Disclaimer; I own nothing.
The building was innocuous but the security was tight. The building was important because it held old world military items which, as far as they knew, were the only ones in existence. Due to the tight security it was where they kept all the Heda's finery. Including her ceremonial costume. Which were basically old world military uniforms. They looked tough and smart.
Though they had pictures of what each uniform was supposed to look like each Heda chose their own personal style.
They were shown through to the dressing room by a surly faced older man dressed in a tuxedo with white gloves. The walls of the room were covered in pants and shirts of all different colors and sizes. Jackets and shoes were kept in another room.
More attendants arrived to take measurements from them all for pant and shirt fittings. Pants and shirts were easy as they would all be in black pants and a crisp white shirt which didn't take them long to be fitted in. Next came the harder part, the jackets. There was so many to choose from. Long dress or short dinner style. Lexa decided she wanted the shorter dinner style as the cut was more formal.
They had to be measured again for the jackets which would have to be fitted properly. She had chosen the old world Navy officer dress dinner jacket as her ceremonial jacket previously so would wear that. She had Luna wear the enlisted style as her 'best man'.
For Octavia and Lincoln she had them wearing the Naval white dress uniforms. Octavia mumbled about having to keep the damn thing clean much to everyone's amusement.
For Jayde and the others if they wished to do so they would wear the old world US Marine Corp dress uniform. It was important to Lexa because it put on a united front and showed their military importance. Showed the people of Polis they were their protectors and leaders.
Not to mention she hoped to get Clarke 'hot' for her as her wife would say. How did Clarke put it? She wanted Clarke to jump her.
Soon after that they were fitted for shoes until each one of them had a full uniform. Except hats but Lexa drew the line at hats, she was not wearing one.
Belts were issued, fitted with a scabbard for a ceremonial sword and dagger. These weren't from the old world but their own addition. Though ceremonial the swords could easily be used in a fight if required. They had been forged by the finest blacksmith's in Polis. To finish off her uniform she would be wearing a red sash over her left shoulder with her Heda pattern in black across it.
Time seemed to fly but all up they were they a couple of hours. The attendants promised to have all the alterations done by Friday evening and would expect the other two leaders at some stage.
They left the facilities and headed to a nearby bar for a few quick drinks to celebrate the upcoming wedding. The bar owner was delighted in their presence and ale flowed freely. They did not dally for too long though before heading for the Homestead for another night at the festival. Luckily the rain had stopped, the wind had disappeared and the remaining cloud cover was keeping the night warmer.
They dropped Luna, Raquel and Jayde off in front of the Inn before making their way home. Lexa practically sprung out of the coach, eager to get inside and out of the formal gear she wore. She wondered if Clarke was home yet. If not she would have a soothing bath while waiting for her, hopefully she would join her.
As she entered into the rooms she could tell instantly that Clarke was home. It was as if she could sense her presence and she was drawn to the bathroom as if being called by a siren. She found Clarke sitting in the bath waiting for her with a smile.
"Lose the suit sexy and come join me" Clarke literally purred. Lexa had no idea what she meant but lived the idea of joining her and was soon stripping.
Abby was sitting in one of the receiving rooms, waiting to go to the festival but wanting space from the young crowd that was having pre dinner drinks in the bar. She was perusing the books in the bookshelf when she became aware of a presence behind her and spun around seeing it was Jayde.
"Good evening Abigail" the serious woman nodded and Abby couldn't help but grin.
"Good evening Jayde. I see someone has been telling stories" she commented and then seeing the warriors confused look explained "You know my full name. But I prefer Abby"
"As you wish" Jayde stated and sighing she placed the book she was holding back on the shelf carefully. Jayde noticed this and came forward to see what she had been looking at. Reading was one of the passions of the spirit of Heda and through the years many books had been saved. She wasn't surprised to see the doctor had been looking at a human anatomy book.
"Do you enjoy being a doctor?"
"I enjoy healing people, fixing their pain and suffering if I can. Saving them" Abby cocked her head to the side "Do you enjoy being a warrior?"
"No" the reply was quick and honest "But I am good at it, I am the leader. My duty is to protect my people" she shrugged "I enjoy training and the adrenaline rush while fighting is addictive, either in training or at war"
"I see" she nodded and Jayde took a step forward, crowding her space. Abby barely noticed.
"No you do not. You do not have the heart of a killer Abby Griffin" Jayde stated emphatically and Abby sighed, if only she knew. Footsteps alerted them to a presence and they looked at the door as Raven appeared. There was a tense moment as she observed them before clearing her throat.
"Hey we're headed out"
"We will be there shortly" Jayde informed without stepping back and Raven looked unsure, switching her gaze to Clarke's mum who nodded. With a huff the young woman left, no doubt to report back to the others.
Abby looked up at Jayde then and found the taller woman watching her again with those intense eyes. No one had looked at her that intensely for a very long time. It was a shame it was a woman. A womanizing woman. Abby refused to break the gaze though and eventually with a raised eyebrow Jayde stepped back.
"May I escort you to dinner?" Jayde asked and Abby sighed. She really didn't want or need this now. Something about the woman drew her and she believed they could be great friends but didn't want to lead the younger woman on.
"On one condition"
"Name it"
"I like you, as a friend, you need to understand that. Friends only. I'm straight, I lost a husband, Clarke's father fairly recently and I could just use a friend" she stated. She was pretty sure that was a deal breaker and was surprised when Jayde nodded, took a step back and offered her arm.
"Of course" Jayde nodded. It sounded slightly patronizing, like that was all she had been offering in the first place and Abby became slightly confused. Had she read the situation wrong? What was she to do? Only thing she could do! With a deep sigh Abby tentatively reached out and placed her hand in the crook of Jayde's elbow and let her lead her out.
Clarke didn't know what to think when her mother came out of the receiving room all cozied up to Jayde. Especially after Raven had reported that she caught them standing really close and the atmosphere between them had been charged.
She shared a look with her wife who shrugged, they were adults, and it was up to them to work out whatever was going on. Clarke sighed and let herself be dragged outside and to the festival.
It was a warmer night and more people were out. Everyone seemed to having a good time and they dared to be different and try different foods. They found themselves in a pub at one stage, consuming free ale thanks to the bar owner. Everyone was merry when they spilt back out on the streets when they decided to continue the party back at the Homestead.
She wasn't sure how it happened, maybe the crush of people but she got separated from Lexa and the group. Shit. She felt a presence and was relieved to find Jayde standing beside her.
"What happened?" she asked blinking, the fresh air making her feel fuzzy. Damn alcohol.
"We got hit with a wave of people" Jayde announced then motioned to someone in the distance and nodded. Clarke looked in the direction she was motioning but couldn't see anything. She looked back up at Jayde questioningly "I am assuring your frantic wife that you are with me and that I will see you safely back to the Homestead" she informed.
"Thank you" Clarke sighed and took hold of the arm Jayde offered, suddenly remembering Jayde offering another Griffin said arm. "So, do you like my mum?" She asked and received a pointed look in return "What? You have a reputation you know"
"I know" Jayde sighed and wondered how she was going to survive a drunken inquisitive Skaiprisa.
"She's straight. You're wasting your time"
"So she informed. She is also still grieving your father who I believe you lost recently" Jayde nodded and Clarke snorted, the alcohol affecting her judgement.
"Ha! She's the reason dad died, and why I was locked up and then sent down here with 99 other juveniles on death row" Clarke felt the anger swelling in her chest again at the memory. She was trying her hardest to start fresh, to forgive as her mother was all she had, until Lexa. It was hard though, the anger and hurt always there bubbling under the surface.
"I don't understand" Jayde stated and it was then Clarke sobered up and realized what she said. Well shit. Double damn alcohol. No going back now.
"The Ark was run by a Chancellor and elected councilors. My mother was one of them. If someone committed a crime they decided their fate. Mostly that meant execution because of dwindling resources."
"What was your father's crime?" Jayde asked, figuring it had to be something bad.
"He found out that we were running out of oxygen to breathe. He believed everyone on the Ark should know. My mother told the Chancellor who ordered his execution"
"Did your mother try to stop it?" Jayde asked next while reeling slightly from what she had learned. To be put to death for something so trivial.
"Not that I saw. Not when they came to get him, not when they were placing him in the airlock" Clarke sighed and held up her wrist "This watch is all I have besides memories"
Jayde looked at the battered watch with a frown. It looked like it had seen better days. It was a sad reminder of a loved one you had lost.
"You should take it somewhere to have it fixed, some new glass" Jayde informed and Clarke nodded, she hadn't thought of that, maybe tomorrow. "So what was your crime? Did you attack the Chancellor after your father's death?"
"No, I knew what my father knew. I had heard him and mum arguing. I was put in confinement to keep quiet" she sighed "You can't execute anyone under 18. We were held in prison cells until our 18th birthday. After that the Councilors decided to execute us or let us go." she paused and looked up to see a muscle ticking in Jayde's jaw. She was angry. She didn't blame her, she was still pissed herself. "It was getting close to my 18th when the plan was hatched to send us to Earth. By then the Council knew we were running out of resources. We were kids potentially on death row so we were expendable anyway. I don't know' who's idea it was but you know the story from there"
"Maybe it was your mother, hoping you would survive. Give you a chance" Jayde prompted.
"Maybe" Clarke sighed "But 66 of the 100 died for it, and my dad died for nothing because everyone found out anyway."
They were quiet a long time until they could see the Homestead and Lexa waiting at the front gate.
"So, still like my mother?" She asked and stumbled when Jayde paused, scowling down on her like a belligerent child.
"Clarke your mother was a leader in a difficult situation. I know what it's like to make difficult choices, ones that you don't see outcomes of. You have known this too I believe" Clarke looked up and saw Jayde looking down on her with her normal blank stare "do you honestly think your mother didn't protest about your father's execution? By the time they came for him she had possibly been threatened herself, maybe she was resigned to the fact and riddled with guilt. And you, do you really think she didn't fight that?"
"I don't know, I try not to think about it. We're trying to move on, we have both made decisions the other doesn't like, like Lexa and I" Clarke smirked "She really hated that. She hates that people look to me as their leader on the ground now instead of her and the council like in the sky. We are doing what we can to make our relationship work"
"You need to talk with your mother" Jayde advised her before looking up to see Lexa coming towards them "your wife is worried. I will say goodnight here" then before Clarke could say anything she left, Clarke watching her go worriedly. She'd acted like an ass.
"Hey" Clarke jumped when Lexa walked up behind her and turned around "Everything ok?"
"I'm drunk" Clarke growled and Lexa just looked perplexed so Clarke sighed "When I'm drunk my tongue becomes loose"
"That is not physically possible" Lexa stated but looked concerned at her mouth. Clarke groaned
"No I mean I spilled my guts to her" Lexa's alarmed gaze shot to her stomach "For fucks sake Lexa I told her about mum and what she did"
"Oh" finally Lexa understood as she started guiding her wife back home.
"Alcohol makes me talk more, say stuff I don't mean or would filter when sober" Clarke grizzled "I should just stop drinking. I can be a bitch when drunk"
"A bitch is a female dog" Lexa frowned and Clarke rolled her eyes.
"It's also a nasty person. I think some part of me told her so she'd stop sniffing around my mum" Clarke muttered as they walked up the steps to the front door, Lexa with a look of utter perplexity.
"You say the strangest things when drunk too" Lexa grizzled.
"It means I was trying to hurt her friendship with mum. Maybe hurt mum in the process" Clarke sighed and Lexa finally understood. Oh, maybe Clarke was right, maybe she shouldn't get drunk, or at least talk about her mother when drunk. "I'm going to bed" Clarke sighed, losing all interest in drinking.
"But we have guests" Lexa looked confused.
"Then go entertain them. I'm going to bed. I'm in a lousy mood" Clarke marched on past the open door and all the revelers inside. Lexa watched her go, rather confused about the turn of the events but also knowing her wife wasn't mad at her.
Walking into the room with the others they turned to her expectantly. Then looked behind her to see where Clarke and Jayde were. Abby was the first to sense something was up.
"Is everything ok?" She asked and Lexa nodded, not wanting to dampen anyone else's spirits
"Yes, Clarke has indulged too much and has gone to bed." She informed them "Jayde has returned to the Inn" she sighed and rubbed her forehead "I will bid you goodnight and go make sure my wife is Ok. Goodnight" she nodded and left the room.
Bellamy whistled "Oh this should be interesting, Clarke can get quite mouthy when drunk" he grinned.
When Lexa got up to their rooms Clarke was just sliding into bed and she looked truly awful. Sighing Lexa disappeared into the bathroom before starting to undress. Clarke sat up and ushered her over, it was ritual that she undressed her wife, tonight would be no different.
"Tomorrow I will apologize to Jayde for my drunken rambling." She offered up and Lexa raised an eyebrow "I also need to talk to mum, but not before the wedding. She's my bridesmaid and I don't want to disrupt the harmony" Lexa could only nod, Clarke had some fascinating mood swings when drunk. When she was finally naked she slid into bed next to her Houmon and wrapped her arms around her, it was one of the few times she held Clarke instead of Clarke holding her.
"I need to find somewhere to repair dad's watch" Clarke looked at the wrist she held up and Lexa smiled, kissing her brow as said arm wrapped around her.
"I will make it happen" she promised. "Go to sleep"
"I love you" Clarke sighed sleepily
"I love you to princess" Lexa smiled and received a soft snore in response.
Jayde never made it back to the Inn. She stopped and sat in a cafe having tea and some cake to get more sober. She turned away half a dozen women in the hour she sat there, not in the slightest bit interested. She was truly stunned by what Clarke had told her and had been uncomfortable while she did it. She knew the woman wouldn't have said a word if sober. It was something that wasn't ever discussed, not even between mother and daughter apparently.
She was a fool, an absolute fool. Here she was sitting in a cafe, numerous hot women willing to share her bed and all she could think about was a gorgeous straight woman who was involved in her husband's death and how her and her daughter were stubborn fools.
With a growl she shot to her feet and headed back to the Homestead. She fought an internal battle all the way, it wasn't her place to get involved and with her imperfect track record she should hardly be giving any advice. She paused on hitting the front step, it seemed like the party was over. Just as well, maybe she should wait until morning when heads were clearer.
She was turning on the step to go back to the inn when the door opened and the Butler/male servant, whatever he was called stood there.
"My apologies, I didn't realize everyone had retired" she apologized.
"Not everyone, she's in the same receiving room" the man told her before slipping away quietly. Jayde swallowed the lump in her throat and straightened her spine, schooling her features into the usual mask and heading to the receiving room.
Stepping around the corner she found Abby sitting there on a sofa, reading the same book she had in her hands earlier. She must have sensed her because she looked up and smiled. Jayde kept her outside mask in place all the while her heart kicked hard in her chest. Abby's smile turned into confusion as their gazes collided. Maybe she saw something different there because soon understanding dawned on her face.
"So now you know" she sighed, closing the book and placing it aside before pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them in a classic defensive or protective mode.
"I know the side of a young drunk girl who thinks her mother stood by and let her father die without a fight, let her be put in a cell then sent to Earth because she was expendable" she watched as Abby flinched physically at the reminder of what her daughter thought of her and knew her gut instincts had been right. "I have only known you for a short while Abigail Griffin and I know that this is not the truth"
"Maybe you don't want it to be the truth" Abby muttered.
Jayde stepped into the room and crossed it to sit beside the older woman whose eyes were tortured.
"Your words say one thing, your eyes speak the truth" Jayde informed her causing Abby to look away and sigh.
"I came within inches of being thrown in a cell myself" Abby whispered "Jake told me to stop as I needed to look after Clarke. Then when Jaha had Clarke arrested I needed to stay in power so that I could try and save her. I thought sending the kids to earth might give them a chance. We didn't think anyone had survived the war" Abby sniffed "We condemned them to torture and 66 kids lost their lives"
"44 live; your daughter has become a great leader and has found love in our Heda." She paused when Abby snorted at that and shook her head "you have been able to return to Earth, you helped us defeat the Mountain Men."
"None of that brings Jake back or gives me back the daughter who loves me"
"Love is not gone, but the lack of explanation causes great pain. You both cannot heal until you have overcome this" Jayde was resolute.
"I don't know how" Abby sniffed "She's closed off and so angry"
"You will find a way" Jayde offered then seeing the miserable look on the woman's face opened her arms, sighing when the other woman didn't hesitate and fell into them.
A long time later on his final rounds before bed the Butler found them sleeping peacefully on the couch. Pretending he did not see them and telling staff to head to bed he made sure all the doors were locked before finding his own bed for the night.