A/N: Alright ladies and gentlemen. Time to amp up the pain level. Yeah. I won't go easy on you and our sweethearts. Be ready for the gruesomeness, hurt and angst to continue, here and in further chapters. Enjoy! ;)

Recommended Songs:

Music for a Cruel King - Knight Tales

Exist Strategy - Nessa's Lament

Chapter 3 – Lost

[Music for a Cruel King - Knight Tales]

"Sir, would you please let me take a look at you? I need to make sure you're alright," the paramedic urged, guiding her flashlight over him to get a first impression of his condition.

"You asked this twice already and I've told you again and again that I'll be fine! If you would just please leave me be, that would be splendid, thank you," Lucifer grumbled, busy sulking about his situation, cuddled up against Chloe. But the woman stayed persistent and boldly reached for his right hand, inspecting the blood and looking for injuries. Pulling his hand back and leaning away from her inquisitive stare, he grunted and glared at her sceptically . "I know, I'm a bloody mess, but my hands are certainly not what's hurting me right now!" Do I really need to flash my eyes at her so she leaves me be?!

"Not your hands? I see… So where do you hurt, Sir?" she asked in a triumphant-curious tone, her brows rising expectantly.

Lucifer could have sworn she not only sounded sheepish, but that she also had to force away a smirk tugging at her lips. Dad-dammit! "Nowhere I'll let you look! And that's saying quite something, coming from me, trust me," he muttered defiantly, trying to find protection in Chloe's arms. It seemed though, the Detective's gentleness had subsided as well, because she betrayed him by offering the paramedic a smile and an answer that was the final nail to his situational, defiance coffin.

"His back," Chloe answered for him, having mercy on the woman. "Would you please take a look and see if you can help him?" She gave Lucifer a pointed but loving look, hoping his grumpiness would pass. She could understand he was tense about his condition and that he was wary to let anyone near him whom he didn't know and trust whilst being this vulnerable. But he would be of not much help, if he would be like this, especially with her having to follow protocol.

Staring at Chloe in exaggerated disbelief and shock, Lucifer eventually sighed and reluctantly lowered the blanket for the medic. After a couple of moments of her inspecting his freshly burnt skin, he looked at her over his shoulder. "So? What do you say, doctor?"

"These are… fresh. I let you know right away, they will take lots of time to heal." The medic turned to her male colleague who stood a few feet behind her, basic medical equipment slung around his shoulder. "Frank, get the stretcher, will ya? This needs further treatment at the hospital."

Lucifer's eyes widened with shock and protest. "Hospital? What?! No! I'm not going to a hospital!" It was not acceptable. Not possible. As he gazed at Chloe, urging her to support him, he was glad to find that she understood how putting an angel into a hospital was not a particularly good idea.

"I'm sorry, but it's important for him to have this handled from the people he knows. If he says he doesn't want to go with you and he is in no lethal danger or mentally incompetent, you're not allowed to force him. Please respect that." She gave Lucifer a short, thin-lipped, but knowing smile, before her wide blown eyes looked insistently at the two medics.

After a few seconds of pondering her situation, the woman sighed and nodded at her colleague. "Fine. Then I'll give those wounds a thorough first aid treatment; Cleansing and a good amount of burn ointment before bandaging him all up. But you have to get this looked after." The woman frowned and exchanged looks with Chloe. Then she began to unpack the kit with her colleague and prepared the utensils. "Perhaps it's best if you distract him. This will hurt quite a bit."

He took a sharp breath, rebellious defiance at the tip of his tongue again. This was preposterous. The woman had no clue about what kind of pain he had already endured. "I'm not a baby. I don't need-"

"Lucifer, please," Chloe insisted, taking his hands and making him lean closer. "Listen. I want you to be okay while we still have to be here." Looking at him pensively, she lowered her voice to add, "While you're around me. You can heal up at home in a bit. But you'll have to go through some questioning first and Ella needs to take samples. Then I can bring you home, alright?" She hoped that he'd be wise about it and not make it more complicated. Only wanting the best for him was her top priority, but it also included getting his statement and samples right away, before any possible evidence might be accidentally distorted or washed away.

Home sounded good to him, especially when he was being accompanied by her, but just sitting back and relaxing while someone was walking around with his wings, was definitely not what he wanted. "Fine, but I want to take part in the investigation!"

Sighing, she bit her lip. "You know I can't promise that." Seeing his desolate and pleading look though, made her heart clench. Why does his charm not work on me, but his puppy eyes do? "Okay, I will let you in as soon as you're cleared from the investigation."

But instead of cheering at her words, his expression faltered. "What?! You- You don't honestly think I killed that bloke, do you?!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with hurt.

"Oh, Lucifer, of course I don't think you did it. But please let me have you taken care of medically and be cleared first. Maybe the lab analysis will give us a lead as to what exactly happened to you and that guy. Please?" Returning her own set of puppy eyes at him, she saw his shoulder sink in acceptance.

Relaxing at her words, he nodded. He didn't want to stand in her way and he trusted her skills one hundred percent to handle this with utmost care, wanting to find out who did this just as much as he did. "Alright, alright," he muttered and leaned his forehead to rest down against her shoulder. "Go ahead, doctor. Put your bloody miracle-juice on me already- Oh, I'm sorry, Detective. I didn't mean it like that," he apologized instinctively, a small smile on his lips being unseen by her.

Rolling her eyes, she let out a scoff and nodded at the paramedics to get started. Using one hand to cradle his head against her, she felt how Lucifer reached out and grasped her other, caressing it in turn. It was sweet how he searched for her closeness, not even saying anything about it, and she felt an overwhelming gratitude that he had such trust in her. As she held him tightly, the male medic, Frank, took out a scissor and cut up his ruined shirt. Sliding off of him in pieces, tormented bare skin was revealed. Chloe tried to listen if Lucifer was making a comment about his shirt, but other than a soft sigh, she didn't hear him complain. He was tense though, even though his shoulders seemed relaxed. She could tell he was wary, like a scared dog at the vet that reluctantly accepted treatment.

The medics worked hand in hand, carefully cleaned the marred skin with a disinfectant and applied a generous amount of the transparent gel for burn-treatment. Once they had thoroughly bandaged him with the wound-dressing going broadly around his torso, the female medic gave Lucifer a gentle pat on his arm. "You're all set. Make sure you get the bandages freshened up every day from an expert for the next months until you get cleared."

He wanted to laugh. Of course he wouldn't need months to heal. That was ridiculous. His skin would most likely be all back to normal in two or three days, not that she would be able to witness his divine metabolism work its wonders anyway. He was very happy to not be bothered again about it. "I'm sure I'll manage to take care, doctor," he answered, reluctantly leaning away from Chloe's shoulder to test his own movement, but immediately missing the warmth of her skin and the soothing smell of her perfume filling his nostrils.

Just as the medics began to pack up their kit again, a metal door squeaked and cracked, and several flashlights danced through the hall. Everyone's attention was pulled towards the lights, except that of Lucifer who flinched when the blueish lights flashed in his vision. Suddenly his heart began to thunder, his pulse thrummed in his ears and his fingers started to shake and cramp at his sides. What the hell…? Irritated, he lowered them out of sight, forcing his breathing and pulse to both calm down again. It was difficult, but became easier when a familiar voice echoed through the hall and made known to whom the lights belonged.

"Chloe?!" Dan called out, the flashlights going from left to right as they scanned the big room. "Chloe, where are you?"

Lucifer swallowed and exhaled. Eyes shortly glancing at Chloe, he made sure she hadn't noticed. He didn't want for her to know. Know what?, he wondered silently, but couldn't focus at the deep ache in his chest and the dark glooming pit in his stomach when Chloe's call towards Dan pulled him back to the moment.

"Yes! Over here!" she shouted back, her voice echoing through the hall and easily passing over the thundering storm. "In the far left corner!" A moment later Dan, Ella and two more forensics approached, closing the distance to them in wide strides. Helping Lucifer drape the blanket back around him, she supported him to stand up, not wanting for him to be on the cold, wet ground for a minute longer. "Ella will take some samples from you. I'll talk to Dan and then we take your statement, okay?" she explained again, not thinking that he had forgotten, but it was rather a way to calm him and let him know they were all here for him. While he appeared more or less alright in his behavior, she didn't dare to imagine the suffering that was going on inside him. It was unbelievable to know that he had actually made the conscious decision to have the stumps of his wings removed just minutes before, right after having been mutilated and ditched like trash.

Of course he could see her care, see the help she offered and the thought behind her actions and words. But it all collided with his world in a way he wasn't sure she could comprehend. "Detective," he muttered, his tone low and careful. "If she tests my blood, it will make no sense to her. And if she's smart, which we know she is, then she will find out about me. You're aware of that, yes?"

"I know, Lucifer, but this is an important part of the procedure. I can't just let this be dropped. Let's just not worry over it for now, okay?" she softly said, gently caressing her palm over his cheek. "She'll take lots of other samples and who knows what we'll find. We'll think of something concerning your blood results later. I'm sure it's gonna be fine."

"Alright then." Nodding at her, he watched her step up towards Dan and Ella, exchanging a few words with the Latina, before the forensic came up to him with a devastated expression on her usually so vibrant face. He offered Ella a weak smile, which she returned with a sad one and a raise of her gloved hand in greeting. A greeting that was somewhat distant, because he was a potential suspect as well as victim who had likely all kinds of incriminating evidence all over him. He cringed at the thought.

Turning to the paramedics, Ella quickly let herself be updated on his condition and he could hear the doctor saying 'probably in shock' and 'heavy third to fourth degree burns'. When Ella shortly looked back towards him horrified, he swallowed uncomfortably. He didn't like being looked at like that, like a victim, unable to take care of himself. It was quite the contrary. He was the bloody King of Hell for fucks sake! He wasn't helpless and he could certainly take care of himself. Watching the medics wishing him well, he waved them goodbye. They spoke a last word between Dan and Chloe and then headed back outside.

"Hey, I just heard the rough rundown on what happened," Ella uttered concerned as she stepped up to him. "Well, obviously it isn't much to go with yet. I'm so sorry, Lucifer."

Her concern was as genuine and heartwarming as usual and in a way he was glad this procedure would be done by her and not somebody else. "It's alright… I guess I've had it worse…" Nothing beats my Fall, does it?

"I'll be taking some pictures of you and then we'll get to the samples," she explained and slung her camera forward.

The click and flash of the camera made him flinch and his arm shot up to shield his eyes in defence. His heart began to thunder once more and a thick lump in his throat made it difficult to breathe.

Shortly lowering her camera, Ella looked at him questioningly. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked, frowning concerned.

She noticed. Dammit. I have to keep these reactions in check… What's up with those anyway? "I- I'm sorry. I'll try not to flinch again," he avoided her question, plastered on a fake smile that didn't reach his eyes, and let her continue with her work. It was difficult, very difficult, to not flinch, but he managed to reduce it to just a twitch and flutter of his eyes whenever the flash burned into his retinas. It took all of his focus to not move, but eventually he had made it through the procedure and Ella had taken various pictures of him and his clothing.

When she put her equipment away, he was finally able to think about something else than controlling his muscles, and another matter came bubbling up inside him that he needed insight on. Nervously licking his lips, he looked at her. "Miss Lopez? Would you happen to know anything about memory loss and… how to make lost memories return?"

Crouching, Ella sat down the bag containing her camera equipment as well as a second bag, from which she opened the main zip. Looking through the supplies of her science kit, she took out a little package and a few small sticks. "Well, the most important thing would be to not stress yourself on the memory part. I know, it sounds weird, trust me. Obviously you want to remember, but you can't force your brain on that matter. The memories can come back step by step or all at once. Many people suffering from a trauma induced amnesia are recovering the lost memories over time. You have to be patient with yourself."

He nodded thoughtfully, although what she stated sounded wrong. He needed closure on what had happened to him and what he had done. It wasn't just about missing parts of a boozed night where he had forgotten how he got home. Putting aside that this was entirely a human issue, and not one of his, of course. No. He had to remember, at all costs. The faster the better. His wings in the hands of a human had already led to a disaster before. But now they had been taken off of his body directly and it was a whole nother level of invasion into his privacy. He wanted to catch the one responsible, feel the pulse of his thundering pulse in his palm and… He bit down on his tongue to not think any further. No murderous thoughts while being investigated. It wouldn't help me... Licking his lips, he gazed at her insistently. "But… is it certain that I will remember?"

Ella's movements stopped just as she had taken a sterile tissue from her kit. She hesitated, her eyes growing softer and a bit sadder. "I… I can't tell. As far as I know, there's a fifty-fifty chance. You might get snippets and that would be a great start that sets more into motion." Seeing him look down, she frowned. "Hey. I'm sure you'll have it all return. I know you're not all too fond of the Big Guy, but… just have a bit of faith."

Of course he wasn't putting any form of faith in his Father to help him with this, but Ella did have a point. Positivity went a long way. He needed to trust in his own strength to recover his memory. The only issue that made his mind waver was that he wasn't all too sure if he would like what could be revealed. Eyes resting once more on his blood stained hands, he stayed quiet as Ella gently took his left hand for a swipe and then used another tissue, swiping his right.

She bagged both samples, labelled them and stored them in her kit. Moving on, she took more samples from under his fingernails as well as a swipe from his mouth. Next in line was the processing of his clothes. With more prepared swaps she packed the ruined shirt rags off the ground and took samples from his pants as well as his shoes. Everything professionally taken care of and labelled, she looked at him carefully. "I remember we have your fingerprints, but I don't think we've ever had a blood sample of you in our database, so I'd need to take a fresh bit to compare with all the other traces, okay?"

Nodding, he held out his right bare forearm to her. "Go ahead," he mouthed, watching as she took a few utensils for the blood sampling. As the needle of the syringe broke through his skin, he didn't really notice, his eyes solely focused on Chloe, the reason for the needle being able to pierce through his skin in the first place. She was still talking with Dan. By now they had walked over to the dead man a few feet away and Chloe nodded as she discussed something with Dan. The other forensics were stepping around the body, marking traces and taking samples and pictures of evidence. Thankfully the flash was further away and not bothering him too much. One of the forensics carefully removed the knife from the man's chest and bagged it. A gentle pressure against the crook of his arm, made him look back at Ella, spotting she had just been done taking his blood sample and had put a little tissue against the puncture. How cute.

"There. All done," Ella said smiling at him softly. She gave Chloe and Dan a signal, gesturing to them she'd continue processing the crime scene. "Lucifer, I know this is a bad moment to come up with it, but… when you come to the station tomorrow, could you bring the rest of your clothing you're wearing right now?"

He needed a moment to grasp what she asked. But as he understood, he nodded, thankful for her approach. She didn't want to send him to the precinct where he'd be given a set of plain clothes, but let him change into his own clothes at home. She put her trust in him that he'd bring her his worn clothes from today and not get rid of them. Most likely quite a bend of procedure, to his favour. "Of course, Miss Lopez." Offering her a soft, weak smile he took over on the pressure point of the puncture and lifted the tissue to take a look at the small little hole. A small droplet of blood came forth and triggered a sudden, shuddering impact blacking out his senses and his surrounding. Everything faded and he could feel his body losing ground.

~o~

There's a throat. He realizes it's his throat. He swallows. It's difficult. It hurts. A hand comes into his vision, a male one, guiding a syringe in front of his face and then out of his view. Where did it go? Suddenly he feels a sharp sting and something slides deep into the side of his throat. It's uncomfortable as it's pulled out again. Then there's three soft claps on what he thinks must be his shoulder - like a 'good boy'. Is it his shoulder? He's not sure.

"Any second now…" he hears a muffled, male voice near his ear. Why does it sound muffled?

And then the blazing torment starts. He feels his veins on fire, like burning magma rushing through his arteries. He tries to scream but can't. He tries again, but no sound loves his mouth. Sweat is covering his skin and he twitches in pain, something is holding him in place, forcing him to stay put. He can't move. Not an inch. He's panicking. He wants to get out. To get away.

"Shush… be a good Devil and behave…" the voice purrs darkly, indifferent to the pain he's suffering.

He wants out.

Now.

Out. Out. Out. Out. Out….

~o~

A sharp slap to his cheek makes him snap back.

"Lucifer? Hey?! Lucifer, look at me!" Chloe's voice rang alarmed.

Blinking rapidly, he took fast, flat breaths, feeling his pulse thundering still from what he had just seen. He gazed at Chloe with his eyes wide open, his jaw clenched tight. His head and back hurt and he realized he lay on the ground again, staring up. Both of Chloe's hands cupped his face, her thumbs gently caressing his cheeks, but her warmth didn't reach into his trembling core. Lips quivering, he anxiously looked into her ocean blues to ground himself. "I- I just r-remembered s-s-somethin-ng. I think I- I- I was injected with a d-drug."

"Easy there, Lucifer. You're still shaking all over," Chloe softly said, carefully helping him to sit up again. Reaching for the blanket that had fallen down from his trembling hands, she draped it around his back. He looked horrible, in complete shock and had chattering teeth. She'd never seen him all this hurt and broken before, so anxious and desperate. He looked completely lost. "Shh… it's okay, Lucifer. Take some deep breaths. Take your time."

It was hard to focus, the memories feeling like a recent wound that burned and hadn't yet stopped bleeding. Through clenched teeth, he took some more breaths until after another minute, his heart was finally slowing down and his breath had calmed along with it. Swallowing and licking his lips, he tried to put everything together again. "I remember that there was a man. I could see his hand and hear his voice. He pricked me with a syringe... And then… I- I felt-" He paused, glancing between Chloe, Ella and Dan who were all standing around him, staring at him in worry and curiosity, all tense and alert. "Felt what?" was written all over their faces. He couldn't share what was itching on his tongue though. He wanted for Chloe and the others to know the important things, but not how he had been in searing pain and desperate to scream. No. That wouldn't be helpful or important to know. "...I tried to move away, but something kept me in place."

"Were you tied up? Or maybe bound against something?" Dan asked pensively, his notepad in hand, writing down every detail Lucifer explained. "Did you see his face? Or could you see where you were being held hostage?"

"I… I'm not sure, I…" he stuttered, stressed and pressured. He pushed into the dark black hole in his mind, concentrating with all his strength to try and reveal some of the buried memories, but nothing more came to the surface. Exhausted and disappointed, he shook his head, his eyes burning. Bloody hell, I'm NOT going to fucking cry… "I don't remember," he muttered in a tight voice, his throat constricted with emotions he wanted to bury further than six feet.

It was of course a disadvantage to not know any more details, but a small recovery was also a good start and better than nothing, Chloe thought. "Okay, that's alright," she commented understandingly. "Tell us the last thing you remember before you woke up here. What were you doing?"

Closing his eyes, he searched for the last memories he could clearly grasp. But despite him remembering, the images felt blurry, less vibrant and lacking their intensity nonetheless. "I was at home, taking care of some phone calls in the morning. I had lots of time left until I'd meet with you, so I went down to Lux and had a few patrons asking me for favours. I… I believe I took care of those as well." He could remember the soft burn of his scotch sliding down into his stomach and some fleeting looks of people he had talked with. But the faces were a blur and the conversations foggy.

"You believe? Who were those people? Got any names?" Dan asked, taking more notes of what Lucifer had explained so far.

"No, I… I don't know. The memories at Lux are… vague," Lucifer muttered, his fingers tugging the blanket tighter. "I can't remember the details," he added with a shaking voice, and looked at Chloe, knowing she could read his wish to just leave this hell and be out of this conversation.

"Alright then. Chloe said you don't know this man over there. Could he have been one of those patrons you've talked to? Did you take a close enough look at him?" Dan continued his questioning, his features tense. "Are you sure you haven't seen him befo-"

Each question Dan asked felt like a stab into his chest, mocking him over his lost memories. With balled fists, he made two shaky steps towards Dan, towering over him with his teeth bared. "I told you, I don't know!" he bellowed at him angrily and frustrated, forcing back the tears that stung in his eyes. "I don't remember! I don't bloody remember anything!"

Chloe could understand him snapping. It was just too much of everything, the pain, the memory loss, the loss of his wings, and Dan hadn't been particularly sensible with his questioning either. She gently tugged at Dan's sleeve and when she had his attention, she shook his head at him silently, indicating that this statement was over. Turning back towards Lucifer, she carefully rubbed along his left arm's side. "It's fine Lucifer. That's all for now. Come on. The team will be collecting more evidence. I'll bring you home." She helped him along through the warehouse and stepped out into the pouring rain, guiding him to her car parked close-by.

[Exist Strategy - Nessa's Lament]

Settled inside and back on the road, Lucifer remained quiet, pushing aside the pain in his shoulder blades. He noticed how Chloe put on the heater. When she offered him a smile and nod to his hands, he realised they had started trembling again. He knew it was because of the missing wings and not because of the cold. It wasn't freezing outside, it was that his own body's heat generators were gone. Gone… More like "ripped away from me"…

It all had been so different back then, when he had removed the wings on his own. Of course it had been painful, but at least he knew what was happening. Forcing down the bile that threatened to come up, he straightened himself up in his seat. The idea of someone mutilating his body while he was drugged was devastating, sickening and it also made no sense. How could that syringe even slide into my throat when Chloe wasn't around? How could that drug work on my system? What the fuck has that sick piece of shit done to me?!

"Okay, we're here," Chloe quietly spoke and pulled over at the sidewalk. Looking over at him concerned, she saw him deep in thought and again he looked so unbelievably lost, slumped down in his seat, slightly shaking, his eyes glassy and distant.

The light pull against the seatbelt as the car came to a halt made him blink and focus on their surroundings. Lux. Despite the heavy rain, the line in front of the club was still several meters long and the guests took shelter beneath umbrellas and fancy coats. It looked as if literally not a thunderstorm could ruin their determination to have a fun night at his club. Staring at the crowd, his mind wandered to his penthouse. What is it gonna be like? What does it look like? Will there be any indicators as to what I did or what happened to me?

"Lucifer? Are you alright?" Chloe asked after a full minute of watching him not move an inch. She wished she could read his mind, wished she knew exactly what she could do to help sooth him, but she wasn't sure at all about anything. All she knew was that he was not okay, despite him trying to stay composed and look normal. He was far from that.

What if I find something? What if it has proof that I murdered that guy? What if I find something that gives me another flashback? She wouldn't be there. And she obviously doesn't intend to stay here, does she? We were supposed to meet for dinner at her place. With her spawn. And now I'd be here all night. Away from her. Away from them both. Alone. "I… I don't want to be here right now." He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, bugged that he couldn't keep his voice steady, but that it sounded shaky and weak. "I… I don't think I can-"

"It's fine," she cut him off, reaching out with her right hand and placing it above his left on his leg. Offering him a reassuring smile, she tenderly squeezed his broad hand. "You wanted to come to my place this evening anyway. And Trixie would be really happy to see you. You can stay with us." She hoped he would agree. Not that he had many other places to go to, expect perhaps Maze, but she wanted him close rather than this far away, alone and in shock. Holding his wide brown eyes that were practically overflowing with emotions, she saw him nod and released a relieved breath. "Would you like me to grab you some clothes for you to change into? You can wait in the car."

He couldn't understand how he deserved such perfection. How she was so caring, so thoughtful and loving to him. But it made his heart ache for her even more, his mind quickly reeling over the wish to lean over and kiss her, to force away the inner turmoil and just lose himself in some happiness with her. "Yes… That would be kind," he replied almost timidly, his voice strained, less from the pain of his back, and more from his hammering, longing heart.

"Alright. I'll be back shortly. Just relax." Giving his hand a last squeeze, she unbuckled and got out of the car. Heading straight to the elevator, she rode to his penthouse, thinking for the umpteenth time that it was weird he had no code or key for his penthouse level, even though he was the Devil and probably able to kick any intruder's ass so hard he'd fly through the window straight back down - not that he'd ever do that, unless said intruder would miraculously land in a pile of pillows. Still, the unprotected privacy of him felt unnerving and it bothered her even more now that Lucifer had been truly harmed. Maybe the person responsible had paid him a visit here and Lucifer hadn't been prepared to be overwhelmed like that in his own four walls.

When she entered his penthouse, she shortly took a look around, doing a rudimental examination like a first glance to a crime scene. She was glad to see that nothing laid broken or thrown around, indicating a struggle or fight. It gave her a bit calm, but she knew it also didn't have to mean all too much. Striding inside, she ran her hands over the expensive counter, spotting an empty glass and a half filled ashtray, likely from his afternoon of doing calls. I guess Ella will pick up his phone at the crime scene... We could check his calls from today… Maybe Lucifer could even call them again, see if he can remember a bit more...

Releasing a pent up breath, she headed over to his bedroom, spotting it in its usual perfection, always looking inviting to ruffle sheets. Smiling to herself, she passed through the room and stepped into his spacious dressing room. She quickly looked around spotting a big enough leather duffel and hoped he wouldn't mind the wrinkles it would cause on the clothes. She selected a full set of a three piece suit that she knew would be a good combination for him, added accessories to the side pocket and at last took a pair of shoes.

When she returned to her car, Lucifer was slumped down in the passenger seat, his eyes hooded. Quickly slipping back into the car, she heard him release a startled gasp. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. I've got you something nice to change into."

"Thank you," he replied quietly, exhaled a long breath and rested his right arm against the window ledge. Leaning towards the side, he closed his eyes, pulling the blanket around himself tighter. The car was moving again, but he didn't watch their surroundings, not that the darkness and heavy rain would give much of a view to take in anyway. He retreated into his mind again, trying to think of ways to search for his wings his own way. Of course he appreciated the human strategies on the matter, but missing angel wings could hardly be their official goal. He had seen how difficult it was the last time his wings were involved. No. He would use his own connections and methods as much as he could, calling out into his network of people with certain knowledge and sending them out on a hunt for information. The actual hunt of the culprit though, that was something he wanted to take care of himself.

And whatever sorry-assed soul was responsible for his situation... would have hell to pay.

A/N: That's it for this chapter! What do ya think?! Curious to know your reactions and your ideas even though it's still super early. but I love to hear wild speculations! xD Have a wonderful day and see you in the next one!

- Luni