U N E D I T E D

*****

Find the warm ones
find the warm ones and let them stay.

- f.d Soul.

*****

'Bellamy! Slow down, you're going to wake the baby!'

Eleanor watched with a fond smile as Aurora lightly scolded her son, a boy with a head of dark curls and a bright smile who had a mischievous streak in him that reminded Eleanor greatly of his mother in her younger years.

Aurora Blake and Eleanor Kane had maintained their childhood friendship, despite the different paths their lives had taken; through births, deaths and weddings, the two remained as thick as thieves. While Eleanor now lived among the more privileged inhabitants of the Ark, Aurora still lived and worked on the same station the two women had explored and known as children.

Even now, each with their own families, the two women ensured they made time for one another, meeting atleast once a week to talk and listen to any problems or gossip the other had.

'Don't stress; she's a light sleeper at the best of times. When Marcus kicks his shoes off, she wakes up.' Eleanor rolled her eyes, though a smile lit her face.

Almost on cue, a small cry left the mouth of the child lying in her crib. Eleanor stood and moved towards her daughter, hearing quick, light footfalls behind her.

'Bellamy.' Eleanor heard Aurora sigh from the table.

Eleanor rocked her daughter until her small cries subsided, watching her bright eyes dart around the room with interest.

Eleanor glanced down, watching Bellamy's wide eyes following her daughter's every move.

'Would you like to say hello, Bellamy?' Eleanor asked with a smile.

Bellamy nodded.

Eleanor gently knelt down on the ground carefully placing her precious bundle in a sitting position in front of her. Bellamy dropped down onto the floor, a childish grin on his face as he held his hand out, a small plush toy in his fist.

'Hello Brinley.'

Brinley watched Bellamy, her eyes on the toy in his hand. She slowly crawled forward, before taking the toy from Bellamy's grip.

Eleanor and Aurora watched in amusement as Bellamy's smile slipped into an expression of shock when the toy was launched into the air, hitting him in the face.

While the two women and Bellamy were frozen in a moment of surprised amusement, Brinley's laughter echoed around the room as she clapped her hands together.

'Oh Bell.' Aurora moved to sit beside her pouting son, fighting to keep the laughter out of her voice. 'She's going to keep you on your toes, mark my words.'

'And he'll love every moment of it.' Eleanor giggled, meeting Aurora's grin with one of her own as they watched their children, entirely unaware of what the future held for the both of them.

*****

'We've been at this for two days, there must be something we're not thinking of.'

Brinley rolled her eyes, resting her head on the wall beside her and Monty as Bellamy and Clarke had the same argument for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

Brinley knew it was important, and knew that the discussion had to happen but they'd been going around in circles for hours now, and they were no closer to a solution to the radiation problem than they had been when they'd left polis.

Brinley must have drifted off slightly because Monty's voice startled her back into consciousness. 'That's it!'

'What are you talking about?' Clarke sounded impatient.

'Think about it. Alpha station survived for 97 years in space, through elevated radiation levels and extreme temperature fluctuations, sound familiar? All we have to do is patch up the ship. We're standing in our viable solution.'

Brinley stood up. 'Have I ever told you how much I love you?' Brinley yawned as she approached Monty, slinging her arm around his waist in a side hug.

Monty grinned at her, hugging her back gently for a second.

*****
Brinley blinked, squinting as the morning light hit her eyes when she exited the sleeping area the next morning.

She rubbed at her eyes tiredly, covering her mouth as she yawned.

'Alright there, sweetheart?'

Brinley looked at Bellamy, who had stopped beside her, rubbing her eyes as she was forced to look towards the sunlight in order to see his face.

'Fine.' Brinley yawned again.

'Did you even sleep?' Bellamy asked sceptically.

'Did you?' Brinley countered, smirking in triumph when Bellamy didn't answer.

'Yeah, it's hard to sleep knowing we'll all be dead in six months.' Brinley commented as the two began walking.

'We won't be.' Bellamy's tone was firm. 'Not if we find what we're looking for at farm station today.'

Brinley sighed, biting back another sarcastic remark. 'Did you talk to Miller and Bryan?'

'Yeah. They agreed to come with us.'

'I bet Miller was thrilled.' Brinley snorted. 'Where is everyone?'

'Waiting for us.' Bellamy shrugged. 'I said I'd come find you.'

'I'm surprised you didn't leave without me.' Brinley quirked an eyebrow in genuine surprise.

Bellamy shook his head, the ghost of a smile lighting his features. 'You'd have followed us anyway.'

'Hell yeah I would have. There's no way I'm sitting around here doing nothing, I'd go insane.'

'Bit late to worry about that, isn't it?' Bellamy's voice took on a teasing edge.

'Asshole!' Brinley gave Bellamy a hard shove as they reached the garage, trying to hide her smile as she waved to Clarke and Raven before climbing into the truck.

'You look awfully happy.' Miller commented with a tight expression, eyes narrowing.

'How can I not be happy when I'm in your ever so cheerful presence, Nathan?' Brinley smiled sweetly at him.

Miller rolled his eyes, but his expression softened.

*****
'We get the machine and we get out of here. I don't want to stay any longer than we have to.'

They'd reached the area Farm station was in, but from where they were – they'd have to go on foot.

Brinley stared at the snowy white terrain beneath them, a feeling of dread settling in her stomach.

'I don't like this.' She whimpered to Bellamy, who was closest to her. 'This doesn't feel right.'

Bellamy turned his gaze towards her, his expression tight. He gave her a small nod of agreement.

Brinley grit her teeth, her eyes catching movement to her side. She watched as Harper and Monty reached for each other, their eyes locked on farm station.

'Guys, got a problem.' Miller's tone was serious. 'The barn isn't empty.'

Brinley looked through the scope of her gun, letting out an angry sigh as she did so. She could feel the weight of her sword on her back – she had a feeling she might need it.

'They moved in.' Bryan's voice was thick with hatred. 'If it's the same guys who attacked us, with our guns – we could take them.'

'I'm sure we could.' Bellamy agreed. 'But we didn't come here to fight.'

'They butchered us, killed kids. Our friends, our families.' Bryan directed the last part to Monty.

'I don't like it any more than you do.' Monty shot back. 'But Bellamy's right – we need that machine.'

'Uh... guys?'

Brinley cursed, while they'd been absorbed in their discussion, they'd let their guard slip.

And now Harper had an arrow held to the back of her neck by an angry ice nation warrior.

'Weapon's down. Now.' Bellamy ordered as more ice nation warriors approached them from the tree line.

Brinley dropped her gun, as did the others. Bryan needed a little more reminding before he listened.

One of the women walked menacingly towards Brinley. 'Sword!' She spit out, eyes narrowing.

Brinley held her gaze, even as she dropped her sword from her back.

When the woman's attention turned to Bellamy, he slowly pulled out the seal Roan had given him. 'King Roan of Ice Nation sent us.'

The woman nodded before she backhanded Bellamy.

Brinley let out some choice curse words, vaguely hearing the woman ordering the other warriors to take their weapons.

The group had their hands bound as they were roughly led into Farm Station, towards the chief.

'Where did you get this?' The chief asked in perfect English.

'King Roan.' Bellamy answered truthfully. 'Skaikru and Azgeda are allies. He sent us to get a part of the ship, a machine.'

'King Roan hasn't returned to Ice Nation in three years. The banished prince is not my King.' The woman who'd slapped Bellamy spoke viciously.

'I wouldn't say that too loudly.' Brinley couldn't keep the wicked smirk off her lips. 'King Roan has killed for less.'

The chief pulled out a short knife, prompting Bellamy to take hold of the conversation once again.

'If we'd come to take this place back, there would be a lot more of us and you know that.'

'Let's just get this over with Dakiva.' The chief spoke, moving forwards and cutting Bellamy's binds. 'Release them.'

Brinley glared up at the man who cut her binds, feeling viciously proud to see unease in his expression.

Still got it, She thought in amusement.

'Where is this machine for the king?' The chief asked.

The group followed the chief to a sealed door, after being reminded harshly not to talk when Monty started to speak.

Brinley could see the wariness on some of the warrior's faces as the chief moved to unseal the door, and her unease increased tenfold.

'Slaves, eyes down.' The chief called as he entered the room. 'Do what you came to do.'

Bellamy caught Harper's hand as she made to move towards a small girl who was watching their group with hopeless eyes. 'No.' He warned her.

'Up there.' Monty's eyes were raised towards the ceiling. 'The generator.'

Bellamy followed after Monty, motioning for the rest of them to keep closely behind him. Brinley felt, rather than saw, Bryan move from her side, his voice colouring with disbelief as he spoke.

'Riley? Riley!'

'Bryan wait-!' Bellamy tried to reach him but didn't make it in time.

Bryan gripped Riley – who Brinley vaguely recognised – staring at him in utter disbelief. 'We thought you were dead-!'

The chief forcefully removed Bryan's grip on Riley's shoulders. 'Only the machine, the rest is ours.'

Bryan looked as though he was going to speak, his body leaning forward slightly. Bellamy was faster this time, gripping Bryan's shoulder and firmly steering him away. Brinley chose to walk behind Bryan to ensure that he didn't run off towards Riley.

Brinley felt nauseous, how long had one of their people been a prisoner there, suffering?

How had they not known?

It didn't take long for Bryan to start speaking in low tones as they crowded around the machine they'd come for. 'We have to help them.'

'We're unarmed.' Brinley reminded him, her voice low and quiet. 'How do you propose we free time, and get everyone out alive?'

'I don't care that we're unarmed. We can't just leave them.' Bryan's voice had a note of desperation in it.

'We're in the coalition now. We ask the King to free them.' Harper tried to think logically. 'That's our best bet.'

'Not if it means leaving Riley.' Bryan shot back.

'No we won't, okay. But Harper's right, we try diplomacy first.' Bellamy tried to reason with Bryan. 'If that doesn't work, we come back with reinforcement for the slaves, after we take home the machine. Right?'

'Yeah.' Bryan didn't sound happy with their plan.

Brinley felt someone brush by her back. She turned her head, watching the dark haired slave girl with the sad eyes walking by her with a water jug. As Brinley watched, the girl deliberately dropped something before picking up her pace and almost running away.

Brinley stepped on the folded cloth, dragging it under her boot towards herself and Bellamy, who had noticed Brinley's sudden inattention. Brinley picked up the cloth quickly, leaning into Bellamy more so they both could read the message inside.

Moving us tomorrow. H E L P.

Brinley cursed under her breath.

'They're moving them.' He stated aloud for the rest of them.

'It's now or never.' Bryan was buzzing with a nervous energy, but his face was determined.

'Are there any other exits in here?' Bellamy slipped into strategy mode immediately. Seeking more information from Bryan.

'No. This is completely sealed. Came down from space in here because it's the most secure room in the ship.'

'It's designed that way,' Monty commented off handedly, 'In case the hydrazine blew.'

Monty stared at Bellamy meaningfully for a second and Brinley watched as Bellamy's expression filled with understanding.

'What?' Harper asked impatiently.

'We have a bomb.' Bellamy breathed.

'Wait a second.' Miller frowned. 'The end of the world is coming, and you want to destroy the one thing that'll keep our people alive?'

'Not all of our people.' Bryan argued. 'What about Riley?'

'I vote that we take it home.' Miller's voice was firm as he ignored the incredulous look from Bryan.

'No. Blow it up.' Bryan countered.

'I'm with Bryan. I know what it's like to be locked up and afraid.' Harper reminded them, her voice surprisingly strong. 'You didn't leave us in Mount Weather, we shouldn't leave them here.'

Bellamy frowned. 'Can we build another machine?'

'No way.' Monty shook his head. 'The tech's way too advanced.'

'We have six months, we have Raven. Are you telling me that she can't figure out another way to make water?' Bellamy pressed Monty further.

'Yes. Look, I know you want to make up for the things you've done. Believe me, we all do. But we need to think of the big picture. 25 people, instead of 500. We're talking about the human race, Bellamy.'

Brinley bit her lip as she listened.

Monty was right.

'We need to get this machine back to Arkadia, it's the only way.' Monty continued.

'It's two to two.' Harper's voice was tight.

Bellamy looked at Brinley, waiting for her to speak up.

Brinley swallowed, crossing her arms and baling her hands into fists. 'It's your call, Bell.'

Bellamy's expression flickered with surprise at her answer but he quickly hid it, looking at the waiting faces in front of him.

Bellamy sighed. 'Get the machine down-'

Brinley heard quick footsteps running across the metal flooring, her heart squeezing painfully as the little girl that had dropped the cloth, ran away from her hiding place, tears trickling down her dirt covered face.

Bellamy's expression went from saddened, to determined.

'We have to help them.'

The group carried the machine down the steps and out into the main work area where the chief was waiting for them, watching them with distrustful eyes.

The door sealed behind them as they exited.

The machine dipped slightly, hitting the floor for a second.

'Watch it, Miller!' Bellamy's voice was stern.

'Wait, wait, wait! Just set it down.' Monty's voice was thick with implications as each of them set the machine down like it were on fire.

'What are you doing?" The warrior woman from earlier – Dakiva - was angry.

Monty leant down and pressed a few buttons as Dakiva came closer...

'Now!' Monty screamed.

Brinley immediately reached for Dakiva, attacking the woman with two powerful blows that had the other woman crashing into the metal wall.

'Run! Move, move, move!' Bellamy commanded.

'Kill them!' Dakiva screamed, not knowing that her fate had been sealed.

Bellamy and Miller slammed the heavy door shut behind them as an enormous explosion shook the whole station.

The chief came towards them, reaching out to attack Miller only to be taken down by Bellamy and eventually Miller.

Miller began beating the man senseless before Bryan stepped in. 'Nate, this isn't your kill!' He pulled Miller away. 'This is Monty's kill.' Bryan's voice shook.

'What are you talking about?' Monty asked in confusion.

Brinley knew Bryan's next words before he voiced them.

'This is the man that murdered your Father.'

Brinley watched as Monty's face went white, before he picked up the chief's own fallen axe.

Brinley put her hand on Bellamy's shoulder, trying to tug him back slightly.

Bellamy stood up to his full height, following Brinley's unspoken suggestion. His eyes followed Monty's movements. 'You don't have to do this.'

'Yeah, I do.' Monty argued as he lifted the axe and struck his intended target one-two-three times.

The chains imprisoning the slaves came loose and fell.

Monty, breathing heavily, turned towards the slaves who were pulling off their loosened chains as thought in shock. Monty caught Riley's eyes and nodded.

This wasn't Monty's kill – it was theirs.

Brinley kept her expression flat as she watched the group of murderous people begin tearing their captor apart.

*****

Brinley sat in the back of the truck surrounded by the newly freed prisoners.

The younger girl watched her warily for the first ten minutes of the trip back to Arkadia, before Brinley smiled at her, gesturing for her to sit by her.

The girl still looked wary, but followed Brinley's request anyway.

'We aren't going to hurt you. You're safe.' Brinley alternated between English and the girls' native tongue.

The girl nodded and managed a small smile of thanks up at Brinley.

'Close your eyes, little one. You'll be home in no time.'

The girl seemed to relax as she closed her eyes.

Brinley felt the truck stop after awhile, the engine cutting off. Brinley gently woke the younger girl before she stood up. Brinley was the first one out, offering her arm to anyone who needed assistance, and Bellamy wasn't far behind her.

The little dark haired girl climbed out last, after Riley who Clarke was now embracing. Bellamy helped her down, and by the time Brinley had turned around from briefly watching Clarke and Riley interact, Bellamy was hugging the frightened girl to his side, her hands gripped tightly around the back of his jacket.

Brinley watched the way Bellamy interacted with her in small, careful movements as he comforted her.

Brinley couldn't help the way her heart melted at the sight.

Brinley stopped her staring as she knelt down to the girls' height. 'You're safe.' She reminded her gently.

The girl nodded her tense expression softening slightly.

'Get Riley and the others to med bay.' Bellamy spoke to Harper and Monty. 'And tell them we'll take them to their villages in the morning.'

Riley held his hand out to the girl who latched onto him with familiarity.

Brinley caught sight of Raven whose expression had quickly turned from joy, to confusion, to expectant as she looked in the truck bed.

'Where is it?'

Silence.

And then –

'We didn't get the machine.' Bellamy admitted in a low tone to both Clarke and Raven.

'It didn't survive landing?' Clarke guessed.

'No, it did.' Bellamy spoke honestly. 'But I had a choice – bring the machine home, or use it to save them.'

'Oh, we are so screwed.' Raven uttered as though she were talking to herself.

'We have time.' Bellamy reminded her. 'But I am not sacrificing anymore innocent lives.'

'You just did.' Clarke shot back.

Brinley fought back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Six months ago, Clarke would have made the same decision Bellamy had.

'I made the call, and I'll live with that.' Bellamy's tone was firm and unapologetic.

'Yeah, you're not the only one who has to live with your call, as usual.' Raven was getting angrier.

Bellamy started getting defensive. 'Well, go tell them. Go tell Riley I should have left them to die.'

'Now isn't the time to discuss this.' Brinley bit out, aware of more than a few eyes on their group.

'How many of us will the ship sustain without a hydro-generator?' Clarke stepped in.

'No more than a hundred.'

Brinley heard Bellamy's sharp intake of breath.

'What am I supposed to tell the people now?' Clarke wondered aloud.

'The truth.' Raven spoke up. 'Crowdsource it like we talked about.'

Clarke nodded. 'Call for a general meeting.'

Raven nodded and hurried away.

'What are you going to do?' Bellamy questioned Clarke.

'Hope that there's a forgiving god.' Clarke's expression was tight; she nodded at Bellamy and Brinley before she disappeared.

Bellamy let out a loud sigh, running his hands through his hair.

'You okay?' Brinley questioned, staring up at him.

'I did the right thing... didn't I?'

'What does you head tell you?' Brinley questioned, leaning against the back of the truck, mimicking Bellamy's stance.

'My head tells me that we just blew up our biggest chance of survival.' Bellamy sounded bitter.

'What does you heart tell you?' Brinley pressed further.

Bellamy swallowed thickly. 'That we couldn't leave those people to die.'

Brinley smiled sadly. 'And so the inner war rages on.'

Bellamy scoffed. 'Helpful.'

'Hey.' Brinley moved to stand in front of Bellamy slightly, gripping his forearm gently. 'You saved lives today Bellamy.'

'In doing that I condemned even more people to die.'

Brinley thought for a moment before she spoke again.

'Maybe.' Brinley shrugged. 'Maybe not. Nothing's certain, we don't know what tomorrow will bring.' Brinley tried to be optimistic.

Bellamy stared at her, waiting for her to continue.

'For all we know, the black rain comes tomorrow and kills us all.' Brinley shrugged, and Bellamy couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips.

'Your optimism is inspiring.' Bellamy commented drily.

'Why else would you keep me around?' Brinley smirked at him.

*****

Clarke had lied.

Though truthfully, Brinley wasn't surprised.

Clarke had her meeting, during which she announced to all of Arkadia that Alpha station would keep them all alive through the hell fire of radiation that was heading for them, as long as they worked together.

The volunteers for work details increased almost immediately, hands shooting up into the air the moment Raven stopped speaking.

Brinley had watched it all unfold with her lips pulled into a thin line and the distinct feeling that their house of cards was one well-aimed breath from being knocked down.

Brinley found herself by one of the fires that night. The usually crowded area was surprisingly empty, due in part she supposed, to the increased workload.

People were tired and they were scared, and Brinley couldn't blame them.

Brinley sipped at an amber coloured liquid from a glass that had been emptied and refilled so much that she'd lost count. She felt warm, whether from the fire or the alcohol she couldn't tell.

She wasn't sure how she'd ended up alone by a dying fire exactly. She'd agreed to Jasper's request to join him for a drink that had turned into four and when Jasper had bid her goodbye and disappeared, Brinley supposed she'd stumbled outside.

If nothing else, the alcohol might finally aid her in getting a decent sleep not riddled by nightmares.

'Brin?'

Brinley blinked, peering into the darkness. 'Bellamy?'

'What are you doing out here still?' Bellamy asked in confusion.

'Enjoying the silence?' It came out sounding like a question.

Bellamy watched her for a moment. 'Have you been drinking?'

'Maybe.' Brinley smirked. 'Don't worry, I'm not drunk...yet.'

Bellamy sighed. 'C'mon, I'll walk you to your room.'

'Nah.' Brinley shook her head. 'I'm going to stay here.'

Bellamy watched her for a few seconds more, noticing the way she swayed slightly as though the low bench she was sitting on was moving. He stood there, trying to decide if he should leave her, or throw her over his shoulder and take her to her room.

Bellamy had almost decided to leave her alone when her warm eyes met his. She stared up at him through heavy lidded eyes, the alcohol and the warmth from the fire leaving a rosy flush across her cheeks, her words coming out slower than normal when she spoke.

'Can you stay?'

After a moment,

he did.