Well hellllooooo there! Next chapter. Since it's 3am, I'll keep this brief- thank you for all the lovely reviews, like seriously, they rock my socks off. I hope you love this chapter as well and drop some more reviews! Next up sooooon x

Jace's yelling rouses me from my sleep. My head won't stop pounding and my stomach churns like acid. Oh god, I feel like I might throw up.

At the end of the bed, stood before the mirror with his phone pressed against his ear is Jace. He's pulled on a pair of boxers, but that's it. The massive angel wings on his back flicker in the light, the feathers almost rustling.

My body feels slow and sluggish, but everytime I move, a sharp, searing pain shoots through my abdomen like a red hot poker.

"I don't fucking care, Magnus! Your shit didn't just get a few people high, it was a lot fucking stronger than that! Do you know what you've done to me, huh? And to Clary? You better fucking hope I don't tell Jonathan about Clary, what I've done to her. Because you won't live to see Christmas, I assure you."

Done to me? Oh, last night.

When I twist my hips a little, gathering up more duvet, they sting and throb, a gasp of pain escaping me before I can stop it. Jace instantly spins around and I detect a hint of fear about his eyes. He instantly ends the call and asks "Clary? Are you okay-? Shit…" he drags a hand through his tangled hair, eyes widening. "Fucking shit shit shit-!"

"What did you mean with Magnus?" I ask, gingerly sitting up. My cheeks burst into flame when I realize I'm still naked. I clear my throat, tugging the duvet over my chest

Jace's jaw clenches. "The smoke, when we were dancing last night. Magnus's little bitches got the dose wrong and well, you saw us both."

"There were drugs in the smoke?" my heart thuds hollowly within my chest. Jace's expression twists into one of loathing, but he nods. "I don't even know what to say, Clary. Last night… I want to take it back. So, so badly."

That hurts me more than it should. "What, the fact we had sex?"

"Yes."

"Oh." Ouch.

Jace freezes up, realizing. "Christ, not in that way Clary. I don't regret having sex with you, I just… I…" he suddenly snarls, aiming a kick at the bedpost, exploding with "I feel like a fucking monster-! I didn't want your first time with me, or with anyone, to be like that. I didn't just take your innocence, I annihilated it and didn't even pause to blink when you asked me to stop." He sinks down onto the bed, his back facing me with his head in his hands. "I should have realized what was happening," Jace says quietly. "I should have found that extra ounce of willpower from somewhere and left before things went too far."

When I glance to the window, the curtains are askew and it's raining. Even the weather is miserable.

He was blaming himself too much when this is my fault as well. Who had instigated last night, meaning it or not? I had. Jace shouldn't blame himself like this, it's not right.

Embarrassment settles over me as I push the covers off, but then I remind myself that Jace saw everything last night, and pretty literally.

And then I stop dead, eyes widening in horror at the sight of myself in the mirror behind Jace. My eyes sweep downwards to my hips where purplish bruises have formed in the shape of long, thin fingers. Jace's fingers from where he'd held me down. There's a fucking thing on my neck from where Jace has been as well, plus a few red marks on my breasts that look like Jace's lips have been there.

So this is what he means by what he's 'done to me.'

Jace watches my reflection in the mirror, his eyes dark and regretful. I can still see fear there as well, as if he's scared to be around me. He swallows hard at the sight of me, then looks away as if he's ashamed to look.

"Here" he says gruffly, still not looking at me as he offers me a plain black t-shirt of his. It's too big, but I don't really care. As soon as I pull it on over my head, I wrap my arms around Jace's shoulders from behind, telling him gently "I know everything is not fine, but don't beat yourself up. Please? You are not the bad guy here. We got… high, and things went too far. It happens Jace, and you know that as well as I do."

"Yeah, but I should have been able to stop myself. And I couldn't. I gladly embraced that other bastard and ravished you."

There's no way in hell he's going to stop feeling guilty about this for a long, long time.

"You're acting like I hated it" I frown now. "Yeah it hurt in the beginning, but I had fun. Didn't you have fun? I'm pretty sure you did."

A pause and Jace clears his throat, avoiding my eyes. "Yeah, I had fun. I just wish I could feel better about it. And I wish we'd thought of protection, because Christ, Clary… that was a lot of unprotected sex. If I got you pregnant, I'd never forgive myself. Never." His tortured expression is back and I can't stand it no more. I rise to my feet, standing before him. "Jace, just shut up for one moment okay?" I lean up on tiptoes, pressing my lips gently to his own. My lips tingle when they touch his, remembering them from last night. Jace sighs and raises a hand, smoothing my hair back. "Things are fucked up, huh?"

I nod, winding my arms around his waist, pressing my cheek to his chest. "Just a little."

For most of the day, we're curled up together on Jace's bed, my cheek still on his chest. It's a far cry from last night. When Jace yells for Maia to go to the nearest decent store and fetch a pack of morning-after pills, I think she has a seizure.

"Hell no! Not after the way you both kept me awake until almost five in the morning with the moaning and the bus rocking."

In the end she gives in, but makes a show of slamming the bus door on the way out. The pills taste like shit when she returns and tosses me the packet, but it's better than little Jace popping up into our lives. That's the last thing either of us need.

Last night had been amazing once the initial pain had subsided. No wonder girls flocked to Jace. With fingers and skills like that, I don't actually blame them.

When it's time for Jace to practice his songs for the show in a few days, he forgets the lyrics constantly and his heart just isn't in it. Everytime I wander near him, his eyes instantly flicker away from me, his body tensing as he suppresses a flinch. He's not doing this to offend me, or to push me away. Jace is genuinely scared he might hurt me again.

After his second failed attempt at practicing, I offer him something that might help. He needs to talk to someone, and not me.

"Clary," Jace groans, setting down his guitar. "I talk to a shrink enough at home. Going to one just for today isn't going to help."

"Please? You're going to mess up your night and I don't want that to happen. You're an amazing singer and performer and if I hadn't come along on this trip, you would have been fine. This is my fault."

Jace touches my cheek gently with a hand. "It's not your fault. At all. Cheesy line alert, but you make me feel so much better. You really do. I swear when this tour is over, we'll be a real couple. Not this… stressed thing we have going on right now. And if you ever want to try again, you know, well that's your choice."

There are no words that can describe how Jace makes me feel. They just aren't enough. All the words in the would wouldn't be enough to convey the care I felt for him. The growing love.

I don't kiss Jace. Instead, I do something much simpler- I throw my arms around him, hugging him tight with my eyes closing. Jace presses a kiss to the top of my head, hugging me back.

This evening, Jace has an event to attend in Miami. A proper event where he has to sit at a table and meet his fans, signing their posters or CDs.

"I don't really see the point of this" he admits, pulling on his NORMAL PEOPLE SCARE ME t-shirt over his head, covering up those delicious abs. "My CD hasn't even been started yet. Some songs haven't even been finalized. Well, the lyrics. Publicity stunt I guess. Damn my hands are gonna hurt after this." Jace sighs. "If I didn't love my fans, I'd tell Magnus to shove this up his ass. But some on Twitter told me that they're coming to America from Britain just for this. It's insane! I don't understand how they can call me their 'idol.' Magnus didn't even tell me about this until this morning. He's pushing it very fucking fine."

Jace has the best fans ever. "They know how strong you are. That's why they love you. Well… that and your abs. And ass. Them too."

A chuckle and Jace cocks a brow. "My ass huh? They can look, but you can touch." He flashes me a wink. "By the way, before we go, I need to get my hair trimmed-" Jace runs a hand through his hair and it really is getting quite long, almost brushing his shoulders. He reminds me of Seth from the Covenant series. Maybe Jace has some hidden Apollyon marks somewhere. Probably on his dick knowing him.

While Jace heads off and gets his hair cut, I snuggle under his duvet with a book. I'm on such a Jennifer Armentrout kick lately, but I can't help it- she's such an amazing writer it makes me envious. The one in my hands is her newest, White Hot Kiss. Damn it's hot as hell… as per usual. Roth is like the lovechild of Daemon Black and Seth. Only more demonic.

Jace's bed smells like him. Of expensive cologne and well, man. And yummy man at that. I can't help but set my book aside just so I can roll around under the covers for the hell of it, luxuriating in the feel of Jace's soft mattress. That fucker is memory foam for sure.

"I hope to god you're not playing with yourself right now."

I scream in surprise at the sudden voice, tangling myself up in the covers in my haste to get out of them. I'm wearing a vest and shorts, hardly naked. Although, I don't have a bra on. And the bus is cold after all. Basically my nipples are on the verge of going hi there.

Jonathan just stares down at me. "You get off on rolling around in Jace's bed?"

What is he doing here-? Fuck, my bruises-! I shimmy under the covers, tugging them to under my chin. "Not your business. And why… how can you be here? This is Miami."

"Well the Shadowhunters have a signing later on. Didn't Jace tell you?"

Oh hell. I don't think Jace knows that it's not just him, but Jonathan and I presume the Lightwoods as well.

I shake my head. "Jace is under the impression that this is a publicity stunt for him. He's not going to be very happy."

Jonathan suddenly frowns. "What's that on your neck? Looks like a bruise?"

My cheeks flush and I tug the covers up higher, just over my chin. "It's not a bruise, exactly."

And then Jonathan's expression grows cold. "I saw the pictures from last night. You both looked high. Were you?"

There's no point in lying. Not to Jonathan. "Yeah, we were."

"And are you aware that people think Jace is abusing you? And from that… mark on your neck and why you're acting so fucking jumpy, I'm starting to wonder."

I shove the covers aside and stand up. You can't see all of the bruises, but that's not the point. "What me and Jace do is none of your business. And he has never intentionally hurt me. Never."

"Oh? What about unintentionally?"

I ignore him. "I'm eighteen. An adult. These are my choices. Mine. If I want to have sex with Jace, I will." Great. He's made me admit that without me even thinking twice about it.

Jonathan cocks a brow. "So you have slept with him?"

"No, we play chess instead (!)"

"Must have been one hell of an intense game." A muscle in his cheek twitches sharply. "This is Magnus's fault right? If you both got so high, I know it's his fault." Jonathan's hand balls into a fist. "I'm going to punch him so hard in the face when I see him again."

"What do you mean by people think Jace is hurting me?"

My brother shrugs, collapsing onto the bed and kicking off his boots. "The social networking sites, duh. And magazines. You're both the hottest new thing and they're always guessing if you're together or not. At the moment, they're saying No. They'll figure out they're wrong soon enough."

It makes me feel sick, the idea that thousands of people, maybe millions are talking about me and Jace. About our relationship.

Jonathan yawns, rumpling up his white-blond hair. "My little sister is becoming so famous and she doesn't even know. It makes me laugh."

I blanch. "I'm not famous. I'm Jace's girlfriend, that's all."

My brother sniggers. "You're the daughter of Valentine and Jocelyn Morgenstern, and my sister. You little idiot, you were born famous, but chose not to use that to your advantage."

"Like you?"

"Like me." Jonathan groans lightly, rubbing at the back of his neck. "I should head back downstairs. I need to see Izzy." He gets up with a sigh, looking like he has a shit-ton on his mind. I can't help but frown. "Are you okay? You and Izzy?"

Jonathan tenses up the slightest of fractions, his jaw setting. If you didn't know him as well as me, you would think him pissed off at the question. But he's not. He's worried.

"We're fine" he assures me. "Really, we are fine. Just… we have this issue."

"What issue?"

Jonathan opens his mouth to speak but then closes it with a sigh, shaking his head. "Forget it. You'll know soon enough. The world will know soon enough." He looks like he's in agony, which just doesn't happen with my brother.

"Jonathan, what-?"

"Forget it Clary! Just… forget it." And then he's gone, leaving me utterly confused.

When Jace comes back, I half expect yelling to be his greeting. But there's nothing. He knocks on my bedroom door where I'm laid out reading before walking in. I set my book down, gazing over at him appreciatively; Jace's hair is much shorter now, but still long enough to be tied back. It makes him look even more beautiful and rugged. His grin usually lights up the bedroom, but now, it's not there. He closes the door, his face a frown. Jace jerks a thumb behind him at the door. "Did you know about this? That it's a The Shadowhunters thing?"

I shake my head, sitting up with my legs crossed. "No. I was surprised as well. Are you going to back out?"

Jace pauses, but shakes his head. "No. That wouldn't be fair on the people coming. I couldn't be that cruel." He runs a hand through his hair with a sigh. "I need a cigarette."

"I'll come with you. I want some fresh air."

Isabelle is curled up on the sofa when we descend the stairs, her hair splayed out on the cushions. There's a black leather jacket draped over her like a blanket. Jonathans. We tiptoe so we don't wake her up, closing the door with only the softest of thuds.

A little walk away from the bus and there's a picnic bench. It's a faded brown and well-worn with damp patches from the rainfall. The screws are looser than old Jace's morals. We perch on the seats, Jace lighting up a cigarette and gazing across the road where you can see a sliver of turquoise ocean. He takes a long drag, saying nothing until he's finished it. "I can't look at Miami the same way now. All I see are bad memories." He raises a hand, brushing his fingers across my cheek gently with sadness prominent in his eyes. "I just wanna stop hurting you."

He's blaming himself again. I sigh and lean forwards, cupping his own cheek as I steal a kiss from his lips. "You need to chill out."

"I'm chilled" he assures me, pulling out yet another cigarette. "Seriously. I'm fine."

I fold my arms, eyes narrowing at his cigarette. "One was enough Jace. Put it away." A pause and he grudgingly slides it back into his pocket. At least I'm a good-ish influence on him.

His show is in two days time. I don't want him high for it.

Jace gets to his feet and holds out his hand for me to take. "Come on. I want to try practicing again. Showtime in two days."

I take it instantly, allowing him to pull me to my feet.

For the next few hours, Jace practices. And compared to the disaster of this morning, he's amazing.

"Give me another" Jace grins, microphone in hand as he stands in the middle of the stage. We're playing a game where I pick the song and he sings it. So far, we've had Coldplay, Take That, Paramore and so many others I've lost track.

"Actually," Jace starts, setting down the microphone, "no." he wanders over to the side of the stage and pushes a piano onto it, dragging the stool out afterwards. When Jace takes a seat, he pats the space next to him "Sit" he tells me. The seat is covered in soft velvet the color of blood. Jace opens the lid of the piano, the keys ivory and the deepest black underneath. His slim fingers move over them, seeking out the ones he needs.

And then he begins to play.

For a little while, the soft melody rises and falls in such a beautiful way I lose myself within it. Jace has such amazing talent with a piano. I watch his expression in silence; he's concentrating on the keys with the smallest of smiles on his lips. And then his lips part as he starts to sing. My heart splutters at the familiar lyrics. It's a Hedley song. I Won't Let You Go.

And he's singing it to me.

And even if it sounds crazy darling I won't let you go
And even if it don't stop raining darling I won't let you go
And even if the world's burning darling I won't let you go
Even if it sounds crazy darling I won't let you go.

"You can be disgustingly cute" I tell him quietly when he's finished.

Jace's eyes twinkle playfully, prodding at a key randomly. "You loved it. I saw it in your face."

I can't help but giggle. "You're a rocker, covered in tattoos… and you're singing me love songs? It's a little funny."

"Love changes us all, Clarissa." Jace leans down, pressing his lips to my forehead. "You have no idea of how special you are. Do you remember me telling you about… the anchor?"

"Yes?"

A pause and "you were my anchor. I didn't love you or have feelings for you back then, none at all. But I was horrified at myself for hurting you. I kept thinking about you the entire thing. I promised myself that… I'd make it up to you. Somehow. I think I told you that already."

I just stare at him, completely and utterly in shock. My heart is beating faster than a galloping horse. Was this true-? "Me?"

Jace nods, taking one of my hands and tracing his thumb over the top of it. "Yes. You. Even before I loved you, you were changing my life for the better. And every time I hurt you, I curse myself."

"This is adorable and all, but we have an event to get to."

Jace groans at the new voice, closing his eyes and rubbing at his forehead lightly. "Well, well. You may have the worst timing since Napoleon decided the dead of winter was the right moment to invade Russia."

Jonathan snorts in laughter, folding his arms across his chest. "If you're quite done eyefucking my sister, we have to go. Are you coming Clarissa?"

I nod, rising to my feet. When I walk down the steps where Jonathan is stood, I scowl and slap his arm, hissing out "you have the shittest timing ever."

Jonathan sniggers as I push past.

When it's time to head to the store where this event is taking place, I'm made to sit between Jonathan and Jace in the back of the car. Feeling distinctly squashed, I ask them both in a disgruntled voice "aren't you both supposed to be famous? Why are we crammed into the back of a damn car when Alec has one all to himself?"

Isabelle in the front seat turns and smiles sweetly at us three. "Because why not? It's been so long since we've all done something like this. Sorry about tricking you Jace, but you never would have consented to come if you knew about this."

Jace tries to gain some nonexistent space. "Why are we even doing this together? We're not a band anymore."

"You didn't have to remind me" Isabelle mutters before clearing her throat. "Magnus thinks we need to do some 'team bonding'"

Jonathan whips his head around to the front. "Excuse me? This is sounding like some shit way to try and reform us. Where did you hear about this from?"

With a shrug and shifty eyes, Isabelle says "Alec and Magnus are together. And Alec is my brother. He… tells me things."

Jonathan's face twists into a smirk. "What? Like if he's on top, or Magnus is?"

Jace looks like he might throw him out of the car.

When we arrive, Jonathan leans forward and whispers something into the driver's ear. He nods and gets out of the car with Isabelle in tow. But the locks in the back stay firmly closed.

Jonathan clears his throat, glancing out of the window- we're parked at the back of a store from the look of it. Night has fallen and I can only just make out my brother and Jace's face.

"We –Isabelle and I- we wanted you to know before the press got wind of it and twisted it around." Jonathan takes a deep breath. "Izzy's… pregnant."

The silence in the car deafens me. And then Jace shifts next to me. "Are you serious?"

Jonathan nods once. "As a heart attack."

Jace's voice is cold. "She's eighteen, Jonathan. Fucking eighteen-!"

"She's still an adult" Jonathan retorts sharply, looking anywhere but at us both. "It was an accident. We were just… messing around. We never dreamed-"

"You fucking idiot!" Jace yells almost directly into my ear, causing me to flinch. "How could you?!"

"How far along is she?" My voice is quieter than Jace's. I'm in too much shock to process the fact I'm going to be an aunt.

Jonathan runs a hand through his hair. "Just over three months."

I laugh at that. "She didn't notice her missing periods?"

"Oh she knew. She was just scared about telling me. She's know for a few months now. And I found out back in New York."

The arguing back at home. This is what it had been about?

Jonathan tugs at the door locks, opening them. "The press are going to realize soon when they see how big Izzy is getting. We're keeping them in the dark as long as we can. Okay? Can I trust you both?"

"I'm your sister" I tell Jonathan slowly, disbelieved. "You know you can trust me."

Jace says nothing. He slides out of the car and leaves the door wide open as he stalks off.

"He'll come around" I assure Jonathan. He nods, his eyes showing no light within their depths. Even in the light my brother's eyes show next to no emotion. "I know he will" Jonathan tells me. "He's just fucked off that I've knocked up his 'sister.'"

"I'm fucked off! Christ Jonathan-! Can you imagine mom and dad's reactions?! Dad is gonna flip and mom… well, she is gonna lose it big time. You're going to be a father, Jonathan! Why couldn't you just keep it in your fucking pants?!"

"Well Jace didn't, did he?! He's not a fucking angel, Clarissa."

"I know that!"

"Oh? Has your precious Jace told you about the bitch he got pregnant then, huh?!"

My world comes crashing down. Words fail me as I open my mouth. Even in this darkness, I can see that Jonathan has gone pale. "Sorry" he whispers. "That wasn't true. I just got mad."

My palm connects with my brother's cheek and his head snaps around from the force of it. Tears sting my eyes. "Don't you ever dare try that again. Just… never." I slide out of the open car door and hurry after Jace, wiping away the tears of anger as I go. He really is our father's son.

Jace is stood talking to Alec and Izzy when I walk inside, the store massive and the noise in the main area is loud even with walls between us.

"Have you been crying?" Isabelle asks with a frown, looking pretty in a long midnight blue dress. It's ruffled in a way that hides her stomach. I shake my head. "No. I'm fine." I force a smile onto my face. "Congratulations, by the way."

Isabelle's usual confidence is gone as she smiles faintly, her brows furrowed with worry. I don't blame her- being pregnant is probably the last thing she wanted.

And if she's this far along, it's obvious that she's keeping the baby. My brother is truly going to become a father. Fucking hell.

Jonathan walks into the room now, his sleeves pushed up to his elbows and his white-blond hair falling into his eyes. He looks wild. Untamed.

"Hey baby" he mutters to Isabelle, pressing a kiss to her cheek. She wrinkles her nose up. "'baby?' Did you seriously just say that?"

"Well it was that or 'beautiful one' and that sounds creepy on level one hundred."

"Alec-! What are you wearing?!"

I jump about a mile into the air at the newest voice. So does Alec, going beetroot red as he spins around. Magnus, everyone here's boss except mine, strolls forward, staring at Alec with his insane eyes wide. He's wearing an all red suit today with a purple tie and his hair spiked up. How the hell does he pull it off so well? Magnus wildly gestures at Alec. "I picked out that lovely suit and you come here wearing that disgusting rag-!"

Alec's face resembles a tomato by now. "It's not me" he tells Magnus, voice weak. He plucks at his shirt- an oversized dark blue jumper that matches his eyes perfectly. "This is me, Magnus."

Magnus's face pinches up into a look of something like pain. "But Alec-! You didn't even put the boots on-!"

And I thought me and Jace had problems. Isabelle smirks, slipping her hand into Jonathan's and tugs him away towards the throngs of people waiting for them in the front. As they pass through the faded dark green door, the crowd erupts into cheers and screams. It's obvious the pairing of Isabelle and Jonathan is a fan favorite. What about me and Jace?

Magnus seems flustered, but then he presses a hand into Alec's back. "Come on- out you go. I don't pay you to hide behind the scenes."

Alec cocks a brow. "Oh? I thought you paid me just because I'm your boyfriend (!)"

With a wave of his hand, Magnus shoos him towards the door. "I love you Alexander, but sometimes you make no sense at all and resemble Gollum from Lord of the Rings with those…clothes."

Jace clears his throat very lightly, disguising a laugh I'm certain.

"Should have bought in a book" I tell him when Magnus and Alec follow Izzy and Jonathan. Jace chuckles. "Why? You're coming out with me, duh."

"Don't 'duh' me. And what do you mean I'm coming out as well-? I look a mess! I have a t-shirt and a scarf on for gods sake." I take a deep breath. "I don't belong out there anyway."

Jace tilts his head slightly and raises a hand, tugging my hair down from its ponytail, arranging it around my shoulders. "You look beautiful Clary. And as for how you don't belong out there, bullshit. You belong at my side, no matter where that is. Plus you're incredibly sexy. Hell yeah I want you on my arm when I walk out there."

My cheeks burn red. He's such a flirt.

Jace holds out his arm, a teasing smile upon his lips. I shouldn't do this, take it, but I do.

People scream with renewed vigor when me and Jace step out. There's a long table set against the wall with five chairs set before it. After Jace waves at the crowd, he beckons the guard closer. "Get her a chair and set it on the end next to mine please."

"But she isn't supposed to be out here? It's store policy that-"

"I don't care," Jace interrupts, keeping a tight hold on me as I try to sneak away back into the other room. "I can leave if you want and ruin this whole thing?"

The guard says nothing for a start, his face impassable. Then, slowly, he turns around and vanishes to get another chair.

I slap Jace's arm harder than I mean to. "That was mean."

Jace shrugs. "I don't really care. Just tell me if anyone looks at you weird or anything. Signings can get a little crazy at times. Once, a woman stripped down to her bra and panties and dared me, tits in my face, to take her right there and then."

"Wow."

"I know. I like wild and unpredictable… but holy crap, even that is out of my league."

Finally. Something that is out of his league.

I'm frozen on the spot at the sight of so many people waving in our direction behind the barriers, taking our photos and brandishing CDs, photos and posters. Plus signs. One sign written in red says "I heart Jace." Another says "We miss the Shadowhunters :(" yes, there is a smiley face on the end of it. There's even one that basically says she wants Jonathan's babies. Sadly, Isabelle has beaten her to it. Their child is going to be ridiculously good looking. Six more months of cooking and then my brother is a father. Oh jeez. Is he even mature enough for this? The answer is No.

Jace gently tugs me over to my seat, settling down with me on his left, Isabelle on his right.

We start with a question and answer session. One person asks if The Shadowhunters are going to get back together. The answer makes everyone groan- no.

Another person asks my brother; "how long have you and Isabelle been together?" and then Jonathan promptly launches into the story of how they were childhood sweethearts. The crowd 'oohs' and 'awwhs' in the right places, obviously jealous of Isabelle and envious that she gets to sleep with my brother. Gross.

When the questions are over, including one asked of Jace 'what is your favorite sport?' "teasing Clary," it's time for the signing.

Jace twirls his pen around between his fingers, waiting for the first one to come to him. He's at the end of the table, so each person will meet him last.

Everyone Jace meets is different. Some are excitable and bouncy, babbling on about how they love Jace and are so honored to meet him. Others are more reserved. A few are literally so overwhelmed with meeting them they freeze up, eyes wide and their mouths wide open.

And most bizarrely, some stop to talk to me. And they're incredibly sweet, telling me how pretty I am, how they love my shirt (which says My Blog Is Better Than Your Vlog, by the way)

It's crazy, but fantastic, all these people talking to me. I feel like I belong, even though I have no musical talent or a member of the band. The atmosphere in this place is electric. Contagious.

Next up is a teenage girl with wide, excited eyes and a large IT'S MY BIRTHDAY badge on her chest. She clutches the album Alicanteto her chest, already signed by Jonathan, Alec and Isabelle, unable to look away from Jace. When I look at him, there's an amused expression on his face- the girl looks so intimidated, the poor thing.

"Hi-!" she squeaks, stepping up to the table. Jace's eyes fix themselves immediately upon her badge, a wide grin spreading across his face. "It's your birthday?"

She nods. "Yes."

"What's your name?" he reaches for the CD, taking a silver pen to it and signing it. "Kim" she tells him. When Jace hands her the CD back, he takes a deep breath… and then bursts out singing.

Yes. Jace is singing Happy Birthday to a fan. As soon as he stars, the others join in including myself. The girl, Kim, is in tears by the end of it. Jace flashes her a wink. "Happy Birthday sweetheart."

With a squeal of excitement, Kim runs back to her family and friends, squeaking with excitement. Jace can't stop grinning from the look on his face. He's so alive. So beautiful.

This is where he belongs. In the spotlight.

When it's over, we leave the room and wander around to the back room. Isabelle looks faintly green, as if she's going to be sick. Jonathan asks her something quietly and she nods. With a sigh, my brother bends down and hoists her up into his arms. Isabelle opens her mouth to protest, but Jonathan warns her "no. Don't." She gives in and allows Jonathan to walk out of the room, she still in his arms.

"She doesn't feel so good" Jace tells me, zipping up his jacket. "Normally after these signings, we stay behind for longer to thank the staff and so on. But because of her, we have to go early." He doesn't sound annoyed. If anything, Jace is in an incredibly good mood. His smile hasn't vanished since it began and even now, it won't fade.

"They loved you!" Jace exclaims, taking me by surprise as he lifts me off my feet, spinning me around in circles.

"Put me down! I'll puke on you, I swear it!"

When Jace puts me down, we're both laughing so hard our throats are hurting, clinging to each other for support. This is the real Jace. The gorgeous, vibrant boy.

"Finally! I've been waiting forever."

And then Jace's smile fades, his laughter dying away like my own. "Aline? What are you doing here?"

The girls arms are folded, expression almost livid. "You've been avoiding me and we need to talk."

"Not here. Not now" Jace tells her coldly. "Why are you even here?"

Aline's gaze flickers to me and she makes a show of looking me up and down. "Ah, the famous Morgenstern skank. What are you famous for, exactly? Because I certainly have no idea. The talent gene obviously skipped you."

Her vicious words and tone takes me by surprise. "Excuse me?"

"Run along little girl. I need a word with Jace. Do you know what private is?"

Jace catches hold of Aline's wrist, growling quietly. "Don't start" he warns her quietly. "We've both started new lives. I'm not the same man anymore, Aline."

"Stay away from him" I snarl at Aline, taking a step forwards. Anger courses through my veins, but also jealousy. "You can stop paying surprise visits to Jace. He's not your fuck buddy anymore."

Aline's blinks a few times. "What? What are you talking about?"

"Feign the innocence all you want, whore.'

Jace grabs my arm and yanks me close, his eyes solid gold. "Clary. Go outside with the others. I won't be a minute, okay?" he lets me go, taking a deep breath. "Please?'

He's literally pleading with me. With one last glare at Aline Penhallow, I turn away and stalk out of the room.

When I get into the car, only Jonathan is there. "Izzy went with Magnus and Alec. More room" he tells me. I nod curtly, snapping my seatbelt into place with my teeth clenched in anger.

"What's wrong with you?" Jonathan asks. "Are you still pissed at me? Look- I'm sorry okay? It just slipped out."

"Aline Penhallow is here, talking to Jace."

"I- what? Here? But she lives in New York?" Jonathan sounds almost flustered. But before he can say anything else, Jace slips into the front seat, slamming the door shut behind him. The driver hasn't returned yet, and it's pitch black with the nearest streetlamp flickering.

"Jace," Jonathan says quietly. "I want a word."

"Not right now Jon."

"We're going to have this talk right now while it's just us three. I just want you to know that if you break my sister's heart, I'll break your face. I will destroy you." He doesn't sound like he's joking either.

Jace says nothing for a moment, but then nods. "I don't intend on ever breaking her heart. But if I do, I'll gladly let you punch me."

Jonathan nods a little. "Good. I'm glad we're on the same page." It's a good job the driver returns, because I have no idea what to say. Jace and Jonathan are agreeing on something. Me. That doesn't happen often at all.

Hopefully, this is the start of their friendship being mended.

It turns out that Jonathan and the others are staying with us the night and the next. In fact, they're staying for Jace's Miami show and coming with us to Atlanta. When there, they plan to catch the train back to New York rather than drive the entire way.

It's well past midnight when we get back to the bus at last. I can't stop yawning. With Magnus staying the night, there aren't enough beds even with Isabelle sharing with Jonathan, and Magnus sharing with Alec. I offer to sleep on the sofa, but Jace refuses point-blank to let me.

"You can't have the sofa" Jonathan calls to us as he makes his way upstairs to Isabelle. "Maia and Jordan need it since we're taking their room." And then Jonathan stops dead. "You both have had sex. Why aren't you sharing the same bed? It's no big deal, is it?'

My cheeks flush. "I don't know-"

"After last night, I don't dare" Jace interrupts. "I'm not risking it… hurting her."

Jonathan chuckles, turning back to the stairs. "You've changed, Jace."

"Not enough" Jace mutters to himself more than anyone.

I rub at my eyes, groaning lightly with another yawn forcing itself out of me. "Come on, let's go to bed. We'll both be fully clothed and we won't even be touching the bed is that big." I follow Jonathan up the stairs, making my way along the hallway to Jace's room, slipping inside. It's still a mess from the previous night. My body still hurts as well in a few places. When I take off my scarf, I touch the bruise at my neck, rolling my eyes. Fucking love bites. Even the name sounds gross. How is… this, a 'love' bite? Whoever named it that should be tossed out a window.

I kick off my boots and dump them at the foot of the bed. When Jace comes in, I'm already under the covers in the same shirt and pants, my socks on as well.

"Come to bed" I sigh sleepily, my brain feeling all fuzzy and my eyes heavy with tiredness. Jace takes off his own boots and unbuckles his belt, dropping it to the floor. He turns the light off and slips under the covers next to me. Our legs brush and Jace freezes up. He's like a rigid block of stone. "Mmmn, relax" I mutter, slipping my arms around him, totally breaking the 'no touching' thing. Jace relaxes at my touch, winding his own arms around me and hugging me tight to his chest. A hand strokes my back gently, soothing me. Jace nuzzles his nose into my neck, his breathing steady and even. Legs tangle with my own and our bodies press against each other. Usually, this would be the start of some delicious torment wracking my body, urging me to peel Jace's clothes off and allow him to do the same to me.

Jace raises a hand and brushes my cheek gently with it. And then, so softly I almost miss it, he whispers "beautiful."

We fall asleep curled up with each other, utterly content.

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