Chapter 12

A couple days after her grandmother's funeral, everyone immersed themselves into work back in Paris. There were several meetings pertaining to the merger with Abby, Kane and a few other colleagues from Sky Airlines joining them including Clarke and Octavia. The progress of the merger was all positive. Everyone seemed very pleased and they were predicting they can soon announce the merger of the two companies publicly, hoping it would be the start of their business prospering together while Mount Weather began to deteriorating.

Even though the business side of things were looking great, Lexa was very conscious of Abby's harden stare every meeting they've been to. It was making her more irritated then uncomfortable or threaten then Abby probably intended her to be. There were multiple times she had to hold herself back, for Clarke's sake, from snapping at the woman in front of everyone.

"Hey."

Breaking her deep concentration, Lexa looks up when Clarke walks straight into her office without knocking, the tension evaporating from her body instantly at the sight of the beautiful blonde.

Her grandmother's death shook her deeply and Clarke has been a big part of helping her getting through the past few days and she was ever so grateful to have the blonde back in her life. Clarke knew what to do and say to make going through this hard time in her life a little easier. Lexa knows without Clarke by her side that she would have easily withdrawn from everything and everyone.

"Hi." Lexa replied plastering a smile on her face.

Clarke narrows her eyes detecting one of many tones of the brunette that she had so far encrypted. This one suggested that there was something bothering her despite the happy expression on her face that she was trying to disguise it with.

"Is something wrong?" Clarke questions automatically.

It always amuses Lexa of how well the blonde knows her and how perceptive she was of her even if she tried to reigned in her emotions from her. She couldn't deceive the other girl even if she wanted to. It warmed her heart the Clarke cared that much about her to learn her quirks. It gave her hope that not only would they mend their relationship but it would be stronger.

"Your mother looks at me as if she wants to skin me alive." Lexa responds dryly leaning back in her chair.

Clarke rolls her eyes in annoyance before simply saying, "Ignore her."

"If she was anyone else, I wouldn't let her get away from looking at me like that." Lexa told her as she follows Clarke with her eyes when the blonde makes her way to stand next to her chair that she was seated in before leaning casually on her desk. "Are you sure she doesn't know about us?"

"She's suspicious and she's not being subtle about it all. She calls me all the time, shows up to my room unannounced and I've caught her multiple of times as she discretely tries to check underneath my bed as if you would be hiding there. One night, she wanted to have a sleepover." Clarke shakes her head annoyed at her mother's ridiculous behavior.

She was treating her like a teenager.

She intentionally left out the part of Abby introducing her to a few men around the office that she thinks would be a good fit for her. Though Clarke was pretty sure that she was just trying to distract her away from spending time with Lexa. She doesn't think Lexa would react happily about that little detail so she omitted it from their conversation.

"Does it upset you that she would not approve of our relationship when she finds out about us?" Lexa asks carefully studying the blonde's features. She didn't care for Abby's opinion but she does care if Clarke worries about it.

"No. What's going on between us should only be between us. My mother has absolutely no say." Clarke replies reassuringly as she softly caresses the brunette's face.

Lexa nods accepting her answer as she felt herself relaxing a little bit more in her chair knowing that Clarke won't be afflicted by Abby's obvious disapproval of their relationship.

"I have something to ask you." Clarke said changing the subject as she hops on top of Lexa's desk.

"You can ask me anything." Lexa quickly replies smiling encouragingly at her.

"So...Lincoln and Octavia are going on a date tonight..." Clarke drawls out.

"Great." Lexa replies sardonically as she was clearly uninterested about any personal matter concerning those two.

"..and she asked me if we can join her." Clarke finished squinting her eyes with a little uncertainty not knowing how Lexa would react.

"We? As in you and me?" Lexa asked her eyebrows shot up confused as she was trying to grasp what Clarke was requesting. She has never really fathom the idea of ever hanging out with Lincoln or Octavia.

"Yeah. Like a double date." Clarke confirms by nodding her head.

Lexa could see the excited glimmer in the blonde's eyes and it made her feel uneasy.

"I thought we were taking things slow?" Lexa retorted with a perplexed expression on her face.

"A date is slow. It signifies us getting to know each other. You know what we should have done before sleeping with each other." Clarke joked.

"You know you could never resist me." Lexa flirted playfully.

"Shut up." Clarke's foot darts forward kicking her chair softly.

Lexa paused for a minute biting her lip, not knowing what she was getting herself into. She hated walking into situations blindly. She doesn't remember ever had a real conversation with Lincoln that didn't involve work and she purposely stays clear away from Octavia who can talk on and on about nothing. It also frightens her how much that girl smiles.

"Do they know about us?" Lexa asked her as the thought suddenly comes to her.

Clarke gives her a sheepish grin. "Octavia figured it out when I was acting overly concern about you. And I think Lincoln pretty much figured it out when you flew all the way to California for me. I mean give the guy some credit."

"I suppose." Lexa shrugs indifferently as the blonde had a good point.

"Don't worry, I trust Octavia. She won't say a word to anyone." Clarke said giving her a reassuring smile.

"What about I take you out, tonight. Where ever you want?" Lexa counters rubbing the blonde's bare leg comfortingly.

"You don't like Octavia?" She said as it came out more as a accusation then a question.

"Clarke..." Lexa sighed.

"She's my best friend." Clarke said before Lexa could defend herself as she was clearly upset about Lexa's reluctance. She would be lying if she said that she wasn't excited about Lexa getting to know one of her closest friend.

"I didn't say that." Lexa shakes her head. "Do you want our first date to be shared with others? I haven't taken you out on a proper date yet." Lexa argued.

"And how are you going to that if you don't want to media to find out about us." Clarke retorts raising her eyebrow.

"I thought we agree that it was for the best not to create any unwanted attention until we are ready." Lexa studied the blonde's face to see if keeping their relationship on the down low was bothering her. "We still have have to figure things out between us."

"I know but that doesn't mean we shouldn't enjoy...I mean...I want to just have fun with you outside of the hotel and...I feel like we only hang out in your room or my room...or..."

Lexa inhaled deeply as she studies the disappointed expression on Clarke's beautiful face. She didn't want to upset or disappoint the blonde. It's seemed important to Clarke that she get to know her friend and wants her to make an effort for them to get along.

"We can go." Lexa relented.

"I don't want to force you." Clarke told her now feeling like she was being too pushy.

"You're not. Maybe it will seem like the four of us are just having dinner as acquaintances or colleagues and not on a double date. We will still have our cover and we can enjoy a night out together." Lexa told her. "People speculate what they want anyways."

"Really?" Clarke asked her face instantly brightens as she beams with joy.

"Really." Lexa confirms watching her face split into a full smile making her heart flutter.

"When you get to know Octavia, she's not that bad. You just make her nervous." Clarke told her explaining her best friend's strange behavior around Lexa.

"How so?" Lexa asked with a hint of amusement.

"I heard you can be intimating though I don't see it." Clarke tells her playfully.

Lexa smiles as she remembers their first meeting at the hotel and how the blonde was able to hold her own against her. Never backing down. Her quick wit and lively spirit was what she found most endearing about her along with her beauty and intelligence. And she had a skillful way of making her feel alive. No one has ever affected her this way before.

"You do realized that you're the heiress to TonDC International hotels, you have won a couple of those Formula One races, and didn't you use to model? I can't remember." Clarke pointed out.

"But you don't see me that way." Lexa stated.

"Because I got to know you. I see you as Lexa. Not anything else." Clarke told her. "Though what you accomplished already in your life is impressive, I didn't fall for that. I fell for you."

"I've already agreed to go, you don't have to butter me up." Lexa smirked.

"Tell me about it, that ego of yours is massive as it is." Clarke rolled her eyes playfully standing up preparing to make her exit. "Meet me in my room at around six."

"I'll see you then." Lexa comfirms watching the blonde walk out of her office.

Dinner with Lincoln and Octavia wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. She initially thought it was kind of weird to be socializing with her bodyguard and even though she did have a close relationship with Gustus, they never went out together and just hung out for fun. The awkwardness that Lexa anticipated quickly evaporated as Clarke took reigns of the conversations between them all night and made sure everyone was having a good time. Clarke also made sure to stay on general topics and nothing that evolves work or Lexa's history or her grandmother, which of course the brunette appreciated.

Lexa never went out to dinner with friends like this before. It was refreshing and nice. It was simple casual evening between four people who were getting to know each other. Once Octavia calm down around her presence, Lexa found her actually quite fun and humorous though she would never tell her this to her face.

"They cute, aren't they? Octavia really likes him." Clarke whispers closely into her ear pointing her head lightly towards the said couple.

Lexa looks at the couple across from them and observes the clear happiness on both of their faces as they exchange soft words making each other laugh, immersing themselves in their own private moment. She doesn't believe she's ever seen Lincoln laugh before in the short time she has known him and wonders for a moment if he mirrors what she looks like when she's alone with Clarke. The scene before her reminds her of one of those cliche romantic comedy movies but she did have to agree with Clarke, they complemented each other well.

"You're cute." Lexa responds softly and sincerely as she turns away from the scene in front of her before staring into those gorgeous blue eyes that she always seems to easily lose herself in. Everything else just fades in the background.

The blush from the simple compliment on the blonde's face was evident that Clarke didn't even try to fight it. Lexa's green eyes sparkled finding the blonde even more adorable. Clarke licks her lips realizing how close their faces where to each other. She can feel Lexa's cool breath hitting her face as her long-lashed eye bored into hers.

There always seemed to be an undeniable attraction between them that throughout dinner, there was some innocent light discrete touches here and there, mainly from the blonde. Clarke would softly touch Lexa's hand and slowly graze her leg underneath the table, smiling gently when she was rewarded when the brunette slightly shiver against her finger tips. And ever so often Clarke would lean over and whisper something in her ear, like to ask what Lexa would suggest on the menu, unconsciously scooting her chair closer and closer to Lexa's. She wasn't trying to tease the brunette because she is totally serious about taking things slow but it was like she couldn't control herself around Lexa.

The woman was stunningly gorgeous and her lips were very tempting.

Every inch of her body was fighting to close the small remaining gap between them and kiss those soft lips that she has miss terribly. Their lips haven't been reacquainted since they reconciled. She can see in Lexa's face that she was fighting the same battle and she utterly admires that the brunette was waiting for her to make the first move. Making her feel comfortable about whatever pace she chooses for the progress of mending their relationship. Trusting her to lead them. Lexa has been patient, understanding, and respectful towards her wishes to take their relationship slow.

"Clarke!"

Neither girl heard Octavia calling the blonde's name as they were lost in each other's eyes. Neither one wanting to be the first to break away. Clarke watched as Lexa's left eyebrow raised slightly as if to challenge her to a staring contest.

"Clarke." Octavia tossed a roll in the blonde's direction snapping her out of her trance.

"I'm sorry what?" Clarke blinked a couple times finally tearing her eyes away from the Lexa's enticing green ones reluctantly giving Octavia her full attention.

"I thought you guys were trying to be subtle and keep your relationship under the radar." Octavia smirked raising her eyebrows humorously at how horribly covert they were being. How they have kept this hidden from everyone she'll never know.

"We weren't doing anything." Clarke defended innocently.

"You can clearly see hearts in Lexa's eyes and you looked like you wanted to rip her clothes off." Octavia teased.

Clarke coughs awkwardly as her face flamed with embarrassment and Lexa was actually amused by Octavia boldness.

"Like seriously how can people not figure it out, you guys are so obvious." Octavia continued enjoying the redness creeping upon the blonde's face.

"Shut up, O." Clarke admonished as she reluctantly shuffling her seat back to it's original spot to create a bit of space between them immediately missing the warmth that the brunette provided. She didn't realized how close she had scooted to the brunette. It always felt like there was an invisible rope pulling her closer to Lexa.

"Clarke, your flirting is not as sly as you may think it is?" Octavia told her never wanting to miss an opportunity to tease her friend.

"I have to agree." Lexa chimed in.

Clarke groans loudly looking at Lexa. "Please don't gang up on me."

"How awful was it when she flirted with you? Did you feel bad for her?" Octavia asked Lexa intrigued wanting to hear the story about the two while ignoring the blonde's murderous glare that she probably learned from the heiress herself.

"Oh, not with me." Lexa shakes her head. "As a lame attempt to make me jealous, she flirted with..." Lexa paused for a moment looking at her right to the blonde as she searched her brain trying to remember the poor boy's name. "What was that boy's name?"

"Jonathan." Clarke mumbled grudging supplying the boy's name while regretting her idea of Octavia and Lexa becoming friends. She didn't enjoy being picked on and last thing she wanted was Lexa to encourage Octavia or vice versa.

"Right...Jonathan." Lexa nodding her head.

"He is too scared to talk to me now. You have him trembling anytime he passes by you. And he completely ignores me." Clarke lightly scolded.

"I will say it again. You have horrible taste in men."

"He wasn't my taste, I was just trying..."

Lexa raised an amused eyebrow at the blonde waiting her her to finally admit the whole thing was a ploy to make her jealous.

"Make you jealous." Clarke admitted with a pout on her face as she was caught in her scheme.

"Did she touch his chest?" Octavia asked with a knowing smile enjoying the interaction between Lexa and Clarke. She can see there was clearly something special between those two.

Lexa nodded.

"Did she also throw her head back with laughter?"

Lexa nodded her head again.

"God, you're game is awful Griffin. What's up with the obvious touches? Thank god you're pretty." Octavia shakes her head criticizing the blonde while leaning casual into Lincoln who just smiled at the girl's antics, wisely staying out of their conversation.

"That's what I said." Lexa smiled at the other brunette probably for the first slightly throwing Octavia off for half a second.

"So you're only like me because I'm pretty." Clarke playfully pouted looking at the heiress.

"What did you figure it was?" Lexa snarked playfully earning herself a smack on the arm.

"Jerk." Clarke commented before rubbing the brunette's arm soothing the spot she just hit.

"Are you enjoying Paris so far Octavia?" Lexa asked changing the subject taking pity on the blonde not wanting to embarrass her any further.

"What's not to like?" Octavia replied rhetorically with an apparent glee on her face. "Paris is beautiful. Though you have to take me shopping one day or if you don't..." Octavia suddenly remember who she was talking to. "I just...you have great style...and I'm sure you know all the best places...I'm sorry..."

"I would love too." Lexa interrupted the other brunette's stuttering without thinking but surprisingly she actually didn't mind it.

Octavia visibly release a relief sighed that Lexa wasn't annoyed by her. They were having such a great time that she forgot about Lexa's status but at the same time realized that she was just like them and she really did like Lexa better than any of Clarke past relationships and thought they complemented each other well.

Clarke interlocked their fingers and gave her a thankful smile ecstatic that Lexa and Octavia are getting along famously. Better than she thought they would actually.

"Am I invited?" Clarke asked playfully.

"Maybe." Lexa shrugged her shoulders jokingly.

Clarke bumped her shoulders lightly before turning her attention to Lincoln, not wanting him to feel left out being the only male in the group.

Lexa sat back and observed how her night turned out surprisingly enjoyable. She still wanted to court the blonde accordingly. Clarke deserves the best and she plans on making it very special.

After spending a few hours finalizing things with her lawyers before their upcoming case, which thankfully was going to be settle behind doors and not in public, Lexa returned to the hotel and felt her legs automatically leading her to Clarke's room, which happened to be the same one she had before. With only a short amount of time being apart, Lexa missed the blonde and couldn't wait to see her.

She wasn't really worried about Finn's ridiculous lawsuit as she was confident that nothing would really amount to it. At this point it was just annoying her that he was wasting her time and money. She briefly wonders if Finn, at any point during this whole investigation, realized that instead of ruining her life, he was in actuality making things worse for himself.

"Hi." Clarke opens her door after a few knocks with a smile on her face that always seems to brighten Lexa's day and was reserved just for her.

"It should be a crime that the first time I've seen you today is so late in the day."

Clarke laughed at the petulant expression on the brunette's face before saying, "It's only one in the afternoon."

"That's like half the day." Lexa argued as she walked passed the blonde and into her room.

"I don't have another meeting til at least another hour so we can do whatever you want." Clarke told her while shutting her door.

"Honestly, I just want to sit and relax." Lexa replied falling on the blonde's couch. Meetings are exhausting to her. It felt like she has been to at least a hundred meetings in the last few days. She doesn't know how her mother does it.

"I'm glad you said that. Things have been a little hectic around here lately." Clarke said joining the brunette on the couch.

"Mmm..." Lexa murmured in agreement as she lays down and rest her head comfortably on the blonde's lap. She sighs in content as she feels Clarke running her hand soothingly through her hair. Lexa loves that they can just sit together in silence and just enjoy each other company leaving all their stress and worries behind that door and just be Lexa and Clarke.

After a few moments, Lexa tilted her head slightly when her eyes focus on the flowers sitting in front of her.

"My grandmother grew Lavenders in her garden." Lexa stated.

"Oh..." Clarke forgot all about the flowers on her table. "As a way to encourage me to find you at the funeral reception, your mother gave them to me to give to you. She said flowers always make you smile. But when I found you jumping off the roof and everything..."

"I didn't jump off the roof." Lexa interrupts to correct her only to be brushed off by the blonde.

"...I didn't have the chance to give them to you. Before I left, I gathered some more to give them to you later but I liked them some much I kept them. They're beautiful. I hope you don't mind." Clarke explained.

"I don't mind at all. I will give you the whole garden if you want." Lexa told her with all seriousness.

Clarke's heart melted.

Lexa had a way of saying sweet things as if they were fact and not cheesy romantic gesture. It always sends shockwaves through her body.

"Even though I appreciate the sentiment, I know that garden was special to you and your grandmother. It was something you both shared and cherish."

"As you wish but just so you know, I think you deserve the world. Even that is not enough."

Clarke groaned at the warm feeling in her stomach that Lexa was causing. It was hard enough resisting the brunette based on her beauty alone. "You can't keep saying sweet things to me like that."

"Why?" Lexa asked worriedly looking at the blonde hoping she hasn't offend her. The last thing she wanted was the blonde to feel uncomfortable and cross any boundaries. She was confused on what slow meant so she was treading lightly around the blonde waiting for her to take them to the next step.

Clarke looked down at her with soft eyes gently rubbing away the lines on the brunette's forehead. "Because it's getting harder and harder not to kiss you."

Lexa couldn't help her lips curling into a small smile, she was happy to know that she wasn't the only having a difficult time.

"I only speak the truth." Lexa linked their fingers bringing them to her lips for a soft kiss.

Clarke gave her a loving smile before changing the subject so she doesn't something totally against her own request of taking things gradually.

"How was the meeting with your lawyers?"

Lexa sighed heavily.

"With the investigation going my way, Finn doesn't have any real evidence against me. The whole thing is quite ridiculous actually." Lexa answered.

"He has never been too sharp. He seemed really desperate when he asked me if I would help him against you." Clarke commented.

"When was this?" Lexa asked scrunching up her face.

Clarke was hesitant to talk about Finn around Lexa afraid it was going to cause her to react unpleasantly.

"When you were at Aubade." Lexa answered for her remorse laced in her voice. "You were trying to tell me about it but I wouldn't listen. I'm sorry Clarke..."

"It's okay. We're trying to get past that remember." Clarke interrupted her.

"I just feel awful. I was an idiot." Lexa told her shaking her head as she recounts her horrible reaction that day.

Clarke hadn't meant for them to talk about Finn but since it was brought up and Lexa seemed to be alright with the topic, they might as well clear things up and handle the situation like mature adults.

"You were." Clarke simply agreed though she didn't want to relive that day.

Lexa went to sit up but was immediately held back down by the blonde who continued to run her hands through the brunette's hair.

"I'm comfy." Clarke said when she was met with Lexa's question eyes.

"I can't apologize enough for my actions Clarke."

"You are not forgiven but I think we are moving in a positive direction. And we need to talk about what happen."

"Okay. So what happen?" Lexa asked encouraging the blonde to tell her side. She had only known what Gustus told her.

"Well after I had a few items picked out, I stepped into the dressing room and before I could closed the door Finn slides inside to my complete surprise and dismay. I was angry at the sight of him. I couldn't get over what he did to you and that he used me to hurt you. When I broke up with him, I told him I never wanted to see him again. So seeing him again, just made me furious. I think he was realizing the mistake he made with that lawsuit against you and he was frantic and desperate that he sought me out and begged me to help him against you. He was afraid that his career will end. I was infuriated that he would even think that I would help him and told him to get out." Clarke explained while Lexa laid her head still listening intently to the blonde story.

"What else happened?" Lexa asked. She had a strange feeling that there was more.

"He questioned what my business here was in Paris and when I didn't tell him he got angry and made some comment about my father and I slapped him across his face." Clarke continued.

She felt Lexa body slightly tense.

"Did he harm you?" Lexa asked with a control voice after a few moments passed.

Sensing the blonde's hesitation, Lexa's breathing became heavier having a hard time containing her anger towards Finn.

"Clarke, did he touch you?" Lexa'a voice was stern waiting for confirmation.

"I think he grabbed my arm, but it wasn't..."

"I'm going to kill him." Lexa pulled her head up from the blonde lap, successfully this time, and sat up facing the blonde with a scowl etched on her face.

"Calm down." Clarke grabbed the brunette's hand soothingly. "It was more of a..."

"Don't make excuses for him." Lexa struggled to control her anger. She tried to shake it off not didn't want it to take over and upset the blonde.

"I'm not. But I don't think violence is the answer here." Clarke said softly trying to keep the brunette calm.

"I can't stand that the fact that he put his hands on you. He needs to be taught a lesson." Lexa argued not willing to allow Finn to get away lightly with this.

"I agree but we can think of another way. I just want this to stop. Your feud with him has to end. And I know you are going to hate this but you're have to be the bigger person. I know you're better than that. You're better than him." Clarke said.

"I don't know if I can do that." Lexa replied honestly.

"Do you not think I was angry when I saw him hurt you that night at the club. When he had you on the ground and began attacking your leg, I was furious. How was he getting away with this? And I was also..." Clarke paused biting her lip not wanting to cry. "God Lexa I was..."

"Clarke...?" Lexa asked gaping at her at the unexpected reaction.

"I was so scared, Lexa." Clarke said in shaky voice.

Something had change in her voice that cause Lexa to swallow sharply and sober up, forgetting about her own anger. She can hear the pain in her voice. It went from being calm and reasonable to upset that something could happen to her. The blonde was more concern about her well being while she was plotting revenge.

"I was scared that you were hurt. I'm alway worried about your leg. I thought the worst and the video ended so quickly, I didn't know what kind of state you were in..."

Out of no where, a tear ran down the blonde's cheek. These feelings were kept bottle up inside her ever since she saw the video and with so much going on in the last few days, she was never able to release these emotions she felt about seeing Lexa being hurt.

"Hey, I fine." Lexa said gently trying to console the blonde.

Pain filled her chest knowing she caused Clarke to feel so distress.

"I can't stand it if anything happen to you, Lexa. Even when I didn't know you at the time of your crash, I felt something inside me break. He almost kill you. Who know else he's capable of."

Lexa wanted to tell her that she was not afraid of Finn and there was nothing to be concern about but she didn't want to upset the her more then she already was.

"Nothing is going to happen to me." Lexa told her wrapping her arms around the blonde.

"Lexa, please promise me you won't do anything." Clarke pleads in desperation gripping her shirt tightly.

She has never seen her action effect someone like this before. Someone she cares deeply for. There was a tightness in her chest that she couldn't describe. She was use to doing risky and wild things without a second thought. Now there was Clarke to think about and she can't just go and do something stupid. Not if it was going to effect the blonde negatively.

"I promise." Lexa said sealing it with a kiss the top of the blonde's head holding her tighter in her arms.

It wouldn't be easy to keep her promise to Clarke and not pummel Finn's face the next time she sees him but Clarke was right. This needs to end. She didn't want to lose Clarke again and definitely didn't want the reason being Finn.

Thank You For Reading!