I've never written a one-shot before, please let me know how I went. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognise

"We should totally sign up next season!" Isabelle squealed in my ear.

"Iz, away from my ear please. And why should we?"

"Are you kidding, how much fun would it be?!"

"Not much, I don't particularly find marrying a stranger fun. Feel free to do it though."

She sat back on her side of the couch and pouted at me, which I resolutely ignored and stared intently at the screen. The latest season of 'Married at First Sight' had just started and we were hooked. Fortunately, I wasn't hooked enough to sign up for the barbaric tv drama.

During the next ad break she returned to her antics.

"Please Clary, the marriages aren't even real, just for fun.'

"Izzy they're real enough. How would Simon feel about this?"
"That's the best part! He agreed."

"What!?" Izzy and Simon had been dating since we graduated high school seven years ago, and I found it hard to believe Simon would be so willing to throw it all away.

Isabelle just nodded and babbled on happily. "Yes, we suggested it for a laugh to see if we would be paired together! Then they do all their tests and find who we're compatible with, and how romantic would it be if we were paired together?"

"So romantic," I agreed sarcastically, "More-so even if you weren't paired together, and had to watch each other 'fall in love' for the nationwide viewing of Americans."

"No, we decided if we weren't paired, then maybe we weren't meant to be."

I sat up dead straight and glared at my best friend. "You are insane, you realize that right? You're willing to throw away seven years of love for the thrill of some cheesy television show?"

She looked like a kicked puppy. "Simon thought it was sweet when I suggested it."

"The amount of independent thoughts and opinions Simon's had since you guys started dating, I could count on one hand. Of course he would say yes if you begged him."

Her fingers tapped on the side of the couch as she considered it. "I suppose you're right."

"Always am babes," I responded with a cocky smirk which made her laugh. "Besides, you guys will marry eventually, do you really want it to be televised?"

She considered this for a moment.

I rolled my eyes. "Televised where you don't have any say in the wedding."

Her eyes widened and thankfully, she shook her head harshly. The show resumed and we turned back to watch the nervous brides and grooms get hitched. I appeared to have steered Izzy away from her thinking. Crisis averted.

Music blaring, spatula in hand and a bucket of pancake mix by my side, I was in my element.

"MUMMAAAA OOOOOOOOOOOOO! DIDN'T MEAN TO MAKE YOU CRY, IF I'M NOT BACK AGAIN –"

The music was paused and I spun around ready to club the person who interrupted my time with Queen. Isabelle stood there smiling widely; a smile I didn't trust.

"Why the hell would you turn my music down!?"

"We had another complaint from the neighbours about a dying cat."

"Beyoncé wasn't born signing like an angel, she practised. Which is what I was doing, thank you very much."

"You're the next Beyoncé?" Her raised eyebrow ridiculed me.

"Well I could be." I mumbled angrily, turning to stop my pancake from burning. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a hand reaching to snatch a pancake from the plate by my side. I wacked her hand away with my spatula and glared.

"Back off, I don't get music, you don't get pancakes."

She rolled her eyes and moved to sit down on the kitchen stool.

"What happened to your coffee date anyway?"

"Oh, oH!" the smile returned to her face, and I looked her up and down suspiciously. "I was on my way out, when I checked the mail and I was too excited to wait until later on tonight to tell you."

"Tell me what?" This didn't sound good.

"We got in!" She exclaimed, jumping around and moving to dance with me. She wouldn't stop trying to force me to foxtrot (her and Simon had recently started taking lessons), so I repeatedly hit her shoulder with my spatula and then pointed it threateningly at her.

"Explain."

"Well, you know a couple of months ago, when we agreed we would apply for the next season of 'Married at First Sight?' Yeah well today-"

"Woah, woah woah woah. When we AGREED? I agreed to NOTHING!"

She looked at me as though I was toddler. "Uh, yeah you did. I clearly remember you saying you'd do it. Well anyway, I sent out applications and we both got accepted! We have interviews on Thursday."

"ISABELLE THIS BETTER BE A JOKE!"

"No I'm one hundred percent serious! How great is it? Simon said he got accepted a few days ago. The season officially starts next month so the wedding will be in about two weeks."

"No, I'm not doing it."

"What, you promised!"

"I didn't agree to anything. I thought I had talked you out of it. The show is ridiculous and I don't want any part of it."

"Come on, live a little."

"Isabelle, living a little is going on a spontaneous road trip, not running off and getting married. I refuse to do this."

"Are you nervous sweetheart?" Mum asked kindly, pushing hair away from my face gently. We were in the limo, on the way to my wedding.

I levelled a glare at her. "No, I'm really not. I can't believe you helped Izzy blackmail me into doing this." A day after I told Izzy no, mum called up and reminded me that if I didn't marry in a year, the family business would be signed over to me and her and dad would retire. To some that may not be a problem, but the family business was a bait shop in a remote town in Tennessee. It was fine growing up, but I was sick of that store, city and lifestyle. Mum also pulled the guilt card about how the business has been in the family for seven generations and it would be letting my grandma down if I decided to sell it. So, that Thursday I showed up to meet one Ragnor Fell, who would be conducting the interviews to determine our partners. Lovely.

I watched the scenery pass by as I again tried to guess where it was. My family had had the most input into it, the only thing I was able to choose was my wedding dress. I chose a long sleeve, backless dress that gently pooled around my feet. It had a reasonably high neckline, and a soft lace pattern over the top. My hair had been swept up into an elaborate bun/braid thing at the nape of my neck, and my makeup was simple yet elegant. I suppose this was how I had always imagined to look on my wedding day, but generally I had thought I would know my husband-to-be.

I also thought I would have Izzy by my side, but she was married off two days ago; luckily, to Simon. I hated the two of them right now. The couples that had already been married were staying at a nearby hotel until all the couples had been hitched. I was told there would be six couples in total.

The car began to slow down and I thought I might vomit. That feeling made me chuckle to myself though, as I always thought the girls were exaggerating. I guess not. The limo driver opened the door and first helped my mother out of the car, and then Tessa who was playing the role of my bridesmaid. She was my cousin and we had always been extremely close growing up.

"Alright, so remember, walk around that corner and then up the stairs. A crew member will be waiting for you to direct you into the building. The camera is always on you so please remember; you're excited, scared and nervous but also happy. Good luck." The shows producer hurried around an opposite way, I suppose he was finding a good seat. My group slowly made our way around the corner, my feet dragging ever so slightly.

"Clarissa, come on. Don't make a big deal out of this," My mother hissed to me through a smile. I 'smiled' back at her. "Of course not, why wouldn't I want to postpone marrying someone I don't know."

She stayed pretty silent after that.

We made it to the top of the stairs with only a small stumble from me. I had to admit that the place we were was beautiful. To my right there was multiple sets of stair that led down to the beach; which looked absolutely breathtaking. The actual building was a simple hall, but it had been dressed up to make it look classy and elegant. I suppose that was the good thing about this show; basically a free wedding. A woman rushed over who was wearing a navy blue pencil skirt, a white short sleeve blouse and tan heels that were too tall to be legal. She had big black headpiece on partially covering her bright red lips, which were currently smiling at me.

"Welcome Clarissa. We have about three minutes before you can enter. We'll walk straight in to where there is a small foyer, and then I'll gesture when your bridesmaid can walk in. Your father is waiting in there for us, you just need to start walking when I tell you to. At the end of the ceremony, you and your groom will walk down the aisle and meet me outside where I will give you further instructions. Understood?"

I nodded in a daze.

"Excellent. I'm Camille by the way." She went back to tapping away on the iPad she was carrying and hissed into the headpiece a few times. A few minutes later she looked up at me and smile.

Crap, I couldn't do this. Was it too late to bail?

"We're ready to go."

My stomach was in my throat as we walked into the hall. The foyer was nice enough, and I got the feeling that the colour theme was white and gold with a hint of black. Dad was waiting there, a smile spread across his face.
"Hey kiddo! You ready to do this?"

I simply hugged him tight and grasped for a small moment of normality.

"I'll run away with you right now if you want sweetheart, I have a getaway car on standby." I pulled away and smiled at him, he always did have my back. I shook my head though.

"No, I should see this through."

"That's my girl," he replied with a wink. I turned to look at mum and realised with a start that she'd left already. Camille hurried over.

"Your mum went to take her seat Clarissa, we're ready to start."

She then clopped away and whispered something to Tessa who nodded and moved towards the door.

"You got this girl, show him who's boss." She grasped my hand for a moment and winked. And she was gone. Walking towards my wedding. I found a moment to appreciate the irony that both my cousin and mother had seen my fiancé more than I had. That was broken when I felt two cold hands gently nudging me forwards, Camille's reassuring smile and dad grasping my hand tightly.
"Don't let me fall dad."

"Wouldn't dream of it kid."

And we entered. The first thing I noticed was a girl crying up the back. She shot me a glare so I supposed she must a jealous ex of my fiancé. Excellent. Then I noticed how breathtaking the room was. Lights twinkled above, there was a carpet of white rose petals for me to walk on and a gorgeous ocean view from the window behind the alter. The alter. My fiancé. Hot damn.

I stumbled slightly when my eyes fell on the man standing up there. He looked delicious, my inner self screamed joyously. The light was hitting his hair just right, giving it a halo; and it appeared to be golden anyway. His eye were locked onto mine and I smiled slightly when I realised he looked just as nervous. He was wearing a simple black and white tux, with a black bow-tie. He had one groomsman who wore the same thing but with a gold bow-tie. Absently, I noticed that his groomsman was quite attractive as well.

Before I could really take everything in, dad was kissing my cheek and the man was reaching out for me with a cute smile on his face; I think I just fell in love with his smile alone. Cautiously I placed my hand in his and swore I felt sparks; only I would judge the previous shows girls for saying those words and then turn around and say them myself. Together we turned to face the minister, who promptly began the sermon.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Jonathon Herondale and Clarissa Morgenstern in holy matrimony."

He kept talking and I slowly zoned out, becoming hyper aware of everything that was going on. His hand felt deliciously warm against mine and fit perfectly with my own hand. He was quite tall; though I suppose everyone was quite tall compared to me, and he looked to have soft hair. I felt his hand squeeze mine and I snapped out of my daze, to find him gently manoeuvring me so we were facing each other.

"Repeat after me Jonathan. Say I, Jonathon."

"I Jonathan, and by the way I prefer Jace for future reference. I suppose that's one of the many things you'll learn about me," he added on with a wink. I was too dazed to do much more than nod. He repeated everything perfectly after that and then slid the ring onto my finger.

And it was my turn.

"Say I, Clarissa,"

"I, Clarissa…Clary!" I blurt out embarrassingly. Jace raised an eyebrow at me. "I mean, I prefer Clary." I felt my checks grow hot as the audience murmured a chuckle. I repeat the rest of the priests' words, not really paying attention to what I'm saying; and I stumbled quite a lot compared to Jace's perfect recital. Too soon it was time for me to place a ring on his ringer, which I did and he smiled brilliantly at me showing me again those perfectly white teeth. The rest of the ceremony was a blur until I heard those words I dreaded: "I give you Mr and Mrs Jonathon Herondale. You may now kiss the bride."

I thought I would literally faint as the entire room went dead silent and I turned to Jace. He smirked slightly and leaned down slowly until our lips were only centimetres apart. I looked into his eyes which appeared, like the rest of him, to be golden in colour. His breath was warm as it fanned against my face and then he closed the last few centimetres between our lips and kissed me. His lips were soft and warm, and they moved gently with mine for a second and then all too soon it was over.

The entire room was on their feet clapping, and I vaguely remembered Camille reminding me to return down the aisle. I smiled at Jace who returned it with a smile of his own and leads us back down the aisle. Once outside Camille pulls us to the side and smiles brilliantly at us.

"Congratulations to the both of you. There is a limo at the bottom of those steps which will take you to the wedding photo location. Tessa, Will and your parents will be in a car behind you, and will meet you there in about an hour. You two have that time to learn a little bit about eachother; please keep in mind that from the moment you step into the limo there will be a camera on you at all times. When your family arrives and the photos have been taken, you will return back here for your reception, where you'll have your first dance and thank everyone for coming. Later this evening, you will be driven to the hotel where the other couples who are already married are currently staying. In two days you will fly out to the destination of the next portion of this program. Understood?"

We both nodded mutely at Camille who smiled warmly and gestured for us to descend the stairs. And we did, together. Married, husband and wife.

Jace was ever the gentleman as he opened my car door for me, and helped me not trip in my dress as I scooted across the leather seats. He slid in behind me and sat on the chair which was adjacent to the seat where I was currently sitting. The awkward silence was, however, deafening.

"So…" I trailed of awkwardly, internally cursing izzy more than ever, "it's nice to meet you I guess. I'm Clary."

He smirked at me and shook my outstretched hand. "The pleasure's all mine. As I'm sure you remember I'm Jace."

A pregnant pause.

"Would you like some Champagne?"

"Hell yes," I replied in my most lady-like manner, and I ripped my heels off of my sore feet with a sigh of happiness. He chuckled and poured two flutes of Champagne, passing one to me.

"So Clary Morgenstern, how did a lovely lady like yourself end up on this delightful show?"

"My friend signed me up. She actually is on here as well, she was married two days ago."

His eyebrows raised, "That's lucky to have a friend with you."

"Yeah I suppose. How did you end up here?"

"Similar fashion I suppose, I actually lost a bet to a friend. And he mailed off the application before I could talk him out of it. The selfish bastard couldn't even make it today; he's overseas on business." I could tell by the affectionate way he spoke of his friend that he didn't truly harbor anger toward him. I took a long sip of my drink and turned back to find him studying me intently. It was more than uncomfortable so I thought about another conversation in my head.

"How old are you?"

"I've recently turned twenty eight. Yourself?"

"I will turn twenty five in about a month. Are you currently studying or working?"

"Studying, I've just finished a degree in medicine at Stanford."

"Wow, medicine, that's quite…prestigious."

He chuckled, and I decided I liked the sound. "I suppose you could say it is. Both my parents are doctors so it was only natural for me to follow their lead. How about you?"

"Well I actually followed my mother's lead as well and I am an artist. I'm also attending classes at NYU to get a business degree so I can open a studio up. That's my dream."

"I look forward to seeing your work someday."

Creepily, we simultaneously we took a long sip from our drinks. The car ride lastly only ten minutes longer, passed in a slightly-less-awkward silence. The car pulled up beside a pier that stretched into the bay, so we had obviously stayed on the same beach which we had being looking over during the ceremony. The door opened, and Jace went to step out when Camille's head poked in.

"Hello, darlings, now the whole college, age talk was beautiful, the carfull of producers liked it. However, 'we were dared onto this show' doesn't make us look good. Sooo," she gave us a big grin," you're going to go on another five minute drive up the block, and pretend you both submitted your applications with the intention of finding true, everlasting love. Have fun children!"

The door closed with a thud and the car took off again. We stared at each other in shock for a moment, before Jace carefully ran a hand through his hair.

"So…what brings you to this show?"

I wracked my brains for a plausible answer, not wanting to sound too tacky. "I just wasn't sure I would find true love by myself; I saw the opportunity to meet the perfect match, and I knew I couldn't pass it up. How about you?"

Jace cleared his throat. "I've dated around, I can't deny that but I just wasn't finding fulfilment…I noticed this show was coming up," Jace took my hand and stared into my eyes, slowly rubbing circles on my hand, "I felt I needed this show. To find a part of me that had always being missing…and I'm glad I did, I can already feel myself falling for you. This show seems to have brought us together, and I will be forever indebted." He leaned in slowly, and I can't deny that I equally panicked and got excited. His eyes connected with mine and he searched them for a moment, seemingly looking for the permission. His lips came even closer and my breath hitched before - the car jerked to a stop, our foreheads bumping together in a headache-inducing way and the door was pulled open. Camille poking her head in again with a brilliant smile.
"That was beautiful sweetlings, you'll be America's favourites for sure. Chop chop! The camera needs a subject! Reminder you're on camera the minute you step out."

We stared in shock at each other for a moment; what the hell had we gotten ourselves into?