A/N: So this originally was going to be the last chapter for The Merger, but I've been having a hard time trying to wrap the ending of this story in one chapter. Instead I'm breaking the ending into two parts. I'm sorry for the wait. And I hope you guys enjoy.

Chapter 20 (Part 1)

Her conversation with Clarke left Lexa very confused that it took a few minutes for her to recover. Unfortunately, it was a few minutes too late because when she came to her senses and went after Clarke, the blonde was already gone. Lexa was completely lost on what the blonde was planning to do. She hated being out of the loop but she was more worried about the trouble Clarke would get herself into. The brunette tried to reach Clarke on her phone but of course, her girlfriend was ignoring her calls.

Seeking a moment of peace to gather her thoughts, Lexa blindly walked through the crowd to get away from the noise of the party. She managed to find her way to the rooftop swimming pool area where it was surprisingly completely empty.

With all the meetings, all the practice runs with Titus, having to deal with her overbearing mother and now having to deal with this, she was finally feeling the weight of it all crushing down on her. The hardest thing out of all of that was having to keep something from Clarke.

Lexa felt exhaustion take over her and lies down on one of the pool recliners just for a moment. Just to clear her mind and try to think of where Clarke might go.

"Well this brings back memories."

Lexa turns her head and sees Raven walking over to her.

"All pleasant of course." Raven added with a playful wink as she takes a seat on the pool recliner next to her.

The heiress got up to mirror Raven's position. She was not use to letting her guard down around anyone even with someone who she use to be intimate with.

"Oh don't get up on my account." Raven waved her hand. "You look like you needed a breather."

Lexa sighed and closed her eyes not really having the energy to fight her on this and laid back down. Raven did the same on her chair.

"How did you get through these parties? My feet are killing me." Raven said kicking off her heels.

"Years of practice." Lexa answered without hesitation.

For as long as she could remember, she has alway done companies parties and events. It was part of playing the role of Anya Wood's daughter.

"Well I pity you then." Raven sad jokingly before lying on her side, prompting her head in her right hand facing the lighter hair brunette. "You know there's a way we can make this night better right. You can start by massaging my feet and we'll take it from there."

A small laugh escape Lexa lips, she has to admit she had miss Raven flirtatious nature.

"I don't think my girlfriend would appreciate that. I'm in enough trouble with her as it is."

"Ahhh...darn it." Raven snapped her fingers.

"And don't think I haven't seen you trying to use your irresistible charms with Abby either. Not only is she's Clarke's mom but it's also unprofessional." Lexa retorted.

"You are such a mood killer, you know that? I regret coming out here." Raven huffed and laid back down on her back. "You know, one can say the same thing about your relationship with Clarke."

Lexa smiled. "They can."

But no one would dare to. One of the benefits of being the owner and CEO's daughter.

"I always hated your smugness." Raven rolled her eyes. "And fyi I wasn't going to do anything with Abby. It's all innocent. This is a dream job for me. I wouldn't ruin it."

"I know." Lexa replied. She knew deep down she didn't have to worry about anything with Raven.

"So where is Clarke?" Raven asked. "She's cute by the way. You guys look great together. Like you're ready taking over the world together."

"She's...Clarke is special..." Lexa paused and bit her lip trying to think about the perfect word to describe Clarke. "She's the one, Raven."

Raven couldn't stop the grin spreading on her face at how lovestruck Lexa looked. There was a lightness in her eyes and softness in her face that was never there before. It was nice to see Lexa finally find someone. She deserves to find love.

"And I don't know where Clarke went. We kind of had a disagreement which ending with her storming off." Lexa continued.

"It's not because of me, was it?" Raven asked concerned.

The last thing the engineer wanted was for her appearance and her acceptance of this job to cause any problems for Lexa. She's brought on enough misfortune to the heiress.

"No, no." Lexa sat up in her chair.

She never wanted Raven to feel like any of this is her fault. Not with anything that happened in the past and certainly not with anything that's going on now.

"Clarke knows about the turbulent history I have with Finn. I haven't told Clarke about who you are, because I didn't really have time to get into that but I don't think it will upset her or affect your new position." Lexa reassured her.

Raven nodded her head sitting up in her own chair. "Do you want to talk about whatever it is then?"

Lexa hesitated for a moment and looked at the ground. It wouldn't hurt and she knows she can trust Raven.

"Your wonderful ex-boyfriend has challenge me to a race and Clarke's is understandably not happy about it given that he almost killed me the last time we raced." Lexa explained. "She went off and I don't know where she is."

Raven sighed running a hand through her hair. Finn was never like this, she cheated on Finn only because she found out that he was sleeping with other girls. His obsession with Lexa was alway a mystery to her. It's driven him to become mad. She doesn't even recognize him anymore.

"Why is he so fixated on you? I don't get it." Raven shakes her head.

Lexa shrugs her shoulder. "Hell if I know. But I can't seem to stop adding fuel to the burning hate he has for me."

"How's that?" Raven asked.

"Clarke is also his ex-girlfriend." She answered.

"Holy shit." Raven was shocked to say the least.

The brown-eyed girl has avoided the news in the tabloid having gone through hell when she slept with Lexa. She also didn't care to know how many women Finn was cheating on her with.

"Yeah." That was pretty much the reaction Lexa had expected from her. "He thinks I went after her for revenge on what he did to my leg. Truth is I couldn't help falling for her if I've tried. It doesn't matter though. Finn will think what he wants to think and if it's not this, he probably find another reason to be pissed at me."

"God he's the worst. I can't believe I was ever with him." Raven groaned. "You know I regretted never getting the chance to tell him off. To tell him that I knew he was being unfaithful. There's so many things I wish to say. I kind want to go up to him now and—" Raven stopped her rant when she saw the perplexed looked on Lexa's face. "What?"

While listening to Raven's rant something suddenly occurred to her. Surely Clarke wasn't insane enough to do that.

"Damn it." Lexa cursed standing to her feet. She can't believe she didn't figure this out sooner.

Raven's eyes widen, quickly coming to the same conclusion as Lexa. "You don't think Clarke would confront him, do you? Even I know Finn's dangerous."

"She's Clarke. Of course she did. She thinks she can fix everything." Lexa told her as she pulled out her phone.

Before she can even hit Clarke's name on her phone, it was snatched out of her hands.

Lexa's eyes darken looking ready to pounce on Raven, who looked unfazed by her death stare. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"She's not going to answer you, dumbass. Chances are she's already there. Your best bet is to call Murphy. He'll stop her for you before she can even get to Finn. Trust me, he'll do anything you tell him to do." Raven said searching for Murphy's name instead.

"Why would Murphy help me?" Lexa asked.

Raven laughed, amused at the dubious look on her face. For someone so smart, Lexa's obliviousness to Murphy's infatuation with her was hilarious. Raven guessed it was easy to do when the whole world was in love with you. "You still haven't caught on to that, have you?"

Lexa was still utterly lost. "What are you talking about-"

"Shh... it's ringing." Raven handed her phone back to her. She'd rather Lexa find out on her own.

If she ever does that is.

As soon as he saw Clarke pull up, he knew he had to intercept her from getting to Finn. Luckily Clarke is not that familiar with this house though he is surprised that she knew where the property was. Just from the look on the blonde's face, Murphy knew the reason behind her visit and knew that she was here without Lexa's knowledge. Lexa would kill him if he didn't do anything to stop her. So he has been stalling her until he could get in contact with Lexa.

"Your girlfriend's calling me," Murphy told her.

Clarke rolled her eyes. It didn't take Lexa long to figure out where she was headed. She shouldn't be that surprise, Lexa's smart. One of the many qualities she finds attractive in the other girl.

"Ignore it." She replied determine to settle things herself. There's no way she was going to allow Lexa risk herself getting hurt again.

"I can't just ignore it."

Clarke furrows her brow at him when she sees the hesitation.

"Why not?"

Murphy didn't respond right away and had his lips pursed. She studies his face for a moment before realization kicks in.

"Oh my god, you like Lexa." Clarke stated with awe in her face. It was all making sense now. "How did I not see this before?"

Murphy scoffed. "Yeah, right."

He missed the call and now he has this weird feeling gnawing at him with the need to call her back.

Clarke couldn't help but be amused by this new information. She had come across a lot of women and men who were very captivated with her girlfriend, this wasn't news to her. She even caught Octavia checking out Lexa from time to time. But this was a bit shocking to her. Murphy didn't seem like the type to easily fall under the charms of someone like Lexa.

"Is that why you're helping her against Finn?" Clarke asked ignoring his denial. "Because you have a crush on her."

"I'm not helping her and I don't have a crush on her." Murphy mumbled still looking at his phone, contemplating on sending Lexa a text. "God, we're not in high school."

"Sure." Clarke replied sarcastically. "Then can you explain to me why you've been leading me around circles on Finn's estate delaying the inevitable as you wait for my girlfriend to call you."

Murphy's head snapped up and the expression on his face was similar to a child who was caught red handed.

"If you knew I wasn't taking you to Finn, then why didn't you stop me." Murphy countered.

Clarke stopped walking and turned to face him. She folded her arms across her chest. "I haven't really thought of a plan yet. I just was angry when I heard about the race. I wasn't really thinking."

"Smart." Murphy rolled his eyes. "I can see what Lexa sees in you."

Clarke narrowed her eyes at his sarcasm even if she did act prematurely.

Murphy smirked when she didn't have a rebuttal. "You're free to leave. Finn won't know that you were even here."

"I can't leave. Because this race can't happen. I won't let it."

"There's nothing you can do." Murphy told her thinking that she's just wasting everyone's time. "Trust me this is the best way to deal with Finn and end this once and for all."

Clarke doesn't know why Murphy's lack of confidence in her makes her angry. Come to think of it, the fact that Murphy had orchestrated the idea for this ridiculous race made her angrier.

"If you care about Lexa, why in the hell would you ever suggest to her that some silly race was going to stop Finn from his stupid games. The last time they were in a race together, he purposely crashed into her hoping for the worse. You are putting her in danger." Clarke trying to stress the severity of the situation to him.

"You're not giving her enough credit." He argued. "Maybe if you believed in her as much as I do, you wouldn't be here causing more problems for her." Murphy sneered at her losing his patiences.

"And what? You think you've solved everything when you came up with the idea of this stupid race?" Clarke retorted.

"Look Clarke, you don't understand. This is their world. This means everything to them. It always killed Finn that he was never able to beat Lexa."

"So when he loses you think he's just going to walk away. He intentionally made sure that Lexa would never race again. And he succeeded. Why would he care to beat her now?" Clarke asked.

"Because he didn't foresee that he would be banned from racing. He has nothing to lose and he wants this win over Lexa more than anything. It's the only thing left to save his dignity." Murphy replied.

"That's pathetic."

"Well, you've—"

"Murphy! Where the hell are you!"

They both turned at the sound of Finn's voice. Apparently, he notice Murphy's missing presence sooner than he gave him credit for.

"Okay fun's over now. You need to go." Murphy tried to push her in the opposite direction from where Finn's voice was coming from. Lexa had just texted him to not let anything happen to Clarke or she'll have his head.

Clarke pulled her arm away from him before he can even touch her. "No."

Murphy could hear Finn getting closer. He stared at Clarke who was crossed her arms and raised a challenging eyebrow at him, daring him to fight against her on this. Murphy knew he would be dead if he ever laid a finger on Clarke, or manhandle her so instead he did the only thing that he could think of at the last minute.

He let out a small frustrated growl before calling out to Finn. "You won't believe who I find lurking around!"

Clarke shot him a weird look at how effortlessly he fell into the role that Finn required of him. She was mildly impressed but at the same time disturbed.

"Don't do anything stupid." He harshly whispered to her.

"Oh don't worry, its not like I'm going to challenge him to a race or anything." Clarke whispered back sarcastically.

Murphy glared at her but before he could come up with a comeback, Finn was standing in front of them.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Clarke, you're looking gorgeous as ever." Finn smiled wickedly as he blatantly eyes her up and down with hunger in his eyes.

The compliment coming from Finn made her skin crawl, she much more preferred it when the admiration came from her girlfriend. She had to fight to keep the disgusted look of her face at just the sight of him.

"We need to talk." Clarke told him sternly ignoring the urge to slap him.

Finn leads the way inside his office heading straight to the small bar pouring him an alcoholic beverage. Clarke stopped and stood in the middle of the room as Murphy closed the door behind her.

"Murphy, you can leave us." Finn said before he could shut the door all the way. "I'm sure whatever Clarke came here for, she would rather discuss it in private."

If Finn wasn't too busy mixing his drink, he would notice the fear that crossed over Murphy's face, his mask slipping for a brief second. He was not comfortable of the idea of leaving Clarke alone with Finn. And he's sure Lexa wouldn't be to happy about that if she finds out.

"That won't be necessary. I'll make it quick." Clarke jumped in and the immediate relief washed over Murphy for a second before wiping it off his face hoping Finn didn't catch his small slip-up.

"I'll make sure to stay out of your way, princess." Murphy said throwing in the nickname he knew Clarke despises.

"Whatever." Clarke rolled her eyes.

"I was just about to get a good night's rest for the big race tomorrow unless you have finally come to your senses and leave that low life girlfriend of yours." Finn smirked as Murphy took his usually seat away from them but close enough to interfere if he needed to. Finn has become dangerously unpredictable.

Clarke glared at him. "That's never going to happen."

"Race still on then." Finn shrugs and grabbed another glass from the bar. "Want anything to drink?"

"The race is not happening." Clarke told him ignoring his offered of an alcoholic beverage.

Finn let out a humorous laughed. "Don't tell me Lexa is having second thoughts."

"There is no way I'm going to let my girlfriend be on the same track as you. You intentionally tried to hurt her the last time."

"That was an unfortunate mishap. I'm sure she's over it by now." He replied.

Clarke tightened her jaw, annoyed at his nonchalant attitude.

"What is the whole point of this, Finn? Are we supposed to believe that you're just going to disappear and leave us alone after the Lexa's wins the race? Because we all know that Lexa will win."

A flash of anger appeared in his eyes and the grip on his glass tighten. Murphy slowly sat up straighter in his seat, ready to act if Finn loses it. He prays Clarke doesn't set him off where he would have no choice to step in, risking the chance to blow his cover.

"So I know this isn't about some race. You have something else planned. And there's no way I'm letting you go through with it." Clarke warned.

"Look, I want this to end just as much as you do. I've tried to be reasonable with your precious Lexa."

Clarke frowned. "You tried to use me as a bargaining chip."

"She's brainwashed you!" Finn snaps with exasperation in his voice. "Why can't you see that I'm just trying to save you, Clarke."

"Save me?" Clarke scoffed. "You are the monster here, Finn."

Finn shakes his head in frustration. "Of course you would think that. You're living with the enemy. She's been filling your head with nonsense. She's turning you against me."

Clarke rolled her eyes as he continues.

"It's what she does. And I'm fucking tired of it." Finn spits out.

"You are so delusional, it's beyond help. You've built this crazy notion in your head that Lexa out to ruin you but she could care less about you."

"I've warned you before. I told you she's a cold hearted bitch." Finn wanted to pull his hair out of frustration of not getting through to Clarke.

"Oh you mean after you admitted to me that you had planned it all along to end Lexa's racing career…"

Murphy furrowed his brow slightly when he finally noticed Clarke's phone in her hand. He faintly catches an app open and sees the word "record." He almost wanted to laugh of how lame her attempt was to catch Finn incriminating himself and verbally confess his plan to her again.

Murphy decides to stand up from his seat and subtly get closer to the arguing pair, just in case Finn sees it.

"…and how bout the fact that you were only interested in me because you thought I knew Lexa because of the business relationship my father had with her mother—"

"—I made a mistake. I never went through with my original plan because I fell in love with you!" Finn roughly grabbed her both her arms before she or Murphy could blink. "I love you. I'm doing this all for you!"

Murphy could see Clarke grimace in pain and knew he need to step in. He also need to get to Clarke's phone that fell on the floor behind Finn. It slipped out of her hand when he grabbed her. "Finn, I think you should let her go man."

If Finn heard him, he didn't break his intense stare with Clarke to show it.

Murphy switch his gaze back and forth between Clarke and her phone looking conflicted on what to do. He couldn't risk the chance of Finn finding the phone but he also couldn't have Clarke going back to Lexa with bruises on her arm.

He cursed under his breath and wonder how he ended up in this situation.

"Finn! Finn!" Murphy shouted at the long hair ex-racer, who can't seem to snap out of his rage. He could see Finn's grip getting tighter. But it was when Clarke let out a small whimper is when he decides to take action.

"Hey!" Murphy pushed his shoulders forcing him to loosen his hold on the blonde. "You're hurting her."

Finn punches Murphy in the face.

"Oh my god!" Clarke cried out going over to Murphy to inspect the damage. Blood was pouring down his face. "What is wrong with you? I think you broke his nose."

"He shouldn't have interfere." Finn told her looking at his bruise hand, showing no concern for Murphy's well-being. He looked distant, almost as if he just realized what he had done.

"I'm taking him to the hospital." Clarke said.

"No, I'm okay I'm just going to grab some towels behind the bar." Murphy pulled away from her. He was more worried Clarke's phone, that Finn has yet to notice, than himself right now.

"If that's okay with you." Murphy quipped looking at Finn, waiting for permission.

Finn glared at him for a few second. He would have to have a talk with Murphy after Clarke leaves. "Whatever."

Murphy tries to get to the phone quick without being too suspicious. He was only a few steps away before he heard Finn's voice almost causing him to freeze in his place.

"Wait—?"

The sound of device sliding then slamming into the bar filled the room. Kicking the phone out of panic when he saw Finn turn around was the only thing Murphy could think of. Clarke's phone was now shatter into pieces.

"What the fuck, Murphy?" Finn scolded. "I'm sorry about your phone, Clarke. It seems like Murphy here lost a few brain cells today. What is your problem, man?"

"I guess I wasn't watching where I was going. It's not like I have blood on my face or something." Murphy retorted dryly pressing a towel to his nose.

"I don't care about the phone." Clarke said. She knew Murphy was saving her ass. Since her plan failed, Clarke knew it was best to just get out of here. "Just let me take you to the hospital."

Murphy quickly caught on and nods his head and leads the way out.

"Let Lexa know the race is still on, Clarke. And I will prove to you that the Lexa you know, isn't what she seems to be." Finn told her before she walked out. "We belong together. You'll see."

Clarke turned and stared at him. Really looked into his eyes. There was nothing there. No sign of hope. He was truly lost.

Without saying a word, Clarke followed Murphy towards the exit feeling like she failed.

The drive to the hospital was quiet. Clarke was lost in her own thoughts. Feeling hopeless that there was nothing she could do to stop the race tomorrow.

"That was your plan?" Murphy asked breaking the silence.

Clarke sighed. "I don't need any shit from you right now, okay?"

Murphy abided and didn't say another word. He could understand why she was upset and wanted respect her wishes.

"Thank you. For what you did back there." Clarke said a few minutes later. "I owe you."

Murphy looked at her slightly surprise not expected the gratitude from the blonde. "It was nothing. Finn's is gone down the deep end."

"Yeah." Clarke replied absentmindedly, keeping her eyes on the road.

"Look I know you're worry about Lexa. But she knows what she's doing. If all goes to plan tomorrow, Lexa will beat Finn and you and Lexa will live happily ever after."

His words didn't comfort the blonde at all. Clarke felt drained and defeated. Her only hope now is to convince Lexa to run away together to a place where no one would find them.

Thank You For Reading!