Author's Note: Hello everyone, I am back with chapter 6 or chapter 5.5, depending on how you want to view it. We're picking up with the present tense, about a week or two after Clarke's injury was treated. We'll get to see how some of our lovely group of delinquents felt about the incident. Also, we get to see the first glance at Raven's Inn here. Just a few more chapters until part one is officially done. Next chapter we get to see the fearful Chancellor Charles Pike work his way to his reputation.

As always, let me know what you think of the chapter! Constructive criticism is always welcome as wells as follows and favorites. Enjoy the chapter! :)

Chapter 6: And Out of the Woods

Clarke POV (Present Day):

Each passing day, I could feel myself getting stronger, so much so that I could once again walk by myself. Really, it was all thanks to Jasper and Bellamy – one kept me from getting an infection and one staved off a potentially deadly fever, and then continued to wait on me hand and foot. Although out loud, I would only ever admit to recovering so quickly due to my natural self.

I was antsy, truly so. We had been sitting on this mountain for a week or so now, and we needed to move before the Progressives zeroed in on us. If Pike kept sending Progressives out further and further, they would be on us any day now.

"Hey Princess, how's your side today?" The nickname made my heart do a backflip, but the voice that came with it sounded strange, as if that person shouldn't be uttering that name.

"Jasper, don't call me that," I scolded him.

"Oh, right!" he said while snapping his finger. "Only Bellamy's allowed to call you that."

To some extent, Jasper was right. Not even my father called me Princess when I was younger. I think he tried to once, but I looked at him like he was crazy and he said he would never do it again. When Bellamy first called me Princess, I gave him that same incredulous look, but he took my standoffish attitude as a challenge. And here we are today, with him still calling me Princess and me letting it happen. After a while, I learned to deal with it. And after even longer, I even learned to like it.

I let it go for now though. That was the least of our problems. "We have to go soon, you know that, right?" I asked. "Any day now, the Progressives could be here. We know that Pike is sending them further and further out. And-"

Jasper interrupted me. "I was actually coming by to tell you that we can go. You seem capable enough to walk and strain yourself some again. We'll just have to take it easy. Go at a slower pace. We can start packing up and when Bellamy and Monty get back from scouting, we can make plans to get a move on." His goofy grin relieved me; it was something that I hadn't seen much of the past couple days outside of him being around Octavia.

All this fuss because I couldn't manage to keep my damn self from getting hurt.

Throughout the past week, everyone seemed to fall into a routine of some sort. Jasper would check up on me occasionally, and then either read old medical books or organize his health kits, making sure that each one had an equal amount of supplies. My gun shot dwindled some of our bandaging stock, but there was still a copious amount of everything else. Ben would clean our weapons and cook the small camp dinner, whilst Octavia helped here and there. Octavia worked on her skills with her sword and knives when she wasn't with Jasper or Ben. She actively avoided me in either situation. Other than that, Bellamy often took Monty out for hunting and patrolling around the perimeter. I didn't see them too often, and by the longing look on Ben's face whenever they came back, I could tell that he didn't see much of them either.

Jasper quickly did his routine and made sure that my 'strenuous' labor wasn't effecting any of the stitches he put in. When he gave me the okay, I skulked back to my tent. It's not like I was used to being bossy to my group, but being hurt made me feel useless beyond belief, as if I couldn't lead whatsoever, or do anything for that matter. Even collecting fire wood was a stretch for me the past couple days.

I was almost to my tent when I saw Octavia briefly glimpse my way and avert her eyes even faster, letting her long dark hair mask her face. What is up with her lately? Time to find out and end this... awkwardness. Octavia and I had never been awkward with each other in our lives, so I knew whatever was going on with her was monumental.

I stalked over to her carefully as she was brandishing her knife. I remember the days she used to wear different hues of blues and purples from Arcadia's Exchange, but now she wore almost all black, with a mix of day grays in between. This would probably be one of those rare moments I would catch her by herself. "Hey O, can we talk for a moment?" I asked, while fidgeting with my hands nervously.

She didn't say anything and merely sighed solemnly. I signaled my head off to the side, letting her know that we should have some privacy away from the small camp.

She stood up and slung her sword across her back, ever the cautious one. We walked several paces outside of camp and I found a nice place to sit down. Octavia remained pacing back and forth, tense as ever. Everything would finally come out into the open today.

"Beautiful day out, huh?" I asked, trying to break the ice, brushing back a blonde streak of hair that fell into my face.

"What were you thinking?!" Octavia nearly screamed.

Alright, just gonna jump right in with that. I had a feeling that whatever she was feeling was my fault, but it was now confirmed so.

Before I could even get a word out, she began her tirade again. "I asked YOU multiple times if YOU were okay!" she yelled, really emphasizing her words. "And YOU just lied and tried to pretend everything was fine. We could've helped you sooner Clarke! How could you?!" the fierce warrior began to hold back frustrated tears.

Octavia's eyes clouded with tears and my own blue ones began to do the same. "Octavia…" I sniffed. "I'm so sorry. I was gonna tell someone, I swear… but everything just got swept up and I thought I would be fine."

I felt like a hurt puppy, kicked to the ground, even though it was all my fault.

She began to breath heavily and she turned away from me. I couldn't see her wet eyes, but I could hear her sobs, no matter how quiet she thought she was being. I quickly stood up and made my way to her direction, tentatively putting my hands across her waist and giving her a hug from behind. I rested my head on her back and let a few tears slip out of my eyes; Octavia grabbed my hands that were rested around her middle and merely covered them, as we basked in each other's comfort.

"I'm so sorry, O" I said while I silently cried into her hair.

"I could've lost you Clarke – everyone could've lost you. Bell almost lost you," she said weakly.

"I know," I stated firmly. "I know." That last one hurt the most. My best friends... my family almost lost me. I almost died. How could you be so dumb, Clarke?

"Clarke, you can't control everything," Octavia unraveled herself from me. "When shit like this happens, you need to tell us. Life or death, we stick together and it needs to stay that way, okay?"

I looked at her red-rimmed eyes and shaking body, but I also considered the fierceness with which she carried herself and the conviction in her voice. When did she grow up so much?

Octavia might have been my best friend, but I had met Bellamy first. We had classes together in Arkadia and we were once partnered up together to rehearse an act from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. He was more excited about it than I ever could've been, so he insisted we were the very best performers in the class. That, of course, meant practice, practice, practice. One time, we went to his house to rehearse and I met his younger sister and mother. Even though Octavia was quite a few years younger than me, we hit it off right then and there. I had to admit, she was rather mature for her age, and I found myself able to have lovely discussions with her. That day, Bellamy and I didn't get any rehearsal done whatsoever as Octavia and I clicked immediately.

"On a brighter note, Jasper and Bell finally talked," she said to me with a slight smile and a huff of laughter.

And with that, I knew things would go back to normal. Finally.

"Are we sure that's really a good thing though?" I asked skeptically, playfulness returning to my voice, even though my cheeks were still heated by past tears.

"Well they seem civil enough around each other," Octavia shrugged. We started making our way back to the camp, walking side by side. Both of us wiped our tear-stained cheeks as we talked. "Besides, Bell has been so preoccupied with you that he barely has any time to worry about what I was doing… or who," she smirked.

I barked out a laugh and scolded, "Octavia! Shhh, the others might hear you! You really want Ben to hear about your sex life?"

"Oh please, Clarke," Octavia side glanced me with a smirk. "I'm not puttin' out for him... yet. Besides, you'll know about it probably five minutes after it happens."

"Gross," I said. I had only had one boyfriend before all this began and we never made it passed third base before breaking things off. He wanted more when I didn't, and he found someone else who could give him that. I told Octavia about it a couple weeks after the first time just briefly, but I preferred to not go into the gory details - something she was rather upset about.

"You're welcome," she said smiling bright. I didn't say thank you, you weirdo.

"You're gonna be a sex maniac, aren't you?" I asked fearfully, my body shaking out of faux fright.

"Oh, you better believe it m'dear!" she said while laughing evilly. "And you're gonna hear ALL about it."

With that, we were finally back at camp, and Bellamy and Monty made their appearance shortly thereafter.

I hadn't noticed it before, but Monty looked tired. Not like he was ready to go to bed after a long day's hard work, but he looked like he hadn't slept in days.

He looked to me and I could see his eyes gloss over slightly in a regretful matter before he gave me a slight smile that didn't reach his eyes whatsoever.

"Ben's worried about him… Monty won't talk about what happened," Octavia said from beside me as she zipped up her backpack, all her essentials packed away.

I merely nodded. If I had just told Monty what was happening from the beginning… all this grief could've been avoided.

I felt sick to my stomach about what I had done to this group, all because I couldn't just suck up my pride and ask for help. Clarke, you really gotta work on that.

Bellamy, stoic as ever, came over to Octavia and I, and glanced between the two of us quizzically. I gave him a slight nod to his silent question and his face broke out with relief.

"What's the plan?" he asked with a smirk that lit up all his features.

He knew I was back and ready for business. I smiled at him in return.

"Same plan: go to Raven's Inn. My mom said it would be safe there and that we could form some connections," I said strategically as more camp members gathered around me.

"Connections how?" Ben asked skeptically. This might've been my journey, but he somehow took responsibility for our general well-being. He wasn't just Monty's dad, he became everyone's dad.

"If I'm being honest, I don't know," I replied truthfully, looking at him uncomfortably. I didn't need to prove my leadership skills to him, but I also didn't want to face the disappointed look he would surely give at my willingness to talk to strangers.

His eyes scrunched up slightly and his hand rested upon his chin in a thoughtful manner, lightly stroking the dark stubble that lined his skin.

"So they could be Grounders?" asked Octavia in a worried tone.

"Or Arkadians," pointed out Jasper as he looked to her.

Grounders hated us because we were Arkadians; Arkadians - except for a select few - hated us because we were outlaws. All and all, we didn't have very many allies to rely on.

Everyone exchanged worried glances. Truth be told, I didn't know what I was leading these people to. What Grounder would trust us after what we did to them? What Arkadian wouldn't turn us in – namely me – after the report of treason?

What's the verdict, Clarke? This is your journey after all.

"Look, I don't know what the future looks like or what it has in store for us, but the Inn is our BEST option right now. If you don't wanna go, you don't have to; but I gotta do this for my parents and for Arkadia," I said vehemently, looking at my rag-tag group of survivors.

Bellamy and Octavia shared a pained look to each other when I mentioned parents, given what happened to their mother.

Ben and Monty looked to be sharing a moment with each other, having a silent conversation with their eyes. While I loved my own parents to the moon and back, sometimes I felt as if I couldn't even connect with them in a verbal sense much less to have a mental conversation like these two were having.

Jasper was surprisingly the only one who looked me dead on without hesitation. My own eyes challenged him though. Won't you hesitate?

His dark and boyish features softened ever so slightly. "Dr. Griffin was like a mom to me," he began. I stiffened slightly. More than once did I have to listen to my mom talk about Jasper-this, Jasper-that. After I decided to not commit my career to medicine, she coincidentally found herself a new apprentice to fawn over. Sometimes, I just wish she could be as proud of me and my art pieces as much as she was proud of Jasper's sutures or how calm he was in the O.R.. "Plus, I'm already a delinquent – what've I got to lose?" he added with a devious smirk.

I smirked right back at him, dropping my previous scowl of jealousy. I can make you proud, too, Mom.

"Well I can't just let my boyfriend and my best friend walk into unknowing danger alone," Octavia said while walking up to Jasper and taking his hand.

I smiled at the small bit of affection between the two of them as they shared a contented look.

"We're in," piped up Ben, giving a small nod of approval at my leadership. A bit of joy fluttered in my stomach at his approval, although I would never admit that out loud.

Part of me already knew Bellamy's answer, but I still needed to hear it. "Where Octavia goes, I go," Bellamy smiled lovingly to his sister. "And I don't mind the view when I follow you, Princess," he said with a wink.

"Yuck, save the pillow talk, Bell," Octavia rolled her eyes.

I gave Octavia a speculative look, because it wasn't like we were just talking about her own potential sex life not even thirty minutes ago. Yuck, indeed. Her dark eyebrows rose mischievously and her mouth lifted with the hint of a snicker.

Did he really just say that? In front of everyone? He just had to say shit like that out loud. One part of me was horribly embarrassed that he had actually said that, but another part of me was awfully flattered that I gave him something to look at. It was just a joke, don't overthink it. You know Bellamy: he can charm the pants off anyone... Don't let it get to you, Clarke.

"Great," I breathed out after spending what felt like too much time dwelling on his comment. "Get packed up, we'll leave soon," I said with finality.

Octavia, Jasper and I were already ready to go with our three packs in one pile off to the side so we just had to wait a few minutes for the others to gather their own meager belongings. The main things to be packed were the few tents, sleeping bags, and toiletries we had acquired over the past several weeks. Our food stock was slowly dwindling, but we had enough to keep everyone healthy until we got the the Inn, assuming we didn't hit anymore snags in our journey.

"Clarke, you wanna help me out over here?" Bellamy gravelly voice asked while he held up his pack.

To repeat Jasper's words, what've I got to lose? Patience? Nah, that was gone long ago with this guy.

I merely walked over to Bellamy and helped him stuff his sleeping bag back into its bag, not letting my face give away any indication that I was thinking of him.

The quietness that surrounded us gave me time to bask in Bellamy's physique. Sure, he could be a dumbass sometimes - well, most of the time if anyone asked me - but there was something in the way he moved. It was as if his broad shoulders held the weight of the world – it was tragically beautiful. His eyes big brown eyes really were the windows to his soul and he wore it proudly, but his too-often clenched teeth hardened his past boyish features. He had to grow up so fast... Not just for Octavia, but for his mom... maybe even me.

"How's Monty been?" I broke the silence, attempting to abandon the misleading and delusional thoughts in my head.

"He's been better. Kinda goin' back to what he was like when he lost his mom," Bellamy stated seriously. Out of all us, Bellamy had spent the most time with Monty since being on this mountain. "You should talk to him."

"Hmmm," I hummed. I am not looking forward to that conversation.

"You okay, Princess?" he asked out of nowhere.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I asked back. Are you okay, Clarke?

"Your face betrays you yet again. Haven't you figured out that I can read you like an open book by now?" he claimed as we finished stuffing the overused sleeping bag into the backpack. Bellamy sat back on his heels and looked to me expectantly.

He was right. I could feel the lines of stress forming on my forehead from this conversation alone as well as the weight of everyone's well-being on my shoulders, weighing me down into the ground. I had many reasons to not be okay. "Just worried about what's going to happen. I don't want to lead you all into some type of danger," I stated without looking him in the eye. Because really, that's exactly what I was doing. "Are you okay?" I retaliated.

"Just worried about you," Bellamy looked at me as if I should already know that.

"Don't be," I stated firmly but still knew he would worry. We were both silent for several moments. I stared into his chocolate eyes while he gazed to my blue ones. The moment felt like one of those Western standoffs that my parents used to watch with some of the other council members on special nights. "Some days… I just want to walk away from all of this. Go somewhere else. Be someone else."

My bittersweet revelation made Bellamy turn his head away. "You would leave your parents? Octavia?" he looked at me with sad eyes that allowed me to view his soul yet again. "Me?"

"That's not what I meant, Bell," I said seriously. Wasn't it? "All I'm saying is that the pressure's on. I don't know if I can do this."

"It's not just you Clarke. We're with you. I'm with you 'til the end," Bellamy said while holding my gaze. "Besides, we both care too much to leave."

He was right… no matter how much I would ever want to walk away from all this, I wouldn't. He wouldn't.

There was some solace in knowing that Bellamy - my rock - wouldn't leave.

"Everyone else is ready to go, c'mon," he said while getting up and offering me a hand as I noticed some of the fleeting glances being sent our way.

Any other day, I would slap his hand away and pop up on my own, but today was different. I grabbed his hand as he helped me to my feet, careful to go slow so that I wouldn't strain my side too much. Contrary to what I let people believe, it still hurt like crazy, but that pain would have to wait. With one hand clasped around my own and his other cupping my elbow, I made it to my two feet with little damage. Truth be told, I didn't need help to get up, but the reassurance that he was there was enough to make me take his warm hand.

Bellamy gave me a knowing look, but didn't say anything. "Thank you," I said gratefully.

"As her majesty wishes," he mock-bowed to me. He leaned into my personal space – something I was starting to get used to – and whispered, "You lead, I'll gladly follow."

As he winked, I attempted to stave off the offending flush upon my cheeks as I thought about his earlier comment. Ah, so it did mean something…

When I finally regained myself, I acknowledged the packed-up camp. "Alright, let's go to the beach," I said with a daring smile.

(Several days later:)

Well, we would've been here sooner had I been fully capable. But alas, we had to stop much more frequently so that I could rest. "Go on without me, I'll catch up," I would say, but no one seemed to be okay with that.

Now though, I could smell the salty, yet refreshing scent of the ocean. At least, that's what I assumed it would smell like. Some tracks of sand were getting more and more visible as we got closer to our destination. Sand in the middle of forest-y woods had to be a good sign that we were getting close. Luckily, Arkadia was near a fresh water lake, so we didn't have to go far for drinking and cleaning water. Other than that lake and several streams and rivers, I had never happened upon a large body of water yet.

Now, the ocean was so close, yet far enough away for me to take one of my famous thirty-minute breaks. To be fair, it wasn't even my decision.

"Bell, we're practically there, I can make it," I plead with the person of my nightmares, ignoring the slight cramp in my side

"No, Clarke," he said in his commanding voice. "You need to rest up before we get there. Save. Your. Strength," he said, practically standing over me now.

"Fine," I seethed back, challenging with his eyes. Sometimes, I lived for the days when Bellamy would take charge of our little camp so as to give me a much needed break, but I was regretting ever liking that side of him in this very moment.

Meanwhile, our travel mates pretended to not stare in our direction when we parted ways, him calmly walking away while I huffed in the opposite direction.

I couldn't possibly fathom how infuriating this man could possibly be. In what right mind does he think he can give ME orders?

I sat up against a nearby tree and tried to cool myself down. Instead of stewing in my anger, I attempted to feel the cooling ocean breeze.

So close.

"Hey, you should drink some water," the shy and low voice of Monty piped in. Where did he come from? How the hell did this kid sneak up on me? Maybe I was a little more disoriented than I thought.

I gladly took the water bottle from his outstretched hand. "Thanks," I said awkwardly.

After the past couple of days, I was just hoping that things between everyone would go back to normal. It was simply just the best we could do: find a goal, pick up, and move on.

But something was different about this incident – about my incident. Everyone else seemed to be putting my getting shot behind them, except for Monty. He seemed deeply disturbed these past couple days and I could tell that Ben hadn't been able to get to him. Nor Bellamy. Even Octavia, stubborn as a mule, forgave me and put my getting shot passed her.

He merely came over to hand me the water bottle, and he turned on his heel to go relax like everyone else. "Wait," I beckoned. "Why don't you hang out for a bit, we haven't talked in a while."

"Uhh, sure. Okay," Monty accepted my invitation reluctantly.

Both of us were silent for a moment and I took the opportunity to take a light drink of water. "So you and Bellamy have been hanging out? Thought you didn't like him all that much?" I asked. There was truth in my statement, especially considering Bellamy mistakenly tried to kill Monty's dad before he knew who they were.

"Nah, he's okay. He's just been teaching me stuff," he mentioned vaguely. "He's helping me with archery practice."

I nodded absentmindedly. Now it all made sense. It's not as if Monty and Bellamy hate each other per se, but they had never really gotten along and never really talked to each other. Now, they had some common ground since I wasn't capable of mentoring Monty.

Much like that day right before the Progressives showed up, we both sat against the strong tree. I left my legs extended – hoping that a certain freckled man would trip over my feet – while Monty kept his feet neatly tucked under him.

"I don't blame you," I said suddenly, but quietly enough so that no one would hear. "And you shouldn't blame yourself either."

He said nothing and my only indication that he heard me was his solemn sigh. "I almost got you killed," he said with a frightened expression on his face.

"No, you didn't," I said logically. I could see the answer plain as day, so why couldn't he? "In fact, if you didn't shoot the damn robot when you did, things could've been a lot worse," I stated matter-of-factly. "Monty, it is not your fault."

Without thinking it through, I held my pinkie out. "What are you doing, Clarke?" Monty asked, confusion clear as day in his voice.

"We never got to do our pinkie promise," I said with the cock of my head. "Monty, none of us are going anywhere, you gotta understand that." My mind drifted to the similar conversations I had had with Octavia and Bellamy alike only a mere few days ago.

I continued to hold my pinkie out for him to take, neglecting the oncoming hand cramp.

"Fine, if you insist," Monty said in a mildly bitter tone, but I could see the onset of a smile creep into his features. My job was done, and whether he chose to forgive himself was up to him.

Even so, Ben gave me an appraising look from across the way. Thank you, he signaled with his head.

"Give the word, Princess," Bellamy said after a few minutes of blissful silence. Monty had left my side to pace our camp ground, while Ben calmly sat on a rock and looked on at his son with a worried glance. Octavia and Jasper remained out of the way and in their own little bubble – not talking, but just basking in each other's company. Bellamy looked at them as well and sighed.

"Don't worry so much about them," I stated while following his line of sight. Instead of staying transfixed on the new couple, I decided to glance at the older Blake sibling. He stood over me as I was still leaned up against the tree, so I admired the outline of his jaw and cheekbones. Most of his curls were matted down from the sweat of hiking, but a few unruly ones still poked out here and there.

"Stop gawking," he said playfully, not even looking at me.

My face flushed because he was, to some extent, correct. But, I would dare not let him know that. "Far from… just thinking you need a haircut is all," I said while standing up and ruffling his hair slightly, making some of the curls even more unruly.

"Keep tellin' yourself that," I could hear him just barely mumble as he watched me carefully saddle my pack, ready to help should I need it.

Everyone followed suit soon after.

Soon, we could not only smell the ocean air, but we could see the waves and the shore. The sun was almost blinding as it reflected off of the water and the sand's texture, yet a tall and wide building stood on the horizon. From our position, the place looked rustic, yet modern in some sense. Nobody walked in or out of the front door as we got closer, but dim lights shown through some of the windows, signaling that some people did stay here. No sign was needed to know that this was Raven's Inn.

"Conceal your weapons, but keep them close," Ben stated warily. "We don't know if we're among friends or enemies."

"So… this is like some type of trading post, right?" Jasper asked anyone in the group. However, all eyes turned to me.

"Something like that," I claimed as we quickly approached the wooden front doors. A lot of Arkadians probably had no idea this place existed, and it was even less likely that Chancellor Pike would openly address the place. Raven would rather live out in the woods with the Grounders - with the enemy - than be in the safe confines of Arkadia. Why would his power-hungry nature admit to someone not wanting to live by his totalitarian rules?

I yanked the nearest door open and walked inside. No noise could be heard. Not from me, not from the door, not from anywhere. Bellamy traveled in as well followed by the rest of the group and we deftly strolled to the front desk.

Still, no one came.

And after ten more seconds, not even footsteps could be heard to signal that someone was here as Bellamy halfheartedly tried to push his way to the front of the group to shield us all.

"There's a bell," Jasper stated nonchalantly and pursed his lips.

After rolling my eyes, I read the small sign that said, 'Ring for Service' in too fancy cursive writing. So, I did just that.

Cling.

Just one ring that seemed to echo for several stories of the beautiful gothic-type building.

Just then, footsteps could finally be heard. More like a thud, creak, thud, creak.

A tanned tall woman with dark hair and wild, but calming eyes came through the back door. She wore a red tank top and green cargo jeans. Except one of the pant legs was covered almost entirely by a metal and plastic brace from the knee down.

"Welcome in everyone, my name is Raven. How may I help you today?" she smiled, but I could tell the smile was very straining, as if she had to repeat this mantra everyday.

Everyone in the group exchanged gleeful glances. Phase one was almost done and over with.

"Hi… Raven. My name is Clarke Griffin, you knew my mom…?" I questioned to make sure we were talking with the correct Raven. One could never be too sure in this world.

"Abby's kiddo," her smile turned more genuine this time around – sympathetic almost. "Here you're in a bit of trouble…" she stated ominously.

So she knew. Would she turn me in to Pike? Let us go free and tell us never to come back again?

"Looks like I gotta couple rooms open," she said with the same smile that made my lips twitch just barely. "I hope you'll be pleased with your stay."

How did you all like the chapter? We're soon wrapping up Part one of this series. What are you hoping to see in these last few chapters? What do you want to see in Part two? Let me know in a review. Don't forget to follow and favorite. Have a good day/night! :) My apologies for the chapter being so long (it was the original reason why I split up the previous chapter and this one.), but a lot did happen, so you can't complain that much, eh? :)