Well here's yet another update! Enjoy!

Chapter 32

Bellamy sat beside Clarke, her hand held gently in his own. He watched her chest rise and fall, the sight giving him a small measure of comfort. The longer he sat there in silence, the more his anger grew.

So, when his sister entered the hospital room he'd seen the perfect opportunity.

"Hey, O", he said with a grin that didn't reach his eyes, "I've got some business at the shop that I really need to take care of, so if you would sit with her while I'm gone I'd be extremely grateful. I won't be long, I promise."

"Sure, big brother, I'll be here", Octavia said with an answering smile.

As soon as he made it to his truck, Bellamy dialed Miller.

"I'm coming in", he said briskly before hanging up.

He drove to the shop, his thoughts scattered and his anger intensified by his worry. He parked, walking purposefully to the shop entrance where he found Miller standing next to a grinning Finn Collins.

"How is the Princess? Still alive I hope", the man said with a maniacal chuckle.

"Clarke is going to be fine. You, however, I'm not sure if you'll lived to see tomorrow", Bellamy said darkly.

"You won't kill me, and even if you do I will still have accomplished my mission. You will be separated from your princess, and she will see you for the monster you are."

Bellamy's fists balled at his sides, and a red haze blurred his vision. With a roar, he lunged at Collins. They collided, both falling to the concrete floor. They rolled, punches thrown on both sides.

The dark haired Rebel never lost the upper hand, mercilessly pounding his opponent into the concrete. He stood, hauling his victim to his feet. He was just about to land a bone-jarring blow, when he heard a very weak yet oddly familiar voice.

Bellamy turned to find Clarke kneeling on the shop floor. Her hair hung in loose waves about her shoulders, and her blue eyes were beseeching. She looked so tired, dark smudges resting beneath her eyes a harsh contrast to her pale skin.

"What are you doing here, Princess", he said, his tone colored by worry as he came to kneel before her.

"I had to stop you! I couldn't let you do this- couldn't let you succumb to that part of yourself."

Bellamy reached out, pulling her to him. He felt her shudder, and then her arms came around him. She settled into him, moving her face to rest against his neck. Her breath drifted across his skin, warm and gentle.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart", Bellamy said softly.

"You wouldn't be the man I love if you hadn't sought to right Finn's wrongs. You are a good man, Bellamy. You seek justice, even if it is your own."

Bellamy rubbed a soothing hand up and down her spine, burying his face in her hair. He sat like that for several seconds before raising his head to speak.

"Miller, call Kane. Tell him we have Collins", Bellamy ordered and then dipped his head to whisper in Clarke's ear, "Now, I will return the princess to her tower."

He felt her chuckle, and then shivered when her lips brushed against his neck. He stood, bringing her with him. Her little sound of protest at the loss of his warmth made him grin.

"Come on, Princess, your chariot awaits."

Bellamy led her to his truck, Octavia following along behind him wringing her hands in panic.

"Bell, what if they won't take her back. I mean we didn't tell anybody we were leaving. All of my stuff is still in her room!"

"It'll be fine, O. She wasn't discharged, so we'll just take her back to her room."

He heard Octavia sigh, "Ok, I'll follow you there."

Bellamy nodded silently. He got Clarke situated in the passenger seat, gently buckling her in and pushing a stray curl behind her ear. Just as he was about to get behind the wheel, a police car screeched into the shop parking lot.

Kane came barreling out, "Blake, what's going on? Your man said you had Collins!"

"Yes sir, he's in the shop. He's a little banged up, but I think he'll pull through."

Bellamy watched as Kane looked him up and down, taking in his bruised and bloodied knuckles, his torn clothing, and his busted lip.

"You have anything to do with his present condition", the older man asked as Finn was brought out of the shop.

Bellamy followed Kane's line of sight, taking a great satisfaction in the way Collins' limped along. His face was bloodied beyond recognition and the Rebel knew he'd broken at least one of his ribs.

"Yes sir", Bellamy finally said after Finn was placed in the patrol car.

"I should arrest you, son, but I see you've got some important business to attend to", Kane said motioning to where Clarke sat in the truck, "I'll let it slide this time, but I'd better not catch you outside the law again. Understood?"

Bellamy nodded with a smile, "Thank you, Kane."

"You're welcome, now go get your girl taken care of. We can handle this scumbag from here."

Bellamy shook Kane's hand in gratitude, and then made his way to his truck. He climbed behind the wheel, taking Clarke's hand in his own and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

"What did he say", Clarke asked with a worried frown.

"He said he would take Collins, and that my only worry would be taking care of you."

Bellamy heard Clarke's relieved sigh, and smiled. The drive back to the hospital was quiet, but not uncomfortably so. He got her safely through the big glass doors, into the elevator, and finally they stood outside her room.

"This is me", Clarke said with a grin.

"Well then please allow me to escort you inside, my lady", Bellamy said dramatically.

He led her inside, but stopped when two people came into view. One was his sister, whom he'd expected. The other was Abigail Griffin. He felt Clarke stiffen, and her grip on his hand tighten.

Bellamy didn't like Abby Griffin, not after she'd practically abandoned her own daughter. His hate filled gaze landed on the woman, and he watched as she shrank back- silent.

"O, why don't you and Mrs. Griffin go to the cafeteria and get some coffee. I'll get Clarke settled and then call you", he said gruffly.

"I don't…", Abby began, but one glare from the dark haired young man cut her off.

He waited until his sister and Clarke's mother had gone before he turned back to the woman he loved.

"How long?"

"She was here when I left to find you. I told her that I would be back later, and we could talk then. Bell, I'm just tired and I don't think I can deal with her right now", Clarke said with a shaky sigh.

"Ok, Princess, let's just take this one step at a time. Can you change back into that gown", he asked, his cheeks reddening.

"Yes, but you have to turn around first", Clarke said with a grin.

"Done", Bellamy said as he turned to face the opposite wall.

He could hear the rustle of fabric as she disrobed and put on the hospital gown. He heard the mattress shift, and then the whisper of the sheets and she slid beneath the covers.

"Alright, it's safe for you to turn around."

Bellamy faced her, taking in her drooping eyelids and sagging shoulders.

"Get some rest, you can speak to your mother later", he soothed, taking the chair next to the bed.

"I think I need to do this now, Bell. I want to get it over with."

Bellamy stared at her for a moment, reaching over to caress her cheek. She was so beautiful, and he could tell she was exhausted. However, he knew that with this conversation hanging over heard she wouldn't get any sleep.

"Alright, I'll call O and tell her that you're ready", he said softly.

"Thanks, Bell."

Bellamy called Octavia, telling her that Clarke was ready to speak with her mother. After he hung up with his sister, he sat in the silence watching Clarke rest. He knew she wasn't asleep, but her eyes were closed and her fingers were intertwined in his.

The gentle caress of her thumb on his wrist caused his mind to wander.

Bellamy sat in his truck, watching as Clarke made her way up to her front door. Her mother had kicked her out two days ago, and she'd come home to pack up her things. He'd offered to come with her because he knew that her mother would be gearing up for a fight.

He saw the door open, and Abby's face appear behind the screen. He could see that she was speaking, but couldn't hear what she was saying. He could tell it wasn't good if the slumping of Clarke's shoulders was any indication.

Bellamy opened the driver's side door, slinging it shut with a thwack. He sauntered up the walk, Clarke's blue eyes flying to his face. He took her hand, trying to imbue all the strength he could into his touch.

"Hi, Mrs. Griffin. I'll help Clarke get her things", he said grabbing the screen handle.

"Fine, but be quick about it", the woman hissed.

He led Clarke inside, and up the stairs. When they reached her room, she crumbled. He held her against his chest as she cried.

"I shouldn't have come back", she whispered.

"It's ok, Princess. We'll get through this."

Bellamy set her away from him gently, grabbing one of her suitcases and began to fill it with clothes. He watched as Clarke did the same, packing away all of her clothing, art supplies, and anything that held special significance.

When they'd finished, they carried the bags down to his truck. He seethed as Abby Griffin glared at her daughter. Everything snapped when the woman stepped forward, her features contorted into a savage snarl.

"You think this hurts me? Well it doesn't! You're just as much to blame as I am for your father's death. At least now I won't have to look at you and be reminded of him every day. I'm free to move on with my life!"

Bellamy turned, anger seeping from every pore. "That's enough! I won't stand here and allow you to harm someone that I care about."

"What are you going to do about it", Abby said shrilly.

Bellamy turned to Clarke, "Princess, you go and put this stuff in the truck. Wait for me there while I get the rest, ok."

He watched her go, a suitcase in one hand and her easel under her arm. He brushed past Abby, and made two trips to get the rest of Clarke's things. Nothing else was said, and Clarke stayed out in the truck away from her mother's harsh words and heated glare.

When they were finally on their way home, Clarke spoke.

"Thanks, Bell. I couldn't have done that on my own", she whispered.

Bellamy gently took her hand in his own, his dark gaze caressing her features.

"As long I'm around, Princess, I'll shield you from all of the fire breathing dragons I possibly can. Even if said dragon just so happens to be your mother."

He smiled as Clarke's light chuckle filled the cab with melodic sound. Then and there he decided that he would protect Clarke Griffin from whatever the world threw her way. Even if that meant protecting her from himself.

Thanks for reading! Please review if you have a minute! I love hearing from y'all! :)

Martha: Thanks for the review! I'm so glad you are enjoying the story! :)

Wright: Thank you for the review! I hope this chapter addressed some of your concerns. I agree with you completely, Finn needs to be put away for a long time! My day was much better today! Hope you enjoy the latest chapter! :)

To all my other guest reviewers: Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a review! It really means a lot! :)