GOLDEN FLAMES TURNS THREE TODAY!

I still think it's absolutely crazyyyyy that I've been writing this story for so long… My aim is to finish this story this year and since we're three quarters the way done; I may be able to achieve that!

Anyway!

TIMESKIP!

While they didn't complete their mission, Beta didn't see the down side of capturing and claiming the half bridge as Dauntless territory instead. For a twelve-hour day that should have been ten, Beta didn't think it was too bad…

Over the next few weeks, squadron 226 continue to shadow squadron 818.

Bobbie and her crew showed 226 the different types of jobs that squadrons could be placed at while working. While eight odd hours went faster during missions, being stationed as a guard along the sandbag walls or on the lookout for incoming Factionless threat was incredibly boring to Beta. While the other squadrons who preferred the quietness of the shift over the wildness of battle, some of them had seen too much death on the Front to ever be comfortable going out on missions again. The hours dragged long enough that she allowed her chaotic side to sink its claws deeper into her being. Beta's chaotic side itched to get her hands on a neuro-stim gun and start shooting soldiers that leered at Rainbow or Sweets, or annoyed Beta. Then, at least she had the argument of it wasn't a real gun with real bullets…

Beta definitely preferred having missions on shift. At least then she had a suitable outlet for her anger and annoyance, and she didn't get pulled up for doing her job. Commander Brandon seemed to realise this and put 818 and 226 back into the missions.

After work, once they were back in the compound, Issy checked in with her squaddies to see how they were handling the change.

Even though Bulldozer didn't like the old system of being on the Front, he loved the exhilaration the new system gave him. The restricting chains of Dauntless' usual patrols were mind-numbingly boring, and he told Issy he had never been happier with his decision.

Red felt the similar to BD about the freedom on the Front, but not to the same extent as Bulldozer since BD became somewhat drunk on the bloodlust. Sometimes during a shift, Red would take over from Issy when she became too lost in her sadness that she drifted into her own thoughts. He did it almost subconsciously and Red was given reports from Brandon and other captains, going through them with Beta. People treated Red as Beta's second in command, and that's what he became.

Rainbow, oddly, appeared more relaxed than she had in ages. Something about being back on the Front made her feel at home and she had said to Issy that it was nice to talk to other marksmen about different types of rifles, people that actually knew what they were on about. They were professionals in that area after all. Rainbow set up small competitions with the other marksmen and Beta grinned smugly when Rainbow won most of them.

Hector adjusted really well to the change, having been brought up with Shaun's insider information of how the Front worked. While waiting for the start of their shifts, Hec was often with Brandon in the garrison, pouring over the maps and consulting with the commander about possible footholds Dauntless could take and what advantages it would give them. Brandon had threatened Beta he'd steal Hec away and promote him to advisor. Sometimes he was joking, others he was completely serious. Though Beta wanted Hector to stay since he had taken lead more often than not when it came to planning the charge during missions and quickly became 226's tactical advisor.

Geek had an actual field day at all the advanced tech that the squadrons were allowed to access. He unofficially gained access to the backroom of the armoury at the barracks and started experimenting with chemicals, weapons and some unknown items that even Beta doesn't want to question how Geek got his hands on it…

Lani took everything into her stride without a second thought, surprising the rest of the squadron greatly. While the others had been through skirmishes, this was Lani's first time in a warfare environment. After the adrenaline of the first shift had worn off, Issy held Lani's hair and rubbed her back as she threw up everything in her stomach. BD took Lani through exercises to deal with the horrors they see on the battle field and each day, Lani got better and better with dealing with it. She didn't flinch away from Beta's eyes and once she got used to it all, 226 watched as Lani went through several different types of weapons until she finally settled on a ridiculously weaponised crossbow. She and Geek had been holed away in the backroom of the armoury creating it and the arrows to go along with it. Some of the arrows had bomb heads and others had little needles that injected a type of serum that Beta had never heard of before. In Lani and Geek's spare time, they were creating new types of arrowheads with different effects.

Billy's sarcastic nature never seemed to amaze the soldiers around them… There's been moments where Billy gets a black eye just before shift start from some silly comment he made, causing him to get punched in the face. Billy just laughs it off, enjoying how easily people's tempers can snap. Odd little dumpling… Though during one mission, he became increasingly useful for reasons none of them expected… The mission was to take out the Factionless that had taken camp far too close to the border of Dauntless' territory and Brandon said it would just be a quick in and out job. Turns out where the Factionless had set up camp was exceedingly difficult to get to without gunned down immediately. You know what Billy did? He just walked right in there without a care in the world and struck up conversation with them. The Factionless, who were too shocked to grab their guns, actually sat and had a conversation with him. Beta was almost howling with laughter as they discussed the weather, how things were going with them, and then Billy proceeded to shoot them all in the head before they realised what was happening. Then he just walked back out like nothing had happened.

226 drew some attention to themselves for being absolutely fucking nuts but together the squadron complimented each other well. Even though Beta still didn't know half the names of Bobbie's crew, they got along great and there were a lot of jokes batted back and forth about how 226 should attach little wolf ears to their tactical helmets after Brandon had said he's adding the wolves to a mission instead of referring them as their squadron number. The commander hadn't even realised what he had said until Bobbie started laughing. The moniker stuck and while Beta was simply just Beta, her squaddies started being called Wolfie, much to Beta's amusement.

Although they were all having a good time with their new job, there were still moments that Beta's temper snapped… The common theme of why was always Eric. Soldiers always wanted to talk to her about him and fuel the rumours going around the compound. At first, she tried to brush them off or walk away, but they followed after her, constantly bugging her. In the weeks 226 shadowed 818, Beta realised two things: firstly, the most efficient way to shut someone up was to hold a weapon to their forehead or neck, and secondly, she has a trigger word that lights her anger and feeds her chaotic side…

Turns out that when Beta doesn't give the soldiers anything to work with to feed the rumours, they call her a child… The anger that pounded in her head slipped a blindfold over her eyes and she honestly doesn't remember what happened during her haze. Red, knowing the circumstances of why that word affects Beta so much, took her to the gun range and let her go through a few hundred rounds until she calmed down. When Issy finally collapsed, exhausted, she wasn't proud of what had happened when Red told her the soldier had to be emitted into the infirmary.

For their last week shadowing 818 and following the…accident, the whole squadron had been sent back to the compound to relax and settle back into a normal lifestyle, rather than being on the Front constantly, only to go back to the compound for eight hours rest before driving back out again. Issy wasn't the only one that felt the compound was too quiet and expected an attack constantly. Though while she was back home, Issy commissioned Christina to make her a harness to wear over her jacket so that Issy can wear the shield on her back while driving on her bike.

Issy hardly saw any of her family and since she avoided Bree, who'd most likely start lecturing her again, Issy was starting to feel a little lonely. To keep herself amused, Issy pulled out her violin from its case and started playing. She must have unconsciously poured all her hurt and sadness into her music because when Issy drew the piece to a close and looked up, Alec was leaning the wall with tears running down his face.

After that, even as Issy told her brother she was fine, Alec made the decision to join her for a couple of nights. When Alec was around, they talked about all the pranks they pulled back in Erudite and tossed a few ideas around for any they could pull in Dauntless. Both of the twins felt like they had been sucked into adult life through their jobs and had quickly became the people that they had sworn they'd never be. Serious people who didn't know how to joke and relax… Though with the rebellion rising and the Factionless on the Front becoming more and more confident, there was little time for jokes and mischievous things.

That night when Alec had come around, he was silent as he sat against the headboard. He stared at her for a long moment before he pointed out how light Issy's eyes were. Confused, Issy moved off the bed and into her bathroom.

"Shit…" She breathed, staring into her own light gold eyes. While she wore her Beta mask during work, her eyes were a permanent shade of white-gold. Issy had assumed that when she came home, her eyes would shift back to normal and the blue would be present…

"They've been like that since you got back." Alec whispered and she turned to see him leaning against the door frame. "I thought it was because you were stressed or upset or something but –" Alec shook his head. "They just haven't changed colour at all."

Issy gripped the sink as she narrowed her eyes and willed for them to shift into her original blue flecked gold.

They didn't.

"If I wasn't shit scared of needles and didn't hate the way Jeanine runs the hospital, I'd go over to Erudite and ask what's wrong."

"Thank god you don't need blood tests in Dauntless," Alec smiled softly before he snorted. "Though I think Four would enjoy himself immensely."

Issy smirked and stepped away from the mirror. "Number boy's getting far too comfortable while I'm away, I think we might have to change that brother."

Alec grinned and walked back into her room. "I think so too dear sister."

xXx

The next morning, Issy followed Alec to the cafeteria for breakfast. They joined Lilah who was sitting with Kayden and Flare, and Issy happily sunk into Flare's arms as Kayden rubbed her back. The table they were sat at was out of view from their family's table and Issy didn't know who to thank for the decision.

Every time she came in contact with those of her family, it was somewhat awkward on her part, since most of them – according to Alec – still didn't have the slightest clue about what had happened. Some of them were more than aware of the rumours following Issy and Eric. Christina, when she wasn't being professional, stabbed Issy repeatedly with snippy comments that made her want to cry. Ex-Candors could be really vicious when they wanted to be.

"Issy?"

Her hazy gaze flew up from where she had been staring to the tabletop. She had been lost in thought while she ate, and Flare's voice pulled her to the present.

"I'm sorry, what?"

Flare smiled. "We were talking about just staying in today and watching a couple movies. Kayden managed to pick up a projector screen from somewhere, so it would be on a larger screen."

Issy nearly said yes. The word was on the tip of her tongue but then she remembered the meeting she had to attend later with the rest of her squadron. "I wish I could, but I've got a meeting about the Front at lunch. Maybe another time?"

When breakfast was over Issy hugged them all before leaving to walk back to her apartment and get changed into her uniform. While Issy would have loved to have joined the two couples for a lazy Sunday morning, her squadron had been requested at a meeting with a few other available squadrons that work on the Front, and some of the Leaders, for a monthly review on the progress on the Front.

After Issy closes her apartment door behind her, she takes a few steps in before freezing. There, on her coffee table, was a folded pile of clothes she had left at Eric's apartment.

Something inside her just breaks and she collapses to her knees and a sob falls from her mouth. She doesn't know how long she sits there for, crying to herself, until there's a soft knock at her door. When Issy doesn't get up to answer it, the door opens and there's a quiet sigh behind her.

Red appears before her and she squints at him, her vision blurry with tears. "Wipe away those tears, bright eyes." His eyes hold pity as he reaches out and pulls her to her feet. "We have a meeting to get to in half an hour."

Issy nods slowly and she quickly goes to get changed. Once dressed, Issy pauses for a moment before rummaging through her bedside draw. From it, she pulls out her bracelet. She hadn't been wearing it at work since she didn't want to break or lose it while out on the Front. Issy thumbs one of the fiery beads at the end of the plaque. "Where are you?" She whispers and her eyes flash to the poem engraved onto the iron plaque: You are never alone. We are all wolves howling to the same moon. Issy swallows thickly as tears threaten to spill. "I've never felt more alone. Where are you?"

"Issy!" Red calls and she rubs the tears away. "We need to leave!"

She slips the bracelet on before picking up her keys and phone. Red led her outside and waited for Issy to lock up before they quickly walked to the conference room.

There were a few other people waiting there when they entered the room. A few squadrons were seated and the only squad Issy knew was Bobbie and the rest of her soldiers. Issy's squadron was already sat towards a corner and their heads snapped up when Issy and Red walked in. Max and Eric stood discussing something quietly but paused. Max looked like he wanted to reach out and hug her, the thought alone nearly set Issy off again.

Issy didn't look at Eric but her body trembled at having to walk past him to get to her squad. Red shifts Issy and places himself between her and Eric, staring the young Leader down as they pass him. An action that didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the room. Issy glances up in time to see Eric clench his jaw and look away.

Issy sits in between Lani and Red, with Bobbie smiling at her from Lani's other side. While Red tried to be inconspicuous, moving his chair forward to block Issy from view, it was sort of obvious of who he was blocking Issy from…

Eric snarled quietly, and Max none too gently guided him into a chair.

People looked between Eric, Red and Issy.

Harrison opened the door and walked in with one of the technicians, who scurried over to the other side of the room.

"Sorry we're late," Harrison said, frowning at the almost tense atmosphere. "The line between Dauntless and the Front went down. The control room managed to get it back online."

The technician nodded to Harrison before a screen appeared and Brandon was sat in front of it, squinting and fiddling with something.

"Is this thing on?" Brandon asked loudly, causing a few of them to chuckle.

"Yes!" Eric called, a small smile on his face as he looked at his commander.

Brandon sat back and grimaced. "Fucking technology… I'd happily leave it to Finnick any day!"

Eric snorted.

"Right!" Max clapped his hands together and eyes darted to him. "Before we start this monthly review, I believe there's a few things some people want to say?" Max sends a pointed look to the other captains and they nod to the Head Leader.

The captains that Issy doesn't know and Bobbie all stand up.

"We'd like to thank you Beta, and the rest of your squad, for transferring over." One of the captains said and the others smiled at her. Their squaddies nodded along too. "We greatly appreciate your decision to transfer to the Front."

"Though, some of the captains that have worked with you, my brother Zion being one of them," Another captain shot her an apologetic look. "Are worried that you're not a hundred percent focused and often your – uh –" He glances to Red. "– second picks up for you."

Issy smiles tightly and glances down to the table before looking back up and tilting her chin up. "My faction comes first before my happiness. I assure you; I try not to let it get in the way of my work."

Harrison leads the meeting, starting on the introductions of each of the squadrons and moves onto the current statistics of the squadrons.

Bobbie leans around Lani and starts whispering quietly. "These meetings are just generally discussing reports and the activity of the Front." Issy, Hector and Lani move closer to Bobbie so they can hear her. "The squadrons present also depend on shifts, so it changes frequently, but sometimes the squadrons are chosen because they've tipped the scale on what footholds Dauntless has. Us squaddies hand over the reports, discuss Factionless activity we've seen, how the Factionless have been acting and if there's any change in behaviour. Harrison generally leads the meeting each time since it's in his department."

"But I thought Brandon said he was Eric's commander?" Lani whispered back.

Bobbie shrugged. "The lines get blurry here. A couple of months ago, one of Harrison's men led the Front but got killed in action during a mission so Eric offered Brandon to step in. Eric's present so he can be aware of any areas he and the rest of his squadron need to tackle. He and Harrison sometimes discuss other places we could try and get footholds on and Brandon then implements it into our briefs. Max is here to put the final stamp of approval of any new requests of missions etcetera."

Issy glances to the projector where the current statistics are shown. "Do we need to hand anything in?"

"No," Bobbie frowns. "Since it's your first meeting, Brandon would have handled the reports that you would have had to fill in. He'll go over it with you next week, I think."

Issy nods and tunes back into the meeting.

"– Factionless territory has increased slightly of the western bank," Zion's brother said, staring down at the reports. "The buildings they've been seen in have many floors with a higher advantage point."

Brandon's voice crackles over the line. "Dauntless' footholds have gone up too, don't forget. Having the half bridge means our forces can get across The Oblivion safely." Brandon smirks in Issy's direction. "Much thanks Beta."

Harrison nods, smiling at Issy. "I must say, congratulations on taking that Beta."

Issy shook her head and cut across what Harrison was about to say. "It wasn't my idea."

"Just take the compliment Beta and leave it." One of the captains hissed and Issy turned to them.

"No!" She glared at him and her eyes lightened even more. "I refuse to take the credit when it wasn't solely me. It was Hector that suggested taking the half bridge and Bobbie who expanded the idea." Issy shrugged. "I may have only pissed Zion off and led a group to the bridge. It was Nina of 818 to suggest the coup and plan of attack on the bridge. I simply egged the soldiers on and offered them support as they layed out their plans."

Max tilts his head at the soldiers mention. Bobbie smiles back while Hector and Nina both blush at the attention. "Congratulations to you too, it seems some of the reports are incorrect." Silence stretches for a moment before Max elbows Eric and the younger Leader clears his throat.

"It was still a successful mission," Eric said but even as the words were directed at Issy, he didn't look at her, or even in her direction. Instead he chose to stare at the wall. "Especially since it was the first under your belt as captain. No serious casualties and no one dead."

Harrison and Max share a look, one that Issy can't read. Harrison tries to smile at Issy and fails. "This meeting marks the end of 226 shadowing 818. Brandon has suggested that you are more comfortable on missions than being on guard duty, is that true?"

"I swear, I'd go crazy." Issy grins a little and her squad laugh behind her.

"Well then, that's where you'll be permanently assigned and –" Harrison is cut off when Eric stands up abruptly and storms out of the room. Her heart hurts at the furious snarl that he'd sent in her direction before he had left.

"Hey! I'm surprised he stayed this long!" Brandon called out, pointing to where Eric had sat. He glanced over to Issy as she slumped in her chair. "No offence Beta, but he's just being bit of a drama queen."

She waves him off and tries not to shrink under the multiple eyes that are staring at her.

"Uh –" Harrison stared at the door. "– I think now would be a great time to wrap up this meeting. You're all dismissed."

Issy stands up immediately and looks up to Red as tears gather in her eyes. He nods once and looks towards the others of 226. Without a word, her squaddies clear the way to the door for Issy and she darts forward.

Just as she leave the room, she hears Max sigh loudly.

"Ah, young love…"

Issy runs through the corridors until the cool air hits her when she exits the compound. She runs a hand through her hair and grips the strands as she falls to her knees. She forgets there's guards at the doors but she's too far away for them to really see her. Issy curls into herself but her head snaps up when she hears the train horn.

She makes the split decision and pulls herself to her feet.

The compound is filled with people who either give her pitying looks, take the situation out of proportion or doesn't understand what's going on. Issy feels too cramped and shut way staying in her apartment all the time when she's home.

When Issy's on the Front or the barracks, she's constantly reminded of Eric and the rumours going around by soldiers that don't care about her feelings but rather the gossip they can spread.

Issy breaks into a run just as the train passes her and jumps into one of the carts.

Issy needs time away – from everybody, and maybe once she's sorted through all her emotions, she come back…