New Orleans, 25 years earlier
Shae glanced at the clock. It was the early hours of the morning, just after 4 am. He wasn't in bed. From the loud talking, he was in the living room, as was Maze. And someone else, whose voice she didn't recognize. It was turning into a shouting match, and she couldn't quite make out what was being said. The usual effects of the copious amount of wine from the night before were kicking in. Maybe there was an aspirin or something in the bathroom.
Shae got up and padded down the hall to poke around in the bathroom for something to kill what would probably be an epic hangover. Passing the doorway into the living room, she saw Maze, him and something else standing there.
It was his voice; it was Maze's voice, but what she saw made her stop in her tracks. It's all true. Fuck me, it's all true. He's not acting. That thing is really him. WHAT. THE. FUCK. Shae stood there for a moment before she realized that it might not be a good thing if any of those... things saw her.
Crawling back into bed and listening to the shouting, it was a long while before she went back to sleep.
A few days later...
Shae was leaving work when he walked into the coffee shop. “Shae! You were up and gone early the other morning; is everything okay?” That smile, those eyes, she hoped that he had no clue that she had seen what she did. She had purposely not called him; she needed to process it all. “Yep, I just felt like I needed my own bed to finish sleeping off that party. You do know how to show people a good time.” She gave him one of her winning smiles.
“Well, bad news, I've got to run. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, since you left so quickly. I've got business to attend to, something that I've been putting off for far too long. You probably won't see me for a while.” He gave Shae a quick hug. “It's been fun these past few months; you've been quite the tour guide and hostess, and I do thank you for that.”
Shae knew she would probably never see Lucifer Morningstar again.
Present day Los Angeles
The taxi pulled up to the building, and Shae grabbed her overnight bag, paid the driver, and got out. She stood out front for a long while, just staring. It had been what seemed like a lifetime ago since she'd seen him. 'He's done well,' she thought. REALLY well. Seemed like living on Earth these past few years had been kind to him. But then, he'd always been very resourceful.
Walking up to the doorman, she gave her name and, given the building's reputation — at least from what she'd heard about — she was surprised that just giving her name got her entrance to one of LA's hottest nightclubs.
It was late morning, so maybe that was it. There was no line around the block to get in, no young, hip and rich crowd begging to be let in.
She rode the elevator to the club level, got off, and looked around. It was fancy. REALLY fancy. There were a few people scattered about and one bartender pouring. Dumping her overnight bag onto a chair at the bar, she plopped herself down and waited.
“Well, look who the cat dragged in. Shae! You look great!” Maze was dressed in her usual black/leather getup. “Hi Maze. You're being nice. I'm a good 20 years plus older than when you last saw me. It's called aging. It's what humans tend to do. But thanks. Pour me a glass of wine?”
Maze gave Shae an odd look. “You know, don't you?”
“I saw him and you, in your true form, years ago. Yes, I know. Is he here?”
Maze gave her a questioning look but didn't press the issue. “He's down there, working, but he's due to pop in today to check up on things. You still prefer the bubble stuff, right?” Shae smiled at that. Maze never forgot a face or what their favorite drink was.
“Work? He works?”
Maze laughed. “Yes, he works. He's busy redeeming souls. Long story, one that he'll have to fill you in on.”
“How is he?”
“There's been a lot of water under the bridge. But he's okay. He'll be happy to see you, really. What brings you to LA?”
“Passing through. New beginnings. Various things. A favor to ask.” Catching Maze's look, “I'm prepared to pony up on the favor thing when he asks. The worst he can do is say no, right? But I don't think he will.”
“What's the favor?”
“I need a place to crash for a while. I can go to a hotel. I just need... some time...to...think things through on what to do next.” Shae tried to keep the sadness out of her voice, but knew Maze noticed. Maze reached across the bar and took Shae's hand. “You will stay here. Don't worry.”
Shae heard him enter the room before he had the chance to say anything. There was something about him that commanded your full attention the second he entered a room. That was just the way he was.
Lucifer Morningstar was dressed impeccably, as always. He had not changed a bit. Still tall, dark, handsome, mysterious, and drop-dead model gorgeous. Naturally, he hadn't aged a day.
“SHAE!” Lucifer practically flew across the room and grabbed Shae in a bear hug. “What are you doing here? We have so much to catch up on!” Noticing the bottle of wine on the bar, he said, “I see Maze remembers what you like; let's go up to the penthouse and catch up! Maze! Grab that bottle and a few others; we are having a reunion!”
Hours later, when most people were sleeping, Shae was sitting in the penthouse, looking around and nursing water, a cigarette, and admiring the view. Lucifer sat down beside her. He was wearing nothing but boxers, and Shae had to wonder if that was on purpose. He, of course, was so incredibly good at temptation.
“So, who goes first?” She asked. “I have questions, and I know you have questions. This is beyond just catching up. I'm not here for a booty call. I need... a favor.”
Lucifer smiled. “It has been a while, yes. And I suspect that you know me well enough to know that any joke regarding that booty call remark would just be met with an eye roll. And you know I'll ask for a favor in return, but I suspect that you'll be able to give it. Am I right?”
“Yes. We have quite a bit of serious catching up to do first.” Shae walked out onto the balcony. The view was stunning. She felt Lucifer come up behind her more than heard him, and before she knew it, he had grabbed her into another bear hug and then planted a very hot and bothered kiss on her face. The kiss was typical Lucifer, but he was holding back. Back in the day, just one kiss would have put them in bed in an instant. She never told him, or anyone else for that matter, that Lucifer was the best sex she had ever had.
“I know you remember that much about the time we spent together, but in all honesty, I'm not up for a booty call either.” Shae knew he wasn't lying. He never could lie.
She gave him a long, hard look. There was something in his tone of voice and in his eyes that she had never seen or heard before.
“I... lost someone recently. I think maybe you did too, but... not quite the same thing?”
“I don't want to talk about it. The grief is still too near.”
Shae ran her fingers through his hair. “I'm not ready either. It's okay. Really.” Going back into the living area, she sat on the couch and looked over at the piano. “You still play?”
Shae was poking about in the kitchen the next morning when Lucifer walked in. He had insisted on her sleeping in his bed with him on the couch. “Doesn't anyone cook around here? I'm starving and was prepared to make breakfast.” She turned around to see him dressed up as if he were going to work. “Ah, Maze said you had things to attend to up here and down there. Sorry for giggling, but the devil has a job?”
“You know, then. Ah yes, Maze said that you might. I'd like to hear how you figured it out. And yes, I've got to run along to my job. Long story. But I'm going to clear up my schedule, and we can spend a few days playing tourist. You said last night you had never been to LA? The least I can do is show you around. I'll try to be back for lunch.” Lucifer gave Shae a quick peck on the cheek and was gone.
A few hours later,
Over dinner, Shae told Maze and Lucifer about that night. “It didn't scare me, not really. Everything just clicked into place. All the things you were always telling me, all the things you both were always referring to. And you always told me, you can't lie. So, while I'm still not on the 'God exists' train, obviously he does. There is a heaven; there is a hell. I just needed a few days to let it sink in. Then you show up, give me a quick goodbye and poof. Gone. I honestly didn't think I'd ever see you again.”
Maze asked if Shae had told anyone what she had seen.
“No. For as crazy as life in New Orleans can get, I didn't think anyone would believe me. I got on with life.” Looking at Lucifer and giving him a nostalgic smile, she continued, “We did have a lot of fun. You came along at a time in my life when I wasn't really in a good place. And in all honesty, the sex was a huge ego boost. Someone as drop-dead gorgeous as you, wanting to hang out with little me? I got a few jobs here and there, and then met my husband....” Shae trailed off. She didn't know if she was ready to go there just yet. “How did y'all end up in LA? Aren't you supposed to be running Hell or something?”
Lucifer gave her a half-smile and glanced at Maze. “So, what's this favor you want?”
Shae remembered that Lucifer couldn't lie. If he didn't want to answer a question, he would ask a question about something else or just change the subject entirely. It was annoying. But it was obvious he wasn't ready to tell her that story yet.
“I do need a place to stay for a while. I don't know how long. I've been in Chicago for twenty years. Since Mark's death, I’ve realized it is time to move on. I have no desire to return to New Orleans. But I keep in touch with a few friends down there. When I mentioned that I was leaving Chicago, a friend of yours suggested I come out here and look you up. Said you were living here and living the high life. Do you remember Zac? He's cleaned up, owns a restaurant. Said y'all keep in touch from time to time. So here I am. As for how long I'll be here, I don't know. I guess until I wear out my welcome.”
Two months later.......
Shae couldn't sleep. Lucifer had, as he promised, popped down to Hell to clear his schedule, and had properly shown her around LA. They had spent a grand couple of weeks hitting all the touristy trap spots. Lucifer was nothing but a gentleman the entire time, respectfully not asking Shae certain questions, but asking enough to get a history of what she'd been up to since they'd last parted. Shae, in turn, was kept in giggling fits by Lucifer's adventures from his time working as a consultant for the LAPD. She knew better than to ask why or how he was no longer working for them. He would just avoid the questions. She has spent her downtime looking for places to live on the West Coast and generally thinking that it was time to move on.
But the pain, the grief, would not subside. It was still very raw. Maybe she had left Chicago too fast. Maybe she should have gone down to New Orleans first. She was tired of waking up in the middle of the night, frightened and sobbing. She got up, poured herself a glass of wine, lit a cigarette, and walked out onto the balcony. It was a few hours before dawn.
Raising the glass to her mouth, she heard the beating of wings and saw Lucifer's reflection in the glass. He was wearing his devil face. 'That's not good. I guess I've overstayed my welcome,' she thought.
She turned to get a good look at his true form. “Man, that's cruel. Not even in your devil face do you age.” She gave him a weak smile. Raising the glass and the lit cigarette, she said, “See? Your bad influences are kicking in again.”
Lucifer wiped a tear from Shae's face. “You're not okay.” It was not a question.
“No. I...it's been two months. It's still so... raw. And seeing you again. And being out here. It's a lot to take in. If I had to guess, you're looking to call in that favor.”
Lucifer laughed. “After all these years, it still amazes me how intuitive women can be.” He let the human face return. “You can say no.”
“You'll just think of something else. Come on then, what can I do to help you?”
“Believe it or not, I can't keep this pace up, popping up here now and then to see how things are going, making sure Lux maintains its reputation, keeping up appearances and my job running Hell and redeeming souls.”
“.... And my part in this is how....?” Shae had an inkling of what the favor was. Was he serious?
“Lux needs a full-time manager. You'll have full use of the penthouse. You'll never need anything. And if you do, just ask. I will keep in touch, come up here from time to time, just not as often as I have been. I know your work background; I know you can do this. And I know you're not ready to move on. This would keep you busy. You can still say no.”