Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was early in the morning in the city of Los Angeles, about 6 A.M.

A police cruiser pulled up tp a parking spot while a fat cop wiggled his way out of the driver's seat heading out to get breakfast before the morning rush.

The officer had just walked through the doors of a Mary Lee's Donut Store when the police cruiser began to glow with holy light. The brightness quickly faded and there was a sound like the rushing of wind.

A man sat in the cruiser's front seat, though if anyone were present they would have sworn that he hadn't been there a moment ago. He was wearing a standard blue police uniform which he looked down upon in a mixture of curiosity and disdain.

The man glanced at his reflection in the car's review mirrors and smiled--it had been a while since he had time and cause to visit Earth. A quick glance at his wallet named him as a low-ranking officer named Gabriel Church.

With one hand, he tapped on the keyboard of the police computer that was attached to the dashboard. Directions to the nightclub LUX popped up and the man's smile broadened.

Noticing a pair of blue-tinted sunglasses on the seat adjacent to him, he put them on and turned the key into the ignition.

As he backed out of the parking lot, the fat officer had returned from the shop with a box of donuts under one arm and a single treat in his hand. He dropped the sweet, waving at the police car to stop and that he was stealing and that he was under arrest.

The man leaned out of the window and yelled, good-naturedly: "Don't worry! I'm only borrowing it!"

With that, the police cruiser sped off, leaving the poor, confused officer alone with his donuts.

Chapter Text

The city of Los Angeles was filled to the brim with prostitutes, addicts of all sorts, and criminals, making it the ideal place for the Lord of Hell's vacation spot.

Speaking of the devil, Lucifer himself was enjoying the festivities--drinking his favorite scotch non-stop, bumping hips with the curviest women on the dance floor (on purpose, of course), and handing out the occasional favor, if it suited him.

The elevator to the club penthouse dinged and a uniformed police officer stepped out. He surveyed the crowd, the flashing lights bouncing off his glasses. A burly security guard quickly stepped forward.

"Hey buddy, you've got an invite?" The guard towered over him.

"Oh, no, of course not. I'm here to see Mr. Morningstar--you may know him as Lucifer?" The man looked calmly upwards at the hulk.

The guard scoffed. "Get a life."

"Certainly. But first, where is he?" The officer spoke.

The guard reached out and shoved him. "No invite, no escort with an invite, no entry."

The cop sighed and took off his sunglasses revealing his startlingly blue eyes. He raised a hand and waved it in the other man's face.

"But I do have an invite. See? It's right here in my hand."

The bouncer squinted down at the officer's empty palm before his eyes glazed over. "Oh, jeez. Yeah, come on in."

The guard stepped to the side, hands clasped at the waist, respectfully.

The officer rewarded him with a small smile before slipping the glasses back on. "Thanks."

He waded into the sea of people, which quickly parted at the unwanted sight of a cop. The officer glanced around before heading towards the bar. He tapped the counter to get the worker's attention.

"Excuse me, but do you know where I could find Lucifer?" The bartender glanced up and scowled, quickly noticing the uniform and the telltale badge.

"Don't worry, Timmy. I'll handle this." A smooth voice cut in.

A hand rested on the officer's shoulder causing him to turn. Lucifer was smiling at the bartender wearing a fine suit and his usual rogue smile. Timmy--the bartender--curtly nodded. He glared at the cop before finally moving away.

"Well, I wasn't told that we were getting a new stripper. Cops and robbers are kind of passé, but I'm sure we have a few nostalgic customers in the house." Lucifer grinned, his eyes wandering up and down the man's lean torso.

The officer grimaced. "I'm not a stripper."

"Oh, really? Well then tell me, what's your deepest desire?"

Lucifer leaned closer as the loud dance music in the background faded away to a soft buzz.

The officer didn't blink: "To see you come back home."

Lucifer's smile faded. "Ah, well that's a big no-no for me. But seriously, what do you desire for yourself, my annoyingly-handsome-but-not-a-stripper-friend?"

The officer took off his sunglasses and stared. "I wasn't lying to you, Luci. If Father would allow you to come back I would want you to take His offer."

"W-wha...Father!? Hang on, who are you?" Lucifer peered at the man before him. The police officer grinned, blue eyes flashing in the dark. "Hello, brother."

Chapter Text

Lucifer ushered the strange cop into his penthouse, his mind racing with confusion.

The officer looked around the luxurious space in appreciation.

"Looks like you haven't lost your tastes. Earth has been kind to you."

Lucifer reached out and spun the man around to face him.

"Who. Are. You?" Lucifer growled.

The man looked genuinely hurt. "You don't recognize me? I suppose it has been a while, but really."

Lucifer scratched his head, frantically running a mental list of all his siblings in his head. Then he found it.

Slowly, he turned back towards the police officer. "G-gabe?"

The officer--Gabriel--smiled. "Well done. Was I really that unrecognizable? I suppose I was, given that you confused me for a mortal stripper."

Lucifer waved that last remark aside. "Why are you here?"

Gabriel's bright smile dimmed.

"What no "oh I'm so happy to see you brother," or "oh Gabriel, I missed you so much!""

He mimicked Luci's British accent in a high-pitched falsetto.

Lucifer scowled, darkly. "I do not sound like that!"

"Yes, well, my interpretation is more amusing." Gabriel spotted the grand piano in the corner.

"Oh! Do you still play?" He skipped over and slid into the seat. Nimble fingers played a few scales before Gabriel hungrily eyed the shiny keys. "Got any requests?"

Lucifer stalked over and nearly slammed the lid on Gabriel's hands. "How about Beat it?"

The devil was fuming yet Gabriel refused to be cowed. "Nah, sorry, I don't know that one. How about some Chopin instead?"

Opening the piano again, he played some quick staccato notes together in a cheerful tune.

Lucifer grumbled and headed over to the bar to pour himself another drink.

"This is not happening." He muttered.

Gabriel stopped playing. "Oh but it is."

Lucifer whirled around, infuriated. "Well out with it! You're clearly here to sprout some holy mumbo-jumbo from Dad so let's hear it already!"

Gabriel rose from behind the piano. "That's not why I'm here, Luci."

"Really?" Lucifer's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Then why?"

Gabriel ignored his question and glanced upward at the ceiling. "Is Amenadiel here?"

"What? Oh, yes, yes. He's been a complete pain in the arse--is that why you're are? To take him away to dear old Dad in the clouds above?" Lucifer placed down his scotch, suddenly interested.

"Because if you are then I would be ever so grateful. I have him on number here if you'll just let me call..." Lucifer whipped out a phone and began to tap on the screen.

"I'm not here for Amenadiel, brother. I'm here...for you."

Lucifer stopped typing. "What?"

Gabriel stared intently at his brother. "I'm here for you, Luci, to take you back home."

Lucifer scoffed. "What, back to Heaven? Two words brother: Hell. No."

"C'mon Luci." Gabriel said imploringly. "What's so good here that you would miss out on reuniting with your family?"

"Um, a lot of things actually." Lucifer set aside his scotch and ticked off with his fingers.

"Sex, drugs, no Dad, and sex. Does that answer your question?"

Gabriel looked affronted. "You can't possibly mean that."

"Why not? I've always hated having Dad on my back and now that I don't, I'm happy." Lucifer took a victory sip of his scotch.

Gabriel sighed and glanced around. "Well, if you change your mind or want to talk..."

"Doubtful." Lucifer countered.

"...then I'll be around. You know how to contact me."

There was a rush of wind and Gabriel spread his wings. They were a tawny gold with flecks of white near the tips.

Lucifer bristled at the sight of his brother with his wings and police uniform. In splits of seconds, he was gone.

...

Chloe Decker rushed into the front lobby of the LAPD. Her alarm had gone off unusually late and she had a horrible time rushing Trixie to school, all combined making it a hellish morning.

She collapsed into her desk blowing a strand of loose hair from her eyes.

"Alarm fail?" Daniel Espanoza grinned, knowingly, as he perched on the side of his ex's desk.

"Yep. What did I miss?" Chloe asked, indicating the group of uniformed cops that crowded a single corner of the room.

"Gossip. Apparently George Cluney, one of the uniforms, got car-jacked." Daniel chuckled.

Chloe's eyes widened. "That's terrible! Poor guy...where they able to trace the car?"

Daniel nodded. "Yep, to a certain someone's parking lot at LU--".

"Morning everyone!" A voice rang through the hall making heads turn. Lucifer strutted to the desk in his usual three spice suit attire.

"What'd I miss?"

Daniel shrugged at Chloe.

"Oh, ummm, not much. What's up with you?" She asked.

"Well for starters my brother is in town. Another brother, not Amenadiel. He wants me to return to Heaven, probably to kiss my father's shoes, but I said nay." Lucifer smiled, obviously pleased with himself.

"Oh, okay..." Chloe shrugged back at Daniel.

"So, what's new for news?" Lucifer picked up one of Chloe's files and began flipping carelessly through the papers. "Any more gruesome crimes that need solving?"

As Chloe reached for the file, the doors to the LAPD swung open. A young man with blond hair entered wearing a clean uniform and a charming smile. An aura of bright light surrounded him streaming from the windows behind giving him the appearance of glowing.

As people, including Chloe and Dan, turned to stare Lucifer muttered: "Show-off."

"Does anyone here know where I can find George Cluney?" The man announced.

There was a scuffling of shoes and the wide officer from the donut shop stepped forward. At the sight of the "glowing" cop, his eyes widened. "You!"

"Me." Gabriel stated calmly, before approaching.

"Since you obviously seem to recognize me then I assume you must also remember our, ah, previous meeting. No worries, I had that police cruiser of yours well taken care of. It's in the lot outside--I hope you don't mind I had it washed. I didn't know if you preferred vanilla or new car smell so I went for both."

Gabriel pulled a set of keys from his pocket and placed it into the palm of the now gaping officer.

"Well go on! Nobody is going to write you an invitation."

George picked up speed, quickly departing for the garage.

Satisfied, Gabriel turned on his heel and quickly spotted Lucifer sitting with Chloe and Dan. He immediately walked over.

"Detective Decker, I presume?" Gabriel held out a hand. "Gabriel Church. I hear you're the person to talk to when you're new on the force. I transferred last week."

"Oh, where did you transfer from?" Chloe asked, curious.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Gabriel smiled.

Dan also extended a hand. "Daniel Espanoza. Nice to meet you, Gabe."

Gabriel shook, yet his smile faded. "Gabriel, not Gabe. Only my family calls me that."

Daniel put his hands up in an apologetic shrug and made a point of backing away.

Lucifer leaned in. "What the blazes are you doing here?" He hissed.

"I'm working." Gabriel hissed back, tapping his badge. "In case you missed the memo, I'm officially a member of the LAPD. What are you doing here?"

"He's my consultant." Chloe interjected, glancing between the two immortals. "Do you two know each other?"

"No!"

"Yes."

Both men spoke at once, stopped, and stared.

Chloe crossed her arms and turned to her partner. "Lucifer?"

"Yes, alright, we know each other." Lucifer grumbled, shooting daggers at his sibling. "Happy?"

Gabriel took up a file and flipped through its pages.

"Hey, what gives?" Chloe turned to him, slightly miffed that an officer below her rank would take things from her desk without permission.

"There's been a murder at the pier. Could be worth your while, Detective." Gabriel handed back the file, flashing her a dazzling smile.

"Oh...sure." Chloe took a peek at the file. "We should head over there. Now."

"Agreed." Lucifer said, giving a smug look at his brother. "Shall we, detective?"

As the two marched away, a voice called: "Can I come too?"

They turned back.

"Sorry, may I come too?" Gabriel corrected himself.

"You?" Lucifer scoffed. "Don't you have something better to--"

"Sure." Chloe said.

"What!?" Lucifer squawked.

"Wonderful." Gabriel grinned and caught up with them. "Shall we?"

Chapter Text

The crime scene on the pier was surrounded by yellow caution tape to keep civilians out while uniformed officers patrolled the area.

Ella Lopez was already flashing photos of the body when the group arrived.

"Heya Decker; Luci. Who's the newbie?" She asked, momentarily turning away from her gruesome work.

"Ella, this is Gabriel Church. He's new to the LAPD." Chloe introduced the two.

Gabriel reached down to were Ella was kneeling and shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Ella. And please, no jokes about my name--I've heard plenty of them."

Ella grinned. "No sweat, newbie. I've got you covered." She repositioned her camera and flashed a photo of him.

As Gabriel blinked away the spots in his vision, he mused to himself: 'I've got you covered.'

"So, Ella, what do we have on the vic?" Chloe bent down next to the shorter woman.

"Female victim. ID dubs her Ellen Fairchild. Shot clean through the chest. Rest in peace, Ellen." Ella glanced down sorrowfully at the corpse.

"She'll probably receive her just reward, assuming she lived a good life." Gabriel spoke, mostly to himself.

Ella stood up. "I know, right? So many people don't believe in that stuff, but I think it's so interesting!"

Gabriel turned to her. "What else do we know about the victim?"

"Ah, she was killed a few hours ago, so that would make it around three in the morning when she was shot." Ella confirmed.

"Three in the morning? Doesn't sound like open pier hours. Was she meeting with someone?"

"Can't tell for sure. There's a security camera over yonder, but it doesn't cover this area of the dock." Dan supplied.

"Lucifer, what do you think?" Chloe turned to the empty space behind her.

"Lucifer?"

She heard laughter and turned to spot her partner chatting with a very tan and very busty lifeguard. She sighed and rubbed her forehead.

Gabriel looked over to where she was staring and frowned. "Does he normally do this?"

"Without fail." Chloe muttered.

Lucifer was making air movements in front of his chest, cupping his hands and speaking enthusiastically. Gabriel huffed and marched over.

"Luci, your partner is waiting." Gabriel took his hand to the devil's shoulder.

"Ah, not now brother. I'm just in the middle of a discussion with this lovely woman, Carol." Lucifer grinned broadly at the guard.

"I can see that. And so can Chloe." Gabriel gestured to the dock where Chloe was pacing and watching out of the corner of her vision.

"Oh alright. Sorry, Carol, my killjoy of a brother has come to deliver me from evil. See you tonight?"

"Tonight." The bubbly lifeguard cooed, letting her generous cleavage bob shamefully in front of him.

"Good girl." Lucifer allowed himself to be led back towards the crime scene.

"Did you learn anything useful?" Chloe asked.

"Oh, plenty. But the most interested part was when Carol mentioned seeing a man in a black jacket enter the docks after hours. She thinks he was waiting for someone." Lucifer supplied.

"Alright, if we assume this is our guy, then he was waiting for our victim. Why?"

"LNS?" Lucifer suggested.

When this was met with raised eyebrows and confused stares, he sighed and said:

"Late Night Sex?"

Everyone huffed.

Gabriel pointed to the gaping hole in the girl's chest. "What kind of lover--even a part-time one--would go through the trouble to buy a silencer for his gun? This was an assassination and a clever one at that."

Chloe nodded, approvingly. "Right, which is why we need to get this body to the morgue. Ella?"

"On it!" The raven-haired girl snapped to attention.

Lucifer turned to him, annoyed. "Stop stealing my thunder."

"I'm not stealing atmospheric sound waves from anyone, Luci." Gabriel muttered back.

Lucifer was about to retort, when instead he smiled. "Gabe?"

"Hmm?" Gabe watched as the corpse as it was moved into a bag into the awaiting ambulance.

"I think I know how we can solve our little dilemma." Lucifer was grinning. "A little talk with my good friend, Linda."

"What are you talking about? Who?" Gabriel turned.

"Trust me, you two will get along swimmingly!" Lucifer spun his brother around and pushed him from behind away from the docks.

...

Doctor Linda Martin was half-surprised and thoroughly annoyed to find the devil sitting on her couch without an appointment and with a stranger she didn't recognize.

"I didn't relieve we had a talk scheduled, Lucifer. Who is this?"

"Gabriel. Pleasure to meet you Dr. Martin; Luci here has been praising you quite nicely for past half hour." Gabriel extended a hand, but Linda was too shocked to respond.

"She's processing things. Give her a moment." Lucifer advised to his brother.

"The angel Gabriel?" Linda spoke.

"Yes." Gabe answered.

"The whole "Be not afraid, for I bring you good news," Gabriel?"

"That's me." His smile did not falter.

She reached over and shook his hand. "I had to memorize that line for a church play. I was chosen to be you."

"You poor thing!" Lucifer exclaimed. "Did they make you wear a bathrobe with tinfoil wings and a halo?"

"Yes." Linda admitted.

"Well I'm sure you did an excellent job." Gabe discreetly elbowed the devil for his earlier comment.

"You are a therapist?"

"Yes. I listen to people and I give them advice." She confirmed.

"Lovely, well I was hoping you could convince him to leave Los Angeles, or rather Earth in general." Lucifer said.

"Oh?" She looked between the two. "Why is that?"

"Because I want him to return to Heaven, but he won't even give me a chance." Gabe interjected.

"Return to Heaven?" Linda settled into her chair. "Would your Father allow that?"

"Probably not." Lucifer admitted.

"You don't know that! Father is known for giving second chances. If you would just repent and see--"

"He doesn't care about me, Gabe." Lucifer cut him off. "And I don't believe he would want me back, anyway."

"Why do you think that?" Linda asked.

"Because I rebelled against him! Because I defied him! Father doesn't take kindly to mutineers and I'm the poster-child example!"

"Luci, if you would just--" Gabriel implored.

"No, Gabe. I'm not going back for forgiveness."

"Then don't." Gabe said, quietly. "Go back for your family."

Lucifer stood up. "Sorry for wasting your time, doctor. As you can see, my brother is hopeless."

He stalked out of the room, letting the door slam carelessly behind him.

"I'm so sorry about that." Gabriel sighed.

"Don't be. I've been his therapist long enough to know that he can be...difficult."

"Don't I know it." He scoffed.

Linda tilted her head. "Tell me about yourself, Gabriel. You are Lucifer's older brother, correct?"

"Not exactly. You see, we're twins."

At Linda's surprise, he quickly explained. "Not identical, obviously. We were created at the same time. The archangels are a special type of angel and we were built...differently from the others."

"How so?" Linda asked.

Gabriel sighed. "We were among the first to be born. Amenadiel was the first angel, but Micheal was the first archangel and then there was us. Archangels were created to handle both humans and angels alike in our Father's name. We each represented an aspect of our creator."

"Such as?" Linda probed.

"Micheal was His judgement, His will. Raphael was His forgiveness. I am His messenger, His Word. And Lucifer..."

"His wrath." Linda supplied.

"Yes." Gabe craned his neck to look out the window. "Wrath."

Linda sighed. "And you want him to return home?"

Gabriel leaned in. "Tell me doctor, what do you know about Lucifer's rebellion?"

"Well...Lucifer led the angels who were against God into battle against Heaven, right? And they almost won."

"Not almost," Gabe corrected. "It was an even fight."

"But then they started to lose. And an archangel--Micheal, right?--casted Lucifer out of Heaven."

"Yes. Do you know how?" Gabriel asked.

Linda racked her brain. "Well, in combat right? Micheal is almost always depicted with a spear...did he use that?"

"Yes, but not before I battled Lucifer myself."

Linda stared. "You...?"

"Fought my own twin? Yes, and I can't say that I am proud of it. There was something about the whole ordeal that just...tore me apart at the seams."

"Fights between family members tend to do that."

"When I fought against Lucifer--known as Samael back then--I couldn't do it. Strike the final blow, that is. Micheal had to sweep in and finish the job. And as I watched, when Lucifer finally fell, there was something in his eyes that just...continued to haunt me."

"What did you see?"

"Hurt, anger--at Michael no doubt, but definitely hurt. Like he hadn't expected us to go through with it. I couldn't go through with it."

"As a messenger, you are more likely to try and find peaceful solutions to problems. You don't immediately turn to violence." Linda guessed.

"But I am an Archangel! We are supposed to do our Father's bidding! And I failed Him and Lucifer."

"What did you expect? You felt torn, confused. That is natural."

"For a human, maybe."

She raised a brow, and Gabriel bit his lip. "I'm sorry. That...that was uncouth of me to say."

Linda smiled. "You know Gabriel, out of all the angels I've met, you and Lucifer are the most human I've seen thus far."

Gabriel smiled, before his brow wrinkled in confusion. "Other angels? Who?"

"Well, Amenadiel. And I've heard about Uriel..."

"Uriel?" Gabe leaned in. "What have you heard? Is he alright?"

"He's dead, Gabe."

Gabriel froze. "Dead?"

"He stole Azrael's blade. You know how that works."

"So...he's not coming back?" Gabriel sank into the cushions of the couch.

"I'm so sorry." Linda said.

"When he didn't return to Heaven, I suspected something was wrong." Gabriel swallowed. "Maybe if I had followed him, I could have stopped him; he'd still be alive and..."

"Gabe, there is no reward for bemoaning the past. There was nothing you could have done."

"I keep hearing that and I hate it every time." Gabe clenched his fists, staring down into his lap.

Linda reached out and took his hand. "If you'd like, I can fill you into my schedule."

"I don't have much to pay you with." Gabriel admitted.

"Don't worry--I'll add it to Lucifer's fees." Linda offered him a small smile.

"Thank you for telling me...about Uriel, I mean."

"You deserved to know. You're his brother, after all."

"Yes, but now I've got to take care of the ones that are still alive." He rose from the couch.

"Thank you, doctor."

"Call me Linda." She said.

"Thank you, Linda." Gabriel straightened and headed out the door.

Chapter Text

The sky flashed with lightning. The air around was filled with the sound of many wings flapping together in harmony and the screams of the fallen.

Gabriel beat his own wings furiously, attempting to remain airborne with the heavy, golden armor he bore.

More lightning flashed, blinding his vision.

He could hear his family fighting, suffering.

He gripped his spear tightly and surveyed the battlefield.

A sudden force from behind caused him to gasp, as he was hurled forward against his will. He turned in time to see an enemy angel bearing down on him with murderous intent, a large blade in his hand.

Gabriel flicked his wrist and quickly disarmed his opponent, using the butt of his spear to knock him out.

The angel's eyes rolled back into his head, as he lost consciousness and fell.

Panting, Gabriel turned back to the fight surrounding him, blue eyes desperately scanning for a familiar face. When he spotted one, he cried out.

"LUCIFER!"

The face turned, surprised. The rebellious angel scowled and took off, brilliant white wings flapping.

Gabriel followed in pursuit away from the bloodbath below.

He followed his brother through a flurry of clouds, never taking his eyes off the target in front of him. Yet, after speeding through a particularly thick haze, he stopped short.

Lucifer was nowhere to be seen.

A whistling sound filled the air and a blade whizzed past inches from Gabriel's ear.

The messenger turned to see his brother emerging from the mist, carrying a wickedly sharp spear.

"Samael! Brother!" Gabriel's plea died in his throat as he forced to parry a vicious strike.

"Don't do this!"

"Do what, brother? This is our chance to escape Father's tyranny once and for all!"

Lucifer jabbed again, white wings beating the air, vigorously.

"Tyranny?" Gabriel attempted to disarm his sibling, to no avail. "He loved you!"

"LOVED! That's the key word here, brother. He loved me; past tense. But no more!"

A quick slice left a bleeding gash on Gabe's unguarded wrist. Ichor, the golden blood of immortals began to flow from the wound.

"Call off the attack, Samael! There's still time! No one else has to fall!"

Lucifer roared. His wings curled inward, propelling him towards his opponent. The tip of his spear gleamed, menacingly.

WHAM!

Feathers collided and Lucifer spun off course.

Micheal hovered in midair, every inch of him the divine warrior of heaven that he was built to be.

Gabriel would have thanked him, had Lucifer not continue to attack.

Micheal remained calm, parrying each strike with equal precision, returning with his own slices and jabs. His armor gleamed with each flash of lightning, and his spear was a blurr of steel.

Lucifer, to his credit remained determined, but even Gabriel could see that he was tiring fast.

The rebel angel raised his spear and stabbed downward.

Micheal was fast and blocked, holding the spear shaft horizontally to avoid the pointed tip. However, in this defensive position, he could no longer retaliate.

Gabriel watched helplessly as his brothers grappled with each other.

There was Lucifer, forcing his spear, with Micheal barely holding him off.

"Finish him!" Micheal roared, the order directed at Gabriel.

The messenger hesitated. He wasn't made to be a warrior like Micheal was. He fought with words and promises, not blades and strength.

"Hurry! I can't hold--"

Lucifer wrenched his spear aside and struck. Micheal tumbled, momentarily dazed from the blow.

The devil grinned and hoisted his spear upwards, ready to strike.

"NO!" Gabriel clenched his spear and threw.

His aim had been hasty and his throw, weak. Yet the shaft sailed through the air, piercing through a small chink in Lucifer's armor.

"ARGH!" Lucifer halted, his spear point dipping.

Taking advantage, Micheal's spear began to glow with holy power. The warrior flapped his giant bronze wings and threw the weapon.

A blinding light, followed by an earsplitting explosion occurred and Lucifer was thrown back out of the sky--God's domain and Heaven's boundaries.

Gabriel watched in horror as his sibling fell.

Lucifer's back arched, wings still outstretched, hands reaching to grasp anything to slow his fall.

For a second the two angels' eyes met, staring at each other.

Gabriel had a knack for reading faces and what he saw sickened him.

Lucifer's eyes and mouth were open in surprise and anger.

His entire expression screamed: How could you do this to me?

But Gabriel didn't have an answer for that. He could only justify his actions beyond that he was merely defending his sibling. What else could he have done?

Micheal flew to his side, auburn curls flapping in the cold wind.

"Hurry, the battle is far from over," the archangel ordered. He turned and flew off.

Gabriel followed, but not before staring down into the abyss that was Earth. He could still picture Lucifer's pained expression in his mind--and it haunted him.

"Gabriel?"
....

"Gabe...? Gabriel!"

Gabriel snapped to attention, staring across the glass coffee table and into Linda Martin's concerned eyes.

"You okay? You sorta blanked out on me."

"Sorry, you were saying?"

"I was wondering how you have been since our session last week. Have you and Lucifer begun to talk?" Linda asked.

"Talk? I don't believe the occasional jab about that pregnancy announcement I gave to the Virgin Mary counts. He just insults me, all the while hinting that I could always leave and give up."

"And would you? Give up, I mean."

"My dear Linda, if there's one thing my twin and I share in common, it's that we don't like to be told off."

"You two do share more similarities than you think."

Suddenly, the door burst open and a woman in tight leather pants marched into the room.

She was holding two blades that gleamed, even in the dimmed lighting. Demon-forged blades.

Her head swiveled around the room, like a snake looking for a tasty mouse, and her gaze settled on the archangel on the couch. A wicked grin spread across her lovely face.

"Gabriel," she cooed. "Long time no see."

"Not long enough, Mazikeen." Gabriel scowled, getting to his feet.

Maze twirled the blades in her hands, casually.

"I heard you were on earth. Did daddy dearest send you to bother your brother?"

"Which one?" Gabriel raised a hand. When he lowered it, a long dagger appeared in his palm.

"Stay away from Lucifer. And her for that matter!" She pointed at Linda.

"Like I said Doctor..." Gabriel addressed Linda.

"I don't like to be told off."

Chapter Text

Mazikeen lunged, blades flashing with deadly speed. Gabriel hacked away, deflecting the metal.

Another dagger of equal length appeared in his other hand, and he made a defensive X with the blades.

Mazikeen stepped back to admire the weapons.

"I haven't seen those since..."

"The First War." Gabriel finished for her.

"The what war?" Linda asked. She hadn't moved from her chair.

Gabriel cautiously lowered his swords and explained.

"The First War was the war between Heaven and Hell; Angels and Demons. We were constantly at each other's throats."

"We fought against each other." Mazikeen stated proudly, indicating towards Gabe.

Linda stared between the two. "So you two know each other."

"Linda, when angels "die," they return to Heaven to recuperate." Gabe explained.

"To lick their wounds," Maze sneered.

"But when demons die, they just die. No regenerating, no coming back."

"And since Maze is still here..." Linda started.

"Then I killed him." Maze said.

"Multiple times." Gabe sighed.

"But you still came back," Maze twirled her daggers.

"You always loved a good chase..."

...

Gabriel flapped his wings, soaring high above the air. Below him, rocky cliffs and canyon littered the ground--a perfect hiding spot for someone hiding from eyes above.

He was certain she was here. His tracking skills were impeccable, and as a messenger, it was crucial to know where your target was located.

He landed on a cliff's edge, peering down at the rocks below.

From there, he could smell the makings of a campfire; the demoness was likely preparing to feast.

He strapped his spear to his back and tucked in his wings. He wanted to be stealthy when he snuck up on her.

As a respected commander of Hell, Mazikeen's death would prove a solid victory for Heaven. Nevertheless, he had to be quick.

He began his descent on foot down the rocky wall of the canyon. Once his feet touched ground, he let himself drop quietly and regained his footing.

The smell of smoke was stronger here. He was close.

He unstrapped the spear from his back and carefully approached the camp. The demon had chosen her hiding spot well: a small cavern tucked under the peaking cliffside above. Any careless patrol would have missed it, if they hadn't known whom they were looking for.

He paused near the entrance. This was it.

Readying himself, he raised his spear and charged into the cavern. He spotted the campfire, alit and roaring with beautiful red flames which casted an eerie glow on the cave walls. But Maze herself was nowhere to be seen.

Gabriel advanced, eyeing the area around the fire. There was a worn satchel on the ground; some water gourds and dried food could be seen also.

He bent down and reached for it, dumping the remains of the sack onto the floor. Gabriel noticed that there was no weapons, nor any means of communication among the supplies.

He quickly stood up. This was a trap.

A shadow passed behind the archangel and then disappeared out the entrance.

Maze.

Gabriel whirled around and started to run after her. He spotted Maze picking her way down the narrow stone path that lined the canyon walls. He unfurled his wings and flew after her.

"STOP!" He commanded. Maze, of course, paid no heed.

He reached for his spear and threw. It narrowly missed Maze's head, but it did help slow her down as she lost her footing and stumbled.

He swooped down, twin swords appearing in his hands. Now was the time to strike!

Maze swatted the swords away, barely maintaining her balance on the narrow ledge.

Gabriel continued his attack. If he could get close and hit her, or at least cause her to fall, then the kill would follow soon after.

Sensing danger, Mazikeen drew her own blade and knocked aside Gabriel's attack, continuing to run.

Gabriel summoned another spear.

He hovered in midair, taking great aim and threw. The spear hit right where he want it to--the ground underneath Mazikeen's boots.

She stumbled and fell.

"ARGH!" She screamed, clawing for a grip on the sides of the canyon.

Gabriel lunged, blades flashing.

Mazikeen noticed and scowled. Using her demonic strength and agility, she flipped off the cliff wall and summoned her own weapons: two scythes attached to a long winding chain.

In midair, she took aim and threw.

The scythe acted like a hook, ensnaring its metal tip into one of Gabriel's wings. Gabe gasped and tilted to the side. He was not used to carrying so much weight.

Maze threw the other scythe, successfully piercing Gabe's other wing. Struggling to remain airborne, Gabriel propelled himself forward, taking Maze with him.

The demon trailed behind the angel through the air like a banner behind a plane. She gripped the chains, desperately trying to hold on.

Gabriel gritted his teeth and glanced behind him. Mazikeen was regaining her wits, attempting to crawl up the chains towards him.

"Oh no you don't," He muttered.

He swerved violently, and Mazikeen had to duck to avoid being impaled by a jutting landform.

He swerved again, and this time, the demon reached out a leg and kicked, bouncing off the sloping rock. She was tiring, he could tell. But her grit and lust for battle kept her strong.

He had to get rid of her and her blades quickly if he wanted to withstand the fight.

Gabriel soared higher, leaving the canyon far below. Maze gritted her teeth as she was pulled into higher altitude.

With a giant pull, Gabe gripped the chains attached to him and heaved them upward.

Mazekin went flying, defying gravity for a brief moment as she was pulled upward at almost the same height as him.

In that moment, he summoned a spear and threw, aimed right at the demon's chest.

The two beings lost their momentum, plummeting down towards the earth below.

Gabriel struggled to flap his wings, as the strain from the extra weight made his muscles burn. Adrenaline filled him, as he attempted to remain upright.

Suddenly, two arms wrapped around his neck, and he felt another body press up against his own. Mazikeen was holding onto him, pushing him towards the ground.

"Nice try," she whispered.

At least, that's what Gabe thought she said, since his ears were filled with the whistling sound of rushing wind.

He closed his eyes, as the ground rushed up to meet him.

...

"What can I say?" Gabriel shrugged, good-naturedly. "I'm a sucker."

Maze snorted and turned towards Linda.

"You sure you don't need me to kill him?"

"Definitely," Linda nodded.

Maze sighed and turned towards the door.

Before she left, she made an "I'm watching you gesture" with her fingers at Gabe, and slammed the door for emphasis.

Chapter Text

Gabriel lounged back in his chair, gazing at the clouds above.

Like any angel, the nostalgia of Heaven remained firmly in his heart. However, as the Lord's official messenger, he could listen for any news from above, whenever and wherever he was. All he had to do was close his eyes and concentrate...

As it so happened, the obnoxious scraping sound of metal brought him back, as he lazily opened one eye to see Mazikeen settle into the coffee shop chair across from him.

She was disgruntled, he noted, as she placed her palms flat on the table. "You're still here."

It wasn't a question. More like a threat. Then again, anything that came out of Mazikeen's mouth sounded vaguely threatening.

"Yep," Gabe eloquently agreed. "And I'm not leaving either, so back off."

Maze propped up her chin with one hand. "What's your deal? You know that Lucifer won't go with you."

Gabriel shrugged. "Since you're not holding a blade to my neck, I'd say we're making progress."

He reached into his pocket, and Maze jumped to attention.

"Relax, I'm unarmed." He pulled out a slip of paper. "And I got my first paycheck! Wanna help me celebrate?"

Maze scowled and batted the paper from under her nose.

"Amenadiel won't like what you're doing."

"The rehabilitating Lucifer bit, or the part where I'm talking to you in a coffee shop unchaperoned?"

"Both."

Gabe sighed. "You're right. And speaking of Amenadiel, could you keep my plans...how do they say...on the low-down?" He folded the check and tucked it away.

Maze smirked. "You're asking me to keep one of your secrets?"

"Certainly." Gabriel turned serious. "And you will keep it."

Maze tossed her mane of hair. "Don't try your mind games on me. It'll be a waste of your time."

"Maybe, but I don't need my powers to keep your mouth shut, Mazikeen."

He leaned in. "You will do that on your own."

Maze leaned in as well, refusing to be cowed. "And why is that?"

Gabe smiled. "You like torture don't you, Maze? It's what demons live for besides sin."

"Get to the point."

"Like you said, Amenadiel won't appreciate my efforts. The whole affair would ruffle his feathers; Lucifer the disgraced angel, returning to Heaven for forgiveness and who knows? Perhaps Father will go back to loving his original favorite son."

Maze considered this, reclining in her seat.

"And for the grand finale...can you imagine how he'll suffer because of this? The shame, the envy that I accomplished what he could never hope for. And you're right, I probably won't succeed. But picture the pain that your winged ex-boyfriend will endure."

A slow smile spread across Mazikeen's face. She nodded to herself.

"Yes, you like that, don't you?" Gabriel's eyes flashed a starling blue.

Maze stood up. "I won't tell. I'll watch him suffer."

"That's the spirit!" Gabriel waved her off. "Now be a good demon and run back to your master."

Maze didn't register the contempt in his voice. Her glazed eyes were wide open, seeing only what she wanted to see.

Turning on her heel, she marched down the street.

Gabriel let his smile linger on his face, only letting it drop until he was sure she was gone.

Stick to the plan, he reminded himself.

Chapter Text

Maze sauntered down the street, feeling unexplainably cheerful.

For the first time in what felt like centuries, her soul--or lack thereof--felt lighter. At ease.

She couldn't remember who she was talking to earlier or what about, but she didn't care.

All she had to do was keep quiet about something.

A low wolf-whistle sounded through the air and Maze smirked in its general direction.

Turning a corner head held high, the feeling dimmed when she bumped into something solid.

"Hey watch where you--" She glanced up. "Amenadiel."

"Mazikeen," the angel acknowledged.

She stepped back, her euphoria replaced by disdain. "What are you doing here?"

"Maze, I wanted to apologize."

"For what? Stealing my best friend? Lying to me? Apology not accepted."

She turned up her nose and made a move to walk around him.

He shifted to the side, effectively blocking her way. "I mean it."

"So do I," she retorted. "You deserve what's coming to you."

Amenadiel winced. "Maze, that was a long time ago. Linda and I aren't together anymore. Besides, you dumped me first!"

"So? I thought you'd come back." Her eyes scanned him, dipping lower and lower.

"You always did before..."

Amenadiel sighed. "Can't we at least... forgive and forget?"

She pushed by him, not responding. As she touched his shoulder, Amenadiel felt something.

Something lingered around the demon like a scent or an aura of a differing source. It was the remains of an effect long since worn. The influence of another divinity.

The moment passed, and Maze marched along the street, unfazed.

Amenadiel turned to watch her go and frowned.

...

"Luci?" Gabriel came into the penthouse. "Luci, are you here?"

"He's not." A voice said.

Gabe turned to see a tall blonde woman in a black blazer with matching pumps and a wineglass in hand.

"Here, I mean. He isn't here. Are you looking for him?" She frowned.

"I'm looking for Lucifer, yes. Who are you?"

The blonde opened her mouth to answer when she was interrupted.

"Charlotte?" Lucifer's voice rang out from somewhere in the penthouse. "Charlotte, where are you?"

"In here! There's someone who wants to talk with you."

"Oh, goody! Are they attractive?"

Charlotte turned back to Gabriel, looking him up and down appraisingly.

"Very," She confirmed.

"I'll see them! Just give me a moment..."

Charlotte casted an apologetic look towards Gabriel. "Sorry about that."

"Nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart. I'm glad to hear he's willing to see me." Gabe kept his eyes trained on the corridor where Lucifer's voice had previously been heard.

Charlotte frowned and stepped closer.

"What did you say your name was, again?"

Gabriel turned towards her just as Lucifer emerged from the hallway, dressed in a rather revealing suit.

"Well party on, the devil has arrived! Now let me just...oh, COME ON!!!"

If Lucifer hadn't looked so enraged, Gabe would have chuckled.

The devil turned to Charlotte.

"I thought you said they were attractive." Lucifer hissed.

Charlotte opened her mouth, then though better of it and resorted to making angry air gestures.

"I like the suit. Is it new or was it just waiting in your closet for me?" Gabriel attempted to cool his brother's wrath with a compliment.

Lucifer's faced flushed, but his anger dimmed, slightly.

"Well I'm sorry that he isn't a woman. You didn't specify if the attractive person in question had to have breasts." Charlotte said, miffed.

"It's not that he's a man, it's that he's my brother." Lucifer ripped off the long red tie, leaving a good view of his chest muscles.

Charlottes mouth opened again, this time in a silent O of surprise. "Another one?"

"Yes, yes, Charlotte meet Gabriel. Gabe, Charlotte."

He marched back into the hallway. "And I'm going to change!"

Charlotte stuck out a hand. "Charlotte Richards, defense attorney."

Gabe shook. "Gabriel Church."

"Oh, come on. Was that the best last name you could think of?" Charlotte giggled, taking a sip from her glass.

"What do you mean?" Gabe asked as Lucifer returned (in more covered attire).

"Well, do undercover angels really need such obvious last names? Might as well call yourself Smith or something." Charlotte grinned.

"Luci!" Gabe grabbed the devil's arm and dragged him to the other side of the penthouse.

"What? Ouch! Brother, stop." Lucifer wrenched away. "What was that all about?"

"She knows?!" Gabe inclined his head towards a confused Charlotte.

Lucifer straightened. "Yes."

Gabe gasped, running both hands through his hair. "You told a mortal about the divine? Are you insane!??"

Lucifer raised his hands in a calming gesture.

"Ok, for starters, don't blame me. She was stuck in Hell while Mum paraded around in her empty shell as her. When I convinced her to leave, Charlotte returned. She rightfully desired an explanation afterwards."

"Hold on, Mum? As in our mother? Parading around as some mortal? I don't believe it!"

"Well, start believing. Mum escaped from her prison while Hell was left unattended, and she possessed Charlotte after she was murdered. She then came to Amenadiel and myself for aid and we...took care of her."

"How?" Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest.

"I...may have sent her to another dimension. One where Father couldn't torture or manipulate her."

Gabriel threw his hands in the air, exasperated. "What is it with you describing Father as a torturer and a manipulator?"

"He is, isn't He?"

"No, He isn't!"

"What makes you say that?"

"Because those are the words that everyone uses to describe you!"

Silence followed. Lucifer stepped away.

"Brother..." Hurt flashed across Gabe's face. Realizing his mistake, he reached out towards the devil.

Lucifer batted his hand away and stalked past Charlotte, towards his room.

"He's all yours." Lucifer muttered.

Gabe sighed, watching as the devil departed. The two blondes stood there, awkwardly in the silence.

"He'll come back once he's cooled off." Charlotte reassured.

"Or unleash Hell's wrath upon the earth." Gabriel sighed.

"About that...do you have any advice? Like, about avoiding Hell in general?"

"I believe that is a question better suited for my brother. Seeing as he is...indisposed...maybe you could answer something for me."

Charlotte straightened. "Sure, shoot."

"I'm having a difficult time trying to convince Lucifer to talk with me, as I'm sure you've noticed, and I don't want to force him. What should I do?"

"Well...in cases where I can't convince the judge, I try to convince the jury. Getting them on my sides strengths my argument and sets up a better outcome for my client."

"So, you're saying instead of trying to convince Lucifer, I should try to convince his friends as to show him I'm right and change his mind to consider returning home." Gabriel grinned.

"Umm...that's a little far-fetched..." Charlotte frowned.

"No, no, it's perfect. I can see why he likes you."

Gabe turned and marched towards the door. Before he exited, he called over his shoulder giving the woman a thumbs-up:

"You're good at this! Thanks!"

Chapter Text

"So you don't want to talk about your brother?"

"No, not in the slightest," Lucifer huffed.

The devil sat sulkily on the couch while Dr. Linda stared at him, expectantly.

"Alright. Instead, how about we talk about your game plan?"

"My what?" Lucifer asked taking a sip from his flask.

"Its just that you seem unsure of what to do with Gabriel and...no thank you." Linda declined the offered flask.

"I feel like you need to take a moment to straighten out your thought process."

"What is there to think about, doctor? My brother is determined to see me back to Heaven and I'll respond by spending the next millennia shooing him away." Lucifer took another swig. "Easy enough to picture."

Linda cocked her head to the side.

"But what if you took a moment to think about your brother's plan?"

"Oh, I've thought about it enough. I'm not going back home, Linda."

"And that is 100% your decision to make." Linda agreed.

"However, I want you to consider what Gabriel is trying to accomplish with you."

"Obviously he's gotten delusional over the centuries and conjured up some malarky about bringing me back. As if Father or my other siblings would rejoice at my homecoming." Lucifer pouted.

"Well, clearly he thinks you deserve to return."

"But I don't!"

"Why not?"

Lucifers frustrated hand gestures seemed to invigorate him. "Why do you want to know!?"

"Okay...deep breaths..." Linda calmed him.

Lucifer breathed.

"Lets try something else. You mentioned Gabriel coming up with an idea for your return. Why do you think he's trying to convince you so?"

"Like I said, doctor, he's delusional. Probably thinks I've suffered enough and needs to return to daddy's "loving" arms."

"Don't you think so?"

Lucifer tucked away his flask. "Linda, from what I've heard, I think you and Gabriel both see my life here on Earth as punishment from my Father."

"Isn't it?"

"Well, creating Hell and being blamed for the sins of humanity, yes. But Earth? Why, it's the most fun I've had in ages!" Lucifer smiled.

"So you're saying that being the owner of LUX, a police consultant, and the devil (which everybody thinks is an act, by the way) is what you would call enjoyable?" Linda summarized.

"Why yes, I do believe that's...hang on. That's it!" Lucifer straightened on the couch.

"What's it?" Linda asked.

Lucifer raised a finger. "You said Gabriel believes that my life here--as the devil and everything else I've participated in on Earth--to be a form of punishment, when in reality it's my release. I said he was delusional and then...it just hit me! Father's name, why didn't I realize it sooner?!"

Lucifer got up, a smile forming across his handsome features.

Linda grasped the arms of her chair, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Lucifer scratched his chin, "What's that expression you once used? That grass is, ah, greener on the other side?"

"Yes...." Linda started to worry.

"Well that's it! Gabriel doesn't think that my hobbies here are fun because he's never felt any of it before! He doesn't know what it's like to be me!"

"Lucifer, sit down, please." Linda tried, starting to get up.

"No, no, doctor. I think you've given me another eureka moment. An epiphany! If I can show Gabriel how much I love being on Earth--Los Angeles in particular--then he'll see how I don't feel punished or oppressed and scoot on over back to Heaven feeling like he's done his job as the overprotective twin that he is to me!"

Lucifer grinned his broadest grin yet. "And what better way to show him how I feel, than to make him feel exactly as I do?"

"Lucifer..." Linda was on her feet. "I don't think..."

"Oh, you don't have to do anything, doctor. You just leave the tempting of an archangel to the devil himself!" Lucifer whipped out his cell phone and started texting.

"What are you doing?" Linda reached for the phone.

Lucifer backed out of reach, "Texting Johnny. I have to make an appointment."

"For what?"

"...and I'll need to call the girls over from the club. Get some lust into those blue eyes of his. Oh, and Scotch! I always drink Scotch--he'll like that."

Lucifer was talking mostly to himself than Linda, finger typing erratically on the phone. Somehow, he managed this and to walk out of the office without tripping on the carpeted floor.

Before he closed the door, one hand still typing on the screen, he turned briefly to Linda, flashing one more brilliant smile.

"And, Dr. Martin? Thanks."

Chapter Text

Chloe Decker was late. Again.

For the second time that month, the alarm she had meticulously set had mysteriously failed and she had spent another hapless morning rushing her daughter to school before proceeding to be tardy to her own work.

To make matters worse Cora, Trixie's usual baby-sitter, had called in suddenly cancelling the appointment she and Chloe had arranged weeks before.

The detective huffed as she tossed her phone non too-gently on her desk.

Just. Great.

"Detective Decker! I have that report you wanted on the Fairchild case."

Chloe squinted at the shadow that loomed overhead. Stepping out of the morning haze, Gabriel appeared in her line of vision.

"Oh, thanks, Gabe. You don't have to call me detective every time you show up with a report." She took the file from his hands.

Gabriel looked surprised. "Is it not customary to address a superior as such?"

Chloe shrugged, flipping through the papers. "Yes, but you're my helper. You can just call me Chloe."

Gabriel smiled. "Well alright then, Chloe."

She paused, her mouth pulling down at the corners. "The victim was shot point blank which means she was really close to her killer when he pulled the trigger. Did she know him?"

"Most murders occur between two known parties. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a connection." Gabriel agreed.

Chloe huffed, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Is everything alright, detective?"

"Don't call me detective. It sounds too much like Lucifer than I can deal."

Gabe chuckled and Chloe looked up.

"Sorry. Was there anything else?"

"Only to ask how your day is going." Gabriel replied.

"Not great. I'm way behind on my schedule and I've still yet to find a baby-sitter for Trixie." Chloe admitted.

"Trixie? Is that your child?" Gabe asked, sounding curious.

"Yes. She's eight and way too rebellious for her age," Chloe sighed.

"Sounds delightful," Gabe replied absentmindedly, the cognitive wheels turning in his mind.

"And now that her new baby-sitter canceled on me, I'm not sure what to do..." She placed a hand on her forehead and sighed.

"I could do it."

Chloe looked up. "Hmm?"

"I could do it. With all the siblings I've babysat before, how different could it be?" Gabriel smiled.

"Oh, you don't know Trixie. She's not your average kid..." Chloe started.

"It's no trouble. Really."

Chloe stared. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. Any friend of Lucifer's is a friend of mine." Gabe flashed her a suave grin.

"Alright...does one o'clock sound reasonable?"

///

NONONONONONONO!!!

Gabriel stared in shock at the scene playing in front of him.

Trixie was on the floor, wrestling with her mother who was attempting to inch out the door in outdoor attire. The young dark-haired girl was small, but strong, holding Chloe firmly by the arm.

"Monkey! C'mon, I told you I have to go!" Chloe gritted her teeth, attempting to pry her daughter off.

"NOOOO! I DON'T WANNA NEW BAYBSITTER!"

"Cora couldn't make it! I had to reschedule with someone else." Chloe finally pulled free and stumbled.

Trixie paused. "Who?"

Gabe chose to moment to ring the door bell. He had been watching through a small gap in the curtains.

Chloe flung the door open, hair like a bird's nest.

"Gabe! Thank God!" She reached out and dragged the archangel into the flat.

"Trixie, this is Gabriel. He's going to be watching you till 3 o'clock until Ella comes over from work to take over. I'll come from the meeting tonight around 6."

Chloe looked nervously, her eyes flicking between her coworker and her daughter.

Trixie looked Gabe up and down, critically. "What about Maze?"

"Monkey, Maze also has her own life. I couldn't possibly ask her..."

"What about this guy? Doesn't he have a life?"

Gabe's mouth quirked up slightly.

"He offered to look out for you. Now, normally anyone Lucifer dislikes is a decent person, but since they knew each other..."

"You know Lucifer?" Trixie perked up. "How?"

"We've known each other since childhood," Gabe said.

"Really?" Trixie asked.

"Really?" Chloe echoed.

She then looked at her watch and gasped.

"Crap! Ummm, Gabe, there's food in the fridge. Trixie normally gets a snack around twelve and then lunch at two. No chocolate or surgery junk!"

"Moooom...." Trixie whined, especially at the mention of no chocolate.

"Gotta go!" She bent down and kissed Trixie on her bangs. "Be good, Monkey."

Chole marched determinedly to the door.

She paused, "If you need help, Ms. Randall is the building manager. She lives two flats down the sidewalk." She addressed both Trixie and Gabe.

"I'm sure we'll manage." Gabe nodded. Trixie glared at him.

"Bye!" Chloe shut the door.

Gabriel sighed. Clapping his hands enthusiastically, he started to turn back towards his new charge.

"So, is there anything you'd..."

Gabe found himself talking to an empty room. "...like to do...today?"

He took a tentative step forward. "Trixie?"

Gabe walked out of the foyer into the main living room. "Where are you?"

No response.

"Trixie?" Gabe peered around corners, looking in coat closets and even behind the couch.

"C'mon...monkey. This isn't funny."

He got up from his position near the couch, finally noticing the sex swing hanging from the living room ceiling, contrasting greatly with the rather spartan room.

He frowned. 'Detective Decker certainly has some odd decor.'

He heard a thump which jolted him out of his thoughts. Looking upwards, he strained to hear the noise of tiny footsteps from above.

Recalling that the rental space housed a second floor, he started his way towards the stairs.

"Trixie?" He called a third time. "I'm coming up."

He had barely made it past the kitchen to the first few steps when a pink and black blur shot down the polished staircase into the room.

Trixie was donned in a ruffled pink shirt, which was strange combined with the tough-as-nails leather jacket that was clearly too big; her hair was up in a tight braid.

She was holding a knife.

Not a real one; it was a wooden toy knife with a bulky handle that was longer than the blade, it's tip and edges severely flattened.

With surprising speed, she dashed over to Gabe wielding the toy, stopping only when they were inches apart.

"Stab! Stab! Stab!"

Trixie pounded the harmless tool against Gabe's thigh, enunciating each jab with her words.

After a moment, she tired. Looking up at the taller figure she grinned, sheepishly, turning quickly to flee up the stairs.

After a moment, Gabriel rushed to follow her.

Even with him taking long strides, she made it to the top first, turning to face him.

Moving quickly, she flung the toy at her pursuer, taking the opportunity to run down the rest of the hallway into her room.

The toy sailed lazily through the air, hitting Gabe's shoulder before bouncing harmlessly onto the floor.

He stood frozen there on the staircase, the surprise attack still churning in his mind.

As if on cue, Chloe's voice echoed in his ears: 'You don't know Trixie. She's not your average kid...'

Gabriel sat sullenly on the wooden steps, picking up the fallen toy and studying it.

"You weren't kidding, detective."

Chapter Text

Gabriel walked quietly, not wanting to warn his attacker of his approach. 

Millennia of training, tracking, and combat had him prepared to form an ideal heavenly warrior.

But none of his immortal experiences had prepared him for babysitting Trixie Espanoza Decker. 

Gabe paused with one hand resting on the door knob the other gingerly holding the toy knife.

What should he say?

Should he walk in assertively, accuse the child, scolding her accordingly to fit the crime?

Or should he try a more subdued approach?

'Father give me strength,' Gabe thought. He turned the knob.

The girl was sitting hunched over on her bed legs dangling over the side. She heard him enter and looked up.

She glared. "What do you want?"

He cleared his throat. "For starters, an apology."

Trixie crossed her arms. "Warriors never apologize."

'And patience. Father, definitely give me patience,' Gabe added, mentally.

"Well, in this case you might want to make an exception." Gabe pulled a pink chair from under a child's desk.

"Why?"

"Well..." Gabe sat. The chair was so short that his knees came up to his chest.

"It wasn't very nice."

"That was kinda the point."

He studied her. 'That look...where have I seen it before?'

"Why did you do it?" Gabe tried again.

Trixie faltered. "Because...I was told you weren't very nice."

Gabe held up the wooden toy knife. "Did the person who told you also give you this knife?"

"Yes, she made it for me."

"She?" Gabe studied the knife. It had the faint traces of being whittled by an expert hand and with a very sharp tool by the looks of it.

It also looked very familiar.

'Knife....attack....warrior...'

Gabe straightened. "Mazikeen?"

"You know her, too?" Trixie straightened.

"Yes...I do." Gabe replied, distracted. How had he missed it? The knife was a duller, crude version of the same demon-blades Maze herself sparred with. 

And if she gave it to Trixie then...

"Does Maze usually spend time with you?"

"Yeah--she used to babysit me before Cora."

"Cora?"

"My other babysitter. Before you. I drove her away."

"Why?"

Trixie glared. "None of your business! Weakling!"

"Alright, that's enough!" Gabe got up from his seat. "I will report this to your mother--you should be ashamed of your actions! All the trouble she's gone through to raise you and this is how you thank her!"

Trixie wilted. "Don't do that--please!"

Gabe stared. "Why not?"

She looked at her sneakers. "I was only doing it because I was mad; Mom said I had to make friends other than Maze. Friends that weren't...violent or...ny..nympo..."

"Nymphomaniac?"

"Yeah, I guess." Trixie looked up. "But none of the girls at my school are like me. They like Girl Scouts and swimming. Cheerleading. They bring fruit salads to lunch when I bring cheese sandwiches and chocolate. They..."

Trixie started to tear up, "...they don't like me at all!"

"Woah, hold on there..." Gabe, suddenly uncertain, bent down next to the crying girl.

"It's okay..."

"No!" Trixie whimpered, tears flowing freely. She looked and sounding nothing like the little demon-apprentice from earlier.

"I mean, it's okay to be yourself. Everyone has different opinions and hobbies. Why, all of my siblings specialize in various talents themselves!" Gabriel stated, proudly.

"Yeah...?" Trixie looked up.

"Yes. My brother Castiel loves to sing--he never stops! And my little sister Remiel likes hunting deer. Rafael loves giving medicinal advice, and Lucifer..." Gabe stopped. 

"Well, if you know Maze, I guess you know Lucifer."

"Yeah," Trixie calmed a bit. "What do you do?"

"Me...?" Gabe pondered. "I talk. I was born to give messages. I also listen--to whomever needs it. I like to help my family. Also, I enjoy words."

"Words?" Trixie's brow wrinkled. "Like, big words?"

"The bigger the better!" Gabriel smiled.

"Say the biggest word you know," Trixie demanded.

"Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis," Gabriel answered, immediately. Trixie's mouth dropped.

"At least, that is the biggest word I know of--in the English language."

"What's it mean?"

"It's a type of lung disease one can contract from inhaling volcano particles." Gabe waved, dismissively. 

Trixie perked up. "I've got one!"

"Go ahead." Gabe smiled.

Trixie took in a big breath: "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"

Gabriel raised his eyebrows and grinned. "Nice. I don't believe I've heard it before..."

"It's in Mary Poppins." Trixie explained.

"Marry who?"

"Poppins! Have you..." Trixie gasped. "You've never seen Mary Poppins!?"

Gabe shook his head. "Not that I can recall..."

Trixie grabbed his hand, pulling him determinedly out of the room. "C'mon!"

///

They were sitting on the couch, the archangel and the eight-year old, two pairs of eyes glued to the T.V. screen. 

Mary Poppins had long since arrived to the Bank's household and was currently singing the  famous song she was so renowned for.

"It's Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Even if the meaning is something quite atrocious!" Mary pirouetted on screen. 

"Isn't she awesome?" Trixie tore away her gaze to look at Gabriel.

"She certainly has a lovely vocabulary," Gabe replied, eyes still fixated on the screen.

Trixie sighed. "I wish I had a magical nanny. Then we could sing and dance and have cool picnic parties in alternate dimensions every day!"

Gabriel pondered this. "Speaking of picnics...are you hungry?"

"Yeah. Can I have some chocolate?" Trixie asked.

"You know what your mother said."

"Please....?"

"I'll make you something better," Gabe got up from his seat on the couch and made his way into the kitchen.

Trixie, still seated, turned her attention back to the screen and frowned. "Better than chocolate?"

Gabriel knelt in front of the fridge rummaging through the frozen shelves.

"Carrots...lettuce...kale...Trixie! Would you care for some fruit?" Gabriel called, still nose-deep in produce.

"Nah...can we make smoothies?" Trixie appeared in the kitchen doorway.

"What's a smoothie?" Gabriel looked up at her.

Trixie sighed, drastically. "Seriously, what planet are you from? A smoothie is...well...it's a delicious combination of ice and whatever else you want."

"Ice...and kale?" Gabe held up the vegetable in question.

Trixie's nose wrinkled. "A kale smoothie?"

"Why not?"

Gabe started to pile vegetables and assorted fruits into his arms. With Trixie's help, they loaded the counter with produce.

"What'll you have?" Gabriel asked the little Decker spawn.

Trixie pondered this. She then grabbed a banana, green apples, and some kale (after a look from Gabe). 

Gabriel manned the blender while Trixie cut the food, with a provided butter knife, of course.

Pouring some orange juice they found, plus the telltale ice, the two tossed the rest of the ingredients into the machine and pressed the buttons.

///

"Is it done?" Trixie whined, impatient.

"Finally..." Gabriel turned off the blender and poured the green concoction into two small glasses.

"I think we poured too many ingredients." Gabriel admitted. There was still a large amount of the smoothie left.

"It's okay. Won't be a problem if we drink it all." Trixie said, logically.

"Right. Well..." He raised a glass. "To the first day of babysitting,"

"To the first day of being babysat," Trixie gulped down the smoothie.

Gabriel also took a tentative sip.

Looking at each other for a split second, Trixie spat the green juice into the sink. Gabriel, attempting to retain his crumbling dignity, swallowed the mixture with obvious resistance. 

"It's..." Gabe started.

"Gross?" Trixie asked, a trickle of smoothie on her lip.

"That is a generous assessment, my miniature friend." Gabe gently wiped her face with a napkin.

"It was still cool. I mean, Mom never let me cook in the kitchen before." Trixie smiled.

"And Maze...?"

"Can't cook. Only swears."

They laughed.

"I'm not hungry anymore." Trixie said.

"You sure?"

"Positive. I'll ask the other girls at school for the salad recipe." Trixie smiled.

Putting the cup aside, the girl reached out and hugged Gabriel around the waist. 

"Thank you."

Chapter Text

"Oh, man, Decker is gonna kill me!" Ella Lopez jumped out of her car and raced down the parking complex staircase.

"I'll be the judge of that. Killing you, I mean." Azrael, the Angel of Death, followed leisurely.

"Which Decker, by the way: Chloe or Trixie?"

"BOTH! Aww, geez!" Ella skidded around a corner, turning in the direction of the apartment complex.

"Why?" Azrael floated as if riding an invisible breeze. Ella didn't notice, but the shorter-haired girl's sneakers never touched the concrete sidewalk.

"Because...because...argh! Just DON'T make me look crazy in front of Gabe!" Ella slowed her pace to a jog, skimming the doors for the right flat.

"Gabe? The new guy on the team?" Azrael leaned in, conspiratorially. 

"Is he hot?"

"To me he is! Decker Sr. won't judge; she's only got eyes for Lucifer. But since he and Gabe were---oh! Here it is!"

She stopped, abruptly, smoothing down her wild hair.

"You'll be fine." Azrael reassured.

"Yeah? Got any advice from the Great Beyond?" Ella paused, turning to her "ghost" friend.

"Mhmm...be yourself?" Azrael shrugged.

Ella rolled her eyes. "Here goes..."

She opened the door in a flourish, "HELLO!"

"Yellow, please." A voice said.

Ella paused. "What now?"

"Mhmm. Not the color I would have chosen." A male voice replied.

"Doesn't matter--it's the rules. Give me a yellow card."

*Sigh* "If you insist, urchin."

"Lucifer?" Ella rounded a corner into the kitchenette. "Are you here?"

Trixie and Gabe looked up from the table they were seated at. Clutched in their hands were brightly colored UNO cards.

"Hi, Ella!" Trixie waved her cards in a greeting.

"Hmm...can I put something else down?" Gabe frowned, still focused on his hand.

"Dude! You have, like, so many cards! How do you not have a single yellow!?" Trixie raised a brow.

"Trust me, monkey, I've been asking myself that for the past half-hour." Gabriel shuffled through his enormous stack of playing cards.

"Um, hi! Hello!" Ella waved, stepping closer. "I'm here for the evening shift? For Trixie?"

Gabriel looked up. "Ah! You must be Ms. Lopez."

"Yep. We met at the crime scene--remember?" 

"Ah. Dead girl on the pier?"

"Affirmative." Ella flashed him a thumbs up. "Thanks for watching her."

"Hm? Oh! It was nothing," Gabe got up, rustling Trixie's hair with affection. 

"Seriously? No tantrums or demands for chocolate?"

"No and yes. I'd say from my perspective that we had an agreeable evening." Gabriel smiled.

"Yeah, Gabe's awesome! We watched Mary Poppins and talked about words and made smoothies..." Trixie beamed.

"You had me at smoothies," Ella's brow raised, sassily. "Saved some for me, I hope?"

"Mmph-- yep. This stuff is the bomb." Azrael chose that moment to come in spooning green smoothie from a cup.

Ella jumped.

"You okay, El?" Trixie looked concerned.

"Uh, yeah! Totally fine!" Ella casually snuck a glance over her shoulder, glaring at her invisible friend.

"You sure?" Gabriel looked past her. "You seem..."

He froze, suddenly. Reaching up he nervously adjusted the black-rimmed glasses on his face.

"Sorry, you were saying...?" Ella looked back at him.

"Distracted." Gabriel composed himself. "You seem distracted."

"Trixie, why don't you show Ella here how we made our smoothie in the kitchen?"

"Yeah! Oh, you're going to love this!" Trixie dashed over and dragged Ella into the kitchen.

While both of their backs were turned, Gabriel made eye contact with the other angel.

'Can they see you?' Gabe mouthed.

Azrael grinned and shook her head. 'Nope.'

They stood there in silence for a moment.

'Good to see you again, big bro.' Azrael whispered.

Gabriel nodded and smiled, fondly. 'You too, little sis.'

Trixie poked her head in. "Hey, you coming?"

Gabriel took off his glasses and made a show of wiping them. "Just cleaning. I'm there."

Ella had poured herself a glass of the remaining concoction while leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Mmm, what are these little chunks in it?" Ella crunched.

"Green apples." Gabe admitted.

"Huh. Guess she likes it." Trixie shrugged.

"So...Gabriel, how'd you end up in Los Angeles?" Ella asked.

"One could say that I felt a pull towards this city. It attracted me." 

"Just the city attracted you?" Ella licked smoothie off her lips. "Or someone else?"

Gabriel studied her for a second then blushed. "I--I'm not sure..."

"Oh, c'mon!" Ella suddenly slammed the cup violently on the counter.

"You can say it! I'm totally cool with that sort of thing!"

"What?" Gabriel said, confused.

"You're here for Lucifer--admit it!"

Gabriel tapped Trixie on the shoulder. "Monkey...go pick up the UNO cards."

"But..."

"Now."

Trixie left, reluctantly.

Gabriel turned to Ella, his expression solemn. "How did you know?"

"Duh...the two of you were like...I don't know...magnetic. The hottest guys in the room. It was easy to see the connection." Ella picked up her smoothie again.

Gabriel pushed his glasses up higher. "So you know that we're meeting after work."

"Yep. Don't think the others figured it out, but I am not the others." The forensic scientist smirked, doing a little victory dance with her shoulders.

Gabriel sighed. "I guess it was only a matter of time before someone figured out we were brothers."

Ella choked on her smoothie.

As she was coughing, Gabriel marched over and delivered firm pats to her backside to ease the agitated liquid in her throat.

"L-Lucifer...is your brother?" Ella gasped.

"Well, yes. You find that surprising?" Gabe asked.

"Well...no. It's just that Lucifer...and you..." She snorted suddenly, pulling her sleeve up to her mouth to cover her giggles.

After she calmed, she straightened and said: "It's just that...I though the two of you were dating."

Gabriel's baby blue eyes widened and settled.

He sighed while shooting a quick glare at the ceiling while Azrael snickered loudly in the other room.

"I didn't mean any offense! It's just...you two didn't look related and Luci was always hanging around you and...well...you guys bicker like a couple." Ella shrugged, apologetic.

"I suppose I can imagine my brother "hanging out," as you put it, with other men." Gabe muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Though I cannot imagine any differences between regular bickering and couples' bickering."

"There's no difference at all," Ella promised.

///

"Bye Gabriel!' Ella waved.

"Come back later, please!" Trixie called, after giving him one last hug.

"What am I, chopped liver?" Ella deadpanned, closing the door behind them.

Gabriel chuckled, shaking his head as he walked down the complex sidewalk towards the gate.

He had only made it a few steps outside when a sleek, first-generation Chevrolet Corvette rolled up to the curb.

"Hel-lo brother!" The devil called, cheerily.

"Lucifer!" Gabriel stopped. "You're in a surprisingly good mood today."

"How can I not be, what meeting my favorite sibling while I'm coincidentally out cruising the streets? Here, hop in." Lucifer patted the Corvette, affectionately. 

'Favorite sibling?' Gabe's mind echoed.

"What's the catch?"

Lucifer sighed. "So mistrustful. If you must know, this is my version of a peace offering for my beastly behavior in front of Charlotte; so if you'd kindly get in the bloody car..."

"A peace offering?" Gabriel walked to the passenger door and climbed in. "I suppose it would be rude to decline."

"That's the sprit!" Lucifer revved the engine. 

"Be mindful of the speed--limit!" Gabriel yelped as the car lurched frightfully and the two celestials zoomed into the night.

Chapter Text

"So how's your day been? Anything the Devil can do to spruce up your stay in Los Angeles?" Lucifer grinned.

Horns beeped vengefully as the Corvette zoomed through the streets.

"Just drop me off at the next corner. My place doesn't allow parking." Gabriel tightened his seatbelt.

"Oh, stop clinging to the side door--you're immortal, brother, remember?" The Devil suddenly made the Corvette do a violent swerve, running clean over the sidewalk corner.

Gabriel was instantly smushed against the window. "Around you, I sometimes forget."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Lucifer--mercifully--took his foot off the gas and halted the vehicle in front of a lovely hotel complete with spacious balconies and swaying palm trees.

Gabe quickly undid his seatbelt. "Thanks for the ride."

"We should do it again. I'd love to teach you how." Lucifer beamed.

"Mmm...no." Gabriel got out.

When he walked past the hotel, Lucifer stood up, surprised, in the Corvette.

"Um, brother?" He gestured to the grand building. "It's that way."

Gabriel glanced up. "I know. I'm not staying there."

Lucifer got out and walked over. "But...where then?"

Gabriel motioned for him to follow. Turning a corner, he pointed the Devil across the street.

"That's where I am."

In a horrible contrast from the luxurious hotels and shopping centers were a series of dirty, run-down apartments lined with boarded-up or downright missing windows. A woman's voice screamed something unintelligible, and the harsh sounds of dogs barking and screeching car alarms were audible even across the noisy street.

"This...this is horrendous. Hell's bells, Father sent you here of all places?" Lucifer was speechless.

"Good-night, Lucifer." Embarrassed, Gabriel crossed the street without so much as a backwards glance at his brother.

///

Gabriel arrived early at the precinct and, to his dismay, so did his paperwork.

With a huff, he settled into the seat behind the desk. He took one of the papers from the tall stack and skimmed the contents--it was a post-transfer form. 

What is your name?

He quickly filled in: Gabriel Church.

Where did you transfer from?

He thought about this for a moment before writing: The Silver City.

Where/when were you born?

He frowned. The questions were leaving less and less room for the truth.

Gabe copied the previous answer, purposely leaving out the "when" part of the question. It wouldn't do, he told himself, if he aroused suspicion among the humans this far into his mission.

Do you have any family in the area?

Gabriel set the pen down and pulled out another form--this one required to fill for previous cases he had "participated in" over the years. 

Hunching over the desk, he busied himself by filling in the blanks with silly, false information. His writing hand quickly became stiff with cramps and the words started blurring into a long, malformed sentence.

How he wished he could take dictation instead! He had the Gift from God to talk for hours, centuries if need be!

"Hey," a voice called somewhere in the distance.

Gabe didn't look up.

"Hey, Gabriel."

Annoyed, the celestial's eyes slowly focused upward.

Daniel Espanoza was standing over his desk, case file in hand. "Got a moment?"

"Sure," Gabe forced a fake smile, clicking the pen shut. "What can I do for you, Detective?"

Dan looked at the paper-littered desk. "You've been busy, huh?"

"Erm, yes. In fact, if there isn't anything else, I'd rather get back to it..." Gabriel pushed, already bored of Daniel's presence.

"Yeah, listen. I wanted to say thanks. For Chloe. Watching Trixie last-minute really took off a load for her." Dan said.

"...you're welcome." Gabe drummed his fingers, impatient.

Dan extended the file he was holding. "Got the autopsy from Ella. Thought you'd want to see for yourself."

Gabe accepted the file, hunching over once again.

There was an award silence, albeit for the sounds of paper turning from Gabriel.

"So...I was talking with Ella." Dan scratched his neck.

"Mhm..." Gabe didn't acknowledge the man.

"You and Lucifer. Brothers? I mean, what the hell." Dan chuckled.

Gabriel looked up again, blue eyes suddenly alert. "She told you?"

"More like she told the whole precinct. Chloe didn't believe it at first, but then she said it made sense." Dan exclaimed, painfully oblivious to Gabriel's growing animosity.

Dan suddenly bent down, looking him in the eye not unkindly. "Personally, I don't the resemblance."

Something snapped and Gabriel forcefully slammed the file on the desk which made Dan jump.

"Sorry." Gabriel made himself calm. "This is a lot to process."

 "Gotcha. If I were related to Lucifer, I wouldn't want to admit it either."

Gabriel re-opened the file. "This Fairchild girl, she was a...mule?"

"For the cartel. Had the drug packets in her stomach and everything." Dan sighed. "Poor kid."

Gabriel plucked a photo and handed it to him. "And this mark on her arm. What does it mean?"

Dan studied it. "Looks like a gang brand. Los Exos."

"When can we talk to them?"

Daniel laughed. "Uh, never? They don't talk to cops. They'd shoot themselves first."

Gabe hummed. "They're our only lead."

Daniel held up a finger. "Not quite. There's a known pick-up point for the Exos at the abandoned gymnasium on Beach Road. Maybe her handler is still there."

"Wouldn't he suspect something was amiss?" Gabriel closed the file.

"Nah. Mules come and go. From what I hear, they could go missing for weeks before the cartel would care."

"About the girl?"

"About their drugs." Dan said, disgust written on his face.

Gabriel got up. "Let's talk to this handler."

///

Hidden behind the corner of an alleyway, the Detective and the Archangel peered across the street at the rotting remains of the gymnasium. A car was visibly parked on the side.

"He's in there." Gabriel confirmed. "I'll go through the front, and you catch him from behind."

Dan turned, annoyed. "Hey, I'm your superior! What I say goes."

He turned away and studied the building for a moment. After a beat: "I'll go through the front and you catch him from behind."

"Splendid! Any advice on how?" Gabe brightened, eager for some action.

Dan was confused, "What do you mean how?"

"Well, how does my br--I mean, Lucifer deal with bad guys?"

"Usually he waltzes in with his three-piece suit, roughs the perp up a bit, tells a few lame puns and leaves the rest for the LAPD to clean up." Dan growled, jaw clenched.

Gabe shrugged. "Not my style, but I'll think of something."

Dan scoffed, shaking his head and leaning further out of the alley.

"Ok, on my signal, we march in and nab him. One..."

Dan turned around and realized he was alone in the alleyway. 

"Dammit!" He started to run.

///

Gabriel whistled while he walked hands in pockets into the gym. He found himself in a large room with a high ceiling littered with weights, dumbbells, and other abandoned fitness equipment and rusting machines.

A shady-looking man was leaning against one of said machines smoking what looked like pot.

He dropped his roll and staggered when he noticed Gabriel in his police uniform.

"Shit, you cops!" The crook fumbled for his gun.

"Take your time! I'm still thinking about my method of bad-guy busting..." Gabe called, good-naturedly. 

Shaking, the crook wasted no time loading and pointing the weapon at Gabe's chest.

"How many more of you are there?" The crook's voice echoed in the building.

"Ah! That reminds me." Gabe walked over to the front doors. He picked up a metal dumbbell and, with inhuman strength, looped it like Play-Doh around the handles.

When he noticed the confused look the man was giving him, he said "Oh, don't worry! I'm just delaying my Detective for a bit." 

On cue, the doors shook as the warped metal held them shut. Dan's voice issued a loud curse from the other side.

"Now..." Gabe turned, a devious smile spreading across his features. "To deal with the bad guy."

"Stay back! I--I'll shoot!" The crook yelled, waving the gun.

"Oh please!" Gabriel spread his arms. "Fire away!"

BANG! BANG!

Two holes appeared in Gabe's uniform yet no blood seeped from the "wounds."

"What...what the hell?" The man gasped.

"Wrong address." Gabe popped the bones in his neck, casually. "My turn."

With supernatural speed, the archangel's feet barely touched the ground when he rammed into the crook's chest, sending him flying.

"Argh!" The crook sailed through the air before landing painfully in a pasture of dumbbells.

"Huh...I should get rough more often!" Gabriel mused to himself.

He marched over, picking the crook up by the front of his shirt. "Feel like confessing yet?"

The crook growled.

With an effortless shrug, the archangel threw him again. This time, the crook crashed into a pile of folded-up exercise mats.

"You're gonna need to be more flexible than that!" Gabriel called, cheerfully.

An audible groan emitted from the crushed perp. 

"You're right. Maybe I'll hold off on the puns." Gabriel sighed.

He swatted away the mats, flipping the man onto his backside.

"Now tell me about Ellen Fairchild, or I'll consider resorting to more devilish tactics." 

"Wha--don't tell me you're that Lucifer guy! The one who works for the cops?" The crook paled.

"You know Lucifer too?" Gabe frowned. 

"Well, he hospitalized my cousin. Freaked him out with some magic mojo and shit." The crook admitted, shakily.

"I'm sorry..." Gabriel stopped himself and shook the feeling of pity away.

"No...no I'm NOT sorry!"

He hoisted the criminal into the air, letting the man dangle pitifully from his grip.

"You are an outlaw: a despicable creation of my Father's who holds no remorse for crimes against his own kind. Why should I bother with compassion when you yourself lack the same emotion?"

Gabriel brought his face close to the other man's.

"Please..." The crook whimpered. "I'll do anything! Just don't hurt me!"

Gabriel's expression soured. "Pathetic worm. Like I'd bother."

He dumped the man, who yelped when he collided with the gym floor.

Gabe knelt. "Now, the Detective will be here in thirty seconds. You will tell him everything you know abut Ellen Fairchild and be totally compliant in the process." Blue eyes flashed.

The crook relaxed, suddenly. "Fairchild...totally compliant."

"Yes, sound good?" 

The gym door busted open and Dan stumbled into the gymnasium.

He quickly spotted Gabe and the crook, marching over with an expression of something fierce.

"Man, WHAT THE HELL!? Didn't you hear me calling?" Dan emphasized with an angry thumb jerked towards the entrance.

"Sorry, Detective, but while you were idling about, I was busy with catching the bad guy. Like Lucifer." Gabriel smiled, waving with one hand with flourish at the criminal who was kneeling placidly on the floor.

Dan paused, studying the perp. "Yeah...what's that about?"

The crook--who was staring into blank space--snapped to at the sound of Dan's voice. "You're the detective?"

Dan looked at Gabe, then back at the drug handler. "Yes...?"

The crook brightened. "I'l be totally compliant about the Fairchild case! You can ask me anything!"

Dan's eyebrows flew into his hairline. "What's this?"

Gabe shrugged. "Guess Los Exos aren't so hard to handle after all."

"Yeah, whatever you say." The crook's nodded, ceaselessly.

Dan knelt down and pulled out some handcuffs. "So...you'd be okay filling out a statement at the precinct?"

"Yes! Absolutely! Let's go!" The man practically jogged out of the building making Dan rush after him.

///

After locking the perp locked in the back of the police cruiser, Dan turned his attention to Gabe.

"Man...you saw that too, right? I didn't hallucinate or anything?"

"No, Daniel. I'd say you have a legit drug handler in your cruiser." Gabriel smiled, wryly.

Dan shook his head, a grin spreading on his face. "Hey, I don't even know what you did back there...or even how you did it... but good job, man."

He clapped Gabe on the shoulder who stiffened and relaxed with the sudden contact. 

"I'm just sorry I didn't get to use all the puns I came up with." Gabe sighed.

"Hit me with one." Dan looked at him.

"Why can athletes lift more than convicted drug dealers?"

Dan shook his head.

"Because the pros outweigh the cons."

Dan's face dropped while the handler giggled crazily inside the cruiser.

"You know what I said, earlier, about you and Lucifer not resembling each other?" Dan opened the driver's door of the cruiser.

"Yeah?" Gabe opened his own door, opposite.

Dan rested his elbows on the car and studied him. "I kinda see it now."

After Dan slipped inside, Gabe did a little victory dance with his shoulders, pleased with himself. 

"Thanks, douche."

Chapter Text

You Guys:

1666 votes--incredible! Also ironic...I think it's a sign. More of Lucifer and Gabriel's turbulent sibling love/hate relationship is in the making!