Okay so heres Chapter two! Read on & I hope you enjoy! Don't forget to review! ;)

Disclaimer: The characters belong to the fantastic Cassandra Clare.

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CHAPTER 2

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Clary had felt positively euphoric! As the confessions came to an end they sat, still holding hands and gazed at one another for what felt like he longest time. It felt natural, if felt right and there was no awkwardness between them. Clary could see raw hope gleaming behind his tawny irises.

They could have sat like that- lost in one another's eyes- all day if they hadn't been interrupted by the waitress, back with their food. Her chirpy voice startled them out of their moment, bringing them back to earth with a bang. Clary was too distracted at first to register what she said but then she couldn't help noticing the purr in her voice and how her abnormally long blue eyelashes fluttered at Jace.

He pulled out his wallet and handed her a shining silver card, a kind Clary had never seen before. The waitress took the card with a disgruntled "Thank you" and dashed off quickly. Clary couldn't help feeling a little smug as she noticed the wistful look she shot back at Jace.

"The waitress fancies you!" she told him teasingly.

"Well duh, Clary! If you haven't noticed yet you're not the only one who finds me dashingly handsome!"

"Oh, it's not your looks I fell for Jace, it's your striking modesty!" Jace just smirked at her.

When the downworlder girl returned with the receipt they each picked up a bag of food and rose from the table. Jace, being uncharacteristically gentlemanly, held the door open for Clary. "My lady", he bowed, laughing playfully.

As Clary stepped through the doorway it hit her suddenly that they were going back to the Institute. They were about to see the lightwoods. She realised that made her uncomfortable. Clary had come to see them as family after all they had been through together but now here she was dreading a simple meal in their home.

Jace walked very closely beside her. He didn't reach for her hand or put his arm around her like a normal couple would but their proximity gave Clary shivers and she could feel his shoulder brushing against hers. There was something undeniably possessive about the way they held themselves; they were radiating their claim on each other to the world, without physically showing it.

The consciousness of the little touches moved Clary deeply, restoring some of the glow she had before. But she just couldn't shake the apprehension that was churning away inside her. She wondered if Jace felt it too.

She noticed that he was still glancing in her direction every few second; as if he were getting a much needed fix. He caught her eye and with a smile and broke the silence that had descended on the pair. "I hope you're hungry!"

Jace sounded happier than she had heard him in a long time. In fact Clary didn't think she ever recalled him being in such a good mood. There was no vicious wit there, no sarcasm or anything else at all but happiness. She understood immediately that his joy hadn't been tainted yet and wondered if it was because he hadn't given his loved ones any thought yet or if it simply didn't bother him.

Clary tried to mimic his tone as best she could. "Starving", she told him, "I could eat a ravener demon!"

"I wouldn't advise it, Clary, I'd guess their pretty tough… and possibly poisonous! " He chuckled. The sound was low but heartfelt. His mood was contagious and somewhere on the walk back to the institute her feigned cheerfulness became real once more.

It couldn't be too bad, she assured herself. After all she had Jace now; she could deal with all the rest. Besides, they didn't know, and they had no need to find out either.

Despite her feeble assurances Clary couldn't help feeling very exposed when she walked through the grand doors to the institute. Church was sitting in the hall and Jace called a cheery greeting to him as they walked passed. Clary had the strangest feeling that the big cat was staring at them, his green eyes judging.

Paranoid, she scolded to herself.

When they walked in the kitchen Alec and Isabelle were sitting at the table. Alec let out an audible sigh of relief when he saw the bags of food. "I was starting to worry I'd have to let Isabelle cook!" he stage whispered to Jace. "Oh, hi Clary" he added, "when did you get here?"

"Oh I met Jace on his way to Taki's." she told him gingerly. She thought she saw Alec and Isabelle both shoot her puzzled looks, perplexed by her tone, but neither of them asked. Jace didn't seem to notice at all. He was still wrapped up in his bubble of joy.

"Never fear" he announced, "I'm back now! No need for desperation! I have more than enough for us all. No one has to die tonight!" Isabelle frowned at his teasing but she grabbed her meal and tucked in greedily. How on earth did she keep such a lovely figure, Clary wondered jealously. She ate like one of the guys!

Clary was happy that Jace was so upbeat, especially knowing it was because of her. But it all seemed more and more complicated by the second. Voicing their feelings had felt like such a weight off their shoulders. Not only that, but Clary had felt like something in her changed when they vowed to fight for what they felt. With that commitment Clary felt a new stronger bond with Jace than ever before. This new profound connection went so deep that Clary felt as though they had set their hearts to beat in synch. The change went right to her core and she just knew he felt it too.

It felt so strong and so real that she couldn't help expecting Alec and Isabelle to notice. Surely it was blatantly obvious to everyone? She felt like the truth was written on her forehead and echoing in Jace's happy words. Clary wondered how much it would hurt Alec if he ever found out, how much it would disgust Isabelle. She shuddered internally.

As the day wore on the banter remained just as easy and light hearted and Clary pushed her nerves to the back of her mind.

Jace never looked at her for too long and he didn't touch her at all. It was as if there was an unspoken rule that they were both sticking to determinedly. Clary was thankful for that but still she felt the magnetic pull between them and the careful space they kept between themselves seemed too forced for the others not to grow suspicious.

But they didn't. Everything carried on as normal.

Clary wondered if she would get to be alone with Jace that night. She wondered what would happen if she did. What were the boundaries now? How much had really changed?

Well there it is! I hope you like it so far, and please keep on reading!

Please review and tell me what you thought- good or bad!