Disclaimer: I do not own The Mortal Insruments series. Cassandra Clare does.

Author's Note: Oh, yeah, since I only replaced my personal pleading note on Chapter 9 with the actual Chapter 9 I realize this is probably when you guys will realize I updated for real. Again, thanks to mundaneboy for helping me out with ideas to conclude this short little fanfiction. Please, read, enjoy & review~!

10

Lost

He ran and ran and ran until beads of sweat slid down his face in proof of his exhaustion, but his legs still kept moving to the place he was so familiar with months ago.

When he arrived at the estate he hastily came to a stop outside the door, his knees bent as he bowed over gasping for air on the only break he took from his sprint. Still heavily breathing in and out, Alec arched his back up to reach over and click the buzzer that told the owner of the home of someone's arrival.

"Hellooo?" The familiar voice questioned.

"Magnus, it's me. Alec."

The Warlock paused at the name and voice as his own became oh-so less merry. "…And what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"I…I need to talk to you."

There was another drawn-out pause and Alec began to think Magnus was going to do away with him when the double doors began to slide open. "Come in," the older man said nonchalantly before he clicked off.

Alec walked inside the house, possibly being taken aback by all the elegance if he hadn't already seen it so many times. Magnus walked down the spiral stair case, his unusual hues straight on Alec.

The teen looked up at him and Magnus motioned a hand for him to take a seat at the circular table. Alec walked over and pulled out a chair from the designated area as Magnus took the seat across from him, crossing one leg casually over the other. "…So…?" The Warlock began, his eyes still on Alec.

"Uh…" What was he suppose to say to him? Ask him what to do when the person you love likes someone else? No, that'll probably make the older man angry. And he could just ask Simon that if that's the only answer he was looking for. Still, he was curious to know what kind of advice an old Warlock had to offer…

"Is this about Jace?" Magnus spoke up after analyzing the teen's face.

"Uh…!" Alec looked up from the table only to glance back down as he softly answered, "…Yeah…"

"Figured." He said, not quite detectable what emotion his tone held. "What about him? Did you finally realize it'll never work?"

Alec scowled, slightly hurt by those words, before his face softened in a more melancholy fashion. It's not like he could help what he felt for the other boy. It's not like he aimed to feel like this fool captivated by love. "…No, that's not exactly it… I just…I just don't know what to believe. I feel like I'm getting mixed signals."

"…How so?"

Alec clinched one fist on top of the russet surface. "…He led me to believe that he felt…at least something for me and soon I see him kissing Clary. Like seriously, what the hell?" The teen all but growled and then looked up to see the Warlock's downhearted expression. Blue hues widened, "I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't be talking to you about this. I'll leave now if-"

"Stay, Alec." Magnus stated upon the teen's rise from his seat. "The only thing that's concerning me is your own happiness. I don't hold romantic feelings for you anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't still care about you."

The boy blinked than smiled earnestly, '…Thanks, Magnus. Really."

The older man nodded his head in response.

"So what do I do?"

"You? Are you kidding me? Nothing. You haven't done anything wrong, have you? If Jace really feels the same way about you, he'll be the one to take responsibility for his own actions. Stop going to him for a change in fear that he might not ever run to you."

Alec sat quietly for a moment, surprised that Magnus could still read him like an open book. He nodded his head slowly before murmuring truthfully, "You're right. You're absolutely right."

A/N: Yep, yep. This story is coming to an end~! I'm predicting next chapter to be my last for this story. Thank you to everyone whose reading or has read! :D Please, drop a review and tell me what'cha think!