Disclaimer: All TMI characters belong to Cassandra Clare. Matt's all mine.

As soon as the other blonde had walked in, he'd known how the night was going to play out. Clary had been one of his best friends long enough for him to know when she was interested in a guy. Sadly, he'd also been in love with her long enough to know how to deal with watching it all unfold. He never got angry. He never got bitter. He never even avoided being around her new interest. All Matt really wanted was for Clary to be happy, whether it was with him, or someone else.

He knew Jace Herondale's reputation, as well as the truth behind it all. After all, his exploits were always plastered all over the gossip sites, being a famous rock star and all, plus whenever Alec got drunk he liked to complain about him and Jon disappearing with countless women. Normally, Matt might be inclined to warn his close friend to steer clear of such a guy and protect her heart. But everyone knew Clary was a force to be reckoned with, and didn't need protecting. At least not from love.

Honestly, Clary was almost as bad as the two rock stars. Between her natural charm, and her night jobs, she went through men constantly. She rarely "dated" and when she did, it never lasted more than a couple months. She didn't bother sticking with just one at a time usually either. Hell, currently she was sleeping with Sebastian on weekends, random guys she picked up at bars throughout the week, and himself, when the mood struck her.

She knew he loved her. Hell, everyone knew he loved her. And he knew she didn't love him back, at least not in the same way. But he also knew she wasn't using him, at least not intentionally. She just needed to feel connected to people, and sex was the safest way in her mind to do so without having to trust people.

But she did trust Matt. He knew things about her most didn't, not to the extent of Simon, Izzy and Alec, but still more than their other friends. All their friends knew she was hiding from someone, but he actually knew from whom, even if he didn't know why. He also knew about Jon and why they didn't see each other anymore. On that front, he might even know more than Clary, since Jon called him semi-regularly to check up on her, without her knowing of course. But he was okay being his eyes and ears on the girl, all Jon wanted was for her to be safe and happy. That's all Matt wanted too.

So when he saw Jace Herondale, rock god and womanizer, staring at Clary as she danced to his own song, Matt wasn't upset or angry, or even jealous. Okay, maybe he was a tiny bit jealous, but not enough to cause any problems. He just accepted what would happen and hoped she would be happy at least for a short while, knowing he would be there for her after.

After a couple minutes passed of awkward quiet smiles, during which Jace still found himself too in awe of finally learning the name of the girl to be able to speak, she began again, breaking the silence. "It's nice to finally put a face to all the hilarious stories Alec likes to share from the road. Well, a face in person that is. I've learned not to trust pictures I see on the internet" She added with a wink.

Jace chuckled a little at her comment, before her remark processed through his mind, "Wait…" His eyebrows shot to the top of his face and he stared at her worriedly, "what stories?"

Instead of answering him however, she just laughed at his concern before turning and walking towards the door. He was nervous at the thought of some of the stuff Alec might have shared, as his mind began racing through the possibilities. He didn't notice her turn and walk away until she called out and he looked up at her.

"Hey, you gonna join in the fun, or stay in here thinking the whole night?"

Without any more hesitation, Jace followed her out of the room and over to the kitchen where everyone else had moved to get fresh drinks. When they got there, he saw that Jordan and Maia had arrived and already started drinking.

Jordan stood at the far end of the kitchen, leaning against the counter, talking to Alec who was leaning next to him. Across from them, sitting on the opposite counter, were Maia and Izzy, talking like they were old friends. Simon was standing between Izzy's legs, bouncing between conversations with the girls and Matt, who was standing on the other side of him.

It seemed Jace was the only person there who didn't already know everyone, and he immediately felt like he was barging in on some private club. Normally he would just place himself in the middle of a conversation, pulling attention to himself, and immediately be welcomed in, but he had a sneaking suspicion that wouldn't work with these people.

So instead of trying to fit in, he went to stand next to Alec, after nodding a hello to Jordan. While he moved to one side of the kitchen, he noticed Clary move to the other, hopping on the counter between Simon and Matt. Rather than engaging in any of the conversations like Jace expected, she simply laid her head on Matt's shoulder, which he reciprocated without breaking discussion with Simon, and watched all her friends talking with a contented smile on her lips.

"Okay spill, Red, how do you know Maia?" Jace looked over to Jordan as his friend questioned the red head with squinting eyes. "She refused to tell me in the car."

Then the whole room went silent, and the 5 on the other side all exchanged nervous glances, apparently debating on what to share, before all the girls burst into giggles.

"Maia is a groupie." Clary giggled, shocking the 3 opposing boys, and apparently the girl in question as well, who just gasped at the statement.

"Am not!"

"Oh you totally are," Izzy cut in, looking at her with a giant grin on her face. "Stalker status even. Better watch out Jordan, this one reeeeeeeally likes the drums" She winked up at Jordan who just stood there with his mouth open, until collecting himself back into a smirk.

Maia's face had turned bright red at this and she smacked Izzy's arm in return. "I went to TWO shows! And even then, I spent more time with you two," she pointed at the two girls before continuing, refusing to look at the other 3 in the room, "than Dylan. He's the one that kept hitting on me!"

To that Matt, Simon and Clary burst out laughing while the other two girls along with Alec looked amused but confused. Jace and Jordan just listened awkwardly, trying to follow along as Matt looked straight at Alec before explaining, "We may have told Dylan she was interested, just really shy, and he needed to try a little harder."

Maia quickly back-handed Simon's arm while Izzy slapped Matt's. Clary just kept on laughing with her head thrown back, while both boys cried out together, "It was Clary's idea!"

When everyone turned to stare at the small girl she didn't even attempt to look remorseful, simply shrugged and offered by way of explanation, "What? That boy needed to get laid." When Izzy and Alec quirked their brows at her she grinned and looked at Jace, "And everyone knows I prefer guitarists."

Between the stare and the confession, Jace instantly felt his chances with her improve. It was only when he remembered the others in the room that he realized that most definitely included Matt, who he had already seen play. Any hopes that those two were just good friends seemed to dwindle by the minute, especially when she started playing with the other blonde's hair as they all continued talking. He wanted to listen and join in, but he was too stuck in his own head. He was starting to get annoyed at the possibility that she was just playing with him. Clearly she was involved with the other guy already. Then those thoughts reminded him of Sebastian, another guitarist she had already confessed to screwing around with. Which then brought him back to the name mentioned earlier. Jon. Were they involved as well? Jon played the guitar too, so it would fit. How many guitarists had she been with? Did he really stand a chance? Better question, did he still want one?

Yes. Yes, he did. More than anything right then, he wanted her to be so focused on him, she forgot about all the others.

With that decision made, he tuned back into the conversation to try and find a way in. All the guys seemed to be talking about music, while the girls were discussing… clothes? How the hell was he supposed to get in on that discussion?

Just as he was about to join the guys, his phone went off. Alec and Clary both glanced at him while he pulled it out, looking at the caller id. Unknown Number. He figured answering it would give him a few minutes to find a way into one of the talks, so he started to make his way out of the room, accepting the call.

"Hello?"

"Jace! Why'd you leave so soon tonight? I was so excited to see you; I was hoping you'd come over for some fun." A nasally high-pitched voice yelled out to him, stopping him dead in his tracks in the entry to the kitchen.

"Kaelie? How the hell'd you get this number?"

AN: I am sooo sorry for taking so long to post this chapter. It has been a hectic week and I've been sick on top of it. AND, it just didn't want to be written. I tried to give you guys some interaction between Clace, but I just wasn't feeling it, so the next chapter will pick up a few days later at least, but there will be some explanation of things.

So how are you all feeling about Matt? Clary? She's not too likable at the moment, but hopefully she will be later. Tell me what you think, and any questions, I'll try to answer.

Thank you for all the reviews, follows and favorites, they've been great to see, and I've tried to work really hard on this chapter because of them, so keep them coming!

On a side note, anyone watch GoT? I have no one to gush with and OMG... last week... I was in tears. Someone cry with me!

Happy Memorial Day to all the US folks. Enjoy the extra day off, and be safe!

-BB