Disclaimer: all characters (apart from Philip and Grace), settings and the main plot belong to the amazing Cassandra Clare. Only Grace, Philip and my own story plot and sub-plots belong to me. I do not own the Infernal Devices no matter how much I wish I did ;)
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'Oh, won't you stay with me?
'Cause you're all I need
This ain't love it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me.'

- Stay With Me, Sam Smith

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-*-*-*-*- Charlotte -*-*-*-*-

"Thank you for coming, Philip," Charlotte said a little wearily, opening the door wider for Philip to enter. Philip inclined his head and stepped inside, wiping his boots on the mat. He took off his hat and hung it on the hat stand. Charlotte wondered to herself if he was just being overly polite or was genuinely trying to make amends. Either way, it didn't matter what she thought. This was something that she had to do, for the good of the inhabitants of the Institute.

Charlotte led Philip up the stairs and down the hallway, walking quickly. "Thank you for summoning me, Mrs Branwell," Philip said. "I know that I'm not exactly your favourite person in the world, but it means a lot that you've trusted me enough to invite me here."

"I didn't do it for you," Charlotte snapped, trying but failing to control her temper. "In fact, I would prefer if you weren't here at all. But you might be the only one who can get through to Grace now that Jem..." She trailed off.

"She didn't know, did she?" Philip asked quietly. "She didn't know what Jem was planning to do?"

"No," Charlotte said, shaking her head. "Jem made us promise not to tell her until he had gone. He didn't want to get her hopes up because there was so little chance of success. He was so weak when they took him... We still haven't heard if they succeeded or not. But the last thing Jem wanted was for Grace to believe there was hope when were was so little."

"But she always said that she would never want her brother to become a Silent Brother," Philip said. "No matter how bad things were."

"Yes, well that was another reason Jem didn't want me to tell her," Charlotte said. "Grace can be extremely strong, but she can also be very unpredictable. We couldn't know how she would react...or how it would react. She is already under enough stress as it is, there was no need to burden her with that knowledge too soon, especially the trouble she's been having with controlling Yanluo. Jem made that quite clear to me which is why we told her once he was gone."

"So you do not know if he survived," Philip said. "Grace does not know if he survived."

"If he was successful, Jem will tell her in time," Charlotte said. "It will be difficult for the both of them but Jem was just trying to protect her."

"It seems an odd way of protection," Philip said. Charlotte stopped abruptly and turned to face him.

"Are you really one to speak of that, Mr Blackthorn?" She asked, her voice quiet but deadly. Philip looked down, his cheeks red.

"No, I suppose I'm not," he replied.

"Jem had a difficult choice to make," Charlotte said. "But he chose the path that would mean Grace wouldn't be alone to fight that awful demon. He knew that she can't do it without him. Much like how Grace sacrificed herself to give Jem some time six years ago."

"A balance," Philip said quietly. Charlotte nodded. They walked for a few more minutes in silence until they reached the door to Grace's bedroom.

"She's in there," Charlotte said. "She hasn't moved since her...since her crystal shattered. We don't know what it means exactly but...but we are fearing the worst." Philip looked towards the door a little nervously.

"I'll see what I can do," he said.

"One last thing," Charlotte said. She drew out a letter from her pocket and handed it to Philip. Grace's name was printed on the envelope in Jem's neat handwriting.

"What is this?' Philip asked.

"Jem gave it to me to give to Grace," Charlotte sighed. "She won't take it from me, but perhaps she will take it from you." Philip took the letter. With a deep breath, he pushed open the door and went inside.

Charlotte could only hope that Grace would listen to him. If losing Will and Jem wasn't bad enough, losing her last ward would be unbearable.

-*-*-*-*- Philip -*-*-*-*-
Philip entered the dark room and the door swung shut behind him. Magnus Bane sat in the armchair by the bed, his head resting on one hand, watching over the still figure that was lying on the bed covers.

"Mr Bane," Philip said in a way of greeting.

"Mr Blackthorn," Magnus replied.

"I did not think you would be here," Philip said. Magnus sighed and stretched out his legs.

"I promised Will that I would look after them both," he said. "As I can no longer look after one, I will do my best to look after the other." Magnus paused for a moment. "I have always felt somewhat responsible for Grace," he said thoughtfully. "Perhaps even as a fatherly figure..."

"May I have a few moments with her?" Philip asked. Magnus looked sceptical nodded.

"I shall be outside," was all he said then he left. Philip approached Grace cautiously, perching on the edge of the bed. She was lying on her side dressed in her night clothes, so still that she could have been mistaken for being asleep. But Philip could see that she was awake and staring emotionlessly ahead, her eyes just empty. He sat with his back to hers.

"Hey, Grace," he said. She didn't respond. "Erm...Charlotte called me. It's strange, I didn't think I would ever step foot here again." There was still no answer, not even a movement.

"I have a letter here, Grace," Philip said, looking at the crisp envelope in his hand. "It's...well, it's from Jem. I'm going to read it to you, all right?" Still no movement. Philip cleared his throat and began to read:

My dear Gracey,

I am so sorry that I lied to you about what I was planning. However I will stand by my decision. I felt as though it was the only way that I could still look after you. Not that you really need looking after, but I suppose that I hated the idea of you having to fight Yanluo alone, and so I chose the only path open to me.

Philip paused for a moment, watching Grace for a reaction. She had twisted around to face him, her head resting on her arm. At least she was actually listening now. Philip continued.

I know that this is going to be hard for you, but it will be hard for the both of us and so we can take comfort in that we are not alone.

I am aware that I only have a small chance, if any, at succeeding, but that is all right. I'll take whatever chance I have.

Just remember to never give up, to never lose hope that some day, you will be free of Yanluo forever. I would fight for a thousand years to find a way if I have to, so promise me you'll stay strong through it all.

Philip placed a hand on Grace's shoulder, hoping to comfort her. She was so cold that he almost jerked away.

Please look after Will and Tessa, especially Will. He will not believe that he can go on and, if all fails, please explain to him why I did it.

I know that you'll stay strong. You always have.

All my love,

Jem

Philip placed the letter gently on the table then tipped the remaining contents of the envelope into his hand. It was Jem's crystal but it was no longer glowing. It was completely lifeless.

He took Grace's hand and dropped the crystal into her palm. She stared at it like it was a foreign object that she hasn't spent a lot of her life knowing.

"He wrote that letter for me so I would go on," she whispered. "I'd already promised I would, but he didn't believe me. Just like he didn't believe I can control Yanluo on my own. It's my fault that he felt like he had to go to the Silent City. It's my fault that he died in agony." Tears started slipping down her cheeks again.

"He does believe you can," Philip said, purposely speaking in the present tense. "And we don't know that he's died yet."

"But why hasn't he told us yet?" She asked. "If he is alive, why make us wait this long? Why make me suffer this long?" Philip didn't have an answer for that.

"I don't know," he said. "But I do know that he loves you. He loves you more than anything." Grace nodded, looking down.

"I know," she said.

"So are you going to fight?" He asked. She hesitated.

"I don't know," she whispered. "I don't know. Jem always helped me make the right decision. I don't know what to do without him. I just...don't know." Philip sighed and pursed his lips.

"What would Jem want you to do?" He said.

"He would would want me to fight, to rescue Will and Tessa," Grace said. "I-I promised him I would." Philip nodded, getting to his feet.

"It's your choice," he said. "But if I ever had the relationship with my brother that you and Jem had, I would do everything in my power to avenge him and fulfil his final wish."

He watched as Grace looked down at the crystal necklace. She closed her fist around it so tightly that she drew blood. Then slowly, she pulled the chain around her neck.

-*-*-*-*- Grace -*-*-*-*-

Grace walked down the steps to the crypt, dressed in full battle gear and loaded with weapons. She could hear the murmurings as the Shadowhunters prepared to go through the portal. Unfortunately, Charlotte's plea for more Shadowhunters to join them had proved fruitless, and so this time they were on their own.

"Grace?" It was Charlotte, looking up at her from the bottom of the steps. "Grace, are you all right?" The whole room became silent as the inhabitants of the Institute stared at her just standing on the steps.

Sophie, Bridget and Cyril were in the corner, helping each other strap gear on. Gideon was assisting Henry and Magnus with the final preparations. Cecily stood with Gabriel by the portal. Philip was on his own, leaning on a table which had weapons laid out over it. He looked slightly uncomfortable in gear even though he had spent most of his life wearing it. Perhaps he felt like he didn't belong there now he was a mundane. Finally, to Grace's surprise, there were three Silent Brothers, including Brother Enoch, at the base of the steps, although Grace couldn't see who the other two were.

"I-" Grace started but stopped. She looked down at the weapon that was clutched in her hands. It was Jem's sword-cane. There wasn't a real reason why she had picked it up, but she thought it was because she wanted some part of her brother to be with her when she went into battle.

"You need not fight if you do not feel like it, Grace," Charlotte said gently. "We have no expectations of you."

"Who would I be if I let you charge into battle alone?" Grace said, still looking at the sword. "Not the person Jem wanted me to be. Not the person I want to be." She then raised her head and cleared her throat.

"I made Jem a promise," she said, "That I'd keep on fighting no matter what. At first I thought he was telling me this so Yanluo wouldn't go free, but now I understand. He was telling me to fight for my family, to fight for you, and Will, and Tessa. He was telling me to keep you close." She paused, taking a deep breath.

"Mortmain will pay for what he has done to my family," she said, her voice becoming cold. "I will run this sword, Jem's sword, through his heart and avenge everyone he hurt. This is for the people we have loved but lost."

Grace looked at Sophie. "This is for Agatha." She moved on to Cyril. "This is for Thomas." She focussed on Charlotte. "This is for Jessamine." Finally, she slid the sword into her belt.

"This is for Jem."

Everyone was silent but watched her with determined eyes. Even the Silent Brothers looked proud to be there, although Grace spotted the mouth under one of their hoods quirk up into a smile.

Then Magnus started clapping. "Well said, Grace," he nodded. "Well said."

"Let's go and rescue our family," Grace said. "And finish what Mortmain started."

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Not long to go now.... I'm so sad to have almost finished this :(:(:( But, I have another TID fanfiction planned which I'll give you the blurb of later on.

It will be called: 'Finding Will Herondale' for those of you interested. Would you like to see another TID fanfic from me???

Hope you enjoyed this one! Comment and vote as always my lovelies!

Love y'all!

CricketCat