A/N So I have a bunch of really big tests this week and all that stuff. Sorry it took me a while to update! I will not talk a lot in this authors note. Thank you for continuing you support with this story! I don't even know if any of you read these but thank you to those that do! Chapter title name from the song just give me a reason by Pink.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Mortal Instruments. Cassandra Claire does!

Clary's POV

I grind my teeth to keep from screaming. I don't want to show any weakness to these sleaze bags.

They continue to advance on me, stupid grins on their faces as they imagine all the unmentionable things they plan to do to me.

I am about to succumb to my want of screaming for help when someone beats me to it.

One of the guys stumbles and falls and behind him is a very menacing, angry looking Jace. I gape over at him. 'How the hell did he get here?'

Jace makes short work of beating each guy up, scowling at each one of them. Being drunk, the three idiots are easy to take down, so intoxicated that they almost fall over on their own, but not so drunk they can't fight back and a few good punches manage to hit Jace.

After all the guys are on the ground he grabs one and drags him up to snarl in his ear. I can't hear the words but they are enough to get my three attackers to retreat, nearly stumbling in their haste to retreat. Of course Jace would know how to fight. What next, lion taming, bear hunting, alligator wrestling?

Jace turns to me.

"Why would you come out to this part of town alone? In that I might add." He points at my dress.

"Why would you miraculously know where I was," I retort back.

"You didn't answer my question," he counters.

"And you didn't answer mine."

"Oh god Clary! Will you just answer my question all ready?" He is getting frustrated.

"I came out here without thinking. I just walked." I want to sound indignant and protesting but my words are slightly quitter than I would like. I am still shaken up about the three guys.

"Now that I answered your question, I want an answer to mine," I add as an after note.

"I followed you." I gape at him as he says it like it's a normal everyday habit.

"What, do you follow every girl you use?"

"No, only the good ones." He is joking now, a smirk on his face.

"That isn't even funny." I am still pissed at him.

"I'm sorry. I followed you because I wanted to tell you the real reason I was kissing Aline."

"You mean slut-bag extraordinaire? Doesn't take a genius to figure out why you were kissing her."

"No, honestly Clary, it isn't what you think." He is beginning to sound desperate. Please Clary; get over yourself, sounding desperate with you?

"Fine, try to explain yourself but I can't guarantee I will believe you."

"Good, but not here." He looks around at the cigarette butts and broken glass strewn across the filthy streets and cringes.

I couldn't agree more.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

We are back at the Lightwoods and the party is dying down. People are leaving slowly, tired and probably high off of something they found around the Lightwoods place.

We enter through the back door having walked there. Izzy is running around the living room trying to clean up empty cups and napkins.

She looks up as we walk in.

"You found Clary!" She smiles at Jace, a thousand watt smile that could blind someone.

She rushes over at me, enveloping me in a giant hug.

"I was so worried when I got your text about leaving. You just left so soon. I knew you didn't drive here and you would never call your parents to come pick you up when you were wearing that." She is rambling, her words moving so fast they are almost unintelligible.

"Why don't we help you clean up?" I cut her off mid ramble, trying to suppress her nervous chattering.

"That would be great. Damn kids and Alec leaving me on clean up duty." She scowls.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

We just finished cleaning up the living room when Jace grabs my arm and pulls me up to his room.

Upon entering I notice the lack of the lived in style. Everything is neat and tidy, the bed made and no clothes strewn across the floor.

"Are you sure you're a teenage boy? Like where's your secret stash of porn magazines," I throw at him, in a joking manner.

"You really wanna see them?" he jokes back.

I hit his arm and without warning flop on his bed, ruining his made sheets.

"God today was exhausting." I sigh in relief about being able to lie down.

I suddenly remember that we aren't best friends anymore and I can't just go and do that. I bolt up and off the bed, standing awkwardly and tugging nervously at the bottom of my dress.

"Maybe I'll go get changed really quick," I say sheepishly as I walk towards the door.

"Awww really? I rather liked you in that dress," he answers, an admittedly sexy smirk on his face.

"Shut up perv." I leave.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

I come back dressed in a pair of Izzy's pajama shorts and a tank top.

I sit awkwardly on his desk chair as he stares at me from across the room.

"So are you gonna tell me what happened, or are you going to make me beg?"

"I rather like the sound of that idea." He is smirking again.

"Forget I said that. Now say what you want to say or I am going to help Izzy clean up some more."

"Fine, fine. I left you in the library, fully intending to go and get you a drink when Aline found me at the snack bar." He pauses. Inhales.

"She asked if I liked you and I said it was none of her business. She started to try and kiss me but I pushed her back saying to get away. She was annoyingly persistent. Finally she resorted to saying if I kissed her just once than she would leave you alone. I knew you had said something about her not giving you a break and while I was thinking she just kissed me. I tried to pull away but she wouldn't let me. Honestly I am telling the truth Clary." Sincerity is dripping from his words.

I feel conflicted inside, a raging war against my messed up girl emotions.

"Ok what if I believe you?" I finally say.

"I would be super grateful and happy." He looks hopeful and my heart flutters against my chest.

Suddenly my inner bitch decides to make an appearance and squashes the fluttering under her black stiletto boot.

She reminds me of the fact he still kissed her.

"But then again, what if I don't?" I ask

His face immediately falls.

A/N Sorry again for not updating. Thanks for all the continuing support! See ya next time!