I am so sorry for the wait you guys.

I've finally gotten back into the mood to write so I finally finished this chapter!

Whoo!

Achievement unlocked: Chapter 10!

Jace sat on the couch silent. He didn't know what to say. What was he supposed to say, sure he'd found that article, but hearing the news form Simon made it real. Simon hadn't said a word since the confession and now they sat there in complete silence.

"How did it happen?" Jace asked quietly. Simon was quiet for a long time before he answered.

"He was murdered," Was all Simon said. Jace bit his lip and nodded. He knew that everything in that article had been true now. Clary's father had murdered Jonathan and was in prison. Would he ever try to come after Clary and her mother? Would she ever be able to cope with the murder of her brother? Jace was pulled from his thoughts when Clary and Izzy descended the stairs again.

"You guys didn't have to come with Simon," Clary complained and Izzy laughed.

"Well you weren't letting go of Jace so we did have to come," Izzy revealed and Clary turned bright red. Simon laughed as well and stood.

"You need to eat," He told her in a concerned voice. She nodded as he gave her a hug. They squeezed each other tight. Jace felt his stomach tighten at the sight, making him light headed. He had the overwhelming urge to hug her himself, take her in his arms and not let go. Jace swallowed hard and watched the siblings separate and merge into the kitchen. Izzy rose an eyebrow at him.

"What?" He asked.

"I saw that?" She smirked. Jace's face twisted with confusion.

"What are you talking about?" He asked.

"You like her,"Izzy clarified in a whisper. Jace shook his head with a laugh.

"You must be seeing things Iz," Jace stood.

Clary laid in bed that night. Her head was still throbbing, and she was fighting to keep her eyes open. She knew the images were waiting for her in the darkness. Waiting to assault her once again. Her body was fighting her mind with every breath. She was exhausted, and could only hope to have a dreamless sleep as her eyes fell closed.

Clary?

"Who's there?" Clary asked, her voice wobbling in this dream state.

You have to listen to me. It wasn't your fault. The voice answered.

"What? Of course it was," Clary felt tears streaming down her cheeks.

No it wasn't. Valentine would have lost his temper anyways. You know that.

"It was my fault," Clary screamed at the voice, demanding to be heard. The voice boomed with laughter in her head and she covered her ears. She lurched awake in her bed, hair matted with sweat. The voice sounded so familiar but Clary couldn't identify it. Her hands began to shake, her fear consuming squeezed her eyes shut, the image of Jonathan on the ground, bloody, eyes glazed over in a sightless stare. Tears stained her cheeks as she began to rock back and forth. Her hands were fisted in her hair now.

"I'm sorry," Clary chanted to herself until she was out of breath, hyperventilating as she continued to chant. She felt the bed dip and expected Simon to gather her in his arms. She felt two hands gently pull her hands free from her red locks.

"Clary," He cooed. Clary shook her head back and forth.

"No," She whispered.

"Clary, you're okay. You are safe," Jace whispered in her ear. She could feel his warm breath against her neck.

"You don't understand," Clary told him. Her voice desperate.

"Then make me understand, but trust that you're safe. I won't let anything happen to you," Jace placed a hand on each of her cheeks, making her look at him.

"I killed him, Jace," She closed her eyes, the images coming back to her, "It's all my fault," She whispered. She felt Jace's thumbs caressing her cheeks. The simple movement calmed her, making her breathing slow.

"No," Jace told her, his voice firm. "It's not your fault, Clary."

"But it is. If I had just-" Her breathing hitched as her ears began to ring, like they had after the gunshot. Her body began to shake violently again. Jace pulled her tight against him.

"Clary. Listen to me. You didn't kill him. You didn't. It's not your fault," Jace repeated over and over like a mantra. She leaned into his chest. Tears still streaming down her face. "Be strong Clary," Jace whispered to her before the world fell away and she was consumed by darkness.

Jace felt Clary lean against him fully, her hands still tightly holding his shirt. He waited almost an hour before trying to moe and she groaned.

"Don't leave. Please don't leave," She begged. He knew he would catch hell in the morning for this, but he picked Clary up in his arms and laid down on her bed. Holding her tightly to him as he did so. "Don't leave," She begged again. Jace gave a smile smile, given the circumstances.

"Never," He whispered as pressed his lips into the crown of her head.

The first thing she was aware of when she awoke was the sun burning her eyelids before she even let them flutter open. The second thing she was aware of was the extra body in her bed. The soft snores told her that it wasn't Simon. She took in the golden halo of hair and bronze skin. His arms were tightly wrapped around her protectively. Jace was in her bed. JACE WAS IN HER FUCKING BED. WHAT THE ABSOLUTE night came flooding back to her and she swallowed the lump in her throat. He tensed slightly before his eyes opened to look down at her.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly and she remained silent. Words were escaping her. She had nothing to say.

"I'm sorry," She finally said as she sat up. Her hands came up to hide her face as she blushed from embarrassment. His arms were still around her and he pulled her close again.

"Don't be," He whispered quietly. She laughed at his words and he looked at her confused.

"You seem to be coming to my rescue a lot lately," She chuckled and he smirked.

"You want me to be your prince charming?" He asked cockily.

"Id rather you be Jace, if that's okay," She smiled.

"Isn't that the same thing?" He asked and she shrugged.

"I guess so," She leaned into him and pressed her lips to his cheek. He stilled, caught off guard by the action. "Thank you," She whispered.

"What the-" They heard a voice ask disbelieving. Jace and Clary turned to the door after hearing a bowl shatter against the wood floor of the hallway. Simon stood in the door, eyes wide.

Whoo some actual Clace action!