Here ya go! a/n at the bottom.

Luke, Magnus and I agreed to meet at 7:30 that night so that each person had some time to eat and do whatever we needed to do to get ready. I went straight home to eat leftover takeout and make sure my place was presentable before the others showed up. I left it up to Luke to give Magnus my address as I couldn't bring myself to look at him in that particular setting anymore.

I remembered sharing a very special night with Magnus in that library, a very steamy night. To this day I can't go in there without thinking about Magnus coming completely undone at my hands (and mouth), moaning and gasping, sometimes whispering, sometimes hoarsely screaming my name. But that felt so long ago and so far away from where we were now. Now I was expected to work closely with him in order to keep my new position in the Clave.

It was a position I felt very lucky to have. A little more than a month ago I had approached my parents with my plans to move out of the Institute. I was still planning on patrolling with the others and doing any other duties that fell onto me. But that was the problem, though. There were no duties coming to me, other than the patrolling. By all rights I should have been taking a more active roll at the Institute because of my age and my experience with the Mortal and Dark wars. At first I thought that because I had been moping around helplessly with a broken heart that my parents thought I wasn't in any condition to take on more responsibility. I was only half right. My parents were concerned about how I was acting, but they were embarrassed by it. They didn't think that a shadowhunter should be that devastated by a warlock. They were happy to be able to finally say that I wasn't associated with him anymore, but they thought that the way I was carrying myself was ridiculous and not worthy of someone with the blood of angels running their veins.

Feeling a bit spiteful, I went over their heads and spoke with the Consul, Jia Penhallow. It turned out to be a good thing that I did. Members of the Clave were starting to question my lack of involvement in the rebuilding that was taking place, in Idris specifically, and in our policies and our dealings with the rest of the world. Things were not perfect and they weren't going to become so any time soon, but the Clave was trying to become more open to those who were different than themselves. I didn't believe the faeries were impressed, as the Clave dealt them a pretty steep punishment for allying themselves with Sebastian Morgenstern in the Dark war, but the werewolves and some warlocks were benefiting from the beginnings of the new peace in the shadow world.

We couldn't be sure about the vampires, though. The Clave, or any of the Institutes had not been able to discern the vampires' position in any official capacity. That was were I, and others at other Institutes, came in. Jia thought that my level of compassion would be perfect for the new liaison branch of the conclave of New York. Said position had me working with the downworlder representatives as a middleman between them and the Clave to help foster communication and to solve any conflict that might arise. So far I had only been working with Luke, who had been helping since I started the position, and Maia.

A knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts. It was Luke, looking grim.

"I finally managed speak with Sal, the leader of the vampire clan in Haiti. He couldn't tell me much out of fear of retribution, it seems, but it looks like our fears have been confirmed. The vampires are planning something with the faeries."

"I just wonder why." I said. "Did he give you any indication as to why the vampires would side with the fae? Or what they are planning?"

Luke shook his head and sighed. "No and no. I got the impression that Sal didn't know much, although you can bet he knew at least a bit more than what he told me."

"I take it you trust him?"

"Yes I do. He is an old friend." Luke responded causing my eyebrows to shoot up. He gave a wry smile. "Alright, maybe the term 'friend' is too strong, but I do trust him."

It didn't seem like he was going to further explain so I steered the conversation to our more immediate problem. "So, you're thinking this is tied to Maia and Bat, right?"

"I am almost sure that Maia's kidnapping has everything to do with the vamps and faeries. They're making some sort of statement. Bat probably got taken just because he was with Maia, defending her." Luke said.

"Yeah. If that's the case then they will probably be making more statements. You should probably think about taking extra precautions, now that you are a rep again. Magnus, too." I added, absently.

"I wonder where he is." Luke said, checking his watch. "It's after 8:30. He should have been here an hour ago."

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door.

I hurried over to answer it. I was shocked at what was on the other side. Looking very agitated and a quite ruffled was Magnus holding Chairman Meow (even the Chairman looked to be in a state of disorder) and wheeling a large, stuffed to the brim, suitcase.

I stood there looking at the two of them like they were the ghosts of Valentine and Sebastian coming for an evening visit. Of course Magnus had the nerve to be snide. "As much as I love admiring what you have done with your lovely doorway, I'd really appreciate being shown inside."

I literally jumped aside allowing Magnus to pass. He sighed dramatically, pulling his luggage in and sitting the Chairman down. The cute little guy sniffed the air and looked around. He pranced right over to me and began to paw up my pant leg. I guess he'd missed me as much as I missed him. I leaned down and stroked him a few times around his ears and cheeks. "Hey there buddy. How ya been?" I asked him, forgetting anyone else was there for the moment.

"Magnus, what's going on?" Luke asked him. "Why do you look as if you are prepared to move in?"

"I don't know about that." Magnus said, he gave me a fleeting glance as I looked up from the Chairman. "I do need to figure out someplace to go for a few nights, though."

"What happened?" Luke asked sharply.

"I was at home, preparing to come here when someone knocked on my door. I thought it was just a client so I opened the door from the other room. I started to get suspicious when no one said anything or made a sound." He explained, making himself right at home and flopping down on a stuffed armchair. "Damn cowards were too afraid to try to fight me outright so they had to resort to using some sort of smoke bomb."

"A smoke bomb?" I asked.

Magnus looked at me thoughtfully. "Yes, but it was a very ancient sort of faerie-made smoke. Deadly stuff. I recognized it immediately. The Chairman was right next to me thankfully. I snapped my bag together and portalled out of there."

"Shouldn't it have taken you a while to make a portal?" Luke asked.

"The time it takes to prepare a portal depends on the amount of people that need transported and also the distance that needs to be travelled. I was able to prepare my particular portal quickly as I set it to take me only two blocks away. After that we travelled by cab."

Luke glanced between Magnus and I and seemed to make a decision. "Magnus, you are welcome to stay at my place while we figure out if you place is safe enough to go back."

Magnus was about to say something but I cut him off. "I don't think that would be a good idea. You both are reps and right now it looks like that's who is being targeted. It'd be safer if the two of you did not live together."

"I'm sure I can find somewhere to stay for a while." Magnus said, glaring at me.

I nodded, standing up, ignoring the way he was looking at me. "Okay. I have to call in a report to the Clave. With your permission, Magnus, a team will be sent to your apartment tonight for investigation. Luke, you are free to leave and we can touch base tomorrow afternoon. Please, both of you, use extra precaution."

Luke said his goodbyes and left. I left Magnus in the living room to contact the Clave. When I got done Magnus was looking at me strangely.

"You're different, now." He said.

I remained silent, waiting for him to elaborate.

He stood up and casually strode over to me with his hands on his hips. When we were face to face, just about six inches apart, he said, "The blush is gone. As is the stutter." He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. "It's nice to see you in a position of…" He leaned in slightly. "Control."

"Oh?" I cleared my throat and took a couple steps back, not really sure how I wanted to answer that. "Did you figure out living arrangements?" I asked instead.

"Yes. I'm moving in here."

"W-What? What do you mean?"

He clapped his hands together and smiled cockily. "There's the blush and stutter I've missed so much!"

My face grew hotter but I remained speechless.

"Look." He said, serious for the moment. "I can't get ahold of anyone that I trust and would be able to put me up for a while so I guess your it. Its your job, right?" He asked, his eyes turning hard.

"I guess, technically." I sighed and added quietly. "I want you to be safe and have a place to stay, even when it isn't 'my job'"

Magnus just blinked at me, without comment.

"I'm sure you will be able to move back home by tomorrow anyway." I said, more to myself than anything.

I shook my head to clear it. I had to make it through this night with my sanity intact. Somehow. "I turned the spare bedroom into my office, but I'm sure you are more than capable of turning the living room into a cozy space fit to sleep in, right? Just make yourself at home. Please."

"If you can just point me in the direction of your bathroom, I would just like a nice long soak." Magnus said.

"Okay well, you'll have to use my bathroom. The one out here only has a shower." I pointed to the door of my bedroom. "Just through there. Take your time, I still have a lot of work to finish up anyway." I managed to smile weakly in his direction before making a break for my office.

And I actually did have plenty to do. I had to type up the report that I had phoned in earlier. I had a couple of informants that I needed to make contact with before the night was over. I had meetings that needed to be set up for in the morning. I had to make a schedule for the next day and for the week.

This job kept me busy already, but I knew that it was going to be very intense for a while. I welcomed it wholeheartedly. I loved being able to take an active role in the Clave and to still be able to spend most of my evenings demon hunting.

After I had spent close to two hours at my desk, I realized that I was very tired. Anything else would have to wait for the morning. I stood up and stretched and turned the light out. When I left the room I saw that Magnus had snapped in a large bed with fancy drawn curtains made of red lace all around it. I figured he was asleep so I went quietly to my room.

I had an early appointment for breakfast with an informant set for the next day so I decided to take a quick shower tonight before retiring to bed. I unbuttoned my pants pulling them down and stepping out of them and my boxers. I opened the bathroom door as I pulled my shirt up over my head. I walked into the bathroom, my eyelids half-closed as I rolled my head and shoulders, trying to work out the kinks built up from the long day. I froze when I felt the distinct sensation of someone watching me.

"Well, what a nice treat. Did you want to join me?" Magnus was still taking a bath!

"Oh! I-I... Raziel! I'm sorry, I thought you were sleeping…" I know I sounded lame.

Magnus just sat there calmly, looking like a bronze god luxuriating in my tub. He laughed lightly. "I really don't mind." His eyes were slowly traveling up and down my naked body. His full lips parted.

I couldn't move. One reason was because I was so embarrassed. Another was because I was taking in the view in front of me. Magnus looked so good. And I could see a lot. I mean A LOT. The bubbles that were surely in his bath earlier were basically nonexistent now. I could see all of his flawless caramel skin. His chest, with his brown nipples that I wanted to put my mouth all over. His lightly defined abs that I wanted to run my hands over and reacquaint myself with. His dick. Oh angel, his massive, monster of a cock was there lying underneath the water looking huge even in its state of non-arousal. Me on the other hand. I was starting to get hard. I was starting to remember some of the activities we could engage in while naked.

I knew Magnus was comfortable in situations that were totally awkward to normal people, but then he decided to crank the awkward dial all the way up by standing up. He smirked at me.

"Can you hand me a towel?"

"I-I…" Water was streaming down Magnus' body. Down his chest. Past his hips. Over his thighs. His skin just seemed to glow. I was entranced.

Magnus reached a long arm out toward me. "A towel?" He repeated a bit louder.

I snapped out of my stupor suddenly. "S-Sorry. Here." I snatched a towel down from the shelf beside me and half tossed it at Magnus, finally attempting to avert my eyes and cover myself with a robe.

Magnus walked passed me looking smug, as his eyes travelled down my body once more. "Tub's all yours, big boy."

I let out a huge breath once I was sure he was all the way out and in the living room. I unplugged the tub to let it drain and turned out the light. I pulled off the robe and got into bed. As bad as I needed relief I couldn't bring myself to give in to my physical needs. I didn't want to confuse and further complicate my already complicated situation. I wasn't confused about my feelings, though. I mean, I knew that I was still physically attracted to Magnus. I was still attracted in pretty much all the same ways, in fact. I still loved him.

The thing that was different now was that I didn't think that the love that we shared had ever been enough. Hadn't we proved that back in that subway tunnel months ago? If we could not make it past one big argument then didn't that mean that we were not meant to be together?

The thing that I was confused about, though, was how Magnus felt. I knew the stuff in the bathroom was just him messing with me and trying to see how flustered he could get me. I just didn't know why he seemed like he wanted to discuss things with me now. The last time I had tried to plead with him, he didn't want to even hear it. Now it was like he was considering trying to work things out. How ironic was it that now I was the one who didn't think it was worth it to try anymore.

As I laid there trying to will myself off to sleep, I hoped that resolutions were on their way. A quick resolution to the problem with the vampires and faeries. Wishful thinking, I know, but I was willing to do anything in my power to avoid another all-out war so quickly after the last two.

A quick resolution for Magnus and I was also welcome. I was convinced that we could not be together in a way that would last long-term. I was hoping, though, that our time working together now could help us at least become friends.

The next day I woke up early to meet with my informant. We had arranged to meet at a diner in Manhattan. I waited for an hour before David called me sounding rather distraught and out of breath.

"Alec! I can't meet with you. I probably wont be able to contact you for a while… Shit…"

He had been almost whispering, like he was afraid of being overheard.

"David? Why can't you meet me? Are you in trouble?" I asked.

I heard a loud noise, like he had dropped the phone. I heard him yell 'shit' again then it went completely silent. I tried dialing him back but it just rang endlessly each time.

I was pretty close to the Institute so I decided that it would be a good time to talk to my mother. She actually wasn't the person I answered to directly in my new position, but as the head of the Institute, and my mother and elder, she was obviously someone who I always had to answer to eventually. I'd been putting off talking to her about certain things for a while. Hell, she had deluded herself into thinking that my moving and my new job were only temporary. I allowed her to believe that to keep the peace. It was finally time to grow up and come clean to her about my plans for the future.

A/N

This chapter was hard to write. It just didn't flow like the previous ones so I had to rewrite it a bunch of times. Anyway, I hoped you liked it.

To the guests who reviewed: Thank you! I am glad that you anticipate the updates!

Thanks for reading!