CLARKE

Standing on the side, together with Raven, I watch in astonishment how the leader of Hilltop enters the tent. He walks straight up to Lexa, looking determined, yet somehow not like a threat - which is the only reason why I don't move.

Despite the aloof look in his eyes he stops at a respectable distance from her. He doesn't speak, and when she doesn't either I feel like I'm witnessing an impromptu staring competition. One that Lexa comes out as winner.

"This doesn't mean I forgive you," he says at last, and right before he averts his eyes away from her and bends the knee.

A surprised gasp escapes me, and by the look on her face I can see Lexa must feel the same.

With his eyes still on the ground he doesn't seem to notice.

"With today's knowledge it's hard not to have some opinions about the Flame, but that doesn't mean I lost my respect for it," he goes on. "I still honor it, and I still honor you, as the one carrying it." He looks up at her again. "So I will escort you and your friends to Alexandria."

Lexa blinks once more, then finally manages to retrieve her voice. "Please, stand," she tells her former protégé.

When he's back on his feet she continues, "Aden, I am..." She falters, then clears her throat. "I won't ask you for your mercy. I know that wouldn't be fair. But I do hope I can ask you to accept my gratitude. I'm really thankful that you are here, willing to help my people."

"Our people," he corrects her. "You made me vow it once. To support and protect all clans. Back then that included the Sky People, and to me it still does. Just like today it involves your-" He stops himself mid-sentence, only to continue in a lower voice, "it involves Alicia's friends."

Her lips form a thin, but gracious smile. "I appreciate that, but I can't hold you to that pledge."

"With all due respect, Heda, but it's no matter of you holding me to it. I'm not one to break my vows."

"Then I won't argue about it," she nods. "Now I know you came all the way here to discuss a trip to Alexandria, but..." She leans forward, continuing underneath her breath, "...how is everyone?"

Despite the sudden confidential tone between them, his face remains stoic. "Everyone's fine. Safe behind my walls."

Sitting upright again, she heaves a sigh of relief. "They are? Thank you."

His soft mutter is barely an answer, and when he stays quiet Lexa seems to realize he's waiting for her. She quickly collects herself.

"Right, okay. So... Alexandria. Raven over there will tell you more about what she's searching for."

She gestures towards our side, where Raven lifts her hand by way of greeting. He nods at her, his eyes almost friendly, before turning back to Lexa, who's still talking.

"There are some other matters I need to deal with right now. I suggest we discuss further details in the morning. Until then you're all welcome to stay here as our guests. Is there anything you need right now?"

"Not from you," he answers. "But with your approval we like to set up our camp a mile or so outside of this one. I might look quite different these days, but as I'm told, this one doesn't." He looks at Magna, who's been standing next to him this whole time, and lays his hand upon her shoulder. "We're willing to help, but we really like to stay away from the fuss you're most likely about to create."

Lexa gets up, smooths out her coat and takes a small step forward. "I understand. Believe me, Aden, I really do. I propose Raven walks with you, so that you can make a plan together. We can meet again at sunrise?"

"Sure," he mumbles.

Magna and Raven both turn to make their way out, surprisingly enough without any comment, and I expect him to do the same, but he lingers. Lexa furrows her brows.

"Is there anything else?"

"Well, I- I know I can't tell you what to do, but..." He takes a deep breath. "I'd prefer if you would call me Jesus."

She gazes at him, a bit startled, and with a hint of embarrassment. "Of course! I... I'm sorry, I-"

He holds up his hand, and though it's hard to tell because of his facial hair I even think he's showing her a smile - though the weakest in its kind. "It's okay."

He bobs his head, then turns around and follows the others outside before Lexa can apologize to him once again.

I step closer to her, just to check up on her, but the rollercoaster continues before I can even ask her how she's holding up: right when Indra is about to shoot the first of her many questions, Bellamy comes in.

"Clarke!" he exclaims, making not just me, but all of us look at him, "Finally! Back at last!"

Ignoring everyone else he swiftly strolls towards me. I meet him halfway and we embrace, which feels familiar and awkward at the same time. Finding out about Monty's new found planet and deciding we actually wanted to work together to make it work down here, for all our people, we kind of left everything that happened in the bunker as well as the valley behind us - yet with many things unsaid, and history still lingering between us.

Eventually, only time will tell if we can really get past all that.

"I knew it, even before going back to the ground. I knew you'd take off again sooner or later," he sighs when our eyes meet again, "I was betting on sooner, but I have to admit I would have never guessed it would only take you two minutes."

"Leaving you guys was not exactly my free will," I set him straight, reminding the both of us of my abduction. "But yes, once gone I found some reasons to stay away a little bit longer. Or one reason, I should say. A very good one."

His blank expression tells me he has no clue what - or rather who - I'm talking about. A subtle smirk creeps on my face. "Although I'm glad to see you again, I'm not the one who asked for you, Bellamy."

I step away from him, towards Lexa, and take her hand in mine. Bellamy follows me with his eyes, then moves his gaze to the woman besides me... and starts to blink like a maniac.

"What? No... How's that...? Is this for real?!" he stammers.

I softly squeeze her hand, as if I still need some evidence myself, which she gives me by squeezing mine right back. "It is," I smile, "But don't ask how."

He opens his mouth to ask more questions, but no words come out. As he keeps imitating a fish on the dry, Lexa takes another step forward.

"Bellamy Blake, thank you for meeting me. Something tells me Madi hasn't told you I took over from her?"

"She- No, she didn't," he shakes his head. "You're saying that... that you're the Commander again?"

"I am," she nods, "I released Madi from all her duties. But I do like to work with you, since Clarke told me about your leadership qualities and position within this group." Without waiting for his reply she shifts her attention to her prior war chief. "Indra, it goes without saying that I cannot and will not do this without you either."

Indra gives a curt nod of her head. "Heda, I can't comprehend any of what's happening, but I'm here for whatever you need from me. Just tell me your orders."

Letting go of my hand Lexa steps backward again, where she takes a seat on her throne.

"My orders... right."

For a second or two it looks like she can't remember how she got here, let alone what she wants, but then she takes in a sharp breath and straightens her back again. It's in that moment that I see her. The girl I met so many years ago. The girl who knows what she wants. The girl who knows how to get it. And yes, the girl who makes my heart pound and my knees weak, cause damn... does she look good!

"For the past few weeks I've been busy exploring," she speaks up, preventing my thoughts from spinning out of control. "It seems like we are currently in no man's land, yet right in between three communities that have some kind of... coalition. Just claiming this land doesn't feel right. It wouldn't make us any better than those Whisperers you effectively defeated. There's a chance here we can be part of the good guys, and I think we should take it."

"How?" Bellamy asks.

"I want to join Jesus and Raven. I will come to Alexandria with them so I can talk to their leader. In the meantime we don't start building here. We don't just assume it's all settled. But we will protect what we have. First of all by defending ourselves from potential enemies from the outside, dead ones as well as living. Indra, I'd like you to take care of that."

Lexa's eyes rest on Indra for a second, before moving back to Bellamy. "And second by managing peace and safety within this diverse, challenging group. In my absence, I'd like to put you in charge there."

"You want me to keep them busy?" Bellamy nods thoughtfully, "I can do that. Although I happen to know that quite a few men and women want to start building."

"They can, just not here. We're not taking anything that's not ours yet."

"Then where would they go?" Indra asks her.

"Anywhere," Lexa shrugs. "Arriving here all together doesn't mean everyone necessarily has to stay together. Each individual has a choice to make. A free choice. Choosing to stay means choosing to be a part of something. A membership, that comes with both rights and duties. Bellamy, while I'm away I want you to talk with everyone, tell them about their options and make them decide. We go from there when I return."

Suddenly looking up, her eyes find mine. They lock, and her lips slowly curve into a soft smile. "When we return," she corrects herself.

"You're not going to talk to them yourself?" Bellamy frowns.

I watch her eyes turn a darker shade of green. Her jaw tightens, just enough for me to notice, before she turns to look at him again. She coughs.

"Not right now. I- I'm not-"

"How about the vaccine?" I jump in, though knowing the answer already since we talked great lengths about it. She quietly thanks me with another smile.

"Right. The other thing I want people to be informed about. Bellamy, if you talk to Niylah she'll tell you all about it. I want to ask the both of you to come up with a system so we can help as many people as possible. Though again: by free choice. I assume you'll need Abby, Jackson and Shaw as well, since this will involve some more space trips. Here on the ground I'm thinking some kind of clinic. Maybe Niylah could run it. Can you ask her?"

Bellamy scratches his head, looking puzzled. The recent developments in space have clearly not reached the earth yet. "S-Sure," he mumbles.

"Good," Lexa states. She resolutely rises from her throne. "It's getting late, let's call it a night for now."

Indra gives another honorific nod. "Of course, you had a long day." She takes a step towards the exit, though without turning her back just yet. "You'll find your bed behind that curtain. You can take your rest there. I'll go and find two men to guard your tent. No one will bother you till sunrise at least."

Lexa thanks her, which Indra takes as a final sign of being dismissed. She turns around and follows Bellamy. When they are both almost at the flap of the tent, I suddenly start moving, catching Gaia who's been waiting for them outside.

"Gaia, wait!" I call for her, "Have you seen Madi?"

She nods. "She's in my tent, sleeping in the bed we originally made for you. Is that alright?"

"Absolutely," I smile, "Can she stay with you for the night? I don't want to wake her, and I know you'll keep her safe."

"Of course," she nods again, before slightly tilting her head. "I uh- I assume you stay here?"

Not able to stop myself I chuckle, which makes me feel like a schoolgirl. "You assumed right," I laugh.

She grins back at me, just for a short moment, then abruptly stops laughing all together. Instead she bows her head to me.

"Reshop, Wanheda," she says, her gaze now at the ground between us, "I trust you to keep her safe, too."

Her words are soft, but not without weight, and as I watch her walk away they remain hanging in the air until I turn around.

... ...

When I get back into our tent I find Lexa standing in the middle of it. She's got her fingers against her chin, almost like a statue, and her eyes on the impressive wooden chair, ornamented with swords, lances and beautiful curled branches.

"I have to admit that I'm amazed how they pulled this off. It does look an awful lot like my thrown in Polis," she sighs.

I step closer to her, lightly resting my hand against the small of her back. "Is that a bad thing?"

"I don't know," she shrugs, "I guess it's just another reminder of a time I'd rather forget about." She shakes her head to break free from the haunting memories and looks at me. Despite the topic there's a touch of a smile on her face. "Most parts of it, that is."

The bright images of our shared moments make me mirror her smile.

"It's just that... sitting on a throne, with people kneeling for me, and me telling them what to do... it doesn't fit me anymore," she goes on, "I can't see the joy in it, and right now it's hard to imagine that I ever did, or more importantly: that I ever will."

"I get that," I nod, "Although I have to say you did look convincing... and pretty damn fine." I let my hand slip from her back to her waist, holding her a little tighter. "Also I don't think it has to be that hopeless. I actually believe we can make you change your perspective a little bit."

She narrows her eyes at me. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I can think of a few ways to - you know - make some things a bit more... attractive again," I wink. Spinning her even more towards me, I muffle her giggle by pressing our lips together.

My tongue seeks hers right away and she answers without any hesitation, hers hot and smooth against mine. It's enough to lose my mind and forget everything around me, but that's the one thing I don't intend to.

I run my hands up her sides, slow but determined, until my fingers find the lapels of her coat. Slipping my hands underneath it I shove it off her shoulders and down her arms till it hits the ground behind her.

When I lower my hands again, stroking her breasts on their way down, she softly moans into my mouth... before suddenly pulling an inch away from me.

"Clarke, what are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I smile as my hand disappears under the hem of her shirt. Her skin is soft, while the tight muscles of her abdomen feel strong underneath my touch. A lethal combination. "I'm trying to get you naked... to start with."

I move my lips to her neck and suck on her pulse point as soon as I find it. Another moan escapes her, unwillingly as it seems, since it's followed by some muted sounds of grumbling demur.

"Someone can walk in," she whimpers, trying but hardly succeeding to contain herself.

I chuckle.

"And risk to lose their head? They're not that stupid, you know."

I eagerly drag my mouth back to hers, ecstatic that she welcomes it... but it doesn't stop her just yet.

"They- They can hear us!" she murmurs into our kiss.

Not wanting to force her into anything she doesn't want to, I'm about to step back, but right then she raises her arms. I release a giggly sigh and pull her shirt over her head, then peck her lips again.

"Then be quiet," I smirk before pulling her into my arms again. She doesn't object any longer, and when I feel how she melts into another kiss I know she's in.

I palm her breasts, swiping my thumbs over her nipples again, teasing them through her bra till they harden - which doesn't take very long. Her exhalation is filled with lust and delight. I start to move, cautiously guiding her backward towards the throne until the back of her knees hit the edge of the seat. Dropping herself down on it, she pulls me along until I hover over her. With my lips still on hers I lower my hands till they reach her waistband.

"Lift your butt," I tell her, my voice now rasp and husky.

Holding on to my shoulder she raises up an inch or two. I pull down her pants and undies in one motion. Or two actually, cause you know: boots. Once all garments are tossed to the side I straddle her lap. She brings her arms up around me, her hands now on my back to pull me close.

Sinking down, my lips explore the soft, sensitive skin behind her jaw, while my hand slips into the cup of her bra. Her heart races underneath my touch. I tip my chin, tickling her ear with my breath, and shudder when my name rolls of her lips - deep and low, and telling me I shouldn't move away just yet. I gently nip at her earlobe, graze it with my teeth, before I trace the shape with my tongue.

Her breathing quickens fast.

"I may be wrong," I gasp, my mouth still close to her ear, "but it looks to me that this chair does get you a little excited."

Lexa draws away, just enough to look at me, but I don't let her. Swiftly closing the gap between us again, she loses the chance to fight me on this. When we finally do break apart I look deeply into her eyes.

"Now tell me... what are your orders?"

A flush creeps up her face. "My... my orders?"

"Yes," I nod, gently squeezing her breast and rolling the erect nipple between my fingers. "What do you want?"

With her eyes stuck on mine she swallows visibly.

"I- I want to feel you. Every part of you. On me... And..." Another swallow. "...inside me."

She doesn't have to tell me twice. Obeying to her words my fingers start to roam her body - trailing from her chest, over her rib cage and her belly, all the way down. When my hand reaches the space between her legs I lean in for another peck, then whisper, "Your wish is my command."

My free hand tangles in her hair, holding her face close to mine. I pull her towards me again, capturing her lips in another hungry, searing series of kisses, while my fingers get lost in her wetness. As I drag them through her folds and over her clit she utters a low moan of approval.

"Yes, just like that," she breathes, and then, pleading against my lips, "Now take me."

I do as told, slowly sliding two fingers into her depths. She gasps, and when I start to thrust I can feel the shiver of arousal course through her. The sensation, together with this sight of her, makes my center tight with want. But this is not about me.

I lean in to suck her neck again, then look up at her through my eyelashes when I feel her tighten around my fingers.

"What else do you need... Commander?"

The mention of her title makes her groan, yet not in an annoyed or dismissive way. Not at all! It's a deep, rumbling sound that vibrates from her body to mine. She takes another sharp breath - maybe for some extra confidence, maybe because she's simply out of air? - then answers in a hoarse, but surprisingly steady voice, "I want you to make me come in your mouth."

The corners of my lips curl into a naughty grin and I wiggle my eyebrows.

"Now," she adds. It's hard to tell if it's a demand or a supplication. And honestly, I don't care.

As she holds my gaze, my body starts to slide down hers. When my knees hit the ground I spread her thighs and nestle myself between them. I kiss the inside of her legs, teasingly brushing my lips against the soft skin, while my fingers keep stroking her heat. She whimpers again, effectively persuading me to give into her needs.

As my free hand reaches up, caressing her stomach and the swell of her breast, my mouth replaces my thumb. I can feel her quiver in response to that first touch of my tongue, and the taste of that new wave of arousal brings me close to losing it.

Swirling around her nub I increase the pace of my thrusts. Meeting me halfway, Lexa arches her back and bucks against me, her hands now searching for just anything to hold onto. She finds my hair and curls her fingers into it, holding me close, as she starts moaning my name again... and again.

"Clarke... Clarke... Oh... Clarke," she pants, not just uncontrollably, but also a little louder each time she calls for me. Forcing myself to leave the touch of her nipple I quickly reach up even higher, while her encouragements keep hitting me in one staccato burst.

"Fuck... Clarke, I'm so... I'm gonna... I'm... I'm gon-"

Right then the ball of my thumb finds her mouth - just in time to avoid a hell of a lot of tittle-tattle in the morning. As she clenches her eyes, her teeth dig deeply into my flesh, preventing her from screaming my name... or worse.

With my hand still close to her lips I gently pull back the other one and watch her as the waves of pleasure and release crests through her body. How is it possible for someone to be this gorgeous and this hot at the same time?

Just when I realize I can look at her like this forever she opens her eyes again. They immediately meet mine. Though still breathless she smiles and pulls my face to hers, bringing our lips together again.

"That was insane," she smirks.

I pull a lopsided grin. "Insane good?"

"Insane great!" she laughs. "Exceptional, outstanding-"

"Okay, okay, I get it," I join her laughter, though a little sheepishly. I've never been good with compliments. "I was just following orders, you know. Your orders. Seems to me you do still remember how to enjoy commanding."

"Huh, guess I do," she shrugs playfully, that devilish smile still on her lips as she winks, "And you sure know how to help reminding me. Including taking a bite!" She takes my hand and soothes the bite mark with her lips.

"Well, you know, sometimes you gotta take one for the team," I murmur, drawing another giggle from her. She shakes her head, showing me the biggest grin.

"Oh Clarke, the things you do for your people!"

With nothing left to say I chuckle and lean in for more kisses, yet I miss her lips as she suddenly shivers.

"Shit, you must be freezing," I exclaim. I swiftly scramble to my feet and offer her my hand. "Come on, let's check out that bedroom. See what's behind curtain number one..."

She takes my hand and I pull her up from her throne, wrapping my arm around her to share the warmth of my fully clothed body.

Turning the corner we find a queen-size bed covered with thick blankets and heavy fur.

"How?" Lexa sighs, "How did they manage to find all this stuff-"

"-and make it look just like before?" I finish her question in awe.

Still in my arms, she turns towards me. "You tired?"

"Hm," I hum, "Maybe a little. I'm not sure if I want to go to bed though."

A look of confusion overtakes her face. She frowns. "How's that?"

"I don't know," I mumble with my eyes on the floor. "I guess..." I shovel my foot through the dirt, then look up at her again. "I guess it just doesn't look very... attractive to me."

"Huh," she breaks into another laugh, "Is that so? Well, we can't have that, can we?"

Her fingers find their way to the zipper of my jacket, pulling it down with a sudden impatience.

"Now let's see how I can help you with that."

... ...