Clarke made quick work of going over Bellamy's file and adding what she needed to the computer. He sat in the chair across the desk, spinning in slow circles.
"If you keep spinning in the same direction eventually the chair will separate from the stand." Clarke smiled.
"I'm smarter than that Griffin" he replied switching directions.
She shook her head with a smile, powering the computer down.
"Alright, let's go" she stood turning the light off. He followed her out to the car.
"It's already eleven, so by the time we get to Panera it will be close to lunch time."
"How about we just grab it to go, we can eat by the water off the trail?" Clarke suggested.
"Yeah, that's even better" he replied.
By noon they were at Government Island and ready to walk the trail,Bellamy carried the bag of food and Clarke walked along side him. The first few moments were spent in awkward silence. Like they forgot this wasn't the first time they were ever alone.
"You excited to deploy? Cast off, only a few more weeks. It's coming quick, I have no doubt you will be ready."
"Thanks to you" he answered before continuing.
"I am glad I will be deploying with my platoon, I'm not sure I am really ever excited to deploy, anxious yes, but not excited."
"I can understand that"
"I need you to watch over Octavia, I'll be gone nine months. I know she's a big girl but sometimes a little guidance goes along way" he looked at her.
"Don't worry Blake, I'll keep her safe and in line. She usually does the same for me, we balance each other out"
"I'm glad she has you"
"Thanks, that means a lot" she smiled. The trail narrowed so she led the way, not that he was complaining, he was admiring the way her leggings fit perfectly in all the right places.
She brought them right down to the bank along the water, They sat next to each other enjoying their lunch and each others company.
"I come here sometimes when I feel overwhelmed" Clarke confessed, he looked over at her.
"I can see why, its quiet, calm" she nodded acknowledging she heard him, as he leaned in towards her. She loved feeling his lips on hers, just as they touched a twig snapped sending them in different directions. Clarke sighed hearing voices behind her.
A group of teenagers walked through the woods a few feet from them coming out further down on the bank. Bellamy and Clarke laughed at the whole thing and finished their lunch before heading back up to the trail. They stopped to look at a bright green snake hanging in the tree. He quietly made his way down to the ground.
Bellamy watched her, she was amazed by the snake, she took a few photos on her phone, and the way the sun filtered through the trees on her was a photo he wished he had.
"Did you see that?" Clarke asked Bellamy.
"I did" his voice was deeper then normal, she looked up and found him staring at her.
"You are beautiful"
"Thanks" she blushed looking back at the ground, continuing down the trail. She was quieter than usual, Bellamy stayed quiet afraid maybe the compliment took it to a level she didn't want to be on.
His compliment made her whole body warm, and as much as she loved this time with him, the thought of him leaving soon forced her to keep him at a distance. Emotionally she couldn't take having to say goodbye, worrying for nine months. Then they come home and leave again. Working with injured Marines she has seen relationships ripped apart, Marines lose there train of thought and get hurt or killed because they can't focus. She didn't want to put him in danger or do that to herself. She was lost in her thoughts when she heard him clear his throat.
"Clarke, this way. You okay, still want to go to Wal-Mart with me?"
"Yeah, sorry, I'm fine, it's just really hot, Should've brought a water with me"
"Or not drank your weight in liquor last night" he laughed, its the first week of March and Virginia is a balmy 65 degrees, in no way is she overheated.
She shot him a look before getting in the car.
Wal-Mart was packed
The second she grabbed a cart her cellphone rang.
"Hey O what's up?"
"Where are you?"
"Walmart"
"Can you grab stuff for a BBQ later, I'll send you a list, and get whatever you want to drink"
"I have plans, but I'll grab what you need." Clarke answered
"No that's okay I'll pick up Bellamy and we will go" she offered
"Well that will be hard seeing as he's with me and also has plans" Clarke laughed.
"Oooo okay texting you now" Octavia replied hanging up.
Their phones both beeped seconds later with a list for the house and Octavia's BBQ.
They made their way up and down every aisle loading the cart with the items on the list and Bellamy threw in whatever he needed as they passed it. Clarke noted how every single female in a three aisle radius noticed Bellamy. She actually felt jealous for the first time since picking him up at Hard Time's at some ungodly hour. The next two aisles she spent mentally scolding herself, he is not hers, she has no claim on him and she needed to get a hold of herself.
"Clarke, what is the problem?" Bellamy asked.
"What?, Nothing" she answered.
"You realize I can see you right, you are obviously bothered by something, have been since I told you that you are beautiful" he stood in front of the cart forcing her to stop and look at him.
She sighed.
"This really isn't the place Bell"
"You are right so when we unpack groceries be ready to talk to me" he moved to the side letting them continue down the aisle.
They finally checked off every item on the list and checked out.
They unloaded the car into the kitchen.
"Okay, we are going to talk before we put groceries away" Bellamy cornered her against the cabinets.
Clarke lifted herself to sit up on the counter, trying to put some space in between them.
"Some of it's cold Bellamy"
"Guess you better talk quick" he smirked.
"Nothings wrong" she replied.
"Look at me, something is bothering you and I can tell so spill"
"It's nothing" she replied.
"Hmmm so is nothing me calling you beautiful, or the fact that I'm leaving in a few weeks" he asked quietly.
He watched her eyes well up with tears but she would be damned if she let any fall.
"I can't do this Bell, I can't keep letting you in. I love spending time with you, I love talking to you, I even enjoy arguing with you."
"So whats the problem?"
"You leave soon and I get left behind, I don't want to be sitting here on Friday nights missing you, or rolling over in my bed and wishing you were there."
"Well I don't know how to fix that...I don't want to miss you now when I'm here, It's harder to miss something that's right in front of you then it is to miss something hundreds of miles away"
"I just think we are creating a problem that could be easily avoided" she stated.
"It's flattering you consider this a problem" he sighed.
"That's not what I meant and you know it" she snapped.
He met her eyes.
"I love it when your mad" he smiled before capturing her lips with his. The kiss was full of emotion, his hand moved under her hair pulling her closer so he could deepen the kiss. She wrapped her legs around him pulling him tight to the counter. She smirked against him when she heard him groan in response.
"Those groceries aren't putting themselves away" Raven's voice rang through the kitchen. Bellamy pulled away slightly leaning his forehead against Clarke's.
"Don't take this away from us before we need to" he whispered, He kissed her forehead and pushed off the counter.
"I didn't know you were here" Clarke replied hopping down.
"How could you hear anything over the heavy breathing" Raven laughed, helping them put away groceries.