Oh wow it has been a while hasn't it? I can explain:

1.Writers block – we all get it

2.Exams are next week so it's been all about the revising

3.My Art coursework is due this week so that's been hectic to catch up with

4.My final pieces are due next week – Again HECTIC

5.It's also been a weirdly emotional day or two and I wasn't really in the mood to write anything but at the same time I needed to get it out? Long story haha I won't bore you all with it any longer

That's my excuses PHEW fun few weeks they have been anyway this is the beginning of the end and I'm not going to lie this is really starting to gear up in my head so I hope I manage to convey that to you all? Haha it is all going to kick off next chapter though guys so please be prepared haha

I am reassuring you here that to make up for the long wait you are being presented with a long chapter… Hehe

I have hell a lot of time on my hands in about two weeks so I have no doubt that the updates will pick up again so just bear with me guys!

Also I haven't seen the new Avengers film yet and it really REALLY bothers me

Anyway – ENJOY

Disclaimer: I own nothing AT ALL

Clarke pushed back the flap of the tent entrance and sighed softly as her gaze landed on Lexa. The grounder was leaning over the tables her limbs stiff not moving an inch.

As soon as they had landed the temporary war tents had been erected whilst they made the final few preparations. According to Murphy's information the mansion was just above them hidden by the tree line. Lexa didn't like being at the mercy of the building and honestly Clarke wasn't loving it either but they didn't have a choice. Still she couldn't avoid how tense the situation was making her.

Clarke walked over to Lexa and leant her head on the grounder's shoulder. She sighed again and slipped her arms around the girl's waist. Lexa groaned slightly and leant back into Clarke closing her eyes for a moment before lowering her gaze back down to the maps.

"I hate this" Clarke grumbled.

Lexa hummed in agreement, "But it will not last forever"

"No but how many people have to die before it stops? It feels like we just got out of a war and now we're here fighting another one…"

"This will be the last war"

"You can't promise that"

"No" Lexa turned in her arms and gazed down at her gently wrapping her own arms around Clarke, "But I can promise you will never have to fight another one"

"You can't promise that either… Whether we like it or not I am the leader of my people, maybe not officially, but they follow me. You were right, I was born for this, and I think we're lying to ourselves if we say this is the end"

"I also told you death is not the end. My spirit will find you again"

Clarke pushed her head into the crook of Lexa's neck and enjoyed the feeling of strong arms around her and the smell of the woods, their home, "I need your spirit to stay where it is"

"My spirit would follow you anywhere Clarke of the sky people"

She didn't doubt that was true, "Maybe that's what scares me"

"Does death scare you?"

"It used to" She admitted, "But after everything I've seen and after everything I've done it doesn't anymore"

"Death is not something to fear"

"Because it's the only thing we know"

"Yes" Lexa hesitated before carrying on, "but we should not fear the unknown either"

Clarke leant back and gazed up into the watchful eyes, "Why is that?"

"You were the unknown"

Clarke was hit by a wave of love in that moment and she could find no words. Her eyes looked between the emerald pair but instead of speaking she pulled Lexa by the back of her neck to meet her in a soft kiss.

"And now look" She met her in another kiss, "Here we are" She kissed her again, "Together"

Lexa smiled lightly and pulled back taking a deep breath. She gazed over her shoulder at the war table.

"We really must concentrate"

"I know" Clarke rubbed her arms gently, "Talk me through it?"

She indicated to their camp, "Murphy should have met us here when we arrived but he didn't. Raven thinks she will be able to find the bunker and is currently looking for it… Once she finds it then we look for a way to get to the mansion without being spotted from the bunker"

"The army is used as a distraction"

Lexa nodded and pointed to the mansion, "You and I will lead the group inside. We will find Jaha and this A.L.I.E and then shut them down"

"Sounds simple"

Lexa gave her a look, "Plans do not last very long in battle Clarke"

"I remember"

"And it is very likely this one will not last long at all… We do not know the extent of what we are up against here"

Clarke nodded, "I know Lexa but we'll figure it out, we always do, and then we can go home and prepare for the rest of our lives"

Lexa closed her eyes again and kissed the top of Clarke's head, "I like the sound of that"

Clarke leant into the embrace and enjoyed the warmth supplied, "So do I"

The flap was pulled aside again and a gentle nock drew their attention to the entrance. Abbey's voice called to them from outside, "Is it safe to come in?"

She didn't move from Lexa's embrace but called back, "Sure. Come in mum"

Abbey appeared a second later and smiled weakly at the two of them. She walked over and clapped her hands together ignoring Lexa's perplexed look and Clarke's wary gaze, "I needed to speak to you before… Well, before tomorrow"

"Before hell opens up you mean?"

Abbey shot Clarke a look, "Yes"

Clarke's head fell back against Lexa's chest as she watched Abbey look between them trying to find the right words to say.

"I just wanted to say that after everything I am so glad you two found each other… Clarke after everything that happened with your father and up on the Ark, even the mountain, I never thought I'd see you happy again. However, these last few weeks I have seen something I never thought I would" She turned to Lexa, "I am so thankful for how happy you have made her" Lexa nodded in understanding.

Abbey took a breath and gave Lexa an odd look that she couldn't quite place, "During the mountain I saw a side to you I never thought I would see and you protected Clarke despite everything. I realised then what was happening between you two and with how Clarke was after the fall I just knew…" She looked between them with watery eyes, "I just couldn't wait until after tomorrow to tell you how pleased I am and how proud. Clarke I didn't know if you would forgive yourself after what happened in there but somehow you did and Lexa was a huge part of that"

Clarke smiled and pulled Abbey into a tight hug. They held each other close as tears spilled from the older Griffin's eyes and, to everyone's surprise, she pulled Lexa into the embrace as well. Despite everything Clarke couldn't hold back the laughter at the look on the commander's face.

XoXoXoX

They were all still holding each other when Bellamy and Echo entered the tent. The couple were holding each other tightly and smiling softly as the three women parted with Clarke and Abbey both wiping tears away.

The flap moved again and Octavia stepped inside followed closely Raven. The two looked at each other before grinning mischievously at them. Raven wiggled her eyebrows causing Clarke to glare at her, "Don't" she warned.

Raven laughed and Octavia flung her arms around Bellamy and Raven. She looked between all of them standing in the commander's tent and shook her head, "Now we really are one big family"

"One big messed up family" Bellamy smirked.

Echo snorted and raised a hand to her stomach, "A messed up growing family"

Clarke looked between them and realised Octavia was right they were all connected now through relationships or otherwise. Raven nodded in approval, "Until we came to Earth Finn was my only family and now I have all of you"

Octavia kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer, "And now you've got all of us"

"Great" She said sarcastically causing Clarke to laugh and Bellamy to ruffle his sister's hair gently.

Lexa wrapped her arms back around Clarke's waist leaning her head on Clarke's shoulder. She kissed her gently on the neck just under her ear and whispered, "I like having a family"

"Me too" Clarke whispered back as Lexa laughed at Bellamy and Octavia who were now attempting to grasp the other in a headlock. Raven and Echo were sharing bemused expressions.

They forgot for a moment that the Earth was counting on them. That the threat of a new war lay just over the next hill. For a moment.

XoXoXoX

In the early hours of the morning as Clarke lay wrapped amongst the furs flushed against Lexa's warmth a scream cut through the air tearing them broth from the bliss of sleep. They shared a startled look for a moment before dragging themselves from the bed to dress and discover the source of the sound.

Lexa was the first to dart from their tent but Clarke was close on her heels just pulling her blue armour back over her figure. Her gun was in its holster at her hip but she prayed there was no reason to use it.

Bellamy and Echo met them half way their faces too looked panicked as they searched for the source for the sound.

"Who screamed?"

Clarke shook her head, "That's what we're trying to find out"

Octavia materialised from behind the nearest ten followed by Abbey who looked relieved to see Clarke alive and well. Panic flared in Clarke the moment she saw it.

"Where's Raven?"

Octavia's face reflected the fear Clarke felt, "She was searching for the bunker, I stayed with her but Wick replaced me about an hour ago, said I needed sleep"

"Where were they?"

She pointed behind them and Lexa led the way through the sea of tents to the edge of their came where a cluster of trees lay.

Octavia kicked the ground and pushed back a few branches, "Raven?"

The mechanic burst from the dense foliage and through herself into Octavia's arms. Her face was slightly white as she met Clarke's gaze and croaked out, "I found the bunker… and Murphy"

Clarke's relief didn't last as she took in the girl's appearance. Raven sighed and answered the unasked question, "Dead. Beheaded on the floor"

XoXoXoX

The body was moved by Lexa's generals whilst they examined the bunker. Clarke tried to ignore the huge blood stain on the floor but her eyes kept flitting back to the dark patch and she felt her heart rate pick up each time it did. Lexa must have noticed because after the third time her hand slipped into Clarke's for reassurance.

Bellamy was standing to the side peering into the darkened tunnel from a door that, if closed, would blend into the wall. However it had been wide open the moment they arrived and it made Clarke uneasy.

Abbey shook her head, "Someone wanted you to find that tunnel"

"Most likely" Lexa agreed.

Echo nodded and rubbed her stomach, something she had been doing unconsciously since their arrival, "Which means it's a trap"

"Almost certainly" Lexa said grimly.

Clarke closed her eyes; there goes the element of surprise.

"She knows we're coming"

"It looks that way"

"Well then change the plan" Abbey spluttered, "You can't just walk into a trap"

Clarke bit her lip nervously, "It's more like an invitation than anything else… Maybe we should"

"We don't have a choice" Octavia pointed out, "This was the plan"

"The whole point of the plan was to use the army as a distraction!" Abbey looked panicked between her daughter and the commander.

Everyone looked to them and Clarke's gaze fell on Lexa who was gazing into the darkness of the tunnel with hazy eyes. A look she had come to recognise that meant her mind was going over every scenario before she made the decision.

Lexa's eyes returned, "We cannot change the plan now. The army is still relevant, she can't defend the mansion from the outside and from the inside so we need the distraction, and we still need the army"

"So you're going to walk in there with your hands raised?" Abbey asked incredulously.

Lexa shook her head, "I am going to walk in there with my sword raised and kindly separate Jaha's head from his shoulders"

Bellamy sniffed, "Well, that answers that"

XoXoXoX

Raven watched Octavia spread the warpaint across her face. Her movements were careful yet quick as she smeared the black over her eyes in the pattern Raven had become accustomed to and now found a source of reassurance and comfort rather than fear.

"Maybe you can teach me how to do that when this is all over?"

Octavia turned in her seat and smiled, "Of course. Though hopefully there won't be much need for it after today… I know the commander is anxious to put it away"

"Yeah I noticed the bloodlust has diminished recently" She scrunched her nose, "What's with that?"

"I think that's Clarke's doing" Octavia laughed at the disgusted look on Raven's face and indicated for her to move over, "Here I'll show you how to do it now"

Raven smiled and shifted onto Octavia's lap. The younger Blake grasped her hand and pressed into the charcoal paint before raising it to her face. Their eyes met as Octavia guided Raven's hand gently across her face. Raven's breath hitched as she felt the soft skin beneath her fingers and the paint smearing across it. She swallowed and allowed Octavia to drop her hand before leaning down and pulling the girl into a searing kiss.

"Come back to me?"

"Always"

"I mean it" She snapped against her lips in between kisses, "Please don't leave me"

"Never" Octavia repeated the promise she had made what felt like a life time ago, "I love you Reyes"

"Good thing I love you too Blake"

They stayed like that for a few moments longer then Octavia pulled back to gaze up into the other girls eyes, "You know I would never leave you right?"

"But you have to go and I'm a liability"

"You're not-"

"I am" Raven didn't look upset so Octavia let her continue, "I'm still trying to get the feeling back in my leg, it's better and one day I might not even have a limp, but it's there and Lexa needs you all at 110% and well… I'm not. Besides we both know I can do more damage back here"

Octavia scanned her face for any doubt and when she found none a burst of pride split across her chest. She grinned and kissed the mechanic again.

XoXoXoX

Lexa had just finished applying her warpaint and Clarke was watching her solemnly from her place leaning against the table when Bellamy and Echo entered. Echo was wearing a similar uniform to that of Lexa's with her sword strapped to her back and hair pulled in tight braids. The warpaint was smeared across her eyes to two sharp points that ended at her cheek bones. Bellamy was holding his rifle to his chest and was dressed in a guards uniform that Marcus had presented to him earlier in the day.

"We wanted to talk to you"

"Both of you" He added when Lexa looked as though she would leave to give them privacy. She seemed surprised

Lexa nodded and rose from her seat to sheath her sword at her back. Clarke picked up her gun from its place on the table and smiled at the couple reassuringly, "What can we do for you?"

Echo shared a look with Bellamy and they spoke at the same time, "We would like you two to be god parents"

Clarke raised her eyebrows, "Trikru have god parents?"

Bellamy shook his head, "Well not in the way we do but the concepts the same in the caring part for if something happens to the real parents"

"I understand" Lexa came to stand at Clarke's side, "Costia's parents died and another family took her in"

"You want us to look after your child?"

Echo nodded and smiled reassuringly between them, "We might survive today, we might not, but this won't be the only danger we face and I would like to know that this child has a home to go to"

Lexa and Clarke shared a smile, "Of course we would"

"Octavia and Raven have been asked as well but frankly those two… Well I would barely trust Octavia with a pet let alone a living breathing child, she's more of a fun aunt than a serious one"

"What about fun aunt Lexa?"

Bellamy snorted and Echo let out a bark of laughter but Lexa just looked affronted and glared between the three of them mumbling something about how she can be fun. Clarke laughed and shook her head looking to Bellamy who merely shrugged.

"Seriously though I guess I wanted to ask now because I wanted to be reassured that if anything was to happen to me then Echo and the baby would still be cared for?"

She gave him a sympathetic yet understanding look, "You didn't have to ask to know the answer to that Bell"

"I know but I felt better for asking"

"Of course"

He smiled awkwardly and Echo grinned pulling them all in for a hug, "Come on"

All four of them laughed but allowed themselves to be pulled into another embrace by the older grounder. Bellamy placed his head next to Clarke's and whispered in her ear.

"It goes both ways you know… If anything happens to Lexa, I'm here for you"

Clarke allowed Echo to pull back and hug Lexa separately. The two of them began speaking in hushed tones as she turned to Bellamy.

"Thank you but I'm more worried about Lexa. If anything happened to me I don't know if she could take it…"

He smiled and hugged her, "Don't worry Princess… We're all here for her. Abbey practically adopted her yesterday"

Clarke hummed in agreement. A slight shift in her chest at the thought and she felt reassured that maybe if something did happen Lexa wouldn't withdraw into herself all over again and maybe she would open herself up for love again.

The four of them were interrupted as a horn sounded from outside. Lexa's face shifted into her stoic commander mask and Clarke took a deep breath. It's time.

It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

We've come a long way from where we began

Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

When I see you again

They stood in a huddled group separated from the army as it marched forward toward the mansion. Lexa looked on in sadness, for the first time she wasn't the one marching her people into battle and Clarke could see that it was getting to her. She merely joined their hands together and returned the smile she was given.

Damn, who knew?

All the planes we flew

Good things we've been through

That I'll be standing right here talking to you

'Bout another path

I know we loved to hit the road and laugh

But something told me that it wouldn't last

Had to switch up

Look at things different see the bigger picture

Those were the days

Hard work forever pays

Now I see you in a better place

Raven pulled Octavia, Bellamy and Clarke into a tight hug, "Stay safe"

"We will" They all promised and Octavia sealed it with a reassuring kiss. She felt slightly calmer at the gesture but the fear of losing more people still burned.

How could we not talk about family when family's all that we got?

Everything I went through you were standing there by my side

And now you gon' be with me for the last ride

Abbey smiled at her daughter, "Be careful Clarke"

"I will. I promise"

She nodded and looked at Lexa who was standing a few paces behind her. Abbey nodded to both of them in farewell, "May we meet again"

It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again (I see you again)

We've come a long way (yeah, we came a long way) from where we began (you know we started)

Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again (let me tell you)

When I see you again

Echo sidled up next to her sister.

"Be careful in there"

"I will"

Lexa turned to her and gave her a weak smile, "You be careful too"

"I will"

First you both go out your way

And the vibe is feeling strong

And what's small turn to a friendship

A friendship turn to a bond

And that bond will never be broken

And the love will never get lost (and the love will never get lost)

And when brotherhood come first

Then the line will never be crossed

Established it on our own

When that line had to be drawn

And that line is what we reach

So remember me when I'm gone (remember me when I'm gone)

Abbey turned and waved a final goodbye to the group before leaving with the army to help in the medical tent.

They would meet again.

How could we not talk about family when family's all that we got?

Everything I went through you were standing there by my side

And now you gon' be with me for the last ride

Raven separated herself from Octavia and wiped away her own tears.

"I love you Blake"

"I love you too Reyes"

So let the light guide your way, yeah

Hold every memory as you go

And every road you take will always lead you home, home

Echo linked her hand with Bellamy for reassurance and he gave it. He looked down at her and kissed her forehead.

"When this is all over, we'll be a family, all of us"

It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

We've come a long way from where we began

Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

When I see you again

Clarke and Lexa led the way into the bunker their shoulders bumping against each other and she was reminded of a time long ago as they went to war side by side.

When I see you again

When I see you again

They would see each other again.

"May we meet again"

Fun aunt Lexa? That should so be made a thing XD

That song at the end is 'see you again' from Fast and Furious 7 if you didn't recognise it. I'm not really sure why I picked it because I haven't seen the Fast and Furious films but I love the song and Paul Walker. Also with this chapter leaning so heavily on the family aspect of their dynamic I thought it was appropriate for it :)

Let me know what you all think? Please? Haha

Also I'm pretty sure this is the longest chapter of the whole story so you're welcome