Fluffing fluffericly flufftastic fluff!

Chapter Song:

Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk (A throw back to my Dawson's Creek days…oh, how I loved that show!)

**I own nothing…except…well, you get the picture. ;) )

Never in her life had the elevator moved so slowly. The only good thing about it was that it allowed her a few moments to gather herself and catch her breath. For the second time that night, she regretted allowing Isabelle to make her over. She hadn't been expecting to see Jace and while she was sure he'd appreciate the look, she was also pretty positive he wouldn't like anyone else seeing her in it. Plus, she felt uncomfortable. She'd rather look like herself, but not even that could force her to wait a second longer to see him.

As soon as the doors slid open, she raced into the hall and down to his door. With a shaking hand, she knocked lightly. She waited a few seconds and knocked again. No answer. Scowling, she twisted the knob and peered inside.

"Jace?" The room was empty. There was no sign he'd even been there, except for the faint moisture hanging in the air that indicated someone had recently taken a shower.

Clary exited his room and turned back down the hall toward hers. Looking inside, she knew immediately he wasn't there. Her room stood exactly as it had when she'd left earlier. With a frustrated sigh, she turned back to the corridor, her mind searching and her eyes wandering. "Where are you?" she asked no one in particular.

Deciding to check the library, she walked back in the direction of Jace's room. Once she'd passed his door and was almost to the entrance to the library, she heard it. The soft sound of music coming from further down the hall. Her chest clenched and her heart sped as she realized what it was. The piano. She swallowed hard and continued toward the music.

When she finally reached the music room, the door was open. She stepped over the threshold and there he was. He sat on the bench, dressed in only a light t-shirt and jeans, his long fingers stroking the keys with grace. His eyes were closed and his head was cocked slightly to the side. The soft glow of the fire in the fireplace illuminated only the half of his face closest to her position with a flickering, warm light, the other was shrouded in shadows. His hair was still damp and curling tighter than normal from the moisture. As much as she wanted to run to him, to crush him to her, another part of her just wanted to watch. The look on his face was one of pure peace—one he didn't often show. She could only remember seeing it in the times she was awarded the pleasure of watching him sleep.

Moving further into the room, she was careful to keep her steps quiet as to not alert him to her presence—not yet. She wasn't through just watching him yet. Wasn't ready to have that expression removed from his face. Her breathing quickened the closer she got, the anticipation of that moment when he would notice her, reach out to her, kiss her, was almost more than she could stand. But yet, she drew it out, knowing it would only be that much sweeter when it happened. Just as she was within a foot of him, his shoulders tensed and his fingers stilled on the keys.

"Don't stop," she said as she moved even closer, leaving only inches between them. The tingling heat that always sparked when she was near him came relentlessly, causing her body to tremble. "You don't play enough. I wish you would more. I've always wanted to learn to play like that."

His fingers began moving again, slower than before. The melody was one of longing, need, and maybe even a touch of sadness. "Why didn't you then?" The sound of his voice sent jolts of longing through her, making it almost impossible not to touch him. But still, she wanted this. Wanted to listen to him, watch him.

"I don't know. Not disciplined enough, I guess."

"It's never too late to learn."

She smiled. "No, I suppose not."

"Would you like to know what it feels like to play?"

"Yes," she said.

"Put your hands on mine, and I'll show you."

Her heart thudded harder. "Really?"

"Really."

Clary took another small step forward until her body was flush against his back. She closed her eyes as his warmth flooded through her, and the electricity that once only surrounded them—inside the spaces between them that their bodies did not inhabit—now engulfed her, bringing every sensation to the most intense it could be. Her trembling hands touched his shoulders lightly and slid down his arms, her fingers tracing the lines of every muscle, every scar, until they rested on top of his.

"Now, close your eyes." His breath cascaded over her cheek causing her to shudder involuntarily.

She did as he said and shut her eyes. His fingers moved underneath hers. She felt the strength and skill behind them. The confidence in which they traveled across the keys and the sounds they caused to fill the air surrounding them. Her breathing increased as she stood there, leaning over him, her hands on top of his, their cheeks touching. She felt him turn slightly and she shivered when his nose traced the length of her jaw.

"I missed you," he whispered.

Clary let out a deep sigh. "I missed you, too."

"Please," he breathed into her ear, "please tell me I can stop because I don't think I can stand another second of not kissing you."

Her breath hitched. "God, yes."

The music stopped abruptly and she turned her face to meet his. Their lips met with the most innocent softness. It was barely even a brush, but that was all it took for her body to melt into him. Her breath came out in a shuddering gush as if she'd been holding it since the moment he'd left. She felt as his body shifted, turning completely around so he faced her, his knees knocking hers. As she situated herself between his legs, his hands came up, cupping her cheeks and hers made their way to the back of his neck. Heat spread from the point in which he touched her throughout her entire being as he pulled her tighter to him, crushing their mouths together. An involuntary moan escaped from her lips as the taste of him filled her to overflowing. She thought she'd remembered everything about how he felt, how he looked, how he smelled, and how he tasted, but the reality was so much better than the memory.

Too soon, he pulled away, his hands still on her face and his eyes intent on hers. It was almost painful to stare into them. Slowly, he stood in front of her, her head tilting upward to keep her gaze on his.

"How is it possible that, in the span of two short days, you've managed to grow even more beautiful?" His thumbs brushed along her cheekbones.

Clary rolled her eyes and glanced down at her outfit. "Isabelle."

Jace's gaze never wavered from hers. "I wasn't talking about the clothes, or hair, or make up—which we will be discussing before the night is over. Just you. The only thing I see is you. And you," he leaned forward and touched his lips gently to hers, "are infinitely more beautiful," he kissed her again, "stunning," and again, "perfect."

"What did I tell you about sweet talking me?" Her voice came out uneven and breathy.

He smiled. "That I was exceptional at it and that you love it."

"No. I believe I said it wasn't fair."

He brought her face forward and brushed his lips back and forth across hers. "And I believe I showed you exactly how equal we are in our affect on each other."

Clary closed her eyes and her lips parted slightly. "Maybe I need a reminder."

She felt Jace smile against her mouth. "I was hoping you'd say that."

His hands left her cheeks and trailed down her neck, then her shoulders until they snaked around her back, pulling her even tighter against him. She hooked her arms up under his and held onto his shoulders. His lips left hers and brushed along her cheek until he tucked his face up against her neck and just held her. She closed her eyes and relished in the moment of having him close again, having his arms wrapped around her, and feeling his heart beating against her.

"Was it really only two days? It feels like so much longer," she said.

"Umm hmm. Just two days." He turned his face to plant a small kiss at the base of her neck.

This time she pulled back, running her hands down his back and reaching forward to grasp his hand. She took it between both of hers. Looking down, she held it in one of hers and traced the lines of his palm with her finger. "I missed your hands." She raised it to her lips, closed her eyes and brushed her mouth along his knuckles. Opening them again, she lowered his hand back to his side and reached up to lay both of hers on his face, her fingers moving along his jaw and cheek bones. "I missed your face." Her thumb moved to brush his perfect mouth. "I missed your lips." She lowered her hands, allowing her fingers to trail slowly behind, dragging along his neck and shoulders to his chest. He closed his eyes briefly to the sensation. "I missed . . ." Her voice caught. "Everything," she whispered.

Clary stepped forward, burying her face in his chest and running her hands up under his shirt, splaying her fingers across his sides. "God, I missed this so much." She breathed in deeply, letting his scent flood her with him.

His hand came up and knotted in her hair as his face lowered to her head, his lips brushing against her. "Me too."

So lost in Jace, Clary didn't even realize they'd moved until she heard the click of the door closing and the snap of the locked being turned into place. She glanced up into Jace's smiling face.

"Now we won't be disturbed."

She smiled and grabbed his hands, leading him to the rug in front of the fireplace. Pulling him down with her, they sank to their knees, their eyes never leaving each others. Their bodies lined up perfectly as they knelt there, the fire crackling and sending off heat in their direction. Clary untwined her fingers from his and moved up his arms keeping her touch light and smooth, her eyes following their progress until she stopped at his shoulders.

"You know, as much as I thought I remembered what it felt like to be with you, to touch you, I never had it quite right. It was never good enough." She raised her gaze to his. His eyes burned with not only the reflection of the flames from the fireplace, but also the ones that lived inside him. "Part of me wonders if I'm just dreaming and you're still gone. I'm afraid to touch you too much because if I do you might disappear and I'll wake up without you."

Jace reached over and took her hand in his, raising it to his lips and kissing her palm. "I'm right here, Clary. Touch me. I won't disappear."

Something snapped inside of her and she could no longer resist the urge to wrap herself up in him. She threw her arms around his neck, twisted her fists into his nearly dry hair and pulled him roughly to her. His lips were willing and eager as they opened against hers, allowing her access to him. She took advantage and held nothing back, pressing herself as tightly as she could against him, wanting to feel every inch of his body against hers.

"Please," she whimpered against his mouth.

"What do you want, Clary? I'll give you anything you want."

"You . . . I just . . . want . . .you," she said between kisses, "always . . . you."

"You have me . . . none of me . . . some of me . . . all of me. Forever. I'm yours." His kisses slowed on her lips as his fingers brushed the hair away from her cheek.

Clary leaned her forehead against his, her eyes closed and her breath coming quick. "Mine," she whispered almost in a questioning tone.

"Yours," he whispered back.

She tilted her chin up and caught his upper lip between hers, flicking her tongue out to taste him once more. "Mine," she said with more confidence.

He smiled against her lips and opened his mouth wider to her assault. Drowning herself in his essence, she barely noticed her own hands clawing at his shirt until they parted to pull it over his head. Her hands dropped instantly to his chest, greedily touching every inch and knowing that in doing so she was claiming them as her own. Before she knew it, her own shirt was gone and her skirt, thankfully having a full zipper down the side, was fluttering loose to the floor.

Jace's lips left hers for a moment to assess what she was still wearing. She heard him swear under his breath, "Damn Isabelle," but it wasn't an angry curse. More an exclamation of awe as he no doubt let his eyes wander over the black lace bra and matching cheekies. His fingers ran lightly over the wide strap against her hip before his lips attacked hers once more. She'd have to remember to thank Isabelle later for the underthings.

Reaching forward, she made quick work of the snap and zipper of his jeans, skillfully pushing them off his hips. Somehow, he managed to slip completely out of them without standing. His hands were everywhere, in her hair, on her back, tracing lines across her stomach, digging into her hips as he pulled her closer. Her body erupted in goosebumps as relentless tremors shot through her at his touch. She'd never felt so warm or so wanted in her entire life. With trembling hands, she lowered them to the zipper on the side of her boot. She pulled against the teeth and was almost to her knee when it got hung up. Pausing for a moment, she yanked it back up a few inches and tried again. No movement. A frustrated cry escaped her lips as she tried again. No luck.

"Damn Isabelle!" she reiterated Jace's earlier sentiment but without the awestruck inflection as she desperately pulled on the zipper.

She felt his lips split into a grin against her mouth as his hand found hers and stilled its frantic tugging. "Let me," he said.

Reluctantly, she removed her hand and let his take her place. He moved a little lower on her leg until his hand cupped the underside of her knee and pulled her leg up, stretching it straight in front of her. Gripping the zipper, he pulled gently, dragging it easily down the length of her leg, ending at her ankle. When he reached the bottom, he slipped his hand inside and loosened the boot from her foot, tossing it behind him once she was free of it. Wrapping his fingers once more around her ankle, he slid his hand up to her knee, grasping it again and tucking her leg back the way it was. He repeated the action with her other leg, this time starting at her hip and sliding down her outer thigh before extending her leg out. As he slipped the second boot off her foot, he bent and ran his lips up her outer thigh, his hands meeting them at the edge of her hip. They followed the curve of her body until he reached the bottom of her bra. His hands ghosted over her stomach and chest until he reached her neck.

Clary met his eyes as his fingers traced just below her ear and made their way up into her hair. A stray curl had made its way free from his tangle of hair and lay haphazardly across his forehead. She reached over and moved it gently away, leaving her hand lingering at his temple.

"I'm home, Clary," he said.

She smiled. "You're home."

Running her fingers through the soft curls just above his ears, she leaned forward and took his lips with hers once more, content to never leave this moment for the rest of her life.

Yay! Jace is home!!! I missed him. Oh, how I missed him…Hope you enjoyed this portion of their reunion!

Several of you have commented on how you think I should have broken this up into two stores, and maybe I should have. But, I do have reasons for not doing so, and even though it is quickly reaching the length of 2 novels instead of one (hehe) I still don't plan to separate them.

I have been loving your comments and your music suggestions. I listen to every single one!! As I've said numerous times, music is integral to me. It's like the fuel behind my genius (if you can call it that, LOL). For example, last night I plugged the song for this chapter in, leaned back, closed my eyes, and let it play over and over as the scene formed in my mind. That's how it works for me, so I am beyond grateful for suggestions. Sometimes your songs inspire a scene and if I can remember who gave me the suggestion I will give you a shout out!