes up and everything."

Lucifer smirked, "Detective Douche, I could say the same. Still dressing like you have a sense of style hmm? Sears catalogue doesn't count."

Dan shook his head and pursed his lips. "Asshole."

"You've used that one quite a bit, may be time to find another Dr. Douchenstein."

Chloe rolled her eyes at the pair, all this time and they still barely tolerated each other. Jealousy thy name is Lucifer and Dan. Moving past the bickering pair she approached the new tech, a young woman with long dark hair and a less than professional demeanor and smiled warmly. "I'm Detective Decker."

The woman popped out her ear buds, music filling the air, and grinned. "Hey! I'm Ella, the new tech. You're the lady that works with the Devil right?"

A frown covered the detective's face, was that really how she was known? Lucifer was the sidekick, not her. Not that she could tell him that. "Yeah, so what do we have?" Trying to listen to what the new girl was saying she found her attention drifting to her recently returned partner. He was still pale and the firm lines always found in his shoulders as he held himself tall and proud were replaced with an uncomfortable tightness. It was obvious to her, to those that truly knew him, that he was in pain but she had no idea from where. His body had taken a beating in Hell but nothing looked too deep or raw and for some reason he wasn't telling her. It was the latter that upset her the most.

"-and you're not listening."

Chloe jerked her attention back to the new tech, Elsa? No, Ella. "Yes, that the stab wound to her heart was done post-mortem so the cause of death is something else."

The girl grinned, "You're good. After I get her back I can tell you more. There's some weird bruising on her ribs I'll look at, might give us some clues."

Lucifer approached and eyed the body, a grimace on his face as he took in the dead woman's appearance. "Did she just roll around on the cosmetic's counter or was this done intentionally?"

"And he's back," the detective sighed.

"You missed me, admit it," he smirked. Finally noticing the new person his demeanor switched to predatory, eyes sharpening and smile widening. "Hello hello. You're new aren't you? I'm Lucifer, Morningstar." His face quickly changed to horror when he found himself wrapped up in a hug, and he eyed the detective nervously wondering what on earth was happening and why she wasn't doing anything about this attack on his personal space. She was a police officer; she was supposed to protect people from this sort of thing.

"The devil!" Ella laughed. "I've heard about you. You've got this whole shtick where you act like you're really the devil."

A snort of laughter made him glare at his human companion before he stepped back and straightened his clothes once released from the hug. "Absurd notion I see. Are you not a believer?"

To his surprise she shook her head. "I totally am, I just don't think the Devil is in Los Angeles solving homicide cases with blondie here like Fred and Daphne. No offense. I mean doesn't he have Hell to run? People to torture?"

"It's under new temporary management," he deadpanned.

Ella chuckled, "Most people wouldn't pick that persona but I don't think it's a bad one. Guy didn't do anything wrong, I mean everyone rebelled against their parents at some point and to kick him out of the house for it? Harsh."

"Right," Lucifer agreed, his brows rising and smile becoming more sincere. "Go on."

She shrugged. "I guess I almost feel bad for the guy. His dad had a grudge against him for no reason, he got sent to Hell to hang with the worst of the worst, and now everyone blames everything on him. For someone that's supposed to be the big baddy he's more like a kicked puppy."

Pinching the bridge of his nose and letting out a slow breath he took a step back and allowed Chloe to take the lead after she let out another snort of laughter. He began to wander away, the body and company suddenly not interesting, and found a spot in the sun to stop. He was still cold it was really beginning to bother him but the sun seemed to be keeping it from getting to bad at the moment. Fishing his cigarettes and lighter from his inside jacket pocket he lit one and sucked in a breath, he had missed these buggers. He had wanted to come home badly but now that he was here he wondered if it was the right choice, if perhaps he should have stayed with Maze longer.

Hell was- well it was Hell. It was monotone in color, much darker than earth, and gave you the slight feeling of suffocating, like when it was too humid out. After being there for eons it was his natural habitat but coming to earth had shown him how much he had been missing. It was brighter here, louder, there were more things to stimulate your senses and he enjoyed it. Or did. Now everything seemed too much, too different than Hell and not to mention Maze was still down there.

Maze.

Since creating her they hadn't ever really been apart and though it had only been a day the fact that he knew she wasn't here was bothering him. She had always been readily available, accessible, but now she wasn't even remotely. In fact he couldn't even go see her or bring her back until his wing healed and he hated that he was separated from her semi-permanently. His demon was his confident, his friend, his family, and apparently he needed her far more than she needed him.

A hand on his back made him startle and he jerked away with wide eyes before mentally chastising himself and smirking down at Chloe. "Miss me already? We could have a quickie in the backseat of the car."

"What were you just thinking about?" she asked curiously.

He could redirect, refuse to answer, a number of things really but this was Chloe and though he didn't feel like sharing that her favorite thing on him, well second, was maimed he could at least share this. "Maze."

"She'll be fine," she offered before it clicked when his eyes shifted away, his shoulders dropping a fraction. "You miss her don't you?" Subtly grabbing his hand she squeezed it, "You miss your demon? Awwww." When his eyes flashed red she giggled. "Oh come on, you're not a baddy, you're just a kicked puppy. I think it's sweet and you can see her anytime. Give her a bit to get her bearings then go visit."

If only.

The first step after the body was informing next of kin, which Dan chose to thankfully take care of, so it left Chloe and Lucifer to be able to continue with the investigation. The victim's work seemed to be the best place to start so with address in hand the pair had set out. The car ride was mostly quiet on the Devil's side but the detective kept going on about all the happenings during his leave of absence. She was used to more banter, more back and forth but it wasn't happening; all he kept doing was shifting in discomfort and glancing at his ring. Putting the car in park outside the large and steel colored office building she turned in her seat and narrowed her eyes. "What's going on with you?"

"You chastise me when I speak too much and now for not speaking enough? Make up your bloody mind Detective!" he redirected and tried to exit the car only to find the door was locked. A hand wrapping around his forearm and squeezing made him pause and look back to her, dark eyes catching light. He had missed her terribly, words didn't describe. There wasn't anyone in existence like Chloe Decker and he knew long ago he had met his match, only why did his match have to be just as stubborn as he was?

Chloe tilted her head; a small line appearing between her perfectly sculpted brows, and softly begged, "Please?"

He sucked his bottom lip into his mouth and bit into it, wanting to be anywhere but here in this instance. Lying was out of the question, he never had before and he wasn't starting with her. Why couldn't he just tell her everything? Deep down he knew she wouldn't cast him aside because her favorite thing was a gnarled mess but doubt still filled his head. Hell had been rough physically but emotionally it had been far worse. Being back had forced him to relive everything in surround sound and hi-def, he had even gone to where it happened, where his blood still stained the grey ash covered ground. His armor had received a chink and though he tried to fill it in the damage had been uncovered once again and this time it wasn't repairing itself. Chloe claimed she loved him but did she really? There was always a line that someone was unwilling to cross, what was hers? Had he been foolish to allow her so close knowing she would most likely abandon him like everyone else did? Even Maze?

Then there was the ring. He hadn't ever told anyone about his ring, what it truly was. Only Maze knew, not even his brothers having any idea. If this crack grew and somehow- His heart pounded in his chest, Michael was nothing compared to what could come of this.

"Lucifer?"

Popping back to the present he found he just couldn't do vocalize what he was feeling so he went with what he could do, and that was kiss this beautiful creature staring so earnestly at him. There lips met just as they had hundreds of times before and though he hated himself for doing it he used her distraction to his advantage and reached around her to pop the locks and before she could blink he was out of the car.

"Are you going to sit there all day or are we going to solve a homicide? How did you manage to accomplish anything with me gone?"

Not willing to let him get away that easy she climbed out herself and locked the doors. "I'm sorry that I was trying to have an adult conversation and temporarily forgot you're incapable of such and I accomplished a lot when you were gone. For eight weeks."

Anyone else would have flinched, but this was the Devil and he bowed to no one. "Eight weeks is hardly anything when dealing with biblical matters. I had no idea you were so needy."

"Needy?" she scoffed. "Since when is missing someone needy?"

He let out a frustrated noise and entered the building, leaving her on the street wondering what his problem was. Arguments were bound to happen, often with them and their harshly contrasting personalities and morals but he had only been back a day. Storming inside she found him waiting expectantly, his expression both condescending and irritated. Days like today she wondered why she tried to maintain any sort of relationship with such an emotionally stunted individual. "You wait here, you want to act like a child you wait like a child."

"Lovely, I'd rather sit out here anyhow," he snapped.

Chloe shook her head and walked to the front desk, following the woman up the stairs a moment later and choosing not to spare a backwards glance to the lobby.

When she returned, he was gone.

Lucifer entered the penthouse and let out a sigh of relief, everything was just as he left it. The bar was first, piano second and he felt himself truly relaxing once half the bottle of top shelf bourbon had warmed him and the familiar notes met his ears. The beach house with Chloe and the hell spawn was home but the penthouse was his sanctuary. He could be himself here, was surrounding by everything that was him, he could let his guard down.

His eyes began to slide closed as his fingers glided over the keys and for only a moment it was as if everything was fine. As if he didn't go to Hell like he hadn't wanted to and was still blissfully ignorant to it's happenings. He could even pretend that if he shouted out his demon's name she would appear and sassily spit, What?

"Sir?"

Eyes snapping fully open he stiffened and stopped playing. "What Mammon?" he growled.

The demon that had been caring for Lux in his and Maze's leave walked fully into the room and opposite the piano to speak further, posture unsure and face hesitant. "I'm sorry to disturb you but I noticed you've returned and was wondering if you'd like to know how Lux performed in your absence?"

Lucifer finished off his drink and eyed the small demon. He was short, about Gabe's height but with short black hair and light green eyes, and he dressed quite well. In Hell his appearance was quite different but here he portrayed himself as almost a small Lucifer. Flattery will get you everywhere. "Seeing as you're the demon of wealth I'd hope well."

"Outstanding actually Mr. Morningstar, Mazikeen may be your right hand but she's not particularly good at the business side of things." Seeing the Devil's eyes narrow he added, "I mean no offense to her sir. How is um- Hell?"

Standing and rubbing a hand through his hair he sniffed tiredly. "Mine. Why do you ask Mammon? Going to try to defect like the others?"

The demon's eyes widened, "No, of course not. I've been quite happy under your rule sir. In fact, if I may be so bold you're looking- unwell."

There is was. Demons could sense weakness, could smell the stench and sourness of it, and though he tried to hide it he was weak right now. Would the little shit try something? Could he defend himself right now? Should he call Gabe? No, he could handle him just fine.

As if reading his thought Mammon pressed, "Sir, I've never given you any reason to doubt my loyalty and with Mazikeen gone you're going to need someone other than your siblings or your humans. Someone who understands the inner workings of Hell and its ruler."

"Like you?" he laughed, walking to the bar and lighting a cigarette. "Putting yourself up for a promotion Mam?" Tensing when the green-eyed figure moved closer he clenched his fists and readied himself for whatever was to come. Mammon halted on the opposite side of the bar and ducked down out of sight, Lucifer growing curious and leaning over only to jump back when he reappeared mere inches away. "Bloody hell!"

The demon looked anything but contrite, in fact he almost looked nervous. Setting his hand down on the marble counter he laid his palm flat and lifted it to reveal a small white feather. "Something you'd like to explain Lucifer?"

"Oh first name basis now hmm?" he spat, reaching forward and snatching the down object off the counter and stuffing it in his pocket. This was the absolute worst-case scenario right now, he was falling apart and a demon knew it. It was in their nature to devour the weak, it's how he had created them, how he himself was. "Get out."

The demon didn't move and Lucifer's eyes brightened to a gleaming red. "Get out!" he growled and after a blink of his eyes he was alone once again. Embarrassment and rage filled him and he ripped off his jacket and threw it down on the ground, the twisting motion making pain flare through his back and he leaned over the counter to drop his head on his arms and scream through his teeth. Wings, why were wings such a weakness? He wanted them gone again, to Hell with flying and Maze and Chloe and all of it. Was he being a tad impulsive? Perhaps.

Hurriedly moving across the room he took the library steps two at a time and entered the kitchen looking for anything to get them off, remove them from himself to stop the pain and eliminate this problem.

Nothing. Not a single demon blade anywhere, only useless kitchen utensils. Well couldn't hurt to try. Grabbing out the biggest and sharpest blade he could find in the kitchen he rarely used he was just about to let out his wings and begin hacking away when yet another voice interrupted him.

"Lucifer?"

Unable to stop himself and being so on edge he flung the blade towards the new arrival and watched as it embedded itself into the wall next to his human. "Chloe!" he choked in shock, thankful his intent was to scare instead of maim whoever it was. This wasn't good, he wasn't in control of himself and someone could get hurt. He needed her gone, needed everyone away from him. There was too much happening and the sharp reflection of the overhead lights on his cracked ring pushed him over the edge.

Her eyes were wide, breathing uneven at the unexpected attack. Fear sparked deep in the green depths and she took a step back when he took one forward. "Now that you've almost killed me, what's wrong? Is this normal for being in Hell?" She waited impatiently for the response but Lucifer's breathing seemed to be increasing and the image of his panic attack hit her just as he began to fall forward and grab the counter, his right hand clenching the pristine white fabric over his heart.

"Go away," he wheezed, trying to keep himself conscious and upright.

She scoffed at the absurdity of the notion. "I'm not going away. Take a deep breath, focus on your breathing."

Trying to swallow past the lump in his rapidly closing throat he firmly repeated himself. "Go away."

"No!"

She didn't understand he needed the space right now, over a year together and she knew this about him so why wasn't she allowing it? "Get out!" he shouted, the lights flickering and cupboards slamming, air thickening.

Fear never showed on her face but hurt did and it stung so much worse. Taking a step back she held out her arms, "Fine. I'll leave like you want. I guess I'll tell Trix you weren't feeling well so you don't have to upset her too." Walking to the door she turned and glared, "You haven't said I love you since you got back, thought you should know."

The moment the door closed and he heard her steps retreat he fell to his knees and tried to suck in a breath, trying again when it didn't work. The world was getting darker and smaller and after a bit he gave in, collapsing onto the kitchen floor and staring up at the swirling ceiling before everything went black.

"Lucifer? Lucifer!"

Someone was calling him but the voice seemed far away, too far to grasp on to. He tried and when it shouted his name again he jerked upright with a harsh breath and grabbed his head when it pounded in response. "Bugger."

"Sir?"

Mammon. Just the demon he didn't want in this instance, it was Maze's job to peel him off the floor, not anyone else's. "Stop calling me that!"

The demon blinked owlishly. "Lucifer or Sir?"

"Both. Either. I don't know Mam." He was too tired for this shit. "Are you going to try to kill me or are you truly here to try to gain favor? Either one just tell me so we can get on with it."

Mammon bent down to be lower than Lucifer, a sign of respect, and with no hidden agendas as far as Lucifer could see replied, "Favor. I'm a demon, I don't need friends I want security. Especially with Mazikeen ruling Hell at the moment attempting to assassinate you wouldn't be a wise decision."

That would do for now. Pulling himself upright and grabbing the counter to steady himself he unbuttoned his shirt and looked over at the demon now eying him in a different light. "Keep it in your tiny pants," he groused and finally removed it and with a grimace and a gasp let out his wings. Snapping his fingers to get the black haired man's attention he jerked his thumb over his shoulder, "Try to set it."

Mammon wearily stepped around the island and closer to his ruler, eyes wide as he took in the massive objects. No one got to see the Morningstar's wings this close, or even think of touching them but here was an opportunity that as far as he knew only a select few in Heaven and Mazikeen had gotten the privilege. They were so bright, everything about them, much like the angel, perfection. Not having the nerve yet he kept his hands behind his back and tried to inspect the damage with a critical eye, his short stature making it difficult. Glancing around he grabbed a chair from the table and drug it over while Lucifer shook his head in exasperation and climbed upon it to have a better look. "This is bad sir."

"Tell me something I don't know Mam," he seethed. "Prove your usefulness or I'll send you right back to Hell and from what I can tell you rather like it here."

Mammon leaned closer and saw that the bones weren't so much cracked as crushed and splintered and the skin that once covered them seemed to be almost infected but that wasn't possible. The feathers were sparse around the wound and circulation must have been impeded because the entire tip was starting to molt. "I can try to wrap it with something but I think you should call your brother. Amenadiel, not Gabriel, though let me leave first. Amenadiel doesn't much like demons other than Mazikeen."

"And listen to him prattle on about everything? No thank you. I asked you to fix it and you refused so I don't need you here. Hope you packed light," he growled.

"I'll do it! Just- let me find something to wrap it with."

Lucifer waited impatiently and stared at the door Chloe had disappeared through. What was he doing? He should be at Chloe's right now, not letting some small demon that had no idea what he was doing touch his wings. His wings that no one ever touched. Maybe he was going crazy. With a shake of his head he rolled his shoulders, letting out a broken cry and pounding his fist on the counter to push away the pain before grasping his shirt and walking away.

The ride was quick and he trotted across the lawn but before he could enter the house Chloe blocked his way, arms crossed and a scowl on her face. "Go away."

"All right," he sighed. "I deserve that." Moving closer he stopped only a hairsbreadth away, his hand clasping her chin and lifting it. He tried not to smile at her harsh glare even though she was adorable with it and quietly exclaimed, "I love you."

"And?"

"And I acted poorly today."

"And?"

His lip jutted out in a pout. "Don't make me say it."

Spinning on her heel she grabbed the doorknob and twisted.

"And I'm sorry," he grimaced, tongue sliding over his teeth.

"I love you too," she smirked and swung open the door just in time for Trixie to launch herself through it and grab the Devil snugly around the waist. "Lucifer!"

Pulling Chloe closer he rested his chin on her head and wrapped his arm around Trixie. His girls, the two humans that had ruined the Devil were back at his side and try as he may he couldn't find it in him to care at this moment that he was crippled or may have to soon deal with something of apocalyptic proportions.

No, right now he could just be home.