"For what it's worth, there's nobody I trust more to do this than you."

— Clarke Griffin, "Heavy Lies the Crown"

Kane set the razor down and ran his hand through his short beard, shaking out all of the loose hair. He quickly cleaned up the sink before turning on the shower. He stepped in and just stood under the spray for a few moments. He reached for the shampoo and felt the stress wash away as he massaged it in. When he stepped out of the shower a few minutes later, Abby popped her head into the bathroom.

"Breakfast is ready," she said. He nodded as he secured a towel around his waist. She stepped into the bathroom and ran her hand over his short beard. She smiled, "It looks good."

"It wouldn't be that way if not for you," he said, stepping toward her. He pulled her to him suddenly, hugging her.

"You're wet," she laughed, pushing him away lightly.

He grinned. "So?"

She sighed and sank deeper into his embrace. She rested her cheek against his wet chest and he kissed the top of her head. After a few moments, she pulled away and he saw the dark patches all over her shirt. He reached down to pull it off. Surprised, she caught his hand on reflex and asked, "What are you doing?"

He shrugged and pulled his hand out of hers. She let him lift her shirt over her head. He placed his hand on her bare stomach and asked, "Anymore movement?"

She shook her head. "No, she's been quiet since earlier."

"What makes you think it's a girl?" He asked, running his thumb absently over her skin.

"I'm carrying the same way I did with Clarke," she replied, placing her hand over his. "I assume this one is a girl, too."

"That'll be three girls and only one boy," he said with a small smile.

"And about a few dozen others," Abby commented.

He laughed, "Let's call it an even 30."

He leaned down and kissed her lightly. He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. He whispered, "Thank you for what you did yesterday."

She squeezed his hand and said, "I'm sorry if it was harsh."

He shook his head. "It's what I needed. You always know how to bring me back."

She pulled away from him to look at him properly. He had that tenseness in the corner of his eyes again. She reached up and cupped his cheeks. "Marcus, you've been through so much in the past year. I don't know how you get up every day and do your job or take care of our family. You are so much more than your pain and grief. You give me hope that we'll have peace and that we won't just be surviving anymore. You deserve so much more."

His eyes closed at her words and she wrapped her arms around him. He did the same, holding her tightly to him. He buried his face in her hair and murmured, "I love you, Abby."

She smiled against his shoulder. "I love you, too, Marcus."

They stayed like that for a while, holding each other. Kane had never felt safer or more loved. Abby did so much to help him move on from his past. She helped him through every emotion he was feeling and every frustration he had. He knew that he could live a hundred lives and still not deserve Abby Griffin.

Her voice broke him out of his thoughts as she said, "Lexa will be here soon. We should get ready. You need to eat before she gets here."

He nodded and pulled away from her. He gave her a quick kiss before limping after her into their bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed as she walked to the dresser and pulled out new clothes for herself and some for him. He smiled as she set the clothes next to him on the bed, placing his brace on top.

Kane stood just inside the gates of Eden an hour later. He could hear the horses in the distance and he glanced down at the girl next to him. Clarke looked tense as the hoof-beats grew louder. He asked, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, not looking at him. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"You're still mad at Lexa," he muttered.

"She never apologized for what she did to you," she replied, staring hard at the gate.

"That's not the Grounder way. The Commander will never apologize for a decision she made," he said with a shake of the head. "I've forgiven her, I think you should to."

She turned to face him, a frown on her face. "Why did you forgive her?"

"She wanted justice for her people," he replied. "It's easy to forget that she is not just the commander of the 13 clans, but also Trikru. 300 of her warriors were massacred. She had just fought for her throne and her life against Roan. She came across the scene and it wasn't a good look that Bellamy and I were there. She was grieving and frustrated. I know the feeling."

Clarke studied him for a few moments. "Why haven't you killed the prisoner?"

"I have to think of our people."

She sighed as the gates opened. "Fine, I'll forgive her."

"Thank you," he said and they both turned to face the incoming riders. Lexa was at the front of the pack and reined her horse in a few meters away from them. She dismounted quickly and strode over. She extended her arm and Kane took it. "It's good to see you, Commander."

"And you, Chancellor," she replied. She looked at Clarke. "It's good to see you, Clarke."

Kane glanced down at her and saw a tenseness in her jaw. He nudged her and she glared at him before replying, "And you...Lexa."

The name was close to harsh on her tongue, but at least she spoke to the Commander this time. Lexa nodded and turned back to Kane. "Where is the prisoner?"

"I'll take you to him," Kane replied. He turned and the two girls followed him to the old police station nearby. Nelson stood guard outside of the jail cell. He nodded to the Chancellor and stepped aside. Kane put in the code and the cell opened. Matthew O'Donnell lay on the cot in the corner. He didn't look up at their entrance; he continued to stare at the ceiling, twiddling his thumbs. Lexa said, "This is the great sniper?"

"You're new," O'Donnell muttered, turning his head to look at her. "Oh, I'm honored by your presence, Commander. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Lexa looked at Kane and he muttered, "He's been watching us for months."

O'Donnell nodded. "Yes and it has been eye-opening to say the least. Your people are very...interesting."

"What do you mean by that?" Lexa asked, stepping toward him.

"Perhaps we should go somewhere private, Commander?" O'Donnell suggested, his eyes passing over Kane, Nelson, and Clarke.

"Fine," Lexa replied, looking expectantly at Kane. He nodded toward a room just down the hall. She beckoned O'Donnell to follow her and as she turned toward the room, she said, "I would like Clarke to join."

O'Donnell surveyed Clarke for a moment before he said, "As you wish, Commander."

Clarke looked at Kane before begrudgingly following the prisoner and Lexa to the interrogation room.

Nelson stood next to Kane and asked, "What does Lexa hope to accomplish here?"

"You know Lexa," he said, "she always has to hear things for herself."

Nelson just nodded.

Kane asked, "How's Orion doing?"

"Good," Nelson replied. Kane couldn't help but notice how his face lit up. "He's sleeping a little longer each night, so that's a blessing."

"I imagine it's difficult for you and your guard shifts," Kane said. "If there's anything I can do, just ask."

Nelson shook his head. "You've done plenty to accommodate. I'm grateful, Chancellor."

Abby walked into the council chamber half an hour later. She was early, but she knew that Marcus would be there waiting. He sat at the table, bent over his tablet again. She frowned, but his eyes met hers and he clicked the tablet off. She sat in the chair next to him and took his hand. She asked, "How are you?"

He smiled. "I'm okay."

She placed her other hand on his cheek and asked, "Are you sure?"

He nodded into her palm. "Don't worry so much, Abby." She gave him a look. "I'm sorry. You know what I mean."

She whispered, "I'll never stop worrying about you. No matter what Lexa says today, you're not going on any mission to find O'Donnell's people."

He nodded. "I know. I promised you I wouldn't fight anymore. I'm past my prime, I know that."

"You're not past your prime," she said, a small smile on her face. He just rolled his eyes and she added, leaning close to him, "You know what I mean."

"Yeah, Abby, you weren't exactly being subtle," he said with a grin.

"Sorry, are we interrupting?" Sinclair and Bennett stood in the doorway.

"Of course not," Abby said, pulling away from Marcus. "Come in."

Sinclair and Bennett shared a look but walked over to sit at the table. Bennett asked, "What's this all about?"

"Lexa wants to discuss the situation," Marcus said.

"And where's Lexa?" Sinclair asked.

"Still with the prisoner. She should be along shortly."

Bellamy and Scanlan were the next to arrive, coming off of guard duty. They both looked worn out and everyone knew that they were hoping that whatever Lexa had planned would not start for at least a day. The guard had been on high-alert for the past week since O'Donnell did what he did. They were working around the clock, barely any time off to sleep.

Bellamy slumped into the chair next to Marcus. He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder and said, "It will all be over soon."

Bellamy nodded absently and said, "Let's hope so."

Gwen arrived next, hurrying in. "Sorry, class ran late. Benja had too many questions."

"He's always like that," Abby said with a smile. "He's—"

"Let's get started," Lexa said, striding into the room. Clarke followed her in and Abby was surprised to see that Clarke looked...okay. She glanced at her mother before sitting silently next to Lexa. The Commander looked around the table and said, "O'Donnell told me his story. Before we do anything else, he will pay for his crimes."

Marcus shook his head. "If you do that, you doom us all." Lexa glared at him, she didn't like to be challenged. He continued, "We have six days left on his deadline. We need to keep him alive."

"And what makes you think he isn't lying to save his life?" Lexa asked.

"He's told us nothing but the truth so far," Marcus replied. He turned on his tablet and pushed it across the table toward her. Clarke intercepted it but handed it to Lexa. She took it without a word and looked at the screen. Marcus continued, "He told us exactly where his people are: North Manitou Island. We confirmed it with satellites."

"How long have you had this information?" Lexa asked, casting an accusatory look at him.

Sinclair interrupted, "Only this morning, Commander. Bellamy got the information out of him last night."

"Torture?" Lexa asked, an eyebrow raising lazily.

Bellamy shook his head. "Conversation."

"Yes, he likes to talk," Lexa replied, nodding. She looked back at Marcus. "The coalition is ready to move at a moment's notice. I'm asking you, as the leader of Skaikru, if we should attack their island or draw them out?"

Marcus considered it and the others waited. He took his time, but he finally said, "Draw them out. I don't want more innocent lives lost."

Lexa nodded. "How far off the coast is the island?"

"19 kilometers," he replied. "Just past Sangedakru territory."

Worry passed over Lexa's face for a second before she regained her composure. "We'll gather the ambassadors and come up with a battle strategy." She stood to leave but turned to Clarke and said, "I expect you at the meeting at nightfall."

Clarke nodded and Lexa left the room. The councilors looked at Marcus expectantly. He said, "We need to find out as much as we can about the terrain, the area, everything. You have 6 hours."

Sinclair, Bennett, and Gwen were the first to leave. Scanlan and Bellamy slowly stood up and Marcus said to them, "Not you two. Get some rest."

"Thank you, Chancellor," Scanlan muttered. He walked slowly out of the room. Bellamy followed, looking dead on his feet.

Clarke rose to leave, but Marcus said, "Clarke, I know you told Lexa to give me the choice." She turned and nodded. He asked, "Why?"

"It's like you said earlier, you're thinking of our people," Clarke replied. She glanced at Abby and said, "We can't stand any more loss, can we? I knew I could trust you to make the right decision."

"So much confidence in me," he replied with a smile.

"Yeah, well, I think you've deserved it at this point."