So….I know I haven't updated in a while. Honestly I'm not sure what to do, because I just read the third book.

It was PERFECT. Seriously, everything I had hoped for and more.

Not to bash Twilight, but I feel that the way the Mortal Instruments series played out, with the plot culminating in the third book, coming together in a way that let you know Clarissa Claire had planned everything out in advance, was what Eclipse and Breaking Dawn were lacking. It was incredibly satisfying to finish the series, knowing that the way that the story ended was planned out from the moment CoA was penned.

THIS IS THE DILEMMA: I'm not sure if I should take this story in the direction that the series went (with all the drama in the third book) or if I should establish a completely separate plot line. I would really appreciate your input, and in the meantime here's a small bit of JC.

CLARY'S POV:

The next morning Clary padded into the dining room, where Jace and everyone else had gathered around a large wooden table. Isabelle was shoving a plate of burnt toast towards Jace, Blaine was reading a newspaper outside on the front porch, blissfully unaware of the commotion, and Simon sat sagely to the side, facing the open window. From the look on his face she guessed he was watching animals running around.

Clary wrinkled her nose in worry. When was the last time he had eaten anything? She spun the last few days through her brain, so thoroughly wrapped up in her thoughts that she jumped when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Whoa. Sorry- I didn't mean to scare you." Sebastian explained, rubbing the back of his head with his hand and looking apologetic. Without meaning to, she stared at him. His inky hair and black eyes startled her, and the contrast of his pale white skin (had he ever been outside?) only made his features more striking. She knew that he was familiar somehow, but it didn't make sense. Just looking at him made her brain hurt.

He was a puzzle, wrapped in a rubiks cube, wrapped in a Sudoku square.

"Hey!"

She broke out of her trance with the commotion. Jace had flicked a spoonful of egg into Izzy's hair, and she had launched herself across the table in retaliation. Sebastian stepped forward, but she stuck out an arm in front of him.

"Seriously, just let them work it out. Otherwise Isabelle will be in a bad mood all day, and trust me- no one wants to see that." She explained, answering his unspoken question.

"Okay…" Sebastian replied, not sounding convinced.

She glanced over, checking that neither Jace or Izzy were carrying weapons, then satisfied that they wouldn't really hurt each other, she went to the kitchen. They didn't have a refrigerator, or a microwave, or any type of modern appliance for that matter. There was a loaf of bread on the counter though, so she tore off a piece and sat on the counter, her legs dangling over the edge. Jace sauntered in a few minutes later.

He looked so different now, with his half smirking-smile and shining eyes, as opposed to the angry, frustrated boy she had met in Pandemonium.

"Enjoying the view?" he asked cockily, jumping onto the counter and sitting next to her.

Okay. So maybe he wasn't that different. He was still arrogant as hell. And he was still impossibly frustrating at times. And he still was perpetually handsome, so much so that she was often tempted to scope out his bathroom cabinet and find out exactly what hair products he used.

But that was besides the point. And knowing him, looking perfect was probably au natural.

"Yeah. Actually I am." She replied, kissing his cheek and jumping down from the ledge.

She left the kitchen, hearing a small popping sound as she exited.

Either someone uncorked a bottle of champagne,

Or Jace's ego had finally exploded.