Thanks everyone who read and a big cuddle to the following reviewers;

0pa12, roselynne32, Merkle, zoey zink.

You guys are awesome.

Only short, seem to run out of steam lately.

Enjoy :D

Dawn, finally the sun decided to show its lazy face. Jace thought as he leapt out of bed and into his bathroom to shower.
As the hot water rained down on his slightly tender muscles and body Jace exhaled a moan of satisfaction. He was a bad ass hunter, he was probably classed as cold blooded killer to some but one of his biggest secrets was his weakness for long, hot showers and the odd comfort they brought him.

Proof that he was different from the other shadow hunter kids whose vices were their family and friends, Jace thrived off solitude. He supposed it had something to do with the fact that for the most part of his childhood his father was only ever around half the time and the fact that Jace enjoyed time away from the military life style more than his deep desire to make his father proud and be around him to try and force his way into his father's heart.

The heat and comfort of the many drops of water distracted Jace from his weary thoughts and soothed he caressed his body until he was relaxed. Another reason why he loved showers so much. He looked down on the faint scars on his body, the imperfections that were the biggest accomplishment in his life, and the things he was most proud of. If only his father could see him now. With great reluctance Jace turned the hot water off and forced himself to get out of the shower and wrap the ridiculously white, fluffy towel around his body; he had work to do today.

Dressed casually in black jeans, and a black shirt Jace descended the stairs thinking it was good he had the fair hair and light features; he might be mistaken for a mundane emo if he weren't. He thought of Alec's dark hair and grinned, reminding himself to take Alec to an emo poetry reading next time, he'd probably enjoy it, Angel knew he had the right attitude.

Isabelle was in the kitchen, still in her blood red satin night gown, barely covering her thighs or chest. Jace looked around for Alec, he was sure to have a heart attack if he saw his sister dressed this way.
"Good morning Isabelle, end up getting lucky did you, should I help the boy guy escape?" Jace asked, choosing to sit on the table then in the stiff wooden chairs around it.
Isabelle whirled around, not even surprised. "Jace it's too early for your little cryptic messages."
Jace gestured to her outfit. "You're dressed up for bed."
Isabelle shrugged. "I might meet some amazing, sexy guy in my dreams, I'm just keeping myself prepared."
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by your logic, why are you up so early anyway? Isn't this against the code of beauty etiquette for girls and how to maintain the perfect skin, mood etc?"
"In case you hadn't noticed Jace, I'm not in need or anymore beauty sleep. I thought I'd make breakfast this morning, would you like an omelette?"
Jace grinned. "Isabelle I knew you didn't want me to go out alone today but I had no idea you would resort to poisoning me to prevent me from going."
Isabelle's eyes flashed dangerously. "What did you say Jace?"
Luckily for Jace Hodge chose this moment to bustle in.
"Hodge! How wonderful to see you, Isabelle's made breakfast which I am so disappointed to be missing but I have a date with a fiery red head, make sure you eat my half though, wouldn't want the deliciousness to go to waste."
Hodge paled as Isabella beamed and passed him a plate with a steaming pile of what looked to be yellow and black slush.

Jace chuckled to himself and left Hodge to deal with Isabelle's failed attempt at breakfast while he did some recon.

He went back to where he had first met her and smiled at the memory before reminding himself to get a grip on himself and do his job. Distractions got you killed, emotions got you destroyed. Jace looked around trying to figure out the best approach to find the mystery girl, Clary. Hmm, she didn't seem like the Barbie type to spend hours in the mundie malls finding the perfect shoes to match the perfect dress and then figure out how to style her hair. Ok, so she wasn't a normal girl, so where would she be? Jace suddenly remembered the mundie boy and how even in the few seconds he glimpsed him he could sense their connection and closeness. She would be with him. Just perfect.

With a groan Jace started down the street, maybe luck would be on his side today and he'd just run into her. Dozens upon dozens of people crowded the streets bustling past each other without a second glance, never stopping, never letting anyone cross their paths. Jace groaned again, yeah right, looked like it was going to have to be done the only way Jace was used to; the hard way.

**

Had he really been reduced to this? Alec and Isabelle would never let him live it down if they knew. Jace entered Clary's name into Google images hoping something might pop up, however not being surprised when it was all useless. Without her last name or any further information this was going to be difficult. Pushing away from the computer desk Jace stormed out of the internet café and ran right into a teenage mundie boy.
"It's cool man," the kid told him.
Jace grit his teeth. "I wasn't apologising,"
The mundie stared at Jace through glazed eyes. "You should come."
"Excuse me?"
"To the poetry reading tonight, it's going to be magnificent not to mention there will be hot babes there, babes dig the sensitive side man."
Jace thought this over. "Where is it?"
"Alright! It's at the coffee shop, here this had the address, I'm Eric."
Jace looked at his indie clothes. "I'm sure you are. You wouldn't happen to know if a certain red head girl called Clary would be attending?"
Eric's mouth dropped and Jace worried the energy exerted to answer all these questions may be frying his brain.
"You know Clary?"
"I'm interested in getting to know her, if you know what I mean," Jace told him with a wink, lowering himself to the language of the brute.
Eric's glazed eyes widened. "My man Simon is there and she'll be with him."
Jace smirked, success! "Thanks man, I'll see you tonight then."
Eric grabbed Jace's hand and Jace had to fight very hard against the urge to throw him through the glass window.
"You didn't listen," Eric told Jace quietly. "She'll be with him and Simon's my man, you're not going to cut his grass got it?"
Jace smirked, loyalty, how touching. "Oh don't worry Eric, neither of you will see me there."
Eric nodded in satisfaction and then turned and loped away.
Jace looked down at the flyer in his hand and crumpled it in his fist before stalking away; he had some time to kill before he got the girl.

*

Jace was late to the poetry reading, Isabelle and Alec had tried to distract him with pointless tasks and queries so he had lost time, better late than never though he figured.
He shoved through the teenagers clad in black clothing with too much eyeliner, the giggling girls twirling their hands in their fingers as they giggle over which aching artist is the hottest.
Scanning the crowd he found her, sitting with that Simon boy, looking tiny in her jacket next to him and he wasn't very large either. They seemed intense in their conversation and Jace longed to be a part of it, to have some kind of connection in her life. He found a seat behind them and listened in.
"Not that," the mundie was saying. It's about what we were talking about before, about me having a girlfriend."
Jace watched as Clary lifted on shoulder in a shrug. "Oh, ask Jaida Jones out, she's nice and she likes you."
"I don't want to ask Jaida Jones out."
"Why not? You don't like smart girls, still looking for a girl with a rockin' bod?"
Jace grinned at how this little statement seemed to make Clary grow taller, he knew without having to think too hard where the rockin' bod comment would have come from.
Simon was getting agitated now. "Neither, I don't want to ask her out because I don't think it would be very fair to her if I did…"
Jace felt his own pang of agitation as Clary leaned forward with interest. "Why not?"
"Because I like someone else." It was almost like the words had been wrenched from his throat without permission and he steadily turned a little green around the edges.
Jace began to really smirk now, was she that blind that she didn't see where he was going with this? How did she not see how he was looking at her, how he positioned himself close to her and blocking her from others. He was so obviously in love with her and she was completely oblivious which meant she didn't feel the same. Tonight was really looking up.
"Ok," Clary said then noticing how squeamish he was tacked on. "You're not gay are you?"
Where was the popcorn this was so entertaining Jace thought.
"If I were I would dress better."
"So, who is it then?"
Jace couldn't stop himself any longer, he had to laugh, he at least tried to turn it into some sort of cough though. It wasn't surprising that she turned around and noticed Jace, irritation and embarrassment colouring her cheeks.
There you are his soul seemed to whisper but Jace shoved it aside instead quirking his lips to smile at her.
"What is it?" Simon asked following her gaze and Jace waved his hand to wave at her a silent now you see me, but he doesn't. Without waiting for a further reaction Jace got up and casually made his way to the door, not rushing this time.
The smile on his face broadened when he sensed her following.
And so it begins.