Sorry this one is a lot shorter than my usual chapters, but it was kinda hard to write. Hopefully I'll get back into the flow of the story after this! A BIG thank you to all who have reviewed, followed, and faved! You guys are marvelous! :)

Chapter 22

Bellamy stood with DA Kane and the special task force near the entrance of the shop. He watched as the limo pulled up, and two men were pulled from the backseat.

Then he saw her. She looked the same, but there was something about the way she carried herself that bespoke of change. He turned to Kane in confusion.

"What is she doing here? You never mentioned that she'd taken over", Bellamy growled.

"I knew that if I told you, you would call the whole thing off. She's done a great job. Moved faster than any of us thought possible."

From their hiding place they could hear voices, angry and pleading alike. When Bellamy first heard Clarke speak, it shook him to the core. Her voice, once warm and candescent, was now cold and hollow.

He watched and listened to the whole exchange, Kane's arm keeping him where he was. Every time she spoke, he wondered if what he'd done had been worth it.

"I should be in there."

"No, we have to wait this out. Miller will give the signal when it's time", Kane said.

All Bellamy could think, was that something terrible was going happen to Clarke. Which reminded him of another time, and another place when worry for his princess consumed his every thought.

He had been at the shop when Octavia had called.

"Bell, Mrs. Griffin called and she can't find Clarke anywhere and she's not at home."

The fact that O referred to their house as Clarke's home wasn't lost on him. Worry niggled at his mind, and he found his chest tighten at the thought that something could have happened to her.

"I'll find her", he said simply.

After hanging up with O, Bellamy rushed out to his truck- leaving Miller in charge of the shop. He drove to all of the places he thought she might be, but with no success.

Finally, he decided on a last ditch effort and drove to the Broken Shield cemetery. He parked his truck and then slowly made his way to where Jake Griffin was buried.

There he found her. She knelt on the ground; her body curled in on itself and noisy sobs shaking her frame. He didn't know if he should interrupt, but soon decided to throw caution to the wind.

Kneeling beside her, he laid a gentle hand upon her back. She jerked at his touch, and then threw herself into his arms. She buried her face in his neck, her tears falling on his skin.

"I don't know why I came here", she hiccupped, "It didn't make it any better."

"I'm sorry, Princess", he murmured against her hair.

"I can't do it anymore, Bell. I can't look at her and pretend that everything is alright."

Bellamy tightened his hold, "Then don't. Grieve, Clarke. It's normal and healthy. Cry, scream, and let this take it's course."

"I don't ever want to hurt this much again", she pleaded.

"I know, Princess, I know", he soothed.

After a while, she pulled back, her blue eyes to identical pools of sorrow.

"Promise me you'll always be here, promise me you'll never leave me like he did."

Bellamy gently wiped away her tears, smoothing back a stray lock of her golden hair.

"I promise", he whispered.

"I want to go home", she'd said then.

Bellamy felt tears prick his eyes at the memory. He'd promised her he'd always be there, and he'd let her down. Now, she needed him and no one was going to stop him from going to her.

He rushed forward, stepping into the shadows that hovered in the entrance of the show. He heard her words, icy and hollow- watched as she continued to advance on the man holding the gun.

Then a shot rang out. Her expression never changed, nor did she seem to acknowledge she'd been hit. She knocked the gun out of Finn's hand, and pulled hers from its holster.

Bellamy couldn't let her do this, couldn't let her stain herself further.

"Clarke", he yelled.

He watched as shock bloomed on her features, her eyes growing wide and the gun dropping to the ground beside her. Then before he could get there, Collins picked up the gun and fired a second shot.

Dark red seeped through Clarke's shirt at her waist. She staggered back and then crumbled to the ground. Bellamy was moving then, his vision clouded with rage.

He grabbed Finn, throwing him backwards. He then advanced, grabbing the collar of his shirt and hoisting him up.

"This ends now, Collins", he growled.

Bellamy punched him, sending the man sprawling across the grease stained concrete floor. He pinned him, punching him over and over until his knuckles were torn and bloody.

He felt someone drag him off, and he came face to face with Miller.

"I've got him. She needs you", he said softly.

Bellamy stood quickly and ran to where Clarke lay, Murphy kneeling beside her. He fell down beside her, his worried gaze searching her face.

"It's not really him is it, Murphy", Clarke asked, her words slurred and broken.

"No, it's him, Boss. I promise", Murphy answered softly.

Then her tortured blue eyes were fixed on him, all of the pain she'd withheld pouring forth.

"No, it's not him. He's gone", Clarke whispered, each word a struggle.

"Princess, it's me. I'm here", Bellamy said, taking her face in his hands.

"You're always here, Bellamy. That doesn't make you real."

Bellamy surged forward, capturing her lips with his own. She didn't respond at first, but then she kissed him back their salty tears mingling on their lips.

When he pulled back, he saw the recognition in her eyes.

"It's you, it's really you", Clarke said almost reverently.

"It's me, Princess."

She tried to sit up, but moaned.

"Shhh, stay still", Bellamy ordered.

He watched as she began to shiver, her teeth chattering loudly.

"Are you cold", he asked, worry lacing his tone.

Clarke smiled, her hand moving to his cheek. "No, you're here."

Then her body went limp, and her eyes closed. Bellamy could hear the sirens and he prayed they would make it in time. When the paramedics made it on scene he refused to leave her.

Kane grabbed him, trying to pull him away.

"No, I left her to this. I'm not going to leave her again", Bellamy growled.

The DA seemed to understand that trying to keep him from her was pointless, so he let him go.

The ride to the hospital was the longest of Bellamy's life. Clarke's heart stopped twice on the way there, but she was finally stabilized by the time they reached Broken Shield's largest medical facility.

Bellamy was left in the waiting room, his head in his hands as he sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs. The doors whooshed open, and he heard his sister's voice- desperate and broken.

"Where is she? Where is Clarke Griffin", Octavia pleaded with the woman at the nurse's station.

Bellamy called to her, bringing her around to face him. At first her eyes lit with confusion, and then she was sobbing in his arms.

"We thought you were dead!"

"I know, I'm sorry."

"Where's Clarke", O asked.

"She's in surgery. They'll come and get us when she's out", Bellamy answered tiredly.

They took seats within sight of the OR doors, and waited in silence.

Bellamy's back! The wait is over, and all will be explained soon! Thanks for reading, and please leave me a review! :)