One Week Later

Tris' POV

It's been a week since I managed to dislocate my knee and injure myself and today is my surgery. I've never had surgery and I have not been in the hospital much before either which increases the anxiety I feel. It's what they call fear of the unknown, I guess.

I've been granted medical leave from school for the semester but after that, I'll have to find something else to study. I can be undecided for awhile as I work my way through the general credits and I can still attend classes at the University.

"Ready?" Tobias asks as I dangle my legs over the bed and stand with the help of crutches he places in front of me. I hate them, feeling weak and tired from the extra effort it takes to walk now.

What I miss the most though is being able to dance, the feeling of flight during a grand jete or the grace of an arabesque. It's the things I can no longer do now and watching others do them that hurts the most. It's nothing in comparison to the physical pain I feel.

The drive ends quickly as Tobias parks the car near the hospital. "Come on." Tobias says, supporting me as we enter the hospital and the waiting area for surgery. A nurse finds us and directs me to change into a hospital gown while Tobias is outside.

I manage to make it to the gurney by myself as Tobias reenters the room. We're both silent, unsure of what to say or how to comfort the other. Eventually, our silence is broken as I am prepped for surgery.

Tobias follows alongside me, holding my hand until we're forced to break apart. I hold his hand tightly, never wanting to let go as he kisses my forehead and whispers "I'l be here when you wake up. I'm not going anywhere. I love you which causes tears to fill my eyes as I'm wheeled into the operating room alone.

I notice how cold it feels and the smell of disinfectant that floods the room. The lights above me are bright which I notice as I am lifted from the gurney to the operating room. My thoughts race and my palms sweat from being here.

Soon, a mask is placed over my mouth and some sort of anesthetic is added to my IV. It produces a disconcerting feeling as the room appears to spin around me but then I feel relaxed and tired. My eyelids feel heavy and I feel my eyes flutter and close.

Tobias' POV

I have just left Tris for her surgery and begin the long wait to see her again. The past week has been tough especially with Tris no longer able to dance. It's been gut wrenching to see her lose so much and not have any ability to control or fix it for her.

I head to the vending machines and grab myself some food. I'm not hungry but I know that I will need to keep my strength up so I can be there for her as much as possible. I need some way to pass the time. I decide to work on some homework to help distract myself and give my mind something to do.

A couple of hours later, a nurse brings to Tris who is just opening her eyes when I enter. She still looks drowsy and confused as she asks "What happened to my leg?" then touching her fingers over the brace with "Ow!"

My mouth breaks into a small grin, having never seen her like this before. "Toby, you're so hot. Why won't you kiss me?" she laughs and I smack myself in the forehead. This is going to be fun.

I kiss her forehead as I tell her "I appreciate the invitation but you're not yourself right now so I'm not going to kiss you." which makes her pout. A little while later, she starts talking to her mom who isn't there obviously and they have to adjust her meds.

"Mom!" she yells repeatedly and I understand how much she wants her to be here for real. "Toby, where's my mom? Why isn't she here?" she sobs like a small child until the drugs wear off some.

The doctor releases us later on to go home as Tris is still a little drugged up but she's not hallucinating anymore at least. I help her into the car where she falls asleep almost instantly on the way home. She looks younger and calmer in her sleep.

I park near the dorm so we don't have to walk much but she doesn't wake up and looks peaceful in sleep. I carry her gently inside bridal style and place her on the bed, covering her with a blanket.

I sigh, exhausted from what the day has brung. With nothing else to do and Tris sound asleep, I head to the grocery store which is about five minutes away. I grab canned soup and other foods for Tris and I for the next few days and fill her prescriptions.

The doctor has ordered her to stay on bedrest for the next two weeks to allow her body to heal. I know she's not going to like that and it will be tough to get her to do so. That's one of the things I've always loved about her is the stubbornness and inability to let anything hold her back.

I love her so much, I would switch places with her if I could in a heartbeat. I'll be there for her no matter what, despite what our future may be. I return home to check on and kiss her forehead as she sleeps before I get to bed myself.