Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight or Shadowhunters/Mortal Instruments. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer and Cassandra Claire. I do own the original characters made up for this storyline. Thank you.

Writer's Notes: Thank you Roxhall for your review! Alec is…confused. He's not sure what to do. He's battling a lot of these feelings because he's trying to but duty over himself. Sometimes, in order to do your job right, you need to think about yourself from time to time. I hope you enjoy the next chapter. As always I appreciate all the support. Don't forget to follow, favorite and review! See you at the next chapter!

Pandemonium was eventless. They prowled around cloaked with cloaking runes, but they didn't happen upon any demons, which Bella was sort of disappointed in. Back at the Institute it was late when they arrived. Two in the morning, and Bella was starting to feel the exhaustion wash over her by this point. She walked into command anyways, while others went off to probably pass out on their bed, including Clary, who was tired from training, and then it being so late.

"Hey." Bella said, standing there, looking at Alec's back.

Alec didn't turn, he had his arms crossed as he looked at the screen, no demon sightings popped. It was too quiet, and that concerned him. Valentine was doing something…or waiting for something.

Bella walked up, laying a hand on Alec's shoulder, breaking him out of his thoughts. "Alec."

He looked at her. "Sorry, I was just…thinking." He murmured, looking back at the screen.

"You should be resting." Bella said.

Alec sighed. "Yeah. It's too quiet. We should have seen another demon sighting by now. Valentine is up to something…"

"That may be, but you can't just stay up all night." Bella said.

Alec looked at her. "Go on to bed." He said simply.

Bella sighed. "Alec, I want you to talk to me. I'm sorry about earlier."

Alec shook his head. "There's nothing to talk about."

She was quiet a moment, studying him, their eyes locked. "Okay." She finally said, and then she left him there in command. She walked down the corridor where her room was at, and she looked up at Emmett walking down the hall. "I figured you were asleep already."

"Hmm. I like to make sure that everything is safe and sound before hitting the hay." Emmett said with a smile. "Like you. You're not in bed either."

"Well, I'm on my way there."

Emmett nodded. "I see. You could come get in my bed." He offered.

Bella chuckled slightly. "Emmett Cullen. That is not how you get a girl to get in your bed."

"My bad," Emmett said with a grin. "Though it's worked before, you're the anomaly."

"Jace did say you were a womanizer, didn't he?" Bella said with a smile.

"I'm not ashamed." Emmett said with a shrug. "I don't do relationships. I do fun."

Bella smiled. "Interesting. You do seem to be a lot of fun."

"Maybe one night you'll take me up on that fun." Emmett said with a wink. "But I know when I'm being shot down hard. Have a good night, Bella." He said and walked away.

Bella smiled, shaking her head, and walking farther down the hall to her room. She paused at her door, and heard Jace's door open. She looked over at him, smiling. "Thanks for being patient with me tonight."

Jace leaned against his door frame, smiling back. "Well, you've got a lot to learn. I'm glad that you came out, even if it was just all quiet."

"Me too. It was lively to say the least." Bella said, recalling Jake and Emmett, and their funny, 'bro' selves.

Jace walked over to her then, sliding a hand to her waist, and leaning in to kiss her.

Bella pulled away slightly. "Jace."

"Tell me you don't want this." He murmured, his hands brushing up her sides.

She looked at him, his golden amber eyes looking back at her. She thought about Alec and his words. He was struggling with himself. She was struggling too, with the morality of carrying on something with Jace. Her heart wasn't in it.

"You're thinking a lot." Jace said, watching her face. "There's someone else…" he murmured.

"That's not it." She murmured, lying. She felt like she owed it to herself to try and push past this fog, whatever it was these feelings were for Alec. She was insane, and probably making a mistake right now, but she couldn't exactly hang on to Jace when she was unresolved with herself. It wouldn't be fair to him. "I don't want you to get the idea…that there is an us."

Jace blinked a few times. "Your heart still isn't healed from your last boyfriend. I understand." He said with a nod. "I'm not going to hurt you." He murmured.

"I have trust issues." She said, and that wasn't a lie. "Regardless Jace, it's not me that I'm worried about."

"You're worried about me?"

She nodded. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I don't think I've ever had someone worry about me like that…" He murmured. "You are very special…" He said, stroking her face with one hand.

Bella stared into his eyes, the eyes that were so unusual to her. So golden, so beautiful. She tilted her face up, her lips brushing his softly. "One time." She murmured, giving in. She reached behind her opening her door, and he followed her inside, shutting the door, his mouth not leaving hers. They started shedding their clothes until they were naked, collapsing back onto the bed.

Jace kissed her before moving down her body, taking one of her nipples into his mouth, and she gasped, arching against him, the heat flooding through her. His hand traveled down his fingers circling over her swollen nub, exciting her further. Soon he replaced his hand with his mouth, and she gasped in surprise as his tongue flicked over her clit. She balled her hands up in the sheets, the new sensation rolling over her. He curled two fingers, delving inside her at the same time, working her up, as she moved her hips to his mouth, she moaned the orgasm building up in the bit of her stomach. She inched closer towards released until finally the damn broke and she climaxed, shuddering in the sheets.

Jace smiled, moved back to her mouth, kissing her deep as he thrust inside her, his tip pressing against her release again, and she came over him a second time, moaning against his mouth. He thrust fast and hard into her and she clung around him for the ride. Her nails raked down his back, biting his flesh, but that drove him faster, loving the feel of her hands moving over him.

Bella felt the power behind him, and the excitement of him coupled with her. His mouth moved to her throat, and he kissed her there, and she moaned in his ear, and that sent shivers down his spine. She felt her third wave of pleasure roll through her, and she tightened around his hard shaft, and he started to swell, moaning with her as he grew closer to his end. He picked up his pace, hitting her deep and she shattered around him, her fluids sliding over him as she moaned his name. "Jace!" She gasped as she felt him thrust deep, his hips pressed to hers, his seed spilling out, coating her, and that sent her into another orgasm, and she threw her head back, moaning loudly.

They were both panting at the finish, and Jace pulled out of her, rolling to his side, taking in a deep breath. "Wow." He managed.

"Wow is right." Bella murmured, her heart still hammering in her chest.

Jace reached for her, and pulled her against him, and she rested her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beating fast too, but it was starting to slow now. They were silent for a few moments, before Jace broke the silence. "You are earth shattering."

"Thank you," She said with a chuckle. She was still vibrating from her head to her toes, just feeling amazing. So amazing, she felt like she was just glowing.

He kissed the top of her head. "Hmm. I'll let you get sleep." He murmured.

Bella nodded, shifting away from him to let him get up. He pulled his pants on, and she got a good view of him.

He noticed her watching and he paused before pulling his shirt on. "Like what you see, love?"

"You're sexy, I'll admit that." Bella said with a smile. "I just never looked at you before really. It is a nice view."

Jace grinned. "Well, maybe one day you'll be in a better place, so you can see this all the time." He winked. "Good night Bella." He said and pulled his shirt on, before leaving her room.

Bella sighed, laying back on the bed for a few long moments before getting out of bed and going to the shower. She turned it on, feeling the hot water on her hand before stepping in. She sighed as the hot water hit her tired muscles. She turned under the shower head, letting the water fall over her like rain. She enjoyed the hot water for a while longer before washing her hair, and body. She shaved, and washed her face before getting out and toweling off. She went into her room and pulled on her pajamas, going braless. She tried to lay down, but she felt thirsty, and so she sighed, flinging the covers off her, and leaving her room. It was now almost four in the morning. She wandered back through the institute towards the kitchen, but noticed Alec still in command. She walked into command, sighing. "You're not in bed."

Alec turned and looked at her. He was looking at the tablet, scrolling through something. "Hmm? What time is it?" He looked at his watch and sighed.

"Almost four." Bella said and went to stand next to him.

He nodded, and then looked back at her. "You just got out of the shower?"

"Yeah. I laid down, but I got thirsty. So…" She said.

He set the tablet down and rubbed his hands over his face. "I was just reading the correspondence from the Clave. They agree something is up with the demons being too quiet. I want Magnus to check the wards again, I just…I have a bad feeling." He said and rubbed his neck. He was stiff, and his shoulders were hurting a little bit.

Bella reached up, rubbing his shoulders with her hands. He sighed, relaxing a little. "You should probably take a nice hot shower. You're really tense."

Alec made a hmph noise. "I'm just stressed." He closed his eyes, enjoying the small neck rub. Her hands felt nice, and he imagined her hands moving over his body, and it made him open his eyes, and then turn and look at her. "Bella…"

"Hmm?" She looked up at him, her doe brown eyes still alive with energy still.

"Why can't I stop thinking about you?" He murmured.

"I don't know what you mean…" She said, frowning.

He reached up, caressing her cheek. "You make it so hard…I want you so bad." His voice was nearly a whisper now.

"Alec…" she murmured, tears popping to the surface.

"No Bella…don't cry…" Alec murmured. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry," his voice shook a little.

Bella shook her head. "Alec, I can't keep ping ponging like this. My heart can't take that. I'm trying not to get so attached to you, or to anyone else. Edward broke my heart, and I can't experience another heart ache like that. Don't do that to me." She said, the tears streaming.

"I don't know what to do…" Alec said, his voice emotional now. "God Bella, it physically hurts me to see you like this." He wiped the tears from her face. "I'm so sorry."

Bella looked up at him, his blue eyes were like dark pools like the ocean, and their depths drew her in. "I don't know what to do."

"I don't either…" He said. "But I need you. I need you so bad."

Bella nodded. "Okay."

Alec took her hand and the disappeared to his own room. It was on a different hall than her own. He moved with her to his bed, taking her clothes off, seeing the fresh hickey on her neck and he hesitated. "You…"

Bella blinked at him. "What?"

"I don't want to know who you've been with tonight, but…"

Bella looked down. "Alec, I…"

"I don't care." He said, and he kissed her, his hands moving to her pajama bottoms, pulling them away, and he raised up, taking his own shirt off. Her hands slid over his chest, and he shuddered under her touch. He leaned back down, kissing her as her hands moved at his pants. He managed to slide out of them before she rolled with him in the bed to now, she was on top. She straddled him, lifting and positioning him at her entrance and slid down over him slowly. He moaned, the feel of her igniting him. She danced her hips over his, picking up her pace as she drove not only him, but herself towards a release. As she bounced her breast did as well, and his hands reached up, groping her gently. She looked like a goddess riding him like that, her dark hair like waves around her.

Alec moved with her, rolling her to the bottom, thrusting into her deep, his mouth coming down to hers and kissing her. He then pulled away from her, and she whimpered, but he smiled. He leaned down his mouth going to her wet core, and she lost herself, his mouth driving her to new depths. He knew that this would be something that she might like, he wasn't deaf when he heard Emmett or Jake talking about their own conquests. He wasn't experienced like they were, but he wanted her to enjoy herself as much as he was. Bella moaned, her orgasm washing through her to Alec, and he was back at her mouth kissing her, before sliding back into her, letting her ride out her orgasm as his tip hit the right spot repeatedly. It had her reeling, the continuous orgasm making her moan against his mouth, and tighten around him until he came, filling her up. He rested his forehead against hers and kissed her softly a few times, before pulling out and holding her in his arms.

She was fully satisfied, and so tired now, her eyes drooping closed. "You are amazing." She murmured sleepily.

"Mmm. You too." He murmured back and pulled the blanket up over them so the cool air wouldn't give them a chill. "Go to sleep." He whispered, and kissed the top of her head, and she fell off into a slumber in his arms.

Alec found himself dropping off to sleep as well.

[Three hours later]

There was a knocking at Alec's door, and he shifted, Bella's body still against his. He groaned slightly, feeling groggy. He slid out of bed, looking for his pants, but he was just too sleepy, so he grabbed the towel off the back of the bathroom door, and wrapped it around his waist and went to his door. He opened it. "Hmm?"

Jace raised a brow at his friend. "You were in the shower?"

"No, I was sleeping." Alec said, and leaned in the door frame.

"As long as I've known you, you've never slept naked," Jace pointed out.

Alec's brain was starting to turn on. "Hmm. What time is it?"

"Nearly eight." Jace said, crossing his arms.

"Okay. I'll see you in command. I'm going to shower and get dressed." Alec said, rubbing his face with his free hand.

Jace nodded. "Okay. Or you could just sleep in longer."

"No, it's fine." Alec said, and blinked a few times. "I'm awake now."

"Okay mate, well take your time. Not everyone is awake anyways. It was a late night for most of us."

"Mhm." Alec said and then shut the door, sighing. He looked over at his bed. Bella was still sleeping peacefully. He smiled slightly, remembering earlier this morning. He went to the bathroom and started the shower, and got in. The hot water did feel good against his tense muscles. He didn't spend long in the shower, before he got out, and gathered clothes. Bella stirred, looking over at Alec as he pulled on his jeans. "I didn't mean to wake you." He murmured.

Bella shifted, sitting up, her dark hair falling forward like a black curtain. "You didn't. I heard knocking on the door earlier, I was just too tired to move." She smiled.

Alec walked over, still shirtless. He leaned down and kissed her. "It was Jace." He murmured. "I'm normally in command at 7, it's after 8 now."

Bella nodded, looking over at the clock. "So it is." She was still sleepy.

"You can go back to sleep." He said. "It was a late night. You guys didn't get back until after two this morning." He reminded her.

"No, I need to get up. Can't get used to sleeping in, or it'll throw my internal clock off too much." She smiled, and he kissed her again. For this moment she felt happy. She looked him over. "I wish I could see you shirtless more often." She teased.

Alec chuckled. "Well, I actually don't like being shirtless that often."

"Too bad. You're hot." She said wiggling her eyebrows.

He laughed again and then kissed her again. "You're making it hard to finish getting dressed."

"Why get dressed?"

"You temptress." Alec murmured, and then he climbed back into bed, and she removed his pants he just put on.

They coupled together, their hips clashing together in a furious passion, climbing quick together. His mouth moved her neck and then he moved to her shoulder kissing her there, as her mouth found his neck. She moaned in his ear, her breath hot sending quivers through him, and then he was erupting as her own orgasm kissed his tip. He buried his face in her hair, pumping a few times before he stopped.

He leaned back, kissing her softly. "Hmm. Now I really need to get dressed quickly." He kissed her again.

Bella smiled as he got up, getting the full view of Alec Lightwood before she got up as well, finding her clothes from earlier this morning, and pulling them on. "I'm going to have to very quickly get back to my room, change, and meet you in command."

Alec pulled his shirt on. "Yes. I'll leave first, and then you follow shortly after. Izabell is still in infirmary, so she's not in her room. This hall should be clear. Cut through the library, you should be fine." He kissed her again, and then again. "God, I'm getting myself in major trouble with you."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I'm just…I don't know how to navigate these waters, Bella. I'm trying…I'm trying to figure it all out. There's a lot of duty, and then confusion."

Bella nodded. "I get it. No strings Alec, I understand the situation. I'll try not and be a temptress." She grinned.

He groaned and kissed her again. "You're making me go mad." He sighed, and kissed her again, before ducking out the door.

Bella waited a couple moments before leaving, looking around carefully, before cutting through the library like Alec said.

Alec went to command; it was nearly nine now. Jace was in command talking to Simon, his arms crossed. "So, the Clave sent a correspondence out around three this morning. They agree that Valentine must be up to something because of the lack of demon activity. They want to do the lure rune that Bella suggested."

Jace nodded. "What about the lack of Shadowhunters on our side?"

Alec sighed. "We're trying to work that part out. They are still adamant about making sure Jocelyn is recovered. Has anyone seen Hodge?"

"Yeah, he was in his office. He's been holing himself up." Jace said. "He's not…liking the situation."

Alec nodded. "Okay, well tell him, he's bound for Idris. They're recalling him to Idris. They don't trust him here in the Institute with Valentine out there."

"He's trained all of us since we were kids. How long must he suffer making one wrong decision?" Jace asked.

"Trust me Jace, I argued all those points. Victor doesn't seem to think that Hodge is changed enough. He was one of the few that fought on Valentine's side vehemently. It is only by the grace of the angels that Hodge was not killed when he was." Alec explained.

Bella joined them a few moments later, dressed, and her hair pulled back carefully.

Alec glanced up at her, but didn't say anything. "So, Jake will escort Hodge back to Idris, and then we'll figure out a plan on using the Lure rune."

Bella raised a brow. "The Clave actually agreed to that?"

"Yeah, that's part of the correspondence I was reading earlier this morning."

"Oh right." Bella said with a nod. "So, we use the Lure rune."

Clary walked in; her hair tied back. "Guys! Look what I discovered." She said and then she took her stele out and drew a rune on her hand. Her hand glowed, and then it disappeared.

Alec watched. "I wonder what that's supposed to do. It's not a rune that I recognize."

Bella looked at Clary's hand. "It's a petrify rune." She murmured, and then it clicked. "It's a rune meant for demons. If we use the Lure rune to gather that many demons in one spot, then Clary and I can use the petrify rune to take out more than one at a time."

Alec's eyes seemed to light up. "Bella, you and Clary are geniuses."

Bella smiled and looked at Clary, who was smiling wide too. "This could really work." Her smile faded out as she dropped off into a trance, like she did when a memory was flashing back.

"Johnny, I'm scared." Bella's tiny voice quivered.

Jonathan was two years older than Bella. His hair a brilliant blonde. "Bella, you don't have to be scared. I'm here with you. Father is just trying to make Shadowhunters stronger."

"But he hurts mommy." Bella whimpered.

Jonathan's eyes softened. "I know, and I'm sorry. I wish I could protect her too. I won't allow him to hurt you, Bella. That's why I let him hit me instead. Just do what he says, and I'll make sure that you stay safe."

"How will you keep me safe?"

Jonathan was quiet a moment. "You have to convince mother to take you away. You and our sister in her tummy. You must leave the house."

"Why?"

"There will be a lot of fire, and fire can hurt you. I don't want you to get hurt, okay?"

"Johnny…"

Jonathan kissed her small forehead. His dark eyes stared at her. "It's too late for me Bella. I can feel the demons inside me. I need you to be strong. Can you be strong, and brave?"

Bella nodded, her small tears dripping off her chin. "But…I don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't get hurt."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Bella sucked in a breath, her eyes wide, and tears pouring down her face.

Alec was there in front of her. "Bella," his hands were on either side of her face, searching for her response.

Bella looked up at Alec, her eyes bleary with tears. "He…he…" She didn't realize that she sobbed out.

Alec didn't think, he just pulled her into his embrace, his arms tight around her. "Shhh." He murmured. "Bella, calm down."

Bella sobbed against Alec's chest.

Clary looked over at Jace, panicked. "What's wrong?"

Jace was worried too. "I don't know. She's had a flashback."

"Bella, listen to me." Alec said, his voice gentle. "Bella, please."

She couldn't stop the sobs, her chest hurting. Her brother was the one who set the fire, a fire that would kill her father, and himself. He sacrificed himself to protect her, and their pregnant mother. He was only seven. And yet, Valentine was alive, while her brother was dead. The pain was so great.

"Damnit," Alec muttered, and tilted her chin up to look at him. "Bella, look at me. Deep breaths. You're going to hyperventilate."

She couldn't focus on what Alec was saying, the roar of her heartbeat in her ears, as the panic attack tried to consume her.

Alec didn't like seeing her like this. "Bella," he said her name again, and then he just leaned in, kissing her, the distraction breaking through, and registering in her brain. Her breathing starting calming. "There you are. Come on baby…" he murmured. "Bella, are you with me?" She was still crying hard, so Alec reached up, wiping her face with his thumbs. "Bella, you need to answer me, please." His voice shook a little. He was ignoring everyone else in the room at the moment.

"Alec…" her voice broke. She didn't know how to speak, how to process that memory. Nothing made sense to her anymore.

"Bella, breathe. Baby, you have to breathe, or you're going to start panicking again. Look at me," he said. "Look at me," he said it again. Her dark eyes latched on to his. "It's just me. Look at me," his voice was gentle. "You're okay. It's okay." He murmured. She nodded, and he let out a shaky breath and kissed her forehead, pulling her back into his arms, her face against his chest.

Jace and Clary stared, shock apparent on their faces. Jace didn't know what to think. He didn't know how to feel. He felt some jealousy, some anger, but more than anything it was just shock. Shock that Alec had handled Bella so intimately, and it made Jace start thinking about everything a lot more.

"Shh." Alec said, as he heard her small sob. "Please stop crying." He still hadn't registered Jace and Clary standing there with him and Bella. He was just focused on her. He rubbed his hand over her back. "You should have stayed in bed this morning like I told you." He muttered. He sighed, closing his eyes.

Bella calmed down after a few moments of silence, and she leaned away from Alec and looked up at him.

"Tell me what happened." Alec said gently, brushing a few strands of hair out of her face.

"Jonathan set the fire…he set it to protect mom…and me. He set it to kill our father, but…" Her voice cracked.

Alec's eyes softened as she told him. "Oh, baby I'm so sorry." He murmured.

"My legs feel weak." She murmured.

That's when Clary moved, pulling a chair over and Bella eased down into it.

Alec glanced up at Clary. "Thank you." He hadn't acknowledged Jace yet, but he wanted to make sure Bella was seated, and was okay. "Clary, can you get her some water please?"

Clary nodded silently and left command.

Alec crouched down in front of her. "Is that all you remember?"

Bella shook her head and wiped her face. "Jonathan said that Valentine was trying to make Shadowhunters stronger. He uh…he said he wouldn't let him hurt me. That he would always take the hits so I wouldn't. And that it was too late for him, he could feel the demons inside him."

Clary returned with water and handed it to Bella. "Here. Drink it slow." She murmured.

Bella took the water and drank it slow. "Thank you." She murmured. "I'm okay now."

Alec reached up caressing her cheek. "You scared the hell out of me."

"I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "No, don't apologize. I told you this morning you were driving me mad. I meant it, but not in a bad way. Now sit here for a while, don't move. Okay?" She nodded, and then he leaned up kissing her softly. He stood, blowing out a breath and took a couple steps back. "I'll be right back. Watch her." He said to Clary, and he went out of command to his office.

Jace followed him, shutting the door. "Alec."

"Jace, I can't talk with you right now." Alec was clearly shaken.

Jace was prepared to angry at his friend, his brother, but he couldn't. Alec never showed emotion, he was always so reserved, and he never even glanced at a woman. "This morning."

Alec sighed. "Yes, she was in my bed." He said and looked at his friend. "And I know she was with you earlier on. I know Jace. I fucking know."

Jace swallowed. "You care about her."

"She was my first time Jace. When…when we came back from Magnus' Loft…" He sighed, sitting on his desk. "She was talking so much, and wouldn't let me talk, and she was just so infuriating, I kissed her, and fuck…" he shook his head. "It escalated. I'm so confused, and I just can't think straight. She makes me question myself, and all the things I've worked hard for. I was not looking to get tangled up in something. I thought…. I thought I could just tell her that I didn't want her. That she should be with someone else, and I would be okay. That maybe she would be okay."

"But it didn't work." Jace said. He watched his friend deflate. He wasn't angry anymore. Instead, he said the most Jace thing. "So, you finally lost your virginity."

Alec looked up at his Parabatai. "Seriously? After all that, that's what you have for me?"

"No. I was trying to make you smile, that backfired."

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" Jace frowned.

Alec shook his head. "You clearly want to be with her. I ignored the signs. Magnus had mentioned before…the marks on her neck, but those weren't me, and I suspected it was someone else in the Institute, and I somehow knew it was you."

"That was just something that happened. That was not planned at all. I don't go around trying to fuck every girl. She's alluring. Drew me in. I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous, or a little angry, but Alec…you're my best friend, my Parabatai, and my brother. I would never step in the way of something that makes you happy. God knows you deserve it. You work the hardest out of all of us. You run this Institute despite your parents' doubts. You put so much on yourself. If you want to be happy, take that opportunity. Just know, if you pass it up, I won't hesitate." Jace said, being honest.

Alec snorted. "Thanks for your candor." He sighed. "I don't fucking know man."

"Alec, I just witnessed you calm Bella down on the brink of a panic attack. You handled her with care, and such…love. Don't think twice about that." Jace said. "Plus, I think Bella is struggling too. I know you don't want to know…but she was hesitant, I could sense the hesitancy in her. I thought maybe it was because of her ex, Edward, but I think it's because of you."

"What about the Clave?"

"Fuck them." Jace said simply. "There are no rules stating you can't be in a relationship Alec. Shadowhunters are encouraged to marry or settle with other Shadowhunters, you do realize that right?"

"I know."

"What are you afraid of?"

Alec sighed. "I'm afraid of hurting her. I don't want her to be on the receiving blow of something that goes wrong in Idris. My parents would never approve of a relationship with a Fairchild. That's not even talking about something as serious as marriage, because trust me, I'm no where close to that right now."

Jace nodded. "What do you want Alec?"

"I want her." Alec said it, motioning a hand to the door. "I want her so bad it hurts."

"Then you know what my answer is going to be." Jace said. "Also, just out of curiosity. The other day, when you two were about to murder each other and you made her come in the office."

Alec sighed. "Yes Jace. That is not one of my finest moments, but yes. I came so close to kissing her in command because she was so infuriatingly beautiful, and she pushed all my buttons that held my control together."

"I have to say I am both proud, and impressed." Jace said, smiling.

Alec actually flashed a smile. "You are disgusting you know that?"

"Thank you. Are you okay now?" Jace asked.

"Yeah, I think so. Thank you." Alec said and then Jace hugged him. Something they rarely did, but Jace hugged him.

Jace smiled. "I'm happy for you Alec, I really am. Don't fuck it up. Trust me, you don't want to." He gave Alec a friendly little slap to his cheek and winked. He left him there in the office, to go back to command.

[Two weeks later]

Hodge did not want to go back to Idris, but he had no choice. Once Jake returned, they set their plan into motion with the Lure rune. The past two weeks, Bella was having so many different flashbacks that it was starting to give her whiplash. It was exhausting to say the least. Alec and Bella didn't define anything, but word did spread to the others, that Bella and Alec were involved, so Emmett didn't proposition Bella anymore.

"Hey you, okay?" Jace asked, when he walked into command and saw Bella looking pale, and exhausted.

"Yeah, just, flashbacks getting to me. Where's Alec?" Bella asked.

"Here." Alec said as he walked in, Izabell following him. Embry and Rosalie were recovered as well, so they had the full team together. Embry was out on patrol with Rose and Alice now, and then Jake, Emmett, and Jasper were out on a patrol around the harbor. They were trying to find a target location to use the Lure rune, to bring all the demons to without it drawing attention from the public, as well as steering clear of the mundanes, so no one got hurt.

"So, what's the plan? Are we doing the Lure rune today?" Bella asked.

Alec shook his head. "No. We're still looking for a good location." He said and pulled up the map on the screen. "Jasper has scouted around this area, he said that there are some empty buildings, but too close to actual apartments that are full of Mundanes. The harbor is out of the question, too out in the open, and will draw a lot of attention."

Simon was sitting in a chair, spinning around. "What a bout that Warehouse on Eastside?"

Alec turned and looked at Simon. "Is it abandoned?"

"No, but they shut down six months ago, furloughed all the workers. The business is bankrupting." Simon said. "There's a foreclosure sign outside."

"That might actually work. There are no homes near enough for stray demons to wreak havoc." Jace said, looking at Alec. "What do you think?"

Alec nodded. "Yes. That might just work. Simon, can you get me more details on it? I need to know the ins and outs of that building. Which bank owns it, if there are going to be people present, or are there any workers still on site, like security."

Simon nodded, standing up. "Will do." He said, motioning for the tablet.

Alec handed it to him. "Work your magic." He slapped Simon on the back, and then looked at Bella. "Babe, you're not looking to hot. You should lay down." He murmured.

Bella shook her head. "I'm tired, yes, but I just got done having a flashback before everyone walked in. I'll recover, just give me a few minutes."

Alec frowned, not sure that was the case, but he pulled a chair over for her anyways, and made her sit down. He kissed her forehead, and she felt feverish. "Hmm. You feel hot."

"I'm okay."

"Bella, you have to tell me when you're not feeling good. You don't need to push yourself so hard. You've been training more too." Alec said softly.

Simon spoke up. "Bella has always been that way. She works hard at everything." He was pulling up different things on the screen, real estate documents. A lot of people didn't realize that Simon was really good with technology because he was a musician, but he was actually really good at this sort of thing. He blamed most of it on his interest to code after playing too many online video games. So, he taught himself from a young age, and the nerd never just left you. It stayed with you.

Clary nodded in agreement. "It's true. I had to remind her to drink and eat when she would get started on a painting and didn't want to stop."

The screen started lighting up, and that grabbed Alec's attention. Simon minimized what he was working on. "Looks like demons." Simon said, zooming in on Jasper's location. "There's a lot of them. Like a dozen." He relayed.

"Simon, take comms. Jace, Iz, let's go." Alec said, and then he looked at Clary. "Watch her." He said and left to grab his gear.

Simon put the ear piece in. It wasn't the first time, he has used the comms. He had been helping Jasper previously, while Alec was handling things with the Clave. Simon was really good at direction, more so than Clary, so it was easy to help navigate. "Hey Jazzy, tell me what you're seeing man."

Jasper was panting. "About a dozen raveners. West district."

"Yep, it's lighting the screen up. Team A is coming to you." Simon relayed.

"Good deal. Jake and Emmett are circling around, I'm the bait." Jasper said, sounding like he was running.

Alec, Jace, and Izabell left the Institute, going live on the screen. "Okay Simon, we're headed West." Alec said, sounding in Simon's ear.

"Copy that. Jazz you hear that man?" Simon asked.

"Copy." Jasper said, then dropped voice, and focused on playing keep away from a dozen ravener demons. He wanted them cornered.

Bella sat there nervous. She didn't like sitting here, not doing anything. "I hate being left behind." She muttered. "I'm really fine." She did look better, and felt better.

Clary reached over, feeling her forehead. "Yeah, you're not warm at all. Those memory flashes really are wearing you down though. I wasn't born in Idris. I don't have any pre-Brooklyn memories, and Luke worked mostly with you on training."

"Oh, that's not good." Simon muttered.

"What's going on?" Bella asked, standing. She stood beside Simon, looking at the screen.

"So much for a lure rune." Clary said from behind Simon.

Bella shook her head. "That's way too many for them to handle. Clary, we have to go. Use the petrify rune." She said, before leaving command to strap on her gear.

Simon sighed. "Alec man, there's a major issue."

"What is it? We're almost to-"Alec cut off. "Shit."

"Does it look as bad as it does on the screen?"

Alec was quiet a moment. "Yes. It's worse."

Bella and Clary returned to command. "Is it all centralized in the West district?" Bella asked.

"Yeah. I'm sending Alice, Rose, and Embry that way too. Hurry." Simon said, rotating the map on the screen.

Bella and Clary didn't waste any additional time and they left the Institute, activating their cloaking and speed runes, so they could get there faster.

[West District: Near the Harbor]

The sky was turning dark, as a storm threatened, but Bella knew it was because of the demons gathering. The others were already fighting through demons, and the odds weren't looking all that great.

Alec looked fierce during combat, but Bella couldn't focus on that at the moment. The demons were too scattered, lunging after the others.

Clary looked around. "There's too many of them."

Bella shook her head, and then she took her stele, and then she marked her hand with the lure rune. "Clary, you have to use the petrify rune when I tell you." She shouted.

Alec heard Bella's voice, glancing her way. "What are you doing?" He shouted towards her.

"Run!" Bella said, and then she opened her hand, the lure rune casting a glowing beam upwards. The demons that were mid attack, stopped, snapping their attention in Bella's direction.

Alec shook his head as Jace came up beside him. "She's using herself. Why the fuck-"the hoard of demons sprung out towards her. "She's fucking insane." He cursed and ran towards Bella.

"No Alec!" She shouted. "Move!" Her eyes were determined. "I need you to be safe. Get out of the way!"

Jace pulled Alec to the side, jumping out of the way of the barreling demons.

"Jace! You can't let her do this."

"Calm down man, we can't stop it. You'll get yourself killed."

"But she's going to get herself killed."

Jace put a hand on Alec's chest. "Stop!"

The demon hoard was close enough to Bella now and she looked over at Clary and nodded.

Clary drew the petrify rune on her hand quickly, and thrust her hand out, and glow of the light massive, blinding. A wind kicked up around them, and the blowback knocked Jace and Alec off their feet, and the others close enough to the blast. Clary and Bella still stood. The light faded, and the wind settled, and ash started raining down around them.

Bella looked around, her ears ringing a little, but they stopped. Clary ran towards her, hugging her. "It worked." She murmured.

"It worked. You're okay." Clary said, hugging Bella tight.

Alec and Jace stumbled to their feet, and then Alec moved to Bella fast. Clary released Bella, only for Alec to be pulling her into his own arms. "You are so stupid." He muttered, kissing her hard. "Damn it Bella." He pulled back slightly. "I love you."

Bella blinked a few times. "W-what?"

"I love you. Don't ever do something like that again. I cannot lose you." Alec said, breathlessly.

"I…I love you too." Her heart sang. It was crazy to love someone only after five or six weeks. But here she was, loving Alec, even though she fought so hard not to get attached. She was attached. "You're okay."

"Of course, I'm okay."

Bella shook her head. "There were too many. You would have been killed."

"Bella, that's what a Shadowhunter does. That's part of it. I'm not afraid to die."

"But I'm afraid you'll die." Bella said.

Alec kissed her again. "You could have been killed."

"I knew that I was going to be okay."

He sighed, pulling her into his embrace, watching the ash of the demons' rain around them. He had never been so afraid in his life. He couldn't lose her. Not when he was finally figuring out how to navigate his emotions, and her.