Title: That's Not What This Is About - Chapter Four: What Does It Matter?

Author: Jezebel Jai-Braxlin

Summary: Luke gets involved, Canons are temporarily cast aside for the progression of the story. Lemon inside. ^.^

Disclaimer: I don't own Mortal Instruments. I don't own it's characters. I don't own the piece that was taken from the second book where this particular story began. But, I own this plot line ^.^

See my profile for links to banners for this story ^.^


Chapter Four: What Does It Matter?


Clary ran blindly down the stairs and into Luke's living room. She ran past the couch where Luke sprawled, snoring silently, and outside, into the side garden. It wasn't until her feet hit the stone pathway that she realized someone was hot on her heels.

"Go away, Jace!" She shouted, leaning her head against the chain link fence.

"I might, If I were Jace." Said the voice that clearly wasn't. "And he'd be stupid if he did."

Clary wiped her eyes on her sleeve and turned slowly. Magnus had leaned against the side of Luke's house. His arms were crossed, but his face was troubled.

"What do you mean?" She sniffled and instantly flushed.

Magnus smiled at her. Not his usual cocky full toothed, but a closed mouthed tender half smile.

"Never mind that, What happened?"

Clary sighed softly and felt her tears well up. She stared up into the sky, daring her tears to conform to gravity.

"Something strange happened, upstairs."

She waited, watching a particularly fluffy cloud pass by. When Magnus made no comment she continued.

"It was just weird. I think... I think Jace did something... But he seemed so shocked."

More silence.

Clary took a deep breath and felt calmer. She chanced a look toward Magnus.

"How'd it go with Alec?"

Magnus looked as though he didn't know if he should chuckle or grimace.

"Eh... Better than your encounter, but not much..."

"He took it badly." It was more of a statement. She knew he would.

"That is an understatement with a bright neon sign." Magnus chuckled finally. "I thought I was a Prima Donna."

Neither of them laughed.

"Did he hit you?" Clary asked, her concern clear.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Magnus dismissed.

Clary stepped forward and cupped his cheek.

"It's bright red. What happened?"

Magnus's smile faltered. He met her gaze and froze, staring down at her. He slowly covered her hand with his. Despite the chilly air, her fingers, he found, were warm.


Jace sat, arm still extended, in the doorway of Clary's room. Alec stood, staring in shock down the stairwell.

"What... Did you do?" Alec asked, finally turning to face Jace. "What happened? Was... Was Clary bleeding?"

Jace didn't say anything, but he slowly pulled his hand back, rubbing his fingers together. He reclined against the door frame slowly, closing his eyes and breathing deeply.

"Jace?"

Jace hung his head. "What Alec..."

Alec stiffened at the utter defeat in his friend. He walked sternly to his side and yanked him to his feet.

"Let's go home, Jace."

Jace shook his arm off, but nodded. He pushed past Alec and made his way for the stairs.


He didn't know how it happened. One minute they were staring gravely into each others eyes. The next... Clary was pushed up against the house, her arms twisted in his already tousled wilted spikes. His were pressed firmly against the wall on either side of her shoulders. Their tongues danced together, creating a muffled moan deep in Magnus's throat. They broke apart briefly, taking in deep gasping breaths before Magnus tilted her up chin and captured her lips once more. It was almost exhausting, the levels of passion. Sparks flew through the air. Clary gasped as the smallest shock of electricity rolled through her system. They leaned their foreheads together, gasping but at peace. They jumped apart as they heard the door opened and slammed. Clary scouted farther down the wall as Magnus peeked around the corner. A few minutes later he turned back, his eyes trained on hers.

"They left."

Clary's heart thumped in her chest.

"Who?"

"Who do you think." Magnus whispered.

They stared into each others eyes, the shame of what had just transpired framing them both.

"CLARY!" The panicked cry came from upstairs.

Clary stared in minute confusion, before realization claimed the place of the guilt.

"Luke..." She breathed, just as Luke came barreling outside, racing for the truck.

She ran around the corner, Magnus pacing slowly behind her.

"Luke, I'm here!"

Luke stopped a foot from the truck. He stared in relief. Then shock. Then anger.

"What are you doing out here. The upstairs was such a wreck, I thought..." He looked to Magnus, taking step forward. "What happened Magnus?"

Magnus and Clary glanced at each other, and this was not missed by Luke. He raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms, leaning on his truck.

"What have you guys been up to."

Magnus fought not to laugh in contempt. If only you knew...

"It was an accident." Clary said quickly. "Jace was... Showing me something, and..."

"Boom." Said Magnus with a smile, creating an example with his fingers.

"Where is he now?" Luke asked, his skepticism heavy.

"They've left." Clary said sadly. "Alec and Jace. We were going to go after them."

"No you're not!" Luke uncrossed his arms and stood straight. "I'll go. I have to go deal with the pack today anyway."

"No!" Clary exclaimed.

Luke raised his eyebrow. Magnus wanted to slam his palm into his face.

"They... Had some... Stuff to take care of. Don't bother them." She stammered.

She couldn't risk them telling Luke... Who knows what HE would do.

"Alright." Luke said slowly. "I'll go deal with the pack then. Magnus, will you stay with Clary."

Magnus looked uneasy. Luke mistook it for something else.

"I can pay you. Just for a few hours."

Magnus nodded stiffly.

"How are you feeling Luke?" Clary asked. She hadn't noticed how easily he moved, for being so gravely damaged the night before.

"I'm fine." He brushed it off as he opened the truck door. "Werewolves heal fast." He climbed in and started the truck. "Stay here, don't go anywhere!" He shouted as he backed out and pulled down the road.

The wind blew lightly, softly tousling Clary's vibrant locks around her face as she stared at the road. Slowly, she faced Magnus.

"We should go inside." She said quietly.

Magnus nodded and gestured for Clary to take the lead. They entered and Magnus made straight for the coach. Clary stood in the doorway, unsure of what to do with herself.

"Are you hungry?" She asked.

"No."

Clary nodded.

A few minutes ticked by.

"I'll be right back."

She shuffled up the stairs and into the upper hallway. She was about the pass the bathroom, then stopped, staring inside. Thoughts and images of what had went on not even an an hour earlier swirled through her head. Her whole body seemed to heat up, but it also ached in all the wrong places. There was a small bit of blood on the mat. She quickly turned and made her way to the door of the guest room- her bed room now, she supposed. She stood staring at the broken door.

"A mystery."

She jumped and whirled at the sound of his voice, automatically taking a step back. Magnus, as if connected, took a step forward and steadied her. They stared up at each other.

"What do you mean, a mystery?" Clary asked quietly.

Magnus's lips twitched into a half smile.

"All that power, even for a Shadowhunter, is a site to see. I've never heard of anything like it."

Clary nodded, searching his eyes. For what, she didn't know. He stared down at her, equally mystified. He leaned down slightly than hesitated. Clary froze, her heart speeding along. He leaned a little more, hesitating less. Finally he leaned in and placed his lips softly on hers. They stood, stalk still and tense, their lips moving gently together. Magnus's finger glided lightly to her robbed covered shoulder. His hesitated, unsure, before he stepped forward slightly and glided it down to the small of her back, pushing her against him. Her hands swung up to grip his back as the kiss deepened. She parted her lips expectantly, but he pulled away with a chuckle, their foreheads resting together.

"Fast learner." He murmured, his eyes glistening.

She looked hard into his eyes for some kind of explanation. His face faltered.

"What is it?"

"What are we doing now? It was for revenge before, but now what. Comfort? Escape? I can't find a meaning."

"There isn't one. It just is. When you've lived as long as I have, you don't overestimate reason."

She stared back into his eyes and his smile dropped as his lips descended upon hers once more. This time, when her lips parted, he tasted her. There was no fight for dominance, she was giving in. Giving herself to him. He moaned as he lifted her, pushing her against the very wall Jace had leaned on only minutes earlier. Her hands slid up to his hair, as her legs wrapping tightly around his waist. H She kissed him furiously, as if it were the last kiss she would ever know. He pushed his weight against her and she cried out.

"What is it?" He asked, setting her down.

"Just... Sore." She grimaced.

"It'll get better." He said blankly, guiding her mouth back to his. She kissed him again but pulled away after only a moment more. He took her hand and led her into her bedroom, where they curled up under the covers.

"We can't stay like this for long." Clary sighed. "Luke-"

"We've got some time." Magnus interjected.

She nodded in response. They stared up at the ceiling, Magnus rubbing circles on her now bare arms.

"What are we doing?" Clary whispered. "I mean, where could this possibly go? We shou-"

Magnus rolled onto his side.

"Does that matter?"

"Well... Yes! What about the future, we can't keep-"

"No Clary." Magnus shook his head and somehow, an abundance of glitter rained down on her skin.

He rolled so he was hovering over her. Clary's breath hitched.

"Does it matter right now. Here. In this room, in this moment."

Clary stared up at his glittering cat eyes.

"No." She said huskily. "It doesn't. That's not what this is about."

Magnus smiled and lowered his lips to hers.


A/N: Ok, so I know how unlikely that would normally be, but for my story, it's what happens ^.^ I hope you enjoyed! Let me know, please, I would like to know how I am doing!

P.s I'm toying with the idea of a brief JacexAlec in this story... What do you think of that possibility?