It was cold in New York. Clary could see the proof every time she exhaled. The weather was already something she knew she would have to get used to… especially with it being the first time Clary had every stepped foot in different soil than Idris. She and her mother were standing outside the Institute, looking up at the grand stone building in front of them. They were surrounded by trees, the night adding to the overall atmosphere of this place. She could hear the loud honks of the mundanes modes of transportations in the distance. The city was so alive, the buzz of it had Clary cheering internally.

She was finally away from the prison that was Idris. She just hoped that the Shadowhunters here would be more forgiving than the ones in Idris. She could feel the bundle of nerves sitting below her chest, and the excitement in her fingertips.

"Clary?"

She turned to look at her mom.

"Are you ready?" She asked her green eyes glowing with the dim light of the street lamps. Her mom looked just as nervous as she felt. Clary didn't speak she only nodded in answer. She was excited and nervous and just plane curious about the unknown.

"Just remember the Lightwoods are a little headstrong… and the Herondales well...they're pretty intense… they're good people. I just want you to be aware that maybe…-"

"Mom, it's okay. I'm nervous yes, but anything over being stuck in Idris." Clary reassured her.

Jocelyn sighed and smiled at Clary. "Ok well let's get this over with… though I'm pretty sure they know we're here already."

Clary without a word walked up the steps of the Institute and stopped in front of two large wooden doors. Before opening them up, she righted herself and made sure she was settled before walking into a new place. She pulled out her stele from her black boots and drew the familiar rune. The Rune burned and when it turned black the large stone doors opened. The sound of stone grinding on stone filling her ears.

Jocelyn and Clary both took a deep breath and stepped through the purple portal. No going back now.

Once inside Clary took another deep breath and looked down the long hallway to where the center of the Institute was.

She could see Shadowhunters in their gear walking about and the she could feel the slight buzz of the technology. She and her mother walked down the hallway and Clary was clenching onto the stele still in her hand. Waiting for someone to notice their presence.

Before they made it to the room a tall lady with dark hair walked towards them a hard smile on her face, it looked sincere, but all the same, it still looked like the gesture didn't belong on her face. The lady walked with a purpose her heals clinking with every step she took.

Clary saw her mom moving from slightly behind her to slightly in front. Clary looked at her mother to assess the relationship there… clearly her mother knew her from the small smile she had on her face.

"Maryse." Jocelyn greeted her tone light.

"Jocelyn."

So that was Maryse Lightwood.

Maryse stopped right in front of them. She was tall… well anyone compared to her was tall… it was well known she was a shrimp. One of her least favorite attributes she might add.

Clary looked over Maryse' shoulders as best as she could and saw two little boys one with dark hair and the other with golden blonde looking at them. Clary smiled at them when they made eye contact and the little boys gave her a warm smile in return then ran off.

With that small exchange Clary felt herself relax and give into the excitement of being there.

"It's been a long time Jocelyn." Maryse said glancing at Clary.

"Yes it has. Twenty years." Jocelyn answered sliding towards Clary, her hands landing on her shoulders bringing her forward. "This is my Clary."

Clary nodded towards Maryse giving her an easy smile, and Maryse returned it… or at least tried. Clary could tell the poor woman was not used to smiling, but Clary could tell she was being genuine.

"How's about we go get you two introduced to everyone." Maryse turned and started walking fast without another word, she guessed that's how it must always be with this woman. Clary glanced at her mom and Jocelyn winked at her… her mom was right… Lightwood number one was very headstrong.

They followed Maryse down the hallway and into a large center room that was filled with screens and computers, glass doors everywhere, Rune markings everywhere, and four different staircases that lead to a second tier floor in the room where Shadowhunters walked across to get to what seemed like different hallways. Clary's green eyes tried to take everything in all at once… this was definitely different than what she was used to back "home".

Her eyes were scanning through everything; her eyes landed on a scene behind one of the glass doors that lead into a smaller room full of weapons. Two men seemed to be training. She was transfixed with how graceful they moved. One man had his back towards her but with his stance she could tell he was good, he was tall and his exposed arms were covered in runes, maybe more so than her. He had golden blonde hair and the other facing her had dark hair just like Maryse, and like one of the little boys she saw before; that's when she put two and two together and realized those were Maryse' two boys Alec and Max. They looked too much like her not to be now that she thought about it.

Clary was brought back to reality when Maryse lead them up one of the small staircases and into another hallway. They stopped in front of a wooden door.

Maryse led them in inside what looked to be an office, and there were three other people talking amongst themselves.

Clary took a quick glance at her mom and saw the same look she had on when she saw Maryse. Then her mom walked towards them and a chorus of "hi's" and "its been so longs" echoed throughout the office.

Clary decided to stand back, and watch as all the adults greeted each other. They seemed nice enough… and her mom looked happy to see them. Her mom looked genuinely happy, it was hard to remember sometimes that her she went through the same things in Idris as her, probably worse than her… no friends, judgmental looks. It was awesome to see her mom have a small glint back in her eyes again.

Her mom's voice finally named off the three strangers. "Stephen, Céline, Robert."

Oh. Ok so these were the Herondales. And Robert was surely Maryse' husband. She'd heard so much about all of them, she'd just never had the faces to go with the names and stories. It was kind of surreal for Clary being in a room full of people that used to follow her father in his short tyrannical crusade, but Clary knew better than to judge them, she'd been through too much back home to understand what it felt like to be judged by the past. Plus they had all gotten out just like her mom when they'd realized what Valentine was really planning.

After long and kind of awkward introductions Maryse came and stood next to Clary her hands clasped together in front of her. Clearly Maryse was a no nonsense and very professional person by the way she presented herself.

"If you want we'll let your mother get re-acquainted with them and you can come with me." Clary looked into the clear blue eyes of the woman next to her and nodded.

Clary followed Maryse back out into the central room and they walked down the small steps and Clary's eyes wandered back to the training room where surely Mayrse son and the other mystery guy were talking by a wall of weapons.

"So I hear you graduated top of your class at the Academy." Maryse said as they continued to walk.

"Yeah. Though sadly I haven't been able to really showcase why." Clary answered almost nervously.

"Well you'll be able to here. Alec and Isabelle and Jace go on nightly routine missions. New York is a big city… lots of demons to be fought."

Clary smiled to herself. That was exactly what she wanted. To do what she was literally born to do. She just wanted to be the best Shadowhunter she could be, and shed off the preconceived notion people had about her because of who her father was.

Clary could feel a swell of nerves come back when she realized that they were headed straight towards the training room she had her eyes set on.

Once inside Clary got a better look at Alec Lightwood… he was extremely good looking and his presence was much like his mothers. His blue eyes moved from the blonde in front of him to her and Maryse. Once his eyes landed on Maryse he stood up straighter and the blonde finally turned around.

Clary had to make a monumental effort to not gasp when he did. This was the same face she had seen minutes before in Stephen Herondale only more handsome if that were even possible.

This must be the famous Jace Herondale.

He was beyond gorgeous. His blonde hair swept across his forehead almost hiding his insanely urethral golden eyes. His jaw was squared and had cheekbones any girl or guy for that matter would kill to have… not to mention the slightly tanned skin to make him look like some golden god. He was too perfect it almost made him unapproachable.

Holy cow.

"I'd like you to meet my son Alec." Clary waved and he gave a curt nod in acknowledgement his eyes serious but kind. Then her green eyes moved to Jace… and he had a different look in his eyes… and a slightly amused smirk on his handsome face. "And this is Céline and Stephen's son Jace." When their eyes met emerald clashing with gold, she was well aware the way her heart started sputtering in her chest… and it slightly annoyed her. She certainly didn't want to be that girl.

"And this boys is Clarissa Fairchild."

Jace took a step forward and offered his hand towards her. Clary looked down at it and took it before she looked like an idiot. "So this is the famous carrot head we've heard about so much." He said with a condescending tone in his deep voice… aaannnd there it was….

"Oh and you must be Jace Herondale the cocky son of a b-"

"Okaaaay, seems it's time for me to step in." Clary let go of Jace's hand and was stopped mid comment when a tall brunette with a beaming smile showed up in front of her.

Clary was slightly taken aback. She took a quick glance at Jace who was now standing behind the tall female. He had an amused grin on his face and as handsome as he was, she just wanted to slap it right off of him. So much for being judgement free…

"Hi, I'm Isabelle Lightwood… but you can call me Izzy or Iz… which ever you prefer." Clary despite her short spurt of anger towards Jace smiled a genuine smile at Isabelle. She unlike her mother and Alec looked a lot more in her zone when talking to people.

"I'm Clary." She offered just as politely.

"Clary, such a cute name… totally suits you!"

"Ok Isabelle, calm yourself down." Clary had almost forgotten that Maryse was still in the room. She looked at the way Isabelle slightly deflated at her mom's chastise.

"Clary, these three will help you get acclimated. You'll be assigned to their team. I'm sure with your pedigree from the Academy you'll fit in quite nicely." Clary nodded.

"Now you three, I trust that you'll show her the way around. Isabelle no going over-board." With one final glance at the four in the room Maryse turns around and walks away leaving them all staring at each other.

Isabelle waits till her mom shuts the door to stand in front of Clary again. "This is going to be so freaking cool, I've been wanting another female on our team. After your cousin Lydia left back to Idris I was just getting used to having a girl here… but now I have you! Which is not to say that you're my second choice-"

"Iz." Alec interrupted.

The brunette smiled but stopped her long rant and Clary couldn't help but smile… this was such a breath of fresh air.

Jace walked up to Clary and looked her up and down sizing her up. She must look like a clown, because he had the same amused look in his golden eyes. She only crossed her arms and gave him a fake smile in return… earning her a small smirk from him, which only served to grate her nerves.

"So freckles, since you're already here and we got a routine call tonight… what say you to a small little one on one to get yourself warmed up? I heard you're pretty good, you're cousin Lydia couldn't stop talking about you… I'm curious to find out if she was lying or not." He smirked at her, his confidence radiating off of him in waves, though she guessed with a face and body like that who wouldn't be.

Clary's brow rose in question her lip twitching with a smile trying to break through, but she'd be damned to let it escape. She realized he was a dick… a handsome one but a dickhead none the less. He was one of those guys that thrived on this sort of stuff, and Clary was too stubborn to let him win. Why must he be so attractive and annoying at the same time?

Clary pursed her lips into a smile and shrugged off her black leather jacket as her response. Jace smiled, his golden eyes lighting up as he started backing away towards the center of the training room. From the corner of her eyes she could see Isabelle and Alec give each other a knowing grin and they stepped away letting Jace and Clary have room for their little improvised "training session".

"Alec!" Jace looked over to his parabatai and the dark haired guy turned and threw Jace a training stick. Clearly their bond was special Clary could see it even with the small sample size.

"Here you go Clary." Clary turned to Isabelle and she threw her, her own training stick. "Thanks." She mouthed and the brunette winked at her.

"Alright then blondie you wanted see what I've got then come and see." Clary teased.

"You're a feisty one aren't you freckles?" He laughed.

Clary shrugged. He grinned in response and right after their small exchange he finally made the first move.

Clary moved quickly countering everything he threw at her. He was fast. Almost too fast, his footwork was great and he never repeated his stance making it hard for her to guess his next attack, but thankfully she was good too.

"Not too bad for a midget with freckles." He said his face inches from her as his stick was hovering above her head while her stick was perpendicular to his underneath trying to stop him from getting the best of her. She could feel his warm breath on her face, and she could also feel her traitorous heart give a leap. He was too close. His eyes were to intense and she could literally feel heat radiating off of him. So she pushed as hard as she could using all her strength and he landed several inches from her.

They stood across fro. Each other looking ay one another. She was panting from the physical exertion, and could feel sweat forming on her chest. He didn't have an amused look on his face anymore, no it was more intense now.

She tried her hardest to ignore the feelings it stirred inside her… why she had such a reaction to a guy she just met was beyond her, so she did the only thing she could think of… she charged at him and they started fighting again.

He kept getting closer and closer throwing her off and it made her so mad… she never let herself get so distracted during a fight.

"You look distracted freckles." Oh look cocky Jace was back. Clary was going to attack when his foot went behind the back of her knee and pushed it so that her leg gave out and she ended up on the floor with Jace above. She wanted to yell, but she contained herself knowing a fight was never truly over till the fat lady sang.

"Seems I was right, you were too distracted." Jace kneeled down next to her using his stick to balance himself. His face was too close again… and her fingers fisted around her own training stick.

Clary lifted herself up on her elbows and got even closer. She saw the small look of surprise in his eyes, and the way his Adams apple bobbed. Ahhh so he had a reaction to her too.

She smiled inwardly. "I guess you're right. I got too distracted….-" She said, then Clary took the small window of opportunity to quickly lift her stick and knock his away making him lose his balance and fall on his back. Clary stood up and pushed down on him. She smiled down triumphantly at him and raised her brow. She could see the surprise in his eyes and his stick was a few feet away from him now, and his arms out beside him in surrender. "Huh. Would you look at that. I think the one who truly got distracted was you."

"Oh Jace got beat by a girl!" Clary turned in surprise when the same two little boys she'd seen earlier were standing next to Alec and Isabelle with goofy grins on their faces.

Clary could only laugh along with them. She looked at Isabelle and she had a shit eating grin, clearly happy with the outcome, and Alec looked amused.

Jace stood up the condescending smirk gone from his face. Now she couldn't tell what expression he wore.

"Seems that Clary got the best of Jace." Isabelle commented, and the little boys started laughing again. Clary walked towards them. "Hi I'm Clary." She introduced herself which was a first. She felt like she finally belonged somewhere despite Jace' comments the small sparring session made her feel right at home.

The little boy with black hair was the first to grab onto her hand. "I'm Max I'm Alec and Izzy's brother, and this is Andrew, Jaces' brother." Clary's eyes grew wider in surprise. Jace had a little brother. She turned to Andrew and gave him her hand afterwards and really looked at him and that's when she finally saw the small resemblance. Though he looked more like Céline with his green eyes and Jace looked more like his dad. The little boy grinned and looked at her like she hung the stars in the sky.

"You beat my brother." He stated his green eyes wide with wonder.

Clary laughed, even though she would love to admit she did, she knew the victory was shared.

"Well as much as I hate to say it, I think it was more of a tie… but I think that'll make your brother a lot angrier don't you think?" Clary winked at the smaller Herondale boy as he nodded agreeing with her and she could hear Jace scoff behind her which made her grin widen.

"I think Jace has finally met his match." Isabelle commented.

"You have no idea." Alec answered.

Well here's chapter two for you beautiful people! Hoped yall liked it, having chapter 2 after I re-uploaded the fanfic was my way of maybe convincing yall to come along for the ride with me! So please et me know if yall want me to continue. Leave me a review! Love you guys!