Gabriel and Orifiel stood outside the vast oak door on another of their Father's missions.
"You hesitate, brother?" Gabriel asked resting his palm on his sibling's shoulder wondering why there was this sudden reticence to move.
Orifiel let out a breath at the contact; too many thoughts and fears cascading through his mind. He turned his head. "I still do not understand why Father wished his presence here, my friend. Why he sought to summon him. It will cause no end of trouble. Surely you have heard the whispers already?"
"We are not here to question any motive" Gabriel replied gravely and yes he had heard that the whole of Heaven seemed to know of Samael's presence. "Father wills it that he be here therefore it will be done, brother mine".
"You sound like Amenediel" Orifiel countered with a cynical laugh. "Well before...well before all of that business with the child occurred."
"Brother" Gabriel started, squeezing his sibling's shoulder again. "Samael is dangerous, polluted by evil. You know this as do I; as do all of our brethren. He is a negative influence within this family and we do not wish to cause any more disruption than has already occurred, surely? I have no idea why Father wanted him here but he is, so we have to do Father's bidding. You know that he will see it done, whether it is us or another of our siblings". Orifiel nodded, carefully considering his brother's words and knocked briskly on the door. Gabriel was probably right after all, he was so wise.
"Come in!" Lucifer barked standing up to be greeted by his brothers again. He simply crossed his arms over his body and raised an eyebrow waiting for his response. That petulant 'teenage' Lucifer was far too close to the surface in these past days of being stuck; being played, as he saw it, as another pawn in his Father's game of emotional chess whilst he was kept at arm's length from everything bar Chloe's Dad who had visited again as they soaked in whiskey and laughter. 'Tell my little apple blossom I love her, you hear me? Tell her as soon as you see her'. Lucifer watched his brothers as he smiled at the memory.
"Father wishes to meet with us", Gabriel offered, unintentionally mirroring his brother's defensive body language. "Well, he wishes meet with you. We are to take you to him".
Lucifer huffed, staring down imperviously at his siblings unable to keep the derision at this development out of his voice. "He took his time..."
The three brothers walked with some pace to what Lucifer would probably call their father's study; a place some minutes walk away lined with even more dark oak panels. The bright light that streamed in from the vast floor to ceiling windows on one wall almost blinded him as they stepped inside. The room itself was empty, bar its furniture, but the second Lucifer looked up he saw their father walking towards them from another door. Gabriel and Orifiel fell to their knees, heads bowed in reverence but Lucifer did not move; staring the man down with ill disguised contempt as too many memories roared barely below the surface.
"Kneel down, brother!" Gabriel whisper-shouted to him, glaring at him out of the corner of his eye as he felt the tension rise in the room. "Where has your respect gone?!" Lucifer looked skyward – well even more skyward – and reluctantly got down on his knees, hearing his father's footsteps across the stone floor.
"Stand". It was the first time in millennia he had heard his Father's voice as it boomed across the room to them and the three got up, Lucifer brushing dust off his trouser legs as the other two stood to attention. The room fell into an uneasy silence but Lucifer was the first to speak.
"What has happened to Amenediel?" His question was direct. He was in no mood to be messing around.
"He has been put on trial" his Father replied far too matter-of-factly for his son, standing over them and clasping his hands together.
"On trial?" Lucifer asked, taking a step forward but Orifiel took hold of his elbow. He shook it off sharply and immediately.
"Yes" his Father responded. "Past tense. It has occurred already. You know full well he interfered with my plans, interfered and brought a soul that ought not to be back on earth. A soul that he had stolen from Hell thinking somehow it would cause your return to Hell. Thankfully, my Miracle reinstated the plan. His trial has been fair", his Father concluded in that way that all three brothers knew was the end of it; well two out of the three.
"A democracy now?" Lucifer responded, almost on the verge of laughter. "Like the fair trial you gave me? Before you threw me away?" Lucifer asked wringing a second attempt by Orifiel to take hold of his arm away from his brother's hold. He was trying to keep his voice as level as possible.
"You will not see him, Samael", his Father responded almost predicting what his son was about to say. He could see all three of his sons tense, all for differents reasons at the mention of the once mightly Amenediel.
Lucifer straightened his shoulders. He was not taking this. Despite their argument, when he would admit he could have caused Amenediel some harm, he was not taking this. "Why?"
His father cocked his head to one side and studied the three men before him. "You defy me? I already question that brother who took a message to earth for you and Amenediel". He heard a derisory snort from Lucifer. "So, you defy me? Is that it again?"
"Yes I do" Lucifer replied, taking a step closer before Gabriel could grab him this time. "He is your son just as I am and these two sycophants too" he exclaimed gesturing with a thumb behind him. "I know Raphie took a message for me and believe me Father, I am glad he did, so I challenge you here and now. Throw me back to earth, strip me of every power you ever gave me, I don't care! I wish to see my brother and go to my home where I have real family! Make me mortal and I will burn with rest of them when I die for defying you; again if I have to. I don't care!" He was almost in his father's face now. "I have few things I care about, but I have a nephew who happens to be the child of a very good, loyal, friend of mine, so let me see him!"
God laughed. "I know about Dr Martin and young Charlie", he started firmly. "I admit that he is somewhat of an anomaly but your brother's questionable decisions in becoming entangled with a human resulted in his birth and it altered matters somewhat".
"So is Chloe a questionable decision of mine?" Lucifer asked, hackles rising and yes, there he was, the fire brewing underneath his skin and this time, he had no intention of stopping it taking over. If his father wanted what he made his son, he would have it with every barrel he could offer.
"Of course not" his father replied, his voice dropping to a calmer level. He turned to his other two sons who were still standing to attention. "Gabriel, Orifiel, leave us be and do not wait or return".
The two archangels blinked. "Leave you, Father?" Gabriel offered, the surprise in his voice evident. "Are you sure of that?"
"Yes leave us" their father replied. "This is not your business. You have done your works in bringing Samael to me so you will leave now." So, with some hesitation, they left and once he was sure that his other two sons were out of earshot God gestured for Lucifer to sit down on a stiff backed chair by his desk. "Son", God began, seating too and lacing his fingers together. "Why do you think I called you here?"
"So you can take from me again?" Lucifer asked, smartly brushing an imaginary mark off his trousers as he crossed one leg over the other.
His father shook his head, sighing at this continued defiance. "No, Samael. I created the child, I had Amenediel bless the Deckers, out of love for you so she would be born for you and you alone" he began but Lucifer made a huffing sound. "If you do not wish to believe me, then you are free to do so, that is what you want isn't it? Free will?" He saw his son get up to leave. "Samael sit down and listen for a change". Reluctantly Lucifer did so. "My Miracle was placed on this earth for you son, I thought you already knew that?"
"I do", Lucifer replied.
"But you want to know why?" God asked.
"To 'redeem' me" he mocked. As much as he wanted to believe Chloe was put in his path for him, it was still too important that she was not manipulated, that she was free to make her own decisions. Sometimes her words were not enough.
"Yes" his father responded, before he sat back in his chair, a loud exhalation of air from his lungs. "Son, what happened between you and I...you were my most perfect son, my delight, the chief of all my angels, the most powerful being..."
"Besides you" Lucifer chipped in, sarcastically.
"That goes without saying" his father smiled, "but, Samael, understand this. You wanted to become your own God, your own version of me. All you wish for is to be praised..."
"I worshipped you Father!" Lucifer exclaimed, resisting a temptation to simply storm out. Yes, he did enjoy attention and yes, if he was speaking truthfully he did get a kick out of fulfilling all of those favours and the devotion he got from it too. "I tried to do everything for you to notice me and...and you...you rejected me. You put me in Hell in amongst all those repugnant humans..." He put his head in his hands, not realising his father was now standing up.
His father touched his shoulder and Lucifer flinched at the unexpected contact. "You have lived among those humans for a long time Samael. You have done things that I perhaps may not have been expected of you for years on years. You made good friends, saved a human life, saved my creation even though I have no absolutely intention of calling her to come home to me any time soon. How many times have you assisted Chloe in her endeavours to bring justice to the families of fallen innocent lives?" Lucifer just shook his head. The Detective didn't keep a body count and neither did he; he just enjoyed the chase and capture. "Do you not think I spot all those gestures that you do silently? A Trust for a child that is not your responsibility; someone else's daughter? You have shown me what you are capable of; shown me you can be better and it is now time, I think".
"So, Chloe is my reward for being a good boy?" Lucifer asked, an exhaustion suddenly creeping up on him that he had not felt quite before now. Time for what?
"No, Samael. She is not" God replied with a quiet laugh. "No human creation of mine can force you to do that and before you ask" he began, holding up a palm to stop any response, "there is nothing celestial about her". Well that answered one question that had actually been fairly far down the list, but his father carried on. "You have had to find this within yourself. You have seen the worst of yourself and the best of yourself and you chose to confront it to be better for her. I find the child simply assisted. She showed you the right path, but you were the one who chose to take it".
Lucifer sighed loudly. Had he? He looked up, swiping a palm over his tired eyes. "So, what now? Where do I go from here?" He didn't just mean home.
"What do you want, Samael?" his father asked. Now that was a trick question if ever there was one and Lucifer eyed him suspiciously. He had every material possession he could want and enough money for lifetimes over.
"A life on earth" the Devil replied quietly. With his new family. "No looking over my shoulder every five minutes wondering who or what was going to try and drag me back to Hell again".
"Any father wants the best for their son" his father continued, standing up and beginning to walk back and forth in the room, hands folded behind his back. "Occasionally it takes some time for that child to realise what they may not like, is actually in their own best interests and trust me, I have always acted in your best interests. I have conditions" he continued, interrupting his son's thoughts of a retort.
Lucifer rolled his eyes and sat up properly. "Of course..."
"Are you going listen to me?" God asked.
"Yes Father". Sometimes it was best to take the path of least resistance.
"Good. Now you will continue to rule Hell" God continued. Lucifer opened his mouth to speak but his father put his hand up to stop him. "Listen to me. You will be responsible for it and you will be omnipotent over it. I have already decided on a suitable punishment for your brothers long ago and it somewhat resolves issues for us both".
Lucifer's head snapped up. "So Amenediel's trial was a sham?" Lucifer paused as something struck him. "Brothers? Plural?" Then he realised. Michael. Of course.
"No, he was tried fairly, as was Michael for assisting the wife of Adam. I saw from her first what Hell is capable of; how evil infects and pollutes the spirit. I saw what evil is capable of Samael and it has brought to me first hand just how far you have come, how you have been released from its clutches; released from the clutches of your pride. You are not evil, my son".
"You just made me that way" he muttered in response, getting up and pacing too now.
"No, son" his father replied, spinning on his heels. "You were the strongest of my children. The one that I truly believed could bring order to the heathen and you are doing it. Evil had to be punished, but yes, there were...were aspects that I regret". Lucifer looked up at him confused. "It is simple son and my 'deal' for you if you will take it?" The Devil nodded for him to continue, curious and wary as to what he was about to say. "You will continue to rule Hell, but you have two brothers who must seek their own redemption now. Michael and Amenediel will be your guardians entirely under your command".
"What?" Another bloody 'test' then?! How he can wrangle his brothers?
"They will guard the demons and residents. They will guard Hell for you whilst you continue your works on Earth", God concluded. "Report to you and obey your decisions and wants". Lucifer was suddenly reminded of a conversation he had with Amendiel far too many years ago. This time Lucifer took no satisfaction in it. 'You're scared, aren't you? That if I don't go back to Hell, you're gonna have to take over'. His father breathed. "You will visit, but you are free to move as you wish. If in time..." his father continued, his plan thought out as to...
"What about when Chloe dies?" Lucifer interrupted. He would admit he had thought about that day and it terrified every cell in his body. His one wish, one day, would be that he, the Devil, could bring her to her Dad and perhaps now that could be possible even if it would break him into pieces to leave her. After meeting the man, yes, that was his wish.
"If you continue in this way that you are, Samael, you will be free to visit her here as you want to. But do not think I wish to call her soon. I have said that before and it remains the truth. My child will come home to me in due time. There will be no question over that", his father stated.
Lucifer bit his tongue. Chloe might have a few words to say about that prospect but no, he would bring her to her Dad. Underneath it all, it would be what she would want. "What will you do about Charlie?" The rebellion and his nephew's attempted kidnap were still at the forefront of his mind and what if the child was a half-angel?
"You will ensure his safety on earth before I call him to me. Amenediel will be free to see the child under your command but you are to be his guardian". Lucifer almost choked. Him? Guardian of a child? "You will teach him what you have learned".
"I am not his father", Lucifer replied bluntly.
"I know. You are his uncle but due to his own father's recalcitrance". His father looked at him. "It is my only deal, Samael. Do you take it?"
Lucifer sighed. He understood that Amenedial must repent. He had come so close to killing his brother for bringing Malcolm back and to some extent, he also understood his Father's fury at his own rebellion. "I will take it".
"Good, now I will call a Council of your brothers and tell them of my decision. After which, will you walk me with son?" God asked.
"Father..." Lucifer began. "I need to go back to Chloe. I have to go back home" he continued.
"I know you do son" his father responded, seeing something in his child's eyes he had not seem for such a long time. "In fact my child I will come with you. I wish to meet her at last". Lucifer made what could only be described as a choking noise and his father smiled. "Walk with me son. Stay for a while and walk with me. You will return in time once we have talked further." His father gestured towards another door; one Lucifer knew took them outside the building and son followed father out. "I will also retrieve that disc you stole from me too", he added quickly.
Sometime later, Lucifer found himself back in the quarters still feeling uneasy. It was too simple. Sitting on the couch, elbows on his knees, head in his hands, he needed to talk to someone who would be rational about it all. The good doctor for a start or...Chloe or... Lucifer paused. If he could seek out her Dad! He got up, stepping maybe two paces intent on finding John, when a violent stabbing pain shot through his head. He staggered back to the couch, landing down with a thud so unable to focus on anything but the searing hurt inside him.
"Hey Luce"
Chloe?
The pain in his head dissipated for a second. It was like old radio static as it settled, fizzling in his ears and causing his vision to blur. "... probably can't hear me. You never...me whether you acc...prayers...but...don't think this... a prayer. Might be...not be...don't..." she rambled but he smiled. Thank you Mazey. The Devil knew he could rely on his demon. Loyal until the end. He knew the disc would come in useful and he hoped she was using it wisely. A shock buzzed thorough his head again and he grimaced.
"Anyway second... lucky", she breathed. She'd tried before? Was that was she was saying – 'second time lucky?' "It's almost mid... in bed. And no Luce...some kind of...ex phone line..." He smiled; his heart racing with joy and want; want to just see her face. "Solved that Atkinson murder... Trix is doing okay...school. She needs to you back...history grades". He heard her sigh. "Works okay but I... sleep... for a week. I need you ba...Going to the lawyers on... to sign over every...you left. I am grateful. I... put my own pride aside and accept...want us to have... things so, thank you Luce. I love..."
Put my pride aside. Lucifer closed his eyes. "I love you too Detective".
There was silence 'on the line' and then a curious giggle. "...imagined you... you loved me too". She giggled again but it was stopped as she yawned. "Sorry Luce. I gotta sleep...late...try to do...try...tomorrow. Good... Luce."
"Goodnight Detective", he breathed, the ache in his head going almost as swiftly as it started. That giggle again when she thought she was imagining his voice. She would keep trying though. It made her feel better; gave her something to look forward to if she could just talk to thin air about her day.
That day rolled into another, and another and every day his father had called for him and they would walk. They would go on paths through verdant healthy gardens filled with thriving trees and plants. Buildings, some of which Lucifer recalled from days long past, stood strong and proud all around him but this was still not a place he truly felt he belonged. Not yet. He had not heard from Chloe since that crackly attempt at communication some days before but he had lost track. She was busy; she had her own life to lead after all. He couldn't expect to hear from her every day. He missed her; he missed Lux, the City of Angels...everyone and day after day he waiting for his Father's word. That was the first part of his 'test', he assumed. 'Testing' his patience. Lucifer was itching to go home but he knew he had to see his brother before he did so too; long before he took that particular trip. What if Amenediel was already in Hell? How would he explain that to the good doctor? He was pacing again up and down the sitting room of his quarters, hands twisting thinking of a way to find him quietly.
"Hey Prince of Darkness..."
Lucifer burst out laughing. "Oh! Hello Detective." No pain, no warning this time, just her sweet voice filtering through the ether into his head.
"Been to the lawyers... Trix to the lodge this week... Do you mind?"
"Not at all" he replied to himself, still unsure if she could hear. "It's yours to do with as you wish". This time her communication had not been preceded by that pain nor was it as interrupted, as crackly, as before but it was still not perfect. Had she been practising?
"Raphie showed me how to work this thing, properly. How to tune in to you but...know if its... I've been trying so..." Lucifer sat down ready to listen."He's not pleased I... but it's...late now!" He heard her sigh. "Anyway, you ...want to know how I am... honest, I don't know how I feel. It's nearly...weeks just so you know. It's Christmas in... Don't know how time works with you so, but there it is. Trix got an A in her history test...we erm...your library. Hope you don't mind".
"I don't". Any agitation he had felt had calmed just from her tones.
"Anyway, I gotta go, lunch... over. Dan.. me. He's just getting me...more cheesecake and I'm just think... all of this so don't know... it'll work. We're having firearms training... in Pasedena – they've stuck us in some old rat inf...motel on the edge of...so Maze has Trix - and we have to... back for half... to start again... tomorrow too. Miss you so much. We all do." With that she was gone.
Lucifer sighed. He was pleased he could 'speak' to her but she still didn't sound like her old self. All these little snippets of what she would say was her 'boring life' were like soul food to him. He had to find Amenediel quick sharp. A promise was a promise and in truth that fire he had felt towards him, over Malcolm, had dimmed. No, this was enough. He got up, straight out of the door and headed back to where he knew his brother's old quarters were. He would find Chloe's dad later.
Striding along the corridors, he saw no-one until ahead of him until he saw three, well he could suppose he would describe them as dressed like his father's 'staff' standing in a huddle. The second they saw him they scattered with whispers and looks. "Hmmm" Lucifer muttered to himself. "One supposes ones reputation precedes me". Not necessarily a bad thing around here. He continued for what seemed like miles, seeing few around him until he fell upon a familiar hallway.
In front of him was a door and some sixth sense told him Amenediel was behind it. Lucifer paused, looking around him for any other signs of life. He found none. A brief knock and the door opened.
"Luci..." Amenediel sounded wary, standing up and stepping back as Lucifer shot into the room and closed the door behind himself. The last time they had spoken it had resulted in that rather unpleasant incident where he found himself pinned by the neck to Chloe's front door. Was he in for the same treatment? He knew how powerful his brother was; powers which he had only shown a fraction of on earth and he was reticent to speak.
"What happened?" Lucifer asked, pacing towards a window where he looked down onto those gardens where he had walked with his Father in these days past. More and more people seemed to be milling about now; more than ever.
"He told you about the trial?" Amenediel asked, coming to stand by his brother's side. Lucifer nodded. "He found that I was guilty of, well, in effect, I suppose you would call it treason. I admitted it before the Council. I should never have brought Malcolm back...it was...Malcolm Graham was a psychopath. I know that. Now" Amenediel added quietly before they fell into an awkward silence giving each other sideways glances as they pretended there was not an elephant in the room.
"I forgive you" Lucifer announced all of a sudden as his sibling's head snapped around, not quite believing what he was hearing. "I am giving you my forgiveness brother. You have changed too. You took care of Charlotte, you want to take care of Charlie and, well, I have been there brother. In need of forgiveness from bloody who knows what..."
Amenediel breathed in, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I have, brother. I mocked you for your attachment to humans and my loyalty to Father was overshadowing what was unfolding in front of me. I regret that Luci, I do. Father has punished me and I must accept that". He could see the cogs whirring behind his brothers eyes. "What?"
"I think I have a way around it. A way around you having to guard Hell for me" Lucifer announced cautiously. Amenediel already knew his 'punishment' and would accept it with good grace in the hope he too could seek his father's redemption and not be cast out entirely. He had to see Charlie grow up. "Father's deal wasn't exactly..." Lucifer paused. "Not exactly defined as to the extent of my role; how I would make decisions whilst I am home on earth". His brother nodded not sure what to make of it. Talk of earth, talk of home and it made both brothers think.
"How is Chloe?" Amenediel asked and he saw a flicker of sadness on his brother's face. "It's not as though I last saw her on good terms and well, I wish to apologise to her again".
"She is..." He did not want to say she had been trying to communicate with him and in truth after that last night when she witnessed the fight, they had not spoken any further about it. "Well, she's the Detective, you know..." Lucifer shrugged.
Amenediel nodded realising he was not going to get much more out of his brother about Chloe right now. He probably missed her horribly; he certainly missed Linda and Charlie. He could not imagine how awful it must have been for her to witness his, well, how he left. "So this means you can go back? Live as you want?" Amenediel asked.
"On the surface yes" Lucifer replied.
"Do you not trust him?" his brother asked, knowing what the answer would be already.
"Do you?" Lucifer laughed when his brother shook his head. "Think of it this way. Father told me that you and Michael are completely under my command, right? You and I are not...well Michael, we are not...As I said I think I have a way that will satisfy us both". Lucifer paused. Neither brother's relationship with Michael was the very best and to honest if Luci had found a way around it then the mores the better. "Do you know what happened to Eve?" The question came out of Lucifer's mouth before he could stop it. In reality he just wanted her as far away as possible from him as he could. He could walk into her any day up here; either that or her husband and that might just ruin it all.
Amenediel shook his head. "She was tried and Father was seeking to expunge Hell from its hold her, but I know no more than that. I did ask but Father, he, well, no, he refused to tell me". He thought for a second. "Does he know you are here with me?"
"No", Lucifer replied, another question curious on his lips. "Are you... are you able to move freely here, brother?" Amenediel nodded watching two figures walk in the gardens below them. Gabriel and Orifiel, probably spying he thought. "Right then", Lucifer started, straightening his suit. "Let's go and see Father then".
Eight weeks it had been. It had been so long without word that Chloe was truly worried. Christmas and New Year had been and gone as had Raphael, apparently called back on business to his Father more often than not. It had been almost ten days since she had seen Lucifer's brother and it felt as though the whole household was slipping back into the mire.
The argument she had with Trix on the way to her Dad's yesterday was still on her mind; the one where her daughter had told her, shouted, that it was her Mom's fault that Lucifer was gone. The one where the young girl screamed how much she missed him and how if Chloe had just understood him more and loved him long ago then they could have been happy all this time. She could still feel the car door slam as the vehicle almost vibrated with her daughter's fury before she ran up the path to her Dad's arms. The one person who should love her all her life hated her. Those were the last words she heard and there had been no 'Goodnight Mom' text last night either and nothing this morning. That hatred that Chloe had for herself had started to spike through now; of her stupidity, of her fear, of how easily she had let herself be manipulated. How she wished she had given in to Lucifer Morningstar with the feelings she had almost from those first moments they had together.
Raphael had the disc now too – she had no choice but to give it back weeks ago- and Chloe had truly missed those few minutes here and there that she thought she might be speaking to him. The longer she went without those quiet 'chats', the more nervous she became. Everyone had noticed. She was snippy again, not sleeping and whilst she had kept her promise to Mother Nature that she would stop drinking and eat properly even if she had to force herself, Chloe knew she was slipping again. It had all been a little bit shit to be honest and last night just served to top it all off.
In work early, as was her want these days when Trix had been with Dan overnight, she had started to tackle a small mountain of paper work before the day really started. One coffee down and half way down the second, Chloe was making progress and in truth, she was using work as a distraction again. She had taken on other cases that probably increased her workload unnecessarily but anything to keep her mind off Lucifer. Last night, sitting in the car outside Dan's, her heart still racing from the argument, she just wanted to scream in frustration. She almost, almost came in work and pulled some overtime when her stomach grumbled for food and she remembered her promise to Lucifer's maybe-baby. She was going mad. Keeping promises to something that did not exist and never would.
Now this morning, the station was quiet and, thinking it far later than it actually was, somewhere she registered footsteps as they walked towards her desk. Just in the periphery of her vision she saw a takeaway coffee cup from her favourite place put down on her battered LA Dodgers coaster with its chewed edges that really needed replacing one of these days.
"Thanks Dan" Chloe said, not particularly paying attention but instead of moving away, the figure stayed and she briefly glanced up, her immediate thought being was that Trix had been giving Dan attitude too and he was about to vent.
"Do you know Detective", a rather familiar smooth British voice began, "one does rather take exception to being mistaken for your ex-husband..."
The fingertips that had been tapping on the keyboard stopped and Chloe blinked; a tension rising in her that was an alarming mix of fear, anxiety and joy. Tears sprung to her eyes as she looked up properly this time.
"Lucifer?!"