I'm returning to writing FanFiction after about five years away, and I couldn't be happier. Any and all constructive criticism is welcomed. Just a note – future chapters will be longer, I just wanted to post something to get me started.

Chapter One

Clarke's eyes fluttered open, sleep clinging to her. She automatically felt to her right, stretching her arm out and spreading her fingers on the soft animal fur beneath her. Though she'd shared a bed with Lexa for just a week before she had to leave, she had quickly become accustomed to having someone there as she slept.

Of course, they had done more than just sleep in this bed, and as thoughts of Lexa's lips on her thigh entered her head, Clarke sighed. It would not do to get herself worked up without anyone there to help her out. It just wasn't the same, doing it herself. Nobody had ever touched her like Lexa kom Trikru had.

She hadn't been touched in almost five weeks. She was getting frustrated, and that was putting it mildly. Lexa had promised to be away for two weeks at most. Though the commander was able to show more restraint than her new lover, she had not been able to quell the tears that sprung to her eyes as she mounted her horse and said goodbye. Clarke hadn't cried until she was alone, and even then she wasn't sure she even knew why she was crying. It seemed so unfair that they had just, finally, been able to express their love for each other fully, and then Lexa had to leave so suddenly. And though Clarke knew no mission came without risk, any journey into Azgeda was even more dangerous. Whenever she thought about it, Clarke's stomach dropped, particularly as Lexa had been gone two weeks longer than she'd originally thought. There had been no word of her whereabouts, or that of her guards, and Clarke, despite trying to remain positive, was beginning to think that the worst might have happened.

As the rest of Trikru were forbidden to enter Azgeda unless invited to do so by the Ice Nation, there was no way they could even send a scout in to investigate what had become of their Heda.

When Clarke thought about losing Lexa, she felt as though she was dying. Her stomach clenched, her eyes pricked with tears, and it became impossible to breathe. She could almost imagine Lexa telling her to stop being so foolish, but Clarke was passed fears of feeling foolish. Her sleep was marred by nightmares of Lexa's broken body being returned to her, to be burnt. She saw herself standing in front of the pyre, Bellamy's hand tight in hers, and tears searing down her cheeks. Lexa's beautiful body aflame in front of her, hands placed gently on her stomach. It was almost too much to bear. It was only the fact that Clarke knew there was no reality in nightmares that was keeping her from going insane; or at least, that's what she was telling herself.

She couldn't remember what had woken her, until the sound of a horn rang out below her balcony. She snapped up, whipping the fur from her legs and onto the floor. She grabbed her jacket from the chair by the window, and raced down spiral stairs. The horn meant one thing; Lexa was back.

She ran outside just as the procession was making its way up the slope outside the high tower. Riders with flaming torches in their hands flanked a cart, the content of which made Clarke stop dead in her tracks. There was a body on it, wrapped in a dark cloth, their identity shielded. Clarke let out a small sob, thinking immediately that it was Lexa's body beneath the shroud.

"No, please no." She whispered to herself, steadying herself on the doorframe.

As the group drew nearer, she became more erratic, and launched herself forward.

"Where is she? Where's Lexa?" She bellowed at the riders, not caring that this behaviour was perhaps not as proper as it should have been. They said nothing, looking forlorn. Clarke's face broke into a weep, and she sunk to her knees, her worst fears coming true. She cried, her throat growing hoarse, as she watched them take the body into the stables behind the tower.

"Clarke?"

She sucked in a breath, hiccuping slightly as her head whipped around to see Lexa walking beside her horse.

"Oh God…" Clarke trailed off as she got to her feet and flew towards Lexa, crashing into her with an 'oomph'. She pulled back, grasping at Lexa's cheeks with her fingers, checking it was really her and she was really there, and pulled her in for a deep kiss, sucking her bottom lip into her mouth. Lexa groaned against Clarke's lips.

"You can't know how much I've missed you, Clarke."

"I think I can," Clarke smiled, tears still brimming in her eyes.

Lexa cupped her cheek tenderly, stroking with her thumb.

"Clarke, what is it?"

Clarke tried to stop the lump in her throat from forming, but to no avail. Her head dropped slightly, and Lexa moved her hands to Clarke's arms, trying to keep her upright.

"Clarke, did something happen whilst I was gone? Did someone hurt you?"

The blonde shook her head hurriedly, a small smile tugging at her mouth.

"I thought you weren't coming back," she choked out, as Lexa looked on, slightly bewildered, mostly relieved that nothing untoward had happened when she was away.

"We got ourselves into a… somewhat tricky situation. I'll explain everything to you later. Come, let's get you inside and warmed up. You must be freezing."

She wrapped an arm around Clarke, who realised only now that she was dressed in her underwear, a thin top and her jacket. She crossed her arms across her chest, embarrassed, earning a smirk from Lexa.

Lexa handed the reigns of her horse to the stable boy, then returned to Clarke at the door of the tower, which was flanked by two guards. They bowed their heads to her as she led Clarke up the staircase, a supportive hand at the small of her back.

Once they reached Lexa's chambers, the commander lost some of her restraint and grabbed Clarke around the waist, pushing her against the door as it closed, and smashing their lips together. Her hands were everywhere, grabbing Clarke's thigh, running up her waist, squeezing her breast. She was on fire, and she intended to burn all through the night.

So, hands up if you'd like me to continue the scene…