Out of Sorts

2of2 Out of Sorts

Lucifer doesn't even know how long it has been, not that he cares anymore, and ever since his last visit on Earth, no demon ever reported about souls ever meeting a certain Detective. Until today.

"Lord Morningstar?" Gromos steadily approaches. He'd been tasked to deliver a message to one Detective once upon a time and his Lord and master were pleased so he thought the King of Hell would praise him again for the news regarding their latest arrival.

"What is it, Gromos?" The demon found it fascinating how Hell's master remembers each and every one of its denizens despite their numbers.

"A new soul just came in,"

"Well, new souls come in every minute. That's hardly news."

"Yes, but this one I'm sure you'll be interested in, My Lord."

"Hmm." Lucifer is not interested at all but something about his demon's demeanor made him stand up from his palace throne, "Lead the way, then."

"Yes, My Lord."

Gromos opens the cell door and has Lucifer step in first.

"I'll take my leave, Lord Morningstar."

"You haven't told me who this soul is."

"You'll see."

With that Gromos exits the door with a smile on his face.

The Lord of Hell sighs. Maybe he's become too lenient with some demons. But he thought it's better to give them a little bit of freedom so when the time comes to claim Michael's head and bring about the apocalypse, they'd pledge their loyalty and do whatever he asks them to. He's not worried about it just yet. They still have a lot of time to prepare. Until today. Of all days.

"No," The only word he could mutter once he sees the cell's occupant. The person's back is turned while a demon in the Hell loop gives chase. But before the bullet finds its intended target, the loop gets paused and Belial, the assigned torturer, gets dismissed unceremoniously.

The person meanwhile ducks behind a car and pants, thanks someone for the cover but frowns because a shot definitely rang out.

"I need backup," The officer whispers over the phone and the operator acknowledges, already tracing where the call is being made. The footsteps were near and the officer steels and grips her service weapon tightly.

"Detective," She would recognize that voice anywhere. It had been so long since she heard it but the tone was different. Almost sorrowful.

Chloe Decker dares to look and confirms it to be her old partner Lucifer Morningstar.

"Lucifer!" She relaxed visibly and ran towards him to wound him in an embrace. He stiffens, of course, and she understands. Their last encounter had been unpleasant. "H-how are you here? We buried you, we - oh, wait. You're a celestial. I should know that. I'm glad to see you. I'm sorry. Can we please start over?"

"Detective, I am not on Earth."

"What?"

"What is the last thing you remember?"

"I - trying to catch this perp and - am I in Hell?"

"Yes."

Chloe almost stumbles backward. Shit. She knew better than to go off on her own. She should have waited for backup. And now.

"Well, I - " She's in tears now as she recalls her last conversation with Trixie just before she took on the case. "I guess I deserve this. I've been blaming myself ever since..."

"Oh, Detective. You need not feel guilty about what I did. I did it so that you can move on, not wallow in misery. You have to make this right. I cannot allow you to be in here."

"But..."

"You do not belong here."

xxxxx

Chloe takes a lungful of breath when she comes to, the pain of the wound that was supposedly there prevented her from standing up. She expected blood, lots of it actually, but there wasn't any sign of it, just a hole from where the exit wound should have been. Right through the heart.

What just happened? One moment she's coming to terms with being in Hell and Lucifer telling her she doesn't belong, and the next, she's here on the cold hard ground, a little dizzy but otherwise okay.

Shit. I should call for backup.

But she could barely move. Maybe her body is still trying to recover somehow. To her relief though, paramedics arrived on the scene and she got hoisted to the ambulance.

The next time she wakes up, Dan and Trixie are by her side.

What kind of Hell is this?

She thought. And then finally remembered what happened.

Lucifer dragged her soul back to her body and healed her mortal wounds, called for an ambulance, and told her to live and forget about him.

And that he would not allow for her to reside in Hell because even after all this time, he still loved her. Would always love her.

And that he's sorry for the way he acted the last time.

It was rather impulsive now that I think about it. I made a choice, it seemed right at that time. Although there is no use dwelling in the past. I'm fulfilling my role as you should yours. This is your second chance, Detective. Make it count. I don't want to see you here again. You do not deserve Hell. Promise me, Chloe.

"I promise." She mutters under her breath and hugs her daughter extra tight.

"Lord Morningstar? May I ask why you let that soul go?"

"It's none of your business why I do what I do, Gromos. Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Yes, my liege."

Gromos leaves the palace with a confused look on his face. Why has their master taken a liking to this particular soul? And why was that soul allowed to go?

xxxxx

Notes:

Wasn't planning on a second chapter but this just came to me. Even though I like angst...... I am also a fan of happy endings. Thank you so much for the kudos and comments. I love you guys :)

(this is the last one, I swear!) *runs in a corner and hides* XD