Amendadiel flies over the city, soaring above the clouds to avoid being seen by the humans, cursing his luck. He wasn't meant for any of this.

He was a messenger under Gabriel's command, tasked with bringing orders to different legions of Heaven. He wasn't made for coming down to Earth at all. Was never curious about it. Didn't care. He had his job and thought he did it well. The higher ranking angels seemed content with his work.

That was before The Fall.

Things changed after Lucifer tore the Heavens asunder with his demands for free will and consequences. "Blind obedience creates nothing but contempt and hatred," he insisted. "Embracing free will and allowing for its consequences leads to greater understanding of each other. Creativity. Compassion. Love! We can learn so much if we are simply open to it."

Second only to their Father, sure, but his demands were still above his station. He should have known better. Father cast him out without a second thought and it frightened everyone into that 'mindless obedience' The Morningstar railed against.

Do. Not. Question. You might be next.

And that was fine with Amenadiel. Life was ordered. Peaceful. He was content flitting through the heavens delivering missives.

But even angels get bored. Idle hands and all that. There were surreptitious forays down to Earth to have a closer look at their Father's new favorites, especially among the newer angels.

Things. Happened.

And Amenadiel frowned at it all. He did what he could to quietly alert the elder angels, but to no avail. His concerns were waved away. "It's harmless," they said in response to his growing alarm. "Curiosity is not a sin," they counseled.

Angels started talking to humans. Humans shared...stories.

Then the humans couldn't agree on the stories, or even who the characters were, so they fought amongst themselves, throwing around the names the angels gave themselves as justification for their crimes. The humans seemed bent on destroying each other with their violence and hatred.

It was stupid. It still is. They've learned nothing.

At some point, a human wrote in one of their stories that their fighting was Lucifer's fault. The Morningstar...Satan, as some were calling him...was responsible for all the disobedience of God's Law. He made humans Fall. Oh, the irony. Turning on their greatest advocate. Happy to be off the hook for their unintended consequences, the angels sat silent.

They were complicit in Lucifer's vilification. The goat thing actually came about because of Lucifer's unenviable position as the greatest scapegoat ever to exist.

The silence was accepted because Lucifer was viewed as dangerous. He IS dangerous, they reasoned. He and all this free will nonsense must be renounced - not glorified. It is Lucifer's lot to live the rest of eternity in solitude. Removed from their Father's grace. Shunned.

So why isn't Lucifer ever alone NOW? All these...people...flocking to his banner. How can they not see him for what he truly is? Stupid humans. Blinded by his glamour.

Amenadiel was initially sent to bring their Father's message to Lucifer. "Your return to The Underworld has been requested." We all know how that went.

That task turned into "Swing by Hell and report on what's going on." Bring more messages to Lucifer. Try to convince him to return. Be persuasive.

As his involvement grew, Amenadiel grew contemptuous. Not just irritated or inconvenienced.

This. Isn't. Fair.

Amenadiel should be comfortable and content in Heaven. Serving his intended purpose. Instead, because the eldest of his brothers refused to toe the line and do his literally God-damned job, the angel was stuck performing tasks he didn't want and certainly didn't deserve.

Reaching the upper limits of his introspective abilities, he fails to notice the irony.

The angel sighs as the ache from his wing intrudes on his thoughts. Bad enough he had the unmitigated gall to create offspring. A sneer slides onto Amenadiel's face as Niall arrives unbidden into his thoughts. Especially that one. What was Lucifer thinking, creating...that?

What about Maze? He closes his eyes tightly for a moment. Wincing at the tightness in his chest. Maze was... he sighs.

He considers his orders to return Lucifer where he belongs by any means necessary. Certainly Father will understand some of the...tactics employed. She was made to be used and she served her purpose. Quite well.

The angel glides through the air and shakes his head as he recalls the excitement in Heaven five years ago when Lucifer burst from his prison with his offspring. "Something's happening!" rang from the gates, through the gardens, and bounced around the libraries.

Amenadiel snorts in derision, The same libraries Lucifer sought to recreate in his apartment in Los Angeles.

They all watched from above as The Morningstar rose from the sea with his progeny. Standing proud and naked, laughing at the sky. The collective Heavenly gasp as he dropped to his knees for Maze to raise her blade. Legions of angels wept to see Satan's blood on the beach.

All looked to Father for his reaction and were shocked by his stoicism. God simply nodded then went for a stroll in the garden, seemingly lost in thought.

Repulsive how someone who's been rejected can still capture the imagination of his betters. They should be like Father. Accept that it's part of the plan and move on. But...no. They treat him like a romantic figure, watching his activities as if it were one of those wretched television program beamed around the planet.

He frowns, What about Lucifer's assignment from Father? I need to account for that. Amenadiel knows he's not up to the task of returning their mother to Hell. Wait for him to fulfill his arrangement...deal, whatever. He rolls his eyes, Deal. It's like he's a pathetic human bartering for goods.

The angel dips unexpectedly when he gives a quick, violent shake of his head. Disgusting how Lucifer wallows in terrestrial filth. Reveling in his sinful pursuits with these bankrupt, pathetic creatures who demand everything and offer nothing but violence in God's name. Not even obedience! So few are truly, simply thankful. And they should be. For everything.

Amenadiel flashes a grim smile, Oh yes. Lucifer will be returned to where he belongs. Then I can go home.

He spreads his charcoal wings, capturing the sunlight and sighing as the warmth spreads through him. The angel can almost feel his father smiling from above.

Almost.

Lucifer politely helps Chloe off the sofa and she looks at Niall. "That wasn't as...awful as I thought it would be," she smiles as the demon unfurls himself from his place on the floor to tower over her.

Niall issues a loud exhalation, "That's a relief. Maybe have a glass of water and snack? Direct contact is a bit more intense than how I usually do it, so you'll want to take it easy for an hour or so."

Chloe nods, "Sort of like after donating blood."

The supernatural creatures blink at each other then look at her in confusion, and Dae chimes in with a laugh, "Yes. Just like that."

Lucifer's brow furrows as a look of disgust takes up residence on his face and he lights a cigarette, "You humans voluntarily exsanguinate for each other? To...share your blood?" Chloe and Dae nod and he continues with a frown, "Whyever would do you that?"

The detective shrugs, "Maybe someone is in a car crash and will die from blood loss unless they get a transfusion. Sometimes someone has a disease and needs fresh blood to help them recover. There's a bunch of reasons."

The demons look at their sire and and he shakes his head in confused wonder, "The more I learn about you humans, the more bizarre you are."

Chloe gestures to the wings Lucifer hasn't un-summoned, "Really? You want to talk about bizarre?"

Lucifer pouts and lightly waves his wings, "My wings are magnificent, Detective. They are not bizarre." He arches a brow at her and looks down his nose, "Jealousy is so unbecoming. Don't deny it, I've caught you looking on more than one occasion."

Chloe chuckles then tosses up a wink as she walks by. "I wasn't looking at your wings, Lucifer." Niall, Maze and Dae burst out laughing as the detective walks to the bar for a glass of water.

Dae leans against Niall and rests her head against his chest while he lightly strokes her hair. "Can I stay?" the demon asks the detective nervously.

Chloe nods, "Yeah. You can stay."

"Marvelous!" cheers Lucifer as he tucks away his wings and tosses down the remains of his scotch.

"Thank you," Niall responds with breathless gratitude as he gives Dae a squeeze.

Maze nods approval as she turns and slowly walks to the balcony, absently flicking a dagger back and forth around her hand. Amenadiel's betrayal shouldn't hurt as much as it does. Truth be told, it shouldn't hurt at all. Hell's Favorite Torturer doesn't feel...that. Joy comes from meting out punishment. Happiness takes the form of inflicting pain.

Excitement from the occasional allowance of pain inflicted upon herself.

This feeling is as if an alien has taken residence under her skin. A subcutaneous slither that burrows deep then gnaws its way out with blunt teeth.

A warm, feminine hand lays itself on her shoulder and she whirls on Chloe, blade raised before she realizes what she's doing.

"Maze!" barks Lucifer. The demon blinks then steps back as Chloe does the same thing, hands raised. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Maze glares at the blonde woman, "What do you want?" she growls.

Chloe shrugs, "I'm sorry about..." she glances at the sky and back. "I understand, is all. I know you ca..."

"I did nothing!" Maze snarls as she takes an aggressive step forward. If only. "I fucked him to help Lucifer. He was a feathered dick and that was all." She turns away, startled at the wetness in her eyes, "Bastard didn't even know what to DO with it," she mutters in a rough growl.

Niall looks at Lucifer, who shakes his head as he takes a drag off his cigarette, I should kill him for this alone, he says silently. The large demon nods in agreement. Respectfully, sire, you'll have to beat me to it.

Chloe nods as she steps back, "Got it. What do you want to do?" she asks.

Maze silently glares at her, not moving for a long minute.

Lucifer blows a puff of smoke and walks slowly toward the two women, "I know what she needs." He lays a gentle hand on Maze's back, gently stroking her spine and looks down with a sympathetic expression, "Let's have at it, shall we?"

Chloe looks at Lucifer in surprise, eyebrows finding the middle of her forehead, Seriously?

Maze nods sharply, "Yeah," she responds as a sinister grin arrives on her face. Her posture shifts as her daggers start spinning around her hands again.

Lucifer gives her a sinister smile as he walks behind her, his gaze traveling slowly over her in appraisal. Then he looks up at Chloe, his expression changing immediately, "We need to find Mum and take the fight to her. This has been dragging on long enough." He nods toward Niall and Dae, "You three go gather your weapons and what you'll need to camp out here for the interim."

"Of course, sire," Niall replies as he and Dae turn toward the elevator.

Chloe huffs and stares at Lucifer for a moment as he walks into the apartment, So you're going to just...have sex after I leave?

Feeling her gaze on him, he turns, "What is it, Detective?" She cocks her head and glares at him as he steps toward her, confused, "Was I not enunciating again?" He takes in her posture and his lips spread into a happy grin, "You're jealous! You think that we're..." he gestures between himself and the demon, "...that I want you to go so we can have sex?"

He laughs, "Lovely as that might be, no." He arches a brow, "I need you to leave because I'm going to let her have her way with me in a different manner." His smile grows sympathetic as his eyes travel over Maze, "The poor dear has a bit of anger to work out and I'm going to allow her to take it out on me. Can't have it clouding her focus, now, can we?" He shrugs, "If you're here, there's a chance she could do some permanent damage."

Chloe blinks as she blushes, "Oh." She glances at Maze, "I'm...sorry. I'll...go." She steps toward Lucifer and lightly squeezes his hand as she looks up, "I..." she starts to whisper and she stops at the flash of panic in his eyes. "I'll see you later," she smiles as the panic dissolves into relief.

He gives her a small nod and smaller smile, "And I...you, darling."

Chloe, Niall and Dae pile into the elevator and Lucifer puts his hand up to stop Maze from pouncing on him immediately. "A moment, darling. I'm hardly dressed for action."

She snickers, "Being naked has never bothered you before, Lucifer. Chloe's making you modest now?"

He barks a laugh, "Hardly! But if I shed this robe and we engage in fisticuffs, other delightful things would no doubt ensue." He tilts his head and smiles, "And I find myself rather interested in her good will - which I would certainly lose were we to return to certain previous habits."

Maze points toward Lucifer's closet. "Whatever. Just put your fucking pants on already so we can do this."

Lucifer fairly bounces into the closet and rummages for an acceptable pair of trousers to sacrifice to their sparring, Poor Mazie, he thinks to himself. Seems we've all changed in our time here. Niall less so, but it's still there. Giving them free will was critical - and so much easier to deal with in Hell.

He sighs, deciding on a slightly older pair of navy pants and sliding them on. Their jobs in Hell were so much more prescribed. Predictable. Here, though... he shakes his head and slips on a shirt, rolling up the sleeves. So many variables here. Distractions. Speaking of distracted...

Maze yells from the balcony, "Aren't you pretty enough already. Get out here!"

He laughs as he grabs his swords from the shelf and exits the closet, eyes slowly starting to glow, "I'm God-damned gorgeous, Mazie."

She snorts as she begins to circle him, daggers spinning, "Emphasis on God-damned, angel-boy." The demon looks him over and licks her lips, "Can you actually use those butter knives or are they just jewelry for the princess?"

Lucifer laughs as he sets his stance, weight settling into his hips and relaxing his shoulders as he watches her. "You've a lovely mouth, Maze. I can think of better uses for it."

Maze grins, "Not that you'll get to enjoy any of them since you've handed your balls over the Chloe."

Lucifer raises his longsword and taps one of her spinning daggers, testing, "I gave her something much more substantial, darling. Do keep up." He smiles, "You know taunting doesn't work on me." The grin becomes more devilish, "Or are you too heartbroken to actually go through with this?"

Maze screams and launches herself at him, both blades raised high. Lucifer lightly hops to the side and raises his longsword, tapping her on the rear with his shorter blade as she passes by. "One for me!" he crows.

The demon executes a forward roll right up onto her feet and stands at the ready while Lucifer circles. His knees are slightly bent and he assesses her position for weakness. Seeing nothing obvious, he feints in an attempt to get her to commit, but she's well-versed in his tactics. They've been at each other's sides, and backs, for a very long time and she knows to never turn her back on him.

Lucifer lunges again but it's no ploy this time. His longer blade comes in and she raises her daggers to deflect, only to feel the tap of his shorter sword on her hip as he steps into his blow. "Another!" he grins down at her.

Maze wrinkles her nose and sniffs the air then steps back, "You smell like him." Lucifer chuckles, "Must be the feathers," he replies.

She shakes her head, "I don't think so. You've always...smelled like home. In Hell, it was all smoke and brimstone. Here, it's been flesh and whiskey. Cigarettes and brimstone. When Decker's here, especially lately, blood."

She wrinkles her nose, "Now you smell...different. Some brimstone, but...I don't know what it is. Something I never smelled before meeting Amenadiel," she spits. She snarls as she starts circling him, her daggers twirling again, the growl coming from low in her chest.

Lucifer cocks his head as he lowers his blades, "Mazie...?"

"Put your swords up, Lucifer, I'm not done yet," she hisses as she lunges at him.

Lucifer hops away and summons his wings, which only infuriates her more. "I think you need to..." he tries to talk to her again but she's having none of it as she launches herself at him.

He drops his blades to grapple her, easily deflecting her blows. "Blasted demon, drop your blades and we'll go hand to hand."

Somewhat obediently, Maze drops her blades and swings hard at his jaw. He blocks it, only just, then uses his other hand to grab her shoulder and spin her around.

She uses her momentum to spin the rest of the way and comes in with another swing. "Point for me," she growls as her fist connects to his cheek.

Maze's knee catches him in the solar plexus and he exhales harshly as he is shoved back, "Two!" she snarls again.

When she comes back with another swing, he spins her around again. This time, with her back to him, Lucifer places his hand between her shoulders and shoves her away from him. Using the momentum he gave her, she rolls again to come up on her feet facing him.

"Mazikeen!" Lucifer commands as he picks up one of his swords. He holds his empty hand up in a placating gesture and holds the sword parallel to the ground, with the flat facing his demon. "Look at your eyes," he orders. She draws her lips back in another snarl as he approaches but doesn't move. He lowers the blade so she can look, and she gasps.

Maze looks up at Lucifer, the two of them wearing equally shocked expressions. "What does this mean?" she demands. "Why were my eyes glowing like yours?" He shakes his head, "I don't know, Maze," he responds softly.