Captain raises his cup up in the air and the others join him, theirs clinking against his.

Issy raises hers also, grinning as Captain says a toast. She's been looking forward to going back to work only because of the idiots around her. Her friends. Her squad mates. Her team.

Issy was wrong. She was so wrong. Being off for just over three weeks had made her lazy from having lie ins most mornings. Because of this, waking up at seven was nearly too much for her and there wasn't enough coffee to help her mood. That, and because she's been underground for most of the three weeks, she hasn't noticed the dire change in weather. Winter had come late this year but when it finally did, it came with full force. Most of squad 226 was unbelievably envious of Bulldozer as he sat in the warmth of the truck as the rest of them trudged in knee high snow.

By the time they got back to the compound everyone's teeth were chattering and their clothes were soaked. All except BD of course. Issy's nose scrunched up in disgust as her boots squelched as she unmounted her bike. They got back to the compound nearly an hour later than normal due to the snow and ice. She waved half-heartedly to the rest of her squad as she put her equipment back into her locker and left the garage.

Her boots continued to squelch with each step, gaining knowing and pitying looks from those that passed her in the hallways. Issy was envious of them too. All cooped up in the warmth of the compound, even if it was still slightly cold, it was still certainly warmer than outside.

When she finally stood outside her door, Issy pulled off her sodden boots and socks and her jacket before unlocking the door. As soon as she pushed it open she was welcomed by a waft of warm air and she was very thankful of turning up her heating before she left for her shift. A small pool of water had begun to collect on the stone floor beside her clothes and she made a mental note to mop that up later. She certainly didn't want a small ice puddle to catch her unaware in the morning. Muttering softly to herself, she picked up her clothes and ran to her bathroom and dumping them into the bath.

"Gross." She grumbled, picking up a towel as she walked back to the puddle. As kneeled down and started to mop it up she felt eyes on her. Issy looked up to meet her eldest brother's gaze. His head was cocked to the side at an almost awkward angle as he watched her from in front of Eric's door.

"What, uh, what are you doing?"

"I don't want slip on an icy puddle in the morning so I'm moping it up." Issy now noticed Dec was halfway through the motion of unlocking Eric's door. "What are you doing?"

Declan's eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly. "I, uh, I left some stuff when I was at Eric's last so I'm just picking that up and uh, a few other things."

Issy rose an eyebrow as he rambled on until he cleared his throat. She leaned back and narrowed her eyes at him. "Okay." She didn't believe him and he knew it. "How's Eric?" She asked instead, knowing Declan wouldn't tell her the real reason why he's at Eric's door.

"Yeah, uh, Eric's good." He nods his head, somewhat on edge. "Busy, but yeah, he's good."

Since Manic she hadn't seen much of Eric, only in passing, and even then it was brief. From what Issy had seen, the young Leader and his squad have continuously been in and out of the compound. Most days they'd be marching to and from their truck during the day at random times, almost in full battle amour. She had seen Eric, his second and Harrison discussing something with their heads bent over a map or something and then they'd break off suddenly before anyone could get too close. Whenever Issy had asked Hugo or Dec what was going on, they simply changed the subject. Something was happening but obviously Leadership doesn't want anyone to know yet.

"Good."

Dec stared at her, expecting her to ask more questions. "Okay."

There was a pause between them as they stared at each other. Issy wanted to ask the answers to the questions that had plagued her mind but she knew she wouldn't get them. Declan stood waiting for her to ask those questions, ready to try to direct her interest somewhere else.

"Okay." She simply said and now it was her brother's turn to narrow his eyes. Issy looked down and moped the last of the puddle up before she got back onto her feet. "Its been a long day so I think I'll just stay at home tonight."

"Okay." He nodded his head. "See you tomorrow maybe then?"

"Yeah, maybe." She stepped back into her flat and smiled at her brother. Throughout their conversation he still hadn't moved. "Love you brother."

For the first time Declan actually smiled. "Love you too little sis."

She smiled again as she closed the door. Quickly, she threw the towel into the sink and pressed her eye to the peephole. She watched as Dec smirked at her door and shook his head before opening Eric's door and letting himself in. The door shut behind him and Issy waited for him to come back out. It took him half an hour to come back out and when he did he carried a large bag but she couldn't tell what was in it. She leaned away from the door with a frown on her face. She was no closer to finding out her answers then she was before. She sighed and walked deeper into her flat.

xXx

It was nearly ten o'clock when she sat down on her sofa bundled up in blankets with a book on her lap and a cup of coffee in her hands. After she had spied on her brother, she had squeezed the excess water from her clothes and put them in the wash with the rest of her uniform. Her boots were unlaced and placed against the radiator to dry. After a long soak in the bath, she felt refreshed and now she was sat in joggers, a large hoodie and the thickest socks she could find.

She took a sip if her coffee when her phone pinged from her bedroom. Curious, she bookmarked her page and placed it and her cup onto the table. She shimmied out of her cocoon and went in search of her phone. When she picked it up, Issy frowned when she saw Eric's name on the screen as she unlocked it.

If you're free now can you meet me in your alcove by the Chasm? I need to talk to you.

Issy immediately looked around for a pair of shoes until she found the boots that were issued in initiation. She slipped them on before replying to Eric.

Yeah, see you down there soon.

She stared at the screen until an Okay popped up on her screen. She locked her phone and picked up her keys, shoving them both into her pocket once she had locked her door. The hallways were definitely cold as she walked towards the Chasm. As the sounds of the water crashing against rock got louder, the temperature dropped even further. She slowed to a stop as she came to the railing and inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as a few droplets hit her cheeks. She opened her eyes and walked into her alcove. It was her sanctuary during initiation and it continues to be even now.

"Issy." She spins around to the entrance to see Eric blocking most of it. Her lips twitch up into a small smile as she watches him watch her. He returns it as he walks further in. "So," He clears his throat. "First day back on the job. How's it going?"

Issy sighs, rolling her eyes. "Its colder than I remember."

"That's kinda what happens when it changes to winter." Eric chuckles and Issy smirks. He leans against one of the walls as his expression hardens. "Declan says you've been asking question." Issy's eyes widen and she opens her mouth but Eric cuts her off. "Its okay. I'm going to tell you anyway but Issy, this must stay between us. Dec knows, as does the rest of Leadership, but we're keeping this quiet so people don't start to panic okay?"

Issy nods her head. She finally get her answers although now she's got an odd feeling that she'd rather not know. "Okay."

Eric exhales, his gaze meeting Issy's. "I know you've noticed how busy my squad has been these past few weeks and there's a reason for that. Someone has be supplying the Factionless with weapons. Since the ambush you and your squad was in there have been several other ambushed Dauntless patrols. As we have begun to get those under control, there have been other ambushes along the Amity border. Some Factionless have started fires, others have stolen food as it is delivered to the other factions." Issy's eyes widen as Eric continues with a grim look on his face. "We believe they've started learning the Dauntless patrol rotation, to when to strike and when to lay low. It has been decided that Harrison's more skilled squadrons will start looking for any evidence the Factionless are trying to start a war. That means any weapon safe houses, any gatherings that seemed far too planned, anything. Because of this it has also been decided that my squad and I will be sent to Amity's border and patrol it. We'll be leaving soon." Eric breaks eye contact and looks down.

Issy stands still, her hands coming up to wrap around her waist. Her eyes are wide and golden as she stares at Eric, who is still not looking at her. Eric's leaving the compound, she realises and her hands tighten on her waist. "For how long?" She's slightly aware that her voice cracks as she waits for Eric to look at her, to answer her question.

Slowly he raises her head to meet her gaze. He looks sad and Issy immediately doesn't want to know. "Until further notice." Issy shrinks back a step, a tear rolling down her face. Eric then surges forward until he stands in front of her. He raises his hand up to cup her cheek and gently brushes the tear away. Something drops to the floor quietly and Eric tucks a strap into her pocket. "Issy." He sighs and then his lips touch hers. Her eyes widen in surprise as he moves his mouth against hers. It's not at all like that first peck in this alcove all those weeks ago. Her hands move to his shoulders as she pushes herself closer to him. Her eyes close as she feels him smile against her mouth and he winds a hand into her hair. She doesn't know how long its been when Eric slowly breaks away and leans his forehead against hers. Both of them are breathing heavily and their chests brush every time they breath out. Eric brushes his thumb along her lower lip before his hand cups her cheek again. "Just in case." He whispered and her eyes close at the silent words he doesn't say. Just in case he doesn't come back. Eric kisses her again slowly before breaking away and pressing his lips to her forehead and stepping away. A tear falls again as she hears him walk away. She isn't brave enough to watch him go, knowing that it might be the last time. His voice is faint when he next speaks. "I'll see you soon." Her eyes open at the break in his own voice and she looks up. Eric isn't anywhere to be seen.

She let out a shaky breath, looking down to what Eric had left behind. It was the bag that Declan had taken out of Eric's apartment earlier that day. Issy sniffed as she opened it up and pulled at the first thing she saw. It was a jacket and it was then as she brought it up to her nose that it was never Declan's jackets she had wore. They had been Eric's.

... I'm sorry...?