A/N – Sorry for the wait everyone but apparently the universe hates me and gave me back to back illnesses. I just want to thank every single one for all the love and support for this story! You guys have made some great suggestions and I will see what I can work into the story. I also apologise for any mistakes as English is not my first language.
Chapter 3
Lexa is trying to look as regal as possible while sitting in a hospital bed dressed in her very thin hospital dress. Her back is straight, shoulders back, her head held high and her hands neatly folded in her lap over the scratchy blanket. This new place may have a lot of wonderful things but one thing they are missing is her soft furs.
Lexa watches as the man is writing something down in his little black book. The tall man and his partner have been talking to Lexa and asking her questions for what feels like hours. Abby has been sitting in the visitor's chair next to the bed the whole time doing most of the talking since at this point she knows more about Lexa's new life then Lexa herself does.
"That's all we need for now." He places his pen in his shirt pocket and closes his little book. "We will contact you as soon as we have any information."
"Thank you very much officers." Abby says with a smile standing from the chair as the two men each give her a firm nod and make their way out of Lexa's room. Once they are gone Abby turns her attention back to her patient who is looking down at her fingers picking at the blanket.
"You did great Lexa."
"I could not answer any of their questions." Lexa lets her shoulders drop a little, she can't remember ever feeling this out of place before. Mostly everyone here in the hospital have been trying to make her feel as comfortable and welcome as possible but still she wishes she could remember where she fits into this world.
"It's their job to find people, I am positive they will be able to tell us who you are." Abby tries to reassure her, Lexa gives her a weak nod her mind still drowning in unanswered questions making her head hurt worse.
They both look to the door when they see a very confused Clarke walking in. Lexa feels her heart race at the sight of the adorable frowning blonde as she casts a quick glance over her shoulder before look back at Lexa.
"You know when I implied that you had a criminal record I didn't actually mean it?" Clarke says looked worried at Lexa.
"Relax honey, the officers were just here to talk to Lexa and get some information so they can hopefully help us fill in some of the blanks." Abby explains to her daughter.
"Oh okay that's good then." Clarke takes the seat her mother has was just sitting in.
"How was class?" Abby goes about her normal examination of Lexa's wounds and doesn't even question Clarke's visits to Lexa.
"Ugh, we had to watch a two hour documentary on typography. Now I love Helvetica as much as the next person but if I have to hear the words kerning and leading one more time someone is getting punched." Clarke drops her bag onto the floor next to the chair dramatically.
"I think you'll survive." Abby says patting Clarke's shoulder before giving it a soft squeeze. "Clarke thank you again for last night I know you need to study and…"
"Mom seriously it's no big deal, I know you and dad are really busy right now I don't mind stepping up and helping." Clarke tilts her head up at her mother as she shrugs
"Well, thank you anyway." Abby leans over placing a kiss on Clarke's head. "I have to get back to work I'll see you two later." Abby gives them each a smile before leaving Clarke and Lexa alone in the room.
Clarke smiles at her and Lexa gives her a small smile in return. Clarke looks around the room until her eyes fall on the table at the end of the bed that is covered in pieces of clothing.
"Your mother says that it is everything I had on me when I arrived." Lexa explains to the curious looking blonde.
Clarke gets up so she can get a closer look at the items. Clarke never put much thought into the car accident that brought Lexa to the hospital but now looking at her clothes its save to say it wasn't just a soft tap judging by the blood stains covering most of the clothes. A frown starts to work its way onto Clarke's face.
"This is everything, just an old grey hoodie, jeans and a pair of white trainers?" Clarke looks up at Lexa who nods.
"Apparently the rest of my clothing had to be cut off of me in the ER."
"They didn't find a phone or wallet?" Lexa shakes her head not really sure what those things are.
Clarke looks back down at the items on the table, the hoodie has some letters printed on the front but it is too faded to read and the large blood stain over it doesn't help either.
"Do you mind?" Clarke motions to the clothes and Lexa nods telling her the go ahead.
Clarke runs her fingers softly over the jeans before picking them up. There is nothing special about them just your normal every day pair of jeans you can buy at any clothing store. After examining them for a while she starts going through the pockets. They are all empty until she gets to the left back pocket when she feels something. Grabbing a hold of it she pulls it out quickly like it might hold the answers to all of their questions.
"It's a car key?" She turns the silver key around in her hand, looking at it from every angle.
"I have a car." This is the first piece of information Lexa has about her life outside the hospital.
"An old one apparently. You should let Raven take a look at it she is kind of a car expert she might be able to tell you more." Clarke places the key to the side on the table for further examination later.
Next she looks at the shoes, a pair of white and light grey trainers. The bottoms are pretty worn, looks like Lexa lives a pretty active life. But then again she could already tell that by just looking at Lexa's body.
That only leaves the bloody hoodie, Clarke looks at the fade letters she can make out an 'M' but that's about it. She lifts up the hoodie hearing a clunk as something drops onto the floor. She looks at Lexa making sure she heard it to and it's not just her over active imagination playing tricks on her. Seeing Lexa leaning over as far as she can without hurting herself to try and see what fell on the floor. Clarke quickly places the hoodie back on the table before she bends down and picks up the object. Slightly under the bed Clarke spots the round object sitting on the floor. Grabbing it she stands back up to show Lexa as she holds out the chain for her to see. The golden pendent of the necklace shines under the overly bright lighting as it dangles from Clarke's fingers.
Lexa looks at the interacted tree design, it looks like someone took great care in creating all the small details.
"I know this design." Clarke says breaking the silence that they found them in. "It's the tree of life."
"It's beautiful." Lexa whispers.
"That it is, well at least now we know that you have good taste in jewellery." Clarke gives her a teasing smile as she starts to walk closer to the head of the bed.
"Would you like me to help you to put it on?" Clarke asks and Lexa nods. "Would you move your hair please?"
Lexa gathers her hair moving it over her shoulder at Clarke's request. Clarke leans slightly over her to fasten the necklace. Lexa closes her eyes at the feeling of having Clarke so close to her, she can feel her breath against her skin. She is overwhelmed by Clarke's unique scent mixed with something sweet. All too soon Clarke moves away to admire her work.
"Perfect, it suits you."
Lexa watches as the gold of the pendant contrasts against her skin where it rests, with a soft smile on her face she traces the branches of tree with her finger.
When Lexa looks back at Clarke she is sitting in what Lexa has come to know as Clarke's chair. For the first time she sees the exhaustion on Clarke's face.
"You look tired." Clarke lets out a sigh.
"Yeah, my dad started a new project at work so now he and my mom are both working crazy hours so I had to watch the twins last night. They somehow found the place where my mom hides the Halloween candy and eat all of it. I spent two hours chasing after them trying to keep them from scaling the side of the house. Then I had to endure a round of stomach aches and projectile vomiting until they finally passed out." Clarke runs her hand over her face trying to wipe the tiredness away.
"Sounds like a fun night." Lexa jokes earning her a look from the blonde.
"You and I have very different opinions on what is classified as fun."
"If you do not mind me asking but who are the twins?"Lexa's curiosity getting the better of her, but Clarke doesn't seem to mind as she gives her smile.
"My little brother and sister they are 10. They are pretty awesome kids, well they are Griffins so it's pretty obvious that would be. They are usually very well behaved if they are not riding a sugar high that is."
A comfortable silence settle between them until Clarke ask her a question.
"How did it go with the officers, do they have anything to go on?" Lexa shakes her head disappointedly.
"The only information I could give them is my name and I am not even sure that its right."
"It's right."
"How can you be sure?" Clarke just shrugs.
"You look like a Lexa." Clarke smiles at her and Lexa's lips just barely twitch into a smile.
Lexa watches as Clarke try to hide her yawn as she stretches her arms above her head.
"Maybe you should go home and rest."
"I can't." Clarke dramatically drops her head against the back of the chair giving Lexa her best pout. "I have work I need to do here." Clarke lets out a sigh before an idea hits her along with a sudden burst of energy.
"Hey I have an idea." She says brightly. "What do you say about coming with me and keeping me company?" Clarke asks hopefully.
"You have work to do in a hospital?" Lexa asks frowning, what work could an art student possibly have to do in a hospital.
"Yeah, so what do you say want to get out of the room for a bit?" Clarke was now sitting on the edge of her seat with her hands clasped together in front of her with her best pleading look.
Lexa knows she could never deny Clarke anything no matter how silly it may be. Lexa lets out a sigh before looking at Clarke.
"Does this mean I need to be in one of those moving chairs again?" Since arriving at the hospital she has been rebuilding her strength little by little. Lexa is still a long way from her old self but she is getting there.
"Moving chairs?" Clarke frowns. "Oh you mean a wheelchair. Then yes, I may be busting you out of here but I'm not going to make you walk around the hospital when you can barely move." Lexa knows there is no room for argument in the finality in Clarke's voice. "So is that a yes?"
Surrendering Lexa nods and Clarke jumps up excited.
"Great! I'll go get you a wheelchair then we are out of here." Clarke bounces out of the room and Lexa can't help but wonder what she has just gotten herself into.
Just like the previous day Clarke pushes Lexa into the elevator but this time they only go up to the 5th floor. When the elevator doors open Lexa is surprised to see that the walls are not the normal spotless white colour as everywhere else she has seen, here the walls are bright and welcoming. They give off a warm safe feel compared to the cold feel everywhere else.
As Clarke pushes her through the halls Lexa can hear children talking and laughing as they pass by the rooms. Lexa swallows the lump in her throat when she realises this floor is only for sick children.
As they pass by doctors and nurses Clarke greats them all happily making small talk. It's clear that everyone adores the blonde.
Clarke stops in front of a set of closed double doors she quickly unlocks it before pushing Lexa inside the dark room and closes the door behind them.
"I have to keep it locked because we can't have little curious hands poking around in here." Clarke says as she flicks on the lights.
Lexa blinks a couple times to at the sudden bright light but when her eyes adjust she looks around the room amazed. The plastic sheet covering the floor crunches under the wheels as Clarke pushes her further into the room. All of the furniture has been covered and moved to the middle of the room giving Clarke unhindered access to the walls. The once bare walls are covered in the most beautiful and colourful paintings.
Clarke walks to stand in front of Lexa giving her a shy smile as she lifts up her arms she gestures around the room.
"So, this is it. As you can see I still have a long way to go." Clarke says walking along the walls looking at the paintings. "This is going to be the new Peds playroom. They wanted the room to feel happy and save, so that the kids can come in here and forget that they are in a hospital and just be a kid for a little while."
"It is beautiful Clarke." Lexa's eyes are moving from one wall to the next smiling at the images.
"I went with a Dr Seuss theme because who doesn't love green eggs and ham?"
Lexa frowns, she has never seen a green egg before but then again the food here is rather strange.
"So, will you be okay to hang out here for a bit while I work?" Lexa nods and watches as Clarke start taking paints and brushes from the table next to them and place them on the floor in front of the half painted wall.
Clarke ties up her hair before she gets to work. Lexa watches mesmerised as Clarke moves the brush across the wall. She has never seen Clarke work before, it's truly beautiful to watch her in her element.
Lexa turns to look at the stuff on the table there are some random letters in different colours along with wooden sighs, she reaches over and picks up the green 'A'.
"Oh careful." Clarke runs over to Lexa. "Those are still a little wet."
Lexa places the 'A' back on the table pulling her hand back to see it covered in bright green paint, Lexa looks apologetically up at Clarke.
"I am sorry." Clarke lets out a chuckle.
"It's okay, just be careful what you touch around here."
"I will be more careful." Lexa says determent and Clarke smiles at her as she tries to get Lexa's hand as clean as it is going to get.
"Here the books are safe." Clarke motions to the books on the edge of the table.
Clarke goes back to work and Lexa deliberates for little bit before picking up one of the books. She pages through it looking at the colourful drawings who has now come to life on the walls around her.
"My dad use to read them to me when I was little." Clarke says not looking away from where she is working. "I loved to look at the pictures while my dad read the story in funny voices. My favourite one is The Lorax, but the twins love The Cat in the Hat." Clarke stops painting and looks over at Lexa wishfully. "I wonder what your favourite childhood book was."
Lexa stops paging to look over at Clarke. She self starts to wonder if her younger self in this life was read stories too. Did she even have parents to read stories to her? She looks back down at the colourful page in front of her, there wasn't much time for telling stories in Polis. The stories she did hear where mostly told for learning purpose. There was no colourful drawing to make children smile.
Lexa continues to page through the books while talking to Clarke about random things while Clarke works. Lexa doesn't know how long they have been there when she hears Clarke groaning as she stands up from her crouching potion and stretches out her muscles. She is guessing it's been an hour or two judging by the progress Clarke made.
"Hey, would you like something to drink I have a couple of sodas in my bag?"
Lexa gathers that soda must be some form of drink and nods. She watches as Clarke digs around her bag and smiles victoriously when she finds the items she is looking for. She walks over to Lexa placing them on the table in front of her.
"A can of soda for the lady."
Lexa looks at the can not really sure what to make of the contraption, but luckily she doesn't have to wonder for too long because with a flick of Clarke's wrist and it clicks open. Lexa is startled at the sudden sound but thankfully Clarke didn't notice.
Clarke places the can back on the table before opening her own. Lexa watches as Clarke moves it to her mouth and drinking from then can letting out an appreciative sound.
Lexa takes a hold of her can bringing it closer to her. She can hear a strange fizzing sound coming from inside the can. She examines it carefully still remembering what happened the last time a Sky person offered her an unknown drink. But she knows she can trust Clarke and she wouldn't try and poison her.
After some more hesitation she moves the can to her mouth pouring some of the liquid out of the small opening and into her mouth. She instantly starts coughing spraying some of the liquid everywhere. Clarke is at her side immediately patting her back.
"Are you okay?" Clarke asks concerned.
Lexa can still feel the strange bubbles on her tongue and going down her throat, some of the liquid even made it up to her nose making it burn. The coughing slowly starts to subside as Clarke start to rub comforting circles on Lexa's back.
"I'm sorry maybe soda wasn't the best call. Can I get you some water or anything else?"
Lexa wants to ask for water but seeing the guilty look on the blonde's face she finds herself shaking her head not wanting her to feel bad.
"Are you sure?" Clarke asks hesitantly.
"Yes, the soda is good."
To proof her point Lexa takes a hold of the can again this time more prepared and doesn't choke when she feels the bubbles fizzing on her tongue and is able to swallow it incident free. She is surprised to find that it actually taste rather sweet.
The doors swing open and Raven's stomping into the room. She looks between Clarke and Lexa seeing the paint and brushes scattered around the room and Lexa's half green hand.
"So this is where you kidnapped my patient to? Sketch please tells me you didn't bring her up here as free labour?"
Clarke rolls her eyes at her best friend as she takes a seat next to Lexa.
"Relax Raven Lexa is just here to keep me company while I work."
"What my company not good enough for you anymore?" Raven pretends to be offended as she places her hand over her heart.
"You have your own work to do, which you clearly are not." Clarke gives her a raised eyebrow as she watches Raven fall down on one of the plastic covered chairs.
"Your mother got me doing scut." Raven pretends to gag.
"So being the good scut monkey that you are you bailed?"
"No, I'm on my tea break." Clarke just shakes her head.
"You hate tea."
Raven leans forward in her chair before slapping Clarke against her forehead.
"Ow! Raven what the hell!" Clarke yells at her idiot friend, bringing her hand up to her forehead she feels a piece of paper stuck to it, pulling it of seeing a bunch of numbers written on it. "What is it?"
"Oh just that cute nurse's number." Clarke looks at her shocked.
"You finally asked?" Raven just smirks at her as Clarke hands her back the paper.
"I still got it." Raven says smugly.
"You sure do Casanova." Clark says sarcastically.
Raven turns her attention to Lexa who has been quietly sipping her soda while looking at the bantering between the two friends.
"Hey Forgetful Lexie I hear you had a visit from the po-po today." Raven says twirling a clean paintbrush between her fingers. Lexa frowns not understanding.
"She is talking about the police men from earlier." Clarke explains seeing the confused look on Lexa's face.
"They are going to see if they can find out who I am." Lexa says not sounding very optimistic about it.
"Hey I have an idea, why don't we make a bunch of flyers with your picture on it that says 'Amnesiac Found' and hand it out to people. We can even offer a reward for any information people can provide."
"Raven! She is not a lost dog!" Clarke chides her friend, Raven just shrugs before jumping to a new discussion of the unfair treatment of interns as scut monkeys.
Not long after that Clarke decides to call it a day, Raven helps Clarke pack away her paints while Clarke washes the paintbrushes. When they are finished they make their way back down to Lexa's room. The two friends are talking and laughing until they round the corner seeing Abby waiting for them outside Lexa's room with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face.
"Uh-oh." Lexa hears Raven whisper.
Their pace slows down until they come to a stop in front of Abby.
"Hi mom!" Clarke greets Abby overly cheerful but Abby's hard gaze just flickers between the three girls.
"Where have you been?" Abby asks, Clarke and Raven does everything they can to avoid eye contact with the angry Dr Griffin.
"Clarke did it." Raven blurts out.
"Geez why to have my back Reyes." Clarke huffs annoyed.
"And would someone like to explain why my patient is turning green?" Abby motions to Lexa's hand that still has green paint splatters on it but nobody answers.
"Lexa?"
Lexa looks up to see Abby looking at her expectantly.
"I wanted to see what it is Clarke does here at the hospital." Lexa starts. "So I asked Clarke if she would show me."
"You are saying this was your idea?" Abby asks unconvinced as Clarke fidgets nervously with the handles of the wheelchair.
"Yes."
"I find that very hard to believe." Abby says looking at her daughter who gives her a guilty smile. "And Dr Reyes I believe I gave you work that needed to be done?"
"Yes, and now that my break is over I will get right on that." Raven turns and walks away as fast as she can wanting to get away from her angry boss.
Abby watches the girl practically runaway before she takes the wheelchair and pushes Lexa into her room with Clarke trailing behind.
"Clarke care to explain why you took my injured patient on a joyride?" Abby asks as she helps Lexa get comfortable in the bed. Lexa had enjoyed her time she spent with Clarke but sitting up the whole time was starting to get uncomfortable and to hurt.
" I'm sorry I know I shouldn't have just taken her out of her room without your permission, I just figured she has been cooped up in this room and a little change of scenery would do her good."
"She had surgery 3 days ago, she is suppose to be resting." Abby says turning to her daughter who is leaning against the doorframe.
"I know and I really am sorry. I promise I will ask you next time."
"Thank you." Abby gives her a smile telling her all is forgiven and Clarke gives her own small one back in return.
"I think I'm going to head home I have an assignment that I need to finish." Clarke says readjusting the strap of her bag hanging from her shoulder.
"Okay honey, will we still see you and Raven for dinner tonight?"
"Its Raven we are talking about here she never turns down food." Clarke and Abby chuckles as Abby agrees with a shake of her head. "Bye Lexa, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodbye Clarke."
Clarke gives her a shy smile and a little wave before she turns around and leaves.
"I hope those two didn't get you into any trouble?" Abby asks once they are alone.
"No." Lexa shakes her head.
"You were worried about that I might think you're a bad influence on Clarke but I think it should be the other way around."
"Clarke is a wonderful person." Lexa says with a faraway look.
"You sound like you have known her a lot longer than just a few days."
Lexa looks back at Abby thinking about what she just said. Lexa may only know this Clarke a few days but she can already tell a lot about her. She is an amazing artist but not the cleanest one since she always had paint and charcoal covering her hands. She is a great big sister, even when she has a lot of work she still makes time to watch her little brother and sister. Clarke is smart and funny, she also loves pudding cups and her favourite childhood book is The Lorax. And she has a smile that can brighten the darkest room, but Lexa already knew that.
"I think she reminds me of someone I once knew." She finally says.
Abby looks at her with wide eyes.
"Oh no I don't think the world can handle two Clarke Griffins." That makes Lexa smile, Abby pats her leg affectionately. "No more little fieldtrips today." Lexa nods.
Abby smiles sweetly at Lexa before leaving as well.
Since the freedom Abby has given her yesterday Lexa has come to find the bathroom a rather magical place. After a few relaxing moments she slowly makes her way over to the bathroom. Using her new found knowledge she cleans up the last remained green paint on her hand.
Once she is clean Lexa walks back out into her room, when she opens the door she is surprised to see a man standing next to her bed waiting for her. The man looks up at her and she realises that the doctor is the one Clarke calls Nose-Hair Wallace.
He has a large white bandage over his nose but it doesn't do anything to distract from the cold look in his eyes. He looks her up and down, Lexa keeps eye contact and raises her chin challengingly.
"Admiring your handy work?" He asks pointing to his nose.
"It was an accident." She replies calmly.
"Yes, yes of course." He says sarcastically as he starts to walk around the bed.
Lexa's body is on high alert ready to fight back at any second but her face remains stoic.
"You were 'scared and confused' that's the story they are going with right?" He stops a few feet away crossing his arms over his chest.
Lexa slightly tilts her head studying the man, she has to force herself not to smirk. She has met many men like him during her time as Commander, she knows that look in his eyes.
"You are trying to intimidate me." It wasn't a question.
"You're the one who assaulted a doctor. Now why would you think I would try and intimidate you?" There is a glint in his eyes that tells her all she needs to know about his true intentions.
"Because me, a little girl made you look weak in front of your people. People you like to believe that you hold power over."
He lets out a low merciless chuckle as he takes a step forward into her personal space. He's cold eyes scan over her face sizing her up. Lexa doesn't back down puffing out her chest and squaring her shoulders.
"I do not get intimidated by men who hide behind power that are not theirs." Her voice is low and threatening.
He leans closer to her with a snarl on his face.
"Listen you little-"
"I come bearing gifts! I thought-" They are interrupted by the nurse Maya walking into the room with a try of food. "Oh Dr Wallace I'm sorry I didn't know you were in here." She stops dead in her tracks when she sees the doctor standing so close to the patient.
"That's okay Maya I was just leaving." He gives Lexa a once over before leaving.
Once they are alone Lexa's body almost gives out from under her luckily Maya's quickly at her side to steady her.
"I think you had enough excitement for one day." Maya helps her back over into the bed. "Your body is still very weak have to take it slow."
Lexa nods as she rests back against the pillows feeling exhausted.
"Are you okay do you need me to page Dr Griffin?" Maya asks looking at her concerned.
"No thank you Maya, I am just a little tired."
"Then I will leave you to get some rest." She walks to the table where she placed the food. "I will leave this here if you get hungry."
"Thank you." Lexa gives her the best grateful look she can.
Maya gives her a smile and turns to leave but quickly spins back around.
"Oh I almost forgot." She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a pudding cup. "Clarke asked me to sneak you an extra pudding cup."
Just like that Lexa finds herself smiling again.