Gabriel woke up the morning following their...unusual encounter with the warlocks with an overwhelming sense of relief. Within only a few short hours, he would be back home at the manor, with Father. He knew, however, that until he had seen his father for himself, he would not be able to fully relax. He forced himself to his feet, made himself get dressed and ready to leave, to pack his suitcase. Whilst he was, of course, eager to go home, it was also a struggle just to get ready. For the past few days when he hadn't been at home, he had been in a state of high and constant anxiety. It was draining, yourself tense and together for so long. Nowhere could he escape the worry that had taken up residence in his stomach; nowhere except home.

Gabriel's heart leapt. Home. Finally. Father might still be unwell, but at least at home Gabriel could look after him. His father was, it seemed to Gabriel at least, ashamed of his illness. The boy didn't understand, but he was the only his father permitted to attend to him. But it didn't matter anymore, Gabriel thought. He would be home soon enough, and he would stay and look after Father and he would recover. Gabriel wouldn't ever go on a mission like this again, wouldn't ever go and train abroad like Gideon. No, family came first – though clearly not to his brother. Not now, Gabriel told himself. Now was the time to focus on getting ready to leave. The sooner you're through the door of the manor the better. However, Charlotte would most likely request he be present for breakfast. He put down his suitcase. Well, he may as well face the music and get this over with.

When Gabriel walked into the dining hall, the room was weighted with immense silence. Despite waking early, he was the last person to arrive to the meal, as he had spent a considerable amount of the morning packing to leave promptly after breakfast. A cup of tea and a slice of bread and jam and he would be ready to depart.

"Good morning." He said as he sat down.

He reached for a slice of bread from the rack in the middle of the table and began spreading it thickly with jam, awaiting the greeting from the others that failed to come.

"I trust you slept well?" he asked, as whilst Gabriel was not the grandest conversationalist or one for small talk, the silence around the table was becoming uncomfortable.

He poured himself a cup of tea, confused at the quiet. Everyone looked so sombre, even Will and Henry. It was Charlotte who eventually broke the silence, after what felt like an age of silence.

"Gabriel, we need to speak with you."

"Of course, but I'm leaving in a moment. Thank you for your hospitality, but I really ought to get home."

"Gabriel, I..."

"Gideon is staying for a while, so hopefully my absence won't be too much of a problem."

"Gabriel," Charlotte tried again, sounding agonised.

"I just need to get home to my father." Gabriel explained. "He's unwell and..."

"Gabriel, your father passed away early this morning." Charlotte explained gently. "I'm so sorry."

The bread in Gabriel's mouth turned to sawdust. He swallowed firmly.

"What?" he asked blankly, uncomprehending.

"Your father died early this morning. A message came in about an hour ago. I'm so sorry. That is all I know."

Gabriel looked at Gideon, who was stirring his tea slowly, staring down into the hot liquid as if it held all of life's answers.

"Gideon, I...is it true?" he asked quietly.

Gideon nodded, head down. He looked up. "Gabriel...I'm...I'm so sorry." He said, voice hoarse.

The grave looks, the silence, this was why. His father was dead. And it was all his fault.

"I...may I be excused?" he asked, and stood up, retreating to his quarters before anyone could demand that he stay.

Later that day, Gideon felt he had to face his brother. No matter how much of a traitor Gabriel felt Gideon was, they were family and they shouldn't have to grieve alone. The two of them and their sister Tatiana were the only Lightwoods left; they had to stick together. But their sister had her own family: her betrothed, Rupert. She had been staying with Rupert and his parents for a couple of months now, Gideon knew from Gabriel's frequent and detailed letters. Gabriel and Gideon had to stand together now. Each other was all they had.

Gideon hurried up the stairs to see another figure ahead of him, her back to Gideon as she walked in front of him. He tried to slip past her and she jumped violently. He started and bumped into her, sending me serving platter she held rocking dangerously.

"Miss, I'm so sorry." He said, catching at her arm.

She rested the tray on one hand and smoothed her apron out with the other. She was one of the servants, Gideon realised. One whom he hadn't yet had the pleasure to meet. He would've remembered if he had: she was beautiful. Her deep hazel eyes shone, wide at the startlement of Gideon ambushing. She was only a little shorter than Gideon, the crown of her head at his chin. She was slender, wisps of brown hair escaping from under her cap about her face. However, one side of her mouth was tugged unusually by the long, uneven scar cutting across her face. The skin on the left side of her face was puckered and drawn. But it took nothing from her beauty, Gideon thought. It only added to it.

"My apologies, Mr Lightwood." She said, lowering her head a little. "I ought to look where I am going."

"No, no, no." Gideon assured, feeling three 'no's was really two too many. "It was my fault. I should be apologising...So, I apologise."

She smiled slightly. "I was just on my way to take Master Lightwood his luncheon. Mrs Branwell thought he might be hungry since he hasn't had anything to eat today."

"Oh, that is so thoughtful." Gideon said. "Thank you..." he waited for her introduction.

"Sophie Collins, sir." She said. "But Sophie is quite alright."

"Oh, I'm...I'm Gideon Lightwood. But Gideon is fine, Miss Collins."

"Very well. But, again, Sophie is still just fine, Gideon." Sophie smiled, a laugh tingeing her words.

"Oh, yes, of course. Sophie."

She continued down the hall to Gabriel's room and Gideon took off running after her, grabbing her arm. She flinched away, startled.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to ask if I could take that. I need an excuse to speak with Gabriel anyway. He isn't all too pleased with me at the moment."

He didn't know what was possessing him to reveal all his personal business to this girl, but it seemed to achieve his aim regardless, as she handed him the tray.

"Of course." She looked up, meeting Gideon's eyes, and his heart sprung into his throat. "I'm so sorry about your father. I truly am sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do, anything at all..."

"Thank you...Sophie."

She turned and left and Gideon watched her go, mesmerised, intoxicated with the strange tingling she left prickling his skin, the waves of emotion unable to be pinned down. He smiled and then felt guilty. His father had just died, and here he was falling in love whilst his brother sat alone in his room, in silent mourning. Gideon was devastated, but his sadness was displayed unlike his brother's. Gabriel felt things intensely, passionately. He needed Gideon, and that need was reciprocal. Gideon knocked on his brother's door.

"Gabriel," he said. "It's Gideon. Please may I come in?"

When Gabriel didn't refuse, Gideon took this as assent and entered.

Gabriel was sat on his bed, staring out of the window like it contained more than a view of the bustling mundane crowds. He had taken off his jacket, waistcoat, and tie, and was looking almost as if he had only just woken up in only his shirt and trousers. He looked up when Gideon entered.

"I...Charlotte thought you should eat something." He said, laying the tray down on Gabriel's dresser. "Doesn't look like she thought you should drink something, as you haven't been provided with any kind of beverage. Sorry about that, but nevertheless."

Gabriel didn't reply and Gideon sat down by him on the bed.

"Talk to me, Gabriel." Gideon said, a pleading note in his voice. "I'm your brother. You can talk to me."

"It's my fault." Gabriel said hollowly. "It is my fault he is dead. I blamed you for leaving Father to pursue Shadowhunting and then I did the exact same thing. But it was worse, because I left him when I knew he needed me. I left him alone. It's all my fault."

"Stop it! Stop saying that! Gabriel, this is not your fault. Or mine, or anyone else's." Gideon said. "Charlotte told me he died quickly. Even if you had been there, you couldn't have done anything to stop it. Sometimes life is like that. No matter how hard you try, you can't control the world."

"I bet no one gave him the shadowhunter's farewell." Gabriel said quietly, looking at his feet.

"You do it. Now. Just because he isn't here does not mean you cannot say goodbye." Gideon told him, fighting the emotion from his voice to stop it from quivering.

Gabriel closed his eyes. "Ave Atque Vale, Father. Hail and farewell."

Gideon smiled, nodding sadly. "Ave Atque Vale. Pulvis et embra sumas – we are but dust and shadows."

Gideon and Gabriel sat in respectful silence of each other's grieving before Gideon spoke.

"Well, let's have something to eat. I am starving."

Gabriel cracked a smile. "I thought you said Charlotte sent that up for me?"

"Well, technically, yes. But technicalities are boring and trivial." Gideon said, standing up and lifting the cover on the tray. "Ooh, Battenberg. You don't mind, do you?"

"Yes!" Gabriel said, leaping to his feet. "You can have a scone, I suppose."

"Urgh, I hate scones." Gideon grimaced.

"So do I, that's why you can have one."

"I could ask Sophie for some tea?"

"Oh, yes. An excuse to talk to Sophie!" Gabriel teased. "I could hear you outside in the hall. 'Oh, Miss Collins...Sophie. Oh, I do apologise. Oh aren't I just the perfect gentleman?'" Gabriel mocked, with disturbing accuracy.

"Gabriel!" Gideon cried, flushing with embarrassment. "You shouldn't eavesdrop!"

"It was not eavesdropping! You were practically eloping outside my room. The whole Institute could hear you." Gabriel protested and began imitating his brother again. "'Oh, that is so thoughtful. Oh, no no no. Let us step out and I shall endear myself to you with my excessive stutters and apologies."

"That was a private conversation!" Gideon said, laughingly indignant.

"You may wish to inform everyone in a fifty mile radius of that fact." Gabriel mumbled, biting into a cucumber sandwich.

Gideon shoved his brother in mock annoyance, but really he was just glad he and his brother were back to being the unit they used to be. Glad they were friends. Sometimes it took a tragedy to bring two people together. Their father's death had not been completely in vain.