A/N: OMG THERE IS AN END IN SIGHT! I might finally be out of the woods with being under whatever funk is going around. As such I am celebrating by getting out a chapter. There might be errors. I edited this under heavy influence of meds and pain. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 53 - Not A Goodbye

When we get to the Pit, clusters of families are already gathered together. Mainly they are all Dauntless with Dauntless born; though you do see the occasional Dauntless member with someone from another faction. They are rare and stand out more because of it.

It appears that there is an area that is set aside for the initiates, Dauntless born and transfer alike, because they are all grouped to one side. I spot Molly and Drew standing together at the end of that area, alone. Their families didn't come.

Peter's did and I hold back my snarl I want to send at the tall man with the bushy eyebrows that I can hear from even over here. Berating his son and he hasn't even been here ten minutes. His mother is shorter than either of them and has reddish brown hair. I can see the Abnegation meekness in how she is standing. Eyes down and hands all but clasped in front of her. She says not a word in defense or greeting to her son. Peter looks miserable and for a moment his eyes meet mine over his mother's head before he looks away, masking the pain in them.

Will's sister made it. She stands beside him in the blue of her faction. A beautifully tailored dress that is classic and refined. Her golden blonde hair done in a perfect side updo. She has the same eyebrows as Will and the same gestures as she is speaking.

Next to him Christina hugs a woman with a slightly darker skin tone than hers while a younger version of Christina stands just behind them, shifting and looking around.

I am so caught up in observing those around me I don't even remember what I am supposed to be looking for. Maybe I am doing all that just so I don't look for something that won't be there for me. But Tris gives a slight gasp and start, drawing my attention and I see.

I see….them. My mother standing near the railing, her hands clasped in front of her. Beside her stands my father, both wearing the grey of their faction. They should look out of place or ill at ease but they don't.

Tris speeds up until we are both walking faster towards our parents. I vaguely register that Zach is standing near to my father and looked to be engaged in conversation with him.

We are walking briskly towards them when my mother looks up and in our direction. At first her expression is blank, like she doesn't recognize us. Then it registers and her eyes light up, her arms open and her soft sighing whispers of our names draws my father's attention to us.

Her arm wraps around us as we can't even bare to not try and hug her at the same time. "Oh Beatrice, Mary Katherine." She says softly as her hand passes over my back.

Tears threaten to spill out of my eyes as I pull back from the hug. My father steps closer, his eyes wrinkled in a sad smile and he holds his arms open as well. Surprising us both for just a moment, but then we are wrapped in his arms too. It only lasts for a minute before he steps back. My mother joins his side and beams at him, then at us.

"Look at you both." She reaches forward to turn Tris' face this way and that while my father does the same to me. I know he is taking in all the bruises and while his lips thin, he doesn't take on a look of displeasure or disappointment. "You have both filled out." She finishes in a smiling tone.

Tris blushes and I smile doing the same thing. "You both look beautiful." My father's voice comes out soft but also a little strained. His head tilts as he takes in the tattoos on our shoulders but he doesn't say anything. "How have you both been?"

"You first." Tris says and I can tell it is more out of habit. I, however, am genuinely curious and worried.

"How are….things?" I try to ask casually.

They both exchange brief looks before our mother looks to us. "We came to see you both on this special occasion. Let's talk about you two. Our gift to you."

Dad nods and smiles at us but he is fighting sadness I can tell.

"I'm happy here. I think we both are." I say softly and look to Tris. She nods but I can tell there is guilt in her eyes. "We miss you but…." I take a breath and raise my chin as face my father mainly "...I am home."

Tris gives a small gasp but my mom reaches out and grabs her hand.

My father takes a breath through his nose and nods to me. "You are where you have always belonged, Mary Katherine. I am sorry if either of you thought I could hate or be mad at you for making this choice."

Tris trembles beside me, the effort of keeping in her tears but I have no such reservation. I smile widely at him and let them fill my eyes. "Thank you Dad. It is Kat now though."

He smiles widely and passes a finger along my cheek. "Kat. It fits you."

Then he and my mother both look to Tris and she smiles at them. "Tris. I go by Tris now."

They smile at her as well. "Another fit." My mom replies.

I feel him as he approaches and I see my father give a polite smile over my shoulder. "Andrew" Eric's voice rumbles out as he moves past me and closer to my father.

"Eric." My father greets him in return and they shake hands. "It was very good of Dauntless to allow my wife and I to be here for this Visiting Day."

Eric looks down at me for a moment before simply nodding back. Beside me my mother and Tris had begun to talk and I see my sister pointing out Four who is standing near a railing and trying to look like he isn't paying attention to us.

Whatever Tris said has my mother looping her arm through my sisters and steering them over towards Four. Before mom goes off she casts a look over her shoulder to me with a small knowing smile that I don't understand. Then my father is drawing my attention back to him.

"I am very glad to hear that Mary Ka…..Kat." He replies to whatever Eric and he had been discussing.

I blink in confusion then look between the two of them and Eric rolls his eyes, his lips twitching ever so slightly. "I was just informing Andrew that you finished the physical portion of the training and we are expecting great results from that."

I blush and blink again. "Oh." I clear my throat and shrug. "I don't know what will happen as far as rankings but I am very proud of Tris and I. We gave it everything and did our best. I can only hope that was enough."

I hear a small sigh from beside Eric as Zach rolls his eyes but doesn't say anything. Eric's jaw clenches and I can tell it isn't out of anger. It is him stopping himself from saying something.

I bite my lip and look down. "I heard somewhere once that one should be humble when victorious or in their victories." I mumble out.

By this time Tris and my mother are heading back. Four, looking tense, is hurrying away. Their words drift towards us as they get closer. "Is he always like that?"

Tris' lips twitch and I snort. "Worse." I reply and don't fail to catch the smug smile that tilts Eric's lips before it is gone just as quickly.

"Have you two made friends?" My mom asks when she comes even with us.

"A few. Kat has made really good friends with a few Dauntless born." Tris says and points to Lynn who is standing with Shauna in the area the Dauntless born seem to have taken as their own. "We both have found friends here really."

Will and his sister are near and we both smile at him, waving. He starts forward and his sister follows but the open smile she had earlier disappears. A look of contempt starts to cross her features.

When she is approaching us, she looks between my mother and father as if she had just seen something monstrous, the way she glared at them.

Will doesn't even get to introduce us before she is speaking.

"I can't believe you associate with one of them, Will." Her tone drips with acid and condescension.

My mother and father both purse their lips but don't look to say anything. Tris tenses and I look to Will in confusion at how his sister is being. He looks to me and frowns back at his sister.

"Cara." He starts out in a reprimanding tone. "There is no need to be rude."

"Oh, certainly not. Do you know who they are?" She points to my father and it takes everything in me not to grab her goddam finger and break it. "He is a council member and leader…" her lips curls in disgust and she moves her finger to point at my mother " and she runs the 'volunteer agency' that supposedly helps the factionless. You think I don't know you're just hoarding goods to distribute to your own faction while we don't get fresh food for a month, huh? Food for the factionless my eyes."

My mom has a grip on Tris' hand, this I see from the corner of my eye. Eric's lips are thinned and his body is tensed but he makes no moves to say anything or stop her. His warning is ringing in my mind but my anger is building quickly. It doesn't help that the bitch won't shut up either.

I vaguely hear my mother saying something to her, an apology maybe?

"Mistaken. Ha," Cara snaps. "I'm sure you're exactly what you seem. A faction of happy-go-lucky-do-gooders without a selfish bone in your bodies. Right?"

Tris snaps before I do. "Don't speak to my parents that way." Her fists are clenched and she is prepared to attack. "Don't say another word or I swear I will break your nose."

Will casts an alarmed look to Tris. I am sure thinking that of the two of us, it would have been me to be quick to get physical. I have other plans brewing though. I plan to hit her where it will really hurt.

"Back off, Tris." Will warns her. "You're not going to punch my sister."

Tris gives a chuckled scoff that sounds harsh. "Oh? You think so?"

A whisper of my mother's name from my father before she speaks up even as she is pulling my sister away. "No, you're not. Come on Beatrice. We wouldn't want to bother your friend's sister."

I watch them go and see the smug look cross Cara's face. I also catch the wary look in Zach, Eric and Will's eyes as they look back to me. For once I don't care about letting everything show.

Disgust and anger radiates through me but I channel it in a different manner. I look to Will in genuine sympathy and regret. "I am so sorry, Will." I start out slowly, drawing looks of confusion from around me. I raise my chin and my eyes go hard as I look to his sister. "I am so sorry that your sister couldn't be here today. I am sorry that..." I motion with derision in her direction "...took her place. I am sorry because I would have liked to meet the woman I have heard so much about. The sister that encouraged you to think for yourself. To never just accept what you were being fed or told, as the truth. To learn and seek answers for yourself. I am so fucking sorry that I couldn't meet that brilliant woman that helped to shape the young man I am proud to call a friend and now my family here at Dauntless."

I stop, my lip curling at her and see Will blanching but not disagreeing and Cara at first looking livid, but now paling at my words. I wasn't done by a long shot though.

"I think I would have loved to meet her. I also think if she had shown today, she would have loved to take the opportunity to learn something. To question like she always told you to do. Tell me, Cara...how often have you personally visited the volunteer centers? Or an Abnegation home for that matter? Where does all this information you are spouting come from? Don't bother answering because I already know. Judging by your look of shame, you do too."

"That's enough, Kat." My father lays a gentle hand on my shoulder. His tone firm. He sighs heavily and turns to Will and Cara. "We will let you two enjoy your visit, but before I do…." he looks more pointedly towards Cara for this "...my daughter does have a point in that without seeing what goes on in the volunteer centers it would be hard to accept it. Hard to understand what we do and why we do it. It is easier to consider what you can't see as being lies. That is why I have recently moved to help pass a motion put forth by Erudite to have other factions present especially during times of the resupplying by Amity. I am sure if you spoke to someone in charge of this at Erudite, you might be able to be present for this new development. I know I would welcome it."

Cara is not the only one surprised by this. I am almost floored by it. I am also wracked with fear and worry but have no time to say more as I am being led away too.

We don't get too far before my father turns me and looks at me critically, staying quiet for a few moments. Then he smiles softly at me. "I am very proud of you, you know. I have always been very proud of you." He stops and cups the side of my face with a very troubled and sad look. "I know I haven't always shown it and I know that certain events in the past may have led you to believe I held you responsible. That you carry that and guilt with you. I need you to know now that I am sorry for that Mary Katherine. I am sorry that what I felt as being my failure as a father, my worry for you and your sister, translated to anything else. I need you to know I love you both so very much and I am proud of the strong women you have become."

I can't stop the tears stinging my eyes but I do hold back the sob. "I love you too, Dad. I only ever….I only ever want to protect those I care about and love. I hope I can continue to make you proud and I promise I will never stop protecting and fighting for what is right."

Something about my tone and my expression must be alarming him. He looks around him for a minute and deep frown lines mar his forehead. "Mary Katherine…..Kat…" he pauses, his hand drops from my face and to my shoulder as he looks deep into my eyes. "I need to ask you something and I need you to be truthful with me. Eight years ago you came to me, begging for help for a friend. Asking me to trust you and that you would always be truthful with me. Did I fail you again in this?"

This time I don't hold back the small sob that escapes me but it is just small before I bite it back. I don't have long to debate on what I can or should tell him but I know I have to say something. "Dad, you…..you have never failed me."

His lips thin and he shakes his head. "But it was true, is true." This isn't even a question really.

I bite my lip but don't answer. Can't answer. Telling him will put him at too much risk and he is already there. "Can we leave the past there?" I finally ask softly.

He knows. I can tell he does just by my refusal to answer at all. He doesn't press more though. Out of the corner of my eyes I see my mother emerging from somewhere without Tris. She makes her way over and they exchanged some message through their look.

"We need to leave now, Kat. Remember what I said and please pass that on to your sister for me." He leans forward and presses a small kiss to my forehead. He looks to my the tattoo and smiles. "She flies with her own wings. You two were always meant to fly. I hope you know that, just because it isn't your home doesn't mean that this is goodbye forever or that we would never welcome you there." Then my mother comes and gives me a small hug.

They say goodbyes to me and give them to those that had been near us earlier as well. Even shaking Eric's hand and words being exchanged. Then they are leaving.

I watch them walkway and feel both lighter in some ways but also heavier. A coil of sickness in the pit of my stomach.

Then I don't have time to reflect on anything because a very surprising person approaches me with his parents. His green eyes silently pleading with me just a second before he moves to my side and slips an arm around my waist.

"Father, Mother….I would like to introduce you to Kat….my girlfriend." Pete drawls out and in a fairly carrying voice.

There are gasps all around us and one wave of rage from behind me. My eyes widen and snap to Peter's and see the desperate plea in them. I internally growl but turn on a fake sweet smile to him.

"I wasn't aware we would be making an announcement." I try to say in a soft reproachful tone.