CHAPTER EIGHT – PRISONER

Hey guys! I am so sorry that I haven't updated in so long but I will finish this story even though City Of Fallen Angels is coming out on APRIL 5TH! So excited! I'm sorry again!

Enjoy!

I awoke in someone's strong arms and I nestled in closer because it just felt so good. I opened my eyes half way and saw that the fire had died and I realized that I was still in the library. In Jace's arms and I was straddling him. I smiled slightly, breathing in the sent of him.

Slowly untangling myself from him, I slipped off his lap and stretched out on my back on the floor. It was still dark out, but I sensed it was only hours from dawn. I sighed in contentment as my muscles stretched out and relaxed. Suddenly, Jace slumped over as if he couldn't hold himself up. His head crashed onto my stomach and his arm was thrown around my waist. I exhaled quietly as his head made impact with my abdomen. His face was turned towards me and he looked so peaceful while he was asleep. I brushed his hair back from his eyes and smiled.

I continued stroking his hair as I just stared up at the ceiling, thinking of how simple things seemed right at that moment. I wouldn't mind waking up like this all the time, I thought and then blushed. I'd just thought of waking up with Jace, yikes – that was kind of intense.

"Why are you blushing?"

I looked down to see Jace's eyes were now open and attentive, looking as if he'd been awake all this time. Ignoring his question, I smiled slightly, "You look kind of uncomfortable," I said.

He glanced down at my stomach and then back up at my face before he lifted my shirt and planted a quick kiss on my belly button. He pulled himself up and on top of me so that the length of his body was on top of mine. He looked down into my eyes and smiled. "I'm quite comfortable now," he murmured.

"I'll bet you are," I said back and then anything else I might have said was cut off when his lips met mine in a slow soft kiss. He pulled my lower lip into his mouth and nibbled on it lightly. I made a small sound of pleasure and he rolled over, pulling me on top of him.

"I'm really comfortable now," he said against my lips.

"Mhmm," I hummed as we continued to kiss. Jace's hands skimmed down my back and his fingers hooked into the waistband of my jeans, pulling me closer to him. I twisted my fingers in his golden hair, loving the feel of him beneath me and the soft way his hair curled around my fingers. Jace's mouth moved down my throat and I sighed in such contentment as he murmured sweet things against my skin.

"I love you," I whispered and he brought his lips back to mine.

"I love you more," he responded.

"And I love the way you two are getting hot on the library floor as if there is no one else here."

I flew off Jace like he'd shocked me with an electric rod. I was crouched in front of him looking up into Isabelle's amused eyes. "Jesus, Izzy," I grumbled sinking out of my crouch. I'd been so consumed that I hadn't noticed anything but me and Jace. There hadn't been anything but me and Jace. EMBARRASSING, my mind screamed and I felt a familiar rush of blood make its way to my face.

Isabelle, on the other hand, began laughing. "Clary, you're so damn cute!"

"Stuff it where the sun don't shine, Izzy," I muttered, gracelessly into Hodge's old chair.

"Oh, Clary!" she roared with laughter. "It's so strange to see you acting all mature like and sexy with Jace on the floor but afterwards? Like a little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar!" She was bent over now, clutching at her stomach and gasping for breath.

"Say another word and I'll cut your hair off in your sleep," I threatened dangerously, standing up to glare at her.

That shut her up really quickly. "You wouldn't," she breathed.

"I would,"

She raised her hands in surrender and looked at me wide eyed. "Okay, truce,"

I felt a pair of arms wrap around me from behind and I felt Jace's lips on my ear as he nuzzled his face into my hair. "That was hot," he whispered.

I pulled out of his grasp because I couldn't think straight when he did things like that. Seeing his hurt expression, I laughed. "You're cute," I kissed his cheek and sat back down. "Sorry, Izzy," I apologized, looking at her shyly.

"Does that mean I can make fun of you?" she asked hopefully.

"No."

"Awe," she muttered dejectedly as she made herself comfortable on the desk. "Well, now that we know you're perfectly fine and well functioning, would you like to explain just what the hell you think you were doing?" her tone went from teasing, to conversational to furious in moments, it was impressive. Before, when I was mortal and had just met Isabelle, I would have thought that intimidating. But now, I'd grow up a lot and seen things a lot worse than an angry Shadowhunter.

"I don't know, you wouldn't have known anything about it if Magnus hadn't tracked me," I frowned, feeling discomfort at the thought. Mom and Luke would probably start doing that regularly to check up on me. I'll have to find a way to block my presence from that sort of thing, I should ask Arianna…

"Hello! Earth to psycho Clary!"

I looked up into Isabelle's angry but worried face and my frown deepened. "I'm sorry you had to see that," I muttered quietly.

"You're sorry we had to see it? You're not sorry for doing it?" her voice was getting more and more shocked by the moment, if I didn't calm her down somehow, things would get worse.

"Well, no…not exactly…" I muttered, trying to figure out a civil way of getting out of the conversation scot free.

Isabelle leaned back and let out a long breath. "Clary, you seriously could have hurt yourself,"

God, like I haven't heard that line before, I thought with irritation. "Isabelle, you have to stop talking down to me if we're going to have a conversation," I said, my voice tight.

"Clary, I'm serious, you seriously could have hurt yourself and you're just not listening to me!"

"And you could hurt yourself everyday you fight a demon or even every time you leave the walls of the Institute! Anyone could get hurt, it's not only me!"

"Yes, but I can defend myself, I grew up with training and knowledge and I know what's out there and I know how to defend myself, where as you don't,"

I gritted my teeth and didn't say anything for a long moment. "You're not listening to me, Isabelle, I can defend myself and the only way I'll be able to prove that to you is if you quit babying me. I can do this; I'm not a weak little girl anymore!" I was trying to reign in my anger in and not lash out at her, trying not to just leave again. If I wanted to prove myself to them, I had to show that I could handle a simple argument, whether I thought it was a waste of my time or not. "You just have to trust me; you have to believe that I can do this because I know I can."

Isabelle sighed and walked over to me to clasp my hand in both of hers. "Clary, I've never had a sister, I've never even had many girl friends, except for Aline, but she was never very bright, anyway. My point is that I've never had a girl that I get along with, that I consider a true friend and now that I consider you that girl friend, that sister I never had, I want to protect you. We all do, me, Jace, your mom, Luke, Magnus and maybe even Alec,"

I snorted. "Thanks for making me feel so loved, but what would make this even better is if you would let me do something,"

"Oh, I'll let you do something, Clarissa Fray!"

And my mother strode into the room. Oh damn…I thought and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, this just keeps getting better and better. I felt the air stir behind me and the room filled with a familiar presence and I was immediately calmed as I felt Arianna place her hand on my shoulder.

Isabelle jumped away and cursed under her breath, surprised at the girl's sudden appearance. "Damn, woman, a warning would be appreciated," she grumbled and backed off like I expected she would. I knew that Arianna made them all uncomfortable. I lifted my gaze to see my angry mother, Luke and Magnus behind her. All looking like they'd just risen from their beds, I jumped at the opportunity.

"Well, why don't we all go down to the kitchen for some breakfast? Sounds like a plan to me!" I stood and darted around them and I was almost home free when Magnus grabbed me around the waist and pulled me back into his chest.

"Ah, ah, ah," he said, amusement lacing his voice. "Not so fast, little one,"

I pouted and shimmied a bit, trying to get him to loosen his grip, not that it hurt, but I wanted an easy getaway. "I even volunteer to make it!" his hold didn't lessen so I tried again, "I'll take us all out, I'll even pay!" Still no takers. "Fine, be that way," I muttered and stilled in Magnus's arms. Mom was working herself up into another rant again and I wasn't sure how much more I could take. "Mom, come on, yeah, it was stupid, yeah I'm sorry, no, I won't do it again and please don't ground me,"

Her stunned expression would have been comical if she didn't get even more angry moments afterwards. "No, you will listen to me for once, Clarissa Fray! I am your mother and you –"

Suddenly, Arianna stepped in front of me and Magnus, putting herself in between me and my mother. "Ms Fairchild, I am Arianna Withers, a friend of Clarissa's and I wish you not speak to her that way," her voice was even and cool, with just the right amount of politeness in it. I'd have to ask her how to do that sometime.

"Listen, Arianna, she is my daughter and I'm sure you care for her, but as her mother I decide what is for her own good." Jocelyn ground out through her teeth.

"No, you don't, Mom! I do, it's my life and I'm old enough to decide for myself!" I said, feeling small and unimportant all over again. I always hated it when she tried to make choices for me, tried to run my life.

Then she looked really old and tired. "Clary, I'm just trying to do what is best,"

Even Arianna didn't know how to respond to the broken woman's comment. I felt so bad that I'd done this to her, but what the worst part was that I didn't regret my actions. Did that make me a bad daughter? I wondered. Maybe, but I felt the necessity of my actions, even if they didn't understand.

"Jocelyn," Magnus began, releasing me gently. "You have things to tend to, you and Lucian both and I know you're worried about Clary, but the situation is only making you stress yourself out too much. I know that you're worried with her sleeping her all the time, what with Jace and her being together and all," I blushed fiercely and I'm pretty sure I heard Jace stifle a laugh. Magnus continued, "We've known each other for a long time and we trust each other. Leave Clary in my care for a few days, let her recover and you let yourself relax with Lucian. It'll be a lot easier on everyone and you can come visit or call whenever you'd like, no one will deny you access to your child,"

"But I have a life," I protested, seeing this as a bad idea. Caged up with Magnus for days? We'd drive each other crazy.

But no one paid me any attention and Mom was nodding slowly. "Okay," she agreed with some reluctance. "I'm trusting you, Magnus, but if anything happens to my girl, I will blame you," the threat in her voice was obvious. I can't believe they're making a deal ABOUT me like I'm not even here! I thought in outrage.

"Then it's settled," Magnus announced and stood up straighter. "Let's go, Clary," I took me by my elbow and began to drag me from the room.

"But I don't have anything at your place!" I tried to resist Magnus's pull.

"You're stuff is already packed," Magnus replied, not even pausing.

"How?" I asked incredulously.

"What's the point of being a warlock if you can't use your magic to speed things up?" he retorted sarcastically.

I groaned. "Come on, Arianna, do something!" I cried out, twisting around to look at her. Her expression was one of bemusement and she met my eyes with a lost look of her own. She shook her head slowly and spoke to my mind, I can't do anything right now, but would you like me to break you out as soon as you arrive at Magnus's apartment?

I shook my head vigorously; I didn't want anyone to get hurt. No, forget it, there's nothing you can do. With that, I tried to shut my mind to her and judging from her lack of response, it worked. I gave up and let Magnus lead me out of the Institute and I saw that he had spoken the truth, my bags were packed and by the elevator. I growled and snatched them up into my arms with a sour look. Magnus leaned down and put his lips beside my ear. "If I were attracted to women, that would be such a turn on,"

"Oh, stuff it, Magnus," I hissed and stepped away from him. "You should know that I'm not happy about this at all,"

"Oh, darling, I'm so hurt," he said, but he did step back to give me some space. Then he sighed, "I know you're not happy about this, Clary, but you need some space, I can see it in your posture. You're too strung up on this, some time away will be good for you, trust me,"

"Oh, so now you're trying to run my life too," I muttered but he heard and sighed again.

"No, Clary, I'm not, I'm just trying to help out here and besides, don't you want to spend some time with Uncle Magnus?" he teased and as hard as I tried, I couldn't fight the laugh back down my throat.

I turned to him and allowed a little smile to pass onto my face. "Alright, but we're just hanging out, no stress for a few days, nothing but us,"

"Nothing but us," he grinned and stepped closer to me.

I groaned and stepped away. "Not that type of us, Magnus! And besides, aren't you with Alec?" I shot at him, trying to cover up my discomfort. I immediately regretted it as Magnus's expression soured.

"Not exactly, he's still a bit hung up over Jace, if you know what I mean," the warlock looked so uncharacteristically disappointed that I dropped my bags and stepped forward to hug him as the elevator stopped and opened. "Don't worry, Magnus, it'll get better,"

He snorted. "The optimist is back,"

"It will, I know it, you two are adorable together!" I told him excitedly, my girly side showing.

The High Warlock of Brooklyn rolled his eyes and picked up my bags and strode to the door of the Institute. "Whatever you say, Clary, all he has to do is make up his mind,"

At Magnus's apartment we'd immediately dumped all of my things on the floor and pretty much did whatever we felt like it. On my second day there, I knew where everything was and I was as comfortable there as I was in my own home or the Institute. It was great. I also discovered that Magnus was really great company when he wasn't purposely being annoying.

"Oh my lordy!" he cried leaning towards the TV. "She did not!"

"She so did!" I exclaimed, mimicking his movement, eyes fixed on the show that was playing. Jersey Shore bonding time, we called it. There was a marathon on all night and we had full intentions of staying up through all of the ungodly hours of the evening. We watched as J-Wow got up in Angelina's face.

"She's going to hit her! Do it, J-WOW, do it!" Magnus shouted at the screen, completely enthralled by the events enfolding before him. I didn't have the heart to tell him that it was only a reality show and that it was most likely all staged. He just looked like he was having so much fun and I couldn't ruin that for him. The warlock watched transfixed and bursting obscenities until the commercial break. When it faded into an advertisement for a 'Snuggy', he turned to me. "Can you believe that?"

I shook my head with wide eyes. "No! She was such a bitch!"

"I know right!" Magnus leaned back and exhaled as if it had taken a lot out of him physically. "I need a break," he murmured and walked into the kitchen after pausing the TV. I followed him into the other room as pulled myself up onto the counter. I watched him pull out the box of Frootloops and a popcorn bag from the pantry and smiled. I watched the muscles in his arms and back ripple as he moved around the room. Neither of us were exactly dressed appropriately. I was only in short-undies and a tank top that showed my midriff. Magnus was sporting wearing pink boxers and that's all. Even though he was gay, I didn't deny admiring his body. And truth be told, Magnus Bane had a nice body, abs and all. As if feeling my gaze on him, he turned to me and raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, Clary?" I smiled and shook my head slowly. "Don't think I don't know when you're watching me," my smile broadened into a grin and he stepped closer to me. Spending time with Magnus, I'd gotten used to him and the way he acted so his proximity didn't faze me in the slightest. "Don't you have something to say for yourself, Clary?" he inquired, stepping closer yet again. He was so close now that I could feel his warm breath wash over my face and neck.

"Now, Magnus, remember, you're with, Alec," I said quietly but I did not move away. That would be showing him some weakness, that I was afraid or uncomfortable where I was neither.

He stilled and peered into my eyes. "No, I'm not,"

That surprised me. "Excuse me?"

The warlock simply shrugged and ran a hand through his sparkly hair. "I told him to get back to me when he figured things out with himself; I pretty much gave him a hall pass,"

"Wow," I muttered, looking at him and tilting my head.

"What?" he asked suspiciously.

"I told Jace that we should take a break too, since I'm going to be with you for a while and he's a guy, so I think he needs his freedom. I don't really want to tie him down," I told him.

He threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, Clary, he's in love with you!"

I looked at him blankly. "Your point?"

"Do you really think that he'll go about doing things with other women when he's got you? He would willingly kill and die for you, Clary; I highly doubt that he's going to be fornicating with whores while you're away,"

I hit his shoulder lightly. "Well, you never know, maybe I needed a break,"

He snorted. "You could never need a break from him, Clary, I've seen the way you look at him. It's obvious he's you're everything," the tone of Magnus's voice was wistful and it confused me.

"Magnus?" I asked suddenly, watching him closely.

"Mmm?"

"Are you bisexual?" I questioned, slightly embarrassed. "Not-not that I care, but I'm just wondering…there are times that you imply that you're not completely gay,"

He smiled at me lightly. "Well, not exactly," seeing my confused look, he went on to elaborate. "Living for as long as I have, it's given me a prospective of people that is hard to ignore. I've seen hideous qualities from both genders but I've also seen the most extraordinary redeeming acts from them as well. I'm more of a…pan -sexual…I think that's what the mundanes are calling it nowadays, anyway,"

I nodded slowly. "So…that means you are bi or not?"

"It means that I don't care whether they are a woman or man, I care more about what is inside of them, what makes them who they are," he replied sagely.

"Ah," I said thoughtfully. "That's pretty cool,"

He chuckled. "Thanks," we stared at each other for a few beats of silence and I felt a deep blush creeping its way up from my neck into my cheeks, but I didn't look away. "Hey, Clary…"

"Mmm…" I couldn't seem to look away from his eyes and my thought process seemed kind of slow.

"Since we're both technically single…"

"You can't mean…"

"What if I do?"

"Umm…" before I could deny him, he leaned in and pressed his lips lightly to mine. On instinct, I kissed him back. After a few moments, we pulled away from each other and studied one another. As if mirroring each other's actions, we both leaned in again for another quick kiss. We did it again a third time and then just looked at each other until we were jolted apart by the microwave going off. The popcorn was done.

I blinked and watched his face as he examined mine. "That was…" I trailed off for lack of words.

"Like kissing my little sister," he finished for me and I nodded. He shrugged, "Well, we tried,"

I couldn't help it, so I laughed. "Yeah, we did," it was like nothing had happened and nothing was awkward between us. Magnus poured the popcorn into a bowl and I snatched the Frootloops from around him and we went back to continue our Jersey Shore marathon. As we settled back into the couch preparing to indulge on our junk food dinner beside each other, a thought hit me with sudden clarity and it filled me with guilt.

I just kissed Magnus…three times…how am I ever going to tell Jace?

Soo...how was it? A little unexpected? Maybe? Review please!

Flames welcome

Love you all
~Alice xoxo