2.

Dear Woman Magazine, what do you do when you are face to face with an old ex? Scratch that. What do you do when you are face to face with not only an old ex, but the one who happens to be on the top of the list over people who hates and despise you? And I might add, this ex had once upon a time been the man you loved the most in the whole entire world and had at one point been planning to marry him until you royally screwed it up?

It was like her mind just left and went on a trip, leaving her physical body standing there dealing with the fact that her ex-fiancé and the number one of the 'I hate Clarke Griffin' club was right in front of her. Clarke felt more than anything awkward and uncomfortable, seeing as the last time she saw him was when everything had just fallen apart and she had exiled herself out of her hometown and became the outcast as the rest of the town claimed her to be.

Ignoring those annoying and uncomfortable thoughts, she actually took time to really look at Bellamy, simply to see how much had changed. And even after three years of zero contact between them he still looked good, shamelessly good as much she hated to admit it to herself. His hair was still thick dark brown that complemented his brown eyes that currently shined with shock and distrust. There was a light dusting of freckles that reminded her of stars in the night sky, a feature that made him both adorable and youthful despite his age in her opinion that blended perfectly with his olive skin. His body was lean, muscular built and from personal knowledge very strong. However there was something in his appearance that had changed since the last time she saw him and that was his clothing. He was no longer wearing his police-issued uniform and was now wearing dark grey suit that most likely was his detective attire, apparently a perk for being promoted to detective, but all in all he was still physically attractive as she remembered him to be. And the worst part is, her body still felt attracted to him and wanted noting more than to force him against one of trees and have her way with him, running her fingers through those dark curls and simply feel alive again.

They stared at each other, completely surprised and unsure what to do or to say in this current situation. They continued on like that for a while until Lincoln, who was lying on the gurney next to her waiting to be transported to the hospital, tried to get her attention, "Clarke? Clarke?"

She snapped out of it and murmured a quiet apology to Lincoln before she turned her gaze away from Bellamy and went back to Lincoln, while feeling a little sadden that the moment ended, but when it did the tension in the air shifted and not for the better. Bellamy cough quietly, obviously trying to regain his control, and opened his mouth and said rudely, "Why are you back? Did you run out of people you could ruin lives to or did you come back here because you were suddenly in the mood for Round Two?"

Ouch. That comment was a low blow, even for him. Clarke thought. Sure, I can't blame him for resenting me, but I would have thought that he would have some control and professionalism to look past personal issues to do his job. Fine, if that how he wants to do this then I guess whatever I hoped we could have is over.

Clarke sighed defeated, "No, but whatever my reason for coming back isn't important and really you have no right to know. So whatever you're doing just stop and get over it already."

Her last words held exasperation and anger that she never once had felt towards him, not even back in the beginning when they weren't friends and she didn't like him, however quickly composed herself and took upon being the level-headed one since it was clear that neither of them were ready to get all up and personal about their issues at this moment in the middle of a crime scene.

"I assume, before you came here being an ass, did you had some questions for Lincoln and I?" Clarke asked, while expressing a hint of a snarl in her voice. Bellamy's eyes grew smaller and if she didn't know any better he looked like he was thinking of ways to kill her with his glare. It was probably exactly what he was thinking, but she wasn't going to let this get to her, especially because he wasn't worth breaking up over. Not anymore.

I'm going to kill her. Bellamy thought to himself as he finished of talking to both Clarke and her friend Lincoln about the accident and any further information about the dead woman, which turned out to be completely waste of his time since they didn't know anything. Better yet if she was going to act like that during her time here, then it wouldn't take long before someone, anyone would try and kill her.

When he reached the car where Miller was waiting for him, his loyal yet un-afraid partner took once glance at him and bluntly asked, "What is up with you and that blonde? You two know each other?"

Miller had only recently relocated here to Arkadia, moving over from Olympia Police Department just six months ago, so it was no surprise he wouldn't know who Clarke was. Her name was pretty much a taboo in town and by the locals, especially for him and Octavia, so no one was foolish enough to speak it out loud in his presence unless they wanted to taste his fists. However he couldn't resent or even wish to hurt Miller for not knowing the truth, so he grumbled a quiet answer, "You can say we have history, heck this whole town have a history with her and for most parts not a good one either."

"So…what is your history with her?"

Bellamy considered what to answer. As much as he tried to deny and ignore it he had once upon a time loved her and wanted to spend his life with her. A part of him still cared for her despite his resentment, which he felt incredibly ashamed of, especially since he had been the one to walk away from her, but she had been the one who left and betrayed him long before he did. Nonetheless he didn't want to bring up that can of worms, even to Miller who he knew he could trust. That is why he gave him the easiest and least complicated version.

"Her name is Clarke Griffin. She's the councilwoman and head doctor of the hospital Dr. Abby Griffin's daughter. However besides her privileged background she's more known for being the local Nancy Drew with an attitude and a habit of pissing of the police."

Miller frowned, confused over the comparison, hence why he asked, "You mean to tell me that woman is an amateur sleuth, I mean detective?"

Bellamy shook his head. If only things had been that simple. "Nope, she is licensed private investigator. Better name for it is PI, you know the kind you hire to find proof on cheating spouses and proof on embezzlement cases. So you can imagine that her job makes our job harder and a lot more complicated, but let me give you an advice. Don't get involved with her for any reason, because nothing good ever comes out of being involved with her, especially after what happened last time."

Miller was even more confused by his indirect answer and wanted to ask more, but Bellamy didn't want to talk about her anymore or ever again if he could help it. They had a suspicious death to investigate and there was no room or reason to worry about Clarke Griffin. As long as her damn curiosity didn't get in the way and decide to stick her nose where it most definitely does not belong.

Lincoln had left with the ambulance to get checked up at the hospital; meanwhile Clarke went to the small old-designed town house she had inherited from her grandmother when she was eighteen and was for now her place to stay while she was in town. Normally she would have gone with Lincoln to the hospital, but seeing as she wasn't in the mood to face another ghost of her past that happens to be her mother, especially after the round she had to go through with Bellamy, so her place was the safest place for her to stay low for a while. Or for indefinite future whatever suited the situation.

Then there was the whole issue about being up and close about another part of her past. It has been a long time since her sleuthing days, more accurately three years ago, and since then she hasn't worked on a single case since then. Just like Bellamy accused her of back at the crime scene, she had ruined many lives and what worst was that many people died because of it. The aftermath of her mistakes that had caused this destruction had become too much for her, too much for her to deal with to the same people she saw every day, which is why she left that life and this town behind her. That dead body was just a perfect reminder of her past mistakes, but it had also unfortunately brought out that urge to look into the circumstances behind it. No, she decided. She couldn't go on that path again, wouldn't do it again at the cost of her heart or for anyone else. She needs to let go and move on.

So in order to pass time until Lincoln returned she decided to unpack the few things she had brought along with her, which wasn't much since she wasn't really sentimental about most stuff and since she hadn't brought much with her when she left town in the first place, but as she began cutting up boxes and setting them into place she stumbled into one brown box that was marked 'Good times'.

What the hell? What would I keep inside that I mark a box with such name? Clarke thought as she went down on her knees to open the box when she suddenly remembered what was inside and its entire contents, she stopped her hands from opening the box, and simply stared at the box in shock. It felt like she was staring at the box for hours, wondering whether she should open it or not, when suddenly the doorbell rang. Confused, seeing as she only had a few friends left in this time and not many of them knew that she was back or where she lived. Then again words travel fast in a small town like this, so maybe it wasn't so surprising. Nevertheless she got up and went to open the door. When she opened the door to see a young woman with a dark complexion, brown eyes, oval face, and long straight dark brown hair that was pulled back in a ponytail.

"Raven?" Clarke said astonished, not really expecting seeing her friend at her door. Raven stared for a second, Clarke was worried how she was going to react since she had simply left without saying goodbye three years ago and only contacted each other through e-mails, but her concern was quickly put to rest when the young woman went up and hugged her. Taken back for a moment, Clarke hugged her back and chuckled lightly as Raven said, "You're back. You're really back. I have missed you, Clarke."

"I have missed you too." Clarke whispered quietly, feeling regret building up inside and was threatening to crush her entirely. "And I'm sorry for leaving without saying anything."

She pulled back and turned her gaze away from Raven, ashamed over her actions as well as how she even deserved her friendship in the first place since she had not once visited or called her. Besides the e-mails that came once or twice a month, their contact had seriously taken a huge hit. It was a wonder how unaffected it currently seemed at the moment, and the only reason she knew that for sure was that Raven hasn't punched her yet for disappearing three years ago.

Anyways, Clarke invited Raven inside so they could talk and catch up with each other, so she escorted her to the living room that only had the couch and brown boxes inside and they sat down on the brown couch. If things had been different they would have easily gotten into conversation, but right now everything was simply awkward and Clarke couldn't help feeling that she really didn't have a right to ask the questions that has been lingering in her mind for the last three years. However she had to know, needed to know how everyone was and where exactly her place was with the few people she still cared about.

"How is everyone?" Her gaze was focused on her hands, afraid to see Raven's reaction since she was well aware that her question wouldn't bring her comfort or hope that everything was okay.

Raven sighed and leaned back on the couch, "They are okay, for most parts."

"Don't bother spare my feelings," Clarke interrupted. " I have already seen Bellamy. And you can guess how that turned out."

Obviously Raven had quite a good idea what happened since she flinched, but thankfully didn't ask. Instead she said, "Monty and I are doing okay, have good jobs and new relationships. Jasper on the other hand…is struggling."

She nodded and wasn't really surprised, seeing as he was one of those few that had lost a great deal for her actions and mistakes. Still it hurt her to know that her dear friend was hurt and struggling to get back up with his life, but then again there were no guidelines as to how to get over the grief of your dead girlfriend.

Clarke didn't have to ask about it, knowing fully well Raven might not have the answer, but she asked anyway, "And Octavia?"

Raven gave no response, which was the best answer to express her ex-friend's feelings towards her and how she most certainly hadn't forgiven her and probably never would. Besides, the girl was probably sharing first place with Bellamy in the 'I hate Clarke Griffin' club.

There is really no hope for me. She thought as she ran a tired hand through her long curly hair. It's clear that no one wants me around. I mean I have ruined all of my relationships or at the very least strained them, my mother, Bellamy, Octavia, Jasper and maybe even Raven and Monty. Maybe I shouldn't have come back…after all.

Those were her last thoughts before the doorbell rang once again. Feeling confused, Clarke turned to look at Raven. "Did you tell anyone I live here?" She shook her head and appeared just as confused as she was. Dread was building up as Clarke once again rose up from the couch and headed straight for the door and didn't wait a second to check and see who it was. In the end she really didn't have to since the red and blue lights coming from outside was a good indicator as to who and what was showing up at her door. When she opened it she saw Bellamy and the other detective from the crime scene, probably his partner, standing there.

"Can I help you?"

"We are bringing you in for questioning," Bellamy answered, with a complete void of regret or kindness in his voice. "So we can do things the easy way, Princess, or the hard way? Which is it going to be?"

What the hell is going on? Clarke stood there, completely unsure what she was supposed to do. Why would cops show up at my door? Did it have something to do with the dead woman in the woods?

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Thank you guys so much for the reviews, favorite and followings, and I'm glad so many of you got interested in my story. So I hope you guys like the this chapter, and the next one will be out next week.

Clearly I don't own either the series, they belong to their respective owners.

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