(A/N-So a friend wanted this, so here it is. There will be some angst-Angela's fault.)

*FLASHBACK*

Summer 2008

"What the hell do you mean, you enlisted?" Tris Prior couldn't catch her breath. It felt like the ground had just been pulled out from under her. Her best friend, the person she had grown up next to her entire life, just informed her that he had enlisted in the Marine Corps. This couldn't be happening.

"Tris, baby, it's okay," Tobias Eaton told her in a consolatory tone. "It's just the Marines. It's not the end of the world." She didn't understand how he could be so casual. She was terrified.

"Are you out of your friggin' mind?!" She screeched. "We're in the middle of a war, Tobias! You just signed up to go over to a war-ravaged county and potentially lose your life in the process. Please explain to me how that isn't the end of the world?" If anything were to ever happen to Tobias, it would be the end of her world. She had no doubt about that. It felt like someone had reached inside her chest and was squeezing her heart.

Tobias grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into his chest. She wrapped her arms around his waist and inhaled his familiar scent, letting it calm her frayed nerves. Tobias had always done that for her. He'd always been her peaceful place when things got too rough. She couldn't imagine what her life would be like with him not in it. She couldn't think it. "Baby, I know you're mad right now, but this is something I just have to do," he said as he ran his hand down the back of her head. She knew he needed her blessing to feel good about his decision, but this was the first time in her life she had trouble giving it to him. She wanted to be selfish and scream at him that he couldn't do this… that she couldn't support him. But she didn't. She knew this meant a lot, and she wouldn't take that away from him.

"Why, Tobias?" She needed to understand. She pulled her head away from his chest and looked up into his blue eyes. She could see the emotion running through them and knew exactly what he was feeling before he even said anything.

Letting out a deep sigh, he responded, "I just do." Dropping his arms from around her, he ran his hands through his browb hair, sending it into a disarray that would have looked messy on anyone else, but always managed to look sexy on him. "I can't stay here any longer. You just graduated and will be leaving for college soon. What's left for me after you're gone?" She knew her leaving was weighing on him, but she honestly had no clue that he was taking it that hard. They had grew up living next to each other in a smaller town not too far from Chicago. He and his parents moved in three houses away from her when he was six, and even though he was two years older than her, they'd instantly become friends and had been inseparable ever since.

The two of them had been through more than any person our age should ever have to go through, and they both managed to get through it with the help of each other. It was her window he would climb through when he had to sneak out of his house at night to get away from his parents' screams as they fought with each other. It was her who would bandage up his cuts and wipe away the blood when his dad drank too much and took his anger out on Tobias. Tris hated his father with a passion and had no respect for his mother. She allowed Tobias to be abused for all those years and did nothing to stop him.

He was the shoulder she cried on for months when she lost both of her parents in a car accident when she was only thirteen. Her parents were the complete opposite of Tobias'. For all the bad they did, her mother and father tried to counter with acts of kindness. They took Tobias under their wing without question, just accepted him as her best friend. She adored them both whole heartedly and when they passed, she never got that piece of her heart back.

Even though her grandmother moved into our house in order to raise Tris, it was Tobias that she went to whenever she felt like life was a weight too heavy for her to carry on her own. She could always count on him to help lift her burdens.

So while the idea of him not being a car ride or a phone call away felt like a knife in her gut, she understood. She knew that the only reason he hadn't left his drunk of a mother was because she was still here, three houses away. Now that she was going to be four hours away attending college, she knew Tobias viewed this as his chance to get out of their little town and finally make something of himself. That didn't mean it didn't hurt any less. His leaving was going to hurt almost as much as losing her parents. That's how close they were. The consolation she had was that he'd at least come back to her.

"I understand," Tris finally conceded, even though she didn't want to. "But I swear to God, Tobias Eaton, if you get dead, I am so going to kick your ass."

His deep chuckle rumbled through her as he pulled her back into his strong arms for another hug. "No worries, Tris Prior. I promise you, I won't get dead."

"I'm gonna hold you to that, you know." She smiled up at him for the first time since they had started their conversation. Just looking into his eyes made her feel a little lighter—took away some of the anxiety she was feeling… but not all of it.

"I'd expect nothing else, baby."

It had been a week since Tobias dropped the bomb that he'd joined the Marines, and it was only a few days until he left to start basic training. She was counting down each hour and trying not to throw up at the thought of him getting hurt. Tris was with her friend Christina trying to keep her mind off of all things Tobias and military related, which was much harder than she thought it would be. She was supposed to be helping her pack up her closet and throw out all the junk she wouldn't need to bring to their dorm room when they left for college. But instead, she found herself lying back with her head hanging off her bed, staring into space and getting a massive blood rush to her brain.

"You know, if I'd known you were just going to lay on your fat ass and not help pack, I would've asked Will to help me. At least he's nicer to look at." She stuck her tongue out at Tris and threw a balled-up pair of socks at her head.

Tris laughed and threw them back at her, hitting her right between the eyes. "First of all," she replied, sitting up to look at her friend, "my ass isn't fat. It's JLo-esque." She let out a snort at her comment even though she knew Tris was right. She had an awesome booty.

"Secondly, I am so much better looking than Will." Christina and Will had been an item since Freshman year of high school. To say their relationship was tumultuous was an understatement. The two of them fought more than anyone she'd ever met, but when things were good between them, it was like no one else in the world existed. Things were good at the moment, but that could change quicker than Christina switched out shoes. And she had a lot of shoes.

"This is true," she said with a snicker. "But at least Will puts out. You're just a tease."

"Touché," Tris replied, then fell back to her bed and stare up at her ceiling again. She was trying her hardest to pull herself out of the funk Tobias' leaving was creating, but it was just so damn hard.

"Seriously, Tris, get the hell up and help me pack, or I'm not gonna be your roommate."

She let out an annoyed groan as she dragged herself off her bed. "Fine. But I don't want to hear you bitching if some of your shoes just happen to disappear. You don't need this many pairs anyway." Tris reached into Christina's closet, pulled out her favorite pair of black and white Chuck Taylors, and proceeded to stuff them into her purse. She just rolled her eyes at her and kept packing. Tris loved Christina, and the two of them had been close since the second grade, but the chick had a serious shoe hoarding problem. Not that she was one to complain since she got to reap the benefits of her little obsession and all.

"So when's Tobias heading out?" She could hear the concern in her friend's voice. She knew how difficult the thought of being away from Tobias was for her. Christina was her best girlfriend, and she completely understood the bond that she and Tobias shared.

"Day after tomorrow," She mumbled. Just thinking about it depressed her and brought back that deep ache in her chest.

"It'll all work out, Tris, you'll see. What with modern technology and all, you guys will be able to communicate at the click of a button. It's not like you'll be using carrier pigeons or smoke signals."

Tris let out a laugh and threw a shoe at her head. "Smartass." she appreciated her trying to cheer her up a little, but Tris knew she wasn't pulling it off as well as she'd hoped,

"I know this is tough, but the two of you can email and write letters and Skype. Trust me. It'll be like he's right there." She looked back at her with a genuine smile, making Tris feel slightly better. One of Christina's gifts was making a positive out of most situations. When she wasn't able to do that, it always helped that she was funny as hell. You couldn't help but laugh when you were around her.

"You're right. I know."

"And you're going to see him tonight, huh?"

"Yep. He's taking me out for one last dinner before he heads out." Tris was anxious about this dinner. Part of her was excited to be spending one of his last nights here with him, but it was also bittersweet. She looked down at her watch and saw it was a quarter to five. Tobias was picking Tris up at six so she needed to start getting ready. "Speaking of… I should probably book it. Gotta get gussied up." She blew her a kiss and waved her fingers at her.

"Tell him you're in love with him!" Christina called out as Tris walked out the door.

Christina had known that Tris was in love with Tobias way before Tris had. Had made her say it to her, but she had yet to tell Tobias. And tonight might be her one chance to do so. But could she do it? And risk losing their frienship?

Tobias had taken her to the only nice restaurant in town. It was fancier than her grandmother's diner but not too fancy that jeans and a nice shirt wouldn't do. They spent the entire time talking and laughing. They reminisced about their childhood and their friends. It was one of the best nights she'd had with Tobias, and as she lay in bed replaying the whole evening over and over, she couldn't help but feel the weight of his impending departure resting on her chest. They'd just spent their last night together in who knows how long. She felt like such a horrible friend for having to fake her happiness for Tobias when it came to his decision to leave. He'd always supported everything she did, and until now, she'd always supported him.

She rolled over onto her side and was starting to let the depression take over when she heard the sound of her window being lifted. When Tris glanced in the direction of the sound, she could easily make out the perfect outline of a body that she knew could only be Tobias'. She instantly tried to remember the last time Tobias had snuck through her window, but she couldn't. It had been years.

Tobias' father bailed on him and his mother soon after Tobias turned sixteen, and even though his mother never stopped drinking, the physical abuse and Tobias' need to escape his home life left with his father. She'd missed those nights they would spend together, but she was thankful that the person who made Tobias' life hell was gone.

Tris held her breath as the covers were lifted and the bed shifted under Tobias' weight. She finally released it when she felt his arm slide around her waist and pull her into the solid wall of his chest. Chest to back, they laid there for what seemed like hours. Neither of them talking, just being. Tris knew that out of everything she was going to miss about Tobias, his warmth would be what she missed the most. Tris lay silent and just let the tears flow, knowing they were inevitable. She'd managed to keep them at bay so far, but this was just too much.

"Baby, please don't cry," Tobias whispered into her hair, pulling her tighter to him.

She sucked in a breath and tried to speak around the lump in her throat. "I – I'm sorry. I'm not trying to upset you, I swear." Tris twisted in his arms so they were face-to-face. "I just didn't think I'd be this sad," She said, giving a weak smile, trying to make light of her tear-streaked face as she looked into those blue eyes. He just stared back at her, not saying a word as he ghosted his fingers across her cheek and down her neck. He'd touched her a million times in the span of their friendship, but for some reason, this seemed different. There was an intimacy in this touch that she'd never felt from him before; it caused her heart to stall before starting again at a faster pace.

She felt him take a deep breath as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I know, Tris." He spoke so softly she could barely hear.

"I feel like I'm losing a part of me, Tobias. I'm going to miss you so much."

She felt his breath shudder as if he was trying to hold back his own tears. "I'm going to miss you too, baby. More than you know. But you aren't losing me. You'll never lose me. I promise."

That did it. His promise cracked something inside her, and there was no holding back from what she did next. Her entire body was swamped with emotion that she had no chance of controlling. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled Tobias' face closer to hers and pressed her lips to his. It definitely wasn't her first kiss, but considering it was the first time with Tobias, she felt fear and hope flutter deep down in her belly. She couldn't lie and say she'd never pictured kissing Tobias before, he was one of the hottest guys she knew. She just never had the guts to pursue something other than friendship. But with him leaving, she felt a desperation she'd never experienced. The risk of damaging their friendship disappeared. She felt that if she didn't show him how she really felt at that very moment, she'd never get the chance again.

She had to kiss him. She had to know what being with him was like. There was no telling how long it would be before she saw him again, and she knew she would hate herself if she didn't at least try.

Tobias froze against her lips momentarily, but when she ran her tongue over his bottom lip, she felt his mouth open and return the kiss with more intensity than she had started with. Tris rolled onto her back and pulled his warm body on top of hers in a silent plea. Breaking the kiss, Tobias looked down into her eyes cautiously, as if he was trying to get answers without asking the questions. Afraid of him pulling away, she wrapped her arms and legs around his strong body and held tight. "Please, Tobias," she whispered. The need she felt for him was so much greater than she ever experienced before.

"Tris, we can't. You've never…" he started. It was clear he was struggling to do the right thing. She could see the war waging in his beautiful eyes, but she was determined. "Tris, honey, you deserve so much better than me. Your first time should be with somebody you love."

Tris felt the words come up before she could do anything to stop them. "I do love you, Tobias. I always have." She'd never intended to say that, but once it was out there, it just felt right. She just knew this was supposed to happen. She wanted him more than she wanted her next breath.

Tobias' entire body was like stone as he hovered above her. If she was going to get him to realize that they were meant for each other, Tris knew she had to jump. "Please, Tobias. I need you." She'd reached a point where she didn't care if she sounded desperate. Everything she was saying was completely true. She needed him more than she'd ever needed anything. She craved him.

Those were the last words either of them said to each other. They let touch say everything else that was left to say between them. As the sun was rising, her body was deliciously sore. Remembering how Tobias treated her body, like the most precious thing he'd ever come into contact with, created a deep blush that spread all over her well-loved body. It was pure bliss. What she didn't know then was that the happiness wouldn't last. The next day Tobias would tear her heart to shreds then disappear from her life for good, leaving nothing but pain and devastation in his wake. Unaware of the future, Tris fell asleep with a smile.

PRESENT

Spring 2018

"Doll face, I said order up," Peter yelled from the pass-through between the kitchen and the front of the diner. It was the middle of the dinner rush and Tris had already been working since six that morning. To say her patience was wearing thin was the understatement of the century. She was three seconds away from murdering her line cook.

"Peter, if you call me doll face one more time, I'm gonna plant my size seven so far up your ass you'll be sucking my toes in reverse." She could hear the diners snickering as she laid into him but she didn't care.

"Sounds kinky," Tris heard Christina say as she breezed through the door of her diner and parked her butt on a barstool like she owned the place. "I gotta see you pull that one off, Tris."

Tris snapped her dish towel at her as she grabbed the order from Peter's window and shoved it at her. "Make yourself useful, Christina. Help me wait some of these tables."

She stared down at her manicured fingers like the idea of waitressing offended her. "Don't you have staff for that kinda thing?"

"I do," Tris responded shortly, about to turn her wrath from Peter on to her. She was already at the end of her rapidly-fraying rope. "But Tiffany called in sick. Half of my wait staff are out with the flu and I'm in the middle of dinner rush. So, please, be a good friend and wait some damn tables!" The last part of that sentence didn't come out as a request at all, and she knew it. Christina was amazing at reading her moods. She might poke the bear a time or two just for fun, but she knew not to mess with Tris when she was in bitch mode.

"All right, all right. Don't get your panties in a twist, darlin', I'll help. But I'm not waiting on Old Lady Murphy. She's a shyster and I expect good tips if I'm gonna be doing manual labor." She might occasionally annoy the ever-living crap out of Tris, but she could always count on Christina when she needed her.

"She's not a shyster. She's on a fixed income."

Christina hopped off the barstool and headed around the counter to grab an apron. "Fixed income or not, the old bat could at least tip fifteen percent. I've got a mind to spit in her coffee."

Tris chucked a scone at her head and pointed at her. "Do that and . ," she said between clenched teeth.

She gave a little chuckle and held her hands up in surrender. "Okay. Easy tiger, no sneezers for Old Lady Murphy." She walked away from Tris and quickly started waiting tables. She complained about it every time she asked for help, but she knew she secretly loved it. She's a flirt with all the male customers and a gossip with the women. The people in their town loved Christina.

The rest of the evening progressed the same as it always did. That was one of the good things about living in a small town like Abnegation, you could always count on consistency.

When Tris took over ownership of the diner four years ago, it was never her intension of staying on for the long haul. But things changed and life dealt her a hand she never expected. Tris had to pull up her big girl panties and accept the inevitable. She'd never be a lawyer or a doctor - she was a diner owner. The only thing she'd ever cure was hunger, and she was okay with that. Now. It took her a long time to get to the feeling of contentment that she now has.

"You feel like heading over to Zeke's for a few beers and some pool?" Christina asked as she wiped down the counter at the end of the night. She had just flipped the closed sign and locked the front door. The only thing Tris wanted to do was go home to her cute little house and soak in a nice hot bubble bath. Heading over to Zeke's, the town's local bar, was the furthest thing from her mind.

"Christina, if it requires me keeping this bra on, I'm gonna have to pass. I have a standing date with my bath tub and a bottle of wine."

She rolled her eyes at me, knowing this would be her answer. "Ditching the bra might help in getting you more drinks," she said with a wag of her eyebrows. "You sure you don't wanna go and take some more of Will and Uriah's money?"

"While the idea of wiping the floor with the guys in pool is appealing, the answer is still no."

"Fine, worth a shot." They headed out the back door into the parking lot, and she silently thanked God that her day was over. Tris was beyond exhausted. "You hear that Sheriff Anderson brought on a new deputy?" Christina asked as they made our way through the gravel lot.

This was the first I was hearing of getting a new deputy. "Nope. Any clue who this guy is?"

Spinning her keys around her finger, Christina answered. "No clue, but I'm hoping he's a hotty. This town needs some new eye candy."

"Only because you've worked your way through every eligible bachelor in a twenty mile radius," Tris replied with a smirk.

"Girl's gotta have her fun somehow."

Right now Will and Christina were not together, but Tris knew that wouldn't last long.

Seeing two people who care so much about one another, but can't make a relationship work, was hard enough. Both of those people being her best friends made it ten times worse.

"Anyway, I'll let you get to that bath and wine," Christina said.

She claimed that they were soul sisters and separating would be like removing the other woman's better half… Tris totally agreed. She hated that she gave up so much for her, and it took a while to get over the guilt, but she held an immense amount of love for that girl for all she had done for her. Tris couldn't have asked for a better friend than she had in Christina.

After climbing into bed later that night, Tris laid there staring up at her ceiling, thinking about the direction her life had gone in. There had been so much bad, but she managed to get through it and make it to the other side relatively unscathed. It wasn't lost on her that she did that alone. Her rock, the one person she'd always depended on, hadn't been there for me for the past ten years. Tobias might have been the person to help her through some dark times growing up, but she'd managed to pull herself through some even darker ones without him.

She repeated the mantra she'd had in her head since the day he'd destroyed her heart so long ago. She didn't need Tobias Eaton. He was no one to her.

With that, she drifted off to sleep.

Tris was in the middle of refilling Gus Dorsen's coffee the next morning when Christina came barreling through the front door of Amelia's Diner with Will, Uriah, and Al. After Tobias took off for parts unknown, they all remained tightknit. Including all those people, and a few others, Tris had a pretty awesome circle of friends that she was beyond thankful for. If it had been anyone else storming through the door, she might have been aware of the shift in the air of the diner, but Christina always did have a flare for the dramatics.

"Tris, we gotta talk," she said as she barged up to Tris.

"In a sec. Kinda in the middle of something here." Tris ignored her theatrics and continued to serve her customers.

"Seriously, Beatrice. You need to come with me, right now." She hardly ever used her full name, so that caught her attention and caused goose bumps to spread over her skin.

"What is it, Christina?" Staring at her now, she saw her worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. Her eyes cut to Will, who was busy looking at his shoes like he'd never seen work boots before. The rest of the gang refused to make eye contact. "What's going on? You guys look like someone just set fire to the animal shelter, and you have to break the news that the puppies didn't make it out." Her humor was lost on her friends. The hair on the back of her neck stood straight at their lack of reaction to her joke.

"Can you please just come with me?" Christina grabbed her hand and started pulling Tris toward the kitchen. "Like right now. I need to talk to you in the kitchen. Right. Now."

Allowing Christina to drag her to the back, coffee pot still in hand, Tris started to really freak out. It had been a long time since she'd seen her friends this distressed. She knew something was really wrong. She just didn't know what.

Glancing around the diner, she noticed that they had the attention of all the customers. Some looked intrigued by the show in front of them, others had looks of pity on their faces. What the hell is going on? Tris thought as the bell above the front door chimed, alerting her of another customer. "Take a seat anywhere," Tris said, her eyes still on Christina.

"Someone will be with you in just a sec." It wasn't lost on Tris that Christina's face had turned an unhealthy shade, and her eyes were the size of salad plates. Tris heard Uriah mumble curse words from behind her and a soft "oh no" from Al. The four of them automatically closed ranks around Tris as she turned to look at the person walking through the door of diner.

"Tris."