It's me again! Thanks for all the reviews, follows, and faves! You guys are absolutely awesome! Sorry, it's taken me so long to get this out. I'm fighting off a cold, and right now I'm losing. However, I believe my cold medicine is beginning to take affect so I will soon be victorious! :) Alright, enough of my babbling! ENJOY! :)

Chapter 38

Clarke dropped her fork at the sound of Bellamy's phone. The loud whistle causing him to jump as well. She watched as he brought the device to his ear, a resigned expression washing over his features.

"That was Kane", he said as he returned the phone to his pocket, "The jury is out of deliberation."

Clarke took his hand, running her thumb over his knuckles. "Well, the wait is over. Whatever they decide, it's still you and me, Blake."

She looked up at him, his gaze intense and filled with apprehension.

"This decision will affect the rest of our lives, Princess. After this, there's no turning back."

Clarke smiled, "I passed the turnaround point a long time ago, Bell. I've been stuck with you from day one."

Bellamy's grin lit up his brown eyes, softening his features. "Coming from anyone else that would sound insulting, Princess, but coming from you I find it very endearing."

Clarke slid out of the booth, standing and waiting for her three companions. She took Bellamy's hand in her own once more and began to walk from the little diner out into the bright sunlight.

The walk back to the courthouse was quiet except for the honking of horns and normal sounds of the city. Soon, the large structure loomed before them, its face etched in brick and mortar.

They made their way inside, taking their seats once more. The blonde kept a tight hold on the Rebel's hand, his nervous energy flowing through his fingers. She pulled his hand onto her lay, holding it in her own as she sat staring straight ahead.

Everyone stood as the judge entered, sitting down when the bailiff gave the order. The jury entered from a side door, taking their seats in silence. The only sound that echoed in the quiet room was the rustling of nervous feet and the stenographers rapid typing.

Judge Mathis addressed the head juror, "In the case of the city of Broken Shield against Lynx Ferrerra, how does the jury rule?"

"We, the jury, find Lynx Ferrerra guilty, your honor."

"Thank you. Mr. Ferrerra, please stand. You have been found guilty of your crimes; your sentence is life imprisonment. Take him away."

The judge once again turned to the jury with a nod, "How does the jury rule in the case of Broken Shield versus Cage Wilson?"

"The jury finds Mr. Wilson guilty, your honor."

The judge turned to Cage, telling him to rise and the pronouncing a sentence of life in prison. He then turned back to the jury for the last ruling.

"We, the jury, find Finn Collins…", the man hesitated.

Clarke held her breath, Bellamy's grip on her hand tightening.

"Yes? Speak up man", Judge Mathis said in frustration.

"Guilty. We find Finn Collins guilty", the head juror said quickly.

Clarke breathed a sigh of relief, and listened as Finn was also sentenced to life in prison. She watched as all three men were led away, and then she turned to Bellamy. His smile was brilliant, and the sight of it filled her with joy.

She pulled him to her in a tight embrace, enjoying the way they fit together just right. She felt him nestle his face against her neck, his fingers running smoothly through her hair.

"It's over, it's finally over", he whispered against her skin.

"You're free, just like we always hoped you would be", she whispered back.

Clarke felt him pull away slightly, their gazes colliding.

"We should celebrate! Let's go out to dinner tonight, just you and me", Bellamy said with a toothy grin.

The blonde couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm as she nodded her assent. Then he kissed her, right there in front of everyone. She smiled against his lips, her happiness overflowing.

They made their way out of the courthouse, leaving the sordid past behind. The thought that they all had a new future was cause to celebrate. The energy was high as they made their way to their vehicles, driving back to Clarke and Octavia's apartment.

The women said goodbye to their men, promises to see them later flying with blown kisses as the two Romeos drove away. Clarke turned to her friend as they walked up to the elevator.

"I'm so happy, O. He's free, we're free", she said with a wide smile.

"You're not the only ones! Lincoln doesn't have to worry about the crew anymore either", Octavia said.

"We're both blessed today", Clarke said softly.

"Yes we are. Now where are you and my brother going on your first date?"

Clarke stared at her for a moment, a mischievous gleam lighting her blue eyes.

"O, this isn't our first date."

"What do you mean? Yes it is", Octavia said in confusion.

"Nope, Bell and I went on a date several years ago", Clarke grinned.

"Why didn't I know about this?"

"Well, it was a bit embarrassing…"

"Clarke! Now you have to tell me", O said in exasperation as they flopped down on the couch.

"Alright, it all started with one of your brother's ill fated relationships…"

Clarke sat on the living room floor, books spread out before her and a pencil clenched between her teeth. She almost had her paper written for Mr. Carlson's American Lit class, and the house was quiet for a change.

Bell was off on shop business, and Octavia was out with Jasper. She had the house to herself, and she was enjoying the peace as she wrote her paper on the life of Edgar Allen Poe.

She'd just written her closing argument when the front door banged open, and Bellamy's voice floated up through the old house.

"Princess! You home!"

"Yeah, Bell, in the living room", she hollered back.

Clarke looked up in enough time to see the man come to a screeching halt in the doorway. His dark hair was mussed and his eyes were wide. He shifted from foot to foot in a display of nerves she found rather cute.

"Spit it out, Blake. What do you need", she said with a smirk.

"I need a favor", he blurted.

"I gathered that. Ask away."

"All right, well I kinda may have sorta said that you were my girlfriend to get out of a date", he spewed.

Clarke stared at him, her mouth wide open. She closed it with a click, her teeth jarring slightly.

"You what! Why would you do something like that?"

"She's crazy! I couldn't just tell her I had to wash my hair or something!"

"Bellamy Blake, please tell me you have never given the excuse of excessive hygiene to avoid dates with girls you deem as less than desirable", Clarke said with a frown.

"Would you help me if I said no", he asked with that little boy grin she couldn't resist.

"Fine, what do you need me to do", Clarke asked with a huff.

"Just one outing, a date if you will. Just so she can see us together and realize that I'm with someone else."

"Why don't you ask one of your floozies? I'm sure they would love to be the great Bellamy Blake's arm candy for one more night!"

"I need this to be convincing", Bellamy said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Clarke then watched as his cheeks began to stain crimson as he ducked his head in embarrassment. The thought that she was more convincing as his paramour than one of his previous girlfriends did things to her heart that she didn't really want to think about.

"All right, tell me when and where. I've gotta know how to dress for this disaster."

She watched as he exhaled, a smile spreading across his face. If she weren't so affected by that smile then maybe she could say no, but seeing him relaxed and happy was more than enough cause to go along with this farce.

"It's called the DropShip. It's a new restaurant that just opened up on the west side of town. She's a waitress there, so she's bound to see us."

Clarke nodded, a smile playing across her lips. "So, dressy then?"

"Uh, yeah, whatever you think Princess. I'm not up to date with the latest women's fashions", Bellamy said with a blush.

Clarke reveled in his discomfort, the way his eyes drifted to the ceiling and about the room but never lighting on her face. She finally decided to end his suffering, coming forward and placing a gentle hand on his chest.

"It's alright, Bell. I'll be the best fake girlfriend you've ever had."

"Thanks, Princess", he said, giving her a peck on the cheek, "Be ready in forty-five."

Clarke stood there in shock as she watched him saunter away.

"Wait, Bell! That's not fair! I need more than forty-five minutes", she yelled after him.

"You promised", he called back.

Clarke growled as she made her way up the stairs muttering under her breath as she climbed. She entered her room, going straight to her closet and began to throw dresses onto her bed.

She sifted through them, holding them up to her chest as she studied herself in the mirror. Finally, she picked up a little black number and held it up for inspection. Perfect, she thought.

She placed the dress back on her bed, quickly hanging up the others. She raced to the bathroom, bringing order to her riotous curls and doing her makeup. After applying her cherry red lipstick, she admired her reflection.

Clarke put on her black dress, running her hands down the length of the soft material to smooth out any wrinkles. She strapped on her red heels and then slowly made her way down the staircase.

She could see Bellamy where he stood at the bottom; his eyes round and mouth ajar. She ended her descent, coming to stand before him with a wide grin.

"Well, do you approve Mr. Blake", she asked saucily.

"Uh, um, you look… You look… Wow", he stammered.

Bellamy's eyes met her own, and the heat burning in the brown depths warmed her very soul. She felt a blush creep up her neck at his perusal. She lowered her gaze, and then felt his warm hand cupping her jaw.

Her eyes met his, and his smile was infectious.

"You look beautiful, Clarke", he said softly.

"Thank you, Bell. You don't look too bad yourself", she said, taking in his leather jacket and dark wash jeans.

He was the picture of rebellious splendor. His hair, unruly as ever, was falling across his forehead in glorious curls and his eyes glowed with something she couldn't identify.

He held out his arm with a stately bow, "Come, Princess, the night awaits you."

Clarke stepped into the DropShip, her heels clicking loudly against the concrete floor as she and Bellamy made their way across the crowded room to their table. They'd just sat down, menus in hand when someone approached.

The blonde looked around her menu, catching the dark eyes of her companion as he stared at the woman before them. Her hair was long and dark, and her brown eyes shone with a strange light.

"Bellamy", she purred, "Who is this?"

"Fox, this is my girlfriend Clarke. Princess, this is Fox."

Clarke smiled at the girl, extending her hand only to recoil at the icy glare thrown her way.

"I thought you were kidding when you said you had a girl. I didn't peg you as the one woman kind of man, Bellamy", Fox said in agitation.

"Well, you figured wrong. Clarke and my sister are my world", he said with a genuine smile.

Clarke felt her throat constrict at the sincerity in his eyes. She never grew tired of hearing how he felt about her. Sure, it was nothing romantic but it was enough. He was the center of her universe, her best friend, although she'd never let on how much she truly needed him.

She turned back to the conversation in time to see Fox pour the pitcher of water she was carrying on Bellamy's head. His eyes grew wide, rivulets of water running down his face and neck. His hair was plastered to his head, and his mouth was moving but no words were coming forth.

Just then, Clarke could contain her laughter no longer. It broke forth, the merry melody floating around them as she tried desperately to regain her composure. One look at his face, and she was off again, giggling like a mad woman.

"I'm sorry, Bell, but I wish you could see yourself", she gasped between giggles, "You look like a drowned tom cat!"

Bellamy simply sat there, his clothing soaked and his eyes darkened by anger.

"Well, I'm glad you find this so amusing Princess, but I'm afraid I don't see the humor in the situation."

Clarke settled, a tiny smirk the only evidence of her mirth. "I'm sorry, Bell. You're right; it was a terrible thing for her to do. Why don't we get out of here and grab a burger on the way home? I'll even promise to watch that documentary on ancient Greece with you."

She watched as his features brightened, and a slow smile spread across his lips.

"Well, if you insist", he said rising from his chair.

"So, we ate burgers and spent the rest of the evening curled up on the couch watching a documentary on the three-hundred Spartans who made their last stand at Thermopylae", Clarke said, ending her story.

She looked at Octavia, the other girl grinning from ear to ear.

"It sounds like that night ended in a date after all", O said.

"If that constitutes a date, then I have been on more dates with Bellamy Blake than I can count", Clarke smirked.

"You two really are perfect for each other, you know", Octavia said softly, "I don't think Bell would be the man he is today without you."

"Bellamy is strong, he would have become a great man with, or without, my help. There's a light inside him that no matter what is thrown his way it just won't go out. That's one of the reasons I love him, he's honorable and he tries to do the right thing even when it's hard."

"You really love my brother", O said with a smile.

"Yes, I do. So, I'd better not keep him waiting", Clarke said as she rose from her place on the couch, "Do you and Lincoln have anything planned for tonight?"

"Yep, but Linc says it's a secret", Octavia said as she followed Clarke into her bedroom.

She watched as the blonde began to rummage through her closet, throwing dresses out left and right. Then she squealed as a turquoise dress hit the floor.

"Wait, Clarke! Wear that one!"

Clarke picked the dress up with a smile. It was a deep turquoise, long sleeves, u-necked, and covered in lace and sequins. She held it out in front of her, and then turned to look at Octavia.

"This one, huh? Good eye, O. Now what to do with my hair", she said as she laid the dress across her bed.

"Bell likes when you wear it down", Octavia said sheepishly.

"Well then, down it is", Clarke said with a grin before turning back to her friend, "Now that that's settled, let's go find you something that will knock Lincoln's socks off!"

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

Wright: Thanks for the review! Never fear! All of the bad guys are off to prison, never to malign our heroes again! I'm so glad you like the flashbacks! Thank you for your continued support! :)

Martha: Thanks for the review, and your continued support! :)