A.N: I'm an awful person. I'm so sorry. Work has been so hectic and insane recently but hopefully this chapter will be worth it. I don't know about you bit i really wanted to see Alec just do some normal stuff for once, and who better to introduce him to life as a mundane that Charlie! Also a little insight into Charlie's romantic past...

Chapter 10

Alec was pissed. I could tell without even looking at his face. His shoulders were hunched and he was walking really fast. Like super-fast – I had to run to catch up with him.

"Hey!" I shouted. Alec stopped and turned to look at me. The confusion was clear.

"What are you doing?" He said, still confused. I finally caught up to him and put up a hand to tell him to give me a minute. I grasped my knees and sucked in a few deep breaths. He didn't leave whilst I was recovering so that was a good sign. I finally straightened up and looked at him.

"How do you walk so fast?" I gaped, still pulling in sweet, cool breaths. He rolled his eyes.

"Long legs." He stated bluntly. "What are you doing?"

I gave him a small smile. "Thought you could use some company?" He looked confused again now.

"Aren't you gonna have a go?" Now it was my turn to be confused.

"What?"

Alec rolled his eyes again. "I know you heard Jace and I. You know I still don't trust Clary." I smiled and shook my head.

"What I heard, was someone who cares deeply about his friends and his family, being suspicious of someone who could potentially hurt them. She won't…" I added, giving him another smile. "but I can see why all of this would look suspicious. Hell, if I didn't know her so well, I would be suspicious. I can't 'have a go' because you're cautious. That's what makes you a good Shadowhunter, and an even better friend." He just stared at me. I waved my hand in front of his face and he slapped it away. I laughed. "Tea?" He was back to confused again. I rolled my eyes. "We'll I'm guessing you don't want to be around Jace or Clary right now, and I don't want to interrupt Clary and Simon's one way romantic reunion - I'm not a great 3rd wheel, and they will all be heading back to the Institute so I suggest seeing as it is now…" I checked my phone, "8 in the morning, I suggest we go have tea and some breakfast." He didn't speak for a while but I continued to just look at him with a smile.

"What about the van?" he said finally. I shrugged.

"I snuck the keys in Si's pocket when I gave him a hug. Shall we go?" He nodded shortly and we began walking. I knew just where to take him.

We walked into Java Jones 10 minutes later and Todd behind the counter and nodded at me before noticing Alec. He raised an eyebrow. I grinned and we sat ourselves down at a table.

"What do you want?" I asked. He was raking his eyes up and down the menu. I already knew what I was having so I sat back and watched him choose. He was relaxing slowly; he just needed something else to occupy his mind and right now it was the breakfast options. I grinned at him and he slowly put down the menu.

"Croissant," He said quietly. I smiled and caught Todd's eye. As he was coming over I asked,

"And to drink?"

"I don't like coffee." He said suddenly. I laughed, leaning forward.

"Me neither. You ever tried tea?" He shook his head. I grinned at Todd as he arrived. "2 of the usual please, Todrick, my good Sir." I tipped my imaginary hat to him. He grinned before bowing low and walking back behind the counter. Alec frowned at me.

"You come here a lot?" I raised an eyebrow.

"If that was a chat-up line, it's 'Do you come here often?'." He rolled his eyes, knowing I was messing. "Yeah, Clary, Simon and I come here a lot." He narrowed his eyes.

"What are you up to?" I grinned before it melted into a soft smile when I knew I was caught.

"I just thought that if you saw how we grew up, how we lived, you might be more willing to trust us." He is eyes snapped to mine.

"I trust you fine," he muttered quickly, before looking like he wished he hadn't. Normally I would have teased him, but I wanted this to work.

"Why me and not them?" I watched as his brain tried to figure out why.

"I don't know…" he said softly, before realising and changing his tone, "Could be the fact that she's Valentines daughter." I shrugged. I sat back, staring at him.

Shaking my head, I said, "That's not it. You didn't trust her before then. That just cemented the bricks in the wall of distrust you had already constructed." He rolled his eyes at my analogy before sighing.

"I don't know what it is, okay. I just worry that with her around, things are going to get messy and people are going to get hurt." He said quickly, again seemingly regretting it afterwards.

"But why would that be Clary's doing?" He rolled his eyes again and sighed in frustration.

"I don't know Charlie! Apart from the Valentine/daughter thing she has done nothing in particular to make me distrust her! Is that what you wanted to hear?" I smiled. Yes, actually, that was what I wanted to hear. During his outburst Todd had brought the teas and croissants.

"Eat your croissant." I said calmly, which seemed to shock him, but he did as he was told. He took a sip of the tea and wrinkled his nose. I laughed and added a splash of milk. He took another sip and his nose wrinkled slightly less. I laughed again before putting a sachet of sugar in and giving it a stir. I nodded towards the cup and he took another sip. This time his nose didn't wrinkle. He sipped, put the cup down and took a bite of his croissant. We ate and drank in silence before I went over to the counter to pay.

"Who's he?" Todd nodded across to Alec, who was sat uncomfortably at the table.

"A friend, why interested?" Todd raised an eyebrow before tilting his head slightly to get a better look. I punched him lightly in the shoulder. "What would Davey say?"

"Shall we have a third?" He muttered to himself. I rolled my eyes and leaving my money on the counter, I went back over to Alec.

"You have an admirer," I laughed before pointing to a still staring Todd. Alec shifted awkwardly before grabbing my arm and pulling me out. We came out onto the street and Alec turned to look at me.

"What now?" I smiled up at him and began walking. He fell into stride beside me. "You've never done normal Mundie things have you?" Alec frowned.

"Like what?"

"I dunno, like chatting in a coffee shop, going to see a movie, going clubbing without there being a demon to kill, getting dinner with friends…"I trailed off as his face told me everything. I nodded. "Okay, so in answer to your question, that's what we are doing today. You are having a normal Mundie Saturday." He still looked confused. "You are going to experience what it feels like to be a normal 20-something. Someone who doesn't have the weight of the world resting on his shoulders." I smiled again and this time he smiled back hesitantly. I took that as an agreement before nodding to my apartment building in front of us. "However, before all of that I suggest we get into clothes that don't have vampire shit all over them." I gestured down to our clothes which in appearance seemed fine, but had the feeling of death on them. He chuckled under his breath and headed upstairs.

We dodged Elaine and closed the door of my apartment quietly. I gestured for him to make himself comfortable which he did, flopping down on the sofa and flicking on the telly. I laughed before searching through my bottom drawers seeing if an ex had left any clothes that would fit him. Shouting victoriously, I pulled out a red t-shirt, some black jeans and a black jacket. I chucked the items to him which a grin. He flicked his eyes over them before looking back at me.

"It's either that, or you wear my clothes," I stated raising an eyebrow. "I mean I have a top that would really suit…" He threw his hand up in frustration and went into the bathroom. I grabbed something for myself before replacing Alec on the sofa and flicking through the channels. About 10 minutes later, Alec came out of the bathroom. I grinned and ran my eyes over his body. The clothes suited him better than they had suited their original owner. I grinned as he cleared his throat awkwardly and flicked my eyes back to his face.

"Suits you," I said simply before turning my eyes back to the telly. He flopped down beside me. I turned to look at him.

"What now?" I laughed.

"We chill; watch telly, have a nap if we feel like it. On a Saturday, unless you're one of the poor buggers that has to work, no-one is up at this time. We come to life about 11ish and mill about, before perhaps going to do something about 3. Or like me, you sit alone, at home, immersing yourself in fictional world, whether that be telly, movies, games ect." Alec looked at me, completely dumfounded. I rolled my eyes. "Fine," I groaned turning off the telly and standing.

"What?" He was still staring. I grabbed his arm and pulled him off the sofa before opening the door. "What are we going to do?" I turned at grinned at him.

"Everything." And we did. We saw a movie; some space movie which Alec thought was complete rubbish but nevertheless enjoyed the experience, we got lunch: Alec had never eaten a burger before! (I know, I was shocked too.), we walked round town just letting him take in the sights, and as the day drew to a close I took him to a pub; technically I couldn't drink but I knew a guy. As I pushed the door open, I waved at Jack behind the bar. He grinned at me and nodded towards a booth at the back. I grabbed Alec's arm and pulled him threw the crowds of people towards said booth. We sat ourselves down before Jack came over.

"Hey," he grinned, "not seen you here for a while." I nodded.

"Yeah well, things… got a bit… complicated." I kept my eyes locked on his whilst his trailed over to Alec who was sitting awkwardly next to me. Jack sighed.

"You heard from her?" I shook my head, knowing this would come up. It was part of my life I wasn't ready to share with Alec so I tried to shut it down.

"Nope. Drinks?" I said quickly. Jack seeming to understand nodded before asking Alec what he wanted.

"I dunno, I'm not really much of a drinker." I smiled softly, before nodding at Jack and he headed off. "Heard from who?" Alec whispered. I shook my head again.

"All in good time." Alec nodded gently and looked around. People were chatting loudly or singing along to the music playing in the background. Alec grinned when a group of people watching a football match cheered in celebration. I stared at him. He looked at peace. I had never seen that look on his face and didn't know when I would again. He caught me staring and furrowed his brows. "You look happy," was all I said in response. He sighed before nodding.

"I am." I grinned and cheered when Jack came back with our drinks. Taking a sip of my wine, I watched as he took a sip of the beer he was brought. His face twitched as the taste swilled around his mouth and he swallowed. I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, it's not bad." I laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. I sat back in the booth and closed my eyes, taking in all the familiar noises around me. The last few day's events rolled back through my memories and I sighed. "You okay?" Alec voice pulled me from my thoughts. Opening my eyes I smiled at him.

"Yeah, just thinking about the last few days. I haven't slept since this whole thing started." Alec chuckled.

"Yeah me either."

I laughed before saying, "Surely being awake for 3 days on the trot is bad for you." Alec raised his eyebrows.

"3 days. Wow, feels longer." The sarcasm dripped from his lips as he grinned at me. I gaped at him.

"Did you just make a joke?" Alec rolled his eyes. "You did. You just made a joke!" I laughed in astonishment as he polished off his drink and motioned at Jack for another round. "You're almost normal." His eyes flicked to mine as I calmed down and smiled at him softly.

"Thank you." He said softly, so softly, I almost didn't hear him. I raised an eyebrow.

"Ooo, twice in one day, maybe I am doing something right." He grinned before replying,

"Maybe." I quirked an eyebrow at his small smirk before standing and walking over to the old 50's juke-box in the corner. Unlike most it still had all its original records in so grinned when I clicked on Roll Over Beethoven by Chuck Berry. A small cheer sounded as the classic riff started and people ran over to the dancefloor. I wound through them and sat back down next to Alec. He was bopping his head slightly and I laughed. No-one can resist Chuck Berry. We sat quietly enjoying the music and sipping our drinks, when I felt a buzz in my pocket. It was Izzy. I smiled and answered.

"Hey, Iz."

Her voice came out as a relieved breath. "Charlie! Where the hell have you been? Is Alec with you? Is he okay? We have been worried sick!" I rolled my eyes at Alec who smirked at Izzy's audible panic.

"Iz, chill. Alec and I are fine. We're just having a day off. Alec's experiencing life as a Mundie." Izzy chuckled.

"What?"

"Yeah, we went to breakfast, saw a movie, walked in the park, fed the ducks…" Alec rolled his eyes at this extra detail. I laughed. "and now were in a pub." A choking noise came from the other end of the phone.

"Alec… is in a pub." Izzy stated slowly. I could hear gasps and shocked laugher in the background.

"Yep," I laughed casually. "We're having a drink and will probably end the night with a heart to heart." He rolled his eyes again; I stuck out my tongue.

"Well, so long as you're both okay." I smiled.

"We're good Iz. We'll be back tomorrow." We said our goodbyes and I shoved my phone back in my pocket. I mock glared at Alec. "I'm guessing yours is off." He drew out his phone and threw it on the table. It was on, but on silent.

"Didn't wanna deal. I was having a day off." I smirked before finishing my drink. I turned to gesture for another round but found Jack racing towards me, with a look of shock plastered on his face.

"What?" I said quickly as he reached us.

"I swear I didn't have anything to do with it. I didn't know." I frowned.

"What are you talking about?" He gestured towards the door gently. Peering round him, my eyes trailed across the room before locking on the figure stood by the door. My heart almost stopped. Stood by the door was a tall, blond woman with striking green eyes. Her gaze was fixed on me. When she caught me looking she began to walk over. I stumbled to my feet gripping Alec's arm. Alec stood behind me whilst Jack stood in front. She rolled her eyes but came to a stop anyway. I put my hand on Jack's shoulder and he nodded before heading off to the bar. Alec stood so close I could feel his body heat radiating on my back. I fixed the woman with a steely glare. She sighed.

"Charlie…" She started. I held up my hand to stop her.

"How dare you come here?" My voice was low and quivering. Fury was melting all self-control I had.

She closed her eyes. "I had to see you." I laughed bitterly.

"Really?" The woman sighed and took a step forward. I backed up hitting Alec's chest hard. He gripped my arm to stop me falling but didn't remove his hand once I was set.

"I wanted to say goodbye. I did, but I couldn't. It was too hard." I laughed bitterly again.

"You want to know what's hard? Saying to your girlfriend, "I'll see you tomorrow, I love you." and your girlfriend replying, "Love you too," and then fucking off to Europe without telling you. I had to find out from your mum." I was breathing heavily now, trying to control my anger.

She sighed again, which pissed me off even more. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again. I blinked away angry tears. "I loved you." My voice broke as I muttered those fateful words. She gulped.

"Past tense," she whispered. I nodded slowly.

"I've moved on." I whispered. Her eyes flicked to Alec.

"I can see that." I forced a bitter laugh.

"Don't bring him into this. We made those plans together, but you took my money and you left me behind. What makes you think that a year later, you could just show up and I'd forgive you?" She shrugged her shoulders, before whispering,

"I never stopped loving you, you know." I gulped, grabbed Alec's hand and said,

"I did." We pushed passed her and left the pub.

We didn't speak as we walked back to mine. The silence helped to calm me. We bumped into Elaine as we waked down the corridor. I help up a hand before saying,

"She's back." Elaine's eyes widened before she patted me gently on the shoulder and went back inside. I gave Alec my keys and he unlocked the door. I trailed inside before flopping face-first on my bed. I gripped my pillow and screamed loudly into it. I felt the side of the bed dip but carried on screaming. My face flushed as I stopped screaming and turned my head to the side to see Alec staring at me.

"Do you want me to ring Clary?" He asked gently. I chuckled lightly and shook my head.

"I'll tell her tomorrow." I rolled over onto my back and propped my head up on my pillows. Alec sighed and lay back next to me.

"You wanna talk about it?" I shook my head gently. "It might help?" I sighed annoyed.

"I'll talk to you about Nieve if you talk to me about your feelings for Jace, how about that?" Alec went silent, a flash of anger shadowing his face.

"I don't have feelings for Jace." I raised an eyebrow.

"Sure, you don't." Alec stood and began to pace. I sat back and closed my eyes. I felt the bed dip again.

"Can I ask you something?" I nodded gently. "Are you gay?" I smiled, before shaking my head. "But you said that she was your girlfriend?" I nodded again.

"I'm bi." I said quietly. There was a silence for a long while so I opened one eye to look at Alec. He looked confused again. Oh poor child, raised in the Institute. He'd never had a burger before today, let alone knowing the ins and outs of the LGBTQ+ community. "It means I like men and women. Both the same. Romantically."

"You can do that?" I laughed.

"It's a scale. No-one fits perfectly in one box or another. Most of us don't. You can do whatever you like." I had sat up now and was facing him cross-legged. If we were going to have this conversation, I was going to be awake for it.

"Us?" I smile gently.

"I know how you feel about Jace." Alec shook his head again and went to stand, but I grabbed his arms and pulled him back down. "It's okay."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I took a deep breath.

"Look, it's okay if you don't want to admit it. A lot of people find it hard. It's not surprising you would struggle. Sexuality isn't talked about in our world. I mean, marrying for love is a rarity in our world, let alone dating and marrying someone of your own gender. I dread to think about how the Clave would see it. Even if you aren't gay, even if you're like me, for you, who's life has been spent trying to do the right thing, for the Clave and for your family, I can see that accepting something like that, something that could change everything, I can see why that is hard. But you don't have to do it alone. There are people all over the world that would help if they could, but on a smaller scale, you have me. I know what it's like, thinking that no-one will accept you, but if you could see how much everyone loves you, you wouldn't be worried. Alec, Jace and Izzy, will accept you for whoever you are, and if it makes a difference, so will Simon and Clary. They did for me." Alec stared at his lap in silence. "You don't have to decide anything now, but if you do, let me know and I'll help." He nodded softly before laying himself down and shutting his eyes. Suddenly feeling very tired, I did the same and fell asleep instantly.

I woke up quiet early the next morning, but felt surprisingly refreshed. I stayed with my eyes closed for a while listening to Alec's deep breathing beside me. We had only known him for a couple of days but I felt like I could trust him, like I could talk to him, even if he didn't want to talk back. I knew that once we got back to the Institute he would go back to being Shadowhunter Alec which made me sigh lightly. Deciding I needed food, I gently pushed myself up and off the bed and towards the fridge. I cringed at the lack of food and closed the fridge again. I light knock on the door made me flick my eyes over to Alec's sleeping form. I chuckled and headed to the door. Elaine stood on the other side. She smiled and passed me a bag of food. I furrowed my brows at her.

"I guessed you wouldn't have anything so I got you enough for this morning." Never had I felt more grateful for her than at this moment. I smiled genuinely. "He still asleep?" She nodded past me to the bed.

"Yeah, guess we were both shattered." I smiled fondly at him. Elaine laughed gently before patting my gently.

"Eat. You'll feel better." I nodded as she left. Bringing the bag to the table I saw all the ingredients for pancakes. I rolled my eyes at her forethought, and started cooking. 10 minutes later Alec had woken and had dragged himself to the table. I put some on his plate and he tucked in. I had a weird sense of deja vu. Only a few days ago, I had made the same pancakes for Simon, Clary and I before all of this started. I shook my head at how fast it had all happened. I sat down opposite and started to eat. I could feel his eyes on me but I refused to look at him. After a minute or two of him staring, I cleared my throat.

"Nieve was my girlfriend about 2 and a half years ago," I said slowly, trying not to mumble. Alec said nothing, he continued to look at me. I rolled my eyes and continued, "I met her when I was 18, just after I started college. She came into Java Jones and I hadn't seen her before and I thought she was beautiful, so I smiled at her. She came over to talk and we found out we were both going to City. It turned quite quickly into something more." I sighed lightly, before looking at Alec, "I loved her," I croaked out, still having a hard time saying it. "Well, I thought I did and I thought that she loved me, but one day out the blue, she disappeared. I looked all over for her, but she had left her apartment, dropped out of her classes, everything. It wasn't until I asked her mum, that she told me she had gone to Europe." I shrugged. "We had always talked about starting in London, and going all over the place; but she decided to go on her own, not tell me and leave me behind." I quickly brushed a tear off my cheek, before clearing my throat again. "Yesterday was the first time, I've seen her in a year. Exactly a year." Alec nodded lightly. "There you go. That's it." Alec nodded again before sighing.

"She wasn't that good looking," He stated with a smirk. A laugh bubbled up from the bottom of my throat. He grinned at me as I laughed.

"I'm gonna miss this you." I smiled sadly. Alec's face shifted into a frown, before shifting back again to a small smile.

"Me too." I furrowed my brow at him.

"Well as long as you remember that you've got someone on your side this time, but if you're being unreasonable, I'll call you out on it." He nodded his head with a small smile.

"Noted." I grinned as we continued to eat.

We're learning a little bit about who Charlie is now,getting a bit deeper into her character and her relationship with Alec.

No reviews on the last Chapter but i hope you all enjoyed it anyway.

Have an amazing week,

Zoe xx