Chapter Ten

Tobias

Tris was sound asleep next to me on her stomach, her arms disappearing beneath her pillow and her blonde hair splayed around her. Her back was bare and I had to resist the urge to run my fingers lightly across her smooth skin.

God, I loved touching her – not sexually (at least, not all the time) – but just…brushing my hand against hers or when we were standing next to each other and I managed to place my hand on the small of her back without anyone noticing.

She was so warm. So warm and so strong.

She could handle anything that was thrown at her and not break apart. Sure, she's broken a few times, but this job took a toll on everybody and everybody broke down now and again. But her? She held it in and didn't let anyone see how much pain a case caused her.

I watched her, just earlier today, talking to a girl who was being physically abused by her father and she didn't tear up or show any kind of anger around the girl. She sat with the girl as she cried into her shoulder, reassuring her that we'd arrest her father and that she'd never have to see him again. I watched in awe.

Neither of us has slept over the other's house in a while, since we started…whatever this was between us, but last night we were both just so exhausted that after, she didn't bother to kick me out and just told me to stay the night.

Carefully, as soft as a feather, I brush my fingers down her back, tracing the line of her spine. She barely shifts in her sleep, a deep sigh leaving her chest.

Sliding out from under the sheets, I pull my clothes back on and creep out of her room as quietly as I can. I ease her bedroom door shut, wincing as the hinges squeal as I latch it shut.

"Uhh…hi there." I jump at the sound of someone speaking and turn to see Christina sitting at the kitchen table, a spoonful of cereal paused halfway to her mouth. "What…?" She looks at me, at the door I just snuck out of, and then back to me. "No!" She gasps, dropping the spoon into her bowl, smiling.

I put my finger to my lips, hoping Tris doesn't wake up. "Christina! Quiet!" I run my fingers through my hair, frustrated, pulling at the roots. "Why are you here?"

She quirks an eyebrow at me. "Really? You're asking me why I'm here?" I nod. "I crashed on her couch last night. Me and Will got into a fight. Now, why are you here?"

"We were going over cases last night and we just crashed." I lied smoothly, but she just gave me a look that told me she did not believe a single word that I said.

"Yeah, okay. Whatever you say." She goes back to eating her cereal and the door behind me opens to reveal Tris in a plain white t-shirt and a pair of pajama bottoms.

Her face pales as she spots Christina and then looks to me. I give her a sheepish smile and say, "We've been caught." Christina is glaring at Tris and I can tell from her glare that she's going to want to talk to Tris without me here. "Well, I have to go. You two have fun…talking about whatever it is you're going to talk about."

I'm just about to walk out the door, but Tris grabs my arm. "Oh no you don't. You are not leaving me here to explain this to Chris by myself."

"She's your friend!" I exclaim.

"And you're involved in this situation so you have to stay and deal with it." She shoots back. She looks both terrified and annoyed. "Please." She whispers, low enough so that only I can hear.

I glance back at Christina, who's cleaning up her dishes, pretending like she can't hear us. "Fine."

Tris turns back to face Christina, who is now leaning up against the kitchen counter with her arms crossed over her chest and a knowing look plastered on her face. "So, when did this start?" She asks right out.

"A few weeks ago." I tell her, crossing my arms over my chest to match her body language.

She quirks an eyebrow and, for the first time, I see Tris shrink away. Even when facing guys much older than her who have weapons she doesn't shrink away, but her best friend questioning her personal life? Apparently, she finds that terrifying.

"Are you two dating?"

"No, it's not like that." Tris finally speaks up, her voice timid. I raise my eyebrows at her, trying to figure out what is going on with her.

Christina pushes herself off the counter, stepping closer. "So, it's just sex, then?" Both Tris and I glance at each other and then nod. "Why didn't you tell me?" Her question is directed at Tris.

Tris shrugs, looking ashamed. "We didn't want it to get out because we didn't need anybody trying to label us as a couple. So, you can't tell anybody. Not even Will."

Christina rolls her eyes. "You know I won't tell anybody." I give her a look and she sticks her tongue out at me. "I won't!" She says defensively.

I shake my head and then turn to Tris. "I need to go."

I know that this is super short, but I feel so bad that I haven't uploaded in awhile. I've had classes to focus on, work and applying for a handful of internships. I've tried to keep up with writing, but obviously college comes first. I'm so sorry, but I promise you that I am not done with this story!