Disclaimer: I don't own TMI...and I never will. Oh well.

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Chapter 21

Izzy POV

My back pressed against the cold wall, the roughness earning small bursts of pain that was nothing compared to the internal ones that made my heart feel like knives and swords were being shot at it like arrows.

I blinked furiously as I willed the threatening tears not to fall on my already damp cheeks. I sunk back farther against the wall as I lost the pointless battle and more tears trickled from my eyes.

I buried my face in my arms which were balanced on my knees, and for a second, everything just disappeared in the darkness. There was a small moment where I wished it could stay like that. No more problems or feelings or anything.

My self pitying and slightly dangerous thoughts broke with a knock on my door, the sound muffled through my arms. I ignored it, hoping they would get the idea and go away, but the low, muffled noise sounded again and I groaned quietly.

Like the noise, my voice was slightly quieted as I weakly told the person to 'go away'. Ignoring my plead, I heard them push the door open slightly. "Iz?," Simon asked quietly.

My body jolted when I lifted my head abruptly, shooting off the bed and into my surprised boyfriend's arms. "Simon," I exclaimed softly, wrapping my arms around him and burying my face in his neck.

He quickly shook off his stunned state and held me tightly, pulling me into the safety of him. He gently stroked my hair, his other arm protectively around my waist. "Hey, what's wrong Iz?"

I shook my head against his shoulder. "I'm fine."

"Isabelle," he warned gently.

I swallowed thickly. "It's nothing, Simon. I'm just being an idiot."

He scoffed. "So you're trying to tell me you were crying for nothing? You, Isabelle Lightwood, crying for no reason?" I shrugged weakly and he sighed, shaking his head.

He pulled back slightly, leaving the arm at my waist, and guided me back to my bed. He sat against the headboard, pulling me with him and into the circle of his arms.

I curled into his side and rested my head on his chest. It was one of the many things I liked about Simon, that he was taller than me. It was hard to find someone that was, and I was glad I found Simon.

"You gonna tell me what's wrong now?," he asked gently. I sighed and let out an exasperated laugh.

"Everything," I said quietly. "Jace being gone, it's messing with everyone. Max is upset all the time, and now he's sick. Alec's obviously not feeling well and worried as hell. He's been acting weird all day. Not to mention the fact that Mom and Dad are fighting constantly, and taking it out on us. I worry about Jace all the damn time and I don't even know how to act with Clary."

Simon listened silently, letting me get it all out at once, without interruptions. When I finished with a ragged breath, he tightened his arms around me, pulling me almost on top of him, and planted a soothing kiss on my forehead.

"We're gonna get Jace back, and as irritating as he is, I'll do everything I can to help. You don't have to be okay all the time Iz." I tried to protest but he shook his head. "At least not with me. Okay?"

I smiled unsurely up at him. "Okay." He leaned down to press a short, soft kiss on my lips. He pulled away too soon, before I even had a chance to kiss back, and I immediately felt the loss. I made a small noise of protest and his laugh was cut off with my lips.

He made a surprised noise when I pushed him back slightly against the pillows. He hesitantly traced my lips and I parted them willingly. Even now, Simon was still hesitant with some things. He didn't understand how much I trusted and cared about him. Sometimes, he was still the shy, dorky guy he was when I met him. But he was getting there, and I didn't mind.

I loved him in every way.

Our mouths moved in sync and I smiled into the kiss. I didn't want it to stop, but my lungs had a different idea. We pulled apart just enough to breathe, my face not even an inch from his. I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. Cheesy, I know.

"I love you Simon." His eyes widened and I immediately regretted my words. But I continued, forcing it down. I had to tell him.

"You may not believe me but I do. I love your big brown eyes, your dorky shyness, your kindness, your weird fascinations. I'm horrible at these things, and I have no idea what to say or what I'm saying, I just know I had to tell you because I don't want to lose you and-"

"Isabelle," he cut me off softly, a small smile on his lips, slight blush in his cheeks. "I love you too." I returned his smile and let out a shaky breath. He placed a kiss on my head and my eyes fluttered tiredly, peacefully.

He slid down to a lying position and covered us with the comforter, never releasing me, his arm wrapped tightly around my waist. I kissed him quickly before cuddling into him and resting my head on his chest again. "I'm not going anywhere Iz," he promised quietly.

I smiled as my eyes fell closed.

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Alec POV

I knocked lightly on Magnus's door, rubbing my hands over my face tiredly. I cringed as I realized once again what a bad idea this was.

This was Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn, he knew everyone. Angel knows what he was doing, and here I am, just turning up at his door without any previous notice, or a good reason.

I wrung my hands, panicking and debating whether or not I should just run back to the institute. My decision was made for me when the door swung open and my worries faded slightly at Magnus's wide smile.

"Alexander. This is a pleasant surprise," he grinned at me. "Are you in need of my assistance or did you just fancy a visit with my fabulous self?" He shot me a wink.

I smiled hesitantly and awkwardly scratched the back of my neck. "Uhm, I-I'm not, sure, exactly?"

His eyebrows furrowed and his lips turned down in a slight frown. It was then I noticed how underdressed he was, for Magnus. He was wearing plain trousers under a glittery robe. There was no glitter in his hair, no eyeliner around his catlike eyes, and no lipstick. Which wasn't that unusual, really, he mostly wore that on special occasions and now you're staring at his lips, Alec, get a grip.

He pushed the door open wider, not seeming to notice my staring, thankfully, and I walked into his living room, heat rising up my neck.

Magnus shut the door quietly and walked past me to the couch. He sat down, patting the place beside him. I sat down awkwardly.

"Care to tell me what's wrong?," he asked quietly.

I let out a breath, leaning into the couch and closing my eyes. "I can't feel anything."

I opened my eyes to find worry and slight fear in his. I realized what he was thinking and shook my head quickly, gingerly covering his hand with my own. "No. I mean where my parabatai mark is." I swallowed thickly, shaking my head again. "I can't feel anything."

His lips parted in understanding and then his eyebrows furrowed. "Are you supposed to?"

I nodded. "It's not much but you feel a sort of connection. You just, know it's there, know they're there. If they die, are severely injured, or the rune is severely damaged, you'll feel it. Strongly. But I don't feel anything."

Magnus pursed his lips in thought. "When did this happen?"

I shrugged. "I don't even know. I was just sitting there and I just realized it. Something felt off all day, but I didn't know what it was."

Magnus squeezed my hand comfortingly. "Do you have any idea what it means?"

I shook my head. "I was hoping you would. I was going to tell Izzy but she doesn't need the extra worry. I didn't even think about telling Clary. I couldn't do that. You were the first person I thought of when I tried to think of someone to talk to."

He smiled and I felt a light blush in my cheeks. "We will find him. I haven't found anything yet but I am a warlock and there will be some way," he assured confidently.

My chest tightened painfully and I choked back tears. Jace was like my brother. He was my parabatai. And I had never been more scared that he was gone.

Magnus looked at me with a concerned and sympathetic expression, and my chest loosened slightly when I saw no pity. I gave him a small smile.

Something in his expression changed and suddenly his lips were on mine, kissing me slowly. His hands cupped my neck and I moved mine to grip his waist. I felt my face warming but I ignored it, only allowing myself to focus on the kiss.

That wasn't hard; it would be hard to ignore it. I only felt him. His lips, his hands, his warmth, and the comfort that he brought. I had once believed I loved Jace, that I wanted him this way. Now I could never imagine anyone but Magnus.

The kiss felt like it lasted forever before we parted for air. He smiled down at me, leaving a hand to stroke my cheekbone.

I probably looked like a tomato but I still couldn't bring myself to care. I sighed quietly, looking up at him. "I wish I didn't have to go," I murmured.

His smile grew. "I think that can be arranged."

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Hi. Sorry? I feel like I have to say that every time. But it's summer now! Even though it looks like it's still winter. In June. Oh well. But I promise you I will try to update more frequently.

A little Sizzy/Malec chapter for you guys :)

And ICanExplain, this chapter is dedicated to you, for making me update. Thank you, and I hope I did okay for you :)

Now, about reviews. I'm a horrible person, I don't reply to your reviews! So from now on, I will. If any of you that have reviewed before want me to reply, review or PM me, even just "hi", and I'll reply to all of you, okay? I promise. Even guest reviews will be replied to in the A/N of the following chapter :)

So guys, please review! In return, I will update soon.

Love you all!

:)