The crisp clank of Clarke's heels reverberated slightly through the corridors. She tightened her watch strap as she made her way to her room. The prospect of leaving had filled her with dread; it was a decision wrenched from her by Octavia's persistence. Going back could be calamitous. Pike was hardly likely to welcome them back with open arms but if she did nothing and her friend and her mother died...

Clarke swallowed back her resentment. She had never wanted to go back to Arkadia but she was sure she could not wear anymore grief. She would come back here. She would finish this and come back to Polis and, finally, to Lexa.

She paused at her door for a split second before taking a steadying breath and stepping inside.

'Murphy?'

Murphy's eyes widened in horror upon seeing her. He struggled against where he was tied and she stared at him shock. His face was battered and bloody. Instinct made her half step towards him but at the sight of Titus she paused and her eyes flickered to the gun in his hands.

'Titus-' She began, shakily, 'Titus, I'm leaving right now, with Octavia.'

Clarke knew in her heart it was pointless; Titus had wanted this all along and as Titus pulled the trigger, she was already throwing herself out of the way of the bullet. He fired again and again, mercilessly as the shots rattled through the room and Clarke half ran and half crawled to get away. She grabbed the nearest chair and threw it at him but the strength it took slowed her and Titus fired once more.

Clarke gasped as she hit the hard floor, clutching her shoulder. The door slammed open, banging off the wall next to Clarke. Clarke clutched at her shoulder, trying to crawl and there was a scream of shouts. The pain tore through Clarke's arm and she gave a weak cry, falling back. Sweat clung to her body and she struggled to open her eyes, see a figure in black standing over Titus.

'Stop!' Clarke panted weakly. 'I need him!'

Lexa turned to Clarke in alarm. Clarke struggled to pull herself up and she leaned heavily against the wall as she stared down at a bloody Titus that was at Lexa's feet. Lexa looked utterly torn between finishing Titus off or running to her but Clarke gave the tiniest shake of her head.

'Clarke,' Lexa said, her voice wavering for perhaps the first time that Clarke had known her, 'he tried-'

'I know.' Clarke breathed.

She shut her eyes for a moment as the pain pounded through her shoulder. Blood tickled at her arm as it continued to drip down, soaking her shit. She swallowed back the nausea, not sure if it was rising at the thought of her own blood being spilled in such quantities or as a consequence of a dropping blood pressure.

'I'm calling for a healer.' Lexa said quickly, and Clarke's eyes snapped open.

'No.' Clarke stated firmly. 'Free Murphy.'

Lexa halted for the briefest second and Clarke groaned, dragging herself over to Murphy and quickly releasing him. Lexa rushed over to Clarke as she stepped away but Clarke pulled herself back. Lexa didn't need to see the extent of the wound and her concern would only hinder matters. Lexa gave her space but her arms were slightly outstretched as though ready to catch Clarke, should she need it and Clarke reached out with her left hand and took Lexa's in her own for a second and gave her a reassuring squeeze before she dropped it again and clutched at her shoulder.

Murphy began to pull himself free and Clarke wondered if he was in as much pain as she was. He fell slightly onto his feet but stood up quickly, looking at Clarke with concern and gratitude.

'You need a healer.' Lexa urged, her voice starting to regain its authority.

Titus tried to stand up but Lexa was across the room in two strong strides and she swiftly kicked the legs out from under him. He shouted in agony.

'Heda, please. I was trying to protect you.' He begged desperately, his spit spraying across the floor.

'You always mean well.' Lexa spat.

'She'll get you killed.' Titus panted.

He tried to sit up once more but Lexa raised her leg as if to strike and he held his hands up and looked down upon the floor.

'It's my job to protect you.'

'It is your job to serve me.' Lexa replied coldly, all hint of any trust or affection for her old mentor gone.

'He did betray his leader...' Murphy suggested, and Clarke rolled her eyes.

'I told you I need him.'

'You need a healer.' Lexa repeated vehemently.

'I am a healer.' Clarke reminded her. 'Your people can't help me.'

'Clarke-'

'I know what I'm doing.' Clarke retorted, her voice struggling as her body ached in pain.

'I can help you get the bullet out.' Murphy offered.

Clarke smiled at him softly, but with a trace of regret. Murphy had been so helpful during the outbreak of the virus. In reality, he had little choice as he had needed the drop ship for shelter and to carry out his revenge but Clarke would not forget that Murphy's generosity had extended itself to staying with Finn in TonDC and then helping them try to protect Finn from punishment. She was also glad to have one of the hundred with her who would not want to drag her back to her duty, regardless of whatever had to happen.

'It needs to stay in.' Clarke replied and she couldn't help but keep the anger out of her voice.

She should have known any path that would come her way would be painful. She had been lucky; she could have been killed and she was so close to the door that Lexa could have been shot. She couldn't manage the pain in comparison to either of those scenarios but she still wished she could let Lexa deliver justice as she had to Nia.

'Why?' Lexa asked quickly, stepping towards her.

'Because,' Clarke smiled in triumph, her eyes fixed upon Titus and his broken expression, 'Titus has given me the way to finish Pike.'

Author's Note: So I'm continuing with the theme of exploring possible ways s3 could have gone. If you're new to my writings then check out 'Grasping Water'. I won't be able to update as often as I did with GW which was every day. I'm aiming for around once a week but I have a lot going on so it might vary. Plus, I quite like the idea of spending a bit of time on this because I did that much for GW I need to remember what was actually on the show and what twists I put in (such as the fact Clarke right now is an only child...).