I have the next chapter all ready to post! But I'm evil and egotistical and like reviews, so I'll wait until tomorrow to post it. Unless I can be convinced to do it earlier. ;)

"And there were two Dogs, a mot and a cove, and they were both really nice to me. They both said that I did a good job and that they were impressed, and they both said that I should think about joining the Dogs!" Clary beamed up at Tom.

"Gods Clary, I'm glad you're all unhurt."

"I am going to join the Dogs," she told him. "I'd been thinking about it already."

He blinked. "Really?"

She gave him a warning glare. "Don't you start going on about it too. I'm starting to think that Mother would rather have had all our things stolen."

"I take it she's not too happy about it?"

The corner of Clary's mouth turned up in a half-smile. "Something like that."

"And what about your da? Is he back from Port Caynn yet?"

"Yes, thank the gods. There were three nights after the thief before Da came home, and Mother was beside herself." She scowled. "She managed to conveniently forget that I'd managed fine the first time."

Tom grinned at her. "I don't think anyone would be too keen to repeat an experience like that though."

Clary stopped and glared at him, her arms crossed. "I can and I will, and nobody's going to stop me."

"I didn't mean that I don't think you should be a Dog." He paused, clearly thinking it over. "Honestly, I think you'll be good at it," he told her.

"Really?"

"Really."

A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "That's what Da said too. It made Mother really mad and she told him off for encouraging me, but he said he's really proud of me about the thief." She frowned at him. "Where are you going?"

He scratched his arm and looked away. "Oh…we just have to go over to the other side of the market first."

"Why?"

Tom sighed. "Please just come?"

"But you said we could have lunch before we look around and I'm starving and my favourite eating house is right there. Can't it wait?"

"I'm afraid not. But there are some nice eating houses over the other side too, perhaps we could go there for once."

She scowled and muttered something that Tom couldn't quite hear, and then stalked off in the direction that he wanted to go. Tom grinned and hurried to catch up.

Clary's jaw dropped as she caught sight of a familiar but unwelcome figure standing on the corner. "This had better be chance, Tom."

He gave her a sheepish grin. "Does arranged chance count?"

"No, it doesn't," she snapped. "You mean to say that you dragged me right across the markets so that you could ruin my day and meet up with your sarden sourheart?"

"Hush, she'll hear you," he murmured. He was right; they were almost in front of Hanna now, and there was a scowl on her face to match Clary's.

"Don't tell me to hush –" Clary began.

"Tomlan, I've missed you so much since we last saw each other." Hanna clung onto him pathetically, and Tom blinked.

"But that was only yesterday," he said in confusion. He saw the look on her face and hastily added "But of course I missed you too."

Clary snorted, and Hanna glared at her. "Tomlan, you didn't tell me you'd be bringing Clara."

"He didn't tell me we'd be meeting you," retorted Clary. "As if I'd want to waste my time around you."

"You two just got off on the wrong footing with each other," Tom told them both. "Once you get to know each other you'll get along well."

Hanna stuck her nose in the air. "We'll never get along."

"I don't want to get along with her," Clary told Tom. "I'm not going to."

"See? She's annoying."

"She's horrible."

"Can't you just get rid of her?"

"It's not like you actually need her. I've seen much prettier doxies around."

"How dare you-"

"Oh, I wasn't causing trouble," said Clary innocently. "I was just saying. Wasn't I, Tom?"

Tom scuffed his feet. "I suppose so…but there's no sense in arguing. How about we go and eat?"

-----

"I told you so. I told you that I hate her and she hates me. She's horrible, Tom."

"Maybe you think so, but I don't. I like her, and I was hoping you two would get along."

Clary snorted and Tom sighed.

"Did you really have to-"

"Yes." Clary crossed her arms. "She started it."

"You do realise you could have chosen to ignore anything that you found bothering about her?"

"Anything that I found bothering? Like the way she was kicking me under the table and rolling her eyes whenever I said something? And interrupting me and mimicking me? And she was all over you like a rash like she was claiming you or marking her territory like a dog lifting its leg." She could hear Tom starting to chuckle. "It's not funny, she was. I think you should be praising me for not throwing up and not stabbing her with my fork."

"I think what you did with the pease porridge was bad enough."

She rolled her eyes at him. "She completely overreacted. It was only a spoonful. And I thought my aim was very impressive."

Tom laughed. "Maybe that trick with the spoon will come in handy when you're a Dog," he teased.

"Who knows? Maybe it will."

"It might," Tom agreed. "And then you might thank me for having a sweetheart you didn't like so that you could practice on her."

Clary snorted. "I'd thank you more if you got rid of her."

Tom just smiled and shook his head at her. "I think I'd better just stick to keeping you and Hanna apart."