A/N: Thanks to those that make amazing Clexa videos and post on youtube because I run Clexa videos while I write (although it does get me sidetracked from time to time.) Also I really miss Clexa! I keep thinking we could have had it all.

Chapter 26

Lexa groaned as she slapped the bedside table and turned off the offending noise. She was really not looking forward to going to work. Not that she didn't enjoy her job, because she did. But it had been more than a month since she'd seen Clarke, and Avery, in person and the separation was starting to take its toll on her.

They talked on the phone whenever they could, and used Skype, but it just wasn't enough. She missed her girls horribly. She would have to survive another couple of weeks without them. She was counting down the days until they would make it out to visit and pack up Clarke's stuff.

Scooting herself up and back she rested against the headboard and grabbed her phone. She shot off a good morning text to Clarke. Even with the time difference she knew it wouldn't be long before her girlfriend was also up for the day. They would often exchange a few messages back and forth as they started their days. She also sent one to Avery and followed it with a 'have a good day at school.'

Jumping in the shower she let the water run over her body, giving herself a minute to walk up just a little bit before going through the motions. Her fingers itched to pick up the color bottle sitting on the corner shelf. She never denied herself and grabbed it and took a sniff of the shampoo inside. It smelled better on Clarke, but this small indulgence would have to do until she could have the real thing.

There was always a small thrill at putting on her uniform. She didn't have much growing up, no real home or possessions. What she did have though was a passion for helping those around her and wanting to make the world a better place. And if she was lucky then one day maybe she'd be able to help kids that were just like her.

Walking through the station, she put her water bottle down just off to the side of her computer and started checking her email to see if there was anything new. She didn't have to patrol until later, so she figured she'd spend some time filing the tickets that still needed to get into the system. She didn't have many, but there were a few she hadn't gotten too.

She was about an hour into her shift when she felt a presence looming over her. "Oh, what's up Chief?" she asked the man above her.

"You've been requested to help on a case," there was no emotion in his voice, but still she knew he wasn't happy about it.

She knew the confusion must have been showing on her face, but she couldn't help it. She had no idea what he was talking about. "Me?"

"Yeah, I don't get it either, but a Detective from the 3rd precinct called me personally and asked for you."

Lexa couldn't figure out who that would be, but she would argue it. The chance to work under someone else even if only temporarily would be amazing. Especially to work with a detective, she could learn from someone who is where she wants to be.

"Here, he wants you at this address as soon as possible." The chief dropped a post-it on her desk and walked away.

The address was for a residence, so she wasn't sure what to expect. What she found was a house taped off with cautious tape and cops searching the place. She made her way into the house, trying to figure out who wanted her to be here.

It didn't take her long to figure out who had asked her here. She had met the man several months ago at a police charity event, Detective Gustus Pine. He'd talked to her for a long time and given her some good advice. She couldn't believe he'd even remember her though, much less want her help.

"Detective Pine, I assume it was you that asked for me?" she asked although it wasn't really a question. Looking around the room she didn't know any of the other officers there.

"Officer Woods, yes I was hoping you'd be willing to help me out on this one."

"Why me?" Lexa asked seriously. She really couldn't figure out what he thought she'd be able to provide.

"You impressed me that day we met. I could tell you were intelligent and was good at problem solving. We've only been at this scene for a few hours and we are already at a loss."

"Alright, fill me in," Lexa told him, ready to get to business.

"Prepare you self, this one is a giant mess," he warned her.

~CL~

Clarke walked through the halls of the hospital, heading for a much-needed break. Already it had been a busy morning and it looked like it would stay that way for the foreseeable future so she'd take any moment she could get.

She was still getting used to working again. The five weeks she spent away from the hospital had been good for her, but it had also meant she had some catching to do when she came back. Being around these people who knew her family helped ease the transition though.

She already missed being able to pick Avery up from school whenever she wanted and just spend time with her daughter. She hadn't had that much time with her since she last lived at home. It was an adjustment for all of them to have a new normal, but they were making it work.

Abby was able to walk now with a walker, it still took a lot out of her, but they were all glad she was a little more mobile again. Clarke didn't feel as hesitant to leave her alone all day. Although Mrs. Kane was only a call or shout away if Abby needed something.

The neighbor had been a real godsend as of late. She helped make sure Abby and Avery were fed if Clarke wasn't home and made sure Avery made it to the bus on time. Abby spent more time with them now, but she still couldn't go up the stairs, so Mrs. Kane came by just to check that Avery was up and getting ready for school if Clarke was already gone for the day.

Trish made sure she got on the bus after school, or took her home with her, depending on their plan for the day. So far Clarke's favorite days were the ones she picked Avery up from Trish's house. She'd hang out for a couple hours and catch up with her friend/big sister. It had been too long since she'd had a close friend, someone she could really open up too, beside Lexa of course.

Tommy was such a smart little kid. He'd managed to wrangle her heart almost as much as Avery had. It was awesome to finally be the aunt to him that she had always wanted to be but couldn't because of distance. They'd all shared a few more family dinners, but Lexa's missing presence was obvious.

Avery only two more weeks of school and then the two of them were off to D.C. to get her stuff. Clarke also wanted to show her daughter around. A trip to a museum or two was definitely on the agenda.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard her phone go off. She couldn't image why Lexa would be calling her. It wasn't like her girlfriend to call when they were both working. Not at least without a text to two confirming they were both available.

"Hey, babe. What's going on?" Lexa's voice on the other side told her all she needed to know. Something had upset her. "What happened?"

"I can't tell you details because it's an ongoing investigation," Lexa started. Her voice wavered but she continued. "There was just so much blood. How they survived is a miracle."

Clarke listened as Lexa told her what she could about the couple who had both been stabbed multiple times. They were both alive but in critical condition. Their son was missing but they were sure if he was kidnapped or ran scared at this point. The front door had been busted open, but the backdoor was just swinging wide open.

"He's only nine years old, Clarke. He's younger than Avery. He's missing and we don't even know where to start."

"Oh, sweetheart," Clarke cried with her. She could even imagine what Lexa was going through. She could never do what Lexa did every day, especially when things like this happened. If she was in the other woman's shoes she would have run home and held her daughter close and never let go. As it was, listening to Lexa all she wanted was to see her child and know she was okay.

"I still can't believe I was asked to help out either," Lexa admitted.

"I can, you're amazing babe," Clarke told her. "Honestly though, as hard as this is going to be, they couldn't have someone better to help find this little boy. You'll figure it out. I know you will."

Lexa couldn't explain it, but just knowing Clarke had confidence in her, made her feel so much better about the situation. She was going to do everything she could to see this through. She'd also get to learn from an amazing detective while she did so. She could do this.

"I miss you," she said instead.

"I miss you, too," Clarke admitted. "This is so hard, but we just need to get through a couple more weeks."

"I'm crossing the days off my calendar."

"If I had a calendar, I'd be doing the same," Clarke teased. She always joked about Lexa still buying a wall calendar. Like who did that anymore? That's what her phone was for.

"I'm sure," Lexa droned. She knew Clarke was picking on her, but she wouldn't let it get to her. She like having something physical to see days going by. Plus, it was easier to see events coming up. "I better go though, get back too it."

"Alright, sweetie. Hang in there. Know I'm here to talk if you need me."

"I know. I love you."

"Love you, too." Clarke heard the phone disconnect and put it back in her lab coat pocket. She laid back on the on-call room bed and tried to relax, but it wasn't long before she pulled back to work. She'd make it through this day and then she'd go home and see her daughter.

~CL~

By the time Clarke made it home it was way past dinner time. She walked into the kitchen from the garage and found Avery sitting at the table doing her homework. Abby was seated next to her, helping where she could.

She made her way over and hugged Avery from behind and placed a kiss into her hair. "Hey, baby."

"Mom!" Avery groaned.

Clarke just smiled. "What? You are my baby. Always will be."

"You're so annoying."

Clarke had never seen the teenage eye roll from her daughter, and it made her laugh. Her baby face made it hard to take that look seriously. "Yeah, but you're stuck with me." She placed another kiss on her, this time to her cheek and made sure to make it a sloppy one just to annoy her further. "Love ya."

Avery wiped her cheek with her sleeve and growled. "I'm disowning you."

"If only it worked that way," Clarke smirked. She moved and put a hand on her mom's shoulder. "Hi, mom."

"Hey, sweetheart. There's food in the fridge if you're hungry."

She moved over to the fridge and found a plate of one of Mrs. Kane's spaghetti casseroles. Her mouth watered just thinking about eating it. That had been one of her favorite meals growing up. Her father had convinced the older woman how to make it just to appease his daughter.

Grabbing a drink as well, she threw the plate in the microwave and then joined her family at the table. "Whacha working on?"

"Math homework."

"Fun," Clarke drawled. She knew how important math was, especially in her profession. But it had never been her favorite. Her daughter was good at it though, better than Clarke had ever been. She could manipulate the numbers in ways she never would have thought of and still get the right answer.

As she ate, she watched the young girl studiously work through each problem. Her eyes shone in amazement with each right answer.

And when she thought of what Lexa had told her earlier, she could only be happy that her daughter was sitting there before her, safe. She vowed never to take that for granted.