Hey guys! I know there was come curiosity about what the actual hell went on last chapter after Clary hauled her ass out of his apartment, so I decided a little Jace POV would help clear it all up. Hope you guys like it! Let me know what you think!

Jace POV

When I saw Clary walk through the door of my apartment, my heart did this fluttering thing in my chest, and I damn well thought I was having a heart attack. She was gorgeous in her skirt, showing off just the right amount of leg to make me yearn to see the rest of her. The green skirt she wore made her eyes appear an even more vibrant green, and contrasted nicely with her skin and hair. Her hair fell in curly tendrils that looked so soft, I knew they would feel like silk against my palm.

She was beautiful, I knew that. Anyone with eyes could see that. But not everyone knew she was beautiful on the inside as well. Sure, she had a fiery temper that blazed brighter than the sun, but she was also the kindest person I think I'd ever met. For someone that hardly knew me, she sensed that I needed someone to talk to – someone to just be near – and she was there. No one else would have done it, but she was so selfless and caring, it made me ache to my core.

And when she looked at me, I felt like she could see deep down to the very core of my soul. Never in my life had I felt so vulnerable, so open, so exposed around another person. No one had the ability to make me feel that way, especially no other woman. But Clary had a way of throwing me off my game. I knew I was cocky with women, and I had a pretty shitty reputation for manipulating them. And I knew for a fact that Clary knew that – hell, I was pretty sure she knew everything there was to know about me. But she didn't run from me like I expected her to.

That night at the club, she must have seen right through my façade. She didn't even hesitate to ask me if I needed to get out of there, to talk. She was damn near perfect, and when I went home that night after the cemetery, I vowed to be worthy of her, to try to deserve someone as understanding as she was.

So when Aline showed up on my doorstep and threw herself on me, I knew I was in deep shit. Aline and I dated a few months back, but it didn't work out between us. We just didn't have that spark that I was looking for, that chemistry that drew us together. Also, she was a bit too clingy and whiny for my taste, so we broke up. For whatever reason, though, Aline just didn't comprehend the word no. She didn't stop texting and calling. She was borderline psycho with her obsession with me, and I didn't know how to handle her. I hadn't even invited Aline to my apartment – hell, I hadn't texted her back in weeks. And I sure as hell didn't want her there.

As soon as I opened my apartment door, the tiny dark haired girl jumped in my arms and smashed her lips to mine without even saying hello first. I was so shocked by the sudden attack that I froze for a second before I gripped her arms and pulled her off of me. "Wow – um, Aline?" I stuttered, and I could feel my eyes widen in shock. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Aline's faced stretched into a huge smile, and she giggled at me playfully. "Well, I was texting Magnus about meeting up to go shopping, and he mentioned you were throwing a house party, so obviously I came over to see you!"

I just started at her with my mouth hanging open. "Aline, I'm seeing someone-"

My words were cut short at the sight of a fiery red head flying through the kitchen and out the front door with Simon in tow.

It didn't even register that Clary must have seen what Aline did. Isabelle cleared her throat from the balcony door, her eyebrows raised questioningly. "And what exactly do you think you're doing here, Aline?"

I looked from Isabelle to Aline as she opened her mouth to speak. I cut her off, "Trying to ruin my life, is what she's doing!"

Fury radiated off of me in waves. I knew Clary must've been feeling betrayed right now. Betrayal, hurt, confusion. I had to explain to her what happened, I had to let her know that what she witnessed was nothing, nothing at all. Aline was just a delusional ex-girlfriend who showed up at my apartment randomly to ravish me like a psycho.

Even thinking it, I knew Clary wasn't going to buy that, no matter how true it was. And honestly, I didn't expect her forgiveness. My reputation was all the answer she needed, and I was sure that's exactly what she was thinking. I was an asshole womanizer.

But I didn't want to be. Not when she was in my life. Not when she made me want to be a better person. I knew I would never be worthy of her love or trust, but damn it, I was going to try like hell.

Isabelle broke through my thoughts, "Jace, you should have seen her face," she said. Her eyebrows were pinched together in concern. "She was hurt, no matter how she tries to hide it. You've gotta do something."

Aline's eyes showed confusion at the mention of another girl. "Who are you talking about?"

I glanced back at her with an expression I knew was filled with hate. "The woman I've been seeing. You're little surprise attack wasn't appreciated," I seethed. "Not that it ever would be anyway."

Aline narrowed her eyes, "As if she's better than me. You know she doesn't have what you want, not like I do."

I rolled my eyes, "She is better than you. Damn it, Aline, we broke up for a reason. Or did you black out when I dumped you?"

Aline's mouth was set in a hard line. "I didn't think you were being serious. You can't be serious. How the hell could you break up with me? No one breaks up with me!"

I had enough. "I did! And if that didn't sink in, I sure as hell hope this does: Get the hell out of my apartment, and don't come back!"

Aline huffed, slung her dark hair over her shoulder, and marched out the front door. She slammed the door so hard, the cabinets in the kitchen shuttered. I rubbed a hand over my face in frustration. This couldn't be happening.

Alec was the first to speak. "I really don't like that bitch."

If I hadn't been so pissed off, I would have laughed. "Tell me about it." I said with a deep sigh. "Shit, what am I going to do? Clary's never going to speak to me again."

Isabelle sighed too, "She will. From what I've seen and from what you've told me, she's an understanding person. And she likes you, Jace. She'll listen to you."

I didn't believe her for a second, but God, I hoped she was right.

Clary POV

The next day, I woke up with a tear-stained face and swollen eyes. I hadn't wanted to cry at all, but as soon as my head hit the pillow, the waterworks set in. It wasn't because I was sad, but because I was disappointed. It was like I was floating in this huge bubble for three days, and I was so high up and happy and free.

And then Aline Penhallow stabbed my bubble with her gross, slutty fingernail and I fell to my death.

I sighed and pushed away my blanket as I stood. Thinking wasn't something I wanted to do today. I just wanted to go to my classes, – which thankfully, didn't include Art Appreciation – maybe grab a coffee with Simon, then come back home and mentally prepare myself for the shit storm that surely would be waiting for me Wednesday morning at 9:30.

After showering, I dressed quickly and brushed my hair before retreating down the hall to the kitchen. Simon was sitting at the kitchen table with a granola bar in one hand and a cell phone in the other. He wasn't usually up this early. Since we both had an eight o'clock class this morning, he would usually rush in at 7:45 and run to campus. But it was seven on the dot and he was wide awake and fully clothed.

I should've sensed something was up.

"So, I talked to Isabelle last night," he began, although he never took his eyes from his cell phone as he spoke. I wondered if he was afraid that I would kill him with my laser beam eyes. "And Jace was really adamant about speaking with you today."

I stiffened. "What is there to even say, Simon?"

This earned a shrug from him, "I dunno, Clary, but I think you should hear him out."

I stared at Simon for a while, but my thoughts were elsewhere. Talk to Jace? I didn't think I could even look at him.

I mean, I wasn't mad at him. Okay, I was a little pissed, but I didn't have a reason to be. Jace never expressed a desire to date me. Although the longing looks he sometimes gave me when he thought I wasn't looking suggested otherwise, I had no proof that he was interested in anything other than strict friendship.

It didn't hurt any less though. "Um, did he say when he wanted to talk to me?" I asked with a calm voice.

Simon finally glanced up at me and set his phone down on the table in front of him. "Nope, but I'm more than sure he'll find you on campus today."

I stiffened once again, "Great, a sneak attack," I said bitterly. "This day couldn't possibly get any worse."

"I wouldn't say that just yet."

I groaned.

Simon and I walked to campus after breakfast. The nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach didn't lessen one bit on the way, and when I set foot on campus, it increased tenfold.

It was no use to be so anxious. Chances were, I wouldn't run into Jace at all today. I mean, a part of me prayed that he would run to me and tell me everything was alright, and that we could go back to how we were before Aline ruined it. And a part of me hoped that I could pretend I'd never met him because the pain that I felt last night just wasn't something I was interested in feeling ever again.

It was so weird. I just started talking to Jace, but I had never in my life felt a connection with anyone like the connection I felt with Jace. There was this undeniable pull that drew me closer to him, physically and emotionally. When he was near, all my anxiety and worry disappeared all at once. I was at peace.

At some point, Simon drifted towards his class while I headed to mine. After checking my watch I realized that I had about ten minutes to kill before class, so I stopped at the Java Hut in the bookstore for a coffee. Caffeine would take the edge off my frustration for a while, and lord knows I needed all the help I could get.

I handed a five dollar bill to the cashier and waited patiently for my coffee. I walked over to a small table that held straws and other coffee supplies to retrieve some napkins. When I turned around, I ran smack into a very hard, very warm chest. I squeaked in surprise and started blurting out my apologies when I noticed who it was.

Jace was looking down at me with golden eyes filled with regret. A small breath escaped my lips. Shit shit shit.

I considered bolting for the door to avoid the inevitable conversation that was coming, but decided against it. There was no way I could outrun him. My legs just weren't long enough.

"Clary, can we talk?" his eyes softened a bit as he nipped at his bottom lip with his teeth. I opened and closed my mouth a few times, trying to figure out how to respond to him. I was going to tell him I had class in five minutes, there was no way we could say everything we needed to say in that time.

I nodded. Jace exhaled in obvious relief. He turned around and reached for my coffee that the barista was offering. Turning back, he handed it to me with a small, nervous smile. Our hands touched when I took it, and heat shot through my entire body.

Damn him. He led the way to a small table in the corner of the store. I was having de ja vu, remembering our first coffee date.

"You're the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on," he'd said to me. I flushed all over again from the memory.

We sat down across from each other, and I gripped my coffee cup like my life depended on it. He looked at me for a while before clearing his throat and crossing his hands on the table. I followed the motion with my eyes, trying to avoid his golden gaze.

"It wasn't what it looked like." He said. "And I know that's probably the most cliché thing to say, but it's the honest-to-God truth. You're the only girl I want."

He looked like he was in pain, I noticed. His eyes were squinted and his brow was puckered. My hands itched to smooth his forehead. "Then who is she?"

He sighed deeply, "Uh, she's kind of hard to explain," he began, and when I raised my eyebrows skeptically, he rushed on, "She's my ex-girlfriend, and I use that term lightly. I broke up with her months ago but she only hears what she wants to hear. I mean, she wasn't even invited to my apartment, she just showed up and attacked me."

"She sounds vicious." I mused.

Jace nodded, "Crazy is more like it."

I chewed the inside of my cheek. "So…"

Jace's eyes widened, "Clary, I promise you, this won't ever happen again. I won't hurt you, you have to know that."

I didn't say anything. My eyes searched his for a while. I could sense his nervousness, could feel it rolling off of him in waves. My mouth twitched into a smile, "Okay then."

Jace sat up straighter, "Okay…what?"

"Okay, it's forgotten," I said. "No worries, Jace."

Jace didn't look like he believed me. "Clary, you do realize that I want to be with you, right? I probably haven't told you that outright, but I do," he said. "I really do."

Heat flooded my face. I looked down at my cup of coffee and tried to breathe normally. "Uh, I didn't realize…"

I heard Jace shift in his seat before his warm hand slid over mine. "I mean it Clary, I want you," I gasped as he spoke, my gaze lifting to his. "Only you."

The joy I'd felt before this whole Aline incident flooded my soul. The giddy feeling I always got around him was uncontrollable now, and my leg bounced quickly under the table. "Jace," I breathed.

"I don't care how long I have to wait for you. It doesn't matter," his voice dropped to almost a whisper. "I'll wait, you're worth it."

I couldn't take it anymore. I leaned over the table and pressed my lips to his softly. He responded immediately, his warm hands cupping my cheeks.

I'd always read books that described the feeling of kissing your one true love. The sparks that flew, the metaphorical fireworks that exploded behind your eyes when your lips met. The warmth that spreads through your body and the nearness of your soulmate.

I finally understood what they meant.

AHHHHHH, Clace! But don't think for a second that Aline is done. Crazy bitches always have something up their sleeves... Review and let me know what you think!