Disclaimer : I do not own TMI or any of the characters. They all belong to Cassandra Clare.
Clary sat and aimlessly drew in her sketchpad. She drew the view from the attic was best view from the Fairchild manor. Just then a pair of hands grabbed her sketchpad. She couldn't help but think about how this was just like the first time she had met Jace.
She had been over at the Lightwood's house with Jon. Clary had started to draw one of the plants growing in Izzy's room. Izzy had been talking to her about something that five year old Clary didn't care much about. Jon and Alec were playing with wooden blades."Let me see what you're drawing," a boy's voice demanded of her. It wasn't Jace or Alec's voice. She looked up to scan the room for was talking to her. Her green eyes met gold ones.
"Why should I?"she responded. Who was this boy to think he could get whatever he wanted? Before she could voice these thoughts the sketchpad was snatched from her hands. She grabbed it back. "Don't take other people's things. Who are you, anyway?"she asked. She knew her mother would have told her that she was being rude, but she didn't care.
"I'm Jace Herondale. You're Clary Morgenstern, aren't you?" he asked curiously. Jace had already decided that he liked her. He was used to getting whatever he wanted, and being looked at with pity for having his father die when he was so young. He hated it. Clary was different though. She didn't automatically treat him differently. This started a conversation. She liked Jace, too. Most of the girls that she was expected to hang out with didn't care about weapons. They cared about dolls. Jace was like her. Clary and Jon had to go home after a while. Clary was sad to go, but couldn't wait to tell her older brother and her mother about her new friend. Jace and Clary quickly grew to be friends with their similar personalities. Then slowly became more than friends.
"Clary! Are you even listening to me?" Jon's voice said snapping her out of her flashback.
"Yes, Jonathan," she said, rolling her eyes, a talent that both the Morgenstern siblings had mastered. Clary knew Jon hated being called Jonathan, but she was also extremely annoyed. She loved her brother, her parabatai. He had always protected her and been there for her to talk to, but over that last week he had become increasingly irritating. He had finally mustered up the courage to ask out Izzy Lightwood. Clary had endlessly teased him about being able to fight horrifying demons, but not being able to ask out a girl. Now that he had finally done it he needed every detail to be perfect. Being Iz's best friend Clary was supposed to know every little detail about her. After the 20th time of being asked about Izzy's favorite flower she had taken to hiding out in the attic.
"Since you obviously weren't listening I'll repeat myself. I'm going to go say bye to Alec," Jon said. His voice was much softer this time. He always seem to know what she was thinking or feeling. It was an ability past being parabatai. Clary had completely forgotten that Alec was leaving today. Alec had been the first to turn 18 in their group of friends. He would now be touring institutes across the world and learning about their different weapons and fighting techniques. Starting this year the Clave had decided that they were going to involve downworlders in this. Shadowhunters from Alicante had never really seen any downworlders, and would now see them and their magic during their traveling. Alec was starting his traveling with the New York City Institute. Robert and Maryse were hesitant to let Alec go on his own, but realized that he needed to see the world.
"I'm coming with you," Clary said, already lacing her boots up. "Just let me go find Val." Valentina was almost impossible to find unless you were following the path of crumbs she had made. Luke and Jocelyn had gotten married when Clary was 10 and had Valentina when she was 11. Luke had always been like a father to Clary. He had taken care of Jocelyn after the death of Clary's father and grandparents. Valentina looked like Jocelyn, but acted more like Luke. Even at her young age she loved books. You could always find her somewhere with crumbs on her hands and her nose in a book. Clary followed her instincts and looked in the library. Val was curled up on the couch asleep with a book dangling from her hand. Clary took the book and inspected it. It was Alice in Wonderland, a good choice. Clary picked up Val gently, being sure not to wake her up. When Clary first heard she was going to be a sister she was terrified. How was she supposed to take care of someone so small and fragile? Luke and Jocelyn said that Clary had immediately wanted to hold her and take care of her. After making sure Val was securely tucked in she went downstairs to meet with Jonathan. Clary nodded to Jon and they began walking to meet the others.
"Just the people we were waiting for," Clary heard, as she and Jon were walking up to the others. She would know that voice anywhere. She quickly kissed Jace on the cheek, and then continued walking up to Alec. He had his back turned to the rest of them, and his hands were slightly shaking. Sensing he needed a moment she turned to see who all had come to see Alec off. Aline, Helen, Izzy, Jace, Jon and her had all come. She waved to Aline and Helen. Izzy was busy talking to Jon.
"I'm ready," Alec said as he turned around. "I'm going to miss you all so much," he added, his voice shaking. He went in a circle and hugged everyone. They all said their goodbyes, then stood and watched as Alec's figure disappeared into the portal.