Clary sat in her living room with Simon beside her and a Christmas tree on her other side. She had her head resting on Simon's shoulder while she listened to her parents and brother in the kitchen.

"But, mom!" Jonathan was complaining. "I don't like university. I want to do something else with my life."

"You are so close to graduating dear!" Jocelyn replied. "Why not just finish?"

"Your mother is right," Luke chimed in.

"You can't make me stay in school," Jonathan said. Her brother looked nothing like her, with fair hair and strong features. Jocelyn said he resembled their father, which the few pictures of him Clary had seen seemed to confirm.

"We are just trying to help you make the right decision," Jocelyn's voice carried through to the living room.

With a sigh, Clary got up and followed the sounds of her family fighting until she stood in the center of it all.

"Stop," she said very firmly, her hands held out, palms out toward her brother and parents respectively.

"Back me up, Care!" Jon said. He had started calling her Care when she was little and somehow Clary had never managed to shake the baby name even as a teenager.

"Guys," Clary said. "Seriously get a grip. Jon leaving school isn't the end of the world. It's Christmas. Chill."

"Thanks, Care!" Jon said beaming at her. Clary gave very meaningful looks to both her parents before grinning at her brother.

"Anytime," Clary replied as she dragged her brother away from her parents and back into the living room. "Though next time save your 'I'm leaving school to find myself' announcement until after the turkey."

Jon laughed and her semi-perfect family Christmas picked up right where it had left off, though her parents were still a little stiff. Since Hanukkah was before Simon always spent Christmas with her family.

Clary spent as much time over the holidays with Jon as she could since she wouldn't see him again till the summer and then only if he was at home. Since they talked a lot about his plans to backpack through Europe with his girlfriend, she doubted she'd see much of him even then. Clary couldn't help but think the trip would be good for him. She was sure he'd finish his degree eventually. He just needed a break.

Aside from spending time with her brother, Clary couldn't say her holidays were terribly eventful. She kissed Simon at midnight on New Year's, or rather, the Lewis family Christmas and before long they were headed back to school.

"Magnus hasn't texted me," Clary told Simon. They had just gotten on the plane and Clary was reminded, when turning off her phone, of her lack of messages.

"I'm sure he's fine," Simon replied.

"He didn't seem fine during exams," Clary said. "He seemed numb."

"Maybe the holidays helped bring feeling back into his limbs?" Simon suggested.

"I hope so," Clary said with a sigh as she laid her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. Simon's hand found hers and he held it while they listened to the pre-flight instructions. It was a short flight, but it was so much better than taking the bus.

She listened to Simon talk quickly about his band and his sister while the plane moved through the air. Clary tried to reply but her head was literally in the clouds as she gazed out the window. The view from above was stunning. She wanted nothing more than to paint it. Clary turned her phone back on and switched it to airplane mode so she could take pictures to paint later. As they approached their destination and the ground got closer, Clary took more pictures where the cars looked like wind-up toys and the buildings like dollhouses.

When they landed, Clary wasn't expecting anyone to meet them at the baggage line. They had planned to take the shuttle into town then the bus back to school. Consequently, Clary was very surprised to get off the plane and be greeted by a grinning Magnus. Though thrilled to see her friend so happy, Clary was at a loss as to why until she saw Alec standing beside Magnus with an equally joyful expression.

"What did I miss?" Clary asked beaming at them both.

"Oh, does this mean you don't hate me anymore?" Alec asked.

"I hated that Magnus was upset and blamed you," Clary said. "I never hated you."

"Ha!" Alec scoffed but the remark didn't lessen the glee on his face. Clary had to admit she hadn't liked Alec while Magnus was miserable because of his behaviour, but she hadn't known Alec well enough to hate him either.

"What are you doing here?" Clary asked.

"Well, Alec and I sorted a few things out," Magnus began. "Then, to my delight, Alec didn't need to hang out with Jace and came to find me!"

"Then you told me Clary's plane was landing soon," Alec finished Magnus's story for him. "And I said we should meet her at the airport."

"What is it that you sorted out?" Clary asked. Alec blushed a slight pink, but reached out and grabbed Magnus's hand.

"I've given up my 'I'm done dating' thing," Magnus said beaming at her. "And my boyfriend is rather happy about it."

"That's great!" Clary said pulling Magnus into a one armed hug. She only had one arm free since Simon wasn't willing to let go of her hand, which was funny since Alec apparently wasn't willing to release Magnus's hand either. Unable to hug properly, they made do.

"It is," Magnus smiled. "Oh Clary!" he said looking over her shoulder at the baggage moving down the line. "I think I spy your suitcase."

Clary turned to discover that Magnus was right. She collected her luggage and then spotted Simon's.

"Did you guys take the shuttle here?" Clary asked as they were all leaving the airport. Magnus didn't answer but grinned in a mischievous way. Sure enough, Magnus led her not to the shuttle pick-up spot, but to a vehicle she had never seen before.

"Whose car did you steal?" Clary asked dubious.

"I'm shocked!" Magnus said in fake horror. "How could you think such so low of me?"

"I know you," Clary replied shaking her head at the blue pickup truck in front of her. It was generously sized with shiny chrome accents and an extended cab that held a second set of doors that would seat the group comfortably. Clary eyed the plush interior. This was so much better than the shuttle and she was already imagining sinking into the upholstery after the long flight when Magnus' voice cut through her thoughts.

"Who wants to drive?" Magnus asked holding up the keys.

"Now I'm sure you stole this," Clary accused him. "You don't want to be culpable."

"Oh please!" Magnus scoffed. "I drove it here."

"Why not drive it back then?" Clary shot back.

"Well," Magnus said with a grin. He leaned closer to Alec who blushed brilliantly but leaned in as well. "It's so much harder to snuggle in the driver's seat."

Clary just stared at them. She blinked a few times trying to make sure this was indeed, Magnus Bane, her best friend, standing before her completely smitten. He had been miserable for so long she almost forgot how annoying he was when he was happy. With a sigh, Clary made to grab the keys but Simon beat her to it.

"Mine!" Simon said. "This truck looks awesome!"

So Simon got in the front seat, Magnus and Alec snuggled up in the back like they promised and Clary sat in the passenger's side. During the drive Clary made a careful study of her best friend, using the rear view mirror. Alec has his head on Magnus's shoulder, their hands intertwined on Magnus's lap. Clary was astonished when she found herself thinking she had never seen Magnus this happy with anyone before. There was a peaceful glow about the two of them that had Clary mesmerized.

"So how new is this?" Clary asked, gesturing as best she could from the front seat to Magnus and Alec. Magnus had to dislodge Alec's shoulder to dig into his pocket in order to check his phone, presumably for the time then looked up at Clary. Alec grumbled as he expressed his dislike of no longer being so close to Magnus.

"About five hours," he said with a grin. Alec took the opportunity to get close to Magnus again. Magnus pulled Alec against his chest automatically before putting his phone in his other pocket.

"That explains the extreme couple-ness," Clary chuckled.

"Yeah, Magnus," Simon called from the front. "Once you guys are old and boring like Clary and I, you won't be so annoying to hang out with." He made fake gagging noises as if choking on something. Clary rolled her eyes at Simon's teasing.

"Humph!" Magnus said. "Just because you guys are stale doesn't mean we will ever be." Alec was blushing again, but he didn't seem to disagree with his boyfriend either. Clary couldn't help laughing at the whole situation.

"What's so funny?" Magnus scoffed.

"It's like you're a whole new person," Clary answered. "I was getting so used to sad, mopey Magnus, I forgot what sickly-sweet, happy Magnus is like." This time Magnus chuckled right along with her while Alec blushed crimson.

When they reached town, Magnus directed Simon to his place while Clary continued to wonder whose car she was in since Magnus still hadn't told her. When Simon pulled into the driveway, everyone got out.

When Clary entered Magnus's apartment she saw a man with Tessa she'd never seen before; a man who actually looked quite a bit like Alec. He had the same hair and eyes, but was slightly shorter than Alec. There was something different in the way he stood and some other small details in this face, but overall the resemblance was uncanny.

"I don't think you've met Will," Magnus said to Clary.

"Oh, Will," Clary said smiling at him. "I've heard a lot about you."

"And I you," Will answered. Will was sitting on the couch with his arm around Tessa; she was leaning into him as if completely comfortable and content to be in his arms. "What did you think of my truck?"

"Oh it was your truck!" Clary exclaimed, relieved.

"Yep. She's my baby, my Ford F150 king cab," Will said beaming.

"I don't know much about cars," Simon said appearing as Clary heard the front door close. "But I loved your truck. It handles like a dream."

"Thanks," Will said. It had been a long while since Clary had seen Magnus's apartment so full. Magnus and Alec were snuggled up together in the big chair opposite the tv. Tessa and Will hadn't moved since everyone had barged in and were still nestled together in the center of the couch. Clary sat on the other end of the couch while Simon took the only other empty chair.

"At this rate," Simon laughed. "You are going to need more furniture Magnus."

"I have to admit," Will said after a moment. "I understand why you thought I was him." Will gestured to Alec. "The resemblance is striking!"

"You're shorter," Alec mumbled his head still tucked under Magnus's shoulder. Will chuckled but didn't reply.

"Oh, that reminds me," Tessa said sitting up a little straighter. "Alec! Jace is related to Will."

"Jace's dad is my uncle," Will stated simply. "Oh, and would you ask Jace something for me?" Alec nodded, looking confused. "Ask him why his mom let him keep the Herondale name."

"What do you mean?" Alec asked, also sitting up a little to engage in the conversation. Clary noted Magnus's pout at this and couldn't help but smile. It was so good to see her friend happy again!

"Well, his father abandoned them when Jace was just a baby," Will explained. "So I always figured he'd get his mother's maiden named, Montclaire."

"Oh, Jace never mentioned," Alec said. "Sure, I'll ask."

"Thanks," Will replied. "That should satisfy my morbid curiosity."

"It isn't morbid," Tessa told him, stroking his face. "He's your family after all."

"Family isn't my thing," Will reminded her. "You know that." Tessa sighed and Clary sensed an argument on the tip of Tessa's tongue, but she didn't speak up in front of so many people.

"So where is Jem?" Magnus asked.

"It's my day!" Will said with a grin. "Jem gets her tomorrow."

"Sometimes I feel like a toy being passed around," Tessa sighed.

"This was your silly idea," Will reminded her.

"I know," Tessa smiled.

"I couldn't do it!" Magnus said, invading their conversation. "I couldn't even handle seeing Alec on a date with that stupid blonde without freaking out. I don't share."

"Ethan," Alec corrected. "And it was barely a date."

"I'm a very jealous man," Magnus grinned as he leaned in and kissed Alec. Clary averted her eyes, trying to give them the privacy they obviously didn't value.

"Enough of that!" Will complained. "Geez! Get a room!"

"This is my apartment," Magnus reminded Will.

"Yes and you're making out with my doppelganger," Will said. "It's weird."

"Why do you guys look so much alike?" Simon asked. Alec detaching himself from Magnus who had managed to capture his lips again, to turn and listen to Will's reply. Clary was in agreement with Will at this point; those two needed alone time.

"We did the family tree check already when you guys came to get my truck," Will explained. "No matches so we're not related. Just one of life's little quirks I guess."

"Mysteries of the universe," Magnus added, his starry gaze fixed on Alec. Clary was suddenly worried. If she had never seen Magnus this happy before, then she was sure it would be even worse if Alec broke Magnus's heart like the others had done. She would be forced to see her friend more miserable than ever before. She wanted to pull Alec aside and talk to him, but couldn't seem to find an opportunity right now. Magnus' love-struck gaze soon shifted to another session of making out. Alec was obviously embarrassed, but he didn't object either. Clary's worries were slightly relieved by this. Alec must care if he would rather be embarrassed by Magnus's public displays of affection than refuse him something as simple as a kiss. Clary still looked away though, trying to afford them some degree of privacy. They were so tangled up that the one person chair seemed to be all the space they needed.

"Room!" Will said pointing to Magnus's bedroom door. "You. Now!" Magnus chuckled, but got up off the chair and pulled Alec by the hand. Alec followed looking down at the floor, his cheeks red.

"Oh good god!" Will exclaimed as the door closed behind them. "We aren't that bad, are we?"

"No," Tessa chuckled at him.

"Magnus said they just got together a few hours ago," Clary tried to defend her friend.

"That I believe," Will said shaking his head.

"Is there room for me on the couch?" Simon asked as he got up. "Unless you think both of us can fit in that chair?" He grinned at her and Clary forced a smile back.

Simon sat beside her and Clary let him hold her although after seeing Magnus and Alec's obvious chemistry she couldn't help but wonder why she and Simon were so different. She'd been with Simon for almost a year and a half now and yet the couple that was only five hours old seemed somehow more complete. Clary just couldn't quite put her finger on why, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.


What should I say this time? Well its midnight and I have to get up for work in like seven hours but I decided to update anyway like a crazy person. Didn't write much this weekend cause brain failed but hope to write more during the week. Anyway please review and tell me what you think! Reviews keep me writing! If this brain fail lasted I am gonna be sad. I usually write chapters faster than this one. sigh.

Also the next chapter is currently not much longer than the sneak peek below. As I said didn't write much this weekend.


Sneak Peek Chapter 23

"I know you didn't go home with lusty last night," Sebastian whispered into his ear. Jace jumped; he known Sebastian was there of course but thought his ditching the other night had gone unnoticed. He turned giving his friend a confused look.

"I ran into her on my way out of the bar," Sebastian explained. "I thought maybe you found someone else but no here you are starting at that stupid redhead again!"

"Her name is Clary," Jace ground out through his teeth. Sebastian didn't reply as the teacher turned around and gave them a look but Jace knew he was in for an earful when class ended.