Chapter 72: The end is nigh. Angst. Drama. Action. Almost there.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Rated M. Violence. Gun violence. Drugs.

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.

Thank you for the follows, likes, and reviews! It really means a lot!

Previously: "I'm getting you and my brother's granddaughter out of here, honey. Now… Clary stared hard at her aunt, her eyes welling with tears, then nodded, whispering. "Welcome back, Amatis. Thank you."

Clary's ears roared and her heart pounded against her ribcage. No. No… Simon. She quickly reached for the door handle when she felt Jace grab her wrist across the seat. "Don't even think about it, Clary. You're not going out there–" Of course I'm going out there. Clary tore her eyes from the scene in front of the SUV and stared back at Jace, jerking her wrist from his grasp, hissing. "I have to, Jace. I can't let him do this. I-I'm the only person he won't hurt. You know I'm right." Jace shook his head angrily and unbuckled his seatbelt. "You don't know that, Clary. I won't let you." Clary took a deep, steadying breath and looked down at her sleeping daughter and smiled sadly. How can she sleep through this? Clary leaned down and kissed her tiny forehead. Flicking her eyes to Tessa's in the rearview mirror, then back to Jace, Clary cleared her throat and sniffed. There is no other way. Jace will have to understand. "Tessa. I'm going out there… As soon as I'm clear, you get my daughter out of here. I don't care where you go, just get her away from this fucking place." Tessa nodded and looked back at her. "I will, Clary. I have a key fob to open the gates. I'll guard her with my life, honey." Clary went to open the door and Jace lunged across the seat, grabbing the front of her shirt, pushing her against the seat. "Godammit, Clary–" Clary struggled against him, tears running down her face. "Jace, please. He'll kill him. I know he will. You protect her. I need you to do this for me."

Jace felt a strong hand grip his shoulder from the front seat. "Let her go, Jace. Let's take this slow and think. Clary's right. He won't hurt her. If she doesn't go out there though, Simon and Jem are dead… for all we know Will already is. I think I have a plan. Trust me, brother." Jace tightened his grip on Clary's shirt and looked down at the sleeping newborn. "Her name is Celine Jocelyn Fairchild, Jace. After our mothers, in heaven… I need her safe– he can't have her. Keep her away from here. Listen to Alec." Jace swallowed and looked back into Clary's pleading emerald eyes. Leaning forward he kissed her gently on the lips, never breaking her gaze. "Okay, Alec. I mean, there's only four goons and Morgenstern… Let's hear your plan."

Jonathan took another impatient breath and shook Simon Lewis' head, gripping his messy hair tighter in his fist. Lewis, kneeling in front of him, facing the SUV that held his naughty wife, grunted and struggled in his grasp. "Fuck you, Morgenstern. Just let her go. No means no, asshole–" Jonathan shoved his gun against Lewis' head, and kneed him in the back, as Simon hissed in pain. "Shut the fuck up, Lewis, or I'll break a few more ribs, then FedEx your head to your darling Isabelle… how does Clarissa tolerate you?" Jonathan and his men had easily caught Lewis and Agent Jem Carstairs as they creeped around the stables after bombing his private offices. He wasn't there, of course. He was too busy tracking his wife through her morgenstern pendant. The offices were in a detached bunker, just off the Western rear of the Manor. There would be casualties of course… mostly Circle members and business associates. No big losses. The Herondales were still not found, but he suspected they were in the blacked out SUV ahead of him or lurking about. Jonathan flicked his eyes over to the still, bleeding form of Agent Carstairs. He had put up quite a fight, until Jonathan's men finally knocked him unconscious.

Jonathan knew something was amiss when Clarissa suddenly decided to take a walk. She's such a terrible liar. So, He made sure to send Amatis along with her for security. Amatis had proven herself to be quite the loyal soldier, nearly securing Clarissa and shooting Herondale, so many months ago. He had received a text from her, telling him she had his daughter at the manor, locked and secured in one of the safe-rooms. Clary had run away today, but Amatis had snatched the stroller from her. Now he had two hostages and would trade them for Clarissa's surrender. Then he would take her back to the manor and allow Pontmercy to remove every single memory in her mind and rebuild it himself. She won't even know her own name, only what I tell her. It was the least she deserved for taking his daughter and trying to leave him again. No more chances. No more mercy. Just punishment.

Ahead of him, the rear door of the SUV opened and out stepped his wife. Jonathan stood up tall, rolled his shoulders back, and pulled Simon up to stand in front of him. Finally. Lewis shook his head at Clary. "Don't Fray. Get out of here–" Grinding his gun against Simon's cheek and gripping his hair tighter, Jonathan smirked at Clary. She looks so tired. I wonder if she's in pain? "Come, Clarissa. Hands up now, love. Come here. Or I will blow his useless head off." He looked to his left and right, then back at her, eyebrows raised. His men had their guns aimed directly at the SUV. He could see her chest heaving and tears in her eyes as she raised her hands and put them on her head. She's stunning. The wind picked up and blew her crimson curls wildly around her head as she slowly walked in front of the SUV and stopped. Taking a shaky breath, Clary looked at his men and their guns, then at her best friend. "Let him go, Jonathan. Trade– Me for him. Please. I-I'm sorry I ran. I was–"

Clary fell to her knees and she screamed as Jonathan aimed his gun down at Jem and fired two shots into his body. Oh my god. He killed Jem. Jonathan then smashed his gun against Simon's head, knocking him out. Clary quickly jumped up and cried out as he threw her best friend down on the ground and cocked his gun again, pointing it at him. She grunted as she felt a searing pain and something pop, low in her abdomen. "No! No– don't hurt him, Jon. Please!" Clary slapped her hands against her mouth and whimpered. Jonathan sneered at her, his black eyes glittering. "I said come here. Now. That was your last warning, Clarissa." Clary nodded, her heart pounding. Walk Fray. He'll kill him. Raising her hands again she stayed in front of the SUV and slowly walked towards Jonathan. Her abdomen throbbed and she felt moisture pooling beneath her dressing. I'm bleeding. She needed some pain meds. Drive Tessa. Get my baby out of here. Stick to the plan… When she was about fifteen feet in front of the SUV, it suddenly began backing up, staying in line with Clary, then quickly turned back into the rolling gardens, speeding off. Jonathan held up his free hand. "Hold! Do not fire! You'll hit Clarissa. Let them go. They won't get through the gate." She's safe. Tessa will get her out. Clary panted and dropped a hand to her incision site, grunting as it came back covered in blood. Fuck. NO. Sweat broke out on her forehead and she felt dizzy. Shit. Hurts. I can't run like this. New plan… Jonathan tilted his head and pursed his lips. Reaching his hand forward he curled his fingers at her, prompting her to continue. Clary paused and took a few deep breaths. Don't pass out. I fucking hate you.

Fighting her dizziness, Clary steeled her spine, hugged her arms against her abdomen, and walked on unsteady feet to Jonathan, leaving Simon between them on the ground. "Let him go, Jon. I'm here. Please." Jonathan stepped towards her, stepping over Simon's unconscious body, and grabbed her wrists, cuffing them in front of her. Jerking her bound wrists away from Jonathan, Clary looked past him, down at Simon. He had an ugly swollen bruise over half of his face and his lip was split, but he was breathing normally. He's alive. Hang on, Si. Jonathan pulled her into his arms and Clary felt his cool hand press against her cheek. "Clarissa, you're pale and burning up… and you're bleeding, love." Holding her tightly, he pulled out his phone. "Pontmercy, it's me. I have her and we're on the way. I've changed my mind. Have everything ready." Ready? Clary's ears rang and her head began to spin, as nausea bubbled up. Her eyes closed. Don't pass out. "Simon– Jon, don't please… I love him, he's my best friend. Stop– Simon!" She struggled weakly against Jonathan who shushed her and cooed into her ear. "Shh, love. You must have forgotten. You don't get to love anyone but me, Clarissa."

Clary grunted in pain as Jonathan hoisted her up into his arms, looking at the two guards closest to him. "You two deal with Mr. Lewis. But, wait until I have Clarissa back inside the manor. I don't want her to see it. You other two, come with me." Clary began to wail and struggle against Jonathan, screaming Simon's name, but couldn't break free. It took a few minutes before Jonathan walked through the front doors of Morgenstern Manor with his incoherent, sobbing wife clutched in his arms. Clary screamed when she heard two gunshots outside in the distance. Her ears rang and she heard the gunshots reverberating through her brain on a sadistic loop. Simon's dead. Simon. I'm so sorry. Simon. I love you. Trembling, Clary looked up at Jonathan, clutching her hands to her chest, she murmured low. He smirked triumphantly back at her. "What was that, kitten? You have something to say?" He leaned his head down and nuzzled against her neck. Clary cleared her throat and turned her face so her mouth brushed his ear. Jonathan hummed. "I said that I will see you dead, Jonathan Morgenstern. Before the sun sets tonight, I will see you dead." Jonathan snorted and pulled her tighter against him, walking them up the grand staircase. "Are you flirting with me, Clarissa? You know how your empty threats turn me on. Now… we're going back to our room, where we'll get your wound dressed and then… Well, your punishments will begin." Clary felt her gun resting against her ankle inside her boot, as her legs swayed. You'll be getting your punishments as well, Jonathan.

Jace peered outside the door of the stables. Clear. Jonathan's manpower seemed to be mostly focused on the manor, after the explosion. Good for them now, bad for trying to get to Clary. As soon as Tessa had turned into the gardens, she had stopped the SUV, as planned, and let Jace and Alec out. There they had rendezvoused with Will, as Tessa took off in the SUV with the baby to clear the main gate. By the time they had made it back to the clearing, Jonathan and Clary were gone. Two Morgenstern goons were standing over Lewis with their guns aimed at him, but Alec and Jace had quickly ended them. Dicks. They had dumped their bodies in the first empty stall of the stables. I wonder if these are the same stables Clary hid inside months ago?

He squatted down and opened a water bottle, splashing its contents across Simon Lewis' face. "Jesus, wakeup. You only got a few broken ribs and pistol whipped, you pussy." Simon sputtered and wiped his hand across his face, groaning. "Fuck you, Herondale." Jace grinned and squeezed Simon's shoulder. "Welcome back, Lewis. Drink this." Jace pressed the bottle into Simon's hands and told him about what had happened while he was unconscious. He then walked over to where Alec and Will were working on Jem. Alec was finishing a pressure dressing on a shoulder wound, while Will sewed another closed on his left lower abdomen. Jem had been lucky neither of Jonathan's shots had been fatal. "Will he make it?" Tying the last stitch, his cousin looked up at him, a grim look on his face. "I don't know, he's lost a lot of blood. I need to get him out of here ASAP. I have a vehicle outside behind the stables. The gate is unmanned and open now, thanks to Tessa. There's a hospital in the next town. I'll take Lewis too and rendezvous with Tessa. I'm afraid you and Alec are on your own now, little cousin. You'll need to get a vehicle" Will stood up and cracked his neck. Jace smiled tightly at him. "I'm not worried, cousin. Get them out of here and find Tessa. Protect Celine with your life, Will. She's a Herondale now too." Jace looked up as Simon slowly shuffled over to them. He looked rough, but had a fierce look in his eye. "Get her back, Herondale, or I'll kick your ass… then Izzy will. And fucking kill that Morgenstern piece of shit." No fucking problem.

Jonathan bounded into his room and gently laid Clary on the bed. Pontmercy's team was already present, setting up equipment and hanging IV bags. Nurse Christine stood at the end of the bed, her worried eyes fixed on his wife. Pontmercy began spouting orders at the nurses. Clarissa was barely coherent after threatening him, constantly shaking her head and crying for Simon Lewis. Good riddance. She won't even remember him soon. He pursed his lips and unlocked the cuffs, standing back as the nurses removed Clary's shirt to examine her incision. Another nurse set-up an IV line in her wrist and hooked her up to fluids. Jonathan watched Christine remove Clary's boots and leggings, walking to the corner of the room with them. She quickly returned and helped clean and pack the wound, covering it with a dressing while Clary sobbed in pain. Clary fell silent as she locked eyes with him shortly before turning her head away from him. Look at me, kitten. His eyes roamed over her. Her eyes were clenched shut and she turned her face away from him, as if she couldn't stand to look at him. Her swollen breasts, barely contained in her white lace bra, heaved with each ragged breath. Jonathan bit his lip, feeling his arousal stir. She looked so beautiful, alluring, writhing in pain, so broken. He felt his other self, Sebastian, lurking within. I need her soon, the more broken, the better– so much easier to correct.

Clary refused to look at him. It's what he wants, to look into my eyes while I'm in pain. She remembered his brutality from before, how he liked to hold her face and force her to look at him while he– Well fuck him. Never again. Clary's incision throbbed and her breasts ached. She hadn't fed Celine in almost four hours and her breasts were painfully engorged, making her feel nauseous. Please let her be safe. She felt heavy blankets covering her and heard a soft voice beside her. Christine. Clary opened her eyes to see her smiling down at her. "Here's a few cold packs, Mrs. Morgenstern. For your breasts and incision pain. This will make you feel so much better." Clary instantly felt relief as Christine slipped the packs onto her abdomen and chest, as well as the cold steel of her gun into her palm. Clary smiled tightly back at her. "Thank you." Withdrawing her hands, Christine helped her sit up, fluffed Clary's pillows, and walked away. Clary looked around and saw several nurses moving about the room and Pontmercy injecting something into her IV line.

Clary gripped the gun beneath the blankets, taking off the safety and cocking it. It was so noisy with all of the medical personnel moving about. He turned and smiled patronizingly at her. "Ah, Clarissa. Welcome back. I've put you on antibiotics and just pushed a pain med into your line. Just a little warning, it hits hard… like a few shots of tequila." Clary glared at him as he laughed at his own joke and turned away from her, pointing at a nurse. Where is Jonathan? "Nurse. Bring me the restraints." Restraints? Clary sat up straighter, grunting in pain, when she saw a nurse open a few drawers, as he hung another, smaller IV bag from her pole, but not attaching the tubing. "What's that, Pontmercy? I don't want any other medication and I don't need restraints. I'll stay in bed–" Ignoring her, he walked over to Jonathan who now stood at the end of her bed, staring smugly at her. "Nonsense, Clarissa. Why should I trust you to stay in your bed? We both know as soon as you're able, you'll try to run again. I tire of it." He reached down and caressed her foot through the blanket. Clary's heart began to pound and she swallowed, gripping the gun in her hand. Shoot him. "Anyway, you'll need to be restrained for your treatment." Treatment? Clary felt a wave of dizziness and her eyes blurred, then cleared. The meds. The acute pain in her incision and breasts began to ebb. No joke… more like five shots of tequila.

Sighing in relief, Clary relaxed back onto the pillows then remembered Jonathan. Shit. I'm supposed to do something. "What treatment, Jonathan? What do you mean?" Jonathan shushed her and winked, squeezing her foot again, like she was a child. Dick. She saw Pontmercy hand a file to Jonathan and whisper to him. The last treatment she received was when they fucked with her memory… tried to brainwash me. She remembered Jonathan's words. "...we'll get your wound dressed and then… Well, your punishments will begin…" Clary jumped when a nurse appeared next to her, holding the restraints. Oh no. "Don't do this… I don't want this. Help me… don't restrain me. Please." Where is Christine?

The nurse looked at her impassively, ignoring her pleas, and pulled back the blanket to restrain her, then gasped when Clary raised her gun. Sitting up in the bed, Clary fought off another wave of dizziness, pointed her gun at the nurse, then down at the end of her bed towards Jonathan. "Get the fuck away from me or I will shoot you." The nurse backed away until she hit the far wall. Pontmercy put his hands up, dropping the files in his hand, as Jonathan tilted his head at her, smirking. Clary cringed as he licked his lips and raked his eyes over her lustfully. Of course he would get off on this. Psycho pervert. Clary's hand shook and her vision blurred as she held the gun on Jonathan. "Well, well. My little kitten has claws, after all. I must admit this is quite a turn-on, Clariss-" Fuck it. Clary pulled the trigger.