Magnus looked down at his phone. Still no reply from Alec.

"Raph," Magnus said, looking up at his friend. "Why is he ignoring me?"

"Oh I don't know," Raph said sarcastically. "Maybe because you ripped out his heart and stomped on it."

"Don't remind me," Magnus sighed. He was starting to feel hopeless that Alec would ever speak to him again let alone spend enough time with him to allow Magnus to explain, if not excuse his actions.

It was time to move past cell phones. Taking a moment to try and pull together his courage, Magnus went to find Alexander.

Twenty minutes later Magnus found himself standing outside of Alec's restaurant. Watching the construction workers weaving their way around each other, Magnus headed towards the kitchen entrance in search of Alec's office. Magnus went in hoping to get a moment alone with Alec. Spotting his ex-lover in a room down a half finished hall, Magnus darted inside and closed the door behind him so as to not tip off nosy gossipers.

Alexander was clearly surprised to see him, but composed himself quickly to speak. "Why are you here?" Alec asked, looking up from the papers that were scattered around on his desk.

"You didn't answer my texts," Magnus explained.

"After everything you really shouldn't be surprised."

"I sure was surprised," Magnus began. "To discover you were the one organizing my birthday."

"I did most of that before… well you know," Alec replied. "So it doesn't count."

"I feel like it does," Magnus said softly. Alec just shrugged.

It was so strange. After wanting nothing but to be in his presence and talk to him for what felt like days, Magnus was finally here and had nothing of substance to say.

After what felt like an eternity of empty silence Magnus finally managed a few words. "I wanted to let you know that I took your advice and made an appointment to see my therapist," Magnus started, knowing that there was so much that he wanted to get off his chest, but not knowing where to start. He'd rehearsed this with his therapist all week, but was drawing a blank now that he was standing in front of Alexander.

"That's good," Alec smiled. "I'm glad you are getting help. I want you to be happy even if we can't be happy together."

"Why can't we?" Magnus asked. "I'm so sorry Alec, what can I do to earn your forgiveness? I'll do anything?"

"This isn't about forgiveness, Magnus," Alec said sadly. "It's about trust. Broken trust."

"I see," Magnus said softly. "I never want to hurt you again Alec. If I could take back every hurt I've ever caused you I would do it no matter the cost. I just wish there was a way."

"Well, until someone invents time travel it isn't quite that easy," Alec replied. He was smiling a little, and Magnus thought maybe his attempts at humor were keeping him from crying. His stomach twisted with guilt at the thought, like it hadn't before. How could he have done this to someone he loved!? How?

"I deserve to be miserable," Magnus stated. "But Alec I want you to be okay. To be happy. But Cat and Raph make it sound like you're… well not."

Alec laughed. A hourmorless sound that didn't reach his eyes.

"Do you have any idea what your words did to me, Magnus?" Alec stated with such force Magnus almost took a step back. "You accused me of cheating on you, then you used my own insecurities against me. Now tell me, why on earth would I want to talk with you if I would only be walking back into an emotionally abusive conversation?"

"Alexander, I'm sorry," Magnus begged, the pressure of tears building in his eyes. "I have reasons, but now they feel like excuses. All I can say is that I'm sorry, and I swear I want to do better!"

"I'll believe it when I see it," Alec sighed. He turned facing towards the door before adding, "I really need to get back to work."

Magnus hung his head; he knew he'd lost. But just as Magnus was about to leave Alec's phone rang. Magnus watched as Alec picked up the phone. He didn't realize something was wrong until Alec's face went pale, his eyes wide.

"What? When?" Alec sputtered into the phone.

Magnus wanted desperately to know what was wrong, but he wasn't sure if it was his place to ask.

"What's wrong?" Magnus inquired. Not that stopped him in any way.

"It's Jace," Alec began. "I- I have to go!" And, despite the fact they were in his office, Alec left like hell itself was on his heels.

Quick as a flash, Magnus had his phone out and was already opening a web browser to see if what was wrong was public knowledge yet, like so much of his and Alec's life was. His next plan would have been to call Raphael or Cat, but he didn't need to go that far. The first news article he found held more than enough to tell him why Alec was upset.

The title read as follows:

'Big celebrity actor, Jonathan Herondale injured on set.'

It was all over Twitter, and every other media outlet. Everything that Magnus found read that Jace went back to LA to do a shoot a movie, and had an accident. They said that he was in a studio for the same production company that filmed the movie he'd just finished filming in September. The speculation was that he had already started filming for another movie. The tabloids were stating that he's in critical condition, yet neither his agent nor his publicist will release an official statement.

Magnus hadn't even known Jace went back to LA, let alone about any new movie deals. He'd thought Jace wasn't planning to start looking for more work until after the New Year? Deciding he needed more answers, Magnus called Jem, Jace's publicist. If anyone would know what happened it'd be him.

"Magnus, I'm so sorry, but now isn't a good time," was Jem's greeting.

"I know, but I need to know what happened, and what I can do to help," Magnus said as he got in his car.

"According to Jace's agent, Maia, Jace was requested back on set to reshoot a scene that the production company wasn't happy with. He was supposed to jump from one platform to the next - green screening it to make it look like he was jumping from the rooftop of one building to another - but the platform collapsed and he fell," he explained with what Magnus assumed to be forced patience. "He was rushed to the hospital, but no one knows anything else."

"I see," Magnus said. He could feel the terror building up inside just imagining the amount of damage done to Jace.

"Listen Magnus I'm sorry, but I need to go. I'm trying to catch a flight out to LAX and it appears that it's becoming difficult. All flights are booked until either late tonight or tomorrow," Jem replied. Magnus could hear Jem furiously typing away on a keyboard.

"I can help!" Magnus knew there was something he could do!

"Unless you can get me a magic carpet, I doubt that," Jem replied sarcastically. To Magnus, Jem was always more sarcastic when he was stressed.

"I have a private jet. I can get you and the Lightwood's out there by tonight," Magnus explained. "It's easier than trying to get a commercial flight and probably faster. Just let me make some phone calls and I'll give you a call back."

"Thank you Magnus, this means a lot to me, and I'm sure even more so to the Lightwood's," Jem said, then hung up.

"Christ," Magnus muttered as he dialed Cat. The moment she picked up he spoke. "I need to get them out to LA as soon as possible, Cat!"

"Um, what?" Was Cat's answer.

"Jace was in a terrible accident and Jem and the Lightwood's are having trouble with flights. I need you to contact Osmani to have him fly them to LA," Magnus explained, sounding rather impatient even to him.

"Sure, but Magnus, you know that you have to fly with them. Your insurance policy was pretty clear that you can't lend out your plane to others," Catarina reminded him.

"Shit, I forgot all about that," he groaned, not knowing what to do. "Alright then cancel everything I have on my itinerary for the next week. If getting them out there means that I have to go with them, then so be it. I'll do what I can remotely, and possibly make a trip to my office out there. It shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience."

This was a serious matter, and he needed to do this, not just for Alexander, but all of the Lightwood's. "I need to go home and pack."

"Magnus, don't you think you're being a bit intrusive?" Cat tried reasoning.

"I'll hide in the back," Magnus replied. "They needed even know I'm there. All that matters is that Alec and his family get home to Jace."

"I'll tell Osmani to have the plane ready to depart at three o'clock. I'll call Isaiah to have him pick them up by one. Just have everyone at the Lightwood townhouse before then so he doesn't have to make multiple stops."

"I will let Jem know. He's waiting on my phone call now. Thank you for your help Cat," Magnus added. "I know Alexander and his family appreciate it." After bidding his friend goodbye, Magnus made the call to Jem relaying the information Cat gave him and making sure to have Jem tell them that this was all Cat's idea so they wouldn't feel uncomfortable about accepting help from Alexander's ex boyfriend.

~oOo~

True to his word, Magnus hid in the private bedroom at the back of the plane. After removing the belt from his chair once the seatbelt light went off, Magnus pulled off his messenger bag and grabbed his laptop, phone, and e-reader and made sure he was comfortable on the bed for a long, lonely flight. The average flight time on a private plane from New York to Los Angeles was usually about five hours so he wanted to make sure that he had plenty to keep himself occupied and therefore wouldn't have to move about the cabin and get caught.

Magnus got to work, finished confirming everyone's hotel reservations, finalizing documents and sending them over to his legal department, and a few other things that needed to be taken care while hiding in his little corner. He'd actually had a rather productive flight and was quite pleased with himself, especially since the flight was only half over. Thankfully he'd brought a book as well as book and began to read that take his mind off of the ridiculous situation he found himself him. Hiding aboard his own jet. It was quite comical if you really stopped to think about it.

He must've been so focused on his reading that Magnus didn't even hear the pocket door slide open.

"Oh!" a voice startling Magnus from his reading. "M-Magnus, what are you doing here?" Alexander asked.

"Uh…," Magnus hated how unsure of himself he sounded, but Alexander tended to have that effect on him.

Alexander took in the situation a little more and added, "Are you hiding?"

"Maybe," Magnus admitted.

"Wait," Alec said slowly. "Is this your place?"

"Guilty," Magnus mumbled.

"I don't understand," Alec replied and Magnus confessed.

"I knew you all needed to get to Jace as fast as possible," Magnus began. "But because of the stupid insurance policy, I have to be on the plane whenever it's flown."

"Wow," Alec said. "I had no clue."

"That was the idea," Magnus sighed. And then Alec smiled in that way that did reach his eyes.

"Thank you," Alec said. "Thank you so much for allowing us to use your plane, Magnus."

Magnus barely had time to mumble that it was no big deal before Maryse made her appearances, presumably having just listened to their whole conversation.

With a thud and a thank you Magnus was pulled into a motherly hug of epic proportions.

"It's no trouble at all," Magnus barely managed to mumble with arms compressing his lungs on both sides. "I'll always be here for all of you." Despite the lack of oxygen, Magnus embraced the motherly affection that Maryse was providing.

"You and Alec are so lucky to have each other," Maryse whispered, still clinging to Magnus. "Whatever problems you two may be having, I have all the faith in the world that you two will work it out." Maryse pulled away from the hug, placing her hand gently on his check, and smiled so softly that Magnus started to feel the pressure of imminent tears forming in his eyes.

Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat, Magnus was only able to nod. The Lightwood parents must have realized that he and Alexander weren't together, but Magnus highly doubted that if they knew all the terrible things he'd said to their son, they wouldn't feel as they did now.

"Magnus, you shouldn't hide back here all alone," Maryse lightly reprimanded, urging Magnus to follow her. "Come join the rest of us."

Before Maryse moved away she stopped and said something to Alexander that Magnus couldn't hear, but Magnus could see the slight upward twitch of Alec's smirk.

"Thank you for doing this for my family, Magnus," Alec said quietly as he leaned against the doorframe. "I don't know how I can repay you for all of this, but I guess I could start by hearing you out."

"There is nothing to repay," Magnus replied. "For all I've done this doesn't even make us even, let alone you in my debt. And as for hearing me out. I think you need to focus on Jace right now. I can wait."

"Thank you, "Alec sighed, shoulders losing their tension. "Come up front with all of us. I'm just picking out samples for dinnerware and other details for the bistro. You can sit with me."

"So, how much work have you been able to get accomplished?" Magnus asked. He knew that when Alexander was stressed he couldn't concentrate on more than one thing for a long period of time.

"Not much to be honest with you," Alec said, letting out a breathy laugh.

"What happened to Jace?" Magnus asked as he sat beside him. "It's been hours since the accident, but there is no report on what actually happened."

"Long story short," Alec began. "Jace was asked to go back to reshoot a scene. He had to jump from one ten foot platform to another platform that was about eight feet tall. The platform collapsed as he landed causing him to go down with it. He broke his tibia and fibula. He had to go in for surgery to fix that, and he has a severe concussion.

"Miaia said that he lost consciousness for about fifteen minutes, but either hit his head so hard that his speech was slurred, or he was in too much pain to speak straight. Mom's waiting on an update about his recovery. Maia said that he's woken up several times since surgery, but again, he isn't lucid enough for the doctors to determine how bad the concussion is, or if he's suffering from any memory loss. The CT scan came back fine, just slight swelling of his brain from the fall, but they still want to see cognitive signs," Alexander explained as they sat down.

"Hopefully when you see him he'll be more lucid than he is now," Magnus had no idea what else to say. He didn't want to say the whole 'it'll be okay' line because, well he didn't know if it would be okay and he wasn't going to lie to Alexander even if just to console him. "Now, let's look at these samples, hm?"

For the rest of the flight Magnus helped Alexander pick out different samples to be ordered. Occasionally Isabelle, Clary, and Maryse would voice their suggestions and concerns as well. Magnus felt sure it was mostly to help take everyone's mind off of the condition Jace was in than anything else. Maryse would text Maia periodically, but there were no new updates from the doctors.

When they finally landed, Maryse suggested everyone go to the hotel while she and Robert went to the hospital. To no one's surprise that didn't go over very well, so Magnus suggested that he would go ahead and check everyone, and their bags into the hotel so everyone else could go to the hospital. That way when they all returned from seeing Jace they'd only needn't worry about anything else. Reluctantly, everyone agreed and they went their separate ways.

~oOo~

Checking into the hotel was a simple task, and soon enough Magnus was sitting all alone in a hotel room surrounded by his own luggage. He passed the time with his book for the most part, that is when his brain was working. The rest of the time he rehearsed over and over in his head what he was gonna say to Alec when the topic of 'hearing him out' came back.

Magnus heard the Lightwoods return from the hospital. His hotel room was right next to theirs. And after what he considered to be a suitable amount of time, Magnus left his room and walked to Alexander's room when he noticed Max leaving.

"Max," Magnus jogged up to the boy. "Is Alec in there?"

"Yeah…" he replied, seemingly uneasy.

"Do you mind if I talk to him for a bit? I can give you the key to my room so you're not waiting outside," Magnus asked, though his tone came off sounding more like a plea.

"It depends," Max crossed his arms and scowled at Magnus. "Are you going to spout anymore nonsense at my brother, or are you actually going to speak to him with the respect that he deserves?"

"I promise I'm going to try to make things right between us. I never want to hurt Alexander again," Magnus responded with as much sincerity as he had. "I'll do anything."

"Fine, but if he doesn't want to talk to you, you're not going to pressure him. You're going to come back to your room straight away, and let me deal with Alec," Max's expression was so stern that Magnus felt that he was a child being reprimanded by his father. "Capisce?"

"Understood," Magnus agreed, handing over his spare hotel key to Max. "It's room 511."

With a nod, Max turned and left Magnus alone in the hallway. After waiting until Max was out of sight, Magnus knocked three times on the door of Alexander's room.

"Did someone forget their ke-" Alexander said as he opened the door. "Magnus? Uh… sorry, I thought you were Max."

"Hello Alexander. May I come in?" Magnus asked politely, not knowing how else to act around his confused ex.

"Well, since you're the reason we were able to get a flight out here, I guess you can," Alec, switching his weight from one foot to the other, and scratched at the back of his neck as if nervous. Then he moved to the side to allow Magnus into the room.

"How's Jace?" Magnus asked, knowing that he was stalling.

"He's doing much better. His speech is fine now, and he doesn't seemed to have forgotten anything. The doctor said he should be fine to fly back home in a few days," Alec explained.

"That's great," Magnus said with real feeling. He couldn't imagine witnessing the pain on Alec's face if Jace was worse than they'd expected. "On the way back, Jace can use the bedroom part of the jet so he's more comfortable."

"That would be nice," Alec replied.

Magnus shifted from one foot to another in discomfort knowing that there was so much that he wanted to get off his chest, but not knowing where to start. He'd rehearsed this so many times, both with his therapist and in his head, but now that he was here standing in front of Alexander his mind was drawing a blank.

"I was hoping that we could talk, and maybe pick back up where we left off from this morning?" He finally said and even though it was a statement, Magnus couldn't help but form the question.

"Our conversation on the plane you mean?" Alec replied. "I did say I'd hear you out."

"Yes, that," Magnus said. "But also… our relationship. More than anything, save your own happiness, I want you back Alexander."

"Honestly Magnus," Alexander sighed, and leaned back against the wall. "I don't know. It depends at least a bit on what you have to say. But also I'm not some lap dog that'll just roll over and submit at your beckon call. The only reason why I'm even allowing you to provide an explanation is because I deserve to know why you suddenly flipped out on me without reason. The only reason I'd give you any chance is because I know how much all that you said and did was out of character for you."

"You're right," Magnus sighed, observing Alexander. He remembered what Cat said to Tessa about Alec and his appearance. Alexander looked so run down that Magnus was wondering how he could even be standing at the moment. The dark circles were prominent under his eyes, his eyes were no longer the vibrant sapphire color he loved looking into, but more of a dull lifeless look about them, his face looked gaunt and his skin was paler than usual, and his hair needed a trim. He caused this, Magnus thought to himself. Or at least he was the cause of most of it. Magnus couldn't imagine seeing Jace in the hospital, or jet lag was helping Alec's weathered appearance.

"The anniversary of my mother's death was November twenty-third, the day that everything we had went to shit," Magnus began, speaking as calmly as he could because if he broke down he wasn't sure he'd get through the whole thing. "Usually I leave the country for about two weeks around the time of the anniversary and go back to Indonesia. I would always spend the entire day sitting at her grave, talking to her as if she were still alive and could hear me, just catching her up on everything that's been going on for the past year. It was so hard to go to her graveside, yet at the same time, I couldn't bear to be around anyone but her. No one but my father knew where I went every year. He didn't care that I'd be gone for a couple of weeks without word, all he cared about was me coming back. When Catarina became my PA I would have her book the trip for me every year. She wouldn't know the reason for the trip, but she'd book the same hotel room I always stayed in, she'd schedule a driver for me while I was there, but she never knew the real reason for my visits.

"Last year while I was there I ran into my stepfather. He immediately recognized me, but when I saw him I felt this great desire to try to reconnect with him. He was never an affectionate man, but not downright cold towards me either. But this time was different. This time he told me that if he ever saw me back in Jakarta he'd have me killed." Magnus paused to take a breath. Saying this all out loud was taking its toll on him. "Do you remember me telling you that his father was a politician?" Magnus waited for Alexander's nod and continued. "My stepfather had been elected to the same position as his father was before him. After hearing the horrid things that family had done in the past, I didn't want to take the chance of my stepfather making good on his promise to have me killed. This meant I really shouldn't go back and visit my mother's grave anymore.

"But that was gonna be okay because this year I had you and I also felt that with you, and our friends by my side that I could get through my mothers anniversary without falling into the deep depression I always seemed to collapse into around that time every year." Magnus paused and when he spoke again even he could hear the self-disgust in his voice. "I was obviously wrong. "Alexander, if I could go back in time I would have told you all of this long before the anniversary. I would have opened up to my friends and loved ones instead of childishly thinking I could handle it all myself. My therapist agreed with you about me projecting my abandonment issues onto you and has provided other ways that I can channel those issues into something more healthy than ruining my relationships. As far as doing that to you all I can say is that I am so, so, so very sorry. And I love you Alexander. I know I haven't shown it much lately but I am so in love with you I can hardly see straight. I can't see past you. You are the only person I want spending my life with. The only one I ever want to belong to. The only one I want to be mine."

Alexander just stood there staring at Magnus, face a blank expression, giving nothing away. Magnus heart was beating so hard he could hear it.

"You say such wonderful things Magnus," Alec began. "And yet you've also said such hurtful things I thought my heart would crumble." He paused to take a breath before adding, "So no matter how much I want to believe everything can go back to how it was, no we can not get back together as if nothing happened."

"Alexander, please," Magnus begged, the pressure of tears building in his eyes. "I know my reasons feel like excuses, but I swear to you I want to do better! If you give me this one last chance I promise you that all I want is to make up for how I treated you. I know that what I said to you was wrong, and I swear I didn't mean it. I didn't mean even one single word of it. Please!"

Magnus knew he was starting to sound pathetic, but at that moment he didn't care. All he cared about was getting Alec back. Magnus walked over to Alexander and grabbed both hands into his own and placed them over Magnus' pounding heart. "Do you feel that? My heart beats for you and only you Alexander. I'll never do anything to jeopardize our relationship again."

"I know you believe that now, but I believed that you wouldn't hurt me before I felt the knife in my back," Alec made a sound that was somewhere between a sigh and a growl. "But okay, here's what we're going to do. You and I will not be jumping headfirst back into this relationship, but I'm going to take a page out of Clary's book. We can date; it will be all public appearances whether it's to go to some event you're invited to, or just out for a coffee date. You and I will not spend alone time together in a private setting until you can prove to me that your actions are true to your word. We're also not going to sleep with each other right away. We're going to treat this like this is the first time we're dating, and go through the motions properly. This also means no more group hangouts together. You hang out with your friends, and I'll hang out with mine. This was strike two Magnus, there will be no more chances after this. You treated me like shit in high school, and you treated me like shit again. I won't stand for it. You will also talk to me about anything and everything going on in your head. There will be no more secrets from you. Open communication is important to any relationship, and letting your partner know when things aren't okay is key to maintaining a successful arrangement. You will learn to talk to me about what's bothering you rather than fighting at me about it. Now, if you can agree to my conditions then that's a start."

"Yes of course," Magnus was quick to respond. To anyone else, Alexander's conditions would seem rash and unreasonable, but Magnus knew that this was the best outcome that he could've hoped for. He was determined to earn Alec's trust and forgiveness, but would never push his boundaries.

~oOo~

Merry Christmas eve for those of you who celebrate Christmas! I'm so sorry that it took so long to get this chapter written. First there was the fact that I had horrible writer's block, then there was the fact that work picked up again for the holiday season, then my own personal obligations with family and friends. It was mostly the writer's block though. Hell, the only reason why I was able to get this chapter finished was because of my lovely beta, Writesalott. She practically wrote half the chapter for me, or at the very least, helped me reformat the content in the correct order. Guys, no lie, this chapter was a train wreck, and it was maybe like a third of the length it is now.

Are you satisfied with the way the chapter came out? Or are some of you pissed that Alec kind of sort of got back together with Magnus? Do you think that Alec rolled over too easily? What about Magnus? Let me know your thoughts on the chapter. Also, sorry about me promising this chapter would've been out last night on Twitter. My beta and I kinda had a miscommunication and we both forgot that we're three hours away from each other. Her "end of the day" is sooooo much later than my "end of the day" lol. But alas, it is here!