Forever Unbroken

Just Desserts

When Lucifer entered the precinct a short time later, he heard raised voices coming from the direction of the Lieutenant's office and figured Dan must have gotten the ball rolling already. Being a Celestial, he could hear Dan and Decker's voices quite clearly, as if he were standing in the room with them. He sat down on the edge of Dan’s desk to enjoy the show.

"You have no right to do this Dan! This is a matter between me and Morningstar! You keep your nose out of this!" Decker scolded.

Dan quickly retorted. “I'm just helping out a friend! He told me what happened. You had no right to treat him that way. And you know what? Lucifer may not be a cop, but he's a Civilian Consultant with the LAPD. You know what that means don't you? By kicking your partner off your case simply because you don't approve of his sexuality, and the way you treated him, you violated the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. ‘I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions.’”

Hearing this, Lucifer thought to himself, 'penny in the air' and interestingly it was as if Dan heard his thoughts for he continued after waiting expectantly for Chloe to get out of her shock.

Addressing the Lieutenant, Dan spoke. "Let's see how long it takes for the penny to drop."

Lucifer was only slightly surprised when his former partner started cursing a blue streak. "I guess Decker is full of surprises today," he mused to himself.

"Decker! Why don’t you do something smart and stop speaking," the Lieutenant paused and made eye contact with Dan. "Detective Espinoza is right. You are in violation of the Ethics Mandate that all members of the force are required to uphold. Go take a few days for yourself and brush up on the Code."

Lucifer smirked when he heard Decker curse under her breath; he knew she was in for it now. What happened next made him feel like she was truly getting her just desserts. 

"What was that Detective? ‘Lieutenant, may I please take two weeks of leave while I revise the department ethics policies?’ No? Oh, I'm sorry. ‘Three weeks of unpaid leave?’ Sure. Now get out of my office and go apologize to Mr. Morningstar while I speak with Espinoza.”

Dan couldn’t help but smile a little as Decker stormed out of the office. He wiped the smile off of his face as the Lieutenant stood and closed the door, turning to face Dan. “How are you doing Dan, really? I know you came to me about how Decker treated Lucifer today, but I have a sneaking suspicion that there’s something you aren’t telling me.”

Dan stood there in shock as he realized that his own feelings about his ex-wife must have been written across his face. Shockingly, Dan was nervous about being in the office with the petite powerhouse who was his superior. He looked around the office and noticed something that gave him hope. There was a framed picture of the Lieutenant standing in front of a courthouse, her arm around another woman. Seeing this photo gave him the courage to answer her.

“I’m managing. Chloe isn’t the woman I married anymore…we’re exes for a reason and I was reminded of that today. She’s part of the reason I’m not out Ma’am.” He caught her attention then gazed at what must be her wedding photo. “I’m not as brave as you Lieutenant. I wish I was.”

The Lieutenant smiled. “Well, I think you handled Decker quite well actually. Something told me that you weren’t just speaking on Mr. Morningstar’s behalf, you were standing up for yourself. I’m proud of you Dan. Please know that if anyone disparages either you or anyone else, it is safe to come and talk to me. Now, before that shouting match, you mentioned that you’d like for Mr. Morningstar to be reassigned as your partner, permanently, yes?” At Dan’s nod she continued. “Well, let’s start small and see how well you two do first. Now, go get your partner in here so I can give you two your next assignment.”

Dan was surprised at the kind and encouraging words he had just received from the Lieutenant. He opened the door and walked out into the precinct. He didn’t have to look far before he found Lucifer sitting on his desk. Shaking his head he called out to his friend.

“Lucifer, the Lieutenant wants you to join us in her office.”

Dan watched as the consultant got off of the desk and walked towards him and then followed him into the office.

“Wow, Decker’s quite a firecracker, eh? It sure seemed so with the way she stormed out of here a bit ago. Well, enough with the drama then. Let’s get on with this reassignment then, shall we?” Lucifer shut the door and looked expectantly at the Lieutenant.

The Lieutenant was a no-nonsense sort of woman and her pointed glare informed him that she was still pissed at Decker.

“Mr. Morningstar, first, I have already reassigned you to work with Detective Espinoza on a trial basis. Show me your best work gentlemen. Secondly, since I am quite sure that Detective Decker ignored my instructions and did not apologize to you-”

“No, she did not,” Lucifer interrupted.

The Lieutenant simply nodded, knowing that Lucifer will always be Lucifer. “You have my sincerest apologies on the behalf of the LAPD for the way you were treated today. I assume you wish to file a formal complaint, yes?”

Surprised at the offer, Lucifer seriously considered it. For all of five seconds.

“No need for all that Lieutenant. I’m glad to leave her punishment in your capable hands. I do have a request though. Moving forward, I would like to work exclusively with Detective Espinoza here. I believe that the two of us will work very well together,” Lucifer paused and turned to look at Dan. “Wouldn’t you say, Daniel?” Lucifer purred.

For some reason, the way the consultant chose to say his name at that moment caused Dan to freeze like a deer in a car’s headlights. “Erm-yes,” Dan stammered as all rational thought seemed to flee his mind, as, for a moment, all that existed was Lucifer’s deep brown eyes.

“Alright you two,” the Lieutenant sighed, rolling her eyes seeing the effect Lucifer seemed to have on his partner. She snapped her fingers to get Dan’s attention and then handed him a folder. “Stop flirting and get out of my office. You have work to do. Since Decker’s on leave, the flight attendant murder case is all yours.”

Dan blushed in what he told himself was just embarrassment as he nodded and turned to leave. “Come on Lucifer, we have a murderer to catch.”