Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
-Confucius

***

The house Aldertree lived in was like any other white-picked fenced family house in the neighbourhood. The main difference was, that when the man let them in, the walls wren't covered with pictures of a laughing family on holidays or celebrating birthdays. There were no pets running around - no dog that came greeting with barks, no cat that was having an afternoon nap on the sofa. It felt empty, and not like a home. Even more so, when Aldertree motioned them to the living room, that had more computers than Jace had seen in anyone's home and a lonely TV screen that wasn't turned on.

"Well, you must get bored." Jace offered, gesturing to the screens. Aldertree scoffed, but there was a remenance of a smirk on his face. He was a fairly shorter man, with dark brown skin and a set of curly hair, showing off his inheritance, and his eyes were more black than brown. Sharp facial features gave him a smug look, his arrogant smile boosting it even more so. He gestured towards the couch, sitting in the armchair opposite to it, crossing his legs in the black faded jeans he had on. "I know who you are. FBI. So, you must know that I used to be, and to some extent, still am, a professional hacker. You guys have used my services in the past." he said and Jace eyed Adam, trying to make sense if this was true - if it was, he knew nothing about it. Adam seemed to be in the same boat, judging by the look on his bewildered face. They might have to confront Carter, once they are done here.

Aldertree let his head tilt to the side, an amused expression tainting his arrogant features. "You didn't know? Must be above your paygrade." he said smugly and Jace felt his ears burn. But, he forced a sweet smile on his face. "Don't you worry about our paygrade. It still allows us to handcuff you to the chair and press charges you didn't even know existed." he said. He observed Victor's expression - it stayed in a smug smirk, but something in his eyes shifted and Jace knew he'd gotten through to him. Aldertree was not willing to go to jail and he knew Jace wasn't bluffing. Perks of being in the FBI. Well, sort of. Aldertree didn't need to know that he was technically still a fugitive.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, his voice now tainted with poorly disguised annoyance. "We have some questions about Valentine Morgenstern." Adam said and Aldertree smiled. "Ah, Morgenstern. Got out of jail, didn't he? It was on the news. Little birds have been whispering that you're not doing that great of a job at capturing him." he said and there was that arrogance in his voice again, that made Jace curl up his fist and want to punch the man. Which was not a good idea, coming to think of it. So far, punching people hadn't gotten him anywhere, except into fights with his boyfriend.

"You know, spying on the FBI is a federal crime." Adam chastised, leaning back on the sofa. Aldertree scoffed. "Yes, as I'm sure helping a fugitive is. Shouldn't he be in jail by now?" Victor nodded towards Jace and he froze. Of course Aldertree had known, he was foolish to have been excpecting he wouldn't, being a hacker and all. "That's not why were here, though, so why don't you talk to us about how you and Valentine get along these days?" Adam said then. "Pardon me?" Aldertree said with an innocent smile and Jace rolled his eyes. "Cut the crap, Aldertree. We know you used to be in his merry little band of miscreants. Jocelyn Morgenstern, or Fairchild, gave us a pretty sharp description of what you all were up to." Adam said and Jace could tell by the mild surprise on the mans face, that he hand't expected Jocelyn's name to come up. "So, had Valentine maybe come by and tried to reconnect? And try to answer truthfully, I have orders to turn your place upside down, if need be. And you are not needed alive in the outcome, so I'd be very careful with what you're going to say next." Adam said and Jace tried not to shoot him a glance. Was he bluffing? He silently hoped so.

Whatever the case, Victor seemed slightly more compliant. However, his face twisted into anger then, throwing his head back and letting out a joyless laugh. "You mean, if he tried to recruit me? I left him. There's no reason he'd try to do that. I bet he tried to kill Jocelyn, right? That's why you talked to her?" he asked and Jace bit his lip. That wasn't entirely false, since there had been a murder attempt on Jocelyn's life, but that came after they'd talked to her. "He is going after the old members, then? Why?" Adam asked and Jace's gears in his head started to shift. It actually made sense. Those who were loyal, would rush to him in an instant, but those not would pose a possible threat - information wise and other. That 'other' made Jace think of the container they had found by the docks. Plastered with Valentine's face and information. "It was you." Jace said and cursed the heavens that Adam's theory had been right.

Aldertree tilted his head to the side and Adam gave Jace a confused glance but the blonde sighed, pinching his nose. He opened his eyes. "That storage unit by the docks, that was registered to Jocelyn's name. You had been there. It was you, you were trying to find him, weren't you?" he asked and Aldertree's eyes flashed with something that seemed like appreciation. "At least not all of you are dim-witted." he said, nodding. Adam's mouth hung open slightly. "So it was you! But why?" he asked and Aldertree leaned back, waving his hand. "Valentine and I didn't leave on good terms. In fact, Valentine killed my wife. Ava." he said and got up, striding towards the mantlepiece. A small photograph lay there, of a dark-haired, pale-skinned woman, eyes green as emerald, resembling Clary's, but they were a slightly more darker, deeper color. Her curly hair fell all the way down her chest, disappearing as the photograph ended. 

Aldertree touched the photograph gently and handed it to Jace. "Why would he do that?" he asked and Victor laughed again. "Why? Because the son of a bitch has no soul, that's why. I didn' want to do a job he'd assigned me to - I had to kill innocent people, so many of them. I refused. He organized a 'car accident'. Ava was pregnant at the time." his voice carried sorrow, guilt, but most of all it sounded empty. For the first time, Jace felt sorry for the guy, no matter the past. It was like with Jocelyn - both had did horrid things, blindly believing in a madman, before realizing that, in fact, the endgame would be more horrible than they'd ever imagined. "So, I ran. I got out, even pondered on changing my name. And then, I heard he'd gone on with his crazy plan and gotten thrown in jail. It was like I was free at last." Victor said, sitting back down and Jace handed him the picture back.

"Then, he got out. Well, you could imagine that I didn't feel safe. I figured it was only a matter of time, til' he comes looking. So, I remembered Jocelyn had an old storage unit, actually, it was Valentine's. But it was under Jocelyn's name and being a hacker, I had no trouble getting into the database and finding out the combination. I needed a place to stay, to hide out and I started look for him. Before he finds me. But then I got hints that you had snooped the place out. I had to bail, so I came back here. Figured, Valentine would find me anyway, anywhere. Only a matter of time." his voice was full of hatred and the undertones were poisonous, like he would like nothing more than to see the man dead. Jace couldn't blame him, even though he didn't trust the man.

"So, you think he is coming for you?" Jace asked and Aldertree raised his head, smiling wickedly now. "He came for Jocelyn, didn't he? Of course he'll come for me. That's the whole point of his plan. Some people are better off dead, but some are needed for their skills. And Valentine has a way of making people do what he wants." he said bitterly and Jace leaned forward, hands on his knees. "He wants you alive, you figure." he realized and Victor nodded. "Possibly." he said and Adam huffed in annoyance. "But what is he up to?" he asked, but Aldertree shook his head. "I tried to find out, but I couldn't see what use he would have for the chip. What is his move, once he gets it." he said and Jace saw Adam's eyes widen. "Yes, I know about the chip. Are you surprised?" Victor's arrogance was back, but Jace smirked slightly. "Not really. But it's your lucky day. If he id coming for you, we can get him. Or at least, the people he'll send for you. We can use you as bait." he said, not ashamed in the slightest. Aldertree's face twisted in disapproval. "I'm flattered." he said, unamused but Jace smiled brightly. "You should be. Otherwise, it's jail-time for you, remember?" he said cheerfully and Aldertree regarded them both with disbelief.

"He'll get to me. And if you are there when it happens, we'll all die. I won't die because of a few incompetent agents." he said. Jace felt Adam starting to get up so he set a hand on the man's bicep, holding him back. He shared a look with him, when Adam gave him a glare, and nodded quietly. We didn't come here to mess this up, the look said. Adam leaned back again and Jace moved forward. "Listen, dipshit. I don't really care what you think or want. We are getting Valentine and if you hate him as much as I know you do, you'll help. I know you don't trust agents, hell, even I don't, and I was one of them. But trust me when I say, I have the most reasons to get the son of a bitch. I'm not gonna stop, and if you'd have the chance to help taking him down, wouldn't you take it? For Ava? For your unborn child?" he asked and he knew he'd hit close to home when Aldertree's face twisted into anger.

"Don't talk about my family." he gritted through teeth, but Jace sighed. "I'm saying, you have a chance. Not to do good, though that's in the books, too. But to make a difference. You can sit here, wait for him to get you, try to fight him off, or get killed. Or, you can help us get to him, trusting that we-" he exhaled "I can take him down. And I can, but not without a little help. And I know when I'm talking about when I say - hey, you've got nothing to lose, right?" he finished and saw something shift in Aldertree's eyes. "Everyone's lost someone, some more than others. It's what we choose to remember them by that makes the difference. It's if we let the past get the best of us and give up along the way, or we fight on, to have a happy life, the kind that you know they would want you to have." Jace said, eyes now trained on the other man. He tried hard to push the memories of his mother and father back into the deepest parts of his mind. He'd made peace with them, or he'd hope he had. Their graves imprinted on his mind, but the words on both stones were still the words Jace would live by - Quod In Te Est, Prome. Bring forth what is in you.

He could feel Adam's gaze on him, but he didn't leave Aldertree's eyes. The man seemed to be fighting with himself, struggling to make a choice. Jace prayed silently, he'd make the right one. Finally, Aldertree sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Fine. I'll do it. And god help you if you don't hold to your word, Herondale." he said quite formally, with a hint of authority in it, but Jace wasn't intimidated in the slightest. "God has nothing to do with this." he said instead, getting up. 

The best way to proceed was to take Aldertree with them, for now, until they met up with Simon and Carter again, and they could proceed to make a plan. Probably a surveillance on Aldertree's house, but they had to think of a solid plan - Valentine wasn't stupid and it would've been foolish to underestimate him. Surely, the guy who got away, would describe them to Valentine, he'd recognize them and know that they'd been at Jocelyn's. He'd put two and two together and probably be more cautious about approaching Aldertree. Yes, they needed a plan, but they needed Simon for it.

Jace felt his heart weigh heavy when he thought about Simon. And, again, he thought of the words he'd spilled to Adam. Yes, he sometimes felt like he wasn't right for Simon. What was this life they were living? He couldn't even guarantee his boyfriend's safety. He felt helpless in that aspect and he hated the feeling. Still, his love for Simon made him utterly selfish. He wanted to be with him, never wanted to leave the man, so he allowed himself to think that Simon was happy with him. But, was he? Yes, he chose Jace, the blonde knew Simon loved him at it had been his choice. But was he happy in that choice? As far as trust went, Simon had never lied to him about his feelings. But all this time, when Jace knew he was the one best at hiding his feelings, maybe Simon had bested him? Maybe, he was unhappy and regretful, but hiding it so well, not even Jace could see through the exterior? Jace couldn't dwell into it, because he felt tears prickling in the corners of his eyes as he drove, thinking about the fact that maybe, just maybe, Simon was unhappy with him. It made his stomach turn and his head hurt. All he ever wanted, needed, was for Simon to be happy.

"Call Carter." he almost snapped to Adam, but if the man was annoyed, he didn't show it, silently taking out the phone. Jace was, for once, grateful for Adam. He didn't hear Adam talking on the phone, concentrating on the road ahead and thinking about his parents once more. He had always been grateful for Imogen, she was the only family he'd ever had, after his parents had died. But still, he couldn't help but wonder what it would've been like, to have his parents be alive. To meet Simon. Meet his new friends, who called him family. It all felt like a lifetime ago, that he'd met Simon, Alec, Magnus and everyone else. It seemed like a distant memory, the life of someone else, the only thing reminding it was Simon. He couldn't even think about his grandmother, who must've been heartbroken. His own heart contracted at the thought, that he was bringing pain to her. All of this, it was just something he wished to put behind them. He still hoped for a better life, for that 'happy ending'. It was cliche, he knew, that he wished for it with Simon, but he did. 

"There at St. Clarence hospital. Here." Adam suddenly said, tapping the gps. Jace nodded, seeing that they were just 15 minutes away. No matter the fights, Jace always felt he missed Simon, when he wasn't around. He missed his warmth, his touches, but most of all, his comforting words and the way he kept Jace grounded, should he drift too far into his own mind. He was his anchor, steadily helping him keep his footing, when the real life seemed more like a dream, and the dreams seemed like a reality. Painful and horrible reality. Simon pulled him back, every time. He didn't want to think about the possibility, that he wouldn't have that in the future. He would be lost for good.

***

Jace pulled up, just as Simon tossed away the cigarette butt and Carter flicked his own, scattering the ash a little, the tip still burning. He was a slow smoker. Simon tried to read Jace's expression as they walked towards them, a new man, most likely Aldertree, stalking after them. The blonde's eyes seemed sad, sorrow, but there was also the same type of adoration in them that Simon was used to seeing, whenever they locked eyes. His heart betrayed him, leaping in his chest, when Jace gave him a shy smile. No matter how mad he was at him, his heart would always beat for him and Simon couldn't change that, even if he wanted to. And he didn't.

He restrained himself from running to his boyfriend, but allowed himself a smile back, when Jace halted before them, respectively staying away, giving Simon his space. It was slightly awkward, but Simon wasn't about to point it out. He nodded to the stranger. "So, your Aldertree?" he asked and the man nodded, hands in his pockets. "Alright, well, Carter filled me in." he said and Jace's eyes snapped up in surprise, but Simon raised an eyebrow. "Adam told Carter." he explained, wondering where Jace's mind had been, if he'd missed the call between the agents. Jace just nodded, his eyes wondering to the sky. Simon felt a surge of guilt but pushed it down. This wasn't his fault and he wasn't about to apologize for something he didn't do.

"What'd you find out?" Adam asked and Simon realized him and Jace were not standing as far away from each other as usual, but they were next to each other, almost as if they were comfortable in the space between them. There were no angry glares or snarky comments and Simon thought back to the call he had had with Jace. "I worked things out with Adam." Maybe he really had. Simon felt a surge of pride, that he quickly dismissed. He was still angry. But less so, now.

"Well, she was definitely given the wrong medicine. Her psychiatrist, Dorothea Rollins, said that after two sessions, she got a call from her old psychiatrist, supposedly, and she had instructed her to write the prescription. Naturally, she did, because the records seemed to fit and everything was legit." Simon told them and Jace furrowed his brows. "Let me guess, it wasn't?" he asked and Simon shook his head. "The records were forged and the number they called from wasn't the actual number for Doctor Collins. Unknown and disconnected as of now. Someone wanted them to give her those pills, knowing full well that they did to her health. It was all planned." Simon said and he gave a sigh, feeling tired. He felt more tired than he'd ever been, and that was saying someting, considering he used to have a lot of tiresome activities with Jace, and no, he didn't mean working out. Well, sort of, but not the working out you did in a gym. Simon shook his head, trying to dispel the images. They were all business, for gods sake.

Jace hummed, clearly thinking. "Okay, so she is not entirely aware of her actions. She's mentally ill, which means she can't be taken responsible for what's she's done. At least, that's what were going with here, right?" he asked, hopeful and Simon appreciated the concern in his voice for Simon's best friend. "Yes, I convinced bulkhead here, that it is in fact, the case." Simon nodded toward Carter, but a smile tugged at his lips. Carter glared at him. "Watch it. Just because we had a couple of smokes together doesn't make us best buddies." he said, but there was amusement underlying in his tone. Maybe Adam and Jace weren't the only ones who had 'worked it out'. Jace seemed to be slightly surprised, watching them, but nodded nonetheless.

"So, what's next?" Adam asked, leaning on the hood of the car. Simon leaned on the hospitals wall. "I think the best thing is to go with the 'Valentine wants to kill Aldertree' plan." he said and the man scoffed. "I feel very valuable, thank you." Aldertree said and Simon regarded him somewhat coldly. He had, after all, been Valentine's friend and confidant once. But, he had to push back his prejudices. If he could trust Jocelyn, he should at least give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Jace smirked and turned to Adam. "You drive." he said, tossing him the keys and he caught them. "Finally, you drive like a grandma." the agent said and went around the car to take the drivers seat. "Clearly, you haven't seen my grandmother behind the wheel." Jace snapped back, but to Simon's surprise, this was more of a friendly bickering than an actual spite. He was mildly impressed with Jace's 'working things out' skills, to say the least.

Carter took the passenger seat and so, Jace and Simon sat in the back with Aldertree. Simon noticed, how Jace let Aldertree in first, so he would sit in the middle and Simon tried not to feel slightly disappointed at the fact. They drove in pretty much silence, apart from Carter, who briefly summarized what would need to be done in order to be ready for the men sent after Aldertree, and how they would capture them. They drove back to headquarters, mainly to debrief with the boss-lady, but also to get ready for surveillance and getting Victor back at his house so it wouldn't look too suspicious.

Once they were back, the debriefing went surprisingly well. Clearly, Captain Mayweather wanted the whole ordeal done as fast as possible, just like the rest of them, so she approved of their next move. After that, Aldertree left with Adam and Carter, to get the things needed for surveillance - they needed cameras around the house but also, a mic on Victor, so they'd hear what was going on. After that, they'd need to schedule shifts, because they might have to wait a while for Valentine to strike. It also meant that Jace and Simon would probably spend more time together, which is why, as soon as Carter was gone with the other two, Simon pulled Jace by his sleeve and dragged him into another room - it was a smaller cabinet of some sort, but empty, so Simon closed the door and turned around. When he saw Jace duck his eyes, he felt guilt once more, but the anger he'd felt before, started to flame again.

"So. Talk." he just almost snapped and Jace raised his eyes, guilt written across them along with shame. "Simon, I am so sorry for overreacting." he said and Simon rolled his eyes, unable to hide his irritation. "You already said that." he snapped for real this time. He hoped that Jace would give him an actual reason, not just beg for forgiveness. He wanted to get somewhere with this, not let this just pass them by. Jace shuffled with this feet, a thing he did when he was nervous and Simon calmed down a little bit. He went to the desk and sat on the edge of it, observing his idiot of a boyfriend. "Jace, why in the hell would you do that? I mean, what do I have to do to prove to you that I love you? Want me to throw myself in front of a train? 'Cause, I mean, I already took a bullet for you, but I can do that, if you want reassurance that I'm not leaving your sorry ass for anyone else." he said in a conversational tone, feeling himself grow more tired than angry. Irritated, yes, but not angry.

Jace looked up, shaking his head violently. "No, Simon, that's not what I-" he started and then, sighed deeply, scratching the back of his neck. His mismatched eyes stared straight into Simon's soul. "I've felt jealous before, but not that type of jealousy. The way Adam acted around you, it got me thinking how it would be like if you'd chose someone else. What life you'd have. None of this would've happened. For all I know, you could be happily living with your boyfriend in the suburbs or something, growing a flower garden and having barbecue night with your friends and shit." the blonde said and Simon's heart sank. So this was it. Jace was insecure about Simon choosing him. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the realization sink in. He had no idea Jace had been so insecure about this.

"I just want you to be happy. And I know, I know you chose for yourself and no one can take that from you. I just can't help but feel as if you've made the wrong choice. I can never be the perfect man for you. It's always going to be trouble and one day, you'll see that and you'll grow tired of it." Jace's eyes moved away from him, to the ceiling and with a jolt, Simon realized the blonde was holding back tears. He swallowed pass the lump in his throat. "I want you to be happy." Jace repeated. "And if that's with someone else, I wouldn't blame you. The life, this life - it's no life for you, Simon. I know you get to choose for yourself. I'm selfish enough to wish you'd always choose me. But I still can't help but think that you're making the wrong choice." Jace said and Simon could see his hands trembling slightly. It made his heart ache, seeing Jace stand there, ready to combust and finally, they were getting somewhere. And Simon realized, how irrevocably and amazingly in love he was with him. He loved Jace with every cell of his body. He'd known it before, but he felt it. It made his head spin.

"Jace." he said slowly, quietly, but Jace's eyes were closed. "Jace, angel. Come here." he said again, softly now, and Jace opened his eyes. They glistened with unshed tears and Simon's heart broke just a little at the sight. He reached out his hands and Jace shuffled closer, hesitantly and it made Simon even more sad, that Jace would ever hesitate to fall into his embrace. When the blonde was close enough to him, Simon let his hands wrap around him, feeling Jace let out a stuttering breath and he made no comment about the fact that his shirt was now wet with his tears or the fact that Jace's breathing was labored as he tried to control his emotions. He just let his hands stroke the blonde's back soothingly and hummed against his shoulder. "Oh, angel. You've been so sad, I didn't know." he said and felt himself grow angry at himself - Jace was his everything and he hadn't noticed the insecurities lying behind the exterior. 

He pulled back a little, observing Jace's face and put his fingers to his cheek, tracing the cheekbone and wiping away an escaped tear. Jace blinked, his eyes on Simon's pleading and Simon bit his lip. "Jace, you're right, I do get to choose. It's my life. And what you said is true. Maybe it won't ever be safe. But it's not yours to say who I am happy with. When I chose you, I chose everything else - the danger, the guns, the inevitable death, I'm sure," he joked then and Jace gave a choked laughter, his lips twitching "but I chose you, in spite of all that. The day I fell for you, I knew that it didn't matter what would happen - because I am selfish, too, and I want you to be the one that makes me happy, even if you don't see it that way. But you do, you make me happy. You love me, and it's the most wonderful feeling. I'm scared, and I know you are, too. There'll be so many things getting in our way, but I don't want to change a thing - everything we've overcome only makes us stronger, even thought I sometimes feel so weak around you. It's like you are the one thing in my life that makes me want to live, to strive forward and go against all odds, but you're also the one thing that could bring me to my knees. And I wouldn't have it any other way." Simon was trying to keep the quivering from his voice but he had a hard time achieving it.

Jace was staring at him, eyes wide and the blue so clear thanks to the tears, the brown speck lighter than it had ever been. It hurt to look in such beautiful eyes. "I don't ever want another life. This life with you, it's the only one I want, the only one I need. And it makes me happy, knowing that you feel the same. So tell me you feel the same." Simon rested his forehead against Jace's, exhaling, feeling his throat go dry from all the talking, but also hurting because he tried so hard to hold back tears. Jace's eyes closed just as he closed his and he heard Jace shudder, his arms holding onto Simon like he was drowning and Simon was the lifeline.

"Of course I do, Simon. I'm never going to stop loving you." he said and Simon smiled, eyes still closed and enjoyed feeling Jace's fingertips bruising his skin - he didn't care, he welcomed it. He enjoyed feeling Jace's warmth against him, his scent of pine and the sea, his blonde hair tickling his forehead just a little, as they stood there, Simon still leaning onto the desk and Jace's legs between his. "I'm glad you punched Adam. We would've never had this talk otherwise." Simon said and Jace laughed again, this time it was more cheerful and Simon felt his muscles relax, not realizing they had been tense. Now that he knew Jace wasn't unhappy anymore, at least some of the baggage fell of his shoulders. He knew he couldn't bear for Jace to be sad or riddled with guilt. He instantly felt bad for doing that to him, but reminded himself that it was in fact, just, after all.

Jace pulled back, opening his eyes and staring into his, a ghost of a smile on his lips. "Yeah, should I punch more people so we could have these deep talks?" he asked, sarcastically and Simon tilted his head as if he was considering it. "I think a therapist would be cheaper, what with all the lawsuits you'd be getting." he joked and Jace chuckled, making Simon do the same. He stared up at Jace a little, since he was still sitting on the desk and Jace's hand went to the nape of his neck, when he leaned down. And Simon felt the jolt of electricity go through him again and with painful realization he understood, how much he'd missed his lips on his. It was addictive, kissing Jace. It might seem dramatic, just a few hours without his kisses and Simon was already drowning without them, but it was true.

He hummed in approval when Jace pressed closer, their chests going against each other and Jace pushed Simon's head back, the soft kiss continuing to be just that, when he touched his tongue to Simon's, making him gasp softly. Jace's other arm was still holding onto his hip, the fingers now slightly less pressuring and Simon's hands were around his neck, playing with his hair. He smiled into the kiss, unable to stop and Jace pulled back, now smiling too. "Stop smiling, you idiot, I'm trying to kiss you." he complained, but Simon laughed. "I know. I told you, you make me happy. I can't stop smiling when you're with me." he said in brutal honesty and Jace stilled, his features growing softer, his eyes so raw with emotion, Simon felt his breath get caught in his throat. When Jace pressed a kiss to his cheek, light as a feather, Simon felt that his nickname for Jace was forever justified.

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A/N: Ignore the fact that I forgot to update. I hope you liked it, because I couldn't stand them being mad at each other for not a chapter longer, teehee. xx