Back inside Santa's Grotto, the Santa-thug kept his guard up while holding out his gun. He looked around the area, but saw no sign of anyone. He then glanced at a giant present display and just as he was about to move in closer with the intention to open and discover what might've laid inside… his radio started transmitting and he immediately answered it.

Santa-Thug: What?

Male Voice: Hey, we need you back at the stockroom.

Santa-Thug: What for?

Male-Voice: We need another set of hands on the hostages.

Santa-Thug: I'm on my way. (Walks out of the room)

Once he left the Grotto, the room remained quiet for a few more minutes until… Lucifer, Chloe, Dan, Ella and Jophiel came out of there hiding spots. The girls hid inside Santa's Sleigh underneath a large pile of gifts, Lucifer hid in the chimney and Dan revealed to be the one hiding in the present (Which he briefly struggled get out of).

Lucifer: (Crawling out of the chimney) How ironic. We were just approached by a Santa Claus and he didn't even bother check his own sleigh or sack. Not even his favourite point of entry. The present was his first choice.

Chloe: Never mind that. Didn't you hear what he just said? The hostages are somewhere in the stockroom.

Dan: Yeah, but where exactly? How are we supposed to find out if we can't even sneak out to do a little recon on these guys?

Chloe: Well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think we should follow Lucifer's plan. Perhaps our best option is to send some out there to gather some information.

Lucifer: Oh, I like the way you think, Detective. I still vote for Daniel.

Jophiel: No, send me out there.

Chloe: What?

Ella: Whoa, Joei, are you sure?

Jophiel: Yeah, I can do it. I'm expert at running and hiding. I practically did it for half of my life.

Lucifer: It's true she did.

Dan: No, Jo, we're not sending you out there. It's too dangerous.

Jophiel: I can do it. If I can decorate LUX from top to bottom on the day before Christmas, then I certainly handle avoiding the robbers and finding the hostages. Look, I'll be fine, just time me. If I'm not back in say, 20 minutes, then you can start worrying. I promise, I'll be back.

Lucifer: On second thought, I vote Jophiel goes.

Somehow, against their better own judgement, Chloe and Dan agreed to let Jophiel to go out of the Grotto and do the recon. Even though she promised to return, they still timed her, giving Jophiel only 20 minutes to count the number of robbers in the facility and find the hostages.

Luckily, throughout her years on Earth, Jophiel learned the preforming arts of gymnastics and jiujutsu. Thus giving her the gift of stealth and agility.

As she crept around, Jophiel moved from place to place, counting the number of robbers, unable to be seen by them. Then again, they were too busy breaking into the cash-registers and glass displays containing jewellery to notice. At one point, she used a toy periscope to watch them from behind one of the kiosks. She also hid nearer to the ceilings like Spider-Man. By the time she finished counting, she soon found a vent leading to the stockroom.

Once inside, Jophiel crawled her way through the vents until she found them. The hostages. They were all in the south-east corner of the stockroom, alive and unharmed. Minus the part, their hands were zip-tied and their mouths had been duct-taped shut.

With both the hostages found and knowing the full number of robbers, Jophiel made her back to the grotto. By the time she came back, she still had 8 seconds to spare.

Jophiel: I'm back. (Checks her phone) With 8 seconds to spare. Told you I could do it.

Ella: Wow. Nice.

Chloe: Okay. So, what are we dealing with here?

Lucifer: Let me guess, 12 terrorists, one cop, just the way he likes it.

Chloe: Who's he?

Dan: John McClain. It's the tagline from 'Die Hard' poster. You and I watched that movie a dozen times when we were together. Were you ever paying attention?

Chloe: Wh... Joei, what are we dealing with here?

Jophiel: Okay, well, they're not terrorists, they're robbers and there's only nine of them. And there are at least twelve hostages tied-up in the south-east corner. So that's twelves hostages, nine robbers, two cops, one consultant, one scientist, and one artist. Just the way we like it.

Lucifer: Well, it's more like, two cops, one scientist, one Angel and one Devil. Or rather, one Devil, one cop, one douche, one Miss Lopez and one Angel.

Chloe: Either way, this is a good start. I'll notify dispatch.

While Chloe was informing ESU, the others took a moment to reflect on the situation.

Ella: Man, it's Christmas and we're all here living like it's real Die Hard. Which would totally be awesome if it wasn't so… you know, real.

Jophiel: Well, I doubt it will end with one of us jumping off an exploding roof with a fire-hose tied to your waist.

Lucifer: Well, the night's still young.

Ella: God, to think, the only reason I came in here was to get two presents I forgot to get for my brothers before heading home for the holidays.

Dan: Yeah, well, welcome to the club. I mean, all Chloe and I were trying to do was get our daughter the doll she wanted because this year was going to be so different because of our divorce and custody agreement.

Jophiel: You think you're having a rough Christmas? I may have everything prepared, but I can't convince my own family to at least try and participate in the festivities since we've never actually celebrated anything before.

Ella: Oh, man, I'm so sorry, Jo.

Lucifer: Oh, please, don't fall this, Miss Lopez. I know that ploy of trying to guilt someone into doing your own bidding. I should know, it was invented in Hell. Also, I am still not coming over to that dinner you have planned tomorrow, Joei.

Jophiel: See what I mean?

Dan: Whoa, bro, you're not celebrating Christmas with your own sister?

Jophiel: Or with our brother, or with our mother, or even with his best friend.

Lucifer: They're not celebrating either.

Jophiel: Yeah, because we've been estranged for years and I just thought we could break the distance by celebrating at least one holiday together.

Lucifer: Oh, please, the only reason you're orchestrating this whole thing is because you want something out of it.

Jophiel: Excuse me?

Lucifer: You want a present. That's the only reason why you're hosting dinner and why you decorated my entire club. Because you think I'll reward you with a nice gift, but unfortunately for you, that's not happening.

Jophiel: Wow. I cannot believe how little my own brother thinks of me.

Ella: Yeah, that's pretty cold, buddy.

Lucifer: Well, why else would she be constantly pestering me into wanting to celebrate Christmas, unless you want something out of it?

Jophiel: Luci, do you know how I spent most of my Christmas'? Alone. I was constantly traveling around and when the holidays came by, I would always find myself sitting alone, watching old Christmas movies over a cupcake and a cup of hot chocolate with no one to share that with. So, you were you right, I did want something out of this. I didn't want to spend another Christmas alone. And I just thought that you of all people would understand that. But clearly I was wrong.

Lucifer wouldn't have admitted to himself, but in that moment, he knew exactly how Jophiel felt when it came to being alone. Even though he was Hell's warden with the ability to control the demons and the power to torment every sinned soul, it was still a lonely existence. He had no one to actually talk to or anyone one to celebrate anything with.

And hearing how Jophiel basically experienced the same thing, it allowed him to see her in a different prospective. It also made him feel something that he hadn't felt since the aftermath of Uriel's death. Guilt. For not having better faith in his sister and thinking, she only had selfish intentions when really, she was only trying to bring him and the rest of their family closer together and he tried to take that from her by ruining it.

Anyway, by the time Chloe was done talking on the phone…

Chloe: Hey, guys, I just got off the phone with ESU; they say they're going to storm the building in an half-hour.

Lucifer: What? Are they sure that's a good idea?

Jophiel: No, no, that is not a good idea at all. I was just in the stockroom, there were three gunmen surrounding the hostages. If they come storming in, those people will be in even more trouble.

Dan: Well, what can we do about it? We don't have our guns or any sort of weapons.

Jophiel: That is where you are sadly mistaken my friend. We're in a large department store that is filled with all sorts of things we can use. Sporting equipment, tools…

Lucifer: Frying-pans and pots.

Jophiel: Well, if we were in a cartoon, yeah. Either way, you have one of two options. You can either stay here and wait for a raid or we can all go out there, gear up and take these lads down one by one beforehand?

After much consideration and given the life or death situation, Chloe and Dan agreed to go out, find some weapons and take out the robbers before the police raiding. Beforehand, there was still the matter of discussing a plan of approach. Luckily, Jophiel already thought of a plan.

Meanwhile from outside, Amenadiel, Maze and Linda (Who was still unconscious and being carried by Maze) finally arrived at the scene. Upon their arrival, the trio briefly struggled to make their way through the crowds until they eventually reached the barricades. In doing so, they approached a female police officer and Maze said…

Maze: Hey! I'm Mazikeen Smith, I'm a bounty hunter for the LAPD.

Police officer: Uh… do need help with your… current bounty?

Maze: What? (Realizes she's referring to the unconscious Linda on her shoulder) Oh, no. My friend here just got a little carried away with the Christmas cocktails earlier. Right, Linda?

Linda: *Moans*

Maze: See? Amendiel can you take her for a moment?

After passing Linda to Amenadiel, he carried her bridal style while Maze continued to take to the police officer. She tried explaining how she believes the mixologist of those said Christmas cocktails is currently inside the department store along with the detective who reported the crime earlier. However…

Police officer: I'm sorry, ma'am, but I can't you allow to enter the facility.

Maze: (Pulls out her blades) Oh, I think you will, or I'll cut of your…

Amenadiel: Maze!

Police officer: (Begins talking into her radio) I need urgent assistance over at my section on the east side! Now!

Because of her impulsive choice to pull out her deathly blades infront of a cop, Maze ended up being tackled to the ground, arrested and then escorted into a police car. With Amenadiel watching from the sidelines.

Back inside the building, the thugs on each floor continued to patrol their assigned areas, awaiting for the other thugs to finish gathering more valuables until… one in an elf mask on the third floor noticed a mannequin head rolling towards him. There was red writing on it's forehead and when the thug bent down to pick it up, it read…

Elf-Thug: Ho-ho-ho?

(Montage music = Merry Christmas Everybody by Slade)

By the time he looked back up, Lucifer had jumped out and knocked him out with a single punch, allowing Dan to disarm him by taking his gun. Which was actually part of Jophiel's new plan.

Jophiel strategized that in order to save the hostages before the raiding; they needed to take out the other robbers first. In addition, the best way to accomplish this was by sneaking out of the Grotto, splitting up and finding some useful weapons around the shops. And it was working.

For example, from outside a sports shop on the first floor, a Santa-thug was certain he had heard the sound of footsteps walking inside (he did), so he went in to investigate. He pointed his gun, and then searched the area for the source behind those mysterious footsteps. Expect he had difficulty finding them when they suddenly stopped.

Nevertheless, he continued to move about until he passed a 'mannequin' dressed like a Dodgers fan and holding a baseball bat. What was even more unusual about this particular mannequin was that it had it's head tilted downwards, making it hard to see it's face. Especially with the baseball-cap in the way.

When the robber noticed this, he approached the 'so-called mannequin,' used his gun to poke it in the stomach, but… there was no budge. However, the moment he turned around, the mannequin came to life and whacked him over the head with the bat! Revealing to be Jophiel in disguise.

Hairstyle: Tucked into baseball-cap

Top: Blue Dodgers jersey over a white Henley

Bottoms: White sweatpants

Footwear: White Nike runners

With another robber down, Jophiel removed her cap before grabbing his gun As for the rest of the robbers, Lucifer, Chloe, Dan, Ella and Jophiel were able to take out each and everyone of the them in the store. Afterwards, they had them tied up using Christmas tape, disarmed them and then placed them back into the Grotto. Resulting in total number of six out nine robbers caught.

Nevertheless, there was still the matter of taking out the last three thugs before the SWAT came barging in. Which wouldn't be for less than fifteen minutes. Luckily, they already had a plan set into motion. Which involved Lucifer running up to the sound booth on the second floor, turning on the microphone and announcing…

Lucifer: Attention robbers, attention robbers. Yes, I am pleased to inform you that as of now, my associates and I have already captured your fellow associates. I am also happy to report that we are very much looking forward to giving you lot a season greeting.

From inside the stockman, the last three robbers were two elf's and a Santa and once they heard Lucifer's announcement, the Santa looked to his elf's and ordered them to head out and find out what's going on and to kill whoever gets in their way.

What do you thinks going to happen to next? Will Christmas be saved? Will Lucifer finally get into the Christmas Spirit for Jophiel's sake? Well, I'm afraid those questions won't be answered until sometime after Christmas day. Still, hope you like this story so far. If so, please comment.