Chapter Eighteen
The door opened and neither of them spoke or moved, both Lexa and Clarke were completely taken with the appearance of the other. Lexa was in her dress uniform and looked absolutely killer, Clarke had known the Commander was attractive but this knocked it right out of the ballpark, she began to have the jitters she had not had before she opened the door.
And when Clarke had said go shopping, Lexa didn't know where on the planet she went but oh wow! She had clearly had her hair done, a little make up, some jewelry - she looked like she had just walked on to a film set for a scene.
Enough time had passed and they were now both aware that somebody should say something, but still. It seemed odd to both be standing there looking at each other, obviously full of desire but it was neither uncomfortable or awkward, which given Clarke's state of normal seemed to be the only odd thing about the whole encounter. In the end Clarke just opened up the door and stepped back and Lexa walked through.
"Um, there was talk, yesterday about this interaction having a romantic element," Began Lexa, looking a little unsure - oh here we go, thought Clarke, she is going to say it now. Hell, nice timing Commander! Lexa Continued, "So it shouldn't be a complete shock when I tell you that I would like to kiss you." "Oh," said Clarke, whilst not shocked she was a little surprised, pleasantly. "Oh?" repeated Lexa, thinking she had overstepped.
"No, I thought, don't worry, yes." Lexa heard words, too many words, but she heard the one she was hoping for and stepped in front of Clarke and kissed her. A simple, honest, soft, but firm kiss that neither of them wanted to end.
Lexa recovered first, "You look amazing, Clarke."
"Thank you, Lexa, you look so handsome."
Whilst choosing a bottle of wine, Clarke leaned forward to ask,
" A private room? This is incredible. I am assuming they don't split the bill at Central?"
"I wouldn't think so, Clarke, don't worry, this is on me."
"I was hoping you would say that, because I think we should have Champagne?"
Lexa slapped the menu shut and smiled at Clarke, "Oh this is too easy."
"What is?"
"Being with you."
"Really? I was a bit of a mess when I showed up."
"Apparently you clean up alright."
"Pfft," scoffed Clarke, "if you knew what this dress cost, you would be nicer to me."
"What nice things would you have me do and say, Clarke?"
Clarke considered Lexa for a moment, smiled and said, "You're' right, keep being mean."
"I was being serious."
"So was I. But I realised that if you are too nice I will feel uncomfortable."
"Why."
"I don't deserve it."
"After Mount Weather?"
"After Mount Weather." Clarke gave a single nod and began perusing the food menu, breathing deeply. Lexa let her eyes drop and gave Clarke some space, whoa, that was a huge admission and she made it so simply and elegantly. But not easily, Lexa knew, not easily.
She let the moment pass and then picked up her own menu and said, "That's part of what I really enjoy about being with you, Clarke." Clarke crooked an eyebrow.
"You're real."
"Real?"
"Present, honest, direct. Hurt yes, but still here. Thank you."
Clarke didn't respond but just looked at Lexa for a long time, Lexa kept her eyes down on the writing she couldn't read and let Clarke look at her.
The first time Clarke had come to the attention of the Commander was before Mount Weather. Lexa had been passing through and had been accomodated overnight at the MASH Unit, a storm or something she thought it might have been. When the Commander decided to make use of the opportunity to see the wounded and thank them for their service, Clarke had seen her doing her rounds. Lexa had thought her a pretty nurse but stood corrected when someone mentioned Doctor.
Then there was Mount Weather. It was a dreadful decision to make. Not necessarily a mistake, but wrong on so many levels. If Clarke had known what it cost the Commander to stand there in the field that day and let herself be berated like that, she felt sure Clarke would not have done it. Sure being berated in public by your subordinate is unpleasant but the really distressing part about it was that she was right.
Even the Commander couldn't spend too long thinking about Mount Weather. It was one of the most terrible things she had ever had to face, and after Costia, that was saying something. Then there was the recommendation! That was really something. She had overheard some senior officials laughing about it; apparently they thought she was crazy - by turning it down, then by having the audacity to make suggestions about departmental structure and so on.
Lexa had asked Nightblood to put a plug in proceedings and get her a copy of the report, when she saw who had written it, the Doctor from Mount Weather, she felt she inclined to give it some attention. Sure it was a little unusual for subordinates to be making suggestions but the woman was a Doctor, and her idea seemed logical. Lexa decided to see her and discuss it. Then she got shot, and the rest, as they say, is history.