One Hundred and Thirty Six One Shot:

Olympics

Jace POV:

"We've been working so hard for this." Kaelie said through the sobs. "I'm letting you down."

"No you aren't Kaelie." I tried to reassure her. "Injuries happen in our sport. Its just part of the deal."

"The Olympics are in 3 years. I broke my leg and tore my ACL, MCL, and my meniscus. Plus I tore my quad muscle. I'm out Jace. Probably for the rest of my career." Kaelie said, and just hearing her injuries made my heart break. We've been partners for 6 years now. It's always been our dream to make it on to the Olympic podium.

"The most important thing if your recovery K. Focus on that." I said.

"What are you going to do?" She asked, her voice still gutted from the news.

"Hodge and I will figure something out." I said positively.

"Don't need to." Came another voice, and in walked Hodge. "I found the perfect partner for you." He said and I looked at Kaelie. "Besides you of course Kaelie." He added quickly.

"It's okay Hodge. I get it." Kaelie said but Jace knew his words hurt her. "So, who is she?"

"Clarissa Fray." Hodge said proudly, but my mind froze.

"You're joking?" I said.

"Why would I joke? She's the best female figure skater since Michelle Kwan and Kristi Yamaguchi." Hodge said.

"She's never done pairs." I pointed out.

"So? Neither did you until you and Kaelie partnered up." Hodge said.

"Yea, But we were both new to it. Clarissa here is a complete novice. And I don't have time for her attitude. She's an ice princess. I hate ice princesses." I rambled.

"Well you better brush up on your royal manners because she'll be here tomorrow." Hodge said.

"There are plenty of girls at the rink that I could mold into a good partner." I tried to convince him, but I knew they all weren't that great.

"None that will take you to the Olympics." Hodge said. "Look kid, I know you and Kaelie were looking forward to the Olympics together, but she's hurt and you need a partner. Clary is a good one, or at least she can be a good one."

"Come on Jace, you can work with anyone." Kaelie said positively. "She might be an ice princess but in pairs, you run the show. Take control, and show her who's the leader."

"How is she possibly going to trust me with lifts and throws?" I asked. "It took Kaelie and I years to build that trust before she allowed me to try anything big. I have a feeling good ol' Clary won't like me throwing her up on the air." I explained.

"Look, she's the best skater in the country, and she missed the last Olympics due to an injury." Hodge explained. "When I talked to her about this potential partnership, she said she was looking to try something new. Something that will get her to the Olympics. You're an Olympic vet. You two can make it there, and maybe this time you'll get on the podium." Hodge said. "Again, no offense." He said to Kaelie.

"None taken. Again." Kaelie said.

"Be at the rink tomorrow at 6 am. She'll be there." Hodge said before he left the room.

"This is going to be a nightmare." I said as I took a seat.

"We've watched Clary compete. She's good Jace. She got the talent, and she's tiny, which means you can throw her far." Kaelie explained. "You have a real chance at getting on that podium, hell maybe even getting that gold. Don't let this loom over you like a grey cloud. Take this opportunity and run as far as you can with it. Preferably to the top of that podium."

"I'm really going to miss you Kaelie." I said honestly and she smiled.

"And I'm really going to miss you too, but we both have new jobs now." Kaelie said. "And we have to kick ass at them." She laughed.

"I know you'll skate again." I said as I took her hand in mine. "I know it." I said once more and she smiled.

Losing Kaelie was going to be hard, but I hoped to god, and crossed my fingers that Clary would be reasonable to work with. But right now, that hope wasn't very high.

Clary POV:

When my plane landed, I breathed in the winter air, and I couldn't help but taste the Olympics. I had done my research. I watched every single video of Jace I could find on the internet, and I was slightly intimidated, not that I would ever tell him that, but I'm new to pairs, and he isn't. Him and his last partner were solid. Totally in tune with each other. That's a hard connection to make, and Jace and I are strangers, but I wasn't going to let anything interfere with my chances of winning and Olympic medal. It was long over due, and I needed this.

I walked into the rink, and I wasn't surprised to see Jace already on the ice warming up. I put my things on the bench and watched. He had this aura about him. It was captivating, and he knew it. He was a cocky son of a bitch, but he was going to help me win, and that's all I could focus on.

"Clarissa, welcome to Maine." I heard form behind me and there stood Hodge. He gave me the creeps, but I would suffer if it meant Olympic gold.

"Thanks for having me." I said brightly.

"Jace! Come in here and meet your partner!" Hodge yelled, and before I knew it, Jace was off the nice and next to me. I had to look up, and nearly break my neck to see him.

"Well this is going to be interesting." I said, but he didn't find it amusing.

"Play nice Jace. She's doing you a favor." Hodge said, and that's when I knew this was never his idea. He was being forced.

"Yea, I'm doing you a favor buddy." I said. If he wants to be cold, I can be cold too.

"Listen short stack. You're my last option. Hell you wouldn't even be in the running, but Hodge beat me to the picking. So here we are." Jace said, and I had to admit, his hostility was surprising. He didn't even know me. "So we can get along on the ice, but other than that, don't expect friendship."

"Actually, I left something out when I mentioned Clary moving here to train." Hodge said, and I can't believe how in the dark Jace was about this whole situation.

"What did you do Hodge?" Jace asked venomously.

"Clary needs a place to stay, and you have the room…."Hodge trailed off.

"Absolutely not Hodge. I'm not sharing a house with her." Jace basically yelled.

"Look." I jumped in. "We can be roommates, and not have a friendship." I said, because I really did need a place to sleep. "You won't even know I'm there."

"I have rules, and you have to follow them." Jace said through gritted teeth.

"Yes father." I said and he glared at me.

"Great, now Clary, why don't you follow me to my office, and we'll talk." Hodge said and I nodded. Jace made his way back to the ice, and I rolled my eyes. Maybe this would be harder than I anticipated.

Time Jump – First Practice

Jace POV:

I got to the ice, and Clary was already there. I knew she took training seriously, but that didn't mean I was happy. Hodge completely blind-sided me with this whole situation and I was pissed about it. He could have told me, and although taking it out on Clary was wrong, I couldn't help it.

"Okay, so pairs is different than singles because we have to be completely in sync." I explained first, and she nodded. "So the way we approach jumps, the way we do twizzles, the way we do everything must be the same, otherwise we get penalized."

"Okay. We can work on that." She said.

"I'm worried about our height difference." I admitted. "You're extremely short."

"I'll admit, I'm short, but I'm not a midget." Clary defended.

"Clary, I'm a foot taller than you." I said. "An entire foot."

"Your point?" Clary asked.

"My point is, Kaelie is 5"10', and you're barely 5"3'." I pointed out.

"I'm getting there okay?" Clary said as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"You're done growing Clary. You peaked in 2nd grade." I said and she huffed. "So, I would like to just get a feeling of what it's going to be like to lift you up."

"What if you drop me?" Clary questioned.

"I've never dropped Kaelie." I said and she gave me this look.

"She's in the hospital right now." Clary said and I rolled my eyes.

"Okay, so she's fallen before, but I've never intentionally dropped her." I explained. She wasn't that stupid to not know falls happened in pairs.

"Fine, but start easy." She said and I nodded.

I took her hand in mine and we made a lap around the rink. It was actually surprising how synchronized we were without even trying. It was actually pretty natural, and that made me more confident. I grabbed her waist and imitated what a lift would be, and she was light as a feather. When I put her back down and we stopped.

"How was that?" She asked once we stopped and I placed her on the ice fully.

"That was actually pretty amazing for the first time around." I said and she smiled and nodded. "And you're light, which means we can experiment with lifts."

"Oh god." Clary said ad I laughed.

"Don't worry, I won't drop you." I said and she nodded.

We went around the rink for hours getting used to each other, and by the time the sun had set, we were done, and Hodge called her to his office. I went to the locker room and got my things and made my way home feeling more confident than ever about this new pairing.

Time Jump – Months Later

Clary POV:

Hodge called me in for an early morning meeting, and once I was done, I made a beeline for the locker room and took a hot shower. It became very clear to me that Hodge wanted me here for another reason.

I felt like it took hours to get the feeling of his hands off me, and it made me feel so inadequate about my talent. Hodge asked me here to be Jace's partner, but I knew now that it was less about being a good partner for Jace, and being available to him. I threatened to tell on him the first time his hand travelled up my thigh, but he grabbed me so hard my wrist bruised, and he threatened me, and my career, and I couldn't shake the feeling of his eyes on me the entire practice. He made me feel weak, and I hated that.

And it didn't help that Jace and I weren't getting along. All we did was fight. Either I wasn't doing something right, which I expected, I'm new to pairs, but he had such a short fuse that the simplest things I did wrong set him off, and being as stubborn as I am, I didn't back down, and it just caused a huge rift in our already fragile relationship. He was very clear about being friendly on the ice, but not talking off the ice, and as much as I wish I could avoid him at all costs, and separate myself from his toxic coach, and his arrogant and cocky attitude, I was stuck here, in a contract I signed before I knew what I was getting myself into, and every night I cried myself to sleep wishing the next day wouldn't come.

But the sun always rose, and it always set until the next day, and for me, hell wasn't simply a place, but a feeling. One that I wouldn't be getting away from anytime soon.

Time Jump – Two Months Later

Jace POV:

It was our first Saturday off since we started training together and Kaelie and I were going out to lunch. She's come to the rink and watch us skate, but we haven't had the time to talk since the accident and I really missed her.

So as I grabbed my jacket, I made my way out of my room when I bumped into someone. I looked down, and there stood a soaking wet Clary, in nothing but a towel.

"I'm sorry. I left my laundry downstairs." Clary said as her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink.

"Don't worry about it." I said truthfully. This was bound to happen eventually.

"Taking advantage of our one day off?" Clary asked as she gestured to my jacket.

"Yea. Kaelie and I are going out to lunch to catch up with each other." I said and she nodded.

"Okay, well have fun." She said before running down the stairs. I followed her down at a much slower pace and made my way to Kaelie and I's favorite diner. Watching Kaelie crutch In was hard, but I knew she had a determined spirit and this wouldn't stop her.

"Man it feels like forever since we've done this." Kaelie laughed and I couldn't help but smile.

"That's because it has." I said. "We would come here after almost every practice." I laughed.

"You mean you don't anymore?" Kaelie asked.

"Nope. Clary always has meetings with Hodge and this is our spot." I admitted.

"Oh Jace. It's just a diner." Kaelie said.

"But it's our spot. Where we would decompress after a grueling practice." I admitted.

"Jace, it's a diner. A fantastic diner, but not a diner only reserved for us." Kaelie said and I knew she was right. My reasoning was stupid. "I've watched you two practicing. You look great out here." She continued.

"It feels natural to skate with her." I admitted. "She's an amazing skater. Nobody can take away from her. She has the awards to prove it, but she's holding back. I can see it."

"Why do you think she is?" Kaelie asked.

"I have no clue." I sighed. "We skate so well together, and she seems to trust me when we practice lifts and throws, but there is something she's allowing to interfere with her skating."

"Have you talked to her about this?" Kaelie asked and I shook my head. "Why not?"

"Because we're finally not arguing." I told her. "The first month all we did was fight. And I can't even get away from her because she lives with me." I huffed and Kaelie laughed. "We skate better when we get along, so I'd rather keep it that way."

"But imagine how amazing you two would be if she wasn't holding back." Kaelie pointed out. "I love watching you two skate together."

"You do?" I asked curiously.

"Obviously I wish I was still out here, but I love your dynamic. The effortless way you two just fit together, and the way you jump together, the way you look like your holding a feather when you lift her." Kaelie gushed. "The height difference is perfection, and you two can go all the way. If Clary stops holding back."

"How do I bring it up?" I asked.

"Try something terrifying in practice. Something that forces her to just let go. Maybe that will open the gates." Kaelie offered.

"There was one thing I wanted to try the minute we started skating together." I said and Kaelie smiled.

"I know that voice Jace Herondale. You're going to try something that's never been done before." Kaelie said and I nodded. "Let's hear it."

Time Jump – The Next Day

Jace POV:

"Okay, so we're going to try something that's never been done before in a pairs short program or free skate." I explained to Clary.

"I don't like the sound of that." Clary said uncertainly.

"We're going to try a side by side triple axel, and we're going to try to throw a quintuple." I said and her jaw dropped.

"First off, a triple axel for any woman is nearly impossible. Only a couple women have ever landed it in a competition, and a quintuple throw hasn't even been attempted." Clary explained.

"I'm well aware, which is why we're going to be the first." I said. "Look, I know I can throw you hard enough and high enough for you to make it around 5 times, and as for the triple axel, you can do it. If you just get out of your head." I said and she looked at me.

"What makes you think I'm in my head?" She asked rather defensively.

"I can see it Clary. You're distracted, and it's holding you back." I said. I know Kaelie said throwing insane tricks would help, but Clary was a pretty straight forward person, so I went with that approach instead.

"You have no idea what you're talking about." Clary spit back.

"I'm not an idiot Clary." I said. "Far from it actually, and I know you're holding back. I want to win. I want a gold medal, and you're my chance. So we're going to work on these impossible tricks, and try to perfect them for the Olympics in 3 years." I told her sternly.

"Fine, have it your way." Clary said harshly. "But if you drop me on my ass and I break something, I'll sue you for everything you're worth. Got it?" She hissed.

"Whatever you say ice princess." I mumbled.

"What did you just call me?" Clary asked rudely.

"I called you an ice princess." I said truthfully. "Because you can't seem to get that skate out of your ass long enough to know that the way you treat people makes you seem like a stuck up ice princess." I said and her eyes widened. "New flash Clary, there are better skaters out there than you. You have a lot of room for improvements, and it would be great if you were opened to suggestions, instead of just rolling your eyes every time I have a suggestion on how to do something better." I said and she was stunned silent. "We're a team now. You aren't alone out here on the ice." I continued softer now. "We have to rely on each other, and with your attitude, you holding back, and our fighting, we won't get there. Hell, we won't even medal. So lets put this animosity and hatred aside for the next 3 years and win a fucking medal." I finished and all she did was nod before skating off. Maybe this was a new beginning for us, but I said what I needed to say, and I hope we started moving in a better direction.

Time Jump – Three Months Later

Jace POV:

I was taking my time getting out of the rink today. Practice today had been extremely empowering because since Clary agreed to try a difficult lift that's never been done before, it gave us more confidence and a lot more trust, which we needed in each other. I think our little confession, or my confession, also helped move us in a more productive way, so that was also a huge help in practice.

Since I had nowhere to go today, I didn't feel like rushing, and after the practice, and the hundreds of trial and error runs of our new lift, I felt like taking my time was well deserved. I took a nice long shower, reorganized my locker, and than started making my way to the car.

I was nearly there, when I noticed Clary's car still in the parking lot. I knew Hodge called her in for a quick meeting, and that was once we were done practice, and for her to still be here was a little odd. So I made my way over to her, and that's when I saw her sitting in the front seat crying. I dropped my things, opened the passenger side door, and got in.

"I'm sorry." Clary sniffed. "I'm okay I promise."

"What's wrong Clary?" I asked, but she just shook her head.

"I'm fine. I swear." Clary insisted.

"You don't look fine Clary." I said as I went to grab her hand but she flinched. "I'm not gonna hurt you." I said.

"I know I know. I'm sorry that was stupid." Clary said as she brought her hand back.

"You can talk to me Clary. About anything." I told her. We might not be BFF's, but she was my partner and I cared about her. How can you not when we live together and train pretty much all day. "Is this about your meeting with Hodge?" I asked and just the look on her face said yes. "What happened with Hodge?"

"He - he touched me." Clary said, and all I saw was red. "But this isn't the first time."

"What has he done to you Clary?" I asked, fury still in my voice.

"Shortly after he partnered us together, I understood his motives behind it." Clary explained. "He told me I was a very pretty woman, and that anyone would be lucky to have me, but he started touching my thighs, and my hair." She explained. "And every time he calls me to his office, it happens."

"Clary." I said but she started crying again.

"I can't do it anymore Jace." She cried and I didn't know what else to do, so I maneuvered her over to my lap and let her cry on me.

"He's not gong to touch you anymore Clary." I reassured her.

"He told me that nobody would believe me. That he has too much power and prestige and that my accusations would go nowhere. We have a contract. He threatened me, and my career. I didn't go to college Jace, this is all I have. I don't know how to be anyone else." Clary cried.

"Bullshit. He's going to pay, and you're never going to be alone with him ever again." I said. "And you're more than just a figure skater Clary." I tried to reassure her.

"He's one of the best coaches in the country. Who is going to believe me?" Clary said.

"I believe you." I said. "And I swear to god Clary, Hodge won't get away with this."

"I feel disgusting. Every night I take a hot shower until my skin is so red it hurts but I can still feel him." Clary said and it took everything in me not to go in there and punch the shit out of him.

"You aren't the disgusting one. He is Clary." I told her, because it was true.

"I let him get away with it." Clary sniffed. "It's my fault."

"Hey, do not blame this on yourself." I told her sternly. "This was Hodge. His actions, his decisions, he is the disgusting one."

"But my inactions..."

"No." I cut her off. "You were scared, and shocked, and I know your ego, you didn't want to seem weak."

"Yea, look at me now." Clary let out an emotionless laugh. "I'm sitting in your lap crying."

"That doesn't matter." I told her. "This is our last day at this rink."

"Where are we going to go?" Clary asked.

"I don't know, but wherever it is, you won't be victimized." I promised her.

"What about Hodge? We're in contract with him. We can't leave." Clary said.

"Sexual misconduct between coaches and athletes is a career ender." I told her. "Hodge will never work again once we're done with him."

"But..."

"No buts. Hodge isn't going to get away with this, with you or any other athlete." I told her.

"Oh god. Do you think there are others?" Clary asked concerned.

"I have no idea. I just know, in the future there won't be." I said and she nodded. "Come on, lets go home."

"Thank you." Clary asked as she made her way back to the drivers seat. "For listening."

"You know I'm always here to listen Clary." I told her and she smiled and nodded. I got out of the car and watched her drive away. Hodge was never getting away with this. That's for sure.

Time Jump – A Few Days Later

Jace POV:

Turns out finding a rink around us was pretty difficult considering they were all friends with Hodge. They were all elite establishments that are known for producing Olympic athletes in figure skating, and it was annoying that the accusations about Hodge weren't being taken seriously.

When I confronted Hodge about it, naturally he denied it. When I spoke to a lawyer about what Clary and I could do about his behavior, he said there was no damning physical evidence against Hodge because he didn't rape Clary. It made me sick that because Hodge didn't do the most inhuman and disgusting act against Clary, his actions wouldn't be punished. It was simply a 'he said, she said' kind of situation, and unfortunately Hodge had more power in this industry than Clary and I.

So I started researching. Any rink that was near us that had enough money, and equipment, and when I found a rink about 20/25 minutes away from my house, I decided that it was going to have to work. We were never going to get into a rink that produced Olympians, but I was an Olympian, and Clary was one of the best figure skaters in the country. We could work with anything.

"Are you sure about this?" Clary asked as we stood in front of the Jade Ice Rink.

"I have no idea what we're about to walk into, but as long as we have ice, we can do anything." I told her honestly. She nodded and took a deep breath. I took her hand in mine, to relax her, and we made our way in.

The rink was tiny, and pretty empty, which was actually really nice. It gave me the impression that we wouldn't have to reserve ice time, and if that were the case, we could literally practice all day, and that was a huge bonus for us. We loved to practice.

"You must be Jace and Clary." Came a voice. We look up, and there stood a tall man. "I'm Luke, owner of the rink." He said.

"Nice to meet you Luke." I said. "Thank you for taking us in."

"I've never coached figure skaters before." Luke said as he made his way down to us. "I build this place to run a hockey club, but business is slow, so I'm more than happy to give you the much needed time on the ice."

"We just appreciate you saying yes honestly. No other club would take us." Clary said honestly.

"You two are like a shoe in for winning gold in 3 years. Why would they deny you?" Luke asked, and I figured he would have researched us before meeting us.

"Let's just say my old coach wasn't a great guy, and he is friends with a lot of the other rinks in the area, so they all wouldn't take us in solidarity to their friend." I told him as nicely as I could.

"Well, their loss is my gain." Luke smiled. "There are a couple people who work with me who I'd like you to meet, but other than that, you can use the ice any time you want. Alec is the man who runs the hockey leagues and practices, so Friday nights, and Saturday mornings we have a hockey league that comes in and practices, but other than that, we don't require rink time, or anything like that." He explained.

"Awesome." Clary smiled. "I've always had to reserve my time on the ice. It'll be nice to practice whenever we want."

"Izzy is my other employee. She is a former figure skater turned choreographer, and has a few dedicated skaters who come to her for programs, but they are super sporadic because they also train at other rinks." Luke explained. "Feel free to use her to your advantage. She's really good."

"This means a lot to us Luke." Clary said. "I thought we were going to be rinkless." Clary laughed.

"You are more than welcome here no matter what." Luke smiled. "Now, I have a meeting to get too, but feel free to stay until we close the place for the night." He walked away and I looked out to the ice.

"You ready?" I asked and Clary beamed.

"I'm so ready." She said and we sat down, laced our skates up and began practicing and for the first time since we met, Clary was finally being free, and I knew that would be a huge advantage for us.

Time Jump – First Competition

Clary POV:

I've never been this nervous about a short program in my entire life. Everything in me was jittery. I couldn't shake the feeling. No matter how much I paced or went through our routine. I was an anxious mess and I couldn't calm down.

"You need to calm down Clary." Jace told me.

"I can't help it." I admitted. "I haven't competed in a long time, and this is my first competition in pairs. I don't know what to expect."

"We're just going to go out there and do our best. If we mess up, we mess up. We still have 2 years until the Olympics, we're allowed to get all the kinks out now." Jace explained.

"You're right. I'm being stupid." I sighed.

"You aren't being stupid." Jace said. He reached for my hands and started rubbing his fingers over my knuckles and it calmed me down like nothing could before. "I was scared shitless for Kaelie and I's first pairs competition." He admitted. "And yea, we weren't completely ready, but it was okay because we got all the nerves out that day. Just like we will do today." He said and I nodded. He pulled me into a hug and kissed the top of my head. "We got this Clary. We just have to trust our training, and trust each other."

"Okay." I said and he smiled.

"Now, we have another 15 minutes before we get to warm up. Go meditate or something." He jokes and I couldn't help but laugh. I nodded and put my headphones back in and took a deep breathe. Today would be a learning day, and I was okay with that.

Time Jump – After the Short

Jace POV:

Our short program wasn't the cleanest, but it gave us something to work with. I knew it wouldn't be flawless, but working with Clary for only a year, and putting out a pretty strong program was very positive for us, despite our flaws today.

"You two did well." Luke said as we came out of the locker room.

"Room for improvement but I expected that." I said. "Most of those couples have been training together for years, so the fact that we can still compete with them and do well, is a testament to Clary and I's natural chemistry and talent." I explained.

"I'm just proud we landed our jumps without me landing on my ass." Clary laughed.

"I'm really proud of you." I said and she smiled.

"Just wait until they see our routines when qualifying starts up." Clary smiled and it was so infectious I couldn't help but smile in return.

"Well, after today, and a 9th place finish, I think we deserve dinner." I said and Clary smiled and nodded.

"I guess I'll see you two at the rink tomorrow?" Luke asked.

"We wouldn't be anywhere else." Clary said and Luke nodded.

Clary and I got our stuff and made our way to my favorite diner. I had yet to bring Clary here, because I did feel like it was a special spot for Kaelie and I. But Clary has been become someone so important to me in the last year of us training together, that I wanted to share this with her as well. We got to a booth and took a seat.

"Kaelie and I used to come here after every practice to decompress." I explained to Clary. "It was the only place opened after one of our first practices that went incredibly wrong, and we just kept coming back."

"Kinda like a security blanket." Clary said and I nodded.

"Yea. When we came here, we honestly forgot about our mistakes, and our incredibly sore bodies, and just enjoy each others company." I admitted and she nodded, but she had this look on her face like she wanted to ask me something. "What's going on in your mind?" I asked.

"Oh, it's nothing." She waved me off.

"I know you better than that Clary. We do live together, and spend like 98% of our time together." I laughed.

"It's kinda stupid honestly." She said.

"I'll be the judge of that. What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing is wrong, I guess I'm just curious." She said.

"About?" I asked further.

"Did you and Kaelie ever date?" She asked hesitantly. "Oh never mind, it's none of my business anyway." She said quickly.

"No, it's a very valid question." I said after a moment. "People thought we were a couple all the time." I said to her. "But no, we never dated." I admitted. "We hooked up once. When we first paired together, we were both young, I thought she was hot, she thought I was hot, and it happened." I said, and she nodded. "But the next day we looked at each other and just realized that there was nothing there. We were just caught up in the moment, and that's all it was." I said. "We're great friends, and I truly value the friendship we have, but it could never turn into something more."

"Okay." Clary simply said.

"What about you? Ever hook up with a fellow athlete?" I asked, genuinely curious, and also I wanted to make her feel comfortable because I could tell she was now uncomfortable after asking such a personal question.

"Back where I trained, it wasn't just for figure skaters, but for different types of future Olympic athletes." She explained.

"Like a boarding school?" I asked. I've only heard about them, and their ability to produce crazy talented athletes.

"Basically." Clary said. "And put a bunch of teenagers together, and hormones get crazy."

"One big orgy?" I asked and she laughed.

"No, but hooking up was common between athletes." She said.

"Which ones did you get with?" I asked. "Wait, let me guess. A curler?"

"Nope. They were incredibly dedicated, they literally never did anything they weren't supposed to do." She admitted with a laugh.

"Okay, I have a feeling its one of those sports you never think of." I thought out loud. "Cross country skier?" I asked.

"Nope." She said.

"Another figure skater?" I asked.

"Nope." She simply said.

"Okay, I give up." I said.

"Believe it or not, I was actually really into snowboarders, and the occasional bobsledder." She said and I laughed. "Maybe one or two hockey players."

"Wow. You went for the manly sports." I laughed.

"They were just the easiest. Hit it and quite it type of guys, and nobody ever formed relationships because they weren't easy to maintain." Clary explained.

"I would have never pegged you as the one night stand kind of girl." I admitted and she smirked.

"Oh, it happened more than once." She said. "You get horny. You need a release."

"Too much information." I said and she laughed.

"I was sent there when I was 9 years old." She said, suddenly serious. "I basically grew up there, and when you get to he age of 15/16, you're more rebellious than a normal teenager because you've been basically locked up." She explained. "A couple years later I realized that my behavior probably wasn't the best, and I could have been a little less promiscuous, but I'm not ashamed of my actions now. They are what they are and I've accepted it and moved on." She said.

"I get it. I would have gone crazy there too." I said.

"What about you?" She asked.

"I'm pretty sure we just went through my fellow athlete dating life." I laughed.

"Not that." She said. "How did you get into figure skating?" She asked.

"My mom taught classes at the rink near my house and I would go." I said. "My dad bailed when I was little, so my mom did the best she could being a single mother." I explained. "I spent so much time on the ice, it was kind of inevitable that I got into a sport on ice." I said and she nodded. "Ice hockey was too expensive, and she had an in with the rink because she taught, so I got to learn how to figure skate, and I got really good." I said before taking a deep breath. "When she died, I made sure that whatever happened to me, I would continue to figure skate."

"When did she pass?" Clary asked.

"When I was 14." I said. "Car accident."

"I'm so sorry." Clary said.

"It was a long time ago." I said, but than Clary took my hand in hers.

"Doesn't make it hurt any less." She said, and I nodded.

"Every performance I do is dedicated to her." I admitted. "I like to think she's proud of me."

"I know she is." Clary said.

"How so?" I asked.

"Because how can she not be?" She said. "I'm proud of you, and Kaelie is proud of you, and so is Luke." She continued. "You've done amazing things in this sport. You're worth being proud of."

"Thanks." I said because her words were just so meaningful, and truly meant a lot to me.

"Now, we're going to keep the rest of this meal light and happy because we did a kickass job today, and we deserve to be happy." Clary said and I smiled.

"You are so right." I said and she nodded before we left figure skating, old relationships, and family history at the door and just had a good night celebrating how far we've come as a pair.

Time Jump – One Year Later

Jace POV:

Kaelie called me last night and asked if Clary and I could meet her for lunch today. She sounded like she was trying to be cryptic, which wasn't Kaelie at all, so I was a little weary of this gathering.

We got to Taki's and Clary and I took a seat on the same side of the booth. A few moments later Kaelie showed up, crutch and all (the amount of surgeries she's had in the past two years is unreal) and took her seat, she looked around the room, like she was checking if she was being watched.

"Are you going crazy?" I asked and she looked back and laughed.

"No, just being cautious." Kaelie said. "I have some information for the both of you."

"I gathered that much for myself from your phone call." I said and she rolled her eyes.

"I don't know how I put up with you for so long." Kaelie laughed. "Hodge recruited a new pairs team."

"Who?" I immediately asked.

"Sebastian Verlac, and Aline Penhallow." Kaelie said.

"The French." Clary gasped. "But how?"

"Duel citizenship." Kaelie said. "He has been very secretive at the rink lately, and yesterday he brought them in."

"How do they look?" I asked Kaelie.

"Solid. Very solid." Kaelie said.

"Better or worse than us?" I asked.

"I would say equal." Kaelie said. "They have some of the best technique I've ever seen."

"That just means we have to be better." I said. "And land our most difficult moves."

"I don't know Jace. We've only landed them a couple times in the two years we've been together." Clary said worriedly.

"We still have a year." I reassured her as I put my arm around her and rubbed her arms, and I saw her calming down slightly.

"I need to use the restroom." Clary said as she excused herself from the booth. I watched her walk away before turning back to Kaelie, and she had this look on her face.

"What?" I asked.

"You two ever going to admit your feelings?" She asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said honestly.

"Oh please." Kaelie scoffed. "You two have so much chemistry, you have so much respect for each other, and not to mention your steamy short this season."

"That's all on the ice." I told her.

"And that little moment you two just had." Kaelie said.

"She was worried." I said.

"Just face it, there is something there." Kaelie said, and before I could answer, Clary returned and took her seat. I looked at her and back at Kaelie. If there was any truth to what Kaelie just said, was now in the back of my mind.

Time Jump – One Month Later

Clary POV:

"You're not going for it." Jace yelled at me for the hundredth time this practice.

"I'm scared Jace. What part of that don't you understand?" I yelled back. I was tired of him not understanding my reservations. "You want me to do all these insane tricks, and lifts, and jumps, but did you ever think that I'm not ready? That we're not ready?"

"What are you talking about? Of course we're ready." Jace said.

"Ugh. Forget it." I said as I skated off the ice.

"Where are you going? We're still practicing." He called after me.

"No. I'm done for the night. I'm tired, I'm sore, and you're pissing me off." I yelled as I grabbed my bag. I went into the locker room, ripped my skates off, a shoved my sandals on. When I walked out, there Jace stood.

"Come on Clary." Jace said.

"No. I'm done being yelled at today." I admitted. "This isn't productive, and unless you want my skate through your neck, leave me the hell alone." I said as I shoved back him. I got into my car and just started driving. I didn't even know if I was going in the right direction, but I needed to clear my head.

Time Jump – Hours Later

Jace POV:

When I got home I expected to find Clary. I knew I was pissing her off, but I thought she would use that as fuel to add to the fire. I didn't know she would get genuinely pissed off at me.

When I couldn't find her anywhere, and she refused to answer my calls, I started to worry. All the conversations Kaelie has been pouring into my head over the years have been swirling around every time I was around Clary, and now not knowing where she was really solidified that I cared about her more than just a partner. I didn't know how, or at what capacity, but it was there, and I couldn't ignore it.

When I heard the front door open, I nearly ran towards it. Clary walked in, unharmed, and looking absolutely exhausted. She dropped the keys on the table and looked up and our eyes locked. They looked red and puffy, like she'd been crying.

"I thought you'd be in bed." Clary said.

"You leave me at the rink, and I come home to not be able to find you." I told her. "It's almost two in the morning Clary. Where the hell have you been?"

"Out." Clary said as she started walking, but I wasn't letting her get away. I grabbed her hand as she passed me to stop her.

"I know you're pissed at me, but I was worried sick about you Clary." I admitted, and her eyes seemed to soften.

"I'm sorry I didn't text you or answer any of your calls." She finally said. "I just needed to be alone."

"Why have you been crying?" I asked. She just shook her head and tried to walk away again. "Please Clare." I begged, and she turned to look at me again.

"You wanna know a very big reason why I agreed to be your partner?" She asked and I nodded. "I grew up around here."

"Really?" I asked, a little shocked.

"About two hours away, but close enough." Clary admitted. "Look, I'll tell you, but I'm tired so can we sit?"

"Of course." I said and we made our way to the couch. "Do you want anything to eat or drink?" I offered.

"Can you just get me an orange?" Clary asked and I nodded. I grabbed one from the fridge and made my way back towards her. I gave her a bowl, a paper towel, and she began pealing it. "When Hodge called and asked if I'd come train with you, I jumped at the opportunity because it meant that I got to come home as well."

"But in every article about you it lists Colorado as your hometown." I pointed out.

"That's just where I trained." She said. "And my mom moved out there to be able to attend my events, but this is where I was born. I wanted to come home."

"So you went to visit her?" I asked curiously.

"Kinda." Clary said as she popped an orange slice into her mouth. "She died when I was 17." She admitted.

"I'm so sorry Clary." I said honestly.

"She was buried here, because it's her home. She's with my dad, which is where she wanted to be buried next too." She said.

"He's gone too?" I asked.

"Yea. He died when I was 3." She said. "I don't remember him at all."

"I'm sorry." I said, and she shrugged. I knew what it meant to lose someone that close to you and than have no one.

"You can't really miss someone you don't remember." Clary said, and I nodded in agreement.

"I'm sorry I kept yelling at you Clary." I said after a few moments.

"No, I'm sorry." She said back. "I know you just want to win, and I'm bailing out of everything."

"Of course I want to win, but I don't want to lose you in the process Clary." I admitted. "We can try as many times as we want to land those tricks, and lifts, and jumps, but if we can't get it, we won't put it in our program."

"I did a lot of thinking at the cemetery." Clary admitted. "I talked it all out with my mom, and even though she couldn't answer, I figured a lot out."

"Like what?" I asked curiously.

"I want to fucking win a gold medal, and we can if we land everything perfectly, and do something that's never been done before." She said and I couldn't help but smile. "I'm frustrated because I've never been so terrible at something before, and I feel like I'm holding you back."

"You are in no way holding me back." I reassured her.

"You would have had these jumps, and lifts with Kaelie." Clary said. "I'm dead weight on your journey to gold."

"I can tell you right now, Kaelie and I wouldn't even be attempting these tricks." I told her truthfully.

"Really?" She asked.

"Not in your wildest dreams." I laughed. "Kaelie is an amazing skater, and we were great partners, but we have something so much more than what Kaelie and I had."

"Like what?" She asked.

"Natural chemistry." I said. "Being with you out on that ice feels right Clary. Sure Kaelie and I had a great partnership, but even she can see it. We're perfect out there together."

"You're just saying that." She said and I moved closer to her.

"I'm not." I told her genuinely. "The first day we skated together, it felt like we've been doing that our whole lives. Kaelie and I struggled so hard to get that rhythm and synchronization down correctly."

"But why was it so easy for us?" Clary asked.

"I wish I knew. Maybe because on some other level, we just make sense together." I said, and I saw her jaw drop slowly. "Kaelie's been telling me since we basically met that we were skating soulmates, and I could see where she was coming from, but I think it's more than that."

"You do?" She asked.

"I do." I divulged. "I don't think I truly knew what it meant to care about someone until you showed up."

"That can't be true." Clary said. "You care about Kaelie."

"Of course I do. But I care about you in a different way." I explained.

"How?" She asked.

"Do you know you're the first girl that's ever truly challenged me? And not just on the ice but as a person." I said. "You are so opinionated, and you aren't afraid to tell me when I'm fucking up, or pissing you off. You put me in my place, and it's refreshing."

"But that's not because of anything but the fact that you're pissing me off, and because you think you're always right." Clary said and I laughed.

"I know, and it's nice to know you won't take any of my shit. I got away with so much in my life because I could always get out of situations with enough charm, or the right smile or smirk." I said and she scoffed. "It's nice to know I can't do that with you. I really have to try and win you over."

"What else?" She asked.

"The way I feel when we're together." I said. "The entire ice arena could be filled with people, but when I look at you, it might as well just be us."

"I feel that way too." Clary admitted. "You have such a calming effect on me. I don't know why." She laughed.

"Tonight, when I couldn't find you, and you weren't answering me, I was scared something bad happened to you, and I couldn't protect you." I told her.

"I'm sorry I ran off like that." She said once again.

"It put a lot of things into perspective for me tonight." I smiled.

"So, what happens now?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked curiously.

"Now that our feelings are out in the open." She said, and my heart skipped a beat for a second.

"So you admit you have feelings for me too?" I asked.

"I just said that." She laughed and I couldn't help but smile.

"How about we start out simple." I suggested. "How would you like to go out on a date with me?"

"That depends." She smiled.

"On?" I asked.

"What the date is." She said.

"Do you have a suggestion?" I offered.

"Maybe." She sang.

"How about this, you plan the date, I pay." I said and she smiled.

"Sounds like a date to me." She laughed. I pulled her into me and she wrapped her arms around my neck, and she sighed into my neck. "We should probably get to bed." She said into my shoulder.

"Probably." I said but we didn't let go. "Unless…."

"Unless what?" She asked, as she pulled away slightly.

"We could watch a movie in my room." I proposed.

"What movie?" She asked.

"Anything you want." I said and she smiled.

"I like that idea." Clary said and I smiled before scooping her into my arms and carrying her upstairs. Clary went into her room to change, and I went into mine to get everything set up. When she came back, she had a movie in her hand and she got herself comfortable in my bed. I joined her shortly after and pressed play. She snuggled into my side and not even twenty minutes later was she fast asleep. I looked down at her sleeping form and smiled before pressing my lips to the top of her head. I could get used to this.

Time Jump – Start of Qualifying

Clary POV:

"To qualify for the Olympics we need to come in first." Jace told me. "USA is only taking one pairs team to the games this year."

"Holy shit." I hissed.

"Clary, we're so close to perfection. We got this." Jace reassured me as he pulled me into him.

"But there are so many good teams here." I said into his shirt. "We've literally been neck and neck for the past couple months. Especially with Sebastian and Aline."

"You know as well as I do we have so much more chemistry than them." Jace smirked and I couldn't help but smile.

"It's more than chemistry though." I said as I looked up into his golden eyes. "The skill has to be there as well, and some days we aren't the best."

"True, but babe, we got this. We've been training our whole lives for this." Jace said and I smiled. "Don't second guess yourself now."

"Okay. You're right. We got this." I said and he smiled.

"That's what I like to hear." He said and I nodded. "Now, go meditate or whatever it is you do before warm ups."

"I'll meet you back here in ten." I said and he leaned down and kissed me.

"Love you." He said casually, but man did it have so much love behind it.

"I love you too." I said, with one more quick kiss, and I was off to find a quiet corner. Giving our relationship a chance was the best decision we've ever made as a couple, and going into the Olympics with this strong love, and bond just made it that much more special for us. Now if only our skating was kind to us, we would be in for the best year of our lives.

Time Jump – After Short Program

Jace POV:

"We still have the free skate." I told Clary as the scores came back in.

"I wanted to come out of the short in the number 1 position." Clary said and we made our way back to the locker rooms.

"So did I, but second isn't bad when we're only .03 away from the leaders." I reassured her.

"If it were anyone but Sebastian and Aline I think I would be a little calmer." Clary admitted.

"I'm not happy their in first either." I said. "But the free skate is where we do our best."

"If we land everything." Clary pointed out.

"This crowd isn't even slightly prepared for what we have." I said and Clary smiled. "You looked amazing out there."

"So did you." Clary said and I pulled her into me.

"Look who we have here." A voice came, and when I looked behind me, there stood Sebastian and Aline.

"It was fun kicking your ass today." Aline smiled.

"You barely beat us." Clary said back to them.

"Maybe, but we're still on top, and you two are going to stay in second forever." Sebastian said.

"Maybe if you two were more focused on skating, instead of each other, you'd be better." Aline smirked.

"If anything our relationship makes us a better team." I said honestly. "I mean, even if you two could conjure up that chemistry in a program, it would be weird because you're related."

"That's never mattered to the French." Sebastian said, and in that moment they kissed and Clary gagged. "See you in the free skate." He said and they walked away.

"Ew." Clary said once they walked away.

"I'm glad we're not related." I said and she nodded.

"Or French." She added and I laughed.

"So, we have until tomorrow night until the free skate." I said and she nodded. "Wanna catch a movie?"

"Sounds fun." Clary said and I took her hands in mine.

We made our way to the movie theater, and enjoyed our down time. Most teams were probably freaking out, or training, but Clary and I always chilled the night after a competition. It relaxed us and we figured out pretty soon that we both needed to be relaxed before we competed. But when tomorrow came, we would be on top because we were going to the Olympics. There was no doubt about that.

Time Jump – Free Style

Jace POV:

I was pretty nervous about today, but it had nothing to do with our skate. I knew we would do amazing. But after the program, I was planning on proposing to Clary, and although I knew she loved me, asking was still terrifying.

"You look nervous." I heard from behind me, and thankfully it wasn't a girls voice. When I turned around, there stood Luke.

"I am, but not for the skate." I admitted.

"What's on your mind?" Luke asked.

"I'm planning on proposing to Clary today." I said. "I just want her to say yes."

"She will." Luke said. "You two have something magical."

"You think?" I asked.

"Anyone who sees you two skating knows there is pure chemistry, and love there. But also off the ice. You two are so in sync, and so together all the time, it makes it hard not to feel the love radiating off you two." Luke explained.

"It wasn't always that way." I laughed. "We hated each other at first."

"Yea, but look at you two now." Luke said and I couldn't help but smile.

"You ready?" I heard and when I turned around, there stood Clary. "Warm ups start in a minute."

"I'm always ready." I told her and she smiled.

As we waited for the ice to open, I took many calming breaths. I could do this routine in my sleep, but proposing was a new territory of scary, and I just wanted her to say yes. And make it to the Olympics.

Time Jump – After Program

Clary POV:

The entire rink was going absolutely crazy. Jace and I just preformed the most difficult routine anyone has ever seen. Some parts could have been cleaner, but I didn't fall on my ass, and we had no timing issues, so I was extremely proud of that.

As we sat waiting for our scores, and waiting to see if we were going to the Olympics instead of Aline and Sebastian, was probably the most nerve wracking experience in my whole life. I clutched Jace's hand as tight as I possibly could as the seconds ticked by.

I couldn't breath. I couldn't blink. Every second that passed without a score was agony. Finally, when the score came up on the board, and we were a whole 3 points above the current leader, everything in my froze. Was this happening?

"And your 2018 Olympic Figure Skating pairs team – Clarissa Fray, and Jace Herondale." The announcer said, and that's when the flood gates opened. Jace scooped me into his arms and twirled me around. I couldn't stop crying, but I didn't want to. The tears meant it was real. When Jace finally put me down, he dropped as well, and it was another flow of emotions that hit me.

"Marry me Clary. Marry me and make me the happiest man on earth." He said and I felt like I couldn't breath again.

"Yes." I managed to choke out. He slipped the ring on my finger and scooped me up for a second time. I was still crying, and the rink was still applauding. It wasn't an elaborate gesture, or the most romantic way of asking, but it was Jace, and it was everything I could have imagined and more.

All my dreams were coming true, and all because of this man who, I disliked so much in the beginning, who turned out to be the love of my life, my best friend, and so much more. This was only the start of our journey together, and I couldn't imagine it starting out any other way.

Authors Note:

Sooooooooooo, hey guys? I have absolutely no excuse as to why I stopped updating. I was inspired to write this one shot by a reviewer who asked to do one about the Olympics, and also the Winter Olympics. So as you can see, it's overdue by a long shot. I can't promise I'll get better, cause I won't, but I appreciate the patience, and hopefully I'll get another one done within the next couple months.

Also, I would like to point out something I didn't address before finishing. Hodge did get in trouble for his behavior towards Clary. Eventually someone else came forward, and thus started an investigation, and Hodge was sent to prison. I just didn't know how to finish that storyline since I've literally been writing this for months. I kinda lost it, so I wanted to address it now. Hope you all enjoy! Also, I know nothing about figure skating. Just a heads up.