hello Lucifans ! I'm SO excited at the news of a season 4 that I post this chapter how it is. Sorry. :-D I've been fiddling it the whole week. Again my deepest apologies for all the typos and wrong spelling (still no beta).
So where were we ? The baby case murder lacks some leads and Ella is starting to investigate her own intuitions regarding a supernatural cause, while Pierce is doing the same, revealing that Lilith and him know each other. He suspects her for the killing. Lost in his memories and a bit in denial, Lucifer asks Dan to help him to find his missing employees at Lux, to try to prove himself Lilith is not behind this too. But when she learns him she's pregnant, he knows he is in a dire situation of protecting a murderer (her pregnancies being quite "special"). He thinks about a family council to deal with the problem of Lilith on Earth but is afraid none of his siblings will care or dare to help. And he miss horribly his Detective.

.


Chapter 7: Crossing boundaries

Slumped in front of the TV set, Maze was answering at the phone with sharp monosyllabic groans. Seconds after the end of the call, she stood up from the couch and stretched briefly with a feline grace. However, Chloe could easily guess that the news, whatever it was, made her angry or bored, with maybe an unexpected touch of… whining? The bounty huntress was probably spending too much time with Trixie if this emotion was starting to rub on her...

The said daughter stood up too, displaying wide disappointed puppy eyes. "Are you already leaving? But you promised…"

"Monkey baby, cut Chloe, I already told you not to do this... Bad news, Maze? Anything I can do?"

"Not really. Amenadiel wants to see me. I told him to go to Hell, but you know how he is... a nasty… coward, she commented with a glimpse at Trixie. He would never go there."

"Not giving details seems to run through the family… Lucifer is the same. Did Amenadiel mention what was the emergency?"

"Yes. His poor abilities to make cocktails, at LUX."

Chloe couldn't help herself a surprised laugh and incredulous look. "Was he serious?"

"My exact words, Decker! Born killjoy he is. Just when I was right in the middle of this so enticing movie full of hellish hungry creatures…"

Of course Trixie didn't catch the underlying sarcasm. "Don't worry Maze, she promised; we'll play it another time!"

"Anyway, it's worth checking if it wasn't a weird code for a booty call…"

Chloe gulped and darted serious unamused looks to her roommate, tilting twice her head to remind her Trixie was here and listening. The outcome was predictable: "Mum? What is a booty call?"

Maze chewed a smirk of her own, grabbed her leather jacket and opened the entrance door... just to find Dan was behind, ready to knock. Too happy to avoid the embarrassing lecture about the bird and the bees, Chloe jumped on her feet to go and greet him. Indeed, she was quite satisfied he hadn't given a new excuse not to take Trixie the whole week-end.

The departing demoness left them with a "And don't play with my toys!" and Dan came in. He held Trixie in his arms, as the little girl was screaming a loud "Daddy!".

He was pleased of it. Lately, she was just prone to hug Lucifer, so the jealous father took it for an improvement. Maybe he earned good points when he presented her to Charlotte? He knew Trixie wasn't an ordinary girl. She didn't seem to bother her parents looking happy and in love with other persons… Normal kids didn't.

"Hey Monkey, hey Chloe. Have you well packed all your things for our little week-end?"

"No, I just go. Maze and I were looking at Gremlins!"

"Ah, you just adore this one, right? Run baby, I wait you here."

Waiting for her daughter to be in her room, Chloe turned towards Dan with shy eyes and asked the most casually she could: "You're OK? You kinda disappeared this afternoon... And I was worried because you didn't tell anything…"

Dan snorted and had a weak smile; his words were kind though. "Do you know you're not supposed to do this, since we're divorced? I mean... worrying about me?"

"Don't start… It was just I couldn't find none of you at the precinct. Ella, Lucifer, Pierce... I was to hear the Solano's cousin, the donor, and I felt a bit lonely. It's a big case and I don't want to miss details…

His eyes were both truthful and embarrassed. It was not often she was admitting she needed some moral back-up. If asked, he would have said she was fully qualified. "I'm sorry. Lucifer asked my help and I thought I could give him a hand… No biggie. Some of his employees have been missing and he had questions about the protocol…"

Chloe giggled suddenly. Spreading her fingers near her head, she mimicked the sound of an explosion. "Have you heard what you just said? Lucifer and protocol, in the same sentence?"

Dan's blue eyes shone and he chuckled too. "Yeah, I know… But cool down. He's still quite disappointing on so many levels. I… met his so-called sister, you know."

"I didn't know you had concerns about his disappointing skills" she said with a sad smile.

"Well, I have when it comes to the mother of my child..."

Trixie interrupted them when she ran to her father with her open backpack in the arms. She stuffed roughly her ninja doll in it and offered a wide toothy grin to indicate she was ready.

Chloe placed a kiss upon the top of her daughter's head. "Ok. You two can go. See you Monday after school, pumpkin!"

"I love it when you call me pumpkin" joked Dan, making Trixie laugh out with happiness. They were cutely holding hands.

The young woman watched them go through the door and went to close it behind them. That's when she heard the little voice of her daughter asking behind thoughtfully : "Daddy, what is a booty call?"

"Erm… where did you hear that? Was it at school?" answered Dan, obviously trying to buy time.

"No. Maze talked about that when you arrived… Mum didn't explain me…"

"Well she must have been distracted by my awesomeness… Okay, I'm kidding. I believe that might be when you call a friend to go shopping a new pair of boots, what do you think?"

"That make sense" said the fading voice of Trixie. "Maze adores her pointy boots; she says they could be weapons."

.


.°.

As soon as she entered the LUX, as usual music was filling the air, thick with drums and electric noises. But what she saw approaching the bar wasn't usual at all: there were dozens of patrons queuing, apparently waiting for some sort of attraction or game. Along the shiny surface of the counter and just under the noses of everyone, the long naked legs of Kiki were cat walking, careful not to fall. She was holding very pleasantly above her head a makeshift sign announcing: first drink costs one kiss.

A tiny bit startled, the demoness rose an eyebrow with a connoisseur smile, while she was following the gracious moves of the female dancer… Though she nearly choked when her eyes fell on the new bartender. Clad in a bright white jumper under the spotlights, Amenadiel was actually the one... granting the kisses! A teasing tongue on her sharp teeth, she moved forward to him, enveloping his wrist in a tight lusty grip.

"May I have one drink too?"

The angel's expression changed quickly and he spoke in a low voice that secretly still thrilled her. "Ah! Maze! I'm so grateful you came! I wanted you to teach me other cocktails… They are complaining about mine."

She considered him, her eyes wandering all over his bald chocolate face and full lips with faint traces of lipstick. Unpleased patrons – male and female – were currently whispering, probably afraid that she could revoke their unexpected right to a never happening free drink. Everybody knew that the club was not cheap if you hadn't the favors of Mr Morningstar... and that she was his right hand, and iron fist in a steel glove, regarding all his business.

"Hold on, Lips On Fire. Would you be actually trying, at last, to loosen up?"

He gestured her to come behind the bar with him, and bent to kiss lightly a charming Chinese girl that was blushing under his deep gaze. What he was actually doing was memorizing all the faces, in case some would have wanted another free drink. Or what was worse: another undue kiss.

"Okay, I must admit it's both arousing and disturbing. What are you doing? You know, this club doesn't need your ideas to be packed everyday…"

Kiki crossed again, excusing herself for bothering. Amenadiel tried not to stare at her because she was only wearing a glittering bra and very tiny black hot pants that left nothing to imagination... Why the girl was not ashamed to show so much bare skin in public was a mystery. Maybe because she had nothing to be ashamed of, said a voice at the back of his mind. Maze at least enjoyed every second of the view and was not probably the only one.

Amenadiel received his next order and was working fast, searching for the recipes on his phone before mixing liquid ingredients. Indeed for a first time, he was impressing her by his coordinated efficient moves. She always thought he was quite good for nothing and he was proving her wrong.

"I know, he answered to her question. But I'm not doing this to help this place's reputation!"

"Too bad because it's working..." she deadpanned. "You should consider to apply and be here permanently. Lucifer would let you have the tips."

He sighed and hushed. "That's not what you think. The reason is Lilith may have the wrong impression my brother owes not only the place but everybody here, and that they are so at her entire disposal to... satisfy her needs…"

Maze let out a throaty bark that was meant to be a laugh. "Congrats! You've just found the real purpose of LUX!"

Amenadiel bent again to kiss a shy young man with a reassuring smile.

This time, the demoness felt annoyed by his behavior. With her, he was all guilt, tight ass, and 'what we did was sooo wrong'. But now, he seemed to enjoy this kissing game. Does that even count when you just brush lips without biting and licking and… so on? She might have dumped him but seeing this was… not pleasant. Something was off.

She clasped her hands. "Ok, everyone! she shouted to cover the music. Ten minutes break for Dee-Dee here! Be back soon!

People grumbled a bit, with obvious disappointment but went back to the dancefloor. She took his arm to lead him quickly to the balcony to get a bit of privacy.

"Thank you Mazikeen. So, let me remember... They asked me about... 'sex on the beach' , he begun seriously. Is it really a beverage or an indecent proposal?…"

"Are you… drunk yourself?"

He nodded sheepishly. "Just a bit tipsy. I had to taste to know if I was doing good..."

"Ok, I don't care. Again, WHY are you kissing everyone?"

The black angel looked very surprised. "Because two people disappeared last night and I think your mother could be involved. Dan was here earlier, and unexpectedly, his boss too, they were asking questions about a mysterious beautiful woman that didn't show up for now and that might be implied. But I don't think it's her. I think it's more your mother's style."

"Come to the point! The kissing! Why?"

Amenadiel glanced again, a bit unsettled. "For their protection of course! She will not be able to take easily those that were marked by the divine, or an angel."

"Why are you concerned by her shagging and not by your brother's?"

"Maze… I'm sorry to ask this but… Do you really know well your mother?"

The demoness looked far more unsure than she used too. She crossed her arms and glared fiercely. Her voice was tough and he would have said bitter, if he wouldn't know better that she couldn't harbor such feelings...

"I hadn't heard about her much since I was expelled from her womb! She let me there, in the white ashes that burnt my face, with a bunch of my sisters. She told us to kill the weakest of us if we wanted to eat! I was the first to obey and she told me I was "amazingly keen". Nobody understood that name so I became Mazikeen. Then, she ordered us to be fierce and proud, and she just left. End of the story."

"I'm sorry" said Amenadiel with a look of pity that triggered her anger.

"Not me! That's how I became strong!"

Amenadiel took her arm to prevent her to leave just a second.

"Listen. Luci didn't tell me everything but I saw something was bothering him earlier, whatever he said. He texted me to come to one of the villas he owns on the heights outside L.A. Maybe you could help us to convince Lilith to go back to your home?"

"Why should I bother? He doesn't care about me. He's being obsessed by Decker for months. And now Mother comes and he's all disgustingly lovey-dovey and does everything that bitch commands. I've been loyal to him for millennia and what is my reward? Still nothing. Before your own bitch of a mother vanished, we had a big fight. I punched badly his stupid nose and perfect teeth and it was good! Ask Linda if you don't believe me. He said he might have hurt my feelings because he thought I had none. Linda made him apologize about that, but you know what? That was just words. I'm fed up with the my word is my bond thing!"

Amenadiel was about to show some sympathy but bowed his head and suddenly held a hand to catch the balcony rail to secure his stand. He blinked, and winced, putting a hand over his ear.

"What?"

"He's praying. Loud."

"You bet! Loud must be his middle name… she growled. Let him do! You're good enough to help him here…" She stopped on tracks and her eyes went large while she was making a face, twitching her lips in a strange way of displeasure. "I can feel it too; he's trying to summon me! Something is very wrong. He's in danger."

And despite all what she had said, she added: "I have to go."

.


.°.

Sat on the floor, Lucifer was covered in blood, stinky fluids and other fun things - his suit ruined beyond all the powers of dry cleaning - breathing quite heavily and staring absently at his beautiful pianist hands. He was surprised to see how much they were trembling. Yet the scratches and deeper marks of bite were already starting to heal. Next to him, was resting a pile of three nasty beasts that he managed to eviscerate before they ate all his arm.

"Lucifer?"

The anguished call made him jump and run to the bed where Lilith was now lying. He knew his eyes were red; he couldn't help himself to feel a strange rage seeing her beautiful naked body in pain, her belly distorted by an obscene bulge nearly twice as big as her, where odd threatening ripples were starting to happen. Again.

Rivulets of sweat were running all over her delicate face and hair, between her breasts too. As enticing those two could be, this was not what held his sight but the tender inner side of her white thighs, soiled with longs streaks of thick, smelly, nearly black blood. "I'm sorry" she said so breathlessly he thought she was about to faint. "You shouldn't have seen this. I don't understand what happened. It's too early…"

He kneeled close to her and caressed her forefront, trying to shush her. "It's the first time you give birth on Earth. Local dwellers tend to say time is tricky in Hell or in Heaven, but they are wrong. Time is tricky here… that's all."

She closed her eyes in acceptance, too tired to argue or question anything.

.

He didn't see it coming. Sooner in the evening, after a short trip driving the Corvette to the outsides of the town, they had stopped in front of some kind of architect dream: a cubist ode, all tense and bold lines, concrete, glass, wood, debauchery of square meters and astonishing view on the city lights.

When he was buying houses, Lucifer had only three requests: heights, skies and vistas. Even if he wouldn't admit it, one could easily guess why – once accepted the whole "devil shtick". Despite everything he claimed about his wings: deep down, Lucifer missed the flying.

Unexpectedly, he missed it even more since he knew Chloe and was ashamed of it. No need of the good doctor here to be fully aware that if he indulged himself in using "Daddy's gift of peace" he could never stop and would dive in this exhilarating sensation. The wind on his face, swirling all around him, like a physical blessing along his body... He had to hold tight to his last bad experience of the wind, during the Fall, that spoiled it all. If he chose to forget, Father would win, wouldn't he?

This need was also explaining why he treasured the Corvette, as the closest way to feel the speed rush and the air again on his skin. The reason why he was quite grumpy when Chloe was driving him, in a closed car, so slowly he could walk faster. All his thought about wheels weren't that grim. Many times, he had unrestrained awaken fantasies about Chloe and him having mind blowing sex, more than often in his car. Or on it, for the record. But that was just a second best. To fly among the stars with her would be the utmost perfection and yet, so out of reach.

Since he had the fluffy things back however, those dreams started to change in a both addictive and disturbing way. A foolish way, he was struggling against...

His dreams were now about the time he had been half naked in front of her, parading in his soft tight skin, showing off his lean shape no mortal could resist... Totally impervious to it, she had just noticed... his scars. While he was asleep, things were going differently. He was seeing himself from the outside, marching on her like she was a fortress and him a conqueror, throwing his towel away and spreading the blinding light of his wings. Maybe Eve was right in the end. Maybe he was indeed a "man-bird" trying to impress his mate by displaying his feathers... Watch me, come on! A good eyeful! Watch me as I am! he was daring her in a minatory and crazed tone. And Dad forgive him, she was watching in awe and surrendering to his lips, when he was smashing her into the hard planes of his chest and cocooned her in the giant white proof of his unearthly condition...

That was the disturbing part, he had said to Linda when he had seen her, too quickly, between two appointments. Because it was a big fat lie. He was no angel.

The doctor had smiled fondly at him with some emotion he couldn't decipher in her eyes. She had babbled something about "the naked truth" and his growing desire of a more trustful relationship. Of course, he had joked at "growing desire" with a leer, just before adding that could not be true. Because being honest was not showing her the mere ghost of something he wasn't anymore; it would be showing her the real Devil. The ugly truth, the charred scrawny features of the fearsome gargoyle he had become to survive.

Linda had smiled more, with patience. Haven't you already said you think you didn't deserve her, as the Devil? So what's left to content the longing thirst of your heart? I don't think you find as fascinating as you did, the fact she's not the slightest impressed. Deep down, you know your beautiful wings would let her awestruck, don't you? You need this now. He had retorted that was ridiculous and unhelpful. If you say so. He knew by the time, this was her polite answer when she thought he was completely wrong.

And all the wild fantasies about Chloe, ecstasy and wings intensified.

Right from the start, he had been dreaming of something like this evening. An idyllic week-end she would accept at last. Driving her to a beautiful spot with a breathtaking view, after an intoxicating ride along the ocean. Thrilling all the way under pent-up desire. Arriving to their striking love nest. Making out "ravishingly" against the door...

He never thought that would happen... but with another.

.

Inside the house, Lucifer had taken Lilith to his huge master bedroom to let her have the bath she was claiming and declared he was going to the kitchen. When she had pouted at the news, he'd smiled devilishly and promised to come back in a tick to scrub her back, if she'd make some room in the wide tub for him.

Lucifer was thinking hard about his options when he heard a long muffled scream after a short time. He left everything and came in a hurry. The bathroom had turned into a nightmare vision. Lilith was gripping the edges of the large tub with white knuckles, she was wincing. Since she had left the glamour covering her, he could see the huge roundness of her unbelievable abdomen above the water, whose color changed to red.

Before he could even ask anything, something big was already surfacing the tub with her, crawling outside.

And that was not a child.

He got closer, won by curiosity and a bit mesmerized by the atrocious black thing he could only guess in the bloody water. How such a swan could produce that kind of hideous duckling? That was a fascinating rhetorical question... She shot him a panicked glare seeing he wasn't reacting.

"My necklace, quick! Kill him! Kill him, before it's too late!"

Lucifer stood here one second too long, because he didn't understand. She had indeed a sumptuous ornamental piece, quite large and heavy around her neck. The hellish dark creature was getting out of the bath with long bizarre members while its general shape was starting to change and grow fast. He heard a kind of bark and roar altogether and then, the sharp and melodious vibrating sound of a blade leaving its sheath.

The beast jumped without a warning at Lucifer's throat but the later moved quickly to avoid it. In Lilith's hand was a curvy golden blade she was holding to him. "Please, do it quickly, I feel another coming…" She couldn't finish and screamed again.

The puzzled Devil started to fight back the assaulting ferocious creature that was growing every second, all jaws and claws and threatening (or hungry) roars. He sliced its throat in defense and turned to her:

"Is it a... hellhound?! Why are you giving birth to this and not a lilim!?"

She was panting and with no trace of humor, she spat: "It's a bit of a lottery. You never know what, neither how much..." She didn't finish her sentence and gritted her teeth to push. Something else was on its way.

"Be ready."

"But… who or what did this to you?"

Lilith pushed with effort but had a little laugh. "Oh my little angel, you're so sweetly innocent!"

His eyes flashed redness because the concept was infuriating, but more blood and darkness were in the bath and a bundle of limbs leapt on the marble tiles, coming boldly in front of him with defiant eyes. This time, he clearly recognized a hellhound but this one has... two heads. Talk about indulging in one-upmanship… In a beat, they bared their long pointy teeth and started to drool and to growl at him.

He crouched slightly. "Come and see your Uncle Lucifer" taunted the Devil, making the curved knife jump from one hand to another. The hypnotic move seemed to distract the twin-head dog.

"Don't play with him! Just kill! Another one is nearly there… she urged. Ouch. That's so painful. I don't… I don't understand why… it's the first time I…"

Everything went more south than ever because there were soon no more pauses between deliveries. Highly tensed, Lucifer wasn't smiling anymore and for several minutes that seemed too long he broke into a bloodshed mode, slicing, cutting, crushing, tearing, and avoiding bites with graceful moves, challenging the roars by his own screams. Breathing heavily, he was red and black from head to toe. A frightful vision, even without his Devil face.

Inwardly he was praying at the highest volume his mind could. If it was just the beginning, he would need help. He noticed that every new-born was superior to the previous one. As if they were adapting fast, in strength, speed, cunning.

The floor was deadly slippy so he could barely stand, between water, thick blood pools and other bits of who knows what. Thanks Dad, the Detective was far away from here, so he was quite protected against the razor-like claws that were doing not much harm. But he was getting tired. At the beginning, adrenaline pulsed in his veins but he was running short by now. How many beasts could have been stashed in there? His thoughts were on Maze. He needed her badly in such situations. Why wasn't she there? Didn't she feel his calls?

.

Somewhere in the process, Lilith had lost consciousness but when she woke up she wasn't in the bathroom anymore. She was never one to faint and felt ashamed, for many reasons. Not for being caked with crusty black trails, but because she thought she had failed Lucifer. She was not able to help him with the killing; she was not able to produce a valid heir for him…

She called him and he was here instantly, looking at her with a pity that made her wanted to be dead. She tried to apologize but he wouldn't listen. He had washed her – a damp soiled cloth nearby to prove it. She asked for a bit of water to drink and he got her some. He had red glowing eyes she never saw. They were beautiful.

"Do you think it's over now?" he asked briskly.

She saw his hands trembling hard and felt sad to disappoint him again. "Very unlikely. This is just a pause."

He snorted in a derisive way. "First time I'm not ready for a steadfast second round!…"

She caught the reference and gave him a sad wicked smile. "While I'm naked, even if I do not recommend you to sneak anything valuable in my womb at the moment, I wouldn't say no to your hot body against mine, or the back massage you promised me… I'm getting cold..."

He looked down at her and closed briefly his eyes.

That wasn't fear. The Devil has no fear. It was something else. Too bad he didn't know how to name it. Strategic retreat, maybe? To collect himself, because he felt he went too far in unleashing his old self like he just did. What would Chloe think of him now if she could see him like this?

"A bathrobe for the lady, I'll be right back…"

He left to retrieve one in a cabinet and came back in really no time. When he did, Lilith was hunched toward the headboard, looking suspiciously a very small ball of black fur that happened to be now at her feet, on the sheets, moving slowly in expectant little leaps.

"This one is weird, she warned. It has copper eyes and bizarre teeth. He seems to plot something evil… Do you still have the knife?"

The Devil walked towards the bed to have a better view. At least, it wasn't growing in minutes. The small ball was now deadly still. Lucifer took his time to give Lilith the plush bathrobe and helped her with the sleeves, then he cooed at the animal: "Wakey-wakey, show us your dreadful face!"

A long ear popped, and then another. A round head over a round body and the little ball blinked fearfully. Its eyes were just the color of Lucifer's favorite whisky and its little pink nose twitched hesitantly to sniff them.

"Is this creature fierce, in this world?"

The Devil smirked. "Indeed, a fur-ious one! I can't believe you just plopped… a rabbit!" He took the little thing by the neck. "You! Out of my bed!" The fury ball blinked again and start to shiver. Lucifer rolled his eyes. "I appreciate you show me respect but is that your wicked superpower? Cuteness?"

"Be careful, my love" admonished Lilith. "All my children are very tricky…"

The doorbell rang unexpectedly and startled both of them.

"Who could it be?" said Lilith with unease. "I think you had no neighbors here?"

"I may have invited some to join the party… he smiled secretly relieved. Could you keep this one a sec?"

"No! It is scary. Do not let me alone with it..."

"Ok, he sighed. Stay here and rest. Don't do anything. I'll be back with something to eat..."

.

Before going to open, Lucifer had splashed water on his face and hands, but his suit was in a horrible state, torn and stained. He straightened himself anyway, hold the fluffy black rabbit against his chest, plastered a toothy charming smile on his tired face, and went to see who it was.

He was half expecting Amenadiel or Maze... That's why he was quite dumbfounded when he saw an unknown young man, with brown hair, a light stubble, blue eyes and magnificent thick lips above a chiseled chin. His expression was one of a surprise too. Maybe more than surprise: perplexity.

"May I help you?" said politely Lucifer while he was petting the soft hair of the little animal.

The young man looked at him with confusion. His gravelly voice was quite surprising and his poor sense of fashion too, but who was he to argue, considering what he presently looked like? The faded suit and a crumpled yellowish duster were beating him.

"I think it's more the contrary... I have heard your call. Are you really Lucifer?" he asked with a clear tone of disbelief. "Your vibe is so odd I hardly recognize you!"

"Yes, but…"

"You have a new vessel?"

"Vessel?"

"Yes, vessel, meatsuit, or whatever you name it..." he said with a dismissive gesture, passing the threshold without invitation. "Anyway I'm here and I will make myself very clear: this is a mere bargain. Your prayer was unexpected but I don't think I have other choices now Gabriel ran away. We need an archangel. Any one, even you. I need you to open the portal to stop the other Michael. You know it. I know it. So that's it: I'm offering a chance to do it the nice way. Do you take it or not?

"I'm sorry but… do I know you?" the Devil asked haughtily.

.

TBC

.


A/N : Did you recognize the new guest? What do you think?