Well I've been sitting on this one for a little while, and thought I'd finally post. I'm going to warn you- angst and sadness ahead!

The Promise

"Bellamy!"

Bellamy laid still, his heart hammering in his chest. Gina was sleeping quietly beside him, and Brandon was mumbling in his sleep. For a moment he closed his eyes, trying to focus on the familiar noises- trying to shut out the memories.

He sat up slowly, shivering as his feet touched the cold metal floor. He looked at his wife, her breathing even, blissfully unaware of his pain. They didn't talk about it. She'd tried to help in the beginning, but he didn't want to be helped. He still didn't…

Bellamy pulled on his shirt and boots as he walked to the door, stopping when Gina spoke.

"Are you going to see her," she asked, quiet disappointment lacing her tone.

"I need-" He stopped when he heard her roll over, knowing her back would be to him. She would never understand, how could she.

Bellamy stepped out into the hallway, his footfalls echoing hollowly in the silence. There was no one out at this time of night, except for the occasional guard. He nodded at Miller as he rounded the corner, giving a tired smile.

"You headed to Abby's," Nate asked.

"Yeah," Bellamy sighed, "Are you coming or going?"

"Going," Miller replied, "Just got off."

"Tell Harper I said hi," Bellamy nodded before starting back on his way.

"Give her a kiss for me," Miller called.

Bellamy could feel the tightness in his chest ebbing as he got closer. He stopped before a brightly colored door, hesitating only a moment before knocking. He smiled as it opened, a very tired Abby gripping his arm and yanking him inside.

"Thank goodness you're here," she yawned, "I can't do anything with her, and neither can Kane."

He didn't say anything as she led him to a little room, the soft glow of a lamp illuminating the tiny figure standing up in the crib, the little bed shaking with the force of her anger. Her blue eyes were bright with tears, her mouth screwed up in a pout.

"Da," she screeched, reaching for him.

Bellamy picked up the toddler, holding her close as she immediately stopped crying, "Are you giving Gram a hard time?"

"Yes," Abby groaned, "I shouldn't be surprised, she's exactly like Clarke was at this age. Throwing temper tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants…"

Usually any mention of Clarke had Bellamy feeling as though he were falling apart at the seams, but holding this little girl made all the difference.

Bellamy stared down at the baby in his arms, and then looked back to Clarke. She was propped up on several pillows, her skin sallow and her lips tinged blue. She looked exhausted, her eyes closed and deep purple smudges resting beneath them.

Abby had told him there was nothing more to be done, she'd made peace with it, but he had not. It had been three days since Charlotte Elizabeth Griffin had been born, and every day Clarke's fever persisted and every day she grew weaker.

He wanted to will her to get better. After all they'd been through, he didn't want it to end this way. She would die for bringing a new life into the world. He knew how she would see it. This would be her redemption, this tiny baby girl who slept so peacefully.

A soft murmur brought Bellamy's head up, his dark eyes meeting Clarke's lighter ones in a gentle caress.

"Bellamy," she whispered, reaching out her hand.

Bellamy moved to sit on the bed, taking her hand in his as he positioned the baby so she could see her. She smoothed down the downy blonde curls, a tired smile curving her lips.

"Will you promise me something, Bell," Clarke asked, her eyes begging him for something he knew would cost him a great deal- something he would do gladly.

"Anything," he replied.

"Take care of Charlie for me," she said, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Clarke you'll be here to-"

"No," she cut him off, "No, Bellamy. I won't be here much longer."

"Please don't say things like that," he pled, "You'll be fine, there has to be something…"

"It's my time, Bellamy, but I can't feel at peace until you promise me that you'll take care of my daughter."

Bellamy couldn't deny her this, not now or ever, "I'll love her as if she were my own."

A brilliant smile curved her lips, "Thank you, Bellamy."

She passed away early the next morning while he was holding her hand. It was peaceful and quiet, just before sunrise. Abby placed her hand on his shoulder, tears coursing down her cheek.

"May we meet again," he whispered, kissing Clarke softly before leaver her. It felt wrong to walk away from her because he hadn't left her side since she stumbled through the gates just five days ago- it felt like a betrayal.

Charlie was cradled against his chest, a little shuddering sigh escaping as she slept. She didn't know what she'd just lost, and it hurt him that she would grow up without knowing her mother. He decided then and there that he would tell her about Clarke, he would make sure that she knew how much Clarke loved her.

Before he knew it, Bellamy was walking through the door of his quarters. Gina looked up from feeding their eighteen-month-old son, Brandon.

"Clarke's gone," he said quietly.

"I'm sorry," Gina said, scooping up Brandon and coming to sit beside her husband on the bed, "but shouldn't Abby have the baby?"

"Abby has funeral arrangements to make," Bellamy replied woodenly, fingering one Charlie's tiny hands.

"What about after the funeral? Who'll raise her?"

Bellamy could hear the question that went unasked as though she'd screamed it, words bouncing around in his head until he was sure it would explode. He wanted to tell her that he didn't care what she wanted, that he'd made a promise to Clarke and he would keep it.

He didn't though…

"Abby and I will discuss that," he said.

She seemed pleased with his answer, "Alright, I'll take Brandon and we'll leave you to sleep. I know you must be exhausted."

Bellamy didn't answer. He waited until the door closed, and then he lay down and placed Charlie on the bed beside him. She got a little fussy, but he gently began to rub her little tummy and soon she quieted.

"How are we going to do this without her," he asked, his heart constricting as the baby stared up at him.

Then it was like something clicked into place, like the pieces of his heart were stitching themselves back together. This baby was all he had left of Clarke, and because of Charlie he wouldn't ever really lose his best friend- she would always be right there in those deep blue eyes.

He got two hours of much needed sleep before Octavia woke him up. She bent over him, her daughter tied to her chest. His niece stared at him owlishly, every bit as serious as her father had been.

"Are you ok, big brother," O asked, sitting on the narrow space he'd made for her on the bed.

"I can't believe she's gone," Bellamy sighed, sitting up and taking Charlie in his arms. He picked up the milk Abby had sent with him, and started making the baby a bottle.

"It can be hard to accept at first," Octavia replied, hugging Lilly to her chest, "But they both left us something special to remember them by."

Bellamy smiled sadly, "That's the only reason I'm not falling apart. Charlie needs me. I promised Clarke I would care for her, and I will do everything in my power to protect her."

"I know you will," Octavia said, "That's why she chose you. She knew she could always trust you."

Bellamy nodded, "I just don't want to be away from her. I know it makes Gina uncomfortable, but-"

"Gina has a right to her feelings, Bell. It's hard for her to understand that you chose her, but you love Clarke. She knows she doesn't have your heart, and that baby girl is just another reminder."

"I've tried," Bellamy shook his head, "I do love her, but it's not the same. She doesn't understand all we've been through. She thinks she can fix me, like I'm some broken piece of the Ark that can just be reattached and magically be normal again. I'm never going to be normal Octavia!"

"I know," she whispered, laying her hand on his arm, "You need to talk to her."

"I will," Bellamy said, his head bent and his gaze fixed on the baby in his arms.

"She's beautiful," Octavia smiled.

"Looks just like Clarke," Bellamy rasped, a small smile tickling his lips.

"Probably act just like her to," O said softly.

"I really hope so…"

Bellamy rocked back and forth in the old wooden rocker, Charlie sound asleep. She was an energetic one year old, strong willed and every bit like her mother.

"That's my Princess," he crooned softly, placing a kiss on her cheek before he gently deposited her in the crib.

He found Abby waiting for him with a cup of coffee and a smile.

"Did you get any rest," Bellamy asked, his hands gripping the mug like it was life itself.

"Not really, but tomorrow is my day off," Abby said with a shake of her head as silence settled between them for a moment. "She's just like Clarke where you're concerned," she said with a wistful smile, "Trusts you completely, and you're the only one that can calm her. You make her feel safe."

"I love her, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that it doesn't happen again," Bellamy said gruffly.

"What's not going to happen again," Abby asked cautiously, half knowing what he was going to say but needing to hear him say it.

"I won't let these people destroy her like they did Clarke. I won't let them ask too much and give too little. She will have a childhood, and she won't have to worry about blood on her hands," Bellamy said, his voice shaking with rage, "She will be happy."

In that moment Abby knew that she and Marcus might have given Charlotte a home, but they would be accountable to Bellamy Blake for the rest of her life. Charlie was more his than anyone's, and she hoped and prayed that Charlie's father never came looking for her because it was clear that Bellamy would fight wars and battle the impossible for the little girl.

"She will have a good life, Bellamy. We'll make sure of that," Abby said, reaching out to squeeze his hand.

He nodded, his dark gaze boring into hers as angry sparks ignited the ragged edges of his soul until she was sure she would be burned by the intensity.

"You will let her be her own person. I won't let you force your will on her like you did Clarke," Bellamy growled, "You will right your wrongs, and I refuse to allow you to make the same mistakes twice."

"I promise, Bellamy," Abby said tearfully, "Charlotte won't bear the burden that Clarke did." She didn't know what had brought this on, but she knew she'd needed to hear it.

Bellamy gave a jerky nod, before turning to walk out. He ran into Marcus at the door, giving a calm good morning before going on his way.

"What was that all about," Kane asked confusedly.

"That was Bellamy Blake in parent mode," Abby smiled, "He's not going to make this easy."

"What do you mean," Marcus asked as he sat down on the couch and pulled her down beside him.

"He's going to make sure that I don't make the same mistakes twice," she replied softly.

"Abby, we've been over this. You did what you had to do. There were no alternatives," Marcus sighed, "You can beat yourself up, but that doesn't change things."

"When will he forgive me," she asked, looking up at him.

"I think he already has, but he won't forget. Bellamy is a man who takes care of his own. Clarke was always his, and now he has Charlie to protect. He was never just going to hand her over without enforcing his own rules," Marcus said with a chuckle before growing serious, "Nothing comes before Charlie in his mind. He will see this camp burned to the ground before he breaks his promise to Clarke."

Abby smiled sadly, "The Rebel King will always protect his Princess…"

Please don't hate me! I got bit by the angsty bug and this is what happened! I'm thinking about making this a series that will follow Charlie's growing up- the cute and sad moments with Bellamy. So, should I end it here or do y'all want more of the story?

Please review! I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)