Losing Tessa

by kbdizzle

As summer sun starts to fade, the chill of impending winter brings with it a frost strong enough to chill even Jem's heart. Their peaceful love story is about to take tumultuous turn as Jem begins to realize the relationship between Will and his now fiancee isn't what it seems. Set at the end of Clockwork prince and before the ending of the trilogy.

1. Chapter 1

Losing Tessa

Jem's pov

I'm going mad, Jem thought to himself. Tessa, sat before him in a lovely dusty rose dress. The top rimmed with lace that flattened against her chest when she breathed. It was light weight and rippled in the wind like a small pond that had been disturbed. Her snow white skin was flushed from their previous activities - they had been playing in the fading summer sun all day. Jem taught her some notes on the violin while Tessa taught him the New York two-step. Now they lay next to each other on the grass, hands entwined. Tessa's hair was falling out of its intricately plaited up-do. The handiwork of Sophie no doubt. Jem reached over to brush it back.

Tessa, eyes closed, basking in the summer sun and warm breeze, smiled at the touch, but didn't turn her head to look at him though he knew she could feel his stare. This is what was driving him insane. This odd peacefulness; he could feel something in the wind bringing with it a change he could not understand. Was it a sign that his ever present death was growing nearer? He did not know. He did know however, that Tessa was slipping away from him. There was no sign that told him that, but everyday his heart grew colder for some reason he could not comprehend. The feeling only intensified when he looked at Tessa. So this what it feels like, he thought, to lose Tessa.

Will's pov

So this is what it feels like to lose Tessa thought Will. It was surprisingly easy to watch her love Jem. However it was not easy to continue loving her while she loved Jem. It was funny that his love for his brother didn't stop him from going after Tessa. Will figured that he was truly cruel through and through. He'd accept it if meant Tessa would be back in his arms. Turning away from the window where he had been watching Tessa and Jem lie in the grass together, he retrieved his cloak, and stepped into the corridor. The hallway looked haunted as Will stared down it. The only light was that coming from the window.

The light only reached so far, the rest of the hallway draped in darkness, still Will walked on. Living in such a large institute, getting from one wing to the other, was a rather daunting process. For protection the London institute with it's simple and elegant floor plan was secretly a vast maze of hidden doors and shrouded corridors. Many minutes must have passed, but for Will it felt like only a second before he bumped into something or rather someone.

"Will would you be so kind as to look where you're going next time," said Tessa, now looking up at will from her sitting position on the ground. Apparently their collision was bit more forceful than either would have intended due to the dimly lit hallway.

"Tessa would you be so kind as to not get dazzled by my beauty it only causes you to fall on your derriere."

"Very funny. Help me up will you?"

Will did as he was told and pulled her to her feet. However, with a little too much force and she fell into him, their chests hitting with a thud. Will watched as the blood rushed to her cheeks. He internally sighed. He would get over such a beautiful sight. Their proximity triggered him. Slowly, as if she was fragile glass Will lifted his hand to her cheek. Her grey eyes widened but she did not move. His hand slipped from her cheek to her neck and finally rested on the pin that held her hair in place.

With one swift pull Tessa's hair cascaded like a waterfall around her. Will looked at her for a moment. Her cheeks flushed, hair undone and her dirty dress slightly unbuttoned. A familiar wanting boiled in his stomach. Pulling her close to him Will closed his eyes and leaned in. He felt her stiffen yet she did not pull away. He opened his eyes. As always Tessa was never one to back down from a challenge, and with eyes still open, she stared at him quizzically. Would he kiss her? Would she let him? For reasons unclear to himself he pushed her away with enough momentum that her back hit the wall and without a second glance Will walked past her and into the shadows.

Jem's pov

Will's room was a mess as always. It didn't affect Jem in the least. He cleared a spot on Will's bed and sat down on the edge to wait. The time had come.