Still don't own the Mortal Instruments

Jace sat next to Clary on the couch and pulled her close to him. He rubbed her back and whispered reassurances to her as she sobbed into his chest. She didn't know how long they sat there and she didn't care. She felt safe in Jace's arms. Like he could protect her from anything. But at the same time, she knew it was a false sense of security. She wasn't really safe and she never would be. Not as long as Sebastian was still around.

She stood up, wiped the last of the tears off her face, and looked at Jace. "I have to leave, Jace," she said with a hoarse voice.

"What do you mean?" he asked, standing up and gently placing his hands on her hips.

Removing herself from his touch, she crossed her arms and stared at him. "I can't stay here. Sebastian's going to look for me and it's only a matter of time before he figures it out. He's not only going to hurt me this time, he'll hurt you, too. I can't put you in that position. I need to get as far away from you as I can."

He grabbed her shoulders and bent down to eye level with her. "Clarissa Fray, I do not care if Sebastian comes after me. In case you haven't noticed, I can handle myself. You are staying here. You stand a better chance here where I can keep an eye on you than off on your own."

"But Sebastian's going to-"

Jace shook his head. "I don't care, Clary. Besides, he's not going to have a chance to find you. Jordan is with your mother right now working on a way to get him into custody. From there, it will be all about proving just how guilty he his. Then, you will be free, Clary. You will never have to worry about him again. You're staying here."

She wanted to believe him. She really did. But she couldn't. Sebastian was too powerful. He'd find a way to get her and drop off the radar before Jordan could ever get the chance to arrest him. "Jace," she sighed, "I can't. I mean it."

His eyes hardened. "Clary, you are staying here even if I have to tie you up and lock you in a closet."

His voice was commanding and reminded her of Sebastian. It struck fear in her. She quickly agreed with a nod of her head and a tiny okay.

He hated it. He hated the way he had to talk to her. But it was the only way that he could get her to stay. He had to make her afraid of him. It was for her own good, though. She wouldn't survive an hour on her own. Sebastian had eyes and ears all over the city and probably had people already looking for her. Jace new the only real safe place was in his apartment where he could keep an eye on her and know where she was. If he had to leave, he had friends in the building that could watch out for her for him.

He looked at her and noticed how tired she looked. "Come on," he said quietly, "let's go to bed."

She followed him into his bedroom and he gave her a pair of boxers and and old t shirt to change into as he stripped out of his clothes and climbed into bed. Clary slid in next to him a few seconds later and he put an arm around her, pulling her close.

This is how it was supposed to be. He was supposed to be with Clary and she was supposed to be with him. They were supposed to sleep in the same bed, pressed up against each other. They were supposed to wake up in the morning next to each other. This is the way he wanted it to be.

After going to the ER to get his nose bandaged, Sebastian was well beyond pissed. Not only had that little bitch hit him, it only got worse from there. The only doctor available had been Magnus. He had given Sebastian a knowing, and mocking, look before taking care of him. And as he walked out of the hospital, he could hear Magnus and the other doctors laughing about it.

Now that he was at home, he let his rage loose. He threw vases and picture frames at walls, enjoying the way they shattered. How dare she embarass him like that? After all he had done for her. He had given her a perfect life. What could possibly make her think it was okay to cause him that much embarrassment and risk tarnishing his reputation?

He wasn't sure. But there was one thing he was sure of: he was going to make her pay.

Clary woke up to find the other side of the bed empty. She slowly got out of bed and stretched before exiting the room. She found Jace leaning against the kitchen counter in a suit, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. He looked up at her as she entered. "Good morning," he smiled.

"Morning," she yawned.

"Listen, I have to go into work today. It'll only be for a few hours. I just really need to work on building a better case on Verlac and I'm going to need other's help so I can't do it from home."

Her eyes grew wide and she stared at him. "But Sebastian is looking for me right now. What if he comes here, Jace? What am I supposed to do?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "Do you really think I'd leave you unprotected?" He opened a drawer and pulled out a small handgun.

Clary's mouth fell open. "You're leaving me with a gun? Do you really think I'll be able to shoot someone? Even if it is Sebastian?"

"I'm pretty sure you'll do whatever's necessary to keep yourself alive. Besides, you most likely won't even need it. Do you know how to shoot one?"

She nodded slowly. "My mom used to date this guy who was pretty big on the second amendment and took me shooting a few times."

"Okay," Jace said, setting the gun down on the counter. "Just remember, don't use it unless absolutely necessary. I don't even think you'll need it. I'm just leaving it here so you can feel safer. Now, I really need to go, but I'll only be gone for three hours tops, okay?"

"Alright. Stay safe," she said.

He walked over and kissed her on the forehead before walking out the door.

She stared at the clock. Jace was supposed to have been back over an hour ago. She had tried calling him, but he didn't pick up and she was starting to worry.

A loud knock sounded from the door and she froze. Another knock came and she slowly got up and silently walked toward the kitchen and picked the gun up off the counter.

"Clarissa!" a male voice called. "Let me in!"

The voice was muffled and she couldn't tell who it was. It could be anybody. Including Sebastian or any of his minions. Her heart rate picked up and she suddenly felt like shew as either going to throw up or pass out.

The doorknob started to rattle violently as someone tried to enter the apartment. Clary took a deep breath and aimed the gun at the door just as the intruder opened it.

Oh hey. Only took me two weeks to update this time. Yay.

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