This is my first fan fiction. All constructive criticism is appreciated! Thank you!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in the Mortal Instruments. They belong to Cassandra Clare. No copyright infringement is intended.

"Concentrate," Clary muttered to herself.

Jace was certainly not making the training session any easier. Since they had arrived in New York, she had been battered with countless training sessions in the Institute, day after day. It wasn't too hard, because like Jocelyn, her mother, Clary was a natural fighter, but nevertheless, living with Jace in the Institute could be very distracting. He had taken his shirt off in the pretence of being hot, and sweat glistened down his chest as he cast a wicked grin.

"Ready Clary?" he said.

"Whenever you are," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Jace lunged at her and Clary ducked, drawing her saber as she circled Jace. Then, she swung with her sword at Jace, and he parried with another blow of his own. They continued in this fashion, until she was up against the corner of the room. Isabelle had disappeared with Meliorn, and Jace and Clary were alone in the room. Alec was in Idris with Magnus because the Clave had issued a new law that all Shadowhunters must go to Idris for further training when they became adults. Maryse and Robert weren't too pleased about Alec staying alone in Idris with Magnus. They were still getting used to the fact that Alec was gay. However, they remained at the Institute, for Alec's training would be finished in two years. Of course Clary didn't see the point of further training. What the Clave could still teach, either than more battle training and the lore of runes, mystified her. She brought herself back to the situation at hand. Jace had her cornered and would end up winning this duel as well. Not to be discouraged, Clary thought of the ways she could drive Jace back. Her best chance was probably shoving back to the other corner. As she gathered her energy to push him away, Jace leaned in closer to her, distracting her momentarily. His warm golden eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned further still and closed in the gap between them. His lips brushed hers and he kissed her, gently at first, but then with increased passion and urgency. Clary's legs wrapped around Jace's as she pushed him closer to her, and with his free hand, he knotted his hands into Clary's flaming red hair. Clary dropped her saber and with her free hands began exploring the contours of his back. Just then, the door swung open and Isabelle entered the room, black hair flying as she held her golden whip. Jace slowly, and unwillingly, pulled away from Clary, although he still held her by the waist, looking pointedly annoyed at Isabelle.

"I thought you were on a date with Meliorn," Jace said dryly, not bothering with pleasantries.

"I said I was getting ready for my date with Meliorn, not that I had already gone!" Isabelle did look dressed up. She was wearing a tight, black, mini-dress, strapless and with a few, flimsy, strings on the back. She had on tall, black, sparkling heels, and her golden whip and black hair breezed out around her, making her look at the more gorgeous. "Besides," Isabelle continued, "how was I supposed to know that I'd be coming in at the wrong time?" she said mischievously.

Clary blushed a deep, crimson red, as red as her hair. Jace didn't seem bothered in the least bit.

"Izzy," he said, looking thoughtfully at her outfit, "remind me to make Clary wear that dress someday," he said.

"Any time," Isabelle said, more than happy to dress Clary up.

"Jace!" Clary shouted in horror, "I would never wear that! Ugh! How could you even think of that!" she said horrified, promptly shoving Jace with her elbow when he merely chuckled.

"Anyway," Isabelle said, "I came to tell you two that Simon is here and wants to talk to you two."

"Both of us?" Jace said skeptically.

"Yes. Both of you. Apparently he needs your advice or something. Anyway, I'm off, Meliorn awaits me!" she said dramatically. And with that, she left the room.

The moment she left the room, Jace pushed Clary against the wall again and moved in to kiss her. Unwillingly, Clary held up a hand and Jace froze, hovering near her lips.

"Jace," she said sadly, "we should go. At this rate we'll be here till sundown," she said nervously, biting her lip, hoping Jace wouldn't be mad at her. Apparently he was in a good mood, because all he said was, "Whatever you say darling." With that he pulled away from her and went to take put his saber back.