A/N: I would just like to say thank you to everyone for your support and patience during this hard time. These last few months have been really rough and your sweet reviews and PM's have meant so much to me. Some of you got really nervous that I abandoned you, but no worries guys I'm here till the end (might just take some time to get there). Now on with the next chapter, Lexa finally gets to explore her new world a little.
Chapter 6
The soft drumming of rain falling against the window is what wakes Lexa in the early morning hours. Before even opening her eyes she can already tell that it is still dark out. After a few moments she slowly blinks open her eyes to find herself in a strange room. She is ready to bolt out of bed when her eyes lands on the small glowing rabbit against the wall and she instantly remembers where she is.
With a tired sigh she snuggles deeper into the comfortable bed perfectly okay with getting a few more hours of sleep. Listening to the rain outside she tries to let it lull her back to sleep. But the small water drops are doing the exact opposite as she becomes more and more aware of her full bladder. A groan cuts through the quiet room as she finally gives up on the idea of sleeping past sunrise for the first time in too long a time and she reluctantly climbs out of her comfortable bed.
Standing up she slowly lifts her arms up above her head as she stretches her sore muscles forgetting about her resent injuries as she winches from the pain radiating of her bruised side and the uncomfortable pulling sensation from her abdomen.
Padding across the room in her fluffy socks she opens the door and almost stumbles over the small body right in front of her door.
"Barnard?"
The dog only tilts his head to look at her for a few moments not planning on moving anytime soon. Lexa watches him curiously, she has come to realise that he is a strange breed of fecha that her people uses mostly for hunting and protection. But she can't really imagine Bernie bringing down a injured trilipa or keeping out enemies – well maybe if they trip over him.
She carefully steps over the dog before quickly making her way to the bathroom. When she is finished she finds Bernie waiting for her outside the door again.
"Do you intent to follow me the entire time?" He just stares up at her with his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth.
"Fine, if you insist." She can heat his little feet scratching against the floor as he follows her around.
Knowing that sleep is no longer an option Lexa makes her way quietly to the living room not to wake the sleeping women. Lexa casts a curious look to the kitchen as she passes it, she knows Raven and Clarke have been very kind by letting her stay at their home and it would be disrespectful to go around prying into their things. Then again if she is going to stay in this strange place is would be good to get familiar with its technology.
Making up her mind she heads into the kitchen, at first she is very careful to touch any of the strange and shiny things but then she stops in front of the large cold box. On the door there are all the different papers Clarke pointed out to her earlier, each having one of their names written on it to indicate whose it was and the last piece of paper was just a list of names with random numbers next to them. Lexa frowns at the numbers before shaking her head.
Taking hold of the handle she opens the large metal door and Lexa shivers at the cold air from inside. Squinting at the bright light illuminating the things inside she looks around to see if she can find anything that looks familiar. There are some fruits and vegetables she recognises and what she believes to be perfectly round thin slices of some sort of meat. But beyond that everything else is completely unknown to her.
Lexa is about to close the door again when she sees it – a lone pudding cup on the bottom shelf. Lexa has only ever had two but she is sure it's the best thing she has ever tasted in this life and the other. Just as her fingertips touches the cup she pulls her hand back like she's been burned and slamming the door closed to block out the tantalising treat.
Turning away from the cold box she focuses her attention on the counter. She glides her hand across the cold black surface until she comes to a wooden board and a black box next to it with handles sticking out of the top. Taking a hold of one of the handles and in one swift movement pulls it out to reveal a sharp blade. She closely examines the blade before running her thumb across the edge making it leave a small trail of blood behind. Satisfied with the sharpness of the blade Lexa stabs it into the wooden board before continuing her journey along the counter.
Next Lexa finds a silver box with two openings on the top. Frowning at the strange box she looks it over spotting a small lever on the side. Without thinking about it she presses the lever down. A red glow comes from the inside making Lexa lean over it trying to get a better look at the light inside and she can feel some heat coming out of the openings. The red light is almost hypnotising and Lexa has a strange urge to touch it. Slowly she brings her hand closer to the box as she reaches out to –
POP!
Lexa jumps back from the loud noise, she can feel her heart racing as she stares at the steal box in the dark now that red light is no longer burning and her hand having dropped back down to her side. Lexa lets out a shuddering breath before composing herself again. With one last look at the steal box Lexa decides to leave the kitchen for the safety of the living room and one thought plaguing her mind – Why does everything in this world have to be so loud?
Once in the living room she takes a moment just to look out the large windows as she sits down on the couch with Bernie. It's still dark out but outside the world is already awake with what looks like the light of thousands of candles burning bright. Lexa traces the rain drops running down the glass making intricate patterns as she imagines the lives of the people moving around outside.
Lexa is so deep in thought that she doesn't hear feet shuffling across the floor until a body falls down on the opposite of the couch. She can't help the tug she feels in her heart at the sight of Clarke wrapped in a large blanket, her blonde hair sticking up every which way and her face scrunching together as she lets out a yawn.
"Why are you not asleep?" Clarke asks glaring at Lexa like she somehow committed a horrible crime.
"I have always been an early raiser." Lexa simply says.
"Ugh, I should have known you were a morning person."
"You are not?"
"I'm more the wake up at noon kind of person." Clarke snuggles deeper into the couch as she pulls the blanket up to her chin getting comfortable.
"You should go back to bed." Lexa can see Clarke fighting to keep her eyes open.
"I can't go to sleep knowing your sitting all alone out here like a lost little puppy."
"Clarke I will be fine. Besides I have Barnard to keep me company."
Clarke raises an eyebrow at her clearly not impressed.
"Being the great conversationalist that he is, I'm still not leaving."
Lexa just shakes her head at the stubborn blonde. Not bothering to argue with Clarke any further the room falls quiet as the only sounds that can be heard is Bernie's snores and the continues tick-tick of the round devise against the wall. Lexa's eyes drift back to the window as she absentmindedly plays with the pendant handing around her neck.
She startles slightly when she feels something poking at her thigh, looking over at the other occupant on the couch she finds Clarke fast asleep and her cold feet being pushed underneath Lexa seeking out her warmth. Lexa tries really hard not to be a creep staring at the sleeping beauty but it's impossible not to, the way her nose twitched in her sleep or how her dark lashes flutter while she dreams.
Before she knows it the sun is slowly starting to make its appearance, the light bouncing off of the tall buildings as more and more people start to wake outside. A loud thud followed by muttered cursing is heard from the other end of the hall, not long after that Raven stomps her way into the living room as her ever graceful self.
"Morning." Raven says scratching her head messing up her hair even more than it already was.
"Morning." Lexa greets her trying to hide her amusement.
Bernie is instantly awake and jumps off of the couch and runs up to her. Clarke lets out an annoyed huff before pulling her blanket over her head.
Raven motions over her shoulder to the kitchen silently asking Lexa to follow her before they wake the blonde. Lexa takes a seat at the counter while Raven goes about feeding Bernie who keeps excitedly weaving through her legs. Raven places his bowl on the floor that he happily digs into straight away before turning to Lexa. Raven opens her mouth to start talking but stops when she sees the knife imbedded in the wooden board. Raven looks between the knife and Lexa before settling on Lexa.
"Am I going to have to start locking my room door at night?" Raven asks as she tries to pull the knife out of the wooden board but it seems that it's wedged in pretty good.
"If you are feeling unsafe it would be advisable." Lexa says clearly not understanding the reason behind the question.
Raven just shakes her head amused before she stumbles a step back having finally freed the knife. After placing it back in its place she starts to open a close a few cupboard doors and pulls out some colourful boxes.
"I don't know about you but I'm starving. I know I have many awesome skills but sadly cooking isn't one of them, but I can make a mean bowl of cereal." Raven places the boxes in front of Lexa on the counter.
"You have a choice between Lucky Charms, Froot Loops and Cheerios. These are all from my personal collection, word of advice don't eat Clarke's cereal it's all healthy and disgusting."
Lexa looks between the different boxes not really knowing what she should be looking at, she ends up pointing at the one with the bird on it. Raven nods her approval before she gathers a bowl and places it on the counter. She opens the box and Lexa watches as she pours some of the colourful rings into the bowl.
Raven opens the cold box looking for something inside. Lexa takes her opportunity that Raven is distracted to shift a little in her seat in hopes to relieve some of the pain in her side.
"How are you feeling today, any pain?" Apparently she wasn't subtle enough for the doctor's watchful eyes.
"A little."
Raven pours some white liquid into the bowl with the rings, most likely milk Lexa concludes. Next to it Raven places a glass of water with Lexa's medication.
"There you go a breakfast of champions, Froot Loops with a side of painkillers." Raven says with a smile handing her a spoon.
Raven grabs one of the other boxes as she hops onto the counter opposite Lexa sticking her hand straight into the box and starts to eat.
Lexa looks down at the bowl in front of her, still a little sceptical of this new place's food. Lexa dips her spoon into the bowl and takes a bite of milk and some of the coloured rings. They are crunchy and surprisingly sweet.
Lexa watches as Raven continue to eat out of the box as her long tanned legs swing back and forth. She is still dressed in her sleepwear that consists of a pair of very short pants and a black shirt with a picture of a woman wearing a large red hat with horns and above it in red is the words 'In This Moment'.
"I totally called it on you being a metal head." Lexa looks confused at Raven who is grinning at her knowingly. "The way you're staring at my shirt is a dead giveaway."
"The way I am looking at your shirt means I am a metal head?" Lexa honestly has no idea what the young doctor is talking about.
"Yeah, amnesia or not you can never forget the awesomeness that is In This Moment." Raven points down at the picture on her shirt.
They both looks to see a still half asleep Clarke stumbling into the kitchen, making her way straight to where the mugs are.
"Don't mind her she is just obsessed with the band." Clarke says pouring some brown liquid into her mug along with some milk.
"Of course I'm obsessed with them, their music is amazing!" Raven defends.
"Don't you mean their hot lead singer is amazing?" Clarke teases her as she leans against the counter to observe her friend and Lexa.
"What can I say Maria Brink is a goddess." Raven lets out a dreamy sigh. "One day I'm going to marry that woman and then she is going to scream my babies to sleep."
Clarke lets out a snort trying to hide her smile behind her mug. Raven just flicks a piece of cereal at her that she easily dodges.
"I'm glad to see you are at least feeding our guest even if it's pure sugar." Clarke says motioning to a silent Lexa who is eating her cereal and watching the two friends.
"She is already in pain, I'm not going to punish her with you disgusting poop cereal."
"I told you to stop calling it that. Fiber is important for a healthy diet you're a doctor Raven you should know this."
"When I'm eating in the morning the last thing I need is a cereal box telling me I'm an inadequate human being because I don't shit according to a schedule." Raven emphasises her point by eat another handful of her cereal.
"What is shit?" Clarke and Raven's eyes snap to Lexa, Raven bursts out laughing.
"And with that this conversation is over." Clarke says pushing herself away from the counter and slapping Raven on her arm as she passes her. "So Lexa how are you feeling, thing you will still be up for our little trip today?"
Lexa nods while eating another spoonful of cereal.
"What's happening today?" Curious Raven asks jumping off of the counter.
"I thought maybe we can take Lexa clothes shopping, get her a few things of her own." Clarke explains and Raven nods placing the boxes back in the cupboard.
"That sounds like a good, I have the graveyard shift today so I can drive us."
After breakfast all three of them start to prepare for their day out, Raven being the first to finish takes Bernie out for his walk now that the rain has thankfully stopped. Lexa is once again dressed in Clarke's borrowed clothes as she waits with Clarke for Raven to return. Clarke is holding a purple sock in one hand and a green one in the other hand. Loud music starts to play from Clarke's pocket, she pulls out a small screen, that Lexa now knows is called a phone, and taps it before she places it on the table so she can continue to put on her shoes.
"Hi mom."
"Morning honey, how are you this morning?" Abby's voice comes from the device.
"I'm good, and now that that's out of the way we can get to why you really called. Yes, Lexa is still alive." Clarke says winking at Lexa who gives her a small smile.
"Cant I call just to check in on my daughter without an agenda?"
"Mom," Clarke says knowingly.
"Okay fine, so I just wanted make sure she had a good first night."
"Ask away your on speaker."
"Clarke how many times do I have to tell you to warn people when you put them on speaker phone?" Clarke just rolls her eyes as she pulls her shoe on. "So Lexa how was your night, did you get enough sleep?"
"Yes, thank you Dr Griffin Clarke's glowing rabbit helped." Lexa says loud enough for Abby to hear.
"I'm kind of scared to ask."
"She is talking about my old night light mom."
"Oh okay then that is good. Are you girls going to have a relaxing day at home?"
"Actually we are taking Lexa to get her some new clothes." Clarke says excited.
"Clarke remember she is still healing and –"
"To take it easy I know mom, don't worry."
"What can I say I'm a worrier."
"And we love you for it."
There is a loud bang on Abby's side followed by yelling.
"Jake your children are killing each other again." Abby yells. "Why are they always mine when they misbehave?" A male voice whines and Lexa assumes its Clarke's father.
"Mom I keep telling you, you should have stopped after you had your one perfect child." Clarke says gesturing to herself.
"Blame tequila."
"Mom!" Lexa is not sure what tequila is but Abby is laughing so it must be something fun.
"I have to go Clarke, take care and don't hesitate to call if you need me."
"I will mom I promise, now go before the twins make dad cry again."
"Love you honey, bye Lexa."
"Bye mom."
"Goodbye Dr Griffin."
Clarke taps the screen again before looking at Lexa with a smile.
"You know this means she's adopted you as one of her own now, so you're stuck with her forever."
Lexa can't fight the smile that starts to tug at the corners of her mouth, she can think of a lot of worse things than being seen as part of the Griffin family.
Before Lexa can answer her the front door swings open as Raven and Bernie step back inside.
"Okay forgetful Lexie lets go get you some clothes." Raven says holding a jacket out for Lexa to put on.
One thing Lexa realise right away is that all cars are not the same. Raven's car is very different then Abby's, where Abby's car was large and spacious and the seat were soft, Raven's not so much. Lexa is sitting between Raven and Clarke on the long lumpy seat and something keeps poking her in her behind.
Every now and then the car would start making this strange noise that even Lexa whit her limited knowledge on the subject knew it shouldn't be making. But for some reason she doesn't understand she can tell that Raven loves this old beat up car.
Thankfully the drive wasn't too long and they were soon pulling in next to other cars all standing in rows around the large open space. Clarke jumps out of the car before offering her hand to Lexa to help her out, Clarke was standing closer then Lexa expected and once she was safely outside they were a little closer than either of them anticipated. Lexa forces her eyes away from the clear blue ones in front of her looking down at their hands that are still clasped together. Clarke follows her gaze and instantly drops her hand and places her hands in her jacket's pockets as she gives Lexa a shy smile before quickly following Raven who is already make her way towards the large building.
They follow the people going in and out of the large sliding doors, the same kind that was at the hospital but once inside it looked nothing like the hospital. It is huge and people are walking fast all around them and many of them are carrying different coloured bags, there is large signs and bright lights everywhere.
Lexa absentmindedly follows Raven and Clarke as she looks around amazed. It's not until they stop that Lexa looks where they are going and freezes. She watches as the people in front of them climb onto metal stairs that starts to move them higher.
Raven and Clarke moves forward to get on but stops when they realise Lexa isn't following them anymore.
"Lexa are you okay?" Clarke steps closer to her concerned.
"The stairs are moving."
"Oh yes, it's called an escalator."
"Stairs are not suppose to move." Lexa says finally taking her eyes off of the contraption to look at Clarke worried.
"Lex its okay, they are safe I promise." Clarke tries to reassure her.
"What's the hold up, let's move." A guy yells from somewhere behind them making a furious Raven spin around.
"Hey nutsack, can't you see she is scared? So how about you be a descend human being for like two seconds?" Raven challenges the guy, he just lifts his hands in surrender as he takes a step back.
Clarke places her hand on Lexa's upper arm to bring her attention back to her.
"You're going to be fine, me and Raven are going to be with you the whole time. We are not going to let anything happen to you."
Lexa nods, she knows she can trust them but she is still not sure about this strange thing.
"You know what how about I go first?" Raven asks.
Lexa watches as Raven quickly steps onto the moving steps and she is instantly being carried upward, she turns around giving Lexa a big smile. Lexa walks closer until she is right in front of steps and she sees a new step appears and travels up only for another to appear in its place.
"Okay now when ever you're ready you just step on." Clarke says from next to her.
With a deep breath she takes a hesitant step, when her foot touches the metal her hands instinctively grabs onto the black railing and quickly brings her other foot up as well. She can feel her body tilt forwards as it moves and on instinct starts to lean backwards but Clarke's hand on her back holds her up right to keep her from falling backwards. Looking over her shoulder Clarke just gives her a reassuring smile not removing her hand from her back.
"When we get to the top you are just going to step off."
Slowly climbing to the top Lexa sees the steps starting to disappear underneath a large metal floor. Lexa feels her hand grip on to the railing tighter but Clarke's reassuring hand on her back helps her to relax.
"And step off."
Lexa does as Clarke says stepping onto the metal platform where Raven is waiting for them.
"You did great Lexa!" Raven says excited giving her a playful punch to her shoulder and Lexa gives her a small smile feeling uncomfortable under all the attention. "Now the fun can begin."
They go into a large open room filled with clothes of all different colours, sizes and styles. This is nothing like the market stalls she use to buy clothes from, most of them where patched up from years of wear and use with what little material they could find.
"There are a lot clothes." Lexa says making Clarke chuckle.
"It can be a little overwhelming, how about we start by just walking around and maybe you'll see something you like?" Lexa nods and they start to wonder through the rows of clothes.
There was a lot to pick from and Lexa wasn't really sure what she is looking for. Thankfully it appears that Raven and Clarke are rather enjoyed themselves as they start to discuss the different clothes and what they liked and didn't.
In no time they had arms full of clothing they wanted Lexa to try on. They end up in a section that sells all different kinds of undergarments and Lexa looks fascinated at the small, very small, pieces of clothing.
"Okay I think we have a good selection for you to try on." Clarke says handing the clothes they picked over to Lexa before looking around. "Where's Raven?"
Raven pops out from behind one of the stands holding a bright green undergarment against her chest.
"For the prices they are asking I am going to have to wear it on the outside of my clothes with the price tag still on."
Clarke just shakes her head before pulling Lexa and Raven to the back where there are little rooms for Lexa to try on the clothes. Lexa steps into the room and finds there is a large mirror on the one side.
She is surprised that she rather likes some of clothes and they are really comfortable as well. She tries on tight pants, short pants, shirts of all colours and sizes. Clarke and Raven are having great time dressing her up, and they demand to see what she looks like in each piece she tries on.
Lexa had even picked out a few things for herself, most of them being similar to what she used to wear back in Polis. The only thing that really caught her eye was a beautiful black leather jacket, she had seen a few back in markets but she had more important things to worry back then, those were torn and patched but this one was shiny and perfect.
She finally finished trying on the last of the clothes and was in the middle of putting on her borrowed clothes when there is a knock on the door. She opens the door just a sliver to reveal Raven on the other side with a big smile.
"Raven?"
"I got one more thing for you to try on." Raven thrusts the black material into the room before Lexa can start to protest.
Lexa takes it before closing the door again, she can hear Raven still hovering outside as she examines the black material.
"Raven I am not sure about this one."
"Come on Lexa every girl needs a little black dress that makes them look super hot."
"I do not-"
"Just try it on!"
Lexa lets out an annoyed huff before she reluctantly tries it on. She looks at herself in the mirror turning from side to side to get a better look at the tight black dress.
"Lexa are you okay in there?" Clarke asks when she takes longer then usual.
"It is rather short."
"Come out so we can see!" Raven demands.
Lexa knows if she doesn't Raven will just come in herself,f so she slowly opens the door and steps out. Both Raven and Clarke are just looking at her with wide eyes not saying anything. Lexa pulls on the hem of the dress self consciously.
"Are you sure people wear this in public it doesn't seem to cover much." Lexa asks when the silence carries on.
Raven is the first one to snap out of it and elbows Clarke in the side who still hasn't taken her eyes off of Lexa.
"Hey Clarke I can hear your ovaries applauding." That makes her snap out of her haze and slaps Raven upside the head before making her way closer to Lexa who is doing her best to cover herself with her arms.
"Lexa you look amazing."
"Really?" Lexa asks hopefully dropping her arms from in front of her body.
"You look hot as f-"
"Raven!"
"We are totally getting that dress."
The dress along with the other selected clothes is paid for, and Lexa promises herself that one day she will pay them back once she figured out how. Lexa is ready to go back home, her body is hurting and she is completely exhausted but once they walk out of the store Raven and Clarke turn in the opposite direction Lexa knows they need to go to get to the car. Lexa follows them until they come to a large space with people sitting at tables eating.
"Me and Raven have this tradition where we always get ice cream after shopping." Clarke explains. "How about you and Rae grab us a table and I'll get us some ice cream."
Lexa and Raven waits with the bags at their selected table as Clarke runs off. When she returns she is holding three little cups, Clarke gives one to Raven before placing one in front of Lexa. Lexa lifts it to see white goo inside with a little pink spoon.
"I didn't know what flavour you would like so I thought I would play it save with vanilla." Clarke explains.
Lexa watches as Raven and Clarke happily eat their treats so she decides to follow suit and takes a big spoonful of the white goo.
"Just be careful its really col-" But it's too late as Lexa already placed the spoon in her mouth.
Her hands instantly shoots up to either side of her head and her face scrunches up at the intense sharp pain right between her eyebrows. After a few seconds the pain fades away, she opens her eyes to find Clarke and Raven both looking at her with concern.
"Holy brain freeze Batman." Raven whispers.
"Lexa are you alright?"
"How do you eat that?" Lexa pushes the cup away from her.
"You're suppose to take small bites." Clarke says between giggles. "Here try this."
Clarke takes a much smaller amount onto Lexa's spoon and lifting it up in front of her lips. Lexa looks at it not really trusting it but with Clarke's encouragement she takes another taste. Luckily this time its pain free, only a slight cold feeling on her tongue but it's surprisingly nice.
"Better?" Clarke asks and Lexa nods taking the spoon from Clarke to continue eating.
Lexa ends up enjoying the ice cream and even got to try some of Clarke and Raven's. Clarke's phone beeps and she just shakes her head explaining its her mother checking in on them.
"Hey, why don't we send Dr G a picture of Lexa's first ice cream experience?" Raven say making Clarke grin excitedly.
Next moment Clarke and Raven are on either side of Lexa with Clarke holding the phone out in front of them like a mirror they can see themselves in.
"Smile." Lexa does as Clarke says and there is a bright light on the screen before they are moving away again.
"There now maybe she will stop worrying." Clarke says looking up from the screen to see Lexa frowning and touching her upper lip pulling her hand away to reveal the white smudge on her fingers, she looks at Clarke accusingly for not telling her.
"Sorry but you looked just too cute with your ice cream-stash." Clarke explains handing Lexa a napkin to clean her mouth with.
After ice cream Lexa was grateful to learn they will be heading back home. The car barely started to move when Lexa's eyes fell shut.
"Lex, hey Lex wake up." A sweet voice wakes her. Opening her eyes she finds herself with her head on Clarke's shoulder and the car no longer moving. "Come on let's get you up to bed."
With some help from Clarke they make their way inside. Lexa starts to head to her room but is stopped by Clarke.
"Hold on, medication first then nap time."
Lexa quickly takes her medication just wanting to get to bed. Once she is finished Clarke walks with her carrying the bags of clothes to Lexa's room. Clarke walks into the room just in time to see Lexa snuggling down into the bed with her eyes already closed.
"Okay, we can unpack your new clothes after you nap." Clarke says amused.
Clarke places the bags on the desk making the frame resting there topple over, the clank makes Lexa's eyes opens and sees Clarke quickly righting the frame. It's a picture of Clarke, Raven and another brunette hugging each other and smiling happily. Lexa feels a weird feeling settling in her stomach.
"Clarke."
"Yes Lexa." The blonde turns around to look at her.
"I do not think anyone is looking for me."
Clarke sits down on the edge of the bed.
"Whether or not that is true, which I highly doubt it's is. You have people now, me, Raven, my mom hell even Bernie. But either way I promise you Lexa we will find out who you are even if I have to personally go around pasting your face on milk cartons."
"What if there is no one to find?" It comes out as barely a whisper.
"Of course there is, it not like you just fell out of the sky."
"You did." Lexa says without thinking, luckily Clarke doesn't take her seriously and only chuckles.
"If your last memory is that horrible pick up line we have a lot more work cut out for us then we realised." Lexa just sleepy frowns up at her. "Go to sleep Casanova." Clarke says softly rubbing Lexa's arm making her easily drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Translation:
Fecha - Dog
Trilipa – Deer