Hey guys! I know I said I'll update at the end of the week, but I couldn't help it especially after the wonderful reviews I've been getting!

So this stories nearly up to a hundred followers, wahoo! I have a feeling this might be my biggest story yet :)

Atgreygirl2358: Thanks for your review, your ideas are really appreciated! I know, I get how the sex talk was embarrassing but it was needed. What parents wouldn't be worried if they daughter or son was getting close with someone and staying in their bed at nights? That's why I added it, and there's another reason, but you'll have to carry on and wait for later chapters :)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy everyone :)

Clary's pov

One week later.

I'm eating. Not much, just a bit more than I did. I'm skinny, but when haven't I been? I'm getting better, I can feel it.

My nightmares have come back again. They seemed to have vanished for a few nights after Jace had stayed with me, but just a couple of nights ago they returned, twisting my dreamless sleep into a cruel, mind-wrenching delusion. Mom and Luke continues to lose sleep over me, I know they'd deny that but they can't hide it from me, not when I can see it lurking in their eyes and in their movements from the weight of it. I'm fighting not just for myself, but for them as well because I can't bear going on seeing what happening to me, happen to them, especially mom. She's been strong, but I know there's only a certain amount she can take before she'll break, and her trying to hide this is failing because cracks have started showing. So that is why I'm sitting in a plain, white room sitting opposite my doctor, Mrs Brown, listening to her rumble on how the steps to recovery were possible.

"…gaining trust of others is a great start to recovery and this doesn't mean just your friend, Jace, but your mother and father," Mrs Brown went on. "Your task this week is to make progress with your parents. Do you think you can manger that?"

"I know you think I'm capable of so much progress so fast, but there's only so much I can do…I want to trust my parents again like I did, and I will…just will in my own time," I whispered.

"What about just talking to them more to try get them to understand how you're feeling?" she asked, noting down some things on her notepad that lay across her lap.

"I've done that already, but I understand, talking helps," I commented, looking at the clock wanting the time to be over and thank goodness it was.

"It really does, Clary. Right, I see you've made some progress which pleases me. Let's hope there is more when you next come to visit me," Mrs Brown said, smiling at me as she stepped over to her desk and coming back over and handing me her card. "Our next appointment is in a fortnight's time since I can't see you next week."

Standing up, I took the card off of her. "Thank you," I said politely, before walking to the door.

"Oh and Clary?" she said. Turning back to her, she went on. "I didn't know you before this accident, so I don't know what you were like, but I'm starting to find out now. Just keep doing what you're doing, you're getting better."

Smiling, I said a final goodbye and walked out of the room.

Once I got outside, I met Jace out the front. Since mom and Luke had to rush away to my grandmas early this morning, they left me to stay at the Lightwoods for the night so I didn't have to miss out on my counselling session. There was a part of me that was glad that I got to stay with Jace, because my nightmares had started affecting me again, but a part of me said I should have gone with mom and Luke.

"How was it?" Jace asked, when he saw me approach him.

"She can see some improvement," I smiled at him.

Smiling back, he said, "I can see some improvement too."

Looking down at the ground, I felt blush rise into my cheeks. "So where is Izzy?"

He rolled his eyes. "She went shopping, so I stayed just in case you came out early," he chuckled.

"Oh how nice of you," I joked as I punched him on the arm softly.

"Oh ha ha," he joked, poking his tongue at me, as he pulled me over to the curb. "Come on, Izzy shouldn't be too far away."

Waiting patiently at the curb, people rushed behind me as they tried to reach their destination causing my heart to race; 'Why didn't I just go with mom to come?' I felt Jace's hand squeeze mine. Looking up at him, I tried to hide the torment I was battling as people surrounded me-I was having a tiny panic attack. Closing my eyes, I tried to even my breathing and only concentrate on Jace's hand, but that was no use, especially when it was not only his I was feeling.

Touching my shoulder a man moved around me. "Sorry miss," an old man said as he moved passed me but not before seeing my panic filled expression. "Are you alright miss?"

"She's fine," Jace's strong voice said, as he gathered me up in his arms and held me to his chest. The man just looked puzzled at us, and then walked on. "It's okay. Izzy's nearly here," he whispered softly into my ear as he rubbed small circles onto my back.

I rested my forehead against his shoulder taking deep breathes in before I regained a steady heartbeat. Turning back to look out onto the street, I placed myself so I leant into his side. Resting a hand on my stomach, I felt his arm snake around my small back protectively and rested a hand on top on mine, intertwining our fingers. Smiling up at him for his protective action, I turned back and watched the cars buzz passed as they sped off to their place of desire. It's amazing how many people can move around so at ease without knowing the pain and torment that waits around the corner for them. It reminds me of a book I had once read before the accident, it stated how people are sprinting through life carefree without realising that they were heading for an obstacle that could mean the difference between life and death. I don't know, the book was confusing, but I guess it meant that people's refusal to realise the torment and pain life can give out can be all the more unbearable. I guess what I'm saying is people are ignorant. They choose to ignore the pain that is held in the world, but maybe that's a good thing…because if people acknowledged it, then there would be a lot more people like me: scared and frail. But saying all this, I'd rather be ignorant.

"Clary? Is that you?" a familiar voice spoke up over the screeching of the car wheels. I looked to where the voice came from and my eyes immediately hit a tall, skinny figure that wore old, faded jeans and a gamer's shirt.

"Simon?" I spoke up, turning to the side as I let go of Jace's hand but stayed attached to his side.

Walking up to us, I watched as Simon pushed his glasses further up his nose. "How are you?" he asked, smiling at me.

"I'm getting better." I said, softly. "How are you?"

His eyes then seemed to skip from me to Jace. "So you can touch him but no one else?" he asked, confused, hurt feeling his voice. "I thought we got through everything together like the time I was getting bullied at school, but now you choose some dyed blond wanna-be bad boy to replace me?"

"I didn't replace you," I begged him to understand. "I trust Jace."

"And you can't trust me?" Simon asked, sounding more hurt.

I felt Jace move slightly behind me. "Okay listen here, Clary doesn't even trust her parents like she used to, so it's not just you. She only trusts me because I was there that night this all happened," Jace said evenly, but the anger was evident in his voice.

"So you're all of a sudden want to drop everything to help her?" Simon asked angrily at Jace. "I know your type, all you want is someone to hop into bed with and leave on the curb."

"Simon," I growled. "You can't just come up to us and accuse Jace of that without even knowing him!"

"Let the gamer geek think what he likes, I don't really give two shits," Jace said firmly.

Ignoring Jace's comment, I looked Simon softly in the face. "Simon, no one can replace you; you're still my best friend. I'm just in a tricky spot in my life at the moment, and well Jace is helping me come out of it. So please try to understand that," I begged.

Simon just looked at me, his angry slowly fading. "Okay, I understand. Can we at least talk? I really have missed you, Fray," he said slowly.

I looked at him and saw the honestly in his face. I have missed him, but was I ready to let that part in my life back in? I looked up at Jace, who was still glaring at Simon. "Could Simon maybe come back to yours with us? Please, it'll only be a short while," I whispered up at Jace.

He looked down at me. "Are you sure? I could kick the gamer geek to the curb since you know, I'm that type," he whispered jokily, smirking down at me.

"I can still hear you," Simon stated. "Your whisper is more like a screech. It hurts my ears."

"It's my house she's asking for you to come to, so shut up or I will kick your scrummy ass to the curb," Jace growled at him.

"Oh, I really do pick the right moments to turn up," a girls voice popped up behind us and soon enough Jace's sister, Isabelle, came into view, her black hair tied up in a neat bun.

Watching Simon, I watched as his jaw dropped as he looked Izzy up and down. I wasn't shocked to see him look so speechless because she was mind-blowing beautiful. "You know, if you don't stop checking out my sister-" Jace started before I poked him in the ribcage.

"Oh shh, Jace. I'm used to it," Izzy smiled brightly at us. "Right, are we ready to go? I parked my car just down the road a bit."

"Jace?" I looked up at him, begging him slightly.

"Fine, gamer geek can come," he said, rolling his eyes before placing a hand on the middle of my back and following Izzy to her car.

"You know I have a name," Simon hissed from behind us.

"I don't really care," Jace remarked. Gosh, was this going to be a bad afternoon or what.

I was glad to reach the Lightwoods, because to be honest I don't think I could be able to stand listening to Jace and Simon bickering any longer.

"My hair is naturally blond, why can't you get that through your thick head?" Jace snarled, as he shut the car door, followed by Simon.

"Your sister has black hair, so please tell me why yours is a strange blond colour?" Simon extended, following Jace close behind.

Jace stopped in his tracks and looked down at Simon; he was clearly an inch or so taller than Simon. "Maybe because I'm adopted you idiot. Look at Isabelle, I look nothing like her," he stated roughly, before walking into the house and slamming the door in Simons face.

"By the look of that, I don't think they like each other," Izzy stated, sarcastically beside me.

Turning slightly, I smiled softly at her. "And I'm the one who will have to deal with it," I complained, before walking over to a shocked/pissed off Simon.

Izzy laughed. "Boys huh?"

Once inside, we walked into the kitchen to find Jace sitting at the island eating a slice of cake. Placing myself next to him, I plucked his fork out of his grip and shoved a piece of cake in my mouth. "Hey," Jace smirked at me, grabbing the fork back from me. "That's mine."

Poking my tongue at him, my vision then was placed on Simon and Izzy coming and sitting opposite us. "So are you two going to be nicer to one another?" I asked, before grabbing the fork back and placing another forkful into my mouth.

"Depends," Jace said, as he grabbing the fork back. "Is he going to stop being such a dork?"

"Actually it depends if the dyed blond wanna-be bad boy will stop being so in love with himself," Simon shot back at Jace.

Jace smirked. "If you had a body like this, you'd be in love with yourself as well," he pointed out, shoving a forkful of cake into his mouth.

Simon turns to look at me. "How can you stand being near him?" he asked, clearly frustrated.

I shrugged. "He's not always like this," I said, before looking at Jace. "He is pretty fill of himself though."

Jace smirked at me. "Call me what you like, I know you all are jealous of me," he stated.

"Speak for yourself, I quite like who and what I look like," Izzy said, examining her nails. "Anyway, how about we go to Takis for dinner tonight? Alec and Magnus will still be out on their date, so it'll be just us."

"Sure, only if it's alright with Clary," Jace said, finishing his mouthful, before adding after seeing my worried expression. "It's a quiet diner. Not so many people go there, especially at night."

"I guess it'll be okay…" I mumbled, before looking up at Simon. "Do you want to come?"

A apologetic look crossed his face. "I just realised I have an appointment in twenty minutes, so sorry I can't," he said, before looking at Izzy. "Do you mind driving me? It's quite a far distance."

Izzy shrugged, and grabbed her keys. "Sure, let's go then," she said, standing up. "See you guys soon."

"Bye Clary," Simon said, standing up slowly. "I'm only a text away."

"I know," I said, giving him a small smile as I watched him follow Izzy out of the room.

A moment of silence followed, but soon enough I found my voice. "So where am I sleeping?" I asked, turning to Jace.

"Upstairs, three doors to the right; next to my room. I'll be up there in a bit, I just have to go find mom and tell her something," he said, giving me a soft smile. "I'll bring your bag up later on; I forgot to take it out of Izzy's car."

I just nodded, and stood up. "Thanks Jace," I said, returning his smile.

Exiting the kitchen, I made my way up the stairs, and counted three doors to the right, but before I could enter the room, I heard a small voice speak up. "You're back."

I turned towards the voice and was faced with the small frame that held the soft, innocent eyes who I had met back at the Lightwoods barbeque. "I am," I said, softly giving him a smile.

He then smiled brightly. "I'm Max," he said.

"Clary," I replied.

"I know," he said, with a cheeky grin before returning to his doorway. "Come on, I want to show you something."

"Okay," I said, slowly as I followed him into his room. He pointed to his bed, so I went a sit on the edge waiting to see what he has to show me.

"I have some books I thought you'd like to read because whenever I'm scared or upset, reading helps because it takes me into another world and another person's life," he smiled as he opened his closet and pulled out a step ladder. I was shocked at how intelligent he sounded when he looks so young.

"Max," I said, "how old are you?"

He turned back to me. "Nine," he smiled, brightly at me before placing the step ladder in front of the closet.

"What are you doing, Max?" I asked, worried about what he planned to do.

"The books are up there," he pointed to a cupboard above the closet door. "I can't reach it without my ladder."

"Let me," I said, standing up from the bed. He looked so small; he could easily fall from the ladder. "You could fall."

Stepping onto the ladder, he smiled back at me. "Jace has always told me to never let fear stop you from achieving something; and by climbing to get the books I'll be helping you," he said before slowly making his way up the ladder.

I swallowed as I watched his small frame climb the ladder, opening his cupboard. My eyes then grew as I saw that it was a big box that he was wanting to take out.

"Max, no-" I started.

"What?" he asked, as he pulled the box out but like I had expected his small arms couldn't bare the weight, causing him to lose balance.

I don't know how it happened, but I quickly moved and reached out for Max. Being small myself, once his weight hit me we both feel to the ground, the box of books falling right beside our heads.

"Ouch," Max said, sitting up and then looking back down at me, sadness clouding his eyes. "I'm sorry; I really thought I could do it."

Sitting up myself, I grabbed his arms softly and inspected them for any cuts. "Are you hurt anywhere?" I asked.

"I don't think so," he said, inspecting himself.

Right then, the door flew open and Maryse stood at the door. "What's happening in here?" her voice firm.

Standing up, I helped Max off the ground. "I fell when-"

"Clary…" Maryse said shocked.

"What?" I asked, feeling a panic feeling rise in my chest.

She pointed at mine and Max's hands that were still clasped together. "You're touching Max…" she started shocked.

My mouth fell open, and I let go of Max's hand. "He fell, I had to catch him," I mumbled, shocked that I went through touching Max with feeling no panic heartbeats.

It was then I saw Maryse give a warm smile. "You felt protective of him, so you put him first," she said, softly.

I felt Max's hand touch mine, I looked down at him and saw him smile brightly at me. "Let's go show Jace!" he said proudly.

I just nodded. "He's in the lounge room," Maryse smiled at us.

Smiling at her, Max grabbed my hand, clearly proud that I wasn't afraid when he touched me, and ran passed Maryse and down the stairs. When we got into the lounge, Jace was standing, flicking through the channels. "Jace! Jace, look!" Max yelled, excitedly as he held up my hand.

Jace spun around ready to ask what the racket was about, but stopped when he saw our hands. "What…how?" he asked, his eyes widening with shock.

Letting go of Max's hands, I ran to Jace, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I did it, Jace! I touched someone else without getting scared! I'm getting better," I said, smiling widely.

Wrapping his arms around my waist, he picked me up and spun me in a single circle. "I knew you could do it!" he smiled back at me, before dropping me softly onto the ground.

Smiling brightly up at Jace, I felt Max's hand slip back into mine and tugged me. "Come on Clary, I still have the books to show you," Max stated, pulling me away from Jace.

"I'll be back afterwards," I quickly said to Jace laughing, before Max's tugged pulled me out of the room. My smile never left my face, not when I knew I was one step closer to recovery.

Wahoo! Clary can touch Max :) Cute?

Oh and I know how I never leave any cliffy hangers so I thought a little tenser will go nicely:

His eye's connected with mine and I immediately was drawn back to the night of the accident in a wave of vivid images. "So we meet again, red."

Yes it's time we meet the bad guy. See you all next chapter ;) Don't forget to leave a review, I'd appreciate it :)

Ex oh ex