Chapter Text
-Ella-
“So...how am I doing, doc?” she asked Dr. Rivers, her OB. “Lay it on me.”
The look on her face had Ella worried. She sat down on her stool right in front of her where she sat on the exam table. Taking a deep breath, her doctor took her hands in her own.
“Ella,” she sighed. “I have to take you off the suppressants.”
She pulled her hands away and jumped down from her perch, pacing the room.
“No...I've done the research,” she said, panic making her heart race. “I have at least another 5 years before they lose their potency. I save every free dollar I have to afford my prescription because it's the best one on the market.”
“Then you should know that it can vary person to person,” her doctor added gently. “And with being around as many Alphas as you are in your line of work...it was only a matter of time before you became resistant to the suppressants. I'm so sorry, Ella. Just...talk to your HR or your union rep. They can help you arrange a way to contact them when your cycle hits so they can schedule you off discreetly. I know how it is in law enforcement.”
“I have a lot of good friends there,” she sighed. “None of them know about this. They can't because they're either Beta and don't understand how people look at me when they know I'm Omega or they're Alpha and won't be able to help themselves to either take advantage or get protective. I don't need it for everything.”
“Does this have to do with your move out here?” her doctor asked carefully.
“Detroit...my brothers wouldn't stop dropping in to 'help'. Then there was the captain...he...he cornered me and forced a heat. Nearly raped me. In Chicago...” She couldn't bring herself to talk about what happened. It was bad enough she'd had to grab what could fit in her backpack before getting on the next plane to Los Angeles. “I can't have it happen here too.”
“Talk to someone, Ella,” her doctor told her. “Stop taking the suppressants by the end of this week. I'd suggest buying a scent blocker too. I'm catching scent from you even now.”
“Sure thing, doc,” she said, fighting the urge to cry.
“And I mean it,” Dr. Rivers told her before she left the exam room. “Talk to someone soon...for your health. I'm worried about you.”
“I will,” Ella said. “Really, I will. Thank you.”
After making another appointment, Ella got in her car and headed for the station. She'd gotten the earliest appointment possible, so she didn't have to take a personal day. Work would at least help distract her. Ella stopped at a pharmacy first, picking up the best blocker she could buy along with some vitamins and the biggest bag of gummi worms she could find. Next was a couple dozen doughnuts. She felt grateful that there weren't many people in the station now. Nearly all of the night shift officers had left for home already and it was nearly another 45 minutes before the day shift officers came in.
It gave her time to shower and use a scent blocking soap before changing into fresh clothes and rolled on another blocker that would replace her scent with one more common with a Beta; bland and neutral. Invisible. It was better than Alphas chasing her everywhere. Granted, she may not mind if it was Lucifer or Dan doing the chasing. Ever since she met them...it was so damn tempting to ask either of them to spend a cycle with her, to come off her meds and see what it would be like. To make the choice herself.
But to do that...it would just make work worse. No doubt either of them would be possessive or controlling. Most Alphas couldn't help it. She enjoyed sex. She really did. But with her experience with Alphas being downright terrifying, she stuck to Betas, the occasional Omega male that liked females too. Sadly, she hadn't had time to really meet anyone here, even over the last few years. So generally, she'd just take care of that herself before bed, indulging in a fantasy or two.
Now clean, dressed and doctored up, Ella took the blockers and locked them up with her dirty clothes. The doughnuts she'd already left in the break room, so the vitamins and gummi worms came with her to the lab and into a drawer in her desk. After grabbing a glazed doughnut and some coffee from the break room, she pulled the first request from her In Progress box and got to work.
There wasn't much that she'd been waiting on, so it had only taken about an hour and a half before she had nothing else until a new case came in.
“Good morning, Ms. Lopez!” she heard Lucifer exclaim from right behind her.
She squeaked in surprise, her face hot with a blush as she turned to find him standing a couple steps behind her. He looked immaculate as always, his suit a rich, chocolate brown. His shirt black, a paisley pocket square in his front pocket. Ella managed to calm her nerves as those expressive, penetrative eyes of his looked her up and down. Most men that did that, it just irritated her or made her skin crawl. Not him, though. No, his was practically a caress. Even though he'd propositioned her when they first met, she'd turned him down. And he never asked again. There were so many times she almost offered herself to him...
“Morning, Lucifer,” she replied, smiling. “Have a good weekend?”
“Oh, it was very pleasant, indeed. Shame you didn't take me up on my invitation to celebrate.”
“I'd needed a quiet weekend to myself,” she told him. “Thanks for thinking of me, though.”
“Always, my dear,” he all but purred. He turned to head over to Chloe's desk, but stopped a few feet shy of the door. She frowned when she saw him sniff.
“Something wrong?” she asked him.
“Huh,” he muttered, turning to look at her. “Sorry about that. I caught...an odd scent. Out of place, really. I'm sure it's nothing, probably just someone new on the custodial staff. I'll see you later, Ms. Lopez.”
“Damn it,” she sighed, tossing her pen once he was back at Chloe's desk. “Just...damn.”
Grabbing her phone, she dialed the number for the union reps. She had arrangements to make.
**
As the week dragged on...it just got worse. Ella doubled up her suppressants and kept her mind on kittens, rainbows...nothing at all sexy. She kept her interactions with Dan, Lucifer...any officer really, to a minimum. She HATED it. It had been a long time since she'd felt this alone. She'd even broken down and called Linda to make an appointment. She'd be seeing her on Saturday, one day she was assured Lucifer wouldn't show up. It was Thursday and her day was nearly done. She just needed to wait for the results of a few tests that were processing. Just as the results came back; Chloe, Dan and Lucifer let themselves into her lab. It was getting harder and harder to ignore how damn good both Alphas smelled. Hell, she could swear they came to work smelling of each other some days.
There had been a time where Lucifer had chased after Chloe. It had been weird to see him give that up, remaining simply friends with her. Part of her felt bad for the female detective, knowing there had been some growing feelings on her side. The other part...had been thrilled. Ella wanted nothing more than to be with him...be his... She pinched herself hard, pulling her mind away from the fantasy before she outed herself. She gave them the test results, walking through the case until they realized who their murderer was, rushing out with a quick thank you.
Ella breathed a sigh of relief. That had been far too close. With that done, she had gotten a few requests to run some DNA for a few cold cases, run a few stomach contents tests. It was nice and quiet today, for once. An hour later, with the tests done and after delivering them to the officers and detectives that had submitted the requests, Ella tried to decide what she wanted for dinner while packing up for the day.
“Hey there, Lopez,” she heard Lieutenant Adams from Vice say. She fought to stay in her seat and not panic. He was a huge tree of an Alpha; clearly spending way too much time in the station gym. Even with her suppressants killing her sense of smell to the point she couldn't tell the difference between Alphas and Betas, his scent made her want to gag with how heavy it was. “I've got some evidence I need processed for DNA.”
“Leave the samples and files on my table,” she said, keeping her tone even and calm. “I'll get to them first thing in the morning.”
“I really need these rushed for court tomorrow afternoon,” he added. “Please?”
“I'll have them on your desk in the morning,” she sighed.
“Thanks, sweetheart,” he told her, moving closer.
That had her getting up and going to the far side of the lab, away from him.
“I've told you not to call me that,” she bit out in irritation. “If you want this stuff done on time, leave.”
“You're always so uptight,” he said after a minute of quiet. “How about we go and get something to eat...a drink or two before you get back to work?”
That had her looking him in the eye. She had to force herself to, so he got the message that she wanted to be left alone. His smile was replaced quickly with a frown.
“Thank you, but no,” she said firmly. “You've made your drop off, now get out so I can work.”
Her stomach rolled from his stink as he started posturing. He needed to leave before she threw up, or worse.
“Come on...I'm a sweetheart once you get to know me,” he said, moving towards her again. “Just ask the ladies in Records.”
Ella growled at him, not backing down. She couldn't fold now.
“Back the fuck off or I'll turn you in for harassment,” she all but shouted at him. “Now get the hell out of my lab so I can work!”
“Careful, little girl,” he growled, turning to leave. “I'm not an Alpha to threaten.”
She didn't move a muscle until he was well out of sight. That...that was exactly why she didn't tell anyone she was Omega. Next time...she might not be that lucky. It was why she'd taken a few self-defense courses, carried a small blade on her. She didn't have the money to move again. Hell, she didn't want to leave. Ella wrinkled her nose as she caught the scent of herself on top of the Alpha scent sticking around. Fuck...she may as well throw her suppressants out now. If she could smell herself...they were worthless. Grabbing a fresh bottle of scent neutralizer, she sprayed it throughout the lab before spraying herself. After taking a minute to order some dinner, she grabbed the samples and paperwork the Lieutenant had left and got to work.
Ella jumped when she heard a knock. Looking up, she saw Dan at the door, a takeout bag in his hand. She was puzzled at first, until she remembered she'd locked the door. Great, now she was getting paranoid. Ella got up and let him in.
“Ran into the delivery guy at the front desk and heard him say he had an order for you,” Dan told her as she opened the door. “What's with locking the door?”
“Lieutenant Adams,” she replied.
Dan growled. “He's an idiot knothead. One tip: I've heard he has an entire jacket of complaints. One more and he's out. Don't let him bully you.”
“That's good to know,” she sighed. “Thanks. And thank you for getting my food.”
“No problem,” he said with a smile. “Hey, shouldn't you be heading home?”
“He dropped off evidence to process for DNA. It's needed for court tomorrow afternoon, so it needs to get done and on his desk by morning.”
“Ouch. Got a lot left?”
“Another seven samples after I finish this one here.”
“Chloe has Trix this whole week and weekend and I've got nothing else to do. Mind if I help?”
“I'd appreciate it,” she answered, a little relieved.
With an extra set of hands, it would definitely go faster, and she'd be able to sleep in her own bed tonight. She really didn't want to have to spend the night in her car. As she was getting him set up, Chloe and Lucifer came in.
“We got the murderer! And a fun car chase out of it!” Lucifer exclaimed. “A good day, overall.” He frowned when he saw her helping Dan set up at her table. “What's this?”
“I got a rush request to run DNA and Dan agreed to help so I'll be able to go home tonight. And I imagine making sure Lieutenant Adams doesn't decide to come back.”
“I hate that asshole,” Lucifer said, looking tense. “I've had him banned from Lux for harassing my wait staff.” He sniffed a bit, growling low in his throat. “Ugh, I can still smell him in here.”
“I sprayed a ton of neutralizer in here,” Ella said, frowning. She grabbed the bottle and sprayed again. “Otherwise I would've left my door open.”
“I'm the Devil, darling,” Lucifer replied, his tone serious. “My nose is better than a human’s. Plain and simple.” He took another deep breath in through his nose. “That helped. Though...there it is again.”
“What?”
“A new Omega's working in the building,” he said. “It's faint, but it's there. Smells quite lovely, actually.”
“Don't go stalking people around the precinct again,” Chloe warned. “Remember what happened last time?”
“It's not my fault that he was interested in a tumble in the sheets,” Lucifer whined. “He was downright delectable.”
“I was just relieved you waited until AFTER the case and the trial were over,” Dan sighed. “And you were right, he was good.”
Ella accidentally broke one of the earpieces off her safety glasses. She turned to them, her face growing hot.
“You...shared?” she squeaked out.
She kept a running track of everything she hates and finds gross running through her mind. If she slipped...who knows what would happen right now. She couldn't risk it.
“Lucifer!” Dan hissed, his face going red.
“What?” Lucifer asked with a shrug. “Don't tell me you're still hung up on the whole pansexual thing?”
“It's not something exactly appropriate to talk about at work!”
“Says the man that bent me over the interrogation table after that arson case last week!”
Chloe snorted at that. “That's why Ramirez won't speak to either of you! Oh my god!”
The image of Dan pinning Lucifer to the top of the interrogation table, ripping his pants down to...oh god no. She bit her lip as she felt herself leak slick. Shit. She'd be lucky to make it to Friday before going into heat at the rate she was going. She tried to concentrate on working. She really did. But all she could think about was Lucifer and Dan touching, kissing...touching her. Her presenting to...
“I'll be back in a bit,” she said quickly, all but running from the lab.
Ella made it look like she was heading for the bathroom just off the bullpen. But just as she was out of line of sight from the lab, she headed for the locker room. Bolting inside, she tried to open her locker with shaking hands. She needed a shower before her scent got too strong. Just as she got her hands on her soap, she was pressed into the bank of lockers hard. The wind was knocked out of her. When she managed to get a breath, her stomach clenched hard.
“I fucking knew you were an Omega,” Adams growled in her ear. “Just too petite to be anything other than a little breeding bitch.”
“Let me go!” she snarled.
Her defense training had her stomping his instep. When she felt his grip loosen, Ella ducked and ran for the door out into the station.
“He--,” she went to scream, but a heavy hand covered her mouth and pulled her back into the locker room.
“Stupid little cunt,” Adams snarled. “I'm going to enjoy breaking you in. Make you beg for my knot.”
“No!” Ella growled.
She twisted in his hold, using her manicured nails to scratch across the bridge of his nose and eyes. He dropped her again. Ella grabbed the knife out of her back pocket and ran further into the locker room. There was a door on the other end that led out into the station gym. Hearing Adams curse and make his way back towards her, Ella went to the gym door, opened and slammed it hard. The slam echoed through the tiled space. But she made her way past that door and into the showers. Keeping her footsteps light, she shuffled through the pitch black of the showers until she found the handicapped stall. Opening the door, she hid inside, curling into herself on the bench inside, holding the knife ready to attack.
“You think you're clever, don't you?!” she heard him roar. “I know you're still in here with me. Come out now and I won't make you gag on my knot, uptight bitch!”
“I know you don't normally answer,” she prayed to herself, her free hand reaching up to clutch at her cross. “Please...I'm begging you...help me. Don't let him do this to me.”
Her heart pounded when the light to the shower room came on. His heavy footsteps seemed to thunder through the open space.
“Guess you want to do this the hard way,” he said. “Good. I prefer my Omegas with some fight.”
“Please God...Lucifer...anyone,” she prayed. “Help me. I'll do anything.”
“Found you,” Adams purred, flinging the door open. She stabbed at him, catching him in his forearm. He got her knife from her and tossed it aside. Ella yelped as he grabbed her shoulders and pinned her to the wall. It hurt. The look on his face...she trembled. He was going to kill her before this was over. She just knew it. “You're going to pay for that, Lopez.”
Ella struggled to get out of his hold. She may fail, but she had to try. He tore her shirt open before slapping her. Adams growled, adjusting his grip on her. He groped at her, making her whimper in pain as she kept trying to get away from him.
“You won't be needing this either,” he said, tearing her bra open. The straps bit into her shoulders and back. He tsked once her breasts were bared. “Downside to a petite bitch, no tits. Shameful. But I'm not picky.”
Tears fell when he snapped her chain and tossed her cross away before his hand closed around her throat. His grip was firm, it was a little hard to breathe. She took a deep breath as his grip gentled as his other hand started to unbutton her jeans. A shadow from behind him caught her eye. Fear had her going completely still when she saw a horrifically burned man with burning red eyes standing there. Adams paused a moment, noticing the extra shadow. Then resumed trying to get her undressed.
“You'll get your turn once I'm done,” Adams snarled, not even looking behind him.
The stranger pulled him away from her. As soon as he let her go, she managed to duck around the pair to run away. A vicious cramp grabbed hold of her, leaving her on her knees. She looked up as Adams was turned to face who pulled him off her. The stranger was...he was wearing the same suit Lucifer had been wearing. Wait... Realization finally hit her as the stranger made Adams face him.
“You disgust me, Lieutenant,” he said.
His voice...It was Lucifer. He really was the Devil. Which meant... Ella whimpered as she was hit with more cramps. She didn't hear what else he said, only Adams’ screams of terror. When the cramp finally passed, she managed to sit up. Her head hurt...everything ached. Chloe had arrived, kneeling next to her.
“I'm ok,” Ella managed to say, her voice a little hoarse after the rough handling.
Dan and two other officers were next on the scene. Looking over at Lucifer, she saw he looked like he always did, keeping Adams restrained until the officers could take him into custody. Once he'd been taken away, the room went quiet. She leaned into Chloe as Lucifer moved towards them. Kneeling in front of her, she was confused by the look on his face. Like she'd told him to leave and never come back.
“I'm sorry you had to see that, Ella,” he said quietly. “Are you hurt?”
She shook her head. Ella was about to say something else when another cramp hit her hard. Sweat broke out all over her body.
“She's in heat,” she heard Chloe say. “Ella? Sweetie, do you have anyone to help you with this?”
“No,” she bit out, unable to look at any of them. “Suppressants. They...they stopped working. I have nothing. Just...take me home.”
“I'm afraid not,” Lucifer said.
Feeling someone lifting her, Ella looked up. Lucifer had her in his arms as he stood to his full height. Her first thought was to struggle...get away from him. Another cramp put a stop to that. She was tired, hurting. Ella didn't fight him. There was no point anymore.
“Daniel, I'm trusting you with my car,” Lucifer said. “Keys are in my back pocket. Drive us over to where we usually stay together.”
“I'll let our Lieutenant know what happened,” Chloe told him. “Are both--,”
“Yes,” Dan and Lucifer replied.
“Alright. Take care of her.”
“She's in the best hands, Detective,” Lucifer said as they started walking out. “You have my word.”
Exhaustion took over, Ella slipping into sleep as he carried her away.