I have nothing to say for myself other than 1) I'm alive (as you can all see), 2) I'm still writing this story albeit very slowly and 3) there's no way I'm finishing this story this year like I had originally aimed to…

Thank you all for the reviews, favourites and follows in my absence.

Also thank you to Bri (Guest) for reviewing on my hobbit fic. After I've finished writing GF and the other hobbit fic in the works, I think I'm gonna completely rewrite that. (And you're not annoying, I like your reviews)

Issy's head switches between Christina and Tris, realising that this could quickly turn into an argument. "Hey, hey!" She raises her hands up and steps between them. "Whatever Four's reasonings, maybe he's just trying to sort through it before he says anything, yeah?"

Tris backs up a step. "Yeah, maybe."

Christina frowns but thankfully keeps her mouth shut and carries on working on Issy's jacket.

The hour it took for Christina to fix Issy's jacket seemed to both drag and go by quickly.

Tris made small talk with Issy about the aftermath of the sudden invasion and the work that was being done around the faction. Christina made small noises every now and then about the rebuilding program that has moved and marked as a priority to everyone who worked in the compound schedules. Those on the fence and those working the patrols had their hours doubled, working to see if they could track the rebels down.

When Christina presented Issy with her jacket, both Issy's and Tris' phones sounded with a notification. Issy frowned, looking to Tris, before pulling out her phone.

"Ah," Issy grinned down at her phone. "Harrison has mine and squadron 187's timetable for when we go back to the Front." She looks to Tris. "You?"

Tris frowns at her phone. "Luke's requesting we go over the reports to the other Factions. Apparently Candor's ambassador is calling bullshit on something about Abnegation."

Issy pulls on her jacket and taps her points card on the small device Christina holds. The small device dings as the points transfer over. Nodding to Christina, who had already turned her back on the pair and had walked deeper into her workshop, Issy looked to Tris. "You want company up to the Leadership floor?"

Tris, who had been staring wistfully at Christina's back, nodded her head. "Sure."

As Tris pulls on her own jackets and collects the folders stamped with the Dauntless Logo, Issy shoots a quick message off to Uriah about getting their timetables for the Front. Uriah's response is instant, telling her he'll meet them at the lifts.

The pair soon walk out of the workshop quietly. When they hit the floor of the Pit, Issy glances at Tris.

"Sooo, wanna talk about what just happened?" Issy prods gently. When Tris sighs but doesn't respond, Issy prods a little more. "I thought you guys were tight?"

"We are, its just –" Tris shakes her head. "I only just managed to stay in Dauntless after the rankings of Stage One. Stage Two, I found it easier to fight my fears than the others and I began to rise through the ranks quickly and my friends thought I was gaining favours to stay in Dauntless. Uriah and a few other of the Dauntless borns knew how the ranking system went, so they knew it wasn't true."

Issy was aware that not every class was like her own, but she didn't expect it to be so cutthroat. "Did they ever, you know, grow the fuck up and realise that it was because you're a good goddamned Dauntless?"

Tris laughed a little. "Kinda. They eased up a bit but then completely shut me off a while after the final rankings when Four and I made our relationship known." Issy nodded her head, understanding that situation at least. "Once Christina gets something in her head, it's hard to convince her otherwise."

"Tell me about it." Both Tris and Issy jump at the sound of Uriah's voice, who stands leaning against one of the walls. "After a year as members, a rumour went round the compound that I was cheating on Marlene. Obviously, I wasn't because I love her more than I love myself." Uri winks. "Took about five months of Christina trying to get Marlene to break up with my cheating ass and me telling her it's not true. Old Candor habits die hard, huh?"

Issy shivers. "And I thought the general gossips of Dauntless were bad."

Tris laughs along with Uriah. "Nah, they haven't got anything on Christina."

Tris, Issy and Uriah bicker back and forth as they take the lift up to the Leadership floor. When the doors open, they are immediately greeted by Luke, who stands with his own folders clutched to his chest.

Luke smiles widely when his eyes land on Issy and she returns the smile. "Issy! Long-time no see! How are you?"

Issy laughs. "It has been a long time, hasn't it? Work is quickly taking over our lives, especially with this rebellion."

"Fucking rude of them, huh?" Luke smirks.

"Tell me about it!" Issy laughs. "But yeah, I've been alright. Same shit different day up on the Front. How's you? Swamped with files?"

Luke looks down to his folders and shakes his head. "Candor's a pain in my ass but when are they not?" Issy and Uriah snicker at the irony while Tris rolls her eyes. "Uh, Sam's still in an induced coma for his own safety. His mum is friends with my mum, so I get updated regularly."

"That's good." Issy quickly sobers up. "I could hear him screaming for his girlfriend while I was in the infirmary."

"It's definitely –" Luke pauses, eyeing the hallway.

Issy turns to see what caught his attention and she watches as Max strides towards them.

"Hello all." Max says with a tight smile as he stops by them. his eyes narrow at Tris before speaking again. "I'm sorry if it's an inconvenience but I need you all to leave this corridor immediately. Please make your way to the breakroom now." Issy opens her mouth to ask why but Max cuts across her with a slight glare. "Now soldier. I will collect you all from the breakroom when you're allowed to leave."

Issy simply shrugs, knowing a non-negotiable order when she hears one, and moves towards the breakroom. She would have carried on walking if Tris' broken gasp hadn't caught Issy's attention and the sight that followed pulled Issy to a stop.

Down the corridor Max had come from is Harrison guiding Four with a firm grip on Four's upper arms.

"What's going on?" Tris' voice is high as she asks the question that's echoing through all of their heads. "Four? What's happening?"

"Tris," Max silently warns her, even as he begins to raise voice. "I will ask you all once more. Clear the way."

Tris' eyes are fixed on Four, ignoring their Leader. "What is going on?"

As much as Issy's curiosity would love to know what's going on too, she's smart enough not to indirectly challenge a Leader, especially Max, while Harrison stands witness along with whoever is watching the cameras. Issy's eyes sharpen, noting that his arms are forced behind his back like they're cuffed – golden flecks brighten and shimmer. Surely Four's not a traitor? If anything, he's just as dedicated to this faction as the Leaders are. Though she remembers the time that Four used the favour she owed him but didn't explain why. The soldier in her can't help but eye Four up as a potential threat and he hangs his head in shame.

Issy steps up to Tris' right and places a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. "Tris, maybe we should wait in the break room?" She urges Tris and pulls her a step make, nodding to Max. Issy shoots a look of help me to Luke and Uriah.

Luke immediately moves to grabs Tris' arms, but Issy stares at Uriah. Sometimes she forgot how close the younger Pedrad is with Four. The betrayal on his face as her stares at Four is enough to make Issy feel like she's been stabbed. With a look similar to a kicked puppy, Uriah moves forward and pulls Tris backwards.

As the three of them pull Tris away, Max motions Harrison forward.

Even though Issy has both Uriah and Luke helping her pull Tris towards the breakroom, it's a struggle to pull her away. Tris is crying now, the situation just becoming clear to her.

"Four! No!" Tris fights against their hold as she screams. "Four!"

Four shifts his head to look at Tris as he is forced forward by Harrison as max leads the way. "It'll be okay Tris." He calls back and Tris' calms a little. "I'm sorry!" He stares at Tris for a moment before looking to Uriah, and then to Issy. There is nothing but apologies and shame in his eyes. He looks back to Tris. "I'm sorry, it'll be okay."

A door shuts Four off from them and Tris' knees give out, pulling all three of them down with her. Her folders drop to the floor and spread everywhere.

"I don't understand!" Tris cries. "I – what could Four have done?"

Uriah shares a look with Issy. "I don't know," He says. "But whatever happens, I'm sure we'll find out."

xXx

It was half an hour later when Max entered the breakroom.

After Tris had collapsed, Uriah had lifted her up and brought her to the breakroom with Issy opening the door for him. Luke had collected all of Tris' paperwork and followed after them. It didn't take long for Tris to pass out and Issy would be lying if she said she wasn't relieved.

Issy didn't quite know what to do when Tris was crying, and she felt useless.

Luke looked at her with the same relief that Issy was feeling, causing her to smile.

Uriah sat down next to Tris with a frown and all three of them stayed like that until Max arrived.

All of their heads snapped up to the Head Leader when he appeared, and they waited silently for an explanation or order.

"How is she?" Max asked instead, nodding to where Tris was sleeping on one of the sofas.

"Shocked, I guess." Uriah said as he looked up to Max.

"Confused." Issy added.

Max sighed, sitting down in one of the chairs opposite them. "I can relate… what you've all seen today, none of you must repeat to anyone one else. Personally, I'd like to get through this trial with as much secrecy as possible. Four is a respected member in the faction and I don't want to deal with an uproar at the news of his arrest. The cameras were shut off in the hallway but those in the control room would have seen you all enter this room. Rumours will certainly spread, but let's keep the truth of it to the bare minimum, understood?"

"Yes sir!" Uriah, Issy and Luke say together and Max nods.

"Oh, before I go." Max pulls two folded up sheets out of his jacket pocket. "Harrison asked me to pass this along to you both. It's the timetable for your start-up back on the Front." Max passes one to Issy and the other to Uriah. "Pass that along to Duncan, will you?"

"Yes sir." Uri nods and slips it into his pocket.

"Good." Max smiles. "I'll probably see you all later in the week for the Trials then."

When Issy, Uriah and Luke nod in response, since the Trials were practically mandatory to attend, Max leaves the room, and they settle back into a silence as they watch over Tris.