Thanks for all of the reviews guys! I meant to have this chapter up yesterday, but it just didn't work out! Enjoy! :)

Chapter 21

Bellamy woke with a start; one of his hands flying to the back of his head where a decent sized knot was forming. He strained his eyes, trying to see where he was. The room was dark, and smelled strongly of antiseptic.

The floor was cold, and felt like concrete. The realization sent a shudder down his spine because there was only one place that he knew of that had concrete flooring- Mount Weather.

The old fear came rushing back, along with the memories of what happened in this place. It was like he was in that cage all over again, the guards prodding him and electricity coursing painfully through his body. He could almost feel the needles piercing his skin, the way his ankles chaffed from being hung upside down.

Bellamy rubbed a shaking hand up and down his arm; assuring himself that there were no needles, only bare flesh. He inhaled, the antiseptic burning his nose.

Suddenly a door opened, and the lights flickered to life. He looked around, finding himself in the room where the marrow harvesting had taken place. The metal table still stood at the center of the room, bloodstains smattering across the concrete footing.

He looked up to find Mel standing in the doorway, and his fear was quickly overtaken by anger.

"You", he growled.

"Yes, it's me, Bellamy", the woman said as she stepped closer.

He took in her dark hair, such a contrast to Clarke's golden locks, and her pale features. He wouldn't deny that she was comely in her own right, but there was more to a person than outward appearances.

"What do you want?"

"I wanted to save you, Bellamy", Mel said as she knelt before him, "Save you from a loveless marriage."

Her words hit him square in the chest, stealing his breath, and causing his eyes to squeeze shut. He'd been trying to convince himself for the past month that Clarke really did love him, and that one day she would tell him so.

However, he'd begun to doubt. As the days wore on, long and exhausting, he couldn't help but wonder if what he was doing was right. He'd trapped Clarke in a marriage that had begun as a business proposition, a means to save their alliance with the Grounders.

How could he blame her for withholding her love from him? He'd forced her into an arrangement out of selfish motives, hoping that he could wear her down- hoping that he could make her admit her love for him.

Now, he saw that Clarke couldn't and wouldn't admit something she didn't feel. She obviously didn't trust him, and that's why she didn't tell him about their child.

Oh, he knew she'd tried and he would take the blame for not listening, but she'd stopped trying. He couldn't always be the one to chase after her, he wanted her to seek him out.

He was tired of being the one to tell her that it would all be fine, that he wasn't going anywhere. He gave her all of those assurances, and he never wavered in his love for her. He, however, didn't have the same luxury.

He'd thought she loved him, but he was obviously mistaken. If she loved him, wouldn't she have told him by now? What could possibly be holding her back?

Bellamy was pulled from his thoughts when a gentle hand touched his arm. His gaze collided with Mel's, and he jerked away.

Mel watched as Bellamy became lost in thought, and she knelt before him, her hand resting gently on his forearm. Then he stared at her, shock registering in his gaze before he jerked away from her and a look of reproach settled in his dark eyes.

"Saved me for yourself", he sneered, his gaze flitting about the room.

"Yes, I think we could be good together", Mel replied.

"Sorry, but I don't see it", Bellamy said with a derisive snort.

"Maybe in time you'll come to", the woman said before leaving.

As Bellamy watched her go, and the lights went out, he wondered if he would ever see Clarke again, or if she would even notice that he was gone.

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Clarke woke with puffy eyes and a terrible headache. She couldn't help but feel responsible for her husband's outburst. He didn't think she loved him, or that there was ever hope her of loving him.

She knew this all stemmed from Bellamy's deepest fears that he was a monster, and that no one could love him. She knew because she faced the same fear, however she'd had him to reassure her when she had given him no such assurances.

She crawled out of bed, dressing quickly before going to check on Bryce. The little boy was still asleep, so she didn't wake him. He probably hadn't slept any better than she had the night before.

As she made her way out into the early morning light, a strange silence met her ears. She frowned, usually by this time Bellamy had the men up and working. He was quite the slave driver, or at least that's what Miller always said.

Clarke walked to the building sight, the cabin beginning to take shape. She spotted Nate off to the side, shifting from foot to foot in nervous agitation.

"Good morning, Miller", she called, "Where's the boss this morning?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since last night."

Worry began to wriggle its way into Clarke's mind. What if Bellamy had left? What if something had happened to him?

"Miller would you mind searching camp for him?"

"Sure thing, Clarke", Nate answered before beginning to question the other campers.

Clarke went back to the cabin; terrified that her husband had left her just liked she'd left him all those months ago.

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Tarren watched as Mel came out from the room where they kept the prisoner. There was a sadness in her beautiful eyes and her shoulders were slumped in defeat. He didn't know what the man had done, but he suspected she wasn't being truthful with him.

He knew the moment she saw him, her eyes lighting and a soft smile curving her lips. He could tell that the small woman felt something for him, but he wouldn't go so far as to say that she loved him.

"How is the prisoner?"

"Obstinate", Mel answered.

"Why is he really here", the Grounder asked.

"The same reason I told you, revenge", she replied.

He still didn't believe her, but he could do nothing if she wouldn't tell him. He could only bide his time, and hope that the truth came out sooner rather than later.

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Clarke sat waiting for Miller to return, her hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea. The possibility that Bellamy had just left still weighed on her mind, but the worrying thought that something had happened to him persisted.

She knew Bellamy, and he wouldn't just leave. He was angry now, but like all things it would pass eventually. She believed that with her whole being. She and Bellamy were meant to be together, and they always found a way regardless of the obstacles.

Clarke was pulled from her thoughts when a knock sounded on the door. She rose to open it just as Bryce walked sleepily from his room.

"Momma", he said, his tone questioning.

"It's ok, sweetheart", she assured him with a smile.

She opened the door to find Nate standing on her doorstep, a look of resignation on his face.

"What is it? Is he hurt? Is he…"

"No", Nate said quickly cutting her off, "No, nothing like that. I just can't find him."

Suddenly Bryce burst into tears; noisy sobs erupting from his little chest as he sucked in deep gulping breaths. Clarke knelt before him, taking her son into her arms as she began to rub soothing circles on his back.

"Shhh, it's alright."

"No, it's my fault", he cried.

"No, sweetheart, this isn't anyone's fault", she soothed.

"It's my fault. I told him about our secret", Bryce hiccupped.

Clarke felt a wave of chilling fear wash over her, "You told Bellamy about the baby?"

"Yes, I'm sorry Momma", the little boy said, his sobs escalating.

"It's ok, this isn't your fault. Do you hear me, Bryce? None of this is your fault."

She felt her son nod against her shoulder, his tears soaking her shirt. She looked at Miller, taking in his surprised expression.

"I want search parties sent out. No matter how angry Bellamy is, I don't believe he would just walk away. Especially now that he knows", Clarke finished quietly.

She watched as Nate bowed his head in confirmation before slipping quietly out the door. She took Bryce's hand, leading the crying child to Octavia and Lincoln's cabin. She didn't bother to know, instead entering their home and meeting their shocked gazes.

"Bellamy's gone", she whispered.

Clarke saw the way Octavia's eyes widened, tears gathering as she shook her head.

"No, he wouldn't do that!"

"I know that's why I'm scared something's happened. Lincoln, could you…"

The Grounder stepped forward, resting his hands on her shoulders, the look in his eyes causing the words to die on her tongue.

"Of course, Clarke. Don't worry, we'll find him", Lincoln said before kissing Octavia on the forehead and leaving the cabin.

Clarke turned to her friend, tormented by the terrible thoughts swirling in her mind.

"What if he's hurt or worse", Clarke sobbed, Octavia quickly taking her into her arms.

"Shh, you can't think like that."

"We fought, O. He thinks I don't love him. Something terrible has happened and he thinks I don't love him", Clarke said, her tears falling in earnest.

"It's going to be fine. The men will find him, they'll bring him home", O assured her.

Clarke tried to believe her, but the guilt and fear still clung to her like a heavy dew. She didn't know what she would do if something had happened, all she knew was that she couldn't live without him.

Thanks for reading! Please review! :)

Wright: Thank you so much for your review! I know things look really bleak now, but I promise a Bellarke happy ending! :) I'm glad you like the little bits about Mel! I was nervous about how everyone would react after I switching things up a bit lol I'm so glad that you like Bryce! He is adorable, and one of my favorite OC's! :)