The Ring Chapter 37

The people stared in shock when the rover barreled through the gates. They hadn't seen the rover in 6 years and never dreamed they would ever see it again.

Clarke skidded to a stop as the black powdery dust kicked up under its tires. She didn't notice how grounders now intermixed with Arkadians, her only thought was getting the injured to medical; ignoring the stares from the people around her. "That's Clarke Griffin," she heard someone say. Clearly they still knew who she was.

It was like a vacuum; she heard people talking to her but she didn't hear what was being said. There was no time for pleasantries. That could wait. Two stretchers took Bellamy and Madi straight to Medical, Clarke and Octavia were in lock step with them. The people knew Octavia and some still feared her. Seeing her return to Arkadia was met with mixed emotions. Her brutality in the bunker was not forgotten, still she was considered their commander by Trikru and it held weight, but Octavia didn't care about any of that. Right now her only concern was for her brother. She brushed off any advances made by the grounders that tried to greet her. Only when Indra stepped up, she acknowledged her.

Clarke followed the stretchers into medical and Abby wrapped her arms around her. "Clarke?" Abby said pulling away from her. She questioned her again. "Clarke?"

Clarke looked at her mom. "Mom?" She asked and the tears began to flow. It was a river of emotions she had held in for days…for years.

"It's okay," Abby said.

Clarke looked at her mother and then past Abby's shoulder at Madi and Bellamy lying on the stretchers in the room just past her. Clarke began to shake.

"Marcus," Abby called out and Kane rushed over. "Take her to my office," Abby said

"No," Clarke argued "I need to help," she said and suddenly the room echoed and began to spin.

"Clarke you need to rest," Abby said, "You can't be here," she ordered and Clarke stumbled. Marcus caught her. "That's it," he said and lifted her into his arms and carried her away. Clarke protested but sheer exhaustion and stress won.

Madi's injury needed little more than cleaning and packing the wound. Abby gave Jackson charge of the girl and it was easy to see Madi was a nightblood. That revelation answered some of the looming questions as to where the girl had come from.

Abby had Harper assist on treating Bellamy. "He's lost too much blood," Abby said shaking her head. She looked up at Octavia. "I'm going to do everything I can," she said. Octavia's eyes met hers and she just nodded, but the fear was clear on Octavia's face.

The blood donors lined up. Murphy and Raven made sure there was more than enough. Outside the medical doors; Murphy, Emori, Monty and Raven stayed and wouldn't leave.

"You should get some rest," Marcus told them, but they wouldn't budge, even Murphy refused. "I gave that son of a bitch my blood and I need to make sure it doesn't go to waste," he said.

Marcus gave a half smile and turned to go check on Clarke.

Octavia stood at the head of Bellamy's bed. She wasn't going to leave his side, and Abby knew better than to force the issue.

It was as if she was holding her breath, afraid to exhale, afraid to relax. Every muscle in her body was tense.

Hours passed and Abby was exhausted when she tied the last suture. "Is he going to be okay?" Octavia asked

"Well," Abby said "He lost a lot of blood, and we did everything we could. It's up to him now," she said "You should get some sleep. We'll call you if anything changes."

Octavia looked down at Bellamy and then moved to the wall and sunk to the floor. "I'm not leaving," she said as she leaned her back against the wall.

Abby looked at Harper. She was tired. "You did good Harper" Abby said with a tight smile, "Go let your friends know how he's doing, and get some rest yourself. Be back here first thing in the morning."

Harper nodded. "You think he's going to be okay?" she asked with worry as she laid her hand on Bellamy's.

"He's weak, but he's a fighter," Abby said. "I think he's got a good chance."

Harper nodded and left.

Abby looked at Jackson. "I'm going to see my daughter," she said as she washed her hands. "Let me know if anything changes," she said.

When Abby walked into her office, she saw Madi curled on the floor in front of the sofa that held a passed out Clarke.

There was so much she wanted to ask, but it could wait. Marcus walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his chin on her shoulder, both looking at the sleeping duo. "Come on," he whispered pulling her back from the doorway. He spun her gently around. "You need to rest too," he said "She's not going anywhere," he reassured her. Abby knew he was right, but the urge to stay was strong. She didn't want to let Clarke get out of her sight. Abby wondered about the small child and how she had come to in Clarkes charge. The answers would come, but first everyone needed to rest and recharge.

"How's Bellamy?" asked Marcus

"I did the best I could. I got him through the surgery, but he lost so much blood. We'll just have to monitor him and hope," Abby said with concern to her tone.

"Octavia wouldn't leave. She's on the floor next to his bed," she said

Marcus glanced towards the door. "Murphy, Raven, Monty they're the same," Marcus said with admiration "6 years in space; I guess made them a real family," he said "I couldn't get them to leave either."

"I'll let them in for just a minute," Abby said. Marcus nodded his approval.

The two went to the hall and found them sitting there; backs against the wall, even Harper still hadn't left. She sat next to Monty, her head on his shoulder. She was exhausted, but still elected to sit and wait with the others.

The minute Abby and Marcus opened the door, the small group rose quickly to their feet.

"Is he awake?" Raven asked "Is he going to be okay?"

Abby raised both hands to quiet them.

"Hold on," Abby started shaking her head "He hasn't woken up yet, and it may be awhile, but…I'll give you all 5 minutes; that's it," she said and stepped aside.

The five filed in and Abby stopped Harper, who was going in with Monty. "5 minutes," Abby reminded her "You're on duty in the morning and I need you rested,"

"Yes mame'," Harper nodded.

Abby watched as the group stood over her patient. Monty looked down at him; turned and embraced Harper in a comforting hug. Raven looked down on Bellamy and stroked his cheek, before wiping a tear from her own. She smiled and whispered something before kissing him softly on the forehead.

Murphy said nothing. He had a dark brooding look and glanced around at the others before looking at Bellamy. He quickly turned and left without saying a word. Emori was right behind him.

"You're right," Abby said quietly to Marcus; "They're a family."

Finally she made the rest go. "You'll tell us when he wakes up, wont you?" Monty asked.

"Yes I promise," Abby said.