Chapter 9

Day 7

The next morning Bellamy made his way to Jordan to check on that last image from the done. "How's it going?" He asked.

"Going good." Jordan replied and showed Bellamy a blurry photo on the screen. "As you can see we got the image. I put in a program to clear it up and we should know by tonight what we are looking at." Jordan smiled.

"Great job, Jordan." Bellamy gave him a pat on the back. But then he noticed Madi was not with him. Since she's woken Madi has been very involved with all the technical aspects of their search, and so she has usually been near Jordan. But not this morning.

"Is Madi here?" He asked. But Jordan shook his head no. Giving Jordan one more pat on the back Bellamy left to find Madi. Bellamy finds her a few minutes later in the Anti-Gravity room. Madi is sitting in the middle of the room with her back facing the entrance. If she heard Bellamy enter, she gave no indication, so Bellamy comes up to her and sits beside her facing the only window in the room with her.

"Good morning." Bellamy gives her a smile in greeting. But Madi only responds with a subdued morning, as she continues to just sit here. "Madi, are you ok?" Bellamy asks.

It looked like she didn't want to answer at first but then, with eyes squeezed shut, Madi belts out, "you don't have to pretend anymore. You have your own kids now, just focus on the baby and I'll stay out of your way."

"What?" Bellamy is stunned. "Madi what are you talking about?" He gently grabs her shoulders and when they face each other he sees she has tears running down her face. He could tell she had been crying long before he came in.

"Madi sweetheart. Just because there's a baby in the way doesn't mean you mean any less to me than before."

Madi looks up and sniffs. "You really mean that?" Her small wimpier broke his heart. She must have been really bothered by this. "Really." He says with conviction.

Madi throws her arms around him and starts crying anew. Her sobbing echoes around the cavernous room. Bellamy pulls her in deeper, trying to convey his love to her.

He can relate to those treacherous thoughts. When Octavia was born and his mother spent all her free time with her, trying to take care of her and keep her hidden, it was discouraging to his 7 year old self. At that age he had trouble understanding that it wasn't possible for his mom to love one more than the other.

"Madi, I wanna tell you something my mom would tell me whenever I felt left out compared to Occtavia. She would tell me this and I want you to understand I feel the same way ok?" Madi nods her head, her tears drying. "You see my hand?" He asks her. "Do you think it would hurt me any less if I lost my pointer finger over any other?"

"It would hurt if you lost any of them, but what does this have to do with us?", Madi asks, but Bellamy continues. "That's exactly my point Madi. The loss of any of my fingers would hurt immensely. Because they are all a part of me. Just like you and the baby are part of my family and I love you both the same, no matter what."

He saw as a smile slowly spread across her face. The light of understanding lit up her eyes and he knew they would me ok. But before the left he wanted to point out, " you know that goes the same for Clarke too, right." With their arms around each other Madi nods her head, a content smile on her face.

She knew now, she would always have her family.

After lunch everyone gathered on the bridge to see the first image of New Earth. But before that, Bellamy wanted to pitch his idea for a new government.

"Everyone, before we see the image I wanted to run something by all of you. Now when we go down there there might and there might not be people already living with their own society. But whether there are people we still need a game plan for our people. And those people include the Eligius prisoner that grew up in the time before the first Primfaya. These people not only think differently from us but they thought differently from the society they grew up in. So we need a way to integrate them in our world now.

"But we also need to figure out what our world looks like today. Madi, Clarke and I are the only nightbloods. So, should God forbid, anything happen to Madi, there's no clear successor to Heda."

Murphy cuts in, "but isn't she not Heda anymore since you took out the Flame?"

"She still has all their memories. So until we can figure out a way to use the Flame without a past Heda trying to take over, it will stay out of Madi's head. But Madi is still the rightful Comandor.

"What I'm getting at is, WonKru for the most part understands the culture that emerged after Primfaya. But due to all the nightbloods being killed, we need to establish a new way of succession. Because the Conclave is not an option. Not with the human race being so small."

Everyone had an understanding somberness about them. All the fighting has only hurt them as a whole.

"So I propose the succession be hereditary. Where Madi's child would take over after her. The child would be raised from the beginning with all the knowledge of past Hedas' so that they can accurately lead our people. But Madi should be able to be a kid first and on her 18th birthday, she would become Heda in all its capacity. But in the meantime she will have Regents that would handle the day to day stuff."

"I don't know if WonKru will accept that." Gaia points out.

"That is why Clarke and I discussed it and we are thinking of offering a new system that would allow the people to have more say in how things are run. In the time before, there were monarchies that had a king or queen but also a voted parliament that was chosen periodically by the citizens. They would create the laws and once approved by the king or queen it would be enforced.

"I propose we do the same. We need two parliamentary groups. The first being Parliament. There would be one person that would represent 100 to 150 of their group. For example, the prisoners have over 300 people so they would vote and have 3 of their people in the Parlement. Each clan can do the same. This Parlement would be in charge of maintaining peace between the clans and our people as a whole, under Heda's authority of course."

Bellamy could see everyone liked this idea. Even Indra was showing a smile of approval. But it was Clark's proud smile that really made his chest blossoms with hope.

"The second would be the House of Experts. This House would have members appointed by Heda. It would include people that are experts in their field. For example, Abby is the best doctor we have. She would be the medical expert. And she would be in charge of maintaining a well functioning Med Bay or Hospital. She would also be in charge of teaching anyone who would like to become a doctor everything they would need to know to become one."

Most of those gathered seemed uneasy about this and Raven interrupted. "Abby is not fit to run her own life. How is she supposed to do all of that?" The disappointed look on her face cut Abby more than she thought it would. Over the years Raven has become like a second daughter to her. To see this much disdain directed at her was disheartening.

loLking around Bellamy and Clarke could see most everyone were thinking the same thing. So Clarke took over. "That is why she won't be in full control of that. My mother is still the most knowledgeable doctor we have so she still needs to teach medicine and she will hold the expert position until Jackson can take over. In the meantime we were hoping Jackson would establish the hospital, clinic, med bay or whatever you want to call it. Once that is done then mom can step down and you would be the Expert of Medicine."

"Sounds good to me." Emori chimes in, reflecting everyone's thoughts.

"So what other Experts do you have in mind?" Indra asks.

Bellamy smiles, "Defense, which we would hope you would run. Engineering," everyone looked at Raven, "which to no surprise would be Raven. We also need someone for Agriculture, Housing and Education . So far we think these are the most crucial. For the education expert. At the moment since we don't have many children, it would be more of teaching everyone how we got here, all the wars and hopefully instill in them to not make the same mistakes. This person would also need to educate the Eligius prisoners."

This piqued Octavia's interest. "Do you have anyone in mind for this?" She asked. Bellamy felt an irrational annoyance at Octavia's question, so with a heavy sigh answers. "Not at the moment. We realize it's a lot of responsibility and we will see who wants to take this on and if they are up to the task."

Everyone nodded. Then Clarke asks, "so what do you guys think? Do you have any questions?" But evey one seemed good and ready to follow the plan Bellamy and Clarke have laid out. It looked like they liked this new form of government.

"Alright your majesties, let's see what New Earth looks like!" Murphy diclears. Everyone gathered at a screen, all had been linked to show the same thing, excited to see their new home.

It vaguely occurred to Clarke that no one questioned who the Regents would be. No one, not even Raven. But she put that thought away for another time. She and Bellamy stoop behind Madi as she pulls up the blurry image. Slowly the large pixels became smaller and smaller until a face appeared.

"Yes!" Jordan exclaimed. "It's a person!" But when he turned around to celebrate with everyone else he noticed all but Shaw were frozen. Everyone was staring wide eyed at the screens, all their jaws hanging open. A thump was heard on one side of the Bridge. Octavia was on the floor staring at her screen in disbelief. Tears ran down her face and a shaking hand muffled one word as it escaped her constricted throat.

"Lincoln…"

Jordan watched as the defining silence morphed into indistinguishable nois. Everyone was speaking over one another. After the image revealed the long dead Lincoln everyone started exclaiming their disbelief and theory to rebut this.

All his friends were distracted but Bellamy was looking at his sister on the floor. Her shoulder, once strong and unyielding, now shake. She's in shock. And for the first time a long time, he can actually relate to her.

The man she loved and lost is somehow alive again. It's such an odd feeling. It's apprehension, and anxiety and elation all rolled into one. You can't breath and yet it feels like you're taking your first breath in years.

He felt the same way when he first met Madi.

Bellamy crouches down and places a warm hand on Octavia's shoulder. When she looks up at him, he sees his innocent sister again.

"It's going to be ok." He tells her. Bellamy instantly saw the difference his words made as a determined look came over her face and Octavia gave a singular nod.

Everyone was still discussing this improbability when a loud whistle was heard. Everyone silenced and turned to the source. Clarke stands next to Madi, both commanding attention like the queen and princess they are.

"Ok, so clearly people live on New Earth. And somehow one of them looks like Lincoln." She gave a sad look to Octavia. "We need a plan of action. Sending a small army down there might backfire on us and we can't afford that. A few of us will need to go down there, while the rest wait up here, to negotiate our landing. I suggest our negotiation party should be Jackson, Miller, Murphy, Emory, Octavia, Shaw to pilot and Bellamy and I."

"No," Bellamy protests before Raven can protest herself not going, He stands up abruptly, as his heart constricts. "We don't know what dangers we'll face down there and you're pregnant. You're not coming down."

Clarke looks flabbergasted. "Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I can't handle anything this planet throws at me." Clarke rebotles.

"No Clarke and that's final."

"Bellamy your being unreasonable."

"Unreasonable is you asking me to put the mother of my kids and our Regent in danger!"

Clarke was speechless. She hadn't been thinking of herself as a mother. "What about you?" she answers, sadness dripping from her voice. "What if something happens to you? What if I lose you when I just got you back?" Bellamy sees tears glistening in her eyes as he gets closer.

He brings her in and tries to hug away her pain. "You won't lose me Clarke. I have way too much to look forward to, to let anything separate us again. I will come back, I promise!"

Clarke holds on tightly, afraid to let go because she knows she's going to have to. She knows he's right and she can't be there to watch his back. Clarke feels little arms wrap around her and sees Madi has joined in their hug. "Don't worry Calrke, Bellamy will come back, he came back before, I know he will again." Clarke gives her a teary smile. Her little girl wasn't just saying this for her sake, she really believed it. And her hope seeped into Clarke and made her feel lighter about this. Made believed they won't lose him again, Clarke had to believe it too.

Wiping her tears Clarke says, "Your right Madi. He always comes back." The little family has one more hug before addressing everyone else.

"Then take Echo with you. She's a skilled fighter and I know she'll watch out for you." Bellamy gave her a smile in return. It warmed his heart to know Clarke and Echo didn't hold any animosity towards each other.

With that decided everyone went to get ready. Madi, Clarke and Bellamy were walking through the halls when Madi asked, "do you think there are kids my age down there?"

Bellamy and Clarke look at eachother, smiles forming on their they forget Madi never really had friends her own age.

"I think there's a very good possibility there will be." Clarke says. This makes Madi smile and jump up and down with happiness. "I'm so excited! I can't wait till we can go down."

And so the young family continued their stroll through the hallway, all three hopeful for what the future has in store for them.

Soon the negotiation crew was ready to leave. Everyone had one last meal together as they wished their friends good luck on their mission. Jordan voiced his wish to be going down with them but was quickly refused when Bellamy reminded him he promised his parents he would look out for him.

Raven, still sour from being left behind, only said a quick good buy and left to monitor things from the Bridge.

This left only Clarek and Madi in the cargo bay with everyone leaving. Madi was going around making requests like bringing her back a flower or writing her name on the first tree they came across. Murphy was more than willing to entertain her requests and even went as far ast to ask her how big she wanted her name.

Emori got a hopeful feeling watching this. If everything goes well, maybe her and John could try for their own family one day. She could see it so clearly, her tough man being a gooey and sweet to their kids. Emori could keep the smile off her face after that, as she boarded the ship.

Once inside, she saw Echo and Shaw speaking, most likely about Raven and Miller and Jackson sitting together. Their conversation flowed in much the same direction as everyone else's that day. They hoped they can do better this time, that they can be good guys for real and not have to make impossible choices anymore.

Outside in the cargo bay now stood only Bellamy and Clarke. Up until that point they have been going over points to negotiate with. Things they can offer the people steady there in trade. Things to look out for so they don't get stuck with infertile land.

But now all that has stopped as they gaze into eachothers eyes. It felt like forever ago since they had time just to themselves. Time to be together.

Bellamy brought on hand up to hold Clarke's cheek. "You'll stay safe right?" The gentleness in his voice makes her heart flutter.

"You're asking me? I'm not the one that's going to a potentially hostile planet." Clarke lets out a small giggle.

"Yeah, well you know I always worry." His boyish grin makes him look younger than he was and less burdened.

"I'll stay safe, I promise. But please make sure to call me every day so that I know you're safe too. We need you to come back to us." Clarke emphasized by pulling him closer by the collar of his jacket.

With a quick glance around to make sure they were still alone, Bellamy pulled Clarke into his arms and gave her a chast kiss. "I will call you every day, I promise." He says with his megawatt smile on in full force.

His good mood and happiness was so contagious that Clarke couldn't help but return his smile with her own beaming smile. "I love you…" She tells him as she tucks a stray curl away. She doesn't expect him to say it back, she fully expects him to kiss her, like he did the first time she told him in the anti-gravity room. But he doesn't kiss her.

Bellamy resty his forehead against hers, his eyes closed peacefully. When he opens them he tells her something Clarke didn't think she'd hear this soon.

"I love you too… so much."

-The End-

AN:

Thank you to everyone who stayed with me to the end of this story and I hope you all enjoyed reading this. I will promise that this is a trilogy and I will try my hardest to get the third story out as soon as possible but, as you may know by now, my updates aren't always consistent.

May we meet again.