"Okay, Dad, I'm ready to talk." Lucifer stood behind his bar in Lux, doing the one thing he never thought he would do; willingly meeting with his father.

After his session with Dr. Linda, he was desperate to speak with the detective as soon as possible. He was headed straight to her house when the realization hit him that maybe he should handle this little dilemma first. He wanted to discuss the terms of this deal with his father and make certain that he understood that the detective would not be involved.

No sooner than the words were out of his mouth, there was a split-second of blinding light and then his father was there, his presence immediately encompassing the whole room. "You have made a wise choice, Son."

"Yes, well, I've come to believe that this agreement will be beneficial for us both." Lucifer retorted.

"And by that you mean..." God paused for Lucifer to elaborate. "What I mean is you get the help you so desire and I...get to keep my enemy close, so to speak."

"I am not your enemy, Lucifer. I am hoping in working together we may be capable of putting the past behind us." Lucifer laughed harshly. "No way is that going to happen. After everything that has transpired...we could never go back to the way we were."

"Maybe not go back but possibly move forward. Son, I know the things I have done were wrong, but you are not exactly innocent. That rebellion...and spending all your time blatantly going against many of the things I stand for. Did you expect me to just overlook it all?"

"I expected you to be rational. So what, you had a rebellious teenager on your hands? Humans have dealt with that same problem throughout history, better than their own God did, might I add. The punishment far outweighed the crimes, Father."

"Lucifer all I can do is apologize. I can't change the past. I can only try to make up for it the best I can. As a matter of fact, that is the main reason why Chloe is in your life now."

"Don't you dare bring the detective into this!" Lucifer hissed. "You tried to break me, but it hasn't worked. I saw right through your manipulation. And don't even think about her being a part of this little pact. I won't have it."

God stared at his son for a moment and then replied, "You care for her, I see. Good...Lucifer, I meant for Chloe to be a gift for you, of sorts. I had hoped her love for you would somehow...someway make up for my casting you out of Heaven. She was not a weapon to harm you as you choose to believe, but a balm in a way, to heal you, Son."

There was no way that could be the truth, Lucifer thought. After all that his father had done to him, he really expected Lucifer to believe that he would unselfishly give him someone as special as the detective.

"I thought that if you would not accept my apology...or my love," his father's eyes saddened as he continued, "then you would accept hers and give your love to her in return."

"Then why make me vulnerable around her? I can be killed when she's around, you know! The good ol' omniscience must be slipping in your old age."

"I did not want you to be successful in convincing her that you really are the devil, not in the beginning anyway. Your vulnerability in her presence assured that. And as for her immunity to your charms...would you have truly believed your connection with each other genuine if you had some sort of control over her reaction to you?"

All of this gave Lucifer pause. Could his father really be telling the truth? It all seemed plausible, but yet, he still couldn't bring himself to trust him. As if God read his thoughts, "I speak the truth, Son."

Lucifer had his fill with the direction of this conversation. "Enough, we aren't here to discuss mine and the detective's partnership," he pointedly said the last word with infliction, so his father would know exactly where he stood on the subject, "we are here to make a deal. That's actually my specialty, if you remember. Who would have thought, God making a deal with devil. Reminds me of that poor sod Job. You sure know how to pick 'em, Dad." Lucifer said smugly.

God recognized his son's signature way of avoiding something with brazen humor, so he let the issue of Chloe drop...for now. "Fine, and as for our partnership," he said making sure Lucifer realized he didn't miss his son's use of the word before, "it's simple. I will let you know when and who I need help with and you can handle things in your own, unique way from there. The escapee must be returned to Hell as efficiently and swiftly as possible. I only have one other stipulation."

Oh here it comes, Lucifer thought. He should have known. "I only ask that you agree to a little chats with me from time to time."

"Pfftt! Chat?! You must be joking?! About what? You need some pointers on how to liven up the Silver City? That's easy; strippers would be a great start...open bar maybe."

Ignoring his son's jabs, he replied evenly, "Just small conversations here and there, Son. Nothing more. No further expectations. Maybe you can uncover my so called devious plans against you." His father gave a devilish grin that could almost rival Lucifer's.

"Fine. However, it will be on my terms."

"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way." God paused, as if at a loss for more to say, "Well then, it's settled. I will call on you when the need arises." And then his father was gone as quickly as he had come.

But Lucifer heard, as his father disappeared, something that made him feel, well he couldn't even describe how it made him feel. His father's disembodied voice, sincerely and practically a whisper, "Thank you, my son."