Trikru High School

by secretkeeper0024

Principal Lexa Woods is working hard for the betterment of her students and her community. The usual 100 kru are teachers with their usual antics - this time in the staffroom. Complete

The Teaching Staff of Trikru High School

Principal Lexa Woods is working hard for the betterment of her students and her community. The usual 100 kru are teachers with their usual antics - this time in the staffroom.

Chapter One

"Welcome back, welcome back, I am pleased to see you all. I have had a wonderful summer break. I am rested, energised and entirely ready to tackle the second half of the school year; to prepare our school facilities and resources ready for our students on Monday morning," said Lexa, raising her voice over the various chatter.

All of the teachers were squeezed into the staff room. The room had not grown with the number of staff over the years, and the limited facilities were usually best managed with staggered demand. All of the chairs were taken, much of the bench space and all the walls were taken for leaning upon. Lexa didn't mind the hardship, it was the circumstance and reality of nearly all of Trikru students as they lived and worked in a community ravaged by economic decline and comparative poverty.

There was no point in avoiding it, and it was not without its silver lining, primarily it brought them together as a community, served to make them feel bonded together - Trikru against the world!

"We have a new staff member this year - Clarke Griffin is our new Art Teacher, welcome!"

A small round of applause was met by a nervous wave and a nod from the blonde.

"Now, we have three days to prepare for students to come pouring through the gates on Monday morning, so let's get to it! Mrs Murdoch - "

Mrs Murdoch was the personal assistant to the Principal and Vice Principal's office, and head of all administration and support staff, upon hearing her name, she half stood, waved and nodded, reminding everybody what she looked like,

"has prepared a roster of appointments for Anya and I to meet with each of you to review the subject outline, content and delivery schedule, and to discuss any ideas and concerns. In the meantime, please attend to your classrooms, organise them the way you prefer them, ensure they are clean and in good order. Requests for maintenance can be made online, as can orders for materials and resources."

"Monday morning is going to be chaotic, I would appreciate you all arriving at 7.30 am, I know it's early," Lexa's hands moved to stop signs either side of her head, an attempt to curtail the general sound of complaint, "but I have done this once or twice before and believe me, our being organised and ahead of the student wave, will be to our own benefit, as well as to those we serve."

The teachers gave in, partly by Lexa's persuasion that it would be to their own benefit and partly by reminding them that they were expected to position themselves so as to be of service to their students. This was a strong cultural shift driven by Lexa and Anya, unique in that it was more than an empty platitude, rather it was the essence that shaped the content and tone of all their initiatives.

Students first; their education, their needs, their development. Economic decline and poverty had stripped communities, families and students of the resources, service and cultural capital necessary to transcend their starting point which was why poverty was intergenerational.

Lexa Woods understood the premise but rejected the conclusion; youth and education were the two pivotal points around which the cycle could and should be interrupted. She expected that as she began investing in her students, they would pick up on her energy, on the energy of very special teachers and experts, to light a fire within these young people that would change their trajectory.

Clarke was amazed to hear Lexa talk about teachers as being of service to students so openly and under such a weight of expectation. Oh she was well aware of the unusual expectation at Trikru, having just survived the employment application and job interview process where she had been expected to convince the interview panel of her comprehension of and commitment to such concepts.

She understood the purpose of such an early and determined mention of it and saw the effect it had among the staff. She had long been hearing in detail about the unique culture in the school and the amazing principal from her lifelong best friend since childhood, Wells Jaha, who had been employed there as a mathematics teacher and Chess coach.

This was her first teaching post and she was quite nervous about her prospects of success, the idea of cleaning the classroom, inspecting the facilities, ordering resources and having an interview with Lexa and Anya would be welcome activities before actual interactions with real live teenage students.

After the meeting, lots of teachers introduced themselves to her and welcomed her to their community, offering to help her in a variety of ways. A tall, thin muscular woman introduced herself as Coach O and immediately asked her if she liked football, Clarke assured her that she was prepared to learn but was left with the distinct impression that she had disappointed her new friend. Before she could make amends, another person put himself forward, a handsome boyish Finn Collins, who taught law and oversaw the debating team. After a few more meetings, Wells rescued her and offered to walk her down to the art rooms.

The art rooms were ideal, housed in a very old free standing building set quite apart from the rest of the school buildings. Two classrooms divided by a large storeroom in between with a lockable door, she would be able to stash her handbag in the room and make coffee without having to traipse up to the staffroom - which would be a blessing especially on those cold winter mornings.

In the classroom on the left was a desk at the front by the old out-dated blackboard; Clarke knew immediately she would not be using that for educational purposes. There were about forty individual chairs with the little foldable table to lean their books on, all in neat rows. This room would be for theoretical discussions. The second room contained an enormous table in the middle of the room with all the stools around the edges, ideal for practical work.

The rooms were quite old despite having received some obvious recent attention, a new roof was selected instead of a paint job and a new linoleum floor rather than filling the gaps between the walls and the floor. The furniture was old but in reasonably good repair with plenty of cupboards around the periphery and shelving around the walls. Clarke loved it. She stepped outside and took in the view more carefully this time.

The almost dilapidated old weatherboard building actually looked like it was probably the original school house on the site, Clarke dated it to somewhere close to 1820's. Two sets of steps, one on the left and one on the right, led up to a front porch with two front doors above the steps, each leading into their own class rooms. There were hooks along the front wall where children might have once hung their school bags, what would once have been a convenience would probably by contemporary standards pose a health and safety risk!

On the roof there was still an old chimney in the middle at the rear and in front there was a little structure that likely housed the old school bell at one point. A rope would have run down and been tied off to the verandah beam so that the teacher could round up the children in the morning and set them free in the afternoon.

From inside the classrooms, the teachers could access the store room and probably have a little chat over a cup of tea while their students were doing their reading or sums. Clarke loved the rooms, she loved the sense of history, the high ceilings gave a spacious airy feeling, which although were probably cold for students, would be ideal for ventilation considering the paint fumes.

She had taught some art classes before, but not as a teacher, not exactly - and not with students, teenage students. Wells had known Clarke forever so of course he knew of her great natural talent. He had suggested all through high school that she ought to consider making an application to Art school. She had initially intended to study medicine, and follow her mother into surgery, but the idea worked away inside her mind. It was a pleasant thought, but was she good enough?

Everyone she knew, except her mother, was always quick to compliment her (her mother didn't compliment her because she was completely fixed on the idea of Clarke completing Medical school). Still unsure, she sent images of her works to the Head of the School of Fine Arts at Maryland Institute College of Art to ask whether they thought it was worth her applying. Apparently it was.

During her second year Clarke went to Europe to extend her historical and cultural education, after her third year she was apprenticed for three months to Minami Aoyama Shogain in Tokyo; a painting studio offering a program in drawing, oil, water color, Nihonga and acrylic painting. In her final year Clarke won a prestigious award for emerging artists - The Colour Station, part of the prize was the opportunity to show her work for three months in a prestigious art exhibition in The Pump Room, Washington DC, which was a valuable learning experience, raising her profile significantly.

Following that, Clarke rented a studio and started an online business where she sold her images, primarily images of nature; some trees, shrubs, flowers, water, animals and landscapes in various mediums. She was also well known for producing portraits but her trademark style, what she was most well known for was topographical images. Clarke would produce images of landscapes, simple historical and or architectural features from a bird's eye view, as if she were high above the ground, looking straight down.

Wells had been teaching at Trikru High school for years and had encouraged her to apply for the Art Teaching position the moment Lexa had secured the funding for it. When Clarke finally agreed he had helped her prepare an application, then prepare for the interview/s process.

A representative from the Trikru School Board had facilitated the job interview but was apparently unable to attend at the last minute. An intimidating woman strode into the room like she owned it, she was overdressed and overacting in a way that immediately signalled to Clarke that she had someone in mind for the role and Clarke was not that person.

She merely nodded to everyone else in the room and introduced herself forcefully to Clarke as Nia Azgeda, Head of the School Board. Clarke could not help but pick up on the friction between her and everyone else at the table. She was not intimidated by the woman, despite suspecting that intimidation was the woman's primary intention. Clarke was not a particularly nervous person, and truth be told, she was still making her mind up about the role, she attended the interview convinced that the very best person would be offered the position, which may or may not be herself.

There was a representative from the Trikru Parents and Teachers Association, as well as the Principal and Vice Principal and all three were far more personable and welcoming. There were some introductory remarks and questions, a deeper discussion about Clarke's own education, skills, experience and knowledge as it related to the various aspects of the prospective role.

The PTA representative introduced the notion that Trikru was situated in a high poverty district, most students coming from low income families and went into some detail about the effects of such conditions. Such districts were inadequately funded and tended to have more students in need of extra help, fewer guidance counselors, tutors, and psychologists, lower-paid teachers, more dilapidated facilities and bigger class sizes.

There were rarely up-to-date textbooks which were in poor condition and whilst there were some computers for general use there were zero access to personal laptops,

"Without money, there's just a domino effect," he explained.

Clarke had been well prepared by Wells, he had warned her that Lexa was determined to choose the very best teacher on behalf of her students and the very best teacher was not only a talented artist, but had a sound comprehension of these very dynamics. Her message regarding changing the trajectory of her students was the primary consideration of every decision made, across every level of the school, and no less so than with those who would have considerable contact with those students.

Lexa outlined her ideas and strategies about how to overcome and counteract the impact and effects of poverty on the students; the cornerstone was treating the students with absolute respect in every instance and for the teaching staff to frame the provision of education as an essential service. Students were required to be responsible for their education, but convincing them that becoming engaged was both meaningful and worthwhile - was key.

That message was as necessary as oxygen within the community, her teachers and staff were expected to live and breathe that ethos and students were bombarded with that message directly and indirectly. Years of positive messaging could be undone in a moment by careless body language or a poorly worded comment and that could cost that student their education and possibly their future.

It was part of the culture that Lexa Woods was cultivating in the community as well as in the school; that members, teachers and students alike should strive for a simple life, utilising basic supplies and materials, making the most of their resources. Happiness and satisfaction were to be found in strong relationships and belonging to the community, personal success measured against sustained effort rather than money, brand name clothing and bling. Such was considered an unworthy and empty pursuit holding nothing like the value of supporting our neighbours, kindness and encouragement.

Anya was also solemn and earnest, but she apparently relaxed around the halfway mark of the interview, which gave Clarke more confidence and made the second part of the appointment more genial. Information flowed more easily from one side of the table to the other, Clarke was able to talk easily about how her college career began as a pre-med student, which was brought to an abrupt halt when her father had died in a workplace accident. Her grief was so complete she was unable to attend to her studies, instead she spent her time sketching, drawing and painting for almost twelve months.

She was able to convince the interview panel that she believed in their principles and had some great ideas for helping students to use art to understand and identify political concepts of inside and outside, structure and fluidity, oppression and freedom, power, class, and community. Clarke felt confident that she could use local experiences and examples that reflected their reality to engage students rather than more common middle class representations.

After her first interview, Clarke was invited to a second, after which she had then only to wait two days for Lexa to call her and inform her that her interview for the post of Art Teacher at Trikru High School was entirely successful and she very much hoped to be told that Clarke was going to accept. Clarke thanked her very much for the opportunity and assured her that she was very keen to accept the position, albeit a little nervous given it was her first teaching post. Lexa assured her that she would have plenty of support to make the post successful for both herself and the students.

Having got his friend this far, Wells also helped her to develop a subject outline for each year level which contained both theoretical and practical components according to the syllabus. This was an entirely new experience for her and she had needed considerable help to get as far as she had, but Clarke had in no way left all the heavy lifting to her friend. She had not only parroted his hints, she had researched and studied them herself, and was confident that she did actually understand and believe in the overall culture Lexa was creating for her students.

She anxiously anticipated her appointment with Lexa and Anya later in the afternoon, not nervous to be seeing the women themselves, but to receive feedback on her academic plans for her students. She had made a very thorough study of the Visual Arts High School Syllabus for the various year levels, and felt confident in her preparation, but she was entirely outside of her lived experience.

She had met them both twice already, at each of her job interviews and again at the school for an induction and to sign the various employment and legal documents. She had no apprehension about meeting with them again, whilst neither of them could be described as friendly or jolly, they were both very nice people. Lexa appeared as fearsome as her reputation, highly discerning with no tolerance for fools or flattery and Anya was obviously clever, passionate with a dry satirical sense of humour.

Her appointment with them was directly after lunch, and Clarke was organised, handing them each a set of subject outlines for each year; Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior. They were simple, straightforward but not without challenge, each combining a mix of practical and theoretical components, historical and contemporary.

"How did you find your class rooms, Clarke?" Lexa asked.

"Very comfortable, suited to independent and group work," she replied.

"And are the rooms in good condition?" Lexa was clearly able to read and talk at the same time.

"I registered a couple of maintenance issues, one leaking tap and one loose shelf."

"And supplies?"

"I ordered the basics as required by the subject requirements as outlined,"

"And how do you foresee managing the budget?"

"I have been using the teachers resources website and with careful planning and buying bulk, I believe we can get through comfortably,"

"These outlines are very thorough, Clarke?" commented Anya.

"Oh, too much?"

"Not at all," She pulled out a handwritten bullet point list, "The proposed syllabus for economics!"

"Oh, I see," laughed Clarke, further encouraged by Anya's dropping it on the table as though it was infected with some contagious condition.

"I'm impressed, Clarke, mixing theory and activity is a successful learning strategy," said Lexa.

"Yes, I have tried very hard to implement the basic teaching principles wherever possible,"

"Once you find class plans that work, you can reuse them each term, no need to reinvent the wheel. It will help if you keep notes, especially early on, about what materials or concepts worked or did not, and adjust the classes as you go," explained Lexa, still reading.

"That's helpful advice, thank you,"

"You will discover successful strategies for engaging and managing the students, and they will be glad to have an end of year project piece to submit, rather than an exam,"

"Avoid exams, got it,"

"This is great, can we keep these?" said Lexa, tossing it on the table.

"Sure, is that it?"

"That's it for me, unless there is anything you would like to discuss?"

"Not exactly, the only class plans I have ever prepared were an assessment item at teaching college. I assumed you would go through them with a fine tooth comb and ask me to resubmit them,"

"Welcome to the big leagues, Clarke!"

"Okay, well thanks," Clarke left the room daring to think that Lexa and Anya had been impressed with her effort and she was well pleased.

Clarke had been working at those documents and plans so hard and for so long; she had gone through the federal and state subject syllabus and examination requirements with an eye for detail and then working backwards she had tied subject matter to the objectives and sought to identify a range of examples and subject matter to express the theoretical concepts to both entertain and educate.

"How'd you go?" A voice was at her back before the door was hardly shut.

"Finn? Oh good thanks, I thought it would be more painful,"

"Lexa is surprisingly easy going when she is satisfied, get on her bad side however, and look out!"

"I'll keep that in mind, see you around,"

"Are you heading down to the art rooms? I'm going that way myself,"

"Oh okay,"

A red flag waved limply somewhere in the back of Clarke's mind, it vaguely occurred to her that the art rooms were down at the very bottom of the school, rather isolated and not on the way to anywhere. But the thought was gone before it registered and Clarke found herself instead thinking that he must just be being friendly. He was a winsome, grinning lad, not her type at all, he would have always been popular, she thought, confident in his looks and abilities and assured of his charms.

She thought he was good looking, his hair covered the collar of his button up shirt and between the tie and the jeans he had a sort of preppy look. He was a little too obvious for her taste, Clarke was not completely unaware of her own power to draw the attractions of others - but this was not the time to be pursuing romantic interests, and if it were, Finn was way down the list of those she might encourage the interest of.

She was on her first day of her new job for a start, it was a job she had never done before and one in which she was heavily invested in learning thoroughly and being entirely successful. Whilst there may have been time enough for dating in the evening, Clarke felt certain that many of her evenings were going to be taken up with reviewing her performance in the classroom during the day and researching options to improve her performance the next day.

A great many young people were depending upon her for their education, afterall, and these young people were some of the most vulnerable in the country. She was as good as her word in her job interview, the professions of earnestness and commitment to learn the teaching trade, she thought it might take her full attention for the whole first year just to meet the basic level.

They walked down together, him chatting away in a rather suggestive manner, attempting to sort of tease her in a bit of a 'know it all' manner. She let him go on, just nodding and noting that unlike herself, he was a rule breaker - he took pleasure in pushing boundaries and making other people feel uncomfortable. And this was confirmed when they reached the art rooms, she bounded up the steps, calling 'see you later' but of course that was not enough for him.

She supposed he wanted to see the classrooms but he just stood ginning at her and looking stupid,

"Okay, well, I've got stuff to do," she turned to go through the door.

"Do you want any help?" he said, quickly.

She got a sort of creepy feeling,

"All good, Finn, see you later," she shut the door on him.

The first day on the job and already she was getting letched on! Jesus, also, hadn't Wells mentioned he was seeing Raven, the science and technology teacher? Clarke reconfirmed her commitment to herself for focussing solely on learning the trade and perhaps making friends among the teaching staff. She got busy in her store room, thoroughly checking all the amount and quality of the materials and cleaning the shelves.

She had a mind to make a personal purchase of a small bar fridge, a kettle and some little groceries, tea, coffee, milk and bread for sandwiches. And speaking of personal purchases, she hadn't been entirely honest with Lexa and Anya regarding the art resources, not only had she purchased some things out of her own money, she contributed some of her own supplies and she contacted a number of people in the industry asking them to make a contribution of something specific.

For the next two days there were people to meet, classrooms to find, and class lists to become familiar with. She had organised her materials for the very first classes and rehearsed her class plans until she felt quite certain that she would make a fair performance. By Friday afternoon she was all nervous anticipation for the first class on Monday morning and she had been invited more than once to drinks after school on Friday evening, apparently a frequent activity for all teaching staff.

Chapter Two

Friday night drinks, despite being a regular event, was an event of some high excitement, Clarke supposed it was due to it being the first Friday of the new teaching year. They walked down from the school to a nearby tavern in twos, threes and fours, and by a quarter past four were all squeezed into the place at various tables and booths, some at the bar with pitchers of beer coming out at very regular intervals.

There was a jolly mood throughout, Raven and Octavia were very loud, cheersing one point after another and smacking their glass mugs together so hard Clarke expected them to break every time. They appeared to be both very large personalities, having no scruples in calling out across the premises after one person or another, or throwing a few peanut shells to the next tables.

Clarke didn't see either Lexa or Anya as part of the crowd, perhaps they thought it a base occupation, too low for their superior positions, but a beer on a Friday night to mark the end of the week was not too low for herself! She met Coach O's brother Bellamy Blake who taught modern history and her boyfriend Lincoln Green who was the Society and Culture teacher who also taught survival skills as an after hours recreation. He was a gentle, quiet, giant sort of fellow, happy to sit and drink his beers over a conversation about football or politics, Clarke liked them both straight away.

Finn moved about having chats with anyone and everyone, ending up at Clarke's side frequently, attempting to top up her glass and make some oppositionary comments in an attempt to draw her out, then he would slither away only to plan under what pretext he could again approach her. There was John Murphy, the economics teacher who was as rude and antisocial as one could be, and Clarke was convinced that she was not alone in her conclusion about him.

Gaia Priest was the dance teacher and Clarke discovered that she was the daughter of Gustus and Indra Shepherd. Gustus was responsible for the school garden and Indra was in charge of security of the students, the grounds and infrastructure. Gaia was completely friendly and light hearted, quite in contrast to her parents who were both rather stern, but she assured Clarke that her father's bark was far worse than his bite and her mother, whilst she did have a dangerous bite, only ever exercised her powers when it was completely necessary.

Clarke saw that even the ancient history teacher, Titus Fleimkepa, was of the party. He must surely have been beyond retirement age, and she felt confident that she was not the only person to link his subject to his appearance. He was sitting in a corner, apparently satisfied to be largely ignored and happy to keep topping off his glass from other people's pitchers.

Mrs Murdoch was thrilled to be back to term time, Wells explained to Clarke that the older woman was like a split personality, during the day she was as professional and diligent as one could wish but after hours was as big a football fan as was possible to be. She was the biggest Trikru Warriors fan there was! She attended every match, home and away, wearing the team blazer and cap. She hung around Coach O as much as possible, and when that was not convenient she was cozying up to Lincoln to discuss the State and National football leagues, where she supported Washington.

Wells stayed close by Clarke, introducing her around and giving her mini characterisations about each member of staff, explaining their relationships with each other and quirks of character and just a couple of warnings about one or two people or circumstances. For example he warned her that these Friday nights could easily become very drunken events, if one wasn't careful, and bearing that in mind Clarke was preparing not to stay very long, she took his warning to heart.

Just when she had made up her mind not to expect to see Lexa and Anya in the place, they turned up. Raven and Octavia began cheering and calling out, apparently to welcome them but rather designed to tease and embarrass. Lexa ordered a dozen pitchers of beer and she and Anya took the jugs and began topping up all the glasses themselves, chatting easily with everyone, in a very friendly, jovial manner that was difficult to match to their working hours characters.

"You and Wells are friends outside of school, I think?" Lexa settled herself by Clarke.

"Yes, we have been best friends since we were tiny toddlers," Clarke replied.

"I am very glad you are not completely isolated in your new community, as friendly as we are, and as happy as we are to have you among us, it can be a lonely and daunting adjustment,"

"He has been helping me prepare for the role, oh I don't mean I haven't done the work myself - "

"Relax, Clarke, none of us can get by without receiving help from each other,"

"Have you prepared your opening speech to your first class on Monday morning?"

"If I say yes, are you going to laugh at my silliness?"

"Your eagerness and keenness are refreshing. One of the most difficult aspects of the role is the mental battle against becoming jaded,"

"Well, I am too excited for Monday to consider the distant possibility of future jaded-ness,"

"Here, here, I will remind you of that claim!"

They clinked their glasses and fell into a comfortable silence, looking around at the gaiety of those around them, Raven and Octavia in the middle of them all - encouraging everyone to drink, sing, dance and be generally very jovial.

While Lexa was by her, Finn stayed away, but when Wells came to join them Lexa moved away and shortly there after Finn approached with a pitcher, attempting to top up her drink,

"Not for me, thank you,"

"Oh come on, it's still early, let's have some fun,"

"I can have fun without drinking,"

"Why so serious, Princess?"

Clarke just stared at him, her hand still over the top of her glass,

"You don't like being called Princess, do you Princess?"

She gave him her iciest stare and when he didn't shrink she said,

"I am not comfortable, Wells, I am going home,"

"I will walk you back to your car,"

"Thanks,"

"You're not leaving?" Raven called out from across the room and Finn faded into the background,

"Come on, Clarke, come and have a drink with the girls!"

"I will be right back," Clarke lied right through her fake grin and raised her glass to them. She made to go to the ladies bathroom but she slipped out a side door without drawing any attention to her leaving. She headed in the direction of the school, where her car had been parked since 8am. She had not got half a block before Wells came striding up beside her to walk back with her.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, he just creeps me out, he has been down to the art rooms every morning and afternoon for the whole week, offering me coffees, wanting to help, it's unpleasant."

"Lexa and Anya will step on his neck if they have any idea of his bothering you in this way,"

"Oh no, I don't want to make a fuss, he will get the message sooner or later,"

"You can text me at any time and if I am not in class I will come straight down,"

"Thanks Wells, I am sure I won't be in any real danger, it's just unnecessarily uncomfortable,"

"He is quite like a child himself, you will see him with the students, the girls think he is so handsome and the most cool teacher on the staff. He laughs and teases them, hangs out with them at lunch time,"

"Ew, creepy,"

"Indeed. Are you going home?"

"I wouldn't mind sushi and chess. What do you say?"
"I am in! You okay to drive?"

"Yes, completely,"

"Good, you head home and put the heating on, I will stop for dinner."

Clarke and Wells had always been close and despite being separated for college they stayed in contact by phone and social media. He had been her biggest support when her father died, having known him almost as long as she had. Their fathers were close friends and colleagues, and having children the same age had been convenient, they often brought both kids when they socialised which served to keep the little ones occupied. They traded babysitting duties and over the years school pick up and drop offs, school camp, vacations which suited the younger ones as much as the adults.

They kept in close contact through her first year of med school, through her year of grieving, all through art school and whilst she was travelling overseas. He welcomed her to stay with him at his apartment upon her return, which she anticipated would mean several weeks or a month, but it was around the time Lexa announced that Trikru had secured funding for it's very first Art Teaching post.

Having been friends all their lives, at one time or another they each thought that they would end up together, certainly their parents and friends all shared that general belief, but it didn't ever eventuate. Clarke had several casual boyfriends as a teenager, and several romantic partners both male and female during pre-med and art school, Wells had a girlfriend throughout college, a fellow chess aficionado. Throughout all they always remained very close friends and only friends.

Clarke leased her own place upon learning her application had been successful. Her new apartment was in an old building, newly refurbished, a large two bedroom apartment furnished by an economical furniture package. She arranged the rooms according to her own convenience rather than conforming to any standard practices - for example there was no couch or television. Instead there were two dining tables, neither intended to be used for dining; one home to a permanent chess board and the second covered in art supplies.

At the large lounge room window were two easels, so positioned to give her the very best light for working, each with their own project in commission. A backlit drafting table had pride of place in the middle of the room, there were bookless bookshelves used for storage of various charcoals, graphite pencils graded from hard to soft, charcoal sticks, graphite sticks, various chalks and technical pens.

There were all manner of brushes, dip pens, quills and inks, sharpeners, utility knives, blades, erasers, stumps and fixative. All manner of rough, medium, smooth, cold pressed, hot pressed, white, cream, or colored paper and cardboard, masonites and canvas were stacked neatly on various shelves, stored in various weights, sizes, and qualities. Watercolor paper in various weights and others good for all kinds of drawing, pastel paper in a range of tints with a tooth or grain, which is designed to capture and hold the tiny particles of color.

All in all the large room was not a room of relaxation or entertainment, and likewise the kitchen was not really going to be used for cooking. Clarke was an awful cook. She could make a wonderful sandwich but that was about the extent of her food preparation, she did eat quite a bit of take away food, but even that was frequently forgotten as she became immersed in her latest project.

Clarke set up a small online business to supplement her income while working as a teacher. She was unsure how much time or inspiration she would have for creating the larger works that sold for significantly larger sums.

Her small business was simple in conception; Clarke would create whatever she liked, whenever she liked and when she was pleased with it, she would photograph it and upload the image to her website. Subscribed customers would be alerted to her latest work, and could browse at their leisure. All of the images could be made available as a key ring, postcard, mug, fridge magnet, book marks, drink coasters, tee shirt, or various picture sizes, framed or unframed, including poster size.

In her turn Clarke was alerted on her smartphone to each order, she would print off the address label and invoice on her home pc, pick the order herself from the storage in her spare room, prepare and pack it safely for transit and take it to the post office the following day.

Her website also offered a portrait service, showing a range of portraiture styles, approaches and materials; black and white or colour, realistic, sketch, watercolour, oils etc. Customers could upload an image or a series of images, and through a series of selections, request the kind of image and style of portrait they wanted a quotation would be generated. When the deposit was received Clarke would enter into a more detailed conversation with the client and negotiate a time frame.

And so she always had various projects on the boil at one time, one or two portraits, sometimes three, her own pleasure pursuits, her nature series and also her macro project of realistic shots of the earth from a great height.

Clarke had money, a trust fund her mother set up for her with the insurance money from her father's death which was considerable; his personal health insurance payout, life insurance and corporate insurance. There was immediate financial support, funeral and burial expenses plus two thirds of his annual salary for two years. Her mother being a trauma surgeon had a very good income and didn't need the money herself, she wanted Clarke to have security for her future.

Some of the interest of that money allowed Clarke to go to Europe and Japan, it gave her the freedom to study without needing to work and allowed her to pay for her studies without being oppressed by student loans. She still had some of her prize money left and her earnings from the sale of her art works. Her life was plain, she spent little money on clothes, makeup, technology, brands and holidays but where her art was concerned - there was no expense spared.

Having a registered business was helpful in giving her access to wholesale prices, bulk buying and other cost saving measures including the capacity to write many of her expenses off as business related. For example, some of her rent and utilities could be attributed to a legitimate business expense, and no one could argue that she didn't work almost very constantly - it was her employment, her great passion and entertainment.

Wells was too familiar with Clarke's ways to raise an eye at her choices of furniture and their arrangement, and he was more or less able to loosely follow the progress of her works. He had made errors of judgement more than once, assuming one work complete and another still unfinished and having Clarke laugh her head off at his ignorance. He always knew more or less what jobs she had on hand, and his visits revealed to him her progress on the various pieces as the works were moved from the drawing table, to the window to the drying rack and even to the frames lined up against the wall.

They sat at the dining table and began their first game, while they ate and sipped on their beer, they could play either in silence, through general chit chat or even a great detailed conversation or political dispute. Wells was a better player than Clarke, but she wasn't a complete walkover, he did have to pay attention and anticipate her moves, because the minute he let down his guard was always the very minute she would catch him.

Chapter Three

She worked late into the night, after Wells' departure, and she worked all day Saturday, expecting the half hours walk out in the morning for real coffee and bagels to get her through the day. On Sunday she had to go to the electrical store to purchase the bar fridge for her storeroom at work, in addition she bought a kettle and toaster and two small bar heaters. The store assistant was very obliging, helping to pack it all into her second hand Toyota sedan.

Clarke took a photo of her load, texted it to Wells, hinting that she would need help on Monday morning to get it all to her classroom. The following morning, Wells met her in the carpark with a mover's trolley, and together they got it all down in two loads! He stayed to help unbox the items, shift the fridge underneath the shelf, while she unpacked her groceries and arranged her countertops for the most convenient use.

She was nervous, it was now only an hour until she was standing at the front of a classroom full of eager interested students. The lesson was all planned out, and Clarke knew it fairly well by heart, the materials were prepared. The first class was for Freshman, but in truth the classes planned for Sophomore, Junior and Senior only differed in as far as complexity for this, her first year.

An introduction to Art, with the purpose of building an understanding of the role of art in all forms of media, both in the contemporary and historical world, to equip and enable students to represent their ideas and interests in artworks. To learn about the pleasure and enjoyment of making different kinds of artworks in 2D, 3D and/or 4D forms, to represent their ideas and interests with reference to contemporary trends and how artists; painters, sculptors, architects, designers, photographers and ceramists, make art.

The students will learn about how art is shaped by different beliefs, values and meanings by exploring artists and artworks from different times and places and relationships in the artworld between the artist – artwork – world – audience.

Each week there was to be a theoretical lesson followed by a practical lesson, an artistic expression of the theoretical concept, each week to be given a mark out of ten which would contribute to their final mark, end of year mark. In addition there were two more assessments, one was a diary of the plans for the second which was a work of art that expressed their understanding of the concept artist – artwork – world – audience.

"Good morning, my name is Clarke Griffin, I am to teach you the aspects of Visual Arts as laid out by Federal and State objectives and standards. Now…"

Clarke began her prepared class discussion, she had a slideshow presentation to accompany her speech. Her students were relatively engaged and well behaved which Clarke put down to it being their first day of high school, they probably didn't know many of their peers yet, and were too timid to misbehave. She happened to see Lexa looking in at her as she 'passed by' the art rooms not once, but twice during the morning, which she felt was a kindness and attentiveness on her own first day.

The sophomores and juniors were more sure of themselves, more willing to push their luck and 'test' their new art teacher. She did have to ask them to settle down several times and remind them that this information was necessary to their assessment item on Thursday. The Seniors, whilst being less noisy, were a mix of being quite engaged or entirely disengaged and typing away on their smartphones underneath the desk, as though she could not tell.

She had eight double classes Monday to Thursday morning and afternoon, the students she had for theory on Monday morning, she had again for practical on Wednesday morning and those she had on Tuesday she had again on Thursday. There was an accelerated class for seniors on Friday morning and indeed they were welcome to stay for as long as they needed for access to materials or space, support or guidance.

The next Friday night drinks came around so quickly, and it wasn't until she was there that she was reminded of Finn Collins, who had chosen to stay well clear of her since the previous Friday evening. She was later to the tavern than she might otherwise have been, having gotten a little preoccupied working with one or two seniors. Her arrival was noted by all because Raven and Coach O were calling out to her to join them, she nodded and said hello to all those she passed.

"How was your first week, Clarke?"

"Hey, Clarke! Where's your glass?"

They handed her an empty glass mug with a handle and Raven grabbed her hand and filled the mug.

"Hey, guys, how's it going?"

"We are going to dinner and to watch football in an hour, you should come," O enthused.

"Where to?"

"There is a sports bar, three blocks from here,"

"I don't know anything about football," Clarke admitted.

"Me neither, but the chicken wings are worth it," Raven confided, confidentially.

"Chicken wings! I'm in."

"Awesome, Clarke. I felt sure you would have said no,"

"I've survived my first week as a highschool teacher!"

Clarke raised her glass and those within hearing laughed and raised their glasses too, she heard a low 'princess' at her side and knew it was Finn without even looking.

It wasn't long before Lexa and Anya turned up, they ordered a beer each and made their way through the crowds, chatting to people, laughing and joking.

"Washington is playing tonight, Anya, are you coming?" called Octavia,

"Certainly am," replied Anya, "What about you Clarke, are you going to join us?"

"When football itself didn't lure me, the promise of chicken wings did,"

"Not a fan?"

"I've never really watched a game, to be honest, but I am a committed fan of chicken wings,"

"Lol," Anya offered to top up her glass and Clarke held it out for her.

"Ah Princess, I was just about to top you up myself,"

"Don't bother," she said, not unquietly.

"It will make the football more enjoyable,"

"Stop pressing me to drink, Mr Collins," she said, more loudly.

"Oh Princess, you need to relax," he spoke more quietly and looked a little cowed,

"And you need to move on," said Lexa, appearing out of nowhere,

"I was just offering to explain the rules of tonight's game," Finn was scrambling,

"Clarke's meaning was clear to me from across the room, I wonder it is not to you,"

Lexa's words, tone and voice turned up the heat on the situation and Finn had no choice but to shrink back into the crowd.

"What's going on here?" Raven asked, suddenly sober, looking between Clarke and Finn's back.

"A misunderstanding," Clarke was now fumbling for words,

"Yeah, right," Raven gave Clarke a piercing look and pushed her way through the wall of bodies to follow Finn.

"Shit," Clarke was annoyed, angry at Finn and embarrassed by the whole situation, "This is the last thing I wanted,"

"I understand. How can I help you to feel more comfortable now?"
"I think I might just head home,"

"You went home early last week as a result of Finn's making you feel uncomfortable?"

"I have plenty of work to do at home - "

"I believe I overheard some excitement in relation to chicken wings?"

"Lol, I could probably benefit from a salad, anyway,"

"If you truly feel too uncomfortable to join us, I will understand, however, I invite you to reconsider. If it provides any comfort, I will be there, from start to finish, and I am riding later so I won't be drinking more than will allow me to drive. I will see you safely home."

"Lexa…"

"Speak,"

"I appreciate your offer, I do, but I also enjoy my independence and you should feel free not to be tied to me for the evening,"

"Of course, I understand."

Raven took advantage of the space in their conversation,

"Finn is just being friendly, trying to welcome you. Everybody here knows how friendly and caring he is, but I don't think he understood how sensitive you are. I have recommended he leave you to get your own drinks from now on."

"Thank you, Raven, I don't want any trouble,"

"Too late for that. Just to be clear, Finn and I have been together since high school. It would be best if you both just steer clear of each other,"

"Absolutely, I agree."

Raven appeared to be restraining her anger, she left Clarke and Lexa with a brusque nod and a piercing eyeball stand off.

"Everything okay?" asked Wells, who had been in an active and spirited discussion on the other side of the room, but Lincoln had been good enough to alert him to the potential problem with his friend. Lexa backed into the crowd to allow Wells a place at Clarke's side.

"Hey, Wells,"

"What's happened?"

"Finn again,"

"Shit! Are you okay?"

"Are you going to watch the game?"

"I was planning to! Are you coming?"

"I will, if you do,"

"It's a date!"

Clarke punched her friend in the shoulder, feeling the uplift in his energy as he prepared to turn her evening from disappointment and discomfort into one of football, chicken wings and good fun. Finn was there but he kept his distance from her, Raven was in the thick of the crowd, being dressed in Burgundy and gold hats and scarves, yelling at the players on the screen along with coach O, Lincoln, Bellamy and Mrs Murdoch shouting and cheering louder than all!

Some of the staff seemed to have dropped off on the three block walk to the sports bar, and by half time there was only the hub of hard core fans remaining; football fans, Washington fans, fans of beer and even fans of chicken wings. Little pods of people; Lexa, Anya, Indra and Gustus were seated to one side of the screen, then Raven, O, Bellamy, Lincoln and Murdoch right under the screen, Finn and Murphy at the back.

Clarke and Wells moved from one table to another, sometimes sitting at the bar and being drawn forward when it seemed likely some sporting activity was on the verge of exciting great high feeling or very low feeling! It was not a bad evening, although the initial shine had been stripped from it by Finn's annoying behaviour, it had the effect of making Clarke somewhat vigilant and self conscious.

She kept one eye in Finn's general direction to make sure that she had the very earliest notice of his possible advance, fully anticipating a furtive approach at every moment - well, he had shown little regard for her boundaries thus far to make it entirely likely. She was not unaware of Raven's likewise supervision, also that of Lexa, Anya and Indra were also frequently looking in both their directions.

Nevertheless, she enjoyed the chicken and the frivolity of the sport and dispersed with everybody else at the end of the game. Clarke overslept on Saturday morning and woke with a fancy for a change in routine and a desire to be immersed in nature.

She jumped in the shower, jumped in her car and stopping only for coffee and croissant, she headed west. Having been born and raised in New York City, Clarke still found it positively amazing to not be in the city, though she had been moving south in degrees for several years. First to Philadelphia for Medical School, then to Baltimore for Art School, now to Trikru in the Piedmont region of Virginia.

At each new address, Clarke had found herself artistically inspired; from one of the biggest, busiest cities of the world, to smaller cities, with more surrounding countryside and waterfronts to be captured. Whilst in Baltimore she travelled frequently to Washington to capture the very stately, masculine lines of that great city. And now to find herself further south still, she lived in the large regional area of Trikru, more or less south of the middle of the state Piedmont Province.

A whole new area to explore and become familiar, to copy into the pages of her sketchbooks - five distinct regions from east to west; the Coastal Plain (Tidewater), Piedmont, Blue Ridge Mountains, Valley and Ridge (including Cumberland Gap National Historical Park) and Appalachian Plateau. The area was environmentally diverse; wetlands, rivers, valleys, mountains and rock formations, in addition there were seasonal features of sunshine, snow and the tall mountains were often surrounded by low clouds.

She was particularly struck by the concept of regional poverty; large unpopulated towns with wide empty main streets, many stores were closed, empty or even boarded up. Houses were frequently in poor repair, everything was old and outdated, worn and faded, dusty and vacant. The evidence before her eyes challenged the relatively new information she had come across in her research and preparation for her new job application and interview.

She had clearly articulated the sought after principles but was convinced she had much to learn. Statistics reveal that children living in poverty suffer physical, mental and emotional ill health that affect them all their lives and are even intergenerational, they are shunned for their lack of cultural capital which makes poverty difficult to transcend from one class to another.

It was this lack of cultural capital that Lexa was working so hard to challenge, by providing those extracurricular opportunities; sports, music, dance, artistic pursuits, science and technological programs and cultural festivals and celebrations. Providing opportunities for students to develop those skills and experiences that would assist them to breach the gaps between their class and the one to which they aspire; problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, communication, organisation, emotional intelligence, independence and technological experience and skills.

In a committed effort to overcome the effects of poverty upon the students of Trikru, Principal Lexa Woods was cultivating a culture and legacy of social justice, offering equal academic opportunities, and discreetly providing school supplies, snacks, clothes, and other basic necessities. Clarke was amazed at the efforts Lexa went to secure the resources for a free breakfast program and a lunch program, fruit and milk. Also the school was open earlier and later to assist those families with working parents or families that lived a distance from the school.

One may wonder how Trikru can secure any quality teaching staff given the high and non standard commitments required of Trikru teachers and the longer hours were compounded by being paid the same basic rate across the board so that the students were the beneficiaries of maximum pecuniary advantage. The real draw was Lexa Woods herself!

Generations of Lexa and Anya's families had been born and bred in the region, and they had all been educated at Trikru Primary and Trikru High School and were pillars of the community. Both she and Anya were the first of their family to go to University and went only so far as URichmond to complete a teaching degree and then a Masters in Education before returning to raise the prospects of Trikru students and the standards of Trikru teachers.

As a teacher she had won National Teacher of the Year, not once but twice, the only teacher to have ever won it twice in the history of the award, and both times the donated the whole prize to the high school - $100, 000 each time! She was asked to attend conventions and give speeches but she frequently denied many of the invitations that would take her from the school and from her students.

She was well respected and her profile was raised further when she set up a website for the purpose of sharing her educational ideas, resources and strategies, and those of other teachers as well. Thousands and thousands of teachers could scour the site for economical resource ideas, educational solutions and teaching strategies. She was promoted to school principal at quite a young age and teachers who could not stand up to her scrutiny sought to escape it by moving from high school to the local primary school, from one high school to another in a different region or a change of career altogether!

Within five years of Lexa being at the helm of the school, with her cousin Anya being her right hand in everything, Trikru High School had improved outcomes for students across every measurable item; attendance and participation, grades in every year level and each subject, percentage of graduating students and SAT scores.

The school was becoming well known for their extra curricular programs; there was now a formal football team, a dance group who performed at the State Eisteddfod every year, and once made it to Nationals, there was a Trikru Band with a stronger musical program, several debating teams, a chess program a STEM team and now a focus on Visual Arts. It was on the back of this progress that Lexa was nominated for Principal of the Year Award, twice and won on her second entry - the prize was $250, 000 and was donated in full to the school.

Lexa became a beloved figure in the community and in the educational community, she also became an informal authority in Trikru and Virginia. She made use of her powers by asking businesses, organisations and corporations to sponsor teams, events and programs, to donate food, resources and materials. She would look them square in the eye and say if one high school teacher can donate nearly half a million dollars for the benefit of our young people, surely you can dig a little deeper.

Positions at Trikru High School were sought after by teachers who were genuinely motivated and passionate about education and the development of young people, those who were keen to learn and be guided by the very best in the country. And they applied in droves for advertised positions, despite being restricted to living within the Trikru region and living on the base Public High School Teacher Salary in Virginia.

As Clarke set her GPS and drove out of Trikru following the verbal directions of Siri, her head full of what she was seeing, what she imagined rural and regional life to comprise, Trikru High School and the information she was beginning to understand more comprehensively. Lexa was adamant that concepts and issues of classism, consumer culture, the dissolution of labor unions, environmental pollution and other injustices which disproportionately affected the poor were to be discussed and explored in an effort to prepare new generations of students to navigate a more equitable world.

Clarke had spent a great deal of time and effort identifying evidence and examples that were relevant and meaningful to her students' lives and to uncover and draw on their experiences and surroundings through which to comprehend new and complex concepts. She could see the history of an economy largely based on tobacco and coal mining, and understood that recent declines in both commodities, combined with other factors, left the region with high unemployment and poverty rates.

She drove as far west as her full tank would take her by which time she was ready for a short respite, a stretch of the legs and something substantial to eat. She refilled the tank, parked at a diner and walked the main strip looking in the windows of open stores, closed stores and empty stores, wondering what people in the town did for shoes now that the store was no longer in business.

She noticed the stillness, the silence of the town, as unlike NYC as could be. That city was known the world over for never sleeping and she could attest to that. Lights, advertisements, traffic, people, businesses, bicycles, locals and tourists alike their senses occupied to the point of being fried. Clarke checked her phone for the time which showed 12:30, lunch time, even so there were still only a few people about.

Clarke returned to the diner where she ordered a caramel double malt milkshake and a chicken schnitzel and coleslaw roll with some fries. There were easily a dozen customers spread throughout the establishment, but there was little life in the place, no music, no movement except for the slow and minimal bend of the elbow, even conversations were slow and muted. Clarke grabbed her phone and began scouring local maps of the area in search of some unique geographical or geological feature she could sketch or become inspired by.

It was after dark when Clarke pulled into her own driveway having sketched a well, a bridge and the remnants of a stone house of which a chimney remained and parts of several walls, but no floor or roof. Sunday was spent in her pyjamas planning the positioning of the sketches, from which angle they might be at best advantage, and what, if anything, she was hoping to communicate.

By Sunday evening it was time to consider planning for the working week, while putting on a load of washing she realised that she hardly thought about Finn at all since arriving home on the Friday night after football. And although she had 'worked' a good part of her weekend she felt both rested and energised, Clarke was looking forward to seeing her young students again, being excited by their enthusiasm and interest or challenged to provoke it out of them!

Chapter Four

As was becoming her habit, Clarke stopped by the supermarket on the way to work on Monday morning to buy bread, milk, fruit, cheese, yoghurt and snacks for her little store room fridge, plus a coffee and muffin for her breakfast. She was beginning to find her feet as to the timing and routine of certain aspects of the role; Tuesday morning was Assembly for the whole school, Wednesday morning was a staff meeting, Friday morning was activities and Friday afternoon was sport, except for seniors working on their final projects.

She began to see things in her environment more clearly now that she was less consumed with remembering her way to and from certain rooms and areas and stressing about remembering the names of teachers and students. She often arrived in the carpark around the same time as O and they walked up together, chatting, or Clarke listening to O animatedly related the many activities they participated in over the weekend, her and Lincoln, sometimes Bellamy and his girlfriend.

There were always two motorbikes parked in the 'Principal's' car space and Clarke remembered that Lexa had said something about not drinking so she could ride home, she guessed the other bike must be Anya's. They had to walk through the front office to sign in, which is where Mrs Murdoch, or just plain Murdoch as everyone called her, would greet them and make sure that all the teachers got the appropriate messages and notices.

This morning the older woman gave Clarke a quizzical eyebrow as she handed her a 'yellow slip' it gave her the impression that she was earmarked for a correction of some description. Octavia saw it also and whispered confidentially,

"Probably Finn related, don't worry, Lexa will have your back,"

Clarke's stomach sank and she passed into the staff room to check the roster for the various duties the teachers were all expected to participate in; lunch duty, before school playground duty, breakfast club supervision, after school playground duty.

There was also a slot where teachers had to purchase tea, coffee and sugar supplies for the staff room. All teachers were expected to drink out of their own reusable mug and pop a dollar in the kitty to contribute to replenishing stocks. Although Clarke had her own supplies for convenience sake, she had no trouble pitching in with communal activities for the staff, it was only once a month or so at any rate. She made a note of her obligations and set them in her phone which would sound an alarm and ensure she never missed a duty.

She stayed in the staff room chatting to various teachers until the first bell rang for homeroom and then took her rucksack down to her classroom to begin her work week.

"Good morning, good morning, how was your weekend?" she asked various students.

She took the roll call and asked everyone to pull out their book for fifteen minutes of quiet reading, during which time Clarke usually went around the classroom to chat to various students, asking how they were, what they were reading and so on.

After her first class Clarke noticed Anya waiting at the door for the students to file out before she could hope to get in.

"Morning Clarke, how was your weekend?"

"Hi Anya, quite good, I went for a long drive on Saturday in search of inspiration, found some, made some sketches and then spent Sunday preparing them for development. What about you?"

"Not so good as yours, I got dumped!"

"Oh no, are you alright?"

"Lol, Yeah, I'm okay, my ego is a little bruised, but I'm fine!" she laughed.

"Well, I am sure he or she is is knee deep in ice cream and regret,"

"Actually I think she is more likely knee deep in somebody else by now,"

"Oh the imagery! Did you just come down here to frighten me?"
"Sorry, no," she said still laughing at her lame joke, "I am here to talk about Finn,"

"Uggh,"

"I know you would rather not, but we have an obligation to make sure you are safe; physically and emotionally. Not only are we obligated by law but we care about you, Clarke. You have made a big move to be here with us, you're vulnerable, still finding your feet, perhaps you are disconnected from your usual support systems,"

"Okay, well look, he has been annoying, in a mild sort of way. He has an odd flirting style, sort of combative that really pressed my buttons. But I really don't want any trouble, I don't want to make a complaint or anything."

"Let me guess, you want to pretend nothing happened in the hope that he will just stop of his own accord and fade into history?"

"Exactly."

Anya looked at her for a while.

"Let me put it to you this way, Clarke. Consider another teacher, a young woman who moved a distance to take up her first teaching post and some guy kept pestering her, making her feel uncomfortable. Calling her 'Princess' even though he knew she didn't like it, following her about the school, trying to catch her on her own, despite her reluctance, pressing her to drink despite her clearly not wanting either drinks or his attention. Is that a scenario you would want to help a coworker with?"

"Well, yes, when you put it like that,"

"Indra has intercepted him repeatedly over the last two weeks heading down to your rooms at lunch times, so although it doesn't seem like much, he has shown some persistence,"

"Oh no. That's the last thing I want,"

"I get it, I do. There is hardly a woman amongst all the women I know who haven't been harrassed, intimidated, humiliated, who haven't experienced racism, sexism, homophobic etc behaviour, who haven't been groped, molested and or raped. We all wish it had never happened and hope it never happens again."

"That's a grim picture,"

"It's grim, but it's real. I won't press you to make a formal complaint but I would like to make a deal,"

"A deal?"

"Yup. You record all the interactions you have so far had with Finn; dates, times, locations, what was said, how he looked at you, if he touched you and how you felt."

"A private record?"

"Yup, private. Keep it updated to include anything else that should occur. You trust Wells?"

"Absolutely,"

"Great, let him know where you keep the diary, just incase something should happen down the track, with you or someone else,"

"Okay,"

"I don't want you to just say, I really want you to give me your word that you will actually do it,"

"I give you my word,"

"Thank you. Is there anything else you want to say or ask?"

"Just, thanks. Thanks for believing me, thanks for your support, yours and Lexa's, too,"

"No problem. Now, you have all of our mobile numbers, Indra too, pretend you are concerned for that other new teacher and call or text us, any time. We are more than happy to walk you to and from the car park or anything at all, if the early morning playground duty becomes creepy or anything of that nature, please don't be afraid to swap or let us know,"

"I will,"

"Lexa is speaking to Finn, right now with a member of the Teacher's Union and he will be warned to stay away from you altogether; not to look at you, or speak to you, nor to approach you for any reason, in school or outside of it. She also intends to speak to Raven as well, to make sure we are all on the same page, she will be asked not to raise the issue with you either directly or indirectly, but you both may communicate with each other about anything else either work related or just friendly chat,"

"Wow, this is big,"

"You felt uncomfortable and unsafe, Clarke, that is big. There can be no more claims of just being friendly - any further contact, for any reason, will be decidedly unfriendly and Lexa will make that clear. Is there anything else I or we can do for you?"

"No thanks, this response is actually really heartening, thank you,"

"You're one of us now. There are support services through the Teacher's Union, the Government Employee hotline, here is a list of resources. And I am counting on you for that diary,"

"I will start today,"

"Good, see you around."

Wells brought his empty mug and his home made lunch down to the art rooms to have lunch,

"Hey, how'd it go with Anya this morning?"

"Really well," Clarke flicked on the jug and they set up their lunch at her desk.

"I am surprised, but that's great,"

"I was resistant at first, I didn't want to make a big deal, but the way she talked about it, it was really affirming. I have to keep a diary."

"Me too,"

"You?"

"A few of us have been spoken to, asked what we knew, what we had seen or heard,"

"OMG! I am going to be labelled a troublemaker,"

"No, you are not, you have more support than you realise,"

"Has he done this before?"

"Why would you ask that?"

"It just seems like a more coordinated response than I would have expected,"

Wells looked at her, a really piercing look, than he said,

"I don't know anything about what may or may not have happened in the past,"

Clarke understood, Wells either didn't have proof or was prevented from saying for some reason. That was confirmation enough for her and that's why Anya pushed so hard for the diary, they needed evidence, perhaps evidence that they didn't have last time.

They moved the conversation on to discussing their weekends, their families, their students…

Chapter Five

Clarke was gaining enormous enjoyment and great satisfaction in her interactions with her students, she found she had no difficulty relating to her students, she was genuinely interested in them, in their education and general well being. She seemed to be able to gain and keep their interest without too much struggle, combining abstract educational concepts with relevant and meaningful illustrations to make the message more tangible and functional.

She sometimes took the class out of doors looking for examples or materials in the natural world, she gave them small homework challenges that saw them bringing in small samples of media; newspaper cuttings, magazines, photos of signs. In the first class of the week they were in the theory room with rows of desks where she communicated her message via a combined lecture and a media presentation. The second class they met on the other side, the room with the large table, where the students worked individually, in pairs or groups on various practical projects.

Clarke thoroughly enjoyed introducing her students to the various charcoals, graphites, pencils, chalks and technical pens, paints, water colours, oils, acrylics and varnishes. Papers and supports, rough or smooth, hot and cold pressed, white or colored and watercolor paper. Students were quickly frustrated in their unsuccessful first attempts in achieving the exact expression and their artistic dubious communication. They quickly cottoned on to the solution - to call Miss Griffin over, explain what they were hoping for and watching her quickly and easily amend their image with just a few strokes.

At the start of the year the classes were rather simple in nature, beginning with sketching, drawing and painting, they tried pottery, sculpture, printing screens, photography on their phones, which led to electronic media. Clarke had benefited greatly from Wells' experience as a teacher, he helped her to make up spreadsheets for each class which she could often update during class time to note whether students were late or absent, whether they participated and showed comprehension of the various concepts and she could record the marks and feedback on the practical pieces.

As they worked away, she moved around the large table refilling empty paint containers, refreshing water jars for cleaning their brushes, answering their questions and listening to their conversations. She learned who was going out with who, who was hot, who was a geek or a loser, the latest fashion in clothes and entertainment, she became familiar with their family situations, their attempts to organise parties and schemes on the weekends and which teachers and subjects they loved and hated.

Students were rarely moderate on their tastes; they either adored something more than anything else in the world or detested it as the very worst thing in the history of the world. There was one sophomore, Madi Wonkru, she had taken a special liking to, Madi was a football mad young woman who wanted more than anything to earn a position on the Trikru High School Football team, she was a year or two too young yet but she was determined her gender was not going to prevent her from succeeding.

Madi was an orphan, in the 'foster system', although she was currently placed with a woman, a single woman who was apparently nice enough, but Madi was quite independent. For such a young person, she got herself up in the mornings, she jogged a rather long route to school quite alone, training, she said, for football. She ate at the breakfast club, took a lunch bag for later and took her place which was often at the edges of various groups of students.

She took a real liking to Miss Griffin too, and that was her only interest in art, but as it was important to Clarke, it was now important to her. Madi hung around the art rooms after class on Fridays, sometimes at lunch and after school as well, any time that Coach O wasn't at the pitch. She liked Coach O almost as much as she liked Miss Griffin, they both treated her with genuine kindness and interest. Madi frequently helped Coach O carry her balls and supplies from the sports storage rooms to the pitch and in exchange O let her train with the older kids and worked with her to improve her skills. Likewise she helped Clarke pack away the materials and clean the tables and sinks in preparation for the next class, chatting away all the while.

Did Clarke know Benji Carney was probably going to be made Trikru High School Quarterback for next year? If not, it would be Toby Madden, they were by far the very best quarterbacks in the school. If only she could throw so well! Did she know that she would have to put on quite a lot of muscle if she was ever going to be a quarterback - or anything at all. She was so very skinny and had no core strength to assist her centre of gravity - that's what Coach O told her.

The coach had given her hints about certain exercises and diet to help her put on muscle, but she didn't think her foster mother would be able to afford to buy that food - but that she did have some bricks and things around the yard that she had been using for weights. She had been running three miles to and from school each day and if she had a computer, she thought she might be able to look up the kinds of exercises real footballers do, so she could be like them.

There was a timid freshman named Charlotte Ark who, like Madi, was also on the outside of the mainstream cohort. Where Madi was boisterous and resilient, Charlotte was timid and slight. She would have liked to have hung around the art rooms more in her downtime but she was so apprehensive and self conscious. She had more natural talent in sketching and drawing, she would frequently pull out a scrap of paper and ask Clarke how she could achieve this effect or other.

Clarke had taken to asking her for help after class, 'only if you don't mind' and 'only if you have nowhere else to be', Charlotte was unable to hide her pleasure. Clarke found a sketchbook in the store room and insisted she use it, 'important to keep records of your ideas and development', she also pressed her to take some pencils, charcoal and graphites. It took Clarke a longer time to draw Charlotte out, she was so very quiet and apprehensive, and Madi so chatty and forward, but the two young girls began arriving and leaving the art rooms together, and sometimes Charlotte followed Madi down to training to draw while Madi trained.

There was a third student, Luca Gabrielle, a junior who was a genuine artist. His family were less poor than others, they belonged to some unusual, obscure religious organisation and Luca's art was of an esoteric bent, inspired, as he intimated, by his spiritual experiences. It was a style of art that Clarke had never developed any true appreciation for but she understood that to be her own shortcoming rather than his and showed as much enthusiasm as she would for any other.

Luca was - the word 'obsessed' would not be misleading - with creating images based in and inspired by Genesis and Revelations; garden of Eden and perfection and great scenes of chaos and destruction, stormy skies, death, terror and finality. They were detailed scenes of decent quality and he preferred working with oils and for this purpose Clarke immediately ordered some DIY canvas stretcher frame kits and took time to show him how to cut canvas from the bolt and fix it into the frame.

She always took time to pack his works in the lockable store room overnight for their ultimate safety and bring them out again in the morning so that they would dry thoroughly in the sunshine by the window. Both rooms were covered in works of art of all sorts, styles and sizes, hanging to dry on makeshift clothes lines from the ceilings, there were shelves all over the walls to hold their sculptures and pottery, there were racks and racks of canvas, paper, cardboard and on and on. There were some students who always knew where their unfinished works were to be found and some students who could never recognise, let alone find their own pieces!

As happy as Clarke was in the classroom, she was also beginning to feel part of the cohort of staff. She was more used to working independently in quiet and solitude but this group were characterised by their obvious indomitable team spirit. It was Trikru High School vs any other High School in VA, or the real potent enemy - the education department who was forever cutting their budget and denying their Principals requests for resources.

The staff room was always animated, with birthdays being celebrated, fundraising boxes of chocolates or raffle tickets being passed around, teachers in their last gasp that only a strong instant coffee could revive. They were forever calling across to each other to ask how was one's parent, sibling or child? Or to report that one's recipe was a success or failure, that the new show on Netflix was quite as good as recommended and so on.

Coach O and Lincoln were quite friendly to her, asking her how she was finding teaching, did she have enough resources, they even invited her to dinner which was a very low key, homely affair - precisely what Clarke could have most enjoyed. There was an old football rerun on the screen with the volume turned down and O and Clarke sat out on the patio with a glass of wine while Lincoln prepared a simple meal.

Gustus was always at the school garden from morning till evening, Indra refilled his coffee thermos and water bottle at morning tea and they could frequently be observed having lunch together. If Clarke needed to stretch her legs between classes she often walked that way, she even got up the courage to ask Gustus how he would feel if she nicked a few lettuce leaves from time to time. From that time on, on a Wednesday morning he would often hang a little bag on her class room door containing lettuce leaves, a cucumber and one or two tomatoes.

Raven always said good morning and good night each day, she would contribute if she had something specific to say about anything that might have been passing at that time, but she tended not to engage Clarke directly just for the sake of it. Clarke hardly knew whether to be relieved or grieved, but given that Finn never looked at her or spoke to her at all, she was definitely aware of her feelings of comfort and reassurance regarding that particular outcome.

It was a Monday morning of the eighth week when Clarke entered her rooms to find an apple on her desk. Who left it and how it got there she could not tell, as far as she knew it had not been there on the Friday afternoon, and the rooms had been locked all weekend. She did briefly consider Finn but she had no evidence, and he had been so very diligent in keeping away from her - that although she put it out of her mind with force, she could not bring herself to eat it.

She said nothing to anyone about it but the following Monday there was a little metal worked deer, a christmas reindeer, she thought, on a cheap silver chain, sitting right where the apple had been the week before. Clarke took out her phone and photographed it, then followed her instinct to send the image to Lexa, Anya and Indra with a short text.

Indra was with her within ten minutes looking very serious; she asked Clarke when she had first seen it, when had she last seen her desk when that was not there. Indra pulled a snap lock bag out of her vest, turned it inside out, used it to pick up the object without touching it directly with her fingers and turned the bag right way in and sealed it. Clarke told her of the apple the week before and how she truly thought she had an overactive imagination, especially considering the common association of teachers and apples.

The security expert checked the locks of the doors and windows and thoroughly surveyed the whole outside area of the building underneath the windows. She came back to ask permission to mount a couple of small surveillance cameras inside the classrooms and Clarke agreed having nothing to hide and wishing an end to all unwanted attention, be it from Finn or any one else. Not that apples and metal work were creepy in themselves, it was the secretly breaking in, the skulking around that bothered her, the feeling of being imposed upon and a lack of capacity to set her own terms.

Unknown to Clarke, Indra took the trinket up to her office and she began the task of checking the school security footage from Friday afternoon right through to Monday morning. She began with the cameras closest to the Art Rooms and worked her way back toward the main quadrangle playground and school buildings there, the staff room, the administration offices and the front entrance and the carpark beyond.

There was nothing obvious at first, but finally Indra found something of interest. Late on Sunday night, just after midnight, a person wearing black pants and a black hoodie, pulled right up over their face came around the Art building from the other side. Rather than parking in the car park at the front of the school and coming through the school from front to back, as it were, they have come through the back. It was pointless to refer to the intruder as he, let alone Finn, the fact was that the identity, even the gender of the person was concealed - certain though Indra was that it was more likely Finn Collins than any other person.

She flicked through that relative portion of the footage to Lexa and Anya, along with a quick note that she intended to drive a couple of laps around the perimeter of the school grounds. She parked at the back area where the approach can be presumed to have been made, walking that stretch looking on one side at the dust between the bitumen and the sidewalk for evidence of tyres pulling off the road to park, and on the other for shoe prints in the foliage.

Indra was unable to find any such evidence, but she came to a low hedge that seemed as good a place as any to access the school grounds on this side, she hopped over it, and walked toward the art rooms, with her eyes on the ground. Finding nothing of note, Indra drove into town and made a few small purchases; four discreet cameras, a security motion sensor light and three new locks for Clare's classroom doors and her walk-in supply cupboard.

Whilst Indra was busy changing locks and installing security, Lexa took the apparently offensive little deer over to Raven's science laboratory where she was just finishing up with a class.

"Hey Raven, can we talk for a couple of minutes?"

"Sure, am I in trouble?"

"Have you been up to anything?"

"Nope, been on my best behaviour."

"This is an unpleasant business and I must say that you are not obliged to speak to me,"

"Oh shoot. Finn?"

"Finn."

"What's he done now?"

"I just want to show you two things, remember, you don't have to say anything at all,"

"Okay,"

"We have security footage that shows someone having hopped the back fence behind the art rooms, breaking into Clarke's classroom,"

Lexa found the footage on her phone and handed it to Raven, who watched it, slid the cursor back to the beginning and watched it again.

"When was this?"

"Midnight, last night. Also I want to show you this, she dug in her pocket and pulled out the bag,

"Clarke found this on her desk this morning, she is certain it was not there when she left on Friday afternoon, and the classroom doors were both locked when she arrived."

Raven looked at the item in the bag, a frown drew tight across her brow and her lips pursed. This did not go unnoticed by Lexa, but again, neither were evidence.

"You can't prove that is Finn in the footage," she handed the phone back.

"No."

"And you can't prove that this is connected to him?"

"No."

"And if you could, you can't prove that he put it on her desk."

"Correct."

"I can only say that Finn has a hoodie just like that one in the footage, he did not arrive home until 1am last night, this morning, rather, and that although I have never seen this particular metal worked deer before - I have a dozen such baubles that Finn has worked and given to me over the years."

"Oh Raven, I am sorry."

"Yeah, well, shit." She looked at her own phone for the time, "Do you think O would be down at the pitch just now?"

Lexa checked her watch,

"Yes, I am sure she will be. When is your next class?"

"After lunch,"

"Just text me, if you don't feel up to it and I will take it, or Anya will,"

"Thank you."

Raven, with her head down, left the room and Lexa returned to her office, upset on behalf of her friend but grateful that Raven had acknowledged the truth to her. The evidence might not be enough to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt, but it was enough that she would contact the Teachers Union Representative.

Raven went to see her closest friend, not only did she want Octavia to sympathise with her, she also wanted to avoid meeting with Finn and having some kind of domestic dispute in the workplace.

"Can you believe it?" she asked, after having told the whole story.

"You must be so shocked?" O replied.

"If it wasn't for that little deer, I would never have believed it,"

"No?"

"You know, Finn, always so friendly, so helpful,"

"Why do you think that is?"

"What is? Why is he so friendly, do you mean?"

"Yeah, you don't think he is too friendly?"

"What the fuck are you saying, O?"

"Shhh, Raven!" They looked around for students, luckily there were none nearby.

"Sorry,"

"No, I'm sorry. I never told you, Rae,"

"Told me what?"

"Finn was a little too friendly to me, when I first started here,"

"What?"

"Same sort of thing, following me around, too much attention, it was a bit creepy. I told him several times I was not interested and that he was making me uncomfortable and he did the same thing to me that he is doing now to Clarke,"

"What's that?"

"Turning it around on her, victim blaming, saying he is just being friendly, that she has misunderstood his intentions, misinterpreted his behaviour, saying she is uptight, insinuating she is a little crazy,"

"And he did that to you?"

"Yeah. Remember when you took him to hospital?"

"When he was assaulted?"

"Yeah, that was me,"

"What?"

"He was creeping around the carpark, waiting for me, he wanted to go for dinner, or drinks, whatever he could get. I kept saying no, he kept pressing me - I kneed him in the balls and left him on his knees in the carpark and went home,"

"He told me he stopped to buy me flowers and got set upon by thugs,"

"Guys don't knee each other in the balls,"

"Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"I never told anyone,"

"Not Lincoln, not Bellamy?"

"No one."

"Why?"
"I was new, I was just learning how to be a teacher, I was just making friends - and the one friend I really wanted, I was at risk of losing. I was in a panic, I didn't want the drama, I didn't want a falling out with you, I certainly didn't want Lincoln or Bellamy to rip his puny head off. I am sorry, Rae, I just wanted it all to go away. And then it did and I was just relieved,"

'But he was always so kind to me,"

"Not always. I know he shared his food with you when he was young and that was kind. And he took the blame for you when the cops turned up that time, but that was kind of his fault, after all, it was his idea and he did encourage you to participate. He has good points and bad points, like all of us."

"I just have to work out if his bad points are something I can live with,"

"I'm really sorry Rae, you deserve better."

After a discussion with the Union Rep, Lexa decided to turn the whole matter over to the police.

Chapter Six

Finn was placed on suspension, effective immediately. He was given a legal document outlining the behaviours he was specifically prohibited from doing including; being on school property, making contact with staff (excluding Raven) or students in person, by phone or social media, directly or through another person.

Clarke was mortified. She buried herself in work, she came early, before anyone else could be expected to be at school and stayed until she was fairly certain everyone had gone. It brought her comfort to make daily lists and tick them off as she went, it was just a way to reassure herself that she had done everything right and she had done nothing wrong.

Wells felt terrible, he was the one who had encouraged her to apply for the job and here she was being stalked and harassed. He came and had lunch with her every day and offered to help in any way he could. Coach O came by and said that she believed Clarke, it was all she was allowed to say under the circumstances, so she said it, more than once. Lincoln and Bellamy also came by, Gaia and Gustus too. Everyone offering their support and condolences.

Raven came down to the art rooms one afternoon and apologised to her for what she had been put through, and that she had contributed to making her feel uncomfortable. It made for a pretty awkward moment but Clarke appreciated her thoughtfulness and her courage to face her. She couldn't really hope to understand what Raven was going through, by all events it appeared that she had broken it off with Finn, for good.

It was in the second week following Finn's suspension that Clarke started getting some blow back from some of the senior students, especially the females and those on the debate team. Apparently the ladies were missing their special friend and advisor, and had no qualms in articulating their certainty that he had done nothing wrong. The debaters were concerned because they had a debate scheduled in DC the following month and were worried it might be cancelled without Mr Collins.

Some of the 'art' turned in that week, and the following weeks could be more accurately referred to as bullying and harassment, Clarke scored it as zero daring them to challenge her, but no one did, and eventually they gave it up. If it wasn't for Wells, the teachers rallying around her, and her few pupils who continued to draw her out of herself and into their worlds for a couple of hours at a time she wasn't sure she would have stuck it out.

There was a student name Tris Fledgling who had a fascination with recreating herself as a warrior through art; sometimes she was just posing and after looking at it for several minutes the observer would notice a barely visible blade in her hand by her leg or that the pole she was leaning on was a spear with a nasty blade fixed to the tip. Clarke was impressed with her work and encouraged her to take up the subject but she didn't think her fellow student's would appreciate her style.

Aden Nightblood was a tough guy outside of the art room, inside he was a sensitive, intelligent fellow, polite, well mannered, engaged and hard working. Clarke could hardly believe the things she heard the other students saying about things he had said and done, but his work was often violent and chaotic. In particular was a series of images of dead children with their throats cut and black blood pouring out of them. Clarke had to send a photo of that one to the Principal for a second opinion.

But aside from those students she was developing bonds with, she was relieved when the term finally drew to a close. As the weeks had passed the weather had gotten steadily colder and the old classrooms had some gaps through which the wind would sometimes blow in. The weather combined with the external circumstances served to make Clarke want to hunker down and wait for it all to pass.

Christmas was looming brightly ahead and Clarke decided to travel home and spend some time with her mother. A change of scenery might be just what she needed to shake off the awkward start to her teaching career. Many students gave her a handwritten greeting card, and the teachers arranged a kris kringle gift exchange with a $20 limit and a final drinks night for the term.

Clarke was getting ready to close her classrooms when Lexa and Anya appeared.

"Hey Clarke, packing up?"

"Hey Lexa, Hey Anya, yes just about done,"

"Are you coming out tonight?" asked Lexa.

"Yes, I have my gift and I am ready to party!"

"I am glad to hear it."

"So this is not an entirely social call," began Anya.

"Uh oh, what's up?"

"It appears that the police are going to charge Finn with harassment and stalking,"

"Oh,"

"To be fair, we have known about this for some time, but we did request that he be charged over the holidays, to give you some time to adjust," finished Lexa.

"You, Raven, the staff and the students," added Anya.

"I see,"

"The Education Department and the Union are fully supporting the police action,"

"That doesn't bode well for him. I suppose I will have to testify?"

"I imagine you will,"

"Many of us will be called to testify; Wells, Raven, O, Indra, Lexa and myself just to start,"

"You won't be alone, Clarke. There will be a Union Rep who will go with you, Anya and/or I will be there and I will authorise Wells to have paid leave to attend, if that will bring you any comfort,"

"Are you okay, Clarke?" asked Lexa.

"Yes, I think so. I had decided to go home to go home to NYC and see my mother for the holidays, I am glad I did now,"

"Change of scene?" asked Anya.

"Yes, and I think I will be safer there,"

"I am really sorry this has happened, Clarke,"

"Is there anything at all that we can do for you?"

"No, thank you, you have both been amazing,"

"I am sorry you are so unsafe,"

"Yeah, well…"

"Clarke, did you keep that diary?"

"Oh yes, I did, it's up to date and quite detailed,"

"Thank you, the last thing I want is for him to get off,"

"Don't even mention it. Are you both riding up to the pub?"

"I am," answered Lexa grinning, knowing what was coming.
"I don't know what makes you think I would ever get on one of those death traps!" said Anya, with a look of horror.

"I just always see two bikes in the carpark,"

"The red one is Murdoch's!"

"Murdoch rides?"
"She certainly does,"

"Wow, well that's great," said Clarke, not saying what they were all thinking, that the woman had to be in her sixties.

"What about you, Clarke, you ever ride?"

"I haven't no,"

"Want to hop on the back? It's just three blocks to the pub and I will go slow,"

"I'd love to!"

"Better you than me," said Anya, leaving the two of them to lock up.

Lexa gave Clarke her helmet and jacket,

"Won't you be cold?"

"It's only three blocks,"

Lexa hopped on, waited for Clarke to find a way over and then said,

"Put your hands around my waist, that's it. Ready?"

"Ready,"

Lexa pulled out cautiously through the school carpark and driveway very carefully, half expecting Clarke to squeal, but she did not, so she pulled onto the road and increased her speed.

"That was awesome!"

"We could go for a longer ride after the holidays if you're up for it?"

"That would be great, Lexa,"

"Text me when you get back into town,"

"I will, and thanks again, for all of your support, with the other thing,"

"You're welcome, Clarke."

It was actually a pretty good night, they all had beers and then traded kris kringle gifts. Clarke got Coach O and was really excited to see how she liked her gift, it was a small basketball hoop on a backboard with a bottle opener attached. When you used the bottle opener the cap fell into the basket! O loved it and showed everyone how great it was and how well she liked it.

Clarke herself scored a single serve coffee plunger and bag of ground coffee beans that she was certain cost more than the twenty dollar limit. Lincoln was looking pretty chuffed with himself, and Clarke was genuinely happy with her gift.

"Thank you, Lincoln, this is ideal for my little storage room coffee shop!"

"Happy Holidays, Clarke, I am really happy you are part of our team,"

The sweet remark, the act of friendship caught Clarke by surprise and little tear may have leaked out of her eye. She grinned and wiped it away before anyone could notice and side bumped him,

"Thank you."

Some staff had to go home to their families while those interested in watching the game or eating chicken wings walked down the three blocks to the other establishment. Clarke didn't make too late a night of it, but she did realise that she felt part of the group and that was a nice feeling. Her mood was beginning to lift despite the literal trial ahead.

It would help that she was going to the city, she would catch up with her friends, go shopping, talk things over with her Mom, get a fresh perspective and then return to a job she actually enjoyed. She wasn't going to let Finn take that away from her. Being back in the big city was probably the best thing to take her mind off of that jerk; she ate out, went to see some shows, some movies, went to galleries and museums and forgot that he even existed.

Her Mom was working through the holidays, as she often did, giving the precious vacation time to those with families and small children, she still had plenty of time to spend with Clarke. Neither of them were great cooks and were satisfied with avocado toast for breakfast and a very basic tray of roast vegetables with sliced ham from the deli!

It was all very laid back, there was no tree or lights or decorations. Abby was perfectly happy with an assorted box of specialty teas and a monthly wine subscription. Clarke was happy with two gifts; one was a cute pair of art palette earrings and the other was a beautiful pair of drop pearl earrings. They put their socked feet up on the coffee table and watched crappy christmas television on low volume and talked.

Clarke shared with her mother about her first term at school and Finn Collins and Abby seemed quite nervous to articulate news of her own, but eventually she managed to communicate that she had met someone. Republican Councilman Marcus Kane from the District of Queens. Clarke was happy for her mother and her mother was relieved,

"Would you like to meet him, or is it too soon?"

"No, it's not too soon. What did you have in mind?"

"Lunch tomorrow?"

"I'd love to meet him, Mom. Tell me about him?"

"He says he met you once at an art show, here in the city. You don't recall him?"

"No, I can't say that I do. What did he say?"

"Just that he recognised your name when I mentioned you and he remembered you had blonde hair,"

"Maybe when I see him?"

"Perhaps, he does attend a lot of community events. He was married and his wife died five years ago, no kids. He works on the council, he knows a lot of people! He has quite a few business interests too; he is a property developer, he owns a boutique bar and a restaurant."

"Busy guy,"

"Yes, and everywhere he goes there are people he knows or reporters with cameras. We often eat at his restaurant because we can sit in the back room for privacy,"

"How long have you been seeing him?"

"Six months,"

"Six months! And you didn't say anything?"

"I wanted to see if it was serious,"

"And is it?"

"Yes, I think so,'

"Mom, I'm very happy for you. If this Marcus Kane is a good person and he treats you well, than I will be satisfied,"

"I was worried, that you might be upset,"

"About Dad? It's been ten years, Mom, I think you are entitled to move on,"

"Thank you, Clarke."

They met the following day at his restaurant which was a much fancier affair than Clarke would have guessed. He kissed her mother on the cheek and held her chair out for her. He put his hand out to greet Clarke and she liked him immediately, despite his being a Republican! He was very nice, friendly and seemed quite straight up and down, he had a sense of humour without being hilarious, polite without being deferential and was very conversational.

Clarke was particularly interested to see how he interacted with her mother; he asked her how she was, how was work, how were her holidays. He also spoke to Clarke; asking how she enjoyed being back in the city, how she was finding her teaching career, and he mentioned that he had met once, briefly many years ago. Clarke could not remember and he laughed saying he was not all that memorable.

When Clarke asked him about himself, he spoke freely, easily but not too much, circling back around to her mother and back to Clarke. Yes, she liked him, he was calm and kind, easy going and her mother looked happy in his company. It did make her think of her own father a little more frequently over the next few days, but she could not regret giving her mother her blessing. They had both loved her father, but ten years is too long to be on one's own, should they prefer to be partnered.

They met with him several more times before Clarke had to pack up and return home to Virginia.

Chapter Seven

Home. That still sounded strange on her tongue, but it didn't feel odd. Virginia felt like home, in a fresh pine tree air kind of way. Despite Finn and her difficult beginning she had found a community in Trikru, not only at the school, but in her apartment block, where she ate out or shopped for groceries, the art supply store and the coffee shop.

It wasn't only the teachers, but the students as well, and probably the whole of Trikru and Virginia. She liked the community, the fresh air, the green trees, the outdoor spaces. She felt inspired to create images and hadn't hardly begun exploring the region - she had plans to capture Virginia, and Trikru in particular, in all its elements and seasons.

All during her flight home Clarke could not stop thinking about Trikru; she also felt inspired to capture the buildings and communal spaces as they were, as they have been, as they are now and even how they might be in future generations. Clarke was going to start with the school and the main street. She began by researching the history of the region and the town online and that's how she found the historical society. She was going to get in touch with them and see what she could learn about the area and its people.

Wells picked Clarke up from the airport, they picked up Indian take out on the way home and caught each other up with their holiday news over several games of chess. Clarke was excited to get back to school the following morning which just confirmed to her again that she was in the right place doing the right thing. She had a fleeting thought about Finn as she walked through the car park, but it was gone again by the time she greeted Murdoch through the glass window while she signed in.

"Good morning, Clarke, how was your vacation?"

"Lovely, thank you, Murdoch, how was yours?"

"Football and riding around the countryside - what's not to love!"

"So that really is your motorcycle out front?"

"Yes, I suppose you thought it was Anya's? She won't go near them, calls them a death trap. I don't know why - I've never had an accident!"

"I am sure you are safe as houses,"

Clarke took her gear down to the art rooms and opened them up to get some air through the place, sometimes they have a strong scent of paint fumes or turpentine after being shut up. She was excited to see her home room students and hear their vacation news. There was supposed to be fifteen minutes of silent reading but instead they went around and gave a brief summary of their vacation, some of them were so funny, if not in the content then in delivery. She wished them a great day and sent them on their way.

In her lunch hour Clarke sought permission to leave the school grounds to go over to the history society where she met an elderly man, Mr Looper. He had lived in Trikru all his life and was only too pleased to show her their resources, he was quite talkative and happy to answer all her questions. He moved while he spoke, which was good because she only had an hour, he dug out books and photographs and seemed to know the right pages to find what she was after.

Clarke learned so much in her short visit and knew that she would have to return many more times in order to get a more full understanding of the habitat and its peoples, as she looked through the photos Mr Looper was showing her. She really couldn't stay any longer, she explained, she had a class but the information had been valuable and she was very grateful. He assured her that she could phone him and he would open the rooms for her at any time.

As she rushed through the front office to sign in, Murdoch handed her a letter, which she shuffled into the pile and rushed toward her rooms for class. She was so excited about her latest project that it took some discipline for her to remain present throughout the class. She gave the lecture, used the slide show and asked the students a variety of questions to gauge their understanding of the concepts. They got into an animated discussion of a specific example one of the students raised and all were disappointed when the bell rang.

It wasn't until she was locking the storage room door when Clarke recalled the letter Murdoch had handed her after lunch. She fossicked through the sheaf of papers to find it. She opened it as she walked along the well worn path through the school yard, toward the office so she could sign out. It was a handwritten letter:

Dearest Clarke,

I love you, Clarke - it was love at first sight. I know you feel it too.

We're meant to be together, I don't understand why you're resisting our fate.

You are ruining my life; your rejection kills me, Clarke.

Raven has kicked me out of my home, I've lost my job, if you go through with these charges - I will lose my career.

Please, Clarke, it's not too late. We could go somewhere together and start fresh - anywhere you want.

We are soulmates,

FC xo

Clarke didn't even read it, she saw the greeting, scrolled down the scrawled print, saw the initials and took it straight to Lexa's office,

"Hey Lexa, do you have a minute?"

"Sure Clarke, how was your day?"

"I've had a great day thanks, you?"

"Me too,"

"Murdoch handed me this envelope at lunch, I've just opened it now,"

Clarke dropped the envelope and the letter on Lexa's desk. Lexa scanned it briefly,

"I'm sorry, Clarke. Are you alright?"

"I didn't read it, thankfully. I saw the word soulmate and his initials, that was more than enough!"

"I am glad you brought it to me. He has been told by me, by the Union and the police not to contact you or anyone else. This will not go well for him."

"I'm really grateful that you are taking this on, Lexa, because I just would have ignored it and hoped for the best. Even now, I just don't feel that I could easily go to the police,"

"It's easier to act on behalf of others, believe me. The legislation, policies and procedures are all quite clear. I just imagine how would I defend my choice to do something or fail to do something in a court of law, that's motivating,"

"Still, I can imagine loads of work places that would have tried to convince me that he was just being friendly, that I was overreacting,"

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Anya and I already feel guilty enough not having seen what happened with Octavia - perhaps if we had caught that, we would have saved her that upset, Raven possibly and hopefully you as well."

"Oh, Lexa, you can't hope to catch all of those - "

"I can try," she said with absolute conviction.

Clarke smiled softly at her. She had just seen a slightly different side of her employer, gained a deeper insight. She liked the woman, her commitment to her students and staff were unlike anything Clarke had ever seen.

"Are you going to be here much longer?"

Lexa checked her phone for the time,

"Another hour or so. Let me walk you out to your car,"

"Sure, okay,"

"How are you settling in life in Trikru?"

"Actually, I really love it. I didn't realise until I contemplated 'coming home' from NYC, which I would usually have called home."

"I'm glad to hear that, Clarke,"

" I am really excited about a new project idea I have about the local area,"

"Oh really?"

"I am just researching at this stage, but I'd love to run it by you and Anya in a few weeks,"

"I'd be really happy to see what your up to, Clarke,"

"This is me," said Clarke, pressing her beeper, unlocking the vehicle.

"Thanks again for keeping me in the loop, Clarke. We will get through this together,"

"Yeah, I feel really positive about it and that's largely thanks to you and Anya,"

"If you felt comfortable, perhaps you could reach out to Raven. I know she can be quite prickly, but she is a really great person. She is also getting a few letters and things. O and Lincoln are supporting her through it. Maybe just a beer after work or…"

"I'll keep that in mind. See you tomorrow, Lexa,"

"Night, Clarke."

Clarke was up half the night planning out her project, she would get an idea and have to stop and research. Finally she forced herself to go to bed, knowing she had to get up at least thirty minutes earlier than usual. As she made her way to work, she drove the roads around the school several times, taking in the view of the grounds and the buildings from various viewpoints. She parked three or four times and took a quick sketch.

When she finally pulled into the car park she noticed Raven was just getting out of her vehicle. She hurried in order to catch up with her,

"Hey Raven,"

"Oh hey, Clarke, how's it going?"

"Not bad overall, how about you?"

"This Finn bs is really bothering me, to be perfectly honest,"

"You had been together for a long time?"

"Since high school,"

"That's huge, Raven. I'm really sorry,"

Raven gave her a piercing look, as though she was trying to read her mind or her motivations,"

"I don't blame you,"

"That's a relief. I was wondering if you felt like maybe having a drink after work or lunch on the weekend or something?"

"You want to have a drink with me?"

"Yeah, why not? We could ask O, if you want?"

"I just thought you were a bit of a snob. A fancy city girl, too good for us,"

"Me? I don't know where you got that idea,"

"Actually, I know where I got that idea - Finn,"

"Well, that answers that,"

"Yeah, I'm sorry, Clarke,"

"Forget it,"

"Lunch sounds good,"

"Great, you have my number."

If Clarke had been feeling surprisingly good after the way her first term ended, then her second term had started on a far greater note. She decided to capitalise on that by spending regular time with people who made her feel good; Gustus at the school garden, Lincoln who taught society and culture and survival skills after school while his girlfriend Coach O was training with the team. And of course, Wells.

She liked participating in those extra duties as well; the early morning playground duty and breakfast program supervision, morning tea and lunchtime playground supervision and even the after school care. She would just wander around with a cup of coffee making sure the students were playing in the appropriate zones, that everybody had a meal, that there was no rough play or fighting.

Some kids just liked to walk with her and chat, sometimes they would 'assist' her to supervise their fellow students,

"Miss Griffin, the ball has gone down in the wet grass, Paul Webber is going to get it,"

"Miss, Katie Preston didn't bring her lunch and she is crying over there, look"

"Miss, Davey Wilcox said I can't play handball cos I'm too small,"

Clarke would just go along with them,

"Where is the wet grass area? I will take a look,"

"Would you please take Katie to the office to get a spare lunch?"

"You tell Davey to let you play or he can come and take playground duty with me."

There were her theoretical classes, her practical classes, her young students and those who were slightly more mature. She still had those students who hung around either her or the art rooms; Madi, Aden, Charlotte, Luca and Tris, they all seemed to know their way around. They were able to set up a classroom or clean up after an activity, they helped themselves, each other and other students to access supplies or how to make picture frames or to use certain tools and so on.

Clarke continued to keep the art rooms open on Fridays as she had in the first term and used that time to begin working on her project. Inspired by her thoughts about the use of this local area, her idea was to recreate the changes to the school yard over time. As usually happens the project got way too big and almost out of control before she found the point of focus.

Employing the unique artistic style she is known for, her work would be mapped from above like an eagle's eye. She started with her art rooms at Trikru High School, nearly 200 years old now, she reframed the image to make the front of the buildings, the front and centre of the school. From old photographs from the history society and other evidence, she was able to add in the dirt road and several trees as they would have been.

As the school had grown over the generations new buildings were added which served to change the use of the land, buildings continued to be added to the south-east, making what was the front now the back. When the football field was added in the 1930's and the gymnasium in the 1960's they changed the layout once again and what was the front was now the middle. In the 1990's the 'new' administration buildings and the carpark were added making that the front entrance.

On Friday night she went to bed late and woke up early, her creativity at its peak, Clarke was, what she would call, in a zone. She was almost late to meet Raven and O for lunch but they didn't seem to either notice or mind. They were sitting outside in the sunshine laughing heartily at something that Clarke didn't quite get, even though they explained it twice.

She really fancied a coffee but noticing that they were both drinking wine, she decided to follow suit, she was there to make friends after all. Octavia talked about all of the activities she got up to with Lincoln and/or Bellamy; travelling around to football games, camping, hiking, cycling, swimming, kayaking. They would throw together a bbq, invite some friends and have a few beers.

Raven was less sporty but seemed almost as busy, she was always designing, researching and/or building something, doing experiments and literally making things go bang! She was one very smart person and a complete technological whiz. Clarke talked about settling in to her new flat, her new job, her new environment, about having gone back to NYC for the Christmas break and a little about her new project. It was nice, making friends, hanging out on the weekend, getting some sunshine on her skin. She had to watch the wine though because O and Raven knew how to put it away.

It took Clarke over an hour to realise that no one had talked about school or mentioned Finn's name, nor did they seem to be trying hard not to. Lincoln turned up after a couple of hours, having completed his chores, he sat and had a drink with them, joining the conversation easily.

When it was time to go the three of them tried to talk Clarke into continuing their drinks and socialising at O and Linoln's house but Clarke declined, wanting to catch the art supply store before closing. She was very glad to have followed Lexa's suggestion to reach out to Raven, and Raven was as good as her word, she apparently held no resentment toward Clarke at all. In fact, without ever discussing it openly, it seemed that all three had been treated poorly by Finn Collins - Raven paying the highest price of all.

Clarke checked the time, she had enough time to hit the post office before the art store. She managed to snag a park right at the front door, running in she grabbed a large packing box and used it to carry the rest of her purchases. Not quite so lucky three blocks over, but she made do and came out five minutes after closing with her arms full. She leaned against the vehicle and fished in her pocket for her keys, already not relishing the four trips up and back to get it all inside.

She thought of O running around with her students all day and then running around all weekend! She did more exercise in one week than Clarke probably did in three months. With the thought of working quite late into the night Clarke decided to order some food and have a quick shower while she was waiting. Showered with a pair of comfy sweats on, the blonde began planning her project, clearing the table, setting up her laptop, and the doorbell rang.

"Hey, thanks very much," she began but her voice faded away as she realised who was holding her dinner. Finn Collins.

"My pleasure. Just giving us both a vision of my future, Clarke,"

"Finn, the police will arrest you if they find you here," she began to close the door, making no move to take her food.

"You sound almost concerned," he put his hand on the door, providing resistance.

"Finn! Leave me alone." she shouted in both fear and anger.

"Clarke, come on, give me a chance,"

Her neighbour opened the door,

"Clarke, everything okay?"

"Steve, can you please call the police,"

"So dramatic," Finn started to say, but Steve came right out of his apartment and approached the shorter, slighter Finn,

"You heard the lady, leave her alone!" When Finn didn't respond, Steve grabbed him by the shoulder, took the food with the other hand and swung him around, almost walking him to the stairs.

Clarke grabbed her phone and called 911, Finn gave her a doleful look,

"Clarke, please," he whined.

She continued with the call, giving the operator her details and explaining the nature of her complaint. Eventually he shook his head and descended the staircase. Steve grabbed his phone and keys and locked his apartment door so that he could wait with Clarke until the authorities came.

He shepherded the woman inside gently, pushed the front door to, and planted himself there like a bouncer. He was not a huge guy, nor had Clarke thought, a particularly physical person, but he had risen to the occasion magnificently. She finished her call,

"Thank you, Steve, thank you so much,"

"No problem, Clarke, what's going on?"

She gave him a brief run down,

"Oh that's bullshit, Clarke, I am really sorry to hear that,"

"Yeah, it's been quite unpleasant,"

"Let me give you my number, and Lisa's as well, just call us anytime. We can walk down to the car park with you, if we see him around we will call you,"

"Thanks again, oh here are the police,"

Officers interviewed Clarke and Steve, they searched the grounds thoroughly and put out an apb with Finn's details. They activated an avo on her behalf, asked her to keep a record of further contacts and she assured them that she was keeping a diary. The police were excellent, very diligent, promising her that they would be doing extra surveillance on her apartment block and her vehicle.

One officer encouraged her to call a friend, he insisted on calling her boss given that it was a workplace incident and said they would call her as soon as Finn had been apprehended, for her peace of mind. The minute Clarke was alone, she climbed into bed and phoned Wells and sobbed. He offered to come over or to pick her up and whilst she was very upset, she preferred to be alone.

Thirty minutes later she received a call from Lexa,

"Clarke, are you okay?"

"Yeah, Lexa, I'm fine,"

"You've been crying,"

"Oh yeah, I'm upset, I'm angry,"

"Of course, I am so sorry, Clarke. What happened?"

"I took your advice and had lunch with Raven and O, you were right, it was good to make friends. I ran some errands, called some take out and Finn delivered it. He wouldn't let me close my front door, I shouted, my neighbour came out and he eventually left,"

"What the fuck is wrong with this guy? Sorry, language,"

"Lol, detention, Miss Woods,"

"Least of my worries, lol. Are you at home?"

"Yeah, I put myself to bed, lol,"
"At 8pm on a Saturday night? Actually sounds ideal. Oh, that wasn't, sorry, I didn't mean - "
"It's fine, Lexa,"

"Do you want some company? I don't like to think of you home alone, crying, feeling miserable,"

"To be honest, I'm right where I want to be,"

"Okay, Clarke. I'd like to call you tomorrow?"

"Sure, Lexa, and thank you. Your support means a lot."

"You're welcome, good night,"

Chapter Eight

Clarke didn't go straight to sleep. She lay there thinking about the whole event, every thought of Finn incited resentment and anger, like she had never experienced. She came to the conclusion that contrary to popular belief, he was less obsessed with Clarke and more obsessed with his own fucking self. She had no illusion that he had any genuine feelings for her beyond a mild attraction - which apparently he developed for all new female teachers.

It was his selfishness and self centeredness that caused him to see only a version of himself in the presence of every new female he came into contact with. If he had been normal, he would have met her and seen her as a whole person, completely independent of himself, a person with a past, a personality, with needs totally unrelated to himself. If he had cared about her at all he would have been much more considerate of her being new to the workplace, remembering how stressful that was on its own, without forcing an unsought, and unwanted romantic connection into the mix.

How he thought he could get away with it was beyond Clarke, although it had apparently worked with Octavia. He was clearly unable to remain faithful to Raven, he had chased after Octavia and now herself to the point it had cost him his relationship, his reputation, his job and possibly his career. But nothing was slowing him down, now he was facing arrest and jail, which would not look well for him in his court case. Not that she could scare up much sympathy for Finn, it was actually more a sense of incomprehensible wonder. Wonder and anger.

She was angry because he had jeopardised her own employment, she had not even passed her three month probationary employment period when he began all this! He had jeopardised her relationships with her colleagues and even her students and was now making her feel uncomfortable in her own home. She hadn't feared him exactly, he didn't strike her as a violent fellow, despite his rather determined, passive aggressive pursuit of her. And that was precisely the trouble - he just wasn't taking no for an answer.

Goddamn Finn, the sooner he was arrested the better for her. Clarke was grateful for Wells, he was the ever steady rock in her life, since the death of her father. He knew her, he cared for her, he understood her and he supported her. Finn could take a lesson on those concepts, he was either mistakenly or deliberately confusing attention for care and obsession for love.

Clarke had never really been a big believer in the idea of love, not love at first sight, not soul mates, not true love - she was not even really convinced of the idea of being 'in love'. She would have been well satisfied to meet someone reasonably attractive, clever, articulate who was good company, who liked her and treated her well. How could that feel any different or less than love? Clarke would take kindness over love every day of the week.

And sex could just be fine, or even good - did it have to be the best sex of your life? Every time? Mind blowing and/or insane? Twisting oneself into unusual contortions and bouncing off the ceiling? What was wrong with making out on the couch and a simple orgasm on your back in the bedroom? No, Clarke could do without all the bells and whistles - give her a person who turned up on time, who had a good sense of humour and who could make her come. Life could be simple and pleasurable - it didn't have to be a movie script.

So, unlike Finn, Clarke had very realistic and rather unromantic ideas about love and romance, and unlike Finn, she knew exactly what she wanted and what she didn't. There was just no way she was going to be confused or lured into considering what was essentially chaos and selfishness dressed as flirtatious courtship. Her new friends; Raven, O, Lincoln, Anya and Lexa, appeared to be similarly practical and realistic and were all more understanding and supportive than she could have hoped for. Could she call Lexa a friend? Certainly her employer, but it was more than that. Surely?

She was a very nice person, caring, responsible, and hard working. The way she treated people was like a flag advertising her personal values and morals; she clearly cared about people. All people, people close to her, those in her community, students, staff - and all of the staff; she didn't play favourites or foster levels of more important and less important staff.

Lexa spoke to everyone exactly the same way, she gave them her full attention, eye contact and listened attentively, asking questions to make sure she fully understood, showing the utmost respect and interest. If the student was small she would get down to their level, she never raised her voice or made quips to people who were not in a position to joke back. And if she said she would consider the matter and get back to you, she would. She was reliable, dependable, capable - more important personal qualities in Clarke's books, than say attractive or romantic, any day.

She ran her school based on principles of kindness, respect and equity, it would be devastating and infuriating to her to find one of her teachers being treated in such a way as Clarke was being treated, both within the school and outside of it. Lexa had followed all of the guidelines, policies and procedures in a swift and attentive manner, but it had not been enough - not that Clarke held her accountable in any way, shape or form.

She had done more than enough, provided more on every level and at every stage than Clarke could have hoped for. She had inserted herself into the interaction between Finn and Clarke at the pub at the very first sign of trouble, and none too ambiguously either. She had ensured that both participants were aware of her observance of the issue, she had told Finn to make himself scarce and had offered Clarke support, both immediate and ongoing. She demonstrated no reluctance in believing her; the new staff member, the less experienced teacher and the person least concerned with putting themselves forward and that had made all the difference as far as Clarke's experience.

She fell asleep somewhere around 3am having exhausted her mind and woke to her phone ringing with persistence,

"Hello?"

"Clarke? Did I wake you? It's Lexa,"

"Oh Lexa, hey, what time is it?"

"Ten,"

"How embarrassing,"

"Not at all. I would like to see you, however. Would it be convenient if I came by your house in thirty minutes? I will bring coffee, how do you like it?"

Thirty minutes later, Lexa called again saying that she was downstairs. Clarke had leapt out of bed, put on a load of washing, had the quickest shower of her life, dressed and tidied her apartment in expectation of her employer coming to visit. Still, it was almost a relief not to have to reveal herself to that level, not today, when she was already feeling so vulnerable. Again, Lexa showing an uncanny reading of the situation and showing that extra level of care and personal attention.

"Morning, Clarke, one vanilla latte with caramel,"

"Morning Lexa, thank you very much,"

"I was wondering if you would allow me to take you for a ride this morning? We don't have to go far, just a change of perspective, a bit of energy? Look, I bought you a jacket and a helmet,"

"Wow, coffee and a ride, sounds ideal, Lexa, thank you,"

"It's my pleasure, Clarke. You are new to this area and I have lived here my whole life, there is something of interest I would like to show you. It's about thirty minutes away, would you be interested?"

"Totally. I'm not interrupting your plans for the day?"

"Not at all. I like to take a ride on the weekend, if I can find time. I have been seeking an opportunity to get to know you better, and this is no chore for me, Clarke, I assure you."

Lexa took a rarely used road out of the town and a series of back roads and almost dirt tracks on a slowly rising ascent. It was a direction Clarke had never travelled in, didn't even know existed despite her study of maps to find interesting locations and artifacts to sketch. As they left the town behind the area quickly showed all the hallmarks of a depopulated rural area.

Remnants of buildings, abandoned housing and ruined infrastructure, including roads even which had tufts of determined and resistant grass growing up in the cracks of bitumen. Lexa knew exactly where she was going, they wound around in an increasingly tighter circle and Clarke caught glimpses of some kind of massive concrete dome over the side of the hill they were steadily climbing.

She was like an eager child wanting to see what it was - her first thought was an old mosque, but surely not. Not in this, what Clarke would have assumed, was a population of racial, cultural and religious uniformity or homogeneity - or was this an ignorant error, a racist assumption? Whatever the building was, it was enormous, and Clarke was excited to explore it.

The road down reminded Clarke of an abandoned mine site she explored once, an almost imperceptive slow wide circular crawl. With every metre of descent, more of the building was revealed to a keen, almost desperate observer. Lexa could feel the growing excitement of her passenger, both her energy was almost palpable and with her squeezing Lexa's waist - it could just have easily been terror, but Clarke didn't strike here as particularly timid, nor had she shown any reservation about riding, speed or heights.

Round and round, lower and lower, and finally Lexa pulled her bike off the path at the bottom and made as though to drive her bike into what might have been the front door. She slowed to a stop, turned her bike off and held it steady as Clarke climbed off, her enthusiasm was such that in her mind she was off the bike before her body actually was.

She was so excited that she was speaking so quickly within her helmet that Lexa had no idea what she was saying - except that she was obviously very excited. Lexa had taken off her gloves, helmet and jacket while Clarke was still stumbling around admiring the ruins of the once beautiful building,

"Clarke?"

"Yeah?"

"Let me help you?"

"Oh, yeah, thanks. What is this place, Lexa?"

"This is the Tower of the Commander,"

"The Commander? Who's the Commander? What happened here?"

Clarke was walking while she was asking, leaving Lexa holding her helmet, gloves and jacket, Lexa had to restrain her laughter. She had wanted to show Clarke this location ever since she had joined their staff, she presumed that the artist in her would appreciate it, but this response was far more gratifying than anything Lexa could have anticipated.

She found Clarke a little childlike, not immature but innocent, unrestrained, unaffected, natural and enthusiastic. It was refreshing, and a little amusing. Rather than chase after Clarke and shouting answers to her questions, Lexa decided to let her explore a little. She packed away their gear and pulled out the thermos she had prepared earlier.

Her first intention of catching up with Clarke this morning was to support her. She felt an enormous responsibility to the woman, Clarke had relocated to Trikru for this job, and through this job had come into contact with Finn - Lexa's employee. Finn's behaviour was his responsibility, but she could not help but feel that if only she had known about him, she could have saved both Octavia and Clarke.

But she hadn't and both had been subjected to unwanted sexual harassment and stalking, and not just in the work place, that Finn had actually been to Clarkes's house was just beyond all comprehension. Initially she had warned him to stay well clear of Clarke, not to speak to her under any circumstances, but that warning had not been enough, nor had a formal warning, nor had suspension of his employment and nor apparently had been the threat of arrest.

She could not understand him or his behaviour in the slightest, she was as shocked as anyone to see the real Finn Collins unmasked. If anyone had suggested six months ago that he had this in him, she would not have believed it and she would have defended him. If she hadn't seen his behaviour for herself in the pub she would have had trouble believing it, he seemed so innocuous, so - well to be completely honest, Lexa had always found him a little meh.

Far too concerned with his own good looks and charm. She had wondered what someone like Raven could see in him, but they had been together a long time and they had come from difficult circumstances, and who could tell what drew one person to another? Although in hindsight she did recall a series of conversations she had with Anya about his familiarity with some of the senior female students, especially those on the debate team - but all of their investigation had come to nothing.

It was not only that Clarke Griffin was a boon for a school like Trikru High School, she was a person who fell under Lexa's care and responsibility. It was up to her to minimise the impact of Finn's behaviour on Clarke as much as she possibly could, personally and professionally, and this was far from over. He was suing the State, the Education Department, Trikru High School, Lexa and Anya and the Teacher's Union for wrongful termination, failure to defend his interest and a litany of other claims besides.

Clarke was likely to be called as a witness in all of those cases, she was going to be called to face her harasser time and again to give evidence against him - the only thing that could be worse was if he decided to represent himself in which case he could question her directly, and that was not entirely out of the question either.

She shook off her thoughts, she did not bring Clarke out here to rehash all of that. She poured herself a cup of coffee and paced slowly around the front of the entrance and waited for Clarke to return. She had plenty of time and was happy to know that Clarke was both diverted and enjoying herself. It brought her joy to know that the woman would also be delighted to find a hot coffee waiting for her, she knew little about Clarke, but she knew the woman loved her coffee.

Half an hour Lexa waited, she had Clarke in her sights for most of that time, occasionally she could hear her talking either to Lexa or to herself, either way Lexa couldn't hear her, not completely. She definitely heard a few expletives, several 'wow's, and a number of prolonged chats, at least one Lexa would lay money in which Clarke both asked and answered the question.

Eventually Clarke made her way back to Lexa,

"This place is amazing, Lexa!"

"I know, I am glad you have enjoyed it so much,"

"Oh I have, is that coffee? Oh Lexa, thank you so much,"

That was the first time Lexa was aware of a little flutter behind her sternum region. She pushed it down with great urgency and became extremely interested in telling Clarke all she knew about the Tower of the Commander.

"There was a warrior class of people who lived in this region for a short time, The Grounders. They were comprised of a dozen clans, each with their own leader until finally they were united by the Commander who lived in this tower. She was killed and really terrible things occurred as her enemies vied for power,"

"How was she killed?"

"It was written that she was shot in the stomach,"

"What terrible things?"

"They chose their leaders from children who were specially trained and educated, and someone murdered all of those children,"

"Oh no, that really is terrible,"

"A lot of things happened really quickly, there was in fighting, war between the clans again, then there was some kind mass psychogenic illness followed by explosions that made them extinct,"

"What's a mass psychogenic illness?"

"Hard to know precisely, but apparently a large portion of the population were under some kind of mass delusion, may have been some religious or cult phenomenon. They were trying to get everyone to join some 'City of Light' and killing those who resisted and threatened to blow up the world with nuclear bombs."

"Nuclear, did they have access to that?"

"It seems unlikely,"

"So what happened to this tower?"

"There are theories but the exact cause is not known as to how or why it collapsed. It is said that this tower was the tallest structure within sight, in its day. Archeologists excavated the land hereabouts and found the Commander's throne room, which was at the top, under this beautiful dome."

"Why is it so white?"

"I'm sure they had their reasons, as it was the height of the tower was surely enough to signal the building's presence, but the dome was said to have been blinding in the sunlight,"

"Wow,"

"And it was said to have had an unfinished alfresco painting on the inside, a tribute from the Commander's lover, who tried to save her but was unable to stop the bleeding in time."

"I would love to see that, the art, not the bleeding,"

"Yeah, me too. There are notes about it,"

"I have to know, I just have to,"

Lexa once again suppressed a grin at Clarke's boundless enthusiasm, it was quite endearing.

"There was a temple used by the Fleimkepas where they found many books which recorded their history, their culture and practices, which is how we know so much about them,"

"What's a Fleimkepa?"

"Some kind of priest, I'm guessing. The correct translation is Flamekeeper, perhaps they lit some kind of flame as communication or symbolic ritual,"

"Yeah, maybe,"

"There is a huge underground crypt for someone named Heda Bekka or Bekka Pramheda and something called the Second Dawn Cult. They are still uncovering the writings and putting all the pieces together."

"Oh, I just have to sketch this," said Clarke, looking it over greedily.

"Did you bring something?"

"No, I don't need to, I will remember it. I can sketch it like this and with more information, I should be able to sketch it as it was,"

"Really? That would be amazing,"

"Yeah, it really would. Thanks again, Lexa for bringing me here,"

"It really is my pleasure, I had hoped that the artist in you might appreciate such a piece of architecture or history, perhaps even just inspiration, but you seemed to have gotten far more enjoyment than I had anticipated and for that I am very happy."

"I was working on another project but that will have to wait now. I can't wait to start bringing this tower to life,"

"I hope you won't keep it a secret?"

"No, of course not,"

"There are two more things I would like to show you, they are not as magnificent as this tower, but perhaps we can take a ride another day, if you would like to?'

"I would love to. Seeing this tower has lit my creative flame, that sounded much better in my head,"

"Lol, I imagine that was a pretty accurate claim,"

"Yeah, my hands are itching to make a start,"

"Okay, well, let me get you home,"

"I really can't thank you enough, Lexa,"

"I can honestly say that it has been my pleasure."

Chapter Nine

At midnight on Sunday night, Clarke forced herself to put down her work, take a shower and hop into bed. She had been working on The Tower of the Commander since Lexa had dropped her at home. She was tired and hungry and covered in charcoal, a quick hot shower, some cold leftovers while she stood at the fridge with the door open and then she fell sound asleep until her alarm went off.

The first thing she thought of was The Commander's tower when she woke up, the second was Lexa Woods. She experienced a real thrill at the first and a curious happiness at the second. A distant third thought was that dick Finn Collins at which she felt a burst of anger followed by a sense of dread at anticipating her solitary walk down to her car in the car park.

She scrolled through her telephone contacts, found Steve's number and shot off a text,

Clarke Griffin, apart. #6

Morning Steve, Clarke from #6 here. I am leaving for work in 30 mins and was wondering if I could take you up on your offer of a walk down to my car?

Steve Evert, apart. #5

Morning Clarke, I am really glad you asked. I am at work, but Lisa is home. I shot her your message and she said she would be happy to, just knock on your way out and she will be up.

Clarke Griffin, apart. #6

Thank you very much, I hope this doesn't drag out with him. Have a great day!

Steve Evert, apart. #5

You too, Clarke, be safe.

Lisa answered the door promptly with an easy smile,

"Hey Clarke, Monday morning, huh?"

"Hey Lisa, yeah, how are you?"

"I'm good, late start, so that's something,"

"Steve tell you what happened?"

"Yeah. That guy sounds like a dangerous asshole, Clarke,"

"It's really inconvenient and it's humiliating, honestly. But everybody is being so great about it, including you and Steve,"

"We are more than happy to help out, and those guys rely on your feeling isolated so you keep reaching out,"

"Thanks, I will, this is me,"

"You have my number right?"

"Yeah, Steve gave it to me,"

"Good, just text when your leaving work or the store or whatever and we will meet you here,"

"Thanks again, Lisa,"

"Enjoy your day."

Clarke received a message through the day from a police officer leaving a message that Finn Collins had been arrested and was now in County Jail awaiting a bail hearing. Several days later she received an email from Mr Looper at the Historical Society with a huge amount of information regarding the Tower of the Commander, and several other really useful links. It was a fortnight of almost constant researching, planning and sketching the end of which was marked by another message from the police to say that he had made bail and been released that morning, they reminded her that the AVO was still active and that if he had any questions or concerns she should contact them.

Lexa must have received the same message and walked down to the art rooms after the final bell to check in with her,

"Clarke? Oh wow! This is amazing!" she said more to herself than anyone else.

"You like it?" Clarke had just come through from the other room upon hearing her name.

"Like it? It's just incredible,"

Lexa was looking at two large boards with four pieces of news print carefully pinned around the edges of each to keep them in place making one large 'canvas' for her work. The first was a sketch of the ruined tower as she had last seen it, that day with Clarke and the second was a sketch of the tower as it might have been in its heyday. They were both fine works, fine as in with painfully achieved accuracy and detail, and somehow eliciting a sense of awe for this resplendent building both when it is standing and even as it lay in rubble, with its large dome the only part to remain in one piece.

Clarke was watching Lexa looking at her unfinished work. Clarke was a successful artist, rare for one so young and still alive! But her success had given her licence to have full confidence in her abilities and she was always happy to rely on her own satisfaction and appreciation. But in this moment she wondered how it would be to experience Lexa's appreciation and approval, she didn't need the words - if she could read the woman's thoughts in her countenance, that would be satisfaction enough.

Lexa moved forward and then back, took her glasses off and repeated the action. She looked over each of the four sections very carefully and then stepped back and looked again, slipped her glasses on and continued looking. Then she moved to the next board and repeated the process. At the end she just looked at Clarke, apparently speechless. Clarke imagined herself dropping the mike! My work here is done, she thought, secretly chuffed that she had impressed Lexa, it suddenly seemed to have a special meaning, although she hadn't time to think that thought through to its conclusion.

"I am gratified that you like it. Honestly, feel free to say nothing. It is not yet finished, but I have something else to show you,"

She hauled a large folder out of a collection of folders in the store room and hoisted it up onto the worktable. She opened it and fossicked through the leaves of various works,

"Is this your work folder?"

"One of,"

"May I?'

"Sure, I just wanted to show you these,"

Clarke produced two more sketches, if it wasn't for the shape Lexa would not have been able to guess what they were,

"The unfinished alfresco?"

"There were several attempted sketches in the notes, but more comprehensive written descriptions,"

"You really have been working hard,"

"Constantly and intensely yes, hard, not so much."

"You really love it, the producing aspect?"

"Yeah, when I work on pieces like these it's inspired - nothing feels right until each aspect has been achieved exactly as it should be,"

"Of course we knew you were a competent artist, but having you here, being exposed to not only your work, but your process is such a privilege. I wanted the students to be exposed to that but I didn't expect to be affected by you, by your work, myself."

"Thank you Lexa, that's a very great compliment, not so much the part about being competent, but..."

"Sorry. And there was something else you were working on, just before the tower?"

"Oh, yes. This is a little closer to home."

Clarke went into the store room and retrieved a series of smaller canvases, she brought them out and lifted them onto the shelving before Lexa. The first showed the school as it was now. The second without the admin buildings and car park which changed the perspective of the school, and thus was depicted from the front as it was then. And so on right back to the art rooms as the main school house.

Again Clarke watched as Lexa looked at each one briefly, and then returned to the first for a more detailed study, the glasses came off, went on, she moved back and forward. That was probably the first time Clarke really thought Lexa truly attractive, she was beautiful, no doubt, but that sort of classic, almost movie star beauty had never been all that attractive to Clarke.

But seeing her close up, she had a few freckles, that sort of new growth hair around the forehead and a scar on her chin and there was something really sexy about the glasses. Her hair was dark brown, thick and glossy and hung in a single long braid down her back. Her posture was quite erect, her shoulders open and her eyes were such a deep forest green, she was slim but she appeared strong - more core muscles than big biceps, thought Clarke.

And there was such a strength in her person, like she knew exactly who she was and what she was put on this earth for. Clarke's energy was more sort of reactive, emotional and visceral, and it all came out in colours, lines and shapes, echos and inspiration until either the piece was finished or the Clarke was empty. Lexa was definitely more purposeful, logical, methodical and determined.

"So the theme here is about perspective?"

"Yes, theoretically, and practically it's a micro study of how people have used this land over time,"

"It's really interesting, and well done, again, Clarke,"

"I am using them this term with the students but after that I will donate them to the school,"

"Really? That's very generous,"
"It's very little, actually. This is your land, or the land of the local people, this is just a record,"

"They would look great in the office entrance,"

"My thoughts exactly."

"So Finn made bail today," said Lexa with a sigh, as though she was reluctant to raise the topic.

"Yeah, I got a message from the police,"

"How does that make you feel?"
"I feel defenceless. I understand the system works a certain way but so far Finn has proved to be reluctant to systematic measures designed to modify one's behaviour. His coming to my house just made me feel so powerless,"

"Are you afraid?"

"I don't feel afraid of him directly. He was not threatening in himself but his persistence is something I don't take lightly,"

"I am sorry you are being impacted like this. I am concerned about you staying at your apartment alone, given that he has already been there. You could come and stay with me for a bit, a few days, weeks, whatever you need. I live in a large house, it's certainly not the ritz, but you would have both space and privacy and some company?"

"Thanks, Lexa. That's really thoughtful and very kind, but I think I would be more comfortable at home. I wouldn't mind keeping that option in my back pocket, though, in case the situation changes?"
"Of course, the offer is there. The police said they will keep your apartment on their regular rounds,"

"I have my neighbours as well, they have been great walking me to my car and stuff,"

"Great, Raven is also having a similar experience, so don't feel like you're alone,"

"I guess he is feeling pretty desperate,"

"Then he should have backed down long ago,"

"To be honest, the way you spoke to him at the pub in those first weeks would have been enough to make me want to resign!"

"Apparently it wasn't enough,"

"Are you walking back up to the office?"

"Yes, are you ready?"
"I will just pop these away."

Things with Finn did not calm down over the following month. Lisa phoned Clarke twice to say that she had seen him hanging around the building at the time she was normally due home, which just meant that Clarke would turn her car around and head straight to Wells' apartment.

One of the students gave her a letter from Finn, which Clarke took straight up to Lexa's office. There was a letter on her car when she came back from the store which took directly to the police station. Although Clarke had not seen him directly, she also kept her head down not wanting to see him - but he was making his presence felt. It was really starting to get her down, the loss of freedom, of independence, of looking over her shoulder.

She continued to ask Lisa and Steve to walk her too and from the car, and had they been in any doubt about the seriousness of her predicament, several police contacts for information reminded them that this was a serious and ongoing safety and legal concern. And Lisa, having seen him twice lurking about, left them in no doubt that the guy was seriously predatory in nature.

Her creativity and spontaneity evaporated and her usual happy, effervescent personality ground to a muted and faded version of it's former sparkle. She was not sleeping well, had lost her appetite and her art was limited to the classroom and her students. Clarke wasn't the only one being impacted by Finn's behaviour, Raven was also receiving notes and calls and other unwanted attention. She had moved out of her and Finn's apartment and temporarily in with O and Lincoln both for company and security. She was as shocked as anyone to uncover this side of Finn that she never knew existed, she had always thought of Finn as that friendly, funny, kind young boy who shared his lunches with her.

They became like family to each other, Raven's mother was a hopeless alcoholic and drank all the money that was available for food, clothes, bills and entertainment. Finn had more or less saved her when she needed it the most and now it seemed like he needed her and she couldn't return the favour. It was really messing with her head, she too, struggled to sleep and eat, she was probably drinking a bit too much but she needed something to take the edge off.

Lexa phoned Clarke at the end of the month and asked her if she would like to go for a ride, she had noticed a definite change in her new friend and after a couple of discreet enquiries had decided a change of pace might be a short term solution. She and Anya had more or less divided the care and attention of Clarke and Raven between themselves, with Anya following up with Raven, inviting her for coffees, meals or other social activities.

Lexa rode over and picked Clarke up for an excursion, she had promised coffee and adventure and she hoped her idea would fit the bill. She pulled up in Clarke's building carpark and sent through a text announcing her arrival. In the meantime she unpacked two take away lattes and sat up on the brick fence letting her feet dangle over.

"Morning Lexa,"

"Morning Clarke, how did you sleep,"

"Fine, thanks, you?"

"Those dark circles proclaim their own truth," said Lexa, smiling,

"That's what these," said Clarke reaching into her bag, "are for," and put her sunglasses on.

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence,"

"Such a scholar. Oh this coffee is too good,"

'Thanks, ordered it myself. Cheers,"

"Cheers,"

"This must be the warmest day of the year so far?"

"Supposed to reach 68,"

"Nice,"

They sat in comfortable silence in the sunshine drinking their coffees, when they were finished, Clarke tossed them in the bin and Lexa began organising their gloves, helmets and jackets. They set off through the town, Lexa drove on the slow side, waving to people here and there as they passed, over the bridge and out of town.

After half an hour or so they left the main roads and took a long track out into the never never. Eventually Lexa pulled over and they got off.

"It's about a ten minute walk from here,"

"Another tower?"

"No more towers I'm afraid,"

They walked through a fairly forest-like area, very green, overgrown, a lot of trees and the smell of moisture in the air. Lexa knew exactly where she was going, Clarke was looking and trying to guess, she was so excited that she kept forgetting to look down and tripped more than once.

"Is it an animal?"

"No, it's not an animal,"

"Is it berries?"

"Not berries,"

"Ooops,"

"Are you right, Clarke?"

"Are there snakes out here?"

"I have seen the odd snake, but I they usually take off,"

"Is it a dead body or skeleton bones?"

"Neither of those,"

"Is it an old car wreck?"

"Is this the excited Clarke?"
"Yeah, I'm excited, I also don't do well with surprises,"

"You want me to tell you?"

"Maybe, is it far?"

"We are about half way,"

"Is it buried treasure?"

"Oh you are hilarious,"

"Am I annoying you?"

"Not at all, you are kind of cute,"

"Kind of?"

"Yeah, well it wouldn't be buried treasure, would it? I mean someone would have had to unbury it to know it was treasure,"

"Oh you're one of those that doesn't believe in Santa Claus, aren't you?
"No, I do believe in Santa Claus, but flying reindeer? Come on!"

Clarke was laughing as she stumbled along,

"We're here," said Lexa.

"Where?"

"Here," she rolled a few logs away and scraped away some of the foliage, underneath was a round metal hatch, she twisted the handle and pulled up.

Together they both leaned over the round entrance, looking down,

"What is it?"

"There is a ladder here, I will shine my torch on my phone so you can see,"

"I'm not going down into a hole by myself, Lexa Woods,"

"Oh you big scaredy cat, fine you hold the torch and I will go,"

"Is it deep?"

"No,"

"Is there water at the bottom?"

"No,"

"Is there going to be a light?"

"Yes,"

"Are there spiders?"

"Next time I will give you a questionnaire, okay,"

"I don't think not being keen to climb into a cold balck hole makes me a scaredy cat, btw,"

"Okay, scaredy cat, come on,"
"Are you at the bottom? I can see your head,"

"I told you, it's not deep,"

"Okay move away,"

"What if you fall,"
"I won't fall,"

Clarke swung herself down into the hole, found the ladder rungs with her feet, climbed down two rungs and then fell the rest of the way,

"Clarke? Shit, are you okay?"

"You swore!"
"And you said you wouldn't fall!"
"Fine, I was a bit scared,"

"And clumsy," sniggered Lexa.

"Okay, yes, and clumsy,"

"What is this place?"
"I am just going to walk down the back and get the light, one minute,"

Lexa walked carefully down into the darkness and flicked what sound like a large switch that was stiff with infrequent use,

"Oh wow!" Said Clarke as the light slowly filled the room, "Is this a bomb shelter?"

"Bingo!"

"That light would have helped coming down," clasping for something to save her dignity.

"I didn't want to leave you in case you fell,"
"Mhm," said Clarke, but she was too interested to explore to keep up the faux argument.

"Oh wow, this place is so cool, how did you find it?"

"We explored all these areas when we were kids, we hiked, camped out, went hunting and fishing and rode our bikes all over. Anya and I found this place and never told any of the other kids."

"You don't know who it belonged to?"

"No idea,"

The room might have been made out of an old tank of some description, there was a sort of entrance way, then a lounge room area and toward the back a kitchen area with storage. There were plenty of shelves holding all sorts of books, manuals, documents, First Aid, clothing, tools, batteries, cans of food, board games, cards.

Lexa and Anya had explored this fallout shelter and taken everything of value, including weapons and ammunition, knives and cash years ago and she was just happy to watch Clarke uncover its remaining secrets. This was more like the Clarke she remembered, not the quiet, reserved Clarke who had been dragging herself out of bed for work every morning for the last month.

Not that she blamed the woman. Lexa had never experienced that sort of behaviour herself, but seeing two of her teachers, friends, fall victim to it, was enough to open her eyes to some of the less obvious, and more challenging aspects. She had watched the sparkle ebb out of the woman, both of them, almost daily, they both appeared almost depressed.

She had liked Clarke right from the start, after receiving her application she had googled the woman, looked at her work and read up about her life experience; education, travel, awards and so on - all fairly standard business practices these days. They could hardly hire a teacher with a dubious online presence or inappropriate background and given she had no teaching experience they had to assess her suitability in other ways.

Clarke's answers to the questions in the application were original and authentic, partly due to her lack of direct experience she had to be creative in finding ways to demonstrate her understanding of the concepts but also her personality had shone through between the lines. When they had met for the interviews Lexa was impressed with her attitude, unlike the other teachers they had interviewed for the role, Clarke was the only one who was interviewing them right back.

Any one of those teachers would have said or agreed to anything to secure the role, not that she felt that made them dishonest or disingenuous, but Clarke would have to make a lifestyle change to relocate from the city and she wasn't going to do that for just any position. And that didn't make her snobby, just cautious - as much about her own abilities as about her suitability. She said directly that she didn't want to say the 'right' things to land her a job that she wasn't suited to, it would be a waste of everyone's time and effort and destabilising to the team and the students. Lexa had been impressed.

But once she had assessed the role in detail and been assured of Lexa and Anya's commitment to supporting her in the role until she found her feet, she threw herself into all aspects of the job and actually fitted in very well. They had watched her with the students and given her encouragement and feedback, but she had the one thing Lexa required which was she treated them with respect, she engaged them with her own enthusiasm for the topic and apparently went to a lot of trouble to find local, appropriate, relevant and contemporary examples for their lessons.

And Lexa liked spending time with her, one on one as well, she was normally good company, a good conversationalist, she was refreshing and good humoured. They had only caught up a few times, and always with the premise of Lexa brightening her day, but their interaction always served to brighten Lexa's days too.

"How long do you think this has been here?"

"What emergency do you think they were planning for?"

"Do you think they ever used this?"

"I wonder if anyone died in here?"

She wasn't really asking for answers, she was more or less just articulating her thoughts, as she fossicked through someone else's gear,

"Wonder what they used this for?"

"Hmh, this smells funny,"

"Wonder how long someone could last in one of these tin cans?"

Lexa was happy just standing and leaning against the ladder watching the blonde touch every single item in the place, picking things up, taking them to the light, chatting away to herself. When she was finally finished inspecting she grinned at Lexa,

"You know all the good spots, don't you?"
"I have one other spot I would like to show you and then I am going to a BBQ and I would like you to be my guest, if you don't have other plans?"

"I don't have plans but, I don't want you to feel that you have to babysit me,"

"I don't feel that way. This is something really special and I'd like to show it to you,"

"Okay, I can't say no to charred meat!"

"Bahaha, charred meat! Ready for the next adventure?"

Chapter Ten

"You're kidding, this is the best treehouse ever!"
"I don't think this is just any tree house, I think it was some sort of command post,"

"A command post? Whose was it, do you think? Like the army or what?"
"We found a lock box here, years ago and it had maps and radios and supplies and stuff,"

"What happened to it?"

"We nicked it,"

"Nicked it? You mean you stole it?"

"Yes. We stole it, and sold it off piece by piece and used the money for cigarettes and beer,"

"You did not!"
"Ask Anya, she will tell you the same tale,"

"I can't believe you stole things and smoked cigarettes,"

"I never inhaled!" Lexa joked, referencing a former US President.
"Bahhaha, Lexa, never inhaled!"

"I can't imagine you as a child somehow, I just see a short version of you,"

"I am not sure how to take that. I can easily imagine you as a child,"
"I'm not sure how to take that!"

"This place is super though, isn't it? I wonder more kids haven't found it and scribbled their initials all over it; Lexa loves so and so, Anya was here,"

"Kids don't run around much these days like we did. We used to literally be gone the whole weekend, our parents saw us Friday night for dinner and that was it!"

"Really? Didn't they worry?"

"I don't think so. I mean we were always together, in the bush, what harm could we come to?"

"Um; allergies, snake bite, spider bite, broken arms and legs, starvation, hyperthermia?"
"If anything happened we would just run home,"

"You can't run home with a broken leg, Lexa"
"I never broke my leg!"

"What did you eat out here,"

"We'd just bring a loaf of bread and catch a rabbit or a fish or whatever, pick some berries,"

"Really?"
"Yeah. All the kids did that sort of thing. Adults would go hunting and bring back a deer or a boar, it's the same thing,"

"What did you catch a rabbit with?"

"Bow and arrow or a trap?"

"Wow, that's amazing,"

"Not really, set the trap, apply the bait and voila!"

"I have never really even been camping,"

"Never been camping?"
"Well I have a couple of times, but not where I didn't sleep in the car and eat proper food,"

"What's proper food?"

"A steak on the BBQ,"

"We cooked our rabbit and fish on a fire, what's the difference,"

"I suppose I just like my meat prepared by a butcher, not gnawed off the bone,"

"Gnawing it off the bone is the best bit," Lexa bumped her shoulder.

"I can still only see a smaller adult Lexa running around out here. How come you never stole things from the bomb shelter?"

"We did; guns, knives, ammo, all the good stuff,"

"For beer and cigarettes?"

"Yeah, well we didn't have to buy pot back then, someone was always growing and you could just take a couple of buds,"

"Regular little Oliver Twist! Did you really smoke dope?"

"Yes, didn't you?"
"Once or twice in college but it was yuk,"

"It didn't make you see pretty colours?"

"It made me feel ill and it was a bit dirty, getting muck under my fingernails and things, ew,"

"Oh Clarke, you would never have survived out here worrying about your nails,"

"I suppose I was a bit of a princess!"

"Alright, are you ready for the next stop?"

"Yes please!"

It was late afternoon, they drove back through town and out the other side, past the larger rural houses but before they got as far as the agricultural properties, Lexa took a right hand turn and the road turned to a long dirt lane. At the end there were a half a dozen houses, wooden homes, old and a little run down, but the lawns were cut and the gardens were in good condition, the curtains were pulled back to let the last of the light indoors.

There were heaps of people milling around all over the place, there must have been fifty or even more. Young people and their partners out by their cars, children running through the yards, on bikes or kicking a ball. Older people sitting around on steps shelling peas and supervising, chatting away to their family, friends and neighbours.

Lexa pulled up and was greeted by all of the people who were in the various front yards,

"Hey, Hi, Hey, how are you?" the kids ran up and looked at her bike,

"Cannive a ride, Aunty Lexa?"

"This is my friend Clarke, let me get her a drink and introduce her, then I will give you a ride,"

"Is this your family, Lexa?"

"Yeah, is that okay?"

"Sure, is it someone's birthday or?"

"No, it's just the first Saturday of the month,"

"The food smells good even from here,"

"Anya will be here, Lincoln and O, hopefully Raven,"

"Oh are you related to Lincoln or Octavia?"

"Lincoln is a cousin. When we say cousin, we mean that loosely, he's related, twice actually, we grew up together, but cousin, uncle, blood, marriage, it's all a bit casual,"

"Okay, I'm excited,"

"Great, this is just very casual, no need to be nervous at all,"

"I'm not nervous, but thanks, Lexa,"

Lexa took her into one house and greeted everyone, introduced Clarke around, grabbed a couple of beers and then they went out the back door and into the back door of the next house,

"Mama, hi. How are you? Feeling better? Good." there were hugs and kisses, "This my friend Clarke Griffin, the new art teacher,"

"Oh Clarke, how nice to meet you, welcome, sit down here," the elderly woman took some stuff off a chair and handed it to Lexa who dutifully took it into another room and did not return immediately,

"How are you settling into Trikru? You are from New York, no?"
"Yes, thank you, I'm from NYC but I am settling in very nicely,"

"You live in town?"

"Yes, I'm renting a two bedroom apartment off the main street,"

"And now you are a teacher as well as an artist, hey? How is it going for you?"

"It's going fine, Lexa and Anya have been really supportive and I think I am getting the hang of it,"

They chatted away without reserve and with great interest.

"I have lived in this house all of my life, I was born here, in that room right there,"

"Really? Wow, you must really love your community here?"

"We are all family, or married to the family, or been around so long they might as well be family. You have a big family, Clarke?"

"No, I'm afraid not. I'm an only child, my father died when I was 17 and my mother lives in the city,"

"That's all? What about Aunts and Uncles, cousins?"

"I've not been so lucky, both my parents were only children as well,"

"Oh boy, so lonely,"

"Mama, don't hassle her,"

"I'm not hassling, but really, only her mama," she whacked Lexa with a tea towel, "I told you to bring her around sooner, I did, Clarke, as soon as I knew you came here, I told Lexa, 'bring her around, bring her around,'"

"And look, I brought her around and I still get whacked!" said Lexa laughing and picking out the olives from the big salad bowl.

"Ah now I see, the child Lexa,"

"Oh Clarke, she was a scamp, her and Anya both!" her mother marched out of the room. Lexa said,

"Thanks very much Clarke, I am escaping! I will take the kids up and down the street on my bike,"

"Okay," said Clarke, a little confused until her Mama returned with photo albums and then it all made perfect sense.

"Oh this is terrific, thanks Mrs Woods,"

"No, you call me Mama!"

"Okay, Mama, let's see these little scamps,"

Story after story of the two of them running amok, disappearing for days, could never be found, with no shoes on in the middle of winter! Lexa carrying Anya home over her shoulder with a fish bone caught in her throat, the pair of them getting bitten, accumulating cuts and scrapes, rashes, falling out of trees, riding horses, riding dirt bikes, canoeing, camping -

The photos were adorable, Lexa as a baby, Lexa as a toddler, Lexa with teeth, Lexa without her two front teeth! Posing, unaware, sulking or happy as could be! She was a skinny kid, with never a pair of shoes on her feet, her and Anya with long dark hair with sun bleached ends, their caramel skin was so much darker then, permanently tanned by the long days or being in the sun.

They were dressed in shorts or jeans and a tee shirt or a flannelette shirt in every single picture, there was not one of them in a dress or dressed up! There were no teenage experiments with makeup documented in these pictures, or dressups in fancy clothes - but what was documented was happiness, family, activity, the outdoors, love and laughter. There was hardly an image that didn't have Anya and Lexa with their faces pushed up together, cheek to cheek, grinning ear to ear.

And thirty minutes later, Anya was there! With Lincoln, O and Raven, there were more hugs and every one called Mrs Woods Mama, even Raven. Mama took back the photo albums,

"Now you go outside and have a beer with the others, food at seven. You hungry?"

"A little, I can wait till dinner,"

"No, here, you take these,"

She pushed a tray of crackers, cheese, fruit and vegetables and cold cuts into Clarke's hands, Anya helped her by carrying chips and dips and fresh bread baguettes.

As soon as they got settled, Lexa come and found her,

"See me as a child now?"

"Yeah, so so cute,"

"I know,"

She nudged Clarke and began eating from the various plates, Clarke was really hungry and when she saw Lexa hoeing in she decided that it couldn't hurt to take the edge off.

"I hope it wasn't too bad?"

"Not at all, your mother is a darling,"

"Yeah, she is,"

"So you all get together like this every month?"

"Yeah, it's always been this way. The grandparents have all passed, now it's just Mama and her brothers and sisters and cousins, their kids and now we have their kids - and that's who I was giving rides to. They just love it, up to the corner and back,"

"I can't imagine having such a big family,"

"Yeah, like I said it's not what others would strictly call family, but we like it,"

"Helps when you're moving house," Anya leaned in to say,

"Hey Anya, how's your weekend?"

"Pretty good, I spent the day with this lot,"

"Lincoln and O?"
"And me," said Raven, feigning hurt feelings.

"Hey Raven, how's it going?"

"Not bad, you?"

"I've really had a great day Lexa took me for a ride around to all her childhood spots,"

"Did you go swimming in the dam?" asked Anya,

"Bit cold for Princess here," said Lexa, laughing and nearly snorting her beer.

"Ooohh," chorussed the others.

It was a lazy evening, people wandering around dropping off plates of food here and there, or bringing out a six pack. The music that was in the background was now louder and there was a large fire pit that invited clusters of people.

Someone called out that the food was ready and parents called out to the children, whether they be their child or someone else's, making sure they all got a decent plateful and no one moved until the kids were fed. By which time Clarke was almost starving,

"Would you like me to get you a plate, Clarke?"

"Sure, that would be so great, thanks Lexa,"

"What's going on with you two?" Raven asked, almost before Lexa had turned away.

"What do you mean?"

"You seem kind of cosy,"

"No, just friendly. To be honest I was feeling kinda down about the whole other thing, I am glad she reached out,"

"Is that what you call it?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," laughed Clarke who was both confused and entertained,

"So what's going on with you and Anya then?"

"We're doing it."

"What?!" Clarke actually did spit her beer. Nothing could have shocked her more, "You're joking?"

"Why would I joke about that?"

"I only said it because you said it about me, I didn't expect it to be true,"

"Are they all this strange from the city?"

"Raven, you are from the city," said O, laughing.

"Albuquerque is not a city,"

Lincoln, Anya and Lexa all arrived back with a huge plate of food each, two beers and a bag of bread rolls, providing for their partners, and Clarke was now feeling decidedly self conscious. Is that why Lexa had brought her to meet the family? Was there more to this?

Clarke racked her brain, going back over the day and over the other times they had hung out. There had been no flirting, not physical affection, except for the shoulder bumps Lexa sometimes gave her to indicate that she was joking about something. There had been no double entendres, no longing looks, no texts or messages. No, Raven was either teasing her or was mistaken.

"You okay?" Lexa asked quietly.

"Oh yeah, sure," said Clarke trying to act normal, but all of a sudden she was wondering if Lexa was sitting closer to her than she had been earlier.

Lincoln and Anya made up a BBQ meat and salad roll and handed it to their partner and when Clarke looked down she noticed Lexa had made one up for her and was holding it out for her to take.

"Thanks, Lexa, this looks really delicious, what is it?"

"Boar," said Anya before Lexa could say pork.

Clarke already had a mouthful and it really was really so good she could not complain, although she would have balked at trying it, had it not already been inside her. The meat was tender and juicy, the salads were really wholesome and flavourful and although Clarke was so hungry she could have eaten just about anything, she was especially grateful for this truly wonderful feast. But once the worst of her hunger had been sated, Clarke began thinking again.

Lexa must be on her third beer now, thought Clarke, which was totally fine, it's her family, her occasion, she would just call an Uber before it became too late and somebody asked her where she wanted to sleep or worse - just climbed into bed with her.

She couldn't picture Lexa ever doing such a thing, but now that Raven had put the idea into her mind, she couldn't help the panicked feeling inside her. She just wanted to run. It had less to do with Lexa and more to do with the shock that someone had mentioned it so casually, like it was an obvious assumption. It was also to do with the weight of expectation, she was already having significant romantic complications if anybody had noticed - and now she was out in the boondocks, with what felt like a couples retreat sprang on her.

"Can I fix you another, Clarke?"

"Oh no, thanks, Lexa, I have had plenty, thank you, though,"

Lexa looked surprised but she didn;t say anything, just made up a second roll for herself,

"Beer,"

"No, thanks, I'm good,"

"Something up? I am feeling a distinctly cold shoulder,"

"Yeah, sorry, I'm just - it's been a long day, great, but I haven't been sleeping well, and,"

"You can just say, I don't want to talk about it,"

"Okay, yes, that. I have had a great day, Lexa, thank you. And I've enjoyed meeting your family, but I am ready to head home,"

"Lexa put her half eaten roll down and said,

"Okay, I will just grab my gear and we'll go,"

"No, you finish your dinner," Clarke stood up decidedly, "It's been great seeing you all, I'm going to head off, catch you on Monday,"

"Oh, okay," they all seemed quite surprised,

"Can I give you a ride?" asked Lincoln,

"No thanks, I'm all good,"

She walked backwards until she had completed her goodbyes and sought the shadows, she slipped between two houses and out onto the street. She waved to a few people like she knew exactly what she was doing, infact what she needed to do was look up google maps to find out exactly where the hell she was and call an Uber.

She walked along the side of the road, punching buttons and blinking away the tears. She got to the end of the street and turned left, there were no street lights and it was pitch black. Hell. She walked for five minutes before she heard what she thought was Lexa's bike coming up slowly behind her,

"So Raven thought we were a couple?"

Shit, Fuck. Raven had worse foot in mouth than she did.

"So what, Clarke? Who cares what she thinks - or anyone else for that matter?"

Clarke was really crying now. She was upset, she was humiliated and she was really not in the right frame of mind for thinking or speaking. Maybe she could have liked Lexa, but now was not the time. She had been in town five fucking minutes, she already had one drama going on and she didn't know how she felt about dating her co worker or her boss in any circumstance.

Why did every little choice make her feel like she was going to lose her job and/or affect her housing - even her move to this tiny town where everyone knew everyone, Lexa held all the cards. It had been such a nice day too, such an adventurous sort of day, it was like the famous five or something. Damn Raven. It wasn't really even her fault.

"Clarke? Clarke, wait up?"

Deep in her thoughts, she had been unaware that Lexa had parked her bike and was now chasing her up the street,

"Clarke?"

She put her hand on Clarke's shoulder to get her to stop and turn around but Clarke was crying so hard and she didn't want anyone to see her face. Lexa could hear her sobbing, so she grabbed her from behind and hugged her,

"Please, Clarke, just stop, just - come here,"

She turned Clarke and the blonde hid her face in Lexa's neck.

"Okay," she rubbed her back and held her in a bear hug.

She didn't speak until Clarke had almost finished crying, then she dug into her pockets and found a fist full of tissues,

"Here,"

"Thanks," said Clarke, all snotty and hoarse.

"Raven does say the most inopportune things, but honestly she doesn't mean any harm, or not often, well, not in this case, I am certain of it,"

"It's fine,"

"If you can't be truthful just say 'I pass'",

"Fine, pass,"

"Listen, I get that you have a lot on your plate right now. I do. And my only interest has been as a co-worker and as your friend, Clarke. I give you my word,"

"That's not a denial, Lexa,"

"Well, no, not a complete denial, but I would never put you, or anyone in a position that was not totally clear and in advance, and well communicated. Don't tell me you thought I brought you all the way out here where you are completely vulnerable to spring a sexual advance on you?"
"I didn't think that, at all,"

"Until Raven said that. And the six of us were all sitting like three couples and it felt inevitable?"

"Yeah," Clarke started to pace, wiping her eyes, blowing her nose,

"It's just been one thing after another with Finn. At first I thought fuck, everyone is going to hate me, I'm like a home wrecker, hardly off the train and breaking up the high school sweet hearts, right out in the open. And then I thought I was going to fail my three month probation thing because of that, and then he is at my house and I'm wondering if I have to move.

And if I go out with my boss, I'm just going to have no power - Lexa, none. I can't do that to myself, I won't. I'm not some hormone crazed teenager, I'm an adult, I can think through things rationally and make good decisions, and if it costs me my job, or everything, I have to be true to myself,"

"Yeah, of course. I get it. There has been a lot of big stuff going on, you have been quite isolated and struggling quite a bit. I understand. But if I may?"

"What?"

"You're not going to lose your job, I haven't put the hard word on you, no one is dating anyone. We are friends, just hanging out, sightseeing and having a BBQ,"

"Okay,"

"I totally intended to bring you home, not this early, but that's fine too. I have a breathalyser in my side saddle, I would have just had two if I'd have known we weren't staying long. But I can see how that might have looked to you, I should have communicated more clearly, Clarke, and that's on me."

"You're right, I've just overreacted, I'm just a bit fragile right now,"

"Of course, I understand,"

"Fuck, I feel like such an idiot,"

"Forget it, Clarke,"

"Did you know Raven and Anya were, you know?"
"Sexually involved, yes, unfortunately I did know that,"

"I'm sorry your standing out here in the dark rather than at your BBQ,"

"Let me just blow in this and see if I am right to ride,"

"Okay,"

Lexa blew a long steady stream into the machine and waited,

"Hmm, thirty minutes,"

"You go back, Lexa, I'll get an Uber, it's fine,"

"It will take them forever to get out here, besides, I would like to see you home, please?"

"You're very sweet,"

"Don't be throwing supercharged words around like sweet, Clarke, we don't want any misunderstandings,"

Clarke giggled,

"Or is it too soon for a joke?"

"I'm so embarrassed,"

"Nah, it's all good,"

"So it's kind of out there now,"

"Yup,"

"And you're okay with that?"

"Are we talking about the same thing here?"

"That there may be a point in which we are not entirely just friends,"

"Right, so you got over that hurdle pretty quickly,"

"Well, it's out there,"

"My plan was to just be friends, wait until this whole Finn things was done,"

"Well that could take a year or more, with court cases and all,"

"Yeah, well like you said, we are not children, and I am well aware of the power dynamic - not only would I be your boss, but I have been in the industry longer, I earn more money, I know more people, I would be holding a lot of cards,"

"Is there another side to this scenario or is it just all bleak?"

"Sounds like you would like to hear a yes to that question?"

"Don't answer a question with a question,"

"I think there could be. We could just take it slow, talk about things, make some boundaries, read a book, listen to a TED talk, see how other people work this stuff out. I would have to flag it with Anya, with the board and the regional supervisor,"

"Really? Oh boy,"

"I guess by the time got through all of that we would have a much better idea whether this was something we were interested in pursuing,"

"Are you really this good all the time?"

"Good?"

"This by the book?"
"I don't get it?"
"You carry a breathalyser in your saddlebag and you would be willing to stand before the board and tell them your intimate business,"

"Not drinking and driving is not all that heroic, it's what the law requires and what good citizens do. And I would be required to stand before the board, it's in my contract,"

"I'm not having a dig at you, Lexa, it's just kind of refreshing, to know someone who is that virtuous, stoic, even when no one is looking,"

"Not very sexy, I know,"
"I wouldn't say that,"

Clarke spoke without thinking, actually she spoke precisely what she was thinking which was worse. She turned her back and looked out across the flat land, too tired to even berate herself.

"Okay, I think I will just try this again, oh here's a jacket for you,"

"Thank you,"

Chapter Eleven

Things went straight back to normal between Lexa and Clarke after that night, they were completely friendly and nothing more. Clarke continued to join in Friday night drinks, and Saturday brunch with the girls began to be routine, her mood began to lift the longer she received no contact from Finn. She was even thinking about finishing the dome ceiling mural.

It was a Tuesday afternoon, Madi was hanging out in the art room with Clarke, when the safety alarms went off, assuming it was a false alarm or a drill they continued packing for a minute or two and then Clarke said,

"Okay, Madi, we had better head out and see why that siren is still blaring,"

"Okay, Miss,"

There was nobody about when they stepped out onto the porch and Clarke got a very eerie feeling,

"You feel something strange?"

"Yeah, there's no noise,"

Then they heard gunshots, or what they presumed to be gunshots, and then screaming,

"What the hell? Shit, Madi inside," Clarke grabbed her hand and closed the door behind them,

"Sorry for swearing, I forgot myself there for a moment. Oh my god, into the store room,"

Madi bolted, Clarke followed, she grabbed her keys and ducking down she ran and locked each of the classroom doors, and then went back and dropped all the blinds. Then she locked herself and Madi into the store room. She hugged the girl,

"It's going to be okay,"

"Call the police,"

"Good thinking," Clarke kissed the top of her head, and dialed 911 on her phone,

"Police, please," she answered the tele prompt asking 'police, fire or ambulance?'

"Yes, my name is Clarke Griffin, I am a teacher at Trikru High School, I believe there is a shooter at the school. No, I didn't see anything, I am down the back in the art rooms, right at the back of the school with one student. We heard gunshots and screaming, a lot of screaming."

"Yes, we are locked in the storeroom cupboard and I have let down the blinds and locked the doors,"

"Madi Wonkru, 14 years old,"

"Great, thank you,"

Clarke and Madi stood there in the store room cupboard with their arms around each other for what felt like hours, they were still on call with the operator who occasionally asked,

"Are you still on the line," and "Can you hear anything?"

To which Clarke answered "yes" and "no".

Someone knocked at the classroom door,

"Someone is knocking at the door," Clarke whispered into her phone,

"Do you know who it is?"

"No,"

"Don't answer, just remain quiet, where you are,"

"Okay,"

Clarke rubbed Madi's back, more to comfort herself than the young girl, who was chalk white and shaking from head to foot,

"Clarke? Open up, Clarke,"

"Oh my god, its Finn Collins at the door,"

"Finn Collins, Ma'am?"

"Yeah there is an AVO out against him for stalking and harassment. He was a teacher here but he was suspended, he is not allowed on school grounds," Clarke was whispering urgently into her phone,

"I'm getting information on him now, Ma'am, remain on the line, don't leave the storage cupboard,"

"Clarke, I know you're in there, open the door for me, please?"

"Clarke, open this fucking door, I am not playing games!"

"Can you hear him?" Clarke asked the operator,

"Yes, place the phone on speaker and put it near the door,"

"Okay,"

Clarke did as directed, and when she returned to the back of the room, she pulled Madi down on the floor with Clarke's body in front of Madi's, shielding her from the door or shots or anything else.

There was the sound of force and then glass fell onto the floor, he must have put the back of the gun through the door.

"I know you are in the store room, Clarke, come on out," he tried the handle.

They didn't respond, they just lay there staring at each other,

"I didn't want to have to do this Clarke, but they wouldn't let me see you. I knew you were here and I thought if we could just see each other face to face, we could work this out."

"I don't want to have to hurt you Clarke, but if you don't come out of that store room, I am going to have to shoot it down. I'm going to count to three,"

"Okay, Finn, I am here. I have a student with me, give me your word that you will let her go and I will stay with you,"

"Who is in there?"

"Madi,"

"I don't know her, what year?"

"Eight,"

"She can go,"

"Okay, please move away from the door and let me walk her out,"

"No tricks,"

"No tricks, I promise,"

Clarke held Madi to her front, her arm across her chest, she unlocked the door and proceeded to walk out backwards,

"Just let me walk her to the door, Finn,"

"My gun is trained on you, don't make me have to pull the trigger,"

"I won't, I just want her safe and I will stay right here,

She kept her back to him, she unlocked the door with very shaky hands,

"Stay close to the buildings, keep down low, head to the car park okay, Madi?"

"Yes, Miss,"

"Like the best tight end Trikru High ever had, okay?'

"Yes, Miss,"
"Good girl,"

Madi slipped through the crack of the door, leapt over the bannister at the side and began creeping quickly up through the school as Clarke had directed, 'Godspeed' thought Clarke.

"Back inside, Clarke,"

Clarke pulled the door closed and turned around, raising her hands above her head.

"Don't do that, I am not going to shoot you,"

"You have a gun pointed at me and you threatened to shoot me, Finn,"
"Well I had to, didn't I?"

"Did you shoot other people? Up there?"

"Clarke, I had to, I had to find you, and when I knew you were here they weren't going to let me see you, I had to get to you,"

"Oh god, Finn, why, why would you shoot innocent people, children?"

"I'm innocent too Clarke, when did I become the antichrist?"

"When you started harassing me, stalking me?"

"You just wouldn't give me a chance,"

"Finn, you don't know me, you don't know where I am from, what I have gone through. You don't get to just demand that I be your girlfriend and I have to drop everything and obey,"

"See, why do you have to be like that? We could have gotten to know each other, why do you have to presume I am some monster?"

"You just shot people, you just threatened to shoot me!"

"Yes but I have been brought to that, Clarke, if you had just listened to me, given me a chance all of this could have been avoided,"

"And if you had just been faithful to Raven, all of this could have been avoided,"

"Why bring her into this? She's dead, Clarke, she doesn't matter any more, it can be just you and me,"

"You shot her?"

"Fuck yeah I shot her, right in the back as she was running away from me. She's not like you Clarke, what the fuck?"

Clarke just saw a movement out of the corner of her eye, she hoped it might be police officers. Finn panicked and fired his weapon, probably also presuming police, Clarke swung around and saw Lexa look at her in such surprise before falling over. Clarke ran to Finn, and wrapped her arms around him,

"I love you, Finn,"

He was stunned and reacted as though this was the most normal moment in the world,

"I love you, Princess,"

She took a palette knife from her coat pocket and shoved it through his ribs and into his heart, his eyes grew large and then nothing, she shoved him to the floor and ran to Lexa.

"Lexa, lie still okay?" Clarke pulled off her jacket and her shirt and pressed the soft cotton to the wound in Lexas gut.

"Don't be afraid… You're going to be fine…"

Lexa just lay there looking as white as it was possible for a brown woman to look.

"I am just getting my phone," she dashed across the room, grabbed it and dashed back, landing on her knees by Lexa's side.

"Hello? Hello?"

"Is this Clarke Griffin?"

"Yes, the gunman is dead, the principal has been shot in the abdomen here in the art rooms, I need an ambulance, she's losing too much blood,"

"Stay with me, Lexa, they will fix you, just stay with me… stay with me,"

"Is she breathing?"

"Yes, she's breathing?"

"Is she conscious?"

"Yes, she's conscious?"

"An ambulance is on the way,"

Clarke grabbed Lexa's hand and kissed it, the other pressing down on the wound,

"Don't you dare give up, Lexa,"

"My spirit will live on,"

"No. I am not letting you die."

"There is nothing you can do now…"

"I want you, Lexa, you have to fight, for me, please,"

"I will fight for you, Clarke,"

Police surrounded the building, she could hear them jogging along and running around the sides,

"This is the police, we have the building surrounded,"

Clarke raised one hand, her eyes remained fixed on Lexa's,

"The gunman is dead, I am unarmed, I need an ambulance,"

"Coming in now,"

About six or eight tactical police burst through the doors, entered the room, guns up, Clarke knelt there staring at Lexa, whispering,

"Stay with me," Lexa's eyes began to flutter, "Fight, Lexa, fight,"

An ambulance drove right up to the door, police signalled that it was safe and pointed to the door,

"One female down, bullet wound to the abdomen,"

They came and assessed the body, Clarke still holding Lexa's hand, a police officer grabbed her around the waist and dragged her back, all of a sudden she could hear nothing, make sense of nothing.

Chapter Twelve

When she woke, she knew immediately, she was in the hospital; the weird bed, the scratchy sheets, the white walls, the silence and the antiseptic smell.

"Clarke?"

"Mom?"

"Oh thank god, baby, you're okay, you're okay,"

"Lexa?"

"In surgery, she should be fine,"

"Thank god. Water?"

"Yes, here,"

After holding the straw to her daughter's lips she stepped out into the hall to alert the staff that their patient was awake.

Nurses came in, "Clarke, how are you feeling?"

Clarke felt around her body, "Fine, I think,"

"Do you recall what happened earlier?"

"Shooting at the school?"

"That's right, you are unhurt although after you passed out we kept you here for observation,"

"How is everyone?"

"We are still getting information, just rest, the doctor will be in to see you as soon as possible,"

As soon as they were alone, Clarke barked,

"Thats bullshit, Mom - if you have had time to get here,"

"I came by helicopter and she didn't want to tell you because the truth is terrible, Clarke,"

"Just tell me the whole thing, please?"

"Okay, well there are 18 dead,"

Abby reached for her phone where there was a live news bulletin and the names of the dead were being constantly scrolled across the screen,

"18 people dead?" Clarke was appalled, shocked.

"Plus Finn, so far," she began reading out the names,

"Honey, Wells, didn't make it."

"Wells? Is dead?"

"I am sorry, Clarke,"

Clarke was so stunned she could not even respond. It was like a piece of data of no significance. She knew she should be devastated, she should be distraught, cry even. But she could only lie and think about the fact analytically.

"Are you okay?" Clarke just shrugged.

"The others,"

"Charlotte Ark, Karl Bennett, Chris Cowling, Gene Dawson, Tris Fledgling, Titus Flemikepa, Luca Gabrielle, Lincoln Green, Levi Hardy, Thom Jackson, Pip Looper, Alice Murdoch, Aden Nightblood, Dennis Packer, Austin Roman, Gustus Shepherd and Anya Woods."

"Oh no, not Anya,"

"I'm so sorry Clarke, this is horrendous,"

"Please tell me the moment you learn about Lexa, Mom,"

"I will, honey, you want a little something to make you sleep,"

"Yeah,"

Abby popped two pills out of a medical bag she had in her handbag and put the straw to Clarke's lips,

"Bit more, and again, good girl, I'll be right here when you wake up,"

"Thanks Mom,"

As soon as Clarke was asleep, Abby rang Marcus,

"Hey babe,"

"How is she?"

"In shock, I told her the worst of it, she could not even respond, she has gone back to sleep,"

"What about you?"

"I am just glad I could be here, thanks for making that possible,"

"No problem, Abby, I'll fly in tomorrow, should I book my own suite?"

"No, don't be silly,"

"I should have thought Clarke would have had enough shocks for one week,"

"Exactly, this will be at the bottom of her list,"

"Okay, well, I am here for you, both of you,"

"Thanks Marcus,"

"See you tomorrow."

Abby sat there for hours with her phone plugged in to the wall, just scrolling all the news items, every time a nurse came in she asked about Lexa, finally there was some good news on that score. Knowing Abby was a trauma surgeon they gave her all the technical jargon that basically meant that she had survived the surgery with no great danger or long lasting health concerns. Abby was glad, that was one piece of good news for her daughter.

She could not believe the news that was coming out, that a guy that Clarke worked with had developed some kind of fatal attraction for Clarke and ended up killing 18 people in order to what? Speak to her? And she had ended up stabbing the bastard in the heart. The police were going to have their hands full piercing this together, at least there was no chance she would be charged - it was a clear case of self defence, surely?

She ended up going back to her hotel for a shower and a change of clothes, she grabbed some takeaway and headed back to the hospital, hoping Clarke wasn't waiting for her.

"Hello?"

"Hello?"

"Are you Miss Griffin's Mom?"

"Yes, my name is Abby,"

"My name is Madi. Miss Griffin saved my life and I just wanted to see her,"

"Come on in, she is sleeping just now, but she perfectly okay, upset, of course, as you all must be,"

"Mr Collins was going to shoot me, but Miss Griffin put her arm around me and kept her back to him so he couldn't get a clear shot," the girl inched closer to Clarke.

"Wow, that's pretty brave," Abby reached for a tissue, proud of her daughter.

"Yeah, she's a real nice teacher,"

"Is she? One of your favourites?"

"Yeah, she lets me hang out in the art room with her because I'm a girl,"

"What do you mean?" Abby watched Madi creep closer, her eyes fixed on Clarke.

"Oh, I meant, I'm a girl so they won't let me on the football team, so I hang out in the art room,"

"You like football huh?"

"I'd make a great tight end, but they don't take girls," she took Clarke's hand and held it.

"What's a tight end?"

"Tight end is the one what catches the ball and makes the touchdowns,"

"Oh okay, so you need speed,"

"And great hands,"

"And great hands,"

"Well, maybe you could tell her I came by, and I'll come back tomorrow,"

"I will tell her, Madi, and we'll see you tomorrow."

"Mom?"

"Hey Clarke, I'm here,"

"Lexa?"

"She made it, honey, she is fine,"
"Oh, thank god. What about Raven?"

"She survived but there is a bullet lodged in her spine they are having trouble getting to,"

"Oh god,"

"That's it, they don't expect any more deaths,"

"I just don't even know where to start,"

"No, I can't imagine. They will have trauma therapy available to you, just let me know and I will let the nurse know,"

"Was there someone here?"

"Yeah, Madi, she says you saved her?"

"Not really, I managed to get her out of the room. But Lexa saved me, she came into the room, where she knew there was a shooter, and got shot herself. I think she was trying to save me,"
"Why do you think that?"

"Why else would she go in there? She is a really great person and a great principal and she really cares about everyone."

"Right," said Abby looking thoughtfully at her daughter, she thought she detected a note of urgency when Clarke was asking after her, perhaps they are romantically involved. But if Clarke wasn't saying anything, neither was she!

"You hungry?"

"I'm thirsty,"

"Here is some water, and I bought some juice, lemonade and those coffee pops you used to love,"

"Don't tell anyone I still like coffee pops,"

"It's our secret,"

"I dreamt you came by helicopter,"

"I told you that last night,"

"Heli - how?"

"Rich powerful boyfriends,"

"Oh wow, how's it going with Republican Marcus Kane?"
"All good, he is coming later today. How are you feeling?"

"Like I just can't believe this has happened."

"Miss Griffin?"

"Can't this wait?" answered Abby, seeing the uniforms.

"I'm afraid not, Miss Griffin, I know this is the last thing you want right now, but we I have some questions about yesterday,"

"Okay,"

"No, she has just woken up,"

"It's okay Mom, I'm going to have to do it at some point,"

"Fine, but I'm not leaving,"

"No problem, Miss Griffin, tell me about yesterday,"

"Call me Clarke. I was in the Art rooms with Madi Wonkru, we were tidying up, it was about 2pm. We heard the emergency fire sirens, we didn't respond straight away because sometimes it's a drill, but they kept going and there was no announcement. We went to the balcony, preparing to go up to the checkpoint in the car park, but something was off.

Madi said it was too quiet. And then we heard shots, I heard two, and then two and then two more. I've never really heard gunshots before but I didn't know what else it could be. I told Madi to go into the storage closet, it's quite big, there were no other students around, I scanned the grounds because I thought if I could just save even one or two more…

Anyway, I got the keys, I locked both doors, I dropped all the blinds and locked Madi and myself into the storage room,"

"Your memory seems quite clear,"

"Yes, I was freaking out, but I was also quite present. I kept thinking, 'I'm a teacher now, I have responsibilities,' I didn't want anyone to be injured because I had, I had, forgotten or.."

Clarke began to cry, as she became aware of her predicament the day before.

"Madi reminded me to call the police, I did, we stayed on the line for a long time, waiting. Eventually I heard Finn Collins banging at the door, calling for me to let him in. The operator told me to stay in the storage room, but he broke the glass and came into the room, he said if I didn't open the door - I don't know what he said.

I just knew I had to get Madi out, I bargained with him, I promised I would stay if he allowed me to let Madi go safely,"

"And did he?"

"Yes, I covered her body, and walked her to the door,"

"How did you cover her?"

"I pulled her to my chest and kept my back to him, it was all I could think of,"

"It was very brave, Clarke, you saved her life. What happened next?"

"We talked, Finn and I, he kept saying he had to do it, it was disgusting. And then Lexa came into the room, I don't know how or why, but all of a sudden she was there and he panicked, he shot her."

"He shot her, and then what?"

"I don't know. I stayed with her until the ambulance came, I told her to hold on,"

"And what happened to Finn?"

"He was, and then he was, I don't know,"

"Where was he standing?"

"The door to the storage room was there, and I was here," Clarke used her hands to indicate.

"And where was Lexa?"

"She came in over there,"

"And what happened?"

"He shot her. She looked surprised and then she fell to the ground, Finn, Finn…"

"Was he standing up?"

"Yes, and then he wasn't"

"What happened to Finn, Clarke?"

"Oh god, I, I don't know," Clarke was crying so hard now, she was almost hysterical,

"That's enough, it's too soon," said Abby standing up and defending her daughter,

"Okay, there's just one more thing, Clarke, this isn't your fault, you kept a cool head and you saved more than one life. Rest easy,"

Both cops backed out of the room and Abby followed them to the door asking for a nurse,

"She needs a sedative,"

"I'll be right there,"

Abby went back and hugged her daughter, stroking her hair,

"You're okay Clarke, you're okay,"

"I want to see Lexa,"

"Now?"

"If she is okay?"

"Let me check," Abby was just delaying, because she was determined that Clarke be sedated and rest.

The nurse came and checked Clarke's vitals, gave her some medication which knocked her out and while she was sleeping, Abby went to investigate Principal Lexa Woods, who by now she was certain was the love interest of her daughter.

Lexa was in a corner suite and there were people all over the place, there must have been six or eight people inside the room, and something like twenty or thirty outside.

"Excuse me, hi, is this Lexa Woods room?"

"Who are you?"

"I'm Abby Griffin - "

"Clarke Griffin's Mom?"

"Yes, that's right,"

"Mama, mama," a teenager squeezed himself through the crowd and into the room, a tall thin woman came out,

"I'm Mama Woods, Lexa's Mama,"

"Hi, Abby Griffin, Clarke's mother," Abby put her hand out but the other woman grabbed her in a bear hug, and was in no hurry to let her go,

"How is Clarke?"

"She is sleeping now, physically she is fine, but emotionally, well you know,"

"Of course, she is very brave, very brave, she saved my daughter's life,"

"She did? I'm afraid I don't know the details,"

"Come on, let's get a coffee and get acquainted,"

Abby was a little taken aback with the woman's forward nature, but not wanting to lose this opportunity she pushed herself to go with the flow and not be such a snob. Mama Woods, linked arms and guided her to the lift and down to the coffee shop. Abby was surprised that Mama made no move to pay for their drinks and nobody even attempted to ask.

"Okay, so let me fill you in, Abby. Did you know that Clarke was being harassed by Finn Collins?"

"Clarke mentioned it briefly at Christmas but I didn't realise it was such a big deal?"

"Well, he and Raven moved here from Albuquerque more than five years ago, more on the strength of Raven's Science and Technology skills and experience. She did a PhD and worked with NASA, a huge coup for Lexa to secure such intelligence and industry experience, you know?"

"Sure, sure. My husband worked at NASA,"

"Really? Clarke mentioned he died?"

"Yes, about ten years ago,"

"Well he must have been very clever, Lexa says Raven is off the charts. Anyway, it was a sort of two for one deal, and Lexa didn't mind because of his debating experience and he taught legal studies. He was a bit too friendly with the senior females, everyone talked about it, and Lexa and Anya watched him closely but they couldn't prove anything. It was especially a worry because he was taking them to DC every term for inter-school debating competitions.

About four years ago, Lexa got the funding for a new turf football field and a football coach and she managed to get Coach O to move to Trikru and coach the team - another triumph, you know - she was one of only six female coaches in the NFL!

So apparently Finn hit on her when she first arrived, right out in the open! Raven seemed to think he was just being friendly. Octavia didn't know what to do and one night he bailed her up in the car park, she kneed him in the nuts and he never went near her again. Same thing with Clarke, he was all over her, going to her class room all the time, paying her too much unwanted attention.

Lexa and Anya had missed what happened with Coach O so they paid extra attention to Finn with Clarke and they came down on him pretty hard. She gave him a public serve at the staff drinks night, then she posted Indra, their security staff outside Clarke's classrooms and everytime he went near her, Indra would just walk him back up to his own classroom.

He got a second verbal warning and then a written warning with the Teachers Union present - even they warned him about keeping away from her despite them supposed to be defending him. Eventually he was suspended and then he sued everybody, the school, the education department, the Union, Lexa and Anya, god rest her soul.

He scared the life out of Clarke by turning up to her apartment, Lexa did everything she could to protect Clarke, Abby, I give you my word on that."

"I'm sure she did. I knew about some of this occurring, but not all of it. Do you know the details of what happened yesterday?"

"Yes, my word, he had been sending Clarke notes and and things and then he was arrested and kept in County jail for two weeks. Then the first hearing was set for the Friday, that is tomorrow, and I guess he just lost his mind. He went to the school, to the office, determined to see Clarke. Of course. they weren't going to let him through.

He shot up the office, killed old Murdoch, Lexa's personal assistant and head of administration. He shot and killed my niece Anya, the vice principal, god rest her soul. He shot several students and staff as he made his way to Clarke's classrooms, even shot Raven in the back as she was protecting her students. What a heartless coward.

He got to the classroom, Clarke managed to get her student out safely, Lexa couldn't stand by and do nothing, she couldn't leave Clarke to face him alone, so she ran through the school and got into the classroom. He shot her point blank and then Clarke stabbed him in the heart and gave Lexa CPR - saved my daughter's life, Abby. I will never forget that."

Mama Woods' eyes filled with tears.

"She stabbed him? My Clarke?"

"Yes, as sure as we are sitting here. She had one of her art things and she stabbed him. Dropped his ass to the ground, stepped over his body and went straight to Lexa."

"The police questioned her, she remembered everything perfectly except that, she started crying and got hysterical,"

"Well, I guess that's pretty confronting for a young woman. Perhaps she thinks she might get into trouble, legal trouble I mean - I can assure you and her that no one is looking to blame her for anything at all. Everyone thinks she is a hero, frankly."

"A hero?"

"Well, Abby I don't mean to toot my own horn, but my people have lived in this region for as long as there are written records. We are related to or have connections to every organisation in this town and all around. My daughter and my niece, god rest her soul, are extremely highly regarded in this town and outside as well, in saving Lexa's life - Clarke could drive drunk and do donuts on the governor's front lawn and no one would arrest her.

As for putting a knife through that son of a - well, what was she expected to do? Let him shoot her and kill my daughter? No, she is a hero."

"Have you met my daughter, um, sorry do you have a first name?"

"Everyone calls me Mama, but you can call me Jean,"

"Thanks, Jean,"

"Oh yes, Lexa brought her home. You know, Abby, Lexa only ever brought home one other girl, to meet her family, and that was when she was fifteen."

"Oh, you mean…"

"I mean that my Lexa cares for your Clarke,"

"I see, well, I think Clarke may also have feelings for Lexa. She hasn't said anything, but she hasn't stopped asking for her since she woke,"

"Good. I wasn't sure that she returned Lexa's feelings, but I am very happy to know that she does. They will need each other to get through this. Lexa was shot in the stomach but luckily the bullet avoided her major organs, she had been awake for short spells only, but Clarke is welcome any time."

"Thank you, Jean, I am glad that Lexa is on the mend. And I am very sorry that Anya didn't make it,"

"Oh Anya, god rest her soul," Jean, shook her head and wiped a tissue at her eyes, "That will hurt Lexa more than everything else, they grew up together, went to college and worked together. I loved that girl like my own daughter,"

"Oh Jean, I am so sorry."

Chapter Thirteen

"Mom?" It was almost dinner time on Wednesday evening.

"Hey Clarke, how are you feeling?"

"I had a terrible dream,"

"It's bound to happen, you want to talk about it?"

"Oh, Hi Marcus,"

"Hi Clarke, would you like me to wait outside?"

"No, of course not. Thanks for coming, how are you?"

"I'm fine Clarke, what about you?"

"I need to see Lexa, Mom?" Her tears could not be restrained.

"Okay, I will call her mother, but Clarke, are you sure you're up to it? You seem upset, easily, which is perfectly reasonable under the circumstances,"

"I need to see her,"

"Okay," Abby shot off a text,

"How do you have Mama Woods' number?"

"When you asked about Lexa, I thought I would go and find out,"

"You met her?"

"I met Mama - Jean, I can't bring myself to call anyone that,"

"How is Lexa?"

"She's fine, her operation went well, the bullet missed vital organs and she is recovering,"

"Thank god," and that made her cry all over again.

"I'll get a wheelchair," said Marcus,

"I need a hair brush," Abby put her handbag on Clarke's lap, grinning inwardly at the priorities of lovers, even at such a time as school shootings.

"Mom, am I taking up a bed, there is nothing really wrong with me?"

"No, you are right where you are supposed to be. Jean says you can come down now,"

"Thank you, Mom,"

A nurse returned with the wheelchair, took Clarke's obs and unhooked her tube from the cannula for more convenient transportation.

"Can I drive?" asked Marcus.

"Sure, thank you," answered Clarke, and her mother gave directions.

Everyone was waving to Clarke, touching her shoulder as she was wheeled by, when she approached Lexa's room, everyone was saying,

"It's Clarke,"

"Shh, it's Miss Griffin,"

"Get Mama, it's Clarke,"

She didn't really recognise anyone, but she also wasn't really looking, she was avoiding contact with people altogether and wishing she were invisible.

"Clarke Griffin! How are you feeling?"

Mama came out and the hugs and kisses were on, the woman either did not know appropriate boundaries or did not care. She meant well but Clarke needed way more personal space than she did than this time last week.

"I'm fine, Mama, how are you?"

"Oh, this is just so awful, so many people hurt and killed,"

"Mhm,"

"I am so happy that you weren't hurt,"

"I'm sorry Lexa was hurt, and Anya, Mama, I'm so sorry,"

"God rest her soul. Clarke you saved Lexa's life, and we are forever in your debt,"

"No no, she saved me - "

"Go and see her, go. Everyone out!"

No one argued with Mama Woods, they slid out silently and none dawdled either. Abby pushed her chair in and said a quiet hello to Lexa but the woman was weeping silently, her hands over her face. She backed out and pulled the door to, leaving them in privacy.

"Lexa? Lex?" Clarke pulled herself out of the chair and leaned against the bed, she felt like her own heart was breaking. She thought her own face must remind her of the bullet wound in her abdomen, the same way that killed so many innocent people. So many teachers and students, her friends, her family, her cousins Lincoln and Anya.

"I'm so sorry, Lexa," She pulled the woman against her breast and held her, stroking her hair every now and then, rubbing her back, "So sorry"

"Thank you, Clarke, thank you,"

"Why are you thanking me?"

"Why are you apologising?"

The pair of them were crying, once her tears had subsided enough Lexa asked,
"Are you hurt, Clarke?"

"No, I'm not hurt. What about you, are you in pain?"

"No, I'm on good meds."

"You don't resent me then?"

"Of course not, why would I?"
"Because of me you got shot and Anya - "

"Never say that again, Clarke,"

Clarke looked and felt like she had been slapped,

"Nothing about this is your fault, Clarke, nothing,"

"Oh, I thought you were telling me off,"

"No," she took Clarke's hand, "No. You saved me,"

"You saved me, Lexa,"

"But why? Why would you come into a room with an armed gunman?"

Lexa looked down, and then away,

"I couldn't save Anya, or Lincoln. I couldn't let him take you, too,"

"You saw Anya and Lincoln shot and you still came for me?"

"I had to," Lexa looked at Clarke and Clarke understood.

It was an act of heroism, it was also an act of recklessness. In a terrible moment of grief and rage, Lexa went bolting through the school partly almost hoping to be shot, partly hoping to confront Finn and partly hoping to save the person who meant something special to her. Nothing was pure, no one's motivations, choices or actions, not even Clarke's.

"Lexa, have you spoken to the police?"

"Yeah, this morning. You?"

"Sort of. Do you remember what happened - after he shot you?"

"You stabbed him and saved my life,"

"No, I mean, do you remember what I said?"

"That you loved him?"

"Yeah. Did you tell the police that?"

"No, I don't think so, I forgot until now."

"I didn't tell them, I lied. I told them I forgot. Lexa, I didn't mean it,

"I know,"

"I'm so ashamed,"

"Why?"

"It wasn't true,"

"I know that,"

"Don't you see? It means I said it as a reason to get close enough to him to do that,"

"So?"

"It was premeditated,"

"You think they are going to arrest you?"

"No, but that's beside the point,"
"What's the point?"

"I killed a person, Lexa, I manipulated him so I could get close enough to stab him in the heart,"

Now Clarke was crying, "What does that make me?"

"Clarke, look at me," Clarke could hardly maintain eye contact, between the tears, the snot and the shame. She didn't want anyone to see her, least of all Lexa, who btw was equally red eyed and snotty.

"Why did you do it?"
"I thought if there was any chance that you were going to survive, I had to,"

"What about yourself?"

"I don't think he was going to hurt me, he threatened to, but I just didn't think he would,"

"You stopped a gunman from shooting up a school, further. Clarke, no one is going to blame you for that or anything else, and you shouldn't blame yourself."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes,"

"Do you see, like other stuff, when you see my face?"

"Like Finn? Or like getting shot?"

"Yeah?"

"I see you putting pressure to my wound and encouraging me to live when it would have been easier to slip away,"

"Oh,"

"You're a good person, Clarke, you're not responsible for any of this,"

"I just don't want to lose your friendship,"

Lexa squeezed her hand, "You won't, we will get through this together."

Madi Wonkru returned to see Clarke, who promptly burst into tears to see her and hugged her, which made Madi cry in turn. Madi was relieved to find Clarke in good health, and she thanked Clarke numerous times for saving her life by ensuring she got out of the building safely. Clarke shied away from all recognition, praise and thanks, she didn't need it and she didn't want it. She was a teacher, that was her responsibility and the most basic, fundamental act of any citizen for another, and every adult to any child.

Steve and Lisa visited her after work, just as stunned as everyone else in the community at the shocking, violent and sheer massive scale outcome of Finn's stalking their neighbour. They were so relieved to know that Clarke was safe and largely unharmed, and pledged to continue their support, they offered to start her car for her, water her plants, buy groceries, put on a load of washing, anything at all. Clarke was beginning to believe that in general people weren't actually blaming her.

She had thought it a certainty that people in the community would presume she led Finn on or was somehow responsible for the misunderstanding. Women are frequently blamed for things like that. And she was the new person in town, people didn't know her - and that assessed alongside Finn's winsome demeanour and happy, handsome countenance Clarke had been convinced that people would find her at fault rather than him. Clarke could make a logical argument, a feminist argument as to why she wasn't to blame - but her feelings told her otherwise.

She could not thank Steve and Lisa enough for their ongoing understanding and kindness for her predicament. They had believed her and supported her from the first, which meant more to her than she could express. Abby also took the opportunity to thank them for sticking their neck out for her daughter, for not taking the easy way out and pretending not to notice that there was a serious problem. They didn't stay long, seeing that Clarke was emotionally fragile, and they certainly hadn't come to be thanked, but to be of service.

Octavia and Bellamy popped in to see her but O couldn't stay long. They had come by to see Raven, who was still in an induced coma, Lexa and Clarke, but she was heartbroken at the death of her partner, Lincoln. Even being in the hospital was difficult for her, Clarke totally understood and thanked her for coming, she was relieved to know that they didn't blame her, either. Both were as shocked as everyone else that Finn, the perennial nice guy, could actually be capable of such violence.

Other staff and students sent cards and flowers, sent texts and emails, wishing her well, thanking her and more or less - or actually calling her a hero, or something very like it. Clarke didn't feel like a hero, she felt lucky to be alive, lucky to have been able to get Madi out of the room, lucky to get an ambulance to Lexa and like a murderer to have tricked and killed Finn.

On Thursday afternoon, Thelonius Jaha came by to visit Clarke. There were tears. Clarke was overcome with her own grief for her friend, and the empathy she had for his father, added to her own burden. Jaha was an old work colleague of her father and friend of the family, contact which after her father's death had steadily fallen away. There were no hard feelings about the loss of contact, these things happen but there were some issues that would instantly dissolve much harder feelings - the death of one's child would be one.

It was a quiet visit, there seemed no safe topic of conversation; Clarke couldn't ask about Wells, Thelonius couldn't ask about Jake and Abby couldn't ask about Micah, Thelonius' ex wife. They could have discussed state and airline policy on shipping corpses or the prohibitive cost of funeral taxes but Clarke suspected she wasn't in the best position to be steering the conversation.

Abby tried very hard but after offering her condolences, asked how his flight was and how his work had been going for the last ten years… she also fell into an awkward silence. Using the fact that he was going to see them again in a couple of days to justify a short visit, he bowed out of the room. Abby and Clarke offered no resistance, they were both too uncomfortable in his presence and too sympathetic to his obvious grief.

Trauma therapy was made immediately available to all staff and students, to emergency service providers and affected community members, there was also help and support offered from all the above mentioned organisations, the community, the county and the state. The high profile nature of the shooting had people donating money, supplies and resources and of course the empty prayers and thoughts of the nation - which Clarke would like to have returned to sender as a faulty product.

Given that school students were involved, or impacted, everybody, Lexa and Clarke included, felt obliged to get back on their feet as soon as possible - for the kids. Not so much to return to normal, although that might be part of it but to provide them with their community and their support system. Give them somewhere to go, something to do, a place to begin to recover from the crimes of violence committed against them and their community.

She went to see Raven and sat with her for an hour chatting away, she knew that it was commonly thought that coma patients could hear voices and messages. Staff had assured her that Raven's long term prognosis was quite good, that she was in an induced coma because of the severity of her injuries although they still didn't know the likelihood and extent of potential paralysis.

She went and sat with Lexa for an hour. As Lexa was recovering physically she was being offered less potent drugs, less regularly, which was leaving her vulnerable to a very powerful grief which, as she said, had very sharp corners. Clarke just sat with her quietly, offering her companionship, empathy and comfort, they were at the start of a very long road.

The school was still closed with police tape and blood still evident from the front gate. Lexa's hospital room was becoming her office, with her laptop, two mobile phones and a stack of forms. Her first priority was coordinating the recovery effort, she had made a comment to Clarke that other politically motivated persons were circling the apparent power vacuum, like the proverbial turkey buzzard.

She mentioned that the powers that be were both jealous of the schools success under her management and covetous of the extra resources she manages to squeeze from the community and from industry. She didn't care about the press conferences they gave, putting themselves forward, increasing their online and public image but if they thought they were going to take her school out from under her - they had another thing coming.

Clarke was discharged from hospital on Friday morning. There was a mountain of police questions, paperwork, policies and procedures regarding their employment, Teachers Union and the State Education Department and Insurance. And there was a mountain of community work that needed to be done to support their students, their teachers, their community and themselves.

It felt overwhelming, but Clarke knew that Lexa would manage it somehow and her desire to be alongside Lexa when she did so, made Clarke feel that it would be possible. All those platitudes would come in handy, one day at a time, god doesn't give you more than you can handle, blah blah - she would grasp at whatever she needed to keep moving forward.

Clarke had no thoughts of returning to the city. She felt bound to Trikru now, bound to the students, to the school, to the staff and to the community. She had chosen this place, she had made a home here, however unsuccessful her first attempt may have been, but she was not going to run away now, not going to take the easy way out. She was going to stay and fight, well, fight might not be the right word, but grind out the process of putting her life back together, and to help others do the same.

When Abby and Marcus brought Clarke home, she felt she needed advice, legal advice and moral clarity, regarding the Finn situation. She knew the police would be back, and sooner rather than later, and she had better have her story straight when they did.

"I need to tell you something,"

"Why don't I go out and get us some lunch?"

"No, Marcus, I'd like you to stay,"

"Okay, sure,"

"What is it, Clarke?"

She explained the scenario briefly,

"And so Lexa came bursting into the room, Finn panicked and shot her. She fell to the floor, I needed to get to her, but I knew Finn would never allow it. So… I told him that I loved him and I hugged him. That allowed me to get close to him and that's when I stabbed him. As soon as he hit the ground, I could get to Lexa and try to help her,"

"I don't understand, Clarke, why would you tell him you loved him?" asked Abby.

"To get close to him, to disarm him,"

"You're worried you will be charged with a crime?" asked Marcus.

"Partly, but mostly I am just failing to justify my actions in my head. Everyone hates Finn because he murdered people in cold blood - "

"You're not a murderer, Clarke, it's self defence, right Marcus?"

"Legally speaking, I think that's the best defence,"

"Legally? You can't be serious?" Abby was getting upset.

"Clarke, I highly doubt that the police would see what you did as anything other than self defence. On the off chance they don't, their charges would be viewed very unfavourably, publicly and politically, they would be under enormous pressure not to press charges - not least from the NRA. And if, on the off chance they persisted, the chance of their success, to my mind, is very low. If you need a lawyer, I can hook you up,"

"A lawyer for what? This is ridiculous!"

"Abby, we're just talking,"

"Mom, please. That's part of it, but even just morally - I killed a man."

"In self defence!" Abby didn't really understand what Clarke was saying, she was reacting in panic.
"Clarke, he had a gun and you had a knife. You made use of the tools at your disposal, if you had to tell a lie to get close enough to use your tool, so be it,"

"Right, yeah. So you don't think it was wrong?"

"I think if you felt asking him to take a seat while you checked on Lexa's condition would have been a possibility, I think you would have started there,"

"Yes, of course, okay. Thanks, my head is all messed up,"

"Anytime, Clarke. If you think you need a lawyer, please let me make some calls. This is not something you can do over."

"You think if I tell them I lied to him, in order to stab him, they will still think it's self defence,"

"I do. But I'm not a lawyer."

"Do you think if I get a lawyer, that will make them suspect me more?"
"I don't know the answer to that. Did Lexa hear you say it?"

"Yes. Oh my god!"

"What, Clarke, what?" Abby was worried, panicked that her daughter was going to be arrested.

"The 911 call - my phone was recording everything, they have a recording of me saying that!"

"That's good, Clarke, that means the police already know, you don't have to make a choice about concealing the fact and they haven't pressed charges,"

"I guess,"

"I have lawyers on payroll, it's absolutely no trouble to have someone attend the interview with you,"

"Clarke, take the lawyer, please,"

"Okay, thank you, Marcus,"

"Of course. Clarke, you're a teacher, you were at school, in your classroom. You directly saved the life of a student and the principal and who knows how many more, by disarming the gunman. No one, is going to suspect you or blame you. And your head is a mess because you have been through an horrific, traumatic event. Give it some time, some therapy, and you will get some perspective on this."

"Thank you so much, can I give you a hug,"

"Sure, bring it in,"

Abby looked torn between stressed and relieved; stressed at the very idea that Clarke would be blamed for her actions and relieved that the two people she loved best were genuinely bonding. She had had a few boyfriends over the years, not any that she thought well enough to speak to Clarke about, let alone introduce her to. But Marcus was special, she was confident that there was a future for them as a couple, and Marcus had made overtures to that effect.

Clarke sat on a dining chair and looked around her apartment, her eyes settling on the chess board,

"I can't believe Wells is gone. I just can't believe it,"

"Thelonius has taken Wells' body back to NYC for the funeral,"

"I will have to go back for his funeral, will you come too, Mom?"

"Of course I will be there,"

"There is going to be so many funerals here, too,"

"18."

"18 people. What was Finn thinking? How did he think that was going to resolve anything?"

"Clarke, this is a person with a very complex psychology. Right from the start he appears to be someone prepared to sacrifice many people to the altar of his ego; his partner, certain staff and students, and not only those he killed but the whole school and community. Nobody here will emerge unaffected by his choices and actions, for generations to come."

"I like him, Mom,"

"Me too, honey," Abby flashed each of them a very warm smile.

"Clarke, Marcus and I have a suite over at Tylands. Are you going to be okay here on your own, maybe I should stay with you?"

"No, Mom, thanks, just give me a couple of those pills so I can sleep,"

"Sure. What about dinner?"

"I'll have some toast to line my stomach, and we'll have breakfast tomorrow."

"Okay, well, I want you to promise me that you will call me, if you need me?"

"I promise to call you if I need you. Now, Marcus, please take my mother to dinner,"

"Aye aye, Captain,"

"I love you, Clarke,"

"I love you, Mom."

Clarke sent a group text to Octavia, Bellamy and the other teachers to let them know that she had been released from hospital, she sent her condolences and good wishes to all and expressed a hope to see them soon. Then she sent an identical message each to Steve and Lisa to let them know she was at home, and assure them that she was well and hoped to catch up in the coming days.

Then she sent a message to Lexa,

Clarke Griffin

Hey Lexa, how are you? I'm home. Mom and Marcus have gone, I'm going to take pills and go to sleep soon. Now that I'm here, it's just become real that Wells is gone.

Lexa Woods

Hey Clarke, I'm sorry about Wells. He died bravely.

Clarke Griffin

Thank you. How are you feeling?

Lexa Woods

Up and down. I might be able to get out on Monday.

Clarke Griffin

Monday, so soon? Will you go home to yours or?

Lexa Woods

Yeah, I need some time out.

Clarke Griffin

Fair enough. Can I come and see you tomorrow?

Lexa Woods

I'd like to see you, but you should rest.

Clarke Griffin

Let me know if I can bring you anything; good coffee, books, food, clothes, toiletries...

Lexa Woods

A pair of beautiful blue eyes

Clarke Griffin

You got it, good night

Lexa Woods

Night, Clarke

Chapter Fourteen

Abby and Marcus came by Clarke's apartment the following morning, they brought groceries and a huge pile of gifts that they thought Clarke might need and/or enjoy; toiletries, candles, essential oils, books, a weighted blanket, a white noise machine and a journal. Clarke was grateful, she felt loved and cared for, but for some reason that old idea that somehow this was all her fault and that she was a murderer. She said nothing about it however, she swallowed it down and hugged and thanked them both for the thoughtful, and expensive gifts.

They took her to breakfast, after which a lawyer came to have a chat with Clarke, Marcus and Abby went for a walk up the street to give them some privacy. When Clarke was ready, they went to the police station where Clarke gave a full and frank, carefully worded statement. The police were very kind to her, sympathetic, they already had the details of exactly what had occurred, but they were obliged to follow up. They had spoken to Madi and Lexa, the recording and ballistics filled in the rest and Clarke's information confirmed it all.

There was no hard or confronting follow up regarding her declaration to Finn followed by her deadly assault. They seemed to take it for granted; a legitimate option, a clever foil and the necessary and decisive action of a hero. It seemed that each of the officers that she came into contact with either attended Trikru High School or knew someone who did - they were just sorry they didn't get there sooner and glad she had the wherewithal to put an end to the immediate danger.

Clarke was so relieved to arrive at the end of the interview and allowed herself to be expertly steered out of the interview room, down several corridors, down the stairs and out the front door. She truly felt like a criminal getting away with a serious crime, scott free. The lawyer must have suspected her predicament, squeezing her elbow and steering her with increased purpose, through the doors and away from the precinct. She spoke to Clarke when they got to the corner.

"Clarke, if this was Lexa, or Madi, would you have them arrested and go to prison?"

"No, of course not."

"I am just going to say this to you straight, not to be unkind, but because I think you need to hear it. You have been through an enormously stressful event, it placed you in a situation you never thought you would have to face and you made a choice you should never have been asked to make. You are not a killer, you made a choice with a gun to your head, literally.

On top of that, it would be a miracle if you were not suffering from some kind of PTSD and/or a number of other mental health conditions, that almost guarantees that you are not thinking straight right now. Further, we are always much harder on ourselves than we are on other people and you are being far too hard on yourself right now.

I would hate to see you, in a moment of crisis, make an error that you found it almost impossible to walk back, because of some unfortunate persecution complex. Do you understand me?"

"I understand,"

"Write it down if you need to, to keep your mind straight."

"Thank you,"

"It's my job."

Clarke bought some coffee and lunch and took it to share with Lexa for an hour or so, Abby and Marcus seemed content to keep each other company.

"Are you in much pain?"
"No, the wound itself is fine, but the muscles had to be cut during surgery and they now struggle to take much weight when I am standing. I had a quick shower this morning but I had to use the chair at the end."

"Will you need physio?"

"No one has mentioned it, I guess when the muscles are repaired I will be fine."

"Yesterday you said Wells died bravely, did you see him?"

"Yeah,"

"Have you seen the trauma therapist?"

"Yes, we didn't get into it though, she seemed happy to just pick around the edges, which is about all I am up for right now."

"Sure, I mean I did my police interview this morning, on the outside I was calm and attentive on the inside I was running around the room screaming my head off,"

"Lol,'

"Is the school open?"

"Police and cleaners are removing the evidence and giving it a good scrub. The doors will be open on Wednesday, I will be there, just for those who want to attend, we won't be doing anything academic. The community is sending in lunch supplies and other things to bring the student's comfort and entertainment. They can sit in the sun, shoot hoops, watch a movie, their will be counsellors on hand"

"I should open the art rooms for them,"

"There is no hurry, Clarke,"

"I am going to NYC tomorrow for Wells' funeral, I won't stay because I want to be here."

"The families are planning the funerals so that they don't overlap, so everyone can go to each one,"

"Oh that's… coordinated,"

"Don't make me laugh, Clarke,"

"I didn't mean to."

"They said Raven might be paralysed,"

"When he shot her, he screamed, 'don't you turn your back on me!'. She was shielding the children."

"You saw it?"

"I saw a lot of things,"

"Oh Lexa, can you talk about it?"

"You don't know?"

"No, but you don't have to,"

Lexa laid her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes, Clarke took her hand, and Lexa squeezed it gently, she took a few deep breaths,

"I was in the bathroom. Anya had Titus and two students in her office. I heard Murdoch speaking loudly, forcefully, which is unlike her, unless she is barracking for Washinton or Trikru. Then I heard a male voice arguing back. There was screaming, I felt conflicted; part of me was wanting to respond and part of me felt frozen to the spot. I heard the fire alarm go off.

I heard gunshots, two, then two more, then another two. I ducked down, I heard someone walk past, I thought for sure I was going to be shot. But he passed and went out the back door. I waited several moments, then I opened the door a crack. I inched my way to the office, I saw Anya, I knew she was dead, Titus and two students, dead.

I looked over the reception counter and saw Murdoch. There were two admin assistants hiding behind a desk, I told them to go out to the carpark and to call the police. I headed out the back door. I saw chaos. Teachers had been urging the students out to the carpark, then Finn was there and they were trying to send them back indoors.

Wells tried to speak to Finn but he was shot, Lincoln tried to tackle him but Finn shot him twice. He shot randomly, people were screaming, some were running out of the building, some trying to run back in. He called out to Raven, but she was focussed on the kids and then he shot her. I couldn't believe it - it really was the most callous thing I have ever seen, Clarke.

He headed down toward the art rooms, I ran through the building getting the kids out and sending them to the carpark. There were too many bodies on the ground, I couldn't even stop to see if they were alive or dead, to render first aid. I just had to get the kids out in case he came back. I knew you were down there, I didn't know how many students were with you, I was panicking.

I tried to tell myself even then that there were too many competing priorities, I just had to hope I was choosing the right one. Some of the teachers came back from the carpark to check on the bodies. Madi came running up, she was crying, she said that you had saved her, got her out of the room safely, I looked around and I thought, there are enough teachers here, to provide first aid, but you were alone with him - I had to get there, to see if I could help.

There was a part of me that felt sort of reckless, having seen Anya laying there, dead, I wanted to confront him and rip his head off. That part of me was stupid, I just entered the room with no plan, no defence. It's my fault I got shot. I blame myself completely."

Lexa looked at Clarke who was just listening, brushing her thumb along the side of her Lexa's hand,

"You think it was my fault, too?"

"No, of course not. I blame myself, as well. The lawyer said in time, as I recover, I would have more balanced perspective,"

"I couldn't handle it if you blamed me, Clarke, I just couldn't," she had been crying throughout the whole recollection of events, but now she cried harder,

"Lexa, I don't blame you at all, not for anything,"

"Sorry, my emotions are crazy,"

"Of course, they are. It would be weird if they weren't,"

"It was stupid, reckless, dangerous, and could have cost you your life,"

"You also tried to save me,"

"It didn't work,"

"I am still here,"

"Oh Clarke,"

"We all did the best we could. Even Madi blames herself for leaving me alone in the art rooms with Finn, can you believe that? That tiny little girl. We all have it, I guess, this self blame, second guessing, hindsight is twenty twenty perhaps, but we all did the best we could."

Due to work commitments, Marcus flew out in the evening and Abby and Clarke followed the following mid morning, but he did book them business class seats and transport to and from the airport. Clarke liked him, and she liked him for her mother, he was kind and attentive to her, but not fawning or patronising. He was clever, widely read, had a steady, capable countenance, he was easy going and had a ready sense of humour.

Her mother worked long hours and took few vacations. She would continue to climb the ladder in terms of senior positions, so the long hours and heavy responsibility would not fade into retirement any time soon. Abby needed a partner who was independent, not someone waiting at home for her, ruing the long hours, the inconvenient shifts and the few prime vacation slots.

Abby was financially comfortable and independent and not that either she or Clarke were overly concerned with money, but Clarke wanted someone who was at least in a similar position as her mother. Someone who would wear a suit, buy her flowers, could take her to nice restaurants and had the capacity for an overseas vacation on occasion.

Clarke and her mother spent their final night together at Clarke's apartment, and they were away to the airport quite early. Clarke took to doodling on a scrap of paper, what she was drawing was actually a covert recording of the information Lexa had recently given her about who was where in the school on the horrible day of violence. She felt a twin desire to both explore the scenario artistically but at the same time a shame to want to do so, like people might think she was taking some perverse pleasure in the tragedy.

She had largely stayed away from news and social media, but even on those limited and brief forays she had seen more of her own face than she would have liked. So she hid behind glasses in public spaces, tied her identifiable curly blonde hair back and kept her head down, reluctant to be recognised by anyone, let alone approached or cheered. She was recognised on the plane by the hosts but next to free drinks, food and amenity kits, which are usually only available for long haul flights, they didn't mention it openly.

Clarke turned her phone to silent, she was not up to social contact from people who would be keen to nut out the details of the school shooting and both her own and Wells' roles in it. She would be unable to avoid them the following day at Wells' funeral, which was likely to draw significantly more interest than had he merely been hit by a car and killed. Her mother and Marcus would provide a necessary barrier to those old school and university friends and other acquaintances, which Clarke just didn't feel able to deflect without support.

Even the idea of having to go out in public, into large open rooms, her back to the doors was a tremendous stressor. But her mother was prepared with a range of medications; sleepers, uppers, pain killers, muscle relaxants and anti anxieties. She had tissues, water and breath mints - easily falling back into the role of mother for the first time in many years.

Clarke had slept poorly the night before, despite the medications her mother had offered her. She dragged herself out of bed, pulled on her black dress, brushed out her hair and donned a black scarf - primarily for purposes of self concealment. Marcus picked them up in a car with a driver, Clarke was grateful to have been relieved from having to think of anything but put one foot in front of the other.

Abby and Marcus walked with Clarke between them like overbearing security guards and Clarke could not have been more relieved. She kept her eyes and her head down. Entering the building, she made a bee line directly for Jaha and Wells' mother, who despite a rather acrimonious split, were doing their best to provide a united front at the funeral of their only child. Clarke mechanically went through the motions, she would have liked to have been more present, more authentic in her connections and felt reassured when her mother whispered that neither of them seemed to notice - being preoccupied with their own grief.

Clarke approached the casket at the front of the room and stood in perfect stillness and silence for some minutes. How to pay homage to a lifelong friendship in so short a time? How to acknowledge the wonderful person, the best friend that Wells was? Right to the end, he had remained loyal and committed to her and she would never, never have the chance to thank him or repay him. Her mother eventually led her away as the funeral director began to begin the ceremony.

She hardly heard a word and left as soon as she could reasonably excuse herself, she went home and slept for a couple of hours and decided to fly home the following morning. Abby was surprised and suggested she stay for a few days at least, but Clarke had many more funerals to attend and felt the need to begin the journey. Abby offered to travel with her, to stay with her for a couple of days or a week or even longer, but Clarke assured her that she could manage.

They talked over a long dinner with Marcus, where she communicated with them her desire to be part of the recovery both at the school and in the community. She wanted to open the art rooms for the students and give them an avenue through which to process their grief or even an outlet for diversion. Again Abby was surprised, she had assumed that Clarke would return home to the city, she had not even been in that region for a year and she owed them nothing - if anything she was owed!

But Clarke felt she had found a home, she had made connections with people and the community and although it had been a short time, and that time had been fraught with difficulty and tension, that didn't diminish her desire to 'go home'. She wanted very much to return to her students and to Lexa. The fact that she had lost many of the students that were especially dear to her, she would still return if there was only one remaining, and there was. It was partly out of a sense of duty but mostly out of a genuine sense of desire to be there, to be part of the recovery effort.

Marcus and Abby both accompanied her to the airport and put her on the plane, Clarke felt buoyed knowing she would be home within two hours and this time it was Abby who was upset and teary. She hugged and thanked them both for their kindness to her, both taking time away from work, the money it had cost them in flights, hotels, cars, meals and gifts. She felt as close to, and comfortable with Marcus as it was possible for her to feel with someone she had not known long, and was glad her mother had someone to comfort her once her plane lifted off.

The moment she got in her Uber at the other end she texted Lexa,

Clarke Griffin

I just landed, can I see you?"

Lexa Woods

Hi Clarke, yes please, they are keeping me in two more days!

Clarke Griffin

Oh no, those nasty pasties! Can I bring you anything?

Lexa Woods

Just a friend

Clarke Griffin

En route

"Hey?" Clarke knocked lightly on the door, which swung open a little way.

"Clarke!" Lexa put her arms out for a hug.

"Lexa,"

Clarke had no intention of holding back, something had changed between them somewhere along the line, they were texting every morning and every evening and it seemed perfectly natural that Clarke would come directly from the airport to Lexa's bedside. Affection also now seemed to be the new normal, Clarke was perfectly fine with that, she wrapped her arms carefully around Lexa's thin frame, applying the same pressure she received.

"How was the funeral?"

"Uggh. Devastating."

"I'm so sorry,"

"What about you? When is Anya's funeral?"

"Lincoln's is Tuesday morning and Anya's is straight after."

"Will it be large?"

"Yes. The town will be closed for the day,"

"Wow, they must love her very much,"

"She was easy to love,"

"Will you be there?"

"Yeah, I mean, I thought I would, is that alright?"
"Of course, I was hoping you would. There will be a bbq afterwards,"

"Would you like me to come?"

"Yes please. I am probably going to drink, quite a bit, would you stay the night?"

"Sure, I'd like that. Is there anything I can do or bring?"
"Just be there,"

"What are you drinking?"

"Whiskey. I don't like it, but it's Anya's drink of choice."

"I'll pick up a bottle then,"

"It just feels so impossible. To think I am going to Anya's funeral. She wasn't even thirty five years old, Clarke. To think I might live longer without her than I lived with her."

Lexa could not hold back the tears, and her heart break caused Clarke to cry as well. They sat holding hands, crying and processing their grief and rage, feeling like they were the only other person who understood each other. It probably wasn't true, Octavia had lost her lover, parents had lost children, but it brought them comfort to think that it might be true.

Chapter Fifteen

It rained throughout the funeral, not just rained but poured.

The funerals in Trikru were quite different to those in the city. Trikru funerals were apparently outdoor graveside affairs. They were plain, straightforward, there were few if any prayers, and few if any poetry. Perhaps because they knew Lincoln and Anya, everyone knew them very well and they could say real things about a real person, unlike in NYC where even if you knew someone well, there was always that sense of never really knowing anyone at all.

There was also a very real sense of authenticity; the anger that bubbled away just under the surface was barely restrained. No one pretended to be above it, too dignified or too civil to acknowledge it, unlike it had been in the city. These folks were not above the appropriate rage that their beloved family members, lovers, friends and colleagues had been taken from them brutally, violently. It was wrong, unforgivable.

Lincoln was a good man. Although he was physically imposing, courageous and righteous, he was a gentle giant. No one had a bad word to say about him, he was loved, admired and would be dearly missed. Anya was a good woman, no one pretended she was perfect, but she was good and that was good enough.

They stood in the rain, except for Lexa who sat, drenched, as the flimsy outdoor gazebos put up by the funeral staff leaked and one actually just collapsed under the weight of the water. It wasn't unpleasant, it actually felt comforting. It felt appropriate - the horrible weather reflected the interior storms in the hearts of the mourners.

Lexa made sure Clarke got a ride home in the same car, they went home and changed their clothes and dried their hair. There was a heavy silence in the small community of houses. Clarke didn't mind and she didn't feel uncomfortable, actually she felt as at home there as she did in her own mother's home. Everyone mechanically went about the business of preparing food and Clarke went into the kitchen and joined in, washing and peeling potatoes, slicing onions, chopping salad items, it was cathartic.

She eventually found Lexa sitting on the veranda railing, she was smoking hand rolled cigarettes and drinking out of an old tin mug. It had stopped raining but it was still quite cold and the cigarette smoke billowed out like the chimney stack of a steam train. Clarke went wordlessly behind Lexa and put her arms around her, Lexa leaned back into her.

Clarke didn't know what this new found affection between them was about. She just wanted it, she wanted the contact, the intimacy with Lexa, and far from appearing not to return her feelings, Lexa always returned her physical touches. Well they had articulated their interest, had they not? They had said they would wait, but things had changed so much since that conversation that it didn't even bear thinking about.

And Clarke's previous claims that Lexa had all the power seemed now to be moot - their shared experience, their terror, their grief, their desire to help one another through proved to be a levelling experience, if nothing else. Not that Clarke was in a hurry to move from this into a relationship, it was just that she no longer cared to resist such an option. If they were going to be together it seemed to matter little, quite when and how that came about. She didn't even care to discuss it. She was here and Lexa was here and that was more than enough.

"Want a drag?"

"I don't really know how to do it,"

Lexa gave her a demonstration and then offered her the half stick, Clarke took it and puffed but she wasn't game to inhale. Lexa offered her the mug, Clarke took a sniff and then a swallow. It was harsh, almost like drinking metho, funnily enough neither was all that unpleasant.

"Thanks for being here,"
"I am happy to be here. It's nice."

"I bet it's different to your NYC?"
"Yeah, it is. It's home."

They planted themselves on the porch, people came and stood with them for a while, drank and smoked, sometimes chatting, sometimes silent, before wandering off. Cars kept turning up, people poured out of them carrying trays of food and bottles of booze, bringing them all into Mama for her inspection and direction.

"Would you mind if I smoked a joint, Clarke?"

"No, Lexa, you do you,"

Clarke watched as Lexa opened a little tin with all the paraphernalia; papers, filters, tobacco, pot and a fancy lighter. She was apparently no stranger to the process, she lined two papers up together to make a long cigarette. She packed it, rolled it, poked and prodded it into submission and rolled it again, licking the long edge and smoothing it down.

She placed between her lips, struck the lighter and sucked on the joint, one drag, two. Then she offered it to Clarke. Clarke took it, staring at it, sniffing it and then she placed it between her lips and giving it a small puff actually dragged the thick smoke into her lungs. She coughed and Lexa hardly even cracked a smile.

"How do you convince students not to smoke pot?"

"I give them all the lines I am expected to give, how convincing that is, I couldn't begin to guess,"

"I brought you an expensive whiskey, want to try it?"

"Sure, can you bring back some water?"

"Sure,"

"This is Anya's stash,"

"Oh, is it good stuff?"

"Yeah. How're your fingernails?'

"Huh?" asked Clarke, looking at her nails.

"You said pot was dirty, always made your fingernails dirty,"

"Oh that was using those stupid bong things, here give me another drag?"

Lexa handed it over and took the whiskey Clarke handed her. Clarke took two more hits and that was enough to make her feel quite stoned and she didn't have anymore until very much later that night.

"Oh it's quite relaxing, isn't it?"

"You will be so hungry in an hour,"

"Oh are we having those pork rolls like last time?"

"Yeah, did you like it?"

"Loved it. Even though I was sulking and running away, it crossed my mind to take one with me,"

"Bahaha, Clarke, I can see you, full of haughty pride, stuffing a sandwich into your handbag,"

"Lol, yes I was proud, wasn't I?"

"Mhm,"

"Anya liked you,"

"She did?"

"Yeah,"

What Lexa didn't say was that Anya had liked Clarke for Lexa. She had encouraged Lexa to get to know the blonde better, spend some time with her, take her for a ride, become her friend. Anya was not so fond of the rules, any rules, of the two it was always Anya who was keen to smoke, keen to drink, keen to push the envelope with pretty girls. She often accused Lexa of having a stick up her ass.

"She would have loved this. Nothing pretentious; just a joint, a drink, a BBQ, friends and family."

They went around the back, nicking bits of food off various trays as they went, topping up their drinks, grabbing coats and settling on a huge tarp leaning against a big log at the fire. There was music but it wasn't loud, people were talking but it was sort of muted and the fire was attractive and seemed to hold a lot of interest.

Octavia and Bellamy arrived and joined them at the fire, a round of nodded 'hey's and 'how's it going's?' was played where everyone committed perjury and no one really minded. When it was time for food Bellamy and Lexa went which served to highlight the absence of Anya and Lincoln in their little group. Octavia brushed away a series of tears and was comforted by the fact that no one asked her if she was alright.

Clarke ate two rolls, partly to do with how delicious they were and partly to do with the pot, at which point Lexa rolled another and passed it around. Clarke took two more hits, her head rolled back on the log and she looked up at the stars and didn't move or speak for two hours. She was unaware of the occasional quiet conversations going on around her, just following her own brilliant intellectual thoughts and the patterns in the stars.

Even when people picked and said their goodbyes she did not respond. Lexa and Octavia shared a long hug, their shared grief binding them closer and a feeling of family seemed to grow between them. Lincoln had been Lexa's family and Octavia had been Lincoln's, and that was enough.

Clarke was completely oblivious that when Lexa settled down again by her, she sat facing Clarke, her chin resting on her two balled up fists, watching her. Her head back, her mouth open, puffs of air regularly being visibly sighed out into the cold air, Lexa had never had the chance to observe her so carefully for so long. She was beautiful. Everything about her was beautiful.

Her personality was sunny, her smile engaging, her hair was actually blonde - unlike the darker shades other people gave liberties to apply the term to. Her skin was almost porcelain both in shade and in texture, there was not a freckle and hardly a blemish. Her teeth were straight and white but not glow in the dark chemical white. But the star of the show were her eyes - they were not game of thrones shade of blue but they did hold that intensity, they weren't icy blue but they were as distinct.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm wondering if I could possibly die of thirst or whether it just feels that way,"

Lexa smiled, not just on her face, but in her heart. She passed her a water jug,

"Here, don't swallow straight away, just hold it in your mouth a little,"

Clarke did so, surprised that she had so much self control, she felt extremely smashed.

"That makes us even,"

"Even?"

"Yeah, you saved my life, and now I've saved yours,"

"Bahaha,"

"So, what have you been thinking about for two hours?'

"Two hours? Really?"

"Really. Have you been planning great works of art?"

"Yep,"

"That's all I get?"

"How do you know what your thinking is real and what is just drug fuelled fantasy?"

"Fantasy? Now, I really want to know,"

"Pass."

"That sounds ominous,"

"There is a moment when wanting is just as sweet as receiving,"

Lexa didn't respond, she seemed to be considering the concept. There seemed only one reasonable meaning of Clarke's cryptic comment but while she did not want to presume, she also wondered whether this moment was one such to which Clarke was referring. The juncture was pregnant with possibility; at once promising something wonderful and threatening a possible tragedy.

Their desire for each other was sweet. The hope and the anticipation had long been, and was still, delightfully pleasant just on the verge of torturous. The timing had been inopportune since the moment they met, but each had accepted the limitations with great understanding, perfect virtue and quiet, hopeful patience.

If Lexa articulated her desire for Clarke, or if Clarke made an overtly romantic gesture would the whole possibility be brought undone by misunderstanding or shattered in the offense of poor timing? As they both weighed up their chances the hours rolled by and the cold became undeniably unpleasant and damp. Lexa chose sweet over receiving, perhaps more due to fear of turning sweet to sour than seeing Clarke catch a cold out in the elements - but she chose to believe it was the second.

"Come on, Clarke. Bed."

She held her hand out and Clarke accepted. They fell into a bed fully clothed, and into each other's arms and it was difficult to know who fell asleep first. It was the first night that either had slept soundly, all the way through, perhaps it was the late night, the booze, the pot or the company.

When she woke up she found Clarke watching her,

"Just as sweet, but not necessarily sweeter," she whispered.

It took Lexa a long minute to divine her meaning and when it finally clicked she rolled forward and kissed her. Her warm lips covered Clarke's and pressed so beautifully, so deliciously, painfully slowly. Clarke opened her mouth just a little and Lexa got a hint of mint, how? How after a night of drinking and smoking could she taste so good? Lexa opened her eyes to find Clarke looking at her, at the same time she pushed a mint through her lips towards Lexa's, Lexa accepted it and deepened the kiss.

Their first kiss. So slow, so sweet, so perfect. Their tongues touched several times, setting off electric shocks. Their fingers reached out slowly, tracing those of the other, holding hands, the kiss deepened and then deepened again. There was no hurry, and they kissed for nearly an hour.

"Lexa?" Mama came to the bedroom door and saw them kissing,

"Oh, sorry, carry on," she pulled the door closed.

The pair burst out laughing, resting their foreheads together, relishing the moment.

"I'm going to use the bathroom," Lexa said, kissing Clarke's cheek and rolled out of bed.

Clarke fell onto her back reliving the kisses they had shared. It had been sweet to wait, to desire, to hope, and it had been at least as sweet to surrender, if not more sweeter. She rolled off the mattress and pulled on her boots, straightened clothing and combed her fingers through her hair, it was certainly fresh.

She stepped out of the bedroom in search of coffee.

"Good morning, Clarke," she gave Clarke one of her bear hugs.

"Morning Mama,"

"Coffee?"

"Please,"

"Here come and sit by the fire," Clarke did so, and Mama put a hot mug into her hands.

"Morning Mama," Lexa joined them, kissing her mother and taking the mug she held out.

"School tomorrow," Mama said.

"Yes," responded Lexa, "I have so much to do,"

"You are also still recovering," said Mama, fiercely.

"Can I help with anything?" asked Clarke.

"Not really, thank you, it's mainly politics,"

"To have to go to work without Anya is just unthinkable, unimaginable,"

"She was your right hand, wasn't she?"

"Yeah. When we were young she was the boss, she set the agenda and I followed but somewhere around the end of our bachelor degree the balance of power changed,"

"She followed you?"

"She didn't really have a clear idea of what she was going to do. I was decided, I knew I was going to become a teacher, I knew I was going to do a Masters and Anya just sort of followed along,"

"What would she have done, otherwise?"

"Larrikin? Gigolo? Pot dealer? Professional pool player?"

"Really?" asked Clarke.

"Probably,"

"She made a very good teacher, though,"

"Yeah, she understood the importance of education, in providing young people with opportunities to transfer out of poverty and into the working and middle classes. She didn't necessarily care about that for herself but she wanted it to be an option for our young people,"

"Do you care about it?"

"No. I mean you've seen our homes, unpainted but clean and in good repair, I would be quite happy to live here for the rest of my days. I don't hark after the white picket fence for myself, but if I want to convince them that it is possible, that it is worth trying for, I must demonstrate that it is possible to transcend class.

That's why it's important, necessary, that I set the example, because I am one of them. It doesn't work to point and say go - I have to beckon and say come,"

"Wow, thats hot on so many levels,"

"Clarke!"

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to say that - that's the pot,"

"Yeah, right!"

"So you have a white picket fence?"

"I do. I will show you, soon."

"I just can't believe Finn did this. How could he do this to children? To our students? How did I get him so wrong?"
"Lexa, we all got Finn wrong. I don't know, maybe we didn't,"

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe he wasn't that person but he changed. Perhaps he wasn't always evil?"

"That at least explains how so many of us could have missed it,"

"I know you blame yourself, I blame myself - but there is really only one person who is to blame,"

"Yeah, you're right. But is there nothing we can learn from this?"

"I think it's great that you are prepared to try, Lexa, but we might have to give it some time,"

"Anya, Lincoln, Wells, Raven might never walk again… Why? He surely didn't think you would agree to go out with him at gunpoint?"

"He must have been going to suicide, surely - I can't see him going to prison."

"You think?"

"Well, he was all about winning, wasn't he? I think he would have preferred to go in a blaze of glory than locked away for the rest of his life,"

"Yeah, perhaps,"

Chapter Sixteen

Lexa froze at the entrance to the school. There was a moment when she did not think she was going to be able to cross through the gate. She got to the front door and froze again. She had been assured that the police tape had been removed and the school had been thoroughly cleaned but the idea of Anya's body lying on the ground was so painful.

She looked through the glass window in the door, she mechanically stuck the key in the lock and then she vomited in the garden. She had three choices; turn around and go home, let staff and students find her paralysed with vomit on her mouth or force herself through that door.

"I miss you, Anya, I'm so sorry. If I did something wrong, if I missed something or made a mistake, please forgive me. If you can, please help me to get through this and be of service to our community."

She eventually moved through the door, she walked around where the bodies were and when she closed the door on Anya's office she heard her mother's voice, 'god bless her soul'.

By the time she actually felt like she might be able to get through the day, teachers and students were walking through the gates. Her priority was to welcome everyone back to school, to have a friendly face at the gate, she hugged some students and teachers, patted others on the back, offered them a sympathetic smile and wished them a good morning.

There were no classes, students were welcome to participate in several activities around the school, eat the food provided, speak to a professional and wait until lexa came out to address them. Lexa had sent an email requesting to meet with teachers at 8am, an unscheduled, informal staff meeting; just a chance for them all to be in the same room for the first time in the wake of the tragedy.

Before the meeting Lexa made sure she was in the room, and she personally greeted each teacher as they arrived, for some that meant a hug or a warm handshake, depending on their relationship and/or the need of the moment. When they were all gathered together she began,

"Welcome back. It's bitter-sweet to be here. I wanted to bring everyone together this morning to touch base after last weeks' terrible event. If nobody objects, I'd like to begin with a moment of silence to honor the victims."

Apparently, nobody objected, everyone bowed their heads respectfully, before Lexa continued.

"Each of us is responding to this in our own way and at our own pace. We are going to have to face the difficult challenge of putting the pieces back together again in the coming days and weeks, in the meantime, I'd like to make this school a safe space. I want to focus on us all being together, however we can make that happen, I am less concerned with lessons, bells, and school work than I am about safety and healing.

We have trauma therapists on campus, we have extra staff across all areas so if you are unable to be on time simply communicate that and we will have someone there to monitor your students. If you need to step out or leave early, again, just communicate that, same for your students, if they need to come or go, it's all fine. The only thing we need to monitor will be who is and who is not on campus, so make sure you keep signing in and out.

Is there anything pressing that anyone wishes to say?"

There was a pause while everyone looked around, but nobody spoke.

"The state and the Teachers Union together are conducting a review of the security of the campus, in the meantime does anyone have anything to raise concerning immediate security?"

Again there was a silent pause.

"Okay, I have some literature here which outlines some effective strategies about talking to students about the fact that our school was shot up, by someone we know and that many people we knew have been killed or injured. There are going to be lots of elements and angles and everybody is going to have their own boundaries about what is appropriate and what is not.

Some people are going to find particular topics and language confronting; some are going to want to discuss the details whilst that will be too much for others, and some people are going to react with anger and other with tears, some will be withdrawn and others may use humour. I feel confident that community leaders, religious members of the community, parents and medical staff are all going to have different advice and expectations, so we are all going to need to aim for flexibility, kindness and a great deal of teflon coating. Let's go through some of these items."

Lexa had arranged to have the bells switched off in the event that they triggered anyone, and rather teachers were going to go out and round up the students verbally. Given that school work was somewhere down the list of priorities, class content could afford to spare the extra five minutes it took to walk around and alert the students to the beginning of class time.

Principal Woods met with senior students in their common room for a similar discussion, years 11 and 12, those whose school work would be of most concern. She had trauma therapists in attendance because she also wanted to give them a chance to talk a little about the event and associated issues. The counsellors made teas and coffees and passed them out to the student's for the purpose of marking the space as both informal but also mature.

The discussion lasted an hour and half during which they canvassed a number of topics. Lexa was able to reassure them that as far as their actual education was concerned that she was willing to be extremely flexible. Those who wanted to graduate at the end of the year would be given the necessary support to do that and those who wanted to take more time could be assisted to do that, also.

Throughout the day Lexa managed to speak to all of the groups of students. She met with the administration staff to reorganise the office in the absence of Murdoch, to prioritise tasks and redistribute responsibilities. She was very gentle with the staff who were directly threatened by Finn with a gun in their face and they had witnessed Murdoch, Anya and the others shot dead in front of them. They also had access to counselling and very flexible workplace conditions.

The Education Department had made available temporary staff garnered from nearby schools and temp agencies to Trikru High School, teachers, admin staff, cleaners, two janitors, two maintenance workers, a guidance counsellor, two year advisors and support staff. These staff needed to be welcomed, inducted and trained which Lexa was forced to put off until Tuesday morning, prioritising those staff and students who had more urgent needs.

As if that wasn't enough, the Education Department, the Police Department, the Parents and Teachers Association and Nia Azgeda, Head of the School Board were all lined up in the office vying for her attention. It might have been overwhelming if it weren't for the years of disciplined self composure, professional department and a strong commitment to her staff and students that enabled her to justify her priorities and delay their requests for attention

After the staff meeting Clarke, disappeared down to her art rooms, she walked slowly, taking deep breaths in order to prepare herself for seeing the space where she had hidden from a crazed gunman, secured Madi's safety, stabbed Finn in the chest and begged Lexa to hold on. She paused before stepping foot on the stair, preparing herself for the experience.

She half expected to see police tape and blood on the floor but that was not the case, she thought she could smell bleach, although she could not be sure. She pegged open the doors to both air the rooms out and to advertise to potential students that she was open for business. As could have been predicted, Madi was the first student to make her way to see Clarke, they enjoyed a big hug and stood looking at each other and looking around the rooms.

Both were thinking Mr Collins broke the glass in that door, that's where he stood when we came out of the storage room. They looked into the storage room and both couldn't help bursting into tears and hugging again. They were forever connected and bonded over their shared experience of hiding together from a gunman threatening to kill them. All of Clarke's other 'special' students were dead, they talked about that as well; Aden, Charlotte, Luca and Tris. They weren't only special to Clarke, Madi had grown close to them as well.

Other students trickled down and hung out. Clarke greeted everybody and asked them how they were, how they were coping, how their families were managing. She offered people art supplies, and for those who just wanted to sit she made them welcome. A couple of counsellors who were roaming around the school came to meet Clarke, to see what was going on and they struck up random conversations with students.

They all got through the day, no one really worried about classes or the structures, policies and procedures that a school would normally be marked by. There were longer breaks, no bells,students lying around in the sunshine, counsellors trying to engage those affected. Long after the students were gone, Clarke was still working, packing up the artworks of those students who would not be coming back for them. She intended to speak to Lexa about sending them home to their families.

Eventually she made her way back to the reception area, with no one around, she stuck her head in Lexa's office,

"Hey?"

"Clarke?"

"Yeah, are you okay?"

"Oh you know,"

"Yeah. Can I do anything for you?"

"No thank you, I am getting ready to head home,'

"Okay, I'm just heading out, myself. Would you like me to wait for you?"

"No, Clarke, is anyone in admin?"

"No looks like they have all finished,"

"Okay, look we didn't talk about how we were going to manage the work place and all of that,"

"No, but I will be completely professional and we can square away the details when get time,"

"Thank you. I'm sorry. I'm just going to take a few days to myself, in my own home, if that's okay?"
"Of course, are we texting or…?
"Yeah, sure. Look, I'm sorry - "

"No. No apologies, Lexa. You do you, in the meantime, totally professional and I won't tell a soul,"

"Thank you, Clarke,"

"See you in the morning,"

"Bye."

Clarke decided to call in to the hospital and visit Raven and was thrilled to find her awake, albeit quite upset and partly drugged.

"Hey Raven, I am so glad to know your awake,"

"Hey, Clarke,"

"How are you feeling? Are you in pain?"

"Drugs,"

"Good trip?"

"Not really."

"I am really sorry, Raven, this is just a horrendous mess,"

"Yeah, I can't believe it,"

"You're not alone there, no one can believe hardly anything about the whole thing,"

"I have known him since I was twelve years old,"

Clarke held her hand and pulled up a chair.

"He was kind to me, he shared his dinner with me, he remembered my birthday,"

"Yeah, it seems like he changed,"

"He was a pacifist, he never even had a gun for self defence,"

"Well he managed to get one,"

"No shit,"

"When did you wake up?"

"This morning,"

"Have you any family, Raven?"

"No, Finn was my family."

"Shit. How can I help?"

"Help what?"

"Well, you need stuff, clothes, toiletries, your phone, laptop,"

"Yeah, well it will be a while, until I will be able to use anything,"

"What did they say?"

"I will have use of my arms but they are less clear about my legs,"

"Holy shit!"

"Yeah."

"What happened, Clarke?"

"On the day?"

"Yeah,"

"Are you sure you want to hear this?"

"Yeah, I need to know,"

"Okay, well, he shot up the admin office when Murdoch set off the fire alarm, he shot her, threatened two other staff, He shot and killed Anya, Titus and two students,"

"Oh god,"

"Want me to stop?"

"No, but fuck. Anya?"

"Yeah, Raven, I'm sorry,"

"Did she die immediately?"

"Yeah,"

"The nurse told me that there was an incident, I remembered about Finn with the gun, but she was reluctant to give me details,"

"You must feel so isolated?"

"Yeah, isolated, confused, crippled,"

"Anya Woods. I can't believe it. What was he thinking?"

"Wish I knew,"

"Go on,"

"Lexa was in the toilet and he missed her. That's when he ran into you, he killed Wells and Lincoln - " "Oh no! Octavia?"

"She is fine, well devastated, but unharmed. Lincoln and Anya's funeral was on Monday,"

"Does she blame me?"

"No, I don't think so. She has been here to see you, several times,"

"I don't know how I will be able to face anyone here, again,"

"Yeah, you're not alone there. I blame myself, Lexa blames herself, the police blame themselves."

"You? How are you to blame?"

"I seem to be the instigating factor."

"That's ridiculous,"

"Okay, well how are you to blame?"

"Obviously, I wasn't enough for him, I didn't even know about Lexa and Anya watching him with his students, how do you think that makes me feel? He was a threat to his students! On top of that, they didn't even want him here, they only took him because they wanted me, my brain,"

"I hear shock, hurt, anger - I don't hear how your to blame, but don't worry it comes and goes,"

"Thanks,"

"What else did he do?"

"Came down to the art rooms, Madi and I locked ourselves in the store room. I managed to get her out, then Lexa came bursting in, he shot her - "

"No!"

"She's okay. She got shot in the stomach and I, I killed Finn,"

"It was you?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry, Raven,"

"Pfft! Jesus. How?'

"I stabbed him with a palette knife,"

"Did he die straight away?"

"Yeah,"

"Where is his body?"

"I don't know. Does he have family?"

"His mother in Albuquerque,"

"I guess she would know,"

"That's going to be some phone call!"

"I'll say."

"Today was the first day back at school,"

"How was it?"

"We are focussing on providing community rather than classes, they disconnected the bell, counsellors are wandering around the school, kids are just doing art or sport or hanging out,"

"The nurse said 18 people were killed?"

"Yeah,"

"Fuck! I'm telling you Clarke, he was a pacifist. What the hell went wrong in his brain?"

"We were talking about this, was he always like this and hid it or did something go wrong?"

"Something went wrong!"

"Me."

"You're good Clarke, but not that good,"

"Lol,"

"If what they are saying is true, he's been chasing women for some time. I was completely clueless,"

"I guess he imprinted you when you were at a vulnerable period, he was kind to you and you interpreted all of his behaviour as kind - unable to consider any evidence to the contrary,"

"Listen to you, fucking Freud are you?"

"Woah, okay,"

"Sorry. Pressing my buttons there,"

"Yeah, fair call."

"Listen, I've had a big day, I gotta get some sleep. Can I come by tomorrow?"

"You want to come back?"

'Yeah. we're all in this together, Raven,"

"Hey!"

"O!"

"Hey, O. I'm just taking off, I'll see you both tomorrow."

Chapter Seventeen

Thursday. Friday. Each day was a struggle. But each day was possible. Especially if one's standards were lowered and they were - not just for Clarke but across the community. Just turning up was considered a win. Staying all day was another. Not screaming, swearing and throwing things was a third. Clarke just went through the motions. Everyone else looked like they were all just getting by as well. And that was just fine.

Both mornings Clarke stopped and bought two coffees in reusable thermos cups, she signed in at the reception and said good morning to all the admin assistants. She said good morning to Lexa every morning, popping a coffee on her desk and disappearing before she could say thank you.

She checked the new messages in the staff room, teachers were swapping playground duties to cover additional medical and psychiatric appointments as a direct result of the shooting in their school. Clarke was happy to arrive early and stay late, she added her name to fill the gaps despite doing more than her 'fair' share. But what was fair? People were shot, physically injured, psychologically displaced, killed. It was a privilege Clarke was alive, able and willing to take on a little more just now.

She changed her routine, when she wasn't on early morning playground duty, she opened up her classrooms and went back into the sunshine, walking up and down, sipping her coffee, letting herself be seen and therefore making herself available to the community. It was not Clarke's strong suit, it didn't come naturally to her, in some ways it was a greater sacrifice than the extra yard duty.

Her instinct was to hide away, to be a bit of an introvert, but if she wanted to be part of the healing in this community she was going to have to stretch herself - like Lexa had said, pointing and saying go didn't work as well as demonstrating and saying come. That comment had inspired Clarke, and as she mulled over that thought repeatedly every day for days, she realised that right from the beginning of her association with Lexa she had been drawn to her.

Not necessarily a romantic attraction from day one, but an inspiration. Her passion for her community and her commitment to be their servant leading them to a new opportunity had drawn her in like a lighthouse signalling a ship in a storm. She could see that Lexa's conviction was a lived experience. Clarke was not only attracted to Lexa's light but she wanted to be a light as well.

It was like she had never known what she was missing until she saw it in Lexa. She wanted to belong to this community, not to hang around the edges and not only to receive, but right in the middle and to give back. She hoped to become a skilled and experienced teacher, and valued member of the community and maybe one day to be a leader. And those feelings were entirely independent of the feelings she had about doing those things alongside Lexa, hopefully as her partner, but if not, she would settle for her colleague and friend.

A second week passed in much the same way. The school used the old hand rung school bell that had been in a historical showcase in the office area, it was nothing like the shrill piercing school bell that sounded the same as the fire or emergency drill. Senior students developed a roster to have guardianship over the bell each day and those that had already had a turn said that it was cathartic to walk the halls and the school yard ringing it. A bit of a that was then, this is now experience, a line in the sand between the shooting and moving forward.

Aside from a few personal texts and a few work based conversations Lexa had been unavailable as far as Clarke was concerned. Clarke missed her but she also knew that this was the most stressful and fraught time in Lexa's life, she had a lot of responsibility, a lot of people counting on her. In addition her usual staff were unavailable (dead) and she was grief stricken.

Whether or not they were ever going to be together was not going to be helped by Clarke being needy, in fact it could only be harmed. So Clarke focussed on getting on with her own responsibilities, with the hope that Lexa would let her know if she needed Clarke.

Clarke made herself available to students and staff, she took cues from her student's in class about how best to support them. She was always one of the first staff to arrive on campus and one of the last to leave, saying good night to Lexa on the way out, she phoned her mother frequently and she visited Raven after work most days.

On the way home she got sushi and began attending to her increased business demands. She supposed people recognised her name from either hearing it on the news and then visiting her site or the other way around, perhaps they thought she could use the financial support or perhaps they just liked her work. Either way, it kept her busy in the evenings.

On the Friday evening Clarke said good night to Lexa, Lexa looked troubled and said,
"I have a conference call at seven,"

"Wow, that's late,"

"Yeah."

"Can I do anything for you? Uber eats or…?"

"No thanks, Clarke, I just wanted you to know,"

"Okay, got it. Take care, Lexa,"

"You too."

On Saturday Clarke took a huge load of deliveries to the post office for transit. She went to the florist and sent 'get well' flowers to Raven at Trikru General Hospital and 'thank you' flowers to Steve and Lisa, and then impulsively sent an anonymous 'thinking of you' bunch to Lexa at work for Monday. She went to a coffee shop and had breakfast and thought for the first time since the shooting about creating something, she knew immediately what she wanted to do.

She dropped into the art supply store and bought their largest canvas. It had been a while since she had actually sketched or painted at home, it took her an hour to get sorted and settled, get the light just right, she changed her clothes and got seated and the next time she looked up it was dark outside and she was hungry. She stretched out, went to the bathroom and then called for some food.

There was a knock on the door, which Clarke knew was too soon for dinner. The thought of Finn at her door went through her mind and a shiver went through her body, but knowing that couldn't possibly be, she approached the door quietly and looked through the peephole. She saw Lexa walking away from the door, heading down the stairs.

"Lexa?"

"Clarke?"
"Where are you going?"

"I thought you weren't home,"

"Did you call? I missed it, I was working,"

"No, I didn't call, sorry. I shouldn't have just turned up,"

"Are you serious? Get in here, Lexa, what's the matter with you,"

"You're covered in paint,"

"I'm an artist, it happens,"

"Oh wow, the ceiling,"

"Yeah, in oil,"

"Oh Clarke," she burst into tears.

Clarke came up behind her and put her arms carefully around her waist,

"Lex, what's going on?"

"I don't know,"

"If you can't be honest, just say pass," Clarke half joked.

"Shit!"

"Clarke?"

"Yeah?"

"Clarke…"

"Words, Lexa," Lexa turned reluctantly, she faced Clarke.

"Forget it, sorry, I should go, let you get some sleep,"

"Talk to me, Lexa,"

"I'm sorry, look I'm going to take off, can I text you?"

"No, you can say it to my face,"

"I don't have anything to say. I don't have anywhere to go. I just… I don't want to be alone,"

"Well, you have come the right place, come here,"

She held Lexa, rubbed her back.

"I have food coming, you hungry?"

"I think so,"

"Good, we can just have a meal, get our bearings, be together,"

"You don't have a couch?"

"No, and I don't think UberEats would be prepared for such an order,"

That earned her a wry grin from Lexa, who was wiping away at her eyes,

"Here, not the world's most comfortable dining chairs,

She handed her a box of tissues and brought a glass of water.

"How was your day?"

"Not so good,"

"No? Want to tell me about it?"

"It's all work,"

"Shoot,"

"The Education Department want to put a scanner at the front gate, with security guards,"

"Oh, that doesn't seem very schoolly?"

"The PTA have almost completely split into to two groups about their agenda, and are claiming the authority to force all kinds of changes,"

"Politics - not my strong suit,"

"Do you remember Nia Azgeda, Head of the School Board? She was at your employment interview."

"That lovely woman dressed in puppy fur? Oh she was lovely, wasn't she?"

"Well, lovely Mrs Puppy Fur is trying to have me sacked,"

"Sacked? For what purpose?"

"If not sacked, then she will settle for removed as principal, reduced to a Civics high school teacher,"

"She never wanted me for Art Teacher, did she?"

"No, she had a deal with someone else to hire their son/daughter, niece/nephew, lovechild, whatever,"

"That was extremely obvious to me from the way she clip clopped through the room - like she was hoping to stomp us all to oblivion,"

The doorbell rang and Clarke took delivery of the food and gave a tip, all the whilst continuing their conversation,

"Anya and I had to fight tooth and nail to get you on staff,"

"Really?"

"You know my politics. To get somebody with real industry experience who can raise our students up to the next level. I would be rich if I just hired for favours,"

Clarke dished up the food,

"So what's her end game, fur lady?"

"She is just a total political animal. She has her fingers in a lot of different pies, she is always planning and scheming. Anyway, I have always managed to resist her and so part of it now, is just to squash me for the hell of it, and now would be as opportune a moment as she is ever likely to get - a crisis, me in grief and me without Anya."

"What a heartless bitch,"

"I suppose my own lack of political nuance has contributed to the situation,"

"How so?"

"I am more of a fighter than a politician. When push comes to shove I always say, this agenda is what we all decided was best for the student's - if you are willing to compromise or sell out then you are selling out our students, their education, their vision for their future.

That has always worked on those teetering on the edge, until now. Because really everyone in this community does want that for our young people, but sometimes occasionally the promise of a favour begins to cloud the judgement, however when I say it plainly they remember and fall back into line.

But this crisis has everyone thinking in individualistic terms rather than the collective, it is promoting schisms in the community and Nia is determined to find a foothold and pry it right open."

"What does she want?"

"Power. She wants someone in the job that she can manipulate. Trikru also has about half a million dollars in trust - more than any other school has. The interest on that is about 25 000 pa, which is not all that much at the end of the day, but it is something. That's a lot of money in a community like this.

There are always a lot of back room discussions about all the ways that money could be spent, primarily in ways that get that money flowing through the community."

"What do you mean?"

"When we got the football grant, people immediately had their hands up for jobs and contracts. My priority is get the biggest bang for my buck, after that, to hire and buy locally, but there is a lot of pressure and under the table dealing to get things to go a certain way,"

"Right,"

"For example, someone actually indicated to me that if I offered her an inflated contract price and she took shortcuts to save a dime, that we could split the difference. It could have meant a significant kick back, possibly 100 000 dollars in my pocket,"

"Whoah!"

"Yeah, so I have to keep saying to people 'you are talking about stealing from the most vulnerable members of our community'. That doesn't make them feel too good and they start thinking that a different principal might be a good idea."

"I think I am beginning to get a better understanding,"

"I bought a lot of community support when I first got into the job, I did a lot of work selling my vision of our young people's future. I bought a lot more when I donated my prize money, three times. But that was five years ago. I don't think anybody really has a problem with me or my leadership, except those who are prepared to jeopardise that vision for a little side action.

But Nia is whipping up a storm of trouble, she has the Education Department and the PTA in knots, the community is beginning to question what is going on. I have been fighting this whole time - from my hospital bed, for god sake. But I'm only one person, and I am really struggling, Clarke,"

"Of course you are,"

"I miss Anya so much. I mean I miss her personally, but also professionally. Every day, fifty times a day I have to walk past the spot where I last saw her. Dead on the floor of our office, defending her students. It feels so unfair that they would use this moment to come for me.

I am totally alone, isolated, physically and emotionally weak. How could she be so callous, Clarke?"

"I don't know, Lexa. But your aren't alone, I am here, Mama and your family, the staff, the students,"

"I need you, Clarke, I want you - but we can't, not now. The only thing I have to support my position is my track record, my integrity - if I raise the issue of being in a relationship with one of my staff members, then I am compromised."

"I see, well, I am still here, Lexa. Personally, professionally, I am not going anywhere."

"I feel so empty, so alone,"

"Stay with me tonight, let me hold you, Lex?"

"I don't think it would be a good idea,"

"Nothing more, I promise you,"

"It feels really unfair, to come here like this,"

"You let me be the judge of that, come on,"

Clarke took Lexa into the bedroom, she sat her gently on the side of the bed, took off her shoes, her coat and tucked her in under the covers. She cleaned up their food and climbed in behind Lexa, holding her, stroking her hair,

"You're right, Nia is taking advantage of you at your weakest. You are feeling isolated, strung out, worn down, vulnerable and under fire. We need to take care of you, make sure you are eating, sleeping, getting enough support, but this will pass, Lex. You will get through this and I am going to be here every step of the way."

Sunday morning Clarke woke early and pulled on a clean pair of sweats and walked down to the coffee shop. Lexa was in the bathroom when she returned and, not having a couch, she prepared for a breakfast in bed; bircher muesli, yoghurt, bacon, egg and cheese rolls and a range of sweet pastries and of course, the main meal of strong milky caffeine.

She waited for Lexa to return and then patted the space between her legs. She had every intention of providing care, attention, comfort, physical touch, nothing necessarily romantic or sexual, just one to one, person on person contact. A physical reminder that Lexa was not alone, that someone saw her, someone cared and someone was by her side.

Lexa did not even balk, she snuggled right in to Clarke,

"This is so nice, Clarke, thank you,"

"You are welcome, I am so glad you came over. I hope you know that you can come anytime,"

"I will keep that in mind,"

"You have plans today?"

"Kicking me out?"

"Not at all,"

"I might hang around a couple of hours and then go and see Mama. You're right, I need to find ways to keep recharging my batteries. But this," she wrapped her arms around Clarke's legs which were encircling her, "has really helped,"

"I am glad you feel better.'

When Lexa was leaving the apartment, Clarke gave her a hug, Lexa pecked at her lips ever so softly and they rested their foreheads together. It was enough.

Chapter Eighteen

"Marcus?"

"Hi Clarke, how are you?"

"On the mend thank you very much, you?"

"All good here. I hope you don't mind, I sneaked your number from Abby's phone?"

"I don't mind, why didn't you just ask?"

"I want to ask your blessing to propose to your mother?'

"Oh, that explains that,"

"So?"

"Of course, Marcus. I am so thrilled for you both, just take good care of her and you will always have my support,"

"Thank you very much,"

"So what's the plan?"

"I bought a ring, a diamond. I thought I would just take her to dinner,"

"There is a Russian breakfast place, in an alley off Rowbotham, she absolutely loves that place,"

"A breakfast proposal?"

"With anemone flowers, she will never expect it,"

"I will check it out,"

"Big wedding?"

"I will leave that to your mother, whatever makes her happy?"

"Okay, well you know she will be happy to go to the registry office,"

"If that makes her happy,"

"Honeymoon?'

"Whatever makes her happy,"

"No, Marcus, your doing it wrong,"

"I am?"

"You have to tell her you want a formal wedding, she will resist, you will then trade that for a decent honeymoon,"

"And take her where?

"Morocco."

"Morocco?"

"Yep, she will love it, the heat, the beach, the mediterranean diet,"

"Okay, thanks for the tips,"

"You got it, Marcus, I am really happy for you both.'

The seniors were the first students to really feel a desire to get back to some form of structure and study. Lexa met with them to design a personalised study program for the cohort and for individual students. They were split roughly half/half, with half wanting to graduate within the original time frame and the other half preferring to take a slower paced pathway to graduation.

She worked with those teachers who took senior classes and those students and offered them a more independent course structure, similar to university subjects. They were provided with all of the course content up front, with a timed structure and smaller more personalised tutorial style classes. The students felt validated by Lexa and the teaching staff to have been consulted about their needs and grateful to Lexa for working hard to achieve a program that met their needs.

Next were the year 10 students who were also expecting to face important exams at the end of the year, Lexa was unable to be as flexible with these students but she was able to work with them and their teachers to rejig the curriculum to be considerably more exam centric. Once those groups were set up she was able to ease the other students back into a more academic experience of school.

Teachers were also showing signs of heroic recovery, physical and psychological, Lexa praised them repeatedly for their resilience and their commitment to their students. They were still running on a shoestring staff roster, Lexa delaying advertising the positions until she was in a position to ensure that her picks were going to have a fair chance of being selected.

The process was that Lexa had a vote, Anya as vice principal had a vote, the PTA and School Board each having a vote as well. But without Anya, with the PTA in disarray and Nia Azgeda determined to skew the whole process to her own advantage. The only person on staff that Lexa could honestly promote to the temporary role of Vice Principal, it would give her the administrative support she needed but how far could she depend on his support against Nia?

Bellamy had earned his position primarily on the back of his PhD on the History of Education in the USA, through which he thoroughly laid out the evidence to argue that a range of government legislation actively works to keep poor people poor at least in part by perpetuating systemic racism and class divisions whilst contributing to white privilege.

She had read his thesis long before she had ever met him, and had sought him out specifically to give a presentation to her staff and community. They had hit it off and she had managed to convince him that working as a high school teacher in an area of genuine poverty would contribute to his authenticity as an expert in the industry. He named his terms and she laughed in his face, shaming him and reminding him that nobody ever became a millionaire by working in education

She eventually won from him a two year commitment, in part by her authentic desire to get the very best for her students and by highlighting how much time he would have by working a nine to three job with whole summers off to launch all of his books! He did think himself a bit of an expert on arrival but eventually settled in.

His sister came to visit several times and fell in love with Lincoln and it was with her assistance and contacts Lexa was able secure the field and resources and Coach was the easy choice, being the only one with industry experience who had applied. And with his sister in residence, Bellamy decided to stay a little longer. She called him,

"Hey Bellamy,"

"Lexa, hey, how are you?"

"Oh you know,"

"Yeah, I can imagine. Can I help you with something?"

"Yes, please. I was wondering if you would come around to mine for dinner tonight?"

"This is not a date, I take it?"

"No, sorry, not a date,"

"Okay, sure, can I bring anything?"

"Just yourself, you know where my house is?"

"Yeah, I've been there once or twice."

"Come on in, Bellamy,"

"Thanks, do I need to take my shoes off?"

"Only if they're muddy,"

"No, pretty clean,"

"In the kitchen,"

"Smells great,"

"Vege lasagne,"

"I brought wine,"

"I won't say no, bottle opener in the second drawer."

"How is O coping, Bell?"

"It's been pretty devastating for her, as you know, but she is pushing through,"

"What about you?'

"It's just so shocking. I mean we had the mother fucker to our house for dinner and drinks, took him camping, 4 wheel driving. To think he cheated on Raven, hit on my sister, and shot up the school,"

"Perhaps we will never understand it, or him,"

"Yeah, well I can't figure it out."

"So here's the thing, Bellamy,"

Lexa explained all about the Nia and the groups competing for access and power, she explained how she had managed to do as much as she could on her own; providing a transition period for staff and students, get the classes back on track, held off the media and completed all the paperwork, insurance forms, security assessment and so on.

"You've done all of that on your own, Lexa?"

"I have slept at my desk more than once,"

"Jesus, how can I help?"

"I'd like you to be my temporary Assistant Principal,"

"Sure, absolutely. What exactly does that mean?"

"We will keep our classes and divide the admin; I will deal with all the budgeting and outside of school stuff and I'd like you to manage the teaching and support staff,"

"So, Anya's role?"

"Yes. There is something else,"

"I'm listening,"

"I am being pressed to advertise the vacant positions. I would like to hold off as long as possible - "

"Pressed by who?"

"The Education Board has suddenly become very interested in the day to day running of the school,"

"Right, Nia Azgeda. And what is her agenda?"

"She wants me out, she would like to appoint someone more willing to play ball. She has been doing her best to undermine before the shooting and has been turning the screws since. If she can't get rid of me directly, she would like to appoint staff loyal to her, that she manipulate into loosening my authority in the school,"

"Are you sure you haven't sort of become a little paranoid or…"

"I have prepared some documents for your perusal, they cannot leave my house, but take your time to look them over. I will top up our glasses and check the dinner."

Lexa took her time in the kitchen, she kept peering around the corner, her biggest fear was that Bellamy would take a photo or one of pieces of evidence. She had no reason to distrust Bellamy, but she was in such a precarious position, and regarding her little folder of evidence, she probably was a little paranoid.

"I just can't believe this, Lexa. The woman is a criminal."

"Yes, she is, but my commitment first and foremost is my students, my staff and my school. And post Finn Collins, that is more important than ever,"

"Sure, of course, I get it. So what do you need from me?"
"I need someone I can trust, because she is going to make contact with you, she is going to promise you things, she is going to undermine me - "

"You want me to play double agent?"

"Oh I never thought of that. No, I need someone to have my back, someone to share the workload and someone to help me choose the teachers who are going to bring the most for our students,"

"Yeah, so when does this start?'

"Monday morning, tomorrow 7 am, in a button up, we will sign the paperwork, do a drug test and you can move into the office, 8.15 we will greet the students and teachers together as they come through the gates,"

"Thanks for trusting me, Lexa,"

"Thanks for being willing to step up, Bellamy. Dinner?"

"Raven?"

"Griffin?"

"Hey, out of bed!"

"Yep, I got some feeling in my leg!"

"Really? That's great, Raven,"

"Pins and needles right here," she ran her fingers along the back of her left calf.

"You didn't walk there?''

"No, they lifted me, but I am going to walk again, Griffin, I am!"
"Oh, Raven that is so great, I am so happy for you,"

"O is coming to have dinner with me, want to join?"

"Absolutely, shall I text her or…?"

"Yeah, she can get extra,"

"So what's the plan?"

"I am having surgery again next week and if that is successful I will be moved to the physio ward,"

"Oh I can't tell you how happy that makes me,"

"How's school?"

"We are back to classes, largely. There are eight students still recovering physically, probably a dozen students who are still pretty psychologically traumatised and distressed, and everyone else is sort of struggling along with more success than not."

"Is it hard to be in the rooms?'

"It was at first, I kept wanting to step over where Finn and Lexa had been lying, but I don't think about it so much now,"

They talked for forty odd minutes until O turned up with dinner for the three of them. They steered away from serious topics, kept it light and attempted a bit of humour. It felt nice to sit together and bond a little, the three women who had been wronged to various degrees by Finn Collins. Raven gave O a list of things she wanted from home and she gave Clarke a list of things to bring her from the store. She was the most elevated either Clarke or O had seen her since the incident - but the possibility of having use of her legs was certainly something to celebrate.

Clarke was surprised to see Lexa and Bellamy both pouring over contracts at 7.30 on Monday morning, she greeted them both and feeling awkward she decided to leave both coffees with them. She could always boil the kettle while she was opening the rooms up, make herself a plunger coffee in her storeroom and have a walk in the early morning sunshine.

The announcement was made school wide that Bellamy, Mr Blake was stepping up temporarily to Assistant Principal, there was no resistance to the move, he was congratulated widely. He washed Clarke's mug and walked it down to her classroom in the morning break,

"Hey Clarke, thanks for the coffee,"

"No problem. Congrats on the promo,"

"You're not salty?"

"Not at all? Why would I be?"

"Just checking,"

"No Bellamy, you have my full support,"

"Thank you. Anything I can do for you?"

"I had an idea to sketch the faces of those that died and we could hang them in the main hall. What do you think? Too morbid?"

"I think it's a great idea. I will run it by Lexa, but maybe we should add it to the newsletter and have people submit images, that mike make them feel part of the project and not offend the families if they ended up with an image they didn;t feel good about,"

"Great thinking, I'll leave it with you then?"

"Sure, Clarke."

Chapter Nineteen

There was very little contact between Lexa and Clarke for that week, a few texts and a few chats at work. Lexa was looking thin, tired and worn. Clarke spent the weekend working at home, hoping that Lexa might ring or drop by, but that did not eventuate. On Sunday evening there was a group text to all the staff of Trikru High School alerting them all that an email had been circulated that required urgent attention.

Clarke used her laptop to check the email and it was a game changer; not only was it long, it was detailed. Principal Lexa Woods challenges Nia Azgeda, Head of the School Board to a public debate regarding the agenda at Trikru High School. Clarke was both nervous and excited - had Lexa lost her mind? Should she contact her or remain in the background, where she promised Lexa she would be?

There was a detailed list outlining the history of the conflict, naming names, and Lexa made her case documenting her evidence. Clarke was impressed and inspired, she wanted to help.

"Hello Marcus?"

"Hey, Clarke, how are you?"

"I am doing okay, thank you. How are you?"

"I haven an appointment on a Russian Tea House on Market Place Alley on Friday morning,"

"That's awesome, I have a good feeling about this,"

"I hope you are right."

"I want to run something by you, have you got time now?"

"Yep, I am all yours,"

"Can I send you an email?"

"Yep, its … .com"

"While that's coming through I will give you a quick run down…"

Clarke outlined what Lexa had told her; that Nia was using the school shooting as a political opportunity to destabilise Lexa's tenure because she wanted access to the money held in trust for the school and she intended to exchange teaching and other positions for favours.

"Okay, let me just read this," said Marcus, Clarke zipped her lip.

"Wow, Lexa doesn't pull her punches. So what are you asking me?"

"I'm just not politically minded, but I want to help. Lexa is awesome for these student's and I want her to remain in her job, I just wondered if you had any ideas?"

"Lexa won the National Teacher Award and donated the prize money to the school?"

"Twice, how do you know that?"

"I am googling her,"

"And the Principal's Award,"

"She would probably have a lot of community support?"

"Yeah, her family have lived here for generations, she is very highly regarded,"

"The School Board is elected to represent community interest in educational matters. I guess if the public showed up and demonstrated that their interest were not being represented, that would help,"

"Great, I can do that,"

"Also you could get the media to cover this debate, that would pressure this Nia Azgeda to back off unless she wants Lexa's list to make Fox News,"

"How do I know that? A press release?"

"I could have someone do that, if you like?"
"That would be awesome, Marcus,"

"Failing that, I know Governor Sanders of Virginia. I am pretty sure I could convince him to intervene via the Education Department,"

"Really? Isn't that like, undemocratic or something?"

"That, Clarke, is politics,"

"Oh, right,"

"Why don't you ring me in the morning when you get to work and give me an update and I will see if there is anything else I can do?"

"That would be really great Marcus, thank you,"

"No problem, sleep well and good luck tomorrow."

"Mama Woods, this is Clarke Griffin, how are you?"

"Ah Clarke, how are you, I am so happy to hear from you,"

"Are you aware of what's going on at the school tomorrow?"

"Yes of course, Clarke, what do you think?"

"I'm afraid I am a little out of my depth actually, but Lexa has my full support, of course,"

"Excellent,"

"I was talking to someone who understands these issues and he explained to me that The School Board is elected to represent community interest and that the public could attend tomorrow to show that Nia does not represent their interest and that they want Lexa as Principal,"

"You want the public to go to the school?"

"I think the more people who are aware of the evidence against Nia, the more pressure she will feel to back down,"

"You think it will work?"

"If that doesn't maybe the television camera's will,"

"You got cameras?"

"Someone is helping me with that, but yeah,"

"I knew I liked you, Clarke Griffin. I will get the town, you get the cameras."

Clarke wasn't sure if she slept at all, or if she did, how much. But she was excited to get to the school and see what was going on. She sent Lexa a text,

Clarke Griffin

Good morning. You are the very best person I know. I have complete faith in you. Good luck today.

Lexa Woods

Thank you, Clarke. No coffee for me today - my stomach is a mess!

Clarke Griffin

No problem. When anyone messes with your community, you are like a warrior. She will be sorry the day she ever messed with you.

Lexa Woods

See you soon.

Clarke drove down main street to get herself a coffee but the street was dead, nothing was open, not the coffee shop or even the newsagent. She headed toward the school and as she approached, it all began to make sense, no one is in town, because everyone is here. Clarke could not believe the amount of people carrying placards, up and down the street in front of the school and news reporters were interviewing people and reporting on the scene.

She managed to get into the school where there were arrows pointing the way to the football pitch, the bleachers were filled with students, families, nurses, police and firefighters wearing their uniforms. Clarke began filming on her phone, she sent it through to Marcus who called her straight back,

"Looks like democracy is alive and well in Trikru, Clarke,"

"There were tv cameras and reporters out the font too,"
"I know. The Governor is coming to watch this live televised debate, so I hope Ms Azgeda does not get stage fright!"
"The Governor is coming?"

"Yeah, why not?"
"Marcus, thank you so much,"

"It's for a good cause. Turns out he knows Lexa Woods, has met her several times at various functions, they get along quite well. Nia on the other hand rubs him the wrong way, something about his daughters being huge animal lovers and she wears fur, I don't know, maybe that was a joke,"

"I don't think so, she wore fur to my job interview,"

"She wore fur to your interview! Imagine what she would wear to her own!"

"Lol, I am going to find out what else is going on here. Marcus, really, thank you very much!"
"Good luck."

Clarke headed back up to the staff room door and let herself into the admin office building,

"Lexa?"
"Clarke?"

"Hey, how are you?"

"There are television cameras, Clarke!"

"I saw. I heard a rumour that the Governor is coming,"

"Governor Sanders? What the…?"

"This is good for you, it's good for your students and it's good for democracy, so channel that warrior spirit and get out there, start greeting some people, don;t sit in here alone feeling nervous,"

"Yeah, you're right,"

"Of course I am. Bathroom and then hit the crowd, okay?"

"Thank you, Clarke,"

"Mama Woods, you sure know how to get this town into action,"

"And you sure know how to get the media's attention. Did you know the Governor has arrived?"

"Really? Amazing." said Clarke, trying to look innocent, but Mama Woods side-bumped her to let her know that she had failed.

Ten minutes later Lexa was making the rounds, thanking people for turning out, she gave interviews to reporters, met with the Governor who was also asked for and gave an interview. Forty minutes later a stunned looking Nia Azgeda was escorted across the playground and down through to the football field. She had an appointment with Lexa this morning to challenge her authority to appoint Bellamy Blake as temporary Vice Principal without giving notice to the Board or waiting for their sanction. She was not aware that she had been challenged to a public debate until she had arrived on the grounds, and it was only after that that she became aware of the huge crowds and media presence.

She had attempted to escape the way she came, but she found her path blocked by friendly and persistent locals who insisted that they should escort her down to meet with the Principal,

"Principal Woods," she said, it was a fake greeting, but with cameras in her face, she had no choice.

"Board Member Azgeda," said Lexa, holding out her hand.

"Nia Azgeda!"

"Governor Sanders!" Nia was looking more pale with every passing minute.

"This is a great exercise in democratic participation, the students, indeed the community, will get alot out of this experience. Still, I am surprised you agreed to it, Nia,"

"I didn't. I was attending an appointment, I wasn't aware there was a debate,"

"An appointment where you intended to pull rank over Principal Woods, I've no doubt,"

"That's not true, Governor,"

"That's what it says in this email you sent to one of your fellow board members yesterday, let's see, ah yes, here it is,

I have an appointment with her first thing, where I intend to make her see reason. I can do this the easy way or the hard way, but make no mistake, I will have my way."

"That's been taken out of context, where did you even get that?"

Lexa was keen to jump on the opportunity presented to her. She didn't want to waste the moment that had been created and made her way to the microphones.

"Good morning Trikru High School and by the looks of it Trikru Community - Welcome. And welcome also to our distinguished guests, Governor of Virginia State, Governor Sanders! Members of the State Education Department! The Teachers Union! The Parents and Teachers Association! and our esteemed guest - Nia Azgeda, Head of the School Board.

Ms Azgeda and myself have come to an impasse regarding important decisions regarding Trikru High School. I have invited Ms Azgeda to join me in an open debate this morning so that the whole community can be informed of the issues and have a say in how these decisions are made.

The issues Ms Azgeda and I are conflicted about include; the hiring of new teachers, use of the Trikru Trust Fund and the position of the Principal - "

At this piece of news hundreds, perhaps thousands of people appeared stunned, there was almost a single intake of breath and then mummering.

"It is my hope that between us, Ms Azgeda and I can lay out the issues and, with your assistance, come to a consensus about how to move forward. Ms Azgeda, would you like to come forward?"

Nia looked like she was in two minds.

"Look around, Nia," said the Governor quietly, "It appears as though you have been outplayed,"

"I am not participating in this charade!" Nia said, having just come to that conclusion.

Thousands of people were watching her silently, waiting for her to respond to Lexa.

"Then you will resign," said a person just walking up and catching the tail end of the conversation.

"Bradbury?" Nia was acutely aware that everything was being recorded

"Nia, this is the second time I have worked with you and I must say that you have become worse with time. You are corrupt, you seek to create conflict and disharmony to increase your own power. The board and I are calling on you to resign, effective immediately,"

Bradbury forced a letter into her hand and stepped back.

"I don't know why everything has to be such a circus, why can't these things be done in an orderly, appropriate fashion?" Nia gave a cursory glance over the letter before folding it again.

"Because you are the only person who benefits from deals done in the dark, behind closed doors and in secret. I prefer to work in the light with complete transparency." said Lexa, speaking loudly and feeling less and less nervous with every point.

The cameras were catching everything, including the letter.

"I will give this request my fullest attention - "

"Now, Nia. You will resign right now effective immediately or you will debate Lexa as to why you should, as you put it, 'have your way,'"

"You can't force me to debate, that's absurd,"

"No, but I can!" said Lexa, "You have challenged me for my position, I have every right to defend myself, or I will publish every email, text message and other evidence I have collected, including the plans you had to personally benefit from the Trikru High School Trust Fund,"

"We want Woods! We want Woods! We want Woods! We want Woods!"

The chant began as a few individual voices but quickly swelled into a strong collective voice and then boomed out across the field, echoing around.

"Fine, I resign, but you haven't heard the last of this,"

"And that, my dear, is a threat. Officer? Officer?" said the Governor, looking around.

"Fine," Nia hissed.

"Sign on the back of that letter and I will witness it," said Bradbury.

Lexa stood by, along with thousands of people watching the furious woman scratching out a few marks on a piece of paper and she stalked past the cameras and through the placards and the to sound of a huge cheer - celebrating the brink of her absence. After several minutes of cheering Lexa spoke,

"I want to thank you all for coming out today. But I don't want to lose this opportunity to discuss the issues while we are all together, so that we are all in agreement about how decisions are made here at Trikru High. Everybody needs to be held accountable for the decisions they make, including me, especially when we are in a position of responsibility, of dealing with public money and on behalf of our young people."

The first thing I would like to raise is the issue of how our staff are chosen. It is my personal policy that all staff, including myself, receive the basic teacher salary as outlined by the State Education Department. It is within our discretion to pay some teachers more than others but that money would have to come out of our discretionary school funds and it is my preference that all available funds are spent on students directly, on resources, on programs and on infrastructure.

The second thing is that Trikru High School has a strong Statewide educational reputation, that means that a lot of teachers want to teach here despite the likelihood of earning more elsewhere. That puts us in a unique position of being able to select the very best teachers and it is my preference to secure teachers with unique additional skills and knowledge as well as industry experience.

It also creates the opportunities where some people are willing to offer side deals to secure a position here, or to have someone they know hired for those posts. There are many problems with this kind of corruption but the most troubling one is that our students are deprived of the very best teacher that was available to them. This is the essence of our commitment, and it involves all of us, to ensure that our students receive the very best, every time.

There is a second area of corruption which I want to address which is contracts. When Trikru receives an endowment, extra funding or is considering accessing the Trust money for a special project such as the football field - which is an example only, opportunities for corruption become available. Contractors are tempted to jack up the price of labour and the cost of materials, in order to secure a larger profit margin, and then the further temptation to use cheaper materials and take short cuts on the job, and on and on.

I myself have been offered opportunities to participate in such schemes of fraud, one in particular would have netted me $50 000 cash. That's a lot of money.

When I first was offered this position as Trikru High School Principal I talked non stop to the State Education Department, the Teachers Union, The Parents and Teachers Association, the School Board about and the community about my ideas for this school.

About making it more than possible, but likely for our young people to transition to the middle class. About creating a culture where the students are prioritised in every single decision and interaction.

About paying the teachers the minimum so that those extra thousands are made available for the benefit of the students.

About hiring teachers who best fulfilled the three basic requirements of being the best in their field, having industry experience and having a strong commitment to being of service to our students.

At that time everyone was in agreement and committed to these principles. Individuals and businesses in our community have been excellent at contributing both cash and resources to our kitty, businesses have forgone profit and even been out of pocket in delivering resources to our doors. Let's take a moment to express our thanks and gratitude,"

There was a huge cheer.

"And while we are at it, let us thank our teachers who could be earning more elsewhere, in schools closer to their families or in big cities. Thank you for all you have sacrificed on behalf of our community,"

Another huge cheer.

"I just want us all to take a moment to recommit to these principles. Every society says that their young people are the priority, that education is a priority - is it still our priority? And if so, are we going to recommit to not cutting corners? To not padding our profit margins at the expense of real educational resources. To not turning a blind eye to corruption?

Nia Azgeda made some personal and professional claims about my suitability and effectiveness as School Principal here at Trikru High School, which I think for the sake of transparency should be investigated. To that end I invite the Education Department, the Teachers Union, the PTA and the School Board to form a committee to investigate those and any other claims. If I have operated under the level I have set for others, I will resign my position.

And while we are on the topic of transparency and my reputation, I do have something that I no longer wish to conceal. I have romantic feelings for someone. There have been numerous barriers to our ability to declare our feelings, including my being the Principal, including their needing time to get accustomed to the profession, to the school and to the local area and then we had our incident.

I no longer wish to live in seclusion, to hide my feelings. Clarke Griffin, will you be my girlfriend?"

The school seemed to hold their collective breath, all staring at Clarke who was bright red, she managed to nod and the school erupted in cheers. Lexa walked over and hugged her and the students started oohing and aahing, and chanting "kiss her, kiss her, kiss her,"

Lexa didn't give in to that desire, she was still the principal after all and giving in to peer pressure and sexualising women were not trends she wanted to be linked to!

"Okay, okay, everyone, I forgot to announce that Mr Bellamy Blake has agreed to act as Trikru's Assistant Principal for the foreseeable future. Let's show our appreciation for his contribution,"

Checking her watch, Lexa announced,

"Thank you all again, for your support for me and for our students, we could not have had this kind of win without you having our back. If you have something you would like to raise with any of the individuals or organisations present please do so. Let's enjoy this moment of community for an hour and then I would like to see all students in their classroom for period three at 10:30."

Chapter Twenty

Lexa Woods

I hope you don;t feel too put on the spot?

Clarke Griffin

Worth it. Congratulations on your strategy and your success!

Lexa Woods

Thank you, a little bird told me that you had a hand in it?

Clarke Griffin

Not really.

Lexa Woods

Dinner at mine tonight?

Clarke Griffin

On a school night?

Lexa Woods

Unless you want to wait until the weekend?'

Clarke Griffin

No thanks. Can I bring anything?

Lexa Woods

Just you xo

The whole school was abuzz all day, classroom discussions inevitably turned to school funding, the structure of the Education Department, issues of power and corruption and even some about Lexa and Clarke. Some of these topics were worth further discussion whether it traditionally fell under the umbrella of that subject or not.

Lexa ended up having lunch in town with the Governor and some of the other VIPs where they offered her their full and unequivocal support as Principal and for her agenda regarding the school. The news was awash with stories ranging from the David and Goliath success of Principal Lexa Woods and Trikru High School, the corruption of Nia Azgeda and possible corruption in the Education Department in general.

Footage was also uploaded to social media, vilifying some characters and hero-worshipping others; with Lexa's previous success and generosity revisited and many examples of Nia's corruption flooding the public arena.

Finally, the long and exciting day drew to a close. Clarke was full of anticipation for the evening ahead. Lexa was nervous as hell.

"Hey,"

"Hey,"

"Come on in,"

"Nice house, Lex,"

"Thank you, let me show you around,"

"No, thank you,"

"No?"

"No. Kiss me, right now,"

Lexa coloured, she bit her lip and could hardly lift her eyes from the floor.

"You're shy?"

"Yeah,"

"OMG, you're adorable,"

"Claarke!"

Clarke wrapped her arms around Lexa and kicked the door closed with her foot,

"You're the principal, you spoke in front of thousands of people today,"

"That's different,"

"Okay, so we are really having dinner?"

Lexa was shy and nervous and Clarke was so surprised to discover this unexpected element to Lexa's personality, she enjoyed teasing her a little. Clarke's hands went to Lexa's face, she looked scared and Clarke wanted to erase all her fear and doubt, to be gentle and strong and make Lexa feel safe.

"Can I kiss you?"

"Please," she reached up to Clarke, but suddenly gasped and grabbed her abdomen.

"Oh no, are you okay?"

"Tsk, yeah,"

"I can't believe you came for me, you crazy woman, if you ever do anything like that again, I'm going to kick your ass,"

"If there is ever a reason to, feel free,"

Clarke leaned in and kissed Lexa. Both were beyond attracted to each other, their desire was great and their need to be together was strong, it was a struggle to keep it slow, although it was deep. And there were fireworks. Clarke kept her hands on Lexa's waist and Lexa had her fingers in Clarke's hair despite the pain that reaching up was causing in the still healing wound.

Eventually, they paused for breath, leaning the foreheads together.

"We are free," whispered Clarke.

"Yes," Lexa hid her face in Clarke's neck, "Please, stay here tonight? Even if we don't, you know,"

"You can't say sex?" said Clarke, cheekily.

"I can, I was just hoping I wouldn't have to,"

"Lol, I will stay."

Lexa did show Clarke around her modest three bedroom suburban home, complete with built in robes and a white picket fence. They ate a beef and red wine vegetable casserole from the slow cooker and mashed potato, and shared a bottle of red wine.

It was not much longer after they laid their cutlery aside then Lexa was leading Clarke into the bedroom. Clarke pulled her sweater off and ran her hand over the bottom of Lexa's top,

"Can I see it?" Lexa nodded.

She was very cautious, lifting it slowly, checking with Lexa for signs of discomfort or pain, there was a small square of bandage with medical tape holding it in place. It hit Clarke again, as it had many times, that Lexa had scored that bullet wound at least in part to save Clarke. The blonde swung a leg over Lexa's thighs and held herself above, careful kissing around the bandage, she felt Lexa's fingers in her hair and continued kissing her stomach, between her breasts, her chest and neck.

Lexa's breathing, her attempts to restrain her desire to moan and restrict her responsive squirming underneath Clarke's hands, har finger and lips,

"I want you so much, Lexa,"

"I want you more, Clarke,"

"Can we take some of these off?"

Clarke tugged at her top,

"Yeah," Lexa made a move but her abdominal muscles recalled her with a sharp pain,

"Let me?"

"Mhm,"

Clarke stripped Lexa of her clothes, except for her panties, she pulled down the bed covers, settled Lexa on the pillows and then stripped off her own clothes. She noted Lexa's keen interest in her ample flesh, her pupils blew and Clarke thought she was completely unaware that she had licked her lips. It made Clarke even more wet than she was and she climbed in after Lexa.

They made out, kissing, touching, moving against each other, both were so turned on that they gave up restricting or muting their physiological responses to their lovemaking. As long as Lexa was in no pain and being pleasured Clarke cared for nothing more,

"Let me go down on you, Lex?'

"Clarke,"

"No?"

"I do want you, I just…"

"Pain?"

"Shy,"

"If you knew how much I want you, you would be the most confident woman in the world,"

"You are wonderful,"

"Next time, then, I want you to be comfortable,"

They kissed again and this time Clarke followed Lexa's lead, when Lexa reached between Clarke's legs, Clarke not only opened them, but reached for Lexa in the same way. They were both so wet, so amorous and both needed little to reach their climax, they were torn - whether to push on or resist a little longer. It took Lexa quite a while for her sex fogged brain to cotton on to the fact that Clarke was imitating her, a few testing strokes confirmed her suspicion,

"What are you doing?" She asked, kissing Clarke's neck,

"Following your lead,"

"Why?"

"I want you to be comfortable,"

"Please, don't make me beg you,"

"Just tell me what you want,"

"More,"

Clarke kissed Lexa hard and pushed her fingers into Lexa's panties and had her crying out in ecstasy within minutes,

"Oh oh, Clarke, oh,"

"Inside,"

Clarke pulled her knickers off and pushed her fingers inside,

"Oh yes, oh, please go down,"

Clarke was only too pleased, she got off on hearing Lexa articulating her needs and she got off on Lexa's physical and verbal responses to her touches. Lexa was beautiful and as sexy as hell, she smelled good and tasted better, Clarke loved going down on her, and it was not long before Lexa was pulling her hair, chanting and then orgasming.

"Oh god, Oh god,"

"You're ok, Lexa, I've got you,"

She scurried up the bed and held her from behind, Lexa put her hand behind her, between Clarke's legs and skillfully brought her to orgasm as well. Minutes later they were lying quietly together, basking in their own and each other's post orgasmic glow.

"Mama really likes you,"

"She does, huh?"

"And Anya told me to get the stick out of my ass and talk to you before you got snapped up,"

"But you didn't believe her?"

"What?"
"Clearly you didn't think I was snap-up-able,"

"Why do you say that?"

"You were in no hurry,"

"I am your supervisor, Clarke,"

"I'm teasing you."

"I am just so happy that we made it to this, being together,"

"Me too."