Michelle watched silently from under her Invisibility Robe as Adrian prepared himself for the journey. She had tried to convey her thoughts to him as little as possible, mostly keeping yes or no questions to just "Yes" or "No". If he wanted her to elaborate on a question, she would explain in as few words as possible. She did not want to tempt herself and be attracted to him any more than she already was. She had already endangered her soul by giving Adrian the key to his triumph; she was not going to endanger it any more with a false hope of being reunited.

Adrian straightened the collar of his black, flame-embroidered coat, grimacing into the mirror as he thought of the trip. He was to spend a weekend - a whole, bloody weekend - in Heaven with this angel - Melody, wasn't it? - with Michelle watching over his shoulder every minute. He was still attracted to Michelle, even though the sparkle in her grey eyes had faded with whatever pain she had endured in the last two years, and her blond hair had darkened to a light brown with a few hints of blond. Her smile had also lost some of its enthusiasm, resulting in a grin that rarely reached her eyes.

Adrian shook his head. He couldn't think about Michelle, at least, not just yet. He had big plans in mind, ones that involved her, but he couldn't reveal those plans until he was sure Michelle was completely on his side. He straightened his collar again and grabbed his black comb. He wasn't even sure why he was straightening his coat and teasing his hair into reasonable height. Adrian had always liked to look his best, no matter the company. If he didn't like them, it never hurt to intimidate them. And, at nearly six foot three inches (without boots), Adrian was quite an impressive figure.

He sighed as he grabbed a pair of gloves, glancing into the mirror and hoping he would see the Invisibility Robe slip just enough for him to catch a glimpse of Michelle's soft skin. If nothing else, that was the one thing about her which had not changed; he could tell that when he had licked - then kissed - her hand. He remembered how difficult it had been riding that motorcycle and being so close to her. He had a primal urge trying to force its way out of him, but he had been able to control it with a strength he hadn't known existed. With her hair cut short, Michelle's brown hair had teased him, the smell he knew so well as lavender filling his nostrils.

He smiled a little, remembering how the sight of her with short hair had not surprised him as much as he thought it might. She actually looked better with her hair that short; it made her seem more modern and rebellious and less hippy. As he put on the gloves, he remembered how Michelle had told him how Heaven was cool and breezy and it was better for him to be prepared. Heat he could take, but a breeze would be intolerable. Smoothing his shirt and stepping into his thick, slender boots, he headed to the throne room to wait for his father, knowing Michelle was probably not far behind.

You know, you could at least try to have a decent conversation with me, Michelle. Adrian told her, looking back for any sign of her behind him.

You should have this wedding on your mind, Adrian . . . not me.

Adrian stopped and, when he felt Michelle bump into him from his sudden and unexpected stop, he whirled around and grasped her shoulders. Why are they doing this to us? Wouldn't a marriage between the two of us be enough? At least that way we would all be happy.

I . . . wish I could tell you, Adrian. Michelle was caught off guard with this little trick. However, even if I could speak to you, I was sworn to secrecy about all of this. I cannot break this vow, no matter what.

But why? Adrian pressed her against the wall. Why aren't you allowed to tell me anything? What could the punishment possibly be that would keep you from telling me everything?

Michelle swallowed hard, deciding to tell him at least that part. If I tell you everything you want to know or, should I ever be able to talk again, if I talk to you at all, I will be punished with slavery and, eventually, eternal damnation of my soul. I will be tortured down here . . . and you and I will never be together. Ever. Michelle glanced down at the floor, not sure of what to expect from him.

Adrian swallowed. So, you do still care for me.

Michelle blushed and, even though he couldn't see it, she knew Adrian knew. I guess two years of living without you just made me care even more.

Slowly, Adrian reached up and pulled the hood off of Michelle's head. You can't say the word 'love' anymore?

Michelle didn't know what to tell him. She definitely loved him, but could she really admit that with the wedding under way? She looked up into his his steely grey eyes for the first time in two years. I don't know, Adrian.

You don't know? Let's see, then, if you still feel love. With that being said, Adrian leaned down and pressed his lips onto hers.

Michelle was taken by surprise. She was about to resist, but the feel of his tongue running along her bottom lip again made her melt into his arms. She moaned in response as Adrian thrust his tongue into her mouth, exploring the territory he had missed so much. He moaned as he finally tasted her again after two long years as he pressed his needy body against her. He wanted her badly and, guessing from her heated response, she wanted him just as badly. He felt himself groan into her mouth as he grew hard at her touch.

Michelle pulled back suddenly, startling the both of them. We need to stop, Adrian.

No, we don't, Michelle. Adrian could tell by the flushed look on her face she didn't really want to stop. We can keep going, Michelle. It's okay. Especially now that I know you love me still, he thought to himself.

Michelle shook her head. We can't, Adrian. You have to marry Melody and I . . . Michelle was almost choking on her words. . . . I have to live my life alone. Without you. Michelle looked away as tears began to form in her eyes. We need to get to the throne room before your father starts worrying about what happened to us. As soon as Adrian released her, Michelle put the hood back on and became invisible to Adrian again. She didn't need him to see how much this hurt her and tore at her heart. If she had the right or ability, she would marry Adrian right then and there. However, this could never be. With heavy hearts, Adrian and Michelle entered the throne room.

They entered just as Satan did. "Alright, Adrian, Michelle, we're going through the portal to earth, and then we're heading to Nicky's house. From there Holly can pick us up, and she'll take us to Melody's house," instructed Satan as they stepped through the fire. Rising from the train station in the dead of night, they made their way to where Nicky had settled.

They walked quickly, looking a bit strange but not too out of the ordinary, as far as the people of New York went. Finally they managed to catch a cab, and before he knew it Adrian was seated in the back of a cab on earth on his way to visit his shovel-faced brother, and then his fiance. Satan muttered some address that Adrian cared very little for, and they were off.

Michelle was glad she was permitted to remove the robe as they walked through the streets of New York. It would have appeared slightly odd when the three of them climbed into the cab to begin with, especially if Satan had sat in-between her and Adrian. However, with the robe gone and both men sitting on either side of her, Michelle had grown rather uncomfortable. Part of it was the dead silence coming from all three of them. She wasn't allowed to talk, so she at least had an excuse. Satan, she wasn't quite sure why he wasn't talking; it wasn't like him to be silent. Adrian, however, she knew he was silently scheming a plan to get both of them out of this horrible arrangement.

Michelle was right on the dot with her thoughts; Adrian was deep in thought, already planning his escape and his future. He, of course, would have to take the throne (there were simply no other alternatives) either by force or by being good and staying on his father's good side. Of course, that didn't mean that he couldn't plot while he was obeying his father. He would just have to be more careful. Adrian had hardly been the reckless type. Everything he had ever done had been very well planned, to the second. Nicky had quite caught Adrian by surprise when he had nearly captured Adrian in the flask the last time they were at the subway station, mostly because Adrian had always been the clever one, and coming up with a plan like that was most un-Nicky-like.

It only took a few minutes to reach Nicky's apartment. Satan produced the correct amount of cash for the driver and the three of them were up the walkway sooner than Adrian would have liked. He found himself feeling rather awkward, shivering behind his father as Satan knocked. He looked over at Michelle, who refused to look at him. Michelle, why are you being punished?

Michelle blinked, then swallowed as she resisted the urge to look up at Adrian. The less Satan knew about her new "gift", the better. She knew she couldn't stay quiet for very long before Adrian tried again, so she made a quick reply. I'm not allowed to tell you, Adrian. It's against the oath I swore.

Damn it, Michelle, I don't care about the oath! I need to know exactly what you did that would cause you to be punished so severely. Even though Michelle was still looking down at the floor, she could feel Adrian's angry stare.

I can't tell you, Adrian, and nothing you say is going to force it out of me. Michelle was grateful when Valerie opened the door, holding young baby Zachariah on her hip.

"My dear God, you've spawned!" Adrian spat before he, or anyone else, could stop him. Satan rolled his eyes and Michelle slapped herself in the face with embarrassment.

Valerie almost shut the door on them. She would have succeeded, too, if it were not for Nicky's enthusiastic cry, Satan's quick and reassuring smile, and Michelle's imploring look. Although she was still angry at Adrian's outburst, Valerie hesitated at shutting the door. Adrian could see that she wasn't quite over his evil reign of a few years back. She opened the door reluctantly, receiving a sneer from Adrian as he passed.

Dinner that night was more awkward than almost any other moment in the lives of everyone present. The seating arrangements were in this order; Nicky at the head, Valerie to his right, Zachariah next to her, Adrian at the other end, Michelle to his right, and Satan next to her. Everyone, other than Adrian, ate their food in silence before Nicky decided to start up conversation.

"So, uh, Adrian . . ." Nicky started. " . . . it's, uh, great to see you. You look good."

Michelle could tell by the look on Adrian's face that he would have none of his brother's light conversation. "It's nice to see your face no longer looks like the underside of a shovel, brother," Adrian said coolly, not even daring to touch the food Nicky's little ragamuffin had set out for him. He glanced over at Michelle, who seemed to be losing her appetite as the awkwardness sank in to even her stomach. Nicky touched his face a little self-consciously, as Satan and Valerie glared at Adrian. Even Michelle gave him a look that could freeze boiling water.

However, Nicky smiled. "Yeah, Cassius would be disappointed. Valerie's got a good swing, I think they'd get along pretty well." Nicky laughed despite himself, but stopped quickly, clearing his throat and coughing a little.

"I believe he would. It's a pity he's locked in a flask for the rest of eternity." More awkward silence, but Adrian enjoyed this one. It was sort of nice being able to disturb Nicky in his own home. He knew his brother felt guilty, something Adrian had never experienced, and that mentioning Cassius' predicament would only serve to torment his younger brother. What he wasn't expecting was the swift kick in the shin he received from Michelle.

As he bent over to rub his new sore, Satan interrupted the silence. "So . . . how has little Zachariah been doing?" He gestured to the little toddler sitting between Valerie and Adrian.

Michelle watched the little boy as Valerie said with a smile, "Oh, he's doing great, gets along with other kids well, we're thinking of getting a dog soon, I think he'd like that. Maybe a retriever or something." She glanced over at Nicky and took his hand in hers.

Michelle envied her half-brother in that instant, wishing she could have that feeling to be shared with the one she loved. However, she knew that would never happen.

Her treign of thought was interrupted as Adrian promptly and loudly gagged over the scene. "Please tell me that not all marriages are like this," groaned Adrian, burying his face in his hands. Nicky looked curious while Michelle did what she could to prevent a laugh from escaping her throat.

"What's going on, you guys? I've been out of the loop for a while, seeing as Mr. Beefy left to stay with Heather, and he's been my only source of news from Hell," chuckled Nicky, looking to Michelle for an answer.

Satan scowled in Nicky's direction. "Nicky, don't fool with your sister. You know she hasn't spoken since Adrian was put into the flask. It isn't nice for you to try and force her to speak."

Adrian gasped. "Michelle is Nicky's . . . sister?" He glanced over at Michelle as if she would kill him if their skin touched.

"Actually, she's my half-sister," Nicky replied calmly. "We're related through our Mom. Adrian."

"Oh, well. In that case . . ." He sent a devilish grin over at Michelle and she could feel herself blushing. " . . . she's fair game."

Satan glared at Adrian. "Adrian, she's not fair game, especially for you."

"What is going on, Adrian? Why are you guys going to Heaven exactly?" Nicky asked his older brother persistently. "I hate being out of the loop."

"You think you're out of the loop," he muttered angrily as his father winced and Michelle appeared distracted by the tiles on the ceiling.

"Well, Nicky, you see, Adrian's getting...uh...he's..."

"I'm getting married off!" snarled Adrian, and if he'd been hoping for sympathy, he was very much off the mark. Nicky and even Valerie seemed delighted by his suffering.

"I'm really glad for you, Adrian," claimed Nicky hoarsely, slapping him lightly on the back.

Even Valerie, who had long harbored a deep resentment of him, tried to smile at him. "That's really wonderful, Adrian. I'd love to meet her. You guys should try to come over for dinner sometime," she generously offered, disregarding Adrian's untouched plate.

Adrian scowled at the couple. "It's not wonderful! What the bloody hell is wrong with you? I'm . . . marrying . . . a . . . fucking . . . angel!" He emphasized every word as if no one spoke his language and Michelle was doing everything in her power to neither cry with despair nor roll on the floor in laughter.

It was almost impossible for her to bear anymore of this conversation. Michelle stood, took her empty plate to the sink and rinsed it off, and walked into the living room where she could sit and relax. She didn't know what to think about their situation anymore. She didn't want to be a part of any of this giant mess Satan and Heaven High Council were creating, but what choice did she have? It was either be a watchdog or burn in Hell for all eternity. At least if she was the watchdog, she would have some hope of being with Adrian again. She just would have to make sure Adrian never found out she helped with his defeat. It was already bad enough to remember it was her doing which had gotten them both into this mess.

"Cassius, I've been waiting for this day for ten thousand years," Adrian told his brother before aiming a dart at the target. He missed the bulls eye by an inch. Michelle applauded him anyway, giving him a reason to swell with pride.

"I'm telling you if the old man picks me to take over, I'm gonna keep torture going twenty-four seven. No breaks." Cassius threw the dart at the target.

As a shout of pain rang through the throne room, Adrian said, "You got him right in the eye!" They glanced at each other before bursting into laughter.

Adrian turned to Michelle, who picked up a glass of clear liquid. "Here, Adrian. Try this."

"What is that?" Adrian took the glass from her and studied the beverage inside with a disgusted look on his face. "Is it some sort of Earth poison, love?"

Michelle smiled at his obvious teasing. "It's an alcoholic drink my foster father drinks called Peppermint Schnapps. He enjoys it so much, I thought you might like it. Oh, and one more thing!" Michelle presented Adrian with a small, gooey, triangular piece of food. "You might want to try a slice of pizza, too. I thought you might want to try some food from Earth and see why I spend so much time there."

Adrian swallowed a small sip of the Schnapps. "Michelle, this is absolutely fantastic!" He took a tiny bite of the pepperoni and cheese pizza. "This tastes amazingly delicious! I've never tasted anything better in my entire life . . . and that's a very long time for me." He took another swig of the Schnapps. "Thank you, love. Maybe one day I will travel to your plane and enjoy a day or two with you up there." He swooped down to give her a quick kiss.

"Hey, how's Daddy's little girl doing today?"

Adrian and Michelle directed their attention to Cassius, who had spotted Nicky walking into the room. Nicky, looking like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar, turned to face his brother. "Oh, hey guys. I didn't see you there. What's up?"

Cassius snapped his fingers. "Hey, shovel-face . . . wanna mind-wrestle?"

That was one of the powers the three brothers shared that made Michelle secretly jealous and a little annoyed. It was quite irritating when they stood there in silence and she knew some kind of thought-swapping was taking place. She wished she could have some of these powers they used so carelessly, but it didn't matter. As long as she had Adrian she really had no need for powers.

Suddenly, Cassius's eyes grew yellow and Nicky started hitting himself in the balls. Okay, Michelle thought to herself as she watched poor Nicky's torment, Maybe having one of those powers to protect myself might come in handy if Adrian's not around. "Cassius, will you please stop?" she begged the man. "You're going to end up killing him!"

"What are you boys doing?"

Cassius stopped instantly and looked over at his father's sharp tone.

Satan looked over at Nicky, who was straightening himself out a little. Nicky looked over at his father and said, "Nothing, Dad. Just . . . hitting the old . . . punching bags."

Satan glared at Cassius. "Cassius, didn't I tell you to stay out of your brother's mind?"

Slowly, Adrian and I inched out of the way as Cassius lied, "I forgot."

"Maybe this will help you remember." With a wave of Satan's hand, Cassius hit himself in the head so hard he flew backwards and onto the ground. Satan winked at his youngest son, who returned the gesture. "Now, everybody, come sit down."

The three of us followed Satan up to the throne, Nicky chatting in his ear as Adrian glanced back at Cassius, who was just getting back up on his feet. Adrian turned to Michelle, who said, "I think we should ask your father now."

"Now?" Adrian smiled as he whispered to Michelle, "Why don't we wait until after he announces his decision?"

"Well, I don't mind when we ask, as long as we are wed," Michelle whispered urgently into his ear. "I'll ask him, though. I'll feel much better if I ask your father permission."

Adrian beamed brightly at his love. "Of course, Michelle. I couldn't imagine a better way."

As soon as Nicky and Satan had finished their conversation, Michelle walked up to Satan and said, "Sir, after your announcement, may I have a word with you? It's of great importance."

"Sure, kid. I have some important work to do after I make this announcement, but I should have time to answer your question." Michelle sat down on the other side of Adrian as Satan sat regally on his throne and began his announcement. "This, as some of you might now, is my ten-thousandth year as Prince of Darkness. So, I think the time has come to discuss who will succeed me."

"Eh . . . knock, knock." We all glanced over at the door where Jimmy was standing with a clipboard.

Satan rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Yes, Jimmy?"

"Don't forget, you're shoving a pineapple up Hitler's ass at four p.m."

Satan nodded as he returned his attention to the four of us. "Now, this was a very difficult decision . . . because I have three wonderful sons. I mean, Adrian . . . so smart . . . so ruthless."

Adrian smiled and puffed with pride with his father's comments.

"Wears make-up," I heard Nicky add under his breath.

"And Cassius . . . so strong . . . so tough."

"Don't forget clinically insane," Nicky added quietly.

"And Nicky."

Everyone glanced over at Nicky as Satan said, "Such a sweet boy."

Nicky chuckled to himself as the other three rolled their eyes and Satan continued. "But after much thought . . . and careful consideration, I've decided that the ruler for the next ten thousand years is going to have to be . . ." Everyone leaned forward in anticipation before Satan finished, " . . . me."

"What?" shouted Adrian, Cassius, and Michelle.

Nicky cried out, "Hallelujah!" When he received furious glares from the other three, he said quickly, "I mean, that sucks!"

"The important thing for the stability of our rule is to maintain the balance of good and evil and I don't think any of you are ready for that responsibility yet," Satan told his sons.

Cassius rose, pointing a threatening finger at his father. "Dad, this is bullshit!"

Satan rose menacingly. "I don't like that language."

Jimmy entered and they all knew it was time for Satan to continue with his work. Michelle glanced at Adrian, who ushered her towards their fathers. "Go ahead, love. I have faith in you."

Michelle nodded and stepped toward the throne just as Satan shoved an enormous pineapple up Hitler's ass. Michelle winced as she drew closer. "Satan, sir, I have an important question to ask you . . ."

"Oh, that's right! I completely forgot. I'm sorry, kid." Satan and Jimmy both stepped forward to listen to the child. "Now, what did you want to ask me?"

"Well, sir, I was wondering if . . ." Michelle swallowed hard and breathed a little to gain some confidence. "I was wondering if I might have your permission . . . to wed your son, Adrian." Michelle looked up into Satan's eyes with what little courage she had left.

Satan blinked. "You're serious, kid?" When Michelle nodded, Satan wrapped a gentle arm around her shoulder and led her out of the throne room so they could talk in private. "Michelle, I have to admit you're a really good kid. You have smarts, you have amazing talents, and you have a lot of courage to ask me that question."

"Thank you, sir," Michelle replied.

"However, I cannot allow the two of you to wed for one reason." Satan paused and turned so he was facing Michelle. "Adrian is the most eligible to take over the throne once he learns the responsibility I spoke of earlier. If he were to wed you with my permission, he would immediately assume the throne and I cannot allow that to happen until he is able to handle that responsibility. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you, Michelle?"

Michelle swallowed hard as she forced back the tears begging to come out. "I understand, sir." She slowly walked out into the throne room where she ran into Adrian.

"What did he say, love?" Adrian held her in his arms as she quietly told him everything Satan had told her. Adrian was even more furious at his father with every word Michelle spoke. How dare his father do this to him? He was the most eligible of the three and could have ruled over Hell for the next ten thousand years with Michelle as his queen if his father gave him permission. But because his father didn't think he was ready to maintain the balance between good and evil, he was going to spend another ten thousand years under his father's rule while he watched Michelle grow older and die. He looked down at his love as he nearly cried. He couldn't imagine living without Michelle; at least if he became the new Satan, he would obtain the ability to give Michelle immortality.

Gently, Adrian led Michelle out of the throne room and out to a nearby torture room where Cassius was already sulking. Shooing away a couple tortured souls, Adrian sat down and held Michelle in his arms as he thought and connived with Cassius. "Twenty thousand years ago, Grandpa Lucifer said it's better to rule in Hell than it is to serve in Heaven." Adrian paused. "Well . . . I'm tired of serving in Hell. We need some place we can rule."

Adrian and I both turned to Cassius, who was messing around with a demon called Gary. Annoyed by his brother being so easily distracted, Adrian stood and slapped Cassius across the back of his head. "Can you concentrate for five seconds?"

"I am concentrating, man," Cassius replied angrily.

Adrian paused for a moment and Michelle could tell by the devilish grin on his face he had concocted a brilliant scheme. "What do you think about . . . Earth?" Michelle held back a gasp of surprise as he added, "We could create our own Hell up there."

"You sayin' we go up there and kill everyone?"

"Eventually, Cassius . . . but first we'd have to corrupt as many souls as we can so that when we do destroy them . . ."

" . . . their damned souls will be ours," finished Cassius with a gleeful look in his eyes.

Adrian's eyes twinkled with delight. "It's our time, brother." They glanced over at the fiery gates of Hell.

"Adrian?" Michelle gently placed a hand on his arm, worry lacing her sweet voice.

He turned to the woman he loved. "Don't worry, Michelle. Cassius and I will turn Earth into New Hell and once we are the rulers of it, you and I will be married." He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Please stay here and keep an eye on my father so he doesn't try anything stupid, love. I'll fetch you when the time comes."

Michelle nodded and Adrian flashed her a reassuring smile as he and Cassius made their way to the gate, her medallion shining brightly as it hung from Adrian's neck. She watched as they shoved their way past the incoming souls and the gatekeeper just before they jumped through the gate, freezing the fire. Michelle realized in that instant what was going to happen was very bad and it was all her fault.

She helped up the gatekeeper before the two of them ran into the throne room. "Your Highness!" she said breathlessly.

The gatekeeper immediately fell to his knees. "Your Evilness! Your Evilness! Cassius and Adrian have escaped from Hell. They went out through the fire and they froze it! I tried to stop them but they overpowered me!"

"Even worse, your Highness . . ." Michelle added quietly. " . . . Adrian was wearing the Hand of Lucifer when he went through the gate."

Satan rose from his throne as the gatekeeper began to weep at his feet. Quietly, Satan commanded, "Calm down . . . get off your knees."

The gatekeeper rose and began thanking Satan for being so understanding, but stopped as Satan created a pair of breasts on the demon's head. "Are there BOOBS on my head?"

"Yeah, big ones," Nicky told him.

"How did Adrian get a hold of the Hand of Lucifer?" asked Satan, looking over at Michelle.

She gulped. "I, uh . . . gave it to him as a good-luck charm a couple weeks ago." She shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

"What's going on, Dad?" Nicky asked his father.

"I'm going to die, Nicky. If the gates are broken, no new souls can get in . . . which means I'll deteriorate into nothing."

"No," Nicky uttered, horrified at what would eventually happen to his father.

Michelle drew closer. "I didn't mean for this to happen, your Evilness. If I knew what Adrian was going to do, I never would have given him the Hand of Lucifer."

Satan turned to the girl. "Michelle, the Hand of Lucifer was for you and you alone. Now, Adrian has it doing who-knows-what! That means when you die, your soul will rot in Hell for all eternity."

"No!" Michelle gasped. "Isn't there some other way? Isn't there something I can do to redeem myself?"

Satan thought a moment before he said, "Here's the deal, kid. You will be, from this moment on, Adrian's keeper. You will watch his every move without intervening with what he is doing. I don't care if he knows you're there or not. We will send someone up not long after you and he will know that once he's found you, he's found Adrian. There are two rules; one, get the Hand of Lucifer back and two, don't let Adrian harm you in any way." He held out his hand. "Do we have a deal, kid?"

Michelle swallowed. "We have a deal, sir." She shook his hand and all her troubles just went downhill from there.

"Michelle?"

Michelle blinked as Nicky gently shook her shoulder. "Are you okay, sis?"

She managed to smile weakly at her beloved half-brother and nodded. He was so sweet and treated her like a true family member, she wished she was permitted more time to spend with Nicky.

"Just remembering the good old days, huh?" He smiled as Michelle nodded again. "Well, since you've been here before, Michelle, why don't you show Adrian the big guest room so he can get some rest before tomorrow?"

Michelle nodded a third time, this time rising to her feet as she started up the stairs, Adrian following close behind. She led him to the biggest guest room as Nicky had suggested. If you have any need to relieve yourself, Adrian, there's a bathroom down the hall, first door on the left. She walked back over to the door. If you need me at all, just holler.

Well, if you must know, the only thing I need right now is a good fuck. Adrian arched his brow and smiled suggestively taking a step closer to his forbidden 'fruit'. Do you mind helping me out with that?

Michelle felt herself blush. You'll just have to worry about that on your own. Good night, Adrian. Michelle slowly turned around and walked out the door, surprised at how calmly she had handled that situation.

Downstairs, Adrian was the hot topic of discussion.

"I don't like him in our house, Nicky," said Valerie angrily, brushing a lock of blonde hair from her eyes. Nicky was caught between duties to the family and his tremendous love for his wife.

Satan shrugged. "We're only going to be here for the night, dear, I'm very sorry if we're too much of a burden to you," he started, but Valerie quickly reached out and caught his hand.

"No, you're not a burden, you'll never be," she assured him. "It's that good-for-nothing, pompous, selfish windbag sleeping upstairs." Valerie stroked Zachariah's hair protectively.

Nicky winced. "You know, he can probably hear you, Val," he said softly, casting a worried glance upward as Michelle made her way down the stairs.

Valerie scowled in such a way it even scared Satan. "Nicky, you know I don't like him! Why on earth would you ever allow him in your house? How could you so easily forget what he's done to you, to your father, to New York! How can you possibly forget how evil he is?" she whispered, her eyes tearing.

Nicky looked away, thoughts running through his head faster than he could catch them. He finally pulled together a bit of what he felt. "Gee, Val, I know he's done some horrible, unforgivable stuff. I know he's a pain in the ass, and I know he hurt me and my family more than anything else ever has...but he's still my brother. He might have tortured me, damaged me physically and mentally, and harassed me and my family every day of my life since I was born, but heck, isn't that what brothers do?"

Missing Valerie's incredulous look, he looked down at his hands.

"You're forgetting that I lived in Hell, Val. Adrian might be bad, but I grew up around bad. He might be evil, but I've got a little evil in me too ya know. Well, I think I'm more on my mom's side, but I have my own dark power. No matter how much I looked up to dad, I always looked up to Adrian a little, too. He was my older brother, more of my example than any other. I was nothing like him, of course, but I dreamed about it and considered it, though luckily I never acted on it. He's hated me for so long...but he's still my brother. Who else does he have?"

Everyone silently moved into the living room. After careful consideration over what Nicky said, Valerie finally agreed to allow Adrian one night in their home. All the adults took a seat while Zachariah begged to sit on Aunt Michelle's lap. Michelle smiled as she picked up the child and placed him lovingly in her lap, longing to have a moment like that with a child of her own.

Satan could see the look of despair on Michelle's face. "I'm sorry things had to be this way, Michelle. If I could change what happened, I would."

Michelle looked away from him. She knew he would have done anything to change the deal, but once he had made the deal, he couldn't undo it. No one had expected things to turn out like they did. She held young Zachariah close as he started growing sleepy. "Are you ready for bed?" she asked him softly.

"What do you know? She actually speaks," Nicky joked quietly as Valerie handed him a cup of coffee.

Satan threw him a glare that could have peeled wall paper. "Keep it down, Nicky. Adrian doesn't know she can talk and I'd like to keep it that way."

"He knows too much about what's going on already," Michelle whispered as she stood up to take the toddler to his bed.

The Prince of Darkness sat straighter in his seat. "What do you mean he knows too much? What does he know . . . and how did he find out?"

Michelle swallowed. Because I can do this, your Evilness. He read my thoughts one day and now he won't shut up, trying to get me to tell him my entire punishment and why I was punished so severely.

Nicky and Satan both stared at Michelle, surprised she now had mind powers. "How long have you been able to do that?" asked Nicky.

"A couple days. It started right after I ran my errand to Nicky's house." Michelle quietly told them all about what had happened after the motorcycle accident. "I was waiting until I knew he wasn't here before I told you."

Satan rubbed the hairs on his chin. "This could be a good thing, Michelle. You're not actually talking to him, so I want you to keep this mind-conversing going and make sure he's not up to anything. It'll be one of your watchdog duties."

Michelle merely nodded before she started up the stairs

"Michelle?"

Michelle looked over her shoulder at Valerie as her sister-in-law asked, "Would you like a cup of coffee when you come back down?"

Michelle gave a curt nod before she turned and finished going up the stairs. She passed Adrian's room to get to Zachariah's, where she gently laid the toddler down to rest. Good night, baby Zachariah. Michelle pressed a soft kiss to his forehead before she left his room. As Michelle passed Adrian's room on the return trip, she felt a lump forming in her throat. Now that she was supposed to converse with him through telepathy, what was going to keep him from finding out every last detail he wanted to know?