Disclaimer: All characters belong to Cassandra Clare

Chapter 16: Joining the Dots

Alec only woke up later that evening. He had been sleeping and recollecting his memories. At first he wasn't sure if those discontinuous scenes were real; he didn't want to mix up dreams and reality anymore. It was only after a late dinner that he confirmed those were what he had given away. He remembered Luke smuggling him, someone whom he called Master touching him– a guy with dark hairs and eyes with the rest of his face blurred.

Master had asked him not to get in touch with Luke. He had ordered him to run on a treadmill. He had left him starved.

A chill grabbed his spine and Alec curled deeper into the blankets and quilts. At least he knew where his running habit came from.

Because of the recollection Alec had no need to take more meds and he was grateful for that. Maybe he could return to his routine and overcome his phobia; exercising and contacting with humans: Mundanes or Aristos. Just the thought of it had Alex excited and he was too energetic to sleep. Magnus, who was sitting on the floor against the nightstand next to the bed, suggested. "Why don't you read something?"

It was three in the morning. Alec got the Grimms' Fairy Tales and continued reading from where it was left. In the middle of The Old Woman in the Wood, Magnus said out of the blue.

"Alec, what are you going to do after this?" He was tilting his head towards Alec, his amber eyes had caused a pang in Alec's chest. The robot looked so abandoned for this moment. Magnus pulled his feet and held them close to his chest, resting his chin on top of the knees.

Alec put down the book on his thighs and reached out a hand to mess with the spiked hairs. Ever since Magnus had settled down in this house, the robot had argued to have his own wardrobe. Ragnor had neglected his request for days until the robot personally asked Alec to buy him a closet of his own choice of clothes. Like a bug he had hovered above Alec wherever he went. So at the end of the week Alec gave the permission. Now the three robots' clothes were handled by Magnus and he suspected the exotic man – his template must be working in fashion industry or very interested in it. The sense of coloring and matching was something beyond Alec's comprehension.

He was wearing a honeydew shirt with scarlet floral patterns and a tight black leather pants, a half-sleeve denim jacket covered most of his lean torso. On the other hand, Alec was in a cotton pajamas and a stained sweater. Not black, but gray.

Magnus yelped and pulled away, trying to style his hairs back to its original glorious state. Alec smiled fondly at it. "After this I can go out with my family and do lots of thing I couldn't right now." He said and Magnus pouted lightly. It soon disappeared but Alec caught a glimpse of it. "Magnus?"

Heard a sigh, Magnus turned his hip to face Alec properly. Seeing the robot this serious Alec discarded the paperback borrowed from Luke carefully on the soft pillows next to his. When Magnus's bejeweled fingers were placed on the edge of his bed, he brushed it and drew back under his blanket before Magnus could grip them.

Rubbing his wrists restlessly, Magnus asked. "Are you going to leave us?"

To be honest, Alec was taken aback by this question: why would he think that? He quickly denied and scared that he was saying the wrong thing. "Of course not!" Without knowing he shouted, "Why would I?" Under the quilts and blankets he grasped his thighs. Magnus placed a hand on his jaw and reminded Alec. "Don't bite your lips. They are going to bleed."

Alec turned his head to Magnus's hand and leaned into it, releasing his teeth from those lips. "You guys are my family too – why would you think that?" Grumbled Alec.

The panic of treating them unwell had caused Alec queasiness. He knew his sickness burdened them greatly. Even Magnus felt that he was leaving them after he was recovered, how would Ragnor and Aline think of that? He had been selfish and self-centered and it was never his intention to hurt them. However, the damage was done; he had them worried about their futures that their lives would be taken away and be disposed to the dumps. How Alec could had been so careless?

"We cannot be seen, remember? We are forbidden. If your friends find out about us… It is better for you to leave us behind." Magnus confessed when he scratched the bed sheet with his nails polished in purple. He lifted his head to meet Alec's glance.

Magnus sneaked his hands under and took Alec's, rubbing his face on the back of the pale flesh. He was like cat sometimes, elegant and cuddly. More than once Alec had seen him hugging Aline or hanging himself on Ragnor. Deep down Alec wanted to be treated like that too, but he kept his distance. Alec started to have feelings towards Magnus other than family love, something that Alec had a taste years ago. And he was scared: what if Magnus didn't like him back? He could be nice to Alec because the blue-eyed man was his master; the one who bought him and treasured him. Did he return the gestures simply because he knew Alec wanted him to?

But Alec let him. He explained, wishing to make the robot less worried. "It doesn't matter. I will still live here and I need every one of you; I can go out and hang out with friends…" He paused. Alec didn't have many friends. Not to mention they were all working in the black market, there was no place for them to hang out. "Or with my family. The three of you are as important as my siblings. You guys are my family."

The robot smiled warmly at his answer and Alec beamed for having the most beautiful thing to himself. Magnus's eyes were extraordinary; they were penetrative and contained the softness that weakened Alec's knees all the time. The grin showed his splashed white teeth and the cat-like eyes, the golden-greenness flashed vivid delights. Nothing could be more striking than this.

"If you say so." Magnus said and planted a kiss on Alec's knuckles. Whenever Magnus touched him a shiver ran from the bottom of his spine. It felt like the right thing to do at that moment, his brain was urging him. Before he could think, he had delivered Magnus's hand to his mouth. The crimson tongue swirled around the slim fingers, his eyes lingered on the collar bone covered by layers of fabrics. He lifted his sight while licking and sucking them suggestively; Magnus sucked in a breath and extracted his hands when their eyes locked.

"I am sorry."

Magnus apologized. Yet Alec didn't know what that was for. "Why? I – I should be the one to say it. I shouldn't do that." He rambled and tried to distract himself by picking the book up. In the panic he dropped it twice before getting a good hold of it. As he was flipping the pages Magnus excused himself. "How about I get you a glass of water?"

Without waiting for his reply Magnus was already on his feet, leaving the door open while he traveled to the kitchen. Alec quickly tossed the book away, watching it bounced on the soft mattress. He had thought Magnus liked him too. What was wrong of his action? A move and everything was in ruins.

If Magnus was a traditional robot, he could just erase the memory – but it was Magnus. Alec slumped and his head knocked on the headboard. The dull pain behind his head caused flashes in front of his eyes. He groaned lowly and hands went to the sore spot.

It was the Master again. Alec could hear his teasing and orders as if he was right on top of him; he kicked out of instinct and his blanket flew, landing on the footboard. Rolled to his side and curled into a ball, the Master was cursing at him.

"Alec, you are a slut. You would fuck anything with a dick."

"Swallow. If you spit it I can assure you nothing good will come out from it."

"Magnus? You are my whore. You can't be this stupid, betraying me with a robot?"

The fizzles of whips broke the air and hit his hip.

Alec cried out and his head dug under the piles of pillows. The words were echoing inside his bedroom and the pain coming from his legs immobilized him. He struggled and bit the arms reached towards him; the person hissed and launched onto him. Alec fought as best as he could.

He wasn't a loser, he was strong enough to defend himself!

"Alec! It's me!"

His action died down when he heard Ragnor's urgent shouts. The robot was pinning him face down on the bed, straddling his back. No wonder Alec couldn't escape. "You are here with us. It's okay now, we are all here." Ragnor comforted as he moved and knelt next to his sweating form, hands soothed his neck and back.

Controlling his breathing, Alec remained the position. "Do you feel pain? Are you hurt?" Ragnor asked while rolling his sweater for a primary examination. Alec shook his head despite that he was laying on his stomach. "No… A memory too lively, that's all."

He swallowed a gulp of saliva for his dry throat. Closed his eyes, he tried to block away the vicious voice. Ragnor pulled his sweater down and wiped some sweats from Alec's forehead. "You should take a bath. You are soaking wet."

A bath would do him some good. Alec nodded tiredly and Ragnor ordered Magnus to set up the tub. He didn't know Magnus was here until the butler directed the Asiatic robot to the bathroom.

Alec was humiliated but relieved at the same time. He was glad to have the unbearable memory back because only by this way, he would find out why. From them he presumed the Master was the root of his problem. It might sound masochistic that Alec was looking forward to another memory visiting him.

He sunk into the warm water and scrubbed his skin. Suddenly for the first time, Alec noticed how red his skin was. Dropped the sponge outside the tub, he traced the marks he left on his own body. It was prickling like needles were stabbing. Alec shivered at the idea and quickly immersed his limps below the water level, blowing bubbles with his face half touched by warm fluid.

Will shoved another bite into his mouth before taking off with his colleague. It was lunch time but the emergency center had received report from a butler from Pepin, a distant neighborhood far away from the core of Vikram. He had no idea why people chose to reside in such area.

A robot was driving. During the time he took his tablet out and read the initial report. It was filed at 12:32 p.m. with a few photos attached. "Ugh." His colleague said as he stuck his head to steal a glance of the screen. Will on the contrary, calmly inspected the disgusting photos taken by the butler.

The dismembered corpse was in the middle of frames, limps and heads were cut off from the torso. Bloods were everywhere; the face was smashed that Will couldn't figure out the feature of a person and some organs were torn off, scattered on the rug. Judging from the furniture the corpse was in the living room. However, he knew that the whole house would be considered as a crime scene, like many others happened within this couple of months.

Will had been following this serial killer since summer. It was shaking his confidence with each new murder showed up on his screen. He felt like an incompetent that couldn't protect citizens and let a predator scavenge in Virkam. He didn't want another unsolved in his record.

Though people didn't say it, Pepin was the residence of frequent visitors of black market; more or less there were connections between here and there. The neighborhood was only miles away from the borderline. When they arrived at the crime scene, Will noticed the scanning waves coming from the horizon. This house was unusually close to the border than others.

Red particles floating around: a perimeter set by those droids. Will suspected it had any use at all in a neighborhood like this.

From the outside the house was like a normal one in other districts. However, his Aristo senses and countless experiences told him otherwise: cameras with mini guns hidden under the roof and inside the garden, life detectors surrounding the house and entrance with an arch which was actually a scanner that penetrated all forms of clothing and see through the items carried. Will had seen many modified their houses into a fort, this one had the best disguised weapons.

He and his colleague stepped through the controlled house security system and entered the house. The two robots were ordered to stay in the charging spots at the end of the hallway. Like what he had expected, bloods were on the hallway, the staircase and the nicely decorated walls. Nearly everything was covered in protective gels.

They walked on the flexible substances and headed straight to the living room. An analyst was taking more pictures and videos so that when they were back in the station a realistic forged scene could be created. The body was next to the window, sofa was bloody too. Tables were shattered to pieces and a phone was found at the window sill. Surprisingly, it was still in one piece unlike other objects inside this room.

"By the Angels." His colleague looked about to vomit. Will patted on his shoulder and led him upstairs. If he was right, this killer must have taken valuables from here. According to the blueprint, the victim stored his goods in his study.

The door smoothly opened as Will turned the knob and pushed. Things were all neat except a painting was tossed on the floor, right up on the wall was a hole with an opened safe. By the first look Will knew the safe had its own security system, less advanced than the house's – probably because the victim thought no one could get in here without getting their heads blown first. However, the house security system was shut off by a brilliant hacker. If the hacker could invade the system without being detected, the safe was a piece of cake.

Will was sure the safe was no longer working. He called an analyst over.

"What was in the safe?" He asked and applied gels on both hands, trying to look for any secret compartment inside. Again, nothing. The analyst browsed her tablet and answered. "The last recorded time is this morning 11:30. One tonne of silver bars and stacks of gold ingots, two medium bags of diamonds, untraceable trading sticks valued 100 million. Jewels, huh, and some blueprints and notes."

Will raised a brow at the high value of goods stored in this safe. It was not surprised that he was targeted. Before Will took over the case the criminal only stole goods, disarming the security system as a way of entry, targeting the riches and committed crimes when there was an absence of humans. However, the criminal had evolved.

When Will was asked to tackle this, the choices became random; the criminal was still picking at the riches, but he or she no longer cared if the people were in the house. The victims were killed brutally, like this one. Sometimes dismembered, sometimes acid corroded and left a pile of sticky fleshes. The Clave had been blocking the media and giving him much pressure. Will of course wanted to solve it yet the killer was careful. There was no trace at all.

No traces, just like the time his own house was hacked and Jem was attacked except for the signature. Will didn't list this as a possible linkage to the criminal due to the secrecy of this breaking and entering. Jonathan and the Clave had classified it as a case that shall never be mentioned, along with the Lightwood boy's.

Will thanked the analyst and said to his colleague who looked desperately wanted to get out of there. "I will go talk to the neighbors. Maybe they will give us something." It was unlikely though, with such distance between each house. The next one was five miles away. He would have to drive there.

Took the car and left the driver robot at the crime scene Will started to enter the coordinate of a house owned by a mechanic Gideon Collins. Under the name was a repair shop not far away from his house, and no robots. Will frowned at the latter information: he couldn't believe nowadays people could live without robots. A butler and a keeper were basic for a household.

Up ahead was the house. The walls were painted in cream white and square windows on all sides but most were curtained. The garden was lovely; white chrysanthemum lined up a stone path to the front door. A car familiar to Will was parked outside.

The engine turned off itself and Will stepped out. He walked up to the buzzer and pressed once sternly, one hand on his thigh and one rested on his waist holster.

Better safe than sorry.

On the surface he was still the professional self but under the skin it was the first time that Jem felt so anxious in his life, even his qualified exam for practical license couldn't compare to the high level of adrenaline pumping in his veins. Sitting in front of him, was the boy he had encountered two years ago. Alec had grown up now, with a broader shoulder and taller frame, scars all gone. He shifted uncomfortably in his wingback armchair while Jem sat on the purple loveseat, his tablet on the coffee table.

Three robots were currently living with Alec. The interesting thing was that they were not traditional bots. Jeremiah said in the report very subtly and when Jem met Ragnor, who accompanied Alec welcoming him at the front door, he knew what his tutor meant. Jem didn't know about robots and really, he couldn't tell the butler was one before Alec did the introduction.

Every way he moved was perfectly matched with Alec as if it was a precise calculation. When Alec took a step back for Jem to get in, Ragnor first moved aside to make enough room. He showed courtesy that wasn't programmed. Jem was amazed by him. He didn't have the chance to meet Aline and an unnamed male bot because they were out grocery shopping.

The living room was smelled of sandalwood. Very relieving, he noted. Jeremiah had jotted down that Alec didn't like to be called Alexander. Jem introduced himself first. "Alec, you must have heard the news of Jeremiah's passing. I used to be his student and he let me take your case. I am James Carstairs, you can call me Jem."

Alec nodded timidly and turned to play with his ring hanging from a necklace. Those old Mundane families had their own rings branded with patterns. Jem had looked it up before this meeting and identified the one Alec fiddling with was the Lightwood's. And the history behind this particular one was included in the file. Jem chose not to comment.

The blue-eyed boy looked tired; dark circles under his eyes and his eyelids fell from time to time. Jem asked when Alec's head again slipped through his palm and dropped. "The prescription has changed. Does it till tire you like the last one?"

At this Alec seemed to awake; the sapphires sparkled. He sat straight and feet rubbing in nervousness, leaning a bit towards him. Jem followed.

"Jeremiah handed you my case?" His voice was soft. Jem had never heard him talk before. "Yes. He stated that in his will."

Alec was thinking. The lively pupils darted around to avoid eye contact and the corner of his mouth slightly twitched. Jem observed and mentally wrote down notes. Alec didn't trust him; and he didn't have any reason to. He was hiding a secret but from his expression Jem knew he wanted to tell.

"If he trusted you, then I can. Right?"

Jem replied quickly. "Tell me."

"You are not going to be a whistle-blower?" Alec now stared into his silver eyes incredulously and Jem reassured him. If there was anything he could do to help Alec get better – even it was against the law – he would do it. "No." He gave a short and firm answer.

The boy took a deep breath and whispered. "Jeremiah… suggested me to get my memory back. And I did." Jem closed his agape mouth and calmed himself. Alec continued. "I had my first treatment the day after the last session with him. It goes pretty well I suppose, some memories are back." Alec scratched his head and messed up his hairs, looking rather like uneasy.

Jem was sure those didn't have him in it. Otherwise Alec would have recognized him when they greeted at the front door. He felt like he was prying despite it was his duty to know. "You must stop taking the prescription then. But you still have to buy them – the hospital watches very closely on those who have received a memory wipe. It is supposed to be permanent wipe and is illegal to get them back."

Maybe Alec didn't expect him to accept it that fast: his eyes widened in astonishment. He stuttered. "Oh, oh. Okay, I will." Then the blue-eyed boy cast his eyes down to the carpet, cheeks flushed. Jem smiled; it was a big step for Alec.

"Could you tell me what are those about?"

Alec flinched and bit his bottom lip, eyes turned to the fireplace. He looked extremely young at that moment, wearing an over-sized sweater and loose sweatpants. His hairs were long enough to shade his eyes. He was like a hedgehog curling up when there was danger nearby. However, Jem did not wish Alec to close himself off.

Jem added hastily. "You don't have to, not right now. I can wait and I will help. I swear on the Angel's name – "

"I know." Alec interjected and waved weakly; Jem put down his hold-up hand in the air. The silver-haired man said with greatest gentleness. "You have to be honest with me, Alec. How do you feel about Jeremiah's death? He had been here with you for two years. I myself… still haven't come out from the shock."

The confession encouraged Alec to express his feelings. He said when burying half of his face behind the arms around the knees. "He is, was a friend of mine." Alec rested his temple on the arm. "I guess his death has helped me to determine, you know, to take the recollection. When I heard the news, I realize I am alone in this; I can only be saved by myself. Do you understand? No one will help me."

He asked as he frowned, struggling to find the precise words. Jem tasted the loneliness in his tone. He replied. "When you have made up your mind, no one can stop you. It is all about you: we, the outsider, can never force you to do what you dislike. We are only able to help unless you want us to. The decision is yours. The fate is in your hands." Jem moved closer, remained a comfortable distance from Alec.

"We are here. In this battle you are the leader and we are your followers. Alec, remember that."

The spirit was lightened up. Alec finally smiled at Jem and he pressed his lips to prevent a grin. Let out a small laugh and Jem leaned back into the sofa, satisfied to have Alec acknowledged that people around him were going to aid him through his recovery. Nothing was a better medicine than a positive attitude.

Suddenly the buzzer went off. Alec jumped a bit and turned his head to the hallway. Jem too surprised because according to Ragnor, Alec seldom had visitors. The last one had been Mark Blackthorn, a descendant of Aristo and Mundane. Jem had heard of this name – an upcoming musician mastered in flute.

Ragnor gave a reassuring smile to them before answering the door. The conversation was audible for Jem and Alec. There was a tense silence before the visitor spoke.

"I am Detective Herondale from homicide division of Vikram's police. Is Mr. Collins home?"

Jem's eyes nearly popped out from their sockets: Will was here? For what? Alec apparently was startled by a police officer asking for him. From his panicking look Jem was sure the poor boy thought he was caught for the illegal behaviors he had committed. Robots. He must be thinking about it.

"Might I ask why you require his presence?" Ragnor said with a doubtful tone. The psychiatrist made a quick judgment and told Alec to stay behind. He got to his feet and approached the two who were about to argue.

"Jem?" Will blurted when his frame appeared beside Ragnor. The butler was clever; he excused himself and left to the living room. Will watched him with shock. "What are you doing here?"

His voice was too loud. Jem gripped his elbow and dragged his lover outside, hoping Alec wouldn't hear their conservation. It was his mistake. He hadn't been honest with Will at this matter. Jem calmed his beloved before gave an explanation. "Chill out, Will. Why don't we sit at the swing there?"

He pointed at the double seat garden swing that blended itself into the surrounding like a tree and took Will's hand, began the short walk to the furniture near the living room window.

Grasses under their feet were soft and fresh. Even in autumn the garden was full of life. They sat there in silence with Will rested his head on Jem's shoulder and intertwined their hands, fingers curled to each other. The detective finally whispered. "Tell me everything. Then my turn."

Jem nuzzled to the ball of short messy hairs and breathed in the familiar cologne. "I didn't tell you because of your branding from the Angels."

"This is about Alec?" Will lifted his head and looked up to Jem, who stared back with a warm smile. "Yes – he is back, Will. Two years ago a friend of mine in the Institute asked me for help. He said it was about smuggling a boy out from there. I knew it was him so I went for it."

"I can't believe this." Will mumbled and leaned closer, his left tattooed hand went to cover Jem's. "Where is he now? Is he alright? Jonathan told me nothing." Smiled, Jem soothed the inked back of hand. "Jonathan wants you to forget about him; he thinks you're down to a destructive path back then, even now. It is reasonable of him doing so. You should have seen your wrecked self at that time."

Will protested with a nasal noise but let Jem continue. "Alec hides himself. An alias, a new house, new everything. But I cannot say he is fine, Will, because he isn't."

"Gideon Collins… Is that why you are here? He is hurt – from what?"

Their bodies were so close that Jem felt the gun was poking his side. "Hum."

"Silly me. Confidentiality, I understand." Will said as he pulled back and turned his body a bit to Jem. His blue eyes suddenly shone and stated. "He is inside." Jem turned and saw the curtain of the living room window was waving. "Jem, what should I do?" He ran a hand through his ebony hairs. Will wanted to meet Alec, he was certain.

"The branding from the Angels only restricts you from looking for him. You are not intentionally doing this. And speaking of which, why are you here?"

"The killer was here. A house five miles away and the owner was dead. I am here to ask for information and really didn't expect such twist of event." Will nipped his nose bridge and sighed. Jem his troubled lover into an embrace. Immediately Will rounded his arms around him.

"Do your work, Detective. I am sure Alec will understand why you are here. But you have to swear on the Angel's name that you will not be a snitch for what you're going to see."

Will agreed with a nod. As they both stood up and walked side by side the small path back to the front door, a car was parked at entrance. Two figures emerged and Jem breath stopped.

"Magnus?!" Will and he exclaimed at the same time and got a confused look from the two people shutting their doors. His friend came up with a woman – Aline, Jem remembered her name – and asked perplexed. "I am sorry but do I know you?"

"What are you talking about?" Will said. They were utterly bewildered; Magnus was supposed to be in Saidah. There was no way the fashion designer was here.

He was exactly the Magnus Jem knew for years. A silk transparent black tank top that showed off his lean muscles and a pair of form-fitting ash gray jeans. His graceful ankles can be seen under the rolled up jeans and the whole outfit was matched by white clothes shoes. Hairs as usual, were spiked with glitter in different directions and nail polished brightly. He was Magnus Bane. Why would he even be here?

"There must be some mistakes." Magnus said and strode up to them, Aline right behind looking at the two Aristos warily. Grocery bags stuffed with items looked weightless in their hands. "I have never met any of you gentlemen."

A huge mistake.

A/N:

To the guest: Alec will face a very difficult decision in the later of the story. And no there will not be robot Alec, sadly.

The scene of Will investigating can be boring, I know:/ but it is important and I believe I have made the point quite clear in Will's POV.

Do you guys think the pace is too slow?

One last thing: now I have a job but I will try my best to update weekly:)

Tell me how you feel in the review; it is highly appreciated. Hope you enjoy this chapter!