I waited for her as she changed into her PJ's and got ready for bed. The length of the PJ shorts she was wearing distracted me as she walked around the room in my T-shirt. I forced myself to look at her head instead many times.

Her back to me, Clary tensed and grabbed the dresser as she gasped. I barely made it to her before she collapsed. I held her as tight as I could and waited for the pain to pass.

She didn't protest this time as I carried her over and tucked her in to bed. I kissed her and put a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

I turned away and made for the door. I felt her hand close around my wrist. Scared that she was having another attack I spun around quickly.

She was sitting up, "don't leave... not tonight" I nodded and turned the light of. The faintest beam of moonlight fell on her face and down her chest. I went over to the bed and lay down on top of the covers. She moved her head from the pillow to my chest and I put one hand behind my head and one gently around her.

She looked the same as she did not much earlier, lying in bed, hurt. But now the rise and fall of her chest was more pronounced, and she wasn't still.

Twice during the night she woke with a start when the pain came again. She would grab my arm and the bedspread, and she would stay frozen in pain until it passed. Beads of sweat and salty tears running down her face that was twisted in pain.

When morning came I waited again for her to get ready. I listened to the water run as she showered and her sweet soft voice hum short tunes. She reentered the room in a towel, her red hair sopping and clinging to her face. She rummaged through her dresser and pulled out a few articles of clothing. One being a very lacy bra that I couldn't help but notice.

She went back into her bathroom and got dressed.

Clary and I left her room for the kitchen. Isabelle and Alec were already up and making breakfast.

"Morning guys" Isabelle said cheerfully placing a plate in front of Clary who was seated by the counter.

"Thanks Isabelle" she replied.

"Thank Alec he made it".

"Oh, thanks Alec" he turned around and smiled revealing his kiss the cook apron.

That evening the four of us were walking when we heard the doorbell. Isabelle went down to see who it was. When she returned she looked at Clary.

"It's Simon" Izzy said. I looked at Clary with concern but she didn't look back. She simply nodded and went down.

After several minutes we herd her coming up. When she came into the room she was sobbing. And I saw a new bruise forming on her arm. Infuriated, I ran past her and started going down. I her say "Jace no!" As the doors closed but that couldn't stop me.

When I got down Simon was just leaving the entry way. I grabbed his arm, spun him around and pinned him against the brick, then landed a good punch square on his nose.

"WHAT DID YOU DO? " I screamed at him,"WHAT DID YOU DO?" I punched him again in the gut. He doubled over, then looked up at me. Blood flowing from his nose.

"None of your g-" he choked on the word, "damn business!" Simon threw me off him and pinned me on the opposite wall. He grabbed my face and slammed my head into the brick. "You hurt her..." he hissed, "She came running to me!" He punched me in the gut and sent his knee hard into my hip.

I tried to break away but the little rat slammed my head into the brick again.

"I'm not as weak as I used to be," he spat.

"Keep telling yourself that blood boy," I grabbed his shoulders and spun us around. I threw him against the wall and the back of his head slammed into the brick. Keeping my hands on his shirt and threw him to the ground. I landed a few swift kicks to his head and torso.

"I'm not going to kill you Simon, not today. So just leave before I change my mind"

He rose slowly and stood facing me. After a stair down he staggered down the steps and took off in the van.

When I got back I limped into the room to find Alec and Isabelle kneeling on the floor. As I walked near them I realized what was happening. Isabelle was clutching Clary's hand and Alec had his hand on her head to keep her from hitting it on the floor.

Horrible sounds escaped Clary's lips, sounds that I never thought anyone could make. Sounds that I didn't want someone to make, ever.

I clumsily ran over to Clary and grabbed the hand Isabelle wasn't holding. A few seconds later it quit.

"They're getting farther apart" Alec said.

"But they're getting worse". I dabbed Clary's forehead with a rag that Isabelle had.

Clary sat up slowly and rested her head on her knees. "Jace. Look at you" she touched the open wound on my cheek.

"Yeah. Don't worry that little rat bastard got off worse. Than I did."

"Jace how bad did you hur- "

"Clary I don't care how bad I hurt him. As long as he doesn't hurt you".

She put her head down and nodded. "Help me up" she extended her hand towards me. I gently helped her up. "Thanks. Go get cleaned up". I chuckled and went into the kitchen. Once I'd stopped the bleeding and wiped my face I went to talk to Luke.

When I got home I went to find Alec.

I banged on his door "Alec?"

"What?" He opened his door and looked at me.

"Come with me,"

"What about that one," Alec pointed.

"yeah I like that" I nodded.

"Well it doesn't matter to much if YOU like it Jace"

"You're supposed to be making this easier Alec," I sneered.

"Sorry". We continued looking. "Oh my gosh Jace look at this one" I walked over to what he was looking at.

My breath left me, "that's it" I said "that's the one".

Several days went by slowly and quietly. Clary didn't have any pain attacks and Simon never showed up again.

That night Clary and I bundled up and went for a walk. I was a lot more on edge and skittish than she was. I was convinced that every shadow we passed wanted to kill her.

After a beautiful night just walking together, Clary and I started on our way home.

"Oh my shoe's untied," Clary said looking down at her tennis shoe.

'Perfect' I thought. I bent down and tied her shoe for her. Then I reached into my pocket and grabbed the little velvet box that had been in there all week. Took a deep breath and put one knee on the ground. I opened the little box, and looked up at Clary.

"Clarissa Fray, will you marry me?"

~Hey Leave me a review with your idea of the PERFECT ring for Clary :)