I didn't know my grandfather, John decker. He died before my first birthday, I was too young to know of him as a person. Mom had pictures of my granddad holding me as an infant, at the hospital, and told me how proud of a granddad he felt in those special seconds I was born. So when an alarmed is raised that Joe fields, the murderer of my grandfather, is being released from prison I had to be at the station for mom.

From there I was called out to a crime scene, I found out soon enough to be Joe himself and I couldn't let a cloud of judgement, and personal vendetta against Joe, interfere with my work.

I inspect the titanium interior of a prisoner hold cell inside a transport truck for anything which could help give insight. Whether it is an inside heist or someone out for revenge is yet to be an answer to the mystery. Joe fields body, shot at close range point blank, sprawls on the edge of the truck.

" Find anything, Liz?"

Ella asks, dusting for left over prints to lift.

" It never gets easier. You know? Being close to a body like this. Even with crims like our victim. I have no sympathy for him, of course, but like dude got what he deserved. Forget I said that."

" Don't be, Ella. Honestly, you'd think growing up around police officers I am desensitised by the sheer amount of death, I've witnessed, but I don't have a single ounce of empathy for this one." My words sounded like a lie coming out of my own mouth. That darn Angel instinct is telling me different. Sometimes I don't like it.

" besides. It's not every day you stare down at the face of your grandfathers killer."

I said that more to myself than anything, an intention of not letting the way I feel morph into my work.

" What do we got?"

Uncle Dan questions, from outside looking in at me checking to see if I'm alright and I nod. Lucifer, and dad, each came into view.

I noticed the tension between them is still very high. After all my dad is less than a little enthusiastic of the thought I forgot how it was a few weeks back. With the whole Lucifer blowing me off. Right now this case is more of a focus than a petty fight about Lucifer getting the cold shoulder by my dad. ' Crap. This is the first time in eighteen years, since dad has seen fields.'

Aunt Chloe stood a few metres from an open pothole break in the middle of the road.

I exit out of the transport vehicle and walk back to stand beside dad.

He is staring, void of any and all emotion, at Joe fields. Aunt Chloe was a mile away, mentally, as she stared in discomfort at his lifeless body reliving how he met the same fate as grandpa John. A sick and twisted sense of ironic karma.

I feel dad move to comfort his sister, but I stop him in his track shaking my head fiercely. She can't know he is her brother. It would break her. Dad and I are in a staring contest, there is an underlined sign of an impending argument waiting to happen.

" .. Prisoners name is Joe fields." Crap.

It's in the open now, I tensed and dad bowed his head in reprise of the acclimation of the crime scene dropping. Lucifers entire face changes, to an instant one of concern, facing to where I stood as mom spoke the words I was expecting.

" He's the guy who killed.. who killed mine and my brother, Charles, father. Who is also Ellie's grandfather." It was the first time, in eleven years, aunt Chloe spoke about dad. All the meanwhile he stands a few yards before her. She didn't even know it. " they targeted him while he was vulnerable. This was a hit, Dan."

Ella paused, the duster in her hand filtered in the grey dust dropping on her blue latex glove, to gawk and stare at me.

" You worked on this case, knowing the guy killed your granddad? I knew you were strong, Liz, but this's totally a messed up thing to experience. You had a lotta guts coming here. I'm so sorry, both of you. I.. are you okay?"

Ella asked aunt Chloe, taking in how morbid it was. For mom, dad. and I.

" I say this is a justified punishment. Your dad's killer got the ultimate answer of justice I've seen yet." Lucifer stated, hoping to pry out a reaction from my uncle which I noticed he'd been copying since rocking up. 'Not now, Luc.'

I made a 'Cut it out' motion to my neck. All he does is huff seeing no one was laughing.

" Who was first on the scene?"

Uncle Dan had questioned, hand on his belt, furrowing both of his brows in a scrunch. I didn't want my aunt to get in trouble for being on scene first, and I had a feeling this would later bite me in the ass if I do say it. I get my uncles attention. My aunt goes to open her mouth but i act as a shield for her.

" It was me. I discovered fields body and the transportation truck abandoned. I called it in."

Uncle Dan was stunned to silence, for a second.

" Aunt Chloe, she can attest to my words."

It wasn't a whole lie but also it's a stretch of the truth. Admitting to the lie would mean Id admit I was wrong for acting on an emotion, I told myself I'm suppose to ignore when it came to my personal feelings.

" No, baby. It's fine. I.. I brought Ellie along, in a moment when I was High on emotions, and I shouldn't have. 'cause I didn't want her to see him but she insisted. I couldn't say no as she deserved to see the face of the man who killed her grandpa. You don't have to protect me, sweetie. I am a big girl. Okay?"

We are in big trouble.

~•~

'Now it's my turn to be interrogated. This must be what criminals feel like, expect I'm not one. I was just a girl who wanted to see the guy who tore my family apart.' I fiddled with a piece of my pendant, to the necklace Lucifer bought me on our first time out at the markets. " You do realise how this will look on your file, Ellie? It won't look good for you. Especially taking into account you are one year out of the academy."

Uncle Dan stated, standing before me as a man of the law and not my uncle.

" And you, Chloe, stalked your father's murderer, dragged our niece along for the ride, and moments before he was killed? Do you know what image that's creating for not only you but her?" I control an eye roll from happening. Aunt Chloe does not control my actions, I wanted to come along to see him.

" You could be looking at serious time out of the force, the best you'll get a light slap on the wrist or suspension until pending action decided by the captain, Ellie. You were taught better, than anyone, to not let your personal beliefs and feelings to influence your decisions when it comes to being on the force. 'Cause it never ends well. Not for anyone."

I stood up, shaking my head from listening to my uncle lecture me on the topic of the choices I made when he didn't have a clean slate either and he points to the chair. " Sit. You are being questioned. You know the rules."

Aunt Chloe is staring at the steel surface to the interrogation chamber table, locked jaw.

I crossed my arms, glaring at my uncle. Not listening.

" Ellie, Darling, much as I find this deviancy of ignoring authority attractive, listen to detective douche. Please. You don't want to be thrown in that mosh pit of a jail cell of smelly humans. It won't look good for you." Lucifer stated, which uncle Dan recoils at his sudden agreement and I narrowed my eyes at the sly devil. 'Why is he team uncle Dan today? This is odd. He's acting reasonable and it's off putting.'

Lucifer, seeing I wasn't going to move, got out of his seat and I stood my ground but shortly I regret it as I am gracefully moved. I was forced to sit in my seat, Lucifers hand tenderly held an arm each. To keep me from escaping. " You can continue now, Daniel. Go on." Uncle Dan, pinching his fingers on the cartilage of his nose out of exasperation, sighed. " Now where were we at? Oh yes. You two are definitely gonna be in trouble with the captain, though I disagree."

" Ellie doesn't need to be here. Dan. I will tell the captain the truth, that I dragged her in this mess. It's not her fault." Aunt Chloe argued her case, shifting her gaze to me. Apologetic. " I'm so sorry I dragged you along, Honey. It was a choice I made half cocked and compromised your safety and it could've ended badly."

" No one actually thinks you, Nor Ellie, did this but you know what it looks like. Right?" Uncle Dan sighed, directing his eyes to look between my aunt then me. It looks like we committed a murder on the murderer himself. " and Ellie, she can't back out of this now. She confessed to making the call, we have her call log. Which stays on record, Clo, you know that." He adds.

Aunt Chloe held my hand. " Yes, I do. That is why I am taking a step back from the case. It's a massive conflict of interest. You should too, Ellie, baby. Take the rest of the day off." That's what is worrying me. Staying clear of this case. I want justice to be served but also there is lot more to be concerned about. This could end in me being suspended from my job. 'I'm screwed either way.'

Can this day get any more worse than it is?

~•~

I was back home, from the station, trying ways to distract my mind. Cooking mom's famous egg centre toasted cheese sandwich, she made for me when I was younger growing up, for my lunch and Ana as she sat at the island counter. Aidan is out buying groceries, Amelia is on the couch reading Hunger games. Luka laid, head resting on his front paws, at the corner where I put my shoes.

" What do you think? Lizzie. I'm going for an interview."

Maze came down the stairs, a strut in her step, acting like she is on the runway.

" I am aiming to be preschool aid. You know? Get better about being around kids." I did recall a few words she said about an interview but that wasn't specified.

" I can hook you up with some of my clothes. Give your old grandma rags the old kick in the as.."

I stopped Mazikeen before she could swear in front of Ana. Which Ana is clearly amused by, as I used my speed to cover mazes mouth.

" I know aunty maze was going to say Ass, Mommy. I am not an idiot. She taught me my first swear word. Shit!" Maze licks my hand and cackled when I removed it to hit her with a light slap. " But aunty maze you don't like kids. And remember I'm from the future, I might be seven but I know about you and what you are doing for your grown up job. Remember, hm?" She giggled, mysteriously, while going back to eating her sandwich.

" You will figure it out, aunt maze. You can do it!"

Maze chuckles, taking in consideration to my daughter's words, messing up Anastasia's hair. " Thank you, little devil. I will." Maze threw a wink in my direction, taking her leave. I leaned in towards Ana, watching with an observing ear to ear smile as she chewed her bite. She's a whole lot more like me than I believed earlier. Her little eyes, though brown, are curved and I could see the hint of her father through them.

" Do you want to know the secret?"

She nods her head, enthusiastic.

" it's in the bread. Your grandma Chloe, she thinks she kept it a good secret from me growing up but your great nan Penelope told me when I was your age. It's the Hawaiian bread, then a hole is made from the middle and you just crack an egg in there. And there you go. This is where this recipe came about."

I heard a knock come from the door, as Ana is taking her sandwich to sit with her sister on a place at the couch. " Do you want to share with me? Amy. You have half and I have the other!" She divided the sandwich into two pieces each, while I answered the call at the door. I open it to be met with a woman in her thirties, whose face dropped when she saw me as if expecting someone else. " Can I help you?" I asked, tense seeing a stranger on my front step.

Her brown, almond, eyes were glazed over.

" Are you Ellie decker?"

I nod, still unsure, not expecting her to draw a small hand gun on me. Okay now this is getting out of hand. I decide to play along, putting my hands up. Amelia is the first to react, getting up from her place to attack the woman. She would be outnumbered by a house full of angels, I count that as unfair.

I shake a hand 'No'. Don't antagonise her.

" I know you helped kill my father, he wasn't the one who committed that murder. My father is, was, a good man and you took him away from me. Gunning him down like an animal. Don't move. I don't.. I don't want to shoot y..you."

She firmly stated, aiming her gun at Amelia. Which I didn't appreciate but I couldn't make a move. Even if my kids are invincible it would be a bad idea to put them in danger like that. I stepped closer, calmly putting my body as the acting medium for her to focus on.

" Your Tina fields. Tina, Tina think this through. If you pull that trigger you will be going away, for a long time and you will never get to hold your little girl ever again."

Her hand started to tremble, I take action disarming her and swiftly take the pistol.

" Trust me when I say it wasn't me. I did not do what you are saying, Nor did Chloe decker. The other detective involved."

I cooly explain, she shuddered out a horrified breath thinking that she almost pulled the trigger on me. Truth be known I was a little frightened, by the fact she found me, my location was compromised. Anastasia came running over to me. " Mommy."

I caught her, as she clung to both of my legs. Tina gasped, at the dawning truth she could have shot me in front of both girls, I feel Amelia join me staring at Tina in distrust.

" Mommy? You couldn't be older than .. forget it. I'm so sorry, I was just so so angry. I never wanted to believe my dad killed a cop. Then I got this video, today, this lawyer sent to me. I received it upon the event of his death." Tina, still on a spiral of emotions and grief, handed a camcorder from the early two thousands over.

" Again I apologise for barging in here.. and.. and for scaring your daughter and sister. I was in a blind rage, all I had in my head was to see you. To make you pay. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry."

" You can leave, Now. Please leave before I get my M.. sister to arrest you for attempted harm on a police officer." Amelia told her, neutrally. " None of us want that. Go home to your kid."

" No. it's okay, Melia. It's alright. We are going to figure this out, with Tina here. I have a lap-top around here somewhere. Let's watch this. See what is on it. Take Ana upstairs, go on. I will call you down when it's all clear." I stated, aware of the content which might be installed on the device. Amelia listens, picking Ana up, walking to the stairs and up to the bedrooms.

" I will get the laptop."

JASMINE SPEAKS;

Thought I'd show Ellie acting out a little. What did you think of her being like the way she was acting? She is so like her aunt and father.

It is fun to write her moments with Lucifer.

it's so obvious, to them, they like each other but how they will act on them is the question. Lucifer man handling her there, for a moment, had me giggling as I wrote it.

What did you think of her protecting Chloe?

I wanted to write this part, as to show how far Ellie will go for her family. Dan scenes were a little hard to write because I love their bond.