Chapter 15

AUTHORS NOTE: Sorry for the terribly long wait. I had dance as well as finals at school and could find zero time to write. However it is up now and I hope everyone is still interested in continuing and thank you for all the support you give me. It always helps. Keep commenting and voting little devils ;)

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The surface beneath Chloe was not only warm and soft, but also it made her feel like she was floating on a cloud. The covers around her were silky and curved to her every edge, engulfing her to give her warmth and the feeling of serenity and safety. Sliding her hand along the mattress, she feels nothing but empty space next to her. It is like every regular moment when she wakes up in her own bed.

But when Chloe's eyes open, she knows this environment isn't one she would find at her own home. Sitting straight up in the bed, she knows this feeling of mental loss is as foreign as the feelings of not knowing how many drinks she had last night. Where am I? The sheets on this bed are a burgundy red, and the flooring is a dark laminate wood. Brick and sleek walls surround her, the sun pouring through the window blinding her temporarily. This was not her home.

"Rise and shine Detective! Rise and shine!" Lucifer's voice shouts from an unseen location.

Chloe quickly pats herself down, and realizes she is only in her undergarments. Eyes scurrying, she can see her dress and heels on the floor. Her thoughts are running in twenty different directions, all of them pointing to nothing good. Patting down herself in a matter as if she has lost something, she throws the sheets to the side. When she stands the first thing Chloe sees is the master bathroom, and she makes a break for it. Slamming the door behind her, she sinks to the floor. For some odd reason, every part of her body aches. Like her muscles and bones just got back from miles of running, like her body just took a tumble in the dryer. Drawing in a breath and shuddering to push it out, Chloe tries standing again.

Just like that...the pain disappears. Using the counter to hoist herself up, Chloe becomes face to face with her bed head. "Ew, oh god why?" She exclaims poking at the thousands of stray hairs. Of all the mornings recently Chloe could fully admit to herself that this was the worst one of far.

"You know God doesn't give a shit about how bad you look this morning Chloe. However, I would love to take a peak. Can't be any worse than what I imagine Detective Douche's to look like at 5am. But if you would really like you can borrow any of my many combs from the drawer on the left. I have breakfast ready for you when you are done."

Slender fingers curling around the handle, she soundlessly slides the drawer open. Her eyebrows quirks up as she wonders what kind of man needs more than one comb, let alone the five she is looking at. Sliding a sleek black one out, she goes to work on her blonde locks. As her arm rises she finds herself drawn to the discolored lines on her abdomen. The ones put there not by choice, but by fear and a lack on control over a serious situation. The edges of her fingertips trace the lines, tickling the skin. A small gasp escapes as she finds it is still tender to the touch. The doctors warned her that because the cut was so deep and because a nerve was partially severed that this area would always hurt to some degree. Something about such a small portion of skin made her feel extremely insecure and wanting to hide.

It was while she was thinking of this that she remembered that her body was still only sporting her undergarments. With panic Chloe asks, "Um...Lucifer? Where are my clothes?"

"Don't you remember? Then again you did chug back quite a lot of booze last night, do you remember anything?" Lucifer asks, though the way he is talking makes it sound as if his mouth is full.

"I remember dinner...and," her hands press against her forehead as if that might help. "...and talking and...OH I can remember dancing with you but not to much after that." Chloe admits. "Did we? I mean did we do the? Um..."

With a small laugh Lucifer finishes for her. "Did we go all the way? Did we do the nasty? Get it on? Hit that-"

"Please stop and just answer the question?" Chloe shuts her eyes tight, not wanting to know.

"You can relax dearie," Lucifer answers. "I did not violate your body in any way. To do so would have been wrong considering you were so intoxicated. Your clothes are in the corner of the bathroom where you took them off right after you threw up last night."

Looking to her left she sees the red dress and shoes and slips them back on with ease. Stepping out of the grand washroom to the sight of Lucifer on the bed, a smile creeps across Chloe's face.

"Join me?" He asks with a smile, holding out a single slice of buttered bread.

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"You know even though I can't remember most of it, I had a really nice time," Chloe admits as they both stand within close proximity to one another in front of her door.

"You know I quite liked the sight of you waking up at my place, maybe we could do it again sometime," suggests Lucifer as he clasps his hands together behind his back.

Raising an eyebrow, she truthfully admits, "I would like that." Looking into his eyes she can almost see a repeat of last night in their future. Maybe it was just a fragment of hope that what they had was too real to end, but Chloe felt addicted to this feeling between them. Unblinking, she slides her right hand up his suit jacket. As tight as it is, it does not hide much as with it she can still see how fit this man is and her fingers can feel every line upon him. When her hand reaches his neck, Lucifer quietly whispers "Detective," however her hands do not stop moving. Closing any spaces within them once more, she allows her feet to lift her the extra inch to be in line with his lips, where she hovers. Chloe leaves Lucifer to make the final push, this hover allowing for permission. All Chloe has left to do is close her eyes and hope for this moment to complete itself.

Lucifer looks past his eyelashes and down at the gorgeous woman before him. Her gentle touch is at the back of his neck, pulling him closer. The tickle of her upper lip touches Lucifer's own lips and he can feel the regular fire within him growing. Raising his left hand, Lucifer wraps it in her hair also pulling closer so they can finally meet. While they are kissing Lucifer can't help but think how wonderful this woman was in front of him. If you would have told Lucifer months ago that this woman standing before his piano asking him questions about a murder right outside of his club's doors would be in his arms as his own, Lucifer probably wouldn't have denied it. But he would have imagined something sexier and naughty, and something that would allow him to be emotionally dis-attached from his life through her. Yet, this was so much more. Though they truly hadn't connected in that way, this was almost better.

Am I really thinking that this relationship is better than sex? Lucifer reflects. The answer was yes, and he realized just how far he has come. Just how much Chloe has changed him, for all the better ways. Gone was the man who needed to have multiple constant side chicks, replaced with the man who could imagine himself settling down with this woman. What was between them was something so much more simplistic, and thrilling. Lucifer never knew what was coming next but the excitement was always present. It was a constant feeling of what he could have only imagined before as what heaven would be like. During the first investigation they had ever done together, he had told Chloe that there was no denying the connection between them. Looking back now it was almost like foreshadowing, and the pinpoint of where Lucifer's life changed.

Unexpectedly, the door swings open on the scene. Chloe pushes herself off Lucifer and turns to the figure in the door frame.

"You have got to be kidding me Chloe," Dan says, anger apparent in his voice.

"Well hello to you too Dan," Lucifer greets him but before he can reach out his hand to shake or complete any other action, Dan's left fist connects with Lucifer's face. Chloe's hands fly over her mouth in shock and Lucifer loses his balance and braces himself for the inevitable fall.

"Dan!" Chloe cries out as she bends over to the man on the floor.

Lucifer adjusts his jaw until the popping noise allows him to know that it is back in place. "Bloody hell! What was that for?"

"I have no idea. How about for how late you are coming home? Or why you both look disheveled which leaves me to assume the worst? Or how about for kissing my wife in front of me?" Dan tries to explain, but his words don't seem to be articulated well enough and Chloe can just barely make them out.

"Ex-wife, and you've just proved why the ex is there Dan," Chloe fires back. "And what is that smell?"

The pungent odor was coming mostly from Dan, but Chloe's nose traced it back to the house. Running inside, the smell led her to the kitchen where what lay in the sink was a sight all too familiar. A mixture of what looked like an entire six pack of empty beer bottles mixed with puke. As Lucifer peels himself off the floor Chloe screams, "You have got to be kidding me Dan."

"What? What could you possibly be mad at compared to what I'm feeling at the sight-" Dan rushes back into the house, his hand gripping Chloe's forearm. "-of you and this lowlife asshole!"

"Coming from you?" Lucifer fires back before Chloe can stop either of them. "You are like living proof that God has sense of humor if he made something as ugly and repulsive as you."

Dan tries to take a run at Lucifer but as soon as his grip is lifted from Chloe, she turns the tables. Grabbing onto Dan's arm Chloe yanks him back to face her. Preparing her right hook, she slams it into Dan's face and his drunken body slams to the floor. Holding back a cry of pain Chloe shakes out her wrist. Looking down at the abusive, drunk man before her Chloe commands herself to stay tall and fierce. "I can't even believe you this time Dan. Your job last night was to watch Trixie and instead of being the father she deserves you turned around and showed her why we are no longer together. Instead of spending time with her father, he decided to spend his time wallowing in pity and alcohol. We are through Dan, which means I can see and do whatever I want without asking you for permission. Secondly, you are forbidden to see Trixie until you sober up. You should see yourself Dan," Chloe finishes. "You look like a mess."

"Do you even realize everything I've done for you compared to him? Why did I even work with him to get you back from that maniac when this is what I get for it? Why does he get all the credit?"

Chloe's eyes squint in shock. "Why did you even come and get me? Are you really asking that?"

"You are really showing how little of a shit you give about her Detective Douche'," Lucifer yells. "Your pathetic little mind might be telling you that you're still in love with her but your behavior reflects your cold dark heart. You never cared for her, and it is about time you stop dragging her down to your level because she doesn't deserve that."

As much as she appreciated those words, Chloe could already feel herself on the brink of losing grip on her emotions. "Lucifer, please stay out of this. Actually both of you please just go."

Dan picks himself up and touches his hand to his cheek where Chloe's fist broke the skin. Lucifer walks slowly towards Chloe. His face had changed from anger to compassion. He looked genuinely worried for her, his arms reaching out to touch her. Before Lucifer could actually reach her Chloe whispered. "Please go," her voice cracked. "I just need to be alone right now."

Lucifer's head fell, but he nodded. "If you need me, call me."

Just like that both men left the apartment. Chloe walked towards the door and clicked the lock into place. Trixie's face appears from around the corner of the far wall. "Mommy, why did you send Daddy and Lucifer away?"

Sinking to her knees, Chloe hangs her head for a moment. "Your Daddy made a mistake, and Lucifer was only initiating a fight. I had to end it before it got out of hand."

"It looked like it already did," Trixie laughs.

"You saw that eh?" Chloe chuckles.

"It was awesome. One moment I thought he was going to run at Lucifer and then the next BOOM! I'd never seen anything like that!"

"It was wrong of me to do," Chloe admits to Trixie. The little girl begins to walk towards her mom, a smile plastered on her face.

"Not necessarily Mommy. If you hadn't done it, what would have happened?"

How did I manage to raise such a smart kid? Chloe wonders. Shortly after, Chloe invited Trixie into her own bed for a nap that afternoon. It only took moments for both of them to be out cold.

Which was exactly what Amenadiel was counting on because the sooner they were asleep the sooner he could begin the transference. Standing at the foot of the bed his large black wings spread out across the entire span of the room. The edges of his lips curl up as he prepares to begin. "Now Lucifer, you will see just how close hell is to this Earth...and the woman you love."