Lexa and Clarke take a break from each other. Octavia deals with her anger toward Lexa.
It was like going back to square one. Lexa knew it had been a risky move, that it could make or break the closeness she established with Clarke but it was all or nothing and she decided to go for it, consequences and all, no regrets. She hasn't seen Clarke in several days and quite frankly she was OK with that; because this time she needed to be alone to process the gravity of the situation and think through it with a clear mind.
The only problem now was Octavia, who has been oddly curt with her, less communicative and always observing her to the point of making her feel very uncomfortable.
Octavia even stopped training with Lexa; choosing instead to bring in soldiers from the various clans to duel with her. That was a big red flag for Lexa but there was nothing she could do about it, other than wait for whatever comes her way.
…
Clarke is sitting at her desk, deep in thought as she has been doing every night since Lexa kissed her. She knows it is really ridiculous at this point to be hiding –yet again- from the young brunette, but she doesn't know what else to do; she wasn't even sure how she would respond if she saw her again. "Slap her or may be … Arggg!" Clarke groans at the image her mind conjures up; she officially has given up.
She, the great Wanheda who made ashes out of three hundred warriors of the commander's army, who destroyed the mount weather men with only one hand, who got in and out of The City of Light carrying the chip without being a nightblood, who saved the world from exploding and uniting the thirteen clans in the process, the one who humiliated the rebels trying to stop her from becoming the new commander. That powerful woman almost Godlike to many; has no clue what to do in regards to a teenage girl that came and turned her world upside down.
"What do I do?" Clarke mumbles to herself, looking down at the picture beneath her hand; the one she procured from a mount weather man; the only picture she has of Lexa. She caresses the flat surface, tracing the contours of Lexa's face delicately. "What do I do?" Emotions threaten to pour from her eyes when a beeping sound causes her to come out of her deep contemplation.
"Oh great," Clarke exhales knowing exactly who was making the call. She feels tempted to ignore it but Clarke is sure if she does it this time, she may have a not so welcomed –at least not now- visitor soon. So Clarke rises and walks over to her nightstand, taking the picture with her. She gives it a last yearning look before placing it inside a small metal chest and putting it away in the drawer. Then she makes her way to the communication system installed in her room, takes a seat and sighs before accepting the call.
"Hey honey!" Those are the first words from Abby as soon as her image appears on the monitor.
"Hi mom," Clarke greets with a weak smile.
"It's been almost two months since our last talk Clarke; is it really that much of a bother to let your mother know you're still alive?" Abby chastises half-jokingly.
Clarke chuckles "well mom, I've been a little busy here being the commander. Running the world is not as easy as Beyoncé made it seem, you know?" She adds trying to keep the atmosphere light.
"Uh huh" Abby nods with a tight smile. She looks pensive for a second contemplating her next words until she settles for asking "are you OK?"
"Yes mom I'm fine." Clarke doesn't even try to look convincing.
"You don't look fine." Abby states the obvious.
Clarke begins to get exasperated "I'm just tired mom that's all."
Again Abby appears to be holding back something but ultimately decides to say something else. "If you like I can come and visit you there; keep you company for a while?" Her tone is hopeful.
"What! No, no!" Clarke exclaims earning Abby's glare and a slight hint of hurt on her face. "I mean you don't need to do that, I've told you I'm really busy; we would barely see each other anyways." She attempts to sound believable this time. "Besides I'm sure you have your own heavy work load right? Didn't you have those workshops for healers in the villages? They really need those, mom."
"hmm" Even if she hates to admit it, Clarke was absolutely right, Abby still has a lot to do "yeah I know" she concedes despite the words stuck in her throat, thoughts on her mind that she can't bring herself to share. So she chooses to make the most of the time she has with her daughter. "Well then lets catch up with each other now that we are here."
"Right" Clarke sighs with relief; surely she can do that "how's everything at Arkadia?"
…
With each passing day Octavia is finding it more and more difficult to be around Lexa; more so now that the anniversary of Lincoln's death is so close. Learning about Lexa's real identity just as the date approaches is definitely not the best thing that could have happened to her. Lately she has been going to bed dreaming about the man, about the love they never really got to enjoy thoroughly, about the way he was killed by the hands of a sick man gone crazy, thanks to the savage grounders… led by Lexa. She felt disgusted and enraged just remembering her face; her insufferable air of superiority, her ever present need to impose her will. And now she could see that reflected in this younger version of Lexa; probably not as evident, but it was still there. Octavia couldn't stand being near her so she focused on dealing with the other warriors, letting Lexa train with soldiers of the army every session so she didn't lose any practice time. It has been working so far, or at least it did work in keeping her distracted until Lexa decided to confront her.
"General."
Octavia's hairs in the back of her neck stand up upon hearing the voice 'does she really have to have the same fucking annoying tone?' Suddenly all young Lexa does seems exactly the same as what Lexa the commander used to do and it bothers Octavia to no end "yes?" She doesn't even turn to acknowledge the girl.
"I know it is probably part of your strategy to pair me with other soldiers to test my skills, but I honestly feel it's more fitting for me to duel with you" Lexa states firmly.
"So you're questioning my choices as your trainer and general? Do you think you know better than me?" Octavia finally faces Lexa with irritation clearly written on her features.
"Oh no, no of course not general," Lexa hurries to explain. "I just really think you're the only one who is qualified to give me the appropriate level of combat training."
Octavia's smirk is anything but friendly "So you wanna fight me?"
"Yes! ma'am" Lexa confirms with sincerity.
Octavia gives her a once over before turning to the side "Warrior!" she calls the man she invited for the day "you can go back to the army's practice now"
The soldier bows his head and obediently walks off the field.
"OK then," Octavia focuses solely on Lexa, taking her sword out of the sheath "your wish is my command."
Lexa finds it odd the way Octavia is using the reference, either way she grabs her own sword preparing for the confrontation; and it's a good thing she does because the next thing she knows Octavia's sword is on top of hers landing a hard strike.
Octavia continues to attack Lexa with fast and solid blows giving no break to the teen. "Oh c'mon Lexa, you're better than this" she punctuates her inciting words with a scratch on Lexa's arm. "I'm sure you still have something inside of you…" she scratches the other arm "that's begging to be… released" Octavia cuts open Lexa's jacket.
With the contact Lexa jumps feeling how a part of her skin was injured. Octavia was never characterized as being particularly gentle with her during a duel but right now she is being unnecessarily brusque for it to be a training exercise and its beginning to make Lexa anxious.
"Don't be shy; show me that savage side you definitely have there somewhere." Octavia continues to provoke, now rounding Lexa who tries not to lose sight of her mentor; holding up her sword defensively.
"Or is it that maybe you need a dagger?" Octavia speaks through gritted teeth. "You know, to rip open some innocent's skin to satisfy your own sense of justice."
And that's when Lexa realizes Octavia knows exactly who she really is. She's left dumbstruck in front of the other brunette.
"Is that what you want, huh? Justice?" Octavia contends. "Then have some justice!" Saying that, she slits Lexa's hand with the tip of her sword.
"Argh!" this time Lexa can't help exclaim in pain, letting her sword fall and holding onto her wounded hand.
By this point all the young warriors have stopped their regular routine, silently observing the battle; but neither of them daring to get any closer.
"No swords? Fine!" Octavia throws hers down "how about some spears? I heard you're really good with them." She walks over to where the trainees keep the spears and grabs two. "Maybe you can give me a lesson or two," she tosses one to Lexa.
Lexa barely manages to catch the object with her good hand. She gulps putting her hands in front of her. "Octavia please, listen to me" she begs.
Octavia grabs the spear with both her hands and shouts in anger "It's fucking general for you bitch!" With that she uses the shaft of the spear to smack Lexa across her face.
Lexa's lower lip begins to bleed as she tries to recover from the blow.
"C'mon, attack me big warrior." Octavia hits Lexa's stomach with the bottom of the shaft.
Struggling for air, Lexa does her best to deflect Octavia's next strikes but it's in vain, she is bashed all over.
Finally Octavia whacks Lexa's spear out of her hand and kicks Lexa in the torso, sending her flying to the ground.
Numbed by the pain, Lexa cannot do anything else but lay there helplessly.
"Not feeling so brave right now huh?" Octavia approaches Lexa, looking down at her "tell me, how does it feel to be the inexperienced teenager now?" Saying that she lifts her spear, aiming it at Lexa's head, muttering to herself "jus drein jus daun."
"ENOUGH!"
The command causes Octavia's head to spin, finding Indra advancing quickly towards her.
Already near, the first thing Indra does is to verify Lexa's condition. When she has made sure she's still conscious and in no imminent danger, she addresses the young warriors "the practice for today is over, you're free to go!"
All of them leave at once.
Then Indra directs her attention to Octavia "put that thing down" she orders; but as she finds resistance, she reiterates forcefully this time "I said put that damn thing down!"
With chest heaving and eyes blood red with contained fury, Octavia reluctantly obeys.
"Now I want you to go somewhere quiet, far away from here to get yourself together; and don't come back until you have calmed down." Lastly Indra warns "and don't you dare hurt anyone else."
Octavia's jaw clenches but she doesn't refute the older woman. She glares down at Lexa's face with spite before walking away.
Once she is sure Octavia is gone, Indra extends her hand to Lexa.
Feeling slightly more alert, Lexa takes the hand offered and slowly stands up with Indra's help.
"Are you OK?" Indra questions, scanning the girl's injured body with concern.
"Yeah, yeah… I will be" Lexa comments evidently in pain but with a positive attitude, "I'm a warrior remember?" She smirks.
Indra shakes her head staring at Lexa with incredulous eyes.
At that moment Lexa takes notice of Indra's body language: she is standing there like she wants to say something; her hands are restless at her sides. Knowing the woman could be too proud and reserved, Lexa takes initiative and steps forward wrapping her arms around Indra in a solid embrace.
Indra allows the girl to hug her with no resistance. She places her hands carefully on Lexa's back as not to hurt her beaten body. When the reality of what is going on finally hits her, she exhales with relief.
They embrace for a few moments until eventually Indra pulls away.
"You're back" Indra marvels.
"I'm back" Lexa reassures Indra with a smile on her face.
"The spirits saw fit to bring you back to us so you could witness the peace you worked so hard to obtain." Indra offers with a smile of her own.
Lexa shakes her head. "It was Clarke who did that Indra."
"But you started it," Indra argues, "you were the one who united the clans first with that same purpose," her demeanor changes as some recollections come to her. "I should have trusted you more; I should have had more faith in you instead of doubting your vision. I'm sorry," she laments.
"Hey, Hey!" Lexa places a hand on Indra's shoulder, "that's in the past; we shouldn't care about what happened before. What's important now is that you believed in Clarke and helped her to achieve the peace we are enjoying at the moment; lets focus on keeping it that way OK?" She squeezes a bit for good measure.
"OK." Indra nods rapidly trying to rid herself of the guilt and emotion that has overcome her.
"Good." Lexa steps back to give the woman some space but a sudden sharp pain in her ribs causes her to bend over; her hand clutching at the aching area.
"Oh, hold on to me; I'll take you to the clinic." Indra wraps her arm around Lexa's hip and makes Lexa put her arm around her neck for support as she helps her walk slowly to the clinic.
…
Clarke paces nervously in the throne room, having a private debate with herself 'you can't run away from her forever; I mean it was only a kiss. Yeah, well she offered something else too but that doesn't mean you have to accept it, nor do you have to push her away. If she brings the topic up again just politely refuse her offer; she will eventually get the message that you don't want anything from her, at least not in that way and she will move on; and everything will go back to normal again.' She stops abruptly and rolls her eyes, 'yeah right!'
It is pretty clear that whatever is happening between the two of them is not going to suddenly disappear; on the contrary it is bound to grow with every word or look they share. And there is absolutely nothing either of them can do to avoid it.
With that final thought Clarke comes to a conclusion, 'fuck it! Just go and see how the practice session is going and let life take its course.' She starts walking to her destination.
She is about to reach the exit of the tower when she sees a few young warriors making their way inside.
"Wanheda!" they all exclaim surprised, instantly looking down in fear.
"What are you doing here so early?" Clarke demands seriously, after all it wouldn't be the first time some of the teens have avoided the training sessions to wander around Polis.
"We- we were dismissed Wanheda," one girl dares to answer.
"What? Why?" Clarke is really intrigued; Octavia would never cancel a training session unless something important prevented her to continue.
Due to the silence of all of his peers the sky boy ventures to explain to his commander. "Um, there was an incident with the general; well the general and … Lexa."
It takes Clarke exactly three seconds to put two and two together. 'Lincoln!' When she does, her face pales at that exact instant; a horrible sense of dread settles in her heart. Forgetting all about the trainees; she sprints away from the building.
'Octavia what did you do, what did you fucking do.'