XX

[PREVIOUSLY: Octavia tries to interfere when Bellamy, Raven and Clarke condone the beating of Burly. When Octavia discovers the antidote to the poison overtaking Finn's body, Clarke rushes to administer it to him before it's too late. Then, Octavia collapses on the floor as the effects of the poison hit her].

"Octavia? Octavia, are you okay?"

A muffled groan escaped my mouth as my eyelids slowly flittered open.

I was lying in a dank corner of the drop-ship, something soft beneath me and something warm covering me. Soft streams of sunlight were pouring into the room through the drop-ship's open door but I couldn't focus on anything because someone's head was right in my face.

"Jasper!" I let out an annoyed yelp as I swatted him away.

"Oh my god," Jasper sighed in relief. "You're okay! I'm so glad."

I struggled up into a sitting position and let out a shaky breath. "W-what happened? What did I miss?"

Jasper hesitated as he cast a quick glance over his shoulder. I followed his line of sight to see a few metres of heavy metal chain wound up on the floor.

Wait ... where were the grounders?

"Jasper?" I questioned as I leaned forward and grabbed his shoulders. "Tell me what's going on."

Jasper shrugged and let out a huff. "Well ... after Bellamy gave those grounders a piece of his mind, he and a couple others transferred them upstairs so they couldn't witness what was going on down here with you and Finn being sick and all. I - I think they got cussed at and beaten by the angrier ones of the crowd that were sitting up there waiting for the storm to pass. I - I think they're okay now though. The storm's over and we've reconnected with the Ark ... that's good isn't it?"

I gritted my teeth, trying to control my rising anger at the continued mistreatment of the grounders. Composing myself, I turned to gaze at Jasper as another thought flooded my mind. "Jasper, where is Bellamy?"

Jasper swallowed hard. "He - he and Clarke have gone."

"Gone? Gone where?"

"They've gone to a grounder village."

"What?" I gasped. "H-how did they ...?"

"They found a little book in one of the grounders' packs," Jasper offered. "There was a map inside of it. They're going to go and spy on the village and bring back a report. They're hoping to ambush the place, get rid of the villagers and bring back the food and spoils that are left over. It - it's supposed to show the grounders that we are not to be messed with ... Well, at least that's what Bellamy said. Everyone's in on the plan."

"Damn it!" I cried, chucking my covers aside and jumping to my feet. "We have to stop them!"

"Quieten it down, will you?" Raven groaned from across the room where she was sitting beside Finn's bed. "He's trying to sleep."

"Oh," I nodded my head as I walked over to her and peered down at Finn. "H-how's he doing?"

Raven stretched her arms and rubbed her temple with her fingers. "He's better. The fever's past. Clarke says he'll recover."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness for that."

"And you? How are you feeling?" Raven queried as she looked up at me.

I shrugged. "I - I'm fine. But then again, I didn't have the poison running through my system for as long as Finn did so the effects won't be as brutal."

Raven nodded in agreement.

I glanced around, furrowing my brow as I asked, "Why - why is it so quiet?"

"I've set up the radio station in a covered tent outside," Raven explained. "Everyone's lining up to talk to their family and friends back on the Ark. I - I didn't want them to disturb Finn."

I pressed my lips in a thin, firm line. An idea suddenly flashed through my mind. "Good. Good."

Raven raised her eyebrows as she glanced questioningly at me. "What?"

"Oh. Nothing. Don't worry," I quickly cut her off, my words stumbling over each other in the process. "Er ... Jasper and I have - um - stuff to do ... don't we, Jasper? C'mon!"

Raven narrowed her eyes suspiciously at me as I grabbed Jasper by the arm and practically dragged him outside.

"W-what's happening?" he whined. "Bellamy said you shouldn't get out of bed until you're feeling completely better and I don't think ..."

"Shush it, Jasper," I hissed, my eyes travelling over towards the cramped tent; it was covered with protective canvas sheets and filled with eager youths waiting to greet their families. Not a single one of them had paid any attention to us ...

But that's what I wanted.

"Who's guarding the grounders? Also, do you know when Bellamy and Clarke will be back? And when are they planning to attack this village exactly?" I peppered Jasper with questions as I strode briskly over to my tent on the other side of the camp.

Jasper shrugged. "Nate Miller's on watch at the moment ... I think ... and Bellamy and Clarke won't be back for an hour at least. Why? What are you planning?"

"Oh, nothing," I shook my head as I reached my tent and ducked inside. Jasper stood in the doorway and watched as I rummaged through a pile of belongings near my bed.

Someone had placed my sword and sheath on top of my bed coverings so I quickly took ahold of them and strapped them on. Then, I felt underneath my pillow and retrieved a tiny pouch that was topped to the brim with purple, delicious looking berries. Finally, I pounced upon a cape that Zoe had nearly finished sewing together and tied it around my shoulders.

I turned around to face Jasper whose mouth had fallen open.

"You - you look like a - a ..." he stammered, his face flushing red.

"A what, Jasper?" I smirked, placing my hands on my hips.

"A frickin grounder," he whispered. "You know ... with all that - er - stuff on." He glanced up into my dark emerald eyes, lined with determination and amusement.

"That's what I'm counting on," I returned. "Now run along, JJ, and thanks for helping me out." I teased him lightly by flipping my dark brown hair back over my shoulder and sending him a warm smile.

Jasper nodded and stepped to the side so I could pass him. As I walked out of the tent, I brushed his shoulder with mine and chuckled softly when I saw the deep red blush that was creeping up his neck.

As soon as Jasper was distracted, I stalked briskly into the drop-ship, passing an ever-watchful Raven and a sleeping Finn on the way. I walked over to Clarke's medical bag and pulled out a heap of bandages and some soft, damp cloths.

"W-what are you doing?" Raven demanded as she scrutinised me.

I straightened up, sending her an annoyed glare in the process. "Here, have some berries," I told her, opening up the pouch and pouring some into my hand. I held them out to her and she gazed at them, surprised.

"Uh ... thanks."

"No problem," I turned my back on her and gathered the last of my items. Then, I started up the ladder leading to the upper level of the drop-ship.

I tried to open up the trap-door but it was locked from the inside. Rolling my eyes, I lifted a clenched fist and banged loudly at the solid metal.

"Oi!" Raven yelped. "Finn's trying to sleep here!"

For a moment, all was still. Just as I was about to bang on the door again, the sound of a bolt sliding from it's lock rewarded me and Nate's dark head appeared in the opening.

"Nate," I nodded at him as I began climbing upwards.

"Wait," Nate stopped me by crouching down and lowering the trap-door slightly. "Bellamy said you weren't supposed to come up here."

"You hungry or what?" I chucked the pouch of berries at him. "I'm just being nice. What's your problem?"

Nate stared at me, confused, before turning his attention to the pouch.

"C'mon, Nate. Bellamy's not here, is he? And he's never gonna know, I promise ... Please?"

Nate hesitated for a moment before sighed and moving away from the opening. "Fine."

"Thanks!" I flashed him a quick grin as I clambered up the last of the ladder's rungs.

Nate just shrugged in response as he secured the trap-door behind me and sat back against the wall with the pouch of berries.

I glanced around the room and inhaled sharply at the sight before me.

Hazel Eyes and Burly were strapped down on the floor a couple paces away. Their clothes were torn and their bodies covered with multi-coloured bruises and splashes of blood. I bit my lip as I advanced towards them, the bandages and cloths gripped tightly in my hands.

Hazel Eyes shifted his head when he heard me approaching and glanced up at me. His eyes widened in surprise as they landed on my grimy face and I offered him a comforting smile in return.

With Hazel Eyes watching my every move, I scooted down to the floor beside him and unrolled a wad of bandages. Then, I glanced over my shoulder towards Nate, who was feasting on the plump, juicy berries.

I smiled.

I turned back to Hazel Eyes and gently dabbed one of the cloths against a cut on his forehead. He flinched and drew back.

"Sorry," I whispered softly.

He made no response, however, so I continued to clumsily clean his injuries.

"You know what?" I queried in a low tone. "Your people are in trouble. You need to warn them. So, here's the deal, I'm gonna get you outta here ... but in return? I'm going to come with you. I need to speak to your leader."

Gif: Octavia as she quietly approaches the captured grounders.

XX