City of Shattered Glass

Part 10: A Work In Progress

When they both woke, Jace got up to go and make breakfast, pointing to a dresser that he assumed had women's clothing in it.

"Do you need help getting up?" He asked, already knowing the answer she wanted to give him.

Clary pushed herself up, slowly swinging her feet over the side of the bed, "I'd like to say no, I got this, but..."

Clary didn't need to finish, Jace walked over to the dresser and opened three different drawers before finally finding one full of jeans and another full of women's t-shirts. He also opened a wardrobe in the corner of the room to find a few sundresses.

He turned to Clary, "Would you prefer jeans and a t-shirt, or one of those dresses," he hooked his thumb at the wardrobe.

She grinned at him, "Now, I really want to say jeans but logically it would probably be easier just to wear a dress," she pointed at one of the dresses, "Pass me that white one."

Jace grabbed it off the hanger and tossed it onto the bed, "Do you, uhm...?" He suddenly felt very awkward. He wanted to help Clary, but the idea of helping her change felt very...uncalled for. She probably was already self-conscious about herself at the moment and Jace wouldn't want her to think that he was trying anything with her.

"Don't worry," she said, obviously trying not to laugh, "I can change on my own."

Jace blew out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, "Well, I'm gonna go make us breakfast. Yell if you need me."

He left the room and found the kitchen, also finding the pack he'd stored there only a couple days ago. At the time, when he had brought the supplies, he had thought he probably wouldn't need the them, but now he was grateful to himself for thinking of it. They would have no food if he hadn't. he grabbed out the eggs he had carefully packaged and set them out on the counter, turning to search for some type of frying pan. When he found one in the bottom drawer, he set to work.

By the time Clary shouted for him from the other room, he had already set out two plates filled with eggs and set out with glasses of water. He jogged to the other room and was just through the door when Clary held out a hand. Jace stopped in his tracks.

"Stay there," she said, pushing herself off the bed to stand. Clary winced slightly, "I want to see how far I can get."

Jace stood where he was, ready to lunge and catch her if necessary. Hesitantly, Clary took a step, her face scrunched in pain and exertion, but she continued to walk forward until she collapsed into Jace. He wrapped his arms around her, moving to pick her up, but again Clary put her hands on his forearms.

"Just help me. I'll never get better if you baby me all the time and carry me around," Clary said, slipping her arm through his elbow and gripping it hard.

Jace tried not to laugh, "I'm not babying you. I'm just being very protective."

"That's babying."

"Is not."

Clary rolled her eyes at him, but smiled, "You're insufferable."

Jace helped her walk toward the kitchen, "I've actually been told that I am quite sufferable."

Clary's bare feet slapped against the floor and she winced at every step, but still she managed to laugh, "Oh, shut up you big idiot."­­­

Jace helped her to sit on a stool in the large kitchen and then sat down next to her. They ate in silence before Clary asked the question Jace had been dreading.

"How is everyone? How's Izzy and Alec?" For a moment Jace thought she would stop there and almost let himself relax, but she continued, "And what about Max?"