Seventy Sixth One Shot:

Pranking Jace

Clary POV:

I've been working at Java Jones since I was in high school, and I loved it. It was the perfect way to pass the breaks during school. Right now it's winter break and I'm working, but it's pretty dead. Since it had been snowing not a lot of people make it out, and if they do, they don't really waste time getting coffee, although I do have my regulars. Which include the Lightwood siblings. Java Jones was the only way I knew them. We went to different high schools, and I occasionally saw them when out schools played each other, but I really got to know them when they started coming here, and they stayed. When the bell rang I wasn't surprised to see them walk in. I smiled and they made their way over to me.

"Why am I not surprised that you guys are out in this weather?" I said and they all laughed.

"You know you couldn't survive a shift without us Red." Jace said and I just smiled and shook my head.

"You found me out." I said. "I live for you visits."

"You finally admit it." He said and my insides flipped. I would be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to Jace. He was hot, and he just got better looking with age, but his reputation was infamous. There wasn't a girl in this town that hadn't hooked up with him, so no matter how much he flirted, I never gave into my impulses, but it was fun to try and get his hopes up. He's actually asked me out a couple times, and I've always declined, but never told him why, and the truth was I never wanted to get my heartbroken by him because I knew that I wouldn't recover well.

"I'm assuming your usual?" I said and they all nodded and made their way over to the normal table. I mean, they were such regulars, that nobody sat there because they knew it was their table. I was in the middle of making their drinks when the bell rang again and when I looked up I nearly shit my pants. "Oh my god!" I said as I hopped over the counter and ran into Simon's arms.

"It's so good to see you Clare." He said as he scooped me into a hug.

"Why are you back? Aren't you supposed to be gone until May?" I asked and he laughed.

"We get a holiday break too Fray." He said and I laughed. "I wanted to spend Hanukkah with my family, and I couldn't do that in Portugal."

"How was it?" I asked and he smiled.

"Amazing. I want to take you there." He said and I bit my lip and nodded. I noticed that the Lightwoods were staring at me and I totally forgot their drinks.

"Shit. I was in the middle of making drinks." I said and Simon laughed.

"I'll grab a table, and you can bring me my favorite, and we'll talk." He said and I nodded. He kissed my forehead before I went back and finished the drinks. I walked over to their table and set them out.

"Is that your boyfriend?" Izzy asked and I looked back at Simon and had a brilliant idea.

"It's complicated." I said and I saw Jace shift in his chair. I was always curious if Jace was asking me out because he actually liked me, or if he was just doing it because I was one of the few girls he hasn't been with, and this seemed like a good way to test that theory.

"How so?" She asked.

"He's currently abroad studying, and we weren't sure how we'd handle the distance, so I'm not really sure what we are." I said trying to make it sound realistic.

"He's cute." She said and I looked back at Simon and laughed.

"He's nerdy cute, but it's pretty great." I said and she laughed. "Enjoy." I said and they nodded. I made my way over to Simon's table and put his tea down. "I just did something crazy, and you have to play along." I said and he looked at me confused.

"What did you do Fray?" He asked and I laughed.

"You know the Lightwood's have been regulars here since our high school days." I said and he nodded. "Well, you know how Jace has asked me out a couple times and I always said no because I was afraid of getting my heartbroken by him."

"Don't tell me you still have that school girl crush." He said and I threw a balled up napkin at him.

"Don't make fun of me." I said and he laughed. "Anyway, Izzy asked if we were dating and I told her it was complicated, and Jace seemed to go tense. I never knew his reasoning behind him asking me out, but I think if I pretend to date you, I might get a real reason."

"You do realize I'm only here until the middle of January right?" He asked.

"I know, but I don't think it will take long. Please Simon. You owe me for going to all your shitty concerts in high school." I said and he laughed.

"Deal, but this gets me out of buying you a Christmas present." He said and I laughed. "Oh, and we aren't kissing. It was weird in high school, and it will be weird now." He said and I laughed.

"Forehead and cheek kisses forever Si." I said and I kissed his cheek. "My shift is over in an hour. Wanna wait?" I asked.

"Sure. I have nothing else to do with my day." He said and I smiled.

"You're the best Si." I said and he nodded before pulling out his comic book and reading. I looked over at the Lightwood table and I saw Jace looking at Simon and than he looked at me and immediately looked away. I hope that this plan works because I've been dying to know the real reason behind Jace asking me out for years and I might finally get my answer.

Jace POV:

It never hit me that Clary might have a boyfriend until today. I mean, I've always seen him around and they were friendly, but I never thought they were together, but now that I think about it, they were extra touchy feely and he was always making her laugh. It makes sense while she rejected me all those times I asked her out, but that didn't mean it sucked any less.

"You still aren't over her?" I heard Izzy asked and I looked at her.

"I don't think I ever will be." I said honestly.

"Than tell her that." Izzy said.

"You heard her. Her relationship with that guy is complicated." I said. "I never thought she was in a relationship, but I never asked either."

"She always never explained why she always denied you." Alec chimed in and I glared at him. "What? She didn't. She just said no, and left it at that."

"I don't really peg them as a couple." Izzy said.

"You heard her Iz." I said and she shrugged.

"I know what she said, I just don't buy it." She said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"I don't know. Something just seems odd about it." Izzy said. "Let's call it female intuition."

"Your female intuition also told me that asking out Clary in high school was a sealed deal." I said and she laughed.

"I still think I'm right." Izzy said.

"It's been 5 years Iz. I think that ship sailed." I said honestly.

"And yet, you're still jealous." Izzy said and I looked at her. "Face it, this crush you got in high school is never going away."

"You don't know that." I said.

"Dude, it's been 5 years." Alec said. "You're stuck with it."

"Ugh." I said and they laughed.

"Come on, mom wants us home before the weather gets worse." Izzy said and I nodded. We stood up and started walking out.

"Have a great day!" Clary called from behind the counter. I turned around and smiled before leaving the coffee shop. There wasn't anything more that I wanted than to just go out on one date with Clary, and each year that passed my chances just kept dwindling, but my feelings were stronger than ever, and I hated it because I knew it was never going to happen.

Clary POV:

Once the Lightwood's left I made my way over to Simon and took a seat at his table.

"You think it worked?" I asked and he laughed.

"I kept catching him staring at me, so maybe, but who knows Fray." Simon said and I nodded.

"I hope it did." I said and he laughed.

"He's just one guy. You're telling me you haven't found one at your school yet?" Simon asked and I laughed.

"There are plenty interested, but I'm not interested in them." I explained. "There is this one creep that won't leave me alone. I had to pretend I was a lesbian for him to finally back off."

"How did you manage that?" Simon asked.

"My roommate is a lesbian and we were out one night and she was trying to get the attention of this girl she's been crushing on since freshman year." I explained. "I decided to be her wingwoman, and talk her up, but the creep was there, and I saw him approaching so I told Aline about it, and she told me Helen was watching her so we started making out." I said and Simon laughed. "He never bothered me again, and Aline and Helen have been together ever since."

"Works like a charm." Simon said and I smiled.

"I was desperate." I said and he smiled.

"Are you done?" He asked.

"Yea. Rachel just clocked in." I said and he nodded. I grabbed my stuff and we walked out to the parking lot. "I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked.

"Of course. I need to head to the comic book store and pick up some new stuff, but how about we meet for lunch. Taki's, 12:30?"

"Sounds perfect." I said and Simon kissed my forehead. He was the brother I never had but always wanted.

"See ya Fray." Simon said as he got into his car. I made my way to my car and I had the biggest smile on my face. I got to catch up with Simon and figure out the mystery that is Jace Lightwood. This was going to be a good holiday break.

Time Jump – Tomorrow

Simon POV:

I was rummaging through the comic book store looking for something that grabbed my attention. Nothing was really popping out to me when I saw Isabelle Lightwood walk in. my heart immediately stopped, which was new for me. I mean, of course she was gorgeous, but knowing she gorgeous and feeling your heart physically stop just at the sight of someone were two totally different things.

"Izzy, this way." I heard a little voice say. That's when I realized she wasn't alone, which made sense, cause Isabelle Lightwood wouldn't be caught dead in a comic book store.

"I'm coming Max." Izzy said. I tried to focus on the comics in front of me, but my eyes kept involuntarily finding her.

"Excuse me." I heard and when I looked down there was this little boy. "Which one would you recommend?" He asked as he held up two comics.

"X-Men. Definitely." I said and he smiled.

"Thanks!" She said and he ran away.

"I'm sorry about that." I heard from the other direction and there stood Isabelle Lightwood. "He's way too friendly for his own good."

"I don't mind." I said a little flustered.

"I'm Izzy." She said as she held her hand out.

"Simon." I said as I took it.

"I remember you from Java Jones yesterday." She said.

"Right. I was there." I said and I immediately kicked myself. I probably sounded so stupid to her.

"I know. You're Clary's boyfriend right?" She asked and I know Clary wanted me to play along but there was something so wrong about lying to her.

"Can you keep a secret?" I asked and she looked intrigued. "Especially from Jace." I said and now she was super intrigued.

"Of course." She said.

"Clary and I are best friends." I said. "She wanted to pretend date me so that she could finally figure out the real mystery as to why Jace has asked her out so many times." I said and she smiled.

"Because he is totally in love with her." Izzy said without missing a beat.

"Really?" I asked.

"Totally." She said. "The first time we walked into Java Jones and he laid eyes on her, he was a goner."

"That is so hard to believe considering his reputation." I said.

"Half the girls in this town are lying." She said.

"Really?" I asked.

"Jace has had like 5 girlfriends tops. Everyone else just says they've hooked up with him because they think it makes them cool." She explained.

"Why hasn't he done anything about the rumors than?" I asked.

"Because Jace knows the truth, and those who matter to him know the truth. That's all that matters to him." She said and I nodded. "So, does Clary like him too?"

"She'd kill me for telling you." I said and Izzy laughed. "But she has since high school. She just didn't want to get involved because of his reputation. She has a big heart, and I don't think she wanted to give it away just for it to be broken."

"Understandable. Someone who doesn't know Jace very well is naturally going to believe the things they hear about them." She said and I nodded.

"Izzy I'm ready." Came the small voice again.

"Okay. Be right over." Izzy said. "So, is there a plan besides trying to make Jace jealous?" She asked and I smiled.

"Not really." I said. "We are going to lunch at Taki's at 12:30, maybe you could get him there and see how he handles it and we can go from there." I said.

"Sounds good." She said. "See you around Simon." She said and she walked away. Once she left the store I took a deep calming breath. Talking to her was surprising easy, and I liked it. I wish that I was more her type but if we only become friends, I'll be satisfied with that.

Clary POV:

I was sitting in Taki's waiting for Simon to arrive when the Lightwoods walked in. My eyes locked with Izzy's first and she waved and made her way over to me.

"Hey." She said and I smiled.

"Hey." I said back.

"Simon not here yet?" She asked.

"How do you know I'm waiting for Simon?" I asked confused.

"I ran into him at the comic book store. My little brother had been begging me to take him. He told us you would be here." She said and I nodded. She took a seat in the booth while the rest of her party was seated at a different table and she smiled a wicked smiled at me. "Simon told me the truth."

"That little snitch." I hissed and she laughed.

"I think it's a brilliant plan." She said. "Jace is going crazy."

"He is?" I asked and she nodded.

"Yea. It's actually really weird to see him so jealous." She said.

"He's jealous of Simon?" I asked kinda shocked.

"He's been asking you out for 5 years Clary." She said and I thought about it, and it has been a long time.

"I know, I just figured he'd move on." I said honestly.

"Well, it's driving him crazy. He thinks you're really dating." She said and I smiled. The bell rang and in walked Simon and Izzy got out of the booth. "I'll let you two enjoy your date." She said as she winked and headed towards her table and Simon sat down.

"What were you and Izzy talking about?" Simon asked.

"Oh about how you told her the truth." I said and he sighed.

"I couldn't lie to her. It felt wrong." He said.

"Do I have to tell her about your little crush?" I said and his eyes widened.

"You wouldn't dare." He said and I nodded.

"Oh yes I would." I said.

"Look, my job is to make Jace jealous, and I'm doing a damn good job. Don't make me break up with you in public." He said and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Fine, but I'm still not happy you told her." I said and he nodded.

"I know, but if it makes you feel any better she told me he likes you. Like really likes you." He said.

"Really?" I asked as y attitude perked up a little.

"Yea. So he was asking you out because he really wanted too, and not just for a joke or a bet or anything like that." He said and I nodded.

"Good to know." I said and Simon nodded. We continued with out lunch catch up and I didn't realize how much I truly missed him until I got to have him back and it was going to suck when he left again, but I was thankful for the time we had now.

Time Jump – Two Weeks Later

Clary POV:

I was shopping for Simon, and trying to figure out what I'd get him for helping me out. I know he's Jewish but I always got him something for Christmas because he likes to celebrate it with my mom and me. I was currently coming up extremely empty because he is doing so much for me and I feel like my gift needs to represent my gratitude. I was currently staring at watches, because Simon is always late, and he could use one but I didn't know what he would like.

"Fancy seeing you here Red." I heard and I knew exactly who it was. When I turned around there stood Jace and my heart started racing.

"You as well." I said and he smiled.

"Shopping for your boyfriend?" He asked and I could hear the jealously in his voice which made me cheer internally.

"Yea. I just don't know which one to get." I said as I looked back at the display.

"Well, what does he normally wear?" He asked as he stood next to me. I could literally feel the warmth radiating off his body and I just wanted to wrap his arms around me and bask in it.

"Nothing, which is why I want to get him one. He's always late for everything, and watches are kinda an inside joke between us so it'll be useful and hilarious." I explained and he nodded.

"Well, if it were me, I'd want something that I could wear with anything." He said and I nodded. "So I'd stick with maybe a silver or black watch." He said.

"Thanks." I said and he smiled. "I appreciate the advice."

"It helps to have some male advice on a gift for another male." He said and I smiled.

"What are you doing here?" I asked after a moment.

"Shopping for Izzy." He said. "I normally just get her whatever she sends me and says she wants, but this year I want to get her something that I picked."

"What did you have in mind?" I asked.

"I was thinking about getting her a necklace." He said and my heart melted at the sweetness.

"That's really sweet." I said.

"She might be a pain in the ass, but she's my sister and I love her." He said and I nodded. "I just don't know where to start." He said and I laughed.

"I think you should start with your own advice. Get her something that will go with anything." I said and he nodded.

"That's the problem with Izzy. She has so many things that go with so many different outfits that it's hard to figure out what she actually likes and what she wears simply for fashion." Jace said and I laughed.

"Sounds like Izzy. She is always dressed quite fashionably." I said and he nodded.

"Yea. So I might be shit out of a luck with gifts." He said.

"Well, you helped me, I can help you." I said.

"I don't want to take up your time." He said and I smiled.

"Don't worry about it. I don't have anywhere to be today." I said and he smiled.

"Okay." He said and he started walking towards the necklaces and I opened my phone to text Simon the progress.

To Simon:

Ran into Jace while shopping, and now I'm helping him pick a gift out for Izzy. I say this is progress!

A few minutes later Simon replied.

From Simon:

Good luck!

It was short but I knew Simon truly meant it. I went over to Jace and saw him looking at some necklaces and laughed.

"Izzy is not the type of girl that wants basic." I said as I took the infinity necklace out of his hand. "She's unique, and she needs something to match that unique aesthetic." I said and he nodded.

"Where do I start master?" He said and I laughed.

"Well, what's her birthstone?" I asked.

"Diamond." He said and I laughed.

"Of course it is." I said and he smiled.

"Whoever ends up marrying her is in for a lot of expensive gifts." He said and I laughed. I was looking through all the displays when a woman walked up to me.

"Looking for anything in particular?" She asked.

"Yes." I said as Jace walked up beside me and I saw her body language change as she saw Jace. I snaked my arm around his waist and smiled at her. "He wants to get his sister something for Christmas, and he's dreadful as picking out gifts. I mean, the last pair of earrings he got me turned my ears green, and lets not even talk about the ring." I said with a laugh. "Her birthstone is a diamond and she's really into unique pieces, do you have anything like that?"

"Of course. Give me a minute." She said and she walked away. I released Jace and he had a smile on his face.

"What was that for?" He asked.

"When women who sell jewelry see a single guy shopping for something, they automatically try and sell them something that they would want, and than proceed to try and get you to ask them out. I was cutting that out because you don't want to get Izzy something that someone else would ultimately wear." I explained.

"Very wise." He said and I laughed.

"I've seen it happen and I think it's rotten for them to try and sell people something they normally wouldn't get simply because they just want to get with you." I said and the woman came back and I linked my around his waist again, and I just loved being close to him.

"Is this something she would be interested in?" She asked as she handed it to me. It was beautiful diamond that was trapped inside a silver box. It was something you didn't see often, but extremely beautiful and different, just like Izzy.

"Oh babe, it's perfect. Izzy will love this." I said as I looked up at Jace. He put his arm back around my waist, and I couldn't help the chills that went through my body. "It's beautiful and different, just like her."

"I think it's a winner." Jace said and I smiled up at him.

"He'll take it." I said and she nodded and took it back from me. She went over to wrap it up and I looked up at Jace and he smiled.

"You know how to get the perfect gift." He said and I smiled.

"Sometimes you just need female advice for a female gift." I said with a wink and he laughed. After he purchased the necklace I went and got Simon's watch and we both walked out of the store together.

"Thank you for your help today." He said as we both stopped before getting to our cars.

"Thank you as well. I would still be lost in there looking." I said and he laughed.

"I would have probably gotten the first necklace I saw and probably ended up disappointing Izzy. You saved my ass." He said and I smiled.

"She would have been pleased with it no matter what because it's all about the thought." I said and he nodded.

"I'll see you around Clary." He said and I smiled.

"Bye Jace." I said and he started walking to his car. I got into mine and took a deep breath. I wish so badly that what happened in that store was real and not just pretend. It felt so right. So real, and hopefully I get to find that out.

Time Jump – Christmas

Izzy POV:

Christmas was today, and we had opened gifts early this morning and I was meeting Simon for coffee. It was weird, he wasn't the type I would normally go for, but he made me happy, and he made me feel things I've never felt before. We of course weren't going to Java Jones, because he was technically still 'dating' Clary so we were meeting at another coffee shop. I didn't mind sneaking around because I knew I wasn't hurting anyone's feelings, but I wish I could tell someone. When I walked into the coffee shop, I immediately saw Simon. I walked over and took a seat at the table.

"Merry Christmas." Simon said and I laughed.

"Aren't you Jewish?" I asked.

"I've been celebrating Christmas with Clary's family since we met. I appreciate the holiday." He said.

"Am I disrupting your tradition this year?" I asked.

"Nope. Clary is actually working, so they are celebrating later. My morning was completely free." He said and I nodded. "How was your Christmas?" He asked.

"It was really good. Jace got me this necklace, and I have to admit, I didn't think he had much taste for jewelry but he did a great job. I love it." I said as I showed him.

"It's beautiful." He said.

"What did you get Clary?" I asked.

"Nothing. Helping make Jace jealous was my present to her." He said and I laughed.

"You'd think they'd both do something about their obvious feelings for each other." I said and he laughed.

"They are both too stubborn to make the first move." He said and I laughed.

"Technically Jace has made the first 5 moves. I think he's waiting for Clary this time, and him thinking you're her boyfriend is slowing that process down." I said and he nodded.

"I guess we'll wait and see." He said and I nodded.

We sat there for a couple hours just talking. Nobody has ever made me smile and laugh the way Simon does, and I knew I was entering something that would ultimately be put on hold because he as still studying abroad but I didn't care because he made me really happy, and I've never had that before.

Jace POV:

I don't know what possessed me to do so, but I was buying Clary a present for Christmas at this antique shop because she pegged me as the type to like oddities, and classic things. I was walking out of the shop when I saw Izzy walk out of the coffee shop across the street, and I thought it was weird, and I was about to call out to her when I saw Simon walk out behind her. It didn't make any sense and when he leaned in to kiss her all I saw was red. How could he do that to Clary? And with Izzy. I mean, I loved my sister, but that was a bitch move on her part. I rushed to my car and sped to Java Jones. I knew she was working today and I needed her to know. When I got there, I walked right in and over to the counter where she smiled at me.

"Your usual?" She asked.

"We need to talk." I said and she nodded.

"Rachel, I'm going on break." She said and she walked out from the counter and we sat at a table. "What's going on Jace?"

"I am in no way telling you this to ruin your day, but I just saw Izzy and Simon walking out of a coffee shop, and at first I was confused, but than they started kissing." I said and her eyes widened. "I came straight here to tell you because you don't deserve that to be hidden from you."

"I can't believe it." She said.

"I know. It's a horrible thing to do to someone, and I'm going to have a stern talking too with my sister later to tell her that what she's going is wrong." I said.

"He finally plucked up the courage." She said with a smile and that threw me off.

"Wait, what?" I asked and she laughed.

"Simon and I are best friend." She said. "We aren't dating."

"Wait, but what?" I asked and she laughed again.

"I wanted to find out your real intentions, and why you asked me out so many time." She said. "And when I saw you react to the way I acted with Simon, I asked him to play along so that I could see if you asking me out was a joke, or something or if it was genuinely real." She said and my jaw dropped.

"Why would I ever ask you out because of a joke?" I said and she shrugged.

"We may not have gone to the same high school, but we live in the same town. Your reputation travels." She said and I laughed.

"If you didn't hear it directly from my mouth, it's most likely a lie." I said and she looked confused. "Girls say they've hooked up with me all the time, and the majority of them are lying."

"Why would they do that?" She asked.

"Because they thought it would make them cooler." I said with a scoff. "I don't know. Girls will do crazy things to be popular. I haven't hooked up with this whole town. I haven't even hooked up with half this town. I have had 5 girlfriends. That's it."

"Really?" She asked sounding quite surprised.

"Really. I asked you out because I like you. I really like you." I said and she smiled.

"I really like you too." She said and I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face.

"So, will you finally go out with my Clary Fray?" I asked and she giggled.

"I'd love too." She said and I stood up and scooped her into my arms. I've been dying to do this again since the store, and just holding her in my arms made me feel something I've never felt with anyone before, and I couldn't wait to explore our relationship.

Time Jump - One Year Later

Clary POV:

How could I possibly describe this last year? I guess I would just have to say perfect. Jace and I realized that our colleges were actually pretty close to each other so being apart wasn't an issue for us. We constantly were grabbing coffee together, or getting dinner. It was something that I never knew I wanted, but with Jace it just made sense. He made me feel beautiful, and sexy, and intelligent, and everything any girl gets shit for, but Jace just builds me up. It was a normal Wednesday and I was just finished class and I was walking across the quad when I saw a group of girls giggling and hovered around something. Not thinking much of it, I continued to walk by when I heard someone laugh, and I recognized the laugh.

"You just going to walk right past me Red?" I heard and I turned around and there stood Jace.

"I didn't know it was you." I said and I made my way over to you. "You had a wall."

"Yea. I was waiting for you, and they all kinda flocked." He said and I leaned up and kissed him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked after we broke apart.

"My class got cancelled and I was wondering if you'd like to go out to dinner." He said.

"I'd love too." I said. He took my hand in his and we were about to walk away when someone started talking.

"You aren't going to introduce us?" I heard and when I turned around there stood Kaelie. I tried to avoid her as much as possible, but I guess that time has come.

"Not really." I said.

"That's kinda rude." She said.

"I don't care. My love life isn't your business or concern." I said and she scowled.

"When you get done with her handsome, come find me." She said as she winked at Jace who just scoffed.

"In your dreams." He said and I couldn't help but laugh. We turned around and continued to walk to his car. "So, where would you like to go?" He asked when we got into his car.

"Doesn't matter to me." I said and my stomach growled which caused him to laugh. "I'm just hungry."

"Panera?" He asked and I smiled.

"Sounds great." I said and he started driving. He reached his hand over and rested it on my leg as we drove in silence listening to the radio. It may have taken us years to get here, but I was incredibly thankful that we were here, and that we were together, and experience life together, because if this is how life was going to be with Jace, I was going to love every minute of it.

Authors Note:

So, this was requested a long time ago. I don't remember who it was, but they asked for CLary to pretend to be in a relationship with Simon to make Jace jealous, and I think this is a pretty cute one shot! I hope that I lived up to the expectations of the person who requested, and I'm sorry that it took me so long to get it done, but I read it and inspiration struck, and I wrote it! Let me know what you think and leave a review! :)