Sup guys? HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY 2024 MY FRIENDS! I know this is super late but here's hoping that 2024 is bringing you all love, happiness, and luck!

Unfortunately, my year ended with tears as my Cockatiel (whom I named Bellamy of course, Bella for short) passed away due to complications with her health. I tried lots of things to help her but unfortunately, there was little I could do. I miss her dearly and I will cherish the time I had with her always.

On a high note, I have a brand new chapter here for you guys and I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 26: We Meet Again

Raven's P.O.V(7:50pm):

What can I say about Marcus Kane? He's turned out to be a great asset and he's grown a lot on this trip. The father a lot of us never had, and one hell of an optimist. If anything happened to him it would crush every one of us. He didn't even hesitate to rappel down into that crater to go after Murphy, Clarke, Bellamy, Jasper, and Octavia when they fell through the ice into it. Not to mention he's the one who held me back to keep me from falling in too.

Kane better be okay… He has to be. If he dies I'll kick his ass.

Murphy and I made it to the master bedroom that he 'called dibs' on. I had to admit: It was pretty fucking rad. The bed was fixed to the back wall giving the impression that it was floating and there were two windows about 6 feet tall on either side of it looking out to a view of some mountains in the distance. To the right of the bed was a walk-in closet and to the left was a huge bathroom that I had already showered in earlier. I'll tell you: after being on the road for so long in hot weather, cold weather, fighting bears and people, working on a car, being held hostage, almost dying multiple times… it was a much-needed shower. I think we all felt the same way.

Once we made it into the room Murphy closed the door and wrapped his arms around me from behind, planting kisses on my neck. I cocked my head to the side to give him better access and couldn't help but let out a small moan at the feeling.

"Aren't you worried about Kane?" I asked in a more seductive tone than I meant to but I mean, it was hard not to when a guy I really like was kissing me on that perfect spot.

"Of course I am." He mumbled against my skin. "But who knows when, or if, we'll ever get a bed like this again?" He asked, and I couldn't help but agree. So I turned around to a smirking Murphy. Before he knew it, I pushed him down onto the bed. He looked at me with a sly smile, which I returned seductively. I brought one hand back behind my head to release my hair from the ponytail that it was in. Letting my hair fall to its natural place. As I walked closer to the bed, a mix of anticipation and nervous excitement started to hit me. With a, pretty ungraceful movement, I straddle onto the bed, one knee on each side of Murphy's hips. I tried to ignore the pain of my bad leg but couldn't help but gasp at the all-too-familiar shot of agony that I could never get used to. Murphy's smirk turned into a worried look as he placed his hand on the brace that was wrapped around my leg.

"Maybe we should wa-"

"Stop." I interrupted him, not wanting to hear another person tell me my leg would be a burden. I leaned down and started to kiss him, deep and passionately. My hands were placed on his shoulders and his on my waist. He pushed his head back into the pillow to pull away from the kiss and I looked at him, confused.

"Look, I just think that maybe we should give you time to heal, y'know? So we don't make it worse?"

"It's not going to get any better, Murphy. Abby said so," I told him as I straightened myself on top of him. He looked to the side with guilt written all over his face. It almost looked like he was going to cry. I remember a time when I wanted to see him cry. Back in the dropship when I almost shot him. But now… that's the last thing I wanted to see. Thank God that gun was out of ammo.

"I'm sorry, Raven. I don't know what the hell's wrong with me."

"Hey," I said cupping his cheeks in my hands and turning his head so he was looking at me again. "You aren't that douchebag anymore. Okay?"

"Yeah, well… I still put that bullet in you. And it's something I can't take back." His facial expression shifted but I couldn't put my finger on what it was but I knew I didn't like it. He looked up at me with pure anger in his eyes and said, "I don't get it, you know? You're supposed to be strong… You shouldn't have forgiven me so easily." After he said that I furrowed my brow at him. This was a version of John Murphy I had never seen before: guilty, self-loathing. And trying to tell me how to feel. Again, I didn't like it.

"Well, I did, alright? What makes you think you can tell me how to feel?" I asked, my defensive voice starting to trickle out.

"I'm not trying to tell you how to feel, Raven. I just don't get it. You're a cripple because of me. Don't have to get all attitudey about it…" He spat, muttering the last eight words under his breath. I sighed, making the mixture of frustration and impatience evident in my expression. Slowly, I shifted my weight, dismounting from my straddling position on Murphy. I settled onto the bed near the foot of it, my good knee neatly aligned next to his legs and my gimp left leg hanging off the side of the bed.

Maintaining my intense gaze, I replied with a not-so-cool tone, "Of course, you wouldn't understand. All you care about is how you feel. Why would my feelings matter to John Murphy-" I paused, almost instantly realizing what he was doing. He was trying to push me away. Just like he said he would. He felt the guilt of what he did to me and realized he didn't deserve my love and affection. He wanted to make me hate him so that he couldn't hurt me again. The tension between us was tighter than a damn serpentine belt. I looked at Murphy, taking in his dark, medium-length hair, the goatee forming around his lips, his icy blue eyes. I didn't want him to feel this way anymore. I knew what it was like to be loved. He never had that, other than from his dad but that was taken away from him. I softened my gaze, and my voice, and said the only thing I could say as my heart ached for this man: "You know you deserve to be loved, right?"

That was it. That is what he needed to hear. All this time he was in pain thinking all he deserved was hate, loneliness, despair… pain. Pain that he hid with humor and rude comments. I knew I was right on the money when two teardrops welled up in each of his eyes and he looked away for a second to wipe them away with his sleeve before looking back at me. He sat up to get closer to me before cupping my face with one of his hands and planting the most passionate kiss on my lips I had ever received. Our mouths moved in perfect harmony as he slowly laid me down on the bed in his place so that I wasn't in pain. Our lips stayed connected the whole time. His hands moved around my body, from my ass to my chest. I placed a hand on his, rather impressive, girth. Before we knew it our shirts were off… then my brace… then our pants… Then finally our underwear. and the rest… Well… You know what happens next.

Bellamy's P.O.V (4:45am)

I must have dozed off while Clarke and I were keeping an eye on Kane because before I knew it I was waking up on the sectional couch with a blanket covering me. I took in the room as I sat up properly. Kane was still fast asleep next to me, his feet right next to my thigh, and quiet snores coming from under the brown blanket that was draped over him. I felt a weight on my chest and looked down to see it was Clarke's head as she was snuggled up to me peacefully sleeping, her arm wrapped around me. I couldn't help but smile. I felt the urge to plant a kiss on the top of her head but before I could decide if that was a good idea I heard Kane's voice whisper next to me.

"You two are good for each other," He said. I looked over at him, glad that he had survived the night. The only light source was from the dim white LED light strips that went around the perimeter of the roof above us so it was hard to make out an expression but I had a feeling he was smiling.

"How are you feeling?" I whispered back.

"Sixty percent." He answered. "Quite thirsty."

"I'll get you something to drink." I reluctantly started to gently rub Clarke's arm to wake her up so that I could see to Kane. She slowly stirred awake and blinked her eyes open to look up at me. I couldn't help but smile at her, which she returned, before nodding my head over to Kane's direction. "Look who decided to stay alive." Clarke immediately perked up and smiled at Kane before getting up and kneeling next to him in front of the couch.

"How are you feeling?"

While Clarke examined Kane I got up off the couch and headed over to the kitchen to get him some water. I grabbed a glass from the cupboard they were in and filled it with water from the refrigerator's water dispenser. As I brought the water back over to Kane I noticed a worried look on Clarke's face as she held her hand on Kane's forehead checking his temperature.

"Thank you, Bellamy," Kane said after I handed him the glass of water, which he immediately started drinking. Clarke stood up and took my hand to lead me over to the front door, where we were out of earshot of Kane.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"He has a fever and after looking at the wound… It's infected. Bellamy… I don't have any antibiotics. I don't know how he'll survive."

"I thought you disinfected it, though?"

"It was expired. It must have lost its effectiveness over time." She said before looking down, clearly distraught.

I placed my hands on her shoulders and gave her a soft, comforting look. "We'll figure it out, Clarke. We always do." Clarke looked up at me and returned my reassuring smile before we both heard Jasper's voice behind us.

"Ooo morning sleeping beauty. You doing alright old man?" The two shared a greeting before Clarke and I walked over to them.

"Hey Jasper, could you go get the others, please? I promised them I'd wake them all when Kane woke up." Clarke requested, politely.

"Well, good morning to you too, Clarke." He put his hand up to his forehead in a mock salute before heading up the stairs to get Murphy and Raven.

"So, how bad is it infected?" Kane asked. Clarke and I shared a look before looking back at Kane.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Well, when a doctor gives me the look Clarke did it's never a good sign. That, and the fact that I feel cold even though I'm sweating." He answered.

"Don't worry Kane. I will do anything I can to he-" Before Clarke could finish the three of us heard screams coming from upstairs. Before I could rush up there Jasper came trampling down the stairs with his eyes wide, as if he'd seen a ghost.

"What happened up there?" I asked and he just gave me a shell-shocked look before answering me.

"N-nothing… definitely didn't see Murphy's penis… I'm… I'm just gonna go wake the others now…" The dazed Jasper Jordan walked off down the hallway to fetch the others. I turned around and couldn't help but share a small chuckle with Kane and Clarke.

Once everyone was awake and in the living room, Clarke and Lincoln got to work discussing what they could do about Kane's infection while Raven went to the garage to start working on perfecting the vehicles. Everyone else got to work making breakfast, Jasper desperately trying to keep his eyes off of Murphy. I wasn't sure what to occupy myself with since everyone was so busy and didn't need any help, so I decided to go to the garage and help Raven with whatever I could. When I walked in I could smell what I can only describe as rubber mixed with chemicals and a slight sweet smell. I could hear what sounded like bacon cooking in a pan. When I walked further into the garage to get a better look I could see that Raven was welding something on the buggy. I covered the bright arc with my hand and waited for her to finish. Once she did she turned around and flipped up her welding helmet. She had a beaming smile which I couldn't help but return.

"Heya Bellamy! Check out this beautiful bead." She said pointing at the spot on the buggy she welded. I knew why she was in such a good mood but I didn't want to bring it up so I decided to just be happy that she was happy. I peered at the fused metal and nodded my head.

"Don't know much about welding but that looks very sturdy," I answered and she gave me a self-satisfied look. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Well, you don't know how to weld but you're strong as hell so can I get you to take that melted mirror off the Charger so I can file it down and shape it back to normal?" She said as we walked over to the white sports car that had been our home for many days.

"That doesn't sound so hard-" I said as I began to try with all my might to take the mirror off but to no avail.

"Uh huh, Right…. I'll be over there strengthening the structure of the buggy with my amazing welds. Try not to have an aneurysm, Blake." She said as she started walking back over to the buggy.

After some attempts, more than I'd rather admit… I finally got that damn mirror off. Just as I placed it on a workbench for Raven to file we both heard a faint noise coming from outside. Raven and I looked at each other with furrowed brows, just listening. We could tell the noise was getting closer to the house. It sounded like- No. It was definitely…

"Engines?" I asked.

"Yeah… That's definitely the sound of cars. Multiple, cars…" Raven answered.

The two of us immediately made our way back into the house to find everyone sitting around the living room enjoying the breakfast that they all worked on. Warin was munching away from a bowl on the floor.

"Hey, there you guys are. Perfect timing!" Monty said with his infectious smile.

"Do you guys not hear that?" Raven asked.

"Hear what?" Lincoln asked, standing up.

All ten of us sat/stood in silence as we listened to what Raven and I heard. After 30 seconds or so everyone started hearing it too.

"Are those… Engines?" Clarke asked.

"Should we hide?" Jasper asked.

"No. There's too many of us to hide and more than likely whoever they are knows we're here," I stated. "Everyone, arm up. There are guns in the bunker. Someone stays here with Kane." I ordered. Everyone complied and rushed to the garage to get armed. Jasper and I grabbed our rifles while Clarke grabbed Kane's rifle. Lincoln and Octavia got their bladed weapons ready and we all waited by the front door for the others.

After a few short minutes, the rest of our friends grouped up with us at the door. Monty with an SMG, Raven with a sniper rifle, and Murphy armed with a shotgun. Raven walked up to Jasper and held out the sniper.

"Here Deadeye, I'll trade ya." The two swapped weapons and I told Jasper to set up in the master bedroom to watch over us with his sniper from the window. Clarke, Murphy, Raven, Lincoln, Octavia, Monty, and I headed out the door. Leaving or wolf, Warin, to watch over Kane.

Once outside, we looked out in the direction of where we came from to get to the house. Sure enough, there in the distance were three vehicles driving towards us at high speed. Two SUVs and a pickup truck leaving a huge dust cloud behind them as they got closer.

"Who could they be?" Octavia asked.

"Looks like a Toyota 4-Runner and a Dodge Ram Rebel TRX," Raven answered and we all just looked at her confused. "Ooh.. you said who not what… Gotcha."

The three vehicles pulled up in front of us. The dust settled around them as they came to a stop. It was impossible to see inside of them due to the glare the rising sun was emitting off of their windows.

"Weapons up!" I said and the seven of us aimed our weapons at the two vehicles.

The passenger door on the red pickup truck, or 'Ram' as Raven called it, opened up and a small foot emerged from behind the door and stepped onto the running board of the truck. Clarke and I kept our weapons trained on the door of the vehicle, waiting for whoever this person was to be revealed. She stepped down onto the ground and my heart dropped. The small, slim figure, the light brown hair… It was…

"Mom!?" Clarke exclaimed.

Reviews:

Guest:I have no patience I can't wait for the next chapter!

Answer: Wait no further, my friend! My apologies for this chapter taking longer than I would have wanted. I had a few unfortunate events (like my bird passing away and my 3 year relationship ending) that caused me to lose all motivation to do anything I enjoyed but I'm happy to say I'M BACK! Thank you for the review! :D

Regarding smut scenes: I was thinking about posting more detailed/explicit sex scenes that will happen in Alone Together in a separate story so as to not take away from the theme I am going for in this story (T) and in case some of my readers don't like smut. You can let me know what you think in the reviews. Thanks!

Yup! I'm an asshole I know… hehe. I will do my very best to get the next chapter up as quickly as possible! Life can get busy but I will try not to leave you guys hanging on this cliff for too long!