Notes: A HUGE thank-you as always to my very patient friend Sally who goes through my stories with a fine tooth comb and helps to make them better, and also to my wife who continues to tell me that the story is good and to keep writing it.

Also, this chapter is a bit shorter than the others, but it was a natural break that made the most sense leading up to chpt. 5. We're getting there, slowly but surely - we have to deal with Finn first though ;).

Chapter 4 - Beginnings

It felt to Lexa as though all she had done today was watch Clarke Griffin walk away from her and she couldn't for the life of her figure out why that bothered her so much. She shook her head and returned her attention to her teammates at the table in front of her before excusing herself and making her way to the table containing her Uncle, cousin, and the girls from the Arkers. Everyone slid in a bit more to make room for her and she sat down next to Lincoln. She noticed immediately that her cousin was completely absorbed with Clarke's friend Octavia, his smile wider and occurring more frequently than she could remember seeing in some time. Octavia seemed just as enamored and Lexa hoped that it goes well for them.

Clarke made her way back from the bathroom, after splashing her face with cold water, and giving herself some stern self-talk around getting control of herself. So it was with this sense of self-imposed control that she walked confidently back to her table, only to falter slightly when she saw Lexa sitting at the table talking with her friends and family. She took a deep breath, forced her clenched fists at her sides to relax, and continued on her way. She reached the table and quickly realized that the only space to sit was next to Lexa, which simultaneously terrified and excited her. She smiled at Lexa and indicated the space next to her, "may I," she asked.

"Of course," Lexa responded quickly, scooting over as far as she could without crowding Lincoln too much.

Clarke sat down next to the girl and reached for the beer that she had left on the other side of the table. Once she had retrieved it, she takes a long pull and sighed, then looks at Lexa.

"I'm glad you decided to come" she said. "Your team I mean" she added quickly with a small smile, indicating the girls at various tables.

"Thank you for inviting us," Lexa responded politely.

"No drink?" Clarke asked.

"No," Lexa responded, "I don't drink much. Water is good for me."

"Hmmm," Clarke hummed, taking another drink of her beer, more to have something to do than because she really wanted or needed another drink.

The group shared the pizza and poured each other more drinks from the pitchers that seemed to show up out of thin air and everyone laughed when Lincoln threw his arm in the air when a meat lovers pizza dropped in front of him. Small talk and laughter flowed over the group and when the pizza was finally gone, Jake, Abby, Kane, and Gustus excused themselves from the younger members of the group and moved to another table for what they said was 'adult conversation'.

"Hey!" Raven called after them in indignation, "we're adults!"

The rest of the group laughed and shifted in their booth to provide more room for everyone.

If she was being honest with herself, Clarke would admit that she spent more than a few moments quietly observing the other girl. Where her friends were boisterous and full of energy, Lexa seemed contained and reserved. Where others laughed out loud, Lexa let only a small smile reach her lips. Clarke wondered if she ever smiled fully and what she would have to do to get her to laugh. Lincoln, on the other hand, seemed to be the exact opposite - quick to laugh and very outgoing, especially while talking to Octavia.

Clarke leaned over to Lexa and said, "Your cousin seems to be quite taken with my best friend."

"Yes," Lexa confirmed, "I noticed that as well."

"Bellamy doesn't seem horribly impressed, however," Clarke murmured with a slight smirk on her face. "He would do better to not let his irritation show, that will only make O more determined," she added in an undertone.

Lexa looked at Clarke sharply and said with heat in her lowered voice, "Is this just a game to her then, trying to make her older brother mad? Because if so, it's a pretty immature thing to do when someone else's feelings are involved."

Clarke looked at the other girl, surprise clear on her face, wondering where the outburst from the stoic girl came from, "No, Octavia would never do that," Clarke clarified shaking her head. "I've seen her flirt with people before, but not like this. I think she really likes Lincoln." Clarke shrugged and added with a bit of a grin trying to lighten the conversation, "if it happens to bug Bellamy, that's just a bonus."

Lexa looked down, slightly embarrassed at her outburst and replied quietly, "Sorry, I just...I have never seen him look so happy, or have so much fun. I don't want him to get hurt," she sighed and shook her head then looked up at Clarke before repeating, "sorry."

"No worries," Clarke responded quickly, "we have to look out for the ones we love, I get that." She lowered her voice even more before adding, "I really don't think you need to worry though considering the heart eyes going on over there," she grinned and nudged the other girl with her shoulder softly.

The atmosphere was comfortable and as the evening progressed, the group started to thin out, members of both teams came to say their goodbyes to their captains and coaches before heading home. Before too long, it was just Clarke's table and the table of parents in their area. Bellamy motioned to Octavia that it was time to go and Raven piped up, "Oh, maaannnnn. I'm having a good time."

"Feel free to get your own ass home then. Anytime you want to drive us around would be welcome" Bellamy shot back, "we need to get moving. Come on O," he directed at his sister who was frantically writing out her phone number on a napkin for Lincoln. Bellamy rolled his eyes while he helped a scowling Raven out of the booth and stood impatiently waiting for his little sister.

Octavia hugged Lincoln and quickly pecked him on the cheek before following her brother and Raven out of the booth, smacking her brother soundly on the arm once she reached him, stating quietly, "God, Bell, you're so embarrassing," before coming around to give Clarke a quick hug and to say goodbye to Lexa. Raven gave Clarke a hug as well and the trio headed out of the restaurant after stopping to say their goodbyes to the Griffins and the two coaches.

Lexa looked at Lincoln and raised her brows at him and Lincoln just smiled and waved the napkin with Octavia's number on it at. "Don't be jealous cous," he said as his smile got bigger and he flicked his eyes quickly in Clarke's direction, "get your own."

Lexa didn't miss the motion and fought the blush trying to rush up her neck as she rolled her eyes at him. Clarke watched the interaction between the two with amusement and then asked Lincoln, "Did Octavia tell you about the party on Friday?"

"Yep," he responded jauntily, "I'll be there with bells on." He smiled widely before sticking out his hand to Clarke, "It was nice to meet you Clarke, and your friends. I'm looking forward to Friday," he added before turning to his cousin. "I'm going to head out too, I'll see you and Dad at home," he leaned in and gave Lexa a quick kiss on the cheek before whispering softly in her ear, "get her number," before stepping back, gave her a wink and headed out.

Lexa's eyes had gone a bit wide when Lincoln whispered in her ear and Clarke wondered what he said to her, but then quickly put it out of her mind as it really was none of her business. She noticed her parents and the coaches readying to leave and felt a strange sense of disappointment that the evening was over. She looked at the brunette sitting beside her and blurted out "do you want to come?"

"What?" Lexa asked confused by the sudden question.

"To the party. On Friday. Do you want to come?" Clarke asked again carefully schooling her voice to neutrality, almost indifference.

"Oh," Lexa responded, looking at Clarke. The blond girl was looking away from her, playing with a napkin on the table, and Lexa couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was in profile; straight nose, wavy hair tucked behind a delicate ear and expressive lips currently pulled into a tight line. Lexa couldn't help but wonder if Clarke was only asking her to be polite because Lincoln was informed of the party. Lexa took a deep breath and was about to decline when Clarke glanced up at her quickly and Lexa was sure she saw a glimmer of something in the depths of blue looking back at her - hope maybe? So Lexa buried her initial response and instead said, "parties aren't really my thing..." as she watched Clarke for some reaction. Clarke's face betrayed nothing of what she might be feeling, but Lexa felt suddenly as though she could read those eyes like a book. It was hope she saw there, she was sure of it, and just as soon as the words are out of Lexa's mouth, that look changed to one of disappointment. So Lexa continued, "however," and she watched as Clarke's eyes changed again, "I really enjoyed myself tonight, and I think someone should come and keep an eye on Lincoln."

Clarke looked away and let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding and tried to keep the grin she can feel itching at the corner of her lips from showing on her face. She must not manage it completely because when she looked back at Lexa, there was a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as well.

"All right then," Clarke stated, "we should exchange numbers so that I can send you the address and the details," she added as she pulled out her phone and handed it to Lexa. Lexa took it and typed in her contact info and then handed her own phone to Clarke who quickly did the same. They just got finished when Jake and Abby came over and shook Lexa's hand.

"That was a game that I will remember for a long time," Jake said to Lexa. "It was great to meet you, may we meet again soon," he added. Abby seconded the thought and the gesture and then squeezed Clarke around the waist, "ready?" she asked her daughter.

"Ready," Clarke responded. "Bye Lexa, I'll talk to you soon," she said to the brunette who had stood to greet Clarke's parents. "Yes, see you," Lexa replied with a small wave. The family walked out of the restaurant and Clarke could not help but throw a final glance over her shoulder as they headed out the door, getting one last look at the girl whom she had just met, but felt an immediate connection with that she couldn't explain. She was fairly certain that Friday would not arrive quickly enough.