Hey guys! I haven't forgotten you! I am so sorry for the long hiatus I took from this story. I really do love it and where I have planned for it to go. I had a few things happen in life and they needed my attention. BUT with that said I have given you an extra-long chapter that's kind of juicy and amazing. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. Please continue commenting on your thoughts. I love to hear them. I am planning on powering through the next few chapters and have been considering another story as a continuation of this one after I'm finished. Let me know your thoughts! 3

Chapter 26

Tris nodded and walked up the stairs to her building.

"Hey Sal."

"Good evening Ms. Prior. Mr. Eaton. Sir." They all nodded and murmured their greetings. The trip up to her apartment was long, the silence was almost palpable. The elevator let out its shrill ding and they exited and turned to her apartment. She pulled out her keys and momentarily paused.

"How worried should I be?" she turned to look at the two men in front of her, the two men who have come to mean so much to her, no matter how much she fought it. She saw it in their eyes, compassion and sympathy.

"Let's just go in Tris. We will explain inside." Joe urged her. She took a deep breath nodded and opened her door.

"Hang your jackets in the closet in the hall and put your shoes on the mat. I'll go start some coffee."

"How about some tea instead?" Suggested Tobias. "Maybe chamomile?" She nodded trusting his instincts. Joe walked to the windows in her living room that faced the street and drew the blinds shut. They sat on the couch. She filled the tea kettle and told them she was going to shower and change and to make themselves comfortable. They nodded and she left before she could change her mind. Part of her wanted to have them just tell her now and the other part wanted to postpone whatever news they had as long as she could. She needed the shower after her day. Something told her it wasn't going to get any better. She let the spray ease most of the tension out of her shoulders. Then deciding it was time to face the music, so to speak, she turned it off and dressed in her favorite pants and shirt. Charcoal grey yoga pants with an oversized teal colored shirt. They were both super soft and offered her the comfort she sought. She made her way down the hall and to the kitchen where she heard the deep tones of men talking in soft voices. They stopped when she entered.

"Here Tris." Tobias offered her some chamomile tea, she took it with a murmured thanks. She took a sip and looked at them, and steeling her resolve she spoke,

"Ok, gentlemen lets go to the living room and get this over with." The two men looked at each other and nodded. She took the chair and left the couch to the guys. This way she could be alone and see them both at the same time. She drew her knees up to her chest and set her tea on them. Relishing the warmth, she had suddenly gone cold. Tobias was right chamomile was the right choice. She could feel her muscles releasing and she sank into the cushions of the chair. Joe cleared his throat and slid closer to the edge of the couch.

"Uh, Tris I'm just going to say this straight. No sugar coating and, I want you to try and keep an open mind." She nodded. Tobias watched her closely, wary of how she would react. "Today after the sting, Tobias met with Jeanine. They had a meeting, with Tobias and another man, an officer." He shifted uncomfortably, something that was contrary to his nature. "Tris," He took a deep breath and just blurted it out, "Tris, it was your brother." She couldn't stop the gasp that left her lips as she looked from him to Tobias. A part of her hoping that it wasn't true, that one of them would burst out that they had made a mistake. It didn't happen.

"No, I don't believe it." She put her feet down and sat up. She took a moment to gather herself and put her cup of tea on the end table. No, this couldn't be true. She ran through everything she knew about him, and all her memories of them as she grew up. What she knew of him wasn't adding up to the person they were describing. She hadn't really checked up on him in a while. Maybe she didn't know him as well as she thought. He stomach lurched. She felt sick. She looked up and searched Joes' face. She only found empathy. She looked down at the floor shaking her head as if it would erase the news. She looked up again this time at Tobias. "Are you sure?" She searched his face silently willing him to tell her it was all a lie, some kind of sick joke. He nodded. She trusted him. This man that had only come into her life a few weeks ago. She felt something break inside her.

"I'm sorry Tris, I wouldn't have believed it either if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes." He said his voice thick with emotion. He cleared his throat. It was horrible having to break this news to her. He didn't know how to help her process this. He sat up and ran his hand through his hair. "Listen Tris, I'm here…whatever you need," he took a breath knowing that this next part was going to be hard to hear as well, but for different reasons. "But we will have to use extra caution when we're together from now on. If Caleb sees us together, its bad news for me. For us. Not only that all this time and effort I've put into this operation. This can't go south. It's not good for anyone."

Tris scrambled mentally to put up the guard she always so carefully had in place. She was finding it hard if not impossible to do. She carefully erased her face of emotion. Pushed down her feelings, but it wasn't working as well as it once had. Something had changed in her.

"Dang it Tris don't do that!" She couldn't stop the flinch that occurred at his outburst.

"Do what Tobias." Her voice sounded distant in her own ears, dull.

"Your blank stare, your façade you put up too keep people from knowing what your actually feeling. It's me… and Joe. Your safe with us."

Joe stood. "What can we do." He asked. She rose and turned her back to them. She weighed her options. She was never one to openly reveal or talk about emotions, but Tobias was right of course. She should trust them. It was never easy. She thought again about their character, what made them who they are. How they acted tonight. Nothing but genuine and honest concern for her. They both knew what a betrayal this was for not only her but for her family. It would be something that they would need to overcome. Everything finally caught up with her, the events of today, her last call she was sent to, and now this. A person could only take so much before they broke. She felt it snap, a piece of her being chipped away. Her hand went up to her mouth and she let her emotions go. It was as if a dam broke inside. She put her face in her hands and the tears sprung forth. Joe and Tobias looked at each other and Joe made to move. He walked up behind her and placed a hand softly on her shoulder, and she whirled around to bury her face in his shoulder. His arm came around her. He gently shushed her.

" I would say it's going to be ok but it's not." Joe said an attempt at humor. He was never good at tears but he was honored she trusted him enough with them. In all his years of knowing her, he could count on one hand how many times he had seen her cry. She wrapped her arms around him. His phone rang. He muttered under his breath. "Uh it's my wife. Sorry Tris, she knew it was important I be here. She wouldn't call unless it was urgent. Hello?"

Tris stepped away sensing the change in his mood.

"When? How high is it?" He rubbed his head. "Call Stacy and I'll grab some meds from the store." He said his goodbyes and hung up. "Looks like one of the grandkids we're babysitting tonight spiked a fever. I have to go grab some Advil for the kiddo." He looked torn. She offered a half smile. She was so grateful for this man.

"Go, I'll be fine. I just need to get over the shock and hurt." Joe looked at Tobias over her bent head. He gave a curt nod understanding the silent message. He wasn't going anywhere, she wouldn't be alone tonight if she didn't want to be.

"I'll stay with her Joe, go take care of your family." He looked at Tris again. She had pulled herself together again. Straightening her mussed hair. She attempted a watery smile, but it reached her eyes so Joe knew she would be ok.

"OK, but if you need anything Tris don't you hesitate to call me ok?" Joe said hating to leave so soon after dropping this on her. She nodded and pushed him towards the door.

"Go and give Judy our best." He gave her another quick hug and a kissed her hair then gathered his jacket and left.

Tobias wasn't sure what to do next with Joe gone. He had pulled some of his confidence from him knowing that Joe knew her best, and the longest out of the two of them. Not to mention the fact that he was pretty sure that his feelings may be clouding his judgement. He looked over at Tris, her eyes still red from the tears and her face open and vulnerable. His stomach did a flip, his breath caught. He couldn't deny it any longer. He looked away and stood. His stomach seemed to have dropped onto the floor. He loved this woman and it terrified him. There were so many things that could go wrong. He was a man of faith, she seemed to still be searching. His job was dangerous, as was hers, but if anyone in his job knew about her….it would destroy him thinking of those implications.

"Do you need some more tea?" He asked needing something to do.

"Yea I could use a warm up, thanks." She handed him the cup, very much aware of his presence now that Joe was gone. She walked over to the radio needing something to fill the silence and not in the mood for TV. She flipped it on as he walked back into the room. A saxophone came on filling the room with some sort of smooth jazz. She didn't know much about jazz to have an opinion on it, but it seemed to be a good choice. No words, just the sound of instruments. She turned and almost ran into Tobias. He tried to stop but they collided and he tripped over the ottoman that was behind him and they tumbled to the floor an awkward mess of limbs. He landed on her and she could feel his muscles on her as he lifted himself up far enough to look down at her.

"Are you ok?" He asked concerned, afraid he hurt her. He leaned off to the side and scanned her body. She placed her hand on his forearm. She laughed softly.

"Yes, just embarrassed by my clumsiness." Her shirt had fallen off her shoulder, her hair was splayed out around her head like a halo. Her cheeks were tinged pink, and she had a shy smile.

"Looks like your falling for me." He said teasing but something in her eyes made him think it was truth. It was as if he was unable to look away. Neither of them made to move, they stayed there searching for something in each other's eyes. "Tris….." he said so softly. Next thing he knew he was leaning in slowly, giving her time to object should she want to. He glanced down at her lips which had parted slightly. Her breath caught and he looked back into her eyes. He closed the distance, their lips meeting. The kiss was long and slow. Full of longing and desire. Not the desperation and heat of before. His hand slid from her hip up her stomach pulling up her shirt. Her hands wove into his hair. The kiss deepened. Suddenly there was a whistle coming from the kitchen, and he pulled away abruptly. She looked up at him still hazy from the kiss.

"What is it Tobias?" She sat herself up on her elbows.

"The tea kettle I put on is ready." He sat back pulling up his leg and resting his elbow on it. His other hand going up to touch his lips. "I uh, I will be right back." He stood and left the room.

She laid back and put her hands up to her forehead trying to process the last few minutes. She took a deep breath and stood straightening her hair and clothes. Something had to be done. Boundaries, this is what she was afraid would happen. He was right she was falling for him despite all she did to fight it.

He walked into the kitchen and turned off the tea kettle refilling her cup. He needed to get a hold of himself. He knew that he shouldn't have done that. He had a moment of weakness. She was in a hard spot right now and he didn't want to be taking advantage of her in any way. This should be explored another time. He silently prayed for self-control and the right words when he faced Tris. He added some honey and then took a breath and walked back into the living room.

The jazz was still playing softly and Tris had moved to the chair again. He walked in and cleared his throat. She looked up at him. He handed her the cup of tea.

"Look Tris, I'm sorry about kissing you. I shouldn't have taken advantage of you when you're dealing with all this." He ran his hand through his hair.

"No, Tobias don't. You don't get to take the blame for this alone. I let you kiss me." He sat down on the couch. He looked at her. She hesitated. "I wanted you to." His heart started racing again.

"You did?" He asked cautiously. "I know that in our jobs relationships are hard, and that you may not want to pursue this." She looked away.

"There is no sense in hiding or denying our feelings anymore. I think that whatever this is or turns out to be ….we need it. I need it. The comfort of coming home to someone. The intimacy and trust." She took a sip of tea and rose. "Honestly, I tried for years to keep everyone out, at arm's length, then you show up and shatter all the walls I've put up in record time." She set down the tea and walked to the window not sure where to go from here. She wasn't expecting to share her feelings with him tonight. But whatever released inside her earlier is just letting everything flow out of her now. She could feel Tobias behind her. She turned to look at him.

"Tris, I've been alone at this job for so long, seen so many things. Meeting you was like seeing the sun again. I know you've been put through the ringer tonight and all these feelings are flowing, but I want us to be able to face them together." He took a step back and looked at her, mustering all the self-control and eloquence he could. "But with fresh eyes and in the right mind set. Things are pretty emotionally charged right now and I think it best if I leave."

"Tobias no!" She hated the desperation in her voice. "Um, how about we just stay a reasonable distance from each other?" She could tell he was unsure. "I don't want to be alone tonight." He took another step back and grabbed her hand.

"Follow me." He said and smiled. "It's time that I paid up on that win you had at basketball." She tossed her head back and laughed freely. She couldn't remember the last time that she had been so caught off guard…and liked it.