Hiya, sorry I'm a day late. My life is a bit messy right now. I hope you like this chapter though !

Also, if you have Twitter, you can follow me Silver_ael. It's an account I've had for a while but haven't used much. But I'm gonna try to use it a bit more, and I woudn't be against following you Clexa shippers haha.

Anyway, have a nice read !

Lexa

I wake up to a text from Clarke telling me to come by the gallery in the early evening. I guess she wants me to see her work place. She seems enthusiastic about it. It's a good thing. She can start over with this job. She deserves some happiness after what she's been through.

Tris is still heavily asleep. I have one more hour before I need to go. I'll let Tris sleep half an hour. I'm going to fetch her breakfast from the kitchen. I open the door to a quiet corridor. It's too early for most of the people living here. It's a tavern after all...

I close my door quietly. I don't want to wake Tris up, especially if I'm leaving the room. I get into the staircase, but stop when I realize there's some noise coming from Clarke's room. I stand behind her door and listen until I'm sure my mind isn't making it up. Clarke is crying. At dawn.

Is it because of me ? Because of the tiny boutade I threw on her ? It was barely flirting... Clarke wouldn't cry because of it. Why am even thinking of it ? She's been through worse.

I knock on the door. "Clarke ?" Everything goes silent. "Clarke, open the door. Let me in." So much sense in that one last sentence. We said we'd help each other, right ?

The door opens and Clarke's lowered head tells me she's trying to hide her tears. I come in, closing the door behind me while Clarke sits on the floor, against her bed.

I sit beside her, wait for her to speak. I won't force her into telling me what's going on, but I hope she will. Otherwise she wouldn't have opened the door, right ?

When she hands me her phone, I understand. Messages. From an unknown user, but I'm sure Clarke knows whoever this is. I think I know too.

"Is it her ?" I ask.

Clarke nods her head no.

"It couldn't be her. She died in the fire." She pauses. She's still looking down, as if she was scared of my judgement if she let me see her tears. "It's her sister," she explains once ready. "Two years older. They weren't getting along back then, but the big sis' didn't want her sister to die. Every year, on the same day, she finds a way to send me those messages. I know I should just ignore it but... I can't."

Her voice is unsteady. Looking at the messages, anger pours into my heart. "How can she still contact you ?" I ask bitterly.

"She's on campus," Clarke whispers.

"What's her name ?"

She doesn't answer. She knows why I'm asking.

"Do your friends know her ?" I ask instead.

No. They don't. That's why Clarke is alone crying in her room. And I thought she was doing better...

"Let me help," I almost beg.

And finally, she lifts her head up.

"How, Lexa ? I give you her name and you go beat her up ? I can't let you do that. You have a child to take care of, and for that you must stay out of trouble."

She almost spat these words at me. Everytime she's hurt, she gets angry. Especially at me.

"You can't let her harass you, Clarke."

"It's just once a year, I shouldn't even bother anymore !"

"But you do. Clarke-"

I'm cut off by cries coming from the corridor.

"Mommy !' I hear and jump on my feet.

In a second I'm in the hallway and I pull my daughter in my arms.

"It's okay, Tris, I'm here. I was just talking to Clarke. I'm not leaving you, alright ?"

She is shaking and I feel guilty. Being left alone is her worst nightmare after what happened at the hospital, and I brought her back into this nightmare. Caressing her back with one hand, I turn toward Clarke who's been watching the scene. Her eyes are glowing, I wish it was a glow of happiness.

"Don't let her get to you," I tell her. "See you tonight."

It's a way of telling her I'm coming to the gallery this evening. She nods and I go back to my room to take care of Tris.

I intend to sit her on the bed but see the spot where she was laying is darkened. Wet. I put her down on the ground and realize my forearm is wet. So are Tris' pants.

"Sorry," she whispers, new tears rolling down her cheek.

I kneel down in front of her. I hate seeing people I love cry, and this morning have been full of tears.

"Are you hurt ?" I ask her.

She looks away, her little hands sliding against each other. She is, but she doesn't want to admit it. The doctor told me the healing process would be filled with ups and downs. I promised I'd give Tris as much attention as I could.

"Alright," I stand up and gently take her hand, "we're going to shower you and I'll give you your medicine, okay ?"

I thought Tris would follow me but her hand slips away from mine.

"You leave me like Echo. Echo wouldn't let me go with daddy."

Despairs shows up an take a walk inside my heart. I don't know how to be trustable, I didn't think I'd need to be so soon.

"Echo left me too," I say, a single tear escaping my left eye, "I'm never leaving you."

I lean, grab her waist and pull her up in my arms. I hold her tight.

"You're my baby, Tris. I'll always be here for you."

And I intend on keeping that promise.

Tris buries her head into my neck, her arms up on my shoulders. She deserves to have a loving family. I'm trying to be one for her.

Indra gave me her daughter's old stroller. I'm using it to take Tris to the gallery. I told Clarke I'd be there but Tris is tired. She spent the day at school where she started learning the alphabet, drew, and tried counting. She doesn't dislike school but she gets tired fast. I explained to her that I couldn't keep her with me all day, I have school to go to, and work to do.

Anya wanted me to get back into the team, and I would've loved that, fighting again, but Tris is more important to me. This morning, after her shower, she told me she missed her father. She asked me when she was going to see him again and I couldn't answer. If her father really cares about her, if she really wants to see him, then we'll have to arrange the custody. He's her father after all... but first I have to make sure his intentions are good compared to Costia's.

I see light coming from the gallery's large windows from afar. I come in and stop the stroller on the side. I bend down in front of it. Tris is sleeping. I wish I didn't have to wake her up, but I can't leave her in the stroller at the gallery's entrance.

I caress her cheek with the back of my index finger and she frowns before opening her eyes slowly. It takes her a minute to wake up before I can get her out of the stroller. Her small hand slips in mine and together we come into the huge main room.

It's dark outside, but the room is filled with white light. What I find leaves me dumbfounded. Many people are chatting, but they stop when they see me. I see Clarke standing beside whom I suppose is one of her friend. I recognize the guy who liked interrupting us at Luna's bar - Bellamy. And looking at each one of them, I find Matt. Matt, Anya, and the rest of my team. They came tonight.

They came for me and my daughter.

Matt comes to me first. No one speaks. He smiles at me, which comforts me, and look down at Tris.

"So this is true."

He leans and offers his hand for Tris to high five. Tris frowns at first, but I encourage her with a smile and she taps his hand.

"Wow ! She's strong !" Matt playfully states. He lifts up and, looking at me, adds "She really looks like you. I bet she'd kick my ass too if I bothered her."

"Yeah I'd kick your ass too !" Tris laughs.

I roll my eyes. Matt is the good old idiot I know. A nice idiot.

"Use this kind of vocabulary in front of my daughter again and I'd kick your ass once more," I say seriously.

His stare challenges me, but in a matter of seconds, he pulls me into his arms and heavily tap my back. When he releases me, I know it's time for me to apologize. His face bears no more clue of our fight, but memories are still here.

"I'm sorry about everything. For what happened that night, but also for not telling you about her before."

I throw a glance at Tris. She's a part of my life that I can't hide anymore.

"It's fine now," he says, smiling, "I knew there was something. The first time we fought I was this arrogant team captain who thought he was the strongest. You proved me otherwise by beating me and since then you've been our best fighter. You were so full of anger I thought you were gonna kill me, but gladly Anya taught you well. I never asked you to tell me anything about your past, but I'm glad I found out, because now, all of us, we can help you. That's what tonight is about."

He steps back and stretches his arms for me to pay attention to everyone in the room, and the walls, the walls I'm only noticing now. Paintings. I walk closer to one. It's one face split in two. One side is an adult looking like me, the other side is a younger version of the first. Tris and I. On another painting, a young woman is holding a baby on the top of a hill at night. The sky is full of stars. Another painting represents a little girl in a hospital bed with a woman whose back we can only see watching her, holding her hand.

"What do you think ?" I'm asked.

I turn to find Clarke beside me. Tris looks at the painting, then at me.

"Mommy it's us !" she exclaims.

I smile.

"I asked you to tell my story to the police and you told it to everyone," I tell Clarke.

"I know you probably didn't want it to go public but... I also know Tris matters more to you. People are learning about you and Tris, and the paintings will be in sale tomorrow. The money is for Tris' medical costs. Also, about the apartment I told you about, you can move in as soon as you want. It is yours until the end of the school year. For free."

I can't believe this is happening. I always thought no one cared about one's troubles, but my friends - who I let down - came tonight, Clarke came, even her friends came ! For a moment I wonder if it's real.

"Mommy look ! Abby is here !"

Tris pulls my arm for me to walk with her to Abby. I feel like I'm in a dream, I fear waking up.

"Hi Tris, how are you feeling ?" Abby ask when my daughter collides against her waist.

"Mom carries me when I can't walk !" she says proudly.

"Hello, Lexa," Abby greets me at Tris' mention. "Do you mind if I take a look at Tris ?"

I understand she's here as the doctor and not really as Clarke's mother. I nod yes and tell Tris I'll be waiting for her here. She seems to trust the doctor.

Abby disappears with my daughter into a room and I'm left with Clarke.

"She told me she kept Tris company whenever she could," she tells me, "after Tris was left alone at the hospital, I mean. Tris slept most of the time, but it must have been horrible for her to wake up and find herself alone."

It's terribly obvious. Tris freaks out everytime she's alone, and we know perfectly why. The question to ask is about who made the decision of leaving her at Arkadia Hospital. From what Tris told me about her father, I can't think it's his fault. It must be Costia's.

But it isn't what bothers me the most right now.

"Is it all you two talked about ?" I ask Clarke. "Tris ?"

She looks away, guilt glowing from her cheeks. She took it as an accusation.

"I'm not mad at you," I correct myself, "I'm worried. This morning I found you in tears and now your mother seems more interested in my daughter than hers."

"Who wouldn't be interested in that little girl's story ?" she asks to avoid answering my statement.

"Clarke-" I start a long-thought monologue which is cut off by a loud noise behind us.

We turn around. A painting has been stabbed by a woman. The painting of me sitting on the floor, holding my baby against my chest.

Clarke is frozen in shock beside me. The woman throws a death glare at her. I think I know her.

"Put the knife down," I order when I see her look at another painting.

She turns towards me. Everyone is the room watches with caution.

"Woods. You have a child and she opens a gallery for you," she throws another glare at Clarke, "my sister dies and she dares telling me it's my sister's fault !"

"I never said that !" Clarke yells back. "I said she had drunk too much and didn't wake up to get out of the house, I didn't say-"

"LIES !"

She walks closer to us with the knife in her hand. I know what I have to do. Everyone knows, so they don't move.

"Put the knife down, Pramfaya."

"I don't follow your orders, Woods. You use people, hurt them. The whole campus knows and yet you're still the golden student."

One more step and she'll be able to touch Clarke. I can't wait any longer. I step forward, she aims for my arm with the knife, but the same arm block hers. I grab her wrist, twist it enough for her to drop the knife, and once the knife is on the floor, I twist her arm behind her back and kick the inside of her right knee. I guide her in her fall to not break her twisted arm.

"The whole campus may know I'm a bitch," I declare, "but they also know I'm the best fighter this campus has ever known."

She moans in pain but doesn't answer. She is too proud to beg me to release her, so I ask Anya if she can take her to the police station. Anya has a car, and I know she won't let the girl escape.

I turn back toward Clarke who hasn't moved an inch. I lay a hand on her shoulder, she slightly jumps, and when she turns her head toward me, I don't have time to say a word.

"Let me show you the apartment."

She goes to warn her mother and take me into some staircase on the left side of the gallery. We climb up to the first floor and she gets a key out of her vest pocket to open the door.

"After you," she says, and I come in.

I see the couch first, in the living room on my right. The kitchen door faces me. It is not empty.

"Come," Clarke says and I follow into a room.

A child room. The walls are white but there are toys for both boys and girls. A bed is made up. I don't need any more clue to understand that this apartment has everything needed to live in.

"It's from all of us. We got some old furnitures from our homes and we bought some toys. It's our way of saying we support you."

I keep looking around the room. It's amazing. I might have a chance of getting Tris' custody for good.

"It's great." I say, still amazed by what has been done for me.

"I'm glad you like it."

That's what Clarke has been doing since she left the hospital. She planned this. She painted my story. She got me an apartment for free for me to finish school. All this time I thought she had been taking care of herself, but she's been taking care of me.

"I do. I really do. But what I said earlier... I can speak to your mother if you wish, tell her-"

"You've done enough. You stopped Alie tonight, thank you for that."

I don't understand. She seemed fine not so long ago, but today her pain is glowing on her face. She tries to turn around, turning her back on me to get out of the room, but I stop her. I force her to face me. She and I know that I can't leave her be. Not like this.

Her eyes are full of tears ready to drop. I wish she told me what's wrong. Asking another question would be useless, she clearly won't tell me anything for now. But I won't let her go either. I wrap her in my arms, my heart jumping insanely in my chest. Her scent surrounds me and I pull her closer. She feels it too, this comfort, this trip to another world, because she lays her head on my shoulder and I hear her first cries.

Her hands hold onto my shirt in my back. I try to guide her toward the living room to sit on the sofa, but the main door opens, and Tris and Abby come in.

I let go of Clarke to catch an excited Tris.

"Abby says I'm getting better ! I can be strong like you !'' she shouts.

"Lexa can I talk to you ?" Abby asks calmly, which worries me despite Tris' statement.

I tell my daughter to keep an eye on Clarke and go back in the kid's room to talk.

"Is everything okay with Tris ?" I ask.

"She will be. Do you give her her medicine everyday like I told you ?"

"Yes, of course. Is something wrong with her ? I'm starting to get worried."

"No. It's not your daughter I wanted to talk about, but mine."

Clarke. Abby wants to talk about Clarke. Does she have something to do with her daughter's sorrow ? Surely.

"I heard what happened in the gallery while I was with Tris. You protected my daughter, so I think you should know that girl's behavior wasn't totally out of mind."

"Out of mind ? She destroyed a painting and attacked us with a knife," I spit.

"That is not what I mean. I'm worried about Clarke. I can't say I have forgiven her yet but I do love her and you seem to be the only one who can keep her on track, so you need to know this."

She lets a second of silence drop and I wanna yell at her, order her to spit whatever she has to say.

"The night her father died in the flames of a burning house, it was her. Clarke is the one who lit the fire."

I don't hear anything else for the next thirty seconds. I can't believe it. I don't understand. Why would Clarke lie about it ? We both did things we regret, one more from her wouldn't have made me hate her.

Abby leaves the apartment and I go back into the living without really knowing what I'm doing. Tris is almost asleep on Clarke's lap. Seeing them so close to each other gives me hope, but from what I've just found out, I should probably not keep my hopes high.

I take her and carry her to her room. We'll go back to the tavern tomorrow to pack our stuff and bring it here. I lay Tris down and whisper in her ear "If you need me, call me."

She moves slightly, I guess she heard. My thoughts can't go far. When I leave Tris' room I see a silhouette slipping through the main door. I go grab Clarke's wrist.

"Stay." I tell her.

She turns around and I see her tears, they're still here. She doesn't want to tell me now, nevermind. She'll tell me later.

"I can't," her voice is trembling, "I have to go."

I don't let her go. I can't. She's been acting weirdly and she looks broken. If I can't understand why now, I still can keep her safe.

I pull her inside the apartment, close the main door, lock it, and pull her more. She tries to pull back but she knows it's useless to try and fight me. I discover what's to be my bedroom.

"Lexa, let me go," she almost begs, but her voice cracks and disappears in a whisper.

I face her and stop moving. She barely looks into my eyes. I was holding her wrist, but it seems brutal to me, so I let my hand slide down to find hers.

"We help each other, Clarke, that's what we said. Earlier I protected you from Pramfaya, now I'm protecting you from yourself."

She looks up, sees into my eyes that I know her pain is danger tonight. I know it because I've been through it too. I sit down onto the bed and hold my hand up for her to join me. She does. She knows I won't let her leave this place anyway, which means she can sleep in the bed with me, or go sleep on the couch.

She lays down beside me. I make sure the blanket covers her well and shift closer until my arm surround her and my head is on her shoulder.

I don't want to think for hours tonight. I want to sleep with the certainty of having the two girls I love safe in this place with me.

I close my eyes, focus on Clarke's body close to me. Slowly, she stops trembling. Her breathing steadies but a tear falls onto my nose. I put my hand up and cautiously lay it on her right cheek to dry the tears. I can't help myself but leave my hand against her skin, caressing it with my thumb.

A couple of minutes later, a very low whisper leaves her lips.

"Thank you."

My chest warms up in a second and I slightly lift my head up to lay my lips on her left cheek. It is still wet from her cries. I want to dry each tear. I need her to be fine. Happy.

"No matter what." Words escape my lips as I lay my head back on Clarke's shoulder. "I love you."

Clarke's chest jumps against my arm. I know she won't answer tonight. I don't need her to. We both know the truth. The only truth that, deep down, we've always been sure of. Each of us, we fall from our heart to the other.