Abby woke to the gentlest of touches running down her spine and back in a slow rhythmic pace. She kept her eyes closed as she took in the feeling for several minutes. She surprised even herself with a soft purr of content. Her eyes shot open when Marcus stopped his ministrations. Looking up she found him smiling down at her as he continued to hold her tight to him. "Hey why'd you stop?" she pouted.
He chuckled "I thought you were still asleep."
"So you were just going to watch me sleep?"
"Yup. You're beautiful." He answered unapologetically while he resumed tracing her spine softly. "I feel like I'm dreaming."
"Who knew the great Marcus Kane could be so corny." She smiled while poking him in the side gently.
"Only for you Abby." He said seriously. They laid there in silence for servals minutes before Marcus spoke again "It's not fair. I need more time."
"I know." She whispered '"but we're here now let's just enjoy the time we have left."
"I can do that." He stated before bending down to capture her lips in a warm kiss. They broke apart at the sound of a loud knock on the door. "Who the hell could that be?" Marcus wondered out loud.
"You don't have to answer." She tried to pull him back down to her, but whoever was at the door tried again knocking louder this time.
Marcus groaned as he climbed out of bed and quickly pulled on a pair of sweatpants and walked to the door. "What?" he answered.
"Sir, the Chancellor sent me to find you and Dr. Griffin and have you come to earth monitoring ASAP." The young guard at the other side of the door answered.
"Do you know what for?" Marcus asked confused. He's not sure why he asks, they never do.
"No sir."
"Okay Thanks." Marcus tried to dismiss but the guard made no motion to leave. "Is there something else I can help you with?"
The guard suddenly seemed uncomfortable "Uhh Sir I stopped by Dr. Griffin's quarters before coming here but she wasn't there and she wasn't in medical either. Do you know where I might find her?"
Marcus subconsciously looked over his shoulder towards his bedroom "Uh Yeah don't worry about it I'll make sure she gets the message."
"Yes Sir Thank you." The guard replied before turning to leave with haste.
Heading back into his room he found Abby still curled up into his pillow. It was perfect. He hated to disturb her but the quicker they figured out what Jaha wanted the sooner they could get back to this. "Abby, Jaha wants us to come see him in earth monitoring."
"Nope." She answered matter of factly.
"No?" Marcus chuckled leaning on the door frame of his room watching her. Abby couldn't help but notice how low his sweatpants fell on his hips, it was distracting to say the least.
"We've got better things to do instead of wasting any more time in earth monitoring." She sat up holding the blanket to her chest.
"Could be important, come on we'll make it quick then we'll get back to the 'better things'" he tossed her pants to her as he searched for the rest of her clothing. "Where's your shirt?" He asked searching the floor, Abby just shrugged in response as she started to get dressed again. "You can just borrow one of mine." He headed to his dresser to grab a fresh set of clothes for himself and a shirt for her.
"That'll be a little obvious don't you think?
"Abby at this point who cares?" he tossed her a clean shirt. He had a point they'd all be dead in a little over a day anyway. She finished getting dressed before finally climbing out of bed. She walked over to him as he pulled on his shirt. "You look good in my clothes." He pulled her into him capturing her lips in a brief kiss.
"Come on you made me put pants on let's get this over with." She pulled him by the hand towards the door.
As they exited his quarters into the hallway she released his hand and they walked side by side to earth monitoring. They found Jaha and Sinclair pouring over blueprints of the ark when they entered. "You wanted to see us?" Initially Jaha didn't look up at them as they entered he was absorbed in whatever he was working on. When he did look up he did a double take at their appearance. Marcus's hair was still uncharacteristically messy and Abby well he'd never seen her wear that shirt before, nor was it Jake's. He gave them a questioning look that Marcus deflected "Did you find something new?"
"Yeah I think so. In your simulations with Sinclair have you tried not saving the ark?" Jaha asked cryptically.
"What is this about?" Abby asked voicing everyone's confusion.
"It's about going home."Jaha seemed to be dangling the answer in front of them coyly. "From where I stand we have two options: die in space or probably die trying to get to the ground."
Marcus was already weary of Jaha's puzzle stated the obvious. "We have no more exodus ships, Sir."
"You're wrong Kane. There is one. We call it the Ark." Jaha started to explain. "Sinclair tell us what would happen if we use the thrusters that keep the Ark in orbit to propel us into the atmosphere instead."
"The Ark would break apart. First into its original 12 stations then further as the violence intensified 95% of the structures would explode on the way down."
"You think you're smart enough to pinpoint the 5% that wouldn't?" Jaha challenged as Marcus and Abby glanced toward each other equally astonished. This was crazy!
"Are we really going to do this?" Marcus asked "bring that Ark to the ground?"
"You have a better idea." Jaha challenged. "What do you say Abby. Are you ready to see your daughter again?"
Abby stood still silent chewing her lip in contemplation. It was a terrifying plan but even a 1% chance was better than none. She glanced back over at Marcus to try and figure out what his thoughts were, he gave her a silent nod. He knew how much she would risk to see Clarke again. "What do we need to do?" she asked.
"Sinclair figure out the safest compartments of the Ark to strap into. Kane start assigning seating for the survivors. Abby we'll need to divide up supplies from medical equally between the stations. We don't what kind of injuries we're going to see on the way down." Everyone turned to start their respective assignments but Jaha stopped Abby. "Abby could I speak with you in my office privately?"
The request seemed odd with all that needed to be done. Marcus froze in place while glancing between Abby and Jaha. "Sure" Abby replied hesitantly, she was pretty sure she wasn't going to like where this was going.
Abby followed him to his office located just off earth monitoring. For some reason Abby felt like she was being called to the principal's office to be reprimanded.
"Really, Abby?" Jaha asked incredulously.
"Really what Thelonious?" she fired back defensively.
"You know what."
"If you have a question just ask it." If he was going to sit on his high horse she was going to make him say it.
"Kane of all people."
"Last I checked that was none of your business." She replied harshly crossing her arms.
"You hate Kane!"
"I don't hate Kane!" she yelled
"You could have fooled me." He matched her tone.
"Apparently we did."
Her last comment led him to believe this wasn't just a 'we're dying anyway one time' thing. "How long has this been going on?"
"I'm not discussing this with you Thelonious." She turned to leave.
"Fine but I hope you know what your next step is. I'm putting you back on council. We don't have anyone else with the leadership experience left."
"I'll be fine." Abby said harshly.
She exited the office and found Marcus still standing in earth monitoring going over plans with Sinclair. She wasn't surprised when he followed her as she made her way to medical to start preparations. "Hey what was that about?" he asked as he caught up with her.
"He's putting me back on council." She answered with distain still in her voice.
He fell silent for a moment as they walked. This sounded like good news, why was she angry? He was confused with her response but equally as afraid to make her angrier. "I heard yelling?" he tried cautiously.
"Yeah Thelonious think us sleeping together complicates things. I told him it was none of is damn business who I slept with."
"Oh. Good." He replied. He didn't like the idea of Jaha digging into his personal life. He was still following Abby when they entered her office shutting the door behind them.
"Is it Marcus? I mean an hour ago it seemed like a straight forward answer, but now if we survive this then what? Where does that leave us?" She stressed.
He understood where she was coming from. They weren't talking about long term before. Just being together was enough. Could they sustain long term? All he knew was that he wanted to try. "Abby I know we've had our ups and downs, which even as I say it seems like an understatement." He laughed nervously before continuing. "I want to change and if you'll let me try I'm all in. In whatever capacity you'll have me I mean." He'd never been this nervous before as he stumbled to find the right words. He was putting it all out there. Her silence at first made it worse as he tried to gauge what she was thinking. Instead of answering she walked over and placed a hand on his cheek and for a moment he thought she was softening the blow of rejection. "Please don't make me stop Abby, please?"
She surprised him with one simple word "Okay."
He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding in with and audible huff. "Okay really?" he asked with a grin on his face.
"Yeah, on one condition."
"Anything." He stated as he held onto the hand she still had on his cheek, pulling it down so he could hold it.
"That we tread lightly. I don't want Clarke to find out right now." Abby noticed the look of disappointment come across his face as she spoke. "She's already not speaking to me. I have to try and fix my relationship with her if I get the chance. She's not really your biggest fan right now either."
"Yeah, of course." He replied still a little disappointed.
"Hey has anyone ever told you you're cute when you're vulnerable? "
"This is a first and to be honest it's not a great feeling."
"One of many firsts I hope." She said bringing a smile back to his face. Abby leaned up to place a chaste Kidd's on his lips but he took the opportunity to deepen it. "Careful Kane. We have work to do." She warned.
"Abby I'd hate to pull the 'we might die tomorrow card' but we might die tomorrow. And don't call me Kane."
"That's true and you did promise me we'd get back to those 'better things'…" she said seductively.
"I am a man of my word Abigail." His eyes darkened as he spoke in a way that set her body on fire.
"I'm sure we can take a detour back to your quarters."
"What's wrong with here." He asked before lifting her up and placing her on her desk. He settled between her legs and pulled her close.
"What if someone comes into medical." She asked but she was loosing the battle as her body reacted to him.
"Everyone still thinks they're dying tomorrow they're not coming to medical, what would be the point?" He murmured as he placed soft kisses down her neck.
"Hmm and the preparations?" She hummed her hands gripping his shirt.
"Abby?"
"Yes."
"Shut up." He ordered right before his lips crashed into hers in a searing kiss. His hands gripped her hips grinding his erection against her core. "God the things I want to do on this desk." He groaned sliding his hands up her shirt and in a quick motion it was off, discarded in an unknown direction. His mouth descended on the tops of her breasts before they too were released from their confines.
"Thought about this before Councillor?" She knew the answer because she had too.
"God yes." He groaned as her hand slipped into his pants and grazed his member. He'd been so preoccupied he hadn't even felt her undo his pants.
"Well I suggest you choose wisely we don't have a lot of time."
A dangerous smirk came across his face "Where's your lab coat?"
"Hanging on the back of the door." She answered laughing as he immediately jumped towards the door tripping slightly over his loose pants. Deciding they were in the way of his goal he removed them as he moved to grab her coat. She took the opportunity to pull off her pants before her came back but he stopped her before she could pull off her panties.
"No leave them. Put this on." He tossed her her lab coat.
"Fine but I'm going to need you to leave that guard jacket on." Two could play this game. He watched her pull the lab coat on, he took a moment to just take in the view of her sitting back on her desk wearing only the lab coat and black panties. His cock twitched at the sight, this was far better than any of his fantasies. "You just going to stare Councillor?" This jarred Marcus out of his trance and he launched back at her taking one of her breast that was sticking out of the lab coat into his mouth. He moved slowly down her body, tasting each new inch of skin and savoring the soft sounds of pleasure she made. He gentle massaged her core through he panties, grinning at how wet she was for him. His fingers continued there task, while his mouth nipped gently at her hipbone. If this was going to be their last time together he was going to give it everything he had.
"Look Doc no hands." He murmured before pulling her panties down with his teeth.
"Hidden talent Council….oh." She cut off her response as his tongue found her clit. "Oh god." She laced one hand through his hair as he added his fingers to the pleasure. Her back arched on the desk sending a number of files to fall to the floor.
"That's it sweetie let go." He hummed feeling her clench around his fingers.
Moments later he felt her convulse around him as she came. "Fuck Marcus." She yelled
"I like the way you say my name like that." He smirked before capturing her lips again, kissing her hungrily as she came down from her high.
"Your turn." She smiled wickedly before pushing him back. "Sit. Doctors orders."
He fell backwards into her office chair as he watched with anticipation as she walked over and crouched in front of him. She massaged his thighs before grabbing his boxers and pulling them down, releasing his erection from it confines. She gave his tip a gentle kiss before taking him into her mouth. There was something addictive about his taste and knowing what she could do to him with a few flicks of her tongue. He gripped her hair tightly as his hip bucked into her mouth. "God Abby if you don't stop this going to be over too soon." He said through gritted teeth. She released him from her mouth with a satisfying pop, but she was far from done with him. She stood but kept him seated as she turned to sit in his lap. In a quick movement she sheathed herself on his hard cock, his hot breath on the back of her neck. "Wait one second." He plead holding her hips still, things had almost took an embarrassing turn. He took several deep breaths to calm his body before allowing her to move again. She leaned back against him as her hip gyrated around him. They fell into a steady rhythm as Marcus took the opportunity to distract himself from what she was doing to him by nipping at her neck and shoulder, undoubtedly leaving marks. When they came they came together breathlessly calling the others name. It took them longer then usual to catch their breath with the lack of oxygen but neither seemed to mind as the held each other in place.
¬¬¬¬They'd been working tirelessly to prepare the stations for launch. Abby thought the plan was still crazy even as they worked, but they were giving themselves a chance at survival. She was giving herself a chance to see her daughter again. Jackson had been working beside her for hours before she sent him to get some rest ahead of the launch window, she would need his help with injuries if they survived the landing. She was just taking a final glance around medical when Marcus walked in.
"Hey." She greeted. He looked stressed as he walked closer to her and she was able to take in his appearance. "What's going on?"
"Jaha wants all members of council to launch in different stations to make sure there is a leadership presence if we reach the ground."
"Absolutely not!" she answered sternly.
He couldn't help but smirk at her defiant response, it was Abby. "I know that's what I told him."
"And he agreed?"
"No."
"No!?" She almost yelled. "Thelonious needs to get over himself. If we're doing this we're doing it together. I'll talk to him." She stated as she started marching out of the station. Marcus grabbed her arm and pulled her back again.
"Woah there tiger. It's not going to help I tried, and it's not worth the air for the argument. I figure we'll just take a page from your book and just do it anyway. I've already assigned stations." He tried to calm her down.
"You're ignoring a direct order?" she asked shocked
"What can I say; you're a terrible influence on me."
"I like rebel Marcus." She smiled.
"Yeah well it makes me uncomfortable so don't get used to it, come on let's head down it's almost time."
"Wait." She stopped him. "Marcus I'm scared."
He pulled her into a tight hug and she rested her head on his shoulder. "We'll face it together I promise." He spoke. She nodded her response against his chest. She just wanted to hold him close one last time before they faced their fate.
When they finally separated he kissed her forehead and they walked together to Mecha station. Most of the people assigned to the station were already there and settling in. Abby and Marcus found their seats towards the back of the station with Sinclair and Jackson. The restraints they had fashioned from whatever they could find didn't instill much faith that they'd help steady the fall, but they at least provided the illusion of safety and something to hold onto. They strapped in next to each other and Abby leaned slightly on Marcus shoulder.
They sat there for what seemed like forever as Sinclair went through a final check and Jaha lead them in the traveler's prayer. The words made Marcus remember his mother and he found it difficult to hold back tears. He hadn't hat the chance to really grieve her loss and the emotions seemed to trigger easily. He was brought back into the moment when Sinclair responded to Jaha "Taking us home sir."
Marcus and Abby glanced at each other nervously. This was it. Abby reached over and took his hand in hers but kept it them down out of sight. They're hearts felt like they were beating at a hundred miles per hours.
"Initiating Go-sci separation in 5, 4,3,2,1. Separation." Sinclair announced as everyone closed their eyes to prepare for launch, but nothing happened. "Sir, Go-sci separation has failed. We are negative for Go-sci separation, negative for launch."
"Can you fix it?" Jaha's voice came over their earpieces.
"Not from here Sir. No. Some will have to launch manually."
Without hesitation Marcus started to stand and Abby's stomach dropped. "What are you doing?" she asked, afraid she already knew the answer.
"Someone has to stay behind Abby." Marcus replied regretfully.
Abby reached her arm out to keep him seated next to her. "There has to be another way." She refused to let go of him.
"I can go back and reprogram the system but it'll take time. We'll miss the window for the eastern United States. We won't land anywhere near the 100." Sinclair explained.
"Then we'll wait till it comes back around again." Abby tried.
"The Ark will be out of air by then."
Marcus took hold of the arm that she was holding him down with causing her to look at him. "Salvation comes at a price Abby." He whispered to her. He was doing this for her, for their sins. He was giving her a chance to see her daughter again. She reluctantly loosened her grip allowing him to stand but reached out to grab his hand when he found his feet. Tears were already leaving her eyes as he started walking back into the Ark towards earth monitoring. Other joined in to giving him their thanks for his sacrifice as they grabbed his hand on the way out.
"How much air will he have?" Abby asked Sinclair.
"A week or two at the most."
Suddenly the station jerked violently just before Marcus made it to the sealed door tossing him backwards. "We're away. We've launched." Sinclair yelled excitedly.
"How?" Abby questioned has Marcus made his way back to his seat next to her.
"God speed my friends, God speed." Jaha's voice came across their earpieces again.
"Thelonious where are you?" Abby replied into her mic.
"Right where I'm supposed to be. Hold tight Abby you'll see your daughter soon." Jaha seemed at peace with his decision as he spoke. There wasn't anything anyone could do to save him at this point.
Abby took hold of Marcus's hand again as they continued their decent to earth. She held onto him for dear life as the station tossed them back and forth violently and the heat from re-entering the earth atmosphere made it feel like they were trapped in an oven. There were screams from the other passengers that seemed barely audible over the groaning of the stations hull struggled to remain intact. With a final hard jerk the station came to a stop. A silence fell among everyone as if they were afraid to move, not sure if they even made it through.
"Abby I think we've landed." Marcus whispered first. "Come on let see where we are." He helped her up as they made their way to the escape hatch.
Abby made the climb through the hatch first the bright light of the sun blinding her. It took several seconds for her eyes to adjust but when they did the sight that she was meet with took her breath away. What had always seemed like a myth told to them from prior generations was real. The blueness of the sky, the green of the trees, and the crispness of the air, all real. She heard Marcus comes out behind her his eye needed the same time to adjust. "It's everything I've ever dreamed. So much green, there are trees everywhere and water, and the air is sweet. It's beautiful Marcus."
"I never thought…" he started but he found himself at a loss for words as he took in the sights. It was the most amazing thing he'd ever seen. As he spun around he noticed smoke billowing out of the woods in the distance. "Abby look. Could be another station." He pointed it out to her.
"Or the kids." She added hopefully.
"We have to get everyone ready to move. Abby, we have injured here." He knew it wasn't what she'd want to hear but they still had a responsibility to the others. It would take time. It would mean waiting longer to find Clarke. He saw her shoulda visibly fall at the thought. "As soon as we get everyone out we'll send a few people ahead to check it out okay?" He tried to compromise.
"I'm going with them." She stated sternly.
"Abby…." He tried. There was any number of unknown dangers.
"No Marcus I'm going."
He sighed he knew he wasn't going to win this one, but he sure as hell wasn't going to let her go with out him. They spent the next several hours moving the survivors to a safe location and tending to the injured. Tents were set up as temporary shelter for the night. As they finished the sun was going down, it wouldn't be safe to move till morning. Marcus promised Abby that the'd move at first light and she had reluctantly agreed. Sinclair and Jackson were briefed on what still needed to be done and what to do should they not return the next day. Marcus was already feeling torn between Abby and the remaining citizens of the Ark. Being on the ground would change things in a way he didn't expect. Would they survive?