The law is the law. Maybe...

Chapter 22 - The TEAM

NOTE: Thank you for waiting so patiently for this chapter. If you feel you need to, read back some of the earlier chapters. I'll try to post a chapter a week from now on, although I'm going on vacation in the last week of June...(So if I'm postponing for a week, I apologize in advance) Now we are back to our cops. Before we say goodbye to them, they have one more case to solve.

I hope you will enjoy this chapter.

They didn't talk much in the car on the way home. Alec fell asleep, his head leaning against the window. When they got home, Magnus gently woke him. They entered Magnus' loft in silence. Alec was starving and thirsty. Magnus put the lasagna in front of him. Alec ate like there was no tomorrow. 

"Can we talk about this tomorrow please?" he looked up at Magnus between two bites of lasagna, who was looking at him with pain in his eyes.

"Of course." Magnus said softly.

When Alec ate everything, Magnus prepared a hot bath for him. He helped to undress Alec. Magnus saw the wounds. His blood boiled with revenge. Alec soaked in the bathtub and enjoyed the soothing scent of lavender oil.

"Can I have some sandalwood too? It comforts me."

Magnus smiled and added a few drops to the bathtub. Alec inhaled Magnus's scent. He sighed deeply and smiled, leaning back.

"Close your eyes." Magnus said, then took a soft sponge in his hand and started to bathe him. Alec unconditionally gave in to the sweet pampering.

Magnus washed his hands, while he pressed soft kisses to the bruises on his wrists caused by the handcuffs. His chest was already purple from the beating.

"Your rib isn't broken, is it?

"They are not broken, they just hurt." sighed Alec, then closed his eyes and enjoyed the caress. The soft sponge and Magnus' caring hands like silk, washed his body so gently. When he began to wash his hair, Alec hissed.

"What the hell? What have they done to you? Did they knock you down? This needs to be disinfected."

He took out the antiseptic and cleaned the wound. There was a big bump on Alec's head, but fortunately the wound had closed. When Alec hissed from the antiseptic, Magnus gently kissed the back of his head.

"I'll wash your hair ok? That might hurt too."

"It's okay."

Magnus gently massaged the shampoo into his love's hair, his fingers like sweet little butterflies in his curls. Alec hummed with pleasure.

"Please come in the bath. I just want to cuddle." Alec was all but whispers.

The closeness of Magnus, his scent, the feel of his naked skin against Alec's bare chest, brought Alec the comfort he needed. When the water turned cold, they got out, wrapped themselves in towels and snuggled into Magnus' soft bed. Alec lay on Magnus' shoulder and enjoyed the softness of his gentle touch. As Magnus murmured sweet nothings in his ear, the torture of the past few days seemed to fade away, and he was carried away by sleep. Magnus listened to Alec's peaceful breathing for a while, then let the dream take him too.

The next morning he woke up to Alec whimpering. He gently shook his shoulder to wake him up. He opened his eyes in a panic.

"Relax, it was just a bad dream." Magnus said, brushing a stray lock of hair from Alec's forehead.

When Alec realized where he was, he sighed in relief and stroked Magnus' cheek.

"Thank you." was all he said.