Chapter Text
The case started quietly enough, with the punchline of a joke just waiting to fall from Lucifer's lips. A priest had walked into his bar looking for a favor. Lucifer was baffled by the priest searching him out to elicit his help. It seemed the priest wanted to keep a young parishioner safe and feared that he was being drawn into a drug ring at the local community center. Lucifer was sure that the priest had to have ulterior motives, particularly since the parishioner in question was a young boy. Lucifer categorically refused to help the priest. However, he was sure that the Detective would find reasons to arrest him for some misdeeds surrounding the youth. The Detective wasn't convinced, but after they found Arietta, the youth director, bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat, and witnesses confirmed the priest was at the center that morning, she had to admit that Lucifer might be onto something.
They went to the church to question Father Frank. Begrudgingly, Lucifer had to admit that it couldn't have been Father Frank, because Lucifer had already inadvertently confirmed his alibi. Chloe did need Father Frank to come to the station to make a formal statement, because she wasn’t going to take Lucifer’s word for it. He had entered the confessional under false pretenses, so anything the parishioner had told him needed to be verified. The moment they headed outside, a black SUV opened fire on them. Chloe managed to get Father Frank and Lucifer out of the path of bullets, while also getting a partial license plate number from the vehicle.
Questioned by Chloe after the shooting, Father Frank admitted that he had received threatening phone calls and that Connor was already dealing for Arietta. Chloe wondered if Connor was already dealing and in so deep, why Father Frank was even bothering. Frank explained that Connor had a rough life, thinking he could only rely on himself, but he's still a good kid. When Frank says that there is still hope for Connor, Lucifer gives him an appraising look, perhaps wondering why his own Father didn't give him the benefit of the doubt. Or maybe just wondering why Frank cares so much about Connor.
"Well, Father, you were the target today. We need to worry about your safety," states Chloe, "Do you have a place to stay? We can offer police protection."
"I'm fine here," Frank says, "This is my Sanctuary."
"Well, your sanctuary just got shot to high Heaven, but if you're looking to lay low, I know just the place," Lucifer declares with a smirk.
*
Three nuns, heads bowed, descend the staircase lit by lights from several candelabras. Reaching the bottom of the steps, they remove their habits with a flourish, revealing a lot of skin and lacy bra and panty sets. The veils remain atop their heads providing a stark contrast to their actions. They begin dancing erotically as Do Ya Thang plays over the club's speakers. Lucifer, definitely appreciating what he's seeing, turns to Father Frank seated in the booth next to him, and remarks, "Thought this might make you feel more at home."
"Sure you did, "responds Father Frank with a knowing smile.
Lucifer continues enjoying the dance as Chloe returns to the booth relaying the information she got on the partial plates from the SUV. Chloe looks over to the dancers in distaste. Rolling her eyes she turns to Lucifer, "So you just couldn't resist?"
"Well, the man deserves to have fun," Lucifer says.
"Or you just want to prove he's a hypocrite," Chloe counters.
"What can I say, temptation is in my nature."
Chloe glances over at Father Frank and asks, "And how is that working out for you?" At which point Lucifer looks over to the priest, who has his eyes closed and is tapping out the rhythm of the song against his knee.
"Padre, does this not bother you?"
"What can I say, I love this song," Frank says with a smile. Lucifer looks disappointed and a bit put out that not only do his efforts not get a rise out of the priest, but that Frank is actually enjoying himself.
Drinks arrive at the table. Chloe voices her concern that Lux might be a bit too much for Father Frank. Father Frank relays how he grew up in clubs and how no one is born a priest. He shares that before the priesthood he was just Frank Lawrence, touring musician. He talks about playing piano, opening for performers like the Stones, Dylan, and Bowie, telling Lucifer that he was a lot like him. Lucifer insists that would be literally impossible, but he's listening to the priest's story with a smile on his face.
Then the priest's face changes, turning introspective. Chloe notices and tells Frank that he doesn't need to continue, but Lucifer is insistent that he proceeds. The priest tells them of a car accident that occurred ten years ago, how he had been traveling with Connor's family, and that Connor lost both his parents that night. Both Lucifer and Chloe are taken aback. Frank continues on telling how his daughter had also been with them, and that she hadn't made it either. He thought he had seen dark days before, but nothing like losing his little girl.
Chloe shakes her head, as if willing the thought away, but trying to fathom what that might be like. She would be devastated if she lost Trixie. She has no idea how she would continue on. Maybe she would have curled up in bed under the covers and stayed there. Being an atheist she doubts she would have turned to God.
Lucifer is clearly touched by Frank's story, but Lucifer thinks Frank should have been angry at God. Frank explains that turning to God is what saved him.
"Let me get this straight, God stole your spawn, and you decided to worship him?" Lucifer clearly doesn't understand how that could be possible. Chloe looks at Lucifer in disbelief for the way he grills the priest.
Frank doesn't seem phased by Lucifer's question though. "It's hard to explain, but it made me feel she was safe. That's when I discovered my faith,” the priest replies.
Chloe smiles, seeming happy that Frank had found a way to cope.
Frank continues on saying that the Church gave him purpose and that it was there he ran across Connor again. "We might not always understand it, but God has a plan."
Looking less sympathetic now, Lucifer states, "Yes, I know, but why does everyone always think it's a good plan?" Frank gives Lucifer a wry smile, seeming like he may want to argue the point, but thinks better of it.
Chloe excuses herself from the table to take a phone call. Lucifer turns to Father Frank and says, "Can we go back to this absurd notion that you and I are in any way similar."
"You're right, we're not."
Lucifer smiles victoriously and says, "Thank you."
Before Lucifer has the chance to gloat though, Father Frank quickly jumps in and clarifies, "I'm probably a much better piano player."
Lucifer looks a bit insulted.
They've adjourned to the Penthouse. Frank sits at the piano playing Knockin’ on Heaven's Door. Lucifer leans against the bar, ankles crossed casually, red soles of his Louboutins visible, watching Frank. He listens for a bit, then puts his drink down, and heads toward the piano. He stands there a moment before asking, "Do you know anything a bit more upbeat? Something that doesn't want to make me impale myself." As he's talking he lowers himself onto the bench next to Frank,"Uh, something like…" By now Lucifer has stopped talking and his fingers deftly fly over the upper keys playing a jaunty melody.
Father Frank listens for a second or two before saying, "I think I know what you mean." He starts to play on the lower keys, his fingers moving almost as skillfully as Lucifer's. Turning to Lucifer he says, "Something like this." Lucifer nods his head. Frank looks over at Lucifer with a somewhat challenging expression as they both continue to play. Neither hears the elevator arrive.
Lucifer loves music and always enjoys playing, but there is something different about playing the piano with Father Frank. He feels a connection where he certainly doesn't think there should be one. Lucifer is playing piano with a priest of all people. The music is so pure that it's almost like being back in the Silver City. There's also no denying that Frank knows his way around the piano. With a smile on his face, he offers a compliment. "Father has got soul."
"You ain't seen nothing yet," Frank states as they continue playing. Lucifer asks Frank if he'd like to take the top. "Why not? Excuse me." As Lucifer gets up to give Frank room, the priest runs his fingers along the keyboard performing a quick glissando. Laughing, Lucifer settles back onto the piano bench and they continue their spontaneous jam session. They are both lost in the joy of performing together, clearly having a wonderful time.
By now Chloe has made her way from the elevator, and is standing a couple of feet away from the piano. As Lucifer leans forward during his playing, he catches sight of her from the corner of his eye. Frank notices a beat later and they both stop playing. She's beaming at both of them. Both look like they have gotten caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
"Well,I suppose that wasn't completely terrible," Lucifer remarks. Frank replies,"Not completely," smiling as he gives Lucifer a good natured smack on the chest. Lucifer looks down to where Frank just touched him, wondering if the priest realizes he just hit the Devil. When Lucifer first came into contact with the priest, he wanted to prove that he was a fake. The smile that was on his face a moment ago changes to a grimace. He'd like to have more impromptu jam sessions with the priest he realizes, but if Father Frank knew who he actually was, how could that be possible?
Lucifer turns his attention to Chloe as she updates him on their case. “The information Father Frank gave us about The Spider checks out. I’ve got a lead so let’s get moving.”
“Of course, Detective,” turning to Frank, Lucifer says, "You stay here. You need the practice.” Frank watches them leave with a smile on his face.
*
Entering the skate club, Chloe looks back over her shoulder at Lucifer, "Narcotics says their CI confirms that The Spider hangs out here.”
“Okay, but why did you need to bring me along?”
Chloe smiles, "Are you anxious to get back to your new friend?”
Lucifer laughs out loud, "The Devil friends with a priest. What an absurd notion.”
“Absurdly adorable. It’s okay to be friends with him. You know, it’s actually okay to admit that you like the guy.”
“First of all, the Devil is not adorable,” sputters Lucifer, "Besides, he’s everything that I stand against.”
“Yeah, well, sometimes we get along best with the people that we are most different from.”
Lucifer is about to reply to her comment, but doesn’t get a chance because the Detective gets his attention and motions across the room. Instead Lucifer says, ”Little Miss Sunshine from the youth center. In the midst of a drug deal by the looks of it.”
“And a smooth one at that. Maybe she’s The Spider,” muses Chloe. Nikki is standing casually in the doorway with another teen that is holding a skateboard. They pass money and drugs between them.
“Ooh, lovely then, a Black Widow,” Lucifer says as he starts to head that way, but Chloe holds him back for a minute.
“Wait, she’s giving it to someone else.” She pauses a beat,”to Connor,” as she strides forward Connor notices her. Connor removes a gun from the waistband of his jeans, and fires several times into the air. As people scatter, he and Nikki run out the door. By the time Chloe and Lucifer get through the crowd, and reach the alley, they are long gone.
“So why was our Black Widow giving the cash to our Altar Boy anyway?” inquires Lucifer.
“You never want to carry cash and drugs at the same time. It makes you a target,” she says reaching for her phone that has just vibrated in her back pocket. “Or because Connor is The Spider.”
Lucifer looks at the traffic footage on Chloe’s phone. “Ah, from the church shooting, so the boy the priest is trying to protect is the one that tried to kill him. Now isn’t that an ironic kick in the cassock.”
*
Back in the penthouse Lucifer is behind the bar preparing drinks while Chloe is breaking the news to Father Frank. "This doesn't prove that Connor is The Spider," argues Frank, returning the tablet to Chloe.
"I'm sorry, Father, but it's pretty damning. And it's enough for the APB that just went out. Connor is being considered armed and dangerous."
"Armed and dangerous? But he needs help, needs to be convinced to turn himself in." Frank doesn't want to give up on Connor. In a way he is the last link to his daughter. More than that though he doesn't want Connor to waste his life on drugs.
"He shot at you. He tried to kill you and he shot into a room full of kids."
"Yes, but he shot up," Frank says, rubbing his forehead with the hand that's still bandaged from punching Arietta.
Lucifer walks over to the Detective and Father Frank with three drinks in his hand as the Detective is telling Frank that they will try to bring Connor in peacefully. Lucifer offers Frank a drink, but he declines and heads to the balcony for some air.
Lucifer sighs and turns to Chloe who says, "I need to do some digging, will you watch over him until I get back?"
"You want me to babysit the priest?"
"I babysit you all the time," she says playfully heading to the elevator.
Lucifer sighs again and places the tumblers of Scotch on a nearby high top. He picks one up and takes a generous sip before heading to the balcony to join Father Frank.
Father Frank is resting his arms on the railing, unlit cigarette in his hand, staring out over the city. It's a clear night with the moon high in the sky, not quite full yet. City lights twinkle as far as the eye can see.
Lucifer reaches into his pocket. "Need a light?" Lucifer asks as he flips open the lid of his gold lighter.
"No, thanks," replies Father Frank, "I quit years ago, but I still enjoy the ritual. I always keep one on me."
"Please don't tell me you've come out here to talk to him."
"God? This is as good a spot as any."
Lucifer chuckles and rolls his eyes. He takes a sip of his drink and asks, "Does he ever talk back?"
"I don't need to hear Him, to hear Him, if you know what I mean."
"Yes, well, he never talks to me either." Lucifer takes a sip of his drink and continues on, definitely sincere in what he's saying. "I'm sorry about your altar boy. You must know that you're not to blame. Some people are just beyond saving." With a sardonic smile he takes another sip of his drink.
"That's where you're wrong. There's still hope for him."
"He shot up your church, he's most likely running a drug ring behind your back, and oh yes, he killed a man," says Lucifer incredulously.
"I don't believe that."
"But what if it's true?" suggests Lucifer.
"Then he needs me even more."
"How can you still have faith in this boy?" counters Lucifer.
"God has faith in him. God has faith in all of us," states Frank with conviction, "even in our darkest moments."
"You really do believe that," Lucifer states with a shrug of resignation.
"I do. Why don't you?"
A storm of emotions passes across Lucifer's face as he says quietly, "Because He didn't have faith in me."
"I felt that way once too, but I know now that he has a plan for me."
"His plan for me was quite clear," Lucifer replies with a bitterness that was kindled over millennia. "All I wanted was to be my own man. I didn't want to be a tool used and then discarded. It was fine when I did as I was told. As soon as I wanted to do something on my own, he felt threatened. I didn't need free will to become God. I wanted free will to get away from God. They said I was the prideful one, but he assumed that I'd want to be like him, and eventually want to take what he had. I had no desire to be like him though, but his plan was to send me far away from everything I knew, and to turn everyone against me."
"How do you know it's finished?"
Lucifer takes a long look at Father Frank contemplating what he said. Is God finished with him? Lucifer sure as Hell hopes so. He's tired of being forced to do a job he despises. "So, Father, are you trying to tell me that God is going to meddle some more in my life? I'll pass, thank you very much."
"I have faith that God will set things right with you."
"Wouldn't it disappoint a priest for God to set things right with the Devil?”
"Maybe I have a different perspective since I had a child before I became a priest, but it's hard for me to reconcile that a father wouldn't want the best for their child.”
Lucifer wonders if he's heard correctly. "I haven't met many priests that think the Devil is blameless in being cast from Heaven. In fact, you would be the first. Besides, who says I need him to have faith in me?"
At that moment, the priest’s phone rings. He looks at the screen and makes a face, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Lucifer. “What’s wrong?” he asks.
Frank tells Lucifer that the call is from one of the parishioners that is still upset over the shooting at the Church. He excuses himself to have some privacy for the call.
*
Father Frank had left Lux and headed to meet with Connor at his church. He was desperately trying to convince the young man that he wasn't a killer. Connor was definitely conflicted. Though he kept the gun trained on Father Frank, his hands trembled. During their exchange, Eric Doyle, aka The Spider, had appeared from behind the altar. Chloe and Lucifer, having just arrived, listen from the shadows at the rear of the church. Doyle was running out of patience. If Connor wouldn't kill Frank, then the boy needed to be eliminated. As Doyle rounded on Connor, pulling the trigger, Frank stepped in front of the boy.
Chloe shot Doyle in the leg immobilizing him, as Lucifer shouted out, whipping off his jacket, and running to Frank's side. Chloe was already calling for two ambulances and backup units. Lucifer dropped to his knees, cradling Frank's head, while using his Burberry jacket to try to stem the flow of blood.
"You idiot, what the bloody Hell were you thinking?!"
"I'm not afraid to die," Frank says.
As Chloe keeps her gun trained on Doyle, she calls over her shoulder to Lucifer that he should keep pressure on the wound. "I am!" he yells, while some distant part of his mind is thankful he didn't wear the Tom Ford today. He shakes his head to clear that ridiculous thought from his mind.
"Well you should be," Lucifer declares, "where you're going is bloody boring."
"That's good, I've had enough excitement for one lifetime."
"But you still need to annoy more people," Lucifer replies almost hopelessly.
"At first I didn't understand why God put you in my path. Then it hit me, maybe He put me in yours."
"I doubt that. He gave up on me a long time ago."
"You're wrong, Lucifer. Your Father does have a plan for you," Frank struggles to get the words out.
"My Father?" states Lucifer completely shocked.
"Yes," Frank says in barely a whisper.
"You know," Lucifer states simply.
Lucifer can hear the sirens and urges Frank to hold on. The doors at the back of the Church burst open allowing some of the emergency lights to flit eerily across the rows of pews. The EMTs move quickly toward the altar. Frank takes a shuddering breath and his eyelids fall closed.
Lucifer gently lowers Frank to the floor while lifting his eyes towards the shooter. In one fluid motion, Lucifer stalks towards Doyle. He wraps his hand around The Spider's neck as he lifts him up pushing his back against the worn Confessional door leaving his legs dangling. "Time to pull the legs off the Spider!"
Meanwhile, Chloe and Connor watch the EMTs minister to Frank. Chloe silently urges Frank to respond. "Clear!" shouts one EMT, while another applies paddles to Frank's chest. Suddenly, Frank's eyes snap open. "Okay, let's get moving before he bleeds out!"
Chloe realizes a choking sound is coming from where Lucifer is confronting Doyle. She moves quickly, gently placing her hand on his arm. "Lucifer, Frank wouldn't want this. Lucifer, he's not dead. He's on the way to the hospital. Please, stop."
Lucifer turns towards Chloe as if coming out of a trance. His grip releases and Doyle slides to the ground. An officer moves to cuff the prisoner, as another pair of EMTs assess the patient. Lucifer turns and strides towards the back of the church. He gazes at the gurney helplessly as Frank is loaded into the ambulance. Lucifer watches until he can’t see the flashing lights any more. Then he heads for his car.
By the time Chloe is able to exit the church, Lucifer is nowhere to be seen. She contemplates heading to the hospital, but Lucifer probably wants a drink and a smoke. Decision made, she turns her cruiser towards Lux.
*
When the elevator door slides open, she finds Lucifer playing Knocking on Heaven’s Door lost in the music. A cigarette sits forgotten in the ashtray on top of the piano. A half empty tumbler of Scotch sits nearby. Chloe watches for a moment. He doesn't register her presence until she speaks.
"Hello, Lucifer."
"Detective, another case already?"
"No, I came for you. I thought you could use a friend," she replies as she sits next to him on the bench. "I checked with the hospital on the way over. Father Frank is still in surgery, but they are optimistic that he'll make a full recovery."
She thinks she hears him mumble, "OH, thank Dad." before he turns to her. "I went to the hospital to wait, but soon the waiting room was filled with priests from the parish. I couldn't handle being in the room with all those reminders of my father. How could he let this happen?"
"I don't have an answer for you. I did ask the hospital to call me when Father Frank was out of surgery. I can wait with you, unless you want to be alone."
"No, please, stay, thank you, Detective, do you play?"
Looking down at the keyboard, Chloe bites her bottom lip. "Let's see, I had three years of lessons, and this is all I remember." Tentatively she starts to tap out a few notes.
"You're joking,” he chuckles as he recognizes the tune. She shakes her head sheepishly. "Very well," Lucifer replies as he starts playing the melody for Heart and Soul.
*
Lucifer made sure that Frank received the best health care money could buy. He requested a private room and arranged for extra staffing so that Frank was never alone. Lucifer waited a couple days after the surgery, then went to visit. Lucifer is glad to see that Frank is sitting up in bed reading. He knocks on the door to announce his presence.
Looking up from his book, Frank smiles broadly when he sees it is Lucifer. "I wasn't sure that I would see you again," says Frank, "I'm glad you came."
"WelI, I had to make sure they were caring for you properly. I can't have you blaming your injury for not being almost as good as I am at playing the piano."
Frank sees beyond the bluster and is truly moved by Lucifer's concern. "Thank you, Lucifer. I should be going home tomorrow."
"Text me, Padre. If I can't make it personally, I'll arrange an Uber. Get some rest. I'm due at the precinct."
Two weeks later
Chloe and Lucifer pull up to the curb outside Frank's church. Frank is waiting on the sidewalk with a well worn suitcase nearby. Lucifer exits the car and approaches Frank. "Good to see you up and around, Padre."
"I was ready to meet my maker, but obviously he still has plans for me." He pretends not to notice Lucifer's eye roll. "I guess someone agrees that I've had enough excitement though, since I'm being transferred out of LA."
"Yes, tell me about this little town in the middle of nowhere," Lucifer inquires.
"It's hardly the middle of nowhere, but the pace will definitely be slower than here. Actually, I'm looking forward to it. I've never been there, but I understand that my daughter's favorite book was inspired by the local hotel. I took it as a promising sign."
"Well, don't pray to dear old Dad, if you get lost in the Rocky Mountains. He left Moses wandering for 40 years."
Chloe speaks up now. "Father Frank, if you're going to make your flight we better get a move on." Lucifer grabs the suitcase and places it in the car. They travel to LAX in companionable silence.
"Thanks for the ride. I owe you. Both of you."
"Trading favors with the Devil, Padre?"
Exiting the car, Frank leans back in, speaking to Lucifer, "You never know when the Devil might need some piano lessons." Lucifer sputters, as Chloe snorts, then they all laugh.
*
Lucifer is sitting on the couch in Linda's office. He's just told her how he met Father Frank during a case. "We took him to the airport yesterday and I'm feeling a bit odd now."
Linda tries not to smile too much as she listens to Lucifer. He is animated as he tells of his duet with the priest. There's a hint of anguish as he tells about seeing Father Frank being shot. Lucifer is matter of fact as he talks about paying all the hospital bills. He doesn't realize that he's made a friend.
"Lucifer, you miss him. He's become a friend."