Jace was pacing in the center of the room in his usual dark gear, anxious about going with minimal weaponry. To a warlock's house, no less! He paused when Alec and Magnus came in, dumbstruck.

"Alec. You look so…bright!" Jace tried to control his laughter.

The raven-haired teen pointed at Magnus and growled, "His fault."

Isabelle glided into the room, wearing a maroon halter top and denim miniskirt, strappy heels in hand. She paused beside the door, twirling her hands and saying in a perfect TV-show-host voice, "Here comes…Clary!"

Clary strode into the room, only her downcast head showing her lack of confidence. Noting Jace's awestruck expression in the corner of her eye, she tossed back her hair and grinned.

Her dress was green, with a tight strapless top and flared skirt that brushed the very tops of her thighs. Her feet were bound in matching stiletto heels.

Jace's mouth was wide open, his eyes unblinkingly focused on Clary. She sashayed over to him, leaning down near his face, puppy eyes seeming to beg for a kiss. Her eyelashes lightly brushed his cheek, then he felt her breath on his mouth. His eyes drifted shut and he leaned forward…into air. Clary pulled back and giggled. "You wish."

She stalked past him, swinging her hips, and was circling past the armchair when her heel caught on the base of it and she tripped, falling right on top of Jace.

He smirked down at her wide eyes and barely contained cleavage, looking at her with an innocent expression. "Gosh, Clary, I knew you were obsessed with me, but really…"

"Ahem," Magnus interrupted. "I hate to interrupt this awkward…um…sweet…moment, but has anyone bothered to inform the vampire that he's going to a party?"

"Simon!" Clary cried, jumping to her feet. Her heel came down wrong and soon she was seated clumsily on the ground, dress thigh-high with black lacy panties clearly visible.

She quickly smoothed it down, cheeks matching her hair. Trying to forget it (and intentionally elbowing Jace to wipe the smirk off his face), she grabbed her cell off a nearby table and dialed Simon's number.

He answered just before it went to the answering machine. "Hello?"

"It's Clary." she heard giggling in the background and a few explosions.

"Shh, Maia!" Simon whispered, fumbling to cover the mouthpiece but not quite getting there in time. A primitive fire grew in Clary's stomach. "What's up?"

Clary bit her bottom lip, fighting back the words she wanted to say. "We're going to a party. You're invited, too," she added, as an afterthought, shaking her head to rid it of the immediate jealousy.

"Can Maia come too?"

Clary considered saying no, no werewolves. But everyone would wonder, and Jace would be hurt. She glanced at the expectant faces around her and sighed. "Yeah, she' invited too. It's tonight at ten - it's short notice, but we just got the invite ourselves."

"We'll be there!" Simon sounded excited. "We'll meet you at the Institute at 9:30, okay?"

"Yup." Clary hung up, still slightly annoyed. But she smiled at everyone and told them the news. Then she realized that she had an angel, not a hairy werewolf or a nerdy vampire. Her grin became real, and she leaned over and kissed a very surprised Jace.

----------

"Maia, pause the game for a minute," Simon said.

"It is paused, doofus. I beat it," she sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Good. That was Clary - wait, you beat it? Man-eating troll too?" Simon looked utterly amazed.

"Yeah, and the mob of cannibals, and the fire-breathing dragon." Maia shrugged as if it was no big deal, but on the inside she was ecstatic at his praise.

"Amazing. How did you…No, wait," Simon stopped himself. "that was Clary. She wanted to know if we could go to a party."

"She invited us to a party?" Maia was incredulous - your childhood friend and ex, with his new…his new…Well, still.

"It's hosted by someone else. I said we'd get ready and be there in half an hour or so."

Maia sensed Simon leaning in a bit. She grinned and closed the distance. Finally, their first kiss. Simon's eyes slammed shut at her intake of breath, unable to stay open another second. It was so perfect - her soft lips, the way she smiled against his mouth and moaned…

"Wow," he breathed, smiling at Maia.

She got up off the couch and grabbed her keys. "If I don't go now, I never will," she explained. "See you in a few."

Simon sighed, pretending to be upset. He got up off his bed and got dressed, replaying his magic moment with Maia.