.
"She's Got You High" - Mumm-ra
.
Some have probably headed over to AO3 and read this chapter… but I wanted to switch up the layout. For AO3 it's being broken up into two parts. For FF I wanted to keep it going in one collection. Hence why this chapter will be formatted differently. And be a two parter
More description of what's going on between the characters over the next five days. It was something I wanted to do but was too tempted into continuing the series before pushing into part 2.
Enjoy!
.
Saturday 3:15 a.m.
Michael: I had a nice time tonight :)
Ella: I had a nice time as well :)
Michael: Oh! This is Michael, by the way
Ella: I knew it was you silly ha
Michael: You never know. Could have been a rando
Ella: very true!
Michael: Have you arrived safely at your home?
Ella: I have :)
Michael: That's good. Thank you for tonight, I had a lot of fun
Ella: No thank you :). You're quite the charmer you know?
I think I'll keep you around
Michael: Is that so?
Ella: Yup ha
Michael: Then I can't wait for our next date :)
Ella: My choice, correct?
Michael: Indeed. Anything but a rat funeral please ha
Ella: Darn… Completely ruined my plans haha
Michael: Ha!
Ella: I'll think of something. Too tired to think at the moment
Michael: I best be letting you get some rest
Ella: As much as I'd love to keep texting you…
I should get some rest. I can barely keep my eyes open
Michael: Get some rest, it's late.
Ella: Will do. Good nite Michael :)
Michael: Good night Ella :)
. _
Saturday 10:55 a.m
Ella woke up to a beam of light on her face and a round of curse words muffled from the other side of her bedroom wall. She threw the pillow over her head trying to get another few minutes of sleep.
Her neighbors were at it again.
A thud came next, it was loud enough to finally get her up.
She pushed the pillow off her head and gave her body a moment to stretch out onto the bed. Her hand moved around the sheets looking for her phone. The last thing she remembered doing was sending a text to Michael and falling asleep.
It was under her back when she found it. She lifted herself up and looked at the time. It was ten fifty-nine.
She groaned.
"It's not even noon!" She yelled out loud. It was more for her neighbors than herself.
She rolled onto her back and looked through her phone.
Her mother had sent a few messages explaining that she should come over for Christmas. She shook her head, her mother already knew she'd be heading over. She checked all her social media accounts. She smiled once she found out she posted a picture with Michael.
The two were cheek to cheek smiling into the camera. She hadn't expected the line of comments and likes from her family and friends.
"Michael, Michael, Michael…" She smiled just saying his name.
She closed out of instagram and rolled out of bed. She wished she could sleep in more, but the yelling on the other side of the wall was just too much to ignore.
Ella got up from her bed and made her way into the bathroom. She needed to brush her teeth and shower. She could feel the coat of sweat she made last night. She went ahead and started the shower and took care of that.
When she got out, she looked over her phone and realized she had a dm from an old friend. That surprised her. She opened up the message and looked at what she had to say.
Who's Mr. Handsome? I never known you to post one night stands
Ella rolled her eyes. It was always like this with Alejandra. She would pop into her life and demand information on the men in her life.
She went ahead and deleted the message. She didn't have to respond back to her. She left her life in Chicago behind, she didn't owe anyone insight on her new life.
Ella took another second to look at the picture between her and Michael. She couldn't remember taking the photo, let alone uploading it. It was a nice picture. People had nice things to say.
She went ahead and opened up the text message between her and Michael. His name had yet to be saved. So she went ahead and corrected that. She made sure to add an emoji after his name, a smiley face with three hearts around it.
. _
Michael was currently making lunch for him and Chloe. The Detective was laying on the couch in the living room with an ice pack on her head. The amount of alcohol she consumed was still hanging over into the afternoon.
Michael smiled as he listened to Chloe moan about. He had warned her to drink more water.
He was just finishing up their burgers when his phone went off. With one hand on the plate and the other reaching into his pocket, Michael successfully checked who messaged him.
His face lit up at the sight of Ella's name.
"I know that smile," Chloe called out. She removed the rag from her forehead and looked over at Michael. "You got a message from Ella didn't you?"
Michael set the plate down on the glass table in the living room. He didn't bother answering Chloe. He turned away and read over his text.
So I've been thinking of date ideas…
Michael smiled into his phone and typed out a quick answer to hide his eagerness.
Yes?
Within seconds he received another message.
How good is your swinging arm? She wrote.
Michael shook his head at the weird choice of words. He could feel Chloe behind his back trying to read the message between him and Ella.
"Oi! Get back to your seat. This is a private conversation," he joked. Chloe gave him a smile before doing what she was told.
"It is Ella isn't it? What does she want?"
"No sure…" He went head and typed out another question. He wasn't sure where this conversation was going.
Haha what? He wrote.
. _
Ella: How good is your swing?
Michael: Are we talking baseball or ?
Ella: What's the ? for :o
Michael: Idk haha.
Ella: You know you just won't tell me
Michael: Maybe … ha. Come on tell me
Ella: No! It'd ruin the surprise!
Michael: Alright, alright. My throw is fair.
Ella: I can work with that. Thank you :)
Michael: Glad I could help!
. _
Michael set his phone down as he sat across from Chloe. She took a minute to study Michael's smile. The man was smitten.
She went ahead and kicked his foot gently to get his attention. He looked up at her with a frown.
"You had fun last night?" she asked.
"I did…" he tried to hide a smile, but failed.
"When are you going to see her again?"
Michael took a deep breath and gave up any attempt at eating his food at the moment. He knew Chloe wasn't going to give up until she got everything out of him.
"I'm not sure yet. She's actually planning our next date as we speak."
"That's nice!" Chloe plopped down on the floor and got comfortable on the rug. "Do you know what you two are doing?"
"It's a surprise." Chloe smiled as she watched Michael look at his phone. He was waiting for a text message.
Chloe grabbed a fry off her plate and put it into her mouth.
"Mmm, you know an Ella surprise could be anything."
"Indeed," he let out a chuckle. "We talked a little about her previous dates with other guys."
Chloe made a face. She knew all too well about the awful dates Ella had been on in the past. She couldn't understand how people could date nowadays. She didn't understand the dating game anymore. It was times like this she was glad she had something with Lucifer.
At least she hoped she would.
"I'm actually quite excited, I've never been on a date before." He followed Chloe's example and plopped onto the floor to enjoy the rug.
The two talked amongst themselves until it was time for Chloe to head back to her apartment.
. _
Sunday 2:45 p.m
Michael: May I know the dress code for our date?
Ella: Mmm… casual.
Michael: Casual?
Ella: Yes ha
Michael: Like parties or batting cages casual?
Ella: Batting cages?
Michael: Yeah like athletic wear. You asked about my throw...
Ella: Ooo! I'm on to you Mister! Nice try!
Michael: Lol, I didn't even do anything.
Ella: Batting cages Michael?
Michael: What? Haha.
Ella: Mhm
Michael: Alright, you caught me.
So help, I need to know the dress code
Ella: Casual
Michael: I don't know the meaning of the word
Ella: … Somehow I believe that.
Sigh. Fine
Michael: :) Casual as in?
Ella: Jeans. That's as much as you'll get!
Michael: I've never played baseball but I'm a fast learner! :)
Ella: Love the enthusiasm! But it's not baseball ha
Michael: So you've explained but then why would you bring in my swinging arm.
Ella: Ooo… got me there ha
Michael: So baseball? ;)
Ella: It's not baseball Michael ha
Michael: Alright haha.
Ella: I gotta get back to work :(
Michael: Oh you're working?
It's Sunday…
Ella: Yeah… Putting things into the system
Michael: Oh. Sorry for distracting you!
Say Hi to Dan for me :)
Ella: I will! Have a nice day Michael :)
Michael: Have a nice day Ella :)
. _
7:27 p.m
Michael: Would you like to get dinner with me tonight?
Ella: [ … bubble]
(Read)
Michael: My treat :)
. _
Michael waited for another hour before he gave up. He set his phone down on the desk and looked over the pile of books stacked in front of him. He'd gone over them at least three times already. Chloe had helped as best as she could with her Google translate, but he knew he couldn't trust her method. Michael shook his head, technology.
The sound of the elevator door pulled him from his thoughts. He watched as Maze came walking into the room. She had a bag in her hands. Most likely held food inside. No doubt she was here because Chloe was concerned about him and messaged the demon to come check in on him.
When Maze couldn't find him she resorted to tossing the bag onto the piano and pulling her phone out of her bra. Before she could call him, Michael stood up from behind the books and made his presence known.
"Yes Mazikeen?"
"Brought you dinner," her eyes went straight to the food on the piano.
"I'm fine, but thank you." He placed a bookmark in the most recent book he was going through. Once the page marked he went ahead and closed it. "Have you eaten? If not, you're free to eat whatever Chloe had you bring me."
"Chloe didn't send me. Geoff told me he hasn't seen you downstairs since friday… what's got you locked up here with all these books?"
Michael cut the music and came out from from behind the desk. He walked over towards Maze and examined the food she had to offer him. It wasn't common for Maze to worry about him. He took the bag and pulled out the contents inside.
Maze walked over so she was on the other side of him. She made sure to observe his every facial expression. She knew all too well he was hiding something.
"I heard that you couldn't locate the stone… Give me by Wednesday and I'll have it in my possession."
Michael pulled out the styrofoam box and set it on the piano top. He went ahead and opened the box to reveal tacos from the food truck down the street. He let a smile spread across his face. He went ahead and grabbed one out of the box and took a bite.
"Did you hear me?" she asked. Michael held his index finger up signaling for her let him chew his food. He went ahead and swallowed before answering her.
"I did and I don't need your assistance with the stone anymore. I recently found out my mother had it in her possession and I'm assuming she took it with her." He stuffed his mouth with the remaining taco. He walked away with the box and walked over to the couch.
Maze followed Michael over and sat on the glass table across from him.
"What was so important about the stone anyways?" she took the box out of his hands and grabbed one of the three tacos left.
Michael reclined back into the couch and stared off to the side. He moved his jaw back forth trying to hold back any frustration that dared surface. When he didn't answer him, Maze tossed the box onto his lap. He looked back over to her and picked at the meat.
"The stone was able to hone onto any celestials on Earth, demons and angels alike."
"Falls into the wrong hands, bad news. Your mom has it now so what, why does it look like someone kicked your puppy?"
Michael looked up from the box and stared right at Maze.
"Because I needed it to find someone…"
He kept the knowledge of his children a mystery. There were too many people that knew. It was safer this way, the fewer people that know the better.
"Who?" Maze asked, curious.
"Does the name Gaudium ring any bells?"
"The litter cherub?" she let out a chuckle. "You want the cherub? What can he do for you?"
"My business." Maze lifted her eyebrow looking for an explanation. Michael sighed. "He's able to jump dimensions at will, I'll need it when Lucifer gives me Sandalphon."
"How do you even know Gaudium is on Earth?"
"Had a little chat with Cain when I visited Hell. He informed me that he had documentation on all celestial and demonic beings on Earth. Found out Gaudium has been living out his time on Earth since the forties."
"Need help tracking him?"
Michael tilted his head off to the side confused as to why Maze was being so nice to him. He narrowed his eyes trying to see past her kindness.
Maze lifted her arms up to show she wasn't a threat.
"I just want to help. The job was to find the stone, you paid me to find it and we never did... Plus," she shrugged her shoulders, "you're my friend. You treat me better than Lucifer. Take it as it is, I'm willing to help."
Michael nodded his head. He let his hand tap her knee.
"Thank you, I could use the help."
"Is that what all the books are for?" She pointed over to the desk. The tower of books was at least two feet high.
Micheal nodded his head, "yeah… they aren't very helpful. I lost his tracks in the early forties."
"Early forties?" She asked. "I can work with that. Is there a deadline I need to work by?"
"End of next month."
"Is that when Lucifer is coming back?"
Michael nodded his head.
"I can work with that. Should be an interesting hunt." She stood up and flashed Michael a smile. "I haven't seen the little guy since Ariel let all those wolves out of the dungeon."
Maze went ahead and grabbed the taco box from the side of Michael. She plucked a one out and handed it to Michael. He took it out of her hands and had himself a bite.
"You really didn't have to come over and check in on me."
Maze shrugged her shoulders, "what are friends for?"
"Look at us. A demon and an angel, friends," he smiled and cheered his taco up to Maze. "I'm glad I have you by my side Mazikeen."
"Pull back on the sentiment or I'll take it back."
Michael let out a chuckle while shaking his head.
"Come here," he patted the seat down besides him. "Let's enjoy the meal you've graciously brought over."
Maze shoved his shoulder before sitting besides Michael.
. _
Monday 6:34 a.m
Ella: Sorry for not getting back to you! Got home and crashed!
Omg Michael I'm so sorry!
Michael: [ … bubble]
(Read)
Ella: Understandable… It's early!
Just know I would have totally gone out with you
. _
3:45 p.m
Michael: Haha good to know
I'm not mad, it was just too early to text
Ella: Oh thank God!
I'm so so sorry!
Michael: You're good :)
Ella: I really am sorry Michael
Michael: I know you are. It's fine, really
Ella: I'll make it up to you, I promise :)
Michael: Oh you don't have to
Ella: I want to :)
Not tonight! But I'll make it up
Michael: Haha if you say so
Ella: I gotta get back to work
But! Text me at 7 ?
Michael: Sounds good. Have a nice day
. _
"So you and Michael," Chloe called out from the entrance of Ella's workspace. She was propped up against the door frame looking into Ella's workspace. Ella stopped what she was doing and gave Chloe a nervous chuckle.
"Whaaaat? What you talkin' about loca?" She corrected her glasses while she fidgeted with the paper in front of her.
"You know Michael and I are pretty close, right? He's been talking to me about this date you're planning." She pushed herself off the frame and entered the room. "He's pretty keen on the idea that it's a baseball game." Chloe shook her head.
"It's not a baseball game," Ella let out a chuckle. "I asked him a question on how good his swing was because we're going bowling." Chloe lifted her eyebrow. "Oh come on, bowling is fun. It's a nice competitive sport that has great food. Also calls for touching…" she leaned in and nudged Chloe's shoulder, "if you know what I mean."
"Look at you... Have you and Michael?" Chloe nudged at the idea of the two of them having slept together. She didn't care; she was just curious. Ella turned away and shook her head.
"No…" She turned back around after putting her folders away, "but that's okay! I sometimes move fast with men. When we hung out Friday night I was so down to go upstairs and sleep with him, but… I don't know. Michael and I got to talking and I forgot all about wanting to jump his bones."
Chloe let out a soft chuckle. She pulled up a chair and sat down at Ella's work desk.
"I'm glad the both of you are getting to know each other. He really doesn't get the chance to go out very much… might be because of me, but I'm glad he's talking to you."
"I am too. I gotta admit I was a little worried when he asked me out…" Ella pulled up a chair besides Chloe and took a seat.
"Why's that? You know I would have told you not to go out with him if I knew he wasn't a good man." Ella shook her head.
"No, I know," she reached over and grabbed Chloe's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I just have a bad track record of going out with some shady kind of guys. I've heard things about Michael and…" she shrugged her shoulders, "kinda thought he could scratch that itch once more but he's not like that. It's nice to know I'm not slipping back into my old ways."
Chloe gave Ella a smile. She was glad her friend had talked to Michael and gotten to know the real him. She was happy Ella knew she deserved better. Chloe wasn't sure how far their relationship was going to go, but she supported the two. They both deserved a distraction and some fun.
Chloe tapped her palm against the table top trying to get herself out of her thoughts and back to the conversation at hand.
"Well… I'm not speaking on Michael's behalf, but I can see he does have feelings for you, whether he shows it or not." Chloe was glad to see a bright smile on Ella's face. "I've never seen a grown man glued to his phone so much in one day."
Ella let out a laugh. It was nice to hear that a man was glued to his phone just from talking to her. It gave her butterflies. She shook her head trying to shake the smile off her face.
"You uh… I've heard Lucifer is looking at coming back in a month's time. Are you excited for that?"
"I kinda am… it's been a little hard working without him for the past few months. Dan is great and all but it'd be nice to have my partner back."
"Totally understand that," Ella shot Chloe a wink. Chloe retaliated by pushing Ella's shoulder. "What?" A fit of laughter echoed out. "I am your guys' biggest cheerleader, I've been waiting for you two to admit your feelings to one another for years now. Years Chloe!"
"Yeah yeah yeah, I know, I know."
Ella dropped the topic and went back to Michael.
"Hey… you think Michael will stick around once Lucifer comes back? I know he only came over to ensure the club and Lucifer's things didn't fall apart while he was gone."
Chloe skewed her lips off to the side. She knew Michael was adamant about finding his kids. They spent the whole weekend going over all the books in the library just looking for information on this being named Gaudium. Chloe knew once Michael got the green light on Sandalphon he was gone. Her hesitation on answering the question was noticed.
"Got it… don't get too attached."
"I didn't say that," Chloe replied.
"No, but the hesitation to answer was there. That's okay. I'm a grown woman. I can have a fun time with a man and not catch feelings." She stood up from her chair and started collecting the folder from the table.
"I would talk to Michael about his stay here. I'm not quite sure about his exact intentions when Lucifer gets here. I just know Lucifer isn't expected to return until the end of next month. Don't get discouraged yet, I'm just saying Michael did have something to do once Lucifer came back."
"Noted…" Ella shot Chloe a smile.
The playful nature of their conversation was over.
"I… uh… I should get back to my paperwork…" Chloe stood from her chair and pushed it back into his place. She exited the room and walked back to her desk.
. _
7:46 p.m
Michael: How was work? :)
Ella: LONG. I can't wait to slip into bed and knock out
Michael: I've had a few of those days. You know what helps?
Ella: What? :)
Michael: A nice hot bath ha
Ella: Speaking my language. Nice glass of wine
Michael: Dim lighting
Ella: Relaxing music
Michael: Does not sound like a bad idea :)
Ella: I'll take your advice. Thank you :)
Michael: You're welcome :)
. _
9:45 p.m
Ella: How was your day?
Michael: It's just starting actually
Ella: It's a Monday night, Michael.
Doesn't Lucifer close Lux down on weekdays?
Michael: He does…
I'm actually doing something else
Ella: Will you be doing illegal activity?
Michael: Me?
Me doing something illegal with detective friends
And a forensic cutie who could track my every move?
Ella: Michael
Michael: Don't worry, I'm inside tonight
[attachment sent]
Ella: Late night reading?
Michael: You know it :)
Ella: Ha! You made it seem like you were up to no good tonight.
I should have brought a book in with me.
I'm taking that bath you recommended :)
Michael: Ooo and you're messaging me while inside this bath?
Ella: Well when you put it that way…
Michael: I'm pulling your leg Miss Lopez :)
Ella: :p
Michael: Can I recommend a playlist for your bath?
Ella: I'd love a recommendation :)
Michael: Are you okay with oldies?
Ella: I live for oldies. How old are we talking?
Michael: 40's?
Ella: An old soul. Hit me :)
Michael: Circa 1946 playlist on Spotify.
I have it playing over the speakers here.
Ella: Frank Sinatra, Dorris Day, Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, Billie Holiday!
I'm swooning
Michael: Swooning? Lol
Ella: Shut it haha
Do you recommend shuffle?
Michael: Yes. Start with "Misty" by Sarah Vaughan :)
Ella: Is that the song you're on?
Michael: It is haha.
Ella: I'll play it right now. Thank you for the playlist
Michael: You're very welcome. I'll let you get to your bath
Have a nice night Ella :)
Ella: Happy reading! Have a nice night Michael :)