AN: HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am doing an all out fix today! I fixed Chapters 11 and 12, and now here's 13! It's actually new, I swear! I am currently writing chapter 14, and the muses are not being generous. so if you have any direction...give me a shout. Enjoy!

The building of our camp has been going steadily, but not without problems and injury. I have been stuck in the Drop Ship from early in the morning until well after dark, tending to wounds or training others so we can take shifts and break when we need to. Lincoln and Octavia have been healing for the Delinquents since the mountain, and simply pick up where they left off, teaching the modern healers the ways of the Grounders.

When I am not eating or on break, I usually climb up the ladder of the Drop Ship to the upper level where Bellamy and I are living for some quiet time to myself. Right now is one of those times. I have the watercolor paints and brushes out, and I paint the rigid lines of his jaw, and the soft tufts of his inky curls. His eyes are so hard for me to capture. When I think I have them right, I see them again, and his mocha orbs seem to become even deeper, or the color is more rich. I sigh, knowing that I will probably never get them exactly right. Images of him flood my head. The dimples, the dip in his chin, and oh, that smirk. Those things are forever etched in my mind.

A rapid flush of color spreads over my cheeks and neck, dipping down to my chest, as I think of his lips on me, marking the sensitive skin of my neck, which is now covered by my hair and my zipped up jacket. The marks on his neck couldn't be hidden, so once we entered the lower level and went outside, the camp went completely abuzz with the news that I gave Bellamy Blake a huge hickey.

I know he wants more than the kisses I can give him. But after Finn... I want to be ready. And I want to be in control of the situation. I only want these things, so that I don't get hurt. Finn hurt me. He lifted me up, only to drop me off a cliff when Raven came down. Lexa betrayed me. She used my emotions to earn my trust, and manipulated me into risking my people, and killing hundreds. That kiss meant so much to me. I doubt it meant anything to her in the end.

He is so patient and careful with me. I know I can trust him (and do), but I need time to fully relax around him, to fully lower my walls and let him the whole way in. I love his gentle caresses, and find myself leaning into his touch, moans escaping my lips when he rubs my shoulders and back after a long day in the med bay. I always return the favor, kneading out the many knots in his neck and shoulders. Sometimes I'll trail kisses down his neck and shoulders, and my task of kneading out the knots is long forgotten.

"Clarke! Clarke get down here!" It's Jasper's voice that calls me from my painting, messing up the curve of one of Bellamy's eyelashes. I put the brush down and head down the ladder, readying for whatever urgently needs my attention below.

I go down the ladder and when no one is found injured in the medical area, I go outside. When my eyes adjust to the harsh midmorning light outside, my heart drops to the pit of my stomach. I haven't seen these people since they left us at the Mountain. Lexa stands at the center of the formation of warriors, in full armor and war paint. I make my way to Bellamy, who stands across from Lexa, and take my place beside him.

"Hello, Clarke of the Sky People. I have come to negotiate our peace." The Commander says in her most final tone.
" What is there to negotiate? We joined together to free our peoples from the Mountain. They are free. What more is there to say?" I ask her once I've found my voice, using all of my strength to make my voice sound strong.
" Your peace with the Woods Clan remains. But other groups of my people refuse to trust yours. I have angered some of these Clan's leaders by coming here at all. Your people are strange to us. And strangers have never been kind in the past."
"Let us show you that we want peace. That we need peace. How can we do that?" I step closer. She nods for her closer guards to step back, and I am now mere feet away from her, palms facing her so that my intent is clear. No blood will be shed today. I will not allow it.

"Your people are not only strangers, but they have strange ways. A man has not lead our people in generations. We do not trust their judgment alone. Your people trust men in high ranking positions so freely. This worries the leaders of the other clans because it was men who lead this world to its current state."
"My people work together for peace and equality . We have done so longer than your people have been around. It's worked well."
"It's worked well enough in the before times that caused the war that changed our home. That system of "equality" caused this. We use the only strategy that will work in a world like ours." She says in a tight, final tone.
"The only way for my people to trust yours is if you make the man beside you step down. Or you could marry him. We can not question what goes on in the sacred bindings of marriage. But you need to make your decision today. Right here. I will return by midday to hear your decision." She turns to leave, but Bellamy's hand on her slight shoulder stops her mid eyes widen in shock. Her guards have stiffened and made a move towards him to fight him off, but she waves them back to their original positions. She turns back slowly as if she has been burned.
"We do things together. We'll make the decision that best suits us together. And then we'll tell you together. And you are going to like it, because that's how it's going to be." He speaks calmly, yet with an air of authority that is not to be questioned, and Lexa nods. I let out the long breath I had been holding. Lexa turns around again to leave, and she looks over her shoulder.
"I will return later, Clarke and Bellamy of the Sky People." Is all she says before walking away and disappearing in the woods.
We both sigh in relief. I look to him as he looks to me, and I take him into my arms in a tight hug. It doesn't last long, because I pull back, fear filling my eyes and voice.
"Bellamy, what are we going to do?" I ask.

"We need to go and discuss this privately, Clarke." He says softly to only me, his voice full of urgency, then he raises his voice, speaking to all of the gathered people."Clarke and I are going to be in the med bay discussing this decision that needs to be made. The only reason that we will be interrupted by anyone is if someone is dying. Am I clear?"

There are nods and 'yes sirs' throughout the crowd. It disperses, and Bellamy leads us to the Drop Ship. Once inside, he turns to face me.
"Clarke... What do you want to do? I want to hear your thoughts on this." He says, eyes full of concern, and his brows are firm in concentration.
"I... I can't do this alone. You know that. I need you beside me. But at the same time... We're not ready to get married... Maybe after some more time... We need to stall any and all immediate wedding plans." I say, my voice gradually gain strength as I continue speaking. Bell only nods in agreement. So I go on." Any ideas as to how we achieve that?"
"We could say that we're engaged. Betrothed. Or something along those lines. Historically speaking, engagements could last for years at a time, depending on circumstances. So we could get engaged, with the promise of a future marriage... And they'll probably back off." He says in a quiet, thoughtful tone.

"What if things don't work for us? I mean, I want them to, more than anything, but what if they don't? "
"We will have to wait and see what options the future brings for us. Because I don't see any right now. I could step down and you would still be able to lead. You would find someone else to help you. You have plenty of friends." He says softly. I only nod slowly. We are quiet for a long time.