Ch. 4 Uh Oh

The meeting is well under way now that Monty finalized his ideas with the director and production designer. Clarke has a pen in her mouth, a grey blue marker in her left hand against the paper, and four open markers in her right hand wristing the sketchpad into her stomach. She follows Monty around the cast, drawing the colors he spouts in the style he expresses, switching from one to another in haste as he changes his thought to the next character. She is consciously aware of Lexa the whole time, where she is, what she is doing, and how often she was looking at her. Reveling in the attention, she allows her shirt to ride up every time she repositions her sketchpad. Her stomach is like a terrarium housing the home of those butterflies that have taken residence in her abdomen.

-"Why did you invite her Marie? We barely even know her!" Echo acts out toward Ontari upset and uptight that she had invited Alycia to one of their get-togethers.

Monty whispers to Clarke his current inspiration, she is really into it now, adding her own style to his ideas, of course including every detail he was giving her but as an artist she had an eye for cohesion and she really didn't think he would mind, in fact he might even praise her when they sit together later to refine. She was so focused that in one of her transitions, she hadn't realized she marked her face with a red marker leaving one solid line down her cheek.

- "You know…how long have we been neighbors with her Lindsey? She teaches surf lessons for Christ sake! This isn't Disturbia—she doesn't have bodies lining her basement walls…" Ontari pretends to stop doing dishes in the sink turning toward Echo and grabs her by her waist. "…Look, I don't need protecting anymore babe, I get that you don't want any new element in our routine but she seems lonely. I ran into her and I felt like I should invite her, so I did." She gives Echo a chaste kiss. "I followed my gut babe… and if you knock that then you knock us because I followed my gut when I asked you out." She sways Echo back and forth with a cute smile trying to penetrate her fake girlfriend's tough exterior.

They are practicing their on-screen chemistry since Finn thought Lindsey and Marie needed more of it. Clarke isn't complaining because she has got to see them kiss at least six times, and each time had to be 'more passionate' 'make us believe'. She couldn't deny that she loved her job in moments like these. The other cast members line the wall opposite to the windows, so those who were reading had the light. Clarke is drawing a dusty grey suit on Echo's silhouette not noticing Lexa shuffle right behind her, just watching. Monty is talking to Finn about whether Lindsey was more masculine than feminine giving Clarke time to touch up her designs.

"Care to show me a sneak peak?" Lexa says, her cheek grazing Clarke's upper arm as she peers around, her own shoulder resting below the artist's shoulder blade. Clarke isn't startled this time, although she is sure that's what Lexa was trying to accomplish. She just smirks with the pen still in her mouth leaning away to look at the actress with a raised eyebrow.

"Of what I will be wearing Clarke..." The brunette lifts from her leaning position and smirks in return, liking her own reflection in the sea. "…But I won't be opposed to other peaks to sneak." Lexa blurts out. Omg Lexa, why did you say that… She blinks for an extended period of time regretting it as soon as she says it because she knows she won't win Clarke over this way. But the amount of restraint she has when around the blonde is bare to none at all so the 'comfortable cocky Lexa' saves her from being a blubbering idiot, and hell— the former is way better than the latter.

And there it is… Clarke rolls her eyes, putting the marker amongst the others in her right hand so she can remove the pen out from her mouth. Lexa's eyes level at her lips because she is still slightly leaning forward over her shoulder and when Clarke licks her lips while looking right at her she can't help but clear her throat and take a few steps back to keep her cool. Clarke doesn't miss a beat though, putting the pen in her hair pushing it through so it sticks out just enough to grab if she needs it. She has decent control over the butterfly swarm in her belly this time holding on to the idea that Lexa has gotten— and pretty much gets— who she wants all the time and she will be damned if she just ends up as another clam to jam to on her playlist.

"I'm sure you get plenty of those to fill your quota, so none of these peaks are for you to sneak." She says through a light laugh, delivering a halfhearted jab; she flips her sketchpad to Alycia's wardrobe sketches fulfilling her original intended request. Lexa straightens up at the comment, not expecting it.

"We will smooth out the details later but it seems you'll be a short and shirt kind of gal" Clarke says nonchalantly flipping back to her current progression and diverting her attention. Lexa frumps at the artist, losing at this game miserably she steps back to stare at the script in defeat.

"Give up, she isn't interested…" Costia whispers to Lexa, obviously taking note to the gravitation she has toward the artist. "Can't get em all Sexy Lexi, even though you try" She shrugs her shoulders, "I bet she isn't even gay but when has that ever stopped you. Worked on me didn't it?"

Lexa grips the script in her hands causing it to crease, "Everyone makes mistakes…" she whispers back through gritted teeth. Costia wasn't wrong but she always knew how to push Lexa's buttons. They dated years ago when her career first started to take off. They were competing for a role at which the director couldn't decide who to cast for the lead. He took them on many outings, interacted with them, and recorded some candid shots of their day. It was unusual to be vetted for so long but this particular director was famous in Australia and in the U.S. His raw passion for film is what draws actors to his films and Lexa really wanted to work with him. The director ultimately decided on Lexa leaving Costia dismayed about it. However, the feisty bitch didn't show it because they started dating right after and it wasn't until the movie's premier that Costia showed up as her co-star's date instead. They weren't exclusive but it was a huge scandal that not only brought high publicity to the movie; it brought interviews, personal questions, and social media uproar to Lexa's front doorstep. She was betrayed and humiliated yet she had to repeatedly talk about it for months on end—well she didn't really talk she more or less avoided it— but every talk, every interview, and every spot she did, they had to ask, they had to get her reaction on camera. It was their job, Lexa knew it, but it suffocated her. She didn't take a job offer for 6 months after it happened and Titus was split between being elated for what it did for her career and saddened at what it did to her heart. And to top it all off, it didn't help that the movie was a box office hit. It helped Costia get ahead in her career. Since then, they were always being pushed to work together again because it would be an automatic hit. And now here they are.

Costia grins, "Maybe I will give it a go…" she doesn't wait to see Lexa's reaction stepping towards the blonde. She was always using those around her to entertain herself and Lexa hated that about her. They weren't friends; in fact Lexa tolerated her for the sake of the saying 'the show must go on.'

"Hi" Costia says bouncing into her last step putting her next to the artist. Clarke turns her head to give her recognition with a curt nod. Now what… Clarke's intuition tells her that something is off with this girl.

"We haven't officially met, I'm Costia…" She looks at Clarke's unenthused smile, "…and I'm not as big of a bitch as everyone thinks I am." Costia laughs, which in turn makes Clarke chuckle at her, not really with her. Lexa watches a few feet away. Her stomach is churning—boiling at the sight of Clarke laughing with Costia. Clarke's laugh was sexy and cute at the same time, which makes Lexa even more upset because it's for Costia and not her. She tries to think back if Clarke had laughed while talking with her at all—no she hadn't.

"I just get misunderstood..." Costia is a good actress and right now she is trying to win the Oscars. She lowers her head to draw attention to her writhing hands, it almost seems like she is vulnerable. "How do you like working on a T.V. show instead of a film?" she inquires. Trying to fain an interest in the blonde.

Ohh she is good, that fucking bitch. Lexa can't stand to sit by and listen to anymore of this total bullshit. How can she salvage this meeting? She looks forward to these for the opportunity to interact with Clarke and she will be damned if she lets Costia ruin another good thing. Lexa thinks about dramatics, she could fall on the floor and pretend to have a heart attack? No… that would be too much theatre. She thinks about accidently slapping Costia in the face and blaming it on a fly but she didn't want to seem crazy. Ultimately she decides that drastic times call for drastic measures.

"I like it a lot. Looking forward to production." Clarke's response is short and sweet, it didn't seem like she was going to elaborate being that her eyes never left her sketch to give Costia her full attention. Costia turns toward Lexa and winks giving Lexa the push she needed to go through with her childish idea.

As soon as she is sure Clarke isn't looking at Costia and Costia isn't looking back at her, she takes a large step forward—reaches out her hand—swiftly cups Clarke's ass giving it a little lift and… oh sweet mother of god it's perfect… Lexa has to force herself to stop herself—just as quickly as she came, she immediately pushes off her front foot returns to standing flush against the wall, lifts the script up to her face and plasters on the most stoic expression she could muster. And like it was fate, seconds after Lexa pulls away Costia leans in toward Clarke and comments on her work, "You make her ass look almost as good as yours."

Lexa could barely keep in her giggle at the perfect pick up line to her sabotage. She observes; Clarke promptly stops her marker from drawing and swivels to look behind her at the intrusion on her ass. She barely glances over Lexa who is too far away looking at her script then back over to Costia who is looking at her with a sly smile. Really? Wow, You take the lady right out of tramp! The artist narrows her eyes at the only suspect of her molestation.

"This ass. Costia. Is not and will never be for you." Clarke has zero tolerance for unwarranted groping. She has had her fair share and has taken care of herself every time. Suffice it to say she takes it off the table immediately and shuts it down hard. "Save it for Lexa. Some of us have class."

Lexa curls both of her lips in her mouth to bite onto. Oh… That ricocheted right into my lady bits. She sighs into her script.Of course Clarke knew about the scandal, who didn't know. But she didn't except that.

Costia raises her eyebrows at the sudden change from the artist mumbling under her breath as she went back to stand next to Lexa. "She is a bittchh…" she mutters to the brunette. Lexa leans in, "You're a bitch, Costia. I think you're just mad cause she saw right through you or… your acting has gotten worse over the years. Either way, she sunk your battleship." She laughs at her own childish joke until an agitated Clarke turns around and nearly snarls toward her causing Lexa to swallow her laugh down into a choke. Shit, Clarke… I wasn't laughing at you!

Lexa shrinks her shoulders burrowing her head into her script while ignoring Costia's smug smile. Now it seems that she is in the doghouse with Costia, she kind of regrets grabbing her ass...(kind of). "Looks like you're sinking in the ocean with me Woods. She has got sass, I will give her that," Costia says with satisfaction.

Clarke doesn't enjoy mockery, it's a product of a weak mind, and so she moves around to the other side of the room when Finn speaks up, "Alright Thank you Lindsey and Marie, well done. I am actually starting to believe you two are a couple. Lets read from the next scene: Carey, Alycia, and Siobhan—you're at the beach after finding out that Carey's client is Alycia's client for surf lessons. Siobhan, I don't want Hollywood bitch. I want girl interrupted meets cruel intentions. Start from line 3."

As the actors take their positions, Clarke hears her phone buzzing in her bag. Over the last hour and half, Monty has sufficiently given her two to three outfit ideas for each character. He seems to be satisfied because he transitioned from flirting with Finn to practically sitting on the table in front of Wick. This makes Clarke shake her head with a smile reaching into her bag for her phone.

RavenClaw

9:35am

Missed Call(s) 3

10:22am

Text Message(s) 6

Raven rarely reaches out this much unless something is wrong and at this moment Clarke feels her guts ripping out at the possibility of something happening to Raven. She starts to panic causing her lungs to constrict. Short breaths are all what she can do as she throws her supplies into her bag and strides to her supervisor. "Indra. I have an emergency. I have to go." She only pauses to see her boss nod in concern before sprinting out the door. Once out of the room she calls Raven.

Ring Ring

Ring Ring

"Clarke?" Raven's voice sounded strange—weak.

"Raven? What's wrong- Where are you?!" Clarke felt sick to her stomach at the sound of her voice. She makes it to the elevators, clicks on the down button and waits for it to ascend.

"Polis" Clarke barely hears the whisper from the other end.

"Okay, don't move. I'm on my way." She tries to speak in a calm loving voice but it was shaky and full of worry. Clarke grows anxious because Raven is a solid person, her rock, and has been since they met. There have only been a handful of moments where she needed support the way she often gave to Clarke: the day her parents came after her for money and when Octavia walked away for the last time are the most prominent two. Something big must have happened.

Lexa watches the artist remove herself from their side of the room and then run out of the room in a flash. This was the last thing she wanted to happen today. She felt terrible; she had to make sure she knew that she wasn't mocking her. A strange feeling inside convinces her that if she doesn't go after her now, Clarke would shut her out for good. Despite being in the middle of her read she requests a five-minute break and runs after the blonde.

"Hey Clarke…" Lexa runs up beside her, "I wasn't laughing at you in there. Costia is—"

Ding

St!ler- Down

"It's fine Lexa, I have to go." Clarke is completely distracted; she doesn't have time for games right now. She didn't care what they were laughing about.

You can both go fuck yourselves. She steps into the elevator, presses the first floor button and crosses her arms. Her eyes have yet to focus on Lexa, her mind shuffles through every thing that could be wrong with Raven. All she knows is that she is the most important thing in her life and there is nothing that Clarke wouldn't do for her.
The doors close—

Just as they were about to shut completely an arm pushes through and triggers the safety release—they open.

"Clarke, I…" Lexa stands in the middle of the elevator doors with her arm pushing the door to stay open. What the hell! Clarke has no time or tolerance for this so she pulls the actress into the elevator by her arm just so she can move this along. She jams her thumb into the inverted arrows button. Once the doors close she steps back and leans against the back wall, arms crossing again, looking at anything besides green eyes.

They descend.

Lexa's heart feels like it was left behind as Clarke handles her roughly into the elevator. She is yanked inside and released so quickly she couldn't finish her sentence. Confused about what has got Clarke so worked up, she looks into eyes, finding them shimmer with stress and worry. Lexa hopes it's because of something else and not her. Her eyes trace the soft curves of Clarke's face, her nose is sharp but it's the perfect shape and size to fit between her round cheeks. The freckle above her lip is so inviting perched upon the dunes of her favorite lip. She wants to speak but she feels an overwhelming sense of self-consciousness around the blonde. Her actions never seem to be right and her words can't do her justice. This elevator was becoming the only place she could get Clarke to herself, unadulterated and vulnerable as the day she blessed the world. This metal box was becoming her heaven on earth.

Clarke is agitated; this girl is infuriating. "What Lexa? Are you here to defend your girlfriend or just mock me some more? Because if you are then don't bother. I don't have time for this; whatever this is between us is just a game. I was playing along but not anymore; I don't know why I was doing whatever the hell—We work together so I think it's best if we keep it professional. So whatever you're doing just st—

Slam

Shut up Clarke. Lexa pushes Clarke flush against the wall; the rail digs into her back when she feels Lexa crash her lips into hers. One hand grabs the side of Clarke's face assuring her she is the most precious thing that she wants to devour—her other palm pushes into her taught stomach as her long fingers wrap around her hip. She doesn't breathe at first but when the blonde doesn't shove her away, Lexa exhales through her nose easing into the kiss and licks under Clarke's top lip before taking it between her lips. Her hips lock the artist into place. Lexa's waist twitches into the blonde as soon as her tongue tastes that sweet flavor she got a sample of days ago, the same sample she tasted for the rest of the night not daring to drink another drink until she was sure the taste was gone. Her nose fills with that lavender lily. Her insides rupture from the sheer ecstasy just from being this close to Clarke. Lexa swears she would never do a drug again if she had this—if she had Clarke.

The artist grunts at the impact of Lexa's lunging body and blinks erratically before closing her eyes giving into the aggression. She can't help but feel déjà vu flashing back to the night at Polis, except the tables are turned. The brunette offers her supple bottom lip that Clarke takes in kind as her hands reach out grabbing onto the edges of her flannel to pull her closer. The words she was so determined to deliver are lost on her now.
She wants to feel her.
Lexa responds by deepening the kiss, turning her head for a new angle only to be greeted with an open mouth. This makes her breath hitch in suspension before entering. Once inside an eager tongue greets her; she wastes no time licking into Clarke's tongue with vigor.
She wants this.
Lexa pulls away to make sure Clarke does too, "Clarke…" She whispers in question.

The artist pulls away at the sound of her name and opens her eyes. She takes this moment to catch her breath staring into the earth of Lexa's eyes, from one to the other. They stand there looking at each other as the elevator falls passed the third floor. Only seconds have gone by but Clarke is still frustrated. She is frustrated that Raven, her rock, is weathering away, frustrated her job is fraying into the unknown, frustrated that her dreams betray her reality, and all she wants to fucking have right now is control—

Clarke pushes Lexa into the adjacent wall, slamming her into the railing with out regard, eliciting a grunt from the brunette. She looks into her eyes once more before shoving her tongue into her gaping mouth. Clarke leans flat against Lexa's tense body pushing her palm against her thigh to spread her legs apart and shoves her thigh high up in between nearly lifting her up the wall.

"ahh…" Lexa yelps in surprise.

Clarke grins, practicing zero restraint as she bites into her lips making sure not to sooth them after with her tongue. She suffocates her worries into the only thing that makes the world slow down—Lexa.

The actress winces in pain from the railing but it's instantly forgotten when Clarke shoves her thigh in between her legs. She lets out a yelp then a strangled moan when the blonde's tongue invades her wet mouth. Lexa bucks her hips into her thigh desperate almost commanding her to let her cum. Clarke increases the intensity of the kiss, biting and twisting her tongue over and under as she puts more pressure into her leg, giving what the girl below is pleading for. Lexa groans at the forceful nips Clarke is delivering, returning them in the same fashion. It's almost like they are punishing each other for being teases, telling each other 'how dare you for wanting me'. The friction is sorely welcomed, so much so that Lexa ruts into the blonde in sync with each flick of her tongue. Ohh...fu— Her core crumbles under the sadistic pleasure of this encounter. It isn't as sweet as she smells, it's dangerous and the brunette burns for more.

Clarke grabs her waist like she needs it, pulling her further into her—helping the thrusts make rough contact. To catch her breath Clarke bites Lexa's lip one last time and transitions to her neck. Her hot breath billows upon her skin inhaling a mixed scent of lavender and meadow. Her own smell melding with Lexa's, it's intoxicating. The smell alone produces a whine in the blonde's throat involuntarily giving into it with a growl. She chooses the most sensitive area on her neck to suck hard and languid. "You like that?" she whispers into Lexa's ear, not looking for a response.

Ding

Clarke sucks harshly on her pulse point once more before biting down, leaving a mark. "Fuck you Lexa…" she whispers in Lexa's ear, deliberately moving her lips against it.

Elevator doors open to first floor

Hearing the doors open into reality she pushes off of Lexa's hips with out hesitation striding away through the doors, down the lobby and out the front all before Lexa can even feel the pain from Clarke's bite.

"I'm already fucked…" Lexa breathes, standing in the elevator, legs and mouth wide, heart still on the fifth floor. She watches blonde hair flit and fly over marble and into the concrete jungle of L.A.—the doors close. Fucking hell. She breathes heavy, tears prick at her eyes and her fingers press against the damp reminder of where Clarke was just moments ago. Lexa looks up into fluorescence hoping to quale the tears that threaten to spill. It wasn't that she was sad at all; she was overwhelmed. The flood of feeling flows free when Clarke is near her, when she can taste her in her mouth. It was electric and compounding. She realizes that she hasn't pushed a button, sitting idle in a place that no longer held the element of allure. Lexa presses number five.

Clarke busts through the front doors of Polis heading straight for the bar. Her mind is reeling over what just happened but she pushes it away just like she did to Lexa. She will leave it at that, her mind is always a little clearer once she satiates the hunger that grows for the girl. It's like she got her fix so she will be good for a while. Clarke finds Raven at the bar with her head in her arms holding on to a half empty beer bottle.

The blonde scoots into the stool next to her best friend, rests her head on Raven's arm and whispers, "I'm here babe"

Raven shifts to rest her head on her other arm putting them face-to-face with inches in between. Clarke tilts her head so her chin holds her head up right, she looks into her eyes discovering that they are red and puffy, she has been crying. Clarke brings her hand up to caress her cheek then wipes damp hair off from her forehead.

"Ray…my sweet RayBay… what happened?" Clarke asks gently.

Raven lethargically lifts her head off her arm breaking eye contact and chugs the rest of her beer. She lifts her beer up to the bartender asking for another but Clarke catches the bar keeps attention canceling her order and hands her cash to cover the tab. Still not over her last close encounter in this bar, she doesn't want to spend another second in here.

"I have beer at home Ray…Come." She lifts Raven's arm coercing her to follow, "Come on…Lets go love"

Raven hesitantly lifts off her stool and follows her out into the parking lot. She stops walking once they arrive at the blonde's truck pulling her in to a burly hug.

"I need you" Raven's voice muffles in Clarke's neck.

Clarke feels Raven's lips start to move against her skin so she turns her head to face her, "Ray? What…"

The look in the brunette's face was desperate and vulnerable. Clarke looks at her searching for answers waiting for her to speak but she doesn't. The words are perched on Raven's lips but she is afraid if she solidifies what happened it would make it real. She didn't want to believe this was happening, her emotions crack the barrier she built years ago. She didn't want to feel this again, she never wanted to feel this weak again. With one audacious breath Raven leans in and captures Clarke's lips. She grabs her face with both hands managing to coerce her tongue inside. They haven't kissed like this in over a year; Clarke has no idea how to react. Her best friend is hurting but this wasn't going to help anything. Clarke knew that if she let this happen they both would regret it so she pulls away despite the protest she receives.

"Raven! Stop…" Raven moves to her neck trying to continue, "RAVEN!" Clarke shoves her off this time and grabs her wrists. "What is happening, why are you doing this?!"

Raven yanks her wrists out from Clarke's grip, "What Clarke?! Am I not good enough for you either?" her voice cracks.

"What the hell Raven?" She steps forward not letting her push her away with words, "You know that's not true." Clarke scrunches her face trying to think of what could possibly make Raven act this way.

Raven paces in the small space they are in as she thinks of what to say. Her nerves are shot and her hands are shaking like a tambourine…
" It's Octavia." She pauses at the sound of her name falling from her lips, and then she holds her breath waiting for Clarke to react.

The blonde steps closer, "What?" She can't believe what she is hearing. They haven't heard or seen O in over 7 years, this can't be. She moved away. "Have you been in touch with her? What do you mean Raven, is she in town?!"

"No, Clarke…. She—" Raven looks away grips the edge of the Ford's truck bed and shakes it vehemently. "Ahhh! She is the new stunt coordinator Clarke! She is fucking…"

Raven pushes from the car, she wants to say 'she is gorgeous' 'she looks better than she has ever looked' she kicks the tire and walks a few paces away only to storm back, "She is back and has been back for a while! I had no idea! I am the one who has to fill her in on Niko's schedule, I am the one who has to show her around, I am the one who has to brief her on the plans for the pilot!" She paces frantically now speaking animatedly with her hands, "I'm there with Niylah talking about prop stuff and then BAM she is there, standing in front of me...I…she seemed to be surprised to see me but— fuck! " Her voice is shaky and full of fear.

Clarke is stunned; one hand is on the truck to stabilize herself, mouth gaping and sore from the unusual attention they were getting today. "Octavia is going to be working on Royal Viridian with us?" She gets over the initial shock, "I… are you…What does this mean?"

Raven looks at her confused, "What do you mean, what does this mean?! It means I'm fucked, it means the show that I've been looking forward to working on is now shit, it means—"

"Ray! I'm sorry. I meant, what does this mean for you? Are you going to stick with the project? What did she say to you?" Clarke interrupts seeing that she is distressed and quite frankly freaking the fuck out.

Raven turns around putting a hand on her hip and the other against her forehead, "I don't know… I don't know! She didn't notice me at first; I was bending down inside the boat prop. She asked Niylah where she could find the special effects supervisor and so I turned to introduce myself and…I just couldn't believe what I was seeing, my heart fell out of my butt Clarke. Literally I lost my ass!"

"Wow… then what happened?!" Clarke leans against her truck fully enthralled.

"Well…" Raven scratches the back of her head, "I kind of freaked out and walked right passed her and didn't stop until I was in the car and coming here. I didn't say anything to her… Should I have said something?! Shitfuckingchrist!"

Clarke cringes at the visual of her blasphemy, "Ew Raven, no one wants to see shit fucking anything let alone jeebus." She tries to cheer her best friend up while slinging an arm around her shoulder. "Lets go home, talk it out, hit that Century Bob dummy you got last year and drink ourselves into a stupor. What say you?"

Raven climbs into the bed of the truck, "As long as we can take the hilly way home?"

"Anything for you Ray…" Clarke slowly nods her head at her best friend with a smile but as soon as she slides into the driver seat her smile disappears and worries invade her insides. Raven was the strongest person she knew yet her only weakness was her heart. When she loved, she loved hard and it was always her downfall. That's why Clarke understood why she kept herself at a distance with everyone else except her. They were each other's exception to the rule but rules are meant to be broken.