Lucifer sat in the living room with a drink in his hand. He would admit to feeling a bit sorry for himself. He knew he should be happy to be back on Earth, despite the boding war, as it was all he'd wanted for months. He'd envisioned being with the detective again, like he was now. But it was hard to be happy about it when he knew he'd only have to leave once his mission was completed. He also knew his father wasn't going to take too kindly to the way he left, so being allowed to return again, at least in the detective's lifetime, was very unlikely, even more so than it had been.

Chloe soon came out and joined Lucifer on the couch. "Hey. Trixie's asleep. She passed right out. She had a lot of fun today."

"Good. She isn't burdened by what's going on," Lucifer said.

"No, she's not. I thought we should finish our conversation from before," Chloe said.

"I thought we had. There really isn't much here to say. My time here is unfortunately temporary. My father will make me return to Heaven. Like I said, I can't fight him this time." Lucifer said.

Chloe was quiet for a few moments. The fierce way he spoke about not being able to rebel spoke volumes about what this whole thing was doing to him. "I imagine this situation is hard for you. It's not just that a rebellion is taking place. It's that it feels like it's come full circle, only you're on the other side."

Lucifer nodded. "Michael is where I once was. Staging a rebellion. He doesn't care about anyone he might hurt. Neither did I."

"That's not true. You're not like Michael. Michael is doing this because he is jealous of you. I can tell just by the way he talks about you. You did it to free yourself from controlling parents. You wanted to make your own choices," Chloe said.

"I was selfish, just as Michael is," Lucifer said. He might not be as bad as Michael and his mother were, but his reasoning was far from pure. It wasn't as petty as theirs, but it certainly wasn't noble.

"You weren't trying to hurt anyone," Chloe argued.

"But I knew that I would. Even if I was able to keep anyone from being hurt physically, which was impossible, I would not be able to stop the emotional toll it would take on my family. I pit my siblings against each other. I never considered the pain I would cause them," Lucifer said. His actions were incredibly selfish. He'd realized that to an extent a while ago, but he still didn't really understand the severity of it. He was focused on his anger at his family for abandoning him. He didn't really allow himself to comprehend what he'd done to them. He couldn't really hide from that now that he was fighting in another rebellion, one he didn't start.

"It was not wrong for you to want Free Will. Everyone deserves that," Chloe said.

"I know. Believe me, I still think my father's a controlling bastard and it still makes me angry that he sent me to Hell. I didn't deserve that. But I shouldn't have taken it as far as I did. I've known that for a while, but it became much more clear recently," Lucifer said.

"Even if you're right, you're not like your brother, and you're definitely not like your mother. They are trying to start an all-out war. They know that will cause many deaths, but they don't care," Chloe said.

"Well, Mother certainly knows that anyway. Yes, they have taken it further than I ever thought of. You know, my father originally took the Flaming Sword apart because he feared it would become a weapon used in our fight. I never considered it. I didn't want anyone to die," Lucifer said before taking a sip of his drink.

"Because you're better than them. You have limits," Chloe said.

Lucifer nodded, conceding her point. "It doesn't matter, Darling. Either way, I can't be that selfish again. As much as I hate it, I will have to submit to my father's demands."

"I get that you can't do it again. If I could go back and not get involved with Charlotte knowing what she was really intending, I would. I understand that you have to go back and that I have to accept that as much as you do. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy being together now," Chloe said.

"What would be the point? We will be torn apart when this is over one way or another. It would only hurt more," Lucifer said miserably.

"For a while, yes, but it will either way. Whether we give into each other or stay friends, it won't hurt any less," Chloe said. She knew that was the case for her anyway. It hurt her a lot when Lucifer had to leave, and she only managed to keep it together because she convinced herself that she could bring him home. It would be worse next time. The status of their relationship wouldn't matter. "But we could focus on what it will be like when we do each other again."

"Except that it's likely I won't be able to return to Earth during your lifetime, if at all," Lucifer said.

"Then we'll see each other after my lifetime," Chloe said.

Lucifer stared at her in surprise. He honestly hadn't thought about that before. His mind didn't really go past the fact that he was being kept from the detective. It didn't occur to him that one way or another, he'd be reunited with her again. Because, of course, there was no chance of Chloe Decker going anywhere other than Heaven when she died. He would be there waiting for her when that happened.

"Well, if I still end up there, considering I pretty much declared war on your dad not too long ago," Chloe said.

"Don't be ridiculous, Detective. Of course, you will end up in Heaven. You are the most wonderful person in the world. Now, as I said before, you are not responsible for what my mother did. Not even my father is so much of a bastard that he would think that, and he doesn't hold it against people when they curse his name. Furthermore, he rarely involves himself in the afterlives of human souls. Humans decide that themselves. As long as you think you deserve to go to Heaven, you will," Lucifer explained.

Chloe frowned. That seemed like a very faulty system for determining who went where. "But some people don't feel guilt. They really get into Heaven?"

"No. I said my father usually doesn't involve himself. The one you just mentioned is a scenario where he does. It is the same for people who feel too much guilt for small infractions. They will not be sent to Hell over it," Lucifer assured her.

Chloe nodded. That certainly sounded much better. "Back to the point. You and I will see each other again, even if it's not for another fifty years."

"You shouldn't have to wait that long," Lucifer said. While it would be painful to him, fifty or so years wasn't terrible given how long he'd already lived. For a human, it would seem much more significant.

"I'll be waiting either way, Lucifer. I want to be with you. If we only have a few days now and then I have to wait, so be it. I say we live in the moment and take what we can," Chloe said. She didn't wait for a response. She leaned in and began kissing him.

Lucifer stopped her, but only for a second so he could put his drink down. He then began kissing her again.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Amenadiel sat at Lux with a drink in his hand. He was kind of annoyed. His conversation with Linda had gone for from as planned. He was certain she'd see things his way, but once again, Lucifer seemed to win. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised. Linda was closer to Lucifer. Still, it annoyed him.

There was a voice in his head that said he was being petty, like Michael, but he shook that voice away. He was nothing like Michael. Michael was an arrogant little bastard that thought he was entitled to do anything he pleased. Amenadiel wasn't like that. Of course, as soon as that thought left him, he thought about a time when he did feel he could do whatever he wanted.

Amenadiel remembered how he'd brought Malcolm Graham back from the dead to kill Lucifer so that he'd be trapped in Hell. He'd known his father didn't allow such things, but he did it anyway. He felt justified in it. He was sure that he would be exempt from that rule. Just like he was sure his father would be just fine with him plotting Lucifer's death. Maybe he had behaved a little like Michael.

Even with that realization, Amenadiel still felt he was justified in his feelings regarding Lucifer. Lucifer had been given his position, and he wasn't even handling it right. Going after the sword parts right now wasn't the best option. It could just draw his mother's attention to the fact that they were out there. If no one knew about them or where they were, they wouldn't be found.

"Hello, son," a voice suddenly said.

Amenadiel turned and was surprised to see his mother seated at the bar next to him. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd get a drink. Why do you sound unhappy to see me?" Charlotte asked.

"I'm not. I was just surprised. I haven't seen you in a while," Amenadiel said.

"Well, I admit that I was upset with you for interfering with me and Lucifer," Charlotte said.

"You lied to him. I merely confirmed for him that it was a lie," Amenadiel said.

"I had my reasons for what I said. You should've trusted that I had your brother's best interests in mind. I always have my children's best interests in mind," Charlotte said.

Given what he knew, Amenadiel could laugh at that statement. His mother wasn't thinking about any of their best interests. Well, maybe Michael's, and even that he wasn't sure about.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have been so upset with you though. You meant no harm. Plus, I know things have been difficult for you. It must be painful to know that Lucifer was allowed to return home after all he's done, but you haven't, even though your sins were minor in comparison.

Amenadiel had to admit that his mother knew what to say. If he didn't know what she was doing, it might even work.

"It's not fair. You should be allowed to return home, and to have your wings back. I can't help but question your father's judgement," Charlotte said.

"He has his reasons, I'm sure," Amenadiel said.

"Well, he should be more clear on them if that's the case. I worry about you, son. I know it must all upset you. It upsets your brother too. Michael has come to see me. Perhaps we can have dinner one day. He'd love to see you," Charlotte said. It could only help her to get Amenadiel on her side. True, he had no powers at the moment, but he did have extensive knowledge as her husband's former second in command. It was likely he knew the workings of the Flaming Sword.

"Mom, perhaps you've forgotten, but I hate Michael," Amenadiel said. Michael felt the same way out him too. Michael hated him and all their other siblings because they didn't fawn over him. They didn't treat him the way their mother taught him to see himself. He grew up thinking he was perfect and should be treated like royalty.

"Don't say that. I know you've had your problems, but he's your brother," Charlotte reminded him.

"He's a jackass. I want nothing to do with him. Now, I need to go," Amenadiel said before standing up.

"Very well, but I hope you will change your mind and come see me soon. Oh, one more thing. Have you seen your brother's detective recently. I was handling a matter for a client at the police station earlier, but she wasn't there. I thought it seemed odd," Charlotte said. She'd asked an officer about it and was told the detective had put in a request for time off just hours earlier. She'd also stopped by the detective's apartment and she wasn't there. Something seemed off. She didn't like that her main pawn in the war with her husband was nowhere to be found.

"No," Amenadiel lied. He might not be happy about Lucifer, but he was not going to help his mother go after the rest of his family, like Michael was. He was upset, but he would get over it. "She hasn't been happy with me since she found out about Lucifer and realized I couldn't help her get him back. Why does it matter to you where she is?"

"It doesn't. I was just curious. Well, I hope you have a good night, son," Charlotte said.

Amenadiel nodded and walked away.