Chapter 18: Bit of a time jump…Jace is lamenting Clary's decision to go to Idris and Jonathan continues to be a creep. He's got something big cooking…
I do not own any of the characters, only the illustrious Cassandra Clare owns them. I do, however, own this particular story, so please don't be lame and copy/paste it elsewhere.
Previously: "You trust me, right?" She looked up into his golden eyes…He returned her look and leaned down to kiss her temple. 'Of course I do, baby.' I just don't trust Jonathan Fucking Morgenstern."
Jace rubbed his temples with the balls of his hands and threw the report across his desk to land on Alec's lap. "Of course there is no evidence of a motherfucker breaking in and planting shit all over my apartment, recording themself balling some slut in my bathroom, moaning my name, and planting fucking cameras…not to mention Kaelie wouldn't tell me shit about who took those alley pics. She's a fucking liar. And, I haven't been able to find her in two weeks. She's missed our meetings. This is high-level professional fuckery, Alec. My apartment was clean as a whistle after they fucked with it. Even the goddamn condom jizz didn't blow a DNA match. How am I supposed to solve this with no fucking leads?" Jace slammed his fist on his desk, knocking his pictures and empty coffee cup over. I know it's Sebastian.
Alec stared hard at Jace across his desk, running his hand through his black hair. "You need to chill, Jace. I think you're right about it being someone with deep pockets, though. Someone powerful…like a fucking druglord. My money's on this Sebastian freak too. Word on the street is that he's expanded to college campuses, clubs. Strip clubs…he's all over New York and Jersey, but no one knows who he is or what he looks like. Sebastian is obviously an alias, but we have nothing, not even rumors about who he is. As for Kaelie, Magnus said she stopped showing up for work a few weeks back, so she's off the radar now. Fuck, man. I'm sorry."
Jace picked up a framed-picture of Clary with her arms wrapped around him, kissing his cheek. I'm failing her again. Just like I did with the fire investigation. He sighed. "I just wish I could have gotten a better look at Sebastian and his bodyguard. It was so fucking dark and the club lights were flashing. That freak had black makeup around his eyes and half his face had glue and parts of mask stuck to it. Both of those fuckers had dark hair, almost black, about the same build. Clary spent the most time with that creature and she can't remember his face because of the drugs, dude. It's so fucking– ugh. I'm so scared that he's going to come for her again…the shit Kaelie said about this perverted fixation he has with Clary. You saw the pictures in the police report…what he did to her neck, her chest…and now she's…" And now she's leaving the fucking country for three months…maybe more. She's going with that Jonathan fucker to sign the contract today. How can I protect her if she's not here? She won't even listen to me any more...If I don't chill she's going to dump me. I feel it.
Alec cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair. "You're thinking about her going to Idris, huh? Are you still fighting about it? Magnus mentioned that he heard you guys yelling in her room last week…and Izzy said–" Jace put his hand up and Alec stopped.
"Yes, we're still fighting about it. I mean, how do I even win this argument? Long story short? She finds out Luke has a sister, a long lost aunt, who happens to be some baller art dealer in Idris or something. So she wants to bond with her and learn about the Graymarks. The billionaire asshole, Valentine Morgenstern, happens to be her Mom's ex who has a goddamn treasure trove of Jocelyn's art. He's offering it up to Clary to curate or something and put together some tribute gallery to Jocelyn in Idris. And she is doing it! She leaves in two weeks!" Jace pulled his hair with his hands and groaned. Alec whistled low and shook his head.
Jace waved his hand at Alec. "But wait! There's more. She is also the last remaining Fairchild, some old money aristocratic family in Idris...yep, my baby is an heiress. Fray was a fake name her mom took after she left her ex. So, Clary's name is really Clarissa Adele Fairchild. Adele for her grandmother…who died, with her husband in a fucking fire over twenty years ago… What kind of cosmic irony is that? AND, she's meeting with the Fairchild estate lawyer to go over her inheritance in Idris. You following me, bro?" Alec's eyes widened and he stared at Jace.
Jace sat back in his chair and covered his eyes. "Oh yeah. Did I mention Valentines, mini me, Jonathan has a fucking boner for Clary and she thinks I'm being a 'jealous caveman' and they're 'just friends' and I need to 'stop trying to control her'. Bruh! I just want to smash his smarmy face in." Jace closed his mouth and looked at Alec and held his hands up, shrugging his shoulders. Jace noticed the usually noisy office was silent and looked around. The other detectives side eyed him then pretended to be busy, but had definitely heard his meltdown. Fucking great. Alec blinked his blue eyes a few times, before he wiped his hand over his mouth. "Okay, bud. Let's call it a day and go get some drinks." Jace scoffed and nodded.
Jonathan pushed through the glass doors of the New York Institute Community Arts Center and walked towards the reception counter. So this is where his Clarissa spent her extra time. How underwhelming. Jonathan felt the building was aged and beneath the status of Clarissa. Mundane. He brushed the snow off of his shoulders and hair and unwound his thick blue scarf. Annoyed, he looked down at the preoccupied young man, seated at the counter drawing feverishly in a sketchbook. Jonathan cleared his throat. The boy jumped and fixed his blue-green eyes on Jonathan, his sketchbook fluttering to the ground at his feet. "Oh sorry man, can I help you?" The boy stammered. He looked about sixteen, had messy chocolate brown hair and freckles and wore a paint flecked green t-shirt.
Jonathan bent down and picked up his book of drawings and smirked appraisingly when he saw the boy's picture. It was a lovely closeup profile of a beautiful green eyed, freckled woman, with flowing red curls. Clarissa. He slid the book across the counter to the kid and looked at his nametag. "Good afternoon, Jules. I'm here to see Miss Fray. She's expecting me."
The boy perked up at her name, then looked Jonathan up and down, unimpressed. "Clary's class just finished. She was with The Littles today, um the preschoolers. That room over there…" Jules jerked his head at a classroom to Jonathan's right. Jonathan nodded his head and turned towards the classroom when he heard the boy mutter, "Figures she'd have some giant rich boyfriend…shit."
Jonathan smiled to himself as he sauntered to Clary's classroom. You bet your ass. Even though she's still with fucking Herondale. For now. He liked that kid. He had an attitude and excellent taste in women. But he had better keep his paint-splattered, hormone-ridden, peasant mitts away from his woman. Boy or not. He walked into the classroom and saw a skinny boy of about eight with brown hair and big glasses stacking papers on a desk. The boy stared and looked him over, curiously. Jonathan gave him the guy-nod and he returned it, smiling and pointing across the room. Now we're bros.
Jonathan spotted Clarissa near the sunny windows, sitting in an overstuffed floral chair with a pretty white-haired little toddler in her lap. She held the girl's tiny hand in hers and helped her grip a large red crayon, then the child began to draw on a pad of paper and giggled. Jonathan's heart skipped a beat and he stopped breathing for a moment. The sunlight danced over her crimson waves and kissed the white-hair of the tiny girl. It was like looking at their future. His Clarissa holding their child, teaching her to draw. Jonathan swallowed the lump that grew in his throat. She would be a good mother to their children. He just knew it. She would never leave…never reject a child. She just wasn't made that way. Not like her. That's one of the many reasons he loved her. That's why he had to have her. Mine.
Jonathan smiled as the little girl squealed and crawled off of Clarissa's lap and ran to a woman across the room. "Mama!" she yelled. The woman scooped up the girl and waved to Clary. "Thanks a lot Clary, we'll see you after the New Year, right?" Clarissa stood, her back to Jonathan, she removed her paint splattered apron and rubber clogs and set them in a bin by her desk. "Actually, Helen, I'm going to be out of the country for about three months or so. I had an offer I couldn't refuse in Europe, so this is my last week. But, don't worry, I'll be back." Don't count on it, love. She and Helen talked for a few minutes before hugging and saying their goodbyes. I want a hug too, Clarissa.
Clary turned to come back in the room and noticed Jonathan. She smiled, her eyes crinkling adorably and walked towards him. "Jon. How long have you been here? Sorry to keep you waiting. Little Livvy's mom was running late. So I had the arduous task of cuddling that beautiful creature until she arrived. Tough job…" She winked at him and gave him a warm hug in greeting. She smelled like strawberries again.
Reluctantly letting her go, he stood back and leaned against the classroom door. "You had that little beauty wrapped around your finger, it seems, Clarissa." Clary shrugged and smiled at Jonathan as she sat and pulled on high heeled black leather ankle boots. Sexy. She wore a maroon figure hugging sweater dress with a multicolored scarf that looked like stained glass. Jonathan picked up her black wool coat from her desk chair and helped her put it on. "Are you ready to go meet with Father and sign your contract? He's leaving early tomorrow for Idris to prepare for your arrival. We leave in two weeks. Are you as excited as I am?" I doubt it. All alone on a private jet with Clarissa for ten hours. Yes, please.
She buttoned her coat and pulled her hair over her shoulder. "I am excited, but also nervous. I feel like my whole life is about to change. Hopefully for the better. These past months, since I lost my parents, have been difficult, to say the least." Jonathan hummed in sympathy. Things are definitely about to change, love. They walked out to the reception desk where Jules stared at Clarissa, blushing and the little bespeckled boy joined them. I think Clarissa called him Max.
Clary put her hands on Jules shoulders, got on her tip-toes and kissed him on the cheek. "Okay, Jules. I'm trusting you to take over my classes until I return. Do you think you can handle it?" He smiled shyly and looked down, blushing deeper. "Sure Clary. I've got this. Don't be gone too long, though. We need you here, you know." Clary smiled at him, her eyes started to tear-up and she nodded. Does everyone love Clarissa? Jesus. A loud female voice erupted from the door of the art center entrance, making everyone jump.
Isabelle Lightwood and her boyfriend, Simon Fucking Lewis walked in. Oh goody. "Izzy and Si", her besties. Jonathan plastered on a fake smile. "Max. Are you ready, bud? Oh! Clary, babes! I'm glad I caught you before you took off…with– who's this?" She bounded up, with Simon in tow, directly in front of Clary and Jonathan. She looked Jonathan up and down, with a curious frown, then cut her eyes to Clary and smirked. Lewis, on the other hand, just openly glared at him. Over protective, much? Bring it, Lewis.
Jonathan extended a hand to Izzy. "Jonathan Morgenstern. You must be Izzy. Clary talks about you all the time. It's a pleasure. You are even lovelier than she described." He received Izzy's hand, turned it and placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand. Izzy raised her eyebrows and smiled and looked at Clary, then back to Jonathan. "Why thank you. I've heard about you, as well." The little boy, Max, walked up and leaned into Izzy and she wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "This is Max, my brother."
Jonathan smiled and did the head-nod again at Max who giggled. "Oh, we've met." Jonathan smiled and turned to Simon. "And you must be–" Simon reached out and gripped Jonathan's hand in what he probably thought was a paralyzing grasp. "Simon. Simon Lewis. I'm Izzy's man, Clary's best friend, and best-bros with her boyfriend, Jace Herondale." Jonathan's smile grew as he stared into Simon's eyes and squeezed his hand even harder. "Of course, the best friend. I've heard many things about you as well." Jonathan released Simon's hand, who rubbed it and jammed it into his pocket.
Clary and Izzy looked at eachother and rolled their eyes. Izzy tossed her long black hair over her shoulder and put her hand on Clary's shoulder. "Ick. Knock it off guys, I didn't bring my testosterone repellant. Calm your balls…Clary, before you and Bruce Wayne leave, can you pencil me in for some New Year's Eve dress shopping tomorrow, please. The party is this Friday and it's formal, per Magnus, and you have nothing to wear. Not cool." Jonathan listened intently while continuing to stare Lewis down. Surprisingly the little rat-boy stared right back. Tough little bitch.
Clary sighed heavily. "Yes, Iz. You, me, boutiques, tomorrow…but we have to get sushi...and saki. Deal?" The two girls eyeballed each other facetiously and shook hands as if closing a business merger. She's so fucking adorable. I didn't know she liked sushi.
Clary leaned down and kissed Max on the cheek and ruffled his hair. "Bye sweety. Be good and don't beat Simon too badly at Mario Kart." Clary and Jonathan said their goodbyes and walked out to his car.
Jonathan reached down and turned on the seat warmers, before turning on his car. "So are you going to the New Year's Eve party at Pandemonium on Friday? I heard it's the best club in Brooklyn." He looked over at Clary as she buckled her seatbelt. The sun was hitting her face, making her emerald eyes blaze. I want to kiss her so fucking badly. Everywhere.
She sighed and nodded, smiling tightly. "Pandemonium is the best. Magnus, the owner, is a dear friend. I am going, but I'm flying solo, unfortunately. Jace and Alec have been mandated to work by their asshole boss, Starkweather. Apparently there is some sort of holiday rotation now. They didn't have to work on Christmas, so they have to this Friday on New Year's Eve. My dad never did that. He would have his guys on call in case something went down, of course, but never mandated them to be at the precinct. It sucks." Clarissa ran her hands up through her hair and wound it into a bun, securing it with a hair tie. Jonathan watched her hands like she had just performed a magic trick. How does she get all that hair to stay in that little tie? Girl magic.
She cleared her throat and giggled, watching him watch her. "Jonathan? Anyway, Magnus is donating the proceeds from ticket sales to the New York Institute's youth art program, in my parent's name, so I kind of have to go. God, I love Magnus so much. What a sweet thing to do." Clarissa's story didn't surprise him at all. He had ordered Starkweather to keep Herondale and Lightwood busy on New Year's Eve. How else would Detective Herondale find Sebastian? It would be a great night for Herondale and Lightwood. Indeed, it would be a great night for Jonathan as well. One step closer, Clarissa.
"I actually heard about the fundraising for your art center at a meeting yesterday. I bought two tickets, as I believe so much in what your mother started. Seeing the Institute in person today only solidified my desire to help. What great kids. They just need a break and funding. So, if you're 'flying solo', why not attend with me as your escort…as friends of course. I wouldn't want your detective to get the wrong idea. I know how protective he is of his– you." Jonathan pulled the car out and started driving to their meeting. Just think about it Clarissa. Does Jace get to decide these things for you?
Clary was quiet for a minute then spoke. "That would be wonderful, Jon. I would love to be your date. Friend-date, of course. I really hate the idea of being a third wheel with Izzy and Si…and Magnus is the host…so, you're really doing me a favor. I don't really like being alone at such a big party, you know. I told you a little bit about what happened on Halloween…so... Thank you. I think I'd feel safer with you at my side. I hope you know how to dance, buddy, because I'm going to wear you out." She laughed and Jonathan smiled. "It's a date, Clarissa." Closer.