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Aleta flinched as Raven's screams echoed throughout the dropship. Her brunette friend squeezed her hand even tighter as Clarke used a heated dagger to cauterize Raven's wound. The metal glowed a vibrant orange as Clarke pressed it against Raven's side. Aleta could hear the sizzle of Raven's flesh as the hot knife touched her skin; smell the burning of Raven's flesh.

She almost gagged.

Clarke removed the hot knife from Raven's side and placed it on a makeshift table. "That should stop the external bleeding," the blonde said. "I don't understand. How did Murphy get a gun?" Finn asked. Aleta shook her head as Bellamy answered. "Long story."

"We got lucky. If Murphy hit the fuel tank instead of me, we'd all be dead," Raven said. "Wait, there's rocket fuel down there? Enough to build a bomb?" Clarke immediately asked. "Enough to build 100 bombs if we had any gunpowder left," Raven answered. "Let's get back to the Reapers. Maybe they'll help us.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?" Bellamy proposed.

"Reapers, don't sound like they'd be our friends. Do you even know what reaper means?" Aleta said. "Yes I know what it means," Bellamy retorted and Aleta rolled her eyes. "Aleta's right. Not this enemy. We saw them. Trust me, it's not an option," Clarke said.

"There's no time for this. Can she walk or not?" Finn said. "No," Clarke and Aleta answered simultaneously. "We have to carry her," the blonde continued. "The hell you will. I'm good to go," Raven protested, attempting to sit up. Aleta gently placed her hands on Raven's shoulders to stop her. "No, don't get up. That bullet is still inside you," she said.

Clarke continued, "And if by some miracle, there's no internal bleeding, it might hold until we get somewhere safe. But you are not walking there." Aleta gave Raven a look. "Is that clear?" The dark haired asked. Raven glared at her. "Crystal," she muttered before laying down all the way. "Once we get you fixed up, you'll be thanking me instead of glaring," Aleta commented. "Yeah, sure," Raven retorted.

"I'll get the stretcher," Finn informed, beginning to walk away. "Can't run away fast enough, huh? Real brave," Bellamy said. Aleta rolled her eyes, he was unbelievable. Finn quickly turned back around to face him. "Dying in a fight you can't win isn't brave, Bellamy, it's stupid," he rebutted. "Spoken like every coward who's ever run from a fight," Bellamy retorted as he stalked towards him.

Aleta found herself in between the two, her annoyance prevalent as she looked between them. "That's enough, both of you," she exclaimed. The two remained glaring at each other. "It's time to go," Clarke pressed. "If they follow? It's a 120-mile walk to the ocean," Bellamy said.

"Look, we're wasting time. If he wants to stay, he can stay," Finn said before walking out to get the stretcher. "No, he can't," the blonde called after him before turning to Bellamy. "We can't do this without you, Bellamy," she told him. "What do you want me to say, Clarke?" He asked her.

"I want you to say that you're with us. Those kids out there, they listen to you," she answered. "They're lining up to go. They listen to you more," he retorted. "I gave them an easy choice. But 5 minutes ago, they were willing to fight and die for you. You inspire them. And I'm afraid we're gonna need that again before this day is through," Clarke said. She gave him a meaningful look before walking out.

"She's right. You've got a way with words," Aleta began, "It's too bad you're a fucking idiot." Bellamy rolled his eyes, turning to glare at her. "Okay, what's your problem now, huh?" He asked. "You're my problem. You and your stupid war bullshit. What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you even want to stay here and fight when you know damn well it won't do us any good? You'll get slaughtered. We all will," she said.

"What do you care? I think you've made it pretty damn clear that you don't give a shit about me," he rebutted. She clenched her fists in anger. "Oh really? Because I think I've made it pretty damn clear that I do," she replied. The two stared intensely at one another in silence.

"Could you guys maybe take your fighting elsewhere? I mean, as entertaining as this little lovers quarrel is, I'd rather not hear it at a time like this," Raven spoke up from her position on the table. The two broke their stare and Aleta rolled her eyes. "You're an asshole," she muttered. "You're the one who started this whole thing," he said. She turned away from him and walked over to Raven.

He rolled his eyes and angrily walked out of the dropship. "Are you trying to make him hate you or something? Not that he ever could but still," Raven said. "I'm trying to make him realize how stupid he's being," Aleta replied. "I'm pretty sure Clarke's speech convinced him that leaving was the best option. You were just being, I don't know, a bitch," Raven responded.

Aleta's mouth dropped open in shock. "A bitch? I'm being a bitch?" She questioned. "Yes. The Aleta I know would never have said something like that. Especially not to Bellamy," Raven answered. The dark haired girl sighed and slightly leaned against the table. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I've been so hostile toward him and everyone really. I guess I'm just still angry at him," she admitted.

"I get it, Leti. You loved him and he hurt you. You have every right to be angry," Raven said. Aleta looked over at her. "But he apologized. He said he didn't mean what he said. Told me why he did it," Aleta told her. "And did you forgive him?" Raven asked. "I couldn't, Raven. Something in me wouldn't let me forgive him. I think I'm just afraid that if I do, I'm opening myself up to be hurt by him again," she answered.

"Leti, just because you forgive him, doesn't mean you have to get back together with him," the brunette told her. Aleta clenched her fists again, "I hate myself for letting him make me feel this way." Raven smiled slightly, "You shouldn't hate yourself. You're in love. And love makes you feel things that you might not want to feel." Their eyes connected and Aleta looked long and hard at the girl. She shook her head before turning away.

"We shouldn't be talking about this at a time like this. I have to go start packing," she said before quickly exiting the dropship. She took a deep breath of the fresh air and sighed. Elijah walked over to her, a backpack in hand. "I was just about to bring you this," he said, holding up the makeshift backpack. She took it from him. "Thanks, Eli," she thanked.

"You okay?" He questioned. "Yeah. Just can't wait to get out of here," she replied.

••••

The gates to camp were slid open. Some of the gunners flanked the front of the group, guns at the ready. Aleta clutched the straps of the backpack that laid against her back. A wave of nervousness washed over her. As she stepped out of he camp grounds, she began to feel overly exposed.

The grounders could be anywhere. They could be watching them right now. She felt very uneasy about the whole thing. Finn and another boy carries the stretcher holding Raven out of camp. Aleta decided to walk beside them. The woods were eerily quiet. They were empty save for the group walking toward the ocean.

The dark haired girl talked with Raven for a while, trying to distract the girl from the pain she was feeling. Eventually Raven began talking to Finn and Aleta found herself toward the front of the group and walking beside Jasper. "You know the first thing I'm gonna do when we get to the beach?" Nathan asked a guy named Drew. "No. What?" Drew asked back. "I want to go surfing," Nathan replied.

Aleta rolled her eyed, "You'd need a surfboard for that. And also the ability to know how to swim." Nathan shrugged, "I can figure it out." She rolled her eyes again before muttering, "Or you can drown."

"Quiet. Keep your eyes open," Jasper said to them, holding his rifle up and clutching it tightly. Jasper was ignored as Drew and Nathan continued their conversation. "No more woods. A view of the ocean. No more damn trees, just pale, blue water," Drew was saying. Octavia stopped walking and held out an arm. This caused them all to stop. "Octavia? What is it?" Aleta whispered to her. "I hear something," Octavia whispered back.

They stared ahead of them. Aleta began to feel sick to her stomach. Something felt wrong. As if on cue, a somewhat circular object was thrown their way. It lodged itself into Drew's skull. Some of his blood splattered onto Aleta's face and she jumped back. The boy fell to the ground, dead. Her mouth dropped open in shock and everyone became very alert.

"Grounders!" Jasper shouted. That's when the screams began and the campers were quickly turning around and running back to camp. Everyone was frantic. Aleta was continuously turning to look behind her, trying to see if she could see anyone. She had to make sure that everyone got back safely and that there were no grounders following closely behind. She couldn't see anything. Octavia and Nathan were practically dragging her back to camp.

When everyone was back in camp, the gates were quickly being shut. Aleta made her way to a higher vantage point, looking over the gate. Bellamy and Clarke were beside her in seconds. Bellamy's rifle was aimed forward and he looked through the scope. "Blood," Clarke said, pointing at Aleta's face. Bellamy looked over at her, already concerned.

"It's not mine. Remember, my blood is weird as shit," Aleta replied, slightly out of breath from running. Bellamy began to look around the woods. "Where are they? Why aren't they attacking?" He asked. It was silent for a moment before Clarke realized. "Because we're doing exactly what they wanted us to do," she said. Bellamy looked over at her, "What are you talking about?"

Clarke turned around and looked at Finn. "Lincoln said the scouts would be the first to arrive," Clarke announced. Octavia walked up, "If it's just scouts, we can fight our way out. That's what Lincoln would do."

"We're done doing what that grounder would do. We tried it and now Drew is dead. You want to be next?" Bellamy was quick to say, hopping down and next to his sister. Aleta got down as well. "That grounder saved our lives. I agree with Octavia. For all we know, there's one scout out there," Finn said. "One scout with insanely good aim," Jasper piped in and Aleta nodded in agreement.

"Clarke, we can still do this," Octavia said. Their eyes were all on Clarke. "Looking to you, Princess. What's it gonna be? Run and get picked off out in the open, or stand and fight back?" Bellamy said. Clarke looked back out at the woods before hopping down. Finn grabbed her arm as she went to walk past. "Clarke. If we're still here when Tristan gets here—"

"Lincoln said 'scouts.' More than one. He said, 'get home before the scouts arrive.' Finn, they're already here," she told him before turning to Bellamy. "Looks like you've got your fight." Aleta knew this made him happy. "Ok, then. This is what we've been preparing for. Kill them before they kill us. Gunners, to your posts. Use the tunnels to get in and out. From now on, the gate stays closed," Bellamy began barking out orders.

Everybody began running off to their posts. Aleta made her way through camp, in search for an extra gun. She managed to snag one and strapped it around herself. "What are you doing with that?" Bellamy asked, walking over to her. "I'm gonna use it if I have to," she replied. "Your aim is shit," he said. Aleta blinked at him before, for some reason, she began to laugh. He looked at her, bewildered.

"You're laughing?" He asked, not understanding what was funny. She quickly composed herself and looked down at the rifle before looking back at him. "You better pray that I don't have to use it then," she said. She began to walk past him and he stopped her by grabbing her arm. She looked up at him expectantly.

He opened his mouth but no words came out. He wasn't sure how to say what he wanted to say. "I have to go check on Raven," she informed, breaking the silence. He closed his mouth and nodded his head silently, letting go of her arm. She walked past him and hurried into the dropship.

••••

Raven was in a lot of pain, though she wouldn't admit that to her best friend. Aleta was worried enough as it was, she refused to add to it. But even though she didn't tell Aleta the truth, she did a crappy job at keeping the pained expression off of her face.

Aleta examined her wound carefully. The cauterization seemed to help a lot. The area didn't look infected, though it would take some time to really know if infection set in. Raven clenched her teeth to avoid hissing but Aleta noticed her body flinch slightly. "I'm sorry, Birdy. I wish there was something I could do for the pain," she apologized sincerely.

Raven smiled slightly. "You've done more than enough for me, Leti," she said. "I've hardly done anything. Clarke cauterized the wound. I was just there for emotional support," Aleta said. Raven shook her head, "That's not what I meant." The two looked at each other and Aleta shook her head.

"No, don't start getting all sentimental on me now Raven. And don't start thanking me for everything I did back on the Ark. You're acting as if you're gonna die, which you're not and neither am I. We're not dying here, okay? So don't start with me," Aleta said. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! I was just saying, you do a lot for me. I wasn't getting sentimental," Raven denied.

Aleta narrowed her eyes, "You're a terrible liar." Just then, Bellamy, Clarke, and Finn walked into the dropship. The blonde began to check up on Raven whilst Bellamy began going over battle strategy.

"We've got 25 rifles with 20 rounds each, give or take. Roughly 500 rounds of ammo. While you two were gone, we made some improvements. Thanks to Raven, the gully is mined," he said. "Partially mined. Thanks to Murphy," Raven corrected. Aleta eyed the rifle she discarded when she came in.

"Still, it's the main route in. If the grounders use it, we'll know. She also built grenades," Bellamy continued. "It's not many," Clarke pointed out. "Again, thank you, Murphy," Raven muttered. "We'll make them count. If the grounders make it through the front gate, guns and grenades should force them back," Bellamy said. It was silent for a moment as they expected Bellamy to continue.

"And then?" Clarke asked. Bellamy just looked at her. "Then we close the door and pray," Raven spoke up. "And pray what? That the ship keeps them out? Because it won't," Clarke stated. She turned back to Bellamy expectantly. "Then let's not let them get through the gate," he said before taking out his walkie. "All foxholes, listen up. Keep your eyes and ears open. Inflict casualties, as many as possible. You can hold them off long enough to make them turn back. That's the plan," he instructed.

"That's always your plan, just like the bomb at the bridge," Finn said. "Here we go again," Aleta muttered. "Damn right. You got a better idea?" Bellamy asked. "It can't be that simple," Clarke whispered and they looked at her. She turned to Raven. "You said there's fuel in those rockets, right? Enough to build 100 bombs," the blonde questioned.

"I also said we've got no gunpowder left," Raven answered. "I don't want to build a bomb. I want to blast off," Clarke explained. Raven got a mischievous glint in her eyes as she smirked slightly. "Draw them in close. Fire the rockets. A ring of fire," she explained. "Barbecued grounders. I like it," Bellamy said.

"Will it work?" Finn asked. Raven thought for a minute. "The wiring's a mess down there, but yeah. You give me enough time, I'll cook them real good," she responded. Aleta nodded slightly. Maybe there was a chance that they'd win this after all.

°°°°

New chapter alert! This isn't one of the previously written and published chapters that I rewrote but a new one that hadn't been published before. So, if you haven't noticed, I changed Aleta's last name as well as the face claims for her parents to better fit Julia's (my face claim for Aleta) ethnic background because I didn't have that before and I forgot to change it while rewriting. You might still see the original last name that I had for her (Romano) and not the updated one (Correia) and that's probably because I missed it when going back to re-edit the chapters again. I'm trying to fix them all. Also, in light of recent events regarding Bob Morley and Eliza Taylor, I've changed the face claims for Bellamy and Clarke to Avan Jogia and Rachel Keller respectively. Though this change might be temporary if I find other actors/actresses that I feel would better fit the roles. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. The next chapter is the last one for the season one finale and then we're off to season two.