Chapter 27

A couple hours later Clarke felt herself start to wake up but she instinctively cuddled into the person that she was practically lying on top of. Her head wasn't sore but she was surprised that it wasn't worse. She kept her eyes closed as she let out a quiet yawn as her fingers ran over the exposed hip they were resting on. For a second she thought she was lying with Raven but then she something else hit her. Her nose brushed gently over the side of the person's neck and the fragrance hit her like a truck. This was definitely not Raven, it wasn't even close to being Raven. This was most certainly Lexa Callaway. She was cuddling with her ex. She meant to pull away, even in her half asleep daze but she was so comfortable and then Lexa went and stretched underneath her. Instinctively Clarke's fingertips grasped her hips to keep her close.

She heard Lexa let out a yawn and fingertips start to absentmindedly draw on her back exactly how she liked it. After another five minutes of waiting to see if Lexa was going to say anything Clarke braved it an opened an eye. Yes just one. She squinted at the bright light that was pouring in through the window. They always had never been good with remembering to close the blinds when they were done staring at the moon or watching a storm.

"She lives." Clarke couldn't help but groan as she heard Lexa's raspy voice. A small smile crept across her face as she buried her head back into Lexa's neck. Something about their current situation was far more comfortable than it should have been.

"Good morning to you too." Clarke finally let out as she got the energy to roll on to her back.

Lexa did nothing but smile as they stared at each other for long moments. Neither really knowing what to say, so instead they burst out laughing at the exact same moment. "I am dreading going out there."

Clarke nodded as Lexa rolled onto her side and leaned up on her forearm, head resting in the palm of her hand. "How many times do you think they've 'checked in' on us?"

"At least five, maybe six. It's your fault though."

Lexa nodded in agreement. "How is it my fault? This is what happens when there is no pillow wall!"

Clarke couldn't get the grin that was plastered on her face. "It's still your fault."

"I clearly fell asleep first because I woke up this morning to advil next to my water."

Clarke raised an eyebrow. "I was being nice, thank you! For the record, I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow after putting those there but we both know you're head hates wine, and we had a lot of it last night."

"According to the pounding in my head, we sure did!" It was at that moment that Lexa's stomach decided to grumble which caused them to fly into another fit of quiet laughter as they tried not to alert their friends that they were awake.

"Ugh, I am so hungry too. What do you think if we climbed out the fire escape and went for brunch?"

"Clarke, let's be realistic, we are both far too lazy for that."

"Well we can't wait them out! They're like a pack of circling lions, they aren't going anywhere."

"I'll deal with them. Consider it your birthday present!"

Clarke leaned up on her forearms as Lexa slid out of bed and grabbed the hoodie that was sitting on top of the dresser on her way out of the door. "I owe you one." Clarke chuckled as she heard the door open and then close quietly.

XOXO

"Hello." Clarke answered her phone as she stood in front of the fifth floor nurses station.

"Hey you."

Clarke rolled her eyes with a smile on her face as she continued to look over the clipboard in her hands. "To what do I owe the pleasure of having Lexa Callaway call lil ol' me?"

Lexa laughed and Clarke was certain it probably came with the shake of her head. "I was wondering if you had plans tomorrow night?"

"One second, let me check." With that she pulled the phone away from her ear and went through her calendars. "Fox, do I have any surgeries scheduled for tomorrow night?"

Lexa smiled to herself as she pictured Clarke in her white lab coat. "I am in fact free tomorrow night, what's up?"

"Well it dawned on me that I never got you a birthday present."

"Lexa you don't need to get me anything." Clarke interrupted before Lexa could finish.

"Let me finish." They both laughed as Clarke leaned against the desk. "I got hockey tickets through work, one of the companies contributors gave them to me. So I didn't even pay for them but I was wondering if you wanted to go."

Clarke's eyes lit up. "Really? Rangers of Islanders?"

"Picture my face right now. I would never ask you to go to an Islanders game unless it was against the Rangers. So is that a yes?"

A pause. "What about Anya, or Octavia?"

"If I picked either of them over the other they may both kill me. Plus Octavia is working and Anya doesn't really like hockey."

"Am I your last resort?"

Lexa laughed. "No, that was Raven."

"You're such an ass Callaway but I'm not about to let that stop me from going."

"Awesome, meet me at gate 6 for six thirty?"

Clarke nodded even though the only one that could see her was Fox. "I'll be there, on time, I promise."

"Me too. Have a good day Clarkey."

"Jump off a bridge Commander." With the sound of Lexa's laugh Clarke hung up the phone before turning and looking at Fox. "What?"

Her friend raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "Nothing, nothing at all. You realize Monroe is going to be pissed you have a date with her future wife right?"

"Not my fault she hasn't locked that down yet and I'm too hot to stay away from."

"Can you two just get it on already?"

Clarke looked around the room before giving her head a shake. "I need to stop letting you all hang out with Octavia."

"I don't need Octavia to see the way you two have eye sex."

"We do not. I'm going to make my rounds before surgery. Keep this to yourself." Clarke set down the clipboard she had in her hand before picking up the next one and walking off.

XOXO

"What are you smiling about? A new girl in your life perhaps?" Elizabeth sat down across from Lexa at the table.

"No, that's definitely an old girl smile. See the way it goes all the way up to her ears." Jeff smiled at his daughter as she started to blush, letting him know he was right.

"Oh are you and Costia speaking again?" Her mother asked, trying very hard to maintain a straight face as she asked the question.

Lexa rolled her eyes and sipped on her wine that her father just poured for her. "I'm going to need something much stronger than this to get through dinner tonight aren't I?"

"Yep, you were right Liz, she's falling again."

"How do you know that I'm not happy about the date I went on the other night."

Her mother let out a laugh that wasn't necessarily meant for the restaurant they were in. "Please dear, we all saw how you were looking at Clarke during her party."

"We're strictly friends. Why is everyone so on our case about it?"

"Because you two have never been friends. Not even when you were six years old, you refused to play with each other. Except you always gave her the other have of your popsicle."

"I was taught manners, thank you." Her parents both laughed. "I'm enjoying being single and even if I ever entertained the idea of Clarke and I again she would laugh in my face. She has made it perfectly clear that our ship has sailed. Her words not mine."

Her parents looked between each other, speaking with their eyes, something Lexa could never decipher. "Lexa there's something we need to tell you."

"What?" She was suddenly very, very worried.

"Clarke had asked us not to tell you but we think now may be the right time."

She looked between her parents as the waiter sat their plates in front of them. "Is Clarke okay because she's seemed fine?"

Both her parents smiled. "She's perfectly healthy, as far as we know. Before you got back from Europe Clarke came by." Elizabeth said as she took a bite of her salmon.

"What? When? Last year? Why is that a big deal?"

Her father shook his head. "No squirt, after you broke up and you went to Europe with Costia. Clarke came back for you, I think that's the wording she used but she swore us to secrecy. She said that if you didn't know because you two had talked then you were meant to know." Lexa's mouth was slightly agape as she took in what her father had told her. "We had dinner with her that night, she was a mess Lexi."

"Why are you guys telling me this now? Is that how you knew she didn't cheat on me?" Her mother nodded.

"We're telling you because we don't want to see either of you that hurt ever again. Yes, that's how I knew though I think you always knew she could never do that to you or anyone too. She was broken and confused when she showed up on our doorstep. She was lost. That's why we always checked on her when we came to New York. We had to make sure that she found herself again, not that we ever doubted she would but we knew that deep down that's what you wanted, to make sure she was okay."

Lexa smiled as she reached out and took a hold of her mother's hand. "I always wondered how she was doing, and it did make me feel better knowing that you both had her back so thank you."

"It was really nice seeing you two get a long the other night."

She smiled at her dad. "You're such a softy Jeffrey." They all laughed. "We're friends, and honestly if that's all we ever are then I'm happy with that." Her parents could tell she meant it so they nodded and didn't push the subject any further.

XOXO

There was an older guy with a Rangers hat on drumming aware on a snare as Lexa looked around, waiting for Clarke. Sure enough a minute later at exactly 6:30 Lexa felt a tap on her shoulder. "Hey pretty girl."

"That's my line." Lexa grinned as she turned around and took in Clarke's appearance. Her hair fell to one side in soft curls, a pair of black skinny jeans with black high-heeled boots topped with a white Rangers jersey and her favourite leather jacket. "Aren't you going to get cold?"

Clarke shook her head with a laugh as the crowd around them continued to get busier as everyone started walking inside the arena. "No, that's what I have you for." Clarke winked before taking Lexa's hand and pulling her towards the door.

"Games get you so rowdy."

"It's been a long day, I need to get my yell on. My interns this year are idiots."

Lexa pulled the tickets out of her purse and showed them at the gate as they continued to make their way inside. "Tell me you aren't the Christina of residents?"

Clarke shrugged. "No, I'm definitely not, hence why I need to let all my frustration out here."

"I can think of another place to let that out." This time it was Lexa's turn to wink.

"Speaking of, how was your date?" Clarke asked with a smirk as she led Lexa through the stadium in the direction of their seats.

"Do not get me started. It reminded me why I'm single. Nice girl but no." Clarke looked at her with a giant smile. "What?"

"Is your staying single and abstinent goal still intact?"

Lexa scowled. "Don't look so shocked. I'm a lady."

"From what I remember maybe in the streets but not between the sheets."

Lexa burst out laughing as her cheeks reddened a little. "What can I say I'm I work hard to play hard."

"Stop before you take that any further." Lexa nodded as she tried to catch her breath from laughing so hard. "How's things with Finn, get the problem fixed as a birthday present?"

Clarke's eyes went wide at Lexa's comment. "And I'm the bad one, but actually I wouldn't know, we broke up."

"What? When? You okay? Do I need to take care of him?" Lexa stopped walking as she tried to read Clarke's expression.

Clarke smiled and looked at Lexa. "Two days ago, right after my birthday. I'm all right, it wasn't something that I expected to last but no the problem wasn't solved and that was part of the problem. He felt more like a friend than a boyfriend; there was no real spark. Lexa nodded in understanding, glad that her friend was okay, because that was all that was really important to her.

"Want a beer?" She asked as they passed the concession stand, and she really didn't know what else to say.

"I would love one!" Clarke smiled as she let go of Lexa's hand. She decided to look at the pictures on the wall as she waited for the brunette who was standing in line.

"Clarke?" She turned around at hearing her name and looked around the crowded space. She was about to turn around when she saw a familiar face dodging the crowd and coming towards her.

"Keenan." Clarke put on the fakest smile she could muster as her heart started to beat rapidly.

"Hi, surprised to see you out on a Thursday night but you look amazing." Clarke bit the inside of her lip and tried to swallow the snarky comment she wanted to make.

"Thanks, and you know when you get taken to a game you don't decline."

"Oh, are you seeing someone?"

Clarke thought for a minute on exactly what she wanted to see. "I am, you?" Short and sweet, always good to keep it simple, especially with an ex.

Keenan shook her head. "Not really, a few people here and there. You know how it is." No, she didn't know how it was but she smiled and nodded anyways.

"Here's your beer pretty girl." Without realizing it Clarke instantly relaxed as she felt Lexa's presence beside her as she handed her a beer. Once Lexa's hand was free she felt it rest slightly on her back.

"You look familiar." Keenan smiled at Lexa in an attempt to be charming.

"Hmm, you don't." Lexa smirked as she saw the corners of Clarke's lip turn upwards.

"Keenan this is Lexa, Lexa this is Keenan." Lexa nodded without removing her free hand from Clarke's back.

"You're the ex, that's where I know you from. I take it you two got back together. I thought you had moved on?"

Lexa shook her head as she leaned in towards Clarke. "You never move on from the most amazingly beautiful woman in the world." They locked eyes and smiled at one another as if Keenan wasn't standing in front of them. "I mean not many people would leave work early to go to a silly hockey game with their girlfriend but she's amazing like that."

Keenan looked at Clarke who was still smiling but for different reasons than Keenan thought. "Mhmm, well I better get going before my date gets antsy. It was nice seeing you Clarke."

"Yeah, you too." She chugged half of her beer as soon as Keenan was out of sight.

"What the fuck was that?" Lexa asked as they moved towards their section. "She's hot, I'll give you that but girl is a bitch."

"Thank you for that, you did not have to tell her that."

"I'm not going to let her stand there like you're inferior to her! You're a bad ass surgeon, her ass needed to be handed to her like she was in a UFC ring with Ronda Rousey." Clarke smiled and kissed Lexa's cheek.

"Seriously, thank you. I haven't seen her since we broke up so of course I would run into her here of all places."

Lexa shrugged as they sat down in their seats. "It was fun, you know how much I love putting people in their places. She did not seem happy that we were together, which made it even better."

"She was always jealous of you." Clarke shrugged as Lexa sipped on her beer. She'd have to remember to ask her more about that comment later. Right now she could tell that the little run in had made Clarke uneasy. So Lexa's immediate job was to make sure the rest of the night went smoothly and that they had as much fun as possible.

XOXO

Lexa couldn't help but watch Clarke with a beer in her hand and jersey on proudly as she yelled at the players and referees. "Come on, open your eyes. That wasn't a cross check, he barely touched him!"

Half way through the game Lexa found herself yelling just as much as Clarke. Which only caused them to drink far more beer than they realized. "I'm starting to feel a little tipsy. I'm getting old." Lexa said with the shake of her head as Clarke sipped on her fifth beer.

"Before you blame me, it's not my fault yelling makes your throat dry." They both smiled at each other as the bell sounded signaling the end of the second period. "I swear this ref is an idiot! I wish someone would cross check him." Clarke continued to huff as the players skated off and the lights on the ice dimmed slightly.

Both Clarke and Lexa looked up at the jumbotron in the middle on the rink and watched as the kiss cam came on. It scanned the room for cute couples and they couldn't help but join in on the 'awws' and laughter with the rest of the crowed as they watched the cute kisses and a couple of disses. They were in a fit of laughter over the mascot giving out kisses to an older lady when they saw themselves flash onto the screen. The laughter intensified when they looked at the screen and then at each other. Lexa tapped her cheek and turned it towards Clarke. Sure enough Clarke leaned forward, trying to hold the laughter in as she placed a soft kiss on Lexa's cheek.

They continued to laugh as the screen moved on to the next couple only to come back to them. A little shocked, they looked at each other and back at the screen several times before their eyes locked. Without wasting another moment Lexa slipped her hand up to cup Clarke's cheek and whispered something that only Clarke could hear. Their eyes were still locked and Clarke was sure she was dreaming as the noise of the crowd faded away. All she could hear was the beating of her heart and before she knew it Lexa's lips were on hers. She smiled into the kiss as Lexa's words made her giggle inwardly; 'This outta show her you were worth waiting for'. The kiss wasn't overly passionate or messy but there was definitely passion in it as they both melted into the feeling of each other in a way they hadn't felt in years. It was far more natural than either had anticipated it being and not at all awkward. In all honesty it was the probably one of the best kisses they had ever shared. The way their lips moved in perfect harmony, it was as though their bodies were on autopilot.

Another moment later Clarke's hearing came back and her ears were filled with the sound of the whole stadium cheering as they both slightly turned their heads to look at the screen. To their delight they saw that they were still on screen, the sides of their foreheads still leaning against one another and Lexa's hand still softly cupping Clarke's cheek. It wasn't until the players started to skate back out on the ice that they realized how long the kiss had actually lasted. Clarke bit the corner of her lip with another giggle as Lexa moved her hand away from her cheek.

TBC…