Day Trip

Clarke and Nova sit in on a council meeting using the video chat that Raven set up. Chancellor Jaha turns to address the girls, "Tell me about the Grounder. Can he provide any insight on how to survive winter?"

Nova loudly scoffs but allows Clarke to answer, "We're doing everything we can to prepare here. We're gathering nuts and berries, curing meats, digging for roots, but the truth is, we'll freeze before we starve."

Marcus speaks up, "There's good news on that front. According to civil plans from before the war, there's an old emergency aid depot not far from the landing site. Here are the coordinates." He sends the girls the coordinates as he finishes speaking.

"How do you know this place is still intact?" Nova asks.

"It was designed to withstand nuclear warfare."

"Alright, it's worth a shot." Clarke sighs.

"Chancellor, I have to object." Diana starts, causing Nova to roll her eyes. "Project Exodus is under way. The kids should sit tight in their camp until the first dropship launches."

"Listen lady, nothing you say or do is going to stop us from doing whatever the hell we want down here." Nova glares.

"Nova." Marcus starts to scold.

"What Marcus? What are you going to do? Try to send us to our deaths again?"

Jaha raises his hand to stop the argument, "Even if everything goes without a hitch, the hundred would die from exposure before relief arrives. I'd like a moment alone with Clarke and Nova, please, and I know there is a line of parents waiting to talk to their kids."

He waits for the council to filter out of the room then continues, "We are all very proud of what you two have done down there." He pauses, "Your parents."

"I don't want to talk about my mother." Clarke says.

At the same time Nova says, "I don't want to talk about my father."

"Please, it's time to forgive them. Let me schedule a time for you." Jaha tries to reason.

"I'm done with this conversation." Nova interrupts. She pulls off the headset and stands up, turning on her heel to leave the tent.

Nova moves to her tent, grabbing a bag and her bow. As she waits by the camp gates for Clarke she eats some of the nuts that the group has collected.

After a few minutes Clarke and Bellamy walk up to Nova. "You're coming too?"

"Don't sound too upset." Bellamy says with a smirk.

The petite brunette rolls her eyes and turns around, "Let's go." She says over her shoulder.

*_*_*_*_*_*

As Elara was practicing with her bow she heard her name get called. She turned around to see Atlas walking towards her, "Hey. Your parents are waiting for you."

"I said I would go last." Elara states.

Atlas shakes his head, a smile growing on his face. "Elara go. We both know you've been dying to talk to them. And you do so much for all of us, you shouldn't have to wait any longer."

Elara quickly pulled the boy into a tight hug, "Thanks Atlas." She let go and ran off before he had the time to react.

Elara makes her way into the empty communications tent. She sits down, smiling when she sees her parents. She pulls on the headset, "Hi guys."

"Look at you! I've missed you so much!" Celeste exclaims.

"I've missed you both too! I was so nervous that I wouldn't see you guys again. Are either of you coming down on the Exodus ship?"

"No, it's going to be mainly guards to help with the Grounders. And Abby and Marcus of course." Jacopo replies.

Elara nods but both of her parents can tell she's slightly upset, "Hey, cheer up. We'll be there sooner than you know it." Celeste smiles at her daughter, which causes the teenager to smile back.

"How have you been down there anyways? Staying out of trouble?" Jacopo asks.

"Of course. You know me, I just want to help people." Elara states.

"Yes, but helping people is also what got you sent down there." Celeste scolds.

"And I still want you to be able to protect yourself, Elara. The Grounders are dangerous." Jacopo says, concern lacing his voice.

"Trust me, I know. But I'll be fine. I've been helping with the medical things and Nova made me a bow and arrows." Elara smiles, she holds up the bow to show her parents.

They both laugh, "Just like Robin Hood." Celeste gently shakes her head.

"I'm getting really good at it too."

Not getting the chance to reply, a voice on the Ark interrupts, "Time's almost up."

Jacopo and Celeste nod then turn back to Elara, "We love you and miss you so much. Please stay safe down there, okay?" Jacopo says.

"I will and I'll see you guys soon. I love you." Elara blows a kiss to the screen, her parents returning the gesture.

"Fox is next." Celeste says, looking down at the list that says which delinquents still needed to talk with their loved ones. Elara nods, waves one last time then stands up to look for Fox.

*_*_*_*_*_*

As Nova, Clarke and Bellamy trek through the woods Clarke breaks the silence, "You know, the first dropship is gonna come down soon. Pretty sure you can't avoid Jaha forever."

"I can try." Bellamy states.

Clarke sighs, "The depot is supposed to be around here somewhere. There's got to be a door." She pauses then turns to address Bellamy one more time, "Maybe he'll be lenient."

"Look. I shot the man, Clarke. He's not just gonna forgive and forget. Let's split up, cover more ground." Bellamy glances at Nova, watching as she walks further away. He shouts to make sure he's heard, "Stay within shouting distance!"

Nova waves a hand, indicating that she heard him. She has her bow clenched tightly in her hands as she scans the area around her, looking for any threats or a door to the depot.

After a few minutes of surveying the land Nova hears Clarke call, "Nova, Bellamy. Over here. I found a door." Nova quickly makes her way to Clarke to see Bellamy and Clarke pulling open a door.

Once she is beside the other two Bellamy looks at the girls, "Really think this place hasn't been touched since the war?"

"A girl can dream. Come on." Clarke mumbles out.

"This is disgusting." Nova states, scrunching up her face when she nearly trips over a human skeleton.

"Hell of a place to die." Bellamy says, grabbing a hold of Nova's arm so she doesn't faceplant.

"So much for living down here." Clarke says, disappointment laced in her voice.

"It doesn't look like there's anything left down here." Nova states looking around.

"They must have distributed most of the supplies before the last bombs went off." She pauses as she opens up a container. "Hey, I found blankets."

"Excited about a couple of blankets?" Bellamy asks.

"It will help keep us warm during the winter. We may need to move everyone out of the tents and into the dropship at night. It will be crowded but the walls and so many people will help keep us warm." Nova says as she checks another barrel, finding more blankets.

Bellamy groans, frustrated. "How about a canteen or a med kit or a decent fucking tent?" He kicks another barrel over. The top pops off and guns and grease spill out.

Nova lightly laughs, "Jackpot."

*_*_*_*_*_*

Elara sits on the bottom level of the dropship, sorting through what little medical supplies the group has. She makes a mental note to get more of the seaweed they used on Jasper.

She looks up as someone walks through the door. Octavia smiles at her then continues to the top floor. She's not even up there a minute before she makes her way back down.

"Hey, E. I think I'm going to need your help."

"With what?" Elara asks, looking up at the brunette.

"The nuts we collected. They're making people hallucinate." Elara's mouth falls open.

"Okay." She pauses, "Well let's make sure everyone is calm and safe. We'll have to make sure nobody is eating anymore of the nuts." Elara stands up, "We can also start burning the nuts, there's no need for them to be here anymore."

Octavia nods as the two girls step out of the drop ship, "I'll start on this side and you can go the other way. Meet in the middle." Elara nods in agreement. The two girls separate, heading in opposite directions.

Atlas quickly spots Elara heading in her direction. "Wow, you look beautiful." He says to her, a lopsided smile lighting up his face.

Elara smiles back, "Thanks. How are you feeling?"

"Grrreaaattt." Atlas says, leaning closer to his ex.

"Have you been eating these nuts?" She asks, placing her hands on his shoulders to keep him from tipping over.

"Mhm, they're really good. I do feel a little weird though."

Elara nods and wraps his arm around her shoulder, "How about we bring you to your tent? You can take a nap and I'll give you some water. You should feel better in no time."

As Elara gently helps Atlas sit on his bed, the male looks up at her, "You know I fucked up when I lost you. You were the best damn thing that ever happened to me."

Elara bites her lip, "If you remember this conversation and want we can talk about it later, but right now isn't the time."

"Do you still love me?"

"I'll always love you Atlas." Elara replies without hesitation.

Atlas smiles as his eyes start to close, "I'll always love you too." Elara sighs and blinks back the tears forming in her eyes. She takes a minute to calm herself the steps out of the tent. She quickly brings him some water and leaves it next to his bed so he can have some when he wakes up. She then moves on to help the next person.

*_*_*_*_*_*

Bellamy and Nova both reach down to pick up a gun. "This changes everything. No more running from spears." He holds out a gun for Clarke, "Ready to be a badass, Clarke?"

She hesitantly takes it, "Look. I'm not gonna fight either of you on bringing guns back to camp. I know we need them, but don't expect me to like it."

"We're lucky the rifles were packed in grease. The fact that they survived means we're not sitting ducks anymore. You need to learn how to do this."

As Clarke and Bellamy talk Nova bends down to start cleaning the grease from the guns as best she can. She turns briefly to see Bellamy try to shoot at a blanket that they hung up for target practice. "My bullets are duds. Try yours."

Clarke shoots the blanket then laughs, "That was amazing. Am I horrible for feeling that?"

"Try again." Bellamy replies.

"No. We shouldn't waste the ammunition."

"People are going to need practice. when we bring the guns back. That includes you." Nova states, looking into another barrel.

"We need to talk about how we're gonna keep guns around camp, where are we gonna keep them, and who has access." Clarke says.

Bellamy ignores her and takes a shot at the blanket. "You left Miller in charge of the grounder. You must trust him."

Bellamy nods, "You both should keep him close. The others listen to him."

"We should keep him close?" Nova asks, kitting her eyebrows together in confusion.

"What's going on? You've been acting weird all day." Clarke continues. "All the rations you took. You're gonna run. That's why you agreed to come with us. You were gonna load up on supplies and just disappear."

"I don't have a choice. The Ark will be here soon." Bellamy states.

"What about Octavia?" Nova asks.

"She hates me. She'll be fine."

Nova rolls her eyes, "She doesn't hate you. She's your sister. She's just angry with you. There is a difference."

Bellamy shakes his head, "I shot the chancellor. They're gonna kill me. Best-case scenario, they lock me up with the Grounder for the rest of my life and there's no way in hell I'm giving Jaha the satisfaction. Keep practicing. I need some air."

The two girls exchange a look as he leaves. "I'm going to head this way and check for some more guns and blankets. I'll be back in five minutes tops. Take a few more shots." Clarke nods and watches as Nova heads down a hall.

*_*_*_*_*_*

Back at the camp Elara takes her time making sure the delinquents are safe. Finn and Raven have since emerged from their tent to help though Elara made sure that Finn's main task was to burn the jobi nuts so he didn't do too much and risk injuring himself further.

"Hey Harper, how are you feeling?" Elara asks sitting down next to her old cellmate.

"Hmm." Harper hums. She slightly sways to music only she can hear. "I feel a little funny, but good." She pauses, "Yeah, really good."

Harper's eyes stay closed as she talks to Elara. "Have you been drinking water like I asked?"

Harper nods making Elara continue, "Good. Remember to stay here and keep drinking. I need to check on everyone else."

Harper nods once more as Elara stands up to head to another part of the camp. As she makes her way to the wall she makes eye contact with the grounder. "How did you-" She cuts herself off already knowing the answer, "Octavia."

The grounder just stares at her, unsure of what to do. "Well, go quickly. Before anyone else sees you. Though of course they'd probably think they were hallucinating. Be careful, okay?"

The grounder nods in thanks then continues out of the camp.

*_*_*_*_*_*

Nova looks up from a barrel filled with blankets when she hears a noise. "Clarke?" Not hearing anything back she hesitantly walks in the direction. Her eyes meet the face of councilman Abraham.

She gasps, "You're dead."

Jericho laughs, "Yes, but you should know by now darling, you can't get rid of me that easily."

Nova clenches her jaw, "You may haunt my dreams but you got what you deserved. Hell I should have tortured you longer."

The man smirks as he looks down at the petite girl. "You know you grew up to look even more beautiful."

Nova tightens her hands into fists. She squeezes her eyes shut and quietly starts to mutter, "Get out of my head. You aren't here. You aren't real."

"Come on now darling, I'm more real than you may think."

Nova starts lightly pulling at her hair, "Shut up, shut up, shut up." She mumbles over and over. Her quiet mumbles drown out the sound over Jericho. After about a minute of silence she slowly peels her eyes open.

She sighs in relief when the man is nowhere to be found. She bends down to pick up her bow and arrow that she discarded when Jericho showed up. Once she makes it to Clarke, she sees the blonde knocked out on the floor.

Rushing over she begins to shake her shoulder, "Clarke get up." As soon as the blonde's eyes flutter open Nova asks, "What happened?"

Clarke blinks and shakes her head, "I-I hallucinated then Dax showed up and knocked me out."

"Dax?" Nova asks in disbelief.

Clarke nods, "We need to find Bellamy."

Nova helps her up from the floor. Clarke picks up a gun then the two girls head out of the depot. "Split up, don't stray too far though." Clarke nods then heads away from Nova.

After a few moments, Nova circles back around and runs in the direction that she can hear fighting happening. When she makes it to the clearing in the woods she sees Dax on top of Bellamy, strangling him.

Nova aims her bow and shoots. The arrow lodges into the side of Dax's neck. He tips over dead, Bellamy pushing him off of his body. He sits up gasping for breath.

Emotionlessly Nova walks over and holds out a hand helping Bellamy up. The two move over towards Clarke who has propped herself up against a tree.

The three sit in silence for a few minutes before Clarke decides to speak, "You're okay."

"No I'm not." Bellamy chokes out, "My mother... If she knew what I've done, who I am. She raised me to be better, to be good. All I do is hurt people. Elara was right, I am a monster."

"You saved someone today." Clarke begins, arguing with the boy. "You may be a total ass half of the time, but I need you. We all need you. None of us would've survived this place if it wasn't for you."

"I would have." Nova pipes in. Clarke turns to glare at her. "What? I'm just speaking the truth. But Clarke does have a point. The others trust you. They look to you when they need guidance."

Clarke continues, "You want forgiveness, fine, I'll give it to you. You're forgiven, okay, but you can't run, Bellamy. You have to come back with us. You have to face it."

"Like you both faced your parents?" Bellamy challenges.

"You're right. I don't want to face my mom or Nova her dad. All I think about every day is how we're gonna keep everyone alive, but we don't have a choice."

"Jaha will kill me when he comes down."

"Not if you explain why you needed to come down and everything you've done since to help us stay alive. Plus Clarke and I will both vouch for you." Nova says.

"We'll figure it out." Clarke adds.

"Can we figure it out later?" Bellamy asks, looking between the two younger girls.

"Whenever you're ready."

*_*_*_*_*_*

Nova, Clarke and Bellamy trek back to the camp. Their bags filled with blankets and arms loaded with guns. "He's gone. The grounder is gone." Miller's voice is heard from inside the camp walls.

"What if he brings other grounders back?" Jasper asks.

A few more voices are heard as the three step into the camp, "Let the grounders come." Bellamy's voice booms above the rest, the delinquents attention brought to the three leaders. "We've been afraid of them for far too long, and why? Because of their knives and spears. I don't know about you. I'm tired of being afraid."

The three drop the guns in front of them. Cheers start to sound from the surrounding group. "These are weapons, not toys, and we have to be prepared to give them up when the guard dropships come, but until then, they're going to help keep us safe." Clarke addresses the group.

"And there's more where these come from. Tomorrow Blake and I are starting training, and if the grounders want a fight, we'll be ready." Nova says, looking around at the delinquents faces.

A little while later Clarke and Nova sat in the communication tent speaking with Jaha. "He wants to talk with you. Set up a deal." Nova states.

"I'll go get him." Clarke mumbles as she stands up.

"I can still set up a meeting with your father, Nova." Jaha says as soon as Clarke is out of the video.

"I'll talk to him when he comes down. He can wait until then." Nova replies. Jaha opens his mouth to answer but stops when he sees Bellamy.

"Mr. Blake, I've wanted to talk to you for some time now." Jaha says.

"Before you do, I'd like to say something." Clarke begins, "When you sent us down here, you sent us to die, but miraculously, most of us are still alive. In large part, that is because of him, because of Bellamy. He's one of us, and he deserves to be pardoned of his crimes just like the rest of us."

"Clarke, I appreciate your point of view, but it's not that simple."

"It is that simple. You're just making it more complicated because you're biased on the fact that the attack was against you." Nova states, coming across more snippy then attended.

Bellamy speaks up before Jaha has the chance to reply, "If you pardon me I'll tell you who on the Ark wants you dead."

Jaha pauses for a brief moment, "Bellamy Blake, you're pardoned for your crimes. Now, tell me who gave you the gun."