Author's Note: I would apologize for the late chapter, except for the fact I have a life (wow, I know) and didn't have time to write. To make up for it, Alec and Magnus make out. Enjoy.

Alec POV:

Max stood there, teary eyed.

"Really?" He asked sadly. "Is it true?" Alec said no words, just walked up to his youngest son, squatted down, and hugged him as tight as he could. Max's little blue arms gripped him tightly back. "Will Papa feel better?"

"Yes, Max. Soon."

"I'm sorry for spying." Max apologized, wiping tears from his eyes.

"That's okay." Alec responded, squeezing Max's small hand.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, Max, I'm fine. Run along now, Papa wants you to have fun so you can tell him all about it later." Max cracked a little smile at that and kissed Alec on the cheek with a big 'Mwah!' before running towards the training room.

"He'll probably tell Rafe, yeah?" Clary asked.

"Yeah." Alec said, standing up. "But Rafe's a tough boy. Max is only three."

"And a half." Clary reminded him.

"Still. I guess it is better that they know, though. It's hard keeping secrets from them." Alec said.

"There's something about little kids that makes you want to tell them everything. Plus, Max and Rafe have the most adorable begging faces I have ever seen. Max even convinced me to... You know, I'm not finishing that sentence." Alec raised his eyebrows.

"He made you let him eat pure sugar, didn't he?" Alec accused. Clary opened her eyes in surprise.

"How did you know?"

"This is my son we're talking about. He does this to everyone. Plus, I once caught him levitating a bag of sugar into his room." Clary laughed.

"Let's go see Rafe and Simon." Clary offered, and the two walked to the training room. Inside, they saw Max sitting on the ground next to Simon, and Rafael perched atop the climbing wall holding a bow with an arrow already nocked.

"He's here, Rafe!" Simon shouted, then smiled at Alec. "Rafe has something he wants to show you." Rafael waved at Alec, who waved back. "Go ahead!" Rafe crouched down and then sprung, flipping off of the climbing wall. He fired the arrow at a target, his feet in the air. He stuck the landing too, but fell over two seconds later.

"Dang it!" Rafe said angrily. "I almost had it." Alec was wide eyed.

"That... That was amazing." He said, almost speechless. Rafael shone with pride.

"Uncle Simon has been helping."

"What do they teach you guys over at Shadowhunter Academy? I didn't learn that until I was at least ten!" Alec proclaimed, causing Rafael's already huge grin to grow bigger.

"Dad." Rafe said, more serious now. "I want to train at the Institute. I know you want me to stay with you and Papa, and I will. I'll just come over here every once in a while. Please?"

Alec had not wanted this. He was afraid that Rafael would end up like Jace; reckless and with a death wish. It was a trait he had noticed in many Shadowhunters. But how could he answer without hurting Rafe's feelings? He was a natural, after all.

"I'm going to have to ask your Papa. I'm sure he'll want a say in it." Alec decided. "But, you are very good with that bow."

"Just like your dad." Clary smiled. Then, the door opened and Jace burst through.

"Is Clary here... Oh! Hey Alec! How's it going?" He said, wiping sweat off his brow.

"Alright." Alec said, giving Jace a hug.

"Alright. Good to see you. Hey, Clare, we've got to go meet with Lily in the Sanctuary. Urgent."

"Oh, ok. Good to see you, Alec." Clary said, embracing him before walking out the door with Jace. Max and Rafael went off to play, and Simon walked over to Alec.

"Are the kids moving back in with you, now that Magnus is in the hospital?" He asked.

"No. I'm going to be with Magnus a lot, and they seem to be really enjoying it here. That move you taught Rafe was pretty cool." Alec responded. Simon grinned.

"Yeah. I made it up, with a little help from Jace." Simon frowned. "What's that sound?" Only then did Alec notice his phone was ringing. His eyes widened, nervously. It was Catarina.

"I've got to take this." Alec said, and Simon nodded and walked over to Max and Rafe. "Is Magnus okay?" Alec asked Catarina urgently.

"Okay? You already know the answer to that. But no, nothing new has developed in Magnus."

"Then why did you call me?" Alec questioned, confused.

"The first patient we received was a warlock named Mathew."

"Was?" Alec interrupted.

"Let me finish. So, Mathew had progressed through many stages of the disease, but yesterday he swore he felt healthy and new again. We didn't let him leave, but he did look much better. Last night, he fell asleep, but never woke up."

"He's dead." Alec said bluntly.

"He's the only one dead so far, so I wouldn't get too worried about it. But do be prepared." Catarina finished, hanging up. Alec began to get worried, as he always did. If they didn't find a cure for this disease... No, he couldn't think like that. He needed to focus his energy on helping Catarina and Magnus find a cure.

Magnus POV

When Magnus finally awoke, Alec had left his side. He sat up as best he could, feeling as if he would throw up again. The door opened and Catarina walked through.

"Where's Alec?" Magnus asked as soon as she entered.

"He went to go visit your children." Catarina raised her eyebrows. "You're looking as green as Ragnor used to be." Her eyes smiled, but held sadness. Magnus remembered when he found Ragnor dead. It was not a happy time. Catarina adjusted her facial mask. "This morning, we found Mathew dead asleep."

"Catarina, dear. Don't try to make jokes. It doesn't work for you." Magnus said. "He was actually dead?"

"Yes, Magnus. He was actually dead. We don't know for sure if it was part of the disease or not, but be wary." Catarina began to walk out the door. "Oh, and Magnus?" She said, her hand on the door. "Keep Alec close." Catarina left the room. Magnus sighed. Catarina always liked to leave dramatically. Must be a warlock thing. But he did notice his hands had been un-cuffed. He flexed his fingers in front of him, and put his hand to his forehead. His skin was extremely hot. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and tried to stand up, but collapsed back onto the bed. His head and stomach ached, like he had an extremely bad hangover. His phone had been set on the night stand, so he picked it up. Sooo many notifications. Most from dissatisfied customers or stupid mundanes looking for a warlock to do their dirty work. Ugh. Magnus had almost forgotten how annoying his job was sometimes. He decided to text Alec.

You: hey, I just woke up. Feeling sick. Tell the boys I said hi.

Alec: ok. Did you hear about Mathew?

You: yeah

You: don't get too worried. We don't have any proof of anything yet.

Alec: I know. But I'm always worried.

You: haha, okay.

Alec: I'm heading back. See ya in a few minutes.

You: :)

Alec's POV:

Alec entered Magnus' room about fifteen minutes after texting Magnus. Magnus was still lying in the bed, but his handcuffs had been taken off. He looked exhausted, but opened one of his eyes when he heard Alec enter the room.

"Alexander." He mumbled. "Come here." Alec went right over, and Magnus grabbed his hand, giving it a little tug.

"You're hot." Alec said.

"I know." Magnus murmured. "You've told me that before."

"No, I mean you're burning up."

"I've got a small fever. Come on." He tugged at Alec's hand again, and Alec submitted, letting himself be pulled into the bed beside Magnus. Their hands intertwined and their sides were touching. Magnus' skin was very warm.

"Can I touch you?" Magnus asked, both of his eyes opened now. Alec nodded, and Magnus' hands began traveling up his sweater. "You feel nice. Cold." He pulled Alec's sweater over his head so that Alec's torso was bare. Alec decided to pull Magnus' shirt off as well, and Magnus laid on top of him, their skin touching. Magnus put his head between Alec's shoulder and head and wrapped his arms up under his armpits. Alec put his hands on Magnus' hot back, and they lay there for a while, Alec embracing Magnus' feverish warmth, and Magnus enjoying Alec's cold skin.

"I don't want to lose you." Alec said into Magnus' hair.

"Me neither." Magnus breathed onto Alec's neck. "Tessa will find a cure. She's always been good at things like that."

"But what about..."

"Shh..." Magnus interrupted, pushing himself up so that his face hovered above Alec's. "Don't be such a worrywart."

"But..." Alec tried to say before Magnus pushed their lips together. Magnus' lips felt different from their kisses before the sickness. Before, his lips were soft and makeup coated. Now, they were chapped and were devoid of any lipstick, and very, very hot. The kiss was passionate and full of longing, hope and worry. Magnus was very forceful, despite his weakened state, and surprised Alec. Alec's head was pushed down into the feather pillow by just the sheer force of Magnus' lips against his. Just as the kiss got more intense, Alec heard the door swing open.

"Can you guys please not have sex right now?" Catarina said. "This room is being watched through security cameras."

Alec flinched.

"We weren't..." He said.

"Well," Magnus said, "You said to keep Alec close. This is the closest I can keep him." Alec blushed furiously.

"This is definitely not what I meant. None of the nurses here want to see you two making out shirtless." Catarina placed her hands on her hips.

"Speak for yourself!" A female voice shouted from somewhere outside the room. "Keep at it, boys!"

"Be quiet, Marissa! This does not concern you!" Catarina yelled.

"Yes it does! Maybe you don't want to see it, so don't watch! But I think they're adorable!" Marissa yelled back.

"Okay, this is embarrassing." Alec mumbled, pulling his sweater back on.

"Aw!" Marissa's voice cried. "I wanna see more of those abs!"

"I'm sorry, but this is my boyfriend." Magnus said, putting a hand on Alec's shoulder and frowning directly into one of the security cameras. "And no one is supposed to see those abs but me."

"Aw, okay." Marissa said. "Protectiveness is cute though. Keep each other close, boys!"

"Marissa, shut up!" Catarina yelled. "Finally, she's quiet. Anyway, do you understand me?"

"Yes." Magnus and Alec both said, but Magnus sounded more reluctant while Alec sounded embarrassed.

"Good. Now, Magnus, you're supposed to be resting. Alec, come with me." Alec slid out of bed and followed Catarina out of the room.