I loved Cassandra Clare's new book "The Infernal Devices" so I decided to write a TessaXJem story! Hope I get as much feedback as I did with my Alec and Clary story!

Tessa kept her eyes averted as she entered the kitchen to get her breakfast. Will ignored her, only Sophie acknowledged her presence.

"Is is possible to get a carriage within an hour?" she asked. Sophie looked at her curiously.

"Yes Ms Gray, but why would you require one?"

"I'm leaving the Institute. Could you please have one come as soon as possible?"

Sophie nodded. Tessa left the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" Will said angrily.

She spun around.

"Why is it any of your concern?"

Will glared at her.

"You're too young. Besides Jem wants you to stay"

"Jem?"

Will's face darkened as he saw the expression on her face. Tessa looked away.

"Too young? Look at you Will! Your seventeen, and yet you act like a five year old!"

She turned and stalked away from him, aware he was going to say something horrid.

She heard the sound of a violin playing and she smiled and entered the room. Jem looked up and smiled at her. His smile was lovely, she noticed.

"Tessa, I had hoped to see your pretty face" he said.

Tessa almost cried at the kindness in his voice.

He was kind to her, yet he didn't owe her anything.

"At least someone wants to see me" she said bitterly "Will certainly doesn't"

"Will is difficult, but he is kind" Jem said.

Tessa looked up at him.

"Really? I find that hard to believe"

He smiled. "Yes he is. He just doesn't show it very often"

"He's only kind to you" Tessa said quietly. Jem smiled knowingly. "He cares about you too"

Tessa shook her head. "No he doesn't

Jem stood up and set his violin carefully on his bed. Then he came to her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Tessa. I've told you. Don't listen to Will. You just have to wait for the right man, who will .. love you. And I promise you, you won't wait very long"

Tessa shook her head.

"Nobody will love me. I'm not human. I'm- I don't even know what I am"

Jem cupped her face in his hands, his silver eyes filled with an emotion she couldn't decipher.

"Tessa, you're special. I know that"

Tessa was mesmerized by his silver eyes which bored into her, as if they could see into her soul. She felt guilty. Why should he have to listen to her moaning about her problems?

"Jem I'm sorry- I shouldn't have complained-I"

Jem's lips met hers softly, slowly. The kiss wasn't like the one she'd shared with Will. This kiss was sweet and it felt real.

She kissed him back, her hands cupping his face. Then she pulled away.

"You shouldn't. I am a Downworlder. A filthy Downworlder. And besides, your ill"

Jem's face looked angry.

"Tessa. I don't care what you are, or who you are. You are who you are and I love who you are. And I have never felt so alive in my whole life, than this moment. I don't feel ill"

Tessa smiled sadly.

"I don't want to hurt you Jem. I let you get hurt that evening we went for a walk. You almost died. That was my fault"

Jem glared at the ground.

"I am not weak. I'm strong enough"

Then he kissed her again. She felt weightless, dizzy and caught up in the moment. His hair looked golden in the sunlight, she thought, breathless as his lips moved hungrily against hers. He was

strong.