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Chapter 27

The day of the trial dawned bright and sunny. Clarke met Bellamy on the courthouse steps, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of him in his blue button down and khakis.

"Looking good, Blake", she said with a smirk as she pecked him on the lips.

"Why thank you, Princess", he answered, his eyes glowing with mischief.

They made their way inside, taking a seat on one of the long wooden benches at the front of the courtroom. Soon, they were called to rise as the judge moved to sit on the bench.

Lynx and Cage sat at the defendants' table, their clothes dirty and rumpled. The two men didn't look the least bit worried, and that worried Clarke. She and Bellamy had the perfect vantage point from where they sat just behind Kane.

"All rise. The court will come to order, the honorable Judge Mathis Reid presiding", the bailiff said loudly.

Judge Reid took the bench, "You may be seated. District Attorney Kane, please step forward and present your opening statements."

Kane rose from his seat, and moved to face the jury.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. We've come here today to determine either the innocence or guilt of the two men you see before you. The decision that is made here today will affect the lives of many people, especially those who have been forced to live under their reign of terror. Whatever conclusion is reached at the end of these proceedings, I ask you to please choose carefully and consider all of the evidence that will be laid before you."

Kane regained his seat, the courtroom resting in silence. Clarke watched as Cage and Lynx's defense attorney gained the floor and faced the jury. He spoke of the numerous things the two men had supposedly done for the community and how they were simple, honest businessmen just trying to make a living.

Clarke fought the urge not to scoff at the lawyer's flowery words. She was thankful when he had concluded his opening address and had once again taken his seat.

"District Attorney Kane, please call your first witness", Judge Reid intoned.

"I would like to call Clarke Griffin to the stand, your honor."

Clarke rose from her seat, and quietly made her way to the witness stand. She swore to tell the truth, and then took her seat. She looked to Bellamy, his dark eyes encouraging and his smile warming her heart.

"Ms. Griffin, please explain to the court how you came to become part of the Grounder Crew under Lynx Ferrerra."

"I became part of the crew after the supposed death of a very dear friend."

"Am I correct in assuming that you believed that either Lynx Ferrerra or Cage Wilson were involved in your friend's murder?"

"Objection, leading the witness", the defense lawyer interjected.

"Sustained. Ignore the question, Ms. Griffin", Judge Reid said with a nod.

"Please tell us about your time with the crew, and what you learned."

"I forced my way into the Silver Fox, and took it over one week after Bellamy's supposed death. He had been the youngest captain in the crew, and a very valuable member. I witnessed his murder, but didn't get a good look at the person responsible. I discovered that both Lynx and Cage had ample motive for wanting him dead. I began to dig, and found that Cage had tried several times to recruit Bellamy to the Sky Crew. When he refused, it angered Cage and he put a hit out on him. Lynx, on the other hand, was afraid that Bellamy would soon take his place. He was one power play away from losing his position as the head of the Grounder Crew", Clarke said, her eyes never leaving Bellamy's.

"So what you're saying, Ms. Griffin, is that both men had an ample amount of both motive and opportunity to murder your friend?"

"Yes, sir."

"Did you ever have any dealings with either of these men during your time as a captain?"

"Yes, Lynx would come to the shop asking about business or he would send his second, Dax, to do it for him."

"Ms. Griffin, did Lynx ever ask you to do commit a crime?"

"Besides chopping cars? Yes. I was called upon to collect debts or illicit payment from anyone on a series of lists that Lynx would bring to the shop."

Kane nodded, a slow smile playing on his lips. "Please tell the jury why you were able to infiltrate the Grounder Crew when no one else could, Ms. Griffin."

"I had the loyalty of Bellamy's men. He was a good leader, and his shop was run as a productive, legal business. Very few cars were ever chopped, only the bare minimum to keep Lynx off his back. I continued his legacy, all while trying to find a way to make Lynx pay for the pain he caused my family."

"Ms. Griffin, when you speak of your family I assume you don't mean your biological family."

"No, I have had no contact with my mother for quite some time", Clarke answered.

"Then to whom are you referring?"

"The Bellamy and Octavia Blake."

"How did Lynx harm your family, Ms. Griffin?"

"Bellamy joined the crew at sixteen. His mother had died, and his father was absent. He needed a way to make money so that he could keep his sister, Octavia, out of the system. What he did wasn't right, but I understood. Lynx took advantage of his desperation. He wanted to leave many times, but the fear of what Lynx and his men would do kept Bell right where they wanted him. Despite all of the crimes they forced him to commit, he still remained the same man I'd always known."

"Thank you, Ms. Griffin. No further questions your honor", Kane said as he moved back to his seat.

Clarke watched as the defense attorney stood and then came to stand before her.

"Ms. Griffin, you yourself admit to being a part of this crew. Who's to say you're not accusing my clients in order to save yourself?"

"I could have killed them the night the District Attorney and the police department took them down. I didn't because I believed they deserved a trial", Clarke said, her voice strong and steady.

"So you assisted in the apprehension of these two men, is that correct?"

"It is."

"Why? What kind of deal did the DA make you?"

"Objection, your honor. This is a privileged witness", Kane said, rising to his feet.

"Overruled. Continue."

"I assisted for revenge. One of those men killed the man I love. I had every opportunity for several weeks to see them put six feet under, but I didn't. I wanted justice. I didn't want another man to take their place, I wanted the streets safe again so that no other boy would fall under their control simply because he didn't have a place to turn", Clarke said, her eyes sparking with ill suppressed anger.

"No more questions, your honor."

"Ms. Griffin, you may return to your seat."

Clark stood, her head held high and her eyes flashing with indignation. She was had just stepped down from the witness stand when the courtroom doors swung open.

She stood still, watching as at least twelve armed men stormed into the crowded room, their faces covered by black ski masks. Her eyes flew to Bellamy, fear coursing through her veins.

"Everyone stay where you are! Let's not have any heroic acts and no one will be hurt", the lead man yelled.

Clarke froze, that voice sounded terribly familiar.

"Ms. Griffin, if you'll just come with us, we'll leave these people in peace."

Clarke watched as Bellamy rose to his feet, but was stopped when one of the men pointed a gun to his chest. She couldn't let anything happen to him, not again. She made her way forward, ignoring Bellamy's terror stricken features.

"If I come with you, do you promise that no one in this room will be harmed?"

"You come peaceably and no one will be hurt."

"No, Clarke! Don't do this", Bellamy shouted.

Clarke kept her back to him, knowing that if she turned around she would be lost.

"Very well, I'll come peacefully."

Before she could move, the lead man pulled her to him and zip tied her hands. He threw a black bag over her head and began to drag her from the room. She stumbled along behind him, the plastic tie digging painfully into her wrists.

She felt cool air on her face as they made it outside, and then she felt cold metal beneath her as she was thrown into a waiting van. She scrambled to a sitting position, pulling her knees to her chest.

Clarke could hear men's voices, the sound muffled through the cloth bag. She couldn't remember a time when she'd been more afraid. However, what bothered her more was the thought of Bellamy and the fear that he would do something brash and reckless.

She laid her head back against the hard metal, her mind wandering trying to grasp something that would keep the fear at bay. Then she smiled as a memory surfaced.

Clarke sat beside Octavia in the little diner, a basket of fries and a chocolate shake sitting before her. She grabbed a fry, dipping it into the ice cream before bringing it to her mouth.

The salt mixed with the chilly chocolate cream, and Clarke grinned as she licked a bit of ice cream from her lip.

"I honestly don't see how you eat that", Octavia said with a snort.

"It's good", Clarke defended.

"You and my brother! You're both weird", O said with a shake of her head.

Clarke blushed slightly, and went back to eating. She'd just gotten a big bite of her burger when someone slid into the booth beside her. She turned to stare at the guy with a frown.

He looked to be about Bellamy's age, dark blonde hair, and cold grey eyes. He was wearing a Silver Fox t-shirt, and his hands were grease stained.

"Hello, ladies", he purred.

"Hi", Clarke muttered around her burger.

She looked across the table at Octavia and found her staring at the intruder with a slack jaw. Clarke shrugged, trying her best to ignore the newcomer. She figured that if he were from the shop, Bellamy would deal with him later.

The only guy from the Silver Fox that was ever allowed anywhere near the house was Miller, and even he was kept on a tight leash.

"You must be the Rebel's princess", the guy said with a sly grin.

"The who", Octavia said in surprise.

"Nothing", Clarke quickly interjected, "What do you want?"

"Wait, are you dating someone Clarke and you haven't told me? Is it someone who works at the shop? Bell's gonna kill you", O said, her eyes growing wider and wider with each passing moment.

"No, I'm not dating anyone from the shop or anywhere else. Now, what do you want", the blonde said turning to their unwelcome visitor.

"Oh, I just saw you two sitting alone and thought I'd come over."

"Well, I think you should leave", Clarke said hotly.

"I don't think so, Princess."

Just then a shadow fell across their table, and Clarke looked up to see Bellamy. A dark frown distorted his features, and his brown eyes were stormy as he looked down at the man with his hand sitting on her knee.

"What are you doing here Jones", Bell asked, his voice dangerously low.

"I just thought I'd see what all the fuss was about", Jones said with a grin.

"Well, I need to discuss something with you in private if you don't mind", Bellamy growled.

"Sure, boss."

Clarke watched them go with a wince. Jones was in big trouble. She turned back to Octavia and found her staring after Bellamy with a confused frown.

"What was that about?"

"Uh, you know Bell. He doesn't like any of the guys from the shop talking to you", Clarke said with a grin.

"Clarke, that had nothing to do with me. That was all you! Why did Jones call you the Rebel's princess?"

"I have no idea, O. I think that's Bell's nickname the guys at the shop gave him. You know how he feels about authority figures", Clarke said with a forced chuckle.

"That explains the nickname, but what about you", O said crossing her arms over her chest.

"The guys probably got the wrong idea about your brother and me. We're always together and he calls me princess, it's easy to see how someone could be confused."

Clarke watched Octavia, hoping her explanation had settled her curiosity. The other girl soon went back to her meal, her eyes intent upon a mustard stain on her white tank top.

Clarke grabbed another fry, and dipped it into her shake. She was chewing thoughtfully when once again someone slid into the seat beside her. She didn't look up because she knew exactly who it was.

One bronze arm reached across her, his thin fingers plucking a fry from the little red basket. He dipped it in the ice cream and the popped it into his mouth.

"I swear you two are so gross", Octavia grumbled.

Bellamy chuckled, one of his arms coming to rest across the back of the booth behind Clarkes shoulders.

"Don't knock it 'til you've tried it, O", he said with a grin.

Clarke was too busy trying to ignore the heat radiating off him to notice that he'd just swiped another fry. His cologne was intoxicating, and her bare shoulder brushed his soft white t-shirt every time she moved.

She looked up and found his dark eyes fixed on her, and then she noticed the light bruise just below his right eye. Her eyes widened and before she could stop herself, her hand rose of its own accord and her thumb brushed gently across the purple smudge.

She felt Bellamy's fingers wrap around her own, his hand drawing hers down and away from his face. His gaze softened as if to say that he was all right and he would let her look at it later.

Clarke nodded, and turned back to her meal. They all finished up and then Octavia went off with some of her friends while Clarke got into Bellamy's little black pickup.

They both sat in silence for a moment before he spoke.

"I handled it", he said quietly.

"I know", Clarke answered.

"I've told them you two are off limits. I don't know where he got the idea to approach you like that", Bellamy said with a frustrated sigh.

"He was curious."

"I gathered that, but you know what they say about curiosity", he growled.

Clarke shook her head with a grin. "Bell, you can't protect us from everything."

"I can darn well try!"

"You do a marvelous job, but Bell there's going to come a time when you're helpless to do anything. When that time comes you have to promise me you won't blame yourself or do anything foolhardy."

She watched as Bellamy turned to look at her, his dark eyes serious as he spoke.

"Princess, I will always come for you and my sister. Nothing on this planet could keep me from coming to your rescue."

As Clarke sat in the back of that van, she knew that nothing would stop Bellamy from coming for her. It comforted her, and terrified her at the same time. She couldn't bear to lose him again- she wouldn't survive it a second time.

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