Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot line.

Jace walked into the already crowded tavern, a smirk on his face and a desire waiting to be fulfilled.

"Let's go, Lewis. It's gonna be a long time at sea." He joked, nudging his nervous friend. "Get the rum and meet me by those two over there." Jace ordered, his gaze narrowed in on his prey as it sat before him. A petite redhead with startling but alluring green eyes that seemed to burn with an intensity he knew mirrored his. They were both looking for the same reprieve only the opposite sex could provide. As if feeling his golden eyes on her, she turned and stared at him intently. Her rosebud lips quirked up into a smile and she waved her fingers tantalizingly at him. He grinned and silently cursed Simon for now having the rum already. As if on cue, he appeared; his brown eyes glued on first the red head and then the dark haired beauty beside her.

"I got Red. Now let's go." Jace said, plucking the rum from his friend's sweaty hands. He began to protest but Jace clearly wasn't going to stop and argue. The tavern was alive around them with singing and dancing and more things that wouldn't have been socially acceptable in any other place, but it was a port town and the men were getting ready for another season at sea. Women needed some satisfaction before the men left and there certainly no protest among those ready to set sail. The redhead gave her hips a roll as she knew he was watching and Jace's hand clenched around the bottle of rum as he watched her, unable to look away.

Jace sauntered over to Red and she eyes the bottle in Jace's hands before looking up at him, her green eyes dancing as she took in his appearance.

"Is that pretty little bottle there for me, sailor?" She asked her voice so light, it sent shivers up his spine.

"Would you like it to be...?" He cut off without knowing her name. Normally, Jace already had their names learned and forgotten and their body shivering in excitement. He must have been losing his touch.

"Call me Clary." She said, deftly grabbing the rum and pulling the cork out. She smiled at him wither her lips around the bottle's lip, taking a swig of the bitter sweet alcohol. It took all of Jace's control to not snatch the bottle away and kiss her fiercely. She was defiantly one to have some fun with and it would be a sorrow to leave one like her behind, but he was leaving for sea tomorrow and he wasn't doing to let some girl stand in his way.

"I gave you mine, but I didn't get yours." Clary said handing him the bottle back, leaving her small hand resting on his arm. He smirked; this one was straight to the point.

"Jace." He murmured taking a swig of the rum before passing it back and was about to start on his 'off to sea' bit. As if knowing what was coming, Clary laughing giving his arm a little squeeze. Her laugh twinkled and it caught Jace off guard, even more than he already was.

"'Off to sea and all I want is to spend it in the embrace of someone like you,' don't try to win me over with some buttering up, Jace," She said his name with such ease; one would've thought she had known it all long. "I know what you want and you're in luck because it's what I want. And I'm one of the few here who won't want some sort of promise from you, which you aren't going to keep. Nothing but the sea can sustain the love of a sailor." There was a faraway look in her eyes and he assumed it was because she had wanted a promise at one point and it didn't end the way she wanted. She looked back at him, her eyes flickering to his lips before back to his eyes, causing Jace to smirk. A light color grazed her cheeks and Jace felt confident once more.

"So just the rum and then..." He trailed off. He had never once encountered a girl who confronted him like this and it was oddly welcomed, but he had no idea of where to go with it, his previous confidence gone. Her green eyes gleamed with amusement as he began to unconsciously squirm under her intense gaze. She pressed up against him, her height much smaller than his, and reached up until her lips were by his ear and her breath tickled his neck. She whispered softly and he couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face as he listened to what she had to say in such a low and seductive voice. He took another large drink before crushing his lips to hers for the first time that night, savoring in her sweet taste.

Jace walked wearily down the dock with Simon beside him the next morning. He squinted at the sunlight as he looked for the ship. He groaned as the ship he sought out was directly in the direction of the sun that beat down on him in an accusing manner, putting a hand up in an attempt to shield his vulnerable eyes. Simon laughed.

"Rough night, last night?" He asked with another chuckle. Jace smiled at the memory of the previous night.

"Rough is definitely one way to describe it." He ignored the smack on his arm from Simon as he reminisced. Another word for last night was fun. The red head Clary had been a spitfire and he almost regretting just using her and her body for fun. When he woke up this morning, her warm little body had been missing from his side and he felt a hole in him somewhere for some reason. Jace was usually the one to leave first, the other waking in the morning without the comfort of another being beside them.

"Come on, Lewis. We need to hurry up and sign onto The Glorious." Thne Glorious was well, exactly as her name. She looked like the perfect ship with her battle scars, but it was what made a ship truly a ship. It was rumored to be captained by the mysterious Captain Morgenstern, or Fairchild, or Fray. The name always changed but Jace was bent on learning the captain's true name. He was going to sign onto The Glorious with Simon and have the sailing season of his life.

The two of them walked up the gangplank to see two men, both with similar features, sitting at a table that was hastily set up on deck. The larger one had dark, really dark, eyes and stark white hair; he wore a ring with a 'M' insignia while the other one had dark hair and lighter but still dark eyes wore a ring with an 'F' insignia. Morgenstern? Fairchild? Fray? Was there actually some truth to those rumors?

"Ya here to sign on The Glorious?" The white-haired one asked, glaring at them. They nodded. "Why?" Ah, he was suspicious of them and with good reason.

"We have heard all the tales about The Glorious and when we heard she had made port here and was lookin' for some new crew members, we naturally sprung at the chance to sign onto this magnificent beauty. Is that alright with you, Captain..." He drifted off realizing both one of they had introduced themselves and he had no idea who the actual captain was. He must be losing his touch. The two doors, as Jace now silently called them, shared a bemused glance.

"The captain ain't here yet so don't yer worry yer little blonde head." The first one said." Just sign yer name and get over in the line. As fir introductions, I'm Jonathan and this is Sebastian." He added once Jace and Simon had signed their names, pointing to himself and then the second man. "Just stand over there until the Captain comes out. The Captain'll greet you up by the front mast." Jace nodded to each of them in turn before taking his spot beside Simon and a striking dark haired guy with bright blue eyes. The guy seemed to scan the crowd nervously every few seconds, looking for someone.

"You okay there, mate?" Jace asked. He must have startled the guy for he gave a little jump.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just lookin for my sister." He murmured. Jace let out a harsh laugh.

"A woman sailor? On The Glorious, I truly doubt that, this is one of the best ships ever to sail Alicante. They wouldn't allow a girl to sail with them." A small thrill of laughter sounded behind Jace and he stiffened. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the man beside him smirk for some reason, like he knew something Jace did not. Why hadn't he heard whoever it was who walked up on him so quietly. He whipped his head around to see Clary standing there, dressed in a red shirt, extenuating her small waist while she wore what must have been painted on trousers and boots that gave her a little bit of height, but she was still short, her red hair tumbling down in curls. Jace had the sudden urge to tangle his fingers in her hair like he had before, but he buried the feeling quickly.

"I didn't expect you to be one to sign with The Glorious." She said, casting him a veiled look that Jace couldn't decipher. "Good to see you, Alec. Izzy is on her way." The man, Alec, nodded in relief before snapping his eyes in front of him diligently. Jace smirked before looking back at Clary.

"Come to say goodbye?" He asked smirking with an eyebrow raised. She laughed again putting her hand on his chest gently, but in a way that might have been possessive.

"You poor fool. Of course not. Have you seen the captain yet?" She asked looking around the crowd lined up beside Jace. He shook his head, angry that she had called him a fool. No one calls Jace Herondale a fool and got away with it.

"Do you know that captain's name?" He asked, believing that she must be the captain's plaything. "Is it Morgenstern, Fairchild, or Fray?" He sounded like a giddy child. He wanted to meet the captain so they could leave and Clary would only be a spec in the corner of his mind. She gave him a secretive but knowing smile before making her way to the twin Doors. She conversed quietly with them, laying a hand on either of their chest in a loving manner. Jace cocked his head to the side. What was this girl's story? Why did she strut around like she owned everything. That small fiery redhead was one that turned heads and demanded attention wherever she went and it made Jace curious and some other feeling he wasn't able to discern. Stop thinking about her. A stern voice in his head said. She won't be around much longer as it is. He nodded to himself, silently agreeing with the voice.

Suddenly Clary was standing with a cutlass at her side on a raised platform by the large mast. "I am so glad to see you all here today. Thing signing of new crew members is one The Glorious takes much pride in." What was she doing up there, making a complete fool of herself? Jace didn't realize that her voice had taken on an authoritative tone, one that demanded attention. He began to step forward to tell her to get down when he felt two sets of warning eyes bore into him. The Doors. They shot a questioning glance at Clary but she waved them over with a flick of her hand.

"I'm sure you are all wondering what I am doing up here talking to you and it's quite simple really. My name is Clarissa Morgenstern Fairchild Fray and you will call me Captain." Jace's jaw dropped and he couldn't stop himself, even though every fiber of his being told him too.

"You? Captain? That can't possibly be true." He exclaimed, seeing a few people in the crowd nodding in agreement. Clary quirked her lips again and something tugged inside of Jace but he pushed it aside.

"Aye, I am your captain and my first mate is Isabelle Lightwood. Do you have a problem with a female captain? Do you already question my judgment and ability to lead? Do you believe me weak? That I do not hold up to the stories told about the mystery captain who goes by many names?" Jace had no rebuttal to her argument, she may have looked like a weak woman but something about her radiated danger and power. "I am the captain of The Glorious and you have all signed to follow me, have you not?" She paused taking a step down until she stood on the deck, looking up at all the men, no longer towering over them.

"I will ask once more," her voice low and dangerous, the meaning clear, "do any of you question my ability to command this ship and fulfill the needs of her crew?" A man with large shoulders and arms stood forward with a smirk on his face as he looked down at the much smaller Clary.

"I do. I don't think you can do it." He sneered in her face, the air stilled and the tension cackled in the air. Jace, Jonathan, and Sebastian all stepped forward to get him out of her face but she flicked her fingers. They all stopped mid-step, Jace surprised to find that he not only stepped forward to help her but listened to her nonverbal command, and watched her, the worry plain on each of their faces. They all wanted to fight this battle for her but it would only make her seem weak and Clarissa Morgenstern Fairchild Fray was anything but weak.

"Get off my ship." Clary said, her green eyes oddly calm but hard as she tilted her head at the man in front of her. He grabbed the front of her shirt pulling her up till her feet weren't even skimming the floor. Jace clenched his hands into fists and stopped himself from charging at the man.

"What if I don't?" Everything seemed to slow down and Jace only remembered trying to move forward but the guy, Alec, put his hand out and stopped him with a shake of his head. He wanted to help her, not because she couldn't take care of herself, but; he didn't know how to finish the thought. Clary looked down at the man who held up, her eyes filled with disdain and pity? She shook her head ever so slightly before moving in a flash. Her hand connected with his arm, the snap heard sharply in the silence. She dropped no fell gracefully, to her feet before knocking his out from under him. She placed a foot on his chest, pushing him into the deck, his groans loud and painful.

"Get off my ship before you taste my blade and drift off to a regrettable sleep." Her voice was cold and dangerous and something inside Jace melted? She lifted her foot and motioned for him to stand and then leave. The ship seemed to exhale in relief, but it was much too soon and Jace knew that.

He stood up and when Clary turned her back, he charged. It happened all so quickly, all he heard was the shink sound as a blade left its scabbard. She moved back in a flash and a blade was protruding from the man's back through his chest. The temperature plunged deeply, Clary's eyes hard and cold, as he quickly died. A look of grief crossed her face as his outstretched arms fell to his side and the light drained from his eyes. She withdrew her blade and lowered him to the ground, her lips moving in a silent prayer before she stood back up. The crew was thrown into a stunned silence as the Doors grabbed the lifeless man and took him away.

"You have all been witness to what I can and will do." Her voice was flat. It seemed like she didn't like killing that man but did it because it was necessary. "Now that we are all in accordance here, time for the rules. You will address me as Captain; you may add any of my last names and I will respond. My first mate is Isabelle Lightwood," Alec smiled as a girl who looked like him but with longer hair and different eyes stood up beside Clary. Clary really was short but her obvious authority made her seem so much more.

"Sebastian and Jonathan are crew members of sorts but they serve other purposes," Anger flashed through Jace. Did she keep them as her playthings? She seemed to have noticed my reaction and smirked. "They are more or less above the rest of the crew members but still below Isabelle and myself. You will do as they say, when they say it. Next, my word is law. You may choose to question it, but I will not hesitate to punish you in any way I see fit." She had a glint in her eye that seemed to be aimed at Jace; he refused to acknowledge it but a slight blush the crept up into his cheeks didn't go unnoticed and she smirked more.

"I will say the dreadful all captains fear: mutiny." The air stilled again as she stared at each and every one of the new crew members, her green eyes hard, their previous playfulness gone. "There is always a chance for mutiny and if I am not fulfilling my duty as captain, I will not protest an uprising. But I will fight back." Her hand tightened on her blade and some men shivered as she gave a small laugh with the shake of her head. "I will even accept challenges from you all and fight by a set of rules, but I urge you to have only a very serious reason for a deadly duel." She had never lost a duel; it was clear in her stance. She had faced a mutiny before but had squashed it like an insignificant bug beneath her boot. Jace shivered despite himself. There was much more to Clary than he had thought or begun to realize last night.

"Lastly, we do have a mixed crew of lassies and lads," her smirk was back again, "because of that I do realize that we all have our urges and it is perfectly okay to satisfy them, during recreational times of course. But under no circumstances will we tolerate pregnant workers nor children. If you do get pregnant, you and the other responsible, will be booted off The Glorious so quickly, you won't know what hit you. Are we all clear on the rules?" She asked, raising her voice at the end to a near yell.

"Yes Captain! Yes Captain Fray! Fairchild! Morgenstern!" The crew called back at her, her various names being chanted. A part of Jace wanted to call out Clary but it would be frowned upon and he didn't exactly want to deal with her, the Doors (their purpose still unknown to him). Or even her first mate who was wielding a nasty looking whip. Jace was drawn to Clary for some reason but he couldn't quite figure out why and for some reason he desperately wanted to know her on an emotional level instead of a physical one.

"Herondale! Lightwood! Lewis!" Sebastian yelled, jolting Jace out of his thoughts. The three all looked at him and he motioned for them to come closer. He was rather intimidating but Jace squared his shoulders and led the way. He gave each of them a look over and Jace was curious as to why he was looking them over so intently. What did it matter how a man was built? They all shared the same duties as ship-hands.

"Runners!" He called so suddenly, Jace almost jumped. He looked amused and Clary came over, looking them all over like he had; her gaze lingering on Jace.

"You're right. Follow me boys." She ordered and Jace clenched his jaw at being called a boy. Her eyes danced in the rising sun and he could do nothing but follow her, she was his Captain.