I'm back and ready to give another chapter!

Disclaimer: Plot = mine. Characters = Cassandra Clare. Enjoyment = Priceless.


Jace frowned as he brought his pencil to his lips again. "Okay what about this," He coughed with and fixed his invisible tie making Clary giggle from where she sat on her bed. "'In his memory the sun burned on his skin and sweat made his hands slick as he worked underneath its blissful shine. The days and weeks tended to blend together now; they seemed like just one long moment. And he wished he could see what the moon looked like again, to know just what the sand felt like between his toes. Did he enjoy it? He couldn't remember. Would it be grainy and rough or would it flow around his feet as if it was moving through an hour glass?'" Jace read what he'd written for his narrative essay, he felt his cheeks burn as he felt Clary's lingering gaze. For the same reason he liked Clary, she made him uncomfortable, because she gave him all of her attention. He could almost feel her emotions through her stare. "So," He put the hand written piece of paper back in his lap. "What did you think? But go easy on me. My ego is fragile." His smirk spoke volumes as he sank beside her on her soft bedspread.

"If your ego is one thing, Jace Herondale, it's far from fragile." Clary answered sarcastically back with a quick laugh. He liked that about her too. The way she said his whole name like he was too important not to say it all. "But seriously that was amazing." She turned fully toward him in the small space they shared and he couldn't help but feel his heart race. "Did you ever think about making a career out of writing? You're really, really good."

Jace snorted. "Yeah right. I can actually picture the vein that would pop out of my father's forehead right now when I told him instead of pursuing a job in politics with my football scholarship like he did I would prefer to go for journalism." He let out a sarcastic laugh. "The possibility of that happening is as great as my face suddenly getting ugly. So that would be slim to none."

Clary raised an eyebrow, her hair blazed in bright contrast to her pallor skin. "Jace," She smiled as she bent forward to place her hand on top of the one he had flattened around her bedspread. "You can't let your father control your life. You have to live the life you choose to lead and if that means taking a different path then so be it." She said with a shrug as if it were all so simple. But Clary made flying look easy too. The impossible was possible with her around. "And as to your getting ugly statement, I wouldn't count your blessings just yet, the word you were looking for is called wrinkles my friend."

Jace laughed as his fingers circled around her small hand, her arm seemed to be permanently inked with paint. "Those come with age, Clary. I have a while before my beautiful appearance is made slightly less hot, but still smoldering, from wrinkles."

"Or they come with wisdom." She said with a smirk. "You should probably bank on that definition."

Jace narrowed his eyes as he frowned at her. Clary's eyes danced with mischief and he liked these moments the best. When she was just a girl and he was just a boy. "And why is that, Pixie?"

Her fairy like appearance seemed to brighten at his nickname for her. "Well then you'd never have the misfortune of gaining any."

Jace's mouth dropped open as Clary threw her head back and laughed. "That's not nice." He shook his head as he smirked at her. "And now you have to be punished."

Clary let out a squeal as Jace dragged her toward him with her small arm before latching his fingers on her sensitive waist. Her laugh made music in the air as he flipped her onto her back and hovered over her. The air around them seemed to grow thick, at least, that what Jace thought because his lungs couldn't seem to get enough air.

She laid underneath him with a soft smile on her face and a blush pinkening her cheeks; her hair thrown about her as if being tossed in the wind. Red curls lay overlapping his hands that sank into the mattress on either side of her face.

Time stood still then and Jace could imagine just lowering his face, hovering his lips over hers, and simply kissing her. His heart told him that her eyes were begging him to do just that as he watched her thickly swallow but his mind told him that someone like her, so beautiful and radiant, could never feel that way for him.

A beeping sounded in the room disconnecting whatever magic seemed to be happening in her gaze as she slowly sat up. And, as if pulled by a string, Jace moved away from her as well.

He coughed before rubbing a hand to the back of his neck. "That's, uh," He cleared his throat as he tried to calm his nerves. "My phone." She nodded as she stared wide eyed as if she wasn't listening to him at all. Jace nodded his head back awkwardly before moving to the desk where his phone lay blinking. "Shit."

Clary's eyelashes fluttered and she seemed to come back to life as she frowned and moved toward him. "What is it?"

"I totally forgot about the business party my father wanted me to go to." Jace ran a quick hand through his hair. His dad was going to kill him, slaughter him, beat him within an inch of his life. All before he had the chance to properly ask Clary out on a date. "I am so dead." He groaned as he sank into the desk chair and dropped his head into his hands. "I don't even have anything to wear; I totally forgot to pick up my tux from the dry cleaners." He'd told Robert not to worry. That he was at least capable of getting his own laundry. That was a lie obviously. He couldn't even remember what he'd had for breakfast this morning. Maybe it was cereal, he wasn't totally sure.

"Why can't you just swing by on the way home and pick it up?" Clary tilted her head endearingly as she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. At least, he thought it was supposed to be reassuring; really it only made him more nervous and mixed other feelings into his complicated ones.

"The only dry cleaner in town is the Drop 'N Dry and that closes at 7." It was the perk of living in a town where everyone already had their tombstone picked out. Everything closed early because all the workers were too close to death to care. And by perk he meant forfeiture.

"I think," Jace lifted his head to lock eyes with Clary, who was smiling widely. "I have an idea."


"So you must be the infamous Jace Herondale."

Jace blinked as the shiniest and brightest man he'd ever seen walked through the door. He was older by a year or two that was certain and his hair looked almost like he had run to them. He was Asian decent and so flamboyantly gay that even the blind could tell.

And Jace immediately took a liking to him. He didn't know exactly why. Maybe, it was the way he was looking at him fondly as if he was already a friend or because he knew Clary. And anyone who knew Clary had to be great.

He smirked and nodded his head from where he lingered in her large living room beside Hodge, who was so beating him at the game of chess they were playing. "That would be me."

The man smiled devilishly as he made his way further into the room. "Dear, you said he was attractive but you never explained how delicious he was." He stuck his hand out as if to test him. Jace had no doubt the compliment was supposed to make him feel uncomfortable. He was seeing just how okay Jace was with him. "The names Magnus Bane and there is no way you will forget it because I'm unforgettable."


Clary had met Magnus when she had signed up for a walkthrough at one of the art classes at the local community college in the city. She'd been wandering with no real sense of direction and she'd run into Magnus, whose outgoing and vibrant personality mixed so well with hers and because of this he didn't shying away from asking if she knew where she was going. To which she had answered with not one clue and they spent the day looking at the local art the students had done, with commentary of course, before having lunch together and then they were friends.

As quickly and easy as that.

Because knowing Clary meant you were her friend. It meant loving her immediately. Because you simply couldn't help yourself. The way she talked and the energy she radiated was just too addictive and so easy to catch that once you got a taste you couldn't stop.

Clary was the perfect drug.

She was my perfect love.

My only love.


Jace smirked as he calmly placed his hand in Magnus's. "Well, seeing as you already know my name, I'll skip that part and say it's nice to meet you." He laughed as Clary rolled her eyes from where she sat beside him. "And don't worry I get that a lot. Delicious is just one word to describe me. You could have used Godly, radiant, gorgeous, hot—"

"Asshat, jerkwad, arrogant duffus; all of them work." Clary finished with a smirk of her own.

Jace narrowed his eyes at her as Magnus let out a laugh. "You two are just adorable; I can already picture the beautiful babies you are sure to bare."

Jace coughed as he choked on a throat full of saliva as Clary dropped her head. Her face was a blistering shade of red as she glared up at the sparkly man. Hodge snorted and shook in his chair from what Jace could only assume was silent laughter. "We're not even dating, Magnus." Clary said through clenched teeth.

But the glittering man simply waved a hand in her direction as if she were too foolish to be spoken to. "Details," He clapped his hands together and made Jace jump. "What was this 911 fashion emergency I heard about?"

"Jace has a business party to attend but no tux." Clary answered shortly, obviously still shaken about the earlier comment.

Magnus smirked; his face spoke volumes more than he put into words. "Fear not, my darlings, you came to the proper place."

"Technically speaking, you came to me." Clary smirked as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Magnus narrowed his gaze as his feline- like eyes flashed to her. "And technically speaking, you're a smartass." Clary let out a loud laugh that had Magnus smiling as he winked. "Let's see what I have in my bag of tricks, shall we?"


Jace forgot how much he hated things let these. He tended to forget until he was actually attending one. And it wasn't even the main event. This was just the pre-banquet they threw before the real banquet which was the next day. Jace never understood why had to go to one but it was what it was.

Usually, he fluttered around like a social butterfly talking up his father's politics and just news in general. Boring things that was supposed to help him with his future. He talked with the cougars, with their hairsprayed hair and overpowering perfume, to the bloodthirsty bank owners, who were too greedy to see, passed the dollar signs in their eyes or the occasional hot Senator's daughter.

Usually he flirted lightly with his mother's friends making them giggle causing his mother to beam proudly at him; like he was her best and most shiny possession.

Usually he stayed as far away from the left side of the room as much as possible.

Usually he never even looked on that side of the room.

But he wasn't usual anymore. Now he was different.

Now he wanted to change.

His father, as if out of some sick satisfaction, always invited the Lightwoods to the opening pre-banquet event. Even though every year Robert and his wife stayed in the left corner of the room with just each other and talked amongst themselves. They had only accepted the invitation to be polite, Jace was sure. Robert hated politics and the only news he read was from the town's paper. And kittens caught in a tree were not the topic of discussion at most of these parties.

Once upon a time, Jace had loved these things. He and Isabelle caused as much mischief as they could and Alec had always tagged along picking up things they had broken and tried to fix them the best he could. Those times had been the most exciting; now they were just depressing.

The Lightwood children had stopped coming 2 years ago, which was to be expected but it still hurt to see Robert and Maryse sitting there alone. Still hurt to know he was by himself now.

So, when he floated over to that side of the room he had only really expected to see the two of them lingering around the table they sat at, perhaps dancing to the slow song that played overhead. So, when he saw two more dark heads at the table, he had to stop himself in surprise.

Isabelle Lightwood, as always, looked stunning. The silver open backed gown, one Jace had seen Maryse wear years ago, shimmered under the lights and her hair fell in thick strands down the right side of her shoulder held together by only one shining butterfly clip. Her make-up was dramatic and dark for such an event and Jace knew she would have been gorgeous without it too.

Alec's dark suit made his eyes look even more blue as they stared at him in confusion. As if he didn't really understand what he was doing there and was just as surprised by the whole situation as Jace was.

Maryse gasped, her delicate hands fluttering to her mouth. "Jace," She took a step toward him slowly as if frightened he might disappear completely. The thought made him bite his lip and almost swallow his tongue. In the corner of his eye he could see Isabelle watching him closely. "Look how much you've grown."

Her arms were around him faster than he could even answer. Maryse was a taller woman; at least, 5'7" without the 2 inch heels on anyway. Her hair was as black as Isabelle's but her eyes were a smoldering blue, just like her son's. She had always been a beautiful woman and she would always be one.

Jace couldn't help but sink into her embrace; wrapping his arms around her and squeezing a bit too tight. It was so familiar, her touch. It unlocked a part of his heart he was sure he'd lost. Or maybe it put a piece of him back together again. He wasn't sure.

Her touch brought with it the smell of cookies fresh from the oven and the feeling of crisp leaves across his cheeks the kind he, Alec, and Isabelle used to jump in. The cold bite of snow on the tip of his nose as he burrowed into the castle they had made in the backyard. The feeling of pride as he told Robert all about just how he had fulfilled his day; hugging her gave him the comfort and safety he didn't know he was missing.

She smiled and brushed the waves from his eyes as she cupped his cheeks. She didn't say anything but he knew what she wanted to say. The way she held him with lingering fingers and a wistful smile; she missed him and he'd be lying if he said he didn't miss them too.

"I know." Jace nodded as Maryse pulled him close again before pulling back fast; as if she was ripping off a band-aid.

Isabelle snorted as she placed her hands on the fine, laced table cloth. "And what's brought the infamous asshole to our little side of the room?" She spun in her seat with a dramatic eyebrow arched.

Maryse gasped as she turned around herself, taking a position in front of him as if to shield him from her daughter's harsh words. Not like he didn't deserve them though. "Isabelle!"

Isabelle simply rolled her eyes and dropped her gaze. "I apologize," Her voice was laced with thick sarcasm. "I'm just a little confused. I thought royalty didn't mix with the peasants."

Jace felt the burn further in his heart than he cared to admit. Her words were like balls of jagged spikes burrowing into his chest and latching on. He knew he deserved it, hell, he deserved much worse but that didn't make it hurt any less.

Maryse stomped forward and clamped a hand on her daughter's shoulder talking under her breath as to not make a scene Jace was sure. And it was while Isabelle shot him another hard glance before standing and storming away that he realized something.

They had never told their parents what he did.

Alec had never told them of the way Jace had left him lying there in the middle of a huddle of mediocre excuses for men. When he had simply let him die; slowly wither away and collapse in on himself. He never told his parents about how Jace had completely left him in his time of need; never told him how he had deserted him for the sake of his reputation.

He let Alec burn to save himself.

And the Lightwood twins had never told there family.

Because even then, they were looking out for him.

Jace let his eyes close in pain as Robert clapped a hand onto his shoulder, shaking him with the force slightly. "Don't sweat it. I'm sure she'll come back around eventually."

Jace simply nodded as Maryse shuffled forward with a sparkling drink of champagne. "Sit and chat with us. We haven't heard from you in years!" She spoke excitedly. "How is football? Do you know what college, you want to go to? Do you have a girlfriend—"

Alec chuckled darkly from his seat. "Let him breathe, mom." Maryse laughed herself as she nodded and Jace couldn't help the feeling of butterflies in his stomach as he thought of Clary.

"Doing something for someone else is always good. But I don't want you to do those things to please me or anyone else but you. Those things should make you happy and feeling free and brave and good. Doing them for someone else won't do the trick."

Jace could remember the look in her eyes as she spoke to him. Not as if she were preaching to him but as if she was warning him to not make the same mistake she had.

"Performing Random Acts of Kindness are always good, but they're better when you wish to do them. Not because you think you have to."

Jace could remember that day in the hallway when he'd spilled his heart to Alec and had said all the wrong things.

"At least, I know who I am. At least, I'm strong enough to be me." He stepped back as if Jace was poison. "I don't need your charity, next time you feel the urge to pity someone; maybe, you should take a long look in the mirror first."

Jace knew he was right. They were all right. He'd looked in the mirror too long now-a-days and he was not happy with what he saw at all. He wanted to be more like Alec, just as Alec had wanted to be more like him once upon a time.

"I'd love to chat, Maryse, and I promise to catch up later." He said with a shaky voice. He was nervous and excited and scared all at once. "But I was wondering if I could talk to Alec alone for a moment."

Alec snapped his head up in surprise as his blue eyes drank his best friend in. The situation didn't make Jace uncomfortable, he knew Alec was long over him now and he knew that he was more surprised than anything else. Jace hadn't said anything to him since that day in the cafeteria and as if Alec was remembering the same thing; how Jace had finally stood up for him and simply sat without another word, he nodded.

He walked with steady steps out of the busy ball room where everyone talked too loud without a glance back as if he didn't really care if Jace followed him or not before spinning around quickly. Jace almost slammed right into him before catching himself. "What is it?"

"Alec," He didn't know exactly what he wanted to say but he had to say something. "I—how are you doing?"

His oldest friend snorted, like his sister had before, and uncrossed his arms. "That's all you have to say?"

"Why are you here tonight?"

Silence lapsed between them as Alec's eyes hovered over Jace's. There had been a time when Jace could have read sentences from just one look from Alec, now he only say emotions. Alec always was an open book. He didn't ask the question harshly but softly because he wasn't condescendingly wondering why the "commoners" were among the rich. He wanted to know after all the years, why come back now?

And he could tell be Alec's expression that he didn't know either.

"I missed you." Jace said the words he'd wanted to for two years as Alec nodded. "I missed both of you."

"Yeah." He didn't say them back but Jace knew that he had too. Or else he wouldn't have shown up tonight at all. As if by magic, Isabelle slid out from behind one of the dark hallways, her eyes sharp and strong as they stared.

They would need time, he knew that. But he also knew he was willing to take the time and he could tell they were too as Isabelle slid closer with a small smile. They both had wounds to heal and time was really what they needed. But Jace wasn't going to make the same mistake twice; he would never turn his back on them. Not again would he leave them to wonder why and to ask how they could have trusted him.

The smiled that spread across their faces was enough to know that they were all thinking the same thing. They were still repairing the bridge to their friendship, they were still uncertain around each other as if they didn't understand the flow of the other person. They were strangers now but they could come back to the way they were before. It would take time but it could happen.

It would happen.

"I have someone I want you to meet." Jace said with a full smile as Alec shyly smiled back with the only grin he'd ever had. Before he grabbed onto both their hands and dragged them back to the party and out the door.


The Lightwoods are getting closer and it would appear so are Clary and Jace.

And yay! Magnus is in the story now!

Leave me your thoughts and questions!

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