A/N: Hey everyone :) This one was good fun to write. And I just wanted to say I really do love all of you guys, I feel like I've made some really good friends through writing this, you know who you are guys :P And I love speaking to all of you. Please review on this because I love hearing what you're thinking, it truly means the world.
When they woke up the next morning it was to Octavia tapping on their door softly until Lexa gently pushed Clarke's arm off her waist and opened the door to allow Octavia to slip inside.
"Ok what the hell happened last night?" Octavia whispered, mindful that Clarke was still sleeping, "Because someone's apparently missing and Abby and Kane are calming people down saying that everyone will be told soon enough once you two are ready to speak to them."
Lexa tilted her head as she considered the approach Abby was taking, it gave them control of what people found out so she found herself approving of the older woman's actions.
"Last night Clarke and I were headed back towards the roof we spent the previous night asleep on. Whilst Clarke went to fetch a ladder I waited at the base of the building, and this man showed up with a gun. He was going to shoot me Octavia, and if it hadn't been for Abby I would be dead."
Suddenly it was like the realization had finally set in and Lexa began to tear up slightly as she looked back at Octavia wordlessly, "I would be dead." She whispered softly, her green eyes wide as she stared at her girlfriend who was still fast asleep. "He would've killed me."
"Hey, Lexa." Octavia reached out and took her hand quickly, tugging on it slightly to get her attention, "It's ok, everything's ok."
Lexa looked at her helplessly, "If Abby hadn't have shown up? Octavia I can't leave Clarke alone. I can't leave her again, she'd never forgive me." The usually untouchable Commander was more vulnerable than Octavia had ever seen her and she was becoming more and more distressed by the minute until Octavia pulled her forward and did the only thing she could think of to help, wrapping her arms around Lexa in a tight hug.
"She did and you didn't leave her. You're here and so is Clarke, ok? And she would forgive you for anything." Octavia murmured, not letting go of the taller girl who was struggling to rein in her emotions, hiding her face against Octavia's shoulder as Lexa focused on matching her breathing to hers.
Finally she shifted lightly and Octavia pulled back her arms so Lexa could step away, warily watching for Lexa to get defensive or angry but instead the Commander just gave her a small smile, "Don't worry Octavia, I'm not going to kill you for seeing me in a moment of weakness. I trust you."
Those three words meant more than any thank you ever could and they both knew it.
As Clarke started to stir, Octavia quickly moved past Lexa to distract her until Lexa was ready to talk to her and had gotten herself fully under control. Which Lexa acknowledged with a grateful look as she sat down beside Clarke and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
"Octavia was just saying that Abby hasn't explained last night to anyone yet Clarke, she has left it up to us."
Clarke nodded, her eyes flitting over Lexa's body for a moment to double check she was completely ok before climbing out of the bed and pulling on the boots that were on the floor, not bothering to get changed out of the clothes that she had fallen asleep in from the night before.
"Come on then." Clarke said calmly, although there was an undertone of anger, as she laced her fingers securely with Lexa's and pulled her through the door. Octavia followed them quickly, having to jog to catch up with Clarke's fast pace.
As they emerged into the center of camp, Clarke put her hand to her mouth and yelled for everyone to gather round, and her tone left no room for arguments.
In confusion, everyone quickly came round to stand in front of Clarke, who had taken up position dead center stood on a log, not letting go of Lexa's hand for a second. Once everyone was there, Clarke's eyes swept over the crowd.
"I am engaged to the Commander."
There was shocked mutterings from some but more than a few weren't surprised at all, then the shouted questions started.
"No!" Clarke yelled angrily, "You don't get to ask any questions, you don't get answers just because you demand them. I am your Clan Leader and none of you have the right to question me about anything at all. I make decisions and you follow them do you understand?!" Her voice cut through the cold morning air, and the rest of the camp was so silent that you could have heard a leaf fall a mile away.
"Last night, someone tried to kill Lexa. That person is now dead. I know you have all been wondering where...I don't even know his name, and honestly I don't want to know because I won't waste my time in learning the name of coward who attacked someone in the dead of night, when they were all alone and he thought they were vulnerable."
Clarke purposefully left out how the man had died, not wanting to compromise Lexa's public image of being untouchable. If she left it open, she correctly assumed that most would just assume that it was the Commander herself who killed him when her life was threatened.
"The point is, this was it, the final straw. From now on, if you move against me or the clans we are aligned with then you die. If you question me on an issue that you have no right to further details about then you will be dealt with severely." She watched their faces carefully, for the slightest sign of people about to argue with her. "I have tried so hard, to make this as painless as possible, but you just don't know when to stop pushing do you? Well it ends, today, so go and get on with whatever you were doing." She dismissed them with a wave of her hand and then jumped down, heading back inside, still holding on tight to Lexa.
Once they were safely back inside, Clarke turned back to Lexa to ask her opinion on whether she had been too harsh, when the Commander seized her by the front of her jacket and crashed their lips together, pushing her so her back was against the wall. She responded happily, running her hands up and down Lexa's arms before twisting her fingers into Lexa's hair to keep her close.
Slightly out of breath she pulled back and laughed lightly, "I love you too."
"I didn't say anything." Lexa said, confused.
Clarke smiled and cupped her cheek with her hand, "You didn't have to." She leaned in for another kiss, pressing her lips against Lexa's gently this time before leaning her head against her shoulder. "Did I handle that right? I was just so angry and I let it control my actions."
Lexa grinned, "I think it did the job Clarke, I very much doubt that we will have anymore trouble after today, which means we can just enjoy the next two days before we head to TonDC."
Playing with the ends of Lexa's braids, Clarke smiled tiredly, "I hope so, but even if all the trouble isn't over, it isn't like a choice."
"Maybe one day, you and I will owe nothing more to our people." Lexa said quietly, echoing Clarke's own words back to her, "Maybe that will be true one day, but even if it isn't, all I need is you to be happy."
Clarke pulled her close and just held her wordlessly, unable to express the full depth of her feelings for the girl she held in her arms in words, "Ai hod yu in." She finally said, finding nothing else remotely close to what she was feeling to say.
But they had never needed words, and when Lexa pulled back to bump her nose against Clarke's with a grin, she knew Lexa had understood everything she wanted to convey.
"Come on Clarke, you made a very grand speech but being the legendary Wanheda doesn't mean you're able to skip breakfast." Lexa laughed as they both heard Clarke's stomach growl loudly.
This time when they went outside there was a noticeable change, the Skaikru avoided them, carefully nodding in greeting to avoid seeming disrespectful. Lexa felt a burst of pride for Clarke, at the fact that she had managed to win the respect that they had come here seeking. As they walked through the door of the mess hall they noticed that their friends, Lexa was surprised when the word came to her head in association with the small group of people, had sat at the table that they had used the day before. Someone, Octavia most likely, had also collected two plates for them and so they slid into their seats and started eating without delay.
"I see we have a visitor today." Lexa remarked in amusement when she saw who was sat next to Ontari. Cal stared at her shyly but grinned when Ontari nodded to him encouragingly and stood on the bench so he could reach over and shake Lexa's hand who was sat pretty much directly opposite him. "That's a strong handshake little one, I am sure you would make a great warrior one day."
He blushed red at the compliment and sat down in his seat quickly, wrapping his arms around Ontari's waist.
"And how have we gained a new member of our little party?" Clarke asked, smiling at the boy, who waved at her from where he was sitting.
Octavia was quick to answer, grinning at Ontari the whole time, who was rolling her eyes at Octavia's eagerness, "We walked through the door and he came flying at her, nearly took half of us down with him as well! Ontari ended up on her a-"
Raven clapped a hand over her mouth, "Children present O!" Clarke and Lexa laughed as Octavia grumbled from behind Raven's hand, before nodding her agreement to watch her language.
"Anyway, the woman who looks after the kids was mortified and kept apologizing and trying to pull him away. But eventually it was just easier to let the little limpet come along with us." Octavia finished happily, digging at Ontari's side lightly, "And now people can't look at you without seeing the great Azgeda warrior who got knocked to the floor by a five year old."
Ontari mock glared at her, "Did you not hear Lexa? Cal is going to be a great warrior, it was an honor to be bested by him." She chuckled, tickling at his sides lightly, "And just you watch Octavia, keep laughing but this little warrior will take you down before weeks end!"
"Is that a bet?" Octavia asked seriously.
"Yes." Ontari shot back immediately and then they both turned to look at Lexa for her to set terms, eyes blazing competitively.
Lincoln and Clarke shared an exasperated look as Lexa leaned forward, taking the bet as seriously as the two of them. Then Lexa took another look at Cal who just seemed thrilled to be the center of attention and nodded.
"Ok then, for Ontari to win, Cal must knock Octavia down fully, so that neither her feet or knees are touching the floor. The loser has to carry the winner up the stairs in Polis tower all the way to my throne room." Lexa grinned wickedly, arching an eyebrow as she waited to see if they would take the bet.
Ontari immediately jumped on it and agreed but Octavia gulped slightly before she also agreed, praying that she wouldn't lose because that was a ridiculous amount of stairs.
For the rest of their meal, Lexa focused on Raven, asking questions about the technology available and whether any of it would be suitable for use in the capitol. She was especially interested in the radios that she had seen used during the summit, but was mindful that Skaikru's resources weren't unlimited. Nevertheless, Raven promised to work her up a few units, even if she only managed enough for use between Arcadia and Polis, Lexa assured her that it would be very helpful.
Conversation flowed easily and they had soon lost time of how long they had been sitting there, when a woman came over and motioned towards Cal, "Come on now Cal, it's time to stop bothering everyone."
Clarke smiled at her, "That's ok, he's no bother."
"Maybe not to you, but he's a lot of trouble to deal with all the time. He never wants to play with the other children." The woman grumbled, clearly overworked and tired.
Ontari wrapped an arm around him protectively, seeing him withdraw slightly into his shell at her words, "Actually if it's ok, I need his help on something."
The woman gave her a disbelieving look and just shrugged, walking away shaking her head, as though she couldn't imagine any reason why someone would volunteer to spend time with the little boy.
"I don't like her." Cal muttered as he buried his face in her side, Ontari made a note to ask him why when they had more space to speak privately.
"So then, have we got a plan for today?" Octavia grinned, "Another party?"
Clarke shook her head and laughed, "We can't have a party every night Octavia, plus I was thinking that me and you never got to finish our race." She said to Lexa. "Not properly, and not with witnesses to stop you cheating." Clarke teased as Lexa just shook her head with a smirk.
"I don't need to cheat to beat you in a horse race Clarke, I've been riding my whole life, but if that's what you want then fine."
Clarke clapped her hands together gleefully and turned to the others, "Want to come watch and judge?"
Lincoln and Octavia nodded, but Ontari and Raven excused themselves. Raven because she had to work on the radios for Lexa, and Ontari because she wanted to spend time with Cal and find out exactly what he had meant when he had said he didn't like his guardian.
And that was how, just under an hour later, Clarke and Lexa found themselves side to side on horseback just outside Arcadia's gates, as Lincoln and Octavia stood on either side to act as the finish line.
They had agreed to do a single lap of the camp and then Lincoln and Octavia would announce the winner.
The second Octavia's arm dropped they leapt forwards, pushing their horses faster and faster. Clarke was on the inside as they came to the first corner and she was Lexa slyly moving in to cut her off, so she went at a slightly wider angle to throw off Lexa and force her off track.
With Clarke now in the lead they headed towards the back side of the camp, where the wall backed into the woods. Flying through the trees was exhilarating and quick reflexes where the only things that prevented them from slamming headfirst into said trees on multiple occasions. In this area, Lexa had the advantage, pushing harder whilst Clarke played it safer, unwilling to risk breaking her neck by taking a jump down onto uneven ground.
Lexa led out of the forest and kept her lead as they came back around and caught sight of Octavia, Clarke grinned and suddenly pulled her horse to the side, bumping against Lexa and throwing off her balance, forcing her to slow to readjust so she didn't lose her seat in the saddle.
Thinking she had won, Clarke headed straight for where Lincoln and Octavia was waiting, but just as she reached the line they had set, a hand yanked her clean off her horse and she landed on Lexa's. Clinging to the laughing brunette who brought her horse to a stop just past the finish line, whistling to call Clarke's horse back to them.
"That wasn't fair! I'd won!" Clarke exclaimed sulkily, as Lexa released her strong grip on Clarke so she could slide down from the horse.
"Actually," Lincoln cut in, smiling at the smug look on Lexa's face, "You hadn't crossed the line yet and we never set any rules about unseating each other so the Commander was perfectly within her rights to physically pull you off. You should just be glad she didn't drop you to the floor."
Octavia laughed at that, "Count yourself lucky, as is the match was a draw, she could have easily won by doing what Lincoln said and just dropping you."
Clarke rolled her eyes and then wrapped her arm around Lexa, laughing as they headed back towards the gates, the well trained horses following along behind.
A/N: So, quick question, what do we think about Ontari with the kid? Specifically what do we think should happen? Because I never meant to introduce him but now I kinda love him a little bit, so please give me your opinions because that will help me shape the next few chapters :) Thanks guys, please review and see you in the next chapter! X