AN: Two chapters in one week! Thank you for all the reviews and favorites, it seriously means the world to me. For all those people who asked me about my other story I will be continuing that one. It might be another month before I am able to start getting new chapters on that one, but hopefully that will give you something to look forward to. In the mean time ENJOY!

Chapter 21

Four POV

I'm distracted all day at work today. Lately I feel like something is different; I am different. I know that it's because of Tris and Amy. I love them. I can't deny that fact in my mind anymore. I haven't told Tris yet, because I feel that I need to be open with her, to lay everything about me out there before I go there.

So the past couple weeks I've laid awake at night. At first I tried to talk myself out of telling her, now I'm just trying to work up the courage. It's been a long time since I told my story. Zeke was the first and last person I actually told personally.

As the work day comes to an end I begin to get more apprehensive and jittery. Zeke notices since this is totally out of character for me.

"Hey dude what's up? You've seemed distracted all week?" Zeke asks concerned.

I look around to make sure no one is around to overhear. "I'm going to tell Tris soon." I whisper.

He looks confused, obviously not sure what I'm referring to.

"She asked me to go to Chicago with her for Thanksgiving and I really want to go. To support her and meet her family. But I can't go there with her without telling her everything first. What if someone sees me?" I ramble.

Realization dawns on Zeke's face. "Four calm down. Everything will be fine."

"What if she runs away from me?"

"She's not going to run. I've seen the way that girl looks at you. She loves you Four."

Zeke's words turn something inside me. "I love her Zeke."

"I know. So be honest with her."

We walk back into the office and I spot Tris packing up the shoulder bag she always brings to work with her. Will walks up to her and starts making conversation. I curse mentally for having made plans to have dinner with Tris and Will and Christina. I want to tell her now, but I know it's not the right time.

Tris, Will and I all head out and to the restaurant down the street where we meet up with Christina.

Everyone strikes up a conversation easily. I think they're talking about Christina's job, but my head is in a totally different place.

The mention of my name catches my attention. Luckily Tris is just talking about me and no one has noticed that I am spaced out. I turn my attention back to the conversation just in time to hear Will ask about going to Chicago for Thanksgiving.

The mention of Chicago and Thanksgiving reminds me of everything I want to tell Tris and I fidget with my hands under the table. I can feel the disappointment rolling off of Tris. It's been a while since she asked me and I know not giving her an answer is probably giving her the wrong impression, but that will all get fixed tonight.

I don't miss the look Christina gives Tris or the way Will is eyeing me with raised eyebrows, but I ignore them all. Going over everything I need to say to Tris in my head again.

I don't pay much attention to the rest of the conversation, keeping my head down trying to enjoy my food, but not really tasting any of it. I'm normally not much of a talker, but I still notice Will regarding me strangely and the looks Christina keeps shooting me.

Finally everyone is done eating and we're leaving the restaurant. It's now or never. I pull lightly on Tris' arm, separating her from the others.

"Wanna go for a walk with me?" I ask uncertain as she glances up at me with guarded eyes almost like she's trying to read my mind.

"I really should get home to Amelia." She answers.

My heart sinks a little bit, but I'm determined. "10 minutes." I plead.

"Go ahead Tris, I'll watch Amelia." Christina's voice startles us both. Christina is staring at me. The look on her face is strange. I feel like she's trying to be menacing, but it's coming across as more curious.

"Okay, thanks." I hear Tris murmur.

My palms begin to sweat the second Christina turns away. There is no turning back now. I start walking towards the park down the block. Out of the corner of my eye I see Tris pull her jacket around her. I want to take her hand, to comfort her in some way, but I know if I'm going to get through this I need to maintain my distance.

"Look Tobias," Tris starts talking before I can muster the courage. The small crack in her voice makes me realize that she thinks that something bad is going to happen right now. It's all I can do not to grab her and wrap her in my arms, but instead I hold up a hand to stop her.

"Tris." I pause not daring to look at her. "Listen I know I've been distant and haven't really told you much about myself and I'm sorry. I'm not good at this. I'm not used to having someone in my life."

"Tobias it's okay I understand if you don't want to be with me."

I'm startled. "What? No, Tris. Just please listen okay. I need to get some stuff out and I need you to listen." I beg, worried that she thinks I don't want to be with her. For a split second I think maybe she doesn't want to be with me, but then Zeke's words flash into my mind. She loves you.

She looks at me deeply. It feels like she is searching my soul and I'm not entirely sure what she's looking for. It takes a minute of tense silence, but finally I see determination in her eyes.

"Okay, I'll listen."

At those words I launch into my story. It takes longer than 10 minutes, but Tris waits patiently. I can tell she is intently listening, grasping at every word. I don't look directly at her often. In fact I don't look at her until I am done telling her about my mother's death and the start of my father's abusive behavior. I don't want to see the pity in her eyes.

I chance a glance at her when I tell her about the first time I ran away from home. Surprisingly I don't see pity. Instead I see love and some anger. I'm not sure what she's angry about, but I don't let myself dwell too much about that. I plow ahead, but instead of avoiding looking at her now I watch the emotions flash across her face.

I finish my story by telling her about going to college and meeting Zeke. When I stop talking there is a silence that descends on us. It last only long enough for Tris to lean up and kiss me on the cheek. When she leans back her voice cuts into the silence and I feel as if she is cutting down the last of my walls.

"Tobias, thank you. Thank you for sharing all of that with me."

And suddenly I can't stand the physical separation between us. I reach towards her and pull her tight into my embrace.

"I want to go to Chicago with you and Amy. I want to meet your family."

"Oh Tobias." She sighs, "You don't have to. I understand now that that city holds no good memories for you."

"No it doesn't, but I want to create new memories with you Tris and forget the old ones."

"You're sure?" She stares up at me intently from where her head is resting on my chest.

"Positive." I smile at her. It's a genuine smile. I didn't think I'd be able to be this happy after reliving my past, but all I feel is relief. A weight has finally lifted off of my shoulders.

"Do you have any questions?" I ask Tris realizing she might have something she is wondering about.

She smiles at me and I enjoy the way her eyes light up. "No." She says softly.

I take her face in between my hands and stare into her eyes. "I love you."

The words come out crisp and clear, but I'm a little surprised I said them now. I have always wanted to wait until the perfect moment, but it feels right for her to know how I really feel.

"I love you too." She responds without hesitation.

We enjoy a few moments in silence as the world darkens around us.

"It's late, I should get home." Tris breaks the silence.

I nod and we walk hand in hand back to work where our cars are.

"So I'll see you tomorrow?" I half ask.

She laughs a light laugh. "Of course Tobias. I will be at work after all." She jokes lightly.

A small chuckle escapes me. "I was thinking about more than work. Do you and Amy want to come over to help me with some Thanksgiving stuff?"

"Oh, I see you need a woman to come clean and cook for you." Tris jokes with mock annoyance.

"Yep, we men don't know how to do anything." Her laugh is infectious and I laugh with her for a moment.

"But seriously I just want to spend some more time with my two favorite people."

'Well we'll be there. I can't promise we'll be much help though. I never was the domestic type." Tris says with all seriousness.

"Good thing I like to cook and clean then." I kiss Tris lightly on the lips, savoring the taste of her.

"Good night." She whispers and then turns and gets into her car. I stand in the dark parking lot watching her headlights slowly grow dimmer.

Suddenly it hits me. I just let someone into the deepest parts of me and instead of feeling weak like I assumed I would I only feel stronger. And she loves me. That thought is enough to keep a smile on my face until I fall asleep that night.