(Author's note at the bottom)

Chapter: 26 Lab Tours and Such

*Tris POV*

I agreed to meet Ms. Grey in the Science Division the next day in the late morning. She always has an entourage of people following her wherever she goes. And based on what has her attention at a given moment, entourage members will slip in and out of her service. A well-orchestrated rotation, it is rather impressive. She may even be more pretentious then David was. She also seems to be a no nonsense type of person too. I hope I am doing the right thing in in trusting her.

Upon arriving Ms. Grey wanted to know if the apartment was satisfactory, I laughed and said it was better than anything I had ever imagined. She stopped and smiled at me. She appears to be in her late 40s, and I would guess that her husband Dr. Grey is right about the same age as well.

When I first arrived, it was explained to me that the three projects that would be offered to me were of the highest clearance level. And I would need to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to proceed. We sat down to review three different presentations by project heads. All three projects were brought over from Providence as most of the projects that the Chicago labs had been working on were lost with the memory serum. The new management team was working to recreate projects with the goal in mind of genetic equality. Half of the resources in Chicago needed be rededicated for the Rehabilitation project, due to the mass scale up that was needed when almost all of the compound lost their memories.

They started to give me a high level overview of the rehabilitation projects, before moving on to the three projects that pertained to me. I interrupt, "By any chance, has there ever been a case of memories returning? I mean to someone that was impacted by the memory serum." My mind pictures the look of anxiety Tobias feels when he has been around me. I am desperate to know if there is any hope that I will get the man I love back.

The lead scientist answers my questions bluntly, "No. We feel it is impossible to regain the lost memories. The only future testing that we are doing is to examine traits that have remained, which allows us to explore further how the human mind works. I believe your friend from Chicago, Tobias Johnson is a participant in one of the studies."

My head snaps up, "He is? Is he trying to get his memories back?" I ask desperately.

"No. Not at all. I should say, as all impacted civilians – Tobias has already completed the Memory Retrieval Phase of his rehab. Like the rest of the population - it was not successful. I believe he is allowing himself to be tested in more depth than most of the population. Specifically his skills that have remained from his old existence." The lead scientist taps on his handheld device, and in two clean taps a look of recognition passes over his face – "Aw yes, here he is. There are so many, it is impossible to keep track on memory alone. I have noted here for Tobias Johnson, previously known as Tobias "Four" Eaton, he agreed to remain as a subject for the long term, in order to examine his previous skills with technology – specifically computers. I also have noted that he is very close with his rehabilitation team, and it is advised not to reassign him unless all parties previously agree."

"Is there anything else you would like to know Ms. Prior?" the man asks, as if asking me something as simple as if I was done looking at the menu and was I ready to order food.

"No, that sounds like all I needed to hear." I can barely keep the emotion out of my voice. My mind is reeling, Tobias is gone. Forever. God help me.

"Ms. Prior, I do not pretend to understand all that you are feeling right now. Just know you are not the only person that had a relationship be heavily impacted by the serum release. If you need to talk to someone, we do have highly trained counselors on site that would be able to work with you." Ms. Grey quietly whispers to me.

"No. No thank you. There is nothing left to discuss." I mumble. I bite the inside of my cheek to distract myself from the tears that are threatening to fall.

"Ok, if you change your mind please let me know. And now – if we can proceed to review the three projects that are on the docket. We have a lot of decisions to make." Ms. Grey says.

And she is right – we have a lot to get through today. I nod my head and stare at the presentation screen.

I sit down and concentrate on the three presentations. They are all very fascinating, and I am surprised when it turns out that two of three projects have people I know working on them. Caleb and Cara have accepted entry level lab positions on a DNA sequence method that is the latest technology. That one sounds the least appealing to me. And then Matthew, who I have not seen yet, is a junior lead on a project that would analyze the DNA sequence and compare it to deadly illnesses that exist that still have no cure. That one tugs at my heart strings, especially as it is mentioned they are concentrating on diseases that are more likely to impact children before the age of five.

And then the third is a DNA mapping project that is analyzing the correlation of all cities, past and present. Ms. Grey mentions that this project is primarily travel and although it should be based out of Providence, if this is the one I chose, they are willing let my home base remain in Chicago as I have friends and family here.

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After the presentations are over we break for a brief lunch. I am pleasantly surprised when Matthew slips in to join us. When I see him I can't help but jump up and run over to him for a hug. It is good to see another familiar face.

"It is amazing to see you Tris. I am so happy to see you, you look well. And I also hear that we may be working together again. If you select the project I am assigned to." His eyes light up as he speaks. I can't help but smile warmly at him.

"I am nowhere near ready to make a decision – but yes, we might end up working together. But no matter what I choose, it is wonderful to know that I will see a familiar face around these labs all the time." I compliment him. And I mean it.

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When we are done eating lunch Matthew excuses himself in order to return to work. And our group gets ready to tour the actual labs, I excuse myself to use the restroom. On my walk there I need go to walk through another hallway that has multiple smaller labs that have glass walls.

I almost trip when I notice Tobias is walking ahead of me, much further down the hallway. I see how he smiles and waves to a couple of people that pass him as he moves forward. As luck would have it, the lab he enters is directly next to the bathrooms and the water fountain right outside. I can't control my desperation just to see him, even if it is just for a moment. I stand at the water fountain pretending to fill the water bottle I happened to have in my bag. I am able to look discreetly right into the room that Tobias entered.

I feel the blood drain from my face when I see Nita is already in the room and how her face lights up when she sees him. He makes a beeline for her, and I see him slip a key out of his pocket and hand it to her. He appears to be talking as she looks over the key. She smiles at him and then nods her head, as she is slipping the key into her coat pocket. I then see that it is standard housing key, why would Tobias be giving Nita a key to his apartment, or vice versa?

I see how relaxed his body language is, he genuinely looks happy to be there. Another man walks up and whacks Tobias on the back and talks to him for a couple of minutes. To which he smiles warmly. I also notice how Tobias almost immediately turns his attention back to Nita. She is actually speaking with another peer, an older woman. They seem to be looking over data on the handheld tablet. What stings the most, Nita is not even cognizant that Tobias is standing there watching her every move. I can't see his face, but I just imagine him standing there pining for her. A part of my soul dies in that moment.

I move away from the fountain and break my view of their lab room. I need to stop this. I bite the inside of my cheek, hoping the sting will distract me from the pain I am feeling, and force myself to enter the restroom, which was my original purpose for walking in this direction.

Is that what my life has become? Being a pathetic, sad, ex-girlfriend that watches him live his life from the shadows? No. I will not do this to myself. I feel myself get angry. I suddenly for the first time, I feel the anger begin to rise inside of me, overcoming the haze of sadness I have been wallowing in.

Thankfully I am still in the privacy of the bathroom stall when I hear Nita and another woman enter the restroom. They are laughing and talking loudly. The other woman brings me up, and how she just can't believe that the bureau had some poor girl hidden away in the basement, suspended in a coma for months. How morbid.

I literally cringe at hearing someone I don't even know talk about me this way. Sadly, part of ensuring my safety was making all my personal business as public as possible. So here we are.

Then the woman lowers her voice and says to Nita, "And to think, our Tobias was involved! Did you notice him on the monitors? He did jump up quite valiantly in front of the girl when Ms. Grey stepped up onto the platform. He really is such a nice young man."

Nita clears her throat, I am literally holding my breath waiting to hear what she has to say, "I sure did see him, and more than just on the tv screen. This needs to stay between us of course. But as soon as Ms. Prior and her group of friends was done getting a briefing from Ms. Grey and her team – Tobias came to my apartment last night." Nita lets her voice trail off.

"Oh wow. Did he happen to tell you what they talked about?" the woman asks eagerly. Jeez, she is curious.

I can almost hear the smile in Nita's voice, "To be honest, Tobias just doesn't remember little Beatrice Prior from his past life. He is such a gentleman – he of course wanted to make sure that she was safe, but now that she is – he really has no interest in her. We didn't talk about her that much last night. We had other things…to do."

"Oh? Do tell Nita!" the woman says, laughing.

"Let's me just say – Tobias spent the entire night with me in my apartment. And I can assure you, Tris Prior was nowhere on his radar." Nita says smugly. I then hear them leaving the restroom.

I am so stunned, I don't even feel sad. Instead I feel sick, and furious. Disgusted with myself. I think about how I cried myself to sleep last night, thinking about Tobias, wondering what he was doing and if he was thinking about me at all. And he was … with Nita? Sleeping at her apartment?

I can't freak out. No. I will not freak out. I need to make it through the day. I cannot allow this to destroy me, at least not right now. I need to be strong.

As I wash my hands in the sink I think over my options for projects, and I decide I will need to see where the labs are located. I refuse to be stuck working just down the hall from Nita and Tobias. No job is worth that. I feel my resolve as I am drying my hands. I need to get back to Ms. Grey's meetings and investigate further what these projects will entail.

I storm out of the restroom and make a quick turn to head back in the direction I came from, not even looking behind me to where Tobias was before.

"Tris?" I hear a strong deep voice call out to me. I actually feel the bile want to come up in my throat I am so angry right now. I pause and force myself to turn around. I remind myself that this Tobias doesn't know me at all, he can no longer tell when I am lying or hiding my true feelings.

"Oh, hello Tobias." I say. I keep my voice even and my expression blank.

"Um, hi. I wasn't expecting to see you here..." his voice trails off.

"Here?" I question, as if I don't understand his point.

He now looks uncomfortable. Aw yes, his rehabilitation team is not present to dote on his every word. "This is where I go for my rehabilitation testing…I am usually here 3 times a week. It's that room over there," he says while pointing behind him. I give him a bored look.

I do not allow my eyes follow where he is pointing to. The message I want to convey is – why would I care where you spend your time? Your time with Nita, I think to myself.

"I need to get going, Ms. Grey and her team are waiting for me. Take care." I say politely, but not in a friendly way, and then I turn to leave.

He says nothing. I just keep walking, not looking back. I can feel his eyes burning into me as I walk further and further away.

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The rest of the day I tour the three labs that are being offered to me. Thankfully the two that I was considering are on the same floor but completely across the building. That I can live with.

Once the day is over I am anxious to get back to my apartment, I feel tired and overwhelmed. I am also emotionally drained from my run in with Tobias and of course hearing Nita in the bathroom. Now that time has passed, the sadness is taking over again. My heart is breaking. I have to control my mind from picturing Nita and Tobias…together in that way.

I am given a couple of weeks to make my final decision. I need to concentrate on that.

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*Tobias POV*

I can't explain the mix of emotions I felt when I saw Tris. Part of it was shock, and the other…was just uncomfortable. I can't put my finger on it, but something was off about her reaction to me as well. Although she was projecting what I can best describe as cold indifference, my gut was screaming that she was putting on an act. I felt like underneath the cool façade she was feeling something strong inside of her, resentment maybe? But why would she be angry with me? As she walked away from me, I felt myself watching her every move. I desperately wanted her to turn around just once, so I could look at her eyes just once more. But she never did.

I know that I have consistently pushed her away, with my words and my actions. Maybe she is just done with me. I feel my stomach drop at the thought. But I do not know why. I shake away the feeling.

When I rejoin my rehabilitation team in the lab, I decide not to mention running into Tris in the halls. I am not ready to discuss it, I am not sure if I will ever be ready to talk about her.

Nita and Ben invite me to an early dinner, they know I have a night shift later this evening. I always need a nap before my shift starts, or I will crash and burn half way through. I learned that lesson the hard way. Thankfully Josh was able to save my ass that night, he worked hard at keeping me awake.

Once we are settled I see Matthew enter the dining hall. Nita sees him as well and waves him over. He smiles and joins us after picking out his dinner.

"How is it going guys?" Matthew asks. We all answer with pleasantries.

Matthew takes a long sip of his juice, and then calmly asks me, "So Tobias, how was it seeing Tris again? I got to see her today for the first time. She looks good."

I almost choke on the piece of bread I had been chewing. Once I am done coughing, I mutter "Oh you know, meeting my great love – whom I don't know anymore. Yeah, that has gone over really well with everyone." I am unable to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

"Sorry I asked." Matthew says while holding his hands up in mock surrender.

"It's fine. You are just asking what everyone wants to know. I actually had a stranger ask me this morning how things are between me and the back from the dead girlfriend." I spit out while scowling.

Matthew fills us in on how Tris spent all day in the labs – the heads of three different projects were given the opportunity to woo her into working with them. I listen quietly, as Nita asks a couple of polite questions of Matthew. When Matthew states that he would love if Tris picked the project he was working on so he can spend time with her, I look up and stare at him sharply. The table gets quiet.

"I don't mean that in a romantic way of course. She and I are friends, just like you and I were before you took the serum Tobias. Nothing more…" Matthew says quietly. I realize how thick and stifling the air feels.

I clear my throat and assure him I was not concerned, and it would not be any of my business what Tris does relationship wise. We are not together anymore. Matthew just nods his head.

Nita discreetly squeezes my hand under the table. Only then do I realize my fists were clenched. I smile at her and relax my hands.

When dinner is over Nita offers to accompany me back to my apartment for the walk, since she knows I need to get some shut eye soon, but she also wants to talk to me alone briefly. Right as we are leaving the dining hall, we almost run directly into Tris and Christina who are entering. I get a quick nod hello from Tris as she then attempts to look away and just keep walking. Christina would have murdered me on the spot if looks could actually kill someone. Neither girl seems to even notice Nina who is in her wheel chair, and thus lower. That is until Nita says something.

"Well hello Tris! It's amazing to see you alive. You are basically a walking miracle." Nina says brightly.

It is then that Tris makes eye contact with Nita, her face is unreadable. Her tone is sharp, "Yup – that is me. A walking miracle." I immediately feel the tension. Even Christina raises her eyebrows.

We then stand a moment longer in silence. Nita shrugs and reminds me that we are on a time crunch. I inwardly cringe – I can see how it might look like Nita and I are off to do something together, but I also know she is right about needing to keep walking. I need to get back to my apartment and rest before my shift.

We all say a terse good bye and walk in opposite directions. As I am walking behind Nita while pushing her chair – I glance behind me to look back at Tris. Neither girl looks back, but I see that Christina has her arm draped around Tris's shoulder and she is speaking to her. In that moment I feel guilty. Between breakfast that first morning, and now Tris seeing me again with Nita. Although I am not willing to be with Tris, I hope she does not think that there is anything romantic between Nita and I. Because there just isn't. I don't want to make Tris feel worse than what this situation is already doing to her.

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Nita and I travel in silence throughout the bureau. I am lost in my thoughts.

Finally Nita begins, "So, you and Tris… Are you planning to try to recreate what you had in the past? If yes, we should incorporate her into your rehabilitation sessions. We have an entire protocol that we have been using for couples and even parent-children relationships that are trying to rebuild a new connection - - "

"Nita, please stop." I abruptly interrupt her. I see her tense up in her chair, and the tops of her ears get a little red, I am guessing I have offended her. "I just don't want to hear about what other people are doing. Tris and I were not married. We don't have little kids together that we are obligated to take care of. I just don't want to feel the pressure to make things work with her. Just because we used to date." I spit out. It comes out sounding harsher than I intended.

I am starting to feel pressure from all sides. It is overwhelming. And now from Nita too? From what I just saw, Tris was pretty damn rude to Nita in the dining hall. I don't see any reason for Tris to be upset with Nita. What, is Tris upset because I have a good friend that happens to be a girl? She will need to get over herself – I don't answer to her. At least not anymore. Who knows how things were before?

The past is the past. It can stay there.

As we arrive to my apartment door, I realize we have not spoken since my little outburst. Nita looks a little uncomfortable but then I see she forces a smile for me. "Hey Tobias. I know this is really easy for me to say, as this is your life. The team and I are just here to help you, while of course not actually living through these challenges you are facing…but things will get better. They may get worse before better, but one day – the dust will settle. You will be happy, and even Tris, she is what – 16 years old? This time will pass. She will have a happy life as well, no matter what happens. We are here to help you. Just keep that in mind." I feel my throat tighten, and I don't know why. Why do I care so much about Tris? I do want her to be happy, she deserves that.

I get out my apartment key to open my door, quickly remembering how fine Nita seemed earlier today when I insisted giving her the spare key to her apartment back. I just am not comfortable holding a key to her home. We are not that close.

She snaps me back to attention when she starts talking.

"Speaking of which – I have a perfect example to share with you. Of how things can get better." She says with a huge smile on her face. She slowly moves the foot rests of her chair, and in the next moment she is able to push herself up and for the first time ever (that I can remember post-serum at least) Nita is standing proudly in front of me. A huge smile on her face.

My mouth falls open, and in that moment all of my worries and troubles are completely forgotten. I am happy for my friend. I ask, "Can I give you a hug?"

Nita laughs and opens her arms to me. I try to be gentle, but then she assures me she will not break. So we exchange a warm hug. I then realize we have been in an embrace for a little too long. So I clear my throat and move away. Nita just smiles, sits back in her chair with my help, says goodnight and then heads down the hallway.

Things in my life may be crazy right now, but not all of it is. I am happy for Nita and she is right – things will get better. No matter what.

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Author's Note:

Thank you everyone for reading! As my first fanfic, I am really enjoying putting this story idea down to print. It is an "idea" I have been thinking about for over a year – ever since reading the ending of Allegiant and being very "upset" with Tris dying. I am glad you are enjoying it!

I have gotten a couple of Private Messages about Tris and the Leadership team of the Bureau, questions surrounding how she could agree to work for the group that imprisoned her. For future plot purposes, Tris and her group of friends have accepted the reasons, excuses and justifications the Leadership team presented to them in the closed meeting after their public reveal (Chapter 23). She has agreed to work for them, and has also accepted the apartment they have offered her. She wants to move forward with her life.

Aside from the love-angst our characters are involved in, there will be a new threat to the bureau that will be revealed in future chapters. Which will ultimately impact the love story.

Thank you for reading! Please PM me with questions at any time.

Shout outs:

-Thank you again to Fanfic. Net writer Coleybear805 – I love brainstorming with you on both our stories. You have made this process even more FUN then I initially anticipated! Check out her awesome Fourtris story: Reawakening - I am loving it!

- To reviewer KathyB – you always make me smile/laugh. Taken is one of my favorite movies, Liam Neeson: "I don't know who you are, but I will find you, and I will kill you."

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