Chapter 10 - You Were Lookin' Drop Dead, Not Even a Contest, Center of Attention

Raven calls to Clarke from where they are stopped, binoculars resting against her face. "I see it."

Clarke grabs the binoculars when Raven hands them off to her. No more than half a day's walk in the distance is the radio tower that is jamming the signal. They share a look before Clarke calls back to her mother. "It'll be dark soon; we'll never spot the traps. We should set up camp here, leave at first light."

Her mother's head swivels about searching for something. "We're missing two. Where the hell are they?" The guards start to look around the immediate area as well, calling their names loudly.

Abby meets Clarke's eyes with an annoyed look on her face. "Clarke, we're in enemy territory and their lives are my responsibility."

"Are they?" Clarke's own irritation with her mother is written just as clearly on her face as she turns away from her. "They went to find a way in."

Abby grabs her elbow to stop Clarke from walking away. "A way in, that's not what this mission is about."

"It is for them." She says as she yanks her arm away from her mother's grasping fingers.

Abby tells the guard to go find Wells and Murphy and three guards dart away from them. Clarke's heart jumps into her throat as Finn grabs a gun and indicates he's going to follow them. That he is going to help. Raven seems to feel the same way as she steps up beside Clarke telling Finn that they need him here.

"Why? So, you can keep an eye on me?" There is a bite in his voice that wasn't there before. "You'd have to be able to look at me to do that. What do you think I'm gonna do?"

Finn throws the gun to the ground and takes off through the trees in the opposite direction that the guards took. Though Clark feels bad she would feel worse if something happened to him. The look on Raven's face is what she assumes her face looks like as she tells Raven she will go get him before racing off after Finn.

"Finn, come back." Clarke shouts at his back when she finally sees him up ahead.

He pauses to wait for her with his head hung and shoulders slumped. "It was an accident."

He looks like he's going to say more before a whirling, churning noise makes its presence known. The pale yellow of the acid fog starts rolling towards them. Finn grabs her arm and pulled her forward with a shout to run.

As they run Clarke pulls out her radio with a desperate hope to reach someone. "Acid fog! Tight cover! Mom if you can hear me use the tent!" She turns to Finn as she realizes that she had forgotten her pack. "My tent! I forgot my pack!"

"It's ok, we can make it to the bunker." he yells back, putting on another burst of speed, pulling her forward.

Finn lets her go as he sees the hatch for the bunker. Skidding to a stop he yanks the door open with barely enough time for them to jump inside and close the hatch before the fog rolls over top of them.

The sight of the body pulls her up short. When Finn sees her pause, he races forward to grab something to cover him with. She starts pacing back and forth below the ladder when he looks to her after covering the body. She couldn't look at him.

"Stop, I'm sure they're fine. They had tents." When his voice crossed the distance, she was surprised enough to stop. Turning to face Finn but looking at him still makes her feel numb. Like the loss of a limb, even though he is still there. "So first you can't look at me, now you're looking at me like I'm the enemy."

"I'm not looking at you like that." She denies it but she knows that she will never look at him with anything but conflicting emotions again.

"Well you're not looking at me the way you used to." He pulls something that looks vaguely familiar out of his jacket pocket. "I've been waiting for the right moment to give you this. I'm starting to think that moment might not come. I know how much it means to you."

She stares down at the frayed green band of her father's watch, her heart clenching in his chest. "Where did you get this?"

He points to the covered body. "It was around his neck." He goes to sit back down on the chair he and just recently vacated with his head in his hands.

She knows she should say something, but the words don't come, so she sits down on the floor next to the ladder. Ready to wait out the fog.

For hours they sit in the bunker unable to meet each other's eyes. Clarke is the first to break the silence.

"They were unarmed." she pleads with him. Not sure what she is pleading for exactly, maybe that he could tell her that it wasn't him or that it had all been a bad dream. "I don't even know who you are anymore."

"Neither do I." He says, his head lowered so that his hair covers his eyes.

"What have we become?" She meets his eyes for the first time in hours and finds him lacking any answers.

XXXXXXXXXX

Thelonious and Marcus have not moved far from where they sat when he had walked in the door. And even though he tells them there is no way out of this except for one to die by the other's hand, Thelonious keeps throwing out ideas. He would be lying if some of them didn't sound enticing, but he'd tried for peace once and it didn't work.

Marcus finally seems to have given into the idea and he tells Thelonious that they would only get peace through his sacrifice. Bellamy feels true surprise when Marcus offers the knife to Thelonious. He never thought that is how this would play out. As Thelonious tries to offer Marcus forgiveness for some sin, he feels he had committed, Bellamy finds himself leaning closer. They were confusing people and he didn't understand how to put this together with what he knew of the sky princess.

Marcus seems to have a good grasp on his people's values, which surprises him. What surprises him more is when Marcus tells Thelonious, "You're a good man Thelonious and I won't let you die for me." before pulling the knife across his wrist.

Thelonious is suddenly begging him for help, and he finds himself handing off some bandages before he realizes what he is doing. He knows that the other commanders will have something to say about that later. What shouldn't surprise him is when Thelonious is done wrapping Marcus's arms, he grabs Bellamy and presses the blade against his throat, despite Marcus's begging him not too.

When Gustus comes back in the cell Thelonious is still pressing the knife against him, but his hold is weak. The fear in Gustus's eye is real but Bellamy just shakes his head at him.

"Take off these chains." Thelonious demands of Gustus.

"Please, Jaha, he's just an innocent kid." Marcus pleads with Thelonious.

"Em don sad klin," He says to Gustus in Trigedasleng, warning him that the weak man behind him was his. Bellamy slams his head backwards into Thelonious's nose. He grabs one of the man's flailing arms and yanks him over his shoulder and slams him to the ground. He presses his fingers to the pressure points on his hand forcing him to drop the knife. Scooping up the knife he presses it against Thelonious' throat and presses his knee into the soft of his stomach.

Bellamy turns to his guards as he stands, all of whom have not moved a muscle. "Ai don sen in chit bilaik ai gaf sen in."

The guards and Gustus murmur their understanding as he moved to stand in front of them as they move forward to place his armor over his shoulders. Gustus holds out his hand to give him the sign of the commander to place between his brows. The two men are starting at him confused as he stands to his full height.

"You're the commander?" Marcus asks.

"I've learned much about you, your intentions are honorable you desire for peace is true. Breik em au. Later we will talk," Bellamy turns to leave, and his guards start to move in towards Thelonious. "in the meantime, your friend will be used to send a message. The massacre must be answered. Blood must have blood."

XXXXXXXXXX

When the fog has lifted Clarke and Finn take off to meet up with the rest of the group right as they are entering the clearing around camp. Her mother pulls her into a hug when they enter the camp. Clarke pulls back and asks if Murphy and Wells had made it back.

"They know the rendezvous here." Abby reassures Clarke as if she didn't already know that.

"Well, have you tried to radio?" Clarke looks to Raven, not having heard the explosion

"Still jammed." Raven smirks.

Clarke raises her eyebrows at the expression on Raven's face. "You didn't blow the tower."

"Raven found a way that we could listen to Mount Weather. If we took out the antenna, we wouldn't be able to do that." Abby says, as if proud.

"What about the other Ark stations?" Clarke turns to face her mother fully as she asks the question.

"We don't know if they made it, what we do know is that 47 of our people are being held prisoner in that mountain. We're gonna get them out." Abby shrugs as if this is the most obvious answer. As if this had been her plan all along. Clarke pulls her mother into her for a quick hug as emotion overflows from her.

The sound of commotion draws all of them to the entrance of camp. When the get back to the gate they see Jaha stand up out of the tall grass with his hands in the air. She hears her mother whisper his name as he falls back to his knees. His body barely able to hold him up. "I have a message from the commander. Leave or die, we have two days." He says before collapsing.

XXXXXXXXXX

Bellamy sits atop his speckle gray stallion, the one that was gifted to him when he became the commander. He watched as more and more warriors draw in around him as they prepare to march on the sky people's camp. An uneasy feeling has settled in his stomach as he strokes the neck of the proud animal below him.

The sight of his sister beside him as she spoke to her warriors, should have filled him with calm. The warriors that would be flanking his own personal guard. But the haggard lines of loss ran deep into his sister's face, the stark contrast to how happy they had been before the whole mess with the sky people. She couldn't even look at him, the blame at her loss of Lincoln sitting squarely on her shoulders.

Gustus rode up beside him, silently meeting his eyes. With a nod he pressed his heels into the sides of his horse, urging him into a gentle walk. It was time to get rid of these people once and for all.

XXXXXXXXXX

When her mother and Jaha reappear in front of the ark, Clarke, Raven and Finn move closer through the crowd that's gathered.

"By now, you've all heard the rumor. And unfortunately, it's true. The Grounders are coming. We have a difficult decision to make. Thankfully, Chancellor Jaha has found his way back to us and we are discussing all options -" Abby begins before being cut off by Jaha.

"But to be safe, you need to pack. Now. Whatever you can carry. We may need to leave at a moment's notice." The wild look in his eye meets the crowd as a voice rises above them asking where they will go. "I don't know, is the answer. But I have heard of a place. A city of light. It's across the Dead Zone."

Another voice asking what made him think that they would even make it there, has Jaha's wild eyes settling into madness. The charm that has always been a part of who he is, is no less present as he turns to the man. "Because we made it here. I have faith. And right now, given the alternative. That's good enough for me."

Clarke can't keep her mouth shut any longer as she moves closer. "It's not good enough for us. If we leave here, what happens to our people in Mount Weather. Will we always be disposable to you?"

He looks at her with frustration on his face. "As your mother said, that is a very difficult decision to make." He turns back to the crowd. "But the time has come for each and every one of us to ask, "Is this how the story of our people ends? Did we come all this way just to die tomorrow?" Because if we're not gone by the time the sun rises, that is exactly what will happen."

Abby finally steps around Jaha, her face uneasy as she looks at him for a moment before turning back to the crowd. "No decision's been made. In the meantime, please report to your station supervisor and gather emergency supplies."

A hand on Clarke's shoulder makes her jump. Turning she meets the nervous face of Murphy. She pulls him into a hug as she asks him where he has been.

"In the dropship. You need to come back with me right now." He tells her as he looks around to make sure he isn't heard.

"Why? What happened. Is Wells okay?" She looks around for the other boy that had been with Murphy when they took off from the group.

"He's okay. I'll explain on the way. Bring your med kit; meet me at Raven's gate." He takes off back the way he had come from.

Finn who must have heard the whole conversation between her and Murphy comes behind her. "This is my fault" He says. "The grounders are attacking because of me."

She shakes her head. "The grounders are attacking because that's what they do."

He pulls back from her, pulling his jacket tighter around himself. "Go with Murphy. Your mom said no decision has been made. If that changes, I'll let you know."

She turns around to follow Murphy but not before throwing one more glance over her shoulder to look back at the heavily burdened young man behind her. She turns back forward, grabbing the first med kit she sees as she moves to follow Murphy.

Though he told her what happened, the sight of Lincoln's kind eyes having turned murderous is still startling. She pulls back, bumping into Murphy who stands behind her. "It's okay." he says. "He's been restrained."

Wells voice breaks her stare from the grounder in front of her. "He helped you before, he saved you as well. We couldn't leave him like this. Can you help him?"

"I don't know." She meets his eyes. The grief she feels at this kind soul's fate, leaves her feeling more inadequate than she has in a long time. "I knew Mount Weather controlled the reapers, but I had no idea they were creating them."

Murphy speaks again, sounding distraught. "If they can do this to him. What are they doing to our friends?"

Their eyes meet and they share a look of fear, before the rattling of chains draws her attention back to Lincoln as he starts to convulse. She tells them so, as the boys look to her for guidance, guidance she isn't sure she can give. When she asks what happened to his leg as she starts to do a visual evaluation without getting too close to him. Murphy tells her that they shot him, and he's lost a lot of blood.

"Can you shine a light on his neck?" Taking a deep breath, she moves closer to the still shaking man. "Needle marks."

She's not sure who asks if he's being drugged but she barely has time to answer them before Lincoln rips an arm free from his bonds. Leaning forward he makes a grab for Clarke and Murphy barely pulls him off before he sinks his teeth into her neck. Wells grabbing the other arm as that chain comes free from the wall.

Clarke looks around, finding a pipe on the ground she swings it hard into the back of his head as the two boys struggle to get him under control. He drops as the metal meets the back of his head and Wells and Murphy move quickly to re-restrain him.

"We have to stop the bleeding and get the bullet out. We hav-" she cuts off her nervous rambling, taking a deep breath she looks up to meet Wells eyes over Lincoln's unconscious frame. "Hold his leg down."

XXXXXXXXXX

As they near where the sky people first landed, he tells the men behind him to check out the dropship; to make sure they aren't hiding and trying to flank them. He sees Octavia moving off with two men. He knows she will be safe. That she's taken one of their healers with them, offers him a small amount of comfort. At least if she gets hurt, he can quickly help her.

He turns his eyes back to the front and he keeps the horse below him moving at a steady pace. They'd arrive just before nightfall, hopefully with enough time to watch the rats skitter out of the way of his people.

XXXXXXXXXX

It takes longer than she would like to get the bullet out, but she is thankful that he remains unconscious while she digs into his flesh. As she is wrapping up the wound he finally wakes, the grunt of pain sounds weak until she pulls it tight to keep the wound from reopening.

She moves to offer him some water, and he offers to bite her instead. The water in the cup falls upon his face as her hands shake. "I'll go get some more. Watch him."

A hand over her mouth startles her as she is filling the cup back up. A feminine shushing comes from the owner of the hand. Clarke pulls at the hand and pulls away from her face before turning to meet the green eyes of the girl that had been with Lincoln on the bridge. "What are you doing here" She asks the grounder girl.

"I'm trying to make Lincoln's sacrifice worth it. The scouts have arrived, and the commander is true to his word. If you do not leave. You will die." Clarke fidgets in front of her. Her eyes darting to the dropship before turning back to her. "Let me save you. It's what he would have wanted."

Lincoln's screaming growl drag Clarke's eyes close as she now prepares herself to have a conversation she had hoped to avoid until she knew if he made it through the detox. "What was that." The girl asks.

Clarke sighs. "That was Lincoln." The girl starts to take off toward the dropship before Clarke's hand grabs her arm. The girl's fierce eyes almost make her drop her hand, but she knows she needs to explain before the girl sees him. "He's been drugged by Mount Weather. They are making the reapers."

"We know this." She growls.

"We can help him. Turn him back, but he was hurt, and I just finished fixing him up. You can come see him but let me go first. My friends will not react well if you go charging in there without me."

"Our healer came with me. Let me grab him." Clarke nods quickly, moving back to refill the cup that had once again been spilled by a grounder.

They meet back at the ladder in moments. She climbs up before them quickly telling Murphy that they have visitors. The grounder girl who's name if she remembers correctly is Octavia, looks horrified seeing Lincoln chained to the ground. Clarke tries to reassure her that it's not as bad as it seems, and they just need to get him sober.

The healer who she watches closely is looking over Lincoln with a critical eye. When Lincoln starts seizing again, she moves in closer to kneel next to him. The healer pulls a vial out of some yellow liquid and he doesn't answer her when she asks what it is, he just whispers "Yu gonplei ste odon."

Clarke knows she recognizes that saying and her eyes flick up to look at Octavia's devastated face. It finally clicks that the last time she heard that was when Anya snapped the young man's neck in the tunnels and then again after she'd been shot.

"Wait!" she cries. Her hand darts out just in time to catch the liquid on her hand. The burn of it makes her believe that she's right. "That's what you say before death, isn't it? He's trying to kill him, isn't he?"

The tears falling down Octavia's cheeks confirm it for Clarke. "Death is the only way." Is what the healer says as he turns his face up to look at Octavia and she nods.

"Hold on." Clarke cuts in. "There could be a way to bring him back."

"None that I've ever seen." He looks up to Clarke.

The sound of feet on the ladder and the sound of Finn's voice saying the camp is leaving are the only heads up they get before all hell breaks loose. In a whirl of movement, the healer has Finn pressed up against the side of the dropship with his forearm pressed against his throat. He's shouting something in their language in Finn's face.

Murphy and Wells both have their guns cocked at the healer. Murphy's voice is dangerously low as he tells the healer to let him go.

"He slaughtered my people." The healer tells them, his arm pressing into Finn's neck with every punctuated word. "Elders. Children. Innocents. Blood must have blood."

Murphy presses his gun to the healers back. "I'm not going to tell you again. Let him go." The healer finally backing away from Finn.

Octavia's broken voice calling Lincoln's name draws everyone's attention back to Lincoln who isn't breathing. Clarke runs back to his side, setting her hand against his carotid. "His heart stopped." She shoves Octavia aside with a quick "move" and starts pumping his chest, trying to bring it back to rhythm. It takes her a minute but suddenly Lincoln is gasping another breath.

The healer and Octavia are staring at her. He is the one that speaks "How did you do that? He was dead." His voice is astounded.

Clarke's mind is running wild. "You've tried to bring them back before?" he nods at her. "And they died like this?" another nod.

Murphy asks her what she is thinking as she stares down the healer. A small smile pulls her lips up. "I know how to stop the attack."

She pulls the boys aside and tells them her plan. She eyes the two grounders who are hovering over Lincoln's body. "He's stable for now. Finn should come with me back to camp. Murphy can you and Wells keep an eye on him. If his heart stops again, Wells you know CPR."

The boys both nod and her and Finn take off back towards camp. They get a couple miles from camp when Finn pulls her aside. "Even if you can save, Lincoln, he won't be the same. The things he's done." His voice becomes a whisper. "It'll stay with him."

She shakes her head at him. "We don't know that."

Finn's dark eyes meet hers. "Yes. We do."

"Lincoln is savable." She puts her hand on Finn's bicep and runs it down his arm. "And so are you."

He doesn't look like he believes her as he tells her to hurry and takes off towards the camp again.

XXXXXXXXXX

Bellamy looks around as they set up his tent. His sister has still not made it back. He knows that he doesn't have time to worry but he can't help the anxiety that rises in his chest the longer she's out of his sight.

He looks towards the Sky people's camp; and it makes him happy to see them scramble to pack before the might of his army. A movement off to the side of their camp draws his eyes. He knows the bright blonde splash of hair is not one of his attempting to get in their camp. His warriors have all hidden their hair, if it's not going to blend in with their surroundings.

He points it out to Gustus who stands beside him, telling him to have some men go out and check their flank to make sure they haven't planted anything that might hurt their people. Gustus nods before floating off to the side. He can see that the tent is up but he's content for the moment to watch the sky people.

XXXXXXXXXX

Clarke runs through camp looking for her mother, when she finally sees her at the ramp into the ark. She calls out to her.

Abby's face whips around to look at her. "Where have you been? We're leaving."

"I know how to stop the attack." They pull her into the meeting room. Jaha finally turns to her when the door closes behind Finn.

His eyes, just as wild as they had been earlier. "What are you talking about?"

"We haven't been able to negotiate with the Grounders because we haven't had anything to offer them." She stares hard into Jaha's face. "The biggest threat they face is from the Reapers. I think we may be able to eliminate that threat for them, once and for all."

Abby's curious features meet Clarke's eyes. "How?"

"Abby. You can't seriously -" the sound of Grounder horns cuts him off. "They're here."

Clarke takes advantage of Jaha's distraction, she quickly informs her mom about Lincoln's condition. When Jaha looks back at them she says, "Look. They aren't attacking yet, which means we still have time."

"We have two hours 'til dawn." Abby reminds her.

"Let me talk to the commander." Clarke begs her mother. "Anya knew him. Maybe he'll listen."

"We don't even know if the Commander is here." Jaha growls.

"Yes, we do." Clarke's voice is hard. "Octavia told me. You have to at least let me try."

Ignoring Clarke Jaha rounds on Abby. "Abby, we are wasting time." The spittle flies out of his mouth. "Give me the authority. Now!"

"Hold on." Abby says holding a hand up towards Jaha. "Clarke, you said that Lincoln is going through withdrawal. We don't even know what he's withdrawing from. The detox alone could kill him."

She nods. "That's where you come in."

Abby's hand lands on Clarke's shoulder. "And if I can't save him?"

"That" Clarke's eyes close as she takes a deep breath before meeting her mom's eyes again. "Is not an option."

"We are risking everything on a bluff?" Jaha shouts. "Abby. We have an out. We have a way to save the lives of our people."

Finn who's been standing quietly beside Clarke finally cuts in. "Not all of them."

"We will come back to save the kids!" Jaha rounds on Finn.

The anger in Finn's voice makes Clarke nervous. "We all know that is not going to happen!"

"Abby, this has gone on long enough." Clarke watches Jaha take stock of the room. She knows that he has a sharp mind, it's where Wells got his ability to frustrate her every time, they played chess as children. She knows that if he can take an inch, he can take a mile. "If you do not give the order to begin the exodus, you are killing us all."

"I'm sorry." Abby says looking at Clarke and her heart drops into her stomach. When she turns to Jaha and tells him that she can't give that order Clarke thinks she might faint in relief. Though he tries to bully Abby into it, she does not sway.

Seeing that Abby will not do as he says Jaha turns his wild eyes on guards near the door. "I am the elected Chancellor of the Ark. I'm not going to let you risk the lives of more people; Do you understand?" he looks down at Abby. "I'm going to ask you once again. Give the order to begin the exodus."

Abby's stony eyes meet the back of Jaha's head. "No, are you through?"

"Sergeant Miller. Major Byrne. I'm relieving Doctor Griffin of her command." He turns back to Abby. "Place these three into custody, but make sure they are ready to leave with the rest of us within the hour."

The roar that comes from him when they don't move scares Clarke enough to take a step back. "Right now, Major! Or the blood of everyone in this camp will be on your hands too."

"Major Byrne, Sergeant Miller." She moves towards Jaha. "Put Chancellor Jaha in the stockade."

They nod and start to move towards Jaha. When Jaha turns on Abby and asks why she is throwing everything away, Clarke is thrown by her mother's response that she has faith in her daughter. Clarke thanks her with soft eyes.

"I'll send the guard detail with you" Abby says.

"No." She shakes her head. "They'll see it as a threat. I have to do this on my own. Finn with take you to Lincoln."

She hugs Abby before turning to leave, but not before Abby tells her that if this doesn't work then they all die.

XXXXXXXXXX

Bellamy watches as the head of long blond curls makes its way towards his camp. He can't help but marvel at her bravery. She is walking into camp of known enemies and doing so with her head up high as if she is about to greet friends. He can spot the limp she has, and he wonders where she acquired that.

He turns back towards his tent and tells Gustus to greet their guest and find out why she is here.

He paces his tent while he waits for her. When he hears Gustus threatening her he sits back into the throne that's been placed at the back of the tent. A luxury he would have foregone if he had his choice.

The face that he sees when the tent parts, takes him back a step. He has only a moment to school his face into a picture of calm. Though her face is covered in scabs and bruises and though her one of her lips is fat from some contact, he can't deny that she is beautiful. And her blue eyes are fierce as she looks at him.

His sister whips into the tent without any announcement. His heart unclenches and his shoulders relax slightly. She sweeps up to him and whispers into his ear that he needs to listen to her. She sounds lighter than she has in days. "This is the leader of the sky people. The one that has been on the ground since the beginning. Clarke."

He nods at her before she moves back behind his shoulder. "You're the one who burned three hundred of my warriors alive."

"You're the one who sent them there to kill us." She fires back and his lip twitches up.

"Do you have an answer for me, Clarke of the Sky People?"

Her eyebrow raises but doesn't respond right away. He can feel her eyes tracing his face before she says, "I've come to make you an offer."

He narrows his eyes in annoyance. "This is not a negotiation."

Indra who stands opposite Octavia behind him begs him to allow her to end this and kill the girl. Somehow, he can't imagine not having her around, even though he's only met her less than two minutes ago. He holds his hand to to stall Indra.

Clarke's eyes flick up to Indra before turning back on him. "I can help you beat the mountain men."

The honesty in her eyes, strikes him. "Go on" he hears himself saying to her.

He watches her shift uncomfortably on the leg she'd been limping on during her walk over. "Hundreds of your people are trapped inside Mount Weather, kept in cages. Their blood is used as medicine."

"How do you know this?" He shifts in his seat.

"Because I saw them. My people are prisoners there, too. I was one of them." Her face is pleading with him to believe her and he can't help but wonder if that was where she got hurt.

"Lies." Indra's harsh voice cuts in before he can say anything else. "No one escapes the mountain."

"I did!" She says her eyes hard on Indra's face. "With Anya. We fought our way out together."

"Another Lie. Anya died in the fire. You killed her." Indra takes a step forward. He can see his sister's eyes cutting towards Indra.

Clarke's hand reaches tentatively into her pocket. Her eyes pleading with him to let her pull whatever is in her pocket out. He holds his hand up stopping his people from making any further movements toward her and nods to her. The lock of dirty blonde hair in her hand is familiar. "She told me you were from the same village. I'm sure she'd want you to have this."

Before he can say anything, Indra cuts in again. Her anger clouding her sense of protocol. "We don't even know it's hers."

"trading post of, Indra" He says. "Anya was my mentor before I was called to lead our people. Did she die well?"

She nods. "Yes. By my side, trying to get a message to you."

He looks startled. "What message?"

Her eyes are hard as their eyes lock. He almost doesn't hear her say, "The only way to save both our people is if we join together."

The sound of Indra's voice once again startles his reprieve. "Those who are about to die will say anything."

"Listen to her Big Brother." Octavia says softly from behind him. Indra's hard eyes stare Octavia down, just as Clarke's fierce eyes soften on Octavia before meeting his eyes again.

"I'm still waiting for an offer, Clarke." His eyebrow raises.

"The Mountain Men are turning your people into reapers." His sister's soft exhale tears at his heart. "I can turn them back. I've done it with Lincoln."

His heart stills for a moment which gives Indra time to step forward. "That traitor is the reason -"

"Indra" He growls.

"My village was slaughtered by your people." She just keeps rolling forward as if he'd said nothing.

He stands up and turns to Indra. "Em Pleni!" He shouts. His voice softens as he turns back towards Clarke. "You say you can turn Reapers back to men?"

"Yes." Her voice is as earnest as her eyes are pleading.

"Then prove it. Show me Lincoln." He says. She nods moving away from him. He sees a soft smile on her face that mirrors the smile on his sister's face.

XXXXXXXXXX

The beautiful man behind her unnerves her. His stoic face gives her nothing to go with, but his intense eyes burn her. As they round the corner to the drop ship, she prays that Lincoln has held on long enough. That she hasn't killed her people.

She crawls up the ladder a head of the small contingent of people that insisted on following the commander. As soon as she stands up on the top level of the drop ship, she knows something has gone terribly wrong. Her face is hard as she meets her mother's eyes and she subtly shook her head.

When the final grounder breaches the floor, for the second time that day all hell breaks loose. Everyone who doesn't have a sword to the throat has a gun cocked and pointed at them. Clarke's whole body is shaking as her eyes plead with the commander. "Please. You don't have to do this."

"You lied," His low gravelly bites out. "And your out of time."

Abby who had grabbed the shock baton in the confusion, leaps towards Lincoln's still form. When she brings the baton down on Lincoln's chest his body travels up to follow the baton.

"Hit him again." Clarke tells her mother.

She does it two more times before Lincoln draws in a sharp gasp. He's eyes frantically searching for before they land on Octavia's face. When he calls her name, she falls to her knees by his head. Clarke's eyes well up in relief when she sees their quiet reunion.

She looks up to meet the commander's eyes and sees that his eyes have welled up as well. He looks so relieved. His mouth forming a silent thank you and she nods back.

XXXXXXXXXX

He hadn't been able to keep his eyes off the blonde the whole time they traveled back to his camp. His sister and Lincoln headed back towards her camp to give him further medical attention.

"Lincoln's recovery was," He knows that he shouldn't allow her to hear the amazement in his voice but somehow, he can't help it. "Impressive. No one's ever survived such a fate before."

Her smile is radiant as she tells him, "It's not complicated, really. We just have to keep them alive long enough for the drug to leave their system. I know we can do the same for others."

"You may have your truce." He smiles in return to her as she thanks him. He knows she won't be thanking him when he tells her the next bit of what he needs from her, but he allows her to thank him now. "I just need one thing in return."

"Anything," He winces internally at her openness. "Tell me."

"Deliver me the one that you call Finn." He watches her face fall and his heart goes out to her. He knows that he has to ask for this. His people will demand this of him, and so must he demand this of her. "Our truce begins with his death."

The grief on her face almost makes him want to say forget it. That they can have their truce some other way. He can see her blue eyes darting back and forth trying to think up another way to make this work. He knows she will do this. She is smart and strong. She is desperate and desperation will make people do crazy things; do wicked things.

She finally nods her understanding. He watches with regret as the weight of what needs to happen settles on her shoulder. Watches as that weight starts to drag her down before she rolls her shoulders back and lifts her head. She turns and leaves him as two of his riders follow her back, so they can bring her decision back to him. As he watches her go, he knows this will be one of the moments he regrets for the rest of his life.