If you like a bit of Clace, you've come to the right place!

Saturday came quickly and nothing had been planned. I rose from my bed early, my mood having picked up over the last few days as I cast Sebastian further from my mind. I decided to get myself ready just in case Jace messaged me today asking what we were doing. I wasn't sure how to dress. Dating wasn't something that I made a habit of doing or that I professed to be knowledgeable in. Should I wear a dress? No, Jace didn't strike me as the dress type. Plus it was starting to get cold out. Flicking through my wardrobe, I came across those high-waisted jeans that I had worn ice-skating that he'd admitted to liking. After fishing around some more, I came across a long sleeved grey crop top which I'd bought a few weeks before moving back to New York. Pairing it together with my leather jacket, I was quite impressed. I tied my hair back loosely, letting the front of it hang down to frame my face. Just as I was doing up the buttons on my jeans, my phone vibrated on the bed. I pounced on it like a lion on its prey.

Jace: So what are we doing for this date then?

I decided to play it cool and aggravate Jace a little bit.

Clary: You tell me.

Jace: We won't do anything then.

I bit my lip, but kept up with my resolve.

Clary: Ok, see you Monday.

Jace: My poor heart can't take this rejection. Fine, I'll decide. I'll meet you at that corner in an hour. Or do you need longer?

Clary: An hour is fine. See you then.

Jace: You're not giving much away are you? See you then.

It made me feel better to tease Jace like this, I liked to keep him on his toes. I played around with my makeup, not straying too far from my usual style but giving it a little uplift. I spent the next forty minutes playing around with my hair, still unsure about it. True to form, as I was leaving my room, I bumped right into Jon. He looked me up and down, curiously.

"Off somewhere nice?" He queried. I shrugged.

"Just having a look out with someone from school." I smiled. Jon looked at me unsure. "Remember that thing I said about trust?" I added, smiling. He sighed, smiling also.

"Fine. I'll trust you. Come have a chat with me when you get back though, okay?"

"Okay, see you later." I smiled, heading down the stairs. I threw on some chunky black wedges, before grabbing my purse. I walked to the corner, watching my back the entire time just in case Jon had decided to follow me out. For once Jace wasn't there waiting. I frowned and kept my eyes trained on my house down the road. About 5 minutes later, Jace pulled up in his car, slowly. He wound his window down, looking over at me.

"Looking for a good time?" He asked, looking me over. I rolled my eyes at him, grabbing his car door and opening it. As I sat down, he was sat smirking to himself. "I'll take that as a yes." I punched him in the shoulder laughing.

"Hopefully we'll have a good time – not in that way before you start! What have you got planned, something good I hope?"

"I have something wonderful planned. It has no parallel." He smiled craftily. I furrowed my brow, looking ahead. What was he up too?

"Am I dressed accordingly?" I asked, looking at Jace. He didn't look over at me when he spoke.

"Yup, dressed fine."

"You didn't even look."

"I looked at you before you got in the car."

"So you checked me out then?"

"When you're dressed like that Clary, you're asking for people to check you out." I pulled my face at him before taking a look at what he was wearing. He had a pair of dark jeans on, and a skin tight vest shirt that hung low, his trademark leather jacket over the top. As we were driving, I started to notice similar places, but I couldn't place where I'd seen them last. I soon got my answer and my worst fears were confirmed. Jace pulled up in the car park of the ice rink and I looked at him confused.

"Is this a joke?" I questioned.

"No, not a joke." He laughed, unbuckling himself.

"I don't get it. This isn't fun." I crossed my arms in a strop.

"Well I felt as though last time you didn't get to experience everything this place has to offer. Now you're a bit more relaxed and you trust me a little bit more, I think you'd enjoy it a little bit more."

"I'm not sure." I frowned, I was really scared.

"Try it – for me?" Jace battered his eyelashes mockingly. He was using my words against me. Sighing, I unbuckled myself and opened the car door.

"If I fall and die, I don't know how you'll explain it to Jon."

"I have a few ideas." He smirked as we walked towards the rink. I would have shoved him but I needed to keep him on side just in case I did fall. Getting onto the ice for the second time was somehow more daunting than the first. Jace was in front of me, holding my hands and guiding me onto the ice. It still frustrated me that he could skate better backwards than I could forwards. He was patient with me though and for that I was thankful. He let me put my arm into the crook of his elbow as he propelled me across the ice. It felt good.

"See, I told you that you'd enjoy yourself." He smirked as we lapped the rink.

"Did I say I was enjoying myself?" I smirked back, holding onto his arm as we rounded a corner.

"Your smile is a little bit of a giveaway." He indicated and I could feel myself blushing. "It's nice to see though." As we went around the ice rink we talked here and there and I could feel my confidence rising. I let go of my firm grip on his elbow, instead holding his wrist. He looked at me surprised but I just smiled, sliding across the ice with ease. Just as I was starting to feel like I'd cracked it, Jace let my hand slide down his wrist so that my hand was intertwined with his and I tripped lightly on the ice. He held me firm and I regained my balance. "Falling for me are you?" Jace smiled and I was haltered in my thoughts for a moment before I realised what he was talking about.

"Very funny. Less of the jokes, more focussing on keeping me alive."

"You're doing well Clary. Don't put yourself down." Jace said firmly.

When we got off the ice, I felt a lot better about ice-skating.

"So, was I right?" Jace asked as we walked back to the car.

"About what?"

"Ice-skating. Do you like it?"

"I wouldn't go as far to say like. Am I less afraid of it? Yes."

"Mission accomplished then." Jace smiled, opening my car door for me. I climbed in, getting myself settled. Jace was quick to join me in the car, setting the engine away.

"Well, that was a nice date. Who knew you had it in you?" I teased, and Jace shot me a look.

"Well it wasn't over yet, but if you want to go home then…" He trailed off dramatically.

"No, no. I'm good to stay out." I backtracked right into Jace's hands.

"On that note then." He pulled out of the car park and headed in the opposite direction to where we lived. We pulled up at a restaurant about 20 minutes later. I cocked an eyebrow as he pulled the car up outside.

"Uh – are we at the right place?" I asked, laughing.

"I have to admit this is a new experience for me as well." Jace admitted. "Alec recommended it." The restaurant looked really fancy and really out of my price range. Jace must have picked up on my fidgeting. "What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure if I'll be able to afford this, I didn't really bring a lot with me." I admitted. Jace laughed.

"I'm paying silly."

"I don't feel comfortable with that. I mean, you shouldn't have to pay for me."

"Well how about you put whatever it is you have too it, and I'll make up the rest. Fair?" I agreed, knowing inside that I would just pick the cheaper things on the menu. The restaurant was beautiful on the inside, a lovely shade of purple. The waiters were all dressed to the nines and I couldn't help but feel underdressed. Jace was the epitome of cool as he stood at the front desk. We were quickly seen too once Jace said we had a reservation. He really had pushed the boat out. The waiter led us over to a booth near the rear of the restaurant, the lighting dim. Jace let me slide into the booth first, before sliding in next to me.

"You alright?" He asked, as he looked over the menu. I nodded.

"Fine thanks." I smiled, taking off my jacket. In honesty I was just surprised, I'd never been to a restaurant like this before, except with my parents. Jace handed me a menu and I glanced it over. I was relieved to see that it wasn't as expensive as I was first anticipating and did quite a few pasta options. I perked up a little bit. "I just feel a little bit underdressed." I laughed, playing with my hair.

"You look great Clary honestly. You look really good." Jace said honestly. "Do you know what you want and I'll order?" I told him and he beckoned a waiter over, telling him what we wanted. I rubbed my arms starting to feel slightly awkward. "Are you cold?" He asked, touching my shoulder. I flinched slightly, before turning to smile at him.

"No, I'm fine." I smiled, folding my hands in my lap.

"I don't want you to feel frightened around me Clary. I'm not going to hurt you. I know it must be hard being touched and stuff, but honestly I won't hurt you I promise. May I?" He asked, his hand centimetres from my shoulder. I was fine with being touched, it was just when it was against my bare skin. It made me flinch. It made me feel like I wanted to be sick. But Rome wasn't built in a day and this wasn't going to change if I didn't make small steps towards it. I nodded and Jace placed his hand around my shoulder. As quickly as the uncomfortableness washed over me, it changed into something else entirely. Butterflies were chasing each other around my stomach, diving into each other and making me feel nervous. His fingertips brushed lightly against my shoulder, his thumb tracing circles and patterns. When the waiter arrived with our drinks, he didn't budge, his arm still firmly on my shoulder. While we were waiting for our food, he turned me to face him. "Thank you for that." He said, his hands finding mine in his lap, he held them in his own, tracing patterns once more. He dropped my hands once the food arrived. He'd ordered the same as I had,

"Copying are we?" I asked, picking up my fork. Jace shrugged.

"Well I didn't know what I wanted so I stole your idea." He laughed. We talked a little while we ate. The pasta was really filling and I didn't think I had any room at all for a dessert, but Jace asked for the dessert menu. "What would you like?"

"Honestly Jace I'm fine-"I started but he gave me a look.

"I am not coming to a fancy restaurant and not getting a dessert. So pick one. Look they have sharing options." I wasn't going to win this one that much was clear. So I picked out a dessert based on the chocolate cake that he'd picked at the milkshake bar knowing that he would chance to eat most of it. When it came it was spectacular, filled with all sorts of goodies all in a large domed shaped glass. Jace handed me a spoon before digging in himself. I skirted around the edges of the bowl, eating the odd bit of ice cream here and there. Jace looked at me as he was fishing out a brownie, laughing. I looked at him curiously, my spoon also in the bowl.

"What? What's funny?" I asked, feeling self-conscious. He didn't answer, he just reached out wiping the top of my lip with his thumb. I could feel myself blushing under his touch which clearly satisfied him. "Oh thanks." I muttered.

I felt considerably fatter after I'd left the restaurant, my jeans suddenly feeling like a bad idea. Sitting in the car, I shuffled around to get comfortable. Jace drove us back to the beach where we'd went last time.

"Another favourite spot of yours?" I asked as we pulled up in the car park overlooking the beach. He looked slightly uncomfortable.

"My mum used to bring me here." He said staring off across the skyline.

"Oh. I'm sorry." I muttered, looking down.

"Don't be. It's a good place for me. It reminds me of good times." Jace tipped my chin up so that I was also looking out at the sea. I'd not really appreciated the full beauty of this place the first time that we'd came here, my mind overtaken with other things. "I have to be honest with you Red, I didn't think this whole dating thing was going to be up my street at first." I listened carefully.

"Oh?" I was aware that my voice sounded worried.

"But after today, I've changed my mind. I've really enjoyed myself and I've really enjoyed having fun with you." He smiled and I noticed his hand was still on my chin, stroking my cheek lightly. I started to blush furiously.

"I've enjoyed myself as well." I smiled, timidly. He leant over, kissing my gently on the cheek, the nose and then my lips. As he was about to pull back, my hands flew into his hair, pulling him back towards me. His face burst into a smile against my lips as his hand reached up to find my hairtie, and letting my hair fall down to frame my face.

"This was the only thing I would have changed. You should wear it down more often." He said, running his hand through my hair.

"What? So you can call me 'Red' all of the time?" I laughed, wrapping my hair tie around my wrist.

"Well there's that. But it means I can do this." His hands stuck fast in my hair, bringing my face towards his. His hands used my hair to turn my face so that he could kiss me deeper, taking my breath away. I reached my hands out, pressing them firmly against his chest feeling his heart pounding beneath my palms. His hands started to peel my leather jacket back and I could feel myself tensing up. "Trust. Me." He muttered against my lips between kisses. I allowed him to take my jacket off, his hands running up and down my shoulders as he kissed me passionately. His hand wrapped around my back, my hands finding themselves wrapped around his neck. We forgot about the uncomfortableness of the car. We forgot that people could see if they were walking past. It was only me, Jace and this moment. When we came up for air, I felt as though I'd been underwater, I was practically gasping.

"I could get used to that." I smiled, sitting back in my seat. Jace was laughing, as he brushed his hair out of his face.

"There's plenty more where that came from if you play your cards right." He winked and I laughed.

We talked the whole way home and I fought the temptation to kiss him some more as he was driving and I didn't think that was a suitable excuse to crash the car. He pulled up to that corner way too quickly. I frowned and pouted.

"You got here too quickly." I said, gathering up my bag and coat. Jace laughed, sitting back in his seat.

"We have all the time in the world Clary. But I'm sure I can give you something for the road." He leant forward, enveloping my lips with his own, biting my bottom lip teasingly before tugging it gently. I sunk into the kiss but again it was over too quickly. I sighed as I got out of the car, shutting the door behind me.

"Text me?" Jace smiled, winding the window down.

"Text me first." I laughed, walking back towards the house.

"So demanding, Red." He winked before winding his window back up and driving off. I headed into the house, feeling like I'd come back to earth with a loud bang. I liked planet Jace and I liked my time there. I wanted to go back. Right now. As promised as soon as I was home, I went up to see Jon. I knocked on his door lightly and he was quick to answer it.

"Good day?" Jon asked me as I headed into his room.

"It was alright." I shrugged. It hadn't been alright, it had been amazing. But I couldn't tell Jon that, then he would ask questions.

"I wanted to talk to you about yesterday, about the bath thing." He looked awkward which wasn't a usual thing for Jon.

"What about it?" I asked, taking off my jacket.

"I feel bad for accusing you of that. I mean, I just jumped to a conclusion without thinking about how serious of a topic that is. I don't want you to feel put out Clary and I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to me, or can't trust me with things y'know?"

"If I ever felt like that Jon, you'd be the first person I would come too. I promise. I know you probably won't believe that with everything that happened with Sebastian. But it'll take more than a jumped up little 'bad boy' to make me want to kill myself." I smiled, even though we were talking about something so morbid. Jon flinched at Sebastian's name.

"I wish he'd just go back to wherever it is that he came from."

"Don't worry about it Jon. The less attention you pay him, the less power he will have and he'll just give up. He only does it because people react. If you starve him of the attention, then he'll soon quit it. I've started to work that out. I don't rise to him."

"But the idea of him seeing you every week for that stupid art project – do you not think I should say something to the school?"

"No!" I reacted immediately but quickly calmed down. "It's fine Jon. It's in a group setting so he can't even say anything to me or he risks dropping himself in it. If we keep ignoring him, then he chance to mess things up for himself because he'll do anything for a rise. We just have to wait him out."

"If you think that'll work." Jon said. I could hear the doubt in his voice though.

"Trust me." I smiled, patting the back of his hand. "Sometimes I actually know what I'm talking about." My phone vibrated in my pocket and I quickly flicked it open.

"That's not him is it?" Jon asked, peering over.

"No it's Isabelle." I said, reading over the message.

Isabelle: Can I please please please come to your house! I'm really losing my mind here!

Clary: Uh yeah sure, what's the problem?

Isabelle: I'll tell you when I get there. I know it's a big ask, but could I possibly stay the night? My parents are out of town and I have a feeling it's going to be a long night.

Clary: I'm sure my mum will be cool with it. See you soon x

Isabelle didn't take long to come over at all. I changed my pants whilst I was waiting for her, putting on a pair of jogging bottoms instead. When I answered the door, her face was red as though she'd been running.

"Did you run here?" I asked, looking down the street to make sure she hadn't been chased.

"Well, I kind of walked fast. I needed out of that house and I don't really like walking around by myself in the dark." She admitted, placing her bag at the bottom of the stairs.

"You should have said, I would have met you halfway." I smiled, leading her into the kitchen. I poured us both a drink.

"Thanks Clary." She accepted the drink. "The fast walk did me the world of good, I thought I was going to explode again."

"Why? What's the problem?" I asked, leaning on my elbows on the breakfast bar.

"Well. I bought some modrock to practice with for our art project and I put it on my hand. Well once it set, I realised I couldn't really get it off. I tried as hard as I could but it just wasn't budging. I heard Jace talking in his room so I went by and knocked on his door but he didn't answer. So I pushed the door open and it was obvious why he wasn't answering. He was in there with Lana! I mean they were just talking but he obviously hasn't listened to a word I've said about bringing her to the house! I'm so annoyed Clary, I could cry and I've still got this modrock on my hand!" She wailed, holding her hand up in the air. I quietly retrieved some scissors from the utility drawer. My day had just come back to earth with a bang. Jace had brought Lana to his house? What about today? Had it not meant as much to him as it had to me?

My mind full of questions, I set about releasing Isabelle's hand, trying to keep my face as neutral as possible.

Hope you all enjoyed this somewhat bumper chapter to make up for my lapses in updating. Reviews make my day (: All of my love, until the next time (-cough- tomorrow –cough-) ~Sapph