Alec slowly moved the slicer back and forth over the blade as little slices of headcheese fell on the parchment paper. It was the name 'head cheese' that made this particular deli meat so very unappealing to him. Cheese cooked into meat was one thing but head cheese? What really were they trying to say? This cheese was made from heads and we put meat in it?

"When was that opened?"

Alec turned to see his batty customer looking with her face all scrunched up with displeasure.

"Just now for you," Alec lied.

"Oh, alright then," the old lady smiled, though Alec couldn't see it as genuine. It felt like a fake 'I don't like you' smile to Alec. Well the feeling was mutual; he didn't like her either.

Wrapping up her 200g of head cheese, Alec turned to hand it over, and hopefully never see this lady again.

"Have a nice day," Alec said with likely a similar fake smile to hers as she placed the deli meat - if you could call it that with a name like head cheese - into her chart and moved on.

"You gotta learn not to take it so personal," This time Alec's smile was indeed from the heart, and he turned to see Maia smirking at him. "You get all worked up over other people's drama. If you want to work in customer service, you gotta stop that."

"I can't help it," Alec whined.

"I know," Maia sighed. "And even now, I can't quite decide if that's extreme empathy or nosiness."

"Speaking of being nosey," Alec began, but Maia broke him off.

"Those over there," she said sharply, pointing to a stack of pans and trays beside the sink. "They need cleaning."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll get to them," Alec dismissed her passive aggressive instruction. "What's going on with you and Jordan?"

"For the last time, NOTHING is going on between me and Jordan," Maia sighed, clearly frustrated. "What needs to be going on is between you and those dishes."

"Urg," Alec groaned. "Now I know how my maid felt."

"Overworked and underappreciated," Maia chipped in as Alec made his way to the sink. Unfortunately he didn't get a chance to reply as Maia was called away by a customer just seconds later.

By the time Alec had watched Maia present the customer with a sample thickness of their sliced deli meat, and reject it for the third time he was glad he was doing dishes. Never in a million years would Alec have guessed that people cared this much about sliced meat thickness, had he not seen it with his own eyes.

"I suppose that will do," the unhappy sounding women said as Maia showed her the fourth one. "But only 125g then, please."

Alec couldn't actually see them, but he was listening intently while trying to scrape chicken guts off cooking pans.

"Have a nice day," Maia said as Alec heard the unmistakable sound of a deli meat bag changing hands.

"Urg," Maia complained.

Alec turned away from his task to address her as he spoke. "I'll take the next horrible customer if you tell me the Jordan gossip."

"There really isn't any," Maia sighed, looking like she'd kill for a chance to sit down. Alec couldn't blame her. His feet and legs still weren't used to this standing all day everyday employment thing, though it was getting better. The first few weeks he'd worked here, Alec had spent every night in a sering hot bath so he could sleep without his legs aching.

"Oh, come on," Alec urged. "That can't be true. I heard it was super awkward when you came home to find him on your couch."

"He's friends with Simon," Maia shrugged.

"And Izzy it seems," Alec added. "And, am I wrong in thinking Jace punched him on Clary's behalf?"

"How are things with Magnus?" Maia asked, with great curiosity.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, the only reason I can come up with as to why you want to know so much about my non-existent love life is because yours is in the pits?"

Alec waved his hand dismissively. "Magnus and I are fine," he said. "Magnus is just being unnecessarily stubborn about something, rather than giving it a chance."

"Oh, and what something would that be?"

"I don't know if I'm suppose to tell you," Alec replied awkwardly. "I am usually a tell all kinda guy, but it doesn't really feel like my secret to tell. Though if I had my way, we'd be telling and embracing new opportunities."

"Is Magnus fighting change?" Maia asked.

"Basically, yeah," Alec replied.

"Well, change is hard," Maia offered. "Maybe you should go easy on him."

Then suddenly something clicked in Alec's head. "Oh, you sneaky little trickster!" Alec exclaimed. How had she done that? He'd asked her questions about Jordan, and somehow they'd gotten on the topic of John, not that Maia knew his name, but still!

"I don't know what you're talking about," Maia said all too innocently as she moved away to dress the display case.

"Oh, yes you do," Alec replied following her. "Now spill."

"Can you pass me more of the plastic lettuce?" Maia asked, referring to the stuff they used in the display.

"Oh, come on!" Alec whined. "What's the point of having girlfriends, if I can't talk to them about boys?"

"You have a sister, don't you?" Maia replied, but Alec was pretty sure she was smiling.

"Yeah, but Izzy's love life has been boring since she and Simon got together," Alec replied. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad she's finally settled down, but the level of gossip around here took a big hit when she did."

Maia stood up to face him as if trying to size him up. "Hmm," she said. "Well, you do seem genuinely desperate," She paused again as if considering. "How about this? You clean out the oven while I'm on break, then when I get back, I'll tell you whatever you want to know?"

"Deal!" Alec replied instantly.

It wasn't until about a quarter of an hour later that Alec was beginning to regret his decision. Cleaning out the oven was a nasty job since they cooked the rotisserie chickens in there. By the time Maia returned from her break, Alec had vowed never to eat chicken again.

"The oven's less black, now pay up," Alec said as she returned. Maia walked over to inspect his work first, then turned to face him.

"Alright," she said. "So basically I came clean with Bat, who took it alot better than I thought he would, though we still broke up because I realized I'm in love with Jordan, but my timing sucks since he'd finally moved on when he fell in love with Paige."

"But, he and Paige broke up!" Alec replied eagerly. "You should just go tell him how you feel. I bet he still cares for you. I mean, he's been nothing if not persistent."

"Right now when he looks at me, I'm sure he sees only the person who ruined his happiness with another," Maia replied.

"Then, why were you so calm when you arrived home and he was on your couch?" Alec asked next. "Izzy said it was uncanny. If I were you, I'd be mad."

"What's the point of being upset?" Maia replied. "It wasn't like I was innocent in all this. I took his fixation, affection, love, whatever you want to call it, for me for granted when it was there, and missed it when it was gone. I let myself be pulled in when, though taken, he showed me that affection again. I am the master of my own misery, and I must own up to that. There isn't anyone else to be mad at."

"Wow," Alec said softly. "For someone who was so reluctant to tell me anything, you sure know how when you want to."

"Isn't this the kinda stuff friends tell each other?" Maia replied.

"I guess it is," Alec smiled. "I guess I just didn't realize you thought of us as that close of friends."

Maia took a deep sigh, then spoke as if the words were somewhat painful to get out. "Alec, you are probably one of my closest friends," she said.

Again, Alec found himself floored. "Wow," he said again, wishing he had more than that one word to describe his reaction.

"I mean, who else have I got?" Maia began, talking almost nervously, as if the silence was uncomfortable for her. "Simon, who I met on a date, and who is besties with my ex. Izzy, who is in a serious relationship with Simon. I don't even know if Clary and I got past acquaintances before she went away, and Jace reminds me far too much of my brother for me to ever be comfortable opening up to him."

"I never even thought about it like that," Alec said softly. He moved forward then and pulled Maia into a hug. "As long as we don't tell Jace, you're one of mine too."

"You know, Alec," Maia chuckled. "Friends aren't like boyfriends. You can have more than one."

Laughing, Alec pretending to think about that for a moment. "I have some friendship statuses to update."

"You should update it to oven wizard," Maia smirked. "Great job with the oven, by the way. I hate cleaning that thing."

"W- wait just one minute," Alec said slowly. "You didn't actually have a problem with telling me any of this, did you?" Maia didn't reply, but her smile said it all. "You just wanted to hold something over me so I'd end up cleaning the oven."

"And it worked brilliantly," Maia chuckled.

"Why, I otta," Alec grumbled.

"What?" Maia teased. "Sick your husband on me?"

"Or maybe Jace," Alec added.

"I'm quivering in my boots," Maia said headpan.

"You are just the worst," Alec grumbled. "I'm so getting you back for this." She just grinned at him.

"Aww, that's adorable," Maia grinned. Alec was about to try and pin her down while he tickled her, when they were introduced then by a customer entering the store.

At first glance Alec thought his husband had paid him a visit at work, but as the man turned, Alec realized he was too old to be Magnus, and his face wasn't quite the same either. The two men did however have the same colour hair, and there was something similar about their bone structure as well. Alec had long ago memorized the planes of his husband's face, and it was easy enough to pick out similarities in a stranger. Curiosity pulled at him, and Alec called over to see if he could help. It was after all technically what he was suppose to say to every customer he met.

"Ah yes, I'm looking for some ham," the man said. "About 200g." But Alec couldn't help but stare. Now that they were facing each other he had a better view of the stranger's face. And there was even something familiar about his voice as well. It was quite a bit lower than Magnus's, but still somehow similar.

"We have honey, old fashioned, or smoked," Alec replied automatically, still trying to process what he was seeing.

"Honey ham would be lovely thank you," he said. But Alec didn't move to collect and slice the lunch meat.

"Sorry, but I have to ask," Alec began. "Are you John Anderson?"

"Yes I am, but how might you know that?" John replied.

"My husband's been talking - or rather not talking - about you a lot lately," Alec explained.

"Oh goodness me!" John exclaimed. "Alexander?"

"Yep," Alec smiled. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Not as much as I didn't expect to see you working behind a counter," John replied. "Forgive me if I'm wrong, but aren't your parents the Lightwoods, as in the owners of Lightwood Industrys?"

"Yep, that's them," Alec chuckled. "It's a long story. They kinda told me I had to pay rent, something about learning independence." He paused, then added. "Okay, I guess it isn't really that long a story. Sorry."

John laughed, and again Alec found himself notices small details, the way his mouth wrinkled at the corners when he laughed. It reminded him of Magnus.

"It's quite alright," John chuckled. "You just threw me off. I can see why my son likes you so much." Alec smiled and he thought for a minute John might leave, but then he continued. "Actually, I'm glad I ran into you. I was wondering if you'd help me... with Magnus. He won't even agree to sit and talk with me."

"Sorry, but I've actually already been trying," Alec sighed. "He just doesn't believe you."

"What if I could prove it somehow?" John suggested. "DNA test or something."

"That might work," Alec mused. "Though, I have no idea how to go about doing something like that."

"There are services you can employ to test paternity," Maia's voiced called over from where she was working just a few meters behind Alec.

"Oh, great," Alec smiled. "I'll do some googling tonight."

"Do you work tomorrow?" John asked. "I could come by again?"

"Yeah, same time tomorrow works for me," Alec replied.

"Perfect," John smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"And here is your honey ham," Maia said as she appeared on Alec's right, and reached forward to hand it to John.

"Well, don't you run an organized shop," John smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow Alexander."

"Yeah," Alec replied. He then stood and watched as John headed towards the check out.

"I seriously doubt he'd have agreed to a DNA test if he's lying," Maia said the moment he was out of earshot. "You should tell Magnus."

"Not yet," Alec replied. "When I go to him, it will be with irrefutable proof, or not at all."

That night Alec did some research and discovered that the Canadian government had services for things like this. As there weren't any custody disputes over minors, Alec choose the private sector one. It wasn't admissible in court, but just as accurate, which was all that mattered in this case.

When the site asked him where he'd like the kit mailed, Alec suddenly realized the problem. He solved it by sending a quick text to Maia, and asking if he could use her address for the shipping. She agreed and he continued to the online payment checkout. It was a strange feeling buying it with his own money. As Alec purchased the DNA testing kit, it gave him a sense of empowerment he'd never felt before. His parents weren't going to get this on the credit card bill and ask him why he wanted DNA testing done, and Magnus wouldn't read this statement either. This was a purchase he'd made alone with money he'd made himself. It was a new feeling, and he found he rather liked it, despite his sore feet.

I am happy to announce that I've started uploading my new Malec story! (Update this story is now complete.)
It's called 'Rock Bottom' and though it's slow to introduce Magnus and starts of sad I promise it is gonna get good. :) Please go and check it out. Chapter two is going up momentarily. Please please go have a look and leave me a review. I just love hearing what you guys think of my stories! :D :D : 3

Guest review from 'effort':
great chapter I have more to say but am lazy so if I remember I'll review on my phone were I can dictate

My Reply:
Lol love it. That's funny since sometimes I find typing less effort than talking….

Guest Review from PJ:
Happy to see another chapter. Sorry to hear about your life events. All the best to move through the rough patch.

My Reply:
I'm glad. It was well deserved. You guys waited so long for this one! And thanks. 3

Sneak peek chapter 141

"So what are your holiday plans?" he asked.

"I've made some local friends who have been showing me and Riley around," Clary explained. "And omg Jace… I don't even have the words for how beautiful some of these Christmas lights are. I mean Paris is loud, over crowded and the air sucks, but man do they know how to Christmas."

"I remember you talking about Riley," Jace smiled. "He was also in a long distance relationship right?"

"Yeah but Ben broke up with him," Clary sighed.

"What?" Jace asked shocked.

"Yeah," Clary said. "It was over the phone. Riley was so upset. We all took him out after to try and distract him."

"Did Ben give a reason?" Jace asked.