Another two chapters on the way! I'll warn you ahead of time, these are a little bit dark. Thanks for all of the reviews, follows, and faves! You guys are the best! :)

Chapter 9

Clarke woke to warmth and contentment. She was snuggled against something, a weight pinning her to the bed. She opened her eyes slowly, the sight of a sleeping Bellamy Blake filling her vision.

She remembered little of what happened the night before, only being sicker than she'd ever been in her life. It was no surprise to her that Bellamy had been there. He seemed to always be there when she needed him most.

"Morning Princess", she heard him say huskily, the sound rumbling under her hand where it lay over his heart.

"Morning", she croaked, her throat sore and dry.

Clarke felt Bellamy stretch before disentangling himself from her arms and sitting on the edge of the bed. He turned to look at her, his dark eyes soft and worried.

"How do you feel this morning?"

"Terrible", she answered.

"You had me scared, Princess. I don't think you've ever been that sick", he said, his forehead wrinkling in concern.

"I must have picked up a virus at school, nothing to worry about", Clarke said with a smile.

"Is there anything I can get you before I head out?"

"No, I think I'll go back to sleep. Are you going to work?"

"Uh, I've got to check in on some guys for Lynx", he said turning his head. "I'm gonna go grab a shower."

Clarke watched him leave, feeling nauseous for a completely different reason. She heard the shower turn on, and the bathroom door close. She turned on her side, her face buried in his pillow.

His scent was everywhere, enveloping her in balmy familiarity. She closed her eyes, a smile curving her lips. She should have been embarrassed about waking up in Bellamy's arms, but there was something so natural about it.

She lay there in the dark, her thoughts consumed by the dark haired man. She heard the shower cut off, and then she saw his frame filling her doorway before coming to lean over her.

Clarke sighed when he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, his breath warm and minty on her face. One of his hands rested against her cheek, and she leaned into his touch.

"Bye, Princess. I'll see you tonight", he said softly.

Before he could move away, Clarke grabbed a fistful of his white shirt - rubbing the soft material between her fingers.

"Be careful", she whispered.

She watched as he nodded, the movement causing his damp curls to fall across his forehead. She felt her breath catch, his hand untangling her fingers from the material of his shirt before walking from the room. He was beautiful, every scar and freckle that dotted his skin, and she loved him.

Her mouth was suddenly dry, her heart beating wildly in her chest. She was startled out of her realizations when Octavia came sailing into her room, plopping down at the foot of her bed.

"How are you feeling this morning? Bell told me to check on you."

"Much better", Clarke said, struggling to sit up.

"You look terrible", O said frankly.

"Gee thanks", the blonde grumbled.

"Did my brother stay here all night?"

Clarke blushed, her eyes moving to the indent still marking his pillow.

"Yeah, you know Bell. He worries too much."

"Yep, good old worry wart Bell", Octavia said with a knowing smirk, "Is it still complicated?"

"I think it's becoming less so", Clarke said with an answering grin.

Just then a knock sounded at their door. "I'll get it", O said, sprinting from the room.

She came back moments later with Finn in tow. Clarke stared at him, thinking there was something she should remember but unable to comprehend what it was.

"How are you feeling", he asked hesitantly.

"Better. I'm sorry for bailing on our date", Clarke said apologetically.

"You don't remember?"

"Remember what", she asked in confusion.

"Nothing", Finn said with a relieved smile.

He'd sat outside the apartment building nearly all night waiting for Bellamy to leave so he could speak to Clarke.

Clarke watched as he sank down onto the mattress beside her, one of his hands settled beside her hip. For some reason she didn't feel at ease with him here, and all she wanted was Bell.

As she talked to Finn images began to filter into her mind from the night before; the dark haired girl with her arms around Finn, Bellamy's eyes filled with anger and concern, the way her world began to spin.

"You have a girlfriend", Clarke blurted, her features a mask of shock.

"Clarke, I…"

"You were just going to go along like nothing happened, weren't you", she said, angry tears beginning to course down her cheeks.

"I was going to tell you eventually. Raven and I have been over for a long time."

"Obviously she didn't feel that way", Clarke said, trying to put some space between them.

"It doesn't matter how she feels. What about how we feel", Finn pleaded.

"How we feel? Finn listen to yourself!"

"I want you, Clarke, only you. I broke up with Raven last night after you left."

Clarke could feel her body beginning to shake with anger and exhaustion. Tears coursed down her cheeks and a sob erupted from her chest.

"No, get out!"

"Clarke, please…"

"No! You used me! I don't want to EVER see you again, do you hear me!"

Clarke watched as Finn's features changed from hurt to anger. His hands gripped her upper arms so hard it hurt, and his face was inches from her own.

"You'll be sorry, Princess", he spat.

The nickname Bellamy had given her all those years ago didn't sound the same dripping with hatred from Finn's lips. She struggled against his hold, but his grip tightened.

"One day, Clarke, you will look back and wish you had chosen differently", he said as he threw her back against the headboard with a loud bang.

She watched him go, terror stealing every breath.

Clarke sat in the principal's office, her clothing dirty and shredded. Tears coursed down her cheeks, and her hands were folded tightly in her lap. She'd been walking to her last class when a man attacked her.

Nothing had happened, thanks to one of the male teacher's quick reaction. However, she was still scared and shaking. She heard the door to the office open, the principal coming to kneel beside her.

"Is there anyone we can call, Clarke", the man asked kindly.

Clarke shook her head, not wanting to see her mother. Then an image of dark hair and dark eyes crowded in, and she found herself nodding.

"Bellamy Blake", she said before rattling off Bell's cell phone number.

"Clarke we cant…"

"Please, I just want Bell", she said with a sob.

"All right, we'll call Mr. Blake", the principal said as he nodded to the secretary.

Twenty minutes later Bellamy came tearing into the office, his face white and his eyes frantic.

"Clarke", he breathed.

Then she was in his arms, her hands fisted in the back of his jacket and her tears soaking the material of his shirt.

"I was so scared, Bell", she whispered.

"I know, but you're safe now. I've got you", he whispered against her hair.

"I want to go home", Clarke whimpered.

"Ok", he told her.

He grabbed her backpack, slinging it over one shoulder and keeping his other arm wrapped tightly around her. He nodded his thanks to the principal before leading her from the room.

Bellamy stayed with her on the couch all night, watching her favorite movies and eating strawberries. She felt safe with him, and the only way to keep her terror at bay was to keep his hand held tightly in her own.

Clarke's eyes caught movement at her door as Octavia made her way quickly into the room.

"Clarke, are you ok", her friend asked.

"I need Bell", Clarke said, her body shaking uncontrollably.

"Sweetie, Bell's at work and I can't reach him", O said honestly.

Clarke sat there, her eyes wide and frightened. Her breath was coming in quick little gasps and she took the symptoms for what they were, the early stages of a panic attack.

She closed her eyes, trying desperately to calm herself. She knew that Bellamy couldn't be bothered, but she needed him – needed to feel safe. Tears leaked from her tightly closed eyelids, running down her face and dripping from her chin.

"Just sit with me, O", she finally whispered.

She felt the mattress dip, and then her hand was wrapped in Octavia's.

"Bell will be home soon, I promise", Octavia said softly.

Clarke simply nodded, her throat tight and heart hammering in her chest. Then she was exhausted, too tired to fight it any longer. She fell asleep, haunted by Finn's angry blue eyes and threatening words.

Thanks for reading! Please review and tell me what you thought! :)

Guest: I'm glad you're enjoying protective Bellamy! Thanks for the review! :)

Wright: I'm not quite done with Finn and Raven yet. However, Bellarke is most definitely the endgame. I figure Jasper, and possibly Monty, will be showing up soon! Thanks for the review! :)