Hi guys! Sorry, I know I haven't updated in a while (okay maybe more than a while). Thanks for the reviews. Yes, I try to keep my writing as close to what a continuation of the epilogue written by Cassie would be like, but without any idea of what plot she may have had in mind.

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own any of these characters or the Infernal Devices, these belong to the wonderful Cassandra Clare.

There was a sound of a large door closing and Jem felt himself stepping over what seemed to be marble tiled floor. He could still smell the coffee on the napkin held around his eyes. He had been rather scandalised when Tessa had simply called out across the cafe, even though it had felt like a rather comfortable, homey space, where propriety wasn't greatly required. He guessed he needed to get used to modern customs and attitudes... there was a lot he needed to get used to in this new age.

"Ow!" he called out. His toe had just come into contact with a very hard, very solid surface.

"Oops. Sorry Jem." Tessa sighed. "There are some stairs here."

Stairs, Jem thought vaguely. Marble floors... Something tugged at the back of his mind.

Another door shut softly. Jem could hear Tessa tiptoeing towards him, feel her breath on the back of his neck, as she slowly removed the napkin blindfold.


A gentle breeze blew through the lacy curtains, a clean linen was on the bed; waiting for it's sleeper, and the sun filtered in and found rest illuminating the tints of the polished wooden case upon the desk. The elaborate writing still marked the owner's name.

Jem walked like a sleepwalker in wonder over to the desk. He cautiously flipped the catches and drew out the gleaming instrument. His hands automatically moved to adjust the pegs, but it was perfectly tuned, and no rosin was needed on the bow. He breathed in deeply and raised it to the point just beneath his chin where it fit perfectly with his body. His eyes closed, his arm came up, and brought the bow to rest upon the strings. There was a faint chord as it touched them, and then Jem was swept away, his bow moving back and forth over the strings, ringing the melody from them with sweeping actions and triumphant expressions.

Tessa watched in awe, marvelling in the pure beauty of the melodies, although she could sense hesitancy in Jem's movements. His music was not purposeful, but rather abstract, as if he were wandering through dreams, not quite with any idea where he was going. Ideas drifted through the fantasy, one after the other, always ambiguous and half formed. Calls echoed out from the depths of the violin, then came a clearer vision, one of an old manor house.

Suddenly Jem's playing became frantic, chasing the vision, Tessa could feel him reaching out, stretching his hand... and grasping the image. The melody finally became clear as the manor house pulled Jem into a whirlwind of memories.

Tessa could hear pain and transition to the brotherhood, she could hear loneliness and emptiness, happiness for his best friend. She could see Jem staring into the eyes of the one named for him, holding the sweaty palms of hands filled with demon poison, see a rowboat on a clear lake, and a grand oak rustling in a gale. With a pang Tessa heard the music of a life lived with love and happiness, albeit some rash and reckless actions, and a slim, forlorn figure waiting on a windswept bridge, standing rooted throughout the ages, one constant anchor.

The tension built in the music, rising and growing, until suddenly it released, the chords became strong and clear. Vibrant colours bloomed from the strings, sounds gushed forth, and exotic smells wafted through the room.

Slowly Jem's bow played a final tune, and then came to rest by his side. His cheeks were flushed with a healthy glow and a light danced in his eyes. Tessa wiped a tear from her own and ran up to embrace him.

"Jem, that was beautiful!" Her voice was muffled against his chest. "Zhi yin."

Tessa heard Jem inhale sharply, then he moved to put down the violin and rest his hand against her head, gently stroking her hair.

"I heard the colours of your soul, saw your memories through your eyes, heard the music of your spirit, and it was wonderful." Tessa whispered.

She smiled into Jem's chest for several minutes, before she gently detached herself from the embrace and moved over to the desk, where she opened a drawer and pulled out a silk wrap. She guided Jem over to sit on the bed and placed the silken parcel beside him.

"You once told me that there may come a time I should give this to you, and I believe now is that day." Tessa spoke gently as she indicated the shape.

Jem shot her a questioning look, and then with shaking fingers he drew aside the silk covering, exposing the brown hilt of a once intricate silver dagger. Earth and blood crusted the blade, but he made no move to wipe it off as he drew the dagger into his lap. His fingers traced over the engravings, and then he hunched over it as if against a strong wind, and held it to his heart, next to where the faded parabatai rune was still etched into his skin.

"Will wanted you to have it." Tessa whispered. "It marked the land that belonged to you two, and that forever shall belong to the two parabatai, no matter if they are separated by the river of death."

A tear landed atop the hilt and ran down the length of the blade. Another followed it. "We will meet again." Jem muttered.

Tessa reached and held Jem's hand, and they remained that way for a time, while Jem's breathing became steady. Tessa looked at their joined hands and smiled, but a thought tainted her smile. "Jem, there was something Martha said which made me think." Jem slowly looked up at her with soft eyes. "Are you going to go back to being a shadowhunter? Maybe join an Institute?"

Jem was still staring at her, and she couldn't draw her eyes away from his. "Tessa. A shadowhunter is what I am, and I can't change that." Tessa suddenly felt foolish and looked down into her lap.

"But I made you a promise, and the Clave says I can take a while to, work out what I'm doing."

He gave her hand a small squeeze. She slowly flitted over his long-fingered violinist one with her fingertips, and when he did not move it, gently traced over the eye pattern on the back of his wrist. She then turned to face him and traced over the dark, black slashes across his cheekbones, wiping away a lingering tear. Jem closed his eyes and brought his hand up to cover hers on his cheek, before hesitating, gently depositing Tessa's hand back in her lap and gracefully standing up.

"Thank you Tessa, coming here has greatly eased my mind." He beamed a smile at her. "But I cannot believe you kept my room the same, you needn't have done that."

Tessa looked up at him and smiled wanly. "But of course we needed to. It belonged to you, and was never properly vacated. Your violin was well taken care of by John Carstairs, who treated it with care that you would have approved of."

Jem looked up sharply at the mention of the name, but not for the reason Tessa expected. "But John Carstairs died... earlier this year."

Tessa nodded. "Magnus brought back the violin one night to my apartment, with the news. I brought it here that night. Cassandra and Thomas were quite surprised when I appeared on the doorstep in the thundering storm. They've taken care of your room over the years and made sure to do the same with your violin."

"Cassandra and Thomas?" Jem pondered.

"The Kingsmills and Lightwoods that run the Institute now. I'll introduce you to them." Tess stood up and gently tugged at Jem's hand, leading him over to the door with her. With a reassuring smile she swung it wide.


There was a squeal and a flash of brown as something dashed across their vision and behind the opening door. Jem looked over at Tessa, she simply raised an eyebrow. Jem let go of her hand and peered around the door. Behind it was a slim figure clad in black, with long, fine chestnut hair, and large hazel eyes. She stared up nervously at Jem, biting her lip, and shaking. Jem realised that she was genuinely afraid of him and softened.

"Hello," he smiled.

"Hello," she whispered back in a petrified voice. Her eyes were extremely wide in her face, and a smattering of freckles stood out clearly against her pale skin.

Jem looked at her thoughtfully. The girl still stood completely still, except for her shaking.

"I'm James Carstairs, but you can call me Jem. What's your name?" Jem held out his hand.

The girl cautiously took it and gave it a quick shake before her hand retreated. "My name is Alice Kingsmill. What are you doing here?"

Jem considered, "My friend brought me here to show me my room."

The girl's eyes grew even wider. "That's your room?"

"Yes it is, well it was, a very long time ago." Jem looked around him to see where Tessa has gotten too, but she seemed to have disappeared. "So what are you doing here?"

"I live here," stated Alice. "But... I heard music and came to listen. It was coming from your room. Did you make it?"

"Well I was playing, yes. I'm sorry if it bothered you." Jem wondered how long had the girl been listening. "I'm leaving anyway."

"No!" The girls eyes sparked before she regained composure. "Please don't go. It didn't bother me at all. I didn't hear all of it, it sounded special and secret, so I blocked my ears, but I wish I could make music like you do." She was fiddling with her fingers. "Could you teach me?"


Okay, hopefully you guys liked it :)

I'll try to get the next chapter up maybe a BIT sooner. But, let's say if you want to see the next chapter, I need to get at least three reviews. ;)