One Hundred and Twenty Three Story:
Limbo Lovers
Clary POV:
You never think that something so terrible is going to happen to you, and than it does. It throws everything and everyone out of whack.
When I woke up I thought everything was going to be okay, only I didn't wake up, at least my physical body wasn't awake. It was a true out of body experience. I saw myself lying in the hospital bed with a tube down my throat, and my mother crying at my bedside. The doctor was talking, but I knew she wasn't paying attention.
Coma. That was the last word I heard out of his mouth. I was put into a coma to let the trauma of my head wound heal after the car accident I was in. The doctor said it should have been fatal, but I was lucky. I didn't feel lucky, and I doubt my mom felt lucky either.
I would have much rather been unconscious without having this ghostly experience. I don't want to watch my mom suffer, and I don't want to see myself like this. I much rather be suspended in darkness until it was my time to be woken up. Unfortunately, that wasn't in the cards for me.
Time Jump – One Week Later
Clary POV:
I sat in a chair in my room just staring at me. It was the middle of the night, and guess what? Ghosts couldn't sleep. I was going a little stir crazy, so I thought a nice walk around the halls would clear my mind. I could see all the nurses laughing, and eating. I could see other patients roaming the halls as well. It was hard to see people just going on with their lives and getting better while I lie in a coma. I walked past a nurses station, and I smelled the wonderful aroma of coffee and I couldn't help but stop and look at the nurse sipping on the hot beverage.
"I'd do anything for cup of coffee." I sighed to myself, knowing none of these people could hear me.
"Sorry to disappoint Red, this isn't a life of luxury." A guy says, and I nearly shit myself.
"Holy shit." I cursed. "You can't just sneak up on a person like that."
"I didn't. I've been standing here for 10 minutes reading my file." He said.
"But I thought you were alive." I said.
"I am alive, I'm just not awake." He sarcastically said back.
"Oh, so you aren't haunting this hospital?" I asked with a fake shocked voice.
"Why the hell would I haunt a hospital?" He asked a little rudely.
"I don't know. Fun?" I suggested and he laughed.
"Sorry short stack, I don't go around haunting people undoubtedly having the hardest time of their life." He said and ignoring the rude nickname, I had to say I was impressed with his answer.
"What's your name?" I asked cautiously.
"Not even around 5 minutes and already you're so curious." He stated.
"I've been here for a week." I pointed out.
"It sure took you a long time before wondering these halls." He said.
"I was processing." I crossed my arms over my chest.
"I'm Jace, Jace Herondale. Room 245. Comatose, 6 months." He rattled off. "And you Red?"
"Clary Fray. Room 210. Comatose, 1 week." I said in the same order as him.
"What for?" He asked.
"Car accident." I said. "You?" I asked.
"Cage fighting." He said.
"Why?" I asked without a second thought.
"I'm an MMA fighter. I took a hit on the head and it caused a severe seizure that put me out." He explained.
"Damn." I said and he nodded. "How old are you?" I asked.
"28. You?" He asked.
"Just turned 25 last month." I admitted.
"What a great present." He mused.
"Soooo….." I said after a few moments of silence. "What is there to do around here to occupy my time in limbo?" I asked.
"Let me introduce you to the group Red." He closed his file and started walking. I ran to catch up with him, but damn did he have long legs. We got to a room that had many people talking and stuff. If I didn't know any better, I would think they were all alive. "Hey everyone, we got another guest." Jace said and everyone turned their heads.
"It's about damn time." One male said. "I'm Raphael, but you can call me anything you want." He said as he kissed my hand. "Room 240, comatose, 1 year. Feel free to drop by any time." He smirked.
"Alright Raphe, give her some breathing room." Jace pushed him away and he laughed.
"What happened to him?" I whispered to Jace.
"Drug overdose. His parents don't want to pull the plug yet, but I doubt he's ever waking up." He explained and I nodded. "Everyone, this is Clary Fray, comatose, 1 week."
"You certainly are a newbie." The one girl said. "My name is Camille. Camille Belcourt, room 200. Comatose, 7 months."
"How?" I asked without thinking.
"Jealous ex. Beat me to a pulp." She said and I nodded. "Welcome to Limbo."
"Thanks?" I questioned and she just laughed.
"I'm Meliorn." One guy said. "Room 202. Comatose, 4 months. Shot in the line of duty." He continued and I nodded.
"You'll meet the rest during your stay here." Jace informed me and I nodded. "Is there anything you'd like to know?"
"What exactly happens while we're in limbo?" I asked.
"Well, we can't leave the hospital. We're stuck here as long as our bodies are here. But if we get transferred, we leave." He said and I nodded.
"What happens when we wake up?" I asked.
"You start to fade." He said. "And once you wake up, you won't have any recollection of anything that happened in limbo."
"So I won't remember any of you, or what the doctor said, or anything I heard while in this state?" I asked.
"Nope." He said. "You can be reminded, and there is always a chance that shreds of things stay, but I've been in a coma for 6 months, so I don't really know how accurate that can be."
"How do you know all of this?" I asked.
"There is always someone, normally the person who has been around the longest, who was told the rules of limbo by someone else. It just keeps traveling down, it's pretty important to know what happens, and stuff like that." He said and I nodded.
"How do you occupy your time?" I asked him.
"My adoptive family visits everyday. So I just sit in there and listen to what has been going on in their life. I like to keep up with how happy they are, or a promotion they got, or who they're dating." He said and I nodded.
"How have you been doing it for 6 months? Being in this state?" I asked.
"You just have to do it." He said bluntly. "There isn't much else we can do until we wake up."
"That's encouraging." I laughed and he smiled.
"It's not meant to be encouraging. It's just the truth, and after everything you've been through, sugar coating anything isn't going to be helpful." He said.
"Thanks for the truth." I said and he smiled.
This was going to be a long process if I'm like this for a long time. I was already going stir crazy and it's only been week. These people have been like this for months. I don't think I can handle that.
Time Jump – One Month Later
Clary POV:
Turns out I can do, even if I don't necessarily want too. I have to admit, the others that I've met while I've been here are very friendly people, and are making my time in limbo a lot easier, but I'd give anything to see my mom again and talk to her, tell her I'm okay, and that everything will be okay. I refuse for this to end any other way.
Jace was currently in his room while his family visited, so I was hanging out mainly by myself. It's not that I didn't socialize, but sometimes the others have other things to preoccupy themselves with and it leaves me alone a lot, which I don't necessarily mind.
"Excuse me, can you help me?" I heard a small voice in the hallway say. I got up from my chair and peaked out of the room I was in to see a little girl looking up at a nurse, but the nurse wasn't paying her any attention. "I keep trying to talk to my mommy, but she isn't listening to me. I think something's wrong." She further explained, but the nurse was still paying her no mind.
"Hey." I called out, and the girl looked at me. Yup, coma.
"Why isn't she answering me?" The little girl asked.
"She can't hear you sweetheart." I told her as I slowly and cautiously made my way towards her.
"Why not?" She asked sadly.
"What happened to you sweetie?" I asked.
"All I remember was my mom yelling at me, and than there was a loud noise." She said.
"Do you remember where you were?" I asked.
"On the Brooklyn Bridge." She said.
"How old are you?" I asked.
"I'm 8." She said.
"And what's your name?" I asked.
"Maureen." She said.
"Maureen, there is something you should know." I started. "Do you know what it means to be in a coma?" I asked. She shook her head. "It means you're asleep, but you can't wake up, at least not yet anyway." I explained. "That's what you're in right now, and people like that nurse, and your mom can't hear or see you right now."
"How long will it last?" She asked.
"I'm not sure. It is different for everyone." I said.
"Are you in a coma?" She asked.
"I am. I've been in one for about a month now, and I was in a car accident as well." I told her and she nodded. "Want to hang out with me for a little while?" I offered.
"I guess." She said. I stood up and reached my hand out. She gently took it and I lead her back to the room I just came from. No little girl deserves to be in a coma, and I was going to make sure she was okay while she was in limbo, I made that my personal mission.
Time Jump – Three Days Later
Clary POV:
Maureen was sitting on the floor in front of me, and I was braiding her hair. Jace was over in the corner playing a game with Camille, and the others were sporadically scattered throughout the hospital. It was a quiet rainy day, one of my favorite kind of days, when Raphael walked in looking paler than usual.
"Everything okay Raphael?" I asked and he took a seat.
"Not really." He said miserably.
"Hey Maureen, can you go over there and ask Jace how your hair looks?" I asked her and she happily nodded and skipped over to him. "What's going on?" I asked.
"My parents have finally decided to pull the plug." He said and my heart skipped a beat.
"Oh Raphael, I'm so sorry." I said as I took his hand in mine.
"I knew it was coming. I wasn't getting better." He said.
"That doesn't make it suck any less." I pointed out.
"I guess not." He said. "I only have two more days left with you all."
"Are you going to be okay?" I asked.
"I don't know what's out there after limbo." He said. "I hope it's joyful, god knows I didn't have the most glamorous life, but I only have myself to blame for that one."
"Sometimes we get caught up in the wrong things. Doesn't make us bad people." I said and he looked at me.
"I hope I come back as something cool." He said. "Like a vampire." He said and I laughed.
"Vampires don't exist." I said and he looked at me.
"You can't be certain that's true." He said matter of factually. "Anything is possible. Look at us right now; I bet you didn't think limbo existed before you showed up here."
"You have an excellent point." I said and he smiled.
"I'm going to go let everyone know." He said as he stood up. "It was a pleasure meeting you Clary Fray. I hope you come out of this place."
"And I hope you come back as a vampire Raphael, but please, don't bite me if you do." I said and he laughed.
"Wouldn't dream of it." He smiled before walking away. I watched him take Camille away from Jace for a little. I knew telling everyone was going to be hard for him, and for all of us here, but I hope that he finds something joyful on the other side. He really does deserve it.
Time Jump – Two Months Later
Clary POV:
Things have been rather quiet around here lately. Raphael was gone, Maureen had been transferred, Camille woke up. It was crazy how fast things changed around here, and it made me wonder when that was eventually going to be me. Seeing my mom so broken over my physical state was tough, and when she came to visit, I made it a point not to be there. I just couldn't handle it.
I was sitting in the middle of the hallway just staring at the white walls. It was the middle of the night, and I just didn't know where I wanted to be at this moment, so I took a seat in the hallway. Before I knew it though, someone took a seat next to me, I looked to my right and there sat Jace.
"The hallway? That's a new one." He laughed and I smiled.
"I just kinda gave up today." I admitted.
"Why?" He asked curiously.
"My mom came by, and than so did my best friend." I said and he nodded. "How do you do it? Just sit there and listen to your family talk like you aren't there?" I asked.
"It's hard." He admitted. "But I like to know what's going on, and that's the only way I can."
"How was the visit today?" I asked and he smiled.
"Very informative." He said. "My sister finally dumped her loser boyfriend." He said. "We've all hated him for months. But she was happy, and if he made her happy, who were we to destroy that? But she actually seems so much happier now, so that's good." He said and I nodded. "My older brother got a promotion at work and met someone. He hasn't really had a real boyfriend before, so I'm eager to see how this relationship works."
"Why hasn't he had a real boyfriend before?" I asked curiously.
"He came out in college, and it took him some time to truly feel comfortable in his own skin and sexuality. My parents didn't help either. They were pretty discouraging when it came to accepting him, but I also think it came down to the type of people. He never found someone he was willing to go all in for before, and I think he finally has." Jace explained.
"That's amazing." I said and he smiled and nodded.
"Yea, and he just made detective. He's doing amazing things. It sucks I can't be there to actually witness it though." He said and I put my hand on his.
"One day. You'll wake up, and get to experience everything else." I tried to be optimistic.
"Thanks Red." He said. "Oh, and my little brother made his high school baseball team, so that's pretty cool."
"Nice. He any good?" I asked.
"He's a solid pitcher. Could be better, so I hope being on the team helps him out a little bit." He said and I nodded.
We sat there in silence for a little while until I got a good idea. I stood up and extended my hand towards Jace but he just looked at me with a confused confession.
"I have an idea." I said and he still didn't seem convinced, but he took my hand anyway. I pulled him up, and I started walking towards the idea.
We got to the door and we walked through it, and up the stairs. When we got to the top I took a step through the door and took a deep breath. Fresh air felt so amazing, and since I couldn't get cold, it didn't matter if it was winter, and right now, it was snowing.
"The roof?" Jace questioned and I smiled.
"I missed the smell of the out doors. I like to come out here and clear my head." I admitted as I took a seat on the edge of the roof.
"I can respect that." He said as he joined me. "But why the roof? Why not just going out the front door?"
"Because it's crowded with people, and cars, and smokers. Up here is peaceful." I said and he nodded. "How long do you think you're going to be in your coma?" I asked after a moment.
"No idea." He said. "The doctors told my parents that I was making progress the other day, so I can only hope for the best." He explained and I nodded. "What about you?" He asked.
"No idea. I make it a point to never be in the room with my mom." I said and he nodded.
"I was like that the first couple weeks. Until I realized I was missing out on the only opportunity to see my family." He said and I nodded. I understood what he was saying, but I just couldn't be in the same room with her.
"I get it, but I just can't do it. Not yet anyway." I said.
"No worries. Take as much time as you need." He said and I nodded. We sat there in silence for I don't even know how long. It wasn't until the sun started to rise that I noticed we were still there. "I think I miss waking up in the morning the most." He said after awhile.
"Normally people hate waking up in the morning. I know I do." I said and he laughed.
"I train really early in the morning. I like that it's basically only me in the gym." He said and I nodded. "I also like driving to work when it's dark out." He said and I laughed.
"You're a weird guy Jace Herondale." I said and he smiled.
"And you're a weird girl Clary Fray." He responded. "I guess that makes us a good pair." He continued and I couldn't help but smile. We both turned our head back towards the sunrise, but our hands brushed against each others, and a spark ran through my ghost body. There was something about this man that did things to me. Things I never thought were possible, and things I may lose when I wake up, or when he wakes up. I guess I'd just have to enjoy it while I can. It's all I really can do at the moment.
Time Jump – Two Months Later
Jace POV:
I was sitting in my room listening to my family talk and laugh about what had happened this weekend. Apparently Max had a really embarrassing fail in his baseball game, and they were all practically pissing themselves laughing while Max looked annoyed.
"Alright, can we please talk about something else?" Max asked after awhile, and everyone eventually calmed down, but before anyone could say anything, the doctor came in.
"Dr. Penhallow, how are you?" Maryse asked.
"I'm doing well, and yourself?" She asked.
"I'll be better if you came to deliver some good news." Maryse and the doctor laughed.
"I do actually have good news." She said. "Jace is progressing extremely well, and I have a good feeling that within the next month he should be waking up."
"You're serious?" Maryse asked.
"Very. He is going to have a tough road getting back to where he was before the incident, but he's very in shape, and clearly very determined, so I have faith he'll make a full recovery, and be back in the ring in no time." She explained.
"Thank you so much Dr. Penhallow, for doing everything for my son." Maryse said.
"It's my job, and I'm glad I had good news to tell you." She said before leaving. I was going to be waking up within the next month, I couldn't believe it. After almost a year in a coma, I was going to live.
Later that night, Clary and I were sitting on the roof again. It's been kinda our thing to do this at night and wait for the sunrise. There was something about Clary that intrigued me. She wasn't the type of girl I normally went for, but I think that's what made me way more interesting to me. She was funny, and smart, and beautiful. She really had everything going for her, and she made me feel different. Like she was filling a void I didn't know I had. Leaving her was going to be tough, and I knew I had to bite the bullet and tell her the news.
"So, Dr. Penhallow had an update for my family today." I finally said and Clary looked over to me.
"What was it? Something good I hope." She said and I laughed.
"Something really good." I said. "She said within the next month I should wake up."
"Oh my god Jace. That's amazing." She said as she hugged me. I immediately hugged her back and I kept her close for a little longer than necessary. "Why don't you seem more excited?" She asked once we pulled away.
"I'm happy. Don't get me wrong. I've been in a coma for almost a year, but I don't want to forget you." I admitted and she smiled.
"Something out there in the world will remind you of me." She said confidently. "Plus, you said it yourself, shred of our memory can make it through. Maybe I'll be one of those shreds."
"If you aren't I'll have some serious issue with my mind, and what it chooses to remember." I said and she laughed.
"This is a good thing Jace. You're going to wake up." She said and I looked at her. Our noses were practically touching, and I could feel my heard start racing. I looked down at her lips, and decided that I just had to go for it. I pressed my lips against hers, and at first she was shocked, but before I knew it, she was twisting her fingers in my hair and practically sitting on my lap kissing me back. When we pulled apart I couldn't help but smile.
"Now if I really don't remember you, I'll be pissed." I said and she laughed.
"We just have to make this last month count." She said and I nodded in agreement. I pulled Clary towards me and she curled into my side. Waking up was definitely going to be a double edged sword at this rate, one that I wasn't looking forward to being sliced with.
Time Jump – Two Weeks Later
Clary POV:
Every since Jace told me that he was going to wake up, we've been spending a lot of time together, well more time than we already spent together, but I was going to soak up as much time with him as I possibly could. Who knows when I'll wake up, and if I'll ever see him again.
It was another night, and we were sitting on the roof. I was curled into Jace's side just like I always am since we shared our first kiss. It was moments like these that I didn't want to end. Of course I wanted him to wake up, I'd be selfish if I didn't, but that didn't mean living without him in my life was going to be easy.
"What do you think life is going to be like when you wake up?" I asked Jace.
"I think it's going to be really hard." He said and I looked up into those golden eyes.
"How hard?" I asked.
"Well, I'm going to want to get back to the gym as soon as possible, and work on getting back in the ring." He said. "I know that's going to take a lot of effort considering I've been in a coma for a year."
"You still want to fight? Even after it did this to you?" I asked.
"I mean, this isn't an ideal situation, but I got you out of it." He said and I couldn't help but smile. "Fighting is who I am. It's been part of my identity since I started. I could never give it up."
"I get that." I said. "It just sucks that this could potentially happen to you again, and next time you might not get as lucky." I pointed out.
"I know. Something could go seriously wrong, and who knows what would happen to me than, but it's who I am." He said and I nodded. I knew what he meant. Art was part of my identity, and although it wasn't dangerous, if I had to give it up for some reason, I would be lost.
"I'm going to miss you." I said.
"I'm going to miss you too." He said as he pressed his lips to the top of my head.
"What are the chances that we meet in the real world?" I asked.
"Astronomical." He said and I laughed. "New York City is filled with over 8 million people."
"That sucks." I said bluntly and he laughed.
"I think one day we'll find out way back to each other." He stated.
"You think?" I asked.
"I'm positive." He said. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."
"And how do you feel about me?" I asked.
"I feel like I'm falling in love with you." He said and my heart started racing, and than it happened; Jace started to fade.
"Jace." I said. "You're fading." I said and he looked down at himself. He looked up and our eyes locked and he grabbed my face and pressed his lips to mine, for what I can only assume would be the last time before his time in limbo was up. When we broke apart, I didn't have time to say anything before Jace was gone. I was left on the rooftop alone, and for the first time since being in limbo, I started crying.
Jace POV:
When I woke up, I was surrounded by nurses and doctors. I had no idea what was going on, and I was barely listening to who was speaking. All I knew was that my throat hurt, and I was tired.
"Water." I said and the nurse handed me a cup with a straw. I drank the whole thing and handed it back to her. "Thank you."
"Get some sleep Mr. Herondale, and tomorrow we will discuss everything you need to know, and we'll call your family in the morning to get them here." The nurse said.
"Thank you." I said again.
"It's good to see you finally awake." She smiled before walking out of the room. The sun was peaking through the curtains, and I couldn't help but smile. It was the first sun rise I had seen in a long time.
Time Jump – A Few Days Later
Clary POV:
I was standing in the hallway as I watched Jace be wheeled from his room. Watching him leave was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. It wasn't fair that I wouldn't remember him when I woke up, and it hurt knowing that as he was leaving, he didn't feel like he was leaving me behind, he had no idea who I was.
I stopped following them when I got to the hospital doors. His sister helped him in the car and before I knew it they were gone. The nurse who wheeled him out was coming back in and was greeted by another nurse at the door.
"I love when patients wake up." She spoke to the other. "Makes our jobs a little les depressing."
"Yea, but we still a lot more patients still in a coma. One patient is a good thing, but I wish it was all of them." The other one replied and she nodded. They walked away talking about something irrelevant to me, so I stopped listening.
I went back to the roof and sat on the edge of the building watching the sun set. It was the first time I truly felt alone in this hospital, and as kind as the other limbo guests were, none of them compared to Jace, and I knew they never would.
Time Jump – Two Weeks Later
Clary POV:
I was sitting in the waiting room just people watching. It was one of the few things that got me through each day. The nights were rather boring around here, but during the day it was like a circus. After a few moments, Leslie sat down beside me. She has been in a coma for a little over 2 months now.
"How are you doing?" She asked.
"I miss him." I said honestly. "But I hope he's doing really well."
"Does it suck knowing he doesn't remember you?" She asked.
"It's all I think about sometimes." I said. "The one guy who I actually truly cared about and wanted nothing more than to spend all my time with doesn't even know he told me he was falling in love with me."
"I can't imagine." She said. "But, it doesn't look like you'll be here much longer." She said and I looked at her. "You're fading." She said and I looked down, I was in fact fading. "Good luck in the real world." She said and the next thing I remember was waking up.
I was gagging, and being held down by a couple people, and I heard the monitors going crazy in the background.
"Clary, it's okay, but you need to calm down a little." I heard a calming voice say. I listened and before I knew it the pain in my throat was gone, and my heart was back at a normal pace. "Welcome back Clary." The nurse said and I looked around my hospital room. It was indeed good to be back. I saw my mom there along with Simon, but something felt like it was missing, something that I couldn't explain, but when my mom came over and pulled me into a bone breaking hug, I completely forgot what I was trying to remember. I was back with my mom, and my best friend, and that's all I needed right now.
Time Jump – One Year Later
Clary POV:
It's officially been a year since I have been out of my coma, and it felt great to be back where I was before I got in that crash. I don't know why I felt like something was missing, but every since I woke up, I felt this void in my life, and I had no idea where it came from, and why it wasn't going away, even after a whole year.
I was pulled out of my thoughts when my doorbell rang. I walked over and opened it and there stood Simon with Chinese take out, and beer. The perfect combination. Since my accident, he made it a tradition that we get together once a week, and I was all for it. He got into MMA fighting while I was in my coma, and I didn't understand it at all, but he really enjoyed it, so I didn't mind watching it with him.
We got plates and set up all the food, while Simon got the fight on TV. I didn't understand why men and women choose to get beat up for a living, but it wasn't my place to judge. They loved it I guess, and that's all that matters.
"Found it." Simon said and I took my seat.
"I don't get why you find this so entertaining. These men are literally beating the shit out of each other." I said as I grabbed the sweet and sour chicken.
"Because it's so primal." He said rather excitedly.
"Why don't you pick it up? Take some classes?" I suggested.
"I'd be beaten to a pulp." He laughed. "These guys have been doing it their whole life." He pointed out. "The guy fighting tonight, Jace Herondale, has been a professional MMA fighter since he was 17 years old. Won his first belt at 19, super young, and a natural talent. He's one of the best in the MMA world. I wouldn't want to be punched by him."
"Jace Herondale." I repeated. "Why does that name sound so familiar?" I asked. It was like it was so close to me, yet so far away and blurry.
"Because he's the best MMA fighter, and even if you don't follow the sport, you've heard of his name." He said and I nodded.
"I guess that makes sense." I said but it still didn't feel right, but Simon was already so into the fight, I didn't want to bother him with more questions so I just watched the fight and ate my Chinese trying to understand why anyone would want to participate in this willingly.
Jace POV:
Today was a very long day. Since coming out of my coma, I've been doing my best to get into the best shape of my life. My last fight was good, but I could do better, and I was making sure that in my next fight, I won by a knockout. I wanted that feeling again, and I wasn't going to stop until I got it.
I was walking out to my car after a particularly brutal workout when I saw a woman leaning up against my car. Even from a distance her posture radiated 'I want to have sex with you', and not that I minded, but I just wasn't looking for that right now. I was focused on my training, and that was about it.
"Hey handsome." She said once I got closer. She wasn't ugly, she was actually very pretty, but there was something about her that I couldn't quite place. Almost like I was comparing her to someone that didn't exist. Her hair was red, but not a bright red that I absolutely love, more of a dull red that was dye washing out. Her eyes were a dark brown and she was rather tan. Everything just didn't seem natural on her. She didn't have bright eyes filled with hope or optimism. Her skin wasn't like a porcelain doll that has been kept in perfect condition. She just wasn't my type.
"Hey." I replied.
"I saw you fighting in there. You're really good." She said as she stuck out her boobs.
"Thank you." I said.
"How about you and I head back to your place, and I give you another workout." She winked and it took everything in me not to roll my eyes.
"I don't have the time today. I'm sorry." I said, although I wasn't the least bit sorry.
"You sure you can't squeeze me in? I can be quick." She partially begged.
"I'm absolutely sure." I said. "Now, if you'll get off the hood of my car, I need to be somewhere." I said. She hoped off and stormed away in her to short shorts, and her crop top. I got in my car and made my way home. I don't know what I was looking for in a girlfriend anymore. Normally I just went with whoever I could find, but something was holding me back, I just didn't know what, or potentially who.
Time Jump – One Year Later
Clary POV:
"Clary, I have two tickets, and I've been dreaming of going to a fight since I got into the sport. Please do me a solid, and go with me." Simon pleaded, and I couldn't help but laugh. I actually got into MMA after Simon made me watch at the fights, but I never told him that. I never wanted to admit that he was right.
"You know what, you went to the gallery with me last month, it's the least I could do." I said and he practically squealed like a kid on Christmas.
"You won't regret it Clary." He said as he hugged me.
"I don't doubt that." I said. "Who is fighting?" I asked.
"Herondale v. Verlac." He said and I nodded. Those two had a fierce rivalry so it should be a good fight. He gave me one last hug, and left. This was going to be an interesting fight, that's for sure.
Time Jump – Fight Night
Clary POV:
We got to the fight and found out seats. The atmosphere was absolutely insane, and I was actually pretty excited to see one of these things live. I might change my mind after seeing the two men beat the shit out of each other, but for right now, I was excited.
When the lights started to dim, I knew the fight was staring. The whole place went wild, and the announcer started cheering like crazy. There were Herondale fans, Verlac fans, and I wouldn't be surprised if they broke out into a brawl at some point tonight.
The fight started, and I couldn't take my eyes off Jace. After these years, something about him still felt super familiar. Like I knew him in another life at some point.
"I can't believe he came out of that coma a better fighter than he went into it." I heard some fan behind me say, and it was like the floodgates were opened.
Flashback:
I walked out into the hallway because I couldn't keep looking those walls, and myself. Seeing all these people just being awake and going on with their jobs and visiting their loved ones made me want to wake up that much more. I smelled the sweet smell of coffee and I inhaled it as much as I could.
"I'd do anything for cup of coffee." I sighed to myself, knowing none of these people could hear me.
"Sorry to disappoint Red, this isn't a life of luxury." A guy says, and I nearly shit myself.
"Holy shit." I cursed. "You can't just sneak up on a person like that."
"I didn't. I've been standing here for 10 minutes reading my file." He said.
"But I thought you were alive." I said.
"I am alive, I'm just not awake." He sarcastically said back.
"Oh, so you aren't haunting this hospital?" I asked with a fake shocked voice.
"Why the hell would I haunt a hospital?" He asked a little rudely.
"I don't know. Fun?" I suggested and he laughed.
"Sorry short stack, I don't go around haunting people undoubtedly having the hardest time of their life." He said and ignoring the rude nickname, I had to say I was impressed with his answer.
"What's your name?" I asked cautiously.
"Not even around 5 minutes and already you're so curious." He stated.
"I've been here for a week." I pointed out.
"It sure took you a long time before wondering these halls." He said.
"I was processing." I crossed my arms over my chest.
"I'm Jace, Jace Herondale. Room 245. Comatose, 6 months." He rattled off. "And you Red?"
"Clary Fray. Room 210. Comatose, 1 week." I said in the same order as him.
End of Flashback
Limbo. Jace and I were in limbo together. I remember now. We went through so much together, and the day he left, I didn't know how to deal with his absence. Thankfully I didn't have to deal with it for a long time, I came out of my coma two weeks after he did, but I lost everything from limbo, just like Jace told me I would. And I wasn't leaving this fight until I got to talk to him. That was for sure.
Time Jump – After Fight
Jace POV:
I lost the fight, but we had a rematch later this year, so I was going to train my ass off so that I beat him next time. I don't mind losing if my opponent out did me in a fight, but losing to Verlac was always way more bitter than any other fight. I hated that guy, and losing to him was never fun.
I always end up being the last one to leave a fight. I like just sitting in the back room to reflect on my performance alone after a fight to think about how I need to train when I get back in the gym. It was something I always did, and it also helped me calm down after a loss, which I needed this time.
I slung my gym bag over my shoulder and headed out to my car. Everything was silent, just the way I liked it after a fight. It gave me some peace of mind, and further calmed me down.
"Hey pretty boy, good fight." I heard from behind me, and I froze. That voice, it sounded familiar. I turned around slowly and there stood a redhead, she seemed familiar, but I didn't know why.
"Do I know you?" I asked and she smiled.
"In another life we got pretty close." She said, and I looked at her and she smiled. "Tonight wasn't your night." She said and now I laughed.
"Nope, but I'll get him next time." I said and she moved closer to me.
"You sure?" She asked.
"Pretty positive." I stated and she nodded.
"I expect you to keep that promise pretty boy." She said and I looked into her insanely emerald green eyes. It was a sea of green, familiar green, that contrasted with her perfectly curled red hair. Red. It was like everything from a previous life came rushing back to me.
"Red." I said and she laughed.
"I never thought I'd see you again." She said.
"This is insane." I said and she nodded in agreement. "How are you doing?" I asked immediately.
"I'm doing very well." She said. "It took me some time to get back on my feet after I woke up from my coma, and I'm still getting stronger every single day."
"That's amazing to hear." I said and she nodded.
"I see you're doing incredible." She said and I laughed.
"Just like you it took some time to get back into the ring, but I wasn't giving up on my passion." I said and she nodded. It was quiet for a moment, so I did something that I knew I would regret if I didn't ask anyway. "Would you like to grab a late night snack with me? Catch up?" I asked.
"I think a late night snack sounds perfect." She said and I laughed and stuck out my hand.
"I'm Jace. Jace Herondale. Not comatose, 2 and a half years." I said and she laughed and grabbed my hand.
"Clary. Clary Fray. Not comatose, almost 2 and a half years." She repeated and out hands dropped but we didn't let go.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Clary Fray."
And a pleasure it most definitely was.
Authors Note:
A VERY long time ago someone suggested Clary and Jace meet while they were both in a coma, and for some strange reason, a couple nights ago, this popped into my head, and I just had to write it. It took me some time, but I finally finishedit, and got something to post for all you patient readers!
I know nothing about coma's or anything like that. So if the recovery time is off, oh well. Don't shoot the writer. I did my best.
Also, a guest reviewed talking about my last one shot, and I have to say, I was really annoyed with the review about the Seahawks being in Washington State, not DC, and FYI guest reviewer, I put in the authors note that I was talking about the Seahawks, I specificallywrote in the text that he went to Washington STATE! Maybe next time read everything before you review about my inaccuracies. I know sometimes I'm off, but give me a break, I'm not that incompetent, and I just thought I'd let you know that you really annoyed me. That's all.
Let me know what you think and leave a review! A nice one, and maybe one that indicates you read the whole thing, not just the story. I write these author notes with the purpose of explaining some things that may not have been clear in the text, but I felt I didn't want to add, so I give explanations here, it's not my fault you all don't want to read these author notes sometimes!
