Ninety Second One Shot:

Witness Protection

Clary POV:

"Due to what you both have witnessed, you will be placed in witness protection and moved to a safe house until your fathers trial." The man said.

"But we won't be split up right?" I asked. "We'll still be together?"

"There is a family that has enough room for the two of you." He said. "You'll be on a flight next week to New York."

"What do we have to do in the mean time?" Jon asked.

"Get new identities." He simply said. "Since we don't know how many people your father was in business with, but I would advise you to get rid of Morgenstern as soon as possible." He said and we both nodded. We never wanted the burden of that name to begin with. "Come back in tomorrow, and we'll start the process."

"I don't want to stray too far away from my name." I said.

"It's better if you have no connection with anything similar to your original name." He suggested.

"My father called me Clarissa and nothing else." I said. "I refuse to give up a variation of my name simply because he's a murderer."

"Very well." He said. "But it still has to be something that can stand alone. No nicknames." He said and I nodded.

"I can work with that." I said and he nodded.

"We'll see you tomorrow." He said and Jon and I walked out of the building and got into the car.

"So, who do you want to be?" He asked as he turned on the car. How To Save A Life by The Fray was on.

"How about Fray?" I asked and he looked at me.

"Fray works." He smiled and we continued to listen to the song. Our lives were completely different now, and we were going to have to adjust to that, but as long as Jon and I were together, I think we can overcome anything.

Time Jump – One Week Later

Clary POV:

We were standing in the driveway of our new house and I think my jaw was on the pavement. It was a huge house. Almost like something you see out of the movies with kings and queens. It was Victorian, and elegant. Something I never thought I'd ever be living in, but here we are.

"You ready for the start of our new lives Clare?" Jon asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be J." I said and he smiled. We walked up to the front door and Jon knocked. A moment later, it opened.

"Oh good. You're here." The woman said. "I'm Maryse, welcome to the Lightwood Estate."

"You have a lovely home." I said.

"Thank you. Come on in, and I'll introduce you to the family." She said and we nodded. We made our way into the living room where there were 5 other people. "Everyone, these are the Fray's."

"Like the band?" The girl said and I laughed.

"Exactly like the band." Jon said.

"This is Clare and J." Maryse said. "This is my family. My husband Robert, my oldest Alec, my daughter Isabelle, and my youngest Max." She said. "And that over there is Jace." She said as she pointed to the blonde in the corner. "Isabelle why don't you show Clare to her room, and Alec you can show J to his room. Dinner is at 5:30." She said and Jon and I nodded.

"This way you two." Isabelle said. We followed them up the stairs.

"So, why did you two need to be fostered?" Alec asked. I looked at Jon and he just nodded.

"We got tired of the system always splitting us up. It happened like 6 times, and J refuses to leave the system without me, and your mom was kind enough to take us both on." I said. It was vague enough to get away with.

"How old are you exactly?" Isabelle asked.

"I'm 16, and J is almost 18, so you can see why we never got a adopted." I said.

"How long were you in the system?" Alec asked.

"Since I was 12." I said. Thankfully Jon and I figured out our story before we got here.

"That really sucks." Isabelle said.

"It's not the funnest." I said.

"We're notorious for fostering. Jace is a foster kid too." Izzy said. "We have enough rooms, and my parents think it's the right thing to do." She explained.

"That's very kind of them." Jon said.

"Alright J, this is your room." Alec said.

"Thanks man." Jon said.

"You play any sports?" Alec asked.

"Yea. Football." Jon replied.

"You going to try out for the team?" Alec asked.

"Of course. Might as well get to hit people without getting in trouble while I'm forced to be in school." Jon said and Alec laughed.

"My thoughts exactly man." Alec said.

"Boys." Isabelle muttered and I laughed. They made their way into Jon's room and Isabelle continued down the hall and showed me mine. "This is your room." She said.

"Thank you Isabelle." I said.

"Please, call me Izzy." She said and I smiled. "So, do you play any sports?" She asked.

"Nope. I'm really uncoordinated." I said.

"Why don't you try out for the cheerleading team! It's pretty simple to pick up! Plus we get to wear cute uniforms and do our make up and hair." She said with the biggest smile on her face.

"I'm not really into skirts and make up and all that stuff." I said.

"Oh." She said. "Alright." She said and than she left without another word. I knew by the one conversation we weren't going to have a lot in common. Which was going to suck.

I got my things situated in my room and when I walked out I thought I was going to get lost. This place was huge, and I wasn't the best at remembering where I was going. I heard the faint sound of music and decided to check it out. I started following the sound when I got to the room that it was coming from. I opened the door slightly and there the blonde was, playing the piano masterfully.

"Wow." I said and the music stopped, and he turned around. "Sorry, I got lost and I heard the music." I stammered out. He didn't say anything, he just got up and closed the lid. "You don't have to stop. I can leave." I said as I backed out of the room.

"I was done anyway." He said and I nodded before he brushed by me. He disappeared around the corner, and I heard a door slam. I let out a deep breath and started to try and navigate my way around. I finally found the living room where Jon and Alec were in the middle of a deep conversation. I knew they were going to get alone well, I could already tell. I took a seat next to Jon and let out a sigh.

"You good Clare?" He asked and I nodded, but he didn't look convinced. "What's wrong?" He whispered.

"I don't think I'm ever going to fit in here J." I said and he put his arm around my shoulder.

"You have me Clare." He said and I nodded. "We'll get through this. Together." He said and I nodded again. Jon was right, we had each other, and that's really all I needed in my life at this moment, and I was okay with that.

Time Jump – One Week Later

Clary POV:

It had been a week since we moved in and everything was going well. Jon and Alec bonded immediately, and Izzy and I, well we didn't have much in common but we were the only two girls in a house full of boys, so we bonded over that. Since we had some of the same classes, it was a regular Tuesday night and we were in Izzy's room doing homework when I decided to bite the bullet and ask a question that's been on my mind since I got here.

"So, what's up with Jace?" I asked and she looked at me.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Well, the first night I got here, I kinda got lost and I heard music." I explained. "When I followed it and found the room I saw him playing, but when I made my presence known, he got up and left."

"Jace is an extremely private person. He doesn't really talk to people, and he keeps everything to himself." She explained. "His music is private to him, he doesn't let anyone listen."

"But it fills the hallways." I said and she laughed.

"Well yes, but he doesn't let anyone watch him play." He further explained. "You know how girls have a diary to express how they're feeling?" She asked and I nodded. "Well that's what the piano is to Jace." She said. "Whatever he is playing reflects his mood. It's normally pretty depressing stuff if you ask me."

"It was haunting, but incredibly beautiful." I said. "He plays so well."

"Yea. It's always nice to hear. When he first got here my mom asked him if there was anything that calmed him down. He told her that he played the piano, and she had one delivered the next day. He plays it religiously." She said and I nodded.

"How long has he been here?" I asked.

"Since we were 11." She said and I nodded. "Look, none of us really know who Jace is." She said. "Sure he's lived here for years but he doesn't open up. So don't expect him to open up to you."

"I wasn't looking for that." I said. "I was just curious." I said and she nodded. We went back to doing our work and I couldn't help but think about what she said to me. I've been here a week, and I've barely heard Jace say a full sentence to most people. I didn't expect him to be my friend, but at the same time I'm curious about who he is under that whole façade that he puts up. He was intriguing, and I hated how curious I could be.

Time Jump – Two Months Later

Clary POV:

School was absolutely dreadful. I have always hated it, although you'd never be able to tell by my 4.0 GPA, but that was mainly because I didn't want to get beat by my father. I was a try hard because of him, and it made me dislike school so much, but it was ingrained in me to try hard, so even though I hated school, I still got good marks because it was all I knew.

I was rounding the corner when I saw a huge group of students gathering around something, most likely a fight. It was like people got a thrill out of two people kicking each other's asses. I would never understand it. I made my way to the front to see who was being a jackass and fighting when I recognized a familiar face. Jace. He was beating the shit out of this kid who was clearly not fighting back. Nobody was doing anything, and Jace really didn't need to go to jail for this.

"Jace." I said and he looked up and saw me. "Enough." I said and he dropped the kid. His knuckles were bloody and the kid was bleeding. Jace barreled through the crowed and I went running after him. "Hold up." I called after him up he didn't stop. "Would you just stop running Jace?" I asked and he turned around.

"What do you want Clare?" He asked and I saw the damage on his face.

"Are you okay?" I asked even though that's not originally what I wanted to know.

"I'm fine." He said and I took a step closer to her and put my hand on his cheek and rubbed the blood off.

"You're bleeding." I said.

"That's normally what happened when a kid decides to pick a fight." He said.

"So you didn't start that?" I asked.

"I don't start senseless fights." He spat at me. "I do however, finish them."

"I got that part." I said with a laugh and I swore I got a little smile out of him, but he quickly went back to scowling. He quickly turned around and continued out of the school. I knew that was all I was going to get out of him right now, so I just let him walk.

Time Jump – Later That Night

Clary POV:

I ended up staying extra late after school helping a bunch of kids study for our upcoming biology test. By the time I got home, I was nearly 8 o'clock. I was exhausted, but not because my day was so long, but because I haven't been sleeping well. I kept having nightmares, and waking up in cold sweats. Normally I just find myself wandering around the house at odd hours trying to exhaust myself, but normally I find myself watching the sunrise on the front porch and beginning my day.

When I walked into the house I put my coat on the hook, and took my shoes off. I was walking upstairs when I saw a huge hole in the wall, covered with blood. I knew only one person who would cause that hole. As I was walking upstairs I made the decision that I was going to get some answers out of Jace. Figure out why he lashed out that badly today and why he is the biggest loner I've ever met, even when I see kids trying to befriend him. I got to the front of his door and didn't bother knocking. I walking in but he wasn't in his room, that's when I felt the draft from the window. I noticed Jace sitting on the roof outside and I started making my way over to the window.

Jace POV:

I was sitting on the roof when I heard my window open. I looked up and Clare crawled out of the window and sat down next to me. At first we didn't talk, we just stared at the sky. It was weird how comfortable I was around her. She was the first person to ever enter my life that I felt this comfort with.

"You wanna talk about it?" She finally said.

"Talk about what?" I asked.

"Why you punched that kid in school, and than why you punched a hole in the wall downstairs." She said.

"There really isn't much to say Clare." I said. "I was angry. I lashed out. It happens."

"You nearly beat that kid into unconsciousness." She said. "And your blood is smeared all over the wall downstairs." She fitted pointed out. "That's not normal anger. That's anger that's been manifesting for a long time Jace."

"So?" I asked.

"There are healthier ways to release your anger Jace." She said.

"What would you suggest?" I asked sarcastically.

"Kickboxing class. Working out. Talking to someone." She said.

"You expect me to talk to a therapist?" I asked. "I don't do shrinks shortcake."

"It was just a suggestion." She said. "And it doesn't have to be a shrink you green bean." She said and I couldn't help but smile at that. "Just talking to someone you trust is better than nothing."

"I don't trust anyone sweetheart. That's just not me." I said.

"Do you trust me?" She said and I looked at her.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you trust me?" She repeated.

"I don't really know you." I said honestly.

"Why don't we change that?" She said. "Look, I don't trust a lot of people either. J is the only person in my life who I've been able to trust after all the shit that's gone on in my life." She said. "But I trust you Jace."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because you've never given me a reason not to trust you." She said. "Because despite the cold and calculated front you put up for everyone, I see you when you let your guard down." She said. "You're nice, and kind, and sweet." She said. "And I trust that you trust me enough to show me that side of you, even if you don't really mean to do it."

"So what if I do?" I asked. "Trust you that is." I clarified.

"Than talk to me." She said as she rested her hand on my knee.

"I can't talk about it Clare." I said as I hung my head. "I wish I could but I'm not allowed."

"What do you meant you're not allowed?" She asked.

"I mean, I'm legally not allowed to talk about it." I said. "It's why I haven't talked to anyone, or why I've let the anger manifest into what it's become. I have to keep it to myself."

"I won't tell anyone." She said. "I cross my heart whatever we talk about will stay between us."

"I know I normally say I don't care about getting in trouble, but I could get in a shit ton of trouble for talking about it." I said.

"Jace, whatever it is, is safe with me. You don't even have to flat out tell me. Make it a riddle, I'll figure it out. I'm pretty good at puzzles." She said and I laughed.

"I'm not who I used to be." I eventually said. "I can never be that person again. I'll never have my old life back, and I've been stuck in this alternate universe where I don't even feel like a real person anymore." I admitted. "I'm living a different life, and it's killing me slowly."

"You're in witness protection aren't you?" Clare said and I snapped my head up to look at her.

"How the hell did you figure that out?" I asked.

"Because I'm in the same position you are." She said and my jaw dropped.

"Really?" I asked and she nodded. "Holy shit."

"Crazy right?" She asked and I nodded.

"Who were you before you were Clare Fray?" I asked.

"Clarissa Morgenstern." She said.

"No way." I said.

"Way." She said. "I am a Morgenstern."

"That's insane." I said and she nodded.

"Who were you before you were Jace Herondale?" She asked.

"Jonathan Wayland." I said.

"You don't look like a Jonathan." She said and I laughed.

"You don't look like a Clarissa." I said back.

"I used to go by Clary." She said. "Only Valentine called me Clarissa. I hated it."

"When do you have to testify?" I asked.

"His trial is in March." She said. "But Jon and I have to meet with the lawyers way before than."

"Jon?" I asked.

"Oh sorry. My brother. His name is Jonathan." She said.

"You two kept pretty similar names." I pointed out.

"Yea. We didn't want to stray too far because it didn't feel right. So they settled for Clare and J Fray." She said and I nodded. "When do you testify?" She asked.

"Don't know yet. He's in the middle of appealing for like the 5th time." I said.

"How long have you been Jace Herondale?" She asked.

"Almost 6 years." I said.

"Oh wait, I knew that. Izzy told me you came here when you were 11." She said and I nodded.

"I like being Jace Herondale way more than I ever liked being Jonathan Wayland but I don't feel like it's real since he's still trying to get out you know?" I asked.

"I know what you mean." She said. "You feel trapped. It's understandable."

"I just want to put Jonathan Wayland to rest and start living again." I said.

"And why can't you?" She asked.

"Because his trial is still looming over my head." I said. "You know what it's like, being the star witness is draining. I can't move on until he's sentenced and I don't have to be summoned to trial anymore."

"I get it. My dads only been in jail a couple months and I'm over the meetings with the lawyers. It's exhausting. I can't imagine what it's been like after 6 years." She said.

"It doesn't get easier." I said. "The longer it drags on, the more exhausting it gets."

"Thanks for the pep talk." She said and I laughed.

"I don't want to get your hopes up." I said. "I wish I had someone would have told my 11 year old self it wouldn't get easier."

"I can't imagine going through this that young." She said.

"It was hard." I admitted. "I just lost the only man I ever considered a father, and told that I had to leave and become a whole knew person. I was confused, and angry, and that caused me to withdrawal." I said.

"And you never got lonely?" Clare asked me.

"Oh, I got lonely." I said. "I still am lonely." I admit.

"You have me now." She said as she placed her hand on my knee. "And Jon."

"I can't promise I'll open up like this all the time." I said. "But I'll try." I said because it felt good to have someone to talk too, and I did trust Clary, more than I've ever trusted anyone in my life before.

"That's all I ask." She said and I smiled.

"It's late." I said and she looked at her phone.

"Shit its nearly 1 am." She laughed.

"We have been talking for a long time." I said. "You should get some sleep."

"Are you tired?" She asked.

"I've never been more awake." I admitted.

"So why end the night?" She asked as she laid against the roof. I laid back to join her and we stared at the stars. I don't know when I happened, but at some point our fingers linked together. Neither of us said a word when it happened, but I didn't mind it at all.

Time Jump – One Month Later

Clary POV:

Ever since that night on the roof Jace and I got close. I mean, we weren't in a secret relationship or anything, but he smiled at me in the hallway at school, he talked to me when we would be at home. Sometimes he even opened up to me, but I knew that would be something he had to work towards. I also didn't expect him to bare his deepest darkest secrets to me after one conversation, but part of me wanted him to trust me enough to want to spill his darkest secrets.

I was walking through the halls when I heard the music again. I made my way to the room where it was coming from and there sat Jace at the piano bench. I opened the door slowly so it wouldn't creak and made my way over to him. I took a seat next to him, and he stopped playing and looked up at me.

"Please don't stop." I said. "It's beautiful."

"I don't normally play for people." He said and I smiled.

"Than teach me how to play." I said and he smiled, a genuine Jace smile.

"Okay." He said and he started teaching me how to play the piano. I didn't know anything about playing an instrument, but that didn't matter to me. I would learn how to play anything as long as Jace was teaching me.

Jon POV:

Izzy and I were walking through the hallway when I heard the music, but it wasn't what I was used to hearing. It was as clean as it normally is, and when I looked at Izzy she looked just as confused as I was. She started leading me to the music room and when we got there we heard laughing. We peaked our head into the room where we saw Jace and Clary sitting on the bench.

"God Clare, you're awful." Jace said and she just laughed.

"I have no rhythm, or sense of rhythm." Clary said with a laugh.

"I little heads up would have been nice." Jace said. "Here, come here." Jace said as he moved Clary in front of him. I was about to walk in when Izzy stopped me.

"Let them go. Clare is a big girl." Izzy said and I nodded.

"Now, put your hands on top of mine." Jace said and Clary did so. He started playing like he normally did. I was mesmerized until I felt Izzy grab my arm and pull me away.

"I was listening to that." I said and she laughed as she slid her hand in mine.

"That was a personal moment. Intimate." She said and I cringed at the word. "We weren't meant to intrude on it, so I pulled us away."

"That's my baby sister in there." I said and she laughed.

"Yes, and she's capable of handling herself." Izzy said. "Plus, I've never see Jace so careful with anything in all the time that he's been here. Clare isn't in any danger."

"She could get her heart broken." I said and Izzy gave me a small smile.

"Jace may break walls, and break other people's bones, but he's never seemed like the type of person to break someone's heart. And after seeing them together, I highly doubt her heart would be the first one he'd break."

"How can you be so sure?" I asked.

"Did you see them together?" She asked and I nodded. "They fit together. You don't break someone's heart if you fit together." She simply said and I nodded. We continued to walk through the halls until we got to the living room. I hope that Izzy was right, and that Jace wouldn't break Clary's heart, other wise I'd be breaking a few bones on him.

Time Jump – Valentine's Trial

Clary POV:

Jon and I were getting ready to testify, so we were leaving for Colorado tonight. Since that's where the crime happened, that's where his trial is taking place. I didn't want to leave, but I had no choice. I grabbed my bag and walked downstairs where Jon was talking to Alec and Jace.

"You ready Clare?" Jon asked.

"As I'll ever be." I said.

"If you two have family back in Colorado, why didn't you stay with them?" Alec asked.

"They aren't in the position to take on two more kids. Money is tight, they have a daughter with Down Syndrome, and my uncle is dealing with his ill mother. They apologized like crazy when they couldn't take us in, but we understood why they couldn't. Clare and I weren't upset but they do want to see us, and it'll be nice to get away. Go back home." Jon said and I just nodded in agreement. Alec bought it, but I knew Jace knew the reason. And he looked like he wanted to talk about it.

"Hey J, I'm going to grab something to drink. Can you take my bags to the car?" I asked. He nodded and I put it down. I walked into the kitchen and a moment later Jace joined me.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"I'm scared." I said honestly. "The lawyers have prepared us the best we could, but I still don't know I'm going to feel when I see him again."

"I thought when I got the chance to see my father for the first time, all I would want to do is strangle him for doing this to me." He said. "But the second time I actually saw him, I was just extremely disappointed in him."

"But he didn't kill your mom." I pointed out and he nodded.

"You're right. I don't know how I would handle that situation, but what I'm trying to say is, your feelings towards him will change. What you feel the first time you see him, will change the second time you see him." He said. "Just don't let him see how much you're hurting, or how pissed you are at him. Be stone cold."

"So just be a bitch?" I asked and he laughed.

"If that's how you interpreted it, than yes." He laughed and I smiled. "He's clearly deranged, so he will most likely get pleasure out of you hurting. Don't let him have that." He said and I nodded. "Come here." He said as he pulled me into him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and I felt him press his lips to my head. We stood like that for a few moments before I sighed.

"I should go." I said as I pulled away.

"Text me when you get there." He said and I smiled.

"Look at you, showing your caring side." I said and he smiled.

"Only for you." He said and I leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"See you later Jace." I said and he smiled.

"Bye Clary." He said and I blushed. He got in the habit of calling me Clary when nobody was around. And I knew I wasn't supposed to go by that for right now, but I couldn't help but love it. It made me feel like the old me, but way better.

Time Jump – One Week Later

Clary POV:

The trial had been a nightmare. Valentine kept eyes Jon and I up like we were suddenly going to change our minds and not testify against him. He was trying to intimidate us from across the room. I didn't make any eye contact. I faced the judge the entire time. I wanted this to be over, and I wanted this part of my life behind me. Jon and I deserved to move on, and after this trial was over, we finally could.

This was the third day for Jon and I to testify, and I was exhausted. They asked us the same exact questions over and over again like they didn't just hear Jon and I say it 20 minutes beforehand. It was annoying, but they were trying to wear us down, and I had to admit. It was working.

"Clarissa Morgenstern to the stand." Valentine's lawyer said and I stood up and made my way to the stand.

"Do you swear to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you god?" The man asked.

"I do." I said.

"You may be seated." I took my seat and Valentine's lawyer approached me.

"Clarissa, your father tells me you are an A student." He said.

"I am." I simply said.

"Valentine tells me that every time you ended the school year with a 4.0 you got a present." He said.

"That's correct." I said.

"When you were 12 you got to go to a prestigious art school for the summer, when you were 14 you got to backpack around Europe for the summer, and when you were 16 you got a beautiful new car." He said.

"All of that is true." I said.

"Seems like your father provided you with everything you ever could have asked for." He said.

"Every material thing, sure." I said. "But that doesn't take away from the fact that he killed my mother."

"That's speculation." His lawyer said.

"And you believe that?" I asked. "You believe a man, who up until he was arrested would beat his children? Starve them? And scare them into doing whatever he wanted just so they wouldn't have to feel that cigar or that hot piece of metal burn their skin?"

"Clarissa, please stick to the questions I ask." He said.

"No." I said. "We're here to testify against a man who killed our mother. A man who strangled her, as she clawed at him, as he watched the life leave her eyes, as he took the one person, the one person he was supposed to protect with his life, and was the reason for her death." I said. "You expect me to sit here and defend him because he gave me a car, and a plane ticket, and a piece of plastic to buy whatever I wanted just so I would get out of his hair. You want me to defend that?" I asked and the lawyer looked annoyed. "Well, I'm not going to sit here and defend a murderer. I saw him take my mothers life, and he deserves to pay for that."

"You may step down Clarissa." The judge said. I got up and walked down and I didn't stop walking. I walked out of the courtroom and went straight to the bathroom and cried. I didn't want him to see me cry, but there was no way I was holding it any longer.

Time Jump – End Of Trial

Jace POV:

Clare and J were coming home today, and I couldn't stop pacing in my room. She wasn't allowed to tell me anything about the case, which I understood. And she texted me every once in awhile but she was busy with everything so I understood, but that didn't make it suck any less.

I was so lost in my head that I didn't hear my door open. But I heard the floor boards creek and when I looked up, there stood Clare.

"You're back." I said and she smiled.

"I'm back." She said, but she sounded so drained.

"How was it?" I asked.

"Well, you were right about how I would feel." She said. "I expected to feel rage, disappointment, hell even fear." She said.

"How did you feel?" I asked.

"After I was done testifying I went to the bathroom and cried for 20 minutes." She said with a dry laugh. "The minute he walked into that courtroom I realized everything that I lost. He killed my mother, he's in jail, and Jon and I are alone." She said. "Part of it doesn't feel real. Like any moment I'll wake up from this nightmare."

"I hate to break it to you, but that might never go away." I said and she nodded.

"I know that." She said. "Even after the verdict was read it still didn't feel real."

"At least it's over." I said. "He'll be in jail for the rest of his life. You don't have to be Clare Fray anymore."

"I don't mind the last name." She said. "But I would love to go back to Clary."

"Well than Clary Fray, how would you like to go on a date with me?" I asked and she smiled.

"I'd love too." She said and I pulled her into a hug. Having her back in my arms was something I truly missed, even if she was only gone for two weeks.

"Tomorrow night." I said. "Be ready by 7." I pulled away and I instantly missed her warmth.

"Is this your way of kicking me out of your room?" She asked and I laughed.

"You don't have to go anywhere." I said and she smiled.

"Good, because I could really use a good nights sleep, and that only happens when I'm with you." She said and I smiled. There had been times where Clary and I fell asleep on the couch, or in the piano room or even on the roof she always said she felt well rested after those night, and it made me feel important.

"After you." I said and she smiled and made her way to the bed. We both got in my bed and I pulled her into my arms. Laying here with Clary felt so incredibly right, and I was never going to let her go.

Time Jump – Five Years Later

Clary POV:

How do I describe the last five years? Honestly, compared to the first 16 years of my life, the past five have been heavenly. Jon and I were free from the madness that was the Morgenstern name, and after the trial we moved out and got our own apartment, but it was still close to the Lightwood's. There was no way in hell we were going to separate from them. Especially since Jace and I were together at that point, and Jon and Izzy were trying to figure out their feelings for each other.

There were many times in the past five years that felt like a new beginning for me. After three years in jail, some of the inmates found out what Valentine was in jail for and he was killed in a prison riot. I wish a part of me was sad, I mean I lost my mother and father within three years, but I couldn't find it in me to even cry. He made our lives miserable and he got what he deserved.

A year after Valentine was sentenced, Michael Wayland was sentenced to life in prison, and I could literally see all of that weight lifted off of Jace's shoulders. He smiled a lot more. He was more willing to talk to people, and he didn't have a chip on his shoulder anymore. Turns our, Jon, Alec and him had a lot in common and they became best friends, which was something Jace would never have allowed himself to have before. Everything was turning around for us, and in order for all three of us to finally be at peace, there was one last thing we had to do. Tell Alec and Izzy the real reason for our visit. I was dreading it, but to this day, I couldn't believe how well they took it.

Flashback:

Jace, Jon and I were sitting in the living room just staring at Alec and Izzy. We needed to tell them so that we could finally move on from the past and have no secrets between us. After all, Jon and Alec were best friends, and Jon and Izzy were trying to figure out their feelings for each other. They deserved to know, and since there was no longer a threat to us, we were given the okay to tell them.

"Why did you call us here if you're just going to stare?" Izzy asked and I broke out of my daze.

"We need to tell you something." I said. "All of us."

"So what is it?" Alec asked.

"The reason we came here in the first place." Jon started. "Wasn't because we were in foster care." He said.

"Okay?" Izzy asked.

"My name isn't J." He said. "It's Jonathan. Jonathan Morgenstern."

"Is that supposed to mean something to us?" Alec asked.

"Probably not." I said. "Unless you've been involved in crime, Morgenstern is just a name to you, but to us, it was a target on our backs."

"So what's your real name?" Izzy asked me.

"Clarissa Morgenstern." I said.

"And why did you lie?" Alec asked.

"To protect you, and us." Jon said. "Clary and I were put into witness protection." He continued. "We were given new identities so nobody could find us."

"Witness protection?" Izzy questioned and I nodded. "Why?"

"Clary and I witnessed our father murder our mother." Jon said and Alec and Izzy both gasped. "If it weren't for a neighbor who called 911, he would have most likely killed us as well."

"But you're his children." Izzy said.

"That didn't matter to Valentine." I said. "Valentine had it in his mind that Jon would take over the family business one day. He was training him, and the more Jon didn't listen, the more he got punished."

"You mean he beat you?" Alec asked.

"It depended on the day." Jon said. "Some days he just hit me, and those were the mild days. Other times he would whip me, and sometimes he even burned me." Jon said as he lifted up his shirt to show the burn marks on his torso. "He was ruthless, and it didn't matter how much blood we shared. If we disobeyed, he got mean."

"What did he do to you?" Izzy asked me.

"He took different measures when it came to me." I said. "He never whipped me, or burned me. But I got hit occasionally. Thrown into my room and locked up for days without food or water. When his colleagues would come around for meetings, I would be the one in charge of getting drinks, and waiting on them hand and foot, which often came with a little ass grabbing." I said and Jace squeezed my hand tighter.

"That's sadistic." Izzy said.

"Which is why we were put in witness protection." I said. "So that we would get a chance at a new life."

"And you?" Alec looked at Jace. "What's your story?"

"I was also in witness protection." Jace said. "My father, Michael Wayland was a known associate of a known gang where I lived. He was mean, and deadly, and a true gang banger through and through." He explained. "One night, it was late, way later than he normally came home. I was supposed to be asleep but I couldn't help but worry about what happened to him. I was young, but I knew he wasn't involved in a good crowd."

"How young?" Izzy asked.

"I was 11." Jace said. "I heard the door open, and when I got to the top of the stairs, I peaked through the railings, and I saw him arguing with some man. I didn't know what they were saying. Everything they did was done in codes that I never understood." He explained. "Things got heated, and my father pulled out a knife and stabbed him 23 times." Jace said. "I counted."

"Oh my god." Izzy said.

"I ran to my room and got in bed and pretended like I was asleep. The next morning I'm being woken up by the government, and told that I needed to pack everything I could and I would be on the next plane to New York." Jace explained. "I was placed with you guys that week, and I've been here ever since."

"Who did your father kill?" Alec asked.

"The leader of the gang." Jace said. "I had a huge target on my back. To make my father pay for what he did, I would most likely be the pawn." He said. "They got me out as fast as possible, and I've been Jace Herondale ever since."

"What was your name before that?" Izzy asked.

"Jonathan Wayland." He said and they nodded.

"Look, we know this is a lot for you guys to take in." I said. "We understand that, but you guys are our friends, and we felt like it was time for you to know the truth."

"Are you guys safe now?" Alec asked.

"Yes." Jon said. "Our father was sentenced a year ago, and Michael Wayland was just sentenced a couple years ago to life in prison. We're free." He said and I finally felt free.

"Than, alright." Izzy said.

"That's it?" Jace asked. "You're just okay with it?"

"Why wouldn't we be?" Izzy asked. "You guys didn't get to choose your family. You were stuck with it, and that's really shitty for you guys, but you're out now, and you can finally have a life." She said and I smiled.

"Thank you for being so understanding." I said and she smiled.

"What are friends for?" She asked. I stood up and gave her a hug. Finally having that off my chest felt like another new beginning for me.

End Of Flashback

Of course that wasn't the only new beginning for us. Izzy and Jon didn't end up working out, and they both parted civilly and still hang out as friends. Jon started dating this girl Bailey almost a year ago, and Izzy started dating this guy Simon a couple months ago. Both seem incredibly happy, and that's all I could ever ask for. But he biggest news I've ever received came to be almost a year and a half ago, and to this day, I'm still incredibly shocked that everything turned out the way that it did.

Flashback:

I was sitting in the bathroom waiting for the timer to go off. I couldn't believe that at 19 I was taking a pregnancy test, but sometimes life happens, and this is me figuring out what to do. If it was positive, I didn't know how I was possibly going to tell Jace, or Jon for that matter. And if it was negative I think a small part of me would honestly be disappointed. I've always wanted to be a mom, I had one of the best role models growing up and I always wanted to be a mom, but I didn't think it would happen so soon. When the timer went off, I took a deep breath and looked. Positive. Now, it was time for the hard part. I walked out of my bathroom and into the living room where Jon was sitting.

"Jon." I said and he turned around.

"What's up Clary?" He asked.

"I need to tell you something." I said as I took a seat.

"Is everything okay?" He asked.

"I don't really know." I said honestly.

"You can tell me anything. You know that Clare." He said and I nodded.

"I'm pregnant." I said but I avoided looking him in the eye.

"Okay." He said. "Okay, we can work with that." He said and I finally looked at him.

"You aren't disappointed in me?" I asked.

"I mean, it's not an ideal situation. Nobody want's their baby sister to be pregnant at 19, but you are my baby sister, and I will be there every step of the way to support you." He said and I got up and hugged him.

"Thank you Jon." I said and he smiled.

"Does Jace know yet?" He asked and I shook my head. "You should tell him soon."

"I will." I said. "I just found out 15 minutes ago." I said and he nodded.

"And if he starts being a dick, let me know and I'll kick his ass." Jon said and I laughed.

"I love you Jon." I said and he kissed my head.

"I love you too Clare." He said and I smiled. Knowing that I had one person in my corner was more helpful than I can express, but now I need to tell Jace, and that was terrifying me.

End Of Flashback

Now, if I thought telling Jon was terrifying, telling Jace was even more terrifying. I kept thinking of all the possibly ways that he would react, and let me tell you, none of them were him cheering and picked me up in his arms. They were all horrible. It was either him telling me I ruined his life, or that he didn't want our baby, or that I should just abort the mistake. It was horrible, and I lost many nights of sleep because of it.

When I was walking up to the Lightwood Estate, my nerves were at an all time high. My palms were sweating, and my heart was racing. Everything in me was yelling at me to run away and never tell him, but he deserved to know the truth, and I was going to give it to him weather he liked it or not. I can still remember that day like it was yesterday, and it still gives me butterflies.

Flashback:

I knocked on the front door and Maryse opened it a moment later. Since Jace didn't have a sibling like me, Maryse let him stay with them until he got out of college, which I thought was extremely kind of them. She motioned for me to come in and I gave her a hug.

"How are you sweetie?" She asked.

"I'm good. And you?" I asked.

"Doing alright." She said. "Jace is up in his room." She said and I nodded. I made my way upstairs, knocked but didn't wait for an answer. I walked right in to see Jace sitting shirtless on his bed reading.

"What are you doing here?" He asked as he put the book down.

"Do I need a reason to visit my boyfriend?" I asked with a laugh and he shook his head.

"Never. You're always welcome here." He said and I smiled and made my way over to him. I got in and he pulled me closer to him. "What is the occasion though?" He asked.

"I need to tell you something." I said.

"What's on your mind?" He asked and I took a deep breath. It's now or never.

"I'm pregnant." I said and I felt him freeze. I looked up and his jaw was dropped.

"With my baby?" He asked and I snorted, rather unattractively, I might add.

"Of course with your baby." I said and he laughed.

"That was a pretty stupid question, wasn't it?" He asked.

"You think?" I said and he smiled.

"When did you find out?" He asked.

"Last week. I've been building up the courage to come tell you." I said and he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into him.

"I can't believe we're going to have a baby." He said with a laugh and that just made me feel so much better.

"You want this?" I asked.

"More than you could possibly understand Clary." He said. "I never told you this, but Michael Wayland isn't my biological father. I was left on the stairs of a church when I was a week old, and when he found me, he immediately started the adoption process." Jace said. "As much as I hate when he put me through, he also gave me a home, and that's something I'll be forever grateful for."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" I asked.

"It's not something I like talking about." He said. "I wasn't good enough for my real parents to keep me around, and the only father I ever knew abandoned me because he was too into the gang life to think about the consequences that would trickle down to me." He said. "This is my chance to prove to everyone that I can be a better man, and a better father than they ever were." He said. I smiled, and pressed my lips to hers.

"You're going to be an amazing father." I said and he smiled.

"I hope so." He said.

"I talked to Jon earlier this week. He said that if you want to be there for me and the baby 24/7 you're more than welcomed to move into our apartment." I said and he looked shocked.

"Jon's actually going to allow your boyfriend to move in?" He asked and I laughed.

"I'm already pregnant. The deed is already done." I said and he laughed as well.

"I would love to move in with you." He said and I kissed him again. Everything was working out, and I was pretty happy that I was going to have such a great support system by my side through all of this.

End Of Flashback

And here we are, Dalton was born June 18th, and he was the light of everyone's life. Jon couldn't wait to be an uncle, Izzy was thrilled to be an aunt, and Alec just prayed the kid didn't turn out as cocky as Jace, which made us all laugh.

As for Jace, he was the most amazing father to our little boy. Dalton was a mini Jace. He had his adorable blonde hair, with a hint of my curls, and his golden eyes that I loved so much. They were best friends, and I knew the moment that Jace held him for the first time that he wouldn't let anything happen to that little boy. He was completely in love, and so was I.

"Mama!" Dalton said and I looked at him playing with the blocks on the floor.

"Hi baby." I cooed at him and he just giggled. He was getting better with talking. Although sometimes he doesn't make any sense. "What are you building baby?" I asked.

"Towa." He said and I smiled.

"You're building a tower?" I asked and he nodded. "How would my little builder like some lunch?" I asked.

"Yea!" He cheered and I smiled. I got off the couch and went into the kitchen and made him something to eat. When I got back to him, I put his sandwich in front of him and he began eating while I put on his favorite movie. Once he was finished with his food, he climbed on the couch and cuddled into my side. As much as Dalton looked like Jace, he was totally a Mama's boy, and I loved every minute of it. When he passed out, I laid him down on the couch and covered him with a blanket as I began to clean up his lunch mess. The front door opened and in walked Jace, which surprised me since he was supposed to be at work.

"What are you doing home?" I asked and he smiled.

"I got a half day." He said. "There was nothing I needed to do, and it's a Friday, I didn't want to be there longer than I needed to be." He said as he made his way over to me and kissed me.

"How sweet of you." I said when we broke apart.

"Where is my little man? Normally he's attached to my leg when the door opens." He said and I laughed.

"He's currently napping." I said and he nodded.

"Which means mommy and daddy can have some alone time." He said as he pulled me into him and I couldn't help but blush.

"We had some alone time last night." I reminded him and he just smirked at me.

"Can't I want more alone time with my girlfriend?" He asked and I laughed.

"You can have as much as you want." I said and he kissed me. Kissing Jace would never get old, and it would never get boring. He still made me feel like that 16 year old girl every time he pressed his lips to mine.

"I was thinking, Jon offered to watch Dalton tonight so we could go out." Jace said.

"What's the occasion?" I asked knowing no anniversaries are coming up.

"Just simply to take my girlfriend out for a night to ourselves." He said. "You rarely get to get out of mommy mode. I want you to have a night where you aren't worrying about Dalton."

"That's who I am Jace." I said. "I'm a mom. It's my job to worry." I said and he smiled.

"But not all the time." He said. "Dalton loves Jon, and he'll be thrilled the spend the night with his uncle." He said.

"I guess one night off won't be that bad." I said and he laughed.

"That's the spirit." He said and I smiled.

"When should I be ready by?" I asked.

"Jon is picking Dalton up at 6, and our reservations are at 7." He said and I nodded.

"Well, than I'm going to join Dalton for a nap because he woke me up extra early today, and I'm exhausted." I said and he laughed.

"Go nap. I'll finish cleaning up." He said and I kissed him once again.

"Love you." I said and he smacked my ass when I walked by which caused me to squeal and blush at the same time.

"Love you too baby." He winked and I couldn't help but smile. I made my way in to the living room and took a place behind Dalton. He curled into me immediately and I fell asleep thinking about how amazing my life was.

Time Jump – Later That Night

Jace POV:

"You be good for Uncle Jon okay Dalton?" Clary said for the 9th time.

"Otay mommy." He said yet again. Clary was such a mamma bear, and I couldn't blame her for it. With her and I as parents, nothing was ever going to happen to him.

"I think he understands Clary." I said as I scooped Dalton up in my arms. "You're gonna be good right little man?" I asked.

"Right daddy!" He cheered and I smiled. I gave him a kiss and than put him down right as the doorbell rang. Clary walked over and opened it and there stood Jon and Bailey.

"Where is my favorite nephew?" Jon said and Dalton went running the best he could.

"Unle Ja!" Dalton cheered as Jon picked him up.

"You ready for a fun filled time with Uncle Jon and Bailey?" Jon asked and Dalton just nodded his head enthusiastically.

"Okay, we should probably get going." I said. "Drop him off anytime after 11 tomorrow." I said and Jon nodded.

"He's in this weird phase where he likes to wake up at 5 am." Clary said. "Be prepared."

"You aren't going to do that to us are you buddy?" Jon asked and Dalton just smirked like I did.

"You're in trouble dude." I said and Jon laughed.

"He is your son after all." Jon said and I smiled proudly.

We all made our way out to our cars. Clary gave Jon his car seat, and they pulled out of the driveway, Dalton waving energetically from the backseat. Clary and I got into the car and we made our way to the restaurant. Tonight was a special night. Tonight was the night, and I was so incredibly nervous but also so incredibly excited.

We parked and went in and were seated straight away. My job was a pretty elite job if I do say so myself, (thankfully I graduated college early, and was able to actually provide for my family the way I always wanted to do) which also gives Clary to chance to stay home and raise Dalton, apparently she never wanted to go to college, and after she got pregnant, I supported her fully. College wasn't for everyone, and I knew that. We got to our table and the waiter brought us their finest bottle of wine.

"To you." I said as I raised my glass.

"Why to me?" She asked and I smiled.

"For raising our kickass son." I said and she laughed.

"And here's to you." She said as she clinked our glasses. "For supporting me and our kickass son." She said and I laughed.

"I love you." I said and she smiled.

"I love you too." She said and than our night began. I was excited for what was going to happen, and couldn't stop my heart from racing.

The night went by wonderfully. Everything with Clary was wonderful though. I could never complain when I was with her. Everything was perfect, and I couldn't wait to make it even more perfect. There was a dance floor and elegant music was playing. Once Clary and I were finished with our meals, I got up and reached my hand out.

"May I have this dance?" I asked and she blushed.

"Always." She said and I took her hand in mine and led her to the middle of the dance floor. We swayed back and forth to the soft sweet melody playing behind us when I realized it was time. I stopped dancing and took her hands in mine. "What's going on Jace?" She asked and I smiled. I reached into my pocket and got down on one knee.

"I have loved you for so long Clary." I said. "For so long I thought that love with a fairytale, something that only existed in our mind, and wasn't really tangible. But you came along, and completely blew me away. You stole my heart, and gave me something that I never thought I'd ever get because I was so cynical and mad at the world, but than you showed up, and completely changed the way I viewed the world." I said and she started crying. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, raising our kickass son, and having as many children as we can because there isn't anything else I want in the world than you and our kids." I said and she laughed. "So Clary Fray, will you marry me?" I asked and she smiled.

"Yes." She said and I slipped the ring on her finger and slammed our lips together. When we pulled apart I couldn't get the smile off my face knowing that she wanted to spend forever with me too. "I love you."

"I love you too." I said as I scooped her up in my arms. Everything about tonight was perfect, and I couldn't wait to spend forever with my best friend, my other half, my better half, my soulmate.

Authors Note:

This one shot was requested by a guest, and I immediately got inspired, which really helped with the funk I've been in! I really hope that whoever requested this is satisfied with how I took your suggestion! Let me know what you think and leave a review! :)

Also, I've finally decided and I decided that I WOULD continue after 100 one shots. You all love reading them, and I couldn't possibly stop with all your devotion, continuing to write them would be my pleasure and I hope that I can continue for as long as I possibly can because with such great readers like you, I never want to stop because you keep my inspiration and motivation up! I hope I've made some of you happy with my decision! Let me know what you think and leave a review! :)