Hey guys! Three updates in one week, wahoo!

I have some news I thought I'd share because I can't believe myself! I had my High school graduation the other night and I received a trophy for initiative in Leadership, and I was awarded a scholarship! I am so happy :) Anyway, no more High school, wahoo :)

So this is the chapter you all have been waiting for...the bad guy has finally arrived ;)

Oh and since you all are amazing, I wrote a long chapter!

Enjoy!

Jace's pov

It had been hours since Clary left to go upstairs with Max, no guessing to read with him. Sitting at the family piano, I started to think how it was actually nice how Clary felt comfortable with him and not just me. I'm glad actually. Max has this gentle nature about him and is filled of wisdom; he's one heck of an amazing kid… This led me to start thinking of Clary. She acted different around me than she was to her family and to the outer world. She wasn't scared. She joked and was a smart ass which always tended to get a smile reach upon my lips. She was caring and strong minded. I know she once thought that she was broken, but I think she has finally realised that it's only a fight to gain recovery and it's not far off.

When she had come in this afternoon with Max after first touching him, the brightness of her smile sent sparkles in my chest. Actually, I guess its right to say whenever that smile reaches her light pink lips it lights off sparkles in my chest as if a firework had just been let off inside of me. Oh and that brings me to her laughter…how it's like no other I have heard before, but in a good way. Her laugh just makes me want to sit and stare at her to just wait for when her laugh comes again. To be honest, that's not the only reason that makes me want to sit and stare- Wait. Shaking my head, I groaned. What was I doing? I can't let myself do this. Just over a week ago I said I only had friendship feelings for her, and surely that's still the same now, right?

"What are you doing?" her voice came urgent, but in a whisper in my ear as if to give me a fright from behind; and boy did it work. My hands slammed down onto the keys, causing their sound to boom through the room.

Turning around quickly, I saw her trying to cover her unique laugh with her hand. "Do you take pleasure out of sneaking up behind me and scaring me?" I teased, my chest filling up with sparkles once again as her smile reached across her mouth.

"Maybe," she smiled as she placed herself beside me on the piano stall so our shoulders were brushing. "Can you play?"

Instead of answering, I let my fingers skim across the keys letting the notes of each key give her the answer. I played a song that I had learnt at a young age, one in fact my real mom taught me; she had always been an excellent piano player and ever since her and my father's death, I never gave up playing the piano because I had always felt if I carried it on, they would always be with me. Playing each and every note, I felt my mind drift to an unknown place as each note created a part to a story. Once I had finished, I turned to Clary, her mouth was opened.

"You're amazing," she breathed.

"Like I haven't heard that one before," I smirked.

Punching me on the arm lightly, she smiled. "You know what I mean," she said, laughing. "Where did you learn how to play like that?"

I let a moment of silence run between us before answering her question. "My mom," I finally said.

"Maryse?" she asked.

"No, my biological mom," I said softly.

She nodded, before looking me in the eyes. "Could you teach me?"

Smiling softly, I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into me and wrapped my arm around her, delicately grabbing her hand and then grabbing her other. Placing her hands softly on the keys, I slowly played out the tune Twinkle, twinkle little stars. I felt her staring at me, as I grazed her finger tips over the keys, playing the song. Smiling myself, I started singing the song softly to her.

After I had finished, she turned to look at me; our faces inches apart. "You have a beautiful voice," she whispered, her smile causing her green eyes to sparkle like emeralds. I seemed to always get lost in them, in their beauty.

Shaking out of it, I smiled back. "Thanks," I whispered back, before realising how close we were. No, just friendship feelings, I yelled mentally to myself before standing up quickly and offering her my hand. "It's getting dark outside, we should probably head to Takis now."

Clary's pov

Ever since the episode in the piano room, Jace had been acting different and was alarmingly quiet. Had I done something wrong? During the drive to Takis, Izzy did most of the talking and Jace remained quiet. Glancing at him every once in a while in the front seat, I saw his expression on his angel-like face, and it read as if he was in deep in thought, but what was it that was on his mind that was keeping him quiet?

Pulling up, I looked out the window to see a small diner on the corner of the street, lighten by lights. "We're here," Izzy smiled, opening her car door and looking at Jace with a puzzled expression. "Jace!"

"What?" he looked up at her angrily as if she had disrupted him when he was deep in thought.

"We're here," she commented, still puzzled before hopping out of the car. Following her action, I moved silently out of the car and stood silently beside Jace.

Following Izzy into the diner, I leant into Jace. "Have I done something wrong?" I whispered up to him.

He looked down at me puzzled. "Why would you ask that?"

I looked down at my hands. "Because you haven't said much since we were in the piano room…I thought I had said or done something wrong," I whispered, unsure of his response.

He stopped then and bought me to a halt in front of him. Softly placing his thumb under my chin, he bought my eye level up with his. "I'm sorry, okay. I've just been lost in thought," he whispered.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I whispered up at him, my eyes locked with his unique gold ones.

His mouth opened, but Izzy's voice cut through whatever he planned to say. "Just kiss already, this tension between both of you is suffocating!" Izzy said, smirking.

Blushing, I felt Jace's hand drop from my face. "Oh shut up Izzy," Jace growled.

"Just stating what everyone else is seeing. You too are just destined!" She shrieked happily, before opening the door to the diner. "I'll see you two love birds in there."

Once she was inside, I found my courage and looked up at Jace to see blush on his cheeks as well. "Well she's very…honest with her thoughts," I said, softly as I tried break the awkwardness in the air between us.

A sharp laugh escaped from him. "Too honest," he mumbled. Before looking down at me and giving me a soft smile. "Come on, let's go and eat."

Smiling up at him, I entered the diner feeling his presence right behind me. Walking over to where I saw Izzy in the far away booth, I slid onto the seat opposite her and Jace slid silently beside me. The waitress came up soon enough and told us the specials they had tonight and took our orders. I ordered the stir fry, well Jace ordered it for me since he wouldn't allow me to just have the salad, Izzy orders the sea food salad, and Jace orders the special roast of the night.

After eating our meals, and the chatter and laughter filled the atmosphere the heaviness on my shoulders was released as I was more content being out at night. Jace even seemed more relaxed as he made his opinion known throughout our conversation.

Getting up and paying for the diner, we walked out of the diner to the fresh air of the night. Just as we made it to the car, Jace's voice cut through the silence. "Crap, she has overcharged me, I'll be right back," he said as he rushed back to the diner.

As Izzy searched for the keys in her purse, the ease didn't seem to leave me until I saw two male figures walking towards us- with one of their voices dangerously familiar. It wasn't until they approached was when my ease was crumbled and panic rose.

My eyes stayed connected with him, questioning whether it was really him, but then it was confirmed. 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."

Jace's pov

"Sorry again," the waitress smiled sweetly at me; obviously trying to flirt with me now Clary or Izzy wasn't here.

"Yeah, that's fine," I mumbled as I placed the money back into my wallet and walked from the diner ignoring any goodbyes I got from her. Opening the door of the diner, my gaze immediately landed on a male figure standing close to Clary-my Clary. Looking closer I saw the fear in Clary's eyes, that's when anger ripped through me, especially when I heard Izzy's firm voice speak up beside Clary, 'Leave her alone." Making my way up to the unknown figure, I grabbed him and pushed him forcefully back. "Don't you understand what that means-" I snarled, before stopping as a wave of danger passed through me.

"Well isn't it just the pretty boy with the sharp tongue," the man smirk. It was him. From that night. Narrowing my eyes, I looked over his figure that stood inches below mine. He had black, wavy hair and possessed pitch-black eyes. His face told me that he was easily in his thirties. "So you're with the feisty red now? I can assure you she's very enjoyable."

"You really don't want to piss me off, I'm warning you," I snarled, hearing Clary's whimper behind me-she was terrified.

"A threat!" he laughed, before stepping forward dangerously, but it didn't frighten me I just held my ground. "You really shouldn't be making threats to me; you saw what happened that night. I'm sure your little girlfriend back there can remember."

I knew he only wanted a reaction and I knew I shouldn't give him one but hearing the pleasure he got out of Clary's torment infuriated me. Pushing him back, I took a step forward. "You don't scare me," I snarled, before turning serious. "Are you really so pathetic that you have to pick fights with teenagers when you're clearly mid-aged? You disgust me. I really hope when the cops catch you, you rot in prison!"

He shook his head, a smirk still evident on his face. "I can assure you that won't happen," he promised.

"Then I'll do the pleasure of handing you to them," I snarled.

He just laughed. "You little boy are no more than a kid. You can't do a thing to me," he said.

I shook my head and leant down. "My father always taught me that whoever touches a girl without permission from them in the first place should be taught a lesson and I'll be happy to give that lesson to you," I growled.

Looking at me, he leant in, close to my ear; his breathe burning my skin on my neck as the stench of alcohol and smoke poured from his mouth onto my skin. My figure stayed solid and strong not wanting him to get the better hand on me. "You know pretty boy, I was looking for a new game to play and I think I have just found it," his voice whispered into my ear so his words could only be heard from me. My jaw clenched as his words became hissing out into my ear, still in a whisper of a tone. "I'm going to enjoy this, I really am; and since I don't like surprises I'll let you on in a little secret. After finishing making your face not so pretty anymore, I'm going to make you sit and watch as I finish off what I was doing that night to your feisty, little girlfriend over there."

Anger tore through me and a protective streak for Clary boiled up in the pit of my chest. Grabbing the collar of his leather jacket, I pulled him forcefully so he could stare into my eyes that were now filled with rage. "You are not going to touch her," I snarled quietly so Clary couldn't hear, but that he could hear the danger presenting itself in my voice.

He just smirked evilly in my grip. "Oh come on, sharing's caring, haven't you ever heard that? Anyway she was a real good time on the bus, imagine what it was be like-" Before he could finish his sentence, I bought my fist forward and connected it to his face with a crunching blow. Loosing balance, I took my opportunity to punch him again in the gut causing him to fall to the ground. Ignoring Clary's and Izzy's protest, I was ready to jump on him and give him what he deserved, but I didn't realise his friend who quickly took his opportunity and punched me in the side of my face. Clary's attacker quickly jumped to his feet, him and his friend both approaching me at the same time, but not for one second did I let my guard down- I had to protect Clary. As both men advanced on me, I was sure they were both going to attack at the same time, but they suddenly stopped.

"What's going on here?" Another male voice popped up behind me. Walking into vision, I saw it was the owner of Takis, as he looked from me and the two guys. "If you two don't get out of here, I'm going to call the cops."

Clary's attacker just smirked at me. "Until next time," he said firmly, before looking at Clary. "See you soon red." With a wink, he moved away with his friend following slightly behind him in case I attacked. "Oh and pretty boy," Clary's attacker said, turning back. "Call me Raphael, thought you'd need it for our next bump in." With that, he moved into the shadows, disappearing.

"Do you want me to call the cops son?" the owner of Takis asked me.

I shook my head. "No, it's fine. Thank you though," I said, thankful. Giving me a soft nod, he walked back to his diner. Letting out a sigh, I turned around to the girls. My eyes widened to see Clary clenched onto Izzy's arm; terror still evident in her green eyes.

Rushing over to her, I cupped her cheeks in my hands and bent down to her level. "Clary, it's fine. He's gone," I whispered softly to her. Letting go of Izzy's arm, she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, burying her face into it as she did. Bending down, I scooped her up in my arms. "Izzy open the door please," I asked softly.

Nodding shakily, she rushed around to the car and unlocked it. Opening the car door after balancing Clary in one arm, I placed Clary inside before sitting next to her and shifting her back onto my lap where she hugged me tightly again.

"Was that him?" I heard Izzy's shaky voice ask as she turned on the car.

"Yes," I answered back, but kept my attention on Clary.

"I don't think we should tell the cops…" Izzy finally said after some silence.

"Why?" I asked, looking up finally.

"If you didn't notice, they were wearing a gang badge on their jackets…so if they are a part of the gang, by calling the cops could set them off for your head," she commented. "Just try start away from him."

"Why would it set them off?" I asked confused.

"Because well I don't trust the cops, some of them are dodgey. I just know it," Izzy said to me.

I just nodded. Clary moved in my arms and her face appeared close to mine, her terror still there in her expression.

Clary's pov

After listening to Izzy's comment I knew I had to be the one to protect Jace. Raising my head, I looked into Jace's face that stood inches from mine. "I don't want you to get hurt anymore," I whispered at him. "Just stay away from him at all costs. I can't see you get hurt anymore." My gaze went across the bruise that was forming on his cheek bone. Raising a shaking hand, I touch it lightly with my fingertips. He received this because of me, he was protecting me. Bending close to him, I let my lip gaze his bruising skin and placed a soft kiss there. Moving slightly away from him, I looked into his closed off face. His eyes showed only a hint of something that I couldn't read as he leant down and placed his forehead against my shoulder, keeping his arms tightly around me. Raising a hand from his shoulder, I picked up one of his golden locks and felt the silkiness under my touch.

Raising his head, he gave me a soft smile causing warmth to send through body. "Everything will be fine," he whispered to me. Resting my head on his shoulder, I let the rest of the drive back be in silence, but I didn't mind, not when I was safe and content in Jace's arms.

Once we got back to the Lightwoods, I stayed glued to Jace's side feeling too at peace being there. We didn't end up telling Maryse what happened, but I guess that was because of what Izzy said. Reaching the top of the stairs, my silence finally got Jace worried.

"Are you fine?" He asked worried. "I told you he won't be coming anywhere near you. You're not his to have."

Looking up at him, I let my fear of that night not being completely over, come rushing out. "I'm scared he'll come back, for me, for you," I whispered.

"I won't let him," he whispered cupping my cheeks.

I just nodded, I feel safe now, but what happens when I go back home tomorrow without Jace?

"Are you sure you're fine?" Jace asked, "We can still call the cops if you want."

"I'm fine," I lied, as I smiled slightly at him stepping for his grasp. "I just want to have a shower, I'm freezing."

Looking like he was about to say something, he seemed to shake away his thought and nodded. "I understand. I'll go and get you a towel and your bag," he said softly, before rushing off and returning in no time with a fresh towel and my bag. "Call if you need anything."

Nodding, I gave him a small smile and stepped into the bathroom, closing the door firmly behind me and locking it. Letting out a shaking breath, I quickly stripped out of my clothes pushing them aside before turning on the shower. Waiting for the water to heat up, I switched the heater on and stared blankly at my pale figure that stood broken in the mirror. Instead of it being the mirror that was slowly cracking, it was my figure that did as it recalled the eyes that lurked from within the dark that stepped forward and became a vivid.

Pushing open the glass door of the shower, I stepped into the fountain of thudding water as it rushed down my broken body. Raising my face up towards the water, I let the water rush over me wishing it could cleanse the brokenness that I thought had been mended, that my body contained. Closing my eyes, my mind retraced my steps at the diner. I recalled my eyes flickering over the near empty street; and as I ran my eyes over the street once again my eyes locked with his figure lurking in shadowy part of the street…

Breathing in deeply, the heat of my surroundings and the encounter with my attacker started to suffocate me and rip the air right from within my lungs. Falling to the tiled floor, I let the water plummet down on top of me as I held my knees tightly to my chest as my eyes began to string and my walls began to fall. 'Please not here,' I thought to myself, but it was no use, my mind and body seemed to lose control and slowly break down. Rocking myself on my spot in the shower, my attacker flooded through my mind.

"Clary," Jace's voice echoed through the door. "Are you ok? I just want to check if you're okay." I wanted to answer, I needed to answer but my voice was lost behind my attacker that lurked in the shadows of my thoughts. "Clary!" Jace said more urgently. When I didn't answer again, the door seemed to crunch within a forceful blow and then again and again until soon enough Jace's silent footsteps scurried across the room and swung open the glass door of the shower.

My walls seem to crumble even more as his warm touched my skin. Noticing the water had stopped flowing, I shivered as my bare skin was touched by the coldness of the air. "I'm going to wrap the towel around you now, okay Clary?" Jace's voice seemed to shake within itself.

Nodding, I kept my face buried into my arms as I felt the towel snake around my naked torso. Picking me up off my place on the ground, he placed me in his lap tightening the towel before lifting my face from my arms. "What happened?" he whispered softly, his breath tickling my cheeks.

Tears swelled up in my eyes. "It won't stop Jace, he won't leave me alone. I thought it would… he won't stop until he has me," I mumbled through the tears. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I clung onto him as if I could fall into a pit of endless darkness.

Rubbing my back, I felt his breath against my neck. "He will never have you, not over my dead body," he assured me.

Shaking my head lamely, I cried into his neck, "Even my mom will give up on me…any day now she'll send me off to a hospital for crazies after all this!"

"No, she's not giving up on you!" his voice was soft and assuring, "she'll do whatever's best for you."

Raising my head, I locked eyes with him, tears falling from my eyes. "What's best for me is to stay here with her and Luke…and you," I mumbled. "I need you guys…I need you."

"And I need you too, Clary. I promised you it months ago, back at the accident and I promise it to you again, I won't leave you," he said softly, his golden eyes lightening as he stared back at me with tenderness and care, and a hint of something else that I couldn't identify. Raising a hand, he wiped away the tears that began to strain my cheeks.

"Clary?" I heard Max's soft worried voice at the door.

I couldn't bear seeing his worried gaze so I kept my eyes locked with Jaces. "Go back to bed buddy. I'll come see you soon," Jace told Max softly, not letting his gaze drop from mine.

"But Clary's crying," he said, sounding innocent and caring.

"I'm fine, Max. I promise. Now go to back to sleep," I said softly, sniffing back the tears as I looked at him and gave him my bravest smile. After a small nod, he left, silently.

Resting my head against his shoulder, I breathed in his scent while listening to his heartbeat and with every beat my own seemed to slow its pace. "We better get you changed or you'll catch a cold," he said softly. I froze. Right at that moment, everything seemed to come clear as dawn to me. Jolting my head up, I glared down at myself sitting in his lap with only a towel covering my extremely naked torso. Heat rushed into my cheeks as I bolted up, realising himself he bolted into a standing position and turned slightly to the side. "I'm sorry…" he started, running his hands through his hair nervously.

"It's alright," I cut in quickly, ruffling through my bag and pulling out a shirt and pushed it over my head.

"You didn't answer so I panicked and…oh shit!" he cursed hurried over to the door and examining the damage he had caused. Walking over I noticed that when he had broken down the door, he must have ripped the hinges out as he did.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, realising the trouble with his family he'll get into over this. "I should have answered."

Glancing softly at me, he lifted his hand and traced his thumb over my cheek. "What happened, Clary?" he asked gently.

Glaring down at the ground, I whispered, "everything that happened tonight seemed to rush back at me like a tidal wave crushing upon me and it all just seemed to suffocate me…"

"A panic attack," he said, softly.

Nodding, I glanced up at him again. "I've been having them a lot…mostly because of my nightmares," I admitted.

Stepping towards me, he wrapped his arms securely around me and rested his forehead against mine. "You'll get through this, and however long it takes I'll be right here by your side," he whispered, before stepping away, "now get dressed and I'll meet you in my room after I speak to mom about what I did."

"Did it hurt?" I asked, frowning; stepping forward and touching his shoulder lightly.

A small frown seemed to shadow his expression as he grabbed my hand and gave it a small squeeze before stepping around the broken door. "Clary, only one thing can hurt me and I'm pretty sure it's not the door," he said unevenly before rushing off down the hallway.

Jace likes Clary! And maybe Clary likes Jace? ;)

What do you think of Raphael being the bad guy? I just wanted to be a bit different, and well he's hardly used! He is a bit older in this fanfic and doesn't have the accent...hope this doesn't annoy anyone :o

So what did you think of this chapter? Action is finally happening and the forming of Clace 3 Review and tell me :)

Ex oh ex