Author's Note: I apologize for long wait for this update, and I know I promised the next chapter, but it seems my muse had other ideas and I'm afraid you guys are suck with this interlude instead. On the bright side at this Magnus is in this chapter! Things have been kind of crazy lately due to the new job I am starting and I have had a very bad case of no motivation because of it. On a side note thank you to everyone who has been supporting this story in one way or another. Special thanks to XcarabooX, Cue Evil Laughter Muhahaha, Anno1701, and anon for reviewing! You guys are awesome!

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Instruments. The only thing that I own is this plot and I am not sure if I am happy I own it at this point or not.

Interlude: Tea Stained Pages

A young woman clasping a red bundle to her chest rushed down the empty street, her violet eyes flitting from left to right. They weren't following her, not yet, and even if she knew this she couldn't stop herself from looking. Maybe all the time spent in his company had made her paranoid, and perhaps that was a good thing, the only good thing that had come from his company. She brushed the tears from her eyes with one hand being careful not to drop her important cargo. She should have known better than to trust him. She didn't want her and once he had figured that out he had dropped her faster than a hot potato.

A hot potato… that is the best metaphor I can come up with?

Gosh she was tired. She should really stop for a minute and rest… no she couldn't do that not when something this precious was at sake. She just had to get to her destination no matter that cost. The warlock had promised her that he would always help her and consider it payment for the favor she had granted him years ago. She hoped he was good to his word. She walked faster making sure to avoid the puddles on the ground. The bundle in her arms made a soft sound and she shushed it as reassuringly as she was able.

Quiet my darling; please we will be there soon. Just a little longer.

She bit her lip to keep the tears from overflowing. She couldn't cry there would be plenty of time for that later when it wouldn't draw attention to her. She knew better than to believe that the street was truly empty. There was always something lucking in the shadows she knew that better than anyone else. She wasn't sure how long she had been walking when she finally reached the address. She looked at the building curiously and wondered if her abilities were malfunctioning. This did not seem like somewhere he would be. It was far too ordinary for him. Perhaps time had finally worn him down and made him yearned for the simple life? She laughed quietly, her spirits having lifted for the moment at the very thought of Magnus Bane pinning for a normal life. There was probably glitter dangling from the ceiling and replicates of the pyramids or something inside, and the low-key appearance of the outside was just to make someone feel comfortable before attacking them with the insane decor that he was so famous for.

A teenage boy with a far too many lip piercing opened the door to the apartment building and she silently slipped inside. She was glamoured so the people who were quietly socializing amongst themselves didn't notice her quietly walk up the stairs. She followed the glowing path that only she could see until she reached a door. The welcome mat was coated in glitter and stained with something she wasn't sure she wanted to identify so she knew she had the right place.

She knocked on the door and drew back when it opened a second later. The warlock stood in front of her and she could see from behind him that the walls of the apartment were painted a slightly disturbing shade of green. He raised an eyebrow when he saw her and she smiled weakly at him.

"You know there is something called a buzzer. Most people consider it a polite way of letting someone know you are coming up to visit them. There is also something called a phone call which has about the same purpose, expect it is even better because more notice is given."

"There was no time, can I please come in?" The cargo in her arms made a disgruntled noise and she hugged it closer to her chest in reassurance.

The eyebrow rose even higher, but eventfully the warlock stepped aside. "Since you have come all this way I see no reason why not."

The woman smiled gratefully and made her way inside. Magnus shut the door behind her before plopping down into a purple armchair. He gestured for her to do the same and she did so choosing to sit on the star patterned couch in front of him. She set the bundle down next to her and crossed her legs.

He waved a hand in front of him and two cups of tea appeared on the coffee table sitting between them. "I'm assuming you still like Earl Gray?"

She nodded, picked up her cup and took a hesitant slip, before giving him a genuine smile. "Two sugars and a drop of honey. Glad to see your memory hasn't dissolved over the years, Magnus."

"Well it wouldn't have, since I know you found me, and certainly it wasn't by using the yellow pages." He grinned at her before slipping into a solemn expression. "What are you doing here, Arielle?"

"I've come to call in that favor." Arielle bit her lip and glanced the bundle next to her. "I'm afraid I am in a bit of trouble."

"Explain."

"Well you are aware of who my parents are?" Magnus nodded. "Well I have finally meet them in person." She looked at her clasped hands before glancing up at him Magnus, studying his reaction. He looked surprised, but gestured for her to continue. She cleared her throat before she did so. "My father contacted me about a year ago and told me that he wanted to speak to me. I was wary of speaking to him at first, but I was already pregnant at the time and I suppose that might have clouded my judgment."

She took a slip of her tea. "In hindsight it probably wasn't my best idea, but at the time I guess I just wanted my baby to grow up knowing her grandparents. I guess it was stupid the Fae aren't interested in such things, but I thought since they aren't entirely Fae that maybe I had a chance. I was wrong." She blinked back the tears; ignoring the concerned look the warlock gave her. "My father was interested in getting to know me and my child. Stefan said I shouldn't go and I promised I wouldn't, but in the end the temptation to know my father was too great so I went."

"Does Stefan know that you went?" Magnus asked when she didn't say anything for a few minutes.

"Yes, and he was so angry with me that he left." She twisted the ring on her finger in remembrance. "I had been keeping it from him from a while at that point. Going to meet with my father every Thursday in the park. I said I was taking a pregnancy course." She trailed off, before shaking her head firmly and continuing. "I was so mad at him at first, but I guess I can understand why now. When you love someone and they betray you and lie to you it can be hard to forgive them. Let alone live in the same house as them." She reached her hand over the bundle and the baby inside clasped it in its tiny hand. "After that I was heartbroken and arranged meetings with my father even more often. I kept asking where my mother was and eventually he arranged a meeting for us. I was overjoyed; of course, I thought that I would finally have the family I had always wanted. It didn't turn out like I had hoped it would."

Arielle took a long slip of her tea before continuing. "When I meet my mother she said she was sorry for ever having left me. She told me she did it for my own good since the Clan was after me because of what I can do. She told me the Clan thought that I was a problem and that she slashed me away so I wouldn't come to harm. She said that she was finally able to convince them to change their minds about me, and we could become a true family at last. That was why she had my father contact me. She couldn't be there herself for a long time because she was still working out all the details." She wiped the tears from her eyes and stared Magnus directly in the eye. "All my life I thought that my birth was a mistake and that my parent's regretted ever having me. I was finally able to put those feelings aside when she told me all of that. It's a pity that she made it up."

Arielle made a soft choking sound. "Later after I had been living with them for a while she told me that she needed me to do something for her. There was this wayward Fae who had murdered a member of our family and she needed my ability to help them locate him and get their revenge. I agreed and a few days later we set out. They gave me a picture and I tracked him to Orlando. They killed him right in front of me and I didn't even bat an eyelash because I figured they were justified. I was wrong of course this entire situation was nothing but a lie. That Fae hadn't killed anyone. He was just in the way of their plans." She crossed her arms. "They were going to kill me too, you know that? Kill my newborn child and me after using me for their purpose. I was too dangerous to be allowed to live and they were worried that my child would posses my ability. I overheard them talking about it."

Magnus made a horrified sound and looked at the bundle lying next to her. "I can't say that I am surprised, Arielle. I could have told you trusting them was not a wise choice. The Sins of Man is not a clan to be relayed upon."

Arielle nodded. "I know that now and all I can say is how stupid I was. I wish none of this had ever happened."

"It's not your fault. You have been hurting for so long and they took advantage of you. They are the one's to blame not you," Magnus said firmly.

"I put my daughter in danger because of my idiocy. I was barely able to make it out of their alive and unnoticed. If it wasn't for my ability we would be dead right now. They are still after us.

Magnus sighed and stretched his legs out in front of him. "I'm assuming that is why you came to me?"

"Yes, I need to disappear and I need my daughter to be put into her father's care. It is too dangerous for me to drop her off myself, even more dangerous for me to keep her." She looked at the baby in concern.

"Have you considered taking her to an orphanage?" Magnus asked gently.

"I won't have her growing up like I did. She deserves to know at least one of her parents, and Stefan deserves to know her." Arielle's eyes were determined.

"Very well. This is a lot you are asking of me you know that, right? Relocating you, finding Stefan and taking your daughter to him. Going up against the Sins of Man—

—I understand if this is too much for one favor." Arielle interrupted. "I can pay—

—I wasn't trying to imply that you needed to pay me. I was only trying to inform you that this might take a bit of time. Maybe more than you are willing to wait."

"I'll wait as long as I know that she will be safe."

"She will be, I'll make sure of that." Magnus promised. "I have a spare bedroom," he added with a gesture towards one of the hallways. "It's the first door on the left. You look exhausted go rest and spend some time with your daughter."

Arielle got up hesitantly and picked up her daughter, holding her closely in her arms. She must have appeared unsure because Magnus smiled. "I'll keep you bother safe you don't need to worry for the moment. I'll take care of everything."

Arielle started for the hallway before turning around and facing the warlock still half lying on the armchair. "Thank you, Magnus."

"You're welcome."

Chapter Three should be up soon and it will be Alec's point of view. I am still working on it at this point so I am not sure when exactly it will be up. Hopefully it will be up by the end of the week, however I am not going to make any promises.

Reviews would be helpful. I really do enjoy hearing from all of you guys it really makes my day :). Not to mention I am really interested in how this interlude will be received. Should I do more of them in the future? Or just stick to our favorite duo?