Lucifer stared up at the ceiling from his very empty bed. It was 8 p.m. on a Friday night and Lux was half empty. He hated to admit that Michael's scheme was working, at least momentarily. Yet the emptiness of Lux didn't bother him. It was fitting that his home was empty, since he felt empty as well. It began after he saved Beatrice and Chloe kissed him. Such a fantastic moment, but that was all - one moment against the rest of his miserable life. Now that perfect moment was gnawing a hole in his gut, reminding him of what he would never have. It struck him that Chloe couldn't have found a more suitable torture. Because although he was able to grant the desires of others, his own desire was forever out of reach.

He sighed in frustration and purposefully kept his hands still and flat against his stomach. He really wanted to clench them into fists and let his temper flare, but the penthouse had just been refinished. He thought about allowing some of the women in the club below to join him in bed, but felt no arousal at the idea.

His thoughts again turned to Chloe. If only he could have her in his bed. He could imagine her underneath him; golden hair tumbled across his sheets, blue eyes clouded with passion as he…

"No." He spoke the single word to stop the conjured pictures in his mind before he ended up having sex with himself, like a schoolboy hot for his dream girl. He decided that although he enjoyed a good wank occasionally, in this instance it seemed needy and pitiful. He shifted and sat up quickly. This was madness. He was Lucifer Morningstar. He could have as many lovers as he desired whenever he desired. Unfortunately, it really pissed him off that none of them would be Chloe.

Once again the question popped into his head… Did he love her? His thoughts came to a complete stop. Even in the privacy of his own mind, he was afraid to admit it. He chided himself, coward… all right, I care for her. Unsatisfied, he pushed himself to face the truth. Fine. I do love her, and her child too, for all the bloody good it does.

Did it hurt? Most definitely. But it wasn't her fault. He couldn't blame her for not wanting to be with a monster.

He slid off the bed and walked to his closet to select the suit he would wear to the ball. He was supposed to meet Chloe at 9 p.m. He dressed quickly and walked toward the elevator as his cellphone rang. He saw his bartender's name on the display and answered, "Yes?"

"Sir, we have a problem down here. The vodka finally arrived but they want twice the normal cost. I can't get a decent explanation out of the deliveryman. He seems to speak mostly Russian."

Lucifer rubbed his forehead, "I'll be right there."

Across town, Michael's charity event had begun and the ballroom was packed with beautiful people in elegant clothes. Chloe stepped into the crowd. Her knee length dress of sapphire blue hugged her slender body. The v-neck revealed just the swell of her breasts, while the back was open down to her waist. It was a miracle of engineering that it didn't slide right off. Only the tightly cinched belt kept everything in place. Chloe thought of it as understated sexy. Her shoes on the other hand, were sex on stiletto heels. The thin blue straps and the back edge of her heels were adorned with dark blue stones. Her toenails were painted a matching shade of blue. She looked around, working her way through the mass of people near the entrance.

She reminded herself to smile even though she was still upset with Lucifer for avoiding her. She hadn't seen him since he saved Trixie. He wouldn't answer her calls. His one text message had been short and detached, simply stating that he would meet her at the event rather than pick her up.

It was infuriating. She pushed thoughts of her partner out of her mind as she worked her way through the room. She talked to several people she knew as she made her way to the seating area along the far wall. A few minutes later, Michael found her, "May I have this dance?"

She gave him a smile, "Okay."

He escorted her to the dance floor as the music began to play. He held her loosely in his arms, enjoying the feel of her smooth back against the palm of his hand. He guided her expertly across the dance floor while his eyes roved over her face. He gave her a bright smile. "You look very lovely, Chloe."

"Um, thank you Michael, but I know you're just dancing with me to annoy Lucifer."

"You wound me! I'm dancing with you because I want to." His smiled faltered for a split second as he realized it was true. Before he could process his thoughts, Lucifer appeared.

"I'm cutting in brother." He took Chloe into his arms as Michael gave him a look of frustration and stalked off the dance floor.

He twirled Chloe out and back into his embrace. "Sorry I'm late Detective. Something came up at the club."

Chloe fumed, "I don't want to know if that is a sexual reference, but if you need to get back to Lux and sleep with more people, don't let me stop you." She wondered if he was punishing her on purpose and hurt bloomed in her chest at the thought. She loved him. But his actions kept her off-balance, jerking her back and forth between happiness and heartbreak. He willingly risked himself for her sake and saved her child, but he didn't want her love. Maybe it was time to give up. She raised her chin to accept his decision, "I guess this wasn't a good idea."

Lucifer gave her a sad look, wishing he could understand. It almost sounded as if she was jealous, but that made no sense, as she had never truly been drawn to him in that way. He answered her quietly, "Perhaps not. However, I would ask that you stay away from Michael. He's plotting something."

"Do you think I'm in danger?"

"No. He won't hurt you." Lucifer frowned, "But he would use you to hurt me."

Chloe stared into his eyes, surprised that she could still have any impact on his feelings at all. She looked past his shoulder as she softly admitted, "I don't want him to hurt you."

Lucifer tensed and quickly released her. She might not want Michael to hurt him, but she obviously preferred the 'good' twin. He gave a small sarcastic smile, "Of course not." He excused himself and disappeared into the crowd to find the liquor.

Michael made his way back to Chloe as soon as his brother left the floor. He spent the rest of the night talking with her and dancing; using his angelic presence to put her at ease.

Chloe buried her hurt over Lucifer's apparent inability to spend more than a few moments in her company and allowed Michael to make her feel desirable again. It felt nice to spend time with someone who laughed freely, smiled without reserve and who genuinely seemed to enjoy being with her. She tried very hard to have a good time until she realized she was pretending it was Lucifer she was smiling and laughing with. Ashamed, she touched Michael's sleeve to interrupt his small talk. "I've had a very nice time, but I need to leave."

Michael gave her a look of disappointment, "Oh, too bad. May I walk you out?"

"No need. I can find my own way."

He smiled at her again, "I insist."

She gave in gracefully and let him lead her out of the crowd.

From the far end of the room, Lucifer lounged against the wall and watched as Michael escorted Chloe away. He pushed himself upright, and with an sullen frown, slowly followed them out.

Michael led her through French doors into a garden bathed in moonlight. The scent of night-blooming jasmine filled the air. Chloe ran her fingers through the delicate leaves before she gave him a knowing look, "I don't think my car is out here, Michael."

He laughed heartily, "No. This is the scenic route. Honestly, I just wanted a moment alone with you." He stepped closer, running his hands up her arms to lightly hold her, "I truly enjoy being with you, Chloe." He moved in slowly, watching her face carefully as he touched his lips to hers. His eyes closed of their own accord.

Shocked, Chloe let him kiss her for a second before she pushed him away, "No."

Michael stared at her in horror. Feelings crashed through him. Confusing, wrong. He wanted to go on kissing her. He wasn't supposed to have these feelings, but he did. Worse, he felt the soul-deep connection Chloe had with Lucifer. It felt like the worst sort of betrayal against his twin. He decided to leave for the Silver City as soon as possible. Until he could go, he had to stay away from this strange female who obviously did belong to his brother. His next thought was of Lucifer, How terrible this must be for him. To feel and need, while fearing to act. This is why Lucifer won't leave Los Angeles.

Lost in her own misery, Chloe tried to explain, "I'm so sorry, Michael. I can't. Lucifer is a good man and no matter what, I'm on his side."

Michael smiled at her sadly, "Totally my fault, my dear. My brother always did have the luck of the devil."

Chloe tried to smile back, but froze at his next words, "Isn't that right, brother?"

Lucifer stepped out of the shadows, "Apparently not!" He watched Chloe with hurt, anguished eyes. "No need to worry, Detective. If Michael is your choice, I'll not make you take sides. No one could expect you to choose the Devil when the better, more angelic model of myself is available."

Chloe felt tears of frustration gather in her eyes. Why did this keep happening? She couldn't defend the kiss, and what must look like total betrayal. Her relationship with her partner was ruined and it was her fault. "Lucifer…" She gave a choked cry and turned to leave.

Michael pushed both hands through his hair in absolute bafflement, unable to believe how dense his brother and Chloe were. "Oh for Father's sake. I can't let this continue. Even as new as I am to this world, I can see what you feel for each other. Yet both of you are determined to torture yourselves. I can fix that." He stood up taller, and his voice rang out, "Lucifer, tell Chloe the truth."