A Story Not Meant To Be Told… Part 1 40's Noir with a Twist (Verse 7)

by MistyMay6886

Santa Barbra Ca. 1948 Magnus Bane is the top reporter. His efforts and notoriety have gained him a wealth of connections. This frequently puts him at odds with head Detective Alec Lightwood. But when the two men are told to drop a case things get complicated, secrets come to light, and the crack reporter realizes he may have read the 'straight-laced' detective all wrong…

11. Chapter 11- Bittersweet

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-Multiverse Mysteries-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

-*-*-*-*-*-*-40'sDetectiveNoir-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Chapter 11-

Bittersweet

(Chapter Complete!)

Kay with this one we're kinda jumping right into the thick of it- we could've had them going around the office a bit but I didn't write it in 'order' and actually got the 1st part last and I was already well past the 10k mark so we kinda just have to go for it…think we're okay limiting the filler…yeah?

Warning…likely tears ahead…possibly a lot of tears…sorry…

(Oh come on I told you this verse was gonna be a bit darker and it's a murder case- we knew from the start this case wasn't exactly gonna be all puppies and rainbows)

{*~********~*~********~*} *-Alec-*-Alec-*-Alec-*-Alec-*-Alec-* {*~********~*~********~*}

"And then this i-"

"Hey…whose office is this?" Simon interrupted, gesturing towards the French doors on the right hand side of the hall, moving closer, peering through the glass panels in interest.

Albert blinked, head tilting curiously, coming to a stop next to Simon.

"That's Paul's office. Paul Barrington. He's my P.A. and my campaign manager for the upcoming bid. He was actually at the gala too."

Simon glanced over, catching Alec's eye gesturing in.

"Every other room in the building we've seen has grey carpet, why does this one have green?"

Albert shrugged.

"Actually all of them had the forest green originally, we've been updating the offices for weeks, this is just the last one on the list for the redo. It takes a couple days to move everything out and install the carpet though, with us preparing for the bid Paul hasn't been able or willing to find the time to clear out. Said that can wait until there's less to do. Why does the carpet color matter?"

Alec hesitated glancing apologetically over at Albert.

"The M.E. found dark green fibers on Eugene…said it was likely from a car's upholstery or a carpet."

Albert, blinked, shaking his head faintly.

"I- but…you're not thinking he's involved are you? It couldn't be Paul. He's known the family for years- he grew up next door to us. He and Eugene were best friends growing up. They had a bit of a falling out, drifted apart, developed different interests but I couldn't believe he'd have anything to do with it. Paul is practically part of the family. He couldn't-I couldn't imagine him…he wouldn't…"

Simon moved forward.

"We're not guessing anything sir…it's just something we've been keeping an eye out for. I do think we should probably take a look around though. Like Alec said we're just taking this one step at a time; we're looking for solid proof. Just at a glance it kind of looks like it could be similar…

Is it okay if we go in and look?"

He begin to nod but faltered, giving a slight shrug.

"Yes it is…or it would be…but he always locks his office. I don't have a key. I can call him to unlock it b-"

Alec shook his head.

"I really don't think that's a good idea, not till we really know where we stand here. You own the building, it's your property, will you grant us permission to look around?"

"Yes of course…but how are we going to get in?" He startled faintly.

"You're not going to break the door are you? I mean if that's what's warranted then so be it but I'd prefer to avoid that if at all possible. There's a locksmith in town we have on file. I can get the number, call him…it might be a minute but he's quite reliable."

Alec gave a slight huff of an almost laugh, shrugging.

"Well I'm kind of opposed to literal breaking and entering too. Besides if there is any connection to Eugene's case here it could jeopardize evidence…I suppose a locksmith is the best option…unless of course we could find a quicker, cleaner way…" He trailed off, glancing over at Magnus, quirking his eyebrow.

Magnus froze a moment, glancing around, going for an innocent expression.

"Why are you looking at me?"

Simon gave a surprised laugh, eyes widening, shaking his head disbelievingly.

"Oh wow…you're actually worse at the 'innocent' act then Raphael."

Magnus gasped faintly, shaking his head.

"I have no idea w-"

Alec rolled his eyes, tilting his head sarcastically.

"Really Magnus?"

"I-I don't k…ugh fine…this is totally off the record though…on your word." He flashed a sharp look, pointing at Alec.

Alec huffed, holding his hands up placatingly, nodding. Magnus nodded back, meeting his eyes once more before turning, slipping past the others, kneeling down in front of the door. He reached in his pocket, pulling out a small, sleek little pouch, retrieving a sharp little tool from inside, inserting it into the lock. He gave it a bit of a flick and twist, the lock clicking open easily. He removed the tool, slipping it back into the pouch, returning it to his pocket, spinning back towards the others and standing all seemingly in one flowing movement, reaching over, twisting the handles, opening the doors with a little flourish, gesturing the other's into the office.

"Voilà."

"Woah…" Simon murmured, flashing a bit of an impressed nod, moving into the room curiously, already looking around, Albert and Raphael moving into the room behind him, the latter rolling his eyes faintly at Magnus as he slipped by.

Alec went through last, stopping a moment in front of the other man, quirking his eyebrow.

"I knew I locked my car."

Magnus shrugged.

"Knowing and proving are two very different things detective." He paused, glancing into the room, gaze falling on Albert looking around, a clear feeling of dread about him, the bit of mirth that'd kicked up in Magnus slipping away as quickly as it came.

"Something we're likely to very quickly become far too familiar with. I don't like to guess in such circumstances but I've a feeling we already know what happened…now we need to find a way to prove it."

Alec sighed, giving a faint nod, leaning closer.

"Yeah…I just don't know how he's going to take it…"

Magnus sighed.

"Quite hard I'd imagine."

Alec swallowed, nodding, slipping into the room, beginning to search, Magnus close behind. The office was starkly clean, near obsessively. Everything perfectly straight, not so much as a pen out of place, not a speck of dust, every piece of wood and even the deep brown leather chairs polished to a gleam. Alec walked the perimeter, taking it in. It was so stark, so ridged… almost clinical. There was nothing personal. No family photos, no plants, nothing that showed any hint of personality. There was the desk, two chairs, a large, looming grandfather clock in the corner and a heavy looking book case filled with books on Law, economics, history and a few heavy very expensive looking leather bound first editions of literary classics.

It was just so stark…so cold, it wa-

He paused, eyes catching on a glint of something on the carpet. A little sparkle between the edge of the clock and the bottom of the bookcase.

"Hey, what's that?" He asked almost to himself, moving closer, kneeling down to get a better look.

Under the edge of the bookcase is a gold pocket watch, just the very end of the chain sticking out. Just enough to catch his eye. The other's moved closer crowding around, looking on curiously.

"What's-"

Alec gestured towards the watch. Albert gasped faintly, moving closer, paling a bit.

"T-that's Eugene's watch…he checked it all the time…said it was an anniversary gift…he's had it for years. Think Ruth got it for him for their third." He moved forward, beginning to reach for it, Alec reached over stilling his hand.

He looked over, beckoning Magnus closer.

"Can you photograph this? I want to get a closer look but if it was for sure Eugene's then we want to make sure we document everything before we move it."

Magnus nodded, slipping closer, lifting his camera, taking a few shots, giving a quick nod.

"Got it…you're good."

Alec nodded back, letting go of Albert's hand gesturing him forward. He swallowed, reaching down, carefully picking up the watch, standing back up, holding it out for the other's to see.

"It's definitely Eugene's he checked it all the time, I never really got a good look at it but I'd recognize it anyw-" he trailed off turning it over, catching sight of engraving on the back.

Simon leaned closer.

"For the love of My life- Happy 5th anniversary September 13 1946…awe that's sweet." Simon recited softly, a bit of a sad smile shifting over his lips.

Albert froze, shaking his head.

"I…but…there anniversary was May 10th. They got married on June and My anniversary…m-maybe it was when they first met o-" He trailed off, finger catching a small button on the side, the back popping open, a small carefully folded yellowed piece of paper fluttering out, falling to the ground.

Albert stooped, picking it up, beginning to open it but Simon caught his hand, stilling him, shaking his head apologetically.

"Um…sir…I-I don't think it was from Ruth. He…Eugene was seeing someone else…a man…they've been together for quite a while. Going by that I'm guessing for about eight years now. You may not want to read that."

Albert blinked, shaking his head, pulling his hand away from Simon, unfolding the note, eyes shifting over the paper. He froze, blinking, head shaking faintly.

"I-wh…w-who…w."

Raphael sighed faintly, head tilting, nearly looking concerned.

"His name is Leo."

Albert blinked.

"L-Leo…Leo Prescott? B-he…no…he was Eugene's best man at their wedding. S-so what? They've been having an affair all this time…He's been using Ruth as a cover t-"

Magnus sighed, shaking his head.

"It was nothing like that, He wasn't cheating on Ruth…He and Ruth weren't really a couple. They were best friends and they loved each other very much but there's never been anything romantic between them. Eugene and Leo were a couple, they've been together for years. Ruth knew all about it, they spent a lot of time together. All three of them were great friends. She even said at the wedding they made sure Eugene and Leo got plenty of pictures of just the two of them as a little keepsake."

Albert tilted his head in confusion.

"I-but…I don't understand…if they were together then why did he and Ruth get married in the first place? Why go through all that? For his job o-"

Magnus sighed, giving an apologetic look, shaking his head.

"For you…"

"What?"

Magnus swallowed, looking over to Alec, giving a bit of a shrug. Alec took a deep breath, stepping closer, nodding.

"H-apparently it was the only way Eugene thought he could be a part of the family again."

Albert froze, eyes widening, head shaking disbelievingly.

"W-what? What do you mean part of the family again? He was always a part of the family. He had a few years where he wandered, traveled a lot, kind of pulled away b…but I thought that was what he wanted. That he wanted space…needed space. T-to figure things out or see what he wanted to do with his life. I thought that's what he wanted… it was his decision…I respected that.

But he was always welcome. Always. There were no requirements he had to meet. He was my son, he was always part of the family. There was never a time that he wasn't…not even a minute. Where would he ever get that idea?"

Magnus shrugged, not really sure how to answer that, looking around at the others. Simon moved closer, reaching over, gently resting his hand on Albert's shoulder, squeezing.

"Sir…w-we really can't answer that question. Maybe Ruth knows…or Leo…we really can't say. These are hard things to talk about, near impossible to navigate and quite honestly no one really WANTS to talk about them, not unless it's absolutely necessary. Unguarded conversations about this with anyone not like us are usually met with anything from confusion and disgust all the way up to anger and lashing out. A lot of people are simply willingly blind to it, they 'know' but it's not discussed. Not in polite society.

There are so many ways someone could come to think this and for most bringing it up, actually confronting someone about, having them spell out exactly what they think of you? I-it's terrifying. Sometimes it's less painful to just 'think' you know what someone thinks of you rather than hear them spell it out. M-maybe he heard something, or something just got misconstrued and it got away from the both of you…we can't say why he thought that.

And he did come back…he wanted to be back, be with you guys. It's clear he loved his family very much, that you all meant a great deal to him.

That's the important thing."

Albert sniffed, shaking his head quickly, swallowing.

"No the important thing is my son thought for years I didn't love him… I didn't want him…that he wasn't part of the family. That I thought he wasn't good enough.

That's what's important right now."

Raphael shook his head.

"With all due respect it's not. It's unfortunate he thought that but it's in the past. He thought that years ago- and perhaps on some level he still did, but I doubt a miscommunication about his place in your family over half a decade ago was what brought about his death. That's what we need to focus on. That's the important thing right now.

We cannot fix the past, we just can't. We can admit when we're wrong, apologize for our mistakes, make amends where we can, correct what can be corrected, change what needs to be changed, what can be changed…but the rest? You just have to find a way to let it go, come to peace with it…move on- otherwise it will do nothing but tear you apart…eat you alive."

Albert tilted his head, blinking in surprise.

"You sound like you know what you're talking about."

Raphael shrugged.

"I speak from experience…a LOT experience."

Albert huffed faintly, giving a slight nod.

"I can only imagine."

Raphael shook his head, not so much as a hint of humor in his expression.

"You really, really can't. That's alright- you are far happier that way."

Albert seemed to kind of come back to himself, realizing who exactly it was he was talking to, giving a slightly nervous nod.

"Umm…yeah…no question."

Raphael shrugged, tilting his head concedingly. They stood around kind of shifting, no one really knowing what to say to that. Finally Simon moved closer, again catching Albert's arm.

"Okay…thank you Raphael…that was surprisingly helpful…kind of…" he glanced over, shaking his head nearly exasperatedly at the other man before shifting his focus back to Albert, expression softening, giving a faint shrug.

"Like I said…we can't speak for Eugene…then or now. All we can do is find the truth- get him justice. Everything else has to wait for that. We found his watch in this 'Paul's' office…in his locked office…that he is the only person with a key to." He sighed, shrugging helplessly.

"I- Albert…I know you don't want to believe it…I can't imagine how hard this is to process and we are asking you to process a lot right now. But we have to face facts. I know you don't want to believe it was Paul…and there could still be some other explanation but…I-I'm just…I'm really not seeing it.

I think we need to call him, have him come down here to the office. Find out his side of the story."

Albert swallowed.

"I really don't think I want to know his side of the story."

Simon nodded, squeezing his arm.

"I don't think any of us do…but I think we need to."

Albert took a deep breath, nodding.

"Me too."

20 Minutes later…

'Hey Albert, what's going on? You didn't even say you were leav…." He trailed off.

He blinked, gaze shifting over the assortment of people in his supposed-to-be-locked office in confusion, pausing momentarily on Magnus and surprisingly Raphael and Simon, a look of faint disgust slipping over his features.

"What's going on here? Who are these people? Why are you all in my office…it was locked."

Albert near startled, clearly catching the look, a hint of dread slipping over his features before it's pushed away. He steps forward, standing up a bit straighter, squaring his shoulders, gesturing towards the others, giving a faint shrug.

"It's my building, I gave them permission to enter the office. I wouldn't do that in most circumstances but these men are trying to solve Eugene's murder. Anything I can do to help with that I'm fine with."

Paul sighed, shaking his head.

"Albert we talked about this. You should be getting into this. It could damage the campaign and just on a personal level you do not want the details here. Eugene was your son, you don't want what Eugene was doing there to be your last thoughts of him. It was a random thing- it happens with those people all the time…it's all but expected with people like that. He should not have been there- doing that." He huffed faintly again shaking his head, a bit of a repulsed shiver going through him, sighing, looking back up at Albert, shrugging helplessly.

"I know it hurts but an investigation means press…it's going to be everywhere…everyone will know exactly what Eugene was, exactly how he died…you don't need that."

Albert straightened, folding his arms across his chest, meeting the man's gaze.

"I need to know what happened to my son. I need it to be solved. I need to know who did this. They can't just get away with it."

Paul sighed.

"I understand you think that but it's just not that simple. There's no telling who did it- it was probably just a random encounter…hell, Eugene may not even have known the guy's name. they may not even have met until then. I know it's repulsive and indecent but that's just how those people are. Even if it is investigated nothing's likely to come of it- The precinct chief even told you as much.

We'll probably never know who did it and the only thing that'll come of this is casting more light on it-everyone will know this about Eugene. You don't want that…we don't need that. It's a horrible thing to happen but in something like this, so random? There's no way to know what exactly happened."

Simon quirked his eyebrow, shifting forward.

"Actually that's not true. We have plenty of evidence to go on. We're actually working on the theory that he wasn't even killed there, that how he was found, where he was found was just a red herring. He was killed somewhere else, the scene staged to make it look- well exactly like what you're thinking. It was a ploy to cast doubt on the victim, make them unsympathetic, even villainous in some people's eyes. Make it seem that their death was little more than a forgone conclusion, just an anonymous hookup gone bad, not even worth pursuing.

Not a bad plan really- I mean it's beyond reprehensible, mildly sociopathic and needlessly cruel - but from a purely technological, logistical view it really is a pretty ingenious plan to get away with murder."

Paul gave a huff of a not quite laugh, shaking his head, eyes flicking disdainfully over Simon.

"Well I guess for someone like you that's a much less disturbing option, isn't it?"

Simon tilted his head, eyebrow quirking.

"Someone like me?"

He scoffed, giving a sharp, flippant wave towards Raphael, glaring.

"Oh please, don't even try that. I saw you. You weren't even trying to hide it at the Gala. Practically hanging on his arm, laughing and whispering…you weren't fooling anyone with your little date."

Simon gave a faint huff of a laugh, shrugging.

"Apparently I was fooling a few people. I'm a detective, I was looking into the case and wanted a chance to talk to Albert about it-just him. Really see where he stood and why he was impeding the investigation. It wasn't a date."

"Well now, don't underestimate; after all it's always smart to multitask… it could have been both." Raphael interjected, flashing a flirty smirk and a wink Simon's way, slipping a bit closer to his side.

Simon scoffed, rolling his eyes, flashing a sarcastic smile right back.

"Coulda been…wasn't."

Raphael's smirk slipped to a near grin, a bit of a teasing sparkle in his eyes, leaning in a bit.

"Bu-"

Simon shook his head quickly, censuringly holding up a finger, pointing.

"Uh uh, don't even think about saying what you're about to say."

"How do you know what I'm about to say?"

Simon rolled his eyes, shrugging, eyebrow quirking in a spectacularly sarcastic, thoroughly unimpressed look, leaning in a bit, meeting Raphael's gaze pointedly.

"Don't know…maybe I'm the psychic one now."

Raphael blinked, giving a surprised chuckle followed by an odd, near growl of a hum, shaking his head faintly.

"I do SO enjoy this feisty streak…very entertaining."

Simon gave a blatantly false smile.

"Oh good...clearly that's my main goal in life- amuse supervillains."

"Maravilloso, you do have quite the knack for it."

"You a-"

"Albert I realize how hard this is for you but you're grasping at straws. They're twisting the facts, trying to turn the blame away from people like them, make it into more than what it was but deep down you have to know it wasn't." Paul interrupted rather loudly, cutting Simon off, casting a disgusted glower towards the two men, moving over closer to Albert, continuing.

"You knew Eugene was like that- have known for years…it was just a matter of time before it caught up to him. It's horrible what happened but the fact of the matter is he should not have been there…he should not have been doing that. It's reckless and indecent- he took one too many wildly unsafe risks and it unfortunately cost him his life. I know you want to believe there's something else here, that he didn't die there, like that, but there just isn't.

Those kind of places are filthy and rife with sleazy people engaging in all sorts of risky, seedy, deviant behavior. It's just a matter of time before it catches up to them…all of them."

Raphael quirked his eyebrow, head tilting, eyes glinting sharply.

"Hmm…you seem quite familiar with that scene…speaking from experience are we?"

Paul gasped, taking a threatening step forward, glaring.

"How dare you! That's nothing but foul, vicious slander. Throwing around unfounded accusations like that could forever label you a liar and untrustworthy. Totally ruin your good name, your reputation."

Magnus huffed out a slight, surprised laugh, glancing over, catching Raphael's eye.

"Yes…your 'good name'…truly must defend that."

Raphael smirked, winking.

"Of course…think I'm pretty good on the whole 'reputation' front though."

"Understatement of the century." Simon muttered with a slight scoff of a laugh, startling faintly, clearly meaning for that to be internal.

Raphael chuckled, flashing a quick, flirty little wink Simon's way, the younger detective huffed, rolling his eyes, waving him off, cheeks flushing lightly. Paul glared again at Simon, lip lifting in a near snarl before shifting his gaze back to Magnus and over to Raphael suspiciously.

"What you think I won't pursue this? You can't just say things like that about people. There's even two detectives and a former mayor here as witnesses, this isn't just gonna go away. Who are you anyways? Both of you- There's no way either of you are cops of any type."

Magnus shrugged, giving a slight nod.

"You are right- I'm not a cop. I'm a reporter just trying to find the truth, ensure that Eugene's death is treated with the dignity he deserved and those behind it end up having to answer to it."

Paul's eyes flicked over Magnus, giving a strained- clearly false- empathetic look.

"Yes of course…that's what we'd all like, but with the circumstances of this case that might be easier said than done. I'd like nothing more than for there to be a more palatable answer here, and it's pretty clear that you…empathize with Eugene…that's…good...I suppose. And I'm sure what happened to him is particularly disturbing to you for…various…reasons…it's understandable you want there to be more to it. But just because you do not like the reality of something does not mean you can simply manufacture a different one."

Magnus tilted his head, quirking his eyebrow.

"I'm not trying to 'manufacture' an outcome…I am simply trying to find the truth."

Paul scoffed.

"Yes of course…that's your only goal here."

"And what do you mean by that?"

Paul shrugged, giving a patronizing shrug and not quite smile.

"Nothing…just you're hardly an unbiased third party…not like you don't have a bit of a stake in the outcome- after all like defends like…right?"

Magnus gave a calculatingly casual shrug, head tilting, sharp brown eyes sparking with challenge, meeting Paul's gaze unflinchingly. He stepped closer, flashing a sharp, near patronizing smile all his own.

"Actually? It's less 'like defends like' and more 'because of the close-minded bigotry and barely disguised contempt from people like you if we don't look out for our own no one else will'. Eugene was murdered- who he was or what he did has no bearing on that whatsoever. He was murdered. He was the victim. He deserves justice.

I do not care if his murderer was a random hookup, a jealous ex, a self-righteous, religious zealot hell-bent on cleaning up this town or a sniveling, smarmy toady trying desperately to protect their own petty self-interests. I don't care if they were gay, straight, bi or anything else. Whoever they are, whatever they are, whatever 'justifications' they have, none of it means a damn thing.

They took someone's life…they do not just get to walk away. That is not how it works."

Paul scoffed, shaking his head.

"Look, it's clear you're way too close to this. You're letting your own personal proclivities cloud your judgment. You want there to be more to this than there is- maybe need there to be to ease your mind about your own reckless choices, but that's just not the case.

The fact of the matter is Eugene was a homosexual. He was a pretty obvious homosexual. He barely even bothered to try to hide it. He was found at a notorious homosexual hookup spot - It's not too hard to figure out what happened. He picked up the wrong person and it cost him his life.

His luck ran out plain and simple.

It's unfortunate but not in any way unexpected…hell, I don't know how he made it this long going the way he was going. Making it near sixteen years like that without any consequences whatsoever had to of just been sheer luck- just a matter of time till he ran out of it."

Albert startled, blinking, looking shocked.

"Sixteen years?"

Paul froze, glancing nervously over at Albert, hesitantly shaking his head.

Simon moved closer, head tilting curiously.

"That's a pretty specific timeframe… you seem awful sure…why is that?"

Paul rounded on Simon, glaring.

"I'm not taking that kind of disrespect from some detective trainee!"

Simon quirked his eyebrow, totally unruffled.

"Huh…interesting."

"Interesting? What the hell's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged, giving a casually flippant wave, shaking his head, holding his hand up placatingly.

"Nothing…I was merely asking a question. This was new information we haven't had yet and by your tone you seemed quite certain. I was just wondering why- asking a simple follow up question. Despite what you seem to think I wasn't implying anything. Though gotta admit that level of defensiveness is usually a pretty big red flag…now I'm kinda wondering if I should be."

Paul seethed, advancing, raising his hand.

"Now you listen here you little f-"

Alec moved to intervene but startles as Raphael is suddenly between the two faster than he can even comprehend, standing ramrod straight, fists clinched, dark eyes sharp and hard, glinting like the edge of a blade. It feels like he's on a hair trigger, there's a near palpable strength about him, it seems to radiate out, pulsing, snapping and flickering, filling the room. It's almost like a heat, like invisible flames Alec can feel on his skin and yet it seems to shoot straight through him, send an icy cold chill clear down to his toes, hitting something deep and primal in him, causing every last alarm he has to shoot straight up to thirteen.

"Finish that sentence…I dare you."

Paul near stumbled, almost falling back, Raphael's hand shoots out, catching his arm, pulling him back up none too gently, keeping a vice like grip on his arm. Paul gasped, trying to pull his arm away but to no avail, the grip seemingly tightening even more. Raphael's head tilted. It was an odd movement, slow, smooth, almost animalistic, a sharp rather terrifying smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, dark eyes shimmering bright and dangerous, leaning in just a bit.

"Well Paulie…what was it you were going to say…I am quite curious."

Alec could actually see a shiver slip over Paul, the man paling, swallowing, shaking his head, subtly trying to again pull his arm away but again the grip just tightened even more…that was most definitely leaving a mark.

"I-I wasn't j…you can't go around accusing someone of that and expect them to just let it go. They're gonna defend themselves."

Raphael smirked, a deceptively soft chuckle slipping out, voice quiet, oddly melodic, eyebrow quirking curiously, eyes glinting bright and dangerous.

"Hmm…That's what you're gonna do Paulie? Gonna defend yourself? How? Try to take a swing at me? Nah…you don't have it in you- a sucker punch sure; but a real, actual fight? Please…you're far too much of a spineless, sniveling coward for that. What else can you do? Cry slander…go whine to a lawyer that 'someone said mean things about me'? Go for it…you try to find a lawyer willing to go after Raphael Santiago for Slander…Let's see just how far you get on that."

Paul froze, color totally draining out of his face, looking near green.

"E-Raphael Santiago?"

He smirked, head tilting, giving a bit of a near twinkling wave with his free hand.

"Yep…that's me…" he moved, grip on Paul's arm shifting, twisting a bit in a way that was undoubtedly painful, squeezing, head slowly tilting the other way, the movements unsettling and near predatory, leaning in, locking eyes with Paul, giving a soft huff of a laugh, voice slipping quiet and deadly.

"And Paulie? If you really think 'slander's' the absolute worst thing I can do to you, you are either far too ignorant or far too stupid for your own good."

Oookay not good…this need to deescalate…like now…

But how would h-

Simon leaned in nervously, lightly resting his hand on Raphael's shoulder.

"Uh…E-Raphael? Buddy…y-you umm…you DO remember Alec and I are detectives so if you do anything like illegal- especially when we're standing in the same room not two feet away- we will have to arrest you…right?"

He seemed to near startle, glancing over, head tilting in that odd way, dark eyes flickering over Simon curiously before there's an odd shift in the air. He seems to relax a bit, the hair-trigger thing easing, giving a bit of a chuckle.

"You would arrest me?"

Simon faltered, shrugging.

"If you don't give me a choice…yeah."

Raphael blinked in surprise, gaze shifting once more over Simon, a teasing flicker in his glitteringly deep eyes, shrugging, flashing a bit of a wink.

"I can think of worse ways to spend an evening then with a cute guy and handcuffs."

Simon blushed brightly, giving an exasperated huff, rolling his eyes, shaking his head, wavering animatedly towards Paul.

"Yeah, yeah, real cute…come on man, can you just let him go? Please? This really isn't helping the whole investigation thing."

"Of course lindo…seeing as you asked so very nicely." Raphael shrugs, casting one more dismissive glance over Paul before shrugging once more, finally letting go of Paul's arm.

The second he's free the other man scrambled back several feet, kind of leaning heavily on his desk, not at all subtly putting the chair between the two of them. Raphael's eyes track his movements for a moment, head tilting again, an odd, sharp light in those impossibly dark eyes glinting in interest before he seems to finally relax the rest of the way, taking a step back, settling in a little bit behind Simon, just off to the side, leaning casually against the wall.

Alec almost swears his ears pop at the sudden change in pressure or atmosphere or whatever the hell it is, feeling like the energy of the entire rooms shifts. It still doesn't necessarily feel good or even normal, but at least it feels less like he should be reaching for his weapon. It's an improvement in any case.

He shakes his head, feeling an odd shiver at the bizarre, sudden shift, blinking, not entirely sure what the hell that was but absolutely positive he doesn't ever want to be anywhere near it again…or god forbid the target of it.

Geez…and here he thought the death glare during the talk with Izzy was bad.

Apparently that was pleasant Raphael.

He glanced over, trying to gauge Magnus's reaction but he didn't look like anything was out of sorts…didn't even seem like he really noticed it. He actually wasn't even looking at Raphael; his entire focus was on Paul, dark eyes flickering, Alec could practically see the wheels turning. He slipped closer to Paul, giving a deceptively casual shrug, flashing a near friendly smile.

Huh…Just move right on with it…Oookay then.

"So Mr. Barrington back to Detective Lewis's original question- you seem to have a fair bit more information on Eugene's romantic life than most…you've made it quite clear it's not because of the most obvious reason- so how do you know this?"

He startled, seemingly thrown by the abrupt change, shaking his head.

"Hey I don't have to answer some reporter's questions."

"No you don't but you damn well will answer mine." Albert interrupted, stepping closer.

"How much do you know?"

He sighed, kind of waving him off.

"I…it's not like that…we just, you know- we grew up together…he was my closest friend. At least he was…until he had to go and tell me that. I told him he needed to just ignore it. That it was just a sickness…he could beat it. All he had to do is try…REALLY try. And I know he could have- if he really tried he could have fixed it, been normal, liked girls. He just had to be determined- actually use a bit of self-restraint.

He said he would…promised he would but he just didn't have the willpower. He started sneaking around with guys in high school- he tried to hide it but he was so obvious. No matter how hard he tried he was just so damn obvious. Eventually he just gave up trying altogether. I couldn't stand to be around him then- he practically flaunted it- it was repulsive. He should have just tried harder."

He faltered, sighing, shaking his head.

"Albert…you don't want to know this kind of thing. You never have- you're far happier not knowing, keeping your distance from it. That's how it should be…how it has to be- Eugene understood that. It was one of the few things he actually got right. That's why he did the right thing during your mayoral run a-"

"What the hell does that mean?" Albert cut him off.

Paul faltered a moment, giving a kind of aborted shrug.

"Nothing just t-"

Albert startled, stepping closer.

"Did you tell my son that I did not want him as part of my family…that he wasn't part of the family so long as he wasn't actively hiding who he was? Is that why he barely spoke to me for nearly seven years? Why I only started hearing from him again when he and Ruth got engaged? Did you tell my son I didn't want him?"

He blinked, shaking his head.

"No…I didn't do that. He'd heard you and Senator Anderson talking about the raid on the Peacock Lounge- about how much of a relief it was that that cesspool was finally shut down, what a blight it and its patrons were on this city, how you were hoping that'd be enough to drive them out. He went there all the time- his boyfriend lived right across the street." He huffed, shaking his head.

"He was really messed up by it. Don't know what freaked him out more, seeing the raid- his buddies being hauled out in handcuffs, roughed up and tossed into the back of a paddy wagon or hearing you and Anderson's relief and happiness over it. I thought maybe that'd be enough of a wakeup call for him to get his head on straight, to finally really make an effort to fix himself but instead he just ran away…I really thought he was better than that…guess I was wrong." He shrugged, giving a near dismissive wave.

Albert swallowed, looking nearly struck, shaking his head.

"T-that…I…I didn't…I had no idea…I'd never say that to him…I wouldn't I j…I was just…" He trailed off shaking his head, glancing over at Simon, shrugging helplessly.

Simon gave a gentle nod.

"I know you didn't…and he knew you loved him. He may not have thought you were accepting of everything about him but I don't think he thought the intolerance totally defined him in your eyes either.

I- alright not gonna lie; I'm sure hearing that from his own father probably hurt like hell but quite frankly it's basically the background noise of our lives. You develop a pretty thick skin real quick…otherwise you just flat out will not make it. I doubt it was the first conversation like that he heard, I doubt it was the last.

It probably shook him a bit more because he was still pretty young and it had a personal connection to him rather than just the abstract 'he's gay and it involves gay people' thing but in the end it's just one of probably an innumerable amount of comments, digs, jokes and slurs he faced day in and day out. It hurts more when it's from someone you love but what you were saying was likely the exact same thing he was hearing in the media, at his school, or work or in near any situation in which the subject came up.

I know I can't speak for him and it sounds like it was complicated between you two no question but I think all things considered you two were okay. You may not have been on the same page but I think you were at least in the same book…that's something yeah?" He reached over, resting his hand gently on Albert's arm, squeezing.

"I mean you both were trying…you thought he wanted space to have the freedom to be himself- he thought you needed space so you could pursue your political career. That's a miscommunication- it happens. Neither of you were in any way rejecting each other- it's the exact opposite. You were trying to help each other, do what was best for each other. You just kinda got your wires crossed on what exactly that help should entail, that's all." He squeezed Albert's arm again, giving a gentle, compassionate almost smile.

Albert swallowed, taking a deep breath, nodding, reaching over, patting Simon's hand, flashing a grateful, slightly misty look, nodding faintly.

"Thank you Detective Lewis…you're a good man."

Simon swallowed, kind of caught off guard, nodding back.

"So are you."

Albert gave a slight, grateful nod, squeezing Simon's hand once more before taking a deep breath, shifting his gaze from Simon over to Paul, meeting his gaze, faltering at the barely concealed look of disbelief and disgust directed towards Simon. He blinked, subconsciously shifting a bit more between Simon and Paul, looking the younger man over.

"Why did you call Eugene to come here last night? Why did you tell him I needed to see him when you knew damn good and well I was out of town?"

Paul seemed to near startle at the tone, gaze shifting from Simon back over to Albert, shaking his head.

"Albert I know this is a really hard time for you but you can't allow yourself to be taken in by these stories. I didn't call him. I have no idea what you're talking about."

Alec stepped forward, slipping Eugene's watch out of his pocket, holding it up.

"Then why did we find Eugene's pocket watch in your office?"

He startled.

"You didn't."

"Yes they did Paul. Detective Lightwood found it."

He shook his head frantically.

"Well then he planted it here! I told you they're trying to twist the story, trying to turn it away from people like them. It's what they do- they have no morals or ethics…it's just what they do."

Albert shook his head.

"He didn't plant anything. I was here when they found it. It was under the edge of the bookcase- Detective Lightwood spotted a part of the chain sticking out, he pointed it out. Magnus photographed it before anyone moved it. It was there…I've been in here with them the entire time. The door was locked when we got here and he was never out of my sight. None of them planted it…they never had a chance.

Why was Eugene's watch in your office?"

Paul shifted, a glimpse of nerves flickering, giving a somewhat exaggeratedly baffled shrug and a slight wave.

"I-I really don't know. I mean he doesn't come by the office as often as Jillian or Spencer but he came by every now and again. You two went to lunch just last week…I think he may have popped in for a minute then, just to catch up real quick…Maybe he lost it then."

Raphael tilted his head, eyebrow quirking.

"No he didn't- he had the watch the night he died- when our witness saw him. He was worried he'd be late for his meeting with Albert- he kept checking it."

He shook his head quickly.

"I- your witness is lying- maybe that's your killer. Could have been who he was with that night. It'd make sense to shift the focus off himself."

Alec shrugged.

"You're right…that does seem very plausible."

Paul nodded, visibly relaxing.

Magnus tilted his head.

"Or it would be if we didn't have multiple witnesses who were with him at the bar for the next few hours. He's definitely in the clear. Care to try again?

Why did you set up the meeting?"

"I didn't. I'm telling you I have no idea what you're talking about."

Simon quirked his eyebrow.

"No idea at all?"

He gave a slightly agitated wave, stepping forward before his eyes flick over to Raphael next to Simon, quickly stepping right back, shaking his head.

"No alright? None…I have no idea about any meeting. I wasn't in the office last night. Maybe someone did set up some kind of meeting here at the offices but it wasn't me. If that's the case then maybe they used my office to throw people off the trail or something I don't know. I mean I lock the office when I leave but you all were in here when I got here so clearly that's not exactly a failsafe."

Simon shrugged faintly, nodding.

"Alright I'll give you the benefit of the doubt."

He nodded emphatically.

"Good, finally someone making sense. Like I said, I don't know what's going on here but it wasn't me."

"Of course…like I said I'll believe you…it's easy enough to verify anyways." Simon nodded again, moving over towards the desk, pulling a note pad out of his pocket, flipping through it, finding the right page, glanced over at Albert, tilting his head.

"Albert do you mind if I use your office phone real quick? Eugene's boss gave me the number for his secretary. She'd taken the call- he had the memo she left him for the meeting…he was organized…like scarily organized. We didn't get a chance to talk to her today- she was off for a family event. Never bothered calling her as we already had multiple sources confirming he was meeting with Albert but clearly that wasn't the case, so probably should get her input. Alistair said she's quite sharp, I'm sure she'll remember who she talked to to set up the meeting…that'll clear it right up." He flashed a quick seemingly reassuring smile Paul's way, picking up the phone, beginning to dial the number.

Paul fidgeted a bit, before shaking his head, gave an agitated wave.

"O-okay damnit don't call her. So maybe I did set up the meeting but I didn't hurt him, just wanted to talk to him. I know we were supposed to keep the run a secret till we had everything in order but I just wanted to give him a bit of a heads up. Just tell him that with the extra scrutiny you'll be under he might want to kind of try to reign it in as best he could so he didn't screw up your chances. He was fine when he left- kinda pissed at the unsolicited advice but fine. Maybe he went out there afterwards to blow off steam or something. I mean I doubt it's the first time a hissy fit led to poor judgment. Again it's very sad that happened to him but it would have been easily avoidable. He should not have been out there."

"He wasn't."

Paul startled at the rather sharp tone from Alec, turning to him, sighing, giving a near pitying shake of his head.

"Really? You too? Thought you were the one voice of reason here…thought you were just here cause you were assigned the case originally." He gave a disbelieving scoff, looking him over in disgust.

"What are you one of them too?"

Alec stepped forward, standing up to his full height, towering over the other man, meeting his gaze unflinchingly, eyes sharp and focused.

"What I am is the head detective of the SBPD." He shifted, raising his hand, pointing to Simon.

"What he is is an intelligent, courageous, annoyingly persistent, fully accredited detective with the SBPD whose outmaneuvered and outsmarted you at least a good five times in the last, what thirty minutes?" Shifting over to Magnus.

"What HE is is one of the most well respected, admired reporters in this state with a reputation that is far beyond reproach that well eclipses anything you are ever likely to even hope to achieve." Shifting over to Raphael.

"And What HE is…is…well…pretty sure the less I know about that the happier I'll be and that goes triple for you.

Stop your little dramatics and indignant denials, no one's buying it. Eugene did not die there…he did not go there willingly, unwillingly or otherwise. He was dumped there. The medical Examiner said as much. We found green fibers- fibers visually similar to the carpet in this office…we can check them closer but I have a feeling they'll match. There was dirt and leaves on the back of his pant legs- likely from where he was dragged out of the car. His shoes we're spotless- he did not walk out there- he did not walk anywhere nea-"

Magnus startled, near jumping.

"His shoes!"

Alec glanced over, quirking his eyebrow in confusion.

"Uh-yeah I just s-"

Magnus shook his head, gorgeous deep brown eyes sparking bright and sharp, holding up a finger, a near dangerous smile gracing his lips.

"Not Eugene's shoes…" he gave a little flourishing wave, pointing at Paul, head quirking sideways.

"HIS shoes…" He smirked, practically slinking closer, flashing a deceptively friendly-bordering on flirty smile.

"Those really are quite striking…Italian…yes? I kinda have a bit of an eye for that kind of thing."

Paul scoffed, giving a disdainful look and a blatantly fake smile back.

"Oh I'm sure you do…yes. They're Italian…so?"

Magnus shrugged.

"Funny thing…near Eugene's body we found prints likely from a high end Italian shoe."

He scoffed, shrugging, giving a flippant wave.

"So? That doesn't prove anything- it's a homosexual hookup spot. While I'm repulsed with everything else about them gotta admit they generally have pretty good taste in clothes and shoes. Hell, there's probably more high end shoe prints out there than anything else."

Magnus gave a bit of a near chuckle, tilting his head in acknowledgement.

"Well I really can't argue that point, at least not without backhandedly insulting myself. You're absolutely right- and besides odds are if you're going out to pick someone up you're probably going to be dressing to impress."

He scoffed, glaring, giving a flippant wave towards Magnus.

"Exactly…search the place it's probably lousy with them."

Magnus nodded again, tilting his head.

"True…though most of those aren't actually located directly on top of the bloodstained wallet of the victim. Kinda gives the impression they're connected to the murder."

Paul froze, shaking his head faintly.

"I-w-well…that's not conclusive."

Alec shook his head, slipping a bit closer, subtly moving between Magnus and Paul.

"You're right, it's not…though as Magnus said he does have a pretty good eye for this kind of thing- if he thinks they're a match I'd be inclined to believe him. What do you think Magnus?"

Magnus tilted his head, gaze slipping over Paul taking in every detail.

"Hmm...same size- an eight, near three sizes smaller than Eugene- quite narrow…again a match. They left a quite unique print- the sole had a kind of herringbone pattern…Can't see the bottom to be sure but I'd be willing to wager it likely matches as well."

Alec nodded.

"Me too…so what happened? Why did you kill Eugene."

He shook his head.

"I d-"

Albert stepped forward, shaking his head.

"Don't lie to me Paul. What the hell did you do? Why did you lure my son to my office? Why would you set out to murder my son? why would you do that?"

He faltered, blinking, glancing from Albert over to the others then back.

"I…I didn't…It was an accident."

Alec quirked his eyebrow.

"An accident?"

He turned, slightly erratic, nodding quickly, pushing his hair back.

"I never planned to hurt him- I really did just want to talk to him. Tell him about your bid, get him to take it down, stop being so damn obvious…stop all this nonsense, stop the mockery of a relationship with Leo. Maybe actually give it a real shot with Ruth instead of just pretending. Just really try for once to be normal.

He ignored me, told me it was none of my business. That it wasn't 'nonsense' with Leo that he actually loved him. As if whatever perversion was going on between them could ever be considered love. I told him to just get away from the guy, get himself in order, fall into line and stop being so damn selfish for once in his life.

He laughed in my face…said I was the one being selfish. Said this was the last straw, that he was done. Good luck with the election but it's his life, he's tired of hiding and skulking around and pretending to be ashamed about something that he's just not. Said he's done with all of it, he was done with hiding anything…from anyone.

He wanted to live his life as himself…if people couldn't handle it then they didn't need to be a part of it. Said he was gonna go home right then and talk to Ruth- tell her he wanted a divorce. That he was tired of the games and the masquerade. He was going to ask Leo when he got home to find a place together…so they could spend their lives together. Like some freaking fairytale ending.

He actually said that!

A Divorce! You're known for your high morals and unwavering belief in family values and the strength of the family unit. Getting divorced just as you're announcing your candidacy. And I mean a divorce would be bad enough- that in and of itself would be a pretty big blow but things happen. If it was just that there might be some way to spin it...but a divorce for the sole purpose of shaking up with his gay lover?

There's no damn spin for that.

I told him he couldn't do it.

He actually laughed in my face- yet again- said I couldn't stop him."

Simon tilted his head, golden brown eyes flashing sharp and bright, taking a slight step forward.

"And so you stopped him?" Simon murmured, voice soft, measured, almost polite, but under the deceptively quiet tone Alec caught something…a faint, barely there little undertone that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, a little shiver flickering down his spine.

Paul glared, giving a sharp nod, leaning in.

"Damn right I did. He could have destroyed everything- stupid little bi-" The sharp, dizzying blow cuts him off, sending Paul stumbling back, near crumpling against the desk, hands going up trying to protect his face from the blows raining down.

Alec surged forward on instinct, grabbing Albert, pulling him away from the other man, Simon darting up to the other side helping restrain him.

"You miserable bastard! What did you do?! What the hell did you do?"

Paul lowered his hands, totally aghast, shaking his head.

"I-I did my job…protected the campaign…protected your family name…you're interests…I thought it was what you'd want."

Albert shook his head, swallowing, looking white as a sheet as if he might be ill, the fight going out of him as quickly as it came, sagging, leaning a bit heavily on Simon's shoulder.

"I want my son back." He whispered, voice all but breaking.

Simon nodded, wrapping his arms around the man, hugging him tightly.

"I know…I know…I'm sorry Albert…I'm so sorry."

He swallowed, giving a helpless, near broken shrug.

"God it was my fault…it was all my fault…It's my fault he's gone, if i-"

Simon shook his head.

"Hey no…" he pulled back a bit, moving Albert, looking him directly in the eye.

"No. Don't do that. Don't let him put this on you. This was not your fault. This was not Eugene's fault. The only person at fault here is Paul. He confessed- we have witnesses, we got him dead to rights. There's no ambiguity- he confessed, he did it…we got him for it.

Whatever else…this is done. We solved Eugene's murder…we're getting justice for him.

We will.

I know it doesn't make it better or any easier right now but it's the only thing we can do right now.

Okay?"

He took a deep breath, swallowing, nodding.

"Y-yeah…okay…" He shifted glancing over at Alec.

"C-can you just…just get him out of here? I really don't want to see him again."

Paul blinked, looking totally crestfallen.

"I w-what Albe-"

Albert glared over, shaking his head.

"Never speak to me again. Never speak to anyone in my family again. You are nothing to us anymore- you are dead to us. You have been from the moment you took Eugene away. He wasn't an embarrassment or an issue or anything else. He was my son. My youngest child. And because of you I will never get to see him again.

I will never forget this. I will never forgive you for this…there is no forgiveness when you take someone's child away. I will use every last ounce of political pull and power I have to ensure that you never, ever, ever make it out of prison." He glanced over at Alec.

"Detective Lightwood- can you please get him out of here? I really can't stomach seeing him a second longer."

Alec gave a faint nod, moving over next to Paul, pulling out his handcuffs, pulling his hands behind his back, securing him, turning him away from the other's leading him to the front of the building. They slipped out the doors, moving over to Alec's car, him pulling the back door open. Paul glanced up, shaking his head uncomprehendingly.

"I-I just…Eugene would have destroyed everything…I had to stop him. He'd of wrecked everything we'd worked for. He was wrong…he should have just tried. He was gonna bring down everything. How does Albert not see that? He was an embarrassment…a deviant...a mistake. He would have ruined everything. I just don't understand...how can he put someone like that above everything we worked for? I just don't understand what he's thinking. I don't know why he can't see how wrong he is…

I don't know how anyone can get so messed up. How someone can think like that.

I-I just don't get it."

Alec sighed, shifting him into the car, pulling the door closed, shaking his head.

"Yeah…that makes two of us."

{*~********~*~********~*} *-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-* {*~********~*~********~*}

Okay it's official; he is definitely in trouble here.

He knew he found the warlock appealing. Very appealing…that was hardly a surprise. There was a lot to find appealing after all.

The adorable big golden brown eyes and sweet, far too innocent smile. The reactiveness; the catching breath, zipping pulse, the blushing clear up to his adorable little ears. Those cute, thrilling little sounds that he doesn't even realize sneak out, the little gasps and soft whimpers- they're dizzying…intoxicating…near addicting. The sweet, excited babbling, mouth running faster than his brain. The moments when he'd freeze, eyes going wide, realizing that wasn't an internal thought. The bright, buzzing energy. The near infectious morality, strength and heart. The blindsiding level of compassion and empathy without so much as a hint of judgment or condescension. The snarky sarcasm. The sass and fire. That oh so captivating assertive thing that sent an excited thrill clear down to Raphael's toes.

Those dizzyingly pretty bright eyes flashing and flickering like a gold and emerald flame.

Uh…y-yeah…

A LOT of appeal there.

But even so he had no idea how much of a reaction he'd have to a threat to the feisty little warlock. Hell, nNot even a real, legitimate threat. Paul was nothing- yes he killed Eugene but that was a freak thing. He doesn't really have it in him to be a threat- not purposefully in any case. Simon was on it- he was focused, and clearheaded, he had no fear whatsoever during the encounter. He was relaxed and ready. Looking back Raphael had no doubt had the man actually tried to lay a hand on Simon he'd of more than easily handled the situation (yet another thing to add to the 'Worryingly Appealing List'…a list that's getting alarmingly long…and he hasn't even known the guy an entire day…

Dios…SO much trouble).

Simon hadn't backed down during the confrontation and Raphael knew it wasn't just false bravado. Despite the big, worryingly innocent golden brown eyes and the far too sweet, guileless smile the man was both a warlock and a detective.

He's far from helpless…

But he's also far from invincible.

Warlocks and Demons were immortal but none of them were invincible.

Invincible means you cannot be killed. Immortal means there are no natural circumstances that will lead to your death. Immortal just means you live until something kills you… big difference.

No being in this dimension is 'invincible' not even Raphael. With his mass of devotees, abilities and strength he's amassed over the last three and a half centuries he's probably nearly as close as most any being on this plane of existence could be, but 'close' isn't the same as 'IS'.

Plenty of things can kill an immortal. And when that immortal is a still wet behind the ears, worryingly moral, brave, stupidly selfless warlock hell-bent on protecting the whole of humanity- even the really crappy parts- the list of possible causes of death can get very long…very quickly. Especially for someone as worryingly open as Simon.

He 'knew' being open about his sexuality wasn't really feasible but at the same time it's like he doesn't really have it in him to truly hide it…not to the level he'd need to in this society…especially in THAT career. There's far too many complications possible there. He was far too quick to open up…it's like denial doesn't even enter into his thought process.

It reminded him so much of Mags…but in the absolute worst possible way.

Magnus was bold and brazen, totally unapologetic about himself…everything about himself. Raphael loved that about him but it terrified him to his very core. This was not a society that welcomed that…it scared people…angered them…caused them to see that person as a threat, a danger, as something not quite human…to a point that'd allow them to lash out, to justify truly heinous, near always irreversible actions. Actions like Paul took against Eugene…or worse…so much worse.

It happens so often and there are so many far too quick to write it off, excuse it as an 'expected outcome' and the consequences of a 'deviant' lifestyle. Even some that see it as justified, as morally righteous. There are so many of them…everywhere.

I mean yeah, HE'S fine- to use Simon's turn of phrase- he's Raphael FREAKING Santiago. He's hands down the most feared crime boss in this state…hell, in most of the country. He's pretty sure at this point the people who know he's a literal demon are actually less afraid of him than the normal humans. He can be as open as he damn well pleases so far as his sexuality is concerned because…well…self-preservation generally tops ignorance and bigotry- and if for whatever reason it doesn't he has no issue whatsoever with putting them right back in their place.

He's got it covered but the same can't be said for everyone else.

To survive in this world- in this society- especially in that job and that atmosphere you need to be on guard constantly. You need guile, cunning, tact. You need to be suspicious and distrusting of everyone until you have undeniable proof otherwise…and even then you need to keep your wits about you, not dismiss any signs, hints or tells you read it wrong. You need to know how to read the situation, how to distance yourself when needed, how to play the game, when to tip your hand, when to play the part.

You need to know this.

Especially when you're young and vulnerable…when you're just starting out.

Most everyone like them even remotely in the law enforcement field knows this. It is engrained in them…it is practically the cornerstone of their professional life.

And then here's Simon.

Right in the thick of it, adorably bumbling about with his unshakable integrity and annoyingly appealing stubborn streak, snark and sass, charging head on into the storm, totally focused on protecting the innocent, helping the helpless and defending those who can't defend themselves utterly heedless to the personal threats surrounding him.

It is equal parts thrilling and terrifying.

He likes the fire the man has- the strength and conviction, compassion and heart...the determination. He likes the openness and honesty, the integrity and willingness to so totally put himself out there, open himself up to others, empathizes with them, connect with them. It's so far beyond appealing.

At least to Raphael it is…

But to others?

People like Paul Barrington? Like the officers Magnus had mentioned at the scene? Like chief Lightwood or any of the countless other close-minded, bigoted people he's going to encounter on the job?

Probably not going to go over as well.

The loudmouths are one thing; a biting comment, a dig, slur or whatever else- sure fine, whatever…but so many are not satisfied by just a comment, a cold shoulder or a dirty look.

He is going to come into contact with people on this job that flat out want him dead- co-workers and criminals alike. And yeah Raphael understands despite the Bambi eyes and sweet smile he's far from helpless.

He's a warlock and a detective. He's intelligent and driven. The man is sharp and pretty aware…or he is until he sees someone in pain, then everything else kinda goes to the wayside. Even with the distractions the man's still quite quick and sharp and more than capable of holding his own in a fight. Going by his reaction to Paul, the clam, relaxed confidence, that little flair of power during the confession Raphael has no doubt in his mind he can defend himself against most threats he'll encounter.

But 'most' is not 'all' any more than 'immortal' is 'invincible'.

And all it takes is one.

One misstep, one slip of the tongue to the wrong person, letting your guard down at just one wrong moment…and that's it. It can happen in a blink. Raphael knows this…all too well. It's so very easy to slip up, misread one little thing and that's all it takes.

It's very admirable he has so much conviction, so much heart and compassion…wants so very much just to help. It is appealing and exciting and so far beyond charming he doesn't even know a word to describe it. His goals are very admirable…his execution may need some work. Or at least a bit of back up till he's a little steadier on his feet with all of this, till he has more practice around humans. Right now he's far too inexperienced and far too vulnerable to be out there by himself.

He just is.

So Raphael is just going to have to ensure that's not the case. The only trick is how to go about it. Not like he can just be honest. Say while he thinks Simon is very capable and very intelligent, he's also very new and he really doesn't want to see him get in over his head.

Yeah...a demon just concerned about the welfare of a warlock.

He doesn't even know how he'd say that without it coming out sarcastic or filled with implications…

Huh…maybe he does have a weird voice quirk type thing like Simon said. Eh…nothing he could do about it right now…

Besides it generally does tend to works in his favor.

He doubts there's any way he could convince the guy to genuinely believe he has no ulterior motives, that he just wants to look out for him, make sure he's okay.

However he's nothing if not adaptable. If he can't convince Simon his actions have no ulterior motive then he'll simply have come up with an ulterior motive to give Simon for justification of his actions.

Simple enough…

Kinda interesting having the ulterior motive being a cover though…that's a new one.

But…well…really nothing else with Simon has turned out like he'd expected…why would this be any different?

If anything it should be interesting.

{*~********~*~********~*} *-Other-*-Other-*-Other-*-Other-*-Other-* *-Albert-* {*~********~*~********~*}

Albert pulled his car to a stop on the street just in front of the house, glancing up at the porch, the lights flickering low and warm in the window.

Okay good…the lights are on so at least she was likely awake. Doesn't mean she's up for company…especially right now. Even so he had to do it now. Besides After she finds out all the details he doubts she'll ever speak to him again.

God…he should have waited till tomorrow…he shouldn't bother her. She's going through hell right now- she deserves the time to grieve on her own.

He knows he should wait…

But…

He sighed, reaching in his pocket, pulling out the watch, seeing it catch in the light, glinting. He turned it over, running his thumb over the engraving, hitting the release on the side, carefully unfolding the note, reading over it once more.

Eugene,

This watch is my most prized possession. It's been in my family for generations. It's always supposed to be part of my family. That's why I'm giving it to you, my love…because you are my family. It is stunning, resilient, irreplaceable and completely priceless…just like you.

I know I don't say it enough or probably show it enough but you are the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me and I am grateful every day for you (And your terrible sense of direction and complete inability to admit when you're wrong.)

Happy Anniversary my love.

P.S. I know you're going to try to give it back, say it's too much. Don't. For once I'm trying to be the romantic one damnit. You've been sweeping me off my feet for the last five years – just let me have this one.

He swallowed, blinking, quickly trying to pull back the tears.

In the letter Leo said the watch belonged in his family- he deserved to have it back. Magnus had photographed it in the office and it didn't have any material evidence on it so they'd allowed him to take it. He should have probably waited till tomorrow but he wanted to be absolutely certain Leo got it back.

The way Magnus and Detective Lightwood talked Leo and Ruth were great friends. She'd be able to make sure the watch got back to him. He was the love of Eugene's life, made him happy. He said Eugene was his family. He deserved to have this small thing to remember him by.

He had to be sure it got back to him…it was the only thing more he could do for Eugene. There was so much he screwed up, so many missed opportunities, so many chances. He missed SO much…because he wanted to…because it was easier…because it made his life easier just to ignore it, not see it, not address it. To pretend it didn't exist…seemingly pretending HE didn't even exist at least in Eugene's eyes. This was the last thing he could do for him. The only thing left he could do for him. He had to get this right.

There wouldn't be any other second chances.

He'd ran out of those.

He took a deep, kind of shaky breath, wiping the tears away, taking a couple more deep- hopefully steadying breaths, trying to get at least a bit of his composure back. He sat there for a few more moments just breathing and trying to get himself under control. Ruth didn't need to see him like this…she had enough to deal with, he didn't need to put his regrets on her. And she deserved to hear the truth from him, not the police report or the papers or anything else. She deserved to know that it's his fault they lost him.

He took one last, deep, centering breath, climbing out of the car, making his way up to the door. He climbed up the porch steps, glancing around, genuinely wondering if this was the last time he'd ever be welcome here. Couldn't say he'd blame her.

God he didn't want to do this…

But he needed to.

He raised his hand, quickly knocking on the door before he could talk himself out of it, dropping his hand, all but holding his breath. He hears shuffling from inside and the click of the lock.

He takes a deep breath, beginning to start talking before the door even opens all the way.

"Sorry for the late hour b-oh…" He trails off, blinking in surprise, catching sight of the tall, blond Englishman- though at the moment he almost had to do a double take. He barely recognized the man standing before him.

Leo was usually pretty immaculate looking- never a hair out of place, perfect, pristine suits, everything just so, always polite and perfectly composed- that whole 'stiff upper lip' thing- he almost seemed just on the edge of too fussy…at least every other time Albert had seen the man he was. The same could not be right said now. His hair's rumpled, eyes red, and slightly puffy, he'd clearly been crying, and possibly had a few drinks. He's in a pair of dark green sleep pants and a midnight blue robe with 'Eugene' embroidered along the collar in gold lettering.

"Mr. Dawson…" The door opens a bit more, Ruth slipping into view in a soft lavender robe over a long yellow nightdress, coming to stand just beside Leo.

Leo blinks uncomprehendingly, before faintly startling, head shaking, swallowing realizing what it must seem like- a random man in the home of his son's widow. He shakes his head once more, gesturing between them.

"sir…it's not w-…" he trails off, eyes catching on the gold pocket watch in Albert's hand.

He froze for a moment, everything seemingly slotting into place, paling slightly. He begins to shake his head, some type of denial forming before just totally deflating, head shaking, taking a shuttery, uneven breath, pushing his hair back, giving a helpless shrug.

"Damnit…Sir I…" He swallowed, shaking his head again, sniffing, rubbing his face, pushing his hair back again, a hopeless expression going over his features.

"I- I know you saw the engraving, probably the letter too. I'm sure you have a lot of questions, or accusations o-or shouting and condemning to do but-damnit. I can't deal with that right now. I really can't. I'm a mess. I found out not ten hours ago the love of my life is just gone, that I will never see him again. I've spent eight and a half hours doing everything possible to get home, hoping that there was going to be some twist, some change, something that said it was wrong- that it was a mistake or a bad dream or something…anything. But there's not. He's gone and I'm never going to see him again and I know you lost him too. You all did and I know he was your son and I doubt you believe that my grief in this is in anyway on par with yours- that what we had wasn't real, was wrong or immoral or sick or whatever else…but it wasn't.

It wasn't.

I loved him with all my heart- I thought I'd spend the rest of my life with him. He was everything to me and now he's gone…he's just gone…and I can't make sense of it. I keep hoping this is just some horrible dream I'm going to wake up from but it's not…it's not and I'm way too close to my breaking point and I just really…

I-I feel like I lost a part of myself and I just…I just can't r-"

Albert swallowed, shaking his head, holding the watch out.

"I j-just wanted to make sure you got this back…I-it…I wanted to be sure that you had it…I think that's what Eugene would have wanted and there's nothing else I can do for him now…it's the only thing I could do for him. And I didn't do nearly enough…I had to at least get this right.

I know it wasn't any of those things. It was real…you loved him. He loved you…I-I'm glad he did…that he had the chance to find that. H-he deserved that…he deserved to find love, to be happy. I-I don't care if it was with a man…I'm just glad he got to experience that. I'm glad he had people he trusted, that he loved, that he really felt loved and accepted him for exactly who he was. He deserved that, to really know how much he meant to people. Eugene was one of the best people I've ever known…and I don't think I ever told him that. I don't think he ever knew how highly I thought of him and I will regret that for the rest of my life…that's all on me…" He took a deep breath, looking from Leo over to Ruth, hesitantly reaching, forward taking each of their hands, squeezing tightly.

"Thank you- both of you- for taking care of my son. For loving him, and protecting him and letting him know that he was perfectly fine exactly how he was. I hate that I ever made him think he wasn't…that he thought I thought he wasn't because I-I swear I've never thought anything like that…not about him. He was never 'this' or 'that' or one of 'those people'…he was just Eugene, my son, my youngest child. I never thought of him as anything other than that and I hate that so many people- him included- really ever thought any of that could ever possibly mean more to me than him. I really do. If I'd of just said it, just once…"

Ruth moved forward, wrapping her arms around Albert, hugging him tight. He shivered, returning the embrace. Shaking his head, totally lost.

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry for all of this. I would give anything to change it. I would. It's all my fault…If I'd of just said something different, did something different…If I'd just not have been so damn blind it w-"

She sighed, shaking her head.

"Albert, it's not your fault."

He swallowed, nodding.

"But it was…If I j-"

She shook her head gently.

"No it wasn't. Magnus called me, said they solved it. He couldn't give me all the details but he told me the basics. He told me that you we're carrying a lot of guilt over this. I-I was actually planning on coming to see you tomorrow to see how you were holding up. It wasn't your fault Albert…you had no idea about any of this. There's no way you could have known Paul would do that- hell, it doesn't even sound like Paul knew he'd do it until it happened. There's nothing you could have done…

It shouldn't have happened- it absolutely shouldn't have happened- but you're no more at fault with what happened than Eugene was.

Paul was the one who did it. He's the one who couldn't stomach someone like us being happy…he's the one who snapped…he's the one who covered it up, trying to make it look like something else to get him off the hook. There is no one at fault here except for him…alright?"

He blinked, sniffing faintly, shaking his head, swallowing, pulling back, looking her over.

"B-but I-"

Leo stepped forward, shaking his head.

"She's right sir…you are not responsible for this. I know that's what it might feel like here…that's how he's trying to make it seem, but it's not. I met Paul…t-there was something broken there. He hated people like us- absolutely hated us. Not in the normal 'morally opposed to it' way but genuinely hated us. He'd get so mad at even the slightest hint of affection between two people of the same gender or at anyone even remotely obvious. It absolutely infuriated him. He wasn't just repulsed by it he was enraged by it.

Eugene saw it too…he actually felt bad for the guy, honestly kinda pitied him. He thought the reason it got to him like that was because he was like us- but he couldn't accept it, at all. That he hated that part of himself so much- was so ashamed by it that he'd managed to just hide it completely- probably even from himself. But seeing others not doing that- seeing others not repulsed by themselves, not hating themselves…the idea that someone could be like 'that' and not be ashamed, not hate themselves…actually be happy and have a good life without 'fixing' that? I-it got to him on a level I don't think even he realized." He swallowed, giving a faint shrug.

"I-I don't know-I mean I'm a psychologist, I've studied the way people's minds work for well over a decade but even I don't know if anyone will ever really understand what was ultimately going on in his head. Even so Magnus gave Ruth his statement- why he said he did it- I don't think that's what pushed him over the edge. I don't think his motivation was 'protect his job' I think it was far deeper, far more twisted, far more complicated than that.

I don't think what he did was really about you…it was not about Eugene…It was about Paul, and just Paul."

He moved forward, hesitantly resting his hand on Albert's shoulder, squeezing, looking him in the eye.

"It was not your fault…you didn't take him from us…you didn't. Please don't think that… Gennie would not want you to blame yourself…you know he wouldn't. He hated it when people blamed themselves for someone else's actions- said just because someone's too much of a coward to own their own mistakes doesn't mean other people need to foot the bill."

Albert gave a soft near laugh, blinking in surprise, nodding, brushing his hair back.

"H-he did…didn't he?"

Leo nodded, giving a soft, sad not quite smile.

"He really was the best person I've ever known…"

Albert nodded, reaching up, squeezing his arm lightly.

"Thank you. I'm glad Eugene was lucky enough to find love with such a good person."

Leo shrugged.

"I was the lucky one…"

Albert smiled, sniffing faintly, eyes getting a bit misty.

"I think you both were…" He squeezed his arm once more, looking from Leo over to Ruth, reaching over lightly catching her hand, squeezing.

"I should probably get going, give you your time to process all of this but umm…Saturday we're having a bit of a luncheon. Nothing fancy; just the family, maybe a few very close, very trusted friends. Giving us all a chance to talk, share stories, j-just give us a chance to remember the good times with Eugene. I have a feeling you two probably have more of those than any of us…I-if you- both of you- want to come you are more than welcome."

They both blinked in surprise, kind of freezing. Albert sighed, deflating a bit, shrugging.

"But if it's too much or too soon I totally understand. I'd just love to have an opportunity to really know about his life. I do understand though." He shrugged, turning to go, giving a slight not quite wave, beginning to the steps.

He pauses at a light hand on his shoulder, glancing over. Leo shrugged.

"I- that's a very kind offer sir, thank you…I-I'll definitely consider it…I just don't want to be a problem for anyone."

Albert shook his head quickly, giving a near scoff.

"I never want to hear someone referred to as a 'problem', 'issue' or 'embarrassment' again. By anyone. You were the most important person in my son's life, he loved you and you loved him…I really don't care if that makes people uncomfortable or offends them…it has nothing to do with them. I'm just glad he had that.

Saturday's a few days away- just think about it. There's no pressure and I do understand- you are under no obligation. This is hard enough for you, the last thing I want to do is make it even harder. Just think about it…I just…I missed so much of his life. I'd really like the chance to know at least a bit more about him…the people who were important to him…that's all.

Just think about it…alright?"

Leo nodded. Albert gave a not quite smile, nodding back in relief, again beginning to turn before catching the sound of light padding footsteps, turning back catching sight of Ruth standing next to Leo. She shrugged, giving a gentle smile.

"Albert? Do you want to maybe come in for a bit? Leo put a kettle of tea on- should be about done. We've been kind of wallowing, it might be kind of nice going over the happier stories for a while?"

He gave a slight shrug, beginning to move forward.

"Alright…though I don't really like tea."

Leo gave a soft almost laugh, shrugging.

"Me neither actually, but I'm English…it's kind of a requirement in any time of distress, trauma or upset. That's the only time I ever drink it. Anytime Gennie would come over and see the tea kettle on the stove he'd just groan resigned, grab a cup and ask who we were pissed off at and if we needed a retaliation plan…or an alibi if he didn't make it in time for that part."

That surprised a laugh out of Albert, glancing over curiously.

"A retaliation plan?"

Ruth chuckled.

"Oh yes…and they were never simple or straight forward. It was always a big, elaborate Machiavellian 'thing' that you needed notes and a compass to follow. Gennie was a doll most of the time but upset someone he loved and look out…I mean it was mostly just talk and getting the upset person to relax and laugh but man he could come up with some doozies! Though that was just kind of him. Everything he approached he did with such a bright dramatic flair...we have so many stories."

Albert looked over kind of hopefully.

"I'd love to hear them."

She smiled, nodding, glancing over at Leo who nodded back, seeming a bit more pulled together.

"And we'd love to share them. I'll grab our tea."

Ruth nodded, moving over towards the stairs.

"You do that, I'll go up and grab the photo albums…really so many of Gennie's crazier stories work best with visual's…if anything just because without actual proof you'd swear they were too ridiculous to be real."

{*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*} *-*-*End Of Chapter Notes!*-*-* {*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*}

O-okay…I don't know about you guys but I'm all cried out…this was painful to write…even so I really love how it turned out. I know the end is kind of random and turned around pretty quick but I needed a glimmer of hope for their storyline.

Damnit! How is it a couple totally random OC's for a case can get to me this much?!

Sorry for the downer…I know it was rough but…hell it's a murder case- we knew going in it wasn't gonna end up anywhere good.

This is the last chapter I had to write…Chapter 12 I have done, just need to do one more read through and a final sweeping read-through/edit and I'll have it up…thinking I'll post it on Friday (Mainly because it's Friday the 13th and I am incapable of passing that up for the final posting.

Just a bit more to tie up (No more tears I promise- I'm all cried out…)

What do you guys think so far?

-*-*-*-*-*-*-40'sDetectiveNoir-*-*-*-*-*-*-

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