I've never wanted anyone but you. The words vibrated in Jace's head as he lay at the Institute, in his bedroom. It was late afternoon; the sun was shining small but powerful rays as it was going down. A desire to see Clary, to touch her, kiss her, awoke in him and he got up out of his bed, and went to stand over by his moderately sized window.

He opened the window and hopped up onto the sill in one smooth, graceful moment. He closed his eyes, envisioning himself landing safely on the ground below. He threw himself out into the open air, falling, then landing like a cat in the soft patches of grass and weeds that inhabited the yard. Since returning from Idris, the Lightwoods hadn't had much time to do yard work. A small movement caught his eye as he looked up at the old cathedral. Isabelle's swish of black hair was visible from her window for a moment, but it was long enough for him to know that she'd seen him jump. He grinned and quickly set off down the sidewalk, hoping to catch a cab.

Clary stood in her old room, her worn easel set up amid the ruthless clutter. Her mother had found a way to retrieve their things, but other than her bed, she hadn't set anything else up. In the past few days she had been caught up with drawing Jace. After being with him, that night with the fireworks, she had decided that something needed to be done about the lack of times she had really and seriously painted him. She was only on the first few steps of the portrait-sketching the basic outlines of his jaw and cheekbones. It was taking longer than expected-she hadn't seen him in 3 days. Mayrse hadn't wanted him to leave the house-nor any of her children for that matter. She and Jocelyn had agreed that the teenagers needed some time at home, after all the excitement. Clary set down her paintbrush in defeat and sat on her bed. She was starving.

Jace climbed up the rusty fire escape, hoping no one would see him. He finally found her window. She was inside her room, staring up at the celing. It seemed she had fallen asleep. He climbed in, and took her in his arms, cradling her against his chest. She sighed and he brushed her red hair back from her face. She slowly opened her eyes, widened when they saw Jace. She slowly smiled and sat up in his embrace.

"I've missed you." She said quietly.

"Who wouldn't?" Jace joked. She stood up and stretched, and blushed when her stomach rumbled loudly. Jace laughed.

She turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck. His arms rested on her hips and they stood for a moment like that, until Jace's stomach rumbled too.

She kissed him quickly on the mouth.

"That place in Chinatown? 32 street?" She asked with a smile. He nodded, and she began to push him out of her room so she could change.

She stripped off her paint splattered tank top and jeans and put on a blue top, a little less casual, and some clean jeans. Running a hairbrush through her hair, she pulled on her green converse, opened the door, and took Jace's hand. He paused.

"I forgot something." He said, and Clary looked up to him.

He kissed her slowly, softly on her lips. He small hands wound in his silky hair and suddenly his arms wrapped around her, crushing her into him, and their kisses turned hurried, desperate, strong.

Clary broke away, trying to breathe, as Jace kissed along her collarbone. She pulled his face back up to hers and he pushed her up against the wall of the apartment, running his hands through her soft red hair, drinking in every part of her. He could feel her small, warm hands running underneath his shirt and smiled. They broke apart, gasping.

Jace grinned.

"As much as I want to continue this, I am quite hungry."

Clary laughed, and took his hand.

After the couple had passed Luke and Jocelyn's interrogation, they walked through the twilight to Chinatown. They had a nice time, getting some alone time for the first time in a while. Jace walked her back reluctantly, knowing that he would have to leave as soon as they reached the apartment, but this was not the case. Luke had left a note, saying that he and Jocelyn had gone out for dinner.

Clary wouldn't be surprised if making out with Jace for long periods of time caused heart damage. After slow kisses for a while, she pulled his shirt off and things quickly escalated. His lips trailed down her neck, and his crawled under the hem of her shirt, running up and down the sides of her torso.

Clary heard a car door slam. She broke apart.

"As much as I love this, I think my parents are home." She said, admiring his golden skin and toned muscles.

"Like what you see?" Jace said, in his cocky way.

"Just put your shirt on, before my mom comes in." Clary said, blushing.

"Even middle-aged woman can't resist my charms." He winked. Clary laughed and threw his shirt to him. He caught it deftly and pulled it on as she ran her hands through her disheveled hair and pulled the hem of her blouse down.

"I should go," Jace said, kissing Clary quickly on her perfect lips.

She knew it was true.

"I love you." She whispered, as he climbed up on her windowsill. He looked back, surprised. His golden eyes softened.

"I love you too." He said softly. And Clary blushed at the expression in his eyes as he looked at her.

And then he was gone.

A/n:
I just couldn't resist publishing this on 12-12-12 :D

-PAR