Chapter 33

Octavia and Clarke ran through the bunker to get to radio that Monty had built. Miller was hot on their heels. Octavia barely remembered him shouting to Delphina to stay with Madi as her guard. The heaviness of their boots on the concrete floor echoed in the halls as they made their way. People moved and shouts in Trig were heard as they passed. Octavia didn't bother to tell them to be quiet. She had one mission and that was find out what Echo could tell them about the conditions in Eden. The people could wait for now. She would give them a report after she knew more. Clarke just kept her eyes on Octavia, wondering what the dark haired leader was thinking as they worked their way deeper and deeper into the bunker to where Monty and crew were staying.

Before they went inside the room, Octavia pulled her to the side. She looked deeply into Clarke's eyes. She knew that the blonde was worried, but she needed to alieveate it somehow. She needed her to understand that she wasn't willing to harm Madi. She knew that Niylah knew the truth or had guessed. It was honestly the only way that Madi could have survived with Clarke, but for the most part, the bunker all thought that Clarke had given Madi the blood to save her. Octavia had done nothing to stop that rumor. She let it run wild, because she already knew the truth. She was determined to make sure that Madi was safe. She was Clarke's family, even if she wasn't blood. And, since Octavia cared for Clarke, she'd be damned if she'd let anyone harm a hair on Madi's head. If they thought that Blodreina was cruel, they weren't ready for the wrath of both Skairipa en Wanheda.

"Clarke, a word, first...please," Octavia stated as she nodded to the hallway just to the left the door.

Clarke nodded and then followed her. She could tell that there was something that Octavia felt the need to tell her first. She couldn't be sure what it was, but she knew that Octavia had become a woman of few words, much like Lexa, so if she deemed it important, it was.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Then?" Clarke inquired.

"I know that you fear for Madi, but I want you to know..."

"You'll protect her. I got that in your office, O. What is this really about?"

"I don't want you to worry about her. When we leave this bunker, I'll be Skairipa. Should something happen to you, I'll make sure that she isn't tapped. I won't let Gaia near her, but we both know that Niylah has discovered the truth. If she starts talking to the masses, I might have to do something drastic."

Clarke nodded along. She knew what that something drastic was, but she hoped that she was wrong. She knew that Octavia had no qualms killing someone that threatened her, her people, or those she loved. If she was ready to dispose of Niylah, someone that helped her in the bunker, someone that helped Octavia get better after everything in Illian, someone that had cared for Clarke and those trying to save Raven, then Clarke knew that she would have to say something to her old friend and sometimes lover.

"I'll talk to her."

"Clarke, she's not the same. She's..."

"You told me already that 'she drank the Kool Aid.' I get it, O. I do. But, we are trying to save the valley without so much bloodshed. Do you want start executing people here before we leave? Or, do you want to try to stop things before they get out of control? You are their leader. React, stop, and think about it. We all want blood for what happened, but turning on the people, O, they'll revolt and Diyoza will have already won," Clarke told her.

"Then, I'll put her somewhere safe," Octavia replied.

"Which would be?"

"A cell just out side the pits. I'll take care of her, but segregate her from the populace. It isn't ideal, but it will save more lives," Octavia stated.

Clarke nodded, and then said, "I don't like it because she is our friend, but..."

"We do what we have to do to protect our family," Octavia added as she raised her arm.

Clarke clasped it. They shook their agreement like the Grounders did. It meant more to them that way. Shaking their arms and heads, they turned to go see Monty and his radio.

There was a clearing of a throat. They both turned and saw Miller there waiting for them. Octavia cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Forgive me, Osleya, but they are waiting."

"Did you hear?"

"Enough to make sure that it is taken care of very discretely and very quietly. I will handle it myself if need be. Or, I will be there with you, Osleya."

"Quietly, send London and Delphi. She won't suspect them, but make sure that no one knows what is happening. I'll be down to talk to her later with Wanheda. Niylah is still one of us and I will let Clarke decide her fate, Mila. Understand?"

"Sha, Osleya," he answered.

He gave the other guards a look and then took off back up into the belly of the bunker. Octavia knew that Miller would deal with the situation without causing too much of a disturbance. And, true to her word, she would take Clarke to speak with her later. For now, they needed to deal with Monty and Echo on the radio. The other guards stepped up and fell in line behind Clarke and Octavia as they finally entered the room that Spacekru was inhabiting.

"What news?" Octavia asked as she entered.

"Echo has made it into the village."

Clarke looked relieved. Octavia just nodded. She knew that there had to be more.

"It seems that Emori and Murphy have been keeping Diyoza's second in command busy."

Clarke's eyes went wide. She reached for Octavia's hand and held it, needing some sort of connection to keep her from blurting out anything. Clarke knew who Murphy was antagonizing and she knew how dangerous McCreery was. Murphy was playing with fire and she just hoped that he didn't get burned.

"And, Raven?"

"She is still trying to make contact."

"Then, how has she contacted us?"

"I sent her with a modified radio from their ship. It broadcasts on a frequency that they don't hear. I made sure of that, but I couldn't do anything to stop them from here. She is still trying to get close to Raven, but Diyoza has taken a liking to her."

"Why?" Octavia asked, trying to rein in her anger.

She felt Clarke squeeze her hand. Octavia squeezed it back. What they didn't see was the way that Bellamy was watching them both.

It had only been a few hours, days even, and they seemed more than a little comfortable with each other. Two days ago, Bellamy was afraid that Octavia was going to kill Clarke. But now, he was more worried about what they knew that he didn't. There was something behind their actions and he wasn't sure that he liked it. Echo was at risk and he was still in the bunker, hiding. Clarke and Madi had been locked up in Octavia's office, talking about things that they only knew.

"She's selective in who she keeps close to her. And, Echo was singled out on their drop ship before they made it back to the Valley. But, the worst part of it all is everyone was collared."

"Collared?" Clarke inquired. "Not the shock collars. Tell me she doesn't have a shock collar on."

"She does. And, they're geo-tagged. She can only go where Diyoza lets her go."

"Why is Diyoza so worried about her?" Octavia questioned as she looked them all in the eyes waiting for an answer.

When no one answered her, she cocked her head. Clarke knew that it was bad. Bellamy hung his head.

"Kane gave her up on the ship," Bellamy told her.

"Kane?"

"He was on the ship that picked them up. He identified everyone. He's working with Diyoza. Echo couldn't tell us on what, but it had something to do with Abby. Echo has to find a way to prove herself to Diyoza or she'll be sent back."

"And, how is she supposed to do that?" Clarke questioned.

"They were interviewed. It was like she was testing them on what they could do and then she would assign them jobs and chores for the whole of village. Echo is a warrior. She doesn't need warriors," Monty answered.

"She's a spy," Octavia countered and then paused. "And, Kane gave her up. She's screwed. We're screwed."

"Not yet," Clarke said. "We'll talk more. It'll be okay."

"Diyoza will kill her and we still won't be able to get into the valley. We have to take the eye down, Klark. As long as Diyoza has the ship..."

"We'll think of something. I'm the Wanheda, remember? She's in my home, my valley. If we can get to Merfi..."

Octavia nodded. She turned back to face Monty and Harper, and Bellamy. Clarke quirked an eyebrow at them, wondering why they were staring at them so quizzically.

"What?" Octavia asked them, obviously not happy with the way that they were staring.

"You do realize that the three of us were locked on the Go-Sci for those six years with Echo. She didn't just teach us to fight. She taught us all that she could about the Grounders and their way of life. It might have been more from an Azgedan point of view, but it taught us a lot," Bellamy told her.

"Okay, and?" Octavia asked.

"I know exactly what you both just said."

"Okay, Bellamy, you understood us. That doesn't change a thing. We are still going to the valley, with or without you. The choice is now up to you," Octavia told him as she turned to leave.

"There are only two sides here, now, Bellamy," Clarke stated and it caused Octavia to stop in the doorway and turn around to see what Clarke was going to say. "Ours and theirs. Either we fight to take them and we take the Valley and we survive or we stay here and die. Look around you, Bell. This is our new reality. We don't have to like it, but we have to work with it. And, I for one am not going to let Madi die in this desert when her home is out there, livable, survivable and there is a mad woman with a crew of criminals crawling all over it. Forgive me for not waiting to see what she does to all of us for still living her and wanting to survive. At least, we have a plan. If you come up with something better, let me know. You know where to find me...us."

"Can't we live in peace, now?" Monty asked.

"Not like we are now, no. I had peace. I had a life and a home. I was happy out there, Monty. I have a child. I have a home and I'm here."

Clarke didn't wait for an answer. She simply grabbed Octavia by the arm and pushed her out the door. Octavia didn't have time to fight, nor was she going to. Clarke was in Alpha mother mode. She was going to follow the "Mama Bear" and Wanheda until Clarke herself told her to stand down. On their way back to Octavia's bunker, Clarke didn't let go. It meant that Octavia had to constantly wave off her guards and other high ranking officers that were taking to offense how Clarke was holding on to her and treating her as they stormed back up. She, of course, found it very hot.

When they got back into the office, Clarke finally let her go. Octavia went to her desk and sat down, automatically pulling out the maps and plans that they were setting. After she was finally set, she looked up to see Clarke pacing. She didn't know what to say to her. Her little speech to Bellamy was a complete flip from her earlier thinkings. Octavia didn't know what changed Clarke's mind, but she was glad.

"What is it?" Octavia finally asked her as she shifted back in her chair.

"I'm worried."

"About?"

"Everything," Clarke answered.

"Okay, I get that. I do, really. I am, too, but let's start with something small. What is it that is really bothering you right now?" Octavia asked her.

Clarke paused her pacing and turned to face Octavia. She could see the worry in her eyes. Finally, Clarke moved across the office and fell into a chair on the opposite side of the desk. She didn't look back at Octavia. Instead, she was looking at the maps and thinking about the desert and the valley.

"I don't know how I am supposed to feel anymore, O. I don't want to fight. I know that it should be the last thing that I want, especially after I had six years of peace in that Valley. But, you're right. We can't let Diyoza win. She's willing to let all of die just so she can have power."

"And, you don't want that power?" Octavia questioned.

"No, I don't. I don't want power. I never did. I kinda just stumbled into it and then no one understood what it was like, how lonely it is, and how I bore so much so that the masses didn't have to. I didn't have anyone to help me. I was literally trying to figure how to keep most of us alive. I was willing to sacrifice myself to keep them all alive and they still look at me like I'm a monster."

"You aren't the monster, Clarke. I am. I'm the one that took twelve hundred into a bunker and delivered just over eight hundred back to the service. I think that Bellamy doesn't see me as his sister anymore. He doesn't know what to do with me and, he thinks that I am still his responsibility. I don't want to hurt him, Clarke, but I am sure that he might do something against me."

"He loves you," Clarke countered.

"He loved who I was before we came down to the ground. I am not that girl anymore. He doesn't know what to do with me anymore."

"That sounds like the situation that I have with my mother. She didn't understand that the ground was different than the Ark. We fought about who was in charge and what should be done. She hadn't figured out Grounder politics, but we had. We knew because we were forced to. She still thought the 'adults' knew better because they were from the Ark, but they had no idea what was waiting for them down here," Clarke told her.

"And, now?"

"I am not sure that she understands completely, but Kane has helped her see that we grew up. That is what Bellamy doesn't see. He sees you as his little sister and he thinks that he still has to protect you. He knows that he doesn't really, because Indra trained you to be a good warrior. But, it is hard to let you go. I get it. It is the same with Madi. She had six years of Grounder education before I met her, but we taught each other. We needed each other and on some levels we still do. You don't necessarily need Bell to survive anymore and that hurts both of you."

"He isn't thinking rationally."

"He isn't thinking with his head, O. He's thinking with his heart. He still loves you, but he doesn't know what to do with this version of you."

"He'll try to fix me," Octavia stated.

"He might, but he won't succeed."

"Why not?"

"There are too many people that care about you as you are, O. They'll protect you from him. Bellamy sees that and it makes him mad."

"Because he couldn't be with me and he doesn't know what I know," Octavia replied.

"Exactly. He thinks he understands, Octavia, but he really doesn't. He doesn't understand the pain that we carry. He doesn't understand that sometimes we have to sacrifice part of ourselves, our people or our position in order to survive. Lexa used to say..."

"Sometimes you concede a battle to win the war," Octavia finished.

"Yeah," Clarke added as she looked up into Octavia's eyes, again.

"So, what battle are you conceding, Clarke?"

Clarke looked into her green eyes. She realized that Octavia really wanted an answer. The leader was intrigued. She'd seen that look so many times before in Lexa's forest green eyes and now, being in a similar, but oh, so different, situation with Octavia was a little unnerving.

"It isn't conceding when you don't have much left to lose," Clarke answered.

Octavia stood up and moved around the desk. She didn't know why, but she wanted, no needed, to be by Clarke. She needed for the blonde to know that she wasn't going to abandon her. And, she knew that the blonde wasn't going to abandon her.

"I am not her, Clarke. I am not going to side with Diyoza. I want the bitch dead or at least, maimed somewhat by my own hand."

"And they call me Wanheda."

"Ai laik Blodreina," Octavia said. "It is for a reason. Eleven people, mostly Azgeda died in the first two months, most of them on the same day and all because Skaikru led a revolt and took over the farm and mess hall. Don't worry: you mother and Kane were their victims, too. I fought to get in there and killed eleven of my people to make them understand that we weren't twelve clans trying to survive, we were one. We had to become one in order to survive or we would kill each other. Bathed in their blood, dripping from my face and arms, Gaia presented me to the people. The Red Queen was born, but is that who I really am? I don't know anymore. I've been so many things since coming to the ground. You have, too, Ai Skaiprisa."

"Really? You're gonna start calling me 'Princess?' I might just have to take offense to that," Clarke told her.

"It isn't as bad as Wanheda."

"And, yet, you let Madi call you Skairipa," Clarke replied.

"I don't find that as bad as Blodreina."

"And, Oselya?"Clarke asked.

"'Champion?' Some times, it is as bad because I know that they want to make me heda somehow. I don't fit their legends because I don't bare the blood, but yet, they still follow me. Why? Fear? Tradition? Or, because they realized that I would actually do what I set out to do? I don't know, and at this point, it doesn't matter. We are Wonkru."

"But are 'we'?"

Octavia moved away from her. She crossed the room to the radio and sat down. She pulled out couple of the discs with the recordings. Looking through the labels, she found a few and handed them to Clarke.

"You tell me," Octavia said.

Clarke looked down at the discs and their labels. The one on top was labeled "Maps and Distances." There was one called "Landmarks." But, it was the ones that were labeled "Home," "the Valley," and "Eden," that made Clarke look over to her again.

She knew that Octavia was trying to give her time, but they had the last six years to mourn apart. She knew that Octavia was still morning not only Lincoln, but Illian. She didn't know that she'd ever truly be over Lexa's death and some part of her was still feeling the pain of Finn's. It was small, but it was there. The Earth took those she loved, and she'd be damned if she let them or it take anyone else.

Clarke moved with the agility of a panther and the stealth of wolf. She was more predator than prey now. She commanded the Earth and grew food. She commanded the tree and they bore fruit. She commanded the animals and they sacrificed themselves so that she and Madi might live. She'd fully become a Grounder and Octavia was the only one that heard the change. Oh, their was still plenty of Skaiprisa left in her, but she embraced Wanheda more fully now. She had reason to and she would never forget that, nor let anyone else for that matter.

"Oktevia?"

She raised her head and looked over to the blonde, only to realize that she was standing in front of her near the couch. She watched as the blonde looked to her bedroom door, silently checking on Madi, before she looked down at the table in front of the sofa and dropped the discs. She moved again at Octavia. Her cerulean gaze never once wavering as she looked deeply into Octavia's eyes. She didn't know what Clarke was looking for, but she figured out exactly when Clarke found her answers. The dilation of her stormy blue eyes was instantaneous.

"Klark," she managed to choke out.

"Yu laik ai Osleya." (You are my Champion.)

"Sha, Wanheda. Ai laik yu Osleya. Ai bandan yu op en no moun." (Yes, Commander of Death. I am your Champion. I serve you and no other.)

"Hodnes laik kwelnis." (Love is weakness)

"No, hodnes laik yuj. Ste yuj, beja, Klark. Osir gonplei ogeda. Osir yuj ogeda. Osir gada in winness," Octavia countered. (No, Love isn't strength. Stay strong, please, Clarke. We fight together. We're strong together. We'll have victory.)

"Ogeda, sha?" (Together, yes?)

"Sha, ogeda, feva." (Yes, together, always.)

Clarke couldn't hold herself back anymore. She closed what little distance was between them. The intensity in her eyes grew as she practically stalked up into Octavia's face. She could feel the hitch in Octavia's breath as her eyes bore into the emerald before her. Octavia traced the fine scars with her eyes that she could see on Clarke's face as Clarke's eyes darted to the bedroom door again. When she had the information that she wanted, she leaned in the few millimetres that was between them and kissed Octavia.

Her breath left her body in a whoosh and the way that Clarke was devouring her mouth made it very hard to try to catch it. She buried herself into the feeling because she wasn't the one that started this interaction, but she wasn't going to stop her. She wanted this as much as it seemed that Clarke did in the moment, so she made her mind up to enjoy every single second. There was a fire behind it that Octavia hadn't felt since Lincoln and she knew it was wrong to compare Clarke to her old mate, but she had been this moved in years.

"Clarke," Octavia breathed out.

"Not now, O," she told her as her hand reached up and buried her hands in Octavia's hair.

She felt Clarke's short nails scrape across her scalp and she held Octavia to her. She was letting Clarke dictate the pace. It was a foreign concept for her, but she didn't want to spook the blonde. If Clarke was going to be with her, she was going to let Clarke lead things. She'd already given Clarke enough to bury her and have her life, but amazingly, Clarke was now kissing her. Thoroughly. Octavia was awash with feelings and to keep from speaking them, closed her eyes.

She deepened the kiss and Octavia moved with her. A quick push and Octavia fell on the couch, Clarke coming with her. Octavia opened her eyes to look at Clarke as she mounted her lap. A leg on each side of Octavia's, Clarke sat herself down and kept raking her fingers through Octavia's non-braided hair, enjoying the feeling of the silky strands running through her fingers.

Clarke molded herself to Octavia's torso. Finally, Octavia couldn't restrain herself any longer. She let her hands run over Clarke's sides and her back, holding her close and enjoying the warmth and feeling of Clarke beneath her rough and calloused, warrior hands. There was something definitely building between them. Clarke was loosing herself in Octavia's body, fierceness and her desire and Octavia was loving every minute of it.

There was a quick knock at the door. Octavia pulled her head back just a little, but Clarke wasn't done conquering her "Champion." She moved to Octavia's neck and began to nibble there. Octavia had to fight everything in her to not throw Clarke on the couch and just take her, especially as she heard the quick rap on the door again. Even in her lust-filled state, Octavia could tell that it wasn't a guard, Miller, or Indra. And, they were the only ones who ever dared to disturb Octavia when she was in the office.

"There's someone at the door," Octavia panted out.

"They...can...wait," Clarke breathed out between kisses.

"Clarke..." Octavia warned in a pleasurable hiss.

The knock grew a little more insistent.

"Clarke," Octavia tried again.

"Oh, fine," Clarke said as she got up off of Octavia.

It took Octavia more than a few seconds to regain her composure and her bearings. When she did, she rose from the couch and went to the door. She stopped in front of the door and turned to take in Clarke again. The blonde had parked herself in the chair before the desk. She was combing her fingers through her short hair, smoothing it down some.

Octavia ripped the door open. She was ready to eviscerate whoever was behind it for disturbing them. She was not prepared to see Monty and Harper there.

"What's wrong?"

"We need to talk," Monty stated.

"About?"

"Bellamy and Cooper," Harper told her.

"Come in."