A/N: I would say the first arc of the story has really now just begun. This chapter was going to be a bit darker but I wanted to leave room for the good stuff as well, so I hope y'all enjoy! I want to give a short shoutout to my new followers and a special thank you to those that reviewed. Thank you all for the support.

When Clarke woke up she felt fine, at first. After about a minute she could feel dull pains flare up. Flashbacks hit her from what had happened with Nia. Clarke rolled her face into a pillow, wanting to forget. She couldn't recall the journey back to Polis and guessed she'd lost consciousness at some point. A warm body and comfortingly familiar smell next to her told her that she was in Lexa's room.

Lexa helped her feel safe. Clarke rolled over with a smile, intending to wrap her arm around Lexa's small waist so they could be closer. She wanted to feel the sense of strength she gained from just touching the brunette. Something seemed to be off though. Clarke couldn't quite see clearly since only a single candle was lit. She leaned up slightly so she could get a better look. Clarke could tell that Lexa was awake now, guessing her movements had been enough to wake her. Lexa rolled over and it gave Clarke just the view she needed. The smile fell from her face. She was horrified.

Lexa's face was covered with blistering burn and puss ran from her pores. Blood filled the cracks of her skin that had ripped. Her clothes were charred and stuck against her skin, in some places there were holes from where they had burnt off completely. Lexa's hair was matted and there were parts of her scalp where it had fallen off all together. Lexa looked as if she had been burnt in the mountain. The only reason Clarke could tell the person before her was Lexa was because of her eyes, they were the same unmistakable shade of green.

Clarke closed her eyes, willing herself to believe it was just a dream, a nightmare. She heard her name called and opened her eyes. She wished she'd kept them closed. Lexa was reaching out to her with red and blister torn hands. Clarke froze for a moment before doing the only reasonable, in her mind, thing she could think to do; she ran.

When Lexa woke up Clarke had been staring at her strangely at first. The blonde's expression then turned into something resembles shock before quickly morphing into complete and utter fear. Lexa couldn't figure out what had happened. She wondered if Clarke had just had a bad dream and tried to ask but didn't receive a response. Lexa tried calling her name again and made a move to place a comforting hand on her cheek when Clarke suddenly bolted out the door.

Clarke didn't care that she hardly had on any clothes. Her pants were the same pair she wore the day before and her torso was only covered by a breast wrap and bandages. Her shoeless feet took her to the elevator. She turned towards to direction she had run from and could see Lexa's body quickly exit her room and head towards her. The elevator wouldn't be fast enough so Clarke continued down the hall, aiming for the stairs. She could sense the presence behind her quickly gaining distance so she forced her legs to move at an even greater speed. Clarke made the move to turn into the stairwell when she ran into someone else and sent them both flying down the top flight of stairs.

Anya had woken up earlier than normal, wanting to guard Clarke before her actual shift started. She didn't have to report for the beginning of her day for a couple of hours but was still feeling on edge. Anya had decided to take the stairs, wanting to get in what workout she could. When she was close to the top floor she heard loud footfalls and didn't have time to think about it before a body barreled into her and knocked her down the steps. She could've caught herself but the shock of seeing that person was Clarke caused her to react too late. Anya maneuvered herself so that she was dealt the brunt of the fall. The rough landing was enough to knock the breath out of her. Pain ignited in her healing shoulder. As usual she ignored it.

When Clarke landed she was on top of someone. The person appeared the same way Lexa had and she immediately backed off of them. She tried to put some distance between them and herself but her back hit a wall.

Anya quickly recovered, and by the time she did Lexa had jumped down the stairs. They exchanged worried glances. Lexa tried to move closer, causing Clarke to try and scoot back more but there was no where else to go.

Suddenly it hit Lexa. Jax had said Clarke would be fine physically, not mentally. When it came to mental matters he could not gauge anything with the person being unconscious, which Clarke at the time was. She didn't know what Clarke believed she was seeing, but she knew it must be something awful. Lexa wanted to help the blonde and she had a hunch as to how to do that. She moved forward slowly. Clarke reacted much as she had when they were still in bed. Lexa easily blocked the flailing arms with one hand while covering Clarke's eyes with the other.

Clarke wanted to push the hand away but her messy movements continued to be blocked. Once it was laid upon her, Clarke halted. It didn't feel like the hand of a burnt person. It wasn't bloody or peeling. The hand was warm and soft. She'd been too focused on running that she hadn't payed attention to anything else but now she was beginning to take more notice to her surroundings. The first thing she sensed was Lexa's voice.

"Clarke, beja, listen to me. Clarke?" Lexa tried. Her tone didn't come off as begging or desperate but rather calm. She knew that if she let her true emotions show it would take longer to calm down Clarke.

"Lexa?" Clarke croaked cautiously. She didn't want to believe that the thing she saw was truly Lexa. She was trying to even out her breathing but it was still coming out quick and unevenly.

Lexa sighed with relief. Clarke was finally coming out of whatever stupor she'd been in. She still needed to further calm her down though. "I am here, Clarke." She pulled her hand away from Clarke's eyes before continuing. "Will you open your eyes?" She asked gently.

Clarke immediately shook her head. "I don't want to see it again."

Lexa looked behind her shoulder for a brief moment to glance at Anya. The general looked just as clueless as she felt. Lexa sat down and crossed her legs so that her knees were touching Clarke's. She then took both of Clarke's hand in her own and patiently inquired, "What is it you do not want to see again?"

Clarke's eyes squeezed together tightly. She could still see the image of Lexa, of the mountain people she had killed. "Y-you looked like one of t-them and so d-did…" Clarke gulped, not liking the taste of her own saliva. "Y'all looked like one of the Maunon after I killed them." She wasn't a hundred percent sure, not like she was with Lexa, but Clarke was pretty sure the other person was Anya.

Lexa could feel Clarke shaking. She knew Clarke would never get over her guilt, but she did believe Clarke had learned to deal with it. Lexa knew from personal experience, you don't just get over killing a group of that size. She guided Clarke's hands to her cheeks. "Tell me, Clarke, does my skin feel abnormal in any way?"

Clarke delicately moved her fingers against Lexa's cheek, in the case that the image she'd seen was real. It was enough to further calm her down a little bit.

When Clarke shook her head Lexa asked, "Open your eyes, prove it to yourself. I am just as I have always been."

Clarke remembered what Lexa told her about the three seconds of fear. She counted down, squinting open when she reached one. Lexa looked like… Lexa, her Lexa. Anya indeed stood behind her. Clarke was sure the general wouldn't admit it if she asked, but the woman looked relieved. Clarke surged forward, wrapping her arms around Lexa- scared that if she let go something bad would happen.

They stayed like that for a few moments. Anya walked down a floor, giving them some privacy, and sat down on the bottom stair step. She rubbed at her shoulder. Anya hadn't been knocked down like that in a very long time, she'd grown unused to it since she became a warrior. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but Anya was worried about Clarke. It had to be something with the black blood, she just knew it. Anya balled up her fists. She wouldn't dwell on her failure anymore, but it still infuriated her.

After some time Clarke's breathing evened out and Lexa looked down at her. It was obvious that the blonde needed more rest. "Come, you are tired and there are still a couple of hours left in the night."

Clarke shook her head. She didn't want to chance waking up again and having the same thing happen.

Lexa understood Clarke not wanting to sleep anymore. It still wasn't a good idea to sit in the stairwell though. Almost no one came as high up as they were in the tower, but it was still a possibility. "Then we can talk, it does not have to be about what happened."

Clarke considered Lexa's suggestion. It would provide her with a distraction, plus there was still so much about Lexa that she didn't know. She knew more deep stuff than actual common knowledge. Clarke took Lexa's hand when it was offered to her and let the brunette guide her back to her room.

"Wait," Clarke requested and pulled away briefly when they reached her own bedroom door. She went inside, telling Lexa she'd be back in a moment.

Lexa quirked a brow and shrugged. She leaned against the opposite wall, turning her head when Anya did the same. "I will have a busy day today. Try to keep her distracted. If it happens again, try to keep her away from the public's eye."

Anya nodded in agreement. The day would be an easy one. "It would be unwise for anyone to see Wanheda like that. They would think her weak."

Lexa was about to say something when Clarke emerged from her room, now wearing new clothes. Her pants were a black and fitted yet still baggy in some areas, perfect for lounging. She also had on a loosely fitted blue long sleeve shirt. "Better?" Lexa asked with a small smile.

Clarke nodded. She felt incredibly comfy. It wasn't enough to take her mind off of what happened but it was still a step in the right direction. She threw out a smile as well, it came off more forced than Lexa's, but she tried.

Anya remained outside of Lexa's room and stood guard, wanting to give the two some privacy. She didn't mind, it gave her time to come up with activities to do for the day.

Lexa settled on the bed with her back against the wall. She stretched her legs outwards, reveling in the release of tension. She looked at Clarke and Clarke looked right back at her.

Clarke tapped Lexa's foot and pushed it to the side so that her legs would open up. She then climbed across the bed and settled into the open space. Clarke scooted down just enough so that her head comfortingly rested against Lexa's shoulder. After a moment's thought, Clarke decided to start with the most basic of questions first.

"What's you favorite color?"

Lexa made a dramatic, but not startling, move to look into Clarke's eyes. She already knew what color they were but she wanted it to be obvious as to why her favorite color was what it was. "Blue. And yours?"

Clarke smiled as a faint blush bloomed across her cheeks and replied, "Green." While Lexa's eyes were her preferred shade, they weren't always the reason. In space everything was black, appeared to be white, or the colors from the Earth. Green had just appealed more than blue. "What about favorite animal?"

This question took longer for Lexa to come up with an answer to. "There is nothing I dislike, every animal has its place; they are all important. Wolves perhaps, they are loyal and know how to cohesively work together."

Clarke nodded. The explanation was very… Lexa, and she loved it. "I still haven't seen many animals in person, but my least favorite is the pauna." Her response caused Lexa to chuckle. Already having run out of easy questions, Clarke decided to knock them up a notch. "Are you any kind of religious?" Clarke had noticed through her months of isolation that many people from the ground were.

"I believe in afterlife and that a God watches over us. Some of the clans are more religious than others. Those that are don't have names for their religions, it is just something they believe. I have times of meditation and I have times of prayer. For people born of Trikru descent, we pray on a sacred area of land that is full of trees. Other clans do different things, none of them are known to me. No one wants sacred grounds to be invaded so they keep them secret." Lexa paused and considered whether or not there was anything else to add. "Do you have a religion?"

Clarke didn't respond for along time. She wasn't sure what she believed in. There was the traveler's blessings on the Ark, but that was the most religious thing about them. No one really followed anything, that she knew of at least. Everything had always been about returning to the ground, that's what everyone cared about. "I believe in something bigger than us, but I'm not sure what exactly. We never really got to explore faith on the Ark." It was then that Clarke realized something. "I thought you said Trikru didn't say anything about their sacred lands. Why tell me?"

Lexa pulled Clarke closer before answering, "You are special, Clarke. I trust you."

Clarke knew it took a lot for Lexa to say that, her trust wasn't easily gained. It had to be earned. "If you were not Heda then what would you be?"

Lexa wasn't sure of how to answer that. If she wasn't heda then that would mean she died in the conclave. "For me to not be Heda I would have to have red blood flowing through my veins. I would still choose to be a warrior. It gives me purpose."

"When did you first learn that you're a natblida?" Clarke inquired curiously.

"It took until I was Anya's second. Her training was intense to say the least. My parents, they were overly cautious with me because Bluma was already on her way to becoming a warrior. They had seen her hurt and did not want to see a second child go down that path too." Lexa smiled sadly. "My nontu, my father, he did not mind as much as my nomon. He just wanted me to do something I loved. At times he would help me sneak away so that I could play but that was the most he would do."

Since Clarke knew Lexa's relationship with her parents, especially her mother, was strained, so changed the subject. "What are parties like on the ground?"

Lexa gave Clarke a small smile. "It depends on the occasion and who is hosting it. You will soon see, I am planning a celebration for the introduction of Skaikru into my coalition. It will be glorious." She turned to Clarke with an amused look when she began to laugh. "What is so funny, Clarke?" While waiting for the laughter to calm Lexa kissed the side of Clarke's temple.

"It won't be that easy, you know? Not everyone will want to join," Clarke replied. She left out the part where she would actually have to return to Arkadia for it to happen.

Lexa stared at her. "You are their leader. When we first met, you told me about politics on the Ark. You are all now on the ground, things are different. If they do not see that your people do not see that then they are fools."

Clarke nodded. She agreed completely. People from the Ark were stubborn though, many of them did not want to listen, and didn't want things to change. Octavia was different, she knew that for a fact. The Blake girl was born to walk the Earth, she was made for it. Clarke could see some of the original hundred also being unopposed to the coalition as well. Most of them had been unjustly imprisoned after all. It was the older people Clarke worried about, they were the ones that really did not want things to change.

Lexa nudged Clarke's waist when she noticed that she'd zoned out. "What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking…" Clarke didn't really want to get into it, but there was one thing that she did want. "I'm thinking that I want you to kiss me."

Lexa was happy to oblige. She met Clarke half way, both of them having to slightly maneuver their bodies so that they faced each other. Lexa made sure to keep it slow, not sure how comfortable Clarke would be after what happened with Nia.

Clarke on the other hand thought things were going too slow. She knew what Lexa was doing, and she thought it was sweet, but it only served to remind her of what happened. All she wanted to do was forget. Clarke had so much that she wanted out of her mind and all of it was at the forefront instead. She turned around completely so that she could straddle Lexa's lap. Clarke's fingers tangled in brunette hair while her lips did the same with Lexa's. It still wasn't enough… Clarke scooted off of Lexa, never breaking the kiss, then laid down backwards while continuing to pull Lexa with her.

Things were getting heated, Lexa could tell that much, but something didn't feel right. Efforts to slow down failed. When she tried to pull away Clarke brought her hand up and re-tangled them in Lexa's hair. For a minute, Lexa was able to ignore the feeling and put it off as her just trying to be too careful. She had opted out of wearing her usual nightgown the night before, in the case that something arose with Clarke and she needed to quickly take her to the healer. It wasn't until Clarke's hand began roaming underneath her shirt that Lexa knew it wasn't just her imagination. Clarke's hand shook against Lexa's skin. Desperation, that's what she felt from the blonde. Lexa refused to take advantage of Clarke while she was in a bad place.

Lexa brought her hand to Clarke's cheeks so she'd have the leverage to pull away. Once that happened Lexa took her weight off of Clarke by sliding her legs up and moving her arms to the side of Clarke's head. She rested her forehead against Clarke's.

Clarke had her eyes closed. She could feel Lexa's hair fall around her head. She felt Lexa's skin against her own. Clarke missed her weight, it was comforting in a way. She felt like no one could touch her when it was on her. Clarke was scared to open her eyes and see Lexa staring back at her with pity. Clarke felt a few minutes pass by in silence. When Lexa softly kissed her forehead she finally opened her eyes. Pity did not reflect in those green eyes. Whatever did was far from it and Clarke couldn't manage to put a finger on it.

Lexa was glad when Clarke finally looked back at her. The blonde looked relieved, though she didn't know why. A few lone tears fell down Clarke's cheek, causing Lexa to kiss them away. "There is no need to cry, Clarke." She rolled to the side, still facing Clarke, and waited for her to do the same. When she did Lexa whispered, "Ai hod yu in, Clarke."

Clarke smiled slightly, still unsure of what the words meant but she loved the way Lexa sounded when she spoke trigedasleng. "Are you ever going to tell me what that means?"

Lexa smiled back at Clarke. "Patience is a virtue and you will learn the meaning when you are meant to." She chuckled when Clarke rolled her eyes, knowing it was all in good fun. She was glad to see that Clarke looked happy. Lexa would do anything to keep her that way. "Come, I have something you would like to see."

Clarke took Lexa's hand and let herself be guided onto the balcony. She hadn't even known it was there because dark curtains usually cover it. She was looking at Lexa who was leaning against the railing, looking at the horizon. Clarke walked behind Lexa and wrapped her arms around the brunette's waist.

"What are we looking at?" Clarke inquired before kissing Lexa's shoulder. She then rested her chin on the same spot.

Lexa leaned her head against Clarke's. "Wait a few minutes and you will see," she answered with a grin.

Clarke grinned back and lightly shook her head in amusement. She was beginning to notice how much Lexa made a show out of patience. The more Clarke began to think about Lexa the more she began to wonder something. "Hey Lex," Clarke began, waiting for a response before continuing. She hoped Lexa didn't mind the nickname. When the other woman hummed, Clarke continued. "What exactly are we?"

"What exactly do you mean?" Lexa replied humorously. She liked the nickname Clarke gave her. No one had ever called her it before. It made her feel special, the kind that caused her stomach to feel like it had butterflies in it.

Clarke gulped against Lexa's shoulder. She wasn't really sure how to phrase her question so she clarified, "You know, what are we to each other, like relationship wise?" Clarke froze when Lexa turned around in her arms. After a moment she had to remind herself to breathe.

"What would you like us to be?" Lexa asked carefully. She didn't want Clarke to feel forced into anything so Lexa added, "I do not spend time with anyone else in the same way that I do with you. I enjoy every moment I am with you. You challenge me in ways that broaden my perspectives on different things. When I am not around you you still manage to occupy my mind. Clarke, you are the one that makes me believe that life is about more than just surviving. We are whatever you are comfortable with us being." She silently pleaded Clarke's response would be positive.

Clarke found Lexa's response incredibly endearing. She could tell that Lexa was nervous in the way that her foot was tapping the patio floor. "What is the word for people that are in relationships in your language."

Lexa's response was quick and easy. "It depends. If you are married then the word is houmon. If the two are just courting then there is not a word for it. They are just partners, no specific word is used. I take it there is an English word you have in mind.

Clarke swayed side to side. "Well there are a few different words. There's girlfriend/boyfriend, partner, fiance if your engaged, and wife/husband for married people. When people are in relationships, they might call their partner names: Babe, honey, baby, sweetheart, love."

Lexa nodded. "Well, Clarke, it would be very nice to have a certain beautiful, blue eyed, blonde haired girlfriend to watch this sunrise with."

An ear to ear smile immediately broke out across Clarke's face. She'd been so focused on Lexa that she hadn't noticed the sky changing colors. There were glorious shades of red and orange, it looked like the sky was caught up in majestic flames. She leaned closer before asking, "It seems pretty hard to fit that description. Do you have anyone in mind?" Before Lexa could answer, Clarke added, "Personally, I would prefer a person with gorgeous green eyes and long, beautifully braided, brown hair."

Lexa hummed as her smile spread. She too leaned in closer before imploring, "I am willing to fill that description if you fill mine." She felt like she had to say something before allowing Clarke to answer. "It will not be easy, but-"

Clarke stopped Lexa by putting a finger to her lip. "I don't want easy. I want you."

Lexa couldn't remember the last time she smiled so brightly. It felt as if her face would split. She surged forward, passionately kissing Clarke while wrapping her arms around her waist.

Clarke gladly returned the kiss, giving the same amount of passion she received. Their lips tangled together as if they were performing a dance. Clarke giggled when Lexa lifted her up and spun her around. She knew they should talk about what they were going to say to people, but for the moment Clarke did not care. All she wanted was to forever remain in Lexa's arms.

Nothing lasts forever. Lexa and Clarke were reminded of that when a knock sounded on the bedroom door.

Lexa knew exactly who it was. She glanced at Clarke with an annoyed expression. "If you do not want to deal with Titus you can wait out here until I leave." Lexa herself didn't even want to deal with him, but she had more than enough to talk to him about. She ground her teeth together when the knocking became louder.

Clarke groaned. "I'll just wait. The quicker you finish with him the quicker I can be with my girlfriend again."

Lexa leaned forward and kissed Clarke, only to be interrupted by yet another knock. "I will have a busy day. When I am done I will find you."

Clarke sighed and said, "Bye Lex."

"Goodbye." Lexa paused momentarily while trying to think of one of the words Clarke told her about. "Babe." Lexa backed away with a small smile, never breaking eye contact with Clarke, and pulled the curtain closed. Only then did she finally answer the door. She was met with a brooding Titus on the other side. He looked down at her disapprovingly.

"Why have not yet dressed for the day?" He asked as his nose twitched upwards.

Lexa was easily able to come up with a response. "I was speaking with the past commanders. Why are you knocking on my door without being scheduled to do so? Why are you not addressing me properly?" Lexa could tell that the man was annoyed. She didn't care.

"I do not need to schedule-" Titus began before being cut off.

Lexa took a step towards Titus in an intimidating manor. "Do not disrespect me. People have died for less. Know your place, Titus." Lexa was already upset with the man. He never told her about the Azgeda warriors camping outside of Polis, and because of that Clarke was able to be captured. In a more even, less emotionless voice, Lexa added, "I will meet you in my throne room once I am dressed. You are dismissed."

Titus stared at her for a moment before huffing and marching away. He slammed the door while doing so. Lexa rolled her eyes and moved to put on her typical commander attire.

Clarke peeked out from behind the curtain, just to make sure the coast was clear. By the time she emerged from her hiding spot Lexa was already about three quarters of the way dressed. Clarke decided to quietly help strap on Lexa's shoulder guard once it was time to do so. She looked at Lexa sadly. "Bye, for real this time?"

Lexa wrapped her arms around Clarke and hugged her. "We will meet again soon, Clarke," Lexa swore. She kissed Clarke and walked with her to the door. She checked outside, just to double check and make sure that Titus wasn't waiting for her. He wasn't.

Clarke gave Lexa one last kiss before they turned and went their separate ways. Clarke was surprised to see that Anya was already at her door. She supposed that the woman must've moved while Clarke was in Lexa's room to deceive Titus on her location.

When Clarke entered her room she felt like she was walking on her. Even though her and Lexa's time had been interrupted, it still left her with that happy and weightless feeling.

Anya could see the dramatic difference in Clarke's mood and playfully jabbed at her. "What did Lexa do to put you in such a good mood, sky girl?" She wagged her brows for added effect.

Clarke knew what Anya was implying. "All she did was ask me to be hers, well sorta, the term she used was courting."

Anya was glad that the two had finally entered a relationship. She thought that it'd taken long enough. Even with her happiness for the two, Anya steeled her expression and informed, "If you hurt her, I will do the same to you."

Clarke nodded sincerely. She wasn't threatened, it was hard for Anya to scare her anymore now that she knew her on a bit more personal level. "If I hurt her then you can kill me if I haven't already done so myself."

After staring at Clarke for a moment Anya nodded once, knowing she had gotten her point across. Once word got out of the relationship, she knew she'd have to be especially careful with the people that surrounded Clarke. Anya knew that while Clarke commanded death it still sought her out. She did not want another Costia incident to occur. Anya felt that Lexa would crumble if it happened again. The brunette might be a stoic and strong willed heda, but everyone has their breaking point.

"Hey Anya," Clarke prompted, waiting for a response to ask her question. Anya's grunt was enough of an acknowledgment so she asked, "I keep hearing this phrase being used." She left out the part that Lexa was the main reason she continued to hear it, though it had also come from other sources. "What does ai hod yu in translate into in English?"

Anya could guess why Clarke wanted to know. She weighted her options, not knowing if Lexa would want the blonde to know. The general ended up telling herself that if Lexa didn't want Clarke to know then she wouldn't have told her the words. "I love you."

A figure foreign to Polis had been ready to knock when he heard those words. Someone else loved Clarke. The door was just thin enough for him to hear the words as if they were just a whisper. He wanted to be mad, but the only emotions he could feel were disappointment and sadness. Grounders were taking the hearts of everyone he cared about. Bellamy Blake stood at Clarke's door a moment longer before turning on his heel and sulking his way back down the hall.