16.

What's the difference between stupidity and insanity? That's the million-dollar question and I don't honestly the answer or how to argue about the issue itself, but I can tell you one thing. If I have to choose between stupidity and insanity in general sense then I would without a doubt choose insanity, even though both terms are often closely intertwined with one another. And if you don't believe me, then take Bellamy's proposition to stay with me despite everything in order to protect me from my mystery gunman as an example. I mean, honestly the idea was not only stupid but crazy as well and he couldn't honestly expect me to actually go along with it. Unfortunately for me, my opinion on the matter wasn't taken much into account.

Clarke tried everything in her power to talk Bellamy out of the idea of them staying together, taking every angle possible to make him realize that it was a really bad idea as well as completely crazy to for them to live under the same roof since they could barely stand being around each other as it is, but nothing seemed to be working. His mind was made up and was ferociously arguing with her how to proceed from here.

"Are you crazy? If you're so determined about going through with this crazy plan of yours then there is no way I'm staying at your place," Clarke said frustrated. "I mean it's already a bad idea for us to stay under the same roof, but adding Octavia in the mix is a catastrophe in the making. And I guessing you guys are still living together, right?"

Bellamy, who was no longer leaning against the railing, was staring down at her and appeared to be getting more and more annoyed about the argument and probably wanted her to shut up about the whole thing. Yet he remained quiet, listening to her rants, meanwhile standing there strong and firm with his arms folded against his chest that could be interpreted that no matter how hard she tried there was no way she could change his mind and that she should just accept things the way they are. Even if it meant she had to deal with Octavia and the problems that came along with it. Yeah, if I had to choose between which Blake sibling to deal with one-on-one at the moment then I would choose Bellamy, because Octavia made it perfectly clear that she was done with me and isn't going to accept my presence, hell my existence, in the apartment she and Bellamy stays in. Knowing her, she is probably going to stay away from her home and her brother in order to avoid me or cause a fight with Bellamy and me about it. Either way the situation wouldn't look good, and too many people would be caught up in the middle of it all, so if this was going to work the living arrangements had to be somewhere else.

He sighed heavily and asked wearily, "Fine. What do you suggest we do? I'm not trusting you to stay with your friends, especially since I don't feel like they are going to do a great job protecting you and keeping you in line." He paused for a second to think and then continued on. "What if I stay at your place? It's big enough and is located in a safe neighborhood. You would be safe and comfortable, and you won't have to worry about bumping into Octavia or anyone else. And besides, the chances are you won't even notice I'm even there. So it's a win-win for all of us."

It was foolish to think that she wouldn't notice that he was staying with her. Seriously, it would be impossible for her and anyone else in the world to not notice him and his handsomeness. He's like the closest thing to a Greek god. However he had made a good point, something that couldn't be avoided or argued over even if she wanted to, but nevertheless they decided that he was for now going to stay at her house until further notice. She could only hope that the knot in her stomach wasn't a sign that she made a mistake and was going to regret her decision on the matter.

Next morning Lincoln came to the gallery and was sort of surprised to see Clarke already there, finishing up an abstract painting by literally throwing the paint on the canvas rather than carefully brush it on. It was clear that something was bothering her, although what that exactly was he had no idea, but he knew that his friend needed him even if she didn't want to admit it to him or to herself right now.

I wonder if it has something to do with the case she's working on or something to do with the people from her past. Lincoln thought to himself as he walked quietly next to her, and placed a reassuring hand on the shoulder. As it turns out sneaking up on her and then place his hand on her shoulder was a bad idea because the minute she realized it she threw her arm up and flicked her paintbrush at his face, which led to him receiving a smear of black paint across his face.

"Thank you." Lincoln said stoically, while carefully trying to get the paint away from his eyes. "Although I don't think I asked to be painted today, in the literally sense I mean."

Clarke looked guilty and sheepish for what she did and pulled out her clean handkerchief and gave it to him in order to dry the paint off. "Sorry, I was so caught up in my own world that I didn't see or hear you. And when you snuck up on me I just reacted. It's a reflex."

"Right, because I look like such a predator." Lincoln couldn't help making the witty comment, knowing fully well that he often come off as someone threatening due to his appearance and quiet nature. Of course Clarke didn't see the humor in his comment, rather didn't want to see it, and instead simply gave him an annoyed look that told him to shut up. No that I'm going to do that seeing as I have many questions for her and it looks like she needs me, even though she probably doesn't want to admit it yet.

"Anyways, what are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be at the hospital."

The question seem to have brought back the reason why she was here in the first place since her expression fell and she turned around and retrieve another handkerchief, dirtier and covered in paint smudges, that was resting on the stool next to the canvas before she took a seat on the couch with her gaze completely focused on the ceiling. Oh no. It seems whatever is on her mind is definitely causing her unease.

Concerned for her well being, Lincoln took a seat next to her and waited her to confess her troubles whatever they may be. Clarke didn't say anything at first, but after a while she finally gave in and said, "Saw my mom again, but that's only half of my troubles at the moment."

He nodded his head. "Let me guess, Bellamy? What happened between you two now?"

She chuckled sadly and turned to look at him, with an expression that told him that she was completely lost and scared out of her mind. "He did what he always does. He gets to me and leaves me without any room to escape."

Then she went on telling about her conversation with Bellamy back at the hospital roof, about the fact that he was going to stay with her in order to protect her. During the entire story-telling time he remained quiet and simply listened, and once she finished her story her breathing was heavy and tears had already fallen down her cheeks. "What am I supposed to do? I can't have him back in my life, not this closely, because he's bound to figure it out my secret once I have nowhere else to hide the truth."

Would that be so wrong? I mean the secrets that you're keeping now are purely made of love and concern for your family and friends in order to protect them. Would it be so bad to let them in and allow them to help you? You are already drowning into the darkness of your own making. I don't want to lose you or let you stay in the darkness, and I'm pretty sure based on what you told me about your friends they wouldn't want it either.

Lincoln could say several things. He could comfort her and make her feel better and give her hope that whatever happens it was going to be okay, or give her the advice she needed in order to get past this roadblock. However with the many options how to handle the situation he already knew the answer over what she needed right now, and even if she wasn't ready or wanted to hear it.

He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and said honest and sincere, "I think this is a good idea, you know, you and Bellamy staying together."

"What?" Clarke said confused. "Why?

Lincoln nodded his head before he leaped in to explain his reasoning. "I understand that you want to protect your loved ones from danger, but that doesn't necessary apply to protecting them from you."

She wanted to argue on the matter, which he knew that she would just explain that if she involved them actively in her life like a few of them were trying to do now by helping her out with not only this case, but whoever was threatening to take her life then she would be responsible for their demise. Something that she would accept, let alone allow to happen if she had any say in the matter.

Nevertheless he didn't let her argue or explain anything to him, instead continued on like he hadn't taken the short pause. "Everything you do have been for the sake of others, but it's time to let others take care of you because you're not alone, Clarke. Bellamy, your friends, they are all fighting to help you, whether they are aware of it or not, and they aren't going to give up cause you're worth it to them."

"I know." Clarke whispered quietly, then turned her face away, ashamed of how his words probably hit the nail on her, but she needed this more than she would ever realize. He sighed heavily. "Look, I'm not telling you to confess your soul and darkest secrets right away. Just trust them and trust yourself. Trust Bellamy, Clarke, because if there is any person who knows and understands you, from what I can tell, better than me, it's him."

What the hell is wrong with you? Seriously, why would you even suggest the idea to stay with someone whom you don't want to be around on general basis? I'm really an idiot for doing this again, especially since she still has the power to destroy me. Bellamy thought to himself as he unlocked the door to Clarke's place later that afternoon, with the same key he had been given years ago before this mess between them had even started, and entered the house to find Clarke already inside waiting for him.

She looked up from the sketchbook she was working on, and almost immediately left it on the couch and walked up to greet him. "Hey, I didn't know if you still had your key or if you had thrown it away. So I waited for you…"

I should have just thrown away the key the day I found out about your departure, but something stopped me from doing so. However you don't need to know that. He stared at her, surprised over her thoughtfulness because she had no taken much liking to the idea of them living together temporary since he brought it up, but he figured she just adjusted to the idea because she always had a knack in adjusting to whenever the situation turned and she had to deal with things she didn't necessary wish to deal with but did it anyhow, like right now for an example.

"Good." He replied and went up the stairs and down the hall on the right where he knew she had a spare bedroom made up to him. He wasn't interested in talking or interacting with her more than necessary, but clearly Clarke had other plans since she followed him into the room and didn't make any indication to leave once he dropped his duffel bag on the bed either.

"Was there something else you needed to discuss or?"

Oddly enough she seemed taken by surprise with his question, but quickly refrained herself and shook her head. "No, nothing to discuss. I just needed you to know something."

"And what is that?" Bellamy asked, curious to why the sudden change in demeanor. She has been distant and wary since she came back. Literally doing everything in her power to push him and everyone else away, but now she seemed open and more relaxed. Something is up and I'm almost afraid to know what it is.

She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. Then she opened them again with a strong and determined look on her face that was identical to the ones she used to have before Mt. Weather. "I trust you. Always have and always will. No matter what is going on between you and me, I trust you, Bellamy."

What brought this on? Did something happen and that's why she going on and on about her trusting me? "Why are you telling me this?"

She swallowed like she was preparing herself to jump into open flames, which he guessed was what this current situation might describe at the moment seeing as the tension was lit between them. "Because even though I can't tell you what happened at Mt. Weather I don't want you to think it was because of you or that I didn't trust you. It's a lot more complicated then that."

Bellamy approached her and stopped inches away from her, looked down to see if she was actually being serious about this. "What do you mean…?" His question stopped in mid-sentence as she yanked him down from the collar of his jacket and forced his lips on hers.

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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.

Also I like to add that there are and will be grammar errors in this story, I had forgotten to mention before, and not a perfect writer and I don't have a Beta to fix it for me (which I have no intention on getting anyways), so if people have issues with that then you just have to live with it, okay? I write and release this mainly to entertain you guys as well release some of my creativity.

I used several references and quotes from movies, books and tv shows. So obviously I don't own them, but I will frequently use them since they fit the story somehow.

You all have asked and given me requests about more Bellarke scenes as well as progress in that relationship, Clarke/Lincoln scenes and what really happened at Mt. Weather, and I promise you that it all will happen in due time, so please be patient and hopefully I will manage to deliver your wishes to fulfill your anticipation for this story.

Review, favorite and/or follow.

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