A/N: Just want to give a special thanks for those who take the time to review. I really appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks to those who are following this story and adding it to their favorites. I hope you are enjoying it so far. It's going to start to move further away from the show in each passing chapter till it becomes completely different. Hopefully you like how this version of Clexa plays out. Let me know, write reviews!


The NightBloods formed a circle around their Heda. This was a rarity for them. Even if they were brought into any wars the chance to see Lexa fight was unusual. A glimpse, at most, here and there. For this reason, they couldn't peel themselves away. Titus was among the NightBloods, also watching his Commander. He has seen her train with Aden before but this was different. Never has the Heda practiced with an outsider. For that matter he couldn't help but think how the blonde shouldn't even be there. He wanted to confront Lexa about it yet his inner voice stopped him. It wasn't his place to interrogate her. As he observed the brunette he couldn't stop the questions from forming in his mind.

Lexa's grin slowly faded as a more serious look took over. It was like the hunter and the hunted. A game she knew all too well. The Grounder Leader knew how to fight at almost half of Aden's age. Everything in her made her a predator when it came to a battle. How to read her enemy. How to strategize. When to attack. Most of all seeing weaknesses, such as the one presently. She could see the beads of sweat forming on Clarke's forehead. The blonde's guarded stance told Lexa a whole story. That those beads of sweat were from being out of practice, nerves, and a touch of fear. The Heda observed every twitch of the Wanheda's muscles. They were dancing now. Round and round, each one waiting. Lexa knew this is where Clarke would need the most work. The people from the Sky were so used to their weapons. Weapons they barely needed at that time. Here was different. Here wars were fought. On the ground there was no armory making bullets. It was learning how to wield a sword or die. In this Conclave she would turn Clarke from a soldier to a gladiator.

The blonde was worn out. She spent almost all morning training with Aden. For the better part of it she took a bunch of hits. Clarke knew that she wasn't a fighter like they were, but she never considered herself weak. Currently she wasn't so sure anymore. Taking a few hits here and there, fine. Having to throw a few herself, to defend herself or her people, she could manage. The Grounders were at a whole other level. Watching the brunette in front of her sparked a fire inside Clarke. She didn't know what the Heda was doing. Did she think after a few hours Clarke would be able to fight her? It sparked that anger that never fully dimmed out. The blonde agreed to be the 13th clan. She agreed to possibly being a NightBlood, and with that, had to learn all this. The Wanheda didn't do it for Lexa. She did it for the SkyPeople. At least that's what she wanted to believe. That small amount of anger was finding its way to the surface. Anger at Lexa for expecting so much in such a little time. Anger for trying to fight her in front of everyone. Anger for Mt. Weather. For making her a monster.

The Grounder Leader never took her gaze off of the blonde. It was training not an annihilation. There was no need to ambush her. The brunette was observing. Seeing the irritation replace the fear in the Wanheda. It was then she decided to move. Moving in with a fast right hook. Instantly impressed that Clarke managed to block it. She spun on the ball of her left foot. As Clarke blocked the right hook her body would move left. Lexa knew it. Pivoting when she did cost the blonde with a right punch to her ear. The Commander was fully aware of the ringing that was now going on the one side of the blonde.

Clarke kept blinking. The high pitched whistling from her left ear was almost blinding. It wasn't a good time for her sight to get blurry. Lexa moved like lightning back to the original stance they started in. Only this time she moved no longer waiting. The blonde saw Lexa's knee come up but was to slow in protecting her abdomen. She leaned over and her feet were swiped out from under her. Glaring up at the sky for the second time in one morning. Clarke was becoming more and more irritable with each assault. Waiting as she saw Lexa's foot coming towards her shoulder. The blonde put her arms around her ankle pulling Lexa's foot to the floor. Throwing her lower body weight into the air as her legs wrapped around the Commander's leg that she had trapped. Clarke's feet pretty much twirled at the top of Lexa's thigh. She pulled the Heda down using her body weight. Allowing herself to fall onto her back and take a much needed breath.

The Commander saw the move coming and prepared for the take down. Making sure to land on her forearm. Studying Clarke, seeing her chest go up and down hard. It actually pained her to do this. She had to ignore the thoughts. Why should it bother her to make Clarke a stronger fighter? She wouldn't always be there to guard her. Clarke needed to learn these skills. Training is tough, tiring and painful. In the end you walk out more powerful. She brought her right leg up before slamming the heel of her foot down into Clarke's thigh. Dragging her leg back as she jumped to her feet. The blonde rubbed her thigh as she rolled out of the way. It was time Lexa gave her the fuel she needed. "You're angry with me Clarke. Don't let the anger control you. Use it, channel it, and control it." It wasn't a harsh tone rather an instructional one. Almost the kind you'd hear from a trainer yelling at his prize boxer in the main event. Not cruel but not sweet.

Clarke was on her feet. Her body wanting to quit, every inch of her pulsating with tremors of pain. She pushed on despite her inner pleas. Learning from watching the skilled Heda. She started to examine her moves. Seeing which one of Lexa's muscles would twitch first to give her a heads up on what was coming next. She saw the brunette's right shoulder jerk. The Wanheda wouldn't be caught off guard again. Using her left arm to deflect the thrown punch she stepped towards Lexa with her own attack. Clarke's left arm currently wrapped around Lexa's right, locking her in place as she stepped in and got her first punch. Waiting for the revenge attack that didn't happen. Instead the Commander looked pleased.

"Good Clarke, use that and continue with Aden." No emotions played in her voice. Eyes completely still and locked onto the blonde's. That normal stone cold face locked into place. With that she stepped back causing the circle to break apart. Her eyes found Aden's, nodding at him as she headed towards the tower. Lexa was satisfied that the Wanheda got at least one hit in. It proved a point to her Conclave.

ABBEY

Abbey was sitting in the Grounder medical facility. It was similar to the one they had at Arkadia. Nothing fancy but practical. There were exam tables, her medical equipment, medicine, and a small stone table of medical tools. In the far corner of the room there was a simple desk and chair. Old, dusty and barely managing to stay together. The ex-Chancellor was sitting there with here elbows on the desk. Her head in her hands, forefingers rubbing her eyes to tame the migraine that was forming. She almost fell out of the chair when she felt someone grab her shoulder.

Kane grabbed onto Abbey when he startled her seeing her lose her balance. "You okay," he wasn't referring to the almost incident. He had known Abbey for a long time. Lately they've spent more time together. Ever since the other day, when she had her meeting with Lexa, she became distant, quiet even. Normally they discussed everything together. When she came back she dismissed it. He couldn't stop the concern he felt. His feelings were growing beyond their friendship. He didn't act on them at the time. The pressure to find Clarke took precedence. Since her safe return it has been a roller coaster of events. Her distance was the one he was focusing on.

"I need to speak to Abbey alone." They both turned to the doorway when they heard the authoritative tone. Neither one shocked to see the Heda standing there. What Kane did notice was her lack of guards. It was unusual, especially under their current situation, for her to be without them. Not wanting to raise any alarms he left without turning back. Abbey stood up as soon as she saw the young leader. She went over to get the tourniquet and needle she needed to draw the Heda's blood. This was all to be kept top secret. "You will find a way to do this. Clarke always has faith in you." The Commander wasn't good at offering comfort. Her words weren't meant to do that. Lexa needed the SkyCrew doctor to believe in her own ability. This plan had to work.

"What if it doesn't? What then?" Abbey couldn't stop herself, the words poured out before she thought them through. At the same time, she was glad she had the outburst. There was a chance, a possibility, no matter how slim, that this might not happen. The doubt grew in her overnight. She was not throwing in the towel by any means. She was just getting started. Abbey had to know the consequences of failure.

Lexa watched her black blood fill into the vials. Waiting for the needle to be removed from her arm before answering. "It will." She wasn't a conversationalist yet she continued. For her the hardest part of SkyCrew was their own self-doubt. "A war is brewing. A war that may very likely end in my death. To protect your people this needs to work. If Aden is chosen, he has promised me that your people will stay protected. Or it may be Clarke that my spirit chooses." For a brief moment, the thought of Clarke not being safe made her stomach drop. Pushing the feelings deep within her. This wasn't about guarding Clarke even in her own death. It was about the leadership of her people, the Grounders, needed. Aden couldn't be the only other option. It was too risky for many reasons. It was a discussion she didn't care to get further into. "Clarke will be arriving after practice. When you are finished with her send her to me."

Hours went on as Abbey kept working. Currently she was engrossed at what she was focused on in the microscope. She was looking at another slide of Lexa's dark blood, observing as much as she could, and taking every note. She heard her daughter grumble out a hi causing her to peel her eyes off the specimen. Abbey moved over to her daughter the second she glanced at her. "What the hell happened to you?" There were bruises, cuts and dried blood.

Clarke had no energy to step away from her mom's inspection. She was so worn out all she wanted to do was sit. The blonde was thankful when her mother helped her to an exam table. She winced in pain as she grabbed her side. Abbey lifted her shirt to expose the deep purple bruise that was about the size of a baseball. The Wanheda grabbed her mom's wrist getting her attention. "It's worse than it looks." It physically hurt to smile. The tiny smile she was able to muster felt like tissue was tearing. "First day of training went great." The joke was feeble but it was enough. Clarke saw the dark vials of blood. "How did your day go?" She wanted to change the subject. Didn't want her mom focusing on the banged up shape she was in.

Abbey sat in the chair she was at earlier as she pulled it over to the table. "Not as productive as yours," she lifted both her eyebrows at her daughter. She knew it was Clarke's way of dismissing her physical state. "If you're asking if I know how our red blood changed too black," she looked away pausing, "no I don't." It was her inner scientist that wanted the answer at this point. It wasn't about Lexa's wishes or even Clarke's but this, all this, was started by her people. Abbey needed to know how.

"Then it wasn't a failure for either of us." She didn't pretend to smile this time. She closed her eyes while her mom drew her blood. All she wanted to do was get to her own chambers, take a long bath and get into bed. It was her plan till she heard her mom say Lexa wanted to see her. Getting up she gazed over at the microscope and slides. "I didn't know Grounders had this kind of technology."

Abbey followed her daughters stare to her instruments. "They don't. Those are mine from when I started to spend time in Polis, looking for you." Observing her daughter's reaction to the news. It was scary to be the mother of the girl that was falling in love with the Heda, even if she wasn't aware. The look the two gave each other in the sacred temple told Abbey everything. For now she would not comment on it. The doctor was almost positive that neither one knew or both were fighting what they would fail at. Love conquers all.

THRONE ROOM

Lexa didn't want to go back to her chambers. She spent the rest of the afternoon with Titus, Indra and Octavia. Impressed with the SkyCrew's continued change to being a Grounder. They went over current information on Ice Nation as well as things going on with the other clans. It was a welcomed distraction. However deep she buried herself in planning she still couldn't get the image of Clarke out of her mind. From when she approached the NightBloods seeing her spare with Aden. The look of pure satisfaction when she got that one hit on the Heda. It bothered Lexa immensely. She didn't lose battles even if they were her own internal ones. She was sitting in her thrown, head back and eyes closed. Listening to the sounds around her. She didn't need to see Clarke to know she had entered the room.

The blonde waited at the entrance to the room in front of her. The door was open and she could see the brunette. Her physical pain seemed to vanish as she watched the Commander. It was moments like these that Lexa seemed to be like any other person. Just a regular girl. Not the Heda. Not a warrior. Not a Commander. Just Lexa. If she had a pen and paper she would draw her, right now, in this second. It wasn't easy to shake the thoughts but somehow she managed to as she entered the room. Feeling the pain again as soon as she stopped focusing on the beautiful brunette. "You wanted to see me?" She let her hand drop from her side not wanting Lexa to take it as a weakness.

Lexa's eyes fluttered open. Glancing over the small cuts on Clarke's forehead, cheek and lip. Noticing the bruises, she could just see by the edges of her waist band. "You did well today Clarke."

Clarke let out a laugh. "If getting my ass kicked was doing well then I did outstanding."

The Commander got up slowly making her way down to Clarke. Pacing behind her before stopping in front of her. Blue eyes on green. She wanted to push the blonde strands of hair out of Clarke's face. She stopped herself. "You have no training Clarke and you went against my best NightBlood." Seriousness etched into her voice, "Yet here you stand before me." Lexa didn't want Clarke to look in the mirror and see a weak person. To be the Grounder Leader you had to know you weren't weak. You had to know you had the strength to always win. It could never be doubted or questioned. There was a lot she still had to teach the blonde. The problem was she wasn't sure if she was saying this to her to let her know how a Heda is, or to comfort her. Lexa was sure some of the Wanheda's uncertainty still came from Mt. Weather. Even though she did the right thing Clarke still didn't see it as such.

Clarke couldn't take her eyes off of those emerald green eyes. The pain once again disappearing. The blonde was no longer aware of any aches, anything throbbing or even the fatigue that was settling in. All she was aware of was the intense look from the Commander. It literally drove her crazy how she could affect the blonde so deeply. In just a few short months she went from hating the woman in front of her. Wanting to literally kill her. Almost doing it. Till the blade was against her neck. Seeing Lexa not even fight and Clarke knew she could have. Could have taken that dagger and rammed it through her heart before she could blink but she didn't. She stood there accepting whatever punishment the blonde felt necessary. It was then that Clarke broke. Broken, by this woman. Wanting to hate her and love her. It was a never ending torment. She pondered if they could ever get past that betrayal. It was different now. It was starting anew but wearily. She couldn't find her voice but her body moved her a step closer to the Commander. "Standing in front of you." She echoed the Heda's words barely breathing them out.

Lexa was no longer in control of her movements. Her hand lifting to Clarke's face. Her thumb tracing the small cut on her lip. She could feel her heart beat rise. She felt the small kiss on her thumb as she moved closer. Jumping almost five feet back when she heard the hurried footsteps outside the room. Both turning to the doorway as Indra, Octavia and Titus marched in.

The Commander's head was spinning and she was angry that she didn't have the door closed. She sent the guards away shortly before Clarke's arrival not wanting anyone to overhear any of their conversation. "What's the meaning of this?" Her eyebrows knitted together as the fury showed.

Titus stood in front of the other two as he answered. "A village from the 3rd clan has been attacked Heda, there are no survivors." His head hung low thinking of the deaths of their people. They weren't a village of fighters and quite a few children lived there.

The anger turned to a rage, "THE ICE NATION WILL PAY! JUS DREIN JUS DAUN!" She was quickly snapped out of whatever just happened between her and the Wanheda.

It was Indra who spoke up this time. Moving next to Titus. She straightened up and looked directly at Clarke as she addressed her Commander. "It wasn't the Ice Nation Heda, it was SkyCrew." Not even attempting to hide the distaste in her voice.