Alrighty guys, so, I'm posting today because I just found out that I've got a job. So tomorrow I'll be out and I wanted you to have your update. Hopefully I'll still be able to keep on schedule, I'll try my hardest to do just that.

I want to thank those who offered to Beta and would like to thank Cappsy and trueloveaddict-ally for editing this chapter. You guys are fantastic.

I'm not sure if there was, but I don't think there was anything I should address in this note. Thank you all for your reviews and continued support. Really, you're all great.

And now, onto the story.

Disclaimer: See chapters 1-3

Before:

Clarke took aim calmly, centering her focus, and then let off a shot. The bullet hit its intended target – between the cat's eyes – but Clarke had fallen to her knees, gun falling to the ground.

...

All she could feel was two bullets tearing through her stomach. ... She kept hearing the bark of the pistol over and over again, that and the sound of Cage's voice, taunting her.

...

With memories of Lexa focusing her mind, the tightness in her chest lessened and Clarke opened her eyes to look at Wells.

...

It, in fact, took nine days to complete the wall as well as the additions of the smokehouse, a more sturdy spit over the fire and a large water basin for what they brought back from the river. Everyone had gotten tents set up, and some were still staying on the second level of the dropship.

...

In a turn of events that Clarke thanked whoever was listening for, Charlotte had designated herself to be Clarke's second.

...

Clarke made sure that they made a few trips back to the [bunker] with the guns in order to scout the entire place and find the extra barrels she remembered Kane having spoken of.

...

Clarke brought her small bounty back to a small clearing near the dropship she had found. There was a cave and, in it, she stored her own supplies.

...

During the days, she and Octavia, and several of the hundred, would leave the boundary of the camp, only a little, to practice throwing their knives at targets they had made.

Now:

Soon enough, it was the night that Clarke knew as the one where Raven would be coming to the ground.

Clarke was out again, this time with Charlotte at her side instead of Finn as the two were taking a breather from the camp. It had quickly become normal for the two of them to sneak away just to talk and have some solitude. Clarke thought it was what was helping Charlotte stay a child and not grow up too fast.

Charlotte saw it first, the light blinking through the sky. She pointed it out to Clarke who watched it with bated breath. When it was large enough that she could say something without looking suspicious, Clarke pointed out that it was definitely not a shooting star and the two of them ran back to camp as quickly as they could.

Once they crossed the border into camp, Clarke turned to Charlotte. "You should go and get some sleep, kiddo. I'll let you know what happened in the morning."

Charlotte looked like she was about to argue but, with a look from Clarke, she nodded and made her way to the dropship. As she did that, Clarke walked towards their command tent where Bellamy already had a meeting going.

"If it cleared the ridge then it probably landed somewhere near the lake." She heard Jones, one of Bellamy's hunters, saying. Everyone looked at her as she came in and she nodded to them.

"We should get going," Octavia said, turning everyone's attention back to the matter at hand.

"I agree. We should get there before any of the grounders find it. There could be supplies, food or medical… there could be anything." Clarke said, playing her part.

"It isn't safe," Bellamy said. Clarke just shook her head and spoke to the few in the tent.

"It is if we go in small numbers. All we need are the people here right now. We have the firepower if anything goes sideways." Bellamy looked at her silently, appraising her words, before he nodded slowly. That too had changed during the last, now ten, days. Bellamy and her were working more fluidly together as a unit to keep everyone in top shape and fighting ready. Clarke hoped it wouldn't come to that, but if need be, they were ready.

Which was good because, once Raven got settled, Clarke was going to start looking for the Commander.

"Okay." Bellamy said. "Everyone go get ready, we head out in ten. Bring any weapons you have and your gear."

Ten minutes later there were five people at the border of camp, ready to set off towards the second drop site. Clarke made sure that everyone had their packs in case Cage decided to send out another wave of Acid Fog in light of Raven's fall. It hadn't happened before, but things were changing and Clarke couldn't be sure. And it was always better to be safe than to be sorry.

She stood next to Octavia who, like her, had a sword at her back and a knife tucked into her belt. Clarke had her second knife in her jacket as usual and had a pack over her sword with her own tent and some water. It wasn't as stocked as the pack in her cave, but it would do for the mission.

Bellamy was beside Octavia and had his semi-automatic strapped across his chest, hanging down at his side. He had a pack too, with his own tent and food. Two of Bellamy's hunters were behind him, both with guns, and one of them with the third pack. Clarke nodded to them, ready to head out.

Day began to break when they were finally coming up on Raven's drop site. Bellamy headed the group and was followed by Octavia and Clarke with the hunters bringing up the rear. The hike was a quiet one, no one wanting to make too much noise in case there were enemies nearby who had been drawn to the crash.

They were close when Clarke heard it, the crackling of the radio inside of the pod, static coming through more than the words from the Ark, but she could hear voices through it.

"I think there's someone in there." She said quietly, moving up ahead of Bellamy and the group. She took out a knife for show and held it low, opening the door on the pod when she was close enough and then letting her hand drop to her side. "Guys, there's someone in here and we need to get her out."

Clarke turned back and saw the group moving towards her. She saw Bellamy's eyes go directly to the radio and then to Clarke. She could see it in his expression that he wanted to get rid of it.

"This is Ark station, please respond." Kept repeating through the static and Clarke shook her head.

"Clarke, you know that if they come down here, we're all screwed." He pleaded and took a step forward. Clarke brought her knife up.

"And if they stay up there, they're all dead, Bellamy. Every single one of them." Octavia turned to them both as the hunters moved to slide Raven out of the pod.

"Why are you so determined to cut off contact with the Ark, Bell? What reason could you possibly have to let so many people die?" Bellamy turned on his heel and brought his hands up to rub at his face before resting them on the back of his head. He turned back around and Clarke's heart went out to him. He looked panicked and defeated, but soon, when Raven woke up, he would know that Jaha wasn't dead.

"When the people on the Ark come down, I'm dead!" He said, his voice wavering.

"What did you do?" Octavia asked, stepping towards him.

Bellamy shook his head and looked to the ground. "I shot him; I shot Jaha."

"What, why?" Octavia exclaimed. Clarke lowered her knife, realizing it was still pointed at the older Blake.

"I found out that they were sending you to Earth, and I couldn't let you go alone." He said dejectedly. "Someone came to me with a deal; do this – kill him – and they'd get me onto the dropship. And I did it."

"You killed the Chancellor…" Clarke stepped up then and put a hand on Octavia's arm before looking to Bellamy.

"Did you see him die?" She asked. Bellamy looked taken aback and began to shake his head.

"No, but-"

"Stop. You didn't see him die." Clarke stepped forward and put a hand on Bellamy's arm. "You didn't see him die, so you don't know if he actually died. But even if you did Bellamy, if you killed the chancellor, you were used. You have the name of the person who wanted you to do it, and that will count for something with them."

Bellamy stepped away and turned his back to everyone, both hands coming down to cross over his chest. Clarke stepped up beside him quietly and let him think.

"Do you really think they'll let me get away with what I did?" He spoke quietly and she shook her head.

"No." He looked at her quickly and she kept talking. "I think that if you come clean, tell the truth, and the Chancellor isn't dead, then you'll get some probation. Things are different here, I know I've said that before. But you did try and kill the Chancellor, no matter your reasons. Do you think you deserve anything less than some penance?" She asked.

Bellamy was quiet for another minute before shaking his head. "You're right. And – and if he is dead then…" Octavia moved to the other side of her brother and wrapped an arm around his waist.

"Then we'll figure it out then." Bellamy sighed and dropped his head, moving one of his arms to hold his sister close.

"Okay." She nodded and put her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently before moving back to Raven and the pod. Bellamy's hunters had already gotten the mechanic out and had her helmet off.

Clarke moved towards the pod and picked up the transmitter for the radio. "Ark station, this is the ground, do you copy?" There was silence through the static and Clarke hoped that that was just surprise.

"Ground, this is Ark station, we hear you. Who are we talking to?" Clarke breathed a sigh of relief and held the transmitter to her forehead, smiling gently. She cleared her throat before speaking again.

"My name is Clarke Griffin, I was one of the one hundred that were sent to the ground. The Earth is survivable, Ark station." Clarke waited with baited breath for the next response.

"Please repeat, ground, we seem to be getting some interference." The blonde cursed the reception under her breath before repeating what she'd said.

"Understood, Miss Griffin." Clarke wasn't sure, but she thought that maybe she could hear whoever was on the receiving end grinning. She turned to look at her companions and then at Bellamy in particular before pushing the button again.

"Ark station, how is Chancellor Jaha?" Bellamy looked over at her, worry written on his face.

"Chancellor Jaha is alive and well, Griffin. What about the one hundred? Our monitors tell us that all of you died." For the first time since Raven had fallen, Clarke could see a genuine smile on Bellamy's face at the news, and it was one that was mirrored on his sister right next to him.

"Our results of trying to contact you, Ark station. One of our engineers tried to use the wristbands to make contact-" She was cut off when a new voice came over the comm., one that Clarke knew well.

"Clarke? Clarke is that you?" The blonde nodded to herself, knowing very well that her mom couldn't see it, but she did nonetheless.

"Mom, yeah, it's me. Everyone is okay down here, but we need to go. The girl you sent down here, she hit her head, possible concussion. We need to get her back to the dropship." Clarke turned back to the pod and looked at the inside. "I'll bring someone back later and see if we can't salvage the radio, move it to the dropship." Clarke didn't know it, but on the other end, Abby was nodding along with her daughter.

"Okay Clarke. Her name is Raven, by the way. Raven Reyes." The comm. was silent for a minute as both women contemplated the day's events. "Take care of her Clarke… I love you."

"I love you, too, Mom." Clarke heard Raven groaning behind her and left one last message for the Ark. "Leave the signal open, but don't transmit. There are hostiles on the ground and if they hear you, they may destroy the radio before we can come back for it." With that, Clarke stood and moved back to Raven, kneeling with the others beside her on the wet ground.

Raven opened her eyes slowly, blinking out the invading light as her eyes got used to it. She brought a hand up to her head to poke at the cut but Clarke reached out to stop her.

"Woah there, Reyes, take it slow. Don't try and sit up, and don't touch your head." Raven's eyes had widened at the hand that stopped her and then shot to Clarke. Despite the blonde's words though, she tried to sit up and immediately laid back down.

"Mmm, crap, that's not good." She mumbled. Her eyes found Clarke again and she smiled. "Griffin." The others looked at Clarke who laughed and nodded. "Where are we?"

"You're on the ground." Clarke looked around them and smiled softly. "We're on the ground." She looked back at Raven. "Your pupils seem responsive to the light. Can you tell me your name?" The girl on the ground nodded.

"Raven. Raven Reyes." She sat up slowly and this time Clarke didn't stop her.

"Welcome to earth." Octavia said and Raven looked over to the younger Blake, grinning. Clarke stood and everyone followed her. She reached out a hand to help Raven up and, when the mechanic was standing – on two very working legs, she added in her mind – she quickly divested herself of her spacesuit.

The others watched as Raven took in her surroundings, standing with her arms held out slightly behind her. Clarke watched her with a faint smile, arms across her chest. Bellamy held his sister, his arm around her shoulder, as the two of them smiled as well. Even the hunters were watching in amusement.

Raven looked at Clarke and pointed to the sky. "Is this rain?" She asked and Clarke let out a short laugh, nodding again.

"Yes it is. And let me tell you… I still haven't gotten sick of it." She grinned and Raven laughed, letting her head fall back as she closed her eyes. It was when she stumbled that Clarke quickly moved forward and slung Raven's arm around her shoulder, putting her own around the brunette's waist.

"Easy soldier, buy me a drink first." Raven said. Clarke rolled her eyes, amused, and spoke to the others.

"We should head back. She needs rest. And we need to get Monty back here to see about the radio." She looked at Bellamy who nodded. Clarke smiled, he really looked lighter than he had from the minute they'd been on the ground.

"I'll bring Monty back," he looked at his hunters. "You two can get some rest when we get back, I'll bring someone else with Monty." They both smiled gratefully.

"Sure thing, boss man." One said. News of the Ark seemed to lift everyone up, Clarke thought.

They all started walking back to the dropship, Raven staying by Clarke and using her to help keep herself up.

Or so Clarke thought.

"Clarke?" Raven asked quietly when they'd fallen a little behind the rest of the group. The blonde looked beside her at the brunette and tilted her head.

"I meant to ask, before, when you called me Griffin. How did you know my name?" She asked.

Raven chuckled. "You look a lot like your ma." Raven looked out among the trees before looking back to Clarke. "Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Did you… I mean, y'know, have you…" Clarke smiled softly, thinking she knew who Raven was asking about.

"Finn is back at the dropship. There was an accident, he ran into some hostiles when we first landed. He's alright, but he's been relaxing and taking it easy. He has only recently been up and about." Raven's expression was odd, but she had just heard that her boyfriend had been hurt enough to keep him down for a while.

"Finn got speared?" Raven asked, her voice still low. Clarke nodded, wondering why they were speaking so lowly, when she realized that Raven said speared.

Not hurt, but speared, specifically.

She stopped walking and motioned for the others to keep going without them when they noticed that they'd stopped.

"Are you sure Clarke? You don't know who could be out here." Clarke smiled at Octavia and nodded.

"We'll be fine. Don't worry O, we'll see you later." Octavia looked between them before nodding. When she did, Bellamy nodded too and they kept going back towards the dropship.

"Raven?" Clarke said, turning to the mechanic when the others were gone. Raven looked back at her, almost challenging, daring her to be wrong in her own assumption.

"You in there, Clarkey?" Raven asked.

"If you mean am I living some weird time travel shit, then yes, Raven, yes I am." Clarke stepped back from the brunette and brought a hand up to rub at her face tiredly. "You're back too?"

"What the hell is happening Clarke? Last thing I remember is being on an operating table, hurting like a bitch, and then suddenly, I'm in an escape pod. This is some weird shit, Griffin, being back here, things being so calm." Clarke laughed shortly and looked at Raven critically.

"Things won't be calm for much longer with the Ark coming down. Who knows, maybe this time there'll be more of them. But it's damn good to have you here, it means that I can move forward with my own plans."

"What plans?" Clarke took a deep breath and looked into Raven's eyes.

"I'm going to find Lexa." Raven opened her mouth to question the sanity of that decision, but Clarke held up a hand, stopping her. "I know, I know what you're thinking and I know that I've thought it before. But I've had a lot of time to think about this Raven.

"Lexa didn't do anything that I didn't, or wouldn't, do either. If our positions had been reversed? Our people come out of the mountain and, in return, we leave them be? I would have taken that deal in a heartbeat. The thing that sucks is that the Trigedakru were the bulk of our army and they retreated. But we still made it inside, and we still rescued our people." Clarke's mind flashed to that moment in the control room, her hand on the lever, pulling it and irradiating an entire level.

Clarke shook herself and looked back at Raven who had an abashed expression. "I can't begrudge her for making a decision that I would have. I made a decision in that mountain, Raven. I killed so many people. Lexa sacrificed an entire village. She didn't plan to leave, but she needed to, because her people… She cares for each and every one of them, no matter how much she tries to be hard and cold.

"I… We need her, and we need an alliance with them. And I think I can do it on my own, without killing a single one." Raven's expression told Clarke that she had heard the I that had slipped out at the start of her sentence.

"Alright, Griffin, I get it, you need to get your girl and save the day." This time it was Raven who was holding up a hand and stopping Clarke from interrupting. "No, Clarke, I'm serious. You're right. You've clearly had time to think about this, and we need the grounders if we're gonna stay here. Which, well, we can't very well go anywhere else, can we?"

Clarke sighed and nodded. She smiled at Raven who smiled in return. "So, when did you come back?" The older girl asked.

"When I was back on the Ark, in my cell, the day we were sent down here." Raven whistled.

"Damn, and you've been down here doing what exactly this whole time?" Clarke smiled brightly.

"Changing things." Raven's expression clearly urged her on. "Well, for one, we've had no casualties. We have a lot more guns and a ton of ammo, and you will be glad to know that you can keep your leg because Murphy is not going to go on a spree… Hopefully. The reason he did last time didn't happen this time so…" Clarke shrugged and Raven looked down at herself as if suddenly realizing she had full functionality of both of her legs.

"Hot damn, that's gonna take some getting used to." Clarke laughed then, and after a minute, Raven joined in. They both laughed and laughed at the absurdity of what was happening.

"I'm really glad you're here Raven." Clarke said once they calmed down. Raven grinned, wobbling slightly, still dizzy from hitting her head. Clarke moved to take her previous position under Raven's arm who took the support with a nod.

"Of course you are, I'm awesome."

Soooo... who's excited? I am. Raven's back and Clarke finally has someone she can talk to without having to be candid.

As always, I would love to hear what you all think, thoughts and feelings. You can even still guess who else is coming back. There is at least one more, and I'd give you a clue but where's the fun in that?

Thanks for reading, guys!

-Bad Wolf