A/N I had some time to write. Next chapter won't be up so fast, heh... but soon I hope!


Present time...

In the morning Chloe woke up all stiff and sore on her couch. She looked around her place and found Ella in the kitchen making coffee and toasts.

"Hey, you're awake..."

"Hi..."

"How are you feeling?" Ella asked and brought her the coffee for a start.

"Thanks... well... I don't really know. I'm sorry about yesterday."

"Nah. Don't be. You needed a friend."

"I did." Chloe agreed and smiled at her. Only a true friend would stay with her through the night as she cried her heart out and fell into an uneasy slumber. She must have fallen deep asleep from exhaustion later.

The silence stretched for a bit too long before Ella couldn't take it anymore.

"So what now? Are you finally going to call him? Or go over?"

"And what do I say?" Chloe asked, nervous.

"Dunno. Hello Lucifer. I miss you Lucifer. I would start with that..." Ella supplied and Chloe chuckled.

"I am not sure he's even still in town."

"He is."

"How do you know?"

"Wild guess..." Ella shrugged. She trusted her gut instinct. Besides she had been in contact with him – but at this point Chloe didn't need to hear that.

"What if he doesn't want to talk to me..." Chloe asked and Ella found it a bit amusing that her kick-ass detective friend was acting like that.

"After everything he's done for you? Don't be a fool."

"Exactly. After everything he's done for me. And what have I done, huh? I never believed him. I let him took all those bullets for me and then when he finally had his real face back I failed him."

"No, you saved him. You called Amenadiel and he got him out."

"But..."

"No buts, Decker. Cut yourself some slack okay?"

Chloe sighed and got up. She put the cup down onto the counter.

"I need a shower." She said and Ella smiled. "Oh that you do girl." She agreed and Chloe left with a chuckle.

Ella wasn't sure if she should stay or not but decided to go. She had to go home and change before heading off to work and she guessed Chloe would need some time for herself before going over to Lucifer. Ella knew her friend well and was sure that in the end call wouldn't do – not after what she had seen last evening. No, Chloe would want to see him for herself.

Chloe took a shower and standing in front of her mirror she got a bit shocked from her appearance. She looked pretty worn out. Yeah well no surprise there as she barely slept the past weeks. She needed to pull herself together.

She got dressed and before she could talk herself out of it she grabbed her keys and left the apartment. Getting into her car she drove over to Lux. She didn't dare to use the back entrance, she went up through the front door.

The club was closed but she luckily met a familiar face at the door.

"Hello Mike.."

"Hello, Detective. Haven't seen you in a while..."

"Yeah, I know."

"Everything okay?"

"Sure... I just need to talk to Lucifer." She said and Mike smiled back at her.

"Take care, Detective."

"You too."

"Hope to see you more often!" He added with a smile and opened the door for her.

Chloe walked into the club and noticed that it hasn't changed much since she's been there for the last time. She was a bit worried the piano wouldn't be there but it stood where it should. She took a deep breath, her head filled with memories of all the happy moments she had enjoyed there. The place was magical in a way.

"Decker?"

Chloe turned and found Mazikeen standing by the bar dressed in her usual black although she was not as eccentric as she used to be.

"Maze..." She greeted her with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" Maze asked a bit defensively. "You look like crap." Maze added with a smirk and Chloe could only chuckle.

"Yeah, I know."

"So? What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to him. Is he here?" She asked and hated herself for getting all nervous.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? You come here after three weeks and ask what's wrong?" And Maze stood defensively now.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't take it well."

"And that's it?"

"I don't know what to say Maze! It threw me off! First Charlotte then Marcus and Lucifer, I just... Maze I..." And she was at loss for words.

Maze was watching her and she saw the pain on her face, she saw the way Chloe stood and talked and understood that she had been having rough time indeed.

"Mazikeen, I am sorry. It took me a long time to process it. And I know I should have come sooner. But I am here now. Please, I need to see him."

"You gonna break his heart again?"

"No, never." And she would have to deal with the 'again' part later.

"Chloe..."

"I miss him, Maze." Chloe said finally and Maze was shocked as there were no defence walls around her soul for that moment. And Maze saw it all there.

"You really do."

"I really do."

"Why now?"

"I know what happened with Mar. Ehm. Cain. I know exactly what happened."

"How could you?"

"They had cameras there. I saw the video yesterday. I guess it was the final push I needed."

Maze was watching her and Chloe held nothing back.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay. I let you go upstairs but you give your word that you're not going to hurt him more." Maze said and Chloe noticed the change. It was not about protecting her master this time. This was friendship. So it seemed that during those three weeks these two found their way to each other again.

"Thank you." Chloe said and with the tear rolling down her face Maze couldn't take it anymore and walked over to her and hugged her swiftly.

"Pull yourself together, Decker." She told her with a smile. And Chloe sniffled.

"I missed you too you know." Chloe told her. "Can we catch up later? Please?" She asked and Maze sobered up a bit.

"If you know the truth about him, there's also my truth."

"You have your scary face too?"

"Yes."

"Can you show me?" Chloe asked before she could think about it. Maze hesitated for a moment but then she nodded and her face changed.

Chloe – and she was damn proud of it – didn't even take a step back. She was looking at Maze and there were wild thoughts and images running through her mind but none of them mattered. This was the woman her daughter loved and she was a demon with half of her face missing. Wow. Yeah okay, she was freaking out a bit but they would talk later.

"Thank you." She said then and Maze was surprised but she smiled at her. Before she could change back and say anything else they heard the elevator doors.

"Mazikeen have you seen..." Lucifer started to say something but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Maze and Chloe standing there toe to toe smiling at each other sadly while Maze had her demonic appearance. What was going on?!

"Detective..." He whispered and felt his heart hammer in his chest.

Chloe turned around and with a deep breath she greeted him "Hi Lucifer" and then she waited. Chloe was anxious and yet with each passing second there was this strange feeling moving up her spine. She couldn't place it, couldn't name it. But it was welcomed.

She at least took a good look at him. There he was, dressed casually and yet all business, just like him, just like always. To her he looked handsome as never before. He was... human. And he was nervous and unsure and ... alive. Chloe knew that this image would be forever carved into her heart as she knew this might be very well the last time she gets to see him.

"Chloe." He said finally and she smiled nervously at him.

"I.." She wanted to say something but couldn't form a coherent sentence.

"You what, detective?" Lucifer asked not really understanding what was going on – and that uncertainty made its way into his voice. "What do I owe the pleasure of your presence?" And there was no bitterness in his voice, he seemed genuinely curious.

But Chloe knew him better. And she was also smart enough not to comment on it. And she really was about to answer but she just huffed and had to blink away her tears. Damned! This was not her at all. What was happening to her?

Lucifer was watching her, curious and worried. He was also happy because he could see that she had obviously accepted the truth – given the fact that he had to give Maze one of his strict looks so she would change her face back – at which she smirked at him.

"Did you need something, detective?" He asked hoping to prolong the inevitable conversation that would surely follow and make his world crumble down around him once again.

"Actually yes." Chloe replied with a sigh – happy that she didn't have to talk about the real reason just right then.

"We got a case yesterday. Murdered child." She said and Lucifer's face immediately changed – his features were not so soft anymore. He got angry and she knew he would help her.

"Do you want me to help you with it?" He asked.

"Yes. If you would like to..." She offered him a way out but he didn't take it.

"Yes. I would." He replied and they kept on looking at each other with affection and yet worriedly.

Mazikeen behind them snorted as this was the kind of behaviour she used to despise but now found amusing as she got to understand it better. Those two were hopeless.

She watched them for couple more seconds before she cleared her throat loudly. They both blinked and there it was again – the anxiety.

"So shall we go?" Lucifer asked and Chloe only nodded.

They left Lux together and Maze could only wish them luck. They were both stupid. And amusing. And only a little bit disgusting. Aaah all the emotions! Linda will have a field day around it.

Lucifer didn't insist on coming in his own car and so they drove together. At first they were silent but then while he was looking at Chloe – and enjoying the view pretty much – she spoke up.

"Thank you for coming along."

"Think nothing of it, detective. I know how hard these cases are."

"I know you do..." She said softly and took a deep breath. "I really appreciate your help but the case was not the reason why I came today to see you."

"I was afraid of that." He said and it worried her.

"Afraid?"

"Yes." He replied and she dared one look at him before focusing back on the driving. She was about to say something but he beat her to ut.

"How's Beatrice? And Daniel?" He asked instead as he really didn't want to go back to the event happening three weeks ago. Not just yet.

"They're on a trip together. They'll be coming back home tomorrow."

"Father and daughter bonding time?" He asked.

"Yes. They needed it after everything that happened." She replied and he could only nod his approval.

Chloe parked at the precinct and before Lucifer had a chance to get out of the car she reached for his hand lying on his leg. The simple touch set his skin on fire and she could feel it. The electricity their bodies together created was even stronger than before.

She heard him gasp in surprise but neither pulled away. After a moment she looked up and met his searching eyes.

"Perhaps we could have lunch together."

"Perhaps we could." He agreed with a smile and tried to assess the situation.

"Or dinner."

"Or dinner." He repeated and it was not a question. He was willing to have any meal with her she wished him to. He was selfishly enjoying her being this close and it was very difficult not to start talking right there.

"Lucifer..."

"Perhaps we shall go and start working on the case." He said before she could put her thoughts into a sentence. She nodded then and let his hand go.

"I already started but I didn't get far..."

And on their way up to the office she told him all about her findings and the crime scene and all the information she had so far about the victim.

Up in the office Lucifer could barely say hello before he was enveloped in bone crushing hug.

"It's good to see you to Miss Lopez. I'm sure my Armani deserved it." He said and she immediately pulled away. Only then she noticed the way he was smiling at her. He was teasing her – a bit. His suit really could do without all the wrinkles from hugging.

"Welcome back, Lucifer." And there was obviously something she wanted to say but didn't know how.

"Miss Lopez?"

"Nothing." She replied and left. She closed the door behind her and got busy in her lab. She almost told him she knew about his true identity but then she noticed Decker's huge round eyes and the movement of her head – it was a clear 'No! Shut up and go.' So she left. Aaah this was killing her.

Chloe handed Lucifer all she had about the case and they sat down together to go over it.

Lucifer saw photos of the murdered girl and it made his blood boil. He truly hated these! He had to remind himself that his eyes - and his real face – could appear if he didn't pay enough attention to his moods so he had to calm down a bit.

So maybe he was not that fond of children but nobody could defy their innocence and potential, the light in their hearts and the purity of their souls. And anyone taking that by violence deserved only the worst Hell could offer.

And he knew that bastard would get exactly that. And then again once he was back on his throne. He was not the one to forget these things.

They had no leads so they started to dig in around the girl's family and soon they found themselves in the middle of something that seemed to have no way to be solved. No clues, no names, nothing.

Of course they didn't make it to lunch at all.

Ella saved the day – well evening - when she found something on the girl's hand. It was barely there but she could get a sample and soon she had vague idea where this girl came from. It was fairly easy to find the only shipyard that still used this type of oil as it was rather old-fashioned and produced only in small amounts – and only upon specific orders - but some of the maintenance crew wouldn't change it for anything.

Lucifer came to Chloe then.

"Do you want to go over there and check it out now?" He asked and knew she would want to go. But she was torn in between that and the dinner she was so looking forward to.

"We can have another meal together once this case is solved, Chloe. I'm not going anywhere." He said then and she was so surprised by the use of her first name that she was at loss for words.

Ella heard it all and she could hardly believe it. So they haven't talked at all about the loft and the shooting! Sure they wouldn't... they just got back to business like nothing happened at all! She knew how they both took cases with children involved so she promised herself she would let them solve the case and if they didn't sit down to talk then she would lock them up somewhere.

So Chloe agreed and they left to check out the shipyard.

There were only a handful of people there and they didn't know a thing. It was pointless. They would have to come back some other time.

Chloe drove Lucifer to Lux and the situation got very awkward down there.

"I am unsure about the right course of action right now." Lucifer said and she just smiled at him.

"That makes two of us." He nodded.

"Lucifer..." She said his name with such affection that he wanted nothing more than to reach over and hug her.

"Go home, detective. Get some sleep and get everything ready for Beatrice's return." He told her and then remembered something he used to do a long long long time ago. He reached over for her hand and when he met no resistance he kissed her knuckles softly.

"Good night, Chloe." He said then. And before he could get out of the car she stopped him.

"Good night, Lucifer. See you tomorrow?" She asked hopefully and he smiled at her.

"Of course." Lucifer told her and then watched her car as she drove away home.

He made his way up to the club and met Maze at the bar. The club was beginning to get full of people and the atmosphere was changing slowly. Maze poured him a drink and waited for him to say something. It took him some time but when he handed her his glass and got his second drink he looked at her and there it was – his red eyes flashed at her. She smiled wickedly.

"We'll soon have a job to do." He told her and she nodded. Lucifer took a look around and observed the people dancing, talking, laughing – and even making out – in his club. Things were getting back to normal. In a way.