The next day Ella gave all the details of her previous night's encounter to Det. Dries while Chloe sat with her. When Lucifer came in Det. Decker immediately rounded on him, demanding to know what information he had on this Ahriman Tiya. The devil only answered that long ago when Ahri was a boy he had been locked away for killing a small child. Yes, he had been involved with the incarceration as had Lili and that was why he was out to harm everyone around the two of them. End of discussion.

Between the detective being shot at and Miss Lopez's close encounter, it needed to stop. He had to put an end to this. Chloe was justified in her righteous anger and looking at Ella and seeing her so upset was deeply troubling. Ella was known for her over-the-top, bubbly personality. She was the consummate optimist and seeing that taken away from her, even for a moment was worthy of punishment.

Having his inner circle of friends walking around looking over their shoulders was an intolerable situation and he couldn't allow anyone else to get hurt. What he needed was to talk to Lilith. She was his mother and if anyone would have insight into his twisted mind, it was her. Lucifer had been in a constant struggle with Ahriman since he was able to stand on his own two feet and even think about stretching his wings. He had watched the child grow darker in personality until there was no choice but to lock him away in an effort to protect all of Heaven, Hell and humanity. He had never asked Lilith about Ahri's parentage, but he had assumed it was one of his siblings since he had wings. Now he wanted a full and honest account of that particular offspring.

Of course first he would have to find Lilith. That had been quite difficult. He had gone by her place the night before with no luck and despite his numerous attempts at calling her, she never answered. The demoness could be infuriatingly stubborn when she wanted to be, particularly in those moments when she didn't want to be found. Fortunately, Lucifer knew a few of her hiding places and he spent the day traveling from one to the other in a vain attempt to locate her. He even stopped by the cemetery hoping to that perhaps she was there visiting Christian, her original cuddle cakes. She wasn't there. He was about to resign himself to sitting outside her home until she returned, when he noticed a large circle of men on the beach as he was driving by. This probably would have meant nothing to him except that while waiting at a stop light, he overheard a young woman complaining she didn't feel well. These could easily be unrelated to each other, but taken as a whole it sounded a lot like Lilith.

He parked his car and started towards the crowd of men. Even as he approached, he knew he could be completely wrong in his assumption, but then something deep within himself began to stir. Yes, Lilith was there and she was wearing that damned signet ring of hers. This ring beckoned to any male within a certain radius and made them willing to do anything she asked, like virtual slaves. It also called out to celestials as well. Lucifer found himself fighting back the desire to push aside the throng of human males and claim the Queen of Demons for himself. Fortunately angels were strong enough to fight their urges in the ring's presence. Even so, it was still quite aggravating.

"Ahh, I see you're in the middle of an 'I lust Lilith club' meeting." Lucifer commented after managing to work his way through the horde and finding his old friend seated on a beach blanket.

"Yes and its new recruit day." Lilith killed off the bottle of Knob Creek she was holding then smiled wickedly up at the devil. "You should see what they're willing to do for initiation."

"Yes, well, perhaps you should take off that bloody ring and give these poor chaps back their willpower."

"Why, 'Old Scratch'? You don't actually feel sorry for these men do you? They run to my side and beg for even the tiniest scraps of my attention." Her pure green eyes were glassy and showed hints of red. The fallen angel found himself wondering if this was the first bottle she had drank. Like himself she could get quite drunk, but an immortal metabolism means it takes great quantities to get to a true state of inebriation. "I think you're just a bit upset because the ring calls to you too. Its voice may be softer, but your still hear its whisper none the less."

"Okay, club meeting is over." He pushed through the circle of men and their adamant objections then grabbed Lili, pulling her to her feet against her wishes. "Thank you, chaps, for your interest and while you don't have to go home . . . Lilith will not be staying here." Speedily he started walking her down the beach and away from the crowd. The further away they were, the less influence the ring had. Oh, how badly he wished he could pull that bauble off himself. It was at moments like this that he imagined his Father was having a right old laugh at his expense. When they had reached a safe distance, he dropped her hand and turned on her "Take that bloody thing off your finger." He waited but she didn't budge. "NOW!" For a moment Lilith only stared at him defiantly before finally slipping the ring off and putting it in her pocket.

"Happy?"

"Ecstatic." He answered. "Now I need you to . . ." His train of thought came to a momentary screeching halt as she pulled the seal on a new bottle of Knob Creek then popped the cork with her mouth spitting it into the sand. "Always a lady, I see. Where on earth did you get that?"

"The cute ginger with the slight cowlick above his right ear. He handed it to me when you were so rudely pulling me away." She answered with a wink before putting the bottle to her lips.

"I really need you sober." He stressed, attempting to take the bottle.

"Yes, well I don't want to be." She answered, pushing him away and walking further down the beach. A good-looking surfer started walking in her direction and immediately she approached him, her best seductive smile on display. He was only happy to meet her, but before he could even attempt to speak she claimed his lips. Lucifer rolled his eyes then went over and catching her around the waist, promptly ended the introductions.

"Excuse me. Sorry. I'll just take that off your hands now." The devil pulled her away as she once more put the bottle to her lips. "Now, Aḻakāṉa, where exactly did you park your car?"

"I didn't, 'Old Scratch', I flew."

That was a relief to Lucifer. It was one less thing he had to worry about. Snatching the bottle from her hands he took a quick drink himself and refilled his flask, before pouring out the rest. No reason to let it all go to waste. The pair were silent during the drive. They were in view of Lux when Lilith reached over and started to take his flask from the inside pocket of his jacket. He managed to fend her off while pulling into the parking garage. It was early evening now and he was hoping that Lilith was beginning to sober up. He opened her car door and she shot him a look of annoyance.

"So, what is it you want to talk to me about, 'Old Scratch'?" More and more it seemed that the devil only appeared in her life when he wanted something. Why couldn't he seek her out just because he wanted to see her? She already knew the answer to that. She wasn't the detective, that's why and for now there was no room in his life for much else. "Well you must have come to me for something. Are you needing advice on how to win your Chloe's heart? Perhaps Maze has done something?" She sidled up to her old friend, her fingers playfully touching his chest through his black shirt and vest. She had gained the devil's undivided attention before snagging the flask from his pocket and swallowing its contents. "Now I've got it. You want me because of the whole Ahriman problem."

"Well, he is your son."

"You can't blame it all on me, he's a part of your family tree too, you know." Lili responded handing him back his empty flask.

"You've never told me exactly which of my siblings you dallied with. Care to fill me in now?"

"Why should I? It doesn't change anything."

"Well it would helpful in understanding what sort of 'gifts' we have to contend with." Lucifer explained, as they walked towards the elevator.

"Alright fine, but let me make one thing perfectly clear. My children belong to me and no one else but me . . . oh and yes, that includes Velius."

"I think he would argue that point." The devil answered, but Lilith never heard him. "I know I do."

"Uriel . . . Ahri was fathered by Uriel. It was a stupid moment of weakness on both our parts and didn't last all that long." Lili answered. Lucifer stared at her a moment in amazement. His older brother's views on demons were quite well known and it was hard to imagine that he had ever succumbed to the considerable charms of Lilith. "Don't you dare stare at me like that. Let he who did not deflower my daughter cast the first stone." He quickly put up his hands in a gesture of surrender. He was hardly the one to judge her anyway. Now that he knew the answer to his nephew's parentage, there was still one thing gnawing at him.

"If he's Uriel's offspring, I wonder why he's not manipulating patterns to kill his victims. It would be a lot easier for him to get away with it."

"Yes, but then he wouldn't get any credit for the deed, now would he? Everyone would simply think it was an unfortunate accident. He wants us to know who did it and torture us." She pressed the button for the elevator then shrugged. "Well, he is still part demon. Aren't you forgetting to lock your rental?" She asked as the doors began to slide open. Lucifer turned and pressed the button on the key fob until the car horn honked. He then turned around to find that there was no Lilith.

"Bloody Hell."

Thankfully it wasn't difficult to figure out where she had snuck off to. The elevator's floor numbers stopped climbing once it reached the club level. The devil waited for the elevator to come back down to the garage before taking it himself so he could go and retrieve his missing demon. Entering Lux, he spotted her almost immediately sitting at the bar drinking and feeling up the bartender. He knew why she was doing this. She was being eaten alive with guilt. Guilt that it was her child causing so much pain. Guilt that she couldn't just reach out her hand and stop him. Guilt that she had not done more to prevent him from escaping his cell. Lucifer understood well that sense of culpability and self-reproach. While it was hardly the same as when he had killed Uriel, the weight of responsibility was still a familiar and burdensome one.

"All things considered, I'm actually in a very good place right now." Lilith commented to the bartender as she smiled flirtatiously. She swallowed a double shot of tequila then motioned for him to pour another. "Not emotionally of course, but I am sitting at a bar, so that's quite good isn't it?" The handsome man behind the counter nodded in agreement while pouring her another double then started to walk away. "Do yourself a favor, love, leave the bottle."

"Don't leave the bottle." Lucifer interrupted. He was going to take her shot away, but it was too late, she had already drank it. "In fact, no more drinks for her."

"Since when does the devil act like a stuffy old man?" She asked, before noticing the man next to her taking a drink of bourbon from a freshly opened bottle. Since Lucifer was momentarily busy laying out some rules to the bartender, she decided to take advantage of the moment. Slyly she straightened her black skin tight crop top and smiled at her gentleman neighbor. Noticeably interested, he scooted closer and offered her a drink. She took his glass and refilled it almost to the top before drinking it down herself. It was at this moment that the devil realized what was happening next to him.

"Nope, sorry, this one is already paggered." The fallen angel quickly intervened, handing the man back his glass and the rest of the bourbon. There was no doubt in his mind that somebody's supernatural metabolism was putting in a full day's work. "I'm sure there are plenty of other ladies for you to meet tonight."

"You know, 'Old Scratch', you don't get to decide how much I drink. You do . . . I mean, I do." Clearly she was feeling it again. "I'm really not that big of drinker you know. I can go whole weeks without a single shot. C-can you?"

"Yes, well, you're definitely making up for lost time."

"I'm not that drunk." She insisted.

"Darling, you're snobbled." He responded pulling her from the stool and walking her towards the stairs. "How about we get some fresh air, hm?" Lucifer managed to guide her up the stairs and out the front doors, leading her to a side alcove.

"I never said I wanted to come out here. What I want is another drink. The last thing I need to is to sober up. Do you know how much booze it takes to get a buzz going with my supernatural metabolism?" Yes, he was well aware of how much it took, but she never allowed him to try and answer that before continuing. "It takes a lot. Right now I can't think of a better state to be in. When you're drunk you don't have to feel anything. Numb, numb, numb." she turned to her old friend and laid her head against him.

"If it helps, you've drank more than enough to keep that from happening for some time."

They stood there together in that fashion with Lucifer's fingers gently running through her long dark locks. A couple walked past them and Lilith cocked her head and watched them. They were holding hands and exchanging soft loving kisses. So much happiness. The devil looked down at Lili and saw the way she watched that couple. Ah, that was also eating at her too. She was unhappy about walking away from Dominique. She hadn't said anything about it of course, Lilith never would. The devil knew that look all too well. He had worn it in Vegas after saving Chloe's life from the poison. He felt that way now because the detective seemed to think that he had betrayed her, not just because she was taken off the case, but because he could talk to Lili about matters that he simply couldn't discuss with her. There were things that Lilith could understand that he didn't know if the detective ever would.

"What is wrong with us, 'Old Scratch'? Why can't we just live our lives with the ones we love? Why does everything have to be so," She sighed. "Complicated?"

"I don't know." He answered softly. She looked up into his sparkling dark eyes. They were always so beautiful and so alive. Perhaps it was the lonely heart, or the gallon of alcohol flowing through her veins, but softly her fingers traced the smooth line of his lips before rising up on her tip toes and tasting them. At first it was gentle but it soon began to escalate with both of wanting more and their tongues penetrating deeper. There was no lack of desire in either of them, yet something wasn't right. They pulled away confused and not sure why. It made no sense. These two must have kissed each other billions of times over countless millennia, so why did it seem so wrong now? What had changed? Wanting to distract herself from the strangeness of the moment, Lilith slipped her hand into Lucifer's jacket pocket and took out his cigarette case and lighter. She placed a cig between her deep red lips then returned the case to her friends pocket before taking a few steps down the sidewalk. Normally she did not care for them, not for any moral, ethical or health reasons, it was just that she had lived for so long in a place where the air was filled with ash that she saw no reason to breathe it in on purpose. Right now, that rolled up stick of tobacco sounded like just what the doctor ordered. Lighting it, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The smoke was momentarily calming and she immediately took another drag to keep the sensation going. Satisfied, she tossed the lighter at the fallen angel who caught it and put it back in his pocket.

"Since when do you smoke?" Lucifer asked, rather surprised.

"Since . . . Since I decided I wanted to." She answered, before taking another long puff, allowing it to fill her lungs before finally breathing it out. She leaned against the building and looked off into the distance. "Have you ever wondered if the gift of 'desire' is a blessing or a curse?"

"How can you be this philosophical after all you've had to drink?"

"Seriously, haven't you ever thought about it?" She continued as she flicked the ashes onto the sidewalk. "You and I seemed to have been designed to bring out the carnal desires in others and perhaps even ourselves, but nothing else. Of course it didn't matter so much until we came to earth and . . . well, evolved emotionally. Now, it's like we're forbidden to have attachments, no love, nothing. Doesn't that bother you?"

"I don't think about it." He responded, taking the cigarette from her and inhaling deeply, permeating his airways before the wisps of smoke escaped through his nose and floated off into the night air.

"Yes you do. You think about it every time you look at your detective. Why don't you just admit you're in love with her? It's not a crime you know."

"Isn't it?" He answered taking another long drag from the cigarette and brushing away the ash. "If you'll recall I told you before whatever feelings her and I had were nothing more than a manipulation sent courtesy of Dad."

"Was it?" Lilith sniffed.

"Oh, you think otherwise?"

"I think you'll believe whatever you want to." She answered.

"Do you really expect me to just stand there and let him maneuver us any way he damn well pleases?" Surely she knew him better than that, he thought as he tossed the cigarette to the cement walkway and ground it under his foot. Lilith just laughed and shook her head.

"Oh please. You had her, 'Old Scratch', she was yours for the taking. She loved you so much and in truth I think she still does. That doesn't really matter anymore though does it? She was in the palm of your hand and you threw her away. Why? Why, because your mother planted a seed of doubt in your brain and you've allowed it to germinate and grow into full blown suspicion and disbelief. What disturbed you more? Was it that your heart's desire might have been given to you by your Father, or the knowledge that if it was truly real then you would have to show her the truth about yourself and risk her reaction? To my knowledge the devil has only taken one risk in his whole life and I think we know how his rebellion ended." His temper sparked, Lucifer for a moment lost control and took a few steps towards the demoness, his eyes momentarily flashing a mix of gold and red. She never so much as flinched.

"Seems to me this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black, my dear Aḻakāṉa. Didn't you just leave your heart's desire back at the hospital wondering when you're going to visit him?"

"You cannot begin to understand my heart's desires." She answered. "And you never will." It wasn't true, but she didn't know that. Lucifer wasn't about to tell her that he had overheard her admission of love that night at the hospital when she was talking to the detective. He would never break her trust in that fashion. If and when she ever decided to confess it, then it would be her decision, not his. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need another drink. This whole reality thing is starting to kick my ass."

She went back into Lux before Lucifer could stop her. Lingering a few moments in the cool night air managed to bring his temper back under control. She was right, of course, but the truth was they were both guilty of not showing their true selves to the ones they cared about, or admitting their feelings. Lucifer was afraid that somehow it wouldn't be real and Chloe's ability to choose for herself would be taken away. For Lilith it was that she didn't want to bury another human that she cared about. He went back inside and for a moment he couldn't find her. He leaned against the wrought iron railing as his dark eyes searched the dim lit club before finally spotting her among the people on the dance floor. She was swaying in the arms of a young man, but she wasn't happy and he could see that. She had a drink in her hand, no doubt trying to return to a more inebriated state. The tinkling piano opening of Never Enough echoed through the club as couples came together either dancing or simply holding each other. Silently, the devil watched her and as Loren Allred's voice began to sing, softly at first, bringing out the emotion and meaning of the words

I'm trying to hold my breath

Let it stay this way

Can't let this moment end

You set off a dream with me

Getting louder now

Can you hear it echoing?

Take my hand

Will you share this with me?

'Cause darling without you

Lili suddenly turned and looked up at her old friend and lover, a sad longing in the depth of her jade eyes. Why didn't they ever seem to fit together? He was the Lord of Hell and she the Queen of the Lilim. It should seem like a natural fit. Perhaps that was the problem, they were too much alike. Both wanted to live their lives on their own terms without someone else's 'by your leave'. Did they love each other? Of course and they would run to the other's side without hesitation when called. The problem was that even if he wanted to pursue a true romance with Lilith, his heart still longed for someone else. For all that she loved Lucifer, some part of her longed for someone else too. Lucifer couldn't be what she wanted, at least not right now. Thank dear old Dad they were both immortal. Perhaps someday when all the world has turned to dust, their time would come and the pieces would fit together. Until then there was still two very separate sides to Lucifer Morningstar. Chloe was the heart beat drawing him towards his humanity and better self. Lilith was the fire in the darkness that called to the devil in him. Silently he went down the steps towards the dance floor. Their eyes never leaving each other as the music and Loren Allred's voice hit full crescendo and power.

All the shine of a thousand spotlights

All the stars we steal from the night sky

Will never be enough

Never be enough

Towers of gold are still too little

These hands could hold the world but it'll

Never be enough

Never be enough

No, they would never be enough for each other, that's probably why their hearts had yearned elsewhere. Tonight, however, there was no reason they couldn't shut out the world and all its emotions and turmoil and simply lose themselves in each other. He strode up to Lilith and taking her from her partner, pulled her into his own arms. God, she felt good. Immediately the young man she had been dancing with became upset at Lucifer's audacity. Couldn't he wait for the next song? He knew the owners reputation with women as well as many other things, but did he have to take this woman too? To the amusement of Lilith, the young man proceeded to try and get in Lucifer's face, which was no small feat for a man of five feet ten inches. The Lord of Hell was hardly intimidated. If anything he was entertained. The demoness he knew could easily hold her own against an angel and needed no protecting . . . least of all from him.

"Are you actually fighting for this lady's attention?" The devil couldn't stop a slight ripple of laughter at the notion. Lili's eyes narrowed in annoyance as he waved towards the bar for more drinks. "I hate to break it to you, old chap, but Lilith here has been my mistress for ages." A waiter approached with three glasses of bourbon on a tray. He handed one to the angry young man before him and one to Lili, taking her empty glass and handing it to the waiter. "In fact she happens to be chief consort of my harem back in Hell."

"Damn you." Lili growled, lowly.

"Chief consort of . . . of Hell?" This didn't make any sense. This had to be a joke.

"Yes, well you don't have to take my word, you can always ask Velius." Lucifer offered, getting out his phone. The devil was no longer laughing, but still clearly enjoying this.

"What's a Velius?" The man asked, clearly confused.

"Oh yes, that's our son." The Lord of Hell explained, delighting in the awkward look in the man's face.

"You have a son?"

"She has many children. Many, many children. Didn't she tell you?" The fallen angel continued. The would-be rival silently walked away, unsure of what to do or say. Lucifer turned towards Lilith only to have the very drink he had given her tossed in his face. A combination of stifled laughter and a few gasps went through the crowd as she set the glass on the table.

"How dare you? I am not your property, I have never been your property and I never will be your property! If I am willing to have you it's because I choose you and not the other way around."

Lilith went up the stairs, but the devil was fast on her heels. He set his drink on a nearby table before hastily following her to the top of the stairs then wrapping an arm around her waist and leading her down the hall. For all that Lucifer had changed since living with humans, he was still used to being the Sovereign Lord of Hell and treated as such when it came to the denizens of the underworld. Of course, no one could ever command Lilith, but then half the fun was the endless battle to try. As soon they were down the hall and out of view of the club partiers, Lucifer flung off his wet suit jacket.

"Do you feel better now that you've ruined my suit?

"There would be more satisfaction if I knew you couldn't just get it cleaned." She answered, pulling herself free.

"You couldn't possibly have been that interested in that human male." He argued, removing his still wet vest.

"Doesn't matter, I get to decide what I want, not you."

"Well, it just so happens that I know exactly what you want."

"Do you?" she challenged. If they had sought to try and distract from any desires that had already showed themselves when they were outside the club, they were failing miserably. Roughly he took hold of her and crushed her mouth with his. It was deep, passionate and exploring. After a moment she pushed him back. Their breaths coming in short pants "You are presumptuous and arrogant . . . and . . ." She never finished he sentence as she caught hold of the devil's shirt and pulled him back in to her embrace.

Lucifer pressed her back against the wall as the heat between them intensified. Both of them were equal parts hellfire and holy water and which one came through depended on the mood of the moment and who they were with. Right now the flames inside were hot and could only be quenched by two beings evenly matched in strength and prowess. He held her in place with one hand while the fingers of his other hand explored the hot, wet cradle of Venus through her tight blue jeans. The clothes on their bodies was beginning to feel terribly confining. It was likely they would have taken each other right there, but before things got too far, they were interrupted by a couple of drunk girls trying to locate a bathroom. The ladies quickly left with many apologies and lots of giggles. It was definitely time to take this party upstairs.

(Due to the rules and regulations, there is a longer version of this ending at /works/13940829/chapters/33626412)