"We have to find her" Bellamy says, his voice tight

"She didn't shoot us, right? That's gotta mean something." Monty offers, hopeful.

"It means she lost the battle, not the war." I mutter, the truth bitter in my mouth.

"We should split up, but be careful. These people would give their lives to save blodreina." Indra warns

Before we can move, the fire alarm blares.

"The fire alarm" harper breathes

"The hydrofarm." Monty mumbles, dread in his voice.

We all take off running.

"No!" Monty shouts as we reach the farm, flames raging high. My chest sink as I see Octavia standing there, watching the fire she set aflame.

"You took away the choice." Indra says, fury clear in her tone.

"You still have one. Stay here and die, or march with me and live." Octavia replies coldly

Her words twist like a knife in me. She always makes it sound so simple- die or follow her. But I can see it in faces of the crowd around us: doubt. Not everyone is nodding. Some look to her...but some are looking at me. Waiting.

I scan the crowd, then turn to Bellamy.
"Where the hell is Madi?" My voice sharper than i intended

"She's with Clarke." He says

"And where are they exactly?" I press

"Shadow valley. Clarke said she was keeping her safe....but she also left to save herself" he said, bitterness in his tone, and it twists something in me.

"So we're about to march into war....where my daughter could be on the other side. God, sometimes I don't know whose side clarkes even on" I shake my head

Later, in my quarters, I gather my things for war. My hands shaking slightly as I strap on my gear. Bellamy steps in, watching me.

"Are you ok?" He asks softly

"I should be asking you that. You were in the arena" I answer without looking up

"Dia..." his voice lowers, more insistent.
"Are you ok?" He asks again

I finally turn to him.
"Honestly? no. It's the same cycle again, bell. I become Heda...and yet here we are, still marching to war. And I don't even know if the people would follow me if they had a choice" I say

"Diana, this isn't your fault. Octavia forced this. There's no other choice. The people will follow you. If i remember correctly, a wise man once told you- believe in yourself, and they'll believe in you" he said

I let out a shaky laugh.
"Always with speeches, huh?" I say

He smiles faintly.
"It's my thing. Like leading is yours" he says

When he leans in, I dont stop him. His lips meet mine in a kiss that steadies me more than anything else could. For a moment, the war outside disappeared.

We pull apart when millers voice echoes outside, barking orders about rations. Bellamy rests his forehead against mine for a beat longer, then pulls back.

"Let's go win another war" I whisper, and we step out together.

Bellamy grabs bags of rations, handing one to harper.

"Ready?" I ask her and Monty

They both just look up, worry filled their eyes.

"Come on. Our family's waiting" I tell Monty, holding out my hand. He grabs it without hesitation. Harper falls in step with him, Bellamy and I right behind them.

Hours into march, we make our way toward the front. Then echos voice crackles through the radio.

"Diana. Bellamy. Come in if you can hear me" she says

Bellamy starts to answer, but I grab his arm.
"Bell, wait. She's speaking trig for a reason" I say

"Why are we speaking trig? What's wrong?" Bellamy asks into the radio

"They know you're coming. You've lost the element of surprise." Echo replies

Bellamy curses under his breath.
"Clarke?" Monty asks

"It had to be. Echo listen to me-" Bellamy starts

"Bellamy" I stop him, dread in my voice.
"if Claire's on their side, she speaks trig too." I mutter

"Diana, Bellamy, you have to go back. We have their pilot, so you're safe for now. But you can't come here." Echo says.

I grab the radio.
"Not possible. It's a long story, but we can't go back and we can't stop. We're five days out. You have that long to find us a safe way in. After that, we run out of rations." I tell her

A beat of silence. Then:
"We're on it. Be safe. Over and out" echo said

Later, miller removes our weapons and waves us forward. Bellamy and I approach Octavia, as she leads in the front walking.

"You're marching us into a massacre" i say flatly

"We'll see" she answers

"Echo radioed. Your enemy knows you're coming. We don't need to worry about the missiles but they're moving their weapons into position." Bellamy adds

Indra folds her arms.
"It's safe to assume that since there's only three realistic ways into the valley that all three will be heavily defended." She says

"Echos scouting now. Looking for the best way in. But we can't go back. You burned the farm. And we can't stop, because we'll starve. Which means, congratulations, Octavia- you've killed the people" I say

"Heda" Indra says quietly, not looking at Octavia but at me.

Octavia stiffens, jaw tightening.

"Enjoy your walk" Bellamy mutters, turning on his heel.

I hesitate to follow, wanting to say one last thing.
"I didn't want it to be this way, O. But after you lead the people into a massacre- and if we even make it out alive- they will remove you. I will remove you. You left me no choice" I say

For once, she doesn't have a response. 

We had set up camp, Bellamy and I approached Octavia's tent. A guard moved aside the second I tell him to. Inside, Octavia stands over a map.

Bellamy gestures at it.
"You don't need that" he said

"The spy found us a way in?" She asks

"Yes. Everybody out" I order.

They start to move, then Octavia's eyes snap to them. The room freezes, no one moves, they all watch nervously at Octavia. But then she gives the  faintest nod, and they all file out. But not because of her- because I told them to. The shift doesn't escape me.

"Before we tell you this, we need to set some things straight." Bellamy says

"I'm listening" she nods

"This war you're so anxious for? Is about to be fought on the last survivable land on earth. That is monumentally stupid. But it's here, and in four days, when we march on that valley, we are gonna fight this the right way." Bellamy says

"Does the right way end up with us winning?" She asks

"It ends with us accepting their surrender. No executions. No fighting pits. Real peace." I say firmly

She stares at me for a long time. Then:
"Believe it or not, I want that too." She says

"I wish I believed it." Bellamy mutters

"Fine. I accept your terms. Now tell me how to win this war" Octavia says

"Indra has the details" I answer, already turning toward the door.

As Bellamy and I step out, Octavia's voice stops him.

"Bellamy. This is how it was meant to be. You and me. Fighting side by side." She says

He glances back at her.
"I'm not fighting for you. I'm fighting to get back my family." He said

Then he turns away. And I walk with him.