One Hundred and Seven Story:

Taken

Clary POV:

I got a call earlier today saying that I was charged for something that I know I didn't order. So when I got home, I went onto the computer to check my finances. When looking through the purchases for the past 3 months, I noticed that there had been money withdrawn, a substantial amount over the course of a couple weeks, but it wasn't from me. It was from Jace.

Now, people thought Jace and I were crazy for joining our bank accounts before we were married, but we were confident enough in our relationship to know that we were going to get married, and we already lived together, so we thought it was pointless to wait to join our bank accounts.

But looking at these withdrawals worried me. When Jace and I first started dating, he had a bit of a gambling problem. It nearly broke us up, but he promised to stop and get help with his addiction, and he's been good for the past 4 years. But this, this scared me. As far as I knew he wasn't gambling again, but with the amount that he's been taking out of our bank account, there was something going on, and you bet I was going to confront him about it. I took a deep breath and closed the computer just as the front door opened.

"Hey babe, sorry I'm late. My meeting ran late." Jace called to me, and it got me thinking, he used that excuse a lot when he was gambling and keeping it a secret from me. "What's for dinner?" He asked when he entered the room.

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it." I said honestly.

"Did you have a bad day at work?" He asked.

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"You have an attitude." He said and that just made me more furious.

"No. Work was fine. But I did get a weird phone call today, and I'm not too happy about that." I said honestly.

"Who was it from?" He asked.

"The bank." I said. "They said I'd been charged for something I know I didn't pay for, so I went to check my finances, and I see you've been withdrawing money for the past couple weeks." I said.

"Is that a crime?" Jace asked. "Am I not allowed to take money out of the bank?"

"You are more than capable to take money out of the bank." I said as I stood up to face him, and I cursed my short stature because I just wasn't intimidating enough when he towers over me. "100 dollars here, maybe 50 dollars there." I said. "But 500 dollars one week, and than nearly 750 the next?" I questioned. "You took a total of 3 grand out Jace. What the hell do you need that type of money for?" I asked, not even trying to hide my anger.

"I have my reasons Clary." He said and that shady answer just proved my suspicions.

"Are you gambling again? Because I made it very clear years ago Jace." I said. "If you quit, we'd stay together, but if you couldn't we were done."

"You really think I'd get back into the gambling game?" He asked. "I just came from a support group meeting that I've been attending regularly for nearly 4 years." He said.

"Than explain why you took 3 grand out, and tried to take it out so that I wouldn't get suspicious Jace?" I asked and he sighed.

"I can't do that Clary. You just have to trust me." He said.

"You're making it impossible to trust you right now Jace." I said. "Just tell me why you needed that money, and I'll let it go." I said. "You know I hate liars more than anything." I said and that seemed to get the worst reaction ever.

"You of all people should know I'm not a liar." He hissed.

"Than tell me why you need the fucking money Jace!" I yelled back.

"I can't!" He shouted back. "God damn it Clary, just because you have a history of men who have lied to you in the past, and who have made it impossible to trust people, you'd think that I have proved I'm trustworthy." He said and my jaw dropped. "Just because your father and you ex were bastards and manipulated you, doesn't mean I am." He said, and I just stood there shocked. My past with men is bad, and it took me nearly a year or 2 to even open up to Jace about that, and the fact that he would use that against me, hurt.

"Eat dinner by yourself." I said as I grabbed my jacket. "I'm going for a walk." I said as I walked past him.

"Clary." He said and I opened the door.

"No." I turned back towards him. "We need to cool off because I'm not happy with you, and you clearly aren't happy with me, so I'm taking a walk. Go take a shower, or whatever." I said as I slammed the door not even waiting for his response. I put my jacket on as I walked out of my building and heading somewhere. I couldn't believe he would say that to me. I was so lost in my head I wasn't paying attention to anyone around me, but when I felt someone grab my wrist, it got my attention. I was pulled into an ally, and there were four men surrounding me.

"Look what we have here fellas, a pretty little red head." The one said, and his tone chilled me to the bone. "You'll make the perfect addition." He said before he put something over my mouth and darkness consumed me.

Jace POV:

After Clary left I wasn't even hungry anymore. I took her advice and got into the shower. I wish I could just tell Clary that I haven't been gambling and that the 3 grand I took out of the bank was to buy her an engagement ring, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise. I would never go back to gambling if it meant loosing Clary, she was everything to me. I don't know what I'd do without her. She got me out of a dark place, and gave me everything I didn't know I needed.

Once I got out of the shower I just decided to call it a night. I was exhausted, and the fight drained all the energy that I had left. Clary and I would talk this out in the morning, but right now, I just needed some sleep.

Morning came quicker than I anticipated, and when I got up, Clary wasn't there. I didn't feel her come back last night, and her side was still made, so I figured maybe she slept on the couch. I got out of bed and made my way into the living room, but Clary wasn't there either. I looked around and her jacket was still gone, and her shoes were nowhere to be found. I grabbed my phone to see if she texted me, but she didn't so I thought I'd call her. I dialed her number and waited for her to answer.

Hi, sorry that I missed you call, but leave a message and I'll be back to you as soon as I can!
Her voicemail. Damn it. I called back because maybe she just missed the call, and the second time would wake her up or something. But when I got her voicemail again, I started to panic. Maybe her phone died, and she's at Izzy's. She lives a couple blocks over and maybe she just decided to stay with her. I dialed her number and waited anxiously.

"Hey Jace, what's up?" Izzy answered.

"Is Clary there?" I asked frantically.

"No. I haven't seen her since last week. We're supposed to have lunch today. Why?" She asked.

"We got into a fight last night, and she took a walk to cool off, but she didn't come back." I said.

"Maybe she went to her mom's house." Izzy said.

"Her mom lives like 15 blocks away. I doubt Clary walked there last night." I said.

"Call her." She said.

"Really? You think I didn't try that? I got her voicemail." I said.

"My only other suggestion would be to call Magnus." She said and I knew that was a good idea.

"Thanks Iz." I said.

"You'll find her Jace. And everything will be okay." She said.

"I hope you're right Iz." I said and I hung up. I immediately dialed Magnus and waited for him to answer.

"Detective Lightwood-Bane, how can I help you?" Magnus answered.

"Magnus, I need a huge favor." I said.

"What's up?" He asked.

"Clary and I got into a fight last night. She took a walk, but she never came home. I called Izzy, she hasn't seen her, and she wouldn't walk the 15 blocks to her mom's house. I'm freaking out Magnus." I explained.

"Oh god." Magnus said on the other end.

"That didn't sound good Magnus. What's going on?" I asked.

"In the last 6 months, there have been a string of disappearances." He explained. "All women, all taken at night, all disappearing without a trace."

"Oh my god. I think I'm going to be sick." I said as I took a seat on the couch.

"It's our top priority." He said, trying to reassure me, but it wasn't working. "The whole department is pretty much on it."

"Do you know who's taking them?" I asked.

"We're not sure." Magnus said. "We just know women have been going missing, and not returning."

"So nobody has died yet?" I asked, hopeful.

"As of right now, there has been no dead bodies, but things can change." He said.

"This can't be happening." I said.

"I swear on everything Jace, I'll find Clary." Magnus said.

"Please Magnus." I begged. "She's all I have."

"I know. I'll keep you updated as much as I possibly can." He said.

"Thank you." I said and I hung up. Clary only left his apartment because of me. She's out there, god knows where, with people who are probably going to hurt her, and it's all my fault.

Time Jump - One Month Being Kidnapped

Clary POV:

Throughout my month here, girls have been moved around on a daily basis. I was stuck in my room and never moved, but I had a few roommates since being taken.

For the past week though I've been alone. It didn't feel any different than before, considering none of the other girls were really in the mood to talk, it was probably the drugs they were pumping into our system so we couldn't escape.

When the door opened, they threw a girl into the room, than slammed the door. There was a dim light in the room, and I focused my eyes on her. She couldn't be more than 15.

"Hi." I said quietly and she looked up at me, fear riddled her face. "I'm Clary."

"Maureen." She said.

"How old are you Maureen?" I asked.

"I'm 14." She said and my heart broke for her.

"How long have you been here?" I asked knowing the duration was different for all the girls here.

"Almost 3 months." She said and I just wanted to pull her into me and give her a hug. "What about you?"

"I've been here for a month." I said and she nodded.

"Where did they grab you?" She asked.

"Right outside of my apartment building." I said. "My boyfriend and I got into a fight and I needed some fresh air and planned on going for a walk. That's when they got me." I explained.

"They took me from a park." She said.

"I'm so sorry." I said and she nodded.

Our conversation ended there. She curled into a ball and I heard her sniffle. I couldn't imagine being a 14 year old girl, taken from her family, and rotting in a place like this. I was going to protect her, because she had a life to live, and she was going to live it.

Jace POV:

It's been exactly one month since Clary went missing, and I was beside myself. Magnus and the NYPD were doing everything they could, and since Clary isn't the only girl to go missing in the last 6 months, it was their priority, but it just didn't make me feel any better. Nothing would until I could roll over and feel her sleeping next to me.

I grabbed her pillow and pulled it into me. It still smelled of her strawberry shampoo. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. I still remember the first time I noticed the sweet smell that became so accustomed to her.

Flashback:

I was sitting in Clary's dorm room waiting for her to get out of the shower. I was reading my favorite book when the door opened and in walked Clary, towel wrapped around her body, and her hair slicked back. She was always the most beautiful girl in the world to me.

"You're staring again." She said and I broke out of my mind and smiled at her.

"I can't help it. You're just so beautiful." I said honestly and she blushed.

"Such a charmer." She said as she went to her closet and grabbed her clothes. She got dressed and I went back to reading my book. When I felt the bed dip I closed the book and looked at her.

"You always smell like strawberries." I pointed out and she giggled.

"My shampoo is strawberry scented." I said and I nodded. "Now come on, I'm exhausted and we have an 8 am tomorrow." She said as she pulled the covers down and got under them. I followed suit and when we were comfortable I pulled her close to me, inhaling the sweet scent of strawberry as I drifted off to sleep.

End of Flashback

That was 5 years ago and to this day the scent of strawberry was a keen reminder of Clary. I held her pillow tight to me, inhaling the sweet scent of strawberry shampoo, missing Clary more and more with every day she was gone.

Time Jump – Two Months Being Kidnapped

Clary POV:

"Lets go!" The one man yelled as he pulled Maureen from the room.

"Please don't!" Maureen shouted as she clung desperately to anything she could hold.

"The more you resist, the worse it'll be." The man said.

"Can't you just stop it?" I yelled. "She's a little girl." I said and the man looked at me.

"I'd watch your mouth if I were you little girl. Other wise we'll take you." He snarled. I thought about it for a minute.

"Than take me." I said and he looked confused. "Leave her alone, and take me." He dropped Maureen and walked over to me. He smiled before grabbing my hair and pulling me. The last thing I saw was Maureen's horrified expression before the door closed and I was dragged away.

When we got to another room, the man threw me, and I was surrounded by 5 other men, all with sick smirks on their faces. I had no idea what I was in for, but I had a feeling is wasn't going to be pleasant.

"I thought I asked for the girl." The one man said.

"She volunteered in place of her." The other man said.

"How very Katniss of you." The man said and I was thoroughly surprised.

"You know young adult fiction?" I questioned without thinking, and clearly that was not a wise move.

"Shut up." The man said before slapping me across the face. I fell to the ground before being picked up and chained to the wall.

A man came over with a needle and plunged it into my arm. Everything around me became fuzzy, and that's when I felt the stings being embedded into my skin. Before I knew it, I was loosing consciousness.

Jace POV:

I had a meeting this morning that I had to attend other wise I'd lose my job. I didn't want to get it of bed, but I needed my job, so this is what I had to do.

I walked into the kitchen and started the coffee. I got a mug, and made some toast. It was about all I could eat these days, I've lost about 15 pounds. It wasn't good. When the coffee was done, I poured it into the cup and that's when I realized. The cup. It was Clary's favorite mug. I remember when she found it, she had to have it.

Flashback:

We were walking around the store, and Clary detached her hand from mine and went running. I followed after her, and I found her in the mug aisle. I went to see what she was looking at, and when I did, I couldn't help but laugh.

"I have to get this mug Jace." She said and I laughed.

"We already have more mugs than we need." I told her.

"But this mug's handle is a paintbrush." She pointed out and I looked closer at the mug. It was an art mug. "It would be a crime if an artist didn't have an art mug." She said and I looked at her.

"You really want the mug?" I asked and she nodded excitingly. "Well, let's get you that mug." I said and she threw her arms around my neck.

"Thank you so much!" She said and I laughed.

"Of course babe." I said and she gave me a sweet kiss.

"And look, you can have this one." She said and I turned around and she was holding a duck mug.

"That isn't funny Clarissa." I said and she laughed. "Put it back!" I said and she did so and walked over to me, holding onto her art mug and started skipping like a little kid. I couldn't help but smile at how adorable she was, and how incredibly lucky I was to be in Lee with her.

End of Flashback

I didn't even realize I started crying until I saw the small puddle on the counter next to my mug. These past 2 months without Clary have been torture. I wanted her home. I wanted her in my arms. And I never wanted to let her go ever again. I realized now that I would be later, so I poured the coffee into a travel mug and ran outside. The whole way to my work I couldn't get her off my mind.

Time Jump – Three Months Being Kidnapped

Clary POV:

My body ached. I'd be dragged out of this room twice a week and drugged, and than beaten. I didn't understand the purpose of what these men were doing. They weren't transporting us, and all we did was sit here, so I didn't know what the end result was going to be, but the journey to get there, wasn't fun at all.

Jace flooded my mind. He is probably worried sick about me. We left on such a terrible note, and now who knows if I'll ever be able to see him again. At this point, I don't care what the 3 grand was for. I just wanted to be with Jace again. Nothing else mattered to me but him. He was everything to me, and yea we fought, but all couples do. He was my future, and I hope we have a chance to get that one day.

The door opened and the men walked in again. I expected them to come for me, but they went for Maureen this time, and everything in my broke. I've been trying to keep her safe since she was put in this room, and it's been working, but I guess my luck has run out. The one man picked her up and she yelled.

"What about me?" I called after them.

"Don't worry Red. You're next." He said before he slammed the door. I slumped back against the wall and just cried. I was starving, and tired, and cold. Whatever drug they were giving us, was constantly being pumped into our system. Not enough to completely knock us out, but enough that when we weren't listening, they'd cut us off, and we'd start going through withdrawals, and that sucked. Add the torture on top of that, and I was honestly surprised that I wasn't dead yet. But I'm a fighter, and I refuse to let them take me without a fight.

Jace POV:

I was sleeping, or trying to sleep. These days I just lay in bed and cling to Clary's pillow. Each day it started to smell less and less like her and it was killing me. When the door slammed opened, I looked over and there stood Alec. He's been coming over every single day to check up on me, but I haven't moved, so he was really wasting his time.

"Get up." He said.

"No." I said as I turned away from him.

"You can't just lay in bed every single day." Alec said. "I get your work gave you time off to grieve, and everything but this isn't doing a damn thing for you."

"My girlfriend was kidnapped 3 months ago Alec." I said. "She could be dead for all I know."

"Magnus said there hasn't been any deaths." Alec said.

"They could be keeping their dead bodies and using them." I said.

"For what?" Alec questioned.

"Using them as storage for drugs to get them over the boarder." I said.

"Okay, you've been watching way too much CSI." He said. "You need to get up, and get a shower. And I'm not leaving until that happens."

"Why should I?" I asked.

"Because tonight is Rafe's birthday, and you promised mom and dad that you'd be at dinner." Alec said and I groaned.

"I can't do it Alec." I said.

"You can, and you will." He ripped the covers off of me. "Get in that shower, and I'll make you a decent breakfast." He said as he yanked me out of the bed and pushed me into the bathroom. I looked behind me before he slammed the door shut and than looked back at the shower. The curtains. I never understood why shower curtains had to have a theme, but when Clary saw them, she just knew that they were going to be the ones that were going to be in our bathroom, and to this day, the memory will always stick with me.

Flashback:

We were walking around the store looking for things that we needed for our apartment. It was still weird to be living with Clary, but the best kind of weird possible. Clary had gone off to look for some things for out bathroom, which I was in charge of getting dish towels for the kitchen. I was standing in the aisle looking at two different sets when Clary came running over with the biggest smile on her face.

"Why are you so happy?" I asked and she laughed before turning the package around in her hands.

"I found this shower curtain, and it's absolutely perfect for our bathroom." She said and I couldn't hold my laughter in.

"Clary, that's a sloth holding onto the empire state building." I said.

"I know!" She cheered. "Isn't it great?"

"It's weird." I said and she gave me that look.

"It's awesome." She argued.

"What is it with you and sloths anyway?" I asked. "They are kinda weird."

"Look at how cute they are!" She said as she put it closer to my face. I lowered it and gave her that look and she pulled the sloth away. "I can always go put it back, and grab the rubber duck one." She threatened.

"You know what, sloths are totally cool." I said and she laughed.

"You're the best." She said before she leaned up and kissed my cheek. She started walking away before she turned around. "And get the yellow towels, they'll look better in the kitchen." She said before walking out of the aisle. I grabbed the yellow towels and laughed to myself.

"Whatever you want babe." I said to myself as I walked after her.

End of Flashback

"I don't hear the water running!" I heard as Alec banged don the door. I was pulled out of the thoughts and turned it on.

"Happy mother?" I shouted back.

"Immensely." Alec said. I shook my head and than got into the shower. I tried my hardest not to think about all the terrible things that Clary was probably going through, since it wasn't going to help her or me, but I couldn't help it. The love of my life was in danger, and I couldn't do a damn thing to help her.

Time Jump – Four Months Being Kidnapped

Clary POV:

"Let's go little Red." I heard and I opened my eyes. "The boss wants to see you." I was picked up and dragged through the hallway like I always was. I've gotten so used to the pain, that I barely felt anything anymore. I think I have a few broken ribs, my body is bruised from head to toe, and I looked deathly ill.

When we got to the room, they threw me on the floor like it was routine. I hissed at the pain, and they laughed at my reaction. They were sadistic bastards, and I hope that karma hits them hard in the future. With everything they've done to us, they deserves nothing but the worst in life.

"If it isn't my favorite little volunteer." The guy said. "How are you feeling?" He said in a condescending tone.

"The same as I was before." I spat back and they all laughed.

"I love the fire in you." He said as he kneeled down to me and forced me to look at him. "You got spunk kid, and that's why you're my favorite."

"Do I get special privileges for being the favorite?" I asked and he laughed.

"Of course you do." He said as he stood up. "We haven't killed you yet."

"How considerate." I said and he smiled. "How long does this privilege last?" I asked.

"I don't know yet." He said. "Give it some time. That mouth of yours might just shorten your life." He said wickedly before the torture began.
Jace POV:

I heard a low murmur of voices coming from my living room, but I don't remember hearing the door open, so I got a little curious. I opened my bedroom door and I recognized the voices immediately. Alec and Izzy.

I walked as quietly as I could to the end of the hallway so that I could hear what they were talking about. Of course it was going to be me, but they tended to try and steer the conversation away from Clary or the case whenever they were around me, so this might be informational.

"I don't know how to tell him Iz." Alec said and that spiked my curiosity. "It's going to destroy him."

"As opposed to what Alec?" Izzy asked. "He's already a mess."

"This is different Iz." Alec said. "This could really kill him."

"He deserves to know." Izzy said. "I get you and Magnus trying to keep this under wraps, but a body was found. A girl who has been missing for almost a year."

"What?" I said as I emerged form the corner and they both looked back at me. "A body?"

"Jace." Alec said but I wasn't having it.

"Tell me the god damn truth Alec." I said and he sighed.

"A body was found last night." He said. "Female, early twenties. Beaten, starved, drugged." He said and my heart broke at every word. "She was dumped in an ally."

"Who was it?" I asked.

"Her name was Camille Belcourt." Alec said. "She went missing in November of last year."

"Holy shit." I said as I collapsed to the ground. "This can't be happening."

"Once Magnus knows more, I'll know more, and than I'll tell you." He said.

"Yea right, like you were going to tell me about the body?" I hissed.

"I was trying to find the right way to tell you." Alec said. "I didn't want the news to send you off the deep end."

"Alec, I'm already fucking there." I yelled. "I'm already drowning, and guess what? There is no life savor."

"But it wasn't Clary." Izzy chimed in.

"No, but what about the next body?" I asked. "What about the condition this girl was found in? Is Clary starving? Drugged? Beaten? Probably, and I'm stuck here doing absolutely nothing to help her."

"This isn't your fault." Alec said.

"If I just told her that I was buying her a fucking engagement ring, we would have never fought, and she'd still be here." I said. "How isn't that my fault?"

"Bad shit happens all the time." Alec said. "This is bad shit. But Clary can over come it." He said and I shook my head and stood up. I made my way over to the couch when a painting on the wall caught my eye.

"I bought that for Clary 2 years ago." I said as I pointed to the painting. "She dragged me to an art gallery and we spent 5 hours there looking at all the paintings." I said. "Of course I was looking at her the whole time." I laughed and I saw Izzy smile. "She's always been the most beautiful piece of art I've ever come across." I said as I looked back at the painting. "She fell in love with it. So I bought it for her birthday. She cried for 25 minutes after she opened it." I smiled at the memory. "I never understood what she saw in it. I mean, she can see an entire conversation, or an entire idea in one painting, and all I can see is a bunch of strangely placed lines, and the bill after I bought it." I said and Alec and Izzy laughed. "But it made her happy, and that's all I've ever wanted to do."

"You don't think she's unhappy do you?" Izzy asked and I just shrugged. "You should be around her when you aren't around. Even after 6 years of dating, she still gushes about you and brags about you." She said and I looked at her. "I think she's more in love with you now, than she was in the beginning. You're that weird couple that never gets out of the honeymoon phase because you just find new things to love about each other every single day." She said. "You got into a bad fight, and something happened. It's fucked up, but it's reality. But shutting down, and cutting us out of your life isn't going to bring her back." Izzy said. "Because when they do find Clary, and they will, alive, she's going to need you to be at your best, and if you keep acting this way, both you and her are going to be in recovery."

"I just don't know how to function without her." I said honestly. "I haven't had too in 6 years."

"That's what we're here for." Alec said. "Let us know if you need help and we'll be here."

"Not knowing what's going on is killing me." I said. "And now I'm even more worried because there is now a body. It just got even realer, and if that was Clary, I don't think I would ever recover from that."

"But it wasn't." Izzy said. "She's still out there, and NYPD is going to find her."

I simply nodded because I knew this could end in two ways. Clary would be alive, or she wouldn't. That was all I had to work with right now, and it's the worst feeling knowing the love of your life is out there probably scared shitless, and hurt, and I just have to keep living life I used too.

Time Jump – Five Months Being Kidnapped

Clary POV:

"Maureen." I said but she didn't answer me. "Maureen." I tried again as I looked at the body curled up in the corner. When they brought her back they just tossed her in the corner and she hasn't spoken since, and I was terrified. Since it was pretty dark in the room, I couldn't even see her clearly, but something was off, and it was not a good feeling.

The door opened and in walked two men. I was expecting them to walk over to me, but they went to Maureen again. The one man kicked her and I saw her body flop.

"We got another dead one." He said and my heart stopped. "Grab her and we'll get rid of the body."

"No!" I cried and they turned towards me. "You bastards! You killed a child!" I yelled as they walked over to me and the one slapped me across the face, causing me to bit my cheek, and my mouth filled with blood.

"Shut up bitch." He hissed as he walked away. He picked Maureen up and slung her over his shoulder. I cried as he took her out of the room.

The girl who I swore I would try and protect was dead, and who knows how long she had been dead for. Everything in me felt guilt. She didn't deserve to die. She didn't deserve to be here. None of us did. But a poor 14 year old girl, who had so much potential, really didn't deserve this kind of treatment. I continued to cry for the little girl who just lost her life. I didn't know what the future held for me, but for right now, I was going to mourn the lose of a friend.

Jace POV:

It was pretty late and I was going to the kitchen to get a snack. Ever since the talk I had with Alec and Izzy, I've been trying to get myself back in a routine. My job still gave me the time off, and I was really appreciative of that, but I started going in at least 2 days a week. I would grab dinner, or lunch occasionally with Alec or Izzy, and I even went to Max's birthday party last month, and laughed for the first time since Clary went missing. Everything was still pretty numb, but having a routine again made things a little easier.

I walked into the kitchen and turned the light on. I walked over to the fridge and grabbed some yogurt. When I went to the drawer that had the spoons, I looked up and there was a note on the side of the fridge in Clary's handwriting.

Dear Jace,

I used the last of the eggs this morning, and I won't have time after work to go pick some up. Would you be a doll and do it for me? I need some for dinner tonight! Have a great day at work! I love you.

Love always,

Clary

Her handwriting seemed foreign to me, and I hated that. These last 5 months without her, have been torture, and the fact that her birthday was tomorrow, was even worse. I sighed, grabbed the spoon, and my yogurt and headed back to my room. I turned the TV on, and ate my yogurt as I tried my hardest not to let bad thought cloud my mind. Tomorrow was going to be a bad enough day as it is, and I don't need to add more on top of that.

Clary POV:

I was lying on the cold hard concrete just staring at the wall. I cried my eyes dry for Maureen, and just waiting for the torture to begin again. This life had become routine, and I knew that at some point they would walk through that door, drag me out of here, and torture me again.

When I saw the door open, it was slower than normal. Curiously, I sat up and squinted my eyes, when a bright light flashed in my eyes, and nearly blinded me. I covered my face so the light would hurt me anymore.

"Clary?" I heard and I looked up.

"Yes?" I asked because I still couldn't see who it was.

"It's me, Magnus." He said and I've ever felt pure joy in my life.

"Oh my god Magnus." I said and he bent down in front of me and I threw my arms around him the best I could.

"I'm so glad to see you alive." He said and I started crying. Mostly from joy, but also because of how long it's been since I've seen someone I loved and cared about. "Come on biscuit, we're going to get you out of here." I nodded my head and he picked me up bridal style and walked me out of the room.

Before I knew it, I was in an ambulance, and Magnus was holding onto my hand. The paramedics checked me out, but I was going to have to stay in the hospital until I was given the all clear, but I didn't care. I was free.

Jace POV:

"Jace!" I heard someone yell and I nearly fell out of bed from surprise. I stood up and Alec came barging into my room.

"Dude, it's 4 in the morning. What's the emergency?" I asked as I rubbed my eyes.

"Magnus called. They found Clary." He said and my heart stopped.

"Was she…dead?" I asked hesitantly.

"No." He said and I sighed. "She was pretty roughed up, but she's alive."

"Where is she?" I asked suddenly.

"She's at the hospital. I came so I could take you." He said and I nodded. I grabbed my sweats, a shirt, and the ring and ran out of the door.

It felt like it took forever to get to the hospital, but when Alec pulled up, and I jumped out and ran inside. I ran to the first nurses station I found.

"Clarissa Fray." I said.

"Relationship?" The nurse asked.

"I'm her fiancé." I said.

"Room 134." She said and I sprinted in that direction. I got to the room, and the door was slightly opened. I took a deep breath and opened it further to see Clary laying in a bed, with Magnus by her side.

"Clary." I said and she looked over at me. Her eyes immediately filled with tears and I ran to her side. "Oh baby. I thought I lost you." I said as I pulled her into me.

"You can't get rid of me that easily." She joked and it felt so good to hear her voice again.

"I love you so much." I said when I pulled away.

"I love you too." She said and I slammed my lips to her. When we broke apart, I sat on the edge of her bed and didn't let go of her hands. "I'm so sorry about the fight."

"Don't." I said. "That fight is history, and I don't even care what was said or the accusations that were made. I'm just happy you're alive."

"But I shouldn't have accused you of something so terrible." She said and I smiled because she had just been kidnapped and tortured for 5 months, and she was apologizing.

"You had every right too. I was being shady, but not because I was gambling." I said. I pulled the ring out of my pocket and she gasped. "I was trying to be discrete, but evidently it didn't work."

"Jace." She said and I smiled.

"I've loved you since I first met you Clary, and after these five months apart, I'm never letting you out of my sight ever again." I said and she started crying. "Will you please marry me?" I asked.

"Yes." She choked out and slid the ring on her finger. I pressed my lips gently to hers and she smiled. "What an amazing 27th birthday."

"I love you so much Clary." I said and she smiled.

"I love you more Jace." She said and I just sat there taking her in, and damn did it feel good to have her back.

Time Jump – Six Months Later

Clary POV:

"Seriously Izzy, he's driving me up a wall." I said as we sat down for coffee. "If I'm a minute late to something he's blowing up my phone."

"I get that must be annoying Clary, but he's just really worried that he might lose you again." Izzy said and I looked down at my cup of coffee. "I know you had a terrible 5 months, I can't even imagine what you went through, but Jace went through a lot as well."

"I just wish that he stopped treating me like a toddler." I said.

"It took Alec a good month and a half to get Jace out of bed." Izzy explained. "Alec went to your place religiously just to make sure he ate, and took care of himself." She further explained. "I love you Clary, and I'm so thankful that you're okay. Truly, I would have been devastated if you didn't survive. But just remember, Jace was suffering as well." She said and I nodded. It was quiet for a minute before I looked at my phone.

"I should head home." I said as I stood up. "Jace is probably getting worried." I said with a small smile.

"Talk to him Clare." She said. "Let him know that he needs to loosen the reigns a little."

"I will." I said. "Thanks for the coffee." I said. "I needed it."

"You and Jace will be at dinner this weekend right?" She asked.

"Of course." I said and she smiled.

I made my way home, and when I walked into the house, Jace was sitting in the living room reading a book. I put my stuff down and joined him on the couch. He smiled as he put his book down on the coffee table in front of us.

"How was your day with Izzy?" He asked as he put his arm around my shoulders.

"I forgot how much she loved to shop." I said and he laughed. "Honestly, being tortured was easier." I joked but I felt Jace go stiff. I looked up at him and he looked pained. "Sorry."

"Your ability to make uncomfortable situations easier with your amazing sense of humor is one of the many reasons I love you Clary, but please, I don't think I'll ever be okay with hearing you joke about your kidnapping." He said and I nodded.

"I'm sorry. My therapist says I do that as a coping mechanism." I said. "She thinks it's the way I chose to understand what happened to me."

"I know you had an incredibly hard 5 months, but it was hard for me too." He said.

"Izzy told me." I said and he looked confused. "I was complaining how tight of a watch you've been keeping on me today."

"Oh." He said.

"Don't get me wrong Jace, I love you and I love how protective you are of me." I said. "It's one of my favorite qualities about you, but you need to let go a little." I explained. "If I'm a minute late, that doesn't mean something has happened to me. You know sometimes I just get lost in my own head, and I forget the time." I said and he nodded. "And if it makes you feel any better, if I know I'm going to be running late, I'll text you."

"I'm sorry I've been a little overbearing." He said and I smiled. "I just can't bare if anything else happened to you. You're my world Clary, and I'll do anything to keep you safe."

"I know you will." I said. "But you're my fiancé, not my babysitter." I said and he smiled.

"Let's go out tonight." He said and I smiled.

"Where to?" I asked and he stood from the couch.

"That my love, is a surprise." He said with his normal gorgeous smile.

"You've got yourself a date."

Authors Note:

Wow, okay so I apologize for the long wait, but I've had a pretty crazy week this week, and it took me a little while to write this one! But I finally finished, and I hope you all enjoy this one shot! It was requested by a guest, and whoever you are, I hope it was worth the wait and that I lived up to your expectations! Let me know what you think and leave a review! I don't know when I'll update next, but thanks for always being patient with me and leaving me such encouraging words! :)