It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.
- Aristotle

***

Simon felt like he might pass out from the heat. Luckily, the water bottle in his hand was there to prevent that. He opened it and gulped it all in one go. Then he moved towards the car, across the empty gas station. On the side of the road, Jace was lounging on the back seat of the Camaro, reading something. "Again with the map?" Simon scoffed, opening the door and leaning over to give Jace the water bottle. The blonde gave him a smirk. His chapped lips looked just like Simon's, probably, but the thing that worried Simon the most wasn't that. Not even the dark circles under his eyes or the fact that Jace's smile didn't make it to his eyes. No, the thing Simon worried about most was the once again reddening bandage on Jace's thigh.

He wanted to move his hands there but Jace suddenly pulled him down. Simon braced himself with one hand on the seat and the other above Jace's shoulder. The blonde kissed him, short but thorough, and Simon pulled back with a shortness of breath. Jace winked and snatched the bottle from his hands. "Yes, because we are not just 'winging it'." he announced, setting the map aside and opening the bottle. Simon watched as Jace gulped down the water and for a second, he was lost in a trance. Jace snapped his fingers in front of him, tossing aside the empty bottle. "Earth to Simon!" he said and smirked. Simon shook his head. "Right. What was I saying?" he asked, a little absentmindedly, when his eyes went to Jace's bare torso. The blonde moved, so he could pull Simon down on him and the brunette groaned, trying not to push his weight onto Jace's unhealed leg. "You we're trying to convince me to have sex in the car." Jace said seriously, making Simon roll his eyes.

"Nice try. Let me see that." Simon retorted, swatting Jace's hand away to inspect his leg. Jace leaned his head back, exhaling. "I'm fine." he said annoyed, for the millionth time. Simon clicked his tongue. He moved to look back at Jace and saw that the blonde was looking at him lovingly. He tried to remain serious. "Jace, like I said. You are not. And we are going to a hospital. Today, in fact." Simon told him, moving back so he could stretch for the last time, before getting back into the drivers seat. Jace sat up, moving towards the door and let his legs touch the ground as he sat there, pouting at Simon. "Oh, don't give me that." Simon said to him, making Jace throw his hands in the air with a sigh. "Fine. How do you propose we even go about this?" he asked and Simon felt a pang of guilt then. He shuffled his legs and avoided Jace's eyes. "So, I called Magnus..." he started, but Jace was already wearing an expression of disbelief.

"You did...what?" he asked and Simon shushed him. "Look, we both know that we couldn't go to a hospital, but that shady place we went to? I should've never let that creep put his hands on you! Those weren't proper stitches! I mean, sure it worked at first, but it took just a week for them to reopen! Magnus has a friend, who is a nurse and I remembered. So I called him." he said, feeling his heart speed up as he spoke more quickly, to not let Jace interrupt. The blonde did it anyways. "Simon, we are fugitives! I mean what if..." he said but Simon cut him off, by kneeling in front of him and placing his hands on Jace's knees. "I used a burner phone. Also, I only said that I was in Texas. Nothing too specific. And I said that it's for me, that I cut myself and might have blood poisoning. The less he knows the better, even if he doesn't believe me. Magnus obviously knew why I was calling, but he kept it discreet." he stated solemnly and Jace breathed out. He was silent for some time and then he nodded to Simon. "And?" he asked, and Simon knew his boyfriend had already forgiven him. "Catarina has actually been working in Texas for some time now. Magnus gave the address to the hospital and also gave Cat a heads up so we can sneak in." Simon replied, smiling.

Jace sighed again and leaned forward, placing his head in his hands. Simon gave him a confused look and tried to move his head, so he could look at him. "Jace? What is it?" he asked and the blonde looked up, his eyes sad. "I'm sorry. I know it must be hard, not being able to see your friends, and talking to them, without having to say where you are must be even worse." Jace said and Simon felt his heart constrict. The official story was, that Jace had vanished, just like that and Simon had gone on a long vacation for an 'extended period of time' to 'somewhere in Nevada'. The FBI was still on the lookout for Jace and Simon knew he had to think of something, so they wouldn't make him a fugitive, too, in the eyes of the law. Although, that's what he was, as long as he stuck with Jace. And he had no intention of leaving.

He put a finger under Jace's chin, making him look at Simon but the blonde's eyes were now closed. "Angel, look at me." Simon said and Jace opened his eyes. It hurt Simon to see Jace so broken and sad. He looked guilty. "I have told you a thousand times, none of this is your fault. I came to save you, remember? This was my plan. Besides, my friends will understand. I mean, I miss them and my family, but... I couldn't let you go again. I can't live without you, Jace." Simon said to him, his voice calm and serious. Jace blinked the tears back. He took a shuddering breath. "I just hate that you have to live this life, because of me." he whispered and Simon moved to hug him. He let his hands circle Jace's back, soothing him. "I love you. There's no other way I would do this. We're in this together, you and me. I'm not leaving, not now, not ever." he assured and Jace nodded, his breath still slightly off pace. "And stop blaming yourself, babe. You left your grandmother, remember? And the FBI is looking for you... they were your family, too." Simon said, now feeling a little guilty himself for not addressing Jace's feelings earlier.

Jace shook his head. "I get it, though. I mean, I was an agent. I worked with Raphael and then Jonathan, without them knowing what I was up to. And now I fled. I know secrets that they could never afford to let out. They have orders, just like I did. They are trying to make sure that I don't betray them...or the country for that matter. Besides, I'm not innocent... I deserve to be punished for the things I've done." Jace's voice was dark and he was staring at the ground, his finger twitching. The nightmares had gotten worse and besides Jose, Jace saw other people in them as well - his friends and family, dead. Simon sighed, leaning in to kiss Jace's cheek and then looked at him. Those mismatched eyes were staring back at him with so much sadness in them, and the deeper Simon looked, the more he could detect the anguish and the fact that Jace was so very tired. But on the surface there was also a lot of adoration. Simon smiled. "I told you, you are not a bad person. There's so much good in you, Jace. You've just had a lot of bad things happen to you. And what else did I tell you?" he asked then, making Jace smile a little. "All good things from now on..." the blonde said, voice trailing off. Simon kissed his nose. "Yep. Now come on, get that sexy ass into the passenger seat and let's get a move on." he said, getting up and reaching a hand to Jace.

Jace snorted but took Simon's hand and when he got up he pulled Simon into his embrace. Locking their lips, Simon felt his breath stall in his lungs and his chest was filled with a warmth only Jace could create. When Jace parted them, he smiled at Simon. "I love you, Simon Lewis." he said and Simon smiled back. "I love you, Jace Herondale." he replied and felt more happy than he had ever felt before. Under the circumstances, that was really saying something.

***

When the night fell upon them, Simon couldn't help but feel paranoid. He knew that they had not been followed for days - the last time they encountered a tail was just two days after they had escaped New York. They had been extremely careful, but Jace wasn't 'officialy' a criminal, so to speak - no posters and no TV images of him were passed around. Jace told Simon, that the FBI would try and handle this with as much secrecy as possible, because Jonathan's case was very delicate to the government, especially because of Valentine's involvement. That meant that they could move a little more freely, but hospitals were still a big risk - they couldn't let Jace get signed in and his records exposed, that would've had the agents on them in a second. But Catarina already knew this, at least Simon prayed she did. He had seen her, a few times, but ever since she moved, he hadn't really kept in touch, since she was more of Magnus's friend. Magnus still occasionally met up with her and they called every week. Magnus trusted her, just like any other one of his friends, and that was good enough for Simon.

He drummed his fingers on the wheel as they watched the back entrance of the hospital. There was a lonely ambulance and the stone stairs were slippery and wet, because of the slight rain that had been trickling for an hour now. To their luck, Catarina worked at a small hospital, away from main towns and cities. Jace was fidgeting besides him, playing with a pocket knife and whistling. He did that when he was nervous. Simon breathed out, to calm himself and to not snap at his boyfriend. Just as he was about to lose his temper, they noticed someone come out the back door. Jace straightened up almost immediately and Simon grabbed his bag. They watched as the woman stopped next to the ambulance. She didn't look very tall, but they could see her blue scrubs and white sneakers under the dim lights. Her dreadlocks were set in a bun on her head and her tan arms were visible, because she wore no jacket, despite the slight rain. 

Simon and Jace exchanged a glance and the the brunette nodded. Just as they started to open the doors, they heard a male voice call. Jace shut his door quickly and laid a little low, while Simon closed his door as well, leaving a small crack to hear from. Their car was visible in the darkness, but it could've belonged to anybody, patient or staff, but just in case he also lowered himself behind the wheel. "Hey, Loss, did you just get here?" came a male voice and Simon felt his heart beat frantically. Go away, please, go away, he silently begged. They couldn't afford to linger in one spot for too long, especially a public one such as this. "Yep, second night shift and three more to come. Just grabbing a smoke before all hell." Catarina replied, her voice very cheerful and they could hear the man laugh. "Good luck." he said and they heard a car door open. "Take care, Garrison." Catarina said and they heard a car engine being turned on. Simon glanced up and saw a red Audi make it's way to the road and the tail lights flickered in the night, disappearing with haste.

He peered up again, seeing that Catarina was indeed smoking, but she was staring at the back door intently. Then, she turned her head and gave a very slight indication with her hand, that meant 'come'. Simon nodded to Jace, who opened his door, and together they ran towards Catarina. She eyed them, when they got to her and then he put off her smoke. "This way." she said, all business like, and lead them to another door, not the back one. It was a heavy metal door, that had a keypad next to it. Quickly, she tapped numbers into it, the beeping sound oddly loud in the silence surrounding them. She opened the door, through which they could only see darkness. "After you." she smiled at the two boys and Jace gave Simon a wary look. The brunette smiled and took his hand. "It's okay." he said simply and Jace nodded again, letting Simon lead him into the dark room.

They stood in the darkness, only hearing the faint sound of rain and shuffling by Catarina, as the door fell shut with a click behind them. Simon could also hear the blood rushing in his ears. Why did this feel like the start of a horror movie? The lights suddenly flickered on and Catarina strode over the room to a small window, covering it with blinders. The walls were white and the floor was tiled, making the room look as cold as it felt. Simon felt Jace's hand in his and noticed the shiver that ran through the other boy. He set and arm around him, trying to reassure him. And himself.

The woman turned towards them and she had a warm smile on now. That relaxed Simon a lot. "Simon, good to see you again. And you must be Jace?" she asked politely, pulling a stretcher into the center of the room and covered it with a blue paper, as it would seem. Simon nodded but felt Jace tense next to him. He squeezed his fingers a bit and then moved forward. "Yes. Thank you for this, Catarina." he said and the woman placed a bag next to the stretcher, now turning to look at them. "Call me Cat. I would do anything for Magnus, and he said this is important, so..." she said, her voice was harsh but her facial lines were soft. "What is this place?" Jace now asked, moving away from Simon to inspect the room. There were metallic shelves alongside the walls, full of medical equipment. Catarina waved her hand around. "An old storage room. Not a lot of people come here any more, we have a new one and these things will be transported there in a months time. That's why it's so cold in here, I'm sorry for that." she said and she did look apologetic. "It's okay." Simon assured and stared at Jace, who still looked suspicious. "Jace, if you would lie down, I could take a look at that leg." she said and eyed Jace. 

He came over, lying down on the stretcher and Simon placed himself next to his head, standing and placing his hand on his boyfriend's shoulder. Catarina waited until Jace removed his pants and then went to inspect it. She clicked her tongue and her facial expressions turned from astonishment to disbelief to anger. "Who fucked you up so badly?" Catarina wanted to know and Simon bit his lip. How much could they tell her? "You mean, when I got shot or when I got it stitched by a charlatan?" Jace asked, his voice sarcastic and that made Cat raise her eyebrow, anger replaced with amusement. "So that explains this disaster of a wound. Hold still, and a fair warning - this will hurt like a bitch. I have to take the stitchings out and clean the wound and do it all over again myself, but I can't give you any anesthetic - I'm afraid we have to categorize every little amount as we are running short of it now, and I can't risk anyone asking me about it, when I go and get it." she announced and Simon could see Jace clench his jaw. He nodded curtly and Simon decided to distract him, so he wouldn't feel as much pain.

While Catarina leaned over with what looked like the tweezers Isabelle would use on her eyebrows, Simon place his hand in Jace's and moved so he could look him in the eyes. "So, how are you enjoying our vacation so far?" he joked and Jace laughed. "I'm loving it, it's a real breeze. Will you take me to get my nose fixed next?" the blonde asked, making Simon snort. "Like there's anything about you that would need fixing." he said and Jace gave him a smirk. "Always the charmer." Jace replied and took a sharp breath, when Catarina dubbed him with something that smelled like an antiseptic. "I've been told." Simon told Jace arrogantly and the blonde huffed a laugh. "And modest at that." he declared, making Simon smile. "So, you know what I was thinking?" he asked the blonde and Jace focused his gaze to Simon, trying not to show his pain. Simon squeezed his hand, searching his eyes. "What?" Jace asked and Simon leaned in a little, so he could whisper. "I was looking up places, you know, where we could go..." he started and Jace's brow furrowed, but Simon continued in a hushed voice. "...I've always wanted to go to Vietnam, it looks awesome. And Magnus is from Indonesia, he makes it sound amazing and beautiful. Or the Maldives - that's like the dream place to be. They are all pretty far, but it would be temporary anyway. I think we deserve a vacation, don't you?" he finished and he could see the gears in Jace's mind work.

He hissed a little in pain, when Cat started to stitch his wound but then his eyes widened a bit, like he had just understood something. Simon smiled at him as Jace stared at him in awe. "Those are all countries with no extradition." he mentioned and Simon smirked. He leaned in and kissed Jace's cheek. "It would make moving around a lot easier, if we'd get out of America and just lay low somewhere for a while. And figure out what to do next. Aren't you tired of just driving around?" he asked the blonde and Jace's hand squeezed his. The blue eyes stared at him, like they always did - past the exterior and past Simon's defences, past his sarcasm and his humor, until he found his way into Simon's heart, defenseless against those piercing orbs. Jace made him feel vulnerable and he liked it. Around him, he felt more alive than ever and he could honestly say, that there was nothing else he needed. The pull that they had had from the start, when Jace had handed Simon a packet of peas for his jaw, was still there, growing every day, linking them in an unexplainable way. "Yes, I am." Jace whispered and Simon could see the tears in his eyes that he blinked away and he felt his own throat tighten with emotion. Jace was it for him, he really was.

When Jace put his hand to Simon's cheek, his thumb caressed the skin there and Simon leaned in to the touch, warm and homely. He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the closeness and he felt Jace pull him towards his face. "Fuck, this hurts like a bitch, she wasn't kidding." Jace suddenly said and Simon opened his eyes, worry clouding his mind. "Kiss me." Jace whispered and Simon obliged, aware that Catarina was witnessing their show of affection, but he didn't care. He didn't want Jace to think about the pain. Jace was warm and sweet against him, his lips so soft, like cotton against Simon's. It was a simple kiss, close-mouthed and full of love. Simon's mind was full of mental images of them together - on the beach somewhere, relaxing, of them having breakfast together in a faraway country, of them sitting under the stars late at night, when all of the world was asleep and it was just the two of them, with no desire or need to run anymore.

When he pulled back, to look at Jace's beautiful face, the blonde had a smile on that could light up even the darkest days. "All done. You did great, a real soldier this one." Cat commented as she patted Jace's leg and picked up her things. Jace smiled, pushing himself on the elbows and looking down. He breathed out in relief and Simon squeezed his shoulder. "He really is." he agreed with the nurse, and Cat gave him a smile. Jace tilted his head as he reached over to see the repairs. "That looks great. Thank you, so much." the blonde said to the woman, and his smile was genuine. Catarina reciprocated, moving to push the bag onto one of the shelves and discarding the gloves off her hands and throwing them into a nearby bin. Her eyes shone as she watched the two of them. "It's my job. I can give you a bottle of medication, strong painkillers that you can take when the pain gets to be too much, which it will be for the first few days. But use them cautiously, not over two in a day and always eat before you take them. And drink lots of water. The wound should be fully healed in a month, but it will leave a nasty scar. Sorry." she said, but Simon helped Jace up and chuckled. "I love men with scars. That's super sexy." he said and Cat laughed while Jace swatted Simon's arm. Once he was dressed, Simon went over to the nurse and without warning, hugged her. She seemed taken by surprise, setting her hands on Simon's back hesitatingly. 

"Thank you, Cat. You don't know how much this means to us, to me." Simon mumbled into her shoulder, before he let go. Catarina glanced at Jace and back at Simon, giving him a sympathetic and knowing smile. She nodded towards Jace. "I see, just how much." she said and smiled to Simon. The brunette felt immense respect toward her, as Jace shook her hand and thanked her also. "You better leave now. Am I allowed to tell Magnus that you were here, Simon? I understand that was the cover story. I may tell him that you, one of his best friends, is alright and well now, yes?" she asked and Simon appreciated the way she was being discreet - she wouldn't mention Jace, but with saying that Simon is fine, Magnus would know that so is Jace. He nodded to her thankfully and then they parted, Simon supporting Jace since his leg was hurting.

When they got to the car, they noticed it had stopped raining. Opening the door for Jace, he helped the blonde slide onto the seat. He moved over him, to recline the chair. He felt Jace's gaze on him as he was near him, he could inhale the scent of the blonde - he always smelled like pine, the sea and home. Jace's hand went around his middle just as Simon was done and wanted to get up to go to the drivers seat. He raised his eyes, seeing Jace's eyes bore into him, with anticipation and longing. He almost sighed. The blonde pulled him closer, attaching their lips together again, this time he didn't waste any time in parting Simon's lips to let his tongue explore his mouth. Jace's strong arms pulled him near, snaking them behind his back and fingers dug into Simon's skin as the blonde kissed him harder, needy and almost desperate. "Jace, we have to-" Simon mumbled against his lips, feeling weaker by the second. Jace could make him fall apart so easily, and all Simon wanted was to give himself up to him, with every fiber of his being. 

Jace's tongue swept across his bottom lip and Simon felt himself growing hotter, feeling the need for touch and friction... He pulled back quickly, with Jace making an annoyed sound. "Jace, we have to move. And you need to sleep, and rest. And for the last time, we are not having sex in the car." he said, disapprovingly almost, and trying to hide the fact that he was horny as fuck. Jace rolled his eyes, pouting. "You always ruin the fun." he said, making Simon shake his head in disbelief. "I can't believe I'm the responsible one here." he said, moving to get out and sliding to his seat, starting the car. Jace laid back, closing his eyes and moving his feet onto the dashboard. "Yeah, how's that working out for your dick?" Jace retorted and Simon could see a sly smirk on his lips. He shook his head again and pulled onto the road. "You are unbelievable." he just said, out of comebacks.

Jace was still smirking, eyes closed and Simon didn't risk a glance at him, knowing that seeing Jace lying there, with his perfect face and his perfect hair and his perfect body would only make it worse for him. Simon had very little self-control when it came to Jace, but he tried to change that. It wouldn't do to fuck his boyfriend in a public place, when they were supposed to be fugitives. "I know, that's why you love me." Jace said, his voice now more sleepy. "Yes, yes I do." Simon replied, a sweet smile making its way to his lips. After a few minutes, he could hear the small, soft snores coming from the passenger seat and glanced at his sleeping boyfriend.

He could feel his heart slow down at the sight of him, feelings so overwhelming when he stared at the love of his life. He felt just a little bit more relaxed, having Jace there with him, safe and peaceful. At least for now, it was all good.

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A/N: Hey, hello, hi! Yes, this was the first chapter of the sequel to my first full Jimon book 'All good things'! I am so glad you are still here and with me, I hope it was worth the wait. Please, let me know what are your thoughts and as always, vote, comment and I LOVE YOU xx