A/N This chapter was much longer than the first! While nothing much happens yet, the set up will hopefully lead to some more gratifying scenes.

-Windy

Rated M for sexual implications and actions as well as potential language.
Disclaimer: All characters/settings belong to Cassandra Clare.

Tessa cracked open the door of her room, careful not to wake Jem across the hall. Tiptoeing out in her nightgown, she heads towards the library. After being at the Institute for a while one adjusts to the many halls and learns tricks to finding one's way around.

Books. Tessa thought with the single-minded intensity of the sleep deprived. That'll fix everything.

Only one wrong turn later, Tessa finds herself at the doors of the library. She pushes through them and steps forward, breathing in the smell of the old volumes. Considerably more at ease, Tessa smiles.

Now what had Will last suggested? Tessa ran her fingers absently over the book spines on the nearest shelf. A favorite jumps out at her, and she picks up "Lady Audley's Secret". She smiles and flips it open to one of her favorite passages; one she quoted at Will the other day. A folded piece of paper falls to the floor. Tessa bent over to pick it up.

Unfolding it, she read the seemingly familiar handwriting.

"To see a World in a grain of sand

And a Heaven in a wild flower

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour." –Blake

This is what happens when I read words I know your love once touched…

Confusion warred with gratification at the note, before her more reserved side won out and sent her reeling out the library doors. Tessa only just remembered to close them behind her as she made her way back to her room, still clutching the book and note in hand. One corridor and then another passed. Tessa made her way around the corner before pausing.

This isn't the way to my room…

Tessa looked around exasperated. This is what she got for being distracted over some silly scrap!

There must be something I recognize! Tessa thought futilely, as she knew she was well and truly lost.

She sighed and sat on the steps of a landing. She knew that Jem was asleep and Will was likely off frequenting some tavern of ill-repute. Charlotte would surely be kind about finding her, but Tessa didn't want to have to explain what had made her lose focus in the first place.

Curse her ill-timed romanticizing! Why did I have to pick that passage? A niggling voice at the back of her mind answered, It's because you told Will about it. He wrote the note and you know it's about you.

She sighed deeply again. There was no way Will intended the script for me, even if it is one of my favorite books. Surely Jessamine or some other woman reads Braddon?

Tessa rubbed her temples, wishing this didn't bother her so much. She stood to walk, resolved to find her room before someone found her lurking. Two more random turns and Tessa stumbled across a hall table she knew was familiar.

Only question is; from here, which direction is my room? Tessa asked herself as she stared down two identical stretches of hallway.

She decided to go left, figuring there was only one way to find out. As Tessa walked, more of her surroundings became familiar. Then a sinking realization came:

I went the wrong way…

Tessa approached the steps leading from the reception area of the Institute to the living quarters and paused to turn around. At least she knew which way to go now.

Ragged breathing from the entryway caught the attention of Tessa. She ducked into a doorway to avoid detection as she peered into the dimly lit space. Moaning filled the air making Tessa blush and fan herself. Surely she should just go back to her room.

Suddenly, two figures emerged from the shadows. Tessa stayed put, hoping they would pass out of sight.

Who could they be? Did Sophie have a new beau? Surely she was more proper than this- this- creeping alone in the dark.

Tessa decided firmly that it was none of her business. She took a step forward to proceed back to bed, when the noises were cut off by a startled exclamation.

"What is it?" A familiar voice asked.

Tessa's stomach dropped. Will. Of course it was Will. He must have returned from his outing with some new minx to play with for the night. She made to flee the scene of her discovery and was surprised to hear footsteps behind her.

"Tessa! Tessa wait! Come back!" Will called after her, his Shadowhunter skills allowing him to gain on her.

She flung her words over her shoulder, "I have no desire to intrude on you and- and- your whatever she is. Just go enjoy yourself. It's none of my business."

"Tessa stop." Will caught at her arm and pulled her around. "What are you talking about?"

Tessa fought hard to control her pants as she spoke. "Will, I heard you downstairs. I took a wrong turn from the library and ended up at the foyer. I won't tell anyone, but please, just let me go to bed. We can pretend this never happened."

Will laughed. He had the nerve to laugh at her when he had been discovered in a very compromising position!

"William Herondale!" His laughter subsided. "You dare laugh at me when you were just doing heaven knows what with some Cheapside woman?"

Just then, Jem came pelting down the corridor. "So, what did I miss?"

Will turned pleadingly to him. "Could you please explain to Tessa?"

Jem looked bemusedly between the irritated girl and his parabatai. "No, I don't think I should. You got yourself into this mess and you shall get yourself out."

Tessa huffed and made to continue walking but Will stopped her.

"Look, Tess, I'm sorry you thought I was doing… whatever you thought I was, but I promise you, it wasn't like that."

"Then what was it? You sounded, pretty involved to me." Tessa pointedly cleared her throat.

Jem made an inexplicable noise beside her, avoiding her gaze entirely.

"No. Jem? Not you too? You both went out?" Tessa turned her head from the boys, hiding her face. She knew Will didn't care for her, but had hoped something might come of her and Jem.

This time Jem spoke, "Tessa, it really isn't what you think."

Before he could explain further, Tessa cut him off and ran the rest of the way to her room. She closed the door and leaned on it, sinking down to the floor. She knew she should be strong. She knew she should be some long suffering character who never revealed a hint of despair, but it was useless. A small sob escaped her lips.

She heard the boys return to their rooms. There was murmured conversation, but their escorts seemed to have left. That was some comfort, though she never would have thought it of Jem. Tessa rose to climb into bed.

Puffy, ringed eyes did no one any good in the morning. She thought to herself. Maybe she could forget about this tomorrow.

Tessa had managed to keep a hold of the book with the note tucked back inside. Setting them delicately aside on her nightstand, she smiled. At least she had an old friend to distract her in the morning.