In the Penthouse

Michael savored his meal on the balcony, gazing out over the sprawling city of Los Angeles. Suddenly, a familiar voice broke his reverie.

"Michael?"

Turning, he spotted Mazikeen staring at him. "Mazikeen," he acknowledged, returning his gaze to the city below.

"So, how long do you plan to stay here?" Maze inquired.

Michael chuckled softly. "Lucifer said I could stay. Something about finding what he found."

"I think you already have," Maze retorted cryptically. "That Detective. She's been asking about you."

"Really?" Michael's interest was piqued. "And what did I find?"

"Detective Belloc," Maze clarified. "She's concerned. It's like she wants to know how you're doing."

A smile played on Michael's lips. "Perhaps I should hear it from her then."

"Why wait?" Maze teased. "How long are you going to hide up here?"

Michael sighed, leaning against the railing. "I'm not hiding. I'm contemplating. The last time she saw me, I was shot. What if she learns the truth about me and fears angels?"

"She won't," Maze asserted. "Not if you're there for her."

"I'm not sure I'm good for her," Michael admitted. "I've caused harm, Maze."

"Not to her," Maze countered firmly. "You've protected her. You care for her."

Lost in thought, Michael retreated inside for a glass of vodka, pondering Maze's words. She glanced back as she headed for the elevator.

"Just think about it," Maze advised before disappearing behind the closing doors.

Alone again, Michael sighed and addressed the sky. "I know you can't hear this anymore, Dad. Perhaps Amenadiel will. I need guidance. Can you show me I deserve this chance? What if I fail again? What if Barbara discovers the truth and fears me?"

Setting his glass down, Michael felt an inexplicable warmth in his chest. Smiling softly, he murmured, "Maybe that's my sign. Maybe. We'll talk later."

At the LAPD

Michael strolled through the precinct, passing by officers until he spotted Barbara at her desk. He avoided Chloe's office at first but then decided to knock on her door.

"Come in," Chloe's voice called out.

He entered to find Chloe with Aurora in her arms.

"Michael?" Chloe greeted with surprise.

Michael nodded, apologetic. "Sorry for dropping in unannounced. I just wanted to see how you've been. It's been a week."

"I'm fine, Michael," Chloe reassured him. "How long have you been in Los Angeles?"

"About a week," Michael replied. "Lucifer mentioned finding something here on Earth, so here I am, exploring the city."

Chloe smiled warmly. "That's great. I suppose I should introduce you to this little one."

She lifted Aurora and approached Michael. "Rory, meet your Uncle Michael. Can you say 'Hi'?"

Michael leaned closer to Aurora, gently touching her cheeks. "Hello there, I'm your Uncle Michael."

Aurora cooed and clapped her hands, her eyes fixed on Michael.

Chloe chuckled at Michael's question. "She likes you."

"How can you tell? She hasn't said anything," Michael observed.

"She's a baby, Michael," Chloe laughed softly. "She won't talk until she's a bit older. Maybe during her toddler phase."

"I'll never understand why humans are so eager to procreate," Michael mused.

Chloe grinned. "Lucifer has pondered the same thing."

"Well, I should get going. See you later, Chloe," Michael said, heading towards the door.

Chloe joked as she settled Rory into her car seat, "Hopefully not by dying."

"Glad to see you're still alive," Michael quipped as he left.

Chloe chuckled to herself. "He and Lucifer really are alike in so many ways."

This revision aims to streamline the conversation and enhance the flow between Michael and Chloe, maintaining their personalities and the dynamics between them.

With Michael

Michael glanced at Barbara, gathering his thoughts before approaching her desk. With a sigh, he walked up to her and spoke softly.

"Detective?"

Barbara looked up, a smile lighting up her face. "Michael?"

Returning her smile, Michael asked, "Hey, how are you?"

"I'm doing better now, thank you," Barbara replied warmly. "I'm about to clock out. Would you... like to get a drink?"

"Sure, I don't mind," Michael agreed easily.

"Great. I just need to finish up this report, then we can go, okay?" Barbara confirmed.

"Yeah, I'll find something to do while I wait," Michael nodded, stepping away.

Seeking a distraction, Michael entered Ella's lab. "Miss Lopez?"

Ella glanced up cheerfully. "Hey, Mike. What's up?"

Michael frowned slightly. "Please, don't call me that. I came to check on you. It's been a week."

"Ella smiled knowingly. "Come on, Lucifer lets me call him 'Luce.'"

"Fine," Michael relented. "It's good to see you, Miss Lopez."

"You too," Ella grinned.

"I'm also wondering if you could help me with something?" Michael hesitated.

"What is it?" Ella asked curiously.

Michael hesitated, then admitted, "Well... I'm about to get a drink with the Detective, and..."

Ella interrupted, "And you want to know how to impress her on this 'not-a-date'?"

Michael protested, "Wait a minute, I didn't say anything about taking her on a date."

"You didn't need to," Ella teased gently. "I can see it in your eyes. But if you're not into that, just talk about what interests her. It'll make for a good conversation. And you can tell her about how you're Michael the Archangel."

"I'm not sure about telling her that," Michael admitted cautiously.

"Why not? You can't keep the truth from her forever," Ella reasoned. "Just like Lucifer, he was scared of it too, but I helped him. Eventually, he and Chloe were happy together."

"I know," Michael sighed. "But what if she's afraid of me when she finds out the truth?"

"Then she's not the one for you," Ella replied sagely, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.

Michael considered her words for a moment before nodding. "You're right."

Their conversation was interrupted by Barbara entering the lab with news. "Michael, I'm sorry, but I've got a case. A girl was murdered, and I need to focus on work."

"It's okay, Detective. Go ahead," Michael said understandingly.

"We'll go for that drink after I finish this case, okay?" Barbara smiled apologetically.

"Of course," Michael nodded.

"Okay," Michael replied with a gentle smile. "Take your time. We'll catch up later."

Barbara nodded gratefully before heading out, leaving Michael and Ella alone in the lab once more.

Ella watched Barbara leave, then turned back to Michael with a knowing expression. "She likes you, you know."

Michael blinked in surprise. "How can you tell?"

Ella chuckled softly. "Oh please, Michael. It's written all over both of your faces when you're together."

Michael shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to say. "I... I'm not sure if that's a good thing."

"Why not?" Ella asked, genuinely curious. "You care about her, don't you?"

"I do," Michael admitted quietly. "But I'm not like... others."

Ella raised an eyebrow. "You mean because you're an angel?"

Michael nodded solemnly. "Yes. I'm not human, Ella. She deserves someone who can give her a normal life."

Ella studied him for a moment, then spoke with conviction. "Michael, being 'normal' doesn't guarantee happiness. Barbara is no stranger to the extraordinary, believe me. And if she cares about you, she'll understand."

"I hope you're right," Michael said, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

"I am," Ella assured him, smiling warmly. "Just be yourself. That's all anyone can ask for."

Michael nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thank you, Ella."

"Anytime," Ella replied cheerfully. "Now, go on. I'm sure you've got things to do before your drink with Barbara."

With a nod of gratitude, Michael left Ella's lab, his thoughts racing. As he wandered through the precinct, he found himself hoping Ella was right about Barbara. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for him to find happiness in this unexpected place called Earth.

And as he looked out over the bustling precinct, Michael couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope in his heart.

Michael approached Barbara, who was engrossed in reviewing the evidence board for the latest case—a gruesome murder that had shaken the precinct and the city.

"Detective," Michael called softly, his tone carrying a mix of concern and determination.

Barbara looked up from the board, her eyes meeting Michael's with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. She had grown accustomed to his occasional presence at the precinct, though his involvement in police matters still felt somewhat unconventional.

"Michael," Barbara acknowledged, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "What brings you here?"

Michael stepped closer to the evidence board, his gaze shifting between the crime scene photos and the notes Barbara had meticulously arranged. "I've been thinking about this case," he admitted, his voice low but earnest.

Barbara studied him for a moment, noticing the seriousness in his expression. Despite his otherworldly aura, Michael's dedication to understanding human affairs was undeniable. "It's a tough one," she replied, gesturing towards the board. "We're still trying to piece together the details."

"I want to help," Michael stated firmly, his eyes fixed on the evidence board. "I believe I can offer insights that might aid in solving this."

Barbara hesitated, weighing his offer. She had seen glimpses of Michael's unique perspective before, moments where his observations had led to unexpected breakthroughs in cases that had stumped the precinct's best detectives.

"Alright," Barbara conceded, her tone decisive. "Let's see what you can contribute."

As they delved into the details of the case, Michael's keen intuition and ability to perceive underlying motives began to complement Barbara's methodical approach. He asked probing questions that prompted fresh angles of investigation, noticing subtle connections that others might have overlooked.

Hours passed as they sifted through evidence and interviewed witnesses. Michael's presence, once an anomaly in the precinct's routine, now felt like an indispensable asset as they pursued leads and chased down potential suspects.

Eventually, their combined efforts led them to a breakthrough—a witness who provided a crucial piece of information linking the suspect to the crime scene. With Michael's guidance, Barbara orchestrated a strategic interrogation that yielded a confession, closing the case with a sense of justice served.

Standing side by side in the precinct, Barbara turned to Michael with a newfound respect. "Thank you, Michael," she said sincerely. "Your insights were instrumental in solving this."

Michael nodded humbly. "I'm glad I could assist, Detective."

Barbara smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie and trust with Michael that had deepened through their collaboration. Despite his unconventional methods and mysterious background, Michael had proven himself a valuable ally in the pursuit of justice—a partner she could rely on in the tumultuous world of law enforcement.

Barbara glanced at Michael with a grateful smile, a mixture of relief and satisfaction evident in her expression. "You came through on this one. I'm impressed."

Michael returned her smile, his eyes reflecting a sense of accomplishment. "Thank you, Detective. I'm glad I could help."

As they stood by the evidence board, a brief silence hung between them, filled with the weight of their shared victory. Michael hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, "Detective, now that the case is wrapped up... would you still like to get that drink?"

Barbara's smile widened, touched by Michael's unexpected request. "I would," she replied, her tone warm and appreciative. "I could use a break after all of this."

"Great," Michael said, relief evident in his voice. "I know a place nearby."

Barbara nodded, gathering her things as they prepared to leave the precinct together. As they walked side by side towards the exit, Michael couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude and connection with Barbara, grateful for her trust in him and the opportunity to prove himself in her world.

Outside the precinct, under the glow of the city lights, they found a quiet corner in a cozy bar. The atmosphere was relaxed, a stark contrast to the intensity of their investigation. They settled into a booth, exchanging stories and laughter as they shared a well-deserved moment of respite.

Hours Later

Hours passed in easy conversation, the initial tension giving way to a comfortable camaraderie. Michael marveled at Barbara's resilience and dedication, admiring her strength of character and unwavering resolve.

As they prepared to part ways later that evening, Michael couldn't help but feel a sense of hope for the future—a newfound belief that perhaps he had found not only an ally in Barbara, but a friend.

"Thank you for tonight, Michael," Barbara said sincerely, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

Michael smiled warmly. "Thank you for letting me be a part of this, Detective. I look forward to working with you again."

They exchanged a lingering gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. In that moment, Michael knew that their paths had crossed for a reason—a reminder that in the intricate tapestry of life, unexpected alliances could lead to extraordinary discoveries.

As they parted ways, Michael carried with him a sense of optimism and possibility—a testament to the bonds that could be forged in the unlikeliest of places, and the profound impact of trust, respect, and shared purpose.