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Chapter 10!

Yay! This story is now into double digits! And to celebrate this momentous occasion I have added a little extra surprise for you all. Thank you all for the support you give me, I uploaded the last chapter and was then so inspired I just had to write the next one too

I don't own TMI

Previously:

"This is Simon Lewis" the crowd all wait for an explanation "and he is my oldest friend."

IPOV

I have had enough of standing in the background and step forward into the small circle, putting my hands on my hips.

"And what, exactly, were you doing trying to climb through my window in the middle of the night, Mr Lewis?" Clary looks shocked and turns to the filthy boy.

"You climbed through Isabelle's window?" She asks. Simon looks bashful and stares at the ground while he answers.

"I had been hoping it was your window." The king's eyes widen and there are a few quite snickers from the guards. "It's on the north side of the castle, and I knew that there were no bedrooms on the floor level, so I picked a window on the second window randomly and climbed up." He said it like that explained everything. Everyone looked confused except Clary, who looked like she wanted to hug him again.

"You know I like to sleep where the most sun comes through, which is the north side, and that I prefer to be as close the ground as possible. Oh Simon, this is a castle, you couldn't possibly think you had the right room?" Clary asks, the boy just shrugs in answer.

King Stephan steps forward. "In any case, you seem to pose no threat to any of us, and so you may spend the night. We will work everything out in the morning. "The king sighs softly. "I will fix a room for you."

Clary cuts in quickly. "No, that is not necessary sire; Simon may stay in my chambers for the night."

A dozen eyebrows rise and Jace clenches his fists even tighter. "Are you engaged?" Stephen asks seriously. Clary bursts into a sweet peal of laughter but Simon squirms uncomfortably against her. Hmmmmm, interesting.

"Oh lord no!" She shakes her head and wipes under her eyes. "Simon and I grew up together, your majesty, in a very small...house, none the less. This would not be the first time we had to share a room." At the two king's weary looks Clary goes to continue, but Simon beats her.

"I would never take advantage of Clary, your majesty, I simply request to sleep close to a dear friend whom I have not seen and feared dead for over a year now."

"Fine, but tomorrow, if you are to stay, we will find you a room of your own. Now, I think it's high time for everyone to go to bed." There are a chorus of agreements but Clary calls out softly.

"Wait, Jonathan...May I talk to you for a minute?" I can tell how conflicted my cousin is, but with a curt nod he waits behind.

I shock even myself when I offer to escort Simon to Clary's room. He thanks me, but before we can leave he grabs Clary in another quick embrace and kisses her cheek, so close to her lips that is was almost inappropriate. He then scurries of to me and follows me down the hall.

JPOV

I watch as the rat like boy kisses Clary's cheek, awfully close to her lips and then goes after Isabelle. The corridor is now vacant except Clary and I. She begins to walk towards me and with all the commotion the dressing gown has undone again, to show off her black silk night slip. Even though it's floor length my voice hitches in my throat at her beauty. Clary's hair is mussed and as she moves the form is fluid, like water. The cut of her dress is low and it has only spaghetti straps holding it up.

She comes to stand in front of me, such an apologetic expression on her face. She stands a few feet from me, a respectable distance and I have to fight myself to not close the distance and take her small form in my arms.

"I wanted to apologise Jace." She holds one arm with the other. "I know how that must have looked but Simon and I are only friends, that's all we've ever been. " I can tell that she wants to say more but stops herself.

"Why?" I whisper.

She laughs slightly. "Why what Jace?" When she says my name, my heart flutters violently in my chest, something that had developed over the past few days. Now I couldn't go one training session with wanting to kiss her senseless.

"Why did you want to apologise?" I ask softly, and take a step toward her.

"I...I don't know." She whispers, her brow creased with confusion. Another step closer. "I hadn't thought about it." I take one more step and I'm standing so close to her that our bodies are mere millimetres from touching. I stand a few feet taller than her and lean down to whisper in her ear.

"I think I know why." A visible shiver runs down her back and she looks up at me with those big green eyes. I have a sudden urge to kiss her, right here in the palace corridor. No one would see, no one would know. I just want to take her in my arms and... My thoughts are broken by her reply.

"Then why did you ask me, my fair prince?" If anything the need was made worse and I had to dig my nails into my palms to clear the sudden lust from my vision. I was sure she could see it.

"Because I want to hear it from you." Suddenly her brow creases and she steps back. I feel suddenly lost and cold.

"Jace, what are we doing?" Clary backs up against the cold stone wall. "You know just as well as I do that this is against the rules. If someone saw!" She hissed, whipping her head round to make sure no one was around.

I advance her one again, wanting to kiss and reassure her. "No one will see Clary, and screw the rules!" She has a swift intake of breath. "Is a piece of paper going to make a difference to my feelings?" I backed her into the wall, but didn't press further, only resting my hands on either side of her lightly.

"No" Her voice shook. "But that doesn't make it right."

"What is right and what is wrong?" I ask her. "If this is wrong, what is between us, then lock me up in the dungeons because I can't take another day without letting you know I feel about you."Then I have a thought. "Do you find this wrong?"

"No" She answers quickly and I can't help but smile. "Admittedly I do not."

"I'm glad." I whisper and lean in until I can feel her warm breath on my face. But I go no further. She must make the first move; I do not wish to force her. I pray that she will take me.

Slowly, so slowly, she leans towards me until I fear my heart might burst with wanting. Her hooded eyes are focused on my lips and then flash to my eyes before fluttering closed as she brushes her lips against mine as light as a butterfly's wing. In that instant, it is like a tidal wave of emotions crash into me and I cannot hold back anymore. My hands grip her hips, the silk wonderfully soft under my fingertips as I open my mouth. We deepen the kiss and Clary makes a wonderful contented sound like that of a purr that sets my body ablaze.

She puts her small hands in my hairs, scratching her fingers along my scalp and I momentarily forget how to breathe and lean into her humming. She giggles and pulls me closer. Clary is so maddeningly sexy and adorable all at once that it drives me crazy. Her form is petite but defiantly well toned crushed against mine. We are so close that even if I wasn't kissing her I would be able to feel each breath she took. One of her small hands and stroked my tough abdomen, but I dare not let my hands or lips stray. I'm the perfect gentleman. Well, as perfect a gentleman as one can be when making out with one's body guard.

I can feel Clary going a bit weak and move one of my hands to cup the back of her neck and the other around her tiny waist to support her. My hear flutters at the effect I have on her...I love it. Eventually, Clary moves her head to the side, not rejecting my kiss, but in need of air. I can't help myself from kissing her cheek and collar bone before pulling back to look at the beautiful, flustered girl in front of me.

"Does that answer your question Jace?" She asks mischiviously.I chuckle.

"Perhaps not quite." This time when I kiss her though, it is short and sweet. Passionate yes, but also tender, not so full of fire. I pull back. "That's better."

She leans back and smiles brilliantly at me. "I best be off to bed before Simon worries." Now, hearing his name doesn't make me so angry, after that display it would be a waste of time to think that she liked him.

"Yes, and I must be off too, but I will see you in the morning."

"Bright and early my prince."

"And if I'm late."

"I get to punish you." She says slyly. "Most horribly."

I full out laugh now. "I'll take my chances." Clary sobers quickly.

"But Jace, what do we d about...this?" She gestures to the both of us. "And don't say storm around the castle professing our love for one another because that would just be silly" She jests.

"You're right, I think we best wait for a while before telling anybody, but that doesn't mean that we can't spend time together like this."

"Indeed, I fear that I would go crazy without times like these." Clary blushes scarlet when she realises what she has said.

"Then you shall have them." I cup her face in my hands, running the thumbs over her delicate blush.

"Oh, Jace, how complicated this all is."

"Indeed, but it will all work out eventually I promise." And with one more light kiss I release her and bow down low. "Until tomorrow, my queen." Part of me hopes she'll catch the double meaning of my words, the other fears what will happen if she does. But Clary merely bows, giving me one last smile and then hurries off down the hall, her long velvet cape, billowing behind her.

CPOV

As I move father from Jace, the light-hearted, happy mood I had had when with him begins to wane. What happens now? Does he really care for me? If so, how can anything come from it? MY head begins to spin and that's before I remember Simon sitting in my room. I swing the door open and there he is, sitting on the bed in a clean pair of sleeping clothes, warming himself by the small fire that I have in my room, but have yet to light. I have come to despise fire. A small pile of new clothes sit in the chair in the corner of the room, laid out for Simon tomorrow.

I come and curl up on the bed, watching the flames. I shrug my dressing gown off and climb under the covers.

"You were gone for a while." He says simply.

"Yes, I had some business to take care of, but I'm here now."

"And I'm here now." He smiles at me as he says it. I yawn and pat the space beside me on the double bed. "Oh, Clary, if you'd prefer I can sleep on the floor by the fire, I would be quite content."

"Don't be stupid Si, you know I don't mind. He slides under the covers gently and puts his head on the pillow with a sigh. "I am so glad you're here Simon, I missed you so much."

"I missed you too Clare bear." When I stiffen at his words Simon realises his mistake. "Oh, god I'm sorry Clary I..." I hold up a hand to stop him and instead let him embrace me.

"It's alright Simon; I know that you meant no harm from it."

"Still...he muttered sadly."

I snuggle into his familiar shape and warmth. "How about you tell me of your journeys this past year." I yawn again.

"I fear that there is not much to tell, the tale will put you to sleep."

"That's why I want you to tell me." He chuckles lightly and begins the whisper, his head just above mine so that this breath tickles my ear. And whilst I fall asleep to a voice that is Simon's I can't help but wish it were Jace's strong and scarred arms around me.

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Shortstuff.