Isabelle had never particularly enjoyed the company of children. The love she had growing up with her little brother Max had not translated onto any other small children, and certainly not onto the little girl walking quietly beside her.

"Your house is so pretty", Ariana said, her big golden eyes staring at Isabelle like a type of nymph. Isabelle looked back into those eyes, trying to pretend that they weren't Jace's. They couldn't be. It just seemed to extraordinary.

She hadn't even given much thought as to what Jace would say or think when he saw Ariana. She knew due to his past that he had always been extremely guarded about starting a family, even with Clary, but a small part of her guessed that Jace had always dreamed of finally having something real with Clary. Even though Isabelle knew Jace loved her, Alec and Max dearly, she also was not naïve to the fact that they could not give him everything. And now it seemed, in the most ironic way possible, that all the parts of a perfect family had come flooding back into the picture again.

"Thanks, I'm sure your house was too", Isabelle replied weakly. She was too tired to try and explain to her that it wasn't her house, and she was also eager to get to the bathroom as quickly as possible to avoid leaving Clary alone for too long. God knows what trouble that girl might create whilst she was gone.

"Here it is, call me if you um- I guess- need anything?" Isabelle stumbled, trying her best to sound calm.

"OK", the little girl said, a grin on her face so similar to her brothers that it slightly warmed her heart.

Isabelle watched her go into the guest bathroom, and noticed how her hair was the exact shade of Clary's. Isabelle knew that if she truly looked, she would be able to notice far more characteristics in the little girl, but every time she spotted something it seemed to make her heart beat that little bit faster, and her stomach drop in a nauseating way.

She leant back against the wall, anxiety rising hopelessly in her chest like smoke. She had always been taught from a young age that she had to be strong, that she was a warrior first and a human second. That was what a Shadowhunter was supposed to be; to always make the best decisions both in and out of battle. But now, as she stared up into the abyss of the institute's ceilings, she couldn't help but think she might have made a terrible mistake.

[]

Clary now knew why in horror movies they used suspenseful music to frighten people.

She felt like a gun shot had gone off in her head, and she imagined her blood soaking onto the floors beneath her, and down into the ground. The sensation of slipping and falling gripped her, she so desperately wanted to tear her eyes away from the person in front of her. But she couldn't. It was impossible. At several seconds she realised that he had said something to her, but her ears were ringing too hard to understand what he was trying to say.

"You."

The figure had his hand raised up in a point, accusation and anger shaping his form. Clary felt herself gulp, and bit her lip hard to try and bring herself back into the room. She felt the metallic taste of blood touch her lips.

"Listen-", she tried, her voice hollow and weak. But he didn't listen, his eyes were boring into her like blown up minefields.

"Don't you dare tell me to listen", he seethed whilst walking towards her, his hand still outstretched.

"I'm not telling you, but I can explain, Isabelle can explain-", she tried again, her own hands were rising up now in a defensive position, her feet starting to move backwards.

"You brought Isabelle into your conniving little schemes?" he said, his voice jumping up to octaves she had never heard him speak in before.

"No, in fact she brought me here", Clary replied breathlessly, her feet hitting the wall behind her.

"Why should I believe you? You lie and you lie and you lie. I don't think you can even help it", he said nastily, his words bouncing off the walls around Clary like bullets. He was so close to her now, so close that she could feel his anger vibrating onto her, like waves of heat. She closed her eyes, praying that by some miracle the ground would open up and take her somewhere else, anywhere else.

"Alec! Stop!", Clary heard someone shout, and suddenly there were hands around him pulling him away from her, and Clary could breathe again. She opened her eyes, and in front of her was Ariana, her lip quivering slightly. Without a second thought, Clary swung her up and placed her on her hip, more for her own comfort then her daughters.

"She's a liar Iz! How can you defend her?" Clary heard Alec say. He sounded like Isabelle had betrayed him, his tone was flat and bitter.

Clary had never seen him so angry. She knew he would be here, of course he would be. A part of her had hoped that he might be away with Jace in Alicante, or even by some miracle that they wouldn't cross paths in the huge institute. But she knew the second he had found her that all hell would break loose. He was Jace's brother and Parabati, no amount of sweet talking would get her around that.

"She isn't a liar", Isabelle said quietly, her gaze fixed on the floor. Clary couldn't help but think she looked slightly guilty about something, like she was sitting on some sort of big secret that she wanted to tell.

"Have you lost your mind? Do you not remember? She left us Isabelle, she left him", Alec's voice started to crack.

Clary felt like she was invading an incredibly private conversation, it was as if she and Ariana weren't in the room anymore.

"Don't be stupid, I was there", Isabelle snapped, her hands massaging her temples, "But she has nowhere else to go."

Alec took a step away from his sister, his eyes seemed to be bulging out of his face.

"And why on the Angel would that be our problem? Are we just going to start taking anyone in? Shall I put up a sign outside? We are now taking in anyone, even demons can have a place to sleep" Alec replied viciously.

"She is family", Isabelle said bluntly.

"NO SHE ISN'T-", Alec started but Isabelle cut him off.

"No, she is". Isabelle pointed at Ariana who seemed to be hiding in Clary's arms.

Clary protectively placed her hands around her daughter and angled her body away from Alec's stare.

"That's not possible", Alec said, but his voice for once sounded uncertain in the emptiness of the room.

"Clary tell him", Isabelle said, her expression frantic.

Instead of saying anything, Clary gently raised her daughters head to show Alec her eyes.

"It's not possible", Alec repeated. Isabelle just groaned and threw her hands up in the air in exasperation.

"I know it's crazy, trust me, but I couldn't just leave them both homeless."

Alec's gaze didn't leave Ariana, he seemed to have fallen into some sort of dark spell. Clary hoped he stayed there.

"But what about Jace? Isabelle, you haven't even asked him", Alec whispered worriedly. Clary watched as Isabelle flushed, her lips parted.

"He's away in Alicante", Clary cut in.

Alec looked at her as if she was a beetle who had put on a top hat and started to dance.

"No he isn't, he's gone to get some food", Alec replied slowly as if she was incredibly stupid. Clary stared indignantly back at him.

"He's on a business trip", she continued, her expression victorious. Alec should know that surely? But Clary wasn't going to give up the opportunity to prove she knew more than him.

Isabelle cleared her throat, her eyes staring at the floor.

She turned to look at Isabelle, throwing her an accusatory stare.

"I didn't think you would come if you knew he was here", Isabelle said lamely, her cheeks now bright red. Clary once again felt the room sway under her feet. She tightened her grip on Ariana who seemed to be falling asleep amidst all the chaos.

"And why is he getting food when I was going to make something?", Isabelle muttered angrily under her breath. In different circumstances Clary would have laughed at Isabelle's bitterness, she still remembered how dangerous her cooking could be.

"Well, its been nice seeing you Clary, but I think you should leave", Alec said abruptly, his tone brisk and authoritative. It's so strange that we used to be friends, Clary thought sadly.

"I understand, but honestly I think you should know why I left in the first place", Clary replied. She no longer felt startled by seeing Alec again, and her previous shock was now replaced with a sense of fury towards him. Where was she supposed to go at this time? Did he not understand how hard it been for all these years? And there he was standing, looking at her like she was a piece of gum on his shoe that was not coming off.

"Clary", Isabelle warned, her eyes now raking into hers.

Clary raised her chin, her own grass green eyes sparkling with defiance. Alec was looking at her stubbornly, as if she was about to make up some outrageous lie or excuse as to why she left.

"No, I want to hear this", Alec said, stepping slightly in front of Isabelle in an aggressive fashion.

Clary watched Isabelle slightly turn away, her eyes closed. She felt a pang of guilt pass through her. Even though Isabelle had lied to her about Jace being away, it had been nice of her to try and help her and Ariana find somewhere to stay.

"It doesn't matter", Clary said, her tone defeated.

Alec looked triumph, as if he had just slayed a particularly aggravating demon. He turned towards his sister, his eyes dancing with delight.

"See. Whatever she told you was a lie. Isabelle sometimes you are too trusting."

Clary saw Isabelle give her a little nod, a silent thank you. They both knew it would destroy Alec if he knew what Jace had done to her, he probably wouldn't even be able to comprehend it.

"I should go", Clary said again. Isabelle stepped forward; her expression surprisingly open. She looked strangely vulnerable, like a lost child.

"Please Clary, he needs to know-", Isabelle started but a noise from down the hall cut her off into a resounding silence. Both Alec and Isabelle turned to look at each other, panic spreading on their startlingly similar features like splatters of paint.

"This is why I never go to supermarkets, mundanes are far too much work. Honestly it's like they've never seen a person before", a familiar voice carried itself into the room, travelling down the short hallway space between them. Clary pulled the now snoring Ariana even closer to her chest, as if her body alone was enough to hide her.

"I guess it must be startling seeing someone as attractive as me. I should be more understanding. Me asking for a mango is practically a sex tape for some people."

He was getting closer. For a split-second Clary had a mad idea to hide behind one of the curtains.

"Why are you guys being so quiet? Alec you didn't eat any of Isabelle's food did you? God I hope you didn't. I don't think the Silent Brothers will think too highly of us if we have to drag you there at this hour. Mind you, it would have to be considered some sort of national emergency if you have eaten any of it".

His footsteps were nearly at the door, the three of them (and the sleeping Ariana) all looked at one another helplessly. Even Alec was staring at Clary as if she might have some sort of solution.

"Are you guys doing some sort of surprise party? Because you know my opinion on such matters, there is nothing worse-", the door swung open, and Clary had to force her eyes to stay open. She watched his expression change as he saw her standing at the back of the room, his entire face in pure disbelief. She couldn't seem to tear her eyes away from him. The silence was long, and it seemed to engulf her entire body like a wave, making her legs tremble

"I take it back", Jace said, his face suddenly a mask, "This is worse."

[]

I hope you liked this chapter. I know Alec acted in a super petty way but remember he is Jace's parabati (and doesn't know the ins and outs of what happened) so I guess he would be pretty mad at Clary. And yes, Clary is usually fiery (which she will of course be in this story) but I think she would be pretty startled by seeing Alec after so long, especially as he is so angry.

Tell me what you think!

Hope you are all staying safe :)

Heartshade