A/N: Thank you all for reading this story. ICYMI I updated "The Heart's Melody" yesterday. Update schedule for "The Heart's Melody" every two days a new chapter, while "Divergent Guardian" every weekend, preferably Saturdays. As for "A Series of Kinky Events" I don't have a schedule. I try to come up with exciting situations and write short stories for each of your requests. I made it my goal to honor each request, not just because you, my readers, asked for it, but because I want to explore more writing-wise, to come out of my shell so to speak. Therefore, I'm trying to make them as good as possible and not rush them.

Enjoy!

25

Tobias' POV

We checked out two apartments already, but neither of us liked them much. One particularly not because none other than that bastard Eric is living next door. There's one final apartment at the end of the hall and it's a two-level apartment. From what I see on the chart it's big, but Max assured me that whichever we pick would be okay with the other leaders. At least most of them.

I pull out the key and unlock the door. It's rather dark inside but I can tell by the position of the apartment that sunlight will fill the space throughout the afternoon.

I let Tris enter first just like the other two times and she turns on the lights. We take in the large space. It's even bigger than I have imagined.

"Wow," Tris says and steps inside.

"Yeah," I say and look around. The apartment is completely empty. We would have to buy everything, but with two salaries that won't be a problem. Besides for the past two years I haven't spent that many points. Growing up in Abnegation I learned to value what I have and not indulge in unnecessary luxuries.

We explore the apartment and I glance toward my girlfriend. Her expression is serious and I wonder if she doesn't like it. It's a great apartment and from all we've seen I like this one the most. I can see myself live here with her and maybe one day, some day in the future, we can have a family here. I smile to myself.

I watch as Tris exits the living room and explore the balcony. My heart nearly stops when I watch her jump on the railing and stand tall watching over the city ahead of her.

"Tris, what are you doing?" I ask, my voice filled with anxiety.

"Checking the railing," she says without looking back.

"Hon, could you please get down," I ask her and step closer.

"No."

"Tris," I say a little exasperated.

"Tobias, there's something out there. I can feel it. I can't pin point where or what it is, but I feel a presence," she says and I look at her confused.

"Presence?" I ask.

"Yes. It's out there. I can feel it," she says and lets out a frustrated sigh. She turns around and jumps in front of me.

"You really aren't scared," I say with a chuckle. She looks up and grins.

"Nope. I've been doing this since I was five. Why do you think I had to go to the emergency room so often?" she asks and laughs. I shake my head and pull her into my arms.

"Do you like the apartment?" I ask.

"We still haven't seen everything, but so far it's the best of all. Come on," she says and pushes away from me. "Let's explore the upper level." She grabs my hand in hers and pulls me inside. We ascend the stairs to the second level and find four doors. On the left side of the hall are two identical rooms, while on the opposite side is a large bathroom with an included laundry room and the master bedroom at the end. We enter it to look around. After all, this will be our room if we choose this apartment.

"What do you think?" I ask her.

"I think we're gonna need lots of money and lots of help to make this look like home," she says and turns around to face me. A grin splits my face and I pull her back in my arms before I kiss her on the lips.

"So, this is it?"

"Yeah. I think this would be perfect to call our home."

I look around some more and realize that we have a large walk-in-closet, that ends with a small bathroom. This is perfect. The two rooms on the other side of the hall could be nurseries someday, if Tris wants that. I hope she does. Woah, Tobias. Way ahead of yourself. You are both too young to think of kids.

"Shall I call Max and tell him we decided on a place?" I ask her.

"Yeah and ask when we can move in."

"Whenever you want, babe," I say and she smiles.

"Great. Let's do it as soon as possible."

I pull out my phone and inform Max that Tris and I decided on apartment ten and he immediately congratulates us for our choice. I check my point count on the phone to see how much we have available at the moment before we head downstairs to the furniture store.

As we walk through the Pit people greet us and keep congratulating Tris on her ranking. She politely shakes their hands, but I can tell the attention she receives makes her uneasy and she often blushes when someone compliments her.

I usher her through the door of the furniture store. We walk around for a while just taking in what the store has to offer before we decide on what to actually buy.

"Do we even have money?" she asks, her eyebrows furrowed and I smile before I kiss the crease.

"Yeah, don't worry. For now, we'll just buy what we need and then we can always add or improve," I tell her and she nods.

"Feels kind of weird," she says after about fifteen minutes of browsing.

"What does?" I ask not understanding what she means.

"This," she says and I look at her surprised. "This is so normal," she says with a chuckle.

"I guess," I say not really knowing how to respond.

We decide to buy a couch, a loveseat, an armchair and coffee table for the living room, a kitchen island and bar stools. We decide to buy a dining table later after Tris starts working. The next thing we buy is a bed. But which one?

We go into the back of the store where bedrooms are exhibited and look around for one we might like. There are so many to choose from. To my surprise Tris sits down on a few, but scrunches her nose in dislike. I chuckle at her behavior but she doesn't seem fazed by it.

She stops in her tracks and for a moment I think she sensed something. But then she turns around, a wide grin on her face and I look at her dumbfounded. Did I miss something?

"What about that one?" she asks and points her right index finger toward a large canopy bed with red curtains.

I step closer to inspect it and the more I look at it the more I like it. I was never for extravagance but this bed looks cozy and inviting. I can picture myself making love to my sweet girlfriend for the rest of my days in that bed. A large smile forms on my lips and Tris wraps her arms around my neck.

"I take it you like it," she says as she lets go of me.

"Yeah. I like it. I like it a lot."

We look for a few more items for the bedroom, such as nightstands, vanity table and lamps. I let Tris explore further as I go to talk to the sales woman and place my order. She tells me the furniture will be delivered tomorrow morning, since today we might not be available to receive it and I pay for everything.

After Tris is done we look for kitchen appliances, a TV, a stereo, a laptop for Tris and I buy her a phone, so that I can reach her or she can text me if something's up. We decide to buy silver wear and other kitchen utensils later and proceed to go to the cafeteria where we find all our friends chatting cheerfully.

"Hey, you two," Zeke says winking at us and I roll my eyes.

"You totally disappeared last night," Uriah says.

"They probably went to celebrate on their own," Molly chimes in.

"So what? We're adults, we're in love. Suck it up, Molls," Tris says and the whole table starts laughing.

We tell our friends about the new apartment and ask if they would like to help us set things up. Tris and I could do it by ourselves but it would be nice hanging out with them. They all agree and we decide to meet at ten a.m. the next morning. Uriah and Zeke promise to bring drinks for everyone, while Shauna and Marlene tell us they will bring some sandwiches.

After lunch Tris and I bid our friends goodbye and leave to go to the tracks. To my misfortune we run into Eric who looks like he could kill someone.

"Oh, look, two Stiffs," he snarls.

"Oh, look, a dick," Tris counters.

"Watch it," Eric warns her.

"Or what? You gonna beat me? You gonna put some idiots to do your job?" she antagonizes him.

"Four, make this little bitch respect her superiors," he says disrespectful. At that I grab him by the collar and push him against a wall.

"You apologize now, Eric, or you might have to watch yourself," I say in a threatening voice. He flinches, not accustomed to see me retaliate like this. He knows I'm stronger than he is and that I, unlike him, became a leader because I earned it, not because Jeanine forced me down everyone else's throat.

"Listen to me, Eric, and listen carefully. I know your game. But keep in mind, unlike you, the entire faction loves me. They all adore me and can't get enough of my awesomeness. How do you think they will respond if I tell them that you constantly offend me, call me names, try to provoke me to fight you? I am not afraid of you and even if you're a leader there are laws and rules that even a leader can't deny or disobey," Tris says in a low, threatening voice.

"Are you threatening me?" he asks with a half chuckle, but I can tell he knows we're both serious.

"Eric, sweetheart," she says in a sing-song voice but her eyes betray her distaste for him, "I do not make threats. I'm not like you. If you ever come near me or anyone I care for, even remotely care for, ever again, I'm going to end your pathetic existence. You see, accidents happen. Who knows? Maybe one day we will fish you out of the chasm or you will end up a mindless lab rat for Erudite."

"You little bitch," he growls and I press my forearm against his throat keeping him in place as he glares at me with hatred.

"Ts, ts, Eric. You seem to be underestimating me, but that's okay. You wouldn't be the first. Let me be clear," she says and steps closer. She stands on her tip-toes to whisper in his ears. "I have ways to find out all of your secrets. If you bother me anymore I will become your worst nightmare. You can consider me your own personal boogey man," she says and whether she intended it or not she can be really scary.

"What? You trying to scare me or something?" Eric asks in an attempt to keep his dignity, but I can tell that her little speech and the way she defies him doesn't sit well with my nemesis.

"Yes," she says in a hiss and starts walking toward the exit. I let go of Eric, who glares at me, and follow Tris outside. We walk in silence toward the tracks and start running when we see the train slow down enough for us to jump on.

Once we're inside Tris goes toward the bench and sits down. She is staring out the open door and I can tell she is deep in thought. I sit next to her and try not to bother her, but I know something's up.

"You disapprove," is all she's saying. She turns her head toward me and frowns.

"I didn't say anything," I say defensively and she gives me a look that says to cut the crap. "Actually, I don't. That punk deserves to be put in his place and if I wouldn't have seen you fight worse enemies than him I would have been more upset."

"Ah, but you are upset," she says and leans her head against my shoulder looking back outside.

"A little, but not with you, well, a little with you. Eric can be dangerous. We don't know how much he is involved in Jeanine's plan or what he is telling her. He must be telling her something about you. I mean, you are an anomaly around here. The Stiff who jumped first, who beat up a leader, who became a superstar in no time, who punched a leader from another faction and I could still go on."

"You forgot who started dating her instructor," she says with a chuckle. I turn my head slightly and kiss her head. I put my arm around her and keep her close.

"I will never forget that. I haven't been happier since that day," I tell her honestly.

"I know he is dangerous, but he needs to know that I'm too. I am sure that he is behind the attack on me. Sure, Peter would have loved seeing me dead, but Al and Drew don't seem like the murderous type."

"But they did try to kill you," I point out.

"Yes, but neither of them really wanted that. Do you have any idea what it feels like to take a life?" she asks and looks at me. I never killed anyone, but I can't imagine it to be a good feeling.

"No."

"It's awful. It's like you rip a part of yourself out. As the Guardian I need to look past my own discomfort and do the right thing. I told you, once I had to kill a human. He was under a spell, but nevertheless human. The first time I killed a vampire was no different. I kept telling myself that he was already dead, but in the end I finished him off for good. Taking a life, any life, is never easy. And even if Drew and Al never went through anything like that before I'm sure they must have had second thoughts. Whether Peter intended to kill me all along or came up with it just as they tried to scare me is not important. All three of them hesitated for a moment. It might not have looked like it, but I fought enough opponents who did everything to kill me to know this," she tells me as I probably look skeptical at her.

"I don't know, Tris," I say.

"I know what you think, but trust me. Eric, on the other hand, he is the murderous type. He is only holding back because Jeanine asked him to and because he knows deep down that he wouldn't stand a chance against either of us. Not to mention Dauntless would lynch him."

"But did you really have to threaten him?" I ask, trying to get back on topic.

"Yes. Like you said, I'm an anomaly and he probably told Jeanine already about me. Whether she is aware who I really am or not is another issue I want solved. But, I need Eric to know that I'm not one to mess with. Otherwise he will always try to get under my skin and sooner or later he will and I'm afraid it won't end well. For him," she says with a small grin.

I decide to drop the topic for now and just enjoy the few more minutes I have with her alone before I meet with Evelyn. I pull her closer to me and smell her sweet scent. I close my eyes and imagine how our lives would be like if we would be just two regular people. But maybe if we were we wouldn't be together. There are so many reasons why I love her, but what makes her Tris is what I love the most.

We get up once the factionless sector is in sight and walk to the door. Tris jumps out first and I follow closely. I grab her hand in mine and we walk silently together until we will have to split. But just as I bend down to kiss her lips goodbye I see Evelyn emerge from Liam's house. I peck Tris' lips before we both walk toward my mother.

"Tris, Tobias," she says happily.

"My name's Four," I say harshly and she frowns.

"That's not a name," she counters.

"It's my name," I reply angrily.

"Guys, please," Tris says exasperated. "Is Liam in?" she asks and Evelyn nods. Tris walks past us and enters the old structure, leaving me alone with my mother.

"I need to talk to you," I tell her.

"We can go to my house," she says, a hint of excitement in her eyes.

"I'd rather not. Can we go for a walk?" I ask.

"Of course, Tob… I mean Four," she says and I nod. We walk for several minutes both keeping our distance and remaining silent. I don't know where to start. "Will you allow me to speak without interrupting me?" she suddenly asks. I wonder what she wants. I nod nevertheless, trying to figure out how to ask my questions. "I know you hate me for leaving you with Marcus. I have no excuse and I don't blame you for treating me the way you do. I left you behind and Marcus took his anger out on you. At the time I thought I was doing the right thing. He never seemed to be abusive toward you; I certainly never saw any signs. But he kept abusing me in ways I don't want to tell you. Leaving him was the only way for me to survive, but leaving you was the hardest thing I ever did. Each day I lived here without you I told myself that you were better off. You had a home, a parent who took care of you. You had the chance to grow up and be happy. I tried to get glimpses of you, but I never could. I asked Natalie to look out for you, but she too only saw you during a few occasions. If I would have known that Marcus was beating you I would have killed him with my own two hands, you have to believe me Tobias. I can swear this under truth serum, if you don't believe me," she says and I look at her incredulous. She told me this same story two years ago when we met for the first time in years. I am not sure if I should believe her; Tris does and from all I know from her and Hana Evelyn really didn't know. Unless, Evelyn tricked them all. However, I want to believe that at least one of my parents isn't evil. I sigh.

"I don't hate you, Evelyn. I did at some point; when I believed you were dead, every time Marcus beat me up and I craved your soothing touch, every time I had a nightmare and you weren't there. I really needed you, I needed my mother. But she chose to leave me," I say angry.

"And I'll never forgive myself for that. I won't ask for your forgiveness any longer, because I don't deserve it," she says, surprising me. "I decided to help Tris and Natalie because I wanted to redeem myself in the eyes of God for what I did. I hoped that one day when I'll meet my maker he will forgive me for leaving my dear child behind. But I swear to you, Tobias, I love you and I always did. I didn't leave you because I didn't want you, but because Marcus threatened to kill me the next time I disobeyed him. I truly, honestly believed he was a good father. It wasn't until we met again and you told me the truth that I saw what a monster your father truly is. I fought real monsters, you know that, but they pale in comparison to him. If I could I would rip out his heart and feed it to wild dogs, if he even has one."

"Evelyn, stop. Tris told me you wanted to go after him," I tell her and she looks at me surprised.

"Tris? How did she know?" she asks. Oops. Tris eavesdropped. I forgot. "Did that girl eavesdrop again?" Evelyn asks a little angry and turns on her heels heading back to Liam's house. I run after her trying to stop her, just as Tris and Liam come out. "How dare you?" Evelyn growls.

"It wasn't me," both Tris and Liam say at the same time.

"Of course it was," Evelyn yells at them.

"Hang on. Just to be in the clear. What exactly did I or Tris do?" Liam asks confused.

"You eavesdropped on me," Evelyn says and crosses her arms in front of her chest.

"Have not," Tris defends.

"Sounds like us," Liam says smirking and Tris punches his arm.

"You, young lady, are in trouble."

"What? Why? I didn't do nothing. I was right here. How could I eavesdrop?" Tris asks both confused and angry.

"You heard me talk to Natalie about killing Marcus, didn't you?" Evelyn asks. Tris stares at her and doesn't say anything.

"Yes and if it weren't for Liam I would have probably helped you. I didn't know Tobias then, but no one deserves to be tortured like that, especially not by his father," Tris says, using my real name.

"You should have said something," Evelyn chastises. Tris smiles a little and steps closer. She opens her arms and hugs my mother. I stand back dumbfounded as my girlfriend seems so at ease with Evelyn.

"Evelyn, you know I always eavesdrop. You guys never tell me shit and I would be completely in the dark otherwise," she says and Evelyn laughs at that.

"Still."

"I'm sorry. I love you," she says to my mother, leaving me speechless.

"I love you, too, sweetie. Damn, why do you have to be so sweet sometimes?" Evelyn asks with a chuckle as she lets go of Tris.

"To save my ass each time I'm in trouble?" she asks with shrug making us all laugh. "Did you and Four talk?" she asks using my nickname again.

"A little," Evelyn answers and turns her head to look at me. She smiles, but her eyes are sad.

"But not why we came here for," I say and Tris nods, while Evelyn looks confused.

"Liam, lets visit Glore," she says. I wonder who or what that is, but keep my mouth shut. I'm thankful she allows me to talk about this in private with my mother. I don't want Liam to know. I still feel jealous of him, but I trust Tris completely.

"Oh, goodie," Liam says clapping excitedly like a preschooler. They leave us alone and I try to figure out how to say and ask what I need to know.

"What did you want to talk about?" Evelyn asks.

"During Tris' final test I saw a shadow hovering over her. No one else saw it, but me. Max told me that usually only magical creatures can see it, but Liam never saw it and he is a werewolf. Hana and Tris think maybe there's someone in our family who is or was magical. They told me you learn to be a witch, but that wouldn't explain why I could see it," I tell her and she looks at me confused.

"They are right. I don't know of anyone on my side of the family to have been a witch or anything magical. I can't say for sure about Marcus' family. He never spoke much about them. His mother died when he was a child and his father after you turned two. I don't think you remember him," she says and I shake my head. Come to think of it, Marcus never spoke of his family. But when it came to Marcus he had only a few words in store for me.

"Do you think someone in Marcus' family was magical and I inherited that?" I ask her.

"I don't know. I will talk to Johanna and Hana to see if there's a way to find out for sure," she says. I nod my head, not knowing what else to do. This feel awkward. The last time I was alone with Evelyn we had a fight and I stopped seeing her for almost two years.

"Where did Tris and Liam go?" I ask after a while of uncomfortable silence.

"To a demon bar," Evelyn states as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

"A demon bar?" I ask confused.

"Yes. They go there sometimes. You wanna go?" she asks with a smile. I nod, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea.

We walk toward the inner circle of the factionless sector before Evelyn enters an old building that looks like it'll fall down at the slightest touch. We walk through a semi-darkness before we reach a door. I watch as my mother pulls out a knife and cuts her finger before smearing the droplets of blood over the rusted door creating a symbol I don't know. I want to ask her what she did but as she lifts her finger off the door it opens and loud music can be heard. She enters first and I follow closely behind her.

We follow the sound of the music down a flight of stairs until we reach a basement like room. It's dark and red light bulbs are the only light source in here. There is a mixture of strong scents, from sweet to rotten to sour and the occasional mildew scent combined with stale water. The room is filled with all kinds of creatures, demons I suppose, all of them sitting around tables and talking to each other in strange languages.

I follow Evelyn as she cruises through them and stops in front a table where Tris and Liam sit. Evelyn takes a seat next to Liam and I'm thankful that I can sit next to my girlfriend.

"Did you have a nice chat?" she asks coming closer to my ear. I'm certain neither Evelyn nor Liam heard her over the music.

"Not really. Can we talk about this at home?" I ask her and she nods.

"By the way. I haven't told Liam about the shadow. I know you don't like him and I wasn't sure you want to share this until we know more. But keep in mind there are enough people who know about this already." I nod.

"What do I bring you?" a raspy, deep voice from behind me asks. I turn around slightly and flinch a little. Behind me stands a tall dark-green creature with horns coming out of its head. His claws are yellow and thick, cracked in some places and the little hair that covers his body is black and puffy. He sure is one odd looking fella but all of these freaks are.

"Glore, this is my boyfriend, Four," Tris says cheerful, acting around the demon like he is an old buddy.

"Ah, yes, the famous Four," Glore says and attempts to smile, revealing black teeth and a foul stench coming out of his mouth. I try not to gag as the smell hits me. "You have one fine girl here. I hope you appreciate her," he says.

"Of course, he does, Glore. My son would never hurt our girl," Evelyn says from right next to me.

"Your son?" the demon asks incredulous and looks back at me. "In that case, welcome, boy," he says and slaps my back making me cough. Liam starts laughing while both Tris and Evelyn rub my back.

"Glore, don't hit so hard. He is not a dumb dog," Tris says and Liam stops laughing.

"Hey," he yells.

"What?" Tris asks shrugging.

"You okay?" Evelyn asks. I nod.

"Sorry. Drinks on the house," the demon says and leaves.

"But something we mere humans can actually drink not the piss you usually serve," Liam yells after him.

"You have to forgive him, babe. He looks like a meanie, but he is like a puffy bear. He means well," Tris says and kisses my cheek. I nod again not sure I can talk again. Max was right. If a slap on the back causes me to lose my breath a real fight with a demon would be impossible to win. We really need to start training.

A/N: Please review.