A/N: Hi my favorite readers! Sorry for such a long delay with the story but I've been working and traveling quite a bit. Is everyone LOVING season 5 so far? I am still holding out for Bellarke.

Reminder that the more favorites/follows and reviews that I get the more quickly I update so please let me know if you are enjoying the story.

IMPORTANT: This chapter is for mature audiences only.

-CHAPTER 11-

CLARKE

It had been three months since Clarke had seen Bellamy and she was continuing on like a trooper. Her friends kept her busy with different activities and when they weren't available she worked and sketched and exercised. Anything to keep herself distracted and moving forward. The more time that passed the more she realized that it was for the best that he hadn't reached out to her. It was dangerous for both of them.

All in all, it was helping. She didn't get excited anytime the phone rang anymore, her heart didn't jump to her throat when there was a knock on her door. She was over the hard part.

Occasionally, her mind would wander to the question of why? Maybe he came to the same conclusion as her, that it would be best to just call it what it was - a mistake. A hot, intense, life-changing mistake. She was disappointed that he never got in touch, a call to formally end things would at least have given her some closure.

Clarke had had a long day. It was Friday and she'd work late and had a first date thanks to peer pressure from her friends and a drunken Tinder spree. The date was OK. The guy was good looking and smart, he seemed genuinely kind too. He came off as a little too straight edge for her liking but wasn't she pretty straight edge too? Regardless of the good company she hated first dates, they were awkward and forced and it drained her.

She decided to make herself some tea and run a bath to relax for the rest of the evening. As she set the kettle on the stove and turned on the flames there was a knock on the door.

Clarke opened the door to an empty hallway, on the floor beneath her was a small gift bag. Could it be from her date?

She brought it inside and set it down on the kitchen counter next to her kettle. She opened it to find a cheap phone inside and a post-it note with the words "Miss me?" and a phone number.

Her kettle began screaming but for a few minutes, she stood there unaware until she finally snapped back to reality and shut off the stove, moving the kettle to a separate burner to cool.

She was no longer tired. With her adrenaline running off the charts she took a moment to ground herself taking a deep breath in and holding, and then a deep breath out. She repeated this several times and then dialed.

The phone rang twice before he picked up.

"Hey." Bellamy's voice was warm.

"Bellamy." She attempted matter-of-factly but couldn't hide the genuine cheerfulness that washed over her.

"God I love hearing your voice, especially when you say my name." She could tell he was smiling on the other line and the way his voice had lowered as he'd said 'especially when you say my name' had set her entire body on fire.

"You could have fooled me, what took you so long?" She said half teasing, half serious. It had been three long months.

"That is a story I'd rather share in person." He responded lightly. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Why? Are you in town?" She asked hoping he wouldn't be able to tell how desperate she was for a 'yes' to her question.

"No." He paused as if debating whatever he was going to say next. "Listen, I talked to Roan. He's agreed to call bygones in exchange for a favor."

Clarke remained silent and Bellamy continued.

"I can't get into the details on the phone, can you meet me?"

She didn't hesitate.

"Yes, where?"

"Chicago. I can get you on a flight tonight."

Clarke hesitated thinking about what she'd need to pack and other logistics.

Bellamy continued, "If you have other things . . ."

She cut him off, "No, book the flight."

"Alright, you'll receive the tickets and further instructions in your email in the next 30 minutes. Your flight leaves at 11:50pm. I'll pick you up at the airport."

"Ok." She said, her mind preoccupied with everything she needed to do before leaving for LAX.

"Clarke?"

"Yes?" His voice brought her back to the conversation.

"Did you miss me?"

"That is an answer I'd rather share in person. See you soon." She hung up the phone.

Clarke quickly packed and made her way to the airport.

Once through security at LAX she made her way to a barstool at a restaurant near her gate.

"What'll it be sweety?" A flamboyant, skinny, blonde with bright green eyes asked.

"What's your strongest?" Clarke flashed a smile. "Not sweet." She added.

The bartender raised his eyebrows at her and lowered his shoulders.

"Oh, honey - one of those nights huh? I have just the trick."

A minute later he placed a drink down in front of her. Clarke took a sip and nearly spit it right back out. It tasted like gasoline.

. . .

It was really early when Clarke walked off the plane at O'Hare. She'd been here many times for work conferences and found comfort in her familiarity with it. The polished white floors and large windows gave it more light than most airports and she appreciated the openness of it.

As soon as she reached the terminal exit she spotted him. Bellamy stood with his eyes locked on her. He looked just as good, if not better than the last time she'd seen him. He was wearing dark fitted jeans, a black high v-neck t-shirt and low black work boots. She couldn't help but break into a large grin when they made eye contact.

He did too. She dropped her carry on bag and wrapped her arms around him. He did the same, lifting her up off the ground.

"It's really good to see you." He said.

"You too. How's O?"

"She's fine. Doesn't listen to a thing I say, but fine."

Clarke sensed that there was a little bit more meaning behind that statement and wondered what was going on between them.

"What do you mean?"

"She's dating Lincoln."

Clarke thought about Lincoln and how he had helped her after the kidnapping.

"And you don't want your sister dating a kidnapper?" She said pointedly hoping he'd see the irony.

"No, I don't." He's too old for her anyway.

"Does he treat her bad?" She asked.

"No, he treats her like a Queen."

"So it could be worse right?" Clarke tried to lighten his mood. She changed the subject. "So, where are we going anyway? Another bunker?" She said teasingly but then realized it might actually be a possibility.

"No, the Hilton Chicago."

. . .

BELLAMY

Bellamy and Clarke walked into the hotel and were surrounded by two grand staircases on either side of them. He watched her closely, observing her movements and facial expressions. She looked amazing.

"You've got to be exhausted. Why don't you go take a load off on those couches over there while I get us checked in."

She obliged.

A few minutes later he was pulling her off the couch and leading her to the elevators.

"Need a nap?" He asked but he did not plan on letting her get any sleep just yet.

"I'm surprisingly not tired." She said and he could see a glimpse of something dark run through her eyes.

He leaned into her, whispering into her ear, "You will be when I'm through with you." He saw a chill run through her and he smirked, pleased with himself.

In the elevator Bellamy inserted his key and hit the "PH" button. Clarke looked up at him wide-eyed.

"You booked the penthouse?" She said laughing.

"A special room for a special lady. I figured I owed you something nice after everything I've put you through." As soon as he'd said it he regretted it. He hated himself for what he'd put her through. He could see something change in her face and the mood shifted.

"How fucked up is it that I am more mad about you not calling me for three months than you kidnapping me?" Clarke looked at him for some kind of psychological evaluation.

"Trust me, I win in the fucked up category." He gave her a half smile.

The doors opened to an expansive suite with large windows overlooking the Chicago Waterfront. Sitting on a coffee table near the windows was a bottle of chilled champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.

Bellamy set their bags down while Clarke ran to the window. He followed and saddled up next to her.

"What an amazing view." She said.

"I've got a better one." He said looking at her.

She laughed looking up at him. He loved it when she laughed.

"You are so corny."

"If by corny you mean charming then yes, I am." He said, his eyebrows raised in defense.

Clarke took a deep breath, "Let's get the hard stuff out of the way. What's the favor that Roan wants from me?"

They moved over to the large plush couch and sat down facing one another.

Bellamy placed his hands on top of her knees, lightly squeezing them. "Roan wants you to go to First Republic Bank with one of our . . . friends . . . Monty, and open an account. Monty will go as your bodyguard."

"Why?"

"Monty needs to be in the bank to hack into their system to start skimming from them. You come from a wealthy family with New York roots and a clean record. It won't be suspicious if you go in and there is no way to tie it back to you if they ever figure it out."

"I highly doubt that," Clarke responded annoyed. "Are you sure Roan isn't setting me up?"

"Positive, he is money motivated. And as much of a dick as he is, he's like a brother to me and he knows I care about you."

Clarke pursed her lips in thought.

"If it helps, the banks are way more corrupt than Roan ever was. He at least looks out for his people. The banks just take whatever they can."

At that Clarke glared at him, " Are you defending the guy that wanted to kill me?" Her voice remained eerily controlled and he realized he'd fucked up again.

"No, I mean I didn't mean to . . . listen Clarke, I need you to do it. For me. This way I know you are safe from any remaining threat."

She stood up and walked to the window thinking. He followed behind her and turned her to face him.

"I need you safe. This should be easy. No guns - just you, Monty, and some really badass skimming technology. Monty is a good guy, I trust him."

Clarke leaned into him and kissed him softly.

"Ok, but it doesn't really seem like I have a choice do I?" Bellamy didn't respond because he knew she was right.

He pressed himself against her and was taken over with desire. The rest of the morning was a blur.

. . .

CLARKE

On Sunday morning Clarke woke up in Bellamy's arms. He was out and she envied his ability to sleep peacefully. She could never reach a full level of zen at night and last night was worse than usual since she knew she'd be leaving Bellamy again that evening.

The complete emptiness that would follow sat heavy in her chest.

Bellamy stirred and lazily opened his eyes.

"Morning beautiful."

"Bellamy," Clarke said unable to mask the sadness in her voice. "Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, I missed you." She was answering his question from the phone call that they'd had just three days before but it seemed like a long time ago now. "I don't want to leave today. It's going to be five months before I see you again. Five months before we speak again." They had decided it would be best to stay out of contact, again, in order to avoid any suspicion until the bank job.

Bellamy pulled her into his arms, "Once the job's done Roan will be off your back. That is the most important thing."

"And then what?" She asked.

"And then you live your life, happy, carefree, and without any of us lowlifes dragging you down."

"So this is it for us then? Just a weekend of fun? Is that what I am to you?" She was now hurt and showing it with a simmering anger that was ready to explode.

"You know that's not true. But it's the right thing to do. You should move on. I am no good for you."

"Move on?" Clarke was livid.

"I'm not asking you to wait for me. You have too much good stuff going on. You have a great job with your medical practice, you have people who care about you. I will only bring you down."

Clarke grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him hard, running her other hand down his chest.

"You do not bring me down. You protect me. We are both just in a really fucked up situation, OK? This works," She tapped her hand on his chest, "We are a team and we can make it work. I can wait for you."

She kissed him again, breathing in his smell and he relaxed, pulling her into him and suddenly he was on top of her, grinding his body against hers.

Bellamy, straddling Clarke flipped her onto her stomach. As she began to adjust herself he placed his fists on either side of her.

"Don't move." He ordered, his mouth and breath hot and wet against her ear.

She felt small beneath him but in the best way possible.

She could feel and hear Bellamy moving as he removed his shirt. He tied it around her head, covering her eyes. She breathed in his smell from his shirt.

"Give me your hands." Bellamy took something soft and tied her arms behind her back.

He began running his hands over her body, then his mouth. He pulled off her underwear and spread her legs apart, running his hand up her leg until he reached her wet center.

Clarke let out a moan and bit her lip hard trying to pull some of her body's attention away from the pleasure, it was too intense. He ran his hand back down her leg and then up over her backside, leaning over her, his chest, sticky with sweat was now all over her back and she nearly screamed with pleasure as his lips found her neck and ear.

Clarke was on fire, her entire body alive and wanting.

"Untie me now." She begged, her voice a wanting rasp.

Bellamy pulled his shirt off from around her head and untied her hands. He then flipped her over with such ease that she yelped as she landed from surprise, her hands gripping his muscular arms to catch herself. Looking up at him she felt a welling of emotion from the way he was looking at her.

His big brown eyes told her so much. His vulnerable gaze made her melt and she kissed him with a slow, savory passion and warmth that made them both lose themselves.

Clarke pulled herself up and moved onto his lap. Her eyes still locked on his, she lowered herself until she felt him slide into her. The two of them moved together clinging to one another, afraid to let go in case they never held each other again.

As they moved faster and deeper, Clarke could feel herself building and she grasped onto Bellamy trying to stop herself. He let out a loud gasp as he pushed himself deeper into her and came. At that, Clarke let go and came with him. They sat like that for several minutes, clinging to each other. The only sound was their heaving breathing.

. . .

Back at O'Hare Clarke and Bellamy had some time to kill in the United terminal.

"Have you ever been to the tunnel here?" Clarke asked.

Bellamy looked at her quizzically, reminding her of a meme she'd once seen that showed a confused face surrounded by drawings of science and math tools and she held back a laugh.

"Follow me, I want to show you something."

She took Bellamy down an escalator and watched his eyes raise as the tunnel of neon lights came into view. She pulled him onto the moving walkway and they stood, their bodies entwined watching the light show above them. She felt his gaze move onto her and kissed him softly.

"Will you miss me?" She asked.

He kissed her again.

A/N: That is it for tonight. What did you think? Please leave a review to let me know and favorite/follow to get real-time updates when I add new chapters. I think this story will probably be complete by the end of the next one or two chapters. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING!