Three days... That's how long it had taken for Lexa's colour to return fully. Clarke had spent the past three days alternating between taking her own blood and the blood of the young Nightbloods in order to keep a steady supply running for the slowly healing Commander. Clarke had only intended to give Lexa her own blood as a one off in an emergency situation and had planned to only use the blood of the Nightbloods thereafter. However, the immediate effect that her own blood had on the Trikru Commander gave her other ideas. Logically she knew that the other Nightbloods, particularly those from Lexa's clan of Trikru would be the closest blood match and yet what she witnessed was something spectacular. The brunette's heart rate had steadied almost immediately upon receiving Clarke's blood in her system. Her breathing had become less shallow and her skin felt dramatically less clammy.
Clarke could not explain the science behind the effect her blood was having on Lexa's recovery. Although she did remember back to the days of her people being held as prisoners inside Mount Weather, and how the blood of her people had been largely more effective in curing the Mountain Men from radiation burns. Perhaps there was more to be found out about the healing properties of Skaikru blood.
"Why isn't she waking up?" Murphy broke the silence in the room. Clarke had forgotten all about him until she heard his voice. There had been so much commotion after Lexa had been shot that there hadn't been time for the blonde to get answers from him.
"What are you doing here?" Clarke snapped, completely ignoring his question.
"I didn't think I was permitted to leave" Murphy stated dryly.
"What the hell were you doing in Polis in the first place?... Is this yours?" Clarke stood up to face the boy who had caused so much trouble for her people when they had first come to the ground, and whom was now bringing his toxic bad luck with him to Polis. She was holding the gun that Titus had used to inadvertently shoot Lexa, her hand was shaking as she pointed the weapon at Murphy.
"How is it that you are mad at me?" Murphy asked impassively.
"How is it that you are still alive?" Clarke spat at him indignantly.
"How is it that a cowardly weasel like you can survive again and again while good people, people trying to make a difference die?" Clarke's whole body began to tremble as she remembered all of the people she had already lost, not to mention the person lying in the bed that she may still lose.
"You mean like your dad? Or Wells? Like Finn? Like your girlfriend there?" Murphy stared her down callously.
"Exactly like them" Clarke replied coldly.
"The only thing all of those people seem to have in common is you. So who are you really angry at Clarke?" Murphy's words hit her hard.
"You're right. This is my fault" Clarke lowered the weapon and hung her head in shame. She had known all along that this was her fault. If she hadn't been in Lexa's ear for the past few months, if she hadn't been trying so desperately to save her people from their own stupid mistakes. Maybe Lexa wouldn't be in this situation.
"I'm sorry Clarke. That was a little harsh" Murphy's casual apology took Clarke by surprise. The two of them had never really been friends. Sure she had saved his life a couple of times but she hadn't really had much else to do with him. He had taken off with Jaha before the war with the Mountain Men. Before she had met Lexa. And long before she had become Wanheda.
Luckily Titus came bursting into the room interrupting the awkward moment between Clarke and Murphy.
"You are brave showing your face around here" Murphy smirked as he looked to Clarke to gauge her reaction to Titus' entrance.
"Get the hell out of here" Clarke yelled but Titus was unflinching.
"Please. Clarke, I need to see her" Titus had tears in his eyes as he glanced over toward the bed where Lexa lay motionless.
"You don't get that right. You were supposed to protect her. How could you do this?" Clarke's anger turned to sadness.
"I was trying to protect her. I was trying to protect her from YOU. Lexa is special. She is the leader of an entire race. Her duty, her purpose in this world is greater than any sky girl" Titus was determined to get his point across. He had done what he thought was the best thing for his Lexa and it had backfired on him, but that didn't change the fact that he still saw Clarke as an unneeded distraction for the Commander.
"You are not welcome here. Your Commander will deal with you when she wakes. Leave Flamekeeper!" Clarke used her most commanding voice, trying her best to embody the legend of Wanheda.
"So she will wake?" Titus had a look of hopefulness on his face. His eyes were still brimming with tears and if Clarke hadn't been so caught up in her own emotions she might have felt bad for him.
"You better pray to whoever it is that you pray to that she does. Because if she doesn't I will kill you myself" Clarke spat at him venomously before turning her back on him and making her way back to the bed where Lexa lay.
Titus knew better than to push any further. Clarke Griffin did not receive the title of Wanheda through idle threats. He had come for news on Lexa's health and it seemed to him that Clarke had the situation under control, so he exited without further argument.
"Go with him Murphy. If he tries anything, kill him" Clarke's orders were clear and for reasons unbeknownst to him Murphy simply obeyed them. He reached for the gun that she held out for him and he gave her a reassuring nod before taking off after the rogue flamekeeper.
It wasn't until later that night that Clarke heard Lexa stir. It was not long after the last Nightblood had visited to donate their blood that she heard a hoarse voice call her name.
"Clarke" Lexa could barely get the word out but Clarke had heard it. She had been on the verge of sleep but she had heard her name.
"I'm here. It's okay. You're okay" Clarke squeezed Lexa's hand comfortingly.
"Don't leave me" Lexa pleaded as her eyes began to close once more. It took all of the energy she had to say that one sentence.
"I'm not going to anywhere. I'm right here. Just rest. I will be here when you wake up" Clarke reassured the fading Commander. A flood of relief washed over the girl from the sky as she was finally able to let herself fully believe that Lexa was going to pull through.