Disclaimer: All characters belong to Cassandra Clare and the Infernal Devices series!

A/N: HEY GUYS! I'm so so sorry I haven't updated in so long! I've literally been slapped in the face with assignments and exams. I've barely had time for anything but stress -.- it doesn't help that I've suffered writer's block either! I have managed to whip this up though and I'm glad that my writer's block has passed! I promise to update again soon. Hope you're all well. Please follow/review/favourites! And I'd love some criticism on my writing and how to improve. ENJOY! :)

The sun had set when Jem, Jace, Clary, Simon, Isabelle, Alec and I filed out of the kitchen; leaving Maryse to do the cleaning up.

Jem and I were escorted by Jace to our room, which was very lavish and produced many gasps from me. The room had oak coloured walls and floorboards, with a matching dresser. The bed was no doubt king sized. The sheets and pillows were all white, and the bed posts had carvings of different intricate designs like swirls and stars. There was even a small fire place and a window with red velvet curtains. Jem and my suitcases were on our bed, and a pair of towels and some soap were laid neatly on top.

"Alec's room is across from you if you need anything," Jace was standing in the doorway with his arms folded, "oh, and please do try keep it down at night. A sleep deprived Alec is the last thing we all need right now."

I had opened my mouth to protest but he had already shut the door. I scoffed and turned to Jem who was kicking off his shoes and laying back on the bed.

"Rude, isn't he?" I hurried over to my suitcase and started busily unpacking. I started folding and stacking my shirts and blouses.

"Cynical I'd say," Jem smirked and rubbed his jaw, "Nothing you can't handle, Tessa."

I knew my mouth showed signs of a smile, but I didn't act upon it. I continued unpacking.

"How am I supposed to get through to him?" My voice was filled with exasperation. I stopped unpacking and pressed my palms to my eyes.

"You have done it once, you can do it again," Jem smiled reassuringly, "He is your family, no matter how distant. You will find a way, Tessa, and I'll be right by your side when you do."

I sighed and jumped onto the bed. I crawled so I was kneeling next to Jem's outstretched body. I threw myself ontop of him, ignoring the clatter of our suitcases landing on the floor, and linked my hands behind his head. I felt his laugh rumble from his chest, and squeezed myself to him harder. He wrapped is arms around my back and hugged me back, and I joined him in his laughter, though I did not know why we were laughing. I could remember nothing better then being entangled in somebody else's arms. It was so innocent, yet it felt so intimate.

He began to plant kisses in my hair, so I looked up to his face and immediately took his lips into mine. The kiss wad automatically passionate and made me feel flustered and warm on the inside. My hands moved to his shoulders, then glided down to his chest. I used his t-shirt to pull him even more closer to me, and wriggled around ontop of him so one of my legs laid between his, and the other straddled his hip. Jem responded with a low moan, and placed his hands on my hips. Our mouths moved in time, and I felt myself forgetting everything and anything bad in this world. Jem was nothing but goodness to me. Not only did I want and desire him, but I needed him.

I suddenly felt Jem's mouth form a smile over mine and he gripped my hips and flipped me over. Our mouths parted for a few seconds, but once Jem repositioned himself carefully above me, he pulled my against him and resumed our kiss. I wrapped my legs around his lower back and deepened our kiss to the point where I wasn't sure who's tongue belonged to who. Our bodies rocked gently together and our hipbones clashed. Jem broke the kiss and trailed his mouth down my jaw to my neck. I shut my eyes and smiled from satisfaction. I knew what I wanted. Jem and I had always gotten so close to it, but we had always been interrupted.

"Jem," I sounded breathless, "can we... You know?" I opened my eyes when Jem jerked his head up.

"Oh. You mean...?"

I nodded to him and he sat up on his elbows and rolled off me. The lack of contact we had now made me feel naked and empty. He laid next to me on the bed, staring at the ceilng. I then regretted saying anything, remembering that he hasn't gone that far.

"I've never done it. Since the girl I loved was married and the whole me being a Silent Brother thing," he nervously chuckled, "I never really had the chance."

I rolled ontop of him again, and cupped his face with my hands. My heart ached for him, and I could only imagine how lonely he must have felt for so long. My beautiful Jem. He was so kind and deserved no less then the world, and I planned on giving him the world.

"I don't care if you haven't, Jem, but I'm guessing you're not exactly ready?"

He turned his head and kissed my palm, then softly smiled, "I am ready, but another night? We needn't rush into things, Tessa."

I touched my lips to his and whispered, "I agree. I'll always love you no matter what though."

He gently pecked me back and whispered back, "I'll always love you too."

Later that night, I had left Jem to unpack and have his shower, and wondered the halls of the Institute. It was so familiar, and just as spectacular. I could have wondered those halls for days, but my attention was caught by a pair of large, wooden doors. Ah.

The Institute's library was just short of perfection. It was 2 story and filled with book shelves and glass cases. Reading chairs and desks were scattered around, and a large statue of an angel stood in the middle. I knew I'd be spending most of my time there. I heard a clatter of, what sounded like, books landing on the floor, and I snapped my attention to the right of me. Jace was hastily picking up the books off the ground. He looked tired, his eyes seemed desperate for sleep. He was dressed in all black, and his hair was quite messy.

"You found this place rather quickly," he stood up and plonked the books down on a nearby desk. He leaned against it and stared at me awaiting my answer. I nodded.

"The books were calling me," I quipped. This was an excellent chance to get to know one another.

"You read?" He sounded surprised.

"Yes, excessively."

"There's no such thing as reading excessively."

This made me smile. I worked forward to him cautiously, but he didn't seem phased. I picked up one of the books he'd placed on the desk, and observed it. I was impressed with what I found.

"20,000 leagues under the sea," I brushed my finger tips over the cover and smiled, "An excellent read, Jace."

He smirked, "I haven't read it yet. I didn't exactly have the time, since I was possessed and all. I doubt I'll have any time nowadays either. Sebastian is on the loose and is coming for my girlfriend and I. I really am down on luck," he shook his head and subtly took the book from my hands and looked at the book earnestly, "Maybe once the world is safe. You can even make me hot chocolate while I read by the fire place, since you so badly want to act like family," I flinched at how coldly he had said family, "You'll earn extra brownie points if you draw cute little pictures with the froth."

I was really taken back by this and put my hands on my hips. I was confident though. I knew how to handle a Herondale.

"I'd even read to you if you wanted," he smirked when I said this, "but, in fact, after this war is over I'll be leaving. You'll probably never see me again. Maybe you could ask Clary to make you some hot chocolate?"

His smirk dropped and he raised his eyebrows, "So you didn't just come back to play family with me? You're just going to disappear again?"

There was something about the way he said that. Sadness? Disappointment? I couldn't put my finger on it, but it was definitely there. He chucked the book onto the desk, then walked straight pass me to the exit. I turned to look at him.

"Only if you want me to disappear," I called after him. He hesitated for a second, seeming to need to think about what I said, then kept walking until he was out of sight. I was hoping I had made some kind of progress there.

I crept back into mine and Jem's room at about 11. I could hear the shower going, and our suitcases were moved to the corner of the room. I made my way over and fumbled through mine until I found suitable pyjamas. The shower stopped, and I quickly changed and brushed my hair before jumping into bed and under the covers. I didn't realise how tired I was until I began to close my eyes.