Chapter 2: Missing Sweetheart

Clary's morning had begun brilliantly, never once second guessing following Jace out the door of the loft. His charming smile and intense gaze on her was almost flattering, like she had his full undivided attention until they parted ways.

They were heading for a park far from Idris High School when Clary's attention shifted from Jace's face to the hand he now offered her. She hesitated.

"We've seen each other naked and yet holding my hand scares you?" Clary laughed softly.

"I guess it seems sort of silly not to hold your hand when you put it like that. But aren't you worried people will notice." As she spoke he slowly lowered his hand to intertwine their fingers in her smaller one that was slightly raised.

"Well, everyone's at school. And I'm taking you to a park where no one really goes." She raised her red eyebrows but nodded and smiled, feeling the urge to lean against him for warmth. She didn't though, content enough with simply holding his warm hand, as if a pleasant gentle burning fire ran through his veins and heated his skin.

Finally they did make it to the park and Jace was right, it was practically abandoned. The trees were quite a bit larger so far on the edge of the large city and the playground, though in good condition, was empty aside from a few birds that flew away with every step closer the two took.

"So little girl" –Jace began- "what do I not know about you? I mean the basics are already covered, you're drop dead gorgeous, maybe not the classic blonde and blue eyed girls who wear perfect makeup gorgeous but you are your own sort of attractive. Not to mention fantastic in the sa-" Clary practically shoved him over, laughing as she did so.

"Gross! Jace really? And one thing about me is that my name is not little girl!" She protested trying to act disgusted but the smile plastered on her face said otherwise. "What do you want to know? I practically poured my heart out to you this morning so I'm guessing you have questions." Jace shrugged in reply.

"Hmm, what about your hobbies?"

"Art." She answered simply, a smile gracing Jace's lips as he sat on the old but well-kept swing set. She sat on the one beside him, her hands in her lap while she rocked herself slowly. "Okay, now tell me something about you."

"Me?"

"A question for a question." Clary stated nonchalantly. Her red hair suddenly flying a little as a breeze passed them and she looked in the decent sized pond not too far away from the playground.

"Alright." He agreed and that's what they spent there morning doing, Clary's only worry being the brief text she got from Simon saying 'where are you' and her mother's consistent and consistently ignored calls. Luke had tried calling too, but she had denied him as well. She was having a splendid day, the best she had had in a long while.

Jace was just so… captivating. Every story he told sounding like he was reciting a poem in that perfect voice of his. Aside from the crude jokes and occasional teasing, not to mention the overall obsession with himself, Jace was like a prince.

"Okay, one more question." Jace told her. She paused for a brief moment, thinking carefully.

"Why did you bring me here? To this park I mean." A flash of sadness ran across Jace's face, almost making Clary regret her question, but quickly he was smiling again.

"My parents used to take me here. No one was ever here so they'd just sit on the park benches and watch me play or my father would push me on the swings. I thought it'd be nice to come back. I haven't been here since they well, died." In that moment Jace stood up, mischief twinkling in his eyes as Clary thought about what he had just told her.

Why would he take her of all people, someone he only knew through physical interactions, to a park that he hadn't been to since his parents had passed away?

Clary hadn't even notice Jace had disappeared from beside her until she was suddenly jolted forward, moving quickly with the swing. She almost jumped off the play equipment in surprise.

"Jace!" She giggled despite being frightened. "A warning next time please." He only pushed her again, her hands gripping the metal chains on either side of her. He did this for a good few minutes before suddenly he stopped, his arms wrapping around her waist in an odd hug of sorts. She didn't say anything as she felt his warm breath on her cool skin.

Her heart was beating faster at his actions, the way it always had whenever he touched her in any way, whether it was just an affectionate kiss after they had both had a fantastic night or in other ways. She was always so intoxicated by him. He kissed her neck lightly before insisting they do something else, she agreed, her cheeks flaming up.

Jocelyn was frantic, calling Clary multiple times after hearing from her teacher she didn't show up to school. She had snuck out in the night and after contacting Simon Jocelyn knew Clary wasn't with him. She was so worried about her daughter, her heart beating as she turned to the only person she could. Luke couldn't help, he was searching the city for her but she knew he wouldn't find her.

Clary's mother had always been so protective of her, always worried he would find them and now Jocelyn had no choice but to search him out. He'd left a lot of money, her ex, in an envelope as if to pay for a moment with his second child. But Jocelyn was scared, scared he would hurt her.

But now… now she could have been dead for all the woman knew. She banged her fists loudly on the apartment door, having run with everything in her up the stairs to get to him quickly. She felt a pang of guilt creep into her as the door was swung open and she was met with surprised dark eyes.

"Jocelyn." Valentine's tone was icy, causing the woman to second guess her decision.

"She's missing and I know you can find her, you can find anyone in New York, in America even. Please." Valentine pressed his lips together in a thin line.

"How missing?" He said, with barely any concern, stepping aside for Jocelyn to enter the apartment. It was well kept, clean and filled with much nicer more expensive furniture and better quality things than she and Luke had. For a second Jocelyn wondered if her Clary would have been better off with him, he had money and would never have to worry about paying bills… No! The woman scolded herself, Clary would be a completely different girl had she grown up with Valentine as a father.

Luke was a much better suited father, he had loved and nurtured Clary the way Valentine never would have.

"We had a fight last night." Valentine raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. Jocelyn waved off his disinterest as she kept quickly talking like she was in a rush. "She had been staying over at Simon's a lot, Luke called his mother after I got your oh so generous letter hoping to ask her home and apparently she hadn't been over at Simon's for the night in weeks. I called her up on it and she stormed off into her room and snuck out during the night. She didn't go to school and I'm worried something might have happened.

She could be stuck in a ditch somewhere, or god knows what happens in the streets of New York at night, or maybe she's with a boy and I'm certainly not comfortable with that, or maybe…" Jocelyn trailed off, realising who she was speaking with, not only did he have no idea who Simon was, he wasn't someone she deemed worthy enough of knowing about Clary's personal life. "Just… please Valentine."

"I want to meet her." Valentine declared.

"No." Jocelyn lifted her head, her panic rising as she realised she was going to have to barter.

"I don't have to meet her as her father." He said, what he was asking for was perfectly reasonable. Jocelyn thought to herself, but the less rational part in her wanted to fight him on this, wanted to protect her baby girl from this man.

"Fine." She whispered, she needed to find him.

The man sighed deeply, stepping away slightly and opening his phone before pressing it to his ear. Jocelyn was too panicked to hear what was coming out of his mouth. He spoke quickly and quietly before hanging up. "He will find her." Valentine sounded assured, offering his ex-wife a seat despite not really wanting to.

"He?"

"Yes 'he'." She didn't look up from where her green eyes were fixed on the white leather sofa until she began thinking about how her daughter could be dead somewhere in New York. When she looked up she was met with his eyes, only a slight tinge of what Jocelyn would pin as distress on Valentine's face.

"Promise?" She asked.

"Yes, Jocelyn, I promise." His voice lightened, the woman he once loved, no, still loved, sitting before him wondering about whether the daughter they shared was harmed. "I promise." He repeated, walking off as she waited on the sofa. Trying to calm herself.

Out of the corner of his blue orbs Alec saw someone, wanting to smile and be angry at the same time. Lunch had rolled around and the young man had stood alone, waiting for the next class, until his only company, his little sister, had come to talk to him. It was quite sad, he thought, but didn't dwell on the fact that his siblings were practically his only friends.

"Go on. I have a nerd to entertain." She pushed him in Magnus' direction. The man leaning against a tree out in the school yard. He nodded, giving her a faint smile before heading over towards Magnus.

"Hi." He whispered pathetically once the two were out of sight behind a building.

"Hello darling." Alec was relieved by the man's calm flirtatious voice. Assuring him the previous night's debacle was long forgotten. Magnus lifted a hand to Alec's neck, pulling him up slightly so there lips collided. Alec's heart thumped as Magnus' hand trailed under his old ratty sweater and shirt, well aware that no matter how much he may have wanted to push Magnus against a wall and do ungodly things to him right there it wasn't the right destination for such interactions.

Magnus pulled away eventually, clearly aware of this fact as well.

"You're not still mad are you?" He had to be sure, both boys stared at each other, one in worry the other in love.

"Not even a little." Magnus stated, his painted finger nails trailing along Alec's arm and the older boy pressed a small cold bit of metal against his hands.

"What…"

"I want you" –Magnus interrupted- "to know I love you and if this is what it takes for you to believe me. I'll make you this promise. No matter what happens between us, now, tomorrow, in twenty years from now, you will always be welcome in my home Alexander."

Alec gripped the key and Magnus' hand along with it. Leaning in for a kiss despite his blush being quite apparent.

"You have no idea how happy that makes me Magnus Bane." Magnus didn't know then, that the promise he made to Alec would actually come into play in years to come.

Clary couldn't recall a time she felt this ecstatic, her legs wrapped around Jace's stomach and her arms linked around his neck tightly. Her face nestled against his shoulder and his strong hands holding her thighs as he laughed and continued telling a story about he and his siblings many adventures growing up.

Clary wasn't clumsy, not really, but Jace just knocked all the sense out of her. They had been walking out of the supermarket when she had tripped, twisting her ankle with a slight squeak, a squeak she was quite embarrassed and ashamed of.

Jace had insisted on carrying her, no matter how fine she claimed she was. He had said that only a fool would reject an offer like this from such a handsome beauty. She did, multiple times. But he was adamant about his intentions. Eventually she gave in, letting him give her a piggy back even as people stared.

She didn't care though. This was the most perfect… first date, she had ever had.

"Clary." Jace spun around in the street, Clary's slightly outstretched legs almost hitting a few people. The young girls green eyes rested upon Sebastian for the second time in two days.

"Sebastian what are you doing here?" Clary sounded quite harsh as she spoke but didn't come across as too rude, not that Sebastian seemed to care. Jace lent down and Clary climbed off his back.

"You should come with me." Sebastian insisted. "You're mother thinks you're dead in a ditch somewhere, went as far as to ask my father where to find you. She's with him now and waiting for you." Something didn't sit right with Jace as he reached for Clary's hand in clear protest.

"Why should she trust you?"

"Why shouldn't she?" Sebastian said calmly.

"Because I barely know you." Clary answered for Jace.

"You were five, a little brat was pulling your hair and I remember very clearly being the one to push him away from you. You sobbed and cried and I let you do so in my arms." Clary did surprisingly remember this event. It was long before Sebastian became her least favourite person.

"And when I was 12 you picked on me, said I was a pathetic child and almost drowned me by pushing me in the pool at a swimming carnival. I couldn't swim." Sebastian's look hardened and his jaw clenched slightly.

"I also jumped in right after I realised that. Broke my first phone doing so too." Clary licked her lips, turning to Jace. She knew she needed to see her mother, needed to assure her she wasn't hurt.

"Thank you, I had an amazing day." She kissed him on the lips and he kissed her right back. His arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer. After she pulled away she limped slightly over to Sebastian, ignoring his offered assisting hand. Hobbling her way home Clary barely spared Sebastian a glance, her heart still pounding with happiness because of the day she'd had with Jace.

Jace felt quite uplifted, the way he never really did when around other girls, sure he'd experienced good dates but usually he had no interest in girls after around two dates with them. Turning the key into his home he slid the small object into his pocket, hoping the mansion was vacant of his family.

His face dropped slightly when his adoptive mother stormed over to him, clear anger on her face.

"Jace Herondale! Where have you been?!" Maryse questioned furiously, her tone stern and full of anger. Jace knew what to expect when he offered Clary his time, he was almost sure one of his two parents would chew his ear off about his disappearance.

"With a friend." He replied simply, recalling it was always better to answer with small sentences.

"You should have been at school! You need to keep your grades up young man!" Jace held an eye roll, finally shutting the door and taking off his coat before hanging it up. Not replying until he turned back around.

"One day isn't going to bring down my perfect grades." He told Maryse, heading for his room but halted when she spoke again with anger.

"You were with that girl weren't you?! The one I told you not to see!" This time Jace did roll his golden orbs, Clary's face crossing his mind slightly. He was a fool for making his constant nightly absences so obvious, Jace almost cursed at himself, he should have come up with better lies.

"Well I guess she just couldn't stay away. And I mean how can you blame her?" Maryse was very close to losing her temper with Jace, surprising him, usually she could hold her temper much better. At least better than her husband Robert.

"I've had just about enough of that ridiculous ego of yours Jace Herondale!" He hated it when she used his full name, as much as he could accept he was a Herondale he wished he could be a Lightwood as well. Jace pursed his lips as she continued. "You know how important it is to keep up your appearance for both your family and mine…" She seemed like she was going to continue but he stopped her.

"I thought I was part of your family." He almost growled, full of anger and despair. Maryse's blue eyes settled on him, a look of guilt and perhaps slight regret in them. He couldn't be sure.

"Jace…"

"But if I guess if I'm not then I have no reason to be here." Jace ran upstairs, usually he wasn't so hasty but he was mad, mad at Sebastian Verlac for ruining his agreeable day by taking Clary away. He wasn't used to feeling so attracted to a girl, he obviously found a great deal of them sexy and was very willing to show them a good time, none of which had ever complained. But Clary Fray was different…

He was also mad at his mother, or Maryse, he supposed. He always got spectacular grades, whenever he attended one of their fancy business parties he was always charismatic and charming, he had proved his worth. But apparently Maryse had not thought so. 'Your family and mine.' Jace grinded his teeth together as he packed his clothes neatly into a duffle bag along with a few other things.

While he did so Maryse's call from the other side of the locked doors were increasing.

"Jace I'm sorry that's not what I meant." He didn't even hear her as he scribbled down a note on a piece of paper and placed it on his desk before climbing out the window. Jumping from a high distance and landing on his two feet with ease. Meanwhile Clary was dealing with her own family.

It was a brash new looking apartment, the place was mostly filled with whites and greys almost seeming hospital like to Clary. She disliked it despite how well furnished it seemed.

"Clary!" Her mother's arms wrapped around the teenager unexpectedly, almost knocking her off her feet. She allowed the hug despite the anger that was still apparent towards her mom. "I was so worried." She knew she was in trouble but relaxed slightly, knowing her mother wasn't likely to engage in a fight in front of two strangers.

When Clary pulled away she spied a set of prying eyes, much like Sebastian's they were dark and intrigued. Sebastian was still in the doorway, gazing at Jocelyn with a cocked head and slight smirk. Jocelyn didn't realise he was even there until Clary turned to thank him. If not for bringing her than for helping her up the stairs. She hadn't wanted his help but he'd offered it anyway.

Jocelyn's eyes widened at the sight of him. Her hand lifting to her mouth in a gasp as Sebastian looked at her with absolute disgust.

"Jonathan?" She gaped, stepping forward and past Clary. Her delicate hand reaching up to examine his face but he grabbed it before she touched him.

"My name is Sebastian." He sounded as if he detested such a title.

"Your eyes..." Jocelyn spun around to the other stranger in the room. Clary's eyes followed Jocelyn and therefore rested upon the man. He was broad shouldered and his whole build was muscular, his hair was almost white and now that she looked at him properly his eyes seemed much darker than Sebastian's. "You lied to me!" She growled.

"And you lied to me." The man tilted his head, raising his eyebrows while looking at Clary. Clary couldn't figure it out, what was between them, perhaps an old relationship. She turned back to Sebastian. Why did her mother think that his name was Jonathan? She only knew one Jonathan and that was her father and clearly that wasn't possible.

"What did you do to his eyes?"

"There merely contacts." The man claimed.

"Mom what's going on? I understand you had to find me but I need you to tell me the truth. What was the conversation last night about? What's this about?" Clary had had just about enough of not understanding.

"Why would you keep this from me? I thought, I thought…" Jocelyn trailed off ignoring Clary completely.

"You thought I was dead. And now you're dead to me." Sebastian finished for her, straightening while Clary examined him again.

"You cannot fault me for wanting to keep our son away from you when clearly you did the same with our daughter." Clary's eyes widened.

"What?!" She burst out. Jocelyn's same green eyes filled with sorrow. The word 'our' had Clary's head in a spin. Was this man… Was he her father? Or were they referring to someone else. Another child perhaps? She could only hope. The only thing Clary did know was that Sebastian Verlac, someone she had known her whole life… was her brother. Our son. Our son.

"Clary, Clary calm down." A soothing voice, one that she wasn't accustomed to yet so easy to obey whispered in her ear. She felt her heart beating and even thought that she could hear it. "Little sister calm down."

It came back like a flash of light, a memory of someone she thought may have loved her. A thud and cry from a boy that was picking on her. A choking sound coming from her throat and hand that pulled her small body close. A bad test result and a small pat on the back with a wink. A disgusting name and wicked laugh. A small push and a frantic drowning young girl. Sudden darkened eyes and silence. Distance and a complete stranger.

"I'm not your sister." She whispered, pushing his body away from her. "I'm not your sister." She repeated refusing to accept it. If he were her sister he would have told her. He should have told her. "I'm not your sister." She said finally, leaving the door swinging after her exit. Leaving Jocelyn, Sebastian and Valentine to themselves.

She rushed home quickly, tears pricking her eyes while she pulled out the biggest bag she had. She stuffed clothes in it and sent her mother a quick text telling her she was staying with a friend. Making sure to leave out the name.

When she was done she left through the front door, not looking back, not until she was ready and willing to listen to what her mom had to say.

On the way to the loft Clary was relieved to see that despite about 10 missed calls from Simon Jace had texted her.

Jace: Stressed. 5:00pm?

Clary looked at the time, 4:47pm. It had taken longer than anticipated to gather her things, between her heavy breathing and blurry vision. Only an hour and Jace was all she desired.

Clary: Coming, be there soon.

Deep breaths, Clary reminded herself, she would be okay.

Simon had been trying to get in touch with his best friend all day and she was really worrying him. Since she and her mystery guy, AKA Jace, had been having a friends with benefits relationship he found Clary didn't confide in him as much.

He tried to push his adoration for her down but Simon knew Clary was the one. He loved her in a way she didn't love him. But he was holding out hope. Hope that Clary would return his feelings.

It was almost 5 when Simon gave up, deciding this would be his final call and after he would just leave her alone until she eventually replied.

Praying she would answer he was solemnly disappointed but not surprised when all he got was her voice mail.

"Hey Clary, look I don't know what's going on with you but I know you're not sick because I talked to your mom and I know Jace is clearly with you because he is never away. Just… just call me and tell me you're alright, or you know what text me! I don't care, just get back to me. Please Clary."

Simon pursed his lips before going over his stressful day, first he hadn't met Clary at the front of Idris High like he always did, then his stupid maths teacher had set them an unrealistic amount of homework and Isabelle Lightwood had decided to flirt with him.

Now, he was shocked completely by this but thrilled. He thought the young woman was stunning and that despite loving Clary it was definitely better to consider she would never love him and find another rather than pining for her forever.

But… but that didn't mean Clary wasn't the one, because she was. And no matter how beautiful Izzy may have been and how nervous she made him, he didn't think that was ever going to change.

Clary burst through the loft, having calmed herself down completely and was immediately pushed against the wall by Jace who had slammed the door shut, his lips on her mouth.

"Hey, hey Jace what happened?" She asked between breaths as his lips traced her neck.

"I don't want to talk about it." He said, pulling away. "Do you want to talk about why you have a giant bag I'm assuming is full of clothes?" Clary shook her head, accepting another kiss and dropping said bag.

"No" was the last thing she said to him for the rest of the afternoon. He lifted her up against the door, careful not to hurt her as his strong fingers trailed up her thighs. She let him take the lead as he kissed her over and over again. Ripping off her bland t-shirt and letting her take off his own.

Hours later they lay together in the queen bed, there legs twined together while both assumed the other was sleeping. Neither was though.

Jace's mind was on his family while his hand softly lay between two strands of Clary's hair. Clary's thought wasn't completely on the boy she was practically laying on top of, even as her lips touched the skin in the crook of his neck.

He felt the words she spoke as her breath warmed his throat.

"So, what happened?" He sighed. Jace's fingers had begun stroking Clary's hair, notifying her he was awake.

"My mother."

"Same." Clary replied. They both paused, neither sure of what to do until Clary just said what she needed to say. "I found out I have a brother. I think. I didn't really stick around to double check." Jace stiffened, sitting up in the bed and resting his body against the headboard. Clary readjusted so she was lying on his stomach, an invisible pout gracing her lips in the dark. New York's streets the only light in the room.

"Really? How did you not know?" His voice was laced with amusement.

"It's not funny and I don't know how I didn't know okay. Do you know what's worse?"

"What?"

"It's Sebastian. Sebastian freaking Verlac." Jace scoffed, bursting out in laughter.

"By the angel Clary! I thought that boy just had a crush on you. He was always looking at you! Now I guess we know why." Clary gave him a playful hit on the chest.

"You're not funny!"

"Of course I am!" Clary supressed a grin.

"Anyway how did you know he was always looking at me?"

"Because I always look at you." Jace admitted softy, not realising the weight of his words and what they meant to Clary. She didn't just find it flattering. She found it hard to believe yet believable. He was always like that, cryptic but not, charming but a complete goof, happy but always sad.

"How sweet." The red head replied with a surprising happiness.

"I'm always sweet." She huffed at his ego, yet her pout had disappeared replaced with a smile.

What Clary Fray and Jace Herondale didn't know was that one evening together was going to define the rest of their lives.

5 weeks later

"How! How Clary! Do you know how likely it is to conceive a child after one night?!"

"No." Clary told him.

"It's like 2%!" Clary frowned at her best friend.

"I'm pretty sure that's not true, Simon calm down. I told you this because I trust you. Just… I don't know how this happened okay." Clary was panting heavily, having run all the way to Simon's after taking that stupid test.

"It's his yes?"

"Of course Simon! I'm not going around sleeping with every guy I see!" Simon raised an eyebrow in disbelief and Clary took it as a blow to the heart before scowling.

"Whatever, it doesn't matter, we're getting you professionally tested! I don't trust those stupid sticks!" Simon announced, going to grab his coat.

"With what money Simon?!" Clary boomed. Simon stood there thinking as Clary frowned upset.

"I guess we should visit your Dad then yeah?" Clary's eyes widened understanding it may have been the only option they had.

First of all thank you all who review my first chapter! If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts on the chapter or ideas for future chapters please do not hesitate to share! I really enjoyed writing this chapter and still hope to make my chapters longer but baby steps I suppose! I hope you all enjoyed!

-Manathiel

Guest: Here is your update!

Aurorellin: Thank you! I'm glad you found it cute :)

RainbowFangirl101: I did keep going! Thank you for the review!

Shauna Kullden: I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Guest: I'm so happy you love it! :P