"So, were you just expecting me to keep my mouth shut and help you kill yourself?" Raven spat.

Lexa startled. She had not been expecting that greeting when she walked into Raven's hut. Carefully closing the door, she cautiously looked at the furious mechanic. "How'd you know?"

Raven stalked forward and poked Lexa in the chest. "Oh, I don't know, maybe the fact you kept the fact we'd need a human sacrifice quiet till we were in front of Heda. Or the fact you're a moron and would do something this idiotic."

"I'm the best option." Lexa said calmly. "You had to have known it would require a human sacrifice."

Raven gave her a glare before turning on her heel and marching over to her work bench. "I guessed, I just assumed a prisoner, or someone who wasn't fucking you."

Lexa winced but gingerly sat down on the opposite end of the bench. "This will protect all of you. Plus, I have the best chance of surviving this out of all of us."

"That's not true. I have a better shot. If they've got tech, I'm much more likely to be able to take advantage of it." Raven pointed out.

"Sure, you could deal with the tech but you don't have training to deal with guards. I'm highly trained in hand to hand combat. You could break out of a cell, but I doubt you'd do too great with any guards you came across." Lexa pointed out kindly.

"I don't like this." Raven conceded.

Lexa winced and considered what to say to that. She looked over at the wall. "I would do anything to keep you all safe. This… this is nothing."

"You're a moron."

"I'm aware." Lexa picked up what she recognized as the computer Raven had been working on to receive the beacon's signal. "How much power can you get into this thing?"

Raven pulled it out of her hands. "I can keep it charged with the batteries we've got for a day, maybe two. So, once you're in you won't have a lot of time before we won't have any option for getting ahold of you."

"You still have the radio from the dropship, right?" Lexa asked curiously.

"Of course, though nothing but static on any of the ark stations. If they're still alive up there, something burnt out their communication hub." She carefully began to wrapping wire around… Lexa wasn't sure what it was. "We've still got it though."

"What channel do I use if I get a hold of a radio inside the mountain?" Lexa asked.

Raven paused. "You have a plan for once you're inside?"

Lexa nodded. "It's not much of one. We don't know how long they'll keep me alive. However, if they keep the ones they capture alive for any period of time my best shot is to get a radio and try relay as much information as possible to you."

"And then?" Raven asked.

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. Anything I take in with me is going to have be hidden inside of me or else we run the risk of it being found."

"It won't be comfortable but I can probably send a couple things with you." Raven bit the inside of her cheek. "This is the stupidest thing I've ever been a part of."

"You rebuilt a condemned pod and then brought it down to a planet you thought was a death sentence without a pressure regulator. My plan is basically a guarantee in comparison." Lexa grinned at Raven.

"That's…" Raven snorted, "totally fair. Fine, to stupid suicidal plans with no chance for success. Maybe we can add another one that turns out surprisingly successful to that count."

Lexa raised her fist and nearly laughed when Raven bumped it with her own. "You know, I wish I had known you on the ark."

"I know, I'm fabulous, aren't I?" Raven flicked a lock of hair out of her face.

"You really are, though I probably would have had to arrest you."

Raven scoffed. "And lose my sweet ass as a friend? You wouldn't dare."

"You will help me with this though?" Lexa double checked.

"Of course, I will. I wouldn't be me if I didn't help make the impossible possible. Though next time, I want to know I'm helping with a suicide mission before you get me started working at it." Raven said, waving a screwdriver at her face.

"If I survive and there is a next time, you have my word." Lexa assured her.

-TLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLG-

Clarke sat in her throne and stared at the two people who she had summoned. Anya and Tristan were shooting sharp glares at each other but were remaining silent, clearly understanding that they were to wait. She waited till Lexa entered, the look on her face confirming what Clarke already knew, the second was determined to go through with this foolishness. Clarke sighed, it was a waste but she could understand the motivation. "I still don't agree with this decision, but the plan is a good one and I will not force someone to go when there is a willing volunteer."

"Heda?" Tristan asked, looking and sounding deeply confused.

Clarke spoke evenly, belaying her mixed emotions on the subject. "Second Lexa has volunteered for a mission to locate the entrance tunnels into the mountain."

Tristan scoffed. "That's impossible. The girl just wants favor for her people."

"What evidence do you have this time will be different?" Anya asked, frowning. Though she gave Lexa a speculative look.

"The mechanic I have gifted to your village Anya. She has a way that would allow us to see exactly where a prisoner is taken into the mountain. As well as a way to blind them to our actions. It would buy us time for Roan's army to arrive at the very least." Clarke stated.

Anya gave her a knowing look. "Yes, I'd heard the Boudalan detachment sent word they were delayed by a disease spreading through their ranks. They feared for the life of their prince. The delay in their arrival means Roan's forces will arrive here first."

"Indeed." Clarke brushed off the completely correct implication that that disease had been purposeful. Though she had to give it to Costia that it was masterfully done. The girl had barely been gone half a week before she'd returned and told her it was done. She had no doubt the troublesome prince would not be surviving his sick bed. "The arrival of a larger army from Azgeda would secure our position and make several options against the mountain feasible."

"How sure are you that this 'mechanic' can do as she's claimed?" Tristan asked, sounding interested finally in what was being said.

Anya spoke before she could, which Clarke found amusing. "Raven is an arrogant fool, but she is a talented one. If she makes the claim, I have no doubt she can do it."

"So, how's this going to work then?" Tristan asked. "I mean, getting her captured by the mountain will be a bit difficult what with the fact we just culled the ripa in the region."

Clarke wondered how someone that unimaginative had ended up as a ranked member of her army. Honestly, it would be just like him to march an entire force into a defended location not expecting a completely obvious trap because he couldn't think of any other option. "She's young enough that her wandering too close to the mountain could be mistaken for foolish arrogance, thinking it safe without the presence of ripa. Also, my Skai fallan have found the eyes of the mountain." She tipped her head to Lexa. "I assume ensuring you are spotted by the mountain will not be difficult?"

"No, it will not be difficult." Lexa said.

Tristan turned to look at the girl. "So, you think you can just sacrifice your life and buy favor?"

Her spine straightened in outrage that he would question one of her warriors. Lexa defended herself first though. "I believe that I am the most suitable candidate for the message. The mountain seems to use similar tools to those my old people use. The chances of being able to escape are higher for one of my people since we would be familiar with them. I'm the most trained out of my people in combat, meaning I have a greater chance of surviving if I manage to get out of my bonds. Of course, I will most likely die, but I have a greater chance of if not surviving at least sabotaging something than anyone else in the coalition."

"You're pretty confident, aren't you?" He turned, narrowing his eyes at her, the sneer clear in his voice.

Lexa's shoulders were rigid as she stood in her usual stance, feet shoulder length apart, hands clasped behind her back. "I'm secure in my evaluation."

"As am I." Clarke said intervening before she had to do something to Tristan. Perhaps it was time she took a look at his forces and encouraged a challenge from one of his men, discretely of course. "I summoned you two so that we can secure the most likely attempt at pulling this off."

Anya, spirits bless her, accepted the way things were easily. "So, what's the plan?"

Clarke settled in her throne. "A piece of old world tech will be inserted into Lexa's body. It will be what allows Raven to track her as she's taken into the mountain. Once we've tracked her I will expect you to work with Raven on her tools for blinding the mountain."

"Of course." Anya acquiesced easily. "Surely. we can do more than just send her in like that though? There must be something we can do to increase the chances of success. This mission is critical."

Lexa cleared her throat. "I was speaking with Raven. We believe if we bend a piece of wire into my mouth, it will be unlikely to found even if they strip me. It would give me a chance at picking a lock if necessary."

"You believe your competent in picking locks?" Anya asked curiously.

"Required training on for the guard." Lexa said with a nod. "If I manage to free myself, I can attempt to secure a radio. That way I would be able to pass on information to you from inside the mountain."

"Radio?" Clarke asked, frowning yet again. She was going to need to sit some of her new people down and have them explain the capabilities of the ark to her.

"It is a communication method used over great distances. Raven has one we managed to bring with us when we escaped from the ripa at the dropship. Basically, if I can find one, I can speak into it and you will hear my voice and be able to speak back to me. The mountain has cameras and guns. It isn't farfetched to imagine they would have a radio."

"And if they don't?" Clarke wondered.

Lexa swallowed. "Then, I'll do what I can to sabotage their building from the inside."

"You don't plan to attempt to escape at all, do you?" Anya asked looking resigned and impressed at the same time.

The girl didn't falter. "No. I can do more good inside the mountain. If I manage to escape, I will of course attempt it, but not so long as there is more I can do to cripple the mountain."

Clarke was not impressed. "You speak foolishness. What do you think will happen if they capture you again? They will know that we have knowledge that we should not about their technologies and any advantage the Skai fallen give us will be diminished. A one-person crusade that ruins any chance at surprise is a waste when instead you could bring us back much needed knowledge. If there is any chance to escape, you will take it and you will not risk your identity as one fallen from the sky for anything. Yes, use one of these radios if you can get one but do not allow the Mountain to see you using it. They think us primitives, you will not disabuse them of this notion."

For a moment, Lexa looked like she was going to protest but she subsided and simply nodded acknowledging the order.

"Well then, if we are trying to disguise our new knowledge of old world tech, we must make sure the tech placed under your skin isn't found. We'll need to disguise the entry point." Anya said, clearly moving onto the practical.

"Perhaps make it look like a war injury?" Tristan remarked.

"It will not have time to scar and the blade work will likely look too clean. A fresh clean wound may be suspicious." Clarke dismissed, trying to think of a solution. "What about if we hid the cut with a tattoo? A tattoo can hide a lot if done properly."

Anya gave a sound of assent. "It would need to be in black ink."

"What mark should it be? It'll need to be complicated enough to draw the eye away from the incision point." Tristan said looking thoughtful, it was a new look on him. "What about a knot of brotherhood? It's got enough interconnected lines that a casual glance would prevent them from looking too closely at the details."

Clarke tapped her fingers against the arm of her throne. "No, it should be a mark she may wear with pride when her soul is brought to the next life. Not a false one given for a disguise."

"She hasn't earned any." Anya spoke considerably. "The mark of the brave was inked to her collar bone already. What about a decorative mark? Some do take designs that hold no meaning outside of their beauty."

Clarke titled her head, considering Lexa. "Perhaps something that honors your former place in the sky. A wing of a bird would be properly complex and would easily hide the incision site."

"I would be honored to bear something of that nature." Lexa said cautiously.

"Good, then it will be done." Clarke sighed, she knew what her orders needed to be. "Tristan, take Lexa to Nyko and have her marked. A tattoo of that complexity will take time and it needs to be ready for her to leave at first light in the morning. While she's getting the mark, see to it that you impart anything you know that may be useful to her."

"Sha, Heda." Tristan bowed and then left with Lexa trailing behind him.

Once they were alone, Clarke turned her attention to Anya. "I need you to form a team of men, as many as Raven has the suits ready for. Large, physically strong warriors. We will need to prepare them for an attack on the mountain if necessary."

"You think this girl, Lexa will succeed?" Anya asked.

"I think that even if all she manages is to get caught we will have enough to be able to attack the mountain." Clarke considered her options. "Send word to all the forces here, I want them prepared to strike at a moment's notice."

Anya looked at the map of the mountain. "You think we can do this?"

"I believe that we must do this. The mountain can not be allowed to continue as it is." Standing, she moved to the side of her tent and unhooked her pauldron. "In the meantime, the matter of the Skai children needs to be discussed. They're proving useful. The loss of their leader will be a shame but she is not the only one among them who has shown promise."

"True for all her ridiculousness Raven is already valuable. If even half of the things she says she can do are possible, she will make life in our village better." Anya took the pauldron and set it on its stand easily. "That boy who's been working for Nyko will make a fine healer. He's got the hands and manner for it already."

Clarke sighed. "The ones who've been taken as seconds already show promise. Especially Octavia, she will be one to look out for in years to come." She rifled through her papers coming up with the list of the Skai children. "In your opinion, what should I do with them?"

"Send as many to Polis as you can before the rest of their birth clan arrive. If they arrive, they will want their children back and I'm not sure if the loyalty of those with us will be to you or to their former people. Any issues of split loyalty will be minimal if they aren't present. They work hard and are desperate to be accepted. Already, my village is fond of them." Anya snorted slightly. "I'm becoming fond of some of them."

"Good." She noted the names. "It is good advice. I can send a small detachment to Polis. At least forty of the Skai can be sent there then."

"What's truly bothering you second?" Anya asked seriously.

Clarke let her exhaustion show. "It's a waste." Shaking her head, she continued unprompted. "She holds so much promise. I had plans for her. She's barely been a second for weeks and already I have no doubt she'd make a better captain than Tristan. A proper and useful one in a year's time. Not that I would expect her to move up the ranks that quickly. Already she holds all the signs and attributes of a leader her people would fight and die for. Experience and knowledge of the ground is all she lacks. Leaders that show such potential should not be wasted."

"They why let her do this?" Anya asked while pouring both of them a mug of wine.

She laughed sharply. "Because she's right, she is the best choice for this." Closing her eyes, she dug deeper, Anya would understand. "And because given her position I would do the same thing. I have chafed at the restrictions my position burdens me with, I will not force those same restrictions on one who has yet to earn them. I must bear the weight of other's sacrifices, I will not force her to."

"You have always known that you could not save everyone. Yet you still bear the weight of the lives you could not save. You do not bear kill marks due to your position as Commander but you have never needed them to remind you of the weight of the lives you have taken. That is what makes you a good Commander." Anya gently assured her. "In my early days as your first, I thought that my foolish second, who cared too much, would break under the weight of her duty. However, day after day you did not break and I began to see your strength. You used your compassion, that weakness that other's thought would be the end of you, and made it a weapon your enemies feared. Do not think I did not see the cost it had on you. Compassion may have been your best weapon but it is a double-edged sword that hurts its wielder along with its enemies. Do not let your pain make you envy those who have chosen to walk a less worthy path."

"Is it a less worthy path? Sometimes I wonder whether I am fooling myself and my spirit damns itself with every life it sacrifices instead of my own. Still, I can not do differently for I know that my death would mean the end of peace and I can not help but think that peace is worth it even one so dearly bought." Clarke said, unfastening her coat. She would need to be well rested for the morning that would come too soon. Grasping her mug of wine, she drank deeply from it.

Anya shook her head. "Our people's lives are better than they have ever been and that is because of you. You sacrifice your life just as they do, just in a different way."

"She reminds me of myself Anya." Clarke rested her forehead on the palm of her hand. "She reminds me of my siblings of the blood. I wish that things were different."

"The gifted either die or they rise to become legends." Anya sat down in one of the chairs in the room. "It is the way of the world. You can see what she could become and you mourn the loss of an ally that could have been great. That does not mean her sacrifice is not the right decision."

"I know," Clarke nodded, "that does not mean I do not regret its necessity."

-TLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLGTLG-

Since Lexa had ended up on the ground, she had known more pain than she'd ever experienced on the ark. She'd been injured, had stitches, been branded, gotten a small tattoo, kill marks etched into her skin, muscle aches, hell she'd been a walking bruise more often than not. However, this… this was a new level of pain. The feeling of a stick with lots of needles attached to one end stabbed into you repeatedly for hours was not something she would ever forget.

Finally, finally, it was done and her teeth could unclench. Tristan had left hours ago, but he had been rather useful in detailing every known method of escape he could think of, as well as every scrap of information they had on the mountain. She did not want to pull a shirt on over her fresh tattoo. Sadly, what she wanted wasn't important. The breast bindings were the worst to wrap around herself, but she managed. Nyko just looked at her rather knowingly. "Good luck."

"Thanks." She forced a smile and headed out of there and straight for Raven's. The darkness of night was already lifting and she had some more horribly painful things to go through before she could be sent to go get caught by the cannibals. It had to be cannibals didn't it, they couldn't just be normal mindless monsters.

Lexa paused in her trip to Raven's abode at the sight of Murphy resting comfortably on a log, asleep. She made her way over, dropping down next to him. She flicked his nose, causing him to start awake.

"Princess? The hell are you doing?" He grumbled.

She raised a brow at him. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

Grunting, he swung his legs over and sat up, cradling his head in his hands. "Too much firewhiskey. Water?"

Laughing, she handed him her canteen and stared at her jacket. She ran her fingers over the worn fabric. It had been hers since Bellamy had given it to her at the drop ship, a sign of being a guard and how it had shaped everything she was and believed. She looked at Murphy, her friend and considered before moving and draping it over his shoulders. "You're an asshole Murphy, but you're our asshole and that means you belong with us, always."

He stared at her with hung-over eyes and a sort of squicked out expression. "Is there something in the water?" Holding out the canteen, he observed it seriously.

She punched him in the shoulder, hard. "Asshole, here I go and try to do something nice." Her lips curled naturally. He may be surly but he was her friend.

"Come on Princess, what's going on with you?" He asked seriously.

She couldn't tell Murphy what was really happening. Even if Clarke hadn't ordered it, she knew that Murphy would not be okay with her sacrificing herself and would try and stop her if he knew. "I'm going on a scouting mission."

"So?" He frowned at her curiously.

She rolled her eyes. "Full grounder wear and all that. I'll be back in a couple days, but figured someone should keep that jacket safe. Specially after Bellamy and his special sewing skills replaced the ark's insignia with the coalitions."

Murphy chuckled at the reminder of Bell's hidden skill. "Take care of the jacket, got it. You'll owe me."

"What am I going to owe you?" She asked curiously.

"I want you to cover for me while I kick Bell's arrogant ass. He's been getting on my nerves ever since he got knife throwing so much quicker than me." He offered his hand.

She nodded solemnly shaking his hand. "Of course, make sure he eats dirt." Standing, she stretched slightly and winced at the pull of her skin. At Murphy's curious look she waved her hand. "New tattoo, never get one completely done in one sitting."

He chortled and laid back down on the log. "See ya later Princess."

"Don't get into too much trouble while I'm gone." She snarked before turning and heading back to the path to Raven and the final preparations. There were few people out and those that were easily ignored her in the dark before the dawn. She knocked lightly on the door to Raven's hut.

She was not expecting to be hauled in through the door by a distressed Wells. "You idiot." He murmured into her shoulder.

Lexa felt stars in front of her eyes from the pain of her new tattoo being squeezed. She let out a hiss between her teeth. Wells released her and stepped backwards. "What happened?"

She stepped in completely and sighed as she saw who all was in the hut. "New tattoo to cover the incision point."

"Huh smart." Raven remarked.

Anya spoke up from where she was sitting. "You're not the only one who can have good ideas."

Lexa took in all the occupants of the room. Raven, Wells, Nyko, Anya, and her first Jod. She felt a flood of warmth at the sight of her first. She'd known he would find out about her mission. She wasn't sure how she expected him to react though. His stoic expression wasn't telling her much about what he thought about the matter. She wasn't sure why she cared so much, having only known the man for a few weeks, but for some reason his opinion mattered to her.

Jod gave a slow dip of his head towards her but remained silent, his arms crossed. Lexa breathed easy, knowing he wasn't angry at her at least.

"Sit down, let's get this thing in you." Raven said with a smile, though it didn't meet her eyes.

Lexa grimaced and took off her shirt and dropped down onto the wooden bench. Wells made a small sound. "It's beautiful."

She grinned wryly. "Thanks."

"Nyko's letting me do the procedure though he's going to watch. He thought you would be more comfortable with someone you trusted." Wells told her, his voice a bit choked. He began to wipe a rag soaked in alcohol across the area they'd chosen for the beacon. Picking up a scalpel, he made eye contact with her. "This is going to hurt."

She grit her teeth and clenched her hands. The pain was sharp and startling as she felt her skin sliced open. Squeezing her eyes shut she breathed out through her teeth. The tendons in her neck stood out and she could feel her pulse thumping through her veins.

"Almost done." Wells' steady voice easily made its way through the pain.

It was a horrible sensation feeling something being pushed under her skin and muscles, but it was quick. Then she felt the two sides of the incision being closed. Opening her eyes, she glanced over at Wells. "What is that?"

He continued brushing her skin with a brush coated with a sweet-smelling liquid. "Boiled tree sap. It should hold the incision site closed for you. If you get out, you're going to want to bandage it though."

She nodded and added it to the list of unlikely things for her to do. "Got it, impossible escape then treat my wounds."

Wells nudged her leg lightly. "This is the single stupidest thing you have ever done."

"Well, I had to top getting arrested and thrown into the Skybox, didn't I?" She teased lightly, knowing he needed it.

He snorted. "You better come back or I'm going in after you, got it?"

"Got it." She agreed, hoping Costia and the others would be able to dissuade him if necessary.

Raven swung her leg over the bench, settling down in front of her. She brandished a wire. "Let's get you that lock pick."

Lexa obediently opened her mouth. Raven's hands tasted disgusting as she bent the wire across the roof of her mouth anchored on each end between her teeth. Absently, Lexa realized she could taste blood from where her gums were protesting the addition. Well, it was worth the price. Any chance at not getting eaten by the technologically capable cannibals was worth it in her book. She shivered, she really didn't want to be eaten.

"Right." Raven drew back. "You're ready."

A throat cleared, startling everyone. Looking towards the entrance, Lexa saw Clarke standing there in all her glory as Heda. Clarke spoke firmly and it was clearly an order. "I'd like a word with the second. Leave us."

Wells caught her eye and waited till she gave him a reassuring look. Sighing, he stood. Before straightening, he kissed the top of her head. She felt the warmth of his friendship wash over her. This was why she was doing this. Raven squeezed her shoulder opposite the new tattoo before following Wells and the others outside. Finally, silence fell as it was just Clarke and her.

"Thank you for letting me do this." Lexa finally said, breaking the silence.

Clarke let the comment wash off of her, picking up the discarded shirt and stepping towards her. "You're stubborn as well as foolish."

Lexa allowed Clarke to help her into her shirt. It was stiff work, but it helped to have someone else to assist. She bit her lip as she realized she could smell the leather and soap that clung to Clarke. "If you think this is foolish, why let me?"

Clarke's eyes flicked to her face, her tone incredulous. "Do you always ask questions to which you've already gotten the answers?"

She shrugged and held her arm out as Clarke helped her pull on a worn leather coat. "I understand why you're letting me, but not why you are opposed to it. Surely, I hold less value than most other candidates."

Clarke sighed in resignation. "You hold a great deal of promise Lexa. If you had continued to impress, you could have risen through the ranks quickly. Not to mention, when it comes to dealing with your old people from the sky you would be far more useful than your friend Wells will be."

"My duty is to my people, not the ark." Lexa said quietly. "Surely you understand that."

"I do." Clarke stepped back and looked her over. "I'm envious that you are allowed to sacrifice yourself for your people. It may be selfish but sometimes I wish that my life was more than just surviving to live for my people."

Lexa stared and she could see the weight resting between the woman's shoulders. She was being crushed by it and Lexa knew it was the same weight that had been crushing her since they'd landed on the ground. The weight that she was sacrificing herself for. She didn't want to die. She wanted to live, to have a future, but her people meant more to her than any future. "Maybe life should be about more than just surviving. Don't we deserve better than that?"

"Maybe we do but that is not the fate of a Commander." Clarke replied.

It was insane, but Lexa, well she was going to die soon anyways. So, for this moment, she wanted to live, to maybe give Clarke the chance to do more than just survive. Reaching out, she cradled the back of Clarke's head, her fingers brushing through golden hair. Gently, oh so gently, she stepped in, pressing their lips together.

Lexa's heart could have burst as Clarke kissed her back. It was just the soft pressing of lips. Tilting her head a bit more, she felt a hand settling on her waist. Encouraged, she rested her hand on the small of Clarke's back holding them close. Her eyes closed as she soaked in the moment, she changed the angle only to feel Clarke pulling back slightly.

Opening her eyes, she saw the confused expression on Clarke's face. Suddenly, she felt a blush crawling up her face. "I..."

Clarke held up a hand, stepping back. "Go, may the spirits protect you and guide you."

Lexa ducked her head. "May they be with you as well." With a final glance, she stepped out of the door; leaving the girl she could have loved behind.