Lucifer walked up to the building with Chloe at his side. He was wearing one of his better black tie suits while Chloe was wearing a quite lovely long sleeved black lace dress with a deep v neckline. She was always beautiful, but when she really put in the effort instead of her usual cop clothes the results were quite stunning.

"Did you manage to get an invitation?" Chloe asked.

"I have another plan," Lucifer replied. He had indeed tried to get an invitation, but this party was rather more exclusive than most.

"Did you call in a favour or…?" Chloe trailed off clearly intending it to be a question.

"Nope. Money Detective," Lucifer said. "Money always works."

"You should have told me you didn't have a plan!" Chloe grumbled under her breath. "I have contacts too, you know."

Lucifer didn't say anything. Maybe he should have let her get them into the party, but it was too late now. "Next time, Detective," he said.

"I really hope there isn't a next time," Chloe groaned.

They stopped talking as they approached the doorman.

"Hello," Lucifer said with a smile.

"Private party," the doorman said in a dead voice.

"I understand this event is very exclusive but surely you've got room for just two more?" As Lucifer spoke he got some money out of his jacket and placed it into the doorman's pocket.

To Lucifer's great disappointment the doorman didn't move a muscle. His face was completely unchanged.

"Unless you have business here, scram," the doorman said firmly.

This was no good at all.

"Maybe we should go," Chloe suggested, but Lucifer wasn't about to give up. Looking around he saw a security camera. At a live event surely the feed would be monitored and perhaps by more than just security.

Reaching into his pants pocket Lucifer tried again. "Funny you should say that, perhaps I do have something that might interest those keen religious relics." He held up his hell coin and showed it to the camera.

The doorman stopped to listen to someone in his earpiece then instructed them to follow him at once. They were taken to a back room and sat down in front of the guy Lucifer assumed was in charge here.

"The coin please?" the man asked. Lucifer handed it over to be appraised. Chloe was sitting beside him, looking calm in that way she did when she was actually very alert.

"It's like nothing I've ever seen," the appraiser said, his eyes wide as he gazed at Lucifer's coin.

"Congratulations, Mr. Morningstar," the leader of the auction said. "The Catholics and the Satanists will be clawing for this coin. With any luck we may have a bidding war on our hands."

"Who would've thought eh?" Lucifer said. "The Devil's coin worthy of so much love."

"Don't you already have enough items to sell?" Chloe added.

"One can never have enough," Mr Grant replied, with a greedy look in his eye.

"Yes, but it must have been difficult to track down so many," Chloe continued. "Items like that are rare."

Grant got a glint in his eye then, that told Lucifer he really didn't care if the items were real or not.

"That is if they are authentic," Chloe finished her thought.

"If they aren't that is news to me," Grant smiled as if to say 'plausible deniability'.

"Sounds to me like you are taking advantage of your customer's faith," Lucifer said.

"Oh quite the contrary," Grant continued. "I respect my customers' faith but I don't have to share in their beliefs to profit from them."

"The coin's not for sale," Lucifer said firmly, reaching forward to take it off the table. "I simply used it to gain an entree with you."

"Then why are you here?" Grant asked, clearly confused.

"Someone stole my wings," Lucifer stated firmly. "About six feet, glow with the light of God. So if you'd be so kind as to deliver them, then we can be on our way."

"That's not how this works," Grant said, and all of a sudden every human in the room had a gun pointed at them. He could sense more than see Chloe tense up beside him. She probably had a gun hidden somewhere under that gorgeous dress of hers, but that wasn't the answer here.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Lucifer said calmly.

"And why not?" Grant asked.

"Because I know something you don't know," Lucifer said grinning.

"What?"

"Oh no, that's not how this works," Lucifer reflected the man's words back at him.

"You're bluffing," Grant replied.

"Am I?" Lucifer smiled. "So you think I just walked in, told you exactly what I wanted and demanded it all without any sort of plan? What kind of idiot would do that?"

"Tell me what it is?" Grant said.

"And give up my only bargaining chip?" Lucifer mocked him. "I think not." He leaned forward then and spoke with more honey in his voice. "I believe you misunderstood me earlier. I want the wings, but I'm more than happy to buy the wings. Whole boatloads of money. Surely, that interests you?"

Grant narrowed his eyes at Lucifer, then turned to look at Chloe. "And what about the information you claim to possess?" he asked.

"When the auction is over," Lucifer began. "When I have the wings and you are filthy rich, I'll tell you."

"Happy bidding," Grant said, gesturing with his hand for them to leave, which they did quickly.

It wasn't until they were back in the crowd and well away from that room, that Chloe spoke.

"That was a bit risky wouldn't you say?" she muttered in an annoyed whisper.

"I'm not quite used to this vulnerability thing," Lucifer answered. "Usually I'd just let them shoot me while I knock them all out. This being mortal business is so much more work."

"Next time you forget that you can bleed, don't drag me along with you," Chloe grumbled.

"Don't worry, Detective," Lucifer told her. "I wouldn't have let them hurt you."

"Oh yeah and how exactly would you have stopped them?"

"I'd have found a way," he said lamely. Chloe just rolled her eyes at him. If he was being really honest with himself, vulnerable or not, Lucifer would have put himself between any bullet headed her way and the Detective, but he didn't really feel like sharing that with her right now.

"What's the information you had, or was that a bluff too?" Chloe asked.

"Oh I thought that was obvious," Lucifer said back. "I know this place is gonna get raided. I suppose I was technically bluffing as I never intended on telling him."

"Shh it's starting," Chloe said as Carmen Grant got on the stage and began addressing the crowd.

The first item he was auctioning off were the missing links of the chains of St Paul. Lucifer scoffed at them.

"Paul's wrists were way too big to fit into those," he told Chloe. "Never could pass on dessert. He should have been the saint of honey cakes."

To his delight, Chloe actually chuckled. "Seriously?" she said.

"Made you laugh, didn't it?" he replied.

"How long do you think it's gonna take for them to get to the wings?" Chloe asked. "Because I don't think we have long now."

Just then time stopped. Lucifer rolled his eyes. What was Amenadiel of all people doing here? As he turned around looking for his meddlesome brother, Lucifer saw Chloe frozen. It unsettled him somehow. He wished she was able to stay awake with him.

"Must you do that now brother," Lucifer called out into the crowd.

"There are too many mortals here," Amenadiel said, approaching from the left. "And we need to talk."

"You do know you can talk in front of mortals, right," Lucifer exclaimed, as he turned to look at his brother. "Ah it appears you've picked up a fashion sense so that's-" Lucifer sighed. "I miss the dress."

"It's easier to stay separate this way," Amenadiel explained, like he always did. He also ignored Lucifer's burn about his clothes. No surprise there.

"You should try getting to know a mortal sometime brother," Lucifer replied. "They might surprise you."

"That isn't why I've come," Amenadiel said.

"Then enlighten me," Lucifer replied, annoyed. "Why has the great warrior of God graced me with his presence?"

"Why else, but your wings," Amenadiel replied. "This is far too important for you to mess up."

"Not to worry, brother," Lucifer began. "The Detective and I have it all in hand. They are about to sell them and I'm going to buy them. Problem solved. Now if you could just turn time back on-"

"Not before I leave," Amenadiel said. "Can't have any mortals noticing me appear out of thin air."

"You give them too much credit," Lucifer replied. "Those who don't want to believe never will and those that know, well they know."

"What do you mean know?" Amenadiel asked.

Lucifer gestured to where Chloe stood right beside him, still frozen. "She knows," he said.

"Like knows, knows?" Amenadiel said, clearly upset by the idea.

"Yes," Lucifer sighed. "Like knows, knows that I'm the Devil."

"You showed her your face?" Amenadiel said, shocked.

"Well not exactly," Lucifer replied. "She's seen bullets bounce off me and knows I'm crazy strong though."

"I came here to prevent proof of divinity from being let loose into the human world and this is what I discover?!" He gestured to Chloe. "My brother is letting the knowledge loose on purpose!"

"Not that you care, but the Detective is different," Lucifer said easily. "And we don't need your help, so go away."

"I will not," Amenadiel stated in that way that made it sound like he was trying to move mountains.

"Can you at least turn time back on?" Lucifer groaned. "Then I could introduce you to the Detective." Amenadiel gave him a skeptical look.

"Fine. If you won't then I'm just gonna carry the Detective out of here with or without the flow of time," Lucifer said stubbornly, moving to reach for Chloe. "And when she wakes up and realizes she's moved it will be even more proof of the divine for her."

"Alright alright," Amenadiel groaned.

And time began again.

"Thank you," Lucifer said coolly to his brother. He then turned to Chloe and added. "Now then, Detective, I'd like you to meet my brother, Amenadiel."

"Wait a minute," Chloe said, her hands up palms out. "He wasn't standing there a moment ago."

"Correct," Lucifer said. "This is my older brother who so rudely stopped time and tried to cut you out of the conversation."

"Stopped time?" Chloe asked.

"And not for the first time, I might add," Lucifer continued. "Last time you noticed I moved between seconds and blamed the rest on fake guns."

"But a fallen angel's brother would be an actual angel then, right?" Chloe asked.

"Yes, an archangel," Lucifer explained.

"Stop," Amenadiel said, clearly shaken by Chloe's questions. "Mortals aren't supposed to be told such things, let alone believe them."

"Why is he here?" Chloe asked Lucifer.

"Same as us, to help find my wings," Lucifer explained. "Because apparently he doesn't think I am capable of solving this on my own. It's that angelic ego of his, Detective, but I've explained we have everything in hand and don't need his help."

"Do you have wings?" Chloe asked Amenadiel. "And if you're brothers why don't you look anything alike? Do all angel siblings look so different?"

Amenadiel didn't answer the questions but rather glared daggers at Lucifer who glared back. Lucifer really hadn't liked Amenadiel trying to cut Chloe out of the conversation almost as much as he didn't like Amenadiel babying him. Just because Amenadiel was the older brother didn't mean anything. After a couple millenia what does it really matter who is older anyway?

"You very clearly do NOT have this well in hand," Amenadiel said, his voice low but full of authority.

"Even if that were true I wouldn't ask for your help," Lucifer shot back. "You are probably just here to try and nag me into going back to hell like you always do."

"It is your duty," Amenadiel argued. "And you left your post."

Chloe's voice suddenly broke through the sibling rivalry. Lucifer turned to see a very thoughtful look on the Detective's face. "You aren't just here to help him are you?" Chloe said. "There's something else."

"Oh excellent observation, Detective," Lucifer said, trusting her instincts implicitly. "What is it then? Hmm? All part of some new ridiculous plan to get me back to hell, I bet."

Just then they were interrupted by the auction's next item up for sale: a pair of angel wings. The tarp covering them had fallen away, revealing the bright glorious white of his angel wings. The three of them barely had time to stare for more than a moment before the FBI made their appearance.

Chloe disappeared from his side running off to follow Grant who had slipped out past the agents. Lucifer's first thought was that they'd been on the stage all along. If he'd known that he would have gone and snatched them while time had been frozen earlier. He could ask Amenadiel to do it again, but after a fight like that he very much doubted his brother would help. Instead he decided to chance sneaking through the crowd in the chaos of the raid. He could probably get to them, but getting them out would be tricky. His chances were slim, but what other choice did he have?

For the most part, everyone was preoccupied with their own tasks and didn't give him a second glance, that is until he got on the stage. Now he was in a position to be easily seen by the whole room. Lucifer wasted no time in reaching out for his wings. Maybe he had cut them off prematurely. Maybe he shouldn't have rejected his father's gift with so much hatred in his heart. Maybe…

But something was wrong. He knew from the moment he touched them that these weren't his wings. Someone had made a fake. It was a very well done fake, but a fake nonetheless.

Lucifer got down from the stage, surprised no FBI agent had tried to stop him. He just sat on the edge of the stage feeling glum for a moment, then remembered that Chloe had run off. Getting up, he went to look for her.

He found her helping a couple of FBI agents discover a secret door that Grant had clearly used to flee. She was fine, so he went back to sit on the edge of the stage again.

He couldn't believe how angry he was. He had been so close to getting them, and now he was back to square one. It was infuriating! But wait, did this mean he had no more leads? Surely, it wasn't a coincidence that his were stolen one day and Grant was selling an exact replica less than a week later. The only explanation was that Grant had the wings. Maybe he'd been unable to part with them but still wanted the money from selling them. Lucifer knew just what he was going to do next.

"I thought you'd be happier when you got your wings." Chloe's voice made him look up.

"These aren't my wings," Lucifer told her. "They're fake."

"How's that possible?" Chloe asked.

"It's not a coincidence. That I'm sure of," Lucifer replied.

"So what's our next move?" Chloe asked.

"I'm afraid this is where I leave you, Detective," Lucifer said. "What I'm about to do is the Devil's work."

"Hey! No, that's not fair," Chloe said firmly, reaching forward to hold his arm the way she did when she wanted him not to walk away.

Even though he knew he could get away easily, he always found himself quite held in place whenever she did this. It was strange, like something other than her hand held him there.

"You wanted my help before, but now you are going to cut me out," she continued. "That isn't how being partner's works. Tell me what you've figured out."

"Carmen Grant," Lucifer said through gritted teeth. "He has my wings. It's the only explanation for how he managed to make such an accurate replica."

"I saw him sneak away through a secret door once the raid started," Chloe added.

"Little coward," Lucifer growled. "Seems he didn't need my information after all."

"How do you plan on finding him?" Chloe asked.

Lucifer looked at her. The usual answer would have been dark and involved Maze's help, but he didn't want Chloe to be part of that. He didn't want her to see that side of him.

"Well he's now wanted as the leader of an illegal auction right?" Lucifer said. Chloe nodded. "Then let's use police contacts to find him."

What do you think of my take on Chloe coming with Lucifer instead of Amenadiel then he crashes instead of her. ;) Just couldn't imagine Lucifer ditching Chloe to get Amedadiel's help if Chloe actually believed him about his wings.

Next chapter goes up tomorrow after I get off work. It's the one you've all been waiting for: Chloe sees the wings.

Sneak Peek Chapter 8

Lucifer was oddly quiet while they drove. She could tell the loss of his wings was really bothering him. She couldn't help but wonder what he'd do with them when he found them. It sounded to her like he'd been keeping them in a box before, but after going to such lengths to get them back, would he really lock them away again? She couldn't help but wonder what he looked like with wings.

Chloe parked then turned to Lucifer. "No violence," she reminded him.

"Just some good solid threatening," Lucifer replied, as he got out of the car.

Chloe stood back a ways as Lucifer approached the door and rang the bell. When Carmen Grant opened it, she found herself actually a bit surprised that Maze's information had been good. Demon. She shook her head. Not something to think about now.

"It's... you," Carmen said, in a shaky whisper.

"That's right, me," Lucifer exclaimed. "Lucifer bloody Morningstar. Do you mind if I come in?" And without waiting for an answer Lucifer walked right in. Chloe followed quietly behind. She didn't have her gun out, but she was on edge, ready for anything.