A/N - Just one more chapter to go. I hope you like it, I wrote a thousand different versions of this chapter but this is the closest I could get to what I wanted.

Special thank you to everyone who messaged me, making sure I had not given up on the story.

And without further ado, so we begin the end.

Chapter Seven - It Wasn't Supposed to Be

There was no clock in the interrogation room and Chloe could only guess at how much time she had spent talking with Dr. Martin. No more than twenty minutes could have passed but it felt like hours to her.

The revelation sat heavy in the room, a cloud which pressed against her shoulders and bent her spine.

Linda gave Chloe a moment to collect herself before asking, "I know you are not typically allowed to discuss your investigations with civilians but I was wondering about your most recent case."

"The Porter case? We have a confession already. Paperwork just has to be finished and it's all wrapped up." She said robotically.

The file was queued up on her computer and, just as it had been the day Dan had intervened, not so much as a single word was typed. She had tried but every time she focused on what she had to write, her hands would go numb and the ocean of guilt that was constantly lapping at her heels would threaten to drag her under in a roaring tidal wave. The higher ups were breathing down her neck as she had avoided handing in the report for almost a week now but she simply could not write it…

"Lucifer mentioned the case several times during his session. It was causing him serious duress." Linda said.

Chloe ducked her head. "Well, yeah. That's when… when everything went to shit."

The other woman leaned back in her chair. "You know, the whole reason Lucifer feels so badly is because he thinks he did something wrong." her eyes sharpened. "So, tell me, who was it who killed the child?"

Chloe felt ill, like when one first gets a fever. Her skin felt hot and cold at the same time, stomach churning.

"Er… the father of the victim… he killed his son." she breathed deeply to ward off the nauseous. "H-he used a lamp. Buried it in the neighbor's garden. It was… it was a fit of rage. Accidental."

Linda's gaze was sharp. "That is precisely the same theory Lucifer had, if I'm not mistaken. The theory that caused you to hurt him."

"I-I…" she trailed off. There was no way she could defend her actions.

"Does Lucifer know he was right?"

Chloe looked down. "Does it even matter anymore?" she asked, defeated. "Knowing won't change anything."

"He's going to know eventually. Would you rather he found out from someone else?" When Chloe offered no answers, Linda tried a different tactic. "Lucifer still doesn't understand that what he did at the crime scene could be interpreted as poor edicate. His entire image is based on you, on what you think of him. So yes, he should know he was right. He deserves to know." She sighed. "Chloe, this is killing him. You're the first person in a long time to put any faith in him, to tell him he is something more than a namesake. Maybe it won't fix anything but that's not the point. Right now he's hurting. Badly."

Well when she said it like that...

The ornate clock on the stone wall proclaimed it was well past evening. The city outside Lux had begun to light up even as the sky bled from red and purple to black with the coming night. A dull glow emanated from the television in the corner, the only source of light in the penthouse. Amenadiel had considered turning on a lamp or two but had hesitated, anxious to not wake up Lucifer by mistake.

From his position on the couch facing the balcony, he could make out the younger angel's curled up form. It was impressive how his brother, who seemed to tower over everything with his commanding presence, could appear so small now. He could not help but look over every few moments, fascinated.

The Lucifer he had known in Heaven had been all hard lines and scowls, a face constantly twisted into anger or displeasure. He could scarcely remember a time when his brother had been genuinely happy in the Silver City. Perhaps, he never had.

It was one of the greatest injustices their Father had dealt Lucifer. More than free will, He had given humans individuality - the right to be inherently different. His children had been denied that, Lucifer most of all. He had been created as an outcast, forced to endure until everyone had tired of his individuality and he had been unceremoniously thrown out.

Amenadiel had yet to learn why humans felt the need to hug others but right now he very much wished to give his brother one… even if he would only begrudge and complain about it.

The elevator door slid open smoothly but the slight sound was not lost on Amenadiel, who twisted in his seat to see who the visitor was. Twice already, he had had to send away women who had come looking for Lucifer. They had worn looks of lust, eager to engage sexually with his brother. When he had ushered them out, claiming the club owner was ill, the women had hardly cared, only upset about the pleasure they were being denied.

He had never before understood how lonely Lucifer's existence on Earth was. To be surrounded by people every night only because they wanted to take…

If Lucifer found even this preferable to Hell, then Amenadiel would do everything in his power to make sure his brother never had to return. His moment of rebellion had been paid for a thousand times over as far as he was concerned.

Ready to tell whoever had entered the penthouse that Lucifer was indisposed, he choked the words back as he caught sight of the nervous figure shifting uneasily foot to foot by the bar.

"Detective Decker?" He finally managed, warding off a coughing fit.

"Hello… Amenadiel right?" She continued to fidgit as if she was not sure if she was allowed to even be in the penthouse. "Is Lucifer here?"

His gaze unconsciously fell to his still sleeping brother. The too small blanket only covered his torso, curled legs exposed. His hair was in complete disarray, some pieces starting to curl while others fell flat across his scalp. He was not as pale as he had been earlier but the ill look had yet to fully dissipate. It was obvious in the dark marks under his eyes, the deathly stillness of his body as he slept.

Chloe followed his look and for the first time she noticed Lucifer was in the room as well. Unconsciously, she took a step forward. The action sent off a warning for Amenadiel who planted himself firmly between the detective and his brother, acting as a shield. Regardless of how he felt towards Chloe, she was still the reason Lucifer was acting so… unlike Lucifer.

"He's sleeping and I ask that you do not disturb him." He said quietly, crossing his arms.

Chloe faltered, remembering herself. "Oh right. Of course."

He waited for her to say why she was here but no explanation was forthcoming. Instead, her eyes were trained on the small bits of Lucifer his large figure could not hide. Taking another deliberate step forward, he plastered on one of those smiles Lucifer had always called 'smug'.

"Can I take a message perhaps?"

She jolted. "Oh yes. I just wanted to let him know that he was right about the Porter case. The father killed the son with a lamp just like he thought. I… I forgot to tell him that when I was here yesterday."

Amenadiel was not nearly as good at sensing lies as his brother. He thought it came down to their nature. A part of Lucifer operated on a healthy dose of paranoia. He was always looking for the trap, any hint that he was being led on or deceived. By contrast, Amenadiel was content to take people at face value, assuming the best in those he met.

But even he knew Chloe was not being truthful.

She was constantly moving, hands fumbling with the sleeves of her jacket while she tapped one of her feet softly against the impeccable tiled floor. More than that though, she seemed darker somehow, her edges in shadow. A guilty conscience perhaps? She had always radiated far more light than the average human, a beacon to which he was unconsciously drawn.

Even as Chloe dimmed the Morningstar, so too was she losing her brightness. The hurt was nearly tangible to him, a force which he could feel with every sense. This was the reason he had been gifted with the ability to stop time. There was no connection he could ever form that would make all this pain worth it. He would rather operate in the stillness, separated from all living beings.

He half turned, looking to Lucifer who was still fast asleep.

But, in some twisted way, his brother relished in the pain. He fought and rose above it, the swirling pit of darkness unable to get it's claws in him.

"You're lying." He said flatly, turning back to Chloe. "Why?"

"What? No I'm not. I really did want to tell him he was right about the case."

"But why?" He pressed. "Telling him he was right, what does it accomplish?"

Choe was hugging herself, staring at Lucifer's bare feet, the only part of him she could see. "Because he's not a monster. Not to me." Her face crumpled, careful composure lost in cascading tears. "Monsters don't seek justice or protect their partners or- or remember the way you like your coffee. He's so much more than that. Why can't he see it? Why does my opinion matter so damn much?"

Amenadiel was silent, surprised by the force of her words. He had never once witnessed anyone defend Lucifer like this, aside from Mazikeen - and she was more given to physical outbursts than using words.

"I'm the monster." She continued, almost defiantly, as if daring him to contradict her. "I was the one who said what I knew would hurt him. I was the one who took unjustifiably took my anger out on him just for doing his job. And he's blaming himself for everything. But it's not his fault!" She looked down. "It's mine."

The clock was still ticking, unyielding. Amenadiel looked over at it, watching the second hand travel its circle as he digested Chloe's confession.

"Lucifer is accustomed to being the one blamed for humanity's shortcomings." he said thoughtfully. "He's always seemed to just brush it off but it's recently come to my attention that he carries each of these accusations with him." he glanced over at the still sleeping form of his brother. "So many of us have let him down. I know I did."

Chloe looked like she desperately wanted to come closer. She even took a step forward before freezing, remembering herself. Amenadiel watched emotions play across her face, amazed that one tiny soul could feel so much without combusting.

Then, her face settled into a profound look of regret. "I don't want him to forgive me. I mean, of course I would like his forgiveness, but I'm not sure I deserve it right now."

"Then what is it you want, Detective Decker?"

"I was him to forgive himself."

And Amenadiel was starting to see what it was that Lucifer loved so much about humans.

Because, for all the cruelty of which they were capable, they never ceased to amaze.

"I should go." Chloe said, turning away.

Amenadiel did not call her back, instead simply watching as she entered the elevator and the metal doors slid shut.

Sighing, he reclaimed his seat on the couch. Try as he might, he could not muster much anger towards Chloe. Even if she had hurt his brother, at least she had bothered to apologize. How many of his siblings would never look upon Lucifer with anything other than derision? How many were in Heaven right now, cackling with glee at watching the Morningstar fall to pieces?

Even he, for all his righteous talk, had been too blind and arrogant to treat Lucifer as anything more than a mistake.

He turned off the television, no longer interested in the drivel. In the semidarkness, Lucifer's exposed skin seemed to practically glow. He had always found it a source of amusement, how utterly different he and his younger brother appeared. None of their siblings looked related by earthly standards but he and Lucifer were complete opposites. The only real similarity were their eyes, both brown in hue.

Unconsciously, his gaze jumped to Lucifer's face. Now that he had seen what that face looked like, not twisted in hatred or drawn with despair, he found himself hard pressed to look away. It reminded him of those early days in the Silver City before humanity when everyone had been a family. Eons had been spent simply enjoy their Father's creation, though Lucifer had always been a bit of a troublemaker.

He had thought Lucifer was asleep, and was startled when a pair of pained eyes met his own.

"She said sorry." the younger angel muttered, sounding so young it broke Amenadiel's heart.

"Oh Luci, I had no idea you heard all that." he said softly.

Lucifer nodded, pushing himself upright. "She wasn't lying." he all but whispered. "I can tell when humans lie."

Amenadiel frowned. "But last time she apologized, you didn't believe her."

"She was holding out about the case. Lying by omission is still lying, brother." he staggered to his feet.

Amenadiel hastily rose to steady him. "Hey, where are you going?"

The tortured look he received hurt about as badly as a stab wound in the sternum. He gasped aloud, having never seen such an expression so steeped in agony.

"She wasn't lying. She wasn't lying." Lucifer chanted, making his way towards the elevator.

"Luci wait! What are doing?" he grabbed him, stopping his progress.

Lucifer jerked free of his grasp, whirling and nearly falling over. He looked wild, heaving breath making his slender chest rise and fall alarmingly.

"She wasn't lying!" he repeated impatiently.

Amenadiel was at a bit of a loss and Lucifer took this lapse in his focus to scramble to the elevator, jabbing furiously at the call button.

"Brother, I don't understand-" he began but cut himself off when Lucifer rounded on him.

"She said I wasn't a monster. I…" he looked down at himself, barefooted and clad in a wrinkled suit. "I just… I don't want it to hurt anymore."

And Amenadiel could almost understand what Lucifer was trying to convey. So, he did nothing as the elevator took his brother away. Instead, he stayed where he was, sending a silent plea to their Father, asking, just this once, that He let everything turn out alright.