Magnus ushered the handsome shadowhunter into the loft and escorted him to a couch. He went to the kitchen to make some tea and coffee whatever the young man wanted.
Alec noticed Magnus was acting strange, not as affectionate. While he didn't push Alec away, he wasn't acting like he normally did around him. He tried to remember what happened before waking up in the shelter.
Magnus returned with tea and coffee, "cream and sugar?"
"It's fine, thank you, Magnus." Alec picked up the coffee, mostly to occupy his shaking hands. He didn't know what was going on but something was definitely off.
"You know my name, how? Where did we meet?" Magnus sipped his tea.
"What? What do you mean? Magnus, this isn't funny." Alec was feeling stressed from the situation, why was his warlock acting this way.
Magnus studied tall, dark and handsome "I assure you, if we had met, I would remember you." He winked at the male on the couch, hoping to ease him.
Alec tried to remember what had happened the day before, he had a meeting with the downworld cabinet early in the morning. He also had a meeting with the Clave representative Victor Aldertree, but his memory of that meeting was fuzzy. As he was about to explain to Magnus the events of the prior day, there was frantic knocking on loft door.
Magnus and Alec went to the door, while the warlock thought it odd that his handsome guest was attached to him, he didn't say anything. Magnus was surprised by the guests at his door. Maryse Lightwood and Lucian Garroway, Maryse was so relieved to see Alec, she threw herself at him hugging him tightly. Alec reciprocated the hug and was finally starting to feel that something was making sense for the first time since he woke up in the shelter.
Maryse stepped back from the hug with her son, "Alec, are you alright?"
"Mother, I'm fine but I'm having a really weird day." Alec moved to allow them further into the loft but halted when he saw the confused looks on Magnus and Luke's faces. Luke didn't seem to recognize Alec and Magnus was shocked that a woman who looked like Maryse Lightwood was standing at his door. She didn't have runes but it had to be her.
##
Steve Underhill entered the New York Institute late in the afternoon. He had gone on vacation in Hawaii and the time off was much needed and was glad his boss made him go and relax. He was ready to get back into his position as chief of security. He planned on checking in with his boss Alec Lightwood, then get caught up on reports and check the systems.
He entered the office of the Head of the New York Institute to make Lightwood aware he was back and ready for duty but was surprised to see Victor Aldertree sitting behind the desk and using the computer. Another oddity was that Raj was standing next to Aldertree, they seemed to be working on something.
Underhill knew Raj was not a supporter of Lightwood, and in fact he was surprised at seeing him here at the Institute. Aldertree looked up and gave Underhill a curious look, "need something?"
After what seemed like it was too long for a response, Underhill responded with a "No Sir, sorry to bother you." He closed the door to the office, he looked at the door, lost in thought. Why was Aldertree at the Institute, how did Raj get out of his assignment at Wrangel Island. He was chosen for security because he knew when things were not right and his ability to access situations and choose the right tactics was an asset. He knew there was something was out of place at the New York Institute.
Underhill headed to the ops center, he hoped he would find out what was going on, to his surprise he was no longer head of security. Raj was in charge of security. He looked around and while the Institute seemed to be operating like normal, he moved to a computer terminal so that he could do a few searches without being seen by other shadowhunters.
He entered the name Lightwood on the console, Maryse, Robert, Isabelle, Jace and Max popped up on the display. Robert and Max were in Los Angeles. Izzy was weapons master in New York. Jace was running patrols with Clary Fray. Maryse was exiled to the mundane world. There was no record of Alexander Gideon Lightwood. He knew that couldn't be correct. He ran a secondary search and no Alec Lightwood. This didn't make sense, he had spoken to Alec a week ago before his vacation. He decided to run another search, only this time to see if there was any tampering with the files
He kept looking around the Ops Center to make sure no one was paying attention to him or what he was doing, he knew all the security ins and outs and discovered quickly that Alec Lightwood was removed from the system. While it wasn't clear who removed Alec, it was apparent to him that Alexander Lightwood had been erased from existence in the system.
Underhill wanted to know what happened to the man he respected and looked up to for his bravery and honor. He was aware of the tension between Raj and Alec as well as the animosity between Aldertree and Lightwood. He wouldn't be able to ask them anything. He knew Jace was Alec's parabatai but he always knew Izzy and Alec were close, he would start with her.
##
"Let me get this straight, you are my boyfriend, no … fiancee. You are Head of the New York Institute and you live here with me in this loft." Magnus was in a word surprised. He was in a relationship with a shadowhunter. His mind was slightly blown, while he would admit the shadowhunter was beyond gorgeous, it seemed fantastical to be in a relationship with him. He did smile to himself though, he has good taste.
Alec shook his head to indicate yes, Maryse also nodded in affirmation. Luke looked at the two Lightwoods, he could tell they were related, they looked so similar. He was having a hard time with the story as Magnus was, but he knew in his career with the police department that sometimes odd things happen.
The Lightwoods answered all the questions the warlock and werewolf had, Alec was relieved that his mother at least knew who he was and remembered him. He didn't feel alone and it was difficult for him not be as close to Magnus as he wanted to be because the warlock didn't know who he was and it hurt.
Alec explained that he woke up without his weapons, or stele and that mundanes could see him and that the only thing he had on him was a coin, he pulled the odd item from his pocket and handed it to Magnus.
Magnus took the coin and stared at Alec in wonderment, "where did you get this?"
The shadowhunter shrugged, "I don't know."
Magnus wasn't sure what to say, he would recognize his father's symbols anywhere but why would this shadowhunter have something that was from his father. He could feel the magic radiating around the coin and he could tell that it was telling him something. He would need some time to process and unravel the mystery of the coin. He was certain of one thing, it wasn't coincidence.
##
Underhill talked with Isabelle and he was saddened to learn that her adoptive brother was the oldest in the family. Underhill played off his curiosity as confirming computer file information,that there was an accidental deletion of files. She accepted his explanation, and quickly dismissed him as she had a lot of work to do. Underhill now knew if Izzy didn't remember Alec, then none of the Lightwoods would remember him.
He remembered his conversation with Alec, thanking him for his bravery. His ability to come out at the Institute was because Alec stood up to the Clave and their rules, not only for accepting his sexuality but was in a loving relationship with a downworlder, a warlock. Underhill smiled to himself, that was it. Find Magnus Bane and maybe he will find Alec Lightwood.
While there was no exact address for Magnus Bane in the op center files, it was mentioned that he was friends with a Catarina Loss and her work with mundanes in a hospital was known. He would seek her out and hope she'll help him.
##
Catarina Loss was surprised when she saw the tall, curly haired blonde shadowhunter walk into the waiting room. He was dressed in the typical shadowhunter black attire. While his weapons were glamored, she could see he was armed. He seemed to have a purpose and while she tries to keep out of shadowhunter business, there were times when she had to deal with them.
"Hi, I'm Steve Underhill, thank you for agreeing to meet with me." He smiled at the warlock and hoped she wasn't afraid of him. She was a dark skinned beauty in blue scrubs and the files at the institute didn't do her justice. He didn't know what her warlock mark was but he was certain he had the right warlock to help him.
Catarina crossed her arms over her chest. She was in her scrubs and her black braided hair was wrapped around her head to keep it from getting in her eyes. She always kept her glamor up to hide her blue skin. "What do you want?" She wasn't in the mood to deal with shadowhunters.
"I need to find Magnus Bane, can you help me with that?" Underhill got straight to the point. He was feeling that the situation was urgent. He made sure he went unnoticed by the chief of security as well as the Head of the Institute. He filed a report for his patrol and easily had Jace sign off on it. Jace wanted him to take someone with him but he assured him that one shadowhunter would be enough.
"Magnus?" Cat shook her head in disbelief, "why?"
"I have a situation that only he can help me with and I don't have a lot of people I can trust with this issue. Please believe me, this is important. Especially for him." Underhill hoped she would trust him enough to help him. He discovered before meeting up with Catarina Loss, that relations were strained between shadowhunters and the downworld and he was certain it was because Lightwood was missing.
Cat studied the blonde shadowhunter for a few minutes, she wasn't sure if she could trust him or not. She wasn't ready to tell this shadowhunter where her best friend was but he seemed sincere. She compromised with herself, she would call Magnus and based on her friends response she would help or send this guy back to the institute wrapped in gauze like a mummy.
##
Magnus was working in his apothecary room, mixing ingredients to unlock whatever magic that was surrounding the coin Alexander had given him. The more time he spent with the pretty boy shadowhunter the more he believed him. He was certain his father was trying to tell him something as well. While he didn't trust his father, it was too much of a coincidence that his alleged lover would have something from his father.
Maryse's warm demeanor toward the warlock was also surprising but it seemed genuine and her presence helped Alec stay calm. Alec gave him space, but he could see the affection in his hazel eyes for him. How could he not want to help this shadowhunter and his mother.
Luke decided to check with other members of the downworld to discover what they did or did not know about Alec Lightwood. The wolf in him wanted to help this woman, it was important to Maryse and Luke trusted her and if he could help her, he would. While he didn't know if the boy was her son or not, he would help her figure it out. Luke wanted to protect Maryse, it had been awhile since he felt anything for anyone and he was going to do everything he could to make it work.
Alec walked into the apothecary to watch Magnus work, he was glad the warlock believed him and his Mother was here to help and he appreciated her gesture. He wasn't sure if he would be able to handle his mother not knowing him. It was hard enough trying to convince his lover and he was not convinced he had.
##
Cat called Magnus while watching Underhill; if there was something amiss she would know right away. He walked around the waiting area to give the warlock some privacy. Once the called ended, she looked the shadowhunter over trying to assess how trustworthy he could be, "You must be a good friend."
Underhill was surprised by the comment and hoped that perhaps he was a friend to Alec Lightwood but the immediate issue was getting Alec back and in charge of the Institute. "He's an important leader and I'm proud to serve with him." He stood tall with his arms behind his back, a gesture Cat thought all shadowhunters must do.
"Well, lucky for you my shift is over for today. I'll take you to Magnus. Wait here." Catarina went to grab her things and make a final check with her supervisors. She was amused at the shadowhunter who stood exactly where she left him. She motioned for him to follow her, they departed the hospital and made their way to subway.
