Disclaimer: I don't own THE 100 or its characters, but I can't wait for Season 3.

Chapter 27

Raven's handiwork had done the trick. They'd managed to break through the door, and once in the tunnels, Octavia and Lincoln had separated from the group based on directions from Tygon. Thought Bellamy hated to admit it, the man was efficient, intelligent, and he seemd to genuinely interested in helping them, if only to satiate his bloodlust to kill Jago.

With one last look after his little sister, Bellamy had turned towards the Desert Comamander. "Lead the way."

They needed to ensure that Raven, Wick, and Silke found the missile launch room. Once they had made it there, Bellamy and Tygon would be free to look for Clarke and Jago. Wick carried Raven on his back, and though he could see how much this pained the proud girl, she obviously knew how high the stakes were. No time for any bullshit now, anyway.

Surprisingly, the tunnels were relatively clear. Two Wastelanders had come at them along the way, but Tygon and Silke had quickly and easily taken care of them. Bellamy only hoped that most of the men hadn't diverted to where Octavia and Lincoln were.

Ahead, a small antechamber sloped off the right side. Tygon pointed as they neared it. "Through there is the missile launch area."

As they neared it, everyone slowed. Wick let Raven down from his shoulders. The hatch door didn't so much as budge as Silke tested the handle. "Locked."

"Ah. That is because I have brought you to the side entrance. I am certain the main foyer will be heavily guarded." Tygon grinned, and Bellamy found a like expression growing on his face before he wiped it off. He refused to like the guy, and he resolved to get his emotions in check.

"So they can sneak in," Bellamy stated.

Raven nodded. "The element of surprise. But don't they know about this door?"

Tygon shook his head. "They would have to be very gifted indeed to open this lock. It is one of the oldest mechanical ones left from before the Cataclysm." His eyes gleamed as he shot Raven an appreciatory wink. "And only one person I have met has the capability of breaking into such a door."

Raven rolled her eyes, but Bellamy could see her trying to fight the smile on her face. Wick took on an almost possessive stance behind her, which Tygon instantly clocked. The Desert Heda held up one hand defensively, taking a step back.

Raven moved in front of the door, cracking her knuckles. "I've got this." She looked to Bellamy. "All right, Blake. I'm about to hold up my end of this deal, so you'd better not screw up your part of the bargain."

Bellamy shot her a lopsided grin, feeling fondness bubble up within him for the sassy mechanic. "Ouch, Raven. I think you owe me a pint of Monty and Jasper's moonshine when we're back at camp for that one."

"Seems like you should be buying me a drink after this one," Raven said.

"Though I'm glad you two are best pals now, seems like this maybe isn't the time for team bonding," Wick said, gently pushing Raven towards the door.

She interlaced her fingers as if stretching for the main event. "Go get our girl, Bellamy."

And with that, Bellamy and Tygon were off once more.

This had to be some kind of record. No, really, a part of her found it a little funny, even though Clarke knew this was no laughing matter. She'd been kidnapped three times in a row, and she found herself getting more and more annoyed by it. First by Tygon, then Jago, and now Artigas and the Wastelanders. Did she have some kind of sign on her back that indicated she was a hot commodity?

Whatever the case, Clarke pushed her inner snarkiness down as she was prodded down the hall. At least Hava was beside her. Surprisingly, the girl wasn't sniffling or crying. Instead, a strange sort of calmness had settled over her, as if her latest act of heroism had broken her out of her shy and demure shell for good.

Ahead, Artigas completely ignored her. Unlike Tygon and Jago, Artigas felt predatory in an entirely different way. While Tygon had been interested in not just her but also her intellect and sway as a leader, and Jago had clearly just wanted her for her body, Artigas seemed the cold, ruthless type; he seemed just slimy enough to know that she would make a good bargaining chip, and Clarke felt that at least that bought her and Hava some time.

But then again, he had ordered one of his own men to be butchered and served up. He didn't seem to abide by any rules, and his scruples seemed nonexistent. His aura didn't come off as mysterious like Tygon's, though. Instead, it felt heavy and threatening, and Clarke found herself shivering as he ordered his men about.

Once or twice, he looked back at her, eyes cold, before he'd turn around. The path they were taking did not seem familiar, and Clarke's hopes began to plummet as they they went further and further into the base. Gathering her courage, she cleared her throat and spoke, "Where are we going?"

When no one answered, Clarke yanked on the chain of the collar, sharply tugging one of the Wastelanders backwards. The Wastelander retaliated by slapping her in the face with the back of her hand, angered that she'd made a show of his weakness and her strength in front of his commander, but Artigas held up a hand as Clarke stood up.

"We are leaving. I've created a sort of back door, let's say, for this very occasion. You see, this is not a true launch site. The missile will incinerate everything in these tunnels when it launches," he said, tone incredibly dismissive despite the gravity of his words.

"But… But your own men are still down here," Clarke said.

"Yes, it would seem some are. Those in the know are the ones worth keeping, I think. No matter."

This was not good. Her friends were down here, and they probably had no idea. If they couldn't stop the missile…

"But why are you taking us?" It wasn't that Clarke wanted to die in this base, but she did find it strange that he would drag them along.

"You are clearly in high demand, seeing as to how both Jago and Tygon were slavering after you like half-bred mongrels. If I need you as a bargaining chip with any survivors we cannot pick off, so be it. Otherwise, I think you'll fetch a nice profit if we do business with other nation's vagrants." His teeth gleamed as he smiled at her, and

And as Clarke found herself being dragged forward, she knew she had to get a warning out to Bellamy and the others before it was too late.

With a small click, the door swung open just barely. Raven smirked at Wick. "Looks like we can call this a point for Team Mechanic."

Wick flicked her forehead, and she swatted at him before Silke interrupted in a whisper. "Quiet! There are many of them, though Tygon was correct. They are huddled around the main console and the entrance to the foyer."

Raven and Wick poked their heads around the corner. There were at least 30 Wastelanders in there. Absolutely no way they could possibly fight them all. But the main console… That was the only way they were going to be able to disarm the missile.

"Shit. I guess that's why we didn't run into anyone in the tunnels. They've diverted all their manpower down here," Wick whispered.

"Perhaps I can fight them. Give you enough time to turn off the missile," Silke suggested.

Raven frowned. "Who knows if we'd be able to switch off the missile that quickly. And besides… You would die, Silke. And Vyla would never forgive me for that."

"I have an idea," Wick whispered. Raven realized how close he was. She could feel his breath on her neck, and a part of her seemed to lean back into him. Of course Wick would think of something. "But it's a little crazy."

"I would not expect anything else from the two of you," Silke said drily.

"There, about 100 feet away, is another console."

Raven studied it. "That's not going to be enough to deactivate the missile. See, it looks like it's not connected to the engine, just the propulsion. Probably just for testing the missile to make sure it's not dead."

Wick looked excited. "Precisely. We can't deactivate from there, but we'll most likely be able to test that propulsion…"

Raven was starting to catch on, "By firing up the fuel cell, it'll burn out anything in the general area. You'll incinerate anyone too close to the missile."

"And every single one of those Wastelanders is within that radius," Silke said. "But so is that console. Whoever does this might get hurt."

"I'll do it," Wick cut in.

"Like hell you will," Raven growled, but he interrupted her.

"Raven, we need you to deactivate the missile. You're our best hope for that. And besides, you can't run."

"I will do it," Silke stated, but Wick shook his head.

"You can't. You need to protect Raven in case any of them survive. And besides, it will take too long to explain how to fire up the propulsion."

Wick's points all made sense. Even Silke couldn't find it within her to argue against his case, but Raven felt her throat constrict. "Kyle. Don't do this."

"Raven – "

"We can think of another way. Let's just calm down for a second and consider other possibilities."

"We don't have time. If one of us doesn't do this now, that missile might go off, and these Wastelanders might kill all of us."

Raven barely had time to think as Wick suddenly pressed his lips up against hers. She quickly melted into his embrace, her arms twining around his neck to pull him closer.

But it was over too soon, and he was grinning at her as he pulled back. "And I'm not ready to let you die yet, Wrench Monkey. I like you too much for that."

"Kyle!" Raven whispered, but he was already off, slinking around the periphery of the room towards the second console.

And Raven was left holding her breath, clutching Silke, and praying to whoever was listening that the man she'd fallen in love with wasn't going to die in front of her eyes.

Something was nagging Bellamy. He could feel it in his gut. Something was wrong. Maybe he shouldn't have let Octavia run off on her own with Lincoln. Maybe Raven wouldn't be able to stop the missile.

Maybe he was too late to save Clarke.

He let out a noise of frustration, and Tygon shot him an inquisitive look.

"Nothing," Bellamy said.

"Good. Don't let it cloud your head, Gona."

Bellamy narrowed his eyes. "Is that your version of a pep talk, Tygon?"

Tygon let out a huff, and Bellamy realized he was amused. "It benefits me if I do not have to fight alone."

"Well, don't get used to it," Bellamy stated drily. "We're only on the same side for the time being."

"Sure. You say that now, but we will see what happens after I save both you and your girl."

Bellamy studied Tygon. The comment itself could have been taken either way, but somehow… It seemed like the man was joking around. "Yeah? We'll just see who does the saving. That's kind of my thing."

"Ah, Skaikru Gona, hero of his people."

"You wouldn't expect it, would you?"

Tygon looked over, meeting Bellamy's eyes. "Of course I would. I saw it from the first instance I saw you. You could not hide that instinct to lead from me. Just like you could not hide your love for Clarke."

With that, the smile slipped right from Bellamy's face. Tygon began to slow, and Bellamy followed suit. In the rapport, Bellamy had forgotten his hatred for this man, but the mention of their first meeting filled him with silent rage. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Tygon had stopped in front of a door. His voice was low, and Bellamy knew they had reached their destination. "I don't know much about you, Bellamy Blake, but I am very good at reading people. And I think we both know that you are lying to yourself."

Before Bellamy could respond, Tygon swung open the door. And Bellamy found himself staring over the Desert Commander's shoulders into a completely trashed chamber. And no sign of Clarke.

A/N: GUYS. I'm alive! So sorry it's taken me so long. I've actually been doing a ton of writing for my job, which is great, but it means less time for fanfiction. We're really close to the end of this, though, and I know how it's going to end, so I promise you that this will not be left incomplete. And hopefully you'll get the last few chapters by the end of the year :) Anyway, please leave a review (reviews = inspiration!) to let me know your thoughts, and thanks for reading. You guys rock! xoxo, TATF