4.

Clarke woke up a little later in the day. Raven was gone and the entire second floor was quiet, which should've been surprising but wasn't.

That wasn't the only difference about the usual morning, in fact, Clarke wasn't surprised to find that everyone had heard about Octavia and were avoiding Bellamy at all costs, or that when she was walking to the medical room and ran into Miller who mumbled that he didn't mind if she called him Nathan with a small blush making its way on his cheeks, instead, she was surprised to find that the medbay had a brand new bench.

The old broken one was nowhere to be found, in its place a wider, sturdier blue one with plush cushions for comfort. She looked to the side to find a collection of larger vials filled with various plants and liquids lined up on the counter while the compartment near the sink was filled with bandages and wraps. Next to all that was an even larger jar of moonshine.

"Some of the guys from Alpha Squad came in this morning, they put in the final touches," Harper's voice rang pointing to the counter and the sink. Clarke remained silent completely shocked.

"Doc!" Finn called as he swaggered into the room.

Clarke turned to him and smiled, "Don't tell me you did this?"

Harper raised her eyebrow at both of them scoffing, "No, Bellamy did."

Clarke froze, "Bellamy did this?"

"Yeah, brought in the bench himself." Harper stood quiet, squinting at Clarke for a second before retreating to the opposite side of the room. Bellamy did this? And he had cadets from Alpha Squad set it up? Clarke was torn between wallowing in her confusion silently or prying answers from Harper. Instead she chose to do what she's been doing recently when her throat dries up and air can't seem to make it to her lungs.

"I better go check on Octavia" Clarke backed away from the room and turned on her heel, Finn following close behind.

"That's actually why I came to you, she's awake, says she feels better but Bellamy wants to be sure," Finn held the door open for her once they got up the stairs.

Inside Octavia's room, the young girl was perched up in bed, arms out in front of her and bright blue eyes blazing as she spoke to her brother. They both looked up when Clarke walked in.

"Hey, I'm Clarke," she said stepping closer to Octavia, "do you mind if I check your wrists?" Octavia opened her mouth but Bellamy spoke instead,

"No, she doesn't."

Clarke nodded, stepping closer and gingerly taking Octavia's arms placing them lightly on her lap as she began to unwrap them. They looked better, she pressed the surrounding area and the dark haired girl let out a sharp gasp.

"Yeah, it's a bit tender, don't worry you'll be good as new in a few days but you'll have two scars."

"It's okay, adds to the bad ass status," Octavia smirked, but that only fouled Bellamy's mood further.

"You think it's a joke?" he questioned moving to his sister's side.

"Get out!" she gritted, unwilling to look at him.

"O, you're going to have to talk to me about this soon, whether you like it or not." His voice was a bit softer, still low and laced with frustration but speaking with his sister, Clarke knew that Bellamy was more aware. With that, he walked out without a glance at Clarke. Finn mumbled something about siblings and the reason why we don't have them anymore before turning to Clarke.

"Hey, you wanna have lunch with me later?" he asked grinning. Clarke's eyes met his and her heart stuttered.

"Uh, I'll probably be working through lunch today since I got a late start, you know?" she reasoned turning back to the girl in front of her. Octavia had an eyebrow raised and a hint of a smile threatening to spill on her face.

"That's fine, I'll bring lunch to you" he winked before leaving as well. Clarke wanted to protest, say no that it was she was okay but even then Finn seemed like the relentless type of bad boy who kept coming back no matter what was said.

"Seems like you have yourself a boyfriend already and you've been here what? Three days?"

"Two actually, and he's not my boyfriend" Clarke smirked back at her. She rewrapped the wounds and told her to drink and eat larger meals today because of the lack of blood in her system. Octavia nodded along to her instructions leaning her head back against her headboard.

"You're not going to ask me?"

"Ask you what?" Clarke knew what but she feigned wonder. If the girl wanted to speak she would have, and Clarke knew that sometimes your secrets are all you have left.

"You know what." Octavia deadpanned, and Clarke grimaced.

"Why did you slit your wrists?" Clarke asked.

"Would you believe me if I told you I was doing it to protect someone?" Octavia asked sliding down her bed now resting her head against her pillow. Clarke walked over and placed the covers over her.

"You Blakes don't seem like the type" she joked and her grin went full-blown when she heard Octavia laugh.

"He would've done the same thing if the roles were reversed" Octavia said, her voice sounding distant then, and her eyes wistful. Clarke wanted to end the conversation there, if she continued to figure out who this young girl was, if she found out what horrors Octavia faced while being told she had no right to live, then she would become attached and her plan would fail with her.

But instead, she asked, "What roles?"

"If he was in love," Octavia's eyes rolled back as she shifted closer into her pillow. Her breathing slowly evening out and Clarke knew that the conversation went on for a minute too long.

—

"Finn, I told you I would be working through lunch," Clarke said harshly moving around him to grab one of the vials. He rolled his eyes, perched up on the counter, twirling a toothpick in his mouth.

"Which is why I came here," he answered simply. Clarke thought about this for a minute getting an idea.

"You're right, I do need a break and some food." she smiled brightly giving the vial to Harper to finish up with the patient before taking a seat next to Finn. Their thighs pressed flush against each other but Clarke ignored that grabbing a sandwich from the bag next to him.

"So, how did Bellamy get all this stuff?" she asked, "I understand you grow your own food, or find a way to get, but with these supplies, I mean I asked him and he gave me the impression that they were hard to find"

"They were, but like everything here, clothes, food, cigarettes, alcohol, we manage to get through inside people in Arkadia that worked for Marcus Kane, you know him?"

Clarke nodded and Finn continued, "Yeah well he has some inside crew that has been working for him for years. They supply us with everything,"

"Even the medicinal plants?"

"No, the plants and antidotes here come from somewhere else," he answered taking a bite of his own sandwich. Clarke raised an eyebrow at him but Finn just smirked shaking his head, "Nah, sitting next to me and eating won't get me to spill anything, Princess."

She resisted the urge to huff but a sigh did escape her lips. She hopped off the counter rolling up her sandwich and placing it in his hand.

"Thanks for the food but we just got a new wave," she jerked her chin towards the door and walked away.

"C'mon, just 'cause I won't tell you where Blake got this shit from?" he questioned almost whining. Clarke laughed this time, really laughed, and Finn found himself smiling too.

"No, I really do have to get back to work." Finn smiled wider and then hopped off the counter too.

"Ok Princess, but you owe me. We'll continue this later,"

Clarke bit her lip hard, almost drawing blood. She turned around and walked outside the medbay to call the next patient lined up against the wall to be examined, instead she ran into Bellamy's hard chest. Her forehead rammed against his collarbone and she moved back losing her balance a bit but Bellamy remained still as can be.

"You said you had some information about the council," he spoke, eyes on her. Clarke rubbed her head wincing, but she nodded anyway, "Meet me in engineering in five minutes" he demanded now taking a glance over her shoulder at Finn then leaving. Clarke turned to Harper who only rolled her eyes in understanding, she had to hold the fort down for a couple of minutes. Rubbing her head again, Clarke moved as quickly as she can.

Finding the engineering room wasn't as challenging as she thought it would be. The layout of the Dropship was easy to understand, she was getting used to it already. The only floor she was unfamiliar with was the third floor but she makes a habit of avoiding it. Run ins with Bellamy is not what she wants especially when every time they talk it ends in harsh words.

"We need to lower their defenses, we do that by getting through their security system undetected, once that's down then we have insight on everything. Their next move, their army numbers, their citizens, anything that Jaha sees, we will too." She heard the familiar deep voice of their leader. Bellamy could command the wall to move with that voice of his.

Clarke paused outside the door listening in.

"We can't do much without the algorithm. Her father helped create the server; she'd probably know how to deactivate it. I know Sinclair had a hand at it but he wouldn't be able to tell us anything without getting caught." she heard Raven say then typing on keys. Sinclair had been the engineer working alongside her father, they discovered the various flaws in Arkadia's network and fixed them, they set up the entire database that carries anything and everything Arkadia related. If Sinclair was in on Skicru's plans, if he knew them and was helping them, then was her father in on it too?

"She'll be able to help you, apparently that's all she wants to do" Bellamy sneered.

"You don't believe her?"

"No."

Clarke finally stepped through the door. She glanced at Raven who sat on the chair with her mouth a gap knowing that their conversation was heard. She tucked her hands in the pockets of her red worn out sweater and leaned back in her chair. Clarke didn't chance turning her gaze to meet Bellamy's, who she was sure was already looking at her.

"My dad worked with Sinclair, I can tell you what I heard and what I know about how the security system works, but I do know more," she started, she flinched looking around the room, it seemed clear that they were the only three there.

"My dad," she began, "uh, my dad found out, before he died, that there was sight of life beyond the walls. That there were other people, survivors of the nuclear war" she paused, Raven became still but what made her stop was Bellamy. Cool and confident now turned to stiff and wary as he stared her down.

"He wanted to come out, to tell the other citizens that life exists past the walls, that we should tear the walls down and join them, welcome them. But,"

"The council wasn't having it," Raven finished shaking her head in disbelief, "See your sister was right" she said to Bellamy. Clarke was confused, and then suddenly it all came together.

"Oh my God! That man, Nyko?" Clarke exclaimed, "He's from beyond the wall?"

Bellamy didn't move, neither did Raven.

"He knew how to heal Octavia, he had those herbs! That's how you got those vials in medical?" she questioned still in shock that she actually had contact with someone from the outside, "What you're not going to say anything?"

"Yes, he's from beyond the wall. We've had a relationship with them for a while." Raven finally spoke up, her tone slightly dismissing. Clarke refused to let this go.

"So that's where you go when injuries get so bad and you can't go back to Arkadia?"

Again, neither of them spoke up. Angry, she crossed her arms across her chest. She waited a second longer but when no one spoke; she turned on her heel preparing to leave. A hand caught her wrist.

She turned back around facing Bellamy, "If you want my help then I deserve some answers."

"You don't deserve anything, you're lucky Reyes told you what she did. In case you've forgotten, your mother is a fucking councilwoman. You came here all on your own Princess" He was still holding her wrist, his grip getting tighter with each sentence spoken. She swallowed the hurt and hoped it didn't show on her face.

"Fine." she muttered, looking between the two of them. Bellamy having just realized he was still holding her wrist let it drop to her side quickly, as if her touch scorched him. She tried swallowing down the hurt again. She wanted to scream at both of them. Tell them to go fuck themselves and that she was leaving as soon as she was done "helping".

It was clear that Bellamy wasn't warming up to her as she had previously thought, it was clear that the people here still had some issues with her even though some of them were kind, and it was clear that no matter how much she tried, how many wounds she stitched, how much information about the council she gave, that she will never be Skicru.

They got to work then. Raven called Monty, Wick and a guy named Bryan over for reinforcement. Together they managed to figure out how to get through the firewall blocking intruders from entering the Arkadian database. Five hours later, they were working through the disconnection algorithm for disabling the security system so they can hack into it. Half the time Clarke had no clue what they were going on about, but she told them what she knew, the long sophisticated words that she remembered her father speaking during dinner, anything and everything she could remember, she told them.

"Ok, were almost there," Raven said leaning closer to Bryan to get a better look at his computer screen. Clarke stood back watching them, she could feel Bellamy's eyes on her but she wasn't going to give him any satisfaction. Looking over at him would tell him that she was aware of his intimidating persona and that she feared it. She didn't fucking fear anything, especially when it comes to Bellamy Blake.

"That's why your dad died?" he asked suddenly, "He wanted to tell people about the others?"

"Pretty much," she replied still not looking at him. The four brainiacs at the front were too caught up in working out the code to bother listening to them. Clarke continued to stare as they worked diligently.

"So you're trying to finish what daddy started?" he asked and although he meant for it to be mocking it came out with less teasing and more accusing. She scoffed before turning to finally face him.

"It's interesting Blake, really, how you think it's easy for you to judge me but when I say a word about you, you tell me to shut up. You act like I don't know what you've been through? Get over yourself asshole, we've all dealt with shit."

Now the four at the front of the room who were tucked away staring at computer screens were looking over at them. Bellamy's face showed no emotion but then a hint of a smile appeared before transforming into a smirk.

"Guess so," he said simply, walking over to Wick. "Get this done by tonight, I want to have access to all security footage, if Jaha sees it, we should see it." he instructed again. Before he left though, he glanced at Clarke one final time.

"Griffin, I'll see you here tomorrow morning at 9:00. Monty and Harper can take over medical until noon."

—

Clarke couldn't contain her excitement the next morning. She barely slept last night, anxiety working her body up. She might finally have a chance at finding out about the people on the other side of the wall, maybe get to properly talk to Nyko, ask him about life there. It felt like newfound confidence, like maybe her original plan might get scrapped for the possibility of a better one where no one will get hurt. She needed to get Bellamy to tell her what he knew, she needed to ask him if there's a chance for co-existing in peace with the others.

She ran into Raven while dashing out of bed and slipping her jeans on.

"Whoa Griffin, hold up, maybe you want to shower?"

"No time," Clarke mumbled heading out.

Then, she almost ran into Bellamy who was waiting outside the engineering room. He pushed off the wall stepping in front of her.

"You have a jacket?" he asked. She noticed his black one hugging his broad shoulders and big arms. She averted her eyes quickly refusing to let the pink hue cover her cheeks.

"Will I need one?" she looked down self-cautiously at her grey t-shirt. He rolled his eyes and an amused smile stretched across his lips. She didn't think he was capable of something like that.

"No Princess, I think you're fine." he shook his head walking into the engineering room. He grabbed a backpack and threw it at her, she caught it midair looking at it curiously. He grabbed another one hanging it off one shoulder.

"Put it on, we're going to be gone a while."

"Where are we going?"

"You wanted to know about the others, well it's your lucky day" his tone was dry as he walked around picking up random object shoving it in his pack. Then he picked up two palm-sized walkie-talkies. He handed her one his fingers grazing hers.

"Really?" her eyes lit up. He looked back at her, Clarke could've sworn she saw warmness in his eyes but then it was gone and she assumed she imagined it.

"Yeah," he walked ahead of her, "let's go."

They fell in step together taking the back exist of the Dropship, the one Clarke took two nights ago when she needed some air. The sun was bright beaming down at them although there wasn't much heat because the wind was cooler.

This time of year was always Clarke's favorite, it was known at one time to be Autumn, but with the imbalance in the ecosystem and having to generate their food and plants manually, the idea of Autumn where nature would fall slowly before rising up again months later, was forgotten.

They walked for about fifteen minutes when the wall came into view. Clarke wondered how they were going to get through? There were security cameras all over, not to mention the guards on patrol. Since the council members and Jaha found out about life outside the walls, thanks to her father, surveillance doubled. Bellamy must have seen the confusion on her face.

"There's a hidden passage, it's under ground. You see that building there?" he pointed to a run down looking building, although it was more like a barn or shed. The bricks were falling, rubble all around it, and only the frames of doors and windows still in tact.

"Yeah?"

"Well, we get down to the tunnels through there, then we're on the other side."

From the distance she could see a patrol car coming their way. They ran towards the shed hiding behind it. Pressing their backs against the side, she felt her heart hammer against her chest; she prayed they hadn't seen them.

"Relax Princess,"

She didn't get a chance to respond because the car was turning around. Bellamy grabbed her hand tucking her closer to his side. Her breath fanned against his jacket, and tried her hardest to stay still and be small. His grip on her tightened and then he was leading her inside the torn down shed. There were two doors on the ground sealed with a large lock, digging in his backpack, Bellamy pulled out some metal instrument and fiddled with the lock until it clicked open.

He took her hand again leading her down the steps.

"Careful," he whispered. She let go of him and walked ahead, "Hey, what do you think you're doing," he asked still whispering.

"I can take care of myself." she narrowed her eyes at him but for some reason today it seemed that instead of getting angry with her every time she opened her mouth, she seemed to be entertaining him. A smirk and amused eyes laughed at her, and she didn't know if it was mockingly or if he was genuine.

Bellamy Blake, she thought, was cut and dry. Tough, harsh, powerful leader of the most talked about and feared rebel group. But the past two days, he surprised her, and if she thought she wasn't afraid of him before, she was sure she was now.

"I know" was all he said leading the way again. The tunnels smelt horrible, like a faint gasoline scent mixed in with an awful manure scent. It seemed to have been a sewer or something because there were pipes running along the sides and water dripping from them at all angles. They continued on for ten more minutes using the lights Bellamy placed in their bags to lead the way.

Nyko came into view holding what looking like a bow and arrow tightly. When he recognized them, he loosened his grip and held the weapon behind his back instead.

There was a soft fiery glow, coming from a lit torch, illuminating his tense features and angry eyes.

"Bellamy," he said, shifting his eyes between the two of them.

"It's okay Nyko, she's fine,"

Nyko stood still, and when Bellamy took a step forward he placed a hand blocking his way. Bellamy looked down at Nyko's hand before turning to greet him with a death glare. Nyko being the smart man that he was moved aside and let them pass.

"Hope you know it is you are doing, Bellamy," Nyko's broken speech seemed haunting and even Clarke knew the weight that warning carried. Bellamy, however, didn't respond instead continued to walk forward. Nyko picked up the torch that was shoved into the ground at his side and walked behind them.

They came to a clearing with a ladder going up right in front of them and the light from the sky above gleaming down. Clarke and Bellamy turned off their lights but Nyko kept his grip on the torch firm. They climbed until they were met with the cool breeze and fresh air, or what came close to fresh air in a land drenched in nuclear warfare aftermath.

The sight in front of Clarke left her breathless though. She noticed that the wall was distant now about a two miles away. But in front of her, life was blazing. She was right in the middle of what seemed like an outdoor market. Nyko swung a large metal door over the hole they just climbed out of, securing it shut and turning to walk ahead of them. Clarke followed but her eyes took in everything. She witnessed young boys and girls running around, in between tables filled with different types of fruits and vegetables, ones she hadn't even heard of before. The culture, the atmosphere, it was all very different to her. Exciting and new and she wanted to indulge in it.

The language the locals were speaking to each other caught her ears. It was different, interesting, she noticed that their words were longer. They dragged out letters, unlike their own language where each sound was short and to the point. She also noticed that their voices as they spoke seemed lighter too, like they didn't have a care in the world. Clarke didn't realize she was smiling until she met Bellamy's eyes. He was gazing at her, in a way he hadn't before, and she felt uneasy.

"What?" she questioned

"Nothing," the corners of his mouth tilted upwards vaguely.

"Then why are you staring at me like that?" she asked, and this earned her an actual chuckle from Bellamy Blake.

"C'mon," he said instead, and they moved to catch up with Nyko.

They hiked away from the market, turning towards tall trees covered in a greenish glow. The woods before her were unique compared to the ones surrounding Arkadia, or the forest she ran through when searching for the Dropship. These ones seemed free; as they swayed in the gentle wind they stood taller too. Making their way through, she tried to follow exactly where the two men in front of her stepped. These woods as beautiful as they were seemed to hold secrets, traps, betrayal she wanted to no part in. After a minute or so, they arrived at a glade.

The glade was full of life, if possible more than at the market. There were cabins along side the outside of the open space, with men and women working on what looked like a few new cabins. There was a large fire pit in the middle, and kids were dancing around it singing a tune she never heard before. What intrigued her the most was while they seemed to live carefree, the doors to many cabins wide open compared to Arkadia's complete blocked out and shut down vide, they actually held an air of dominance. A type of power and fear that only came from respect.

"Through here," Bellamy murmured in her ear. She felt the warmth of his breath and shook her head internally. She wasn't accustomed to any kind of comfort. The only real human contact she had in the last few months was hugging her father in his last moment, and while that may seem like forever ago, Clarke still felt the weight of his arms around her as she cried out.

She trailed behind Bellamy slowly, walking towards a cabin off to the far side being the only one secluded to that section of the glade. Nyko knocked the door once.

"Nyko, Bellamy" a bald man with tattoos of his own wearing a long brown robe greeted, but when his eyes met Clarke's he held the door stiffly.

"It's okay Titus, she's with me." Bellamy said raising a hand to hold the door back. Titus' eyes wandered across her face.

"Heda won't like this." Titus said, and he seemed really reluctant to open the door but the way he looked at Bellamy gave Clarke the impression that as much as he respected this Heda, he respected Bellamy enough to open the door anyways and step aside to let them through.

From the outside the cabin looked to be small, enough for maybe a family of two, but inside, the walls stretched high to the ceiling and the windows big and wide letting sunlight through. The space felt bigger with the few wooden and metal tables and chairs that decorated the place. The warmth engulfed Clarke quickly, as she stepped through taking in every inch of the cabin. The smell of wood and burning incense filled her nose.

"Lexa." Bellamy said, walking closer to the girl sitting on a chair at the back of the room. Clarke turned to see the girl, Lexa, who she hadn't notice when she entered, eyeing her.

"You brought someone," her voice was sharp, not a single part of it wavering as she spoke. She seemed so sure of herself, sitting up there on what seemed like her throne. Clarke bit back the urge to tell Bellamy that he's been calling the wrong girl 'Princess'.

"She has insight on the council, with her we are much closer to the revolution."

"You trust her?" Lexa questioned looking at him with scrutiny. Bellamy didn't bother looking at Clarke when he said the next words that made her breath hitch.

"Yes."

Lexa seemed to accept that bland answer. Clarke couldn't help but wonder if Bellamy just said that so the three strangers wouldn't kill her on the spot or if he actually meant it. If he did mean it, when did she suddenly earn this newfound trust? Just a few hours ago when Raven had asked him the same question he gave an opposite answer. Clarke didn't have time to open her mouth or even begin to form her words when she heard Lexa's chair slide back and the tall brunette girl was standing right in front of her.

"I don't."