Chapter 4

Holding a hand above her eyes to shield them from the brightly shining morning sun a wincing, hung-over, Clarke shouted as softly as she could to her friend "Switch that deathtrap of yours off and get your ass over here Reyes."

Ducking back into the beat up little red corvette, teasingly shaking her shapely booty at the blonde and any other grateful onlookers as she did, Reyes killed the blaring tunes by pulling her ipod and keys from the car. Before sauntering over to her suffering friend. "You look terrible Clarke, what did Jasper cook up this time and where can I get some?" the brunette grinned wickedly.

"Well aren't you a pal. You're lucky I think we finished it all last night, you can thank me later for saving your liver." Clarke offered as she pulled her friend into a hug. "How'd you get here so fast? I'm sure Finn only called Abby three days ago."

"Yeah well you know Abby, she figured you could use me sooner rather than later so she booted me off two days after you guys set out for this place. Seeing as I finished up quicker than expected at the Arcadia fair." Raven, sounding slightly apologetic, explained as she squeezed the arms of her friend in a comforting way. "I only heard about the accident when I'd already driven halfway here."

Clarke's face fell just a bit before she quickly regained her composure. Why did she think that her mom could or would have changed her ideas and perception about her capabilities or even seeing Clarke as an adult.

Clarke appreciated the supportive gesture from her friend and gave her a slight knowing nod and smile as she guided Raven into her trailer to catch up. As Clarke made her way through the trailer she pulled out a couple bottles of water from her fridge and handed one over to the mechanic behind her. Thirstily downing half of the other one as she sat herself down in the tiny sitting booth of her living quarters.

"Well whatever the reason I'm just glad you're here." Clarke toasted as she clinked her water bottle against the one Raven was holding. "Finn could really use your help on the generators and Monty is shopping at the bit to help and learn more about that stuff. I'd say settle back in here first, maybe eat something, before you have to deal with those two. I'm gonna hit the shower and pop some painkillers and I'll check in with all of you in a few." Clarke said as she stood up and walked off towards the tiny onboard shower cabin while starting to pull off her t-shirt along the way.

"Sure thing, snowflake." Raven teasingly called out to the slightly pale retreating back of her roommate. "You could use some time in the sun Clarke. Don't make me have to drag you out to that beach." This jabbing only elicited a chuckle from the retreating figure.

The slightly tepid shower, Clarke was sure to ask Reyes to have a look at it later on, and the painkillers that the kind mechanic had left behind on the counter with a fresh bottle of water made Clarke feel somewhat human again. Making her way over to the generator truck parked on the back yard Clarke could already see Raven pulling wires while Finn and Monty stood at the side, most likely shooed away by the rambling and cussing mechanic. "What the fricking hell did they do to you girl?" Clarke could hear the girl talking to the machines inside the truck. Which got a few raised eyebrows from other carnies passing by.

"So what's the damage?" Clarke cautiously asked as she deftly climbed aboard the truck.

"Well your boy, Finn back there sure was rough with my girl here. I'm gonna have to pull some of the motherboards and cords and replace them because the banging and jostling Genny endured wrecked the cooling and she overheated." Reyes explained to Clarke who just grimaced and looked angrily at Finn. "But she'll be all right soon enough, just make sure he stays away from her and me for a while." Reyes continued as she came sliding out from between two bulking cooling towers.

"You heard her Finn, find something to do, somewhere else. And please stay out of trouble for today at least." Clarke ordered, somewhat more harshly as her mood was aided by her hangover. "And you Monty stick around help and learn, I'm sure Reyes can use an extra pair of hands." Making sure to smile as she looked at the eager but nervous looking young man. "I'll be around if you need me just holler like you normally do."Clarke winked at Raven before jumping from the back of the long truck.

The day seemingly flew by, Clarke was kept busy with several administrative things and odd jobs around the fair, so much so she didn't catch another sight of Raven until it was dinner time. When all of her crew met up at the cookhouse and Finn finally dared to join them again as he slid in between Clarke and Raven. "I've got a surprise tonight for everybody" the enthusiastic young man said putting an arm around both girls shoulders as they sat on one of the benches that faced the beach and the setting sun.

"What you found another bottle of Jasper's famous hooch and want to share? Raven asked as she softly jabbed her elbow in his ribs, eliciting a slight groan, still not happy with what he had done to her pride and joy.

"No, even better. But you'll just have to wait until the sun goes down completely."