How the Hell Did She Catch that Arrow?

(Pipers pov)"It just looks like a wine glass." Clary says"That wine glass saved your life." Thomas replies, the cup between them."What if what if I hadn't gotten the Cup out in time? That demon -" Clary says worriedly

"But you did. First rule of Shadowhunting, when something explodes, just keep walking. Never think twice. Never look away." Thomas tells her.

"And what's the second rule?" Clary asks

"There's nothing a Shadowhunter can't do in heels." Izzy says while taking the Mortal Cup from in between them. I chuckle at the flirting going on between them while standing next to Alec.

"Alec, what are you doing? You can stare at this monitor all you want, they need angel blood to get past the wards. You know that. No Downworlder can come into the Institute." Jace tells him walking up beside me.

"Not without an invite by a Shadowhunter." Izzy adds

"Last I checked, Valentine is a Shadowhunter. The Cup is not safe here. We have to give it back to the Clave." Alec states.

"Give it back to the Clave? No.Not after everything we went through to get it." Clary tells us

"My brother is right. The Cup is extremely important." Izzy says agreeing with my boyfriend.

"Are you agreeing with me?" Alec asks confused

"I'm full of surprises." Izzy tells him.

"This Cup is the one chance I have at getting my mom back." Clary pleads to us

"I agree with Clary. We can't give the Cup to the Clave, not now. We need it.It's our only bargaining chip." Thomas says

"Of course you would take her side." I mumble under my breath "Look Clare you know I love Jocelyn, I mean hell she raised me as her own, but I have to agree with Alec and Izzy here. The whole Institute is at risk with that Cup being here and Valentine could easily attack." I tell Clary, Alec hugged my side.

"Well this normally doesn't happen, but I agree with Clary, we can protect it here and use it to our advantage." Jace tells us.

"Look, I know how powerful this Cup is. It has the power to create new Shadowhunters, control demons and even kill a mundane if they drank from it." Clary says to us "But I promise you, I will not let that monster get his hands on it."

"There you go. You have her word." Thomas tells us, being a smart-alec about it. Alec sighs, giving in

"Follow me." Alec tells her.

Clary and Alec walk back, I grabbed Alecs hand and Clary was calling Simon.

"Simon, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Been crazy busy, we found the Cup.I have so much to tell you, call me back." She says to the voice box

Alec noticed something weird in the perimeter

"What the, huh?" He says confused before the alarm goes off.

"There's something outside the perimeter." Jace says to us

"I told you-" Alec starts before Thomas cuts him off

"Don't say it." Thomas tells Alec

"What's happening?" Clary asks confused.

"Looks like someone's trying to break in." Izzy tells her as we all start walking to the door.

"Could be the Circle." Thomas states

"Told you so." Alec remarks

"Too soon." Jace says as we all walk outside looking for the intruder, we see a figure and Alec raises his bow as we all raise our swords.

"Don't move." Jace says

"Drop what you're holding. Put your hands up." Alec tells the figure, Raphael comes into the light holding a dead looking Simon. I gasp

"Oh, my God, Simon!" Clary yells.

...........

"People will be wondering what we found outside the perimeter." Jace says to us, we found out Simon was killed by Camille

"I'll go. I'll tell 'em we didn't find anything. Nobody will come down here." Alec says

"I'll go with you." I tell him and grab his hand as we leave I vividly hear Jace say

"I have to go to, there's something I need to do." Before following us out.

(Jace's pov)I leave the Institute to head over to Magnus and Ash's place. I wish I didn't make that stupid bet with Piper, Ashlynn is going to push me away and I'll never have a chance with her. Sadly, I live up to my word with bets. Damn I wish I wasn't so true to bet words. I arrive and knock on the door, Magnus opens.

"Jace, what a suprise. I wasn't expecting to see you. How may I be of service?" He asks me, it's not that hard Jace just ask for Ash

"Uh actually Magnus is Ashlynn here, I need to have a word with her." I tell him, he gives me a weird look, oh no, he definitely knows and won't let me even get rejected.

"One moment." He tells me and walks away. Should I just leave? It will make this so much easier. No I can't, I made a bet and I have to honor it. Mag walks back, points to the door then leaves the room. I see Ash walk over to the door, right in front of me.

"Hey Jace, everything okay?" She asks me, I was about to respond but before I could she says "Oh silly me I'm being rude come inside." I walk in and I just stop after I'm inside.

"So what brings you here? Not that I'm complaining about you being here. It was just unexpected." She tells me getting nervous. We'll it's now or never,

"Ash, uh, can you sit down?" I ask her, she looks confused but does as I asked.

"So Ashlynn there's something you need to know." I tell her as I sit down."Listen if you don't- well, agree with what I tell you then don't feel like things have to change because of it, this shouldn't have to change anything." I tell her, don't chicken out Jace she deserves to know.

"Yes Jace I get it. Now what's the thing you need to tell me?" She asks, by the angel I can't even look her in the eye right now.

"Okay I'm just gonna come right out ad say it. I like you Ashlynn, and not just as a friend. Since I met you I had fallen for you, hard. And I've never once, felt like this about any other girls I've ever been with. What I'm trying to say is that I like you Ashlynn, a lot." I ramble, she looks in shock, I'm waiting to hear her reject me but it hasn't happened yet, she's just sitting there in shock. She finally comes to and is about to reject me.

"Sorry I just wasn't expecting to hear that. Jace." She moves my head up so I'm looking into her beautiful eyes"I like you too." I stare at her in shock, she actually likes me back. If it was any other girl I wouldn't have been suprised like look at me. But with her, she's perfect in every way, and she actually likes me back."I've liked you for a long time, I fell for you a while ago and I was just to afraid to say anything. I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner." She tells me, I hug her so tightly like I'm afraid I'll lose her the minute I let go.

"Ash, one you have nothing to be sorry for. And two, would you want to go on a date with me? And if you don't completely hate me by the end of it, be my, girlfriend?" I ask her, she smiles and kisses my cheek. "I'll take that as a yes?" I ask her as she nods.

"Text me when and where and I'll be there." She smiled at me, then I hear Magnus squeeling in the back about Jaclynn finally happening. I chuckle then say my goodbyes to her. I leave and head back to the Institute, all I can think is that she said yes.

.............

(Pipers pov)"Alec, you think you could get my stele back? Max asks Alec as we are walking around with him.

"They took it away because you nearly burnt down the Mumbai Institute." Alec tells his younger brother.

"How many times do I have to say it was an accident?" Max exclaims, I chuckle at the boys cuteness

Look, Max. Somebody very important is coming to visit. All right? You think you can stay out of trouble for just a couple days? If you do, I promise I'll get your stele back." Alec promises his younger brother. Next thing we know, Valentine walks through the door. I pull out a knife and throw it at him while Alec shoots an arrow right at him. He catches the arrow and knocks my knife out of the way. He pulls out a stele and goes over a rune transforming into a blond girl

"That reaction time was abysmal. Except for you two. I'm Lydia Branwell, envoy from the Clave." Lydia says to us. She walks in and over to Maryse.

"Maryse. The Clave has ordered me to take temporary control of this Institute." Lydia tells her

"Wait a minute. Nobody informed us." Maryse says

"The Clave doesn't need to. And, to repeat myself, it's temporary. Nothing's been decided yet. But I do need full clearance in order to assess how this Institute is running." Lydia says and gains access to the information. "Where is Clary Fairchild? I would hope someone here knows."

"She's in the field, training." Alec tells Lydia

"You're telling me she's just out and about in the streets of New York?Valentine's daughter?" Lydia says to us, I already don't like her one bit.

"Isn't she also your cousin?" Izzy says, I cn tell my parabatai doesn't like her either.

"Distant cousin." Lydia replies

"She's with Jace and Thomas." I tell her

"The same Jace Wayland who decided to lead an unsanctioned raid against the vampires? I've read reports." Lydia tells us.

"Jace might be unconventional, but he's our best soldier. If he's with Clary and Thomas, then she's in good hands." Maryse says to her.

"I hope so. And for your sake, all of New York. All of your jurisdiction better be well protected." Lydia tells us. I was walking around with Izzy and Alec after when Izzy inturupted the silence.

"I'm not a fan." Izzy states

"Me neither." I reply as we glare at her.

"Jealous?" Alec asks us

"No. Maybe. How the hell did she catch that arrow?" Izzy asks

"Right? Like how did she do that with no expectations of what would happen?" I say upset that I didn't hit her with my knife. My phone went off and there was a message from my dad. There was an attack at the Jade Wolf, looks like Forsaken, and he sent me photos that had confirmed my Forsaken theory. We walk over to Lydia and Maryse.

"I have something you need to see.Something attacked the Jade Wolf." Alec tells them and shows the photos on the screen. My dad must've messaged him too.

"The werewolves' headquarters? Where did you-" Maryse asks before Lydia cuts her off.

"-where did you get these?" Lydia finishes

"Leader of the New York wolf pack." Alec tells them

"You're friends with Lucian Graymark? An ex-Circle member?" Lydia asks

"Hey I'm his daughter excuse you. And I also got the messages so he was just sending them so any Shadowhunters available." I tell Lydia

"Right, slipped my mind that you're the daughter of a werewolf and an ex-Circle member." She states, I was getting ready to attack but Maryse saved her.

"How about we send Isabelle, Piper and Alec to investigate? I'm sure this is linked to-" Maryse states

"Valentine. I need to see it for myself.Are you coming or what?" Lydia finishes, I'm really getting annoyed with her inturupting everyone. I go with Alec and her cause it's my dad and I need to see him. We walk in silence for awhile before Lydia breaks it.

"I can see why all the girls in Idris are clamoring to meet you." Lydia states

"What do you mean?" Alec asks

"Rumor has it you're looking to settle down, get married." Lydia tells us, my hands are now fists very quickly.

"Damn it." Alec says, he notices my anger and grabs my hand to sooth me.

"Let me guess. Not your idea?" Lydia she asks

"Not even close." Alec states "I have a very beautiful girlfriend who I am much happy with. I don't need to settle down."

"My parents tried to set me up, too." Lydia tells us

"And how'd that work out?" I ask her, realizing she's not trying to go after Alec.

"Not well for them. I made my own path. Married the love of my life John Monteverde. Together we were going to run the Lisbon Institute. And then John was killed. Everything was ripped away. My love, my dream job Piece of advice in this line of work, the only thing worth falling in love with is the work itself." She tells us.

"Lydia, I'm I'm sorry." Alec says as we walk in, I hug my dad and we start looking at the Forsaken.

"It's got some characteristics of a Forsaken. It was human. It was runed." Lydia says, ha I knew it was a Forsaken.

"I don't know. It was more focused, more determined. It attacked like it had a plan. Plus, a normal Forsaken wouldn't have been so hard to kill.It took five wolves to take that thing down. Never seen anything like it." Dad tells us

"Is the pack okay? And you?" I ask him

"Ya we're fine, already healed." dad tells me

"We'll take the body back to the Institute, do a full autopsy." Lydia tells him

"Oh, hold up. I get that I called you Actually, I called Piper and Alec. But what I didn't want is someone to come down here and just take over." Dad tells her

"Yeah, that's kind of her thing." Alec says, I chuckle

"Look, I know I can come across abrasive, but we're all on the same side here. Can we agree on that? The Institute has the resources to find out what this thing is." Lydia states

"We have an expert forensic pathologist. Highly trained in all the creatures of the Shadow World." Alec tells dad.

"Do you have one here? In this, uh, Chinese restaurant?" Lydia asks

"Fine. You win. Just let me know what you find." Dad tells her

"For sure." I tell him

"You think Valentine was behind this?" Alec asks

"No question. It's definitely his work." Dad replies

"What do you think he's after?" I ask him

"Honestly? Me." Dad tells us

"So you think Valentine's going after ex-Circle members?" Lydia asks

"I don't know. It might be kind of personal. We have a complicated past. But of course, he could be going after the old crew. I'm sure Valentine has a grudge against anybody who turned against him." Dad informs us

"We'll put extra wards on the Institute." Lydia states

"Right, for Hodge." Alec says

"And your parents. Did they conceal that from you?" Lydia asks, I froze as she looked at me.

...............

Alec was punching a punching bag trying to let off some steam, I honestly don't know how to help comfort my boyfriend, Magnus walks in."Magnus." Alec says and stops punching, Magnus stops for a second then snaps out of it.

"Okay, I'm back." He says as Alex puts on a cover up i guess? "Oh, you don't have to get dressed up for me. Fine. But I liked what I saw." Magnus says as I glare at him."Sorry Piper forgot." He tells me "I have the preliminary autopsy findings." He gives them to Alec

"Why are you giving this to me? This should go to the head of the Institute." Alec asks

"And it is." Mag says to him

"I'm not. And I never will be." Alec says, I give Magnus a look and he leaves me with Alec."Piper, it's like it's like my whole life has been a lie. Now, everything I've ever known is" Alec says

"It's not what you thought." I answer him

"I've done everything for my parents for the Clave and I've done everything that they've asked." Alec tells me

"Maybe you should start living for yourself. Do what's in your heart." I tell him

"I can't believe I'm saying this. I think you're right." Alec says to me and hugs me

"Of course I am, look at who you're talking to." I smile and he smiles at me.

(Alecs pov)I was walking to give the reports to my mom when I hear Lydia talking.

"The Clave has spoken. They will be taking full control of the Institute." Lydia tells my parents

"I'm begging you. You can punish us, but our children did nothing wrong.They've worked so hard" my mom begs her

"I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do.With everything that's happened here in New York, plus your history with the Circle, and now Valentine's return, the Clave believes the Institute's at risk." Lydia states to them

"We've been trying to stop Valentine.What has the Clave done? The answer is nothing. He's growing in strength.They're more concerned about removing us from the Institute." My dad says angry

"Robert." My mom says

"The law's hard but it is the law. We will await the Clave's instructions." Lydia says

"I have the preliminary results from Magnus. No magic was used in creating the Forsaken." I tell them and walk in.

"I'll take them." Lydia says, but I hand them to my mom. She starts looking at them and I walk out.

Later on I go and find Lydia, I know what I'm about to do isn't fair to Piper but it's the only way I can save the Institute and restore my family name. I'll always love Piper and I'll always regret what I'm about to do but it needs to be done. I hope she knows how much I love her.

"Lydia, do you have a minute?" I ask her and walk in

"Alec, I'm sorry about your parents, but my hands were tied." Lydia tells me

"Look, I I know. The law is hard, but it's the law, and I respect that.But I've realized that I have to listen to my heart." I tell her, more like listen to my head

"Let's not forget where that got me." Lydia tells me

"I know. And I can't bring John back.But, like you said, our families have been strong allies. And we can use that to our advantage. Together, we can restore my family name and we can keep the Institute." I tell her

"And we'd get to run it." Lydia states getting happier, I nod, then get down on one knee

"Lydia Branwell will you marry me, Alec Lightwood?" I ask her.

(Pipers pov)I was walking around when Izzy ran up to me.

"Izzy are you okay?" I ask her, she shook her head and grabbed my arm before running.

"No, I just realized why the Forsaken has Nephilim blood." She tells me

"Wait the Forsaken has Nephilim blood?" I ask her.

"Yes now the reason is so it could get into the Institute without setting off any of our wards.we run into the sparring area to see Hodge slash the Forsakens back and for him to fall. I see Alec on the ground.

"Oh, my God! Alec, are you okay?" Izzy exclaimed I rush to him

"Alec stay with us we'll get you to the infermery." I say and we get him into the infermery.