"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye." – Jim Henson

Chapter 26

Clary and Isabelle were sitting crossed legged on the bed, facing each other, talking animatedly when Jace walked in, causing them to become silent immediately.

"Really? Again with the secrecy?" Jace asked in condescending amusement. "You know how we have these things called runes? Yes, and there's one to improve hearing, and I have been marked with that, among other runes, most of this week, so I have heard everything you've been saying when I'm approaching, so enough with the hushed conversations."

"Well why did you pretend you didn't know what we were talking about?" Isabelle asked grouchily.

"Because it's more fun this way, and I didn't really want to be involved anyway," Jace said with maddening serenity.

"Because you don't approve," Clary accused astutely.

"I didn't want to be involved, nor did I want to make you two mad, but I see now I have no other option than to intervene, seeing as you plan to take action this week," Jace answered superiorly.

"You know, smugness isn't very attractive," Clary noted coolly.

"Oh, we both know you're hot for his arrogance, if you weren't you couldn't possibly survive dating him," Isabelle joked mercilessly. "But Jace, what you do care if we go ahead with this. It's nothing to do with you."

"Yes it is. You're my sister and Clary's my girlfriend, and you're both spent a lot of time on this already, and you're going to spend more, and it's all going to be a waste and you're going to end up disappointed," Jace retorted. "Alec agrees with me."

"Oh, so you've been talking to him too," Isabelle said sourly. "And Jon as well I suppose?"

"No, he's still in the dark, poor chap," Jace said wickedly. "Hang on."

Jace stuck his head out into the hallway of the New York Institute and hollered, "Jon, Alec, come into Isabelle's room so we can discuss the matter of the mundane and Ascension."

"Simon," Isabelle and Clary both corrected in an angry hiss.

"You know, if you both didn't react that way I'd get no pleasure at all in calling Simon 'the mundane'," Jace told them cheekily.

Jace strayed too close to the bed on which the girls were sitting and quick as a flash Isabelle delivered a sharp kick to his shin.

Jace growled and leapt back, glaring at her, which was how Alec and Jon found them.

"Not this Ascension business again," Alec said tiredly. "We've been here all of three hours, you haven't even seen Simon yet, and you're busily conspiring about how to pitch this to him."

"So that's what you two were up to all last week," Jon said, a light suddenly dawning on him. "All the time in the library in the Academy, the trips to the Gard and the Armory. You've seriously been looking into the possibility of Simon being allowed to Ascend. Well."

"Well what?" Clary said defiantly. "He'd be a good candidate. I'm sure he'd be interested in the chance at becoming a Shadowhunter, and he's already familiar with our world, and he caught onto everything quickly and he wasn't fazed."

"He doesn't understand what it is to be a Shadowhunter. He has no comprehension of what it is we actually do. Demon hunting is life and death, not just a really good video game," Alec said seriously.

"Well of course not," Isabelle said dismissively. "He is a mundane, we do understand that. We just think he'd be a good Shadowhunter, given the chance, and he deserves that chance, or at least the option to take it."

"Well, it's not us you have to convince anyway, though we'd be good practice for you," Jace pointed out. "You need the permission of the Clave."

"And lucky for us Dad is the Inquisitor, and the Clave feels like they owe Clary," Isabelle said smugly. "We have actually done our research, and if Simon wants to proceed, we will go to the Clave and make our case."

"Well, that's settled then," Jon surmised. "Clearly neither of you will listen to reason and you won't change your minds. That's fine. Let's move on and do what we were actually sent here to do."

"That won't take place until dark," Isabelle said. "We're going to surprise Simon outside his school this afternoon. You three can come, or do whatever you want. It's really up to you."

"Oh you had better believe we're coming," Jace said firmly. "We promised to stick together and keep an eye on you. Luke is still here too, and I doubt he'd be happy about you two just heading off alone in New York."

"Good, so long as you behave, we'll be happy to have you," Clary said with a tight smile.

"I'll probably stay here, talk with Amatis and Luke. Edward asked me to spend a bit of time with Amatis to go over some training things," Alec said vaguely. "I want to spend some time in the library here too."

"Okay. I'm sure Jace and Jon will provide us with ample protection, they're so big and strong after all," Isabelle said witheringly.

"Jace, how about we go and pick up some lunch from Taki's?" Clary suggested, changing the topic

Jace looked closely at her face, tipped off by her tone that saying no wasn't an option. "Okay, I'm pretty hungry. Anyone care particularly what we bring back?"

"Nope, anything is better than Isabelle's cooking," Alec teased. "See you in a bit."

Clary picked her jacket up from where it had been draped over a chair and shrugged it on, flinching away from Jace as he moved to help her. She checked that she had her stele and Heosphoros and she and Jace departed.

"Do you have money on you?" Clary asked evenly, as they walked down the hall to the exit of the Institute.

"No, I thought I would rely on my good looks to avoid having to pay," Jace said sarcastically.

"Typical," Clary muttered.

Once they were out in the street, their Glamours stopping passers by from staring at two teenagers dressed all in black and marked with strange tattoos, Jace said to Clary, "Okay, what's going on?"

"You really have to ask?" Clary queried incredulously.

"Yes," Jace said, stubbornly oblivious.

"Look, I get that banter and quick witted conversation are your main way of communication, especially with Alec and Isabelle, but you should at least be able to tell when a topic is actually serious and calls for a different approach," Clary said hotly. "Simon, and the idea of his Ascension are important to me, and to Isabelle, and I should hope that we're both important enough for you to put your personal preferences aside and support us."

"But you bantered back," Jace said, flabbergasted.

"No I didn't, I replied rudely. I wasn't joking around. I was mad," Clary retorted. "And you couldn't see that. It's not that you're stupid, it's that you didn't think that it might be anything but banter. When we're alone you can be perfectly serious and lovely, but in group situations wit and sarcasm are your default. I don't want to change you, but it would be nice if the other side of you appeared more often."

"I don't want people to know 'lovely and serious' me," Jace grumbled. "As far as they're aware he doesn't exist, and he didn't, not really, until you."

"Jace, we could argue about this all afternoon, but it's too tiring," Clary said impatiently. "You can lie to yourself, but I know this is just about your image for you. You've always had a serious side, you just didn't show it before me because you wanted to protect yourself from being hurt by getting close to people. It's easier to be arrogant and witty and merely have people admire you than to form a close bond. I know that, but it's not why I love you. So think about that."

They were silent in their progression through Brooklyn to Taki's, Jace thinking about what Clary had said, and Clary staying silent to allow him to think. As they neared Taki's she slipped her hand into his, as a gesture of peace.

Jace looked at her and met her eyes. "I'm sorry," he said genuinely. "You were right."

Clary could have made a joking reply, but she said simply, "Thanks."

Jace paused and pulled her to him, giving her a long, slow kiss.

Clary pulled back reluctantly after a moment, but Jace pulled her back to him, and continued kissing her.

She eventually pulled back with a tiny gasp and said, "We can't do this now Jace, we're in the middle of the street!"

"True, but no one can see us," Jace countered impishly.

"No mundanes can see us, but any number of supernatural beings could," Clary pointed out. "Besides, I thought you were hungry."

"Too true," Jace agreed. "To be continued later?"

"Yes, later," Clary agreed with a grin. "But probably once Luke goes back to Alicante. I know playing with fire can be exciting and all, but I'd rather not get caught making out, or worse, by Luke, especially because he'd have to tell Mom."

Jace paled every so slightly at this. As a rule he was not generally afraid of much, but Clary's mother did frighten him a little, and certainly more so than her step-father.

"He'll be gone tomorrow, right?" Jace asked hopefully.

Clary giggled and said, "I think so. That doesn't mean you can't touch me until then, just no conspicuous sneaking off and making out."

"Do you think your mother sent Luke, just to keep an eye on us?" Jace asked, as they walked into Taki's.

"Oh, I'm sure of it," Clary said dryly. "But mainly because of the whole faerie, Angel blood thing. The keeping an eye on our love life is just an added bonus."

"Wonderful," Jace said sarcastically. "Okay, let's get ordering and get out of here. I think there are at least five faeries giving us death stares."

"I guess we forgot to think about that," Clary said quietly. "You order, quickly. I'll keep an eye on everything else."

Jace looked at the menu quickly, rattled off an extensive order, paid, and they moved to the side of the counter to wait for the food.

"How many fae do you count?" Jace asked Clary quietly.

"Upwards of ten," Clary answered. "But there are several werewolves too. No vampires of course, its broad daylight."

"I think we can take them, if it comes down to it," Jace said, only half joking. "They won't attack though, not if they know what's good for them. The faeries are still on trial, and they should know the strength we possess."

"Yeah, one wrong move and Taki's will be rubble," Clary murmured, her eyes sweeping the room.

They both knew the purpose of their conversation was to serve as a warning to any listening ears.

They made it out of the diner without any incidents and headed quickly back to the Institute, ready to eat and talk about their experience in the diner.

"So I guess that means we'll need to be on high alert while we're out," Jon mused. "I mean, it's unlikely anyone will try anything if we're all together, but better to be safe than sorry."

"I guess there's no chance of an inconspicuous trip to Pandemonium," Isabelle said dully. "That place was one of the most exciting places I've been to."

"I wouldn't rule it out," Alec replied. "Maybe we use the fact that everyone knows who we are now, or at least Jace and Clary. They're unlikely to do anything under our noses, which could be useful in ensuring everyone is on their best behaviour. Demons are the real thing we're after anyway, and they don't know who we are at least."

Isabelle brightened at this and said, "Well, that's good news. I've been looking forward to returning to Pandemonium. So many demons to kill, so little time."

Clary grinned and looked at the empty takeout cartons before them. "Okay, let's tidy this stuff up and then it's time to head out to Simon's school. Does anyone have a map? I have no idea how to get there."

"I'll ask Amatis for a map," Jon volunteered.

"You just want to get out of cleaning up," Jace accused jokingly.

"Damn straight," Jonathan said with a grin, departing.

Soon they were tidied, dressed in street clothes, but Marked, and armed, and had a route planned to Simon's school.

"See you guys later," Alec said as they departed. "Try not to get into any trouble, and call if you need anything, okay?"

They all agreed and left. Alec returned to his room, grabbed a few things in preparation, and instead of going to find Amatis, or venturing to the library, he too left the Institute, headed in a different direction to the others.

After meeting Simon at school, to his delight and surprise, he led them back to his home.

"Mom is a shift worker, so there's no worry about her freaking out about you guys," Simon told them. "She finds my band friends bad enough. I don't know how she'd cope with teenage warriors, dressed in black and covered in tattoos."

"Well, from what you've told me, your band friends are weird, especially Eric," Clary teased.

"Oh yes! Do we get to meet your friends?" Isabelle asked enthusiastically.

"Say no," Jace warned. "They'll never recover from meeting Izzy."

"That's what I'm hoping for," Simon said with a broad grin. "How long are you guys in town for? We've got a band practice tomorrow afternoon, and Thursday afternoon."

"We'll probably be here until Thursday morning," Jon supplied. "Just depending on how things are going. We'll definitely have to head back home by the end of the week."

"So we'll come to your band practice tomorrow afternoon," Clary decided. "What's your band called this week?"

"Lawn Chair Crisis," Simon said. "I was definitely not in favour of that one, but Kirk really pushed for it."

"Oh well, it will be called something else before too long," Clary said serenely.

"Probably before you leave, if not by practice tomorrow," Simon said with a laugh. "Did you guys want something to eat?"

"Sure," Isabelle said. "Just don't ask me to make anything."

"You'll regret it," Jace added. "As your eyes roll back in your head and your throat constricts, your dying thought will be to lament that you ever let Isabelle cook for you."

Jon and Clary smothered their chuckles, and even Isabelle seemed to be trying not to grin as she glared.

"Right. Potato chips and soda is it," Simon decided, heading for his kitchen.

"We can talk while we eat," Clary suggested.

"Sure," Simon agreed. "As opposed to sitting in silence and musing over the meaning of life."

"We actually have something we wanted to talk to you about," Isabelle said seriously, gracefully sitting down at Simon's kitchen table, crossing her long legs and shrugging out of her jacket.

Jace and Jonathan looked at each other, grimacing, and prepared to sit in silence as the girls outlined their idea to Simon. It would be difficult not to interject with snide, unhelpful remarks, but Jace knew it wouldn't be worth angering Clary just to indulge himself.

"Okay, what's up?" Simon said, placing a couple of bags of food on the table.

"Well, would you be at all interesting in becoming a Shadowhunter?" Clary suggested casually.

Simon dropped the cans of soda he was carrying and they crashed to the floor.

Just the type of thing the mundane would do. He clearly deals with shock well, and excellent trait for a Shadowhunter, Jace thought sarcastically.

"You can't joke about things like that," Simon told them, looking from Isabelle to Clary.

"We're not joking, Simon," Isabelle reassured him. "There is a process by which a mundane can become a Shadowhunter. It's called Ascension. It involves a lot of hard work, and the Clave would need to determine whether or not you're suitable, and even then it can be a dangerous process. You have to drink from the Mortal Cup, and soon, before you're too old."

"But it could actually happen? They're willing to consider me?" Simon asked eagerly.

"We haven't asked them yet. There was no point without us knowing if you were interested or not," Clary explained.

"Not interested?" Simon echoed incredulously. "Do you not know me but at all?"

"Well, we thought you'd want to, but we had to ask. But now we know we can try to start the official process," Isabelle answered. "We can't guarantee anything though. The process of Ascension was actually stopped some time ago because of the risks involved, but we think they might be willing to allow it this time, if we ask the right way."

"You mean because you two are important," Simon concluded, with Jon rolling his eyes due to the accuracy of Simon's words.

"Yes, we are hoping that will help," Clary owned. "And we're going to start training you ourselves, as soon as you're ready. But Simon, we just need to make sure you understand that this will involve a lot of changes in your life. You won't go to school here anymore, you won't live here anymore, you won't be able to be in your band anymore. You'll have to live in Idris, attend the Academy, practice fighting instead of the bass. You won't get to see your family much, at least for a little while, and you'll have to lie to them, and we'll probably have to get a warlock to alter a bunch of people's memories."

To Simon's credit he was silent, thinking over Clary's words. Jon and Jace both took that as a good sign, because it at least meant he understood that it was a real life situation, just not some fantasy video game.

"They won't have to think I'm dead, will they?" Simon asked before long. "I wouldn't want that."

"No, no," Isabelle said quickly. "Just that you're studying abroad, and then working abroad. Something like that. You could visit them, occasionally, and you couldn't tell them about being a Shadowhunter, but I don't think you'd be stopped from seeing them altogether, so you wouldn't have to 'die'."

"Can I think about it? It's a big decision. Don't get me wrong, you know I want to be a part of your world, but like you said, it involves a lot of changes, and I need to make sure becoming a Shadowhunter is the right choice," Simon said seriously.

"Of course you can think about it, and for as long as you need," Clary promised. "If you don't have an answer for us before we leave this week you can just send us a letter, okay?"

"I don't think I'll need that long," Simon said with a smile. "Just enough time to weigh up the consequences of whatever decision I make."

"We'll leave you alone to think," Isabelle said, standing. "We have to leave to prepare for tonight anyway. The demons are always out at night, and we're here to kill them after all."

Simon walked them to the front door, Jace and Jon heading out onto the street first, followed by Isabelle.

Simon stopped Clary and said quietly, "Those two were oddly silent, especially Jace. Let me guess, they don't approve?"

"Not really," Clary admitted. "But it's none of their business, which was why they were required to shut up. They had to come though, because we're supposed to stick together, just in case there's still anyone out there targeting us."

"Never a dull moment when you're around," Simon said with a rueful grin. "I'll see you guys tomorrow? Practice is straight after school, in Eric's parents' garage."

"We'll be there!" Clary promised. "See you then."

AN: Thank you for reading, and a belated Happy Thanksgiving to all. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I made sure to include some Clace, and there will be more in the next chapter :) And for all you Simon fans, I hope you like where things are going. Next chapter there will definitely be some Malec, among other things.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I appreciated the effort you made to share your thoughts. I am conscious of trying to add Clace, and action, while including other things I feel are important.

So, please review this chapter too, as I'd like to continue to hear from you all :)

Lastly, this week my country, and my national sport, which is very dear to my heart, lost a wonderful young man to a freak accident while playing the game he loved. He was a prodigious talent with a great future ahead of him. It was a great tragedy and has affected many, including myself, very profoundly. It would be wrong if I did not remember him here. Ave Atque Vale Phillip Hughes. Cap 408, 63 not out. Rest in peace.