Author's note: so we are almost at the end of this story...probably 1 or 2 parts left. I can't believe I ever thought this would be a one shot! I still don't own the characters. Please read and review.

Part 10

"Robert I want him to sleep."

"Maryse I can't force the boy. What do you want me to do? Sit on him? He wants to get back to Clary. Alec and I got him to eat and shower. He looks a little better."

Maryse huffed in frustration. Jocelyn was in a coma, Clary had just woken up...she needed Jace to sleep so she wouldn't be taking care of three sick people.

"There is no way you can get him to at least lie down?"

"Honey, I think he is sacred something will happen to Clary if she is out of his sight. I know we want him to take care of himself too but I think the best thing for him will be seeing Clary. He just seems so unsettled ever since we left the hospital."

"We all feel unsettled Robert!"

It was Roberts turn to sigh.

"Maryse we are all dealing with another tragedy but for Jace he just lost his third parental figure and the girl he loves almost died. He is seventeen. He is just a kid. Even Alec looks shaken and you know he never lets anything faze him. "

There was a long stretch of silence on the phone. Neither knowing what to say. Maryse finally let out a tiny sob as she spoke.

"Robert what are we going to do? They're still kids. Val is gone and Jocelyn...the doctors have no idea why she isn't waking up. Best they can figure is that her body just needs to heal. Izzy is jumping at any sound and now Alec...I don't know how to help any of them."

"Maryse all we can do is love all of them and make sure they always know they are not alone. Let me get Alec and Jace. We should all be together."

"I guess you are right. I'll see you soon and Robert...I love you."

"I love you too Maryse."

As Maryse hung up the phone she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around.

"Luke! It's so good to see you. Where have you been? I haven't seen you since you brought Clary in."

"I had to tie up some loose ends. Can we sit down down?"

"Of course. What's going on Luke, you're scaring me?"

"Things weren't adding up. When Stephen and Celine were killed the whole precinct basically knew they were in town because they were at the parole hearing but this time...Maryse barely anyone knew Val and Jocelyn were in the city...let alone that the kids were with them. The leak had to be in my inner circle. I just never dreamed. I couldn't have imagined..."

"Luke what is it? What did you find out?"

Luke took a deep breath.

"Samuel Verlac...Patrick's third son...we could never find him...it was because he had changed his name...gave himself a whole new identity. Maryse, Samuel is my partner Detective Hodge."

Maryse slapped her hand over her opened mouth.

"It was all a ruse to get to get to all of you. I just thank god I never told him where you lived. But every time you guys would come here he was he one I would ask for help. I trusted him. I was so foolish. After I left the hospital I went back to the station and he was asking so many questions. He was so on edge ...kept looking at the interrogation room. Something felt off so I followed my gut. I went in the room and told Johnathan we found Samuel. He was never the sharpest tack...he fell for it. Spilled everything. Hodge was found trying to sneak out the back of the building. It's over Maryse. They are both going to jail for a long time."

Maryse's face fell into her hands as the stress and fear she had been living with for the last twenty years finally left her body. Tears soon followed and she soon found herself swallowed into Lukes arms.

"I can't believe it's over."

"What's over?"

Luke and Maryse looked up to see Robert standing there.

"Robert they got both brothers. We are free."

Robert looked from his wife to Luke. Disbelieving what he just heard.

"It's true Robert. We got em."

The two men smiled and Maryse jumped from her seat to hug her husband.

"Where are Alec and Jace?"

"Jace stopped by the gift shop to get flowers. Any news on Clary or Jocelyn?"

"Doctor said Clary is doing well. He wants to keep her for observation but it's more precautionary than anything else. Jocelyn is the same. They can't figure out why she isn't waking up."

"So then we keep doing what we have always done. We take care of each other and we take care of the kids."

"Speak of the devil"

Maryse smirked as she looked at Alexa and Jace walk towards them.

"Jace sweetie you definitely look better but you really couldn't have slept for at least just a little...even to humor me?"

"Sorry aunt Maryse I just...I don't like...this is where I need to be."

"I understand sweetie. Izzy has been with her for a while now I'm sure you could kick her out. We are going to go up to Jocelyn's room for a bit. Maybe we can all grab dinner together later."

"Thanks aunt Maryse."

And with that Jace turned to walk towards Clary's room. The closer he got to her door he could hear Izzy and Clary laughing...a sound he was scared he would never hear again...and Jace felt his feet moving him faster towards the sound.

"Sorry to interrupt ladies but I have a flower delivery for a Miss Clarissa Morgenstern."

The girls looked towards where Jace was standing by the door... a beautiful bouquet in his hands.

"No problem. I was about to grab a soda. She is all yours."

Izzy kissed Clary and then walked towards the door kissing Jace too on the way out. Jace stood staring at Clary...a mixture of relief, happiness and fear. The last he had seen her he had poured his heart out. If she didn't feel the same it would destroy him.

"The flowers are beautiful Jace."

Broken out of his thoughts by the sound of her voice he walked towards the bed and placed the flowers on the side table.

"How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good considering. The doctor says everything looks good. He wants to keep me for a few days but he is just being careful. He says I'll make a full recovery."

"That's great."

"You look better."

"Yeah uncle Robert and Alec basically threw me in the shower and force fed me."

"Jace you have to take care of yourself. Have you slept yet?"

Jace looked down embarrassed that the answer was no. Clary shifted over on her bed and laid on her side...patting the part of the bed she just left.

"Here lie down with me."

"I don't think the nurses will be ok with that."

"From what I understand they let you get away with murder while I was sleeping. I'm sure they will let this slide."

Jace waited a second before taking his shoes off and sliding into the bed. At first they simply stared into each other's eyes listening to each other breath.

"Clary..." "Jace..."

They laughed and Clary put her finger on Jace's lips.

"You spoke this morning now it's my turn."

Jace nodded.

"If I'm honest I was scared this morning. Everything you were saying...I know you meant every word but I was worried you were saying it all because of what has happened. We have spent such a long time protecting what we have...protecting our future. I want that future with all my heart and I'm still scared we could mess it up. But I also know...we have been thru so much that has shown us...we have no idea how much more time we have. Anything could happen. So whatever time we have I want to spend it with you. I love you Jace with everything I am and I don't want to hold back anymore."

Jace, smiling from ear to ear, raised a hand to Clary's face.

"Really?"

"Yes really. I love you."

"You promise?"

Clary laughed...a real honest to God belly laugh. It was the most beautiful sound Jace had ever heard.

"Pinky swear."

Clary lifted her fingers in front of Jace's face...earning one of his sunshine smiles. Taking his hand off her check he interlocked their pinkies.

"Pinky swear."

For a long while they just lay there fingers together smiling at each other.

"I want to kiss you so bad right now but I don't think our first kiss should be in your hospital bed."

"Jace I plan on kissing you for the rest of my life and I'll never care where we are."

With that Clary leaned in and kissed him. It started out tender but as their mouths moved together all the love and passion they had been holding in for so long came pouring out. Clary could feel Jace's hands in her hair...on her back...leaving his heat wherever he touched her. She couldn't get close enough to him. She found herself warping her arms around him and pushing her body flush against him. After what felt like an eternity they broke apart...more so for air than actually wanting to stop.

"That was ...wow. Clary I've wanted to do that for so long."

"Me too."

"Clarissa Morgenstern I am going to love you forever."

"You beeettttter."

Clary couldn't control the yawn that escaped her mouth and pretty soon Jace was yawning along with her. It wasn't long before the two teenagers fell asleep. When the nurse came in later she found them still in bed foreheads touching, knees kissing and their pinkies interlocked. The nurse simply smiled, checked Clary's vitals and left the couple alone.