A/N; I got bored waiting for Taylor Swift's live chat, so I decided to post this. I re-wrote per some amazing advice. This takes place during a time that never happened- Cammie is fifteen, just starting Cove-ops. She is hunted by the Circle now, and Zach has already moved to Gallagher. I know this could never happen, but I promise the story will work better (hopefully) this way.. Like I said- ALL OF THE TIMINGS ARE MESSED UP. IGNORE THEM! As always, R&R!

Hope. It is a dangerous thing. Too much hope, and you begin to lose sight of what truly matters, your cause. Not enough hope, and you lose the will to fight, to go on.

That is something I learned the hard way. It is this I am thinking of on a snowy January evening as I make my way to the Welcome dinner.

I run my hand down the wooden banister, pastel yellow nails highlighted against the dark wood, plaid skirt swinging against my tanned and toned legs, shoes clicking on the marble stairs as though they were heels.

"Kate? Did you hear me?" My best friend Lexie asks, smirking.

"What?"

"I swear. Sometimes I wonder if you're all there. Anyway," She laughs, "MacKenzie thinks that Mrs Morgan will be tightening security measures or something for Cammie."

"I don't think they could get any tighter," I say honestly, "Short of building military barracks and having a small army to protect her." She laughs again, nodding, as we turn into the great hall.

I take a seat between Lexie and opposite MacKenzie, who is gossiping about the sophomores again. On my right, Grainne Gilligan is telling me about her boyfriend back home, John or Joe or something, but my mind is elsewhere.

"Women of the Gallagher academy, who goes here?" Mrs Morgan asks, stepping up to the podium.

"We are the sisters of Gillian." The entire student body chorus, getting to their feet.

"Why do you come?" She asks

"To learn her skills, honor her sword and keep her secrets."

"To what end to you work?"

"To the cause of justice and light."

"How long will you strive?"

"For all the days of our lives." She smiles and we once again take our seats.

"Girls," She begins, "Our Sisterhood has never been so tested before. Danger may lurk around every corner, and sometimes it may feel like there is no hope. But you must never give up hope- it is the last thing to go. Hope is the shining light at the end of what feels like a very long, very dark tunnel. We must stand together, as a sisterhood, to protect our legacy, for in times of despair, our legacy is all we may have left." She steps back, the signal for us to begin eating. I load food onto my plate, having not eaten since I left my home twelve hours ago.

"What was that all about?" Mackenzie exclaims, chewing on a chicken breast thoughtfully.

"Duh, Mackenzie," I smirk, "Isn't it obvious? It was about hope." For someone so intelligent, she really can be dull. She flips her chocolate colored hair over her shoulder, pursing her lips.

"It sounded like it had a deeper meaning though." I open my mouth to reply, but someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn, to see Mr Solomon, the Cove-ops teacher, standing behind me.

"Miss Cunningham. Mrs Morgan wants to see you." I set my fork down on the side of my plate.

"Now, sir?"

"Immediately. And Miss Collins," He smiles at Mackenzie, who blushes, "I wouldn't read too deeply into Mrs Morgan's speech just now. I'm sure it's meaning will come to light soon enough." I swing my feet over the bench, making sure my socks are covering my scars as I walk up to the staff table towards Mrs Morgan. She smiles at me as I approach, and I can't help but think of how tough her life has been. Not as tough, I imagine, as mine, not to be big headed, but that would be extremely difficult.

"You wanted to see me, Mrs Morgan?"

"Yes, Kate." She fiddles with a strand of hair, "Mr Solomon has requested your presence in Cammie's Cove-ops class."

"Me? Why?"

"He has been training you, Kate. He knows how good you are. And you are head girl. Besides," Her eyes linger on the table her daughter sits at with her friends before flickering back to me. "And you are not to mention this to them, but they are going on a training mission tomorrow, and you can help protect her." I think about reading her mind for a fleeting moment, but decide against it- I respect her too much for that.

"Of course I will," Is all I say, "It would be an honor."

"And of course this is all confidential until tomorrow, of course." She smiles and I turn, returning to my friends.

"What was that about?" Lexie asks, shoving a forkful of cake into her mouth. I smile to myself.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

The next morning, I almost forget what I'm supposed to be doing. I grab a slice of toast and sit at the table, when I spot a piece of evapropaper stuck to the underside of the table. I peel it off, reading it.

Meet us at the van at nine am sharp

-Mr Solomon

I finish my toast and get to my feet, rushing out the door just as Mackenzie and Lexie enter, shouting an apology.

I run back to my room and grab my blue quilted Gallagher jacket and sunglasses to block out the Winter sun. Our other roommate, Genie, is still snoring in bed.

"Genie!" I whisper into her ear. She sub-consciously swats my hand away, rolling over. I yank the duvet off her body, throwing it on the floor. "Get up, sweetie. Or you'll be late." She sits up, groaning. Her hair is a mess, eyes drooping.

"What time is it?" I glance at my watch, smirking.

"8:55." She jumps up, sprinting for the shower without another word. I shake my head and leave the room, weaving in and out around the mingling girls and down the staircase. The front doors have been unlocked, and I breeze through them, sliding on my sunglasses. The breeze is refreshing, and there is a light coating of snow over the playing fields. A van lingers on the tarmac, Mr Moscowitz in the driving seat.

"Hey Mr M!" I call, waving at him. He smiles at me through his bushy moustache, stretching. I lean against the side of the van, fiddling with the pendant that hides beneath my blouse. I count security cameras for three minutes and forty six seconds until the doors open again, and Cammie's class step outside. A few of them seem shocked to see me, but Mr Solomon just ushers them into the van. I climb in behind them, sitting between him and Cammie.

Mr Moscowitz starts the engine and pulls down the drive, and Mr Solomon looks at each of us in turn. After five minutes and twenty two seconds, he speaks.

"As spies," He says, "Deception is our trade. One of the key aspects of deception is blending in. As you all know, some of us are very good at blending in when in crowds, at being able to disappear." He looks at Cammie as he says this, and she blushes. He ploughs on, "But sometimes, you will have to blend in, in a different way. You will have to seem like you belong, and that is the purpose of today's activity." The van pulls up, but he does not open the doors yet. "Miss Cunningham is accompanying us for security mostly, but also so you can learn from her. She is one of our best pupils and as a senior has a lot of experience in this field." I give a little wave, smiling. "Miss Baxter, if you would do us the honour." She nods and pushes open the double doors of the van.

"Welcome," She says, moving back, "To the fair."