Nyx POV

We arrived shortly before dinner and I pulled off to the side of the inner gate and allowed the transport and escort by as I waited for Seph and Cora to descend the tower. As soon as she neared, I pulled her to me and hugged her roughly. She hugged me back just as fiercely and we just stood there for a moment, thankful that we were both still alive. I let her go and hugged Cora just as tightly. She gave out a squeak of surprise and then she was hugging me back. I let her go reluctantly.

"I'm glad you're back safe and sound, Sis," Seph said, the weight of everything still laying heavy on her shoulders.

"I am, too," I replied. "The fools didn't even try to hide their trail. I think they figured that no one would be able to pick up their scent or find the bomb fragments."

"They didn't count on you though, did they."

I smirked and replied, "They sure as hell didn't. I think they expected me to be there instead of Dani."

"So, the attempt was to take you and Lexa out," Cora asked.

I looked over at her and nodded, "Yes, but I'll explain it at the Council meeting. Seph, for all intents and purposes you are now my Second. I know that this is not something that is in your wheelhouse, but you're the only one trained here. Cora, you are to stick to her like a burr. Neither one of you goes out without the other, understood."

She nodded fearfully.

"So, what's the plan," Seph asked.

"Right now, I plan on seeing my women. I need you to check and see how our technos are doing with the shield. Once, that's completed, I'm putting the ward and shield in place immediately. Then food and rest. I'm tired as fuck and I need it. Everything else can wait until morning."

"Good," she replied, "I've set up a large house for the Council. They're tucked in nice and safe."

"Good. Do I have a roster of all the guards that are now residing in the camp?"

"Yeah, it's in your office, ready for you. I've already started on it, but I want you to double check it for me. I've got three chefs working for the guards. One for the Council and I've brought in a second for the compound. I've got double guards patrolling the bunker, compound, and Council house. Triple on the wall."

I smiled, "Glad I left this place in capable hands. You're doing well."

She blushed and replied, "Now go. See your women. Everything will wait until morning."

I hugged them both and got back on my bike and headed straight for the bunker. I was admitted with no hinderance, which I frowned at. I'd have to speak with the C.O.s about that. I followed my bonds and soon I was in front of the door to their hospital room. I took a deep shuddering breath and walked in.

Clarke and Scarlett looked up at the sound of the door opening. When they saw me, they leapt up and went straight for me and enveloped me in their arms. Their hands were all over me, making sure that I was unharmed. Kissing me like I'd been gone forever. When they finally settled down, I went to Lexa and Dani. I laid my hands gently on their own and nearly collapsed in relief when I saw that their bodies were nearly completely mended. I felt tears falling down my face and found a chair to collapse in.

"You kept them alive, Nyx," Clarke said softly as she pulled a chair right next me and Scarlett did the same.

"I promised you that I would," I replied, my voice thick with emotion. "I healed them enough that the other healers could finish the job without draining themselves. I kept up the healing until Seph let me know that they had arrived safely."

"How are you feeling," Scarlett asked as she laid a hand on my arm.

"Exhausted. Mentally and physically. That was the hardest thing I've ever done. Between healing them, informing the council, rooting out the traitors, search and rescue, interrogation, and making sure that all classified information had been found. I didn't stop until everyone had been found and either in the triage or locked up. It was brutal. Then the next day arrived. Executing the traitors, burying the dead, and letting the residents know they had to pack up to leave. Only then did I get the chance to properly eat and rest."

"And you built the road between the two cities," Clarke said completely awed. "Scared everyone on the wall when it suddenly appeared."

I snorted, "I expected as much. I also kept the mansion intact and moved the debris so that we could get to the people underneath. All without breaking a sweat, but I think my body is feeling the strain now that I'm not amped up on adrenaline."

"It probably is, sweetheart," Scarlett said as she brushed her fingers in my hair making me close my eyes at the feeling.

I sighed, "I won't really get a chance to slow down until we're completely shielded. I'll have council meetings to keep them informed and yours informed as well, Clarke. Then there's finishing up the second wall. Reinforcing the structurally sound homes. Fixing the ones that need work. Raiding Clifton's stores of all the food and bringing it here…"

"Hush," Clarke said as she laid a finger on my lips to keep me from talking. "It'll be done, but you can't do this all by yourself. We have people that can do a lot of that stuff. It can all wait."

I bowed my head and said quietly, "I know, but we're at the brink of war and I'm the one running the show."

"Sugar, don't put this all on yourself," Scarlett said. "You have people that want to keep your territory safe as much as you do. They're going to bust their balls to get it done. Your people are resilient and will come out stronger from this."

I sighed and sagged in the chair and gave her a smile, "You're going to have to keep telling me that, Scar."

She leaned down and kissed, "We both will. We'll take care of you."

I held her head down and kissed her more thoroughly and then repeated with Clarke. I could feel the tension leaving and I was beginning to have trouble staying awake.

"Is there a third bed in here," I asked.

Scar smiled and replied, "There is. Just on the other side of the curtain over there. Just go and lay down, get some sleep. We'll be here and will wake you if they need you."

I nodded and got out of the chair. Walking to the other side of the curtain, I carefully took of my boots, jacket, and pants and then crawled under the covers and I was gone.

I woke up to the sounds of voices murmuring on the other side of the curtain. I laid still as I listened to them speak.

"They should wake up in a couple of days," Abby said. "But they're still going to be hospital bound for a while yet."

"But they're going to be okay," Clarke asked.

"Yes. They'll have to go through extensive physical therapy to rebuild their strength. The healer that worked on them before Nyx arrived told me that they were in really bad shape. We have her to thank for getting them this far. It's now up to them to finish."

"Did you have a chance to look over Nyx?"

"She's fine. Dehydrated, exhausted. The type of signs you see from people that have done days of search, rescue and recovery. She just needs rest, food, and fluids."

"I can keep her fed and hydrated, but rest is going to be hard for her to find. There's a lot of work that needs to be done quickly. We'll help her as much as we can, but she's going to try and do everything herself."

"Tranq her if you need to. We can't afford to lose her due to exhaustion."

"She won't like that."

"No, she won't, but it's better than the alternative. I don't want to see her in this hospital again for a long time."

"Scarlett and I will make sure that doesn't happen."

"I know you girls will. Go, spend some time with Nyx, Clarke. I've got other patients to check on, but I'll be around if you need me."

"Thanks, Mom. For everything."

"You're welcome."

I heard the door open and close and then Clarke walking over to me. I sat up and smiled when I saw her.

She came over and gave me a hug and I pulled her up on the bed and held her.

"How long have you been awake," she asked.

I chuckled, "Long enough to know that you'll tranq me if I need it."

"We will if you don't listen to us when we tell you to stop."

"I know," I replied as I moved her hair aside and kissed her neck.

She leaned into me and tilted her head to give me better access. She moaned in pleasure when I nipped that sweet spot behind her ear. I moved my lips down the side of her neck and nipped the claiming spot.

"Don't you dare, Nyx Allistar," she said. "That's reserved."

I chuckled and licked where I had nipped, "I know, niron. It was just a nip."

"Smart," she said and then moaned when my hand cupped her breast and my thumb brushed her nipple.

I froze when I heard an unfamiliar sound. I motioned for Clarke to stay silent as I eased quietly out of bed. I pulled a knife slowly out of my jacket and walked around the curtain. I checked on Lexa and Dani to make sure that it wasn't coming from them and then made my way to the door. I listened and heard the sound growing louder and coming closer. I closed my eyes to better concentrate and I could hear the sound of boots marching quietly down the hallway, the sounds of weapons swinging at their movement. I backed away and headed back to Clarke and started dressing.

"Clarke, there are guards stationed outside the door," I asked her quietly.

"Yes, four of them. Why," she asked fearfully.

"There's a small detachment of guards making their way here, and I don't know why," I replied.

We looked at the door as the sound was finally recognizable to Clarke. She got out of the bed and crouched down in the corner to hide herself from whatever was about to enter the door. We both jumped when there was an abrupt knock on the door. I walked over to it as my hand gripped my knife tighter and opened it slightly to see the guard that knocked.

"My apologies, de Pakstoka," she said apologetically, "your personal guard has arrived."

I opened the door and scanned the small group that was standing in formation, "My what?!"

Lincoln stepped forward and replied, "Your personal guard, de Pakstoka."

I sighed angrily and sheathed my knife and said, "Who ordered this?"

"I did, de Pakstoka," he replied.

"And you feel it's necessary that I need to be protected by six guards," I asked icily.

"The pack is under threat, de Pakstoka," he replied calmly. "You need the protection."

"I understand that we are under threat, Lincoln. There is no need for a six man detail. I only need two."

"Maybe you do not grasp the severity of this situation, de Pakstoka."

I stood up straighter and approached him and very calmly replied, "I understand very well the severity of this, Lincoln. I will not be leaving the grounds anytime soon. The guards that have since arrived have been personally vetted by me. I am assuming that you have vetted the guards that have been stationed here. Am I correct in assuming so?"

"You are."

"So, explain to me why you feel it necessary to take six men from their posts to follow me around when all guards have been vetted and the shield is up."

"De Pakstoka, there are too many new arrivals to guarantee your safety," he explained.

"I see and have you also placed extra guards on my Second and Cora Allistar?"

"No, I have not."

"Were you intending to place additional guards on them?"

"No, I was not."

"So, just me then."

"Yes, de Pakstoka."

"So, the life of my Second and Second-in-training are expendable?"

"No, they are not, de Pakstoka."

I sighed, already frustrated at the prospect of how my day would turn out, I said, "Since you insist on six guards, Lincoln. Set up a rotation with these six and two of them will remain with me at all times. Understood."

He bowed his head and replied, "Understood."

"Perfect. Get to it and next time, Lincoln, discuss these things with me before implementing one of your ideas. I am not impressed by this display of thinking you know better than me," I said and abruptly turned around and closed the door.

I rolled my neck and shoulders as I eased the annoyance that was Lincoln Forrester. Clarke came up and hugged me and I relaxed into her arms.

"So, Lincoln being Lincoln," she asked.

I growled in irritation and replied, "Yeah. Just because I made him Head of Security for the camp, he thinks that I fall under his jurisdiction. That is Seph's job. She's my personal Head of Security, like I am for Lexa."

"Mm," she said. "Lexa and Dani seem to be doing fine, Nyx. It's safe enough for us to leave."

I stepped out of her arms and walked over to them. I gently caressed Lexa's face and smiled when I saw her lips twitch in response, but I sat down on Dani's bed and took her hand in mine. I gently removed the strands of hair from her face and ignored the fact that her face was mottled with bruises. I smiled fondly as I looked down at her and marveled how beautiful she is.

"You really love her, don't you," Clarke said from Lexa's bedside.

"I do. I think I've loved her from the very beginning. Lexa, too. I was drawn to them likes moths to a flame. I always thought Lexa burned brighter, but I may have been wrong."

"You wanted to claim her."

I nodded and my throat tightened with tears, "I did. I think I still do."

"Does she know?"

"No," I replied wiping away a tear. "When it comes to that kind of commitment or being someone's girlfriend, she's always shied away from it. So, I never pushed her. I just showed her that I loved her in a way that she would understand. She jokes and flirts the way she does but there's an underlying reason for it. She's afraid of rejection. To put her heart out on display like that. She's always been that way. I don't know why."

"She's afraid of being hurt."

"She is. I can understand why. When we pour our souls out and give it to another, we open ourselves up to all the vulnerabilities that we're afraid of. If that person that carries your soul ever hurts you or leaves you, it's devastating. Earth shattering and then you close yourself off so that you'll never hurt like that again. Then you begin to think that you don't deserve to be loved. That it's a myth. It's easy to believe that when there is so much hate in the world. You wonder how love could ever exist in such a place. As time passes, your heart hardens and you view the world not as it really is, but as you picture it as it should be because you are devoid of love. Then sometimes, it just takes one spark and it slowly breaks your thoughts and views, softens you, allows you to feel again, to hope. And you begin to think that maybe you were wrong. That love exists and the world changes around you as you take notice of the good and the love. Eventually, you see the world as it is. A beautiful chaotic world, where light will always battle darkness and that love can become yours again."

"What changed your way of thinking," she asked quietly, almost afraid of the answer.

I looked up at her and genuinely smiled and replied, "You did, Clarke. You showed me that I can love again. That the world isn't so cold and ruthless. You helped me find my way again."

"I did?"

"You did. You brought me to my greatest loves and I will forever be in your debt and I will always be yours beyond my last breath."

She walked around the bed and pulled me up. She gently cupped my head and her eyes searched mine. She gave me a faltering smile and then kissed me as if it was our first kiss. I laid my hands on her waist and poured my soul out to her and I knew that I would do the same for all of my loves. My soul was theirs as theirs were mine.

She ended the kiss and laid her head on my chest and I leaned down and kissed her head. We stood that way frozen in that moment in time and I didn't care if the world was crumbling around us. I just cared that Scarlett wasn't here with us, joining us in this moment.

I sighed when I heard my stomach grumbled and said, "Clarke, I hate for this moment to end, but I'm starving."

She chuckled and replied, "Then let's not keep de Pakstoka from her food. I hear she can turn ugly when she doesn't eat."

"There is evidence to support that," I said and smiled down at her.

She laughed and we left the room after we gave them one last kiss. I grumbled when my guards fell into step behind us, but Clarke distracted me enough that I was able to ignore my new shadows. I received the same treatment that Lexa had encountered on her visit here and I was already tired of it. We reached the compound and I laid my hand on the ward unlocking it. We walked through it and Clarke locked it back up. I left my guards standing outside my office and headed to the kitchen. We were greeted by the aromas of cooked food and hot drinks. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply and let out a satisfied sigh.

I walked over to the kitchen counter and piled two plates high and set them on the table. Clarke poured me some coffee and then herself some.

She laughed and said, "I'm not that hungry, love."

I swallowed a bit of sausage and replied, "Did you want a plate?"

"You mean that both plates are for you," she asked teasingly.

I blushed and replied, "Um, yeah. I could make you a plate real fast."

She put a hand on my arm, stopping me from getting up, "It's fine, sweetheart. I'll make my own plate."

She laughed to herself as she got up and fixed her a plate. Still chuckling to herself, she started eating. I shrugged and dug into my food. I was halfway through my second plate when Seph and Cora came in.

"Thought I'd find you here when you weren't in the hospital room," Seph said as she poured herself a cup.

I swallowed and asked, "Were you looking for me?"

"Yeah, I was. I just wanted to touch base with you," she said, taking a seat.

"Alright," I said and leaned back a bit to stretch. "What's on your mind?"

She looked worriedly down at her hands and would only glance up at me shortly before she turned them back to her hands. I sighed, leaned forward and took one of hers in mine.

"Just spit it out, Seph," I said, exuding calm. "The only thing that'll piss me off is if you tell me that you and Ben are running away together and leaving this all behind."

She looked up at me in shock and then blushed, "No, nothing like that. God, how can you even think that me and Ben, no. It's just…I don't feel like I can do this. Be your Second. I don't have the training or the years of experience. You should have Mom up here, not me."

"Seph. I know that you don't think you can do this, but you can. You have been. You can have all the training in the world and still not be able to do as well as you have. Training can only get you so far. We have to be intuitive, look beyond what's in front of our eyes, be willing to ask people for help, be willing to listen to what others tell us. We take in all of this information and then we plan and then execute the plan. I'm always questioning myself. Whether I made the right choice, did I do everything that I was supposed to do or all that I could do. After the joint council meeting, I was left with a bad feeling. Like something was off or disjointed. It could have been someone looking the wrong way or moving in an odd fashion, I don't know. Then when I woke up the day before the solstice and realized that it was going to be solstice, the wrongness grew. I knew that the two were connected somehow. Since I knew that Lexa was going to be alone and that it bothers her more than it does me, I didn't want her to be alone. I couldn't leave because of my duties here and the fact that if there was such a feeling of wrongness, it would have been dangerous for both of us to be in the same place. So, I sent Dani in my stead. The rest is history."

"So, you felt that something was going to happen, but you didn't know if it was good or bad, just wrong. And since you couldn't be with her, you did the best next thing by sending Dani to keep her company and protect her."

"Yes. Because I sent Dani, which I pray that she'll forgive me for it, the explosion didn't do what it was intended to do. Which was to kill the both of us, thinking that it would throw the pack into chaos. They didn't succeed because I was here instead of there, which in turn also saved Lexa and Dani's lives."

"And yet you didn't even hesitate," she said quietly, "to pick up the mantle of power and do what needed to be done."

"If I had hesitated for the merest of a second, things would have turned out way differently and we'd be worse for it. I have no fucking clue what I'm doing. None, but I'm trying. I'm trying because I want to keep our people safe. I have an obligation to them, so I can't wuss out or stop because it gets too hard. That's the difference between leaders and everyone else. We do it so they don't have to. We shoulder the pain, the tiredness, the emptiness, the heartache, the anger because we can't bear to watch others do it when our own shoulders are so much more capable. This is who we are, Seph. Who we are meant to be. Yeah, it sucks and sometimes you want to tell the world to fuck off, but we do it anyway. And we always come out stronger. Always."

"What exactly does that mean for me?"

I sighed and leaned forward, making her look me in the eyes and said, "What it means for you is that you've got to suck it up, buttercup. We lean on each other. I'm not supposed to be de Pakstoka. You're not supposed to be the Forest Pack Second. Neither of us knows how the hell to do this, we just know what needs to be done if we want to keep our people safe."

"Which means that I keep doing what I have been doing. Ge smak daun, gon op nodotaim."

I smiled, "Yes. Just like I've been doing since I was 18 years old. We don't ever quit, Seph. Ever."

"You know tomorrow's going to be like the biggest bitch in the world, right," she said with a rueful smile.

I groaned and replied, "It's not just tomorrow. We have less than two weeks to get our shit together and keep our pack alive. Every day is going to be the biggest bitch until we can finally step back for a moment and breathe."

"Can we hold off until tomorrow," she asked hopefully.

"We can and we will. Everyone needs some time to recoup, even if it's just for one night."

"Then I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow?"

"Yes. I'll be here."

"Good, but before I leave," she said hesitantly. "I had your things moved to Lexa's suite. I have a feeling that you'll be having a lot of impromptu meetings and it's easier to do it in her sitting room, than in the office."

"That's fine," I said, not really wanting to fight her on it. "I think it's time we find Scarlett and haul her back here, so that she can get some rest too."

"Don't bother," Seph said with a grin. "She's heading back now. I'll send her up to the room."

"Thanks?"

"It's my job to take care of you, which means taking care of your women. So, she was forcibly removed to get some much needed rest. For her own good, of course."

"Oh, of course," Clarke said, chuckling. "Can't have any of us dropping dead from exhaustion."

"Nope, can't have that," she said and started to leave, "Good night, guys."

"Good night, Seph."

"Night, Sis."

Clarke and I walked up to Lexa's suite, now mine, and hesitantly opened the door. Lexa's scent still lingered in the air and I inhaled it deeply before slowly letting it out. Clarke had gone and sat on the couch and I watched as her hands glided over the cushion where Lexa was last sitting. I walked over and kneeled in front of her, taking her hand and kissing the palm. She smiled at me, but it wasn't a true smile, it was rather sad and I felt anger flare and then quickly go out knowing why she was sad.

"I'll be right back," I said and waited until she nodded.

I got up and ran down into the wine cellar. My hand went immediately to one of the Rendon 16's, but I stalled and let my hand drift down. Tonight wasn't a night to celebrate. Tonight, I wanted something different. I wanted to get drunk. I walked by the wines and the whiskey and rum and found a several cases of Grounder Ale. I smiled at the memories of the three of us getting trashed and floating in the lake during a full moon, completely naked doing nothing more than letting go of ourselves and responsibilities. Nodding to myself, I grabbed a couple of cases and promised myself that we'd have one of those nights again.

I quickly ran back up to the room and walked in to find Scarlett infuriated and hissing more than speaking. I glanced quickly at Clarke and she was fine but was having a hard time trying not to laugh at Scarlett. When the door shut behind me, Scarlett whirled on me and stalked towards me until I was backed against the door.

"Ya wanna tell me why I was bodily hauled away from my patients," she hissed at me.

I swallowed and cleared my throat and replied, "You've been working nonstop since you got here, Scar. I knew you wouldn't stop anytime soon, so I pulled you from your patients. You need rest and food. The medical staff can do without you for at least eight hours, Scar."

"Harrumph, and what's this," she asked pointing down to the cases in my hand.

I grinned wickedly and said, "Only the best ale ever made. Grounder Ale. I thought we could get wasted."

She practically purred and snatched a case out of my hands, "Now, you're talking my language, sugar."

I breathed a sigh of relief and followed her over to the couches and snagged a bottle. I popped the top and handed it to Clarke and then got one of my own. I sat on the couch and propped my feet up as I took a long swig of my beer.

Clarke delicately sniffed the bottle and then took a delicate sip, making me and Scarlett laugh.

"Goodness, sugar," Scarlett said, "You're not gonna get a taste of it if you drink like that. Go on, take a real good swallow of it. That's it."

Clarke made a face at Scarlett but took a healthy swallow of the beer. We watched her intently, waiting for her reaction. Her eyes widened in surprise and a smile spread over her lips. She took a second drink of it and leaned back, bringing the bottle up and turning it over.

"Damn, that's good," she said chuckling.

"And we have another Grounder Ale lover," Scarlett whooped and chugged hers.

We laughed when she let out a huge belch in satisfaction. I just laid my arm across the back of the couch and drank more sedately. As we drank, we kept the conversation light and fun and away from everything that was going on. Pretty soon, the room was full of our friends and everyone was enjoying themselves. We had needed this and it showed in their body languages as the tension left and their bodies relaxed.

Someone tapped me on the head and I looked up to see Tommy, a cousin from my father's side of the family. He grinned down at me and I whooped in joy at seeing him. I grabbed the back of the couch and somersaulted over it and brought him into a bear hug. My antics caused Clarke and Scar to laugh, but I didn't care.

I let him go, breathless from my little stunt, and leaned back on the couch, "Where the hell ya been hidin', Tommy-boy?"

He laughed and replied, "In the garage, o' course. Someone's gotta take care of our babies."

"Goddamn, it's so good to see you," I said with a huge grin on my face. "How's the fam?"

"They're all good. Mom somehow found a frickin' Indian chopper that she's fixin' up. Dad's still workin' on that monster of his. Caleb's in East Pack, chasin' the girls now and then there's Sophie. She wasn't born yet before you had to leave. She's a hell spawn and damn proud of it, too. I swear, she's gonna drive my folks plain loco with the way she tears through the house."

"Damn, where'd your moms find an Indian?"

"In some sealed garage in Charleston. She told me that there were a lot of beauts down there, but she only had eyes for the bike. Of course, she had it sneak it back to the place, but it's now her baby. I think she loves it more than us," he said laughing.

I laughed, "Why ain't your dad done with the truck?"

"He's insisting that he can figure out a way to get three times the energy output from the six panels he can fit on there without it bein' gaudy. I keep telling him that there's no way without a powerful enough storage unit that wouldn't lay the weight on, ya know. But, he ain't giving up hope yet. By the way, the ground clearance is damn near as tall as I am."

"Holy fuck and you ain't no small fry. Has he at least got it runnin' n drivable?"

"Yeah, but he's scairt of the rain. Thinks the damn thing will melt or sumthin'," he said shaking his head at his dad's antics.

"He's such a baby," I said smirking. "Why's Caleb in Eastern?"

"He got a job in C-ville at the Grounder Brewery. He's their head chemist. In point of fact, this is one of his special brews. Ain't even out yet," he said with pride.

"You're shittin' me," I exclaimed.

"No, ma'am. He won't give out the receipt. Not even to the head honchos over there. Cagey bastard, that one," he said chuckling.

I shook my head in wonderment.

He stepped in close and leaned down to speak to me more privately, "Hey, I got a question for you. Do you know how I can't get Raven to talk to me more? She's slippery than an eel. Every time I go to talk to her, she just bolts."

I grinned up at him, "Ya like her, dontcha?"

He blushed and nodded, "It took me months to figger out a way to talk to her."

I pushed him away and guffawed, "You?! Thomas Bartholomew Caster, the man that could charm the pants off any woman, found it hard to talk to one tiny woman? Damn, the world must be endin'. Look, man. I'm not the one to ask. Clarke here's her best friend. She'd be the one to talk to."

He shook his head and stammered, "I, I kent do that. She's the frickin' Chancellor. Ain't that like rude or sumptin'?"

"Dude! She's my bondmate. She ain't gonna care that yer just some mechanic," I said smiling, "As a matter of fact," I leaned over and caught Clarke's attention, "Hey, Clarke, I'd like to introduce you to someone."

She looked up at me smiling, her cheeks rosy from the beer, and turned around and got up at her knees, "Who's this?"

"Clarke, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Tommy. One of the best guys I know," I said and then whispered in her ear, "He's got the hots for Raven, but she's evading him. Got any suggestions."

"Hey, Tommy, it's nice to meet one of Nyx's family members," she said and held out her hand.

He shook her hand, his blush creeping up, "It's nice to meet you, ma'am."

Clarke looked at me and said, "Did he just call me ma'am?"

"He did," I said, smiling. "Tommy, you can call her Clarke. It's not like she's gonna bite yer head off or send you flying across the room. Yer bein' stupid."

He narrowed his eyes at me and said, "Who's callin' who stupid? You couldn't have passed quantum mathematics without me."

"Yeah, and who couldn't figger out how to draw schematics of a simple four-cylinder engine and its components," I said, right back at him.

He harrumphed and then turned his attention back to Clarke, "Raven didn't like it either when I called her ma'am. Are all of ya like that?"

"Pretty much," Clarke said with a wide grin, "We ain't no Southern Belles holding tea parties or getting ourselves all dressed up to impress our gentlemen or gentlewoman callers. Rae's usually covered in grease when she gets a chance to work on machines. As a matter of fact, she's been eyeballs deep in oily water just to fix a submerged pump."

His eyes grew wide and a small smile played on his lips, "Now, that's sounds fun."

I rolled my eyes and said, "You would think that's fun."

"Don't give me that look, you know you'd druther play in that or mud."

"Guilty," I said, holding my hands up and grinning. "Oh, I miss those times. I'm gonna have to pay a visit to yer folks when I get a chance."

"You just wanna take the Indian out fer a ride. God, you and moms with yer damn bikes," he said, shaking his head, "And speaking of bikes, when you gonna let me test out yers?"

I leaned back, my hand over my heart, and gasped, "Oh, hell naw, Tommy. You ain't gettin' nowhere near my baby. It took me two years fixin' it up the way I like it. I'm not gonna let your fat ass near it."

Clarke laughed and said, "When'll you take me out for a spin on it."

I leaned over and kissed her smartly, "When this shit's over. It'll knock your socks off."

Just then, Scarlett popped up and decided to join the conversation. She took one look at Tommy and practically purred as her eyes raked over Tommy from head to toe, making him blush under her scrutiny.

"Scarlett, don't even think about getting' yer claws in my cuz, He's reserved," I said, eyeing her.

She pouted at me and replied, "Oh, come on, sugar. I just wanna play with him."

I groaned and told her, "He ain't one of yer toys. Like I said, he's reserved."

He coughed, "Ya know cuz, I can speak fer myself."

"I know ye can, Tommy, but she's too damn clever fer ya. If I don't nip her in the bud, you'll end up in her bed," I said with a grin, "but now that you're here too, Scar, maybe you ken help. Ya see, Tommy here's got feelin's for Raven, but she keeps scootin' away faster than a greased pig. Got 'nythin'?

"Well, if that's the problem, ya gotta catch her by surprise," she said thinking. "Lay a trap with sumthin' tasty. What does she like?"

"Anything mechanical or techno," Clarke supplied.

"Ya got anythin' that'll draw her attention, Tommy," Scarlett asked.

He tilted his head up, thinking, and then a smile formed and he looked down at her and said, "I just might. I've got an ATV that's got me confused. Would that work?"

Clarke grinned at him and said, "That'll do the trick. If you're as good as I think you are and you're having problems, she'll take up the challenge."

An idea formed in my head and I smiled at the thought.

"Crap, you've got that damn look on yer face, Nyx," Tommy said, backing up a bit.

"She sure does, sugah," Scarlett said, and leaned forward in anticipation.

Clarke looked at them confused, "What? What's she doing?"

"She's got an idea and it usually spells trouble."

I looked at her and glared, "That's not what you said when I got that yacht."

She huffed, "That's different."

"Hah, got it out right under his damn nose and he didn't even notice," I said, already scanning the room. My smile came back and I said, "I'll be right back."

Raven was in a corner of the room, talking with Ben and Seph. I walked up to them as if I had all the time in the world.

Ben spotted me and a grin lit his face up, "Nyx, where you been hiding?"

"On the couch, of course," I replied easily. "Ben, I hate to interrupt y'all, but I need this one here," pointing to Raven.

She gave me a panicked look and then looked for an escape but couldn't find one since she was in a corner.

"No prob, boss," he said, realizing that I was up to something. "Just remember to keep her in one piece."

I looked at him and replied, "There's no guarantee that'll happen, but I'll try."

"Wha..," was all the time she had to get out, before I bent and hefted her over my shoulder as she squealed.

"Seph, Ben," I said, easily holding her in place. "See you tomorrow."

"See ya."

"Laters."

They started laughing at the look on her face.

I walked back over, Scarlett laughing her ass off while Clarke looked on in disbelief, and poor Tommy was blushing furiously.

I walked past them and tugged Tommy after me. I came up to a door and opening it, found out it was a closet. I dumped her on a pile of clothes where she squeaked and tried to scramble out of the pile.

"There ya go, Tommy," I said with a grin. "I'd ward the door, if I were you," and slapped him on his back. "Have fun, but not too much, cuz."

With that I sauntered out and closed the door behind me.

Scarlett handed me my beer and said, "Yer beer, ya brilliant, brilliant woman."

I sniggered and drained the last of it, "Ah. Ya know me. I was always good at improv."

A slow grin spread across her face as she remembered something, "That you are, my dear. That you are."

I flipped over the couch and landed with my head in Clarke's lap. She leaned down and kissed me and I pulled her closer to deepen the kiss. Then she smacked me on the forehead.

"Of all the crazy shit, I've seen you do," she said giving me a mock glare, "That's your answer?"

I looked up at her with a gleam in my eye and replied, "Worked fer you, didn' it?"

She blushed and said, "I guess it did."

"Last call," someone yelled, "We're almost out."

"No," Clarke cried and leapt up, nearly making me fall off the couch. "Gimme!"

Scarlett and I laughed our asses off at her antics. Scarlett took Clarke's spot and ran her fingers through my hair.

"I like the new look, darlin'," she said as she kissed me thoroughly.

I smiled and replied, "Thanks. Needed sumthin' new. Fresh start 'n all."

"Better 'n that tail of yours," she said with a grin. "I think I nearly lost an eye once or twice."

I chuckled deep in my throat and replied, "And I woulda fixed ya right up, if I had."

"No doubt."

Clarke came back triumphant and held up three bottles. She flopped over my legs and handed each of us one. I leaned up and took a big swig before I settled back on Scarlett's lap. I looked down my nose at Clarke, and she was leaning her head on the arm and there was a dreamy smile on her face. I nudged her with my foot and she looked down at me and the smile was still there.

"Good thoughts there," I asked.

She nodded, "Good is not the word I would use to describe my particular thoughts at the moment."

I looked up at Scarlett and raised an eyebrow at her. She chuckled as she looked at me.

"I think she has plans fer us," she said.

"I think I agree with ya," I said as I sat up and pulled my legs out from under Clarke. "Five minutes tops."

Scarlett scrunched up her face in thought, "I'm gonna say 10 minutes."

"We're feelin' generous tonight, huh?"

"Benefit of a doubt."

I hefted myself up to stand and hollered, "All right, y'all. Party's over. We have work to do in the morning. Make sure you get some water and if you can't make your way to your beds, find a vacant one and crash. I don't want to see any injuries."

There were nods and other types of affirmation and I looked over at Seph and said, "Play nice, Seph."

"Alright."

"Good girl, I'll see you at breakfast."

"Yep. Bright eyed and bushy tailed."

I grinned and watched as everyone left. I sighed at the mess, but I wasn't worried about taking care of it tonight.

"Tommy and Raven," Scarlett asked.

"If they haven't come out now, they won't," I said shrugging. "Either way, there's gonna be a tale to tell."

She laughed and hauled Clarke up onto her feet and wrapping an arm around her waist. They both staggered and I chuckled to myself as I followed them. 10 minutes was indeed going to be generous amount of time.