Disclaimer: Since I just felt a 5.9 earthquake near me (I'm being dead serious, it was a weak one though when I felt it) while writing this, I guess I'm not Cassie Clare. I was, however, scared.

Huge to those who reviewed, added my story on story alert, favorite story, favorite author and/or author tracker. You guys are the reason why I didn't drop this story yet.

Chapter 26: Goodbye

Jace's Point of View

After Clary and Aden left – much to my disappointment, I was rather hoping that she would say no but they had some things to work out – it was just me and Selena. And she sadly realized this too.

"I'm sorry," Selena said, looking at me with her moon eyes.

Taken aback I answered, "What?"

"I had you kidnapped; we played you for a while even if I did end up falling for you. I guess that's my punishment for doing that to you in the first place. Can't say I love karma," she smiled sadly at me.

I gaped. "If anything, it was also my fault. I was basically using you as well. You saved my life – all of our lives. I agree with what you did was wrong and you shouldn't have done it, but I did the same thing."

A small candlelight of hope flickered in her eyes. "Thanks. Surprisingly enough, I thought that I would have it harder than Aden. Guess not. But I still feel guilty, no matter what."

"You think Clary would give him a hard time?" I asked, surprised. I thought it was going to be me too.

"Yes. Because remember, you were the one that broke her heart and Aden was the one that fixed the pieces. That leaves its mark but he betrayed her. It's going to hurt her a lot more than you; you've always known that she loved you. She didn't." I winced at 'broke her heart'. I was also surprised about how right she was. And it made me feel bad all over again to leave Clary. "Hey, don't look like that. We all have our reasons."

I looked up at her, gratefully. Suddenly, our roles were reversed. I was the one suppose to be comforting her. Not the other way around. "Thanks. That's true. I'm sure you had your reasons for doing this too," I said without thinking. When I noticed her stiffen, I knew that I had said the wrong words. Just like Samara's, even mine, her childhood wasn't that good, I was guessing.

"I'm sorry," I said again. "I didn't mean to remind you of things that were better left forgotten."

"It's okay," she waved it off, but I could still see the price she paid for my careless wording. "Sometimes it's good to remember to know why the way we are right now. Wait, your real last name is Herondale, right?" she changed the topic suddenly but I don't think that it was on purpose.

"Yes…" I answered, wondering where she was going with this.

She smiled, her dimple appearing on her cheek before disappearing again. "Our ancestors were friends. Best friends actually. I heard stories about them. How Will – your ancestor – was just like you. How he had a horrible childhood that made him bitter, pushing everyone away, kind of like you. But the thing is, he didn't know how to stop until much later – losing the real him – unlike you. Yours was just buried and Clary made you realize, you should be thankful of her."

I absorbed all the information dizzily, happy but sad that I wasn't the only one that went through that. That was the only reason why I was a cocky bastard before was to cover up what I felt, to push people away. Guess it runs in the family.

And she was right, I was lucky to have Clary.

Guess Will didn't have a girl like Clary in his life to make him stop. But the only thing I could say was: "What makes you think I had a horrible childhood?"

She waved it off nonchalantly. "Oh, broken people can identity others with ease. Besides, everyone has something wrong with their life at one point. People are cocky for a reason."

Others? I thought, before realizing something I should have a long time ago. Selena was broken – of course I should have realized that! "You're broke too," I stated bluntly. She stiffened, realizing her slip of the tongue before nodding her head.

"Want to talk about it?" I offered, knowing that sometimes that would help for people. It didn't work for me.

It was a while before she answered. "Not any more than you want to talk about yours," she answered casually but I could see the tightness of her eyes, the silver orbs hardening like rock. I mentally face palmed myself – of course she didn't want to talk about it anymore than I did.

"Sorry," I said, realizing that I said that too many times for my liking.

"Do you really want me remembering you on my last day of probably ever seeing you again that you were apologizing fifty million times to me?" she asked me, leaning forward, her silver hair a curtain around her face. "At least it showed that you care."

"Wait," I said, stuck on the first part. "What do you mean 'last day'?"

She laughed, but it was hallowing sounding, like a shell left behind from a crab. "You really think Clary wants to see Aden again? Me, maybe. But Aden? C'mon Jace, you know her better than I do and even I can tell you that." I chewed over her words, knowing that she was right. Clary was more betrayed that I was – Aden picked up the pieces when I couldn't. Of course it would hurt.

"I can tell you realized this," she said after I didn't say anything.

"As much as I had hated you – don't give me that look, I said had – before, I don't want to never see you again. I owe a lot to you. You helped saved Clary's life, which was basically saving mine." I looked at Selena, the look she gave me a was hey! kind of one but it was mixed in with the of course he would hate me kind of look.

"And no, you don't deserve everything that happens to you," I told her while she blanched at me. "I can tell with the look in your eyes. Don't be like Will – I'm pretty sure if he was like me before than he thought that he had deserved everything coming at him before too."

"I have no idea what happened to you in the past," I continued, "but you don't deserve everything bad that happens to you. You have to get past that, forgive yourself. It took me all this," I said, meaning the whole month and half involving the kidnapping and mind games, "to realize that."

Sel looked thoughtful, really thinking about it and nodded, as if to herself. "Maybe your right," she said, only sounding half-sure. But it was better than nothing.

And I was happy for her that she finally might begin on the process of forgiving herself.

The door swung open with Clary and Aden standing at its entrance. She was looking anywhere but in front of her, where Aden was. Her hand was holding her other elbow, making her look like she was a nervous kid, her height helping with that fact. She was even gnawing on her bottom lip again.

She was right – looks like their conversation hadn't gone as well as ours did. Aden shoved his hands in his pockets and only looked at Sel. "We should go," he informed her and she gave him a knowing look. "Now."

"Now?" she repeated incredulously, surprised it was so soon.

"Yes," he replied tersely.

"But –" she started but one look from him and she closed her mouth. She could tell – even I could – that he wanted this badly. Now that he didn't have Clary, I had to admit I felt bad for him. And I didn't hate him as much. But then again, I suppose he hates me now since our roles were reversed. "I'll start packing," she finished, even if it wasn't what she didn't want to say.

He nodded and left briskly, as if he couldn't get away fast enough. I was surprised that he just didn't run away, but I immediately felt bad. He's probably gone through the same things as Sel, and I couldn't be mean to him for picking up Clary's pieces. In fact, I should be thanking him.

"I should go too," Sel said, placing her hand on my arm for a second before pulling away and nodding at Clary before leaving as well.

After the doors closed behind them, I looked at Clary. "What'd you say to him?" I asked, knowing this wasn't going to be good.

"Wouldn't you want to know?" Clary snapped. I sat back, surprised that she was still angry. "I'm sorry," she apologized immediately. "I didn't mean to take out my anger on you. It's just that…I can't believe he did this. All those lies, how do I know if he's speaking the truth anymore?" Her emerald green eyes were sad and she looked at me like I might have the answers.

I didn't.

But I could try anyway. "I get that you feel betrayed – we all do – but maybe it is better if you don't see each other, give it some time. But, you have to forgive him." I didn't say anything about the lying, even though was pretty sure he wasn't. It was for her to decide that.

She nodded absently. "I did forgive him," she whispered, clasping her hands together and leaning her elbows on the knee, looking like she wished she hadn't sat down so she could pace around the room instead.

"You did?" I asked, surprise tinting my voice. I hadn't expected that.

She nodded again. "I told him that I wanted to forgive and forget him."

My eyebrows skyrocketed. I didn't know that she…dang. No wonder he was upset. If Clary said that to me, I wouldn't know what to do. And for the first time, I got a real feeling of how Clary must've felt when I broke up with her.

I knew it would hurt her but. I cleared my head. "You sure you made the right decision?" I asked tentatively.

"I don't know," she sighed as she leaned back against the chair and rubbing her temples. "I don't know."

"He agreed to it?" I pressed, knowing that it would be better to get it out of her now rather than later. That would be like reopening a wound and pouring salt over it.

"He said if that was what I wanted." I stayed silent. I don't know if I could've been able to do that. But then I thought back when I first broke up with her. If she had said it to me, I would have agreed. Because I thought that I deserved everything that happened to me.

And it hit me like a wave crashing on a shore. Of course Aden was just as broken.

I leaned back against the chair, letting the silence wash over me like water. Sometimes, it was better not to say anything and just stay with them instead. I was with Clary through and through, but I really hope that she would change her mind one day.

Everyone deserves a second chance.

Aden's Point of View

I blew it.

And I knew it. In fact, I saw this coming. I should have accepted the fact that she was going to hate me for the rest of her life. Yet, it still cut deeper than any knife going through my heart. I knew that this was the result of saving her life – something I had no regrets over – but the pain hurts.

I knew I deserved this too. Which was the worst part.

Of course, she would hate me. What person wouldn't hate a monster like me? I packed a few last things of mine – I already knew that I was going to get kicked out ahead of time. Of course I would. No question about that.

I pick up the broken pieces of the girl I love and break them myself.

What kind of sick, twisted person was I? I should have stayed away from her from the beginning. That would have been logical of me – it would have cut less deep. Hell, I shouldn't have even been her boyfriend. That way at least she would hate me less.

Yet, I couldn't really bring myself to regret it.

Regret some of the happiest moments of my life? No way. Either way, I was going to betray her, hurt her. Especially if I broke up with her so soon after she broke up with another boyfriend. That's like gluing something together to only shatter it again. Like glass, it would have been more pitiful than ever.

So why not just enjoy those few moments I had left with her? I was glad that I had them, so I could hold on and treasure something that was once mine, even for a brief time. I knew I would never forget Clary, in the best way possible. But I also knew that Clary was never going to forget me in the worst way possible.

Which was worse than having her forget about me.

Honestly saying, if I was put in her shoes, I would definitely do the same thing that she did to me. But of course, that didn't make me feel any better. Besides, Clary would never do something like that. She was so nice, so honest, so strong…all the things that I wasn't.

I flicked my eyes down when I sat down, staring at the suitcase that was next to the bed. Despite feeling horrible about myself, I knew one other person that did too – in a way I was glad to not be alone. But I wouldn't want to wish what I was feeling upon anyone else too.

Surprisingly enough, the girl that would stick by me not matter what – even if she wasn't in with this she would – hasn't come in yet. I know she would, of course I did. She was my best friend, she was the rock that held me down and once upon a time ago, she was my lover.

Speaking of my favorite devil, she walked through the door, looking sad, letting her true emotions on her face, for once. Normally she would hide them with a smile – so would I – but she would do it more than I did, did it when it wasn't needed. I guess she needed that to keep herself from slipping but sometimes I wished she didn't do that.

Sometimes, the lines between reality and fantasy blurred together for her. She was that good at it. "What took you so long?" I asked, and the question would have been rude if I wasn't smiling and opening my arms up for a hug. The Angel knows how badly I need one.

It was times like this that I wished my father was still here – even more so than usual – so I could just talk to him, so he could watch me grow up and climb over the problems. But he wasn't here, and he never will be ever again, his last breath already breathed and done with years ago.

And the problems just kept piling onto of each other ever since. Selena hugged me, holding me tight; her silent words of comfort making me feel a tad bit better. "Just so you know," Silver said as she pulled back a little and smiled at her next words. "Someone told me that I don't deserve everything bad that happens to me, that I have to get past that and forgive myself. And that means you too."

Her moon eyes were serious as she looked at me, even as she said the words offhandedly. I wanted to disagree, to say that she was wrong. That I can't – couldn't – forgive myself. It was good that she could; she deserved happiness. "I –" I took one look at her and realized that if I did object, like how I was going to, then she was going to kill me.

"Who told you that?" I asked instead. I wasn't really protesting but I wasn't agreeing with it either. But maybe it was time to forgive myself. Clary somehow forgave me, so why couldn't I forgive myself? For everything? Okay, that was probably stretching it too far and I guess I should take baby steps. But they were still steps.

Despite her answer, I was still smiling on the inside. "Jace did."

"Maybe he's right," I mused and I felt lighter than I have in ages when Selena's eyes light up, outshining the moon and perhaps, even the morning star.

"You know," she said, still happy. Genuinely happy, I should amend.

"I know a lot," I butted in, surprised that I could still go one teasing. I guess just because something bad happens, I don't need to wallow in self pity. I could learn from it and perhaps even forgot about it.

"Yes, we know that," she said, rolling her eyes but still happy. "Anyways, as I was saying, Jace also said that it took him all of this to realize that – or should I say, truly realize that. He got a taste from it from Clary."

I saw what she meant immediately. "And maybe we could too. Finally."

"Yes. In a way," Silver said thoughtfully, "I'm glad this happened. Don't look at me like that, I mean, if this never happened, we might have never realized this. Someone also once said, that even through bad experiences, we learn something good. This was a bad experience, and I, was much as you, wished that this didn't happen. But at least we learned something we might not have otherwise in a long time."

"So in a way, we should be thankful that this happened," I finished for her, agreeing whole heartedly.

This could be the start of something new.

Clary's Point of View

Selena and Aden brought their bags to the door of the Institute and they were going to say their goodbyes. I can't believe those were the words that Aden was going to remember me by for the rest of his life. Yet, it was important to say that.

"Bye Jace!" Selena squealed, looking a lot happier than she had before for some odd reason. But Jace just smiled knowingly and hugged her back. I turned to the side, wishfully hoping that I could have had the same goodbye as they did. But I did.

"Bye Clary!" Selena chirped. It wasn't quite as happy as it had been for Jace – which made me feel a pang of jealousy before pushing it aside, happy that she was still happy.

"Aden," I nodded and he looked up at me, surprised. I had to be honest; I was the tiniest bit too. "Try to be good." It wasn't the best farewell, but it was better than ignoring him, feeling guilty and standing around awkwardly. Or chewing him out again. I smiled at him – it was small, one that was barely there and kind of tight, but it was a smile for him nevertheless.

"I will, I promise," he said and he smiled slightly back at me, and I looked at the blue eyes before looking away.

"And I will be going too," Samara said, opening the door. I was taken aback; I was going rather fond of her, and not just because of the fact that she saved my life.

"What?" I asked, incredulous, sure I heard her wrong. Jace was looking sad too and I guess that he was grateful that she had saved my life too. If she had done the same for Jace, I know I would too. And I think that she was growing on all of us.

"I'm going with them, sorry guys. Keep in touch?" she said hopefully, glancing at Aden and Selena, probably hoping that she didn't offend them.

"For sure," Izzy said, walking up to all of us, with Alec behind her. I was wondering whether they were going to come and say bye at all. "I've always liked you." She flashed her a smile before giving her a hug. We all gave her hugs and Izzy politely nodded at Aden and Selena, with Alec following her lead.

"Toodals, guys. Glad to meet you but not with the situation that was with it." She wrinkled her nose but a smile was still on her lips. "I will come back and visit; a promise on the Angel."

We all stood at the door as they walked away and sat in the car, waving and saying one last goodbye. When the door closed, I sighed and slumped against it. "What's wrong?" Jace asked, noticing me.

"I just can't believe its over," I admitted, feeling kind of stupid.

He gathered me up in his arms, his arms wrapped around my waist and I could feel the taut yet soft skin over his chest as my back pressed into it. "Neither can I," he replied. "But I'm glad as hell that it is."

So…what did you guys think? And someone PLEASE answer this, because I have no idea why EVERYONE hates Aden more than Selena? I actually like both of them but someone has to answer that. I still don't know and this was the last chapter. Yes, it is the LAST chapter, but there will be an epilogue.

Anyways, goal: 201? Please, I really want to get 200, which would mean the world to me. No, even more than that. And we were two reviews short last time, which really sucked since I thought that some parts of it were really good. Well, for me anyways. Please? And it's my last chapter so…por favor? If we get 200 or plus for this chapter then I will give you guys an inside look at what I've been working on – outside of fanfiction. Yup, you read it right. I had the idea for a month or so and now I've finally gone through with it. I might even give you guys a sneak peek ;)

Oh right, secret word(s). I will give you guys a challenge seeing this will be the last time for a teaser for this story. Get the word college (my favorite – aha, I only have one but :P - sister went to college the other day so…yeah, sad about it.) and inside look in a sentence. :D If you can't well, just say those words somehow…

Til next time from your review addicted writer,

~Icyfirelove3

P.S. Check out the stories I beta for! All of Bookninja15's stories (too many to list out but a lot of MI ones), Skyecelade99's Parallel Hearts, CoolxNerd's You Should Have Stayed and MollyGM's City of Bones Jace POV! You guys are going to need something else to read after the epilogue, so check them out XP

Random Note: My other story JaD that is on hold…or something anyway, has 94 reviews and this has currently 194…cool isn't it? Sorry, just thought I would mention it since it was epic for me XD

***Reminder: This is set AFTER City of Glass and BEFORE City of Fallen Angels. And don't forget to review please! Check out my blog too (banners and stuff)– icyfirelove3 DOT blogspot DOTcom =)