Alex's legs shook at the sight of the alpha. She took three steps towards him before stopping. Lucifer didn't approach. He just stared.

Alex started shaking all over again. He was mad at her. That had to be it. He was furious. "I'm sorry," she whispered when he finally stepped towards her. "I-I-" Alex flinched away when the alpha stopped in front of her. "I'm so sorry. I -"

Lucifer threw his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. "I don't care." Alex's legs buckled, and she fell to the ground. He knelt down beside her, pulling her into his arms. "It's okay it's okay. I got you."

Alex didn't' realize she was crying until a loud sob shook her body. Her fingers grasped at the alpha's shirt and she buried her head into his neck. "Oh God." She clutched him tighter, never wanting to let go ever again.

A hand found its way to the back of her neck, holding her near. "It's okay," Lucifer whispered. His voice shook with the effort of staying composed. "Everything's okay now."

Alex pulled her head away, looking up into his face. She opened her mouth to say something, anything. Instead, she screamed as pain crashed over her. She thrashed violently, falling out of Lucifer's grasp and to the ground. The alpha crawled over her, desperation flashing through his eyes at the sight of his omega in agony. Then he reached down, calloused hands brushing against her neck. There was a small click, and the pain cut off abruptly.

Alex let out a final scream, and it died off into a sob. Lucifer threw the collar aside and slid his hands under her, pulling her up of the ground and up into him. Alex just let him, her mind numb and body pliant. Lucifer held her in her lap, gently rocking her back and forth. "It's okay," he soothed. "No more. I got you."

"I-I c-can't feel my legs." As the pain faded, panic set in. "I-"

"Sh. It's okay." The alpha stroked her hair comfortingly. "You're okay." He briefly looked up, and his eyes fell on his brother. Michael was being restrained. The silver bracelet was forced off his hand, and it clattered to the ground. Lucifer turned his attention back to his omega.

"I can't feel them." Tears set in as Alex tried to move her feet. She looked up at Lucifer.

"Just give them a minute." Lucifer's eyes darkened, and he touched the black bruise on her jaw. "Did Michael do that?" When Alex nodded, he frowned. "I'll be right back." He reluctantly slid her off his lap and stood up. Alex turned to watch through teary eyes.

Lucifer walked up to his brother. He exchanged a word with the officer, and then he suddenly lashed out. Michael fell to the ground, clutching his jaw, and Lucifer stalked away. He returned to kneeling beside her, and Alex reached out for him. The alpha pulled her close.

"I-I'm sorry." Alex buried her head back into his broad chest. "I'm so so sorry, Alpha. P-Please-"

"Sh." Lucifer gently touched his fingers to her lips. "It's Luce, remember?" He gently traced the bruise again. "How did this happen?"

Alex opened her mouth to respond, but a sob slipped past her lips instead. It was followed by a wet cough, and the omega quickly covered her mouth. When she drew it away, there were blood spatters on her palm.

Lucifer, seeing how she stared, took her hand. He stared blankly at it for a moment, then growled. "What did he do?" He glared over at his brother, making to go, but Alex held him close.

"H-He kicked me." Alex's hand went down to her abdomen. "A-After Gabriel called. He hit me and he kicked me and it hurt so bad."

"I'll kill him for that." Lucifer gripped his omega dearly. "I will." He reluctantly stood up, helping Alex to her feet. She stood shakily, and Lucifer smiled. "See? Your legs are fine."

Alex nodded half-heartedly. "I'm sorry."

"I know." Lucifer took her head in her hands. "Stop apologizing. I'm just glad you're okay."

"Alex!" A familiar voice reached their ears. Gabriel pushed his way through the barricade. He stopped beside his brother, grinning. It faded when he saw her bruises. "Did Mikey do that to you?"

"Gabriel. Take Alex over to the ambulance." Lucifer glanced darkly over to where Michael was talking with the officers. "There's something I need to take care of."

"Yeah, sure." Gabriel nodded.

Lucifer started to walk away, but Alex reached out for him. "Luce!"

"Come on, sweetheart." Gabriel took her by the wrist. "Let's get you checked out." He tugged her away. Alex reluctantly followed, eyes never leaving Lucifer. "You know," Gabriel began, "losing you really hit him hard." He frowned sympathetically. "I've never seen him so ill. Even after he got over the bond, he just kind of moped around." He squeezed her hand. "Having you back's going to do him a lot of good." He lead her over to the back of an ambulance. An alpha was there, and as heavy blanket was place across her shoulders as she sat down.

The alpha took her pulse, then he shone a small light into her eyes. "Does anything hurt?" he asked.

Alex tore her gaze away from Lucifer. He was deep in conversation both the police and with Michael. "I - my jaw hurts." She reached up to brush light fingers over her bruise.

The alpha gently moved her hand away. He pushed on several places, each time watching her reaction. "Does it hurt anywhere in particular?" When the omega shook her head, he grunted. "Your jaw's not broken. That's good. Does anywhere else hurt?" Seeing how Alex focused her gaze on Lucifer he frowned, stepping into her line of vision. "Alex, focus. The sooner I get you checked out, the sooner you can leave."

"M-My ribs hurt." Alex reluctantly raised the hem of her shirt.

Fingers ran over her skin, and Alex jumped. "That's not good." The alpha exchanged looks with Gabriel. Confused, Alex looked down as well. Black bruises flowered across her ribs, and the omega winced at the sight. The alpha motioned for her to put her shirt back down. "Have you coughed up any blood?"

Alex looked up at Gabriel. "A l-little bit. A-After Michael kicked me, I threw a lot up, b-but that's it. I mean, I've coughed up a little, b-but not much. I'm fine."

The alpha frowned. "You're not fine. I'm worried about internal bleeding. But if you haven't been coughing up too much, it may not be too bad. It may heal on its own."

Alex tried to look past the alpha. She couldn't see Lucifer, and that thought made her worry. Khul'Shalkrum flooded through her. It rushed through her limbs, and Alex closed her eyes at its presence. It had been so long since she had last felt it.

Gabriel shook her shoulder gently. "Alex. Answer the question."

Question? Alex opened her eyes. She had been so absorbed in the Source that she hadn't heard anything. "What?"

The alpha just shook his head. "Go find your alpha. Come back if you start feeling ill."

Alex jumped off the back of the ambulance before he finished his sentence, throwing off the blanket in the process. She hurried across the parking lot, ignoring Gabriel's call for her to slow down. She hurried over to Lucifer and pressed herself into his arm.

"That's not what happened," Michael was saying angrily. "How many times to I have to tell you?" He glared down at Alex, and she flinched away.

Lucifer took her hand, leading her a few feet away. He looked down at her. "What did the paramedic say? You told him you were coughing up blood, right?" His eyes searched her face worriedly.

"No!" Michael's desperate voice stopped Alex from answering. She looked up to see what was wrong.

Adam was being led out of the building. He looked around in confusion, wide eyes coming to rest on Michael. "Alpha?"

"No! Let him go!" Michael struggled desperately at his restraints. "You can't take him! He's mine! Please!"

"Calm down, sir," one of the police officers insisted.

"You son of a bitch." Michael watched as his omega was forced into the back of a police car. "Adam? Adam!" He fell silent, eyes wide with fear.

Lucifer led her away. "Ignore him," he murmured. "He's not important anymore."

Alex couldn't tear her eyes away. "What's going to happen to him?" she whispered.

"Adam?" Lucifer glanced over his shoulder. "They'll probably hold him for a few days before Michael can get him back." His gaze darkened. "Michael wouldn't get what he deserves. After all, what's an omega to us alphas?" He suddenly pulled Alex back into a hug. "I missed you so much."

"Me too."

Lucifer dipped his head, gently pressing his lips against hers. Alex kissed him back. She dropped khul'Shalkrum; she felt completely safe in his embrace.

"Let's go home." Lucifer stepped back, holding out his hand.

Alex took it, turning her back to Michael. That was over; a new life lay ahead. She followed her alpha away. Her alpha. She liked the sound of that. Her alpha.

Fin