Chapter 16

Taylor knew that Lexa would go to the dropship, wanting to see Lincoln with her own eyes. She had not told Lexa about the fact that Lincoln's recovery would not be smooth. It did not appear as if she would get the chance to speak privately with the brunette either now.

"Do you wish to come or remain here?" Anya's hushed question interrupted Taylor's train of thought abruptly.

"She will accompany us" Lexa suddenly spoke up.

Clarke was waiting in the middle of the tent right now as she had denied the offer to chose someone to accompany her.

Taylor slightly furrowed her brows, simply being surprised by the commander's sharp tone.

"If you are feeling well enough that is" Lexa amended a few seconds later and her expression had turned a lot gentler as well.

Taylor immediately nodded her head in agreement. It seemed that the few hours of additional rest she had gotten during the journey here had helped her greatly already. In addition, as a doctor she was honestly curious to see Lincoln herself; she might even be able to give some medical input on how to help the Reapers.

A small part of her honestly did not wish to stay alone within the commander's tent. She knew that the tent would be guarded, but for some reason Taylor preferred to stay in close proximity to the commander and general.

Taylor was slightly surprised that there was absolutely no real preparation needed for their trek to the Drop Ship and already a moment later Lexa proclaimed that they would leave.

She did not know if Anya had described the location of the Drop Ship to Lexa or if the commander would not know about it from their previous attacks on the 100, but Lexa still motioned for Clarke to lead the way.

Taylor could not even begin to try and imagine how the young blonde woman must be feeling, leading the commander and a few heavily weaponed warriors to the Drop Ship. She knew of course that no trap was waiting for them, but she could hear Indra speaking to Lexa, most likely trying to convince the young leader of the dangers that they may be walking into a trap.

Her condition indeed was thankfully improved enough that Taylor barely felt more than a slight pulling pain in her abdomen during the way.

Anya walked next to Taylor constantly and the general was on edge as well visibly as one of her hands rested on the sword dangling from her hip. Her brown eyes flitted around the surroundings they passed nonstop and it was honestly beginning to freak Taylor out.

She knew that no one would dare to shoot their small progression now.

When a bird suddenly broke free from a tree close to them, Anya whirled to the animal and had her sword half-drawn already.

Taylor sighed under her breath and she grasped onto one of the general's hands on instinct, hoping to calm the other woman's mind. They were not alone of course and with Indra's, Clarke's and the other warrior's company, she knew that she could not reveal her knowledge now.

Anya looked bewildered for a moment and in fact even seemed to miss a step. She glanced down on their linked hands with slightly widened eyes; she did not do anything to severe their contact either though.

Taylor's cheeks flushed a little with a blush when Anya turned her eyes to her and their gazes met. She noticed in relief though that the general seemed to relax after this.

She did notice though how the conversation between Indra and the commander was abruptly stopped from the younger woman.

Taylor did not know why, but she immediately felt bad when Lexa's green eyes narrowed down on their linked hands. She could not identify the emotions within the leader's gaze and the commander looked away only a moment later, but Taylor had heard how growled the brunette's last words to Indra had sounded.

While a part of her wanted to let go of Anya's hand, another part did not want that and she finally decided to listen to the later part and just enjoy the moment while it lasted.

Taylor was glad that she had already seen the Drop Ship. The smell which still lingered in the air from all the ashes was heavy.

Indra and the other warriors – as well as Lexa – obviously had not seen this scene before and all of them seemed shocked for a moment.

Anya finally let go of Taylor's hand as her eyes suspiciously turned towards the Drop Ship.

Taylor could imagine that the general would not like entering the metal contraception again as she had been overpowered by the delinquents in it before and right after that abducted by the Mountain Men.

"Lincoln is inside" Clarke spoke up in a rather feeble tone when all eyes turned to her.

Lexa gave a slight nod to two warriors of whom Taylor did not know the names and the doctor was slightly surprised when they obviously stepped into position to protect her.

Gustus climbed up the small metal ladder right after Clarke and Taylor watched Lexa climb up after that. She wanted to grasp out herself, but Anya pulled her back and sent one of the warriors ahead.

"Stay close to me" Anya ordered in a crisp tone which showed how frayed her nerves must have been.

Taylor slightly inclined her head. If Indra had not standing right behind them, she would have assured the general that everything would go well. She recognized though that both, Lexa and Anya, were only trying to keep her protected.

Once Taylor finally climbed up the ladder herself, it was actually Lexa who had bend over the small opening to offer her a hand. The pain in her abdomen was strongly increasing and Taylor was relieved once she stood upright again.

She had forgotten just how badly the situation in the Drop Ship really had been.

Lincoln was lying on the ground, still shackled to the floor, surrounded by people from Skykru who all looked down. Octavia was kneeling next to his head and crying.

Lexa was looking back and forth between Lincoln and Taylor in confusion for a moment, before her expression turned angry and she looked towards Clarke.

"You lied" Lexa brought out through clenched teeth "and you have run out of time!".

"No, no, you do not have to do this…" Clarke tried to ease the situation in a desperate tone.

The warriors who were supposed to protect Taylor had stepped closer to the doctor protectively.

Bellamy looked around with wide eyes and noticing how protected the blonde woman was, he aimed his gun at Taylor.

"No, no, no, wait!" Clarke exclaimed loudly, stepping right in front of Bellamy's gun. She knew that there would be absolutely no going back if this situation escalated.

Both, Lexa and Anya, had drawn their swords at the threat towards Taylor.

Taylor was biting at her lip indecisively. She knew that the shock baton would be the tool to revive Lincoln and that Abby would see this in a moment as well, but there were more people inside the Drop Ship now than there had been in the show and she could not deny how Lexa and Anya were obviously highly protective of her. Could this situation now play out differently? If she pointed towards the shock baton, Taylor knew that Lexa would not have the same respect to Clarke than she had in the show.

Clarke's mother suddenly lurched out towards the shock baton.

Taylor could see Anya raising her sword in that moment and on instinct, she reached out quickly and pulled on the general's other arm.

Abby pushed the shock baton on Lincoln's chest before the electricity drizzled loudly.

Lexa and Anya both thankfully seemed to pause in their impending attack and instead chose to watch what was going on.

The commander threw a glance back at Taylor questioningly and the doctor tried to give her a subtle nod, feeling reassured that things would happen like she knew them to.

"Use it again, mum" Clarke said when the first attempt did not bring any result and Abby did exactly that.

Lincoln suddenly sputtered and his eyes opened again. He seemed exhausted and his tone was heavily strained when he whispered Octavia's name.

Taylor smiled slightly at the love which was so obvious when the dark-haired girl burst into relived tears. She noticed though that Bellamy was still taxing her suspiciously with a strong glance.

She was still absolutely relived when Lexa proclaimed that they would now return to their tent. She demanded that Clarke joined her to speak about a cease-fire between their people.

"Clarke is not the leader of our people" Abby tried to argue with the commander "I am the chancellor currently…".

Lexa shook her head though "Clarke has started these negotiations, so, she will be the one to hear the conditions now" the commander's tone rung with finality and she simply turned around to leave the Drop Ship, efficiently hindering Abby to voice any further protest.

The walk back from Drop Ship seemed to go over quicker. Taylor was still only looking forward to being able to finally sit down. The long trek clearly had used up a lot of strength and she was beginning to feel a little light-headed again, while the pain in her healing wound increased again.

"Do you need another tea?" Anya asked in a low tone just after they had reached the commander's tent.

Taylor slightly inclined her head in agreement and she did not speak up in protest when the general more or less gently guided her towards a chair and pushed her a little to sit down, leaving for a moment to fetch the needed tea.

Observant like Lexa was, she had followed the interaction and her expression appeared worried for a moment, before she turned her attention back to Clarke. She knew that the blonde woman had done nothing but bluffed, she had been lucky to have been able to safe Lincoln. Still, the girl had done what she had promised in the end.

Clarke was curiously glancing at Taylor as well. Her brows were furrowed in thought. It was obvious that the blonde woman was not one of Trikru and she of course remembered how hostile Anya had reacted to them meeting in the woods. She had no idea what could have changed so quickly. Anya had appeared ready to murder the blonde and now she was heavily protected for some reason.

Clarke would have liked to invite Bellamy for example to accompany her as back up and moral support, but the commander had made it clear that she was expected to come alone.

"Lincoln's recovery was…" Lexa hesitated for a moment and she stepped right in front of Taylor, shielding the blonde doctor from Clarke's probing gazes "…impressive".

"Why is she here?" Clarke demanded to know boldly, feeling securer now that Lincoln had indeed survived and was coherent again. Lexa's protective manner was only making her more curious as well.

Anya returned into the commander's tent just in time to catch Clarke's question, brushing past the tent flaps without hesitation and immediately bringing the streaming cup of tea to Taylor, handing it over with a slight smile.

Taylor looked up at the general worriedly for a moment. She had already feared that Clarke and the other members of Skykru would have question about her origins.

"Taylor is no concern of yours" Lexa retorted calmly although her features hardened visibly; Anya had turned around as well from Taylor and was glaring at Clarke in warning.

"She is not Trikru though" Clarke prodded further in a rather petulant tone.

"Taylor is a blessing sent by the flame. That is all you need to know" Lexa exclaimed in a determined tone and her lips pressed into a thin line, daring the blonde to question her any further.

"The flame?" Clarke echoed in confusion and obviously new awakened curiosity.

Both, Lexa and Anya, turned really angry now though. They were not planning to tell Clarke of Taylor's knowledge or origin. Additionally, questioning the commander like this was outright disrespectful and no member of the coalition would dare to act like this.

"You are here to hear the terms of the cease-fire, Clarke of the Sky people" Lexa said in a slightly growled tone "and there will be no cease-fire if your people do not give up the assassin for justice".

Clarke seemed taken off guard by this sudden change and her voice sounded surprised "You want what?"

"Bring me the one called Finn" Lexa proclaimed in a firm tone "The cease-fire begins with his death".

"No, absolutely not" Clarke retorted with a shake of her head "Why would we hand over Finn?"

"Finn killed 18 innocent villagers. There will be no cease-fire before justice is seen" Lexa easily answered in a calm but firm tone and her eyes narrowed a little as she added "If not for Yssa taking one of his bullets, I would have been killed by him. There will be justice."

Clarke obviously wanted to argue, but Lexa called out to Gustus.

"Escort Clarke back to her people" she ordered finally "You have until sunset to hand the boy over".

"Will they hand him over?" Anya asked doubtfully once Clarke had been escorted out of the tent.

Taylor nodded her head after taking another large gulp of the tea "More or less" she said and elaborated "Finn and some of his friends will go to the Drop Ship, but he will turn himself in last minute. I think to a group lead by Indra".

Anya's expression turned into a frown, recognizing that Skykru itself obviously would decide against handing Finn over to his rightful justice.

Lexa seemed less than pleased as well. She pinched the bridge of her nose in obvious frustration, before she walked right back of the tent, going to order Indra and a few warriors to take position to capture the assassin and also to prepare the place for his execution.

Taylor started to yaw a moment later. She knew that there would be a few hours of waiting now and she did not have anything negative to retort when Anya asked her if she did not just wish to lie down for a while.