blackcurlsofacynic: Thanks for reviewing again! Team good will be in the next chapter!

AKA Annabeth: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like the story so far!

Short A/N at the bottom.

I don't own TMI

Alec and I had been really trying to exist together in his apartment with as little interaction as possible. It had been working, too. I chalked that up to the fact that he was always gone. He even asked me to make him a portal on Wednesday, which was yesterday. He needed to go to Idris for some emergency meeting with other Clave members who worked as liaisons at other institutes. He didn't really give me many details, but he seemed kind of panicky. I just made his portal and tried to stay out of his way until I ensured that he had made it through safely.

Now I was waiting for Pablo to call me back. He had just gotten back from Mexico the previous night and he had brought a few friends back with him. I really just wanted to talk to him about Alec, though. What we were going to actually do was get together so that I could meet the other warlocks. Oh the joys of meeting new people when all I wanted to do was curl in on myself and slowly disappear. But I didn't want to disappoint the boss so I needed to make sure these newcomers were trustworthy.

If I was being honest with myself, and I usually am, I had to say that the things that happened on Monday left me majorly confused. I had been ecstatic when Alec had taken my hand and danced with me that afternoon. Actually, the thing that made me happiest was him coming up behind me sneakily like he did. That was a nice boost to the old ego. I wondered how long he had been watching me. Thinking about him standing there, getting all hot and bothered just by seeing me move my body turned me on so much that I was almost temped to pull it out and jerk myself off right then. Hmm. Maybe I'd just do that later. Like when I was alone lying in my big sexy bed, thinking about Alexander lying in his bed with only a door separating us. He probably wasn't even coming back home tonight. Great. Now I would be doubly alone tonight.

It had gotten so hot between us on Monday that I couldn't stop running the whole scene through my head. And that kiss was explosive. I was not a fool, though. I didn't think one dance and super-hot make out session was enough to get us back together. Even if that super-hot make out session would have led to a super-hot love making session (and it might have if Jace hadn't have had such impeccable timing). Alec was obviously still hung up on an old issue.

It was an issue that I couldn't even wrap my head around. Alexander was always wanting me to tell him things about my past. I guess I could understand it from his standpoint, but he never seemed to get that I just wasn't comfortable talking about it.

If I talked about the past I would be forced to relive it. I wasn't good with that. My past was not exactly filled with things that I would want to remember, much less brag about. I already lived it once and I wasn't keen on rehashing it.

On top of that, there was still the issue of his mortality and my immortality that existed between us. I knew Alexander wanted me to try to find a way to give him immortality without having to turn him into a vampire or something. That or he wanted me to find a way to take away my immortality and age like a human along with him.

I knew that immortality was not the kind of life that Alec would be comfortable living. He was a shadowhunter for God's sake. Shadowhunters just don't give up their privileged places they were sure to get in heaven. Being a half-demon, I don't know too much about Angels and heaven and its rules, but I have to believe that freely giving up one's mortality would be a major sin that the Angels or whoever was in charge may not forgive. Especially when it involved a shadowhunter.

Alec being immortal would mean that he would watch the people that he loved grow old and die. This was one of the main reasons why I stopped forming attachments with new people. Most of the people I cared for were set to live for a very long time, just like me. Of course, being with Alec changed all that.

A life of immortality is a punishment, not a reward, no matter what books or movies would have you believe. To live forever means to never have a purpose, to wander earth and never atone for any of the many sins that you rack up over the centuries. If you believe in those sorts of teachings.

Don't get me wrong immortals die all of the time. But death is something that most immortals have a tricky relationships with. To an immortal death is the promise of a hellish afterlife. There is most certainly no warlocks, or vampires for that matter, hanging out with Raziel and his kinfolk up in a cushy, tricked out heaven.

If I were to take away my immortality it would be a risk. I'd never heard of anyone who had managed it successfully. In every single instance- of which there are very, very few- the immortal had only managed to kill themselves on the spot. I suppose that Alec and I could had just lived our lives and then pulled a Romeo and Juliet of sorts when he was about to keel over. I don't know though, it all just sounded very melodramatic. I would have had to follow him around like a creepy stalker for the rest of his life since a shadowhunter's risk of death automatically heightened just by them waking up and taking a step out of their front door.

So anyway, I thought I had made everything better, at least in our immediate issue, by deciding to leave but Alec wouldn't let me. He had been very adamant in wanting me to stay to make sure that I was safe. I understood that because I felt the same way about him. I know he's not just messing with my emotions. Alexander is much too sweet and straightforward for that. On the flip side I also knew that he was not asking me to stay as a way for us to get back together.

As depressed with the whole situation as I was, I was pretty proud of myself. I was actually getting back in the swing of things as far as seeing clients and doing spells and making potions for them goes. I took more precautions now and I wasn't meeting with anyone unknown clients, but I wasn't about to be intimidated. I didn't make it to be the High Warlock of Brooklyn by being a coward.

So I found myself out and about, meeting with clients in their homes or in restaurants or coffee shops. I had just finished making a contract with a werewolf for a particularly complicated potion that she wanted me to make for her once per month. I was sitting alone at the table contemplating ordering something to eat when Pablo finally called.

"Hey MagMag. Where ya at?" Pablo asked, sounding very hyper.

"I'm back in Brooklyn, actually. Just got done with a client. Should I just come to your place to meet your friends?"

"Nope. We're going to Luigi's. Its early so we can all have dinner and drinks and hang out casually, you know?"

"Alright, I guess…"

"Oh- my bad. Will it be awkward for you to go back there?" Pablo asked.

"No, no. I'll be fine. What time do you want to meet?"

I went shopping for new clothes. I told Pablo that I wouldn't be affected by going back to Luigi's but I couldn't help feeling a bit of dread at the memory of Alec hugging up on that looser in that same club. I spoiled myself with some new, ridiculously expensive clothes.

By 6pm I was dressed rather magnificently. I strutted into Luigi's and commenced searching for Pablo and his little group.

I noticed quite a few heads turning as I walked towards the back of the club. Maybe it was my skin tight leather pants that stopped just above my ankles. They were a deep royal purple with diamond studs all over the thighs. They matched my diamond studded purple leather pumps. On top I wore a simple yet tight mint green muscle shirt. Over that was a very fitted white blazer that I wore with the sleeves casually shoved up to right below my elbows.

Or maybe people were staring because of my make up. I had went all out for the first time in months. Purple lips and green eyelids might sound over the top to some people but it looked simply smashing on me.

"There's the man of the hour!" Pablo exclaimed! He was taking in my outfit with raised eyebrows and a bright smile.

I cocked one eyebrow at him. "If you keep gawking at me like that, I'll be forced to make a move."

"Calm down there, tiger." Pablo laughed as he slapped my on the back, by way of a greeting, I guess, or maybe to punish me for flirting with him all the time. "Meet my buddies."

He turned to the table that he had been sitting at. There were four warlocks -three male and one female- sitting at a large round table. They all looked similar to Pablo with lovely brown eyes and light chocolate skin. They were all glamoured, but I had no trouble seeing through it once I focused on it.

The only one who looked much different once the glamour was gone was the female. She had pink skin that shimmered like she had applied a thin layer of very fine silver glitter to her skin. Since I am a glitter expert, I could tell that the shimmer was her natural skin, and not something applied on top of it.

As I sat eating dinner, talking to and getting to know the warlocks I found myself admiring Alondra's pretty pink skin. I thought I was being covert, but later after we had finished eating and were playing a round of pool Pablo pulled me to the side.

"Alondra thinks you're cute."

"Of course she does. Have you seen me?" I replied with the perfect amount of cockiness.

"Oh, so you don't care, huh? I saw you looking at her all night. Why don't you talk to her?"

"No thanks. She wouldn't be interested in a guy who's still hung up on his ex."

"You don't have to tell her that. And you seem to be doing much better."

"I'm coping with it better, I think. I'm not actually feeling any better about the situation, though."

Pablo sighed and it sounded slightly exasperated. I noticed that he sounded like that a lot when he talked to me, lately. "Fine. Just think about talking to her. She's sweet. And very sassy. One of my oldest friends."

I nodded. "Maybe." I said, going over to pick up a pool stick.

I played a game of pool with the male warlocks and learned their names. Pablo had introduced them earlier but I wasn't really paying attention then. The youngest of them was Angelo. I thought that was a great name for a half demon and I told him so.

"That's why I love the name so much. Imagine my poor mama's horror when her little angel turned out to actually be a devil." He said with an infectious laugh. I found myself laughing along with him although the subject matter was something that I would have never brought up so casually.

The other two warlocks were twins named Miguel and Hector. The two were just as friendly and funny as Angelo. I could definitely see them being close friends with and getting along well with Pablo. They were just like him, only much nicer.

After easily beating the guys at pool Alondra slinked over to me and asked me to dance. I politely declined.

She didn't give up. "Listen, I talked to Pablo. I know about your ex. I'm not going to be in this country for long. We could just have some fun and then you can go back to pining for him."

I had to admit, she had a point. And I liked her moxie. "Hmm… I don't want to further complicate anything."

She handed me a piece of paper. "Take my number. I'm going to be alone tonight. You can join me if you change your mind. We can sit and talk or we can do something more fun. More strenuous, if you'd like." Alondra's eyes sparkled as she gave me a sly smile.

I took the paper and nodded mutely. I think she stunned me into silence momentarily.

It was only 8:45 but I found Pablo and told him I was going to call it a night. I reminded them all of the meeting at Alec's set for the next day.

My head was swimming with a jumble of thoughts as I rode a taxi back to Alec's place. Alondra was pretty sexy and I'd never met a friend of Pablo's that wasn't a decent person. I was just a little intimidated since she obviously wanted to have some sexy grownup time with me.

The way that I had acted around her and how I was reacting now was bothering me. Magnus freaking Bane was not shy and hesitant when it came to advances made by men or women. I was starting to see what Pablo meant when he said I had changed.

What would be the big deal if I went to hang out with Alondra? I didn't have to go to bed with her. We could just talk, as she said. And its not like Alexander had not been seeing people. Lilith knew what he was doing on his dates. He certainly didn't act timid like he used to when we first met.

I paid and stepped out of the cab. As I walked up to Alec's door I pulled out the scrap of paper with Alondra's number on it. I decided to meet with her. Somewhere public, though, and to just talk. If I had a good time and got to know her better then so be it.

I opened the door and saw Jace sleeping on the couch. He jumped a mile in the air when he heard me come in.

"Its about time." He snapped at me, rubbing an eye.

"Were you waiting on me, Goldie?" I asked, amused. I spread my arms out wide. "Well, here I am."

"I need to talk to you."

"Never would have guessed." I rolled my eyes. "Did you run out of people to talk to or something?"

I was very happy to see that he was annoyed with me.

"No. I just need to talk to you about Alec."

That put me on alert. "Is he hurt? Fuck! Why didn't anyone call me?" I was half-way to the door, ready to go save Alec.

"Cool your jets there, Sparkly. I wouldn't be asleep on the couch if my brother was somewhere hurt."

"Oh. Well, why else would you be here to talk about Alexander."

"He's going to be in Idris until tomorrow so I figured I could talk to you without him knowing. I'd appreciate if you keep this between us, as well."

I scowled at his golden face. "I can't promise that because I don't even know what this is."

"You're being stupid when it comes to Alec." Jace said, bluntly.

"What the hell do you know about it."

"I know plenty. I know that you are acting like a child. Just tell him what he wants to know. You do that and he will literally come running back to you."

I shook my head at him and gave him a look of disgust. "I'm sure its not quite that simple. Alexander thinks that he wants to know that stuff, but some things are better left locked away and in the dark."

"You're not very good at relationships, are you?" Jace wrinkled his nose at me.

I felt my eyes narrow at him. For a second time that week I contemplated ways to torture and/or kill him.

"It probably doesn't seem like it, but I'm not here to piss you off." Jace continued, once I didn't answer him. "Alec is my brother, my best friend, and my parabatai. I wasn't always there for him. He's always there for everybody, even when he had you hogging up all his time."

Jace ran two frustrated hands through his long hair. "I have to try to help him with this, if I can. He's putting up a strong front. Its not just a front, actually. I'm proud of the way he's been handling his new responsibilities."

Jace's cheeks turned slightly pink as he said that. He face was a mixture pride and sheepishness. He probably wasn't used to handing out compliments to anyone besides himself. Or possibly Clary. (Maybe.)

"So what are you saying, exactly? Alec wants me back? I already know that. He just refuses to accept me the way I am. He's being so naïve."

"You stupid fucking warlock." Jace made a move like he wanted to grab a seraph blade and use it on me. His expression quickly changed to one of loathing. "I'm starting to understand why Izzy hates you."

"Oh no, not Izzy. What am going to do now that Izzy hates me." I said, mockingly.

"I don't know why I came over here."

"Me either."

"I know you're hurting. I know you want him back. You need him, don't you?"

I turn away from Jace and don't say anything because he already knew the answer.

"I'll leave you alone, but you should know that if there is anyone being naïve and acting immature about your situation, its not Alec. Its you."

I turned back to Jace, but couldn't find anything to say. He stared me down, challenging me to deny what he just said.

There were plenty of responses and denials going through my head but I couldn't bring myself to say anything.

Jace pushed passed me, his shoulder hitting mine. On purpose, I was sure. I could swear that he mumbled 'pathetic' as he passed me and walked out the door.

I was starting to get a headache. Jace's little visit sapped all of my energy or something. I walked into the living room and started peeling my too tight clothing off. I took a short shower and got ready for bed. I snapped my usual bed into the room and climbed in.

As I relaxed in under the covers I thought of what Jace said. Was it possible that he was right? I mean, as old as I was, it was true that I wasn't the best at relationships. Before I met Alec I was jumping from person to person without ever taking the time to form anything that resembled a loving and lasting commitment.

Even so, though, I wasn't ready to take advice from someone as shallow and idiotic as Jace. Ok maybe he wasn't either of those things, but that boy took the gold medal for being annoying and pissing me off. And what the hell did he know about relationships? He was damn lucky to have stumbled upon Clary. Before her, he had not been in anything committed himself. Nope. I would follow my own advice and not take advice from that one.

For what felt like the hundredth time that day, I was utterly confused.

So it looks like Jace was doing some more cockblocking. That's ok though cuz he's blocking Alondra this time. Which is great. She's a nice girl, but we all know she was gonna try to get Magnus out of his tight little pants and into hers. We simply cannot have that.

Thanks for reading!