My day off finally came and I got on a train to Erudite to see Liam, waiting for him on the roof after peeking in to see he was still on shift.

"Hey gorgeous." He greeted me with a hug and a warm kiss on his arrival. "I like the new hair cut."

I grinned. "I thought you might. Everything okay? I thought you were supposed to be off earlier."

"I was till they brought in a trauma patient. Kid was maybe only nine and had almost every bone in his body broken from allegedly falling down the stairs in his family's apartment."

"The injuries were inconsistent with that."

He nodded grimly. "They were defense wounds. I filed a lengthy report on it, recommending the child be put under protective custody. By the time the committee gets to it though, it might be too late."

"Unfortunately that's part of our field." I hugged him close. "At least you're doing what you can."

"Yeah. How have your shifts been?"

"Pretty uneventful, somehow. You'd think with all that impulsive, hot blood over there that most everyone would be breaking something."

He laughed. "Just give it a week or two. Hormones rage, boys try to kill each other over girls and girls have falling outs with friends."

"I think that's called growing up, dear."

"Yeah, only it's more violent in Dauntless."

"What a shock for a knife and gun-wielding faction full of volatile teenagers and adults."

He laughed at my sarcastic tone. "You make life far more interesting, my snapdragon."

I smiled and kissed him. "Right back at you, my fire drake. By the way, my answer is yes."

"Yes?" He grinned. "Just like that? No debating?"

"Oh you missed all of that. I still have concerns, but my love for you is stronger."

He hugged me tightly. "I love you too. I have something for you." He slipped a ring on my finger.

I smiled. "You knew?"

"I hoped you would say yes and thought it would be a good idea to be prepared."

I admired how it had been forged into a circular version of the medical symbol. "I love how you take initiative."

"I love your initiative too. Could you ask my dad if he would be willing to marry us?"

"I think he will be pleasantly surprised you want him involved."

He smiled softly. "We had our differences in the past, but he still supported me anyway. When do you think we can have the ceremony?"

"I have a week of time available I can ask for off next month starting on the first."

"Sounds like a plan to me."

I hugged him. "I'll talk to your dad when I get back to Dauntless."

"Great. How late can you stay?"

"All night."

He returned the grin I had on my face as I said that and pulled me inside to his quarters.


I left reluctantly at dawn and took the first train back. I showered and went to the dinning hall for breakfast. I noticed Abby wasn't there and assumed she was still with her fiancé, catching sight of Marion who waved me over.

"You were out all night." He remarked, eyes going to the ring on my finger. "I see you made a decision."

"Yes to both." I joined him with my food. "Liam was wondering if you would be willing to marry us."

He smiled softly. "I would be honored. You decide on a date?"

"The first of next month."

"I'll pen it in to my schedule. You told your one friend yet?"

"Abby? No, haven't seen her since yesterday. She'll probably be up soon or will show up in the medwing while I'm on shift."

"Eustace sure doesn't let grass grow under his feet."

"Was he like that as a student?"

Marion nodded as he sipped his water. "Sharp kid. Was one of the few boys not to rush into battle with me. He evaluated my style in a manner not unlike what you did. He's a crack shot with a gun and no one else in his year was as good with knives."

"Dauntless sure don't lead boring lives." I chuckled.

"My boys certainly loved growing up here." He looked distant for a moment. "Sorry, old wounds might heal, but it doesn't make them hurt less."

"No need to apologize, I understand. I've got to get to the medwing now, thanks for chatting with me."

"Any time, daughter-in-law."

I grinned and went off to work.