A Favour
It didn't take long to find Chloe's newest suspect. Sandy Shaw, the wife of the therapist who was murdered. She had been hanging around a parking lot for the last twenty minutes, looking around nervously, like she was waiting for someone. It all seemed to add up…maybe a little too well, Chloe realised.
"So you lied to us. You were in town the day your husband died. Why?" Chloe asked.
"Sandy, I'm on your side. Not everything stems from jealousy, no matter what these women tell you" Lucifer announced, pushing Chloe out of the way, who looked all but ready to hit him.
"You came here driven by some kind of desire, didn't you?" Lucifer suggested, as Sandy's forehead wrinkled.
"No" She replied, as Lucifer's eyes bore into her own.
"Come on. You can tell me. What was it?" Lucifer persisted, taking her hand in his own, a seductive look in his eyes.
"It's disgusting" Sandy mumbled, falling under his trance.
Ooh, you naughty girl. Come on, now you have to tell me" Lucifer insisted, a grin growing on his face.
"It's...in my car" Sandy admitted, unlocking the trunk for them.
Kami once again watched in confusion as Lucifer used his strange power of persuasion to get the woman to open it. Kami couldn't understand why everyone seemed so willing to admit their secrets to him, even she had fallen over his spell. Maybe he really was a hypnotist, she thought to herself.
"What is, Sandy?" Lucifer questioned, as Chloe and Kami walked to the back of the car.
"Poop" Sandy announced, as Lucifer instantly dropped her hand, a look of disgust on his face.
"Bags and bags of it" Sandy went on, as Chloe held a hand up to her face, the stench wafting from the car.
"Hey, you should probably rifle through it a little. Make sure there's no weapons or anything" Kami goaded, nudging her sister with her elbow, who rolled her eyes.
"I'm not sure whether to be horrified or impressed" Lucifer muttered.
"My friend owns a horse" Sandy shrugged, not looking as embarrassed as she should have.
"That's oddly comforting to know. What were you gonna do with it?" Chloe inquired, coming to stand beside Lucifer.
"I was going to throw it at Tiffany. My husband was having an affair with her. She's in a group therapy session right now for my husband's clients" Sandy informed them.
"Well, now I feel lucky for only getting whisky thrown in my face" Lucifer exclaimed, as Kami's lips twitched into a smile.
"My husband had been lying to me. I only found out because his colleague Dr Medina slipped up" Sandy sighed.
"But he was the cheater therapist. I don't quite see the problem here-" Lucifer started, but she cut him off.
"The problem was he fell in love with her" Sandy cried, shoving past Kami, tears already falling down her cheeks.
Kami grimaced in pain as the woman did so, gritting her teeth to stop herself from crying out in pain. She figured she must have been more bruised by her encounter with Malcolm than she realised. Chloe rushed after the woman, knowing that even though her story made sense, she was still their main suspect. Lucifer, on the other hand, had seen Kami's look of pain, and now had a worried look on his own face.
"Your hurt" He stated, as Kami shook her head.
"I'm just a little bruised," Kami told him, but Lucifer didn't seem convinced.
Before she could stop him, he had reached out to pull her jacket down her shoulders, his eyes immediately finding a large bruise blossoming on her upper arm. Lucifer's jaw tensed as he could see marks which looked like fingers, the deep blue colour contrasting against Kami's pale skin. Lucifer's fingers brushed against the bruise, his touch more gentle than Kami had been expecting.
"He did this to you" Lucifer muttered, darkly.
"I did hit him with a painting first" Kami pointed out, but this did nothing to quell Lucifer's anger.
"He needs to be punished" Lucifer spat out, as Kami pulled her jacket back up her shoulder before Chloe saw.
"I'm fine. Really" Kami insisted, as Lucifer's hands balled into fists.
He suddenly spun around, his shoulders tense, making Kami frown. Little did she know, he had turned away from her as he felt his eyes turn their bright red colour, as he tried to calm his breathing. He couldn't lose control like that, not in public. He jumped a little when he felt a hand touch his shoulder, as his eyes flickered back to their normal colour. He looked over his shoulder to find Kami, giving him a small smile.
"I appreciate the concern, Lucifer. Really, I do. But it's just a bruise. It'll fade in a couple of days" Kami insisted, as Lucifer nodded slowly.
Just as he was open to open his mouth to reply, a familiar car caught his attention, making Lucifer roll his eyes.
"Oh, great. The douche-mobile" Lucifer complained as Kami followed his gaze to see Dan exiting the car.
"Play nice, Luce" Kami told him, as she rushed over to talk to Dan, who began to pace beside his car.
"Hey, Chloe told me what happened. You okay? Did Malcolm hurt you?" Dan asked, panic in his voice.
"No. Nothing like that. He was trying to spin a story but I wasn't buying it" Kami scoffed, as Dan nodded.
"I'm gonna punch that son of a bitch right back into a coma" Dan threatened, lookong angrier than Kami had ever seen him.
"No, you're not. Don't like him get to you, okay? He's just a creep" Kami insisted, but from the way Dan's fists were clenched she could tell he wasn't going to let it slide.
"But he has got me thinking about something. I still think he was going to shoot Chloe, and he seems to believe a cop shot him" Kami explained, as Dan shook his head.
"Didn't you just say about not letting him into your head?" Dan stated.
"But it makes sense! I think the shooter knew Chloe, maybe even cared about her. I mean, c'mon...they were willing to kill someone for her-" Khloe theorised, as she was cut off by the older man.
"There's no evidence anyone else was there, Kami. I don't want you getting into this, okay? Malcolm's dangerous" Dan told her.
"I think we both know I'm pretty capable of looking after myself" Kami pointed out, a small smirk on her face.
"Doesn't mean I don't worry about you" Dan stated, as their eyes connected, his own filled with worry.
"Careful Dan, you'll make me swoon" Kami teased, making Dan laugh.
Linda and Lucifer had been watching this whole interaction, with the latter letting out a huff when he saw the pair laughing away.
"So that's Dan, huh?" Linda questioned, looking the man up and down.
"Yes. Numbingly average, isn't he?" Lucifer mumbled.
"I wouldn't say that" Linda exclaimed, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"You're supposed to be on my side, you know" Lucifer complained.
"No. I'm to help you process your emotions so you can deal with them constructively" Linda retorted.
"Yes, by being on my side and realizing that their relationship is completely absurd!" Lucifer insisted, as Linda crossed her arms.
"Lucifer, I understand that it has been a very long time since you've had a true friend. Someone you respect, someone you want to spend time with...but friendship is about sharing. About compromise-" Linda began, but he stopped her.
"I am compromising! I haven't thrown Detective Douche off the top of the police station roof yet, have I?" Lucifer huffed.
"Sometimes I really don't know why I bother" Linda sighed.
Kami was pacing outside City Hall, just as she had been for the last twenty minutes, a permanent frown on her face. Dan had called to tell her that Chloe and Lucifer had caught the real killer and it seemed like jealousy had been the motive all along. A colleague of Sandy's had been in love with her and couldn't bear to see her with her husband a moment longer. From what she had heard, Lucifer and Chloe had apprehended the suspect, but no one had left the City Hall since she arrived, and Kami was getting nervous. What if taking the suspect down hadn't gone as expected?
"Your sister seems perfectly capable of handling herself, Kami. I'm sure she's fine" Linda tried to assure her, having arrived a few minutes prior.
"That's what people used to say about her Dad. He could handle himself…until one day he couldn't" Kami muttered, making Linda frown.
"Did you ever meet her father?" Linda inquired, noticing the past tense she was using.
"No, I was…oh no. You're not tricking me into talking about my feelings, Doctor Martin" Kami scoffed, as Linda held her hands up in mock defence.
"I can see why you and Lucifer are friends. Like getting blood from a stone" Linda chuckled to herself, as Kami's forehead wrinkled.
"…Does Lucifer ever talk about me in his therapy sessions?" Kami couldn't help but ask.
"More than you'd expect" Linda replied, surprising the younger girl.
"I didn't realise I'd made such an impression" Kami exclaimed, quirking an eyebrow.
"Lucifer feels that his life has already been planned out by his father. Most of his relationships, friendships…they've been of convenience. You seem a little different. He became your friend all on his own. That means something to him" Linda explained.
"Now, if he would only just stop acting like a dick, we'd have no problem" Kami joked, as Linda huffed out a laugh.
"This case seems to have a hit a little close to home. As I said, Lucifer feels invested in your friendship. He doesn't want anyone getting in the middle of that" Linda went on, as Kami nodded.
"Ah, hence the Dan bashing" Kami mumbled.
"I'm sure he'll come around," Linda told her, as the brunette gave her a grateful smile.
"Did I hear something about bashing Detective Douche?" A familiar voice announced, as Kami spun around.
Her shoulders sagged as she saw Lucifer and Chloe walking towards her, a suspect in handcuffs a few metres behind. Her eyes quickly scanned them for injuries, thankful when she found no evidence.
"Hey, Chlo. There's this amazing invention called a phone, you use it to call people and tell them you're not bloody dead!" Kami exclaimed, her arms raised out in exasperation.
"I had my hands a bit full with apprehending a killer—" Chloe began, but was cut off as Kami's arms were suddenly around her.
"I'm glad you're not dead" Kami mumbled, as Chloe hugged her sister back, with an amused smile.
"Me too" Chloe chuckled, pulling away.
"Is that a bite mark on your hand?" Kami frowned, noticing the outline of the wound on Chloe's palm.
"Not something I can take credit for, I'm afraid" Lucifer interjected, as Kami turned to him.
"How exactly did you two apprehend this killer? Unarm him with your bad one-liners?" Kami teased, as Lucifer placed a hand over his heart.
"You wound me" Lucifer told her, in a mocking tone.
"I'm glad your okay" Kami smiled, reaching up to pull him into a hug, standing on her tiptoes.
A genuine smile spread over Lucifer's lips, as he wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands falling on the small of her back. Kami was a tight hugger, he noted, as if she put all of her strength into holding the other person. It was comforting in a strange way.
"It would take more than a pathetic little man like that to kill the Devil, I assure you" Lucifer replied, feeling rather than hearing the giggle that came from Kami.
They pulled away a few moments later, as Kami turned to see Chloe and Linda had begun their own quiet conversation, most likely about the case. She looked back to Lucifer, an almost smug smile on her face.
"Linda told me that you've been feeling a bit pushed out recently with what's been going on with me and Dan" Kami stated, as Lucifer crossed his arms, a scowl growing over his features.
"Whatever happened to patient confidentiality?" Lucifer scoffed.
"Probably went out the window as soon as you started sleeping with your therapist" Kami retorted.
"…You may have a point there" Lucifer chuckled.
"Look, Lucifer. I don't have a lot of family…so my friends…well, they're pretty important to me. Just like you are. And that's not gonna' change…even if you do make heart eyes at my sister constantly" Kami teased, making Lucifer roll his eyes.
"What can I say? I suppose I have a soft spot for the Decker's" Lucifer exclaimed, as a beaming smile grew on Kami's face.
"What are you two smiling about?" Chloe inquired, wandering over to the pair.
"We were just commenting on our rather spectacular partnership, Detective" Lucifer grinned, tilting his head as Chloe's eyes suddenly widened.
"Partners" She mumbled, almost too quietly for them to hear.
"Huh?" Kami frowned.
"Who would know exactly where Malcolm was the night he was shot? Who would be the one person he might not want to give up?" Chloe announced, as a look of realisation dawned on Kami's face.
"…His partner" The sisters spoke at the same time.
"Ooo, that was fun. Do that again" Lucifer exclaimed, with a teasing smile.
"C'mon, Lucifer. We need to find Paolucci" Chloe insisted, racing over to her car.
"What's that? Some type of Italian meal?" Lucifer questioned, following her, nonetheless, with Kami close on her heels.
"Uh-uh. You can't come Kami. This could be dangerous" Chloe told her, making the young girl scoff.
"And it's not for you?" Kami retorted.
"Take Linda home. I'll call you if this leads anywhere" Chloe all but ordered, as she got into her car, closing the door before Kami could argue.
"Unbelievable" Kami muttered, as Lucifer gave her a shrug, before climbing into the passenger seat.
Kami grimaced as she took a step closer to the dead body in front of her, swatting away the numerous flies that were surrounding the corpse. She had never met Paolucci but something about his apparent suicide didn't add up. She just wasn't sure what it was yet. She shouldn't have even been in the crime scene, but Lucifer had snuck her in under his 'supervision'.
"You can really see what he was thinking" Lucifer exclaimed, ushering to where Paolucci's brain matter was splattered above his head.
"How long did it take you to come up with that one?" Kami questioned, biting her lip to stop the laughter that was bubbling to the surface.
"I'll have you know I'm an instant comedian" Lucifer stated, making Kami scoff.
"So, do you buy this suicide?" Kami questioned, as Lucifer quirked an eyebrow.
"The Detective seems to think it's a clear-cut case. This cretin was involved in some dodgy dealings, Malcolm found out and threatened to out him. Paolucci shot him, and he couldn't deal with the guilt when Malcolm woke up" Lucifer explained, but Kami still wasn't convinced.
"Almost sounds too good to be true" Kami mumbled, underneath her breath.
"Kami? Hey, what're you doing here?" A familiar voice inquired, as Kami turned her head to the left to see Dan approaching them.
"She could ask you the same thing, Daniel. Or are you stalking her now?" Lucifer retorted, as Kami elbowed him in the ribs.
"You okay?" Kami asked, noting the tension in Dan's shoulders, and the way his lips were drawn in a fine line.
"I…I don't know…" Dan trailed off, as Kami took a step towards him.
"Let's talk, yeah?" Kami offered, placing her arm on Dan's arm and ushering him to the back of the room.
"I can't believe Paolucci would do this" Dan shook his head, running a hand through his hair.
"They found a suicide note" Kami shrugged.
"In his handwriting?" Dan queried, as Kami's eyes snapped up to his.
"Were you expecting it to be someone else's handwriting?" She frowned.
"No…no. I just meant…I mean we have to be thorough, right?" Dan stuttered over his words, as Kami nodded slowly.
"My thoughts exactly. The only person who might have known the truth about what really went down in Palmetto suddenly kills himself out of the blue…I mean, did he seem depressed to you at the station?" Kami questioned, as Dan's eyes darted to the floor.
"I'm not sure. I mean, it's hard to tell with these things, right?" Dan suggested.
"It still doesn't add up. I know Malcolm's lying" Kami insisted, as Dan's jaw tensed.
"Do you have any proof?" Dan inquired, as Kami let out a long sigh.
"Not yet. But I think I'm starting to put the pieces together. And I don't think for a second that this guy was the real mastermind. What if someone else—" Kami was cut off, as Dan's lips were suddenly pressed against hers.
Kami's eyes were wide for a moment, before they fluttered shut, as she kissed him back. She expected butterflies in her stomach, maybe weak knees, but all she felt was…cold. There was no emotion behind the kiss. Dan was the first to pull away, his hands having never left his side. Kami looked at him in confusion, a blush growing over her cheeks.
"What was that for?" She asked, confused.
"I…I've wanted to do that for a long time," Dan told her, the smile on his face never reaching his eyes.
"You have feelings for me?" Kami tried to clarify, as Dan slowly nodded.
"I wouldn't have kissed you otherwise, would I?" Dan stated, in a joking manner.
Kami's forehead wrinkled as she realised he had completely averted the question. Just like he had stopped her train of thought before he kissed her. He looked so tense she wasn't sure if he wanted to hit something or cry. Taking a step back, Kami bit her lip, her eyes downcast.
"Uh, we should probably talk about this another time…you know when there's a rotting body like ten metres away" Kami pointed out, as Dan ran a hand through his hair.
"Yeah, definitely. I'll, uh…I'll see you soon" Dan exclaimed, squeezing her shoulder as he went to walk away.
"You look like you enjoyed that kiss almost as little as I did" Lucifer muttered, suddenly behind her, making Kami jump.
"He's lying to me" Kami exclaimed, as Lucifer tilted his head to the side.
"About what?" He inquired, watching as Dan weaved his way through the crowds, looking like he wanted to make a speedy exit.
"That's what I want to find out…so, are you up for it?" Kami asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You should know by now I'm up for pretty much anything…but I admit I am feeling a little lost" Lucifer explained.
"You know how you owe me a favour for helping you with your wings? I'm cashing it in" Kami announced, her eyes narrowing as Dan left the building.
A week later, Kami was a few hours into her new job, working on one of the General Med wards at a hospital on the outskirts of the City. She had been confused when she got a phone call at two in the morning, from a Matron who had previously said she didn't have the experience for the job. The woman had sounded strangely panicked on the phone but she wasn't about to say no. Unsurprisingly, being the newbie on the ward she had been given the most difficult bay, having spent most of the morning dodging punches from delirious patients. It felt like home already, Kami thought to herself with an amused smile. She was just unlocking her drug trolley when she heard a familiar laugh. Peaking her head out of the bay doors, her jaw dropped open when she saw Lucifer talking with the Sister. Flirting being the more appropriate word, Kami realised, as she watched Lucifer leaning in close.
"Hey, watch the bay for a second, would you?" Kami asked, her healthcare assistant.
"I'm supposed to be going on break in five—" She cut them off, as she closed the bay doors behind her, storming over to her friend.
"Lucifer. What the hell?" Kami called out to him, as he turned to her with a smug smile.
"Well, well. I think I've found myself a new kink" Lucifer grinned, his eyes sweeping over Kami's uniform, his tongue darting out over his lips.
"You can't just turn up on my first day of work and—" Kami began, but Lucifer cut her off quickly.
"Get you off work early? Of course, I can, isn't that right, Diane?" Lucifer smirked, turning to the Ward Sister.
"Mr Morningstar has explained how important your work with him is…" Diane trailed off, staring dreamily into Lucifer's eyes.
"Well, that's all settled then. Let's go" Lucifer exclaimed, clapping his hands together.
"Uh, no. I don't think so. There's no one to cover me" Kami pointed out.
"I'm sure they'll figure something out" Lucifer replied, waving his hand dismissively.
"Nurse Decker!" A voice called out from behind them, as Kami whipped around to see her healthcare assistant waving at her.
"Bed 18 had a fall…and I think Bed 20 might have started eating his pillow again" The man announced, before rushing back into the bay.
"Case and point" Kami muttered, backing away.
"C'mon, I need your help with a case. The Detective won't listen and—" Lucifer began, but she stopped him.
"There's probably a good reason for that. I'll catch up with you later, okay?" Kami insisted, as Lucifer held his hands out in exasperation.
"What happened to be being partners?" Lucifer exclaimed, an annoyed tone to his voice.
"Lucifer, I'll make—" Kami started, but was cut off by the sound of a loud thud from her bay.
"Uh…Bed 21 just fell too" The healthcare assistant shouted out, as Kami let out a groan, before rushing into the bay.
"You know, I'm free this afternoon…maybe we could partner up?" The Ward Sister suggested, reaching out to play with Lucifer's collar.
"As fun as that sounds…I'm not looking for another partner" Lucifer realised, with a frown.
Kami hurried down the steps in Lux, her eyes searching for the owner of the club, but as always he was nowhere to be found. She was glad when she saw Maze at the bar, pouring a drink for herself. Kami gave her a wave as she walked up to the nearest stool, sitting down, and dropping her head on the cold bar counter.
"Good first day at work?" Maze inquired, as Kami muttered a curse underneath her breath.
"Let's just say I'm happy I was only on the rota for a half-day" Kami stated, moving her head so her chin was lying on the counter instead.
"I thought you liked it" Maze pointed out, confusion etched over her features.
"I do. Honestly. It's just…it's a hard job. And when you've been out of it for a while, jumping right back in isn't much fun" Kami explained.
"Here" Maze exclaimed, sliding her drink over the table, grinning as Kami downed the remnants of the glass in a matter of seconds.
"Have you seen Lucifer around? I think he's pissed at me" Kami informed her, making the demon scoff.
"You're not the only one" Maze admitted, her forehead wrinkled.
"How come?" Kami inquired, as Maze ran a hand through her hair.
"I helped his brother steal his wings. Now he thinks I've betrayed him" Maze explained, as Kami mulled over what she said.
"And Lucifer doesn't take betrayal well, I'm guessing?" Kami replied, as Maze nodded.
"I was…I was doing what was best for him. That's all I've ever done" Maze muttered, bitterly.
"He's not your responsibility, Maze" Kami pointed out, but the other woman didn't seem convinced.
"I'm supposed to protect him. Even from himself" Maze insisted.
"He's got to make his own mistakes, how else is he gonna' learn…Oh God, I sound like my sister" Kami grimaced, as Maze let out a low chuckle.
"…He hates me" Maze mumbled, almost too quietly for Kami to hear.
"Hey, he'll come around. I mean, how long have you guys been friends?" Kami stated.
"Millions of years" Maze replied, matter-of-factly.
"…Yeah, I bet it must feel like that sometimes. But seriously, you're like the most important person in his life from what I've seen. Just let him blow off some steam. He'll forgive you" Kami told her, reaching out to place her hand over Maze's.
Her hand was colder than Kami had been expecting, but softer too. She gave Maze's hand a small squeeze, a reassuring smile along with it, as Maze tilted her head. As Kami pulled away, Maze was surprised to realise she missed her touch. Before she knew what her face was doing, a rare smile was spreading over Maze's lips, making Kami's heart flutter a little.
"You should do that more" Kami exclaimed.
"What?" Maze inquired, confused.
"Smile…it suits you" Kami informed her, as she swore for a moment she saw a blush growing over Maze's cheeks.
Just as Maze opened her mouth to reply, she spotted Lucifer walking down the stairs, a smug smile on his own lips when he saw Kami at the bar. Maze quickly closed her mouth, her eyes downcast as she walked towards the other end of the bar. Little did Kami know that Maze had a part to play in her getting her new job. The matron had changed her mind sharpish about employing Kami when Maze showed up in her home. Maze didn't like to see Kami sad...so she had changed that. The girl in question turned around on the stool, confusion etched on her features as she saw Lucifer strutting towards her.
"Come to apologise?" Lucifer asked, as Kami scoffed.
"Funny I was about to same the same to you" Kami exclaimed, quirking an eyebrow.
"Look Lucifer, my job…it's important. It's important to me, but also to my patients. When I'm at work, they come first" Kami tried to explain, noticing how Lucifer still didn't seem to get it.
"Well, it's good to know where I stand" Lucifer huffed, reaching over to the bar to grab a bottle of whisky, pouring it into a glass.
"…But when I'm out of work, my friends come first. C'mon, I came here straight away to see what this case is about. I haven't even had time to change yet" Kami insisted, ushering to her uniform that was under her coat.
"Getting to see you in uniform again will earn you some points" Lucifer smirked, as Kami rolled her eyes.
"I swear you're the only guy I've ever met who finds scrubs sexy" Kami laughed.
"How could I not when you wear it so well?" Lucifer flirted, as Kami shook her head fondly.
"Does that mean I'm forgiven?" Kami asked, as Lucifer brought the drink to his lips.
"If you want to truly get back into my good books, I'm going to need a favour first" Lucifer told her, a mischievous look in his eyes.
"What?" Kami asked, not sure if she liked where this was going.
"I need you to seduce a Priest" Lucifer grinned, as Kami's jaw dropped open.
"…Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that" Kami mumbled.