Disclaimer: I own nothin but the plot.

"Clary, wake up."

Clary was immersed in a good dream that involved Jace, it was one she didn't want to wake up from.

"Wake up Clary."

"Mmmm…don't want to wake up, I want to stay with dream Jace," she mumbled.

"Why stay with dream Jace when you have the real one right here?" asked Jace.

Bolting up and snapping her eyes open, she spied Jace sitting next to her with laughter in his eyes.

"What's so good about dream Jace anyway when you have this perfection right here?" Jace said with a wave of his hand in front of him.

"That's for me to know, now what time is it?"

"Five in the morning."

"WHAT?" Clary shouted. "Why am I up this early??"

"We are starting your training. We are going to run two miles. When we get done we'll head back to the Institute and start your hands-on training." Jace said this with a wicked glint in his eyes.

Collapsing back into bed and closing her eyes, Clary spoke. "Yup, I'm staying here with dream Jace. It seems like reality Jace is trying to kill me."

"That's not true, plus you know you like me better. I can do this." Jace whispered in her ear and nibbling it. The sensation Jace was causing her sent shivers down her spine and jolted her awake more.

"Grrr…fine. Go down and get me some coffee while I get changed."

"Yes ma'am," Jace replied while brushing his lips against her's, leaving Clary wanting more.

After putting on her work-out clothes, brushing her teeth and putting up her hair Clary went to join Jace downstairs.

Upon entering the kitchen Clary saw Jace setting some toast down next to a glass of water.

"Where's my coffee?" she asked.

"Trust me, you'll regret having coffee and heavy starches after running two miles."

"You better be glad I like you," Clary mumbled, sitting herself down.

Standing in the shower washing the day's sweat and grime off of her, Clary thought back to all she had done that morning.

After running two miles through Central Park, Clary was all ready to drop to the ground right there. Of course she knew she just couldn't stop before she even began. It was her birthright to learn this. She was meant to do this and Clary knew that even if it got worse she would endure.

Even Jace had promised on the walk back to the Institute that it would indeed get worse.

Getting back to the Institute, Clary and Jace made their way towards the training room where they would start on her "Introduction the Shadow World" as Jace put it. Jace had started by showing her her schedule. They would start every morning with a run, then she would move on to weapons. Jace would teach her everything about Angel Blades one day, the next day Alec would teach her about archery and guisarme blades, and then the day after that Isabelle would train her in whips and wooden-bladed naginatas. After weapons training Clary would finish out the day with Maryse or Robert Lightwood teaching her Demonology and Shadowhunter history.

Shutting off the water and stepping out of the shower, Clary could feel the tension finally leaving her body. It seemed that all she wanted to do was fall into her new bed. Today she knew had been relatively easy. All Jace did was explain some details and then started showing her how to use Angel Blades. Of course he took it slow, but it was enough to work up a sweat. Maryse had decided to give her a rundown on what they would be teaching her, sort of like a syllabus, before telling her that they would dive more deeply tomorrow, then excusing Clary for the rest of the day. Yet Clary wasn't done, she still had to arrange her room before she could finally escape into a hot shower.

Stepping out of her bathroom Clary was greeted by the sight of a clean, freshly showered Jace sitting by two boxes.

"You know my birthday isn't for a while," she said, pointing to the boxes.

"Yes I know, these are Shadowhunter gifts. One from Izzy," he pointed to the smallest of the two, "and the other is from the Lightwoods."

"Alright," Clary replied picking up the biggest and opening it.

"Oh…wow!"

Inside was Clary's own Shadowhunter gear. All black with silvery runes embedded into it.

"It's beautiful."

"Glad you like it. I can't wait to see it on you. Now open Izzy's," Jace replied with a smirk.

Opening Izzy's gift, Clary laughed out loud upon seeing it. Inside this box was a coiled whip.

"I love the color. It matches my hair."

Indeed the color did match Clary's hair, a flaming red.

"I think Izzy her favorite weapon to be yours too."

"I'm not sure I'll ever be as good as her. Now, Jace I don't see any gifts here from you. That saddens me," Clary teased.

"Ahh…I was hoping you'd notice."

"Really?"

"Yup. Though my gift can't be put in boxes."

"Huh. What is it?"

"I get to give you some Marks," said Jace, standing in front of her.

"Oh, okay, Mark away."

Getting Marked by Jace turned out to be a very sensual experience. After each rune on her arm, Jace had kissed it, lingering a little longer after each one. Eventually he got to his last, pushing aside a strap of her tank-top Jace drew an unfinished iratze on her shoulder blade. Clary expected the kiss to the Mark, but what she didn't expect was him moving to her neck. Slowly, so slow it was almost painful, Jace kissed all the way up her neck to ear. After dropping a few more kisses he whispered in her ear.

"Did you enjoy that?"

"More than you know," she replied in a low voice, hoping it wouldn't shake.

"Oh I know, I mean you are with Mr. Perfection."

Turning to face Jace, Clary stared him down.

"Only you could turn a romantic moment into a cocky comment about yourself."

"It's a gift," replied Jace.

"I swear-"

Before Clary could make an angry retort she was cut off by Jace kissing her. The kiss wasn't like the one yesterday. This kiss flowed like molten lava through Clary, it burned its way through her body igniting every inch of her. After what seemed like hours, though it was probably only a few minutes they broke apart by the sound of Clary's door being slammed open.

"I hope every time I enter your room I don't see that," said Isabelle, halting in the door way.

"Hey Iz. Thanks for the gift."

"Your welcome."

"Is what you want important enough to break up what we were doing?" Jace asked, getting right to the point.

"Oh yeah. Dinner is ready."

"You're not cooking, are you?" asked both Clary and Jace at the same time.

Sending them both glares Izzy replied before stalking off.

"No. Mom did."

"Whoooo…that's good. Shall we?" asked Jace, turning back towards Clary.

"We shall," Clary said, taking his hand and heading towards the kitchen.

Clary was on the edge of sleep. She was tired but just couldn't fall asleep. She had though the minute her head hit the pillow she would be out, considering that at dinner she had almost passed into a plate of Maryse's homemade chicken alfredo three times. Yet here she was tossing and turning, not able to fall asleep. It wasn't until her door was cracked open that she knew why she couldn't fall asleep. Jace was finally here.

"I told you I would sneak in here," Jace said after climbing underneath the covers. Clary could now feel sleep overcoming her. Cuddling up Clary gave him a small tender good night kiss in reply.

"I love you Jace Lightwood."

"I love you too Clary," Jace said, kissing her forehead. "Now go to sleep."

Clary followed his advice and slipped into a peaceful slumber surrounded by the feel of Jace's arms wrapped tightly around her.

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A/N: Thank you to my wonderful Beta, who helped me type all this out.