Chapter Text
HOTEL PAN DEI PALAIS – ST TROPEZ, FRANCE – NOW.
“You know, I could get used to living in a place like this.” Bellamy stated with a loud and relaxed sigh, leaning back into the obscenely expensive leather sofa with a bagel is his hand dressed simply in a dressing gown.
Clarke rolled her eyes from where she was leaning against the kitchen counter. She shook her head, “Well don’t. Because we’re running out of fake credit cards.” She huffed, looking out of the window.
It’s true. They could easily get used to living in a place like this.
This being the penthouse suite of an unspeakably overpriced hotel in St Tropez, The south of France where the main attraction was the crystal clear ocean view off the side of a cliff and then on the other side of the room, a view of the bustling french town. The sun shone down on everyone and anything, no stone was left unturned, no shoulders left unburned and Clarke kind of hated it there. She was never a summer person, but when she’s with him she can be pretty much anything.
He tutted, “Don’t be such a downer princess. Have a bagel” he added, “Its complementary. (1)” He smirked, taking a bite of that stupid bagel and throwing his feet onto the coffee table as he reached for the remote and turned the TV on.
The french news flickered on and off as he changed channel to channel and Clarke huffed again, glancing at her watch for the sixth time. She sighed, running her hand through her hair. “You sure we can trust this guy?” she asked- something he knew she was thinking.
Bellamy scoffed as she paced over to him, taking another bite of his bagel, “Of course not. He’s a criminal.”
“ You’re a criminal.” She pointed out, lowering herself until she was perched on the edge of the couch.
He waved his hand, “ I have a code.” He remarked. Clarke rolled her eyes again and HE sighed, “Look, you want out, right?” she nodded and he tilted his head from left to right in a rapid movement, “Then you’re going to have to have to trust him; because last time I checked, neither of us knew how to fake a passport.”
She crinkled her nose, not liking she idea to trust an outsider but feeling well out of options and she sighed, “Do you think he’ll come through?” she asked quickly, crossing her arms.
Bellamy nodded almost immediately, no second thought needed, “Oh yeah. He owes me. I saved his ass in Mexico.” he reassured, surfing the channels and taking another bite of his bagel- clarke kind of wants ones now.
She narrowed her eyes, “You mean the time when you called me up so I could bust you out of prison?” she recounted and Bellamy smirked clicking his fingers like a fond memory popped up before his eyes.
“I forgot about that.” He flashed a grin in her direction, still chewing that mouthful, “Thanks by the way. Even though you nearly killed me.” he reminded, no animosity left and thank god for that.
She breathed a chuckle, closing her eyes to avoid rolling them and shrugged, “You called in a debt.”
He frowned, his eyes darting back and forth like he was trying to remember, “Asia, right?” he concluded, “It was somewhere in Asia.”
She coughed, lifting her shirt to reveal a shrunken pink scar that ran across her hip, “Philippines.” she grimaced slightly.
Bellamy ran his thumb over the small, bumpy streak that never belonged on her body and two things happened; one; she gasped, because his skin was cold and two; she shivered, but not for the same reason. “I remember.” he mumbles softly, looking back up at her and removing his thumb like he was burnt. He coughed, wrinkling his nose, “Your boat ran out of juice in the middle of the pacific ocean.” He said with a slight mocking to his tone.
She narrowed her eyes, “I was stabbed and I was going to australia.” she reminded quickly.
he scoffed, “You and what petrol?”
There was a knock at the door and both of them froze, raising an eyebrow before Clarke pointed. “You think that’s him?” she asks, walking over to the entrance and pulling it open.
On the welcome mat sat a small cardboard box, sealed with tape and written on the front in big bold letters was just; griffin. She threw it onto the kitchen counter and pulled the pocket knife out of her boot, dragging it across the masking tape until the box just popped open.
Bellamy turned the volume down on the tv and swallowed his mouthful, “is it all there?”
She pulled out; a stack of passports all tied together with an elastic band. A stack of social security card, also tied together and driver’s licenses, again, tied with an elastic band. She separated them and started scanning through, double checking names and pictures and Bellamy followed suit- more out of curiosity than concern.
He flipped one open and bit back a chuckle, “Murphy’s not going to be happy about that .”
Clarke smirked, ignoring the way the light streaming from the window reflected off his eyes, “Oh yeah? Look at the picture they used for Octavia” she held out the passport for him and he laughed, covering his mouth with his hand.
“She looks like a coke addict.” he added and the blond tried not to laugh, taking the passport from him and placing it back into the pile.
The door swung open and both bellamy and clarke turned to watch Octavia wander in, just like she’d been summoned. She had a rolled up magazine in one hand that had some questionable red stains but Bellamy didn’t even bat an eyelid. The brunette blew a strand of hair from her face and pointed at her brother, “Why are you in a dressing gown?”
He shrugged, pointing to the magazine, “Whose blood is that?”
She glanced down at it, barely sparing at a glance and also shrugged, “No one important.” she assured passingly.
He chuckled, taking a bite of his bagel and Clarke smacked her forehead with her hand, “Would you stop eating, we’re working.” she cried, snatching what was left in his hand.
“We’re always working” He reminded, snatching it back and stuffing the rest in his mouth and before clarke could roll her eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, octavia interrupted.
“Are those the passports?” she asked, pointing to the neat pile on the kitchen counter.
Clarke nodded as the brunette made her way over and started to sort through them. The blonde sighed, leaning back against the counter and closed her eyes; are they really getting out? An end to looking over their shoulders and running for their lives- quite literally because she’s pretty sure there was a warrant for her death in the philippines or something. She could buy a house, settle down, start a business and do nothing. Not have to worry about running for her life- nor have to worry about those she loves. “I can’t believe this is actually happening.” She muttered, shaking her head.
Bellamy cocked his head, “Come on princess. Think of Brazil.” He sighed wistfully.
She raised an eyebrow, turning to look at him, both leaning against the counter. She could she the flecks in his eyes that blended in with the rest of the colours but still protruded like jagged edges of a sword. “Who said anything about brazil?” she asked, cocking her head knowingly with a distant smirk hidden on her lips. Neither of them payed attention to Octavia’s phone ringing, even though the tone echoed through the room. She answered it as she began to make her way into the furthest part of the room but here was an unmissable flood of Russian from her mouth- something about a plane?
Bellamy reached into the pocket of his robe and pulled out a leaflet concerning Rio and it’s attractions. Mainly that it was non extradition. She raised an eyebrow and he shrugged, “I found it in between the sofa cushions (2)” he remarked.
“Ever heard of a contingency plan?” she asked, snatching the paper back from him. She pursed her lips, standing straighter and avoiding his eyes, “If I’m out, then I want to be out for good. A country with no extradition and some sun preferably- and brazil isn’t the only one that can offer me that.”
He wrinkled his nose, swiping the leaflet back and made a gesture for her to continue speaking, “Then which one is it?” he asks, crossing his arms.
she shrugged, “I don’t know.” she said in a voice that told him she wasn’t sure what to say.
He narrowed his eyes, leaning back slightly on the kitchen counter opposite her, like he was giving her space to think. “You could always come with me.” he offered quietly.
She smiled softly, not impartial to his offer but shook her head, looking down at her feet, “They’ll be too much heat. Staying together is too risky.”
Bellamy cocked his head, “Then I’ll look for you.”
She tittered, the smile stretching and she shook her head again, “Good luck with that”
He opened his mouth to reply but the door slammed loudly, indicating a new presence. The voices- no, arguing got louder as two more members of the group started to walk down the corridor. “If you expect me to care then you’ve got another thing coming. (3)” Raven assured as she came into view, waving her hand dismissively.
Murphy followed behind with a hand pinching his nose and dried blood on his skin, “A little sympathy would be nice.” he snapped, waving an arm, “I got beat up for you.” he cried adamantly and Raven rolled her eyes.
“You probably deserved it.” Bellamy interjected with a smirk.
Murphy opened his mouth to reply but then paused, slowly pointing at the other man, “Why are you in a dressing gown?” he asked, just like octavia had done not so long ago.
“Listen, you said you could handle it.” Raven reminded, dropping down onto a chair and crossing her arms, “It’s not my fault the koreans didn’t want to talk to you.”
Clarke raised an eyebrow, “ He tried to talk to the koreans?” she asked, wide eyed and Raven nodded. The blond waved her hands, “Where were you?” she asked incredulously.
Reyes clicked her tongue, “He said he could handle it.” she says, holding her hands up in surrender. “He even pushed me out of the way.” she adds.
Bellamy titterd, glancing at the other man, “You pushed her out of the way?”
“I got a bruise.” Reyes joked, pointing to hershoulder.
Murphy grimaced, sitting on another chair, still clutching his nose, “I thought I could handle it.” he reiterated.
Clarke smirked, shaking her head, “There is a reason raven went- the koreans only talk to her.” she reminded.
Murphy cried out, “That would have been nice to know .” but Clarke ignored him, feeling he got his due for his masculinity stupidity- really, the koreans don’t fuck with people they don’t know.
She sighed, running both hands through her hair and blinked, looking at raven, “Did they give us the boats?” she asked.
Raven held a hand over her heart and cocked her head, “It hurts you would ever doubt me.”
The door slammed again and Monty’s voice carried around the penthouse, “I got it.” he called, coming into view with a plastic silver suitcase in his hand. He frowned when he saw murphy’s bloody face but just pointed and made a noise of curiosity; a small grumble from the back of his throat. “I uh…” he trailed of, sliding the suitcase onto the counter, “had to bribe the guy at the hospital.” he added quickly.
“Where’s Jasper?” Clarke motioned and Monty waved her off.
“He was the bribe.”
She raised an eyebrow, “Excuse me?”
He ignored her, clicking the suitcase open, “But look, I got it all.”
Raven frowned, “You sold jasper?” she asked incredulously as the two leader’s eyes scanned over the the content of the case.
“ Traded him.” the asian man corrected quickly, almost briskly.
There were blood bags lined from left to right, each different types and Bellamy picked one up, squeezing it slightly between his fingers. He wrinkled his nose, glancing around the room before leaning closer to clarke, “Do we really need this many?” he whispered.
She pursed her lips, taking the bag from him and replacing it in the suitcase, “We need to make it look realistic.” she reminded, rapidly closing the case.
“Did you prostitute Jasper?” Raven asked, wide eyed.
And like the devil had been called, the door slammed loudly and jasper’s voice boomed around the room, “Monty, you asshole.”
The asian man’s eyes widened, “That guy wasn’t going to give us any of the corpses unless-”
“I have to be his date to a wedding!-” Jasper exclaimed, throwing his jacket over a chair.
Octavia returned from her call, sliding the phone into her back pocket, “We got planes.” she assured, pursing her lips and crossing her arms.
“-An actual wedding. He wants me to wear a tux, a pretend we’re in love.” Jasper added loudly.
Bellamy rubbed his chin, “I don’t trust the Russians.”
“They don’t trust you either.” she replied.
“-he’s seventy four .”
“ Hey.” lincoln's deep voice cut through the room like a knife. Everyone’s head slowly turned to look at him as he stood at the entrance with a gym bag swung over his shoulder, “Jaha’s booked a car. He leaves in ten minutes.”
The air in the room immediately tensed, people glancing around the room to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything and Clarke nodded, “Double check your gear kids. We’re up.” She bent down and picked up the suitcase, handing it to jasper. Her tight smile was just a front for the fact that her nerves were through the roof and Bellamy could tell.
He stepped around her, pressing a quick kiss on her temple, “Don’t die on me princess.” He muttered, reaching for his gun and checking the bullets.
She rolled her eyes, “It’s a bit early for goodbye.” He smiled and tucked the gun back into his jeans. She clapped her hands, stepping into the center of the room, grinning broadly and let out a strained breath, “Let’s go rob a bank.”
“You mean steal a diamond?” Bellamy remarked.
She waved her hand, “Sure, that too.”
(1. She checked, they’re not)
(2. He hadn’t really. He’d gone looking through her things to see if he could find out where she was going. But she already knew that, she was the thief after all.)
(3. Raven’s never sympathetic)
Murphy was well aware that his presence and moderate acceptance in the group was purely for his skills. If there wasn’t a need for someone to manage hazardous materials then there was no way he would have been let in on the con- (not that japer couldn’t do it, but that he was just a little… unpredictable.) he knew he wasn’t liked but he also knew he was needed.
“You’re quiet murphy. Having doubts?” Clarke asked from the driver's seat.
“Only about your driving.” he replied sarcastically.
“I gotta keep up, they’re maniacs here.” she said quickly in her defence as she swerved the car and Bellamy’s head smacked into the door frame.
“Jesus christ, so are you.” (4) he remarked, rubbing the red spot through his hair.
“My road rage has saved your life many a time.” (5) she assured.
He grunted loudly, grabbing hold of the dashboard when she slammed down on the breaks, “This isn’t formula one, this is St tropez. If you drive like this you’re going to draw attention to us.” he reminds, glancing around the pavements, but so far it seems that this kind of driving is normal for the south of france.
Raven’s voice cackled over the earpieces, “I don’t like this.”
Clarke narrowed eyes, “What’s wrong?”
“Daylight. I can see the sun and I don’t like it.” she muttered.
“You’ve done plenty of daylight cons.” Octavia reminded over the intercom.
“Thats different. A Victor lustig doesn’t even come close to A Jim brown or a leon spinks, especially in daylight.” she reminded and Bellamy nodded in agreement.
Jasper intervened, “I wanted to blow the vault up but clarke said that wasn’t subtle enough.” (6)
“It’s daylight jasper, you’re not blowing anything up.” the blonde assured quickly.
“Daylight, exactly. I don’t like it.” Raven enunciated again as clarke finally slowed the car to a halt, parking opposite the bank. “We should have robbed him at the hotel. Robbing a hotel is safer than robbing a bank, especially in daylight.” she assured almost angrily- hey, daylight’s not her thing, she works under the radar.
“Hotel robberies are a hundred times more complicated and we’ve already discussed this.” Monty interjected quickly.
“Well, The Pierre was one of the most successful hotel robberies of all time.” Raven reminded quickly.
Clarke rolled her eyes, “That’s because security in 1972 was nothing compared to now.”
“-And it happened in daylight, you don’t like daylight.” Bellamy pointed out as he a clarke glanced out of the window, eyeing the bank they’d been casing for a while like they were seeing it for the first time.
Reyes sighed, “that was okay because it was a hotel not a bank.” before she finished, Jaha stepped out through the sliding doors, adjusted his hat and looked around- before climbing into his car.
Clarke narrowed her eyes, “Jasper, Raven, your 10 o’clock.”
The driver peeled away from the pavement and joined the traffic of messy drivers who were yelling at each other and the occasional cyclist. “ Got eyes. Green light. ” Raven assured. Traffic jumped and stopped, and then jumped and then Jaha was on his way until Jasper came sprinting into the road, colliding with the other man’s mercedes benz.
Clarke smirked, glancing at the two men beside her, “Let’s go steal a diamond.”
Monty scoffed and his voice crackled over the ear piece, “you mean 20 million.”
“You need to get your priorities straight.” the blond assured, jumping out of the car and sliding a pair of sunglasses over her face.
Jasper fell to the ground with a thump. None of them batted an eyelid when he began to bleed and cry out in pain, rolling and groaning as Jaha’s drivers and bodyguards climbed out of the car. Raven started screaming, running over to Jasper and begging him to say something, are you okay? Oh my god he’s bleeding, do something, do something! She caused such a commotion people started to look at her, his bodyguards and driver didn’t know what to do, how to shut her up and cars began beeping and hoking like no tomorrow.
Jaha eventually gout of the car to see what all the commotion was about, gesturing to move the body and drive on but Raven jumped at him, screaming about how they killed her husband- she was crying and slobbering and… pick pocketing him. She started calling him a murderer and vowing vengeance, still screaming and crying but he shoved her off until she fell to the floor in a heap.
Clarke ran to her first, crying out an are you okay? And others followed to check up on the american couple who’s holiday had just been ruined. Nobody saw raven slip clarke a key- the real key, not the fake one she’s put in Jaha’s pocket.
Raven was still crying and screaming and Jaha’s car still couldn’t move because jasper’s body was in the middle of the road. Nobody cared about the blonde leaving the scene, “We’re on.”
(4. She’s an excellent driver. She’s escaped the police countless amounts of times. Not that Bellamy cares, because every time, he’s ended up with a concussion- through his own fault!)
(5. Six times, to be exact. Not that she keeps count)
(6. Jasper’s never subtle, and most of them have learnt that the hard way)
“Raven, is he still distracted?” Clarke asked as she caught a roll of hundred’s from Bellamy and placed it into the gym bag.
“Yeah. Jasper should play half dead more often, he's very realistic."
Clarke scoffed and shook her head as Bellamy threw her another roll of hundred dollar bills and she shoved it into the bag. “Last one.” He called.
She glanced at the door and nodded. “We’ve got about three minutes” Murphy informed her as he began to walk across the room, counting his steps. He suddenly stopped and leant down, marking an X on the ground with a black marker. “X marks the spot.” he nodded smugly.
Bellamy shook the can of whatever it was that jasper had created before he sprayed it in a circle around the X. All three of them stood around it, watching, waiting for something, anything. ten seconds passed and they all looked at each other with the same facial expression of 'is it broken?'. Clarke carefully tapped her ear piece and narrowed her eyes.
“Uh... isn’t something supposed to happen?” she asked.
“Give it a second.” Jasper mumbled in reply.
A sudden sulphuric smell erupted in the room and they all groaned, throwing their hands over their mouths as the foam did its work. Rotting through the metal and eroding it. Clarke winced as the circle dropped loudly into the tunnel beneath it.
Bellamy clapped his hands, “Ear buds” He called, pulling out his own as Clarke picked up the bag and dropped it through the hole.
She handed him hers and so did Murphy. She looked down at the dark gap and before she could step into it, Bellamy caught her wrist. She paused, looking up at his earnest eyes. “Is it too early, now?” he asked carefully. She shook her head, not trusting her voice. He stepped forward until they were toe to toe “Don’t get dead.” He stated roughly.
She grinned up at him, “Don’t get shot.” She pecked him on the cheek and Murphy rolled his eyes “See you on the other side” she smiled at him and before he could say anything else, she dropped through the hole and vanished.
He turned to Murphy, “You ready?” he asked.
Murphy nodded, “Everything’s packed.” He added.
Bellamy shook his head, “I meant for this.” And just like that, Bellamy launched a punch at Murphy’s face and knocked him out cold (7). Murphy dropped to the ground and Bellamy tutted, “That’s for working with the feds. Asshole.”
(7. He’s not going to lie, that felt really good)
Clarke reached the end of the road and looked ahead at the long row of ships as the sun continued to beat down on her. The marina was big, and she’d never realised just how much. “Shit.” She muttered, wiping the sweat from her upper lip. She shoved her emergency earpiece into her ear, “Monty? Monty. Can you hear me?”
“Loud and clear Clarke. What’s up?” he asked.
She leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees and sucking in a deep breath. “A police car on my ass and a helicopter coming over head and i have no idea where the boat is." she said, panting heavily.
“I’ve got your location. One mile to your right”
“One mile!” she cried, gasping for breath, “I can’t run that far, I can’t- I just ran three (8). And I’ve got about 20 million in hundred dollar bills.”
“Its fine, Lincoln’s five seconds out, he’ll pick you” Monty reassured.
The line buzzed and scrambled and suddenly Octavia’s voice boomed though Clarke’s ear. “Where the hell is my brother Clarke?” she cried.
The blond's breathing stopped short and she suddenly stood higher, “You mean he’s not on his boat?” she asked carefully.
“No! I just went to check and none of them are there!”
Clarke frowned as Lincoln pulled up in front of her, she clambered in, fully aware of the sirens still going in the background. “It doesn't make any sense, we planned it down to a tee- he has to be there."
Please let him be Okay.
“Goddamn it Clarke, This is your fault! I should never have let him do this job- he was retired!” She cried and Clarke felt a pang of guilt that was quickly replaced with irritation.
“He agreed to it O.” She strained through grit teeth and Lincoln sent her a sympathetic look.
“And why do you think that is?” She cried.
The car slowed to a halt and Clarke could clearly see Octavia standing on the deck. It was a small, quick motor boat that was built specifically for speed. Clarke slammed the car door behind her and she began to walk up the ramp onto it, something Octavia did not miss, and ran over to her.
she dropped the bag onto the floor and slammed her hand down on the table, “What the hell is that supposed to mean? (9)” she hissed to the brunette.
Octavia threw her hands up in the air, “He’d do anything for you. He’d die for you, but you never seem to realise.” She added.
Clarke sighed and dropped down on the boat’s sofa. She ran her hand through her hair. “He’s fine.” she assured, “We’ll meet up like we planned, and he’ll be fine.” but her voice wavers.
“You don’t know that” Octavia shook her head.
Lincoln came into sight, “Clarke we gotta go if we’re going to stick to the plan.”
Clarke looked torn. Torn between sticking to the plan, her plan, their plan. Or waiting until she knew Bellamy was safe. she knows what she should do, unfortunately, it's what she'd expect him to do as well. “He'll stick to the plan.” she states, and this time, her voice doesn't waver, "We can go."
“What?” Octavia roared, moving forward with her finger pointed angrily at Clarke. “He could be in trouble, he could need our help- we can't just-"
the blond batted her hand away and stood up, "Control your emotions O." she demanded angrily and then sighed, waving her hand in the air, “Drive. We need to get to Rome by tomorrow.”
Lincoln pressed his earpiece, “Monty? We’re coming your way.”
(8. She really needs to start going to the gym)
(9. She knows what it means. But she’s a thief; she doesn’t have the lifestyle that’s used to being... loved?)
(10. She told him that some day she wouldn’t be able to reach him. It was his own fault for getting caught with the painting at the airport – after that, he learnt to use private flights)
THE PACIFIC OCEAN –OFF THE COAST OF THE PHILIPPINES. - 2 YEARS AGO.
Clarke groaned, hissing loudly as she accidentally nudged the knife lodged in her hip. The sun was merciless and Clarke wouldn't stop sweating- although she didn't know whether to attribute that to the shock or the heat. She’d already pulled off her shirt, leaving her only in a bikini top and she was wearing a pair on denim shorts.
(She didn’t expect to be stranded in the middle of the pacific and so clothing was not picked according to the fact that she was going to get fucking stabbed.)
She was breathing heavily but luckily she had enough medical knowledge to know that pulling the knife out was a big no-no. She couldn’t see any surrounding islands, which an achievement considering this meant she was far enough away from the Philippines for her to be safe.
That is, if the stab wound didn’t kill her.
Clarke grabbed the phone on the boat. The sea around her was turquoise blue and it was glistening like tiny diamonds against the sun. There was nothing. She was well and truly lost. She hit redial and held the phone to her ear and she fell back against the seat, the phone wire was wrapped around her ankle but it hurt too much to bend down and untangle it.
“Hello?”
“Bellamy” she panted, “Where the hell is that rescue?” she breathed heavily.
He clicked his tongue, “You know there’s only so much I can do from half way around the world?” he explained carefully.
Clarke frowned, glancing around at the empty ocean, “Where are you?”
He sighed, “Uh... Turkey” He said quietly.
She clicked her tongue, using her other hand to shield her face from the sun, “You’re stealing my gig.” She stated disbelievingly, “I told you about turkey.”
Bellamy laughed, “Yeah, well, I need the cash. And you’re probably going to die so – no harm, no foul.”
She growled, “I swear to God, Bellamy, if you let me die I’m gonna-” She cut herself off with an agonizing scream and dropped the phone to the floor. She hissed and promptly cursed fucking Dax for fucking stabbing her.
“Princess?" he paused, listening the woosh of the ocean int he background, "Clarke? Are you there? Clarke!” she stared down at her stab wound, still panting. She needed to take it out, her wound was infected and she needed to clear it up. “Clarke!”
She hissed and reached down for the phone, “What?” She snapped angrily.
“Are you okay?” he asked slowly and Clarke hissed again.
She grunted, looking down at her wound, “I’m great. Who knew getting stabbed was this much fun.” She mocked, letting out a breathy laugh. “Oh I’m going to die out here. I don’t even know why I called you.” she muttered.
“Maybe it’s because your trust me? (11)” He stated.
Clarke huffed, “That trust is what’s screwing me over right now.” She hissed again.
“Help is on the way. I’m not about to let one of the few people I tolerate die.” He stated and Clarke grinned.
“I think you like me Mr Blake.” She teased and then gasped at the pain in abdomen. Her skin was clammy and she was sure if he wasn’t on the phone with her, she’d probably go into shock.
“Maybe.” He replied and Clarke could picture his perfectly white smile, “Or maybe I can’t stand the thought of losing a friend.”
Clarke tilted her head, “So I’m a friend now? (12)” she asked.
The blood was seeping only slowly out of the wound, but she needed to take out the knife. Dax had been all over the place and she didn’t know what kind of harmful chemicals he’d been handling. “You’re close.”
“Shit.” She hissed, groaning.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, panicked.
“I gotta take it out.” She muttered through grit teeth. “I gotta take out the knife.”
“Are you crazy? I didn’t go to medical school, but even I know that’s a fucking stupid idea.” He cried, “Hold still. Help is on the way.”
Clarke shook her head, gritting her teeth, “It’s infected.” She shook her head, “If I don’t take it out and disinfect it, I’m going to be dead before your people get here.”
“Clarke, don’t touch that knife.” He ordered. She shook her head.
“I gotta take it out. Salt water can be used as disinfectant, right?” She asked and then shook her head again, “Never mind, you’re barely even a first aider. (13)” She muttered.
“Hey-”
“Bellamy” she interrupted gravely, grabbing her shirt and rolling it. “I need you to shut the fuck up for a second while I pull out the knife.” She shoved the shirt into her mouth and bit down on it and then she wrapped her hand around the handle.
“Clarke-”
She cut him off as she dropped the phone onto the floor again, with it only hanging by its cord, and muffled her scream into her shirt. She yanked the knife out as fast as she could and dropped it onto the floor with a clank. Blood was dripping down her fingers and smeared across the floor. She let out a deep breath, panting heavily. She reached over the side of the boat and scooped up a handful of saltwater. She splashed it over her wound and screamed again, the roll of shirt falling out of her mouth.
She reached down for the phone, “Bell?” she gasped.
“What happened? Are you okay?” He asked worriedly.
Clarke swallowed, rubbing the sweat from her forehead, “Yeah, I’m fine. Bellamy.” She paused, still panting slightly, “I think... I think I might be in shock, so, I’m going to need your rescue team to hurry up because-...” she held her hand to her head and closed her eyes, “Oh god I feel faint.” She murmured as the sunlight pounded down on her eyes.
“Princess. Stay with me. Help is on the way, you’re going to be fine. Raven’s giving me a ride, I’ll be there soon.”
She shook her head, slowly drifting out of consciousness, “No don’t do that. Stay in turkey.” Her breathing was heaving and quick “One of us might at least make some cash. It’s really hot Bell. I think I’m just going to shut my eyes for a second and... Mmmm. It’s really... hot.”
“Clarke!” The phone slipped out of her hand and fell to the floor again, with a loud clatter and this time, she didn’t pick it up.
Later on she heard voices and shouts and she remembered being lifted up and carried onto another boat. She heard a voice yell ‘get the doctor’ and another say ‘call Bellamy’. But she doesn’t remember much.
She woke up in a bed- one she did not recognise. She shot up and then winced, glancing around the room. She was in a loft of some kind. A skylight above her bed and potted lilies on the chest of drawers next to her. The wall in front of her had no door but simply a wide opening into what seemed to be a make shift dining room. He clothes were folded up on the chest of drawers and it made her feel kind of nice.
She lifted her shirt and glanced down to see her wound completely bandaged up and cleaned and she smiled. He’d come through. At some point she’d been changed into a long black shirt that she’s sure came from one of the cupboards here.
This was probably Bellamy’s place. The front door slammed and Clarke’s eyes widened. She threw her legs over the side of the bed and forced herself to stand up. “No, no, no, no, no don’t stand up.” Bellamy exclaimed as he came rushing in to catch her before she could fall.
Her hand flew to her stomach while Bellamy grabbed her under arms and hauled her up, sitting her down on the bed. Clarke let out a strained breath, “You’re late.” She stated.
He flashed her a grin, “Sorry princess. Customs was a nightmare.” Clarke smiled and then hissed, reaching for her stab wound. Bellamy frowned worriedly. “The doc stitched you up; he said you should be alright. He suggested bed rest but I’m not stupid enough to believe you’ll listen.”
Clarke nodded her head, “Quite right.” She agreed, she glanced out of the window on the other side of the room and frowned. “Where are we?” she asked.
Bellamy stood up, “Australia. You’re in my safe house.” He explained. “You’ve been out for a while.” He added.
She stood up and winced and He reached out to help her but she swatted him away. She stumbled through the wall opening, resting her hand against it, and then fell against the dining table, dropping onto one of the chairs. “I gotta get to the US.” She informed, groaning.
He nodded, “Dad’s funeral. I know.”
She huffed, “News travels fast.” She muttered.
Bellamy waved his hand, “When family dies. It’s big news. Everyone knows. (14)”
She grunted, “Then you know I don’t have a lot of time. What’s the date?” she asked and he tilted his head.
“25th April” he stated.
“Shit.” Clarke swore, reaching for her clothes.
She stood up and started to pull off Bellamy’s shirt but then hissed. Bellamy caught her at the waist, holding her still and she held her breath. “Don’t rip them princess. Take it easy. Let me help.”
Clarke scoffed and rolled her eyes, “This is like the start of a porno.”
Bellamy laughed, his eyes crinkling and Clarke ignored the twist in her gut. “Yeah, the good porno’s.” He joked and Clarke bit her lip to stop from smiling. “Right keep still.” He stated as he reached behind her head and pulled the shirt off in one swift motion.
He kept his eyes on hers, proving to her that he wasn’t a child. There was something earnest in his gaze and the way he looked at her. he reached beside her and grabbed a white shirt, “Left arm” he ordered and she slipped her left arm in first. “Right arm.” And she followed. He stepped away from her and handed her a pair of jeans. “Can you do this yourself?” he asked carefully.
She nodded. “Yeah.” He leaned against the wall. “You didn’t have to come out here.” She stated and he rolled his eyes.
He shrugged, “I finished Turkey early and I had a job down here next. It was purely coincidence.” He explained.
Clarke nodded, “I’d hate to cost you too much.” She added, slipping the jeans on effortlessly. She glanced around and realised that she had no suitcase, no clothes, no phone and no money. She sighed, “I gotta go.”
Bellamy watched her as she stared back at him like she was confused. He held out his hand for her to shake, “To another day” he smiled slightly.
Clarke stared at it his hand and then back at him. She could. She sighed accepting his hand and shook it. They didn’t use to be like this. Once upon a time, they could have been. Almost. Maybe. Nearly, "You're a good friend." she mocked.
“Anytime princess” he mumbled, his eyes burning into hers. Clarke stiffened and let go rapidly, looking down at the floor. “You owe me” he added. There was a soft look in his eyes and- fuck. This isn’t happening. She’s a thief. She shouldn’t be feeling thing...stuff.
She smiled brightly, turning to walk out of his safe house, “Be sure to collect.”
“Don’t get dead” he called.
She waved her hand without turning around and opened the door, “Don’t get shot.”
Bellamy watched her walk gracefully down his corridor with a grin on his lips. She glanced back at him as she shut the door and he could see the unspoken words in her eyes. Almost. Maybe. Nearly. The door shut and he shook his head, trying to gather his thoughts.
(11. She does. She just won’t admit it)
(12. Of course she is. At one point, they were more than friends)
(13. He is a first aider, thank you very much, Clarke just likes to be cocky and shove her medical school knowledge in everyone’s faces)
(14. And yet, none of them showed up to the funeral. They were all wanted in Virginia)
“ Only four hours ago, one of the biggest heists ever to occur, took place at la Banque Nationale at St Tropez in the southern region of France. The assailants, who have yet to be identified, are believed to have made off with over 100 million worth of goods. 2 million US$ in cash in believed to have been taken from the safety deposit box of Thelonious Jaha who is believed to be in the country to sell off, if rumours are correct, the biggest blood diamond ever to be found.
Authorities believe that the diamond was stolen from Mr Jaha’s person. Mr Jaha has denied any possession of such a diamond as rumours continue to circle around the current war his alleged gang has going on with the authorities. Mr Jaha has refused to comment only to say he is ‘outraged’ and will have his ‘best people on the case’.
One of the robbers was found inside the safe and it is believed that he was working with Interpol to apprehend the assailants.
The authorities have yet to determine how the culprits pulled off such a drastic heist, but it is believed that they escaped by boat. The coast guard is being commissioned as I speak and we should have more information within the next twelve hours.
If you have any information regarding the robbery please....”
SOMEWHERE NEAR SARDEGNA, THE SEA – NOW.
Lincoln's hands were poised on the steering wheel as he directed the boat through waves that exploded and left trickles on Clarke's cheeks. Octavia had her arms wrapped around his waist and her head pressing against his back and she whispered something into his shirt. they both laughed. something punched in Clarke's gut and she adjusted her sunglasses, looking away. Lincoln began to slow the boat down to dock at a floating port that had been created for tourists- but since been abandoned by some rocks.
There was a small electric powered boat tied to it and Monty sitting on the floor with a laptop on his lap and a life jacket on his back. Clarke leant over the railing of the boat to look down at the hacker, "Anything?" she asked hopefully.
He looked up and shook his head, "Not yet."
She swallowed, nodding and turning around with her lower back resting against the railing as Monty clambered onto the boat with great difficulty ('i don't have sea legs, okay? he cried). the bag on the sofa caught her eye and she sighed, twenty million. Twenty million dollars in cash was enough to plug holes in their debts and fill up their bank accounts- but not her heart. At this point, she'd be celebrating- with him- she'd be jumping around for joy with a huge smile on her face and he would tell her that he knew they could do it.But this time she felt empty. She felt cold and alone and bitter. Bellamy was supposed to be here. They were supposed to rejoice in the biggest win they’d ever had, together, as a team- it's a little Bonnie and Clyde-ish but it was a ritual.
Monty slid his laptop onto the plastic table and then pressed his earpiece into his head, "Raven, is he there yet?" but there's no response. "Reyes." he repeats, but she still doesn't say anything.
He looked up at Clarke, with a face that asked what he was supposed to do and she blinks, suddenly turning from worried to in charge., "Get me all security cams in a one mile radius from the tunnel exit point and-" she cut herself off with a cry when a loud shriek came across the comm in her ear. she yanked it out, throwing it to the floor- vaguely registering that Monty, Octavia and Lincoln all did the same. "What the fuck was that?" she cried.
"Comm are down- cops must have picked up on them." Monty assured, typing away on his computer- still wearing that life jacket.
"Okay, so now I really need those cameras." she repeated and he nodded absentmindedly.
she watched the computer screen where different camera feeds kept flashing up every time she blinked and Monty didn't seem phased by any of this. “I’ve got something.” he announced suddenly, not tearing his eyes from the screen.
she frowned because she didn't find anything on that screen, "What?"
he pulled up a feed where a dark figure was staggering out of an alleyway- his hand clutching his gut. he rested against the wall for support and yanked the mask of his face and her heart stopped- it's definitely him.“He’s been shot (15)” Monty said carefully, swallowing.
Clarke stared at the screen like she was frozen in time- he's been shot. "fuck." she breathed, running her fingers through her hair. She stood with her fingers tangled in the blond on her head, staring out into the ocean before launching an almighty kick against the bag of millions of dollars like it was a punching bag, "fuck."
“Clarke” Octavia warned, coming over to her.
She turned around, waving her hand, her jaw tense, “I’m fine.” She swallowed, wrinkling her nose, “I’m fine. (16)” She repeated.
Monty tapped at his key board; Clarke would have laughed at the life jacket if she weren’t so panicked. “Okay, I've got him on a traffic cam heading east towards the boat- that was thirty minutes ago."
Octavia licked her lips, "They should be here soon." She hesitated making a dig at Clarke, after all, Clarke had been wrong. but she bit her tongue at the fear in the blond's eyes. "He'll be okay." the brunette said out loud, to no one in particular.
Clarke nodded, but didn't say anything.
it feels like a lifetime before they heard the thrum of an engine and saw arms waving and the blond felt like she could finally breathe. Raven is steering and the boat began to slow as they approached. Clarke couldn't wait any longer, "Is he okay? What happened?" she demanded, reaching for the railing on the other boat as soon as it was close enough.
"Murphy shot him." Jasper said, wrapping a rope between the boat rails to keep them conjoined.
Clarke jumped over the railing onto the other boat, nearly falling down when a wave hit and sprinted over to Bellamy. Jasper followed, claiming he needed to tinker with something below deck and Reyes eyed him 'you get us killed and i'm haunting your ass' she threatened. Bellamy was lying on the coach with a shirt pressed into his abdomen and a sweat all over his face. "Oh my god." she breathed, kneeling down beside him, "fuck."
he tittered a laugh, "I'm okay princess, it was a through and through."
she sighed into a relieved smile and pressed her forehead into his arm, "You fucking scared me." she shook her head.
"Can i see the diamond!" Octavia cried and Raven nodded.
"You're going to die." she warned excitedly, reaching into her pocket.
"Raven's gonna stitch me up and..." he trailed off, noticing the worry that still had yet to leave her body. he reached out and carefully pushed the hair away from her eyes with his thumb. he took a breath, swallowing “Clarke I- (17)” he started.
There was a loud crash bellow deck and scrambling footsteps until Jasper burst through the door with wide eyes of fear, "Run, now run." and with that, he sprinted towards the railing and hurled himself into the ocean below.
Octavia did not need to be told twice and copied while Monty grabbed onto the duffel bag and followed. "We gotta move." Clarke cried as Lincoln jumped over board as well. "Get up." she ordered, dragging Bellamy to his feed- he limped but Clarke didn't stop. "Raven give me a hand." she ordered as the Brunette wrapped his arm around her shoulders. but they didn't make it over board before the entire boat blew up beneath their feet- like they were falling into a black hole- and catapulted them into the air. She remembered screaming and yelling and Bellamy reaching for her hand but then she remembered nothing.
(15. If you hadn’t realised. He get’s fucking shot a lot)
(16. She was so not fine)
(17. He never did finish that sentence)
“It’s been fourteen hours since the heist took place at la Banque Nationale in St Tropez in the southern region of France. Authorities have discovered two boats marooned off the coast of Sassari in Sardegna. The boats were found, on fire, and so was a substantial amount of blood. It is believed that these two boats were the getaway vehicles for our robbers and that a faulty gas pipe exploded, possibly propelling them from the boats.
Only five of the seven bodies have been recovered and it is believed that the robbers have all drowned. More information to come.”