Bellamy didn't sleep much that night.

He kept repeating the moment over and over again in his mind. Replaying the moment she kissed him... and ultimately the moment she pulled away.

He had been so surprised that she'd kissed him, that he'd froze. Then promptly panicked when she had too, he said it was all forgotten but he couldn't forget that. Had she actually meant to kiss him?

Well, you don't exactly accidentally kiss someone. She must've thought about it.

"You are the biggest idiot in the history of idiots." He said to himself, rubbing his eyes and getting up from the bed. That moment he had been waiting for, for quite a while, had happened and he froze. He didn't kiss her back like he had imagined doing for so long, no, he froze.

It wasn't exactly the mind blowing moment he had been waiting for. Bellamy had himself to thank for that. "Idiot." He repeated again, getting ready for the day and their eventual ration run. It was still early, he doubted many on Factory would be awake but he started his shift in 20 minutes. Splashing some water on his face, he vowed that he would never mess up that opportunity again.

But he would have to make his own opportunity now. She had been bold enough to kiss him, next time it was all on him. Whether she wanted to kiss him again was another question. He might've scared her off for good now.

Dressed in his uniform and closing the door behind him, he would be counting down the hours until the run began... and he saw Nora again. He had no clue what he would say to her, but he thought his best bet was to follow her wishes and act like that never happened.

Jones was never gonna let him live this one down.


Nora prepped her bag that morning, she put a few decoy children's centre papers in there, mainly to cover up and disguise her mission. She placed the digital display next to her bag and left it to say goodbye to Gwen.

"Be careful." She warned her, clenching her jaw. "Please. If it's too risky... You come back. You leave it."

Nora nodded, seeing the bags under the woman's eyes. She was hungry too. She was tired of the council's bullshit too. They all were.

"I'll be safe." The redhead repeated. "All going well, I'll be back at 11."

"And all not going well?"

She didn't know what to say to that. She froze, like Bellamy had last night... "Call Abby and Bellamy."

Gwen pulled her in, squeezing the young woman tightly. "I love you, sweetie."

"I love you too."

This felt bigger than all her other ration runs. This wasn't a little one, this was a whole weeks worth of rations she was running for, not just a few extra meals. Her gut told her this was bigger than her... to maybe rethink. But one look at the kids told her she had to try.

"I'm gonna say goodbye to Kyra and Jimmy quick." She mumbled, slipping past her and running to swoop Jimmy up in her arms. He wasn't looking and let out a yelp when she swung him through the air. "You little monster." She rumbled to him and he started laughing.

Dropping him down to the pillows, she bent down closer to him and Kyra. They had been acting out a bit from a book, presumably to show Bellamy when he next stopped by. "I'm gonna pop out quickly, but I'll be back for lunch. Can you two hold down the fort for me? Keep everyone in check?"

Standing to attention, Jimmy gave her a salute and a beaming smile. "Eye eye captain." He said, before laughing again.

"Can we show you our performance when you get back?"

"Of course you can!" She smiled over at Kyra, leaning over to kiss her head before standing up and high fiving Jimmy. "At ease, cadet." She said before turning back to Gwen. "You got yourself two extra helpers this morning." She winked.

"Helpers for what? More mess?" Gwen said, with an eyebrow raised.

"Ha. Ha." Nora mocked, slinging her bag across her body and taking the display into her hand. "Catch you later!" She called on her way out, locking the door behind her. She took a leisurely stroll to Go-Sci, her fingers tapping at the display.

She looked at the calendar for next week, frowning, she noticed a change; all their appointments for juvenile lock up had been cancelled. They had about 6 observations booked in previously, but they had all disappeared. She made a mental note to ask Gwen about it when she got back.


Bellamy checked his display quickly – 10.25. He had just finished cleaning the floor of one section of Go-Sci, his feet were naturally taking him round the corner to the hallway with the ration supply room on.

Making a pit stop at the janitor closet down the hall, he gathered fresh water and supplies to continue on his way to the next section. For the past few hours, his mind had been torturing him, replaying that same second moment with Nora. He had been over analysing it, picking it apart and wishing he could turn back time to have a do-over.

But it didn't work like that.

"Blake!"

His heart rate picked up instantly and his head shot over to see his line manager calling for him, beckoning him over... and ultimately further away from the ration supply room. He dutifully nodded and walked over to him, "morning, sir."

He gave him a smile. "You got a minute to talk through your schedule for next week?" Bellamy hesitated. No, he didn't have the time; he had to supervise a thief soon. He spared a look over his shoulder. "Or do you have somewhere you need to be?" He questioned the young man with an eyebrow raise.

"No, no, it's fine. What do you want to discuss?"

"Next week, Shaw needs some extra help on Factory and Alpha for the week. Did you want to pick up the extra shifts?"

His mind was still on the redhead nearby. He hadn't seen her yet. He hadn't heard any dings from his display. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled it out as if to schedule his schedule but really to double check for anything from Nora. "Uh, yeah, sure. What days?" As his manager rattled off the dates, he inputted them on the schedule, before sliding the display back into his pocket.

"I also wanted to talk to you about your job review, seeing as you've been in this role for a while now." Bellamy's attention was drawn back to the older man. Had he really been in this job that long? It didn't feel like it. He nodded along, while trying to think back to the last time he'd seen Octavia. He remembered the short, young woman she was when she went into lock up all those months ago and wondered what she was like now. It had been far too long without his sister by his side.

"You've been performing well and I'm impressed."

Bellamy heard a ding from the display in his pocket and knew it was Nora. But he couldn't pick it up at this point. Had she gone in?

"I know this wasn't the career path you were hoping for. But I hope it's one you can grow with and love in the future." The older man said to him, with a genuine look of hope in his eyes. "You're a good kid and you work well with everyone."

"Thank you, sir."

"So after next weeks shifts, I want you to come and find me. We'll talk about a promotion for you and what else we can get you involved in, whether that's a bigger mechanics role possibly? We have a few janitors already working a lot more on Mecha in their spare time to help out. I think that could be a good fit for you."

He was definitely interested in that.

"It won't be anything like the cadet programme."

"That's a good thing, sir." He said, maybe a bit too quickly, but still the older man smiled and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'm glad you think that way. It'll switch up your role a bit more, we can see what else you're capable of. So come find me and we'll talk more about your future when next weeks extra shifts are done. Thanks for helping Shaw out as well, you're a good team player." He gave him a soft slap on the back before shaking his hand quickly. "I've got a meeting to get to, but get on with the hard work, Blake."

"Yes, sir." He nodded, watching the older man leave before whipping out the display from his pocket.

Blake you there?

"Shit."

Yeah, you in?

Hurrying back to the janitors closet, he quickly tidied everything away before grabbing the trolley and dashing through Go-Sci with it.


Bellamy was late. Where was he?

Nora was in position but she saw no sign of the janitor anywhere. Had she really pushed him away once and for all with that kiss?

No, he'll show...

But time was counting down and she only had a full 10 minute window to work within, and that was without any surprise passerby's.

She waited a little while longer in the window, flicking through her display when she decided to send him a message. Blake you there?

Simple, to the point and no reminder of their kiss.

But she had no reply from him and looking around he was no where to be seen. It was deathly quiet. Had he changed his mind about getting involved maybe? Nora wasn't sure, but she was getting antsy just waiting for him. Her time slot was getting shorter and shorter. It was this run or they would probably have to live off crackers and share one small warm meal a day for the next week.

Another minute and still no sign of the man. Maybe he was showing her how he felt about that kiss, that he didn't care and he felt differently... But would he really just leave her here like this?

He was her friend. She might even say her best friend. Had she really ruined their friendship in that split second she kissed him? Was that her biggest mistake?

Her brain raged with different questions and thoughts; none of them new, they were the same questions she had been asking herself since she kissed him.

I kissed him. He didn't kiss me back. That was that. Let's just pop a cork in their whole relationship/friendship now?

Squeezing her eyes shut, she made the decision. "Screw it." She was doing this alone. Just like she had all of her other ration runs.

Slotting the display into her bag, she'd hear it if it made any dings, but it seemed this time she was going solo. Running faster than she thought she could, she stepped out of view of the cameras and discreetly entered the code to the ration supply room and entered quietly. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest, the sound reverberating in her ears.

She mentally recited Bellamy's instructions to find the shelving area and her eyes lit up when she found the rations in their own boxes. Picking out the higher calorie rations and a few extra staples, she counted them as she secured them into her bag.

Still no ding. Nothing from Bellamy. Where was he?

Grabbing one last ration, she zipped up her bag but she did it too quickly and felt it jam. "Fuck." Cursing under her breath, she pulled on it to shut, but it still wouldn't budge. She felt her heart beat faster and her body getting hotter under the pressure, her hand gripping the tiny zip in her hand. It still didn't budge. "Close damn it." She hissed at the object, as it protested and refused to close. Giving up with a huff, she flipped the flap of the bag over the top and pressed on the Velcro to seal it as best as possible. It would have to do. Keeping her hand on the bag, she made her way back to the door, taking a deep breath before slowly opening it.

That's when she heard the ding from the display in her bag. A new message. Her hand froze on the door, waiting for another ding to signal the coast was clear but it never came. What did one ding mean? Or maybe it wasn't Bellamy messaging her? Was it someone else?

Shaking her head, she took a deep breath. She couldn't risk opening her bag again to find out. It was jammed enough as it was. Nora only opened the door a fraction, to listen out for anyone. When she heard nothing but silence for a few seconds, she slipped out and let the door click shut softly behind her. She would follow through now on the remainder of the plan to make it to Factory janitor closet until she could then do the rest of the journey to Mecha.

She just hoped Bellamy had at least left the door open like planned.

Casually walking around the corner and past others going about their daily life, she breathed a sigh of relief. She had done it. The kids would eat, she would eat. They wouldn't go to bed hungry again after a small dinner. She wouldn't have to give up a full ration meal for one of the kids, nor would Gwen have to.

This was the problem with them being at the bottom of the totem pole on Mecha. Guards and the Council saw them as expendable, which led them to being on reduced rations a lot of the time.

She guessed the centre was a massive resource for the Ark... One which many didn't see the point in because so little of the kids actually got adopted. But that didn't mean they weren't worthy of food or –

"Miss Thorn."

Her body froze, her hand stilling over her bag.

Bile rose up in her throat.

That loud, commanding voice was unmistakable.

Shumway.

Her brain was wiped clean and in its place lay her fight or flight instinct. There was no ignoring him, she couldn't just continue on her walk like she hadn't heard him.

Turning, she gripped her bag even tighter across her chest. The children's centre logo was emblazed on the front for all to see in the hallway. "Yes?" She spoke up, her voice not as strong as she would have liked it to be. Others had now stopped, to turn and watch the encounter between the Arker and Commander.

Shumway slowly walked towards her, two guards flanking him and immediately dwarfing Nora. She took two steps back as they loomed closer. He didn't say anything, but a small smirk slipped onto his face. "Arrest her."

"For what?" She feigned innocence, glaring hard. "You need a reason to arrest me."

"Do I really? Being a thief is enough." He said, his voice rising so others heard. "Like father like daughter."

Before the two guards could come close enough, she bolted.

Flight.

The commotion had everyone staring, as the young woman shoved past everyone. Her feet running faster than she thought she could actually run; turns out she wasn't that bad of a runner. But her lungs screamed out in agony and for her to stop. Up ahead, she saw a familiar hulking figure: Tobias. He had always lent a helping hand to her and Gwen in the centre, and had not long ago tried to fix their thermostat.

They locked eyes for barely a second before he stepped aside and let her past, the thundering feet still behind her. As she passed him, she spared a quick look behind her to see him step back into the middle of the hallway, pretending to fish about in his tool box and accidentally bump into the running guards.

Her feet were thinking for her, clutching her bag tightly to her chest as her eyes caught sight of the janitors closet up ahead. She was deaf to everything going on around her, the people a blur... and maybe that was her mistake, not keeping her senses open enough, because before she could take another step, someone grabbed by the hair and pulled her back. She hadn't even seen where they had come from.

"You think I didn't see what you were planning? You've been around Go-Sci a lot more than normal these days and I'm not stupid, Miss Thorn." Shumway had been the one to grab her. But how had he got there so quickly? Had he really predicted her movements? "I have people everywhere."

With the people of the Ark watching, she winced and squeezed her eyes shut. The sting was sharp as the man gave her hair another tug and wrapped an arm around her neck.

"You don't know how long I've been waiting for this moment." Shumway muttered from behind her. She remembered her training with Bellamy, and sprung into action before she could think twice.

The redhead launched her foot back into his shin and her elbow flew backwards into his jaw. She heard the satisfying smack but couldn't stand still long enough to relish in it. His fist releasing the grip he had on her long enough for the redhead to launch forward.

Into the arms of another guard.

Nora was pushed face first into a wall with a smack of its own, her cheek pressing against the cold metal. Her head hummed, as she blinked away the dark spots. "Arrest her." Shumway ordered, as she continued to struggle, throwing another elbow back to meet the jaw of the guard. He grunted and pulled the bag from her shoulder, the velcro flap easily opening and the rations falling to the floor along with paperwork from the centre. Twisting around, her back was pressed against the cold metal walls. Before the guard could restrain her, she swung her leg up to meet the guards groin. He crumpled to the floor instantly, moaning out.

She didn't have time to gloat though.

A bolt of electricity surged through her stomach, spreading through her every limb, stilling her movements as she dropped to the floor against the wall. Her breaths came out staggered as the volts of energy surged through her, leaving her gasping for air. "Stealing is a crime punishable by death." Shumway's voice was loud and clear over the quiet murmurs of the people standing and watching nearby. Nora's hazel eyes dropped to the ground, her sight going fuzzy.

As one guard cuffed her wrists in front of her, she felt the energy leave her body and knew it was all over.

This was it. She had lost this one.

Was this how the people of the Ark would remember her as? A simple thief for her own self? No...

Her voice broke as she tried to speak up, her eyes firmly fixed on the man who had floated her father and would ultimately do the same to her. "And yet there are starving children, whose food and oxygen supply is suffer-!" Another bolt of electricity to her side stopped her words. She slumped down to the ground, crying out as Shumway kept his shock lash on her stomach for longer than necessary, her body spasming from the shocks.

Wheezing, she let the floor be her comfort as she dropped to her side, the pain ebbing away at her stomach from the shocklashes. It felt white hot from where the lash had struck her. Her heart hammered violently in her chest.

Shumway had been precise with his aims. She tried to blink away the haze as her bleary hazel eyes scanned the crowd from the floor; she recognised many of their faces. They wore faces of worry and concern, not judgment and that made her feel better... And that's when she saw him, squeezing through the crowd to get to the front, watching with a face of thunder, his jaw tight and fists clenched beside him.

Bellamy.

"Sorry." She tried to mouth to him. If only she had waited or gone another day, but she couldn't stand to see another child go hungry, to see another child suffer from malnutrition, for herself and Gwen to go hungry another day. She had had enough.

Maybe if she had trusted him to come to her rescue, because he had come to her after all, just not in good timing...

"Take her to lock up." Shumway ordered, but not before striking her again over her stomach and knocking the wind out of her. Nora didn't recognise her own voice as she heard the guttural scream; it sounded foreign, pained and desperate. But she wouldn't plead for mercy to Shumway. The surge of electricity ran through body and she grimaced, the pain from each was too much for her to bear. She wheezed, gritting her teeth and tried to blink and stay awake.

And then it was over. But her muscles still contracted and twitched with the after-effects.

A guard grabbed her joined wrists and lifted her up, carelessly pushing her limp body into the wall. Her head throbbed from being slammed into the wall a few times already. Her heart had taken on an erratic beat from the surges of electricity, making her dizzy.

She didn't have enough energy to grunt or make any other noises. Instead, she used all she had left to keep her eyes open long enough to watch Bellamy. He looked so remorseful, but it was all her fault. She should have waited. It wasn't his fault. She thought he had abandoned her, but she should've known better... he wouldn't do that. He said he'd always protect her and he was a man of his word.

But why wasn't he there? She'd probably never know.

The guard holding her body to the wall lifted her up and onto his shoulder. Letting out a small grunt, she looked up, finding Bellamy's face again. His handsome face, his hair in disarray, like he'd been running... She longed to go back to the time where it was just the two of them, watching space outside and talking about anything but their responsibilities.

She just hoped she'd see him again.

She didn't want this to be their goodbye.

A/N: :) The next chapter is already written… So tell me what you think and I'll get it posted for you guys!