Note: Thanks to those of you who decided to check out my story! Also, just as a disclaimer I do not own anything I'm writing about, the copyright belongs to Cassandra Clare.
Emma's POV
Following Ty and Dru as they walked towards the kitchen, Emma felt lingering pain as she imagined Julian suffering; lying aimlessly in bed.
I did this to him... I left when he needed me most because I was selfish.
As they entered, Emma was astonished to see Diego covered in sauces standing next to the counter. Diego clapped his hands, "Ah, there's the princess... ready to eat?"
Platters filled with pasta, veggies, and even turkey surrounded Emma.
Wiping his forehead with his arm Diego looked to Ty and Dru, "Start carrying those out to the dining room, would you? I have to finish the dishes."
"Yeah, no problem." Ty mumbled as he lifted up the steaming hot platters.
"When did you become the chef?" Emma asked as she picked up the drying cloth to help out.
"I knew how to cook before I decided it was right for me to stay here... So, with Julian on leave I took over." Diego winked.
"Hmm... I see." Diego seems to think he's all that... Mark must've given him lessons.
"Thanks for the help princess but I've got the rest," Diego nodded towards the dining room, "you best get in there and talk to them. I'm not the one who's missed you all this time."
"I suppose," Emma wiped off her hands and turned to walk away but stopped, "I have to ask though, what's up with the new nickname?"
Diego looked confused, "You mean princess?"
"Yeah." Emma squinted.
Diego laughed, "You came back in here looking like royalty. Someone's going to have to knock you down a few pegs so your ego doesn't explode."
Emma chuckled, "Will do, Diego."
Leaving the kitchen, Emma brushed her forehead up against the hallway wall, listening to the chatter coming from the dining room.
I'm terrified to step in there. I must look alien to Octavian, and, well, even Arthur. By the angel Emma move your damn feet. These people are your family, grow some-
A hand grasped Emma's arm and tugged her back into the closet near the front doors of the Institute. Swinging her arm around, Emma prepared her fist to take a blow.
Julian caught Emma's wrist before she could do any damage.
"What the hell!" She screeched.
Falling back into door Emma flicked on the light.
Julian's POV
I should've known she'd try to kill me... you'd think it being the Institute the hostility would go down... nope.
Julian and Emma stood there frozen.
Huffing a breath of relief Emma knelt her hands down onto her legs, "Care to explain the surprise attack?"
Julian sighed, "My apologizes Em, it's been awhile. I wasn't expecting the reaction I got from you."
Emma looked up at him and rolled her eyes, "You know, you could have gone about stuffing me in a closet with you differently; I don't know, maybe a note or something that says, 'Meet me here!'"
Julian softly laughed, "I'm glad to see your sense of humour is still there."
Emma stood straight again, taking her fingers and brushing them through her long golden hair.
"You still haven't answered my question." Emma said as Julian watched her.
"Yeah I'm not really sure what I was thinking... dragging you in here. I'm kind of at a loss for words Em. It's hard to believe your back." Julian shoved his hands into his pockets.
This was the first real moment they've had alone together, in what felt like ages. Emma could see bruises lined up on his arms, and where he sides curved in more. Julian also noticed changes in her; the pronounced muscles in her back, toned legs and the length of hair she had now.
"I'm sorry." Emma whispered.
"What?" Julian was taken aback.
"I never thought I'd see you again in the flesh. I didn't know the expected outcome when I decided to leave two years ago and I put everyone at risk. Jules, I should've been here for you... I'm sorry." Emma turned her head, focusing on the coats that hugged the back wall.
Julian was stunned, "Emma, I don't know how much you know, but what's happened with me is not your fault. I've also failed the three of them, it took me way too long to recover."
Reaching for her, Julian took Emma's hand.
"Things happen for a reason... maybe you coming back is one."
Emma sighed, "I hope so Jules, I really do."
Grabbing the handle, Emma opened the door and offered for Julian to step out first, "Let's go eat and celebrate for Ty, we can talk later."
Julian smiled, "Of course."
X
By the time Julian and Emma sat down and got comfortable at the dining room table, everyone had already eaten half of their meals. Diego eyed them suspiciously leaving Julian with feelings of guilt and confusion. He watched Emma's eyes wander over the walls and furniture. Since she had last been at the Institute, Dru had taken it upon herself to paint and buy large oak wood pieces for the room.
"I like the colour in here now... what is it; maroon?" Emma asked.
"Yep," Dru replied, "the navy blue was driving me mad, so I changed it!"
Emma chuckled, "I see."
"So, Emma..." Dru started, "where did you end up going after you left?"
"Well," Emma began talking in between bites of turkey, "I traveled quite a bit. Once I left, the first stop I made was in London, Ontario. I trained at the small Institute there for a bit. Then I drove through New Brunswick down to Maine. I flew to Boston, stayed there for a bit... ended up flying down to Mexico next – I even ran into some of the Rosales. After that I went to South Africa, then left there to finally end up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida."
Tavvy's jaw dropped.
"Wow." Ty said out loud, expressing how everyone was feeling.
"Yeah... I guess I've gotten around quite a bit." Emma's face was flushed.
If only she knew how much I admire her for having the courage to go at it alone.
"So, Ty, you excited about tomorrow?" Julian asked his younger brother.
"I'm going to miss it." Ty replied, "Livvy would have been proud."
Everyone in the room fell silent. Livia Blackthorn's name was not mentioned often and Ty rarely spoke of his twin sister.
Diego rose from his seat, "Here I'll start taking this stuff back to the kitchen..."
Julian watched as Tavvy pulled on Emma's arm, "Will you come up to the training room and see what I've learned?"
Emma's eyes glistened, "Of course."
Emma's POV
Leaving the rest of them as quickly as possible, Emma followed Tavvy up to the training room. A few weapons and steles were scattered on the floor. The mention of Livvy dried up dinners conversation quick, and Emma was hopeful Tavvy's spirits would lift from showing off her new skill set.
"Okay so first, I wanna show you how far I can jump across the beam and then how high up I can fall into a tuck and roll..." Tavvy moved the gym mat closer to the beam.
Sitting down in a chair, Emma looked over her shoulder to see Diego appear.
"That was brutal." Diego sat next to her, watching Tavvy.
"I didn't think he'd mention her... Ty never even brought Livia up in the emails."
"Yeah, that's the first time any of us here have heard him bring it up."
Emma rolled her neck, sighing, "I miss Christina and Mark... have you heard from them?"
Diego froze, "Yeah... actually. I was on the phone with them earlier."
Emma quizzically looked at him, "Why so panicked then?"
"Let's just say Mark spoke of things that were supposed to be kept a secret."
"Oh."
"Yeah." Diego pointed at Tavvy, "She's been working really hard on this so you should watch."
As Diego's hand fell it grazed Emma's leg below her dress and she flinched.
"Oh god, sorry." Diego reacted, scooting his chair over.
No, no... not okay. An easy mistake yes but that was my damn thigh Diego, are you kidding me.
Tavvy landed perfectly as Emma watched her, with an actual weapon she could be vicious to face off in a fight.
"Awesome Tavs!" Emma gave her a high five as she walked over.
"You really think so?" Tavvy asked, out of breath.
"Yes, it was excellent. You're becoming a real Shadowhunter now." Emma smiled.
The training room door opened to Dru, Ty and Julian walking inside.
"You guys come up here to work out now too?" Diego smirked at them.
"No, just came to observe." Ty said as he sat on the floor.
"I want to, but I think I'd puke considering how much I ate." Dru said.
Emma kicked off her heels and flexed her feet, "I'm down to do combat training before I leave if you'd like."
"In a dress princess?" Diego eyed Emma carefully.
Bastard.
"Indeed; fighting comes in all styles you know." Emma walked over and grabbed a seraph blade.
Julian stepped beside her grabbing one as well, "I know it's been awhile, but I'd like to see if I can still take you down."
Emma smiled so the rest of them couldn't hear what she was about to whisper to Julian, "Are you sure? Ty told me about staying in bed until a few months ago." Emma's eyes shone, waiting for his reply.
"Believe it or not, I've regained almost all my physical strength." Julian whispered back, turning around and preparing himself in a stance, flipping the blade in the air.
If you insist.
Diego called out, "On my go, you can attack. Once your down, you're done, got it?"
"Got it." Emma and Julian replied in sync.
Pressing her bare foot down Emma felt the adrenaline rush through her veins.
Diego started counting down, "Three... Two... One... Go!"
Post-note: Just want to apologize for how long it took me to upload the next chapter. Unfortunately, I'm attending University right now so I don't always have time to write! I will try to get the chapters up as fast as I can with what time I have :)