I do not own anything related to Lucifer, DC Comics, Vertigo, or Sandman series, either thru television, written books, or film. Everything belongs to Tom Kapinos, Fox, and mentioned above. I do own all the created characters. I do not own any songs, or literature mentioned. They are included to enhance the written words. Please read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter Three

Song(s): She (Laura Mvula), Don't Bring Me Down (Sia)

345 E 1st Street, Apt 3, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California…

Thursday

Slamming the door hard behind her as she kicked off her boots, Miriam winced as she felt the blister screaming on the bottom of her foot.

"Hey, I thought you were going to call when you wanted me to come pick you up?"

Whipping her backpack onto the living room futon, she remained silent as she bit down on her tongue.

"Did you go on your ride along?"

"Oh yes I did" she growled, moving into the kitchen as she roughly grabbed a glass from the cupboard. Feeling the cold tap water running over her fingers as she downed two full glasses in the space of twenty seconds, she turned the glass upside down and sat it in the drip tray.

"And…I take it, it wasn't as glamourous as you thought it would be?"

Tapping her fingers along the broken handle of the fridge, Miriam shook her head and backed up against the edge of the counter.

"I've read the good, the bad, and the ugly about becoming a police officer, but this guy…this Lieutenant that I ended up riding with was such an asshole. I tired to ask him questions and he just gave me shit answers if he bothered to answer them at all" she spat, watching her friend leaning against the side of the fridge.

"A Lieutenant? Isn't that a pretty high rank to be taking out a wannabe? I mean, don't they have the traffic cops go out?"

Cocking an eye in curiosity, Dakota grinned at her best friend as she uncrossed her arms.

"My Uncle was a cop back in Idaho. Never met him though, got shot third day on the job."

Well that's helpful

"Maybe he was just pissed about something and it fell onto you?" Dakota offered as Miriam remembered his gruff responses to the questions she was able to ask.

"Speaking of time, I noticed you are only twenty-one. While it's a requirement to be twenty-one to apply, you should think of holding off and getting some sort of life experience before applying…"

"And he actually had to nerve to call me a kid and comment that because of my age, I probably had no life experience. I mean, Jesus, the guy…"

"Sounds like you wanted to slug him."

Nodding her head as she walked out of the kitchen, she moved to her bag and unzipped the main pouch, taking out her laptop and notepad.

And mess up his pretty, square jawed, blue eyed face?

Maybe

But jeopardize my career aspirations if he decided to file a report?

"He is probably months away from retiring with his cushy pension and was pissed that he had to get out from behind his desk."

"Actually, he was pretty young looking to be a Lieutenant. Maybe mid-thirties? Blue eyes, tall, muscular, strong" she winked, knowing her friend would get a kick out it.

"Really though? Sounds like your ideal man. And an Officer to boot."

Stripping off her blazer, Miriam tossed it onto one of the wooden kitchen chairs as she felt her stomach rumble with hunger.

He may have been good looking, but his shit attitude totally tanks his appeal

"You should have asked if he was single."

Reaching once more for her blazer, Miriam whipped it towards her friend's head as Dakota chuckled and allowed it to fall on the hardwood floor.

"Well, to celebrate the fact that I am not a fucking kid, I'm going to have a drink" she announced, smiling wide as she pulled out the last can of Molson from the fridge.

...

Saturday

5:23pm

Hearing the ring of her mobile from her beside table, Miriam rose to her bare feet and gathered her dark hair up off the nape of her neck as she spied the caller ID

Mom

Breathing through pursed lips as she stared down at the screen, she picked up the Blackberry and swiped answer as she brought the phone up to her ear.

"Hi Mom. I can't talk long, I have to switch my phone over for six. I took a shift with the sexual assault centre" she spoke, returning back to her desk as she moved her finger over the mousepad, watching the screen come back to life.

"It would be nice Miriam if you came home next weekend. Your brother is leaving for Kansas State in June and you should spend as much with him as you can."

Rolling her eyes as she listened to her mother's lecture, she grabbed her headphones and plugged them into the base before inserting one bud in her right ear.

"I just think you will miss your brother when he leaves; And family is more important than anything else. Family, and faith" Yulia Tyler added as Miriam reached for her cooled cup of tea.

"Mom, I have my one weekly shift at the library every Saturday, and I picked up an overnight shift at the Good Shepherd Center" she lied, erasing an entire paragraph from her scathing email before flexing her fingers above the spacebar.

"You haven't been home in months and your Father's health hasn't been the greatest even though Father Laren includes him in the weekly prayer…"

"And that is another reason why I don't come home very often Mom, because every time I'm home, you turn my visit into a damn weekend long bible study" she blurted out, hearing her Mother's line go quiet.

I don't believe in God Mom.

I never have. I just faked it well

"Well then, if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourself whom you will serve. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Hearing her Mother's line go dead, Miriam sighed as she unplugged her phone before pressing play on her itunes account. Glancing at the clock, she counted twelve minutes before the starting of her shift as she rose to her feet, grabbing her mug.

Switching on the kettle, she listened to the gentle roll of the water as she opened a box of green tea.

Quoting the Book of Joshua isn't going to make me come around Mom

"You're not coming out, tonight are you?"

Hearing Dakota's voice from behind her as she tossed a single bag into her cup, Miriam shook her head as she watched her housemate fiddling with her hoop earrings.

"No, I'm on the crisis line tonight for the sex assault centre" she replied, hearing the kettle click off.

"Too bad, after your shit day, you could have probably used a night out at the clubs" Dakota smiled as she gave a small wave. Hearing the apartment door close, she padded towards the foyer and threw the lock as she heard a car horn blaring from outside on the main street.

Pulling back the curtain slightly, she watched as her best friend joined the crowd in the backseat with loud laughter before pulling away down the street.

"Clubs were never my thing Dakota" she spoke out loud as she turned back to the kitchen. Taking up her cup, she headed back to her bedroom and picked up her mobile, thumbing in the digits to connect her line to the centre.

"And we're live."

Staring at the screen of her phone, she pushed it away to the corner of her desk as she brought up the email she had been working on since late afternoon.

My disgust, and disappointment with Lieutenant Marcus Pierce's attitude and frankly careless and uninterested behavior when he took me out on my scheduled ride along with the Department…

Staring at the typed words on the laptop screen, she closed her tired eyes and clued into the lyrics of Laura Mvula as the woman's voice sang out…

She walked to watch you with the head down low
She wondered if there's a way out of the blue
Who's gonna take her home this time
She knew that this time wouldn't be the last time

There she waits looking for a savior,
Someone to save her from her dying self
Always taking ten steps back and one step forward,
She's tired, but she don't stop

Opening her eyes, she moved her fingers over the keys before scrolling up to the x in the right-hand corner of the document.

He deserves a shit-kicking

He deserves to have this on his record

He deserves to be told off

He deserves all of these words

Hovering over the send button, she traced her fingernail along the mousepad and stared at the Lieutenant's name.

So then why can't I bring myself to hit send?

"Screw it."

Deleting the email, she brought up the Word document and deleted that as well.

Don't do anything that might come back to bite you in the ass before you are an Officer

Slamming the laptop lid closed, Miriam ran her fingers along the edge as she closed her eyes and saw his blue eyes, staring at her with such deep disappointment from practically the first minute they had met.

…

12:23am

Peeling off her tank top and yoga pants, Miriam chucked them onto the floor in front of her closet as she slipped her naked body between the sheets.

"Best feeling in the world" she moaned, reaching over for her phone charger as she set her alarm for six. Making sure the volume was up to max, she placed it face down before reaching for her lip balm. Switching off her table lamp, she leaned her back against the cool wall and stared into the darkness as she had a flashback to her childhood…

(Flashback)

Sitting up straight in her single bed, the young seven-year-old interlaced her fingers as she closed her eyes. Focusing on the Christian words she had grown to love and find comfort in, she tucked her chin into her chest and began to pray.

"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, His Love to guard me through the night, and wake me in the morning's light. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. May the angels watch me through the night, and keep me in their blessed sight. Amen."

Raising her eyes onto the small wooden cross that hung just above her headboard, she reached her fingers upward and traced over the four points.

"As a kid, I didn't know any better" she muttered, shifting down into her pillow, closing her eyes.

Growing up on the small sheep and crop farm in Fairfield, religion had always been a part of her life ever since she could remember. She knew she had been baptized as a baby and at the age of eight, had finally been brave enough to take down the small cross above her bed after her grandmother had died from a long illness with cancer.

The idea of God, had died minutes after she had

Relaxing her breathing as she settled into the coolness of the sheets, she heard the vibration of her mobile just as the ringtone started to play.

Too good to be true to have one shift without a call

"Sexual Assault Centre Los Angeles, how can I help you?" she spoke slowly and calmly, keeping her light off as a strong voice spoke on the other end.

"Can I speak to Miriam Tyler please?"

Reaching out for her lamp, she squinted as her small bedroom lit up while struggling to sit up against her pillow.

"Speaking…"

"Hi Miriam, it's Heather, I'm one of the other volunteers with the centre and we just got a call from the Police that a young woman is being taken to the hospital to have a rape kit done. I know you are trained for hospital accompaniments and so am I, but my son is sick and if you were able to go, I can take over the rest of the night on call for you?"

Nodding her head as she threw the white comforter off her bare legs, Miriam rose to her feet and started pulling out a pair of jeans and a zip up hoodie from her closet.

A rape kit can take up to eight hours or longer, and tomorrow is Monday

Glancing at her alarm clock, she yawned as the numbers displayed nearly one in the morning when she remembered her fellow volunteer needed a verbal response.

"Sorry, yes, I am getting ready right now to go. Which hospital is she going to?"

…

St. Vincent Medical Center, 2131 W. 3rd St, Los Angeles, California…

1:18am

Listening to the engine of the Honda quieting down as she looked up at the large cross positioned against the left side pillar of the building, Miriam grabbed her water bottle and took a deep sip before placing it back in the cup holder.

"You've done this before."

Whispering to herself as she pushed open her door, her ears picked up the growing sound of an ambulance as she spotted the flashing lights pulling into the bay. Zipping up her black hoodie as she felt the coolness of the night air, she walked towards the double doors of the front entrance, and immediately turned right towards the Emergency Department. Walking up to the triage window, she stood patiently in line before a dirty blond middle-aged nurse with tired eyes asked for her name.

"I'm here from the Sex Assault Centre and was called for a hospital accompaniment, under the last name Stirling."

"Clip this visitor pass to your shirt and take the elevator to the fourth floor. The room will be marked with the initials DVSAU."

Leaving the triage station, Miriam stifled a yawn as she smelt burning coffee from the small cafeteria on her left.

Come on damn it, you can't be yawning when you get up there

Pressing her thumb hard on the number four button, she caught her distorted reflection in the stainless-steel wall as the elevator doors slowly slid open.

You've been here before Miriam. You are here for her, so man up

Knocking lightly on the DVSAU door, she took a step back as it open to reveal a scrub clad nurse who had to be over fifty with salt and pepper short hair.

"My name is Miriam Tyler, I'm here from the Sex Assault Centre…"

Feeling the warmth radiating from the woman's eyes, she nodded before stepping aside, keeping the doorknob in her hand.

"Claudia is in here."

Rounding the corner of the small room, her eyes fell on a young girl probably not much older than herself, wrapped in a white blanket and seated on the edge of a single bed. Breathing in deeply as the young girl raised her eyes, she could see the wet of her eyes as she clutched the blanket tighter around her throat, covering the bruises.

"As you know, once we open the kit, we can not have anyone leave due to the chain of evidence. We will be collecting clothing fibers, blood, semen, any body fluids, and hair and my dear, if you need a break, please, let me know" the nurse smiled as Claudia nodded.

"Claudia, my name is Miriam and I am from the Sex Assault Centre. I'm here for you and any questions you may have" she began as the girl reached for her hand. Clutching her fingers tight as the nurse began to open the box containing the numerous envelopes and evidence sheets, Miriam watched as Claudia scooted down to sit at the foot of the bed.

"I'm going to be here for the entire kit Claudia, you let me know if you need anything."

…

5:23am

Pulling the door closed behind her, Miriam rubbed at her dry eyes as she moved down the quiet hallway towards the staircase. Feeling the rumble of hunger pains in her stomach, she knew the cafeteria would not be fully open for another hour and she cursed herself for not bringing any snacks.

"Basic shit Miriam, granola bars and water are essential" she muttered slowly bounding down the stairs as she pulled open the fifth-floor exit door. Hearing her footsteps as she approached the corner of the hallway, she nearly turned back around as her eyes fell on a group of uniformed officers gathered at the end of the hallway. Hearing their whispers as she kept her eyes focused on the vending machine she felt their questionable glances in her direction.

Fishing into the pocket of her jeans, she pulled out the last of her change and feed the machine as she pressed the code for a packet of chocolate M&M's. Watching the metal spiral turning, she froze as the plastic end of the yellow package caught on the wheel.

"Oh, come on!"

"What is she doing here?"

Hearing the deep male voice from the end of the hallway as she kept her eyes firmly planted on her breakfast, Miriam felt the heat rising in her cheeks as she tried to mentally will the candy bar to drop. Turning her eyes towards the group of Officers, she caught sight of their yellow emblazed police jackets just as a tall, broad-chested Lieutenant in jeans began to walk towards her.

Just perfect

Keeping her eyes on the glass of the vending machine, she heard his booted footsteps approaching as she debated whether or to abandoned the chocolate.

Don't act like a fucking child

Catching his shadow falling over her as he stopped two feet away, she let her eyes move over his shield before falling onto his gun that was holstered along his hip.

"What are you doing here?"

Is that something I need to explain in a hospital?

Ignoring his question, she moved her eyes back onto the glass of the vending machine as Pierce did the same. Noticing the half wedged hanging packet, he brought his hand up and made a fist before giving the glass a good hard thump. Watching the packet fall into the tray below, Miriam nodded her head as she reached down.

"Thanks."

Tucking the packet into the back pocket of her jeans, she raised her eyes and felt her stomach sink as the Lieutenant stared down into her eyes.

Asshole he may be, but damn he is a good-looking man

"I…am here with someone. Helping someone out, providing moral support on the sixth floor" she spoke, as Pierce crossed his arms across his chest.

"You are here in an official capacity obviously" she noted, nodding her head towards the group of Officers, one of which shoved their hands in their jacket pocket as she stared hard.

"One of my Officers was shot earlier."

And just like that, the LAPD suffers another fatality

"Wow..."

Hearing her low breath as he felt a hand against his arm, he ignored his Officer as she whispered the updated status of Daniel Espinoza and a room change as Miriam took a step backwards.

"I hope your friend is alright."

Forget the emotion Pierce, you don't want to draw her interest

Narrowing her eyes as she stared into his expressionless face, she wanted to call him out and debated whether or not to reveal that she had started an email on his shitty behavior when she opened her mouth to speak.

"Actually, she's not. She was brought in hours ago by ambulance after having been raped by two different men for nearly six hours. I was called in, and have been with her since one while a rape kit was administered. I have class in three hours, and right now, I just want to eat my breakfast of candy and find a decent cup of strong black coffee." Turning on her heel, she made her way towards the exit door at the end of the hall when she heard his voice.

"What do you mean you were called in?"

Turning around as she laid a hand on the crash bar door, she lowered her eyes down onto his shield once more and watched as he moved his hands onto his hips.

"I mean Lieutenant Pierce, that if you had bothered to let me speak on the ride along instead of chastising me and calling me a child, you would have learned that I am a volunteer with the Sexual Assault Centre, the Good Shepherd Women's Centre and with Victim Services trying to help women and young girls that have been raped and assaulted to become empowered and regain some sort of control over their lives."

How's that for some life experience asshole

Watching Pierce's hands fall to his sides, she pushed open the door and nearly collided with a tall dark haired suited man as he caught the door by the edge.

"Looks like someone is in a rush" Lucifer purred as Miriam ignored his words, catching the darkness in his eyes. Climbing the staircase, she heard the man chuckle from down below as she threw open the sixth-floor door.

"Bloody hell Lieutenant, I haven't had a young woman look at me with such scorn and hate filled eyes since your mother bit into the apple I offered her, with the best of intentions" Lucifer smirked as Pierce pursed his lips in a scowl.

"Leave my mother out of this Lucifer, if you please" he spat, turning around and marching back towards his officers as he chewed on the tip of his tongue, tasting blood.

No woman could ever look at me with as much hatred as my mother once did

Ignoring Lucifer as his felt his shoulder bump against his, Pierce approached his officers just as he noticed Chloe Decker standing directly in the middle of the huddle.

"What about my mother?" she questioned with red puffy eyes as Lucifer slapped a hand down on Pierce's shoulder.

"Oh, just reminiscing about Eve, Marcus's yummy mummy" he smiled as Chloe raised an eye in question.

"I…don't even want to know why or in what capacity you know his mother" she spoke with exhaustion as she raised a hand. "Speaking of mother's, mine is suppose to be bringing Trixie and if any of you see them first, let me be the one to talk to my daughter about her father getting shot" Chloe spoke firmly as Pierce nodded his head.

"You all heard Detective Decker, now I want all of you to return back to the prescient and work on your other cases. I want follow ups on my desk before the end of the day."

"I never realized Lieutenant just how alike you are to your mother, more so than her spineless twat of a first husband" Lucifer smiled as Marcus rolled his eyes, staring at the ceiling above.

…

Two hours later…

Looking at the time on her mobile, Miriam frowned as she knew there was no way in hell she was going to make her Spectrophotometry and Spectroscopy class before Professor Johasson closed the door. Sighing as she watched the elevator doors open to the brightness of the California sun, she decided she might as well get something real to eat if she didn't want to crash the car after a night of no sleep. Taking her place in line behind a white coated doctor, her eyes fell over the selection of bagels and cream cheeses before staring at a piece of chocolate cake.

Interesting breakfast item

Purchasing a large coffee and a yogurt cup with granola and fruit, Miriam turned and was about to sit at the first table she came to, until her eyes fell on a small girl sitting alone near the window. Looking around, she spied no one in the cafeteria that looked to be associated with the child as she walked towards the window.

"Well that breakfast looks better than what I have, do you want to trade?" she smiled, staring at the half-eaten piece of chocolate cake resting in the plastic container as the small girl looked up.

"I do share, but never a piece of chocolate cake" she smiled a toothy grin as Miriam took a seat, setting her items down.

"How come you are sitting here all alone?"

Licking the icing off her fork, Trixie Espinoza sat the utensil down and watched as Miriam took a deep sip of her coffee.

"My grandma fell asleep, and I was hungry" she replied, noticing Miriam's eyes. "You look tired."

"I am. I've been here all night" she replied, watching the child fold her hands together on the table.

"Are you a Police Officer too?"

Swallowing her mouthful of granola and yogurt, Miriam shook her head as she reached once more for her coffee.

"No. Not yet, hopefully next year" she replied as Trixie held out her hand.

"My name is Trixie."

Reaching her own hand out, she lightly gripped the child's fingers as she smiled.

"Miriam."

Watching Trixie picking up her fork to finish off the last of her cake, Miriam felt the vibration of her mobile in her back-jean pocket and resisted the urge to check it.

"Both my Mom and Dad are Police Officers, and something happened to my Dad. That's why I am here."

You are very mature for your age Trixie

"I'm sorry. Is he going to be okay?" she questioned, watching the young girl shrugging her shoulders.

"Everyone is telling me so, but I haven't seen him yet."

I'm not going to make it to class this morning anyways, so why not walk her back?

Maybe the Lieutenant is still here…

Shaking her head as she thought of Pierce's blue eyes, she pushed aside her breakfast and drummed her fingers against the table.

"I can walk back with you if you'd like?"

She was half expecting the young girl to refuse her offer, and was caught off guard as she rose to her feet almost immediately. Tossing their containers in the trash, Miriam felt Trixie's fingers around her hand as they approached the elevator doors.

"How come you want to be a Police Officer?"

Looking down into Trixie's face, Miriam smiled as she shrugged her shoulders.

"To help people. What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Grinning as the doors opened onto the fifth floor, Trixie beamed as she brought her fingers up in a salute against her forehead.

"The President of Mars."

"BEATRICE ESPINOZA! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!"

Hearing her mother's loud shout as she released Miriam's hand, Trixie glanced up at her new friend and shrugged her shoulders.

"That's my mom, she's a Detective."

"God, we've been looking everywhere for you…"

Glancing at Miriam as she enveloped her daughter in a hug, Chloe Decker held out a hand as she heard footsteps behind her.

"Ah yes, the return of the urchin" Lucifer spoke, grimacing as the child wrapped her arms around his waist.

"My name is Miriam Tyler, and I am a volunteer with the Sexual Assault Centre. I found Trixie downstairs in the cafeteria" she announced, leaving out the chocolate cake as she shook Decker's hand.

"Monkey, I want you to go wait with Ella. Mommy has to talk to the Lieutenant quickly."

The Lieutenant…

"I just wanted you and Dad to have some time" she muttered, releasing her grip around Lucifer before walking down the hallway towards a petite dark-haired woman wearing a power rangers t-shirt.

"Lieutenant Pierce, if you don't mind, I'm going to take my daughter in to see her father, and then we'll be leaving for the rest of the day."

Turning around, Miriam found herself staring directly into the grey shirted chest of Marcus Pierce as he nodded his head.

"That's fine."

Hearing their footsteps fading away as the tall dark-haired man reached out for Decker's shoulder, Miriam stood aside as Pierce continued to stare down into her face.

You're not helping yourself at all Cain

She is just another girl among hundreds that have sparked your interest over the past ten years

"So, you've been here all night?"

Hearing his question, she nodded her head and thought back to Trixie's piece of cake and the overload of chocolate frosting.

"How about I buy you a cup of coffee?"

Don't do this to yourself Marcus

Don't get attached to another one

…

Please read, review, and Enjoy!