CHAPTER ONE

(Alec has to deal with a problem employee.)

"Valentine, listen. I understand that you have an issue with Alec, but you haven't even tried to work it out with him. You have no proof that he has done anything wrong to you." Tessa sighed from her desk chair; Valentine thought for sure that he would be getting the team lead position and took it out on Alec every day for the last seven months. Tessa made Alec write up Valentine twice for his antics over the last seven months which didn't make the situation better, but it was one step closer to her being able to fire him. Valentine had been a problem for her in the last six years, but it was hard for her to write him up when she was not his first line supervisor. "I'm over the complaining."

There was a knock on her door, then it opened, and Alec came in. "You called me." He took a seat next to Valentine, ignoring the obvious move of Valentine's moving away from him.

"Yes, Mr. Morgenstern has another issue to bring up to us." She held her hand out to show Alec who she was talking about.

Alec nodded, it had been a long seven months; very exhausting and stressful. "Of course, what is the problem?" He wanted to add 'this time,' but he had to restrain himself. That would only make the situation worse, and that would do no one any good.

"Mr. Morgenstern, if you wouldn't mind." Tessa changed the direction of her hand to point at Alec; she was going to make him complain himself.

"I don't feel comfortable working for someone like him." He looked away from Alec and straight at Tessa.

"Someone like me?" Alec frowned, "What does that mean?"

"Your sexual orientation. I can't work for someone like you. You might make advances at me." He growled at him, hissing out a sigh at Alec.

"What?" Alec couldn't seem to understand what he meant. As if the English words didn't equal a language he spoke. "You think I would make advances at you."

"Well, you did it to Magnus. Shows you would do it to anyone."

Alec blinked, looking at Tessa, "What?" He really couldn't wrap his head around the conversation he was having. "You honestly think I would make advances at you?" He was really having a problem with this line of discussion. "Valentine, I can promise you I would not make advances at you."

"How can I be sure?"

"Valentine," Tessa cut in. "I think you need to take a step back and think about what you're saying."

"I know what I'm saying."

"Then if you think that same thing every woman at this company can say they don't want to work with you because you might make advances at them." She tried to explain to him but based the look on his face; he wasn't getting it. "Listen, I have already spoken to HR about this and they have agreed you cannot leave a team because you don't like that a member of that team is gay. However, with that said I will be changing your team. This will be your last chance. If your new team lead writes you up just once it, will be your third strike and you will be terminated from this company. Do I make myself clear?"

Valentine stood up, "Good."

"Go to HR."

Valentine narrowed his eyes and left the office, hitting the back of Alec's chair as he left; not apologizing.

Alec sighed, "Well that's a first, but I feel like it won't be the last."

"He would have just found another excuse." She sat up straighter than normal. "Will has been doing a good job with the team lead position but we are having some issues with his lack of customer service skills. He's learning but slower than I would have liked. I want you to go downstairs and help him; I already told him to expect you."

Alec sighed, "On my way."

"Alec," She waits for him to turn back to you, "Thank you. I know Will would agree, he doesn't want to lose his post."

He just left at that moment without a word; he didn't want to go down there. Magnus was there as well as the memories of their moments in his old office. It wasn't a bad thing but not something he wanted to focus on right now. He was in a bad mood once again thanks to Valentine, at least he was going to be off his team.

He made sure to take the stairs, hoping it will help relax him. Once he was through the glass doors, he could hear that Will wasn't in his office. He listened to the laughter from the bullpen area, but stopped with a smile; Magnus' laugh echoed with the rest, but he would know that laugh everywhere.

He turned the corner and boomed out, "Do you guys still not do anything around here?"

Will turned around, "Alec, finally, I've been waiting."

"Tessa just told me to come see you; your skills are lacking." He smirked at him. "Ready?"

"Ha! So funny." Will smiled. Jace was gone from his desk, Jem was sitting with his feet up, while Will's old desk was empty, no computer or any IT equipment at all. "Let's go into my office."

Alec looked at Magnus who had a smile on his face. "Hey." They spent a lot of time avoiding each other at work as to not mix business with personal; Magnus had finally agreed with Alec's wishes and relented. He moved his hand as if to touch him but stopped when he realized what he was doing.

Alec reached the rest of the way to grab his hand; he squeezed it. "Hey." There was not a single person on the IT help desk that didn't know about them and it felt freeing to have at least one area at work they could be partners and be accepted. He hated working at the same company and having to keep his distance, but he knew it was the right decision. Magnus stood up then, walking around Alec pulling with him. Alec had to turn into a circle to match his step. He pulled on his hand to get Magnus to stop. They were hidden in the small hallway between the bullpen and the exit; hidden from all view.

Magnus leaned in and stole a quick kiss before Alec knew he had even been kissed. "Let's go out to dinner. Izzy is getting Max after school and she can feed him dinner. Well, buy him dinner." Magnus corrected towards the end.

Alec didn't realize he did it, but he licked his kissed lips. "Sure."

Magnus dropped his hand, he knew that was even pushing Alec's bounds while at work, and he didn't want to make him uncomfortable. "I'll tell Jace to take your car home and you can ride with me." Jace and Alec still drove to work together while Magnus drove himself. They usually started at different times.

Alec nodded and let go of Magnus as Will came around the corner to stare at them.

"Magnus, Lori called from the 4th floor, can you take that?"

Magnus nodded but couldn't leave until he gives Alec a quick wink.

Alec watched Magnus go; he didn't know if he could love someone any more than he did with Magnus. His phone when off then, vibrating in his back pocket, the name of his lawyer showed on the screen. "Give me a second." Without Will's agreement, he answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Alec, just a heads up your paperwork has been accepted. We should know for sure in the next few days."

"Thanks." Alec smiled, it was the decision on whether Max would become his son instead of his brother. His adoption paperwork seemed to be taking forever with paperwork, lawyers, and home visits then more paperwork. He had to give notice to his parents which they ignored; that part did become more comfortable, but it was everything else that weighted down their timetable. He spoke to Max a few times about it, and Max agreed every time with him. He stated really loudly, Alec would be his dad, but he would still call him Alec. Everyone laughed and that was the last time they spoke about it. Alec hung up the phone and went to Will's office to help where he could.

Alec stood leaning against Magnus' driver's side door; Alec worked until 5:30 and Magnus until 6:00, the parking lot was empty save for a few cars, so he got a great view of Magnus walking towards him. He had his hand holding his messenger bag in place while he pulled his keys out of his coat pocket. It was oddly warm for a late October night, so they weren't in winter gear just yet but that would be changing any week now than they would have a long five months of cold, snow, and hell otherwise known as ice. Alec could handle the cold and snow, playing outside was fun yet exhausting but ice; ice was hellish. He tried to warn Magnus was winter in Michigan was different but he just said he lived in New York his whole life and 'would be just fine.'

Magnus stopped in front of Alec standing up straighter, so they were eye level. "You're on the wrong side."

"Now, how would I get my kiss if I was waiting for you on the other side of the car?"

He couldn't help but smile at him, they both knew Alec wasn't going to kiss him in that parking lot. Too many windows, too many prying eyes to see them; even for it being later in the evening. "Get in the car, before I take you right here and now." Alec hit Magnus in the stomach lightly but did as he was told and went to the passenger's side of the car. "Where do you want to go?" Magnus started the car, looking to his boyfriend for an answer.

Alec shook his head and leaned it back against the headrest. "I don't care."

"Tired?" Magnus began pulling out of the parking lot, having a place in mind.

"Just a long day with Valentine making my life hell again." Alec turned his head to watching Magnus drive, leaving his head on the headrest. It had been almost a month since they had dinner alone, Max wouldn't ever let them, or everyone was at home. He frowned thinking again that maybe it had been longer than a month. "I truly am a parent, aren't I?"

Magnus stopped at a light and looked at him, "What?"

"I can't remember the last time we have a dinner to ourselves. We haven't been together for a year and I already feel like we've been together for ten. I can't remember the last time we had dinner let along a night alone."

"We live together; we have lots of moments alone." Magnus had to smile at him. He moved in almost two months ago because it was too hard to get together living across town from one another. It wasn't a hard transition since they moved into the master bedroom with Izzy and Simon moving into their own home just down the street from them. Simon bought a house and a ring, they decided to take time living together before planning the wedding, but Alec couldn't help being happy for them.

"Yeah, after our 'child' goes to sleep." Alec looked back out the front windshield.

"And I wouldn't change it. I love our life." Magnus didn't understand where Alec was coming from which he didn't like. "What's up with you?"

He sighed, closing his eyes. He didn't want to tell Magnus about today, but he wanted to talk about it and who better to understand than Magnus. "Valentine has been moved to a new team."

"He's on a new team." Magnus smiled, "That's a good thing."

"He filed a complaint that he couldn't work for me because I'm gay and he's doesn't feel comfortable because I might make advances on him."

"What?" Magnus hit the break a little too hard at the red light and stared at him.

Alec put his hand on the dashboard to slow his forward momentum. "Magnus."

"Sorry. But he did what?" Magnus couldn't believe his ears, "What did Tessa say?"

"She proved some point by saying then every woman in the company could make the same complaint against him. She's sick of the complaints so instead of firing him she moved him to a new team." Alec who was still looking head noticed the light change. "Light's green Magnus."

"Is that what this line of talk is about?" He finally made it to the restaurant of his choice, City Burger. The best burgers he ever had and it didn't matter that they were a greasy mess, they were terrific. Burgers and fries seemed like an even better choice now.

"I don't know. Just long days."

They got out of the car and headed inside the small joint. It was small but always moving with a large crowd yet there always seemed to be at least one table open at all times. Magnus sat down and ordered their water before reaching for Alec's hand. He held it loosely in his, "Alec?"

He finally looked up at him, "I'm sorry. It was just hard to hear that. I guess I should have been prepared for it at some point in my career."

"I'm lucky I came from a city that was much more understanding of others, so I had a lot easier of a time accepting people's opinions. Alec, I'm sorry you had to sit through that." He squeezed his hand, "When did this happen?"

"Right before I came down to help Will." He couldn't stop himself from staring at his green and gold eyes. They had a way of calming him down.

"Why didn't you say something?" Magnus was amazed at the love Alec had in his eyes.

He looked away then; he suddenly was even more exhausted than before. It was only a few weeks into his move into Operations that the rumors about him and Magnus started, and with a little help from Jace, were confirmed. Jace claimed it was an accident, but it was Alec that had the tarnish on his professional career. Dating a subordinate was a big no. He only had to deal with the stares for another few weeks after that; it seemed to disappear from the company radar from there except for the few people who had something to say to him about it.

"Alec, listen to me." Magnus rubbed his hand, "Look at me in the eyes, I wanna see those baby blues on me." Alec locked eyes with him, almost shocked at him. He always got a little shocked when Magnus pulled out the things he was thinking but wouldn't ever say in public. "I need you to really listen to me." Alec stayed locked on him, his eyes just drew him in, and kept him calm. "I never thought I would have a family even with Camille, it just didn't seem like something I would want, or I would get."

"And now you have an instant family."

"Which I wouldn't change for the world." Magnus wanted to reach across the table, put his hands on either side of Alec's face then pull him in for a soul-searching kiss that would convey all of his emotions. Putting it all in one kiss but he knew he couldn't do that. They were in public and Alec was all for public displays of affection to an extent, making out in a restaurant before ordering would not be okay. "I love you and I love Max. Izzy, Simon, Clary, and the blonde wonder. All of them, I love our family. I'm glad I found you who accepted me with everything I am. I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Alec stood up and reached across the table for a kiss. Magnus let him do it; he wanted it but was a little shocked Alec did it. The kiss didn't last long, only a couple of seconds but Alec felt it was enough to say 'I love you' in a kiss. "I don't know what my problem is today but I'm glad I'm with you."

The waiter came back then, they both ordered their usual.

"Alec, it's okay. Things are emotional right now with you waiting to hear back about Max."

"I miss this." Alec stood up and changed chairs; he went from sitting across from Magnus to right next to him. "I miss-"

"Adult conversation?" Magnus filled in for him, enticing a laugh from Alec. "You want to know what I miss?"

"Of course."

"I miss-" Magnus moved at a fast pace, leaning towards Alec to whisper in his ear. "Sex. Lots of it."

Alec leaned back in his chair while Magnus kept his elbow on the edge of the table following his lean towards Alec. "You know Jace warned me about this."

"What?" Magnus sat back then, "The blonde wonder?"

"The night before I kiss you at work, you remember spending hours in the bedroom," Magnus remembered the night well, nothing like a night of marathon sex for hours to leave a vivid memory. "When I got home Jace called me out on it."

"Didn't you get home like an hour before you have to leave for work?"

"Yeah, he told me to have fun before it ends."

Magnus laughed out loud at that. "It never ends."

"When was the last time we had sex all night?"

Magnus had done it, he saw it now. He got Alec to relax enough to forgot about Valentine Morgenstern. The smile on his boyfriend's face was all he needed, "After dinner let's go for drinks. You know to stay out a little late wait for Clary to put Max to bed." Magnus leaned in again, pulling on Alec's shirt to get him close. "Then go to bed ourselves." He wanted to lean in for a kiss, but their food showed up then. They were forced to part ways.

Alec had to force himself not to kick the door shut behind them; he wanted it closed and fast. Magnus had his hands on Alec's waist, hugging him tightly, so tight Alec could feel his hard-on. They were trying to be quiet, it was almost ten and Max was sleeping. Jace and Clary weren't in the living room which meant they were upstairs. All the lights were out in the house. Magnus released him enough for each of them to remove their coats.

Magnus pulled Alec into a kiss, also pulling on his tucked in shirt, "I want to see some abs and a tattoo."

"Want? Need?" Alec breathlessly asked, pulling Magnus back into a kiss. He led him back to the stairs.

Magnus finally got Alec's shirt up high enough to touch some skin. "Need. Defiantly need." They finally made it to the top of the stairs. Taking each step at a slow agonizing pace.

Alec pulled back, "Come on, quiet." He continued to walk back to their room, putting his hands on Magnus' shirt. Working on the buttons; starting from the top, and working his way to the bottom, pulling his shirt out of his pants when he got there. "You're not the only one who needs to see some abs." Magnus let out a small laugh remembering the one-night Alec seem to take hours to trace his entire stomach, outlining every ab, every line, with his tongue and peppered butterfly kisses. It was an off night when they were alone for a change, Alec worshiped him and he wouldn't take from Magnus. That night his only job was to sit back and enjoy; which he did.

It seemed to take hours, but they finally made it their room. Magnus shut the door behind them, taking off his shirt as he went, stripping his white undershirt off as well; giving Alec a get view of what he wanted. Alec followed along, mimicking Magnus' movements stripping himself of his button-down shirt. "Come here." Alec pulled Magnus to him by his belt, unbuckling it. He couldn't wait anymore; he worked the button and zipper down. As Magnus pulled Alec in for a grinding kiss; Alec opened his mouth to take in every detail of the kiss and Magnus' tongue. Alec wasn't lost in the kiss enough to forget his primary goal; he slid his hand inside Magnus' tight pants to grip his boyfriend. Magnus had to pull himself back then, tipping his head back while Alec continued his movements. The deeps breath enticed a moan; he needed Alec, the floor of emotions was taking over and he needed him now.

Magnus pulled Alec's lips to his neck, which Alec complied wholeheartedly; he kissed him on his neck and down towards his collarbone. By chance, it had become their thing, one or both of them had a hickey on the area below the collarbone at all times. It was easy to hide with their business casual work attire, their mark; bonding them together. Alec worked his hand as fast as possible in Magnus' tight pants.

Magnus tipped his head back and groaned, louder than he should have but the sensation of Alec on his neck and rubbing against him was too much. He needed more; he added a hand on top of Alec's through his pants, he pushed hard on himself and Alec's hand to create the friction he needed to send him over the edge. That's when the pounding started, Magnus looked at the door, knowing where it was coming from. He pulled his hand away but Alec kept going, he let out a low moan while realizing Alec hadn't heard the pounding at the door.

Alec felt a pounding in his head, which surprised him because it seemed so loud.

"Alec," Magnus pulled on his neck, "-the door."

Alec lifted his head from Magnus, "What?"

"The door. We have to stop." Magnus pulled on Alec's arm to get him out of his pants. "I'll get the door; you wash your hands."

"Fuck," Alec whispered pulling back, the evidence of his passion still there; he needed air. "Fucking hell." He had to use wash his hands and run some water over his face, that's when he heard it. Max was crying, he didn't know the reason why he couldn't hear his words completely but mostly they were for him. He had to take a minute to breathe and calm himself down, but Max needed him. He needed to get out there. "Max?"

"Alec, my stomach hurts." Magnus had Max on the edge of the bed; he was leaning forward on his knees to be at eye level with the boy. Alec loved that about Magnus; he always got down to his level and was so good with him.

Alec came down to be next to Magnus; he looked from Max to Magnus. "Alright, Max." Alec stood up, picking up Max as he went. "How does it hurt?"

"I wanna sleep in here," Max whined, the tears falling down his cheeks. He brought his head down to Alec's shoulder.

Alec looked at Magnus, who was staring back at him. Alec had put his foot down when it came to Max sleeping with him all night now that Magnus was there. It only happened on the rare occasion that Max was too sick, but he always tried him in his bed first before he would give up and bring the boy with him. He knew Max use to have free reign when it came to him staying with Alec but Alec knew it wouldn't be good since Magnus moved in. He put a stop to it right away, which Max didn't like but he finally got the boy to stop whining to sleep with them all night. Magnus was always great about it but now that he was in a very adult relationship in the four walls of his house he couldn't keep Max in his bed. His one-night stands or other boyfriends were never allowed home to even meet Max let alone sleep in his bed. Magus was a first to stay at his house and he hoped the only who would get that honor. "I'm sorry." He shook his head, all he wanted was a night dedicated to him and Magnus to act like a couple but tonight was clearly not that night. "I'm sorry," he repeated.

Alec took Max with him into the hallway.

"Alec-" Magnus wanted to stop him but he couldn't, this was not going to help his case, Alec was already feeling horrible for their lack of time together lately and this was not good.

"Buddy, you can't sleep with Magnus and Me anymore." Alec whispered carrying Max back to his room, "I'll stay with you until you fall asleep." He rubbed his hand up and down his back, trying to soothe him.

"I don't want to." Max was whining now; his cheeks still wet from past tears.

"Max, stop." Alec went into his room and closed the door behind him. "Where does it hurt?" Alec asked as he put him down on the bed, laying him down and pulling the covers over his stomach.

"Uhm." Max turned on his side away from Alec.

"Max?" Alec got up to look down on him, putting a hand on either side of Max to keep him upright. "Does your stomach hurt because Magnus and I were gone for dinner?"

"No. Izzy made dinner."

Alec rolled his eyes, "It's going to be okay. Close your eyes." He kissed his head and moved his head away from his forehead. "You're a little hot. I'll be right back." He kissed him one more time and got up to leave the room; leaving the door slightly open.

Magnus was standing in the hallway; he had dressed in his PJ pants and oversized beat up New York City t-shirt, "How's he feeling?"

"Apparently Izzy made dinner."

"Ouch." Magnus followed Alec towards the bathroom where Alec was getting something out of the medicine cabinet. "Why would she do that?"

"I don't fucking know. She pisses me off when she pulls this shit; she needs to just listen to us and stop fucking cooking."

"Alec, stop!" Magnus grabbed his hand. "Calm down. Max is going to pick up on your frustration. I'll go get him a glass of ice water. You take a breath, and we'll go in together." Magnus left him then.

Alec leaned against the counter; he knew Magnus was right. He was rushing since dinner and needed to slow down, or he was going to get frustrated at Max.

Magnus came back a few minutes later. "Ready?"

Alec nodded, "Yeah." He let out a deep breath, "Magnus," he pulled on his arm.

"Don't." Magnus pulled on his arm. "Don't tell me your sorry. I know you are, but to be honest, I don't care. This is what happens when you have a child at home and they get sick." He needed to do something to Alec at ease, so he kissed him, simple like the one they shared on the help desk. "We will have sex again, I promise you. And it is going to be mind-blowing but right now let's go take care of Max."

Alec had to breathe again, how was it that no matter what Magnus said he always turned him on. He sighed and followed Magnus.