AN: I've been sitting on this idea for a while, even if to some it might seem a little far fetched, but I suppose there are a lot of grey areas in science fiction so maybe not. Anyway, let me know what you guys think, even if simply in a favourite or following of the story.

~xoUselessLesbianxo~

Returned

Chapter One

The City of Light began to crumble around her as Allie's forces continued to attack. She hadn't wanted to leave Clarke, the grief stricken look on the blonde's face enough to break her resolve. But Clarke needed to save them all before it was too late and the only way that was going to happen was if Lexa stayed to fight. The words 'I love you' echoed inside her mind, even as she focused purely on her attackers, slicing them down easily one by one. They would be the last words she would ever hear spoken to her and that thought alone gave her comfort and peace. She was about to disappear completely from this place but at least she'd heard those few words…received one last kiss. Her people didn't believe in the afterlife, only reincarnation. She truly believed she would see Clarke again. Just not in this life.

"Gonplei ste odon." The words left her mouth in a whisper. Not long now until Clarke would pull the kill switch. She took a deep breath, slashing once more until the final body fell to the ground. She could hear more coming, a large group of people rushing towards her. Allie was desperate, but it was too late. Lexa had always had faith in Clarke. She knew she would succeed. The large group came into sight then, rounding the corner and heading straight for her. She corrected her stance, her eyes narrowed on the group and lashed out once more. She was a force, some would say. A warrior who fought to the death. But she did this for Clarke. Always for Clarke. It was the last thing she could ever do for her.

Lexa lifted her sword, ready to take out yet another person when she felt it. Another shake but this time it was different. This time she knew it was the end. The army stopped their fight, their resolve faltering as acceptance reflected among the group upon realising they had lost. Relief swept through the Commander. Although bittersweet, they had won today. She braced herself for the end, an end that would be final this time. She was grateful. Grateful that she'd been able to spend a few moments with Clarke, putting aside the number of enemies she'd just fought.

Lexa's eyes slid closed, picturing Clarke's smile, the one that could light up an entire room. And that laugh. That infectious laugh that made the entire world stop spinning. The one that made her forget how to breath. She wouldn't allow anything else to fill her mind. Not during these last moments. Unshed tears began to form in her eyes which contradicted the small smile on her face. The one she saved for her. Only her. She refused to think of anything else nor did she need to. Her work as Commander as over, at least until the next ascension.

Lexa's eyes flung open suddenly when a feeling of falling replaced the peacefulness. The sensation was utterly terrifying, and her arms flailed as she tried to grab a hold of anything. The moment seemed to last forever but finally the entire world stopped spinning and she knew she was back on solid ground. She dared to open her eyes again, her chest heaving with adrenaline and as she took in her surroundings. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. She was standing right in the middle of the forest.

…

It wasn't just any forest she'd found herself standing in. It was their forest. The clearing in which they'd spent the night after running from the Pauna. There was no scorched earth from the fire but she knew this was it. She knew the forest inside and out and she knew it in her bones. This was where she knew she'd felt something more. When she started to fall in love with Clarke.

Her mind reeled as to how or why she was now standing on Earth without a scratch. She lifted the material of her shirt to find absolutely no bullet wound, only finding perfectly smooth skin. Perhaps she was stuck in some dream like sequence when the City of Light had fallen and she was now reincarnated? She had no access to a mirror but her height, skin tone and clothing were all the same. In fact, the clothing she currently adorned were exactly the same as the ones she'd worn the day she'd died. "How?" She whispered to herself in wonder, breathing in deeply the smell of the rich dirt and mossy trees. It smelt like home. Not Polis, although that was never really home. But the home she'd grown up in. The home she'd learnt to hunt, fish and climb trees in before being taken to the City to train.

Lexa checked for anything useful on her person but only found a small carving knife. She'd done far more with much less and was thankful for the small item. She was thankful full stop to be standing on Earth after all. She looked up at the sun, using it to predict the time of day. She guessed she had about five hours of daylight left until she would need to stop for the night. If she stopped at night, she predicted she would reach the City in six days' time. Six days until she would be reunited with Clarke.

Lexa put one foot in front of the other, her mind purely focused on reaching home and even as she walking she thought of nothing else. Not even questioning how she was in fact alive.

…

The next morning Lexa rose with the sun, her small fire burnt down to nothing but coals and ash. She brushed the leaves from her hair and clothes before setting out once more. She wasted no time on her journey and spent most of her time thinking of Clarke despite her efforts to focus the day before. But she couldn't help it. Her mind wondered on its own accord no matter the amount of training she'd had in concentration. The trek was tiring, which was to be expected on foot. Admittedly she had only made this trip on horseback. But this did not slow her down. Every time her footsteps wavered she thought of Clarke and that urged her on.

By nightfall on the second evening since she'd returned she sat around yet another small fire and was just about to cook the fish she'd caught earlier, using a makeshift spear she'd crafted when she heard a voice cut through the silent night air.