Clarke POV

I stared at the blank canvass in front of me and went over everything that had happened over the last month. Monty and Harper had finally shown up. They had both fallen in love with the house and had moved up into the attic which gave everyone space to move around without feeling crowded. I'd finally asked Janice out and it was working out well between the two of us. Most nights I would be at her place or she'd be here. We grew closer and I had to admit that our make out sessions were most definitely the highlight of my days. The medication, sessions with Dr. Ashe, and painting were all having a positive effect on me. I felt more like myself every day and I could see that my friends were starting to relax around me. My PT was going well and I had regained more range of motion in my shoulder. Lastly, Lexa was keeping her word. I had no more feelings of being watched when I was in Polis nor had we come across anything at home or in Eden.

I refocused on the blank canvass in front of me and the photo taped at the top of the easel. I had decided to take the plunge and paint for the world again. If this worked, it would be the first step in getting my artwork out to the people who loved it.

Taking a deep breath, I studied the photo for a minute and then I was painting. I poured myself into the moment and I could feel the surety of my brushstrokes as an image began to form. When I was done, I put my palette and brush down, took a few steps back and looked at it. What I saw gave me confidence and I could feel a grin spread across my face. I ran my hand through my newly shortened hair as I looked on in amazement. I had done it and there were no signs of my returning memories in sight.

There was a knock on the door that led into the rest of the house and then I heard it open.

"Hey, Clarke," I heard Raven say, "Janice is here."

I turned my head, still smiling and said, "Look, Rae."

She stepped through the door and I could see Janice behind her. As they came in, I walked up to Janice and hugged her tightly. I led her over to the painting as Raven was staring intently at it and Janice moved behind me, wrapping her arms around me and looked at it.

"Is that Main Street," she asked.

"Yeah, what do you think," I replied.

"It's gorgeous. I've never seen it like this. You gave it character."

I chuckled, "It's always had character, love. You're just so used to seeing it that you've forgotten. A different perspective just reminds you of it."

She leaned her head down and laid a kiss on a spot behind my ears and I closed my eyes in pleasure. When I opened my eyes again, I found Raven looking at me.

"Well, Rae," I asked her.

"It's amazing, Clarke," she said in awe. "The vibrant colors, the Autumn leaves. It's like you've given life to brick and mortar."

"Thank you," I said, smiling at her. "I felt it was time to give it a go. I know that I couldn't have painted this two months ago and something told me it was finally time. I'll have to paint a few more to be sure, but this one turned out beautifully and that makes me hopeful."

She turned back to look at the painting and over her shoulder, she said, "You have no idea how happy this makes me seeing you paint like this again, Clarke."

I looked up at Janice and giving me a slight nod, I walked from her and embraced Raven from behind and said, "Oh, I do know how happy this makes you, Rae, cause I am feeling the same. Trust me."

She chuckled and wiped a tear from her face and said, "I do. I trust you. You've flipped a page."

I chuckled, "I have and now it's time for me to turn another page."

"Huh?"

I leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "With Janice."

"Seriously," she whispered back and I could feel her body vibrate with excitement.

"Yeah. Whatever told me that it was time to paint, is telling me the same thing about Janice. It's time to step up."

I stepped back and walked over to Janice. I pulled her down for a deep kiss. When we parted breathlessly, she looked at me with wonder and a questioning look in her eyes.

"What was that for," she said softly.

I chuckled and replied, "Just because. Let me go wash up and change then we can head out to dinner."

"Okay," she said, smiling.

"Rae, make sure you turn off the lights and lock up, would you," I said, calling out to her as we left to head up to my room.

"Will do," she said as the door closed behind me.

When we got up to my room, Janice lounged on my bed as I went to take a shower. Coming out of the bathroom, I paused and leaned against the doorframe and looked at her and sighed happily.

"Shouldn't you get dressed," she asked when saw me watching her.

"Probably," I replied and my stomach growled loudly making the decision for me. "Let me get dressed."

I took clothes out of my dresser and walked into my closet. Since it was fairly cold outside with a small covering of snow draping the landscape, I dressed in somewhat appropriate attire even though I didn't need to. Pulled a light sweater over my head that when it was settled, it hugged me snugly. Boyfriend jeans and boots went on next. I looked at myself in the full length mirror and shook my head ruefully. Having short hair still threw me and I couldn't wait to grow it all back, but the hair on the right side was being stubborn and was growing back at a snail's pace. I smiled at the image reflected back and went back into my room.

"You look absolutely stunning," Janice said as she came and wrapped me in an embrace.

"Please," I replied, smiling. "Wait until you see me in a dress. Then you'll know what stunning looks like."

She chuckled and kissed me gently, "You ready?"

"For you, always," I said and grabbed my jacket off the back of my desk chair.

We left and headed to the opposite side of town where there was a little steakhouse nestled in it's own copse of trees. The atmosphere was cozy and intimate. We were seated promptly and given our time to decide. To say that I was disappointed at the portion sizes was putting it mildly. Unfortunately, because we were dining with humans and the fact that Janice was also human, I had to settle. We ordered, steak for me and lobster for her with wine. Everything was going well until I went to reach for the bottle and a slight tremor took ahold of my hand. I sighed and pulled my hand back, flexing it.

"Do you want me to pour you a glass," she asked.

I sighed again and replied, "Please, if you don't mind. I just can't make myself grab it. I'm sorry."

"Hey, don't be sorry," she replied as she refilled my glass and hers. "You'll get there."

I nodded as I took a sip, "I know, but it's so frustrating. I mean, it's great that I'm not freaking out at seeing a beer bottle or any alcoholic bottle anymore. I just wish that it didn't affect me this way, you know?"

"I know, sweetheart," she said, reaching out and clasping my hand in hers. "I'm so proud of what you've accomplished, Clarke. Everyone is. We're here for you."

I smiled and squeezed her hand, "I know, but I think there's another reason for it."

"Oh," she asked, curiously. "What is it?"

"You. I think you're the reason why I've been able to do so well. My friends have been my friends since pretty much the first day of school. You, on the other hand, met me when things were falling apart and yet, you still want to be with me. You make me want to try harder and I don't think I could have ever gotten this far without you. So, thank you."

"Me," she asked, her eyes wide in pleasant surprise.

"Yes," I replied and taking a deep breath, said, "I've been thinking about something these past few days and I want to ask you something. I love spending time with you and I know we already spend a lot of time together, but, um, I was wondering if you'd like to make it official? You know, actual girlfriends? A serious relationship."

I had dropped my eyes when I started speaking and when she didn't say anything, I felt my heart drop a bit. I started doubting myself and began to withdraw my hand from hers, but instead she gripped it more tightly and making me look up at her. There were tears glistening in her eyes and her lips were trembling slightly, but there was a smile on them.

"I would love that, Clarke," she said and chuckling, "Though, I have to be honest, I already thought of you as my girlfriend. Like you said, we've been seeing a lot of each other and I am thrilled that you want me to be your girlfriend."

Relief washed over me and I found myself breathless. I felt my face break out in joy and I wanted nothing more than to scoop her up, twirl her around, and kiss her passionately, but we were in public and I didn't want to cause a scene.

She leaned closer, secretly, "Wanna get out of here?"

I grinned wide, "Most definitely," and then I glanced around for our waiter.

He came over when I caught his eye. I asked him to bring the check and then we were soon on our way to her place.

As soon as the door closed behind me, she pushed me against it roughly and crushed her mouth to mine. There was frenzy as we kissed and our clothes were nearly ripped off from one another. I held her at arms length, briefly taking her in. My eyes roamed over her as I took in the soft curve of her neck, the round firmness of her breasts, the softness of her stomach, the beautiful curve of her waist that widened into her hips and I noted bemusedly that she was bare.

When I took my fill of her body, I looked up and saw the desire in her eyes. I smirked and she had her back to the door as I kissed her, tugging her lip with my teeth, making her moan in pleasure. Never before had she tasted so good as my mouth traveled the length of her, as my hands caressed her very essence. She obeyed every touch with moans, gasps, and body as I learned every inch of it. In this moment, she was mine. Her body begging me to claim her. So, I took it. I took all of it and then I took more.

By the time we made it to her bedroom, she was weak with need and I reveled in the scent. I drew it out of her as if she were a living painting and bringing out colors that I had long forgotten. But, she wasn't the only one being drawn out, colored anew. She made me feel things that had been nothing more than faded memories and bringing them back, fresh and new. We came in an explosion of primal color as wave after wave of desire struck us again and again. When that final wave passed, I could do no more than collapse into her waiting arms, drained of everything but satiated love. With nothing more than a gentle kiss, I slumbered peacefully.