War Is Coming

Rayleigh's POV

I stirred awake, my eyes fluttering open. My body moved slightly and I felt a strong grip tighten around my waist. Hot breath touched the back of my neck and memories from last night came back, my lips curling into a smile. I slowly rolled over and saw Bellamy asleep beside me, his arm keeping me pressed against him. I laid on my side, taking in this moment for all that it was. His dark hair fell just above his eyes, his upper body exposed, his skin almost seemed to glow in the dim light. I lightly brushed the hair from his face, taking in the sight of how peaceful he looked, my heart fluttering in my chest.

Bellamy stirred and his eyes slowly opened, meeting mine. "Morning Princess." he whispered.

I smiled, "Good morning." I replied, my eyes never leaving his.

Bellamy lightly caressed my hip, his hand slowly moving up to cup my cheek. He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on my lips, caressing my cheek. I opened my mouth wider and kissed back, trailing my fingers down the side of his neck before resting my hand on his shoulder. I lifted my body up off the bed and loomed over him, my lips never leaving his.

He sat up, wrapping his arms around my upper back, bunching the fabric of the blanket around me. I tilted my head to the side, deepening the kiss as one hand braced his shoulder while my other tangled my fingers in his hair. We pulled away, catching our breath.

I licked my lips and cleared my throat. "We've got work to do." I reminded, wrapping myself in the blanket and sliding off the bed. "Our friends are still trapped in the dorm, we're running out of time." I clasped on my bra and and slid my underwear back on, reaching for the long skirt, slipping it on, letting the blanket fall to the floor.

"You don't even want to touch on what happened last night?" Bellamy asked, the sheet covering his lower body.

"What is there to touch on?" I questioned. "I'm pretty sure it speaks for itself. Raw love and desire. Pure emotion with barely any thought."

Bellamy grabbed my hips, kissing the side of my neck. "Well, I don't know about you, but," he whispered in my ear, lightly kissing my right shoulder. "it was the best night of my life." he placed a kiss on my upper jaw.

My eyes fluttered close as his thumbs caressed my hip bones, remembering last night how our bodies molded together, his hands tangled in my hair. I gasped, opening my eyes, turning to face Bellamy. I leaned up and kissed him, bracing my hands against his chest, feeling his pounding heartbeat. I pulled away and smiled, "It was for me too." I admitted, "Kind makes me wish I'd waited."

Bellamy chuckled, "Yeah, I honestly expected you to be a virgin." a smirk played across his lips.

With a gentle shove I pushed him back onto the bed, standing in front of him. "I may have been a 'privileged Princess' on the Ark," I reminded. "but that doesn't mean I was completely innocent." I slid my arms through the sleeves of my black top, sliding it over my head and tying it around my neck and back. I strapped on the rest of my armor and buckled my sword around my waist.

I glanced over my shoulder, "You coming?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I'll be out there soon." he smiled and started grabbing his clothes.

I grabbed my coat and slipped out of the room, finding Zasha and my dad going over Mount Weather maps. "Find anything?" I asked, smoothing out my hair.

"Maybe, but it's gonna be a tight fit." my dad answered.

"We'll manage." I assured.

Fast knocks banged on the door, "Jake, let us in." Maya's voice begged. "It's urgent."

My dad opened the door and Maya and Cassie ran inside, their faces pale. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"It's the kids." Cassie answered, turning to me. "Lorelei just took one from the dorm fifteen minutes ago."

"What?" my jaw fell slack. "They're taking what they need by force now." I ran my fingers through my hair. I looked at the two girls, "Where're they taking them?"

Maya shook her head. "We don't really know." she answered. "Just that they went to Level Seven."

"What's on Level Seven?" Bellamy asked, joining us.

"Probably some secret room where they can harvest us without being disturbed." I spat, anger boiling inside me. I turned to him, "They just took someone from the dorm." I looked back at Cassie and Maya, "Get us to that radio, now. I need to talk to Clarke."

"Here, take these." dad told me, handing me a few rolls of schematics.

"Thanks dad." I replied, giving him a gentle smile.

He kissed the top of my head, "Be careful baby girl." he whispered.

I nodded, "Don't worry." I assured. "I'll be fine." I turned to Bellamy and Zasha, "Let's go."

Maya was going over the schematics while Bellamy and Cassie were working on a mobile radio so we could talk to base camp anywhere. Zasha was re-doing my hair in the same style as before. I held the radio Monty, Miller, and Jasper set up, taking deep breaths.

I hit the button, "Ark Station, do you read me?" I hailed. "This is the Princess Commander. Anybody there?"

A few seconds of silence. I closed my eyes, sighing heavily. "Rayleigh?" Clarke's voice questioned over the radio. "Ray, is that you?"

I sighed in relief, "Yeah Clarke, it's me." I confirmed, smiling. I closed my eyes and refocused my brain. "Bellamy told me everything, I'm so proud of you."

"I'm just doing what you would." Clarke replied. "Have you two found the source of the acid fog yet?"

"Negative, little sister." I admitted. "For now, that's gonna have to wait."

"What? No." Clarke rebuked. "Nothing is more important than that."

Bellamy took the radio from me for a brief second. "Our friends are." he reminded.

"They've starting to take them from the dorm." I elaborated. "One at a time every few hours."

"Taking them where?" Raven's voice asked.

"I don't know." I answered. "Maya and Cassie tried to follow them, but they went to a classified level." I glanced over at the two girls, who were both going over the schematics my dad gave us. "They borrowed the schematics of the vent system from a friend. They're trying to find a way in for Bellamy, Zasha, and I."

"Zasha?" Clarke repeated.

"The Commander's second." I clarified. "Also, her younger sister." I glanced back at Zasha, who just finished my hair.

"Anything?" Zasha asked, looking to Maya and Cassie.

"I think we found a path, but it's gonna be tight." Maya informed.

"It's fine, we'll manage." I told her.

"Here's the walkie Raven asked for and the earbud." Cassie handed Bellamy the two electronics.

"Guys, you have to find them." Clarke told us.

"That's the plan, sis." I replied, leaning against the brick wall.

Clarke sighed over the radio. "If you don't, all of this is for nothing." she noted.

"I know." I confirmed. "Don't worry, we got this. Have a little faith."

"I have the utmost faith in you Ray." Clarke told me, and I felt a smile cross my lips.

Third Person POV

Camp Jaha

Clarke caught Abby on her way from engineering. "Mom, there you are." she called, running up to her. "I just got off the radio with Rayleigh."

Abby gasped, "So she's alive." she muttered.

Clarke nodded. "Go talk to her, I know you've wanted to."

"Where are you going?" Abby asked as Clarke passed her.

"To talk to Kane." Clarke answered, not turning back.

Abby shook her head and ran to engineering, stopping at the radio. Raven was busy staring at a clear dry-erase board with detailed levels of Mount Weather. She turned and saw the relief in Abby's eyes.

"She's still there, feel free." Raven encouraged. "Don't mind me."

Abby took the radio speaker, "Rayleigh." she breathed. "Sweetie are you there?"

Mount Weather

Rayleigh's breath hitched in her throat as she heard her mom's voice. She clicked the button, "Mom." she rasped. "Mom, is that you?"

"Yes sweetheart, it's me." Abby replied on the other side. "It's so good to hear your voice again."

Rayleigh bit her lip, "I thought I'd never hear yours again." she admitted. "Ever since the Exodus ship crashed-"

"Sweetheart, I know." Abby cut her off. "I jumped ship just before launch."

Camp Jaha

Abby braced herself against the table the radio was sitting on. "Honey, I started fearing the worst." she admitted. "We had Carl Emerson in custody and I found genetic markers in his blood." she shuddered. "The markers matched someone born on the Ark. Honey, they matched yours."

"I know." Rayleigh replied. "Mom, what I've been through here...it was pretty bad." a faint whimper was heard over the radio. "Somehow Emerson was exposed while he was in the field and by the time he returned to Mount Weather, the standard treatment was practically useless."

Abby exhaled, "Tell me what they did sweetie." she pressed.

Mount Weather

Rayleigh took a shuddering breath, regaining her composure. "They circulated his irradiated blood into my system and circulated my blood into his. Since my body can metabolize radiation, they figured it wouldn't do much harm. The next day Emerson was fine." she clenched her free hand into a fist. "I was sick for the next two days."

"Hey, you're strong." Abby reminded. "Just please, be careful."

Rayleigh smirked, "Don't worry, with Bellamy here," she glanced out of the corner of her eye. "I probably won't see a lot of action. Unless it's saving his ass." she chuckled and nudged Bellamy, who just rolled his eyes.

Abby chuckled over the radio. "I love you Rayleigh." she said, holding back tears.

"I love you too, mom." Rayleigh replied. "I'll see you soon."

"Be safe." Abby warned. "And, sweetheart, don't forget that we're the good guys here."

"I got it mom." Rayleigh replied, before going off the radio and back to her mission.

Rayleigh's POV

To say this vent was a tight fit was an understatement. It was damn near claustrophobic. I crawled through the vent with Bellamy right behind me, and Zasha bringing up the rear. As we moved, Bellamy hit my heel, for the tenth time.

"Ow, next time you do that I just might kick you." I whispered harshly.

"Then move just a bit faster." Bellamy told me.

"I'm wiggling as fast as I can." I replied.

"Will you two knock it off." Zasha spoke up. "Keep arguing they're liable to hear us."

Over the earbuds, Raven snickered. "As much fun as it is listening to the three-way argument, let's get back to the plan." she voted. "Tell us where you're at now."

I crawled a few more inches before stopping. "At an intersection." I answered, looking between the four separate routes. "Any ideas on your end?"

After about a minute of silence, Clarke came over the radio "We think you're close. The lab should be up ahead."

"Any chance you can be more specific?" Bellamy asked.

I heard the faint sound of a drill, and my senses went into overload. "Never mind." I told them. "This way." I wiggled may way down the vent to my right, following the drilling sound.

I came to a larger vent and found a grate, peeking through it. Images flooded my head; splitting my head on the metal table, my nerves igniting, unexplainable pain as I felt something stab me over and over again.

"What the hell is this?" Bellamy questioned.

"Bone marrow extraction." I answered, clenching my hands into fists, breathing hard and narrowing my eyes. I gave into the anger so I wouldn't give into the fear.

"You ready for the last treatment you'll ever need, Lieutenant?" Dr. Tsing asked, walking over to a security guard.

"You have no idea." he answered, and I instantly recognized that voice. "I've waited my whole life to breathe fresh air."

"Emerson." I growled, clutching the fabric of my coat.

Bellamy reached over and laid his hand over mine. "Let's get back to this secret army that she claims to have." Cage brought up, and the angry fire only grew inside me. "She tell you anything that might help us find it?" someone kept drilling. "Stop drilling, please." he ordered.

"The window for extraction after death is incredibly short." Tsing told him.

My head lowered as I saw who they were drilling into. "Travis." I whispered.

"He was a good man." Bellamy added, caressing the top of my hand.

I nodded in agreement and focused back on Emerson and Cage's conversation. "She did say she was coming for you and that if we let her people go she'll let our people live." Emerson informed.

"It's a little late for that." Cage noted, a smug smirk on his face.

"You pompous dick." I spat, breathing heavily as my last torture session played through in the back of my mind.

"Easy babe." Bellamy soothed. "Breathe."

"We'll finish the job tonight." Cage went on. "Whitman just radioed in. Apparently there's a war council meeting happening tonight in one of their villages, and all the leaders are gonna be there."

Bellamy, Zasha, and I exchanged glances while Bellamy turned the dial on the radio-walkie so Raven could hear what we hear. "Let me take a team out and support Whitman." Emerson volunteered.

"No. He has less chance of being spotted if he's alone." Cage informed.

"Sir, Whitman's good, but he can't take out that many targets alone." Emerson pointed out.

"Which is why we're gonna use a missile." Cage clarified. "This time, we're not gonna miss."

The three of us made our way back through the vents and back into the main junction. "Please tell me you heard all that." Bellamy asked Raven.

"We heard it." Raven answered.

I braced myself against the wall, barely hearing the other conversations. I took deep, slow breaths. I pulled my knees up to my chest, squeezing my eyes shut as those buried memories came back.

A sharp pain radiated down my entire left side as Tsing pressed the blade of the scalple into the tissue. "The hip has the largest marrow pocket." she informed. "We'll begin the aspiration there."

"I don't need to know the details." Cage told her, standing by the door Harper came through. "Just do it."

I heard the whirring of a drill and fisted the blanket underneath me. Lorelei shoved the drill end into the cut on my hip and my entire body tensed, like I was being cut by thousands of knives from every direction while standing in the middle of a roaring bonfire. Harper screamed, begging them to stop. I closed my eyes and tried to will myself into my subconscious, but even that couldn't be done. Tears fell down my face as my body was engulfed in fire and pain. Finally, I let out a scream that could only be made by someone close to dying.

Strong arms gripped my shoulders and pulled me close to a warm body. "You're okay." he whispered. "You're okay, Rayleigh."

Everything came back into focus and I wrapped my arms around Bellamy's neck as he helped me stand. I pulled away and shuddered, shaking my head.

"You zoned out on me there." Bellamy told me. "What's wrong?"

"You remembered, didn't you?" Zasha questioned.

I nodded. "The thing Cage did that broke me." I remembered. "I was strapped down and Tsing put that marrow drill to my hips and back." I looked up into Bellamy's eyes. "She extracted bone marrow from me, and made Harper watch."

Bellamy embraced me, kissing the top of my head. "I'm here." he reminded. "Nothing's gonna happen to you. You're safe."

I pulled back and kissed him, everything around me melting away. In that moment, all there was, was me and Bellamy. His arms keeping me close, an embrace that made me feel safe. He pulled away and smiled down at me, "I'm never letting you go." he whispered.

"Good." I replied. "Because I don't want you to." I kissed him again, lacing my arms around his neck, pulling my body upward to meet his.

Third Person POV

A few hours later, Dr. Tsing and a guard detail reentered the dorm, seeing all of the delinquents linked together. After breaking through, they started fighting back. One guard member grabbed Jasper and pinned him against a pair of bunk beds.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Bellamy whispered harshly.

"Bellamy?" Jasper questioned.

"Just shut up and listen." Bellamy snapped. "They're killing them. Next time they come, you have to fight back harder than this, do you understand? Here." he slipped a hand-gun into Jasper's hands. "Take this. Get everyone ready."

"Ready for what?" Jasper asked. "What's the plan?"

"Ray and I are working on it." Bellamy answered.

Jasper panted. "Find Dante. He's on our side." he informed. "He'll help us."

"Ok." Bellamy agreed.

"Hey!" another guard called. "Everything ok over there?"

Bellamy nodded. "Yes, sir." to make it look real, he kicked Jasper in the leg and punched him in the stomach before leaving.

Rayleigh's POV

After a small conversation with Dante, Bellamy returned to us with coordinates where we could reverse air flow manually, letting radiation seep into one of the levels. We crawled through the air vents and found a tunnle of somekind.

"Okay, that's a long way down." Zasha noted.

I followed her out as we climbed down the ladder so Bellamy could get through. "No joke."

"Talk to me." Raven said over the radio. "What do you see?"

"Close your eyes and imagine a bottomless pit." I answered, following Bellamy up the ladder. "Damn, it's hot in here, and I'm in all black."

"Just stick with it." Raven encouraged. "According to Dante's coordinates, you're almost there."

"What's happening on your end?" Bellamy asked as we kept climbing. "Did they evacuate Tondc?"

"Don't know yet." Raven answered. "But it's Clarke, she'll get it done." I nodded in agreement. "Just concentrate on squeezing your ass through that vent and stop worrying about your sister."

Bellamy suddenly stopped, making me hit my head on the heel of his boot. "Ouch." I winced.

"Why're we stopping?" Zasha asked.

"Octavia's in Tondc?" Bellamy repeated. I lowered my head.

"She's gonna be okay." Raven assured after a minute of silence. "Clarke fired out of here. She's gonna get there on time."

"How could you keep this from me?" Bellamy asked.

Raven sighed. "Clarke was trying to protect you."

I wrapped one arm through the ladder steps and used my other arm to wipe the sweat on my forehead, looking up at Bellamy. "Listen Bell, we still have a job to do." I reminded, getting him to look down at me. "Remember, you're not the only one with a sister in Tondc. You're worried about Octavia, I get it. I'm worried about Clarke, and Zasha's worried for Lexa, but we have to focus."

Bellamy sighed and went on, "Let's just get this done." he muttered.

I nodded and followed right behind him. "Okay, I hope we reach this place soon, this charcoal is sweating into my eyes." I shook my head.

Third Person POV

The Delinquents stood strong in the dorm when Dr. Tsing and the guard detail returned. After scanning the crowd, Lorelei selected Monty. As the guards prepared to take him, Jasper shot one of them with the gun Bellamy gave him.

"Take him instead." Lorelei ordered. "Search the rest. Make sure there are no other weapons." A few of the guards followed her as the rest stayed behind in the dorm, rangeling in the delinquents.

"As soon as we're in the lab, I want him prepped." Lorelei told the remaining guards with her as they approached the elevator. "We start immediately."

"Copy that." one guard replied.

The air became heavy and hot as everyone, except Jasper, started to blister. "Containment breach level five." Lorelei reported as she started coughing. "Seal the whole floor."

"Bellamy." Jasper muttered.

Another area of Mount Weather

"You got to pull the outside air in to reverse the air filtration system." Raven told Bellamy.

"Just tell me how we know if it's even working." Bellamy scoffed.

An alarm started blaring as emergency sirens turned on. Zasha looked up and smiled, "I'd say it's working." she noted.

"Thank you, Mr. President." Bellamy muttered. He walked to the vent they entered from and looked around, "Where's Rayleigh?"

"Helping her people." Zasha answered.

Rayleigh's POV

The alarms continued to blare as I pressed myself against the wall making my way through Level Five, carefully avoiding the cameras. I could hear the victorious screams of the rest of my friends as they escaped the dorm.

I peered around the side and saw a small group of security guards near the mess hall, guns ready. My instincts took over and I fought through them, stabbing and slashing in all directions, killing them before they could call for backup.

"You messed with the wrong kids." I said over their corpses, grabbing their guns.

I turned the corner and left the guns by the wall, seeing another guard sneaking up on Jasper. I ran up behind him and plunged my sword into his back, hearing him grunt in pain.

Jasper spun around and his jaw dropped. I pulled my sword free and put my index finger over my mouth, shaking my head. I grabbed the guns I took and handed them to Jasper, "Take these and get everyone to the mess hall." I told him. "Barracade it and stand strong."

Jasper took the guns but continued staring at me, probably shocked at my new look. "Ray-"

I placed my gloved fingers over his mouth to keep him quiet. "Everything's gonna be alright Jasper." I assured, hugging him. I pulled away and stepped back. "Keep them safe a little while longer. Bellamy and I will come get you when it's time."

I retreated down the hallway and ducked into the air vent I came in through, moving back to rendezvous with Bellamy and Zasha.

Bellamy kept to the shadows with Maya and Cassie, as Zasha kept an eye on the security guard movements from the vents. I stayed near the marrow chamber, knowing that they would try again.

"They're heading to the chamber." Zasha warned over the radio. "Be ready."

I crouched low ontop of the cages, watching the door. "I'm ready." I assured, one hand resting on the hilt of my sword.

The chamber door opened and two guards came through, carrying a struggling Fox between them.

"I'll prep the table." one guard said.

Fox pried herself loose and tried to run away, but a third guard in body armor, a.k.a Bellamy, stood in the doorway. She froze and held her hands up in defeat. Bellamy shot one of the guards and as the other reached for his weapon, I jumped down from the cages and pinned him to the ground with my sword. I wrapped my hands around his neck and twisted, snapping it easily.

Fox jumped and turned to face me. "It's alright Fox." I soothed, stepping towards her.

"Rayeligh." she sobbed, throwing her arms around my waist. "Thank God."

I smiled and held her with one arm. "You're okay." The second guard that Bellamy shot staggered to his feet. I let go of Fox and pushed her back, ramming my sword right through the guard's chest, hearing him choke before he crumpled to the ground.

"Huh, thought I killed him." Bellamy muttered, taking the hat and goggles off. Fox spun around and threw her arms around his neck, crying.

I cleaned the blood off my sword and sheathed it. "Come on, we need to get her someplace safe." I voted.

"I know where we can take her." Maya spoke up, standing in the doorway, Cassie and Zasha on either side of her. "Follow me."

I was the last one out of the chamber and I slammed the door behind me, pushing my memories from that place out of my head, but holding onto the anger that came with them.

Maya led us to her home, letting us all inside before closing the door. "Dad, you're home." she gasped as the man on the couch woke up.

"Yeah." he groaned. "The drill bit broke again." he looked up and saw us, "What are they doing here?"

I kept my arm around Fox's shoulders, keeping her a step behind me. Maya stepped forward, facing her father. "Look, they're in trouble." she told him. "We just need someplace safe to stay."

He pointed to us "They need to go now." he ordered.

"Let me explain." Maya begged.

Her dad's eyes went to Bellamy, who stood protectivly beside me. "How about you explain where he got that uniform?" he asked. "Or how those two outsiders escaped."

"She's not an outsider, Vincent." Cassie corrected, motioning to me.

Vincent brushed off Cassie's comment and looked back to Maya. "Maya, you know how dangerous this is." he reminded. "What are you doing?"

"What mom would've done." Maya answered.

Vincent stepped forward, looking at the rest of us. "I need you all to leave." he told us. "Now."

"I'm sorry sir." I apologized. "We can't do that."

"That's ok." Maya assured. "He's gonna help us."

"Really?" Bellamy questioned. "Because I'm not getting that."

"My parents were part of a movement that was against using outsider blood." Maya informed, looking at her father. "My mom refused the treatments, and it killed her. She was willing to die for what she believed in."

"Maya, you were five." Vincent reminded. "I couldn't leave you alone."

Maya gave him a soft smile, "I'm not a little girl anymore." she clarified.

Vincent kept his daughter's gaze. "They were willing to kill you before, if you get caught-"

"We won't if you help us." Bellamy cut off.

"Please, we're just kids." Fox pleaded.

I stepped forward, "They're killing them." I went on. "We don't have anywhere else to go."

Vincent took a look at each one of us, Fox last, before turning to Maya. "Just this once, just for one night." he sighed.

Maya took Fox's arm and led her back to her bedroom. I walked up to Vincent, meeting his eyes. "Thank you." I whispered.

"You know they'll never stop, right?" Vincent questioned, looking between me and Bellamy. "If the rumors are true and your bone marrow can get us back to the ground, they'll never stop."

I exchanged and glance with Bellamy before nodding. "We know." I admitted. "Our people come first, and we're gonna do whatever it takes to get them home."

I walked to the door, looking over my shoulder at Zasha and Bellamy, "Let's go."

"Where are you going?" Vincent asked.

I turned and faced him, pulling a folded picture from a sheath in my boot. "You know Jake Anderson?" I questioned, handing Vincent the photo.

He nodded, "Yeah, Jake's a friend. We get together for a drink every now and then." he took the photo from me.

"His real name is Jake Griffin." I informed. "He's my father." Vincent looked at the picture then back to me. "The other women in that photo are my mom, my sister, and me."

He handed the photo back to me and I slipped it into my boot sheath. "Jake's a good man." he whispered.

I nodded. "Thanks for helping Fox, we'll be back in the morning to check on her." I turned and left, with Zasha and Bellamy right behind me.

The next morning, Maya and Cassie were giving us directions to where the guns were stored so we could get them to the others.

"Lovejoy's key card will get you into the armory." Maya informed. "The guns are locked, but the guard has the key. I can lure him away or-"

"No, there's no time." Bellamy cut her off. "Once I get the guns, how do I get them to level five? They're watching every door."

"Maybe not." Cassie muttered, stopping. "The mess hall has a trash chute."

"A trash chute." I repeated.

"There's one on every level." Cassie went on. "Best part no radiation alarms. The hatches leak like crazy, so they put in these airlocks just to be safe." she exchanged a glance with Maya, who smiled.

"You guys get the guns, we'll get them into the mess hall." Maya continued.

I smiled at her, "You're a natural-born revolutionary." I praised. "Both of you."

Cassie just shrugged. Maya returned my smile, "My mom was the revolutionary." she corrected. "I'm just trying to do what's right."

"You guys don't deserve this." Cassie added. "You're all just kids."

"Well, I'm pretty sure we've been on the ground for over a month, which means I'm already eighteen." I informed.

Bellamy took my hand and interlaced our fingers, kissing my temple. Zasha nodded her head once, "Meet back here in thirty minutes." she voted.

"I'll go find those schematics for the acid fog." Cassie volunteered, going off in another direction.

As we walked to the armory, we heard Cage talking over the communications system, giving the rest of my friends an ultimatium; surrender or Maya will die on the irradiated level. Bellamy turned back and headed in that direction.

I exchanged a glance with Zasha, "She did help us." she reminded.

I nodded, "Let's go." I spun on my heels and followed Bellamy.

Zasha and I waited underneath the trash chute as Bellamy made his way up to it to the mess hall, trying to get to Maya before it was too late. A couple minutes later, three people came sliding down the chute as steam lowered on top of them.

"Close call." I noted, helping Bellamy out of the cart. I helped Maya out next, taking her helmet off.

"Thanks Rayleigh." she gasped.

"Not a problem." I replied.

I heard footsteps coming from behind us, and I spun around with my sword ready. I sheathed it when I saw it was only Vincent. "Dad, what are you doing here?" Maya asked, walking up to him.

"What your mother would have done." he replied. "Come here." the two embraced.

Jasper climbed out of the cart, catching his breath. In the excitement, he hugged Bellamy, patting his shoulder. He let go and turned to me, "Nice save, Princess Commander." he chuckled.

"You know me, I'm always cutting it close." I replied, hugging him. I patted his back, "You've done great Jasper."

"What's the plan?" Jasper asked, looking between Bellamy and I.

"Clarke's coming with an army of Grounders." Bellamy answered. "We have to keep all of you safe until then."

Jasper grinned. "Don't tell me Finn finally got his peace talk." he chuckled.

"Something like that." Bellamy replied. "Come on. We got a lot of work to do."

"I'll get everyone else down here." I voted, climbing back up the chute. I banged on the door, waiting for someone to open it. When it finally did, I climbed out, finding everyone staring right at me. "We have a plan." I announced. "Get down that chute and I'll explain everything."

One by one they slid down the chute, Harper, Miller, and Monty being the last ones before me. I slammed the chute door closed and was the last one into the cart, hot steam blowing over me.

I leaned into the cart, catching my breath, "Wow, that was a ride." I giggled, smoothing out my hair.

"And once again she save's our necks." Miller noted, standing by the cart.

Him and Jasper helped me out and everyone looked to me. I cleared my throat, "First of all, let me just say that I'm proud of what you've all done so far. Taking the level and barracading the mess hall, very nice." I licked my lips. "I know I haven't been around, and some of you must've thought I abandoned you. But, that wasn't the case. I helped Clarke escape, so she could find our people and help us get out of here. And she did just that." I took one step forward. "She talked with the Grounders' Commander and formed an alliance so all of us could escape; both Grounders and Sky People." I caught my breath. "I promise you guys, we're all getting out of here and I'll lead you home; even if some of you have to carry me on a stretcher. I saved you all once, and I'll do it again. No one else is dying in this mountain, unless it's Cage Wallace or any of his followers who stand between us and our freedom!" my mouth curled into a smile, "We fought for our lives once, now it's time to do it again! As long as we stick together, nothing will break us. We may just be a bunch of kids, but we're kids with the will to survive no matter what!" I unsheathed my sword and held it high above my head.

They all erupted into cheers, chanting 'Princess Commander' over and over again. I nodded and sheathed my blade, marching through the crowd and leading them to safety, for now.

I crept along the hallways, with Bellamy at my side and Zasha a step behind me. I peeked around the next corner and stepped into the hall, "It's all clear." I motioned for the others to follow.

"Won't they see us?" Harper asked.

"It's okay." Zasha assured. "Maya took out the cameras."

"Yeah, well, we're still sitting ducks in a group like this." Miller pointed out.

"You're right." Bellamy agreed. "So we're gonna split up."

"No. We do this together." Monty rebuked. "We survive together."

"Bellamy's right." Jasper seconded.

"Well, they don't trust Maya anymore." Miller stated. "Who the hell is gonna help us now?"

I smiled and turned the corner, seeing my dad waiting for me. Behind him was a small crowd of people. "They are." I answered. I walked up to my dad and hugged him tightly, "I knew you'd come through." I whispered.

"Anything I can do to help." dad replied, rubbing my back. He pulled away and handed me a map heading right where the acid fog dispersal system was. "Figured you could use that."

I nodded and turned to face my friends, "Guys, meet the man who's the reason Jaha sent us down here in the first place." I introduced, looking up at dad. "Jake Griffin, my father."

Dad kept his arm around my shoulders, "Not everyone agrees with Cage and his methods." he informed. "These are those who don't agree with him. They'll hide you and keep you safe."

"Come with us." Vincent urged. "We'll divide you along the way."

As each of the remaining kids passed me I patted their shoulder reassuringly, letting them know everything was gonna be okay. Miller stopped in front of me, smiling, "That was a damn good motivational speech, Ray." he complemented.

"Well what can I say, guess Bellamy's rubbing off on me." I chuckled, smiling back. "Let me guess, if you played for the other team you'd be kissing me right now, right?"

Miller chuckled, "I'd have probably fallen in love." he corrected, hugging me.

I hugged back, "Be safe." I whispered, pulling back.

Miller nodded and walked ahead. Harper gave me a hug next, "I knew you'd come back for us." she sighed.

"I knew you'd be strong enough to come back too." I replied, rubbing her back. "I'll see you soon."

Monty and Jasper stayed behind with me, Bellamy, and Zasha. "Hey, we're coming with you." Monty voted.

"No, you're not." I rejected. "They still don't know Bellamy's here, and we need to keep it that way. Also, Cage doesn't know Zasha and I have even escaped, but he will soon enough. As long as we stick with Bellamy, we're in the wind."

"So what do we do?" Jasper asked.

"Stay alive." Bellamy answered.

"Be ready to fight." I added. "Because war is coming."

"We'll come get you guys when we're ready to move." Bellamy assured.

Monty wrapped his arms around my back, "Glad you came back to us." he sighed in relief.

I hugged him back. "I'm sorry it took me as long as it did." I apologized, pulling back. I hugged Jasper next, "Keep it up Jasper." I whispered, "Finn would be proud."

Jasper pulled away, "I'm just glad to see some color in your face again." he admitted

I nodded, "See you soon." I promised, before they left with Maya and her dad. I turned to Cassie, "Keep my dad safe for now, okay?"

"Of course." Cassie agreed. "You just focus on getting the acid fog down." She and my dad walked off, leaving me alone with Zasha and Bellamy.

"You heard her, let's get going." Zasha voted, turning down the hallway we just came through.

I went to follow but Bellamy stopped me. I looked up at him, his brown eyes boring into my blue ones. "Bell, what's up?"

"Just wanted to say, that speech you gave, was incredible." he answered. "You're incredible. It's like you've become this different person, you've stepped up as the leader we all knew you could be." Bellamy stepped closer to me, cupping the right side of my face. "I love you." he leaned down and crashed his lips to mine, holding my face in his hands, bringing our bodies closer together.

I turned my face into his left hand, kissing back, bracing my hands on his shoulders. "I love you too." I replied, once I pulled away, keeping my eyes locked with his. "I couldn't have made it this far without you. I need you."

"I'm not leaving your side." Bellamy promised. "We're gonna see this through to the end, together." He kissed my forehead before wrapping me in his arms, holding me tightly. "It's you and me, all the way babe."

I nodded, pulling away. "But, there is one thing." I sighed, meeting his eyes once more. "I'm not leaving this mountain until Cage Wallace is dead." I vowed. "Even if I have to kill him with my own two hands."