A/N: I usually don't do this, but I suggest listing to 'The Last Time' by Taylor Swift (yes, I was like 'what? taylor?' myself so shocker for both me and you) but please do give it a shot especially the first half of this chapter, as it captures the essence of the whole scene perfectly.

Also because I'm doing a three update in three day thing, if you haven't read the previous chapter which was updated yesterday, please go back and read that first. Hope you enjoy.

DRAG ME UNDER

TRIS

It had been a month since she was rescued, and weeks since the whole ordeal at the hospital and every one was still on edge. Tobias—despite his best attempts to hide and shield his inner weakness from everyone—was having trouble getting over it all, still reliving that awful day. It was imaginable, the pain he would be going through right now, and it would be no easy feat getting over it. But the more he held it in, the more she could see him cracking. Nightmares frequented him every night, and he would wake, sweating and thrashing. Tris would hear his cries and muffled sobs, from the bedroom and would often come down to comfort him. At first, he was reluctant in accepting her help and would try to push her away, but the harder he pushed, the harder she pulled.

As for Tris, well the nightmares still visited her on occasion, but they weren't as overwhelming anymore. The darkness had even faded a little, shining light on some of her dreams. She knew for sure, it was because of Tobias. The first few days in the hospital were lonely—she wasn't lonely in the sense that she didn't have company. She was lonely because no one understood what she was going through. She would wake sobbing quietly to herself, and it was always Tobias by her side when she was slowly breaking down. He was the one who found her, soothed her, comforted her… he was the one who went out of his way to make sure she was okay. He was there for her, and it was her turn to be there for him.

"Tobias?" She whispered one night, having heard his screams through the wall.

She edged the bedroom door open, and upon seeing his body squirming around the couch, she quickly moved by his side. She was hesitant in her steps, although having grown accustomed to how angry he got when he saw her this way, she was still careful. When asked why he didn't allow her to tend to him, he had claimed "he didn't want to be seen weak, so useless" but she had assured him that it wasn't so—he was strong for what he did.

She treaded around the floor quietly, trying not to wake him with creaking floorboards. With a light huff, she found herself staring down at the man, pondering what he saw in her—the same way he wondered what she saw in him. Sweat beads dotted his forehead, and a thin sheath covered his entire body, making his clothes cling to his body. He had kicked off all the blankets sometime during the last few hours. She kneeled next to him, reaching out to remove a stray tuff of hair. He opened his eyes.

"Tris?" He whispered.

She gave him a nod.

"What are you doing?" He asked, shifting so he was leaning on his side.

"You were having another nightmare so I came to sit with you."

He shook his head. "You didn't have to. You don't have to." He corrected. He began to move away from her, but she stopped him by placing a small yet firm hand on his shoulder. She heard his breath hitch. "Tris… Don't." He spoke, voice warning.

"No…" Her voice wavered despite her best attempts at keeping her lips from trembling. "No." She tried again, and this time, she was clearer in her tone. "Don't push me away. You've done it so many times before, and I wish you wouldn't—"

"—I'm doing this to protect you—"

She shook her head. "Don't give me that crap because we know that is bullshit. You don't want anyone to see you like this so you push everyone away… including me. You can do that, but do not say it's because you're protecting me, because it's not true. You know it… and I know it. You're doing this because you're scared of what people might do if they see you like this… You're scared that people will leave you if they do." Tris whispered the latter. "But they won't. I know they won't, because I am still here. I am going anywhere, but I am not going to sit by as you destroy yourself." She swallowed. "I know you want to be strong all the time, but I'm telling you don't have to be…Tobias, let me be there for you… You've been there for me all this time—you got me through my dark times, you were the one who found me both times—so let me do this for you."

He opened his mouth to object but she interrupted, clarifying. "I want to do this for you."

He paused, and he looked like he wanted to object but somehow, for some miraculous reason, he didn't. He simply scooted to one side of the couch, and she climbed in after him. He looked so peaceful, so innocent, despite what he would often lead other people to believe—the tough, stiff exterior he chose to put on—he was gentle and he was hurting. They laid like that, listening to the sounds of their hearts and their breaths, neither speaking. It was comforting for both of them; Tobias was scared of abandonment, and she was scared of being alone. They were so different, yet so similar.

Tobias hadn't gotten over Eric, and Tris knew the picture replayed in his mind constantly, and despite having loathed the man, she still didn't want him to die. He had torn down everything she valued, ripped her apart from the people she loved—not once, but twice—and he might've been the worst human being to have ever walked the earth, but he didn't deserve that fate… No one did. But she didn't exactly feel sorry for his life ending that way… but he simply was evil, and there was no changing that.

She wasn't ready to forgive Eric for all he did, nor was she ready to forget—that sort of trauma wouldn't be easily forgotten… the scars would always be there… a reminder of what he had done. But she was ready to move on, she had better times ahead, and she knew she couldn't be held down by the past. It had taken her countless hours, endless days, and years of solitude to figure that out, but Tobias… that was sprung onto him. He was still grieving over Eric's death, no matter how much he hated the man. Tobias wasn't ready to move on. He clutched the memory of that day tight, the death freshly ingrained in his mind, afraid to let go. And Tris would be there, every day to help him to learn to let go.

"How did you get over it?" He whispered with eyes still closed. "How did you forget all the bad things he's ever done to you?" She could see his lip tremble. "How did you forgive him?"

Tris closed her eyes. "I didn't."

"Then how do you do it?" He asked again.

"Do what?" She reached out to touch the side of his cheek. He pulled away at first, and when she wouldn't remove, a stubborn part of her inside told her not to, he began to lean into it, needing to feel her touch.

"How do you stay strong? How do you not let what happened get to you?" He whispered into her palm.

Her eyes drooped and her hand fell from his cheek. "I'm not strong." She whispered. "It haunts me every day, what happened all those years ago and also what happened a month ago, but I push myself through it. I remind myself that there's something worth living for… that life only gets better." She gave him a small smile. "My mother used to tell me that 'once you experience all the bad in life, your life can only get better from there', and I believe her. I know it gets better… at least I have to hope it will."

He sighed, and opened his eyes. When their eyes collided, she saw a pool of sadness, one that she felt she could fall deep into. They held so much anger, so much rage and hate, but she also saw empathy, compassion, and goodness. Her mind fluttered back to when he had told her the same thing, months ago: She was all that was good… and he [Eric] was not.

Trying again, she reached out to touch the side of his cheek. He didn't try to move away and instead let her hand linger there.

"Are we not going to talk about what happened that night?" She whispered, eyes flickering back and forth waiting for a reaction.

She saw him avoid her eyes and cough uncomfortably, trying to clear his throat. "It was just a heat-of-the-moment thing, I just needed a way to convince you… to pull you back to reality. I didn't—there's nothing—at least I don't think there's anything to fuss over. It didn't really mean much."

She knew he was lying. Tris wasn't very good at anything else but if there was one thing she was certain about, it was her ability to read Tobias' expression, to tell whether he was lying or not. Often, she was correct in her guesses, and today was no different. Though she usually didn't know why he felt the need to lie, today she knew… she understood it well.

"Tobias…" She started hesitantly. She bit on her lip, not really knowing how to phrase what she wanted to say. "I know that's not true… I know why you're saying that. It's because you're afraid to love someone… but I am too. You've just got to trust me on this one… okay?"

He didn't say anything, and she took it as her cue to continue.

"I know you're terrified about losing me and that's why you're pushing me away. In some twisted way of thinking, you want to protect me by not letting me in. I'm not a child anymore… I stopped being a child when they took my childhood away from me. So, it's not your job to protect me anymore… I'm here because I want to be. I kissed you because I wanted to. And in some strange way, you think that pushing people away is the only way to keep them safe, but it's not…" She sighed. She could feel his eyes on her, watching her intensely. The sensation sent shivers down her spine, igniting her body. "If you care about someone… you have to let them in. You have to believe in yourself that they won't run away. You have to open the wounds, even the deepest ones you don't want to, because that is the only way you're going to ever going to get close to anyone… that's the only way you can love someone…" Her voice was down to a bare whisper, a small squeak in the silent apartment.

All time was lost next, as they stared into each other's eyes. The air in the room grew unbearable and all she wanted to do was lean in and kiss him—that was his way of telling her she was safe, and that was what she wanted to do for him too—but he snapped his eyes away next. She felt a dagger in her heart and tried not to cry. She knew he wasn't doing this intentionally—he wasn't doing this to hurt her—he just wasn't ready to open up yet… and that was okay.

She lay motionless next to him, watching his chest rise and fall in uneven breaths. His eyes darted beneath his eyelids. After what seemed like hours, but only really three long minutes, she heard him release a loud exhale, and opened his eyes slowly. The darkness made it hard to see but the moonlight shone onto his face, lighting up his features. There was a hint of sorrow, but there was also a newfound sense of hope.

"You'll be okay." She murmured into his ear as she stroked the side of his face. "We'll both be okay."

…

—Two weeks later—

"Where's Christina?" Tris looked around. It had been a few days since she had last seen her friend.

Tobias looked away. "She's not coming today." He stated simply.

Tris nodded, understanding fully. Christina had gone through as much as they had, and had even stomached the sight of a lifeless Eric on the floor. She was the one who had helped the two of them get better even when her own health was deteriorating. She had put her own life on the line, not once but twice, for the two of them—for which Tris was eternally grateful. Christina was trying, she was doing her best to put on a good face for everyone, and she was doing it for so long that when push came to shove, it was all too much to handle. She's getting better. Slowly but still recovering... as they all were.

"She's fine." Tobias reassured, taking her hand into his and giving it a firm squeeze. "She's just catching up on some rest. You know how hard it's been for the two of us, and it's been worse for her… She didn't expect all of this, it was just thrown onto her… so she just needs some time to heal. She'll be okay. We'll all be okay… Remember?" He was hinting at their previous conversation, and she tried to give him a small smile. But her heart was sore from being tugged on.

Changing the question, she straightened up her posture and asked, "Are you ready?"

He looked over his shoulder at the girl who had been his strength, his rock for the past week. He swallowed, answering honestly. "I'm not sure… but I think I might be."

She gave his hand one final squeeze before they entered through the double doors. It was the day of Peter and Al's court trial, and neither of them really wanted to be there, but Christina had told them that it was crucial that they were—that they were there "when those bastards get sent to the bullpen"as she had so eloquently phrased. She then went on to say, "if she could, she would beat up those cowards herself", this obviously earned more laughter from Tris.

The judge banged his gavel and called the court to order. The trial started like any other, the accused being read what they were convicted of, then the defendant and the prosecutor began their questioning. All the while, Peter sat there with that smug look on his face, his twisted expression never wavering. It was as if he enjoyed all of this, enjoying watching her and Tobias writhe uncomfortably in their own skin. Soon, he was called onto the stand.

"Peter Hayes." All eyes turned onto him, including Tris'. "You have been accused of kidnapping, child prostitution, and attempted murder of three people. How do you plead?"

What came next felt like slow motion, his eyes turned to her ever so slowly, and he smiled. His upper lip curled into a malicious smile.

"Not guilty." He pronounced, his line of sight never breaking.

Tris felt like shrinking beneath his glare but she willed herself to be strong. She straightened up her back, sitting up proper and lifted up her chin. She refused to look weak in front of him, she would deny him this one last satisfaction. The eye contact didn't break until the prosecutor called upon to answer some questions. When he finally looked away, Tris let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. However, she did catch that slither of something in his eyes before he turned away—something that looked a lot like disappointment.

She felt her own courage and confidence growing in her stomach, building its way up. She felt strong. She didn't waver; she didn't even falter; she remained strong.

Soon, the trial was almost at an end, and they were awaiting the judgment from the jury. Beside her, Tobias gripped onto her hand, as they waited nervously for the verdict. They had exited only ten minutes prior but no word had been heard from them since. Though from majority of the jury's faces, it was pretty clear what they thought too. Tris' free hand twitched anxiously and she fiddled with the hem of her pencil skirt, which Christina had generously loaned to her.

She was too busy fidgeting with her wardrobe choice to notice that the jury had come back, and she didn't even register what was happening until the judge pronounced the verdict.

"I sentence you, Peter Hayes, to life imprisonment."

The men dressed uniformly escorted him out the room. Next to her, she saw Tobias's stiff posture relax and she too found herself breathing normally again. He was going to go away for a long time, and she would never have to see him again… ever.

The judge then turned to Al, who Tris had realized hadn't said much that day, and had in fact, pleaded guilty to all charges. "Albert Hayes."

Tris found herself looking up to meet Al's eyes, and she saw the softness, the inner belly to his hard exterior—this was the man who had been some-what nice to her, and he was the man who unwillingly followed Peter—and she secretly hoped he wouldn't suffer the same fate as his half-brother.

"Albert Hayes, I sentence you to five years minimum with parole upon good behaviour." The decision was final.

As the guards began to lead him away, he shot Tris one last glance, and mouthed: I'm sorry. It was only two words, but the only two words that mattered. Tris found herself, albeit very slowly, able to forgive him. Those two words were all she needed to confirm that he would be okay once he got out, he was a gentle person, simply led astray when he had no one else to turn to. He was a blind follower; a mindless sheep in a flock.

Many of the people exited the courtroom promptly, feeling no need to remain behind, but Tris and Tobias lingered. It was not long before they had the whole room to themselves. They sat, side by side, breathing heavily but content—not happy with all they had been put through by the two men, but happy with the justice that had been imposed upon them.

"It's over." She said as she released a shaky breath. "It's all over."

Tobias peered over his right shoulder to where her head now rested. She peered up at him through her hair. "Yes. It's finally over."

A/N: Tobias couldn't get any more correct… It's ALL over… well almost. But can i just say HOLY CRAP EVERYTHING IS FINISHING. OH MY GOSH WHAT NOW…

Besides that… do I hear a 'what now?!' Well, let me just tell you now, there is MORE TO COME (two more to be exact)! 1: one last chapter*. 2: another story coming your way! Nothing's confirmed as of yet, no plot, nothing besides a promise that it includes Tobias and Tris. Hopefully, all this will be confirmed once the last chapter is up.

*EDIT: I've decided not to do an epilogue as it'll ruin what I hoped the story would be… usually an epilogue includes a happy ending and this story just doesn't do happy-ever-afters… well, not really. SO, I have decided to finish it off with one more chapter instead. Yes, I know, you're probably all like 'What? Another one? When is this going to end?'… *awkwardly chuckles*… Haha, well the next one is the end I promise.