While Michael spent hours giving Ella a crash course in Celestial Beings, across town, Trixie slumped unhappily into her car seat. She stared out of the car window, then at the interior panel of cruiser, and finally at her mother. The little girl was tired of being patient. She started to tap her foot against the floorboard as she picked up her backpack and dug out a single, rather crumpled piece of paper.

Chloe gave her a daughter a pleading look as she tried to concentrate on the call she had unfortunately answered a moment before.

Trixie turned in her seat to hold the sheet of paper up to her mother's face, pointing to the time listed on the permission slip and the directions to the art museum. She flopped back into the backrest as Chloe finally disconnected the call.

"Babe, I have to make one stop on the way to the museum."

"But Mom, I'm gonna be late!"

"It won't take but a minute. An officer needs Mommy's help." She pulled the cruiser out into traffic, "There's a building just two blocks away and the officer needs to visit someone, but he can't do that without another officer present." She smiled calmly, "I'm the only officer close enough to be his backup."

Trixie gave her a worried look, "But why do you have to do this? Can't someone else help him?"

"Monkey, I understand you want to get to the museum. But this is just a routine thing and it won't take any time at all. It's not dangerous, in fact, you can come up with me."

Trixie knew she wouldn't win this argument. She scowled and gave in, "Okay."

Chloe and Trixie took the elevator up to the 19th floor of the old building. Everything was very quiet, and Chloe began to feel nervous. When the elevator opened, she eased out first, moving like a cop, to look in all directions. She called out, "Officer Davis? It's Chloe Decker. I was told you needed a second officer?"

The hallway was empty and silent. Chloe pulled her service revolver out and quietly spoke to her daughter, "Baby, I'm not sure we are in the right place. You stay behind me and hit the button to get the elevator to come back."

Trixie did as she was told but instantly whispered, "Mom, the button isn't lighting up."

Chloe quickly glanced at the buttons, and then down the hallway again. She started to speak just as a muted explosion occurred. Fire crawled along the furthest doorway and trailed along the wall of the hallway. She grabbed her daughter's hand and ran in the opposite direction, searching for a stairwell. "We have to get out of here." She found the stairway entrance locked and the sturdy door would not open even after several well-placed kicks. She searched for another way out as Trixie yelled, "Mom, the fire is coming toward us!"

Chloe stared at the wall of flames swirling along the corridor. It moved so quickly that she suspected an accelerant had been used. She rushed along the hall checking every door they passed. They were all locked, but she finally found one that seemed damaged. She kicked hard and the door slammed open. She pulled her daughter into the room and closed the door behind them. The unit was bare except for a few old rags and some broken dishes. Chloe grabbed the rags and stuffed them under the door to keep the smoke away.

She searched for some way out, but the windows opened onto a 19 story drop. There was no fire escape or balcony. She turned in a circle, trying to see anything that would help her get her daughter out. There was no way to lower her down… no way to climb down… a jump would kill them.

Trixie crowded close, coughing as the room filled with smoke.

Chloe moved to the far wall under a window. She pulled her child onto her lap as they sat on the floor. "Let's stay close to the floor. The air will be cleaner down here."

Trixie hugged her tight, her eyes wet with tears, "I wish Lucifer was here!"

Chloe whispered, "I do too, baby." Her mind clicked into high gear. He had gotten her out of a burning building before. Desperate hope kindled in her heart as she pulled back to stare into Trixie's eyes, "Honey, I need you to concentrate. You know how people sometimes talk to God in prayers?"

Trixie nodded.

"Well, let's both try to talk to Lucifer, okay? Just pray that he comes to get us."

Trixie looked relieved, "Okay, mom. I'll pray real hard." She held her hands together and looked up as she started to tell Lucifer to come get them.

Chloe closed her eyes. "Lucifer, I hope you can hear me. I really need you. I'm at an old building on the corner of Vine and 23rd, 19th floor. Trixie and I are trapped by fire. Please come help us. Hurry…"

She opened her eyes, noting how much smoke had filled the room in the last few seconds. She could hear the roar and crackle of the fire just outside the door. Tears ran down her face as flames began to flicker through the burning door. She held her daughter tight, "Keep your eyes closed, baby."

Trixie was limp in her arms and didn't respond, Chloe blinked her scratchy eyes, trying hard to keep them open. She used all her willpower to open them one last time.

A moment later, the world exploded. Sound filled her ears as bricks, wood and glass shot into the room. The far window and part of the wall were gone. Her confused mind heard Lucifer yell in such terror that she attempted to get up. Her partner needed her. She coughed and tried to focus as she remembered that he wasn't with her. She forced herself to look at the brilliant, white light that filled the smoky room. Then Lucifer's face was above her, his dark, worried eyes intent on hers. She smiled, happy to have him with her, even as a dream. She slipped into darkness, wondering in her last moment of consciousness, why she was floating. Everything faded to black.

The building burned magnificently. Fire, smoke, and ash (how appropriate) filled the air. The blonde male glanced at the destruction, spent a few seconds noting the lights, sirens and firemen racing about like ants and then ignored everything in favor of watching the sky. He kept well back from the crowd, and scanned the upper floors of the engulfed structure, waiting. He smiled coldly as a familiar figure swooped into view and plowed straight through the wall of the building. A moment later, white wings flashed as a women and child were carried into the clouds.

The solitary figure turned away, cursing in anger. His trap should have worked. Lucifer's humans should be dead. Hatred flashed through him. With a cry of rage, he was gone. Two long, brown feathers floated to the ground.

A few miles away, Lucifer gently laid Chloe and Trixie down on the grass under a shade tree in an empty hillside park.

Chloe slowly opened her eyes to find Lucifer staring down at her.

He looked her over carefully, "Are you all right?" He lifted one hand to rub her cheek, "You look like Hell." He raised an eyebrow and showed her his soot-covered fingers, "Literally."

She nodded and tried to laugh, but her aching throat made a sound more like a hoarse bark. Suddenly her eyes shot wide open and she jerked upright, "Trixie!"

Lucifer stilled her struggles, "She's fine." He nodded toward the little girl, who was sitting in the grass rubbing her eyes. The child moved to hug her Mom, as Lucifer stood up and walked a few feet away from them. Chloe checked her child's arms and legs, assuring herself that she was all right. She kissed Trixie's forehead, and then stood up to join Lucifer. "Hey, what's the matter?"

Lucifer gave her a look of anger and frustration, "What's the matter?" He ran a hand through his hair, "Well, let's start with the fact that you almost died. Then add in that I was miles away when I heard you and Beatrice praying. I can't slow down time like Amenadiel. I could have been too late." He stalked away from her, trying not to shout, "I knew something was wrong, but I let you and the Doctor calm me and convince me I was overreacting. I should have kept my guard up."

She touched his sleeve carefully, "So you're upset that I didn't believe there was a threat?"

He turned quickly to face her, "No." His denial was adamant, "No, darling. I'm upset that I almost lost you today. If you and Beatrice end up in the Silver City, I will never see you again. His eyes spoke of terrible sorrow.

Chloe exhaled sharply and tried to blink back her own tears, "I don't want to lose you either." She put her arms around him and held on tight. It took a moment, but eventually she felt the tension leave his body. She ran her hand up and down his back, "We're okay."

Trixie quietly moved to stand with them, hugging both adults and hiding her face against Lucifer's shirt. His hand shifted to hold the child as well as Chloe. After a few minutes, he raised his head, and took a step back to release them. He stood straighter and cleared his throat, "Well… now that everyone is safe, would you please tell me how you ended up in a burning building?"

"I got a call on the way to the art museum."

Trixie wailed, "Oh no! I missed the museum!"

Lucifer waved a hand at her, "Don't fret, child. I will take you." He turned his attention back to Chloe, waiting.

"The caller identified themselves as dispatch and said that an officer needed back-up. No big deal, just a second person present. But when we got to the building, there was no officer. The place was rigged to burn. It was a trap.

Lucifer listened, outwardly calm except for the fact that his eyes began to glow red.

Chloe touched his sleeve. "I'm sorry. I should have trusted your instincts." She gave him a very small smile, "I promise I will listen from now on."

He looked at her with pride, still astonished that she could face his anger, without any fear. That she could love him, even when the Devil made an appearance. He brushed his lips against her blackened cheek. "Good. Now do I need to take you two in to the hospital?"

She shook her head, "No. The clean breeze up here has helped a lot." She glanced at her daughter, "How do you feel, Monkey?"

"I'm okay, Mom. I just want a big glass of water and a bath."

Lucifer rounded them both up, urging them toward the parking area. "I took the liberty of having a car brought out." He spotted the red sedan immediately as the driver got out and held the door. "Beatrice, do you want to ride shot-gun?"

"No. If it's all right with you, I would like to ride in the back seat with you and Mom, just this once."

"Of course, child. Why don't you let your Mother get in first and you can ride in the middle, between us."

Chloe smiled gratefully as she stepped into the backseat of the luxurious car.

Lucifer waited until both mother and child were settled before he folded himself into the back seat. "Straight to Lux, if you please."

He relaxed against the seat, but his eyes moved constantly, vigilant now that he was sure of the threat.