"What were you thinking!? Are you stupid!"

A giggle slipped out. "Yeah it was pretty stupid wasn't it?"

Alastor turned and glared at her. "You think this is funny?"

She was unsuccessful in keeping her giggles in. "No. This is very serious." She lowered her voice hoping whispering would keep her drunken giggles under control. "I could have died."

"What is wrong with you?"

She sucked her cheeks in making a fishy face to try preventing her from smiling. She made a 'pop' noise as she responded. "Nothing wrong. Just a bit tipsy and honest to a fault at the moment. I did ask your shadow to pass on the message."

He turned away from her groaning in annoyance. Why her? Why did she always find trouble?

"You can ask me anything and I can't lie." She nodded earnestly. "It's like our deal, but without the glowy stuff and I can't even resist! It just comes out like word vomit. It's kinda crazy."

"What happened? What did she want?"

Ellen couldn't help herself, she really tried to keep herself composed. She had been successful explaining what she had discussed, with a few poorly placed giggles, but she was grateful Alastor at last held back his tongue, remaining quiet as she recounted her heart to heart with the queen.

"And you're sure you mentioned nothing else?"

Ellen laughed again. "What part of 'I can't lie' can't you seem to get? You could ask me about my most embarrassing secrets and I'd tell you without a second thought."

She reached into her pocket pulling out the little device she had borrowed from Angel Dust.

"What is this?"

"It's a recording device. You can play back the whole conversation I had. I was hoping to get some sort of incriminating evidence on Lilith, but I don't think I succeeded. But in case I forgot to mention anything, it's all here." She handed it over to Alastor.

"This was your plan? This…" he held up the device between two fingers, his face hosting a look of disapproval. "...thing?"

"Oh my plans and backup plans all went to shit the second I found out you couldn't pass the palace gates. I had planned for you to be with me, so I was left having to adapt on the fly. "That…" she gestured to the recording device, "…was simply wishful thinking."

"She could have killed you-"

"-No, she wouldn't have. She would have someone else do it. Which was the real reason I went to see her."

"You shouldn't have gone at all." His glare returned full force.

"I needed answers and it wasn't like you were being open with me. You knew something was going on and instead of talking to me about it, you left me high and dry. So I thought I would take matters into my own hands and go find out what she was up to."

"So you think you can just go gallivanting around Hell?"

She could see his anger building again. "Hey, I already admitted it was stupid. I got what I wanted though. You'll be glad to hear she has no intention of hunting me down, no plans on killing me."

"You think that's what this is about? You really are stupid."

"Well fuck you too then." She crossed her arms glaring back at him. "I thought she was the reason Hell had suddenly risen against us. Against me. Turns out I was wrong, she had no idea. But you do, don't you? It's why you've been so bent out of shape since the broadcast yesterday."

"There are other people in Hell that don't particularly care for me."

"Yeah I'm sure that list is a mile long." She didn't hide the irritation in her voice. "But I'll bite, do indulge me Alastor what is this actually about? Or are you going to continue keeping it to yourself so I'll have to find out on my own."

"You are an insufferable woman."

"Oh please keep going." Her eyes squinted, daring him to continue. "Tell me how you really feel."

"You are angry."

"Thanks captain obvious. So are you."

He clenched his jaw but he remained silent, turning away from her. Ellen was a bit impressed, she never had that kind of self control. She would continue until she'd say something that would either get her in trouble or something she would regret later.

"I don't know."

"You don't know if you're angry?" She deadpanned. She was rewarded another harsh glare.

"I don't know why Hell was so reactive to you. But I'm more concerned that you left without warning, into the doomsday district no less. No one knew where you had gone and as you have so lightly put it, half of Hell wants you dead. You have no idea what kind of danger you so carelessly wandered into. And to Lilith of all people. Do you not remember your last encounter with her? The one you barely survived?"

She didn't get the chance to reply, pushing on, he moved closer to stand above her, glaring down.

"You are not going to do that again. Running off like that. Anywhere you wish to go I will accompany you. If I can not go, then you will have someone else go with you. You are not safe out there on your own regardless of my added protection. We will not be having this conversation again, do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal."

"What am I going to do with you?" He asked with a loud sigh, his eyes softening slightly, his glare less intense.

"I would really like a hug right now."

"I'm not happy with you Ellen."

She shrugged. "I'm not too happy with you right now either, but that doesn't prevent me from hugging you."

He let out a vexed sigh running a hand through his hair before meeting her gaze. "Come here." He waved her over. She happily obliged.

She practically threw herself at him hugging tightly, burying her face into his chest. He could only hold off a few seconds before he relented and wrapped his arms around her. It was without a doubt the most idiotic thing she had ever done. But he was glad she had made it back out safe.

"You're fortunate you didn't come across more trouble."

"I did. But I still have access to your power if I need it, though I've been trying to manage without it. I don't want to accidentally take too much."

He pushed her to arms length. "My dear if you need it-"

"-If I need it, I will take it. So far I've managed well enough without. I have outwitted both you and Lilith on my own, and I've taken sinners out with just a frying pan. Heck I've taken Lucifer out with a frying pan, I think I can handle myself. You don't need to worry about me."

"You've taken down the King of Hell?"

Her eyes widened realizing what she just admitted.

"I was not supposed to tell you that."

"Interesting." He turned away, a hand under his chin thinking. "And when was th-"

"-No, don't ask me that. That's not fair, I can't lie. You're not supposed to know."

"Me dear you couldn't lie to begin with and I already know now, the cats out of the bag."

She bit her lip, but the words came up anyway. There probably could have been worse things to let slip.

"It was the same day, I killed those other two demons. He snuck up on me and I panicked. I hit him so hard I thought I killed him."

"Hmm. No wonder his head is such a mess"

"Alastor! Not funny, I feel really bad about it."

"Why? It clearly didn't do anything."

"I have no way of knowing and it's bad enough I told you. He specifically asked me not to tell you."

Alastor rolled his eyes. "Of course he did."

"Just pretend you didn't hear it. I don't want you mocking him about it."

"There's no fun in that. A mortal soul taking down the king of Hell? How ignominious."

Her face twisted in confusion. "Igno-what-ous?"

His face turned to one of smug amusement. "Oh ho? I've found a word you don't know?" He leaned down to meet her face, one that had changed to a look of annoyance.

"Ignominious; humiliating, embarrassing, undignified."

"Uh-huh. I'll get you back, you know that right?"

"I look forward to your attempts."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "So on a scale of one to ten how mad would you say you are with me?"

He rolled his eyes. He wasn't angry, more frustrated at her lack of concern for her own safety. He is to protect her and she wasn't making it an easy task. More of a nuisance really, perhaps a four. "My dear, I don't think you want the answer."

"So we're at like a seven? Eight?"

"And here I thought you could read me better than that."

He turned his attention to his shadow, who had been chittering to himself proudly.

"You, keep an eye on her, I have something I need to do."

"Aw come on Alastor, you should give him a break, he doesn't need to babysit me, I'm not going anywhere."

"You two are getting too chummy."

"Well he is great fun. Sometimes you're a wet blanket."

"I beg your pardon?!"

Ellen pressed her lips together trying to hide her smile. Did Alastor really think he was the only source of entertainment? He had stuff to do, she had to find things to keep herself busy, lest she get bored out of her mind.

"All I'm saying is we have a lot of fun together, besides, he did a really good job keeping an eye on me with Lilith."

"I'm sorry, he what?"

"Yeah he snuck into the palace to keep an eye on me." She turned and smiled at the shadow.

"How did…" He turned back to his shadow. "How did you get in?"

Ellen wasn't sure what his response was, but Alastor seemed impressed. There was a moment of pause where Alastor hummed in thought.

"We're not done with this conversation." He slipped into shadow leaving the other two looking at each other a bit confused.

"I take it he didn't give you a thanks did he?"

The shadow shook his head.

"Well thank you. I'm sure it wasn't easy sneaking in and I'm glad you were there with me."

The shadow darted to her quickly circling around her, chittering happily, She couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes alright off you go. You don't have to babysit me. I'm not going anywhere and I'm sure there are better things you can do to keep yourself entertained."

She flopped down onto Alastors bed. She could use a nap, the day felt as though it had been three. She also wanted the wine out of her system, if Angel found out she couldn't lie she would be in trouble. She pulled her shoes off, kicking them aimlessly into the room. A problem for later.

She wasn't fully asleep when Alastor returned. She vaguely remembered being tucked in, a soft murmuring of hydrating and a weight on the bed beside her.

"Would your father have approved of our courtship? Our marriage?…Me?"

She didn't bother opening her eyes, they were too heavy to move. "MMhmm."

"How can you be certain?" He had shifted a bit, if she were to guess he turned to look at her.

She pressed her eyes together fighting the drowsiness. The thought of her dad brought a smile to her lips. "No one will ever be good enough for his baby girl."

There was a long pause trying to get her words together before she continued.

"But if you were what makes me happy and loved me as I love you, then that would be enough for him. If I'm happy, he's happy." She managed to open one eye to sneak a peek at him. A small chuckle escaped her as she imagined what Alastor would have thought of her dad.

She got her childish antics and goofy persona from him. He was just a big kid at heart, one of the things she really loved about him. He was the disciplinary in the household dont get her wrong, he could very easily be stern if she got into trouble, probably one of the reasons she was a goody two shoes, but the two would tease each other often. He was also the one that had given her lots of practice with witty banter, the two often spit smart remarks back and forth.

Alastor would probably not like her dad. He would probably find him too goofy. Though she was certain her dad would have liked Alastor. He would have found him a good man, as close as one could get to be worthy of looking after his baby girl. Aside from all the murder and torture stuff of course.

She closed her eye with a contented sigh. "They all would have loved you, Alastor."

He must have been happy with her answer, because he stood and slipped into the shadows, leaving her to finally get some sleep.

When she awoke she was grateful to find a glass of water on the table next to her. Her attention was quickly pulled over to the chairs by the fireplace where Alastor was sitting, something small and green in his hands. He was flipping through his stations, but something was off. She recognized every single tune he flipped past. Most weren't jazz, they were stuff past his time, some even in her era. How'd he know these?

She pulled the covers off slowly making her way over mentally naming every song he passed. She knew all of them.

He stopped on a song humming along softly, clearly unaware of her approach. She watched as his toe started to tap to the beat. He was enjoying it! She couldn't hide her grin as she joined in, singing the next lines, surprising him with her presence.

'Like a flower bending in the breeze,

Bend with me, sway with ease.

When you dance you have a way with me

Stay with me,sway with me.'

She laughed, holding a hand out. He took it and she pulled him to his feet starting to sway back and forth. He quickly pulled her closer, moving her around the room. She didn't know how the grogginess had disappeared so fast, but she twirled and danced around the room, singing along and to her pleasant surprise he joined in.

'When we dance you have a way with me,

Stay with me, sway with me.'

All too soon it was over and something much more modern came on. With a wave of his wrist it was shut off.

"Hey! That was a good song."

Alastor shook his head. "No, it's simply noise. You can't even dance to it."

Ellen scoffed a wide smile on her face. "Seriously? You're going to tell me it can't be danced to? Everything can be danced to."

"Not tastefully."

She laughed, hands now on her hips. "Pick any song and I will gladly prove you wrong."

He eyed her thinking. After a slight pause he shifted over to where he was sitting pulling the small green object from the seat.

"What is that?"

"A small thing I had made for you. You were escorted to heaven before I had the chance to give it to you." He didn't hide the irritation in his tone.

She made her way over, eyes glued to it. Her eyes widened in shock, upon discovering what it was. It was an mp3 player and Alastor was using it to look for a song. She stared at him in disbelief, finally understanding what this was.

"All the songs I wrote down on that list, you put them onto an mp3 player for me?"

Her chest started aching. She was momentarily speechless. No one had ever put together a more thoughtful gift. She had her own list of music to listen to, whenever and wherever she wanted.

"I hope you don't mind, I've gone through most of your collection. A lot are just distasteful dins, but I suppose I may have found a few acceptable ones."

He turned to her then. She had tears streaming from her eyes but she had a beautiful smile across her face. It seems he had done or said something that had upset her.

"I didn't mean to cause you distress."

"Oh, Alastor," she sobbed, throwing her arms around him. "This is wonderful, thank you." She pulled herself back wiping at her face, trying to get the tears to stop.

"It's a simple little thing."

"It was very thoughtful, thank you."

She let out a rough laugh gesturing to the little green device in his hands. Seeing that he had gone to the trouble of figuring out how to use it, likely on his own, was almost as good as the gift itself.

"I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks."

"I am not old."

"Right." She gave him a smug look. "Okay you have to put on the song you like the most, I have to know."

"Don't be so childish-"

"You have one and you think it's embarrassing! Oh my gosh you have to tell me!" She was practically jumping up and down in excitement.

"I've said nothing of the sorts, you're making assumptions."

"And you're trying to change the subject. Come on please? I promise it won't leave this room. I'll even promise not to laugh."

"You were going to laugh? Humph. Well I suppose you'll never know now." His grin turned wicked.

"Come on! At least give me a hint."

He paused to think for a quick moment before the corner of his lips pulled a bit tighter. "It was playing the first time I saw you perform."

Ellen's face scrunched up. Perform? She never performed. Not unless you counted her piano recital back when she was twelve. No, when did he see her perform? It had to be here in Hell. She didn't like being in front of large groups of people, not unless she had practiced and rehearsed beforehand, and she definitely didn't do that while in Hell.

He handed her the mp3 with an amused grin on his face as he passed her for the door, holding it open for her.

"You're going to feel quite foolish when you finally figure it out."

He snapped his fingers and she was changed out of her pj's now in simple black slacks and an emerald green blouse.

She followed him to the elevator.

"Are you certain that wine is out of your system?"

"Ask me something and I'll lie."

"Very well, what is my favourite dish?"

"Cupcakes!"

He gave her a disapproving look as the doors opened on the main floor.

She laughed as they stepped out. "What? I didn't say it would be a good lie."

"And what would have been a 'good' lie, hmm?" He had his hands behind him as they made their way to the kitchen.

"Gumbo. It's not your favourite, but it definitely would have been a lot more believable."

"Hmm. Fair enough."

Both were surprised to find the table had been set for two, some eggs bacon and toast already made. The two shared a curious glance before sitting at the table. No one was usually up this early, let alone having breakfast made.

"Ah, there's the love birds." Angel emerged from the kitchen all four hands full of dishes.

"You made breakfast?"

"Yeah, figured I should try my hands at it at least once while bein' ere."

Ellen smiled. "Well thank you Angel, it looks amazing."

He turned back to the kitchen. "Go ahead, get started, I'm making more for everyone else."

Alastor raised a suspicious eyebrow, but started dishing out food for her.

She didn't hate eggs, she preferred them sunny side up, but she wouldn't complain. Although they did taste a little salty. Maybe there was a reason Angel didn't cook breakfast.

He popped his head out of the kitchen. "Whatta think?"

Alastor had only taken one bite before he pushed his plate away. Angel's face turned smug.

Ellen ignored Alastor turning back to Angel with a forced smile. "It's good."

"You don't gotta be nice."

"I'm questioning your culinary skills. You can't even cook simple eggs right."

Ellen turned to Alastor giving him a glare.

"Oh they're not simple eggs. Added a bit of my own homemade sauce to 'em."

Ellen paused for a second, fork halfway to her mouth. "I'm sorry, homemade sauce?" She really hoped he wasn't insinuating what she thought.

He stepped out of the kitchen, arms crossed his chest. "Lota guys like it. Some chicks too. It's worth a lot considerin I'm famous."

Ellen dropped her fork giving Angel a disapproving look. "Really?"

Alastor sat up a bit taller, his eyes flitting between the two. "What are you referring-"

Ellen's head whipped to Alastor. -"No, you really don't wanna kno-"

"-It's seasoned with my jizz."

Angel bolted laughing, while the room filled with a screeching of static. Before she could even comment Alastor was gone in shadow, no doubt chasing Angel.

"He fuckin did it." Husker moved past her into the kitchen shaking his head. He took one look and turned around joining her at the table with an annoyed groan.

He looked up, his face twisted in disbelief. "You're still eating it?"

Ellen shoveled another mouthful in. "Look I've swallowed my fair share of cum. This is going to undoubtedly be the best I'll ever consume unless someone makes some dessert with it. It's gross from its source and I swallow it down anyway, but mixed with eggs?" She shrugged as she scooped another forkful. "It tastes much better this way plus it's a little extra protein." She turned to look at the cat demon, who was looking at her like she had two heads.

She held her fork out. "Want some?"

"You serious?"

When he didn't take it she shrugged, taking it for herself. "Maybe a bit of ketchup would help with the saltiness," she mused to herself. "Hot sauce?"

Husker shook his head, pushing up from the table moving over to the bar. "It's way too early for this fuckin' shit."

AN: Song mentioned in this Chapter: Sway, by Micheal Buble