We have made it to 'Blue Ballz'. Let the shenanigans ensue.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Chloe breathed deeply to help keep her patience. The entire drive over to the marina Lucifer had grumbled and fussed to himself. Just loud enough that she could tell he was frustrated and quiet enough it was clear he was not openly sharing with her. It was not her fault that someone ended up killed. It was not her fault that they got called in…okay…maybe that one was a bit, but she was just as frustrated as he was. She, too, would like nothing more than to finish where they had left off before being interrupted but work, unfortunately, had to come first.
Of course, interviewing three hundred or so drunk and high suspects, finishing up just in time to squeeze in maybe two or three hours of sleep before getting back to it in daylight, and running into her ex, Jed, was probably not helping in the slightest. If only she could get him to see that his worries were completely unfounded. Easier said than done.
"So, Cherry Jane?"
Chloe sighed indulgently. "It's just a nickname."
"Oh, how did it come about?" Lucifer inquired curiously even if his voice was tense.
"Jed and I took a road trip once and came across this cherry stand and…" Chloe fiddled with her hands as she talked and walked. A blush crept onto her cheeks at the memory. She caught Lucifer's expression from the corner of her eye and coughed. "But we were kids and it was fun for a bit. It's in the past now. I'm completely over him. He's completely over me."
"You so sure about that?"
Chloe and Lucifer both turned to find Michael casually leaning against a nearby tree. He was smiling at them mischievously, like he knew something they didn't and found it quite funny, and yet Chloe was immediately on edge. Michael was hiding something.
"You again?" Lucifer growled standing slightly in front of Chloe. "You just don't know when to go away, do you?"
Chloe spotted the guy they were here to talk to leading a protest a few meters away. "Yes, I am, now don't cause any trouble." She ordered before making her way to their suspect.
Michael chuckled. "I wouldn't be too sure of that."
Lucifer scoffed. "If you are here to play with…" He paused and looked as Michael raised a hand and pointed to the billboard behind Lucifer. The billboard was for the new housing development by none other than the Cherry Jane Foundation. Wonderful. His twin smirked at him when he turned back around. Lucifer glared at him. "Sod off."
Michael chuckled amused with his brother and followed him toward Chloe. He observed them quietly from a short distance watching and listening as Chloe took quick control of the situation. She was certainly amusing to watch, that was for sure. He did not move when they walked back over to him. Chloe eyed him a moment.
"You were listening?"
Michael shrugged but said nothing. Chloe narrowed her eyes at him. Yes, he was definitely putting on an act today. Chloe felt all kinds of chills and wrong vibes coming from him. Maybe it would benefit them to keep him close today.
She turned to Lucifer. "So someone tried to break in. What if she wasn't homeless? What if she was breaking in to tamper with the headphones?"
"Headphones?" Michael questioned.
Chloe's feelings didn't get worse so he was genuinely confused. He obviously had not been following them this entire time. That made her feel a little better that he wasn't actively stalking them everywhere they went. She quickly filled him in while Lucifer stared at her weirdly but followed her lead. For now. She would need to get him alone eventually to explain.
"Ok, yes, yes, but all of this is assuming that anyone actually wanted to murder Jed." Lucifer grumbled.
The words were no sooner out of Lucifer's mouth before the world seemed to explode. Everyone hit the ground and some people screamed. Debris flew over them all.
Michael was the first to his feet turning to look at the destruction that used to be a building. He rotated his arm a bit with a grimace having landed on it before turning to find Lucifer still kneeling with Chloe and stroking her face tenderly. Michael gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes.
"Oh please." He grumbled under his breath.
Chloe slowly stood taking in the scene before her while keeping a close eye on the now notably irritated Michael. Well, wasn't he all over the board in the span of thirty minutes.
"Well, isn't this convenient for Jed."
Chloe snapped her attention to Lucifer. Even Michael looked at him confused. "How is this convenient for Jed? His place just blew up."
"His headphones get tampered with and "accidently" kills a colleague, then his place gets bombed, either Jed is the luckiest target alive or he is behind it all."
"He would have been here if we hadn't left him at the precinct."
"But he isn't."
"He could have been blown to bits."
"But he wasn't."
Michael watched the two bicker back and forth like a ping pong match. Part of him wanted to be amused and yet he just couldn't muster it. This was growing more and more irritating by the minute. What was Lucifer's problem?
"Well, I went to Hell and back again for you twice but who's counting."
Michael laughed. Oh, this was too much. "Are you jealous, brother?"
Lucifer sneered at his twin. "Jealous? Of a man boy who scratches records for a living? I think not." Lucifer adjusted his cuffs, posturing.
Chloe shook her head bemused trying to ignore Michael who smirked at her. "I do think the Devil doth protest too much." Amusement filled his tone but his eyes told a different story. Chloe could not figure out what it was.
"Please." Lucifer huffed. "I am merely trying to point out that any and all evidence in that studio has been conveniently blown sky high."
Chloe had to admit that Lucifer may have a point.
Michael shook his head. "Not all of it. That gate is still in one piece." He pointed toward the gate that the woman had supposedly been chased out of. "Seen better days but usable?"
Michael looked to Chloe for confirmation. As much as Chloe did not want to admit it, Michael actually was right. Maybe they could at least get fingerprints from it. Lucifer was not amused.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Being stuck in a car with twin archangels was a very bad idea. Chloe did not recommend. Zero stars for the experience.
Michael apparently decided he was tagging along again much to the annoyance of Lucifer. Both of them were quick to try for the front seat to which Chloe ordered them both to the back.
"But, Detective…"
Chloe had stayed firm. If they were going to fight over the front seat, by God, neither one of them was going to get it.
"And if you two so much as touch one another I am pulling over and leaving you both on the side of the road."
Much grumbling ensued. They snipped and snapped at one another, throwing barbs back and forth like it was normal. Chloe herself gripped the steering wheel tight enough that her knuckles were white.
"One more word from either of you and you're tossed out on your heads." She hissed out through clenched teeth.
Michael looked at her through the rearview mirror with a big innocent look. "But, Chloe, you only said we couldn't touch each other. You never said we couldn't speak."
Chloe held her breath for a few minutes before letting it go to keep herself from screaming. Then Lucifer had the gall to actually agree with him. The one thing they choose to agree over and Chloe was ready to commit her own murder. How did one go about killing angels again?
"Okay, new rule, no more speaking."
Lucifer of course pouted and Michael sat in his corner of the car looking smug. Chloe felt her head begin to pound. She was suddenly very happy that Trixie was an only child.
I am beginning to understand why you tossed one of them out.
Chloe could have sworn she heard a soft chuckle from somewhere. She shook her head. They really were driving her crazy.
Then the rattlesnake fiasco happened. If Chloe made it through today, that was going to be its own miracle.
"Do you know how long I've waited for copulation?"
"You too?" Lucifer asked more than a little put out at this point.
Michael had snorted.
"And what is so funny?" Lucifer had turned to his twin with an expression that clearly said 'make my day'.
Michael ignored it and shrugged. "I had thought the snake thing was a rumor, but you do you, Lucifer."
Chloe had to then convince Lucifer that killing Michael would solve nothing while trying to get information from the crazy animal sex lady that talked about her recordings like she actually got off on them herself. That was an image that Chloe could honestly do without.
Thankfully, they had stuck to her no talking, no touching rules in the car on the way back to the precinct. That was as far as that went. The minute they were out of the car it started again. Chloe finally had enough.
"Stop it! Both of you." Chloe snapped.
The twins looked at her with a mixture of surprise, confusion, and amusement on Michael's part. Chloe fumed even more knowing that Michael was instigating a lot of it on purpose.
"That is enough from you." She pointed at Michael angrily. He just grinned.
"Or what, Chloe?"
"Do you want another bullet in your sternum?"
Michael blinked at her as his grin vanished from his face. "Uh…not really, no."
"Then enough."
She caught Lucifer smiling smugly from the corner of her eye.
"Get that look off your face, Lucifer, or you can forget any type of "copulation" for the next week." Chloe commented as she turned to head into the precinct. She was done with them both.
Chloe heard Michael's roar of laughter and Lucifer's stuttering calls of 'Detective' but ignored them. She smiled softly despite her irritation. That was the first real response Michael had delivered all day. There was no wrongness, no hiding, and no mask. It was completely at the expense of his brother but it was pure, happy laughter. It was warm and rich…and Chloe really needed to stop that train immediately.
Dan met her before she could get to her desk. "Ran into Michael, I see." He motioned behind her.
Chloe sighed and turned to look back over her shoulder. Michael was still laughing. Lucifer looked like he didn't know if he wanted to forget Michael to chase after her or hold off on her and punish Michael. Chloe couldn't help but wonder if that was what Michael was still finding so amusing.
Dan chuckled. "At least they aren't trying to kill each other today."
"Yet." Chloe deadpanned. "There is still daylight left."
"What is Michael sticking around for anyway?"
"No idea but if we keep him close I figure we can keep an eye on him."
Dan nodded. "I get it. Just be careful."
Chloe smiled at him thankfully before continuing on to her desk, or tried to, anyway.
"Oh, wow."
Ella had apparently heard Lucifer and had come out of the lab to investigate. She stared wide eyed at the twins who both looked at her with smiles. Chloe took particular interest in Michael moving closer to the trio. His walls still seemed to be down as she wasn't getting any weird vibes from him still. Seems Ella had an impact on Michael during his little impersonation.
"Hello, Miss Lopez!" Lucifer greeted with his typical smile that was reserved just for the small Latino woman.
Ella blinked at him. "You're a twin." She looked between the two of them eyes still wide.
Lucifer groaned. "Yes, I know. Unfortunately."
Michael waved cheekily. "Hello, Ella."
Ella turned to Chloe obviously looking for answers.
"Ella, this is Michael."
"Right. Michael?"
Chloe nodded. "Yep. Michael."
The two women shared significant looks with one another. Chloe had filled Ella in about the whole impersonation thing the night before in between interviews.
"You didn't tell me they were twins!"
Lucifer scoffed. "Well how in the world did you think he was able to impersonate me?"
"I don't know!" Ella waved her hands. She stepped closer to them and lowered her voice. "I thought maybe some angel, shifting thing."
"Angel, shifting thing?" Lucifer repeated in disbelief.
"How am I supposed to know what you guys can do?"
"We certainly do not shapeshift."
"But you change your face. For all I know the others can change their faces as well."
"I am certainly the exception, Miss Lopez, being the Devil and all."
"Although, I wish I could." Michael stated his tone sounding slightly annoyed at being ignored.
Ella stared at him her face blank. Chloe had a brief moment to be concerned before Ella flew into action. Lucifer had enough awareness to jump out of the way as a shoe went by him. Michael was not lucky enough to be prepared for the attack. Ella rained her shoe down on him, Spanish flowing freely from her lips every breath. Michael held an arm up to cover his face quickly grabbing the shoe from the small human's hands. Ella was not to be stopped. She just as quickly had the other one in hand.
Chloe could do nothing but stare in shock. Lucifer; however, was enjoying the show immensely.
"Okay, okay!" Michael called out doing his best to keep the blows centered on his arms. "I get the point."
Ella stopped still pointing her shoe at him. Oh if looks could kill. Slowly, she put the shoe back on her foot and held out her hand for the one Michael still held. Michael handed it to her, though hesitantly. Chloe couldn't blame him honestly, even if he did deserve it.
"Are you quite finished?" Michael grumbled.
Unfortunately, Ella had already gotten the shoe back in her possession. Chloe felt no remorse when she laid into him again. Lucifer chuckled gleefully beside her. Michael should have just kept his mouth shut.
Ella finally relented and returned her weapon to its rightful place. Michael looked sufficiently contrite and had even flinched back when Ella pointedly moved toward him.
"Don't you forget it." Ella then proceeded to hug the life out of Michael much to the chagrin of said angel.
"I have to say, Miss Lopez, I really enjoyed that." Lucifer beamed. "Can you do it again?"
"Lucifer." Chloe admonished.
Dan chuckled behind them. "That is why you don't anger Latino women." He patted Michael on the shoulder as Ella stepped back with a warm smile on her face.
Michael smiled back wearily. Chloe couldn't help smiling at Michael's honest response. Lucifer noticed and looked distinctly uncomfortable.
"Maybe being stuck here won't be so bad after all."
Chloe looked to find Jed peeking out from behind tons of flower arrangements all conveniently stacked around her desk. He was watching them amused; as was over half the precinct. This day could not get any worse.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Lucifer could admit he may have jumped on getting Jed away from the Detective just a bit quickly. It only occurred to him afterwards that the Detective may very well have been about to suggest a patrolled hotel or something, instead of her place. In his attempt to prevent that disaster, he had momentarily forgotten about the disaster that was Michael.
He had caught the Detective smiling at his brother earlier and it did not sit well with him. That was even worse than the overly friendly smiles and glances she got from that simpering DJ.
The Detective pulled him aside before he left with Jed leaving Michael temporarily unsupervised with Miss Lopez. That didn't seem entirely safe what with Miss Lopez recently attacking Michael with her shoes of all things. The Detective quickly assured him that Michael seemed genuinely interested in all the science mumbo jumbo and would be perfectly fine. She was so convinced that what she felt was some indicator of whether Michael lies or not. He was not. There was no proof. For all he knew it was another scheme of Michael's to get into her head.
Admittedly, he had fallen into that old banter back and forth thing. None of the jabs were particularly hurtful, or enough to incite true anger, but was certainly enough to aggravate anyone who had to listen to it. They had done it frequently to annoy Amenadiel back in the day; following their older brother around just for kicks to see how long it took him to snap. The Detective had a lot more patience than their brother did. It wasn't until he had gotten caught up in it that he realized he had missed it. Lucifer shook that away vehemently. Damn Michael, always sticking himself in places he wasn't wanted.
The Detective wanted to keep Michael around for the time being. Those feelings were back and she wanted to keep a close eye on him. Okay, Lucifer could see where she was coming from. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. It was also a good way for Michael to fully insert himself and then pull the rug from underneath them when they least expected it. Lucifer was uncomfortable with the interest the Detective was putting in his twin. She said she knew what he was like and yet she was smiling at him.
Lucifer may be the Devil but even he couldn't be in two places at once. He made a quick call to Maze. Apparently, she had plans at the precinct anyway. Marvelous.
Then Jed explained it to him. Mystery. Well, she was a detective. Solving her cases was one thing he never could distract her from and he had tried. Multiple times. Recently even. Could that be why she was gravitating toward his brother? Had she figured him out well enough now that she needed to focus on the mystery that was Michael? His twin wasn't a mystery. He was a lying, backstabbing son of a bitch. Mystery solved. Case closed.
If the Detective wanted mystery all she had to do was ask. He was more than willing to oblige. Besides, he would be the safer mystery anyway. It was time to get the Detectives attention back into safer territory. That was what he told himself when he hit the ignore button on his phone when she called. Granted, he did check and listen to the voicemail a bit later. Just in case.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
He had fully intended to stay away. Being near them was turning out bad for his plans and yet being left alone with only his thoughts for company wasn't doing him any favors either; hence, his decision to check in.
It came as no surprise to Michael that Chloe had worked through the information he had unwittingly gave her. He was still kicking himself for that one. Finding out that his brother was jealous of a human of all things should have made him feel better, and yet, it only served to make him feel worse. Michael stamped it down though behind his walls choosing instead to follow them around and heckle his brother for the hell of it. He had nothing else to do.
As usual, Chloe turned out to be the entertaining one to watch. Once he realized that Chloe was slowly getting annoyed with them both he started poking even more. Lucifer, in perfect Lucifer fashion, took the bait and poked back. Michael found he was more entertained that he had the right to be. He relaxed into it. It was comfortable. Too comfortable. It was only when Chloe finally snapped at them that he realized what had happened. Then Chloe turned on Lucifer. The way she put emphasis on the word 'copulation' and the shocked and disbelief filled look on his brother's face; Michael lost it. He hadn't laughed so hard in so long. Even Lucifer's glares could do nothing to stop him.
Then little, tiny Ella happened. In all honesty, he should have expected something. She had, after all, gone after him with a shoe once before when she thought he was Lucifer. This time, though, the shoe actually hurt. For a human so tiny, Ella had strength about her when she needed it. She held nothing back this time when she laid into him. Michael let her. He took the punishment even though he could clearly hear Lucifer practically giggling with amusement. If it had been anyone else Michael would have retaliated, but Ella just reminded him too much of his little sister; small but mighty.
Michael felt uplifted despite the threat of being shot again and being beat with a shoe. A shoe. The things that humans came up with to use as weapons.
Currently, he was sitting in the lab listening to Chloe and Ella listen to the recordings from Jed's place and look through the fan mail. He had found himself a book on one of the tables and had immersed himself in its pages. The two women were talking quietly obviously trying to keep him from overhearing their conversation. He tuned them out for the most part until he heard Ella mention Lucifer. Despite knowing he probably shouldn't he tuned his ears in even as he continued to act like he was still reading.
"Thought you guys were going to hang out tonight."
The tone of voice and hint in Ella's voice made Michael grit his teeth. Chloe glanced over at him before looking pointedly at Ella.
"It got postponed."
Ella looked at him. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "He's completely immersed. Don't tell me you are afraid you won't measure up in bed."
The two continued their talk apparently forgetting that he was there. They were whispering very softly by this point but he could still hear everything. Were they even listening to the recordings anymore?
"Would you two hush?" He snapped aggravated, slamming the book shut and standing.
"Hey, buddy, that book wasn't cheap you know." Ella fussed at him.
"Shut up and listen. There's someone in the studio."
That got their attention. Both listened intently to the recording.
"He's right." Chloe said. "Could that possibly be our killer?"
Ella hummed. "I know that sound. Where have I heard it before?"
Quickly, Ella rushed out calling out a quick 'be right back'.
Michael shook his head bemused. "She does not lack energy."
"No, no she does not." Chloe agreed. A sudden thought crept in her mind. "You know, you seem pretty taken with her compared to the rest of us." Maybe she could get a feel for him without asking blunt questions.
Michael blinked at her a moment before he caught her insinuation. He chuckled nervously. "Nope, not even close, Chloe. Ella is more tolerable but only because she reminds me of my sister."
Chloe could admit she was surprised. "Your sister?" She did not expect him to volunteer more information than he had to.
Michael must have realized that fact for himself for he volunteered no more and simply shrugged. He really needed to keep a better watch on himself around Chloe. Maybe he needed to ruffle her up a bit and get her attention on something other than him. "You know I could hear your entire conversation right?"
Chloe turned away but not before he caught her blush. "Shut up."
Michael grinned with a job well done. He watched as she stepped away from him pulling out her phone wondering just how far down that blush went. Hold up. Where in Father's name had that come from? Michael shifted suddenly uncomfortable. What was happening here? He eyed the lady detective wearily as she left a message for Lucifer which was strange. He would have figured Lucifer would have answered considering he had left his precious miracle alone with him.
Chloe pointedly did not look at him as she returned to gather up the case files. She certainly seemed in a hurry to get away from him now. Good maybe she would stop fishing for information. A file dropped on the floor. It landed closer to Michael so naturally he crouched to pick it up. He did not account for Chloe to try to retrieve it at the same time. Her hand landed on top of his and he froze. He looked up and brown met blue.
This was the coffee encounter all over again. His pulse skipped, his heart raced, and his mouth suddenly felt very dry. Michael swallowed thickly afraid to even move. Chloe's eyes roamed over his face. Her pupils were slightly dilated. That was sign on attraction right? Or was it due to the dimness of the room? Michael had absolutely no clue but if she didn't move her hand from his in the next few seconds he was not going to be held responsible for what might happen.
"Well you two look like you're getting cozy."
Chloe jerked back and up from him like she was burned. "Maze. What are you doing here?"
Michael resisted the urge to groan. Of course Lucifer sent his demon to keep an eye on things. Guess learning about her mother wasn't quite enough to get Mazikeen to turn on his brother. Or maybe it was just because Chloe was involved that she was here. Michael filed away the information for later as he stood with the file in hand.
"Hello, Mazikeen." He drawled handing the file to Chloe before he turned to look at the demon. Michael froze. "What the hell are you wearing?"
Maze sneered at him. "None of your business."
"Hi, Maze." Ella had returned and noticed the demons new choice of wardrobe. "I have that same shirt."
Maze smiled as brightly as she could at Ella. "Yes, you did."
"Wait, did you steal my clothes?"
What was going on with these people? Michael felt lost as he listened and watched the three women discuss the case like he wasn't there. Why in the three worlds was Mazikeen mimicking Ella? Maybe it was time for him to go before he got drug into even more of their mess. His eyes were drawn to Chloe as she stepped away again to obviously call Lucifer again about using Lux tonight. Or maybe he could stay considering Lucifer didn't seem to be bothered.
Chloe was clearly frustrated at being ignored because what else could be the case. Michael narrowed his eyes in contemplation. What was his brother playing at now?
"Michael, is there any chance you could find Lucifer?" She sounded desperate and tired.
Michael scoffed at her. "I am not your errand boy, Chloe."
"I know." Chloe sighed. It was clear she hated to ask him. "Please."
Michael looked into her eyes ignoring the others he knew was watching. He searched her. She wasn't afraid per say but there was a small element of fear there. Chloe was concerned she had pushed Lucifer too far today and feared his ignoring her was a response to that. Michael should deny her request. He should let that little bit of doubt grow and fester. He should place little whispers that she wouldn't be able to ignore. His goal was to ruin Lucifer's life. This would be the best way to do that.
Michael found himself agreeing to search for his brother.
