***Gideon P.O.V***

Thankfully the training sessions continued, which meant I got to see a lot more of Sophie. As Tessa was often needed to help with the investigation with Mortmain, and the lack of my brother (who was keeping his word of not returning) it was often just me and Sophie in the training room, not that I was complaining of course. As well as being able to see Sophie in training, we would often go out on her days off, either to parks or places of interest to both of us. The more time I spent with her, the more I knew I was falling in love with her. My father on the other hand was spending more and more time with Downworlders and demons, all in an attempt to get closer to Mortmain. As I was my father's son, there was a certain level of mistrust from the rest of the institute towards me, as they seemed to think I was in the same league as him. Gabriel might be a Lightwood loyalist, but I had seen enough to convince me that I wasn't. Instead of telling the others and risk being called a liar, I told Sophie, who thankfully believed me.

In fact, Sophie was the first person I admitted to that I was considering abandoning my father all together and joining those at the London Institute. When I admitted this to her, she took a moment to think, then said "if that's what you want to do then you should. But from what I've heard your father isn't the forgiving sort, so as soon as you admit you are turning your back on your father, will be the point of no return" which, as much as I may not want to believe, was true. At least she seemed to understand. There was of course the matter of if I did decide to leave my father, of how I went about it. When I asked Sophie, she suggested I told everyone else, and attempt to rally some reinforcements. According to her, I shouldn't have to confront my father alone, and the information I had about him may prove beneficial to Charlotte and the investigation against Mortmain. I couldn't fault Sophie's plan, so I agreed.

We returned to the institute in time for dinner, and it was there I planned to make my announcement. Thankfully, the reaction had gone the way Sophie had said it would, rather than how I had thought. Charlotte thanked me, and we started planning on how we would challenge my father, and get information about Mortmain from him. Sophie, I noticed was absent for the duration of the conversation. As the conversation developed, it was realised that the reason for my mother's suicide wasn't to do with my Uncle, but the fact my Father had infected her with Demon Pox, which was why he was fraternizing with Mortmain, in an attempt to get a none existent cure. Where Will was triumphant that he now had proof that the condition existed, I felt both sick and angry. I had always had a gut instinct that the story my Father had given about my Mother's death wasn't completely true, but now I knew the truth, I knew I could no longer associate myself with that man. In my eyes he was scarcely a man, let alone my father.

Once Charlotte had calmed Will down, (she seemed to sense my discomfort at his triumph), she suggested that we use the fact that Benedict had Demon Pox as a form of blackmail, to both have him remove his challenge to be head of the institute and force him to give information on what her knew about Mortmain. She allowed me to stay the night, so I could avoid returning and join them the following day for the confrontation, which I agreed to. I would be joined my Charlotte, Henry and Will. Jem would remain behind to guard the Institute and to plan his wedding to Tessa. As the conversation came to an end, Sophie appeared, and Charlotte asked her to take me to one of the guest rooms as I would be staying the night.

As we left the dining room, Sophie (who was still in the clothes she had been wearing earlier in the day) asked me how the conversation with Charlotte and the others had gone. When I informed her that the confrontation would go ahead, and that I would be living at the Institute for the foreseeable future, she seemed sad, but she did well to try and hide it. I didn't understand why she didn't share my excitement, as by living there, we would get to see more of each other, which had to be a good thing. When we finally got to the room I would be staying in, Sophie made sure that I was happy with it, she made to go. As she did, I grabbed her wrist, I needed to know why she seemed so upset about my staying. "Sophie, what's the matter?" I asked, which seemed to confuse her slightly. She pulled her wrist from my grip, causing my arm to hang limply by side. "I don't know what you mean Mr Lightwood" she responded. Mr Lightwood? She had never called me that, so something definitely had to be wrong.

"I thought you would be happy that I would be staying here, as it would mean we could see more of each other. However it is very obvious that news has gone down well with you. Before you try and hide it, you calling me Mr Lightwood rather than Gideon was more than enough proof" I said. I was scared of her answer. When I had finished speaking, Sophie stopped trying to hide her feelings. Her answer broke my heart "Mr Lightwood, you're staying here would mean you would see me as I really am: a maid. Seeing each other as we have been doing, now I have to serve you would be vert improper. (She must have seen the confusion on my face) what I'm saying is that I think we should stop seeing each other. I'm sorry but I must admit, I saw this coming" and with that she left.

I had always known Sophie had been both a mundane and a maid, but I didn't care. It hadn't stopped my feelings for her, nor had her declaration that she thought we should stop seeing each other. I just had a challenge trying to prove that to her. It was getting late, so I attempted to get some sleep, but my anger at my father, hurt at the truth regarding my mother's death and my hurt of having upset Sophie prevented me from getting much sleep.

***Sophie P.O.V***

I had always known that whatever I had with Gideon would not last long, but I had put the end out of my mind and tried not to think about it. So when he admitted that he wanted to turn his back on all things Lightwood and officially join forces with the institute, I knew the end had come. Despite the sadness that had filled my heart, I put on a brave face and tried to support his decision. Surely his happiness regarding his loyalties should come before this false sense of hope I had given myself.

The sadness I had earlier that day had remained, and when the conversation was over, and Gideon confirmed that he would be staying, I was struggling to stop myself from crying. I knew that it was simply a matter of time before I had to tell him the truth. I couldn't hide from him forever. When we had gotten to his room, I had tried to make a break for freedom, but his Shadowhunter training had made him stronger and faster than I was, so he was able to prevent my escape. When he asked me what the matter was, I tried to play dumb, trying to protect him from the truth that was hurting me. Unfortunately he had seen through not only my act, but my poor attempt at putting on a brave face. I realised this was as good as any time to break the news to him, which I did. Once I finished, I went to leave. Just as I did, I swear I could hear his heart break. As soon as I was in the corridor, I ran back to my own room, just in time as I began to cry.

Bridget, despite her god awful singing, seemed to realise that despite the fact I had not finished my duties, I was best left alone. I just hope she wouldn't go and tell Charlotte as I don't think I could take the pity in her eyes, or bring myself to tell her why I was so upset. I didn't want anyone to know for that matter, as most would give unwanted pity, and Master Will would be his usual horrible self. Thankfully Bridget kept her mouth shut.

The next day was a fresh start. Crying last night had certainly helped, as I just felt numb, no longer having to fight off tears and put on a brave face. I decided that the only thing that I could do was avoid Gideon, or Mr Lightwood as I should now be calling him, as much as possible. Despite not seeing him after my announcement the day before, I had a feeling he hadn't taken the news well. He had enough on his plate without having me to worry about so avoiding him as much as possible seemed like the best option available. In fact, I'm fairly certain that it was the only option.

Once Charlotte, Henry, Will and Gideon had left, I was left with Jem, Tessa, Bridget and Cyril. As much as I was happy for Jem and Tessa and their engagement, I found myself hurting seeing them have something I couldn't: the ability to be with the person they loved, so I found myself unintentionally avoiding them as well. I hope they didn't notice. I busied myself with my chores, but my mind kept wandering to what was happening over at Lightwood manor. I hoped that it was all going to plan, for all their sakes.

I was in the dining room, preparing the table for lunch when they returned. I noticed immediately that Gabriel had not joined them, but as none of them seemed hurt, or were obviously angry, it can't have been a complete disaster. I found myself listening in as they filled Jem and Tessa in on what had happened. The blackmail had worked, and they had gotten some information, but not as much as they had wanted. Also, neither Benedict nor Gabriel had taken Gideon's departure very well, and had called him a traitor. I hoped he take that too harshly.

***Gideon P.O.V***

Sophie had been avoiding me all morning, which saddened me greatly, as it proved our conversation the night before really had happened. As much as I wanted to reconcile with her, tell her that I didn't care about her being a maid, I knew that I would have to save that for later. I needed to prepare to return to Lightwood Manor, confront Benedict, help Charlotte, attempt to save my brother and declare my loyalties to the Institute. As we travelled to Lightwood Manor, Charlotte and Will spent most of the journey discussing what information they wanted to collect. Henry, despite being physically in the carriage, was mentally back in his crypt. I was thinking about how much of a mess my life had become and how it had gotten there. I was aware that Charlotte kept glancing in my direction, but I chose to ignore it. I hoped she didn't take it too personally.

When we finally arrived, I was feeling slightly sick, but knew I was overthinking things. As I knew the place best, the rest were waiting on me to take the lead, which I did. Charlotte had sent word forward that we would be coming, and it had been arranged to meet in the office. As we entered, Benedict was behind his desk, and behind him, to my surprise was Gabriel. I felt my heart sink. Attempting to save him, it appeared had gotten a whole lot harder. I just hoped he would listen to reason. It was Charlotte who started talking. It didn't take long for things to get heated. As soon as she declared that we all knew the truth about Benedict's health, both Lightwood's the other side of the desk stiffened. It was Gabriel who spoke first "don't be absurd Charlotte, there is absolutely nothing wrong with my father's health." Both Charlotte and Will went to correct him, but I beat them both "Don't be stupid Gabriel. Benedict has Demon Pox. It was the reason our Mother died" this statement got a stronger reaction out of the pair.

"Our mother committed Suicide because of her brother's suicide, it had nothing to do with Father" Gabriel practically shouted. He clearly been blinded by Benedict's brainwashing, and this infuriated me. I shouted back "That is a lie! She contracted Demon Pox from Benedict then killed herself out of shame" which caused Gabriel to pale. He looked at Benedict to deny my claims, but his silence only seemed to confirm it. It was Charlotte that seemed to bring some kind of calm and order back to the conversation, and voiced what I had been thinking. "Benedict, the very fact that you haven't denied Gideon's claims only acts as confirmation that what he says is true. If you do not want me to go to the clave and inform them, I demand that you withdraw your attempt to replace me as head of the Institute and tell us what you know about Axel Mortmain" she said.

Benedict glared at her, with such a look of hatred it was slightly terrifying. "Are you blackmailing me Mrs Branwell?" he asked. Charlotte straitened her back, making her somewhat taller, unaffected by his face full of hate "As a matter of fact I am" she said. Realizing that he had no other choice Benedict agreed to withdraw his claim, and gave the smallest amount of information as possible about Mortmain. It was enough so he could say he had said something, but it was such a small amount he almost needn't have bothered. He finished by saying "is that all you wanted to say, or are you going to continue to waste my time?" Henry, Will and Charlotte turned their eyes to me. I pulled my family ring off my finger, and placed it on the desk "from this day on, my loyalties are to Charlotte and the London Institute, not to you or the name of Lightwood (I glanced over the Gabriel) Gabriel. Don't be a fool, you heard what he did to our mother, and he's lied to us for years. I beg you to see sense, join me" and when he took a step back, he made his choice clear. Benedict gave me a death glare and said coldly "You are a traitor to the name of Lightwood. If anyone asks, I will tell them I only have one son" and with that, I lead the other three out of the room. It was over.