Thank you for the reviews! I don't own anything!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lucifer sighed heavily as Alastor appeared in shadows before him. "You know you don't always have to make such a scene out of yourself, Ali…"

"And the Devil hardly needs to hide, or at least one would think," Alastor replied snidely. As Lucifer threw back the remainder of his drink, the Radio Demon took in the room around him, eyes glinting at the extravagance of the cabaret's back room. A pang of jealousy shot through him at never having been told about it. He thought he and Mimzy were close but apparently being King still offered more perks.

"Alastor I really apologize but I'm afraid I don't have the time tonight. I'm sure you know I have an early morning-"

"Which is why I felt it so important to not waste time finding you," Alastor cut him off with a jovial fanfare. With a snap of his fingers, Lucifer's glass was suddenly full again. "Surely you want to know how things faired with the new guest before the big meeting tomorrow? I'll admit Lucy, I was surprised I had to come find YOU."

Lucifer grimaced. He knew he should have stayed home. "I believe I have a clear idea already." Alastor smiled blankly and resigned himself to sink more comfortably into his chair. "Charlie left a voicemail. Apparently your heart...as the humans say...grew three sizes since we last spoke. A little force for good now...are we?"

Alastor kept his smile but felt his eyes narrow. "I don't follow…"

"Well she tends to go on...I rarely can get through the whole thing...but something about you leaving the hotel and thinking her silly plot was going to-"

"I think it might," Alastor cut him off again. Softer this time. Something soft slipped into his features as well and the Devil laughed, not sure he'd ever found the demon funnier. Static began to fill the room, and Lucifer's laughter turned into a darker chuckle.

"Ali...you don't really think those uppity, feather-up-their-a-"

"Then why?" The static grew as Alastor felt himself grow more frustrated. "What was the point Lucy? Why bring my mother if not to help?"

The Devil gave an exasperated moan, throwing his head back. "For FUN Ali. Fun. Entertainment. To watch you squirm," he suddenly sat forward in his chair, eyes glinting, and it took everything in Alastor not to flinch. "I pegged you for a lot of things but never a hypocrite you know? We've been playing this chess game for centuries and I thought I'd found a worthy opponent. You would have done the same if we were reversed." He settled back into his chair, pouting. "You're a lot like me you know. I thought you'd appreciate me making things a bit more...interesting."

Alastor paused for a moment. Of course. It was all just a game. And one Lucifer felt the need to fight dirty. His smile spread wide, teeth glinting. "You really were getting scared...weren't you old friend?"

"Of course not," Lucifer said, his tone gaining an edge. "You're a play thing Alastor. Just a more capable toy."

"No no...you wanted to distract me," Alastor edged on, taking a step forward. "You're powerful...but you're limited by your position. Heavy is the head that wears the crown and all that, right? But I...well I have nothing to uphold and nothing to lose," his features began to distort. "And that makes me quite dangerous...doesn't it."

Lucifer smirked. "As I said, a worthy opponent. You can't beat me, but you have a tendency to make things much more difficult." He sipped his drink. "Like ruining my night so often."

Alastor's features returned to normal, his face lit up with excitement. "Let's make a deal."

Lucifer laughed. "A deal with the Devil? You ARE feeling particularly audacious tonight...aren't you?"

Alastor held out a glowing hand. "I want you to put in a good word with the angels. Even a half-hearted one. In exchange for…?" Alastor cocked an eye brow.

Lucifer threw back the drink and stood, mirroring Alastor's smirk. "You bind your soul to me. You can't leave this place, regardless of how her little plan works out?" Alastor looked surprised but Lucifer grabbed his hand before he could react, the brightening, light wrapping around their wrists like chains, wind swept through the room. Alastor tried to pull away but the devil held him in a vice grip. Lucifer's pupils narrowed like a snake and his voice came out in a hiss. "You ssssssure you want to do thissssss?"

Alastor bit his lip, unable to hide his fear. It wasn't too late...he could stop it but…

"Now you take that money and you buy groceries. No booze, no gambling," his mother said sternly, to a sheepish Husker as the young man slipped out the door with a nod..

Alastor looked at his mother in shock. "Mama," he exclaimed, not caring if Husker was far enough away to hear. "Mama why'd you go and do that. You KNOW he's just gonna put it right on a card table and you still need a new coat! He's gonna be gone for a month and then come back for more."

"Stop it Pigeon. It'll be fine and he might clean up his act this time."

"He's gonna bet it on a lame horse. And that's all your doing helping him again-"

"Alastor!" He shut his mouth but glared. "Alastor you gotta bet on people sometimes." Alastor mumbled something under his breath but all Katherine caught was the word "stupid". She sighed. "Listen...he's family. And sometimes you have to make sacrifices if it means you might help someone."

"It's a deal," he said with finality, gripping back. The light faded and the wind stopped. Lucifer gave him an appreciative nod.

"I've always liked you Alastor," he said slowly, raising an eyebrow. "Glad to know my playmate will be around." Alastor didn't respond, just stared at his hand. Lucifer chuckled and gave his shoulder a hard slap. "Now I do have an early morning. But this…" his eyes glinted. "This was fun!"

Alastor sat down in the chair Lucifer had occupied as the Lord of Hell vanished into thin air. He felt shaken. He hadn't thought he had wanted redemption, hadn't thought it possible but...now...now that all chance was gone….he felt a heaviness. But he had done the right thing. He had...right?

Rising to his feet and stumbling to the door he composed himself and put on a happy face before opening it and seeing...a deserted bar.

He cocked his head to the side in confusion. Where had everyone gone?

Katherine pulled the hood up over her head and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was almost completely shrouded in a black cloak. A...rip away...black cloak...Angel Dust apparently used for one of his dance acts. She tried not to think about that. He was quick to jump from his hiding spot and offer when they had discussed a disguise, not even pretending he hadn't been eavesdropping. Husker and Charlie were waiting at the door. Time to go get my boy, she thought to herself, solemnly. It was still strange. She didn't recognize him. She only had fleeting memories. But none of that mattered.

"Where do you think you're going?" They all turned to see Vaggie striding urgently toward them.

"We're going to go find-" Charlie started.

"You're not going ANYWHERE," Vaggie snapped. "Don't you know what night it is?!

They all looked at each other, confused. Vaggie pulled at her hair. "It's an extermination night! Am I the ONLY one who pays attention around here?!"

"Aw yeah. Was actually wonderin' why I didn't have any gentleman callers." Angel Dust smirked. "Glad it's not cuz they're tired of me."

"YOU knew and were going to let them go anyways?!"

Angel Dust gave a confused shrug. "They ain't gonna exterminate an honest to God angel."

Vaggie scowled and gestured hard at Charlie and Husker. He blinked and then laughed. "Oh yeah! Wasn't thinking."

Vaggie face palmed as Katherine looked around confused. "The exterminators? I suppose I don't actually understand how that works. Surely the Princess would be-"

"It's...pretty indiscriminately," Charlie said, sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Vaggie's right. But...But don't worry I promise we'll go find him in the morning. Maybe they'll let you come back? Or maybe he'll come back?" She offered helpfully but stopped in her tracks at the white glow that overtook Katherine's eyes.

"My BABY is out there." Something in her voice had changed. It sounded amplified and seemed to be coming from everywhere in the room at once.

"Kat?" Husker tried, but a faint glow began to emit from her.

"I'm going to find him," she started to fade back to normal but the look on her face left no room for argument.

"It might be ok? Alastor is probably safe, he can handle himself. I don't know how it works with...we've never had an angel here during…" Charlie tried, but Katherine had already breezed past her.