A/N: Finally an update. I'm sorry I suck at updating. But here's a nice long chapter for you.

~Clary~

It was hard to believe- hard to have that hope. But the one thing that augmented my trust in Jace was after fifth period.

I headed to my locker to dump my books before I went to eat lunch with Jace.

"Ah, little Clary," a high-pitched voice chirped behind me. I froze, about to close my locker. "Didn't you learn anything two years ago?"

Forcing myself to move, I finished closing my locker, locked it, and faced Kaelie.

She shoved me back. "You don't honestly believe that Jace would like you, do you?" she sneered with emphasis when she said 'you'.

Doubt surfaced but I tried not to let it show. "Maybe that's true, but you're obviously worried or you wouldn't be wasting your time on me. Either that or you're secretly in love with me and are showing it in the grade school manner."

"You little bitch," Kaelie snarled and lifted her hand. A familiar hand caught it before it landed on my cheek.

"Kaelie, Kaelie, Kaelie," Jace sighed. He looked relaxed, calm even, until you saw his eyes, burning with rage. Kaelie apparently didn't notice that small fact.

"Jace, baby," she cooed, "I haven't seen you at any clubs lately. Why don't you join me... tonight?" She batted her eyelashes, and I tried not to gag at her disgustingly sweet tone, all the while waiting for him to say yes to her proposition. I closed my eyes.

"No," he said firmly. My eyes flashed open in disbelief he shoved her hand away.

Kaelie stumbled backwards. "What?" she gasped. "No? Did you just say no? To me?"

Jace's placid face disappeared in an instant and he bared his teeth. "Yes, Kaelie, I did. And if I ever see you near Clary, if you ever say her name, or if you even glance in her direction, I will destroy you."

Kaelie stared open-mouthed at Jace for a second before stalking off with her entourage of gossiping girls.

I turned to Jace, and he cupped my face with his hands, resting his forehead against mine. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't know she-"

I cut him off with a kiss, then I blushed, shocked at my boldness. "It's okay, Jace," I told him. "She didn't hurt me."

"But she could have," Jace protested.

I smiled. "You stopped her. Now lets go eat."

*break*

"Do you want to go see a movie with me tonight?" Jace asked as we walked down the busy New York street hand-in-hand to my apartment building.

"Sure-" I froze at the sight of two police cars in front of my building. I took off running, ignoring Jace's shouts. I had to know if my mom was alright.

The run up the stairs exhausted me, but I couldn't wait for the elevator. I burst into my apartment.

"Mom!" I cried. Two police officers stood, handing going to their weapons. But I didn't pay any attention to them, focused on the woman who came out of the kitchen with a worried expression on her face.

"Clary?" she said, confused. "What's wrong?" I tacked her with a giant hug.

"I thought something had happened to you," I whispered, my throat tight with held-back tears.

"Not me," she told me, pulling back. "Its Sebastian. His- his car-"

The blood drained from my face.

"His car was found in the river, but no body was found. Do you have any idea where your brother may be?" a police officer took over.

I exhaled in relief. No body. Sebastian wasn't dead.

"I-" I began.

"Clary!" Jace's exclamation interrupted me. His arms suddenly grabbed me and pulled me into a hug.

"Jace, I'm fine," I assured him. "I just thought Mom was hurt."

His grip tightened. "Don't scare me like that again," he ordered.

Then Mom cleared her throat. "Clary, introduce the boy, please."

I cleared my throat and pulled away from Jace. "Mom, this is Jace Wayland," I said nervously. "My boyfriend."

Jace stuck out his hand and Mom shook it firmly.

"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am," he said.

"It's nice to meet you as well," Jocelyn replied, "although I would have preffered to meet Clary's first boyfriend under better circumstances." Which drew my attention back to the officers standing awkwardly in the room.

"Seb only said he was going out," I told them. "He didn't mention where."

They accepted my answer and left a couple minutes later to help with the search. They didn't appear hopeful. New York City was large and crowded. If Sebastian didn't want to be found, then the chances of actually finding him were slim.

Later that evening I lay on my bad thinking. Jace had taken me to dinner and a movie- a perfect first date that was ruined with foreboding thoughts of Sebastian's welfare.

I knew who the last person to see him was. Most likely he'd still be there.

The bus rolled to astop and I hesitantly walked off, unnerved by the creepy warehose district. But I had to know if Sebastian was laright. So I summed the meager courage I had and searched for the address my Father had given me yesterday.

~Jace~

I was walking home after I dropped Clary at her apartment when our date had ended. It had been a great time. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had so much fun.

Clare was my sun. Before her, my world was bleak, dismal, and now I saw color. Now I wanted to play music. I wanted to be a gentleman for her.

I wanted her like I'd wanted nothing else.

Food, water, shelter- nothing compared to Clary.

Lost in thoughts of Clary, I didn't notice the two men approaching me until too late.

The air was knocked out of my lungs as I collided with the ground. I didn't pause and retaliated as best as I could. But it was two against one. My chances of winning weren't very high.

~Clary~

"Daughter," Valentine said smoothly, opening the door before I had even knocked. "I was expecting you."

"Where's Sebastian?" I demanded, brushing past him.

Valentine smirked. "This way." I glowered but had no choice but to follow him. He lead me down several different hallways in multiple directions, but I memorized the ath easily. If he thought to confuse me, he was sorely mistaken.

I had googled him before I'd come here, curious as to who my father was, why Mom had left him. Why she had never mentioned him.

Drugs. Gangs. Murder. He'd never been caught, but was suspected of all that and more. So now I knew why.

He stopped in front of a door and pushed it open. "Here he is." I stepped into the room and my breath caught in my throat.

Sebastian lay on a white cot in the brightly lit room, his eyes closed peacefully. Next to the bed was a tall metal stand like from the hospital with an IV bag hanging from it and attached to Sebastian by a long clear tube.

"What have you done?" I snapped, pulling out my cell phone. "I'm calling the police. This isn't legal."

He snatched the phone away. "Don't be so hasty, Clarissa. My son isn't hurt. I cannot say the same about the other boy."

"Other boy?" I asked, confused. Footsteps drew my attention back outside the room. I glanced back at Valentine who motioned for me to look. Warily, I stepped out and saw Jace hanging limply between two large men.

"Jace!" I cried, rushing toward him I knelt down and gently touched his bruised and bloodied face. "Why are you doing this?" I demanded, turning back to Valentine.

He shrugged. "A mere demonstration of my power, Clarissa. The boys are not seriously injured. However, that may change in the future depending on your actions."

I glared at him. "Whatever." Then I stood and ordered the thugs, "Take us to the hospital. Now." They looked at Valentine over my head, and then turned and walked away, still holding Jace.

I followed, tears stinging my eyes.

"I'll be waiting, Clarissa," my father called after me.

So…. What do you think? Reviews are helpful.