Well, here we go. I fully realize tomorrow is Valentine's Day, but I have no intention of writing any special warm-and-fuzzy thing for it. Get over it. Okay, so last time I promised this chapter would be longer... but it wasn't, so here's two chapters in one! Aren't you lucky? I know, I know... no need to thank me. Just doing my job. So here we go! Please review!

Disclaimer: I am not nearly talented enough to own what belongs to Ms. Clare, that lucky- anyway, I own nothing.

Chapter: Jem

That night, Jem lay awake in his bedroom, looking out the window at the stars. If only everything was as clear as the sky… pure, simple, dependable. He sighed and turned away. Unfortunately, things can get pretty complicated. Especially feelings. He recalled the conversation he had with Charlotte earlier that day:

Charlotte had found him leaving Belle's room, carrying the now empty breakfast tray.

Jem, she had said, how is she?

Still having trouble walking on her injured leg, but all together fine. She even managed to beat Will at his own game of wits. He had smiled.

Charlotte seemed uneasy. I see. So, then, what is she?

Jem had frowned. Why was Charlotte acting so strangely? One of the fey. Charlotte, why are you acting like this? Is everything okay?

She seemed unable to meet his eyes. It's nothing, Jem. There's no need to concern yourself with-

If it concerns her, it concerns me, he had said with a fierce protectiveness that surprised even him.

Oh, Jem, she said in a way that meant she knew how much this would hurt him. Henry and I got a… tip, right before you found the girl, that there may be a rogue warlock in disguise, sent here to spy on the Clave. They even said she had black hair and green eyes, and would tell us she was one of the Fair Folk. I'm so sorry, Jem.

Who was it? He had demanded the answer. Who told you this?

We don't know her name. She was a Downworlder, a vampire in fact, but I don't know the name. I know you trusted her, but-

I still trust her. I'm sorry Charlotte, I can't believe you. When I find proof to support these… allegations, I'll agree with you. But until then… he looked back at the closed door to Belle's room, imagining hearing her clear ringing laugh, seeing her beautiful smile, listening to the excitement in her voice when she talked to him.

And now here he was, staring out at the cold, diamond sky, wondering what he had done to deserve this. He had just met a wonderful girl, a new friend, who might have one day been more than a friend… gone. Or, at least, she would be, as soon as her leg was healed. Tossed out on the street, or worse, if Charlotte got the rest of the Enclave involved. He had to find out the truth, starting tomorrow, scared as he might be. And then, turning away from the wall that separated him from Will, Jem tried not to cry.

Chapter: Belle

"No!" Belle insisted desperately. "I have no idea what you're talking about, I swear it." She was in her room, sitting by the window, being asked questions by a short, slim brown-haired woman. What was her name? Charlotte, that was it. Charlotte had walked in and interrogated Belle about something strange. Apparently, Belle was some sort of rogue warlock sent into the arms of the Clave to spy on them. At least, some angry Downworlder had told Charlotte this.

"I promise that I am not a warlock, and I have no intention to spy on the Clave. I'm only here because my friend brought me to save me from the demon poison boiling in my blood. I do intend to leave as soon as my leg is healed, just so you know," Belle said with only a little resentment in her voice.

Charlotte softened visibly. "Look, I want to believe you, I really do. I don't want to kick you out, but I can't take any risks here, do you understand what I mean?" It was clear that this decision was killing her. Charlotte was the kindest person one could hope to meet, but she had to protect the safety of the Institute first.

Suddenly Belle had an idea. "Magnus Bane!"

Charlotte looked confused. "The warlock? What about him?"

"Take me to him, he'll tell you I'm no warlock. I know for a fact he has helped the Clave in the past, and he can be trusted."

"I- I don't know if-"

Belle was distraught. "Please, Charlotte. Please trust me."

After a moment's hesitation, Charlotte nodded. "Alright. I'll see if he can come tomorrow." She turned to leave, but froze at the door. "And Belle?"

"Yes?"

Still she delayed. "I- Jem is a good person. I hope that you two… Well, I hope you stay friends, no matter what happens tomorrow."

Belle nodded slowly. "I hope so too," she whispered after Charlotte left.

The Next Afternoon

Belle was sitting in her room, looking out at the bustling city of London. She was dressed in her own jeans and sweatshirt- that morning she had found her backpack outside the Institute with a note that read: Belle- Figured you wanted your stuff. Hope I see you soon. Miss you. –Riley. She had smiled. It was just like Riley to think of something like that; she hadn't even considered getting her stuff, but now here it was, all in front of her.

Someone knocked on the door. When Belle called "come in", the door opened to reveal Charlotte, looking relieved, with a tall, elegant man. Magnus. "Magnus Bane," Belle said happily. "Long time no see."

He smiled. "Ah, Miss Belle. I see you really have come to London. Following me, I suppose. How long have you been here?"

"At the Institute? Two days. In London? Two months."

Magnus raised his eyebrows. "And your father doesn't care? Alistair never seemed the type to let his daughter leave without a fight. And to go to London! How did this happen?"

Belle looked away. "He died," she said simply and without emotion. Charlotte looked sympathetic and Magnus nodded. "I see. That would explain it, then. I would say I'm sorry, but…"

"But it wouldn't matter. I don't love him, I can't. I don't miss him."

"May I assume that's why you chose to come back to the city he always forbade you to see?"

"Yes."

Charlotte broke in here. "Belle… I'm sorry, for everything. For your father, but also for not trusting you. I apologize. Magnus has assured me that you are trustworthy. I should have listened to Jem…"

Belle looked up, confused. "What did Jem say?"

"He- he told me I should trust you, and that he'd believe you until I had some concrete proof to back me up. Now that I do…" She looked over at Magnus, who bowed his head graciously. "I had to protect the Institute first, do you understand?"

Belle nodded. "I understand completely. And thank you for apologizing. I'll leave as soon as I can."

Charlotte frowned. "Leave? Why would you leave?"

Belle blinked a few times. "Don't- don't you want me to leave?"

"No! You must stay, unless you have somewhere else to go. Do you? And I know that Jem for one wants you here."

"I…" Belle was uneasy. She didn't really have a definitive home, but Riley… "I don't really have somewhere else to go. If you want me to stay, I'll stay. I just have to go out for a few days. I need to- to talk to someone."

"Could they come here?"

Belle laughed. "I'm afraid not. He- er- wouldn't be able to get through the door."

Poor Charlotte was even more perplexed. "Does he have a problem with the Clave, or something like that? I don't suppose he has a quarrel with Will? It wouldn't surprise me…" She sighed.

Belle stood and grabbed her backpack, swinging it over one shoulder. "Thanks for everything, Charlotte, Magnus." She gave Charlotte a quick hug and Magnus a handshake. She hesitated at the door. "In response to your questions… No, and no. But vampires aren't able to come into the Institute, are they?" Without waiting for an answer, she slipped out the door…

…Where she promptly ran into Jem. His eyebrows were raised. "Belle! Where- where are you going?" He faltered, seeing her backpack. Belle smiled. "Out. I'll be back in a few days."

"So Charlotte…"

Belle nodded. "Yep. She talked to Magnus, and she told me I can stay." Without another word, she threw her arms around Jem, who looked surprised, but nonetheless returned the gesture. "I'll miss you, Jem. You've been so kind to me…"

Jem swallowed. "It was nothing. So… a few days? Where are you going?" His attempt at sounding nonchalant was unsuccessful.

Belle smiled. "I have to reassure a… friend that I'm okay."

"Riley?"

"Yes. I'd better go, it's almost dark. I'll see you later, then?"

Jem smiled and nodded. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Belle met no more opposition on her way to the Institute door. With only a quick pang of hesitation, she stepped outside and looked around.

It was then she saw a familiar auburn-haired figure, who smiled and held out his arms. Belle dove into them without any prompting, burying her face in Riley's shoulder. The setting sun made a lovely backdrop against his white skin, and it reflected into his dark eyes. He tousled her hair. "Hey there, angel girl. How you been?"

She smiled happily. "Better than you, Daylighter."

Yup. Belle knows Magnus. What do you think of that? And yeah, the Daylighter thing... so similar to Simon, but I couldn't help it. It served my purpose, and I LOVED Simon. :)