Hey, all! Sorry for the wait. This chapter...we've got some steam at the end. I hope it's enjoyable! Quick shout out to Pi9 and "Random Person" for leaving me reviews! Kudos! Your comments are so kind! Umm...please don't hate me for the ending of this story. Random Person, I purposely changed Alec's name to Alex for this fic (it is a boy's name, too, I swear!). I can just hear the X rolling off Magnus's tongue. I apologize if it's bothersome. Just giving something new/different a try. :) But you both rock and thanks again for the reviews. Keep 'em coming! Enjoy!

"Alex?"

The soft whisper brushed against my ear. I stirred. Gentle fingers combed through my hair. With a sleep-laden sigh I rolled from my belly to my side and peeled open my eyes. Magnus was crouched beside the bed, his head tilted to mirror mine. He brushed his thumb over my cheekbone before snaking his fingers through my hair again.

"I have to go," he said softly.

"Oh. Okay." I tried to sit up.

Magnus gently pushed me back down. "Go back to sleep. I'll let myself out."

"Will you come back later tonight?"

He smiled. "I thought you'd never ask."

I grinned sleepily. Magnus kissed me once on the mouth and once on the forehead before straightening and treading quietly from the bedroom. I watched him as he left, but I was fast asleep before I heard the front door close.

Early afternoon sunlight caressed my cheek, warming me all the way down to my toes. With a yawn, I threw the covers off my naked torso and stretched. Several muscles cramped in protest, but I did not regret one moment of what had taken place the night before. Slowly I dragged myself out of bed and trudged to the bathroom for a shower. Before I stepped under the steaming jets of water, I chanced a look in the mirror.

Someone nearly unrecognizable stared back at me. His hair was mussed and unkempt, sticking straight up in random spots. His lips were pink and slightly swollen, soft in comparison to the healing scar trailing down the side of his face. This reflection of me somehow looked older: strong, angled features; confident blue eyes; surety in the set of his jaw. This glimpse of myself had me both mortified and entranced. What Magnus saw in the real me was an elusive, baffling thought, but this newborn, altered side of me...I saw the appeal.

After a long, soothing shower, I dressed and headed into the kitchen for breakfast. As I poured cereal into a bowl, I looked over to see my textbook had found its way back into my backpack, and my backpack was back in its original position. I dumped milk into the bowl, grinning like an idiot at Magnus's kind gesture. I'd just raised the spoon to my mouth when there was a knock at the door. Spoon clenched between my lips, I headed to the entryway to answer it.

Jace, who was leaning against the doorframe, winked at me. "Hey, lover boy."

I nearly choked on my breakfast. Yanking the spoon from my mouth and forcing the barely-chewed mush down my throat, I squeaked, "Jace."

"You look..." His golden eyes traced my body from head to foot. "Refreshed."

"I, uh... Thank you?"

Jace peered past me. "Is she still here?"

"No..."

"Good." He strode in without an invitation. "Now I can have a chat with my brother."

I closed the door and joined him in the living room. He collapsed onto the sofa and watched me with an amused expression. I diverted my attention to setting my bowl on the coffee table and seating myself across from him. My secrets were burning in my cheeks; I could feel them.

"Sooo..." he drawled, prodding. "How did it go?"

"How did what go?"

"Come on, man!" Jace clasped his hands behind his head, and his shirt strained against his chest muscles. "Don't keep me in suspense!"

"Oh, you mean my date," I said, remembering my lie.

"Yeah, your date." Jace picked up a sofa cushion and chucked it at my head. "Did you score?"

I batted the cushion away and let it fall beside me. "Well, duh."

"How was it?"

I picked at the knee of my jeans. "Judging by the sounds she was making, she had the night of her life."

"Alexander, you dog. How was it for you?"

"Amazing." I smiled. "He was amazing."

"She, you mean."

My heart skipped a beat. "What?"

"You said he was amazing." Jace's smirk was teasing. "Something you want to tell me, Alec?"

"I said she."

"No, you didn't."

"Fuck you. I said she." I picked up the pillow and hurled it back at him, hoping he wouldn't notice the blood that had drained from my face.

Jace held the pillow like a football and began twirling it in one hand. "Whatever, homo. So what's she like?"

I fought to not let the derogatory term bother me. With all the composure I could muster I answered, "She's...not what you'd expect."

"In English, Robert Frost."

"I don't know... She looks like she'd slice your throat open, but deep down she's this sweet, sensitive, caring person."

"How's her rack?"

"Jace!"

He held up his hands. "Just curious."

"Yeah, well, control yourself or your curiosity is going to be showing in your pants."

"Tell me what she looks like."

"Why?"

"If she's my type, maybe I'll have a go at her. Offer her round two of the Lightwood brothers."

I glared at him. "She would never go for someone like you."

"You cocky little shit." Jace looked unoffended. "Tell me."

"She's got dark hair. And eyes like sunlight on tree leaves."

Jace wrinkled his nose. "I'm not a fan of dark hair. No offense."

"None taken."

"So are you seeing her again?"

Hell, yes. "Maybe."

"Will I get to meet her?"

Hello, no. "Maybe."

"Thanks again for dinner."

Magnus looked from the pond below the bridge to me. "You're welcome."

I picked up a fallen leaf from the wooden railing and dropped it over the edge, watching it flutter down to the water's surface. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

I lowered my voice. "Is it really necessary for Raphael to be playing chaperone?"

Magnus looked over his shoulder. I knew the brunette was keeping a respectful distance, but I could still feel his eyes burning into the back of my skull. I knew Raphael wouldn't dare hurt me, but that didn't stop the hatred from leaking out of his pores.

"The restaurant was on the border of two territories," Magnus explained. "I just wanted to have backup in case something happened."

"Was he angry when he found out you were bringing me to dinner?"

"Raphael?" Magnus let out a long breath, creating a cloud in the crisp evening air. "He wasn't overly thrilled when I told him I was bring Jace Lightwood's brother, no."

"I know he detests me."

Magnus bumped my shoulder with his. "In all fairness, Raphael detests most people."

"Not you, though."

He smiled. "Depends on the day."

Our elbows were on the railing. My hands were clasped over the edge. Magnus twirled a yellow leaf between his fingers. He gave it a flick and we both watched as it floated down to the pond. I felt him watching me, then. I turned my head and caught his eyes. Magnus sidled closer and dipped his head closer to mine. Our foreheads touched, but before his lips could brush mine, my eyes caught Raphael watching. I bowed my head shyly, narrowly avoiding Magnus's kiss. To my surprise, he let out a soft chuckle and kissed the top of my head instead. He turned back to the pond and moved his hand to interlace his fingers with mine. I squeezed his hand, ducking my blushing face and hiding my smile.

"Come on." Magnus pushed away from the railing, still holding my hand. "I should take you home."

We started back down the park's path with Raphael in tow. It was quiet between the three of us, but none of us seemed to mind. Magnus never released my hand; I caught him looking down at me with a loving grin several times, but he also caught me sneaking glances up at him. Once or twice I heard Raphael making gagging noises behind us, which seemed to amuse Magnus to no end.

We were about halfway through the park when Magnus suddenly stopped. He pulled on my hand, positioning me him slightly behind him. I looked up at him, a question poised on my lips, but Magnus was staring straight ahead. I followed his gaze.

Three figures stalked toward us. They fanned out, their strides challenging. When I looked over my shoulder, I saw two more guys approaching from behind. Raphael was facing them, his hand reaching inside his coat.

"Magnus?" My voice was a whisper.

In less than half a second, Magnus's eyes had switched from calm to feral. He looked around wildly for an escape. "Remember the fang banger that was in the park last time?"

I swallowed. "Yeah."

"Remember how I said they're a nuisance?"

"Yeah."

"That's a bit of an understatement when they're in a group."

The men closed in, surrounding us. Raphael still stood with his back to ours, a knife wielded in his hand. I locked eyes with one of the outsiders. He spat on the ground. His lethal gaze did not leave mine for a second. He'd seen me holding Magnus's hand. They'd all seen me. In their eyes, I was now distinguished as a threat, an enemy.

"Alexander," Magnus said lowly, "the first chance you get, you run as far from here as possible."

"What about you?"

"You run, and you leave every one of us behind. Do you understand me?"

Two of the men lunged before I could reply. Magnus threw me behind him and reached for his gun in one smooth motion. Just as he brought it around, one of the men grabbed his wrist and twisted. Magnus grunted and the gun slipped from his fingers. Both men jumped on him, swinging their fists and beating his body.

The commotion caused Raphael to whirl around. He moved forward to help his leader.

"Raphael, no!" Magnus shouted as he fought off his attackers. "Protect him! Protect him!"

Something hard slammed into me. I crashed against the ground, winded. A man with an eyebrow piercing and black hair streaked with electric blue, the same one I had locked gazes with, straddled me. He raised his fist and punched down at my face. I whipped my head to the side just in time and he punched the ground. He cried out and clutched his hand to his chest. I thrashed underneath him and managed to shake him off. Just as I rolled to my feet, he snatched my ankle and yanked. I fell to my knees, scrabbling to get away.

Magnus was holding his own against his two attackers. One of the outsiders that had attacked Raphael was on the ground holding his stomach, blood oozing between his fingers. Raphael had the other in a headlock. He kept looking over at Magnus. Despite Magnus's orders, Raphael did not look at me once. I was invisible to him. I was on my own.

With a yell, I threw my heel into my attacker's stomach. He groaned and his grip loosened, but only for a moment. With renewed and infuriated vigour, he twisted my ankle and hauled me toward him. I didn't have time to lift my hands before he grabbed the collar of my shirt and punched me in the mouth.

White light flashed in front of my eyes and blood burst against my tongue. A glob of blood and spit slipped from my lips and splashed against my shirt. All movement seemed to slow down. I saw the world with a new clarity; colors were brighter, shape edges were sharper.

The outsider raised his fist to strike again. As his knuckles cut through the air, I raised my left hand and deflected the blow. I threw all my momentum into my right shoulder and swung out. My fist caught the man's eye and his head snapped back with a crack. He instantly released me and collapsed onto his back, out cold. I sucked in a breath as bone-rattling pain raced from my fingertips to my shoulder. Already my knuckles began to swell around the split skin.

I looked up in time to see Raphael throw down his last attacker. The outsider remained on the ground, unmoving. Raphael did not waste a beat in rushing to Magnus's aid. He pulled an outsider, a blonde with dreadlocks, off his leader and trapped him in a chokehold. Magnus was on the ground under his remaining attacker, but he shot out his arm and picked up his gun. The fang banger went still as Magnus aimed the barrel at him. Magnus slid out from under him and rose, never aiming the gun in another direction. With a cry, the attacker scrambled to his feet and fled. The blonde struggled against Raphael until he managed to slip free and chase after his friend.

Magnus slid his gun into the waistband of his jeans and hurried toward me, but not before shooting a glare at his second in command. He dropped to his knees beside me and gently lifted my chin to inspect my face. "Alex, are you all right?"

I swallowed a mouthful of spit and blood. "Is kicking ass always this much fun?"

Magnus grinned. Raphael rolled his eyes.

Magnus finished wrapping my hand in gauze and gently pressed an icepack to my knuckles. He screwed the cap back on the antibiotic cream and placed any unused supplies back in the first aid kit. With a frown, he gently brushed his thumb over my lip where it had split and started to swell.

"Are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine," I insisted, pulling his hand from my face and clasping his fingers between mine.

"I never want anything like that to happen to you again, Alexander."

I grinned. "I'm a magnet for trouble, remember?"

Magnus's smile did not reach his eyes. He clasped my hand between his and looked down at the floor. "I'm no good for you, Alex."

"You're no good for me," I agreed. "And I'm too good for you. We cancel each other out, which means we're actually perfect for each other."

My teasing rolled off his shoulders. He stared at me seriously. "I'd rather see you with someone else than see you hurt again because of me."

"I don't want anyone else, Magnus Bane."

"Give it time. That'll change."

To my horror, Magnus stood up to leave. He gathered up his jacket and slid it onto his shoulders. I jumped up from the couch, watching him in disbelief. The icepack fell to the floor with a clack.

"You can't be serious," I said.

"This is goodbye, Alexander."

I hated the couch and distance that stood between us. "Do you not want to be with me anymore?"

His eyes widened in outrage. "Of course I want to be with you!"

"Then stay."

Magnus seemed to consider it for a moment, but then he squared his shoulders and looked me square-on with glimmering eyes. "Goodbye, Alex."

My heart pounded in a racing panic as I watched him move for the door. I needed him. He was the only person to ever make me feel whole. Without him I was broken. He was slipping through my fingers...

Suddenly I knew. I knew exactly what I needed to do to get him to stay. In his eyes, right in this moment, I had been hurt. I was an innocent caught in the crossfire. He believed he had wounded me. What I needed to show him was that I felt no pain, that I desired more. I was not the same person I was when we'd first met.

"Magnus!" I called.

He stopped, his hand wrapped around the doorknob. He waited for me to speak, but I remained silent. I needed him to look at me, to see beyond my words and into me. Finally, he began to turn, the silent question etched on his face.

My words were not a command, nor were they a seductive call. They were a trusting plea. Two words said in the same way one sincerely says "I need you."

I let out the breath I'd been holding and said, "Fuck me."

Magnus stared at me, and for a minute I wondered if he hadn't heard me. But he released the doorknob and crossed the floor to banish the space between us. He gazed down deeply into my eyes. His chest was pressed against mine and I could feel the racing of his heart.

"Please," I whispered. "Fuck me."

He enveloped me in his arms and slammed his mouth against mine. I groaned as he pushed me up against the wall and jammed his hips into mine. He stretched my arms above my head and, with one hand, pinned my wrists to the wall. As his tongue ravaged my mouth, he unzipped my jeans and slipped his hand inside. His hand stroked me roughly from outside my underwear, but I felt myself growing harder faster than usual.

Still pumping his hand, Magnus shifted his mouth down to my neck. He sucked the skin hard and bit down. I gasped and shuddered with desire. His tongue flicked on my neck and the rhythm of his hand accelerated. I began undulating my hips with his movements.

"Magnus," I panted. "I can't hold on."

"Come, Alex," Magnus growled. "Come hard for me."

Pleasure coiled deep in my belly. I whimpered, unabashed, as my release quickly neared. Magnus pushed his hand harder against my erection and the pressure pushed me over the edge. I cried out as my orgasm wracked my body. Hot wetness spurted against my abdomen. My muscles twitched as my climax began to fade.

"I'm not done with you yet," Magnus said huskily as he noticed my sudden fatigue.

He scooped me up and carried me to the bedroom. I dropped onto the mattress and watched as he shucked off his jacket and shirt. He lowered himself on top of me and kissed me again. I knew I should have felt pain when he bit my lower lip, but all I felt was a passionate burst of hunger.

Magnus fisted his hand into my hair and yanked, exposing my throat. He swiped his tongue over my skin and sucked. I slid my hands from his shoulders down to his waist, where I gave a tug and rammed his hips against mine. Magnus groaned. His hand left my hair and skimmed down my face, tracing over the scar stretching from my temple to my jaw. I arched my back to help him slide my shirt off. When he teased my nipple with his tongue, I nearly came again. He bit on the sensitive flesh and sucked. Only when I began grinding against him did he stop.

Magnus stepped off the bed and took off his pants and boxers. He undid the button on my jeans and slid them, as well as my boxers, down to my ankles. With a yank, he pulled them off and threw them to the floor.

With a mischievous grin, Magnus placed both his hands on my knees and pushed them apart. He positioned himself between my legs and lowered his mouth to the inside of my thigh. I moaned as he licked and kissed his was to my groin. I could feel my erection growing stiffer and elongating. A bead of moisture leaked from the tip.

Magnus noticed too and let out a hungry growl. "I can't wait any longer."

Positioning himself over me again, Magnus spread my legs and lifted my hips slightly from the bed. I felt his penis at my entrance. He caught my eyes and paused, as if to say something, but instead he pushed all the way into me.

I cried out, my body tightening around him. Magnus's eyes were clenched shut, but I could see his desire. Without a word, he pulled out and thrust back into me. I clutched at his shoulder and moaned. Magnus withdrew and slid inside again. Slowly. He was purposely holding himself back.

"Magnus," I breathed. "Fuck me."

"Are you sure?" he panted.

I nodded. He ducked his mouth to mine and kissed me long and deep. He pulled out as he pulled his lips away. Suddenly he slammed into me with enough force to shake the bed. I cried out, overwhelmed with the surge of desire. He picked up his speed, but it still wasn't enough.

"Magnus. Harder. Fuck me harder."

He pulled out and thrust back into me, rocking his entire body forward. I gasped as his tip hit my prostate. My nails dug into his shoulder, but Magnus made no complaint. He undulated again and again, plunging into me harder and faster every time.

"Alex," Magnus moaned. "I'm going to come."

I could feel him twitching inside me and growing steadily larger. My pleasure was building, but not fast enough. At this rate, he was going to finish before me. I reached down and grabbed my own arousal. I pumped myself, gasping as the tidal wave of pleasure built.

Magnus slammed into me one last time and stilled. He cried my name as he spilled deep inside me. I squeezed my hand around my shaft and arched off the bed as my second orgasm exploded. More warm fluid coated my abdomen, as well as Magnus's. He pulled out and collapsed onto his back beside me, trying to catch his breath.

"Wow," he said. "We need to do that again sometime."

I looked over at him. "Ain't no time like the present."

Magnus smirked wickedly. He straddled me and kissed a path from my clavicle down to the top of my thigh. He used his mouth, kissing and sucking, until I was ready for round three.