AN: I thought I'd upload another chapter since the first one didn't include the man we're all here to read about :P This is a bit of a baby chapter as it only stands at around 900 words, but the next handful are all a nice solid 2k which should be more enjoyable to read. I'm aiming to post again in about 3 days, earlier if I get antsy :D Enthusiastic shoutouts to Terinkaa, turtle18, JordanneP, and Rubyredred. You guys are awesome!

Enjoy, everyone.

Clarke had been patient. More patient than she wanted to be. It had been three days and Thalie's ankle had been healing well enough that she felt it was sufficient to leave her with strict orders of bedrest before heading off on her hunt. And that was how she found herself in what they'd all dubbed "the war tent", with Raven and Bellamy.

"No dice," Bellamy flat out refused when she told him of her plans. "Sorry, Princess. It's too dangerous and not worth the risk."

"Bellamy, we need medicine. We need bandages, needles, proper stitching thread. We need supplies I can actually use to treat wounds and not lie awake at night hoping they were clean enough that they won't've caused an infection. I can't treat those. Not here on the Ground. Not without help."

"Clarke, we need you here," her co-leader explained in a voice that straddled the border of impatience.

"What good will I be here as the camp healer if I can't heal?" she pointed out. "Look, Thalie told me where to go. It's not like I'm going to be wandering into Grounder territory. I'll be back before you know it."

Clarke watched as the tall, dark and stoic Bellamy chewed on his cheek in apparent thought.

"Take someone with you," he finally said. "Someone who can shoot well."

Finn, who'd been hovering outside the tent (not eavesdropping, he told himself) entered and picked up a gun from against the wall.

"You've got your man," he said.

Raven, who'd been working on splitting ammo at the table when Clarke had come in, turned to look at him. It still hurt that Finn showed more blatant preference for Clarke even though he'd unofficially picked Raven. "I'll go with you," she told him in what she hoped was a neutral voice as she got to her feet. She wasn't jealous, just…. wary.

"Where're we going?" asked Monty as he and Jasper pushed open the tent flap and crowded into the space that was becoming increasingly smaller by the minute.

"Nowhere," Bellamy and Clarke both answered. Monty and Jasper traded minute knowing smiles at that.

"With me out of camp, Monty, you're the next closest thing we have to a doctor. I'm going to need you here."

"Hey man, if you're going out to look for some more herbs, shouldn't you be taking, oh, I don't know, a botanist?" he asked with only a small hint of sarcasm.

"And that's exactly why you're staying," Clarke told him firmly. "Monty, you're from a family of pharmacists. You're one of the only people I trust to hand out the right tea or to make a correct poultice. Half the Ark is still alive thanks to your family."

"What about me?" asked Jasper. Clarke pushed back her frustration – this was taking too long! – and smiled kindly back at the other boy from Agro Station.

"Look Jasper, we're already a party of three for a simple trip. If we take any more people, we'll only be attracting further attention. The Grounders already got you with a spear, are you sure you're reading for another round?"

Jasper merely rubbed his chest where the spear had penetrated him.

"Right, grab your gear, I'll meet you at the gate," Clarke told Raven and Finn as she headed for the tentflap. Jasper and Monty parted to allow her through.

Minutes later, the trio stood waiting for the gate to be heaved back by the camp guards. Clarke sported her backpack which she'd emptied of everything aside from two days' worth of rations.

"Be back by nightfall," Bellamy instructed from behind. Clarke turned to face him.

"I'll be out as long as I need," she told him. "I won't be returning empty handed."

Bellamy growled under his breath. "You'll be back on time or you won't go at all."

Clarke tilted her head and stared up at him in agitation. "I'm going and I won't be forced to come home before I'm ready. You can't stop me and if you try, I'll only sneak out the second your attention is occupied." Which wasn't hard, given the camp's inability to go more than a few minutes without having someone run for Bellamy or Clarke.

Bellamy searched her face, noting the similarity in her look of defiance as one he well recognised from Octavia. Unfortunately his little sister had already proven many times over since landing on Earth that she would not be contained, or 'locked up' as she called it. He figured Clarke had had enough of that in solitary and could now give Octavia a run for her money where determination for escape was concerned. But that didn't mean she'd be able to handle herself against a surprise attack of Grounders. Not with only Finn as protection.

He held her gaze for a few more minutes before making his decision. "Fine," he said suddenly, surprising all within eavesdropping distance. He turned to the nearest guard and relieved him of his gun. "Looks like it's going to be the four of us then."

Clarke's eyes narrowed. "Fine," she said.

"Fine," Bellamy echoed.

"Fine," Raven said, stepping between the pair and ushering them out the gate. "Looks like we're all heading out as one big happy family."

"Fine," Bellamy and Clarke both answered.