They had been on the ground for over a week and a half, neither of them would admit it, but they grudgingly accepted the influence the other held.
They went together to the supply bunker Kane told them about over the comms, leaving Miller and Jasper in charge. Clarke told Bellamy she didn't want to be around anyone she actually liked, but that wasn't it. The truth was, Clarke was beginning to trust him. And she definitely didn't want to take Finn with her, not after she discovered the truth about him and Raven.
Bellamy went because he was planning to run.
The walk there was uneventful, they were both preoccupied with their own issues back at camp, so they didn't realise they were being followed.
When they got there, all they could find were blankets and empty storage containers. In frustration, Bellamy kicked over a barrel of grease and uncovered dozens of rifles, and for the first time since they had arrived she saw him smile. Not smirk, but smile.
He handed her one of the rifles, 'ready to be a bad ass Clarke?' She lifted an eyebrow in surprise. It wasn't often that Bellamy addressed her by her first name.
'I hold it here?' She questioned him, lifting it to her shoulder, the gun felt heavy and awkward in her hands.
Bellamy moved to stand behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder, directing her, but he stopped when he felt the heat from her back warming his hand, frowning at how the simple action had affected him.
They each took a shot, disappointed to find that some of the bullets were duds. 'I need some air.' Bellamy muttered, turning and walking stiffly back up the steps into the bunker.
Clarke shrugged and remained where she was, too caught up in uncovering what the bunker held to hear Dax, a member of the 100 who was locked up for murdering a man who stole from him, approaching. By the time she realised he was behind her it was too late, pain explode at the back of her head, and she dropped to the floor unconscious.
Dax returned above ground to find Bellamy and complete the task officer Shumway had given him – kill Bellamy Blake before word got out about his involvement in the attempted assassination of Chancellor Jaha.
When Clarke came to she realised Bellamy was still outside. She staggered out of the bunker to see Dax sat over Bellamy, raining blows down on him.
'Get off of him' she cried, launching herself at the boy.
Whilst Dax was distracted defending himself against Clarke, Bellamy searched desperately, before reaching for a bullet forgotten on the ground, wincing as the bastard threw his elbow into Clarke's stomach and she cried out, curled on the floor. Without any more hesitation Bellamy plunged the bullet into Dax's neck, and watched the life drain from him. Bellamy was no stranger to cruelty after life on the Ark, but this was the first person he'd, successfully, murdered in cold blood. The knowledge made him feel nauseous.
Clarke crawled backwards until she reached a think tree and leant against it, Bellamy staggered to her, placing a hand on her knee as he sunk against the bark next to her.
'You're ok' she panted, trying to ignore the pressure of Bellamy's large hand, and the warmth of his palm on her leg.
'No, I'm not...my mother...if she knew what I've done...who I am...she raised me to be better, to be good.' Bellamy stumbled over his words as he felt his eyes begin to sting.
Clarke stiffened in surprise at such a display of humanity.
'Bellamy' she said softly, placing her hand on top of his on her leg.
''And all I do is hurt people. I'm a monster.' Clarke had never heard Bellamy talk like this, had never heard him sound so defeated. He was always so confident, so self-assured.
'Hey.' Interrupted Clarke, 'You saved my life today. You may be a total ass half the time, but I need you.' Bellamy raised his head and his dark eyes found Clarke's blue ones. She needed him? 'We all need you. None of us would have survived this place if it wasn't for you.'
Bellamy looked away again in disagreement.
'You want forgiveness? Fine, I'll give it to you, you're forgiven ok.' His eyes found hers once more, needing to see her, needed to believe her. 'But you can't run Bellamy, you have to come back with me.' Again, go back with her? Suddenly Bellamy was transported back to that date almost a year and a half ago, in the medic station. He could see the same concern in Clarke's eyes, and the same determination to fix whatever was wrong. Because that was Clarke, she always wanted to help everyone, even though he'd done nothing to deserve her concern. 'You have to face it'.
'Like you faced your mom?' He asked quietly, watching her until she looked away and let out a humourless laugh.
'You're right' she said, facing him again, 'I don't want to face my mom, I don't want to face any of it...all I think about every day is how we're going to keep everyone alive. But we don't have a choice.'
Bellamy sniffed, blinking his unshed tears away. 'Jaha will kill me when he comes down.' He said finally, voicing the fear that had been plaguing him since he made the deal to get on the drop ship.
'We'll figure something out' promised Clarke with so much determination in her voice that Bellamy found himself believing her, found himself calmed.
'Can we figure it out later?' He asked, leaning his head back against the tree. Clarke mimicked his actions, 'whenever you're ready' she breathed, before lifting her hand from on top of Bellamy's. Before she could pull away Bellamy captured her hand again, threading her fingers through his and gently squeezed her hand. Together they sat, side by side, as partners, and Bellamy knew he was going back to camp with her.
Later that night Bellamy found himself sat next to Clarke in front of the communication screen Raven and Monty had managed to build, waiting to talk to Jaha. He wasn't even aware of his left leg shaking, being too caught up in his thoughts, until he felt Clarke gently place her hand above his knee, stilling the movement.
'It's going to be ok, I promise.' She looked at him, her eyes showing no fear, no doubt, making him feel slightly better.
Just then the Chancellor took his seat in front of the camera on the Ark and Bellamy felt his stomach drop, he reached for Clarke's hand on his leg and gripped it tightly, relieved when she threaded their fingers together again, and couldn't help but notice how well their hands fit together.
'Mr Blake,' Jaha began, his voice commanding, 'I've wanted to talk to you for some time now.'
Bellamy opened his mouth to talk but Clarke got there first.
'Before you do, I-I'd like to say something.' Bellamy stared at her as she talked, surprised. 'When you sent us down here, you sent us to die. But miraculously, most of us are still alive. In large part, that is because of him, because of Bellamy' she said, turning to find him already looking at her. Their eyes met and Bellamy saw her ever present determination once more. 'He's one of us,' she stated, 'and he deserves to be pardoned of his crimes, just like the rest of us.'
Bellamy rubbed his thumb across the back of Clarke's hand in thanks. He couldn't believe the girl he thought was nothing more than a privileged princess was wasting her time trying to save his life, couldn't believe she thought he was worthy.
'Clarke, I appreciate your point of view, but it's not that simple.' Jaha said slowly, but instead of feeling all the hope he had allow to build fade to nothing, Bellamy spoke up, allowing Clarke to restore his courage, taking strength from her small hand, covered by his.
'It is,' he told Jaha, 'if you want to know who on the Ark wants you dead.'
There was a long pause, Bellamy and Clarke's eyes finding each other's once again, reassuring each other whilst Jaha considered the information Bellamy was offering. Clarke squeezed his hand tighter, the only sign that she was worried, and Bellamy brushed his thumb across her knuckle in response.
'Bellamy Blake,' said Jaha eventually, 'you are pardoned for your crimes.' Neither of the pair could hide their relieved smiles at the words. 'Now tell me who gave you the gun.' Instructed Jaha. Bellamy complied, feeling the relief of the situation wash over him.