Jane got out of the taxi and paused for a moment in front of the restaurant. She was of half a mind to turn and hail another cab to take her back to the rectory. What had she been thinking to agree to this?

Just as she reached for the door, it opened and a man in a tuxedo ushered her in. The interior of the restaurant was bathed in soft light that made the red walls, furniture, and carpet glow. She followed the Host to a table in the center of the room, directly under a stunning chandelier.

After allowing the man to seat her, she finally made eye contact with Lucifer and gave him a shy smile. "I guess what they say is true."

"And what would that be, love?"

"The Devil is in the details." She narrowed her eyes as she noticed how the soft white light from the chandelier threw well-placed sparks of light throughout his rakishly long onyx hair. The red accents warmed his pale skin and created a violet tint to his eyes. "I have a feeling you planned everything from the decor, to the menu, to the lack of other patrons."

The grin that took over his visage was genuine. "You give me too much credit, dear Jane."

"Oh knock it off. We've already established that you love accolades."

In response, Lucifer held his hands up in mock surrender. "You've found me out, but really, you gave me no choice. This was the only way I could get you to agree to dinner, alone."

Jane looked around at the empty tables and wondered if he'd bought the place out, or used his influence to get this level of cooperation. "As much as I've enjoyed all of our lively discussions and theological... debates, Luci, I don't ever see a time in which visiting you in your apartment will happen."

He placed both of his hands over his heart in an act of mock hurt. "You wound me, Sister. It's not as if I'd ravish you against your will."

"Ha! It's the against your will part that worries me." To hide the blush that had taken over her face, Jane raised her wine glass and took a long sip. "Oh wow, that's spectacular wine."

Lucifer raised his own glass in a toast, as he decided to let her words go. Among the many things he'd learned about Saint Jane over the past few weeks, one thing stood out in particular. She rarely referenced herself in any personal manner — no hopes, dreams, or desires of any kind, and so he knew how much it must have cost her to admit that weakness.

"To the unlikeliest of friendship this side of Beauty and the Beast..." he said as their glasses touched with a clink.

Jane savored the wine as it hit her tastebuds. It was silky smooth with hints of plum, blackberry, light licorice, and a creamy vanilla finish. She said a quick prayer of gratitude to a Creator who would make such a treat for his misbehaved children.

"I'm glad you consider me a friend, especially after all the work I've put you through," she said as they were handed menus.

"That you have. I hope you understand that you are the only human being that will ever manage to talk me into babysitting," he uttered the word with a sneer.

"Oh come on," she laughed in return, "it was one little girl and I saw you laughing with her!"

"Take that back! No such thing happened."

"Whatever, Luci."

"I'll deny it with my dying breath, on a stack of Holy Bibles."

"Fat lot of good that'll do, you're the Father of Lies! And besides, your dying breath will never come."

They both laughed and Lucifer raised his glass in salute. "Touché, my dear."

The conversation was put on hold as they ate the delicious meal of medium rare steaks and brown-butter mushroom risotto. Lucifer had learned that Jane loved good food over the last couple of weeks and enjoyed watching her devour the meal with gusto.

"It's a good thing I've got a healthy metabolism or I'd have let out my pants!" She leaned back and patted her belly, which caused him to chuckle.

"Well, that and the fact that you never sit down. You'd give a gnat a run for his money."

She curled her lip at him. "I prefer hummingbird, thank you very much."

"What d'you got against gnats? I thought you appreciated all God's creatures?" He teased her.

"I do! It's just that if I had a choice, I'd rather my purpose be to pollinate the gorgeous flowers he gave us. I mean, can you imagine your day being spent flying from one delicious and aromatic flower all day, every day?" She closed her eyes and sighed.

With her eyes closed and sublime smile on her face, Lucifer was suddenly transported back to when he first laid eyes on Eve in the Garden. He'd watched from afar for the longest time and her beauty captivated him, and not just the external beauty. She was so caring and nurturing and gentle that he was amazed his Father had been able to create her.

"What are you thinking of?"

His eyes snapped open and saw that she was staring at him with a bemused smile on her face. "Actually, I was just thinking of how much you remind me of Eve."

It took a minute and then the shock registered and her eyes widened. "You mean... Eve, Eve?

"That's the one. You act surprised... you do realize I'm older than the Earth?"

"Well... yeah. But I never thought it through in terms of exactly what you've seen and who've you've met along the way." There was almost a dazzled look on her face. "Do I really remind you of Eve?"

"You do."

"Care to elaborate?"

"You need to understand that I was furious when my Father created the human race. I thought Earth was going to be my domain to rule as I saw fit." A black shadow crossed Lucifer face when he said this.

"You wanted to be God."

"A god, not the God, obviously. I'll never be able to... create," he spat the last word and Jane raised both eyebrows.

"And that limitation obviously makes you angry."

"You're damn right! Father creates this magnificent planet where every single particle works together perfectly to create an environment that will thrive and support life..." for a split second, his eyes glowed red and the expression was terrifying. "And then he gave them free will and... and the ability to create more of their own kind."

"Something you can't do."

Lucifer had control over himself again, and slowly nodded his head. "Something I, and all of my kind, most certainly cannot do."

"I must admit that I never really thought about that. I mean, this whole planet is one big reproducing organism, really." Jane tried to wrap her head around how Lucifer must feel about this.

"Exactly, and yet Angels — who are perfect in our form — cannot. Is it any wonder so many of us were angry?"

"Is that why you copulated with women in the early years?" Jane was fascinated by this line of thought.

"Yes, but it wasn't the same. Only the human women could produce the child. Besides, Father put a stop to it and banished our offspring or killed them off outright."

"So why did you say I remind you of Eve?"

Lucifer studied the woman across from him for a moment. " Right now, as we sit here and I discuss all the things that made me rebel against God, all you've displayed is curiosity. No judgement and no animosity. There's a gentleness in you that overrides the inherent sin that causes humans to be selfish."

"It's from a deep understanding of grace and mercy. We all have it... it's just that fear causes many to ignore it," she explained.

"See, it's that humbleness that brought the comparison. Eve had it, actually always had it, even after I caused the fall. She never blamed me and always treated me with compassion."

"That's the maternal side of her. Women have always been willing to shoulder the blame."

"Unlike Adam, who couldn't blame Eve fast enough. And there lies the conundrum... I never questioned that Adam was created in Father's image."

"And Eve?" She asked, somewhat rhetorically.

"Where did she come from? Because the idea that her emotions, her... kindness and devotion and tenderness came from a place inside the being who'd so easily spited me? That I just couldn't reconcile."

Lucifer stood suddenly and handed a wad of cash to the waiter. He held out a hand and Jane took it as she rose from her chair. They exited onto the sidewalk and Jane was thankful for the fresh air. They strolled with her hand in the crook of his arm for a couple of blocks when suddenly a black town car pulled to the curb.

"Here's your ride, Sister."

Jane looked at the car and then back at Lucifer. "You didn't exactly answer my question, Luci"

He sighed before smiling ruefully at her. "After Eve, I was able to convince myself that she was an anomaly. No other woman since has been as pure of heart and genuine in their love of all creatures. Until now... until you."

"And?"

"And you've got me questioning everything once again."

They stood staring at each other until Jane did something that took Lucifer completely by surprise. She stood on her toes and, so briefly he almost wondered if it really happened, she placed a very light kiss on his lips.