Chapter XXV

"Hello, beautiful." Bellamy said as he seated himself across Anya.

Ignoring him, she simply stared at her chained wrists. Lincoln had finally revealed that she used to be his partner, back in the days when he worked for the grounders.

Bellamy took a closer look at the woman in front of him. Now, without the wig, he could tell that she was of Asian mixed descent. But her most prominent feature were her eyes, dark as coal. Hmph, something they both had in common, he thought.

"Why the cold shoulder, sweetheart? If I remember correctly, you were all over me last time we met." Bellamy continued to taunt her. If she was anything like Lincoln, he knew he could only throw her off by getting her off guard. And the best way, was to infuriate her, which happens to be a skill he knew too well.

"Oh, look at me, forgetting manners. Good day, Madame, the name is Bellamy Blake. But you already knew that, didn't you?"

This earned him a snarl. Well, that's something.

"Anya, age unknown. Origin unknown. But what we do know, is that you're an active assassin for the Grounders. Now, won't you tell me, how come an assassin such as yourself is doing here, that is, besides trying to clean up your mess? That's right, I'm still alive and I'm not sorry for it either."

Anya still kept her mouth tightly shut. Stubborn woman.

"You know, I've heard you and Lincoln are former associates."

"Don't ever mention that traitor's name!" she hissed.

Finally, Bellamy had finally pushed the right button.

"Why not? I heard you two were quite close, back in the days. In fact I think he mentioned this particular story…?" Bellamy pretended to think hard about something Lincoln had said.

"Stop it! If you think you can manipulate my hate for the man and get me to talk, you are underestimating me, boy." Anya said with a wicked smile.

Boy?

"Then why don't you start talking, lass." Using her own tongue against her.

"Bite me."

"You sure about that? Okay, let me make this clear for you. Besides your little assassination attempt on me, which we've got on tape by the way, you are wanted in more countries than you've aged, dearie."

Locking his eyes with her, and dropping all pretence of merriness, he said:

"I heard the British authorities might be preferable over the North Koreans, no? What do you say? Do we have an agreement, love?"

"Let me get this right," Raven was talking quickly, "You want me to impersonate Anya?"

"There's little choice. From what we managed to gauge from our pretty assassin, she's hired to kill a certain representative this evening. Of course, being blonde, Griffin would have been the first choice, but she's been too exposed being my shadow lately." Bellamy replied tiredly.

"Remind me again, what is happening tonight?" Jasper asked confused.

"The representatives from both Israel and Palestine have agreed to sign a peace treaty on neutral ground, which happened to be here, tonight. Our dear girl in the box over there" Bellamy indicated the glass cage also known as the interrogation room, "was to kill the representative from Israel to prevent the peace being signed." Bellamy finished.

"I get that this is good and all, but I don't see how this is connected with our target, Elizabeth Hunt." Monty asked scratching his head.

"Simple, the woman hired Anya specifically." Bellamy answered.

"But if she's the one who hired Anya, how is Raven going to pass as Anya? Surely she knows how she looks like?" Jasper asked.

"She may have hired Anya, but being in this line of work, Anya changes her appearance accordingly. She never wears the same look twice. Which is why Raven should not have any problems."

"Right, got it." Raven nodded.

"Raven needs to pretend that she managed to assassinate her target, in order to fool Hunt. That is why we need to work behind the scene and support her. Got it?"

"Yes." Everyone sounded, that is, everyone besides Lincoln who just sat in his chair playing with his knife.

"Then let's get started. Jasper, I need you to provide Raven with some of your magic potions. We need to knock her target out and stop his heart, to fool everyone of his death. You've got anything up for it?" Bellamy barked.

Jasper looked excited at the mention of potions, and his eyes promised something mischievous.

"Oh, I think I've got the perfect thing. Come on, Rav, time to have some fun."

Shaking her head and smiling, Raven followed the man in goggles into his secret lab.

"Monty, I need all the cameras ready." Bellamy continued to bark.

"Already on it, Cap."

Turning around, he talked to Clarke and Lincoln.

"Lincoln, you need to stay here. Your face is probably not the most welcomed in public events like these."

"Fine with me, mate." He shrugged. "I've got better things to do than play babysitter, not really my thing." And he winked.

"Clarke, I need you to change." Bellamy said.

"I need to what?" Clarke spurted out.

"Look, I'm still Bellamy Blake, the wayward son of you know who. And it just happens that you are my plus one tonight."

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that? Since when?"

"Since now."

"You know, you could have simply asked me nicely."

"She's got a point, mate."

"Oh, shut it, Lincoln. Well? Are you simply going to stand there or don't you need to wash your hair or something, whatever it is your women folk does?"

"My hair is fine. Fetch me in 30." And with that, Clarke turned her heels and walked away. Okay, we can do this. It's just a date. A fake date. Not even a date, a mission. Right, focus, Clarke mumbled by herself as she walked away.

"As lovely as you look right now, I hope you are equipped with more than that fine dress of yours?" Bellamy whispered in her ear as he had his hand on her bare back, guiding her through the entrance.

"Don't insult my professionalism. I know what I am doing." Clarke said underneath her smiling face.

"I really hope you do. The metal detectors and x-rays are very thorough during events like this." Bellamy continued to whisper.

They both went through security, and passed without further notice.

"Would you care to share, how you just did that?" Bellamy asked surprised as Clarke stuffed a mini handgun in her clutch.

In reply Clarke smiled mischievously. She pointed at a man in his forties.

"See that man?" Clarke asked.

Bellamy nodded.

"Well, he has rather large pockets, don't you think? Anyway, I simply burrowed some of that space before we went through the security. And besides, see this?" opening her clutch to show him the small weapon, "it's not made off metal. I had Monty have a 3D printed version ready. "

"Clever, girl."

"What, you thought just because I'm blonde I need to act blonde?" Clarke sounded offended.

"No, that's not what I meant. Clarke I…"

But he did not get to finish as they saw Raven pass them without giving them any indication of knowing them. Instead Bellamy simply said:

"Time to move." To which Clarke nodded, and they were on their way.

"Oh, I'm sorry…"Clarke looked up and was startled to see who it was that she had bumped into. Considering everything, maybe not so coincidental after all.

"Hi Clarke, you look beautiful." Collins helped her to steady herself. Damn gown, too long, and these heels were like walking on stilts.

"Ah, erm. Fancy seeing you here, Collins." Clarke offered a nervous smile. Looking around, trying to find Bellamy. Diverting these two from clashing was her top priority. They could not risk to mess up this chance, not with Raven's life on the line.

"Please Clarke, call me Finn. You have no problem calling Bellamy by his first name." He said it casually, but his eyes reflected something else. He was still hurt.

"Co…Finn. Thank you. It was nice seeing you, but I'm on duty, really. Despite all this" she made a gesture over her get up.

"Clarke, wait!" Still holding her wrist.

"Look, I know things got a bit awkward between us. I really never should have forced you to tell us about those things." Relaxing a bit, Clarke waited until he let her wrist go.

"Finn, it's alright. Like you said, you only feel better after you've told someone. Well, now everyone knows and it's alright. If someone were to ask for forgiveness it's me. I should never have lashed out on you like that. It's not like you had anything to do with it." Clarke said with a genuine smile for once.

"Clarke!" She could hear Bellamy summoning her again. With an apologetic smile towards Finn she turned around, but he grabbed her hand again. Surprised by the touch, Clarke turned around to face him.

"Clarke, there's something you should know. I…"

But he never got to finish as Bellamy made his presence known. And Bellamy did not miss the locked hands, and simply came around and put his arms around Clarke's waist, pulling her towards him.

"Finn." Bellamy gave Finn a curt nod.

"Bellamy". Finn mirrored Bellamy's action and dropped Clarke's hand like he had burnt himself.

Sensing this was an alpha male territory thing, Clarke tried to pry Bellamy's finger from her body. But the more she struggled, the tighter got his embrace.

"I heard you got a new job." Bellamy started.

"Yes, Diana is the most gracious boss I've had. Not like the previous one, pretentious fool. All he did was to lie, cheat and stab me in the back." Finn said sharply.

"Oh, my heart bleeds. I heard Diana likes obedience. And what else is more obedient than a god forsaken stray dog?"

The tension between the two intensified. Clarke could not really care less, what was going on between these two. But they could not lash out on each other here, tonight.

"Better dog than a confused boy who finds solace in any woman's bosom thinking it's his mothers'."

"At least I didn't sell my soul to the devil to be used as a pretty puppet to be displayed about."

"You want to speak about morals? How about this, stealing your best friend's girl is very moralizing?"

"ENOUGH!" Clarke shouted.

"I'm nobody's property. Finn, Bellamy didn't steal me. I left you. And you!" turning around she face Bellamy. "get your head out of your ass and focus. We are not here to exchange pleasantries. " She gave him a stern look.

Looking at both of them, she finally heaved a big sigh and left them to be. Catching a waiter, she grabbed a champagne glass and swallowed the entire content in one go.

"I don't believe my eyes, isn't it the princess!"

Clarke turned around following the voice and paired it together with one of the security guards wearing a wolfish grin. Smiling, she walked towards him and his companion.

"Miller! Atom!" Clarke ran into their embraces.

"Easy there hon, the prince can still see us."

"Ugh." Releasing both the guys, she could not stop smiling.

"We've missed you from morning practice. Though I can see why you'd choose to stay in bed, rather than muck on the dirt with us." Atom winked and directed his gaze to Bellamy.

Clarke could not stand it and gave him a friendly shove making him take a step or two back.

"Hey, don't be a douche simply because you're jealous." Miller continued. "Clarke was doing a great job and got promoted."

"Thank you, Miller."

"But between us girls, between 1to10, how is he? In bed that is?"

"MILLER!" Clarke shouted a bit too loud. The surrounding guests looked over curiously. Atom gently covered Clarke's mouth.

Like hell, and she bit him, making him release a noise awfully similar to a 10 year old girl's.

Which made them all laughing.

"Honestly, princess, now that you are glued to the prince, living up in the castle and all, don't forget us, stables boys. Do come and visit from time to time." Miller told her.

"Can't wait to get your asses beaten by a chick, huh?" Clarke asked playfully.

"Don't insult me. As a knight, I would rather be beaten to with an inch of my life, than lay my hand on a fair maiden such as you." Atom said with a bad imitation of British accent.

"Ah, as much as I loved to spend my time here with you guys, I believe our liege is looking for me."

Clarke gave them another bear hug, and walked towards Bellamy, who looked pretty pissed. She could literally see the smoke coming off his nostrils and ears. Grabbing another glass of whatever, she reminded herself that this was her job.

She had not realized this before, but she had really been missing these two big guys. Miller and Atom reminded her of her other foster siblings at a time. They saw her as one of them, no prejudice on her sex or size. She also noticed how much she had changed these past months. Before, she could not stand human touch, now here she was having a hugging party. Smiling, she shook her head and prepared herself for more of Bellamy's barkings.

"You shouldn't be here."

"Where else would I be?"

"Just leave."

"Anya, darling, stop act like a brat."

"I'm not a brat!"

"Oh really? Then why won't you look at me?"

"One reason, I can't stand your face. Sorry, I've got no control over my gag-reflexes."

"Oh, honey I've heard worse."

Lincoln finally settled himself in front of Anya. Holding her tiny hand in his, his thumb began to stroke the back of her hand. Chained as she was, she could not cringe from his touch. And decided to ignore him instead.

"Are you here to kill me?" Anya asked weakly.

Lincoln did not reply, simply continued with the strange caressing on her hand.

"I know it's our rule. Never get caught. If caught, kill ourselves or be killed. But…"

There was a moment where Lincoln stopped moving entirely. Gulping Anya said:

"Can you be quick?"

"Do you think that little of me?"

"Yes."

Standing up, Lincoln started pacing in the small confined place.

"The truth is I've tried stop thinking about you. But I just can't." He finally let out.

"What are you playing at? Is this what I think it is?"

"Take as you want, love, but there is a reason to all this, and I cannot disclose to you what it is."

"Oh, just stop it, your fool! You honestly believe I'll fall for all this sad-puppy-eyes love confession kind of scene? You broke my heart once, and that was enough already. Now you want to play with my head to satisfy your sadistic fantasies!"

"But that's good."

"Good? Dear god, you're impossible!"

"It's good that your heart is broken. If it's broken, it means that it still works."

They both just stared at each other.

"You turned your back on me when I needed you the most." Anya finally whispered.

Closing in, so that his face was barely inches from hers, he grabbed her chin and forced her to look into his eyes.

"Good things must come to an end."

And he kissed her hard. Anya struggled, clenching her teeth but he was relentless, forcing his way into her mouth. But she would not give up, biting his tongue, he finally broke the kiss. By this time, both their lips were more or less bruised.

"I'll let you in on a little secret. There's a whole world out there waiting for you. Great cities and art and music…genuine beauty. Don't look for me again."

And with that Lincoln left her. Looking down, she realized he had undone her chain. Wiping a tear, she removed her earring and left it on the table before leaving.

NOTES

My beloved readers, it's been awhile hasn't it? I hope everything is all well. It's a new year and a lot of things have/will happen. The reason for my lack of update, is LIFE. But to reassure you guys, I've only got one more exam this month, and there's a WHOLE month of non-exams (who said there's glory in med-studies?). Pretty awesome, because that means that you will get more Bellarke, yaaaay!

I hope you like the develop of this chapter, the plot is finally unfolding..ish. Well, all the players are now presented.

Till next time,

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