Happy Wednesday you fabulous people.

Hope you all have had an awesome week, and life is good.

The Dauntless continues to draw in new readers, so thanks to those of you who recommend my story to others. It means so much to me.

Thanks to those who left reviews that I'm unable to response to. I love to hear from you all.

Special thanks to cjgwilliams who beta'd a section of this on the fly. You always manage to work your magic no matter what I throw at you.

And now on to the next chapter...

Chapter 37

It was Tris' soft, gentle breathing that finally pull Four from his sleep. On every exhale she made, her breath blew across his nipple, and it was this sensation that eventually woke him.

His arm tightened around her, pulling her fractionally closer to him. Their bodies were now cool, not searing hot like they had been hours ago, burning with passion and emotion. The way her body had shuddered with his whispered words of love would be something he will remember for the rest of his life. And she had returned them, not in anger like the first time she told him, but in a quiet reverence that made it all that much sweeter. Even the fact she had whispered her endearment when she thought he was asleep was something he would cherish. He felt her hesitation, the tremble of her body as she voiced her love for him in the afterglow of their lovemaking. And in that quiet declaration he knew it to be her true inner feelings. Why lie if you think the other person is asleep?

Now, while lying in their bed, legs entwined and bodies pressed tightly together, he couldn't stop the almost smug, contented smile that spread across his lips. She loved him. The fear she held in her eyes when he held her down, would be an image imprinted in his mind forever. In that moment, his actions brought forward all she fought to suppress for so many years. But then, her fear shifted to pleasure and bliss, and he knew they had turned a corner together. Yes, the road would still be difficult, but if she was willing to travel it with him, he was willing to go at her pace.

She moved, turning away from him in sleep and rolled onto her back, and Four followed her, repositioning himself onto his side so he could study her.

Her blonde hair was spread out over the pillow, the sheet down by her waist, and he resisted the urge to bend over and taste her skin, just in case it had altered in the last few hours. In sleep, she looked innocent, something she couldn't quite pull off when she was awake. Her body screamed wicked and sinful and begged to be worshiped. He honestly didn't know how long they would have together. He was hoping for forever, but he would take whatever time she gave him, and he was sure it would be a wild ride.

He moved his hand gently to rest on her flat stomach and smiled when the muscles there fluttered slightly, just like they had the night before when he moved slowly over her, making love to her. He wondered in that moment if anyone had ever taken the time to make love to her, not just have sex with her, but slow and sensual lovemaking. He was sure there would have been men in her life who loved her: hell, there was one, maybe two, down the hall, but had they ever tried to be gentle with her, to truly worship her body, and if they had, had she let them? From the look in her eyes when he told her he was gonna make love to her last night, the fear and vulnerability that had flooded her hazel eyes, told him no, she hadn't.

But she let him, she placed her trust in him. She let him restrain her, not completely, but enough to give up a little of her control and her fear. The tear she shed alarmed him and he'd almost stopped, but he knew this was something they both needed. A mutual acceptance and sharing of a trust so recently broken.

He didn't realize his fingertips had been idly tracing patterns across her soft skin until she squirmed a little, and he grinned when she moaned. He moved his hand up, placing feather light touches over her right breast, and watching as her nipple hardened, loving her body's reaction to him. He leaned over, sweeping his lips softly over hers lazily before retreating to watch her reaction. When she didn't move, he repeated the motion, pressing a little harder this time, making sure she felt him, and he licked quickly at her plumpness of her bottom lip. This time when he moved away, her tongue snaked out and brushed across her own lips, tasting him. She smiled and whispered, "More."

"More?" He queried, and at her insistent nod, he returned to her, truly kissing her this time. Slowly, sensually, making certain she felt even inch of his tongue as he invaded her mouth once again.

Tris moved her arms from where they were resting against the pillow and wrapped them around him, holding him close to her as they greeted each other good morning, her mind idly hoping she could wake up like this every morning for the rest of her life.

Four rolled, bringing her with him until she was laid out completely atop him, their naked skin meeting as their lips did, and his hands swept gently down her back to rest on her bottom. They finally broke their kiss, and Tris moved slightly to rest her head on his shoulder. Four grinned, unable to keep the words in any longer. "So, you love me, eh?"

Tris smiled against his shoulder. "Yes," she whispered, before her brain caught up with her. Her eyes shot up to his, his deep orbs bright and mischievous. "You heard?"

"Of course I heard you, Tris. I would have heard you even if I was asleep," he said sincerely to her.

Tris ducked her head back down into the crook between his neck and shoulder, but he could feel her wide smile against his skin. "You are never gonna let me live that down, are you?"

"No way," Four said empathetically. "You said it. You can't take it back now."

"It was a moment of weakness," she waved it off, though her grin remained.

Four moved again, rolling them onto their sides so they faced each other, their hips still meeting. "It is the truth," he said, holding her head tenderly in his hands, and Tris's heart fluttered at his look, somewhere between a gloating 'I know you love me' look and a scared little boy 'please don't take it back' look.

Her fingers wove into his hair, the tips rubbing against his scalp, and her heart was beating wildly. "I love you."

Four grinned. He leaned to her kissed her gently on the lips, then swiftly on the tip of her nose before pulling back. "I love you."

Tris beamed at him. "Yeah. You know, I think that makes you certifiable or something."

"Probably," Four agreed.

Tris huffed at him, her smile seemingly plastered on her face as she playfully slapped him against his shoulder.

"Hey, no violence needed, Blondie," Four complained.

Tris laughed, grabbing hold of his wrist and shifting her body quickly so she again was on top of him, her knees either side of his waist, straddling his body, and she pinned his wrists above his head.

"Hey, no cheating," Four whined with a smirk, knowing she used her abilities to get the upper hand. She was a small person compared to him, and without her abilities and his willingness to allow her to have this moment, they wouldn't be in this position right now. She leaned down, sealing her lips over his, taking the lead this time in their kiss, demanding more from him. When she pulled back, her eyes were dark and mirrored his. "Can we fuck now?" She asked almost innocently.

Taking a huge chance, Four flipped them again, this time using his own Divergent abilities to take the upper hand so she was under him.

"I would rather make love to you again," he whispered, immediately letting go of her hands and lowering his head to take a nipple into his mouth.

Tris moaned and her hands fell to his head, holding him to her, a stuttered, "Yes," falling from her lips, and Four grinned against her.

…

Tris walked down the long corridor on her way back from the dining hall after a quick breakfast. Four had left the room a few moments before to take a called from Jason and they had agreed to meet for lunch in the city. She brushed at a crumb on her navy, pinstriped pencil skirt, her work attire always conservative with a hint of sexy, as her thoughts drifted back to the conversation she'd had with her uncle about Peter.

She was frustrated with the way her uncle easily dismissed her claims at first, almost blaming the situation on her. She was the first to admit she wasn't completely blameless with what occurred with Peter, but a girl is entitled to change her mind, and a guy should respect that, no matter when she changed her mind.

Was it only yesterday morning when she had no idea if her relationship with Four was laid in pieces at her feet, when she didn't know if he would forgive her moments of temporary insanity? Now, Peter was on his way out of Dauntless and Four had introduced her to the art of making love. He had restrained her and she had placed her complete trust at his feet. It had been nerve-wracking and her safe word had almost slipped from her lips, but she knew he would never hurt her, never take anything from her she wasn't willing to give. She smiled, her mind gleefully thinking her personal life had taken a turn in the right direction for the first time in a long time.

She nodded politely as two of the house workers moved toward her on their way down the hall, her grin dropping when they looked at each other and whispered something she couldn't hear at her distance. As they passed each other, she noted one shake her head, almost in disgust and clicking her tongue.

"Hey," Tris called out, turning back to them and making them stop in their tracks. "If you have something to say about me, just say it. Don't hold it all inside because I've heard it all before."

She knew that by now Peter's removal from The Dauntless would be common knowledge, and there were still a select few who thought the agent could do no wrong. Peter was excellent at keeping a public persona for the people who he worked with and kept around him, and many of them had no idea just how vindictive he was in private.

The two workers looked at Tris with astonishment.

"Well," she probed, resting her hands on her hips as an eyebrow rose slightly.

The two exchanged a glance again before they shook their heads and turned abruptly, hurrying back the direction they were headed.

"Dicks," Tris mumbled to herself as she too turned and continued on her way, pissed at how in some people's eyes she was the bad one in all this. She could just imagine her fellow agents and the support staff talking about how she used her position within the organization to out an old boyfriend. They didn't know what happened between the two of them, and she couldn't understand why people who were usually so friendly to her could turn on her this abruptly, especially when they had to know they didn't know the full story.

She paused when she heard voices intermingling in conversation within one of the large living areas and moved over to enter the room. Several people were standing in two clusters before the two large windows that faced out onto the long driveway of the mansion, all talking together as they watched whatever was happening outside. Tris crossed the space and moved over to one of the groups which contained Matthew, Christina, and Will.

"What's happening?" She asked, elbowing her way into the group.

"Shit, Tris! Make more noise or something," Matthew exclaimed. "I'm too young to die from a heart attack."

"Maybe we should fit her with one of those bells? Like on a kitten," Will grinned, then at the disapproving looks of both Christina and Tris, he mumbled, "Or maybe not."

"What's everyone looking at?" Tris asked again, turning to gaze out the window to see for herself whatever was happening that had captivated so many workers of The Dauntless. She spotted a black, unmarked car in the driveway and two men standing next to it, clearly discussing something, as another lifted luggage into the open trunk.

"Peter's leaving," Christina answered her, her eyes focused ahead and her voice low. For a moment, Tris idly wondering if her friend was still hungover as she studied her. Christina didn't once turn her attention from the scene unfolding before them.

Tris turned her focus back to the outdoors. Sure enough, out on the gravel driveway, Peter stood next to his car with Mason beside him and the two were talking while Gavin was placing the last of several suitcases in the trunk. A cardboard box sat on the roof of the car, and Tris could just about make out several of Peter's possessions inside, a corner of an elaborate picture frame sticking out and she shook a little, hoping that picture wasn't the one of her which usually adorned his dresser.

Tris turned her head to the other group of people in the room. Drew, Peter's Dauntless partner among them. He offered her a weak smile, as though he understood the real reason Peter was leaving, and Tris was grateful he wouldn't take his anger out on her.

She looked back out to watch as Peter shifted the storage box from the roof of his car. Before he placed into the car, Mason said something to him, and they both looked down at the picture among his belongings. Peter smiled to his now ex-boss as he answered Mason and then bent to place the box on the passenger seat of the car, his grin widening at Mason's response.

Tris ached to hear what the two were talking about, especially since she was positive it was something about her, and she couldn't help but wonder what her uncle could have said to make Peter smile at a time like this. Her senses were tingling as she watched the scene unfold, and she did her best to shove the uneasiness to the back of her mind, focusing on her happiness about Peter leaving The Dauntless, and her hopefully never having to see him again.

"I can't believe he's taking your picture with him," Christina commented in disgust, obviously coming to the same conclusion about the picture as Tris, before she turned to her friend to see Tris shiver a little as she was reminded of that little fact. "Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Tris gritted out, though her nerves felt like they were pulled taut, and she couldn't wait for Peter to leave the premises. She turned to her friend, genuinely curious as she asked, "What did I ever see in him?"

"I think it had something to do with what's in his pants," Will returned seriously, his eyes trained outside and a wry smile forming on his lips.

Tris huffed at his frank statement, knowing how accurate her fellow agent was.

Matthew looked at his best friend before asking, "Did he really try to... ya know?"

Tris looked at him, knowing he wouldn't be able to say the word rape. Of all the people who knew her personal history, for Matthew, it was all too real. He was the one to have seen it firsthand. He was the one able to visualize that room, blood splattering the walls and floor and Tris barely conscious, lying half naked in a pool of her own blood because he had been there... he didn't need to imagine it because he'd seen it with his own two eyes. For him, the knowledge of that room made it all the worse, and he couldn't comprehend that happening again to her.

"Mistakes were made by the both of us," Tris admitting, making her voice loud enough for all in the room to hear her. "But he went a step too far, and despite what others may think, he sealed his own fate when he chose to go down that road. No means no, no matter what happened previously between us in our history."

She wasn't exactly sure why she felt the need to vindicate herself to this group of people, but some part of her needed her house mates and co-workers to understand this wasn't some personal vendetta against Peter because he was her ex.

"Where do you think he'll go?" Will asked as he draped an arm across Christina's shoulders.

Tris shrugged. "I don't know. And frankly, I don't care. As long as he stays away from me and never comes back here, I'll be happy."

At that moment, Peter turned in the driveway, staring back toward house, and their eyes met through the window. Tris refused to allow her body to react when he visibly raked his eyes over her, as if imprinting her figure in his mind forever. She felt nothing but disgust for him, and though her skin crawled at his intensive look, she didn't allow him to see how he affected her, even though she wanted to allow her lip to curl into a scowl and to turn her back on him immediately.

"He's such a creeper," Christina stated, her body shuddering at the blatant look he was shooting Tris.

Several moments passed and Peter still hadn't moved, his eyes holding Tris' still. She refused to be the one to back down from his stare, and they stood deadlocked until they were broken apart by a co-worker.

Matthew swore softly to himself before moving, placing himself in front of Tris, and effectively cutting off Peter's view of her. "C'mon, Pix, let's get you out of here."

Tris stood her ground, growling, "Why should I be the one to leave?!"

"He's the one leaving, Tris. I just don't like him mentally undressing you before he does." And he placed his hands on her shoulders, turning her around and pushing her from the room without another word.

Tris turned her head once more to gaze out the window, just in time to see him smirk at her and then nod with a grin to her uncle.

Something in his look lingered in her mind, and she felt an unsettling sense of dread. Almost as if this whole situation with Peter was far from over.

From another window, Zeke, Four, and Caleb were also watching Peter's departure. Four had finished his call with Jason when he heard the news that Peter was being escorted out by Mason, and had moved into the nearest room to find Zeke and Caleb watching the proceedings through its large window.

"Do you know where he's going?" Zeke asked Caleb from the one side of a strangely quiet Four, who was watching the scene unfold without uttering a word. Four's body was firm, his stance wide, and his arms folded across his chest as he watched the man he wanted to seriously maim talking to Tris' uncle.

Caleb shrugged at Zeke's question. "He'll probably use one of the apartments in whichever city he's going to until he gets himself settled."

"He should be left to fend for himself," Four spat out, breaking his silence suddenly with the statement and shocking his co-workers. "Not treated like he's going on vacation."

"Uncle Mason has the secrecy of The Dauntless to upkeep," Caleb returned. "No matter what the fucker's done, he's a liability."

They watched as Peter turned back to the house, his eyes roaming the front of the building for a few seconds before obviously finding the thing he was looking for. When the smirk grew on his lips, Four's stance shifted, his uneasiness apparent to his fellow agents.

"He's looking at her," he growled out, almost feeling Tris' agitation from elsewhere in the big house and putting two and two together quickly.

"You can't know that," Zeke offered.

"Yeah, he's looking at her alright," Caleb added, having seen that smirk on Peter's face directed at his sister on more than one occasion.

Four made to move, his intention clear to his two friends beside him.

"Four, don't," Zeke said, stopping him with a firm hand on his partner's shoulder.

"I won't have him look at her like that," Four spat out, his anger bubbling over. "What the fuck does she think she's doing watching him leave, anyway?"

"Maybe she needs to know he has actually gone," Zeke offered.

"Four. It's Tris," Caleb said simply. "She's too stubborn for her own good. She won't back down for anything."

Peter finally turned back to his car, his smirk still on his face, and the three watched as he climbed in after saying something else to Mason, whose back was facing the house.

"It's over. He's gone," Caleb exhaled, thankful now the fucker had gone because he knew if he or Four had met him before his departure, Peter would most likely be leaving the house in a body bag.

…

Mason Prior walked with contented ease down the wide hallway, his broad chest swelling with pride, as always, at the opulence surrounding him. He loved this house, he loved his life, and he was prepared to do whatever it took to continue on this legacy.

Peter Hayes may have left the inner circle of The Dauntless but Mason was no fool. He certainly wouldn't have achieved all he had in life if he'd been content to go with the flow. No, he definitely liked to stir the waters, to push situations to his own benefit. Therefore, Peter may be out but he was most certainly not down, just relocated for the time being.

He scowled when he saw the lithe figure of his niece further down the hallway. She was dressed for work, though her choice of outfit was a little too sensual for the workplace for his liking. Her skirt was tight, hugging the curve of her hips and the round of her bottom, and her silk shirt, while billowing, was thin and the outline of her torso and bra were just visible.

He had spoken to Max regarding Caleb's observation of how well Tris and Four worked together, and Max had enthusiastically agreed that the partnerships should change. Mason was convinced it would be beneficial for The Dauntless, but he couldn't help think it would put a hitch in his plans. Nevertheless, the conversations had been made, the decision concluded, and he couldn't veto the plan without raising suspicion, now he just needed to let his agents know.

"Tris," his voice carried over the short distance separating himself from his niece. "I need to speak with you in my office immediately." He didn't elaborate, hoping she would stew, wondering why he needed to talk to her.

"I'm about to leave for work, Uncle Mason," Tris answered, moving toward him.

"I've called George and asked him to reschedule your appointments for this morning," he told her, holding his arm out to circle around her back and lead her down to his office. They moved in silence, both lost in their own thoughts over Peter's leaving.

Mason held the door open wide for Tris to enter before following her into his office. "Take a seat, Tris," he instructed, waving a hand in the direction of the pair of comfortable chairs before his desk.

"What's this about?" She asked as she lowered herself gracefully into a chair. "Is it about Peter?"

"Peter has gone," Mason said, a little sharper than he intended to, his head turning to the door when a sharp knock interrupted anything further he had planned to say.

"Come in," he bellowed.

The door opened and Four entered the room. "You wanted to see me, Mr. Prior?"

"Yes, Four," Mason smiled and indicted to the chair beside Tris.

Four looked quizzically to Tris as he sat next to her and she raised a brow in question to him as well.

"I'll make this quick as I know you both have busy mornings," Mason started, his eyes flickering from Four to Tris. "It has been brought to my attention the ease at which you two work together when out in the field and after careful consideration, I have decided to team you up on a permanent basis."

"What?" Tris exclaimed disbelieving.

"You two work incredibly well together. The Dauntless would be foolish to not take advantage of the connection you share," Mason elaborated, leaning back in this large leather chair.

"What about Caleb?" Tris asked, her eyes catching Four's briefly.

"Caleb will team up with Zeke."

"But, I've always worked with Caleb," Tris answered, not completely sure why she was whining about this. Four was just as good an agent as Caleb, better even with his Divergent abilities, but she felt somewhat unsettled with breaking up a tried and tested team.

"You have, but you and Four will be phenomenal. You're both Divergents, you are connected on a level which has never used in The Dauntless. This could be nothing but beneficial to us."

"What's wrong, Blondie. Don't you want to work with me?" Four teased her.

"Of course I do," she smiled to him. "It's just…what about Caleb?"

Four understood what she wasn't saying. He knew Caleb had concerns with him when he first started this relationship with Tris, and he had worked hard to convince Caleb he wasn't going to take his sister from him. Now, it seemed, he had.

"Caleb will do what's best. He knows The Dauntless is priority over any other emotions," Mason answered her. Tris recognized this for what it was; a dig at her and her demands that Peter left The Dauntless. Anger rose but Tris squashed it. Getting angry with Mason had never accomplished anything.

So she ignored her uncle and turned to Four with a smile. "I guess we're partners then, in more ways than one."

"Absolutely," Four grinned, holding his hand out to her. Partners; he liked that. Partners in life and in work. Tris slipped her hand into his and they stood at the same time.

"I'll have the gym cleared for you this evening so you can train," Mason said, trying to keep the frown from his face at their clasped hands. "You may work in synergy but you need to maintain that, so train and train hard."

"Oh, we will," Tris smirked as she turned to leave the office.

"Oh, Tris…" Mason stopped their departure. "Peter wanted me to tell you…"

"I don't want to hear it," Tris stopped him abruptly, wavering her hand in front of her, dismissing anything Peter wanted to tell her in his parting moments. She resented that Mason would even try to get her to listen. She didn't wait for anything else, pulling Four with her as she left the room.

Tris and Four separated at the main door, each heading for their respective car to drive into the city, their lunch plans canceled. Tris thought it wise to have lunch with Caleb instead and Four agreed with her decision, knowing he needed to keep her brother on his side.

She chose Caleb's favorite eatery, a vibrant bar relatively close to the offices of The Prior Group, and was prompt to meet him at 1pm.

Caleb was already tucking into the large signature burger of the restaurant and Tris smirked at him. "Couldn't wait I see," she said as she slid into the bench seat of the booth opposite him, setting her purse on the seat beside her.

"I'm hungry," he reasoned, his gaze flashing behind her. "Four's not joining us?"

"Did you want him to?" She asked as she signaled the wait staff, already knowing what she wanted for her lunch.

Caleb shrugged. "You don't usually see one without the other these days. This is a rare sighting. I may need to document it."

"Oh stop being so dramatic," Tris said before turning to the wait staff and placing her order.

"So, what did I do to deserve you buying me lunch?" He asked around a mouthful of his burger.

"Uncle Mason is breaking us up," she answered solemnly.

Caleb looked at her confused for a moment. "You and Four?"

"No, you and me," she clarified. "He's switching out partnerships." She watched him cautiously, hoping he wouldn't be too upset about this new situation. She was amazed when he slowly grinned at her. "Well don't look too happy about it. Am I truly that bad to work with?"

"Honestly, Tris. I'll never lose a weapon again. I won't have to clear up after your shit and watch every male body out there make a pass at you when we should be working."

Tris looked annoyed at his response. She'd expected him to throw a fit about being partnered with someone else.

"And it finally means the old man is listening to what I have to say," Caleb concluded.

Tris looked quizzically at him and waited until the waiter had placed her salad before her. "Anything else I can get for ya," he asked, his eyes drawing in every inch of her.

"No," she said quickly, forgetting her manners and dismissing him completely. "What do you mean?" She probed once they were alone again.

"I told Uncle Mason how well you and Four worked together, suggested that he was time to make some changes," he told her.

"Wow." She sat back in her seat taking in her older brother. This was huge for him, almost like he was giving up on his internal need to protect her. She frowned when she thought back to the conversation she and Four had with Mason this morning. "Uncle Mason made it sound like this was his idea," she said, puzzled at why he would have done that.

"It wasn't," Caleb said firmly, his eyes hard. "I told Uncle Mason how well you worked with Four. I discussed it with Max and we agreed it would be better for The Dauntless for you to partner him instead." Caleb stuffed a few more fries into his mouth and chewed before continuing. "I actually got the feeling Uncle Mason wasn't too happy about the situation."

"Then why did he agree to switch us then? This doesn't make sense." Tris ate distractedly as she tried to puzzle through Uncle Mason's reasons. She narrowed her eyes as she watched Caleb, he himself absorbed in his own thoughts. "Are you really okay with us teaming up with others?"

Caleb chewed what was in his mouth, watching Tris carefully as she stared back at him. "I know it's best for The Dauntless, I know Four would never hurt you, and I know he'll look out for you just as much as I would. In fact, he'll do a better job at it, him being divergent and all."

"Caleb…" Tris started.

"Let me finish," he interrupted her. "I need to know you are safe, that's my main reason for wanting to be your partner. To ensure your safety. There is a guy out there who wants to hurt you, Tris. My need to protect is magnified by 100% and Four is the best one to be out there with you, protecting your back, making sure he doesn't get to you. Making sure he doesn't hurt you again." Caleb looked away, not wanting his sister to see the emotion in his face, but he looked back to her to say what he wanted to next. "I love you, Tris. You're my sister, the last part of our nuclear family. I need you alive and if I have to give up my own self-centered need to be out on a mission with you so that you can be protected better, then that's what I'll do."

Tris swallowed thickly at his words. Caleb rarely showed his emotions like this, so raw. "I love you, too, Caleb," she choked out. "You're not gonna lose me."

"I so nearly did," he said, the emotion behind his words almost closing his throat. "I don't ever what to experience that again."

"We're gonna get him," she said adamantly. "We're done with him controlling us, controlling our lives."

Caleb smiled weakly at her. "Four is good for you."

"I know," she grinned back.

…

Four was already in the gym by the time Tris made it to the vast room. She paused by the door, leaning against the wall, and watched Four for a moment, appreciating the way his muscles rippled as his body moved.

"Are you gonna join me or stand there ogling?" Four's deep voice vibrated in the large room.

"I don't know," she smiled to his back, feeling his emotions like tendrils around her. His body was buzzing with her nearness and that invisible wave of excitement, of contentment that she was here, enveloped her and settled her. "I kinda like the view from here." It still amazed her how his very presence could make her feel at peace.

Four turned to her, his trademark lopsided grin breaking out as he lifted his hand, beckoning her closer.

Tris smirked as she sauntered across the space closer to him. She stopped when there was but an inch between them and raised up to her tiptoes to place a gentle kiss on his lips. "Hi," she whispered.

Four cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin. "Hi," he returned. "How was your day?"

"Boring," she supplied. "I'm starving."

"For food?"

"That too," she grinned cheekily.

Four brushed his lips against her forehead before moving away from her. "Go warm up, and then we'll see what we can achieve," he told her, his eyes shining with mischief.

Tris chuckled slightly at his double entendre as she moved away from him, heading to a treadmill to start her warm up. They continued in silence, each intent on readying their bodies for what they were about to do. Forty-five minutes later, they met again on the large mats in the middle of the room.

"So how do you want to do this?" Four asked, remembering his own training for The Dauntless and how she had been an integral part of that: her status within The Dauntless giving her a say in when he was ready to try for his first mission.

"I think we should just start and see where it takes us," Tris said with a shrug of her shoulders. She watched as Four's brow wrinkled slightly, his expression showing he was obviously concerned with something. "What is it?" She asked, her fingers reaching to graze over his jawline.

"I'm not happy fighting with you is all," he said, his voice unstable with emotion.

Tris understood his concerns. The abuse he had suffered as a child and teenager was as integral to his being as hers was. He didn't like it when the strong preyed on the weak and he hated the very thought of hitting a woman. She knew, as much as he did, that a foe could not be guaranteed to be a man; after all, there was a large percentage of The Dauntless agents who were female. That the people they went up against were not averse to hitting said women was something she knew Four could not comprehend. But that's why they were the bad guys, right?

"Four, I don't exactly want to hurt you, either. I mean, I'm kind of invested in your body staying in prime condition." She trailed her fingers down his chest as she said this, letting him have no doubts about her meaning. "Besides," she continued. "It's highly doubtful you'd hurt me at all. I have a few years on you with controlling my abilities."

"Oh, I could hurt you," he challenged, his voice deep and sensual, despite the menacing tone he'd tried to lace in his words.

"Is that a promise," she taunted back, and Four's jaw dropped slightly at how husky her voice sounded. Did she want that? For him to hurt her? He vaguely remembered something Peter had taunted him with, that she liked it when he was rough with her, and she'd confirmed that herself when they had argued. He shook his head, not needing to go there just now.

"Maybe we should work more on working together to take down opponents than fight with each other," he suggested.

"We should definitely do that," she agreed. "Next time." And with that she hit out, her fist striking his ribs.

Four was instantly transported back to when she had first done this, in his first week of training, and remembered her hits were always on target and always painful. But he was better prepared this time, and he moved with her, half anticipating her movements and manipulating them for his benefit.

They moved around the mat, each making hits, both holding back somewhat so not to damage the other. After an hour had passed, they both were hunched over taking deep breaths.

"I think…the problem…is…we won't be…fighting…each other," Four wheezed out.

Tris just nodded her acknowledgement. It didn't matter how well they fought each other, it was when they worked together that their pure synergy came into effect.

"We need…assistance," she huffed.

"Lucky we're here then," they both heard and turned as one to the new voice.

Zeke and Uriah stood at the edge of the matt with Caleb behind them, straddling a bench and looking mildly interested.

"Caleb told me about the switch in partnership," Zeke said, walking out onto the protective flooring. "Can't say I'm totally surprised, but I will miss working with you," he said to Four.

"Me, too," Four said honestly. Zeke had become a good friend during his time at The Dauntless, he just hoped this change wouldn't affect that.

"And since you both need to work on working together," Uriah grinned as he joined his brother, "we thought we'd offer our services."

Tris and Four exchanged a look, almost in silence communication.

"Okay," Tris agreed, straightening up and moving over to stand before Uriah. She wiped her forehead, Four echoing her movement as he maneuvered himself to stand in front of Zeke. "No using any abilities straight away," she instructed, narrowing her eyes in Uriah's direction.

Uriah shrugged one shoulder, a smirk playing across his lips, in acceptance of her one rule.

The four squared off with each other, Uriah in front of Tris, Zeke opposite Four. They circled once, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Uriah, unsurprisingly, was the first to move, stepping closer to Tris with a brisk movement that would have surprised her if she hadn't been anticipating his move. She turned into a graceful spin, her arm flashing out to catch his ear with the momentum of her turn.

Uriah retaliated immediately, lifting his leg to hip height and whipping out his lower leg, his foot hitting her square in her ribs.

Caleb watched as the four moved around the mat, Uriah and Zeke, though not Dauntless partners, worked together easily from years from fighting together as children. Four and Tris were mesmerizing. Caleb didn't think he would ever tire of watching as they moved, and fought, together. It was like observing complicated chorography for an intricate dance that only the two of them knew. They seemed to instinctively know where the other was at all times, and used this to their benefit, their catlike moves impossibly smooth. He grinned as he watched Zeke and Uriah grin, thinking they had the two on the ropes, until Tris literally climbed up Four's back, pushing off from his body and taking the two brothers down with her body, a leg kick to Uriah's head and a fist to Zeke's. She rolled away, crouching low on the ground, ready for any retaliation they would throw at her. A slow grin spread across her face when the brothers remained where they were.

"That was awesome," she grinned to Four, and he smirked back to her.

"Your love of violence is often times scary," he said as he moved over to her and offered her a hand.

She took his hand and let him lever her up, before she jumped, forcing him to catch her.

"I'm all hot and bothered now, Bear," she grinned. "What are you gonna do about it?"

His response was halted by groaning on the mat beside them as Zeke and Uriah both rearranged their bodies so they could huff out and inhale deep, both taking silent inventory of their injuries.

"That was a sick move," Uriah moaned. "You need to teach me how to do that."

"How did you know to do that?" Caleb asked from his position on the bench.

Four turned his body, Tris still in his arms. "I don't really now," Four admitted. "It was like instinct or something."

"Interesting," Caleb mumbled, his mind already whirling with thoughts about how deep this connection between Tris and Four ran.

"Can we talk about this later," Tris asked as she slid down Four's body to stand on her own feet. "I'm hot and sweating and extremely aroused."

"Too much information," Caleb groaned as he moved onto the mats to help Zeke and Uriah up.

Tris turned to the Pedrad brothers. "Thanks for helping us out. Maybe we can make this a regular thing?"

Zeke rubbed at his head. "Not sure my body can agree to that."

"You'll be fine. Stop complaining," Tris said shortly. "Be a man," she grinned to soften the harshness of her voice.

"Yeah," Zeke huffed. "I'll try and remember that."

…