After a rather tedious exchange of information with Detective Douche, Lucifer was right back in Chloe's car headed to interview exactly who he wanted to see. It didn't matter what the Detective said, Lucifer needed to check if this Amy person was being used as a vessel by his mother.

Chloe knocked on the door and did her whole boring LAPD bit which, as always, didn't get her in the door. With a sigh, Lucifer pushed it open and just walked in.

"Really, how did you get by without me?" he asked, moving past her. Lucifer could hear a quiet but frustrated sound coming from the Detective as he turned to face the inside of the trailer.

"Alright, the jig is up, mother," Lucifer said to the woman snorting cocaine off her vanity. "Ah well, I always knew where I got my party style from."

Amy turned around, standing up as she did so. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Let's stop playing games, shall we?" Lucifer said. "I know you aren't who you pretend to be."

"You're right," Amy said, and then she attacked him.

Lucifer had been prepared for this. His mother wanted him dead, and he wasn't going to go without a fight. But this attack wasn't the type he'd expected. She was trying to rip off the buttons of his shirt, and Lucifer was suddenly in his own version of hell. Like the perfect partner that she was, his Detective saved him.

"LAPD," Chloe said. "We have some questions for you, Miss Dodd."

While Amy was distracted, Lucifer managed to get away from her. He felt sure at this point that Amy hadn't been possessed by his mother, but even just the thought of it as a possibility was making his skin crawl.

"You're with the police?" Amy said, turning to look at Lucifer, clearly scared. "I'm in so much trouble."

"We don't care about your drug use," Chloe told the girl. "I need to ask you about the argument you and Julian had right before she died."

Ah yes, this must have been what Detective Douche had been telling her earlier when Lucifer hadn't been listening. He tried to listen now while Chloe continued her questioning, but he only got the overall gist of it. Rather than the blackmail Chloe had expected, they learned Julian was actually being paid under the table to be Amy's sober companion, which explained the cash. The argument between Amy and the victum turned out to be about Amy falling off the wagon. Based on what Lucifer had seen when he walked in Amy had never gotten back on the wagon. Their victim clearly wasn't a very effective sober companion!

"Here just take it," Amy said as she handed over her stash of drugs.

When Lucifer looked over Chloe's shoulder and saw the bag of drugs he couldn't help but feel a little singled out, maybe even offended. There on the bag of drugs, like a calling card, was something that didn't belong to any human.

"A devil emoji," Lucifer scoffed. "That's it. I'm speaking to a copyright lawyer today."

He didn't even get a smile from the detective for his remark, which was a bit disappointing, but at least she hadn't rolled her eyes.

Chloe got the information on Amy's dealer. Even if all they had was a phone number, the Detective seemed content to have a lead. Maybe she could do more with just a phone number than he thought.

It was funny how different his life was when Lucifer worked within Chloe's rules. All this waiting around for warrants and things. Before, Lucifer just showed up and took what he wanted most, but now he knew that would upset Chloe, which stopped him. He still wasn't sure why upsetting her was enough to motivate him so much, but he knew that it was. Usually the slow way bored him, but with Chloe Lucifer was never bored. It was rather odd actually. No matter how many hours he spent with her, he always wanted to see her again. Didn't make any sense really and thanks to her complete refusal to sleep with him, he couldn't even know if that would have gotten her out of his system like he'd once thought.

When they were outside again, Chloe gave him a look and said, "You better not still think she's your mother or your issues go way deeper than I thought."

Lucifer didn't reply but simply cringed at the thought. Chloe chuckled at his pain then got to work confirming all those things Amy had said in that way Chloe always did that felt pointless but she insisted was important. In this case she was confirming Amy's story with other sources. That was his Detective, always so thorough.

"The production company confirmed her story about the sober companion," Chloe said, once she was finally off the phone. "I wouldn't go so far as to say Amy is innocent, but she doesn't have a motive anymore. On a different front you do realize what that devil emoji means, right?"

"Yes. Someone is profiting from my brand without cutting me in," Lucifer grumbled.

"No. It explains the victim having devil horns," Chloe said. "Which means this case is not about you. Unless you are going to try and tell me that your mother just tried to seduce you." Chloe raised her eyebrows at him, accusingly.

"Yes, alright, you got me," Lucifer huffed. "I was wrong. Amy isn't possessed by the Goddess of Creation. Happy now?"

Chloe closed her eyes as if she were listening to something beautiful. "Like music to my ears," Chloe smiled. "I wish I'd filmed it."

"Haha yes, but just because I was wrong about Amy doesn't mean my mother isn't involved," Lucifer continued. "She is clearly the drug dealer using the devil emojis!"

After an eye roll that was truly spectacular, even for her, Chloe turned around and got into her car. Lucifer followed. At this point he knew he wanted his mother to be involved more than he had any confidence that she was. It was just easier if he was right about his mother. So much better to know why, even if the answer was bad, than to face the unknown.

"When we find the devil emoji drug dealer who also turns out not to be your mom, will I get to hear you say you are wrong again?" Chloe asked, smugly.

"You know, I just remembered," Lucifer said. "I have an appointment this afternoon. Could you drop me off?"

Despite the look she gave him, Chloe did agree to drop him off at Dr. Linda's. Being a person who never lies became inconvenient when Lucifer was asked a direct question he didn't want to answer. It wasn't a comfortable feeling admitting your wrong, and even less so when you get mocked for it! It wasn't like Lucifer wanted his mother to try and kill him, but at the same time he couldn't imagine what it would be like if she did anything else. The unknown of that was somehow even more terrifying than the idea of her wanting him dead. Lucifer wished the Detective would just take this seriously!

Even if he was using it as an excuse to get out of an uncomfortable conversation, Lucifer did actually have an appointment with the doctor today. Chloe had said they were waiting on that phone number so with their case at a standstill it made no sense to reschedule. The Detective would call when she had any new information.

Today Dr. Linda wanted to talk about his mother and blame. The first thing she did was ask if Lucifer thought he was to blame for everything that happened with his mother. He replied truthfully that that was all between her and dad. He had nothing to do with it. When Linda asked whose fault it was if not his then Lucifer explained that it was Amendiel's fault for abandoning his post in hell. But it was also Maze's fault for still being missing.

"And I wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for the Detective," Lucifer said, finally ending his list of people at fault for his current predicament. "And she doesn't even know it."

"And why is that?" Dr. Linda replied.

"Well, when I asked father for the favour," Lucifer began. He'd intended to tell her, wanted to even, but somehow the words got stuck in his throat. "Well, it doesn't matter."

"And why do you say that?" Linda asked.

"Say what?"

"That it doesn't matter," Linda explained.

"Because it doesn't," Lucifer said. "I did what I did when I did it and that's just how it is. I thought you wanted to talk about who's to blame, doctor."

"I did," Linda continued. "But there is something here that you are pushing down. Something that I think needs my attention more than you failing to see your side of recent events clearly."

"What do you mean failing," Lucifer huffed. "I have been doing my best to keep my deal with Dad. It's not my fault this is happening."

"Then explain to me how it's Chloe's fault," Linda inquired next.

"I never said it was her fault," Lucifer replied.

"But you implied it, didn't you?" Linda asked. "By saying you wouldn't be in his mess if it wasn't for her."

"Yes, and that's true, but I made the decision," Lucifer replied. "She never asked me to, so it can't be her fault. She doesn't even know."

Lucifer had thought about telling Chloe a couple times since returning from hell, but the words had never come. Lucifer just had no idea what the Detective would think of his bargaining with her life like that. He hadn't even told his brother! Though that had been more to avoid being mocked than anything. He knew Chloe wouldn't mock him, but he suspected she'd have other more painful things to say.

"What decision?" Linda asked. "What favour did your father grant you?"

"I-" Lucifer began. "I asked-"

But he didn't know how to say it out loud. It had all been so crystal clear at the moment. Lucifer could remember it perfectly. Lying on the ground, with blood pooling around him wishing for only one thing in all of creation. At the time it had made sense, but now he'd wished he'd found another way.

"What did you ask your father for?" Linda inquired again.

"Not a what," Lucifer said in a small voice. "A who."

"Chloe?" Linda asked. Lucifer nodded. "And what did you say you'd give him in return," Linda continued.

"Anything," Lucifer whispered. It really was the truth. After all he'd told Dad he'd go where he wanted and do what he asked. Lucifer might have assumed what it meant to be the son his father had always wanted, but he'd never actually specified his side of the deal. Lucifer had been so fixated on getting what he needed from God, he hadn't even bothered to worry about what God would ask in return.

And just like that, Lucifer finally understood what it was like to be one of those poor mortals who came to him for a favour. They made a deal with the Devil for the exact same reason he'd made a deal with God; they hadn't seen past what they needed to realize what it is they offered up in exchange. Some might call that desperation, but the Devil didn't get desperate.

"Within the scope of this metaphor your father is God," Linda continued. "And you offered him a blank check for Chloe's safety?" Lucifer merely nodded. He was starting to wish he'd skipped therapy today. His chest hurt in that way that never made any sense. He really didn't want to think about this anymore.

"She's my friend," Lucifer said softly.

He wanted this feeling to go away. Where was the ache coming from? He'd preferred the gunshot wound. Sure, it had stung but in such an obvious and understandable way. Physical injury could be solved with time and medicine, but this was something else and he didn't like it.

"I know she is," Linda replied kindly. "What did Chloe need protecting from?"

"Well Malcolm of course," Lucifer said. "At the time he was hunting her and I- well I wasn't able to help so in a moment of weakness I prayed. That's it. Simple really. Nothing that needs analysing or anything."

Lucifer wanted her to let this go. It was like the wings all over again. And that time he'd punched a wall.

"Can we drop the metaphor for a moment," Linda said kindly, but her words hurt. A new sharp pain, but this one he understood. This was about her not believing him. "How could your father have helped Chloe in such a situation as that?"

Lucifer was suddenly standing up. "That's just it isn't it," he said. "You don't understand the way she does because you don't believe me!"

Unable to bear the moment a second longer, Lucifer made for the door. Lucifer was angry, that he knew, but all the other emotions surging through him were now tangled up with the anger. He couldn't distinguish them.

Since he hadn't brought his car with him, Lucifer called a cab, went back to his penthouse and poured himself a bourbon. Why did he feel this way? It just wasn't fair. All he'd tried to do was protect Chloe.

But no, everything was fine. Totally fine. He would find mom. Amenadiel would fly her back to hell, and then everything would be fine. He could keep working with Chloe, and nothing would change.

Lucifer finished his fourth glass and put it back down. He really did like his new bar. It wasn't quite the same as the last, but near close enough you'd hardly notice if you weren't looking. At least it didn't look broken and was well stocked. He really couldn't ask for more.

Lucifer poured himself a fifth glass and drank it down again. He couldn't feel anything. Sometimes he wished he could get completely drunk. He envied those humans and their weak livers. It took so much alcohol consumed in such a short space of time to even make a dent in his cognitive functioning, and right now Lucifer didn't want to think. Too bad no one had told his metabolism.

If he was being honest with himself, what Lucifer really wanted was to see Chloe. She was so much better than bourbon when it came to cheering him up.

As if the universe was on his side for once, Lucifer's phone rang. He smiled when he saw who was calling.

"Well hello, Detective," Lucifer said as he picked up the call.

"We've tracked the dealer's phone," Chloe explained. "We have an address."

"Right, well I assume you'll be picking me up then?" Lucifer replied.

"From Dr. Linda's?" she asked.

"My place," Lucifer corrected. "Therapy ended early today I'm afraid." To his relief Chloe didn't ask follow up questions but simply said she was on her way and hung up.

When he got into her car a quarter of an hour later however, Lucifer got the follow up question.

"Why did therapy end early?" she asked.

"Got a bit overwhelmed," Lucifer admitted. "If it's all the same to you I'd rather not talk about it. So where did you trace that dealer's number to?"

Chloe went on to explain that they'd tracked the dealer's phone to a building that hosted AA meetings. She was actually quite pissed that a drug dealer would pick such a place to look for new buyers.

"Praying on people at their most vulnerable, it's just so very low," Chloe said.

"It's also not something mom would care about," Lucifer sighed. It was getting harder and harder for him to try and work his mother into this case. The Detective was right. His mother wasn't involved with his murder at all. Which meant facing what that could mean. Had he been wrong about her motives as well? The thought was rather terrifying. That would mean he knew nothing, and had no idea what she wanted. Mum could be anywhere, doing almost anything.

Chloe parked the car and Lucifer got out and followed her inside. They sat in the back and listened to different people go up to talk about their problems. Chloe had already explained to him the goal here was to find out who the dealer was, but this hiding in the back hoping someone does something incriminating was hardly going to get them anywhere.

Lucifer put up his hand and asked to speak. He was sure Chloe was glaring at him, but he didn't get to confirm it until he was already standing at the podium.

"My name is Lucifer Morningstar and I LOVE drugs," Lucifer began speaking. "Can't get enough and I have lots of money that I love spending on drugs." He pulled out some cash from his pocket and showed it off just to really sell the bit. Hopefully this would flush out their drug dealer.

"The theme of the day is your lowest point," the man on his right said.

"Geographically hell," Lucifer chuckled. "Can't get much lower than that."

Everyone was looking at him then, with an expression that made Lucifer feel like they could all see right through him. Suddenly he was thinking about his session with Linda this morning and about his mother. Maybe he wanted her to be here to kill him, because that would at least mean she cared. If she just disappeared never to be heard from again, then it was like being abandoned all over again by her. But was Lucifer any better? He'd just copied her, abandoning her the way she'd done to him. It was a cycle that would never stop unless he chose to stop it. Everyone was still looking at him, their eyes asking for the truth, and Lucifer always told the truth.

"I suppose that was when my mother abandoned me," he said. "Turnabout is fair play, so I abandoned her. Didn't even give her a chance, because there isn't anything she could say that could justify what she did."

And just like that Lucifer understood that he knew nothing about his mother. He hadn't so much as spoken to her in so many millennia he couldn't count them. He'd let Maze torture her for eons, all because he was upset that she hadn't stopped dad from kicking him out. But none of that meant he actually knew her side of things. He'd assumed everything. To break the cycle of abandonment he had to give her a chance to explain.

They waited around after the meeting ended, seeing if anyone approached Lucifer to sell him drugs. Chloe was giving him the oddest look the whole time, but Lucifer tried to ignore it. She was probably just annoyed at him like usual for his shenanigans.

"I didn't know you had it in you," Chloe told him with that odd look in her eyes again.

"I've never hidden my love of drugs, Detective," Lucifer smiled back.

"Not that," Chloe replied. "The stuff about your mom."

"Well you knew all that already," Lucifer said. "The point of the little exercise was to draw out our drug dealer which seems to have failed, so really it was a wasted effort."

"I don't think so," Chloe continued. "I think you finally realized what I've been telling you all along."

Lucifer was saved from having to once again admit she was right, by their Devil drug dealer making an appearance. Lucifer rather enjoyed watching Chloe hold the victim's dead horned face up to the drug dealer's scared looking one. That is until the guy almost puked on Lucifer's shoes.

"If he can't even look at the photo, I can't imagine him actually shoving spikes in a woman's skull," Lucifer commented, while the guy just kept puking.

"Alright, if it wasn't you then who would want to make it look like you?" Chloe asked Mr. Puky.

"Amy had a dealer before me," he explained. "Probably wasn't happy that I stole his best buyer."

"Who is this other dealer?"

"I don't know much," the guy continued. "Just that he sells prescription stuff, Oxys, Percocets, stuff like that."

"Not my favs but they'd do in a pinch," Lucifer chipped in.

The Detective rolled her eyes, and the dealer gave him a funny look. "But you're a cop?" he asked.

"Civilian consultant actually," Lucifer corrected.

"Nevermind him," Chloe returned the dealer's focus to her. "I'll follow up on this information, but here's my card. Call if you think of anything else." The dealer accepted the card in a bit of a mindless way and nodded.

"Right, so where to next, Detective?" Lucifer asked, clapping his hands together.

"Back to the precinct," Chloe replied. "If his story stands up, we are looking for someone in healthcare which means combing through records to find anyone in the medical industry who's been charged in the last couple years."

"Right, well as much fun as that sounds," Lucifer said. "I think I'll head back to Lux. Let me know when you find something, Detective."

What did you think of this chapter? Not that different from the canon though I throw a couple things in there. Been a longer wait between updates than usual because my editor has been very busy over the weekend. She can't edit the next chapter till Friday so you probably won't get the next update till the weekend.

Also since Lucifer and Chloe went together to Amy's trailer I think that would mean that her jealous boyfriend didn't follow and attack Lucifer. He would have seen Lucifer going in with a cop instead of on his own and made a different assumption. So in my version Lucifer doesn't find the information on his own but rather gets to the conclusion as Chloe does. And his and Maze's conversation at Lux when Maze returns, would have been the same just without the random guy handing from the ceiling. In this story you will only hear that conversation second hand as it is retold to Chloe by Lucifer.

Sneak Peek Chapter 24

The first thing she did was call the Devil. Oh the things she never thought she'd do until Lucifer turned her life upside down with his proof of divinity.

As usual Lucifer offered to pick her up, but Chloe insisted on driving. Though she'd gotten used to his giving in when she did this, Chloe still wasn't sure why. If he wanted to drive so badly he could have just taken his own vehicle and met her there.

She pulled up in front of Lux and Lucifer got into the car.

"So Maze is back," where the first words out of his mouth when he got in. "And she isn't working with mom so that's good."

"I'm happy for you," Chloe said dully. "Now can we get back to the case."

She knew Lucifer would keep talking no matter what she said, so Chloe started driving. This way she could at least do something productive while he whined.

"Maze was off soul searching whatever that is," Lucifer went on. "She has some new friend she's not telling me about."