AN/ Hello sweeties, first of all I want to wish you a happy new year and wish you all the best.
Secondly, I want to say that I am really really sorry that it's taking me so long to update my stories. Real life and a bit of a writers block are messing up my schedule. For this story, I have to deal with a 6 hours time difference with my friend too.
For the readers of my solo projects: Reefside and Going down, I am not abandoning the stories and I try to update them as soon as possible. I busy writing the chapter as we speak. Please be a little patient with me. Thank you for coming back for every chapter. I love you all.
Hugs and kisses,
LadyT.
Chapter 8:
Chloe and Lucifer left the gym and headed back to the car. "He has an alibi, but I don't think we've seen the last of him. So now what?" asked Lucifer.
.
"I'm going back to the station to look for another lead, and you can do whatever it is you do sometimes. " Chloe said, knowing Lucifer wasn't going to cheat on her.
"Two pairs of eyes see more than one, maybe I can help? We are partners, honey, for as long as you'll have me that is. Which, still doesn't mean I will do paperwork." He chuckled.
"Of course." Chloe said with an eye roll, "Well, you can help me shuffle through stuff at the station or you could check on Susan if you like. Maybe it would be best if we got her a cell phone in case of emergencies."
"Maybe we could take a break for an hour, have a little fun," Lucifer said with a smug grin.
She rolled her eyes again, "Let's leave that for later tonight, and focus on work right now. You always need more than an hour to be completely satisfied anyways," she replied with a wink.
"Devil stamina, remember honey," Luce winked.
"I know, I know." She said, "Which is why you have to wait until tonight,"
They get into the car, "I think Susan will love that, having something to communicate with. Maybe Trixie can teach her to use it. Maybe Susan could watch the child when you need a babysitter?" Lucifer said.
"Well, I think that's a good idea. Maybe they can help each other then." Chloe answered, "Even though I know Dan isn't going to be pleased that the woman we are keeping him away from is watching his daughter."
"Daniel doesn't have to be so douchy about it. Does he really think you would endanger your offspring?" Lucifer said in a serious tone of voice, "But once a douche, always a douche."
"Lucifer!" Chloe groaned, "I know Dan made mistakes, but he is still Trixie's father."
"Thankfully, she takes after her mother." Lucifer winked.
"I will take that as a compliment." Chloe grinned.
When they got to the station, they overheard an argument between Dan and the Lieutenant. They stopped halfway down the steps to listen.
"You can't be serious, Lieutenant. I need answers to those questions." Dan tried to plead his case
"Let someone else handle it. You will stay away from that woman, focus on the other employees there. Prove to me you can follow orders and do this." said the Lieutenant.
"Who will handle it?" Dan asked
"Detective Decker" the Lietenant. says.
Chloe walked down the steps and over to him after he made eye contact with her, hearing her name.
"But they are biased, sir." Dan said, "She lives at Lux."
"I have made up my mind, now push any harder and you'll be removed from the case, are we clear?" The Lieutenant. said with authority in his voice.
"Yes, sir. crystal." Dan groaned and stormed off.
"Thank you, sir," Chloe said.
"I trust you will be the one to handle this properly," Lieutenant said.
"We will handle this properly, sir. You have our word." Chloe said, "Isn't that right, Lucifer?"
"Of course, we will take care of the young lady, give her the royal treatment," Lucifer replied.
His choice of words makes the Lt. eye him for a few moments. What did he know about Narnia and Susan?
He paused for a moment before saying, "Good, I'll leave you to it." before walking off.
"He's trying to make up for something, I could feel it just now." Lucifer said, "It all ties into Susan somehow. I could feel his guilt. If we help her, I think we'll help them all." As they walked over to her desk, not long after that Dan came over and said "Happy now? You got what you wanted." He groaned.
Chloe looked up at him and sighed at a loss for what to say.
"You seem to be upset Daniel? Anything I can do to help? I have several girls I could call or guys, if you like, help you work that tension off."
As he looked at Dan, who looked at him incensed, "Get lost, Lucifer." Dan growled before storming off.
"That wasn't entirely helpful," said Chloe.
"I think it was," Lucifer grinned, "it got him out of your hair."
"That only made him angrier," Chloe replied.
Lucifer shrugged, "Don't worry about him, Detective. He will come around." Lucifer said to his girlfriend, he then asked, "so what is next?"
"Next, we really need to start looking for an explanation about Susan, and we need a new lead too." Chloe sighed, "I'll handle some of the paperwork. Why don't you go check on her and get her a phone? I'll call you when I have something."
Chloe knew he would be bored otherwise.
"Are you sure, detective?" Lucifer asked.
"Yeah, unless you want to sit and watch me do paperwork," Chloe said, knowing he didn't like that.
"I'll pass, thank you very much." Lucifer said, "Just call when you need me okay, honey."
"Sure thing, when I need the muscles, I'll let you know. She winked at him.
"Oh, so I am only your muscles now," Lucifer said in faking a pained voice.
She rolled her eyes, "Of course not. You quite a few other things."
Lucifer grinned at her before he gave her a peck on her lips before leaving the precinct, happy with that answer. After leaving the station and stopping by the phone store to add a phone to his plan, he headed back to the club to check on Susan.
He stepped inside the elevator and pushed on the button for the level where Susan's apartment was. Shortly, the doors opened to her floor.
Caspian was sitting on the couch with Susan's head in his lap. They were talking.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Lucifer said, smiling at the sight of the young couple, or at least young to him.
"Hey Lucifer, no, we were just talking about Narnia. Can we help you?" Susan asked.
"I just came to check on you. Oh, and I brought you something." Lucifer smiled.
"Oh? What did you bring me?" Susan asked curiously, sitting up next to Caspian.
"A phone so you can call if you need help." Lucifer explained, "I know you don't know anything about this, so later Chloe's daughter will teach you how to use it."
"I have been given the knowledge about these modern times." Caspian started, "I can teach her if that's okay."
"Well, that's good, by all means." Lucifer answered as he gave the phone to Caspian, "This is so if you need anything, you can call and let us know. I already put in the numbers of me and Chloe. Feel free to add yours, if you have one."
"I have and I will. That way Susan will only be a call away for me." Caspian smiled while he looked at the queen of his heart.
He could see how much the young man cared for Susan. He just hoped he would be what she needed. In fact, he was surprised he hadn't interrupted anything more than talking.
Caspian could see it in the devil's eyes what he was thinking, "We old fashion in that way." He answered, "I would not dishonor her that way. I respect her enough to wait until the right time."
"You don't have to convince me, Caspian. I am a being of free will and desire. I never judge people." Lucifer smiled, "Not when it comes to fun in bed."
Susan blushed a bit at this statement. He had to remember that Susan came from the 40's era and Caspain from a Renaissance-era, neither time was as free as now with talks of such things. But Lucifer wouldn't be Lucifer if he wasn't brutally honest even in those eras. Each of those times had been fun in their own way.
"I will leave you to it then." Lucifer chuckled, before turning around and walking back to the elevator. He stopped and said while looking over his shoulder, "if that time does come, I have any protection needs upstairs."
He chuckled as he got into the elevator. His phone rang, putting an end to his amusement. "Hello detective," he said as he answered his phone, "Do you miss me already?"
"Always, I thought my partner would want to go with me to interview the zoo owner," Chloe answered.
"I will see you there, detective." Lucifer said immediately, "not to worry your muscle boy is on the way." He tells her with smug humor.
Chloe chuckled, "I will see you there muscle boy." hanging up after saying goodbye.
Lucifer pushed on the button that brought him to his private parking lot with a smile on his face, thinking of his detective. He left the parking lot, strangely enough, not sensing the celestial being that was watching him.
Michael watched from a window from a building directly across the street, "it seems my brother is up to something. Our brother must have been desperate to ask the fallen one for help." Michael grinned, "maybe if I can figure out what he is doing I can put a monkey wrench in the works and make him look all the worse."
He turned from the window once his twin was out of sight, and caught sight of the full-length mirror across the room. If he had been mortal, then the shock of what he saw there could have caused his heart to stop. As it was, the jolt had it running at double time.
He then heard, "that would not be wise" in the deep, rich, baritone of the Lion in the mirror.
"And why would that be?" Michael asked, "Why would my furry brother care anyway?" he added with a dismissive sneer.
"I don't care about you but the mission," Aslan answered.
"If you cared so much, why would you go looking for my twin, you think you can save him too?" Michael laughed, "He most likely will screw up whatever the mission is."
"I have more trust in him for the mission than all the angels in the Silver City combined." Aslan said, "Lucifer is the expert in healing guilt, he just doesn't know that yet."
Michael let out a loud cackling laugh, "You must be joking! Trust him, he can't be trusted. That's why my father threw him out! Look what he did to me, proof he can't be trusted."
"From what I heard you brought that on yourself," Aslan said.
A dark look passed over his face at this comment.
"What would you know about that? I didn't force Lucifer to go to war against Father." Michael said angrily
"You didn't try to stop your brother either," Aslan responded. Talking to Michael was pure torture.
"You know how stubborn he can be," Michael said, trying to look innocent.
"A trait you both share as twins, with that difference that Lucifer still is the Lightbringer even after his fall. Father never took those powers away from him." Aslan smirked, "To every light, there is a shadow." Aslan said with his knowing gaze that made Michael's skin crawl, feeling like he's being judged by his father.
"Don't give me that judgmental look, you're not Father! I'm not doing anything wrong, I'm going to prove to Father Samael hasn't changed and forced him off earth, just like I forced him out of heaven!" Michael shouted, getting agitated under his brother's gaze.
"You truly the shadow to your brother's light, aren't you? Just how deep does the darkness of that shadow go?" Aslan asked, in that same unshakeable calm voice that always exudes from him. At that moment, Michael felt like he was in front of his father, and he hated that, and how easily his brother saw through him.
"That answer is none of your business! No one is going to stand in my way of dealing with my brother, not even you. If I have to trample over your precious little mission to do so, then so be it." Michael said, his tone at the end of that statement took on such a calm intensity, that any mere mortal would have been terrified. Unfortunately for him, his brother was unaffected by such cheap attempts at intimidation, and fear.
The Lion suddenly roared loudly, the force of the sound shook the very walls and floor of the place, and sent such a jolt of fear through him, forcing him off his feet and into the seat directly behind him. The only other person that could do that to him was his Father and he hated that, while not quick to anger, when having done so his brother's temper was fearsome, another trait he got from their father.
Unfortunately, he seemed to have crossed that line with his outburst.
"Alright, have it your way, for now, don't get your mane in a twist." Michael groaned.
Samael or Lucifer, as he loved to be called now, was equally as strong as him, of course with the same weapons. What he forgot was that his twin was much stronger in his devil form. So those two paired were no match for him, not that Aslan needed the help. He was the strongest of all his siblings and the most like father. So he had to placate his brother for now.
"Tell me, brother, how did you convince Lucifer to help you? The great Aslan doesn't usually need people to do his missions," Michael asked in a soft tone.
"I asked it of him, for I knew he would be the one for the job, that's All you need to know " Aslan replied,
Aslan didn't want to give Michael any hints at how to sabotage Lucifer and derail the mission. He knew Michael would not stay out of the way regardless of what he said to him. It was none of Michael's business, but he would use it to his benefit if it aided him in his plans, regardless of who it hurt. He did not want him jeopardizing the gentle queen's redemption, just to get one up on his brother.
"Just like Father using others to enact your plans," Michael smirked.
"There are others in this room who act like that too, dear brother." Aslan said, "but while one works for selfish means, another works for selfless means."
"Lucifer isn't selfless, Aslan and you know it," Michael said with a grin,
"But he is also not in this room right now." Aslan said in that same calm tone and piercing gaze that calls him out without actually doing so, "Whether selfless or not, Michael. He accepted the challenge and he will succeed in it, as I know he can."
"Are we talking about the same brother?" Michael asked with a grin.
"I have more faith in him than you do but yes we are." Aslan said, "I wouldn't have chosen him if I didn't think he could do it."
"You must have been really desperate to go to him. Why is this so important? What is this big mission?" Michael asked.
"That's none of your concern, Michael. I went to Lucifer because he is the only one who can call himself an expert on the problems of my mission." Aslan said, not wanting to reveal too much for he knew Michael would use it against him, so the best left unsaid the better, besides he could be a greater danger to Susan than to his brother. He knew Lucifer could handle his twin.
While Lucifer was strong enough to defeat Michael on his own he still was going to need Caspian's help to protect Susan. Caspian's love for Susan was stronger than all the fear in the world. Michael would be powerless but, the right hand of God didn't know that. Which would give Lucifer an edge in this fight, because the fallen angel couldn't do both things at the same time.
Michael turned away for a moment as a glare from the window caught his eye. When he turned back he saw that Aslan was gone. He hated when his brother did that, it was beyond frustrating! This complicated things a bit, but he would have to find a way to work his plan so he got what he wanted without becoming lion chow.
About two hours before the club opened, Lucifer brought Caspian downstairs to introduce him to the staff. "Ah Maze, Darling, This is Caspian King. The new bartender can you and Patrick show him the ropes before opening?"
"I sure as hell want to show him more than just the bartending." Maze said, caressing her front teeth with the tip of her tongue, looking at the man with pure lust.
"Hands off Maze, he is Susan's fellow," Lucifer warned his demon.
Caspian looked at her a little uncomfortable, "it's true, my heart already belongs to my gentle queen."
"Too bad, you don't know what you are missing." Maze grinned.
"Mazikeen," Lucifer warned his demon again.
"Fine! I'll keep my hands off, even if he is fairly tempting, for a human." The demon said.
"Not to worry Caspian, she will behave herself around you," said Lucifer. "She knows how dangerous I can be," Lucifer added, looking at his demon with the look of a king, a look that Caspian recognizes from his life in Narnia.
This wasn't just Lucifer saying it, this was her king warning her.
"So she one of your subjects? Are they all, or just her?" Caspian asked.
"I only brought her. Even though she is not in my service anymore, she still has to tread carefully." Lucifer said.
Maze stared at him for a moment before she looked at Caspian and winked, "if anyone acts up in here when we are open, I can take care of them," she said.
"Good." Lucifer said, "Now I want to officially welcome you to Lux." Lucifer said to Caspian.
"Thank you, Lucifer. I will do my best to live up to the expectations, of my position here," said Caspian.
"I am sure you will, Caspian." Lucifer smiled.
Susan stepped out of the elevator wearing a vibrant emerald green dress. The style had the cut of dresses from her time in the '40s, but with a bit of a modern flair. So while it was still more conservative than any other garment in the room, its understated elegance gave it a noticeable beauty, that like its wearer stood out, but in a good way.
As she reached the top of the stairs to descend into the club, she met up with Chloe. "Don't you look lovely?" Chloe said with a smile.
"Thanks" Susan smiled.
Chloe looked like she was still on duty from the normal, dressed-down manner of her appearance. "I take it this isn't a social call, is it?" Susan responded
"Afraid not, do you know where Lucifer is?" Chloe asked.
"I think he's in the club, he told me he was there earlier, and I was welcome to come and join. He gave me this." Susan said as she showed her a black and gold card, that had VIP written on it, as well as her name.
"That is good, that card will allow you into the club, and show that at the bar if you want something," Chloe explained.
Susan nodded, "Good to know, I'll make sure to keep track of it."
"Did you come down to hear Lucifer play?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, that and to be with Caspian. Lucifer gave him a job. He's at the bar making drinks," Susan said, "There he is there," she pointed him out at the bar.
Chloe smiled, "I'm glad you found him, or he found you. That's the LT.'s son, isn't it?"
"That's what he told me, but it's a bit more complicated than that. I'll explain it some other time." Susan said, "oh there is Lucifer, he is about to sit at the piano." Susan points out to Chloe.
"Thanks, have a good time tonight," Chloe said with a smile.
Both start down the stairs and part ways, Chloe to the left to where Lucifer was, and Susan to the right where Caspian was working at the bar.
Neither of the ladies noticed that there was a certain pair of eyes watching them as they came down the steps and into the club. Those eyes stayed on Susan and tracked her movements as she headed to the bar.
While he was there to deal with the club owner, he didn't mind detouring in that task, to take a run at such a beauty. He started to make his way to follow after her, while she is clueless about his presence. He didn't notice the man in the shadows that had taken notice of him, one that had intentions as dark as the shadows he was hidden in.
Susan made her way to the bar just as Lucifer started to play, which created a lull in the crowd around the bar for the moment.
"Hey there, how's it going?" Susan asks Caspian after he finishes making his last drink.
"Hello Susan, you look beautiful tonight," he said to her.
"You really think so ?" she asked with a blush on her cheek.
"Yeah, like royalty," he said to her with a smile.
She grinned, and her face lit up and blushed slightly.
"To answer your question it's been busy, a little stressful, but after all our adventures, I can handle this. I'm just thankful Aslan gave me the skills to be able to do this." Caspian sighed in relief
"Me too," she said to him.
"Can I get you anything?" he asked her.
"Just some water please, and I think I'm supposed to show you this?" she said and hands him the card.
"Yes, I scan that at the register. I'll be right back," he said as he took the card. Caspian returned moments later and gave her the card back and poured a glass of water, placing it on the bar in front of her.
Just then they hear a male voice saying, "A lady that fine should only be drinking champagne, water is beneath her."
They both turned and looked at the man speaking. They didn't know that this was the man Chloe and Lucifer interviewed earlier in the day, a Chesham.
"Thank you, but no water is just fine," Susan said.
"My treat, let me buy you a glass. Give me a chance, I'm a big teddy bear when you get to know me." Tad said.
Pulling up on all her diplomatic skills from her time as queen, she lets a very neutral expression settle over her face like a mask. She took a deep breath and then said, "While I am most flattered by your generous offer, I am sorry to say I must decline at this time."
Tad's face seemed to twitch for about a moment or two as if he didn't understand what exactly just happened. "What do you mean you decline? Do you think you're too good for me? Like you have so many other offers at the moment."
With unshakeable calm, Susan responds, "I'm certain you have many fine qualities sir, and that any other lady here would gladly accept your offer of your company over would be rude of me to deprive them of that opportunity, when my significant other is right here." and indicates to Caspian.
Tad sneered, "a bartender really? Honey, you're lucky I came to rescue you when I did." and reaches out to grab her arm.
Susan looked alarmed and stepped back.
Caspian reacting instinctively reached across the bar and grabbed the man's arm to stop him. "Don't you touch her!" he stated, giving the man a steely-eyed glare.
"Why not? You think you can do anything to stop me?" says Tad.
"If he doesn't, I will!" said a voice from behind him. He turned to look and saw Maze standing behind him. He looked completely amused by this, "Oh, really, I like to see you try." said Tad.
No sooner than the words left his mouth, Maze had him on the floor. "When a woman says no, it means no!" states Maze.
He tries to strike out at her, but she counters and he ends up bleeding. She grabs him and starts to drag him out of the club.
Once outside, Tad was about to leave when he heard a voice say to him, "Having a little trouble with the ladies, are we? Afraid they will see right through this tough guy facade for the insecure little man you truly are?"
"Who the heck do you think you are talking to me that way?" shouted Tad as he looked around the shadows for the voice. He caught a form in the distances between the cars, "Why not step into the light so I can see who I'm dealing with? At least I'm not hiding."
The form steps forward, and when Tad sees who it is, he started laughing. "This just makes my night! I was just waiting for the chance to pound your ass all night! I told you that you would see me again."
"I see you met my brother, and that he has seen the weak little overcompensating coward you are. With my help, you can get your chance at revenge. Without me, you'll never get close. In fact, I might even be able to help you get even with the little lady that got you tossed out to start with." Michael said.
Tad lowered his fists, "keep talking."
Back in the Club, Caspian checked to see if Susan was okay.
"I'm fine, just startled. I didn't expect him to get so hands-on. Thank you for the rescue yet again. Maybe I need that horn after all." She said that last part with a smirk.
It was then that, Maze came back over. "Thank you for your help, Maze," Susan said. "No problem, I enjoy the chance to kick a little ass, helps break up a slow day," Maze responded with a wink.
This amused Susan, who responds with, "I'll take your word for it."
"You'd rather have your bow, so you could pick them off at a distance," Caspian said, just teasing Susan a little bit.
"Very much so!" she responded with a smile. She sits there by the bar for about an hour or so while Lucifer played his piano.
Once the music stopped and she saw things are going to pick up, she tells him that she's going to go back to her apartment and that he was welcome to get some sleep at her place when he gets off work.
She head back across the floor to the stairs so she could get to the elevator. Right before she gets to the staircase she bumps into someone who just came down it that she thought was Lucifer.
She was so startled to see that it wasn't the devil when she saw his face.
The long gash running across it was a large tip-off, but to be honest, she would have known without it for she could see it in his eyes. "By the lion! Who are you?" Susan exclaims.
Michael raised an eyebrow at her choice of words. Could she be the mission? He stared at her, trying to work his mojo on her, trying to see if her fears could be exploited to throw a monkey wrench in whatever plans his brother might have for her. Strangely enough, he came up with nothing. How is it possible that this mere mortal is blocking his power? Was there nothing she feared?
"I will ask you again, sir, who are you?" Susan demanded more adamantly. He stared at her dumbfounded, how was she doing this? Then suddenly he saw it! A tiny golden spark, followed by a shimmer that ran the length of her, it was as if it was a barrier of sorts. His furry brother was using his power to protect her. If that were the case, then he would bet anything that his twin's power didn't work on her either. So much for trusting him, if he had to protect her from him, from them both. He snorted at this thought, he could possibly use this if he spun it right.
If this fiery little mortal was the mission then he would find a way to break her, regardless of what his brother's wishes were. He was just about to answer her when he heard his bother say, "RUN SUSAN, RIGHT NOW! DON'T LOOK BACK."
Susan turned and saw Lucifer there with anger etched into his face. She wasted no time running past Michael and up the stairs to the elevator, just as she was told. Lucifer looked at his twin, "What are you doing here brother? How many times do I have to throw you out of here?" Lucifer asked as his eyes went red with the flames he controls.
"What are you going to do about it if I don't brother? " Michael smirked.
"Worse than what I did to your face, brother," Lucifer responded back. His eyes back to their brown color, but still cold and angry, "you have no business here Michael, why don't you run back home where you belong?" Lucifer said in a belittling dismissive tone.
"You are not going to do anything with all these lovely people here, I know you Samael." He called Lucifer by his given name because he knew it was a button to push to piss him off.
"Do not call me that!" Lucifer growled as his eyes flared red again.
Michael grinned evilly, "My dear brother, I know you too well."
"I know you well enough that you won't do anything that will make you look bad if it gets back to Father. He loves humans more than he loves either of us " Lucifer countered back.
Lucifer's eye fell on a golden hair on the left sleeve of Michael's jacket and smirked. That hair could only come from one sibling. "I see our brother paid you a visit as well. He's not happy with you, is he?" Lucifer asked.
"Yeah, because you know everything about siblings being angry at you, don't you?" Michael grinned.
"That might be true, but he doesn't look through me quite the same way that he looks through you now, does he?" Lucifer said smugly, knowing that Aslan sees his brother for who he really is.
"So I ask you again nicely, brother. Leave my club before I put my blade somewhere very painful." Lucifer growled in Michael's ear.
Michael suddenly shoved him away from him forcefully. There were a few gasps as Lucifer stumbled back into a few people. This was going too far for the devil, and charged towards his twin and grabbed his brother by the throat.
"Don't push it, Michael," Lucifer said, coldly but in a calm voice, dangerously calm.
Michael grabbed at his arm. It was obvious that he underestimated his brother. He would have to adjust his plan accordingly. For now, he agreed to leave the club but this was far from over.
"I'll leave for now, but this isn't over," Michael said just as Lucifer let go of him, Michael kneeled him in the groin. "Remember brother, you're always going to be second best." The angel turned and walked out.
Lucifer Looked up from a bent-over position his eyes burning in rage, "no it certainly is not!" Lucifer choked out to himself.
TBC