I know it has been forever and I am truly sorry.

I just haven't had any inspiration to write lately but I'm back

on track now. So I hope you enjoy this chapter, that is if your

still reading ;)

I would like to thank my wonderful beta Snad for helping me get back on track and making this chapter perfect!

Disclaimer: I don't own Mortal Instruments!

JPOV

I swear to God I'm going to kill him! Clary's brother had been taunting her throughout the whole trial; winking at her, smirking, just all around acting like a pompous ass. He reminds me too much of myself. No, no that was before; your better now. For Clary, because of her.

"The defense calls Clary to the stand," Hodge's rugged voice echoed in the courtroom. I looked a the back of Clary's head. I saw her took in a breath before placing her hands on the table in front of her and heaving herself up. She walked slowly over to the witness stand. She walked deliberately toward the stand, but never once did she flinch or hesitate, not even when she walked by her brother's table. That's my girl!

I watched as Hodge pulled some papers out of a file and briought them with him to the stand. "I have in my hand your file since you were put in the adoptive care system, may I give it a peek?" Hodge was really asking if it was okay if he could share its contents with the courtroom, but Clary got the message.

"Of course, it's not as if you haven't seen them before," Translation: Not like everyone here hasn't seen it.

"Great," Hodge said and looked down at the papers in his hands. "Let's see...it says here that you were put into the system at the age of nine, is that correct?" he asked.

"Yes," Clary said in a sad voice. I could tell that this whole ordeal was bringing up bad memories for her and it made me sick. Sick to my stomach knowing that she's already gone through so much and now she's being forced to relive all of it.

"You were also in foster care for a year before the Lightwoods found you?" Hodge asked in a kind voice.

"Yes, they adopted me when I was ten," Clary answered with appreciation.

"I see...Clary can you tell me what it was like being in foster care?" Hodge asked softly.

"Well...it wasn't totally horrible. I wasn't in a home where the guardians were mean or abusing or anything like that, its just... There were so many kids there and I felt so trapped, I guess. Then my brother left and I felt trapped and lonely," I could see tears forming in Clary's eyes and I was taken over by the sudden urge to sweep her into my arms and take her somewhere safe. Somewhere where she would never cry again.

"I'm sorry I have to bring up such sad memories for you Clary," Hodge said sincerely.

"It's alright," Clary said in a soft, but strong voice.

"How did you feel when the Lightwoods came to adopt you?"

"At first I was scared. I was so sure my brother was going to come back for me and I didn't want to be gone when he showed up," Clary started with a dazed look in her eyes like she was actually reliving it. "But then I met with them, Izzy and Alec were there and I just fell in love with them from the start. Mayrse and Robert were better than any parents I could ask for. And I guess they felt the same way about me because I soon found myself at their house with a room of my own," Clary finally finished with a smile while a tear escaped one of her eyes.

Hodge pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket it and handed it to her. Clary thanked him and used it to dab at her eyes. She started to give it back to him but Hodge put up a hand to stop her. She whispered another thank you. "No problem. How long have you been with the Lightwoods?"

"Six years," Clary said.

"And have they treated you well those six years?"

"More than well."

"Please elaborate," Hodge requested.

"Well, when I first went home, I felt slightly out of place. I feared that they would treat me differently because I wasn't their biological daughter. But then I met Jace," at this Clary looked directly at me, tears pooling in her eyes, but these weren't tears of sorrow. "he was also adopted by Mayrse and Robert. And I saw how much they loved him, not just like he was their real son, but because he is their real son," she gave me a smile and hard look, daring me to contradict her. The thing is though, the thought to argue that didn't even cross my mind. Which brought a smile to my own face.

Finally Clary looked back at Hodge. "As I am their real daughter."

You know they say there's a calm before a storm, but there certainly wasn't before this storm. In fact there was barely a millisecond before a chair screeched backwards and Jonathan was on his feet. "How dare you!" he exclaimed. "Do you really think so little of Mom and Dad that you would renounce them in place of those people!" he said with a particular look of disgust on his face when he said 'those people'.

"And how dare you?" Clary exclaimed, her eyes gleaming dangerously in a way I had never seen before. "How dare you come in here and tell me I'm the one renouncing our parents when you are going against anything they ever would have wanted for us. Do you think Mom would have wanted us to be fighting like this? To be together only by force on your part?" she asked.

"Dad would have wanted us to be together no matter what! Force or otherwise," Jon spat.

"Dad also wanted to leave us for dead after Mom died!" Clary yelled and that brought Jonathan up short.

Just in time too, as a gavel chose that moment to crack loudly against hard wood. "That is enough." Judge Herondale pronounced. "I have heard quite enough. Mr. Fray–"

"Morgenstern, I took my father's name," Jon said with steel in his voice.

"Mr. Morgenstern then, sit down. And Ms. Lightwood you may step down from the stand," the Judge said with a sour look on her face, most likely induced by being interrupted. At first I didn't know who she was talking to but realized since Clary was formally adopted by Mayrse and Robert the justice system would recognize he as a Lightwood. And with that realization, I realized that I too would be a Lightwood. I guess we got so caught up in using each other's surnames, that we didn't realize that they weren't actually our surnames anymore.

"But I haven't finished questioning-" Hodge started, but was cut off by the impatient Judge.

"I am well aware of where your line of questioning was going, Mr. Hodge. Now if you don't mind, I will be retiring to my quarters for a some reflection," She stood and all of us followed suit. "Court will adjourn for a ten minute recess and will reconvene at the specified time," with that she was off to God knows where.

Everyone stared after her helplessly, as if we couldn't believe that just happened. But it did, just like the rest of this crazy mess I wish we could just wake up from.

CPOV

At least I didn't have to do my little speech, I thought to myself as I slowly stepped down from the stand and made my way back toward the table.

"Well that could have gone worse," Hodge said sarcastically as soon as I made it.

"What are you saying? That we've lost?" Mayrse asked.

"No, I'm saying I don't know. Which can sometimes be worse," Hodge said resignedly.

Mayrse opened and closed her mouth quite a few times, like she wanted to say something but at the same time, didn't. I looked over at Robert who looked deep in thought with his and on his chin. Izzy and Alec were whispering to each other and Max was behind them trying to not-so-subtly eavesdropping. Everyone seemed involved with something. I didn't dare look at the plaintiff's table because I was afraid of the emotions that would bubble if I met eyes with my brother right now. So instead I rested my eyes on Jace. He was patiently watching me, trying to gouge my reaction to everything and at the same time convey love and support.

"I think I'm going to go outside for a little bit," I announced.

"I'll come with you," Jace said without hesitation and stood up.

"Make sure you're back in here in five minutes," Hodge said as we walked down the aisle and toward the double-doors leading to the exit.

Jace opened the door for me and we stepped out into the hallway. It was a neutral beige color and was bare for the most part. There were a few doors to the left and right of us and there was a couple talking in the far corner, probably about something dull seeing as they were both wearing gray suits with coffee in their hands.

I looked back at Jace. His golden hair was glowing in the dull light and his eyes looked like melted honey. He gave me a small smile and tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear. His hand lingered on my cheek and he slowly rubbed circles along the length of my jaw. I reveled in the feeling and allowed my body to relax under his touch.

"How are you?" he asked, finally cutting through the silence.

I didn't answer; I just through my arms around him and buried my face in the nape of his neck. I held on to him as tight as I could and Jace hugged me back with equal force. "I just want it to be over, Jace," I said into his chest.

"I know, I know," he said into my hair. "I wish I could take you away Clary. We could just leave and never look back. I wish I could make it so that you would never cry again, that you would only ever be happy. I love you," He whispered. He kept whispering sweet nothings in my ear and the hum of his voice so soothing and loving I couldn't help want to stay like this forever.

We stayed there for what seemed like hours but what was in actuality only a couple minutes. I pulled back from Jace's warm embrace and looked up at him. "We need to go back in," I whispered, still feeling like if I spoke to loud it would shatter the small bubble peace we managed to create.

"I know," he whispered back, equally soft.

I placed my hand in his and pushed the door open and we entered the courtroom once more. We walked down the aisle and when we reached the end I let go of Jace's hand and let him sit down on the bench as I went to go sit down at the table. Not a second after I sat down, Judge Herondale reentered the room and we all had to rise again.

"You may be seated," she said. We sat down and stared up at her, anxiously waiting for her to pass judgment on us. "I have taken my time to reflect on the situation and each involved parties point-of-view on the matter. I must admit it was a harder decision to make than I originally thought it would be," she took a short pause and pierced her eyes on everyone in the room. "But I have made a decision none the less and I will take no objections to my ruling and that is final. Now..." the whole entire room took a collective breath, as the speech wore all of us out. "Ms. Fray, I understand that you are very happy in your home right now and I can see why you would be reluctant to leave," hope filled me at that the sound of those words. "But," and just like that it was gone. "I feel that in order for you to make a proper decision on where you would be most happy, you must have the experience of both. So, I have decided that Mr. Morgenstern will be given temporary custody of Ms. Fray for the time span of three weeks. In which time Mr. Morgenstern is to prove to this court that he is capable of taking care of Ms. Fray. Also, Ms. Fray should do her best to adjust to the situation and keep an open mind, so that she may make a more educated decision on where she would like to keep a permanent residence until the age of eighteen. Ms. Fray will have twenty-four hours to pack items she chooses to take with her and will be officially be put in the custody of Mr. Morgenstern at twelve o' clock noon tomorrow. We will reconvene in court on three weeks from now at nine pm in order to settle Ms. Fray's permanent residence. Court adjourned," and just like that my whole entire life was shattered into a million pieces.

This doesn't make any sense; this was never supposed to happen. It wasn't supposed to real, there wasn't supposed to be any actual chance of losing. It wasn't an option because if we lost...

"Clary," I heard a voice say, I looked up to see the one person I actually loathe in the world right now.

"Jonathan," I said with disdain clear in my voice.

"Look, I know you're upset, but please try to give me a chance. I just want to reconnect with my baby sister," he said with smile as fake as Big Foot.

"I am not your baby sister."

Suddenly Jon's eyes hardened. "Think what you'd like, but you are my sister and this lowly excuse you have for a family can't change that," he spat at me. He turned to walk away but then hesitated. "You'd better be ready tomorrow, I won't wait for you to make sorry goodbyes to them," with that he was off.

I was suddenly furious. Where does he get off calling my family lowly. They never left me because they couldn't handle a death. They never left me because they couldn't get a hold of their temper. And they especially never spoke to me like that!

I turned to look at everyone and realized that while I was having my inner hate monologue, the people around me were set in motion. Izzy was trying to explain to Max what had just happened, Mayrse had started crying, no sobbing, on Robert's shoulder (who looked none the better, mind you) and Jace was kind of just staring of into space while Alec awkwardly patted him on the back.

Mayrse finally managed to calm down enough to lift her head off Robert's shoulder and take a step away. She walked up to me and gave me a hug. "It'll be alright sweety. It's only going to be for three weeks and I know you're strong enough to get through it.," she said. I hugged her back fiercely.

I took a step back when I just couldn't bear it anymore and looked over at Robert. He smiled at me affectionately and ruffled my hair. "You'll be okay, kiddo, I have confidence in you," he said. I know it doesn't sound like much but if you knew Robert the way I do, you'd know how much it meant.

"We'd best be on our way," Mayrse said.

I gathered my things and stepped into the aisle. Mayrse and Robert lead the pack in the front. Then came Izzy holding Max with Alec closely following. Hodge had long since left so that just left me and Jace bringing up the rear. I slipped my hand is in his and he gave me a reassuring squeeze, he didn't say anything because, in the end, what was there to say? But once again his presence was more than enough.

~X~X~X~

When we got home, Simon was waiting for us on the porch. Before he even knew the verdict he pulled me in for a lung-crushing hug. "I'm sorry Clary. But I had to go with my mom to visit my aunt. I'm sorry I wasn't there," he kept apologizing no matter how many times I reassured him and told him that I was the one who told him to go. That I would be alright.

"So," Simon started. "What's the verdict?" he asked tentatively.

"A bad one," I said and recounted the events in that damned courtroom.

He pulled me in for yet another hug. "I'm so sorry. I can't believe they did this to you. It's not right, it's not fair," Simon kept rambling on but I tuned him out and let myself listen to the hum in his voice. Surely Jon would still let me see Simon. Right?

I pulled away from Simon and took a deep breath. "Come on, Simon. Let's go inside," I said.

When we entered the house Mayrse and Robert were nowhere to be found. Alec was in the kitchen making something for Max to eat. I could hear Jace and Izzy upstairs arguing and decided I should probably go up there and diffuse the situation. "I'm going to go upstairs and see what Iz and Jace are doing," I said to Simon.

"Do you want me to go with you?" he asked .

"No that's alright. Go see if Alec needs help. He may not be as bad as Iz but he's still not nimble in a kitchen," I said with a small smile and made my way toward the stairs.

I climbed the stairs slowly so Jace and Iz wouldn't hear me coming up. I wanted to know what they were fighting about before I tried to stop them. I made it to the top and deduced that they were in Jace's room because that's where the noise was coming from. I slowly crept toward the door and listened.

"-nly three weeks Jace," I heard Iz say.

"And do you know what he could do to her in that time span?" he asked incredulously.

"He's her brother not a terrorist."

Suddenly Jace yelled. "He might as well be! He definitely has Clary scared!"

"I don't like it any more than you do, Jace," Izzy said so quietly I had to strain to hear. "But you can't just-" her voice got quiet to the point I couldn't hear anything more. I decided that this was as good as any time then to walk in.

The door creaked open and I saw Izzy and Jace hunched over whispering to each other feverishly. They both looked up when they heard me come in and they immediately straightened up.

"Clary," Jace started but I cut him off.

"I don't know what you fighting about, but whatever it is," I paused and took a breath. "Get over it! We have bigger problems at this point. I don't mean to sound selfish but I'd like my last day in this house for three weeks to be pleasant and I can't have that if you fighting the whole time."

"Of course," Iz said. "Your right, I'm sorry. I promise the topic won't be up for discussion ever again," Izzy gave a pointed look to Jace. "I'm hungry. I'm going to go see what Alec is making," and she promptly left.

Jace looked at me with sad, but determined eyes. I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around his neck. "It's going to be okay," I told him and then a placed my lips on his. It started off sweet and soft but became increasingly passionate. Jace kissed me like this was the last time he would ever get the chance. Soon I tasted salty tears mingle with our kiss and I couldn't tell if they were mine or his. When I broke for a breath, I realized that they were both our tears. "Why are you crying?" I asked smiling.

Jace gave a chuckle through the tears. "I could ask you the same thing," he said and then used his thumb to wipe away my tears.

"I don't want to leave Jace," I said, though it sounded more like plea.

"I know and I don't want you to leave any more than you do. You bring me so much happiness, happiness I haven't felt in a long time and now I'm losing you to some egotistic megalomaniac," Jace's tears ceased and anger started to win out.

I lightly elbowed him in the stomach. "Using big words now, I see," I said jokingly.

"Well I have been known to have sudden burst on intelligence," he said.

"Known by who? I certainly never saw them,"

"Hey now, that wasn't very nice," he put a hand on my arm and rubbed it. "God I'm gonna miss you."

"I know, I'm gonna miss you too. But it's only three weeks, I'm sure I can handle it," I said, trying to convince myself more than him.

"It doesn't stop me from worrying."

"Well don't."

We stood there for a while just basking in each others' presence before I finally had to break the silence. "I should probably go pack," I said.

"Do you want some help?" Jace asked earnestly.

"Later I will, but I think I just need a moment to...soak it in, I guess," I said.

"Alright, call me when you need me," he said with one last hug.

"I will," I promise, and gave him when last squeeze before making my way to say goodbye to the place I called home for ten years now.

Hope you guys are still reading!