Disclaimer: I do not own The Mortal Instruments. Only this story.

Ch. 3 Heartbeat

It's beating fast… so fast.

It's high-speed pace is going a mile a minute and it doesn't seem like there is any sign of stopping. He doesn't hear a word that has been said; right now he couldn't fathom a guess to what is going on. It doesn't matter that the Clave is being attack by the Fair Folk, because his processing skills have gone down the drain. He can only sit there numbly and stare at the two men in front of him. It's getting louder now, the beating. As if his heart could force its way out of his chest and stumble onto the table.

Magnus and Ragnor are here.

MAGNUS and RAGNOR are HERE.

In front of him. Sitting across the round table.

The round table. Alec would have smiled at the fond memory, if the situation wasn't so nerve-racking.

"Alec?" Jace urgently whispered. It seemed as if he's been whispering his name for a while now, because his forehead vein has already popped out. " Are you ok?."

"Excuse me Ambassador Lightwood; are we keeping you from something important?"

Damn you Aldertree. Alec has no reason to be angry at the inquisitor, but it made it so much easier to direct his anger at him.

"No." He tried to make his voice sound firm and steady, and hoped they would ignore the underlying quiver.

They both looked at him.

Ragnor's face was more of a look of curiosity. He hasn't known Alec for long, so he couldn't possible know what was wrong with him. Alec could only wonder as to what this beautiful Warlock was thinking.

But Magnus…the love of his life.

His gaze was strong and unwavering. He didn't give Alec any sympathy. It was almost like the last time he saw him in the subway. Thoughtful, yet uncaring. There was no love in those eyes any longer; he had distanced himself.

Alec wanted to put his head down and shut everything out, it was only his dedication to the Clave that held him in an upright position.

He had to clear his throat before addressing Aldertree.

"Please continue Inquisitor."

"He just finished Alexander." Magnus, used his deliciously dark voice, to finally acknowledged him. "I, as Council Representative, will allow the Warlocks to aid the Shadowhunters should they wish. From our discussion it seems that you, as the Warlock Liaison will be working closely with my good friend Ragnor Fell.

Ragnor nodded, "Not only me, but some of our other friends will help as well," Ragnor looked at Magnus, and gave him a questioning look. Magnus wasn't being entirely himself at the moment; no doubt that the savvy High Warlock of London had caught on. "But I will be your main source of contact." He winked at Alec. Alec stiffened in response. "I have to lead the preparations in making several dimensional doors around Alicante and connecting them together. It is going to take a lot of magic, and a lot of effort." He stated matter-of-factly.

"Of course, I will help in whatever I can do." Alec said. There that sounded official.

Ragnor smiled in response. Alec could have sworn that there was a twinkle in his eye.

"Of course, Ambassador Lightwood." He said in a teasing way, as if he was referring to the events that had taken place the previous night.

It was Magnus who cleared his voice and ended things. "Then it's settled. Alec and Ragnor will stay and take charge in Alicante until this ordeal is over. This meeting has come to a close." And with that he effectively stood up and began to see his way out.

Everyone else also started to scatter, but it was Alec who was left scrambling after Magnus.

He finally caught up to him in the hallway. It was empty save for them two.

"Magnus!" He called out. "Wait."

Magnus quickly turned around and faced off with Alec.

"What is it that you want?" His tone told Alec, that he was not playing around.

Alec's face started to fall, his head bowed slightly and he quieted down. "I wanted to talk to you."

Magnus made a grand sweeping gesture, and spread his arms out wide. "What is there left to talk about, Alec?" He stood tall, and unrelenting.

Alec found it harder and harder to force his words out; it was only his desperation that kept them coming.

"I- haven't seen you in a while. I was hoping we could talk about things…talk about us."

Magnus shook his head. "We've said all that we needed to say Alexander. There is no more. Nothing else."

"That's not true." Alec bit his lip, his internalized pain from the past month coming to the fore front. He wanted Magnus back, and was trying to find the right words to say. "We can fix things between us. I- promise. I won't- anymore. Please, Magnus." His words came out jumbled, they were hard to understand; yet Magnus still knew the meaning.

Magnus sighed, and looked towards the heavens as if they could help. He closed his eyes for a moment, then turned back to Alec, and opened them. His forte façade finally coming down; and Alec could see that he was just as miserable as he, if not maybe more. His once tender eyes, were now sad; so sad. So incredibly heartbreaking, it was like the eons of pain, of life, had finally broken through; and crashed down around him. Alec couldn't bear to see them that way anymore, and turned his gaze downward.

"Is there anything that I can do." He whispered.

Magnus slowly shook his head again and said quietly. "No." He closed his eyes, and took a breath to compose himself. "No there isn't Alexander. In all my ages, and experience, if there is one thing that I have learned, and learned well, it is that people do not change. They tend to only repeat their behavior."

He turned to look directly at Alec now. "You have completely broken my trust, and I can never forgive you again. I meant what I said last time. I don't ever want to see your face again."

With that he turned and walked away. Once again leaving Alec standing alone.

Alec's eyes began to water and burn with tears that threatened to fall. His feeling of hopelessness brushing down his body; pulling him down into a deep depression. He couldn't do it. He couldn't hold himself together, and instead turned and ran towards his designated dormitory. It had been assigned to him, upon his given title of Warlock Liaison.

Each rapid step breaking more cracks into his already broken heart. His memories of Magnus were burning into his soul. It was complete agony.

Alec threw the door open to his bedroom, and had planned to dramatically fall into bed and combust. However, upon entering he noticed something different.

His living quarters, resembled a high class Greek styled apartment. It had high vaulted ceilings, that were held up by beautifully designed columns. It's stone floors were marbled, and elegantly lit by the handsome light fixtures. His room was quiet, but not the same as he had left it. The room was large sized. It contained two canopy queen sized beds, with amble space between them. To be honest the room could have been divided in two and each still would have had plenty of space.

Alec had originally thought that Jace was going to have the second bed, but to his surprise it was someone else. Over on the farther side of the room, with suitcases in hand, was Ragnor Fell.

"Oh. Hello, Alec"

Alec didn't think twice; he only spared the Warlock a quick glance before charging at him.

Ragnor displayed a bit of fear, but remained calm. He only had the chance to put down his bag, before Alec embraced him. He was visibly shaken, by the act. He hadn't expected Alec to hug him. He noticed Alec's shoulders quivering, and started to feel a wetness on his right shoulder.

"What's wrong Alec?" He whispered. The Warlock had not a clue about what could have brought out this behavior from the blue-eyed Shadowhunter.

Alec opened his mouth to say something, but his words wouldn't come out.

Finally after a moment, he was able to squeeze out one word.

"Magnus."

Then he broke out into racking sobs on the Warlocks shoulder. He couldn't hold it in anymore. This entire month of anguish made Alec try to keep busy, so that he wouldn't fall apart; but now he couldn't do it anymore. All his drunken nights, his phone calls, his text messages, his letters and notes, his sleepless nights and longing dreams, his thoughts, and inquiries; everything and anything that had to do with Magnus since that awful time in the subway, had all come crashing out. This was it. He was going to let go, and let it all out.

When Alec had uttered that one name Ragnor knew.

He knew there was a reason that Magnus was acting so cold in the Clave meeting. He knew something was wrong, because he had seen that face before; although, never to that extent. Magnus and Alec were lovers. Guessing by the poor boys sobs, had recently been, until some extreme action by one; Ragnor was guessing Alec, had brought their relationship to a close.

Ragnor had to admit he wanted to hold the Shadowhunter again, but never this way. No, now he could only hold him closer, and provide what little comfort he could. Broken hearts were a tender thing, and were never be fully healed.

"There, there." He whispered to Alec, as he soothingly caressed his black locks out of his face. "Come here." Ragnor laid down on his bed. He was tired from his exhausting day, and figured it would be better to hold Alec from his bed. From the looks of things this was going to take a while. Alec only mutely complied, and snuggled up to the green Warlock; covering his face in Ragnor's chest.

"Give it some time." Ragnor breathed into Alec's ear. After a while Ragnor began to doze off, with his last conscious thought he willed the lights to dim. Alec also closed his eyes and started to sleep, but you could still see tears slide down his cheek.

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Author's Note:

I just made myself sad. Now it's time for RALEC. Thank you for reading, and please review if you would like. I enjoy reading them, and seeing how my story is coming across.

PepperB