Alex stretched and rolled over, content to simply relax for maybe another 20 minutes. The sun had somehow managed to come through despite the curtains hanging from the windows. She groaned and finally got up, stretching and yawning. She glanced to the side but already knew Justin was up. His goody-goody days still had yet to wear off despite her best efforts. Of course she had managed to rub off on him in certain ways. But as far as being a rebel went, he had much more training to go.

She half smiled and idly rubbed her ring. Five years ago, Justin had been her brother. Often throughout their engagement, she had wondered why fate would bother to put the love of her life in the position of her brother, a place where it would be forbidden to reach him. Perhaps it was a punishment for all her rebelliousness.

But now, everything had been set right. That was the one part that always confused her. If having her love be untouchable, why was it made possible to fix that? Maybe fate had forgiven her, but Alex didn't know why. It wasn't like she ever really changed her ways.

But of course Alex never really bothered to go into much more deeper thinking than that. For whatever reason, things were right, and she wasn't going to worry about it. Not when she could be happy.

Alex got up and stumbled sleepily to the dresser. It took her a couple of minutes to choose an outfit, considering her brain was still fuzzy. She eventually got around to getting dressed. Satisfied she made her way to the kitchen.

Justin was already in the room, standing in front of the stove humming and stirring something. Alex smirked and shook her head. Cooking was another habit Justin had still maintained. Although this was one she wasn't going to complain about, because she sure as hell wasn't going to do it.

Fighting back a laugh, Alex launched herself across the floor and jumped onto her husband's back, causing him to stumble side-ways and collapse onto the floor.

"Alex!" He snapped but she could hear a slight smile in his annoyed tone.

"Gotcha," Alex said.

Justin stood up and glared at her before sighing and letting out a half smile. "Some things never die, do they?"

"Funny I was just thinking the same thing." Alex narrowed her eyes. "That's not right. You're not supposed to be able to read my mind."

"Technically I shouldn't be able to do anything."

That statement, as innocent as it was, cut straight through her. On another day she could have dealt with it. But not now. Not when five minutes ago she had been lost in the past.

Alex froze, and gaped at him. Justin paled, realizing his mistake. "Crap. That came out really wrong."

Alex sighed. "Whatever it's not a big deal."

"I don't regret it Alex."

Alex studied his face for a second. "I know."

There was a small moment of silence before smoke started coming from the pan.

"Oh no the bacon!" Justin nudged Alex to the side and yanked the frying pan off and waved away the smoke in the hopes of rescuing the breakfast. Alex shook her head. Five years ago she would have been one part annoyed and one part embarrassed that her brother was a complete and utter dork. Now she thought it was almost endearing.

"How is it?" Alex asked, secretly storing away this moment for future mockery. Just because she loved him didn't mean he couldn't be teased a little.

Justin poked it. "Seems alright to me."

Alex stood and scrutinized the slightly blackened meat. "Ok but you're taking the first bite."

______________________________________________________________________

Alec took his eyes off the brick building for the first time in hours to take a cursory glance around him. The sun was rising, and the streets were becoming more crowded as people began to start carrying out the day. His eyes flickered across a couple of faces, taking in their rushed expressions, before returning his eyes to the third window five over from the left. He could hear what was happening fine thanks to a spell, but he still couldn't see anything. Thankfully, the two were finally up, offering some entertainment rather than snoring.

He took another quick look, and once he was satisfied no one had really noticed him, he turned his attention back. Stake out was awful. Incredibly boring. Why he had to watch two mortals go about being a ridiculously "cute" couple was beyond sickening and annoying as hell, but here he was, waiting for the right moment.

He had assumed that carrying out blames for the all power and allusive Wizard Council would be at the very least attention consuming. He had not planned on sitting around waiting for a good moment.

He was dressed in regular clothing, a black sweatshirt and jeans. The black was a little cliché sure, but it was effective at hiding him.

Inside the sweatshirt pocket, he impatiently began to roll his wand in his hand. He couldn't wait to use it. He couldn't wait to carry out the plan. His future was just hours away, and it was killing him to spend it leaning against a wall.

More cuteness was going on inside. If Alec had to choose, we would have preferred seeing than hearing. Maybe the images would have been gross too, but at least he wouldn't have to hear how disgustingly adorable they were.

It's all going to end soon, he thought.

Five. Eight. Ten.

Damn, he had to get a grip. Every time those numbers rolled around in his head he felt like he was going to vomit. Impatience turned to anxiety. After all, this was a moment he had never dreamed would come. A chance to clear his name. A chance for honor.

He had always felt cursed, held down in society by his name. His name that his however-many-greats grandfather had soiled.

He was going to be a redeemer.

He focused once more on the building. The Russos were a famous pair of mortals, perhaps the most famous. After all, they were celebrities, and not for their power, but lack thereof. They were a legend.

And he was going to destroy them.

It was his way in. His only way in. Destroy the Russos, clear his name.

He had power. Power maximized by the council. He was confident in his ability to pull off the very difficult piece of magic he was going to have to perform. He could feel his own magic inside him, electricity sparking through his blood, still not used to the power he held. It was exciting. Exhilarating. It was a feeling he never wanted to lose.

And he wouldn't have to. Not now, not ever. Not if he could do it. He was so close, he could taste the power. He wanted it. Now that he could feel it, he knew he could do it. Because only death could keep him from not accomplishing his task.

Besides, the Russos were just mortals. Foolish mortals who had thrown away their power. Thrown it away for a plain apartment, simple jobs, and a life of no magic. They believed that it was love that was in charge.

But soon, the council would take care of it.

Alec glanced at his watch, and straightened up. It was time.

_______________________________________________________________________

"If only everyday was a day off from work," Alex said, wrapping her arms around Justin's neck.

"You never liked work to begin with," Justin countered, lowering his mouth to her neck.

"This is work," Alex pointed out.

"Fun isn't work."

"Who said this is fun?" Alex said. Her sarcasm was apparently still on autopilot.

"Oh, this isn't fun?" Justin said, then pulled away and began to leave.

Alex sat up, using the pillows for support. "Where are you going?"

"Work" Justin said, not bothering to turn around as he headed towards the door.

She raised an eyebrow. "In your boxers?"

Justin stopped. "Well…." He turned. "I happen to think these look very professional."

Alex smirked, knowing just where his eyes were. "Really?" She said. "Well then…"

She unhooked her bra and tossed it aside, before reaching towards the nightstand and pulling out a magazine. Flipping it open, she began to read.

She got to the second sentence before it was ripped out of her hands, and she was gazing into Justin's eyes. She tried to hide her victory smile. "I thought you were going to work?"

Justin placed his hands on either side of her head before leaning down so his breath mixed with hers. "This is work."

______________________________________________________________________________

She was cold. She was tired. But she had promised to wait for him, and she would. He was late, but she'd expected that. She was always waiting for him.

Whenever this happened, she always asked herself why she bothered. He was traveling on a dangerous path, and she could see him changing before her. Changing from the man she knew to a man that almost scared her. He was giving in. Giving in to the pressure. She'd warned him, begged him not to take this route, but he'd remained adamant, and in the end her love made her support him. Even though it made her sick sometimes, she supported him. Because she loved him.

The wind was blowing, and her hair whipped across her face. Her lip was beginning to bleed from cracking under the exposure, but she was going to keep her promise. She only hoped he kept his.

She could leave, but then she knew what would happen. He could come at some point, find her gone, and then he'd go to her home, ask why she couldn't wait. Ask why she couldn't understand how important his job was. Why she couldn't be there for him.

"I am." She'd say. And she'd mean it.

So she waited. Waited for him to come, because it was necessary.

And he did. She was relieved when she felt his presence, as he approached her, apologetic and slightly relieved that she was there. There had been a time when she could easily remove all his stress. Now she had to work hard to ease even a tiniest portion, and even then it never lasted.

"Eryk," She said, pulling him close to her.

He closed his eyes and tried to find peace, even as darkness closed in around his heart. "Jillian," He whispered.

Sorry it's been so long. Really no excuse, just life. Since it has been a while for those who don't know who Jillian is, she is referenced in chapter 22 of Forbidden Love. Thank you to those who are sticking by me.

-Whatitseems