A/N: Hey :) This is a very early update but I'm going to a rugby match in an hour and then after that I'm going out for a drink so I don't think I'd really be in any kind of condition to try and write another chapter when I get back haha, especially because I won't be arriving home until about midnight.

Thank you for the really nice reviews on last chapter, and especially for the private messages I've gotten as well, it's great to know that you are still reading and enjoying this :D Although just quickly, if there's something that people didn't particularly like, if you could give me some advice on how to improve and do it better that would be really appreciated rather than just saying you don't like it.

Thanks again guys, please don't forget to leave a review and let me know what you think :) xx

Lexa sighed tiredly as she leaned over the reports from the messengers she had sent to the desert clan, predictably there had been attempts to weasel out of the summons, but Lexa's warriors had been insistent and the leaders of the clan would be escorted to Polis within the week.

"You look tired." She heard from behind her, "Where's Clarke?"

"Hello Octavia." Lexa said quietly, without turning around, "Clarke is finally allowing herself some time to enjoy the beautiful weather we have been having with the others. I am supposed to join her as soon as I finish dealing with these reports."

Octavia walked a few steps closer so she could look over her shoulder at the papers, "That looks like a page of squiggles."

Lexa laughed shortly, "Yes it does, I may insist on the higher ranking off my warriors being able to read and write, but their handwriting is appalling. It makes everything take ten times longer as well, as I have to shift through and attempt to string together whatever this is into actual words."

"Want a hand?" Octavia smiled, picking up one of the papers, rapidly putting it down again and swaying on her feet slightly.

Reacting quickly, Lexa pulled out a chair and got Octavia sat down, "What happened? Should I get Clarke?"

Octavia shook her head, wincing when she realized that had been a bad idea. "Clarke already knows about this. I have this pretty much constant headache, and it flares up if I try and focus my eyes on something."

"And you tried to read these papers?" Lexa asked disbelievingly, "You're an idiot Octavia, how does Lincoln put up with you?"

She grinned slightly, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples to try and ease the pain in her head, "He doesn't, I think that's why he's sleeping right now, to avoid me."

Lexa shook her head, "I don't think that Lincoln would find that joke particularly amusing, he's sleeping now because he hasn't been able to since you got knocked out. You are aware that he will most likely be less than pleased that you disappeared without leaving him a message."

"You have no faith in me at all, I left him a note." Octavia opened one eye to look at her critically, "You don't look much better than him."

"You think I lost sleep over you?" Lexa teased, "You realize that I have a coalition to run that is far more stressful than waiting around for you to wake up, sleeping beauty."

"You know about fairy tales?" Octavia asked, her jaw hanging open.

"I read." Lexa responded dryly, tossing aside several of the reports she had finished with. "I have a fairly large collection of book if you wish to browse through them, although I wouldn't attempt reading again for a while, at least until your head is better."

There was a comfortable silence for a few moments, although Lexa knew that Octavia wanted to say something but was trying to work out how to say it.

"I heard you." She said at last, "When I was out, I heard you all talking to me. It was really weird, but I remember what you said."

Lexa straightened up from the table, sighing as she pulled out her own chair and sat down across from Octavia. "Go on."

"I'm sorry." The other girl said simply.

"It wasn't your fault that you got injured Octavia, it happens to the best of us."

"That's not what I mean and you know it." Octavia smiled ruefully, "You needed someone to talk to and I was a terrible conversation partner."

Lexa smiled softly, tapping her fingers against the arm rest lightly, "I meant what I said, you have become family to me, and yes the last few days have been hard. But really, I'm just glad that you are ok. However, I think you should make it up to me."

Octavia looked at her warily, "Ok then, I'll bite, what do you want me to do?"

Lexa leaned forwards, "I want you to be happy, I want you to marry Lincoln and to have his children, living a very long life. What I want is for you to promise me that you will be careful Octavia, it was such a simple mistake but your one moment of distraction could have cost you everything."

Nodding softly, Octavia's eyes grew even more serious, "I promise you, I'll admit, all this has shaken me. I'm not ready to die yet, I'm not ready to leave Lincoln."

"Good," Lexa smiled, "There's one other thing as well."

"Yes?" Octavia asked, "What is it?"

Lexa pulled up her feet and tucked them under her legs on the chair, "I need you to swear to me, that if anything ever happens to me that you will take care of Clarke and Aden."

"Lexa nothing's going to happen to-"

Lexa cut her off sharply, "Octavia I need this, please. I saw what was happening to Clarke and it killed me to watch. I am already one of the longest surviving Commander's Octavia and I'm only twenty two. The fact is that I could die, and if that happens I need the people I love to be safe and to have each other."

"You've put a lot of thought into this haven't you." Octavia said slowly, "Tell me, exactly how many people have you already made preparations with in case of your death?"

"How many trees are in the forest?" Lexa replied, "When- If I die." She corrected, seeing the look on Octavia's face. "All of you will be safe, Ontari and Aden will lead together and there will be a small army camped out at the base of the tower to protect you all until things settle down again."

Octavia let out a low whistle, "Does Clarke know about any of this?"

"She can't, she is so determined for me to live. Maybe I am over thinking, but at least this way, preparations are in place if the worst happens."

Reluctantly, Octavia dipped her head, "Ok then, I promise that if anything happens to you I will take care of both of them. Lincoln and I both will."

"Mochof Octavia." Lexa smiled gratefully before looking over at the pile of papers still left on the desk before shaking her head and turning back to Octavia, "How about we both go out for some fresh air?"