A/N: Sorry, sorry, sorry, and more sorry. My excuse is writers block and busyness. Please enjoy the long awaited ninth chapter.

Alec was more nervous than he had ever been. He didn't think he could face his parents about helping a Downworlder. They wouldn't understand. They were very unsympathetic. They believed that people had to survive in the world by themselves. His parents barely ever paid attention to their children, except for to reprimand them for going against their morals. What would they say about him cutting class for a 'filthy Downworlder'? Alec's hands were shaking on the wheel, and he was glad whenever he reached a red light or stop sign so that he could let go. He eventually even pulled into a parking lot because he was scared he would crash into someone like this. He was having a complete nervous breakdown. His hands were sweating and shaking, and he could barely move or speak. He definitely couldn't face his parents in this state. Alec put his head in his hands and counted to ten. Then, he stopped shaking enough to text Aline.

I'm so scared -AL

Nervous breakdown again? :0 -AP

Yeah -AL

I need help, I can barely drive -AL

I'll be right there. Where are you? -AP

Alec sent Aline the directions to where he was, then sat there, waiting, taking shaky breaths. Two visions variated in his mind: when his father nearly broke his wrist, and Magnus' silky smooth hair against his shoulder. His fears, and his morals, he supposed. When Aline got there, she hopped into the passenger seat of Alec's car and held his hand, whispering soothing words.

"Thanks." Alec breathed when he finally calmed down.

"No problem." Aline squeezed his hand. "That's what friends are for. Do you want me to come with you?" Alec nodded. "I'll drive." Aline and Alec switched seats, and just as she got back on the road, Aline tried to brighten the mood. "So, how was your afternoon with Magnus? He seems pretty sweet, but he was pretty sassy to Sebastian from what I heard. I like the guy."

"He slept mostly the whole time, but he deserved it. Seb beat up on him pretty bad." Alec said with pity.

"You said 'mostly the whole time'. What happened when he wasn't sleeping?" Aline asked, eyebrows raised.

"We talked. He didn't want to go to the hospital, so I took him to Catarina's, like I said in my messages. Then he just... fell asleep." Alec said. Aline frowned.

"So, nothing exciting. Damn. I think he's perfect for you." Alec felt color rise into his cheeks as the image of Magnus sleeping on his shoulder moved through his head once again.

"I'm not..." Alec tried to say, but got confused. Was he straight? Was he gay? He never loved someone enough to truly know. He didn't even know what love was. What he felt for Magnus... It couldn't be love, could it? Quickened heartbeat when he came nearby, constant pictures of his face scrolling through his mind? That sounds like the crushes that he read about in books. Did that mean... Damn. Alec was gay. Aline looked at him as though she could see his mental debate inside his head, eyebrows raised, eyes laughing, and a smirk on her lips. "Actually, Aline... I think I might possibly... Not like girls. Not that I don't like you, I mean, um, like I don't like like girls. I think I might like boys, like, maybe I might be, um, gay." Alec breathed in shock. Aline shook her head, laughing silently.

"Yeah, I kinda figured. So, you have a crush on Magnus, and that's why your impulse took over when he got beaten up?"

"I don't know, maybe, I think, yeah?" Alec expressed with his hands, his face very red. Aline let one of her hands leave the wheel (which she almost never did) to squeeze Alec's hand supportingly. "I'm with you, no matter what. And, by the way, I predicted it."

"You did? When?" Alec asked, confused.

"Before you even realized it, probably. When we went to help the Downworlders the first time. You guys locked eyes, and I could tell you liked him. And just for the record, I think he likes you too." Aline grinned at him. Alec just shook his head, but he was smiling from ear to ear.

When they pulled into the Lightwoods driveway, Alec found it hard to breathe, but with Aline by his side, he was a little braver. The moment they walked in the door, hand-in-hand, they saw Alec's parents sitting side by side on a couch, seemingly arguing.

"Alec." Robert said once he noticed. "Can you come here, please?" Aline walked towards them, dragging Alec behind her. They sat down on a couch across from Maryse and Robert.

"Aline, dear, would you mind going to talk with Isabelle for a moment? We need to talk to Alec. Preferably alone." Maryse asked, trying to sound kind.

"Actually." Aline moved closer to Alec on the couch so that their sides were touching. "I'd rather stay here." Robert looked frustrated with Aline's attitude. "As you two have failed to realize, your son is prone to anxiety attacks, and..." Alec squeezed her hand, and she quieted. "Okay, I'll shut up now." Maryse tried to act like she wasn't there.

"I was told by your principal that you did not arrive to any of your classes today." She began. "I know your father and I have told you before that cutting class is unacceptable. Aline," Maryse finally accepting her presence, "Please say that you had no part in this. I don't want my son to have a girlfriend that is a bad influence."

"No." Aline shook her head. "I didn't know he had gone." Maryse breathed out.

"Let's cut to the chase." Robert said. "Alexander Gideon Lightwood, why did you leave school today?" Alec could tell he was angry, but couldn't do anything about it because Aline was there. He silently thanked her stubborn will.

"I... I was helping out a classmate. He got beaten up pretty badly, so I took him home."

"See? Is that such a bad thing?" Aline looked at the Lightwoods pointedly. "Can we go now? We were going to go on a date."

"No, not yet." Maryse said. "Which classmate? And who beat him up? We can talk to the principal for him."

"It's fine, Mom. He's fine." Alec said, trying to stand up, but Robert's hand on his knee shoved him down rather roughly.

"Answer your mother's questions. Then you can go."

"It was Magnus Bane." Surprising himself, his voice didn't shake."Sebastian Morgenstern was the one who beat him up." Alec pushed his father's hand off of his knee and took Aline's hand. "We're going now." He pulled Aline towards the door, hearing his father's shouts in the back of his head.

"Alexander Gideon Lightwood, get back here! This conversation is not over! Do you realize what helping a Downworlder will do to our family? You are grounded, you hear me! Grounded! Alec!" Robert's voice faded as Alec shut the door behind him and Aline. Aline squeezed his hand.

"Good job. Standing up to your father like that."

"Thanks for staying."

"Of course. Where do you want to go? We should probably leave soon."

"Let's go to Dairy Queen. I need ice cream right now." Alec said, and the two jumped into Alec's car. Aline turned on some music. "What is this playlist?" Alec asked.

"A bit of this, a bit of that." Aline responded. "Ruelle, Fallout Boy, ACDC, Green Day, Troye Sivan. You know. I find it calming somehow." Alec smiled.

"Wait, pull over." He said, staring out the window. It was Max, with a girl, whose dark brown hair was held back with two hair clips. They were walking hand in hand, down a path sort of hidden by some trees. The girl, who stood a little taller than Max, kissed him on the cheek, handed him a book, and ran off, her hair flying behind her.

"Is that Max?" Aline asked. Alec only nodded in response. "Who's the girl?"

"I don't know." Alec said, but then it hit him. "Oh my god. That's Livvy Blackthorn."

"Helen's sister?"

"Half sister. She doesn't have any Downworlder blood. My mom and dad still forbade Max from being friends with her." Aline's brows knit together as she frowned.

"That's stupid." She said. "Maybe more stupid than not letting you help a Downworlder." Alec shrugged.

"That's my parents for you."

"They're cute together." Aline said. "Max and Livvy, I mean."

"I guess. Izzy agrees with you. I just don't want Max in trouble with our parents."

"That's sweet." Aline said. "But you should let him make his own decisions. I mean, he can't get in as much trouble as you'd get into if your parents find out you're gay. Especially for a Downworlder."

Magnus woke up the next morning aching all over. He got ready for school, but the moment he walked out into the living room, he heard Catarina's voice.

"Nuh uh." She shook her head, her white ponytail waving from side to side. "You are staying home today. I already called the school." She slung her backpack over her shoulder.

"Cat!" Magnus exclaimed. "You can't make these decisions for me! You aren't my mother!"

"Magnus," Catarina raised her eyebrows, "have you even looked in the mirror today?" Magnus frowned. He had noticed a giant bruise on the side of his face.

"I can cover it with foundation." He argued.

"Yeah, but you can't hide the fact that you can barely walk because Sebastian kicked you. Right in the spot where you hit your back earlier."

"What?" Magnus was confused before he remembered the excuse he had told Catarina about his back. "Oh yeah."

"Anyway, you are not going to school today or tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's Saturday."

"Oh yeah!" Catarina grinned. "Your boyfriend's coming over. Heal yourself by then, and pick out an outfit."

"We're not dating, Cat."

"Psh. See ya!" She left the house, leaving Magnus standing there awkwardly.

Alec had managed to sneak in last night without being noticed by his parents, and left without being noticed either. Isabelle and Max would have to find another ride today. When he got to school, he found himself unintentionally scanning the hallways for Magnus. When he saw Catarina walk in, he fought the urge to ask her how Magnus was doing. Luckily for him, she subtly dropped a note into his hand. It read:

Thanks for helping Magnus. I knew I liked you. He's doing alright, but I left him at home today. If you're feeling brave, sit with us at lunch. Tell Aline to come too. Helen has a thing for her.

See ya around.

~ C

Alec smiled to himself a little as he slid the note into his pocket.

"Hey, Lightwood." He looked up, finding himself looking into the face of Sebastian. He smiled sheepishly.

"Hi, Sebastian."

"Why'd you help that Downworlder boy yesterday? He's a Downworlder. Below us."

"Well, um, I thought that, um, you might've killed him if you kept at it. Even though he is a Downworlder, you still, um, would've got in trouble for murder." Alec tried to formulate an excuse in his head.

"That's bullshit and you know it. Just like in the lunchroom. You're a shitty liar, anyone ever tell you that? You're a Downworlder lover, which in my eyes, makes you just as bad as one. Maybe even worse. Tell you what, help one of those fuckers again, and I'll hurt you way worse than I hurt that worthless little emo bastard."

"Say that again." Catarina had moved to stand next to Alec.

"Oh, did I offend a little worthless Downworlder chick? You aren't a part of this."

"Yes, I am." Catarina stood firm. "And yes, you did offend me. You insulted my friend and are now threatening another one of my friends. That involves me." Sebastian furrowed his brows angrily.

"Oh, so you're friends with this bitch?" Sebastian looked at Alec.

"She's not a bitch." Alec said, and then a fist came flying at his face. No time to dodge, no time to fight back. But the fist didn't hit. He opened his eyes and saw that Catarina had jumped in front of him and had caught his fist in her hand. He couldn't see her face, but her voice conveyed more than enough.

"Stay away from my friends." Her hands moved faster than Alec could comprehend and Sebastian was on the floor. "Pressure points." She smiled at Alec. "Don't mess with a nurse. Got to go now, see you at lunch." She sprinted away as Sebastian yelled after her.

"I'm coming for you, bitch! Watch your back! My father will hear about this!" Alec decided he'd better leave as well, and turned around to see Aline.

"Quoting Harry Potter. Nice. We'd better go." She grabbed his hand and they ran off as Alec explained what had happened to him.

Cat is a badass, just saying. Don't mess with a nurse. Also, Alec has finally realized he likes Magnus! Yay! Sorry for the profanity in this chapter, I was mad at someone (cough cough HERA) for not liking Dean Winchester. Please review, and sorry again for the wait!