Jocelyn tapped the papers together and handed them back to Jace. "Well done," she said, pressing her lips together. After all, compliments from Jocelyn were rare.

"Thank you," Jace smiled, knocking his knee with Clary's under the table.

"Don't get too excited, Mr. Wayland. Let's see if you can conquer your next client."

"Oh, I will." Confident, arrogant, cocky words. "You can count on me, Jocelyn."

Jocelyn's lips thinned. "I prefer Ms. Fairchild."

"Right," Jace said, flashing another gorgeous smile. "Ms. Fairchild."

"Go Jocelyn," Clary muttered under her breath, earning another bonk under the table.

"You can report to Valentine now," Jocelyn said, dismissing them.

"See? My strategy works," Jace said outside as they exited Shadowhunter Academy. "We didn't even have to memorize the info and we got a buyer. Oh, my bad. I mean, I got a buyer."

Head held high, Clary looked straight forward. "You're so unscrupulous."

"Big words won't get you anywhere, bro."

"I'm sorry, but did I use a vocabulary word too big for your brain to withhold?" She simpered, pausing momentarily at the stoplight.

Jace's eyes narrowed. "You're such a pain in the ass."

Ouch. Clary winced inwardly, not even sure why she was hurt by an insult coming from such a useless person.

Oh, right. It's the same phrase he used that day. The day I withdrew into myself. The day I stopped being so much fun. The day I became like what I am now.

Bright day. Wind blowing through his chestnut hair. Feminine laughter far off.

The rough hands shoving her back. That perfect mouth forming the words that ripped open her heart. "You're so fucking annoying, Clarissa. I don't even wonder why I put up with you. You're such a pain in the ass."

Clary shut her eyes, blocking the images from her mind.

You're such a pain in the ass.

"Clary!" Jace's voice broke through her thoughts. She opened her eyes, turning toward his voice as the rushing form of a black, speeding cab filled her vision. She could see the driver's face, full of terror. It came at her so fast she couldn't move, but cringed, drawing her body in, preparing for the impact.

And then she was safe, on the other side of the street, shaking in familiar strong arms. Jace's arms. He held her against him for a long time, his cheek pressed against the top of her head.

Dimly, Clary heard cheers from passersby, but Jace was oblivious to them. He kept her in his embrace, shielded from everything, as if they were in their own little world.

Clary pushed back from his chest, breaking the spell. "Thanks," she said shakily.

Jace held her by her shoulders. "What were you doing, Clary? Walking into the middle of a rushing street in a red light? This is New York traffic!" (A/N: I'm from Cali, not New York, so I really dunno about the traffic there…just pretend it's a crazy mess.)

"Oh," she said softly, looking down at her feet. She had been too caught up in her memories to notice. Those images had opened her scars again. It had been years ago, but it still hurt like hell.

"Clary?" Jace's fingers gently tipped up her chin. She jerked away, and started to speed walk to Morgenstern Circle, wiping furiously at her eyes. She didn't want anyone, much less Jace, to see her cry.

By the time Jace had caught up to her, she was composed again. "I'm fine," she said in clipped words.

Jace didn't let it pass. He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "You almost died. This isn't something that can just blow over. I want to know what happened out there."

"Ever heard of privacy?" Clary snarled, trying to edge past him. Deep down, she felt remorse for being so cold to the man who'd saved her from death, but if she didn't convince him, he'd find out about her past, which she kept so carefully bottled up so that only three people in the world knew about it.

"You scared the shit out of me back there. What was going on in that head of yours? Were you trying to suicide?"

"Let it go, Jace! You're so nosy and goddamn annoying!"

Jace's face darkened. "I saved your life, Clary," he said quietly.

She pushed him aside, heading into MC. "I didn't ask you to."

Jace hadn't moved from his spot outside. "You're not this much of a bitch, Clary. I know you're not normally like this."

"No, you don't know me." Clary said, turning to face him through the door. "And that's exactly why I'm not telling you what's wrong." She spun around and walked toward the elevator.

"If I got to know you," Jace called after her, "would you tell me?"

She hesitated. Would I? Would I tell my secret to the guy who everyone warns me about? Logically, the answer is no. But why does my heart say yes?

"Would you, Clary?" Jace stood behind her now, staring up at the elevator lights.

"Maybe."

He seemed to be satisfied with her answer, but didn't smile. "Good," he said seriously, his face carrying no trace of humor. "I want to know you."

They entered the elevator together, Clary putting as much space as possible between them. The door dinged open, and as they stepped out, a young familiar man with inky black hair approached them.

What was his name?

"Wayland!" The man greeted, a smile lighting his face. "How's SAI?"

"It's fine," Jace said with a side look at Clary. "We sold our product to our first customer."

Clary coughed. The man looked at her, then back at Jace. "Don't tell me you used the Charm in front of Clary."

How does he know my name?

Jace's lips twitched. "Sebastian, who do you think I am?"

Oh, right. That's why he looks so familiar.

Sebastian chuckled. "Well, Valentine's expecting you, so I won't delay you guys any longer. Clary, maybe I'll catch you sometime?"

"Catch me sometime?" Clary echoed, confused.

"Like, lunch together or something," Sebastian clarified, a little embarrassed. "Sorry if that sounded…suggestive."

Clary laughed. "No, it's probably just me."

"Come on," Jace growled, impatient. "Valentine's waiting."

Sebastian seemed unwilling to go. "Alright. Later Clary."

"Are you just a bitch to me?" Jace scowled as Sebastian left.

"Excuse me?"

"You're so nice to Seb, but I saved your life, and you give me the cold shoulder."

Clary felt a stab of guilt but man, Jace had a way of rubbing her the wrong way. "Well, he doesn't seem to have an itch for my pants."

Unexpectedly, Jace burst out in laughter. "Oh, God," he gasped, then broke down laughing again.

"If you're done having fun," a dry voice said sarcastically, "please join me." Clary spun around, meeting the irritated stare of the CEO of MC. His cold gaze flickered over Jace to Clary before he stalked into his office.

"Mr. Morgenstern, I am so sorry for the delay." Clary hurried in after him, and then balked at the entrance of his office. It was completely blank, save for the essential desk, computer, and chair. The white walls were pristine, with no pictures, posters or even the words MC carved on it. The whiteboard bore no signs of past markings, and his desk – she had never seen such a capacious desk blank. There were no loose papers, no utensils rolling about, and no pictures of family or friends. Even the trashcan was empty.

Somehow, it matched his demeanor – cold, calculating, withdrawn.

"It's fine," Valentine said tiredly, and, mistaking her shock for politeness, waved her in. "I know it's Jace." As if to prove his point, Jace arrived, still chuckling darkly. "Now that we're all here, I'd like to say that I'm very impressed with your performance."

A nudge from Jace under the table. Clary pinched him, causing him to jump in his seat.

"However, Jace, the next client will not be a female, so I'll be looking forward to the outcome."

Silence. "How did you know…?" Jace said weakly, shock written plainly on his face.

Valentine smiled. "I've known for a long time. I've never discouraged it, because it does bring in profit. But I'm sure Clary doesn't give a good lay to get buyers, right Clary?"

"That's absolutely correct." Jace's foot stepped on hers.

"I could never imagine Clary doing what I do," Jace seconded, smirking. Clary could practically see his memories of her saying, My record's sixty.

But that was before it all happened, Clary thought.

"Clary," Jace said, breaking into her thoughts. "We're going."

"Right." Clary bid Valentine a quick goodbye, embarrassed at sitting there like an idiot for minutes.

"What we need to do," Jace said later as they entered SAI, "is polish up your skills."

"If this includes us spending time outside of work, the answer's no."

"Christ," Jace rubbed his chin. "It's like she can already read my mind." Smiling, Clary stuck her tongue out at him, feeling very childish. "But of course, the office is a fine training room too." Her smile dropped, and it was Jace's turn to stick his tongue out.

"I'm not agreeing. What's the training gonna be?" And I want that tongue in my mouth, she added silently.

Jace's smile was badboy to perfection. "You, me, on the desk, without our clothes, doing the Big Deed." Her thighs clenched involuntarily, and she distanced herself from him as they walked past Kaelie in the hall.

"Jace," she said, sliding up to him.

Jace, who was grinning at Clary's flushed cheeks, completely ignored Kaelie and instead slung an arm around Clary's shoulders and pulled her tightly against him. "Don't be such a prude, Clary," he said as she squirmed and pushed. "Loosen up. You gotta live, you know."

"Kaelie's gonna that we're flirting," Clary protested. She felt her body melt into his as they entered their office.

"Then let her." With his heel, Jace kicked the door closed. He dug his fingers into the sensitive part of Clary's waist, making her scream in surprise. "Now she's going to think there's definitely something going on in here."

…

Kaelie stared, mouth open, as her boyfriend wrapped his arm around that little bitch's shoulders and pulled her flush against him, the entire lengths of their legs touching. He had just ignored her, as if she was a ghost.

Guys didn't ignore girls like Kaelie. Not to mention boyfriend.

Well, he never actually said the word girlfriend, and he did fuck plenty of other girls even while he still went to her, but still, she was the girl he'd been with the longest, and that had to count for something. So there, Kaelie thought as Jace shut the door in her face.

Wait a second. Kaelie blinked twice. He just shut the door in my face.

A scream and a low chuckle.

Kaelie picked at her long, sharp fingernails, her teeth chewing her bland gum furiously. Something obviously had to be done about this.

She whisked out her phone and dialed a number.

Wonder who Kaelie dialed? It's a secret(; And don't you just love Jace? He saved Clary 3 and Alec's coming up too(:

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