𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 | the 100

25 | Element of Surprise

"I'm a natural at being a good person when I need to be, aren't I?"

‧ ✩ ｡ ✭ ° ☆ ･ _______ ･ ☆ ° ✭ ｡ ✩ ‧

Sick coughs echo against the walls of the dropship as people crowd inside, filling the air with the thick rusty smell of blood. Amber and Clarke do their best to catch the spread of the unknown virus, but every new person entering the quarantined room is worse than the last and they quickly realize that there's not much else to do but comfort the sick.

Even with her hand full, Amber steals a glance at Murphy whenever she can as she waits for the chance to speak to him again. Somehow, she remains unaffected by whatever the Grounders infected him with. It makes it easier to help Clarke, who despite her fatigue still insists on taking care of everyone else.

"Where's Octavia?" Amber asks her after giving another person yet another cup of water. Octavia's the only other person who hasn't shown any symptoms after close contact with Murphy, but Amber's surprised Clarke hasn't kept her in quarantine as well as a safety precaution.

Clarke glances up quickly before answering. "I don't know."

Amber furrows her brow, not sure what to do of the hint of nervousness in Clarke's tone. The last time she saw Octavia was when Clarke talked to her.

"I thought you told Bellamy that she should stay in here." Clarke unwillingly meets her gaze, which reveals everything Amber needs to know. She throws a glance around the room, but everyone is too sick to pay attention to their conversation. "She snuck out. Didn't she?"

"Don't tell Bellamy," Clarke whispers in a rush. "She left to find a cure."

"You sent her to the Grounder?" Amber manages to keep a low tone despite her disbelief. "Do you trust him?"

Clarke shrugs with dismay. "He's our best hope."

They need all the hope they can get. When Amber promises not to expose the plan to Bellamy, Clarke slinks away to help another person. Left on her own, Amber searches the room for whoever might need her help the most and her eyes land on Jules in the corner of the room, sitting with the back of her head against the wall. They haven't exchanged a word since she entered, not even when Amber gave her the blanket she has wrapped over her shoulders. Choosing to let hope steer her, Amber walks over with a cup in her hand.

"Hey," she says carefully and sits down beside her.

Jules finally opens her bruised eyes and the anger of the last couple of days falls away from Amber's shoulders as easily as dust. With an open heart, she hands her the water.

"Why did you take my side yesterday?" Amber asks while she watches her sip from the cup, then slowly lower it. "You hate Murphy."

"Yeah. That's why I didn't take Murphy's side," Jules answers, voice raspy. "I took yours."

Amber blinks. Jules was right, she should have known better than to think Jules wouldn't be hurt by her distrust when she's done nothing but prove her loyalty. If Amber had to put her life in someone's hands, it'd be Jules'.

"I'm on your side, Amber."

"Yeah, I know." Her throat tightens and she drops her gaze to the floor in shame borne of regret. "I know."

"I don't want to fight with you. Can't we just go back to how it was?"

When it really comes to it, forgiving Jules is easy.

"There's nothing I'd want more," Amber chuckles lightly as she lets out a long sigh. To show her gratitude further, she slips her arm around Jules, pulls her close and holds her tightly. She never wants to let go of her again.