First Mortal instruments story! I tried to incorporate situations from the books (mostly COB) into the story, so keep an eye out for them.

Title: This Can't Be Happening…

Summary: Clary and Jace have a life; they're happy. Most of the time. When they get into a big fight, Clary worries that there is no going back from this one, that this is the end. And what does Jace find when he gets out of his shower? If it's not Clary, then who is it? And will she ruin everything that Jace had planned with him and his girlfriend? Soon he finds himself hoping that This Can't Be Happening…

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Mortal Instruments characters, but I wish I did. Them maybe I could meet Jamie… O.O

Rated: T (only for slight swearing)

While reading, keep the song Warrior by Beth Crowley in mind. Or try playing it before, during or after reading. Whatever works!

Clary's POV

It was stupid. Completely unworthy of the confusion and heartache I suffer every time something like this happens.

Fighting. I hated it. My mother and I used to fight – over stupid things like this, too. Then, one day, I ran out on her, and never got to tell her how sorry I was and how much I loved her. The only thing I see when I think of Jocelyn Fray is her name on a headstone and the date I last saw her smile: September 2nd, 2011. I've lived two years without my mother, but I had Jace to lean on. He was my rock, my crutch when I found it difficult to go on. He was always there, and I liked it that way.

Looking back at what happened earlier this afternoon, I guess fighting with Jace was pointless. In the end, I always gave in and went back to him. Maybe it was because I was afraid of what would happen to someone I loved if I was gone too long. In a way, leaving his – our – apartment to visit Isabelle was something like giving each other space, which is something we both need sometimes.

And that is exactly how she put it.

"You know you two are just going to kiss and make up, right?" She plopped herself on the couch next to me, her shopping bags from our trip to the mall scattered all over the living room furniture. My clothes were mixed in somewhere, and she promised to bring them to me later. "That's what happens every time you show up at my place with a hurt expression and a pissed off attitude."

I huffed, hating the fact that she was right. "I just wish he didn't act like he could care less about me. I mean, when we're alone for dinner or something, I know that's not the case, but when there's someone else in the room he turns into a completely different person." I thought about that for a minute. "Okay, that's a lie; he's still an ass the way around, but he changes around people – especially you guys." I was referring to her, her biological brother, Alec, my best friend (Isabelle's boyfriend) Simon, and Alec's boyfriend, Magnus.

Isabelle nodded, looking thoughtful for a minute. "Yeah, he's always been like that. But not to this extent."

I took the cup of hot tea that she poured for me and let the hot liquid run down my throat. "What do you mean?"

She sipped her tea. "Well, when we were younger, Jace never let Alec and I play with him and his friends. He said we had to be in the same grade as them. I thought that was bullshit and snuck into their 'fort' at the playground one day and saw that the boys were picking a little bird that was hurt. Jace stood back and never took part in it, but he knew what kind of bad things they did and just didn't want us involved." She came back from what could be described as a daze and focused on me again. "He was just being a protective big brother, despite being adopted into the family. And it's the same with you, but at the same times, it's amplified because he cares a lot about you, Clary."

I sighed. "But does it always take him three years of a committed relationship to finally show it?" Then, quickly, I added, "And could it be in a little less hypocritical way, please?!"

She laughed. ""Well, you know as well as I do that Jace is very subtle when it comes to things that are difficult for him to admit."

I rolled my eyes. "A little too subtle if you ask me."

Isabelle and I sat in a comfortable silence after that, just drinking our tea. Finally, she spoke again, "Who was at your apartment today that got him to act that way, anyway?"

I gave her a knowing look. She nodded in understanding, and at the same time we said:

"Alec."

"I should have known. Only my brother would provoke the situation. Even when we practiced our karate in the back yard; Alec always challenged Jace and someone – minus me, of course; I know better than that – would always wind up with a broken nose and a black eye.

I finished my tea. "I thought karate was, like, a self-defense kind-of-thing."

She shrugged. "It is, but, you know, boys will be boys."

We sat for another few minutes before she finished her tea and got up to go to the kitchen. That gave me time to think about everything she said. Maybe she was right; I just needed to give him a chance to show mw how he really feels. Maybe then we won't have any more of these annoying fights.

Suddenly, a loud ring erupted through the room.

"God, damn, that thing is loud," Isabelle muttered from the kitchen. She winced as she wondered back into the living room, rummaged through a bag, and answered her pink sparkling phone. "Hello?" there was a pause. "Oh, wow! That's awesome! Perfect timing…No, go home. I got it from here…Yup, I'm sending her right over!" I raised a bow. Now I know she was talking about me. Isabelle rolled her eyes. "Where else would she be?"

She hung up and looked at me excitedly. "Alec left your place about 10 minutes ago – something about a shower." She dismissed that thought. "But he said he talked to Jace and got him calmed down. I don't know how he did it, but this is your chance! He's got nowhere to go, and you can convince him to talk to you."

I stood from her couch – okay, she dragged me off, and was none too gentle about it. Why did I suddenly feel nervous? "Are you sure it's okay for me to see him? I mean, the last thing I want is to show up and we just launch into another fight." I eyed her when we made it to the door. "And the last time you were so sure about something, I was in the hospital with the stomach flu due to food poisoning."

She rolled her eyes and nearly pushed me out the door. "I'm sure! Now go, before it's too late."

With a new sense of hope, I bounded down the stairs, careful not to do a face-plant and completely embarrass myself. Isabelle's apartment building was only a few block away from mine and Jace's. In my earlier huff of rage, I had walked to her building instead of taking my car. And it looked like it was going to rain soon. Great. It was getting dark, and nothing good happens in Manhattan after dark. I decided to call Jace and let him know I was on my way over – you know, I case I got jumped in an alley and he could find me if I went missing. Mental shudder.

The phone rang than went to voicemail: "Hey, it's Jace. If you haven't learned how to leave a voicemail, then you have a few issues."

I rolled my eyes at the beep. "Hey, it's me. I…I hope you're not still mad. I'm on my way back from Isabelle's. I walked there, so I'm going to be about 15 minutes, hopefully less – I'm trying to hurry." I paused. How do I continue? "Um…c-can we talk? There's something that I…want to tell you. It's kind of important, and it would better be done now rather than later."

I hung up and took a deep breath. Wow, that took some courage. Even though it's been three years of dating, we haven't exchanged the magical three words yet. But I realized that despite all the shit and trouble he causes, I love him. Now all I have to do is tell him.

I glanced at the time on my phone after I hung up – 9:31 p.m. "Hmm. He should be out of the shower by now, and Jace isn't one to nap or anything like that, so maybe he just left his phone in another room."

Jace is particular about his schedule, and he usually always sticks to it:

6:00 a.m. – up and getting dressed

6:15 – breakfast and coffee

6:30 – a kiss for me and off to class

7:00-9:00 – Psychology

10:00-11:30 – Biology (lecture)

11:30-12:30 – Biology (lab)

1:00 – meets me of lunch

2:00 – work

7:00 – home to make dinner

9:15 – shower

9:30 – whatever comes after

It's like that Monday through Thursday when he has classes. Weekends depends on events that are planned. Any time he had to spare classes he would call me to check on me at home.

I'm a stay-at-home artist – trying to make some kind of living and some kind of money on the side while Jace is at work. I have classes at the same school Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm not as good as my mom was, but my schooling is supposed to help with that – and my confidence to do better.

After calling his cell 5 more times, I tried Alec – maybe he hadn't actually left and they were talking.

Alec answered on the second ring – Jace always answered my calls on the first.

"Yes, future sister-in-law?" Alec said, humor and annoyance laced into his voice.

I rolled my eyes. Jace never proposed, nor did I expect/want him to for a few more years, but it was Alec's key way of annoying me. He knew the mention of it got under my skin. But Alec knew better than to call me his siter-in-law in front of Jace – he respected his adopted brother too much. So, then that means…

I let disappointment fill me. "You're not with Jace." It wasn't question, but he answered anyway.

"Uh, no. I told Izzy that I was leaving like 15 minutes ago. I'm on my way back to my apartment. Magnus is waiting for me."

I sighed. "Okay, thanks."

He spoke up before I could hang up. "Wait, why? Is everything okay?"

"I don't know. I – shit!"

Of course. With my luck, I would turn a corner and manage to hit my knee on a dumpster. It hurt. A lot. God, I my such a klutz.

"What? What is it?" He sounded alert now – worried even.

I cursed again after taking a look around and realized that this wasn't the street I wanted. "Ugh! I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere while we were talking. I'm not at my apartment steps like I should be…"

"Hmm. Short-term memory loss. Isn't Jace going to school for psychology? Maybe he could help you with-?"

"Alec!"

He laughed at my expense. "Okay, fine. I'll help. Do you want me to come get you? How far off did you wonder?"

I looked around and recognized a street sign – looks like I only went one street too far and took the wrong alley. "Not too far. I know where I'm at. Thanks anyway."

"Sure." There was a pause. "I'm nearly to my apartment – I'll check on you guys tomorrow. Later, Clary."

"Alright. Bye Alec. Tell Magnus I said 'hi'."

The line went dead and I started back down the way I came. I was eager to get back. I was getting a little creeped out by how quiet it suddenly got around me. I was also getting worried about Jace. He hasn't called me back. I didn't want to seem clingy, but damn it, I needed to know he wasn't dying or something in our apartment. The whole way to our apartment building, I called him – at least 6 times. Each time, the only answer I got was his voicemail. I was about to give up when, finally, during the 7th attempt, he answered.

"Hello? Clary?" His voice sounded strained, like he was pushing or moving something.

Thank God. He's alive. "Hey. I'm…on my way home. I hope you're not still mad-"

"What? Wait, don't—Ugh, just stop, okay? Don't come home."

What? 'Don't come home'? What did he want me to do? Sleep at the park? Um…no. Don't think so. Not when there was a fluffy pillow and a soft bed calling my name. It was 9:30 at night! I was not going to stay outside longer than I had to.

"What do you mean? Why not?"

"Be…because."

Not an answer. "Jace, are you okay? What's-?"

"Just…listen, damn it! Go back to Isabelle's – stay there if you have to and I will pick you up later. We can talk then, I promise."

I was so confused. Did he listen to my message?

"My car… Jace, I-"

His voice sounded defeated, almost sad, but he was definitely pissed. The tone of his voice gave that away. "Please. Trust me, Clary. You can't come here. You don't-"

The line went dead. The screen flashed "call ended" in big red letters, as if mocking me. I looked from my phone to my apartment building in front of me. I had arrived when he told me not to come home, ironically enough. I wasn't sure what to do at that point – go in despite Jace's warning, or trek back to Isabelle's. I wanted to know why he was acting this way, but something in my gut told me I would regret it deeply. After a few minutes of debating, I climbed the steps to the building's front door with one thing on my mind:

What the hell is going on?!

Thank you guys so much for reading! I really want to know what you all think.

R&R And Don't Hold Back!

-Aly