Thank you for all the support!
Chloe talks with Linda and the all awaited piano scene.
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Chloe knew she had a lot of paperwork to get back to at the precinct but she really needed to talk things out like now.
She quickly called Lucifer to let him know they had finished with the case and to let him know she was unharmed just as she had promised. Lucifer sounded relieved but grew concerned when she told him she was stopping by Linda's. Chloe assured him that everything was okay; she just needed someone to talk to that was on even ground and could stay objective.
Next, she called Linda to see if she was still at the office. Linda had already left but assured Chloe that she could come by the house and talk to her there. Chloe wondered if she startled Linda a bit. She did sound a little panicky for a bit there. When did her life become such a mess?
You fell in love with the Devil. What did you think was going to happen?
Thankfully, Dan had Trixie for the week.
Chloe went to knock on Linda's door when it opened seemingly on its own. She was surprised to see Maze stepping out. Did the demon look a little worse for wear?
"Maze, hi."
Maze sniffed. "S'up Decker?"
"I was coming to talk with Linda." Chloe looked concerned at Maze. "Everything okay? You haven't answered my calls."
"I've been a little busy. World doesn't revolve around you, you know."
Chloe balked at Maze's rude demeanor. "I'm aware, Maze…"
"See ya, Decker."
Chloe watched Maze walk away confused and concerned. The demon was being evasive and defensive. Something was wrong but she could do little to help unless Maze talked to her. Maybe she was talking with Linda. Chloe could only hope.
Chloe stepped through the door and shut it as she called out for Linda.
"Chloe! Come on in." Linda said coming out of the kitchen with wine glasses and bottle already in hand. "It's been that kind of evening so…" She held up her cargo. "You mind?"
"No, not at all." Chloe took a seat on the couch with Linda. "I may even have a glass or two before this is over honestly." She looked around. "Where's Charlie?"
"Oh, Amenadiel has him. When I told him you were coming over he seemed to think you would need my undivided attention." Linda looked at her questionably.
Chloe sighed taking the glass Linda held out for her. "Where to even begin?"
Linda sat back on the couch, wine glass in hand. "Okay. Would you like friend or therapist?"
"Honestly, I just need someone with a straight and clear head."
Linda hummed. "Therapist then. We'll cheat a bit with the wine."
Chloe smiled at her. Maybe this was why Lucifer bragged on Linda so much. She had an uncanny way of making her feel comfortable even knowing she had some tough stuff to go through.
"Why don't you start with the first thing that comes to mind?" Linda said soothingly. "Doesn't matter what it is, just say it."
Chloe didn't even need to think. "I'm a gift; for Lucifer." She looked at Linda who was not surprised at all. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you look like you know that already."
"I am Lucifer's therapist, Chloe. He went through a tough time as well when he first found out. I can understand that you are having your own set of issues."
"I just feel so…powerless and confused, but that's not even all of it." She turned to face Linda on the couch pulling up a leg underneath her. "There's also…" She chewed on her lip.
"There's also what, Chloe?" Linda gently coaxed her.
Chloe took a deep breath. "Michael."
Linda tensed at Michael's name. She took a long sip of her wine before she relaxed some. "I heard that Michael was the one to tell you."
"Yes, he was." Chloe sipped at her wine. She reminded herself to take it easy as she needed to drive after this. "He's also said some other things and I've been feeling strange around him."
"So, Michael is still hanging around then?"
Chloe nodded. "He helped me with the case I finished just before coming here."
Linda blinked at her a few minutes. It looked like she was reminding herself that she was currently supposed to be in therapist mode. "Okay. Well let's focus on one thing at a time. What else did he say to you?"
Chloe took a moment to gather her thoughts and to take another sip of wine. "Did you know angels have this thing that attracts those of honest faith to them?" At Linda's wide eyed shake of the head she continued. "Apparently, it works the same as Lucifer's mojo."
"Which you are immune to."
"Exactly." Chloe took a breath. "Michael said it's like looking into a mirror. Those with true faith see their love for, well, God reflected back to them when they look at angels. The same with Lucifer and peoples desires, but it doesn't work that way for me. I'm not affected by Lucifer's mojo."
Linda was silent for a brief moment. "Well, first, let's remember that this is Michael that told you this."
"I know, but I saw it happen or I wouldn't believe it either."
"Okay. What do you think it means that your desires are not reflected back to you when you look at Lucifer?"
Chloe stared down into her wine glass deep in thought. Lucifer's mojo worked like a mirror which didn't work on her. Could it be that maybe the mirror didn't even exist for her? If that was the case…
"Then I can see Lucifer for who he is." She whispered quietly. "And if that's true, then my feelings have to be real, right?"
Linda gave her a soft encouraging smile. "Do they feel real to you, Chloe?"
Chloe sighed. "I don't know what's real right now. That's the other thing. My weird feelings around Michael – they make no sense."
Linda flowed with the change of topic without a blink. "How so? What are you feeling?"
"It's hard to explain so bear with me a moment." Chloe sat her glass on the table. "The entire week he was impersonating Lucifer, I felt…wrong is the only word I can think of. Kind of like when your instincts are telling you something is off but stronger. Obviously, something was wrong, but the feeling vanished once Michael came clean."
"Vanished?"
"Yeah. Something was wrong, Lucifer wasn't actually Lucifer so I thought nothing of it until Michael showed up again and helped with this case."
Linda was listening avidly. "What happened?"
"That same feeling came back. It wasn't constant but it came and went sometimes as fast as Michael would speak. The weirdest thing though was that I just had this overwhelming thought that it occurred when he was lying to me." Chloe looked beseechingly at Linda for answers.
Unfortunately, Linda had none. "You feel like this feeling of wrongness is your instinct telling you Michael is lying?"
Chloe tossed her hands up. "I know! It sounds crazy but if anything I've learnt to take crazy things at face value over the past year."
That was putting it mildly, Linda thought. "Maybe if there was a way you could test this theory, get proof that's what it is."
"The only way I can think of would be to have someone there to confirm answers to questions I would have no clue what the true answer was. The problem with that is getting Michael to agree to such a thing."
Linda hummed in agreement. She sipped from her glass before speaking. "A plan that would have to involve Lucifer, Amenadiel, or both. They would be the only ones that would be able to confirm if his answers were true or false. Then there are the questions you would have to ask."
Chloe sighed. "It's all so complicated. I hardly know what to do about Lucifer and now Michael has to go and shove his way in."
"Speaking of Lucifer, he might be the one to focus on right now." Linda was understanding of Chloe's plight but her friendship seemed to be sneaking into this conversation whether she wanted it to or not.
Chloe nodded quickly taking a deep breath. She leaned forward to recollect her wine glass from the table. Sipping was not going to help her nerves and she ended up finishing the glass. "Sorry." She mumbled to Linda.
"No worries." Linda smiled warmly at her friend. "You have a lot on your plate."
Chloe smiled thankfully at Linda. "How is Lucifer?"
"Lucifer is…Lucifer." Linda shrugged. "Can't say too much without crossing the patient confidentiality line."
Chloe nodded. "I feel horrible doing this to him. He's been a bit overwhelming, granted, but he's trying to be understanding."
"He's anxious, though he'd never say so." Linda knew she was supposed to be helping Chloe but figured knowing a bit about how Lucifer was feeling could help. "It's very obvious he cares for you, Chloe."
"I know." Chloe ran her hands over her face. "But I make him vulnerable, Linda, physically vulnerable. How can that be a good thing?"
Linda smiled softly and warmly trying to ease Chloe's fears. She sat her glass down and moved closer to the detective. "Amenadiel has a theory for that, if you want to hear it."
Chloe blinked at her a moment. Slowly, she nodded.
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Lucifer had been an anxious mess ever since Chloe left the precinct with Michael in tow. No one would know it by looking at him though. He was the Devil after all and the Devil did not get anxious. No sir.
To pass the time he hung around in Lux as the club opened for the evening. Like normal, many patrons came up to speak with him, maybe even flirt a little in the hopes of catching his attention, but disappointingly for them, his attention remained elsewhere. Amenadiel chatted with him to try to keep his mind occupied. It worked to a certain extent but little Charlie kept staring at him the way babies do and it unnerved him. A baby in Lux? Just what had his club become? It was still early; however, and Lux normally picked up in the later hours.
Agitated by the lack of stimulating conversation, Lucifer returned to his penthouse earlier that he had ever returned to it. Many groped at him trying to grab his attention but it only served to annoy him. Seriously, sometimes the desire shtick got awfully tedious.
Lucifer breathed a sigh of relief as the elevator opened up to release him into the quietness of his home. He was quick to shed his jacket tossing it across the bar and pouring himself a drink.
What was Michael playing at? How had he convinced the Detective to trust him? It made no sense. Lucifer had thought Michael had learned his lesson when he had cut into his face but apparently not. It was obvious that Michael was preying on the Detectives insecurities right now and yet the Detective went willingly with him to finish the case.
Lucifer growled under his breath and poured himself another drink. The Detective had asked him to trust her. She had phoned earlier and it had been a relief to hear her voice but it did nothing to rid him of his worries. Lucifer could only hope he did not come to regret his decision.
To calm his nerves, Lucifer moved to the newly placed piano. Just how many have been destroyed over the years? Starting a soft tune he lost himself in the melody. He was so lost in it that he did not hear the elevator announce the arrival of a guest.
"Lucifer."
Lucifer turned around to find the Detective standing there with a soft smile on her face. He returned her smile with one of his own. "Detective." To see her in the flesh unharmed did a wonderful job to help him relax further. Perhaps Michael had taken his threat seriously.
"Mind if I join you?"
He scooted over a bit. "Of course."
"What were you playing?" Chloe looked at him curiosity clear in her eyes.
"Oh, nothing special." Lucifer grabbed his glass to drink from. "Just something I was playing around with."
"It was beautiful."
She was still smiling so warmly at him. It was a stark contrast to the last few days and it made him slightly nervous. Her talk with Linda must have worked wonders. Of course it did.
"Everything okay, Detective?"
She nodded with a small hum.
"Michael gave you no issues I take it?" Lucifer needed to know. She had promised to give him answers.
The Detective looked confused for a moment. "Oh, no, not really. He was actually quite well behaved for the most part."
Lucifer noted the concerned tone she was trying hard to hide. "Detective, what did he do?" He left no room for her to think he would accept anything other than a straight answer. When it came to Michael, her safety was paramount.
Chloe gave him a hard look. This was not what she wanted to talk about, clearly, but he was determined. A minute passed before she sighed. Fine, if this was where he wanted the evening to go then so be it.
"It's not so much Michael I have concerns about, Lucifer. It's me."
"You? What are you talking about?" Now he was the confused one. Had Michael said something else to her?
Chloe hesitated a moment before deciding to just get it over with. She was going to have to mention it sooner or later anyway, right? Might as well be sooner.
"I get this strange feeling sometimes. I can't explain it before you ask, not well anyway." Chloe gave Lucifer a look that clearly stated not to interrupt. Lucifer looked like he wanted to argue but motioned for her to continue. "It comes and goes. It wasn't so bad today; just felt like little nudges. It could get bad enough to make me nauseous though, it did during his little stint trying to be you." Chloe paused to take in Lucifer's confused yet thoughtful expression.
"He deals with people's fears, Detective, could it possibly be that he affects you more than others?" His tone held an almost pleading quality to it. If Michael was affecting her that badly…
Chloe shook her head. "I think it tells me when he's lying."
Lucifer tilted his head a bit and stared at her in confusion. He twisted a bit to better face her on the piano bench. Maybe this wasn't the best place for this conversation.
"Michael is a master at twisting words and lies." Lucifer stopped her before she could interrupt. "I'm not saying that what you are feeling isn't real, Detective. Your instincts have often proven to be quite on point, even if you don't always listen to them." He gave her a significant look to which Chloe returned with a sheepish one of her own. "He's fooled even me, Detective, quite a few times. Michael has no tells that you humans typically look for."
"I know that, Lucifer." Chloe was getting frustrated again. Why could nothing ever make easy sense anymore? Man, she longed for a simple case to sink her teeth into. Those made sense. They were solid and tangible. "I truly believe that the only reason I could even tell he wasn't you was due to this feeling so I know how good he is. If he hadn't of tried to make me believe that you would sneak around and sleep with Maze then he would have had me convinced." Ugh, she hated to admit that with every fiber of her being.
Lucifer recoiled with shock and anger. "He did what?" How dare that lying, conniving, evil twin of his…? He was going to make Michael wish he was never created.
Chloe saw the fire burning in Lucifer's eyes. She needed damage control and fast before Lucifer left to hunt down his twin.
"Lucifer."
Lucifer glanced down at the hand resting calmly on his arm then up into blue eyes. He leaned into the hand that cupped his cheek softly closing his eyes. When he opened them again they were back to their deep brown. "Detective…" he breathed.
"He tried, Lucifer. That was the one thing he did that told me he wasn't you. I know you would never do that to me."
Warmth filled Lucifer to know that she trusted him so much. That her trust had not faded despite knowing that she was gifted to him. He knew his smile was sappy but he couldn't help it. It was the Detective. She brought it out of him. Chloe looked at him with a speculative expression even though her eyes never lost their warmth.
"Amenadiel says I don't make you vulnerable."
Lucifer blinked rapidly at the change of topic. Wait…what? He laughed unbelieving. "I have the scars to prove otherwise, Detective." A humorous expression crossed his face. Lucifer did not move from her. He nuzzled into her hand. He had missed her warmth.
Chloe gazed lovingly at him all thoughts of Michael gone. This was what she had come here for after all. "He says that you do because you feel vulnerable with me."
Lucifer moved back from her and looked away briefly in thought. Chloe sat patiently, letting Lucifer get his thought together.
Lucifer thought back through all the years. Had he really felt vulnerable with her all this time? Yes, he supposed he had. The Detective had always been different with him since his mojo did not work on her. Lucifer looked at her with something akin to awe. Self-actualization. Guess his brother was right.
"I think he's right."
Chloe once again cupped his cheek in her hand. Lucifer looked at her almost as though he was seeing her for the first time. Maybe, with this new revelation, he was.
Slowly, Chloe moved closer to him and gently brushed her lips over his. Lucifer closed his eyes at her gentle touch only opening them when she moved away again. Or tried. Not tonight. Lucifer brought his hands around to gently, yet firmly, hold her head and bring her back to him. It had been so long; too long. He pushed his lips onto hers desperately. Chloe returned the kiss with enthusiasm. Her scent, her warmth, her touch, her taste…was all he could think about. Lucifer traced his tongue along her lips and moaned when she opened up for him and clung to him. Months for her and yet years upon years, way too many to count, for him was far too long apart. Lucifer kissed Chloe like he was starving and perhaps he was. He held her to him. Lucifer was not letting her go tonight. Tonight- tonight she was his.
A phone rang. Lucifer ignored it pulling her closer and delving into her even more. It kept ringing. Chloe moved to pull away. He resisted.
"Detective…" he whined. Lucifer knew he did but he'd be damned if he cared at the moment. "Forget it."
Chloe groaned. Lucifer was trialing kisses along her neck making her wish she could forget the annoying ringing of her phone. "Lucifer…it could be Trixie."
Lucifer pulled back to look at her. "This late? Detective, the urchin is most likely sleeping away nice and cozy in bed." He grinned. "Which is where we should be."
Lucifer started his all too alluring kisses again but Chloe firmly pushed him back to answer her phone. She wanted to continue, of course she did, but she couldn't risk not answering in case there was an emergency with Trixie. He groaned but relented to let her answer the call picking up his forgotten about drink.
"Hi, Ella. What's up?"
Lucifer groaned. If he sent a small prayer to his Dad that Ms. Lopez was not calling about a case, he would never admit to it. Expectedly, he was ignored. He finished his drink and agreed to go with Chloe to check out the scene but not without some grumbling along the way. There were two things that he could never distract his Detective from; the urchin and a case, in exactly that order.
