Hello everyone! I'm back from my vacation and wanted to give you another chapter. Also, I got caught up and watched the finale of season 4 last night and I cannot handle my Bellarke feels! So many ideas are running through my brain since watching. As always, thank you and any comments are welcome!

Bellamy glanced back at the picnic table to see Jasper pull Clarke into a tight hug. She looked shocked for a moment before giving into the hug and returning it. Bellamy smiled. He knew she'd be able to get through to Jasper. Whatever she'd gone through back home gave her an empathy towards Jasper that none of the rest of them could achieve.

"Thank god," Monty breathed a sigh of relief next to him as he watched the two embrace. "I was starting to think he'd never snap out of it. She's amazing."

"Yea she is," Bellamy stared at Clarke, not realizing how that statement sounded to Monty who was staring at his friend curiously unbeknownst to the sheriff.

The two men approached the picnic table as Clarke leaned back from Jasper. Monty set a drink down in front of Jasper and Bellamy offered his hand to Clarke. She let him lead her on to the dance floor, his hand wrapped in hers. As they approached the floor the band started a slow song. As if they'd been doing it for years, Clarke's arms slid up around Bellamy's neck while his snaked around her waist coming to rest on her lower back.

"That was really nice what you did for Jasper," Bellamy said as they slowly moved to the song.

"I know what he's going through," Clarke replied sadly.

"Your dad right?" Bellamy had noticed her use of the past tense earlier that day when she'd spoken of her father. He hadn't wanted to push her earlier. She seemed so spooked as it was.

"Yea," She nodded as she slid her hands from around his neck to rest against his chest. "He died when I was in high school. I miss him like hell. I expressed my grief a lot like Jasper has been. Got into a few fights before my mom finally got through to me. I'd picked a fight with someone twice my size and he stabbed me. Narrowly missed my liver and my mom was the unfortunate doctor on duty in the surgical wing when they brought me in. It scared the shit out of her. I finally saw what it was doing to her and I got help."

"I'm so sorry Princess," Bellamy rubbed a comforting hand up her back which seemed to relax her even more. "No one deserves that."

"It made me stronger," Clarke shivered when Bellamy's hand traveled up her back again. It was hypnotizing being so close to him like this. "This will make Jasper stronger too. He just doesn't know it yet."

He ran his hand up her back again just for the simple pleasure of watching her reaction. This time she sighed a little and seemed to settle her body more against him. She looked up at him with arousal in her eyes. He would have settled his lips against hers, but he also saw fear buried in her eyes too. Whatever she was running from was stopping her from giving in.

He leaned down and placed his forehead against hers. "It's ok Princess. I'm not going anywhere. I've got plenty of time."

Clarke sighed. This man was a good man. He'd shown that more than once in the short time she'd known him and she wished she could let him kiss her. But everything she'd run from would catch up to her if she did. She didn't want to hurt anyone else.

"I'm sorry Bellamy," She whispered back.

"I know," He replied cursing when his phone interrupted. "Yea?"

"Hey boss," Miller sounded pissed and there were angry shouts around him. "Sorry to call you in early, but we've got a situation over here behind Miss Riley's booth. We need help."

"I'll be right there," Bellamy hung up and squeezed Clarke's hips. "I gotta go. Something's going on. Stick around though and I'll take you home when I'm done later."

Clarke nodded and watched him disappear in the crowd. Before she could walk back to the picnic table Octavia and Raven grabbed her and pulled her to the center of the floor. Lincoln and Wick were heading toward the bar.

"Is there something you'd like to share?" Octavia teased.

"What do you mean?" Clarke tried to play dumb although she knew that everyone on the dance floor had probably seen them.

"Oh come on," Raven crossed her arms over her chest.

"Look it's nothing ok? I'm not looking for any type of relationship right now," Clarke quickly replied. "Thanks for everything tonight. I've had a great time."

"Wait Clarke!" Octavia called after her.

Clarke ignored her and started walking away from the festivities. She'd made it all of a mile before the tears started flowing. All she'd wanted was to escape from what had happened and live a quiet life. Instead she'd walked right into a town filled with people she felt like she'd known her entire life. These were great people and under normal circumstances she'd love to get to know them better and spend more time with them. But there was nothing normal about these circumstances and she couldn't bear to hurt anyone else.