Clary was nervous when Jocelyn had text her asking to come into work early and meet her in Luke's office. Had Valentine tried something else again? Would he even dare right now, with the planned merger between Lightwood Garroway and Santiago Belcourt now public knowledge? It seemed unfathomable, even for a man as twisted as Valentine.

She decided not to wake Jace. She gently kissed his forehead before she quietly rolled out of bed, got changed, left him a note on her empty pillow explaining where she'd gone and left his apartment.

A reluctance came over her as she entered the building and stepped into the elevator. If there was yet more bad news, something that must be affecting her mother and Luke (who basically was her father), she wasn't sure she wanted to hear it and make it real. She couldn't go through that again.

As she walked into the office, Jocelyn and Luke were both stood there waiting, white as a sheet. They seemed just as nervous as Clary was. She didn't like this one bit.

"Thanks for coming, kiddo." Luke smiled and hugged her, Jocelyn following suit.

"We, um...we have some news we've wanted to share for a while now. With the merger and everything, it just seemed like the right down for more good news. We wanted to be sure something was happening and working before we shared it with anyone, and now we are there was no other person we'd tell first." Jocelyn explained.

"Okay..." Clary said, hearing nothing to calm her nerves yet. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes! Great! Better than great." Jocelyn smiled, turning to Luke. He stood next to her and took her hand in his. Clary's eyes widened.

"Your mother and I, um..." Luke began nervously.

"Luke and I are seeing each other." Jocelyn said apprehensively.

"Wait, like...romantic style?" Clary raised an eyebrow.

"...Yes." Jocelyn smiled. "It's been a few weeks now. Things are going really well."

"They really are." Luke added happily. Jocelyn blushed. "But we agreed that you'd have to be okay with this if it were to go any further."

"Exactly. We know this would be a big change for you too." Jocelyn said.

"We wouldn't want this to make you uncomfortable." Luke nodded.

Clary beamed. "Are you kidding? I'm ecstatic!"

"Really?" Jocelyn and Luke said in time.

"Really! I'm...this is amazing! I saw this coming years ago! I'm so happy for you two!" Clary exclaimed, pulling Jocelyn and Luke into a big hug.

"You're sure?" Luke asked.

"Yes!" Clary laughed. "This is wonderful! It's what I've always wanted! I knew you two would be perfect together; you both deserve to be happy."

"I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that." Jocelyn grinned, hugging her daughter again.

"You deserve this, mom." Clary smiled before taking Luke's hand. "Luke, you've been the only father I've ever known. You don't need to worry about this changing anything. It's how I've always seen you. You've always been our family. Now this...you two...it just confirms what I've always known."

Luke pulled Clary into a hug, clearly touched. "Thank you, kiddo. I love you so much. Both of you."

"I love you too." Clary smiled as Jocelyn joined the hug. "I'm so happy."

"Me too." Jocelyn whispered into Clary's hair, holding back tears.

...

Simon was so invested in filling in a document on his computer that he hadn't even noticed Jace walk up to his cubicle. He looked up, clocked Jace, and felt his soul leave his body.

"Don't sneak up on me like that!" Simon exclaimed as Jace held in a laugh.

"Good to see you working hard for once." Jace teased, frowning as he looked at the empty cubicle next to Simon. "No Clary?"

"Haven't seen her yet. Why? She finally come to her senses and leave you?" Simon asked.

"Funny, but no. What were you even so invested in?" Jace wondered.

"The paperwork you asked me to fill in about the merger." Simon answered.

"Oh, right. Well I hope you're nearly done with that, because guess who's gonna get his chance to host a dinner for the partners after all?" Jace grinned as he handed Simon a folder.

"What? But they cancelled that when things kicked off before?" Simon sighed.

"Yep, but with the merger it's an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other and look like a cohesive unit in the public eye. No pressure." Jace explained.

"Well, why didn't they pick someone else at random like normal?"

"Because you were picked but never got your chance. Plus, you've got a head start on planning." Jace said.

"Apart from having to find a bigger venue to accommodate the new people, reshuffle the entire seating plan and find out the new employees' allergy information and food preferences." Simon groaned.

"Apart from that, yeah." Jace said. "Have fun with that, Potter. I was so very disappointed when we had to cancel it before. I'm sure you'll do fine. And I bet asking Izzy for her sparkly pink folder of information will be nowhere near as awkward this time around."

"I hate you." Simon sighed as Clary appeared from the elevator and approached them.

"Hey!" Clary said happily, rubbing Jace's arm. "Sorry I had to dash this morning."

"Everything okay?" Jace asked.

"Better than okay. Can we talk quickly?" Clary said. Jace nodded and Clary led him to a supply closer down the corridor.

"We don't normally do much talking in here." Jace grinned as Clary closed the door.

"My mom wanted to talk to me. And Luke." Clary began to explain.

"Okay...everything alright?" Jace questioned.

"For once, yeah. They're, um...they're together. Together, together." Clary smiled.

Jace's eyes widened. "Together? Like...doing it together?"

Clary laughed. "I guess. Thanks for that image."

"That's amazing! That is amazing, right? Your smile indicates it is amazing but if it's not amazing, I'm one hundred percent with you on the not-amazingness."

Clary giggled, wrapping her arms around Jace's neck. "It's amazing. About damn time."

"Something good happening? What a rare occurrence." Jace said.

"Well I'm hoping it goes just as well for us." Clary said, suddenly serious.

"What do you mean?" Jace asked.

"Well, they've been together for a little while and waited to see if it was working before telling people. Their honesty...it got me thinking. About us." Clary explained.

"...You want to tell them about us?" Jace observed.

Clary nodded. "Clearly this is working, and if we catch them on a good day like today, I think they'd take it really well."

"You say that as if they normally wouldn't take it well." Jace raised an eyebrow.

"They'd take it well. But today they'd take it really well. Hopefully. I think it's time to be honest. I'm sick of hiding this." Clary said.

"I'm more than happy to finally get to show you off. And to no longer have to go to crappy restaurants to guarantee we wouldn't bump into anyone we know." Jace grinned.

"...I was kinda scared you wouldn't be so into the idea." Clary admitted.

"Are you kidding? Yeah, it might change things with my working relationship with Jocelyn but we had to tell her at some point, right? I think it's better to tell her I'm in love with her daughter as opposed to telling her I think her daughter's the worst." Jace said.

Clary's face changed as he spoke. "You're...you're what?"

Jace was confused for a moment. What had he said to evoke such a weird response?

"I think it's better to tell her I'm in love with her daughter as opposed to telling her I think her daughter's the worst."

"…I'm in love with her daughter..."

"Oh." Jace realised. "Shit."

Before he knew it, Clary had pulled him closer by his tie and kissed him with all she had. He deepened the kiss as they backed against the wall. They revelled in the taste of each other's mouths before only parting for air to breathe.

"I love you too." Clary smiled; their lips still practically pressed together.

Jace kissed her again, more tenderly this time, wanting to remember every detail of this moment for the rest of his life.

"...When shall we tell her?" Jace whispered, his forehead pressed against hers, breathing heavily.

"Our lunch break. Gives us plenty of time for her to digest it. I don't think she has so much as an inkling." Clary said.

"You're the boss." Jace laughed. "Lunch break it is."

"Great." Clary smiled.

Jace nodded, kissed her again, and turned to reach for the door handle. Clary grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. She reached for his hand and led him deeper into the closet behind some shelving units.

"Let's go back to the 'not much talking' thing." Clary bit her lip, pulling Jace close again.

He smiled into another deep kiss and shook off his jacket. Maintaining the kiss and giggling, Clary undid his tie and discarded it as Jace lifted her up and held her against the wall. Jace planted kisses down Clary's neck as she moaned with pleasure, tearing open Jace's shirt. It fell to the floor as he unzipped the back of her dress.

...

Simon took a deep breath as he stood outside Isabelle's office. Things were slowly getting back to some sort of normal between them after everything, but he had tried to avoid one-on-one moments with her. It was still painful for him to be alone with her but not be able to kiss her and touch her as he desperately longed to.

Deciding he couldn't put off going in for much longer as someone would come along soon enough and catch him being awkward, he braced himself and knocked on the door.

"Come in." Isabelle's voice announced.

Simon opened the door and was shocked to see Isabelle wasn't alone in there. She was sat at her desk but stood in front of her was a radiantly presented man. His hair was long but tied back neatly, and his features seemed soft and hardened at the same time.

"Oh, hello. Sorry." Simon mumbled. "I, um...I didn't realise I was interrupting."

"It's no problem at all, my friend." The man said gently, offering his hand. Simon shook it. "Nice to make your acquaintance."

"Simon, this is Meliorn. He's a junior partner at Santiago Belcourt." Isabelle revealed.

"Right, I think I've heard your name mentioned before." Simon nodded.

"As I have heard yours. Your reputation precedes you." Meliorn purred.

"Is that good or bad?" Simon chuckled.

"Depends on what reputation they're talking about." Isabelle said blankly. Simon felt like he'd been punched in the gut. "Meliorn is scouring the building for potential offices for Camille when the merger is finalised."

"I'm stepping away from the firm upon the merger's completion, but for now I still work for Camille. She has other commitments today but I promised to find her a suitable space. I'm glad I offered, too; it seems my decision to leave upon the merger may be premature. It appears there could be many reasons to stick around." Meliorn smirked, shooting Isabelle a meaningful look. Isabelle smiled back and Simon wanted to jump out the window.

"...I'll come back." Simon said quickly, heading for the door.

"Wait, wait. No need, I really must get back to it. I've been somewhat distracted by Miss Lightwood's delightful company." Meliorn said.

His voice was like caramel. Simon hated him.

"It was wonderful talking to you." Isabelle smiled at Meliorn, offering her hand. "I hope this won't be our last conversation."

"If I am a lucky man, it won't be." Meliorn said smoothly, taking Isabelle's hand and kissing it before heading for the door. "Nice talking to you, Simon."

"You too." Simon forced a smile as Meliorn headed out, taking one last look at Isabelle and biting his lip as he went.

As the door closed, Simon rolled his eyes. "What a show-off."

"What are you talking about? For someone who works at Santiago Belcourt, he was incredibly charming. Not many men can pull off that hair, but...wow. Just wow." Isabelle said, staring at her hand as if Meliorn's kiss had left a golden sheen on her skin.

"Yeah, I'm sure he was delightful company." Simon groaned, mocking Meliorn's voice.

Isabelle managed to convey annoyance and amusement at the impression in the same look. "I've got a busy day, Simon. What do you want?"

"...Right, sorry. Uh, that dinner I asked you to help me with a while ago for the partners? It's back on now the merger's happening. I'm lumbered with organising it...again." Simon explained.

"Say no more." Isabelle nodded, reaching into a drawer on her desk and pulling out a familiar pink folder. She slid it across the desk to Simon. "There you go. Hold on to it as long as you need. You'll have to do the research on the incoming employees, though."

"Thanks. You're a lifesaver." Simon smiled.

Isabelle nodded. "Is that everything?"

"...Yeah. I guess." Simon said.

"Great. Hope the planning goes well." Isabelle said.

"Thank you. I, uh...if you want to help out again, I'd be more than happy to run some ideas by you. It was a big help last time." Simon suggested.

Isabelle took a moment. "Um...I'm actually pretty busy."

Simon didn't hide his disappointment very well and stared at the floor. "Oh. Okay. Fair enough."

"I'm sure Clary will be able to help you this time." Isabelle said, not looking Simon in the eye and pretending to read whatever was on her computer screen.

"Yeah, yeah, she'll help out. No problem. Sorry I asked, I just thought...never mind. I've taken up enough of your time. Bye." Simon hurried out of the door, knowing all he'd be thinking about for at least the next week would be whether or not Isabelle was ever going to see Meliorn again.

As soon as he left, Isabelle let out a sigh and placed her head on her desk.

...

"Maybe this isn't such a good idea." Jace said as he and Clary walked down the corridor at lunchtime towards Jocelyn's desk.

Clary placed a hand on his chest, stopping their approach. She smiled. "...Are you nervous?"

"No. I'm terrified." Jace admitted. "I don't think I've been terrified before. Put me in a courtroom with an unwinnable case any day of the week. Hell, put me naked in a courtroom with an unwinnable case."

"Happily." Clary teased.

Jace let out a breathy laugh. "I'm serious."

"It's good that you're nervous. It shows how genuine you are about this. Don't take it the wrong way, but it's kind of nice to see." Clary said.

"How romantic." Jace said. "What is she doesn't approve? What if she pushes me out the window? What if she pretends she's okay with her boss dating her daughter, waits a few months and then BAM! Poisoned coffee cup?"

"I want her to approve and be happy for us." Clary said. "But if she doesn't? Then she doesn't. It's not gonna change how I feel about you. But given how things went this morning and how much she appreciated my blessing combined with how much I know she adores you? It's gonna be fine. I promise."

"...Okay. Let's do it." Jace nodded.

"After." Clary winked. Jace felt his face redden as Clary led the way down the corridor and towards Jocelyn's desk.

"Hey, mom." Clary smiled, approaching the desk with Jace standing a metre or so away.

"Hey, sweetheart. Everything okay?" Jocelyn asked, noting Jace's looming presence. Jace ran a hand through his hair. "...Jace, what is it? Why are you nervous?"

Jace stepped forward to stand next to Clary. "Me? Nervous? Please. I'm not nervous."

Jocelyn glared at him. Jace looked at Clary as if to say dear god, help me!

"I wanted to talk to you about something." Clary said. "Well, we both did."

Clary smiled at Jace. He smiled back. Jocelyn stood up from her desk.

"Okay." Jocelyn said.

"After this morning with you and Luke, it got me thinking about how much I appreciated you being honest with me and taking your time until you felt comfortable enough to tell me. I think you both handled it really healthily." Clary explained. "And it made me realise that I was comfortable enough to tell you something too."

Jocelyn looked at Clary for a moment, then to Jace.

"...Jace?" Jocelyn asked.

Jace was silent for a moment. "Yeah?"

"...Are you dating my daughter?"

"...Yeah." Jace swallowed hard as Clary took his hand.

"It's been a little while, and things are going great." Clary said. "I know this might be a bit of a shock, but I'm really happy, mom. We both are."

Jocelyn took a moment before walking around the desk and pulling Clary into a tight hug. "Then that's all I need to know. And I think you two are really good for each other."

Jace felt the tension release from every part of his body as Jocelyn and Clary's faces turned into beaming smiles. Jocelyn walked over to Jace.

"You're looking after her? Protecting her?" Jocelyn asked.

"I am. You raised an amazing person, Jocelyn." Jace said meaningfully. Clary blushed and beamed.

"I did. Which is why I trust her taste. That, and I know you don't like to show how big a heart you have. She'll look after you too." Jocelyn smiled and hugged Jace. Jace and Clary shared a huge smile.

"We should all have dinner at mine tonight! All of us and Luke! Are you both free?" Clary asked excitedly.

"I should think so." Jocelyn said happily.

"Amazing! I'll go and ask Luke to make sure." Clary squealed. "I love you, mom."

Clary hugged her mother again. Jocelyn smiled. "I love you too."

As they parted, Clary walked over to Jace and kissed him sweetly. "Told you."

"You did." Jace smiled. Clary giggled, kissed him again and hurried off to find Luke.

"...I'm sorry we kept it from you, and I know it might change things a bit..." Jace began.

"Jace." Jocelyn said. "I had a feeling you liked her, I just didn't realise it was mutual. The way you were looking at each other...I don't know how I didn't see it. I guess there's been a lot to distract me. You love her?"

"...So much." Jace said.

"Then I couldn't be happier. Or more proud." Jocelyn smiled. "And we're professionals. Work stuff at work. Personal stuff outside of work."

"Agreed." Jace said. "I was so nervous about telling you. I won't hurt her. I promise."

"Good." Jocelyn nodded.

With another sigh of relief, Jace nodded and headed into his office.

"Jace?"

He turned to face her. "Yeah?"

"I love you and I love Simon, but if Clary gets dragged into your mess and gets taken down with you if it ever comes out I'll rain hell on you both for the rest of your lives." Jocelyn said, her face emotionless.

Jace swallowed. "Noted."

"Good. Back to work?" Jocelyn asked.

"Back to work." Jace agreed.

Jace walked into his office and Jocelyn sat back down at her desk without another word.