Disclaimer. I own nothing. Story and all characters belong to Cassandra Clare.

*everything in the book is the same until this point*

A Dreadful Row

Jem—

Jem was rushing down the stairs with Gideon and Henry. Will usually would've been by his side, but he was behind him with Cecily. Will had been so distracted ever since his sister had come to the Institute, and however much he might complain or claim to be annoyed, Jem knew he was happy underneath to be spending time with Cecily. Only the amusement at the expense of Will could distract him from the thought that Tessa was upstairs being fitted for a wedding gown. A gown for their wedding. His thoughts were brought up short abruptly when he paused on the on the steps, startled. He had caught sight of Tessa, already at the bottom of the steps, still wearing the dress. His eyes widened, but the others were already pushing by, and he was carried down the steps like a leaf in a current.

Jem was trying to concentrate very hard on following the conversation between Gabriel and Gideon Lightwood, then Henry, Charlotte, and Will joining in. He was still thinking about Tessa in the gold gown. She looked so beautiful it hurt. Once again his thoughts were thinking more about the wedding, he hardly dared to think of after the wedding, when Will's voice insulting Gabriel brought him back to the present. He could always count on Will to bring him back to focus on the present.

"...would have taken account of it and notified someone."

"Notified who?" he asked, not unreasonably. He had moved closer to Tessa as the conversation had continued. As they stood side by side, the backs of their hands brushed. Jem suppressed a shiver. Even the lightest of touches from Tessa could send electricity through his body. He wanted more, so much more.

Jem, beside Tessa, hooked his smaller finger through hers. It was a habitual affectionate gesture, one that they had grown used to over the past months, enough so that Jem knew Tessa put out her hand automatically when she was standing by him. It warmed his heart they already had an affectionate gesture become familiar and established between them.

"Is that your wedding dress?" he asked Tessa under his breath.

Tessa was unable to answer when Bridget appeared, carrying gear, and Gideon suddenly turning to the rest of them and saying, "Chiswick. We must go. Gabriel and I, if no one else."

"Go alone?" Tessa said. "But why would you not call upon others to come with you—"

Another small argument broke out between Will and Gabriel. Jem resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Of course, Will and Gabriel would still be at each other's throats, despite the seriousness of the situation. It was broken up by Gideon, defending Will to Gabriel. Jem spoke up to avoid another spat.

"We will come with you. Of course we will come with you," said Jem, releasing Tessa's hand and stepping forward. "Gideon did us a service. We have not forgotten, have we, Charlotte?"

A flurry of motion and Jem was at Will's side with his stele drawn, tracing a rune on the side of Will's throat. Cecily was looking at Will and scowling.

"I, too, am conveniently already in gear," she announced.

Will jerked his head up, causing Jem to make a sound of annoyed protest. "Cecily, absolutely not." A debate broke out, again. This time it was Will, Cecily, and Henry.

"She's a little girl!" Will exclaimed. Jem felt it was time to intervene.

"You were doing the same at fifteen," he said, quietly, and Will spun back toward him. For a moment everyone seemed to hold their breath, even Gabriel. Jem's gaze held with Will's, steadily, unspoken words passing between them.

Will sighed and half-closed his eyes. "Tessa will be wanting to come next." Jem jerked a little. He had not thought Tessa would want to come.

"Of course I am coming," Tessa said. "I may not be a Shadowhunter, but I too have trained. Jem is not going without me." Jem felt a rush of warmth at her worry for him.

"You are in your wedding dress," Will protested.

"Well, now that you've all seen it, I can't possibly wear it to be married in," Tessa said stubborn as ever. "Bad luck, you know."

Will groaned something in Welsh—unintelligible, but clearly the tone of a defeated man. Across the room Jem cast Tessa a slight, worried smile. He couldn't help it. He was proud of how brave she was, but didn't want her in danger at the same time. The Institute door swung open then, letting a blaze of autumn sunlight into the entryway. Cyril stood on the threshold, breathless.

"The second carriage is now ready," he said. "Who'll be coming, then?"

This is my first fan fiction. Please read and review and please, be kind! I hope you all enjoy!!!