Sorry for the delay guys! And for the length of this chapter. It's a little short, it wasn't quite finished but I'm out of the country on vacation for the next two weeks and wanted to post something before I went. But thanks to the awesomeness of wifi it's possible i'll be able to update while I'm abroad. A few notes, if you're an Abby fan...this won't be your favorite chapter. I think that she has a lot of redeeming to do. As always, feedback is much appreciated.

Chapter Eleven pt 1

To be fair, she wasn't completely in the wrong. At least, that was her story and she was sticking to it. Abby had been looking for Clarke, and no matter what her personal thoughts on the matter were, that also meant she was looking for Lexa. The two were always together now. And while Abby wasn't happy with the developing relationship between the Commander and her daughter, Clarke didn't seem to care what her mother thought.

Abby had been looking for Clarke, and found herself in the Commander's room. Though it was obvious that neither girl was present in the room Abby couldn't help her budding curiosity. Lexa's room was larger than any of the Sky People's rooms, understandably so. But it was filled with decorative accents that left no doubt that the room belonged to a Grounder. But it also held a warmth to it that didn't feel like Lexa. Like the room hadn't always belonged to Lexa. She was going to leave, knowing if she was discovered that it would not look good. But then she saw it.

Resting on Lexa's desk was a picture Abby knew very well. Inching towards the desk, needing to make sure she was seeing what she thought she was seeing. Laying on the flat surface of the desk were the original designs for the Ark. The paper had faded with time, what was once crisp white had faded to brown, but the image was unmistakable. She had only ever seen digital copies of the designs, assuming that the originals were destroyed when the bombs fell.

Reaching out a tentative hand, suddenly gripped with the urge to touch the pages, confirm they were real. Lexa's desk was covered in books, there were dozens of them, and knick knacks from the old world that Abby had only seen pictures of. There was a baseball resting at the corner of the desk on a stand, and a deck of cards that was obviously missing a good number of them.

"What are you doing in here?" Lexa's voice was harsh, and commanding. Abby spun around her grip on the pages loosening and sending them to the floor.

"I was looking for Clarke." Abby said quickly regaining her nerve.

"She is not here." Lexa answered walking into the room and closing the door behind her. Abby watched as Lexa moved past her, picking up what was dropped and replacing them back on her desk.

"I know."

"Why were you going through my things?" Lexa demanded turning to face Abby. Her eyes blazing with anger now that she had made sure that none of her things had been harmed.

"I saw that you had the plans to the Ark. I was curious."

"Curiosity does not give you the right to be in here."

"Where did you get all of these things?"

"Get out." Lexa growled.

"What are you doing with those designs?" Abby pressed. Now that she had seen some of the things that the Commander had access too, the idea that Lexa would know the lay out of the Ark made Abby nervous.

"That is none of your concern. Get out, before I make you leave." Lexa commanded.

"It is my concern, you have the lay out of the Ark. I need to know what you are doing with them." Abby said arms crossed.

"Get out. I will not tell you again." Lexa warned, her hand went to her sword and her grip tightened. Silently daring Abby to disobey her.

"Are you planning on attacking us? Now that you've made us vulnerable? Is that why you're studying the Ark? To know where we are vulnerable? You're getting close to Clarke, making her think that you have feelings for her so that you can go behind her back and slaughter her people." Lexa's anger flared, her blood boiling so hot she could only see red as she drew her sword and held it out to Abby's neck.

"LEXA!" Both women turned when they saw Clarke standing in the door way, her eyes wide at the scene that she had just walked in on. Lexa didn't lower her sword as the blonde came in. "Put the sword down Lexa."

"You do not command me Clarke." Lexa said through gritted teeth.

"Then tell me what is going on. I'm sure we can figure this out." Clarke promised, her voice soothing as if she were speaking to a predator, trying to talk it out of attacking.

"Speak Abby. Tell Clarke what you've done." Lexa said. Clarke looked towards her mother, she could see that Abby was afraid though she was trying not to show it.

"I was looking for you in here. And then I found the designs of the Ark. She's planning on attacking us Clarke, now that we're vulnerable." Abby said. Lexa watched as Clarke reached out and carefully pushed Lexa's blade out of the way. Lexa let her.

"What the Hell is wrong with you? They have been nothing but generous with us since we've arrived in Polis. They've fed us and clothed us, shown us around, and now you're going to accuse them of planning an attack? Seriously?" Clarke demanded angrily.

"What else would she be doing with the plans? What else isn't she telling us Clarke?"

"It doesn't matter what she was doing with the plans. Maybe she is trying to learn about us. We haven't been nearly as hospitable to her as she has to us. You are so suspicious of them mom, you're going to destroy this alliance. If you can't accept that we are allied with these people, then maybe you should go back to Camp Jaha." Abby saw the fury in her daughter's eyes and also the disappointment. Feeling the disappointment hit her harder than the anger did Abby turned and left.

Once alone Clarke turned towards Lexa. Lexa expected Clarke would be angry that she had drawn a sword on Abby. So it came as a surprise when Clarke wrapped her arms around Lexa's neck and pulled her close.

"I'm sorry." Clarke whispered.

"You owe no apology." Lexa said returning the embrace cautiously. Clarke could feel Lexa's hesitance and pulled away.

"She had no right to be in here, or to accuse you of planning to attack us." Clarke said.

"Her accusations were worse than that." Lexa answered putting her sword back in its sheath and moving away from Clarke.

"What do you mean?"

"Before you came in, what caused me to draw my weapon on her. She said that I was fooling you into having feelings for me. That I was luring you in so that I could go behind your back and attack your people."

"Oh."

"I would not do that to you Clarke."

"I know you wouldn't." Clarke answered so readily it surprised Lexa. Clarke closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around Lexa's neck and keeping the brunette close. Dipping her head to catch Lexa's gaze briefly before catching Lexa's lips in a soft, yet determined kiss. Clarke needed Lexa to know that she didn't doubt her. Lexa was reluctant to give into the kiss at first, but she never could resist for long. Not where Clarke was concerned.

"Thank you." Clarke whispered when they parted. Lexa's brow furrowed in confusion at Clarke's words. It was almost adorable.

"For what?"

"I know you could have done worse to my mother than you did. You didn't have to be so merciful." Clarke had gleaned at little about how Grounder laws worked. And what her mother did was well within Lexa's right to have Abby tied to a tree.

"She was fortunate that her display wasn't more public. Then I would have been forced to do something more. As it stands, I trust that you can handle your people as you see fit." Lexa said with a shrug. She didn't notice the way that Clarke looked at her, the adoration and the appreciation that came from Clarke's eyes.

"Thank you."

"Are you going to keep doing that?" Lexa asked with a humor laced voice.

"What?"

"Thanking me when I have no idea what I have done" Lexa asked.

"Probably."

"Then tell me Sky Princess, what are you thanking me for now?" There was a teasing lilt to Lexa's words now and Clarke felt a pleasant swell of affection for the Commander.

"For not doubting my ability as a leader. Most of my people think that because I'm so young I don't know how to lead. But you've never doubted me."

"It would be kind of hypocritical if I did." Lexa said.

Clarke pulled Lexa close, nuzzling her nose against Lexa's cheek until she tilted her head ever so slightly. An invitation that Lexa readily took. Pressing their lips together firmly, the brief kiss that they had just shared wasn't enough. Lips parted in sync and tongues met.

Sighing into the kiss Clarke felt Lexa's arms circle around her waist holding her close. The kiss was slow, almost lazy meant more to familiarize themselves with one another. It wasn't meant to inspire passion, or coax any desire to the surface, but inevitably it did. And Clarke wanted more. Inching closer to Lexa, feeling the sturdy strength of the brunette's body holding her.

Before she knew it Clarke was being led towards the bed, she didn't even know what was happening until she felt the back of her knees hit the edge of the bed. Breaking the kiss long enough to sit on Lexa's bed, looking up at the brunette, with eyes wide and pupils blown with desire. She wanted Lexa. Her head was swimming with want.

"Clarke." Lexa sighed, she would not deny Clarke if she offered herself. Lexa was sure she didn't have the will power for that.

"I'm not ready for that yet Lexa. But, I want to be close to you." Clarke said. Lexa nodded, shrugging her jacket off and letting it fall in a pile on the floor leaving her only in a tight fitting black tank top, and her pants.

Clarke scooted back from the edge of the bed, towards the center of it and laid back. Waiting for Lexa to crawl towards her, coherent thought left her mind. Clarke had never seen anything sexier than watching Lexa crawl towards her. Free of her war paint, yet still looking fierce. Lexa hovered over Clarke for a moment, brown hair cascading over her shoulder and framing them.

"You are beautiful Clarke." Lexa said in the quietest of whispers.

Wrapping her hand around the back of Lexa's neck Clarke pulled Lexa down towards her until their lips met. Lexa rested her weight on her arms and knees, not wanting to tempt herself by pressing against Clarke. Feeling Clarke shift beneath her, lifting her knee to press against Lexa's hip. They kissed slow and sensually, until they both needed more. The shift was subtle, until Clarke felt Lexa nip at her bottom lip drawing out a deep moan from the blonde.

Time disappeared, nothing else mattered except for the weight of Lexa's body on top of Clarke's, the increasing pressure of Clarke's knees holding Lexa to her. Fingers digging into Lexa's scalp drawing out the sweetest sounds from Lexa.

Hooking her leg around the back of Lexa's, and with a deftness Clarke didn't know she had Lexa spun them around so that she was on top of Lexa. The surprise showed in Lexa's eyes. She was not accustomed to being topped. But, there was something oddly arousing about the idea of relinquishing control. Laying back on the mattress, Lexa looked up at Clarke.

"Is this okay?" Clarke asked.

"You never cease to amaze."

Neither one of them wanted to end their make out session. But there was no mistaking the feast drums and both of them would be missed if they didn't attend. Clarke stood up on unsteady legs, half torn to go back onto the bed. Lexa looked at her bed, the blankets and the furs a rumpled mess from when they had wrestled for control. Both of them looked equally disheveled, both would need some time to make themselves look presentable.

Lexa hooked her finger in the belt loop of Clarke's pants and tugged her back towards her until Clarke nearly fell into her arms. The surprised squeak that came to Clarke's lips was swallowed quickly by Lexa's lips. She had watched Clarke stand up, and knew that Clarke was soon going to leave her room. And something about that filled Lexa with a wave of possessiveness. She didn't want Clarke to go. She didn't want Clarke to be anywhere but right there, in her arms, on her bed.

Her kiss was hungry, full of passion, and devouring as she laid claim to Clarke's lips. Parted Clarke's lips and tangling her tongue with Clarke's, inviting Clarke into a duel for dominance. The intensity of the kiss surprised Clarke but in an instant she responded in kind. Matching Lexa's fervor with her own.

"I just had to do that." Lexa whispered against Clarke's lips, pressing another gentle kiss against Clarke's slightly bruised ones. It took a moment for Clarke's brain to jump start back into functionality before she was able to respond.

"Never apologize for kissing me like that."

"Come. We should go." Lexa said with a grin.

It was impossible to ignore the tension that seemed to loom around the Commander's seat. As she had each night before, Lexa had set a seat for Clarke. But they could both feel the scathing glare that Abby sent their way each time. Clarke tried to ignore it but she couldn't.

"Why are you trying to burn holes in the Commander with your glare?" Raven asked trying to distract Abby.

"She's planning something."

"What makes you say that?" Marcus asked. He had known Abby to have pretty sharp instincts but now he wasn't sure if Abby was right about this one.

"I found the Ark designs in her room. Why would she have them if she wasn't planning something?"

"I think you're looking too much into this Abby. I'm sure the Commander has them for perfectly benign reasons." Marcus argued.

"And her interest in Clarke-."

"I'm gonna stop you right there Abby. The Commander is head over heels for your daughter. She may try and hide it. But look at them, I mean look at the way that the Commander is looking at Clarke right now." Raven said nodding towards the two girls in question. Abby begrudgingly did as Raven said and looked at Clarke and Lexa. And as much as she didn't want to see it, she couldn't deny that Lexa was looking at Clarke with adoration. Lexa looked at Clarke as if the sun rose and fell with her.

"That doesn't mean that she isn't planning something."

"Why are you so suspicious of them?"

"I don't know. But my gut tells me there is something that they aren't telling us."

"I think that you misunderstand some things." Lincoln said chiming in. He hadn't wanted to get involved in the Sky People's speculations. But, knowing Lexa the way that he did, and his loyalties being what they were, he couldn't remain silent when Abby was insulting Lexa.

"What do you mean?" Abby asked.

"You're approaching this as if you were equals. You and the Commander. But you're not. She offered this alliance with you, but that doesn't mean that you have any say here. The only credence you have is what she gives you, and the more you piss her off the less that will be." Lincoln said. He could see the defiance spark in Abby's eyes. She wanted to fight what he said. To correct him, to insist that he was wrong. But Abby had a strong feeling that he was right.

"So we're her subjects?"

"It's not as repressing as you think. The Commander is very generous with the clans that are under her protection. She offers them free reign over their territory. Allows them to pick their own leaders. The only thing that she asks for in return is warriors when she goes to war. There have been Commanders in the past that were not so." Lincoln had heard stories of Commanders that demanded tribute in the form of slaves or other goods for protection.

"Giving the Commander our people to be killed in war doesn't exactly sound benevolent." Raven chimed in. Lincoln shook his head and went back to his plate. He wouldn't be able to explain to them the benefits if they were going to poke holes in his argument each time. He forgot some times that not all Sky People were as reasonable as Octavia and Clarke.

Across the feast Lexa tried to keep her observation of Abby and the other Sky People as covert as possible. She didn't care what Abby thought of her, or the others but she knew that Clarke would. Still, Clarke seemed to be having a good time at the feast, she was practically glowing. She was talking to some of the Trikru at a nearby table.

"You look happy." Talia whispered. Lexa looked towards the older woman, there was a genuine smile on Talia's face. She was truly happy that Lexa had found some happiness.

"It is a strange feeling." Lexa said in Trigedslang. She didn't want Clarke to overhear it.

"Embrace it."

"I intend to."

The morning had a chill to it that set Lexa's nerves on edge, being roused from sleep before the sun had even broken over the horizon never boded well. Following Talia through the halls towards the entrance of the palace where she had been told there was a messenger waiting. Seeing him Lexa knew which tribe he belonged to.

"Is all well with Luna?" Lexa asked instead of greeting.

"Luna is well Heda." The messenger said with a bow of his head.

"What news then?" Lexa asked, her patient wearing thin.

"Luna requests your permission to come to Polis early."

"For what purpose?"

"She has heard that the Sky People are in the capital. And she would very much like to spend some time with them."

"Luna is more than welcome in the capital."

Lexa watched the messenger ride off quickly, wondering if it was really worth getting up early for something so easy. And then she saw Talia looking at her with a sly grin. Talia could have given the messenger permission without waking Lexa. She'd been woken on purpose.

"You've got my attention now Talia." Lexa said.

"You've grown quite close to Clarke."

"Did you not tell me I should embrace it?"

"I wonder if you want me to meet with her, discuss some of the customs when it comes to being in a relationship with the Heda." Talia offered. It was something that she had gone through too, before her relationship had been legitimized she had been made to go through these tutor session. Before her death, Talia had been seriously considering tutoring Costia on such things.

"Are you asking my permission?"

"I am asking what you intend to do with the Sky Princess. If you are merely satisfying a momentary desire or if you are intending on something more long term." Lexa had already waited longer than most Commander's had when it came to picking a wife. It wasn't a requirement for her to marry, there were Commanders that never settled down. But Talia knew that Lexa was not one of those, no matter how much she liked to pretend she was.

"I have had enough of people questioning my relationship with Clarke."

"I do not question it. I am asking if you wish for me to discuss these matters with Clarke."

Lexa's nod was almost imperceptible. But Talia knew how to read Lexa's silence.

"She's a good match for you Heda."