Prompt from the beautiful rebelandaprincess and thanks to clark-griffin for proofreading, you're a gem.

A/N: Clarke, Bellamy and Octavia go after Finn and Murphy. They reach the area where they had rescued Mel and Octavia goes off looking for supplies to take with them, while Bellamy and Clarke keep watch, or at least that's what they're supposed to be doing.

"I shouldn't have let her go by herself."

"Bellamy. Octavia has proven she is more than capable of looking after herself. Hell, I think she would be the one to protect us," Clarke giggled.

He scowled at her and Clarke suppressed her laughter when she sensed testosterone roll off him. But she seen something in his eyes, something that she had seen before - doubt. He was doubting himself again. Reaching forward she lightly covered his hand with hers, before she realised what she had done and let it drop back down. "Hey. I was only joking."

"I know."

Clarke was just about to ask what was bothering him, but he had grabbed her upper arm, pulled her behind a tree and covered her mouth with his hand.

She struggled against him until he hushed her, "Do you hear that?"

Then she heard it. There was a rustling in the bushes and she nodded. They both remained still until the noises stopped.

"Maybe it was just an animal," she offered.

Her face looked so vulnerable and raw. It was as if he could see right through her. She was exhausted and scared, but so was he. He wanted to protect her- keep her safe- but in this world that was impossible to guarantee, although he promised himself that he would do anything he could to protect her. Whatever the cost. He had already failed too many people, he couldn't lose the one person, other than Octavia, who had always had faith in him- despite the terrible things he had done- who had understood him and who needed him. Because truth was, he needed her just as much as she needed him.

But a second later, her expression changed and he wasn't sure what she was thinking anymore. The rise and fall of her chest with every sharp intake of air made him uneasy.

And then the unexpected happened.

Her lips were on his and he held his breath; completely and utterly shocked. He watched her eyes close as her shoulders trembled slightly against him.

Clarke didn't know why she kissed him. However what she did know was that right now- in this moment- she needed him.

But instead of warmth and movement, his lips were cold and still against hers.

And regret flooded her mind as she realised she had just made the biggest mistake. "I'm sorry," she mumbled against his lips as she pulled back away from him.

"Princess-", Bellamy said, softly. His finger came up to his mouth and lightly touched the moisture patches of his former dry lip.

Clarke covered her face with her hands and shook her head, unable to look at him. "No, I get it. Just forget this ever happened," she said as she turned on her heels.

Bellamy's fingers grasped her wrist and tugged lightly; causing her to spin back around to look at him. "Clarke."

"We don't need to talk about this."

"But I have something to say," he paused. His hands cupped the sides of his face and their eyes locked. "You took me by surprise before. I wasn't rejecting you, Clarke."

Bellamy dipped his head down and captured her lips with his.

At first it started off innocent, sweet and cautious- as if they were testing the waters. But then his tongue traced her lower lip, seeking entrance and when she allowed it, he slipped his tongue in between her lips, and it became intense, powerful and almost desperate.

Clarke cupped the nape of his neck as he explored her mouth. Heat rushed through her body as her lower abdomen tightened with anticipation and want.

He was hot with the sudden rush of desire, but he had no idea what to do with it. Control was something he liked and yet these feelings were something he had no control over. Instead of pushing her away like he knew he should have, he embraced the feelings and threaded his fingers through the back of her hair, tilted her head to the side and deepened the kiss.

To steady herself Clarke gripped tightly onto his shoulders as he backed her against the tree.

They broke apart a moment later and Bellamy rested his forehead against hers.

"There's something I thought I'd never see," Octavia said.

In surprise both Clarke and Bellamy pulled back and spun round to face Octavia, who was standing there, smirking.

Clarke inwardly groaned.