Hey...

So I got a review from a chick who wants Clary to end up with Jace, because they belong together and Simon's a pervert.

O_o

Clary WILL NOT end up with Jace, he is, in this story, with Maia.

And Simon is a pervert, based on past experiences when I thought I was being followed...I have issues, I know. Point is, if you're Team Jace, and don't like crazy leading men, TURN BACK.

*ahem* So glad we could have this talk...;)

~O~O~O~O~

Clary

Waking up in bed to find out there is a body spooning you, when you have no idea who the hell it is, natural survival reflexes kick in, and you either scream, or kick that person in their balls.

"WHAT THE FUCK?"

Clary shot up in her bed, her legs and feet thrashing wildly, as her foot repeatedly kicked whoever it was who'd just recently been groping her, in their nuts.

There was a loud oomph, and she looked down to see him, curled up in a tight ball on her bed, face scrunched up all cute-like, as he clutched his most-likely aching groin.

"Oh. Good morning," she said awkwardly. 'Cause seriously? What are you supposed to say to the man you'd just kicked-multiple times-in their jewels?

He groaned, and opened his eyes to look up at her, his chocolate brown orbs swallowing her green ones. "What the hell was that for, Sweetheart?"

Clary cleared her throat. "Sorry-Erm, I guess I didn't expect there to be someone in my bed when I woke up..." She shook her head. "What happened to keeping your hands to yourself?"

He shrugged, smiling a crooked, adorably sheepish grin. "I couldn't help it. You looked so beautiful, just laying there..."

Clary swallowed. Raphael had never been one for romance, unless he'd been talking about that gay-ass car Isabelle-And she had to stop comparing Raphael to him!

He paused. "Clary? Are you okay?"

She realized she probably looked unnattractively flushed and flustered, and shook her head. "I, uh, need to use the restroom. Where..."

He blinked, looking ashamed. What had she said to cause that? "I can't believe I forgot about food and the bathroom." He rubbed his face. "God, I am such a dick."

Clary opened her mouth to snark about how right he was, but caught herself. How sweet of him, to freak out over something so silly, when he could always go to the grocery. He was worried about her health.

She smiled. "It's fine, really..."

He shook his head. "No, Clary. It isn't." He leaned forward, pressing his forward to hers, and closed his eyes as her warm breath washed over his face. "I love you, and if you're hungry or want to take a shower-Then I just-I want you to be comfortable here. I want you to be happy. With me." His dark eyes pleaded with her, and Clary was surprised when she didn't melt into a puddle right then.

"Alright." He grinned and gave her a swift kiss on her cheek, before standing up-miraculously-and hurrying out of the room.

Clary blew out a heavy breath. Gah. He made her feel like a freakin' princess, something she hadn't felt since before her father died.

But you're being held here against your will, a tiny voice at the back of her head whispered in a nasty voice. If Raphael doesn't care about you, what makes you think he's going to be any different?

Clary shook her head. No. He said he loved her. He knew more about her than her own fuckin' boyfriend.

Because he's been following you around, without your permission or knowledge...

"Clary?"

She blinked and looked up. He stood in the doorway, a mug that smelled strongly of coffee-She just may love this man-his eyesbrows drawn with concern. "Are you alright? You look a little pale."

Clary managed to give him a forced smile, and nodded. "I'm fine."

He didn't look like he believed her, but thankfully didn't say anything. "If you're sure..."

She nodded. Please don't ask, please don't ask. Because with him being so damn sweet to her like this, she'd just about tell him anything.

He sighed, and a flash of hurt crossed his face. "The shower's ready for you," he said in a quiet voice.

Crap. She'd hurt his feelings. Can't I do anything right?

"What's wrong?"

He shook his head. "I just-I thought you'd trust me at least just a little bit, by now."

Clary winced. Yeah, no.

As if sensing her hesitation, he backed away, looking crestfallen. "You can go ahead and take your shower. I won't bother you anymore."

"Wait!" He paused. "I'm sorry. I just-I was thinking about my boyfriend."

He visibly tensed, and turned around to look at her. "Do you miss him?"

Did she miss him? In a way, yeah, she kinda did. But the only times she'd ever really thought of him so far was when she was comparing the two of them.

Clary immediataly felt guilty. What kind of girlfriend didn't miss her boyfriend? She rubbed at her face. God, it hadn't even been that long since she'd been here. And already she was starting to distant herself from the man that she-

Loved? No. She didn't love Raphael.

The thought made her swallow roughly. Oh, dear.

"Sweetheart?"

She opened her eyes, which had been squeezed shut in horror at the realization, and was met with his dark brown ones, which were staring at her with love and concern. Two things Raphael had never looked at her with.

"No."

He frowned. "No?"

Clary shook her head. "No. I don't miss him."

To say that he looked surprised was an understatement. "Really? Are you sure?" Now he looked excited, but quickly composed himself. "I mean, are you alright? Don't girls usually cry when they realize they don't love their boyfriend, or whatever?"

Clary rolled her eyes. Somehow, she wasn't really surprised about how little he knew about women. "Nah, I'll be fine. I think I'll take my shower now, though."

He nodded. "Well, if you need me, I'll be in the living room." The he turned and walked away, leaving Clary alone with her crippling thoughts.

She didn't even know his name.

Surely she wasn't falling in love with him already...

~O~O~O~O~

Simon

YES.

She'd finally gotten over that pansy, Raphael. About time she figured that out.

Simon grinned to himself, sinking lower into the loveseat. Now, without other conflicting emotions in her way, it'll be easier for him to convince her to fall in love with him now.

He listened to the sounds of the pitter-pattering of the shower, and sighed. They would be so happy together. Just the two of them. Forever.

Wait just a damn minute...

Simon knew the difference from the sounds of water hitting the bathroom tiles, and the sound of the water hitting a human body. And he'd seen Clary go into the bathroom, and lock the door. So why did he hear water hitting the tiles...?

Jumping to his feet, Simon ran to the bathroom door, and began knocking loudly on the door. "Clary?"

He heard a startled gasp coming from the other side of the door, confirming his suspicions. She'd been trying to escape.

The pain of knowing she'd been trying to run from him was overwhelming. Hadn't she seemed happy a minute ago? She was over Raphael. He knew she liked him, a little bit, at least.

He was done.

He'd done everything he could.

She won.

Simon took a deep breath, and snapped the doorknob off, pushing the door open easily.

Sure enough, his beautiful girl had pushed the rotting window up, and already had one leg swung over the sill. She stared at him fearfully, eyes wide.

Simon shook his head. He highly doubted he'd ever love anybody as much as he loved her, if he ever loved again at all.

"I'm so sorr-"

"Don't."

Simon raised his hand, cutting her off, shaking his head. Clary stared at him, looking so confused and heartbroken, it nearly made him want to cry.

"You want to leave." It wasn't a question.

"I-"

"Don't lie to me."

Clary took a deep, shuddering sigh. "Yes. But I'll stay-"

"No."

She gaped at him, her chin trembling. "What do you-?"

"This-The pain isn't worth it. Just go, Clary. I've done all I can, but you're still unhappy."

A sob escaped her. "Please-"

"Go."

~O~O~O~O~

Review...;)