Yes, I updated.

Things have been so hectic, what with testing and everything, and then when I'm home I sit on my ass and listen to the Godsend that is Luke Hemmings from Five Seconds of Summer (God, he's Australian too. Is there like some Australian-lover's Anonymous group to join?) so my updating for all of my stories is going to suck like nobody's business.

Well, for this chapter, I couldn't end it like I thought about, or I would have hated myself, so never fear it isn't that bad, but I was thinking about having some sort of alternate-ending chapter if you guys are interested...

Enjoy!

- EasyIsTheDescent

Disclaimer: I don't have enough swag to own TMI or its characters.

Jace is just way out of my limit.

Ha, Out Of My Limit.

5SOS.

Get it?

Rose's POV

I was standing in a garden of exotic flowers, flowers that I knew didn't grow in New York.

I must be in Idris, then.

I turned around carefully, and I recognized the house before me like the back of my Marked hand.

I was home.

Glancing down, I expected to see a gory stab wound, but there was nothing wrong with me. I was wearing a white dress, revealing my black runes, and my curled hair reached halfway down to my elbow, the purple streaks gone.

"It's good to see you again, Rose." A familiar voice called, and I looked up to see someone standing a few feet away, a man wearing a neat gray suit with glasses perched on his nose.

Hodge.

"Hodge? What are you doing here?" I asked, confused.

He sighed. "The better question would be why you were here, as it is not your time."

"I don't understand. My time? But I was stabbed… and you're not dead, are you?"

"You of all people should know things are never as they appear," Hodge replied, ignoring my last question.

"Hodge, why did you leave?" My voice cracked, and I saw pain in his eyes.

"I was afraid, Rose. You wouldn't understand, what it's like to be cursed, to always be afraid to open a window, or to walk too closely to an open door."

I smiled slightly. "But you were cursed to live with us. Was I really that bad?"

He shook his head, smiling. "On the contrary, you were what made it that much bearable. I had never had children, never been in love. I hadn't realized what I was missing out on until I took you kids under my wing."

"I missed you Hodge," I whispered, "I felt like I had lost a parent all over again."

He cringed. "I'm sorry, Rose. But I'm afraid you are about to lose me for a second time."

I glanced around. "What do you mean?"

He smiled at my confusion. "You need to go back, Rose. There are people that need you, your friends, Ethan, Liam."

That names struck a nerve. "Did you think I died on my own accord, Hodge?"

"You aren't dead, Rose. Not yet."

And just like that, I started hearing voices, and I knew my time was running low, and Hodge was fading away.

"I love you Hodge!" I called, and I didn't get to hear his reply as I was being brought back to reality.

"What's happening?" Someone asked anxiously.

Ethan.

"I don't know, the runes must be working now…"

Magnus.

"Wait, is she-"

"Yes, Maryse." He sighed, a smile in his voice, "I think she's waking up."

On my cue, my eyes fluttered open, and I cringed at the bright light.

Liam's face hovered over mine, and so did Magnus and Ethan's.

"What are you looking at?" I muttered, and I tried to sit up, but someone pushed me down.

"I'm still healing you, you ungrateful Shadowhunter," Magnus snapped, but there was no real venom in the words, only relief.

"Rose, are you really awake? You were just lying there, and Jace, h-he said…" Isabelle stammered, her arms wrapped in a large chokehold around Ethan's neck.

"Well do I look dead?" I asked, and everyone cringed.

"Way too early for jokes, darling. The good percentage is still in shock right now," Magnus motioned around us, and I looked at the faces.

Liam, Ethan, Isabelle, Alec, Max, Maryse, Robert.

My family.

"Here come the waterworks," I muttered, and that did it.

I was instantly crushed, Ethan with his arms around my waist, and I completely forgot about what a bloody mess I was, just like he did.

Even Magnus joined in our hug, Alec dragging him in with us, and it was when I felt Jace's hand touch my shoulder that I realized who was missing.

"Hey Clary, Simon!" I called, and the two looked up at me.

"Get your asses over here! Join the love fest!" I winked at them, my voice cracked, and Clary rolled her eyes, but the two edged through the crowd, and I felt our group shift as they wrapped their arms around the people closest to them.

My family.

After we had separated, the other Shadowhunters nearby had broken away, all satisfied that at least one of their own had been saved.

That couldn't be said about others.

My family didn't leave my side for long, and it was when I saw the three people watching us that I got confused.

Liam, who had been oddly quiet, did not let go of me.

He had his arm wrapped around my waist, and from the look on his face, it would take a whole lot to change that.

"Liam," I whispered, and he leaned his head towards me.

"That blonde guy, over there, the hot one," I motioned to him, and Liam's eye widened in recognition.

He smirked. "What about him?"

"He's watching us."

Liam dragged me over to them, against my protests, and the three seemed surprised.

The blonde woman was the first to recover. "Thank the Angel you're alright." She smiled widely at me, and her voice rang with a familiar accent.

"That's my brother, always choosing the beautiful ones," The man beside her said in approval, and Liam rolled his eyes.

"So you are the infamous Chris," I murmured, "I've heard so much about you."

"Infamous? All good things, I hope," The Australian grinned, and I nodded.

"Most of it, yes."

"Ah, Liam, you chose well," The woman, Evelyn, I assumed, grinned. The toddler in her arms wriggled, and Liam's eyes lit up.

"Lacey, my love," He grinned, and the baby's blue eyes widened, a toothless smile lighting up her face.

"Well it was nice to meet you," Chris announced, "But I do believe my brother needs to get you home to rest."

Liam nodded in agreement, and we said our goodbyes before we walked towards the Lightwoods.

"The hot one?" He muttered under his breath, and I shrugged.

"I call them as I see them. Look on the bright side, it runs in the family," I pointed out, and he grinned.

I was leaning on Liam in exhaustion, and when we stopped next to Jace, he looked over me, concerned.

"We almost lost you," He whispered, and I shrugged.

"All part of the job description. I would have died doing what I needed to do," I murmured, glancing towards Max, who had fallen asleep in Robert's arms.

"You saved him," Jace assured me, and I smiled.

Suddenly I remembered something important.

"Jace," I whispered, "Hodge?"

The second I had said that one word, Jace's face fell, and I knew what had happened. I stumbled backwards, Liam holding me up.

"You need some sleep."

The Lightwoods decided to get home, or at least, go find a home.

Because no one was staying in the Penhallow's. Not even the Penhallows.

We made our way to a house not far from the Hall, empty. The family must have left already.

The second we got inside and had locked the doors, I ran towards the nearest shower, eager to scrub all of the blood off of my body.

Twenty minutes later, when I was satisfied that all that was left of today's excitement was a faded pink scar, I got dressed in a pair of black sweatpants and a black t-shirt.

After saying goodnight to the Lightwoods, earning multiple hugs and embraces from each person (even Jace and Robert) I walked upstairs, and I was suddenly pulled into one of the empty bedrooms, the door shut behind me.

And I was being kissed by Liam.

And I wasn't complaining.

My back was against the door, Liam's hands on either side of my head, and he pulled away a minute later.

"I'm sorry," He breathed, "I just… needed that."

"Oh don't worry, I didn't mind."

He smiled slightly, but then his face grew serious. "Today has been the worst day of my life, did you know that?"

"Well I know Isabelle cooked, but come on-"

"Rose, I'm serious."

"And I'm not."

"And why aren't you?"

"Because," I kissed the tip of his nose, "I am alive and well."

He groaned in frustration. "How are you so nonchalant about this? I almost lost you Rose, and I'll be damned if I didn't feel like I was dying-"

"Liam, this is our life. We train, we hunt demons, and we die. I am one of so many Shadowhunters, all living for one lone purpose. I am highly disposable."

"No," He shook his head, "You aren't. Not to me."

We stood like that for a long time, me wedged between the door and Liam, our faces so close that our foreheads were pressed against one another.

"I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight," I admitted.

"Good. Because I will be too busy worrying about you to sleep, anyways."

I rolled my eyes, pushing him away from me, and the two of us collapsed on the bed.

I didn't go to Hodge's funeral.

It wasn't until the next morning that it finally set in.

Hodge was dead.

It really shouldn't have hurt as much as it did, considering I hadn't seen Hodge recently anyways, but it was the idea that he was dead, that I really would never see him again, that really made me feel sick.

Which was precisely why I couldn't go.

The Lightwoods were at the funeral, along with a few others, burning the many Shadowhunters that had died last night.

And I had almost been one of them.

I tried to ignore that little voice in my head that was saying Why you? Why are you the one that was saved from lying in the middle of the streets, from being burned on a pyre, white silk over your eyes?

I wasn't doing a very good job.

That morning we had been discussing what had happened, and Aline had come to us, revealing that the Sebastian that had stabbed me was not the real Sebastian Verlac.

It didn't do a thing to make me feel better.

When Alec had asked why the runes didn't work, Ethan's grip on my arm tightened painfully, his knuckles white, and Liam stiffened beside me.

The only thing I could think of was the fact that Sebastian's blood was on the knife, but that didn't make any sense. Only demon blood would have that sort of effect on a wound.

To which Liam replied that Sebastian was a demon to begin with.

Everyone in the room agreed.

We were standing in the middle of the Hall of Accords now, Ethan, Liam, and I, and Clary and Simon were nearby, talking to Luke.

Chris, Evelyn, and Lacey appeared, and they were kind people. I could see why Liam cared so much about them.

"Rose!" Someone called, and I turned, confused.

I spotted a head of curly blonde hair, and I groaned slightly.

"Pete!" I grinned, and the werewolf himself appeared, Liam's eyes narrowing slightly.

He caught me in a large hug, and Chris coughed, hiding laughter to something Liam had grumbled from behind me.

"Croaky Rosie, look at you," he grinned, and Liam, unfamiliar with the nickname, narrowed his eyes to green slits.

"Come again?"

"Pete, this is my boyfriend Liam," I introduced them quickly, mostly to avoid any arguments.

"I knew you were lying to me when I asked you if anyone caught your eye," He winked, and I shrugged.

"Speaking of, how is your fiancée? Is she here?" I asked, and he shook his head stiffly.

"When Luke brought us here, I made her stay home." He murmured, and I nodded in understanding.

"Well it was good to see you're okay," Pete said seriously, and I grinned.

"I'll see you later Pete," I promised, and he waved, before disappearing into the crowd.

"Ex werewolf lover?" Liam muttered, and I shook my head.

"No, Casanova, he's just a friend."

"There's an endearing nickname and everything," He grumbled, and I cringed.

"I never said I liked being called Croaky Rosie."

"Fun friends," Evelyn commented, and I shrugged.

"New York houses some strange people, myself included."

Chris grinned. "I bet Liam fits in well."

We glanced over at Liam, who was now bouncing Lacey up and down in his arms, his niece smiling at him, delighted.

"You seem good for him," Chris murmured, "I trust that you'll take care of him?"

I nodded seriously. "With my life."

"He loves you," Evelyn sighed, "Our Liam is growing up."

"That's what people tend to do, Ev."

"I know, it's just I didn't know what to expect when he moved to New York," She replied, "And I was quite surprised when I learned of the beautiful woman your brother had fallen in love with."

"He's just following in his brother's footsteps," Chris grinned, and he caught Evelyn in a tight embrace, laughing.

"Now I see where he gets it from," I murmured.

Chris looked up. "Gets what from?"

"His obnoxious, flirtatious comments."

Evelyn laughed while Chris glared at her. "I think us two girls are going to be great friends."

"I would certainly hope so."

She smiled widely, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

They were attractive people, Chris with messy blonde hair and green eyes that were identical to Liam's. He was tall, like Liam, while Evelyn was a shorter, petite woman, her golden hair in a short pixie cut, sticking up in a disarray of blonde spikes.

Lacey looked just like them, and I even saw a hint of Liam's features whenever she smiled, a toothless grin that warmed my heart.

"So what's going on over here?" Liam asked, walking up behind me with Lacey in his arms.

"Oh, just talking about you," I promised, and he raised an eyebrow, to which I just pursed my lips, smiling.

"Probably telling my brother how wonderful I am-"

Liam was cut off abruptly by someone's scream, and we whirled around, facing the front of the Hall.

The tall, broad-shouldered man was unfamiliar, but I recognized him instantly.

Valentine Morgenstern.

I glanced around the Hall quickly, before I spotted a familiar head of brown hair making its way towards me.

I bumped shoulders with someone roughly as I grabbed Ethan's arm, pulling him back towards Liam.

A clear path had formed for the man as he walked down the center of the room, and Liam, Chris, and I stood at the front, Evelyn and Lacey shielded behind Chris and Ethan peering directly over my shoulder.

Valentine was speaking, and yet I couldn't pay attention. He was only a projection, but I still felt a very strong dose of fear.

He's the reason Sebastian was there, my voice was screaming, he's the reason you almost lost Liam.

"Even you, Aldertree. I hear you were indirectly responsible for the death of my old friend Hodge Starkweather. A pity, that." Valentine said, and suddenly his words were crystal clear.

"Don't you dare talk about Hodge!" I yelled, my voice interrupting the fearful silence of the people around us.

Liam's arms were suddenly around my waist, and I realized what a mistake I had made.

Valentine slowly turned towards me, as if he only just realized there were other people in the room. His eyes raked over me, and something flickered in his eyes.

"You look so much like Jacqueline and Deacon," He murmured, "The Clave's lapdogs. I offered them so much, and they always refused. I can't say I was very distraught when they died."

That did it for Ethan.

The two of us had simultaneously lunged forward, and Liam grabbed Ethan by the back of his shirt, pulling him backwards as well.

One arm per Shadowhunter.

Liam was going to be sore tomorrow.

"Stop, Rose, or Ethan is going to get hurt," He whispered rapidly, and I realized Valentine had already turned away smugly, satisfied with the effect he had on us.

I stopped struggling, and I took Ethan into my arms, pulling him back until his head hit my shoulder.

"Don't let him bother you," I whispered in his ear, low enough that nobody else could hear what I was saying.

"And you're such an example," He hissed, his eyes filled with fury.

"I have my own issues, and they are my problem. What would Dad think of you lunging at a projection?" I asked, and Ethan's shoulders relaxed slightly as he leaned against my side, though his eyes still held anger directed at Valentine.

Ignore him, Rose, I demanded of myself throughout Valentine's horrific speech. He isn't real.

"DO YOU BELIEVE ME NOW?" Valentine yelled, and I cringed, Liam's arms around my waist tightening. I could hear Evelyn making soothing noises as she calmed Lacey.

No one ever said a word.

So at least no one was agreeing with Valentine.

Yet.

Luke was the main one with the courage to speak up, along with his sister, Amatis, I think they had said. Whenever Clary said anything I felt a slight amount of hatred in my chest, though I tried not to.

"Very well," Valentine was saying. "If you will not listen to reason, you will have to listen to force. I have already showed you I can take down the wards around your city. I see that you've put them back up, but that's of no consequence; I can easily do it again. You will either accede to my requirements or face every demon the Mortal Sword can summon. I will tell them not to spare a single one of you, not a man, woman, or child. It's your choice."

Someone choked, Evelyn, I realized. The child part had struck a nerve on her part, and on mine as well.

And the worst part was, there was not a doubt in my mind that Valentine would do it.

No, perhaps that wasn't the worst part.

The worst part was that there were people in this room willing to give in to Valentine.

"Sovereignty and rule?" The new Inquisitor, Inquisitor Aldertree, yelled, breaking the silence. "Your rule?"

The Consul moved to stop him, but it was too late. He darted forward in Valentine's direction, and I had just enough time to whirl Ethan around, blocking is view as Valentine's arm plunged into the Inquisitor's chest.

And just like that, Aldertree was a dead man.

"I will give you until tomorrow at midnight to consider my terms." Valentine did not seem affected by his previous murder, "At that time I will bring my army, in all its force, to Brocelind Plain. If I have not yet received a message of surrender from the Clave, I will march with my army here to Alicante, and this time we will leave nothing living. You have that long to consider my terms. Use the time wisely." When Valentine was done speaking, he spared one last glance over the people in the room, and he was gone.

Yeah, she isn't dead.

I really couldn't do that.

But, if you think that alternate ending chapter sounds appealing (it would probably suck, but eh) then let me know!

Love you all, and I will update as soon as I locate my sense of knowledge!

- EasyIsTheDescent