Two new chapters in two days. I haven't done that in so long I forgot what it was like. Enjoy! (Once again minimal editing, which is basically next to none.)

It had been a long week but overall things had been overall very uneventful, something Clary wouldn't dare complain about. Uneventful in Clary's life was good. In fact, the most eventful thing that had happened the entire week was how surprised everyone was at how well Jace and Clary were getting along. According to everyone else it might as well of been the end of the earth. Albeit, Magnus seemed pretty chipper, it was almost scary.

Clary was currently sitting in her ancient history class with Alec as they worked on an assignment together. They had moved on to ancient Greek culture and Clary was almost more excited about this unit than she had been with Egypt.

"What's up with you and Jace?" Alec asked suddenly. Clary looked up at him quickly, a little started and unsure of how to answer. Alec took silence as a chance to continue. "Not that it's a bad thing, it's nice that you two are getting along for once, but it's weird with you guys not at each other's throats every time we turn around."

"Nothings up with us, we just . . . finally talked things out." Clary offered, not sure what else would work as an answer. She didn't want to lie to Alec, but at the same time she didn't really have the desire to go into details of why there had been a lack of fights between Jace and herself. Alec seemed to like this answer, or at least he seemed to because he nodded.

"I'm glad. Because frankly I was getting tired of sitting between Magnus and my brother at lunch after Jace said or did something to make you mad." Alec smiled.

Clary chuckled a little. "Well you welcome that you don't have to be a middle-man any more. By the way, how are things between you and Magnus?"

Clary gave Alec a sly grin and the boy beside her cheeks flushed a little.

"I don't know what you mean." Alec stuttered, seeming a little shell shocked.

"Yes you do. I know Magnus has been practically chasing after you since you started school here. I am almost surprised he hasn't tried to corner you in a dark room and kissed you senseless already."

"What?" Alec yelped as he blushed even more. He stared at Clary wide eyed with his mouth slightly open. Clary had to stifle the giggle that wanted to bubble out of her mouth. The blue eyed Lightwood was just too adorable. Something Clary wasn't about to tell him because she was sure it wouldn't be appreciated, at least not from her, Magnus however. . .

"It's alright you know." Clary whispered, leaning forward so that only Alec could hear her.

The boy just stared at her. Alec being gay wasn't exactly a secret; it just wasn't something that he shared with others. He wasn't really ashamed of it when others figured it out, but he wasn't one to flaunt it and let the world know. Alexander Lightwood was so different from Magnus that it was almost comical sometimes. Especially considering Magnus would hit on anyone he found attractive while poor Alec was so shy and blushed at nearly everything.

"I . . ." Alec started but then just trailed off, as if he wasn't sure what he was going to say.

Clary smiled gently and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'm not blind. I see the way Magnus looks at you and teases you. It's obvious he likes you, so if you like him you should let him know somehow."

"I . . . I couldn't. I'm . . . I'm not outgoing like he is." Alec stuttered.

"I can talk to Magnus then, encourage him to do something besides just flirt. I won't tell him a thing though, if you like." Clary offered.

Alec's eyes widened a little and then he nodded his head. Clary's smile widened a little.

"Great!"

"You know . . . I think if you gave Jace a chance you would see he isn't as much of a jerk as he seems." Alec stated suddenly a few minutes later.

Clary raised her eyebrows at him, confused at what he meant exactly.

"I just mean, I know you said you guys talked things out but I think you two would get along really well if you just took the time to get to know each other better."

Clary smiled a little. Part of her was excited at the idea that Alec, someone who was really close to Jace, had confidence that Clary and Jace could actually be friends. At least that's what Clary thought Alec was insinuating, was that Jace and Clary could be really good friends one day.

"I just have to get past the sarcasm and sass, right?"

Alec laughed a little. "Yeah."

The bell rang and the two of them started loading their bags to leave.

"Clary," Alec said before Clary walked out the classroom door, "thanks."

"You're welcome." Clary smiled.

…..

…

…..

The rest of Clary's day was just as uneventful as her week had been. She managed to have gotten through her morning classes even though she couldn't seem to really focus during any of them and lunch was fairly mild, this was most likely due to the fact that Isabelle wasn't able to eat with them that day. Gym was boring because Clary still couldn't participate because of her ribs and everyone else was busy playing badminton.

Even now, half way through art class, Clary found it hard to focus.

"What's with you?" Magnus asked, sighing a little.

Clary furrowed her brows a little. "I guess I'm just worried."

Mr. Banner had already assigned another partner project and Jace and Clary had made plans to work on it at his house. Clary had been nervous when she asked Valentine if she could go to Jace's house. When her father had smiled and said he was fine with it and that he was going out with Luke and a few of the other guys on the force that night anyways Clary had been relieved, but she couldn't shake the odd bundle of nerves in her stomach that had been progressively getting worse throughout the day. Clary didn't know why she was so anxious. Her father had been in an extremely good mood all week and she should be happy that he was getting out more, but she just couldn't help but feel like the last week was just the calm before the storm.

Magnus didn't say anything, just nodded and started cleaning up his art supplies.

"Magnus, you like Alec right?" Clary asked as she shoved her sketch book into her backpack.

"Yes." Magnus said slowly.

"Why don't you just ask him out then?"

"Where is this coming from?" Magnus asked, raising one of his eyebrows.

"I'm just tired of seeing you flirt with him and not actually acting on it."

"He hasn't exactly done anything either." Magnus replied, almost defensively.

Clary couldn't help but chuckle a little. "It's Alec, of course he hasn't done anything."

"What does that mean?" Magnus crossed his arms.

"Just that Alec is more shy and timid than you are when it comes to flirting."

"What's your point?"

"I think you're scared." Clary smirked a little.

Magnus balked a little. "Scared."

"Like a little kitty cat."

"I am not scared." Magnus said indignantly.

"Prove it." Clary stated. "Ask Alec out on a date."

Magnus just stared at her for a few seconds. "Fine."

"Fine." Clary smirked even more.

"Fine." Magnus repeated.

"You'll thank me for this."

Magnus rolled his eyes.

"I hope you know I will want all the details."

Magnus groaned a little and Clary just laughed as the bell rang and the made their way out of class.

"So, you're going over to the Lightwood's." Magnus said as they neared her locker where Jace was waiting.

"Yep." Clary answered, popping the p.

"I'm glad you told him."

"Me too." Clary's voice was quiet, but she meant it.

"So I'll call you or you'll call me tomorrow?" Magnus smirked a little.

Clary laughed a little. "I guess we'll just see who is more excited to talk to the other."

Magnus huffed a little and shook his head. "Fine, talk to you later."

"Yep, good luck." Clary winked at her friend as he walked away.

"Clary, hun, I don't need luck." Magnus called back, off to find Alec.

"Why does Magnus possibly need good luck?" Jace asked as he straightened himself from leaning against the lockers.

"I'm sure you'll find out soon enough." Clary replied. Jace raised an eyebrow at her.

"Alright. Ready to go then?" He asked. Clary nodded and then followed Jace out of the building to his car. Simon had brought Clary to school today because her car had a flat and her spare tire had also been flat. Not that Clary really minded today, it was easier for Jace to just take her to his house and then home later anyways.

The drive to the Lightwood house was quiet. As Jace pulled into the drive way Clary couldn't help but think about the one and only time she had been over to the Lightwoods, that had been that start of the end of her long kept secret.

"Are you getting out?"

Clary jumped a little at Jace's voice. She hadn't even noticed that they had stopped and that the car was no longer running. Turning her head to her right she saw Jace standing there, hand on the open door looking at her.

"Yeah, sorry." Clary said as she got out of the car, bag in hand. "Guess, I zoned out."

Jace shook his head. "Come one."

Clary followed Jace into his house and into the living room where the deposited their things. They had barely gotten any work done before Isabelle stormed into the house. Clary looked at Jace who just shrugged.

"Mom said not to let you near the stove!" Jace called out with a smirk.

Isabelle shot Jace a hard gaze over her shoulder as she made her way deeper into the house. A moment later a young boy with dark messy hair and glasses came in and shut the door behind him.

"What's with your sister?" Jace asked.

"Jace," the boy's face brightened a little before his eyes followed where Izabelle had disappeared to and he frowned a little. "I don't know what Izzy is so mad about; she was like that when she came to pick me up."

Jace just frowned.

"Should I go talk to her?" Clary asked. Even though Clary had known Isabelle for a while now, she still wasn't sure what the proper way to approach an unhappy Isabelle Lightwood was.

"No. She'll be fine." Jace said. Clary nodded and then looked at the boy again, who she figured had to be Max and saw that he held a manga book in his hand.

"Is that Attack on Titan?" Clary asked.

Max looked at her a little shocked, and then a pleased smile spread across his face. "Yes! You read manga?"

Clary laughed a little. "Yes, I have boxes of manga in my room. I could bring some over if you want, let you see if there's anything you like."

"Really?" Max grinned even more, his eyes shining a little.

"I'm Clary by the way."

"Max. Are you Jace's girlfriend?"

"No." Clary choked a little.

"Why, going to steal her away?" Jace asked. Max blushed a little

"No, she's just nicer than the other girls." Max stuttered a little.

Clary looked over at Jace who had the decency to look a little ashamed.

"Yes, well, we are trying to do homework, so why don't you go start yours?" Jace replied.

"It's Friday."

"Then go read you comic books."

"Manga." Clary and Max corrected at the same time. Jace gave them a weird look and Max blushed a little.

"Right then, let's go to my room." Jace said, standing up. As he picked up his things the door opened and closed again.

"Clary!" Alec said excitedly and looking a little flustered. "Come with me." Alec walked over and grabbed her arm and then pulled him behind her. Clary could hear Jace protesting, but Alec just waved him off. Alec ushered Clary into his room, shutting the door behind him and leaning against it.

"Where's the fire?" Clary asked, completely confused.

"Magnus asked me out after school." Alec said quickly. "Well, more like told me we were going out and that he would be picking me up at six."

Clary shook her head. Of course Magnus would just walk up to Alec and tell the boy that he would be picking him up without actually asking.

"Okay, so then what's the probable?" She asked, still not sure why Alec seemed so panicked.

"I . . . Don't you dare tell Isabelle or Jace, but I don't know what to wear." Alec admitted, his cheeks turning red. Clary couldn't help but laugh, rewarding her with a desperate look from Alec.

"I'm sorry," Clary said as she stifled her laughter, "it's just I never pegged you as one to worry about what to wear on a date."

"Yeah, well, this is Magnus."

Clary shook her head a little. "Magnus isn't going to care what you wear, but I'll help you."

After going through Alec's closet and dresser, Clary finally had laid out a dark pair of jeans and a blue sweater that matched Alec's eyes.

"There you go, now I'm going to get back to Jace."

"Wait," Alec said, looking at the clothes on his bed and then back at Clary.

Clary refrained from laughing again. "I can't believe you need a pep talk."

Alec shot her a dark look. "I do not, I just . . . I've never done this before."

Clary waked back over to Alec and smiled. "Everything is going to be fine. Magnus is practically head over heels for you and I know for a fact that he won't care what you are wearing."

"Really?" Alec gave Clary a worried look.

"Yes, in fact he'll probably be more put off that you're wearing clothes at all."

Alec's eyes widened as he looked at her in what Clary could only call horror.

"I'm kidding." Clary said, shaking her head a little. "Well, kind of. But that's not the point, the point is Magnus likes you and you don't have to do anything other than just be you."

Alec nodded. "Thanks, Clary."

"You're welcome. Now stop worrying, because everything will be just fine." Clary said as she made her way back to the door. "And don't worry, I won't tell anybody a thing." She added, looking back at Alec before she closed the bedroom door behind her.

Clary made her way back down to the living room where Jace was back to sitting on the couch as he stared at the ceiling.

"You all drove separately? You know that's a waste of gas."

Jace looked at her, a little surprised, before running he hands through his hair.

"Took you long enough," Jace complained. "And just today, normally we carpool and take turns driving but Alec had to be at school early and Isabelle had to stay after for some reason and she was going to pick Max up so we all drove our own vehicles."

Jace looked in the general direction that Alec and Clary had disappeared and then back at Clary.

"What was that about?"

"Alec just wanted some help on school stuff, he was nervous he had gotten some things wrong." Clary shrugged. It wasn't completely a lie, Alec had needed help and he was nervous about doing something wrong, it just had to do with Magnus and not school. Jace seemed to accept the answer because he just grabbed their things and walked over to her.

"Come on then, let's go to my room. At this rate we really won't accomplish anything if we stay down here."

Jace's room wasn't exactly what Clary had expected. Granted she didn't have much to go on when it came to a boy's room, she had only seen Simon's, Magnus's, her brother's, and Sebastian's once. Needless to say Simon's had been a complete mess with posters all over the walls of video games and his favorite movies. Jonathan's had been kept relatively clean most of the time but his walls had been a dark blue and he had had trophies all over his room, along with a stash of porn that Clary was sworn to secrecy about. Sebastian's had been a mixture of Simon's and her brother's. It was messy and Clary didn't know how the thirteen year old boy at the time managed to find anything; it also had trophies from soccer and other sports that Sebastian had played. Then there was Magnus's room. It was full of bright colors and everything was usually in its place, unless Magnus was going through his closet. There was also glitter everywhere.

Needless to say, Jace's room was nothing like Magnus's. But it also wasn't like any of the others'. His walls were a plain white and his full sized bed had a simple black comforter on it. Looking around Clary didn't see any personal things littered across the room, no trophies, no posters, nothing. There was a large book shelf full of books, a desk, and a night stand with a lamp, but not much else. It was also impossible neat, more clean than even Clary's room on a good day.

But while to most people it probably wouldn't seem to say anything about who Jace was or about his personality, Clary thought everything about this room screamed Jace. It was simple like he was and it didn't give anything away. They spent the next two and a half hours working on their school work.

Clary had actually managed to finish all of her homework and had decided to look at Jace's book collection.

"I didn't take you for a classics fan." Clary commented as her eyes skimmed over titles like Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, Wuthering Heights, and several of Shakespeare's works.

"I'm full of surprises," Jace smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Jane Eyre?" Clary looked over her shoulder and raised her eyebrows at Jace.

"What's wrong with that?" Jace's brows furrowed a little as he stood up.

"Isn't it a bit too feminine?"

"Isn't Lord of the Rings a little masculine?" Jace shot back.

"Touché." Clary smirked as she took in the large quantity of books that Jace possessed. "You have a lot of books."

"I like to read." Jace said simply, shrugging a little.

"And you've read all of these?"

Jace nodded. "Yes, some of them I have read two, three, even four times. Great Expectations for example has been read at least five times."

Clary wouldn't lie, she was impressed. She had picked up Great Expectations when she was fifteen and got half way through and just couldn't finish the book. How Jace could not only read the entire book from cover to cover not only once by five times was extraordinary in Clary's opinion.

"Jace," a voice called as there was a knock on the door.

Jace jumped back a little. Clary hadn't realized just how close the two of them had gotten until Jace turned towards the door and took a couple steps back.

"It's open." He called back. Clary didn't know why, but she suddenly missed Jace's closeness.

Clary turned towards the door just as a woman with dark hair walked into the room. She was dressed in a black blazer and pencil skirt and heels. Clary couldn't help but think how similar Isabelle looked compared to this woman.

"Who's this?" The woman asked, smiling at Clary.

"Mom, this is Clary, she's a friend from school. Clary, this is my mother." Jace introduced.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lightwood." Clary smiled a little, unexpectedly feeling a little nervous.

"Maryse, Mrs. Lightwood always makes me feel old." Jace's mother corrected with a smile.

"Maryse," Clary smiled back.

"Are you staying for dinner?"

Clary looked at Jace for help. She didn't want to seem rude and say no, but Clary wasn't sure when her father was going to be home and she wasn't one to chance getting home after her father. Jace wasn't any help at all and just kind of shrugged.

"Umm…" Clary said, still not sure what to say.

"Stay, I insist. I'm sure your family won't miss you for one meal, besides I'll be done cooking within the next half hour anyways." Maryse persuaded.

"Al- alright," Clary stuttered out. What was a couple more hours? Valentine wouldn't be home until late anyways.

"Fantastic, I'll set another spot at the table."

"But Alec . . ." Clary started but then died off, not sure what to say.

"That reminds me," Maryse turned her attention back on Jace, "where is your brother? He told me he wasn't going to be home for dinner tonight."

Jace looked at Clary and then back at his mom. "I don't know." He answered with a frown.

Maryse sighed. "I guess I just go ask Max again, he's the one who seems to know everything that's going on in this house. It was nice to meet you, Clary."

"You too," Clary said as Maryse left Jace's room, not completely closing the door behind her.

"Where is Alec?" Jace asked, turning to face her.

"Why do you think I know? He's your brother."

"And you are the one who was in his room for a good twenty minutes talking to him."

"What's your point?"

"My point is," Jace said, making his way towards her, "I think you know exactly where he is."

Clary couldn't help, with every step Jace took, she took a step back. By the time Jace had finished his sentence Clary's back was against the wall and Jace had trapped her there with his hands on either side of her.

"I don't know where he is." Clary said, looking up at Jace. It was the truth. She didn't know where Alec was because she had no idea where Magnus had planned on taking the blue eyed Lightwood.

Jace smirked down at her. "I don't believe you."

"I'm not lying," Clary looked Jace in the eyes.

"Alright," he relented after scrutinizing her. "Alright, then who is he with?"

"I don't know, Jace." Clary sighed. It was times like this that she really hated how intuitive Jace could be. But she wasn't about to spill the beans on Alec, not when she had promised not to say anything.

"I'm going to find out." Jace tilted his head to the side a little as he leaned a little closer.

"Yeah, well, you can ask Alec when he gets home."

Jace opened his mouth to say something, but a knock and then the sound of the door creaking a little interrupted him.

"Hey," Max's voice sounded from the hallway, "Mom said to tell you dinner's ready."

"Be there in a minute." Jace responded and he pushed himself away from the wall and Clary.

"What are you two doing?"

Clary and Jace turned their heads towards Max who was now standing in the open doorway. Jace gave max a warning look.

"We weren't doing anything."

Max gave Jace a doubtful look. "Uh-huh."

"What happened to asking before you barge into someone's room?"

"The door was cracked open." Max defended, raising his hands a little in mock surrender before pushing his glasses back up his nose.

"Tell Mom we'll be right down." Jace said, taking a step back from Clary. "We weren't doing anything."

Max shot Jace a doubtful look before leaving, not bothering to close the door which caused Jace to frown a little. Clary laughed a little and caused Jace to turn his head and look at her.

"Sorry," Clary said, not sounding apologetic in the least, "he just doesn't seem to have much faith in you."

Jace rolled his eyes. "Come on, I don't make it a habit to get chewed out for being late to meals."

Clary didn't respond, just followed Jace out of his room and to the dining room. Sitting through dinner with the Lightwoods was interesting, but nice. It had been a long time since Clary had had a meal with a family or even had someone else's cooking besides her own. Isabelle was over whatever seemed to have upset her earlier that day and Max couldn't help but tell his parents how Clary had offered to let him barrow some of her old manga. Maryse had been delighted by this. Clary quickly found that Maryse Lightwood, while stern, was a very caring and bright woman and that Robert Lightwood was more quiet and reserved, but not soft spoken. The man had a commanding presence about him and Clary couldn't help but think he was the sort of man her father would have befriended in the past. And while Clary didn't say much during the meal, just answered any questions that Maryse thought to ask her, Clary couldn't help but feel content. She had forgotten how much she missed the family dynamic. Clary also realized that she almost wished she could have more meals at the Lightwoods, but she had her father to think about so she quickly shook the idea out of her head.

In the end, there hadn't been any reason for Clary to be so hesitant about staying for dinner at the Lightwoods because when Jace dropped her off at her house a couple hours later Valentine still wasn't home. There was even a note on the counter from Valentine that he probably wouldn't be home until after midnight. Exhausted, Clary sat the note back down and went to her room, where she dropped her things on the floor and then got ready for bed. She that about calling Magnus, but she didn't want to interrupt him if he was still on his date with Alec. Clary decided she would call her friend first thing in the morning. Lying in her bed that night Clary fell asleep content, something that hadn't happened very often over the last few years.

So I realized as I was writing this that this was basically eight pages of filler and I'm sorry. But I needed something less dire and some fluff, even if it was just minor fluff. Plus I needed a connecting chapter even though I hate writing filler chapters. I kind of tried it earlier with this story and I didn't like it, so I'm sorry. But here you go! Two new chapters in two days! I am spoiling you, please don't get too use to it.