She had never imagined that her original investigation would lead her here, putting her trust in a woman she barely knew and in a hundred and thirty year old piece of crap. Hurtling through space at what felt like a million miles an hour in a steel death trap is far outside her comfort zone. She must have left her sanity in the Ark.

Raven on the other hand is having the time of her life. It's probably the only thing that's stopping Nicole from freaking out.

"Look at that shit! Amazing!" Raven's pointing at earth but Nicole can't appreciate the immense view for long, looking back down at her gloves quickly.

"You're missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity. What's the matter Haught shot? Think I'm going to let us die? I'm mildly offended." She's grinning widely at her.

"I know you're not my biggest fan Raven but don't kill us to spite me."

"Actually I think you're growing on me. Like a fungus or a mold or something like that."

"Gee thanks."

Raven turns away, beginning to mutter calculations under her breath as she pushes what seems like random buttons. Trying to ignore the hopefully insignificant shudders that rippled through the ship, Nicole's mind floats back to the last conversation she had on the Ark.

"Nicole you have to go instead of me."

"What no!"

Raven objects and Nicole feels the same way. She's unsure why Abby's changing her mind at this late stage. Nicole knew what she had gotten herself into.

"What Raven said. I can stall them Abby. The whole idea was to...this is all because of you" Nicole gestures to the pod. "You have to make sure Clarke is safe."

"You two can do that. Kane's not going to listen to you Nicole but I think I can delay him for a couple of minutes." Abby pauses for a second before continuing. " It was wrong of me to bring you into this. Kane will know you helped us and they'll float you for it. I can't have anot...a death on my conscience."

"They'll float you too" Nicole points out.

"Then they'll float me. But they might not, doctors are in short supply." Abby gives them a small smile.

"I'm not going without you" Raven states vehemently.

Abby rubs Ravens shoulder gently saying "You have to Raven, you're the only one who can drive. Someone has to find those kids quickly and radio back. Three hundred innocent people will die if you don't." Nicole swallows hesitantly as the reality sets in that she's going on a very dangerous journey away from everything she's ever known. But it's also a chance to make things right, to stop the nightmares and to find an answer to the question that's been plaguing her thoughts for the past twelve days.

Is Waverly alive or dead?

Abby hugs Raven for a few moments before lingering to hold her hands. Nicole can see tears in both their eyes. Abby pulls away from Raven saying "No matter what happens, you launch that pod. Do you understand?" She waits for Raven's heavy nod and then surprises Nicole by pulling her into a brief hug, whispering "Look after them" in her ear.

Her last words had been "Tell Clarke I love her."

While her mind was stuck in the past, her fingers have been unconsciously trying to iron out creases in the space suit she's wearing. It's not very successful given the gloves and the fact the suit is probably as old as the pod itself. The much newer one that Abby managed to procure is on Raven. They hadn't been sure the older suit would work and they all knew without Raven the pod would never make it to earth. It was only supposed to be a back up plan in case they couldn't get a pressure regulator. Which they did but it failed in the final minutes.

Thank the stars I didn't want them to bet their lives on the one piece of equipment.

When Nicole had found out their whole plan had depended on the pressure regulator she had insisted on another option. Raven had protested at what she thought was a personal attack on her abilities but had eventually suggested the space suit hanging beside the pod might work instead. Maybe she shouldn't have pushed for it Raven could have made this road trip solo.

Not that it's a sure thing that we'll make to the ground in one piece.

"Ok RCS valve...open" Raven's words seep through her thoughts.

"Good...that is good right?" asks Nicole nervously as Raven pushes one of the switches, beeping pouring out from the panels of coloured buttons, dials and switches.

"RCS thrust pressure...good" Raven ignores her question as she presses button after button.

"Ahhh attitude good." A grinning Raven turns to a now sweating Nicole. "You okay there Haught stuff?" Her grin grows wider as Nicole gives a small nod.

"Heat shield...good."

Nicole continues to watch her every move and winces when she sees Raven frown.

"Okay. Ahh..."

"Is that a good ah or a bad one?" asks Nicole quietly.

"Stop being a scaredy cat, it's going to be fine. You have a genius beside you." Raven replies looking at her before going back to her operation.

After pushing a particular switch Raven mutters "Don't blow up."

"Don't let it blow up Raven" Nicole demands.

"I'm trying just wait a second."

Nicole distracts herself from the consuming terror by concentrating on the panel in front of her. She notices a labeled lever and reads aloud the handwritten note on the top.

"Retro fire - kiss your ass goodbye...wait what?!"

Raven turns, fixing an almost zealous gaze on Nicole before looking down to cover the frightening words with her gloved hand. When she looks back at Nicole she declares "Hold on to something, this is going to be rough!" with a disarming smile in place. She pulls the lever back causing a colossal upsurge in their speed and Nicole is forced back in her seat as they rocket towards earth.

"Raven this doesn't feel right. Raven-" She's cut off as the ship begins to frantically shake, flames lighting up the windscreen and sparks flying from the electrical equipment inside.

Shit shit shit...

The only reason she isn't puking everywhere is that even her vomit is too terrified to do anything as the ship veers, tugging, and shuddering. She closes her eyes against the heat as the loud attack on the ship intensifies, rocking it from side to side and up and down. It's as if the ship is encased in a blazing fireball that's on the fence about whether to burn them or crush them to death. When the roar of noise weakens for brief moments she hears whimpers. She's not sure if it's her or Raven or both of them.