Once outside the abandoned building, Magnus unbuckled his seatbelt and began to climb out, but felt a hand on his arm. He looked back at Alec, who was clutching at his hand and raised a brow in question. Alec seemed to struggle with words but he finally said "Be careful." Magnus smiled at him and said "Don't worry, you won't get rid of me that easily." He grabbed the flowers and book, walking towards the building. Once inside, he looked around. He went straight through the large doors that once led to the dining room and than went to the back, where he knew was a garden. He stepped outside the backyard, looking around at the abandoned place. Trees and bushes grew here, the nature taking over. He looked at the plaque on the wall of the building which read "St. Michael's Foster Home for The Unfortunate.". He set the tulips down on the ground below the plaque. He heard a crack and turned around swiftly. In the shadows, someone moved.

Magnus didn't dare breathe. Please let it be her, he prayed. The figure stepped out of the shadows and Magnus let out a breath in relief. Catarina still looked beautiful with her dark skin and white hair, but Magnus saw her worn figure. The way her hair were thin and didn't have their shine anymore. How she was too skinny for her own good. The bags under her eyes and the dimness in her eyes. Magnus strutted towards her and held her in his arms. Catarina's weak arms were around him and she whispered "You're here." Magnus smiled and replied "And so are you." Catarina smiled and it was still the same sweet smile of the woman Magnus knew. He took her hand, leading her inside. They went to the old dining room and Catarina took a seat in an ancient arm chair, leaving Magnus standing next to a broken table. "Remember how I first came to visit you? You were so happy to see me. You thought I was an angel." Catarina laughed and the sound echoed through the empty building. Magnus smiled too and replied "Well, it was true. You are an angel. Here, for you." He extended the book and Catarina took it. Her eyes lit up and she said lovingly "Oh Mags...One of my favorites." She hugged the copy of Pride and Prejudice to her chest, smiling at Magnus.

Magnus started "Cat...I know what you'll say but hear me out...I might be able to help you, for good this time." Catarina's smile faded and it was replaced with a tired look. "Magnus, don't. Too many times have I gotten my hopes up and too many times has that hope been taken from me. Look at me. I can't bear any more." she said sadly. Magnus stepped to where she was sitting and kneeled down, taking her hands in his. He said quietly, but desperetaly "Cat, listen to me. I know you have no reason to believe this time is any different and for that, you'll never know how sorry I am. I did try, Cat, I tried so bad to help you out. And help Ragnor..." Catarina's eyes were watery now. Magnus continued "But I have people on my side. People who can help. Who want to take Valentine down as much as I." Catarina eyed her suspiciously "What kind of people, Magnus?"

Magnus hesitated but said "The Lightwoods." Catarina let out a short, sarcastic laugh. She took her hands from Magnus' and replied with a snap "Bounty hunters? You're kidding me right? And aren't they the one's supposed to be looking for you? What are you playing at, Bane?" Magnus quickly said "Cat, listen. I know you have no reason to believe me. But I love you. And I would do anything to get you out. I was skeptical at first, but when I met them, the Lightwoods, they're not what they seem. Much like me and you know all about that." Catarina's eyes were still full of suspicion but her mouth twitched like she wanted to smile so Magnus continued "I just...I don't know, I feel like this is our chance. And once you're out, we're both free. And Ragnor. They promised it to me and for some reason, I think they're telling the truth. I can trust them. We can." Catarina eyed him and suddenly cracked a smile. "Which one is it? The blonde one?" she asked, her voice laced with amusement. Magnus looked at her innocently and replied "I don't know what you mean."

Catarina barked a laugh and stood up, putting her hands on his shoulders. She was looking at Magnus, like she could see straight through him. And she could. "This trust you have, it's got to do with a guy...or a girl. You wouldn't sound so sure if you hadn't met someone. So go on. Magnus, I know you through and through. Spill." Magnus sighed and rolled his eyes. "It's Alexander..." Catarina let out a victorious 'ha!' but Magnus quickly said "But it's not like that. I just- he has a trusting persona. He said that I can trust him and I believed him. And he trusts me. Catarina, all that has been pinned on me, what people make me out to be...he doesn't care. He thinks that I am good Cat, can you believe that?" Catarina looked at him with sad eyes and then put a hand under his chin, lifting it so he had to look her in the eyes. Catarina said sternly "Magnus Bane, you are good. Don't you ever think differently." Magnus huffed a laugh but felt tears prickling in his eyes. Catarina cocked her head to the side and said "Well, I trust you. You better be right about this. But I want to speak to him...do you have a phone? A burner phone. On you." 

"Who do you think I am? Of course I have one." he took it out and typed in Alec's number, which he had memorized. Alec had made him do it. "Just in case, when you need a quick escape" he had said. Magnus pushed call and waited. Alec picked up almost immediately "What is it? Do you need help?" Magnus smiled into the phone but dropped the smile when Catarina was watching him in obvious amusement. "Alexander, I'm fine. We're fine. Cat just wants to talk to you before she agrees to help us. I'm giving her the phone." Magnus handed the phone to Catarina who took it and then glared at Magnus. "Really? Oh, fine." Magnus said, backing away and wondering into another room while Catarina talked to Alec. He was exploring the growing mold on a kitchen counter when Catarina appeared behind him, handing him the phone with a smile. "Well, he's a sweetheart, isn't he?" she said gleefully. Magnus eyed her and asked "What did you say to him?" Catarina waved her arm around and said "That I'm in. But we're doing this my way. You know what I mean." Magnus nodded, cracking the phone in his hand and tossing it out the window. 

They stood there and Catarina sighed. "Magnus. I hope that this will work. Because if not...I am not sure I can stand it any longer." Magnus hugged her tightly, whispering "Cat, I'm getting you out. I promise. I promise." They parted and a small smile was playing on Catarina's lips when she moved out the door and looked over her shoulder. "Be brave, Magnus." she said. And then she was gone. Magnus stood in the kitchen for some minutes. He realized Alec was waiting so he hurried outside and walked a couple of streets down, getting into the car. Alec startled when Magnus sat inside. "Oh, you're back. How'd it go?" he asked. Magnus scoffed and said "You already know, don't you? Cat called you." Alec nodded but said "I know. But she didn't give me any details on how we're going to keep in touch." Magnus nodded and indicated for him to drive. While driving back Magnus spoke "We used to have an old system, a way to talk so it can't be traced by technological devices, but it's dangerous. There could be spies everywhere. We used to leave notes around, letters. Different locations, different times, whenever we could. The location depended on the month. Each month was-a-" Magnus stopped and Alec looked at him, not understanding why he went silent.

Magnus seemed to struggle with himself, as he opened and closed his mouth. Alec looked at him and said "Hey, look at me." Magnus raised his eyes and looked at Alec. His eyes were so sincere, Magnus felt himself melt into them. "You can tell me anything. It's alright." Alec said softly. Magnus nodded and continued "When I was younger, I went through a lot of foster homes. Like a lot. Each month is for a different foster home, that I was in. The last one is the one from which Catarina saved me. She had seen me, playing out in the garden one day and I was..." Magnus chuckled before he went on "I was fighting with a kid. He accused me of stealing his pocket knife. I denied it. I was about 10 then. But I actually had taken it. Catarina saw me take it from him, when I passed him in the garden, slipped it from his pocket like it was nothing. Catarina came in and asked about me, but didn't come to meet me. Every once in a while she would come by, looking after me, seeing that I was beginning to con everyone more and more. Finally she came in and took me away. Cat was barely 18 herself, but she had serious pull in the foster homes, her parents once owned the one I was in. So she took me in and helped me realize that I could use my talents to help others. To con the bad people to help the ones that needed it."

It was dark now and the street lights sent flashes over Magnus' face when he spoke. His stubble had beginning to grow out again and his jawline moved when he talked. Alec tried not to stare, but under the light, Magnus seemed like he was sculpted to be perfect. Magnus' voice was now a bit louder "Catarina is everything to me. And when she met Ragnor, I didn't trust him. I once stole his wrist watch from his wrist and Ragnor said 'This kid is really something'. After that, we became friends. Funny how the world works, right?" Magnus was watching the road again, thinking. Alec nodded. He pulled up to a small alley way and Magnus noticed this just then "Where are we going?" he asked, but his tone was expectant, and not at all scared. Alec smile and said "A detour." Magnus looked at him in question but didn't ask anything.

They were beside the river and the Brooklyn bridge now, and he parked the car. They got out and Alec said "Come on." Magnus didn't hesitate in following him. They walked to the bridge and once they were at the center of it, Alec stopped. The wind was blowing through his hair when he spoke "I come here to think. The view is beautiful, but the water, it calms me. And its quiet here at night. I mean, there are cars rushing by, some people, but when I close my eyes, I can almost silence everything out and just think. Or not think. Whatever I need at the moment." Magnus gazed at his face and smiled. Alec took out a packet of cigarettes and put one in his mouth, offering the pack to Magnus. Magnus smirked and took one, saying "Didn't take you for a smoker." Alec lit his cigarette, shrugging. "I'm not. I only smoke when I come here." he said. Magnus nodded and Alec offered to lit his, so he leaned in. Alec exhaled the smoke, watching the city in its bright lights. "You are a good guy, Magnus. I know you don't think so, but I know you are." Alec suddenly said. He was still watching the city lights.

Magnus gazed at the light, too. "I want to believe that I am. I just don't know if it's true." he finally said, flicking his cigarette so the ash fell onto the ground and the wind carried it away. Alec turned to look at him and with an unreadable expression he said "I think that people are too stuck in terms like good and bad. Some people are bad but do good things. Some are good, but are forced to do bad things. And you can't really define, if someone is bad or good. It's ultimately their choice - either they want to be better or they don't care what they become. Those who don't care, they do awful things. Those who care, like you, they choose to do good. Even when other's have long turned their backs on them." The shadows on Alec's face moved when he talked and his eyes were burning into Magnus' like torches. He wanted to reach out and touch his face. He clenched his hand into a fist. Magnus put out his cigarette and then looked at the man before him. "Alexander, how can you trust me? You don't even know me." he said. 

Alec put out his own cigarette as well and then looked at him, smiling a little. "Because there's something about you. Like a light. You just have to believe, that this light shines brighter then the deeds that people define you by." Magnus was in awe. Alec said these words like he believed them, believed in him. He couldn't resist and reached his hand to touch Alec's cheek, and Alec didn't flinch away. They stood like this and Magnus knew Alec was leaning in. He wanted to stop but his body was betraying him, leaning in, too. He breathed the sweet smell of his cologne, it was almost intoxicating. Alec's eyes were wide with anticipation and Magnus could see a flick of hesitation. It was enough to snap him out of it. He put a hand onto Alec's chest, stopping him and said softly "Alexander." Alec shook his head, moving back a little. "Sorry. We should get back." he said quickly. Magnus saw the disappointment in his eyes but tried not to think about it. He couldn't open himself up to a stranger, even if this stranger was Alec, beautiful Alexander Lightwood with his beautiful eyes and his beautiful words. Magnus was not ready to break this masterpiece before him, he couldn't bring himself to do it. 

So they walked back to the car, the Brooklyn city lights flickering in the distance and the cars speeding by.