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: Thank you TheFlamingo29, pozemom, and LunaEclipse94 for your wonderful reviews! I really love Jace and Bella together, and I'm working on that. I hope everyone enjoys this next chapter. Please continue leaving such amazing reviews so I know how everyone is liking the story. Thank you everyone that follows or favorites my story for the support!
[Somewhere, not the Institute October 20th-1 week later]
"You are still so very beautiful," Valentine looked down at the sleeping Jocelyn. He stroked a hand over her amber hair. "You've hid for so long my darling. I'm going to reunite our family once again. I promise." He murmured. "I just have to find the cup first. Only then can we finally be together."
[The Institute: October 20th]
It had been a whole week since Bella had admitted to herself that she had feelings for Jace, and ever since then, Jace had been avoiding her. She knew that it had to be because she shot him down again, and he was probably just giving her the space she probably needed. Maryse was still in Idris, which made her feel better walking around the Institute.
"Bella," Jasper called to her, breaking her out of her own thought bubble.
"Huh?"
"You were spacing our there darling. Alice headed out with Luke to search for some answers on where Valentine might be hiding. He's hidden pretty well." Jasper explained.
Bella nodded. "Where's Jake?"
"Out with Simon. They bonded quick."
"Ah. Makes sense. Simon is a likable person." She murmured, and then she reached up and clasp a hand around the pendent she was still wearing.
Jasper watched her as she stared off again. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Bella sighed, and looked over at Jasper. "I'm fine. It's just…this whole Valentine being my father thing. It's just screwing with my head. Charlie has texted me several times and I keep pretending that everything is okay, and that I'm not fighting this cruel shadowhunter war with demons and that I've taken off the semester from school to preserve my GPA."
"And what of Renee?"
"She's busy with Phil. I think they're overseas at the moment. Japan? I'm not sure. She hasn't text me in a month."
Alec walked in, looking at some papers. "Ah, Jasper. Just the person I was looking for."
Jasper turned his attention to Alec now. "What can I do for you?"
"Carlisle is a doctor right?"
"Yes."
"Good. Do you think he can be here in a few hours?"
Jasper nodded. "He could. Esme and Carlisle moved to the city last week to keep close."
Alec nodded. "Good, because there's a few shadowhunters coming in that are injured and we're going to need some extra hands. I was told they were a few hours out."
Jasper took out his phone and stepped away to call Carlisle.
Bella was frowning. "What happened? Is it really serious?"
Alec sighed. "We have healing runes, but it's best to have a doctor on standby. Our other doctor is in Idris at the moment, and I can't afford to leave anything to chance."
"Oh. Healing runes? Like this one?" Bella said and reached over and grabbed her sketchbook off the counter. She held it up to Alec.
Alec studied it, frowning. "This is the rune. Have you been studying?"
"Oh…no. It just comes to me sometimes. Apparently, Clary does the same thing."
"That makes sense. You're sisters." He commented. "Well, I'll get you a steele. You're going to need one. You'll also need to have your shadowhunter rune done. There are a few runes that you'll probably need. If you're feeling up to it?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I'm up to it. I'm stronger than I look Alec." She said with a smile.
"Last week you passed out."
"That's because I hadn't eaten or drank anything all day." She pointed out.
Jasper returned. "Carlisle is on his way. He'll be here shortly. Is there anything else I can help out with?"
Alec shook his head. "That's it for now. Jace and Iz will be coming back off patrol in a while with Clary."
No sooner than the words left Alec's mouth, did Iz and Clary rush in, half carrying Jace.
"What the hell happened?" Alec rushed forward as he helped take Jace's weight.
"Demons. Too many of them Alec. They're…they're everywhere." Iz stammered.
Clary was covered in Jace's blood and Jasper took a step back to give them room. He might have had a control over his bloodlust, but he didn't want to chance it. Bella rushed after them to the infirmary. Alec got Jace laying down flat.
Bella went to his side, her hands shaking a bit as she reached out to his face. "He's really hot Alec. Clary go get cool rags. Iz I need first aid supplies. Alec, give me your steele." She barked out the orders and everyone was moving fast, obeying her words. Alec handed her his steele and she held it steadily as she ripped open his shirt and found a blank spot and drew the healing rune on his side. Jace was unconscious and didn't even shiver as the rune burned into his skin.
"There's a lot of damage," Bella murmured, as she looked him over. Clary returned with the rags and gave them to Bella. She placed one on Jace's forehead, and the other she used to clean him up some. Washing around the wound that was slowly healing. The rune was working, it would just take some time for it to fully heal.
Alec let out a breath, brushing a hand through his hair. He looked at Iz. "Where was the attack?" he asked as he grabbed her and dragged her back to the command center, and they mapped out where the attacks were taking place.
Jasper poked his head in, seeing Clary, teary eyed. "Come on darling, let's get you changed and fixed back up." He said, placing a gentle hand on her arm. Clary looked at Jasper and just nodded, following him out.
Bella sighed as she stood. She left him briefly to get him a change of clothes. She returned, Jace still unconscious. She pulled his boots off, setting them on the floor, and then she carefully stripped his shirt away, even though it was ripped down the front. She unbuckled his belt buckle and pulled his pants off carefully. She pulled some jogging pants on him, and then left his chest bare for the wound to have air. She pulled a light blanket over his waist, and then she swapped out the rag on his forehead. His temperature was coming down. After thirty minutes, she decided to dress the wound that was still oozing some on his side. It was simple first aid. Something that she learned from being the daughter of a police chief.
He started to shiver, and so she pulled the blanket up over him. When she did, his hand shot up, grasping her wrist.
"Jace. You're safe. You're in the Institute. I've taken care of you. Just rest," Bella murmured.
Jace's golden eyes blinked open and looked up at her. "You're like an angel." He murmured softly before closing his eyes and drifting back off.
Carlisle arrived a few moments later and went to check on Jace. "Bella, you did a great job. Everything looks good. The wound is healing nicely. You didn't panic. Are you sure you want to do English as a profession?" He asked with a smile.
Bella smiled. "I thought about being a doctor, but…I don't know. I like to write too much."
Alec appeared to check on Jace. "How is he?"
"Doing better. He's sleeping now." Bella said, looking back at Alec. She stood and went to him and pulled him into a hug. She noticed the tears reaching his eyes, and she wanted to comfort him.
"He's okay then." Alec sighed, and closed his eyes. His arms wrapped around Bella, as he let her comfort him. He then kissed the top of her head like an older brother would.
Iz walked in then to check on Jace. "Oh. Alec are you okay?"
Alec pulled away from Bella and looked at his other sister. "Yeah. I'm fine. I was just worried…about Jace."
Iz nodded, her eyes going to Jace's sleeping face. "He shielded Clary. If he hadn't then…Clary she would have been hurt badly. I didn't have enough time…if Magnus hadn't showed up and portaled us closer to the Institute, then we would have…"
"Magnus was there?" Alec asked suddenly.
"Oh. Yeah. I forgot with…I hope he's okay…" Iz murmured.
Alec rushed out of the room, pulling his phone out and called Magnus.
Iz looked at Bella. "Alec doesn't cry easy. I'm surprised he let you see him like that."
Carlisle listened to Jace's heartbeat and then nodded and stood. "Okay. His heart sounds steady. I'm going to prep for the other incoming wounded. Bella will you be able to do the runes?"
Bella looked over at Carlisle. "Yes. I'll be fine. I'll do their runes and you can handle first aid." She said and looked back at Iz. She wanted so badly to tell her that Alec was her brother too. "Um. I just understand Alec. Iz, do you think you can get together some fresh clothes for the shadowhunters coming in? Just so we're prepared."
Iz nodded and left Bella. It confused her so much at how close Jace and Alec had gotten with Bella. Alec was so gentle with Bella, and he actually smiled at her the other day. Jace was looking at Bella longingly and she just knew that everything was going to be trouble if Alec and Jace both loved Bella in that way. It would hurt Alec and Jace's bond for sure.
Simon and Jake made it back before the wounded shadowhunters. Simon went to the infirmary to check in on Jace when Alec told him the news. "Hey, you need to take a break. I'll sit with him."
Bella sighed and stood. "Okay. His fever is down. He's just resting now. Thank you," she said and left Simon there to sit with Jace. She wandered into the command center. Alec was looking nervous. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Magnus hasn't responded to my calls." Alec said quickly.
"Want me to try?" Bella asked.
"I tried and he didn't answer me either," Clary said, sighing.
Bella nodded and took out her phone. She called Magnus. He answered. "Magnus? Where are you?"
"Tell Alec and Clary I am fine. I'm a warlock for christ sake. I can't talk right now. I'm busy-" Magnus cut off and Bella could hear some struggle sounds in the background. "I'm fine. I'll see you as soon as I'm done. Love you. Ciao." He hung up.
Bella sighed, pushing her phone in her pocket. "Magnus said he's okay. That he's a warlock and he'll see us as soon as he's done."
Alec frowned. "Why did he answer for you?"
Clary nodded. "Yeah. I've known Magnus longer."
Bella shrugged. "I don't know, but he's handling something. Sounds like fighting in the background.
Alec shook his head. "He needs help."
"Alec, I really think Magnus has it handled. If he needed help, he would have asked." Bella said.
"I just…"Alec sighed. "Okay. You're right. He's a warlock. We need to focus on our injured. Thank you Bella." Alec said and then hugged her quickly, before rushing away to make a call to Idris.
Jake walked over and slung an arm around Bella. "You know you really need to rest. You look like you're about to fall over."
"I'm okay. I can't rest until everyone is safe."
Clary nodded. "I agree with Jake. You need to at least sit down for a while."
Bella sighed and walked over and sat in a chair. "It doesn't make any sense why Valentine is trying to destroy everything. What does he want? Why does he have Jocelyn? We haven't made any headway with anything."
Simon appeared. "Bella, Jace is asking for you."
Bella stood quickly and rushed to the infirmary. She looked down at Jace, who was awake now. A rush of relief flooded through her and she sighed. "Thank god." She murmured and went to his side. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel better. Sore. Did you do all this?" He asked.
"Yeah. I know that my drawing skills aren't great, but I know the healing rune."
Jace nodded. "Thank you."
Bella smiled and then knelt down beside him and then moved the blanket back to look at his bandage. She peeled it back. "Hmm. Just a scratch now." She said and pulled the bandage off. "You should probably still rest."
"No, I need to get up." Jace started to sit up, but Bella placed a hand on his bare chest, forcing him to lay down.
"You need to rest Jace. You were just attacked, and hurt pretty bad."
"I don't need you to care about me Bella. I'm fine. Go worry about someone else," He bit back at her.
Bella was quiet a moment. "Too bad Jace Wayland. I care about your health, and you're going to lay in this bed and rest."
"You can't make me lay here."
"I can, and I will."
"You're not my girlfriend or wife, or anything to me Bella. You can't make me lay here because you feel sorry for me."
Bella was taken back. "I don't feel sorry for you Jace. I care-"
"If you cared about me then you wouldn't have slept with Simon."
Bella opened her mouth to say something but then closed it. She wasn't sure what to say to that, but she stood, turning her back to him. She walked out of the infirmary and when down to the training room that housed the weapons. She was already wearing jogging pants and a long sleeved shirt. She pulled her shirt over her head, so she was in her sports bra, and then she just started doing different Karate katas.
She was like that for two hours before Magnus found her. She was so focused, so fierce looking. "Bella. You need to rest." He had made it back safely to the Institute after handling a dozen demons infiltrating the alleyway close to the club.
Bella didn't answer Magnus as she continued on. Each Kata was fiercer than the next.
Alec appeared then. "What's wrong with her?"
"I don't know," Magnus murmured.
"Bella, take a break," Alec called, his voice firm, but she ignored him still. He exchanged a look with Magnus. "Can't you stop her?"
"Me? I'm not about to get in the middle of that. Go fetch Jacob. He might be able to get her to quit."
Alec nodded and left, only to return with Jake a few moments later.
"Bells. Come on now, take a break." Jake said and went to her, he reached out, but she blocked his hand and struck out at him, but he blocked and parried her. Then it was a full out sparring match with the two. Bella was fast, but Jake was strong. Strength had nothing to do with karate or jiu-jitsu. It carried on about twenty minutes before Bella managed to get Jake on his back, pinned on the ground.
Alec and Magnus both winced and Jake huffed. "Bells, calm down. Tell me what's wrong."
Bella looked down at Jake's worried face. "I'm going for a run." She muttered and then she was gone. Walking towards the elevators. Alec, Magnus, and Jake right behind her.
"Bella, you can't go out alone." Alec started and then Bella whirled, facing him.
"I will do whatever I damn well please. If I want to go for a run, I will go for a run. I'm a big girl and can handle myself. Stop acting like you all care about me." She spat and then got on the elevator.
Alec frowned. "Something is wrong with her. Something happened. She's acting…"
"Strange. Angry…"Jake murmured. "I don't know how much you know about Bella, but she's been through a lot."
Jasper sighed as he walked up, hanging his phone up. "Alice had another vision. It's just water, like an ocean. She doesn't know what it means, but Valentine is near it." He looked between the three men. "What's wrong?"
"It's Bella. She just left. Went for a run," Magnus said with a sigh.
"She'll be okay. Give her space," Jasper said with a nod. "Bella isn't as fragile as you think."
"But there are demons crawling around out there." Alec protested.
Jasper nodded. "And Bella doesn't have shadowhunter runes on her body. She doesn't move or act like a shadowhunter."
"But someone knows what she looks like. Her apartment was trashed." Jake pointed out.
"All true, but Bella can take care of herself. If she's angry right now, that's good. She's got fight in her."
"I'll just follow her," Jake said and stepped towards the elevators.
Iz showed up, hearing part of the conversation. "No. I'll go. I don't think she wants to be around a bunch of men right now." She muttered and she got on the elevator to tale Bella to make sure she would be okay.
Jake looked at Jasper. "Did you say anything to her to make her upset?"
Jasper raised a brow. "I tolerate your stench because of Bella, don't push me puppy dog."
Jake growled and Magnus put up a hand. "Stop. Same team. Bella is upset about something, and she'll tell whoever, what is wrong when that time comes. Right now, let's focus on figuring out Alice's vision."
Bella ran a few blocks and turned, following a short route that she could run safely, without getting lost in the city. Who did Jace think he was? Condescending, rude, jerk…To think she had feelings for him. Her chest hurt. How did Jace know about her and Simon? And why did it matter to him? He couldn't be mad at her for anything because they weren't a real couple. They weren't anything? She just kept running, trying to escape the feelings inside herself. She didn't like feeling like this.
She rounded the next corner and that's when she spotted the demon. She ducked into an alley to through the demon off, but he was there anyways and attacked full force. Her hand to hand wasn't terrible, but she wasn't completely defenseless. She pulled a steele from her pocket as she dodged and drew a rune on her hand and thrust her hand forward towards the demon and the demon disintegrated.
"Holy shit," Iz said as she stood at the mouth of the alley.
Bella was breathing heavy, as she looked up at Iz. That's the last thing she saw before she collapsed and blacked out.
Iz rushed over to Bella and looked her over. She felt for a pulse and sighed a sigh of relief when Bella still had one. She drew a strength rune on her arm and then picked Bella up, and carried her through the alleyways back to the Institute.
Alec looked up at Iz as she carried Bella off the elevator. He rushed forward. "Carlisle!" He yelled and Carlisle came running. Iz carried her until the strength rune wore off, and she went to the floor with her. "What the hell happened Iz?"
"The rune, on her hand," Iz panted and picked up her hand to show everyone.
Alec frowned. "I've never seen this rune before."
"Me neither. The demon just vanished, crumbled away. I've never seen anything like that." Iz said and then Clary was appearing, rushing over.
Clary looked at the rune. "That's strange. It's the same rune I draw in my notebook."
Carlisle listened to her heart and lungs and then sighed. "Everything sounds fine. Let's get her to the infirmary." He said and Alec picked her up in his arms and carried into the infirmary and Jace shot out of bed quickly.
"What happened?" Jace said as he went to her side as Alec set her down. His head was exploding from moving too fast so soon, but he ignored it.
"She used a rune that none of us have seen before to obliterate a demon. It was amazing Jace," Iz spoke.
Jace continued to frown. "Then why is she like this?"
Carlisle shook his head. "I'm not sure. Everything looks fine. Let's just let her rest and keep checking in on her." He said and Alec and Iz left the room, leaving Clary there with Bella and Jace.
Jace was just staring at her sleeping face. He felt all this guilt pent up inside of him.
"She's going to be okay," Clary said softly. She walked over and lay a gentle hand on Jace's shoulder.
"Clary…I said some terrible things to her." He murmured.
Clary was quiet a moment before she spoke again. "Bella wouldn't do anything to intentionally hurt anyone. She's new to this world just as I am. I'm sure you were just frustrated at-"
"I have strong feelings for Bella. I got upset because…I overheard a conversation with her and Simon, and I lashed out in jealousy."
Clary nodded. "Well, Simon is my oldest friend, and I care what happens to him. I'm not sure what is going on with Simon and Bella, or what isn't happening. Just talk to her when she wakes up."
Jace sighed and nodded, not saying another word as Clary drifted out of the infirmary, and Jace stayed there looking down at Bella's sleeping face, waiting for her to wake up.