It's amazing how much your life can change in such a short amount of time. Two months ago, I was taking photos around the world for a living and today I'm looking for a space to open my own studio. When we got back from the fight two weeks ago, Jace was insistent that I start looking for a place and fulfill my dream of opening my own photography business.

"You've helped me live my dream," he had said. "It's my turn to help you."

So now Jace was an investor in Fray Photography and he was helping me find a space to set up shop. We had been to about twenty different places around town, but none of them were quite right. I was exhausted and just wanted to go home, but Jace wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Okay, there's just one more I want you to look at," he said as he led me to the door of the final space he was showing me. He had his hand over my eyes so I couldn't see where I was going.

"Jace, this is ridiculous," I said in a huff. "Where are you taking me?" He stopped suddenly, holding me back and dropped his hand from my eyes. When I opened my eyes, I saw that I was standing in front of the gym. I was immediately confused. "I don't understand. You're giving me the gym to use as a studio?"

"No, silly." He laughed. "Look next door." I did as he said and noticed that the space next door to the gym was up for lease. On the outside, this seemed perfect. I would never be too far from Jace and he would just love having me right next door.

I followed him inside and started looking around. The floor plan was very similar to that of the gym. There was an office on the side and a huge open space. I could use the main area as my gallery and set up the room in the back as a studio to do the shoots. I imagined, though, that I would mostly go off property to shoot. This was just so I would have a place to work and show my photos. There was a large closet in the back that I could use as a dark room and I finally thought I had found a place to start my business. I turned to Jace and jumped into his waiting arms.

"Why didn't you show me this place first?"

"I didn't want you to think I was trying to keep track of you. Do you like it?"

"It's perfect."

o.O.0.O.o

Two weeks later, I was settled in to my new office and my studio was open for business. I was having a showing of my photos that night to show the community my work and get my name out there. Jace had helped me choose photos to display and most of them ended up being from the gym instead of my landscapes because I was trying to build myself up as a still life photographer.

The featured photo was one I had taken only a few weeks ago. We had gone to another tournament for one of Jace's fighters and I had been in the ring at the end of the fight when the decision was made, with Jace. I stood directly to the side of Jace's fighter and lined up to take a shot as soon as the decision was made. In the end, his arm was raised and I ended up capturing a picture that was of the profiles of both fighters with the referee between them. It perfectly showed the emotion of winning and defeat in the same frame.

I was examining the photo hanging on the wall when Jace walked in the door.

"Hey, Red," he said as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his lips to my temple. "We should probably get home and get ready."

"Oh, really," I said turning my head to face him. "So my apartment is home now?"

"Well, yeah. I mean most of my stuff is there anyway and I can't even remember the last time I slept at my place."

"I think I would like you to live with me officially, but I would need to talk to Isabelle first. It's her apartment, too, you know."

"I get it and I'm sure if she wanted Simon to move in, one of us might have to move. Four people in that apartment might be too much."

"Okay, let's just go get ready. We can figure this all out tomorrow."

"That's right, I get to show off my beautiful and talented girlfriend to the world tonight."

"You're too sweet." He kissed me once more before turning and leading me out of the building. I locked up before following him to his car.

Once we were home, I hopped in the shower, careful not to get my hair wet so I could curl it. When I got out of the shower, I put my robe on and started on my hair and makeup. Jace lounged on my bed watching me get ready before he had to start getting ready himself. I finally got my hair to work the way I wanted it to with half of it pulled back and the rest flowing around my shoulders. My dress was hanging in the closet and I stood in front of it for a good ten minutes before I finally decided to put it on.

I wasn't used to looking like a girl. With my shorts and tank tops that were worn nonstop, I had never thought of myself as a girly girl. Standing in front of the mirror, I examined myself. My dress hit me the floor and hugged all the right curves. It was one-shouldered with fabric hanging from the strap. The waist had a belt made of crystals and the dress was a deep shade of purple that made the green in my eyes pop. I heard a sharp intake of breath and turned at the sound.

"What," I asked Jace. "What's wrong? Do I look too short?"

"No," Jace said with a small laugh and shook his head. "You look absolutely perfect."

He closed the distance between us and held me in his arms in silence until I looked at the clock and noticed we were going to be late to my own studio opening.

Jace helped me into his car and stole a kiss that took my breath away. He held my hand as he drove and ran his thumb along my knuckles. When we pulled up to the studio, Jace turned the car off and turned to face me.

"Breathe, Red," he said as he reached up to cup my cheek. "Tonight is going to be amazing. Everyone is going to be able to see how amazingly talented you are. I love you and I'm so proud of you."

I leaned across the center console and took his face in my hands to kiss him. "I love you, so much."

Jace opened his door and ran around to the passenger side to help me out of the car. When we walked in the studio, it was already packed. I couldn't believe it. All these people were here to see my work. I walked around the room introducing myself and taking praise for my photos.

When I saw Isabelle and Simon across the room, I ran to her side and embraced my best friend.

"Clary," Isabelle shrieked when I practically knocked her over since she was wearing sky-high heels. "This is all so amazing. I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks, Iz." I reached up to wipe the tear that had fallen. Isabelle and I started talking about lighting choices and which lens is the best for which kind of shot while Jace and Simon walked away from us to the bar. I looked around the room to see everyone having a relatively good time and admiring the photos lining the walls. I had multiple people come up to me and ask if they could make an appointment for their family portraits. The night was quickly turning into one of the best nights of my life. That was until I felt a shiver run through my body as a hand was placed on my shoulder.

I turned and stifled a gasp as I stared into the cold black eyes of Jonathan Morgenstern. I looked around the room to try and get Jace's attention, but his back was turned to me and he was talking to Simon and Isabelle.

"What are you doing here, Jonathan," I asked trying not to look into his eyes.

"I just wanted to check out the local talent," he said with a sinister smile etched across his face.

"I don't think Jace should know you're here. Maybe you should just leave." I started to walk away to find Jace, but Jonathan grabbed my arm and stopped me. His grip was tight and it was beginning to cut off circulation.

"I'm not going anywhere and I'm not stopping until everything golden boy cares about is taken away from him. The belt was just the first step. His flavor of the week will be next and then I'll go after the gym. Maybe then, Hodge will see who was always superior instead of worshipping the freaking ground Jace walks on. Maybe then, my dad will finally understand why I did the things I did when I was younger."

"Jonathan, you really need to go," I choked out trying to hold back my tears. Where the hell is Jace?

Suddenly, Jonathan was yanked back and Jace's fist connected with his jaw. Simon was holding Jonathan back so he couldn't go after Jace and he pushed me behind him to shield me.

"What the hell are you doing here," he shouted and I placed a hand on his arm. "If you don't get out in the next thirty seconds, I won't be held accountable for what I do to you."

"Oh, so now the angel wants to fight," Jonathan's face was beginning to swell from the impact. "Where was that attitude when you were trying and failing to defend your title? Maybe you should think about your little piece of ass with me next time and just go into a blind rage. It might help you out."

I didn't see it coming, but Jace moved away from me and into Jonathan's face so fast I almost fell over. He was screaming unintelligible things in his face. I was surprised he hadn't hit him yet. After a few moments of this, people began to form a circle around the chaos. I needed to end this and do it quickly if I ever wanted to be hired again.

"Jace," I said placing my hands on his shoulders and yanking him back. His shoulders sagged as he turned to face me. He looked defeated and broken. I pulled him into my arms and tried to comfort him.

"I won't let him talk about you like that," he whispered into my ear.

"I know, baby. I know." I then realized that we still had an audience and turned Jace to finish what he had started.

"You need to leave," he said pointing at Jonathan. "And if I ever see you touch my girlfriend again, I'll kick your ass so fast you won't even know what hit you."

Simon shoved Jonathan forward and escorted him out of the building. Jace placed an arm protectively around my shoulder and left it there for the rest of the night. Simon and Isabelle set up camp at my side and moved about the room with me. We finally were able to get back the light-heartedness of the night and ended up having a great time.

Later, when we were lying in bed, Jace had me caged in his arms. His breathing was steady and his eyes were locked with mine.

"I love you," he said. I reached up to touch his face and he closed his eyes.

"I know you do," I whispered against his lips as I moved in to kiss him. "I love you, too."

"I promise I will never let anyone hurt you and I will always protect you."

I had no doubt in my mind that Jace would do anything to protect me and I just hoped it never got to that point. Seeing Jonathan in our everyday lives had screwed Jace up and he was more determined than ever to not let him control our lives. I leaned in and kissed his lips, moving along his jaw and finally back to his mouth again.

"Go to sleep, Jace. I love you."

A/N: So, it looks like Jonathan is after more than the belt. Stay tuned to find out what happens! Thanks for reading and let me know what you thought of this chapter! :)