What a frustratingly good story. I have been a sucker for the falsely accused stories ever since the clone wars did it, but I always feel bittersweet about such stories. They ultimately have a sour end in some way, even if the truth comes out. But the journey of getting there is so emotional because you feel for both sides in it, knowing that manipulation is what brought things there and neither side is really the evil one. 

You did a stellar job capturing that here. At first, I hated Bridget a lot. "How can she even do this to her friend?" Then we got her side of the story and you say "well, of course she is doing this." But then as things progress and you learn of some major facts, you can't help but get really upset with Aegis for overlooking the fact that Nathaniel Tyler was the kid of the parents who were eaten by Lexi's mother...like HOW did that get overlooked? How poor was that investigation, that a fact like that was missed? 

I think the story became mature with Nathaniel's outburst during his talk with Bridget. Because you realize he was right. The Omegas really do have a savior complex and do not know what is right every single time. They are not gods. Even though many seem to want to be. Of course, there are exceptions to that, but I think their hubris will lead to more conflict in the future entries in this universe. 

I doubt I will find any of the following stories in this Omegas universe nearly as compelling as this one, and that is saying a lot with how obsessed I was with Consequences. Quite the remarkable universe Ackbar started and you have really grown here. Can't wait to catch up with it all!

I wanted to say thank you, for not only writing this story but for also sharing it.I find myself agreeing with Grandmaster B and many of the other views here that I can't phantom Alexandra forgiving Bridget nor Evelyn for their actions.  Not completely any way.  If they have lived and loved together as a family for 10 years and then with such ease they can could turn on Lexis and think her guilty on the words of a few strangers and a simple time stamp on a video.  Before even confronting and speaking to Alexandra is just inhuman.  

I know the basic concept of the fire and how it invoke duty in the Omegas to protect the betas.  But if it can make them behave so inhuman, machine like that they can take 10 years of living and loving someone and just ignore it.  When a human would at least try everything in their power to make sure that the loved one in question is guilty before they start to personally torturing them. Just paints the Omega's as megalomaniacs who can't even imagine ever being in error.  Not only that it would seem that life long connections to mortals have no real value other than to pass their time as immortal,  if they can discard them with such ease in the name of said duty.  And that duty is not justice.  How can you deal out justice if you aren't subject to it yourself?

Nathaneil had a good point.  Bridget will never feel the same fear or pain of a beta or in this case that Lexis experience at her hands.  But that didn't stop her form inflicting it.  I know that Aegis has pinned the whole crime on Nathaneil but it was their failure and piss poor investigation that lead to Alexandria’s physical and mental damage but none of them will be punished. That is not only hypocritical it is a sign of a government that can't be held accountable for their mistakes.   Which in my opinion is a government that will never be fully embraced by many of the Alphas and given that a word of a beta is taken at face value as the truth before you even get to speak and are found guilty based on it.  I can't say I blame them. 

And this story isn't first example of being found guilty with out talking to the suspect.  The Story Tough Love is similar to how fast guilt is determined. Though Ashley was guilty she didn't get a chance to speak until it was already determined.  Imagine if that beta asked to touch her feet and she refused and he felt a grudge for it. It wouldn't be hard for him to fake some injuries and then spin the whole shoe ride story up to get back at her for that rejection.  Given that they seem to believe every thing a beta says as truth, perhaps because of the fire. Ashley would have received punishment regardless of innocence because they didn't even consider that she might be innocent, didn't ask her till they told her she was guilty and started to apply their "justice".  

I personally wished that a news outlet would have gotten a hold of the story like maybe RED.  Not that would even begin to make up for the wrongs that Bridget did. But to me it seemed that Aegis really didn't want Alexandra to share her story, to reveal how they weren’t omnipotent and that real justice isn't what they seek as they would have punished one of their own or more for this level of a screw up.   

And if an Alpha made an innocent mistake that hurt a beta I have no doubt that person would have suffered some kind of punishment.  But Bridget being not only in Aegis but as an Omega as well mostly like got love and support from her mother and friends. You know what Lexis should have gotten from Bridget and Evelyn instead of the torture she received instead.  Because love is suppose to be uncondition and it comes with loyality.  And if the fire keeps them from doing that then maybe they are less than human and closer to the monsters that a lot of the Alphas make them out to be. 

At least when an Alpha is cruel and heartless it's them and not some strange influence.  In that light maybe I could say the Omegas are broken and if it wasn't for the power they hold and the things can do, I might pity them.  But they do have that power and they use it freely so I can't say that I do. 

The main reason I doubt  that Alexandra could ever trust an Omega again is it seemed clear to me that she loved two of them above all others in the world. The two that she thought loved her the same in kind.  Then they turned on her for something she didn't do, with out even giving her a benefit of a doubt.  That love would turn in to a hate in my opinion, maybe not forever.. maybe she would let it go and carry on with her life in time.  I would like to think so.  But how could she really trust an Omega ever again.. or trust anyone when you own family betrays you like that. 

So while Lexi will have to live the rest of her life with her scars.  Bridget will one day be free of them.  I would like to point out that in the story Consequences that Claire mentioned to Stephanie that she would even forget about her own family in time as her memory faded of them.  So it may take a while but Bridget will one day forget what she did and be clean of the sins she committed to a sister she can no longer recall. 

A rouge thought I just had, if an Omega hurt or killed a beta would the fire in the other other Omegas require some sort of justice?  Would Bridget’s mother punish her own daughter in this case?  Since she didn't punish Bridget for hurting and nearly killing Lexis someone she claimed to have loved.  But I wonder would she seek justice for a beta she didn't know just because of the fire?  I think she would or rather I hope so because if not then I can't really understand how she could betray Alexandra as she did with out the all consuming fire being the reason.  

The TLDR.  The story and characters sucked me in enough to bend me out of shape.  I felt. no I still feel anger at Bridget and her mother and I feel sorrow for Alexandra.  And that emotional investment is a nice rare thing to get from a fictional short story.  I do hope to read more about these characters in another story some day.  

Again thank you very much

Also please forgive my typo's :)

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said. My views mirror everyone else's. What Bridget did was horrible, and there's barely any justification for it. As long as Omegas can't control the Fire, not a single Alpha will be safe. And Alex...my heart just breaks every time I see her suffering. 

I have several questions I'm hoping you can answer:

1. Will there ever be an Omega origin story where we see how the Omegas came to be, life before them, the Fire, Kayla Everett, all of it? I think seeing that will start clearing up all the questions we all have.

2. Will there be a direct sequel where we see what happens to Alex after all the torture? Yes, I'm calling it torture because it was!

3. I have an idea for a sequel that I wanted to ask you about, but every time I try to send you the message, it doesn't come through. How do I talk to you about it?

The Fire. Even with that taken into account, Bridget's actions are still unforgivable. Bridget's arrogance, stupidity and her capacity to betray her best friend are disturbing. Evelyn warned her, but she wouldn't listen to reason. I expected more from a smart Omega who looked like someone who understands friendship. Bridget is such a disappointment as a friend, sister and human being.

The only thing Bridget is a victim of is her own stupidity. Let's hope she has the capacity to grasp in full detail what she has done to Alexandra and that she can never make it up to Alexandra again. Will Bridget become a better person after this and have the decency to let Alexandra go or will she try to force her way back in Alexandra's life trying to be her friend/sister again as if nothing happened?

I just can't feel sorry for Bridget. Her actions were just so stupid. I read the story several times and I can't find any sympathy for Bridget. Only disgust that she ruins something beautiful without thinking it through.

Alexandra wanting to explain herself and she cuts her off. Lexi begging for mercy and she keeps on torturing her. Lexi mentally breaks down and she keeps on torturing her.

Wow, I just can't get enough of this series and the whole universe. I think I have read both yours and Ackbars Omega stories 2 each...man. The emotions and everthing...I hope both of you keep writing wow...I can't say it enough and this Story...wow you had me almost in tears when Lexi snapped at Bridget then got hurt and told her not to touch her....omg. Then when Lexi talked to Everette! I was scared and proud of her all at the sametime!  wow, I really hope to read more about Lexi and Bridget....please oh please.

I understand, Jacksmith, in terms of the goals you had for this story, but for me, as a reader, I feel like this story won't be finished until I find out what Lexi and Bridget's ultimate relationship becomes after all this, as a function of how they deal with this tragedy, whic h we witness as the audience.

Even if I have to wait a while to get this closure, I am very happy to hear you plan to continue with Lexi and Bridget in the future.  If you plan to explore this stuff in the next Omega stories, I'll rest easy.

Ackbar seems to be updating Consequences again, which is.great, but still no telling whenit will be done with his schedule.  It might be taboo, but maybe he'd even let you collab with him on it given how well you have handled his material.

I have to say, as much as I have loved this series, I am really disappointed Bridget and Lexi never really interacted after the truth came out, even if it was an epilogue of some sort taking place after they have had their time apart.  That feels to me like the only piece missing from an otherwise nearly perfect story, but it's a pretty big piece.  I know Kayla was meant to be an inbetween for them and for us because they NEED some time apart, but still.

I was a bit sad to not see the double chapter Ending but it's still awesome chaps! My guess for alpha mystery woman is Alexandra's mom too. let's see!

@applecore666

I respectfully disagree, because I can't see how attacking a person who supports Beta rights, and making an organization that promotes Beta rights look stupid, helps Beta rights at all.

If anything Nathaniel's hurt Beta's rights because he's given the Alpha's a martyr. Alphas can say, 'hey of Alexandra was innocent who else have Omegas unjustly punished?', also it can raise hatred against betas. A beta actively scheming and punishing innocent Alphas isn't going to stop Alphas from committing violence against Betas, if anything it might increase it!

I'd definitely echo sithlordnergal--the situation is about as horrible as it could possibly be (well, almost), and not just for Bridget and Lexi.

This whole situation should shake and rattle AEGIS and the Omegas to their very core; it is really, really hard to understate what a colossal failure of the system this has been. 

They've taken someone who is arguably what they can only wish and dream every Alpha in the world was like, and subjected her to absolutely horrifying punishments that would leave any normal person with severe psychological and especially emotional scarring (seriously, how was giving her to Bridget a good idea, Hart?  Even if Lexi did it, either Bridget goes too easy on her, or it's a far too traumatic experience for both Alpha and Omega than it ever should've been).  AEGIS has literally done the exact polar opposite of its mission.  I don't think I can come up with a worse failure than this--this will likely always be the absolute nadir in AEGIS, maybe even Omega, history. 

If I was in Lexi's shoes, though, I know I would've been absolutely incredulous at Bridget's reaction; Bridget being so quick to start punishing her, obviously believing whole-heartedly that Lexi had done this, but when Lexi actually 'confesses', she refuses to believe it, even when it comes from the proverbial horse's mouth?  Bridget claims she 'knows' Lexi well enough to know that the Alpha's explanation 'couldn't be true', yet, again, started with brutally humiliating punishment the second she brings Lexi home.  I suppose maybe it has something to do with "the Fire" inside Omegas.

I do appreciate the foreshadowing and such, though, especially with this latest chapter hearkening back to the memory of the two building a dam and Bridget saving Lexi from the river.  Very well-crafted.  I really hope the next chapter comes out ASAP, I seriously need to start getting some closure on this story.