I do not own the Mortal Instruments. All characters belong to Cassandra Clare.
She sat on the bed with her knees brought up to her chest, terrified. It wasn't the first time Sebastian had forced her into sex, but it was the first time he did it completely sober. Not a drop of alcohol was in his system and that horrified her. At least when he was drunk she knew his judgment was clouded. Being sober meant he wanted to do what he did.
Sebastian stirred in his sleep next to her and she involuntarily flinched. Silently, she slipped off the bed and went into the bathroom. Clary gasped at the sight of her naked body in the mirror. Large, purple bruises covered her arms, hips, and thighs. Gently, she poked one on her wrist and winced at the sharp pain.
This was bad. Very bad. I need to get away, she thought to herself. Just for a few days to let him calm down a bit. Quietly, she walked into the closet and got dressed in sweats and a long sleeved t-shirt. Then, she grabbed a suitcase and threw a week's worth of clothes into it.
Once back in the bedroom, she glanced at Sebastian's sleeping form. Her mouth betrayed her and turned up in a small smile. He looked so peaceful while sleeping. His dark hair was a tousled mess and his lips pouted out like a child's. She lingered there a moment longer, basking in the innocence and calmness of the scene.
She tiptoed all the way out of the penthouse, afraid of waking him up. Once the door clicked behind her, she let out the breath she had been holding. She pulled her phone out and dialed her mother's number. Clary felt bad for calling her at two in the morning, but it was important.
The line rang three times before Jocelyn's slightly angry voice came through the speaker. "Clary? Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"I know it's late and I'm sorry. I was just wondering if I could stay with you for a little while. Sebastian and I," her voice cracked, "got into a really bad argument."
"Oh, Clary," Jocelyn's voice was now soft and full of concern, "of course you can stay here."
"Thanks, Mom. I really appreciate it."
"No problem. I'll leave the door unlocked. Love you."
"Love you, too."
She hung up and quickly sent a text to Sebastian: Staying with my mom. Be back when things cool down.
Light streamed in through the window and pulled her from sleep. She sat up and glanced at the clock. 9:14 blinked in bright red letters. With a groan, she buried her face in her hands. Her whole body ached and she had to be at work in less than hour. To make matters worse, she knew her mom was going to interrogate her about Sebastian since she hadn't pried at all lat night.
Clary crawled out of bed despite her body's protests. In record time she showered, got dressed, and did her hair and make up. She looked at the clock again before going downstairs. 9:40. Good. She had plenty of time for her mother's questions.
She found Jocelyn in the kitchen, staring out the window with a steaming cup of coffee between her hands. Clary poured her own cup and sat down at the kitchen table. Her mother looked over at her.
"So, what's going on with you and Sebastian?" she asked, taking a seat across from her daughter.
"Good morning to you, too, Mom," Clary muttered. "We've just been fighting a lot." It wasn't a complete lie, so she didn't feel too bad about it.
"Fighting about what?"
Clary sighed and closed her eyes. "Everything. The wedding. My job. His job. Even little things like what to make for dinner. We can't seem to agree on anything."
Jocelyn frowned slightly. "It sounds like you just need some time away from him. Get out a little and do something fun. Speaking of which, are you going to the Lightwood's party on Saturday?"
Clary tensed and looked up at her mom. "What party?"
"Max's birthday party. Didn't Simon and Isabelle invite you?"
She shook her head and stood up. "We're not exactly on good terms." Before her mom could press for details, she rushed to the door. "I have to go now. See you when I get home."
Clary's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as she drove to the law firm. Simon and Izzy really were mad at her. Never before had Izzy thrown a party without inviting Clary, not even during their worst falling outs. Was their friendship really over already?
"You feeling okay, Fray?" Jace's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "You've been staring at that wall for a good fifteen minutes."
She felt herself flush. She had been distracted all day with thoughts of Sebastian, Isabelle, and Simon.
"Just got a lot going on, Mr. Wayland," she said, turning to face him.
A small frown appeared on his face. "Stop that."
She tilted her head to the side. "You're going to have to be more specific."
He rolled his eyes. "Stop calling me 'Mr. Wayland.' It's weird and I don't really like it."
"Like I care, Jace," she muttered.
"What's got your panties in a knot?"
"I'm bored out of my damn mind."
"Then it's a good thing I have job for you."
"Finally!" she said exasperatedly. "I've only been sitting here doing nothing for about an hour."
Ignoring her statement, he went on. "I need you to take this paperwork to Maryse and ask her for the Owens case."
Clary gladly took the stack of papers and fled the room. It was just her luck. The one day she needed to get her mind off of things, Jace had literally no work for her. She rode the elevator to the top floor, praying that she didn't run into Simon.
Maryse's office was the last room on the top floor. It was also the nicest room in the building. The entire back wall was a window that had an incredible view of the city and the entire right wall was a book case. A large mahogany desk was placed in the center of the room and Maryse sat behind it, staring intently at the computer screen with her lips pursed.
Clary cleared her throat to announce her presence. Maryse looked up and smiled. "Hello, Clarissa. What can I help you with?"
Clary handed her the stack of papers. "Jace wanted me to give you these."
She took the papers and thumbed through them, her smile widening. "Tell Jace he did an excellent job. Anything else?"
"Yes, actually. He would like the Owens case."
Maryse's smile faltered and she sighed. "I'd hoped he wouldn't ask for that." She rifled through one of her drawers and passed a thick manila folder to Clary. "Can you do me a favor?" Clary nodded. "Don't let Jace do anything stupid with this case."
"What do you mean?"
"It's not my place to give details, just don't let him get emotionally involved. Can you do that?"
"I'll try my best," she said, giving a reassuring smile. She was about to leave when Izzy walked in.
"Hey, Mom, the band cancelled for Saturday and-" She stopped abruptly upon seeing Clary.
"Oh!" Maryse gasped. "That reminds me; Clarissa, dear, will you be attending Max's party?"
Clary glanced at Izzy. Her face was impassive, but Clary knew she was freaking out on the inside. There would be hell to pay for not inviting her. Shaking her head sadly, Clary replied, "I'm sorry, but I'm busy that day." At Maryse's disappointed face, she quickly added, "But, I might be able to stop by for a minute or two. I really need to get back to Jace. It was nice to see you."
"Don't be afraid to come see me if you need anything."
"I won't. Goodbye, Maryse." She nodded at Izzy. "Isabelle."
She rushed out of the room and immediately ran into someone. "Sorry," she squeaked, and looked up to see Simon. This day just keeps getting better and better.
Simon brushed past her without saying a word.
With a frown, she went back to Jace. The second she entered his office he held his hand out expectantly for the folder, which she gave to him. Before she could pulle her hand away, he grabbed her arm and pushed up her sleeve, revealing finger shaped bruises on her wrist.
"What's this?" he asked with an eyebrow raised.
She racked her brain for an excuse. "It's, um- It's…"
A smirk played at the corner of his lips. "I'd say Verlac is one lucky guy."
"What?" Clary gasped, appalled.
"I know sex bruises when I see them, Clary, and these are some pretty nice ones."
The heat rose in her cheeks and she yanked her arm away. She was relieved by his assumption, but utterly embarrassed, too.
"I'm going a coffee run. Want anything?" she asked, wanting to get away and still blushing furiously. Her boss probably thought she was some kind of kinky sex freak now.
"Nah, I'm good," he replied with the infuriating smirk glued to his face.
Jace sent Clary home early, claiming there was nothing for her to do. Any other day she would have been ecstatic, but today she had been looking forward to the distraction of work. Her whole day was turning into a complete pile of shit.
She walked in the front door to find her mother on the phone with a huge grin plastered on her face.
"Yes, I will be there… Thanks again… Have a nice day." She put the phone down and stared at her daughter, still grinning.
"What was that?" Clary asked, feeling like her mother wasn't going to speak unless she initiated the conversation.
"I got the job!" Jocelyn exclaimed excitedly.
Clary was confused for a moment before she remembered. A few months ago her mother had applied for a job teaching art at a prestigious school in California. "Really? That's terrific! When do you start?"
"In a week, but I have to leave Sunday morning. I need to start packing!"
Clary laughed as her mother ran upstairs. At least somebody was having a good day.
Sunday came quickly, the days leading up to it being uneventful for Clary. The only slow day had been Saturday; when she sat around the house for hours, sulking.
Sunday morning had been full of tears as she said goodbye to mother. It would be ten months until she returned. That is, if she didn't decide to stay in California after the school year.
Now, Sunday afternoon, she was standing outside Sebastian's door. She figured it was time to go back since Jocelyn was no longer living in her house. Unsure as to whether or not she would be welcomed back, Clary knocked.
After a few seconds, Sebastian answered the door. Dark circles surrounded his dull eyes and his hair was a greasy mess on his head. He stared at her with wide eyes before enveloping her in a back-breaking hug.
"You came back," he whispered in her ear. "I thought I lost you. I am so sorry. I am so fucking sorry." She lightly hugged him back. "I'm still trying to deal with my dad and I've been taking it out on you. I'll stop, though. You're all I have left and I couldn't bear to lose you. Promise you won't leave again. Please, promise."
That's when it dawned on her. Her father fled with her brother before she was born, her best friends hated her, and her mother was now on the other side of the country. Sebastian was the only person she had left, also. A silent tear slid down her cheek and she hugged him tighter.
"I promise," she whispered back.
Meh. Not really happy with this. Had lots of ideas that I simply didn't know how to put together.
Anyway, review. (: Reviews are like hugs without the awkward touching part.