Well guys, I got too excited and decided to post chapter 9 a few hours early! Enjoy! :)

Chapter 9

Clarke ran through the large glass sliding doors into the emergency room. She found Octavia sitting alone, covered in dark soot, tears leaving tracks in the filth on her face. The girl looked up, a sob tearing from her throat as Clarke took her in her arms.

"Shhh, it's ok," Clarke soothed, "What happened?"

"Our house is gone," Octavia hiccupped.

"Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry," the blonde whispered.

"Clarke you have to find Bell! They won't let me see him and they won't tell me anything," Octavia said with a sniff.

"Alright, you wait here and I'll see what I can find out," Clarke reassured her.

Clarke quickly made her way over to the nurses' station, leaning against the counter and peering at the woman in the purple scrubs.

"May I help you," the nurse asked kindly.

"Yes, I'm looking for a Bellamy Blake," Clarke replied anxiously.

"Are you family," the nurse asked.

"No, but I'm a family friend."

The nurse seemed to think about this for a moment before giving in. "Alright, follow me," she said.

Clarke waited as the automatic doors opened with a whoosh, the nurse's white shoes squeaking on the shiny tile floor as she led the way down a long corridor. The lights overhead flickered occasionally, and Clarke was reminded of why she hated hospitals.

Finally they came to a stop just outside an examination room, an angry growl coming from within. The blonde observed the nurse- her hesitation to knock and the look that clearly said she wanted to be anywhere else at the moment.

"Here, let me," Clarke said with a reassuring smile.

She knocked on the door, opening it a crack to stick her head. There on a high table sat a shirtless Bellamy Blake, covered in soot with an expression that reminded Clarke of the dark storm clouds that had rolled through the other night.

"Clarke, thank goodness," Bellamy said with a sigh, "Where's O?"

"She's fine, just worried. I left her out in the waiting room to come find you," Clarke answered as she entered the room, allowing the nurse to close the door behind her before the woman made her speedy exit.

Bellamy relaxed upon hearing that his sister was alright, his shoulders slouching and his features losing the menacing scowl. Upon closer inspection, Clarke could see the way he favored his left side- could hear him wheezing from where she stood near the door.

"Well since this is the first time he's stopped squirming, I'm happy you're here," the doctor said as she turned to face Clarke, "I'm Dr. Maya Vie."

"Clarke Griffin," Clarke said as she took the chair to Bellamy's left.

"Well Miss Griffin, your friend here has sustained two broken ribs, a terrible case of smoke inhalation, and several burns. However, I think he'll pull through," Dr. Vie said with a smile.

"Thanks Doc, I'm glad to hear that," Bellamy said hoarsely.

Clarke glared at the man before turning back to the doctor, "Really, thank you. He's an ornery old cuss, but we'd like to keep him around."

"You're welcome," Maya said, "I've just got to write out his prescription and then you can take him with you."

As the doctor left the room, Clarke turned to Bellamy. She watched as he ran a tired hand down his face, his fingers shaking slightly as they once again curled over the edge of the table.

"Is there anything left," Clarke asked quietly.

"Not much. It's not livable," Bellamy replied.

Clarke thought for a moment, knowing that what she was about to do was extremely stupid. "Why don't you stay with me for a while, just until you find something else?"

Bellamy stared at her as though she had three heads, "What?"

"I've got the room, and then you and O wouldn't have to stay in the motel," Clarke said, warming to her subject, "You're going to need some TLC there Blake, and at least if you're with me I'll know you'll eat more than TV dinners."

Bellamy hung his head, a small smile curving his lips as a breathy chuckle made him wince.

"Alright, Princess. I won't turn that down, if you're sure we won't be any trouble?"

"No trouble at all! The boys will be ecstatic," Clarke grinned.

Dr. Vie came in five minutes later, a tube of cream in one hand and several rolls of brightly colored bandages. "Here's some cream for those burns and a prescription for pain meds."

Clarke took the cream and the slip of paper, stuffing both in her purse. She listened carefully to the doctor's instructions on what Bellamy was supposed to avoid, and things that would help.

By the time the woman was done, Bellamy was flagging and Clarke was getting a bit tired herself. She thanked Dr. Vie again then watched as Bellamy staggered to his feet. He wavered for a moment, one hand going to his injured ribs while the other reached for the table to steady him.

"Here," Clarke said, prying his fingers from the table and entwining them in her own, "Let me help."

They walked slowly back the way Clarke had come, Bellamy huffing and puffing with the excursion. His face was white, and sweat was beginning to mingle with the soot on his brow.

Octavia spotted them as they exited the ER, fear shining in her eyes as she met them in the waiting room.

"Are you ok, Bell," the girl asked, her voice quivering.

Clarke glanced over at the man, taking in his struggle to speak.

"He's going to be fine, sweetie. We just need to get both of you to my place," the blonde said in a reassuring tone.

Clarke drove home carefully, Bellamy sitting rigid in the passenger seat and Octavia already dozing in the back. Her gaze travelled back to the man beside her, worry for him marring her features.

Smoke inhalation would've been enough to worry over, but with his ribs now he had pneumonia to contend with. She would have to keep a careful eye on him over the next week or so.

A wheezing cough echoed in the quiet car, a groan following close behind as Bellamy squeezed his eyes shut and leaned his head back. He smelled of black smoke, and his weariness was almost palpable.

"It's not much further," Clarke said softly.

Bellamy didn't speak, but she wasn't offended. The rest of the drive was made in near silence, the only sound being the wheezing coughs that rattled Bellamy's chest.

Clarke was so glad when the house came into view, and Wick's truck was parked out front- the man himself coming out to meet them.

"Wick will you help me get him inside," Clarke asked as she opened her truck door.

Wick gave a nod, coming to the passenger side and gently helping Bellamy from the car. As they shuffled to the house, Clarke gently woke Octavia and led the tired girl to the light that flooded the front porch from the open doorway.

"Just take him to Raven's old room, Wick," Clarke said as she began to guide Octavia up the stairs.

Raven's old room was on the first floor, as was the bathroom that went along with it. Both would allow Bellamy to stay away from the stairs.

Clarke took Octavia into her room, steering the girl to the bench that sat at the foot of her bed while she went to rummage for some clothes she could wear. After finding what she would need, the blonde showed Octavia the master bathroom then left her to shower and change.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Clarke could hear Bellamy and Wick arguing. She briefly wondered where Raven was, but when the volume reached critical she decided she'd better settle whatever war was about to break out.

"What's going on in here," Clarke asked as she entered the bedroom to find Bellamy swaying on his feet and Wick with his hands on his hips.

"I don't need to be babied," Bellamy ground out.

"You're not being babied, Bellamy," Wick said in exasperation, " I just said that if you needed help to holler."

" I don't need your help," Bellamy growled.

"Fine, you deal with him," Wick said to Clarke as he marched out of the room.

Clarke found the clothes Lincoln had undoubtedly brought down and took them to the adjacent bathroom. She turned on the hot water, allowing steam to fill the room, and laid out a towel.

"Alright, you go get cleaned up. I can't talk to you looking like that," Clarke said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Bellamy seemed to consider refusing, but instead he turned and walked slowly to the bathroom and closed the door. Clarke shook her head, sitting down on the bed to wait for him.

Twenty minutes later the door opened, and Bellamy shuffled out. He looked tired but clean, his skin free of soot and his curls slightly damp. Clarke pulled back the covers, motioning for him to lie down before she tucked him in.

"Is that necessary," he grumbled, "I'm not a kid."

"Well with the way you're acting, I would say so," Clarke retorted.

Bellamy mumbled something, but then allowed his eyes to close. He was fighting to stay awake, his breathing beginning to steady. Clarke turned to go, but a hand on her wrist stopped her.

"Thanks, Princess. For taking us in," Bellamy said softly.

"You're welcome, now sleep," Clarke ordered, bending to kiss him softly on the forehead.

She closed the door behind her, coming face to face with Raven.

"What was that," her friend asked.

"That was, uh… That was me telling a friend goodnight," Clarke said as she tried to brush past Raven.

"You know, I don't ever remember you giving me that kind of goodnight," the other woman said with a smirk.

Clarke wrinkled her nose, sticking out her tongue at her best friend. "You're not handsome and male," she said before placing a hand over her mouth as her cheeks became tinged with pink.

"There! I knew it," Raven said excitedly, " I knew you liked him!"

"Shhh, he'll hear you," Clarke said in an outraged whisper.

Raven chuckled, "I can't believe you Griffin."

"I know, I can't believe me either," Clarke said morosely, "I can't do this again, Rae."

"We talked about this, he's not Finn. He's not going to do those things. You're safe with him," Raven said, taking Clarke's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I hope you're right because I think I'm passed the turn around point," Clarke replied.

Raven smiled, pulling her friend into her embrace. "I want you to be happy, you know that right?"

"I know," Clarke whispered.

"You've been happier with him. I can see it every time you look at him, sweetie. So, don't be afraid. He's a good man, and things are different this time around. You've got me, Wick, and your boys- we'll protect you," Raven finished, pulling back to look at her friend.

In the other room, Bellamy listened as the two women talked. He couldn't help but smile upon hearing that Clarke cared for him. However, other parts of the conversation disturbed him. He now had questions that demanded answers.

Thanks for reading! Please review! I could really use the inspiration right now! :)

Wright: Thanks so much for the review! I'm terrible about mentioning people and then never bringing them up again lol Monty and Jasper are two characters that are just impossible for me to use consistently for some reason… I'll try to add more in later chapters, but I can't make any promises. I'm glad you liked Wick's reaction! I just adore him, so getting to use him in this story has been soooo much fun! I'm also glad you like Miller and Murphy, they've been fun to write as well! Thanks again for your support, and I hope you enjoyed chapter 9! :)

SophieElizabeth: Thanks for the review! I hope I didn't make you wait too long ;) Never be afraid to nudge lol It helps me work faster, so nudge away!

To all my other Guest Reviewers: Thank you so much for your reviews! I love hearing from y'all, and it really helps me stay motivated! :)