"I can't believe my mom" Clary said shaking her head, "Jace could d-" She cut herself off, unable to say the word.

"She's just trying to do what's best for you," Isabelle replied. They were walking through the halls, nearing the infirmary. "She doesn't want you to make the same mistake she did."

"Being with Jace is not a mistake," Clary said firmly.

"I guess she just wants you to make sure. You can't blame her for being protective Clary, I mean in a way she's right," Isabelle walked on ignoring the surprised look Clary gave her. "In the world we know and live in, there's no room for mistakes."

"That doesn't mean there's room for close mindedness," Clary mumbled.

"Just relax," Isabelle replied, "you're going to see Jace now remember."

"Right," Clary replied as she bit her lip. She hadn't realized how nervous she'd been to see him. All this time she'd been feeling anxious because no one allowed her to see Jace, but now her palms were sweating and she felt restless.

What if I say something in front of him that makes him feel worse, Clary thought. What if he doesn't even want to see me?-

"Are you okay? You're looking paler than usual," Isabelle said, interrupting her thought.

"Has Jace asked for me at all?" Clary asked.

"I wouldn't know, I haven't been allowed to see him either," Isabelle answered, "Although I wouldn't doubt it."

Clary smiled at that, hoping she was right.

"I still don't understand why they wouldn't let us," Clary said, "See him, I mean."

"I guess they thought we'd get in the way," Isabelle replied. "I can't wait for my next birthday. Maybe everyone will stop treating me like I'm a little kid."

"You're lucky. I still have two more years till I can even hope for that," Clary said glumly.

"I think this is it," Isabelle said stopping in her tracks and turning to the last door in the hallway. "Are we going to go in separately, or together?" she asked.

"I think we should do it separately," Clary answered. She knew that having someone there with her could be supporting but it could also be awkward.

"Sounds good," Isabelle replied, "Listen, I don't know what state Jace is going to be in but you have to promise me something."

Clary swallowed hard and looked up at her, for the first time noticing how she looked. Her hair was up in a messy bun and her makeupless face looked more tired than usual. Clary felt a pang in her chest when she realized for the first time that she wasn't the only one hurting over this. She felt her face go red over her selfishness and had to look away.

"What?" she asked as she cleared her dry throat.

"Promise me that you won't cry in front of him," Isabelle said quietly. "You'll wait until you get out of the room. If you have to, tell him you're going to the washroom. Just don't break down in front of him. He needs you to be strong Clary."

Clary nodded, not quite sure if she meant it, and turned to open the door.

Inside she saw that the room was much bigger than she thought it'd be. It was longer than it was wide, and at the end of it was a bed. It was dark inside of the room but she could see a silhouette standing at the foot of the bed.

Her heart sped up at the sight and she was enveloped with hope. If he was standing, he must be getting better. He's going to be ok, Clary thought with relief. As soon as she saw the figure, she found herself quickly walking towards him.

She called his name, half wondering why he hadn't turned at the sound of footsteps.

Jace turned his head and much to Clary's dismay she saw that it wasn't Jace at all-

She stopped in her tracks, unable to contain the loud gasp which escaped her lips.

"Oh," was all she could say as she took in the sight. The man standing at the foot of the bed turned completely now and he looked just as shocked as Clary did.

As he turned, Clary caught a glimpse of a mound laying on the bed. With a sharp constriction of her heart, she realized that it was Jace, curled into a tiny ball.

"I'm sorry. I believe you've mistaken me for this young man." His voice was thick and deep, and he spoke with a British accent.

With Clary standing closer she realized that he looked nothing like Jace, besides his tall form. He had light brown hair, a rounded face, and sun kissed skin. He walked towards Clary with a friendly smile on his face and extended his hand.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Liam York, and I'm guessing that you're Clary Fray. A pleasure to finally meet you," he said cheerfully.

"Yes, I am," Clary replied with a confused tone. "I don't mean to sound rude, but why are you here?"

Liam chuckled as he pulled his hair out of his face.

"I'm a warlock and when I heard about what'd happened to Jace I came to see if maybe I knew something about it so that I could help," he replied.

"And do you?" Clary asked impatiently.

"Unfortunately, no I do not. But I'm working along side Magnus Bane and we're doing everything we can to figure this out." Liam turned back to Jace's bed and grabbed a clip board off of the table. "I'll give you some privacy," he said as he then walked past her and exited the room.

Clary stood in confusion for a moment-

"Clary?" a small raspy voice called.

She barely recognized it, but she knew who it'd come from. Clary walked towards the bed as she nervously twirled a piece of her hair.

"I'm here Jace," she whispered as she walked closer.

She saw that he was curled on the bed, his eyes closed tight, his fist clenching the sheets.

"Clary," he repeated. His voice was so quiet, it was barely audible.

Clary slowly sat down in the chair by his bed as she took in the sight of him. His forehead glistened with sweat and his hair was pulled back haphazardly. He looked so vulnerable, Clary winced seeing him.

He's like this because of me, she thought.

His eyes were open suddenly. Clary immediately realized why they looked so different. They were a light, almost silvery color, rather than his usual gold. They matched his ashen complexion. His eyes searched her face and Clary tried to conceal her shock. Nothing could have prepared her for this and she felt her face twitch.

Jace's chapped lips twisted up into a smile. He let go of the sheets and held his hand up right on the bed. Clary immediately took it and forced a smile on her face.

"I'm glad you came," Jace's voice was thick and crackly.

"I-I would have come sooner-" Clary started but her voice broke before she could finish.

"I know. It's okay," Jace stopped to clear his throat, "I'm just glad that you came."

"Of course I did Jace. Why wouldn't I?" Clary's throat tightened up and she difficulty swallowed back a sob. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

Jace's face twisted up in pain. "Clary, please don't." Jace's eyes fluttered shut and for a moment Clary thought he had fallen asleep. "I'm just glad that you're ok."

But you're not, Clary wanted to say, and it's all my fault. I should have listened, I shouldn't have broken your promise. It's my fault that this is happening-

"I'm going to figure this out. I'll do everything I can-"

"Clary," Jace said cutting her off, "I'm not putting the blame on you. You know that right? I don't expect you to fix me." Jace's eyes shined as he licked his dry lips.

"But it's my fault. I promised you I'd stay right there and I didn't because I'm an idiot,"

"Clary, stop!" Jace demanded weakly, "What do you want me to say? That you're right, that it is your fault, that none of this would have happened had you not been there?" His eyes burned intensely and he was suddenly trying to sit up. He clenched his teeth and gasped-

"Jace!" Clary said as she got up and gently pushed him back down. He sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth and gently brushed his hand across her arm.

"I love you and all that matters is that you're ok," Jace said quietly, "Nothing you could have done would have stopped me from making sure you were safe. I would have put myself in between you and a thousand demons. Why don't you understand, I don't care what happens to me, as long as you're ok, so am I."

Clary broke his smouldering gaze and looked across the room. She felt a hot tear escape her eye and instantly despised herself for it.

"This is the part were you say something cocky so that I can call you a jerk and make things easier on myself," Clary replied.

"Or you can kiss my pain away for a few minutes," he said with a grin.

Clary pretended to scratch her face as she whipped another tear away, then leaned in and slowly pressed her lips against his.

"You know what I just realized," Jace whispered against her lips.

"Hmm?"

"I think I'm the only person on the planet who can be sick as hell and still be sexy," he said confidently.

"Jerk," Clary mumbled as he chuckled softly.