A stream of light shone through the window, lighting up the kids table as they ate dinner together. Gwen sat at one end with the smaller kids, while Nora sat between a few of the older kids at the other end.
Kyra and Jimmy hadn't really left her side since she had returned, she felt like she was back to normal. Her breathing had a slight wheeze if she had to run or walk fast, but that was the only lingering side effect. Doctor Griffin had told her that was to be expected because of prolonged exposure. Eventually it would improve though.
It didn't matter to Nora though, she didn't run anywhere. She wasn't one for exercise. Bellamy on the other hand, she often caught him sweaty if she visited his home. He had told her exercise took his mind off things when he was home, which is why he frequented the centre so much.
Visits had become part of his routine on most days, if not every day. After his janitor shift, after popping home to change, he would arrive in the centre just in time for story time. The kids had never been happier, with a different, friendly face around who was as much of a permanent fixture as Gwen and Nora were.
After the kids went to sleep, the three of them would gather on the soft chairs and talk, share a ration pack and relax. Gwen often left the two young adults to it, claiming she wanted to get an early night, but Nora saw straight past it. The older woman was a match maker, she had been for previous volunteers in the centre and always would have an eye out, even if she didn't have a companion of her own.
Bellamy still wasn't given visitation rights to see Octavia and the possibility of that ever happening looked bleak. Instead, Nora had returned a week later, feeling as close to 100% as she ever would. They resumed the same pattern, just talking, sharing stories and laughing all the while bouncing a ball between them.
Nora would bring books to the Blake sibling, only being able to get away with one at a time, and each time Octavia would give the old one back to her so it wasn't suspicious. But Bellamy still missed her, he always would. They were so close and to have that pulled away and communication cut off would be difficult for anyone.
She imagined that was why he was at the centre so often, to fill that void at home. The redhead knew he didn't like being at his home on his own, it was why he sometimes crashed in the cosy reading den.
Even with Gwen's encouragement, Nora had only joined him once or twice. He needed the rest as much as she did, but it didn't stop them from staying up late talking. It was her favourite part of her day, sitting on the cosy chairs, looking out the window to space and occasionally catching glimpses of earth.
A knock to the door that evening instantly put a smile on her face. "Bellamy's here!" Jimmy called out, going to get up from his seat but then lowered back down again when Nora gave him a look.
"Finish up your food first, bud. He isn't going anywhere." Nora said, getting up to go to the door. The door always remained locked nowadays, Gwen had suggested it after the guard intrusion and it made them all feel safer during the day.
Flicking the lock, she pulled open the door to be greeted by a warm, smiling face. His dimples popped into place, with the light hitting his freckles... "Hey Nor." He said, wrapping one arm around her in a hug. Her face pressed into his chest, his scent filling her senses, her hand rubbing his back quickly before he let go and turned to the kids.
She ignored the warm butterflies that swarmed her stomach and left little flutters behind.
"What have you brought this time?"
He turned to her sheepishly, hiding something behind his back. "Uhh... a book... and just a few things I saw at goodwill."
Nora rolled her eyes with a smile, "I told you, you don't have to keep bringing them stuff. They just want to see you."
"I know, but this way..." He took a few steps closer to her, with a bright smile on his face, "I'm definitely the favourite."
Bellamy shot her a wink before turning back to the kids, her mouth dropping open in shock. But the kids proved him right as they flocked to him instantly, with him taking her seat at the table. As he relaxed in the chair, he spoke to them with the most expressive face, acting amazed at their little stories.
After they had all finished eating, with ration packs empty, Gwen and Nora left the older kids in Bellamy's capable hands while they put the younger ones to bed. They had a couple coming into the centre next week to speak about adoption and while it made the two women excited, they knew they couldn't get their hopes up.
A child getting adopted was rare on the Ark, but when they did get placed within a family, there was no better feeling. However, not many couples adopted older kids; they all wanted younger children.
Tucking them in and reading them a short story, it didn't take long for the young ones to drift off, after a busy day running around the centre. The ones who didn't fall asleep straight away, happily chatted to one another in the low light of the room.
When the pair left the room, Nora felt her heart swell at the sight of the oldest kids surrounding Bellamy. He was so good with them; he didn't even need to work at becoming the favourite because he already was the favourite.
And Nora didn't mind that one bit. He was her favourite too.
"You ready?"
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
"I'm fine. I'm ready to do this, Bell."
A smirk pulled at his lips for some reason and she frowned at him. "Okay."
She nodded, clutching the digital display in her hand. Today was the day that Kane had agreed to meet with her to discuss Octavia, or prisoner 232's, sentence.
For the few months, she had sent him regular reports detailing her progress and how the visits were helping the young woman. Now the time had come when a decision would be made.
This was her final chance to free Octavia and get her out of the SkyBox and live as normal life as possible. She wanted to make this happen for the young woman and for Bellamy. She could tell he was putting all his faith and hope into her for this meeting. It was pressure, she knew that and felt that, but he couldn't help it.
Bellamy wasn't allowed into the meeting, it was to be between herself, the centre representative, and Kane, the council representative. She was to bargain why Octavia needs to be freed. Nora just wasn't so sure if it would work.
She wanted to stay positive, but a small part of her was being realistic, but most of her was thinking this was hopeless; they weren't going to free Octavia. The woman would be made an example of to anyone else intending on disregarding the one child law.
"Why don't you wait in the centre?"
Bellamy shook his head, his dark locks shaking as he clenched his jaw. His hair looked like it was getting longer these days, she guessed it wasn't high on the list of his priorities right now. "No, I'll wait here."
Nora cocked her head at him, "right outside, are you serious?"
"Yeah. I'm not leaving. There's no way I can go sit somewhere else when this essentially decides whether O stays in lock up for the rest of her life or not."
Nora didn't want to correct him, but it would technically be until she was 18, then she would face another trial but would likely be floated. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she felt that pressure push down on her shoulders, heavy like a boulder.
She felt nauseous and hot all over.
The door opened behind them and she felt like it was sucking inside to her doom.
"Miss Thorn, are you ready?" Kane asked with a stony expression.
Swallowing the lump, she spared a look back to Bellamy who gave her a firm nod. She felt his fingers graze hers before clasping her hand in an encouraging grip.
She couldn't think too long about how warm and comforting it felt, now was not exactly the best time to start getting googly eyed or anything. Looking back to Kane, his grip loosened and she followed the council member into the room.
Her heart beat wildly in her chest as she took a seat in front of Kane's desk. He lowered himself into the chair opposite and sent her a kind smile. "So... Octavia Blake."
"Yes." Setting the digital display down, she opened her notes and report. "You've had the reports that I've sent to you, she has shown clear signs of progression, she does not seem to have any extreme behavioural issues, and she's passed all medical examinations with Dr Griffin." Nora took a deep breath. "She seems like a perfectly capable young adult. I personally see no reason for her to be locked up and would reason with you to release her back into the Ark population, or at least into the Children's centre until she is 18 and then to be reassessed before introduction into the Ark."
Kane cleared his throat, "is there a conflict of interest here, Miss Thorn?"
She felt that boulder squish her.
Gulping, Nora shook her head, "no, sir."
"You seem quite close with her brother, Bellamy Blake?"
She paused. Well, she couldn't exactly lie to him now when he had seen them outside together, "yes, sir."
"Maybe it is better for Octavia's case be handed over to Gwendolyn." Kane suggested and Nora felt her heart sink, Gwen had said the same thing to her.
"No, sir. My relationship with Mr Blake does not factor into my work. I have this case because I have an invested interest in the prisoner."
Kane gave her a soft look, "because of Bellamy Blake?"
Nora frowned, "no." She insisted, all the while trying to not let her panic take over. "It's not that, sir. She... Octavia just lost the only parent she had. That used to be me. I was never a second child hidden under the floor, no, but I only ever had one parent, and I lost that parent young... younger than Octavia, I know how difficult and hard it is, to feel all alone, like you have no one." Swallowing the thick lump in her throat, she continued, "but she still has someone, she has family on the Ark. It would be cruel to keep them apart for the rest of their lives, when they've only ever known a life with each other in it."
She stared hard at Kane, trying to appeal to him because this was pretty much their last chance.
"I've read your reports, they're very thorough." Kane extended his hand out for the digital display, "may I?" Nodding, she slid it across the table to him. He flicked through the reports, "you're visiting her a lot, which is good, and you seem to be working well with her, helping her develop her socialisation skills, managing any behavioural issues-"
"There aren't any behavioural issues."
A smirk quirked the corner of Kane's mouth up, "and you're using this time as a sort of therapy for her, which is proving beneficial." He tapped on the screen.
"It is. She's doing really well, really responsive. I don't see her as a danger or a threat... she's just a kid."
"I never saw her as a threat to the Ark either, Miss Thorn." Kane said, looking across at the woman. "I'll take copies of your reports before the council and present it to them in a meeting. Only then can a decision be finalised regarding Octavia Blake."
"Can she have visits from her brother in the mean time?"
Kane stilled, clearly contemplating the idea. "I can't decide that. It has to go through the Chancellor." Her shoulders sunk.
"When will the meeting be?" She asked, as he slid the digital display with all her notes on back to her.
"Hopefully I'll get it before them today."
"This afternoon?"
"I'll let you know." Kane said, giving her a look.
The redhead nodded, accepting the answer before standing up with the display in hand. "Thank you." She turned to leave, her heart still hammering in her chest. But before she reached the door, she turned back to the desk, where Kane was looking through the reports still. "If Octavia stays in lock up... can I still have regular visitation rights?"
"As a children's centre representative I don't see why not." Kane said, choosing his words carefully. She caught the slight smile on his lips and accepted the answer, he would let her visits slide, even though those in the SkyBox were rarely given visit rights.
"But not Bellamy?"
The council member paused, "I will try my best."
That didn't sound as positive. She decided, nodding again before leaving the room.
She felt sick.
"How did it go? What did he decide?"
Looking up, Bellamy came towards her at warp speed, eager to know the result of the meeting. Nora swallowed the lump and gripped the display a bit tighter in her grip. "He has to put it before the whole council. He alone cannot make the decision."
She saw how Bellamy's face dropped, his shoulders slumping, his mouth falling open and a frown appeared. "When will we know?"
"Today." He looked so lost and Nora couldn't think of anything that would make him feel better. "I'm sorry." She said meekly, there was nothing more they could do now. They just had to wait. Without saying anything, Nora took his warm hand in hers and guided them back to the centre.
The rush of kids was a welcomed distraction for the former cadet, but she could see the conflicting emotions hiding behind his dark eyes.
She didn't stray far from the phone, ready to answer Kane.
Nora could imagine Octavia fitting in perfectly in the centre. The two Blake siblings were very alike in their personalities and she was sure she would love being around the kids as much as Bellamy did. He would also be able to visit her as much as possible if she were here. The younger woman would thrive here; she wouldn't be isolated or alone any more.
When the phone beeped, she looked over to see Bellamy say something to Jimmy before walking over to her. As Gwen tended to the kids with another volunteer, Nora pressed her ear to the phone, "Miss Thorn, the council requests your presence for the verdict."
"I'll be right there, sir." She said, hanging up and looking up to Bellamy.
But before she could open her mouth, he spoke up, "I'm coming with you."
It wasn't ideal, with Bellamy being there and in such close proximity to the council who had already made a decision whether his sister would essentially be sentenced to two more years in lock up before ultimately being floated. She imagined he would act out and get angry, which was only natural, but she didn't want himself getting arrested too. His sentence wouldn't be as difficult. He was 22, he would simply be floated at the next point in time.
The thought of it happening made her feel sick; a life without Bellamy. At least the way things were right now, Octavia still had a chance, she was still alive.
But Bellamy wouldn't.
Knocking on the door to the council's chamber, it didn't take long for it to open, with Kane on the other side. "Miss Thorn." He nodded, before sparing a look over her shoulder to Bellamy. "Please come in."
Nora looked back to the former cadet, his jaw was clenched impossibly tight, his fists clenched and his eyes wide. He was on edge and rightfully so. But she just really hoped he didn't do anything.
This time, it was her who reached out, to wrap her hand around his closed fist and gradually she felt him relax and unclench his fist slowly. Before he could grip it back, she let go and stepped into the councillor's chamber.
The redhead gulped when she looked over to see all the council members sat at the round table, all with serious expressions and all giving her the same narrowed eye look. Well, all except Abby Griffin. The doctor gave her a kind smile, nodding her to step forward.
Chancellor Jaha rose to standing and greeted her with a handshake, "Thank you for joining us, Miss Thorn. Marcus Kane has presented your reports on prisoner 232, Octavia Blake." Nora stood awkwardly in front f the table, but put on her bravest face, lifting her chin a notch and nodding as Jaha spoke and Kane took his seat once more.
"Thank you for discussing and reconsidering her sentencing. I'm sure Kane has told you about my regular visits to Octavia Blake. There has been no signs of concern, no cognitive behavioural issues, no disruptive mannerisms—"
"We have already reached a verdict, Miss Thorn." Jaha spoke, and all Nora could do was close her mouth and nod. "Miss Blake will not be released into the general Ark population."
Nora's heart sunk.
"Is there a particular reason for this decision?"
"The Ark has a one child law. The Ark cannot sustain more than one child per family."
"But it's just Octavia. One person we're talking about here."
"And then what after it, Miss Thorn?" Jaha questioned, his voice rose as did his chin a notch as he gave her a look. "What happens when another family have a second child, and then another, and another, until the Ark suffers because one person had the law bent for them."
Clenching her jaw, Nora tried to accept it, but Jaha was pushing it to prove a point. She spared a look to Abby and Kane, the former who had a sympathetic look on her face. "And what of visitations?"
"Representatives from the children's centre are still permitted to visit anyone who is under the age of 18 in lock up or the skybox. Nothing has changed there."
"But her family? Bellamy Blake?"
"Prisoners in the Skybox are exempt from visitations from the public, family or otherwise."
Nora tried to keep her breathing as even as possible, "what if she lived in the Children's Centre with us until she was 18, then she could be reassessed then?" She suggested, sparing a pleading look at the people around the table.
"We have discussed that option already." Kane spoke up and her heart sunk to the bottom of her stomach.
Jaha's word was final it seemed, "there is no room for negotiation here, Miss Thorn."
There was nothing left to say to them then; they clearly weren't going to budge on the decision... which meant she would now have to tell Bellamy. Typical council decision; one she saw coming, but had hoped for it to be different this time.
Octavia herself had committed no crimes, yet she would be locked up for another two years because of it... and the council didn't even care. She had trusted Kane to put his best case forward for this, but clearly either it hadn't worked or he hadn't tried hard enough.
Gritting her teeth, she spared a look over at the council members who had sentenced a girl of nearly 16 to live and die in solitary. "Is that all?" Nora turned to give a hard look to Jaha, who just nodded to her.
Not saying another word, out of fear she would unleash her thoughts and anger on the council, she just turned, gripping the display tightly in her hand. She let the door slam behind her, and she had to admit, it did help hearing the crash behind her.
But what came next would harbour now satisfying feelings.
Bellamy looked over at her with a still expression, almost like he knew what the result was.
"I'm sorry."
There weren't any other words she could think of that could comprehend her anger and thoughts right now. How could she console him now? It was bad enough the first time when Octavia had been arrested, but now this was just so much more permanent.
His eyes turned hard and his jaw clenched tightly, like his fists did. He didn't utter one word but Nora could see the pain behind his expression.
Before she could open her mouth to calm him down, the former cadet had turned and stormed down the hallway. "Bellamy!" She called after him, jogging after him, but when she turned the corner, he was already long gone.
A/N: Thank you all of you lovely readers with your reviews :) I promise, we are getting close to landing on Earth… just not yet…
