Chapter 2

Clarke woke the next day expecting for Lexa's face to be the first thing she saw. But instead she was looking at her back. She moved to place her right arm around Lexa's waist and hold her close, but when she did Lexa rolled over abruptly so they were once again face to face.

Clarke smiled, "good morning, Commander." Her voice was hoarse from previous night's chaos. It was then that she noticed Lexa was staring at her with an expression that greatly resembled contempt. Clarke propped herself up on her left elbow. "What's wrong?"

With great difficulty, Lexa sat up, moved to the edge of the bed and placed her still-booted feet on the floor. "I am still alive."

"I know, it's basically a miracle!" Clarke followed Lexa to the edge of the bed; she put her hand on Lexa's shoulder and once again was denied.

"I was ready to die; I was at peace with my fate." Lexa snapped her head quick shot Clarke another piercing stare, "You knew that."

"I know." Clarke looked down, unable to look into the eyes that once expressed their desire for her. "But I wasn't. You might think it was selfish, but I think I've spent my entire town on the ground thinking only about what was best for my people. And in the end, having you alive is the best thing for my people; for everyone!" When she did find the courage to look at Lexa, Clarke had tears running down her face.

Not without struggle and pain, Lexa stood and went to the sheer-curtained window, "Aden swore fealty to you. He is a strong, brave warrior and leader."

"What if your spirit hadn't picked Aden? We don't know what the other children think of me; of my people. The first thing they could have done was order a massacre on us!" Clarke didn't bother getting off the bed.

"I could feel it, the spirits of the Commanders before me were telling me it will be him." Lexa shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.

Clarke finally rose and placed a blanket on Lexa's shoulders. "You lost a lot of blood and you have a fever, you need to rest. Please, Lexa."

Lexa accepted the blanket, but she didn't move.

"So you're just going to give up and let yourself die from infection? You're alive! Embrace it and fight!" Clarke grabbed Lexa's right shoulder and forced her to face her.

Continuing to turn, Lexa once more walked away from Clarke, and walked about the room, looking at all the strange things she had never seen before. Clarke's room was so mechanical, cold and dark, compared to her own. "I can't stay here in Arkadia. It's too dangerous. I don't know how you got me in, but you need to get me out. Now. My people will be wondering where I am."

"Titus agreed to tell them that you are meditating writing a new treaty for the thirteen clans and are not to be disturbed for a few days. We'll get you back there soon, I promise. But you won't be going anywhere anytime soon if you don't rest and allow yourself to heal."

Lexa turned to face Clarke, "I would like to sleep in my own room."

Feeling like she had just been punched in the stomach, Clarke took a step back. "This isn't your tower in Polis, there are no free rooms. And even if there were, I don't want to let you out of my sight."

Moving slowly, Lexa moved toward the big, plush, dark blue chair that had scorch marks along the top. "Then I will sleep here."

"No you won't, I will sleep there and you can have the bed." Placing her right hand on the small of Lexa's back, she guided her to the bed once more. After pulling back the blankets, Clarke helped Lexa sit on the edge of the bed and removed her boots. She then lifted the Commander's legs and placed them on the bed, so Lexa's head was finally on a pillow. Gently she replaced the blankets over Lexa.

Lexa coughed and black splattered on the pillow. "I'm thirsty."

Clarke sprang from the bed and opened the bedroom door slightly. By this time Clarke had allowed one more person to know of Lexa's presence: Miller. He was standing guard just outside the door. "Can you please get a cup and a bowl of cool water?"

"I need to report to Pike soon, Octavia is about to take my place, I will tell her to bring them."

Clarke closed the door, leaning against it for a moment, she took in the state of her room. Needing to find something to keep her busy, she went about picking up all the black swatches of cloth and throwing them in a pile next to the door; when Octavia came with the water, Clarke would have her take them to the burn pile.

There was a rhythmic knock on the door, the sign that it was one of three people. Clarke opened it and took the cup and bowl from Octavia. "How is she?" Octavia asked, peeking into the room.

"Really mad to be alive, actually. I never got a chance to thank you for all you did, Octavia. She wouldn't be alive if you hadn't been there." Clarke's voice cracked as she tried to keep from crying again.

"Of course. We need her alive." Then, seeing the look of exasperation on Clarke's face, Octavia placed her hand on her shoulder and added, "you need her." Clarke smiled and Octavia closed the door.

Clarke set the bowl down on a table, scooped a cupful of water from it, sat on the bed and propped Lexa up so she could drink the water. Then she ripped the sleeve from one of the few shirts of hers that wasn't stained black, soaked it in the bowl and placed it on Lexa's burning forehead, and they sat in silence. It was almost unbearable, but Clarke knew there was nothing she could say that wouldn't upset Lexa, so she just sat there until the Lexa fell asleep.

By this time, it was nearly dusk, so Clarke kept her promise, grabbed a blanket and sat in the chair. She just sat, staring at Lexa, not thinking there was any way she would be able to sleep. But slowly, she drifted off into a fitful slumber.