Authors Note:

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Chapter Eight

Time Jump – First Day in Court

Alec POV:

Today was the first day of the trial, and I was a nervous wreck. I barely slept the night before, and now as I sit in the courtroom, I could barely sit still. Although I didn't know Clary all that well, I held onto her hand for dear life. Izzy was sitting next to me, crying, like she has been since it happened, and I couldn't blame her.

When the murderer walked in, I wanted nothing more than to walked over and kill him myself, but I couldn't do that. My parents were sitting in the row in front of me, stone cold. Just like they always were. You'd think they would show some emotion, but I guess not. The only reason I was even still in contact with them was because Jace and Izzy convinced me to still attend Sunday dinner once a month, and for Max. I assume once this trail is over, I'll never see them again.

"We're here today because of the murder of Maxwell Lightwood. How does the defendant plead?" The judge asked.

"Not guilty your honor." The murder said, and I gripped Clary's hand harder than anticipated, but she took it like a champ, probably just as angry at the man trying to deny the fact that he killed my little brother.

"Proceed." The judge said. I was watching the whole thing, but for some reason I didn't hear a single thing. I could see their mouths moving, but I couldn't hear a thing. I saw Jace practically yelling, but I heard nothing. I saw the bailiff restrain the defendant as he tried to lunge at Jace, but again, I heard nothing. Finally I was shaken out of whatever state I was in my Clary.

"Alec, it's over for today." I heard her say, and when I looked around, everyone was practically gone, except Jace and Clary.

"Sorry. I was lost in my head." I said and she nodded.

"Understandable." Jace said and I nodded. We got up and made our way out to the parking lot. "You want to come over for dinner?" Jace asked. "Clary invited Simon and Izzy over."

"Sure. Can I bring a guest?" I asked and Clary and Jace both looked at each other.

"Of course. The more the merrier." Jace said and I nodded. They got in their car and I got in mine before pulling out my phone. After one ring, he answered.

"Hello Alexander." He said so smoothly.

"This might be a weird request, but today was awful, and Jace invited me over to have dinner, and I was wondering if you'd come with me." I said rather quickly.

"Of course. Just text me the address." He said.

"No." I said way to quickly. "No, I'll pick you up. I need a little drive to clear my head." I added.

"Alright, than I'll text you my address." He said.

"Thanks Magnus." I said and we hung up. I started my car and started making my way to pick up Magnus. I don't know why I wanted him with me, but I knew that I did, and right now, I had no time to reason with my logic.

Magnus POV:

I was waiting outside of my building for Alec to pick me up. I don't know why I agreed to go to dinner with his siblings tonight. It was totally unprofessional considering I'm his boss, but he just went through something traumatic, and I knew the trial started today and I could tell he was lost on the phone. And the minute I heard his voice I knew that I wanted to do whatever I could to help him, and if that meant going to dinner, than I was going to go to dinner.

When he pulled up, I got into the car without a word. He looked incredibly lost, and tired. The radio wasn't playing, and the atmosphere in the car was sullen. I didn't know Alec well, we weren't friends in high school, and in the time we spent since reconnecting, we haven't talked about personal things, but I knew this was a different Alec, a sad Alec, an Alec that I wanted to make feel better, and at the moment, that's all that I cared about.

We pulled up to the apartment building when Alec cut the engine, but he didn't move. We just sat there in silence for a couple moments. I wasn't going to push Alec into talking, but I reached my hand over the console and put it on Alec's leg to let him know that I was there if he wanted to talk.

"Just tell me when you want to leave tonight and I'll take you home." He finally said, and although it wasn't what I was expecting, I'm just glad he was talking.

"We can stay as long as you'd like Alexander." I told him honestly. "And if you want to leave early, I can be your excuse to leave." He finally looked over at me, his normally bright blue eyes were dull, and almost lifeless, and he gave me a sad smile.

"Thank you." He said. "For coming with me. I know you probably had better things to do tonight." He said and I laughed.

"If you count taking a bubble bath while drinking whisky and avoiding work better than a nice dinner party, than yea, I had crazy plans tonight." I said and he laughed, and I felt accomplished.

"I still appreciate it." He said. "Well, we better get up there." He said and I nodded. We got out of the car and went into the building. When we got into the elevator Alec hit the PH button, and we began our journey up. He opened the door and I was greeted with some light chatter. We walked further in, and I caught sight of a familiar redhead. When she saw me, she gave me a huge smile followed by a big hug.

"It's good to see you Magnus." She said.

"You as well biscuit." I said and she smiled.

"You remember Simon?" She asked and she gestured to the nerdy looking boy.

"Of course. Wonderful to see you Sheldon." I said and he rolled his eyes.

"She literally just said my name." He said and I waved him off.

"Not now Sherwood." I said as I turned to Isabelle. "My my Isabelle Lightwood, you are even more gorgeous than you were in high school." I said and she beamed.

"Oh Magnus." She said shyly but pulled me into a hug. "It's great to see you again. It's crazy that Alec works for you."

"It is a small world." I said. She nodded and went back to her conversation with Simon.

Alec looked like he didn't want to be there, but also like he did want to be there for his siblings. He was clearly conflicted. I put my hand on his shoulder and he looked over at me and gave me a sad smile. He looked emotionally drained, but I couldn't blame him.

"Magnus!" I heard and when I turned my head there stood Clary. "I'm so glad you're here. I miss you."

"And whose fault is that?" I teased and she smiled.

"Mine, but once I'm back I'll probably get sick and tired of you rather quickly." She teased right back and I couldn't help but laugh.

"You love me, everyone does." I said and she smiled.

"Dinner is almost ready everyone!" She called before making her way back into the kitchen. Alec was now seated on the couch talking to Izzy and Simon, and Jace made his way over to me.

"You're making your guest cook?" I asked and he looked over at me.

"I offered, but she said cooking was the least she could do for us." He said and I nodded. "But I'm not letting her clean up, so after dinner I might need you to distract her." He said and I nodded.

"Look, things have been pretty crazy with everything that's gone on in your personal life, so I never got to say this, but I'm saying it now." I said and he nodded. "Don't you dare break my friends heart. I remember your games in high school, but Clary's been hurt before, and not just emotionally." I said and he looked at me confused.

"What do you mean?" He asked, but I waved it off.

"That's Clary's story to tell, and she'll tell you when she's ready. All I'm saying is, don't take her kind heart for granted. She cares about you. I can see it, hell a blind person could see it. Don't make me hunt you down and hurt you." I said.

"Trust me, I left the childish shit behind me. I'm in this for the long haul. I care about her, more than I've ever cared about anything in my life. I'll do anything to make sure she's always happy." He responded and I nodded.

"Glad we had this talk." I said.

"Dinner is ready!" Clary called and we all made our way into the kitchen. Alec and I sat next to each other, and once everyone had food on their plates, casual conversation started. Alec was just pushing food around on his plate, so I put my hand under the table and rested it on his knee. He looked over at me and gave me a sad smile. I nodded towards his food and he put a green bean in his mouth, it took him a couple more minutes to eat another bite, but it was progress, and right now I'll take whatever baby steps he is willing to take.

Sneak Peak for Chapter Nine:

"You freak me out when you do that whole staring thing." He said and I laughed.

"I'll try not to do it again in your presence." I said and he smiled.

"That's all I'm asking." Raphael said. "I'll see you later man." He said. I nodded and he walked out of the studio, and than it was just me.