Clarke and Lexa finally have a tête-à-tête. Someone makes a discovery.

It was both a relief and a nightmare for Lexa, the fact that Clarke didn't make an appearance at the training session the following morning. Relief because she wasn't sure she could handle seeing Clarke that day, probably still smelling like those girls. And a nightmare because despite everything, her heart still craved Clarke and needs to be near her. It is contradictory and complicated but Lexa loves Clarke and wants to be with her; nothing and no one is going to get in their way. But for now what she wishes the most is time alone to calm down.

She wasn't so lucky the next day as Clarke arrived on time to train with the rest of the young warriors. Lexa attempted to stay away from the blonde but of course that was the day Clarke chose to challenge her to a duel.

It wasn't the most ideal situation but Lexa figured it would be a good way to get rid of some of the tension and somehow vent the resentment she had toward Clarke.

Lexa is the first to attack, swinging her sword with all her might. Clarke is surprised at the new found aggressiveness but she responds in kind. Despite her best efforts and the anger that accumulated inside of her, the duel ends quickly with Lexa's sword on the floor.

"Wow!" Clarke chuckles "that was very good warrior." She sounds genuinely impressed.

"Thank you Wanheda." Lexa's response is bland, her expression neutral.

"I think you…" Clarke's words are cut short when Lexa interjects again.

"Permission to go practice on my focus," Lexa directs her request to Octavia.

"Oh" Octavia is confused for a second "but that's not necessary Lexa, you're doing great."

Lexa's jaw clenches, she glances sideways towards Clarke. "I don't want to sound disrespectful general but I disagree."

Octavia furrows her brows reading something else in her apprentice's demeanor.

Clarke shifts her weight from one foot to the other suddenly feeling uncomfortable, but not knowing why.

"Um, OK if that's what you want." Octavia finally allows the girl to go.

Lexa bows her head and trots away without bothering to look back, leaving the two older women perplexed.

…

It is almost twilight when Lexa arrives at the dining hall; she would have preferred to continue practicing but the need for food won out. She is halfway in finishing her meal when a person, she definitely was not expecting, enters the large room.

"Isn't it a little late for lunch warrior." Clarke slowly approaches Lexa, sitting down in front of her.

Lexa's nostrils flare annoyingly, "late practice session" is her simple explanation as she continues eating.

"Of course" Clarke nods "but you shouldn't push yourself too much, you know? Your progress has been incredible these past weeks; I think you are allowed to take it easy."

"I don't think I can do that right now" Lexa states pushing her dishes aside. "Now if you excuse me I'm really tired." She stands up, gives a quick bow and withdraws to the hallway.

"OK, good… night" Clarke says basically to herself.

…

Two days have passed, but Lexa's same attitude has continued during practice; only this time Clarke was observing her every move; which attracts Octavia's attention.

In more than one occasion Octavia caught Clarke staring at the girl from a distance, which she found very intriguing. She was adamant on learning more about it in time.

"OK everybody, the instructor is here; you know what to do!" Octavia directs her trainees who immediately gather around the tables already set up "Lexa!" she calls next.

Clarke grabs her gun and holster from her knapsack.

"I'm gonna teach you the basics about how to handle a gun so you are able to join the lesson with the rest OK?" Octavia explains.

Lexa nods hesitatingly.

"OK first you have to…"

Octavia's words become a combination of indistinguishable sounds that doesn't mean a thing to Lexa, whose body is overcome by sudden fear.

Having fixed the harness on her holster, Clarke looks up and notices the panic on Lexa's face.

"Now you try it." Octavia hands the gun to Lexa.

"Uh, I…" Lexa stares at the weapon with terror; instinctively her hand flies to the lower part of her chest.

Clarke steps closer, not believing her eyes.

"Lexa?" Octavia finally sees the state of the teen.

"Can-can I be excused?" Lexa asks pleadingly, desperate to find a way out.

"The practice is not over yet and you still need to…"

"Octavia!"

Clarke's voice is harsh; causing Octavia to glare at her friend who sends a very nasty look her way.

"Alright," Octavia grants Lexa's wish, knowing not to argue with Clarke when she's pissed, "go."

Wasting no time, Lexa sprints away from the training field.

"What the hell was that?" Octavia inquiries.

"I don't know she's probably just scared of guns" Clarke shrugs throwing one quick glance in Lexa's direction while walking to the tables.

Octavia rolls her eyes "that's not what I was talking about."

Her words fall on deaf ears since Clarke continues walking without paying her any mind.

"This is all very strange; so, so strange."

…

Later, having done some investigation of her own, Octavia goes to Clarke's room to have a final assessment on a theory.

"Yes?" Clarke acknowledges her friend. She is working at her desk, reading the letters received from the different clans.

"I wanted to talk to you about Lexa" Octavia comes straight to the point.

If the topic surprises her, Clarke doesn't show it "what about her?" She replies still scanning the papers.

"Well, forgetting about the little incident with the gun, I think she's a great warrior and probably the only one who can keep up with my level of training so; I want to make her my second."

And there it is; the same reaction Indra had when she mentioned the possibility of making Lexa her second; the stopping what she's doing, the thinking.

Octavia waits patiently for an answer.

"I don't think so," Clarke remarks now turning to face Octavia.

"And why is that?" Octavia demands almost challengingly.

"Because she just started training with you Octavia." Clarke stands up and makes her way to the window but continues speaking "there's a lot still she needs to learn."

At that Octavia pushes a little "but you've seen her fight; she's ready to have a real encounter Clarke."

Clarke sighs "Maybe, but making her your second would immediately put her on the front line in any battle, at your side; that would be like a death sentence."

"So you care about her." Octavia makes it sound like an accusation.

"Of course I care about her!" Clarke's reply seems as natural as any other "she's young and has a very loving family that is waiting to see her soon. Besides as you just stated she's a great warrior; do you really want to risk the life of a promising soldier that could easily become the future general? Wouldn't it be better to keep her here in Polis under supervision and constant training so she can be useful when we really need her?"

Octavia's face twists with a mixture of a smile and a scowl. Sometimes she forgets why Clarke was chosen the commander of the thirteen clans in the first place. 'So fucking clever.' She chuckles to herself "you're right; I have to admit you have a point there." Octavia stares at Clarke for a few seconds, trying to find something in her face, in her body language.

Clarke holds her gaze intrepidly.

When she is satisfied, Octavia makes her excuses. "Well, I see you are busy; I better get going. I'll see you tomorrow" saying that she retreats from Clarke's bedroom.

The second the door is closed Clarke groans with frustration "fuck!" she slaps at a set of ornaments that were sitting on top of a shelf.

So now not only she has to worry about having the young warrior constantly on her mind but also she has to be careful around Octavia. "Can this get a little more fucked up?"

….

After finishing her training for the day, Lexa and her fellow warriors went to lunch at the dining hall. She wasn't exactly a social butterfly but she enjoyed and preferred the company of people her own age since almost all adults over thirty in Polis kept staring at her. And the fact that Clarke has missed the last three sessions due to important commitments, was a welcomed break from the drama. So the teens were there having a fun time and staying longer than necessary just because they could. Eventually one by one they started to leave the hall and Lexa who was talking animatedly with two other warriors; barely reached the threshold when she saw her companions stop abruptly.

"Wanheda." Both youngsters bow their heads.

Lexa's previously good mood crashes down at the vision of the blonde.

"Hey!" Clarke greets with a small smile. She then focuses her attention to Lexa. "I want to have a word with you."

The two young warriors leave the two women alone and scurry out of the building.

Making sure they are gone, Clarke faces Lexa "how are you doing?" She asks kindly.

"I'm great, thank you for asking" Lexa utters with sarcasm.

Clarke notices the defensiveness in her tone but doesn't know what to do about it. "Um, is there something bothering you?"

Lexa huffs crossing her arms "why do you want to know?"

"Well…"

"Is this really necessary? Can I go now?" Lexa interrupts what Clarke was about to comment.

To say Clarke is taken aback by the reaction would be an understatement. She chuckles in incredulity.

"What?!" Lexa doesn't take the silent judgment very well.

"I don't get it." Clarke begins explaining clearly annoyed "you've been pretty forward with me since you came here; bordering on being disrespectful and all of the sudden you don't want to talk to me anymore?"

It gives Lexa a bit of satisfaction to realize Clarke did notice her rejection; but either way she's still hurt and has no desire to partake in any way with the blonde. "What is it that you want from me Wanheda?" She enunciates the tittle carefully.

"I don't know, just talk to you, get to know you better; have a conversation or whatever" Clarke tries not to lose her cool.

For her part, Lexa is about to lose hers. "So you want to talk to me?"

"Yes!" Clarke admits thinking they are finally getting somewhere.

"Fine, let's talk." Lexa uncrosses her arms angrily "can I start?"

"Go ahead!" Clarke nods optimistically.

"Good" Lexa clears her throat. "Are you sleeping with half of Polis?" She lets out with bitterness.

Clarke's mouth drops and her eyes bulge open in shock "What did you just say?" She needs confirmation.

Lexa's conscious is telling her to apologize immediately and run away from Clarke's presence before it is too late, before she ruins it; but there's something else; something aching in her chest, something raw and uninhibited that forces her to continue. "I asked if you are sleeping with half of Polis"

"How dare you speak to me that way?" Clarke is visibly offended by the implications of the question.

Lexa can't take it any longer. "I saw you at Roan's banquet when you left with those two girls."

Clarke's face flushes at the reprimand. She wants to believe it is only rage that is causing it but deep down she knows there's something else and she hates to feel this way. "It is none of your business who I sleep with warrior; and what were you doing there anyway?" She attempts to regain control of the situation.

But Lexa is far from being in control. "Is that how you've been dealing with your loneliness Clarke? Bedding the girl from the dining hall? The one from the stables?" She continues the scolding.

"What the…" Clarke can't even finish the question; she's shaking with fury… and shame. She swallows the anger, in favor of issuing a threat. "That's it! I'm calling the general."

Lexa closes her eyes, feeling the opportunity of letting it all out slip away. 'You can't miss this chance, it's now or never.' She opens her eyes and takes a deep calming breath; then ignoring the danger in Clarke's tone, proceeds to offer "if that's what you are looking for, what you need, I can give it to you."

All the rage Clarke was feeling at that moment morphs into astonishment at hearing those words.

"I'm at your service for whatever you want, even if it's for only that" Lexa's lips tremble as she adds in a soft voice "my body is yours Clarke."

Clarke can't believe what she just heard but most importantly she can't believe the sudden guilt that's engulfing her being. She's left disconcerted with nothing to say; fear crippling deep within her. She can't stand looking at the girl in the face anymore; so taking one final glance at her, Clarke starts walking away. She takes a few steps forward when suddenly she is spun around forcefully and before she can even react, Lexa's lips are on hers.

If it lasted five seconds or an eternity, neither of them knew; it's like time stood still, just them melting into the kiss.

When it eventually ends, both are left breathless.

While they are still struggling for air Lexa takes the opportunity to nuzzle against Clarke's nose sweetly.

A shaky breath escapes Clarke at the familiar gesture; she feels her heart ache with longing, it is too much for her. She places her hand on Lexa's chest slowly pushing away "I'm sorry, I can't" she lets out weakly.

"You're not ready?" Lexa supplies timidly, understanding.

Clarke closes her eyes and means to take her hand away from Lexa's chest, when Lexa stops her by placing a hand on top of hers.

"You can take me away from Polis if you want, send me back to my village, but tell me, who's gonna take me away from your heart and mind?"

The question lingers in the air like a knife cutting into Clarke's soul.

Hurried steps can be heard approaching their location.

Clarke and Lexa jump away from each other just as Octavia appears.

"What's going on here?" Octavia's query is full of hostility.

Both remain silent still astounded by the events.

Octavia didn't need an answer to know exactly what happened between them; but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

"Nothing uh…" Clarke finally reacts "That will be all warrior you uh- you're dismissed" she directs Lexa without looking at her.

Playing her part Lexa nods and bows "Wanheda, general" and with that she departs from the hallway.

Clarke; not trusting she will be able to deal with Octavia and her interrogation at the moment, searches for a way out. "I um, I gotta find Indra" she escapes without minding if her friend notices anything.

Octavia notices, but doesn't care. She has other things to worry about "She's… no, no she can't be; there's no way, impossible!" She's really struggling to come to terms with her realization. Octavia refuses to believe this girl is in fact Lexa; she wants to convince herself they are just coincidences, stupid grounder beliefs that make no sense. Yet the evidence has been there from the very beginning; that's when it hits her. "Oh my God; how did I not see it! The amazing skills that came so naturally to her, like she's always known them, the physical appearance, her weird obsession with Clarke, the gun shot… ugh fuck!" She slams her body against the wall frustrated. Rage starts rising in her as she processes the truth "Fuck she's Lexa… She's fucking Lexa."