Sorry it took so long to get back to you all! I know that I upload a lot compared to some authors, and I hope you all like that, but its probably only going to get slower as the days pass. More and more stuff is getting in the way, and I want you all to know that I won't forget about you! Just be patient with me :)
Chase wondered what the hell he was doing as he walked. How did this even look like a good idea at one point? Was he going crazy? Probably. All the concussions and injuries from being Jace's personal punching bag was starting to get to him. Of course, he had good intentions as to what he was about to do, but he at least should've brought a weapon. He felt like he was walking towards his death, unarmed and willing in nothing but his protective gear.
But this was the only time he had to do this. Everyone in the Institute was busy, so they wouldn't even notice he was gone. Emily was saying goodbye, setting up for the meeting. The twins were doing who knew what with Michael. Magnus and Isabelle were too busy to deal with him at the moment. Clary was hysterical and Jace was trying his best to comfort her about tonight. So it was just him, and it was easy to get away.
The past two days practically seemed like a blur, today more than anything. He tried to help, but no one seemed inclined to give him anything to do. In fact, everyone but Isabelle, Magnus, and Emily ignored him if he was around. And even if Jace talked to him, it was mainly so that he could take out his frustrations on him in the training room. Isabelle had calmed down around him, not really apologizing but he could tell that she was apologetic. Magnus was still slightly furious, although he had relaxed as well. And Emily…
He shivered as he walked, even though the heat from the sun wasn't anywhere near cold. Everything about her was captivating, although he couldn't bring himself to say it, to show her how he felt, or even demonstrate his feelings. After she found out her mom was pregnant, it was like all her time was either devoted to training or Clary. Sure, he understood, but it hurt knowing that she could just forget about him so easily, especially after everything that happened between them after the funeral. She was actually with him for once, in the way he always dreamed she would be.
But it was like that day never happened…
He stopped at the house, knowing exactly who resided inside. How was he supposed to play this? Cool and relaxed? He didn't want to act like a punk, but he didn't want to be a pansy either. Every step he took towards the front door brought him closer to the last person he wanted to see, and he didn't have a clue how to handle it yet.
After taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door and waited. His hands itched for something, any kind of weapon, but he only had his gear on with no weapons. Angel, he was such a pansy.
"What the hell are you doing?" Conan asked after he swung the door open. He looked so angry that Chase debated on just leaving, but he couldn't. Conan's chest was just intimating though, like Jace's. He looked like a tan version of that giant green guy that Simon was a fan of. What was his name? Hulk or something. "I said that Emily could come, and she didn't. That didn't mean that you get to come in her place."
Chase took a deep breath, calming his nerves. It wasn't like this was the first time he was here, but dealing with Conan wasn't soemthign he was ever a fan of. "You know that she's not able to get out of the house. Jace has the place locked down. But she's who I came to talk to you about."
Conan frowned, not sure how to act. But reluctantly, he shut the front door and stepped out on the porch. Chase examined him, and he actually seemed to be doing okay. Other than the bit of stubble, he didn't look like he was struggling much. There weren't any shadows under his eyes. His hair was wet like he just showered. And most of all, he didn't have any bruises, unlike Chase.
Thank you, Jace Wayland.
Chase stepped back, leaning against the rail. He tried to make it casual, but it was blatantly obvious that he wanted to be as far away from him as possible. "I know that Emily has been calling you, so you're up to speed about everything?"
The werewolf nodded but was unhappy about it.
"Well, then you know that its only her, Jace, and I that are going after Lilith."
"And that's the dumbest thing I've heard come out of her mouth," Conan said with venom. "If you think the three of you are going to be a match for them, you've lost your mind."
"She can handle Leviathan. Jace can handle Agramon. And I can handle Lilith. It'll work, but I came to talk to you in case it didn't."
That caught his attention, and Conan's eyes widened. Yes, Chase knew exactly what he was implying. There was always a chance that things could go wrong, and although Lilith promised that Emily would be safe, he didn't know if that promise would be kept when she was fighting Leviathan. And even worse, out of the three of them, he's the one that is most likely to get killed. He couldn't just let himself get killed without telling someone to take care of Emily, and who better than Conan?
"You're the only one that loves Emily as much as I do," Chase said. It was the first time he ever told anyone that he loved her, but Conan seemed to understand. "Lilith has told me that she's safe if everything goes her way. All she wants is Jace, but if I get killed, which I more than likely will be, I want you to be there for her. I don't know if it'll even affect her, but I wouldn't trust her with any guy other than you, no matter how much you bother me."
Conan was quiet, looking down at the floor from his spot against the door. Chase didn't know where to look, what else to say, or even what to do. For once, they were having a civil conversation about Emily without killing each other. There was a first time for everything, but Chase feared this would also be the last time, and he had to get his point across.
"This is the only thing that I'm asking of you," Chase continued. "She needs you in her life, no matter how much you think that she doesn't care. For two days, she'd call you constantly, worried about you all the time. Even with me, she would always talk about you, and it drives me up the wall."
Conan still didn't speak.
"Look, can you just promise me that you'll take care of her? Make sure that throughout all of this, she'll make it through?"
Finally, as if a switch was turned on, Conan spoke. "Emily doesn't need anyone to make it through. She's strong enough to do that on her own."
And when Conan turned to head back into the house, Chase realized that this could be his only chance. Conan was the only one who could answer the questions and help in the ways that Chase needed him to. And this was the only time to ask it. If he walked through that door, it was over. He'd never know.
"Conan, wait," Chase called. It was the first time he actually said Conan's name without hatred or disgust. "I need to ask you something."
Conan slowly turned with his hand on the door, eyebrows arched in question.
"Why did you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Back at the Institute? You stopped Isabelle. You could've easily let her kill me, which I have no doubt that she would have, but you stopped her." Chase paused, trying to find the words that would make Conan talk, but all he could come up with was. "Why?"
This was it. Why was this even such a big deal with him? Chase wanted to slap himself for feeling so weak, feeling like he had to know. His grip on the railing behind him tightened so he didn't move. He didn't want to leave without the answers that he wanted, but he wanted nothing more to get out of there at the same time. It was like his body wanted to know, but his mind didn't. Then again, he did want to know, did he?
Emily would be laughing her head off if she could see him now.
Conan sighed, dropping his hand from the handle. His anger was completely gone now, and when their eyes met, Chase could see that he was just as uncomfortable about the situation.
"Look Chase," Conan said. "I didn't do it for you. If it was just you, me, and Isabelle in that room, I would've helped her rip your head off."
Chase recoiled back, but really, should he have expected anything different?
"You have to understand that I thought you were trying to hurt Emily. Like you said, I love her more than I should. But it wasn't you or Isabelle that made me pull the whip back. It was Emily. She was worried, and I could see that she really cared about you. I hated it. I wanted you to die right here so she'd forget about you, about how you took her from me, and maybe I'd finally get her back. But I realized that would never actually happen. I was just being optimistic." He took a step forward, a big one, and suddenly he was standing right in front of Chase, glaring at him. "She loves you, more than I like to admit, but I did it for her. I could see how painful it would be for her if she lost you, and I couldn't let that happen."
Well, shit. What the hell was he supposed to say to that without acting like a punk? Honestly, he didn't know what to respond with at all. Conan still hated him, that much was obvious, and at least the feeling was mutual, but he just didn't know what to say.
"Just keep her alive today," Conan said. He pulled at his hair as he backed away, looking past Chase towards the street. "That's all I'm asking. Don't let her die down there. If I'm going to be stuck here, I just want to know that she'll be okay."
"There's actually something you could do," Chase inquired.
Here he goes. This is the part that he'd been debating with for the past few days. Everything was in place, except for one, tiny, little detail.
Conan was completely capable of it as well. He was strong, stronger than Chase – which he wasn't too happy about – and it'd be easy for him. No fighting, no struggling with swords, and he'd just get it done and run out of there. He wouldn't get hurt. He wouldn't be in danger. Emily wouldn't be upset about if she found out.
Conan cocked his head to the side and smiled slightly, like he knew what Chase was thinking. "Enlighten me."
"Hey, can we talk?"
Michael looked up from his spot on his bed, and Emily's heart dropped at the look on his face. He was more than furious at this point, and she knew it. The talk that she and Jace had with him the day before didn't exactly go well. He was basically being forced to stay today, to stay with Clary, and he couldn't wrap his young brain around why it was necessary. She told him why Magnus had to stay, since Clary had been having issues with the babies, even so early in the pregnancy. Jace had also mentioned that Isabelle had to stay if Jace was leaving. Clary needed the strength of either her parabatia or her husband, and Jace couldn't back out of what was happening this afternoon. Emily needed him there, more than anything, but Michael just wouldn't understand.
Not to mention the element of surprise was their best bet. And when it came to surprise, the less people that can be seen, the better off they'll be.
He didn't say anything. His head just feel back down to his lap where his hands fiddled with one another. She took the opportunity to step inside, closing the door behind her. "Bro, I really need you to understand."
"I do understand," he answered when she sat on the edge of the bed. "That doesn't mean I have to like it."
"And you think I like the idea of walking into this blind? But it's easier this way with only three of us. Otherwise, we could all be in more danger than necessary. I hate leaving you all behind just as much as Dad does. Even Chase is worried."
"Chase shouldn't even be going with you!" The shout that came from his throat shocked Emily, and she leaned back away from him. Michael didn't back down though. "He's the reason we're in this mess. And I'm sorry if you care about him and all that shit, but I don't trust him. In fact, if he didn't come back from this little endeavor, I'd throw a fucking party."
Whoa… Angry much? Was all the Emily could really think to say. Sure, she knew that Chase wasn't the most likeable person to most people, but wishing he was dead was a little over the top.
"Why couldn't you just stick with Conan," Michael continued. "Why did you have to leave him for the biggest dick on the planet? I mean, Dad is an angel compared to this jackass. Do you not remember all the times he hurt you, all the times you came home fuming because of something he did at Pandemonium? Do you–"
"Okay, shut your trap and listen," she snapped.
Michael did, but not before he scrunched his face up and sat back with is arms crossed in a pout. Wow, he really was a child.
"First of all, I don't say anything about your girlfriend, so you have no reason to talk about my love life." When he opened his mouth to retort, she clamped her hand over it. "I'm serious. Chase has changed just like anyone else could. He had reasons for doing what he did. Whether you accept those reasons or not isn't my problem. And, damn, if I even understand it myself, but I care about him for reasons I can't explain, so I don't want you talking shit, understand?"
It was quiet for a long time, the siblings just staring at each other in anger. This wasn't exactly how Emily wanted this talk to go. In fact, she didn't really know the direction she wanted it to go but angry looks and her hand over his mouth wasn't what she had in mind.
She was leaving in an hour, and this was all going to hell at his point. But the fact that Michael suddenly hated Chase so much got on her nerves. He never once complained about Chase, said anything to her about his feelings about him, and was even nice to him. Or so she thought. Maybe he just put on a show. It wouldn't be the first time that she was fooled, tricked by someone close to her, and she was starting to think that she was the idiotic one in the family.
Michael used his hand to pull Emily's away, but he didn't let go. In fact, he held it between both of his, looking down at it. She wasn't exactly small, not like her mother, but she wasn't a big girl either. Michael on the other hand, was huge. He had Chase's height mixed with Conan's muscles and Jace's looks that made him a triple threat. His hand swallowed Emily's whole has he flipped it over, once twice, three times.
"You said you cared about him."
Emily looked down, and nodded. "That's not breaking news."
"But you didn't say he was your boyfriend."
"Because we haven't really gotten that far yet," she explained in a soft voice.
"Why? You've stayed in his room for the past few nights. You train together. I've walked in on you kissing him twice in the kitchen and once on the couch in the living room. Sounds to me like you're pretty much dating."
"It's complicated," was the only answer she could think of.
And complicated didn't even begin to describe it. What was she supposed to call it exactly? They weren't dating, since they had yet to actually go out on a date. They hadn't even really talked about their feelings, except for Chase's confession a few days ago. They normally stayed clear of the subject, just to make it easier on everyone. Talking made things worse, and Emily was shit when it came to opening up anyway. She'd just rather ignore it all together.
Not to mention the whole "Betraying her family to save his own" situation that they talked about as little as possible. The only discussions they had about it now were when Jace was around and they were planning for today. It was a touchy subject between the two of them, cause they only wanted what was best for their family, which was opposite for the others.
"Emily, how much do you really care about him?" Michael asked suddenly.
She shrugged, considering the situation. "About the same as Conan, but in a different way." That was about the truest thing she could've said, considering her own confusion was hard enough to deal with.
"Just, please don't let him hurt you." His voice sounded so small when he said it, and there was so much extra meaning behind it. He could've been talking about mentally, like Chase could've been playing with her. He could've been talking about what was about to actually happen with Lilith. He could've been talking about in the future, if they all made it through this alive. Hell, there were so many possibilities to the one statement, but Emily couldn't let her mind wonder at this point.
She just leaned over and kissed her brother's cheek with as much reassurance in the gesture as she could.
"You don't have to worry about that. As long as you do one thing for me."
He arched an eyebrow.
"Keep Karrie safe," she said. "She's my best friend, and it's the same situation. I don't want Chase to hurt me anymore than I want you to hurt Karrie."
He nodded, looking down at his lap. "Emily, can I ask you something about that?"
Oh, lord. This didn't sound like an ordinary question, and Emily felt her heart stop as she waited for him to speak. Was her brother about to ask her for relationsihp advice? Between Conan and Chase, she wasn't exactly the best person to ask. A role model was the last thing she considered herself. This was Magnus's department.
What he said next wasn't something she was prepared to answer thought, and nothing Magnus could help with.
"Karrie asked me to ascend."
Wow. Just… Wow. Emily felt her mind reeling like the spokes on a bike or the gears in machines. Every part of it was working as fast as it could, but she couldn't wrap her mind around what he just said. Ascension was a big deal, especially the older someone got. But it was huge in and of itself, and dangerous. Emily had only heard of a few times it happened. The main story she remembered was when Tessa told her about Sophie. But Sophie had a legitimate excuse for ascension because of Gidion…
"You haven't proposed, have you?" Emily asked with more curiosity than concern. She wouldn't put it past her brother to jump the gun.
Despite everything that was going on, the situation around them, and all the tension building up, Michael laughed. "Lord no. But, she's been thinking about it for years."
"She's thinking about getting married?"
"No!" Michael looked at Emily like she was an idiot. "The ascension you dumbass."
Emily smiled at the idea. "You know, if she did it fast enough, we could actually become parabatia."
As if Michael knew that would be Emily's answer, he smiled bigger than before. "That was actually her plan."
She was still trembling, still shaking in his arms as he held her and kissed her hair. Jace and Clary had been in this position since breakfast, since she was reminded of what was to come that afternoon. She was just balled up on the bed, his arms around her as she cowered into his chest. Jace wanted to say something to help her, reassure her that he'd come back for her, but he wasn't a liar. He never lied, especially to Clary, and he knew that this was difficult, dangerous, and there was a chance he could be killed. He just wished that there was something he could say that would calm her down.
Nothing seemed to work though. No amount of kisses, hugs, and love could stop her from breaking down in tears whenever the idea popped back into her head. Jace had tried it all, and in the end, he just settled for holding her as tight as he could.
Although he didn't want to think about it, he couldn't help but wonder what would happen if this went badly. He worried about Clary, about Michael, about the twins if he and Emily didn't return. Magnus and Alec wouldn't be able to step in and run the Institute, and Michael wasn't old enough. They might have been transferred, or someone would have to come in to replace Jace. Unless Clary wanted to step up, but she had no practice running an Institute, much less the drive to do it. Everything would change for them – all of them.
And the thought of the twins growing up without him, never being able to see their faces as they cried or smile…
He pulled Clary tighter into him, if that was even possible. Lilith wouldn't tear him from his family. There was no way he would let that happen. He couldn't let that happen. Although he'd never like to admit it, Chase was right. Jace and Emily were the only two that could best Leviathan and Agramon in their current states. If he failed, he failed his family. They'd suffer for years until Lilith finally killed them..
"Honey, you're going to turn me into a diamond if you squeeze me any harder."
Jace loosened his arms a bit, giving Clary enough space to pull back and look up at him. Her eyes were red and her cheeks were tear stained, but she wasn't crying at the moment. In fact, she was looking up at him with anything but sadness and worry. Her green eyes shone as her hand came up, cupping his cheek as her thumb ran over his lip.
Clary bit her bottom lip as her hand ran over his face, trying to smooth out the lines that he knew were there. "What's got you so wound up? I thought I was the one who was supposed to worry."
"I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about you."
"Well stop. I'm worried enough for the both of us."
Jace reached up and stopped her hand when her thumb traced his lip again. His lips came down, kissing the inside of her palm as he put it back against his cheek. "Clary, you know I love you, right? I love you more than you'll ever know, more than I can ever tell you. You're my life, my world, and without you and the kids, I'm nothing. I might as well be a mist that blows through and disappears. But you made my life worth living, and I promise you, I'm going to do everything I can to come back to you. I don't want to leave you here, alone. I want to come back for you, for Michael, for Emily, for…"
He trailed off when he realized that they didn't have names. He couldn't say that he wanted to come back for the twins, because he didn't know what to call them. Karrie and Kadan were kind of known as the twins of the families, but now, there was another set. His set.
His hand left Clary's and trailed down, down to her stomach where his t-shirt covered. It was still flat, thanks to the training, and Jace slipped his hand underneath, splaying his hand out across her abdomen where the… the twins were.
Clary shivered against his touch, something she's done for years, and leaned into him. Her forehead leaned on his bare chest, and she took a deep breath, breathing him in and blocking his view of her. "Jace, we can name them now."
His breath caught at her words, and he leaned down, kissing the top of her hair and taking in the smell of strawberries. He made a mental note to keep that in mind, to commit it to memory.
"Let's do it," Clary said when he didn't answer. "Right now. Let's name them."
"Baby, we don't even know the genders yet."
"What does that matter?" Clary asked as she pulled back with a smile. And Jace was happy to see it was a real smile. One that made her face light up and her eyes shine. "Two boy names and two girls."
"Are you sure about this?" Clary's smile faded and she cocked her head to the side slightly. Just enough so one of her curls fell in her face and Jace pushed it back with his free hand. "I mean, this gives me a reason to come back."
"Jace, you know the reasons to come back. Emily, Michael, these two," her hand descended over his on her stomach, "They're your reasons to come back."
Jace looked down, where Clary's hand rested over his. She was always so much smaller, tinier, and sometimes he wondered how he didn't crush her. She was strong, he knew, but her strength still shocked him at time. How was he ever so lucky to get someone like her?
"You said two girls and two boys?"
Clary smiled and nodded. "I'll pick one of each, and you pick one of each."
"Alright, you go first," he said. Before she could speak, he leaned forward and kissed her. Just once, right on the mouth with as much love as he could conjure up in the short about of time.
When he pulled back, she was licking her lips like she was savoring his taste. "No laughing, okay?" He chuckled at her words, which earned a stern look, but he nodded none the less. Clary looked down, down to her stomach, and spoke without meeting his gaze. "How about… Aria? Aria and Aaron?"
"Perfect," he said without hesitation. He tilted her chin up, and then kissed her with everything he had. She didn't dare protest, her hand coming up and fingers twisting in his hair. He never wanted to leave this moment. It was the things like this that he kept fighting for. Just a simple kiss from Clary could keep him going on the worst days of his life. It was Clary that pulled him out of the rut when Robert and Maryse were killed. It was Clary that saved him when Alec chose Magnus over him, but he understood. That didn't mean it didn't hurt. And it was Clary that saved him all those years ago, when Raziel asked for the one thing she wanted. She chose him, and he'd always choose her. If it wasn't for Clary, he wouldn't be here. If it wasn't for Clary, he would've been dead a long time ago.
So he'd fight for her, and it was because of her that he'd make it through tonight.
"Aria and Aaron it is," he said against her lips.
She kissed him once, twice, and a third time before finally pulling away enough to look in to his eyes. They were probably dark enough for her to see her reflection in them. "Jace, you still have to choose your names."
"I like Aria and Aaron."
"What if it's two boys or two girls?"
He shrugged, touching his nose to hers. "You're the mother. You know what they'll be, whether you really know it or not. I have a feeling it'll be one girl and one boy. And their names will be Aria and Aaron."
"Then give them their middle names."
Jace closed his eyes, thinking about what he could say. Clary was dead set on having his opinion in the matter. But he wanted it to have meaning. He wanted them to have a part of him, and a part of Clary. But it had to be more than just both of them. The twins needed to know that they were part of the family, more than just blood and sweat, but fully part of the family.
Jace smiled as the idea hit him. "What about Aria Adele and Aaron Alexander?"
Clary's response was her mouth back on Jace's. It was like she couldn't get enough of him, and he knew the exact feeling. His chest felt tight, his whole body wound up tighter and tighter if he wasn't touching her and he could feel from her movements that she felt the same. "Just come back," Clary said suddenly. All the laughter, the moment of forgetfulness they shared was gone, and she was serious again. Almost to the point of crying. "Please, just come back."
But he couldn't promise that he would. Only that he'd try to. He'd try so hard to come back to her. He'd fight until the death to come back to her. He'd fight to come back to all of them, because that was all that he could do. He couldn't talk, couldn't speak to make her feel better. But he said the three words that he'd said over and over, each with more meaning than the last time but he hoped that she understood. This was all he could give.
"I love you."
Sorry for any typos I missed! Can't catch them all.
Well, its the big day for all of them! Tell me what you guys think! REVIEW! Who do you think will die, if anyone? Are all of the "prisoners" even still alive? What's Conan's part in this now? Will it be a completely happy ending? I sure hope so, but you never know what I'm going to put on these pages. Hell, I never know either.. We'll see.
By the way! I have a new story that I'm writing up. It's an idea that just popped in my head, but it's only just starting so it'll be a while. Keep your eyes out for it. It'll be about Clary and Jace as human, teenagers actually, but its so early that I don't even have a title. Just wait it out, and don't forget to leave your reviews! I read them all and take everything into account! Love you guys!