They looked out the window. The streets were full of people going about their daily business. Clarke had never expected grounders to have such complex lives after witnessing their ferocity in the woods during her first few weeks on the ground, and yet, here was this bustling city full of culture. She made a mental note not to underestimate these people again, and glanced over at Lexa. It had been true when she said that her girlfriend had changed her view of these people. From the moment they had met, she could see the grounders' humanity. Clarke began thinking through all her people's interactions with Lexa's people and she had to admit she almost felt bad. They were just trying to survive, same as us. And during her time on Earth Clarke learned that so much went into the Grounders' reaction to the Sky People landing.

Looking at Lexa now gave Clarke a sense of nostalgia to a time she had never experienced. She wondered what the two of them could have been if they were born in a different time. Clarke could almost picture Lexa in jeans and a tshirt. Lexa looked over at Clarke and smiled, thinking a similar thing. "Lexa." She walked to Clarke and took her in her arms. "Lex, we could leave," she said wistfully.

"Where would we go, Clarke?"

"Doesn't matter. It would be so easy and we could focus on us."

"I love you but you know we can't." She was right of course, but Clarke couldn't stop thinking about it. "Clarke, think about Aden. And everyone else. We don't know what is going to happen and we owe it to them to stay."

While every word was true, it irritated Clarke that Lexa wouldn't even let herself think about it. There was so much out there and Lexa couldn't even think about. Clarke loved her dedication and selflessness, but she couldn't deny that it hurt sometimes to always be second on the list. She loved Lexa for all the reasons it was hard. Clarke tried to remind herself that she would drop everything and run back to Skaikru's camp. Times like these she almost felt like their relationship was doomed. Clarke could feel tears beginning to well up in her eyes so she pulled away from Lexa and walked toward the door. "I'm gonna go see if I can find Octavia."

Clarke had found a small room in an area tower with little foot traffic to let herself collapse briefly; being strong for everyone all the time was so exhausting. It was time to be herself: an 18 year old girl who had suffered enough in the last few months to last a lifetime. Clarke cried. For her father, for Finn, for Jasper, her mom, Lexa, and herself.

At some point she must have fallen asleep because she woke up laying on her side on the concrete floor, her eyes slightly sore still. She wasn't sure how long it had been but judging by the golden light streaming in the window it was now late afternoon. Clarke rubbed the sleep and remaining tears out of her eyes before getting up and making her way out of the tower.

She wandered around the streets for a while looking at the clothing and other items being sold and trying some of the food. She felt the energy around her, a genuine happiness to be alive and wondered if it might have something to do with being outside so much. Then she spotted Octavia across the market.

"Octavia! Hey O, how are you?"

Her friend turned quickly and searched the crowd until she saw Clarke. "Hey it's been a while. How's life in the castle?"

"It's not a castle," Clarke glanced at the building over her shoulder. "Really…"

Octavia looked at her skeptically and replied, "yeah. Sure. Anyway, I'm trying to get Indra back in the game, but she took the defeat pr-"

"Octavia, I know it's important but not right now. Have you heard anything from Lincoln or your brother?"

"HA! As if Bellamy and I even talk anymore. I haven't heard from Lincoln in a few days, but last time we talked it sounded like things were getting rough back at camp."

Clarke shook her head and looked at the tree line which was being lit from behind by the setting sun. "I wish we could get away from all this. It's just too much sometimes."

Octavia stuck her hand out abruptly. "Hi. Have we met? You look like my friend. Her name is Clarke, you know her?"

"Shut up, O." She lightly smacked the hand away, resulting in laughter from the other girl. Clarke shook her head and began to turn around.

"Sorry, I'm sorry! But, hey how's life with Heda?" Octavia wiggled her eyebrows and Clarke couldn't help but smile.

"Oh, Octavia, you have no idea what this one's been gettin' into!" Raven, appearing out of nowhere, put her arm over Clarke's shoulder and laughed. Clarke's face turned bright red.