Jace led Jonathan into the Institute, their feet echoing softly through the huge empty space. Jonathan was silent as they walked through the empty hallways.

They made it to the corridor lined with bedrooms. Jace figured he would be able to keep a close watch on him if he picked a room close to his personal sleeping quarters.

"Jace," said Jonathan softly. "You know more than anyone that I shouldn't be here."

Jace nodded. He did know. But at the same time, in a small corner of his heart, he was glad that Clary had spared him. Jonathan knew him in a way that no one, not even Alec, his parabatai did. The time they had spent bonded together had brought them close, and the bond they shared continued even after they were severed apart. Though Jace would never admit it to anyone, a small part of him had enjoyed the time they had spent together in apartment.

"I know," Jace said. "I'm still convinced that any moment now you're going to pull me aside and start plotting some sort of sick scheme."

Jonathan winced, something that would have been completely out of character for Sebastian.

Jace wasn't sure that he liked this version of Jonathan. As he had gotten to know Sebastian, he had learned that he complemented his severity. Jace had been the flames to melt Sebastian's ice—even if only a little. Sure, Sebastian had been completely insane, driven only by his own motives, void of any feeling. But there was something about that cruel motivation that Jace had admired.

"I should be dead," said Jonathan seriously. "Dead, or trapped in that demon dimension—"

"Well you're not, okay?" snapped Jace. Jonathan took a step back, surprised by Jace's tone. "Clary chose to not kill you, and I'm going to honor that decision. Yes, you deserve to be dead; it's simply a mistake that kept you alive. But you're here now, and that's all that matters."

Jonathan's mouth curved into a small smile. Jace marveled at how different it was than before. Sebastian's smiles had always held a sort of deadly elegance—they were charming, if you couldn't see past the curtain into his eyes. A viper right before it killed you. But Jonathan's smile, it was real.

Jace realized that while this boy standing in front of him still looked like Sebastian, still had his voice, still possessed all of the memories before he changed, he was a completely different person.

Was there a possibility that Jonathan's evil ways were gone? It seemed unlikely, but every instinct told Jace that this was true. But how could he know for sure?

"Go to bed, Jonathan," said Jace tiredly. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Jonathan nodded and started to walk towards one of the empty bedrooms.

"Jace?" he said suddenly, sounding a bit nervous.

Jace stopped walking and turned slowly. "What is it now?" he asked impatiently.

"Will I be able to talk to Clary tomorrow?"

Jace closed his eyes.

"I don't know," said Jace. He didn't want Jonathan with Clary ever again, not with what he had almost done. But then again, the only reason he was standing here in front of him was because of Clary.

Jonathan blinked, probably sensing what Jace was thinking. Without another word he turned and disappeared into the bedroom, closing the door with a click.

Jace sighed. This was going to be a lot more complicated than he thought.

What do you think will happen when Jonathan gets to talk to Clary after all this? Review! Updates on the way!

~SQuid