Author's note: BLAH, not so proud of this one. I do like the fight and how Eli protects Clare, but I feel like somethings missing..hmm :P

Chapter Ten

"Clare, I can't begin to tell you how much-" I started as my heart soared from what she had just told me.

"Clare?" She spun around and I followed her gaze. And there, standing not too far away was him.

"Jake!" She seemed quite startled. My fist clenched at the sight of him, another moment ruined. Jake seems laid back, but as I noticed by his expression he was not a happy guy.

"What are you doing here?" Jake demanded

"Well this is my home, I think I have the right to be here." I smirked and Clare held back a giggle. He glared at me.

"I was talking to my girlfriend, Eli." I hated the way he said my, all possesive. I mean...when were were dating I was a bit too I'll admit. But at least I didn't use her as a trophy.

"Ah, I see."

"C'mon Clare." He snatched her arm and she flinched again. It took every ounce of self-control not to break his face in. He started to drag her away but she seemed reluctant.

"Not to interrupt you two love birds," I hoped off the steps, trying to act casual and not wring his neck "but isn't up to Clare if she wants to leave or not?"

"Jake, I still have to talk with Eli." Clare stepped in.

"No, you don't." He walked away, telling her to follow. I couldn't hold back anymore. I jumped in front of him and stared right in his eyes, despite the fact the he's taller than I am.

"She's not your servant Jake. You can't boss her around."

"Well I don't believe you have the right either Eli." I noticed Clare fold her arms with a not impressed expression on her face. I knew she hated this. Clare is sweet and kind, but she's not a pushover and will not let herself be owned by a boy. But at least I could get him off her back.

"You can't treat her like that." I growled.

"Says the guy who crashed a car for her." Wow, just throw that in my face.

"Hey, I regret that more than anything. But she doesn't need someone treating her like she's below them."

"Guys-" But Jake cut her off

"You can't accuse me of that! I'm not the one who nearly got her killed by that Fitz guy." Okay, a bit too far. My blood boiled over and I couldn't contain my temper.

"I nearly got her hurt?" I yelled, pushing him over and causing him to stumble "I'm not the one who forced her to do something she didn't want to! You hurt her!" I wanted to kill him. I couldn't take it much more.

"Eli it's okay!" She grabbed my hand and my rage melted away. Clare has that effect over people. A few people who had been walking by stopped at looked at us, but I didn't care. I couldn't put up with this guy anymore. When she took my hand, I saw a pretty angry emotion cross Jake's face.

"We're leaving. Now." he snatched Clare again but she fought back.

"Let me go Jake!" But he paid no mind. He grabbed her other arm and began to pull her away. She struggled against him and his nails were cutting into her skin.

"Stop!" She cried. I grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him back, rage boiling over.

"Don't you dare treat her like that!" He also took me like I was barley something he had to bother with.

"Step back emo boy." he sneered. Who the hell did this guy think he was? Whether Clare loved me back or not, it mattered now that she was safe.

"If you hurt her again, I swear to god-" But then I felt a sudden pain coming from my eye. I fell to the ground, as his fist made a black circle around my eye. I heard a small scream from Clare, and he began to drag her away.

"Get away from me!" she yelled and wrenched herself free. More and more people gathered, their eyes glued to us. She had managed to pull herself free and rush over to me.

"Eli! Are you alright?" My left eye was a bit fuzzy, but I was still okay. She stood up but then I saw Jake come up behind her. He did not look happy that she ran from him and over to me. She turned to him, a scared expression on her face as he raised a hand to slap her. Over my dead body. I lept up, grabbed his hand and pinned him

"You're a terrible listener." I spat at him. I was losing focus on my left eye and my head was throbbing from hitting the pavement, but it didn't matter. I had to get him away from her. He threw me off and kicked me in the stomach. I got up again and punched him in the eye back. The crowd had swarmed, shouting and cheering, and Clare had disappeared into it, wearing a very scared expression. Jake was strong, I wasn't surprised. I was pretty skimpy, but I tried my best. I had fought Fitz. Jake was no contest. I was beat up pretty bad, and he had me pinned.

"Had enough?" I smirked as I realized the same expression on his face as my old enemy.

"You punch like my grandma!" He grew angrier.

"It'll get a lot uglier if you try something on my girl again."

"She's not a prize, you can't treat her like that! Especially when you forced her to do something she didn't want to do and when you hurt her." An evil grin crept up on him.

"Even though it was rather fun." That did it. I exploded with rage and flipped him over, punching the life out of him. Blood spilled on the pavement.

Suddenly I heard a familiar voice in the crowd, pushing its way in.

"Move! Let me through, I need to get to my son!" Bullfrog grabbed me by the collar, pulling me off a bloody nosed Jake.

"Eli what the hell are you doing?" But I wasn't finished. I tried to grab Jake again, I wanted him to hurt. He hurt Clare. Didn't seem to care that she had beliefs about what he did to her. And for that he deserved to die. But my father held me back. Some of the police appeared and took us both.

We were headed to the station.