A/N: Sooo, not gonna lie. I didn't think this story would ever get 20 reviews. My last story that got a lot of reviews was because it was very poorly written. However, these reviews have all been very positive. Which means: Bonus Chapter. I have no idea what yet (I didn't think I'd be making another one before the end of this half of the overall story) but there will be a bonus chapter on Oct. 19th, for the review number and as a celebration of the second anniversary of this story.
Thanks once again to my amazing readers,
Mint Tea and Skulls
Chapter 27: Running in Circles
Lucifer's forced sabbatical wasn't all bad. Maze still kept him up-to-date on Lux, the neighborhood of his safe house – rather safe manor – was populated with many lovely people, and he was kept in stock of all of his favorite bad habits. He had been basking in the sun beside his pool when one of the neighbors took to a curiosity about him. It lead to an interesting day of debauchery indeed. It was almost enough to make him forget his troubles.
Alas, his troubles returned that following Monday. Maze came by for her daily update with a soured look on her face. After she briefed him on the try-outs results finally being posted before she finally brought up the reason for his isolation.
"Patrick isn't going to be leading a dance squad anytime soon, but he did make the cut to be on the squad. And Natalie hasn't even seemed to notice that you're gone. She been all over one of the patrons from France. Maybe you were right about it not being you. I've sure never seen her be that chummy with you."
Part of Lucifer bristled. His mind created an immediate deviate scene. He imagined Miss Varquez curled into the side of the business man, coy smiles and flirtatious jokes. Imagination pressed on, changing the scene to her climbing into the man's lap, grinding to the club's music. Before he could continue the line of thought, Maze's hand passed in front of his face.
"Hello? Are you listening to me? I said you could come back to work."
"Right... Of course." He responded roboticly.
Maze sighed and rolled her eyes. She left Lucifer to his moping, she had a new bartender to hire. Now that her concerns for Lucifer were calmed, she could care less about whatever human was about to be caught in Natalie's web. Through the course of the week, she had used every contact she had, both new and old, in order to learn everything she could about the mysterious woman. By the end she had determined that Lucifer staying away from her would be best.
Natalie Varquez wasn't called the "L.A. She-devil" without reason. While Lucifer made deals that ended with the humans getting what they wanted, Natalie's deals always ended with ruin. Humans would always fail their end of the deal. Either by her own guarantee or by over-assuming their personal reach and power. Natalie always won in the end. The woman was a special kind of bad news, and Maze couldn't help but respect that kind of ruthlessness.
Maze had given everyone the morning off so that she could interview for the new bartender without the staff's prying eyes. Thus, she was surprised to see Natalie standing in front of the building. Upon seeing Maze, the woman smiled brightly and waved.
"Hey Maze, got another favor to ask."
"Oh, looking for another vacation?"
"Just a short one, now that the new dance squad has been assigned. I've been invited to a fancy dinner in Paris, so I was hoping to take the next week off."
Maze considered it for a moment, before nodding her consent.
"Thanks Maze, you're the best boss." Natalie chirped before turning to walk down the street.
When Wednesday open arrived, Lucifer scanned the room of dancers and club-goers. The new bartender greeted him with a large smile and prepared drinks. He dismissed the new cutie as he scanned the room a second time.
"She's in Paris" Maze's voice cut through the music behind him.
The glass in his hand cracked slightly. 'Paris?!'
"Look, whatever is between the two of you, believe me when I say forget about her. She's bad news. Even if she's good money." Maze said coldly.
Lucifer refrained from responding and made his way to his piano. His imagination taunted him with the idea of that suited fool dancing with Miss Varquez instead of him. As though some mere human could keep up with her grace. The mystery surrounding her did nothing to calm his desire for her. Part of him was sure that Maze was right, she only ever had his best interest at heart.
A greater part wanted answers from those deviously sinful lips.
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Natalie stared out the balcony, sipping from the wine glass in her hand. Her shoulder had mostly healed, only the faintest scar left from her latest battle. It, too, would fade with time. Her week had been wildly successful. Convincing the desperate idiot to take her to Germany on his private jet so that her could get her great sword properly sharpened had been a breeze.
The jet was chartered to go back to the United States the following morning. She only had one last matter to tend to. While her target prepared for what he thought would be a magical night, Natalie plotted her next steps. Once her glass was drained, she turned back to face the lavish room. On the bed, her target laid out, naked, smiling, and blindfolded.
"Naughty little thing aren't you." He commented as he heard her step into the room.
"Don't you like it when I'm naughty?" She asked in a false sweetness.
She picked up his business phone, and sent an email out to his associates telling them that he had more business in Paris and would be delayed in returning to the United States. She softly set it down before sitting on the edge of the bed.
The bound man gave a shuddered breathe of anticipation. Natalie couldn't stop the cruel smile that worked its way to her lips. She trailed her fingers up his chest, and in a flash pressed her palm against his mouth while her other hand slipped a knife between his ribs. A few gurgles, a little struggle, and it was over. She stood, and dropped the knife onto the bed.
She pulled out her own phone and sent a picture to the number that had been provided to her. She didn't know what this man did to make the "Sinner Man" want an example made of him. As long as the new guy kept his end of the deal, she would play along. She closed the bedroom door and made herself comfortable in the guest bedroom. Her luggage was already packed and stored by the door to leave in the morning.
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Lucifer and Maze received their confirmation that he hadn't been the target with the police showed up at the club to arrest Natalie. Chloe and Daniel were part of the force tasked with bringing in the woman that France wanted extradited. Lucifer could hardly believe the photos of the scene that the pair had with them. He noted that Maze appeared completely unfazed. He asked to come along, and the detective granted his wish with a great deal of hesitance.
Within the interrogation room, Natalie Varquez sat with a pleasant smile and without a word. No matter how she was questions, she merely stared and smiled. Before even two hours had passed, a tall man waltz into the interrogation room.
"My name is Agent Tanners, FBI. I'm here to release Natalie Varquez."
"Release?!" Daniel half-shouted. "She's slated to be extradited to France for murder!"
"Not anymore." The man said casually, tossing an envelope at the pair.
Chloe's teeth grounded together as she read the release order. "So we are just letting her go? What about the French government?"
"They have been soothed accordingly. If you would?" He held out his hand expectantly.
Chloe had no choice but to hand over the handcuff key. The whole building watched as one Natalie Varquez strolled out of their offices. Even Lucifer was shocked by the exchange. Determined to get answers, he followed Miss Varquez and the agent.
"The file you requested." Agent Tanners said, as he handed a second and larger envelope to Miss Varquez. "Hopefully was can put the incident earlier this year behind us."
"Of course, Tanners. It's always a pleasure." Natalie responded, smile still set in place.
A familiar blue car pulled up and honked. With a nod to the agent, Natalie climbed in and tossed the envelope into the backseat. Evan asked no questions as he drove them home. Once she had returned to the sanctuary of their home, Natalie looked over the sealed envelope. Evan's curiosity finally broke through as he watched her.
"What's that?" He asked.
"All of the information that the U.S. government as on Lucifer Morningstar."
Evan gave a low whistle, "What are you going to do with that?"
Rather than answer, Natalie turned to look out the window. Her smile was gone, replaced by a thoughtful look. 'What indeed...'
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Lucifer had been working through his frustration by swimming on the roof top pool when he noticed he had a visitor. Casually lounged in a deck chair was Miss Varquez. She watched him with a look he recognized as desire. He felt his anger dissipate under the look and made his way to the end of the pool she sat by.
"Well, well, if it's not the murderess herself." He commented with a chilled tone.
Miss Varquez scoffed a laugh, "You should have Maze tell you the story of what happened when Trixie Decker was kidnapped. Makes those photos look like child's play. Excuse the pun."
His eyebrow lifted as he leaned on the wall of the pool.
"But I'm not here to debate you or defend myself." She commented softly.
"And what are you here for?" He asked suggestively.
"To give you this." She said as she waved the envelope from earlier. "Tanners gave it to me, but I imagine you were watching. However, I decided it doesn't matter. Like it or not, I trust you. What, or who, you are doesn't change that."
Lucifer watched her face carefully. She wore a look of happy defeat. It seemed most contradictory. Rather than give further explanation, she laid the envelope on the table and left as quietly as she had appeared.
Lucifer hauled himself out of the pool. With a quick dry of his hands, he tore open the sealed envelope. He was shocked to see not only a sizable dossier, but a photo of him in his devil face. How Uncle Sam managed this one was beyond him. He stared at the door. At least he knew now that she was his friend.