Chapter 10

After packing up all of the things for the meal, the group set out on their trek to the meeting place.

When the Grounders met with the Council earlier, they had decided to have the meal in a neutral area. It was an abandoned place underground not far from Camp Jaha and the neutral quality gave both sides peace of mind.

In the beginning the party walked in silence, but eventually they settled into a murmur of quiet chatter. They kept the pace moderate as Raven made her best effort to keep on pace. On her leg was the brace that she had been bickering with Wick about the previous night. Someone had also given her a walking stick that allowed her to move much faster than she would have otherwise.

Raven and Clarke walked side by side, with Bellamy and the Council in front of them, and Octavia and Lincoln bringing up the rear. Raven was focusing all of her energy on walking, which left Clarke alone to her thoughts.

The Council members insisted on leading the group in front. Clarke could see Abby and Kane tilting their heads towards one another and conversing in hushed voices. She felt a stab of anger then, seeing her mother fall back so easily into her routine as if nothing had changed. Abby hadn't even seemed affected that Finn had died. The only thing that mattered to her was the purpose that his death had served.

Clarke liked to think that she and Bellamy had been different kinds of leaders than the Council. Before the Ark had landed, the 100 had formed their own sort of system. It may not have been perfect, but Clarke thought it was significantly better than the one they lived in now.

Despite the death sentence that had led the 100 to being sent to Earth in the first place, they had learned to work together successfully despite the dire circumstances. That reliance on each other had not only taught them trust. It had also taught them how important each human life was.

Unlike the Ark, the 100 had operated under a system that had valued all lives, no matter who they were - Ark, 100 or Grounder.

For just a moment, Clarke reflected on how events may have unfolded differently if the Ark had never came to Earth at all.

In that alternate universe, Finn probably would still have killed the Grounders; however, Clarke was confident that she and Bellamy would have handled the situation with Lexa much differently. Although it may have been just naïve thinking, Clarke couldn't help but think that if Abby hadn't been in charge, Finn would still have be alive.

She realized that line of thinking was pointless though. And she couldn't blame her mother for Finn's death. That was all on her.

Just then, Octavia snuck up behind her and linked her arm with hers. Startled, Clarke stumbled over a pile of branches and almost face planted in the dirt.

Octavia yanked Clarke's arm back up though just in time and helped her stay upright. "Sorry Clarke!"

Clarke gave a small laugh and readjusted the sack on her back, taking the moment to collect herself. "It's fine." She peered over her shoulder to see Lincoln walking alone a few yards back. "Shouldn't you be walking with Lincoln?"

"Oh, he's not going anywhere, are you?" Octavia called over her shoulder.

Both girls looked back to Lincoln. He gave no response other than to raise his dark piercing eyes to the sky.

Octavia turned back around and leaned into Clarke, whispering, "We're working on his eye roll. I think it's coming along nicely."

Clarke chuckled good naturedly. "So, was there something that you needed Octavia? Are you feeling alright?" Almost as if by habit, Clarke put a little distance between them and gave Octavia a once over, looking for an injury.

With a wave of her hand, Octavia brushed off Clarke's concern. "I'm fine. Besides, I didn't come over to talk about me…" Her gaze flicked in front of them to where Bellamy was walking. He had one of the larger packs slung over his back, probably filled with some of the tableware or moonshine. "And before you ask, he's fine too," Octavia continued. "At least physically, I mean," she corrected with a frown.

Suddenly Clarke knew where this situation was going, and past experience told her that allowing Octavia to pry would lead nowhere good.

With no way to stop the girl though, Octavia pressed on, straight to the point. "Did something happen with you and Bellamy?"

Instead of trying to lie, Clarke stayed silent.

"You two seem to be tip toeing around each other. And I haven't seen Bellamy so uptight since the Ark first landed," Octavia said. She held onto Clarke's arm tighter and pursed her lips in concentration. An idea struck her, but then she quickly dismissed it. She mulled over something silently to herself, seeming to reconsider. "It's got to be something with you and Finn, right?"

"Really Octavia," Clarke tried to reason, trying not to let on how close Octavia was with her guess. "I'm sure it's nothing. Everyone has been uptight recently with all that's been going on."

Octavia huffed and gave an eye roll that Lincoln would do well to practice from. "Seriously? If anyone has a reason to be affected by what's happened, it's you Clarke." With that she let go of Clarke's arm and motioned up and down, "But look at you, you're fine!"

The last statement was louder than the first, and Bellamy peered back at the two of them. He looked at Clarke for just a split second and she felt that Bellamy saw right through her facade. She was definitely not fine.

But then his gaze shifted quickly to his sister. "O, keep it down. I know you have your Grounder boyfriend to protect you and all, but it would be better if we didn't have to deal with any attacks before we even make it to the truce meal."

"Whatever you say!" Octavia said, just as loudly as before. Then she left Clarke and raced to catch up with her brother.

Clarke tried to hear what the two were saying, but apparently Octavia was actually pretty good at keeping her voice down when she wanted to.

"So…" Raven started.

Before that, Clarke had completely forgotten Raven beside her. With that realization she wished she had stopped Octavia's commentary sooner.

"What is going on between you and Bellamy?" Raven asked. She never looked up from her watchful eye on the ground, making sure that she wasn't going to trip over any wayward objects. Still, Clarke could hear her question perfectly clear.

She hesitated before answering. "I honestly don't know. It really may be nothing."

Raven went a moment without responding, then said, "You two will work it out. You always do."

Clarke nodded her head in agreement, although she wasn't quite so confident.

Up ahead, the Councilmen began to slow. The familiar opening of trees and slight incline of land indicated that they were almost to the meeting place.

Abby and the Councilmen gathered together in a circle, purposefully excluding the 100 from their conversation. Not feeling particularly left out, the rest gathered in their own circle and double-checked that they were ready.

"Now, are you sure you want to go in?" Bellamy asked, looking around the group. "There's nothing wrong with waiting outside if you're uncomfortable."

No one made a peep, so Bellamy tried again. "Really, only one of us needs to be present to represent the 100. It would be much safer if I went in alone with the Council and the rest of you stayed out here."

Clarke looked at him in disbelief. "I am just as much a part of this as you are Bellamy! We all are. You can't stop us from going."

Everyone else murmured their agreement. Bellamy looked none too thrilled that no had taken the opportunity to wait outside. Always trying to be protective, he was willing to put his own neck on the line in order for the rest of them to be safe.

It was heart-warming and at the same time infuriating. Although he didn't mean to sound that way, he always seemed to be underestimating what they could handle.

Clarke said as much when she saw Bellamy's unpleased expression. "You underestimate what we are capable of enduring Bellamy," she said.

Bellamy locked eyes with Clarke and something close to worry flashed across his eyes, until they returned to their normal look of arrogance. "Oh, I never underestimate you."

First I just wanted to respond to some reviews of my last few chapters:

Dark-Supernatural-Angel - Thanks for the feedback! I've been giving your comments a lot of thought, as always.

Miss Savvy xoxo - Thank you!

ELSchaaf - Yes, I am going to go a bit off-script with the reactions of the main characters. They will still be "in character," but not necessarily match up with how they are reacting on the show. (I bet being a social worker was incredibly rewarding! What a wonderful job, but I bet it's great to be staying at home with your kids now, too. Thanks for sharing!)

sun-emperor - Subtle is definitely what I'm going for right now. I think that there will inevitably be a breaking point of some sort with Clarke, especially after all that she has undergone. I don't want to rush into anything though. She is trying to stay strong for the 100, and right now I think that will carry her through a lot.

AshleyLynn29 - Building up to that! I think a serious talks should certainly be in the cards for Bellamy and Clarke, don't you?

123a456e - Good luck with exams!

Now, on to my regular thanks to everyone for reading my story! I loved the recent episode of the 100, and I'm so glad that the CW renewed the show for a third season. There are so many interesting storylines to be explored!

As always, please follow or favorite if you feel so inclined. Reviews are much appreciated as I love getting feedback on how you are liking everything!