**Characters and some story lines are owned by Veronica Roth**
CHAPTER SEVEN - JOEY
The next week goes by pretty fast for Christina and Tris. They have spent time with almost everyone around the main house learning what they did. They had their tour of the green houses and orchard with Cara and Linda explaining how the site was completely self-sufficient in supplying fresh fruit and vegetables to the kitchen because of their isolation. Cara was also excited about a new water supply project that they were working on using condensation and recycled water.
Matt (who they remembered was married to Linda) took them to see the solar panel farm further behind the green house which supplied the site with all its energy use. He also flew the helicopter surveying the property from the air and reporting anything to Tori so either Four or Eric's team could respond. He promised at the end of their tour to take them up in the chopper when time allowed, which to his joy the girls seemed eager to do.
Lyn and Carol explained the workings of the kitchen. Like what to do if they returned after a long day and the kitchen was closed, where to find the extra coffee, snacks or drinks if they needed them. They were also shown the request forms for when they were expecting to take an overnight or longer muster.
Shauna and Marlene, took turns in showing them the games room, laundry, stables, sheds, storage, and how to complete paperwork or to order special items. Much to Christina's delight they explained how to do personal shopping on the computer and how to pay with their staff card. Explaining the delivers arrived once a month to Tori.
Bud (Tori's husband) gave them a full 2 days training in first aide, what to do if separated from their team in the bush, identifying certain snakes and spiders that could be deadly and some quick survival techniques.
They are now at the end of the week out at the enclosure near the stables learning how to saddle, mount and ride their horses.
Tris is standing on the bottom rung of the fence with her chin resting on her crossed arms and biting her bottom lip as she watches Christina mount the horse and proceed to trot around the enclosure lead by Will. Every now and then Tris needed to push her bush hat back from her eyes, unfortunately Tori didn't have a hat that fitted her and she had to settle for one that was too big.
Eventually Uriah joins her next to the fence and gives her a nudge while grinning.
"Ready?" he asks.
She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly "Yeah, lets do it." She replies sounding a little more confident than what her insides were telling her. Jumping back from the fence she follows Uriah to a tan horse that was slightly smaller than some of the others.
"This is Jazz, she has a real friendly nature," he says leading her up and giving the horse a pat on her nose before guiding Tris's hand up to also give her a pat. As she removes her hand Jazz shakes her head and gives a whinnie making Tris smile a little.
"OK, just put your foot in the stirrup, hold onto this, pull yourself up and swing your leg round to sit into the saddle," Uriah says moving to take the reins. After a couple of attempts she manages to pull herself up and sits atop the horse with a grin on her face.
"So I'm just going to take you around the pen. Just sit a little straighter in the saddle or you'll end up sore," he pulls the reins and the horse follows him. After a few laps he throws the reins up to Tris for her to control, with a little smile and a small click of the tongue she trots off.
Standing with his legs slightly apart and arms crossed over his chest Four watches her from the stable door. It seems like the others are underestimating her because of her size but not him, they will come to see it eventually too. He can't help but chuckle as he sees her trying to trot with that ridiculous big hat on her head.
"What are you laughing at?" Zeke asks as he comes to stand beside him.
"Her hat," Four simply replies.
Zeke looks over to where Four is watching and sees Tris trying to balance on top of the horse while with every bounce it seems to readjust her oversized hat into a different position on her head.
Looking back at his friend he gives him a slight nudge "dude, you are smitten with this girl."
Four turns to look at him raising his eyebrow slightly, "No."
"Come on man, I've been watching you this last week. Whenever she's around you can't help but watch her."
Four looks away and just shakes his head as if rejecting the comment.
"Not that I'm complaining but you also seem a lot happier, you know, not scowling so much."
"I don't scowl," he says as he turns his head slightly to scowl at his friend which causes Zeke to laugh.
"Yeah right, cause you're so approachable. Look I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I personally think it's great. I tell you, all the years I've known you I have never seen you like this with any girl. You are smitten."
Just as Four turns to Zeke to argue the point Tori appears.
"Four!" Tori calls out
"Yeah," he replies relieved for the change of subject but still scowling at his friend.
"Matt has reported something over near the flats, can you please grab a truck and go check it out. Take one of the girls with you, maybe Tris."
Zeke still looking at Four wiggles his eyebrows giving him a wink and even though Four doesn't show it his stomach does a little flip at the thought of spending some time with her.
"Sure," he replies finally turning from Zeke to look at Tori "I'll go get the truck ready just send her over."
Taking the map coordinates from Tori he walks over to the garage and proceeds to pop the hood of the single cab truck. He is deep in thought of the conversation that had just happened with Zeke. Has he been that obvious? It's true, he has never really shown any interest in girls although plenty of them have expressed interest in him. Practically throwing themselves at him, this is why he loved the isolation of Dauntless. He had decided long ago that he didn't want a relationship with anyone because of his childhood and all the secrets. He had shut those doors long ago vowing never to open then. He sighs out loud as he finishes checking the oil and water.
Tris comes up to the garage door and stops when she notices Four standing over the engine of the truck. As she is standing there she can't help but notice even from this angle just how muscular he is, her stomach do a little flip at the thought of spending some time with him. Catching herself she gives a little cough from behind him. Still leaning over the engine Four looks over his shoulder to see Tris standing in the entrance, fiddling with her fingers in front of her and her camera swinging slightly around her neck.
"Umm Tori and Zeke said that you needed me to go with you somewhere?"
"yeah, Matt has radioed in something that he has spotted from the chopper, we're just going to go and check it out. Jump in," he says nodding towards the truck as he tightens the water cap, closing the hood with a thud and slides into the driver's seat next to her before heading off towards the flats.
Zeke and Tori exchange a knowing smile as they watch the truck head out.
"So where are we going?" Tris asks after a few minutes of silence.
"Out past the flats, bout a half hour or so drive," Four replies indicating off to the left of where they are, then he moves his hand down to change the gears. Tris can't help but notice how his shirt adjusts to his body as his arm moves from gear to gear. Catching herself she clears her throat and looks out the window.
After about another minute he adds "You're too stiff."
"Excuse me?" she replies, turning to look at him slightly shocked. Silently she is wondering if he had noticed her watching him before. She has no understanding as to her feelings about this man at the moment having never experienced anything like it.
"When you ride, you're too stiff. You keep too much tension in your stomach, you need to relax a little and move with the horse. Let her do the work for you." He replies looking over as she gives a little laugh he notices her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Oh, is that what you mean," she says smiling over at him making him return it.
"What did you think I meant Tris?"
"Honestly I have no idea," she replies now relaxing a little and leans further back in the seat pulling her legs up to cross them underneath her.
"So why do they call you Four?"
"It's a long story."
"I'm sure we have time."
"Well I really have Zeke to thank for it. The first day I meet him at school, I had just transferred and hadn't said anything to anyone. For some reason he just clicked with me, took me under his wing I guess. He had two other friends that he was in a group with and as I wasn't really speaking to anyone and because I was the fourth person to the group that's what he called me, number Four. Over time it just kinda stuck." He glances over to see her looking at him with a smile.
"I like that story."
"So why do they call you Tris? Is it short for something?"
"It's short for Beatrice," and after a slight pause adds "I thought that was too stiff though," she replies with a laugh remembering his previous comment. This of course makes him laugh too, a deep husky rumble that made her heart skip. She raises her camera and takes his picture mid laugh.
"What you are you doing?" he asks still with a smile on his face.
"Nothing, I just like it when you laugh like that and wanted a picture of it." Suddenly she realises what she had just admitted to and bites her bottom lip while shifting a little uncomfortably in the seat. Four can feel his heart beat a little faster like it's trying desperately to escape and the smile get a little wider on his face.
Wanting to change the subject she asks "So what's your real name?" noticing him suddenly become serious and stiffen a little as he adjusts himself in his seat.
Looking over to her he simply replies "maybe one day I'll tell you."
"OK."
"OK?"
"Yeah OK, I figure if you want me to know you'll tell me when you're ready."
Wait is this girl for real, he thinks. No one has ever just left it like that, not even Zeke. He glances back over to her and notices she is just looking out the window. One day yes she will know my real name.
After driving a little further in silence Four stops the truck "We're here," he says as he opens the door and jumps out. Grabbing a rifle and back pack from the trucks back tray he hands her the back pack and leads her down to an embankment into some bush.
Adjusting his hat slightly he kneels down looking at what appeared to be some tracks on the ground and as he stands up he says "Stay close, there may be some dingoes." Cocking the rifle ready to shoot they slowly make their way further into the scrub.
Finally they come to a clearing where he stops.
"Pass me the back pack," he asks. Tris slides it off her back and hands it to him. Laying it down on the ground she watches as he pulls out a towel and what looked like a small cotton bag, looking up seeing her eyes filled with curiosity he points off a little way in front of him. There she notices what looks like a kangaroo lying on the ground.
Wrinkling her brow she asks "what's wrong with it? Is it sick?"
"My guess is a dingo so I'm just going to check it. You wait here OK."
She watches as Four walks up to the animal, his back now to her she can't see what he is doing. After a few minutes she sees him lay the towel on the ground and wrap something in it before putting it in the bag and pulling his knife out from his belt.
As he stands up he seems to slide the knife along the ground before returning it to his belt turning around and returning to Tris cradling the bag in his arms.
"What's wrong?" Tris asks when he's close enough.
"Dingo, the roo wasn't quite quick enough to get away," he replies looking down to the bag in his arms.
"Is…. Is it dead?"
"She is now," looking up he sees Tris standing there as she takes a sharp intake of breath and her eyes gloss over with tears.
"You killed it?" she whispers lowering her eyes to the ground.
Watching her he lays the bag on the ground and slightly lowers his head trying to keep eye contact "Tris, look at me," she slowly raises her watery eyes to look at him "I had to, she was almost dead and in pain. There was no way she would have survived her injuries."
Tris just nods her head. He take a few steps forward and before either of them know it she finds herself engulfed in his strong arms against his chest as she silently lets her tears fall for the dead roo. They stand silently, wrapped in each other's arms. Tris feels herself relax into him, into the comfort and safety and security and warmth and finds herself not wanting it to end.
After a few minutes he slowly pulls away and looks down at her again. Cupping her face in his hands he slowly caresses his thumbs across her now dry cheeks "It's the way of the land Tris, she is at peace now OK," he says, his voice is low and husky.
He is aware of the heat that lingers from where her body was next to his. He is also aware of the urgent desire he is feeling to put his mouth on hers and kiss her. It's an overwhelming drive coursing through his veins fuelled by his now fast beating heart. He is fighting it with every ounce of self-control he can call upon. He can't, not now, not yet. So he just stands there, his hands still cupping her face, looking longingly into her eyes.
She nods giving a light shiver caused from the cold her body now feels from where it was pressed against his. Looking up into his deep blue eyes she is sure she sees something flash past, realising she is holding her breathe she slowly exhales and nods head again giving a weak smile as he removes his hands and steps back.
"Fortunately they didn't find this little guy tucked away in mums pouch," he smiles down at her before bending over and picking up the bag from the ground.
Looking down into it she sees a little black nose sticking out, looking back up at Four "is that…."
"Her little Joey yes, here." He raises the bag above her head and placing it around her neck he gently lowers it so it lays directly across her heart down to her stomach, just like a pouch.
"We better get it back, my guess is it's a bit hungry. Tori will look after it now."
"No I can," Tris says as she cradles the now heavy bag into her arms.
"OK, Tori will show you what to do. Come on lets go."
As they walk back silently to the truck Four keeps his hand pressed gently to her lower back guiding her before helping her back into the truck. Just as he closes the door Tris crosses her legs again laying the bag in her lap and slightly moves the towel. She smiles down to the little joey face that now looks back at her with big black eyes and a twitching nose. Taking her camera she takes a picture, she wants to remember this moment.
Four guides the truck back into the garage when they get back to the homestead. Removing the rifle and stowing it back into the gun locker he turns and leads Tris up to Tori's office.
Looking up from her desk as she hears them enter "Hey, how did you go?"
"Yeah good, dingo attack. I had a quick look around for them but didn't find anything. I'll send Zeke and Will out tomorrow hunt the area a little more."
"OK, I'll let Matt know to keep an eye out too."
"Ahhh Tris needs your help with something."
Tori looking over to her sees her cradling the bag in her arms, giving a smile she asks "what have you got there Tris?"
"It's a Joey, will you show me how to look after it?"
"Of course," standing up and walking over to her she leans in and has a look "poor little thing. Looks to only be about a month or so old."
"How can you tell?"
"By his size, he seems to be comfortable with you too. Come on, I'll show you where the animal formulas and feed are kept."
Tori leads her out of the office and down the hall, after a few steps she turns and looks over her shoulder seeing Four still standing in the doorway watching her leave.
She stops walking and turns to him smiling "Thank you Four."
Smiling back "You're welcome Tris, I think he's in good hands now."
Tori, noticing that Tris had stopped following her turns around and watches them.
Tris still smiling starts walking backwards and after a few paces turns back around to Tori. Raising an eyebrow and quirking her lip, her eyes flick between Four and Tris.
"Ready?" she asks.
Tris nods her head.
"OK right down the end there," Tori says pointing to the end of the hall. As Tris walks past her she is still watching Four. He hadn't moved and was still watching her leave, realising that Tori was watching him he clears his throat, puts his bush hat back on his head with a slight nod and leaves back through her office. As she turns to follow Tris she gives a soft laugh and thinks to herself 'finally'.
Later that night Four is lying on his back in his bed while watching the moon shadows dance on the ceiling above. His mind wanders to Tris and what had happened today. What was it about her that seemed to capture his interest? He pulls every thought and feeling from his mind, examining it over and over again. God, is Zeke right? Is he smitten? Groaning out loud he drags his hand down his face as though trying to wipe them from his mind. He can't help but smile as he continues to think of her.
SNEAK PEAK AT THE NEXT CHAPTER….
"hmmmm," she sleepily hums and snuggles in against the warm body carrying her, "you smell nice," unaware that it had softly slipped out of her mouth before yawning and drifting off to sleep again, waking slightly as she feels herself being placed in a soft bed she opens her eyes just a sliver to see Four leaning over taking off her shoes and socks before placing a blanket gently over her