"Morning, Fray." Simon smiled as he walked up to Clary's cubicle. "How goes the day?"

"Not too bad, I must say." Clary nodded.

"…How's rooming with Izzy going?"

"I think she appreciates the help with cooking. Outside of the recipe she cooked for us that time she's a hideous cook." Clary laughed. "Luckily I have to make myself scarce tonight so Jace will make something edible. But if mom asks I was at Isabelle's every single night, okay?"

"Noted." Simon said. "…Why do you have to make yourself scarce tonight?"

Clary's eyes widened. "Crap."

"What?"

"She, uh…she has a date tonight." Clary admitted shyly.

"Oh." Simon nodded, hoping it wasn't too obvious how much hearing those words had cut him deep.

"I know you ended things with her but I know there's still something there so…I'm sorry, I wasn't going to say anything." Clary winced.

"No, it's fine. G-Good for her. I, uh, I hope the guy's nice."

"Oh, he is. We met him when we went out for drinks. He's hilarious." Clary said, suddenly realising what she was saying. "I mean, he's terrible. He probably murders puppies for a living."

"It's okay, Clary. Really. I had my chance with her; it wasn't meant to be. I'll survive." Simon forced a smile. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah." Clary nodded, watching sadly as Simon headed off towards the elevator.

Simon barely registered anything as he walked into Jace's office. It took him a few seconds to realise he'd walked straight past Jocelyn and completely ignored her. He turned back to face her. "I'm sorry! I was in another world."

"No problem. Everything okay?" Jocelyn asked.

"Uh…yeah. Thanks." Simon said and headed back into the office, where Jace was sat at his desk staring intensely at Simon.

"What's wrong with you? You look like a little boy who just dropped his ice cream."

"Don't worry about it, I'm just wallowing in self-pity." Simon shrugged.

"That is in character for you, I guess." Jace said. "But hey, I'm feeling sensitive today. What's wrong?"

"Izzy has a date tonight." Simon revealed.

"Ah." Jace sighed. "That kinda sucks."

"I mean, I knew she was gonna have to move on at some point and I know it wasn't gonna take that long for her to find someone interested in her because she's the most gorgeous thing put on this planet but still…I know I can't change anything. I can't be with her. You know I'd never bring you down with me if I got caught so you and Clary can be together but it's different for me." Simon explained sadly.

"You need a drink or two. I suggest rifling through Robert's desk or maybe just try sucking on his blood like a vampire since it's gotta be about sixty percent whiskey running through those veins."

"That's pretty insensitive, Jace."

"That's just who he is, Simon. Always has been if you ask me, he's just not as good at hiding it as he used to be. It's hard for all of us to escape our demons."

"You don't have to tell me that." Simon sighed.

"Look, I've let you talk it out and express your feelings, so my bit's done. If this is the point in the rom com when the protagonist gets an amazing makeover I'd suggest you go to Magnus' office. Or if you actually want to find Magnus, Alec's office." Jace said. "I feel for you, Potter, I do, but surely the best thing to do is to get on with it?"

"…Yeah, you're right."

"Or we could find this guy and kill him."

"That can be Plan B."

…

"What do you think?" Isabelle asked as she stood in Alec's office holding up a red dress on a hanger. "It's for my date tonight."

"I'm not really an expert on this, Iz." Alec shrugged.

"Of course you are, you're gay."

"Being gay and being fashionable aren't always mutually exclusive, you know." Alec smiled.

"Fine. Where's your boyfriend? I'll ask for his opinion." Isabelle said.

"He's at dinner with a potential client. The dress looks lovely and you always look great, so I think you'll be fine." Alec said.

"I know, but the reassurance from others is always nice." Isabelle stated. "I'll go ask Jocelyn and Clary."

With that, Isabelle smiled and headed out of Alec's office. He chuckled to himself as he watched her go and got back to work, but it wasn't long before he was interrupted again, this time by Luke.

"You got a minute?" Luke asked.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Robert and Maryse want me to represent the firm at the lawsuits against us that made it to trial and I was hoping you'd do it with me." Luke explained.

"Really? Me?"

"Yeah."

"I don't know, Luke."

"I know you're still shaky after what Valentine did to you at your last trial, but one day you're gonna have to get back into the courtroom. This can ease you in." Luke said.

"…Did mom and dad set you up to this?" Alec asked.

"They approved, but the idea was mine." Luke replied. "What do you say?"

"…Okay, okay. Fine."

"Excellent. I will leave these in your capable hands, then." Luke smiled, placing some folders he was holding onto Alec's desk. "We can start going over them next week. I'm a bit swamped right now handling other lawsuits and keeping an eye out for Jocelyn's son."

"Sebastian." Alec nodded. "Still, him showing up has its advantages if it means Jocelyn coming to stay with you, right?"

"…I'm sorry?"

"You and Jocelyn…it's gonna happen at some point, so this might finally be it."

"I don't know what your parents have been telling you -"

"-Just that you haven't dated a single woman in nearly twenty years because you're totally in love with Jocelyn. But Izzy and I had worked that out long before we ever asked mom and dad about it."

"I care about Jocelyn a great deal, yes, but…it's not like that." Luke stated.

"It's never too late, Luke. I've come to realise lately that loving with no regrets and no shame is a pretty wonderful thing. Clary wants it to happen too, so you don't even have that to worry about." Alec said.

"She…she does?" Luke questioned.

"Of course she does, you're her dad in every single way except biologically. And that's the only thing about being a father that doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things."

Luke was silent for a moment. "…I better get going. Thanks for your help."

"No problem." Alec said, watching Luke leave with a small smirk.

…

Simon knew Jace was right; he needed to throw himself into his work and forget the world. Hell, Jordan had been giving him exactly the same advice for weeks.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride when he thought of Jordan; he had a job of his own and he and Maia had rekindled their relationship without worry of it ending again should Maia move away – she'd been offered her own permanent position at Lightwood Garroway after the firm lost so many staff so wasn't going anywhere. That was one person he could finally stop worrying about.

Now all he needed to focus on was getting Isabelle Lightwood out of his head. Therefore, it didn't help that she was the only person in the staffroom when he walked in to get a cup of coffee.

There was a long silence as they stared at one another.

"Hey." Simon said eventually.

"Hi." Isabelle said firmly before looking away and flicking through the magazine in front of her. "I just made a new batch of coffee."

"…How did you know that's what I came for?"

"Because you always come and get a coffee at 3pm. Which is why I've made an effort to not be here at that time." Isabelle snapped.

"You're here now…" Simon looked confused.

Isabelle looked up at him, closing her magazine. "Was that a question or a statement?"

"…A statement…?"

Isabelle rolled her eyes.

"A statement." Simon said firmly.

"Guess I just lost track of time reading this. I don't normally have such a late lunch break." Isabelle said.

"…Your hair. You don't normally tie it up." Simon noticed. Isabelle had indeed tied it up in a ponytail with a lilac band. "It looks nice."

"Are you really doing this?" Isabelle questioned.

"Sorry. I'll…I'll just get my coffee and go." Simon said.

"Probably best." Isabelle hissed, opening her magazine again as Simon headed over to the coffee pot and poured himself a mug. He felt like a mug too.

As he finished pouring, he picked up the mug and slowly headed out the door, expecting Isabelle to start up on him again. When he'd reached the door and she'd said nothing, he turned back.

"Good luck tonight." Simon said.

Isabelle looked up at him, taken back. "…What?"

"Clary said you had a date. She didn't mean to but…yeah. I hope it goes well."

"Oh. Right. Thank you. I'm…I'm looking forward to it." Isabelle said.

"Cool. Me too. I didn't mean to say 'me too'. I panicked. I ramble when I'm nervous." Simon winced. "Thanks for not rubbing it in my face."

Isabelle closed her magazine again. "Do you think that's something I'd do?"

"What? No, no, I just…sorry."

"You were the one who ended it, remember? What is there to rub in your face? You don't want to be with me, so I'm moving on." Isabelle stated furiously. "…I wouldn't rub anything in your face."

Simon went to speak and remind her of some details of the first time they slept together.

"-Again!" Isabelle exclaimed. "I'm not that much of a bitch."

"I know, I'm sorry. I'll just go. Sorry." Simon mumbled. "I, uh…just…good luck. See you around."

"Yeah. Bye." Isabelle said, returning to her magazine yet again.

Simon looked down at the floor before giving up and walking out. Isabelle briefly looked up again and watched him go. She put the magazine back in her handbag; she suddenly didn't feel in the mood for very much at all.

Simon didn't feel in the mood for much either; as soon as he downed his coffee and got over the instant regret of the hot liquid burning his mouth he took the elevator to the ground floor, walked out of the building and went home.

…

"This is delicious." Jocelyn smiled that evening as she and Luke sat at his kitchen table eating dinner.

"I thought you'd like it." Luke smiled back. "If something has even the slightest bit of spiciness to it you fall in love."

"I can't even argue with that." Jocelyn laughed. "Everything and everyone is better when they're hot."

"Is that so?" Luke said.

"Very much so." Jocelyn nodded. "Now then, I insist on cooking for you tomorrow. You've been a saint these last few days so it's about time I pay you back in kind."

"If you insist, I won't say no."

They shared a sweet smile as Jocelyn collected the plates and put them in the sink. Luke stared at her as she went and something inside of him seemed to appear out of nowhere and made him take the leap.

"We could always go out for dinner somewhere." Luke said nervously.

"I thought you didn't like eating out unless it was for work." Jocelyn questioned as she joined him back at the table.

"I don't, but this would be different. I'd, uh…I'd be with you." Luke swallowed. "We could go to that place on 32nd I know you love. If you wanted to. Just the, um…just the two of us."

He finally had the courage to look her in the eyes. He poured his very soul out of them and into hers.

"Lucian…" Jocelyn began.

"I don't like it when you call me Lucian."

"…Luke…is this…are you…would this be a, um…a date?" Jocelyn finally asked.

Luke swallowed again. "It…it could be."

Jocelyn was silent for a moment. "I, um…where is this coming from?"

"Just…something Alec was saying to me today. That and the twenty years I've spent being in awe of everything you do." Luke admitted.

Jocelyn could hardly breath as she saw Luke's eyes light up in a way she never had before.

Luke took her hands in his from across the table. "Seeing everything you've overcome and being so great with Clary and the firm…seeing you take no crap from anyone…watching you grow older disgracefully…"

Jocelyn laughed at that one.

"…I've always been blown away by you. You always get up every time you're knocked down. You…you inspire me every day. And I know I shouldn't be saying any of this because this is over twenty years of friendship but…it's also twenty years of me being in love with you."

Jocelyn's heart was racing. Her eyes were on fire.

"And life's too short. Though judging by the look in your eyes it's going to be even shorter than I imagined." Luke finished. "I've gone too far…I'm, I'm sorry. Just forget I even said anything. I just needed to say it."

Silence for a moment.

"Jocelyn…" Luke began.

He couldn't finish since Jocelyn stood up, walked round the table towards him and pressed her lips against his. It was a gentle kiss at first, but soon it grew more passionate as Luke caught up with what was happening. They maintained the kiss as they stood and backed up against the wall while she began unbuttoning his shirt.

…

"Everything okay?"

The words from the man sat opposite her made Isabelle snap back to reality and realise she was just staring into her glass of wine for god knows how long. She looked up at her handsome date (what was his name, Charlie?) and smiled. "I'm sorry! I was in another world."

"No problem." Charlie laughed. "Though you have looked at your wine a lot more than you've looked at me. Something on your mind?"

"…No, it's nothing. I'd rather not talk about them. Let's talk about you doing all your doctor stuff." Isabelle.

"…Ah, I see. Talk about 'them'." Charlie nodded. "A guy, I'm guessing."

"It doesn't matter. It's over and done with now. That's why I'm here." Isabelle said.

"Well, I'm glad you showed up. I know your friend kinda instigated this at the bar so I wasn't sure if you were that interested." Charlie admitted.

"Of course I'm interested; I bought this dress specially. I'll admit I wasn't too sold on the idea of dating so soon after Si…anyway, I needed to get back out there." Isabelle nodded.

"Must've been serious with the last guy then, if a girl who looks like you is afraid of dating." Charlie commented.

"Do you wanna date him, or…?" Isabelle shrugged. "…Sorry, I…it's not exactly a good topic for a first date, is it?"

"Well, it's never healthy to hold on to that baggage; talking it out can help."

"There's not much to say. He was very interested, I was very interested, then one minute he decided he wasn't interested at all. I guess I just…it was a first for me to be the one getting dumped. I mean, we were barely even a thing to begin with. We were just chasing each other around for a while. I'd never been in love before so I didn't realise that's what was happening." Isabelle said. She felt her heartbeat slow for a moment as her words caught up with her.

"Oh. Very serious, then." Charlie said, slightly awkwardly.

"…Sorry, I…I don't know where that all came from." Isabelle admitted, wondering why she felt tears in her eyes. "I don't know why I'm crying."

"Yes you do." Charlie smiled. "You're just not over this guy, and that's okay. I've been there. Loving someone is hard, and hating someone you love is even harder. But hate is too strong an emotion to waste on someone you don't like."

Isabelle wiped her eyes. "…I'm sorry. I think I might have wasted your night."

"Don't apologise. It's okay. How about we finish our drinks and share a cab home?" Charlie suggested.

Isabelle nodded with a sad smile.

…

"No word from Isabelle and mom's not picking up. Clearly no one wants to speak to me." Clary chuckled as she glared at her phone screen, her head resting on Jace's lap as they sat on his couch.

"Idiots." Jace smiled as he ran his fingers through her hair delicately.

There was a sudden knock on the door as Simon's voice shouted out. "Jace! Clary! Are you dressed?"

"I say 'idiots' and he appears. Not a coincidence." Jace smirked and Clary giggled as he got up and opened the door. "Potter. Wanna tell me why you left work early today?"

"Can I come in?" Simon asked, rushing past Jace regardless.

"I guess so." Jace sighed as he closed the door.

"Everything okay?" Clary asked Simon as she sat up.

"No. I'm not. All I can think about is Isabelle out on a date with some guy who's probably a King or supermodel and I was just sat there trying to watch TV with Jordan and Maia sucking face right next to me and I just…I had to get out of there and I…can I just hang here? Please?" Simon begged.

"So you escaped third wheeling one couple to come here and third wheel a different couple?" Jace asked.

"…Crap." Simon sighed.

"It's okay Simon, you can stay." Clary smiled. "Do you want some leftovers from what Jace cooked for us? It's delicious."

"Really?" Simon grinned, looking at Jace like an excited puppy. "Can I?"

Jace sighed. "Knock yourself out."

Simon jumped up and hurried happily into the kitchen as Jace joined Clary back on the couch.

"I meant that literally." Jace added as he sat down, making Clary laugh again.

"Behave." Clary ordered with a grin as she pulled Jace in for a kiss just as Simon walked back in with a plate of food. They broke the kiss and looked at him.

Simon grimaced. "Sorry. I can go if you want."

Jace looked at Clary, who retaliated with a stern glare. Jace looked back at Simon with a forced smile. "Of course not. Stay and eat my food."

"Thanks!" Simon said and sat down on the armchair next to the couch as he tucked in. "I swear my stomach has grown lately. I'm always hungry. Oh man, this is awesome! What did you put in this, Jace?"

Simon looked up from the food and realised his question for Jace had yet again interrupted their kissing.

"Never mind. Don't mind me." Simon smiled sadly, looking back down at the plate.

Clary stared at Simon sympathetically. "Simon, if you're this bummed about Isabelle, just patch things up! You still won't tell me why you ended things anyway."

"I just can't. But it still sucks." Simon sighed. "Just please reassure me that this guy she's out with isn't a King or a supermodel."

"No, he's not. He's a doctor."

"Ouch." Jace said as Simon groaned audibly.

"That's even worse!" Simon exclaimed.

"How is that worse?" Clary questioned.

"You've seen that episode of Friends with George Clooney. Girls love doctors." Jace nodded.

"I'd rather find out a guy I was dating was a king than a doctor." Clary said, looking at Jace.

"No such luck I'm afraid, sweetie pie." He smiled.

"Yeah, but people will marry kings for their fortunes even if they're ugly. No matter how you look, being a doctor makes you at least like five times more attractive." Simon explained.

"I'd say ten times more, honestly." Jace shrugged.

"Not helping!" Simon said. "Maybe I should sign up for medical school? No, wait; I hate the sight of blood."

"How would leaving a career in law for medicine suddenly allow you to date Izzy again?" Clary questioned.

Another knock on the door prevented an awkward moment as Jace got up to answer it, shocked to see Isabelle stood there.

"I'm not okay. Clary!" Isabelle shouted as she barged past Jace.

"Izzy, wait!" Jace shouted after her.

Isabelle stopped as she entered the living area and saw Simon sat there. Simon looked at her and instantly dropped his fork, spilling food down his shirt.

"Izzy? You're back early." Clary said.

"Yeah. What are you doing here?" Isabelle said to Simon.

"…I'm eating." Simon said timidly. "Do you want some?"

"No!" Isabelle exclaimed. "I wanted to talk to my friend about my date but I guess it'll wait for tomorrow. I take it you're staying here tonight?"

"Uh, yeah. Unless you want me to come back to yours?" Clary asked.

"No, it's fine. Just…you guys have fun. I'll see you tomorrow." Isabelle said, turning to leave.

"Wait, I can walk you back if you like? It's getting late." Simon suggested.

"That's funny." Isabelle said as she headed out.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow." Simon said, putting down the plate of food and rushing out, ignoring Jace and Clary shouting out after him.

"Izzy, wait!" Simon shouted as he rushed over to Isabelle across the street.

"I can walk home on my own, Simon." Isabelle stated.

"At least let me get you a cab or something." Simon suggested.

"I got a cab here, thanks. I feel like walking."

"Izzy, please."

"It's Isabelle."

"Isabelle, just wait."

Simon was surprised when she actually did stop and turn to face him; he almost ran into her. "What?"

"…I don't know. I didn't think I'd get this far."

Isabelle rolled her eyes and went to continue walking, but Simon grabbed her arm.

"Get your hand off me or I swear I'll break it." Isabelle spat.

"Okay, sorry." Simon let go of her. "I just…let's just talk this through."

"We did, remember? When you happened to decide you didn't want to be with me."

"That's not true; I want to be with you more than anything, but I can't." Simon argued.

"And yet you won't tell me why. Which is honestly worse. Just tell me you don't want to be with me and stop messing around." Isabelle pleaded.

"I won't lie to you like that."

"You won't give me a reason why, you already are lying to me!" Isabelle screamed.

"NOT ABOUT THIS, OKAY?" Simon shouted back. "I will not lie to you about how I feel, even if it would make things better between us. I will not look you in the eye and tell you I don't think you're the most beautiful girl in the world. I won't tell you that I don't want to be with you so much it hurts every time I see you. I won't tell you that I don't lov-"

He stopped himself, tears in his eyes. "…I still want you in my life, Izzy. Isabelle. Even if we can't…I still need you to be in my life. We were friends not too long ago before I messed it all up and I just…I'm begging you to find a way to be my friend again if nothing else."

Isabelle was crying. "You think I don't want you in my life? You make me laugh."

Simon swallowed. "I used to."

"…I can't look at you without hearing you say we can't be together. Every time I think of you I either want to scream or cry but I still…I still think about you all the time anyway. I can't even go on one stupid dinner date with a nice guy because all I can think about is that I'd give anything to be sat at that table with you!"

Isabelle let out a huge sigh as she wiped her eyes. "I'm going home now, Simon. And I'll be fine on my own."

Simon let his tears fall. "…Okay."

"I think…we just need time. Both of us. I don't know how much, but just…time. To be happy again." Isabelle choked. She stared at him for a moment longer before turning around and walking off into the night.

Simon watched her until he couldn't see her any longer, and even then couldn't find it in himself to move and accept that life went on without Isabelle Lightwood.

…

"Someone looks overly joyful this morning." Jace noticed as he approached his office and saw Jocelyn sat very happily at her desk.

"I had a very enjoyable night." Jocelyn smiled.

"You and Luke had some fun then?"

"Quite a few times."

Jace went to question that last comment before Jocelyn spoke again.

"Simon's waiting in your office. Looks pretty glum."

"Wonderful. He even came to my place last night and interrupted my night with Cl…Clayton." Jace panicked.

"Clayton?" Jocelyn questioned.

"Yeah, Clayton. One of my friends; mention him all the time."

"Do you?"

"Clearly you blank out when I talk sometimes. How rude." Jace said, sighing with relief as he turned and headed into his office to see Simon sat in front of his desk. "Thanks for last night, buddy old pal."

"I'm sorry, okay? I know it wasn't my finest hour."

"Don't I know it? Leaving early and then showing up at my place. You could've called so I could tell you no." Jace said.

"I'm gonna tell Isabelle the truth." Simon stated. "I can't keep this up; I can't let there be this divide between us when I can fix it."

"Or there'll be an even bigger divide when she finds out you've been lying to her since the day you met." Jace argued.

"I have to take the risk."

"Simon, we've talked about this time and time again. If she tells the police -"

"- She wouldn't do that. I know that's not who she is." Simon said.

"And she thinks you're a guy with a law degree working here legally!"

"Look, this is something I have to do. I'm not asking for your permission; you know if anything went wrong I'd make sure you won't go down with me."

"But I still don't want you to go to prison!" Jace exclaimed. "This is madness!"

"I trust her with my secret." Simon nodded sternly.

Jace put his head in his hands and turned to look out the window, releasing a deep sigh. "You know what, Simon? If you wanna risk everything we've built, fine. Even if I don't go to prison, I'll still lose my job here. And then everyone would know what we've done and how we've lied through our teeth. But sure, you want to start banging Isabelle again so you knock yourself out and hope she doesn't tell the world that you're actually a fraud."

A new voice filled the room.

"…What?"