"NO!" Thorne cried in terror, bolting up from the couch he was sleeping on. Fuck his arm hurt. Always did after a nightmare like that. He gave a quick glance round the bar, luckily no one was there. He couldn't bear to appear weak in front of others, and down in Hell appearing weak was especially dangerous.

Thorne pulled out his pocket-watch. 5 hours of sleep, better than most nights. Certainly, the most he had that week, and without the need for heroin.

Rising groggily from the couch, Thorne stretched, hearing some joints cracks. Smiling, he walked to the front door. Taking the locket from around his neck, he ran his thumb over it, making his way outside. It was still early, would be a few hours before the rest of the hotel rose. Setting off at a gentle pace, he walked round the hotel. Whenever he couldn't sleep which was always, he would walk round the hotel grounds, before the hotel it was his office and before that his flat.

Thorne thought back to the last time he had done this. It was with Angel. That cute, fluffy, pink…

"No!" Thorne muttered angrily to himself. He had to stop thinking like that. Yes, Angel dust was attractive but probably wouldn't remain that way unless he could stop Bryrin, whoever that was.

That was why Thorne had enlisted the help of Blitz. It had taken some convincing and a lot of money, but Blitz was soon tasked with finding the creepy stalker, and that meant checking creepy Angel Dust fan sites and other less 'scrupulous' places both online and in person. Corvus could assist with the online portion but IMP were needed for the physical.

Thorne massaged his temples as he walked, duties of an overlord, a hospital to run, a mass-murderer to stop and now a creepy stalker to find. He needed another hit and a holiday. Perhaps he could suggest the latter to Charlotte, a hotel holiday. He smiled at the thought, everyone at the beach, especially Angel. Wearing something to show off every curve and fluffy…

"Fuck it", Thorne growled.

"Something wrong?" A cheery voice called from the front door.

Thorne turned and saw the princess standing in the doorway, silhouetted by the hall-light.

"Just having an argument with myself." Thorne shrugged with a smile.

"I'm happy I found you." Charlie replied, "I wanted to have a word with you anyway."

"That's sounds ominous."

"Oh, no nothing like that." Charlie insisted, putting her hands up. "I wanted to talk to you about Husk."

Thorne's breath caught in his throat, had Vaggie told her what he had done?

"Anything specifically?" Thorne asked cagily.

"Well, Vaggie told me that you had tried to help Husk beat his alcoholism." Charlie smiled, "But it seems that Husk didn't want to listen…"

"That's not what happened." Thorne replied, he thought of telling Charlie everything, his abilities as an overlord, his own addictions. Damn it, how could one young demoness have this much power. It was like being next to Lucifer, how you just spilt your guts and said everything on your mind.

"Thorne?" Charlie asked, a concerned look on her face as she reached out and touched Thorne's arm.

The feline demon recoiled at the touch, his tremor worsening. Charlie's face fell.

"It just hurts is all." Thorne muttered. "I…" he thought back to his dream, being tied down, injected with… and then… "I, just slept on it. Feeling will return soon."

"Oh" Charlie replied, not entirely convinced. "What were you about to say about Husk?"

"Only that you don't just kick a habit. People must want to quit; you have to wait till they're ready."

"Hmmm," the princess mused. "You remember what we spoke about last time we were alone?"

"About the pressures that you would feel, taking on such a monumental task?" Thorne clarified with a smile. "Yes, I remember."

"You never did say, do you think that a demon can be rehabilitated?"

Thorne remained silent, his breath fogging in the cold stillness of the morning.

"No." Thorne said gravely, glancing at the floor, "Like Alastor, I think that we are all here for the duration."

"Then why come here? I know you said that you promised your daughter that you would be a doctor. But why here at the hotel?"

"Because those that would come here…" Thorne attempted, "Those that come here, would be in pain. And knowing a bit about that myself, I could help them. Even if they didn't go to heaven, I could make their existences a little easier."

The pair stood motionless for a few moments till a faint buzzing broke the silence.

Charlie took her phone out and stared at it.

"It's mum." She said surprised, "She says dad's in the hospital."

"Lucifer?" The alligator demoness asked from behind the receptionist's desk.

"Yes Persephone." Thorne sighed, getting agitated. "The literal king of Hell is here in the hospital. So just tell me where he is."

"How are you spelling that?" Persephone queried, looking at the computer screen in dazed confusion.

Thorne and Charlie groaned, then Thorne took off down the hallway, Charlie in quick pursuit. Leaving the poor receptionist to work out if Lucifer was spelt "Luu" or "Loo".

"Why ask?!" Thorne grumbled, "It's my hospital, I can go wherever I damn well want."

"You know Charlotte," Thorne said, turning back to the princess. "I wasn't even aware that your father be injured."

Thorne made his way into his office.

"Everyone just assumes that he's…" he stopped when he saw his office was not vacant.

"Invulnerable?" Lucifer concluded, as he sat happily behind Thorne's desk munching away on a jar of boiled sweets.

Thorne was shocked, not only had the king of Hell paid him a visit. But had managed to enter his office to, he thought there were mental wards and safeguards designed by princes to keep unwanted intruders out.

"Yes, but not me. Nor the lovely wife." Lucifer nodded to Lilith, who sat, regally, on Thorne's couch, reading a gossip magazine.

"Oh, look Charlotte." Lilith cooed with delight, "It appears that Helsa Von Eldritch has been jilted by another suitor. Isn't that dreadful?". Thorne watched as she attempted to hide her smirk behind her hand.

"Anyway." Lucifer commanded, putting the sweet jar back on the desk, "back to the reason we're here.". Charlie gasped in shock as Lucifer wheeled himself away from Thorne's desk in a wheelchair.

"Dad, what happened?" Charlie asked, wide-eyed rushing forward.

"Oh, nothing my dear." Lucifer reassured with his usual smile. "I just saw it and really wanted a go. Oh, that reminds me." Lucifer turned to face Thorne, "There might be a patient out there. On the floor. Without a means of… transportation." Lucifer gazed at the ground feigning guilt.

"Daaaaaaaad!" Charlie groaned.

"He's fine… -ish."

Thorne closed his eyes in annoyance, and muttered one word. "Corvus".

The irritated lanky owl demon rounded the corner and entered the office.

"Yer boss, what you want no…OH, FUCK ME!" Corvus stammered, looking at the king and queen of Hell.

"If you're very lucky." Lucifer teased with a wink.

"Corvus." Thorne continued, "His majesty has… appropriated this wheelchair from a patient, please dispatch orderlies to find and… assist."

"Yes sir." Corvus said before high-tailing it out of the office.

"Well, he's nice isn't he Thorne?" Lucifer suggested, playfully pushing the doctor's arm.

"He's underage." Thorne countered, horrified at the suggestion.

"Urgh!" Lucifer grimaced. "But totally not judging you. That's my father's job after all. You keep doing you."

"NO!" Thorne insisted, "It's nothing like that, Corvus is my secretary."

"Oh, I understand." Lucifer replied with a chuckle. "Afterall, Angel Dust is the one you really desire."

Charlie looked at both of them in surprise.

"Oh, didn't you know?" Lucifer teased her. "Well, of course you wouldn't. Our boy is far too modest and reserved. But then that's the British aristocracy for you."

Thorne remained in stunned silence as Lucifer wheeled his way to Thorne's murder board.

"I'd like an explanation Thorne." Lucifer demanded, staring intently at the wall. "You've had a few days; I want to know what you've found."

Composing himself, Thorne walked over to the demon king and began.

"From what information I have gathered, Halantine has a network of demonic agents spread over the pentagram. However, the exact size cannot be determined as any members that my demons' corner, commit suicide rather than be captured. I've also noticed an uptake in purchases of copper and sanctified steel from various gangs that I believe have dealings with Halantine's organisation. I'm sure that this has something to do with the increase in drug overdoses, but I need time to verify."

"Wow", Lucifer said. Turning to the demonic doctor. "Did you remember to breathe through all that?"

Thorne straightened himself looking embarrassed.

"Well, count me impressed." Lucifer said, triumphantly banging his feet together and giggling.

"LILITH!", he roared, dramatically pointing to the ceiling.

"Yes, husband?", Lilith asked peering over the top of her magazine, more than a little irritated at being taken away from it.

"AWAY!", Lucifer declared before wheeling at top speed to the hallway.

Charlie rushed in front of him.

"Dad, could you give the chair back to Thor…"

"Stop." Lucifer interjected putting his finger to Charlie's lips. "Stop, stop, stop", he said tapping with each word.

"Now, Charlotte. You know better than to stop me when I'm having fun.", Lucifer said, his smile gone, his voice darkening.

Charlie's face fell, her eyes filling with concern.

"Weeeeeeee!" Lucifer squealed with delight as he wheeled down the corridor.

"Ugh", the princess deflated. Lilith promptly walked over and put a consoling hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"Don't worry dear." She smiled, "Remember, he got like this after he discovered Sherbet Lemons… and Magic Mushrooms."

"And he thought he'd turned into a butterfly and we had to chase him round the castle."

"Yes, and he wanted to know if I were a flower because he wanted to pollenate. But you needn't worry this time." Lilith pouted as she left the room. "I'll catch him myself."

"You really don't have to stay." Thorne said, looking at Charlie as she leant against the wall of the hospital foyer.

"I'm interested in what you do Thorne." The princess said with a smile. As the doctor moved from demon to demon issuing orders. "But I admit, I thought it was going to be more board meetings and finance and less bedpans and bleeding."

"Well, I do have orderlies for the bedpans." Thorne said with a chuckle.

"Help!"

Thorne, Charlie and the hospital staff turned to the doorway and saw Blitz, carrying Stolas in his arms.

"How long ago did this occur?" A concerned Thorne asked the prince. The owl was complaining of numbness in his legs and an inability to walk.

The trio of them; Blitzo, Stolas and Thorne had since retreated to a private room, Charlie had firmly been instructed to remain outside.

"A few hours." Stolas replied nervously, looking at the closed door and shuffling in the hospital bed. He picked at the hospital gown he had been changed into.

"Stolas." Thorne said calmly, "You don't need to worry about onlookers, this floor is private."

"But the charges…" the owl replied.

"Can be spread over as long a time period as you like, in whatever increments you want, under any description you want." Thorne smiled. "You are not the first patient who has had to hide their visits here. Your wife will know nothing."

"Thank you." Stolas muttered.

"Now, I have to ask this. And please don't think me imprudent. But were the two of you having sex when this started?"

Stolas opened his mouth to object, but Thorne's firm gaze made it very clear that lying was not going to get him anywhere.

"Yes." Blitz said from the corner of the room where he had landed himself.

"Blitzy." Stolas gasped, his little imp had never openly discussed what the two of them had.

"And you're fine?" Thorne asked.

The imp gave a few short nods before staring down at his hands.

"In that case." Thorne removed a pen from his pocket and moved to the door. "I have a test I want to perform."

Thorne opened the door and beckoned an imp over.

"Stolas, I am assigning Lawrence here to oversee your care."

Thorne turned to Lawrence, "Now observe and tell me what you see."

The two moved over to the prince and Thorne lifted the sheet, revealing Stolas' legs. Bringing the pen down, Thorne scraped up Stolas' sole causing the owl to squirm.

"Lawrence?" Thorne queried.

"Umm…" The imp began, biting his bottom lip. "A negative Babinski reflex during the plantar test."

"Very good, so what would you do now?"

"Test for Kernig's, Romberg's and Pronator Drift."

"You could do that, but remember Lawrence. Ockham's Razor. Keep it simple." Thorne said moving to the door.

"Is Stolas alright? What's wrong with him?" Charlie asked.

"I can't tell you." Thorne shook his head. "Any sign of your father?"

"Right here." Lucifer said, popping out from behind a nearby pillar.

"Dad." Charlie began, "You know that mum is looking for you."

"I know Charlotte." Lucifer beamed, "But she'll never find me. You know me dear daughter, a master of disguise."

Charlie had to stifle a smile as she saw her mother move up behind him and plant a kiss on his cheek.

"Was it my hat, did that give me away dearest?" Lucifer said in mock surprise.

"No, my little apple. Now shall we go home and leave the good doctor here to his patients?" Lilith asked with a smile.

"But I haven't had a chance to play with the children yet." Lucifer frowned in indignation.

"This isn't the maternity ward dad." Charlie said.

"Oh, I wasn't referring to those little germ factories." Lucifer said, his smile widening. Making his way over to Stolas' room and flinging the door open.

"HELLO STOLAS." The king bellowed, his voice carrying down the hall.

Stolas shot bolt upright at the sight of his king waltzing into his hospital room. Lawrence squeaked in dismay and Blitz tried desperately to make himself unnoticeable.

"My, my, Stolas." Lucifer purred. "How did you get in such a state? Must be from all that sIMPing you've been doing lately."

Stolas' eyes filled with panic.

"No cause for alarm." Lucifer smiled, "Can't see the appeal myself."

He turned to Lilith. "Now who in their right mind would want to be with someone smaller than themselves?"

"A fool." Lilith smiled back, folding her arms. "Now come along you silly serpent…"

"Silly serpent?", Lucifer made his bottom lip quiver before playfully bawling into Charlie's shoulder.

"She's bullying me again." Lucifer said through convincing sobs.

Sighing, Charlie caved and started patting her father on the back.

"Ummm, there, there. But dad, could you… please let Thorne…"

"Augh, fine." Lucifer snorted before composing himself, "I'll let Thorne TICK all the boxes he has to, then we can be on our way."

With that Lucifer, raised an eyebrow and started tapping his foot.

Thorne remained still for a few moments, before smiling triumphantly, letting his claws grow into tweezers, reaching behind Stolas' head before quickly yanking out the cause of the prince's paralysis.

Thorne cupped his hand as the perpetrator crawled around, looking for an escape.

"What is it?" Blitz asked.

"A tick." Thorne smiled before turning to Stolas. "You were suffering from Tick paralysis. Just give it a few hours and you'll be back too normal."

"And on that note." Lucifer beamed proudly. "I can give you your reward, Thorne."

Thorne turned to the demon king in confusion.

"For such an amazing turn around of information in such a small time. And for impressing me with your doctoring skills, I have decided…" Lucifer paused for dramatic effect. "To move the poker game forward. You won't be playing Valentino in a month's time; you'll be playing him tomorrow night."

Sorry about the wait, been really busy with work.

As always, comments and messages are welcome.