A/N: Ok, so i know i said i'd post the next chappie after 5 or 4 days...but I got into an accident a few days ago and my whole body was so sore i couldnt move. :\ I'm so so sorry this chappie came a bit late! I tried my best to type the manuscript on my phone so it would be easier to write the whole thing on ffnet after I completely healed! :( Anyway, I'm pretty ok now, if it's any consolation. :)

Well, for those who can't get my stupid attempt at word play: Mr. Christian Bass = (Chri)stian Bass = Stian Bass = S(Bass)tian = Sebastian! :D hahahaa my mind is blown. :)))

Disclaimer: I felt like I had to do this :) Cassie Clare own EVERYTHING TMI! I just borrow them and play with them- so if characters act a bit differently from the way they're supposed to- blame my caffeine intake. :)

MILLENNIUM LINT

Chapter 3: Bull's Eye!

A sleepy-eyed Simon emerged from his room, and grunted about how mornings sucked ultimately. He walked the path leading to the kitchen and lazily scanned the setting: Jace was at the grill, flipping pancakes like a boss; Jordan and Clary were seated across each other in the small dining table, Clary reading through a small pamphlet, and Jordan licking a spoon coated with butter.

Jordan was the first to notice Simon standing there. He smiled. "G-ood Mornin'!" he said in an exaggerated southern bell accent.

Jace cocked his head in acknowledgement, and Clary smiled up at him.

"You guys are up early." Simon said casually, taking the seat beside Clary.

"I have a lecture later at nine." Jordan said, and then begrudgingly added, "You're lucky you only have class three days a week!"

"Well, I'm not the one taking up medicine." Simon wriggled his finger at Jordan. They engaged in a series of other topics, pausing only to take bites out of the pancakes Jace ferried over.

They were already eating some bacon strips with eggs when a loud catchy jingle played from the kitchen TV, which up till that moment, was playing soothing Beethoven classics.

Beside Simon, Clary stiffened.

"Can we turn it off?" Clary asked politely, her head turned away from the screen.

"Off? Why?" Jordan asked, but he was distracted by a telecast being featured by some reporter. "Hey!" The monitor displayed a man in a cast, addressing the media, with sad and disappointed eyes. "I didn't know Christian Bass was in the hospital. Damn I should really watch the news more. Hey, Ms. Fra—"

Simon had stopped eating. Beside him, Clary's head was facing the floor, her shoulders were shaking, and she had abandoned her eating utensils so she could wrap her arms around herself. Simon couldn't see her expression because her hair covered her entire face.

"I…" Clary managed to say. In that second, Simon stood up.

"Clary—"

"I'm sorry!" Jordan's voice cut whatever Simon was about to say. The boy was also on his feet, inching a little closer to Clary, as if unsure how to react to such a situation. Simon couldn't really blame the boy for causing Clary discomfort. He was so innocent about women and their workings most of the time, but then again—who was he to judge?

"W-was it something I said?" Jordan's voice shrank to the pitch of a squeaking mouse, which Simon mentally noted, did not suit his gigantic self.

"No. No, it' wasn't. No… just…" Clary looked up then. Simon noticed her face was bone-white, and her lip was bleeding where she'd bit it.

Unknown to the boys, Clary felt like her own credence was being pulled out of her system and replaced with the string of deceptions Mr. Bass publicly announced to the press. The things he said streamed into her, painfully like a drug, until she couldn't hear anything other than his lies.

"He's…He's talking about…" Before Clary could mutter any more incoherent sentence fragments, the reporter's voice was suddenly cut off by a loud gnashing of circuit wires.

Clary was the first to react, and then Simon and Jordan both turned to the direction of the television.

Jace was standing by the kitchen counter, holding what remained of the small antique appliance. It looked beyond repair. He stared at them, an innocent look on his face.

"Oops." He shrugged his shoulders. "I wanted to turn it down a little. It's too noisy at 7 am." Then he tossed the piece of metal into the trash bin and continued cooking like nothing even happened.

"Jace," The temper in Simon's voice was evident. "If you wanted to turn it down, use a remote like a normal person!"

Jace just gave him a sheepish grin. "I'll get you a new one. Promise."

Simon raised his hands exasperatedly and then sighed. Jace gave a chuckle in response which Simon snorted at.

Despite Jace's rash, and impulsive behavior, Simon found it hard to stay angry at him all the while knowing his true intentions.

After all, it didn't take a genius to see that despite breaking another expensiveelectrical device, Jace only did it because he noticed how uncomfortable Clary was in that situation.

Simon stole a glance at Clary who was starting to breathe normally. He caught Jace smiling over the stove.

'Typical Jace,' Simon mused. 'always trying to play the antihero.'

"You ok, Clary?" Simon whispered to her, while Jordan was lecturing Jace on his undesirable habit of tampering with technology then destroying it.

When she just blinked at him, he added, "Don't worry. Jordan means well. He's just a little oblivious sometimes. Especially when it comes to women: a field he just doesn't seem to have any background on."

Clary gave him a small smile. "Oh. No, it's nothing. He didn't do anything. There are just some things I'm still having a hard time surmounting." She brought her green eyes to meet his brown ones. "But I will. Overcome them, I mean."

"Let me know when you do." He patted her on the shoulder affectionately. "We can have a party to celebrate it! TV shaped piñatas all around for Jace to smash as he pleases!"

"Mmm…" Jordan's voice cut in between Clary's laughter. "What is that heavenly smell?"

"The pièce de résistance—behold! 'Tis called the Mango Phirni." Everyone gave awed sounds as the plate clattered in front of them. "It's an Indian recipe I managed to dig up from one of the old magazines in the shop."

Jace sat on the table then, a content expression on his face. Jordan drew his face closer to the dish and inhaled deeply.

"By Jove! Chef! You've done it again!" Jordan commented with an added accent Simon didn't recognize. Jace made a dramatic bow and everyone laughed. Within moments, they began sticking forks into the Phirni, savoring each blissful bite.

"So how was your sleep, Ms. Fray?" Jordan asked, like a good host, previous tension completely forgotten. Jace coughed in the background.

Clary ignored that and returned Jordan's concern with a smile. "It was great, Jordan. You know you can just call me Clary."

"Ok. Clary." Jordan enunciated.

Clary laughed at his awkwardness. "Good boy. OH yeah! Before I forget…" She shifted in her seat, looking for something, which gained her curious glances from her male housemates.

"Simon, how about we give that new Millennium Lint song a run through with the band?" she quipped.

"What new song?" Simon, chewing on some Phirni, asked.

She drew out a folded paper from her pocket and handed it to him. "This one."

Simon was surprised. "That was fast." He looked at her. "Did you even sleep last night?"

Jace coughed again.

"Of course. I woke up early to write it." Simon barely heard anything else after she said that. He read through the lyrics, integrating each word into his mind carefully.

Jace watched the paper from a peripheral view.

"Well? Is it bad? Horrible? Provocative, maybe?"

Clary shot him a look which he returned with an accusing stare.

"Actually," Simon said, looking up for the first time since he began reading it. "It sounds pretty good."

Clary gave a relieved smile.

Jordan asked to borrow the paper and began scanning it. After finishing, he handed it to Clary.

"Wow, he's right. It's amazing, Clary. Did you ever do something that before?"

Clary handed the paper to Jace. "Hm? What? Songwriting? No, actually." She shrugged. "But I did write a script for a small production number before."

Everyone settled in their seats and looked impressed, even Jace—though he tried to hide it with a snort.

"Well, if you approve it Simon, let's give it a test drive, shall we?" Clary said, enthusiastically.

Simon leaned back on his chair to survey her confident, yet small frame. He scratched his head in confusion. "You really think you can make our band sound better?"

Clary propped her elbows on the table, a coy smile on her lips. "You know me,

Simon. I love a good challenge."

"Ok! I'm off!" Jordan yelled, pulling on a jacket. It might rain again, after all.

"Bye man!" Simon called from the living room…

"Don't wait up!" Jace, at the kitchen…

"Take care, Jordan." …and Clary waving from the dining table.

"Later, guys—and er, girl." he said to no one in particular. After Jordan took his sling bag from the couch and the keys on the coffee table, he headed out for the door.

'Damn it, I'm almost late!' Jordan mentally cussed. He's spent an extra few minutes eating Jace's goddamn delicious Phirni. 'Maybe if I take the express shuttle, I could beat a few minutes off of—'

He absentmindedly strode forward, not bothering to look where he was going, thus ending up bonking heads with someone on the other side of the door.

"Ouch!" It was a girl's voice.

"Shit! I am so sorry, Ms.!" Jordan shuffled to help her up. "Are you al—?"

If jaws could drop to the floor, Jordan's would've fallen into a manhole.

The girl's hair was curly and dirty blonde, and her skin was the color of toast. As Jordan pulled her to her feet, her eyes got caught in the light and he was immediately entranced by the amber shade of her irises.

"Jordan!" Jordan was too dumbstruck to notice Simon rushing out of the door, and running towards him. Jordan's mind was being flooded with Maia's beauty until, out of nowhere, a pair of golden eyes popped into his line of sight.

It was Jace.

"Why does Jordan have sparkles in his eyes?" Jordan didn't know how long he was in that state of awe, but somehow, Jace's comment catapulted him back to reality. Blushing furiously, he stuttered, "D-d-do not!"

"We heard someone scream." Simon spoke. "Is everything all right?"

"Simon?" The girl's voice was even more melodic than Jordan could imagine. If he'd recorded that sound, he'd play it over and over again, without shame.

He glanced through Jace's head to look at her again—and then his heart partially shattered.

"Maia?" Simon said, casually unobservant of how she seemed to look at him like he was the light. "Hey. What're you doing here?"

Jordan felt his eyes burn at the sight. Jace raised a brow, but Jordan didn't have time to deal with him right now. He just met this "Maia" girl—barely even "met"… more in the line of "ran into"—but why did it hurt so much?

Why did her expressing feelings for one of his closest friends hurt so damn much?

"Worry about that later, Simon." Maia tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "I've got some bad news. I accidentally booked you guys for tonight instead of tomorrow!" She looked sincerely sorry.

"What? Wait… Wa… B-but we're not ready to perform tonight!" Simon exclaimed.

"I'm really sorry, Simon." Maia took a step closer to him and Jordan cringed.

"The reservations at the desk must have gotten mixed up." She wore a solemn look mixed with pleading. "Please, Simon! The boss' son is back from his European studies abroad, and they're having a small party for him! Tonight! If there isn't any entertainment, the boss will have my head! Please!" She clasped her hands together, as if praying. "Please, Millennium Lint has to perform!"

"Maia." Simon's voice was steady, and his eyes were soft. "As much as I want to help you—that is insane! We haven't even practiced or anything! I'm not even sure if the other guys are free this evening because I think Kirk still has a soar throat, and Erik may have night classes later!" Simon flung his arm around, trying to express a point.

Maia gave him the watery-eyes coupled with batting eyelashes—and if it were up to Jordan, he would've caved in minutes ago.

"Simon—please?" she sounded desperate.

"The only ones left are me and Matt. Guitar and keyboards—I can play a guitar too, but what good will that do… hmmm…" Simon muttered to himself as he knitted his brows together with his fingers.

"Why is everyone outside?" A voice called from the door way.

Jace patted his ears, a dazed expression on his face.

"What was that? I'm sorry; your shrill voice penetrated my eardrums. I can't hear well. Can you please say that again?"

"Oh, so you're deaf you say?" Clary sauntered over and pulled Jace by the shirt so that her lips were pressed to his ear. Jace let out an involuntary moan. Then…

"IS THIS BETTER? LET ME REPEAT MYSELF. I SAID WHY ARE YOU ALL OUTSIIIIIIIIIDE?" Clary shouted at the top of her lungs.

"Damnit woman!" Jace recoiled from her grasp. Wincing, he rubbed his left earlobe. Clary looked happy with herself.

Simon gave a hearty laugh. Jordan chuckled. He had to admit, Jace seemed to have finally met his demise.

"I didn't know Jace had a girlfriend." Jordan's eyes shot back at Maia, who was standing beside Simon now, a speculative look in her tawny eyes. Then she looked directly at Clary, sympathetically.

"What do you see in him?"

Clary's eyes widened.

"He's not…"

"I'm not…"

"His girlfriend."

"Her boyfriend."

They said in unison. Maia looked unconvinced.

"Oh. But you two looked sort of in to each other." she reasoned.

Jace and Clary then launched into an argument of sorts.

"Before I am tempted to punch this guy in the face—" Clary said, her temper forcibly at bay.

"I'd like to see you try." Jace earned a hard glance from Clary.

"Before I am tempted to punch this guy in the face—" Clary repeated. "May I say something?"

"Depends," Simon grumbled. "Will it add to my worries or not?"

"It could actually help alleviate it, even. Simon, I promised you I'd help get your band more publicity and a better rep if you let me stay in your house—and I will keep that pact. This could be a great opportunity to try out that new song!" Clary beamed.

Maia put a hand on Simon's shoulder. "Sounds like Jace's girlfriend has a plan, Simon.

Clary looked indignant. "I told you. I'm not his—ugh. And I do have a name you know."

Maia slid her gaze over to Clary. "Which is?"

"Clar—" Clary stopped herself. As if deciding a little too late that revealing her name would be a dead giveaway to her identity.

"Clarene? Clarissa? Hahahaha," Maia then added humorously, "What about Clary?"

"Woah. How'd you know?" Jordan said almost unconsciously. Then he cussed under his breath. It never occurred to him until now that Clary might want her identity be kept secret. Damnit, you screwed up again, Jordan! Real nice.

Maia looked at him for the first time since he pulled her up, and he felt suddenly conscious of his posture. Jordan pressed himself against a nearby wall, his head turned to the fluorescent lamps above them.

"It was actually a joke. I was thinking of that Hollywood star, you know, Clary Fray. I didn't know your name was Clary too—" Maia surveyed Clary critically. Jordan saw the bile rise in her throat.

"But you do kinda look like her…" Maia stepped towards Clary, but Jace blocked her way in record speed.

"Yes, actually. Her name is Clary." Clary pulled his elbow and shot him a betrayed look. But from Jordan's angle, he could see a little bit of hurt mixed in that hard stare.

Jace unlaced her hand from his elbow without looking at her. "But! Not this Clary Fray, of whom you speak of. Her name is Clary… Migrano-stirn."

Maia blinked. Twice. "Like what… Morgenstern?" she prompted, trying to make sense of Jace's not-so-elaborate lie.

Jace gave a convincing grin. "Yeah. Go with that." He turned away from Maia, and as he passed by Clary, he smirked as if mentally relaying the message "You're welcome."

Jordan heard Simon chuckle for some reason.

"Well moving on," Clary cleared her throat. Her cheeks were slightly pink. "You don't have to fear, Ms." she said to Maia. "Millennium Lint will give your boss a show he will never forget."

"Clary," Simon emerged behind Maia. "Please don't tell me you think you can groom us into partly decent entertainment for a show that's barely 8 hours away."

Clary rolled her eyes and put one hand on either side of his shoulders.

"Where's the trust?" She smiled up at him. "Like I said, Simon—I love a good challenge."

"Damn, Clary's working those guys to the bone." was the first thing Jordan remarked as he entered Taki's. The restaurant wasn't full of people today. The chairs were all empty, but balloons and fancy dining plates were set up on them. The stage looked pretty fancy too. There was a big tarp that read "Welcome home, Sonny!" hanging from two pillars. Jordan saw Simon debate with Clary (obviously losing) and the sole remaining band member, Matt, adjusted his guitar strings, seemingly unaware of their feud.

"You should'a been here 2 hours ago. They were in much worse shape." A female voice said from behind him.

Jordan let out a friendly laugh. "Well, they had it coming. Clary's a real grea—" Jordan saw who he was talking to and he blanked out again.

Maia.

Said girl played with her hair, and looked at her feet when he just stared at her dumbly. "You're Simon's friend, right?" No response. "I assume Jace's horrible personality doesn't rub off on both of you. You don't talk much, but you seem nice." She gave him a weak smile and said, "Well, see you around." And that was that. She was gone.

Jordan trailed her frame until it disappeared fully behind the kitchen doors. He wanted to say something, anything, but his whole body betrayed him. She must think you're one big idiot now.

"By the angel. You like her that much?" Jordan snapped his head to the left, and there he was—Jace, standing for God-knows-how-long beside him.

"Jace. Dude, what are you doing here? Don't you have work?"

"Nah. Boss let me out early. I'm here with the same reason you are. Support Millennium Lint."

"But you think they suck." Jordan pointed out.

"Can't a man change and start a new leaf?"

Jordan raised a brow. "Ah, I get it. You just want to go annoy Clary again. Seriously, what is on between you two?"

Jace rolled his eyes, but a smile was playing across his lips. He waved a finger at Jordan. "Tsk Tsk Tsk, Jordan Kyle. Before you bother with other people's non-existent love-lives, ponder on your own little unrequited love triangle with that Maia girl."

Jordan looked at Jace, partly murderously. "You don't like her too, do you?"

"Oh, for the love of God, Jordan—no!" Jace laughed in a way that gave Jordan the impression he was telling the truth.

Jace put a hand on Jordan's shoulder. They were around the same height.

"Not my cup of tea, bro. She's all yours. That is… if you manage to get her off of Simon's hook. Hey, don't hate the guy for it—he doesn't even notice. Don't you see? It's a cycle. Maia likes Simon, who doesn't reciprocate the same sort of feelings—while you have hopelessly fallen head over heels for her, who refuses to acknowledge you even as an attractive male adult because you blank out in the middle of a conversation." Jace put a fist to Jordan's forehead. "Think, veterinarian!"

Jordan was silent for awhile, then he sank unto a chair, and dropped his head between his hands. Jace was propping himself unto the seat beside him when Jordan released a small laugh.

"What the hell is so funny?" Jace asked, in a serious tone. Jordan, still laughing like a loon, raised his head and looked at Jace with a glittering smile.

"Well what do you know," There was a wicked sparkle to Jordan's eyes. "Amazing! So it isn't just bullshit that comes out of this mouth." Jordan was referring to Jace's.

Jace laughed and punched Jordan's shoulder, teasingly.

"You're an asshole." he proclaimed.

"Look who's talking."

Jordan's chuckle turned into boisterous hilarity. "Nicely said, Clary."

Clary, who had walked over to them from the stage, shared a high-five with Jordan. Jordan was so amused by the moment that he didn't notice Maia sneaking a peak at him, a petit smile on her lips.

"So what do I owe this unpleasant audience with you, your divine evil-ness?" Jace asked Clary in a chivalrous tone.

"It isn't you I want. It's him." At this time, Jordan's laughter ceased and he looked at Clary who was staring at him, smiling, like she'd won the lottery.

"Me?" Jordan sounded unsure. "What, why me? I thought…" He glanced from Clary to Jace, then back to Clary. "I thought you and Jace had something going on!" he exclaimed.

"You know, if people keep saying that, then I might be tempted to believe it's true." said Jace.

Clary gave him a mortified look, which he returned with a smile.

"Jordan, I didn't mean it like that. I meant that I wanted to talk to you."

"Ohhhh." Jordan said. "That's a relief. Not! That you're not attractive in that way… but you and Jace are too—" Jordan groped for the word.

"Finish that sentence and I swear tonight will be your last." Clary balled her fists and threateningly shook them in front of Jordan's face.

Jordan obediently shut his mouth, but couldn't help let out a chuckle at how small but deadly Clary was.

"So," Jordan began, in an attempt to change the topic. "What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Ah, yes. I want you to sing lead for Millennium Lint."

"Ok," Jordan's eyes widened to the size of an acorn. "Wait, WHAT?"

"You heard me." Clary gave him a steady gaze. "I heard you humming this morning—and to be honest, you aren't half bad. Plus, you could bring a little sex appeal to their sex appeal-less band."

Jordan was furiously shaking his head 'No!' when Jace pulled him back to whisper in his ear.

"Remember. Get Maia to notice you as someone other than just Simon's friend. Get her to see the man who's interested in her." Jace then patted his back reassuringly and thrust him towards Clary.

"Go on, Jordan! What have you got to lose, anyway?"

Jordan looked at Clary and sighed. "Fine. I'll do it."

Clary smiled, tugging on Jordan's sleeve. "Excellent. Come on then. We don't have much time."

Because of Jordan's photographic memory, the improvised Millennium Lint only had to go through 2 vocal sessions, and stage choreography. Clary knew what she was doing, and she seemed to know how to bring out the best in whatever was available. By 6:30, guests were flocking in Taki's. Everyone was backstage going through last minute rehearsals until 8:20, when Maia came and told them they were on in 10 minutes.

When Jordan stepped out of the red velvet curtains, everyone was staring at him, expecting a good show. He gulped audibly.

Jordan glanced offstage and saw Jace sitting on top of a stereo, and Clary standing with her arms around herself. She gave him a thumb's up and Jordan relayed the signal to Simon.

Simon nodded and walked over to the microphone.

"Good evening, guests. Hope everyone is enjoying the food. Anyway, we are Millennium Lint. Please allow us to enhance your dining experience here at Taki's with pleasant music. Please, sit back, and enjoy the show."

Simon handed the mic over to Jordan, and whispered, "On the count of 5…4…3…2…"

Matt caught the cue and began strumming his guitar. Simon traded in his keyboard for a bass guitar, and he came in during the third prompt. The musical scoring was entirely string instrumental by dictate of Clary. Jordan noticed it wasn't a pretty bad combination; simple but elegant; suitable for the ambiance. The crowd looked pleased and relaxed and everything seemed paying attention. It was going pretty well. Jordan tapped his left foot the beat and when his cue came, he began to sing.

He did the routine Clary planned out for him—careful not to trip over the wires on the floor. He tried to engage the audience's participation by focusing on one or two guests. These chosen ladies swooned a bit, and Jordan smiled.

The song was almost at it's climax when a dark movement caught Jordan's eye. Maia was serving champagne to the guests. He saw her pause, holding a bottle of Brandy, and look directly at him.

Their eyes met and the whole world seemed to freeze. Jordan saw her lips part slightly, her eyes glaze over with an emotion Jordan couldn't really tell what.

It was as if he was singing to her, and not to a crowd. When the music rose and fell—his heart did pretty much the same thing.

When the last cue came, marking the end of the song, Jordan didn't even notice Jace's stunned expression, or Clary's happy dance, or the band members' wide smiles, or even the standing ovation of the audience.

He cocked his head to the left and then to the right, searching for Maia who had vanished in a sea of applauding people.

A/N: Before I thank these awesome reviewers for the prev chappie- let me apologize for the series of typos this chappie has. :\ like the name Jordan being attached to other words. :\ that's Microsoft Word's fault. Stupid font conversion problems. Ugh.

Oh, and Jordan, in my story's world, is studying to become a veterenarian, 'cause vets like dogs, and he's like a werewolf, which is a dog, in Cassie Clare's world :) Haha. Sick mind, I have. Sick, I tell you! :))

Hope you guys liked this chapter and big big biiig thanks xxgabigailxx, Lol, Billy, FashionxPrincess, Elitsa and Nikki Gargol! :D Love you guys!

Next chapter: Unravelling
Give me a week, and a few days. Tops :)