Chapter 50:

They left Raven to her mine building. She had promised to have them ready in a couple hours for their men to go plant them. Clarke said to send word to Lexa's camp if she couldn't find her around Arkadia. She would leave word when she was headed that way.

They found Abby next. She was preparing the medical wing for potential injured. Kane had ordered anyone wishing to volunteer to donate blood for an emergency stockpile. They were smart enough not to ask Lexa to do the same with her troops. The grounders had been drained of their blood enough. Clarke looked around and saw many Arkers lining up to help. The sight made her smile. They were doing that both for their people and Lexa's because there was no doubt all the injured would end up being brought to Abby.

Clarke walked around beginning to help Abby as Nyko, Trikru's healer walked in. He greeted them all before taking some direction from Abby on what he should do. Clarke noticed he was a quick study, his grounder knowledge working well with Abby's science.

Clarke found more examples of grounders and Arker's bridging the gaps and finding common ground as they made their way outside. She saw Jasper and Monty teaching a few of Lexa's men how to use their make-shift grenades. They pulled out smoke bombs and showed each member of the newly formed bomb squad how to use them as well. Clarke grabbed one and pocketed it, she didn't know why but she felt it may come in handy, her instincts were already taking over in preparation of the fight.

Clarke watched as Lexa made her way around watching intently as well. She was absorbing the information, committing it to memory, Clarke could tell.

They found Kane with some grounders and members of the guard. They were watching Kane shoot at a target on a post. He was hitting the bullseye every time. He glanced at Lexa and made a gesture to hand one of the grounders a gun. The grounder looked at it in fear as Lexa stepped forward. Clarke watched keenly as Lexa went to Kane and reached out for the gun. She watched as Lexa's hands shook slightly as they hesitated above the metal weapon.

Lexa flashed her a glance of worry and Clarke found herself giving her a slight nod. You can do it, she thought. Lexa taking that gun would help assuage the worry her men would feel using them. LExa took a deep breath and looked back to the gun before firmly grabbing it with authority.

Kane showed her how to hold it, told her to open her mouth slightly to avoid getting lock jaw or knocking her jaw out of place when the rifle would kick back. She pressed it tight into her shoulder following his instructions.

"Squeeze the trigger, don't pull it." He said calmly and patiently, like a true teacher. Kane knew how big this moment was. How influential it was.

Lexa took a steadying breath and squeezed the trigger. A shot rang out and missed the post. Clarke watched her eyes widen in fear at the exploding force in her hands before it quickly switched to anger that she missed. She glanced at Clarke before looking back at the target and taking another breath. This time she hit the post. Kane smiled while and clapped her on the shoulder in congratulations.

Clarke watched Lexa's mouth twist into an awkward proud smile as she took a few more shots. All of them hitting their mark. Lexa was turning out to be a good shot. Clarke walked closer to watch as more warriors lined up to take a turn at other targets. Lexa handed the gun back to Kane gingerly before bidding him thanks and walking to Clarke's side.

"Not gonna lie," Clarke muttered, "That was extremely…attractive." She wanted to say sexy but she wasn't sure Lexa knew the word.

Lexa smiled, knowingly she gave Clarke a subtle wink.

Clarke cocked her eyebrow, "You better watch yourself commander, keep doing things like that and I just might force you back to my quarters and make you submit." Then she walked away leaving Lexa with a dropped jaw and wide eyes.

Clarke led them to the gates, they opened allowing the girls to cross to the outside. Again, Clarke instantly felt a weight come off her shoulders when they left Arkadia. She felt herself taking deeper breathes as they walked, she felt more free outside it's metal walls. She felt more at home with every step she took into the wilderness. She really was a grounder, she found herself noting, knowing in that moment that she'd never feel fully comfortable within the Ark again.

They made their way along, taking about an hour to reach Lexa's camp. They had entwined their hands on the walk and found themselves giving each other meaningful looks trying to absorb as much of the others company in this calm before the storm.

Clarke separated from Lexa when they entered the camp. She went straight to Lexa's tent like she owned it while Indra went to speak with Lexa.

When Lexa entered her tent Clarke was pacing. Her mind was deep in thought about what could transpire that night. She felt Lexa's hand on her arm slowing her walking before Clarke stopped all together and looked at her. She knew she had worry written on her face. Lexa smiled sadly as she cupped her cheek and planted a kiss on her lips.

"You'll be alright Clarke." Lexa said.

Clarke shook her head, that wasn't what she was worried about. She wasn't concerned for herself. She was concerned for her people, for Lexa's people…for Lexa. She felt hot tears stinging her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Lexa. She felt Lexa grip her tightly, trying to reassure her with every second that passed between them.

Clarke found herself calming down, her mind began to clear. She nuzzled her face into Lexa's neck and placed a soft kiss on the bare skin she found, "Thank you," she whispered. The thank you wasn't for Lexa's words of comfort. Clarke was thanking her for giving her strength, for constantly being there for Clarke and making sure she was looked after.

Clarke hugged her tighter, feeling Lexa's soft breaths on her head. She felt Lexa stroke her hair, "I won't let you out of my sight."

Clarke stepped back and looked at her, "No."

Lexa looked at her questioningly before Clarke continued. "You can't watch over me, you need to protect yourself. I can handle myself."

Lexa looked at Clarke, "I can do both."

Clarke smiled sadly and cupped Lexa's cheek, "You'll try and you'll get hurt. I can't allow that. I can't lose you because of me."

"I'd die-" Lexa began before Clarke rolled her eyes and cut her off.

"A thousand deaths for me, I know. And I would for you as well, you know that, but it doesn't change the fact that I need you to worry about you. I need you to protect yourself first."

Lexa nodded knowing there was no point in arguing, "I will Clarke."

Clarke knew she was only telling her what she wanted to hear but she didn't care. Clarke and Lexa would both take a swords blade or a bullet for the other. That was abundantly clear now. At least she voiced her concerns, letting the weight lift off her as she did so.