Disclaimer: Mostly everything in this chapter isn't even mine tbh... it belongs to the one and only Cassandra Clare, the genius whom I would gladly sell my soul to.


I believe in memories
They look so, so pretty when I sleep
Hey now, and when I wake up,
You look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time,
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We're better together.

-Jack Johnson, "Better Together"

O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O

Clary's P.O.V

No words could express how betrayed she felt as Alec's words escaped his lips. No words could describe the awful, bitter taste that erupted in her mouth, the ice-cold feeling of trailing fingers singing through her veins with a frostiness that left her shivering. No words could begin to grasp just how much she wanted to grab a nearby plate and smash it against her goddamned boyfriend, Jace, who remained perfectly emotionless as Alec spoke, as if he had expected this. As if he had known of this. Her aching heart pounded painfully, and it was difficult to even think, let alone speak. It's a good thing she didn't speak first, as someone else, someone colder, more stubborn, harsher, spoke up for her, voicing the very thought pounding through her skull like her earlier hangover.

"Leaving?" Mayris broke through the thick silence by speaking first, repeating her eldest son in socked bewilderment. "What do you mean, you're leaving?"

Alec's blue eyes darted around the dining room in an anxious manner before answering. "The Clave invited me and Jace into the NA–"

"What?" All three of the eldest adults spoke in union, staring between Alec and Jace in disbelief.

Luke recovered first, though he still remained shocked to the core. "The Nephilim Assemblage," he repeated. "Am I correct?"

Before either the guys could answer, Clary spoke up, the ice thawing with the bubbling heat of rising anger. "What the hell is the NA?"

"It means," Magnus explained patiently, probably noting her obvious change in mood and behavior, "Nephilim Assemblage. They're the elite Shadowhunters who travel around the world to wipe out strong areas of heavy demonic activity."

She whirled on Jace angrily, her hands beginning to shake. Who in the hell gave this boy the goddamned right–"Why didn't you tell me?"

"The NA?!" Isabelle interrupted with a shriek, standing up along with the three boys. She slammed her fist on the table, knocking her wine glass and all the contents it held over onto the table. She didn't even seem to notice it as she glared hard daggers over at her two brothers. "Alec and Jace, explain yourselves."

Before Alec or Jace could answer, Clary broke in again. "How long have you guys been keeping this from us?"

The whole room erupted into fits of arguments, shouting, and accusations. Jace slammed his palm on the oak table several times before everyone quieted down. "Look," he began, "we'll answer all your questions if you guys calm down. And one at a time," he added, staring at Clary pointedly. She made a noise in between one of a snort and a scoff. "Please."

Maryse went first. "You do realize," she said, "the NA isn't a part time job. It's full induction, and it's difficult to back out of."

"Yes," answered Alec. "We knew that." He shot Jace a guarded look, which Jace instantly returned.

"And," she continued, "you'll have to move to Idris."

Clary's heart froze in her chest at her words. Jace, leaving her to Idris permanently? Her heart felt as though it was beginning to crack and shatter as she watched Jace bite his lip and nod. "That had crossed our minds," he answered. "And we've been planning out arrangements for about a month." He gave Clary another look, as if she was supposed to get something out of that. All it did was bring her a higher concentration of confusion and more heartbreaking sadness, the anger and betrayal dwindling rapidly along with her energy.

Luke spoke next, seeing it as a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity. "Have you two realized now that since you're no longer teenagers, moving to Idris means you have to either live in your respected Shadowhunter manors or buy a house, right?"

Once again another dark, guarded look passed between both the boys' expressions. "Yes," said Jace slowly. "We've already planned this ahead of time."

Finally, as the constant flow of questions passed from the older adults to the younger ones, Clary found her chance to question Jace herself. As Luke had his latest question answered, she quickly spoke up. "Jace," she said softly, and instantly he turned to her, his golden eyes smirking with confidence and pride. The way he had begun to stand taller as he answered each question correctly gave a pang deep in her heart. He had planned everything out for so long, yet he forgot about one thing. She bit her lip. "What about us?"

The room hushed at her whispered words, and conversation began again in awkward tones. She watched as he gnawed the inside of his lip, and looked away from her. She felt tears almost form as she thought he turned away from dawning realization, but reeled back in shock as she realized his attention was now set on Jocelyn and Luke. "I've realized that also," he said carefully, and she noticed him gripping the edge of the table harshly.

Jocelyn narrowed his eyes at him as Luke merely cocked an eyebrow. She felt her own heart begin to flutter. If Jace was this nervous, shouldn't she be, too? "Jocelyn and Luke," he began, still standing. At the other end of the table Alec, who had sat down, was now being questioned by Isabelle and Mayrse; Clary had tuned them out a long time ago, finding this end of the conversation much more interesting.

"I love your daughter," said Jace, earning him both curious and suspicious expressions from her parents. "I've been in love with her for five years." He swallowed thickly. "I hope you both now realize the dilemma I've been faced with recently. Turning down an honor such as NA is almost a disgrace to the name. But there's no way I would take up the offer if I knew I was intentionally leaving Clary behind." He shot Clary a quick glance; his golden eyes ignited into an indomitable fire with emotions that spoke of solace, of adoration, of so much love, that her heart felt like it would shatter from exhilaration.

"So I ask of this," he said, turning his attention back on her parents. It took everything in Clary to not attack him right then and there with love. "Will you grant permission for the love of my life to live with me, in Idris?"

Her heart froze to a stop, time stilling around her in a blurry haze. She watched as Jocelyn opened her mouth to spit a retort, watched as Luke's eyes widened, watched as everyone around them gave their scene curious glances. Jace wants her to come with him? To live with him? She thought of the last time she visited Idris, remembering how Jace had brought her to the Herondale manor and commented something about them living there. She never knew that time would come so soon, and impact her so hard. She felt something warm and soft wrap around her hand; without even glancing down she knew what it was – Jace, his hand lightly grasping her own. It was his warmth that sped up her reality.

"…across the world!" Jocelyn was fuming in a rush, her cheeks slightly inflamed – from anger or from the alcohol, Clary never really knew. She cooled down as Luke wrapped his arm around her waist, more to restrain her than anything.

"Jace," Luke spoke up quickly. "This is quite a proposition you've offered."

"That has come to my realization," he said smoothly. "Already I've managed to come into contact with many people living in Idris." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a folded, thick packet, and when he smoothed out the pages, the print was so tiny Clary had first assumed the page had black lines down the page. As he flipped through each page he explained what he had been granted permission of.

"These few pages grants me full-time authorization of excessive Portal use without the permission and notification of the Guard…" Luke and Clary chuckled at that, knowing just how many times she had broken the Law about Portaling in Idris. Jocelyn, however, did not seem to find this conversation very amusing – she held a sour expression and a narrowed stare on the packet of papers, as if it would suddenly jump up and strike everyone.

Everyone around the table grew interested in their conversation after Jace had pulled out the packet. Maryse was half-standing in her chair, leaning over the table to get a better look.

Jace shuffled through more of the pages, muttering, "These are rules, more rules, boring explanations about rules, blah, blah, blah," before finally stopping at a particular page. He looked up at them with a tiny smirk. "Just in case, I've been granted permission for the allowance of electronic devices such as individual cellphones for the six of us, but that's it."

"The six of us?" Luke repeated, staring at Jace questionably. "Who's the other four?"

"Well, there's me, Alec, and Magnus," said Jace, holding up three fingers. "And if Clary is permitted to go, that's already four." He held up another finger. "And then there's Simon–"

Simon cut him off by coughing loudly. Clary glanced up at him, and quickly looked back as he shot Jace a vicious glare.

"Wait," said Jace suspiciously. He narrowed his eyes at Simon, whose Adam's apple bobbed uncomfortably. "Do you mean to tell me you haven't asked her yet?"

"Ask who?" Isabelle demanded. She gripped Simon's arm and yanked him to her, grasping at the front of his shirt as he fully spun around. "Simon Lewis," she spat. "Ask who?"

"Ask…you," he managed, and she released the front of his shirt in bewilderment.

Her nose scrunched up in confusion. "As me what?"

"To live with me," he said. "In Idris."

Clary blinked at that, and quickly glanced at Alec in confirmation. But from the looks of it, he wore a slightly bored and mild expression; Simon had probably talked to him about it earlier, Clary realized, to avoid chaos on tonight. Smart. But one look at Maryse and she knew this had not been discussed with her yet.

"Excuse me?" she demanded, her voice barely rising above a whisper. Oh, no.

Simon swallowed, quickly looking at Isabelle for a reaction. But all she looked was shocked – her eyes were huge, her mouth parted slightly, frozen to the spot. Simon turned back to Maryse. "I'd like – I mean, it'd be a privilege to ask your blessing for your daughter to live with me in Idris."

Her jaw locked. "And what," she whispered viciously, "makes you think she wants to?"

A shocked silence followed. Simon opened his mouth, and snapped it closed quickly. A low, deep blush was quickly spreading through the tops of his cheeks, and Clary had never wanted to hit Maryse more.

"But I do," piped up Isabelle, surprising everyone. Her mother whirled on her. Isabelle, who had been looking at Simon with wonder, turned to Maryse. "I want to live with him."

"After all," Simon added, "we are twenty five and perfectly eligible to move."

"Wait." Jocelyn, who had not spoken a word for a long time, finally cut into the conversation. "Simon, why do you need to move to Idris?"

"You're not part of the NA too, are you?" asked Luke, a bit worriedly.

Simon shook his head. "Of course not." He offered a small smile. "The Academy offered me a job."

"As a janitor?" Maryse asked coldly, freezing Clary to the spot with a confused hatred before she could run up and hug him.

"As a teacher," Simon corrected. His words brought another wave a shock through the room. "They want me to either teach Mundane Studies or Religions."

After a moment of surprised stares, Luke nodded. "Impressive, Simon," he commended. "I'm proud of you."

Jocelyn, recovering from her tense shock, shook herself out of it. "I am too," she said, and offered a small smile.

"That's amazing, Simon," Clary praised, grinning broadly. "Look at you, growing up. Brings tears to my eyes."

"Okay, settle down there, Mom." said Simon, but he was grinning along with everyone.

But there was still one person who wasn't grinning – Maryse. "So you received an invitation for employment at the Academy," she continued, her jaw locked. Simon nodded vigorously, but she ignored this. "What does this entail?"

"Well," he said slowly. "This is a full-time occupation, so I'll be gone most of the day." He glanced at Isabelle worriedly, who stared back at him in acceptance and – pride. Clary saw his back straighten slightly.

"That's not," she said, "what I meant." Besides drilling her cool blue eyes into Simon, she redirected them on Jace, and then on Alec. She blew an exasperated breath. "By the Angel, do any of you think?" Before they could interrupt, she held up a hand and quickly continued. "Where are you going to live? In a house? You need to register a month in advance for that. A manor? There's only so many, and they're all too expensive for any of you to afford."

"Already got that covered," Jace cut in smoothly. He tapped his packet again. "I get full ownership over my family manor, and for serving in the NA, they cover the costs the house requires."

"Magnus and I already have a house," Alec included. At everyone's surprised glances, he shrugged nonchalantly and explained. "We were going to move there eventually."

"Alexander," said Maryse sharply. She stared at him in disbelief. "Have you already accepted a position in the NA?"

"Well, no," answered Alec crossly, his blue eyes narrowing. "I wouldn't leave without my parabatai."

But besides his response earning respect, it brought on more anger from Maryse. She crossed her arms and locked her jaw. "Then why the hell would you buy a house?"

"May I cut in, Maryse," Magnus interrupted politely, his grin blindingly white. "The house wasn't bought, exactly. It belonged to a close friend of mine who left the house to me in his will. He died in the War," he included, visibly noting her inquiring glare. "I'm positive you recognize his name. Does Ragnor Fell mean anything to you?"

Maryse looked as though she had just swallowed a lemon, but instead of retorting, she nodded curtly. "Fine. You two are excused from the dining room."

Alec reeled back, shock and hurt evident on his face. "But–"

"You are excused," repeated Maryse impatiently. Her eyes widened intimidatingly at her son, as if warning him to not argue. "I would like to speak to these two–" she gestured to Simon and Isabelle "–in private."

Without another word, Alec nodded curtly and grabbed Magnus's arm, dragging him out the dining room in a rapid pace. As if from a distance, a door slammed shut, the ang echoing through the room.

Maryse rounded on Simon after the two men left, her sour expression and sharp glare softened at her two sons' answers. "And of you?"

Simon rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I've been signed permission for the purchase of a home," he said, "but I would like Isabelle's opinion of any houses before we sign more papers."

Isabelle smiled widely at that, and even released a small giggle. "Aw," she said, lightly intertwining their hands together. "You're adorable."

He grinned sheepishly. "I know."

Luke looked at Jace impressively. "You do, though?" he asked. "You have full inheritance of the Herondale family manor?"

"I did ever since I turned eighteen," Jace answered smugly, a beautiful and playful smirk dancing playfully across his lips. "The place is mine. Or if I'm lucky–" he looked over at Clary and smiled. He grabbed her hand and gave a small squeeze. "It will be ours."

Clary blushed and smiled, gripping his hand back tightly. She turned excitedly to her parents. "Did you hear, Mom? Jace said–"

"I'm well aware of what Jace said," Jocelyn snapped. Clary flinched back slightly, and Jocelyn, who had noticed this, seemed to wish to take what she had said back. The two Fairchild women shared a stare-down with each other, green on green, neither wanting to back down. After a moment Jocelyn assumed in irritated air and groaned loudly, earning curious stares from the remaining guests across the table. Luke looked down at her in surprise and rubbed her back in comforting circles, while Clary's mother rubbed her temples.

"You know what, Clarissa?" she sighed in defeat. Jocelyn waved her hand in emphasis. "You're allowed to move to Idris." Before Clary could start screaming with excitement, Jocelyn, just like Maryse had done, held up her hand. "I'm not done."

Clary bit her lip to keep herself from grinning and Jace, who had released her hand upon hearing the answer, crushed her into a tight side hug, a hug she gratefully returned.

Jocelyn sighed in exasperation and continued. "I expect monthly visits and weekly contact," she demanded, shaking off Luke's attempt for comfort. "And if anything goes wrong, I expect to be the first person to hear about it."

"Of course," said Clary, clutching Jace's shirt in apprehension.

"I expected no different," said Jace, clinging tightly to Clary in anticipation.

"And I'll be hiring someone to watch over you," Jocelyn finished with a determined scowl.

Clary's jaw dropped in shock. "What?" she exclaimed. "Do you not trust us that much?"

"It's not about trust," said Jocelyn, whose cheeks inflamed slightly with the accusation. "It's about protection. Idris is filled with people who still believe you were Valentine's daughter, and therefore would finish what he had started." Her voice grew tight on her past husband's name, and Clary flinched slightly upon hearing that old name she would always hear wherever she went in the Shadow World. The nickname had died down over the years, but who knows how it will be like in the home country, where it had all started.

"I believe," said Jace slowly, "I can offer the best protection needed."

Jocelyn sharp look slewed to Jace. "That may be," she said. "But what about when you're working, when you're too far away to come to the aid for Clary if she were attacked? Working for the NA isn't exactly a stay-at-home occupation."

Jace bit his lip and looked away. "Mom, you're being ridiculous," Clary interrupted, annoyance bubbling inside her. "I can handle myself."

"Be reasonable, Jocelyn," Luke urged. He gestured over to Simon and Isabelle. "They will watch over her, if asked. I know they will."

Jocelyn was tugging at her hair nervously. "Alright, fine," she sighed. "I won't hire protection." Her expression turned hard as she glared at Jace momentarily. "But if I see one scratch on you, you're coming straight home."

"Then it's settled," said Clary, and excitement bit her words to a higher octave. She turned to Jace. "We're moving to Idris!"

He grinned the widest grin she had ever seen, and it suddenly seemed insane to keep this most distance between them. As if sharing the same realization, Jace and Clary barreled into each other tightly, and Jace picked her off the ground and spun around, both laughing and smiling like maniacs. From the corner of her eye Clary thought she saw Luke grinning widely and Jocelyn, who had an arm wrapped around his waist, gave them the tiniest of smiles. Loud cheering was erupting in her ears, and Clary couldn't tell if it were her own or someone else's. It really was settled, then.

They were moving to Idris.

Together.

~o~

Simon's P.O.V

Simon bit his lip nervously as Maryse drilled holes into him. Isabelle, who had grabbed his hand for comfort not too long ago, squeezed tightly, and Simon returned it with a nervous grace.

"Simon Lewis," said Maryse, drumming her sharp red nail on the tabletop. She slowly shook her head. "I just don't know what to expect from you."

"Expect the best," Isabelle snapped. Simon glanced at her, and was surprised to see her visibly angry. "By the Angel, mother, he doesn't murder toddlers for a living."

Maryse glared at her daughter. "I know that," she responded tightly. She sniffed. "I don't know who Simon is. What kind of guy he is. What his hobbies include. You never know, Isabelle."

Simon felt those words like a sucker punch to his gut, but he refused to give Maryse the satisfaction by flinching back. He stood his ground and tried his best to not interrupt in defensiveness, for he knew the only thing that will result out of that would be extreme denial for permission.

So instead, Isabelle spoke up. "You want to know what kind of guy Simon is?" she demanded shrilly, releasing his hand to step up to her mother. Maryse narrowed her eyes, but didn't interrupt. Isabelle continued in mid-rant. "Simon is the kind of guy to bring flowers every weekend. Simon is the kind of guy to watch those really cheesy movies with without complaints. Simon is the kind of guy to run to the store to pick up ice cream in the middle of the night when you're feeling upset. Hell, he did that for Clary several times since we've met!" Isabelle huffed, her rounded, coffee eyes shining with tears threating to spill over. "Simon stays with me when everyone else abandoned me. Simon keeps me company when everyone else is living their own life. Simon keeps me happy when I'm feeling upset. Simon makes me laugh when the only thing I want to do is cry. Simon lifts my mood when I'm feeling depressed. Simon protects me on hunts. Simon comforts me, heals me, loves me, and I love him, so, so much, and if you're too blind to see that, then, well…" she trailed off with a tiny smile, a tear slipping down her face. "We don't need your approval to move. Because we'll do it anyways."

And then, to his surprise, Isabelle whirled on her heels and grabbed Simon by the front of his shirt. She yanked him to her, and then suddenly her lips were on his, and everything fell away. The kiss spoke of everything they couldn't say out loud: trust, thanks, forgiveness, and love. But just as sudden as the kiss itself, it broke, and Isabelle was left huffing against his tingling lips. He felt her mumble something against his lips, and dazedly he nodded in response. With one last peck Isabelle turned to her mother with her chin held up high, speaking of superiority. Simon wrapped his arms around her waist and felt her fractionally lean back.

Maryse was glaring at them harshly, splotches of red resting high on her cheekbones. "Even if you were to move," she said, and at the word 'move' her lips twisted. "Where would you stay? You don't even have a house."

Before Simon could even contemplate, Isabelle responded. "We'll stay with Jace and Clary," she said, as if it were obvious. Maybe it was. "They have a huge ass mansion to themselves, and it's just the two of them."

Maryse's lips twisted into a cold smirk. "You don't even know if they're moving," she said softly, and gave a pointed look over at Jocelyn, who was glaring harshly at the two twenty-year-olds in front of her, clinging to each other with hope and nervousness. "Jocelyn could very well say no."

"She wouldn't," said Isabelle, but her voice wavered. She bit her lip, watching the older woman. But then, a strange light of an idea erupted in the deep brown depths of her eyes, and Simon even saw her smirk lightly for a slight second before looking away. His heartrate picked up with excitement. Izzy realized something. She turned back to her mother with a new stubborn set to her locked jaw. "Let's make a deal." she said determinedly, and Maryse cocked an eyebrow.

She placed her hands on her hips. "What sort of deal do you propose?"

Isabelle was full out smirking now. "If Jocelyn agrees to Jace and Clary moving," she said, "then we get to move, too."

"That's ridiculous," Maryse scoffed. "The answer is no, Isabelle."

"But, mother," Izzy pressed on. "What are the chances of Jocelyn agreeing to let Jace take her only daughter, a daughter she threw her life away for, to Idris with the promise of no permanent return?"

Mayrse chewed on the inside of her cheek in thought. "I suppose you're right…" she trailed off with a sigh. "Alright, fine. Deal," she exhaled in exasperation, but quickly continued as Simon and Isabelle turned to each other with massive grins and a 'totally controlled' excited hug. "But I'm only doing this because if Jocelyn agrees, Alec and Jace will be there to watch out for you."

"Alright, alright," Isabelle chorused, hugging Simon from the side. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he smiled into her vanilla-scented, ink-black hair. He could get used to this. "Whatever."

But that 'whatever' turned out to be something bigger as Jace and Clary squealed with sudden happiness and Jace picked her up off the floor and spun them both around in circles, laughing and yelling with a happiness that would crack a grin on anyone's face. Knowing fully well what the random burst of cheering meant, Isabelle and Simon turned to each other and yelled with cheerfulness as well, Simon engulfing Isabelle into a massive, bone-crushing hug that no one but herself could probably handle; laughs, whoops of happiness, tears of joy, and a promise of a drunken morning rung in everyone's ears as the two couples danced with their partners, a promise of a new life ringing in their minds. They were moving to Idris. They were all moving to Idris.

This was a new chapter for them.

A New Beginning.


Prepare for the real fun to begin. ;)

~MJ