The Archangel looked around the dreary office, he hated the feeling he got when he visited Hell. He enjoyed Lucifer, but not the office, or the surroundings.
"I refuse to believe there is nothing we can do to correct this situation. It is a dangerous precedent to set, allowing them to exist unaffiliated. If anyone finds out about it, both your side and mine will lose countless numbers. The impact will be bigger than your rebellion without question."
Lucifer sat behind his desk, feet propped up, eyeing his former (or not so former depending on their attitudes) lover cautiously. "And what do you expect me to do Michael? Crawly has shown numerous times since the failed apocalypse that he will defy our wishes if it is in the best interest of Earth, or of himself and Aziraphale. I did the only thing I could by casting him out. It was not my expectation that he would manage to land back on Earth, and that Aziraphale would do the same when given the choice."
"You thought what would happen, Lucifer? That they would float off into the ether and perish? I didn't know you were giving Aziraphale the choice once he fell. Do you always?"
"Do I always what? Give them the choice? No. Indeed never, but he had not accepted Hell. He did not fall because he wanted to be in my ranks, he fell because he wanted to be with Crawly on Earth. He would not have been productive here. I am not sure that Gabriel will be either. Raphael, Jophiel and my two field agents are yet to be seen. They have the same problem as your agents however, they have formed attachments.
Michael moved behind the desk and draped his arms across Lucifer's shoulders from behind his chair. "Attachment isn't a bad thing, Luce. And neither is working together."
Lucifer turned his head and captured Michael in a harsh kiss "I never said working together was a bad thing. In fact I think that may be the only way to keep Aziraphale and Crawly from growing their ranks. We cannot allow them to become more powerful."