Groaning softly, Lucifer arose from his bed and reached for his black satin robe. Having spent a long, sleepless night as he worried about the Detective's safety, he contemplated the day before him with a mixture of irritation and consternation.
With his celestial metabolism, not having enough sleep was hardly a problem for the Devil. It wasn't unheard of for him to party for several days in a row if he had adequate company and plentiful opportunities for entertainment.
However, his concern for the Detective had weighed heavily on his shoulders, and he'd been unable to shake his feelings of disquietude and distress long enough to steal a few precious hours of slumber. Even given the knowledge that Amenadiel had kept watch over her apartment throughout the night, making sure that no intruders attempted to invade her sanctuary so as to cause her harm, it had been impossible to relax so he could some actual rest.
So now it was early morning in the City of Angels, and he was emotionally exhausted. As Lucifer stood on his balcony, rubbing his eyes as he looked over the sleepy urban landscape, he once again considered how attached he'd become to Chloe Decker. It was bloody ridiculous, of course, to become so enamored with a mortal woman, but there he was...it seemed as if his every thought was being consumed by her.
Perhaps Linda was right...maybe it would be better to make a clean break from the Detective...perhaps I should leave LA and head for the East Coast…the success of the play might afford me the chance to do that...
He laughed sardonically at the thought. As if there would be any way I could stay parted from her for more than a few days. I'd miss her terribly. Am I willing to do that to myself? To allow myself to feel that much pain?
And yet in the long run...one way or the other, I'll be parted from her eventually, and then we'll be apart forever! How will I ever be able to deal with that?
He shook his head as he lingered over that troubling thought. He'd never been one to think of his future in those terms, and he wasn't about to start now. He was very much a 'live in the moment' man, and he knew he couldn't change that aspect of his personality...at least not immediately. "It does no good to concern myself with that issue at this point in time. I just have to worry about keeping her safe today. That's all that matters. I'll worry about the future some other time..."
Glancing at his phone, he sighed in annoyance. It was 7 AM...much too early to accomplish anything of real importance. He didn't have to be at the theater until 4 o'clock that afternoon, so what was he to do with all his free time? He knew his lines...he knew his songs...he even knew the few dance steps required of him. What should he do with all of his pent up energy?
Finally he hit upon an idea. He'd just show up at the Detective's apartment and offer to treat her to breakfast. Surely she couldn't turn down the chance to have a free meal with a handsome man…
...unless she was already with a handsome man. What if she'd had company overnight? What if he'd be interrupting a tryst of some sort? It would be mortifying…
Unwilling to take that risk, Lucifer sighed softly. It would be more practical to focus on his plans for the upcoming evening. He was convinced that the person or persons behind the string of those so-called 'satanic' murders would want to strike again that evening as the musical had its premiere. It seemed obvious...to him, at least. Everything that had happened pointed to the show being the crux of some unknown issue for the perpetrators.
That revelation put him on edge. The Detective would be there in the audience this evening. He'd have to be quick witted and quick on his feet to protect her, but at least he'd know where she was that evening, and that allayed some of his fears.
After fighting against the urge to be overprotective...and to be nosy...for several minutes, he gave in and called his brother.
"What?," Amenadiel growled. "I'm busy, remember?"
"I was merely checking on your surveillance detail. I'm assuming things went according to plan last night?" Lucifer hesitated slightly. "No visitors...unwanted or otherwise?"
"Not a one." Knowing what his brother was getting at, Amenadiel chuckled. "So I'm sure you're just concerned about her safety, right? You wouldn't be jealous at all if she had a man staying with her overnight…"
The Devil stammered his denial, much to his brother's amusement. "Um, no...of course not! She's an adult and I'm sure she must desire companionship…but there wasn't anyone, was there?"
"Nope." Amenadiel paused briefly before continuing. "You know, Luci...you might want to tell her how you feel about her...it'd save you a lot of grief in the long run…"
Snorting in derision, Lucifer laughed sarcastically. "As if you're in any position to give me advice about women...but never mind...I won't embarrass you by bringing up the catastrophe that occurred with Maze. Will you be coming to the performance tonight, Brother?"
"I wouldn't miss the chance to see my little brother prancing around on stage." Laughing as he heard Lucifer's annoyed sputtering, Amenadiel quickly interrupted. "I gotta go. Talk to you tonight…bye..."
"Goodbye!" After glancing at the time, Lucifer tossed his phone aside, grunting in frustration. It was only 8 AM. What was he going to do to fill the rest of the morning?
Puffing out a sigh, he walked into his bedroom to dress for the day. Maybe some champagne cocktails will do the trick...a few mimosas and I'll be as good as Fred Astaire ever was...I'll be light on my feet with a song in my heart...the next Gene Kelly…
"Right." Laughing to himself as he walked into his closet, Lucifer pulled out his favorite black suit. "Broadway, here I come."
Oooooooooo
Preparations for the musical's premiere were in full swing later that day, with the cast and stage crew busying themselves with the various tasks involved in staging a live performance. Having had his makeup applied and his hair styled, Lucifer quickly dressed in his first act costume and then sat down at a piano backstage to begin his vocal warm up.
Singing scales was boring, so he began to croon Luck Be a Lady. "Ah yes...we might need some luck tonight…," he chuckled to himself. "I hope the critics are in a generous mood…"
His musings were interrupted as Claire bustled into the rehearsal area. "Mr. Morningstar...let me get another look at you…"
"Taking your new job seriously, I see." He gave her a coy smile as he stood up for her inspection, doing a quick pirouette so she could take in the view. "As the new wardrobe mistress, you must be incredibly busy, Ms Morgenstern…"
She nodded nervously as she inspected his costume. "There are so many details...I had no idea how much there was to do before a show gets on stage…" She reached up and tousled the Devil's dark hair. "You've got to look down on your luck...you know, really scruffy and discouraged...for the first act. I wonder if we should add some more dark makeup under your eyes to make you look haggard…"
He smirked at her with an indulgent air. "The makeup artist did her best, Darling." He gestured toward himself. "It's hard to make this body look bad…you simply can't ruin this perfection, no matter how much makeup is applied."
"Well...so try slouching…" Claire rolled her eyes as Lucifer tried in vain to look frumpy. "Okay...never mind. Just remember...you're a no good bum, okay? Maybe if you think of your character that way...you know...if you try some method acting...feel the part..."
He chuckled sarcastically. "So now you're the director as well? Really, Darling…one thing at a time...relax...take a deep breath..."
Claire was about to give her charge a sound scolding when she was interrupted.
"Lucifer?"
"Detective...I'm so glad you could make it." Brushing past Claire, the Devil took the Detective's hand. "Thank you for coming." He paused as he admired her short velvet dress. "You look stunning...that navy blue certainly enhances your eyes…" Embarrassed at being so obvious in his affections, he cleared his throat. "So…"
Blushing slightly, Chloe offered her thanks. "I was so surprised when the usher told me you'd left me a backstage pass…"
"I simply wanted you to get the full effect of the show, that's all." He smiled as he escorted her to a comfortable seat in the stage's wings. "From here you'll get to see everything...and the orchestra will sound so much better from this vantage point." And I'll know where you are at all times...
Pulling a small device out of his pocket, he handed it to her with a sheepish grin. "They've insisted on giving me a microphone, even though I can project well without one. Greg says he doesn't want me to strain my voice in case we decide to take the show on the road. It's somewhat annoying, but..."
Chloe was trying to concentrate on Lucifer's nattering, but she soon found she was distracted by how attractive he looked at the moment. Used to seeing him in one of his bespoke suits, she was caught off guard by how well his costume suited him. His normally well coiffed hair was laying in loose curls over his ears and against his forehead, framing his handsome face. The tattered jeans and well worn Guns n Roses tee shirt accentuated his tall lean build to perfection. His stage makeup enhanced his beautiful dark eyes while letting a few of his adorable freckles peek through. Even the heavy black frames of his prop glasses seemed to add to the air of sultry charm that exuded from him. Sighing softly, she nodded as she mumbled to herself. He looks so hot…
"...and then I have to make a quick change in the third act...it's amazing how drastically they can change my appearance and my costume in that short period of time." Suddenly aware of Chloe's inattention, Lucifer raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you alright, Detective?"
"What? Oh...yes, I'm fine. I was just admiring your costume." She smiled faintly as she looked out over the stage, listening as the orchestra's musicians began their warm up. After a few seconds, she shrugged. "Well, I guess this might be your big break, right? Your path to the big show on Broadway? Fame awaits and all that…"
"Yes, I suppose so. We'll see." He averted his gaze from her. "I should go...complete my preparations for the performance. Will I see you after the show?"
"Of course." She held out her hand to him. "Good luck...break a leg, okay?"
Taking her hand gently in his, he sighed softly. "Yes...thank you." Running his thumb tenderly across the back of her hand, he paused. "Detective...I just want to say…"
"Twenty minutes!" Greg came charging through the wings, followed by Ms. Leveau, who seemed to be sprinkling tons of silver glitter over every vacant surface "Twenty minutes! Let's go everybody…let's find our marks...deep breaths...this is not a drill...this is the real deal…"
"You'd better go." Chloe pinched her lips together as she tried to hide her sadness. "I'll see you later…"
"Right." After giving her a lingering look, Lucifer turned and walked away, leaving Chloe to feel all alone despite the crowd of people filling the wings of the stage.
Oooooooooo
A few minutes later, the theater's lights flickered before dimming, notifying the crowd that the show was about to begin. The audience gradually became silent as the conductor rapped his podium to get the musicians' attention. The musical's overture began to play as the curtain opened to act one.
The stage was set as a small, shabby apartment. Lucifer, playing the role of 'Tom', a down on his luck composer, sat at a dilapidated, out of tune upright piano, singing to himself as he made notes on a musical manuscript. "I've got to make this work…," he proclaimed to nobody in particular, using a passable American accent. "If I don't find a company to perform The Devil Calls the Tune soon, I'll have to give up on it all together." He sighed loudly. "I'll have to go back to being a bouncer at one of those horrid nightclubs in Weho…"
Grabbing his sheet music, 'Tom' began to dance around his tiny living room as he sang his first solo...about being a member of club security. "Gotta fiver? Gotta Ten? Do you think that's enough for me to let you in? Show me a twenty if you want a good time...cross my palm with silver or move to the end of the line..."
It was a silly song and dance routine, but the audience applauded Lucifer's efforts. At the end of the song, there was a knock at the door. Sauntering over, 'Tom' threw open the door. "George! What are you doing here? You've brought good news, I hope…"
Entering the room, the man perched gingerly on the edge of a worn chair. "Nope. I'm sorry, Tom, but it seems like no one I've talked to is interested in your musical. Maybe you should stick to writing popular songs, instead."
"Some agent you are!," 'Tom' roared. "You're supposed to be making this work…that's what I pay you for...lazy baboon..."
Insulted, the agent stood up and sang loudly, "Then give me something good to sell...a couple of love songs would be swell...if you work at it, you'll find something that might really gel...I'm tired of putting up with this poor broken down hell…you'll soon need to find a new place to dwell..."
"As my agent, you really smell…maybe it's time that I rang your bell...,you make me feel quite unwell..." 'Tom' sang in savage fury. "Get out of my place before I start to yell!" He pointed to the door. "I think it's time for you to bid farewell!"
"I think I need some better clientele! Good Riddance!" The agent left, slamming the door in time with the music on the way out.
Slumping into a chair, a discouraged 'Tom' sat with his arms crossed over his chest. "I can't give up my dream! I'd do anything to make it come true!"
There was a puff of white smoke accompanied by a loud harp arpeggio, and soon a beautiful redhead in a short black dress was walking across the apartment towards 'Tom'. "Did I hear you say you'd do anything to achieve your dream?"
Surprised by her sudden appearance, 'Tom' nodded. "Yeah...I meant it, too. That musical is my life's work...my masterpiece...and I can't get anyone to give it a second look. I have no idea how to get someone interested in it...my agent just quit..."
"I'm sure I can help…" Fiona smoothed her clingy dress over her hips. "...if you're willing to pay the price…"
"Name it." Giving the woman a lecherous look, 'Tom' rose from his chair and smiled at the redhead before inching closer to her. "And then maybe I can do something for you as well."
"Well, aren't you a cocky one?" She ran her hands over 'Tom's' shoulders. "Are you sure you're up to it? I am the Devil, after all…"
"I'm sure, Darling…I'll take us to Heaven..."
Doing a slight double take at the 'Devil's line of dialogue, Chloe stared at Fiona, wondering if the actress was trying to make a play for Lucifer. Surely not...she doesn't seem like his type...does she? And besides...it's just acting...it's just a coincidence that Lucifer says that all the time...
Meanwhile, 'Tom' and the 'Devil' were dancing to a tune called Waltz with Satan. As the music faded away, the 'Devil' produced a contract from the bodice of her dress. "Sign here…"
Squinting at the pages, 'Tom' shrugged. "What am I signing?"
"Nothing important. It just says that when you become famous for your musical, your soul becomes mine…" The Devil gave 'Tom' a radiant smile. "No big deal…"
"If you say so." Taking the pen he was offered, he quickly signed the bottom of a page. "Okay...let's dance…"
The two principal characters danced and sang a duet about their new arrangement as the curtain closed on the scene.
Oooooooooo
Act two opened with a slightly cleaned up version of 'Tom' working at the piano again, scribbling on a page as he sang. "One more song...one more note...one more verse...one more way I can avoid the curse of anonymity…"
As he continued to sing, a puff of smoke coincided with a harp arpeggio, and the 'Devil' had returned to his apartment. Wearing a sultry smile, she sat next to him on the piano bench. "I bring news.," she purred.
"What's that, darling? You have news? What is it? Quick...tell me!"
The leads sang a short duet before the 'Devil' laughed loudly. "I've sold your play! The first performance will be in six weeks…"
"Six weeks?!" 'Tom' was shocked. "How can they get it together so fast?"
"Let's just say they've had some 'inspiration'. You'd be surprised how many people have the same dream as you do...and so I simply put all of them to work on your show." Smiling broadly, the 'Devil' ran her fingers down the keyboard. "I can't wait to get your soul for myself…maybe I'll keep it in a jar on my dresser..."
Suddenly nervous, 'Tom' began to pace the living room. "Can we at least wait until we see the show before that happens? After all, it might not be a success…"
"Oh...it'll be successful. Watch." As the 'Devil' snapped her fingers, the stage went black for a few minutes. The audience murmured softly as the stagehands worked quickly in the dark.
As the lights came back up, the crowd applauded. The scene had been transformed into a red carpet event, complete with a limousine. The door to the car opened, and 'Tom', looking spectacular in his form fitting tuxedo, stepped out and offered his hand to the 'Devil'. Her gold lame' dress shimmered as she walked arm and arm with her latest conquest. "What do you think? You're famous!.
"How can that be? What happened? These people can't be this enthusiastic about my show already, can they? How could they have seen it? Just seconds ago, you said it'd be six weeks before it was ready to stage…"
"Time works differently in Hell, Darling." The redhead smiled as she waved to the assembled crowd. "They're all here, cheering for you. You're rich and famous because of the success of The Devil Calls the Tune. You're also going to win a Tony...so it's time to pay up. I want your soul...now..."
'Tom' sank to his knees and began to plead his case in song. "Give me time...I'll go with you someday soon, but give me time...please let enjoy this fame of mine...it's my time to shine...give me time…"
At that moment the stage went completely dark. "Who turned off the lights?," Fiona asked in a loud stage whisper. "This isn't in the script! Something's wrong. Did we have a power failure?"
Greg could be heard swearing loudly as he looked out over the restless crowd from the sound booth. "Who turned off the fucking lights? Son of a bitch...get those lights back on now, Brad!"
Turning to Fiona, Lucifer put a finger to his lips. "Shhh…" Waiting until his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he moved slowly and carefully towards the side of the stage where he'd seated Chloe. "Detective...are you alright?"
"Lucifer…" Her voice was strained and breathy. "...there's a big knife...pressed against...my throat…"
Clenching his fists, the Devil fought the urge to act in haste. He had to be cautious if he wanted to keep Chloe from being injured. "Alright, Detective...please remain calm. I'll be right there."
"Okay...but hurry…"
As the lights came back on, the Devil's eyes flashed red in anger for a few seconds as he saw Chloe's predicament.
"You!" Lucifer stood with his hands on his hips, shaking his head in frustration as he saw the culprits who were threatening the Detective.
"Sneuruch...you filthy demon! I should've known it was you!"
A/N: So who is Sneuruch? Come back next week to find out...