Ella Lopez loved her job; especially first thing in the morning. She took a sip of her coffee and sighed in contentment. The building was practically empty, as most of the morning crew hadn't come in yet. It was wonderfully quiet, which allowed her to focus. She sat at her computer and carefully studied the crime scene photos, reconstructing the sequence of events that led to the death. The victim had tripped over a dog bone, falling backward. But from the angle of the wound on her chest, she had been stabbed before she stepped back onto the bone, not after she fell. Ella's train of thought was interrupted when the door to her lab opened. She turned and suddenly she couldn't catch her breath. "Oh, God…" she thought in awe, as she looked at Lucifer's twin.

Michael stood quietly, his elegant body radiating barely-leashed power. His face so ruggedly beautiful it should be carved in marble. Yet his beauty was dimmed by the cautious look in his eyes and the downward cast of his lips as he addressed her, "Excuse me. I'm looking for Chloe."

Ella smiled uncertainly, unsettled by the somber effect of his presence. He was tall, dark, and a little dangerous. She finally sucked in some air, but still felt dazed. He was so similar to Lucifer, but at the same time, so very different. She wondered how she could ignore Lucifer's good looks, yet on Michael, the very same face and body wrecked her. She tried to focus, but her heart was doing a samba in her chest. "Um, I think she's out at a crime scene with your brother."

He stared at her a moment too long for comfort and Ella felt her face turn pink under his intense study. The moment was shattered by his gruff reply, "When they get back, tell them to meet me at Lux." He turned on his heel and left the room without looking back.

Ella frowned as her initial attraction turned to dislike, "Sure. No problem." She wandered around her counter, still talking to herself, "A please would have been nice. Maybe a smile." She tossed down her notepad, bothered by his brusque conduct. "What a jerk. You would think he would have something in common with his brother… like manners maybe?" She turned off her computer, still mumbling to herself. Suddenly the door to her lab opened again.

Michael leaned in and gave her a brilliant smile, "Sorry, that was rude. Let me ask again, will you please tell Chloe and Lucifer that I would like to meet them at Lux?"

She glanced at him, still frowning. Her words were quiet, but sharp, "Yes, you are. Rude." She turned her back with enough force to send her ponytail swinging, "I'll tell them."

He let his eyes wander down her back. Her shoulders were stiff with anger, but the elegant length of her neck and her delicate form were still very pleasing. He smiled, "Thank you." He walked out slowly, and glanced back once or twice. She was cute when she was angry. But cute little humans had no place in his plans. He had to speak with Lucifer.

Two hours later, Chloe and Lucifer walked into the station.

The female officer seated at the front desk, immediately waved Lucifer over. She gave him a seductive smile, and tossed her salt and pepper hair over her shoulder. "Oh, Lucifer… I wonder if you would like to come down to the storage closet with me. I need something down there badly."

Lucifer gave her a knowing look, "Now Virginia, we've talked about this. We've agreed that sixty is the new forty, but I'm in a relationship and therefore off the market." He smiled at her, "I can't fulfill your desires sweetheart, but how about that nice Officer O'Malley," he said as he pointed to a silver-haired cop walking swiftly through the common area. "He looks like he could doing some fulfilling."

The poor woman pouted for a moment, but then studied the new candidate with interest. She finally grinned, "Thanks, Lucifer."

As Lucifer helped refocus Virginia's libido on someone other than himself, Ella rushed out of her lab to meet Chloe. "Hey, I had a visitor this morning who was looking for you and Lucifer."

"Oh, who was it?"

Lucifer walked up to join them, "Yes, do tell. Who would be looking for us?"

"It was your brother, Michael." She smirked a little, "He's kind of a jerk."

"You have no idea." Lucifer frowned at her, "But he isn't so bad once you get to know him. Did he say what he wanted?"

"He wants to meet both of you at Lux."

Chloe leaned into him, and whispered, "You and Michael made up, didn't you?"

"Well, yes. But perhaps spending time in Hell has soured his mood." He toyed with his ring, "I guess I should meet him."

Chloe gave him a fierce look, "Oh no you don't. We will meet him."

He started to argue, but Ella's happy laugh cut him off. "You guys are so cute! And still lots of sparks…"

Chloe rolled her eyes, but her cheeks turned pink as she grinned, "Yeah." She turned Ella toward her lab, "Why don't you come to dinner at the penthouse tonight. Michael is really a pretty nice guy."

Ella shrugged, "For Lucifer's cooking, I guess I can stand to be around Michael for a while. Thanks!" She wandered back toward her lab, "See you around 7?"

"Sounds about right."

By three-thirty the daily paperwork was done. Trixie was waiting for them outside the school and immediately jumped into the backseat of the car.

"How was your day, monkey?"

"It was great. I got a special reward for my art project." She smiled happily. "Next Wednesday I get to visit the art museum with the other class art project winners."

Lucifer glanced at her, "Sounds positively thrilling."

Chloe gave him a look, "Lucifer, be supportive."

"Oh I am. I meant that." He nodded toward Trixie. "The spawn will get a lot of inspiration from the great masters of painting and drawing."

Surprised, Chloe smiled at him, "I didn't know you enjoyed the art museum…"

"Well, music is my main love, but I appreciate the other arts. I even knew some of the masters. Interesting humans"

Trixie piped up, "I'm hungry. What's for dinner tonight?"

"I thought perhaps pasta with salmon and cream sauce, a salad and garlic bread"

"Yay!"

Chloe agreed, "Sounds great. But Trixie, Lucifer's brother Michael, and Ella are going to join us for dinner tonight, so when we get to the penthouse, straight to your room to get your homework done, okay?"

"Yes, Mom."

Once in the penthouse, Trixie went to her room and Chloe and Lucifer went to the kitchen to start preparations for dinner. He put a pot of water on to boil, seasoned the salmon and started the cream sauce while Chloe worked on the bread and salad. He smiled as he stirred the sauce, "We work well together in the kitchen."

Chloe glanced at him, "Yes. I must say I'm really surprised at how easily you are managing the day-to-day boredom of my lifestyle."

He looked at her fondly, "Being with you is not boring. And believe me, you don't want to try to fit into my lifestyle."

She cocked her head, "Why not?"

"Well, as you know, it's a lot more than running the club and granting desires."

She nodded, "You mean the heaven and hell stuff, like Michael and Maze and Amenadiel."

"Yes. My family and the denizens of Hell can create havoc beyond your wildest nightmares."

"Okay. I know it's probably going to be difficult, but we can work through anything together."

He gave her a baffled look, "You honestly believe that."

She smiled warmly, "Yes."

He moved the saucepan off the heat and pulled her into his arms to kiss her. She dropped the bread knife as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He kissed her for long moments until a familiar voice interrupted, "I can come back later, brother."

Chloe pulled away from Lucifer, flustered at being caught kissing. "Hello, Michael. Come in."

"Terrible timing as usual, brother." Lucifer said with a slight look of disdain.

Michael ignored the comment and smiled at Chloe, "Good to see you again. Is my brother treating you well?" He glanced at Lucifer, "If not, you can always come away with me."

Chloe laughed, "Don't bait him, Michael." She wrapped an arm around Lucifer's waist, "I'm very happy, thank you."

Lucifer's scowl turned into a surprised smile, as he looked down at Chloe, "Are you?"

Michael interrupted the moment, "I'm really glad you are doing so well, but I've got trouble and could really use your advice."

His brother nodded, "I thought as much." He moved back to the kitchen counter, "You can tell me about it after dinner. Trixie is here and we have another guest coming."

The elevator doors opened right on cue, and Ella walked through the living area and into the kitchen, "Hello. Am I early?"

She stopped short at the sight of Michael, but Lucifer responded quickly, "No. Right on time. Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes.

Michael carried a glass of white wine to Ella. "Still angry with me?"

Ella, gave him a smirk, "No. I don't let people get to me. I'm a positive person, so even if someone is incredibly rude, I don't let it bother me. I don't brood or stay awake wondering what I did, or eat ice cream on the couch…." She stopped talking as she realized how pitiful she sounded. She plastered a smile on her face, "So, anyway, not angry." She moved in to wrap both arms around him, "Here's an Ella hug to prove it."

Michael froze as he felt her wrap around him. She was soft and warm and she smelled like the fields of flowers in Heaven. He slowly lifted his arms to return the hug. A moment later they both stepped back to stare at each other in confusion.
Michael was the first to pull himself together. "Do you do that often?"

She frowned, "Do what?"

"Hug people like that…"

Lucifer piped up, "Yes she does." He gave her a fond look, "The very first time we met, she gave me one of her hugs. He shook his head, "I thought she was crazy."

Ella snorted, "You liked it."

Michael relaxed. She hugged lots of people. And the funny dropping sensation he felt in his stomach certainly had nothing to do with her.

Dinner was a welcome moment of happiness for Michael. He watched the loving looks pass between Chloe and Lucifer, he grinned at Trixie's stories about her week at school, and he smiled often at Ella. She was beautiful and full of joy.

He recalled Azrael talking about the special human friend she sent to Lucifer. Now he understood why his sister thought Ella was special. She was a bubbly, amazing, positive person that made the whole human race seem worthwhile. He laughed at a small joke she made, but the smile faded from his face and his breath hitched when she smiled back at him, eyes dancing with merriment.

Ella felt the shift in Michael's mood as she smiled at him. Awareness shot through her. She broke eye contact, suddenly breathless. She turned away to grin at Lucifer and Chloe, while she leaned over to hug Trixie. "Well, thanks for dinner, but I need to head home."

Michael stood when she did, "Did you drive?"

"No, I'll get an Uber ride. They hang around Lux waiting for fares."

"I'll walk down with you until you have a ride." Michael nodded at his brother, "Back in a moment."

Ella used her app to set up a ride, and then looked up at Michael as he waited with her on the sidewalk, "You don't have to wait. I'm fine here."

Michael agued, "A woman such as you should never be left to wait alone."

Ella gave him a startled look, "Um, okay. I mean, I grew up with brothers, so I can take care of myself."

He gave her considering look, "Are you sure?"

She tipped her chin up to reply, and suddenly found herself too close. She stepped back, and looked away as the Uber car pulled up next to her. "Well, good night, Michael," she said nervously as she rushed to get into the car.

He caught her hand in his, gently rubbing the tender skin with his thumb, "Good night, Ella."

She pulled away from him slowly and got into the car. She silently watched his face until the driver accelerated away from the curb.

Michael stood on the sidewalk until Ella's ride was out of sight. He rubbed his fingers, wondering about the odd sizzle of sensation he felt when his hand touched hers. Slowly, he turned to walk back into Lux to speak with his brother.