* I put this as rated T simply because I don't plan on doing any Lemons. But there is some sexual references and cursing. So rating might change later but, let me know if it needs to now. *

10 years ago

Clary Morgenstern, in her red, curly pigtails, clung to the back of her father as he galloped away from the bleachers. They pranced over to gate in search of her mother. Jocelyn Morgenstern, waved them over with a smile. Her deep red hair, was pinned up with a clip and the strap of her purse slipped slowly from the shoulder of her fall, jean jacket.

"Here, Val, I grabbed a hot dog for you and Jonathan." Jocelyn offered as they approached.

With one arm, Valentine hiked up Clary on his back and with the other he hungrily ate at his hot dog.

Jocelyn chuckled and smooched a kiss at Clary. She lovingly petted her curls before handing her a small bundle of Twizzlers. The little girl squealed happily.

"There's the superstar!" Valentine cheered as a young teen boy approached them. His hair a fair blonde and eyes a deep brown, in almost an exact copy of his father. Jocelyn pulled her son, Jonathan, in for hug while he slapped his father's out stretched hand in a high-five. They raved about his "good hustle" and "tight goal." Clary listened, though more interested in her candy.

After Jon finished his hot dog, he waved over a fellow team mate. The boy was similar height as her brother but, his skin was a sun-kissed tan and his hair a halo of golden, blonde curls. He introduced himself as Jace Lightwood and shook her parent's hands, addressing them politely as Mr. And Mrs. Morgenstern. As Jon asked his parent's permission to spend the night at Jace's house, Clary reached out her Twizzlers and caught Jace's attention. He grinned kindly at her and took one of the licorice candies she offered him. In thanks, he raised his knuckles in a fist bump. "Thanks, kid." He said. Clary pounded it with a giggle.

Clary and her parents waved good-bye to the boys and they left with Jace's parents.

"Jace is cute. I like him." Clary announced cheerfully to her parents. Jocelyn and Valentine simply glanced at each other chuckling.

8 years ago

Rushing into the game room, Clary dropped to her knees in front of her brother who sat on the couch. "So, Maia asked me to sleepover but, Mom can't take me because she's working on her annual report. But she said I could go if you take me! Please, please, please, Jon!" She begged, sticking out her bottom lip.

Jonathan groaned, exasperated. "I did not get my license to become your personal chauffer! And I just took you to get ice cream yesterday." He refused.

"You're not even doing anything!" She whined.

Jonathan smirked and picked back up the game controller. "Yes I am. New game is about to start."

Clary was about to plead further, when Jace spoke up. He had been sitting quietly, on his phone, at the other end of the couch. "I'll take you. I'm heading out anyway." He obliged. "If it's okay with your mom, that is."

Squealing happily, she threw herself at her brother's best friend and hugged him. Which she did as often as she could.

Jace was waiting in the driveway when she had finished packing her over-night bag. She flung open the passenger door and Jace immediately scolded her. "You need to buckle up in the back, kid." He informed.

"Oh, Please." She pouted, hoping her little freckled face would work as well on Jace as it did her parents. "It's only ten minutes away."

Jace sighed and rolled his eyes. "Alright, but definitely buckle up and do not tell your parents I let you."

Clary grinned and hopped in the seat right next to him, bubbling with excitement to be driving with Jace alone for the first time. Before they headed out, Jace passed her his phone that was plugged into the console. "I'm going to give you music privileges, so don't disappoint me."

"Never." She agreed. She selected a song from the endless library and peered up at him waiting for his reaction. Jace gave her a sideways smile and nodded in approval. Clary beamed.

"So," She started. "Jon says that you have a hot date tonight." She hoped the bitterness in her voice was well concealed.

"Yeah, we're going to a movie."

"Is she your girlfriend?"

Jace laughed once. "I don't know. It's only our second date."

"What's she like?" Clary wondered. She could not wait to be a teenager and go on dates and to parties. She hoped she would meet a boy like Jace.

"Well, her name is Katerina. She's on the girls soccer team. She has dark curly hair and she's always wearing this bright red lipstick." He described her with a smile on his face. Clary wondered if it was from the thought of Katerina or if he was amused that she had asked.

Clary hummed curiously to herself and hurriedly searched around in her bag as they pulled down Maia's street. She found her cherry Lip Smackers Chapstick and rolled it on as they came to a stop in front of Maia's house. "How do I look?" She asked Jace, knowing her lips were tinted red.

Jace grinned and she swore his face became lightly flushed. "You look good, kid." He told her. Then, Clary blushed herself. "Thanks for the ride, Jace! Love yah!" She sang, waving goodbye.

6 years ago

Jonathan murmured quietly to Jace, and he nodded and excused himself from the room of quiet somber whisperings. He walked up the creeping staircase, his chest tightening with every family photo he passed. He peeked in every room in search of the fragile red-head. Feeling awkward he finally stepped into the Morgenstern's master bedroom. He heard the sound of showering water coming from the bathroom. Jace sighed. He wasn't surprised she would be hiding out in there. Jonathan said she had rarely left their parent's bedroom for days.

He lightly rapped against the wooden door. "Clary..." He called. "Your brother wanted me to check on you. Everyone is wondering where you disappeared to..."

There was no reply. He roughed his hair, as anxiety plagued him. He knocked again. "Clary, we just need to know you are okay." He voiced again. Jace tested the door handle and it cracked open. "Hey, I'm going to come in, okay?"

He shielded his eyes in precaution, his eyes shifting around the black and white tiled floor, till he saw her small black heels hanging out the open door of the glass shower. Jace dropped his hand in panic and saw Clary sitting in the shower, still dressed in her black dress, her sweater still tied around her shoulders. She stared blankly and devastatingly into space, black steaks of mascara running down her freckled cheeks. Jace swiftly stepped into the shower, and turned off the water. Gingerly, he scooped up her light frame. He cared none that his own black suit was soaked. "What are you doing? You're not supposed to get your cast wet." He questioned desperately. He sat her against the large tub and grabbed a towel. He softly patted her large arm cast dry. His chest clenched at the fading bruises that still crept across her collar bone and jaw.

The Morgenstern's had all become like family to him. To know what they had lost and the pain they all now endured, cut at him deeply. "Clary..." He whispered. "It's going to be okay."

Her breathing suddenly picked up coming in gasps. She shoved him away from her with her good arm. Scrambling to her feet she clawed at the latch of the French windows. With one shove, she forced them open and stuck her head out, drawing in ragged breaths of fresh air. Jace leapt back to his feet and grabbed her by the waist, afraid she would lean out too far.

"I can't breathe!" She cried. "This choking feeling will not go away, nothings working!" Jace cupped her face so that she would look at him. And he stroked her hair to help calm her. "It hurts so much! And it won't go away!" Her cries of agony had turned into crippling sobs. They both slipped to the floor, Clary cradled in his arms.

Jace soothed her, whispering reassuring words. "It's going to get better. I promise. You guys are going to make it through this. Jon is my best friend and I know he will do anything to protect you. You know how else I know that? Because my other best friends are my older twin siblings and they have always had my back. Your family's not gone Clary. We're all going to be here to take care of you."

Jace eventually got her on her feet and waited outside her door while she changed into dry clothes. He took her hand but she halted him. "I love you, Jace." She told him earnestly. He smiled sadly at her. "I love you too, kid." He replied.

On the way down the stairs, they could hear a slight commotion. "I don't want to hear any more about it, Grandpa!" Jonathan's voice rang out. "I just lost my parents! It's a miracle Clary is alive! You think I am going to let her move halfway across the country? It's not happening. I'm eighteen now, she's staying with me."

Their grandmother rested her hand on Jonathan's shoulder and spoke to him in a low voice until he shook her off.

"I don't know." He told her. "I'll sell the house, and use whatever money they left us to get a place between campus and her school. I will figure it out, Grandma... With or without your support." He drawled.

His anger evaporated when he spotted Clary on the staircase listening. She drew her hand from Jace and flew down the stairs, wrapping her arms around her brother in embrace. Jace gazed at the two broken orphans, feeling protective of them as his new family.

4 years ago

"Anyone who touches the ginger is going away for statutory rape!" Jonathan shouted as he entered the rowdy fraternity house.

"Okay, lets tone it down." The beauty next him scolded. She batted her curtain of dark black hair over her shoulder. Her dark brown eyes scanned the room looking for the young teenager, just as Jonathan's did.

The shuffle of short heeled boots came clacking down the stairs. Clary rounded the banister, her expression as horrified as Jon's. Her red ringlet curls were pinned up in a wispy bun. Her eyes, bright green, were coated in smoky charcoal eyeliner and despite her tight black tube dress, she looked too young to be at a college party.

"Oh my God, could you be more embarrassing!?" Clary groused in disgust. She stormed past her brother, toward the door, already knowing her fun was over. At the sight of Isabelle, waiting by the exit, she came to halt. "You told him I was here?" She screeched in disbelief.

Isabelle rolled her eyes. "Clary, I love you like the little sister I never had. That being said, I am about to graduate, therefore I have experienced things at Frat houses that I don't want my little sister to experience."

Clary stormed past her with huff. Out on the sidewalk, Jace waited with his and Isabelle's brother Alec.

"God! Did you bring the whole fucking brigade?!" Clary spat, knowing that Jonathan and Isabelle were trailing behind her.

"We just all want you to be safe, Clary." Alec claimed as Clary strutted past him. She rolled her eyes at their over protectiveness. Jace stood near him, his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket.

"What are you smirking at?" Clary grumbled. She stumbled to side, slightly intoxicated.

"Ah, teenage rebellion. I remember those good ole years." He sighed in admiration.

Clary snorted. "Oh please, you and Jon were little angels." She swayed again and this time Jace caught her elbow.

"Clary! The car is back here!" Jon called from a distance. Clary promptly ignored him, set on stomping her whole way home. Jace nodded back to Jon, signaling he would keep an eye on her.

"On the contrary," Jace replied, stepping in pace beside her. "We just never got caught."

Clary didn't reply. Her face was set in a deep frown and her arms were hugged tight around herself for warmth. "Oh, come on, you can't be mad at me. I'm your favorite, remember?" Needled Jace.

"Even your charm has limits." She shot back.

Jace removed his jacket and stepped in front of her, blocking her path. He draped the leather jacket over her shoulders and pulled it around tight. It consumed her like a heavy blanket. He then, planted a peck on her rosy cheek. "You know you love me." He assured.

"How dare you use my affection for you against me." Admonished Clary, finally giving a chuckle. Jace smiled a threw an arm around her. "Come on little rebel child, let's get home."

2 years ago

Jace walked into the apartment with his girlfriend Kaelie behind him. She headed back to their bedroom and Jace set his messenger bag down on the kitchen table. He took out a stack of papers that needed graded and then went to fridge to grab a beer. The magnetic calendar on the fridge stated that Jonathan would be out late at a work function.

Kaelie, suddenly peeked around the corner of the doorway. "Please tell the brat to turn down the music. I can't even hear myself think." She implored.

Jace nodded, though he had not noticed himself. Kaelie had only recently moved in a couple months before and had not yet become accustom to Clary's late nights of loud music. Jace typically enjoyed her playlist, however. And it made for some of her best artwork.

Jace snagged his beer and walked down the hall to Clary's room. He gave a quick knock, but knew she would not hear him, before opening the door. Instead of swaying in front of her canvas, he was surprise to spy the bare naked of her back as she moved up and down on top of some boy. The dark-haired male, whose hands were previously groping Clary's breasts, jerked up the covers once he noticed Jace's presence. It all occurred in mere seconds and Jace pulled the door closed as quick as he could.

"Oh. My. God!" He cringed loudly. He marched into the living room and clicked on the television. His eyes bore into the screen, trying to replace the images in his mind. A short while later, Jace could hear the music die down and Clary's door creak open. He glanced over his shoulder to see the tall teenage boy walking to the apartment door. He gave Jace a smirk and salute and Jace had to refrain himself from chucking the empty beer bottle at the kid.

Jace went back to the kitchen to finish grading his student's paper. A couple hours later, once he was finished, he gazed down the hall to see Clary's room light still glowing from under the door. For a moment, he checked in his own bedroom, to see that Kaelie was asleep. Her light blonde hair was tangled across the pillow and a soft snore grumbled from her throat. Then, he stepped nervously up to Clary's door and knocked again. This time he asked loudly if he could come in.

"Enter if you dare..." Her muffled voice beckoned.

This time when he opened the door, Clary was standing where he had expected. In yoga pants and a tank-top, she stood in front of her easel, paintbrush and palette in hand. She glanced at him over her shoulder, eyebrows high and curious.

Jace peered around the room his eyes going everywhere but the bed. "So, that was awkward." He bluntly admitted.

"Mortifying." She immediately corrected. "The word you are looking for is mortifying." Clary packed up her art supplies, trying to dodge any further conversation.

Jace, however, seemed determined to address it. He spotted the chair at her desk and pulled it straight out to straddle the back of it. "I didn't know you were doing that now." He opened.

"Having sex you mean?" She met his eyes with a smirk.

"Yeah, that." He grimaced.

Clary plopped down on her bed and gave him a shrug.

"Is that douche your boyfriend or something?" He accused, with a gesture toward the door.

Clary could not help a laugh. "You're so surprised I have a private life. Yes, he is my boyfriend. His name is Sebastian." She stated.

Jace studied her with a stern look. "Do you love him?" He asked.

"It's the 21st century, Jace, I don't have to love him." She joked. Yet, Jace's bemused expression did not change.

Clary regained composure and spoke seriously. "Look don't tell Jon, okay? I don't need him trying to have a sex talk with me. I got that before my mom passed away and Izzy has been good advice since then."

Jace gazed at her as she spoke unsure of what to think and feeling as if he she were a new person. "You know we can just pretend this never happened." She continued, trying to fill the silence.

Jace broke his stare and shook out his head with an embarrassed chuckle. "For some reason I don't know if I can do that. I'm having a hard time... coping." He struggled to find the right word. "In my memory you're this little kid and now I have visual, confirming, evidence that you are not and now you're, you're..."

"Attractive?" Clary cut in to offer. A satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Jace laughed aloud, unsure if that had been the word he was searching for or not. "Jeez, you want to hear me say it that bad? Yes, Clary. You are a pretty girl, you always have been."

She bit back a smile, her cheeks blushing pink. Jace knew she was pleased and it made him smile, too.

Clary cleared her throat. "Don't feel guilty. We are obviously going to end up married with ten kids so, it's okay." She teased to lighten the mood.

Jace quirked his thumb behind him. "Have you met my serious girlfriend? The one who lives with us?" He quipped back.

Clary shrugged again. "I get the temporary vibe from that. If we're being honest."

Jace made a face but nodded. "I appreciate your opinion." He conceded.

Clary laughed and pulled a blanket over herself getting comfortable. Jace stretched and got up from his chair. "So, are we good? No weirdness now?" Clary questioned, just to sum up.

Jace furrowed his brow and nodded as if it were a given. "Yeah, but let me give you at least a little advice. Just don't sell yourself short, okay?"

Clary gave a deep nod in understanding. But before Jace was out the door, she spoke again. "Jace?" She called softly. He paused waiting for her continue. "You know, Sebastian might not have my heart but you always will." She winked.

Jace glanced at his shoes for a beat, shaking his head with a grin. "Thanks babe." He winked back.

Present

Clary sat at the breakfast bar, enjoying a snack and finishing her math homework. Jonathan was in the kitchen washing dishes and a late afternoon talk show played on the television.

When the apartment door flew open, she didn't even look up, already knowing it was Jace. But surprisingly he sat down right next to her, bouncing with urgency. "I need to talk to you." He announced.

"I do." Clary replied without another thought.

"What?"

"I mean, yes?" She corrected herself.

Jace smirked for a quick beat and then launched into his topic. "So, I hear Mr. Aldertree died last week."

Clary nodded with sadness and ate another grape. "Yep. Heart attack during third period. I hear it was pretty traumatic."

"They want me to replace him." Jace exclaimed, sounding much less morose.

Clary laughed in disbelief. "You?"

"Look I'm only going to take the job if you are okay with this? I know me being your teacher could possibly be awkward given how familiar we are..."

Not familiar enough... Clary thought humorously to herself.

"But after getting laid off at the end of my first-year teaching and now working classes at the community center... I really need this." He fretted.

Clary cradled his sharp, stubbled jaw in her hands. "Jace! Obviously, I want you to take the job!" She comforted.

Jace grabbed her hand and eagerly kissed the back of it. "Thank you!" He exclaimed, before heading off to make a phone call.

Clary went back to her homework smiling ear to ear. Therefore, she nearly jumped out of her seat when she heard the soft tsking in her ear. Isabelle was standing next her with a sly smile. Clary had not even noticed her come in along with Jace.

"What?" Clary demanded, indignantly.

"I know how your brain works. This is a little dream come true for you and I'm calling it now: There is going to be trouble." Isabelle accused.

Clary rolled her eyes. "Izzy, I am not actually still in love with Jace. I just like to tease him, he knows that." She defended.

"Sure. And I didn't get drunk and sleep with your brother last New Year's."

There was a loud clang from the kitchen as Jonathan dropped a pan into the sink. He looked at both the girls bewildered. "You told her?" He hissed at Isabelle.

"She did now..." grimaced Clary, who snapped up her notebook, eager to leave that conversation.


I know. I know. Is it really fair for a terrible, inconsistent, disappears for long periods of time, updater like me to start a new story? Naw, but I did.

Anyway not sure where this one will go but it was in my head and distracting me and keeping me from updating chapters from my other stuff soooo I had to get this down at least. If you guys like this and have opinions on stuff a story like this could encompass, let me know! Cause i'm blanking on climax, falling action, and ending... thanks bye!