Edited sexy times ahead - go on over to A03 (Eyeofthehurricane) if you want the full version.

C.G.C.G.C.G.

"Tell me if you want to stop."

They had made their way from the stairwell to Lexa's bedroom in a haze that Clarke barely remembered, but she pulled back at Lexa's words. Lexa's hands were playing with the hem of her shirt, hesitant. Clarke smiled and kissed the tip of Lexa's nose, grabbing the shirt and pulling it over her head (Lexa's shirt was already discarded behind them - the kitchen? Or perhaps on the sofa?) and drawing Lexa into an embrace.

"Lex, it's a miracle I've controlled myself as much as I have. I'm not about to stop now." She felt Lexa's fingertips skimming her marred skin and shivered. Pushing past her lingering discomfort, she leaned Lexa back onto the bed slowly. Hovering, she took in the darkened eyes, flushed cheeks, and slight panting.

"Clarke." Her name coming in such a breathy tone spurred Clarke into action.

"You make adorable noises, babe. Can't wait to hear more." Lexa mock-glared at her before retorting,

"Shut up and take my pants off."

"Bossy. I like it."

Words were beyond them after that.

C.G.C.G.C.G.

Clarke had lost track of how long she and Lexa had rolled about when she realized that it was dark outside, and that Raven was probably wondering where she was. She managed to maneuver Lexa into the shower (where they got each other off again) before they got dressed and headed nextdoor.

Though expected, coming through the door to see a tense Raven sitting uncomfortably on a barstool was sobering. Raven looked up from her tablet as soon as the door opened, frowning at them. Clarke sighed but didn't release Lexa's hand: Raven was a smart lady who definitely knew what she and Lexa had been up to. The three of them were silent until Wells exited the bathroom, freezing as he took in Clarke and Lexa before rushing forward and drawing Clarke in a bone-crushing hug. As soon as he released her, she stepped back next to Lexa, causing him to raise an eyebrow.

"Hell of a couple of days, Clarke," he said, looking blatantly between them. She shrugged, looking between him and Raven, who exploded again before she could speak.

"The hell, Jaha?! You're supposed to…I thought you'd…" Wells drew back in surprise.

"You thought I'd stop her from going back?" He turned to Clarke, "Can you even do that at this point?" Clarke shook her head, squeezing Lexa's hand in need of support. Wells turned fully to Raven and softened his voice. "Raven. You are one of the most badass people I know…"

"Damn straight," Raven muttered. Wells smiled indulgently before going on.

"That being said, I will always support Clarke. She is my sister in every way that matters." Raven opened her mouth, but Wells held up his hand in a 'wait a moment' gesture, walking slowly to where she sat and putting his hands on her shoulders. "She is capable, strong, resilient, everything that embodies a proud service member. If she feels she still has something to give, I say…"

"But what if she gives her life!" Raven burst out. Seeming surprised that she'd said it, she turned away from Wells (from all of them) and hopped off the stool. Clarke released Lexa's hand and walked next to her friend.

"Raven. Look at me," she waited until Raven turned around and pulled her into a quick embrace. Pulling back, she leaned against the waiting Wells before speaking again. "Part of me recognizes that my training compels me to go back, to give more of myself." Raven (and Lexa) seemed to flinch at that - Lexa had probably seen or heard the same thing growing up, and Raven definitely knew what she was talking about. "But. A bigger part of me...it's not an obligation - it's a calling."

"I thought you were building a life here," Raven spoke quietly. Clarke sighed and ran her hand through her hair.

"I have built a life here," she said, looking at all of them. "You're right about that. You all are my family, and I will be back, I promise."

"You can't promise that, Sarge. Finn...he told me he'd be back and I had to bury him." Clarke only flinched minutely, but she knew Raven didn't mean it as an accusation this time.

"You're right," she finally said. "There's no guarantee: I'm able bodied and I have experience. They said I was going more into a training role, but who knows. I'll keep in touch as I can."

"Pendleton?" Clarke nodded, relieved. Raven's face took on a teasing quality. "Gonna do some tanning in SoCal?" Clarke laughed (it was somewhat forced, but no one said anything) and just like that, the conversation turned to other things - namely if Clarke would be able to drink all her "non-Raven friendly alcohol" ("yes, dammit, what type of Marine do you think I am?).

The remainder of the evening was filled with card games and laughter interspaced with somber moments. In a blink of an eye, Raven and Wells had retired into Raven's bedroom ("don't leave without saying goodbye") and Clarke was holding Lexa tightly against her as her body refused to sleep.

C.G.C.G.C.G.

Lincoln was waiting downstairs to take her to the airport. It had been a small argument on who would take her, but in the end Clarke had managed to convince everyone that saying goodbye in private would be better. Her bag was packed - it really was time to go. Wells pulled her into a gruff hug and had just released her when there was a banging on the door. Raven opened it and Abby Griffin spilled in, frantic.

"Did I miss saying goodbye?" She froze as she Clarke stepped forward to embrace her.

"Thanks for coming," she said, and found she actually meant it. Her mother clung to her a beat, eyes misty.

"Of course. I love you, Clarke. I'll always love you." Clarke felt a wave of...something as her mother stood back and Raven threw herself forward (in a completely dignified manner, of course) for a bone-crushing hug, nearly lifting Clarke off her feet. She stepped back with a quick "take care of yourself, Griff," into Wells, who gathered her close.

"I'll walk you down," Lexa offered. Clarke nodded and grabbed her bag, swinging it easily onto her shoulder. In the doorway she paused and turned to the room.

"Goodbye."

The door closed, and she heard Raven loudly offer her mother breakfast before she followed Lexa to the stairwell. In sync, they paused between floors 10 and 11. Clarke dropped her bag and pulled Lexa into a long, desperate kiss. They broke apart eventually, breathing heavily.

"One day," Lexa whispered. Clarke leaned in and kissed her again.

"One day," she answered.

Lexa left her at the bottom of the stairwell, misty-eyed as she whispered: May we meet again. Clarke pulled herself away and didn't look back as she passed through the lobby, waving to David Miller, who stood and saluted. She nodded and returned the gesture before heading outside.

Lincoln was leaning against the passenger door of a slightly rusty gold Plymouth Voyager, the back hatch open. Silently, they nodded to each other and Clarke loaded her bag. When the doors were closed and they'd started rolling, Clarke spoke sharply.

"The van?"

"Octavia's brother's wife's. Gina. Nice lady."

"Moving fast, Lincoln. Did you do a sweep?"

"We're clean, Sarge."

"Good. I need you to do two things for me, but only if you feel you can stay safe." Lincoln glanced at her briefly as they were stopped at a light, and nodded.

"First, tell Murphy to go to ground. Right away, code 452." She waited until he acknowledged, and contemplated how to frame her next request. They were near the airport exit when Lincoln followed up.

"And the second?" Clarke exhaled loudly before speaking.

"Get me everything you can on Mount Weather." Lincoln jerked violently, but his training kept the van straight.

"Clarke!"

"If I could ask someone else, I would. Octavia checks out, I ran her before Raven started seeing her. Use Lexa if you can, she's got more resources than we know." He glanced at her again as they pulled up to the airport dropoff. "I honestly didn't know before yesterday, so check her first." She paused before opening the door when Lincoln laid his hand over hers.

"What are you tangled in, Clarke?" She closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

"Can you do those things for me?" he paused a beat too long and she got out of the car. He met her at the back of the minivan and grabbed her bag. She turned toward him, question still in her eyes.

"Yes." (Clarke knew that was the answer to her previous inquiry). "You take care of yourself, and don't be a stranger. Enjoy the ocean, Sarge." He pulled her in briefly, then got back into the driver's seat and was gone.

Clarke drew her shoulders back and entered the airport alone.