I gave you the fluffy, now I give you the angst.
Enjoy?
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High Warlock duties done, Magnus is ready to settle down with a cup of tea and the daily crossword puzzle. Max is hanging out with his aunts. Alec is in Idris, big Clave meeting. He's supposed to be home in time for dinner, but Magnus isn't holding his breath.
Magnus is half way through the puzzle when a portal opens by the front door. He smiles as he sees himself walk into the loft. His smile quickly fades as he notices Beth and Tina clinging to their father's pant legs. Both sisters have the same terrified look in their eyes.
He then notices the look in his double's eyes. He's seen that look many times in a mirror, enough times to know what the cause is. He quickly stands and takes out his phone. He texts 911 to his son as he walks over to AU!Magnus and his daughters.
Magnus guides his double to the sofa, "Max is on his way home, he'll know what to do."
AU!Magnus gives him a weak smile as he sits down, "Thank you." Beth and Tina sit on either side of their father.
A portal opens and Max steps into the living room, "Poppa, what's.." He sees AU!Magnus and his daughters on the sofa, puts his phone in his back pocket and runs into his bedroom without another word.
Magnus squeezes his double's hand, "It'll be okay." AU!Magnus silently nods as he puts his arms around his daughters. They hold on to his shirt. Magnus walks over to an armchair and sits down.
Max runs out his room, laptop in hand. He powers it on as he opens it. He sets it on the table then walks over and sits on the coffee table, "Last time I checked, everything was okay."
AU!Magnus takes a deep breath, "A few days ago, Alec was following a lead and disappeared. Izzy and Jace tried to find him but they couldn't. Luke had his pack out looking for him and they couldn't pick up his scent." He wipes at a few tears, "I hate to bother you, but Beth said you might be able to help."
"It's not a bother. I will find him and God help whoever has him." Max stands, walks over to the table and sits down. Tina runs after him. With a gentle smile, he picks her up and sets her on his lap. She rests her head on his chest, puts her tiny arms around him and closes her eyes. Max kisses the top of her head, then starts typing.
Beth climbs onto her father's lap and holds him tight. AU!Magnus kisses the top of her head as he wraps his arms around her. He looks at Magnus, "Alec retained his ShadowHunter fighting skills. He became an excellent marksman with all types of firearms. Usually he's only gone for a day or two. He always keeps me informed if he's going to be longer. I haven't heard from him since Tuesday."
Magnus nods, "And today is?"
AU!Magnus whispers, "Friday."
"Not good. You're still able to talk to Izzy and Jace?"
"Robert tried to keep them away but Maryse wasn't having it." AU!Magnus kisses Beth's head, "The girls love their aunts and uncle. And their grandmother."
Magnus raises an eyebrow, "Really? Wow, I would have thought you'd want nothing to do with her."
AU!Magnus sighs, "It's complicated. She didn't want to make matters worse and Alec willingly gave up being a ShadowHunter, so she held her tongue. But a week or so after the deruning, she showed up here looking to make peace."
"And you agreed?"
"Yes, I did."
Max taps on the keyboard, "Damn it."
Tina opens her eyes and looks up at him, "What?"
He gently kisses her nose, "Nothing, go back to sleep." With a nod, she closes her eyes and snuggles against his chest. Max glances at Beth, "She asleep?"
AU!Magnus looks down at his daughter and nods, "Yes, did you find my Alec?"
Max taps the keyboard, "Kind of." At the identical looks of confusion on both Magnus' faces, he sighs, "I found him but I'm not sure where he is."
Magnus raises an eyebrow, "So how did you find him?"
"I was able to tap into the security camera feed from that world. But the feed isn't labelled. The place looks familiar but I can't place it."
Magnus stands, "Let me see, maybe I'll be able to figure it out." He walks over to the table, pulls out a chair and sits next to Max.
Max moves the laptop, so Magnus can see the screen, "There's Alec." He points to a figure in the center of a room.
Magnus nods, "You're right, we do know this place. Valentine's warehouse?"
Max shakes his head, "No." He rests his chin on Tina's head, as he uses the cursor to change the camera angle around. After a few minutes, he stops, "Poppa, this is Emil's hideout." He points, "That's where Mikey walked in from."
Magnus leans closer, "Son of a bitch, it is."
AU!Magnus looks from one to the other, "Who's Emil? Isn't Mikey the little boy with the teenager sister?"
Max nods absently as he taps the keyboard, "Yes, Emil was a warlock that was going to hurt Mikey and Maxine's Daddy."
Magnus leans back in the chair, "Okay, so we know where Alec is, so what's the problem?"
Max sighs, "The problem, Poppa, is that it's protected by wards. I couldn't find Alec using my usual programs which work on magic."
"Oh."
AU!Magnus holds his daughter tighter, "That means that we can't save my Alec?"
Magnus quickly shakes his head, "Perish the thought. It just means that we have to be creative. We can't use portals but we will get him."
"Thank you. How can I help?"
"Go back to your world."
AU!Magnus shakes his head, "No, I want to help."
Max pushes his chair back and stands up holding Tina, "Poppa is right. We have this, you go home."
Magnus stands, "Beth and Tina need you more than we need your help."
"But."
"Why didn't you leave your girls in your world, while you came here to ask for Max's help?"
"Because I wanted them close to me and leaving them alone would be upsetting for all of us."
"Exactly, therefore return to your world and we'll bring your Alec back to you."
AU!Magnus sighs, "I suppose you're right." He gently kisses the top of Beth's head, "Wake up, darling."
Beth opens her eyes slowly and looks around, "Where's Daddy?" She slides off her father's lap as he stands up.
AU!Magnus squeezes her hand, "He's not here, but Max knows where he is." Max hands a sleeping Tina to her father.
Beth looks up at Max, "You going to get my Daddy?"
Max nods, "Yes, Poppa and I will get him."
Beth smiles, "I knew you would."
AU!Magnus nods, "Let's go home and wait." He opens a portal.
"Okay, Poppa." She wraps her arms around Max, "Thank you." She holds her father's sleeve as he carries Tina and they leave the loft.
Max and Magnus watch the portal close, then Magnus looks at his son, "Have you figured out how we get inside?"
Max nods, "Yes I have."
Magnus smiles, "Good."
-tbc-
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Yeah I know, you hate me, but I love you. xoxo