A/N - I am back after almost a year of being inactive... I am sorry for taking too long for me to continue this story. I had writer's block, and when I started on this again, I was thinking of changing the course of the story.

I do hope you'll still read my story and don't worry, I will finish this so updates will be coming week by week or fortnightly.

I would like to write the remaining/upcoming chapters in Jace's or Clary's point of view. What do you think?

Please send in your reviews, I really appreciate them. :)

CHAPTER 13

Clary was still wide awake when she was startled by the vibration coming from her phone. She looked up on the clock and it was already 12 midnight. She was wondering who would call her at this time. Could it be Jace? "Cut it out Clary." She scolded herself. She wanted to ignore the call but curiosity got the best of her. She lazily picked up her mobile phone and saw an unregistered number showing on the screen. She frowned and hesitated whether she will answer the call. After a few seconds the vibration stopped. She typed a message and asked who was the one calling her. Before she could send the message, the same number appeared again on the screen, her phone continuously vibrating. She shook her head but went ahead and answered.

"Hello?"

"Good evening, I mean, good morning. Sorry to bother you miss at this hour." The man on the other line said.

"I don't want to be impolite but it's already past 12 midnight, and if this is only a prank call…" She was not able to finish as the man continued talking.

"I do understand, but this is not a prank call. I am looking for Ms. Clary Morgenstern. Am I already speaking to her?" The man asked.

There was a sudden rush of nervousness forming in her stomach. There was something just not right.

"Is something wrong?" She asked trying to sound calm.

"Miss, if you already are Ms. Morgenstern, I think you need to get to Renwick's or if you can have someone come over here. There's someone by the name of Jace Herondale who's unconscious here in our bar. I saw his driver's license and looked up on his phone for someone we can contact. We were trying to call his mother and father, however, we couldn't get through. Your name was the only thing we saw on his inbox, so if you're his girlfriend…" He stated.

Her heart beat faster than the usual especially after she heard the words unconscious and girlfriend.

"Give me the address, I'll be there as fast as I can." She hastily replied. The man on the other line gave her the address and introduced himself as Bob.

As soon as she hung up the phone, she quickly dialed Simon's number.

"Pick it up Si, pick it up." She kept on whispering. It seem like hours before Simon answered.

"Clary, what the heck?! Do you know what time is it?" He tried to hide his irritation.

"I am sorry Si, but this is an emergency. Can you come over? I need to go to Renwick's. Jace's passed out or unconscious… We need to go there to get him." Clary gushed, worry was appparent in her voice.

"Wait, wait… Jace as in Herondale?" He sounded confused.

Clary pulled a handful of her hair as she tried to sound calm. "Simon, I'll tell it to you later. But can you please go here now? We need to go to Renwick's to get Jace."

"All right, I will be there in 15 minutes. Stop worrying, he'll be fine." He assured her.

"Thanks Si. Take care. See you in a bit." Clary said. She collected herself and silently not to panic.

It felt like ages when Simon arrived at the place where Clary's staying. She did not wake Magnus up as she saw him sleeping soundly. She managed to wash her face, brush her teeth, and change her clothes before Simon arrived. She grabbed her sling bag and stashed a few bucks inside. She was already at the lobby when Simon got there. She hurriedly got in the old beat up jeep that her best friend owned.

"Thank you Simon, you're such a life saver." She expressed trying to settle herself on the passenger seat.

"I am your best friend, and I will do anything I can to help you." He replied. He started the engine and headed on to Renwick's.

"Can you tell me now what happened?" He asked.

"Someone just called me, his name's Bob, and told me that Jace was at Renwick's and he's unconscious. He tried calling his parents but they can't be reached." She explained.

Simon gave her a side glance studying the look on her face. "And of all the people who knew Jace, you're the one who got contacted." He sounded like he was trying to imply something.

Clary felt her face getting a little warm, and she was thankful that it was dark, otherwise Simon will see her blush despite of the situation.

"Bob said it was my name they saw on his inbox, and assumed that I was his girlfriend. Maybe that's the reason they contacted me." She pointed out.

"And are you his girlfriend?" He inquired while intermittently eyeing her.

"No, of course no, they just assumed it." She stammered, blushing even more.

"You do know that he has a girlfriend, right?" He reminded her.

"Simon! I was just trying to help." She countered. Simon just shook his head. He stopped the car and looked at Clary.

"I just don't want you to get hurt, okay?" He pointed out. There was a troubled look on his face.

Clary let out a sigh. "I don't know what you're talking about." She avoided eye contact with him.

"Clary, I know you. Even if you don't verbally tell me, I know. I can tell that you're attracted to this guy. Just guard your heart." He warned.

"I understand, and thank you for being concerned. I do know where I stand, don't worry." She assured.

They stayed quiet after their small talk. She understood the way Simon seem to worry about her. They were able to reach Renwick's 20 minutes later. Clary immediately got off the jeep right after Simon parked it near the entrance. When she was inside Renwick's, she scanned the room trying to look for Jace. She walked, Simon behind her, and she headed towards the bar where she saw a middle aged guy she assumed to be Bob.

"Hi, I am looking for Jace Herondale. Bob called me earlier and asked me to come over." She said.

"Are you Clary Morgenstern?" Clary nodded. "I am Bob, I was the one who called you. I think he had too much drink and passed out. He was starting to gain consciousness a few minutes before you arrived, but since he's inebriated, you need to get him home to sober up." He informed them. He pulled something from his pocket-a phone which was familiar to her.

"This is his mobile phone, by the way." He handed her Jace's iPhone and she shoved it in her bag.

"Okay, we'll just bring him home." Clary looked at Simon and with widened eyes just nodded. Bob asked them to follow him to a small office where they found Jace in a dazed state.

She placed her hand on his back and rubbed on it lightly.

"Jace, we'll take you home. We need you to stand up so that we can walk you through the door." She whispered. Jace peered through his half opened eyes.

"Clary? Is this real? Are you really beside me?" He murmured. He reached out and touched her left cheek.

She dismissed the feeling creeping into her. His touch was warm on her skin. "Yes, just let us help you." She tried her best not to sound affected by his gesture.

He gave her a sad smile. "I am sorry Clary about what happened yesterday. I just... couldn't..."

"Let's not think about that, we need to get you home." She interrupted. Bob and Simon helped him to get to his feet, and walked him through the parking lot and got him inside the jeep. Clary went inside and stayed at the backseat beside Jace.

She opened the window and peered to look at Bob. "Thank you." She said and waved goodbye. She watched him walk away from the jeep. After a few steps, he stopped and turned to them.

"If there's any problem between you and your boyfriend just talk it out so that he will not get too much drunk." He shouted out.

Clary glanced at Jace who was looking intently at her, a small smile forming on his lips.

"He thought... I was your boyfriend?" He sheepishly asked.

She tried not to be affected by question that he asked, or the way his body was near to hers.

"Yeah, and a fool of me to not correct his assumptions." She responded. She was hyper aware of the way his body was pressed to hers. She accidentally turned to the rearview mirror and saw Simon also looking at her, giving a warning stare.

"It's okay, I know you don't want to hear this but... even it was just an assumption, I want to believe that it's real." The emotion in his voice cannot be concealed. She shifted her eyes from her best friend to the man beside him. They held gaze for a while, but she broke the connection as she looked away, afraid that she will be betrayed by what she felt for this man. She felt like she was beginning to become an open book, that locking eyes with him will just reveal her true feelings for him and she shouldn't let it happen. And as much as she can control herself, she was not sure how much longer she can contain those feelings. She needed to guard her heart from being broken again.

"Please say something, please." Jace pleaded after a few minutes of silence engulfed them. She did not respond and just kept quiet.

"We are almost at Dumont. Where should I drop Jace?" Simon suddenly interrupted slight irritation in his voice.

"You can drop me off Dumont as well, I'll just call someone to fetch me. Thanks for helping me, Simon." He answered.

"Not a problem." He replied.

They arrived at Dumont and Clary was the first one to step out of Simon's jeep. She went to the other side and helped Jace get out of the vehicle. When both of them were already out, she walked towards Simon, and propped her hands on the jeep's window.

"Thank you Si, I'll make it up to you. You take care on your way home." She smiled at him.

"You're welcome Clary. Be careful, okay?" His voice was full of warmth and concern. Clary blinked a few times and held back the tears forming in her eyes.

"Yes, I will." She stepped back and waved goodbye while watching Simon slowly driving off.

She spun around and almost crashed into Jace. He grabbed her by the arm to steady her. She tried to compose herself and shook off the effect he had on her, the tingling sensation of his touch on her skin, and the warmth radiating from him through her. She was not aware that her breathing was shallow and rapid. Her eyes shifted from his eyes to his lips which lingered for a few seconds. She fought the urge of moving her face closer to him and maybe, just maybe he will reach out and kiss her, and hold her tight. As soon as the realization of what transpired in her mind dawned her, she looked away but he didn't take his eyes off her.

"I think you should call Alec to fetch you." She immediately spoke, an effort to break the moment. She wanted to silently pinch herself for think of kissing him and being enveloped in his arms.

Jace started searching for his iPhone in his pockets and silently hissed a curse. Clary remembered Bob handing the phone to her. She reached inside her bag and brought out the iPhone.

"Sorry, I almost forgot that Bob, gave me your phone. He was the one who called me and helped you." She handed in the iPhone to him. Jace reached out and got the phone from Clary's hand, his fingers touching her hand. She immediately took back her outstretched hand and placed it in her pocket as if she was burned by fire.

She looked away from him while he was waiting for Alec to answer his call. Clary tried to distract herself from the thoughts which conjured up in her mind. As much as she hated to admit it, she knew deep down inside that she's attracted to him and what she was feeling was confusingly more than attraction. And she hated Jace for being persistent, he was not helping her to move on. She didn't want him to be persistent because she's not sure how long she can fight her feelings. She can't give herself an assurance that she won't give in. Half of her wanted to surrender to whatever feelings she has for this man.

She wanted him but she was scared. She was scared of what the future holds for them if they get together. That was something she was dreading but wanting at the same time.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Jace speak.

"Alec, I am here at Dumont, with Clary... no, you're a jerk!" He snorted.

"I got drunk and passed out. I am at the entrance of the lobby, so get your ass here." He chuckled.

"Okay, Isabelle's with you? You need to drop her off? What? I'll wait for an hour? All right. See yah." He ended the call.

Clary rubbed her arms with her hands, she was already feeling the coldness of the air. She shifted her feet left to right feeling uncomfortable. She was aware that Jace was walking towards her, and she was silently wishing for Alec to show up. She couldn't trust herself to not do something whenever she's near him.

"He will show up in an hour." He informed her. She was not sure if he noticed her uneasiness. As much as she doesn't want to invite him in, it was already cold outside and his friend will not show up until after an hour.

"We can go up and you can wait for Alec in the living room." She offered trying to gain her composure.

"Okay, thanks." He followed her to the lobby. They were both quiet, none of the m spoke or dared to talk while inside the elevator, though Clary was aware that Jace was looking at her.

She fished out the keys from her bag and she let him inside. "You can wait for Alec here, feel free to get anything from the fridge, I'll just go to my room. I'll be back." She spoke faster than the usual to avoid being alone with him. She was about to go upstairs when Jace suddenly spoke.

"Thank you Clary." He smiled at her. She can't help but admire how handsome he is despite being drunk. His smile made her knees weak, wobbly.

"Not a problem Jace." She tried to sound casual.

Jace took a few steps towards her. The closer he got the more she felt like she was trapped in a closed room due to his proximity.

"I really am thankful. This maybe awkward to you, but I just want to be true to you, and to be honest to myself."

Clary felt like her feet were glued to the floor. She couldn't move, and there's a knot already forming in her stomach.

"You didn't know how happy I was earlier... right now. You were the one who went there and fetched me." Clary stayed silent. "It really meant a lot." He added.

"To let you know, I like the way Bob said that I was your boyfriend." He smiled again. "God, I would give anything for that to happen." His expression suddenly changed. His face turned serious. He ran both of his hands through his hair and closed his eyes for a split second. There was something about his voice, determination maybe, that she can't pinpoint.

"Please Jace, stop..." her voice trailed off when he suddenly cupped her face in his hands. His touch was like a fire burning her.

"Why are you fighting this? Why can't you give us a chance?" His voice was husky and gentle at the same time that Clay was not aware she was shaking.

"What are you talking about Jace? I am not fighting anything. I am okay, I may have thought you were attractive. But that was it, nothing more, so please... don't assume, don't insinuate." She retorted. He drew closer to her, his nose almost touching her cheek.

"If that's true, why can't you convince yourself? Tell me I don't have this effect on you. Why do I feel that we have this connection?" He lowered his left hand and touched her arm grazing upwards. Clary shivered by his gesture. Every contact of his skin on her was like electricity coursing through her body.

"Jace please, I shouldn't..." she softly begged. She closed her eyes and turned her face away but he just brought his face closer to her.

"Shouldn't what, Clary? Tell me that you don't have feelings for me. I need to know because I am damned. I am crazy about you. And if I don't get any answers to the questions I have in my head, I think I will explode. Please tell me you don't feel anything about me." His breath was so warm on her face. Her body was betraying her, every inch of her wanted him.

"I... I... Jace, please" She stammered. He took his hands from her face and placed both of them on her arms trailing up her shoulders.

"Why are you shaking? Is it because of me and what I have been doing?" He asked, worry was evident in his tone. She shut close her eyes, her breathing was shallow again, involuntarily her lips were parted.

"Please open your eyes, baby. Tell me you don't feel the same." He gently urged her.

Clary opened her eyes and sighed. Is this what you really want Clary, for him to walk away? She asked herself.

Jace drew her closer to him and enveloped her in his arms. She could not explain it but all of the walls she put up were slowly crumbling. Why did she feel the twitching ache in her heart when she thought of him walking away, and her never seeing him again?

"I can't let this happen. This is not right. Even if I want you, want us to be together, I cannot let myself be hurt again. And you, will hurt someone as well." She weakly replied. She disliked the way she sound unconvincing. She felt like her heart being gripped by the thought of Aline.

"I understand what you said. You were hurt before, you're afraid to give your heart to someone again. But what I can tell you is that I will never ever hurt you like what Sebastian did. Aline and I should have been done before I met you. I have never felt this strong for someone before." He placed his hands again on her face. "I am falling in love with you, Clary... so deep, that I think I am going crazy." He finally said the words.

Clary was too stunned, she couldn't find the words to say. His revelation was too real, and she couldn't bring herself to say that she doesn't feel the same, because she knew it was a lie. Her head was spinning, her heart was beating so fast not because of sadness or despair, but because of happiness. She locked eyes with him, and like a pull of gravity, slowly, their lips met in a kiss...

Finally, Clary gave into the feeling...

What do you think will happen next? I would love to read those reviews from you guys.