A/N It's getting easier to write and hopefully isn't too boring for you! I promise the next chapter will get somewhere good... Chapters are getting longer - still fairly short but they will likely be plentiful! I feel like there's enough here now to ask, so please review!

-Windy

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

Tessa woke up the next morning with crust in her eyes as the only reminder of last night' events. Sitting up slowly, she stretched, and went to the vanity to brush out her sleep-tousled hair. A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in!" Tessa called over her shoulder. Sophie entered the room and came to rest just behind Tessa.

"Good morning, Miss!" She burbled. "What can I help you with today?"

Tessa smiled. Sophie was always so kind, she couldn't help but be in a much improved mood. "Would you help me find the dark red dress you took out from Jessamine?"

Sophie bustled to the wardrobe and pulled out the dress Tessa requested. Undoing the back, she helped the taller girl into the dress before snapping the buttons back in place.

"There, Miss. You're all set."

"Thank you, Sophie." Tessa smiled once again at her companion before moving back to the vanity to apply some light makeup. She had rarely been able to afford the stuff before, and was still adjusting to the options Jessamine had given her.

"Here, let me help you, Miss." Sophie reached forward to take the brush from Tessa's hand before she could make a mistake too difficult to erase before breakfast. Applying small amounts of rouge to Tessa's cheekbones, Sophie asked, "Is there a special occasion today?"

Tessa flushed before answering, "No. I just felt like looking a little nicer today than usual. There's no training this afternoon so I supposed it would be alright with Charlotte."

Sophie laughed softly. "I don't suppose Miss Charlotte could object to a lady looking extra pretty once in a while. Are you sure you aren't trying to make an impression on anyone in particular?"

Tessa looked sharply at the girl next to her. "What do you mean, Sophie?"

She paused, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Well, only that I heard you and Will arguing in the hall last night. You sounded upset over who he was spending the night with, Miss. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, really I didn't, I was just heading…" Sophie faltered in her explanation.

"Heading where? Dear Sophie, you can tell me," Tessa wheedled, wanting to know the full story.

"Miss, please don't tell Charlotte, I don't want her to worry. I went out on a personal errand and had only just returned when I saw you running from Mr. Herondale. I would have gone straight to bed, but I wanted to make sure you weren't in a bad way with him."

"Oh, you sweet! No, Sophie, I only wished to not intrude upon him either. He, however, thought the situation merited explaining." Tessa rolled her eyes. "As if I didn't know what he was doing."

Sophie giggled with Tessa, though neither of them really approved of his actions.

"Well, shall we forget Will and go downstairs?" Tessa asked bracingly.

"You go along, Miss," Sophie replied. "I've got some things to finish up here before I go down to help Bridget."

Tessa bid the other girl goodbye and made for the dining room. A good breakfast would clear her head of all thoughts of the boys.

Maybe Jessamine would like to go out today, Tessa thought to herself as she walked down the hallway. That would certainly keep her busy and out of thought.

As she entered the dining room, Tessa was pleased to see that no one else had arrived yet. Henry was likely wiling away the time with some invention while Charlotte attended to some business of the Institute. It was too bad Jessamine was absent though, as it meant she was taking a sick day to mope about in her room. Tessa sighed. At least there would be no awkward conversation.

She moved from the doorway down the buffet-style line with her plate, scooping hash browns and other dishes she was particularly fond of as she went. Upon reaching the end, Tessa turned to the seat nearest and set the place with drink and food before sitting herself down.

Whooping came from down the corridor and Tessa groaned. She had hoped not to see either Jem or Will until at least dinner, which could be mediated by Charlotte.

Tessa shoveled food into her mouth in as lady-like a manner as possible. Jem appeared first around the corner, blinking embarrassedly at her. Will almost ploughed into him from behind in his haste to get to the food.

"Move, move, move!" Will shouted. "Quickly, before anyone else gets here!" Will's eyes fell on Tessa as he dashed down the stairs.

"A bit late for that, William." Jem spoke dryly as he observed his parabatai's antics.

Tessa snorted indelicately into her tart.

Will turned his back on her decisively, opting for food over an argument. Jem joined him at the spread, each of them grabbing large helpings of all of Bridget's delicious cooking.

There was an awkward pause as the two of them reached the end of the line and considered where to sit. Will opted for across the table from Tessa, and Jem the seat beside. Silence fell as Tessa hurried to finish without being rude and neither Jem nor Will had anything clever to say.

Just as Tessa cleared her plate and stood, Will casually asked, "How was your night, Tessa?"

She froze. Of course he had off-handedly mentioned that. She rearranged her face into a pleasant look before deadpanning, "It probably wasn't as good as yours, Will, but it was certainly more restful."

Jem choked on his juice and had to be thumped hard on the back a couple times before he regained air.

Will grinned wickedly. "Jem and I could always show you what we meant by, 'It isn't what you think'," he offered, rising from his own chair to level Tessa in the eyes.

She flushed darkly, before grinding out, "No, I don't think that will be necessary. The situation seemed clear enough last night."

Just then Charlotte came down the steps. "What won't be necessary?"

Will jumped in before Tessa could come up with a plausible excuse. "Jem and I were just offering to help Tessa find some things in the library later this evening. Weren't we, Jem?"

Jem shrugged and made no move to agree or disagree with the other boy.

Charlotte positively beamed. "I think that would be lovely. Tessa dear, you do seem to need a little company, and they have nothing else to do to keep them out of trouble. Would you mind letting them assist you? Henry and I have some work to be done later and it would be a great help keeping Will out from underfoot."

Will harrumphed at that assessment of his character but did not argue. The three teens went to leave the dining room just as Henry came to join his wife.

"Henry?" Charlotte tried to get his attention.

"Oh, yes, darling?" The inventor replied, still distracted.

"Jem and Will shall be joining Tessa in the library tonight to help her find books and enjoy a peaceful evening together. Won't that be nice?" Charlotte waited for a response before giving up and turning back to the retreating figures. "We'll just let you alone so as not to disturb your reading." Charlotte flashed them another smile before rushing to her husband to prevent him from setting his elbow in the gravy tureen.

Will strode out the doors of the dining room, the others right behind him, before rubbing his hands briskly together. "So, what sort of damage might we do today, Jem, eh?"

Jem shook his head with a small half-smile. "I will be entertaining with my violin for a while, Will. No one has the patience for your schemes today. Besides, you heard Charlotte, we're to assist Tessa in the library this evening."

Will's excitement slipped from his face to be replaced with something far more disconcerting.

Tessa hurriedly added, "There's really no need for that, I know my way around, you mustn't think I'm helpless. I can gather my own books."

The two boys exchanged glances before Will gave her a sly look.

"We would be delighted to accompany you on your adventure tonight, Miss." He tipped an imaginary hat in her direction.

Jem rolled his eyes and began walking down the hall, presumably to his waiting violin.

The dark haired boy slipped close behind Tessa and whispered, "Perhaps we can show you what we meant tonight."

Goosebumps rose on the back of her neck and arms. His lips practically brushed her ear as he spoke, "Charlotte did say to keep you company…"

His wry laughter bounced off the walls as he strode away from a very confused, rather bothered Tessa, who had wanted nothing more than to enjoy a quiet moment with her book. She fanned herself and decided to take care of matters in her own room until it was time to find out what Will had intended.

Surely nothing would happen with Jem there? Surely Will was just toying with her?