Chapter 11: The Road Paved with Good Intentions

Maze hadn't been this relaxed on the mortal coil since she got here. The last few weeks had seen Daiquiri Tuesday become a tradition. It was wonderful to have a friend that she could talk human hunting technique with, and even have the occasional sparing. Maze would be heading out soon to track down another bounty, and had invited New Girl, but was declined. She couldn't even find it in her to be mad about it either. Nat was just too much fun. Not to mention generated cash flow for Lux, which helped keep Maze happy. After-all, the longer Lux prospered under her control, the more she could shove into Lucifer's face that he needed her.

Lucifer kept on working with Detective No-Fun, so her upcoming trip would also require an appointed temporary manager while she was away. While she wanted to offer the job to her newest friends, Nat refused to work on Tuesday and brought up her contract to get out of it. So, Maze went down to the Lux lobby to volun-tell Patrick what he would be doing for the next week. Within the halls of the lobby was also Lucifer. Maze barked a laughed, and stalked up to the two.

"Hello, boys. Patrick, I got shit to do; so you're in charge this week. Everyday, here, making me money, got it?" She cracked with a smirk.

Patrick immediately nodded and headed into the bar to begin his now busy work week.

"And you," she started, rounding to face Lucifer, "try to not do anything stupid while I'm gone. You have a really bad habit of getting into trouble every time I leave town. And with you hanging out with Chloe all the time, you're mortal. So be careful."

"Yes, ma'am." He responded with a chuckle and a tiny mock salute.

She stared at him, unconvinced. She was going to need a part-time Devil-nanny too. On the way to her packed car, she called the only human she trusted to handle something like this. The phone only rang once before Nat picked up.

"What's up, Maze? I thought I wasn't suppose to be in until 4 pm today?"

"Um, look, I need a favor. I wouldn't ask, if it wasn't important."

"Ok..."

"I need you to keep an eye on Lucifer while I'm gone. Nothing fancy, just make sure no one tries to kill him, or kidnap him, or trap him in random old buildings, or-"

"Fuck sake, Maze. You consider just chaining his ass up while you're gone?!"

"If not for Chloe, I could probably pull that off with a big enough orgy, but his attentions are else where."

"Ah, grieving ex-syndrome. Even club-owner playboys aren't immune."

"Yeah, well, I got to get going and shake down some leads before I head out."

"Right, right, I'll watch your man-baby, don't worry. Happy hunting."

Maze smiled as she hung up the phone and started toward her favorite dive bar.

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Lucifer sat in Linda's office for his once-in-a-while-when-I-feel-like-it appointment. Sometimes he just needed a good place to think, and Linda was wonderful for listening to him.

"I just feel like there is something I'm missing with this toy case, Doctor." He paused and drummed his fingers. "Although, I must admit it is a brilliant scheme. All this effort to make empty toy boxes seem full." He laughed. "They could have just made toys."

"And what did you think of how they directed their efforts?" Linda asked with a soft smile.

He pondered that for a moment, observing the new vase on the table. "That they were wasting their time. Much like my time with the detective."

"Why would you say that?"

"I know I said I would let her go, but she just keeps having such terrible luck with men. Part of me almost wonders if she's being set up with me rather than the other way around."

There was a quiet pause that lasted a couple minutes before Lucifer spoke again.

"No. I just still care. Regardless of my Father's interference, I do care for her. It's just so hard to see her sad, Linda." He finished softly.

Linda's smile still graced her features as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "That's still part of being a friend, and there is nothing wrong about it."

Lucifer looked up at Linda, "So, it's ok that I comfort her. That's wonderful to hear." He stood up abruptly, with a large smile. "I think I will go and see to that comfort right now."

"Uh, Just a moment Luci-... fer." She stammered with a raised hand, as he vanished out of her office door again. Hopefully he wasn't getting into trouble again...

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By the time Natalie had finished her shift at the Lux, tracked down any info on anyone who had it out for Lucifer, and tracked down said club-owner; it was sometime between three and four on Monday morning. She rolled the tension out of her shoulders as she watched the odd man for the balcony across from his current sin den. She assumed this was how he spent his time away from his detective. He was so comfortable in a private party, sampling everything offered to him. Although he didn't seem to need to sleep, only half-weird with some of the things being done in that building. She looked down at her watched again, and when she looked up, Lucifer was gone. She stood with a curse, and turned to bump right into the very same man.

She looked up at him in shock, "Uh, Hi."

Lucifer craned his neck as he looked down at her. "What are you doing here?" He asked in a low tone.

"Mainly watching a bunch of strangers have way more fun than me right now." She responded, rattling off the first excuse that came to mind.

He chuckled darkly, and took a step forward. Natalie reflexively step back, bumping into the banister of the small balcony.

"Well, well, I didn't take you for the watching over playing type, Miss Varquez. But please," he murmured as he drew closer, "enjoy the show."

Natalie couldn't deny that she had to close her eyes at that moment. A warmth was certainly seeded into her stomach from the dark promise in his comment. When she gain a part of her control back, she opened them to find him gone again. As she looked back, he had returned to his party. Within minutes, he turned the room into a pile of writhing bodies. She had to give him points for creativity, and lecture herself for underestimating him. She would be more cautious with the rest of the babysitting. 'Best he think this a strange one time thing.' She thought to herself, trying to not overly focus on Lucifer himself.