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As soon as their eyes met, Clary rushed to the man standing before her, wrapping her arms around his neck. His arms immediately wrapped around her, one hand gripping her tightly while the other, nothing but a metal stump from the amputation, rested on her back. He pulled away only to grip the side of her face, a soft breath coming out. "God, Joanie, I feel as if I haven't seen you in years." The girl only smiled in response.

Joy fueled the both of them as the figures surrounded not only Clary and Leon but Carl as well, who stood to the side with a soft smile at seeing the girl he loved happy. "Our Commander returns!"

Cheers sounded, the figures shedding their hoods and masks before making their way to their past commander, Carl noting the admiring looks in their eyes. Although happy for her people being alive, he couldn't help but feel a slight pain in his chest as he realized her people were back. Her loyalty was to them as their Commander. Doubt filled his head with thoughts of her leaving Alexandria to live on as Commander.

That doubt was soon pushed to the side as Clary looked to him, pushing past her people before placing a hand on his arm before meeting Leon's gaze. "I wouldn't be returning if it wasn't for Carl and his people. They saved me. He saved me." Carl looked down at Clary, smiling as their gazes met, before Leon approached him. The man studied the boy for a moment in silence before reaching out a hand, Carl immediately taking it. "Any friend of our Commander is a friend of ours. Thank you for saving her." Carl nodded, a laugh leaving his lips. "Believe me, she's probably saved us more than we saved her." Clary rolled her eyes at his words, Leon letting out a laugh before nodding. "I wouldn't doubt that. Kid has a tendency to be a hero."

"Nervous?"

Clary's thoughts faded as she looked to her side, meeting Leon's questioning gaze. The girl only shrugged before continuing to look ahead. "I've gone months believing Solaris had fallen, that all of my people were dead. I guess I'm just nervous about how people will see me." Clary clenched her jaw, feeling a hand in her shoulder as Leon spoke. "Believe me, Joanie, no one blames you for what happened." Clary could only shake her head, her steps slower to which Leon sill matched. "I wasn't there for you all when the Saviors came. I— I ran. I gave up," Clary said barely above a whisper, her eyes meeting Leon's, watching as he shook his head. "Your people will only think about the miracle that is you returning to us."

Clary only nodded softly, her head turning to see Carl following close behind. He gave her a reassuring nod, his hand on his sword. She almost laughed at the sight, not because of his defensive nature but rather at the thoughts of how far they had come. With the two beginning as not even acquainted, Clary threatening to kill him, all the way to him being one of the only people she trusted with her life and him being ready to defend her. It warmed her heart.

"We're here." Clary turned away from Carl, her eyes resting upon the seemingly abandoned RV park. Before she could ask where everyone was, her question was soon answered as the park erupted into movement and shouting. As bright spotlights fell upon the entering group, figures appeared on the roofs of the RV's, other figures peeking out from behind the vehicles with either guns, spears, or bows in hand. "Hold your fire!" Leon called out, raising a hand to which they all dropped their weapons.

"Back to your positions!" The new voice approached in the form of a woman, hair pulled back in braids as she approached Leon. "You didn't call ahead," the woman warned with a smirk, the man only shrugging. "I thought this would be better as a surprise." The woman furrowed her eyebrows before looking to the girl besides him, her eyes widening. "God, if it isn't little Dean," the woman exclaimed, a smile rising on both of their faces. "Tris? Holy shit, you made it."

Beatrice Murphy, better known as Tris, was one of the best soldiers within the Guard. She had been close to Clary, even being considered for the Commander position, to which she voiced her disapproval of her taking the spot as she believed she was more of a soldier than a leader. The woman gave a small bow, as if for her performance of survival. "Yes, ma'am, I did. Someone had to make sure Lee over here didn't fuck up your regimen." Clary let out a laugh, shaking her head at the woman.

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