~Prologue~

Sydney Cove

Hi guys, I'm so pleased to have you reading this on this fine, fine day. ;) This is an Infernal Devices Mortal Instruments crossover, but the protagonist is Tessa. Main pairing is Jessa, along with Clace and so and so. If you didn't read the summary, this is based after Clockwork Princess and City of Heavenly Fire (both of which I bawled my eyes out over), and this tale shall begin in Australia! See y'all in Sydney, me mateys.

The sky was coloured a deep grey, pale clouds dripping across it, like wet paint on canvas, running like dark tears down the surface. Despite the supposedly miserable day in Sydney, nothing could ever stem Tessa's optimism as she walked, hand-in-hand with James Carstairs. The smooth ground caught the quiet clicking and slapping of the heels of shoes against it as Australians and tourists wandered around the Opera House, snapping photographs of the great, looming structure.

"I have never been to Australia before," Jem observed carefully as he passed his reflection on the polished glass of the building.

"This is only my third time," Tessa responded, releasing Jem's hand as she walked up to the side of the Opera House, her fingers gently tracing the cool surface.

"Only?" Jem grinned, recalling his time as a Silent Brother when he hadn't been able to travel anywhere by free will. Tessa didn't notice the humour in his voice, and she stared at the dark glass, into her reflection's eyes.

"I usually prefer to remain in America." She hoped that Jem didn't notice when she ever so carefully brushed the pearl bracelet that her long dead husband had given to her on their thirtieth anniversary. She forced the tears that pricked at her eyes away. She couldn't do this all over again. Not again. Never again.

"Not London?" Jem inquired, and Tessa didn't reply for a moment, her fingers freezing on the glass.

No. I left that place for a reason. Tessa saw Jem's figure walk up to her through the glass mirror, and she didn't even attempt to smile as she once would have, many years ago.

"I cannot return there," she whispered, turning to face him, the previous lightness of their conversation backfiring. Jem's own smile faded, his eyes, so dark, with lighter chips of colour shot through it, growing solemn again. Though his face appeared young, Tessa could never forget his age, their age. The two marks, along his cheekbones, were a bitter reminder of what had once been, merely a year ago.

"And so we shall not," Jem said gently, his hand cupping her chin, thumb tenderly rubbing her cheekbone, and Tessa's heart ached. She thought of her children, who would be long dead, of her grandchildren, who would have either followed that path, or were now middle-aged men and women, and she thought of what great-grandchildren she might have. And she thought of Will, his pansy-blue eyes so tired and happy as he had died in 1937. Her heart pounding, she managed a small smile at Jem.

"1973," she said, twisting around and tugging Jem with her to continue walking. Jem sounded unsure when he responded.

"1973?" He asked, and Tessa knew that he was linking the date to Will's death, switching the '3' and the '7' around.

"That was year that this was officially opened," she said. "Coincidence, is it not?" She knew that Jem knew what the 'coincidence' was.

"You brought me here for that reason?" Jem asked, and Tessa couldn't tell what he was thinking. His voice was deadpan, and she turned her head to catch his expression. It was blank, faraway, and he gazed into the distance, lost to the world.

"No, Jem," Tessa said, and her voice sounded small, even to her. "I would not ever do that, to either of us." She let out a gusty breath. "It seems to me that I merely like Australia." She felt a pressure on her hand, and glanced down to see that Jem had tightened his hand over hers.

"Would you mind me asking why?" Life had crept back into his voice, and he sounded genuinely curious, not at all nosey or resentful. Tessa took a deep breath, and shot a crooked smile over to Jem. He was always so friendly and thoughtful, and it sometimes seemed as though he enjoyed insight into Tessa's mind. This was one of those times that it seemed like that.

"It is my new beginning here," Tessa said. "I have no memories from this place, and therefore there is no pain. No reminders." She froze when she said that, and realized how selfish and cowardly she probably sounded, and she studiously avoided Jem's eye. "I must sound awfully egotistic. I'm sorry."

"No, please continue," Jem said, and Tessa hesitated, before resuming.

"There are no Fairchilds, or Carstairs, or Lightwoods here," she mumbled. "Or Herondales. They all go by different names. All of the shadowhunters, I mean." Jem was silent for a moment, and he led her over to where the water of Sydney Cove was driven upwards by the wind, slapping up and down.

"I do not know much of the shadowhunters here," he said. "I'm interested to know where the main institute resides."

"In Canberra," Tessa replied. "The Canberra Institute."

"Have you ever been there before?"

"Yes, but nothing could ever compare to London's." When Tessa said that, she heard Jem's breath hitch in his throat.

London Institute, with its steep, slanting roofs, iron wrought fences, and high stonewalls. With its grey sky and smooth marble path. Its library, its kitchen, its attic, its corridors. Tessa knew that if she ever returned to the institute, she would see the ghost of Will in the library, selecting a book with a smile on his face; she would see Agatha piping tarts in the kitchen, hear Bridget's lilting Irish accent as she sang songs of such morose matters; she would still catch the scent of holy water and blood in the attic, the shadow of a wild, dark-haired boy still haunting the darkness; Jem's music would continue to creep the empty corridors, the music that he had strung out all of those years ago.

"Tess," Jem whispered, his voice rough, as though he had seen all of her thoughts, and Tessa turned her head towards him. He captured her lips with his, gentle and compassionate, and Tessa allowed herself to be claimed by the kiss, her whole body tingling deliciously as she hooked her thumbs onto the loops at the waist of his jeans, not caring that they were probably attracting attention as Jem's hands pressed to the small of her back.

"I love you, Tessa," he mumbled against her skin, and Tessa never got her chance to reply when her mobile's ringtone played out: a harp whispering Pachelbel's Canon in D. Tessa hurriedly cut off the kiss, reaching into his jacket pocket while Jem shot her what was close to an irritated glance.

"You really have to answer that, don't you?" He asked, yet there was an amused smile on his slightly flushed face. Tessa's heart was still hammering as she tapped the ANSWER tab.

"Jem," she said, worried. "It's the New York Institute."

How was my prologue? Not too bad, I hope… -_-

Now, how about this? I wouldn't mind several reviews, so why don't you just leave one, even if you're a guest… :) Favourite, follow, whatever. Pleeeeeeaaaaaaase! The Mortal Instrument characters will be coming along soon. :P

~Black Cat Widow~