Disclaimer: The usual. I don't own anything.
A/N: The story starts from near the ending of the episode Day Trip (Season 1 Episode 8). From there, it goes AU but will have similarities to the series progression. It will be mainly Bellamy and Clarke in focus with rest of the characters in the mix. Fair warning. Not a fan of Finn and it would probably show in the story.
- 100 -
Bellamy and Clarke walked back to the camp in comfortable silence. Both of them are lost in their thoughts after their experience from hallucinogenic nuts. Bellamy felt that a big burden has been lifted from his guilt-ridden thoughts after the experience. He couldn't explain why a simple matter of Clarke forgiving him would reduce the turmoil he has been suffering inside. But it did. He was still blaming himself for what he had done and the result of it but he didn't feel overwhelmed by it. He was suddenly seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. The darkness he felt in him had started to dissipate in the light shone by Clarke's forgiveness. He was feeling hopeful that things may turn out better than he thought. He was determined to make up with Octavia and do what he can to help others in the camp.
Clarke was lost in her own thoughts as well. Seeing her dad even in hallucination was difficult for her. His advice to forgive led her to take the step towards forgiving Bellamy. She didn't like the arrogant rebel leader of the camp when they met. But as time went on, she came to recognize that Bellamy did anything to protect his sister no matter the consequences to anyone else. Sometimes his actions were reckless and led to disaster but she could see why he did what he did. And that made it easier to forgive him for unintentionally causing the deaths of the people who were floated in the Ark. After all, he didn't know they were going to be floated when he decided to destroy the radio. And she could see him show remorse when he realized they were too late. At the heat of the moment, she blamed him. But after imagining her father's advice, she realized that she could forgive him. And she did.
She only hoped that convincing him to come back with her to the camp so they can resolve his concern about the Ark executing him will turn out to be the right choice. She hoped that chancellor Jaha will show lenient to Bellamy for his actions and coming forward with the truth behind the plot to execute him. She mentally prepared for what she was going to say to convince Jaha to pardon Bellamy.
They soon reached the camp and were let inside by the guards at the gate. There seemed to be a gathering at the centre of the camp with everyone talking aloud in panicked voices. Listening to them, they realized that the grounder had managed to escape the camp somehow. Everyone was worried about retaliation that will arrive soon and they were panicking about not being able to defend themselves.
"Let the grounders come. We've been afraid of them for far too long, and why? Because of their knives and spears. I don't know about you. I'm tired of being afraid." Bellamy's loud voice broke through their chatter as they both walked into the middle catching everyone's attention. He was speaking in his confident leader voice that inspire the delinquents in the camp. When he put the weapons in the middle to show it to everyone, they all felt the excitement run through them. All of a sudden, they felt confident and brave now that they had a way to defend themselves. And Bellamy's speech brought forward the confidence they were lacking before.
"These are weapons, ok, not toys, and we have to be prepared to give them up to the guard when the dropships come, but until then, they're gonna help keep us safe." Clarke spoke out. She is always the voice of reason in the camp and she needed to make sure that the rest of them don't go crazy with the guns and be careful with them.
"Tomorrow we start training, and if the grounders come, we're gonna be ready to fight. Now go and get your rest. We have a busy day tomorrow." Bellamy ordered everyone to disperse and they followed it as obedient soldiers.
Clarke saw Bellamy walk towards his sister sitting at the wall watching outside, with a blanket in his hands. She knew he wanted to make up with her and she needed to give them privacy. She went ahead to the tent that had the radio to start sending the signal to the Ark for the video call they had to make.
When the receivers answered, Clarke requested chancellor Jaha for an important chat. The receiver went to find the chancellor and Clarke walked out of the tent and called out to Bellamy.
Bellamy saw Clarke waiting at the communication tent and knew it was time to talk with the Ark. It was the moment he faced the consequences for his actions. After Clarke's speech, he had a sliver of hope that it would not be a death sentence for him. He walked towards her to the tent, ready to face the person he tried to kill.
When they walked in, Jaha was waiting in the video chat for them. He sat in front of the camera and he was surprised when he saw Clarke sat down next to him.
"Mr. Blake, I've wanted to talk to you for some time now." Jaha said as a way of initiating the conversation.
Before Bellamy replied back, Clarke jumped the gun. "Before you do, I'd like to say something. When you sent us down here, you sent us to die, but miraculously, most of us are still alive. In large part, that is because of him, because of Bellamy. He's one of us, and he deserves to be pardoned of his crimes just like the rest of us." She told the chancellor. It was the speech she had prepared herself on their way back and she wanted it said before anyone said anything.
For a moment, chancellor Jaha remained quiet thinking it through. "Clarke, I appreciate your point of view, but it's not that simple." He answered back.
"It is, if you want to know who on The Ark wants you dead." Bellamy told him determined. He realized that forcing their hand would work better than begging for it. He hoped that the information will be more valuable than Jaha's need for retribution.
"I wish that was the case. Whether you want to reveal the people behind the plot or not is your choice. But that cannot deter the justice to be served for your crimes." Jaha informed him. He looked disappointed with his decision but he didn't sway from it. Bellamy felt the last bit of hope slip away with that.
"How can you say that? Don't you want to find out who is trying to kill you? How is it justice to kill someone you already sent to their death?" Clarke exclaimed in shock. She was sure that chancellor Jaha will go for the deal. She did not expect him to refuse it.
"Bellamy can still choose to reveal who was behind it. But I cannot put my own personal need for revenge or justice against the law of the Ark." Jaha told her. He had been enforcing the law for a long time and he refused to bend it for his own self.
"But…" Clarke started to argue but Bellamy placed a hand on her to quiet her. She turned to look at him upset and he had a resolute expression in his face. "The person who gave me the gun and told me to kill you is Commander Shumway. He told me that if I were to do it, he would get me passageway to the dropship so I can be with my sister." He told the chancellor.
"Thank you . I wish I could do more for you but as chancellor, I am honour bound to uphold the laws. I offer you my sincere apologies. When the dropship arrives in two days and you will be taken into custody and await your judgement." He ordered and the chat was disconnected.
"Why did you tell him who was behind the assassination attempt? He didn't pardon you." Clarke was still fuming at her failed attempt. Bellamy gave her a dejected smile. "I hoped that it will make up a little for my part in the deaths of those who got floated." He explained to her. Clarke gave him a sympathetic look.
"Bellamy." She whispered and put her hands on his arms as comfort. He looked at her and then averted his eyes quickly. He didn't want her to see him vulnerable again. He needed her to believe he was strong enough to do what needs to be done.
"We can fight this. When the dropship comes, the camp will stand by you. We won't let anything happen to you." She was determined to protect him at any cost. Bellamy shook his head. "No Clarke." He said in a tone that sounded as the conversation was over. She looked at him confused.
"I won't let anyone in the camp get in trouble because of me. You need the camp united and ready to fight the grounders when they arrive. You need to make sure Octavia is safe and protected. I won't risk them all to save myself. I will not put any of you in danger." He explained when he realized he owed her that.
"What do you think they will do when the soldiers come to arrest you? Do you think Octavia will stand by, watching you get dragged out to be executed? What about all the kids that look up to you?" She asked. She didn't think the camp will stay quiet when the guards come to arrest Bellamy.
"That's why I am going to go away from the camp. I will be on the run, so the camp can't be blamed for my escape. You all need their protection and be united against the grounders. Me being here will divide you all until grounders come and wipe you out." He explained. He was back to his initial plan to run away. At the beginning of the day, it was more of a self-preservation act. Now it was a strategic act. How things change in a day Bellamy wondered to himself.
"No. I can't. I can't do this without you. Who will train everyone with the guns? Who will be in charge of security? What will I say to Octavia? I need you Bellamy. I can't do this without you." Clarke pleaded with him. Bellamy looked at her and almost gave in. But he needed to be strong, not for his sake but for the sake of the camp.
"Miller is trained with guns. His dad is a guard in the Ark and Miller knows his way around the weapons. Trust him. He's a good kid and others listen to him. You can ask Monty and Jasper to help around the camp. As for Octavia, she hates me now. I don't think she will be looking for me anytime soon. When she does, the dropship will be here and she will understand." He advised her. It broke his heart that he had to leave his sister in the camp and go away. He was never apart from her willingly before. This will be the first time he will be leaving voluntarily but he knew that she has grown up and she will be able to take care of herself.
"Where will you go?" Clarke asked. She realized no matter what she said, he was going to leave. And she realized in surprise, how much that stressed her. Even when they were on the opposite ends of the arguments, she knew she could count on him when there was trouble. But now she was going to be facing them alone.
"I don't know." He chuckled. He had no plan at all and he had to rely on his survival skills alone.
Clarke in a moment of panic, jumped toward him and hugged him tightly in a bear hug. Bellamy was surprised at that and didn't know what to do. After a few seconds, his arms came around her to give a hug as tightly as she was giving him. He could hear her sniff her tears away and he took a breath-in from her neck. They were not friends before or even on the same side most of the time. But they both somehow shared a bond through their leadership qualities. Bellamy knew that the Clarke he thought he knew when they landed was far from the girl who was hugging him and Clarke had a different view of Bellamy from their first impressions.
She let him go reluctantly and he gave her a small smile as comfort as he left the tent. He started packing up his things into his shoulder bag. He took one of the knives and a short-handle axe to put it in his belt holder.
"Here. Take this." Clarke was next to him with a gun in her hand. She was offering it to him willingly.
He shook his head refusing the offer. "You need all the guns you can have. The grounders will not be searching for me. But they know where you are and they will be coming after you. We still don't know which ones work and which don't. Ask Raven or Jasper to help you on that." He told her. She nodded understandingly.
Bellamy looked back at the wall where Octavia was still perched with the blanket wrapped tightly around her. It will be a while before he would be able to see his sister again.
"You should really say goodbye to her." Clarke suggested. Bellamy once again shook his head. "She will not be interested to hear anything I have to say right now. Even if she does, then she won't let me leave. I came here to protect her and if me leaving will keep her safe, then that is what I will do." He told her.
"You're a good brother Bellamy. You have a big heart. One day, your sister will see it." Clarke told him convinced. Bellamy gave her a small smile and walked towards the gates. The guards at the front were curious of his departure but he told them he was going out for hunting. They nodded and opened the door for him to walk out.
- 100 -
Clarke walked into the tent where Finn was at. She saw Raven come out of the tent and asked her permission before she entered. She didn't want there to be any misunderstanding. All she was doing was to check his wound. She needed something to distract her after what happened.
"Guns? Really?" Finn asked her from the sleeping bag as she checked his wound.
"The grounder escaping, we have to expect retaliation. We have to be prepared." She told him dismissively. She didn't have any problem bringing the guns as long as they use it responsibly.
"Yeah. Our ancestors wanted to be prepared, too. So, they built bombs." Finn argued with her.
Clarke was getting riled up. She came to check on him as a way to distract herself and Finn starting an argument with her wasn't helping.
"Rifles are not the same as nukes." She replied back bitterly.
"In Bellamy's hands, they are. Clarke, come on. You can't predict what he's gonna do." Finn told her. It was the wrong thing to say because as soon as Bellamy was mentioned, everything Clarke was trying to ignore came back to her.
"The grounder saved Octavia's life, and Bellamy brought him back here and tortured him." Finn continued on.
"If Bellamy didn't do that, you will be buried with the rest of the dead behind the wall." She snapped at him. "Show some respect to the man who saved your life."
Finn stared at her surprised. Clarke never spoke to him in that tone before. Something had changed.
"You and Bellamy are leading us down a dangerous road. I wish you would've talked to me about it first."
"I wish you talked to me about a lot of things, but you didn't." She said mockingly.
"Clarke…" Finn started to say something but Clarke interfered.
"I trust him. Which is a lot more than what I can say about you." She told him to his face. Finn looked shocked at her declaration.
"You can't be serious." He exclaimed.
"I am." Clarke told him and got up when Raven walked into the camp. She left before she had to argue more with Finn.
When she was standing outside the tent alone, she realized what she had said. She trusted Bellamy. She had been arguing with him on most of what he did since they landed but somehow, she trusted him. She couldn't exactly tell why that was. Could it be what she saw when he was protective of his sister? Could it be their shared experience today in the day trip? She didn't know the answer to the question except that she trusted him. And now he wasn't there with her. She felt more alone in a camp surrounded by eighty plus delinquents now than ever before.
A/N: Our hero has departed. Next chapter onwards, it will be from Bellamy's point of view and then Clarke's point of view of the day in third person narration.