Can I just start the beginning of this chapter THANKING every single one of you who reviewed the last chapter?! I woke up the morning after I'd published it and the response was overwhelming. I appreciate every single one of you! Thank you. (Also, sorry that the POV's jump around a little bit but it's necessary to this chapter!)

Jace's POV

The next few days were extremely difficult. Everyone had been in and out of the hospital, taking it in shifts. The hardest moment for me personally was when Jon had physically prised her mother away from Clary's bedside to make her go home and catch some sleep at the end of day 2. Clary still hadn't woken up and I was on the late shift. All of the wires that twisted around her body, enveloping her within them, were obscene. When she was lying in the bed, it became apparent to me just how tiny she was. Her height, her frame – she looked so delicate. So breakable. I pulled my seat up as close to the bed as I could, holding her tiny hand within mine, before resting my head atop of them. I wished for a do-over. Hindsight was a beautiful thing, if only I could have done things differently. I would have told Jon how I felt. I would have trusted that he would have come around, he would have known that I wasn't in it to hurt his sister. He would have made sure that I didn't push her away. That it didn't come to this. I should have trusted him and I should have trusted myself. More than anything else, I should have trusted Clary. I watched her hand as I held it, praying for a sign of movement. What was it the doctor's had said? Potentially severe head injury and a handful of broken ribs. They were just waiting on her regaining consciousness to assess the level of damage. Clary's mother had tried everything from playing her current favourite song to humming the song she used to sing her when she was a child. She'd prayed for her to wake up. She begged her to wake up. What if she never woke up? I was pulled out of my thoughts from a knock on the door. Isabelle was stood there, Sebastian in her wake. I didn't have the energy to get angry, hell – maybe I didn't even have the right. It looked like the tragedy of what had happened had brought the pair of them back together. Isabelle looked shocked at the sight before her, Sebastian drained of all colour.

"How is she?" Isabelle muttered, placing down the grapes she had been carrying on the bedside. No wonder she was so shocked, she was clearly expected to come here and see Clary fully conscious ready and willing to sort out their differences and share a punnet of grapes. Isabelle took a seat as Sebastian stayed against the wall, his hand at his mouth, brain not wanting to believe what his eyes were showing him.

"I don't know." I said simply, clasping her hand. "She's breathing for herself. Doing everything for herself. She's just not waking up."

"How did it happen?" Sebastian spoke up.

"She fell down the stairs." I responded automatically. Isabelle and Sebastian stayed in the room for less than 20 minutes. It was difficult to determine who the scene was getting to more, both of them happier to be out of there. To not see what was going on in front of them.

Clary's POV

Floating. Flying. Falling. I was in a constant state of motion sickness. These dreams were rocky, they felt unsafe, and they felt shaky. Colours were spinning around my mind, faces appearing and fading. Was this my life flashing before my eyes? Then I saw him, standing in front of me arms outstretched, basked in golden light. I walked towards him, feet unsteady. The closer I got, the further he seemed to drift. I broke into a run and still I couldn't catch up to him. He was taunting me. I broke into tears, frustration overwhelming. Until I felt a pair of sturdy arms reach around behind me, pulling me in close and kissing me on the back of the head. A smile stretched across my face as I rested in his arms.

"Jace." I muttered, smiling. Over the past few days, this was all I wanted. Just this.

Jace's POV

I had my head on her hands, teetering close to the edge of sleep.

"Jace." I heard a quiet rasp and my head shot up, lightning fast. She was still asleep, everything was as it was. But I was sure that I'd heard her speak. I was sure that she had called my name. Had I imagined it? Was it wishful thinking? I stared at her for another show. Another sign that she was waking up. It didn't come. Resting my head back, I was just about to give up when I heard a giggle erupt from her throat. Turning my head to face her once more, I saw it. I saw her giggling. I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. I couldn't help gripping her hand just that little bit tighter in my own. My heart jumped into my throat when she squeezed back.

Clary's POV

I followed him, walking into that beautiful golden light. The colours were coming in clearer, the room spinning into focus.

I blinked, twice. Where was I? The white ceiling was harsh to look at, wherever I was lying was really uncomfortable. Then I felt the pain in my chest, the pain in my head. My chest felt tight and sharp like someone was stabbing me with scissors, over and over again. I tried to move, tried to sit up but I couldn't. My eyes finally caught sight of him. His hand was holding mine up to his lips, his golden eyes watching me with wonder. His other hand was typing furiously on his phone, most likely alerting my parents to my consciousness.

"Hi." I muttered, my voice coming out scratchy and painfully. How had I gotten here?

"I wondered when you would be joining us." He smiled against my fingers.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." I muttered, wriggling to get comfortable. Jace's smile stretched further as he kissed each of my fingers individually. "If I knew the way to get back into your good books was to put myself in a hospital bed, I would have done it sooner." Jace looked at me seriously. "I'm kidding. Come on, it was funny."

"You fall down the stairs and you think you're a comedian. You can tell you've had a knock on the head."

"I've always been funny." I commented, going to puff my chest. Shooting pains pounded through my chest and I winced.

"Are you alright?" Jace jumped to my side, his hand on my shoulder. I smiled pitifully.

"I'm fine. Just my abdomen." I muttered.

"They think you've broken a few ribs."

"How did I fall?"

"I don't know, but it is you. Queen clumsy."

"Very true. I'll have to be more careful in the future." I smiled as he rubbed my shoulder reassuringly.

"As will I."

"What does that mean?" I asked as Jace sat himself down on the bed next to me, clasping both of my hands in one of his.

"It means that I want this Clary. I want all of this. I know this isn't the best place for it but I promised myself that as soon as you woke up, I would ask." I looked at him confused as he stroked my arm from wrist to shoulder in one swift motion. "I want you to be my girlfriend Clary."

"But I thought you didn't do girlfriends?" I responded, teasingly.

"I want to now. With you. I'm going to tell Jon myself when he gets here." I looked at him shocked.

"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" I said nervously.

"I should have done it sooner. I can't lose you again Clary." He paused for a moment, his eyes trained in on mine. "Because I love you." I looked at him, laughing lightly but he didn't join in with my laughter. "I'm not kidding around here Clary."

"Sorry, I'm just letting it sink in." Jace looked at me disbelieving before leaning over me. His lips pressed firmly against my own, his hands massaging mine. He pulled away smiling. "I love you." He kissed me lightly. "I love you." He said, kissing me slightly firmer. "I love you." He kissed me deeply, pulling away quickly as though he would hurt me. "Has that sunk in?" I smirked.

"Hmm. I'm not sure." I closed my eyes and pouted. A kiss didn't come and I popped one eye open to peek at him. He was smirking. "Maybe? One more? For good luck?" I smiled. He obliged, kissing me firmly. His hand sprung to the back of my head, deepening the kiss. It was good until suddenly it was bad. I winced, pulling away.

"Shit, did I hurt you?" He muttered, smoothing my hair down.

"No I'm fine. I forgot it would still be a little delicate." I said, starting to feel a lot more pain now. My abdomen was aching just from sitting and my head was pounding, making my eyesight go fuzzy. "I think I need some more pain meds." Jace was quick to detail, seeking out a nurse. He was scolded for having not alerted them to the fact that I had woken up, but I was given my pain medication and I felt like I was high quite quickly. "What were we talking about again? Oh yes! I was about to tell you I loved you-" I started to say but Jace hushed me.

"Shh, I don't want the first time you say it to be when you're high on pain medication. Save it." He smiled, playing with the creases in between my fingers. I giggled lightly, trying to entwine my fingers with his. Our hands sprung apart when the door opened, my parents and Jon rushing through. My mother ran to my shoulder, crying loudly. My father stood at the base of the bed, looking over me and smiling, tears brimming in his eyes. Jon clapped Jace on the shoulder, smiling as though he'd miraculously brought me to life. My mother and father swamped me as Jace and Jon left the room, silently.

Jace's POV

I asked Jon for two minutes of his time as his parents were fussing over Clary, making sure she had enough medicine and that she was comfortable enough. I led Jon out into the hallway, readying myself to have this conversation.

"I need to talk to you about something." I admitted, Jon raised an eyebrow.

"Sure." He commented, shrugging.

"Where to start." I muttered to myself. "I think I'm in love with your sister." I came out with it, expecting a smack to the face.

"I know." Jon answered. I look at him in disbelief. Of all the answers I was expecting, this wasn't one of them. Jon must have seen me fumbling and elaborated. "Sorry to burst your bubble but it was obvious."

"Oh."

"It was a pretty big giveaway when you offered to stay the night with her by yourself. Another big giveaway, you guys at Magnus' party? Don't think I didn't see that. Yes, I was drunk but I wasn't that drunk." Jon smiled and I could feel myself getting awkward. Ruffling my hair, I looked at the ground laughing.

"I thought you were going to punch me if I was honest, mate."

"I can if it'll make you feel better?"

"I'll pass."

"I want to thank you anyway. For being with her when she came around. You have my blessing to carry on a relationship with Clary, as long as you are good to each other and if you can't be good to each other, let each other go. That's all I ask pal." I nodded.

"Fair enough." We shook hands before heading back into the room.

Thank you for reading my stories! I really appreciate every one of you. All of my love, until the next time! ~Sapph