Chapter 24:
When night was beginning to fall Lexa had food brought to the tent and the girls filled their bellies. Lexa allowed herself to relax as she watched Clarke eat and drink. She couldn't believe that a few hours ago she had kissed those tender lips. She had tasted Clarke and she couldn't help thinking that she wanted to do it again. She missed her lips on Clarke's. She watched as Clarke wiped a bit of ale from her lips. Lexa couldn't help but find the movement sensual.
Clarke caught her stare and smiled cocking her left eyebrow. Lexa smiled and looked back to her plate slightly embarrassed for staring. They remained silent before a guard popped his head in, "Heda she's here."
Lexa nodded to the man motioning with her hand. Octavia walked in and greeted Clarke and Lexa. Lexa watched fondly as Octavia looked Clarke over really quick looking for obvious injuries. She smiled as Clarke did the same to Octavia. She was a good friend. Octavia cared, and she deserved to have Clarke care back. Lexa understood their relationship now and it made her appreciate Octavia even more. The last time the two had seen each other (conscious) Clarke was sent fleeing for her life while Octavia, Lincoln and Roan attempted to slow the warriors chasing her.
Once Octavia was satisfied with Clarke's condition she turned from Clarke to Lexa making sure they were both looking at her, "We have a problem. I couldn't find you."
Clarke stood up hearing the worry in Octavia's voice, "What is it?" Lexa watched as Clarke moved a little closer her side. She noticed she instantly felt braver, physically stronger even, with Clarke beside her.
"It's Bellamy…" Octavia started looking Clarke in the eye. "He, he and Pike they've come back to Arkadia."
Clarke looked at her strangely. The name Pike meant nothing to Lexa but it was obvious Clarke knew the name. As if hearing Lexa's silent pondering, Clarke turned to her to explain, "he was a teacher of ours on the Ark."
Lexa felt herself relax. A teacher? If Pike was a man who possessed knowledge what was the problem. If he was truly a teacher of young minds then surely he must have the wisdom of a leader. Clarke shook her head and turned back to Octavia.
"It was four hours ago. They've started a mutiny," Octavia said exasperated, "they want your mom to step down from chancellor so Pike can lead."
"But the council? That's not how it works?" Clarke said loudly demanding an explanation.
"Clarke, you haven't been here. Things are different now. Your mom and Kane have been passing that chancellor pin back and forth for the last 3 months. There is no council. The two of them are going to get people killed." Octavia said in a hurtful tone.
That caught Clarke off guard. Lexa watched as she adjusted her stance slightly. Clarke took a few moments to gather herself before speaking, "I need to talk to them."
Octavia rolled her eyes, "Talk to WHO Clarke?! What are you going to say? You haven't been around - you're not in charge there anymore."
Clarke shook her head as equally frustrated, "I don't care. I have to try."
"Clarke!" Octavia said crossing the tent and stopping a foot away from them, "They SHOT the TriKru members that were in the tree line on the back side of the gate. I saw the bodies when I slipped out." A tear had fallen onto the girls cheek, "They had only been in the camp an hour before the majority of our people were chanting for Pike. They had already begun rounding up people that were speaking out against Pike when I left. Anyone speaking up for your mom or Kane is being taken into custody for treason!"
Lexa remained silent. She knew there was no way to stop Clarke once her mind was set on something. It was like looking in a mirror. Clarke reminded Lexa so much of herself in moments of peril it scared her.
"Clarke, you can't go," Lexa said quietly.
Clarke rounded to look at her, desperation filled her eyes, "I have to."
She was pleading with Lexa to understand. Lexa shook her head. "Clarke, you are Abby's daughter, the moment you step in the gate they'll put shackles on you."
"I don't care. I can't just sit here while we have multiple armys marching on us from every direction, they'll be massacred in the midst of all this bullshit. My friends are in there!"
Lexa saw the pain in Clarke's eyes, and she couldn't resist quietly professing, "Clarke, I can't lose you."
"If I can get out, I can get her in." Octavia's voice filled the tent. Lexa had forgotten all about Octavia until she spoke. Lexa flashed a warning glare at the girl. She tried to soften it when Octavia nodded and said again, "I can get her in…I can get her out too." Lexa looked at Octavia closely before deciding to put her faith in her. Octavia meant well, she was trying to help Clarke once again; at the same time she was trying to assuage Lexa of her worry just as she had when they spoke in Polis last time. Lexa nodded but said nothing.
Octavia looked back to Clarke, "I'll wait outside, we should go soon they'll be switching the guard in about an hour, if we time it right we can slip in during the change." She flashed a look to Lexa then back at Clarke before saying, "I'll wait outside." With that she had left the tent.
Clarke turned to face Lexa, as she did she reach out for Lexa's hand. "I have to do this," she said.
"I know." Lexa replied with the smallest saddest smile. Clarke's face softened even more as she stared into Lexa's eyes.
Clarke reached up and put her hand on Lexa's bicep, her touch was soft but purposeful. Lexa felt Clarkes thumb begin to rub small circles where it lay trying to comfort her. "I'll be three hours, if I'm not back in three…"
Lexa cut her off, "I'm coming to get you." She said it with every ounce of strength in her body, her serious tone making Clarke take a deep breath as the blonde gave a reluctant smile.
"And if I told you not to?" Clarke asked cocking her head.
Lexa rolled her eyes. She could not be serious right now. Lexa had literally just gotten her out of harms way and placed her safely at her side and here was Clarke was pushing herself head first into danger again. "I would come anyways, if only to make sure you were safe. If you didn't want to come back with me I wouldn't force you."
Clarke smiled and nodded, "Three hours." Then she kissed Lexa's cheek immediately sending her skin boiling at the touch, "I'll be back in three hours." She gave a final squeeze of her hand and left the tent. Lexa watched her go and tried to fight the intense urge to follow her.
"Be safe," She whispered as the last glimpse of Clarke's blonde hair disappeared from sight.