Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Back at Camp Jaha Indra and Bellamy stood side by side watching the last embers die out from their passing ceremony. They were two of the last ones left, besides Lincoln, Raven and a couple of grounders. The others had left to grieve their people.

Earlier there had been murmurs at the two stand in leaders. Where was their Heda and their Skaiprisa? Why were they not leading the ceremony? Indra had ignored them and continued with the ceremony. The grounders had understood this to mean she was temporarily in charge. Some Skaikru had insisted Bellamy tell them where Clarke was. Bellamy had merely stated that Clarke and the Commander had to tend to other matters and would be back as soon as they could.

Finally Indra turned and looked at him.

"Get some rest Bellamy, tomorrow we need to ready camp for winter. Our winters are harsh and it will take many days of preparation." She informed him "Most will take care of themselves but we will start by building a structure for Heda and Skaiprisa"

"Two new structures?" He asked confused. That would take a lot of time and Clarkes tent was designed for inclement weather. She would be fine for the winter. Lexa's tent admittedly needed a lot of work.

"You are blind Bellamy of the Skaikru. We will build one structure for both" she slapped him on the back making him stumble forward as she walked off. On hell no. Not this merger business. Was she serious?

"Indra wait" he hurried to catch up "Are you mad? What do we tell the people? Where do we build it? Of what? Why them and not everyone else?" He stopped when he saw the woman becoming angry.

"You ask too many questions" she snapped irritated "My people will think they are building a structure fit for their Heda. What your people think worries me not. We will build it where we all agree is best, but close to the centre of camp for protection" Bellamy nodded, not wanting to aggravate her further. He had to admit that made sense. There was plenty of room there as most of the camp was on the fringes, the centre being dominated largely by the Ark and the tents belonging to Lexa and Clarke and their guards.

"As for what?" Indra continued "it will need to be up to the builders and engineers. We have built stone and wood structures before" then turning on her heel she left him.

Bellamy sighed and watched her go. Either the commander and Clarke were going to put them on a pole or be thankful. He just hoped that what he had already seen between the two led towards the latter as he headed back to the Ark, not really paying attention to anything and not seeing the person until she stepped in front of him. He looked up and sighed. Shit.

"Where is my daughter?" Abby demanded.

Oh for fucks sake Clarke come back already he thought with exasperation. You can have this leadership business.

"Listen Abby I don't know. All I know is she is with the Commander and they will be back in a few days. Maybe a week" he informed and tried to brush past her.

"She went off alone with her?" Abby screeched and Bellamy turned on her furious

"Watch your mouth. That is the Commander you are talking about. Without Clarke here to influence them the grounders would shut your mouth permanently" he warned and noted that his words sunk in as she quickly looked around and nodded.

"Is she Ok?" Abby dared ask.

"Clarke is" Bellamy nodded and Abby was quick to catch on.

"But The Commander isnt" Abby nodded "She appeared injured this morning." The older woman cocked her head to the side "Is that where the ice box, two missing vials of antibiotics and tablets have gone?" She asked next and Bellamy tried his best not to look guilty and remained silent. Abby sighed. "What's going on between the Commander and my daughter?" She asked next and once again Bellamy tried to decide how to answer.

"You should try to get to know Lexa instead of the Commander, for Clarkes sake" he finally settled on and while she was trying to compute that he stepped around her before pausing "Tomorrow we ready the camp for winter. Including a new single shelter for The Commander and Skaiprisa. Indra's orders"

He walked off leaving her gaping after him.

Back at the healing pond Clarke and Lexa were in their tent, heated rocks having been brought in to warm up the air. Lexa lay face down on the bed, her naked back exposed, Clarke having just finished administering the salve to her back and was now lightly caressing it to try and soothe the brunette. She was fascinated with the tattoo but hadn't dared ask Lexa about it yet, one day soon. It obviously held great meaning for her to cover her back in it.

She lay on her side beside Lexa, head In her hand as she took liberties with touching Lexa. She was so enrapt with it she didn't hear the approaching footsteps as Octavia poked her head in and froze.

Lexa was too out of it to notice the intrusion but Clarkes head snapped around and she glared a warning at her friend while not pausing in her ministrations. Octavia was going to see them in more compromising situations over the next few days and had been warned to keep her mouth shut.

"What do you want?" She asked and the other woman seemed to snap out of her stupor, pushing forward into the tent to show the bread and cheese board and mugs she held.

"Nyko said the Heda is due a tablet and must eat with it" she hastily put aside the board before freezing on seeing Lexa's back "Oh my God, Clarke!" Octavia turned stunned eyes to her leader and friend.

"Why do you think we are here. For a bruise?" She growled frustrated and when Lexa murmured disturbed by volume of her voice took time to reassure her and continued her stroking for a few tense moments before turning back to Octavia. "She has others but not as bad. This was caused by a Reaper"

"Damn" Octavia knew they were riddled with disease.

"Yeah." Clarke sighed. "Touch helps soothe the skin after"

"Any touch or just yours" Octavia teased and chuckled when her friend blushed. She stood and headed for the entrance. "Nice tattoo by the way. I think they are symbols of their rank, that would be one to symbolise her status as Heda" Clarke looked down at the tattoo that she had become fond of. She wasn't fussed what it meant. She just thought it was hot. She tried not to blush at her thoughts and turned to where Ocatavja was waiting with a smirk on her face as if knowing what she was thinking. "Leave the tray. I will collect it in the morning when I come with breakfast. Goodnight" and with that she disappeared. Not leaving time for Clarke to call after her.

Clarke continued to stroke for several more long minutes before gently combing her fingers through dark locks.

"Hey" she whispered. "I need to get up to get your medication and some bindings ok."

"Hmmm" Lexa murmured and she took that to mean ok as she slid from the warm bed and hurried for her pack and the ice chest to retrieve the medication. She hurried back to the bed and quickly roused Lexa more so she could cover her wound and bind her to keep everything covered. Lexa refused to put her shirt on saying she was due more of a back rub before going to sleep.

Clarke rolled her eyes and handed over the cheese and bread board while she opened up the medication.

"Eat" she ordered while determinedly ignoring Lexa sitting there holding the covers only just high enough for modesty. She drank her cup of water while watching Lexa nibble at her snack distractedly "What's wrong?"

"I'm not hungry" Lexa sighed and Clarke crawled around to sit behind her. Lexa immediately leant back against her like they had been doing this for years not a few hours.

"I know but you have to eat something to have the tablets." Clarke whispered in her ear while reaching around and taking a piece of cheese which she offered to Lexa. Lexa took it with a sigh, taking long seconds to chew it. A few more pieces and some bread later and Clarke figured she had enough in her belly to have the tablet which she offered with the water. Lexa nearly choked on it, not used to swallowing medication.

They sorted themselves out again and even though they had slept half the day away they had a lot of catching up to do. Lexa practically draped herself over Clarke which the blonde smiled at, hardly bothered by the weight of her as she brought her left arm up to scratch lightly at the small of her back. She swore she heard the brunette purr like a kitten.

It wasn't long before they were both deeply asleep, missing Octavia poking her head in one last time to check on them and smiling at the sight. It was a shame she couldn't tell anyone about this but then again who would believe her? Lightly tying the entrance together to keep them from flapping and letting cold air in she headed off to her own bed. She was sorely tempted to use the bath but knew only Heda or those she gave permission to could use it. Stoking the fire she crawled into her camp bed with a welcome sigh of relief.

The next morning saw Clarke up early and heading into the trees well before others were up. Upon returning to camp she saw Nyko awake and packing up the cart. She went over to him and started to assist him by packing his bedroll.

"Thank you for your help yesterday Nyko."

"Always skaiprisa" he nodded and she hefted his bedroll and put it in the cart.

"If we are not back by sunset in 3 days from now send Lincoln with more supplies. I'm sure he will want to see Octavia by then" she chuckled and Nyko managed a weak smile.

"What is your plan skaiprisa?" He asked and she sighed.

"If she hasn't showed signs of improvement in a few days then she will need mother to treat her on the Ark and I will bring her back. Before then if she gets worse. If not we will stay about a week. Give her time to heal and rest up" she offered with a shrug

"I will tell Indra and Bellamy" he nodded.

"Thank you Nyko. Make sure you eat before you go ok" she gave him a warm pat on the back before walking back to the tent. She arrived just in time to find Lexa stirring. She stood at the entrance of the tent and watched as Lexa seemed to reach for her then realising she wasn't there prop herself up on her elbows and look around calling her name

"Clarke?"

"Hey" she stepped forward and moved to rejoin her on the bed, reaching out to run her hand over exposed shoulders. Lexa shivered.

"Come back to bed" She groaned "Too early"

"You would know how?" Clarke chuckled. "If you need the privy now would be the time. Only Nyko is up"

"You know how to ruin a moment don't you?" Lexa sighed but with Clarkes help managed to drag herself up.

5 minutes later and they were back snuggled in the bed while waiting for some breakfast. It was still early, only 6.30am, but instead of going back to sleep they simply lay there quietly, not finding any need or reason to talk as they lay in comfort together.

Lexa's mind was turning over though. Two days after declaring that she wasn't ready Clarke was willingly laying half naked in bed with her. She knew now it wasn't because she had to, but because she wanted to. Clarke had kissed her again yesterday too, willingly. Clarke had made the move without coercion as she had been asleep. She had hope now for a future with Clarke, for however long that may last. She hoped she could convince Clarke to give her a shot, hoped this week she could get to know Clarke, wow her and convince her to share her tent when they got back to Camp Jaha. She winced slightly ok maybe she would need to build some type of more permanent housing first, leave the tent as her throne room and war room. Maybe waterproof it a bit more.

"I can hear your mind ticking away" Clarke whispered "what are you thinking?"

"Mainly that this is nice" Lexa offered and dared to admit "I could get used to it"

"Could you just" Clarke grinned. "Well you just get better first, then we will talk merger"

Lexa immediately stiffened at the mention of the merger and raised her head "I promised not to push you. You aren't ready"

"That feels like a lifetime ago" Clarke sighed "and even then I guess I thought we had plenty of time. But we don't. This war is over but there is bound to be another. I could have lost you"

"But you didnt" Lexa murmured

"It was too close Lexa" Clarke insisted and Lexa sighed, propping herself on her arms, looking down at a troubled Clarke.

"I'm not going anywhere ok" Lexa insisted "we will rest up for a couple of days and then talk about what happens when we go back. No serious talks before then"

"Oh and what happens when we go back?" Clarke asked intrigued despite herself and distracting Lexa by starting to stroke her sides, smiling when she shuddered and her eyes darkened. Oh yeah she had Lexas measure now.

"Well I was thinking that my tent is too big for one, though I was hoping to build a permanent structure, and well I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep alone again after this week" Lexa blurted completely forgetting no serious talk rule. Clarke blinked, stunned at the admission but secretly liking it. But she had a condition.

"I can handle sleep Lexa, I can handle this. It's more...intimate stuff that might have to wait a while" Clarke admitted and Lexa cocked her head to the side, contemplating. Could she handle that? As much as she ached for Clarke now she knew her body was too sore and fatigued to do any justice. Once it was healed it would protest loudly being close to Clarke and going without. But she would do it because it was Clarke. She nodded and their gazes collided and held, drawn to each other.

It had always been like this, Lexa admitted, from the moment Clarke came storming into her tent and their gazes had clashed she had been captivated. She was one hundred times more so now, if not more. Neither was aware they were leaning in to each other, their lips a hair width apart when the tent flap was pushed back and Octavia entered obliviously.

Her greeting froze on her lips as she came to a grinding halt catching the two women in a private moment. Oh this so wasn't fair. Why did she volunteer for this again? Well it could have been worse.

"Sorry" she murmured when two pissed off faces turned towards her and she held up the tray to show them their breakfast before placing it on the ground and beating a hasty retreat. A mug from last nights snack, hastily thrown by a frustrated Clarke, smashing at her heals as she fled