A/N: Hello again!

So, this is Chapter Two! I'm very very sorry that I left you all on such a "cliffhanger" (I put that in quotations because when it comes to me, that's not a cliffhanger. Keep reading, and soon you will see a REAL cliffhanger. Muhaha!). Thank you to everyone who reviewed, it really made my day. Also, if you are a guest reviewing my story (you know who you are) then I want you to know that I can't reply to you but I still see your reviews and you make me sooo happy. Also I have a four day weekend this week so Chapter Three should be up by Thursday. No promises!

Also, if you've read all this and didn't skip the Author's Note, then I love you!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and TMI don't belong to me blah blah blah. If they did, well, I wouldn't spend all my free time reading books, fanfics, and blogging about those books and fanfics. No, actually, if I wrote HP or TMI I'd STILL fangirl and blog over books.

Nuf said, enjoy the fic!

Chapter Two: Autumn Leaves

Clary
Clary drew her lips into a tight line and pulled away from Jace. She unlocked her hands from his hair; the motion making Jace tense, grimacing almost as if in pain. There was only about a foot of space between them, but to Clary, it could have been the Grand Canyon. It was as if the love she felt towards Jace flickered delicately like a candle; to pull away was to deprive the flame of the oxygen it craved, to kiss him was to ignite a bonfire. She could feel the flame suffocating, dying, and the only way to keep it burning was to reach for his hand.
Her boyfriend's eyes cautiously opened, as if he was awakening from a beautiful dream. Clary looked into his golden eyes, flecks of blue reflected in them as he stared into the pond. When he looked back at her, she could see a rare vulnerability in him, the kind she'd never seen until they went to Idris; now it was something she witnessed all the time.
"Jace." She whispered, clutching his hand. "That was nice."
He smirked. "Glad you think so."
"Jace..."
He must of sensed something in her voice, because Jace perked up. "What is it?"
"I feel like... Like we're being watched." Clary said.
Jace was on alert now, his eyes darting around. Clary couldn't help quickly surveying her surroundings. Jace had surprised her that morning, the anniversary of the day Clary first arrived at the Institute, with a fully prepared picnic. They'd chosen a place in a less popular area of Central Park and set down a red checkered blanket, which Clary thought to be very cliche. Beside them, a small clear pond reflected their faces. Rolling, grassy hills surrounded them, patches of brightly coloured flowers popping up at their feet. The sunlight splashed off of Jace's hair, making it look like spun gold. He was beautiful, Clary thought.
But when she kissed him a moment ago, a strange feeling of guilt overcame her. It put her on edge; she'd never regretted kissing Jace before.
Jace jumped up and headed towards the small clump of trees in the distance. Muttering to himself, he kept a fast pace and Clary had to jog to keep up to him. "Jace!" She called. "Jace, wait! Hold on a minute..." But he kept on moving faster, as if he didn't hear her at all.
Just as he was entering the forest, Clary managed to catch up with him. He stood slumped against a large willow tree. The autumn leaves sent a reddish glow on his harsh cheekbones, making him look bashful and shy. Clary thought he looked more attractive that way. "Come here," he said. His tone wasn't desperate and hungry, but more soft and gentle. The words came out like a command.
Clary did as she was told and stepped closer to her boyfriend. He opened his arms and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Clary," he breathed. Clary knew he took every opportunity he possibly could to say her name in such a loving tone; he could speak to her as seductively, romantic, and lovingly as he wanted now that they could be together. The period of time when she thought Jace was her brother were the worst days of her life. She knew Jace felt the same way, and that sometimes, for Jace, just saying her name was the largest declaration of love that he could manage.
She buried her face deeper into his shirt, soaking in his warmth. It was a chilly autumn day, but Clary had never felt so electrified.
"Clary," Jace said again, "You know that if you ever feel like you're in danger, you can come to me. I'll always protect you. Don't you know that?"
"Of course I do," she said, barely listening.
"Good. Because I want to be the one to protect you. I will always be the one to protect you. Don't ever forget that. Okay?"
There was something startling in his tone; it made Clary shiver and pull away. His words came out harsh, almost angry. Clary couldn't understand him; the words he said should have been comforting and romantic, instead they were demanding and harmful.
"Yeah, Jace. I-I know."
"Good." He said.
"I love you."
"I know."
"Shut up," she giggled.
Jace reached his hand up to her face and tucked a bit of her curly red hair behind her ear. "Quis semper amata prae te amo, ut ego te volo, semper aliquid desideratur."
"Stop that." Clary said.
"Stop what? Expressing my innermost feelings?"
Clary slid closer to him and said, "No, stop saying things in languages I don't understand."
"Would you prefer I express my innermost feelings in a language you DO understand?"
"Yes."
"I love you more than I have ever loved anyone; I want you more than I have ever desired anything."
Clary stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him, softly. Jace threw his arms around her torso, his sturdy hands supporting her. He kissed her back, hard; Clary could feel the fire between them. This is good, she thought. I feel fine.
Suddenly Jace fell back onto the soft, wet grass, Clary tumbling on top of him. She detached her lips from his and rested her head in his chest. She could feel him as he breathed. "Do you know how much I would pay," he began, "to stay like this, with you, forever?"
Something snapped inside Clary then. "Forever is a long time," she told him.
She could feel his chest shake as he laughed. "Yeah, I know. But I think it's safe to say I wanna spend it with you."
Clary pushed herself off of Jace. "I want to show you something," she said.
She led Jace to a large Weepimg Willow tree. Ducking under the leaves, the couple moved their way in underneath the long, beautiful leaves.
"Woah," Jace said, looking around. Light filtered in through the light green fronds. Crickets and hummingbirds filled the air with their pleasant little songs. Jace pulled Clary close, the earthy tones splashing on his face. She laced her fingers around his neck and kissed him softly. This was right. This was how it was supposed to be.
RING! RING!
Clary pulled away and yanked her cell phone out of her pocket. She shot an apologetic glance at Jace and raised the phone to her ear.
"What?" She hissed.
"Clary!" It was Simon. He sounded very relieved. "Oh thank-" He broke off.
"Yeah. Um, Simon, what is it? Now's not a great time..."
"You're with Jace, aren't you?"
Clary didn't answer him.
"Clary! I was worried sick! You just disappear from Luke's, not a word, nothing, and you-"
"Look Simon, I'm sorry, okay?" Clary was startled by her own harsh tone. She cringed.
"Anyways, I'm not calling you to... Never mind. Just, hurry up ok?"
"Simon, what's wrong?"
"Something's happened. We need you at the Institute right away."
After hanging up the phone, Clary related the message to Jace.
"Well, c'mon then." He murmured.
He trudged on ahead, the leaves crunching under his boots. As she stated at him, Clary could feel the flame between them flicker out and die.