Chapter 20

Stupid Michael. Lucifer would have been perfectly happy with anyone else, but no, God to throw Michael in, didn't he? Now not only does Lucifer has to worry about someone rivaling him in power, but also changing him back to the angel he used to be. The one who was weak. The one who was caring and empathetic, falling into the trap of giving a crap about others. Lucifer learned a long time ago that that didn't help anything.

Only Michael could have changed his mind like that. Only Michael could have convinced him to apologize-to a human, no less. What has gotten into him to make him so weak, perceptible to change? Whatever it is, he hopes its gone soon. He doesn't like it.

Lucifer knocks on Jo's door. He figured out who sleeps where on day one, wanting to ensure that he could find everyone should the need arise. Sometimes, you think of a roast too good to wait for using it.

"Michael?" Jo asks softly.

"No," Lucifer replies.

He can feel the fear when she hears his voice, radiating through the door. She wasn't this afraid of him earlier today — yesterday? Lucifer isn't sure what time it is. It must have been a hell of a nightmare to freak her out this bad.

"Go away," she says, her voice shaking despite her best efforts to keep it strong.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Lucifer assures you. "I just want to talk."

"Go away," Jo repeats.

"I just want to talk to you," Lucifer says again, though he doesn't know why he's trying so hard. "Let me in. Please?"

Jo is silent for so long, Lucifer decides she's ignoring him. But eventually, her small voice comes again.

"Okay."

Lucifer opens the door, closing it behind him as softly as he can. He looks at Jo, whose eyes are red from crying, tear stains on her face reflecting in the dim lighting. Her blonde hair is in a braid, now a mess from tossing and turning all night. She watches Lucifer, her muscles all tense as she waits for the cue to move.

"Relax," Lucifer instructs. "I'm not going to hurt you. Promise."

"Well, sorry for not taking the word of the devil."

"I guess I deserve that."

"You deserve way worse than that," Jo snarls.

"Yeah, that's probably true," Lucifer agrees.

"What do you want?"

"To apologize," Lucifer says, much to her surprise.

"You want to apologize," Jo repeats skeptically. "To . Yeah, not buying it."

"You don't have to buy it," Lucifer replies. "I'm going to do it anyway. I'm sorry for yelling at you, and threatening you, and throwing you into a wall, and shattering all your bones."

"That was the least sincere apology I have ever heard," Jo tells him, but she can't hide her amused smile at how he said it.

"It's sincere," Lucifer protests. "It's a bad apology, but it's sincere."

Jo laughs softly before she can stop herself.

"So, apology accepted?" Lucifer asks.

"Fine, but that doesn't mean I forgive you."

"I wasn't expecting this much, so that works."