Alastor had Nifty and Charlie gather pillows, blankets, sheets and towels down to the lobby. Much to his displeasure Ellen said the lobby was best, that way everyone wasn't crammed into a room to see the baby afterwards. She was far too exposed being set up in the open like that, but he knew better than to argue.

Once she was settled he went off to find Angel. Not a difficult task, if he was in the hotel it was either at the bar with Husker or in his room and seeing as the bar was empty, it was the latter.

"No way! I ain't doing it."

"She specifically asked for you by name."

"I ain't sticking my head 'tween her legs. That shit fucks up friendships. I aint doin it. Besides, you would know it better than anyone, you been plowin her for months."

Alastor felt a blush creeping up his neck.

"Be that as it may, you are far more versed in… that area."

"Ain't happenin smiles."

Angel turned to head back into his room and Alastor was starting to get uneasy. There was no way he was going to do that. And while he didn't like the idea of someone else all up in that area, Ellen was right. Angel would probably be the best given the circumstances. He could feel that her contractions were now much more frequent and lasting longer. This needed to be resolved soon. He did have one trick up his sleeve still.

"Perhaps I make this more enticing for you."

Angel paused.

"A small deal perhaps?"

Angel laughed. "I know better than to be makin trades with you Al."

"You do this for me and I will release you from your contract with Valentino."

Angel just stared, unsure he heard right. He couldn't do that. Only Val could do that, he had the contract. This had to be a one sided deal. Alastor didn't really think he was that dumb did he?

"You can't do that."

"I can and will, provided you do this in exchange."

"Val has the-"

"Not anymore."

With a wave of his wrist he summoned Angel's contract, his true name scrawled in pink calligraphy at the bottom.

Angel stared in disbelief. Alastor had his contract. How did he get it? When did he get it? Why did he have it? Could he actually get free from Valentino? He could feel the elation building. He could kiss Alastor. Just before it peaked the side of reason came crashing in. This was a deal with Alastor. It couldn't be that simple.

"Do we have a deal Anthony?"

Angel's eyes narrowed. "How long?"

"Hmm?"

"How long have you had this? Why didn't you-" He let out an annoyed breath. "Does she know?"

"Who?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Ellen. Does she know you've been holding on to this?"

"This is business of my own like all my other deals."

"Yeah but you guys do like everythin together."

"I acquired it while she was in heaven."

"MONTHS! You've had this for Months!" A set of hands moved to his head, palms pressing in. He turned facing his bedroom door trying to calm his anger. He had his contract for months. Months!

He spun, eyes narrowed at the Radio Demon and an accusatory finger pointed at his chest. "Do you have any idea the amount of shit I could have gotten out of if ya handed it over when ya got it! FUCK!"

"It seemed such a waste handing it over so freely, I have it as a tool if needed, now seemed like the appropriate time. A favour for a favour, and quite a fair one if I do say so myself."

Angel wasn't sure he could kill Alastor, but boy was he willing to try. This guy was an absolute asshole. Couldn't do anything without getting something in return.

"Jesus fuckin' Christ Al. Fine! I'll take the stupid deal."

"Splendid! Now off you go, I do believe Ellen is about ready for your assistance."

"Yeah, yeah. Alright let's go. And don't ever call me by that name again. Capiche?"

Alastor bowed his head, gesturing for Angel to lead the way.

"Alright toots, another big push."

Ellen had her eyes squeezed so tight it hurt, but it was nothing compared to what was going on down there. She was holding on to Alastor's hand with a vice-like grip and while there was a small miniscule voice that wanted to apologize for it, she wasn't going to…well she may later, but for now, this was his fault.

She wasn't sure how long she had been pushing and screaming in pain. It could have been minutes, it could have been hours, all she knew was she was tired and didn't want to do this anymore.

She was already exhausted from her lack of sleep and now she was supposed to exert more energy pushing out a baby? What did women do to piss off God so much?

"Uhh… we're gonna need more towels."

Nifty was gone in a second darting off to get what Angel requested.

"Oh shit."

That got her attention.

"Oh shit? What's going on?"

Angel's head popped up trying to look relaxed, but she could tell he was freaked out.

"Nothin' just uh, a bit more blood than I expected."

She leaned her head back down trying to calm something, her mind? Her thoughts? Could they be calmed?

"You're doing well, no need to worry." Alastor kissed the back of her hand.

She only nodded. She wasn't going to ask how he would know. He had no idea what it looked like down there. All of her concerns came flooding back. What if there were complications? What if she needed a c-section? No one here could do that.

"Okay push."

She did as instructed but the effort left her a bit light headed. Did it feel like she ripped something down there? Did it hurt less? Shouldn't it hurt more?

"I NEED THOSE TOWELS!"

Towels? Why did he need towels? Didn't Charlie come with an arm load earlier?

"Angel what's going on?"

Why did Alastor sound panicked? She was fine. A bit tired but that should be expected. She looked up to the ceiling, the lights looking dimmer than usual. Did they dim them just for her? That was sweet.

"Ellen?"

Her eyes blinked slowly. Alastor looked upset. Did she do something wrong? She tried raking her brain but she couldn't seem to stir up much of anything, it seemed all jumbled.

"Are you still with me?"

She nodded her brows furring a bit. Where did he expect her to go?

A sharp pain shot through her body from crotch up all the way to her head where it lingered. She squeezed her eyes shut again, a gruntled cry choked in her throat.

"Its gettin worse, Al. I don't know where its comin from."

"What's getting worse?" She turned to Alastor.

She knew him too well. His face was neutral, calm, collected and a complete lie. He was worried, and he was doing everything he could to hide it. Something was wrong, and neither of them were telling her.

"Everything is fine. You needn't worry."

"Is it the baby? Is something wrong with-"

"Shh. It's all fine. I promise the baby is fine."

She watched him carefully until another contraction hit. Her heart seemed to be racing, her thoughts becoming anxious. What if something was wrong? It had to be, they were all being so secretive. Why weren't they telling her? Was it because it was bad news? Were they worried it would upset her? She seemed more upset now, that she didn't know.

"Stay with me, okay?"

Where was she going? She could have sworn she was lying down, simply resting, she was too tired to go anywhere right now. Why was he so panicked? And why was her breathing so laboured? Had she been doing something strenuous, perhaps that was why she was so tired. Maybe she could rest for a bit, surely she would feel better after a bit of rest.

Her ears started ringing, the sounds around her becoming distant. Alastor sounded upset and Angel seemed panicked, but she couldn't seem to hear any words. The room seemed to get darker, slowly getting more quiet. Perfect for a nap. That's what she needed, a bit of rest. Although it was starting to get a bit chilly, odd seeing as she was in Hell. She pushed the thought aside, it probably wasn't important. She closed her eyes, relaxing more into her pillow. It was very soft.

Someone patted her cheek rather harshly. What a rude thing to do to someone sleeping. She barely managed to open one eye to see who had woken her so abruptly.

"You need to stay awake Ellen." Alastor looked a mess. Completely flustered, his eyes filled with concern. Why? And why did she have to stay awake?

She groaned, her body felt heavy like it was buried in sand, the weight preventing her from moving. Why didn't he just let her sleep?

"Please don't go where I can not follow."

Was he sobbing? No, that couldn't be. Everything was fine, cold but fine. She wasn't going anywhere, only taking a small rest. And she deserved it, she'd been awake for ages. So then, why did he seem so upset?

Lucifer felt a chill run down his spine. That didn't happen often. He glanced around his room hoping to find the cause. Nothing. Strange. He slowly turned back to his desk hoping to refocus on his latest idea, but his thoughts were now gone, the slight distraction enough to derail his mind. He sighed, putting his pencil down, running a hand through his hair. He looked at what had become an unexpected counselor, the black demon duck, staring at him on his workbench.

"What am I going to tell heaven when they find out that not only have we not sent Ellen back, but she is now having a kid? A half demon kid at that. Is it going to be considered Hellborn?"

He shook his head, standing and making his way over to the expansive view of the city, from his window. It was nothing like the castle, but the view was still something to admire. If only it wasn't filled with sinners running the streets screaming and killing one another. How mankind evolved into such hopeless lost causes he often found himself wondering. If only there was an answer. He was starting to understand that he was likely never going to get one.

A cold rush of air blew by him and he stiffened. Hell was hot, humid and uncomfortable. There was only one thing that ever caused a chill like that. Not a thing, more of a person. Though he supposed that wasn't the right word either, he wasn't a person, more like an entity, a presence?

What would he be here in Hell for? No one down here needed their soul judge- oh no.

He quickly opened a portal down to the lobby. The pandemonium that unfolded before him only confirmed his thoughts. This was not going to end well.

"It's not stoppin' I-I-I dunno what to do."

Angel was covered in blood from elbows down on all three sets of arms. The floor around him was littered with blood soaked towels and sheets, and he was very obviously panicked almost to the point of tears. Poor guy probably thought he caused some of this.

Alastor had fingers pressed to Ellen's neck, her body looking unresponsive and pale, very, very pale.

His gaze quickly swept the lobby, looking for the entity waiting to claim its next soul, to fulfill his duty.

"Lucifer, it's been a while hasn't it?"

The voice circled around him, the entity keeping out of sight. Only those on the edge of death would see him, just as he would judge their soul, before sending it off to heaven or hell based on what he saw. Only being seen if he wanted to be.

"Death. Must say I'm surprised you're here. Don't you have other minions to do most of your work now?"

"Just coming to collect a little trinket. She's a bit of a special case."

The two watched as Angel grabbed more towels from Nifty, trying to stop the bleeding or at least stop it enough to see what he was supposed to be doing.

Death finally manifested, taking the shape of a shadowy form, eyes blood red. "She sure is a fighter isn't she?"

It finally clicked. The person that sent Ellen to Hell was none other than Death himself. How didn't he see it sooner? It had been months of him wrecking through his mind, through the memory Ellen shared trying to find out who it was. No one else had the power to move souls through from the mortal realm; it only made sense. It was always there on the tip of his tongue unable to finally get the last piece to put it all together. It was a bit too late now. She'd find out soon enough.

Both looked over to watch the two men fighting to keep her alive, a fruitless battle if Death was here waiting. No one escaped Death.

"I suggest they focus on that baby, I wasn't intending on taking two today, but I don't mind picking up a bit of extra credit." His gaze turned to Lucifer.

Baby? Oh right! He had seemed to have forgotten that watching the other two in their panicked flurry. Yes, that's what started this all. He shook his thoughts and cleared his throat. Taking a small step forward ready to take charge of the situation.

"Angel, forget the bleeding, get that child out now."

Both turned shocked at his presence. Angel was the first to snap back. "I can't. She can't push, I can't reach in, I would have to cut-"

"Do it."

"No!" Alastor stood. "You don't get a say here. I am responsible for her."

"She's dying, Alastor, that child will follow if you don't focus on it. You'll lose them both."

"No. She won't die. She can't. Not now."

"Alastor!"

There was a moment of hesitation before he finally caved. "Yes alright, the child."

Lucifer ignored the hint of pain hidden behind the radio filter focusing instead on the unborn child.

He moved his gaze to Angel, giving him a nod. A slow nod was returned and with a very shaky hand he cut her open wider, to make more space to reach in and pull the baby out.

Alastor's gaze moved back to Ellen's face. She was unnaturally pale and covered in sweat. He sat down back beside her, a hand holding hers, the other brushing over her head. He seemed to be whispering things to her, but he couldn't hear, and he doubted she did either.

Lucifer had to pull his gaze away, the sight too much for him. She had been lucky Alastor hadn't killed her when they encountered Lilith. She had managed to survive and pull through everything thrown her way so far yet it was all coming to an end here.

A loud cry pulled his gaze up. Angel was holding the baby, wrapped in a bloody towel, a small laugh of relief. The baby looked okay.

They all turned to Alastor waiting for his reaction, but he remained looking on to his wife. His head was hung low, hair curtaining his face making it impossible to see his face. Then they watched a white collar appear around his neck, the chain slowly forming one link at a time.

He had sold his soul? Lucifer laughed to himself. Even mister tough guy Radio Demon couldn't escape chains. He couldn't wait to find a way to rub it in the smug sinner's face every time he stepped out of line.

His smile fell once he saw where the chain led to. Ellen owned his soul? It barely touched her skin before it all shattered into white dust. Alastors shoulders slumped even lower than he thought possible.

A gold glowing parchment appeared, floating in the air for three seconds before it burst into green flames. Whatever contract they had was done. She was gone.

They had traded souls? Everyone had been giving Ellen a hard time about trading her soul, yet she took his. He never got the reasoning for their marriage, but clearly that was what had occurred in that contract. He gave his soul for hers?

Lucifer would never have thought he would ever be sympathetic towards the Radio Demon. The man always simply took what he wanted, rolled with the punches, taking meticulous control of everything in his life, yet the arrival of Ellen shifted that to some degree. And ever since he couldn't catch a break. Just when things seemed to be okay again he was kicked down again. No wonder he had been such a cantankerous ass, if he wasn't Hell sure gave him a beatdown.

Alastor's hand reached out, fingers lightly brushing the side of her face before he placed a kiss on her forehead. Even the baby had stopped crying, seemingly understanding the heavy weight that filled the room.

He finally let go of her hand, the arm falling limply beside her. A small thing slipping from her finger, falling to the floor almost disappearing into it. Her ring. Alastor reached down to pick it up, staring at it for a few moments before his hand closed around it and he held it to his chest. The King of Hell may have been standing a good distance away, but he could see the slow tears falling into Alastor's lap. The soft shudder in his shoulders as he tried to keep the waves of sobs under control.

While it was true the two of them didn't really get along, this was something he wouldn't wish on his enemies. How many years had he been lost after Lilith left? Heck he was still trying to work himself through it, but she was still out there. Somewhere. This was a loss on a different scale.

This whole time he had been wrong. Alastor really did love her. He couldn't do anything but stare at the broken man in front of him trying desperately to keep himself composed.

The king's chest ached, suddenly realizing the gravity this loss actually was for Alastor. The weeks she had been bedridden wasn't an act. Wasn't a plot or scheme for more power. It hadn't been this whole time. He truly loved her and she was gone. No one knew what would happen next.

A mortal soul had never made it to Hell before so there was no way of knowing if it would affect the judgment of her soul. Surely she would simply be sent to heaven. A bittersweet ending to her time here, leaving behind the man she loved and her child she had no way of knowing what he would become.

Lucifer couldn't stop the few tears that started leaking from his eyes. Maybe the others would see her if they got redeemed. Though as hopeful as he wanted to be, he knew Alastor would never make that journey. This was going to be his last memory of her and he had seen enough deaths to know, something sudden like this, was one of the worst ways to go, leaving everyone else struggling to cope with their sudden absence. All it took was ten minutes and she was gone.