I think that after this, i will not be updating as often as school is starting. :( But don't be disappointed, i'll definitely try my best to write when i have the time.

I want to thank all readers and reviewers, especially to you, the ticking clock. :) you have been making the effort of reviewing EVERY chapter and is very encouraging and always giving me advice. :D Thanks for the spoilers from the previous chapter! Thanks a lot! ^^

Happy New Year and have a memorable year! ;))

Chapter 13

"Will…" Tessa sighed, exasperated.

"Yes?"

"…."

"Don't give me that stare! It gives me the creeps!"

"….."

"Fine! Happy now?"

Tessa smiled a tiredly and pulled the blankets over Will till it reached his torso. He was like a child. Sick but still wanting to go out to play. Except that this child is not innocent and leaves people hating him more than ever.

"Brother Enoch said that as long as you rest and stay still, you should be recovered in about two days."

"You spoke to Brother Enoch? Isn't he a weirdo and-" Will raised his hands and rolled his eyes back. "- scary?"

Tessa suppressed her laughter. "You shouldn't be saying that! He was the one who healed you. Plus, he is one of your kind. A shadow hunter. You should be grateful to him."

Will frowned at her. "Why are you always defending other people, even they are not really close to you? Why don't you think more about yourself?"

Tessa stared at her hands. "The world is not only about me, Will. Without Charlotte and Henry, I'll be left alone, in the streets. Without Brother Enoch, I might be already dead. Everyone in my life, made me into what I am today. Even though I don't know who I am, where I come from… And I care about myself too."

Tessa looked up from her lap and thought that Will expression seemed so sad. But it changed quickly as he raised an eyebrow mockingly. "Oh? Then don't you realize how tired you looked?"

'I must have seen wrongly.' Tessa thought. " I am tired as you kept running about, simply refusing to rest. I can't just leave you alone as Jem asked me to look after you! I can't let him down."

'So… you are doing this as Jem asked you huh?' Out loud he said dramatically," I'm touched that you and Jem are so thoughtful! Why don't you just go back to your room and sleep for a while?" Seeing Tessa suspicious expression, he added hastily, " I can't sleep when someone is watching me. I'm afraid that it would spoil my 'handsome prince in shining armor' impression of yours. Plus, I'm tired already."

Tessa gave a disbelief snort, but seeing how pale Will is, she sighed and excused herself.

"Sweet dreams, Tess." Will said so softly that Tessa wondered if she heard correctly.

Before entering her room, she went further down into the hallway and poked her head in. Jem was already sleeping soundly. Watching his relaxed and peaceful expression, Tessa smiled and felt her heart lightened.

Before her head even hit her pillow, she was already asleep.

Sophie knocked hesitantly on Jem's door. "Master James?" she called.

"Come in!"

She opened the door to find Jem in bed, reading a book. Ever so gently, he said," What's wrong, Sophie?"

Sophie felt her heart melt and her worried expression soothe out. She forgot her actual motive for coming and gave way for her feeling instead. "I- I was… was just wondering if you're okay?" She asked timidly.

"Oh, yes. Magnus's treatment helps a lot…"

He was right. These few days, Magnus came and slowly healed Jem shoulder to the best condition they could be. Now the swollenness had gone down and the cut had decreased in size. But still, bandages still could be seen through the thin material of his shirt and those treatments had left him tired and drained.

"…. And I'm feeling much better." Jem finished with a light smile.

"Liar." Sophie thought. She could see the strain in his eyes and the way his face turn into a grimace as he shifted his position, no matter how he hides it with a smile.

"I am glad then." With this, she remembered her true aim for coming to see Jem. "Mistress Charlotte wanted me to call you to the library."

Jem frowned; Charlotte will not tell him to do anything in this state unless it was something important.

"Is there something wrong?"

Sophie bit her lip. As a servant, she could not open her mouth to comment on anything.

"It's okay. Tell me, what is it?"

"Umm… the Lightwoods are here. They wanted to discuss the case of the Whitelocks."

"Ahh… the institute that Will and I investigated belongs to the Whitelocks…."

"Yes, Master James. And… the discussion became more and more heated and out of control. The Lightwoods accused Mistress Charlotte and Master Henry for not controlling…." Sophie faltered, but Jem understood immediately.

"…. And let me guess, Will isn't helping at all?"

Sophie couldn't help and a smile appeared on her face. "Master William and Master Gabriel are… making the situation even more tense and heated. No one could stop them, not even Mistress Theresa."

Jem smirked. "Huo shang jia you. Adding oil to the fire" he translated.

Sophie smiled even wider and nodded. "So, Mistress Charlotte kind of needed your help, Mater James."

Jem smiled a little and stood up, trying to hide the wince. Finally he straightened up a little, his left hand resting on his dragon cane.

"I'm not aware of suddenly becoming a fire fighter."

Sophie suppressed her laughter into a cough.

Tension was thick in the air, making Tessa hard to breathe. It filled every corner in the room. Everyone was standing up, glaring at each other. Henry and Charlotte stood in front of Benedict their eyes boring holes through the bastard's head.

Will and Gabriel were facing off each other. Their legs apart, arms slightly up, balled into fists, their muscles coiled, ready to strike.

Tessa stood by the helplessly by the side. Even Jessie was in her fighting stance, ready to jump forward to defend her so called family's honor.

Both sides' breathing were heavy, no matter how hard Tessa tried to break the tension, it got even worse instead. Recalling her latest attempt:

"Oh? You're defending them?" Will had snapped.

"No, Will! It's just-"Tessa was cut off helplessly.

"I don't need a downworlder to defend my pride, I can do it myself." Gabriel growled.

"You are sure? I don't think you can even defend your girly ass."

And off they go, insulting each other.

Benedict hearing this, "So is this the child you had brought up? To be a nuisance?"

"Shut your mouth, your child is not doing any better." Charlotte defended.

"No, darling, Gabriel is a man. A man should know not to waste his time and know better than anyone to argue with a child huh, Benedict?" Henry counted.

"You…."

Both side, man or no man, had raised their voices so loud until Tessa had to cover her ears.

Now, a deafening silence had descended on them.

"Oh, Jem. What should I do? "

Disclaimer: I will be just following my storyline and write my own story. (Not really like i own these characters, but yep) Hope you all won't mind!

Reviews~? :D