Coming Back (TID & TMI Crossover)

Chapter 3

As Tessa stood in front of the Institute, questions raced in her mind. "Are you okay?" Jem asked, concern dotting his voice. She looked up into his kind face.

"Yes. Just a bit concerned," she replied, kissing his cheek. "Come on, let's go inside."

They walked up the path and Jem opened the door. As they reached the home floor of the Institute, Tessa looked around. Only Clary, sitting in a chair reading a book, was visible.

Tessa cleared her throat and Clary looked up, a smile lighting her face. "I knew you'd come!" she exclaimed, running to hug her. After embracing, she looked from Tessa to Jem. "Brother Zachariah! I didn't know you would be here."

"Please call me Jem. And I came with Tessa. We ARE married," he replied. A look passed across Clary's face, as if something made sense.

"There's something I have to show-"

Just then, a scream ripped through the house.

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The first thing he saw was a painting of a pond full of black mallards. Ducks. By the Angel, it had to be ducks, he thought. He rolled over and stuck his head into his pillow. What is going on?

He faintly heard the door open and the soft patter of footsteps. He looked up and his eyes went straight to the woman with the light brown hair. She stared at him with wide grey eyes. A man caught up with her and followed her gaze. The man turned pale.

"Will," Tessa whispered. She took a step towards him, then fainted.

"What? Does it have something to do with my charm?" Will grinned, trying to lighten the mood. It didn't work.

The man, who had finally snapped out of his stupor, rushed to Tessa, picked her up, and laid her down on an infirmary bed. He turned to look at Will once more. "Will? Is that you Will?" he asked.

Will stood up and walked over to him. The voice was so familiar, and yet the face... He stopped in his tracks. "Jem?" he gasped.

Jem smiled as he walked toward Will and caught him in an embrace. "I thought I'd never see you again," Jem whispered. He took a step back, wiping his eyes.

"Are you crying James?" Will asked incredulously.

"No!" Jem said defensively. He grinned and looked away.

"How are you... you know... not a Silent Brother?" Will said quietly.

"Ummm... I..." Jem stuttered. Just then, more Shadowhunters ran into the infirmary. They lined up behind the girl with the red hair, and looked at him as though he were a threat.

Will looked at all of them lined up. "Ugh! What now?" he moaned, flopping back on his bed. Jem chuckled to himself.

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Tessa slowly opened her eyes. She looked around, dazed. Why am I in the infirmary? Then, it hit her. She looked to her left. A small crowd had congregated around a bed, and the voice seemed all too familiar.

She slowly stood up and walked toward the gathering. Jem saw her and rushed to her. "Tessa, are you sure you can stand?" he asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," she mumbled, squeezing into the spot Jem had left open.

And she looked right into those eyes. The eyes that she had almost forgotten, now as new as a fresh morning.

He smiled and moved towards Tessa. She backed away. Will, however kept insisting until she was backed up against the wall. There was nowhere to go. Will moved in to kiss her, his eyes full of happiness.

And Tessa screamed.