"I'm not helpless, this is ridiculous." Clarke grumbled as Nyko and Anya guided her into the condo complex, each of them ducked under her arms, practically carrying her. It wasn't as if she couldn't walk on her own, even if she was a little dizzy and had a pounding headache.

"Not taking any chances, princess. You heard the docs, straight bed rest for at least another twenty-four hours, and likely more." Nyko stated, earning a quick nod in agreement from Anya as they helped her into the elevator. Everyone else had gone home to shower and change, but apparently her condo would be a hotspot for the rest of the weekend.

All the people not playing hockey had promised to stay with her while her Eagles played the Huskies in the second of the back to back games that weekend. Clarke desperately wanted to play, but she knew she wasn't in any shape for it, and even going to watch seemed hazardous to her health, with how the bright sunlight and the bright fluorescent lights were causing her pain.

She hoped they could best the Huskies and keep ahead in the season series. The Beanpot and conference championships were coming up quickly, and they needed every win they could muster.

At least we won yesterday...worst case scenario is they win and beat us in goal differential, but they've got ground to make up against us... Clarke mused as the elevator ascended up the tower.

As soon as the doors opened, Clarke was dragged down the hall to her place, Nyko opening the door while Anya hauled Clarke up onto her shoulder and carried her into the bedroom. Clarke let out a huff, but it didn't deter her best friend in the least.

Still, once she was laid down on the bed, she couldn't help but realize that there had been changes made to her room. The most prominent being the wealth of potted plants and flowers spread throughout it, and then there was the simple stand holding a decently large television, but the oddest addition was the small stack of sweaters resting on a chair that she also didn't recognize.

"What is all this?" She asked as Anya settled her into bed, fluffing up her pillows before reclining Clarke against them.

"I asked Lincoln to do a few things around here to help you out over the next few days. It turned out that he caught the attention of some of your neighbours, who pitched in to help when they heard what happened. Mrs Haywood down the hall is apparently a very nice woman who works at some garden center." Anya noted, pulling the covers up to cover Clarke from the waist down. "Lincoln took my television and TV stand out of storage and set it up, and he brought a chair over for visitors. The sweaters are Lexa's."

"Ellie will be back around noon, in time for lunch. Lincoln and Luna did a grocery run and stocked your fridge and pantry, so you should be good for the time being." Nyko said from the doorway, gesturing with his thumb back towards the kitchen. "I'll go make some breakfast for us. French toast is fine, right?"

Clarke smiled and gave a thumbs up, sending him off. It was still difficult to wrap her head around being injured, and having so much support through it, but Clarke found herself enjoying it, even if the situation as a whole was more frustrating than anything.

"Thank you so much, Anya. You, Nyko, Lincoln, Lexa, everyone...I couldn't have asked for this, but I really appreciate what all of you have done for me. I won't forget it." Clarke said, resting her hand on Anya's as the woman tried to set the ice packs up against her neck 'just so'.

"No thanks are necessary, Clarke. We love you, so we step up when you need us to. We all know you'd do the same for any of us." Anya declared firmly, casting her eyes around the area one last time before getting on top of the covers and curling up against her. "You're my best friend, Clarke. I will always take care of you." Anya added in a whisper, almost as if she feared some sort of rebuke.

Which was ridiculous, because Anya had been nothing but wonderful. Clarke pulled Anya against her side and let out a pleased hum, always more than happy to snuggle with her best friend, especially when Anya needed some comforting herself. "And you're mine, so trust me when I tell you that you're not to blame. You didn't do anything wrong."

"I called your mother."

Clarke's body stiffened for a moment, sending a wincing pain through her neck and head, but she immediately relaxed as the image of Anya calling her mother filled her mind. "What I would have given to hear that conversation." Clarke said with a tiny laugh, pulling Anya closer.

"It wasn't a conversation. I only got her voicemail." Anya grumbled, earning another slightly painful laugh as Clarke reminisced, tears of pain and laughter wetting her eyes.

"Is she still using that really short one? I remember calling to say I'd be sleeping over at a friend's one night. I needed to make three calls to finish up, it's ridiculous." Clarke added between laughs, which only bubbled out harder when Anya nodded against her. "Oh god, you must have been furious."

"I was. I apologize." Anya stated with more guilt than anyone should feel, so Clarke pushed through the pain to turn her head and press a kiss to Anya's head. "Clarke, you need to rest and stay still!" Anya chided, but it was no use, Clarke pressing another before returning onto her back.

"Don't apologize, she deserved it. Whatever you said, I don't expect her to come. It's just nice knowing you made the effort and stood up for me, even if I can fight my own battles." Clarke explained, smiling when Anya shifted halfway on top of her, resting her head on Clarke's shoulder. "You barely got any sleep last night. Rest up, okay? We have time. It's only quarter after six."

Anya let out an annoyed huff against her neck. "But what if..."

"No buts. Nyko makes good breakfasts, but he's slow at it, and routinely forgets what he's doing and has to backtrack. You've got at least forty minutes, so take a nap, babe. He'll get us when it's ready, and I'm sure Raven will get here to hold the fort soon, too." Clarke added, tightening her hold on Anya, who thankfully didn't put up any more of a fight. Though Clarke would have wanted Anya under the covers, she knew the stubborn woman would refuse it, wanting to be able to jump away to defend her at a moment's notice.

Still, it was nice to keep up her and Anya's morning ritual to some extent. Even if they weren't on a walk, they were together, and that meant the world. After having her life shaken up from the game yesterday, it was everything that she could still count on her mornings with Anya.

With Anya's warm, gentle weight, her slow and steady heartbeat, and the comforting feel of her best friend's arms around her, even the lingering pain and discomfort wasn't enough to keep her from falling into blissful slumber.


Clarke woke up to Octavia gently shaking her free shoulder, halfway leaning onto the bed with a knee pressing into the mattress. "Hey, wake up, breakfast's ready."

"What time is it?" She asked, blinking away her sleep, pouting that she'd been woken already.

"Seven-thirty. We let you two sleep a little longer, you're the last to be served." Octavia answered, running a hand through Clarke's hair and patting it down to smooth it out. "We'll bring a tray in. The grumpfruit here's gotta go get her own, though."

"Leave her to me, she'll be up in a minute." Clarke noted, waiting for Octavia to sneak off out of the room before starting to prod Anya. "Hey, Anya...Anya?"

Her best friend grumbled, curling ever closer into her. "Go 'way."

As intimidating as Anya could be, the woman was arguably the most adorably stubborn sleeper. "Come on, babe. I smell apple-cinnamon French toast. I know you love those."

Anya just growled and buried her face in Clarke's neck. "Sleepin'."

"Nope, you have to get up. You gotta eat if you want to be all fast and strong enough to beat my Eagles today." Clarke stated, barely even mustering a grunt from Anya, who just held on tighter. She'd have to use her wildcard, then. "Anya, my neck hurts, can you get me a fresh ice pack?"

Immediately, Anya shot up in bed, eyes bleary and unfocused as she glanced around and prepared to misguidedly march off to the bathroom. Clarke wrapped her arms around Anya's waist just in time. "Clarke, let me go."

"Anya, go get breakfast first. My neck will be fine until then." Clarke said, holding firm in her grip until Anya rolled her eyes and gave a resigned huff, eventually marching off to the bedroom door once Clarke let go. "Love you!"

Anya grunted as she made her way out to the kitchen, Clarke knowing the woman would be annoyed, but that her best friend would have a good chunk of the rest of the morning to continue relaxing with her. And really, Anya absolutely would be cheered up by apple cinnamon French toast.

Clarke let out a yawn as she sat up against her pillows, happy to settle her rumbling stomach even if it meant not being able to leave her bed. It was an annoyance Clarke was sure would grate on her more and more as the day went on, but she'd entertain their requests and demands.

Until game time, at least.

"Okay, French toast...some bacon, scrambled eggs, and home fries." Octavia noted gleefully, carrying the tray of food across to room and settling it over her lap. "We ended up with a bunch of extra food, so you and Anya will have plenty to eat."

Clarke let out a sigh at she looked over the enormous meal, even as she felt the distinct urge to dig into it immediately. "This is something like what I'd eat the morning before a game. I won't be working out for weeks, O. It's too much."

"Then share with Anya, her stomach's a mini black hole on game days, at least from what Lincoln's told me. I'm sure mama bear won't mind eating your scraps." Octavia returned as she sat down at the end of the bed, letting out a laugh at the growl from the doorway.

"Don't call me that." Anya grit out with a huff as she made her way back to bed and settled in beside Clarke, refusing to even look Octavia's way. "But yes, I will eat whatever you won't, Clarke." Her best friend continued, words coming out softer as Anya pulled out two cold packs and positioned them against Clarke's neck.

It sent a chill through her from the sheer coldness, her old packs having long since lost their use. Clarke let out a huff of discomfort before leaning slightly into Anya, who in turn prodded her back into position and curled up against her. Always having been far more comfy resting on her side, Clarke knew her bed rest would only get more frustrating.

"So, Lexa's gonna be by in forty or so, apparently. Just in case you were wondering." Octavia noted as she stretched out across the end of the bed like a cat. "Coach Kane's called for a practice in an hour, the monster. So I'll be heading out in a bit with Raven, and we might not be back until closer to eleven or noon. Is that okay?"

"Of course, O. You two need to take care of the team while I'm gone. Be your best selves at practice today." Clarke insisted, eliciting a groan from her roommate. "Even if the practice is early, you'll need it. We're going to be weak down the middle with me and Tsing out. You'll have to help Kane whip the rest of the team into cohesion."

"Point taken. Hopefully Charlotte can step up and take on fourth line duties. Not too worried about the others, but this will be huge for her." Octavia said before letting out a long sigh. "Won't be the same without you, Clarke."

Anya swallowed a large bite of her French toast and directed her gaze at Octavia. "For what it's worth, Caris was suspended for the rest of the season. I got the text early this morning from Indra."

"Good." Octavia grunted, swiftly moving to her feet. "Well, I'm gonna go get Raven. I'll send her in for a bit before we leave."

Octavia was gone before Clarke could swallow her bite of eggs. "Guess that's a name we should probably avoid for a while." Clarke noted before dipping back into her breakfast.

"Mmmh. Lexa did mention that Octavia was out for blood last evening. Reasonably so." Anya said after finishing off her French toast, shooting Clarke a curious expression at the blonde's grimace. "Don't look at me like that. You're my sky girl, we all love you. We're allowed to be upset that she hurt you."

Clarke just shrugged as she ate the last of her eggs. "She's suspended. I figure you made sure she had a bad night. Not much else you could do to make her feel worse than she probably already does over what she did."

"She was my teammate, she broke our code. She hurt someone I love. I don't care how she feels, I can feel how I like." Anya insisted, placing her fork down for a moment and gently bracing it against Clarke's cheek. "What she did put your life in danger and scared me half to death."

Anya leaned closer in front of Clarke, pressing a kiss to her forehead, sending a slow wave of warmth through her body. "Okay, I understand, I get it." Clarke noted in appeasement, placing a hand over the one Anya had on her cheek. "Not that I'll ever complain, but what's with all the lovey-dovey talk?"

Anya's hand twitched against her cheek, pulling away a millimeter or two before pressing more firmly after a moment's hesitation, eyes narrowing in determination. "No one tells you that enough. That they love you. It's important." Anya stated, lower lip quivering the slightest bit. "I love you. We love you."

Clarke took a heavy breath and blinked away the tears, throat and chest straining from the swell of emotion rushing through her. Five months ago, she'd been alone, having lost her best friend, and been practically disowned by her mother. Back then, she'd been certain that no one loved her anymore, or could love her anymore all things considered, and that her mother hadn't for quite some time.

Now, she had a best friend who loved her unconditionally, she had a roommate who loved her and whose boyfriend welcomed her into the fold, she had a close friend who loved her and was dating her best friend, she had a potential future girlfriend who according to Anya might be falling for her, and she had Nyko's family, who had opened their arms to her and had been with her every step of the way since moving to Boston.

She had a new family now. A hodgepodge of one, but one she wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

"I love you, too." Clarke let out, voice splintering and cracking on each syllable, rendering it all a mess, but Anya seemed to get the gist of it, leaning over to press another lingering kiss to her forehead. "I love all you guys so much."

"Just when I think you two can't get sappier, you manage to surprise me." Raven's voice called out from the doorway, Clarke barely being able to grab and steady her cooling tray of breakfast before Raven ran and leapt onto the bed on Clarke's opposite site. "But thanks, blondie, I love you, too." Raven mumbled quietly, pressing the briefest kiss to her cheek.

Clarke, with her head still directed straight ahead, was graced with the sight of Anya's gaze shifting towards Raven, a slight frown marring her lips. "Raven, kiss your girlfriend so we can get back to eating." Clarke requested, watching the blush rise in Anya's cheeks, but otherwise, her best friend's expression and gaze remained.

"Aww, c'mere angel. Pucker up." Raven said gleefully, ignoring how stiff and red Anya went as she crossed the distance and peppered her girlfriend with kisses. Anya's posture softened slightly, but Clarke could still tell there was some level of distress.

"Raven..." Anya murmured with more than a shred of annoyance.

"Wh...oh. Oh shit." Raven stammered out, and Clarke could see her attention bouncing between both blondes. "I didn't mean to let it slip, honest."

Clarke pulled Raven and Anya closer, at least as much as she could. "For the record, you two are adorable, and the term of endearment's entirely fitting."

"Not adorable." Anya insisted as she leaned against Clarke.

"I'm just saying, you two are relationship goals. You're adorable together." Clarke continued with a wide grin as Anya leaned back to shoot her a glare that was hardly sincere by the jubilation swirling in her eyes.

"Hardly adorable." Anya mumbled, brow furrowing in protest. Her face relaxed as soon as Raven's lips met her cheek again, Anya letting out a faint huff. "This stays between us."

Clarke gave the slightest of nods and smiled back at her best friend. "You know I won't tell. But either way, I approve of your choice, Raven."

"Thank you, I thought it was pretty great, too. Because my angel's pretty great." Raven teased, pulling Anya closer, bringing a wide grin to the woman's face. "The best, actually."

"Flatterer." Anya noted softly, before settling back into Clarke's side. "Now let us eat, I need my energy, and Clarke does, too."

Raven shifted down against Clarke's other side, but not before she nabbed a slice of bacon. "Yeah, I'm good with that."

The meal went well from there. Clarke finished her French toast and left Anya the rest of her bacon and potatoes, finding it amusing how much Raven was pouting about not getting the leftovers. It had Clarke wondering how the two of them handled food, with Raven having an endless appetite, and Anya's workout regimen ensuring her calorie intake had to be massive.

She didn't envy any restaurant they chose to eat at during a date.

But I'm sure they'd be fun to see out in public together...maybe one day I'll be able to go on a double date with them...Clarke mused, eyes growing wider as she realized time was running out before Lexa would arrive.

"Raven?" Clarke asked, earning an acknowledging hum from her friend who had since curled up against her, head resting on the blonde's shoulder. "Can you get me one of Lexa's sweaters?"

Immediately, Anya perked up. "Are you cold?"

"Actually, no. But can you bring me up above the covers? I'll overheat if I wear her sweater and stay under." Clarke requested, laughing when Anya rolled her eyes, apparently catching onto her plan quickly.

"And you call us adorable." Anya shot back, gently working Clarke out from beneath the covers. "Lexa had precious little time to prep those sweaters for Lincoln to bring over."

Clarke started to tilt her head in confusion, a sharp jolt of discomfort stopping her before she started. "Prep?" She asked, taking hold of an oversized forest green pullover from what she imaged was Lexa's old high school.

"You'd douse yours in your perfume. She wanted to do the same. Just, you know, by using a saner amount." Anya explained with a wry grin, taking one last moment to fluff up Clarke's pillows before helping her scoot away from them so she could carefully slip the sweater on. It took a little wrangling, and some help from Anya, but eventually she settled back onto her bed, happy with the comfort of Lexa's sweater.

Clarke pulled some of the material up to her nose and sniffed, realizing Lexa had added a scent of her own, even if it was less potent than Clarke would have made it. "Is that...it smells like..."

"You smell like a bakery." Raven interjected, pressing her nose against Clarke's shoulder and taking a sharp sniff.

"Cinnamon buns. A novelty gift for her birthday last year. I thought it was amusing more than anything...there was a bakery around the corner from the practice rink, and she'd often stop to get a cinnamon bun afterward. She took a liking to it, though." Anya added, and while Clarke could see there was a bit more information sitting beneath the surface, she didn't press. She could always just ask Lexa later on.

Clarke glanced up at the time, noticing that Lexa would probably be by in less than fifteen minutes.

She let out a yawn and pulled her friends closer, figuring she had time enough to enjoy their company before Octavia would pull Raven away. If her injury was going to keep her bed-bound, she was going to take advantage of all the 'friend time' she could wrangle, knowing once she was back to good, she'd be more than busy trying to make up for lost time.

For now, with Anya and Raven at her side, it was hard to worry so much about that.


Lexa paced outside Clarke's door, psyching herself up for the next half hour or so before she and Anya would have to head out to their team practice. The last time she'd been inside, she'd been alone with Clarke, experiencing a long, emotionally intimate night and an awkward morning farewell. She'd vented about Costia in that living room, she'd been held by Clarke in front of that couch, and she'd kissed Clarke in that bedroom.

They'd been alone then.

Now, Lexa knew much of Clarke's support network would be inside, changing the dynamic, ensuring everything would be quite public. In the past, even with Costia, most of their intimacy was at home, or when they were alone.

"I guess I'll have to get used to it...I couldn't ask her to hide this, not when Raven and Anya already know, not when she deserves so much better than that. I'll just...have to figure it out, I suppose..." Lexa mused, taking a deep breath before opening the door and stepping inside.

The vague scent of cinnamon, maple syrup and batter filled her nostrils, breakfast clearly not having been finished all too long ago. She slipped off her boots and hung up her coat, stepping deeper into the condo and pausing by the entrance to the kitchen, where Nyko, Octavia, and Raven were huddled around the island.

"Hey..." She offered, quickly gathering the attention of the group, feeling a little bit content at the smiles aimed her way. "...can I go in and see her?"

"You'd better. She's expecting you." Octavia offered not to subtly prodding Raven out of the kitchen. "We've gotta head out, but you take care of her in our stead, okay?"

Raven rolled her eyes as Octavia shoved her towards the entrance, but called out over her shoulder. "Make something happen, Lexa! Take the initiative!"

Lexa swallowed and looked to Nyko, who just cocked an expectant eyebrow at her, slightly shaking from whatever laughter he was holding back. At the very least, despite how intimidating Raven's request was, the group did seem to mean well and support her, so with a deep breath, Lexa moved to the bedroom door.

I can do this...I stayed by her side all night. Heck, we talked, and she likes me back...I can worry about things later. Right now, I promised I'd see her before practice, and I'll see her... Lexa mused, counting down from three before opening the door a crack and peeking into the dark room.

It took a few moments for her to adjust to the darkness, but as predicted, Anya was curled up against Clarke's side. However, her cousin seemed to be napping, given Clarke having her full attention on a tablet instead. Lexa made sure to be quiet as she entered and closed the door behind her, but she wasn't quiet enough to evade Clarke's attention.

Not that she'd wanted to, really, she was just trying not to wake her cousin; thankfully she hadn't woken Anya up with how grumpy she could be over disruptions. Knowing how light Anya's naps tended to be, Lexa tiptoed to the vacant side of the bed and carefully took a seat beside Clarke.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, happy her eyes were finally fully adjusting, being able to take in Clarke at full detail. The blonde looked a little better, certainly more awake and more content. She hoped Clarke wasn't in much pain, if any.

"A little better. My neck's still hurting from the spasms, but they should ease up soon enough, and they're bearable." Clarke answered, watching Lexa from the corner of her eye, barely tilting her head in her direction. "How was your rest?"

Lexa lifted a shoulder, mouth twisting in indecision. "I didn't get much more than a brief nap, but I slept okay last night. And it was good to shower."

"Well, you smell nice, anyway." Clarke added with a shy smile, lifting her hoodie sleeve to her nose. "I like this."

Lexa wasn't sure what Clarke was talking about, her brain needing a moment before she realized what Clarke was wearing. She needed a few more to gather enough oxygen to speak. "You're wearing my hoodie..." She let out, awed at the blonde's decision.

Clarke shook slightly and let out a quiet laugh after a slight delay. "You just noticed that?"

"I was distracted." Lexa shot back in a quick whisper crossing her arms.

"By what?" Clarke asked, tilting her head slightly towards her, brow furrowed in clear confusion, which shouldn't have been the case, all things considered.

"By you."

Clarke's eyes widened ever so slightly, cheeks darkening enough to be noticeable even in the dimly lit conditions. "Oh." The blonde noted softly, chewing on her lower lip for a moment. "Well I love the hoodie. And I'm happy you wore one of my old ones, too."

Lexa ducked her head as she leaned slightly against Clarke. "Doesn't smell like you anymore..."

The sensation of Clarke's hand gently patting around and taking hold of hers had Lexa feeling like forever was sprinting through her schedule, closer and closer with each second they were connected. With her heart's pitter-patter in a big band performance, it was hard to keep that optimism in check.

"Well, we'll have to change that when I'm better." Clarke mused openly, letting out a happy him as she pulled Lexa closer. "For now, you know where to find me if you miss me."

Lexa's mouth shot open to deny the blonde's words, but her jaw shut after a second thought, knowing the rebuttal would be fruitless. She had missed Clarke. And she did know where to find her. Clarke had always initiated, always come to her; it was time for Lexa to go to Clarke now, just as she had today.

"You have to leave for practice soon, don't you?" Clarke asked after a few minutes of relative silence outside of Anya's faint snore.

Lexa's head bobbed indecisively, even if she knew it was the truth. "Anya and I have a little more time before our people need us."

"You'll come back later? The kid's got homework after dinner, so I'm gonna have a slew of movies to watch." Clarke asked, voice all soft and warm and pieced together with audible hope.

It was the easiest decision ever, even if she hadn't already set aside the evening for that very scenario. "I look forward to it, Clarke."

"Raven and I will even leave after the first movie, give you two some space." Anya mumbled, causing her to wonder just when her cousin woke up.

"Anya..." Clarke started, only to be cut off by a sleepy laugh.

"I'm not waiting a week for you two to have your first date. No excuses, little one. I know your schedule." Anya shot back, her amusement filling the room with each word.

Lexa rolled her eyes, letting out a loud huff since she didn't have to worry about being loud anymore. "Anya, you don't need to interfere. I was on my way to that."

"I was just trying to help, Lexa. Give you a little push...I only want you both to be happy." Anya let out, only a little reluctant.

"Well, I did have plans to ask Clarke on a date, anyways." Lexa insisted, knowing she really did have aims at asking the blonde out on a date before they left for practice. Her cousin jumping the gun and making the call a mere minute or two before she'd planned for was over the top, even if it was Anya's typical overbearing nature peeking its head out.

"Did you now?" Clarke interjected, grabbing both of their attention. "Tell me, what would you have said?"

It was an easy enough question, even if Lexa hadn't really planned out her words beforehand. It was the idea of it all that she'd entered the room with, not the execution. Still, she had to try; Clarke was worth it.

"I would have...I would have asked if you wanted to maybe have a movie night in, tonight? I know you have plans for dinner, but maybe I could bring some dessert by, and we could curl up somewhere cozy for a movie or two?" Lexa asked, feeling her cheeks flush as she spoke, hoping that she was pulling it off. She really had wanted to ask Clarke on a date. She didn't want to disappoint her.

"Yeah, I'd love to, Lexa. I really enjoyed our other marathons, I can't wait for tonight." Clarke said, offering Lexa's hand a gentle squeeze.

"Marathons? Plural?" Anya piped up, only for Clarke to reach over and muss up Anya's hair more than it already was.

"Hush, you. None'ya business, babe." Clarke laughed, arm wrapping around Anya's head and pulling her awkwardly close, forcing an annoyed huff from her cousin.

Anya grumbled a little as she sat up and let out a lengthy yawn. "Fine. Least you're figurin' things out. Got about ten minutes 'til my alarm goes off and we need to get to practice, little one. Enjoy them."

With that, Anya pressed a quick kiss to Clarke's cheek, got up off the bed, and strolled out of the bedroom, leaving the two of them alone.

"So...I can't exactly wish you good luck at the game today." Clarke noted, a beautiful smile stretching across her face. "But...this may be a little forward, but since you were nice enough to ask me to a date tonight..."

"Funny." Lexa let out with a laugh, even if she was full of anticipation for whatever Clarke had on her mind, hoping it was good.

"I was thinking the last time you were here was nice. Maybe we can't recreate it all tonight, but...maybe some parts?" Clarke asked, giving Lexa's hand another squeeze. She could practically see how much Clarke wanted to turn her head, could see the tension in her neck even as the blonde was smiling and blushing.

Lexa had a good idea what parts Clarke was speaking of. "Yeah, we can do that."

Even as they rested there together, enjoying the silence and simple human contact, Lexa's mind was whirring, plans for the evening coming to fruition piece by piece. For the first time in a very long time, a hockey game wasn't the thing she was most excited about in a day.

It was an odd feeling, but a good one, she figured.


"You know we almost had you, right?"

Anya grinned, halfway loving the competitive fire that had Raven repeating that exact sentence for the fourth time since they'd met up after the game to head over to Clarke's. Her girlfriend never committed to anything half-assed, and while the logical part of her was supposed to be annoyed, she couldn't help but feel pride at Raven having given her all and feeling a little burned at still losing three to two.

"I know you did, love." Anya let out with a laugh as she pulled Raven up against her, the both of them resting against the elevator railing. It was the slight tension of the body in her arms and Raven's eyes going as bright and wide as the damned moon that hard her brain working overtime, quickly cluing into what was said.

Oh hell, I...well...it could be worse...Anya mused to herself, taking in the utter disbelief and joy sparkling in Raven's eyes. She hadn't meant to escalate things so quickly, but it was hard to worry when Raven was looking at her like she was the first ray of sunshine she'd seen in a month. "What, not to your liking?"

Raven laughed, arms pushing out to put some space between them. "Shut up, you know it is."

"Yeah, pretty clear the big moon eyes she was giving you were proof enough, Anya." Octavia added with amusement flushing her cheeks, Lexa nodding along as she grinned in her direction.

"Just making sure." Anya noted, pulling Raven closer again and pressing a chaste kiss to her lips. Nothing wrong with making Raven smile, even if making out in public would be inappropriate en route to seeing how Clarke fared with Jason's little one.

Raven smiled into the kiss and leaned into her as they separated. "You only need to make sure you know two things, woman." Raven said, shooting her one of those faux serious expressions of hers that were endlessly cute and endearing. "One, cat's out of the bag. You gotta call me that all the time now. You got one, and now I choose that, so we're square on that deal. And two...we definitely had you on the ropes in those final forty seconds."

"Fine, fine, you were wearing us down a little at the end there." Anya admitted with a sigh as the elevator came to a stop, plenty content with Raven's decision on the pet name. Perhaps it was sappy and blunt, but if it'd make Raven smile, then she wouldn't shy away from it.

"What, another twenty minutes and they might have overtaken us enough to tie it up." Lexa shot back as they stepped out of the elevator, laughing when both Octavia and Raven turned towards her, calling out accusations or protests about it all, but Anya wasn't paying attention to the commotion.

No, as soon as she stepped out, the sight of a figure pacing in front of Clarke's condo immediately had her complete attention.

Anya could hardly keep her thoughts straight as she marched down the hall towards the intruder, dozens of unanswered questions and fears bouncing around in her head. It's not about me, though, I need to protect Clarke...

She was only a few feet away when her approach seemed to startle the woman out of her thoughts, not giving the woman nearly enough time to defend herself before Anya was pushing her down the hall and away from Clarke's door.

"What the hell! Who are..."

"You three go in and make sure Clarke's alright." She called out over her shoulder, knowing the others would hear her, eyes focused on the intruder as she gave another push, finally enough clearance from Clarke's front door for her to feel comfortable.

"Anya...are you going to be okay out here alone?" She heard Raven ask, her girlfriend sounding a little too calm and collected to not be artificial. Still, she appreciated the effort and the thought.

"It's for the best." She spoke lowly as she stared down the confused and aggravated woman in front of her. "Mrs Griffin and I need to have a little talk."

"Excuse me, you can't just shove me and expect..." The doctor complained, Anya waiting for the click of Clarke's door before she grabbed the woman and pressed her up against the nearest wall, Mrs Griffin letting out a discomforted huff.

Anya used her free hand to pull out her phone, checking the time. "Twenty-six hours. You gave up your right to complain a long time ago, doctor."

Mrs Griffin struggled against the arm she was being held by before a flash of realization crossed her face. "You're the woman from the phone calls."

"Don't be fooled by the fact that Jason and I were the only ones to call. When I spoke, I spoke for Clarke's family here. There's a group of people in that condo, all gathered to care for Clarke, who were at her side when she was rushed to the hospital yesterday afternoon, and who were still there when we brought her home at six this morning, and who are still here." Anya grit out, pocketing her phone and setting her full attention back on the doctor. "So you're going to explain why you're so late and hope that I don't call security on you."

"Jason wouldn't keep me from seeing..."

Anya pushed back her fury, knowing that as badly as she wanted to punch the woman, it'd only get her in trouble with the law as well as with Clarke. "Shut up! I'm not hearing an explanation, and trust me...whatever goodwill you thought Jason might have felt towards you, it's changed since last evening. See, when you're given a full day to see someone go without the love of a parent, when that parent could easily have arrived to care for their kid, it changes things because...if you're a good parent...you know you'd drop everything to help your kids if they were seriously hurt, no matter what."

Abby gave a hard shove, enough to have Anya taking a half step back. "I don't have to take this from...what are you, Clarke's age? You're not a mother, you wouldn't understand."

Before Anya knew it, she'd thrown Mrs Griffin up against the wall and had her forearm pressing against the doctor's throat, albeit lightly. She kept her ears open for any commotion, but didn't hear any doors open in the hall. "Don't presume to understand my life, Mrs Griffin. I've never abandoned any child I've raised, and I never will, so you'd be smart to focus on that explanation for your whereabouts." Anya spoke slowly, each polite word taking all the effort she could muster, knowing it wasn't her decision as to whether Clarke would reconnect with her mother. She could only act as a barrier, someone to ensure Abby would be safe for Clarke to see, to permit or delay the woman. "I am Clarke's best friend, she's my family, and you need to make it through me to even have a shot at maybe seeing her, so start talking."

"She's still my daughter, and though we have a...complicated history, I still deserve to see her!" Abby yelled, poking hard at Anya's chest. "There are so many things about her that you don't know! Things about me that you don't know!"

Anya tilted her head back slightly and crossed her arms. She knew she could be overbearing and too intense, and that she had a tendency to go overboard and get tunnel-vision when a problem came up, but there was no way she'd break through to Clarke's mom with pure aggression.

No, she needed to play on the woman's emotions, and that meant using ammunition. That meant wielding Clarke's history, and while she wasn't comfortable with that, Abby needed to know what she was responsible for, she needed to understand the depth of her failure if only to determine if the woman would be safe to approach Clarke. "What, like what Clarke does for a living? I know all about that. So does Octavia, and Raven, and Lexa." Anya stated, startling Mrs Griffin with the admission. "That's right. It took a while...see, a little seed was planted in your daughter's head that doing what she does made her unlovable to pretty much anyone she might know. That no one would accept her because of it. That she had to be alone, and deal with all her issues and fears alone."

Behind the shock, Anya saw a hint of remorse and decided to full on tear away at the woman until that part was brought out into the open. She needed to know Clarke's mother regretted her actions. "The stress of that secret wore her down, she revealed it to me a few weeks ago. I could feel her relief when I held her and let her know I accepted and loved her. I could feel it with every fiber of my being as I held her. She couldn't believe anyone could accept her or love her unconditionally, and she got that from you, Abby. You need to understand what you did to your daughter."

Abby gave an exasperated scoff and stepped away, palm rubbing down her face. "What, am I supposed to just accept that my daughter's turning tricks? She's just a kid!"

"Yes! She's your kid, and parent to parent, it's your job to be there for her, even when she's not perfect, even when she scares or disagrees with you! That's called being a mother!" Anya yelled, stepping back into Abby's space until they were nose to nose. "Your daughter is smart, and talented, and vibrant, and kind, and so loving. You should be proud of her! She's an exceptional human being, and you treated her like dirt because you wouldn't let yourself grieve! You're supposed to build your children up, not break them down!"

Anya shook her head, forcing herself to stray from any more assertions that would make her feel like Obi-Wan Kenobi, because then she'd laugh, and it just wasn't the time. "You're supposed to pick them up when they fall, kiss every wound, wipe every tear, and foster all the best parts of them, even if they're not parts you have! It doesn't matter what her job is, you carried her for nine months and you raised her for seventeen years, I refuse to believe all of that went away when Jake died."

With every statement, aggressive or not, she could see Abby's confidence and defenses fall away to reveal more of the scared woman underneath. "Don't you talk about my husband, you have no right." The doctor grit out, though much weaker than her past aggressions.

"I have every right when his death is what brought us all to this! You were hurting when he died, maybe you blame yourself, and you needed to take care of yourself, but Clarke needed you too! And every time she found something to cope with, you broke her down! Fun fact, Abby, but Clarke's not a doctor. She couldn't' throw herself into work like you did to escape having to cope with Jake's death. She connected with her father through hockey, it made her feel closer to him, it made her feel his love, and she wasn't ready to let go of him yet! And you punished her for that when you weren't ready to let go either, no matter how many things you threw away, no matter how far you got from him." Anya railed on, watching as Clarke's mother shrunk beneath her accusing glare. It wasn't something that she took pride in, but it was good that her intimidation skills were coming in handy. "She only took that work because you cut her off from her father completely, and it was her only way back to him, to where she could heal and cope. You had a choice, to support her, to keep her from that work and let her cope in her own way, but you didn't. So if you're uncomfortable with her work, know that it's entirely your doing, and that she still has people who love her no matter what."

From the tears welling in Abby's eyes, to the guilt cracking at the edges of them, Anya knew she was close. Time for the softer gloves to come out. "You have to know that she's loved and happy here, with or without you. Know that she'll keep working this job throughout her tenure at college as long as she needs to, because she loves hockey too much to quit, and it's the only way she can afford it all. So in the end...what's the point? You know what's at stake, you think her work is a problem and have the tools to fix it if you want. You know that as loved as she is here, you both could benefit from reconnecting. You know you both still have to heal from losing Jake, and there's no stopping that. So tell me where you've been, because as much as Clarke might need you, I can clearly see you need her more. This is your one chance to make it right, to not live the rest of your life alone and leave Clarke motherless."

Anya sucked in a deep breath and watched Abby's faint figure halfway stagger to the wall, using it to hold her body up. The woman stared aimlessly down the hallway for a few moments before her focus cleared up, daring a glance Anya's way. "Anyone tell you you're a very intense young woman?"

"Every day of my life, but I have a special intensity when dealing with family, and Clarke is my family. She is hurt, and she is healing, and she needed you yesterday evening, but you weren't there. So for the hundredth time, just tell me where you were." Anya stated tiredly, just wanting the woman to give it up and tell the truth. She hoped she'd worn Abby down enough to get it from her.

As seconds passed, doubt began to sink in over what she'd thought was something of a victory against the woman's defenses, but after a half minute, Abby sagged forward. "I didn't mean to wait so long."

Anya cross her arms again and nodded for Abby to continue, needing more than an apology.

"I was in surgery most of yesterday. Two of our surgeons were out of the rotation, so I spent more time in surgery than normal. When I got out after performing a Whipple, it was around eight. I got notice of Jason's call first, and I thought..." Abby continued, voice trailing off as she shook her head, retreating back into herself.

Anya reeled Abby back in, hoping her assumption was correct. "You thought he was late, calling about the anniversary of Jake's death."

Abby's head shot up, eyes wide at full of disbelief as she stared at Anya. "How do you know that?"

"Clarke tried to have a get-together that evening, for reasons I'm sure you can put together on your own. My girlfriend and I spent the night with her and did what we could to cheer her up. We made cupcakes." Anya noted, before realizing she was getting ahead of herself. "Anyways, you were saying?"

Abby nodded. "Right, well, I avoided the message. I assumed the rest were from him, too. The first anniversary, he got drunk and left a dozen messages, so I thought it was like then. I slept on it, especially since I was already tired from working a long shift. After I woke and had some food, I listened to it. And...here I am."

Anya nodded, measuring up the woman in front of her. Taking in each hint of remorse and guilt, watching carefully for any sign of dishonesty. "Okay. So some ground rules heading into this...no being critical of Clarke's work or her for doing it. No dissuading her from playing hockey, even if it's why she's in bed right now. No putting any guilt or blame on her. Follow those three rules, and you'll probably end up unscathed at the very least. Can't predict how she'll react, but I'll ask and see if she's up for a visit. She's earned the right to decide if she wants to see you again, you understand?"

"I do." Abby let out, a year's worth of weariness and longing compressed into two simple words.

"Then follow me."


A/N: Sorry if this took a bit longer than expected to get up, hockey season is upon us :)

Thanks for all the support, ad for taking the time to read, I hope you all had wonderful weekends!