Tris gripped the USB drive in the wool pocket of her coat. Her town car was slowly pulling into the empty warehouse parking lot down near the docks. The miniscule item in her fist held important information, perhaps information that could topple a country. The car stopped, and Tris looked out her window, seeing that Jeanine had not arrived yet. She leaned back in her seat and pulled the thumb drive out and stared at in her gloved hand. Her father had spent years building a trustful relationship with the U.S. government. His company had been developing products, weapons, chemical warfare items that could be used by the military. Scientists who worked in the labs were sworn to secrecy and had to follow strict protocol regarding their projects. Now Tris held part of their information in her hand.
She fretted that the FBI would be called into another direction and not be able to follow up this evening. She worried that she would be alone standing on that dock with two menacing members of society, and staring at the thumb drive only made her heart race. If she didn't have the backup she was promised, the information on the item would be turned over to terrorists. Jeanine had made it clear that she was going to hand over the information to her black market connections. The consequences of a failed sting loomed through Tris's mind. She closed her hand into a tight fist and caught the sight of headlights coming down the narrow drive between two buildings. It was Jeanine. She took a deep breath and stepped out of her vehicle.
Jeanine and Peter both approached Tris halfway between the two cars. Jeanine smiled wickedly at Tris. Peter looked satisfied as he stood with this arms crossed across his body.
"I wasn't sure you would have the nerve to show, Beatrice." Jeanine said.
"We made a deal." Tris responded, her voice evening and tightening at the same time. She pulled the thumb drive out of her pocket. "Here it is." Jeanine stared at the drive in Tris's palm and twisted her palms together. "Everything I told you I would provide is on it." Tris paused. "I expect you to keep your end of the bargain." Jeanine nodded.
"Of course. You'll get your money, wired directly to that little offshore bank account." She picked up the drive and held it in front of her eyes. "How funny that something so insignificant in size can hold so much power, yes?" Peter nodded and Tris formed her lips into a tight line. "It was lovely to do business with you Beatrice. I hope we continue, I-" The words were barely off her lips before multiple vehicles started flying onto the scene, surrounding them. Tris was blinded by their high beams and red and blue flashing lights. There were voices demanding the three to put their hands up. Tris raised her hands, only for seconds later to have them dragged down behind her and put into handcuffs. She saw Jeanine drop the USB, and surrender herself, her face looking shocked. She looked at Tris, her eyes registering something, and Tris knew she had to change the thoughts running through Jeanine's mind quickly.
"You called the police!" Tris shouted as she twisted against the body behind her. "You sold me out?" She screamed at Jeanine with a series of expletives. Jeanine's face returned to shock and Tris wondered if she had convinced her that she was innocent in the sellout. They pulled Tris away in the opposite direction of Jeanine and Peter. She was tossed into the back of a black unmarked car.
"Stay here." The man said gruffly. He shut the door and disappeared, leaving Tris alone in the vehicle. She leaned her head back on the seat and let out her held breath. The handcuffs weren't as tight as she originally thought, but they still restricted her. She watched from the blacked out windows as the men put Jeanine and Peter into separate cars. One at a time they drove off. The agents milled around talking before one began to approach the vehicle. The back door opened and the same man who handcuffed her helped her out. He removed the handcuffs. "We're all set." He said. Another agent came over and explained the situation, thanking her for her help. He verified the USB and then put it into evidence. Soon, her father was climbing out of another vehicle and approaching her.
Andrew Prior pulled his daughter into a hug and held her tight. He was so glad she was safe.
"Where's Tobias?" Tris asked. Andrew pulled back, framing her face with his hands, searching for evidence of any harm. "Dad?" Tris questioned again.
"Tris!" She heard the shout of her name and saw beyond her father the form of Tobias. He was jogging toward them. Andrew moved out of the way and immediately Tobias enveloped Tris into his arms, holding her tight. "Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yes." She said burying her face into his chest. "I am." She held him tightly. His hands wrapped around her, covering the small of her back, pulling her closer as if he was worried he would lose her.
When they finally pulled away, he looked over her like her father had done, searching for signs of harm. His fingers wrapped gently around her wrists, examining the redness from the handcuffs. "I'm okay." She assured. He drew his gaze to hers and frowned. "It's fine. They were tight, but it was necessary." Tobias narrowed his eyes for a moment, not sure if he should believe her. "I just want to go home." She looked to her father who nodded. Tobias took her hand and walked with her to the vehicle, helping her in before climbing in himself.
Back at the apartment, Tris showered to shake the grime of the clandestine meeting off her body. Even though it was planned and carefully executed by the FBI, Tris couldn't help but feel dirty. She had turned over important information, even if it had been confiscated by the FBI. When she walked out into her bedroom, Tobias was sitting on her bed, holding his hands together and looking at the carpet. "Hey." She said softly, running the towel through her hair.
"Hi." He smiled up at her. "I wanted to make sure you were okay." She nodded. Tris climbed onto the other side of the bed, curling onto her side. She encouraged Tobias to lay down beside her. "Rough night." He mumbled.
"Yeah." She looked away picking at a piece of her comforter. "I wasn't sure what Jeanine would do."
"I wanted to be right there."
"I know." Tris looked at Tobias. "I appreciate that." She took a breath. "I appreciate that you were there when it was over." She moved her body slightly closer to his. "I'm glad you're here now."
"Me too." He said. "Come here." His arms opened and she scooted her body into his, fitting into his form. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging him to her. "It's over." He said close to her ear. She sighed into his neck and burrowed deeper into his body, letting his build encompass her.
Tris awoke alone, the sun streaming through the blinds they barely closed. She was still on top of her covers, only a blanket was thrown over her. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, wondering where Tobias was.
She found him in his room packing his things. For a moment she watched him. He carefully folded each item, regimented, neat, and found it a place within his suitcase. One suitcase and a garment bag was all he had brought. She knocked lightly on the door frame and he turned around.
"Morning." He said.
"Hi," She slowly approached him. "Packing already?" She asked.
"My dad texted me early, said he wanted me back at work today. I don't have much time."
"You can stay here." She offered. "Or is that weird?"
"It's not weird." Tobias answered, stopping what he was doing. "There's obviously a need for some adjustment." She agreed. "I mean, I don't know. Is it weird?" Tris shrugged. "Our situation as changed."
"Right."
"I'm not your bodyguard, nor your boyfriend." The last words came out slower and he had trouble meeting her eyes. Tris felt her heart freeze for a moment, hearing them play over in her brain. He was right. "I want to do it the right way though, Tris."
"I understand."
"Is the right way living with you?" She looked away, not knowing what to say. "I don't know."
"This is the conversation I was dreading having." She said softly. "How do you walk away from someone who you've become so close to? Boyfriend or not." Tobias nodded. "What does mean for us?"
"I'm not sure. I know it means I still want to see you." She smiled a little. He leaned down and zipped the suitcase. "Right now, I need to go to work or I'll be getting nasty phone calls from my father." He conceded and rolled his eyes. "I don't want to drop this conversation."
"Are you coming here later?" She asked. He could only shrug. Neither knew how to navigate these waters. They had been forced into a live-in relationship, friendship, and then pretend romantic relationship. It had worked and there was truth in their feelings for one another, but still it was as if the piece holding them together was suddenly gone. Feelings or not, neither Tris nor Tobias really knew how to move forward. It should have been easy, but it wasn't. They had to return to lives before they knew each other.
Tris walked Tobias to the door. He hugged her goodbye and promised to call. When he left, she shut the door and leaned against it, wishing they had said more, wishing they had had time to figure out what came next. She headed for her room, needing to get ready herself. Her heart was heavy and uncertain.
A few minutes had passed before she heard a banging at her door. She could hear Tobias calling for her. She rushed back to the door and opened it quickly. "What?" She said concerned. He swooped down and kissed her, hard and long. She melted into him, molding her body to his, grasping at his t-shirt. His hands splayed across her back, locking their two bodies together.
When he pulled back, she was breathless and even more confused. "What was that for?" She asked quietly.
"I'm an idiot, Tris." He said with a smile. "I forgot to ask you on a proper date." Tris blushed and dropped her eyes, not able to hide her smile. "A real date where we don't have to pretend or look over our shoulders. A real date when I can just be a guy and you just a girl." She smiled even wider. "Would that be okay?"
"Yes." She replied. He grinned and leaned down their lips meeting softly, a release of everything they had been carrying for months moving through their connected forms. When they pulled away Tris gazed at him, biting her lip. He couldn't stop smiling.
"So I'll pick you up later?" She nodded. "And we'll go from there?" Tris agreed. He kissed her again quickly. "I do have to go, for real, but I'll text you and see you later."
"Okay Tobias." She said.
"We'll have a great, awesome time! No bodyguards allowed, no parents, no Jeanine!" He called as he walked backwards down the hallway. "Just me and you."
"Perfect!" Tris said. "Just the way I like it." She blew him a kiss and he waved goodbye as he entered the elevator.
There was much to figure out, but the two would be able to work it out. Neither wanted a final goodbye, too much had passed between them. After all, they did have the mistletoe, and French toast, and eggs, the moon hung in a snowy sky and inside out pajamas.
The End.
A/N: I do not own the Divergent Series. Well, thanks for hanging through this with me! I appreciate the support. I'm sure some of you would love to see more chapters about the evolution of their relationship now, but I'd rather leave it in our imaginations. They'll be good. Anyways, thanks for the reviews and love the entire time! xoxox - B.