Authors Note:

Another week down, another chapter added! Thank you for all of you who follow my stories, and I just want you to know that I appreciate it all so much! :)

Chapter Nine

Time Jump – One Week Later

Alec POV:

Court has been in session for a week now, and it was crazy to think this man thinks he's getting away with this. The evidence was overwhelming, and I couldn't imagine the jury coming back with a not guilty verdict.

It was weird that the one thing keeping me calm during this trail was Clary. We sat together every time we were in court, and when we were at the studio doing our jobs, she still managed to notice when I was getting in my head and calm me down. I understood why Jace needed her around, she was very calming, and very good at taking on some of the sadness and grief we were feeling just by letting you know that you weren't alone. It was something I think we all needed, and it was nice that Clary was there to provide it.

And although that was the weirdest part, the part about this whole situation that was really confusing for me was Magnus. Kind, smart, funny, protective Magnus Bane, who I never thought I would ever see again has been anchoring me to this earth every single time I called. I shouldn't be calling my boss every night freaked out about the trial, and my boss definitely shouldn't be making house calls and cooking me breakfast when he falls asleep with me on the couch, but that's what Magnus was doing, and as weird as it was for me, I was also super grateful for it. But that left whatever was going on between us, very grey.

Magnus isn't the type of guy who hides, or is ashamed of what people think of him. And he's certainly someone I never in a million years would have seen myself with, but since I started working for Magnus, I couldn't deny that there was something about him, something that I liked very much, and that scared me.

"Yo Lightworm!" I heard Raphael yell and I was pulled out of my thoughts. "You gonna pack up or just stare at the wall all day?" He asked.

"Sorry. Just thinking." I said as I realized that day was over and everyone was pretty much gone.

"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.

I started packing up all the things, but at a rather slow pace. I wasn't in a rush to get anywhere. I was actually pretty hungry and thinking about where I was going to go for dinner since I didn't really want to cook tonight.

"And here I thought I was the only one who stayed late." I heard and when I turned around there stood Magnus.

"Not staying late, just slow to pack up." I said and he nodded.

"How is everything going? With the trail?" He asked as he made his way over to me.

"Jace has solid evidence against him. I'd be shocked if the jury came back with a not guilty verdict." I told him and he nodded. "My biggest dilemma right now is where to get dinner. I'm starving and I don't feel like cooking." I said and he laughed.

"Taki's is always a good choice." He said and I nodded.

"Very true, and it is rather late, and I could go for some pancakes right now." I said and he laughed. "You wanna join?" I asked hesitantly.

"I would love too, but unfortunately, I still have work to get done." He said and I nodded. I was a little disappointed if I'm being honest.

"Maybe another time." I said and he nodded. "Goodnight Magnus." I turned and walked out of the studio and made my way to Taki's.

I sat in a booth and ordered some coffee and took out a book that I always kept with me just in case I needed a distraction. If I just sat here without anything, I would let myself get lost in the sadness, and I couldn't let that happen again. I heard footsteps approaching me but I thought it was just the waitress until I heard someone clear their throat. I looked up and there stood Magnus.

"Mind if I join?" He asked and I smiled.

"Not at all." I said as he took a seat. "What changed your mind?" I asked.

"The thought of you eating alone." He said a little shyly.

"What about work?" I asked as he took a seat.

"It can be done another time." He said and I nodded. "So, what book are you reading?" He asked.

"Pride and Prejudice." I said.

"Classic." Magnus said and I nodded.

"Yea, I'm kind of a sucker when it comes to classic literature." I admitted.

"That's not something I would have guessed. You don't seem like the reading type if I'm being honest." He said and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Really? Cause if I wasn't so into photography, I would have majored in English in college." I said and he nodded.

"You learn something new everyday." He said and I smiled in agreement.

"What about you? If you weren't so into fashion, what would you be doing with your life?" I asked.

"I honestly don't know. Fashion is something I was always interested in." He said and I nodded. "But I think I would be drawn to another artistic path. Maybe something involving music. I always liked it."

"Really?" I asked and he nodded. "What kind of music?"

"Classical." He simply said.

"You should talk to Jace than." I said.

"Why is that?" He asked curiously.

"He grew up playing the Piano. It was something he really didn't have a say in. his parents thought it was essential for him to be proficient….no no no, extraordinary on the piano." I recalled. "He still plays, but you'd have to be invisible in order to hear him play."

"Why is that?" He asked.

"Music to Jace is like the most precious thing in the world." I explained. "It's something that still connects him to his parents. He has the law firm, but music is a little more personal than business. I've only heard him play once or twice in all the years I've known him." I admitted.

"I get that." Magnus said. "There are some things that I don't like to share with people either."

"I think we all have that." I admitted as I looked down at my food.

"What was that look for?" Magnus asked.

"What look?" I asked.

"That look, like you were remembering something you aren't proud of." Magnus said. Only Magnus would pick up on an emotion that was only visible for 5 seconds.

"There was no look." I said.

"Don't lie to me Alec." Magnus said and I sighed.

"There are just certain things that I've done in the past that I'm not proud of." I admitted. "Those are the things I like to keep from people."

"I think we all have those." Magnus said.

"No, I mean really bad things. Things that not even Jace and Izzy know about. It was at the beginning of my college career. I was just figuring out who I was, and I fell into the wrong crowd." I admitted.

"We all have our demons Alexander." Magnus said reassuringly.

"But not all demons are easily removed." I said.

Sneak Peak for Chapter Ten:

"Clary. Can we talk?" I asked when I approached her.

"Sure, what's up?" She asked.

"Magnus just told me none of these shots are usable." I said and her face fell. "What is throwing you off your game?" I asked.

"I'm fine." She said but it wasn't believable.