A/N: I'm deplorable. The wait is heinous and I'm the worst. I'm really sorry. My only excuse is that I'm working three jobs and attending college and still trying to have friends. It's a lame one, but it's what I have. I'm trying to wrap the story up because I know where I want to go and I've been writing this entirely too long. Two years for 25 chapters is entirely too long. I won't rush it obviously because I still want this to be quality, but I'm feeling less inclined to write chapters devoted solely to developing characters and relationships. This is hardcore plot time. I think I've developed these characters and relationships enough. There will still be developments of course as we meet new characters and stuff, but a lot of the earlier chapters are focused only on building a relationship, so that's probably done for a little bit. This is probably a relief to any long term readers who've suffered through this. Sorry. Should be over soon-ish I hope. Let me know what you think! We're going to find out who the Morgenstern is soon, so any final guesses?

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I am a college student. I own so little that I in fact owe people things. RIP

Chapter 25

She had nothing to wear for a date, but that couldn't quite keep the smile off of Clary's face.

She'd been sporting one ever since Jace had asked her out and couldn't even imagine how she'd go about schooling her features. To make things better, everyone and their mother seemed to innately know that the golden boy was the source of her joy, especially Jace himself. She'd have the self-respect to be embarrassed by her transparency if Jace's own face didn't split into a grin whenever he saw her smile.

Clary wasn't sure who'd released the information of their date, but she was beginning to suspect that this town saw everything, when Isabelle strode up to her during the lunch rush and unceremoniously asked, "So, tonight's the big night, huh?"

She surely would've dropped the plates she was holding in surprise had she not become an expert at concealing her feelings from everyone but a certain blonde-haired individual. Instead, she managed to merely cock an eyebrow at Izzy and state, "I suppose it is. Any tips?"

"Don't wear anything you own," she quipped bluntly, eyeing Clary's admittedly questionable ensemble consisting of black leggings and one of Jace's long sleeved, green flannel shirts, with the sleeves rolled to her elbows and one of Jace's belt wrapped around her waist several times.

It was becoming increasingly clear to Clary that, if she intended to stay with Jace in Alicante, she needed to think seriously about the future. She needed clothes of her own, a job that could support her more than Maryse's did, a place of her own to get her out of Jace's hair, and a well thought out plan.

The danger she was putting both herself and the inhabitants of Alicante in was painfully present in her mind. There was hardly a moment that went by without a pair of black eyes hovering in the back of her mind. It cast a shadow over all of her new life's joys, of which there were undoubtedly many. Since she'd arrived here she'd made friends, begun to deal with her past, had been offered hope for the first time and had, of course, been introduced to Jace. Every day, she was falling in love with this life more and more. In fact, just the other day, she caught herself sketching on a menu. She hadn't realized what she was doing at first, which was alarmed her considering how second-nature it was even after everything she'd been through, but when she'd looked down and discovered what she'd drawn, she'd been nothing short of shocked.

She'd drawn Jace and, for the first time in what seemed like forever, she'd created something good.

And that was a part of her. She was capable of good, at least in drawing. Maybe she wasn't poison after all.

So the only way she'd be able to live with herself in her new life was to build a plan so strong and all encompassing, that she'd be certain to keep the people she was beginning to love safe. And she was working on it, but it was admittedly becoming harder and harder to focus on the darker aspects of her life when all of her days where surrounded by the glow that encompassed Jace.

Making the first part of her plan finding her own place. From there, she needed to begin setting aside money for potentially going on the run in the future as well as hiding an emergency supplies bag in this new place of hers.

From there, she'd need to begin compiling the information necessary to take her monster down, but she was definitely out of her depth there. Luckily, that was something she could figure out one step at a time.

Her final step would be to secure herself a gun.

The very idea of having something that could end somebody's life scared Clary, but that fear was nothing in comparison to the pure, unbridled terror she experienced whenever she thought of what was behind her. She couldn't stop herself from checking over her shoulder or peaking around corners, waiting for a snarl that he reserved especially for her.

She needed to be ready to end him, regardless of the consequences.

Even if it cost her Jace. Even if it cost her soul.

But she'd need to smart small with tonight and her clothing.

"Geez, Izzy. You don't really leave me with a ton of options there," Clary teased, uncomfortable with how easily her mind slipped both into and out of incomprehensibly dark thoughts.

Isabelle rolled her eyes, unperturbed by Clary's sarcasm and apparently ignorant of any shift in mood that might have momentarily occurred and replied, "Thankfully, you have my fabulous wardrobe to assist you on looking your best for your date tonight."

Clary shook her head at Izzy's kindness and quickly dismissed, "You don't have to do that. I'm sure I can manage with what I have."

"No offense, Clary, but you most definitely won't get Jace's attention wearing his t-shirts," she added coyly, a glint in her eye that stated quite plainly 'you didn't think I noticed, did you?'

Clary felt her face get hot and knew without a doubt that she was blushing. Words couldn't begin to express how relieved she was that Isabelle had decided not to ask her any questions on the issue.

"Look, let me help, Clary," Isabelle pleaded, her eyes wide and sincere. "Jace would probably go gaga for you in a t-shirt and sweatpants, but this is your first date with him and you deserve to feel every bit as beautiful as you are."

Clary's blush deepened and her smile resurfaced, though this time for another reason.

"I want to do this for you," she continued. "I want Jace to be happy and I know you can make him happy, but I also really like you. I don't know what's going on with you or why you're really here, but you haven't been happy, I don't think, and he can make you happy, I know he can. So I want that for you, so at least humor me and let me feel like I helped you both get there in some way."

Clary's only response could be a nod, as this striking, exuberant woman before her had rendered her speechless.

Since her arrival in town, Jace had proved himself to be a truly good person and Clary had managed to reconcile that conclusion with her own life experiences by dubbing him as one of the exceptions to the rule. So, it still shocked Clary to discover more and more good people in the world, like Isabelle.

She was stunned by the enormity of this girl's heart and was forced to consider re-evaluating her outlook. Maybe good was the rule and her life had been the exception.

The relief that came with these thoughts didn't dissipate as she allowed Isabelle to rifle through her wardrobe for clothes that'd both fit Clary's small frame and fit the date atmosphere. Unfortunately for Isabelle, it was too cold for dresses and there was little doubt in either girl's mind that Clary wouldn't fit in any of Isabelle's pants, as she was significantly shorter than her leggy friend, meaning that Clary's simple, black leggings were there to stay.

Isabelle chattered incessantly as she searched and Clary listened halfheartedly, relieved that her friend rarely required a response. She required neither support nor advice, as she could sort her life out in general on her own, but Clary suspected she liked the sensation of having someone there to listen to her, making her chatter the perfect environment for Clary to begin mentally preparing herself for whatever a date with Jace would entail.

She had no idea what to expect from this.

She'd never been on a date before, so already she was out of her element, but, even if she had been, she was certain that this would be entirely different from any regular date. She was quickly figuring out that there was no way for her to prepare for Jace Wayland.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When Jace arrived at the diner at the end of her shift, Clary's first reaction had been wow.

He'd clearly left from renovating a church in the town earlier than usual to prepare, as his hair was still wet from the shower he'd taken and he'd changed clothes. The paint-splattered, ripped jeans and flannel shirt she'd left him in had been replaced by a crisp, dark pair of jeans and a brilliant, electric blue V-neck sweater with a white t-shirt peeking out from underneath. His hair curled lightly at the ends like it always did when it got wet and the end result was beautiful.

Jace looked fantastic.

His eyes scanned the café briefly before landing on her. The weight of his gaze had never been heavier as his eyes travelled from her head to her toe, taking in and hopefully appreciating Isabelle's great work. While the black leggings and black flats that adorned the lower half of her body were things with which Jace was acutely familiar, the flowing, mint green tunic cinched at the waist and dangling off her shoulders was entirely new, as it was entirely Isabelle's. The taller girl wore it as a shirt, but on Clary it was more akin to a dress as it came to her knee. Clary's hair had been freed of the braid she'd pulled it into that morning and now hung in the tight, wild ringlets it naturally formed, leaving her hair large and messy, but not, as Isabelle decided, unattractive. Isabelle had completed her masterpiece with a light, silver eyeshadow and a pink tinted lip balm that she'd gifted to Clary "just in case things went well".

Isabelle had done surprisingly little work aside from providing the tunic, but Clary had never felt more glamorous in her entire life. She'd certainly never even entertained the idea that she was pretty like she did now.

When Jace's eyes returned to hers they were bright and a wide grin had overtaken his face, to which she could only respond with a smile of her own. Her heart constricted as he approached her, all too quickly and slowly at the same time.

When he reached her, she began, "You look gr-"

Any compliment she would have paid him was swallowed whole by his mouth descending on hers fiercely. His hand was buried in her hair and one arm encircled her waist pulling her flush against him. The few stray diners remaining at Maryse's began to make what sounded like startled noises, but they all melted away as Clary relaxed into Jace's embrace and return the kiss blissfully. Any insecurities she had dissolved at how right the interaction seemed to her.

For whatever reason, she and Jace had always made sense and she wasn't sure why she expected that to change because things were getting more concrete.

When he pulled away, she was breathless and her knees were about as supportive as grape jelly. She was thankful for his arm around her, for otherwise she was certain she'd have been sprawled out on the café floor by now.

Not that she believed Jace would let her fall. He seemed to be one of the only people who hadn't done that yet.

"Hi," she breathed, her mind still reeling on the heels of what was very visibly a passionate kiss.

"Hi," he answered, his tone amused at the reaction he'd elicited.

"Is this how most normal dates start?" Clary asked, her voice low in a conspiratorial whisper.

His smile grew and his eyes shone with equal parts adoration and mischief as he dropped his voice and replied, "We certainly can get the ball rolling on this becoming the norm."

Her laugh was little more than an exhale and she leaned her forehead against his shoulder as her heart began slowing down. When she finally pulled it away, she caught glimpses of Maryse and Isabelle watching them from the counter. Isabelle's smile was proud and pleased.

Maryse's was cautious and all at once their earlier conversation rushed through her mind.

What's wrong with you? When is the other shoe going to drop?

When the question had been asked originally, the answer had been a deadline. Now, as Maryse's eyes asked Clary the question again, the answer had changed.

It was two black eyes staring straight at Clary and a target on Jace's back.

Jace linked his fingers through Clary and began leading her to the door, literally tugging her out of her dark thoughts. She tried to bury them for the night. If the worst case scenario actually happened, Clary wanted to have the memory of this date to hold onto in the darkness.

"Where are we going?"

Jace's eyes lit up in delight at the question and it was clear that he was enjoying every aspect of this.

"Well, I could've somehow pulled out something super original and romantic, but then it occurred to me that you, my dear firecracker, have missed out on some prime cliché dating experiences, so I think it's in all of our best interests if I fill you up with some of those so that when I do get incredibly romantic," his eyes found hers with a flirtatious smile, "And I assure you, I do, you can appreciate those moments twice as much."

"Very interesting philosophy. It certainly helps this idea that it's winter and we're both trapped in an incredibly small town," she teased, cocking an eyebrow at him mischievously.

His grin was amused as he replied, "That certainly came into consideration when I was making the plan, now that you mention it."

Her laugh was easy and already she was having more fun than she'd had in quite some time before almost freezing to death on that bench.

"Okay, well you never answered my question. What cliché date place are we going to?"

"I was planning on dinner and a movie," Jace answered, helping Clary put on her coat, "But the only movie showing is the same movie we saw like a day ago that you thought was boring, so I decided a nice dinner would be a solid choice."

"If we're eating at Maryse's then I'm going to go to the bathroom and climb out the window, which I'm pretty sure is a cliché," she joked, earning herself a good-natured glare.

"Luckily for you, I had the foresight to lock all the windows, otherwise I'd be offended at that statement," he quipped, holding open the door for her pointedly.

"Alright," she amended, stepping outside, "Not Maryse's then. Where are we going?"

"The only slightly nice restaurant in town Mario's Italian Bistro. Be forewarned, though, Maryse's food is better and it's really not even that nice. Just nicer. So lower those expectations, snob."

And just like that, the feeling that tonight would change things arose with the sound of her laughter.