I woke up to bright florescent lights and the smell of sanitation. Slowly, with blurred vision, I took in my surroundings. Then, my ears began to absorb the hectic sounds of a hospital environment. Attached to my arm was an IV drip as I lay in a bed that certainly wasn't mine. With a pang of pain to my head, the memories of last night flashed through my mind. My insomnia episode had been particularly bad and nothing was working; not herbal tea, not melatonin, and not even four prescription sedatives. Instead, the combination of sleep deprivation and over medication had resulted in vivid hallucinations. I could clearly remember trying to take down giant spider webs that had formed on the ceiling of my bedroom.

I shot awake in a cold sweat with a racing heart. Last night's events ran through my mind. My first instinct was to leap out of bed, rummage through my drawer, and make sure the envelope of money Maze gave me as payment was real. As I gripped the envelope I exhaled deeply and craned my neck. It happened again – hallucinations due to lack of sleep. It was the only plausible explanation to why I would stab my new boss's hand – or why he would even ask me to. None of it was real and I was left racked with disappointment in myself. One thing I was sure was real was the fact it was Sunday – my only day off in the week. I had worked out a schedule with Maze that complimented my Starbuck's schedule. Regardless of Lucifer's generous pay I was hesitant to quit Starbuck's as the Lux gig still felt too good to be true.

I walked into the living room to see Alex playing a video game while Allysa drew in a large sketch pad. The clouded look on my face prompted Allysa to speak. "What's wrong, Vicky?"

I scratched the back on my head as I sunk into our obnoxious bright red bean bag chair. "I had hallucinations again from not sleeping."

"You're working too much, babe." Alex commented without taking her eyes from the screen.

I rolled my eyes. Of course I was working too much, but I didn't have much of a choice. Rather than defending myself I left to take a shower.

With a towel wrapped tightly around me I exited the steamy bathroom. As I bee-lined to my room a dark entity from the corner of my eye caught my attention. I looked into the living room to see none other than Lucifer Morningstar sitting on my sofa casually sipping tea and chatting with Alex and Allysa like they were old friends. When he noticed my presence he gave me his usual grin.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded to know.

"Checking on you, of course." Lucifer stated matter-of-factly. "You seemed off when you left, love."

Alex and Allysa appeared completely un-phased that my crazy new boss was sitting in our living room investigating my wellbeing. In fact, they were downright ogling him.

"You never told me you had such attractive friends." Lucifer purred, causing the girls to giggle bashfully.

Was I hallucinating again? This was not like Alex and Allysa. Why did they even let him in our apartment in the first place? A stranger is a stranger regardless of how tall, dark, and handsome they are.

"Why don't I treat all you ladies to brunch?" Lucifer beamed like it was a ground breaking idea.

"I have a fitting later today." Alex pouted. "I have an appointment at the shop." Allysa added, equally saddened.

"Oh, next time." Lucifer patted Alex's lap, causing her to blush deeply.

"But Vicky is free!" Allysa added, ruining any potential excuse I could have come up with.

All three looked to me expectantly. "I'll go get dressed then…" There was no way to mask the bewilderment in my voice.

"Perhaps I could be of assistance." Lucifer stood to his feet, buttoning his Italian jacket.

The girls broke into laughter as if it was the funniest thing they had ever heard.

"I'm pretty sure I can manage." I grimaced before turning to my room.

While getting dressed I thought about the weird turn my life had suddenly taken. One day I was living a mundane existence that was centered on paying bills and working a tedious job; then the next day my overly strange boss is nonchalantly sipping tea in my home.

I slipped into black leggings, a white t-shirt, and wrapped myself in a large blanket scarf. Before exiting my room I critiqued myself in the body length mirror that hung on the back of the door. I certainly did not look the same as yesterday; the dark circles hugging my blue eyes revealed a lack of sleep. I tied my damp hair into a quick French braid and re-entered the living room to find Lucifer yet again bluntly flirting with the girls.

"Don't you worry, I'll be back again." Lucifer promised as he affectionately rubbed Allysa's arm.

That's it – he must have drugged while I was in the shower; who are these consumed girls and where are my best friends?

"Let's go." I said sternly as I marched for Lucifer, grabbed his arm, and rushed him out the door.

"Oh handsy are we?"

I scowled as I shook my grip from his arm. "Let's do whatever you want to do quickly so I can enjoy my day off. Alone."

"Whatever I want to do?" Lucifer's interest was piqued.

"Food." I firmly reminded him as we reached the street level of the apartment complex.

Lucifer's car was exactly what I would expect a man like him to drive; it was a sleek black vintage Corvette. The car was so shiny and spotless I could see my reflection perfectly as I reached for the passenger door. It was hard not to be impressed – but his perverted stalker like behaviour nulled any further admiration I might have had.

"I have a little place in mind." Lucifer took his eyes from the road to smirk in my direction.

"Oh?" I felt as if I was continuously accommodating his antics.

"A little place I believe called Starbuck's?" He tapped at the steering wheel.

I let a chuckle slip as I shook my head. "So you did read my resume?" It seemed beneath him, really - more of a job for Maze.

"Normally I don't care to even take a look at those foolish things. It's quite adorable actually - placing your whole life on a piece paper and hoping it impresses someone."

We came to a stop light and Lucifer turned to glance at me. "But you." He began. "You are something different. Mystical almost how you resist my talents."

"Oh you're fussy because I won't tell you my 'deepest desires'". I openly mocked him, air quotes and all.

"It's quite peculiar, really" Lucifer insisted, genuine fascination lingering in his voice as he exited the car.

Lucifer had brought us to a small diner - the kind where its customer base hadn't changed in twenty years and always had fresh baked pies. It was a refreshing change of pace from the normally ultra-hip ways of LA. I couldn't imagine a man like Lucifer eating here; his car parked out front was a juxtaposition in itself.

As soon as we took our seats, with nothing more than a 'hello', an older woman placed two mugs of steaming hot coffee on the table. Now this was a person who knew my deepest desires, unlike a certain Mr. Morningstar. I immediately reached for it, inhaled the aroma deeply, and took a generous sip.

All the while Lucifer watched. "Unseemly - you humans and your caffeine addictions."

I locked eyes with Lucifer, gave a snide smirk, and took another large drink; doing so as if to challenge some sort of imaginary authority he had.

"What will you be having?" The older woman asked, interrupting the impromptu staring contest.

"Yes, Ruth is it?" Lucifer asked, reading the woman's name tag pinned to her pink polyester dress.

He gazed at her with intent for a few moments before speaking. "Ruthie, tell me, what it is that you desire most?"

The woman stared back for a few seconds. "To be a famous country singer." She responded as if in a trance.

Initially, my eyes widened with surprise - maybe Lucifer really did have a talent (other than being a flirt). I narrowed my focus on Lucifer as he continued to stare at the woman. Lucifer was handsome as hell; so I settled on crediting Ruth's admittance to pure charm, the right target, and a little luck.

Ruth shook her head to regain clarity before meekly taking out orders.

Lucifer smile read that he was quite proud of himself. I didn't give him the satisfaction of a congratulation for manipulating a poor old woman with faded dreams. Lucifer picked up his cup of coffee and sipped elegantly as if having tea with the queen. Staring at his piano playing fingers I noticed the lack of a cut on his hand, confirming my suspicions I was coo coo for cocoa puffs. Unfortunately, Lucifer caught me staring. After placing his cup back on the table he held the hand in question up.

"Nothing." He grinned proudly.

My stomach dropped. Was he mocking me for the hallucinations? I rattled my finger nails against the table and bit my bottom lip. Then, I firmly placed both hands on the table and leaned towards the stubble faced man.

"Look, I'm sorry about yesterday, okay? I used to have severe insomnia when I was younger and it made me see things that weren't real. Obviously I had an episode last night. Can you just drop it? Please?" I pleaded in a hiss.

Lucifer looked oddly taken aback. "Whatever are you talking about?"

"I hallucinated that I stabbed your hand!"

"But you did stab my hand."

"No, Lucifer-"

"Pancakes?" Ruth interrupted.

Lucifer's spinach omelet paled in compassion to my buttery pancakes smothered in whip cream and strawberries.

"Do you take all your new employees out to brunch?" I asked, in between unladylike bites while blissfully avoiding our previous topic.

"Well, usually I make it for them in the morning - after we've spent the night shagging."

I choked on my food. "Say that again?"

"Shagging - sex, romping, making the beasts with two backs." Lucifer casually explained.

"Are you trying to sleep with me?" I asked, matching Lucifer's candor.

"Is it working?" He sinfully smirked.

I let out a hearty laugh - he was so forward it was hard to take him seriously. "Has this worked with the other girls that work for you?"

"Oh yes. I'm irresistible. Well, apparently until you." He looked confused.

"You expected me to throw myself at you when you showed up at my apartment this morning?"

"I actually I expected you to after I hired you." He leaned back, confusion still reminiscent in his voice. "It's usually a hiring bonus." He added.

"Sex with you is a bonus? Over my dead body." I scoffed as I took a sip of my coffee.

"If I wanted sex with the non-living I would have stayed in Hell." Lucifer casually took a sip of his coffee. "Sinners in damnation are a sexy bunch."

I figured it wasn't worth commenting on him being the 'devil' anymore; feeding his warped reality might just cause me to have more questionable hallucinations.

After finishing the rather awkward meal, Lucifer drove me home with considerably less annoyance than our arrival.

"See you tomorrow." I said as I exited the expensive car. "Thanks for brunch, I guess."

"The pleasure was all mine."

I stood at the curb as I watched the black Corvette drive off at a speed that was obviously much faster than the posted limit. I bit the inside of my cheek and sighed. I was running away from my old life when I came here to LA. Now it appeared Lucifer was going to be a big (and annoying) part of my new life. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little excited.

Authors Note:

I love the reviews and so here are some answers to questions I've gotten!

I haven't decided if this will be strictly AU or following the show. What I imagine right now is that this takes place before the show (its 2015 when the show starts and Lucifer has been in LA for 5 years, so I would put this story at about 2012 or 2013). All of the girls are in their 20's.

Chapters ideally will be uploaded weekly. Also, story line moves at a snail's pace.

Please review - you're love is what keeps me inspired :)