The next two days were rough. She hadn't left her room since Alastor left and while she wasn't proud to admit it, she was taking solace in his scent that lingered on the end of her bed where he had sat a few days ago. But by today, nothing was enough. The cold baths didn't help with the overheating, the weakening smell of his scent wasn't enough and now there was unignorable pain in her stomach.

Most of the morning she spent curled up in the fetal position, skin burning hot in constant pain. No wonder Alastor looked so bad when she caught him in the kitchen. This sucked. She was hyper aware of touch, even sliding her legs against each other would shoot a tormenting jolt of need and desire through her. She groaned as another wave of pain rippled through her. There was a knock on her door but she already knew who it was, his scent starting to seep into the room. She squeezed her thighs tighter together.

"I have breakfast for you my dear. I shall leave it here for you."

The only meal she wanted was him. Her cheeks heated. No she didn't really think that did she?

"Alastor, wait!" She didn't even have the energy to move.

"Yes, my dear?"

"I-I can't move. It hurts."

Within a second his scent engulfed the room causing her to feel a bit light headed. She was glad she wasn't standing, certain the drastic change would have floored her. He placed her breakfast on the bedside table, but she couldn't smell it. She could only smell him.

She couldn't imagine what he was thinking. She had to have looked like a mess. Worse than he ever could have looked. Curled up in a tight ball, wearing the same thing she wore yesterday, drenched in sweat, shaking as waves of pain washed through her..

She knew what she was thinking, and she hated how forward it was. She wanted nothing more than to just jump him where he stood. Wanted to wrap herself around him and for him to do the same, to help relieve the unending ache she could no longer ignore. Just him being so close to her was enough to spike her heart rate, causing little trembles throughout her body. She finally looked up to see him.

He stood a few feet from the bed, uncertain of what to do.

She held her hand out to him, hoping he would grab it, touch it. Something. At this point she was willing to take the excruciating pain in her hip over the unbridled desire and need. Her eyes begged him just to touch her hand. He remained unmoved. Her lip started to quiver. "Please."

"I am not going to intentionally cause you pain."

"I am already in pain. I can't move from the bed. Sure won't be worse than this."

He remained still for a few seconds before he hesitantly reached out. His fingers grabbed her hand lightly, his eyes watching for her reaction.

There was no pain, in fact some of the pain in her stomach disappeared. Her body had been craving touch, his touch for days and even something as simple as a touch of hands brought her delight. Some relief from the burning. She let out a shaky breath. She wanted more.

Seeing no adverse reaction Alastor brought her hand to his lip placing a soft kiss on her knuckles, eyes still watching her closely.

She bit her lip, resisting the urge to moan in delight. Everything was sensitive. Her nerves were on fire. She had kissed him when he was dealing with his rut, she could only imagine what that would do to her now. Her cheeks heated as her thoughts went, as he would put it, impure.

He let go and she didn't hide her disappointment. "I must be off. I have our wedding to plan. I hope you don't mind me taking the lead."

Her brows furrowed together. "You can't be serious."

"Perfectly."

She groaned as pain rippled through her again. "Weddings take forever to plan, I am not going to make it that long Alastor! All we need is an officiant to watch us sign the papers and that's it."

His head tilted to the side, curiously. "A wedding is a joyous occasion. You don't wish to have a large ceremony?"

If looks could kill she was certain she would have skewered the Radio Demon. "Alastor." His name came out as a growl. "I am in no shape to be the one making smart and reasonable decisions right now. Did it not occur to you that announcing a wedding is just inviting anyone and everyone that wants to hurt you, to go after your new bride? It would also bring me into the light and I'm not supposed to exist down here. Not to mention I can't even fucking STAND right now! How the hell is a formal wedding a good idea? Let's just elope and be done with it."

Her anger didn't help with the heat at all. Her skin felt as if it would burn off of her, her sweat seemed to dry before even getting a chance to fully form. She let out a frustrated scream. Tears leaked from her eyes. She was in agony.

"I will start a bath for you, it should help with-"

"It won't, it does nothing!"

"But it's only your third day, it's not normally this intense until the last few."

"Well I'm not normal I guess. Nothing is helping. I'm a mess and I can't fix it and the fact we need a stupid wedding before dealing with this is just cruel and unusual punishment. I can't sleep, I can't even uncurl I'm in so much pain I-"

He had pulled her to a sit and pulled her face to his. The second their lips touched she felt a spark shoot through her. The pain seemed to evaporate and her insides twisted in delight. Her arms moved to his hair on their own accord. Trying to pull him in. Her mind was cloudy, almost like she was dazed. She could feel the tension building in her core and it took everything in her not to just take him here and now. All too soon he pulled from her grasp.

"Apologies my dear, it seemed you were, how did you put it, spiraling out of control?"

She leaned in, reaching for his shirt, ready to go a second round, ready for more. She needed more. All she grabbed was air. He shifted out of arm's reach towards the door.

'No, no. That should satisfy your needs for a good portion of the day. Don't want to get too carried away." His face was heated. "I shall see what I can do about finding an officiant. I shall check in later." And he disappeared into the shadows.

"FUUCKK" she whined. What a fucking tease! Although he had been right, her intense pain had subsided. At least for now. She could stretch out, no longer forced into a tight ball. She had the time and ability to get somewhat cleaned up, and she wasn't going to waste it. She was also starving.

Her cold shower didn't do much, but it was still nice that she no longer felt like she was soaked in her own sweat, though she was fairly certain that by day's end she would be again. She had tried to find something she could wear that would help keep her cool, but besides her sweat soaked clothes she had just removed, there wasn't much else. She had no idea where Alastor had snapped her nighty to when he summoned her during his rut. Tee shirt and slacks it was.

Alastor had brought up simple eggs and sausages and she had never eaten as fast as she did. She started pacing her room when her knees gave out as Alastor appeared in her room, already going straight to business.

"So hell seems to be a bit short on religious types, meaning we will have to figure out a different - oh? My dear, what are you doing on the floor?"

She let out a little whimper, her legs pressed together so tightly it hurt. His presence, visual, physical and smell, had hit her like a ton of bricks. "Your smell." Was all she managed to get out.

He looked at her a bit confused but took a few steps back before continuing. "We can ask Vaggie, seeing as she's an angel she should have the ability to bestow a marital blessing, or Charlie seeing as she is the Princess of hell. She holds some power, she might as well use it." He sounded annoyed stating the last line. He started pacing the room with his hands behind his back. "Aside from them I'm not sure who else down here would have the power to bond us in unholy matrimony."

"Lucifer?"

Alastor screeched to a stop, static pitching out of control for a second. "No my dear I don't think he would." His tone went bitter.

"Charlie is not going to keep this secret and Vaggie probably won't do it under the suspicion it's you and needs to be kept on the DL "

"DL?"

"Down Low. Under wraps? Secret." She finally managed to get herself composed enough to stand though she did keep her knees pressed together. "Lucifer may ask why but he definitely wouldn't tell anyone and he fits both power and ability. He's the king of hell and a fallen angel. Don't think you could get better than that."

His ears pinned back. "He won't do it."

"Correction. He won't do it for you. If I ask, he'll agree." She smiled. "He likes me." Alastor growled at her remark and she couldn't help but laugh. "Oh come on, you're not jealous are you?"

"I don't get jealous."

She crossed her arms over her chest, a smug smile pulling at her lips. "Just admit you like me, Alastor. You probably could've gotten yourself out of this mess by making a deal, but instead you're choosing to settle down with me."

"I promised Charlie I wouldn't make deals with any of the residents here. I am a man of my word."

"But you and I made a deal."

"Indeed, you made a deal. I simply agreed to your terms."

"Can I get out of this with a deal?"

"No it can not be done. You can't simply deal a rut away. I would have done so many years ago if that was the case."

"So we're back to marriage and asking Lucifer to be the officiant."

He didn't respond, he just glared, jaw clenched.

"Okay, I'll just go ask him now then." She turned on her heels and headed for the door. She made it two steps before he had grabbed her hand and pulled her to him ending up chest to chest.

"You'll need your wits about you. So only because I don't want you to become a mess-" He pressed his lips to her and she melted into him. She couldn't hold back the moan as it slipped from her lips. He quickly pushed her to arms length. Her cheeks heated, but felt slightly better seeing his were the same. Looks like he enjoyed kissing her. "Yes, well. Off you go. Don't delay." He practically pushed her all the way to the door.

Alastor's shadow had accompanied her down the hall, staying out of sight, but she knew it was there.

She knocked.

"Busy!"

"Is there a better time I can come back?"

There was a pause as she heard a bit of stumbling and then the lock on the door clicking open. He opened the door, a smile radiating from ear to ear. "Ellen! What can I do for you?"

She decided to cut straight to the point. "I was hoping to ask a favour."

His face became a bit more serious and he nodded. "Of course. I will do whatever I can to help."

"It's a bit of a private matter, would you mind if I stepped in?"

He looked over his shoulder a little nervously. "I uh- I'm in the middle of something right now but-"

"It's your workshop right? Can I see? I used to work in a machine shop on earth so I don't mind the mess." She smiled, knowing that was exactly what she needed to say.

"Well if you're sure." He opened the door wider allowing her to pass. Alastor's shadow did not follow.

She wasn't sure what she was expecting from the King of Hell, but a room full of rubber duckies, was not it. Hanging on the purple-red walls were many photos of him and Charlie, a few with another woman she didn't recognize. There was a staircase hidden off in the corner where she assumed it was his sleeping quarters. The main part of the room was carpeted, though it was hard to tell from the mountains of ducks.

He waved her over to a small table large enough for only two. He quickly cleared it by running his arm across the surface pushing everything to the floor. "Sit, sit" She did.

"So tell me what can I do for you?"

"It's a bit of an odd ask, I will admit, but I need you to officiate a marriage. And no one can know about it."

"Young couple eloping huh? He smiled dreamily. "Love sure makes you do crazy things doesn't it?"

"Yes. It's nothing big, just you, bride and groom. We-they're looking for a quick ceremony." She hoped he didn't catch her mistake. A raised eyebrow sent her direction says he did indeed catch it.

"And who exactly is this lovely couple?"

She hoped her cheeks didn't give her away. "Okay I need you to confirm that you'll do it first."

"It is something I can do."

"I know you CAN, that's why I'm here. I need to know you will. And it stays confidential."

"Why did I get the feeling I'm not going to like this? Does this evolve Bambi, because I don't want to do him any favours." He rolled his eyes. "That guy is a jackass."

She let out a nervous laugh. "He is." She rubbed the back of her neck. "But this favour is for me."

"So you need me to wed a couple in confidentiality?"

"Yes."

He looked off to think. "I suppose I can agree to it. Why does it need to be secret?"

"Both parties don't want hell to know of the engagement?"

He raised his eyebrow in a questioning way again but didn't pry. "Alright. Consider it done. Just let me know when and where."

She let out a breath. "Great." She plastered a fake smile onto her face.

"He didn't trick you into this did he?"

She coughed. "What?!" She squeaked out.

"Alastor. He didn't trick you into marriage did he?"

Her eyes opened to their max. "I- How did-I didn't" She closed her mouth. She started again. "No. He did not."

"And you're sure you want to do this?" He asked sternly.

She opened her mouth but promptly closed it. In full honesty, she didn't. This seemed like a big jump. She barely knew the guy and at some point they would be on two completely different planes of existence. Not to mention, even if she did stay she would have to remain hidden for as long as possible. She was an easy target to get to the Radio Demon. Her heartbeat sped up. She could feel some of the heat combing back to her, her nerves getting the best of her. She opened her mouth again.

"He is an egotistical, selfish and stubborn asshole. He finds joy in others' pain and has questionable morals. I- I would be stupid to believe there wasn't a part of me that wants nothing more than to run away screaming. But he…" she glanced down at her hands, her face starting to heat up again. "…He… He treats me well and I know he would never hurt me. I may not know him very well but I feel there's something there. A softness he hides in fear of being seen as weak. I don't know." She looked up at him bashfully.

His gaze softened. "You love him." He sighed deeply. "Okay. But if he hurts you, I will not hesitate to wipe that stupid smirk off his dumb face."

"Thank you Lucifer." She reached across the table to hug him. He was taken aback but swiftly returned the gesture. When they pulled apart he asked. "This will be happening soon, I take it?"

She nodded.

He frowned. "This seems a bit rushed."

"It is. There's a reason and that's also confidential."

He waved her off, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest. "Off you go then, I'm sure Bambi is worried you're taking so long."

She stood giving him a sincere smile. "Thank you Lucifer."

She let herself out with a warm smile on her face. It didn't go quite like how she wanted it to, but it was still a win. She had Lucifer's word that he would do it. Ideally she would like to get it done sooner than later, but she would talk to Alastor first. He was to be her husband soon after all.

She already knew he didn't stay in her room while she went to confront Lucifer, although since he could teleport through shadows he was a bit harder to find.

She had made her way down into the kitchen where she found him working on lunch for everyone.

"Smells good in here."

He glanced over his shoulder at her arrival. "Well?"

She moved closer, moving to stand beside him and watch him work. She had to fight the urge to touch him. "All set, just have to pick a time and place."

"Good." He reached around her to grab a knife. He seemed to be extra careful not to touch her. "You should probably head back upstairs. You are going to regret testing your willpower down here like this."

She only smiled in response, inhaling deeply, knowing it was only his scent she would be smelling. It sent shivers of pleasure through her. "I'm good. I'll make a run for it if I need to. So what are you making?"

He gave her a quick glare before turning back to what he was working on. "Nothing special, just some pork gumbo."

She smiled at him through half lidded eyes. "Well it smells divine."

"Why thank you I made sure the base was-" He paused, turning to her with a disapproving look when he realized she wasn't talking about his cooking. "You my dear, are trouble. Off you go. If you start spiraling, you will be on your own. Too many prying eyes down here."

"You said I should be okay for a good portion of the day, when the pain starts to kick back in, I'll go."

"It's only going to get worse and it'll hit harder, faster."

"You really don't want to see me?" She asked, a little disappointed.

He sighed, putting down the knife. "I have had years to work on keeping control when…" He whispered the next word. "…Rutting, but you, my little doe, are progressing faster and harder than I can help with. My last day is normally excruciatingly painful and you've passed that on day three. You are in for a rather difficult experience and I can not assist you with it, so I strongly encourage you to rest." He picked the knife back up and continued chopping. "I can use some of my power and flesh to satiate that hunger. You don't have that option. Now off you go. I will see you soon enough."

She pouted but didn't argue. He would know best. She turned and left with a smile on her face. He had called her his little doe.