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*
Lexa's mind races about her kill order, suddenly fearful, as she hurries towards the noises down the hall.
Arkadia's blockade must be enforced, yes. There's no getting around it. She imagines possible exceptions for Clarke... keeping Clarke through traditional old laws of her people... 'guest right' or joining blood-to-blood in ritualized 'ties' or to wed Clarke before dawn...
In the door, Lexa sees it in a matter of moments: the Skaikru weapon quivering within Titus's hand, aiming recklessly...
A horrified-looking Clarke runs, grabbing onto Lexa's bared shoulders...
Titus fires...
"No," Lexa mumbles as the light drains out of Clarke's eyes. Feeling more helpless than ever. "No, no."
She catches her, Lexa's arms tightening as a warm rush of blood spills. One of Skaikru, John Murphy, frees himself of restraints. He examines Clarke. "The bullet went out of her left side," Murphy croaks, ripping rags for bandages. "Don't worry. I can stop the bleeding."
The relief quickly disappears into righteous fury as Titus drops to his knees, placing the gun with bullets remaining underneath his chin.
Despite nearly killing his Commander, Lexa kicks the weapon away.
"You will not DARE again to escape justice, Titus. Is that understood?"
He nods, glassy-eyed.
"Remove yourself from my sight."
For an hour, Lexa waits. And sits. And listens to Clarke's breathing. Crimson-colored blood stains Lexa's nail-beds.
"...dad?"
"Klark," Lexa says benevolently, wiping a rolling tear off Clark's face.
"I thought... I heard my dad..."
"Death greeted you. You did not surrender to it." Lexa adds, the language of the Tree People deepening her voice, "Yu gonplei nou ste odon."
Clarke's lips twitch. Aching to be kissed completely, Lexa believes. "What do we do?"
"Survive."
*