The Devil Needs No One

Chapter II

"My Father," he replied quietly, and Chloe's mind began to race at the potential meanings behind this short answer. Lucifer still held her tightly and was unbearably close to her, but she couldn't find it in herself to really complain. Her heart...ached for him.

"Your father gave you those scars?" Her pale blue eyes skittering back up to meet his dark ones. The intensity she found there and what was actually almost human (not that she didn't think that he already was, but slowly, everything from the night before was flooding back to her; it was all too much to process all at once. Chloe had to be sure first.) had her taken aback. He offered her a minute shake of his head and the detective let out a small breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Why was it that she found herself so abruptly concerned with Mr. Morningstar's well being - both physically and mentally? Chloe shifted anxiously on her bare feet, noting the previously ignored bite of cold tile beneath them. Her wrist was still trapped in the man's grasp. It felt as if she had been stuck so close to him, for an eternity. But her curious nature wouldn't allow her to back off just yet.

"I had them cut off," he told her finally, his warm breath caressing her cheek, smelling vaguely of what she assumed was a cinnamon toothpaste. It suited him. Chloe shook her head, not quite understanding. She was about to question him again when he released her, walking backwards rather swiftly, as to not really turn himself around for her to see the scars again. He smiled half-heartedly and retreated back to the bathroom, rambling excuses along the way.

"Well, it is morning and the day has already begun, and I'm sure you would like to get a bite to eat before we head out for the day, right partner? Lots to do, so little time! I'll just get dressed and we can be on our way - Oh, before I forget! Maze left you some of her things to wear, shower's open. I'll be downstairs!" After all, her clothes had ended up just as tattered and bloody as his own, though she was trying hard not to let her mind drift there. The thought that she really had been about to die was alone enough to set her nerves back on edge. And then, there was what Lucifer - No, definitely not right now, Chloe Decker.

Disappointment and momentary horror gripped at her, but she shook them both off. It wouldn't do for her to lose it right now, what with so much work to do. And her phone was still ringing! She tousled her hair absently, making her way back to the bed to answer it. She allowed herself to sit on the edge of the bed. God, she had slept in this bed. Had...he slept here too?

"Hello?"

"Hey, where've you been? Trixie and I stopped by the house before school. She forgot her project. You weren't there? Are you at the office already?" Dan. He sounded aggravated. It was way too early to be annoyed. She sighed, frowning at the large windows of Lucifer's bedroom. He had oodles of cash for someone who had a record that only went back for five years. The man was a great mystery; he was one that she needed to solve. Or let go, but you just don't know how to do that, do you, Chloe? What if he's just some psycho with an identity crisis? You can't be seri -

"Chloe? Hey! Are you even there? Are you listening?" She snapped out of her reverie. Dan's voice filtered to her through the phone, but she didn't hear Trixie in the background, so he'd probably already dropped their daughter off at school. Speaking of, what time was it? She worried her bottom lip for a moment with a fingertip.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. It's just been a rough night. I...I was working on a case all night. I'm just tired."

There was a lengthy pause, and the detective took those few seconds to grab at whatever Lucifer's bartender had left her, not taking the opportunity to really look at it, and made her way to what she assumed was the bathroom. Since Lucifer had gone back that way, it was most likely there. She balanced the phone between her ear and shoulder.