For the past eleven years, I've been writing fanfiction. This fic, however, will be the first I've posted in 2019. A lot has happened to me, a big part being the death of my father. But as the end of December draws closer, I don't want my writing streak to be broken. Here's a little something. I hope you enjoy it. I apologize if it is not up to par with my previous creations, but it is a small gift from me to you, my forever loyal fans. Here's to this and me creating and updating more content. -Jen

A Bond Forged in Flame

Chapter One: Cancer or Something Else

Pregnancy wasn't the first thing that came to Chloe's mind when the symptoms started. First came the pelvic pain. Then, when the weight loss followed despite the large quantities of food she ate from the unusual ravenous bouts of hunger she'd experience, the worst was feared. Cancer. A sickening conclusion that'd have her vomiting at just the thought of it.

"You don't know if it's that for sure," Maze stated, eyebrow quirked as she watched Chloe pace around the apartment. "Maybe it's something less serious, like…" she thought for a moment. "An allergy?"

If Chloe's heart wasn't pounding, she'd stop and her tracks and throw Maze the darkest look that would, if it could, send even the most powerful demon back to Hell. But she couldn't moving. Couldn't stop thinking about what would happen to Trixie if she was gone. Yes, there was Dan, but he was only so reliable. And then there was her mother. Dear god, there was her mother.

"I don't have an allergy," she huffed, voice shaking in response. "The symptoms don't add up. I should've taken this more seriously when they started. I shouldn't have let them…" The familiar feeling of dizziness hit and she leaned against the wall. "Something is wrong, Maze. Something is really, really wrong." Oh Lucifer, why couldn't he be here when she needed him?

Maze hurried over and helped the detective over to the couch. Without a second thought, she quickly grabbed the nearby trash can as Chloe leaned over and hurled the contents of her breakfast into its plastic cavern. In the beginning she didn't think much of Chloe being sick. Humans contracted illnesses all of the time. She'd seen it for eons. But there was something off about Chloe. Something she just couldn't put her finger on.

"I need to make an appointment with an oncologist," she winced, the bitter taste of acid lacing her tongue. "I need to do something about this before it gets worse."

"Maybe Linda knows one?" Maze suggested. "She's a doctor. She has to know people like that."

"She's not that kind of doctor," Chloe sighed, pushing her hair back. "More importantly, I don't want anyone else to thinking I'm...well…"

"Dying?" Maze finished.

"Thanks, Maze," the detective exhaled. "Maybe not use that word?"

"Sorry," the demon apologized. "Gravely sick?"

Chloe just shook her head and curled up on the couch. She just didn't want to think about it at all. If she were to be completely honest, she didn't want to focus on anything at all. Lucifer had been gone for three months, sentenced to Hell for eternity. Sentenced away from her for the rest of her life. Closing her eyes, she made a note to find a doctor when she woke up, adding exhaustion to the list of symptoms was dealing with.

Lucifer sat unmoved on his throne in Hell, eyes gazing at seemingly nothing. His attitude since his return had been unpredictable to say the least. There was no pleasure, only fury or absolute silence. He was no longer the king he once was, but despite his change no one dared still challenge his power since his return.

"My King," Dromos spoke almost hesitantly. "It's been quite awhile since you've given a command…"

The Devil didn't reply, only continued to look outward at his endless domain. He had not and would not ever forgive any demon in his lair. However, he did require torturers for his prisoners so firing the entire lot of his command would prove to be useless. Even if he did wish to do nothing more than to wring Dromos's and Squee's necks until their eyes burst out of their sockets.

"...Not that that's an issue, I only bring it up because-"

"I suggest you leave now, Dromos, before I use you as some sort of target practice." Lucifer said through clenched teeth, eyes still not looking to meet the frighten demon's stare. "And if you said Squee up here to do your bidding, I'll roast the both of you where you stand."

The demon bowed his head and muttered a shaky reply that Lucifer could care less about hearing as the creature scrambled off. Once he was alone, or as alone as one can be in Hell, the Devil let out a long sigh. The difference of time, no matter how long or short, it was between here in Hell and there on Earth, his heart ache for Chloe only grew and grew.

As he began to let his eyes close for just a mere moment to rest, a sudden, blinding, bright light startled him back to his senses. Lucifer squinted and within that moment, an entire wave of utter, complete shock hit him. For there, floating before him in his ever undying glory…

"Gabriel?"

The Archangel met his brother's gaze, the seriousness etched on his face almost frightening.

"Brother," he began. "There is something you must know.

Oh my god, I ACTUALLY wrote something. It's short but I ACTUALLY wrote something. I can't express my excitement. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed! Comments are loved and appreciated and I will try to work on the next chapter tomorrow and make it longer! -Jen