A/N: So, I want to try to keep a steady updating schedule of two-three weeks, but since it's Christmas and this was ready to go, I figured I may as well post it and then start with my time frame. Hope you enjoy it and please review so I know how you feel...one of you may notice something I don't that needs to be addressed down the line, you never know...

Again, special thanks to AvengerGirl17, strangeJenny and Cherrypinkrose, they know what parts they've played.

I'd also like to thank those that have already Favourited, Followed and my two Reviews! Means so much!

Also again, large sections of Italics are flashbacks, and I own nothing that relates to The 100.

Chapter Two

Bellamy growled in frustration, letting his head fall where his arms were folded on his desk. He felt like a complete idiot! His day thus far had consisted of trying to shove thoughts of Clarke aside and attempting to grade papers. He had been successful at neither.

Grading that should've only taken a couple of hours had dragged on late into the night. He was tired, but he knew that his mind wouldn't let him rest.

It wasn't that Clarke was so close and he hadn't known, it was that his sister had. It was memories, wonderful memories and painful ones, and the onslaught of questions.

So many questions…

There was one nagging voice in the back of his mind though - the little whisper reminding him that he didn't know her anymore.

The thought that she was still the same now was just as heartbreaking, in theory, as finding her so drastically changed in the six years they'd been separated that perhaps he wouldn't even recognize her anymore.

Bellamy knew he'd changed a lot in the last few years. His career, priorities, and even his temperament had changed some…or maybe he'd just reverted to the far more patient person he'd been before moving to Europe and leaving Octavia behind.

He liked to think he'd just grown up, but then not speaking to his sister for over two years wasn't exactly the most mature thing to do after a pointless fight.

Bellamy took a deep breath and let out a long exhale, trying to make sense of everything. Guilt and hurt warred for dominance, and even after all this time anger still lingered behind it all.

They had all played a part, but it had been so easy to push all of the blame on Clarke since she wasn't there to defend herself. He knew it hadn't been right, but he couldn't help but still think she should've been there.

There was a part of him that couldn't seem to forgive the 22-year-old version of Clarke that had broken his heart in more ways than she would probably ever know. But there was another part of him that missed her - the part that could never hate her and had already begun fighting to forgive her.

They had been so close at one time, and it ate at him that so much time now separated them. He missed being able to text or call whenever he wanted, or having breakfast together at their favorite diner on a Saturday morning.

It had taken years of denial before he'd finally come to grips with the fact that he had lost his best friend. It got to the point that he couldn't even be in the room if someone mentioned her. It hurt too much.

When Madi said Clarke's name it was like she'd opened Pandora's Box. All of the emotions and memories Bellamy had carefully shut away came spilling out, washing over him in waves of hurt and anger.

He hated himself for caring- hated himself even now for reaching for his phone every two seconds like she was actually going to call. He was pathetic and he knew it.

She'd probably changed her number a long time ago, or that was the excuse he came up with every time his thumb ghosted over her contact details in his phone. He wanted so badly to reach out, but he was terrified.

What if he called and she did answer? What would he do then?

Something told him he'd sit there in complete silence, uncomfortable and embarrassed. Unfortunately his finger seemed to move of its own accord and before he knew what was happening the line was ringing.

Bellamy panicked, quickly ending the call and sliding the phone far across the desk. He swore quietly, running a hand up and down the back of his neck where a tension headache was beginning.

He knew he was going to have to speak to her at some point, but now was not the time. Given their current situation, and the fact that he actually liked his job, he would have to be mature about everything and at the very least be civil. Something told him that hashing out the past at this moment wouldn't exactly be the best choice to foster civility.

Accepting that he wasn't going to get anything figured out that night, he shuffled off to his bedroom - shoulders slumped as though the weight of the world balanced precariously upon his back.

He flopped back on his bed fully clothed with a huff as another thought suddenly occurred to him. Murphy had spent plenty of time with Octavia since moving to Polis to be with Emori. It seemed highly improbable that he hadn't come into contact with Clarke at some point over the years.

For all of his faults John Murphy could actually be pretty forgiving, even if he did tend to hold things over a person's head, and he was surprisingly loyal.

Six years ago, Murphy had hidden whatever hurt or anger he had felt about Clarke's leaving behind a heavy veil of even heavier sarcasm, general rudeness, and several poor choices.

Murphy had known Clarke since high school, Raven too, so he had been in a tight spot with the events leading up to Clarke cutting them out of her life. It had been much harder on him than he'd let on, but he'd been the one to suggest contacting Clarke with the news of Jasper's death. He'd also been the only one who had openly expected her to be there. His reaction after the service told Bellamy that he hadn't been the only one to notice Clarke's absence.

Bellamy considered messaging Murphy, but a glance at his bedside clock told him it was after 2 am. He groaned, deciding it would have to wait until morning because even if John were awake at this hour he probably wouldn't reply just to be a brat.

His headache was only worsening as he rolled over, and stared out the gaps in the blinds at the murky darkness. He could feel his eyelids beginning to droop and he didn't have the strength to fight sleep as it crowded in.

Then, feeling as if he had only just closed his eyes, Bellamy was jolted awake by the sound of his front door squeaking open, sunlight filtering into his bedroom. He stumbled to his feet in a daze as Echo, his girlfriend of a little over two and a half years, wandered in.

She greeted him with a kiss on the jaw, chuckling at his tousled curls.

"Why do you look worse off than me?"

"Long story," Bellamy sighed, "Let me shower real quick and then we can go out to breakfast."

Echo stopped him with a gentle touch to his forearm.

"Sit and talk to me first," she said softly, tugging him to the bed.

Bellamy's fingers carded through his hair as he took his seat on the edge of the mattress. Echo sat beside him, watching him expectantly.

"I don't know what to say," he sighed, falling back on the bed.

He watched as she lay back, nestling in beside him and laying a hand on his chest. Her dark hair fell around her in waves, her dark eyes piercing his soul. That always scared him. He didn't like to think that another person could see so much of him.

Since Clarke, he had been guarded. She'd known him in ways that no one had before or since. She'd slipped into his heart without him noticing and sometimes he hated that he'd not been able to find that level of connection with anyone else. Other times he was glad no one else would see his scars.

The woman before him was beautiful, exotic. He could honestly say that he loved her, but he hadn't let her see the parts of him that Clarke had seen. He didn't let her into his past, only his present.

"Just tell the truth," her soft voice brought him out of his deep thoughts.

"The truth is that my sister has been keeping too many secrets," he huffed, his hands covering his face.

"About Clarke?"

Bellamy sat up at the sound of her name, coming to his feet in agitation.

"How do you know about her?"

"Your sister called me. You can imagine my surprise given my usual correspondence with Octavia is abrupt calls and curt texts when she has no other choice. It may have been the most sincere conversation I've ever had with her."

"What did O tell you?"

Echo was slightly taken aback. She'd never heard her boyfriend speak so angrily about his sister. Usually he was steady and even, nothing like the man who paced back and forth before her like a caged tiger.

"Not much," she finally replied softly, "Octavia just said that Clarke had been your best friend until you had some kind of falling out. Now she's in Polis, and she did mention that you might be upset. She sounded pretty worried."

"We haven't spoken in six years," Bellamy said tiredly, "And yeah I'm a little upset."

"You don't have to be friends again, Bellamy," Echo beckoned him back to the bed, patting the spot beside her. "You don't even have to see her if you don't want to."

"It's not that simple."

He sat back down, knowing he sounded crazy. Clarke had been like some kind of beacon since he'd first met her. She drew him in. He didn't want to admit to anyone how much he'd missed her or how afraid he was of getting hurt again. It had broken his heart when she'd left, and he didn't know if he could do that again.

"Why?" Echo asked.

"Her foster daughter is in my class, so I'm going to have to run into her at some point," Bellamy replied, massaging the bridge of his nose. "It's not like I can just refuse to meet with her. That's not exactly the most mature thing to do."

Echo watched him closely. She could tell that this woman meant more to him than he was saying. She liked to think that she wasn't a jealous person, but she could feel the dreaded emotion creeping in.

"I know you'll figure something out," she soothed, wanting to change the subject, "Emori called earlier and invited us out with her and John, so why don't we join them and get your mind off of everything?"

Bellamy gave a stiff nod, placing a kiss at the top of her head as he breezed by on his way to the bathroom that adjoined his room. He hoped a hot shower would ease the tension in his shoulders and help him think.

He knew that Murphy would know about Clarke. They'd been friends long before he'd met either of them, so it stood to reason he would know that Clarke was in town. It kind of angered him that everyone seemed to be in on the little secret.

Dressing quickly after his shower, Bellamy reached for his phone as he and Echo headed out the door - internally berating himself for expectantly checking the screen for a missed call.

"Emori said something about a flea market when I talked to her earlier," Echo supplied. "Is that okay?"

"Yeah, sounds fun," Bellamy forced a smile, "I don't really see Murphy going willingly to something like that though."

"Have you met Emori," Echo laughed, "John never stands a chance in any of their arguments."

Bellamy had to agree with that. Murphy had been more invested in this relationship than he'd ever seen him before. Usually John would get bored, but it seemed Emori kept him on his toes, even after four years together.

Thirty minutes later Bellamy and Echo were walking through a maze of booths selling everything from antique furniture to baseball cards. Vendors were calling out to potential customers at every twist and turn.

When the two couples finally met up, Murphy was pulling a little cart filled with his girlfriend's antiques and had a bag slung over one shoulder.

"Don't say a word," he growled when Bellamy started to laugh.

"I didn't say anything," Bellamy held his hands up in surrender.

"Echo you have to see this antique hutch," Emori grinned, grabbing her friend by the hand and pulling her off into the throng of people.

"Wanna take a walk?" Murphy asked, sensing the other man had something on his mind.

Bellamy fell into step beside him, his eyes wandering over the market with its dust and noise.

"Spit it out," Murphy broke the silence, "I know you've got something bugging you."

"How long have you been in touch with Clarke?" Bellamy cut straight to the point.

"Around three years, give or take. Shortly after I moved to Polis I went to Lincoln for a tattoo and Clarke was working there."

"She's part owner isn't she?" Bellamy guessed hesitantly.

"Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner," Murphy snarked.

Bellamy walked along in silence for a moment, trying to find the words for what he wanted to say next.

"So you just forgave her? Just like that," he spoke finally, one eyebrow raised in challenge.

"Does that sound like me? You know I'm not the most forgiving type Blake," Murphy groused. "First I threw a tantrum. Octavia punched me, and the Princess patched me up. When I had calmed down I asked my questions, Clarke answered them, and then I forgave her."

Bellamy waited for more, but Murphy purposely ignored him.

"That's it?" Bellamy prompted.

"It's not my job to tell you Clarke's life story," Murphy said with a shrug, "I didn't pry into what happened between the two of you."

Bellamy grumbled under his breath, kicking a rock out of his way as they walked. He was so confused and so aggravated that he'd been the last to know that Clarke was not only back, but living in the same town he'd just moved to.

"Is there a reason you didn't tell me you were in touch with her again," he asked finally, his dark gaze boring into Murphy's much lighter one.

"Probably the same as Octavia," Murphy replied, his eyes never wavering.

"And that would be?" Bellamy growled, trying to rein in the emotions swirling inside his chest.

"We just didn't want her to get hurt again," Murphy shrugged, "I really don't want to get caught in the middle of you two either. I made my decision based on what Clarke had to say, and what Octavia told me later. The only thing I will say is that no matter what is going on between you and Clarke do not let it affect Madi. Clarke is in a good place right now. She and Madi are happy."

"Doesn't keeping O's secret already put you in the middle, John?" Bellamy asked angrily.

"Last time I picked a side I lost contact with my closest friend for three years," Murphy retorted, eyes narrowed. "I'm not a mediator, peace talks are not my thing. So if you and Clarke want to work your shit out that's up to you, not me. And don't go hounding Emori for answers; she only knows what I've told her.

Bellamy watched as Emori and Echo waved from where they were looking at ornate china before turning back to their own conversation.

"Remember what I said Blake. Don't cause trouble for Clarke, and don't think we're going to avoid talking to her or keep her from coming around to save your feelings. How you choose to handle this is your decision because as far as Clarke's concerned she seems willing to see what happens and take her cues from you."

Bellamy nodded, his anger leaving him in a rush. His mind seemed to clear for the first time since he'd found out about Clarke. Her staying friends with his sister meant that she'd known at some point they'd run in to each other.

"One other thing," Murphy said, his voice barely above a whisper, "Raven doesn't need to know about Clarke. She's still holding on to her anger. I don't want her out here making a scene and trying to dig up the past. Not when they just need to stay buried."

"I can respect that," Bellamy replied.

"Good. Now let's go collect our women before Emori spends all of our savings on this dusty junk," Murphy groused.

Bellamy followed, lost in thought about everything his friend had said.

"Where's Clarke?" Octavia asked the room as she picked a spot on the couch. "Bell, don't sit there!"

Bellamy blinked at her from where he'd half lowered himself onto the armchair.

"But I always sit here."

"It's Clarke's spot, now she's home it would be rude to take her spot." Octavia explained, looking around.

"Clarke!" she was back on her feet, beaming, as the blonde left the bathroom. "This is Bellamy," she introduced excitedly. "Bell this is Clarke, I've been looking forward to introducing the two of you."

Chocolate met sky across the room and Clarke's eyebrows went up, clearly recognising him from the early hours of the morning.

She glanced at Raven who was purposely avoiding eye contact.

"So you're the infamous brother," Clarke smirked. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Same goes," Bellamy moved aside with a flourishing bow. "Your throne Princess," he motioned the armchair.

Clarke narrowed her eyes on him. "Thanks," she made a point of settling into the chair, her eyes not leaving his.

"Is this some kind of weird flirting?" Jasper stage whispered to Monty beside him.

"Hell no!" the pair glared over at Jasper whose eyes widened.

"What are we playing?" Clarke changed the subject.

"We were thinking a few rounds of 'Never Have I Ever' while we play Monopoly," Octavia grinned. "It'll make it more interesting."

"Some of you are underage O," Bellamy frowned at his sister, who pulled a face at him.

"We're all underage here, aside from you and Raven," Octavia retorted, motioning at the seven of them sitting around the coffee table.

Bellamy was opening his mouth to argue when Clarke chimed in.

"Wouldn't you rather your sister be exposed to alcohol in a safe environment where we all care about her well-being and can keep an eye on her, to her going out with her college friends to any number of themed parties currently being thrown by the fraternities?"

Bellamy glared at her. "Stop making so much sense Princess," he grumbled.

"Come on Bell," Octavia pouted adorably at him. "It's just a few rounds that not everyone will even drink for. Trust me, game night is much more fun when you're a little loose."

"I don't want to know how you know that," Bellamy shook his head and accepted the mug of alcohol Raven handed him.

They set up the game board and picked their pieces.

"Whoever is rolling in the game will make their 'Never Have I' statement," Octavia announced. "Let's roll to see who goes first."

Murphy chuckled evilly when he got to play first.

"Never have I ever slept with a Finn," he stated as he moved his piece along the board.

"Is that how it's going to be, John," Clarke glared as she and Raven drank.

"You swore you would never mention the Finn debacle again!" Raven reached across the board to hit him.

"Who's Finn?" Monty glanced between the three.

The Blakes, Jasper and Monty watched on curiously.

"He was my childhood through high school sweetheart," Raven summed up. "Clarke dated him while we were still together."

Silence reigned.

"I didn't know he had a girlfriend on the other side of town," Clarke huffed, defending herself. "Move on."

Jasper grabbed for the dice. "Never have I ever...kissed a member of the same sex."

Everyone took a sip and the Blake siblings glared at each other in disgust.

"How am I the only one who hasn't done that?!" Jasper gasped, offended.

"Miller's now ex-boyfriend got drunk and made a move on me," Bellamy shrugged.

"Spin the bottle," Monty and Octavia chimed in at the same time.

"Got very drunk and kissed everyone at a party in senior year," Murphy pointed at himself.

"Except us thank God!" Raven stated, clinking cups with Clarke.

"Yeah, well...you kissed each other," Murphy accused with a pout.

"I was curious and Clarke's bi," Raven brushed it off. "Better to experiment with someone you're comfortable with."

"My turn," Monty rolled. "Never have I ever punched anyone."

Everyone but Jasper drank.

"Never have I ever run away from home," Raven stated.

The Blake siblings were the only ones who didn't drink, but Bellamy chuckled at his sister.

"O, you tried to run away when you were six,"

"What? No I didn't!" Octavia frowned.

"Yes you did," Bellamy reminded her. "You were upset because I stopped taking you to my soccer games. I spent three hours scouring the neighbourhood for you afterwards and found you asleep in the tree house next door."

"Sorry Bell," Octavia leaned over Clarke to hug her brother. "I don't even remember that."

"Of course you don't," Bellamy pulled a face at her. "You probably only remember the angelic things you did."

Octavia took a sip of her drink and took her turn rolling. "Never have I ever been arrested." Jasper, Monty and Murphy all lifted their cups.

"Never have I ever had a threesome," Clarke muttered distractedly on her turn.

"Ew, Bell!" Octavia looked horrified as her brother raised his cup to his lips, Jasper and Murphy seemed to look at Bellamy in a new light, which Clarke scoffed at.

The next few statements were innocent enough and soon the drinking game side of their night was forgotten as Bellamy accused Clarke of not paying up on one of his properties and Clarke purposefully bought out the last of a row Bellamy had been intentionally purchasing. The night descended into Clarke and Bellamy trying to short change each other and intentionally screwing with the other person's strategies, to the point where Monty retired to being just the banker and their other friends teamed up against them.

"I just don't get it," Octavia sighed heavily as she and Bellamy headed upstairs later. "I really thought the two of you would get along."

"I think we got on just fine," Bellamy sniffed with a smirk.

"Please tell me Jasper was wrong and that wasn't some weird new method of flirting," his sister's eyes widened in horror.

"No," Bellamy stressed. "Why's it so important to you that we get along."

"Those three people are each other's family Bell, they pretty much only have each other. Not like with Monty and Jasper, whose parents are there for them to go home to," Octavia turned serious. "I really think we can have a place with them. Don't you think it would be nice to have an honest to God family for a change?"

Bellamy's heart thumped unsteadily and he reached to pat his sister on the head affectionately.

"They can be family even if we don't all get along," he summed up, but silently promised himself he would try for his sister's sake.

End Note: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody! See you in 2020 (where are the years going!) and please review!