A/N: For those who have read Paper Hearts, this is the full story behind that excerpt. Dedicated to jacenclaryforever (Judith) who has been bugging me to continue Paper Hearts.

A million thanks to iBubble, lolo14998 and loving ya. Thanks for being the first 3 to review Paper Hearts.

Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Instruments

"Hey, what are you looking at?" a warm, musical voice filled the silence she had built around her. At once, Clary spun on her heels, shocked that she was caught off guard. Her hand went to her heart, trying to calm it. She started to look around, wondering who had disturbed her. Then, she heard footsteps and turned slowly toward the direction of the golden lion water fountain. The first thing she saw was a pair of black shoes and as her eyes travelled upwards, she found herself gasping for breath. Right in front of her stood Jace Wayland, her best friend. However, for the past few weeks, the atmosphere they had whenever they were together was different. It was more than friends.

She did not know what happened. She felt different around him ever since he had saved her from falling off a cliff. At that time, when he wrapped her in his arms, it felt as if she was in heaven, where no one could touch her. It was as if he was a safe haven, as if he could make all her fears go away in a blink of an eye. After that day, she could not stand being in the same room as him, especially in her dormitory room. She blushed more around him, she became clumsy and she became forgetful. He had laughed at her then, teased her about it, but did he not know he was the one who made her that way.

Right now, she felt as if words were stuck in her throat as she stared at the person in front of her. He was leaning against the low wall of the fountain, looking more like a Greek god that anyone had the right to, wearing a black tuxedo and trademark smirk. However, that smirk made her feel warm and fuzzy all over. He pushed himself off the wall and approached her. Clary tried to run away, or appear normal the least, but somehow, she could not make her heart to beat normally. They had been best friends for 3 years now, so why must one incident change everything?

"Nothing much, just the stars and the night sky. Good thing it's full moon too," Clary mumbled, looking away from him, trying to avoid looking into his eyes.

"Really? I never notice those. I thought you were just waiting for the fireworks," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. She could feel the tiny bit of his skin from his elbow as he stood close to her, folding his arms across his chest. Did he really not know what he was making her feel?

"Yeah, Simon told me about it. Seemed that's what everyone is looking forward to," she said, grinning, glad that her emotions are quite under controlled. However, his reaction was something she had not expected. He closed his eyes, as if in pain, and pinched the bridge of his nose, deep in thought. Clary was about to ask him what's wrong when he took out his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She looked up at him questioningly.

"That dress isn't that warm. C'mon, let's take a walk along the beach," he told her, offering her his arm. She hesitated for a second before taking it.

It was as if nothing was wrong. He made her feel at ease as they talked about the humorous things their classmates did for the past two semesters. Like how Aaron pulled his twin's pants down, how Danielle managed to sneak past the second corridor of the block to meet her new boyfriend only to be caught by Ms Ingrid, who was also sneaking around with her boyfriend. However, whenever she started talking about Simon, Jace clamped shut, as if he did not want to participate in that conversation. Finally, they sat on the hard boulder in the middle of the beach, looking up into the night sky. Right behind them was Hayes Academy, their school, and celebrating the upcoming New Year.

Clary looked down at her emerald green sleeveless dress, which barely covered her knees. She did not really want to wear this but Isabelle, her roommate, had persuaded her into it. It was a good thing she was in Jace's jacket, which was keeping her warm from the cool sea breeze. She kicked off the 3inch heels and brought her legs close to her chest. Jace was sitting comfortably next to her, leaning back as he closed his eyes and took in whatever he was feeling.

"You know, Simon told me about how it's a good thing to wear red on the first day of the New Year. Though how he came up with that theory... no one knows," Clary told him, smiling at the memory of her hilarious friend. She turned to look at Jace but he was looking down, his expression hidden from her. She wondered why he was like this today. It was not the first time he heard about Simon and his antics. Somehow, he was worrying her.

"Jace, are you ok?" she asked gently, placing her hand on his arm.

"Clary, what is Simon to you?" he finally asked, his voice sounding strained.

Clary was caught off guard with that question. What was Simon to her?

"I don't know. He's just somebody fun to hang out with, that's all," she answered carefully, hoping her words did not do any more damage.

"But, have you thought of him as somebody more than a... friend?"

Clary bit her lip as she felt her cheeks burning from that question. There was only one who she would think of being more than friends, but now was not the right time.

"I don't. I just find him so cute and interesting, nothing more," she answered, choosing her words with care.

At once, Jace looked up, his expression a cross between mild rage and disbelief. Then, as if it never happened, he had his poker face on. He took a brown fallen leaf in his hand and started tearing it into shreds.

"Of course everyone find Simon interesting. Who wouldn't? Plus, he's a nice guy," he mumbled to himself, shredding the leaf into tinier pieces.

"What's your problem, Jace? It's not as if his advancing me or anything. We're just friends. You really shouldn't protect me that much. I'm not your sister," Clary huffed. Jace mood swing was annoying at times. Sighing, she stood up, her slippers in her right hand and was about to walk off when she heard him calling her name.

She stopped and was about to turn when Jace took her hand and pulled her towards him, wrapping her in his arms. She tensed up at first, but after a while, relaxed against him. Soon enough, he pulled away, gently. He cupped her chin, staring deep into her eyes.

"That's why. I've never think of you as my sister and the thoughts I'm thinking about you are hardly brotherly," he murmured, sending warm and fuzzy feelings that made her toes curled. His face inched closer; his hot breath was felt against her cheeks. He tilted his head, his eyes still fixed on hers. Finally, he closed them and his lips met hers.

His lips were warm, soft and had the lingering taste of mints. She did not know how to react. It made her feel awkward... and scared. Scared that she was not doing it right, scared that she could not be compared with the other girls he had kissed. She stood frozen. Too soon, he pulled away, but not too far away. She could feel her cheeks flushing and her heart hammering in her chest. His forehead touched hers, his breath feeling warm in her face. Then, she kissed him. She pressed her lips to his, shock at first, but soon softened under her touch. It was as if the world exploded under his touch as long suppressed desire was released from her. She wrapped her hands behind his neck, wanting the feeling more as she let her instincts guide her. He tilted his head for a better angle, his hand pressing against the small part of her back, not letting her break away. This time, it was different. There was a sense of urgency in it as both pushed for more. There was more passion in it, as if he too had suppressed himself. His hand moved lower, from her shoulder to her waist and stopped right there. He held the back of her hear with his left hand as he tilted his head, angling it better as their kissing deepened. When they finally came up for air, his face was flushed, his eyes bright. He held her cheek in his hand, caressing it gently.

"You do not know how long I've been waiting for that," he whispered. He pulled her towards him and kissed her softly, gently, before pulling away. He took her hand in his, their fingers lacing with each other.

"I love you Clary. I've loved you ever since we first met. It pained me to see you with Simon," he confessed, blushing slightly.

"My heart has been yours since you saved me at the cliff. That's why it pained me when you hang out with those flirty girls. I thought... thought you don't like me as I'm so...normal," she whispered softly. Jace released her hand and cupped her chin again, staring seriously in her eyes.

"Clary, you do not know how long I've been wanting you." With that, he pressed his lips against hers, as if making his point, before pulling away.

"Would you be mine, Clarissa?"

"I'm already yours."

Right above them, the shower of fireworks just started, lighting up the sky and marking the day they admitted their love for each other, something they had kept hidden from each other. As Jace held Clary's hand while they walked back to Hayes Academy, they felt contentment for the first time.

Thanks for reading! Review please! XD