A/N: I own nothing. I'm just guilty of letting plot bunnies run rampant through my head. Please review if you've enjoyed reading this Sorry there's been such a delay in updating – Life Happens.

"Who was that you were dancing with?" Simon was looking at me.

"Huh"

"At the club, who was that guy you were dancing with?"

"Oh, um," I ran down the different ways I could answer, "just some guy who asked me to dance. I think he said his name was Jace or John."

"Jace?" Simon look appalled, "Jace Wayland?"

"Yeah, maybe." I stopped at a red light, "Is there something wrong with me dancing with him?

Simon was quiet. I looked over and he was still awake but staring out the window.

"Simon?"

"There are just rumors about him Clary." Simon's voice was hesitant, "Not good rumors either."

"Well it was just a dance." I said, thinking about what was getting heavier in my pocket, "It's not like it meant anything."

I pulled into Simon's drive and put the car into park. I turned to say goodnight and to thank him for coming tonight.

"You can crash here if you want." Simon offered.

"Thanks." I said, "I should go home though. Your mom is probably getting tired of me hanging out all the time and my mom is probably starting to wonder if I'm ever going to come home again."

Simon laughed.

"You know you're always welcome here." He put his hand on my shoulder, "Any time you need to get away."

I smiled and nodded. We said our goodbyes and as soon as he got to his door I was on my way home. I cranked the radio as loud as I could stand it on the drive home and sang along with every song I knew. When I pulled on to my quiet street I lowered the volume; Mom didn't need to get any complaints about me from the neighbors. Pulling into the driveway I saw that there were no lights on in the house.

The house was silent as I made my way up the stairs to my room. I replayed my encounter with Jace in my head only this time Simon's words thundered ominously in the background instead of music.

I quietly shut the door to my room and began to get ready for bed. Jace's note fell from my pocket onto the floor. Throwing my pants into the hamper I picked up the note and went to sit on my bed to read it.

Why haven't I seen you around before? (509) 555-7407
-J—

I stared at those seven digits in disbelief. He had to be trying to pick me up, right? I mean I've been to that club dozens upon dozens of times; if he'd been there I'd have seen him and vice versa. I set the note on the night stand next to my cell and flicked off the light. I was too tired to contemplate its meaning right now.

I felt the sun on my face long before I opened my eyes. I felt like I'd just fallen asleep; how could it be morning already? Groaning, I rolled over and cracked at eye to look at my clock. Ten, really? Damn, mom let me sleep in I thought as I stretched. Throwing back the covers , I left the warm coziness and made my way to the bathroom for a much needed shower.

The hot water felt great as I let it run over me; I felt my muscles relaxing and the knots releasing. As I got out of the shower I was surprised that mom hadn't been up to check on me. I went back to my room and got dressed for the day.

Maybe she's in her cave, I thought as I made my way downstairs, maybe the painting bug has struck again. I made a beeline to her office and saw the door was closed. That wasn't too unusual, especially if she was on a kick.

"Mom?" I knocked before I opened the door.

Mom's office has always had that lived in look; never really spotless but not completely chaotic either but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw once I stepped through the door. Her office was trashed, plain and simple. It looked like there had been a self-contained mini tornado; paint was all over the floor, there were papers everywhere and the furniture had been upturned. What the hell had happened in here.

"Mom?" I called out again in shock, "Are you in here?"

I didn't get an answer.

I went into the kitchen, to the living room but my mom wasn't in either room. I felt my stomach start to twist. I ran back upstairs, starting to feel panicky, straight to mom's bedroom. Her door was shut, which was normal. Mom and I had this unwritten/mutual respect that our bedrooms were our private domains and off limits without permission. I knocked hard on the door half prepared to break the damn thing down; I didn't give a crap about our mutual respect at that point.

"Mom?"

No answer. I grabbed the door knob.

"Mom, I'm coming in."

Getting no answer still, I pushed the door open hard. My mouth went dry and I felt the fear grip at my throat. Her bedroom looked exactly like her office. Blankets and pillows tossed haphazardly around the room; clothes strewn everywhere like a bomb had gone off. I took off like a shot back down the stairs. Something was definitely wrong. I checked the front table by the door; her purse and keys were still there and when I checked the garage her silver suv was still parked in its normal spot. In a last ditch effort I tore back to the kitchen and ripped open the back door.

"Mom!" I shouted, "Are you out here? This isn't funny anymore."

All I got in response were the chirping of the birds and the leaves rustling in the wind. I collapsed against the wall and slid to the floor. I called the only person I could think og.

"Come on Clary," his voice teased, "Your mom can't be annoying you that bad."

"Simon," I took a deep breath trying to keep the fear from taking over, "'…"

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has taken the time review my little story! Keep them coming! LOL. Thank you again to everyone who has requested to be notified when the story updates.