Chapter 18:
The day had finally arrived. The transports began with a combination of 5 from the Sky Clan and 5 from the Woods Clan taking the first plane. The next group would be the same mix. Lexa took one flight and Clarke took another just to ensure someone in leadership was on both of the first planes.
The next several days were hectic as all the clans began to arrive and were sorted into their homes based on clan and family needs. Carolina had asked Clarke to help her put together a sort of orientation for each group as they arrived. Clarke and others would help teach them about things like electricity, hot running water, cooking on a gas stove, cleaning with real cleaning tools and more. Clarke dolled out teaching responsibilities to her people since they were the most familiar with these things and had a member of another clan assist them to it didn't appear as if the Sky People were taking over all leadership positions. It took a solid week of work, but finally everyone had an understanding of what life was like in the city. They'd been kept separate from many of the citizens in the beginning until they had some time to get acclimated. The clans also took on teaching roles as time permitted. They would exchange what they learned with information on the plant life, their weaponry along with other survival skills to the people who never really had to learn how to do it before. Blacksmiths began teaching how to mold the swords, not just wield them. The healers shared their knowledge of nature's remedies with the doctors that were more accustomed with bottled chemicals.
Carolina called on Clarke for a 1 on 1 meeting, which Clarke thought odd and asked if Lexa or the other representatives chosen by the clans should join, but Carolina assured her it was only her she needed.
"Clarke, thank you for joining me." Carolina sat behind her desk in the office of the president.
"Sure." Clarke was sitting in a chair in front of it.
"How are you finding things here so far?"
"Good. Your people have really taken care of us. Thank you. We are looking forward to being able to get out to see more of the city though. You can imagine with over 100 people that are used to being able to roam freely, being cooped up in a couple of blocks away from the city itself is getting pretty boring. They're starting to get restless."
"I can understand that. We will begin the testing tomorrow and once we-"
"Testing?" Clarke interrupted and leaned forward. "What testing?"
"We need to make sure your people didn't bring any diseases with them. We'll start taking them in groups to the hospital to be tested. Once we know they're safe to roam, they will be free to do so. We've got some great things planned-"
"Why didn't you mention this before we got here?" Clarke asked a little frustrated.
"It's standard procedure. I assumed you would understand. You no doubt did things like this on your ship."
"It would have been nice to prepare the people for this. Most of them have never been to a hospital before in their lives. They have healers and healers don't run tests like doctors do."
"This will be the first step toward really introducing them into their new lives then, won't it?"
"Carolina, I don't like this. This shouldn't have been done this way. If you wanted us tested, you should have said something sooner. I'm going to have to take this to the coalition and let the leaders decide if-"
"My dear, there is no if, I'm afraid. These tests are a requirement of your stay here. If you choose not to be tested, you will be asked to leave immediately and we will not be able to provide transportation back to your old locations, I'm afraid due to our fuel shortage. We've already used so much just to get your people here."
"So you'd leave us on our own to wander over 1000 miles on foot?"
"No, I'd have you remain and be tested for everyone's safety." She stood and walked in front of her desk. "Clarke, about 50 years ago, we brought a small group of people in much like yourselves and we were caught unaware by a disease called polio. It rendered people paralyzed and caused many deaths in our population because we failed to test. About 15 years later, we had a case of small pox that wiped out a third of our population. We only wish to prevent this from happening again. I assume all of your people are healthy and we will verify that soon enough."
"Wouldn't you know by now if someone wasn't?"
"A disease like polio has a 6 week incubation period before someone shows symptoms."
"What if one person or a small group of our people turn out to have something?"
"We must send them on their way." She leaned back against her desk. "We will, of course, give them proper provisions to help them on their travels back any way we can. We have horses. We can spare a few for-"
Clarke stood.
"I will make the leaders aware. They will not be happy about this though, Carolina and I don't want to make threats because we came here in peace, but these people are more accustomed to war. You should be aware of what you're dealing with."
"I understand." She replied and Clarke turned to leave. "Clarke?"
She turned back.
"Have you given any thought to your position here? What work you might do?"
"No, why?"
"I'd like you to take one of those positions in my cabinet I mentioned earlier."
"I'll consider it." Clarke replied.
"And just out of curiosity, what do you think of York?"
"York? He's fine, why?"
"He's is my son. Adopted technically, but my son." She paused. "His parents died and I've raised him ever since."
"Oh, sorry to hear about his parents. He never said anything."
"York is a good man." Carolina approached her. Clarke wasn't sure where she was going with this. "You two would make a fine couple."
"Carolina, you know I'm with Lexa."
"Oh, I understand. Young love. I've been there myself. Lost my husband a while back after 25 years together. We met when we were about your age."
Clarke took a step toward her.
"It's not just young love. Lexa and I are married." Clarke continued the lie, realizing one day there might be an actual ceremony and they'd have to confess that that they weren't actually bonded this whole time. She knew her people could be trusted, but she didn't know enough about these people to tell them the truth.
"Yes, I am aware. You're from such different places, I'm surprised."
"Well, we are and we're happy." Clarke reiterated. "And I should be getting back to her now."
"Clarke, just think about what I said, okay?"
"I'll think about the position." Clarke explained leaving out the part about Carolina wanting her to think about York.
She walked out of the building and saw Lexa standing there.
"I thought you could use some company for the walk home." She said and held out her hand for Clarke to take, which she did.
"You came to pick me up?"
"Yes, I don't want you walking alone at night. We are still on unfamiliar ground."
Clarke looked around.
"Lexa, there's no one here." Clarke pointed out the deserted city street. It war true. With the exception of the few police officers guarding the president's building, there was no one else around.
"Then, we will just walk home and discuss your meeting."
Clarke shared the news of the testing and Lexa was understandably angry and wanted to flee in the night, but Clarke reminded her they'd be on their own getting back and winter would be approaching soon. They'd probably lose people along the way and she could end up losing the trust of her people. They'd spent very little time together since they arrived due to getting everyone else taken care of so Clarke decided to enjoy this walk together.
"She tried to get me to consider dating her son." Clarke confessed wanting to be entirely truthful with Lexa, but hoping she'd be able to help guide her reaction too.
"What?" Lexa stopped walking.
"York is her son. Adopted I guess, but she raised him. She thought he and I-"
"She knows of our relationship. She believes we are bonded already."
"Yes, she didn't think we were that serious, but I reminded her that we were married, at least as far as she's concerned. I told her I wasn't interested and she dropped it."
"I will speak with her."
"Lexa, it's fine. I told her. She got it. We moved on." Clarke started walking again.
Lexa followed and then caught up.
"Is it wrong for me to worry about this?" Lexa asked.
"No, but it's also jealousy and it kind of works for you, if I'm being honest." Clarke pulled her in. Lexa looked confused, as if she'd never heard the word jealousy before. "I love you, Lex. Only you."
Lexa smiled at the shortening of her name.
"I love you, Sky Girl."
Clarke kissed her and ran her hand up and down Lexa's back under her shirt.
"I wish to go home now, Clarke."
"Oh, okay." Clarke pulled back.
"We've not been together since we arrived and I think it's time to change that." Lexa smirked at her and took her hand to continue walking.
"Oh, that I can do." Clarke's body felt the anticipation of the excitement that came with being with Lexa.