Hey guys, another chapter yay !

greygirl2358: I tried to stress that to my mum, but she doesn't see the point in internet anymore because I don't need it for school :o But don't worry, this story isn't going anywhere and I'll continue to update it because I have a plan ;) Thank you for the review, it actually made me smile :) Ex oh ex

Just letting you all know I won't be updating any of my stories until next week because I have exams all this week, so wish me luck...I'll need it :P

Enjoy :)

One week later

Clary's pov

I stared blankly at my cell phone-No new messages. I shrugged and threw my phone onto my bed, 'he must have gotten sick of me,' I thought. Sitting cross legged on the floor, I tied my red locks back into a bun as I listened to the pitter patter of the rain on the roof. It seemed like such a little thing, but the noise was comforting and calming. I glanced down on the floor in front of me to my sketchpad that held many happy images of things I use to see in the world. Now I only saw darkness. Ripping out every last sketch, I threw them in the bin along with my sketch pad; that part of my life was over now.

Beep. Looking over to my phone, I crawled over to it and read the message that I had just received.

Hey Clary, how are you? I haven't heard from you in a while…I miss you ~Simon

I threw the phone back down and shook my head. Simon didn't need someone like me…The only thing I could do for him is to get him down, because if he saw the state of me and the way I am, I'm sure it'd get anyone depressed. Standing up, I walked out of my room and into the bathroom across the hall and stared blankly into the mirror.

I had black rings under my eyes due to the sleep that has been deprived from me. As I looked closely, I saw nothing but a pathetic, weak body. Groaning at my reflection, I made my way out of the bathroom and trotted downstairs to the lounge room. Placing myself on one of the sofas, I picked up a blanket that sat folded on the armrest and gathered it around myself to prevent the coldness of the oncoming night get to me. Grabbing the remote control, I flicked through the channels until I decided that television was useless so I went through our storage and pushed play on the first ever episode of One Tree Hill.

While I was watching, mom trotted into the room holding a canvas in her hands. "Clary, I need you to take a look at this for me," she said, as she looked carefully at her painting.

"Sure," I said, as she flipped the canvas around to face me. The painting was of two people: a guy and a girl staring into each other's eyes in a romantic way. I shrugged. "It's too much like a fairy-tale," I commented.

"And what's wrong with fairy-tales, missy?" she said, semi-serious as she turned the canvas back around so she could have another look.

"Fairy-tales don't exist in the world, only sadness and hatred," I commented as I carried on watching the show before me.

As she was about to answer the doorbell rang, cutting her off. Placing the canvas down, she quickly answered me back, "well if you don't think they exist, you'll be very surprise when you find your prince charming."

"Urgh, are you referring back to Cinderella?" I said, half listening.

"Maybe," she smiled as she walked out of the room to answer the door. Within a few minutes, she was back. "Clary, you have a visitor," she said loud enough to draw my attention from the TV.

Thinking it was Simon, I groan low enough so only I could hear it. Turning around I was shocked to find it wasn't Simon, but Jace who stood holding a plastic bag, his locks slightly damp from the rain. "What are you doing here?" I asked, sounding slightly unfriendly.

"I'll just be in my art room," mom said softly, grabbing her canvas and trotting from the room.

Watching her leave, my attention went back on Jace who came around and slid onto the sofa that I was on. "Ah-hem, you still haven't answered my question. What are you doing here?" I asked again.

Raising an eyebrow, he questioned me. "Well someone's in a grump today, aren't they?"

Folding my arms across my chest, I narrowed my eyes. "I am not grumpy," I admitted, turning serious again. "Now answer asshat."

He chuckled. "You're quite creative with your words, aren't you?" he commented, and then looked down his sock-baring feet as he ran his hands through his damp locks. "Look I haven't text you or anything because Maryse took my phone and keys off me for a fortnight."

"Seriously?" I asked, pausing One Tree Hill. "Why?"

"Well remember that night you came around and I walked out?" He asked. I nodded, so he carried on. "Well let's say I didn't come home that night."

"Why?" I asked, confused and shocked all in one. "Di-did you have a one-"

"Oh god no," he chuckled, and then suddenly he turned quieter. "I got myself drunk and slept in an alley…"

My eyebrows knotted together. "Why?"

"Why did I sleep in an alley? Well let's see…" he started before I cut him off.

"No, why did you get drunk?" I asked, softly but firmly.

He just shrugged and sat there in silence for a moment before answering. "I don't know…I guess I just wanted to drink away the angry of that night," he said.

"Is that all?" I asked.

"Should there be more?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I know you're still not over what happened to Mr Kerr, that you still blame yourself," I commented.

"Let's just leave it, huh? I've been bored at home all week and this has been the only time I've been able to leave due to Maryse holding me hostage, so," he said, grabbing the plastic bag off the ground. "I bought you food."

"You bought me food? Why?" I asked, startled.

"Because you're a stick and I can see you haven't been eating much even after our talk, and now sleeping too?" he commented.

I tried to ignore the sleeping comment because my sleep deprived nights aren't because of me, but the nightmares. "I eat," I finally said.

"Then eat up," he said, pouring the junk food he bought out onto my blanket, pulling the blanket over him as he did.

Shaking my head, I turned One Tree Hill back on and carried on watching deeply into the characters troubled lives. While we were watching it, I was basically being spoon fed by Jace.

"Do you mind?" I snapped, grabbing the piece of chocolate out of his hand.

"Not at all," he smirked, and then dropped it when he saw my expression. "Oh come on, you need to eat."

"Well I can eat on my own, you know," I remarked.

"Can you?" he asked, picking at my baggy hoody. "Doesn't look it."

"I am, okay?" I snapped, pulling my hoody out of his grip. "It's not only me who is struggling here."

"And what does that mean?" he asked, raising his eyebrow.

"I'm getting eaten up on the outside, but you're secretly getting eaten on the inside," I said, sitting up and staring at him firmly. "At least I can admit it."

"Whatever," he said blankly, as he carried on watching the show.

Frowning, I just looked at Jace and saw nothing but guilt and unhappiness wash over to him; that's when I thought that his reinsurance to me should be returned. Reaching out, I grabbed his grabbed his arm. "Jace," I said softly.

Turning to face me, he looked taken back for a moment. "What?"

"You asked me to let you in and I am, but you're not doing the same with me. Let me in, I'm here," I said reassuringly.

Smiling, he bought a hand up and rested it against mine. "I know, but I'm not ready to talk about it and when I am, I'll know where you are," he said softly.

Smiling, I leant back and took a bite of the chocolate. Smiling back, we both lost ourselves in the show causing the time to slip away from us. It had been nice just sitting there with Jace and not talking about the accident or anything, but acting as if we were friends that had no big drama in our lives…

"Jeez, how long does this show go on for?" mom asked, as she walked into the room after a few hours, wiping her paint covered hands on a cloth.

Jace and I both looked up at her, but it was Jace who spoke. "I think we're nearly finished episode three," he told her, glancing over to me and smiling. 'Wow,' I thought. 'We must have been watching it for a good two hours.'

Mom looked at her watch on her wrist. "Well I should probably make some dinner," mom mumbled.

Realising the time, Jace bolted up. "Crap, I should be getting home," he said in a rush.

"I don't think it's a smart idea to go home tonight, Jace. Luke just got home and he said a storm is rolling in," mom said, glancing at Jace with her light green eyes. We both shot our heads over to the window and saw the rain that we moments ago had missed hearing, and the darkening of the sky.

"Maryse will worry though, and I don't want to be a burden," Jace said politely, looking back at mom.

She shook her head, her familiar warm smile showing up on her face. "You won't be. Now why don't you go into the garage and help Luke. He wants to move something that I unfortunately can't help him with, and while you're doing that I'll call Maryse and tell her that you'll be staying over," she said.

"Thank you," Jace said, politely before heading towards the direction of the garage.

"How about a stir-fry for dinner?" Mom asked, smiling down at me.

"Sure," I said, returning the smile.

Dinner seemed to fly passed as I watched Jace and Luke devour two whole platefuls of mom's stir-fly while us girls only ate the one. After dinner we all sat down and watched a movie that was being played on the TV, letting the sound of it block out the rumbling of the rain clouds outside. By the end of the movie, my eyes became heavy and they started to droop.

"Clary, time for bed sweetie," mom said, her calming voice breaking through the coat of exhaustion that had been placed on top of me.

Groaning, I got up from the sofa, but stop when I forgot about something. "What about Jace? Where is he going to sleep?" I asked, yawning; thinking that the spare bedroom still had boxes and all her grandmas' stuff in it from her stay.

"I'll make a bed up for him here on the sofa, it'll be fine. Now hop off to bed," Mom shooed me off to bed. Walking upstairs, I walked into my bedroom and quickly changed into my pyjamas, before heading into the bathroom across the hall from my bedroom. Brushing my teeth and finally looking at my exhausted figure in the mirror, I yawned before walking out into the hallway and bumping into a figure causing me to yelp.

"It's okay Clary, it's me," I heard Jace's reinsuring voice say. "I just need to use the bathroom; Luke is using the one down below."

"Alright," I blinked back the brightness of the light. "Are you alright about staying here tonight?"

"Of course, but right now I think instead of a conversation you should go to sleep. You look exhausted as if you'd drop right where you stand," he said, jokily.

Rubbing at my eyes, I yawned once again. "Alright," I half whispered as I turned for my bedroom. "Goodnight asshat." The last thing I heard was his chuckle before I closed my door and placed myself into my bed, pulling the blankets tightly around me.

My eyes drew closed as the sleep I've been deprived from took me in and swallowed me up. The last thing I remember was me begging that the nightmare will leave me alone for just one night…but that wish seemed not to come… 'I like feisty reds,' he repeated…'Leave me alone…please,' I begged…'you're mine, you hear me…you'll always be mine!'…

"Clary…wake up. It's me Jace." I seemed to be ripped from my uninvited nightmare and into reality to where I was getting slightly shaken. "Clary, it's only a nightmare."

Opening my eyes, I felt a tear roll down my cheek making it evident I had been crying in my sleep again and most likely screaming. "Jace?" I asked, blinking to get a better view. Jace was sitting on my bed, looking worriedly down at me as mom and Luke stood behind him.

"Same dream?" Mom asked me, tightening her gown around her tiny figure, her everyday worried expression lingering on her face.

"Like every night," I whispered, sitting up and wiping away my tears that had strained my cheeks.

"What was it about?" Jace asked me.

Looking up at him, a blinked back the tears that seemed to continuously come, before saying in a whisper of a tone, "it was about that man…"

"What about him?" he asked, his eyebrows knotting together.

"He's hovering over my bed, then he grabs me like he did on the bus…," I wipe the tears that now are running down my cheeks again. "And he tells me I'm his now… He keeps saying, 'you're mine…mine.'" I choked on my tears as they now seemed to come as a flood.

Before I knew what was happening, Jace bought me into his arms wrapping his arms protective around me. "He doesn't have you. He'll never have you, I promise," he whispered into my ear as he rubbed circles onto my back.

I looked up at him, our noses nearly bumping as I do. "But the newspapers and internet are saying one of the offenders is still missing. What if it's him, Jace?" I choked out.

Grabbing my cheeks, he seemed to search my eyes. "To him you were only a little bit of fun. He won't come for you, Clary, but if he does he won't get passed me. I promise," he whispered, returning his arms around my torso.

I nodded, resting my head on his shoulder and wrapping my arms around him as my sides' pressed against his chest. I felt him move slightly and look behind him, of course mom and Luke! I looked over Jace's shoulder to see mom's shocked expression and Luke baring the same expression.

"Do you mind if I stay in here tonight? I'd sleep on the floor and all, Clary just seems a little shaken up and it might help knowing someone's in here," Jace said softly, being careful of the words he used.

Mom and Luke seemed to think for a moment, but Luke soon spoke up. "I guess you could, is that what you want, Clary?" he asked me. I looked over to mom and saw her approving look, so I gave a small nod. "Alright, come on Jace. We'll bring your blankets up here, good luck sleeping on the floor in here; it's as hard as a rock," Luke laughed. Jace pulled away from me and followed Luke down leaving me and mom.

"You really do feel safe with him," she said, half to herself.

I shrugged, not knowing what to say. "It's alright, darling. I get he was with you when the incident took place and I get how he's now the only one you feel comfortable with," she smiled at me.

I shook my head, worried she was about to give up on me. "That doesn't mean one day that couldn't be with you and Luke," I said in a whisper of a tone.

A soft smile spread across her lips. "I know," she whispered back in the same tone just as the guys came back with Jace's blankets. Placing them neatly on the floor beside my bed, Jace lied down pulling the blankets tightly around his torso.

"Now get some sleep you two," Mom said, smiling to both of us before blowing a kiss to me. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," I whispered back, watching her walk out and shutting the door behind her. I looked down at Jace as he lied on the floor his eyes already closed. "Goodnight," I whispered.

Opening his eyes back up, he smiled back up at me. "Goodnight Clary," he said softly.

Smiling, I lied down on my back and stared blankly up at the ceiling watching the shadows from the outside play tricks with my mind. It's strange to think that when you were a child every shadow seemed evil to you, at least they did to me probably because of my artistic mind…but now they were empty threats. Sure you can make out a bad image, but then you realise that actual object behind them. Staring at the shadows for what seemed like five minutes, I glanced at the clock on my bedside cabinet and saw fifteen minutes had flown by. Turning onto my side, I glanced down to Jace who breathed evenly, looking uncomfortable outstretched on the floor as his tall figure lied flat on the hard surface. Glancing down, I searched is facial features and noticed how his tight expression of guilt and hurt had now vanished, and have been replaced with peace. Smiling slightly at the sight of his feet poking out of the blankets that were twisted around his built-up torso, a thought crossed my mind and for once it was a nice, warm one.

"Jace, are you awake?" I whispered down at him, waiting for a sign he was awake.

"Mhmm?" he mumbled, his eyes still closed.

"Do you-" I started, not knowing if I should ask or not. "Do you maybe want to sleep up here?"

That's when he opened his eyes. "Why? Are you scared?" he asked, sounding exhausted.

"No, I-I just thought it'd be nice, you know…Safe and you look uncomfortable," I rushed, feeling suddenly embarrassed.

"But your parents," he said, yawning softly.

"All we're doing is sleeping," I stated, then shook my head and lied back down. "Never mind, it was a stupid idea."

I heard Jace move slightly and a floor board creak before suddenly seeing Jace stand up. "Alright, but if your parents walk in, you can be my shield from Luke. Now move over," he whispered as he grabbed the blankets.

Moving over as far as I could in my double bed, I felt Jace slide in beside me. He turned on his side and looked at me in the face, searching for any hint of emotion. Wanting to feel the warmth and safety I felt before when he held me when I cried, I found the only courage I possessed and moved closer to him, feeling his legs against mine.

Seeming to get what I was trying to do, he linked his arms around my waist and pulled me close, resting his chin on the top of my head as I snuggled into his chest. "You know, I never expected you to be so cuddling when you look like a brick," I said, muffling it into his shirt.

His soft chuckle vibrated through his chest as he tighten his grip slightly, but protectively around my waist as he moved onto his back, pulling me slightly with him so I could curl into his side. I felt his warm breathe breeze through my hair. "As much as I like to hear what you think of me, we're both tired so go to sleep, Clary," he whispered, slightly chuckling.

Nodding slightly, I rested my head on his shoulder as I let my eyes close feeling content and safe in his arms as I let sleep find me, but unlike every other sleep this one seemed dreamless.

How cute was that? I just had to add some Clace :)

Okay before I carry on this story, I have a few questions for you guys:

-Do you guys want it to be more of a romantic story were they fix each other and fall in love, or a story filled with action like Be my secret was...or both?

-What's one thing I could fix with my storyline?

-Anything I could add?

-Or any nice reviews would be nice :D

Let me know guys, review!

Ex oh ex