"What do you guys have planned?" Izzy asked him as Simon hunted for his wallet which he could have sworn he'd put in his pants pocket.

"Nothing much," Simon shrugged, giving up the search for a moment to face her. "Just catching up. I want to hear about Paris, and I think she wants details about everything that went down with Jordan and Paige."

"Fun," Izzy said, but Simon could tell she was forcing a smile. After so long he knew his girlfriend well enough to read the little tells in her body language.

Grinning at what he saw, Simon gave up the search to move closer, and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"You're cute when you're jealous," Simon whispered in her ear.

"As if," Izzy scoffed.

"Hmmm hmm," Simons mumbed against her cheek before turning her in his arms. Now face to face, Simon leaned down to kiss her sweetly, stroking his fingers through her silky hair.

"I had more with you in those first twenty minutes than I had with her in two years," Simon reminded his beautiful, if slightly insecure, girlfriend in hushed tones. "But please do save some of this jealousy for later. It looks good on you."

Izzy blushed and opened her mouth as if to protests, but Simon silenced her with another kiss, this time really getting into it. He knew he'd succeed at distracting her when he felt her melt into his touch.

"Hmmm," Izzy mumbled, her arms wrapped around him and his lips moved against her neck.

"I love you, Isabelle Lightwood," Simon whispered again.

Then he pulled away and added, "And I'll be back after I spent the afternoon with my oldest friend."

He kissed her one last time on the forehead before darting out the door. He thought he heard something thud against the door as he closed it, and surmised that Izzy had thrown a pillow at him.

Laughing to himself Simon started walking. It was a beautiful June day. The sun was shining, but even if the weather had been dreary, Simon would have been smiling. Clary's return was the icing on top of his already glorious happy cake. He was done with school, and taking a little 'me time' before looking for a better job. He had a beautiful girlfriend who he always looked forward to seeing, and his best friend was finally back in town. Life was good. In fact, life had never been better.

Walking down to the bus stop Simon could feel the sun's warmth on the back of his neck while a light breeze cooled his skin. You really couldn't ask for better weather.

When he saw that shock of red hair running down the sidewalk towards him, Simon waved both hands in the air as if trying to land an airplane. When she finally crashed into him, Simon almost fell over.

"SIMON!" Clary shouted.

"That's my name," he chuckled. "Don't wear it out."

"Simon, Simon, Simon, Simon, Sherwin, Smedley, Sheldon, Seamus," Clary continued.

"Hey no," Simon laughed. "Those aren't all me."

"No shit, Sherlock," Clary laughed. He gave her a look and she added, "Okay, I'm done now."

"Good," Simon huffed, pretending to be offended. "I thought we were meeting at the park?"

Clary shrugged. "I felt like running," she explained.

"Why?" Simon laughed.

"The air taste so good here!" Clary explained.

"You can't taste air silly," Simon reminded her.

"Agree to disagree," Clary commented.

Simon wanted to hear everything about Paris, and it seemed Clary wanted to tell him. It sounded somehow both magical and far too down to earth for Simon. He loved listening to her talk about the beautiful ancient architecture. One place in particular she spent quite a bit of time on was Le Marais, one of the most ancient and historical arrondissements in the city. An arrondissement was a section of the city. There were twenty of them, and in the case of this particular one, when modernisers had come to try and update it, the citizens had come together to protest that it stay the historical quarter it was.

"The streets are so narrow," Clary continued her story. "And the buildings are so old you can only imagine how many different people in different times could have walked those same halls before you."

She went to say that when the weather was good and she didn't have classes, Clary had loved to find the best view she could and sketch until her hands were black with graphite. Her favourite great views were at Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur.

The down to earth aspect that rather ruined the magic was learning how sometimes she couldn't see those views because of the clouds of pollution.

"I even read somewhere that the air pollution is so bad just visiting Paris for a weekend is the equivalent of smoking two cigarettes," Clary continued. "Though the locals like to ignore this fact."

"Yikes," Simon added. "No wonder the air here is better."

"You can't really appreciate Canadian air until you spend a year breathing in Paris," she stated matter of factly. "Running here is like freedom!"

"Didn't do a lot of running in Paris I take it?" Simon chuckled.

"Well, maybe running to keep up with people when I fell behind gazing at some amazing landmark the locals all take for granted," Clary explained.

"Just the usual stuff then," Simon smiled.

"I just didn't realize how much extra effort that took till I landed back home," she continued. "It's amazing what you can adapt to."

"But you had a good time?" Simon inquired, sensing the end of her story. "You're glad you went?"

"Yes and definitely," Clary replied. "But I'd also never want to live there."

"That's fair," Simon replied.

"And I think I've been talking long enough," Clary said, and indeed they had long ago gotten off the bus and had been walking around the park. "I want details from when I was gone."

"Ah yes, where to begin," Simon sighed.

"What happened with Paige and Jordan?" Clary asked first. "I feel so out of the loop. I have plans to see her tomorrow, and I don't want to accidentally say something that could upset her."

"Well to sum it up," Simon began. "Jordan cheated on her with Maia. Then didn't tell anyone, then finally figured out he wanted Paige because of his being with Maia. He came clean and lost them both."

"Yikes," Clary commented.

"Yeah," Simon continued. "It wasn't until very recently, like April maybe, that they actually got together for real."

"So basically a big hot mess?" Clary summed up.

"Pretty much," Simon chuckled.

"How is Paige doing knowing Jordan and Maia got back together?" Clary asked.

"You know, I'm not sure she knows," Simon replied. "I haven't seen her much since she moved in with Magnus."

"Poor Paige!" Clary defended her friend. "Loses not just her boyfriend, but like all her friends too."

Simon had the decency to look apologetic. "Sorry, but I wasn't really that close with Paige."

"She didn't even do anything wrong," Clary huffed. "And she gets pushed aside."

"I've heard she's having a great time living with Malec, okay," Simon tried to explain. "Don't go all Clary protective on me okay?"

Clary laughed. "So everyone's still calling them that then?"

"Yep, and you are still to blame," Simon added, also laughing and happy to change the subject.

"Well, I hope Magnus and Alec at least haven't given up on her just cause Jordan was horrible," Clary said. "I mean she was a part of the group for a while there."

"Without you at Jace's, and Jordan still being there, I feel certain she didn't feel welcome at her old place," Simon shrugged. "I can't really blame her, but as I said, I think living with the newlyweds is working for her."

"Well I shall have to discover such for myself then," Clary said. "As it seems you have been a bad friend."

"Hey look who's talking, Ms left the country for a year!" Simon shot back.

"Ten months," Clary corrected him. "And I was more being a bad girlfriend than a bad friend, and you know it."

"Yeah I heard Jace was a total mess while you were gone," Simon said. "I kept telling you to call him more."

"I know," Clary said guiltily. "It was just too hard." She paused then added, "See, horrible girlfriend."

"Was that really all it was though, Clary?" Simon asked. "I mean, it was hard for him to only get to talk to you too, but he still wanted that over nothing."

"It was most of the reason," Clary said sheepishly. Simon gave her a look, but instead of explaining she attempted to remove herself as the subject.

"How are things with Izzy?" Clary asked.

"Great," Simon added quickly. "But don't change the topic." He stopped walking to turn and face her. "What's wrong Clary? Something's off that you aren't telling me."

"I just-," Clary began. "I'm horrible okay?! Horrible girlfriend. Can we just leave it at that?"

Simon narrowed his eyes at her. He knew her well enough to know that look. She wasn't going to tell him no matter how he tried to make her. There was shame there mixed subtly into the lines of her face. Simon was sure anyone who hadn't known her so well wouldn't have seen it.

"Alright," Simon replied. "But this conversation isn't over."

"So how is Izzy?" Clary asked again, as if trying to grab onto a life raft.

"Super hot when she's jealous," Simon explained. "I am gonna get so laid tonight."

"Gross," Clary mocked. "I didn't need to know that. Who's she jealous of anyway?"

"You," Simon laughed. Clary did a double take as if he had to be joking. Then realizing he was serious she laughed even harder than him.

"I know," Simon chuckled.

"What even was our relationship anyway?" Clary laughed, trying to get air while clutching her side. "Childhood friends playing house?"

"Something like that," Simon replied. "I did love you, though the how of it I hadn't quite figured out."

"Where as I always knew I loved you like a brother," Clary replied. "Does that make it worse?"

"A little bit yes!" Simon burst out laughing.

When the laughter died down Simon added, "Loving Isabelle has taught me many things about how I once loved you."

"Once?" Clary mocked. "So, I can't even count on sisterly love then, huh?"

Simon playfully swatted her on the shoulder. "You know what I meant," he told her.

"Oh, but teasing you about it is so much more fun," she countered.

"It's a different kind of love," Simon explained, ignoring her teasing in favour of voicing his thoughts. "The romantic one is all tied up with chemistry and attraction."

"I know," Clary smiled. "You mistook our caring for it. I remember."

"But, you silly, went along with it," Simon laughed.

"Hey we've all done some stupid things," Clary reminded him. "Let's not place blame."

"Agreed," Simon replied with a smile.

There was silence for a moment as they walked through the newly green park, past a kids playground and towards the water fountain. The sun wasn't so high in the sky now, but it was by no means getting dark.

"Simon," Clary started.

"Yeah," he said to show he was listening.

"Do you think Izzy is the one?"

"That's quite the question," Simon replied. "What brought that on."

"Just answer it," Clary said.

"I know I love her," Simon began. "I know I look forward to seeing her when I have been at work all day. I know I am content with her in my arms. My life is fuller and brighter with her in it. I don't want to lose her."

"So that's a yes then?" Clary asked.

"I didn't say that," Simon continued. "Life isn't so absolute as 'the one' or at least I don't believe it is. And no matter how much I love her, Isabelle is her own person. If she decided tomorrow that she wanted something else for her life I could very well lose her forever. It's the risk you have to bare to accept all the joys of love. One cannot exist without the other."

"I suppose you are right," Clary sighed. "Sometimes I wish it was simpler."

"It can be," he said. "Though that option is not one I want."

"Which option is that?"

"To never risk," Simon explained. "To live life apart and be protected from lose, but never opening your heart in the first place."

"Only the two options then?" Clary asked. "Risk heartbreak, or be forever alone?"

"Pretty much, yeah," Simon agreed.

"Stop being so wise," Clary scoffed. "It's annoying."

"Would you prefer annoying Simon?" he added. "Cause annoying I can do."

"Urg," Clary groaned.

"Or how about love struck Simon?" he continued. "I could just gush about my lady love all day."

"That would also fall under the category of annoying Simon," she stated blankly. Simon chuckled.

"Maybe I should rephrase my question," Clary continued. "The one or no, do you want to spend the rest of your life with Izzy, and if you do, how can you know that?"

"I sense this question isn't about me and my girlfriend, but rather you and your boyfriend?" Simon inquired. She didn't reply, but gave him a look to encourage him to comply.

"Every moment of my future that I can imagine clearly includes her," Simon replied. "So at this point in my life, yes I'd say I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

"What do you mean this point in your life?" Clary asked.

"There might be events in my future that I can't imagine," Simon shrugged. "Events that could alter the way we both imagine our futures will go."

"But isn't that the point of forever," Clary continued. "No matter how the future changes, or what curveballs life throws at you, it's this one person you want by your side while you face them?"

"Yes, if you put it like that, I suppose so," Simon replied. "I guess to me the future can never be set in stone, and there will always be a version of events we cannot imagine capable of spinning us so off course as to change everything we believe. There are no absolutes, only probabilities."

"Geez," Clary sighed. "How is it I got suck with philosophical Simon today?" He just shrugged, grinning. "I'm gonna take that as a yes."

"If you like," Simon replied easily. Though he meant everything he said, it was starting to be fun to give less than black and white answers if only to annoy her.

"So are you going to tell me why you asked the question?" Simon inquired. Clary shook her head. "That leaves me no choice but to guess," he continued. She shot him a look that was likely meant to get him to back off, but accomplished no such thing.

"You are getting cold feet about Jace?" Simon tried for the obvious. "All that time apart, and you changed into new people, or maybe only you changed, or only him?" Simon watched her reactions to see if he was getting close.

"Or perhaps the opposite," Simon tried instead. "All that time apart made you realize how much you love him, and you are considering proposing to him."

"Hmmm," Simon mused as he studied her face. "Not that either huh. Am I even slightly close?"

"I have nothing to say," Clary stated.

"Yes I can see that," Simon replied.

"The sky is so beautiful this time of day," Clary commented. "Look how the lowering sun throws pink into the clouds."

"Do you suspect Jace of cheating on you?" Simon tried next. No reaction. "Did you cheat on him?" Again Clary didn't react.

"Please stop guessing," Clary asked in a soft voice.

"I will if you tell me what's wrong," Simon said kindly.

"Nothing that can be fixed by talking about it," Clary replied.

"Everything can be fixed by talking about it," Simon countered.

"So says the philosopher," Clary smiled.

Who has a theory about whats going on with Clary? Any guesses? lol My beta thinks I'm dragging this out but I think it only seems that way because I've been updating SO slowly lately. Sorry not sorry. tehe. Life's been busy!

Also in the interests of doing too many things at once, I've decided to start uploading the new Malec story I started like 5 months ago. I didn't want to upload since I was uploading so slowly, but as the so slowly doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon I figured I might as well. The story is called 'Counterfeit Boyfriend' and it's just a short fun lighthearted Malec fic. (Update this story is now complete)

Also Side note: OMG 155 chapters, like for real! What am I doing with my life?

Sneak Peek Chapter 156

"Should have got mango," Paige said as they walked. "This cookies and cream is not living up to the hype."

"Do you wanna walk back and get magno instead?" Clary asked.

"No I've bought this now," Paige replied. "I'm gonna eat it. Just making a mental note. Next time: Mango."

Clary laughed. "There is such a thing as giving up and going back ya know. If you aren't enjoying it probably isn't worth the four dollars."

"Though I know you are right," Paige laughed. "At this point I believe it is about the principle of the thing."

Clary chuckled again before taking another mouthful of her mango ice cream. "If you say so. Personally I'd go back and get the flavour I wanted."

"So what were we talking about because the ice cream stall rudely interrupted us?" Paige laughed.

"You were catching me up on your life while I was gone," Clary answered. "Everything that happened with Jordan and school and just life."

"I think we covered most of that already," Paige replied. They were talking now past a large tree, it's branches sheltering the gravel path. Clary enjoyed the moment of shade with relief and suggested they sit on the bench to finish their desserts.

Reply to Review from Malec4Ever Guest

REVIEW:
Malec4Ever:I just read all 154 chapters in less than 12 hours! I am loving this story and am looking forward to the updates. You're a genius by the way, I was reading all the chapters and was thinking, "I wonder what happened to Sebastian? Did he change for the better?" And then you mentioned that Jace's mom was still in contact with him! You. Are. Awesome! I hope Alec figures out John is using him before they lose money... Ohhh! I cannot wait for the next chapter!

REPLY:
Is that even physically possible! 12 hours! OMG I am still in shock. Are your eyes okay? And aww thanks! I've been going for the long game, slow burn kinda stories in this story with sneaky moments like that Seb one. hehe. Happy to see someone noticed!