Chapter Twenty

They did share a second kiss, and a few more after that, but nothing more. They spent every moment that Lexa could spare being away from her office in the middle of a war, and the time passed too quickly, before either of them knew it Clarke was back on the battlefield tending to the wounded and Lexa was doing all she could to bring an end to these bloody conflicts and achieve peace.

They talked every night on the phone and texted frequently throughout the day and the people around noticed a radical change in the outlook of both. A fortnight later, Clarke returned to the same suite, at the same hotel and she and Lexa had almost the identical three days. A fortnight after that they did it all again, still not sleeping together.

Without trying Clarke stopped faking bedside smiles and guestimating how soldiers were feeling and began to understand intuitively that they were in pain and needed comfort. She stopped working quite so much and after her shift had ended began wearing a civvy top over her regulation fatigues to signal to herself and others that she clocked off. She began reading the books she bought and it was like she had, without knowing, flipped off the numb switch.

Lexa also started clocking off at a reasonable hour. She realised that it had been a long time since she had really noticed the world around her - trees, flowers, weather, people going about their business. Once she had completely recovered from her surgery, she bought a bicycle and took some of her training out of doors. She asked her assistant to make a short list of inner city apartments and when she couldn't decide between two she sent Clarke the links and asked her opinion.

Late one night when they were lying in bed chatting about their day, Clarke asked Lexa if their seeing each other was a secret?

"No, I don't think so, why?"

"There is just something a little furtive about the way we are being together."

"What to do you mean?"

"Lexa. That is a stalling question, or at least one designed to ferret out what I know. You know, what I am talking about."

"Yes." Lexa loved that Clarke was clever and didnt let her get away with shit. She exhaled and spit it out, "It's that I am worried that if people know we are together…"

"That I will be a target?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

"What for?"

"Telling me. I mean it's something to consider and after what they did to Costia, I mean no one could think you were being too sensitive."

"It feels nice to talk about her normally."

"Yes it does."

"So, you're not upset?"
"I'm not upset, but it would have been nice if you could have found a way to tell me. Maybe next time?"

"Next time."

"I am getting attached to you, Lexa. You do know this, right?"

"I was hoping so, me too."

"Good night."

"Good night."