{Complete}What If She Was Never Gone?

Scarlett

Clary saw the silhouette of someone, though she wasn't sure who. A voice drifted into her mind. She couldn't understand it. It sounded like it was going through water before reaching her ears.

"... Clary... Clary, wake up. Clary, please don't be dead. Not again, dammit."

Clary blinked, trying to see the blurry face.

"Oh, thank Raziel," the voice breathed.

Clary blinked more. She could see colors now. Fair skin… and black hair. "... Alec?"

"Clary, you have red hair."

Clary frowned slightly before she remembered she shouldn't. "Iratze. I need an iratze to fix it." Her vision was slowly clearing up. She could see the blue of Alec's eyes now.

"I didn't bring a stele."

Neither did Clary. She moaned as she became aware of the pain she felt in her head.

"Clary, what should I do?"

Clary was trying to think around her headache. "Scarlett... She can help. Leave me, go get Scar."

"Should I hide you?"

Clary gave him a tiny nod.

Alec helped her stand. She moaned again. She was sore everywhere, and she was pretty sure she broke something.

He set her down somewhere slightly darker. "Don't move, I'll be back."

Earlier that day...

Clary heard a knock on her door. "Loren, it's me," said Scarlett's voice.

Clary set down her sketchpad and opened the door for Scarlett. She was in a red, ankle length, silk, one-sleeved dress, and her hair was twisted into a side-ponytail. She was carrying a garment bag and a small box.

"You look great," said Clary.

"I know," said Scarlett, walking in. She set the things down on the hotel bed.

Clary shut the door and walked up beside her. "Alright, let's see it."

Scarlett unzipped the garment bag and took out a black halter dress.

Clary stared at it. "I'm not wearing that!"

"Oh, yes you are," smiled Scarlett. "It was expensive, and you've got no other options."

"I might as well go naked!" Clary scoffed.

"Alright." Scarlett set the dress down on the bed. "Then do."

Clary's eyes widened. Scarlett had her serious face on, and her fists on her hips. "You know what... I'll wear it."

Scarlett smiled. "Good."
.................................
When Scarlett had finished Clary's hair and makeup, she let Clary look in the mirror.

Clary gaped at her reflection. The dress was worse than Clary thought. It was a red halter neck that went down to her ankles, exposed her entire back, and had a slit and plunging neckline with lace.

Her white-blonde, wavy hair was pinned up with dozens of bobby pins, and her makeup was done a little more than usual. "Scarlett... the neckline..."

"I know." Scarlett smiled. "Jace is gonna love it." She winked.

"Scarlett, I can't go out in public like this," she scoffed.

"Clary, you look amazing. And, you have to. That's the whole reason you're here!"

Clary shook her head. "No. Way."

Someone knocked on the door and Scarlett went for it.

"Scarlett! Don't open the-" but it was too late. Scarlett had thrown the door wide open, and Jace was staring at her.