Hello everyone!

Finally, Chapter 5 is in da place! xD

Hope you enjoy it, see you at the end!

Chapter 5

"Before we start, here." Lucifer swiftly offered each of the four women a cup of coffee, smiling temptingly in the process. It was one of his favorite thing to watch and appreciate people's reactions to him. He never got bored of seeing his effect on humans. Ah, humans. They were, for the most part, quite predictable, but some of them were very interesting, especially his detective. He observed attentively Chloe's face as he handed her a cup, noting her shift in demeanor. She shifted her legs under the desk, all the while turning her upper body in his direction, betraying the conflict raging in her. A wolfish smile appeared on his lips. He knew she was finally, finally drawn to him sexually, but the responsible part of her still fought tooth and nail to keep her burning desire at bay.

He couldn't wait to see her carefully built up walls crumble around her at last. Things were progressing really well, quicker than he'd ever hoped for when he had asked her to come here. Always the surprising one.

Chloe Decker.

Just the thought of her would fill him with a familiar rush deep in his core. Five and a half years spent on Earth and he had felt bored out of his mind. He needed something else, thought maybe Los Angeles had offered everything it could and it was time to go somewhere else. Vegas seemed perfect. He had no intention of going back to Hell anyway. He had been in a dry spell, waiting for his deal to be approved, waiting for something to get him out of boredom and lassitude. Even his relationship with his faithful Maze had been growing harsh and distant, the demon mad at him for sticking up there when all she wanted to do was go back 'home'. Hell had never felt like home to him. Neither had Heaven. He had thought Earth could, but after a while he had somehow grown a bit tired of it.

And then he had met her.

He knew her already, obviously. Had enjoyed each and every one of her movies, especially Hot Tub High school. He was deeply aware now of how embarrassed she was by this 'project' of hers like she'd say, and it made him like it even more. Before meeting her, he would never have guessed how complex and unpredictable she was and could be. He still didn't quite understand why on Earth she was not sensible to his charms. It had made it so much better though. A little challenge for his own pleasure. Even now that they had finally kissed, he still didn't feel like he had reached his goal. He wasn't even sure of what his goal was, anyway. All he knew was that the last month spent in Vegas had been excruciatingly boring. After a while, he had finally figured out it was because she wasn't there with him.

What a weird realization it had been.

How could the Devil actually miss someone, a human nonetheless? He didn't even miss his family up in Heaven. Despised them, yes. Envied them, a little. But missed them, no. Not in a thousand years.

But the best part of it was, she had missed him as well.

He handed the next coffee to Ella Lopez. Another little mystery of a human, that one. There was something about her, he didn't quite get what exactly. Some sort of darkness behind all the joyful merry nonsense she was always showing off. She had tried to steal from him a couple of years back. Everyone knew you don't steal from the Devil – Maze was pretty keen on making humans understand that – but it hadn't stopped the little greasy monkey, had it? After his initial annoyance that someone would try to steal his precious Corvette, Lucifer had found her pretty interesting – especially her ability to cut deals with him, like he wasn't the one that invented deals in the first place – and he had decided to keep her around. So she had become his very own private mechanic and would not hesitate to boss him around if he didn't behave appropriately with his car. He enjoyed the woman's straightforwardness, her bargaining skills, and her never ending knowledge about cars. He had slept with her a couple of times before she had decided to end things there, but to his surprise, even after that she had still tolerated him around. Most people he slept with were in for a night or two of the best sex they ever had, and then they would move on. He understood it perfectly, but was grateful it hadn't been the case with Miss Lopez. He enjoyed her company, even without sex involved, which had been a first, really. Looking back, maybe she had been the very first closest thing to a friend he ever had.

He was connecting more and more easily with humans lately. To Maze's great displeasure.

One very good example was Candy Fletcher. Lucifer handed her the third coffee and she smiled thankfully at him. He had met her a couple of weeks back. He had been in a very dark place then. Couldn't quite put words on what he was – ew – feeling. She had helped him realize he missed Chloe and his life back in LA. Before that though, she too had stolen something from him. So it seemed like he could only make friends with thieves, apparently. He remembered all too well how amused he had been when he had confronted her about it and she had tried to put an act on him before realizing he wouldn't buy any of it. She had told him about her problems with that loan shark and, after a strikingly unusual night of talking and confiding, they had come up with an arrangement. In exchange of her time and, well, consult about the emotional stuff he was dealing with, he would pay off that loan shark. He thought this plan was perfect but it had taken a while to convince her. Still, they were quite similar, he and her, and she had finally caved.

Meeting Chloe's friend the night before had made him realize what he had been looking for in Candy was actually a therapist. To help with an existential dilemma or two, one might say. It would have been uppish of him to say he didn't have any. Especially nowadays. "Here you go, Darling." He winked at Linda and watched as the blond woman's cheeks turned a beautiful shade of burgundy. Under other circumstances, he would have probably pursued her, but he knew that Chloe would not appreciate it at all and he was willing to accommodate her. He was not ashamed to admit he would do anything to please this woman. And, despite Maze's constant attempts to convince him this was bad, he himself was fascinated by the power she held over him. Especially since she seemed to have no idea it was the case.

Speaking of the him, he heard Chloe clear her throat in an attempt to maybe draw his attention away from her friend and he turned to her with a wolfish wink. He particularly enjoyed seeing her jealous, as she seemed to be quite embarrassed about it. It was new, too. It would send pleasant shivers down his spine and the beast inside would growl in expectancy of what that meant. She wanted him for herself and herself only, and he would very gladly comply with that little desire of hers.

"Okay guys, quick thing before we start," Ella said, bringing Lucifer back to reality. "I am not really supposed to be here, I'm sort of, banned from Casinos in Vegas, well, in the whole state of Nevada actually, so… yeah."

"What do you mean, why?" Chloe asked, curiosity transpiring in her voice. The two women had connected in a surprising way, Lucifer thought. Ella had said when they first met that Bonnie Gennaro had inspired her to live the life she lived, which was, stealing cars and selling them for parts on the Black market, but after a few chats with the detective, she had somehow started taking evening science classes. She had told Lucifer that Chloe had brought the best out of her – and that she might have been doing the same with him. He had dismissed the preposterous idea of course, but every once in a while, it would come back and haunt him, alongside Maze's admonitions and Amenadiel's warnings.

"Well, I'm not sure I should tell you about that," Ella pondered, nodding to the future detective, "but I kinda count cards and, well, you see where this is going."

"You're just full of surprises, aren't you my little Rainman?" Lucifer teased and the woman stared blankly at him. "All righty then, I didn't ask you to come here for that anyway!" He brought out of his inner pocket a handkerchief and handed it to Ella. "I asked you here to dig out those new forensic science skills of yours and help us with this little bugger."

"What's this, a bullet?" The woman asked, squinting at the little piece of metal between her fingers.

"Yes, that's the bullet that shot me last night." Lucifer nodded matter-of-factly.

"What the Hell, you go shot last night?!"

"What?! So you were the one who had it this whole time? When did you grab it?!" Chloe exclaimed at the same time.

Lucifer considered her for a second, surprised to see she had jumped out of her seat to take a look at the bullet in Ella's hand. She was now staring angrily at him, hands on her hips, and he raised his eyebrows at her, unsure of what he had done to deserve her wrath. "Well, Detective, I am positive you will not like the answer I can give you."

"Shoot."

Lucifer narrowed his eyes at her, then sighed. "Well I prayed for my brother Amenadiel, he flew in and slowed time in the process, and I grabbed the bullet right before the medics wheeled me away." he said calmly, eyeing her reaction. Just like he expected she just rolled her eyes and looked away. "See, told you you wouldn't like it."

She sighed then turned to Linda. "Hey, that reminds me, what happened between you guys last night? You left the restaurant before us."

Lucifer looked to the blond woman as she nervously giggled. "Ah, yes, do tell us please," he nodded inquisitively. "Has my brother finally decided to meddle with humans like I told him to months ago?"

"Ignore him," Chloe said, slapping him in the chest to shut him up. He looked down at her in surprise and she glared at him before focusing back on Linda. He kept looking at her, so very close to him he could smell the delicious fragrance of her skin and hair. He really would have just ravished her here and there, but he knew she wouldn't like that so he refrained himself. Ah, the things he did for her. He really was becoming a pet Devil, Maze was probably right.

"Well we went out and spoke for a little while," Linda answered sheepishly, "But after a moment he said he had to leave so I came back here and found you guys." She gestured to Candy and Chloe. "I fail to see the relevance here, though."

"I was just curious," Chloe admitted with a little laugh. Linda stared at her in disbelief before letting out a smirk. "Anyway, back to you." The Detective pointed to Lucifer's chest and he happily leaned into her, trying to meet her gaze but she very obviously avoided it. "I don't know how but you have the bullet so that's going to help us find out if the two shooters are the same person or not. We just have to go to Fletcher's backroom to find the ones the shooter left behind when he shot at you, Candy."

"Okay, I know I'm pretty smart and all but if someone could fill me in that'd be great." Ella said candidly, sipping her coffee for good measure. Chloe apologized and quickly explained what had happened. "Great. Now I get it. Although I must admit I don't get how you can look so damn good even after getting shot." She was pointing to Lucifer and he just shrugged.

Then he met Chloe's gaze and the uncertainty he saw in it prompted him to say: "Not important really, you know I always look good Miss Lopez, don't I?" He punctuated his sentence with one of his devastating smile that had no effect on the woman apart from her rolling her eyes. "Anyway, Detective, what's the plan?"

"Well," Chloe began, looking pensively at him, "I know you are not going to like this, but I really think it would be best if Candy and you lay low while Ella, Linda and I try to figure out who's after you –"

"I can't speak on anyone's behalf but my own but I can assure you there's no way this is happening." Lucifer retorted immediately, and by the look on her face she had guessed he would say that. "You're stuck with me, dear Detective. Besides, we both know how good of a team you and I are."

"Yeah, okay, whatever." She mumbled, avoiding his gaze again. "We thought of a few things since yesterday, we need to go to Fletcher's to see if the bullets match, and possibly check the security footage to see if we can identify the shooter. Candy also thought of someone who might have a grief with you two…"

"Louie Pagliani." Candy finished off, biting her lower lip.

"I thought I had dealt with that stench of a human." Lucifer growled, frowning.

"Well we think he might be after your money, since you paid Candy's debt off but with Lux's grand opening he might have realized you could pay more…"

"So what, threatening her and expecting me to pay? That is preposterous. I really don't get you humans and your precious money." He was feeling anger rising inside his chest and focused on clenching his fists to prevent his eyes from flashing red. If their speculations were indeed true, then the man was clearly the one that had to be punished. He would gladly provide said punishment. Nobody threatened the Devil.

"Hey, it's okay," Chloe said quietly, putting a gentle hand on his arm. He looked up at her in surprise, meeting her deep blue eyes. They were filled with kindness and support and he wondered if she would still look at him that way if she really knew him. His anger faded away, replaced by a certain bitterness. He had no idea how to deal with this. He wanted her to know, wanted her to see, wanted to be completely honest with her, but some part of him realized it would change everything between them and he hated that idea. "We're going to figure this out, don't worry." she assured him with a gentle smile.

"If Pagliani is after your money Lucifer, then there's one thing he's going to need," Candy started, and as she did, Ella suddenly clapped her own forehead with her palm.

"The pocket deed for the club!" she exclaimed, "Whoever possesses the deed owns the club."

"Exactly." agreed Candy, "It's back at my place, if it is indeed missing, then we can be sure that the person behind all this is after Fletcher's."

"And if it's still there, maybe we can lure the suspect with it," Chloe added. "Great, then it's a plan. I still think it would be best if you two stay here…"

"I can have Maze bodyguard Candy while she goes home," Lucifer interjected. "Miss Lopez and the Doctor can go to Fletcher's, and you and I, Detective, can go punish Louie Pagliani."

"We are not 'punishing' him without proof, Lucifer."

"Why not?!"

The Detective sighed really loudly, finally staring right into his eyes. "Because that's not how it's supposed to work! Besides, I need to go to Fletcher's too, to see if I can ID the shooter on the security footage."

"Well I saw him as well, I could identify him, I'm coming with you."

"Whatever…" She turned her gaze away, seemingly irritated, and Lucifer wondered again what he was doing that annoyed her that much. He opened his mouth to ask her but was cut by Linda.

"I think I should probably stay here with Candy." she said quietly, eyeing said Candy. Lucifer wondered if a silent discussion had happened between the two women because suddenly Candy seemed a little relieved. He never really understood the humans' fear of Mazikeen. She really was just a mama bear.

"Alright, you can call Maze then," Chloe said to Lucifer without looking at him. "Then we can go, let's take your car, Lucifer."

"I'm driving!" Ella exclaimed, rushing out of the room with a noisy goodbye to Linda and Candy. Lucifer let out an amused laugh before meeting the Detective pensive gaze. He quickly sent a text to Maze, to which she immediately replied with a bunch of angry and rude emojis saying she was on her way.

"She should be here any minute," he told Candy and the doctor with a charming smile. "I'll see you soon, ladies. Don't worry I leave you in good hands with Mazikeen. She can be rough but she's a good demon, rest assured."

"Great, now let's go." Chloe said, grabbing his arm to lead him out. He followed her, quite surprised at her behavior again. "You've really gotta stop doing this, it's embarrassing." She said as the door closed behind them. She was glaring at him, clearly very much annoyed.

He suddenly felt like a glacial arrow had pierced through his heart. "Excuse me?"

She must have seen the hurt in his face because her annoyance immediately vanished and she looked at him with sad eyes. "Oh no, Lucifer I'm sorry, I didn't mean to… I'm so sorry I didn't mean to hurt you, it's just… well you're really obvious and that's…"

"Annoying?" he snapped, jaws clenching. "Am I pissing you off, Detective?"

"No, no you're not, no I… Oh crap, Lucifer I'm sorry, it's just, you were so adamant to stick with me in front of everyone and it's all so very new to me I'm…"

She was the only one who could do that to him. Shatter his heart in a million pieces. She had done it once before, although it had not been on purpose of course, she was the kindest, purest being he'd ever encountered. Who was he to believe he, the Devil, deserved someone like her? "You don't want to be with me." he said quietly, overwhelmed by the feelings erupting inside his chest. He couldn't put words on them, he didn't even know what they were, but all he wanted to do was escape the growing pain in his heart.

But her beautiful face suddenly contorted in such a sad expression he caught his breath. She reached for his hand and pressed it gently in hers, her eyes shining with tears. "Oh Lucifer… I do, I do want to be with you."

"Then what is it?"

"It's just…" she stopped, looking for her words, and Lucifer observed her very closely, wishing he could read her mind. "When it's just you and me it's easy, but around other people I… I don't know how to act, I guess."

"I don't care about other people." he told her seriously, and a small smile lightened her features.

"I know," she whispered with a chuckle, moving closer to him. "I know you don't." She looked up, and to his great surprise, she kissed him. He still had no idea what had just happened, but thought to himself he had managed to solve the issue if she was willing to kiss him. He kissed her back gently, amazed at how soft and warm her lips were against his. If he could have spent eternity kissing her, he would have, without a doubt. Hell, his personal Hell loop would probably be getting interrupted right before their lips touched, over and over and over again. His heart dropped in his chest at the thought, but he refused to spoil the moment and deepened their kiss, elated by the feeling of her body against his.

He had not idea how much time had passed when she broke off the kiss, and it must have shown on his face because she smiled so fondly at him he felt his heart jumped in his chest. That little organ of his never seemed to behave properly when she was around. He tried to kiss her again but she dodged his lips with a chuckle.

"We should go, Ella is waiting for us." she smirked at him.

"Oh alright then," he mumbled, following her to the Corvette where Miss Lopez was, indeed, getting impatient. "But when all this is over, I am not letting anyone interrupt us again, that I can promise you." As they reached for the car, he could have sworn she shivered at his words, which brought a big satisfied smile on his face.

Okay, so how did you like it? :D It wasn't easy at first, writing in Lucifer's POV, but after a while it got easier and easier, and I'm pretty happy with the result :) Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! :D

Thanks to my anonymous reviewers Feedback is always a nice thing

Don't know when the next chapter will be posted, by the way, I'm thinking about a little part with some Maze's or Linda's POV, would you like that? (and maybe Ella as well at some point)