After classes were dismissed for the afternoon Ariel grabbed her bag and headed out the door. "Where are you going in such a hurry?" Isabelle called from the top of the stairs, "If it's to the mall, I want to come."
"No, I'm meeting Thad."
"Are you and Thad an item?"
"I don't know. Maybe," Ariel smiled as she waved to Isabelle before closing the door to the institute.
Thad had told her to take the 501 bus to the end of the line. When she stepped off he was there waiting for her. "Sorry, I'm a little late. Jace got Hodge sidetracked hoping to get out of a oral test but all that did was prolong the inevitable."
"You're good. It gave me time to pick out these," Thad pulled three daisies wrapped in newspaper from behind his back and held them out to Ariel.
Ariel blushed as she took them, "They're very pretty. Thank you."
"Pretty flowers for a very pretty girl." Ariel felt her cheeks warm even more as Thad reached down and took her other hand in his as they strolled down the street.
"Where are we going today?"
"You'll see. It's a surprise." They walked a few blocks until they came to the New York Botanical Garden. "I hope you like it."
"I love botanical gardens."
Thad took out two tickets and handed them to the lady at the gate. She smiled and said "hello" to Thad as they entered. They looked around in all the different garden areas. Ariel gasped at the bright colors and smelled the different exotic flowers. At least ten butterflies landed on Thad's shoulders in the butterfly sanctuary. This made Ariel giggle with delight as she took a picture with her phone.
When they were about to walk through a lattice of vines Thad pulled Ariel to stop. "You have to close your eyes before we go through."
"What? Why?" she said with a sly smile, "What are you up to?"
Thad took her shoulders, "You'll ruin the surprise." Ariel sighed and did as he asked. "Keep them closed," he said as he turned her around and guided her over a little bridge. With her eyes closed Ariel's hearing was heightened. She could hear soft music playing in the background. She could also just make out what she thought was a fountain. "Can I open my eyes?"
"Yes," whispered Thad in her ear. When she opened her eyes they went wide. In front of her was small pond surrounded by beautiful flowers with a bubbling fountain in the middle. By the pond a blanket had been laid out with a picnic. "So what do you think," he said guiding her over to the blanket.
She smiled, "Is this for us?" Thad nodded with a pleased glimmer in his eyes. "It's wonderful," she spoke as she glanced around the pond. Both sat on the blanket looking out at the pond.
As Ariel took it all in Thad opened the basket and pulled out a container of cut up fruit, a bag of cookies, and two bottles of water. "Here. Want one?" he held up a cookie when she looked over at him. "It's not the most romantic snack but it's the best I could do."
Ariel scooted closer and entwined her arm with his. She took the cookie as she leaned her head on his shoulder, "I think it's perfect," she whispered. They ate the cookies in silence until Ariel raised her head. She found Thad looking thoughtful at her. She smiled but then her face grew a little serious. "How did you ever get this place? I hope you didn't spend too much money."
"You would have been worth it, but no," Thad smiled with a twinkle in his eyes, "I fixed the manager's car last week and asked for a small favor in return."
When a certain song began to play her head jerked up and she looked at him. "Will you dance with me?" she asked without hesitation. Before he could answer she stood up and held out her hands to him. He took her hands and stood up hesitantly eying her a little warily. She reached up and put her hands around his neck as she looked into his chocolate brown eyes. He slowly put his hands on her small waist and began to sway to the music. "Have you ever been in love?" Ariel asked as her head rest on his shoulder and she closed her eyes. Thad stopped swaying and fell silent.
"Ummm, have you?" Thad asked back.
Ariel lifted her head but didn't look at his face, "I thought I was once, but mom said it was only a crush."
"Who was he?" Thad asked softly. Ariel pulled away and took a few steps toward the pond. She lifted her hand and her fingers rubbed at the small scar on her neck. She jumped slightly when she felt Thad's arms wrap around her. "You don't have to tell me."
Ariel leaned back against Thad as she stared out at the pond. "When I was 14 we lived in Florida among a small community of shadowhunters. There was this one boy named Steven at I really liked. I think he liked me too but one day it all ended. We met at our secret place. He told me to close my eyes, so I did. He placed this necklace around my neck, but when the silver heart touched my skin it started to burn. I screamed in pain. When he saw the mark it left he ran away."
Ariel rubbed the scar again and winced as if it still hurt. "I found him later and tried to explain what happened. He…he called me a monster," her voice hitched, "then told me to leave him alone." A single tear slid down her cheek. "Mom and I moved to Chicago soon after that."
"What a jerk," Thad muttered quietly as he leaned down to gently kiss away the tear on her cheek. Ariel smiled as she turned to meet his gaze. Thad smiled back and whispered, "You are definitely not a monster."
"Thank you," she whispered back leaning against his chest and outing her arms around his waist. Thad tightened his grip around her slightly and nuzzled his face in the crock of her neck. She wiggled some as his breath tickled her neck. "So now you get to answer. Have you ever been in love?"
"Yes," he answered in a whisper.
"With who?" Ariel asked softly.
"You." His grip loosened and she looked up to meet his caring brown eyes as he smiled. He tilted her chin up with his finger and leaned down to kiss gently her soft lips.
When Ariel entered the institute she could smell the pizza. She glanced at her watch it was 7:30 already. She found her way up the stairs and headed to her room. "What are you smiling about?" Isabelle asked as she came out of her room. Isabelle was dressed in tight black jeans and black mesh tank top over a red camisole.
Her question jerked Ariel out of her daydream. "Oh," she muttered as she felt her cheeks blush.
"Come on. It had to be good if you're blushing like that," Isabelle insisted.
"What's going on?" Jace asked as he came out of his room.
"Something," Isabelle eyed Ariel and beckoned with her hand, "No secrets between shadowhunters."
Ariel hesitated but couldn't help the smile that spread across her face from ear to ear. "Thad said he loved me and then kissed me."
Both Jace and Isabelle's eyes grew wide. "That's um…wow," Isabelle sputtered and Jace cleared his throat.
"What? You don't seem to pleased." Ariel glanced from Isabelle to Jace then back to Isabelle.
Isabelle quickly looked away, "Well…it's just," she faltered.
"What do you want to say?" Ariel eyed her suspiciously as her hands came to rest on her hips, "I thought there were no secrets between shadowhunters."
Isabelle slowly lifted her head to look at Ariel, "It's just that he's a downworlder and you're a shadowhunter."
"That's an interesting comment coming from a girl who goes out with a fairy."
"I'm just saying shadowhunters marry shadowhunters."
"Who said anything about marriage?" Ariel gasped, "I'm only 17."
Before Isabelle could say anything Jace blurted out, "Look, ladies, as much as I enjoy a good catfight, we need to get going." Ariel gave one last glance at Isabelle then headed to her room and let the door slam behind her. Jace looked at the door to Ariel's room then over at Isabelle.
Isabelle scowled at him. "What? I was just stating the obvious," she said snidely.
"You go out with fairies and are currently in a relationship with a vampire. I don't think you have room to talk."
"Whatever. I'm going to watch TV until Alec is ready." Isabelle spun around and stalked to the stairs. Jace sighed as he followed Isabelle down the stairs but went into the kitchen.
Alec found Jace and Isabelle waiting for him in the living room. "Where's Ariel?" Both shrugged as they continued to stare intensely at the screen. Alec rolled his eyes as he strolled up to Ariel's door and knocked lightly.
When she didn't answer he opened the door slowly. "Are you coming with us?" Alec asked the figure standing at the window.
"Where are you going?"
"To the club."
"I don't think I'm in the mood."
"We're going to check on a gang of vampires. It's a great place to shadowhunt and let off some steam," Alec walked over to the window and looked outside too.
"Is it that obvious?" Ariel glanced at Alec out of the corner of her eyes.
"Believe me I know what perturbed looks like, cause I've been told I'm the king of perturbed." Alec caught a slight smile play on Ariel's lips. "What happened?" he ventured to ask.
The smile quickly faded as Ariel spoke quietly, "Isabelle was giving me a hard time about going out with Thad, since he's a werewolf. He told me he loved me, and I think I love him too."
"Don't listen to Isabelle. She's just jealous."
"Why would she be jealous of me? She has a family and a home. I have no one."
"She has trouble with relationships and men. She may seem tough but really she wants to be loved like Thad loves you."
"Does she give you a hard time for going out with Magnus?"
"Sometimes, but she's my sister. That's what sisters do," Alec shrugged. "I usually just ignore her." Alec turned to head for the door and glanced over his shoulder, "So, are you coming?"
"Maybe I could use some time to blow off some steam."
Jace and Ariel found themselves outside the club slowly backing down the alley. At least ten angry fairies stalked after them. "Remind me again, why are they so mad at you?" Ariel demanded of Jace as she held up her sword toward the oncoming fairies.
"I may or may not have slept with his sisters," Jace answered in a low voice glancing sideways for a moment.
"Sisters?" Ariel nearly hissed.
"They were triplets. We had a foursome," Jace sounded almost reminiscent until he was brought out of his fantasy when Ariel jabbed him in the gut.
"And why am I in this fight?"
"Association."
"How are we going to get out of this?"
Jace glanced around the alley taking in his surrounding. "That!" he shouted with victory. Ariel followed his line of vision. In the corner of the alley next to a dumper were four vampire motorcycles.
"I don't know about this. Don't you have to be a vampire to ride one of those?"
"No," Jace answered while straddling the black one on the end. Ariel looked at him and shook her head. "Hurry, get on!" he reached over and pulled on her arm. She jerked her arm out of his grasp.
Her eyes were wide with fear and her voice trembled slightly when she spoke, "I don't do motorcycles."
Both turned when they heard the fairies. They were only ten feet away. "Come on. Even I'll admit we can't beat ten fairies."
Ariel looked at the advancing fairies then back at Jace. "Are you sure this is safe?"
"Sure," he answered quickly. She reluctantly swung her leg over the back as he twisted the handle bar and the engine began to purr loudly. When the bike began to move Jace felt Ariel grab around his waist and bury her head in his back.
As the fairies realized what was going on they came running over but Jace was able to flip the bike around. He revved the motor and the bike sped down the alley. Jace pushed the button and used a ramp to a docking area to get the bike into the air. Ariel squeezed tighter as they flew over a fence and topped the first building. "Wow, that was close," Jace hollered over the wind and the sound of the motor as they flew past buildings.
"I changed my mind, I want off?" came the muffled plea behind him.
"But this is great. Don't you just love the feeling of the wind blowing in your face?
"No," came the blunt reply.
Jace veered to the left when he saw the lights from the Brooklyn Bridge. Up ahead he could see the Statue of Liberty. "Are you seeing this? It's amazing." When he reached down to touch her hand he felt her grip tighten even more on her other wrist. "Do you have your eyes closed?"
"Yes," she spoke against his shirt.
"Well, open them." Jace felt Ariel shake her head. "I'd hate for you to miss this view. It's the best you'll get of the city."
"I'm good," she spoke quietly.
"Come on. Just a little peek," Jace moved so he could look over his shoulder at Ariel. Her head was ducked down and her face pressed against his shoulder blade. "Please," he encouraged gently and rubbed his hand on her forearm. Slowly he felt her lift her head just off his back. He heard a small gasp. "Did you open your eyes?"
"Yes, and it is beautiful, but I still don't know if it was a good idea." Jace smiled widely and chuckled lightly as he circled the Statue of Liberty once again.
When he turned to head the motorcycle away from the harbor and back toward the institute he felt Ariel lay her head back down but this time she just rested it lightly on his shoulder though she still kept a death grip on his waist.
Soon there was a small bump as the bike touched down on the street right outside the institute. Jace guided it through the gate and pulled it up next to the garage. He killed the engine and sat quietly in the darkness. When Ariel didn't move to get off, Jace glanced over his shoulder, "You can let go now, unless you just like having your arms around me." The last part was spoken in that cocky voice Jace often used.
"I can't," came a soft whimper.
"Why not?"
"My hands are cramped. I can't move them."
It was at this time that he noticed the slight shaking of Ariel's arms around him. He reached down to her hand and could feel the tension in her muscles. He gently pried her fingers loose. As he massaged her hands and knuckles with his long fingers he heard her moan every now and then. "Does it hurt?"
"A little, but it feels a lot better." Soon her arms sagged down so her hands rested on his upper thighs. "Thank you," she breathed with a sigh as she lifted her head. She leaned back and put her hand on his shoulder as she stood and climbed off the bike. Jace climbed off too.
When he turned to look at Ariel she stood with her arms wrapped around herself. Her eyes fell to the ground at her feet. She looked ghostly pale in the moonlight. "Are you okay?"
"I feel shaky and weak."
"Was my driving that bad?" Jace joked laughing a bit until Ariel sank into a crouch position near the bike.
"Ariel!" Jace hurried over and crouched in front of her. When he put his hands on her shoulder she slowly lifted her head to look into his amber eyes. "Can you make it to the steps?" She nodded and started to stand. Jace held onto her arm as she gingerly walked to the steps.
He didn't let go until she sat down. Ariel pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on her arms. Jace watched her shiver and breathe deeply. "I'm sorry," he spoke softly as he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulder, "I didn't know you were that afraid."
"I shouldn't be. I'm a shadowhunter. We're supposed to be fearless warriors," she whispered as if trying to convince herself.
Jace leaned back on his arms and stretched out his legs in front of him as he looked out at the empty street. "We all have some fears."
"What are you afraid of?" Ariel turned to look at him. He still stared out at the street as he simply shrugged his shoulders.
Ariel looked away and lost herself in her own thoughts. "When I was six my dad died in a motorcycle crash," she shivered in spite of Jace's jacket. "The doctors said he would have survived except he wrapped himself around me. He died to protect me," the last sentence ended with a soft gasp. Jace sat forward so he could see her face. It was streaked with tears. "Ever since I have never been able to get on one."
Jace pulled his legs up to rest his head on his knees. "I'm sorry. If I would have known I would have found another way."
"No. It was good." Jace turned his head to meet her eyes, which seemed to glow as they caught the light from the streetlamp. "Mom always said the only way to overcome fear is to face it." Ariel smiled weakly.
"Does that mean you want to go for another ride?" Jace grinned wildly and wiggled his eyebrows. Ariel just scowled at him. Jace laughed lightheartedly, "I'm only kidding." Ariel slowly began to giggle herself.
An hour later Alec and Isabelle came stumbling in the door. Both Jace and Ariel looked up from their spots on the couch. "You!" Alec growled as he pointed a finger at Jace.
"What happened to you?" Jace questioned nonchalantly.
"Those fairies that followed you out of the club came back in hotter than hot. And guess who they took their anger out on?!" Alec's eyes were nearly bugging out of his head, even the one that had a ring of black and blue around it. "Me, that's who!" he hissed before Jace could say a word.
"Come on, Alec. Let's go get some ice for your eye," Isabelle pulled on her brother's arm and led him into the kitchen.
Minutes later Alec came back out holding a bag of frozen peas over his eye. He flopped down in the chair with one leg draped over the armrest. He closed his good eye and leaned his head back.
"Do you want me to get my stele?" Jace asked looking in his direction.
"All I want you to do is not talk to me ever," Alec huffed without opening his eye.
Jace looked over to see Ariel staring at him. He simply shrugged his shoulders and walked into the kitchen. "Sorry, we left you guys," Ariel said quietly.
Alec removed the peas from his eye and inclined his head toward Ariel. He opened his good eye to meet her apologetic eyes. "I'm not mad at you," Alec spoke. "I'm mad at Jace," he sighed, "He does this all the time." Alec winced as he moved to sit up. "Jace gets himself into trouble and doesn't think about anyone but himself. He could have at least given us a call to let us know where you guys were."
Ariel nodded as Alec continued, "Jace is an excellent shadowhunter, but he stinks at being a paraboti sometimes."
Jace pushed open the kitchen door and came to sit on the couch again. He carried a glass of milk and a box of cookies. "So…what are we talking about?"
Alec rolled his eye and placed the bag of peas back over his eye, "You…and how you have no regard for other people."
"I saved Ariel, didn't I?"
Alec held up a finger as if to say something but Ariel spoke first, "Yes, but you left your paraboti behind."
"I knew he could handle himself," Jace spoke as he propped his feet up on the coffee table. Alec groaned from his seat and Ariel cocked her head as she gave him the stink eye. Jace sighed, "Okay, okay, I shouldn't have left you behind. Happy now?" Alec shook his head and simple reached over to turn on the TV.
So I hope you enjoyed it. I really like the beginning and the end, but not really sure about the middle. It was more of a way to just fill in. Next chapter will be better.