A Kiss Before The War

Chapter 7: Send me an Angel

Clarke's perspective

As Lexa finally put me down I knew things were going to get even more interesting inside the bunker than they already were. Our first route to meet up with the evac team was blocked by Mountain Men so we moved onto plan B. I felt good now that I'd taken the extra time to make additional plans when we were waiting for Bellamy to disable the acid fog.

Testing my sense of equilibrium by taking a few steps, I found that I was reasonably okay. I grabbed my gun and after making sure I was ready to go, I looked at Lexa hoping she'd see the fire in my eyes blazing white hot. I was more than ready to deal with anything the Mountain Men threw my way.

"Let's do this," I said as I turned on my heel and headed back the way we came.

This new plan involved us taking an alternate route to the harvest chamber. Our initial plan had been to meet up with those who had secured any Grounders who were captive there so the team which included Lexa and I could provide additional firepower to meet the resistance that was sure to be between us and the exit.

Now we were going to go to the harvest chamber itself and catch up with the team who had freed the Grounders. We were lacking in the firepower department though as all that was left of our team was Lexa and I. The rest of the team had either run off to escape themselves, had been sent away by Lexa or had been killed.

Speaking of Lexa, however had drawn my attention back to her. The lightness with which she took her steps and the litheness of her movements allowed her to move quite silently as she had joined me at my side once more.

I did feel a little cold that I was no longer in her arms, and a small part of me did wish to be back there right now. Not that I'd ever tell her that. I didn't need her to think I'd gone soft on her. Not when we both needed to be strong and as vigilant as ever. My feelings would have to behave themselves and wait until after all of this was done before I'd even consider dealing with them again.

Unless she surprised me again, something which she'd been doing a lot of lately. Whenever she touched me with either her hands or her lips my thought process went out the door and I was powerless when she put me in that position. 'Not that you minded all that much,' my mind quickly reminded me.

"What is it that you're looking for?" Lexa asked me, pulling me away from my thoughts which had gotten off topic again.

Subconsciously I must have been on auto pilot in executing the plan. I was looking for a duct, either one that they sent rubbish, clothes or air down. Such a duct wouldn't take us directly to the harvest chamber, but considering it was lower down in the bunker than we presently were, I knew it would not only save in travel time but would also help us avoid detection.

"I'm looking for a duct with a grill on it. One that they'd send waste, supplies or would be used for ventilation." I answered her curtly.

Taking another step forward I stumbled slightly. The next step after that was even heavier and a sharp stab of pain emanated from my knees as they collided with the ground. Without thinking about it, I placed a hand to check on my wound and it came away red.

My vision wavered and the contents of my stomach threatened to come up.

"Clarke! Are you okay?" I heard Lexa's voice but it was muted.

I was on my hands and knees, my arms struggling to hold my weight up as the effects of blood loss were starting to catch up to me. All this additional exertion on my body was taking its toll and increasing the rate at which my condition was declining. I needed proper medical help and I needed it relatively fast.