I
Tessa woke up to the sound of concerned voices around her. She found herself laid down on one of the beds in the infirmary. She then looked down to her body to find out that she still wore the clothes she wore a while ago. She blinked her sleepy eyes awake, and took a look on the surroundings. Alec and Isabelle was nowhere to be found. There is only Magnus, Jace, Clary and -
"Tessa!" Jem rushed to her side and hugged her tightly. Tessa hugged him back, feeling the familiar calming presence of her husband. The gang's eyes are now focused on the two of them.
Jem looked at her in the eye. "Are you alright?" He frantically searched her body for scratches or bruises, and breathed out in relief once he observed that she is indeed fine from the outside.
Tessa, on the other hand, took a long pause, considering her words to say. She doesn't want to tell what she feels without sounding mad. But judging from what she just saw, everything is madness.
Tessa sighed."I honestly don't know. Before i passed out, i am pretty sure a fear demon just tried to mess with me -"
"It's not a fear demon, Tessa." Magnus interrupted for Jem. "Fear demons usually uses your worst fears to their advantage."
"And i am pretty sure that guy is not probably the most scary thing out there." Jace added, "Except perhaps he's nuts, according to Izzy. Ducks deserve that title. "
Clary fought not to laugh as soon as Jace's words went inside her ear." You are scared of ducks?"
Jace rolled his eyes. "I don't fear ducks. I Hate them for no good reason. Besides, fear is the way you act whenever you see a cockroach crawling on the floor."
Clary elbowed him as hard as she could.
"Ouch." he mocked. "I am a very delicate masterpiece, Clary. Careful not to destroy me."
Jace's resentment on ducks and his arrogant and cocky attitude reminded Tessa awfully of Will. Tessa looked away at his grandson.
Tessa felt Jem gripped her shoulder. "Tessa, what do you remember?" She focused back on Jem bit her lip trying her best to form the best words. "Isabelle and I were about to get some coffee when we saw a flock of mundanes who had their cameras and phones out on a corner. And... and..."
Tessa is skeptical to finish it. She shook her head stubbornly. "It is impossible. It can't be. There is no way he -"
Jem made a comforting noise. It is the best thing he could do. The event was a shock for him too. "I know." He said," It is no way possible. But Tessa, it just happened."
Tessa made a face on him. He's kidding, right? He does not even know what she is talking about - or at least to her. "Jem, it can't be possible." She insisted. "Maybe it is some eidolon messing with me -"
"Sleep Now Runes don't work on Eidolons." Jace pointed out. Clary sent a glare to Jace. Jace pouted at her.
"I don't believe you." Tessa said. She keeps believing that everything is just some horrible dream. She is even thinking that this is just a part of another dream. Tessa expected Jem to say something rational - that he agrees to her and that everything is just a dream and that the Institute planned this thing. But he just sighed and said, "Tessa, can you stand?"
Tessa wiggled her toe fingers in instinct. She does not even know if she can really walk. She nodded back at Jem in response.
Jem stood out of the bed and lent a hand to help Tessa up. Her head is still throbbing quite painfully, but she can manage to hold herself up. He led her to another bed, where there is a familiar figure sleeping peacefully on it. A freshly-made rune starting to fade from his hand
Tessa sat on the edge of the bed and reached out a shaky hand to stroke Will's cheek. There is a part of her mind that keeps telling her that this is just one cruel nightmare, and that she needs to snap out of it. A bigger part of her is dominating, saying that it is really Will, and that she needs to stop being so skeptical.
Tessa is ready to move on to a new life with Jem but not forget Will completely, but seeing Will's face alone here again made Tessa's wounds, that is not healed even now it is still deep, became deeper as if a longsword is plunging in her heart repeatedly again. Why she feels pain instead of joy, she does not want to know.
Pain always overcomes Joy for Tessa
"Tess." it was barely a whisper, but Tessa remembered the nights where she is leaning on Will's chest, where Will would say her name on his sleep. Tessa choked back a sob.
Magnus spoke as if reading Tessa's mind, confirming her thoughts "Some magic is involved here." He blurted. "That magic drained Will's strength slowly all the way here at this dimension." Magnus spoke with enthusiasm when he saw Tessa's pained face. "But don't worry. Energy runes should be enough."
Tessa looked him in the eye. "Do you know how to send him back?" She demanded. Whatever caused this, Will being here is not right. Who knew, Will's arrival here would cause a series of chain events that would alter the present day?
Magnus, on the other hand, did not expected Tessa's inquiry.
Magnus' playful mind had always imagined a scene like this. A friend of him returns from the past to see him again. But unfortunately, it happened to Tessa, who is too young to see her lovers die in her arms. He half expected that Tessa would jump in delight because Will is given another chance to stay with her.
But Tessa is not that kind of person. Magnus had underestimated her emotional strength. And it was proven once again how strong really Tessa is, right here in front of him when she said what she demanded.
As much as he wants to help, and as much as he appoves and agrees on Tessa's theory about some alteration, Magnus can only sigh sadly, "This sort of timetravel spell is so new. Even the oldest warlock that is still existing will not know a thing or two about this spell. Even if there is a way - well, let's just say it might be very difficult. And dangerous." He mused thoughtfully. Tessa nodded. She made Magnus see her point, but she also saw his.
"Please tell me he is not related to me." Jace said out of the blue. Clary hissed his name and dragged him outside by his shirt, saying her excuses to Magnus and company as she did.
Isabelle and Alec entered the room just before they can go out with tea service on her hands. The Lightwoods offered Jace and Clary some tea. They both passed. Clary practically dragged Jace outside the room, the Lightwoods making way for them. "Anyone want tea?" Isabelle mused. It was Brother Zachariah who asked first. He also encouraged Tessa to have a sip, telling her it could ease her a bit. Magnus passed.
Brother Zachariah asked after a few sips and did his best not to look like an ungrateful critic."Who made the tea?"
Isabelle raised her hand enthustiastically.
Jem frowned."How may teaspoons of sugar did you put?"
"2." Isabelle confidently said.
"With all due respect, Miss, but your tea is quite plain. And too strong." Brother Zachariah commented."But it isn't that bad." he added.
"Good thing i passed." Magnus mumbled. The younger Lightwood glared at him. "Just kidding."
Not long after, Clary entered the room. "Uh, guys? Maryse just arrived. She's in the kitchen. Jace went downstairs to help her prepare the dinner." She announced.
Isabelle jumped when she heard her mother's name, nearly dropping her tea service. "Mom is here? Oh Angel. We didn't changed the rugs for about - what, a week?" she turned to Alec.
"About three weeks since Mom left, to be precise." he shrugged.
The gang left the two alone inside the infirmary, giving them enough privacy. "I honestly agree to you, Tessa." Jem said in an attempt to comfort her,"I love Will as my brother, but as much as i want him back, so that the three of us could have fun again just like the old days, him being here with us is a wrong and dangerous bet." He stared at Will's sleeping face, as if it would be the last time he would see that familiar sight.
Tessa tried to form any words out, but a sob just came out. Jem sat beside her and hugged her affectionally. Tessa felt her tears held back at the last minute. Jem always makes Tessa feel alright and comfortable just in the right time. She returned the hug, resting her head to his chest. She can hear Jem's hushed whispered comforts in her ear.
"Jem?" Asked Tessa, trying to change the topic that would make them forget the man in the bed where they sits even for awhile, even though the irony that they sit on the bed of the person they want to forget nearly made them laugh bitterly."How many hours as it been since I passed out?"
Jem considered carefully. "Three or four hours. Why?"
"I'm starving." She complained. Jem chuckled. "Alright. I heard Mrs. Lightwood is making dinner downstairs."
