Everything just hurt so much.

The scrape on my arm, my stomach, my head, my foot, even my face.

I heard Will begging me to stay awake, but I didn't want to anymore.

I stopped fighting, and let go.

Tessa's POV

Pulse.

Pulsing.

Pulsing, pulsing, everything was pulsing. My heart was pulsing and my head was pounding and my fingers were throbbing and I could barely breathe. The dark layer of unconsciousness kept pushing against me, smothering me. I pushed back, trying to go to the free light, light would let me breathe.

The darkness pushed back, even harder now. A sound escaped my throat, and I felt light finally catch my arm and pull me towards it. Oxygen came to me in a big burst of air, painfully filling my lungs. My eyes opened and I sucked in air, coughing as I did so.

"Tess!" I heard Will's voice to my right, but I didn't turn my head to look at him. I felt his hand on the back of my head, helping me sit up so I could breathe better.

"Tessa?" It was Jem now. I felt his cool hand go to my cheek, and I looked up to his pair of silver eyes, clouded with concern. "Are you alright?"

I just moaned and closed my eyes, trying to push back the pounding of my head. Everything was slightly blurry and their voices sounded oddly far away. I noticed that I was still in Will's shirt – one of them must have carried me to the infirmary right after the battle.

"Brother Enoch," Will greeted. The Silent Brother quietly floated into the room.

May I look at you? To see how many injuries you have, Ms. Gray?

I nodded, and Jem's hand left my cheek, the cold air rushing upon it again. Brother Enoch slowly lifted his hand up and placed it on my head, and I felt him rifling through my memories and bones. I remember when I first appeared at the institute – I was so afraid of the Silent Brothers. But I knew now that they only wanted to help, to help us heal from our battles.

It seems that you have a broken rib, and various bruises and cuts. The cuts and bruises will heal in time, so just be patient and rest well. Your headache will go away soon.

"Thank you," I smiled up at him.

He bowed his head and silently made his way from the room, the only sound following him the click of the door.

"How do you feel?" Jem asked in a soft voice. Panic and worry clouded his silver eyes, turning them a stormy grey color, almost like mine.

"I..." I reached up, and placed my sweaty palm on my hot forehead. "I feel quite faint, actually." I studied Jem and Will's, bodies, their faces healthy and undamaged. I blinked.

"How long has it been since the fight?"

"Only one day, Tess," Will reassured me.

"Then how are you two completely healed?" I exclaimed.

"We use runes, remember? With our steels," Will flicked his out from his weapon belt and glinted it in the light. My eyes fell to the dark symbols tracing his body, and was momentarily distracted by the way the lines wound around his strong arms and disappeared under his shirt, tiny bits peeking out at the neck. I could practically feel Will's smirk as I forcefully averted my gaze, looking down at my hands instead. I remember the way he touched me, the way his shirt fit on my small form, the way he's so protective in a way only he could be. My name sliding from his lips like honey, the way he calls me 'Tess'.

A sharp pang hit my heart as my eyes went over to Jem, his features delicate and graceful, his eyes open and caring. I bit my lip and clenched my eyes shut.

Stop it. You are betrothed to Jem. You love him, you love him!

But you love Will, too.

My fingers spasmed and I clenched the sheet pooling at my lap to get them from shaking.

"Tess...? Are you alright? I mean..."

"I...I'm afraid I'm feeling quite faint, Will. Jem. If you would go, please."

Shock and hurt crossed both of their faces at the same time, and they both stood.

"Of course. Feel better, Tess." Will reached out as if to touch my face, but then jerked back and swiftly straightened, his face composing into a cool mask. He nodded to me and Jem, and turned on his heel, his Shadowhunter boots hitting the ground with sharp clicks, matching the one to the door as he closed it behind him with a firm pull.

Jem and I watched him go, and when he left we were left in a slightly tense silence.

His eyebrows crinkled. "Do feel better, alright Tessa? Will you come down for dinner today? Would you like me to drop by and walk you?"

I smiled gently at him and reached my hand out towards him. He took it and stepped closer, leaning down to press a soft kiss on my forehead, his spicy-sweet scent enveloping me and making my heart beat faster. So much like the way it does with Will. A blush creeped up my neck and onto my cheek as he kissed my cheek afterwards, and leaned his forehead on mine, opening his eyes.

"I'm so glad you're alright. If...if anything happened to you, Tessa, I...God, I don't know what I would've done. The thought of you hurt just...it physically hurts my heart. I couldn't stand it. Sitting here waiting for you to wake up...I was so scared that you wouldn't..." He squeezed his eyes tight, and his voice caught in his throat.

I reached up, my fingers still shaking, and placed a hand on either side of Jem's cheeks. His skin was stretched tight over his bones, his cheekbones high and prominent. His face was cool under my sweaty hands, and I traced my thumbs over the bags under his eyes.

"How have you been lately? Any more...fits?"

Jem quickly shook his head. I raised an eyebrow.

"James," I warned. "Do not lie to me."

He bit his lip, pale pink turning white under the pressure. "Only one. After the attack."

Rage and desperation clawed at my head, and I pulled him down, hugging his neck. "We will find a cure, you hear me James? We will find a cure for you."

Jem smiled sadly, but didn't answer. I tightened my grip on him. "Don't you believe me, Jem? Don't you want us to find a cure so you could be with me forever?"

A voice in the back of my mind chanted Will's name over and over again, but I shoved it away forcefully. Jem's eyes opened then, a fierce fire blazing behind his pupils.

"Of course! God...of course. What I wouldn't give to spend the rest of my long life with you, Tessa...I love you. But some things are just...some things can't be fixed. No matter how much you try, some things just can't be fixed." His statement ended in a whisper, and he was shaking his head back and forth, forehead still against mine, my arms still wound around his neck.

"Well, Jem?"

"Hmm?"

"This isn't one them."

I hope you guys are still here! I'm really sorry for the wait, but I am extremely thankful for the reviews! You guys are the best. This chapter was a filler chapter – some Tessa and Jem fluff going on here. I hope you guys liked it? And you Will fans please don't kill me? :]P

Please review – it would mean the world to me, and I shall talk to you guys soon. [;