One Shot: Memory Serum & Hope (Fourtris)
Background: Based on the MOVIE Allegiant which is different then Roth's third book. All characters belong to her. This story is starting at the reunion of Tris and Four in front of the Erudite Jail, and then following them to convince Evelyn to not release the serum. This alternate movie ending will deviate from there. No Peter or Caleb in this version. For those that didn't see the movie (Theo and Shai...amazing) - - at the bureau the climax was Four trying to get Tris to leave with him, he discovered things were not as they seem. Tris was torn, but choose to not side with Four and instead she trusted bureau director David and went to Providence. It was there Tris discovered that David was NOT trustworthy or good. She then discovers Four is in trouble back in Chicago so she goes to help him and of course their goal is to stop the memory serum from destroying the city.
Scene 1: Tobias POV
I slowly open my eyes, it takes me a moment to remember where I am, and why I am in such terrible pain.
Then it all comes crashing back to me, my own mother had me locked up in a cell as she is convinced she is doing what is best for Chicago, what is best for me. I would like to believe Evelyn didn't realize what her lap dog, Edgar, would do to me the moment she left me alone with her trained thugs.
That low life knocked me unconscious, as three of their men held me down. That is pathetic. No wonder my mother was able to train him so well. He is weak and malleable, whereas I am not. At least not for her.
These idiots have no idea what the memory serum will do, will do to ALL of them. To all of us.
I suddenly picture Tris. Her smile, her eyes bright and a window into her strength. For now, I am thankful she is safe in the Bureau. I imagine for a moment what will happen if I lose everything. If I lose who I am. Will she come for me? Will she think I am worth the effort?
I know the answer. She will. I am hers and she is mine.
Enough, I need to move. I need to stop Evelyn from making this terrible mistake.
I lay still while I compose myself. Thankful the door key I swiped during the scuffle is still safely in my hands. I need to catch them when they are least expecting me. And then I hear a commotion outside of my cell. I remain still, I need to time this correctly.
When I hear chaos is when I stand up, I am stunned to see the disks that can only be from a bureau issued suit, it goes directly to the glass – as if to let me know I have been seen. I step back as I am sure things are about to get ugly for Evelyn's minions in a moment.
When I see my opening, I unlock my prison from the inside and take out the last two remaining guards. Of course I am sure my rescuers could handle the last two, but this way my ego can remain intact.
And then I see her. Tris. She quickly disengages her suit's eye gear and swiftly walks towards me. I painfully make my way to her as well. The last time we were in the same room, it seemed like we would be at different sides of an ideal forever.
I know what I saw in the fringe – and it was so wrong. No matter how David tried to justify it. Stealing a child from their parents and then again stealing who they are. I tried to explain this to Tris, to make her understand. She didn't choose me. She choose him.
I stand still, as I wait to see where she is now. I will have my answer in a moment.
She comes to me, no hesitation, seconds before her lips are on mine she whispers "Hey." The next moment she pulls me close and her lips travel the distance between us. My body and heart immediately responding to her. I slide my arms around her, resting my good hand on the small of her back. She is here. She is safe. She is with me.
We break apart slowly, and as she presses her forehead to mine I finally whisper "Hey." Back to her.
Tris is full of remorse, "I am sorry. I never should have trusted him."
"You were doing what you thought was right." I remind her, because I know she stood her ground truly believing she was doing what was best for everyone. Even if it was against me and what I knew. I can't hold that against her, I won't. It is part of her that makes me love her more than anyone.
Tris looks at me then, I can see she is overcome with emotion. And then she tells me, the words that I live to hear from her. "I love you."
As the words leave her help lips, I can feel my heart racing, my skin tingling…as much as I want to say it back. My basic need that must be fulfilled is to feel her again. I look in her eyes and pull her tightly against me, this time I devour her lips with mine. I hear her small whimper.
I wish we were alone, even just for a full minute. But then I remember Christina is standing just feet from us, like a creep. Seriously – who doesn't back up and give two people who are in love some privacy? Aside from the show we are putting on, I know we have work to do.
As I pull away from Tris, I look into her eyes that are staring back at me. "We should find Evelyn." I tell her.
Tris nods her head in agreement.
As we rush past Christina, who at least seemed to have her head lowered during our loving reunion telling her to come along.
We quickly decide that Christina will head towards the control center while Tris and I track down Evelyn. I will not let Tris out of my sight again. Not today, not ever.
+o+++o+
Scene 2: Tobias POV
As we rush to the serum vault control center, we see that the memory serum has already been activated. I see my mother who is inside, she does not look as sure of herself as I thought she would. Especially after making such a drastic move.
"Evelyn you have to stop this!" I call to her. I know she can be reasoned with.
"I didn't want to do this. I have to. I am the only one that knows how to keep Chicago safe. No one believed me, not even you Tobias!" Evelyn adds while looking at me with a combination of desperation and disappointment. "This way all of the people outside will be reset, and we can move forward under my command. I will be the one to keep everyone safe. That includes you Tobias, you are my son."
I feel Tris stiffen next to me, and I do not miss the looks that pass between the two women. My mother having shifted her gaze to Tris, as a warning.
"Evelyn, I want to stand by your side. But what you do to this city, you also do to me." I plead with her. "Mom." I finish, looking into my mother's eyes. I am instantly reminded of the little boy I once was. Looking at my mommy, and thinking she was the only person on this earth that would ever love me. That was before she left me, left me with him.
Evelyn whispers my name shakily as she looks at me adoringly.
I need to explain to her, what she is doing. I need her to see that is not right. "I won't know who you are."
I can see her internal battle. "Don't do it." I plead.
And then Tris whispers "Please." And I know Tris means it. She understands that we are at the mercy of my mother.
I see the change in Evelyn the moment her eyes focus on Tris. I can pinpoint the exact moment in which her decision was made, she even smiles as she turns her attention back to me.
"You won't know who I am. But you also won't know her." She says with conviction.
My blood runs cold. Is this woman insane? She dislikes my girlfriend so much that she would wipe away the memories and lives of an entire city, of her own child – just to separate me from Tris. As realization passes through my face, Evelyn looks sad. She can see the horror I am feeling, as I understand what she is saying.
I take a step back from the glass. Suddenly wishing I was as far away from her as possible.
"It will be for the best Tobias. I don't want you to worry. There will be peace in the city, I will fight to keep the others away from us. When this is over, I promise to take care of you. I will do things the right way this time. Wiped away will be all of the resentment between us, I will be your mom, as I am meant to be. As I deserve to be. You are my son!" she declares.
Tris gasps and closes her hand over her mouth. Her eyes filling with tears. And then the anger in me rises. I bang on the glass door with all of my strength. Evelyn is startled and takes a step back, only to straighten her back and stare me down once she realizes the glass will hold. She is safe in her vault. She will be fine.
"Tobias, I promise you. As soon as it is done. I will not harm Beatrice. I will send her away, she is young, she is…somewhat attractive, she will still have a good life – just not with you." My mother assures me, as if she will be doing me a great favor. I imagine in her mind, she will think that not having Tris executed or sold into slavery is a huge gift to me.
"You are a horrible person Evelyn. I used to think that you were a victim to Marcus, and that he was ultimately to blame for all of our wrongdoings, but I was wrong. You are truly evil. The only good in this, is now I know I come from not one, but two horrible people. What does that make me?! Tris will be better off without me, she deserves better. I hate you Evelyn." I scream the last sentence at her. I see the way her face contorts with anger and loathing.
And that is when I hear Tris softly crying, shaking her head from side to side as she looks at me. "How could you think that? I will never be better off without you. I love you, I need you. You promised you would be my family now." Her voice softly trails off.
In that moment I instantly regret what I said. I do love Tris, and she has made me the man I am today. "Baby, I am sorry, I didn't mean it. Even if you would be better off without me, I would never be strong enough to walk away from you. Look at me," and she does, tears pooling in her eyes, "I love you. You are the only person I have ever really loved. You have me, all of me. Always. I promise." And then I realize the tears are also falling down my own cheeks.
Tris wipes them away with her thumbs and then kisses my cheeks to kiss away the moisture that remained.
It is Evelyn's sharp cry that breaks us from our embrace. She was mistaken. She is not safe in her little room. Even the serum vault control center is now filling with the memory serum. She is unable to unlock the door, we were all too late.
After all of her planning, and her defiance against the bureau – she will be left with nothing. No power. No knowledge. And most importantly, not me.
I look at Evelyn sadly one last and final time and grab Tris by the hand to lead her away. I want our last moments as who we are, to be alone.
And that is when I have an idea, I break into a run. Remembering where the storage closet that is full of supplies is.
+o+++o+
Scene 3: Tris POV
I have no idea what Tobias is planning, or why he suddenly looks pleased. Our lives are literally crashing down around us. After running for a few minutes Tobias breaks us into a small room. Firmly shutting the door behind us, he pulls me into his arms and look at me.
"I love you, I will always love you." Tobias whispers to me.
I nod, I am so overcome with emotion, that I can't even form words. Instead I show him, I thread one hand into his hair that grows right above his neck, while my other hand untucks the back of his shirt from his waistline and slips underneath to slowly trace the tattoo slowly up his spine. I hear the hitch in his voice. As he presses his forehead against mine, staring deep into my eyes.
I gently lick my lower tip with the tip of my tongue, which I knew he would take as his invitation. Suddenly his mouth is on mine, kissing me furiously. His hands moving to hold my hips firmly as he presses his body against mine. I instantly feel the tingling fire in my stomach. I want him. I always want him.
He pulls away from me in order to speak, just as I am starting to press myself even closer to him. "Tris. I have an idea. If we can stay in this room alone, when we lose our memories – we can try again. We can still be together. I know it won't be the same. But if we have hope, hope that there will be an 'us'. That I can live with."
"Because without you, there is no me. You die. I die too." He reminds me.
Tears fill in my eyes, I nod my head. I have to believe we can be happy again. I watch as Tobias start looking through baskets, and in drawers. He run over to me, waving a permanent marker, a huge smile on his face. It is contagious, I find myself laughing too, I kiss him on the cheek.
"Here is my idea, it is the only one I have. Hear me out Tris." He says, now sounding nervous. "I want to be with you, and we are going to be surrounded by people who also have no idea who they are, or who they are supposed to be with. Let's write a note to ourselves, on our bodies. At least it will point us in the right direction."
I laugh and nod my head. I love this idea.
"Ok, let's take off our shirts." Tobias says while giving me a big smile, he does get a laugh out of me.
Suddenly we are both shirtless, me in my black bra. I see his eyes raking up and down my body, and then he bites his lower lip. One of his mannerisms when he is either nervous or trying to distract himself from doing what he really wants. In this case I am guessing it is the latter.
He offers to write on my arm first. As he starts to write "My name is Beatrice "Tris" - - - " he stops and looks at me. "Tobias, what is wrong?" I ask, concerned.
He clears his throat, this time he does sound nervous. "Tris. I love you. I…I mean… I just…" he stammers.
"Now you are scaring me, what is wrong?!" is ask frantically. The stress starting to wear on me.
"Tris. I love you. Will you marry me?" Tobias says, with sincerity. And then suddenly he is down on one knee, and he takes my hands in his.
"What?" I whisper, not quite understanding what he is talking about.
"I want to write your name down as 'Tris Eaton' I want to write down that we are married. That we love each other and we never want to be apart. I want to write down that one day, we want to have a baby, to grow our family through our love. I want you Tris. Forever. If I could, I would marry you in this moment, for real." He says, his voice full of emotion and determination. I know he means every word.
I smile as I bite my lower lip. I feel my cheeks flush hotly and my skin is tingling. And then I am crying, happy tears. I think the words "Yes. Yes, my answer is yes!" stumble out of my mouth.
We kiss firmly, and suddenly Tobias has me pressed against the wall as he places his hands under my tush and lifts me up, forcing my legs to wrap around him. We both giggle as our kisses become playful and hard at the same time.
"Wait! We need to write our notes down – before the serum hits us. We can't risk it. We will hopefully have the rest of our lives to consummate our marriage." Tobias says while kissing my cheek and bringing over the marker.
We smile at each other, and I watch as he write Eaton to complete the sentence. He then writes that I am married to Tobias Eaton, our ages. He adds that we do not have children, and adds the word YET to it. And then he writes that we are happy. Nothing is perfect, but we are perfect for each other – flaws and all.
Tobias then hands me the marker, I write out his name on his arm, "Tobias 'Four' Eaton. Husband of Tris Eaton." I add the same message he had marked me with.
Once I am done I place the marker cap back on and smile at him. I see something flicker across his eyes.
"Tobias?" I ask.
He holds out his hand, asking for the marker. In his own hand, he begins to write on his other arm. "My mother is Evelyn Eaton-Johnson, she is not a good person. And she has never been what a mom should be, she is dangerous and I need to keep her away from me and my family."
I watch him silently as he finishes. My heart aches for him. I can't imagine how hard this must be.
"Tobias, I am sorry" I start. He pulls me into his arms and kisses my forehead.
"It doesn't matter, not now. I don't want to think about that woman these last moments. I don't know how long we have…" his hands suddenly slipping along my bare shoulder and slowly all the way down my arm as his eyes take in every inch of me.
I feel my pulse quicken and a sudden ache in my core. There is basket in the corner of the room that is full of blankets, we both rush to grab it and create a makeshift bed on the floor. And suddenly Tobias has laid down and is pulling me gently down to lay next to him.
Our eyes connect and we both smile, and commit our love to each other. Our first time is rushed and frantic, he knows what to do in order to get me across the finish line quickly. He follows quickly behind me.
We are officially married now he whispers in my ear. I smile as I feel him begin to trace small kisses down my body with the perfect destination in his sights.
I am well into my second release when I notice the memory serum that is now entering the storage closet. He immediately senses when I stiffen and comes back up to check on me
I nod my head so he can see what is happening.
"Do you want to stop and get dressed?" he asks me.
"Do you?" I ask curiously.
He smiles at me, kisses me and tells me "I can't think of a better way for the new us to start our lives together, there will be no question then."
I nod my head as we lay down side by side and resume our love making. This time we are joined side by side and holding each other as we unite as one. We go slowly, ensuring that our coupling will continue up until the serum hits us.
We have each other, and we have hope.
+o+++o+ The End +o+++o+
Author's Note Update: I have gotten a couple of requests to continue this story. I also have an interest in seeing what happens to Tris and Tobias after the serum hits. I am going to finish my in-process story "Disremembered" and then outline Memory Serum & Hope and decide if it will be another one shot or a separate story. Thank you for the encouragement!