What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

by GraceWinter

In the 21st century a cure has been found for 'yin fen', so Jem has left the Silent Brothers. However, he is left with the effect of immortality. To celebrate, Magnus takes Jem and Tessa on a journey around the world - no demons, no fighting, just a peaceful holiday. But with their complicated pasts (and Magnus's dress sense!), is 'normal' even a possibility? A Jessa/Malec story.

1. Chapter 1

Chapter One

Tessa still couldn't get used to the clothes of this century. Denim trousers? she thought, forgetting the name for them. Has it really come to this? She much preferred the dresses she had worn as a teenager, when she first met the Shadowhunters... Tessa shook her head. She needed to stop grieving - it had been decades since Will passed away.

Despite the rising sun everything in Central Park was sheathed in a layer of frost. Shivering, Tessa huddled into her hoodie - another garment she couldn't get used to. She stared idly at the birds darting through the trees. As she sat uncomfortably on the park bench, she saw a figure coming through the morning mist.

Squinting, she tried to recognise the figure. Jem was due to meet her here, but he was late. Him being a Silent Brother, meetings with him were rare. Had he forgotten? No, Jem wouldn't forget.

As the figure drew closer, Tessa saw the figure wore jeans and a t-shirt; not the robes and runes of a Silent Brother. His hair was dark, like Jem's, but not streaked with silver. He didn't use a cane to walk, as Jem did. But the face seemed so familiar...

"Jem?" Tessa stood up, hardly believing her eyes.

"Yes, I know. Tessa, let me explain..."

Jem sat down next to Tessa. He no longer had the rigid movements of a Silent Brother - this was the Jem he had been all those years ago, the young man she had missed so much.

"They found a cure to the drug." Jem's dark eyes sparkled with excitement.

"So... You're not a Silent Brother anymore? Are you still a Shadowhunter? Are you mortal now?" Tessa's questions came all at once, the shock overwhelming her.

"Ah, that's the difficult part."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I don't need to be a Silent Brother. As for the other thing..." Jem hesitated. "The Brothers told me that even though I will no longer be one of them, I will be left with the effect of immortality. So I can never have a normal life."

Tessa bit her lip, pondering the situation. Was Jem's immortality good news? Neither of them knew, but Jem realised he'd need somewhere to stay.

"Well, my apartment's too small, but don't worry - I know just the place."