Seven
The rest of the week had flown by for Clarke, filled with the usual rhythm of teaching, grading, and balancing time with Lux. By Monday, she was especially looking forward to her lunch with Lexa—an unexpected but welcome break in her routine. As she walked into Breve & Bloom, the familiar scent of coffee and fresh bread filled the air. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Lexa, who was already sitting near the window.
Lexa stood up and flashed a smile. “Hey,” she greeted, stepping forward to pull out Clarke's chair.
Clarke chuckled. “You’re early.”
“Just wanted to make sure I had a good seat,” Lexa said, her voice warm. “Plus, I’ve already decided what I’m getting, so I’m all set.”
Clarke smiled back. “Okay, now you’re really making me curious.”
“I’m trying the turkey pesto panini with tomato bisque,” Lexa explained casually, her eyes twinkling. “I figured if you recommend it, it’s got to be good.”
Clarke laughed. “You’re not wrong. I’ll go grab it for us.”
Before Lexa could protest, Clarke was already walking to the counter. She ordered the same thing, and the barista nodded, confirming it would be ready soon. Clarke turned around and made her way back to their table, settling into the chair Lexa had pulled out for her.
As she sat down, Lexa smiled. “I have to say, you’re a great lunch companion. It’s like we’ve done this a million times.”
Clarke returned the smile. “Yeah, it feels like it. Almost like we’ve known each other forever.”
They shared a comfortable silence, enjoying the soft background music and the cozy atmosphere of the cafe. A few moments later, a server arrived with their order, setting down the steaming bowls of soup and the paninis. Clarke thanked her, and they both dug into their meals.
After a couple of bites, Lexa smiled in approval. “Wow, this is really good. I can see why you recommended it.”
Clarke chuckled. “Told you it was a good choice.”
They both continued eating, and after a moment, Clarke glanced up at Lexa. “So, what have you been up to today?”
Lexa leaned back in her chair, looking relaxed. “Just the usual stuff around the house. Since I’m working the night shift, I like to get things done in the day so I’m not running around all night.”
Clarke nodded, picking up her sandwich. “Sounds like a good plan. I’ve been caught up in grading all morning, but I had some fun moments with my students, especially in the second period.”
Lexa smiled. “That’s good. I know you’re really passionate about your work.”
Clarke grinned. “I try. It can get hectic, but it’s worth it.”
As they ate, their conversation shifted to childhood memories. Clarke smiled softly. “I remember when I was twelve, my best friends and I thought it’d be a great idea to sneak out to the local fair after dark. We climbed out my bedroom window and biked across town. We got caught sneaking back in, and my mom was furious.”
Lexa chuckled, intrigued. “What happened?”
“She made me stay home the next day while my friends went to the fair again. Total punishment. But it was still worth it for the one night of freedom.”
Lexa smirked. “That sounds like something I would’ve done, too.”
Clarke raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Got a rebellious story of your own?”
Lexa’s eyes lit up. “Okay, here’s one. When I was sixteen, Lincoln and I decided to sneak out to a party. It wasn’t really our scene, but we thought it would be fun. Turns out, my parents found out we were there—someone must’ve tipped them off. My dad showed up, pulled us both aside, and gave us an earful. Lincoln was mortified.”
Clarke burst out laughing. “I can imagine. How did he handle that?”
Lexa shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. “He was so embarrassed he could barely speak. He kept muttering about how he’d never do it again. Meanwhile, I just stood there trying not to laugh.”
Clarke grinned. “Sounds like you gave your parents a run for their money.”
Lexa nodded. “Oh, for sure. But it’s one of those memories I look back on and laugh. Even Lincoln laughs about it now.”
Clarke finished her meal and leaned back in her chair. “I’m really glad we did this. I could definitely get used to lunch breaks with you.”
Lexa’s smile softened, and she nodded. “Me too. Maybe we can do this more often.”
Clarke grinned. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”
As they both stood up, ready to part ways, Lexa gave her a lingering hug. “See you soon, Clarke.”
Clarke smiled, pulling away. “Definitely. Can’t wait.”
With that, they went their separate ways, both of them looking forward to their next meeting.
The station buzzed with the usual evening activity when Lexa pushed through the heavy glass doors. The faint smell of coffee and printer ink lingered in the air, mingling with the quiet hum of conversations and the occasional static from a police radio.
Dressed in her freshly pressed uniform, Lexa adjusted her utility belt as she strode through the bullpen, nodding at a few colleagues along the way. Her boots echoed against the tiled floor as she made her way to her desk, her sharp green eyes scanning the room for her partner.
"Evening, Commander," Anya greeted from her desk, leaning back in her chair with a half-eaten granola bar in hand.
Lexa smirked at the nickname Anya refused to let go of. "Evening, Anya. Quiet day so far?"
"Depends on your definition of quiet," Anya replied, raising an eyebrow. "There was a fender bender on Ninth, a shoplifter at the mall, and one drunk guy trying to argue with a parking meter. You know, the usual chaos before the real fun starts."
Lexa chuckled as she dropped her bag onto her desk. "Sounds about right. Where’s Lincoln?"
"Garage," Anya said, jerking her thumb toward the back. "He’s checking out the cruiser. Apparently, there’s a new rattle that’s driving him nuts."
"Of course there is," Lexa muttered with a small grin. She grabbed her notebook and a pen, tucking them into her pocket before heading to the garage.
The faint sound of music filtered through the open garage door as Lexa stepped inside. Lincoln was crouched by the driver’s side tire of their patrol car, muttering to himself.
Lexa leaned against the doorframe, watching Lincoln tinker with the car. His broad shoulders were hunched as he fiddled with something near the wheel well, a look of mild frustration on his face.
"You planning to fix it or marry it?" she teased, crossing her arms.
Lincoln glanced up, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Depends. If I fix it, do I get overtime?"
Lexa chuckled, stepping closer. "Not likely. What’s the problem this time?"
"There’s a weird rattle when we hit about thirty miles per hour. Pretty sure it’s the suspension, but I wanted to check it out before we’re stuck with it all night." He wiped his hands on a rag, standing to face her. "You ready for another fun-filled evening?"
"Always," she replied with mock enthusiasm, though her tone carried an edge of dry humor. "Anya said it’s been ‘quiet.’ I’m guessing that means we’re due for something ridiculous."
Lincoln laughed, tossing the rag onto a nearby workbench. "Quiet shifts don’t exist. You know that."
Together, they left the garage and made their way to the briefing room, the low murmur of voices growing louder as they approached. Inside, a few officers were already seated, some sipping coffee while others skimmed through their tablets or scribbled in notepads.
Captain Redding stood at the front of the room, her sharp eyes scanning the room as people filed in. The captain was a no-nonsense type, her crisp uniform and commanding presence setting the tone for every shift.
Lexa and Lincoln slid into seats near the back just as Redding cleared her throat, silencing the room.
"Evening, everyone," Redding began, her voice steady and authoritative. "Here’s what we’re looking at for tonight. First, we’ve had an uptick in suspicious activity around the industrial park on the south side. Reports of unauthorized access and tampering with equipment. Could be vandals, could be something bigger. I want a car to check it out periodically through the night. Lexa, Lincoln, that’s you."
Lexa exchanged a glance with Lincoln, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Second," Redding continued, "we’ve had several break-ins reported in the eastern neighborhoods. Likely the same group as last month, targeting homes while residents are out. Keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual. Units three and four, you’re on that."
As the captain went through the rest of the assignments, Lexa jotted quick notes in her notebook, mentally bracing for what the night would bring.
When the meeting wrapped up, Redding’s eyes locked onto hers and Lincoln’s. "I want regular updates on the industrial park. If anything seems off, don’t hesitate to call for backup."
"Got it," Lexa said, her voice steady.
Lincoln nodded in agreement, and with that, the two of them left the room, the weight of the night’s tasks already settling over them.
"Industrial park, huh?" Lincoln said as they headed toward the patrol car. "Place gives me the creeps."
"Everything gives you the creeps," Lexa teased, though she couldn’t deny the uneasy feeling in her own gut. "Let’s just hope it’s vandals and not something worse."
Lincoln gave her a wry smile as they climbed into the cruiser. "You know better than to hope for a quiet night."
As the engine roared to life, Lexa glanced out the window, the city lights stretching out before them. Something told her this shift wouldn’t be anything close to quiet.
Clarke juggled her keys, her bag, and a stack of graded essays as she unlocked the front door of their small but cozy house. Pushing it open with her foot, she stepped inside, greeted by the faint smell of cookies baking.
"Lux?" she called out, dropping her bag and papers on the dining table.
"In the kitchen!" Lux’s voice carried through the house, accompanied by the clatter of dishes.
Clarke followed the sound and found her daughter pulling a tray of cookies from the oven, a pleased smile on her face.
"You baked?" Clarke asked, eyebrows raised.
Lux grinned. "Yep. Emma’s mom gave me this recipe last week, and I wanted to try it. They’re chocolate chip with a little sea salt on top."
"Fancy." Clarke grabbed a cookie and took a bite, her eyes widening. "Okay, these are amazing. You’ve outdone yourself."
Lux beamed, grabbing a cookie for herself. "Thanks. So, what’s for dinner? Or are we just having cookies?"
"As tempting as that sounds," Clarke said, pulling her hair into a loose bun, "I was thinking stir-fry. Want to help?"
"Sure," Lux said, already washing her hands.
The two of them moved around the kitchen with practiced ease. Lux chopped vegetables while Clarke handled the chicken, the scent of garlic and ginger quickly filling the air.
"So," Clarke said casually, "Emma’s mom also mentioned something about you two hanging out during every lunch break. That true?"
Lux’s chopping slowed, and she glanced up at her mom, trying to gauge her tone. "Yeah, so? Emma’s one of my best friends."
"Nothing wrong with that," Clarke said, stirring the pan. "But her mom seems to think you’ve been talking about someone in particular a lot lately."
Lux froze, her face instantly turning red. "She told you that?"
Clarke smirked. "Not in so many words, but moms talk. Spill it, Lux."
Lux groaned, dropping her knife and leaning against the counter. "Fine. I may have mentioned someone. Once. Or twice."
"Someone like… a boy?" Clarke guessed, raising an eyebrow.
Lux rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. "Yes, okay? His name’s Elliot. And he’s nice. And smart. And—ugh—Emma’s mom needs to stop listening in on our conversations."
Clarke chuckled, wiping her hands on a towel. "So, Elliot. What makes him so nice and smart?"
Lux hesitated, then shrugged. "I don’t know. He’s just… different. Like, he doesn’t care about being popular or whatever. He’s into science, and he’s hilarious. He makes Emma and me laugh all the time."
Clarke softened, leaning on the counter. "He sounds like a good guy. You know, if you ever want to invite him over, you can. No pressure."
"Mom!" Lux groaned, hiding her face in her hands, though her smile peeked through. "It’s not like that!"
"Yet," Clarke teased, nudging her with her elbow.
Lux laughed, finally shaking her head. "You’re the worst."
"That’s my job," Clarke said with a grin.
They finished making dinner, laughing and joking about Clarke’s students and Lux’s adventures at school. After eating, they piled onto the couch with a bowl of popcorn, flipping through streaming options until Lux settled on her favorite superhero movie.
"This one again?" Clarke asked with mock exasperation.
"It’s a classic," Lux said, hitting play and curling up beside her mom.
As the movie started, Lux rested her head on Clarke’s shoulder. "Thanks for dinner, Mom. And for, you know, listening."
"Always," Clarke murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
The evening unfolded in quiet comfort, filled with laughter and the easy bond between them, the kind of night Clarke cherished most of all.
Lexa adjusted her utility belt as she leaned against the side of the squad car, the cold night air nipping at her exposed skin. The streets of Polis were unusually quiet, save for the occasional rumble of a passing car. She glanced at Lincoln, who was scribbling something in his notebook while leaning on the hood of the car.
"Feels too quiet," she muttered, her voice barely carrying over the faint hum of the streetlights.
Lincoln smirked, glancing up at her. "You’re just waiting for something to happen."
"Because it usually does," she shot back, pushing off the car. "Quiet nights never stay that way."
Their radios crackled to life, interrupting the banter.
"Unit 45, possible disturbance at 10th and Grand. Witness reports shouting in the alleyway. No visual confirmation."
Lexa reached for the radio clipped to her shoulder. "Copy that, dispatch. Unit 45 en route."
Lincoln folded his notebook and slid into the driver’s seat while Lexa took her spot in the passenger seat. The squad car’s engine purred to life, and Lincoln pulled onto the empty street.
"You think it’s legit, or just another false alarm?" he asked, navigating through the dimly lit roads.
Lexa shrugged, her eyes scanning the sidewalks. "Doesn’t matter. We check it out either way."
They reached the intersection in minutes, the car’s headlights slicing through the darkness as they turned onto Grand. Lexa spotted the alley—a narrow, shadowed space between two old brick buildings.
"Kill the lights," she said, and Lincoln flicked them off, parking a few feet from the alley entrance.
The two officers stepped out of the car, their boots crunching softly on the pavement. Lexa motioned for Lincoln to follow her lead as they approached the alley, flashlights cutting through the murk.
A low, muffled sound reached their ears—voices, strained and hurried. Lexa held up a hand, signaling Lincoln to stop. She tilted her head, listening.
"Sounds like two people," she whispered.
Lincoln nodded, unholstering his flashlight. "You take left, I’ll take right?"
"Got it."
They split up, moving silently along opposite walls of the alley. Lexa’s heart thudded steadily as she advanced, her flashlight beam dancing over discarded boxes and debris.
"Police!" she called out, her voice firm and commanding. "Step into the light with your hands where we can see them!"
The muffled voices stopped abruptly. A figure emerged from the shadows, hands raised, trembling slightly in the beam of her flashlight. It was a man, mid-30s, disheveled and breathing hard.
"Please," he stammered. "I didn’t mean for it to go this far."
"Didn’t mean for what?" Lincoln asked, stepping closer with his flashlight trained on the man.
Behind the man, another figure moved—a younger woman, clutching her arm as if in pain. Lexa’s sharp eyes caught the faint glint of a bruise forming on her cheek.
"Ma’am, are you okay?" Lexa asked, keeping her voice calm but focused.
The woman hesitated, her eyes darting between the officers and the man. Finally, she nodded. "He—he didn’t hurt me. Not really."
The man turned, his hands still raised. "It was just an argument! I swear!"
Lexa exchanged a glance with Lincoln, her jaw tightening. "Sir, step over here," she ordered, motioning to a clear spot near the wall. "Keep your hands where we can see them."
As Lincoln guided the man aside, Lexa approached the woman. "Can you tell me what happened?"
The woman hesitated, glancing down at the ground. "It’s... complicated. He’s my ex. He showed up here drunk, and we started arguing. He grabbed my arm, but that’s all."
Lexa frowned, noting the defensive way the woman held herself. "Okay. Listen, we’re here to help. Do you want to press charges?"
The woman shook her head quickly. "No. I just want to go home."
Lexa nodded. "All right. But I’m going to ask you to stick around for a few minutes while we sort this out."
She turned to Lincoln, who was running the man’s ID through their portable device. "Anything?"
Lincoln shook his head. "No warrants. Just a couple of priors for public intoxication."
Lexa sighed. "All right. Let’s keep this simple." She turned to the man. "Sir, you’re going to need to leave her alone tonight. Do you understand?"
He nodded frantically. "Yes, yes. I’ll go. I’m sorry."
Lexa kept her gaze steady. "Good. Lincoln, escort him out of here. I’ll stay with her."
As Lincoln guided the man out of the alley, Lexa stayed with the woman, offering her a calm presence in the aftermath of the confrontation.
"Do you have someone you can call?" Lexa asked gently.
The woman nodded. "My sister. She lives nearby."
"Good," Lexa said, pulling a card from her pocket. "Here’s my number. If he comes back or you change your mind about pressing charges, call me. Anytime."
The woman took the card, her hands trembling slightly. "Thank you."
By the time Lexa rejoined Lincoln at the car, the adrenaline had settled into a quiet hum.
"Another night for Unit 45," Lincoln said, starting the engine.
Lexa gave a small, wry smile. "And it’s not even midnight."
The soft glow of morning light spilled into Clarke’s bedroom, filtering through the thin curtains. She stirred, the warmth of her comforter keeping her cocooned even as her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Groaning softly, she reached out and squinted at the screen.
Lexa.
A sleepy smile tugged at her lips as she answered, her voice thick with drowsiness. "Morning, Officer Woods. To what do I owe this early wake-up call?"
Lexa’s voice came through the line, warm and low. "Morning, Miss Griffin. Did I wake you?"
"Technically," Clarke teased, rolling onto her side. "But I’ll allow it. You finished your shift?"
"Just wrapped up. I was heading home and thought I’d check in."
Clarke could hear the hum of Lexa’s car engine in the background, mixed with the faint static of the phone. She imagined Lexa in her uniform, probably still looking far too put together after an all-night shift.
"Rough night?" Clarke asked, propping herself up on one elbow.
"Eventful," Lexa admitted. "But manageable. Had a bit of drama at 10th and Grand, and then Lincoln and I spent the rest of the night dealing with paperwork."
Clarke laughed softly. "Ah, the glamorous life of law enforcement."
"You’d be surprised," Lexa replied, a playful edge to her tone. "I did get to chase a raccoon out of a dumpster. Highlight of the night."
Clarke snorted. "Impressive. Do they train you for that at the academy?"
Lexa chuckled, the sound sending a pleasant warmth through Clarke. "Not exactly. But you pick it up pretty fast. The raccoon didn’t stand a chance."
"Heroic," Clarke said, grinning. "Seriously, though, you must be exhausted. Why aren’t you asleep?"
Lexa’s voice softened. "I don’t know. I just… wanted to hear your voice."
Clarke’s breath caught for a moment before she smiled again, her heart skipping a beat. "Smooth, Woods."
"Is it working?"
"Maybe," Clarke replied, biting her lip to suppress a wider grin.
A comfortable silence settled between them for a few seconds, the kind that felt more intimate than words.
"So, what are your plans for the day?" Lexa asked eventually.
Clarke sighed. "I’m supposed to grade papers, but that sounds boring compared to your night."
"Want me to spice it up?" Lexa offered, her tone full of mischief. "I could bring you coffee and tell you more about my epic raccoon encounter."
Clarke laughed again, the sound light and genuine. "Tempting. But shouldn’t you be sleeping, not running coffee delivery?"
"Sleep is overrated," Lexa replied smoothly. "Besides, I like the idea of seeing you more."
Clarke felt her cheeks heat up, even though there was no one around to see her blush. "You’re really leaning into this charm thing, huh?"
"Only because it works on you," Lexa said, her voice dipping into something softer, more sincere.
Clarke felt her chest tighten in the best way, a giddy warmth spreading through her. "Okay, fine. I’ll let you bring me coffee. But only if you promise to actually go home and sleep after."
"Deal," Lexa replied quickly. "What’s your order?"
Clarke rolled her eyes fondly. "Black with one sugar. You already know that."
"Just checking," Lexa teased. "I’ll see you in an hour."
"An hour? Lexa—"
The call ended before Clarke could protest further, leaving her staring at the screen with an exasperated smile. Shaking her head, she rolled out of bed and stretched, her heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks.
Lexa Woods had a way of doing that to her.
Clarke was setting up her classroom for the day, organizing her art supplies and adjusting the placement of a few student projects on the walls when her phone buzzed, signaling a text message. She glanced down and smiled when she saw it was from Lexa.
On my way with coffee. Hope you’re ready.
Clarke couldn’t help but smile at the message. It was a small gesture, but Clarke had to admit, it had made her morning.
Just as she set her phone down, the door to the classroom opened, and Lexa stepped inside. She wasn’t in uniform, just wearing a casual jacket and jeans, and her warm smile immediately made Clarke’s heart skip a beat.
"Morning," Lexa said as she walked in, holding out a steaming cup of coffee. "I figured you’d need this."
Clarke took the cup with a grateful smile. "You figured right," she said, taking a sip of the coffee. "This is exactly what I needed."
Lexa leaned casually against one of the desks, watching her. "I thought you might appreciate it. You’ve been on my mind."
Clarke felt a warmth spread through her chest at Lexa’s words. There was a certain comfort in how easily they had fallen into this rhythm, these little moments that felt so natural but meant so much.
"You’re right," Clarke said with a soft smile, savoring the warmth of the coffee in her hands. "I didn’t get much sleep last night. So this is perfect."
Lexa raised an eyebrow, her voice light but curious. "Long night?"
Clarke chuckled. "Just one of those nights," she said with a shrug, glancing at the clock on the wall. "But this—" she gestured to the coffee, "—is making everything better."
Lexa smiled, clearly pleased. "Good. I’m glad to be of help."
There was a comfortable silence between them for a moment, the soft hum of the school surrounding them. Clarke couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement as she watched Lexa. There was something magnetic about her—the way she carried herself, the way her eyes seemed to linger just a little longer than necessary.
Clarke took another sip of her coffee, trying to focus on the present moment. "So, how’s your morning going? I know you just finished a shift, right?"
Lexa nodded. "Yeah, the overnight shift. It was quiet enough. Figured I’d stop by here before heading home." She paused, then added, "And actually—there’s something I wanted to ask you."
Clarke felt her heart skip. "What’s up?"
Lexa took a step closer, her voice soft but direct. "I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner at my place on Wednesday night."
Clarke blinked, surprised but delighted by the invitation. She had been hoping for something like this, but hearing it out loud made her pulse quicken.
"I’d love to," Clarke said with a smile, her voice a little breathless. "Wednesday sounds perfect."
Lexa grinned, her eyes lighting up. "Great. I’ll text you the details later."
Clarke nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. For a moment, neither of them moved, the hum of the school fading into the background. Lexa’s gaze lingered on Clarke’s, something tender and unspoken passing between them.
"Clarke…" Lexa started, her voice just above a whisper, as though testing the weight of the moment.
"Yeah?" Clarke asked softly, stepping closer, her heartbeat quickening.
Lexa hesitated for only a second, searching Clarke’s eyes for permission. When Clarke gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, Lexa leaned in, closing the space between them.
The kiss was soft, tentative at first, like a question neither of them had fully asked before. Clarke’s hand brushed lightly against Lexa’s arm, grounding them both in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Lexa tilted her head slightly, deepening the kiss just enough to let Clarke feel the steady warmth of her affection.
When they pulled apart, their faces still close, Clarke felt breathless, her cheeks flushed.
"That was…" Clarke began, her voice catching as she tried to find the right words.
Lexa’s lips curved into a small, shy smile. "Long overdue?" she offered, her voice tinged with humor but filled with sincerity.
"Yeah," Clarke said, a soft laugh escaping her. "Long overdue."
Lexa’s hand lingered at her side, as though she wanted to reach for Clarke again but didn’t want to overstep. Instead, she stepped back just slightly, her eyes filled with a quiet intensity. "I’m really glad I stopped by."
"Me too," Clarke said, her voice warm, her gaze never leaving Lexa’s.
The bell rang, breaking the moment, and Clarke realized the students would be flooding in soon.
"I guess this is where I have to let you go," Clarke said with a reluctant smile. "The kids will be here any second."
"Of course," Lexa replied, her voice playful but her expression still soft. "I don’t want to be the one causing a scene in the classroom."
Clarke chuckled softly. "I’m sure they’d love it, but I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble on your first visit."
Lexa laughed, clearly enjoying their easy banter. "I’ll let you get to work. I’ll see you Wednesday, Ms. Griffin."
Clarke’s heart fluttered at the sound of her name on Lexa’s lips, the hint of affection behind it unmistakable. "I’m looking forward to it, Officer Woods."
With one last smile, Lexa left the room, and Clarke watched her go, a sense of excitement settling over her. As the students began to file into the classroom, she couldn’t help but feel like the day had already been made a little brighter, thanks to Lexa’s thoughtful visit, their shared moment of connection—and the memory of that kiss.