Hello my lovelies! First, let me apologize... this is much shorter than usual but to be honest, I'm exhausted tonight but as I promised to post something to you all (and I didn't want to break that promise again), I decided to split the chapter in two. Also to my usual reviewers, no snippet till wednesday ;) As I don't consider this below as a complete chapter. Otherwise, I hope you'll like it; I went further back then I'd planned but that was only to please one of you dear reviewer : redasrose. She asked if I could do Magnus's pov of the Portal and I found the idea entertaining so here we are! Don't worry, it won't drag the rest of the story too much as I plan to skip some stuffs on next chap so we could end up at the same point as Alec by the end of part 2. Also, let me bow deeply to all of you wonderful readers, you gave me 10 reviews again and I'm absolutely elated :D So, enough with the babbling and on with the story! Hope you'll like it!

Note: (yes I know I said I was done but not quite yet lol) okkkk... so *insert fangirling squeal here* I absolutely HAD to mention my utter delight to all of you when I noticed that MY story had been favorited by one of my FAVORITE authors, NadiaInkLover! I jumped like a little girl when I saw that and I was incredibly flattered... :D For those who are confused here, *heated glare*, GO READ THE WONDERFUL STORY PRESTIGIOUS BY THIS WONDERFUL AUTHOR NadiaInkLover, NOW, because it's just wonderful and u can't miss it and because she's been great enough to enjoy my 'somewhat nice' story and i want to SHOWER HER WITH LOVE! XD so that's it :D Enjoy the mini chapter my lovelies!

Disclaimer: Don't own!

Chapter 24 : Fighting What You Want (Part 1)

Magnus felt the eyes on him like a burning fire. He wanted nothing more than turn around and return the gaze as longingly as he wished and felt like. He wanted nothing more than to run to his beautiful shadowhunter and kiss him senseless until he forgot his own name. He wanted to hold him and swear to him that no matter how much pain the blue-eyed boy would throw upon on, he would still love him, still be there for him whenever he desired to. He wanted all of these things but didn't act upon any. Because Alec didn't want their relationship to be lived in the daylights, Alec didn't know if he wanted Magnus more than his moron of a parabatai, Alec didn't give him any choice in loving him and mostly, Alec was far too important to him to risk spoiling whatever the young shadowhunter wished of his life. It was up to Alec to know what he wanted to risk and what he wanted his life to be. Magnus himself had to deal with the fact the he would maybe never find a solution for their immortal-mortal maybe-relationship but he had bestowed this problem to be his to solve or bear if it came to that.

He listened to Maryse petty talk and naughty attitude, barely able to concentrate enough to listen to her but his answer a bit snappy nonetheless. He was starting to begrudge Alec's parents if only because they were the reason Alec felt so compelled to hide himself. Nobody should feel ashasmed of what they were and somehow, along the way, their son had decided that cowering and hiding was better a fate than to face their wrath.

He had noticed Jace walking away and knew something was up but couldn't really care either. He was suffering and fighting what he wanted with toes and nails only wishing Clary to just get here already. Keeping away from Alec was draining him and he knew his resolve was far from perfect. He almost allowed himself a peek when he saw Alec biting down harshly on his lip, drawing blood. He flinched internally and looked away, unable to contain his anguish for the shadowhunter's well-being. He didn't have time to fight any more with himself as everything fell down on them.

Hellmist started to spread, clouding their vision and Forsaken surrounded them from everywhere. His nonsensical brain screamed to him to sought Alec and protect him but some survival instinct kicked in and he rushed to create the Portal that would be their only salute. He scrawled quickly and tried not to cringe at the sound of battling, his heart running a million miles per hour... please let him be safe, please, please... Without him even thinking about it, his free hand had sparkled to life, ready to fire and defend; he saw Alec linger near him for a while too long but soon he was ready to defend his life, just as he should.

To Magnus' great relief, he saw a blur of blonde hair pass his vision and Jace was there to save his parabatai and be there when he, himself, couldn't. The Portal was ready much more rapidly than he had expected and soon he was turning around, trying to gather everyone's attention.

- « The Portal ! » He shouted. « Go through the Portal ! »

He turned toward the battle, barely able to see through the hellmist, even more cast a spell, but soon Maryse was rushing to him, Max in tow. She ran through the Portal and Magnus started breathing; this would work, they could all be safe. Alec was coming quickly and the warlock could have melted with his relief. His lover was dragging a barely conscious Isabelle but that wasn't what got him wide-eyed with fright... Behind his beautiful shadowhunter, a Forsaken was coming along, weapon ready to bestow death on the love of his life. Anger and fear surged Magnus into action, as he realized Alec had stayed struck, gazing longingly into his green-gold eyes, unable to believe Magnus would spare him a glance. Determination stirred within the warlock and he lunged forward, grabbing hold of Alec's arm and dragged him toward the Portal, almost pushing him through it; there was no way that Alec would die so stupidly on his watch, not if he could help it.

Without another glance, he turned his attention again to the battle at hand, only to see the Forsaken being killed by Jace, after he'd wounded the Daylighter... who'd shouted and attracted the attention of the disgusting creature. Without another word, Jace took hold of the bleeding vampire, how ironic, and carried him toward the Portal. Oddly enough, silence had started to fall in the backyard, as if defeated by the escape of their prey, Forsaken had began to leave in the glimspe of an eye, retreating without another fight. Jace gave him a small nod and was soon gone, leaving him behind. Alone.

Magnus had shuffled tiredly to his flat, after cleaning the area, sending Madeleine's body where it belonged in Idris and acknowledging that none other Forsaken had lingered about the Institute. He'd promised himself to go back later in the afternoon, trying to unveil what kind of mystery, magic or reason had brought Forsaken to come close to such impressive wards as the one from the Institute but what he'd found instead was a very disappointed red-haired girl. He'd had to break the news of Madeleine's death to both Luke and Clary, the departure of the Lightwood family, as also letting them know there would be no travelling to Idris for one Clarissa Fray today. That hadn't worked very well.

He'd been trying, unsuccessfully, to talk some sense into her for the last fifteen minutes and explaining the situation to the only reasonable person present, Luke, when something Clary said caught his attention.

- « Madeleine said Fell wouldn't talk to anyone else. » She muttered dejectedly. That reminded Magnus that Ragnor hadn't returned his inquiries about a mortal spell. He hadn't thought much of it at once, Ragnor being a grumpy old man and not very inclined to be merciful with Magnus (maybe he'd been afraid that Magnus would ask him to join him to a trip in Peru again) but there was the chance to prod his old friend some more.

- « Fell? Ragnor Fell? » Magnus said inquiringly. « I can try to get a message to him. Let him know to expect Jace. » As if that would go well but that was better than nothing...

For a moment, Magnus thought Luke would bring some intelligence to Clary's mind but it didn't work out so well. The warlock noticed very well how she contained her tears, her mission to save her mother crumbling under her feet, and he felt for her really, but that couldn't happen. She ran out to the backyard, where he'd created the Portal this morning, unable to contain her emotions. He stayed with Luke, both shuffling in awkardness, Magnus even more, as he wasn't used to emotional teenage girls, before he felt some suspicion crawling down his spine... and then, the flare of magic in the air confirmed his doubts. The werewolf probably felt the same cause soon, they were both running in Clary's footsteps only to be faced with a dreadful sight.

Magnus' cat eyes shone in anger, disbelieving at the girl's stupidity that would just get herself killed, thanking yet again the heavens that warlock were infertile, when he heard Luke shout out her name and then, the warning that she should have listened to before.

- « Clary, stop! The wards are dangerous! You'll get yourself killed! » Luke shouted, panicked.

The warlock hand was already sparkling, ready to snatch the red-haired girl away from the Portal, when he heard her apologies... And then, parenthood seemed to get the better of the werewolf as Luke, with undeniable strength that hinted toward his paranormal nature, leaped forcefully to his 'daughter', grabbing the thin wrist in an iron-grip, unwilling to let go.

Before he could do anything, both had vanished through the Portal, leaving him swearing to mundane's (well, almost mundane) stupidity. He hurried to close the gapping hole, swearing profusely. After he was done, he ran an angry hand through his black hair, hoping that the father and daughter would be safe. No that he could do much about it anymore...

Magnus walked back home quietly, as dusk sat on the horizon, his vain researchs leaving him a bitter taste in his mouth. Although, to be completely honest, he hadn't really wished to discover the source of the random attack on the Institute; it had merely been a good way of delaying the somber evening that was stretching before him. A night where he would twirl around all of the reasons he'd stayed away from Alec, again and again, fighting with himself as none of them seem worthy enough.

As he sat on his furry pink couch, Chairman purring contendly in his lap, he figured he only had one alternative to his gloomy mood; resume the desperate search he'd set upon himself. Maybe he could send a quick fire message to Ragnor after all, if only to let him know that it would be possible a crazy red-haired girl would knock on his door soon.

Sighing, he picked a random sheet of paper, writing in his elegant scrawl to his green-skinned friend, hoping Ragnor would stop being haughty and answer him. One thing for sure, he hadn't expected what came back flaming to him, minutes after his first message left...

Alright, hope you don't hate my too much now darling, with the shortness of it all but hey, at least it's something :) You are now welcomed to flame, comment and say thanks by reviewing lol :D Anywho, thanks for reading :D