Regarding this chapter. I promised some action and for expectations management sake I need to say: I did not deliver. Got tangled up in the talking again. I hope you still enjoy it and you can look forward to the big decision dinner party in the next chapter.

Thanks for the reviews again. They really keep me motivated Zouzou0517 you are right with Echo. I just feel that they are in a relationship where they don´t need to see each other every day. I am really curious to discover the Clarke/Bellamy/Echo dynamic and I hope we get there at one point. I think it could be really interesting.

The next day was unusual uneventful. After the breakfast Clarke and Bellamy watched the interaction between Raven and her chosen ones and the three heads. Afterwards Malvera brought them some festive outfits that they should choose from and informed them, that she would pick them up at 6 and that they would have free time until then. When she asked if they wished for something to spent their time on, Clarke asked for drawing materials and Bellamy for books. They passed the time in comfortable silence. Sometimes Bellamy would read a passage he liked aloud to Clarke and she showed him her drawings of the plants that Pareus had showed them and of the people, they had met here. In between they shared stories of the last six years. None of them felt like talking about the dinner or the possible outcomes of it. In total it was a new and unsettling scenario for them. To be together and not have anything pressing to attend to. No one to save, nothing to fight for. In the afternoon Clarke had a short chat with Madi and then switched places so Bellamy could talk to Echo for a bit. He enjoyed hearing her slightly sarcastic portrayal of the happenings in the camp. "Listen, Madi told me that tonight there will be a decision. Don´t risk anything. Come home if that is what they decide. We will find another way together. And if Clarke tries anything fishy, knock her out." Bellamy chuckled and Clarke who was sitting in the chair opposite from him with her drawing board in her hands rolled her eyes. "Don´t worry I got her tamed." He looked at the girl opposite from him to see her reaction, but a raised eyebrow was all he got.

"She is there I take." Hearing Echos unfamiliar tone he put his focus back to the screen. "Yes I thought she would like to hear what is going on in the camp, but I can use the headphones if you prefer it."

Echo sighted. "No it´s alright. Just take care and come home soon….both of you." Bellamy smiled at her and wished that he could be there to ease the frown on her forehead with his fingers. "You always worry to much. Concentrate on your tasks over there. We will be fine here."

Echo gave him a sad smile and nodded reluctantly. "Well I guess it´s goodbye then."

"Not for long. You guys will hear from us directly after the dinner. See you later." Bellamy cut the connection and looked up to meet Clarkes pensively gaze. "What?"

She hurriedly looked down at her drawing again but then seemed to reconsider. "Want to enjoy the view before we get ready for dinner." Bellamy shrugged his shoulders and followed her on the Balcony, wondering what this was about. It took a considerable amount of time for Clarke to ask what she wanted to know. "How did it happen, you and Echo. I mean no offence, you guys seem to be good together…I was just…" She stopped abruptly. "You can tell me if it´s none of my business."

Bellamy leaned next to her on the balustrade and smiled down at her nervous face. "Why so shy?" He teased her. "It was actually a surprise to me too. I mean, I had real trust issues with her in the beginning and avoided her whenever possible, but well. Seven people is not a lot and the others were not as averse as I was. I got to know her really for the first time and well.. We kept each other sane up there. She helped me a lot in dealing with your…" he hesitated, " death. She had the benefit of not being so close to the subject."

"Glad my death could be of use to your personal life," Clarke unpacked her black humour and Bellamy, unsure how to take that statement, glanced down at her face. When he saw the glimmer in her eyes, he relaxed visibly. "You should get to know her better. You two are not so different."

Clarke smiled at him. "Well, when we really get to live in peace here I will have a girls night with her Raven and Emori. Pinky promise. " Bellamy chuckled and a very interesting scene started playing in his mind. His amusement was interrupted by Clarkes next sentence. "How will we act if we get bad news tonight?" He sighted and put his chin on his hands. "Depends on how bad they are. Let´s try to keep calm and work with the moment." Clarke sighted heavily but nodded. " I guess that's the only thing we can do." She straightened up. "Well, I´ll start getting ready. Malvera put three fancy dresses in the bathroom for me. Seems that the dinner will be quite a formal event tonight."

Bellamy turned around and leaned with his back on the balcony. "I would forgo the war paint this time if I were you." He called after her. Clarke who immediately knew, which event he was referring to, turned her head around. "I would forgo the machine gun this time if I were you." She shot back at him before disappearing in the room. Bellamy chuckled again and was surprised to find after a minute still a smile on his face. He had not felt so comfortable talking with Clarke since he came back from the Arc. Finally, it didn´t feel like they were walking on glass that could break under their feet any second. He smiled contently and went back inside as well. He could still do some more reading before Clarke was finished.

When Clarke came out of the bathroom, she stopped awkwardly in her tracks when she saw Bellamy´s surprised look. Then she straightened up. "Those fabrics are quite differently to what we are used to, but I rather like it." He stood up and crossed the space between them. With a wondering look on his face he took the fabric of her skirt between his fingers and rubbed it slightly. "It´s so smooth and flowing." Clarke smiled up at him. "You got a rather boring suit." He looked down and the wonder on his face was replaced by a smirk. "Maybe I should wear one of your dresses than." Clarke chuckled. "I won´t stop you." He let go of her dress and went towards the bathroom. "You look beautiful by the way." He called over to her before he entered it. Clarke stared at the door for a few moments. Then she sighted deeply. It was not supposed to disturb her like that. It was just that Bellamy had never said anything about her looks. At least not that she could remember. It was probably just a joke. She looked in one of the big mirrors on the wall. Tonight, this dress had to be her amour. And the battlefield a dinner table. She forced the memory of the peace meeting with Lexa away that had escalated so quickly. This time would be different!

When Bellamy was also ready they sat down at the chairs and waited for Malvera to come and pick them up. Bellamy looked rather good in a suit, even though it made him look even more unfamiliar to her. "I feel like a person out of those old movies we had on the arc." He murmured and picked on his jacket. Clarke smiled. "Well if anything goes wrong tonight I´ll keep to the script. Scream, faint and be saved by my valiant knight."

The good little knight, by his queens' side. Bellamy forced Ravens or Alis word back into the depths of his memory where they belonged and forced a smile as an answer.

In this moment there was a soft knock on the door and Malvera entered. She wore a black controversial dress and her hair was tightly pulled back. "You two are ready?" She smiled warmly. "The way you look now you would fit right in here."

Bellamy could not hide an irritated look but Clarke managed to accept the compliment with a polite smile. She stood up and allowed herself for a moment, to enjoy the feeling of the smooth fabric wavering around her legs. Bellamy stood up as well and they followed Malvera through some hallways until they stopped in front of another door. Malvera turned around to them. "Don´t be nervous. All decisions have already been made. Just try to enjoy the evening." Clarke nodded and searched for a short moment Bellamys eyes to exchange a look of assurance. They were in this together. Whatever came there way, they would handle it. Malvera opened the door and let them step in first.