Me: Have had this written for a while and decided to post. Because don't we all need a little more whump and recovery fics to enjoy?

Note: Max and Jonathan Christopher are alive in this story, as explained in my Remembrance and Redemption fic. This story can actually take place between chapters 29 and 30 of that story, but it is not necessary to have read that to understand this.

Disclaimer: NOTHING IS MINE

Recovery

The first thing Jace realized were the noises- there were a lot of them. Beeps and wheels rolling on floor and people talking. It was annoying. The second thing he noticed was he was moving, presumably with the wheels on the floor. He was on something cushioned, which was good because he hurt all over. He felt very warm. Did that count as thing number three? Or was he at four? In any case, the next thing he realized was Clary was not nearby.

That last thought was what sent panic through him and caused him to open his eyes. Bright, florescent lights glared above him. They were moving too. He was looking up at the ceiling as he was rushed down some hallway. A hospital?

Shadowhunters didn't go to hospitals. Sure, Caterina the warlock and some of her friends ran a down-low center within New York's system- that was where Clary's mother had been- but that was only for emergencies.

So that means…

Someone tried to grab his arm but he wrenched it away. His hand ached, and his fingers- he couldn't feel them. Ignoring this, Jace glanced about the room furiously, trying to piece together why he was here and how he got here. The pain in his head answered the why for him. He groaned and raised his hand to his head, but paused as he noticed the blood dripping from a wound. Explained why one of the people had tried to grab that arm.

Jace realized all his gear was stained with blood. He knew with a dull certainty that the pain he felt was much less than it should be. These people must have given him something.

''Jace.'' That was Alec's voice. Jace managed to look up and see him standing a few feet away. He looked terrified. ''Jace, please stay still.''

''Where's Clary?'' Jace was a little surprised at the sound of his voice. It was dry and croaky. There was a weird taste in his mouth. ''What happened?''

The person who had tried to grab Jace's arm stepped back for Alec to approach. He did so, with that Big Brother look on his face. ''Jace, you're at the hospital. You need to let them treat you.''

''What happen-'' Jace had to catch his breath. He was suddenly very aware of pain in his lungs. Why the hell can't I breath?

The people on the other side of Jace began moving again, one of them ordering the others. Jace kept his attention on Alec. He tried to speak again. ''Alec-''

''Clary's here too,'' Alec admitted.

Jace felt only momentary relief before he realized something else. Fever, headache, weird taste, numb fingers. Oh, hell. ''Alec-''

''You have to relax-''

''Alec-''

''-And let these people treat you.''

''I'm gonna seize.''

Alec's eyes flashed as understanding dawned on him. He called to one of the doctors, presumedly to inform them of Jace's history of seizures, but Jace didn't hear. He had already blacked out.

When Jace came around again, he felt much calmer. The heat on his face wasn't so great and he could breath. The pain too, though there, seemed very far away. He was comfortably curled on his side, though he could feel something digging into his face. A mask?

He managed to raise a hand. He flexed his fingers, relieved he could feel them, and touched plastic. An oxygen mask. Well, that explained why he could breath again.

Jace still had his eyes closed, but he could hear arguing from somewhere. Was that Jocelyn yelling? Why was she here? And who was she yelling at?

With great effort, Jace managed to pry his eyes open. He also lifted the oxygen mask off his head, successfully getting it to stop cutting into his face. He felt dizzy even from that small movement.

''You have to keep that on you know.'' Izzy walked over from where she had been standing by the door. She reached for the mask, but Jace held it back.

''What's going on?'' He asked. When he inhaled, his chest made a rattling noise. He was no doctor, but he was pretty sure that wasn't good.

''Put that back on,'' Izzy ordered.

Jace put the mask on his face without sliding the elastic over his head. He took a pointed breath before removing it again. ''What's going on?''

Isabelle gave her patented I am not amused look. ''All I know is you and Clary were on a mission and now we are here.''

Clary. How on earth could he forget? ''Where is she? Is she alright?''

''She's the same as you,'' Alec said as he entered the room. He closed the door behind him quickly, but not before Jace heard more of the arguing. Was that Maryse's voice?

''She might even be better,'' Alec went on. ''Because she is keeping her mask on.''

Jace pretended not to hear the comment as he put the mask to his face again. After inhaling, he lowered it again to ask, ''What happened?''

''It's like Isabelle said.'' Alec shrugged. ''Something went wrong while you and Clary were hunting. You got hurt, but the demon is gone.''

Jace felt like there was something off in Alec's manner. He vaguely recalled earlier the panicked look in his eye. But now, Alec was the perfect picture of a calm, slightly annoyed big brother who would as soon as Jace was back on his feet lecture about dangerous missions and proper precautions. He wondered if he was misremembering, or if Alec was lying. He wanted to push the matter, but he wasn't sure what to ask.

The voices outside the room grew louder. Jace's eyes went to the door. ''Who's yelling?''

Alec scratched the back of his head. ''We called Jocelyn. It's the middle of the night and well, waking up to a call that your daughter is in the hospital can cause you to freak out.''

Jace nodded. His mind was buzzing with unasked questions, but he couldn't quite form them. Without meaning to, he closed his eyes and let the world slip away.

….

A few minutes of quiet ticked by against the background of the yelling that was happening outside Jace's room. Isabelle reached over Jace to adjust his mask. ''And the award to the biggest liar goes to…''

Alec didn't have the energy to glare at her. He turned away from Jace's sleeping form and leaned against the wall with his eyes closed. Clary's mother's angry voice got louder on the other side of the wall.

Isabelle came up next to him. She saw his expression. ''Alec.'' her voice was level. ''How bad?''

Alec breathed heavily. ''Bad,'' was all he could manage. Isabelle was quiet next to him. Though his eyes were closed, Alec still saw Clary as she had been when he had seen her ten minutes ago. Her face pale, her red hair indistinguishable from the red blood around her…

He sighed and opened his eyes again. This was not helping. He turned to his sister. ''Jace got the acid in his lungs,'' he said, inclining his head to his brother while keeping his voice low. ''Clary did too. But while Jace's wounds were made with the demon's outer armor…''

''Clary's were made with the demon's claws,'' Isabelle guessed. They both knew enough about different demons to understand that demon poison ran in the demon's veins to their claws. Getting a direct hit from a demon onto exposed skin was bad, worse if you didn't know the exact demon so as to get an antidote. Worser still if it was a demon whose poison had no known antidote.

Alec nodded. ''I had to lie to him,'' he whispered, feeling defensive. ''If he knew the truth while like this-''

''I know, Alec.'' Isabelle shook her head. ''You don't have to explain yourself.'' They were both quiet again. The sounds of arguing were still going on. ''God,'' Isabelle exclaimed bitterly. ''Will Jocelyn just let it go?''

''She's upset.''

''And yelling at Mom is going to help how?'' Isabelle clenched her fists. ''It's not Mom's fault, or Jace's. This is what happens when you're a Shadowhunter.''

''And why Jocelyn raised Clary as a mundane.'' Alec didn't agree with Jocelyn yelling at their mother for letting this happen, or take kindly to the implication it was somehow Jace's fault, but he understood her yelling. What else was someone supposed to do when their child was in the state that Clary was in?

Isabelle seemed to read his thoughts. ''Mom isn't yelling.''

''You don't think she wants to? Besides, she raised us as Shadowhunters.''

''I can't believe you are taking her side.'' Isabelle leaned against the wall. ''She should be by her daughter's bedside, not taking her anger out on Mom.'' Silence fell over them again. ''I'm going out there.''

''Izzy-''

But she already went, the door slamming closed behind her. Soon, her voice was the loudest one in the hallway.

Alec sighed and was about to join her before she drew blood, but froze as a voice came from the bed. ''Alec?''

Jace's eyes were open again. He looked as if he were barley conscious and was struggling to stay so. Alec walked over. Please not have heard. Please not have heard. ''Yeah, Jace?''

Jace's eyes dug into him. Alec wasn't a natural liar, and who knew that better than his parabati? ''Where's Clary?'' Jace managed to ask with a heavy breath. His eyelids were fluttering. ''The truth.''

Alec bit his lip. He couldn't bring himself to tell him. ''Go back to sleep, Jace,'' he said instead. The evasive answer was as good as a conformation. Jace's eyes did fall closed again, but not before Alec saw them flash in understanding.

….

The phone rang. Magnus picked it up and held it in place with his shoulder. ''Hello?''

''Magnus?''

Magnus brightened at the sound of his boyfriend. ''Alec! Good,'' he said. ''You will be so proud. I'm reorganizing the takeout drawer and underlining all our favorite dishes. I haven't done this since 1967 and my god it's amazing how many places have gone out of business.'' He looked in disappointment at a menu before tossing it over his shoulder. ''Hey, is it the China Ball, China Doll, or China Wall that has the good egg rolls?''

''China Doll.''

''Thought so.'' Magnus threw the two obsolete menus aside, his eyes catching the clock as he did so. As an immortal warlock, he tended to forget about time. ''Wait, it's three o'clock in the morning. I thought you were at the Institute? Is something wrong?'' He heard Alec take a shaky breath. ''Alec?''

''We're at the hospital.'' Magnus felt his heart drop. ''It's Clary.''

Within twenty minutes Magnus was wandering down the hospital's corridors at his boyfriend's side, Caterina filling him in. They had passed Joselyn and Luke in the waiting room. They looked as though they were living some sort of nightmare. Magnus had stayed out of sight: he wasn't sure he could be of any help and he didn't want to raise anyone's expectations.

They reached Clary's room. Caterina opened the door and for a moment all Magnus could do was stare.

Despite his best endeavors, Clary Fray held a special place in Magnus' heart. He had watched her grow up, seen her transform from an oblivious mundane into a fiery warrior. It was because of her he had met Alec, and to her he owed his life (though it could be argued it was because of her that his life had been endangered in the first place). Clary was a force to be reckoned with, which was why it was so startling to see her in this state.

She was as still as death on the bed. The monitors above her said she was alive, but it took Magnus a moment to believe it. She must've not intended to go hunting tonight, because though her bloodstained gear was lying on a chair, she had been stripped to a sleeveless red dress Magnus recognized as the one she had worn when they all went out to dinner one night. Dried blood was on her arms, and behind her oxygen mask many little cuts dotted across her face.

Caterina walked over to her. ''The deepest wound is on her shoulder,'' she explained. ''The demon must've made one last grab-'' she trailed off, frowning as she looked across the room. ''You aren't supposed to be in here.''

Magnus followed Caterina's gaze to the chair in the corner. Clary's mute, back from the dead brother was sitting there, looking unconcerned at Caterina's obvious anger at him.

Magnus turned away from Jonathan. He walked over to the opposite side of Clary, turning her over slightly to look at the wound Caterina had mentioned.

It was deep, and an ugly purple color. A thin line of red dripped through, spilling onto the towel on the bed. Magnus furrowed his brow. This type of wound looked very familiar, but if that was the case…

Making an impulsive decision, Magnus plucked off Clary's mask and tore off the wires connecting her to the monitors. ''What the hell-'' Caterina gasped as Magnus put one hand behind Clary's neck and the other under her legs. ''Magnus Bane!''

''I know the poison,'' Magnus said as he straightened with Clary in his arms. ''I think I can cure it.'' Caterina sputtered but Magnus ignored her. He began walking away, stopping to look at Jonathan. ''You're coming with.''

Jonathan followed without hesitation as Magnus strode out of the room. ''Magnus!'' Alec shouted, running to keep up with Magnus's strides. ''You can't just take her without Jocelyn's-''

''We don't have time,'' Magnus said shortly. Alec grabbed his arm.

''You said you think you can.''

''Think is better than nothing.''

Alec kept his hand on his arm, his eyes locking with Magnus' in uncertainty. ''If we do nothing,'' Magnus said gently, ''she's dead.''

Alec's eyes drifted from Clary to behind Magnus to Jonathan. Magnus couldn't see the other Morgenstern's face, but Alec removed his hand. ''Okay.''

''Good.'' Magnus kept walking.

''Where are we going?''

''Our place.'' They reached a door marked EXIT. Magnus used his back to push open the door and they entered a stairwell. He started walking down.

Alec pointed to the other staircase. ''The exit's right-''

''Parking garage!'' Magnus called. Alec and Jonathan followed.

''You don't have a car,'' Alec reminded his boyfriend as they stood in the large, open space.

Magnus flicked one of his fingers that was supporting Clary's neck and jingled the keys that he made appear. ''I do now.''

''We're stealing a car?''

''I prefer the term borrow. Less illegal. You drive.''

''I don't know how!''Just as Magnus was about to tell Alec to wing it, Jonathan grabbed the keys from Magnus' finger and clicked the button. A small, silver car nearby flashed it's lights. Alec looked at Jonathan in horror. ''I am not getting in a car with you behind the wheel!''

''Now's not the time to be picky,'' Magnus reminded Alec as Jonathan flashed a creepy smile. They went to the car, Jonathan getting in the driver's seat and Alec holding the back door open for Magnus to get in with Clary. Once the door was closed, Magnus leaned back against it with Clary leaning against him. The car's engine roared to life and Alec hopped in the back next to them. ''Why are you not siting up front?''

Alec blinked. ''Why should I?''

''Airbags.''

Alec bristled. ''You're the one that gave him the keys!''

Jonathan stepped on the gas a little more force than needed and Magnus strongly suspected it was on purpose. They drove out of the parking garage, Jonathan stopping at the road and looking pointedly at them through the mirror. Alec realized why he was waiting. ''Left. Our apartment's to the left.''

Jonathan drove. With nothing to do but sit and wait, Magnus heard a sound that he realized was Clary's breathing. He forgot about the acid in her lungs. He cursed himself while remembering the oxygen tank in her room. With a wave of his fingers, the tank appeared at Alec's feet. ''Give me the mask.''

Alec straightened out the tube before handing it over. Magnus was about to place the mask on Clary's face, only to be stopped by her small hand. ''M-Magnus?''

Swallowing his anxiety, Magnus managed his usual, charming smile. He lit the hand behind Clary with blue light- healing magic. ''Everything's fine, biscuit,'' he promised.

Clary looked like the pain in her body was beginning to register. She inhaled sharply and Magnus increased the magic in his hand. Her eyes began to close. ''There, there,'' Magnus whispered as Clary's head fell back against his chest.

A few more moments passed with Alec giving Jonathan directions. As skeptical as they had been, Jonathan managed to get them to the apartment in record time. Magnus handed the oxygen mask back to Alec before getting out of the car. He reached back in and grabbed Clary.

Alec unlocked the door as Jonathan closed the car and took the oxygen tank. Soon they were in the apartment. With an incline of his head, Magnus whisked all the take out menus he had been sorting through off the large dinning table and laid Clary carefully down.

The next twenty minutes Magnus spent walking back and forth from various places in the apartment to the dinning table. Potions, spell books, and different ingredients he gathered up to use. Alec and Jonathan stood not far back, staying out of the way until Magnus called on them.

Twenty-two minutes later, Magnus motioned Jonathan over. ''Here,'' he said, holding a small knife and gesturing to Jonathan's forearm. Jonathan raised an eyebrow. ''I need blood,'' Magnus explained. ''It's apart of the spell. You're her brother, so your's should work best.''

Without further hesitation, Jonathan pushed back his sleeve and took the knife. He made a long vertical cut nearly the entire length of his forearm. Magnus soaked a rag in it before handing him a clean towel and turning back to his task.

He worked quickly, tuning out the rest of the apartment and focusing on Clary. The more he cleaned the wound, the more he was sure he was right in his treatment. This will work. She will be okay.

Once the wound was cleaned and dressed, Magnus felt some of the anxiety in him lessen. This will work, he assured himself. He couldn't bring himself to leave Clary in the blooded dress, so he carefully stripped her of it and took time to wash out the other minor injuries she had. Rubbing softly with a cold rag, he was able to get the dried blood off her skin.

Summoning an old t-shirt and sweat pants of Alec's, Magnus dressed her again. Both were far to big, but they were clean and warm. With a bit of magic he made her hair come out of it's braid and brush itself out.

Though her face was still pale and her breathing was again rattling, Magnus was certain the cure he had used was working. If he had been wrong, she would be dead by now.

Magnus picked her up off the table and carried her to the couch. Jonathan was sitting there, his arm wrapped tight in the towel Magnus had given him. He looked dizzy from the blood loss.

Magnus laid Clary down and Jonathan adjusted to accommodate her. ''Keep her head up,'' Magnus instructed, propping Clary up against Jonathan's shoulder. He handed the oxygen mask to him, which Jonathan obediently held to his sister's face. Magnus noticed Clary was shivering and draped the blanket on the chair over her before finally turning away.

He went to the kitchen where Alec was standing against the counter. He looked at Magnus with dread. ''Well?'' Magnus nodded and Alec let out a breath of relief. ''Thank god.''

Magnus went to him and hugged him. Alec sunk into his embrace. ''Thank you. Oh god Magnus, thank you.''

Magnus couldn't help a weary smile. They stood like that for a few moments before Alec pulled away, his hands moving to Magnus' waist. ''I- I should call Jocelyn.'' He winced. ''That is, if she hasn't murdered Caterina yet.''

Magnus nodded. ''Or your mother, I imagine.'' He cast his glance to the messy apartment, the blood stained rags and ingredients from the spell. All remnants from Clary's brush with death. ''Perhaps we should take her to the Institute and tell Jocelyn to meet us there.''

''Is she alright to be moved?''

''She'll be fine. I'll make a portal. There wasn't time before.'' Magnus gave his boyfriend a quick kiss before leaving the kitchen.

….

While Magnus made the portal, Alec called Isabelle because he didn't have Jocelyn's number. He was glad of this fact. He wasn't sure he could handle her yelling at him.

Not that Isabelle was letting him off easy…

''Alexander Gideon Lightwood, what the absolute hell were you thinking?''

Before Alec could respond, the voice on the phone changed.

''Alexander Gideon Lightwood, what in the Angel's name were you thinking?''

''Hi, Mom,'' Alec responded with a squeak. Isabelle and Maryse's voices sounded rather similar, but with one difference: Isabelle was Alec's sister, Maryse was his mother. ''Magnus did it.'' Not the best tactic, but from growing up with siblings Alec first reaction to avoid his mother's justified anger was to shift the blame.

Maryse's voice was like iron. ''Did what?''

Alec managed to remind himself he was an adult. ''He saved Clary's life, Mom,'' he responded honestly. ''I'm sorry we ran out like that, but he said there wasn't time-''

Maryse wasn't listening, but was passing on the news. ''We are taking her to the Institute,'' Alec announced. He waited for Maryse to inform the others before asking, ''How's Jace?''

''The same as when you left,'' Maryse said. She sighed wearily. ''Jocelyn and Luke are going to meet you at the Institute. Isabelle and I will stay here.''

''Okay.''

''And Alec- thank Magnus for me.''

''I will, Mom.''

''I love you.''

''Love you too.'' He closed his cell phone and slid it into his pocket. He paused a moment to collect himself, reminding himself that though they were injured, Clary and Jace would both be okay. Taking a deep breath, he went back to the living room.

Magnus was just finishing the portal. Alec went over to the couch where Jonathan and Clary were sitting. Jonathan watched him approach and removed the mask from Clary's face. Deciding Magnus had done enough for one night, Alec picked Clary up and carried her over to the portal, Jonathan following.

Magnus stepped back to let Alec through first. ''Why don't you stay here?'' Alec suggested. ''You need to rest.''

''You sure you don't want help?''

''You've done more than enough.'' Alec leaned up and kissed him goodbye. ''I'll call you later.''

The portal dropped them off right in the Institute hallway. Alec considered taking Clary to the infirmary but decided against it. One of the spare rooms would be fine, especially if Jocelyn and Luke decided to stay the night.

He entered the nearest one, realizing it was the only two doors down from Jace's room. Probably best, Alec thought, especially if Jace came home soon. No doubt the first thing he would do when he could was demand to see Clary.

Alec laid Clary down on the bed. She was still wrapped in Magnus' couch blanket. She felt cold, so Alec kept it on and covered her with the rest of the blankets. Her breathing was better. And though she was cold, Alec thought she was loads better than she had been a few hours ago.

He turned away from the bed and jumped slightly at the sight of Jonathan sitting in the armchair. The guy was so silent, Alec had forgotten he was there. Ever since he had stopped speaking, Alec's mistrust of him rose higher every time he saw him. The only reason he was alive was because Max and Clary wanted him to be. If it were his choice, Alec would've sent him back to Hell a long time ago.

Jonathan looked away from Alec and back at Clary's sleeping form. Alec briefly wondered how Jonathan had come to know what had happened. Had Clary called on him to help in the hunt? He discarded that train of thought. Doesn't matter. Unless you caused this…

Alec scolded himself silently. Yeah, and that's why he spent hours at her side and helped us heal her. And why he's still here now. Maybe Alec didn't trust him, but Clary did. He had to try and give the benefit of the very large doubt for her sake.

Alec was about to go from the room when he noticed Jonathan's arm. He sighed with impatience and grabbed it. Jonathan flinched. Alec pretended not to notice and held the arm up. ''Were you going to mention that your bandage had bled through?'' Alec shook his head as he walked into the bathroom. ''Keep it above your head, idiot.''

After grabbing a clean towel and some bandages, Alec re-emerged from the bathroom. He knelt down in front of Jonathan, who attempted to grab the bandages from him. ''I'll do it,'' he snapped. Maybe he had to try for Clary, but that didn't mean he had to be nice about it.

Jonathan held still as Alec unwrapped the towel he had tied hastily around the necessary cut. Alec made quick work of cleaning and wrapping the arm properly with a bandage. ''There,'' he muttered, gathering the garbage up and tossing it into the waste basket.

Jonathan nodded his thanks, doing that thing where he wouldn't look Alec in the eye. If it were anyone else, Alec would think the person was afraid. But because it was Jonathan, it just fueled Alec's suspicion of him. He tried to ignore the doubt and asked, ''Do you want a blood replacement rune?''

Jonathan shook his head. ''Fine.'' Alec got up with a sigh. ''You know Jocelyn and Luke are coming here?'' Another nod, this one hesitant. ''If Clary wakes up, tell her?'' Another nod.

With a last look at Clary to reassure himself, Alec left the room.

…..

Jonathan felt terribly light headed from the blood loss. He almost regretted not taking Alec up on his offer of a rune, but figured he would be fine in a few hours. Shadowhunters replenished blood quickly. Besides, he really just didn't want to be in Alec's presence anymore. He kept waiting for the eldest Lightwood's patience to snap and for him to lunge at him.

Jonathan stared at Clary. In the hospital, one of the warlocks had had to drug her to make her stop writhing in pain. Magnus had had to do something similar during the car ride. And when he had held her in the apartment, Jonathan had heard her moaning and felt her trembling. The cure must've finally set in, for Clary was finally sleeping peacefully.

She shifted in her blankets. Jonathan thought back to when he had found Clary and Jace in that alley, how he had been afraid he'd been to late…

Shut up, he told himself.

Jonathan tried to think of other things. It had been maybe an hour since Alec had left. He had said Jocelyn and Luke were coming. Jonathan wondered what was keeping them. An image of Jocelyn screaming at the traffic like he had heard her screaming at Maryse came into his head, brining a small smile to his face.

''What's so funny?'' Clary's voice was small and quiet. She was only looking through half lidded eyes at him.

Jonathan gingerly rose form the chair and knelt in front of her. Nothing, he said in her mind.

Clary forced her eyes open wider. She ran her fingers along the sheets and glanced around the room. ''Where am I?''

Now that she was looking at him clearly, Jonathan replied with his hands. ''The Institute.''

Clary took a deep breath. ''How'd I get here?''

''Long story. I'll tell you later.'' The sound of traffic hit his ears. ''Jocelyn and Luke will be here soon.''

Clary looked at him in worry. ''You want to go?''

''Only if you want me to.''

She was about to reply when she noticed his arm. She sat up to inspect it. ''How'd you-'' she winced as the movement caught up to her. Jonathan made to touch her, but held himself back as she lowered herself back down on the bed. ''How'd you do that?'' she asked as she caught her breath.

Jonathan spread his hands again. ''Long story.''

Clary chuckled. ''Did you get a blood replacement rune?'' Jonathan just rolled his eyes, the universal sign for stop prying, mother hen.

Clary curled back on her side. She traced her fingers on the cast and looked at him. Jonathan himself was never good at identifying emotions in others, but Clary was. She could see the apprehension in his face. ''Why don't you go home and rest? Come back when Mom and Luke are gone?''

Jonathan nodded in reluctance. He didn't want to leave Clary, but neither did he want to be in the same room as Clary's parent's. Nor did they want to be in the same room with him. He got up, parting with the signed phase, ''Goodnight.'' Though really, good morning would have been more accurate, as the sun was already starting to peek through the window.

…..

My kingdom for quiet.

Jace wasn't sure how long he had been in the hospital. Isabelle was in the same outfit she had been when he woke up in this room the first time, but it was still dark. Either not a lot of time had passed, or it was the next night. He supposed it was more likely the next night.

He felt better than he had before. Warlock magic and healing runes had fixed up most of his injuries, and no longer did his chest sound like there were shards of broken glass clanging inside. It was just this exhaustion that hung over him, making him despise all the unfamiliar noises in the hospital.

Jace was dressed in the clothes Shadowhunters wore under their gear- black shirt and pants. Somehow they had been magically cleaned of blood. He was sitting up on the edge of the bed next to Maryse, his head on her shoulder, his eyes closed. Usually he would scold himself for such an obvious display of weakness, but he was too damn tired to care.

Maryse was talking to one of the warlocks. Jace thought he should make an effort to listen, but didn't bother. His mind kept wandering to Clary and how she was doing. Isabelle had said she was fine now, though refused to give details on why she wasn't fine before. She was at the Institute now, Isabelle had said. Jace was looking forward to seeing her.

Though he wasn't listening, Jace realized Maryse and the warlock were finished speaking and knew he had to move. He straightened up and followed Isabelle out of the room. It was only when the reached the door to the exit that Jace realized they were alone. ''Shouldn't we wait for Maryse?''

''No.'' Isabelle held the door open for him. ''She has to tie up some ends here with the warlocks. She told us to go on ahead. Weren't you listening?''

''No, actually.'' Isabelle rolled her eyes as she let the door close behind them. The hospital had an underground entrance, and so they walked up the steps onto the sidewalk.

Soon they were sitting on a bus, on their way to the Institute. It was a good thing it was a late night, Jace thought. His sick appearance and Isabelle's slept in clothes blended in perfectly with the hungover party goers on the bus. Jace wearily laid his head against the windowpane. The cold glass felt nice on his face.

''Are you alright?''

''Fine.'' Jace sat up and smiled at his sister. ''Never better.''

Isabelle propped her chin up with her hand. She looked as tired as Jace felt. ''Do you know what happened on the mission?''

Jace shook his head. ''We came, we found, and after some scuffling around, defeated. The rest is a blur.''

Isabelle didn't press for more. A buzzing noise rang out and Isabelle reached in her pocket for her phone. She looked at the message on the screen. ''Alec says Luke and Jocelyn went home.''

Jace's heart fluttered. ''Did Clary go with them?''

Isabelle was silent as she texted Alec the question. ''He says no.''

Jace felt relieved at that, but also worried. ''Did they have a fight?''

''I wouldn't think so,'' Isabelle said reassuringly. ''They've been there for 24 hours. Clary probably convinced them to go home and rest.'' This seemed plausible to Jace, though he couldn't quite get rid of the notion that his arrival prompted Jocelyn to leave. ''Relax,'' Isabelle said as she noticed Jace's face. ''I'm sure Clary is as eager to see you as you are to see her.''

That's the problem, Jace thought. That's why she didn't go home with Jocelyn, and why Jocelyn no doubt left in anger. Jace had only heard snippets of Jocelyn and Maryse's fight, but he knew it had been about him and Clary. Or really, how it was Jace's fault Clary had gotten hurt.

Jace wanted to agree with Jocelyn that yes, it was his fault. But Clary was training to be a Shadowhunter, and Shadowhunters couldn't go around hunting expecting to get out of every situation unscathed. As much as Jace wanted to protect Clary, there were risks that had to be taken. Clary had taken a risk that resulted in them defeating the demon. Of course Jace felt guilty, but he couldn't feel any more guilt than he would for any other Shadowhunter he was hunting with. Clary had made it quite clear that if they were going to hunt together, it had to be on that understanding.

Jace exhaled in relief as the bus came to their stop. He and Isabelle got off quickly and entered the Institute.

Once they exited the elevator, Isabelle motioned down the hall. ''I'm going to look for Alec. I assume you are going to look for Clary?''

''Tell brother dear hi,'' Jace said with a smile. Isabelle rolled her eyes in sibling exasperation before leaving. Jace went in the opposite direction.

He went to his room, realizing as he arrived he didn't know what room Clary was in. He grabbed his phone from the bedside table and texted Alec: Yo. Where is Clary?

Impatient for a response, Jace decided to take the time to shower. He grabbed a change of clothes and ducked into the bathroom.

He was quick. It felt good to properly scrub the dirt off of him but the water also stung his wounds. Luckily the warlocks' magic had closed them pretty well already. Jace left the bathroom while rubbing his hair with the towel and checked his phone.

Yo? You nearly die and I get a yo?

Jace texted back. I nearly die and you tried to lie to me?

WHAT THE HELL WAS I SUPPOSED TO SAY?

What was wrong with the truth?

Sure. This happens again I'll be sure to guilt trip you while you are lying in your hospital bed.

I appreciate that.

You're exhausting. Izzy and I are going to our rooms to sleep. Mom will be back soon. Clary's in the room two doors down from you. If you need anything, call.

Thanks. Love ya.

Jace turned off his phone. He could practically hear Alec grumbling. The thought made him smile. Of course, he understood why Alec said what he said and why, but still, what kind of brother was he if he didn't give a hard time? What kind of Jace was he?

Jace went out into the hallway. He approached the door Alec had said and entered.

The room was dark, but he could see Clary, laying on her side on the bed. He came over slowly, thinking she was asleep and afraid to wake her. It wasn't until she raised her head and spoke that he knew she was awake. ''Hey, you're here.''

''Yep.'' He sat next to her on the bed. She moved over to make room for him. ''Finally.''

''You okay?''

The exhaustion he had felt on the bus washed back over him. ''Of course,'' he answered. ''Nothing a warlock can't fix, apparently.''

''Lucky us,'' she replied glibly. She laid her head back on her arm. ''So, some hunt, huh?''

''So I've heard.''

''I don't remember much. Did we win?''

''God I hope so. Otherwise we're just pathetic.''

Clary let out a soft laugh. Jace let himself sit back, and was pleased when she moved to be closer to him, her head now on his shoulder. ''True.''

They fell silent after that, relishing in the peace and safety of home. Jace allowed himself to fall asleep. It was easy to recover now that he knew Clary was here and safe.

Me: I hope you enjoyed. If you have a moment, please leave a review!

Happy Writing!