Thank you for the overwhelming response I received for the last chapter. Just to answer a question I saw whilst I was reading the reviews about ending this story. I am just about done this story so there won't be much more….

I'm kidding obviously! I am nowhere near the end of this story. So there is plenty more to come!

Clary's POV

I was released from the hospital a few days later but told specifically that I wasn't allowed to go back to school until my ribs were in better shape which they estimated would take a couple of weeks. Mornings were torture as everyone was out, the guys at school, my parents at work. Mum had originally wanted to take some time off work but I'd convinced her otherwise. It was only Day One of me being home by myself and I already felt like I'd done everything I wanted to. Mum had made me a bed up on the couch for when they were out, not trusting me anywhere near the stairs. Jon and Jace had been hanging out with me at every possible opportunity, Jon strangely cool about mine and Jace's blossoming relationship. In his own words – 'life was too short'. Jace had been very helpful and extremely cautious. Maybe even to cautious. Whenever he helped me up and down the stairs it took a good five to ten minutes. My ribs still ached, a dull pain that was constantly there. I had just about finished watching another tv show I wasn't particularly interested in when I was distracted. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a knock rang out at the door. There was no way I could possibly get it. Not by myself.

"Who is it?" I shouted as loud as I could muster, hoping that whoever it was would either respond, come in or leave. I could hear a voice but I could really hear at all what they were saying. "Come in. I can't hear you!" I shouted back, the noise making my head ache. Eventually I heard the door swing open, footsteps on the laminate flooring.

"Clary?" A familiar voice called. It wasn't who I was expecting at all.

"I'm in here." I said, apprehensively. His eyes caught mine as he rounded the lounge door. He was holding a box of chocolates and a card, smiling warmly. I looked at him and then the clock curiously.

"Shouldn't you be in art?" I queried. He shook his head, sitting himself down on the chair next to me.

"I'm sure Sebastian and Isabelle can manage. I wasn't sure if you were taking visitors or not."

"I'm getting there. Still too fragile to be going to school but it's moved out of the agony stage now, which is definitely a plus."

"Sebastian didn't want me to come, hence why I've come during school hours." Jordan looked at me and it dawned on me that he was still trying to figure out what there was between me and Sebastian. I shook my head.

"Let's not talk about Sebastian okay? If he ever wants to tell you about that then that's up to him. But it wouldn't be fair of me to tell you. You were friends with Sebastian before me so." Jordan pulled a face at me before deciding better of it and changing the subject. We were actively discussing our art project when the door opened once more. Jordan almost jumped out of his skin when he span to see Jace stood behind him. He didn't know how quickly to make his exit. Jace looked after him in confusion.

"Did I scare him off?" He smirked.

"I'll be scaring everyone off in a minute if you don't stop skipping school!" I grumbled. Jace smiled at me, pulling out a bag from behind his back. My interest was piqued. The ice cream he passed me subsided my anger. He sat on the arm of the chair, watching me with interest. "You want some?" I mumbled with a mouthful. He shook his head, looking amused. "What?!" I grumbled. Jace leaned over the top of me, careful not to exert any pressure onto me. My grip on the ice-cream loosened as I watched him loom over me. His tongue ran lightly across my bottom lip, cleaning up all of the ice-cream that had fallen there before kissing me deeply. I rose gently to meet him, battling against the light pain. It was only when the shooting pains and freezing sensations kicked in that I sunk back. Was I bleeding? Why was I wet? I frowned as I pulled back to see that I had tipped the ice-cream. Whatever of it was left had splattered all over my t-shirt. Jace was looking at me, a smile stretched tightly on his lips. I could tell he was dying to laugh. "It's all very funny isn't it?!" I laughed as he finally succumbed. "Well the joke is on you, cause you're going to have to change my top." Jace was straight on the ball, retrieving a t-shirt for me and helping me to sit on the edge of the chair. I raised my arms so that he could take my shirt off and change it for a fresh one. Usually this would have been an issue for me, but with the way my ribs were it was becoming a common thing. Jace was taking my shirt off painfully slow, questioning his every move. Once it was off, he grabbed the fresh one, trying to avert his eyes. As he was bringing fresh shirt down my arms, he caught sight of my bruises. Let me be the first to say, from an artistic point of view they were pretty fantastic. Blues, purples, blacks and splashes of red. From a pain perspective? Not as fantastic.

"You've fairly done a number on yourself." Jace muttered under his breath as he slowly covered me back up.

"I think you'll find the stairs are to blame." I pointed out. Jace smirked, helping me to recline back on the chair.

"I think you'll find…" He started, running his hand down my leg until he grabbed a hold of my foot. "These are to blame." I giggled as his fingers skirted over my soles. "Are you comfortable enough?" Jace asked. I shook my head. I just wanted to lie down and cuddle him. The sofa didn't make that possible. "Do you want to go upstairs?" I nodded. "Can you walk upstairs?" Little shake. "Do you want me to carry you?" Little nod. Jace took enough time to hold me properly, lifting me up and raising me against his chest. I placed my head on his shoulder as he carried me with ease up to my room. He placed me under the covers, tucking me in before sitting on the edge of the bed. I frowned at him. He instantly took the hint, climbing in beside me. I wrapped myself up against him, his arm holding me tightly. Sleep came easily.

2 Weeks Later

Waking up for school after near 3 weeks off was agony. I felt oddly nervous even though I was only going back for a half day. The second half of the day. Which happened to be art. Simon was waiting for me when I got to school.

"Am I allowed to hug you? I won't hurt will I?" He rambled, holding me delicately. I winced, but only slightly. Luckily Simon didn't notice. I trudged to art despairingly, not wanting to face what was on the other side of that door. It was strange walking into the classroom, it was even weirder seeing Isabelle and Sebastian being closer than ever. Now that I was starting to heal, Jace was starting to make disdain for Isabelle and Sebastian known once more.

"Hey! How are you doing?" Jordan was quick to my aid, pulling my chair out for me and unpacking my supplies.

"I'm fine." I assured him, getting myself comfortable. Sebastian and Isabelle looked mighty uncomfortable. "Where are we at with the project?" I wanted this lesson to fly over as quickly as possible. Thankfully it did just that with little incident. Mainly because Isabelle and Sebastian were silent. My main priority was finding Jace in the hallway – now that we didn't have to hide our feelings from anyone. I felt a sharp pang of jealousy when I saw him standing at his locker, Lana hanging around him. I held back from walking over – not wanting to deal with the drama.

"Who's that with Jace?" Simon's voice sounded from behind me.

"I think her name is Lana." I replied.

"Well she's nowhere near as pretty as you." Simon said, I turned to face him surprised. "Sorry, I've seen that in a lot of movies – got a little carried away." He smiled sheepishly.

"Do you fancy a walk home?" I asked.

"Well I was walking anyway but just because it's you, you can tag along." He smirked. We got home about half an hour later, Simon leaving to go and practice something for his drama class. Jace was there waiting for me.

"I thought I was bringing you home today? Did you get a better offer?" He smirked, kissing me generously.

"I saw you with Lana. I didn't want to impose." I replied.

"She was being her usual self. Hey here's an idea, why don't we try to hook her up with Sebastian?" I shot him a look.

"No one deserves that." I said, reaching for a glass. Jace quickly rushed to my side. "I can get it." I protested, straining myself slightly.

"I've told Jon that we'll go see a movie tonight, is that alright?"

"You may take off your ball and chain." I smiled. "Just this once though." Jace smiled kissing my cheek gently.

"I'll text you, okay?" He said as he kissed my goodbye. I took myself straight to bed, the day being unnaturally exhausting. I flicked my phone open once I was tucked up but it was empty. I fell into a light nap which I was quickly shaken from when my mother returned home. She was desperate to find out how school went, how I was feeling and why I was in bed. It took me a good ten minutes to finally get rid of her. My phone was full of life when I turned back to it.

Simon: Yo! Mum wants to know if you want to come for dinner on Wednesday?

Clary: Count me in! Is she making stir-fry? Please say she's making stir-fry?

Simon: I'll get her to make your damned stir-fry!

Jace: Are you resting?

Clary: I'm at a disco.

Jace: Clary…

Clary: Jaaaace…I can say names too.

Jace: Less of the lip – it's wearing you out.

Clary: Nah – it comes easily.

Jace: Sleep!

I smiled, placing my phone down at my bedside. It vibrated instantly and I picked it back up thinking that it was Jace. It was Sebastian.

Sebastian: Can we talk?

Clary: I don't think so.

I couldn't have a repeat performance. Not after all of the bother of last time.

Sebastian: No funny business this time.

Clary: You had your chance.

Setting my phone to silent, I set it back to one side and fell into a slumber. I woke up about 4am feeling terrible. I made my way downstairs carefully and felt instantly nervous when I saw an extra car parked on the drive. Even more so when I saw a dark figure sitting at the steering wheel. As soon as I caught sight of the car, the headlights flashed on, engine roaring to life as it pulled away and tore off down the street. Full of confusion, I forced myself back to bed and back to sleep.

I really didn't want to go to school in the morning. Jace was waiting for me at the breakfast bar.

"You're a lot less lippy in person, aren't you?"

"Don't you mock me when I'm tired!" I grumbled, grabbing a cereal bowl.

"Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

"I-" I was about to tell him about the car but then thought better of it. "I had a bad night's sleep." I settled for. "Anyway, tonight's date night."

"Is it? Since when?"

"It is now. What are we doing?"

"I'll have a think about it later. Get a move on you. I thought you were against missing school." Jace teased.

Sebastian cornered me in art, painting at the easel next to me.

"Are you alright after the accident?" He asked.

"Fine, thank you." I said simply.

"Can we grab a coffee after class?" He pressed.

"No. I have a date." I muttered, getting into the fine details of my canvas. His face changed momentarily.

"I want you to know Clary that when I saw you in that bed, it broke my heart. I felt sick to my core. If anything would have happened to you – it's not even worth thinking about."

"I appreciate your concern. Jace is my boyfriend though." His face seemed to falter and I felt instant regret for divulging.

"Boyfriend." He commented as though he was tasting the word, rolling it on his tongue to see how it sounded. I kept quiet, rearranging my canvas to a different angle. "I can't say I'm surprised." Why wasn't this lesson over already?!

Thank you for sticking with me on this! I appreciate each and every one of you.

All of my love, until the next time.

~Sapph