So this is for Zoe, who specifically demanded some more Tessa. Speaking of which, she and I are contemplating holiday destinations, possibly Vietnam, if anyone has any recommendations then PM me, I'd love to know.

As another dull day melted into its dreary dark successor, Tessa Gray cracked.

She couldn't take it anymore, waiting around for Magnus who probably wouldn't help her even if she got the chance to ask.

He was actually in his apartment, for once, but alas as soon as she'd reached for the buzzer a recorded voice boomed "Leave the High Warlock in peace, oh puny ones. He is very tired- how can one possibly expect such a dazzling degree of fabulousness to be maintained without beauty sleep?"- although its boomishness was rather belittled by the tinny little speakers from which it emanated.

Tessa did the spell herself- paying no mind to the risks- on a random man who had been wandering around Brooklyn on her way back from Magnus' apartment, leaving his unconscious form outside the door for Magnus to deal with whenever he could be bothered.

She was done.

Tessa slumped onto a park bench as night insinuated its way into the evening; a metallic chill filled with air and a knife-like breeze curdled silvery air- even as rain pounded its moisture into her clothes and hair, she did not move. She could feel, for the first time in her life, the itch of mortality- felt in her bones, her skull, the backs of her heavy eyelids.

The man whose life Tessa had stolen wouldn't have lasted long, whispered her fading magic, a sudden, violent death would have been his- she didn't have long.

Weeks.

Less than she had hoped-

And suddenly that mortal worry was back- it swelled within her chest to fill the space around her heart- what if she didn't have enough time? To do everything she'd ever wanted to do before death when she hadn't known of her immortality, silly little things even.

Something changed in Tessa, then, with that flood of terror. She saw life's beauty again- wanted to suck the marrow out of it in the short time she had left, wanted to taste snow and dance in a crowd and stroke the yellowing pages of a dusty old book.

Tessa Gray was reborn.

Earlier that day

Izzy wandered into the kitchen, away from the Sanctuary where Simon, Clary, Alec and Magnus were discussing plans. Although it had been her idea, she couldn't concentrate, thinking about what Clary had said, about Simon…'really liking' her…

She didn't know what to think.

Turning on the light, her gaze was drawn to the neon letters on the fridge- both the colours and content literally assaulted her eyes. Izzy made a noise like a giggle crossed with a groan- because it was funny, but Magnus probably wasn't kidding when he wrote it.

Admittedly, it broke her out of her melancholy Simon, Jace, Simon thoughts.

Grabbing some mini-milks from the freezer, she sauntered back into the Sanctuary, handing them out, smirking at Alec.

"What?" he asked.

"What?" she repeated, blinking innocently.

"You walked in, looked at me, and smirked, which made me suspicious…" he took the wrapper off his mini milk, and his look of suspicion intensified as Magnus chuckled.

"Nothing, I just remembered that you wanted a flapjack earlier, so Magnus ate one… or was it half of one?" she said breezily, high-fiving a giggling Magnus.

"What's going on?" Simon asked.

"There's just a message on the fridge. About Alec." Alec glared out from under a lock of black hair. "It says 'Alec Lightwood will shag you silly for half a flapjack'."

The room burst into laughter, with the exception of Alec, who swatted his boyfriend about the head, scowling.

It was good for them all to have a laugh again, Izzy thought, what with Jace still unconscious, and still no definite plan of action involving Camille and the Seelie Queen. Unfortunately, once again the funniness revolved around Alec's sex life, but oh well, you can't have everything. Alec didn't seem to be helping himself though- in his daydreamy state he was practically deep throating his lolly.

"Jeez, Alec!" Simon commented. "How can you just shove it down your throat like that?" Alec jumped, as though he hadn't been paying attention.

"Lots of practice." Magnus winked, pulling the Shadowhunter from the chair into his lap. Alec tried for a witty retort but spluttered. "Oh, now you choke!" Magnus grinned, as Alec spat a mouthful of gloopy white lolly into a hastily conjured silk handkerchief. This only caused Magnus and Simon to laugh more, to his fury, and a blush spread itself over his face like marmite on hot toast.

"Guys!" Clary cut in, her voice weary as though she wasn't in the mood. "Shut up. I can hear something!"

They all froze. Alec's own heartbeat drummed in his ears -twinned with Magnus' as he had his head pressed against the warlock's chest- but he could still hear it. Footsteps, coming closer and closer.

All of a sudden, a tingling sensation tickled just under his collar bone, a similar feeling to the one he got while reading a really brilliant book and just knowing that something good was about to happen.

Isabelle drew a blade.

Magnus' fingers squeezed his knee.

The door opened.

There, standing illuminated in the doorway, was Jace, in all his pale gold glory. Sure he looked a little worse for wear, but he was definitely a sight for sore eyes.

"Jace!" Clary and Izzy cried in unison, leaping up to smother him in hugs and locks of red and black hair that licked over his skin like flames as he hugged them firmly back. Simon nodded, and Magnus was studying his glittery green fingernails, yet the faint whisper of a smirk echoed around his lips.

Before Alec could say Quidditch, Jace was in front of him, molten-gold eyes tinged with both happiness and worry. Gold met blue, and, being men, they didn't vocalise their thoughts, yet both boys understood.

Alec, I'm so sorry, please forgive me.

There's nothing to forgive.

I love you, man.

You too.

With an awkward grin, Alec and Jace leaned forward to grip each other in a brief embrace that said it all.

Jace is back, yay! I kind of missed him, although he isn't my favourite character I still love him.

Don't know about you guys, but I ADORED him in the first three books, then he got progressively more whiney and annoying. Sure he has a lot on his plate, but bitch please! Get over yourself!

And Tessa. That wasn't actually in my plan, but... I couldn't help myself!

Love, China. xxxx