I own nothing but the plot and possibly some small characters. All the main characters belong to Cassandra Clare. I don't want anyone to get offended if some of the information about military life is wrong. I only have a little bit of knowledge of what it's like to be in the military so please so rip me apart for it. Also, the Italian in this story if off of some translating website, so it might be wrong, but just go with it. It's going to be important to the story.

Chapter One

Clary POV:

My name is Clarissa Morgenstern. I'm 24 years old and I'm classified as a genius. My IQ is around 180. I've never really flaunted my IQ around but my father, General Morgenstern, always brags about his genius daughter. He's been in the army since before my brothers were born. I was born when he was stationed in Italy, Camp Darby to be exact. I lived there until I was 8. Italian was actually my first language. Living there was a dream. It was beautiful, and one of the greatest experiences of my life. But all good things must come to an end.

We moved around a lot. Normally moving every two years or so. I was never in the same place longer than that. I was a normal army brat, and I loved it. That was until I was a sophomore in high school. I met this guy named Mark, and we really hit it off. A couple months after we started dating, and it got physical. He didn't like other guys talking to me, and he didn't like me living on base. He said he couldn't keep an eye on me that way. When my father was relocated to Fort Carson in Colorado I was relieved. It gave me an out of an abusive relationship. I didn't know it than, but he took all my self-confidence. He would call me fat, which led me to binging and purging. He would 'punish' me when he thought I was being bad. One night it got so bad that…Never mind. Way to soon to think about. I still have super bad anxiety attacks from what he did to me.

So here I am, working at a restaurant in New York City. I graduated from college with a degree in intelligence studies with a minor in political studies. I went to the University of Arizona for it. I moved to New York City to be closer to home. My father has been stationed on Fort Drum for the past 6 years, and although it's 5 and a half hours away, it's close enough for me.

My life has always been structured; from the day I was born I followed the army code and lived by its rules. I think that's why I found New York City so intriguing. It was busy, and chaotic. Something so different from what I grew up being taught. I had no idea what I wanted to do in life, which is why I work at this restaurant. I came in contact with different people every single day: lawyers, doctors, daycare workers, even a few homeless people. There was really never a dull moment. I liked my days being a completely blank slate. It opened a door of adventure.

It was a regular day for me. I was waiting behind the counter when the bell on the door dinged. I looked up and saw three people enter the restaurant. I recognized them immediately, it was the Lightwoods, Izzy, Alec, and Jace. I graduated high school with Izzy, which Jace and Alec were a year older. They come in here once a week for lunch. They always sat in my section. The boys were dressed in expensive suits, but what else would I expect from lawyers, and Izzy was dressed in the latest fashion, but she does own a chain of small retail stores, so I'm not surprised. I took a deep breath and repeated my motto in my mind 'Put on your best fake smile so nobody knows how much you're truly struggling' I walk over to their table and smile.

"Hey guys, what can I get you guys today? The usual?" I ask and they all look up at me.

"Yes, but can we have three waters and a pot of coffee today?" Izzy says and I nod and write it down.

"I'll be back in a second with the water." They nod and I walk into the kitchen. I would be lying if I didn't say waiting on them was intimidating. They all became something. And Alec and Jace were incredibly good looking men, and Izzy had a body and face that would put any Victoria Secret model to shame. I place the three waters on the tray and place a bowl of lemons on it as well and head out to their table. I am almost there when I look outside and see the familiar uniform that I never wanted to see again. I stop dead in my tracks. Completely forgetting what I was doing. I can slightly hear Izzy talking beside me.

"Uh hello? Can you give us our drinks?" She snips but I still don't look. The bell dings and they slowly approach me. I drop the tray and I knew everyone's eyes were on me but I couldn't do anything to make my body move.

"Clarissa Morgenstern?" I nod "I regret to inform you that your brother, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Morgenstern was killed in the line of duty." I almost fall to my knees when one of them catches me. I look into his eyes and it's Luke, a family friend of ours from when I was a kid. "Your father, General Morgenstern, is waiting for your arrival back at Fort Drum." I could feel the anxiety in my chest but black out before I can do anything about it.

Jace POV:

We are all looking at these two men not knowing what the hell is going on. We've been coming here for the past year and clary has always been our server, but I've never seen her like this. She seems to be so flustered and she starts looking around before she speaks.

"Give me 5 minutes." She says and bends down and starts cleaning. "These people need new drinks. I need to refill them. I spilled them. I'm in the middle of a shift. I just can't leave. What did you say happened again? IED? Grenade? Friendly Fire? Gosh, I'm such a klutz."

"Miss. Morgenstern, you need to come with us now." The man says and Clary looks up at him.

"But I have work. I can't stop now. Non riesco a credere che questo è accaduto di nuovo." She started speaking in a different language; I have to admit it was pretty hot. "Sebastian was hard enough." I remember Sebastian. He graduated with Alec and I. "Does dad know? Of course she knows, he's the general of the Army." She looks up at us "Did you know I've never had a real home?" She asks and we just stare at her. "I was born in Italy, I lived there the longest. Can you imagine?" Clary turned back to the two men. "Luke, I can't go with you."

"Clary, your father just lost another son, he needs you home, now. We have a protection unit outside ready to escort you back to Fort Drum. Clary, please." She stares at him for about 2 minutes before he speaks again. "Clary, are you back yet?" He asks and she looks around.

"Yea. What happened?"

"Jonathan." Was all the man had to say and Clary knew what he meant. "General Morgenstern requested you be brought to Fort Drum immediately. We have a protection unit in place."

Clary looks at us and smiles a little, "I'm sorry you had to witness whatever just happened."

"You don't remember?" I ask and she just shakes her head and leave. We watch her her as she goes into the back before the man starts to speak.

"Anxiety attack. She's been getting them since she was 15. Complete black outs. She doesn't remember a thing while she's in the middle of one, that was surprisingly a mild one. I thought she'd take that worse. That's why they sent me. A familiar face always helps break back news."

"Luke." Clary interjected "They don't care about my life. Come on, I have another brother to bury." They both leave and they get into a black SUV. I look back at Izzy and we're still all in shock.

"That was intense." I say and Alec and Izzy both let out a little laugh. "Do you remember her at all from high school? I mean, since we stated coming here I always thought she looked familiar."

"Yea. I had class with her senior year." Izzy says. "AP English. Smart girl. She was actually our valedictorian, but she didn't want it. The school told her that wasn't an option so she skipped graduation."

"Damn." Alec and I say in unison. I keep trying to recall any memory I have of her but it keeps coming up empty. I was never friends with either of her brothers. They were more location friends. We had a few classes together but never really talked outside of that. She was a mystery, but very intriguing. Something that I think I want to pursue.

Translation:

Non riesco a credere che questo è accaduto di nuovo- I can't believe it happened again