A Kiss Before The War

Chapter 10: Bedside Reunion

Clarke's perspective

It felt like an immense struggle to open my eyes, as if they weighed a tonne. Would I actually wake up to consciousness this time? Or would I be in another dream like state unsure of what was happening in real time?

Eventually though I managed this small task and instantly my eyes started to close once again. It was really, really bright the light that is as my eyes gradually began to adjust. I took in my surroundings and noticed that I was lying on a bed in a room in the medical ward of the Ark.

I managed to push myself into a sitting position and it was then that I noticed I was wearing a plain white gown that was standard issue for patients. I thought I was alone until I saw Lexa slumped in a chair beside my bed quite visibly asleep.

The last thing I remember was being on the floor on level 5 in the Mt Weather bunker before I passed out and Lexa was with me at the time. I couldn't help myself though as I pinched myself and feeling the pain was confirmation enough that I was indeed conscious and awake.

My attention turned back to Lexa who looked oddly peaceful and less serious now that she was asleep. I was relieved that she had made it out alive as I assumed the whole ordeal with the Mountain Men was over. I was a little surprised to see her sleeping at my bedside though.

I knew that she cared for as she had both told me that and shown me that through the several kisses that we shared. I blushed just thinking about those moments and wondered if she'd try again once she was awake.

My mouth suddenly felt really dry so I reached over toward the bedside table and in my haste and clumsiness I knocked some flowers that had been placed there onto the floor vase and all. It looked like I was going to speed up the time of our reunion as the noise from the commotion startled her awake.

It was funny watching her through instinct and pure reflex draw a small blade out and take a swing at nothing in particular; fighting off a non-existent assassin I'm sure. Her eyes snapped open and she relaxed when she saw me watching her. 'Was she blushing?' I thought as I watched her put away the blade as she stood and walked the handful of steps to my bed.

"Clarke..." was the one word out of her mouth but it was enough to convey a number of emotions.

I could hear the relief in her voice as her hand gripped mine gently as she looked down at me with care and concern in her eyes.

"How are you feeling?" Was the first question out of her mouth. I could feel her thumb trace the back of my hand lightly.

I had to think about her question for a moment as I assessed myself,

"I feel tired mostly and a little sore & stiff."

My muscles were aching each time I moved and I figured that was due to the inactivity of however long I'd been out for. My mouth felt dry as I was a bit parched but judging from the sounds my stomach was making I was more than a little hungry too.

I pointed to the chair she'd been sleeping in, "How long were you sitting there for?"

She fidgeted as she looked a little uncomfortable before answering, "Ever since they brought you back here I haven't left your side."

I knew my eyes widened slightly at her words as just when I thought she couldn't keep surprising me, she went and did something like this. I was touched by her concern and I knew that even though I'd seen a whole different side of Lexa recently, it was still clear that she wasn't 100% comfortable sharing her feelings.