A/N: Gahhh! I'm sorry I've been MIA for so long! I lost my inspriation for awhile, but I'm back now! I hope you haven't forgotten me, & I hope you enjoy this chapter! I do believe the next one will be the last one! :D

It took only minutes for Jem to retrieve a vial of holy water from the nearest cathedral. By the time he got back Alec was near unconsciousness, drenched with sweat. His usually bright blue eyes were now a dull indigo color. Only Magnus was near his side.

"Where is Jace?" Jem asked, placing the vial of holy water on the nightstand next to Alec's bed.

"We went back to the girls," Magnus replied, souding exhausted. "They have wards to fix."

Jem faced Magnus. "I'll need a syringe. Would you mind?"

With a flick of his wrist, Magnus produced a syringe out of thin air. He handed it over to Jem, his fingers lingering on it when Jem went to take it. He knew in merely minutes that small glass tube and metal point would cause Alec the worse pain he's ever felt. Magnus was not looking forward to it.

Jem stuck the tip of the syringe into the vial, drawing the liquid up. He didn't even need the full vial, only filling the syringe halfway. Gently gripping Alec's wrist, he turned it over, exposing the crook of his arm. Magnus bit his lip to stop himself from calling out in defiance of Jem's intentions. He knew, deep down, that in the end Alec will be grateful for putting him through the procedure.

Jem pressed the needle into Alec's arm, and Magnus swore he heard the needle breaking through each layer of skin. At first nothing happened, even as Jem removed the needle. But in the next second, Alec began to squeeze his eyes shut tighter. His fingers began to twitch and then his whole body was going through some sort of spasm. The viens in his arms began to glow a dull gold color, making the faded scars of old runes more defined.

Jem jumped to his feet and grabbed Alec's wrists. Magnus's eyes widened in shock, and he was about to object until he saw what Jem was preventing Alec from doing. Whenever Jem seemed to relax the grip on wrists, he attempted to claw at his arms.

"Why is he doing that?" Magnus asked, now confused and curious.

"He's trying to stop the process. It's like fire coursing through you're entire body. It isn't pleasant and I did the same thing."

It was then that Magnus noticed faint scars running down Jem's forearms. He assumed before it was from battle, but now realized it was because he was alone during his procedure, and was able to mutilate himself. It seemed ironic to Magnus that Jem was the only Silent Brother who didn't have to cut up his face to join the Brotherhood. But he was the only one who had to harm himself to leave it.

Alec started to scream, so suddenly it made Magnus jump. "Get it out!" He shouted, clutching the sheets so tightly that his knuckles lost all color. He was thrashing desperately, kicking his feet and trying to loosen Jem's grip. But Jem was a lot stronger than Alec, especially since Alec was so weak at the moment, and refused to let go until Alec's screams became mere wimpers.

The process took about fifteen minutes and by the time it was over, Magnus felt like he was going to vomit. Jem leaned back on his hands, taking in deep breaths of cool air.

"He puts up quite a fight, that one," Jem said, nodding his head towards Alec.

"What did you expect from a Lightwood?" Magnus replied, chuckling softly. "Is he going to be okay?"

Jem stood up slowly. "Yes, he will be fine. He just needs to rest." Stretching his arms above his head, Jem yawned loudly. It seemed that the procedure took more out of him then he was letting on. However, Jem was never one to complain and Magnus knew unless he urged Jem out he would stay until Alec himself woke up.

"Thank you for your help. I know it took a lot to help him," Magnus said, placing a hand on Jem's shoulder and led him to the door. "But don't feel obligated to stick around. Alec is in good hands with Jace and the others."

Jem stopped short at the door and faced the warlock. "Do you love him?"

Magnus felt his eyes widen in shock. He wasn't expecting that. "Yes," he replied before he could stop himself. "I do."

"Then it was no trouble at all. Not if he means something to you."

Magnus turned toward Alec and smiled faintly. It took almost losing Alec for Magnus to realize how much he really did love him. He had a lot of cracks in Alec's broken heart to fix, but he was determined to do it. He was foolish to leave Alec for so long with such a childish reason.

When Magnus turned back toward the door, he wasn't too surprised to find that Jem had left. "Thank you, my dear friend," he whispered, and went to find Jace and the others.

Jace was scribbling furiously on one of the locks on the front doors when Magnus found him. It wasn't until Magnus cleared his throat loudly that Jace noticed his presence. He spun around quickly, sweat glistening on his forehead.

"By the Angel!" he exclaimed, fumbling with his stele. It was a rare sight to see a Herondale fumble that Magnus had to stifle a laugh. Poor Will was probably rolling in his grave over the fact that Jace chose a "Lightworm" to be his parabatai. "You startled me, Magnus."

"I'm sorry," Magnus said softly, sinking into one of the pews. "I just wanted to inform you that Alexander is alive and well. After some rest he should be right as rain."

Jace visably relaxed with the news, and copied Magnus by seeking refuge in a pew opposite him. "Thank you," Jace whispered. Magnus leaned forward to catch the faint words.

"'Thank you?'" Magnus questioned, smirking. "I do believe that's the first time you've ever thanked me for anything."

"Alec would be dead if it wasn't for you," Jace explained, standing with his stele glowing in his left hand. "I practically owe you my life."

"I didn't do it for you," Magnus said, perhaps a bit too sternly. He could feel the stress of the day weighing him down. He yearned for some hot tea and a bed. "I love Alexander too. Maybe on a different level as you, but I love him regardless."

Jace went back over to the doors, opening it wide. "You should leave. The wards will be back up any second."

Magnus stood slowly, taking his time. He forgot about the wards that prevented Downworlders from entering Institutes. He began to worry about leaving Alec alone, and actually debated on making camp in the Sanctuary, but dismissed the thought as soon as it arrived. As far as Alec was concerned, they were still broken up. Magnus doubted Alec wanted to rekindle things, especially after how Magnus left him. The best thing he could do for Alec was to distance himself and allow Alec go heal, both physically and emotionally.

With a heavy heart, Magnus exited the Institute, and flinched when he heard the locks clicking into place after the doors were slammed shut behind him.