Disclaimer: I own nothing related to TMI - all Cassandra Clare

Jace In Exile

Chapter 6

Jocelyn came out of Magnus' kitchen holding a mug of warm water with lemon. Clary never understood why her mom enjoyed drinking something that smelled like a baby wet wipe. She wrinkled her nose at the smell.

Jocelyn came and sat down next to Clary on the retro loveseat, tucking her legs up underneath her. She put her hand on Clary's shoulder, "Honey, I know you're upset with Jace and the verdict handed down from the Clave, but you really should focus a little on yourself. The best thing you can do right now is continue your training as a Shadowhunter, learn about the shadow world, immerse yourself in their culture.

Clary shook her head and clinched her fists. Jocelyn took her hand off Clary's should and leaned back defeated, "I know I'm a complete hypocrite in your eyes for saying this, after all I hid this lifestyle from you for sixteen years, but Jace needs to accept his sentence and adjust to his new life as a mundane. He told you to move on, doesn't that bother you at all?"

Magnus and Alec started to walk into the living room and stopped when they heard Clary sigh loudly in frustration. They backed away down the hall to Magnus' bedroom and motioned for Izzy to join them.

Clary stood up and started walking across the room. "Look Mom - I don't expect you to understand what I'm going through right now. Jace wasn't telling me to move on. His words were code for me alone. I understand why you hid the shadow world from me, but it was more for your protection than what was in my best interest."

"I still can't fathom why you were ever with that monster…my father…Valentine knowing the darkness inside him." Clary was wringing her wrists with her hands and pacing the floor.

"According to Hodge you were a great warrior, smart, cunning, and loved by everyone. Why would you choose Valentine over Luke, you didn't need Valentine to achieve your life goals?"

Tears streamed down Jocelyn's face, "Clary…I…I was wrapped up in Valentine's magnetism. He was attractive, intelligent, and gentle at first. I told you in the beginning his mission was to improve the Clave, modernize our kind; it wasn't mass genocide of Downworlders. When his goals changed I left…ran away to protect us…not because I didn't enjoy being a Shadowhunter." She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

"Life as a rogue Shadowhunter is not an easy adjustment. I understand better than anyone what Jace is going through right now. I have personally experienced it. He needs time to acclimate to this new life."

"Mom – Jace doesn't want to be stripped of his marks. You talk like he has no other option. The Clave said this is his fate, and in your mind that is that." Clary slammed her fist into her hand.

"I won't stand by and let them tear him apart like this. He doesn't deserve this punishment, and you know it. How many times has Jace fought beside those who sentenced him to be a mundane? How many lives has he saved, and he's not even of age."

Clary was on her knees in front of her Mother and looked up with pleading eyes, "There has to be a way to make them change their minds. You know their system better than I do. Help me, please!"

Jocelyn was biting her lip, "Imogen Herondale is the Inquisitor. She has a lot of clout with the Clave. I noticed she was whispering to the Consul throughout the entire trial. She would be my best guess to overturn the verdict. But Clary, there is history with her and your Father."

"Imogen's son - Stephen was Valentine's second in command once Luke left the Circle. Stephen was married to Amatis, Luke's sister, at the time. Valentine convinced Stephen to divorce Amatis; he felt her bloodline wasn't "pure" because Luke was turned into a werewolf. He arranged for Stephen to marry a younger Shadowhunter, Celine Montclaire. Stephen was killed one night when the Circle raided a vampire nest. Celine was pregnant the same time I was pregnant with you. She was a few months farther along than me, but she ended up committing suicide after Stephen's death. She was eight months pregnant when she died."

"Thanks for the history lesson Mom, but I don't understand how that pertains to Jace! We all know he's not Valentine's son, Michael Wayland is his biological father. Why would the Inquisitor still hold a grudge against Jace? It doesn't make sense." Clary was trying to piece things together in her mind, but kept coming up short.

Magnus, Alec and Izzy came into the room. Clary almost forgot they were in the apartment. She was really tired and just wanted to lie down. Make this entire day go away. She wished she would wake up, Jace lying next to her, and this was all just a really bad dream.

Magnus broke up their party and added his insight, "I think the Inquisitor is still in the mindset of Jace being Valentine's son. When I was hired to hold Jace for the Clave in my apartment awhile back, the Inquisitor was very clear she wanted Jace to suffer during his stay. No comforts, no visitors, nothing. But the way Imogen Herondale looked at Jace it was if she was seeing a ghost. Someone she knew and loved, but let her down. It was all very strange to me at the time. The lady definitely doesn't want Jace to have the easy road."

Jocelyn was still on the couch, completely zoned out. Everyone was so tired they looked like they would fall over any second. Even Magnus was drained, he needed to recharge his batteries before a fight ensued and his talents were needed.

"I have three bedrooms in this apartment, you're all welcome to stay the night. I think we all need to rest at this point. Clear our heads and formulate a plan in the morning. Maybe I can find out where the Silent Brothers are holding Jace," Magnus said firmly.

Jocelyn was distant and spoke up, "Thank you for your hospitality Magnus, but I called Luke and he's on his way to pick me up. Clary you can come home or stay here. It's up to you. I know you're angry with me, but I'm only trying to help and do what's best for you."

Clary softened her expression and spoke gently to her Mother, "I'll stay here tonight. I'm supposed to move into the Institute tomorrow, remember? My bags are already packed at home. I'll come by tomorrow morning and pick everything up. Maybe we can have donuts and coffee?"

"Sounds good. I'm sorry if I upset you with all this information, but I'm really just looking out for you Honey." Jocelyn stood up and crossed the room to give her daughter a hug. Clary hugged her back.

There was a knock on the door. "That's probably Luke," she said.

Magnus answered the door. "Hello Luke, come on in."

Luke and Jocelyn wished everyone a goodnight sleep and left the apartment. Magnus set Izzy up in a hot pink and black room that mirrored her own at the Institute, and he put Clary in a classically decorated navy and cream bedroom. Everything was very neat and pristine, the room made her think of Jace and his orderly way of keeping his room at the Institute. She cried at the thought of him and fell asleep with tears running down her face.

AN: Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. I really enjoyed writing the scene between Jocelyn and Clary. We all tend to take our mothers for granted. Most are just trying to protect us from pain, but then again if they shelter us too much we never learn from experience.

When I read the TMI series the first time I always wondered if Jocelyn struggled leaving the Shadowhunter lifestyle behind. The books never touch on her life much pre-Circle. Might have to explore that a little further. Thanks for reading and any feedback you have is greatly appreciated!