Romeo and Juliet

Chapter Forty-Six

Bellamy's face didn't seem to change. "It's fine, it was probably just their circuits cutting out or something. Nothing to worry about, princess." Clarke nodded, fooling herself to believe him.

"Right, you're right."

"C'mon, let's head outside. I think we deserve a little celebrating, hm?" Clarke smiled, willing to put it past her. She was still worried, but she had to put it behind her for now. For Bellamy. Not to mention, now they had to worry about the grounder. Miller had informed her of his escape late last night.

"Is this the best time to be celebrating? We're completely open for an attack right now, and-"

"Relax. I've got security covered." Bellamy chewed the inside of his cheek, looking between Clarke's flaming golden hair and their drunk friends. "Why don't you go get a drink? I think we could both use one."

"I could use more than one."

"Than have more than one." Bellamy beamed, gesturing towards Monty's so-called 'moonshine.' "Careful, though, I'm pretty sure that stuff can kill."

"Oh, is that right?" Clarke laughed, taking Bellamy's hand. "Well, come on then. 'I think we could both use one.'" Clarke imitated his gruff voice, leaping off into the party with a smile on her face. She was... happy.

"Clarke?" Are you fucking serious? Was her first thought when she saw Finn's face next to her. "Can I talk to you for a sec?" She wasn't even able to respond as he dragged her off into a discreet section of the woods, a nervous expression on his face.

"Finn, let me go!" Clarke hissed, trying to tear her grip from Finn, and then suddenly, a force tore the two apart, taking Clarke in its hands. "Bellamy?" She slurred slightly, glancing at Bellamy who looked like he was seeing red.

"What the fuck, Finn?" Bellamy seethed, preparing to launch himself at the smaller boy. "Why the fuck are you taking Clarke into the woods, out of camp, where there are grounders?"

"Listen, this is going to sound like a bad idea, but I think I know how to get peace with the grounders." Bellamy rolled his eyes, looking at Clarke. She looked like she was waiting for Finn to speak again. "Look Octavia and Lincoln set up a meeting with the leader-"

"Lincoln?" Clarke asked, but when she saw his face, her jaw dropped. "The grounder...?" Bellamy turned back around, his palms shifting into fists.

"You helped him escape!" Bellamy roared, still not over Finn taking his girlfriend into the woods when she didn't want to. "You and Octavia!" Octavia was a small bit of a given, she was the only one in the camp who really cared about the grounder besides maybe Clarke.

"Okay, wait. Don't you think it's a bit silly to trust him? We tortured him, why do you think he'd help us?" Clarke asked, but Finn's only answer was: 'I trust him.' "Wait, wait, wait."

"Clarke, please don't tell me you're considering this." Bellamy groaned, taking Clarke's hand. She sighed, pinching her temples with her fingers. Clarke looked at Bellamy, who instantly read her look. "Clarke-"

"When's the meeting?"

"We have to leave now. Lincoln said to bring our leader to talk to the grounders, so-"

"No way," Bellamy interjected, putting his arm protectively in front of Clarke. "You're going to offer her up like a cooked meal?" Bellamy laughed, bringing Clarke behind him, but... she struggled against him.

"Bellamy, if I can talk to them-"

"Have you gone insane?" Bellamy asked, looking from her to Finn, who was silent. "Clarke, they'll kill you in two seconds. Think about it, you're our only doctor and our leader, it's would be smart for them to kill you. You can't actually be considering this."

"It's worth a shot. Finn... can you give us a sec?" Finn left them alone as soon as he heard Clarke's request. "Bel, I can end a war. I can clean my hands of the people I've killed, and-"

"And if you get killed in the process?" Bellamy asked his hands on his hips. He looked angry. "Clarke, this isn't worth losing you."

"Saving this entire camp is. If I can save all of these people then-"

"Then you end up dead." Bellamy cut her off, his voice sharp and angry. "Clarke, please don't do this." He begged her, taking both of his hands in hers. "Please, don't do this."

"I have to. If I have a chance of saving us, I have to take it. That's what being a leader is, Bel. I'll be back, I promise."