Jace POV

I looked at her in a mixture of emotions. Surprise being the dominant feeling. But, for some odd reason, I was angry. At what I couldn't tell. Maybe it was the fact that Clary had been raised with this psycho, or the fact that she didn't trust me enough to tell me in the first place. But why would she tell you? She doesn't exactly like you.

Suddenly she put her hand under my chin, "Do you see why I didn't want to tell you?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah, I see." I joked.

She dropped her hand into her lap, "I'm serious Jace. This isn't something I tell other people. I don't tell people because they look at me the way you are right now."

I gave a confused look, "And how is that?"

"With pity. Like I need it." she scoffed "My brother's the one who killed the person, not me. I've never forgiven him and I don't care what others think of him. It's long since been my problem." she said with a shrug.

"How do you want me to look at you, then?"

She shook her head, as if to say "I don't know." We just sat there, looking into each others eyes, not a word being uttered. The silence was nice, until it was rudely interrupted.

"Oh my G-" Isabelle stopped short, "Why are you here?" she groaned when she looked my way.

I opened my mouth to retort, but was stopped by a glare from Clary. "He was just stopping by." she said quickly as she wiped away her leftover tears and sniffling.

"Are you crying? Jace what did you do? Why is she crying?" Iz asked frantically.

Clary shook her head and turned her body to Izzy, "I'm fine Iz, I swear. I just told him about... Um, about Jon." she answered quietly.

The look on Isabelle's face told me everything. She knew about Jonathan and knew better than to add to it. I understood. More than they knew. I stood up in a rush, reeling a sudden pounding in my head. The memories, ones I've avoided for as long as I could, began to flood back. I might have been ten, but they still hurt. They made what was real feel surreal.

"Jace?" I could faintly hear Clary call my name before the visions became to much and the next thing I knew, everything was black.

Clary POV

"Jace!" I yelled as his body slumped to the floor. "Iz, what's going on?" I asked franticly.

She sighed and stepped around the couch, "This happened a lot when were in high school. He'll be fine, just help me get him on the couch."

I bent down and grabbed underneath his arm to help him up. He weighed a lot more than I anticipated, so as soon as his limp body was leaning on me I could feel my own start to sag. Quickly I helped Isabelle turn him around and plopped him back down on the couch. I took a deep breath and looked down at his ridged form. Even in unconsciousness Jace was on edge. Without thinking I reached down and lightly touched his face, and to my surprise he sighed and relaxed. Slowly, as if his eyelids were glued shut, his eyes fluttered open revealing his honey orbs. I dropped my hand to my side and opened my mouth to say something when that nagging feeling in the back of my throat came back. Before I knew it I was racing to the bathroom, barely making it in time to empty any and all contents in my stomach. When I was sure I was done, I stood up and slowly shuffled to the sink. Without looking in the mirror, I grabbed my tooth brush and tooth paste and quickly brushed the nasty taste out of my mouth.

There was a slight knock on the door, "Clary?" Jace's deep, muffled voice came through, "Are you okay?"

I snorted at the irony as I swung the door open, "The question is, are you okay?"

He smirked his signature smirk, and in that instant I knew douchy Jace was back, "I'm better than okay, Red. But you should know that much."

"Oh? And why is that?" I asked in feigned interest as I put a hand on my hip. This should be good, I thought.

He put his hand to his chest in mock hurt, "You mean to tell me you don't remember that fateful night a few weeks ago?"

I gave a harsh laugh, "That 'fateful night' is what got us in this mess in the first place."

That seemed to render him speechless. Good, I was too tired to put the effort into going back and forth with him. He opened his mouth, preparing to say something, but I cut him off with the raise of my hand. "Listen," I started sharply, "if you're going to be in this there's going to be some rules. I don't think you fully understand at this point that I am in fact pregnant, with your child might I add. You want to be a complete ass and act like you did in high school, be my guest. But if that's how it's going to be, do me a favor and leave. I can raise this child alone if I need to." Somehow my hand ended upon my non-existent baby bump.

"You don't have t-" Jace tried to interject, but I stopped him.

"I could damn well try to do this on my own, Jace. It would be nice to have your help, but I don't need it if you can't be serious about any of this." I shook my head and looked down at the floor, willing myself not to cry.

I felt fingers grip under my chin, and the next thing I knew my green eyes were looking into Jace's aureate one. "Are you done?" I nodded, "I need you to know that in high school, that wasn't who I really wanted to be. I know I'm an ass, always have been, it's my second nature. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to be there for you, be there for the baby. I know Clary, god do I know, that you're pregnant with my child. It's the one thing that's been on my mind these past few days. I'm scared shitless right now. But no matter how terrified I am, I will never, ever leave you until the day you ask me to."

"Jace." was all I could manage to breathe out before his lips crashed to mine. I couldn't tell who kissed who, but in that moment I could care less. Instantly I melted into his touch, wrapping my arms around his neck. I could feel his fingers digging into my hips as he pulled my body flush into his. I would deny this if anybody asked, but I've wanted to kiss Jace since the first moment I laid eyes on him. I could remember it as clear as day, like it happened just yesterday.


I was sitting at my desk, quickly trying to finish the homework I didn't do the night before. It's kind of difficult to do your work when you're completely shitfaced, a nasty voice said in the back of my mind. I mentally scolded that small voice and scribbled down incoherent answers. Just as I finished, the final bell rang, signaling that class had officially begun. I breathed out a sigh in relief and slumped down into my chair. I should have been responsible, should have spent the night in my room and done the homework like a normal sixteen year old. There's lots of thing I should have done, but I was an idiot. I was a complete and total screw-up, I never did anything right.

I was brought out of my train of thought as the door to the class room slammed shut and the sound of shoes squeaked on the linoleum floor. My head shot up and I was captured by what seemed like pure gold. His hair, skin and even his eyes were the color of the brightest gold I've ever seen. His gaze flicked to my direction for a quick second and I felt the heat pool in my cheeks.

"Mr. Herondale. Nice of you to finally join us." Mr. Starkweather announced. "Class, please be gracious to the new student, Jonathan."

I froze. "It's Jace actually." the new kid said confidently.

Starkweather gave Jace a look, silencing him immediately, "Please take a seat, Jace." He pointed to the back of the class where the only available seat was. Next to me. I sighed and took my phone out of my back pocket. Jace might have been cute, but he wouldn't notice someone like me. No one notice a freak like me, especially after the incident.

The loud screech of the chair against the floor brought me back to reality. I looked up from the screen of my phone and up into golden eyes. I couldn't help but noticed how they practically glowed in light. As we stared at each other, I realized that maybe Jace was different. Maybe he could accept someone like me.

Until he opened his mouth, "I know I'm gorgeous Red, but this is getting creepy."

I scoffed and turned my attention back to my phone. Of course someone as hot as him would be a compete dick, I thought.

"Clarissa," Starkweather called out, "would you like to tell the class what's so important in the social media world?"

I restrained from rolling my eyes as I looked up to the front of the class, "It's Clary." I mumbled.

"What was that?" Starkweather snapped.

"I said it's Clary you pretentious prick." I spoke up, feeling the after effects of last night's experiment.

The whole class broke into snickers and whispers, "Carstairs office. Now." Starkweather said through clenched teeth.

I stood up and threw my bag over my shoulder, not daring to look at the class as I waltzed out of the room. Slowly I made my way to the office, but before I could open the door, someone yelled my name. I spun around and found myself looking up at the golden boy himself.

I sighed inwardly, "What do you want?" I demanded.

He smirked, and I couldn't help but be captivated by that too, "After you walked out, I told Starkweather off. So he sent me to the office too." He shrugged as if it were no big deal.

"Why would you tell him off? It was me he was yelling at." I asked, feeling perplexed.

He shrugged again, "I think you were right, and he needed to be told that."

I snorted and turned back to the office. As I moved to walk in, a hand lightly gripped my wrist. I slowly turned around and looked up at Jace, "What?" I practically hissed.

"Let's get out of here." He said while pulling me out of the office doorway. I didn't even try to pull away as I let him drag me out of the school. I only stopped when I noticed the shiny black motorcycle we were walking to. I shook my head and pulled my wrist out of his grasp.

"No way." I stated firmly. "I am not getting on that death trap!" I took a step back, and another until my back hit the brick wall.

Jace sighed exasperatedly, "Come on Red. It's either this," he indicated the bike, "or going back to class."

I shook my head and closed my eyes, "You're insane." I breathed out.

"That's been established, now hop on before we get caught."

I took a deep breath before slowly walking up to the bike and accepting the helmet Jace was holding out for me. As I slid on behind him, I felt myself start to panic. Before I could slide back off, the bike lurched forward and I let a blood curdling scream. I could fell the vibrations of laughter come from Jace as I clutched at his chest, holding on for dear life.


I was brought back to reality when someone cleared their throat. I quickly stepped away, gasping for air. Everything around me felt sharp and extremely clear, like I was finally seeing for the first time. I looked over to the opening of the hall where Isabelle stood. I expected a smug look or even a look of distain, but it was something completely different.

I opened my mouth to say something, but she shook her head solemnly. "Clary, I just got a call. It's Jonathan."


Dun Dun DUN! *gasp* Not only am I back, but he who shall not be names is back. :O (and no it's not Voldemort). Anyways, I can't apologies enough for my absence.. it's been rough... But thank you to those who have stayed right there with me(: