AN: Hey All! So I rewrote this chapter a few times, but I think I'm good with it now. I'm a little worried as I'm starting to catch up with my writing faster cause I'm posting more, but I can't help it! lol I know what it's like to wait for new chapter to post so I feel bad leaving you guys waiting for so long. In any case, I hope you guys enjoy!

Cheers!

Ellen spent her first week and a bit getting a good layout of heaven. After getting through the awkward discussion of how her and Alastor got together things became a lot more smooth with Cecile. She just didn't mention anything about the injuries or the contract…or rutting…or the soul ownership. It made the conversation very short and a bit difficult to answer the inimitable questions on the courting process, that never really happened, but she thought she did a pretty good job.

Ellen figured it out a few days after meeting Cecile that the reason the two had felt drawn together was because Cecile had been correct, she was drawn to her son. Ellen had Alastors soul, that's why she too was drawn to Cecile.

She didn't feel too great about keeping things from Cecil, but it was probably better if she stayed ignorant to some things.

She had managed to hunt down Sir Pentious, he also lived in the hotel. Turns out his origins were being kept on a 'need to know' basis, and though Ellen wasn't on that list, she still kept it quiet. And insisted Cecile did too, at least until they figured out why it was being kept hidden.

"So what's it like down there? Can't be that bad if you're looking to go back."

Ellen smiled behind her teacup. "Well. It definitely takes a bit of getting used to. I think the hardest thing was taking in all the different forms. It's a little hard to wrap your head around."

Cecile chuckled. "Yes I remember my first few days here. It's definitely a bit of a shock."

"The air is hot and humid and smokey and it's not as bright. There's no trees, no sun, no wildlife. But people still run shops and businesses." She frowned. "I don't know it as well as I do here. Death is kind of a common thing down there and seeing as I'm a bit of an odd case, most of my time was at the hotel."

"You can die again?"

Ellen raised her eyebrows. Right, she was trying to avoid mentioning that kind of stuff. She didn't really understand it well herself, there was no way she would be able to explain it properly.

"Uh, it's a bit complicated, but yes."

Cecile sat back letting the words sink in. After a long pause she asked, "Are you any closer to finding a way back down?"

Ellen shook her head. Heaven was a gated community and no one got in or out aside from the pearly gates. She tried all the fence lines, sewer systems and even tried getting out over the rooftops. All were unsuccessful.

"Humph." Cecile leaned back. "Well you could try talking with the seraphim's. They got a big meeting coming up. Maybe you can bring up a case for yourself. See if they'll help you."

Ellen nodded slowly. She wasn't really convinced. It was one of the seraphim's that took her in the first place, would they really just send her back if she asked? She wondered if any of her friends had come up with any ideas.

"Do you know why Alastor is in Hell?"

Ellen was grateful she didn't have anything in her mouth, she probably would have choked again. She shook her head. She technically never asked. Everyone said he was a serial killer, there probably wasn't a reason to lie about it but this was not something for her to share.

"I never asked. I don't even know how he died."

"You're not curious?"

Ellen laughed. "I am too curious for my own good." Her smile slipped a bit. "But I figured it's not a polite thing to ask about. That and Alastor is a locked box. He doesn't like talking about his past or himself really." She leaned back and sighed her eyes meeting Cecile's.

"But he loved you very much. He always spoke highly of you. Now I can see why."

Cecile glanced away. "That sounds like my Alastor."

The two sat in silence as they finished up their afternoon tea.

Ellen would admit she was enjoying her time in heaven. She would start her mornings at the gym (something she had never done even in her mortal life) then have breakfast with Pentious at the hotel. She would stop by and see Cecile either for afternoon tea or dinner. A few times, she even stopped by the pet store to play with the animals.

"Well if you're going to crash that meeting I suppose we'll need to get you all ritzed up."

Cecile stood collecting the tea cups. "Come my dear, it's been quite a while since I've gone out shopping with a friend." Her smile was infectious.

Ellen quickly helped clear the table and after dishes were done( which she insisted on doing) they were out the front door and headed for the promenade.

"Do you think I should change up my hair? It's been awhile and I'm thinking I might want to colour it."

Cecile glanced over in thought, taking in her hair and face. "What were you thinking?"

Ellen's smile grew. "Well I've been told red is my colour…"

Cecile nodded. "I can see that. Perhaps a darker red. Wine maybe?"

Ellen nodded. That was her usual go to when she was back home. She had red undertones in her hair so she knew the red would look good. It was about time for a bit of a change.

"I was thinking the same thing." She linked her arm with her mother in-law as the two set out on a fun girls day.

"You know, you should come with me. And Sir Pentious too. We can all go and sit and watch."

"No, I'm not one for large crowds."

Ellen wagged her eyebrows, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "If we're sneaking in, we're not going to be with the crowds."

Cecile gave her a disapproving look, one surprisingly similar to Alastor's. "Now Ellen, I don't need you to be getting me into trouble. I'm too old to be sneakin into places I don't belong."

Ellen started walking backwards, her arms out. "You're already in heaven, sneaking into one meeting isn't going to kill ya. Besides, everyone loves being a little rebellious once in a while."

Cecile's glare was slipping. "I warned Alastor about gals like you."

Ellen's smile widened as she fell back into step beside Cecile. "I can be trouble, but I think he likes that. Keeps things entertaining."

"Well I've never been to one of these meetings before, I suppose it would be interesting to see what they're like."

"Yes! You will not regret it."

"My dear, I think I already do." Cecile muttered under her breath, as they turned the corner onto the promenade.

"And Cecile?"

"Hmm?"

"You're not old. Just wise for your years."

She laughed. "Now that's the kind of charm I'd expect from Alastor."

This was either going to go well or horribly wrong. While Alastor normally liked showing others their place, he hadn't decided if he actually wanted to in this case.

He knew Vox well, he was hot headed, impulsive and brash. But he was also smart, cunning and driven.

He knew better than to try planning how this interaction would go, there was no way of knowing. Vox was unpredictable in that way. Though Ellen may have given him some practice with that.

He was back to his more normal self. He had been making broadcasts almost daily, having a special guest on each. In the short time of a few weeks he had rekindled the fear of Hell's denizens. Something he was quite proud of.

This was what he was building up to. Dealing with the 'Vs'. Though first he was hoping to have a little chat with Vox. He didn't particularly want to kill him, but he would if he needed to. As for the other two? He couldn't care less.

With his staff in hand and tight lipped grin, he melded into shadow.

Vox sat at his desk, scribbling away at some document. Alastor fought the eye roll. He had appeared right in front of him and he was oblivious.

"Well it's sure been a while hasn't it?"

Vox's pen was thrown behind him as he jumped, startled by the sudden discovery of a guest. His eyes narrowed and he pushed to his feet upon meeting the Radio Demon's gaze. He stood tall, brushing off the shock in seconds.

"Alastor. What a surprise. How's that wife of yours? Not too roughed up I hope." His grin turned smug.

"I believe she managed quite well, don't you agree? You barely marked her. In fact she walked the whole way back."

"She's weak, which makes you weak Alastor. Now why are you here."

Alastor made a show of twirling his cane before planting it between his feet, hands resting on the top, a position that came naturally. He enjoyed Vox's shocked expression. He didn't think it could be repaired, though to be fair, Alastor didn't think it could either, not that he would say so.

"Always straight to business. I see some things never change. Very well, I've come with a proposal."

Vox laughed. "Yeah I don't think so. You're not strong enough to take me out by force so you're going to try and strike a deal? Not happening."

He chuckled. "Oh my dear Vox, you misunderstand. I'm more than capable of ending this little reign of yours, I'm simply giving you a courtesy. I don't wish to kill you, but I will if I must."

"You're little lady kept saying that too. She didn't want to kill me. Pathetic. This is Hell. If you're going to make a move, be a man and take it."

"You won't even hear my proposal?"

"You're weak Alastor, the only reason you're still here is because I didn't broadcast your little fight with Adam. I showed your girl though. Now she knows you're a weak coward."

He had suspected Vox had seen the ordeal, he had eyes everywhere, and with him residing at the hotel, it would have become a place of interest to Vox.

"That's right, if anyone is making any demands it's me old pal. I got the footage of your loss, you slinking away from battle. Can you imagine how many people are going to try their luck to beat you? And you can't even do anything to stop it."

He glared at the tv demon, who took a seat back at his desk with a smug look on his face.

"I would hate for your screams to join my broadcasts, Vox. Like all the other overlords I've had the pleasure of dealing with."

He took the seat across from Vox, leg crossed and staff at his side. Vox would be the one to make the first move if a battle was how this was going to end. But right now he was too far up his own ass to try.

"You can't scare me Al, I know you can't take me or my colleagues. So what are you here for? What can I help you with, hmm?"

Alastor clenched his jaw. He didn't need help, he was trying to spare an old friend from a gruesome death. Stubborn prick that he was. With a wave of his wrist a contract appeared on the desk between them.

"I'm suggesting we make a little deal. Your colleagues are important to you and your future plans no doubt, as I find my wife an importance to mine. Simply put, I will not engage in any combat with them, if you can ensure the same for my bride."

Vox sputtered a laugh. "You want me to keep from attacking your weakest point for my colleagues safety from you? A guy who's barely getting by with an angelic wound." He leaned back. "You're stupid if you think I'd agree to that."

His grin pulled tighter. He was hoping for some bloodshed. Vox had no idea what he was capable of.

"Take your shirt off. I want to see it."

"Excuse me?"

"I want to see the wound. It's still gotta be open, you can't close them."

Alastor narrowed his eyes. "I will not be exposing myself to you Vox, but I assure you, there is barely a scar."

"Ha! Don't make me laugh. Words are cheap. Besides, no one heals from that shit."

Vox should know better. He was a man of his word.

"Perhaps you would like to invite your colleagues to this discussion seeing as it will affect them too."

"I think I can handle you fine on my own Alastor."

"I insist." He gave Vox a knowing look. The two knew each other well. Aside from Rosie, Vox was probably the only other person in Hell he would have considered a friend, had he not tried overpowering him.

"You sure you want to do this Al?"

"When have I ever doubted my capability in securing a deal? You know better than most I always get the signature. I simply need to find the right offer."

"You can't take all three of us."

His grin pulled tighter, Vox knew where this was headed. People were willing to sign and agree to anything if it meant they stayed alive. He didn't normally resort to that extreme measure unless he had to, it was always more satisfying watching others sign themselves away for nothing, it always made him feel giddy. But overlords were always arrogant and egotistical, they all thought they were indestructible, above deals and contracts, one of the reasons he liked targeting them. He had proved them wrong, every single one of them. They opted for death over signing under him, a bit of a waste, but it mattered not. It was their own doing.

"Then you have nothing to worry about, hmm?"

He would admit he wasn't too sure he could take on all three of them all at once. He had no doubt he could subdue Valentino and with some effort Vox as well. He hadn't spent enough time around Velvette to really know what her modus operandi was. She was a wild card and the sooner he dealt with her the better his chances.

Vox gave him one quick look of unease before he leaned over a coms console to page the other two overlords. Alastor pushed to his feet brushing off some nonexistent dust before grabbing his staff and standing by the door waiting.

Vox watched him carefully, no doubt trying to figure out what his plans were. He was looking over the contract when Valentino walked in, oblivious to the Radio Demon.

"What the hell is this all about?"

Vox looked up to Alastor who was watching through his peripherals. He understood what was about to happen but he asked anyway.

"There's only two spots for signatures, there's three of-"

"Alright boys I only got a few minutes, what is so fuckin dire I needed to stop my work?" Velvette waltzed in arms crossed annoyed, glaring at her colleagues.

"Ah, good we're all here. Lovely."

The other two overlords turned quickly, finding the Radio Demon as he shut the door standing in front of it. They couldn't run now, even if they wanted to. Vox could slip out if he wanted, Alastor couldn't prevent him from shifting through the technology in the room, and depending on how the next few minutes played out, he may, but Alastor would find him later. Like he told Vox, he always got his signatures.

Velvette rolled her eyes, scoffing annoyed. "What's this ancient dinosaur doing here?"

Alastor pulled his smile tighter. "I've come with a small proposition for you all."

Velvette and Valentino both laughed, Velvette snorting at the thought.

"Yeah right, like we're going to listen to you. Is that it? What a fuckin' waste of my time." Velvette moved for the door, but Alastor remained rooted, placing his staff at his feet solidifying his intent of preventing her leave.

"Move grandpa."

Valentino turned to Vox. "He's not serious is he? He can't seriously think we're going to sign anything he offers."

"If you don't move, I will make you." Velvette's eyes narrowed at the Radio Demon.

Alastor chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing to match hers. "I would love to see you try."

In the blink of an eye the room erupted into chaos.

Velvette had no idea this was exactly what he had been waiting for. It would have been so much easier to simply take her out as she walked in, unsuspecting, but he was above that. Very unsportsmanly. He always wanted his fights to be fair, that way there was no doubt when he won, he did it honestly. She struck first, she had her chance, not his problem she wasn't nearly fast enough. Now she would deal with the consequences.

It took Vox a few moments to react and Valentino even longer, both seemingly stunned he even made a move.

Alastor had tentacles wrapped around her, holding her arms to her side rendering them useless. He wasn't too sure what she was capable of and he had no intentions of figuring it out.

"Alastor you can't-"

A gun shot rang out, but it was an easy dodge. Valentino was a shit shot, much like Alastor's father had been.

Vox shot wiring at him trying to wrap around an arm but with a quick wave of a hand he sent more tendrils out to block. He needed to shut this down quickly, keeping an eye on all three was not something he could do for long.

"Apologies Velvette but seeing as you have nothing I want, you are a sheep, summoned to slaughter."

He grew to his full demonic form, two of the walls and the floor and roof crumbling around him as the space became too small for him. He quickly swallowed Velvette whole.

Another shot rang out, and being such a large target, he couldn't dodge, the bullet piercing his left arm just above the elbow. Wires wrapped around his legs causing him to fall forward, but he slipped into shadow before landing, appearing on what was left of the floor of Vox's office, back to his normal size. He tucked his left arm behind him, hiding the blood that was weeping from his wound. He looked down at the other two overlords a floor below him.

"Perhaps you are more inclined to consider my offer now?"

"The fuck was that?" Valentino took another shot, he didn't even have to move, the shot so off it missed completely.

"You can't really believe we're going to sign anything after eating Velvette." Vox called up angrily.

Alastor flipped his wrist. "She was never going to last long here. Too hot headed for you both, I did you a favour."

"Fuck! Alastor you know you can't take us both just cut your losses."

Alastor rested his cane in front of him. "We both know you don't believe that Vox." He shifted down to stand across from them. "So shall we continue with my proposition?"

Vox shot more cables at him, but he twisted dodging them, his grin smug. Oh shit.

His arms were tied behind his back. Vox played him, keeping his attention on the attack he launched head on, not looking at the cables that crept along the floor up his legs.

He went to shift but Vox shot him with electricity, cutting his concentration.

"Alastor! I fuckin' warned you." Vox got up in his face. "You're weak. That angelic wound is your downfall." He took a claw and cut Alastors shirt open and no matter how much he pulled Alastor couldn't stop him.

"What the fuck?" Valentino moved closer, the two overlords staring at his chest looking for the wound that was no longer there. Alastor just glared at the two, pushing down his discomfort.

"Holy shit." Vox's face quickly drained of colour. "That's not possible."

"I am a man of my word, dear Vox." Alastor took the opportunity to slip into shadow, reappearing behind the two where his desk had fallen askew on the rubble, his clothes fixed to cover him up.

Vox looked up horrified and maybe a bit frightened. Alastor sported a smug grin.

"How the hell did you heal that?"

"Ah ha! There is very little that I can't do. Now that we have the same understanding, perhaps you would like to reconsider my little deal? Though I'll have to make a few changes seeing as you didn't agree with the first one."

He waved his wrist again, this time pulling up the actual contract he had written for this matter.

The two other overlords exchanged glances.

"Seeing as I am quite capable of keeping my missus safe, it seems silly to trade the safety of two overlords for a simple soul, yes? So I will kill one of you and we should be squared off. Simple."

"Wait. What!? No Alastor you can't just-"

"Ah, ah, ah. I can, and I will. Unless you are offering something in exchange for your safety? Hmm. Perhaps Valentino releases Angel from his contract. Vox gives me that battle footage perhaps?" He looked at his nails bored of the details. He supposed Charlie would prefer he at least try to spare them.

Valentino turned to Vox whispering. "You said he was weak, the angelic wound basically rendered him useless."

Alastor's neutral smile returned. "Mmm. Yes, that would be correct. However I have healed from my wounds and thus, I am feeling much more myself again. Now, can we get back to business? I do have other things planned for today and I don't like my time being wasted." He waved his arm toward the contract.

Alastor sat back in the chair he summoned for himself as he watched the other two overlords squabble over his contract. In the end both of the other overlords relented and signed.

"I don't even know what this bitch looks like." Valentino had leaned down to whisper to Vox, but his voice wasn't hushed at all.

Alastor cleared his throat as he finished signing. "I do ask that you refrain from bad mouthing my wife. I may not be able to harm you both now, but there are many ways in which I can torture you both til you plead for death."

Vox leaned over to Val. "It's the little deer that was in here like a month ago."

"Oh? The little fiery one with the nice ass?"

He glared at Valentino. "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear." He ran his fingers along the shaft of his cane. He hoped Valentino would be stupid enough to make another comment.

"Oh please, it's a compliment. She is quite the sultry little thing isn't she? A waste of potential being stuck with the likes of you. But hey that's not my business."

"Indeed it is not." He was surprised Valentino even bothered replying, and even more surprised he kept it clean. Perhaps his reputation now had reached even further and higher then he thought. If overlords were now wary of him, Hell was sure to get more interesting.

He placed his staff down, hands resting on the top, glancing between the two. They would need to see her in her human form. He didn't want any possibility of confusion. He would have to correct that.

"That however, isn't her true form. So when she returns from her little retreat, I will bring her here. Wouldn't want any misunderstandings now would we?"

When both nodded he pressed on, content he got what he came for.

"Now I believe I just need Angel's contract and I can be on my way."

Valentino glared but remained silent as he handed the contract over. He pulled it open to find 'Anthony' scrawled across the bottom. Hmm. He never thought about Angel's real name.

Vox handed him a small disk, the last copy of the battle footage. He didn't bother grabbing it, simply engulfing it in flames watching as it slowly melted, dripping onto the carpet.

"Very good. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be off. Pleasure doing business with you both." He tipped them each a nod before slipping into shadow back to the hotel.

He was pleased it went quite well. Now he just needed to figure out what to do with Angel's contract. It seemed a waste to just hand it over. Maybe he could procure a small favour for it.

First he needed to figure out why his tail was irritated. If it flicked he could swear it felt like something was tied to it, not that that could be possible.

AN: Okay so I know some sites have Valentino as having good weapon proficiency, but I don't know how he could be a good shot if he has bad eyesight. Maybe extra senses? I donno just little things that keep me up at night pondering.