Chapter 21:

When Clarke woke up she smiled, she had slept. She had really slept for the first time in months. She had a dreamless sleep. A peaceful sleep. Finally, she thought to herself. She didn't move but she let her eyes flutter open. She could feel soft breaths on her forehead, rhythmic and peaceful. She felt soft lips on the left side of her head and she was pleasantly surprised to find herself snuggled into Lexa's chest curled tight into the right side of her body. They were still holding hands and Lexa's free arm had made its way across Clarke's side. They had pulled each other closer in their sleep. Clarke breathed in deep relishing in how she felt at that moment. She let Lexa's floral smell engulf her and her smile widened. She didn't dare think it but she felt happy. She felt safe for the first time since she touched this earth.

Clarke remained still trying to absorb where she was, letting everything wash over her as she listened to Lexa's breathing. Then she felt Lexa's hand squeeze her own, Clarke knowing she was now awake squeezed back before she spoke, "You stayed."

She felt Lexa adjust her head before she replied, "You asked me to."

Clarke looked up at her, "Thank you." She tried to fill that thank you with everything she was feeling at this moment.

Lexa smiled, "I was glad you wanted me to stay…" she said slowly. "I didn't want to leave," she admitted.

Clarke smiled and squeezed her hand. They were finding common ground again. It made her happy. She let that sink in. Clarke Griffin was feeling happy.

She heard Lexa's stomach growl and Clarke giggled unable to stop herself before her own mimicked the sound. She felt Lexa stir and sit up, she gently removed herself from Clarke's side lastly letting go of Clarke's hand as she stood up. She turned and faced Clarke, "you need to eat."

"So do you," Clarke shot back, a tad miffed - she was perfectly fine where they had just been before Lexa got up.

Lexa smirked, "Well, I'm sure we can solve that. I'll go find your mother." She kept looking at Clarke as she started to walk to the door to leave.

"Wait, I'm coming with you," Clarke didn't know why exactly but she was ripping out her IV and untangling herself from her covers. All she knew was that she wanted to go with Lexa and not alone. She already felt more empty the further Lexa had got from her.

At her words, Lexa was once again at her side. She held out a pair of slacks and a sweater that Abby had left in the room. Clarke couldn't help but notice both their breathing hitched as Lexa helped guide Clarke's pants up her legs. She tried to ignore how her heart sped up. She could feel Lexa's soft hands against her skin sending shivers through her that ended at a certain spot between her legs. She steadied herself on Lexa's shoulders as Lexa pulled at the fabric raising it up over her thighs, gently over her wound and onto her hips. Lexa smiled shyly removing her hands from Clarke's hips and placing one on her arm and one on Clarke's side. She steadied Clarke as Clarke buttoned her pants. Lexa then helped Clarke with her boots and the two girls headed out of the infirmary.

They walked in silence but Clarke couldn't help how close the two remained. She felt like a magnet drawn to the tall brunette. They didn't see anyone as they headed to the dining hall. Most of the Arker's were out and about on their daily routines already. In the hall they found Abby who greeted them, quickly checking Clarke over and telling her to eat slow as she hadn't had solids in a few days. Clarke smiled as Abby sternly smiled and addressed Lexa telling her she wanted to see her later.

Lexa nodded and they continued towards the food that was left out from breakfast. They grabbed some fruit and other items before heading to one of the tables and sitting down. "So what was that about?" Clarke asked as they sat down referring to her mom.

"You're mother wants to look at injuries," Lexa told her.

"She hasn't checked you over yet? What the hell was she doing?" Clarke asked loudly, a bit of anger coming through.

Lexa looked at her calmly, "She was helping you. I refused to let her look at me."

"I was fine," Clarke rolled her eyes.

"No… you weren't," Lexa replied sternly looking at Clarke seriously.

They sat there quiet for a bit after that. Clarke felt bad; she had heard the concern in Lexa's stern reply. She didn't like that she had caused that worry and pain. Clarke felt ashamed for trying to downplay the situation now. They kept eating before Clarke finally said, "Well I am now so when we are done here we're heading to see my mom." She kept her voice strong and stern but still laced with concern of her own. She wanted to show Lexa she understood how she felt and that she appreciated it.

They headed back to the infirmary slowly still remaining side by side. Clarke led them in as Abby began scolding Clarke for ripping her IV out so carelessly. Clarke nodded sheepishly and began fiddling with the IV bag trying to help her mom clean up the space. As she did so she noticed Lexa unbuckling her leathers. Clarke dropped what she was doing and went to help her.

"Here, let me," She said reaching out and catching Lexa's arm. Lexa let Clarke begin to unbuckle her straps and moved with Clarke as Clarke tugged the leathers over her head. Lexa's shirt underneath was thin and clung to her body, Clarke could see a small gap of skin between her pants and her shirt. Right above her hip. Clarke blinked as she noticed she was staring a little to hard at the zone. Shaking her head she looked back to Lexa to find Lexa looking right at her with a curious look on her face. Clarke blushed and turned taking the leathers to the table.

"Okay, let me see the damage." Abby said breaking the silence and crossing to Lexa, she had obviously missed the moment between the two girls. Clarke noticed Lexa was blushing slightly as well, her cheeks reflecting the colour of Clarke's. Clarke caught her breath in her throat again as she watched Abby pull Lexa's shirt off her, Clarke was watching the fabric chase up the girls ribs before she swallowed and looked away. She tried to ignore the fact that Lexa's shirt was now surely off with only her under garments remaining, she fought the urge to peak, she kept her hands busy beginning to sterilize the bed she had been in.

"You're ribs are almost healed. Just bruising now. It's remarkable, you sure they were fractured?" Abby was asking Lexa.

"Our healer… and your daughter," she said softly nodding slightly to Clarke, "said so."

Clarke smiled when she heard it but still kept herself from looking.

"You'll be stiff for another few days I suspect so I recommend you don't travel back to the city for a couple days. Allow yourself some time to properly heal," Abby continued.

When Clarke finally finished what she was doing and turned around Lexa had a clean shirt Abby had given her on. Clarke let out a breath and crossed the distance. She grabbed Lexa's leathers and turned to face her. "Come on, lets go get cleaned up."

She turned and started to leave the room, she smiled as she heard Lexa fall into pace behind her.

Clarke led them to her quarters. She stepped aside as she invited Lexa in, she gestured to the bathroom where there was a shower with hot water. Clarke turned it on for the girl, pulled out a towel and left Lexa to shower. She grabbed A fresh pair of pants for Lexa along with some of her own under garments hoping Lexa wouldn't mind. She grabbed Lexa's clothes and took them to the laundry area.

When she got back to the room Lexa was out of the shower and clothed. Her wet hair down and slung around her shoulder. Seeing her in regular sky people closes was odd. The girl looked good in everything she wore but seeing her look so regular was slightly off-putting to Clarke. She shook her head slightly pushing the thought out of her head, she actually preferred Lexa's commander look. She smiled at Lexa and told her about the laundry. Lexa thanked her as Clarke headed into the bathroom to wash.

When she was done and clothed Clarke checked herself out in the mirror. She fiddled with her wet hair and pinched at her cheeks a bit to give them colour. She shook her head, what am I doing? She then began twisting her fingers into her hair. She braided a few strands and stood back. She smiled slightly as she thought she looked a little more grounder-ish.

She turned around and headed out of the bathroom. She found Lexa now with braided hair herself sitting on Clarke's bed. She was reading one of Clarke's books. Clarke crossed the room and noticed she wasn't reading a book at all, she was looking at Clarke's notebook. The one Clarke had had on the ark for many years. It was filled with drawings of what she had thought earth looked like. It had drawings of her father and mother in it. It had pictures of animals and her friends in it. It was personal but she didn't mind that Lexa was looking at it. She watched as Lexa's fingers traced along the lines of a birds wing in the book.

"You're very good," Lexa said quietly her voice filled with admiration.

Clarke blushed, "Thanks."

Lexa traced the bird a few more times with her finger while Clarke sat down on her bed. Lexa sighed but the smile on her face remained. She closed the book, slowly putting it back where she found it. She turned to look at Clarke.

"So…what now?" she asked.

Clarke blinked and looked at her questioningly, "I don't know."

"Well what do you want to do?" Lexa asked.

That took Clarke back. What did she want? She spent the last 4 months just running from things. She spent all that time avoiding her feelings, avoiding her people, avoiding what she'd become. Clarke shook her head looking away, ashamed of the last part.

Lexa must have seen Clarke's face fall because she was once again up and at Clarke's side. "Come on, how about a walk?"

Clarke looked up at her and noticed Lexa was holding out her hand. Clarke realized it for what it was: a gesture to take a step forward with her.

Clarke wasn't sure how Lexa knew what she was thinking but she was certain she knew Clarke was thinking about the monster she'd become. Clarke smiled up at her, Lexa knew more than anyone what this world would make you do to survive. Clarke took her hand and let the girl help her up.

Side by side they headed out the door towards the Arks exit.