OMG I'm probably really late with knowing this BUT I don't want to get my hopes up because we all know what a little shit is so I can't decide whether I can actually carry on and watch bits of the season finale or whether I'm actually done for good. I did manage to watch 3.07 yesterday, but I may have cried for a good half hour after it ended.

ANYWAY, back to this:

This chapter isn't quite as long as the last one, I just felt I wanted to get this conversation down in black and white while I had it playing in my mind. It seemed just long enough for an update to tide you guys over until I can get something longer together… Enjoy! :)

/

The morning had passed faster than Clarke had expected it to. It turned out that Lexa Woods was just as delightful to listen to as she was to look at. Clarke felt her cheeks burning whenever the brunette laid eyes on her, as if her soul was open for Lexa to read right there and then. The smirk on the brunette's face made Clarke all too aware that her blushing wasn't subtle either. Clarke had decided that the best option was for her to take notes during the presentations. She didn't want to embarrass herself anymore than she had already, especially given that no matter which project she ended up working on, she could end up spending a significant amount of time working with Lexa.

The morning had been an introduction to the projects, and Clarke knew exactly which one she wanted to work on. At the end of the session, Lexa explained that they would indicate their top two choices of projects to be volunteering on on a sheet passed around the room before heading for lunch. Since Clarke was at the front of the room, Lexa handed her the clipboard, brushing her fingers against Clarke's. Her heart jumped into her mouth. The brunette avoided eye contact but wore a smirk on her face. Clarke had no idea whether the brush was intentional or not. She hurried to fill out her choices, then passed the clipboard to the girl in the row behind her.

Clarke made her way to the back of the room, towards the exit. She kept her head down, not wanting anyone to see the shade of red she was convinced her skin was. Unfortunately for Clarke, she wasn't fast enough.

"Hi Clarke" Aden's smile faltered. "Oh, um, is something wrong?"

"No?" Clarke raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. Um… Never mind!" Aden's smile looked forced. "So, the lunch is set out in the canteen, which is just down the end of this corridor."

"Thanks Aden."

Clarke couldn't get out of that room fast enough. She was thankful she had brought her sketchbook, she didn't feel quite so awkward sitting on her own reviewing her notes from the morning as she chewed on her sandwich. Clarke didn't look up until she heard the sound of the chair opposite her being moved.

"Clarke… Do you mind if I join you?"

Clarke shook her head, who was she to turn down an invitation to eat lunch with Lexa Woods?

"So," Lexa pierced a piece of cucumber with her fork, "you weren't kidding about taking this seriously, were you?"

"Nope… I was always told that if you're going to do something, you should put 100 percent effort into it. What's the point otherwise?" Clarke took a sip of her water.

Lexa smiled. "I appreciate that. I don't want people working on these projects that I sold to the upper management if they're not going to at least try their hardest. It's not about the company looking bad when it's volunteering, it's letting down the people that you're supposed to be helping." Lexa picked at her salad. "It's not right, and it's not fair."

Clarke nodded. "I understand. I used to volunteer with older people in university, reading to those who were short of sight, chatting, assisting with making dinners at the community center. One guy, Finn, never gave any indication that he would be quitting the program, he just never came back. I honestly think one lady may have been a little bit heartbroken… I think it's a shame that a lot of people see volunteering just as an opportunity to get experience for a job. You can't play with people's lives like that."

Lexa beamed. "That's exactly the idea I am going for… Lasting positive influence."

The two women sat in silence, both admiring the view out of the window. The window overlooked a square, complete with coffee shops and a restaurant. It looked glorious today, in the sunshine. Clarke thought it must be lovely to have so many options for lunch if you worked anywhere on this business park.

It was Lexa who broke the silence after a few minutes. "So, Clarke, I noticed that your first choice was the Community Art for Children program?"

Clarke nodded. "Yes, I remember having the opportunity to take part in a program just like that after my dad died. I was nine, and art became my escape from reality."

A small smile crept onto Lexa's face, and she reached out to touch Clarke's arm. Clarke felt her stomach dissolve into a thousand butterflies. This was not supposed to happen, Lexa was trying to comfort her over her loss and here Clarke was thinking just how far she could fall for this woman in a day. Maybe it was national "Clarke needs to embarrass herself" day and nobody gave her the memo?

"I'm sorry, I had no idea…"

Clarke brushed it off. "How could you? We met today. We've spoke once on the phone before today for all of, what, five minutes? It's okay, honestly." Clarke smiled.

"You're sure?"

Clarke nodded. "More than. In fact it's more than okay. If I get to help just one child the way Marcus Kane helped me, it's a complete privilege to be working on the project."

Lexa shook her head. "No, the privilege is ours Clarke.." She looked at her wrist watch. "I'm sorry, I need to go and set up the room for the afternoon session… Spoiler alert: you all get to help plan out the projects. As a wise woman once said, 'when working on a project, get the experts and use their knowledge'."

Clarke raised an eyebrow at the brunette. "I don't think I've ever heard that saying before."

"You have." Lexa beamed. "Just now."

With that, she turned on her heel and left the room. Clarke stared after her for a minute, before pulling her phone out. She had a message from Raven that she opened.

Rae: How's it going Griffin?

Clarke: It's been a really interesting morning, I'm looking forward to starting.

Rae: Starting what? The project?

Clarke: Well, yeah. What else?

Rae: Nothing :D xxx

Clarke could feel herself pouting at her phone. She stopped herself and sighed, returning her phone to her bag. She could deal with Raven later; first she had volunteering programs to plan.