'It looks like Rosar proved her worth.' Indra said to Lexa.
They were perched on the end of a tall cliff face looking down at the river where the Azgeda raider party had gathered. It had been one of the main gangs organising the theft of the supply runs and that had targeted TonDC and the drop ship, where some of Skaikru still remained.
'Are you sure about this?' Indra asked.
'Are you questioning my decisions once more, Indra?' Lexa challenged coldly.
'Of course not, Heda.' Indra said, inclining her head slightly.
Indra pulled the bottles of alcohol out of her horse's satchel and handed five to Lexa.
'Clarke said they would be highly flammable.' Lexa reminded her.
'Good.'
Indra soon started a small fire and they both stuffed cloths which hung out of the bottle and lit the ends of them. They lobbed each bottle over the cliff face but beyond the Azgeda warriors and into the long glass where the flames quickly penned them in.
Lexa and Indra both stood calmly and raised their bows picking off the Azgeda soldiers one by one. There were screams of fury but they realised too late what was happening as one by one they fell. The fire never risked hurting them as the wet rocks stopped it advancing but they remained trapped. One soldier desperately fired his own arrow towards them but it missed Lexa by six feet and bounced off the cliff face. At this angle and height, they were safe.
Lexa granted Indra the privilege of finishing the remaining warriors before climbing back upon her horse.
'This group may be finished but there are still many more of them.'
Lexa nodded.
'Abby will have something to say of this.' Indra warned her.
'I am Heda. Let her challenge me.'
Maya's rock music was booming throughout the car and Jasper wondered vaguely whether anyone could hear them as they sang at the top of their voices. Once the song was over, Jasper turned to mute the music.
'Maya did have a good taste in music.' Monty said sadly.
'She did.' Jasper agreed and he shot Monty a curious look. 'What's going on with you?'
'What do you mean?' Monty deflected.
'I mean we're sat in the middle of the road in the middle of the day-'
'We can't go anywhere else because of Azgeda.' Monty pointed out. 'And it is my day off.'
'How's Harper?'
'She's-'
'She's what?' Jasper asked, laughing when Monty abruptly closed his mouth and leaned forward.
Jasper followed his vision nervously and swore when he saw a small boy in the road up ahead.
'Go.' Jasper told Monty.
'He's lying down! He could be hurt!'
'Trust me, he isn't, Monty! Just go!'
Monty swore loudly and went to pull the handbrake down but both of the front doors opened and they were pulled out. Jasper was thrown to the ground and Monty was slammed into the dirt next to him a second later.
'Take what they have!' The warrior shouted.
Monty struggled to sit up.
'Ice Nation?' He asked Jasper under his breath, not looking up.
'Yes,' the warrior sneered, kneeling down to Monty's level, 'Ice Nation.'
The warrior's lank hair dropped down to his eyes and he bared his teeth like a panther, his mouth full of fuzzy yellow teeth. He had white scars running down both sides of his temple and Jasper swallowed nervously but the warrior soon stood up and watched his men work.
'Just stay quiet and we should be okay.' Jasper whispered.
It had not been the first time he had experienced this. The first time he'd tried to plead with them to stop but he'd been headbutted in the face with the base of an axe. It found it slightly unfair when Raven had yelled a lot more than he had but he did learn that staying quite increased the odds of survival.
'Jasper, we can't let them strip the car. You've just gotten those supplies.'
'So we'll get some more.' Jasper whispered, trying to convey that they needed to shut up.
Azgeda took no time in taking everything out of the car. They even smashed the windows at each side for good measure and Monty and Jasper both flinched as glass was sprayed down upon them. The warriors gave a loud bark of laugh at their fear.
'You can't keep doing this!' Monty shouted as they made to leave but the leader with the yellow teeth hissed in delight and Monty couldn't help buit recoil.
'Azgeda does what it desires.'
He swiftly kicked out and his foot connected heavily with Jasper throwing him face down in the dirt.
'No!' Monty shouted but another warrior tackled him and held him down on the ground.
Jasper struggled for air as kicks and punches were sent into him with ferocious pride. Each mark left would be a sign of Azgeda's strength, he knew. He was kicked again and he found himself rolling over twice. He tried to raise himself but his hands shook and he collapsed back in the dirt. He could feel salivia or possibly blood fall from his mouth onto the ground. Trying to keep his eyes open was an impossible task. Monty looked so worried but his voice and cries were fading. Jasper grunted with each new blow and all he wanted was for the pain to stop.
'What happened?' Clarke demanded as she ran down the steps to Monty who was pulling an unconscious Jasper out of the rover.
'Azgeda.' Monty panted as they heaved him up the stairs.
Raven quickly broke off her conversation with Zoran to go to them and Nyko hurried over too.
'Oh my God.' Raven muttered, taking in Jasper's beaten face.
Clarke quickly examined Jasper. His body was covered in bruising and he did let out a groan when Clarke pushed on his abdomen. His shoulder had been dislocated too. Clarke felt Monty hover over her and turned to face him, pushing him away from the bed.
'Go in the back, Monty.'
'I can't leave him.' Monty cried.
'You have to. You're going to be in the way and I'm going to end up distracted because I'm worried about how you're coping.' Clarke told him gently.
Clarke knew how hard this was for him. He looked distraught but Clarke needed to do this as much for Monty's sake as it was for her own.
'Clarke is right. Let her focus.' Nyko said gently.
Monty stared at Jasper for a long moment. It was with a look of guilt that he carried as he headed to the back room.
'Nyko, can you hold him steady?' Clarke asked.
'Of course.'
Nyko gripped Jasper so firmly it was as if he had been held in a vice. Clarke gripped the hand of his dislocated arm and looked at Nyko. He nodded to signal he was ready and she pulled up his arm sharply, twisting it slightly until there was a loud crunch and it was back in place. She checked the pulse in his arm to confirm there was adequate blood flow before stepping back. The least serious problem had been taken care of.
Nyko quickly mixed the coagulant solution and poured it down Jasper's throat as Clarke inserted a cannula in his arm. He gagged slightly but fell back unconscious once more as soon as it had been drained.
Nyko ripped off Jasper's shirt and Clarke looked down with a strained expression at the bruising. She pulled out a needle and tubing from the supply drawer and shot Raven a look of pain.
'What is it?' Raven asked quickly.
'I need your blood.' Clarke asked desperately. 'I would do it myself but Ontari's-'
'It's okay. I understand. I'll do it.' Raven said, her gaze set determinedly as she rolled up her sleeve and offered her arm to Clarke.
Clarke quickly threaded the needle into Raven's vein and connected the tubing to the cannula connected to Jasper. Clarke watched as Raven's red blood made its way to Jasper's body. It reminded her, sickeningly, of the Mountain Men but this was to save Jasper, she tried to remind herself and it was also with Raven's consent.
'What if I'm the wrong blood type?' Raven asked quietly.
The only system to check blood type remained in Arkadia but Clarke had few options available right now.
'He dies.' Clarke said simply. 'But if he doesn't get blood he'll die anyway. His abdomen is rigid. His body risks shutting down. He needs blood and bad blood is worth the risk.'
'I'll keep an eye on running things here, Clarke. You watch Jasper.' Nyko offered and she smiled in thanks.
Clarke grabbed two chairs from the desks in the far corner where the radio was held and pulled them over the Raven where they both sat watching Jasper.
His face was clammy and drawn and Clarke found herself wondering absurd things such as whether she could remember what colour Jasper's eyes were. She'd only spoken to him this morning. She rubbed her forehead, hoping to ease some of the tension.
'Let me know if you start to feel dizzy.' Clarke said and Raven shot her an incredulous look. 'I'm serious.'
'I'll be fine, Clarke.' Raven dismissed.
Clarke sighed and turned back to Jasper.
'Reminds me of when we first landed.' Clarke admitted.
She'd done everything she could to save Jasper then. She would not give up on him now.
'A lot has changed.' Raven replied.
'Not that much.' Clarke countered. 'We're still killing each other.'
'Chancellor.' Abby greeted teasingly as she entered their quarters but Kane's expression was grim. 'What is it?'
'Harper and Miller were-'
'What did they find this time?' Abby asked, cutting him off quickly.
'By the river there was a slaughtered gang of Azgeda raiders. Maybe two dozen. There were covered in arrow wounds and the grass around them had been scorched.'
'What does that mean?'
'They were trapped by flames.'
'While they were camping?' Abby asked, shocked. 'They weren't even attacking anyone?'
'No,' Kane sighed, 'but sooner or later they would have.'
'A lot of these raiders lost everything thanks to Clarke and Lexa's decision. They lost their homes and their families. They're trying to make a life.'
'By taking the lives of others.' Kane pointed out.
'We don't actually know that though because once again they were killed when they thought they were safe. This wasn't a combat kill.'
'Abby,' Kane groaned and he stretched his hand out and she took it and sat beside him on the bed, 'we'll fix this.'
'How?'
'We keep working, we keep trying, we keep going for peace. It's the best we've got.' Kane said, kissing her lightly.
'When did you become the optimist?'
'When we made it to the ground.' Kane smiled, kissing her again.
Clarke looked back to Jasper's bruising. She grabbed a BP cuff and quickly checked his blood pressure which was still incredibly low. She thought with Nyko's treatment and Raven's blood that he would have started to improve.
'What do you need to do?' Raven asked.
Clarke swallowed nervously.
'You've got that look. The one where something awful is about to happen but you're just going to get it over with.' Raven said.
'I need to repair the damage. He's not improving. There must be a significant tear or damage still causing blood loss.' Clarke said with an edge.
'Surgery?'
Clarke nodded.
'How?' Raven asked, aghast.
'You did it.' Clarke said, her eyes never leaving Jasper.
'I was in a hell of a lot better state.' Raven retorted.
'If we do nothing, he will die.' Clarke said finally turning to Raven. 'This will fix him.'
'Clarke-'
'We need to tie him down.' Clarke said, ignoring her protests. 'He could wake from the pain of surgery and if he moves it could cause more damage.'
Clarke ran to the cabinet and pulled out the spare belts from the clothes they had collected from those patients they had lost and she began to tie Jasper's limbs to the bed.
The radio cackled to life.
'Clinic outpost, do you read?'
Clarke looked across at the radio as Harper's voice echoed across the room. Raven made to go but stopped when she felt the tubing pull and so it was Nyko who took the message. Clarke continued to make sure that Jasper was securely fastened to the bed as Nyko made his way over.
'Azgeda have been reported as engaging in high activity in the area. One of their gangs was slaughtered.' Nyko told them.
Clarke glanced to Jasper. They couldn't move him. If the raiders wanted to cause trouble they would surely head to the clinic but they would have just have to meet that situation if it presented itself to them. For now she could only afford to focus on Jasper.
'What is going on?' Nyko asked, concerned as he looked over the restraints.
'She's operating.' Raven responded in a quiet voice.
'I'm saving him.' Clarke corrected.
'Maybe you can't.' Raven said, her voice rising.
Clarke hesitated, bringing her gaze to meet Raven's. They were both so used to losing people but Jasper would pull through this. He'd survived a spear to the chest when they had no equipment. She could do this.
'This will work, Raven.' Clarke promised her vehemently
Jasper groaned into the room and Clarke jumped in shock.
'Don't I get a say?' He muttered.
Clarke leaned over the bed and smiled, so relieved that he had regained some consciousness but her heart dropped when she realised what that meant: he would be awake for the surgery.
'This is your best chance, Jasper. We have to find a way to stop the bleeding.' Clarke said, fighting back tears. 'You're strong. You can get through it.'
Jasper stared into Clarke's eyes and she found herself feeling small at his intensity. She'd been so surprised when Jasper had decided to help them here but that was initially because he felt lost at Arkadia. The basic medical skills Jackson and Abby had passed on had given him a sense of purpose but he still longed for a place he could feel at home.
He had actually laughed here. He'd joked with Raven and he'd even formed a bond with Nyko who had terrified him at first. Jasper's hostility towards her had also diminished greatly when he was allowed to see Clarke how her mother had intended her to be: a healer and not a leader. Jasper had been more like his old self than ever. The weight of his grief was still with him and that was something Clarke knew never really went away. They had simply learnt to carry their grief with them. Yet he had smiled and joked, and he spent all of his free time joking with Monty on the radio. Clarke swore that's why Monty insisted that they end up with a communications system in the first place.
Jasper had helped Clarke's own pain of being away from Lexa and of losing her home at Polis. It had almost reminded her of the days at the drop ship when they were truly all in it together.
'Then let's do it.' He said, his voice weak.
'Jasper-'
Jasper silenced Raven with a tender look. He seemed so vulnerable and yet there was strength there that Clarke had not noticed before.
'I know what this means but Clarke,' Jasper said turning to her, 'if this doesn't work out, if you can't fix me, it's okay. Let me go.'
'You're going to be okay.' Clarke promised and she avoided Raven's gaze as they both remembered how she had promised that about Finn.
Nyko set up a tray or sterile equipment that they had taken from Arkadia, the grounders and even some tools Raven had created. Clarke grabbed the sharpest and slimmest blade and turned to Jasper. He eyed it nervously but Clarke saw the commitment etched upon his features.
'I have to tell you something.' He confessed quietly.
'What is it?' Clarke asked in surprise.
'I took Finn's ashes. I dropped them...at the drop ship. I was mad at you.'
Clarke hesitated slightly before looking at Raven who did not seem at all surprised.
They were not Jasper's to take. Whatever happened between them it wasn't up to Jasper to make such a call. Clarke forced calmness through herself. She needed to focus and Jasper was terrified. He needed her.
'It's okay. I understand.' Clarke said shakily.
Jasper exhaled loudly and nodded.
'Let's get this over with.' He muttered, turning his gaze to the ceiling.
Clarke swallowed back her nerves. She had done this before. This was no different. He was awake but tied down. It needed to be done. Clarke lowered the blade to his stomach and began to make her first incision. Jasper screamed in agony and Nyko stepped forward to pull back the flesh so Clarke could examine the organs. Raven pulled a face of disgust at the sight.
Jasper wretched slightly and Raven quickly moved towards his head and turned it so that he would vomit to the side if need be but he managed to resist and let out a piercing scream again. Clarke turned her head as her tears fell, trying not to contaminate the field. She took a deep breath before turning back and as Nyko opened him up wider, blood began to pool and spill onto the floor.
Jasper gasped before falling unconscious again. Clarke's relief at that Jasper was no longer in pain was soon erased by the amount of damage he had sustained in the brutal attack. He must have been kicked at least a dozen times. Even with Nyko's treatment, the blood was spilling out of Jasper. She grabbed the thread that they had pulled from fabrics to make do as stitches, and the surgical tools to begin to repair the damage.
She could feel the beads of sweat on her forehead and her shirt stuck to her back. It was as much due to the lights and stuffy climate of the room as it was to her terror. Nyko remained a soothing presence, ever stoic and carrying out all of his tasks diligently. She knew Skaikru medicine was new to him but he trusted Clarke's judgement after he had witnessed her save Lincoln.
Her hands slid over the blood and his intestines as she searched desperately for any further damage to repair. As darkness fell, Raven dragged the overhead light so it shone down on Clarke. They rarely used power in the night unless it was in an emergency. The power packs on Skaikru were mostly used for the radio and they were switched off when night arrived unless they received a sudden influx of patients.
Raven had almost fallen as she stepped backwards from the light. Clarke immediately ordered Raven to take a break from giving blood. Raven had protested but Clarke had told her that he'd received enough for now. It was only Nyko's agreement that had silenced Raven temporarily. Raven had not left to rest though, despite Clarke's urges, and she looked almost as clammy as Jasper as she stood watching their work.
Clarke had by now split most of his chest open. Raven had been forced to look away once more as Clarke stretched the incisions. She understood Raven's repulsion at the act. It must seem monstrous to be butchering a friend like this to someone who had little medical experience.
'Clarke,' Nyko said but Clarke was lost in her concentration so he muttered her name more loudly.
Clarke finally looked up to him and Nyko held Jasper's hand up to the light. Blood was oozing from his finger tips.
Clarke instantly tried to feel for a pulse. She swallowed thickly as she waited but still there was nothing. She dropped his wrist after several seconds.
'No.' Clarke gasped.
Clarke moved to Jasper's left side and buried her hands within his chest until she found his heart and she began to administer compressions directly.
'Clarke!' Raven cried.
Monty ran out of the back as Raven's voice had carried.
'What is it?' He asked and he stared down at Jasper, fear covering his features and Clarke looked away as she continued to massage his heart.
'Clarke, he's gone.' Raven cried.
Clarke shook her head as her tears fell freely onto Jasper.
'Clarke, please, just stop.' Raven sobbed.
Monty stood frozen but Nyko stepped forward and placed his hand on Clarke's arm and she slowly pulled herself out from his chest, her arms soaked in his blood.
Clarke couldn't look down at Jasper's face. She stared into the grief of Raven's face and glanced at Monty. He stood shell shocked. He'd lost his father and had been forced to kill his mother but Jasper was like his brother. He thought Jasper would always, always be with him.
'I'm sorry, Monty.' Clarke croaked.
Clarke raised her hand to wipe her tears but dropped it promptly at the sight of Jasper's blood. She wanted to run and bathe herself and scrub herself clean of every piece of Jasper but she also longed to dive upon him once more and try to squeeze life back into his heart. It was Jasper. It couldn't be Jasper who had died.
Nyko stepped forward and reached under the bed for Jasper's shirt they had removed. He lay it on Jasper so that it covered his open chest.
'Yu gonplei ste odon.' Nyko murmured.
Author's Note: Sorry guys! RIP J boy. I had decided Jasper's fate a long time ago. I didn't want his story to get completely resolved where he found his way back perfectly to the guy he was in s1. He had made some sort of peace with the ground and with himself but he never truly felt happy. He still felt the grief but he was working through it. I know some might have wanted him to either go back and or completely descend into grief again but I quite like a bit of nuance. Jasper was a really complicated character and as detached as he was from a lot of the 100 at this point, it'll be a death that really hits home for them all. But in happy news at least Lexa got to kick yet more Azgeda ass without even breaking a sweat!
