*All the characters from The Mortal Instruments belong to Cassandra Clare and her incredible mind. Nothing will ever be owned by the author of this story. ;)*

Songs:

Here It Goes Again- Ok Go!

Never Too Late- Three Days Grace

Emergency- Paramore

Break- Three Days Grace

There is . . . descriptive language . . . in this chapter. :D Enjoy!

~Chapter Thirteen~

FRIDAY

"Die! Die! Die!" There was a huge boom coming from the TV.

"Really, Simon? We can talk about whatever through these things," Clary murmured to the microphone attached to her earpiece, "But you just use it to show how you are not killing anyone throwing those grenades around. The people are on the other side for your info."

There were a few silly comments like "Burned!" and a few kids were laughing through the earpiece. They had been playing Black Ops online for more than an hour. Clary hadn't had the time to play before with Simon, and now that she was playing, she realized how much she had missed it. Of course, killing Simon over and over again always had its perks.

"Whatever. I'm just trying to make it more like war! There were people that had no idea what they were doing, no?" Said Simon, sounding clipped due to the static.

"No." Clary replied, smiling to herself as she killed him one more time.

"Clary! You killed me behind my back? What a coward!" He yelled. Clary laughed.

"Simon, like you said; this is war. There is no mercy." Just then, the time ended and they were shown their places.

"This is why I don't ever invite you to play." Clary heard Simon murmur as she checked that—once again—she had come up in second place, leaving Simon with third and the rest of the kids behind them, except for MurderTheLot09Baby who had gotten first. Clary growled. It had been the third time in a row.

"This is not over, kid." She said. Clary heard laughter. A familiar laughter.

"I doubt that, Clary." The girl said, laughing again.

"Hey, I know that voice . . . Maia? You are 'MurderTheLot09Baby'?" Clary sat back. "You've got skills, girl."Clary smiled despite herself.

"You too! Simon can eat our dust." She yelled, and Clary could just imagine her fist-bumping the air and the image made her laugh.

"Is this the part where you two start plotting against me to carve my soul out of my body? Because I think I would like to tune that out."

"Si, we weren't even thinking of that. But now it's on our mind begging us to pay attention to. But not now. I want to play again. You guys in?" Clary asked the other two.

"Ready to be pulverized?" Simon said, to which Clary and Maia began laughing.

"I think I should be saying that." Said Maia. "Feel my wrath!"

Clary laughed. "Yup." She wiped the sweat off her hands, and then got into gamer position; hunched back, elbows supported lightly, controller ready in both hands. "Let's do this."

o.8.o

SATURDAY

"Why is it that the few hours in the week that I want to watch television there is nothing on?" Jace drawled from the coach where he was sitting.

"Face it; you have the worst timing in the world." Alec called, not even bothering to lift his eyes from the book in his hands. He was sitting in the red loveseat to one side of the beige sofa Jace was sitting in.

Jace ignored his comment and kept switching the channels to see if he could actually find something suitable. He had browsed through the channels two times already and he was going for the third just to do something when he heard the door open and bang hard on the wall. It had to be Maryse and Robert. Izzy was with Clary. Alec and he were the only ones home. One thing didn't add up, Maryse and Robert never banged the door. They hated when that happened because it would always leave a dent in the wall.

Jace turned to look at Alec who had his brows pulled together and was looking at the hallway that led to the front door. Alec met Jace's gaze and raised his eyebrow. Jace nodded and motioned with his head to come with him.

They walked together to the front door and stopped abruptly when they heard Maryse replied in a coldly and murderous way onto her phone.

"But you assured us! You told us they wouldn't take him!" They could see her outside in the porch running her free hand through her hair. Jace noticed, with a start, that it wasn't in her usual bun. He suit was crumpled. Maryse's suit was never crumpled. Something was definitely wrong.

Alec grabbed Jace's arm. Alec looked over at his brother. His eyes had widened, and there was—if he wasn't mistaken—horror in them. Jace frowned and Alec shook his head and motioned for him to keep listening.

"—th of him. That's it? They think we aren't capable? Answer me; how long has he been my son?" She stopped talking, obviously hearing the person on the other side answer. "Exactly. Has there been any problem since then?" She paused. "No. Exactly. So why now? After almost ten years, why now? It will just be worse. We already—" she took a deep breath. "We already lost one. Do you know what it will be like losing another one?"Her voice was breaking. The strong mother façade she had all the time since the accident was breaking. It was unbearable for Jace.

"Madeleine, hear me out. He may mean nothing to you guys. Just another kid with problems. But he is my kid with problems. I love him. If you take him away . . . I won't be able to hold it. I will go crazy! I'm trying to be strong but—" She was cut off by the other person. Something the woman said made Maryse's blood boil. Her cheeks flushed and she narrowed her eyes.

"I give a damn what the company thinks that is happening to Robert and me! There is no evidence of us not trying our best for our children!" There was a muffled response from the person, Madeleine, because Maryse went off on her. "Jace is my child too! I have learned to care for him. To love him. He is mine just as Isabelle and Alec are mine! He may not have my blood, but he has my heart! You won't take him. I swear to everything almighty. You. Won't. Take. Him!"

She hung up and stomped her foot against the floor and huffed. She threw herself in the bench and rested her elbows on her legs and ran her hands through her hair, tugging it out every once in a while.

Alec and Jace just stood there, paralyzed by what they had heard. They may have not heard the other side of the conversation, but just Maryse's words were enough to put two and two.

Jace knew that it had to happen since they had denied the adoption demand many times. They liked to argue that if they could have kids, why did they want another one? They never understood, so they came up with an agreement: Jace could live with them, but if anything happened, he would be sent back. Apparently that "anything" had been Max's death.

What he couldn't understand was; Why now? He actually liked his life in New York. And he couldn't deny that it had to do with a certain redhead.

He needed to think. Right now, with Alec next to him and Maryse worrying; he couldn't breathe. He needed to walk away.

He started moving, away from Alec and past Maryse. He heard them calling his name, but he was not turning around. He got out his phone and dialed. He couldn't think straight, couldn't comprehend why it was happening now. At the moment, Jace only knew one thing:

Child Support wanted to take him back.

o.8.o

Clary never thought she would suffer just about enough as right now. She promised herself never to get dragged by Isabelle shopping. Never. Again.

"Clary," Isabelle gasped and her eyes widened, "do you see what I see?" Clary raised her eyebrows and followed Izzy's gaze to a shop's window. There were two things that Isabelle could be looking at; either the really cute guy with the dimples that was looking at her flirtatiously or the pair of brown, laced boots that where in display.

"I could be . . . Mind to elaborate on your findings?" Clary asked trying to rid herself of Isabelle's iron grip on her wrist. Isabelle let her go and started walking rather rapidly towards both the boy and boots.

Clary looked up as the boy's eyes widened and he started checking himself to see if he looked presentable. But just his luck, Isabelle went straight for the boots. Clary rolled her eyes and walked to stand next to Isabelle who was already trying on the boots, which were mysteriously her size.

Clary looked up at the boy who had a funny look on his face. He turned to Clary, who just shrugged to him. He reciprocated the movement and walked away, but not before winking at her. Clary frowned and shook her head. Boys, she thought.

"Wow . . . they look incredible! Don't you think they would go great with that pair of beige shorts I just bought?" She was looking at the shoes from the mirror, admiring the four inch heel.

Clary titled her head to the side. "Actually, I think they would look good with that flower patterned dress you bought. It would show a sort of hardcore look to the girly dress, don't you think?" Isabelle copied Clary's movement.

"I like that idea . . ." Isabelle grinned and turned to look at Clary. "Since when are you the fashion counselor?"

"I've been converted to the fashion world since you came to school with a different outfit every day." Clary winked. "I can't help checking you out, babe." Isabelle laughed.

"Glad to know I'm not the only one checking the other out." She laughed again and took off the boots. "I'm going get me these. Be right back, babe." Isabelle drawled the last word, making fun of Clary's wording. She just rolled her eyes and leaned against a shelf waiting for Isabelle to be back with yet another bag.

Clary jumped as her leg vibrated. She scolded herself for being so skittish while getting her phone out. She immediately started smiling as she read the caller ID. Jace. She flipped the phone open with a lingering smile on her lips.

"Hey."

"Clary. Where are you?" Clary frowned. He sounded different. Off. Agitated.

"At the mall with Isabelle. Jace, are you okay? You sound, I don't know, weird." She tried to not sound like she was prying or anything.

"Don't worry about it. I'll be at the food court in fifteen." He said with more urgency than before.

"Jace, wait, wh—" But she didn't finish because he had hung up. If Clary could raise a single eyebrow she would've done so. She frowned looking at the open phone in her palm.

"Who was that?" Clary jumped at Isabelle's voice. She was beside her, a new bag paired with the others.

"Uh, nobody."Clary closed her phone and put it back in her pocket.

"Really? You looked pretty shaken by the call." Isabelle said, arching her eyebrow. Clary narrowed her eyes internally.

"It was nothing." She said, before Isabelle could interrogate her once more, she proposed. "Are you hungry? Why don't we go get some Chinese?" Jace may have sounded weird, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to meet him.

Isabelle grinned. "Sounds great! Let's go!" She grabbed onto Clary's arm and dragged her quite rapidly towards the escalator that would lead them to the food court.

In less than ten minutes, both Isabelle and Clary were sitting down eating orange chicken and noodles. Isabelle was rambling about something to Clary. She wasn't listening though. She was looking at Isabelle, thinking about what her reaction would be if she knew about her relationship with Jace. Would it be one of excitement while she yelled, "Finally! You guys are such a cute couple!" Or . . . would it be one of terror? Would she scream and run away from their open-mouthed faces?

Clary shook her head. She was over thinking stuff. Besides, why would Isabelle be against them? It was her brother's happiness, no?

" —ut yeah!" Isabelle paused, looking at the table, "They didn't give us fortune cookies?" She raised an eyebrow to Clary. She saw that, indeed, they hadn't given them cookies.

Clary pushed herself off her chair. "I'll go get them." She smiled at Isabelle as she nodded. She made her way towards the line. She knew she didn't have to wait, but it would give her some time. Besides, Jace would be able to see her from here whenever he came.

"Clary? Is that you?" Clary frowned, but turned around nonetheless.

"Hey, Seb. What's up?" Clary tilted her head to see him better. He was smiling down at her, but it was quite uncomfortable for her in a way. She felt as if that smile could see through her. She shivered involuntarily.

"Nothing much, really. Just came for some food and saw your hair from over there at McDonalds. I decided to come say hi to you." He put his hand on top of her head on the wall behind her. Clary felt very conscious of how close they were, and of how he had her trapped.

"Well," her heartbeat was quickening, and not in the way she liked it, "you did so. It was nice seeing you." Clary tried to move away but Sebastian just blocked her way. His dark eyes had something in them, and Clary didn't like one bit of it.

"You see, Clary, you haven't realized how attractive you are. Fortunately for you, I have." He chuckled, his breath hitting Clary's eyelids. "How about you ditch whoever you are with and we go somewhere else, huh? I bet we could have a great time." His hand ghosted down her cheek and to her jaw. His hand was threatening to go even lower. Clary's eyes snapped up and tried to voice her demands, but his hand clamped her mouth shut. "No need to thank me, really."

She moved his hand away and narrowed her eyes. "Leave me alone, Sebastian." Her voice shook and Sebastian smiled wider.

"Playing hard to get, I see. I like it." He wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her smacking into his chest. Clary's hands went immediately to his shoulders and tried to push him away.

"I'm not playing around, Sebastian!" She said, her eyes wide with fear. "Stop touching me! Please!"

"Now, now. No need t—" But he didn't finish before another arm went around her waist from behind her and pulled her away from Sebastian.

"I'm going to break every single one of your fingers, Sebastian." His breath hit her exposed ear and made her shiver. Jace pushed her behind him, but kept her hand in his. Clary immediately felt relieved and got as close to him as possible. "Calm down, Clare. Everything will be okay. Aquí estoy yo."

Clary nodded into the back of his shirt. Jace was here. He had come and saved her. Jace was here. Jace was he—

o.8.o

Sebastian was laughing. The dumbshit was actually enjoying this! It made Jace's blood boil. "What's this about, Wayland? Rescuing damsels in distress?" He roared again, laughing bubbling in the depths of his eardrums.

"I suggest you shut the fuck up, Verlac. You'll end up worse than I was planning on." Jace felt a squeeze in his right hand; the one Clary was holding onto. He squeezed back and kept looking menacingly at Sebastian.

"And I suggest that you keep all that bullshit in your mouth. You should really stop getting in other people's business." His eyebrow was raised, as if he was amused at this whole thing.

"Clary's business is my business if it concerns a son of a bitch touching her." Because I'm the only one that can, he added mentally.

"Jace, let's just leave, yes? Sebastian can go to hell. Let's go." Clary tried pulling him away, but Jace was having none of it.

"And what? Let him do this again when I'm not around? I won't let this asshole touch you again. I don't care if I have to knock a few teeth out." He narrowed his eyes even more at Sebastian.

"Wow, Wayland. You sound like the jealous boyfriend of this bitch." Clary gasped. Sebastian laughed. Jace snapped. That's all he needed.

Apparently, that's all Clary needed too, because she squeezed his hand and let go with a quick, "Beat the sweet sugar in tea out of him, Jace." That caused Jace to smirk as he started walking towards Sebastian slowly.

"Maybe," Jace spoke softly, very close to Sebastian, "I sound like that because I am her boyfriend." Sebastian raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to say something, but it was too late.

Jace's fist connected sharply with Sebastian's jaw. The sharp blow sent Sebastian sprawling on the floor. A few gasps were heard from the crowd of lookers. His eyes were wide and his hand was wiping a trail of blood coming from his mouth. Jace smirked. "And don't you dare call Clary a bitch when you are just trying to describe yourself, you choad sucker."

Jace started walking back to where Clary was. Her eyes were wide open, but her mouth was in an easy half smile that slowly developed into a full blown grin. Jace mimicked her grin and looked back to Sebastian.

He was standing up, looking serious for once. Jace turned to face him. "Do you think you are getting away with that?" Sebastian asked. His eyes were ablaze with anger. "No. Way. In. Hell!"

He made to punch Jace in the stomach, but Jace easily blocked it with his right hand and hit him on the ribs with his other hand. Meanwhile, Jace's leg was already in his abdomen, knocking the air out of him. He fell on the floor hard, gasping for air.

Jace kneeled down besides him. He looked up at Jace in fear. Jace smirked. "Don't worry, I'm done with you." He paused. "Just know that if you ever, ever try to hurt—or even talk to Clary—you'll get it even worse." Jace got up and walked back to where Clary was waiting. She was biting her lip while looking at Sebastian on the floor. When he was close enough, she looked up.

"Will he be okay?" She asked. Jace laughed shortly.

"Yeah. I didn't even hit him that hard. Don't worry about it. He deserved it." He said, grabbing her hand and entwining his fingers through hers.

"Like hell he did! Did you hear what he called me?" He laughed.

"And I punched him hard for it." He looked back to see Sebastian being carried away by two guys. He turned his attention back to the short girl. She was grinning and shaking his head at him.

"I know I should be scolding you about how I can take care of myself and stuff, but . . ." she sighed, closing her eyes and opening them so he could see the green sparkling darkly with lust, "that was hot!" He threw his head back and laughed.

His hands started wandering to her red hair, curls curling in his fingers. He grabbed her face and kissed her. She responded immediately letting her hands travel up his torso and to the nape of his neck.

"Clary! What is taking so l—" It was Isabelle, Jace knew it. Clary broke away first. Jace turned his head slowly to look at his sister.

"Hey, Iz!" He called out, waving at her. She didn't respond, just stared from Clary to him. She was frowning, like she couldn't really understand what was going on.

"I . . . I thought you were going for fortune cookies, Clary." Jace heard Clary sighing next to him.

"Well, Izzy, I thought so too." Clary said, making Jace smirk. Isabelle just narrowed her eyes at Jace.

"What is going on, Clary?" She asked with a cold expression. Jace hated when she did that.

"I just punched Sebastian. You totally missed it, Iz." Jace responded. Isabelle just looked at him again and raised a finger to him.

"I'm not talking to you, Jace." She turned back to Clary. "Clary?"

"Jace and I were kissing. That's what was going on. Happy?" Isabelle narrowed her eyes at Clary. Jace looked at Clary with shock. He didn't think Clary would be so forward about it. Isabelle groaned and turned to Jace.

"You punched Sebastian? How the hell did I miss that?" Jace laughed. Isabelle never liked missing a good beating. Clary looked from one to the other with wide eyes.

"Oh, well." She said, and grabbed Jace's hand. "How about we get out of here?" Isabelle was already nodding.

"That sounds good." She started going back for the bags that she had left in the table, but not before flicking her dark hair over her shoulder. Jace chuckled as he saw Clary with a frown. She turned to him.

"I will never understand her. I swear." He squeezed her hand.

"Almost ten years with her and I haven't either." That's when his smiled faltered. He remembered why he had come here first of all.

"Jace, what's wrong?" He looked down at her. Her green eyes were preoccupied. He sighed as he saw Isabelle walking towards them. He waited for her to be with them. Isabelle saw their faces and immediately knew something was up.

"What's up with you guys?" She raised an eyebrow. She turned to Jace.

"Child Support called Maryse." Isabelle's shopping bags fell to the floor and her hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes were watering.

"No," she whispered. Clary looked confused.

"What in the name of Science is going on?" Jace squeezed her hand.

"They want me back."

So sorry for the long wait! I wanted to update on Sunday, my birthday, but I couldn't finish it. I want to update this before next Saturday, but if it's not possible, I swear there will be an update on Saturday! The fight scene is dedicated to ShadowhuntingMundie who asked me for it a while ago . . . :D I hope you guys liked this chapter.

IMPORTANT! READ! There is a poll in my page. The response from it may affect the story or not. This is to see what you guys think and if it needs another, persay, twist? ;D

TRANSLATIONS:

"Aquí estoy yo." — I'm here.

So even though I TOTALLY don't deserve it, it would motivate me to write. ;DD Persuasion is doing it's magic again! :D So, you know . . .

Review? ;D