Disclaimer: I own nothing related to TMI.

Author's Update: Sorry I haven't posted in 24+ hours. I have all my ideas mapped out but need filler chapters to build up some backstory. This chapter is a little long and bounces around some storylines. Hope it's not choppy.

AU Additional: I edited this chapter a tad to make it flow with Chapter 13. Thank you AJ Granger for alerting me about the error. Much Love!

Jace In Exile

Chapter 12

"Imogen please listen I'm calling you as a friend not for Clave business," Maryse said with hope in her voice.

"I understand the Silent Brothers postponed Jace's reversal of ascension ceremony. I was wondering if the Brotherhood would consider letting him stay at home until they determine the next steps."

"At the Institute? Maryse you know what Jace Wayland's sentence states he is in exile and no longer allowed to reside in a Shadowhunter Institute." Imogen said coolly.

"I don't understand why you continue to shelter Valentine's son, after what he did to you and Robert. You were lucky you had friends in high places or you and Robert would've been stripped of your marks too. I am still sorry for the drastic measures I took while in your Institute during Valentine's attack, but I don't trust Jace Wayland" she sneered.

"But Imogen, Jace is my son not Valentine's, you know the Clave proved this truth when Valentine refused to give you the Mortal Sword in exchange for Jace's freedom," Maryse cringed remembering how Imogen had convinced the Clave to use Jace as a pawn against Valentine.

Her plan backfired exponentially since Jace wasn't Valentine's biological son. Imogen assumed Valentine would give up his entire plan out of the love for his son; she was sadly mistaken late in the game, but called the Conclave for backup and fought alongside the Lightwoods in battle to defeat Valentine and his minions.

Imogen mended her relationship with the Lightwoods and apologized for her actions while staying at the New York Institute. Maryse hoped Imogen's realization, that Jace wasn't Valentine's biological son, would have softened her feelings concerning Jace too. However, two weeks after the battle on Valentine's ship, and to the astonishment of Maryse and Robert, the Clave sent word they were trying Jace for treason.

Maryse pleaded with Imogen to see her side, "He was only a child when Michael Wayland died. A child can't be held accountable for the people who raise him or the plotting and scheming Valentine did that included an innocent child. Why do you hold such a grudge against him? I want to understand your reasoning."

"Maryse don't expect me to identify with you as a mother, remember Valentine took my only child away from me and inevitably my entire family," she hissed. "I have no one left to grieve, we can't let evil dwell among us, and a part of Valentine will always be engrained in that boy."

"Jace Wayland was not a child when he met with Valentine on his dark ship. He was adult enough to comprehend what he was doing, and it's obvious you continue to be blindsided by his charm and wit. You know those are traits of Valentine manifesting in your son."

Maryse thought contacting Imogen as an ally following the trial and attempting to persuade her to seek leniency for Jace was a plausible next step, after all Imogen had made amends with the Lightwoods, and Jace had saved her life during the battle. Her confident in her theory quickly diminished after speaking with Imogen on the phone.

"Imogen your Stephen was a wonderful man, he was loved by all for the same charm and wit Jace exhibits. Jace is still underage, he is only seventeen, and now that we have more information he might be younger than that. I beg of you to rethink the Clave's sentence. I know your creditability with the Consul is like no other. Maybe if you just spoke with Jace again, aired your differences about him, and tried to see him as the child he is, the Clave might reduce his sentence or at least reconsider the reversal of ascension." She was holding back her rage and her voice was tight when she spoke.

"The Clave has ruled on this case Maryse, I don't see the governing body of our kind modifying a sentence as severe as Jace Wayland received. They would lose the people's faith in their abilities and strength as a governing body. What's done is done, but I will sit down with Jace and speak with him before his ceremony takes place. I've already made that request of the Silent Brothers. I felt he should know where he stands with the Clave prior to having his marks stripped," she chided.

Maryse was beside herself. How could this woman who apologized to her not a week ago, now hold so much hate and anger for Jace. If anything Imogen was known for it was her fairness, not this one-sided prejudice approach.

Maryse sighed deeply, "I see I'm not going to change your mind regarding my son. I thought you would have some empathy for me considering you've also lost a child. I'm sorry I wasted your time. Good day, Imogen," and hung up the phone.

Maryse shouted out in frustration and put her head on her desk. She was disturbed by a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" she said holding back her anger.

"Mom it's me, can we talk?" Isabelle said firmly from the other side of the door.

The walls were thin in the Institute, Isabelle probably heard most of the conversation she had with Imogen.

"Yes, come in Isabelle."

"Mom I know you're trying everything you can to help Jace, and you're doing everything in your power to change their minds, but I couldn't help overhearing that his reversal of ascension ceremony has been postponed. Where is he now?" Isabelle treaded lightly.

"Isabelle you brother's whereabouts are secret. I know he is not in the Silent City but he is being watched 24/7 around the clock. I'm sure he is fine; Jace is a survivor. I just can't believe I'm going to lose a son. Once the ceremony takes place he won't be able to live in our world any longer.

"Mom, what are you saying? Jace won't be able to have a relationship with us? I don't understand what you mean."

"When Jace goes through the reversal of ascension ceremony there is a slight chance they will transfuse his blood, which will cause Jace to lose his "sight" of the shadow world. He will no longer see past glamour."

"What are you talking about exchanging his blood, you and Dad were in exile for a time and they didn't do that to you." Panic rose up in Isabelle's stomach.

"Your Father and I didn't go through the reversal of ascension. This is the severest form of punishment the Clave can hand down. The fact they are doing this to an underage Shadowhunter just baffles me."

Isabelle thought Maryse sounded defeated. "Mom we can't let them do this to Jace, he's not guilty and he's already been through so much. Where is the love of the Angel in the Clave? He is a Shadowhunter not one of Valentine's lapdogs," she said tears welling up in her eyes.

"Isabelle I know you want to search for Jace but I'm begging you to let it alone. Finding him now may put him in danger or impact the case we are building to convince the Clave to change their verdict. Please don't hinder our efforts on a whim."

Maryse's words slapped Isabelle in the face.

She started to stomp out of the room, turned and said, "Don't worry Mom I won't go and try to save my brother on a whim."

Isabelle headed to Clary's room. All she could think was – Where the hell is Simon? He could help them find Jace and not interfere with the case. She was a little peeved that her boyfriend, or whatever he was since they failed to have a DTR, wasn't returning her calls. She had wasted a perfectly good suggestive outfit last night on him and her feet were killing her today from the sky-high heels she wore to complete her outfit.

"So let me see if I have this right, you went to a party last night to get modeling jobs, this vampire baroness threatened Simon, and you two took your shirts off for her after the threat?"

Maia was sitting in Jordan's lap recapping the story the guys just told her about last night. They left out the details about Raphael coming to find Simon and Jace because Jordan wasn't even privy to the whole story.

"Are you all dense or something? Why would you take your clothes off for a woman, a vampire woman, after she threatened Simon?" She looked from Simon to Jordan with her eyes bugged out.

"Well she didn't really threaten me…she just let us know that she knew who I was…she did tell us to leave the party because she had other vampires coming," Simon answered and looked down at his feet.

"I think we should take the modeling jobs she offered us. This way we can get closer to her inner circle and keep an eye on her. Maybe even win her over to protecting Simon?" Jordan raised his eyebrows at his plan.

Simon sighed, "Okay if you two are going to take the modeling jobs, we need to get a file ready, like a portfolio. Do we know any photographers? Someone cheap - in other words f-r-e-e? We need headshots, and probably some candid shots, then any special skills you have because neither of you have any previous experience to list."

"I can take the pictures," Maia interjected with a shy smile.

"That's right Baby, how could I forget? You loved photography in school. You were always shooting pictures for the yearbook and stuff." Jordan looked at Simon with confidence, "She's really good at it too."

"Well it shouldn't be too difficult considering she has fine specimens like us to photograph," Jace smirked.

"Okay I'll go home and get my camera and come right back. Jordan - go brush your hair and change your shirt, wear something that makes your eyes pop. Jace, just do the thing you do every morning, it should be fine," she said sarcastically knowing she couldn't deflate his ego.

Maia was out the door fast as lightning. Jordan went straight to his room to do as Maia instructed. Simon stood up and started pacing the floor.

"So Wayland how much longer are you going to avoid Clary? She and Izzy came here last night, and that was to close a call if you ask me. Clary is going to be pissed you haven't called her and even more pissed off that I'm harboring you and keeping it from her."

Jace sat back on the couch and sighed. "Funny you mention me calling Clary, because I was informed by Brother Z over there", nodding his head to the corner where Brother Zachariah was standing, "that I am weak because I'm not in the company of other Shadowhunters. I can draw energy and strength from Alec and being away from my parabatai is having lasting effects on my marks, I can ask him how Clary is doing when I talk to him."

"Geez how kind of you to call your brother to check in on your girlfriend. Sounds like a selfish plan if you ask me." Simon yelled in aggravation.

"I'm going to call Clary soon…I'll call her after I talk to Alec…I promise." Jace was trying to be remorseful but Simon wasn't buying it.

He looked at Simon and said in a defeated tone, "I need to make a phone call."

Simon left and went to his bedroom to give Jace some privacy.

He dialed Alec's number on his phone, closed his eyes and put his free hand on the bridge of his nose, and put the phone to his ear.

"Hello, who is this? I don't recognize this number." Alec sounded angry.

"Hey Brother it's me."

"Jace - is that you? Where are you? Are you okay? They haven't done the ceremony yet have they?" His tone more gentle hearing it was Jace.

Alec's voice was like fresh air and Jace breathed it in deeply, "Yes it's me. I'm fine. No they haven't done the reversal ceremony yet." Jace answered with stiffness in his voice.

"Okay…I'm at Magnus' apartment, Mom is going crazy trying to get the Clave to overturn their verdict. Iz and Clary are at the Institute. I'm sure you already knew that from talking with Clary." Alec sounded worried.

"No, I haven't called Clary yet," he sighed. "Alec I need a favor from you, brother to brother. Would you keep our call to yourself and meet me at the park tonight around 7?" Jace was hoping Alec would still be there for him regardless of his secrecy.

"Sure, Brother. Anything," the worry in Alec's voice grew stronger.

"Ok meet at the fountain and come alone. Please don't tell anyone we are meeting, not even Magnus," he said firmly.

"I understand. See you soon." Alec hung up the phone before Jace could say goodbye.

Well at least Alec was willing to see him. He started to dial Clary's number, but stopped. What was he going to say to her? He had to admit he was avoiding her. At first he didn't call her because he didn't want her in harms way with all the Raphael shit going on. Then he avoided her because of pride.

Now he was procrastinating…but why…he couldn't lie to her. He would need to lie to her to protect her from all of this. She deserved to have some happiness, moving into the Institute, becoming a full-time Shadowhunter, training, etcetera. No matter how many excuses Jace made for the situation, nothing justified his actions.

Maia barreled through the door with camera in hand, "All right boys let's get to moving we're running out of daylight."

Jace put his phone back in his pocket and followed Simon and Jordan out of the door. His head hung low.

"Good now give me no smile," Maia snapped her camera "Good very serious."

Maia snapped pictures of Jordan in various poses and facial expressions. She had him jump, carry a backpack, an umbrella, laugh, smile, no smile; her demands went on and on. Meanwhile, Jace sat over on a park bench waiting his turn with Maia aka Annie Leivobitz.

Simon sat down next to him and started asking him questions for his portfolio. "I have all your measurements down, and physical characteristics. We probably need to include special skills like, comfortable posing with live props including animals, comfortable in the water, stuff like that. Anything you want to put on here to avoid?" Simon studied the notebook in his hand.

"I'm okay with everything you said except on the animal part – I don't do ducks!" Jace declared and his face contorted for a second.

"Not gonna ask, don't wanna know," Simon wrote in the notebook and raised his eyebrows.

"You're up Golden Boy," she pointed at Jace. He sauntered over to the tree Maia stood under.

"Don't look so glum, I'm sure you're a natural at posing, you get plenty of practice flexing in the mirror each morning," she winked at him. He let out a low snarl and leaned up against the tree.

"Good pose, now put your foot up on the tree and your hands in your pockets, lean your head back and look pensive."

Jace went through the same rigmarole Jordan did. When Maia finished they had over 50 pictures to choose from. They walked back to the apartment to finalize the portfolios for Camille. They checked out the pictures on Maia's digital camera, Simon played every bit the manager, and selected photos and shots with different poses.

Jace hoped this modeling thing worked out so he could finally relax on the job search, after all his free week was almost half over.

Author's Note: I would love some feedback on the story so far. I know some of you like it, but only a few have left reviews. Thank you to those who have left comments. What would you like to see in the story? Should Clary be angry with Jace or just forgive him straight away? Feedback needed! I'm writing for you the reader…I want to make you happy J

Thanks for reading XOXO