"Billie-" A tap on my shoulder made me start to turn around. "Wanna get Bellamy?"

"Jaha is actually going to speak to him?" I asked, facing Clarke. Her pale face was illuminated by the light, and she was smiling.

"He's thinking about it."

I grinned, turning in Bellamy's direction. He was stood with Octavia. The two of them were actually talking now, which was progress. "Hey, Bellamy!" I called, causing him to look over. The excited grin was still on my face. "It's time."

He started to walk over but paused, turning back to talk to Octavia again. "That grounder escaping. Was that you?"

I had a difficult time comprehending her words from where I was. "I had nothing to do with it. Thanks for the blanket."

Bellamy turned away from her hand headed over to us. Clarke led us inside one of the large tents that Raven had set communications up in. She handed us each a set of headphones and we faced a small rectangular screen. Chancellor Jaha's face appeared, causing my excitement to disappear. Nerves started to settle inside me and I suddenly felt sick with worry. I had been pardoned for my crimes, yet there still was a possibility that Bellamy might not be for his. Truthfully, that terrified me.

"Mr. Blake. I've wanted to talk to you for some time now."

"Before you do," Clarke cut in. "I'd like to say something," She said quickly, sitting forwards slightly so she could glance at Bellamy. "When you sent us down here, you sent us to die, but miraculously, most of us are still alive. In large part, that is because of him, because of Bellamy."

"I'd like to say something too," I added, the words rolling off my tongue before I could stop them. "Bellamy is a real leader. His knowledge and skills are so useful to us down here. I don't know what we'd do without him. He's saved us so many times. Bellamy is one of us. He deserves to be pardoned for his crimes," I glanced over at him, tugging my lips into a small smile, which he just about managed to return. "Just like the rest of us."

"Clarke. Billie," The screen glitched for a second as we waited for Jaha's reply. "I appreciate your points of views but it's not that simple."

"It is if you want to know who on the Ark wants you dead," Bellamy replied.

The Chancellor's gaze flickered down and he leaned forwards, taking his time before addressing us. "Bellamy Blake," I closed my eyes, anxiously awaiting for the Chancellor to continue. "You're pardoned for your crimes." I let out a huge breath of relief, glancing at Bellamy, who had a smile on his face. It lifted my heart. "Now," Jaha continued seriously. "Tell me who gave you the gun."

~

"I never thanked you," Bellamy said as he walked over to me the next evening. Most people were gathered around the fire, dancing and having fun. It was Unity Day on the Ark and we were still celebrating down here. I'd been drinking Monty's moonshine for some of the afternoon and soon, it was probably gonna go to my head.

I frowned at Bellamy, lifting my eyes up to meet his gaze. "For what?"

"Saving my ass during the whole Dax thing yesterday," At the mention of the name, my whole body seemed to shiver. I was still shaken up from yesterday and the throbbing underneath my chin, from where I'd been hit with the gun, was still a reminder of it. Things could have gone so horribly wrong.

I gave him a gentle shrug. "It was nothing."

"It was something," He corrected. "Who knew Billie Raylee had an inner badass?"

A grin was playing at his lips and I looked down at the ground with a chuckle, my cheeks heating up. "You jealous?"

"Of you?" He arched his eyebrows teasingly. "Nah."

"Careful, I might rethink my decision to forgive you," The two of us shared a small laugh before it died down into a comfortable silence. "You know, I'm really happy you came back with us. And I'm so glad the Chancellor pardoned you," I admitted.

"What you said in there last night-" He started, shaking his head slightly. "Did you mean it?"

"Yeah, of course I did," I replied, confused as to why he would have thought I was lying. Everything I said was the truth. We needed Bellamy here. None of us would have made it this far without him.

"Thank you."

I raised my eyebrows. "For saving your ass a second time?"

His brown eyes became softer, more sincere. "For everything."

Before I could ask him to elaborate, I spotted Clarke heading over to the two of us with her game face on. I took a large gulp of Monty's moonshine, preparing myself for what she was going to say. "Hey. The comms are still dead," She informed. "They cut out during the pageant."

"Best Unity Day ever," Bellamy commented sarcastically.

"Do you really think now is a good time to be having a party?" She asked, her eyes flirting between the two of us. "I mean, the Grounder is out there."

"Grounders," Bellamy corrected.

"Don't be such a buzzkill, Clarke," I mumbled, taking another sip of my drink. I was joking but there was a part of me that really did just want Clarke to lighten up; I mean, it was a party.

"Anyway, by now he's made it home. He's probably putting together a lynch mob," Clarke stiffened at Bellamy's words and he seemed to notice. "Relax. I got security covered. Why don't you go get a drink? You look like you could use one."

My best friend sighed. "I could use more than one."

I rolled my eyes. "Then have more than one."

"Clarke, the Exodus ship carrying your mother comes down here in two days. After that, the party's over," Bellamy added. "Have some fun while you still can. You deserve it."

"Yeah. Okay," She turned to head back to the main part of camp, but then stopped. "So do you, by the way. Both of you. Although, Billie, I see you're wasting no time."

I smiled at her, holding up my glass in appreciation. "I'll have my fun when the Grounders come," Bellamy said.

Clarke chuckled, stepping backwards. "All right."

Bellamy smiled, taking a bite into his Apple. "Unity Day."

"Cheers to that," I raised my glass again, accidentally spilling a bit of the liquid inside.

"You really aren't wasting any time on getting drunk, are you?" Bellamy stated, watching me with mild amusement.

"Eh, we're probably gonna die soon anyway," I shrugged with a sigh. "Might as well have some fun."

"What happened to hope?"

I scoffed. "We're about to go to war with the grounders. Did you not get the memo? There is no hope."

"There's always hope."

I snorted and went to take another sip of my drink but realised it was empty. "Yeah, hope to get a refill," I looked out into camp. "Jasper! Monty! Where the hell are you?! I need another drink!" I started to head down to camp but tripped on the small hill, almost falling down. Luckily, someone's hands were on my waist to stop me from going anywhere.

Why am I not surprised?

"Careful, princess."

I rolled my eyes and moved out of Bellamy's grip, heading into camp. He followed me. "I'm quite capable of walking alone."

He raised his eyebrows, challengingly. "Really?"

"Sorry to disappoint, but I don't need you to catch me every time I fall. I can take care of myself," I met his gaze. "You may call me Princess but I don't need a Prince Charming."

Bellamy paused, an amused grin twitching on his lips. "So I'm your Prince Charming?"

"I didn't say that."

"You kinda did-"

"Shut up, Bellamy." He held his hands up in defence and turned back the way we came. I scoffed and headed into the crowd.

~

"Hey," Clarke headed over to me, looking very serious - as always.

So much for her having fun.

"Clarkey!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around her in attempt to cheer her up. "I missed you!"

"Billie, are you drunk?"

"No!" I chuckled, taking a step back. My vision swayed slightly and I stumbled, my heart skipping a beat as I almost tumbled to the ground. "Okay, yeah. I'm really drunk."

"So much for talking to you," I heard her mumble, glancing down at her shoes. I noticed Bellamy start to walk past and Clarke quickly grabbed him. "Hey-"

"Having fun yet?" He asked, slowing down so Clarke and I could catch up to him. I was having trouble, already feeling breathless.

"I'm serious," she warned.

"You always are, so talk."

"God you guys are boring," I grumbled. "You don't even need to talk, let's-" I completely lost my footing and tumbled into Clarke, who managed to steady me before I fell onto the ground and embarrassed myself even more.

"Okay, that's enough for you tonight." She said, trying to hold me up.

"I'm fine!" I exclaimed, slightly irritated by her actions. I didn't want her telling me what to do. "I just want to party, ok?"

Bellamy chuckled, glancing at Clarke before his eyes rested on me. "I got this. We'll talk later." He took my arm gently and led me around the group of people to wherever we were going. We reached a tent and I realised it was mine, unsure on how he knew that. Bellamy crouched down, opening the flap. I didn't budge. "Come on," He placed a hand on my back as I sighed and stepped in. My foot suddenly caught on something and I tripped, landing on my knees on top of my sleeping bag.

"Ow," I mumbled with a groan. I turned onto my back, looking up at Bellamy who had a slight smile on his face.

He picked up a blanket and placed it over me gently. I grasped the material and snuggled into a comfier position, immediately feeling my eyelids growing heavier. Bellamy stepped backwards, glancing back at me with a smile before he left. "Goodnight, Billie."

"Goodnight, Bellamy."