Chapter VII
CHAPTER VII
It took them another three days before they had finished questioning everyone in the building on the night of the attack. They had changed the locks on Clarke’s apartment, added more security, and had done another sweep of the apartment in case they had missed something. They had been staying in the safe house for almost five days, with Raven and Octavia for the past three days, and it was about time Lexa made the decision if whether or not it was now safe for Clarke to go back to her apartment.
“Do you know this man?” Lexa placed a photo of a man on the table and Clarke leaned in a bit closer to have a good look. He was in his late 50’s, salt and pepper hair, kind hazelnut eyes.
“No. Why?”
“He’s one of the janitors in the building. He said that a 12-year-old girl walked up to him when he was on duty that night and paid him 50 dollars to deliver the package to your doorstep.” Lexa explained.
“Which box was it?” Clarke asked.
“That, we’re still trying to figure out. But I think it was the box from the stalker. The other box, the one that was probably placed by the attackers themselves, would be at least as heavy as four regular-sized canned goods. Mr. Wayne had said the box was light.”
“Did you find the girl?” Octavia asked from her seat.
“Unfortunately, no. The stalker probably paid the girl as well and used her as a bridge to keep his or her identity hidden. There weren’t any prints or DNA on the box. There’s no way we’re going to be able to ID the stalker.” Lexa said as she slumped back on the couch.
“So … I can go home now? Go back to my life?” Clark asked tentatively. She was having mixed feelings about it. On one hand, she feels like if she were to spend another day trapped inside this hotel room she was going to blow, she’s tired of having people constantly around her, and she misses her space and freedom to do her art. On the other hand, there’s Lexa. The agent had rarely left the hotel room in the days they had been there. Lexa had assigned the other agents on a rotating shift so she could be with Clarke 24/7. She slept on the couch while Clarke and her friends took up the bedroom.
Clarke had gotten used to her presence even though at times she still finds her irritating; especially the other night when Clarke tried to go out and “have some fresh air.” Lexa was there when she wakes up and Lexa was there when she retires for the night. And in the hours in between, they had talked, read together, watched movies, and Clarke had drawn another sketch of Lexa while she fell asleep reading. Lexa even formed some kind of friendship with Raven and Octavia. The past few days, Clarke and Lexa got to know each other better and Lexa got to know Clarke a little bit more.. To say the least, it’s one step closer to something both women desperately wanted to have.
“Yes, I think so. But I would suggest that you go somewhere for a couple of days. Maybe a trip somewhere.”
At the mention of going on a trip, Octavia perked up and basically bounced off her chair. “I have just the perfect get-away trip for us!” The petite woman exclaimed. Her eyes were literally shinning with so much excitement that Lexa couldn’t help but be curious. “So … remember the summer we planned to visit our grandparents?” Octavia asked.
“Which grandparents?” Clarke asked.
“Our mom’s parents.” Octavia quickly answered, “And remember that it didn’t happen because a big ass storm wrecked havoc all over the country?”
Raven and Clarke nodded.
“Sooooo,” Octavia was grinning so wide and was bouncing on the balls of her feet, “How about we go visit them? Bellamy brought it up a couple of weeks ago. He said he misses them, but I think he just misses Grandma Em’s cooking.”
“I take it this country is not the one we’re currently in?” Lexa asked.
“I’m afraid not, Commander Hotpants.” Octavia said.
Clarke was slowly opening up to the idea; it may be a good thing to go away for a while after everything that has happened; very, very far away. “Philippines.”
“Excuse me?” Lexa turned to look at Clarke. “Did you just say Philippines?”
“Yuuuup!” Octavia answered for Clarke.
“Why? You’ve been there before?” Raven asked.
“A couple of times during my time in the Secret Service.”
“Whoa. No shit. You’re Secret Service?” Raven’s eyes went wide and then her face scrunched up in confusion. “Wait, aren’t you guys from a private security detail?”
“Former Secret Service.” Lexa emphasized the word ‘former’ and gave a pointed look towards Raven that said, Ask another question and I will throw you out the window.
Raven raised her hands in surrender and moved in a different seat, keeping as much distance between her and the agent.
“So, you’re a Filipino?” Lexa asked Octavia; bring the conversation back to the topic at hand. She briefly read Octavia’s file and she was certain the woman didn’t have any Asian roots.
“Well, no. Not exactly. But my brother is. Well, half-filipino. We have different mothers but same dad.” Octavia explained. “I’ll call Bell and see if he’s available for the weekend then we could arrange and plan the trip.
Lexa nodded slowly, “It’s a 16-hour flight. It’s practically on the other side of the world. I think that might just be a good idea. Although, this weekend might just be a little too soon. I need information about the place you’re going to stay at and to plan the routes and do some—”
“Can’t you do that on the plane? You said it yourself; it’s a 16-hour flight.” Clarke said with a hint of irritation. She was finally going to get out of this room, and she wouldn’t wait another day or two.
Lexa raised an eyebrow at her, “Do I need to remind you that we had an agreement?”
“If I remember correctly, I agreed not to give you and your team the slips.” Clarke challenged.
“I believe you agreed to give us your cooperation,” Lexa countered as she reached for her phone. “Or do I need to call the White House Chief-of-Staff and inform him of what happened?”
Clarke caught the quirk of Lexa’s lips and she could see a hint of playfulness in the agent’s eyes. The blonde chuckled in spite of Lexa’s tactics, “Remind me to write our agreements in paper next time.” She muttered to herself. “Fine. Fine. How about I talk to my friends first, and I’ll discuss the plans with you personally but you have to go to dinner with me.”
“Did you just really use Commander Hotpant’s job to get her to go out on a date with you?” Raven asked.
“Damn, you’re smooth as fuck.” Octavia added.
Clarke eyes widened a bit as she realized the implications of what she just said. She was afraid she may had pushed it a bit and was about to backtrack when Lexa spoke.
“Alright.” Lexa said; surprising the blonde and even herself.
“Really?”
Lexa nodded slowly. She can’t take back what she said, can she? And she knew Clarke had the advantage here. She needed her cooperation if she wanted this trip to go off with a hitch. And if that means going on a dinner with Clarke, well, Lexa surely wouldn’t be complaining and regretting that.
At 6:30 that evening, Clarke heard a knock on her door. She tensed up and warily walked towards the door. She didn’t tell anyone, but the moment they stepped out of the safe house and throughout the car ride on the way back to her apartment, the blonde felt anxious that someone would just pop out of nowhere with guns blazing and shoot at them. The only thing that made her not panic was Lexa. The agent hadn’t left her side since the attack but now that she was all alone in her apartment, she was starting to feel a little uneasy.
“Who is it?” Clarke called out as she clicked a button and a small screen placed beside the door came to life; she saw Lexa standing on the other side. Lexa had insisted that a video monitor was placed there so Clarke could see the person outside before she opened the door.
“It’s Commander Woods.”
The blonde sighed in relief and unlocked the metal door. It slid open and Clarke couldn’t help but take in the view in front of her. The agent looked dashing dressed in a fitted black pair of skinny jeans, a white shirt, and a leather jacket that hugged the agent’s shoulder perfectly. “Hi.” Lexa greeted with a small smile.
“Hi.” Clarke smiled in returned.
“Ready to go?”
Clarke nodded, “Let me just go get my coat.”
As they walked down the hall to the elevator, Lexa took the chance to observe the blonde. The agent had sensed that something had been off with Clarke when she mentioned that she could go back home. She was torn between wanting to ask the blonde what was bothering her and be a friend or to stay on track and not let her feelings get mixed up with her job. Lexa was beginning to see the line in between was thinner than a strand of hair. Despite Lexa’s observation earlier today, Clarke moved easily and with confidence. And Lexa knew why. The woman standing beside her inside the elevator was not Clarke Griffin, the President’s daughter, but as Clarke Griffin, an ordinary 27-year-old woman who was about to have dinner with … a friend? Clarke may have the choice to switch in between her appearance and her sense of duties, but Lexa doesn’t even have a choice. Clarke may forget who she is with a little bit of alcohol and a series of sexual conquests, but Lexa couldn’t.
“Lexa?” Clarke soft voice reached her eyes and Lexa snapped out of her own thoughts. “I asked if we could just walk rather than take the car? If that’s okay?”
“Yeah, sure.”
As the elevator slowly came to halt and the doors open, the women stepped out and walked side by side. Just before they stepped outside the building, Clarke reached her hand out and grabbed Lexa’s arm, “I don’t want your team to come with us.” the blonde said. There was an urgency and need in her voice that Lexa almost said yes without thinking about it. Clarke had been around them for five days and she just wanted to have a moment of peace to have dinner with Lexa.
“How about I tell them to stay out of sight? You won’t even know they’re there.” Lexa offered.
“It’s not the same.”
Lexa sighed, “I know, Clarke. Trust me, If I could do something, I would. But we can’t go out alone. It’s not safe. Especially not now.”
Lexa whispered a few commands into her earpiece and lead Clarke out into the open streets. She didn’t like the idea of her agents in a distance, but if she doesn’t give this small piece of freedom to the blonde, she’s afraid Clarke wouldn’t cooperate as she promised. As they walked down the street, she froze mid-step when she felt Clarke’s finger touch the back of her hand and soon enough, Clarke slipped her fingers in between her own and held her hand.
“I thought you weren’t afraid of rumors and what people think of you, Commander?” Clarke asked teasingly as they resumed walking; a smirk evident on her lips.
“I’m not and it’s not the rumors I’m afraid of, Ms. Griffin” Lexa said, swallowing the sudden dryness in her throat, “It’s what President Griffin is going to think when he sees us holding hands on a front page of some newspaper.”
Agent Lawrence and Agent Hosh, who were 15 feet behind them, looked curiously at each other and wondered what on earth caused a bark of laughter from Clarke Griffin.
“Octavia’s? Really?” Lexa asked as they rounded a corner and the restaurant came into view.
Clarke shrugged, “Octavia insisted that our “first date” take place in her restaurant.”
The agent almost tumbled over when she heard the word “date” and stopped dead on her feet. She quickly whipped her head at the blonde beside her who had an amused expression written all over her face, “What?” Lexa squeaked out.
“Jesus, Lexa.” Clarke said as she chuckled softly. She tugged at Lexa’s hand and the two resumed walking. “Octavia was just messing around.”
“Do you want it to be?”
“Want it to be what?”
“A date. Because if you do, then it’s a date.”
The only thing that prevented Clarke from tripping over and planting her face on the pavement was Lexa’s hand that was holding hers. “What?” Clarke’s voice turned a pitch a higher.
Lexa smirked as they continued walking.
“You jerk!” Clarke laughed as she lightly punched Lexa’s shoulder.
The agent bit the inside the inside of her cheeks to prevent a groan but Clarke noticed the change on the agent’s face.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hit your wound.” Clarke apologized.
Lexa let out a deep breath and cleared her throat. The pain on her shoulder was slowly dissipating and was only now a dull throb. “It’s alright, Clarke. I know you didn’t mean to. It’s still a little sore, but it’ll heal soon.” Lexa smiled at the blonde to assure her that she’s okay. “We’re here.”
The two women stopped in front of the restaurant. Clarke told the hostess that they have a reservation and a waiter showed them to a table. Their table was near the window and Lexa didn’t like the fact that Clarke would be exposed openly in that area, especially when they have no idea who the stalker and the attackers were. For all Lexa knew, they might be in this very restaurant. The agent requested if they could have a table further in the back and luckily, there was one available.
They were escorted to their new table and were handed the menu.
“Hey, Clarke. The usual red wine, I assume?” The waitress asked.
“Of course, Harper.” Clarke said and looked at Lexa, “Lex?”
Lexa looked up from the menu and shook her head politely, “No. Thank you. Technically, I’m still on duty.”
“I’m not gonna get you drunk, Lexa.” Clarke rolled her eyes. “A glass or two won’t hurt anyone.”
“Fine.”
“Great! Harper, give us a whole bottle. And I’ll have the salmon steak with mixed vegetables on the side. And for her, uh, what do you want, Lexa?”
The agent stared at the menu for a moment before closing it and placed it on the table. “You order for me. Since you come here often, I trust that you know what’s good here.”
“Make that two.”
Harper nodded as she jutted down the orders. “Ms. Blake would like to send her greetings and to inform you that she’ll be the one to cook your food for tonight.”
“Octavia’s cooking our food?” Lexa asked skeptically.
Clarke chuckled as she handed Harper her menu. “She is a chef, Lexa. And it’s her restaurant. Also, Octavia doesn’t just cook for anyone in the restaurant.”
“Clarke, she burned the pancakes when she was cooking us breakfast yesterday.” Lexa said in a serious tone that only made Clarke laugh.
“In her defense, she said that Raven distracted her with her,” Clarke made air quotation marks with her fingers, “Irresistible morning look” The blonde laughed even more when she saw Lexa’s face turn sour.
Clarke turned to Harper who was also laughing quietly; she smiled at the waitress who blushed. “Come after our main course for our desserts. That’ll be all for now. Thanks, Harper.”
Harper placed her hand on Clarke’s shoulder and linger a little bit longer for a friendly touch, “If you need anything else, just call me.” Harper winked and left to serve another table.
“She likes you.” Lexa said as she observed the waitress.
“We had a thing. Nothing serious thought.” Clarke said. She shrugged when Lexa raised an eyebrow at her direction, “What?” Clarke gasped when she realized what Lexa was probably thinking. “Oh, come on! Harper’s a good person. She’s not the stalker. We sleep together sometimes but we both know it’s nothing serious. It’s just for fun.”
“We still need to do a background check on her.” Lexa kept her face and tone neutral even though the thought of Clarke sleeping with the attractive waitress was making her jealous. “So, what’s the plan for the trip?” The agent asked as she pulled up her tablet.
Although her tone was light, it was clear that the person in front of Clarke wasn’t Lexa, the woman who almost tripped when Clarke said this is their first date, but the Commanding Agent of her security team.
The blonde squinted her eyes and observed the woman in front of her for a few seconds before letting out a long sigh. “Right. So we plan on leaving on Saturday ….”
They walked hand-in-hand as they exited the restaurant and a cold breeze of night air greeted them. Stars littered the night sky and the moon as glowing beautiful, proving a low glow of light to the people taking a nightly stroll. Clarke leaned in closer to the agent as another gush of wind passed by them and she shivered when it made contact with her skin. An arm was suddenly wrapped around her shoulders and she was being pulled in closer, the body heat of the woman standing next to her mixed with her own and she sighed in relief as warmth flooded her body.
“Thank you for dinner.” Lexa said after a few minutes of walking silently.
Clarke smiled. After the tense discussion they had about the plans for the trip they’ll be having, Lexa eased up a bit and Clarke had actually enjoyed her time alone with the agent. True to her word, the other agents on Lexa’s team kept a distance from them and Clarke barely registered their presence all throughout dinner. For the first time, discussing her plans with the Commanding Agent of her security detail didn’t bother her that much anymore.
“Well, thank you for agreeing to have dinner with me. I had fun.”
“Me too.” Lexa replied, a smile appearing on her face.
For more than two hours, the two talked about art, what it was like growing up with parents who were too busy with politics and other stuff, and the cities and countries they visited. They shifted from topic to topic but both women seemed to divert from politics, the attempted assassination, the stalker problem, or something far more personal in their lives. The dinner could easily be ticked off as a successful first date; filled with the excitement and buzz and the anticipation of learning something new and different from the person sitting across from you.
But despite the fun and easy conversation between them, Lexa stubbornly kept her walls up; only letting Clarke see a portion of her and shutting her out from the rest. There was this turmoil inside of her; her heart telling her something, and her mind telling her another. Since Lexa began working in the Service and even after she had retired, she had followed one simple rule; Head over heart. She broke that rule once, only once, and it caused her to lose everything. Having dinner with Clarke, talking with Clarke, being this close and possibly a little intimate with the blonde; it scared her. She was scared that if she allowed herself to get used to the feeling, where she could momentarily forget who she is and what her duties are, the empty void inside her and the wallowing disappointment of reality that just so happens to be her life, would come crashing down on her like a huge tidal wave.
As they got nearer to Clarke’s building, the blonde stopped mid-step and took a deep breath before turning to look at Lexa and taking a chance, she asked, “Maybe I could interest you in going to the Dropship to grab a few drinks? Raven is there. And I’m pretty sure Octavia will be heading there as well.”
Lexa regarded her for a moment. She knew what Clarke was asking, she knew what Clarke wanted. And if she were being honest, she wants the same thing. But she refused to acknowledge her own desires and pushed them at the back of her mind. “I can’t. I’m sorry.” Lexa gave a tight lipped smile, “But if you want to go, I’ll have Agent Lawrence escort you.”
“You didn’t have any problems having dinner with me.” Clarke pointed out, she stood her ground and looked directly at the agent. A few passers-by grumbled that they were blocking the way but Clarke ignored them.
“That was work; to discuss the plans for your trip.” Lexa responded smoothly.
“Was it?” Clarke challenged. “You didn’t mind that people were looking as we held hands walking to the restaurant, you didn’t mind that the old couple back at the restaurant thought that we were a new married couple, and you certainly didn’t mind when we were hip to hip just a few minutes ago and our bodies were basically pressed to each other.”
Lexa knew that she was taking the definition of work to a whole new level and was stretching it too far. She could’ve said no to having dinner and just discussed the upcoming trip in the morning. Lexa had allowed the trip as an excuse to give her a good reason why she should have dinner with Clarke. She was already walking on dangerous grounds the moment she admitted her developing feelings for the blonde, and now they just had dinner that could possibly be considered as a date. This is dangerous territory and Lexa couldn’t let things go further than she already had. She definitely cannot go to a bar, a gay bar, with Clarke; because if she does, that could be the final nail on the coffin. And she had absolutely no desire to see Clarke flirting with strangers. Although both women agreed to take things slow and explore the connection between them, Lexa wouldn’t stop Clarke if she wanted to see other people. But that doesn’t mean she liked the idea of Clarke being intimate with a stranger.
“Ms. Griffin,” Lexa’s tone shifted from being friendly to being professional in snap, “I’m sorry but I really can’t accompany you. Do you want me to inform Agent Lawrence that you’ll be going to the Dropship?”
Clarke fought the urge to roll her eyes at the way the agent was acting but thought better of it. When Lexa had agreed to take things slow, Clarke didn’t exactly expect that the brunette would just be as stubborn as she was before. As a matter of fact, Clarke honestly believed that Lexa became even more guarded after they had their “talk”. It was infuriating but Clarke kept her cool. If Lexa wanted to play the waiting game, so be it.
“No. That’s alright.” Clarke said and noticed the shock and surprise that registered on the agent’s face and she just shrugged, “If I go out and have a fun night, I don’t want your agents tailing me around. I just want you.”
Lexa opened her mouth to say something but then closed it. She was surprise with how calm and collected Clarke was. She had expected the blonde to just walk away and go the bar alone.
“Will you walk me home, Commander? You’d be a really terrible date if you let the girl walk home alone.” Clarke teased with a smirk.
Now it was Lexa who had the urge to roll her eyes at the blonde’s antics. She nodded and offered her hand which Clarke took without a thought and the two resumed their walk to Clarke’s apartment.
“Lexa?”
“Hmm?”
“I don’t want to sound rude, but can you please tell your agents to stop following us. I’m perfectly safe with you.”
Something warm spreads across Lexa’s chest after hearing Clarke say that. She nodded and whispered orders in her earpiece, all the while trying unsuccessfully to contain to the smile that was appearing on her lips.
Don’t worry, Clarke. I won’t let anything happen to you. Lexa promised silently as the blonde snaked an arm around her waist and leaned in closer.
Minutes later, they were standing outside Clarke’s door and both of them were just standing there, staring at each other with smiles on their faces.
“So …” Clarke said as she stepped forward.
“So ?” Lexa asked, raising an eyebrow as she took a step closer to the blonde.
“Thank you, again, for tonight.” Clarke whispered softly as she moved to hug the agent.
Lexa was slightly taken aback by the action but wrapped her arms around the blonde.
Clarke slowly pulled back and tucked her hands inside her pockets. “I better go inside.”
“Yes. You should.” Lexa agreed.
They stared at each other, neither one of them moving from their spot. They’re just gazing into each other’s eyes, getting lost in a sea of blue and green.
Blue. Green. Blue. Green.
“Clarke,” Lexa whispered.
“Lexa,” Clarke said back.
“You’re staring”
“So are you”
Both women grinned as they unconsciously closed the distance between them once again. Clarke eyes kept drifting down from Lexa’s eyes to her lips; and Lexa was no different.
Clarke’s heart was pounding wildly in her chest when Lexa started to lean in, eliminating the small space between them, and she closed her eyes. Air got caught in her lungs when she left soft lips against her cheek.
Opening her eyes, she saw that Lexa had backed away and started walking backwards towards the elevator.
“Goodnight, Ms. Griffin.” Lexa said with a hint of a smile.
The elevators doors opened and Lexa stepped inside, taking a final glance at the blonde just as the doors began to close.
“Goodnight.” Clarke whispered to the empty hallway as she brought her hand up to her cheek where she could still feel the press of Lexa’s lips.