Clockwork City (The Mortal Instruments / Infernal Devices Fanfiction)

Chapter One : Going Home

“All passengers boarding the 707 flight to the USA, the flight is about to leave from gate 3. Thank you.”

This announcement was followed by a multitude of other announcements about leaving baggage unattended, but the first announcement was the only one of importance to Tessa and Jem as they ran though the airport, luggage in hand and passports in mouths. Tessa's clockwork angel bouncing on her chest.

“Wait!” Jem shouted at an attendant who was just about to close the doors.

“I’m sorry Sir; only passengers are allowed past this gate.” He said, pulling the door shut and walking to the desk.

“We are passengers. I need to get on that flight to go home.” Breathlessly Tessa caught up, thickening her American accent as she got close.

“Ah, apologies miss.” The man smiled and walked back to the doors. He opened them and smiled as they walked past, offering to help with Tessa’s rucksack. 

“How did you do that?” Jem asked under his breath. Tessa smiled wider.

“I'm a lady James. We can get what we want when we want it. Magnus’ training also helps.”

Jems hand slipped into Tessa’s as they crossed the bridge onto the plane. The plane was already full, there were toddlers shouting and kicking as their parents attempted to strap them into their seats whilst the old people complained loudly to each other in the way that only old people can manage. Tessa squeezed Jems hand as they walked down the cramped isle of the plane to their seats. Tessa had insisted they sit by the window so that she could show Jem the city of New York from above, to which Jem complained that he wanted to sit in the middle away from the windows and away from the idea of what they were about to do.

“I've never been on a plane before.” Jem had said when Tessa mentioned the idea of planes rather than on a boat - which had always made her feel a little ill.

“You were a Silent Brother for a hundred years Jem. I wouldn’t have expected you to have ever been on a plane.” Tessa had shouted back from the hotel bathroom.

“And you’re sure it’s safe?” He asked for the millionth time.

“Yes James.” She’d replied.

*

“I'm still not sure that this is a good idea,” he said now, taking Tessa’s rucksack and putting it up in the overhead hold.

“So you’d rather stay here where your best friend died where all your bad memories are, than start afresh with me in the place I grew up?” Tessa asked, grabbing for Jem’s hand and pulling him into the seat next to her.

“It’s where the good memories are as well you know…” he added, sitting down. Tessa found herself rubbing two fingers along the clockwork angel around her neck for comfort. 

“Well, it’s too late; you’re on the plane now.” He smiled and she kissed his check before fastening her seatbelt.

It was a nightmare. When they took off, Jem’s ears popped and he freaked out because he couldn’t hear anything. The flight was bumpy. Every time something pinged on the plane Jem had a heart attack and the people on the row on the other side of the isle chuckled. Tessa coaxed him into watching a film, but he couldn’t settle. He was either constantly looking over Tessa and out of the window to make sure we weren’t hurtling to our deaths, or reminding Tessa of how mental this was and how much Will would have loved it. Tessa had laughed the first time he had jumped when the child behind them kicked his chair, but now she was as annoyed as he was. Eventually she turned around and asked the parent if they would please tell their child to pack it in, the parent had simply chuckled and said “kids, what are we going to do about them ‘ey?”. She had then used a very un-lady like word - that made Jem blush - and sat back down in her chair, arms folded.