CHAPTER 3
Bellamy had just as many injuries as Finn but still radiated strength and determination. Raven nearly sighed with relief; she didn't think she had the strength to fix anything by herself.
He stood by the door and met her stare for stare.
"Not dead then?" he said with an almost smile.
"You should know it would take more than that to finish me. So shooter, what's the plan?"
His mouth quirked up into a definite, lopsided smile.
"Thank God the bullet wasn't to the brain. We're going to need some of your ideas, so I hope the doc fixed you up properly."
As he was talking he walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. Raven wasn't expecting hugs from Bellamy but to her surprise he took her hand and she clutched it gratefully.
"Legs still aren't working but Abby's hopeful. Have you seen Finn."
Bellamy frowned, "Yeah, spent most of the day with him. He's a mess, but he saved me from a grounder so I guess I owe him."
"You owe Finn your life? Ouch, that's gotta hurt!"
"Tell me about it," Bellamy sighed and ran his hand over his face. "I was getting my ass kicked when he charged in and took out the grounder attacking me. We fought off a couple more as you guys shut the drop ship door and we knew our time was up. Luckily the grounders started to head for the door so we took our chance and ran for it. We just made it to the tunnel when the blast hit but I guess it knocked us both out. We didn't wake up til Kane and the doc got us back here. Doc says it was mountain men, that you saw them?"
"Yeah, I guess. Everyone outside started shooting and someone yelled mountain men, maybe the grounder princess? I saw one guy before I passed out and he was definitely full on military – he had black combat gear, a gas mask and a gun you would sell your sister for."
"Abby told Kane what you saw and he and some of the other Ark people had heard about Mt Weather. They say it was set up to be a bunker for important government types to live through the fall out. The last anyone heard they never made it up here but there was a full garrison of army, special forces, scientists and other brains. They must have figured out a way to survive this long and their stuff was all protected in the bunker. Cause the grounders have nothing."
"So, you've got a plan to go and get Clarke right? You're not leaving them in there?" It was a question but came out like an accusation. Bellamy narrowed his eyes at Raven,
"What do you think? In between babysitting your boyfriend I've been talking with Kane and the guardsmen that came down. Systems are down at the moment but Sinclair and Wick, the engineering guys, reckon they can get things back online today. If we can access the Ark archives they have blueprints of all important government structures. If we can get information on the layout of the bunker we've got an advantage. If we can't we'll be going in blind and we know what happened last time we crossed onto their territory."
"Yeah, but you'll still go."
Bellamy gave her another look. "I didn't go through that battle to lose everyone to some other assholes. Right now, everybody we have left is at Mt Weather and I will get them back. Besides, Spacewalker is driving me nuts crying over Clarke, so I have to do something." He gave a wry smile with the last sentence, keeping a keen eye on her face to see what reaction that got. He had expected to see a flicker of pain at the mention of her rival but all he got was an eye roll.
"Yeah, I had to get Abby to sedate him."
"Wow, that's cold."
"No it's not!" Raven replied with indignation. "He's my family and I have to make the hard decisions for him. Right now he thinks he's lost everything but maybe with some sleep he can get some perspective. He needs to know he has to stay positive for Clarke and the others. And whatever happened between him and Clarke and whatever the future holds for them I want him to be happy, okay!"
"Still showing a lot of passion for him, if you're trying to tell me you've moved on."
Raven gave him another eye roll, before narrowing them slightly and tilting her chin,
"You think? Already forgotten what passion looks like on me?"
Bellamy actually laughed. Raven had forgotten how a moment of happiness completely transformed his face and was a little annoyed at the way it made her heart skip a beat. His thumb began slowly stroking the back of her hand.
"I think my memory might need refreshing. Maybe we should recreate the moment?"
"Seriously, Bellamy, inappropriate! I can't even move my legs right now. You sure know how to pick your moments."
That got another laugh.
"Pretty sure you picked the moment last time." His thumb continued to stroke her hand as his smile faded. They were still staring at each other and Raven could feel herself breathing harder. She pulled herself together. How could she think about flirting with Bellamy Blake when all her friends were missing.
"So, when's the rescue mission happening?"
Bellamy shook his head, as if to clear his mind.
"Umm, tomorrow morning, first light. Me and a half dozen guardsmen who have forgotten everything they learned in earth skills. Plus the mountain men may have surveillance we don't even know about. But I can't get everybody out on my own and at least now we have some decent guns."
Abby poked her head around the door.
"Raven, Finn's sleeping and I think it's probably time you tried to rest as well. The more you rest the quicker you'll heal. Bellamy, I think Kane wanted to speak to you again, he's just outside."
She left them alone again.
"I guess I should go, maybe they've found some information that can help", said Bellamy. He brought his other hand to join his first, cradling her smaller hand. He didn't look at Raven. She was suddenly scared, as if she had seen a flash of what was in his mind.
"Don't you make this a suicide mission, Bellamy. Octavia would never forgive you," she snapped, grabbing his hands with both of hers. He raised his eyes to hers.
"It never mattered what happened to me. I made that decision the day I shot Jaha to keep Octavia safe. Much as I hate it, the grounder... Lincoln... he can look after her better than me. Other than that, who's gonna miss me? I put myself in charge of 100 kids and right now, Finn is the only one I know is alive – I have to get them back, whatever it takes."
"And if... when ... you get them back, they will need you." Raven shot back, "If I could move my damn legs I would be right there with you making sure you don't do anything stupid. I need you to come back. Bellamy, I'm serious, promise me you will come back?"
They both knew that he couldn't promise that, but their eyes exchanged words they were still too scared to speak and when Bellamy said "I promise", Raven knew that he understood there was someone for him to come back for.
Bellamy's hand went to Raven's hair, freeing it from the ponytail and running through the length of it, then he lent forward and gently kissed her mouth. It was a very different kiss to the ones they had shared during their previous encounter. It was gentle, tender and full of emotion. Raven let her hand tangle in his hair as she felt a tear roll down her cheek. Eventually Bellamy pulled back, and carefully wiped away the tearstains. He lent forward and gave her one last kiss on the forehead before standing up and walking to the door.
"Until we meet again" he said, with a small, sad smile.
"Until we meet again," Raven replied, watching him walk out the door before whispering, "I'll miss you, you idiot."
