Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight or Shadowhunters/Mortal Instruments. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer and Cassandra Claire. I do own the original characters made up for this storyline. Thank you.

Writer's Notes: I hope everyone is enjoying SAT so far! Let me know what you think with reviews and don't forget to follow and favorite!

[Monday September 20th, 2021]

Bella made it through the weekend without any other crazy. Jace had shown up Saturday, but she made him go away. She spent most of her time in her apartment the weekend. She had texted with Simon a couple times. He was starting classes Monday too at Columbia University so she was sure she would run into him, and apparently Clary was taking art classes at the Art Institute there, which wasn't too far away from Columbia.

She pulled her backpack on that had her laptop and notebooks in for her two classes she had scheduled for today. She wore simple jeans, and a long sleeved, navy ribbed t-shirt. She headed off to campus. She had done a campus tour earlier before graduation back in Forks, and she knew the campus layout okay. She looked at the campus map in her hands as she navigated through the campus. It was a large campus, but she would get the hang of this college thing.

By the end of her first class, she was really excited about the path she chose. Teaching was something that she had thought about before. She was doing all her prerequisites first, so it would take time to get through to the classes that made up her major. English. Her second class was in an auditorium style classroom like her first class. The teacher was pretty likable, and he was pretty funny, and it reminded her of a couple of her teachers back in Forks. It made her smile.

After classes were over, she headed towards the library on campus just to look around and see it again. She remembered it from her initial tour, and she loved the architecture of the library and how the books just seemed to be endless.

Her phone dinged and she pulled it from her pocket and stopped at the base of the stairs of the science building.

[Dad]: Hope you had a great first day. Love you kiddo.

[Bella]: It was great. Love you too dad.

She smiled. She knew that her dad was uneasy about her being in such a large city by herself, but she promised she would check in with him every week to let him know that she was alive.

Her phone dinged again, but this time it was Simon texting her.

[Simon]: I'm hitting up this café on campus. Wanna meet up?

[Bella]: The one with the pretzels?

[Simon]: That's the one.

[Bella]: I'm done with classes now. I'll head over there.

[Simon]: Cool. See you in like ten minutes.

Bella smiled and put her phone in her pocket and changed her direction towards the café instead of going to the library. She hadn't seen Simon since Friday at Pandemonium. He was a pretty nice guy. He was dorky in a weird, Mike Newton way she realized, and she realized that she missed some of her friends back in Forks. Even Mike. It was nice to make new friends again, and that made transitioning to New York easier.

When she got to the café, Simon was already there. He was sitting at a high top table with two cups of coffee it looked like. He waved at her and smiled. Bella walked over smiling. He slid her the cup. "I wasn't sure what sort of coffee you drank, so I guessed and went with Americano, and Bridgette is making some pretzels."

Bella smiled. "Americano is great. Thank you Simon."

He smiled at her, and then pushed his glasses up a bit. "Well, I'm happy that you agreed to meet up. How are you liking New York so far?"

She took a drink of the coffee and welcomed the wonderful flavor. "Well, it's different from Forks for sure. Forks was really rainy, and cloudy all the time, and never this noisy." She said with a laugh.

"I bet. I looked up Forks and it's a pretty small town. Not far from Portland though, so there's that." He said with a shrug and looked up at Bridgette when she brought the pretzels over. "Thanks Bridgette." He said and handed one to Bella.

"Thank you," Bella said and took the pretzel. "So, how was your first day?"

"Well, it was a normal first day. I'm a sophomore, so it's not my first rodeo."

Bella was a bit surprised. "Oh, I thought you were a freshman too."

"Nope. Been here before. Which is why I know the campus so well. If you ever need help finding things, just let me know."

"I'll be sure. Thank you again. I wasn't sure I would find friends here so soon. Back in Forks, I was a bit shy and timid. I don't usually talk a lot, but I'm trying to better myself."

Simon nodded. "I get that. In high school I was the nerdy kid. Action figures, comic books, and well, I still collect those things, but now I have a band, and I gig a lot. Clary and I have been best friends since second grade, and she never let me get bullied and taught me to be more open, and not shy. I used to be."

"You? Shy?" Bella said playfully.

"I know. I'm so suave and cool now." He said with a laugh. "Anyways, I know what it's like to be the new kid."

Bella finished her pretzel. "Well, I've moved around a lot, so I've been the new kid a lot. I didn't always live in Forks. My mom and her husband…we moved around a lot. She would stay at home with me a lot while Phil would go on the road, so I decided a few years ago to let her have fun. So, I moved in with my dad back in Forks. I've lived in Phoenix, Kansas City, Atlanta, St. Louis. A few other random cities. So big cities aren't really scary to me, but I got used to Forks. But New York City is a big difference from Phoenix, which was the biggest city I've lived in before now." She hadn't spoken this much in a while she realized and talking with Simon was so easy.

"Pretty cool. I've lived here most of my life. I'm used to big cities. I know New York City pretty well too." He smiled at her.

Bella's phone ringed and she answered. "Hey Jake?"

"Bella! Hey. How are you?" Jake's voice sounded in her ear and that made Bella smile. "I've missed you so much."

"Just settling in here. I miss you too Jake. Hey, can I call you back later?"

"Sure. I'm going for a run later with the other guys, but I'll be back later, you know in human form."

"Okay. I'll call you tonight then. Stay out of trouble," She said with a smile and hung up.

Simon's smile faltered a little. "Boyfriend?"

Bella laughed a bit. "No. Best friend. He lives in Washington. He's been moping a bit since I left."

"I would too if Clary moved away. I would definitely miss her. She's my best friend."

"Clary is pretty awesome though. I'm just plain ol' Bella."

"Nothing plain about you Bella. You're pretty awesome too." He complimented.

Bella smiled and took a drink of her coffee and then about spit it out when she saw Jace walking towards her and she started coughing because she sucked the coffee down the wrong pipe.

Simon frowned and reached across and patted her back. "Are you okay?"

Bella nodded and then Jace was next to them at the table.

"Bella. I need you…now."

Simon raised a brow. "Bella you know him?"

"Uh…yes. Yes, I do."

Jace looked at Simon and then back at Bella. "Was I interrupting something?"

Simon started to talk but Bella cut him off. "We were having coffee. What do you need?" She was slightly irritated.

"It's really important, and I can't say it out loud sweetheart, so please come with me." Jace said, trying to be a little nicer.

Bella sighed and looked at Simon. "I'm so sorry. I'll text you later." She said and hopped off her seat.

Simon frowned. "But,"

Jace slapped him on the back. "Later mate." He said and was off with Bella.

When they got off campus, she finally spoke. She spun, looking at him. "What is wrong with you?"

"What? I appeared to him because I didn't want you to act all crazy. But I see that didn't work."

"No. What is so important you have to drag me away from school? Jace. I hardly know you, and I don't want anything to do with this shadowhunter stuff. I'm trying to lead a normal life. Away from all the crazy."

Jace arched his brow. "Are you finished?"

She sighed. "Yes. What is it you need?"

"We found…. Edward. He's taken someone hostage and only wants to talk to you."

"What! Why didn't you say that sooner? Where is he?" Bella was panicking now. "Who did he take hostage?"

Jace sighed. "Well. He took Clary hostage. She was at the club this morning, talking with its club owner, and then Edward drew her away. He started asking questions about you, and she got defensive, and then he took her hostage. I was in the area, and saw it go down. I went to stop him, but he has locked himself inside this empty office space near the club."

Bella ran her hands over her face. "Did you call Alec?"

"No. I…wasn't supposed to be away from the institute today. So…"

Bella groaned and took her phone out and sent a text to Jasper to let him know Edward's location. "Okay. Come on." She said and they took off towards the club.

When she got there, Emmett and Jasper arrived. It was overcast today in the city, which worked for Jasper and Emmett.

"I'm really confused why vampires can walk in the day time, but that's a question I'll get an answer for later," Jace muttered.

"Edward?" Bella called as they walked into the office building near the club.

"Bella? Is that you?" Edward's voice was panicked.

Bella sighed. "It's me Edward. Can you please let Clary go? She's my friend."

There was some silence. "I didn't mean to hurt her."

Jace drew his blade, and Bella held up a hand. "I'm coming in Edward. Unlock the door so I can check on her."

Edward didn't say anything and then he was unlocked the door and Bella slipped inside, and he slammed the door shut before anyone else could follow. Bella looked at Edward, his eyes a crimson red. Bella saw Clary laying on the ground, her head bleeding a little. She rushed towards her and knelt beside her. She tucked her hair behind her ear and felt for a pulse. Clary was still alive, and that made Bella relieved. There were no bite marks on her.

"Okay, she's still breathing Edward. I can get her help. I need you to let me take her to a hospital."

"No. Bella….I…"

"I know…hey, it's okay. I understand," Bella tried to calm Edward down, but inside she was shaking. She was scared, and for the first time, she feared Edward. She was never afraid of him before, even when she found out that he was a vampire. But now, she was terrified of him.

Edward shook his head, and his hands went to his hair. "I…the blood. Bella, it's too much."

"Okay, that's okay. Let Jasper and Emmett come in and help you." Bella said, getting to her feet slowly. "Jasper, Emmett, can you come in please?" She said, her voice even.

Edward was at the far wall, and he was fighting himself when Jasper and Emmett broke the lock on the door and walked in. Edward looked at Jasper and Emmett and shook his head and started forward to leave, but Jasper grabbed him tight and pulled him back, slamming him to the wall, but Edward was strong, human blood running through him. He shoved back and tried to move away. Bella tried to stop him, but he slung her away and she hit the wall with a hard thud, and she groaned with pain.

Jace rushed in, while Emmett and Jasper tried to wrangle Edward. "Bella!" He went to her side and rolled her to her back.

Bella was in a lot of pain and was sure that she broke a rib. "Get Clary to a hospital." She said, her teeth clenched.

Emmett growled as he slammed Edward down. His strength matched Edward's frenzied state, and then Jasper was injecting Edward with something and then he stopped struggling, and then he was in an unconscious state.

Jace picked Bella up in his arms. "I'm not leaving you."

Jasper went over to Clary and stooped down. "She's still alive. Emmett, get Edward back to Rose at the hotel. I'll take Clary to the hospital."

Emmett nodded and picked his brother up and hefted him up and left with him quickly.

Bella was in a great deal of pain, and it hurt to breathe. She let her head fall against Jace's chest as he carried her.

"I'm sorry Bella." Jace murmured as he realized she was wavering in and out of consciousness.

"Don't…hospital. Can't." Bella sucked in a breath.

Jasper paused, holding Clary in his arms securely. "Take her to her apartment. I'll send Carlisle there to check her out."

Jace nodded and changed directions, carrying Bella back to her apartment.

Back at her apartment, Jace lay her down gently on the couch and went to the door when he heard someone knocking. It was a blonde haired man, and he rushed past Jace and into the living room carrying a bag. He knelt by the couch.

"You must be Carlisle." Jace muttered.

"I am. Jasper told me what happened. How long ago did she pass out?" Carlisle asked as he took his stethoscope out.

Jace thought about it. "Like five minutes ago. She was having a hard time breathing. I think she passed out from the pain."

Carlisle nodded as he listened. "Her lungs are fine. Nothing punctured." He felt her abdomen and pushed a little in certain spots. "Nothing broken. Probably a fracture at the worse, but she's going to be sore for a few days and this is definitely going to bruise."

Jace nodded. He didn't know why he was so drawn to Bella, but he just was. "Thank you."

Carlisle looked up at Jace. "No need to thank me. Bella is like a daughter to me. Edward…he's my son, but…he's not himself right now, and I need to take care of him. We'll be taking him out of the states and away from here."

"I could have killed him the other night. I didn't. Bella interrupted and…it distracted me. He was my mission, and I failed." Jace said. "And now Bella is hurt."

"Don't blame yourself. Bella and Edward have a lot of history. I'm sorry you failed your mission, but I'm glad my son is still alive." Carlisle stood and sighed. "I'm going to have Esme drop off some medication for her for the pain. She'll be by later. Are you staying?"

Jace nodded. "Yeah. I'm staying until she wakes up at least."

"Good. Thank you for being there Jace." Carlisle said and then he was gone.

Jace sighed and sat down on the chair next to the couch and looked over at Bella. "What are you…" He murmured.

After a couple hours Bella stirred, waking, and wincing at the pain in her side and chest.

"Hey. Easy," Jace murmured as he walked over, grabbing the pill bottle that the woman that Carlisle had called Esme, dropped off moments ago. He brought over some water. "The doc sent some pain medicine." He said and helped her sit up better and helped her take the medicine.

Bella took a small breath, and that even hurt. "Thank you. How's Clary?"

"I don't know. Your friend Jasper took her to the hospital. I text Simon in your phone and let him know that Clary was hurt, and he went to the hospital." Jace explained.

"Thank you. I'm sorry." She apologized.

"Why are you sorry?"

"I passed out on you."

"That's not a reason to be sorry Bella. I'm the one who is sorry. You got hurt, and I'm to blame. I should have handled Edward earlier on before you ran into me at the club." He explained.

Bella shook her head. "It's not your fault. Thank you for coming and getting me. I was a jerk to you, and I am sorry for that. You didn't have to help Clary, but you did."

Jace was quiet. "I thought about just busting in there and killing him and be done with that, but he promised me he wouldn't eat Clary if I went and got you. He just wanted to talk to you. I don't really know how to negotiate. Alec is better at that sort of thing. I couldn't risk the other human lives around, so I did the best I could without alerting the institute that I was on another mission."

There was a knock at the door and Jace got up and went and answered it. Jasper was there, Clary and Simon with him. "Oh. Hey Bella, Simon and Clary are here." Jace announced.

"Okay," Bella said and started to get to her feet and Jace rushed over to her, leaving the door open.

His hands looped around her waist as he steadied her. "Easy. Don't go too fast." He murmured, his face close to hers.

Jasper went over to her, and Bella turned and moved to Jasper when Jace let her go. His arms went around her and he kissed the top of her head. "You're okay." He murmured softly.

Simon and Clary stood there in the kitchen staring.

Clary cleared her throat. "Are you okay Bella?"

Bella nodded, sniffing a little. She leaned away from Jasper. "I'm okay. Are you okay?" Bella walked over towards Clary slowly. Clary went to her and then she hugged her.

"You came for me." Clary murmured in her ear.

"Of course." Bella said with a small smile. She then looked over at Simon, who was looking at them, a sad look on his face. "I'm sorry I didn't know what was happening until after I left the café. I didn't think to contact you until after I got to Clary."

Simon nodded. "I understand. Detective Whitlock explained to me what happened and so did Clary. Jace thought that you two were close friends and he came to find you when Clary got hurt. The guy was crazy right?"

Jace looked at Bella. "He was."

Jasper spoke up. "He's in custody now. Thank you, Bella, for…helping."

Bella looked at Jasper a bit confused but knew not to press it. "Of course."

"How…do you two know each other?" Simon asked Bella.

Jasper looked at Bella and smiled. "We're kind of like family."

Bella nodded. "Yeah. Friends of the family. My dad knows his dad." Which wasn't a lie.

Jace's phone was ringing now and he sighed and pulled it from his pocket and looked at it. He declined and sent a quick text. "It's just Alec." He explained to Bella.

"You should tell him where you are," Bella said, turning slowly towards Jace.

"I just did. I told him I'm staying here tonight." Jace said with a sigh.

Bella nodded. "You're not going to get in trouble?"

Jace snorted. "No. He's not my keeper."

Simon wasn't sure what the relationship between Jace and Bella were, but they were casual with each other, which meant that Jace and Bella were at least friends. "Well, I'm going to get Clary back home, and make sure she gets some rest. Bella, I'll see you later. We'll have to redo coffee and pretzels."

Bella smiled and moved over towards Simon and she hugged him, her ribs aching as she stretched. Simon's hands hesitantly went around her waist. "Thank you."

Simon smiled and hugged her a little tight, breathing in the scent of cherry blossom shampoo from her hair. He sighed. "Thank you for being there for Clary." He murmured and then he left with Clary.

Bella looked at Jasper. "Detective?"

"Well. I couldn't exactly tell them that I was the vampire brother of the guy that assaulted Clary and you. I do have a badge. It's not current, but luckily people don't typically question a badge when someone they love is hurt." Jasper explained.

"You used to be a cop?" Jace asked.

"Yeah, a long time ago. I was also in the military. I was a Texas Ranger." Jasper said with a smile and then looked back to Bella. "You want me to send Alice?" He reached up and smoothed her hair.

Bella smiled. "No. I'll be okay. I'm sending Jace away too. I just didn't want to argue in front of a bunch of people. I'm fine. I'll take the pain meds and get some rest. I don't have classes until Wednesday, so I can lay around all day."

"I'm not going to leave you here by yourself Bella," Jace insisted.

Jasper smiled and leaned in and kissed Bella's forehead. "I'm not going to stick around for this fight. Take care of yourself Bella. I'm heading out to South America with Emmett to take Edward somewhere where we can calm him down and get him off the human blood."

Bella frowned. "How long will you be gone?"

Jasper sighed. "I'm not sure, but I'll keep in touch darling. If you need me, I won't hesitate to be back here. You know that."

Bella started to tear up, but Jasper framed her face with his hands and forced her to look at him. He sent calming waves to her. "You are going to be okay. I'm not disappearing from in front of you. I would never do that to you again. Ever. We will be back. I promise."

She nodded, feeling the calming waves wash over her. "Okay…. Promise you guys will be careful?"

"I promise darling." Jasper said with a smile. He kissed her forehead again before letting her go. He looked at Jace. "She's special. She means a lot to my family and myself. She's my family. Don't forget that."

Jace nodded and watched Jasper leave. He looked back at Bella. "You love him?"

Bella sniffed and wiped her face. "I love them all. They're my family. Jasper and Emmett are like two older brothers I never had. Alice is a sister, and Rose…while we didn't get along much, I love her too. Carlisle and Esme were so good to me and were like an extra set of parents. It hurt so much to lose them last year."

Jace nodded, understanding now why she was so upset. "Don't make me leave you alone tonight. You don't need to be alone."

Bella sniffed again. "Jace. Thank you for helping me. For helping Clary…but…I don't know you. I want to get back to my life. Edward is gone now, so there's no reason for you to appear before me again."

That stung a little for Jace. "There are plenty reasons Bella. You're different, and you can see Shadowhunters. You're intriguing and special and I intend to find out why."

Bella was quiet. "Don't make it your life's mission. I'm not important Jace. Don't read into it too much. Now good night. Go back to the institute and not worry Alec."

Jace shook his head but sighed. "Fine. I'll check on you tomorrow then."

"Fine. Have a good night." She said and then she watched him leave. She walked over to the couch and sat down carefully, wincing a little at the pain, but the pain medicine that she had taken was working now, helping her with the pain.

She went to sleep quickly, exhausted from the pain and emotions of the day.