Better summary: Aline's beginning to realise that boys' don't get much better than Jace, but how far will Clary go to keep Jace? Too far, or not far enough? Meanwhile, Simon's having trouble of his own, with both Isabelle and Maia vying for his affections. Then again, it's not going smoothly for Alec and Magnus, with Alec's parents displeased at the idea of a gay son. And Valentine wasn't the only enemy of the Clave...
Disclaimer: I'm (unfortunately) not Cassandra Clare, so I don't own any of these characters.
"Clary..."
"Go away."
"D'you want something nice to look at, or not?"
Clary sat up and snorted, looking directly at Jace.
"Nice?"
Jace raised an eyebrow, glaring slightly.
"I'm sorry, I meant god-like. Though, you're not half-bad yourself." He grinned cockily at her irritated expression, leaning in to kiss her gently. It sent delicious shock-waves through Clary, who was now surprisingly awake.
"What do you want, anyway?" Clary asked, when they finally leaned away from one another. "Why interrupt my beauty sleep?"
"You don't need any, you're beautiful enough," Jace sat on the edge of the bed, next to Clary, whose cheeks were burning already. "Besides, you'd rival me if you got any better-looking, and we don't want that, do we?" Clary reached out and smacked him none-too-gently on the arm.
"I asked for a answer, not a sarcastic remark."
"Sorry," Jace didn't sound at all apologetic. He was Jace, after all. "The vampire's downstairs waiting for you."
"His name's Simon," Clary remarked irritably; she was sick of them acting like Simon wasn't one of them, Downworlder or not. "Go and tell him I'll be down in five minutes." Groaning, she hauled herself out of bed.
"So I'm your messenger pigeon now?" Moving inhumanly quickly, Jace was blocking her way. "Personally, I prefer eagles. Much more majestic." Clary opened her mouth to give him a typically biting retort, but his lips were already on hers, his hands in her hair. She sighed, running her hands through his luxurious blonde hair. A few minutes later, he leaned back and smiled an angel's smile.
"You'll be late for your vampire." Clary was too enraptured to even set him straight on the matter of Simon's name. Instead, she moved out of his arms, sighing. Jace grabbed her again by the waist. "I didn't say I cared." Rolling her eyes, Clary allowed herself to be enfolded into a tender hug. Against her willpower, she smiled, and held him tightly. Mine, she thought. At last. Finally, she let go, shutting the door on him with a rueful grin. Every girl needs her privacy.
Downstairs, Jace loped slowly into the room where Simon was sat down, looking completely at ease.
"Clary'll be down soon, vamp." He leaned against the wall, enjoying Simon's scowl. They might be friends now, but who said he couldn't antagonise him even slightly?
"Vamp?" Then again, no one said Simon didn't have a few good retorts up his sleeve. "Is that your new term of endearment for me? Gee, thanks, Jace." Simon grinned, knowing he had Jace beaten.
"You want it to be bloody?" Or not. Jace laughed softly. Simon rolled his eyes, his heart not really in the easy banter they seemed to have every time they met. He had more... pressing matters on his mind. "So, how's life for the damned these days?" Jace's easy voice confirmed that he wasn't really trying to be offensive. He did it now without even realising, being Jace.
"No different than normal," Simon sighed, knowing he was lying, "Raphael's watching everything I do, now."
"I can't see why, you're really not that interesting."
Before Simon could spit out a retort, Clary descended from the curling staircase, eyeing them both carefully. Her eyes lingered on Jace, her pulse quickening as always. She still couldn't believe they were finally together, it wasn't a dream.
"Clary," Simon smiled at her, "Your boyfriend's bullying me." Jace smirked, wrapping an arm around an exasperated Clary's waist.
"As if," Simon raised an eyebrow. Clary just waited for the inevitable insult that would follow. "I wouldn't waste my time on you, I'd bully someone much more useful, like Magnus."
Clary couldn't help but giggle at the mention of Jace's adoptive brother Alec's boyfriend, who was had more than a passing resemblance to a gay Sonic the Hedgehog. Though, when he wore his beret, he did look a little like Mario...
"Shut up," Simon opened his mouth, "Both of you. I don't care who started it, you're both like five year-olds. D'you want me to wake Isabelle?"
Jace shuddered, knowing the inevitable 'cooking' that would follow Isabelle's awakening.
"No fear," Simon pulled a face at the thought of the burned eggs Isabelle was often shoving down his throat, when she came over to his house in the morning.
"It's not you I'm worried about!" Clary looked pointedly at Jace, surpressing a giggle.
"I'll be good," He promised, where just Clary could see. His eyes were like liquid gold. Clary sent him a smile, then turned back to Simon.
"So what's up?" She smiled at him.
Simon grimaced.
"Um..." He glanced at Jace, "Nothing in particular. Just..."
Clary sensed his hesitation.
"Jace, go away," She ordered, disentangling herself from him. Jace looked affronted, and even a little hurt.
"What? Why?" He sounded surprised. "Did I do something? I'll call him Simon if you make me..."
"No, it's not that..." Clary was reluctant to give away Simon's discomfort with him there.
"What, then?" Jace was so goddamn stubborn.
"No, it's okay," Simon spoke out, surprising Clary slightly. "I need both of you to come with me, anyway."
Jace and Clary exchanged a confused look. Even Clary, who'd known Simon forever, didn't know what this was about.
"I'm not going to assassinate you, Jace, if that's what you're scared about..." According to Jace, this immediately constituted another argument.
"Dream on, vampire." He took Clary's hand, and led her outside. Clary merely rolled her eyes at Simon, who laughed.
"How long's the drive, anyway?" Clary asked Simon as he unlocked Eric's van.
"Uh... an hour or so?" Oh what fun this would be, Clary thought. Jace and Simon together in an confined space. Brilliant.
"Any chance you'll tell us where you're taking us?" Jace enquired coolly.
"Nope," Simon grinned. Hiding something from Jace was, oh, so much fun.
A/N: I promise it'll heat up and get more interesting soon ^^ Hope you liked it, please R&R!
