TOBIAS

"I'm sorry, Tobias."

"Sorry about what?", Christina says roughly. "Tell us what happened!"

"Tris went into the Weapons Lab instead of Caleb," Cara says. "She survived the death serum, and set off the memory serum, but she... she was shot. I don't think she's going to make it."

It feels like my heart stops, panic rising up in me, bile clawing up my throat. I tighten my jaw. "Where is she?" I have to find her.

"The dormitory. Matthew and Caleb are with her."

Without another word, I take off, running as fast as my legs could go. I hear the thump of more footsteps behind me, but I don't have to look to know it was Christina. My heart pounds in my chest as I try to control the panic. "I don't think she's going to make it." Cara's words echo in my head, a dull ache starting to form at the back of my skull. Tris had to make it... She survived the death serum, so she could survive this. She has to. I burst in through the dormitory doors, Christina following shortly. My epyes travel to Tris's bed where I see her pale, limp body. She could have been sleeping if it weren't for the blood soaked gauze piled up on her chest and all the machines attached to her. I hear a beeping sound, quiet, slow, and realize it's a heart monitor. She's fading... Matthew and Caleb both look up at me, wearing tired looks.

"Isn't there anything you can do for her?", I try to yell, although it came out as more of a strangled moan. I can feel the tears burning behind my eyelids.

Caleb's mouth turns down into a severe grimace. "I know what to do. I've read medical books, but I've never done it before. It could be dangerous for her." Something inside me snaps as I stalk over to him, grabbing him by the collar of the shirt. "She's already in danger! She's dying Caleb, can't you see that!? Whatever you have to do... do it." I feel a hand on my shoulder; Christina's. I let go of Caleb's shirt, a feeling of success flowing through me at the terrified look in his eyes.

"Please Caleb. Do whatever you need to do", Christina says, her voice calm.

Caleb nods, his Adam Apple bobbing as he swallows.

I sit on the bed across from Tris, taking her limp hand in mine. I give it a gentle squeeze and close my eyes. I've never been a religious man, even coming from Abnegation, but I pray hard to any higher power listening that Tris would be alright.

TRIS

My mother still holds me, her embrace warm. She feels so real. Her hair tickles my cheek and I can't help but grin. "I missed you.", I whisper. "You and dad. I never wanted you to die for me, and I'm sorry you did." I feel a sudden wave of sadness come over me, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. My mother sighs.

"Tris", she starts. "Your father and I sacrificed ourselves to save you because we love you and we both knew that you'd somehow help restore this broken world." Her arms tighten around me.

"I know... I just wish you were still with me." My mother pulls back, her eyes calming me as she smiles.

"We're always with you, no matter what happens." I nod, taking her hands in mine. Then I wonder... Am I dead? My mother seems to know what I was going to ask because she shakes her head. "You're on the thin line between life and death. It's your choice Beatrice. You can come with me or you can stay. Your father and I will love you no matter what you choose."

More choices to make, to choose my fate. But this choice seems easier than anything else. I can't leave my friends, or Caleb, or Tobias. A tear runs down my cheek as I watch my mother closely, taking in all the details of her face so I can remember exactly how she looks right now; happy and carefree. "I'll see you eventually. They need me."

My mother nods at this, but her happy expression doesn't change. "Tell Caleb I love him."

I nod before we embrace one last time, then everything goes black, the feeling of my motiher's arms around me still lingering.

TOBIAS

There were a few times when I thought that Tris had been lost, the heart monitor's beeps slowing down to almost nothing. I kept my eyes on Tris's face the entire time Caleb and Matthew worked on her, taking the bullet out, cleaning the wound, and eventually stitching it. It had missed her heart by a few inches, breaking some of her ribs. I continue to watch her face, hoping that she'll open her eyes soon, hoping to see the smile that warms my heart. I hold her hand, brushing my thumb across her now healing knuckles. I smirk as I think about her punching Caleb in the face, but somewhere deep inside me I hope that the two resolve their issues. Tris has already lost so many loved ones. I feel her hand twitch and I sit up straighter, my back aching from sitting there for so long. For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful, the feeling coursing through my veins and warming my skin. I imagine the life Tris and I will live together, away from violence and factions, away from betrayal and death. My eyes roam over her face, chin to lips, to cheeks, and finally her eyes, as I find myself wondering how I got so lucky to find someone like her. Her eyes open slowly, her beautiful eyes and a relieved laugh mixed with a sob escapes my lips, my cheeks wet from tears I hadn't noticed before. "Tris.", I breath. Her eyes dart around the room, groggy but still aware, before she finally looks up at me. A small smile forms on her face, my hand bringing hers up to my cheek. She wipes a tear away with her thumb.

"Tobias..." Her voice is the most beautiful sound I've ever heard, and to hear her say my name makes my heart swell. I can't do anything but smile, so I let her talk. "I chose you."