I've had some reviews - I knew Clexa fans wouldn't let me down - big thanks to those that took the time. Makes me so much happier posting when I know you guys like it. More please:-)

Chapter Four

Lexa didn't see Clarke the next day, or the day after that, or even the day after that and she was a seething mass of angst that had the staff working in a very unfestive near silence, unless they were hissing under their breath about how much the commander needed to get laid, and by the blond girl, and definitely before she withdrew their Christmas bonuses.

'Hey boss,' Lincoln kept his head down as he headed out back, ignoring Lexa's grunt.

'You're serving today,' she barked after him.

'Sure,' he reappeared as he tied his apron on and set to the customer who'd just approached the counter, watching Lexa head to the shop floor and begin to clean, meticulously.

'Hey,' a soft voice said as the big guy he was serving moved down to where Anya would put his drink. As he moved the girl he'd seen with Clarke, the amazing girl with the dark hair, deep eyes and a laugh like gold appeared, the source of the sweet hello. She smiled.

'Hey,' he stared for a moment and she smiled back at him, 'you're Clarke's friend, right?'

'Yeah, Octavia,' she held out her hand and Lincoln took it, their eyes locking.

'We haven't seen Clarke for a few days. She ok?'

'Yeah, no not really,' Octavia shook her head. 'I uh...thought your boss might be wondering where she was,' Octavia was trying to be all discrete and Lincoln found it adorable.

'Yeah my boss is in mad, head over heels, want, love or whatever for your friend, so it's safe to say she's noticed her absence.'

'Where is she?'

'Cleaning furiously,' Lincoln nodded to where Lexa was scrubbing around the fire place and watched Octavia wonder over.

Lexa couldn't help but feel she must have made Clarke uncomfortable, that maybe she took the flirting too far. Or maybe Clarke thought she'd taken the flirting too far and realized she definitely didn't want anything and now couldn't face her. It was a shame because they'd become friends with their talk of the weather, books, news and coffee and Lexa missed her. Missed they way she'd bite her bottom lip when she was concentrating really hard, or would sometimes have a pen dangling from between her lips as she zoned out on a thought process. She missed her smiles and the brightness in her eyes, the faint blush as Lexa insisted her drinks were on the house. She missed everything about her.

'Lexa,' the words and the tap on her shoulder made her jump.

'Holy crap you scared me,' she gasped.

'Sorry, you were kinda in the zone there,' Octavia pushed her hair behind her shoulders.

'Octavia, right?'

'Yes. Clarke asked me to give you these,' she reached into her bag and then handed over two books.

'These are her books?' Lexa stared at them, a reverential look on her face she couldn't manage to force away.

'Yeah.'

'Is she ok?' Lexa looked down at the books, then back up at Octavia, 'Did I, uh, scare her away?'

'No,' Octavia laughed, 'Bellamy dragged her skiing up Mount Weather for her birthday, the day after we were in here and she broke her ankle. She had to have surgery on it and only got out of the hospital today.'

'Oh my god. Is she ok?' Lexa frowned ignoring the churning worry in her stomach.

'Well she's Clarke so she's upbeat and everything. Seems to be missing a certain barista though,' Octavia winked and Lexa flushed,

'I'm missing her,' she stated honestly.

'Well she'll be back in as soon as possible I'm sure.'

'Could I...I don't know...maybe have her number?'

'I think if you wanted her number maybe you should have asked her for it,' Octavia pointed out and Lexa nodded,

'I know,' she agreed, it was the truth after all.

'You don't need me to give you it anyway,' Octavia looked pointedly to the books in Lexa's hands. 'She debated for half an hour about whether you'd want her number and Bell finally convinced her to put it in.'

'So they're, uh, not together or anything?'

'No. Though he's the first in a long line of people who'll kill you if you hurt her.'

'I wouldn't,' Lexa held up her hands.

'I'm sure,' Octavia smirked, 'now tell me more about the cute guy behind the counter?'

Octavia left after grilling Lexa for five minutes on Lincoln and then stalking over to talk to him with a confidence Lexa envied. Finally alone, Lexa sat in Clarke's usual spot and opened book one in the trilogy after running her hand across the cover, thrilled that she was touching some good so tangibly Clarke's. She recognized the writing from the scrawl of Clarke's notes.

Lexa,

Here are my books - now please don't judge me. It's a real incite into my twisted psyche reading these and I'd really hate to scare you away:-) I kind of like you if you hadn't noticed.

So, you treat me to coffee a lot which I love, and I've made the assumption that you kind of like me too. Therefore, I would love to take you out for drinks? Of course the dress I want to wear will look ridiculous with my leg cast, but hopefully you won't care because it makes my chest look amazing and I've noticed you looking. If you would like drinks give me a text or call.

Clarke ❤️

It was wonderfully flirty and Lexa flushed at the knowledge that Clarke had observed her ogling. She really hadn't meant to do it, but in her defence Clarke had done an awful lot to accentuate that particular part of her body. Lexa smiled to herself and ran her fingers over the words not entirely able to believe her luck that Clarke was bi and apparently interested in her. Unless of course she was trying to pay back a coffee and scone debt. Lexa pushed the thoughts from her head, curled up in Clarke's chair and began to read.

Lexa - Thanks for my books. Thanks for your number too. I had planned to ask for it the next time I saw you.

Clarke - Sure, sure - you're a fast mover 😉 Octavia gave you my number hours ago and you've only just text!

Clarke - Not that I've been waiting for you to text or anything 😁

Lexa - I was busy reading. Your books are really good - finish that third book soon would you! I really enjoyed the insight into your psyche - it intrigues me and amazes me in equal parts.

Clarke - That's good I suppose :-) I can't believe you've read them already? Don't you have a coffee shop to run.

Lexa - That's why I have staff. Perks of being the boss is the chance to blow off work and read!

Clarke - And I thought things would fall apart without you.

Lexa - I kinda fell apart without seeing you every day.

Clarke - Bellamy insisted skiing is like riding a bike. It is not.

Lexa - How's the ankle?

Clarke - Sore. But life is better now you've text 😘

Lexa - Yes to drinks - especially if you make that face😘 So long is it's a date and not about repaying some nonexistent coffee and scone debt.

Clarke - Oh it's definitely a date and I'll bring my kissy face.

Lexa - Then please say we can go out soon?

Clarke - Tomorrow night at Ark? Say 8?

Lexa - Sounds perfect. I'll meet you inside.

Clarke - Can't wait.

Lexa - Me either.

Lexa's mood was way up and everyone noticed. The silence had lifted and there was a downright festive atmosphere in Grounders, as Lexa hummed and actually smiled.

'Anya,' Lexa broached her second and shifted uncertainly.

'What's up?'

'I need your advice,' she decided to get straight to the point.

'Do you?' Anya folded her arms across her chest and waited looking extremely amused.

'Clarke and I are going on a date tonight,' Lexa admitted and a slow grin made its way across Anya's face.

'So that's why you've been so cheerful,' she stated.

'I've been no different to normal,' Lexa growled and Anya had the audacity to laugh.

'What advice do you need?'

'Uh, never mind.'

'You want to know what to wear? Whether to kiss her?'

'Yes,' Lexa agreed flushing. 'I'm fine with what to wear, but the other one...'

'Why are you worrying? Didn't she ask you out? I mean in that book of hers?'

'Well yeah...'

'So surely the kissing ball is in her court?'

'I guess.'

'Just go with the flow Lex, and stop over thinking it.'

'Ok,' Lexa nodded. 'It's just been a while and I can do the flirty thing but I don't want to mess up. I really like this girl.'

'Be yourself. She really likes you.'

'She does?'

'Why do you think I urged you to flirt with her for so long?'

'You said you thought she was straight.'

'You said that,' Anya grinned, 'I said you should flirt. And it worked. Remember that when you're doing bonuses.'

'I will,' Lexa said because it was true and Anya actually look embarrassed. 'I'm going upstairs to shower and then out. You can handle close?'

'Of course,' Anya rolled her eyes.