She'd asked him to stay. Jace still couldn't believe it. A man who only knew her because of Jace and who happened to look almost exactly like Jace had tried to force himself on her! But despite this, Clary wanted him to stay with her. Jace couldn't quite explain how he was feeling right now. The world was brighter, the air sweeter. Clary wanted him to stay. Jace watched her sleep and though the view wasn't eventful, Jace wasn't sure when he had ever enjoyed a view more. Her brilliant red hair was spread out on the pillow; she had tossed it back out of her way before falling asleep. The covers Jace had laid over her were tucked up under her chin. Her beautiful eyes were closed and her face was somehow more elegant in sleep.

Jace remembered what it was like to hold her, to have her cling to him as he carried her to bed. It was a warm glowing feeling in his chest. Clary was what mattered right now and if she wanted him here, here is where he would stay. Jace's phone vibrated and he picked it up automatically. He had three missed texts from Alec asking if he'd found Clary yet, explaining that Magnus was worried.

'Is Clary okay?' read Alec's most recent text. 'Did you find her?'

'Clary's okay,' Jace replied. 'She is sleeping.'

'And you know this how?' Alec asked. Jace wasn't sure if Clary wanted him to tell anyone. It felt wrong somehow to explain that had happened to Alec without asking Clary first.

'I just do,' Jace replied. 'Everything's fine.' Thanks for telling me to look for her.' Jace had to add the thank you as the thought of what would have happened if Alec hadn't asked him to look for Cary still twisted his insides. It also made him want to punch something, preferably Sebastian.

'Please tell her I'm sorry!' Alec texted.

'Sure,' Jace texted back, before turning the volume off on his phone and setting it aside.

He returned to gazing at the beautiful sleeping girl before him. When had she become the center of his world? Was there an exact moment somewhere between then and now when this had happened? Jace remembered the first time he'd noticed her, or rather she'd noticed him. He recalled the first time she had entered his thoughts without him realizing it. He shook his head thinking of all the time he'd wasted denying even to himself what he really wanted. He'd wasted so much energy trying to get over her, trying to rid himself of the strange feelings he didn't understand. Looking back now he knew Sebastian had played a key role in his denial. How had Jace never seen through Sebastian before now? Why had it taken such a horrible thing to make him realize who Sebastian really was? Jace was ashamed of himself, ashamed of what he had let Sebastian get away with over the years, and ashamed of how long he'd been loyal to such a person. Clary rolled over in her sleep and Jace tried to bring his thoughts back to her. He would deal with Sebastian later.

He focused on the slight noise of Clary's even breathing, letting his mind calm with the rhythm.

"I want to check on Clary," a voice whispered. "Then we can go."

"Alright," the other voice whispered back. "But don't wake her up!"

Jace's eyes were closed but he was starting to become more aware of his body, sitting in a chair with his head lolling to the side. He must have fallen asleep watching over Clary. Jace opened his eyes and saw two women staring at him. He recognized them both: one was Alec's cousin, the other was someone Jace had often seen with Clary but he couldn't remember the woman's name.

"Jace," Aline whispered. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Clary," Jace said by way of answer. He wasn't feeling particularly rested, having fallen asleep in a rigid desk chair.

"Yes, I can see that," Aline replied as if talking to a child. "But why are you here?"

"Clary asked me to stay," Jace said his mind slowly clearing from the haze of sleep.

"I was just going to check on her," the other woman with Aline said. Had Alec mentioned her and Jace just couldn't remember or was this someone Jace didn't actually know? "But if she is upset I can stay. Go home Jace."

But Jace shook his head. "Can't go home yet," Jace said. "Clary asked me to stay."

"Surely she didn't mean all night," Aline whispered. But Jace just shrugged. Aline's friend rolled her eyes but seemed to accept his refusal.

"Clary's fine," Aline replied to her friend. It was only then that Jace noticed the two girls were holding hands. Maybe they were more than friends. It didn't matter much to Jace either way so he thought no more of it. "Let's just go." With one last look at Clary's sleeping form, she nodded and they left.

Jace settled back down into his chair. He didn't check the time, but swung his head to the side again and drifted off to sleep once more. Jace's dreams were vague and full of angels and demons. He fought the demons to protect the angel, but she was always just out of his grasp. Just when all the demons were clear of her, a surprise attack would keep him from his angel.

"Jace."

The whispered voice was Clary's and it pulled Jace out of his dream quickly. He opened his eyes. She was sitting up in bed gazing at him. "Did you stay here all night?" she asked.

"You asked me to stay," Jace replied groggily. She didn't answer with words but when she smiled at him, the joy lighting up her eyes, he had his answer. She was glad he'd stayed. Jace fought back the urge to move over to the bed and take her in his arms.

"How are you this morning?" Jace asked.

"I'm okay," she said. "I'm glad you're here." She was still smiling at him and Jace thought he could have flown to the moon on that smile. "But you must be sore from sleeping in the chair!" Jace shrugged, the small movement making him very aware of how knotted the muscles of his neck were.

"What do you want to do, Clary?" Jace asked again. She seemed confused, but when Jace reminded her what he meant the beaming smile on her face vanished, replaced by a more serious expression.

"He was your friend," Clary replied slowly. "And you stopped him before there was much to report." She took a deep breath then finished with, "I don't think we should go to the police."

"It doesn't matter that he was my friend," Jace said quickly. "Don't let that be a factor in your decision."

"No police," Clary said more firmly. Jace wanted to argue to tell her Sebastian had to be punished, but he yielded to her kind gaze.

"If that's what you want," he said. Jace didn't like her choice; he was afraid Sebastian's continued presence would lead to Sebastian trying to hurt Clary again. Jace ground his teeth together, but said nothing.

"What I want," Clary whispered so softly Jace almost thought he'd imagined it.

Clary leaned over the side of the bed, rummaging through her bag. She sat up again with her cell phone in hand.

"People must be worried," she said. "I left last night without explaining."

"I texted Alec," Jace assured her. "Everyone knows you're safe."

"Thanks," Clary replied.

"And Alec wanted me to tell you he's sorry," Jace said. Clary squirmed uncomfortably, but didn't speak. "I think he really means it," Jace adding, trying to comfort her.

"I'm sure he does," Clary said easily. Alec's apology didn't seem to be worrying her. She continued to look uncomfortable until she finally bit her lip and spoke.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," Clary said suddenly, turning to face him, her eyes shining.

"What do you mean?" Jace asked, confused. He was still sitting in the uncomfortable desk chair.

"Alec said," Clary started. "I mean, me coming up to talk to you and wearing your jacket… I didn't mean to…"

Jace wanted to punch Alec, just a little, as he gave up fighting and stood up to wrap his arms around Clary. He kissed the top of her head then whispered, "You have never hurt me, Clary."

"But-" Clary said. Jace pulled away, holding her face in his hands, he held her gaze.

"Forget what Alec said," Jace whispered. Unable to resist, he kissed her forehead before taking a step back.

"I should go," he said. "And you should text Simon."

"Simon?" Clary asked as if she'd forgotten who that was. Then her eyes went wide and she flushed. Jace couldn't help but hope his presence affected her, but there was time to think of that later. Jace had other things to deal with today. Leaving Clary sitting up in bed with her phone in her hand, Jace walked purposefully out of her dorm room. The halls of the university were plain with beige walls and that carpet you see in commercial buildings, the kind with many stuck down squares rather than one rolled out carpet. He supposed this was for practical reason rather than aesthetic ones. The carpet had not been done up to look like a bunch of squares as a design choice, but rather so one square could be replaced easily if, or rather when, the students ruined the rug. Analyzing the carpet choices of the school was not Jace's usual past time, but he was looking down as he walked, trying to think about anything other than what he was about to do.

Knowing Sebastian's tendency to sleep past noon, Jace was headed to his dorm. Reaching the plain door, Jace didn't knock, but instead burst into the room. Sebastian was in bed as Jace had known he would be. Jace had been here barely once before, since Sebastian was so rarely here. He took note of the heavy metal posters covering the wall on the opposite side of the room as Sebastian. Jace remembered, as if it had been someone else, the day they'd first arrived at this school. Sebastian had mentioned his roommate's love of heavy metal bands as his only distinguishing feature. Said roommate was thankfully not in attendance that morning and Jace didn't bother to wonder why. He was just grateful for the privacy as he slammed the door loudly behind him.

"Jace," Sebastian said groggily, awoken by the sudden loud noise.

Jace stood as calmly as he could muster, while he waited for Sebastian to get up. To Jace, it seemed to take an eternity.

"See, I knew we'd talk today," Sebastian said, smug as he sat up. "You never 'mean it' after all." He stretched and finally stood up. Jace took in the long red marks on his arms with pleasure. Clary was fiery, though if Jace had been the one attacking Sebastian, he would have been in significantly worse shape. Though it did seem Sebastian was at least walking as if his leg pained him. "So, what's up?" Sebastian finished his monologue, now standing casually in front of Jace as if nothing had changed.

"You are going to leave this school," Jace said in a cold firm voice. "You are going to pack up and dropout, or transfer somewhere else. I don't care how you leave, just that you leave."

"Yeah, okay sure," Sebastian scoffed, rolling his eyes as if Jace was joking. "And I'm also going to show up to class in a tutu." He laughed at his own joke.

"You are going to leave," Jace said again calmly. "You are never to contact anyone in my family ever again. And if I ever see your face again I will introduce it to a cement brick." The effect of such a statement in such a tranquil tone seemed to give Sebastian pause.

"You can't make me leave," Sebastian said knowingly as he made to move past Jace, but Jace's arms went out to stop him. Jace grabbed Sebastian by the throat and pressed him hard against the nearest wall. Sebastian made a gagging sound and Jace loosened his grip slightly.

"After everything we've been through," Sebastian said, angrily. "After all those years of being each other's whole world, you are rejecting me for a girl!"

Jace wanted to say that it had taken a girl, like Clary, to show Jace who Sebastian really was, but he didn't say a word. Sebastian ducked out of Jace's grip and moved across the room out of his reach.

"You can't make me leave," Sebastian repeated.

"Yes, I can," Jace replied. He had remained as cool and composed as he could all this time, knowing it was his best weapon. "I know all your secrets, Sebastian. I know every time you've taken advantage of a drunk underage girl. I shouldn't have let you get away with that then, but I am going to start making up for it now. If you don't leave today, I will be reporting every horrible thing you've ever done to the police, recent transgressions included." Clary may not want Jace to go to the police, but Sebastian didn't know that.

"You are a piece of work Herondale," Sebastian growled. "I would almost be proud if it wasn't directed at me."

Jace didn't speak but stood his ground.

"I should have nipped your little crush in the bud earlier," Sebastian chastised himself. "It ruined you."

The muscles in Jace's jaw clenched, but he said nothing. He knew his reply was exactly what Sebastian wanted: more ammo.

"Enjoy your new life with the wench who won't have you, and the queer who will," Sebastian smirked. "Call me when you figure out you are lost without me and want your real best friend back."

Jace turned and left the room, feeling like he had made his point. He was worried if he remained any longer he would make good on his promise and actually introduce Sebastian's face to a cement brick, or anything else heavy that happened to be on hand. The last thing Jace needed was an assault charge against him, though he doubted Sebastian would file one. Sebastian had never liked the police much. But then again, Jace thought as he walked quickly down the hall, his heart racing, he really hadn't known Sebastian at all.

When he'd gotten far enough away, he leaned back against a wall, slowly slid down it and collapsed in a heap on the floor. Jace couldn't hold back his tears anymore. He knew it was stupid. He knew Sebastian didn't deserve his grief, but Jace couldn't help who he cared about. He sobbed until the piece of his heart that belonged to his best friend cried itself out and broke off.

Jace stood up, dried his eyes and started walking. He just had to keep moving. No one had seen him cry and it was going to stay that way. He couldn't just start sobbing in the hallways! When Jace arrived at his dorm, Alec wasn't there and he was glad. He didn't want Alec to see his puffy eyes and ask questions. Jace didn't regret his actions, he knew Clary was safer without Sebastian here, but he needed some time alone right now.

Jace tried to distract himself with homework, but quickly found he didn't possess that level of concentration at the moment. Rather than go to the gym, Jace started doing push-ups on the floor. The physical activity cleared his head and made him feel better. He knew he had to call his mother and soon, before Sebastian had a chance to contact her. After another half hour of simple exercises, Jace was pretty sure his voice was steady enough and wouldn't give him away, so he called her.

"What a lovely surprise," Celine said as she answered the phone.

"Hey mom," Jace answered.

"What's wrong dear?" So much for his voice not giving him away.

"I don't really want to talk about it," Jace said, quickly trying to add some cheer, or at least neutrality to his voice. His attempts to not sound upset had clearly failed. "But I need to ask you for a favour."

"What is it?"

"Mom," Jace said. "If Sebastian calls, don't pick up the phone."

"I don't understand, sweetheart," Celine replied, obviously confused. "What happened?" His mom never knew the extent of Sebastian's less than savoury acts over the years. She just knew that he'd been by her son's side since they'd both been in diapers. This was going to be tricky.

"Just don't answer him, okay mom?" Jace said. "Don't talk to him at all. Don't let him into the house."

"Did you guys have a fight?" she asked. "Because if so, sweetheart, I'm sure you two will make up. You always do."

"Not this time, mom," Jace answered. He was dangerously close to tears again and needed to end this conversation quickly. "Sebastian crossed a line. There are some things that just can't be forgiven and this is one of them."

"Oh my," she said, stunned. "What happened?"

"Sebastian isn't who I thought he was, mom," Jace continued. "He tried to hurt someone I care about, but it isn't my story to tell. Sorry I can't explain more than that. Just trust me okay?"

"Okay," she said. "Are you alright?"

"I will be," Jace answered. "Thanks, mom."

"I love you," Celine said and Jace could hear the smile in her voice.

"I love you too ma," Jace answered. They said good-bye and he hung up the phone as he let the exhaustion of the last 24 hours wash over him.


At this rate I am going to be finished my other Malec story before this one even gets to Sizzy... sigh... but at least then I will be only updating two stories at once rather than three. I feel like this will be an improvement... though I did start writing another stories that I have yet to published just the other day so... not really holding out hope for that. lol. I have very firmly decided to NOT upload this new story until one of my other ones finishes! Let's see if I can keep to that this time.


AND OMG WE ARE 10 REVIEWS SHORT OF 200! The most reviews I have EVER gotten on a story was 228 and the majority of those were the same people just reviewing every chapter. I would SO LOVE it if this story surpassed that for number of reviews! Do you think we can make that happen? Pretty please with sugar on top!


Sneak Peek Chapter 30

"Oh right well," Clary said. "He said I didn't hurt him and not to listen to you." Jace had technically told her that this morning but no matter.

"Yep that sounds like Jace," Alec sighed, then muttered under his breath, "Masochistic little bastard."

"Alexander!" Magnus scolded his boyfriend.

"What?" Alec complained. "I never promised to keep Jace's secrets. People should just stop telling me things."