Their first day on the ground was exhausting, but the elation of being there didn't die down as the sun fell. They had to get their people and what supplies survived to shore and tend to the injured. Everyone that was able to work was put to it, in the end everyone was more or less responsible for building some sort of housing or shelter for themselves to last the night. Marcus took it upon himself to put up makeshift tents for Abby and himself. They were separate but still right next to each other, he knew she didn't want their relationship to be common knowledge at this point but he still wanted her close. The tents weren't much to look at, nothing more then tarps strung up on tree branches but it provided a sense of privacy and security.

She'd still been busy tending to patients when he decided to try and get some rest. Sleep wouldn't come though as he tossed and turned on the hard ground. The summer heat was uncomfortable even at night, just one of a great many things they'd have to get used to on the ground. He'd stripped down to his boxers and a t-shirt to find some relief. They never expected to be here and now that they were his mind raced with all that needed to be done. The soft sound of foot steps nearby brought him back to his surroundings. He recognized the steps and knew it was her before she slid gracefully into his small tent.

"Hey." She smiled as she crawled on her hands and knees towards him.

"Hey." His brow furled.

She smiled at his confusion. "I made sure no one was watching before I came over. Everyone's in bed for the most part."

In truth her mind was still elated in their knew surroundings and she wanted him to be apart of her joy. Not to mention if they find Clarke tomorrow as she hoped she wasn't sure when she'd be able to kiss him again. Finding out your mother is sleeping with a man you partially blame for your fathers death wouldn't be a great start to the rebuilding of their relationship.

Marcus was pleasantly surprised when she immediately straddled his waist and bent down to kiss him soundly. "We made it." She smiled against his lips.

"Yes we did." He let out a deep chuckle that Abby felt ripple through her whole body. His hands immediately taking position on her back and hip, holding her close. She already felt desire pooling in the pit of her stomach and she leaned in and kissed him again, this time with more passion. He did his part by deepening the kiss, his tongue performing a desperate dance with hers.

"You think you can be quiet?" He asked in a low voice laced with desire.

"Me?" She acted offended "What about you?" She made her point by grinding her core down on his growing erection, eliciting a deep moan from him.

"You'll just have to kiss me to keep me quiet." The boyish grin he gave her as he spoke drove her crazy. 'Almost as crazy as his damn hair' she thinks to herself as she laces her fingers though his dark locks and continued kissing him.

His hand held her hips to him as she continued to grind down on him in a need for friction. "Pants off." He demanded finding the harsh fabric of her jeans uncomfortable against his thinner boxers. She struggled with the tight pants sticking to her slightly sweaty body. He chuckled at her struggle as he stripped himself of his shirt and stared helping her with her's.

It wasn't long till they were both naked and Abby took position straddling him again. Kissing her her reached down to tease her clit causing her to take in a sharp breath. She was already wet for him. "I want you inside me now." She moaned as his fingers continued their teasing.

"Yes mam" he obliged moving his hand to brace himself as she sunk down onto him. Their breathing both hitched as they tried to keep quiet.

No matter how many times they've done this Marcus is always amazed at how well she fit him, like puzzle pieces they fit together. "God you feel amazing Abs." He said through gritted teeth as she rode him.

He let her take control for a while before deciding her pace was too slow and teasing. He pulled her head down by the back of her neck allowing his fingers to tangle in her hair as he kissed her. His other arm wrapped around her back pulling her tight against him as he thrusting into her at a blistering pace. She was happy for his sound kiss keeping her from yelling out as he truly fucked her. Her mind almost going blank as she focused on the pleasure of each stroke. "Marcus please I'm close." She spoke though erratic breaths.

"Me too…" he gritted, continuing his pace.

He felt her coming undone in his arms and the feeling of her biting into his collar bone to keep quiet sent him over the edge as well. In a blinding orgasm he emptied his seed deep into her. The feeling of his warmth inside her prolonging her own orgasm, she swore she saw fireworks behind her closed eyes at the feeling. They held each other in place for a while each enjoying the afterglow.

"I should head back to my tent." She finally said as she caught her breath, rolling off him.

"Or you could stay." He stated hopefully.

"You know I can't. We agreed." She started redressing.

"I know but you can't blame me for trying."

At this she couldn't help but smile as she finished getting dressed. "I'll see you in the morning Chancellor." She leaned over and kissed him one more time before heading to her tent.

Marcus still had trouble sleeping even after their 'activities' the night before. He knew Abby still wasn't pleased that he decided they'd wait till morning to look for the kids but he had to think logically. His people were looking for guidance and he couldn't allow himself to be sidetracked by personal endeavors. It felt like he'd just fallen asleep when Abby woke him before the crack of dawn.

"Marcus?"she called crawling into the small tent again" Marcus we should get moving."she gently shook him.

"The sun's not even up yet." He groaned.

"It will be soon, and if we start getting ready we can move out at first light."

"Abby the guys need rest and frankly so do I." He tried to get comfortable again.

"Please Marcus." She plead placing a hand on his cheek, making him open his eyes to look at her. He'd never seen her look this desperate before. He knew her last contact with Clarke hadn't gone well and he could see the fear of loosing her daughter in her gaze. She wouldn't rest until she found Clarke and in turn neither would he.

"Alright alright. You're gonna be the death of me woman." He yawned sitting up.

"Thank you." She smiled giving him a quick peck on the lips before leaving the tent to get ready.

The guards he chose to take with them on their search seemed just as confused with their early wake up call but followed their orders without question. They left camp just as the sun crested the horizon. Orders were left for the remaining survivors to follow coordinates radios to them for alpha station as soon as the injured were ready to move. They needed to find more permanent shelter.

They trekked through the woods for almost two hours towards the smoke they saw after landing the day before. When they came across two boys sent down with the hundred, Bellamy And Finn, their hope for finding the others brought a sense of excitement to the group. News that Clarke had been safe as far as the boys knew brought a hopeful but apprehensive look to Abby's face.

"You're almost there Abby." Marcus whispered only to her placing a hand on her shoulder as they followed the boys direction to the drop ship. He knew she was worried about Clarke's reaction when they finally found her and wished he could say more to ease her worry, but he also wanted to respect her wishes to keep their relationship to themselves till she could repair her broken relationship with her daughter.

They hurriedly made their way to the drop ship but the scene that they were meet with when they got there wasn't what they expected. They initially only found death, bodies littered the surrounding area. The silence was deafening, the group of teenagers they expected to find couldn't be that silent. Marcus was afraid of what they were about to discover and he could only imagine what Abby was feeling after coming so far. He couldn't let fear take him over, his men were looking to him for guidance in the face of uncertainty. This wasn't a time for weakness.

"We'll take it from here." Marcus stopped the boys from rushing in. "Banks and Scanlan you stay with them. We'll signal once we're sure it's safe."

As he lead towards the drop ship he felt Abby's presence right behind him. He wanted to turn around and make her stay, to keep her safe but her knew she'd never listen. All he could do is make sure she stayed close. They were surprised to find two survivors in the drop ship, John Murphy and Raven Reyes, Marcus recognized.

"Help her." Murphy begged. Abby's attention was drawn to a very pale looking Raven laying all but dead on the floor.

"Raven, Raven honey it's Abby." She searched the young woman for signs of life. Abby smiled in relief when Raven opened her eyes.

"Clarke's not here." Raven croaked weakly. "I don't know where she is."

Abby's face fell at the news as Marcus stared at her helplessly. "What happened to you?" She asked Raven.

"I got shot." She answered vaguely.

Abby immediately started to asses her injuries as Marcus helped a limping Murphy from the ship. They next thing Abby heard was shouting from just outside. The scene that met her when she walk out startled her. Bellamy had attacked Murphy and had his hand grasped tightly around the other boy's throat. She watched Marcus give the order to shock the young man into submission and put an end to the attack.

"Place him under arrest." Marcus ordered.

"Wait you don't understand." Finn tried to defend Bellamy. "Murphy murdered two of our people. He shot another. He tried to hang Bellamy."

"I don't care. We are not animals. There are rules. Laws. You are not in control here anymore." Marcus yelled in a very cold Kane like manner. Things were out of control and he handled it the only way he knew how. He needed order.

Finns attention was torn away as Raven was carried out on a stretcher by two guards. Whatever argument he was going to have with Kane forgotten.

"She's lost a lot of blood. It's a miracle she's still alive" Abby reported. The tourniquet and gauze she placed would only give her so much time, they needed to find more medical supplies. They left the bulk of their first aide with their injured, Raven's best hope was to find Alpha station, another delay in finding Clarke but with everything Raven risked to help her Abby owed her everything. Before leaving Abby etched basic directions to Alpha station in the hull of the drop ship. A last ditch hope that if Clarke was still out there that she'd be able to find her way home.

"Abby, get ready to move out." Marcus rushed her "we gotta get there before dark." A flash or rage rang through her at his tone. This wasn't her Marcus, this was Kane.

They marched on towards Alpha station's coordinates and Abby fell back to talk to Marcus. "What the hell are you doing?" She whispered angrily.

"What do you mean?"

"Shock lashing the poor boy. You have no idea what they've been through down here." Her voice raising just a pitch.

"He was out of control Abby what was I supposed to do?" He shot back his anger boiling over.

"We put them in this environment to fend for themselves, you can't just come in and treat them like children. We need them to show us how to survive down here." She started to walk ahead of him not wanting to make their argument anymore noticeable.

"They are children this isn't lord of the flies Abby. I'm here now it time to have some order. Hey look at me." He stated sternly grabbing her wrist harshly to make her look at him. Hard enough to bruise. The wild anger that shown in her eyes caused him to loosen his grip. He immediately realized he'd gone too far. Flashes of his fathers temper came to his mind. "Abby I'm…." he tried to apologize but she cut him off.

"Don't fucking touch me Kane." She seethed pulling herself from his grasp.

All Marcus could do was watch as she gave him a once over like she didn't recognize the man in front of her. She marched foreword to catch up with Raven and it would be the last words Abby and Marcus would share for days. They quickly made their way to Alpha station and went their separate ways. Her to medical to try and save Raven and him to assess the camp.

The next two days flew by for Marcus as he oversaw the construction of camp and security of the citizens. This was his job now and he had to be strong for them. He was in their makeshift cell talking with Bellamy trying to get more intel on the grounders. Abby was right they did need the information that he had learned in his month on the ground but he wasn't going to allow this camp to be run by a criminal child. Byrne came in interrupting his questioning to bring Murphy into their lock up. That's when they heard the shots by the front gate.

Everyone made a dash to the front gate with fears of an imminent attack fresh in their minds.

"Did anyone see anything?" Major Byrne yelled as they reached the gate finding a mechanic from Alpha station pointing wildly into the wood line with a rifle.

"Who was there? How many? What did they look like?" Marcus asked in rapid fire as he came up behind the man.

"I don't know. I'm sure I saw someone move." The mechanic stuttered.

"You opened fire? That could have been the kids." Abby yelled. Marcus hadn't even heard her come up behind them. She tried to push by them and head toward the wood line and Marcus once again found himself grabbing her roughly by the arm. This time to stop her from running head first into unknown danger.

"Abby. No!" He shouted. She spun around and he was staring down her wrath again. "We'll sweep the woods." He tried to calm her. The look on her face spoke for her 'you better' she said silently before turning away from him in an attempt to calm herself. "In the meantime, who issued you that weapon?" Marcus asked the mechanic.

"I did sir." Major Byrne answered up.

Marcus quickly snatched the weapon away from the mechanic and shoved it harshly into Byrne's grasp. "From now one, only members of the guard get guns." He spoke first to her then to the citizens as a whole. "Unauthorized use of firearms will be a felony under the Exodus Charter. Is that understood!" He yelled.

Abby approached him again as he finished his tirade. "Marcus, search the damn woods." She ordered determinedly. Marcus nodded and gave orders to Byrne to have the men check the area. If Marcus was looking for a thank you from Abby though he'd be disappointed as she turned back to medical without another word.

It wasn't 20 minutes later that pain soaked cries were heard all the way in camp. Marcus immediately ran out with a few other men, the sounds of screams giving them direction. What they found was straight from a horror story. Three of his men speared and crucified in a clear message. More consternation came from the fact the one was still alive to suffer the unbearable pain so his screams would call them over. It was unlike anything they'd ever seen or even dreamed they'd encounter. One thing was clear, they were not prepared to fight this enemy. Marcus immediately called for his other search teams to return to camp, the search of the woods called off, and helped as they cut their men down.

As he helped carry the bodies back to camp, their one survivor succumbing to his injuries, Marcus couldn't help but think he was failing. The loss of life at his leadership weighing heavy on his conscious. Not to mention Abby, she seemed barely able to look at him as if she too tallied the casualties. He didn't want to face her and luckily she was occupied with treating the injured including Raven.

Marcus busied himself for the rest of the afternoon, security had to be enhanced with the knowledge that they were undoubtedly being watched. He'd been told of Raven's surgery but found himself mental unprepared for her screams of anguish that echoed through the camp. She was still just a child, but she showed more courage then he ever had. He could keep avoiding her. As Raven's screams subsided he made his way to the medical tent. Abby was washing the blood from her hands when he entered.

"How is she?" He questioned quietly as not to disturb Raven and Finn.

"Well she survived the surgery. Don't ask me how. She's a courageous kid." Abby replied without looking at him.

"That's one thing these kids have. It's courage. Bellamy can't wait to get back out there."

"He want's to help his friends." She stated simply her eyes still not meeting his.

"We all wanna find out what happened to them Abby, but not without a plan …or a clear idea of what we're up against." He tried to explain but she saw right through his words.

"You didn't send that search team out did you?" It wasn't so much a question but a statement because she knew the answer.

"Those men were crucified. That's a warning I intend to take very seriously. We'll search high and low for the kids, you have my word, but not before we secure this camp." He tried to keep his anger in check but his emotion were running high.

"They tortured John Murphy. They put a spear into Jasper Jordan's chest." She finally looked him in the eye, it felt like she was staring into his soul. He folded, adverting his eyes from her gaze as she spoke. "We can't wait." Her voice cracked as she tried to get him to look at her again, tugging lightly on his jacket. "Please"She begged.

"I'm sorry. I've made my decision." He said coldly before leaving the tent. She'd made her decision as well and he wasn't going to like it.

Byrne came to him the next morning with news that the boys had escaped along with a corresponding number of rifles. She'd done it again, gone behind his back to get her way. Marcus had to take several deep breaths to control the anger coursing through his veins. He had hoped with the change in their relationship that they were past the deception and the lies. He'd been honest with her right? All he was trying to do was keep this camp alive.

When he made it to the cell he ran a hand through his hair with a sigh as he looked around. As he suspected, no signs that the boys had managed to break out. They must have been let out.

"Prisoners were last seen at lights out so they must have left sometime in the past six hours. Safe to say they headed for the drop ship but we'll put Davis on the search team to be safe. He taught earth skills and he's dying to get some practical…." Byrne stared but was cut off by Marcus.

"You're not sending out a search team. That'll put even more lives at risk. I'm more worried about finding the people who helped them."

"You wanted to see me?" Abby said as she entered, a defiant look on her face.

'Speak of the Devil' Marcus thought. "Thank you major." He dismissed Byrne but his eyes never left Abby's. He hadn't even noticed Byrne giving them a strange look as she watched the two.

"Tell me it wasn't you."he spoke again almost pleading for her to say it wasn't her, but they both knew the truth. The betrayal felt like getting a punch to the stomach, he scoffed "Are we really back to this? On the Ark you did anything you wanted, without a thought about the consequences."

"On the Ark, I did what I needed to, and I was right. Just like now." She challenged.

"Letting prisoners go, arming them. Those are serious crimes Abby." He stepped closer to her his voice cracking with emotion "As chancellor you can't expect me to just…."

Abby cut him off "You we're elected chancellor Marcus. You only got the job because Thelonious beat you to redemption." She seethed but her eyes filling with tears betrayed her with conflicting emotions.

Her words stabbed him in the chest, making it hard to breath. She might as well have said he should have been the one that died. He just stared at her silently for several seconds before his eyes caught a glimpse at her necklace with Jake's ring hanging at its center. He hadn't questioned it before. He knew she still felt guilty about his death but now they took on a whole new meaning. He reached out slowly and touched the piece of metal, warm from being held so tightly to her chest. Tears fell from his eyes freely as he traced the rings circular edge. He'd never be him, it was the truth and he felt naïve to think he'd be able to compete with Jake's ghost.

"Marcus I'm…" She tried to apologize, she knew she'd let her anger take her too far again. He wouldn't let her finish as he wiped his eyes harshly and left the room as quick as he could.

"Damnit." She cried as he left.

Later that day after he composed himself he called for Major Byrne again as he watched Abby work in medical from a distance.

"You sent for me Sir?"

" has confessed to helping the boys escape and giving them guns. She's to be supervised at all times, confined to quarters when she's not at work is that clear." Marcus ordered his arms crossed. Byrne gave him a confounded look at his request. "What is it major spit it out?"

"Unauthorized use of firearms and aiding and abetting a prison escape are felonies. The exodus charter is clear, the punishment is shocklashing. I know she's your friend."

"She's not just my friend!" He snapped leaving Byrne with a shocked look. "She's a member of council and the most respected person here." He covered.

"Yes sir. Which is why it will work a deterrent." He knew she was probably right but he couldn't fathom the thought right now.

"On the Ark, we had to be ruthless, uncompromising, our hands were always forced, but down here we have a chance to start over. Make something better." As he spoke he wasn't sure if it was his wish for the camp as a whole or just himself.

"And I hope that day will come Sir, but if we lose control of this camp and we're on the knifes edge already. We won't live long enough to have that chance." Byrne watched him as he considered his words before adding "She's making you soft."

He's about to reprimand her when there is a commotion a the front gate. Patrol was bringing in a grounder prisoner who was almost immediately attacked by other citizens in a frenzy. A shot rings out causing everyone to stop suddenly. The prisoner was shot by a citizen going for a guards gun. Abby had come out as well and quickly ushered the grounder to medical for treatment. The hysteria in camp was boiling over.

"The knife's edge Sir." Byrne whispered before following them to medical.

She was right. He was loosing all control of the camp. Everything was falling apart despite his best efforts. He had to decide. Love or leadership. Abby had made herself clear during their last talk. What else did he have to loose.

He sent Byrne to get her from medical as the rest of camp was assembled in front of camp. Byrne has her by the arm as she led Abby to stand in front of him.

"What it this?"Abby asks.

"I'm sorry it had to come to this Abby, but you left me no choice."

"Abigail Griffin has confessed to aiding and abetting know criminals and trafficking in fire arms. Under the laws set forth in the exodus charter of the Ark, she's been sentenced to ten lashes." Byrne announced causing a wave of gasps and whispers in the crowd, but Abby and Marcus didn't break eye contact the entire time she spoke.

"You can't be serious." Abby gasped.

Marcus tore his gaze from her and nodded for the guards to continue.

"We don't have to do this down here." Abby plead as she was tied to the nearby posts.

He'd come to far to stop this now though. "Proceed." He ordered and cringed as Abby cried out in pain with the first shock. He'd been shocklashed as part of training when he was young. He knew the pain she was enduring at his hand. She took the hits with her typical defiant nature. She had to be the strongest person knew. "Again." He ordered for an additional four lashings before he watched her go limp, unable to get back to her feet. "That's enough…" he put an end to the spectacle. The point was made there was no need to put her through any more.

"Sir that was only…." Byrne tried to argue.

"I said that's enough! Get her to medical!" He barked.

He watched as Jackson and guard helped her to her feet and all but carried her to the medical tent. "Everyone else back to work." He ordered before heading over to medical with them.

He paced outside the medical tent's entrance before getting the nerve to enter. He was happy to see she was sitting up on her own but visibly cringed at the painful look on her face as Jackson treated her burns.

Jackson to his credit looked like her could stab Marcus in the eye when he notices him enter but Abby stops him. "Thanks you Jackson." She told him. He'd worked with her long enough to know she wanted some privacy as she and Kane spoke.

"So did it work?" She surprised him when she spoke. "Is the rest of camp back in line?" Of course she knew what he was doing. She'd always been perceptive.

"This wasn't something I considered lightly." He looked ashamed.

"You don't have to justify yourself. I broke the rules, I accept the consequences, but you can lash me a hundred time and I'm still gonna do whatever it takes to find those kids. My kid." She said defiantly, gearing up for another fight.

He wasn't here to fight her and he smirked at her attitude. It was Abby, his Abby. He expected nothing less. "I know." He whispered .

"Then I guess we're done here." She stated as she turned away from him, wincing at the pain as she moved.

"I'm leading a mission to bring the kids back. This won't be a bunch of kids looking to stir up trouble, but a diplomatic mission to make contact with the grounders commander and negotiate for peace. I'm taking the grounder prisoner with me to guide the way." He surprised her.

Her mind went through the scenarios in her head. This was exactly what she wanted but she knew the danger. "Marcus he could be leading you into a trap."

He couldn't help but smirk at the fact that she was concerned for his wellbeing. "Perhaps but it'll give us a chance. I did hear you, You know." He whispered, afraid his voice would fail him with emotion.

"Then I'll go with you."

"No, no you're needed here at camp."

"Jackson can handle medical." She stated matter of factly.

"It's not just your medical expertise that'll be required. I need to know that while I'm away you'll set a good example for our people."

"If you do this, I'll be a model citizen." She tried to hold in her excitement.

"I need you to be more than that. I need you to be chancellor." He tossed the chancellors pin down in front of her. She was speechless, a mixture of emotions from excitement to fear ran through her. "Please Abby for your people."

She grabbed the pin tentatively, feeling it's meaning and it's sudden heaviness in her hand. "Marcus." She reached forward to touch his cheek, to thank him but he pulled away. Turning away from her before he wouldn't be able to hold his emotions back. Her voice stopped him before he got too far "Come back to me Marcus. Please." She sounded fragile as she spoke but he didn't turn around instead he continued out to meet up with the rest of the members of the exploratory mission. He only allowed himself to look back once as they marched from camp, he immediately found her in the crowd before he continued forward.

They followed the grounders lead for two days walk before they made it to what appeared to be a gated entrance to a major grounder settlement. This was it, the end of the line so to speak, but he was still absolute in his decision. "You guys head back to camp. I'll get word to you when if I can." He told the guards that accompanied him.

"Sir you can't go in there alone." A guard by the name of Davis said.

"No use in all of us dying, just do me a favor and give this letter to Dr. Griffin when you get back. It's a… it's really important that she get this as soon as you get back." He handed the guard a hand written letter that he'd wrote after their argument in the cell. He hoped to make it sound like order from a chancellor to his acting chancellor so they wouldn't be tempted to read it.

He watched as his only lifeline left before turning to untie the grounder. They were going to do this their way, whatever way that might be. He found out soon that their way involved a swift kick to the face to knock him unconscious. Abby's face was the last thing he though of as he slipped into unconsciousness.