Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
-Confucius

***

"Come on, play ball with us and you'll get a better deal. Scouts honor." Jace said, raising his fingers in the mock gesture. The man, the one big enough to knock down a brick wall, was sitting opposite to Jace, while Adam leaned onto the wall in the interrogation room. 

He'd had a word with the boss lady, so he could get in on this. The guy had practically maimed Simon, and given a black eye and more to Jace, so of course he took the opportunity to grill him. He was sitting on the chair, that was flipped backwards, looking like 'the bad cop', but in truth they had no game here with Adam. They were just assuming that the man was all brawn and no brain, and by the looks of things, they were right.

The big guy was leaning his elbows onto the table, hands cuffed and his bald head shone under the lamp lights. "I'm not saying a word." he repeated, for about a third time, making Jace think those were the only words he knew. "I mean, you just said 5. So." Jace said and saw the man scrunch his eyebrows. It almost looked like he was counting the words he'd just said. Jace tried no to laugh. "Listen, tell us where Valentine is, and we'll let you off with like, what, 10 years?" Jace asked, looking at Adam, who smiled. "Sounds about right." he said, amused and the guy shook his head. "Come on, 10 years is better than a life time. It's a good deal, especially if were going to find Valentine anyways. You could just quicken the process." Jace said again, but the man just scoffed.

"Ain't no way I'm selling him out." he said stubbornly and Jace groaned, getting up. "I guess we'll just have to sentence you and your niece. It's not like you could do anything to let her off the hook, right?" Jace asked, faking a tiresome act. The man lifted his eyes and Jace could see a slight panic in them. "Oh yeah, did we forget to tell you? We caught your niece like, weeks ago. Yeah, she was hacking into some of our databases. We know all about your family. Just thought you'd like to know that she'll be sentenced today. Probably getting 12 years of jailtime in a maximum state prison, if she's lucky. She did do a federal crime." Adam continued, thoughtfully and Jace observed the change in the man.

"You're lying." he said immediately, but Jace could hear the hesitation in his voice. He leaned to the wall opposite to Adam and crossed his arms. "Yeah, wish it were true. She's only 16... what a waste." Jace drawled and the man's hands went into fists. "I don't believe you." the man said, eyeing them both. Adam sighed, taking out his phone and shoving it in his face. Jace saw how the man's eyes widened, disbelief evident in them, but sure enough - he saw his niece in cuff and sitting a small-spaced cell, her dirty blonde hair in a thin ponytail, head in her hands and bowed down.

"Celia." he breathed, staring at the screen. "Now, if you were to tell us about Valentine... We could maybe put in a good word for her. Maybe even get her off the hook - pardon her. Been done before." Jace mused, walking up to the mirror that he knew was a window. Adam nodded, sitting on the vacated chair. "Takes a pull of strings here and there, but totally doable. What do you say, Harvey? Help us out here, and we'll help you." Adam said, smiling slightly and Jace turned around, crossing his arms. He could see how Harvey was doing the math in his head, coming to the inevitable conclusion.

"Alright." he breathed out and Jace clapped his hands. "Now we're talking!" he said, sitting on the second chair and leaning forward, anticipation flowing though him. "But I want your word - no, written! On paper! That she goes free!" Harvey said, as if he'd come to a sudden realization. Jace rolled his eyes, reaching to the folder laying on the table and searched through it. He pulled out a piece of white paper, with the pardon written on it. "Already done. We kind of knew you'd agree to this." he said, amused and smirking. The man's mouth went into  tight line but he said nothing as he let his eyes go over the print. Jace was pretty sure he didn't understand a word, except his niece's name.

"Fine." he finally said (probably after giving up on understanding the complicated writing) and leaned back, cuffed hands landing in his lap. "He's at an underground bunker, Alcatraz." Harvey said, his lip twitching into a smile. Adam's eyebrows were raised higher than Jace had ever seen them, but he could relate. "Excuse me?" he said and then turned to Adam. "I thought you said the place was secured? As in, the whole area? How could you not know that Valentine is practically sitting right under your noses?" he continued, now a little angry and Adam raised a hand. "Firstly, we don't know if this info is even valid. Second, a bunker? Underground? We had them all sealed off when we built the ops center there." he said, eyeing the criminal. Harvey scoffed, arrogantly smirking at them. "It was sealed, yes. You think Valentine doesn't have ways to get in without being noticed? Because it was sealed, it made the perfect hiding spot. Also, he said he has a man inside." Harvey picked at his nails, seemingly bored now.

Jace exchanged a glance with Adam. "Who is it?" Jace asked and Harvey glanced up. "Dunno, the boss wouldn't tell us. Only told that little redhead, who was supposed to be his daughter or something." he said then and Jace could tell he wasn't lying. He had an excellent intuition when it came to lying. "Clary." he said under his breath and stood up, pacing the room. "We're going to need the exact location of the bunker." he said, handing Harvey a piece of paper, making him scribble down the essential information. Adam seemed stunned. "Who do you think it is?" he asked, when Jace observed the paper. He looked up, staring at Adam. He could only see panic and disbelief in his eyes. It wasn't him, at least he was 80 percent sure it wasn't him. "I don't know, but let's keep that piece of information to ourselves, at least for now. We don't wan't to scare them off." he replied and Adam nodded, still dazed.

They started to leave, when Harvey let out a protesting noise. "Hey! What about my niece?" he asked and Jace turned, now smiling. "Oh, right. See the thing is, she was never here." Jace said, tearing up the paper that was supposed to pardon Harvey's hacker of a niece. "What?" he asked, his face whitening. "Yeah, we got an agent to act her out in a cell, so you'd spill the beans. And you did. So thanks a lot mate." Jace said, smirking and waved at him. "That's not the right location!" Harvey blurted out, the lie so evident, even Adam laughed. "Sure. Nice talking to you." the agent said and the opened the door, closing it quickly when Harvey started to call them all the names his tiny brain could think of.

"That went well." Jace breathed out, handing Adam the paper as they walked towards the computer room, to ask Daisy to search up the location. Adam's arm was on his before he could make the turn and he stilled, looking back at him. He had an alarmed expression on his face. "So, what do I tell Emily?" he asked and he coughed "I mean, the boss." he said then and Jace raised an eyebrow. "Just tell her we found Valentine and we need to put together a group to go get him. Nothing about a mole. No lying, just... withholding information. You can do that, can't you?" Jace replied, trying to get a sense of the man. Adam seemed a little less tense after his words, his arm releasing Jace's. "Yeah, you're right." he said under his breath, giving the paper back to Jace after probably memorizing it's contents. 

"Hey, relax. Valentine is our priority, but we'll keep our eyes open for the mole. Just act like you know nothing." Jace patted him on the shoulder, before entering the computer room. Daisy was laughing, sitting on the armrest of a small sofa in the corner, Simon laying on the sofa and gesturing with his hands. 

"I sweat, it was like he'd seen a ghost! I don't know what it is about the ducks..." he was saying and Jace groaned, making his presence known. "Babe, again with this story? Stop embarrassing me in front of the tech wizard." he said, albeit jokingly, and leaned down to kiss Simon's forehead. Daisy beamed at them. "Oh, Mr. Le- I mean, Simon," she corrected, when Simon sent her a warning glare "has been telling me all sorts of tales. The duck one doesn't even make it to top 3." she laughed. Daisy had realized, that her crush on Simon was just that - a crush, because of the attention the man was giving him and it seemed as if she'd gone from 'giggling, blushing school girl' to an 'overprotective shipper' of theirs. Jace only knew what that word meant thank to Isabelle. 

Simon's hands rested on his stomach, which was, under the shirt, still covered in bandages. His face looked a lot better, but the black eye was still there, turning purple and yellow now. His nose was still swollen, but the doctors gave him hope that it'll all be just a distant memory after a few weeks, and after a month, his ribs and everything else will be good as new. Jace smiled at Daisy, but sat on the edge of the sofa. It was small, but he wanted to feel Simon next to him and the brunette just scooted over a little, giving him room and Jace's arm went around Simon's shoulders.

"Come on, I was so bored and Daisy is the only one here who gets my humor!" he announced, earning a small blush from Daisy (okay, so maybe the school girl wasn't completely gone) and a smile from Jace. "Hey, I get your humor." he protested and Simon's hand snaked around his waist, when he leaned his head against his body. "That's what you think, darling." he said and Jace laughed. "So, what did the guy say?" Simon wanted to know, and Daisy got up pretty quickly. "I'm going to make coffee. Do you guys want one?" she asked, clearly not wanting to interrupt their conversation but also, acting as if she had no business to know what Jace was about to tell Simon. "No, actually. Daisy, could you stay here? We're going to need your help anyways." the blonde said and Daisy's eyes widened. She sat down again, slowly nodding.

"The guys told us that Valentine is at Alcatraz. In an underground bunker. This is the part of the Island, the coordinates." he handed the paper to Daisy, who took it, incredulous. "Oh... You want me to..." she trailed off, waving towards the computers and Jace nodded, smiling at her. "Do your magic, little tech wizard." he said and Daisy rolled her eyes, but there was a smile playing on her lips. "Not small..." she mumbled, as she got up and went towards the many screens. Simon smirked, but the smile fell as he scooted upwards and Jace's hand slid from his shoulders. He winced a little and Jace noticed. "Here." he said, helping Simon up gently and sat down next to him. "Alcatraz? How's that possible?" Simon asked, casually crawling onto Jace's lap and letting his head fall unto his chest. Jace steadied his beating heart as he threaded his fingers through Simon's brunette and messy hair.

He recapped everything that had happened in the interrogation room, but left out the part about a mole. He didn't even know why, it was only Simon. He didn't need to hold any secrets from him. But the risk of it getting out would only get higher if he'd tell him. Then again, it would be a good idea to have another pair of watchful eyes... He glanced at Daisy, making sure she was engrossed in her work.

"Simon, the guy said Valentine has an inside man." he whispered and Simon shifted a little in his lap, arms going around his neck to look Jace in the eyes. The brown in them looked concerned. "And you believe it?" he asked and Jace nodded slowly. "I can tell when someone is lying. But it also makes sense. How else would Valentine had access to the bunker?" he asked and Simon's brows furrowed, considering this piece information. "Okay. But I'm guessing you're not telling Emily? I mean, if the boss lady finds out, the mole will probably find out too. Unless she is the mole. Or Adam..." Simon trailed off, whispering, but Jace shook his head slightly. "Nah, it's not him. I could tell. But yeah, right now, only me, him and you know. And let's keep it that way. More of a chance to catch this guy. Or girl." Jace said, leaning his head back and exhaling loudly.

"Your shoulders are really tense." Simon commented, his fingers pushing down on the knots in his skin. Jace hummed, relishing the painful but pleasurable pressure. He closed his eyes, letting Simon take away the tension, finding comfort in the fact that he could hold him, his arms around his boyfriend and his fingers on his skin. "Go figure." he replied and Simon chuckled, his hands stilling on Jace's neck. Jace opened his eyes and saw Simon stare at him with a soft expression on his face. "It's going to be fine. We've got a real lead now, and we've got this." Simon said and Jace quirked a brow, a smirk on his lips. "We've got this?" he asked and Simon slapped his gently. "Shut up." he said and leaned in, pressing a soft and loving kiss on Jace's lips. 

Jace tightened his hold on Simon just a little, so he couldn't escape, but so he didn't hurt him. He kissed him back just as softly, grazing Simon's lips with his own, relishing the feeling of having him there. They'd come so far and this was the home stretch. After all this, maybe they could finally get the life they so desperately wanted for themselves. Simon pulled back a little, kissing the corner of his mouth and then his nose. Jace smiled, burying his faced into Simon's neck, embracing him. He could feel Simon's steady heartbeat under him and he smiled again. The feeling of being happy never left when he could hold his boyfriend.

"I love you." he said quietly, not moving, just closing his eyes and listening to Simon's steady breathing. "I love you, angel." Simon replied, leaning to press a kiss to Jace's temple and the blonde made an approving noise. 

"Hey, guys? Sorry to interrupt, but I got the location." Daisy's voice was hesitant, almost like she wanted to run the other way instead of interrupting their alone time. Jace removed himself from Simon's embrace and looked up. "Ugh. Fine." he said and Simon laughed, as Daisy sent him an apologetic smile. "Come on, the sooner we catch the bad guy, the sooner we can put this all behind us." Simon said gently, getting up and reaching out a hand, so Jace could take it. He did, because he always would and always will, and let Simon guide him to the screens.

***

"No, you're not coming. Simon, that's final." Jace said, raising his voice, making the rest of their team stare at them, some in discomfort, some with amusement. Simon crossed his arms, a little too fast, and he winced. He tried to hide it, but Jace could see it. "You're going, so I'm going. Jace, I'm fine!" Simon insisted, the stubborn look on his face making Jace more furustrated by the minute. "Back me up here!" Jace gestured towards Adam and the agent raised his hands. "No way, leave me out of this." he said and Jace groaned. "You can't be serious! You're injured, Simon. You can't come!" he said again and Simon clicked his tongue, sending him a glare. "Jace, she's my best friend. I have to be there." he continued and Jace rolled his eyes.

"We're bringing her back here, where you'll be waiting, where you'll be safe and not dying, because your wounds won't let you fight or fire a gun!" Jace raised his voice. "I have to agree with Jace, you'd be slowing them down." Emily now said, propping up from the wall that she was leaning against. Her two piece suit made her look utterly professional, not to mention badass and Jace sent her a thankful look. "But-" Simon started, as Emily approached the center of the room. "However," Emily interrupted Simon "I think what he can do, is be the surveillance. He could sit back with the team, on the sidelines. He's good with computers, so that'll just be an added bonus. Out of harms way, but still in reach, should we need his assistance with Clarissa." Emily continued and Jace saw how Carter smirked behind her. Jace rolled his eyes.

"No." he said and Emily raised a brow. Simon got up in front of him and stared at him, eyes blazing. "Seriously, if you think you can tell me what to do-" he started and Jace gritted his teeth. He didn't need this. He didn't need another fight with Simon. "But I can. Take it or leave it, Mr. Lewis." Emily interrupted and Simon swirled around. Jace rubbed his eyes and sighed. "I guess, it's the safer option..." he trailed, reluctantly and Simon nodded, now a little victorious. "Then it's settled. We leave at dawn." Emily said and turned to Carter. "I know this will come as shock to you, but I'm resigning you from being the team Captain. I'm appointing Jace." she said, casually.

Jace stared up at her in shock, just as Carter did. "Pardon?" he managed, as Carter blurted "That's absurd!" Emily raised an eyebrow at the both of them, silencing them effectively with her icy stare. "You've fucked up enough times for me to have doubts about you, agent  Carter. As for Jace - he knows everything there is to know, plus he is closer to this than you. Normally, it would be a bad thing, but he has no emotional connection to the actual target, so being close to this case is actually a good thing, this time." she continue, turning her back to Carter now. "Herondale." she stated and Jace looked up, trying to seem as stern as her. "Don't make me regret this." Emily just said and Jace nodded. 

"Okay, uh. Sync your watches, everyone." Jace then said, feeling all eyes on him. He hadn't been in the commanding position for a while now and it felt weird, but at the same time, he wanted the team members to know who was calling the shots here. They all raised their wrists, pushing the buttons at the same time. The plan itself, was pretty straightforward - the surveillance team would be close enough to assist but far enough so no one would spot them, the strike team (including also Adam and Carter) would use one of the tunnels, that Daisy had managed to find on the older sewer maps, to get to the bunker. Since they had no clue about how many people could be hidden there, they settled with 11 people on the strike team and 5 on the surveillance and 3 for back up, who would also be hanging back with Simon and the others. 

Jace knew that they had to be careful and he took point in stressing that Clary would be extracted alive at all costs. This earned a thankful glance to his direction from Simon, the anger about their spite gone for a second. When he was done explaining everyone's role in the mission, he dismissed them. His mind went back to the time they had a mission in Brazil, where he was also the head of the team. The mannerism of giving out orders and being sure of himself and his decisions had faltered a little, being out of practice. Even so, they all looked up at him with respect, Jace could see it in their eyes - men and women, both. He nodded to them all as they left, Emily being the last to leave with Carter.

The older agent sent him a glare, but remained silent. He couldn't be happy about being dismissed, but Jace took little joy in it - he needed a functioning team and he couldn't afford to have disputes with any of the members. "Back in the game, huh?" Carter asked on his way out, the words more mocking than reassuring and Jace gave him a tight-lipped smile. "So it seems." he just said and Carter, after rolling his eyes, stepped out. Emily stood before him and Jace was vaguely aware that Simon was standing behind him.

"Valentine has to be stopped, and I hope you know that you would have to do whatever it is to make it happen." she said, her tone stern and even. Her eyes were fixed on Jace's and even though they were the same height thanks to her heels, it still felt like she was staring him down. Emily was the Captain and she'd earned it, Jace knew this. She could be obnoxious and uptight, but she was a good Captain and knew the risks and was willing to only take the necessary ones. Jace had to admit, he admired that. "Yes, ma'am." he said, for the first time addressing her in the tone that allowed complete compliance. "Good." she nodded and then gave Simon look. "You'll have to regroup with your team in the computer room, Daisy will bring you all up to speed." she said and then she was gone.

Jace stared back at her for a moment, before turning, taking a deeper breath, ready to talk about their fight. But, to his dismay, Simon was already brushing past him and leaving the room. Jace exhaled, frustrated, and hurried after him. He caught him, just before he rounded the corner to the computer room. "Simon, come on. Wait." he said, making his boyfriend halt and turn to him, crossing his arms. "What?" he asked, probably not as angry as he wanted it to be, but Jace knew all the same that he was upset. "Look, I'm just-" he tried to explain, but Simon shooting daggers at him with his eyes was not helping. "Just what? You know very well I'm capable of taking care of myself, and yet you insisted I stay back here, in front of everyone. I felt like some kindergarten kid." Simon said and Jace bit his lip, trying not to say something he would regret. He had to take this cautiously.

"Simon, you're injured." he said, softly and gently, knowing Simon's anger would dissipate if Jace was using his caring mannerism. Simon exhaled, rubbing at his temples and then looked up at him. "I'm fine." he insisted and Jace bit back an angered groan. "Simon, listen to me. You're ribs were bruised and the doctor said it might take week until you're back to normal. I don't want you to- I just can't stand to think what would happen if you'd get hurt. Again. These wounds, they make you slower, not as accurate and you know that. You're not that stupid, Simon." Jace said, but regretted his last words as soon as they were out.

"Maybe I am!" Simon raised his voice and Jace almost took a step back when Simon threw up his hands in frustration, the anger clear on his face. "How do you think I'd feel if you'd be out there, risking your life for my best friend? What if you'd get killed? I couldn't-" his voice quivered a little and Jace stepped closer, taking his hands. Simon's hands were cold in his and he tried to pull away, but Jace gripped them tight, not letting him go. "Simon, how do you think I'd feel if you'd be out there, with me, and would get killed because I dismissed your injuries for what they were? It's dangerous and you know it. You know me, better than anyone. You know I'll be fine." he said, but Simon's eyes on him were dismissive. "Yeah, I do know you. Enough to know that if there's a need, you'd play the hero, every time." he said, his tone pressing and voice uneven. 

Jace sighed, stepping closer and, even though Simon tried to fight it, he let his hands wrap around his boyfriend, feeling Simon's erratic breathing slow down. Even though Simon resisted at first, he melted in to him in a heartbeat and Jace smiled against his shoulder. "Baby, I promise I won't do anything stupid. We're all going to be just fine. Just promise me you won't come in until it's absolutely necessary?" Jace pleaded, moving back so he could look at Simon. The brunette looked apprehensive, his mouth in a thin line but his eyes were softer than before. He leaned their foreheads together and Simon bit his lip ring and Jace knew he was nervous. 

"Fine. Fine, I promise." he said finally and Jace smiled just a little, congratulating himself on this small victory. "Thank you." he said, pressing a kiss onto Simon's cheek. The brunette smiled, reluctantly, but he did nonetheless and Jace knew they were okay again. His arms were still around Simon and he didn't want to let him go just yet. Simon rested his head on Jace's shoulder and Jace could smell the faint scent of cologne on him. His fingers slid up and down on Simon's back in a soothing manner, feeling his calm take over the both of them. They we're going to be just fine. Tomorrow, it'll all be over.

"I have to go." Simon said, pulling back a little, but not leaving a lot of space between them. Jace could still feel his breath against his face, his warmth against his body. "Four words I hate." Jace mentioned and Simon chuckled, leaning in to kiss him. Jace let himself fall into him, Simon's whole being just wrapping around him like a soft blanket. He kissed back, his left hand going around his boyfriends waist and the other going up to hold his cheek, his thumb caressing the skin over the cheekbone. Simon tilted his head and Jace opened his mouth obediently, letting Simon's tongue touch his in a very careful and soft movement. He could feel the care, adoration and love radiating from Simon, even though they'd just had a fight and they were about to enter a dangerous mission, but still he could feel his boyfriend giving him all that he needed - the feeling of being loved and wanted. 

Simon gave a small gasp when Jace licked at his lip ring and he pulled back, eyes shining in amusement. "Alright, stopping right there." he said and Jace pouted, leaning in to him, pecking his lips. "Nu-uh, none of that. You know how we get." Simon told him and Jace gave him a 'seriously?' look and Simon laughed. His whole face changed when he did it. It was carefree and felt as if they could just be standing at Simon's apartment back in New York. The guitar propped against the sofa, the leftovers from their dinner on the kitchen counter and Brooklyn 99 playing in the backround. Jace missed it, he missed the simple and carefree life. A small voice in the back of his head kept saying that he won't ever have it back again. His life had always been like this - chaotic, dangerous and non-committal, but with Simon, the voice drowned out until there was almost utter silence.

The only thing he could hear was the beating of his own heart, reminding him that he was also, after all, just human. Simon's eyes were watching him intently and Jace realized, he'd zoned out. He leaned in, kissing his lips briefly for one more time and let his hands fall from Simon's body. "See you later, baby." he said and Simon smiled, blowing him a kiss before he went into the computer room. Jace could still hear Simon laughing, as he watched Jace pretend to catch it mid-air.

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A/N: Sorry I didn't upload as I should've. Again, I'm watching SPN and believe it or not, watching that show is A LOT of work - it's an emotional rollercoaster, is what it is. Anyways, we are getting to the good part, slowly!!!! Ya'll ain't ready for this!!!