New York Spies is now being called; Con Again? (Cheesy yes, but hey?)

The sound of a bullet cracking forced everyone to resort to instinct, hitting the ground as the bullet hit the pillar where Clary's head had been.

Clary's eyes widened as she glanced over at Aline who looked just as shocked. "Mag's. If you'll please" Clary said, carefully using her elbows her pull herself a little closer behind the pillar. She saw some guards crouching low on the ground, shot guns raised and looking for the shooter.

Magnus laughed as he watched the guards. "Amateurs" he muttered, pulling a gun out from his waistband and clicking the safety off. "He's on the roof, four hundred feet, Winston Barrel gun; custom made"

Clary caught Jace's amused look as he carefully tapped a guard on the shoulder, and pointed to Magnus. The man nodded, motioned to the rest of his men and they followed Magnus's lead.

Isabelle had shuffled over, and was watching with a curious gaze. "How do you know him?" she whispered to Clary. Clary brought her eyes away from Magnus who was pulling a few stones from his hair with an annoyed grimace.

"Met him on a job a few years ago, he saved our asses" Aline answered a small smile pulling at her lips as she watched Magnus.

"Let's get this over with" he said pulling himself up so he was crouching on his heels. "I have some business and much needed sleep to catch up on"

Another shot echoed around them, the bullet hit just over Magnus's shoulder, who was grinning widely. "Missed me" he called, bringing his gun up, pausing for two seconds and then shot.

A muffled scream sounded as Magnus pulled himself off the ground and scowled at the tear in his jeans. "Guess I didn't miss" he said watching as the guards took off, rounding a corner and presumably heading up the staircase to grab whoever was shooting at them.

"Nice shot, Magnus" Aline said standing up and shielding her eyes from the sun, as she glanced up at one of the towers, where three or four guards had appeared.

"Thank you" the man answered simply, glancing at his gun with an annoyed look. " I need to get a new one" he muttered to himself.

Isabelle raised her eyes at the silver and black gun in his hands. "It looks brand new"

Magnus levelled her gaze on her and smiled, in a oh you poor girl way. "Looks may be deceiving, darling. You should know that"

"Touché"

Jace frowned at the gun. "I've never been a fan of guns" he said watching as Magnus re-clicked the safety and stuck it in his waistband again, a motion that Alec's eyes seemed to follow as well.

"Only use them when I have too, blondie"

Jace scowled but choose not to comment as he inspected his now ruined attire, a few of the buttons on his shirt had torn off revealing the top of his chest, much to Clary's chagrin, and his jeans had a few tears that looked as if they were just barely staying together.

Clary glanced over at Aline who was having an animated discussion with Aline about the dirt stains in her skirt and the Milan fashion show that was happening in a few months time, being shot at was so two seconds ago apparently.

Magnus spoke a loud to everyone, breaking Clary free of her internal stalking of everyone. "I'm going to change" he announced before levelling his gaze on Clary and motioning his hands to include Aline, Jace, Alec and Isabelle. "And I believe you five have some ancient artefacts to track down?"

Clary nodded and grabbed Magnus's arm before he had a chance to move. "Which reminds me, Mags." She said tightening her grip, on his arm. "Why are you here?"

Magnus snorted and glanced at Aline before returning his eyes to Clary. "Someone has to watch your back"

"Boss!"

A man raised his head as one of his underlings ran in, paper waving in his hands. He watched with grim amusement as the other man laid the paper on his desk, still breathing heavy from running.

"The Lightwoods and Fairchild girls have made it to Arabia; they seem to be working together"

The man recounted the reaction of the Lightwoods from the museum a week ago and frowned, this was not something they would willingly.

The Lightwood and Fairchild families were enemies.

"Find out why, nothing must interrupt my proceedings, Donavan"

"Yes, sir" Donavan answered leaving the office as the man settled back in his chair with a frown. Something was very wrong and if messed with his plans, he would be very un-happy.

He fingered the gun sitting on his desk as he deliberated before picking up the silver mobile phone and dialling the nine digit number with tense fingers.

"Mister Herondale" the man said as the other line was answered. "I have a job for you"

Clary threw another book down on the table in front of her and eyed it for a few seconds before deciding that she, sadly, couldn't set it on fire with her eyes.

Beside her Jace seemed to feel the same way as he slammed his seventh book of the night on top of the ever growing pile in front of them. Isabelle and Aline were sprawled out on the floor with about thirty maps of Arabia ranging from 100 BC to now. They looked about as eager to burn the flimsy pieces of paper as Jace and Clary did.

Clary stretched her neck and heard it crack once before stopping. "Ouch" she muttered, rolling her shoulder, which was still stiff from being shot in New York. Jace looked over at, and Clary gave a small smile before lowering her gaze. She kept thinking about her dream.

It really wasn't helping her focus.

Clary let her eyes wander around the expansive and expensive library they were currently sitting in. The book cases were all painted white and trimmed with gold, floral patterns ran along the sides and trailed all the way to where the book cases met the ceiling. Plush red carpet lay under her feet and large gold ladders were lined and hooked on each shelf, so anyone could climb up and grab a book.

Clary's favourite part of the library was the ceiling; it was a mural of angels, with a large stained glass window set dead in the center, casting beautiful rays of sun or moonlight across the whole room. The painting itself was beautiful, all handmade; it took the artist who was hired to do it five years. Clary frowned as she looked closely at her favourite angel, the one with gold eyes, curly blonde hair and curved evil smile on his lips.

Damn it.

Clary groaned and let her head hit the table.

Stop thinking about, Jace.

Stop thinking about, Jace.

"You okay?" a familiar voice breathed into her ear. Clary turned her head to side, so her left ear was resting the table still, and met Jace's eyes.

"Head ache from hell" she answered truthfully, closing her eyes as his gold ones burned into her vision. She felt Jace shift beside and nearly sighed in relieve as his eyes left hers.

That was before he put his hands on her temples and started rubbing small, slow circles. She fought the urge to stiffen up and bolt. Isabelle's and Aline's voices sounded far off and all she could focus on was Jace. And trying to breath.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Ignore Jace.

This process continued for another five minutes or was it years?

"Feel better?"

Clary nearly shot straight up into the air when Jace's voice spoke right near her ear again. She felt his breath ghost over her cheek and barely managed a meek nod as she spoke in a somewhat normal voice.

"Yes...thanks"

Jace removed his hands from Clary's head and she let out a heavy exhale, as cold air rushed where his warm fingers had been a few seconds ago.

"Thanks" she said again, as Alec burst through the door running with Magnus behind him, who was walking at a quicker pace than usual.

Magnus doesn't run, ever.

"I know where we need to go" Alec announced, dropping an open book on the table. Isabelle and Aline had jumped up from their positions on the ground and were looking over his shoulder as Jace tilted his head slightly so he could read.

Clary shook herself out. She was going to need to have a conversation with her body about Jace.

She glanced at the book and felt her jaw hit the table.

"But...that's..."

Alec nodded gravely and ran his fingers through his hair. "Right on the international border"

"How are we supposed to get anywhere near there without getting shot?" Isabelle demanded, searching her brother's eyes.

Magnus laughed. "That's where I come in"

Really, really un-beta-ed chapter, mostly because A) Hopefully MAXWAYLANDGREY is reading Clockwork Prince right now. And B) I had no patience to wait anymore!

Speaking of Clockwork Prince: GAH. OMFG. GAH!

MY HEART.

Ahem. I'm done.

So, I hope you liked it. The next chapter will be up soon, I already have plans! And did anyone like the Jace/Clary stuff? I had enjoyed it :) 3

That's all I have to say for now cept for my usual thank you's to MaxWayLandGrey for intentionally trying to make me insane. A big thanks to Dani and Kell's for extending my life line so I could update and to everyone who's dealt with my crazy updating.

Seriously, send me death threats.

They work wonders.

Now, review please?

-Mandy