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Chapter 10

Running, always running. Clarke took a cautious glance behind her to see if he was following. She gave a sigh of relief when she found no one following her, turning to reassure her boys.

Her heart stuttered to a stop as her eyes took in the scene before her. Finn stood with AJ and Lincoln, both boys held immobile in his tight grasp. She tried to take a step forward, trying to reach her sons.

Clarke was pulled to a halt mid-stride, her arm held in a vice-like grip. She remembered that feeling, his fingers digging into her skin. She looked up into the sneering features of her ex-husband, a chill racing up her spine.

"Please, Finn," she begged, "Please let my sons go."

"You're going to pay for running, Clarke," Finn leered, "You're never going to see your sons again."

"No!"

Clarke sat up, the scream tearing from her throat as tears coursed down her cheeks. She sat, chest heaving and eyes wide with fear, as her bedroom door banged open and Lincoln came rushing in.

"Mom," Lincoln said coming to her side. He was out of breath, and she could see the terror in his eyes as he glanced about the room searching for an assailant.

"I'm ok," Clarke said, "Just a bad dream."

Lincoln sank down on the mattress beside her, his dark eyes missing nothing as he studied her. Octavia was nowhere to be seen, so she must already be up.

"What time is it", Clarke asked, moving to throw back her thick comforter but her son stopped her.

"You were dreaming about him, weren't you Mom?" Lincoln asked softly.

Clarke sighed, knowing she could hide nothing from her hyper observant eldest son.

"Yes, but it was just a dream," she said giving Lincoln's hand a squeeze, "You go on down stairs, and I'll be there in a few minutes to make breakfast."

Clarke watched him go, waiting until the door had closed behind him to take a quick shower and dress in a pair of sweatpants and a faded t-shirt. She decided to let her hair go, allowing it to dry without the assistance of the blow dryer.

She made her way downstairs, her dream still haunting her. It'd been a while since she'd had one of those, and she was a bit shaken. His voice still made her mouth go dry and her chest constrict. After all these years she was still afraid of Finn Collins.

When Clarke reached the foot of the stairs she took in a deep breath, exhaling slowly as she plastered a smile on her face. She found Lincoln and Octavia sitting on the couch watching TV, the teens smiling as she passed.

She made her way into the kitchen, deciding to make something simple since her mind wasn't exactly up for a gourmet breakfast. She put some oatmeal in a pot, watching as the dry oats sucked up the water.

When they were finished she dished up four bowls, milk and honey for Lincoln and brown sugar and peach preserves for AJ. She would have to ask Octavia and Bellamy how they liked theirs.

"Breakfast," Clarke called, waiting as Lincoln and Octavia meandered into the kitchen. "Where's your brother?"

Lincoln shrugged, "I haven't seen him yet this morning."

Clarke shook her head, deciding that AJ's room would be her next stop after taking Bellamy his breakfast. She made a tray for the oatmeal and fixings, unsure of what he liked she decided to give him several choices.

She made her way to the spare bedroom, knocking lightly before opening the door. The scene before her melted her heart, bringing a fond smile to her lips. Bellamy and AJ were both sitting in the queen-sized bed, a book open on their laps. They were talking history, their voices enthusiastic and their faces filled with glee.

"Alright my two historians," Clarke said, "It's time for breakfast."

"Morning Mom," AJ said with a bright smile.

"Good morning, baby. You're breakfast is in the kitchen," the blonde said as she shooed her son from the room.

After the boy was gone and the door was closed behind him, Clarke turned back to Bellamy.

"I didn't know what you liked so I brought you some choices," she said.

Bellamy looked over the assortment of jars and sugars. He chose the honey and brown sugar, stirring them into his oatmeal as he studied the woman sitting on his bed.

She looked tired, but she was beautiful. Her blonde hair was damp, curling softly down her back. She was dressed casually, and he had to admit that he liked this look best on her.

"Can I ask you a question, Princess?" Bellamy said, his gaze rising from his oatmeal.

"Sure, shoot," she replied, straightening his coverlet.

"What happened… with your first husband?"

Clarke sat in silence for a moment, and Bellamy took it that he'd overstepped his bounds.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to…"

"No, I want to tell you," Clarke said cutting him off, "I just haven't told this story in a long time."

Bellamy nodded, taking her hand gently in his own and setting the tray aside. He watched as she took a deep breath, her eyes glued to their entwined fingers.

"I got married at seventeen to a man named Finn Collins, a man I thought was perfect. I should have known better after the sham of a ceremony in Galveston, but I was young and stupid. We were married for a year before AJ came along, or Drew as his father called him.

"Finn was so proud of Drew, or so I thought. One day I found out that he'd been cheating on me, only as it turned out he'd been cheating with me. He had a fiancé, which turned out to be Raven.

"She told me one morning about my husband, and then I confronted him that night. He beat me, said I was his and he could do whatever he wanted," Clarke said with a mirthless laugh.

Bellamy felt rage rise up within him at the thought that any man could even think about hurting the woman before him.

"Finn left, and I did the only thing I could think to do," Clarke continued. "I called Raven. She came and found me on the floor of my apartment barely conscious. She got AJ and I out, driving through the night until we came here to Mount Weather. It felt peaceful and safe, like Finn could never find me here. We bought this house, fixed it up, and then Lincoln came into the picture six months later.

"When AJ was a year old I decided to divorce Finn. I didn't want him to have any rights to my son. I called a lawyer, and told him the situation. He did some digging quietly, and he found out that Finn and I weren't ever legally married. The nature guru who married us wasn't even licensed.

"I was so angry. I changed AJ's last name to Griffin because that man didn't deserve any part of my son, and I stopped calling him Drew because I hated the reminder of Finn and the way he used to say it. It was like it was constantly rolling around in my head on repeat." She finished.

"Did you not have any family you could call on?" Bellamy asked.

Clarke shook her head, "My Dad died in a car accident when I was sixteen, and my Mom washed her hands of me after I married Finn. We were on good terms again after Finn and I broke up, but then she got mad at me for taking Lincoln in. She said I wasn't fit, and that I was no better than his biological mother."

Bellamy reached for Clarke's hand, gently running his thumb over her knuckles. The action drew her gaze to his, and in the liquid blue pools he could read all of the pain and torment she'd been forced to endure at the hands of those who should have loved her.

"I'm so sorry, Clarke," he whispered, watching as she shook her head.

"I didn't tell you this so you would feel sorry for me, Bellamy." Clarke replied.

"I'm not finished. I'm not him, Clarke. I'm not going to love you and then revoke that love at a moment's notice. The last thing I want to do is hurt you." Bellamy said softly.

Clarke stared down at the man, his dark eyes boring into hers and his tray of food forgotten. She had never told anyone what she'd just told Bellamy, and although she'd expected to feel frightened or ashamed, she felt neither. Instead all she felt was relief.

"I know," Clarke said with a smile, "You're a good man, Bellamy Blake."

Bellamy returned her smile, pulling her into a gentle hug. His ribs burned, but he'd known somehow that she needed this. He ran a hand down her back, her breath ghosting over his collarbone.

"Thank you for telling me." he said as he allowed her to leave his arms.

"You're welcome. It was very therapeutic." the blonde said softly.

"Well why don't you help me into the living room, and we'll watch a movie with the kids. I've spent enough time in this bed as it is," Bellamy said.

Clarke shook her head, but gently helped him from the bed- matching his shuffling steps as they slowly made their way into the living room. All three kids looked up at their entrance, smiles on their faces as they made room on the couch.

After Bellamy was settled, Clarke quickly cleaned the kitchen then took her place on the couch beside him. She fought the urge to giggle like a schoolgirl when his arm came around her- his fingers toying with the curls about her shoulders.

The kids stared at them from time to time, trying and failing to hide their interest. AJ seemed thrilled, which didn't surprise his mother one bit. Lincoln and Octavia, on the other hand, seemed a bit skeptical.

Clarke couldn't blame them; she and Bellamy had been at each other's throats not that long ago. However, she had to admit that she enjoyed arguing with him even if it did end in stony silence and heated glares.

She cast a glance over at the man beside her, smiling as she took in the intenseness with which he watched the movie. Never had she seen anyone get so into Jurassic Park.

Clarke had to cough to hide her laugh when Bellamy jumped when one of the Velociraptors appeared out of nowhere. This had been the boys' favorite movie since AJ was in diapers. One would think that two little boys would be terrified of the carnivorous reptiles, but not her two little Dr. Grant wannabes.

"This is my favorite part," Lincoln grinned as the acid spitting dinosaur took out the little fat man with glasses. Clarke never approved of killing, but she couldn't help but think the guy deserved it.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in a Jurassic Park marathon, which Clarke knew would end in dinosaur dreams for everyone. They decided to order pizza, eating in the living room as Bellamy made some calls looking for a house.

"Well I think I've found one," he said as he entered the family room.

"Really, where," Clarke asked.

"Mr. McDermott has a house he needs to rent out. It's only a two bedroom, but that's enough for us. Right, O?"

"Sounds great," Octavia grumbled, her eyes never leaving the television.

"You know you can stay here as long as you need. There's no hurry for you to find a new place." Clarke assured him as she began to collect the paper plates from their dinner.

"And I'm grateful for that, but we can't impose on you forever." Bellamy replied as he sank down onto the couch.

"Well just give it a week, and then you can start looking in earnest. You're still not healed yet, and I wouldn't feel right about the two of you fending for yourselves." Clarke said in a firm tone.

Bellamy thought it over for a moment, "Alright, but only if you're sure."

"I'm positive, Bellamy, or I wouldn't have said anything," Clarke said with a smile.

"It's settled then, O and I will just crash here for a few more days."

Clarke smiled, ready to reply, when her phone rang. She quickly answered it before passing it to Bellamy. She watched as his brow furrowed, and then his eyes widened.

"What was that about," she asked as he hung up and handed her phone back.

"That was the Sheriff. They caught the guy who burned the house. Undoubtedly the guy from the game the other night had a younger brother, Dax Warren. He blamed me for his brother's arrest, and decided to teach me a lesson," Bellamy said.

"Well I'm glad they caught him," Clarke replied, relief coursing through her veins.

"Me too," Octavia said with a smile, "Now we don't have anything to worry about. Except for the fact that I have no clothes…"

Clarke gasped, "Well you and I will just have to fix that! I'll take you shopping tomorrow. We'll pick up some things for your brother while we're out."

"Clarke, I can't…" Bellamy began to protest.

"Let me have this Bellamy," Clarke pled, "I never get to go shopping."

Bellamy sighed, "Fine, but don't spend all of my insurance money."

He couldn't help but smile when both females grinned before thanking him profusely. With Clarke's hand in his own as they started another movie, Bellamy had to admit that he was falling fast and he had no intention of stopping himself.

Thanks for reading! Please review! I love hearing from y'all! :)

Wright: Thanks for the review! I thought the misfortune of Bellamy losing his house was a marvelous opportunity for some adorable Bellarke lol There's more Miller and Murphy to come, so keep watching for them! I'm so glad you like my Ravick! They are probably my second favorite couple because they are sooooo much fun to write! I hope you enjoyed chapter 10 and I can't wait to hear what you thought! :)

To all my other Guest Reviewers: Thanks for taking the time to leave me a review! I love hearing from you guys, and I hope you know how much I appreciate you! Hope you enjoyed chapter 10, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts! :)