A/N: I am so sorry for the delay in this chapter. First, I got a severe case of writers block. It's like my mind went completely blank, and I had no idea where I was going with the story. My notes weren't even making any sense. Well, I finally got to writing again, but I had to rewrite this chapter 2 or 3 times trying to get it the way I wanted. Then the anniversary of my mom's death hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm still not totally recovered. Grief and depression suck. But anyway, I hope you enjoy. And I already started on the next chapter so hopefully it shouldn't be as long of a wait. Thanks for continuing to read and for all the support. Life's been rough lately but I do love spending time with these characters. It gets me out of my head! And yes, I do plan to finish this story.


"What the hell just happened?" I stare at the opaque glass and steel door, watching my father's silhouette disappear further into the dreary confines of the Abnegation headquarters feeling like someone just took a sledgehammer to my chest. My world tilts, and I have trouble breathing as my heart stutters then races.

My father's words echo in my head. Beatrice, call Four. You're going to need him. What the hell does that even mean? Why would I need Tobias here, now? And if he knew I was going to need my husband today, why in hell didn't he say something, anything when Tobias phoned him last night?

"He lied to Four," I mumble under my breath, trying to get my bearings. "Dad told Four he didn't know what this meeting was about, Caleb. He lied. Why in the hell would he do that?" I tear my eyes away from the forlorn expression reflecting back at me through the glass of the door and look at my brother who's wearing a befuddled as an expression as I am.

"I don't know what to tell you. I don't know why he hasn't been forthcoming with either of us," he says. I pull my phone out and dial Tobias but only get his voicemail. I immediately try again to no avail. "We need to get inside." Caleb glances at his watch, looking antsy. "Technically, we're late."

"Shit," I murmur, not giving a damn if we're late or not. "I can't get ahold of Four."

"You're going to have to leave him a message then," Caleb says. "But we've got to go. Now."

"You're right," I sigh and he gives me a smug look that screams, yeah I know. I roll my eyes at my big brother and he smirks until he remembers our situation, then he quickly sobers. I hit Tobias' number and once again get his voicemail. I leave a quick message.

"Baby, I don't know what's going on but Dad told me I was going to need you today. Get to Abnegation headquarters as soon as you possibly can. Please, Tobias! I feel like I should have listened to Tyler and just stayed home. I love you." I sigh as I silence my phone then stick it in my back pocket. I look up at Caleb feeling lost.

"I can't believe Dad lied to us," I say, feeling lost.

"He's been known to do that a time or two if you'll remember," he says, his expression hardening. He must be remembering finding out under truth serum about Dad's one night stand with Ellie Black just before he and Mom got married. Either that or my brother is privy to more of our father's secrets than I am. "Come on." I blindly follow behind Caleb, my mind lost in thought, and am surprised when we enter the large public meeting space.

"I thought this was a private meeting," I whisper to Caleb. He shrugs, looking around the room also. Obviously, I was wrong. The meeting hall is almost filled to capacity. We take our seats, the only two empty ones at the tables in the center of the room, and the crowd is called to order.

"Now that everyone has joined us," Dad booms loud enough for everyone to hear, his disapproving glare pinning Caleb and me in place, reminding us that we are indeed late, "we can get started. I would like to thank everyone for coming on such short notice. Ellie, will you please read the minutes from our last meeting?"

"Of course, Andrew," Ellie Black says as she gets to her feet. She then goes to the podium and adjusts the microphone to her height. While she recounts all that occurred at our last meeting, I look around the room, tuning her out. Right now I could care less about what happened at the meeting less than six weeks ago. I don't know why we're suffering the formalities. I want to know why we were summoned here today, and I want to know now.

The council members are all accounted for with no changes but it's the audience that makes my skin prickle. There are several Erudite members as well as Candor, more than a few factionless, and a smattering of Amity. But what stands out the most, at least to me, is the fact that I'm the only Dauntless member in attendance.

"What in the world is going on here?" I mumble under my breath.

While Ellie still drones on, the chamber doors suddenly open and slam against the distressed wall, making me jump. Every head turns towards the unexpected interruption. A soft gasp involuntarily escapes as my heart sprints in my chest. I guess I was half wishing Tobias to walk through the door, although he would have had to teleport here for that to be true. It's not. Walking beside a tall, attractive, professional-looking man who seems somewhat familiar is the one person in the city I wish I would never ever have to see again, Olivia Nelson. I expect an evil glare or a wicked smirk tossed my direction by the nefarious redhead but she doesn't even acknowledge my presence. What is she doing here? I immediately look toward my father, and I see his concern and something else, pity maybe. I can't wrap my head around what's going on, not at all. What does she have to do with this council meeting?

Kent Nelson gets to his feet and greets his daughter with a quick, warm hug, whispering something in her ear that makes her smile affectionately. I hadn't even noticed him sitting there before. They take their seats just off to my left, and the mystery man joins them. I try to keep my eyes forward, pretending like I'm listening to Ellie, but they keep drifting to the person who nearly succeeded in taking me from my family and this world almost two years ago.

She has her red hair pristinely knotted at the back of her head. Although she's dressed in a rainbow of the various factions, she somehow makes it look stylish, like being factionless is in vogue. She looks well fed, well rested, clean, and dare I say happy. She smiles up at her dad and I seethe. She shouldn't be allowed to be happy. She should be rotting away in some cell for the rest of her life if she's not the crazy ass bitch she appeared to be during those days just before the trials that got her involuntarily committed. She should be suffering for what she did to me, what she helped do to others in Dauntless. I'd like to make her suffer. Apparently reading my mind, Caleb covers my trembling hand with his in the hopes of calming me down. He leans in and puts his mouth against my ear.

"You need to relax, Beatrice," he whispers. "Take a drink of water. Don't let her get to you." He's right. I can't let her see how she still affects me after all this time. She's nothing to me but an insignificant girl who happened to develop a crush on my husband. And tried to kill me. I shake off the disturbing thought. It's not helpful.

I reach out with shaking hands and pour myself a glass of water from the community pitcher in front of me. I take a sip but it does nothing to calm my racing heart or my troubled mind. This niggling little voice in the back of my head keeps repeating, Why is she here? What's this about? She's the reason this damn meeting was called, I just know it. I just don't know how. I put my hands on my growing belly trying to get them to stop shaking. I need Tobias.

Even though I've had no indication of a missed call or a message, I slip my phone from my pocket and discretely check it. I know it's frowned upon to have them out during a meeting but right now I'm worried and confused. As expected, there's nothing from Tobias. Desperate, I send out a mass text to all our friends and Bridget, in case he hasn't left home yet, and ask them to tell him to check his phone as soon as possible, that I need him. Within a minute I get several replies but none from the one person I'm needing most but at least I know our friends will make sure he gets to me.

"Is there something more important on your phone, Tris Prior, or should I say Eaton?" a snarky voice snarls, interrupting my panic. My head springs up and my cheeks automatically flush with embarrassment. Of course it would be Faye Mason who notices my inattention. She's a longtime council member, a Marcus Eaton loyalist, and she doesn't like me very much. She's not a forward thinker like the younger council members. She lives firmly in the past or at least that's how I look at it. I hadn't realized I was staring at the small screen in my hands willing it to ring instead of paying attention. Now everyone's looking at me, even the bitch.

"I apologize to the council and visitors for the interruption. I know phones aren't usually allowed during session but my kids are sick, and the nanny was just updating me about their condition," I say. That's not exactly a lie. "I'll try to be more discreet from now on but I'm worried about them." Also not a lie.

"Understandable," she snidely says. "We'll take frequent breaks so you can call home. Until then, please turn your phone off, put it away, and pay attention." Suddenly I feel like a 2 year old being scolded by their mother. I take one last peek at the dark screen, find nothing new, and then slip my phone into my pocket without turning it off. I feel like sticking my tongue out at the hateful woman. Call me a rebel.

With a nod from Faye, Ellie resumes the account of the last meeting. Did we really go over that much? I guess we must have. Once again, her monotonous tone can't hold my attention, and I find myself dying to pull my phone back out but I can feel not only Faye's beady little eyes on me but Dad's as well. I know I'll get an earful once we recess. It's not like me to disrupt the proceedings.

I slouch in my chair with an aggravated sigh and cross my arms over my chest, my right foot soundlessly tapping the floor. My eyes continuously glance toward the bitch but I'm careful not to let anyone notice. She's cozily sitting between her dad and the mystery man looking like she doesn't have a care in the world.

I can't keep my mind from returning to that day in Dauntless' garage. The bitch was a bag full of crazy. Was she acting then or is she acting now? I don't believe anyone that far gone just gets over it. There's not enough medication or therapy in the city to cure what ailed her. Ellie finally finishes the minutes then turns the meeting back over to my dad. I straighten up and give him my full attention. Somehow I know this is going to be life altering.

"Once again, I would like to thank everyone for being able to make it today on such short notice. I would like to introduce Dr. Owen Paxton." The man sitting next to the bitch gives her hand a quick squeeze then rises. I wonder if anyone else caught that little display or if I'm the only one paying special attention. When he reaches my father's side they shake hands.

"Dr. Paxton is the chief psychiatrist at the city's hospital." It suddenly dawns on me why he looks so familiar. He practices in the same clinic Four and my marriage counselor practices in. As a matter of fact, he sat in on more than one of our sessions with Dr. Shaw. "He has a proposal for the council." Dad's eyes land on mine, and I know what he's about to say is meant specifically for me, which isn't a good sign. "I want everyone to carefully listen to what he has to say. We will open the matter up for discussion after he finishes. He will now address us with his concerns." The doctor steps up to the small dais and tilts the microphone up.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the council and esteemed guests," he says, his deep and gravelly voice echoing around the room. "Like Andrew said, my name is Dr. Owen Paxton. I am the chief psychiatrist here in the city. I grew up in Erudite and transferred to Candor two days after my 16th birthday. I've been practicing psychiatry for the past 19 years. I've worked with patients from each of the factions in my private practice as well as some factionless at the clinic downtown. I'm also in charge of the involuntarily committed cases at the hospital.

"Approximately 12 weeks ago, I petitioned the council to let Olivia Nelson be reinstated as a member of Dauntless."

"What?" I interrupt, jumping to my feet. I'm unable to hold my tongue. "She never was a member of Dauntless." I point at the bitch but keep my eyes on Dr. Paxton. "She didn't make it through initiation."

"Beatrice!" Dad scolds, also on his feet. My head turns towards him. "I asked for you to listen to Dr. Paxton's pitch. You will get a chance to voice your valid concerns when he's finished." Dr. Paxton huffs through the microphone at Dad's statement. I'm thinking the good doctor may not think my concerns are valid.

"But…"

"No buts," Faye hisses. Shit! Her again. "You will not disrupt these proceedings again, or you will be removed and disciplinary actions taken." I shake my head in disbelief. "This is not how a council member acts." She turns to look at my dad, and Caleb pulls me back down into my chair. "You were warned about this, Andrew. Keep her under control." I suddenly feel like slugging her in the mouth. Maybe Dad too. Keep me under control. I fume silently. Caleb puts his arm around me, resting it on the back of my chair. To others I'm sure it looks like he's comforting me but in reality he's keeping me firmly grounded to the chair.

"You can continue Dr. Paxton," Dad says.

"Thank you," he says. "As I was saying, about 12 weeks ago, I approached the council about reinstating Olivia Nelson to Dauntless. I understand how this request might look to some, but I did not reach this conclusion easily." I reach under the table and grab Caleb's free hand. I need the support right now or I know I'll interrupt this hack again.

"For the past decade, I've been documenting the effects factionlessness has on one's mental health." He picks up a thick folder from the podium and holds it up for everyone to see. "This is the summary of my research. I've made an outline that is being passed out right now for all of you to review. If anyone wants to read this, I will make it available to you." He sets the folder back down as a young Abnegation girl hands out the paperwork he mentioned. I mumble a thank you and take the paper. I skim through the data while the doctor continues.

"In short, I've found a disturbing trend in the factionless sector of our city. Factionlessness is detrimental to one's mental health." Duh. You could knock me over with a feather with that statement. It is a punishment after all. "I've found that perfectly functioning adults in a faction have become shells of their former selves once that identity has been stripped away. The factionless suffer from a wide array of mood disorders from major depressive disorder to anxiety disorder. There is a higher rate of self-harm, mood swings, and even breaks with reality. I've found a disturbing trend of low self-esteem leading to widespread drug use and suicide."

"Dr. Paxton, I'm sorry for the interruption," Sophia Rengard, Candor's council representative says. "Could you tell us what this research," she waves the outline in front of her, "has to do with the issue of letting Olivia Nelson back into Dauntless?"

"I will make my intentions clear in a moment," he says.

"All right," she says. "Please continue but remember to stick to the facts of this case."

"I will," he says. "When I first met Olivia nearly two years ago she was suffering from a host of mental health issues. I diagnosed her with antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders. She was having a full-blown break with reality. I understood why she was involuntarily committed to the psychiatric ward. She definitely was a danger to herself and others." Finally, his eyes meet mine. I don't exactly know what I look for but I don't find it. It's like he has zero empathy for me, her victim. Not that I want his compassion. He's the reason the bitch is walking free right now and is wanting back into my faction.

"But after approximately one year of daily intensive group and individual therapy sessions, we or I should say she had an important breakthrough. She was firmly rooted in reality and she started taking responsibility for her thoughts and her actions. After another six months, it was decided by my partners and myself that she no longer posed the danger she once did and no longer needed the daily supervision so she was released from the hospital back into the factionless sector.

"Olivia comes to the hospital for therapy five days a week for both individual and group sessions. I was prepared for her to backslide slightly, going from a monitored living for 18 months to the hapless existence that is forced upon the factionless." A grumble moves across the room and not just by the council but by a lot of the guest too. I look at my colleagues and see a lot of befuddled expressions. I'm glad I'm not the only one wondering where this is going.

"Like I said earlier, I've been compiling data about the correlation between factionlessness and mental health issues for a decade, and I have come to the conclusion that the city utilizes factionlessness too often as a punishment for minor infractions. Sometimes an infraction isn't even necessary. Look at Dauntless' practice of making perfectly able-bodied members factionless just because they get older and a little slower." Most eyes in the room land on me, and Caleb squeezes my hand, hard, to keep me from another outburst. He doesn't really have to though. I partially agree with what the doctor is saying. That's why Tobias is working so hard on the Dauntless 2.0 building. We hate making people needlessly factionless.

"How the factions deal with crimes and infractions within their factions should be of no concern to you," Faye says. "You were told to keep this on point. We are here to discuss Olivia Nelson, not the state of the factionless in our city."

"But the issues are basically one in the same," he says. "Olivia is part of this factionless epidemic. According to all her records from her dependent years she was mentally sound. Even her initiation file doesn't state that she had mental health issues. When she was made factionless is when her mental illnesses developed. I've interviewed numerous other factionless during my research and have found a disturbing trend. I have data supporting my hypothesis. Factionlessness causes mental illness." He holds up his binder again. "A lot of data."

"What does this have to do with letting Olivia Nelson back in Dauntless?" Caleb asks, reading my mind and from the looks of a lot of other council members, theirs. "I'm honestly confused."

Dr. Paxton sighs then literally starts from the beginning. He goes over every single bullet point on his outline in great detail. If I wasn't seething with anger over the probability of having to see the bitch on a daily basis, I would probably fall asleep from sheer boredom. I've never thought much about the mental health of factionless people and I doubt I do again after today. I haven't really given them much consideration even though I fed them on a weekly basis growing up.

If the doctor didn't have all this research, I would think this had everything to do with the bitch but the more he talks, the more I realize he could have asked for any John Doe formerly from Amity to be reinstated. Then why did he pick her? It doesn't make any sense. There has to be dozens if not hundreds of others who fit his criteria who have a less violent background that he could test his hypothesis on. What if he's wrong about her being rehabilitated? What if she's still fixated on Tobias and the kids and I are in her way?

"We are going to take an hour break for lunch," Dad says, bringing me out of my head. I look at the clock over the double doors and can't believe it's as late as it is. I don't wait for the formal release. I immediately spring from my chair and head towards the hallway, fishing my phone out of my pocket. I'm relieved to see a missed call from Tobias but distressed when I realize he didn't leave a message.

"Tris, wait up," Caleb calls out. I stop near the public restrooms and wait as he comes jogging up. "Have you heard from Four?"

"Not yet," I say, "but I'm sure he's on his way. I have to use the restroom. I'll meet you in the cafeteria."

"Let's use Dad's bathroom," he says. "I remember you being caught unaware in the bathroom a couple times. I don't want that to happen again."

"Good idea," I say. He drapes his arm over my shoulder and steers us towards Dad's office.

"So what do you think of the doctor?" he asks.

"I should have recorded him," I say. "I could play it every time Four and I have a problem getting the kids to sleep." He chuckles but doesn't disagree. "I'm worried, Caleb. I don't know why he chose her."

"I was thinking the same thing," he says as we enter Dad's office. I immediately go to the small power room in the corner. I quickly wash my hands then sit behind Dad's desk and wait for Caleb to finish.

"He could have chosen anyone," I say when he steps through the door, drying his hands on some paper towels.

"I was thinking the same thing. We''ll have to ask him about his motives this afternoon," he says.

"I hope they're pure and this isn't the start of something."

"Me, too. For all our sakes," he says. "Let's get some food. You must be ravenous because I'm starving."

"I'm not really hungry," I say.

"You should eat," he says. "Come on, little sister. Let me feed you."

"Has anyone told you that you're crazy?" I ask with a little chuckle.

"No. Never," he says, draping his arm over my shoulder. "Come on."

"Beatrice, can I talk to you?" Dad asks just outside the cafeteria. I shake my head.

"Not yet," I say, barely holding on to my temper. "I'm still trying to process this. You could have said something. You should have said something. Four called last night. I didn't have to be blindsided this morning."

"I couldn't say anything, not without compromising myself," he says. "Given time, you'll know I did the right thing."

"I don't want her anywhere near my husband, my children, and me," I say, my voice raising as my anger does.

"Beatrice, please!" Dad pleads.

"What's going on here?" I whip around.

"Tobias!" I throw my arms around him, unable to hide my happiness at seeing him. I inhale deeply, breathing him in. I instantly calm, feeling home.

"Somebody want to tell me what the hell is going on here?" he asks again, more forcefully this time. "Tris, I could hear you the moment I came in the building."

"Guys, you need to take this to a more private setting," Caleb says. I release Tobias and see that we have attracted quite a crowd.

"Let's go outside and talk," I suggest.

"No," Tobias says. "It's entirely too hot out there. Andrew, can we use your office?"

"Of course," he says. "Beatrice, honey, wait." I shake my head.

"No," I spit. "I have nothing to say to you right now. Four is finally here, and I need to talk to him. You need to leave me alone."

"Love?" Tobias questions, obviously confused.

"You'll understand once I've explained," I say then I look at my dad.

"I can't believe you would keep something so important to yourself for so long," I say. "You know this personally impacts me, Four, and our kids. Your grandchildren."

"Take Four to Dad's office," Caleb says. "I'll grab you both a plate and bring it to you."

"I said I'm not hungry," I say.

"You need to eat something. If not for yourself, for the twins," Tobias says.

"Okay," I say. Tobias puts his hand on the small of my back and guides me down the hallway towards my dad's office. He opens the door and ushers me inside.

"Come here, love," he says, wrapping me in his embrace. "I'm sorry it took me so long to get here. What a day to have a walking tour of the new building. The cell service is still spotty. I left as soon as James tracked me down." I feel his lips in my hair and I practically melt into him. "I don't think I've ever seen you quite this upset before."

"Dad lied to you last night," I say. I kiss his chest then step back. I take a seat in one of Dad's office chairs and motion for Tobias to take the other. "He knew what this meeting was about. He's known for a few month."

"What's it about?"

"You won't believe this," I say then I launch into the story of Dr. Paxton petitioning the council to let the bitch back into Dauntless.

"That will never happen," he forcefully says. "I won't allow it. She tried to kill you."

"I would never say this to another living soul but the doctor has really researched his position and some of his thoughts make sense. He even brought up the fact that he disagrees with us making older Dauntless members factionless. He used some of the same arguments I used when fighting for the new building."

"Okay," he says then sighs. "I wish I had the outline to review."

"Maybe Dad has a copy," I say. I get up and move to his desk, which is uncharacteristically messy. I shuffle the papers around, only skimming the titles when a memo catches my attention. I pull it out and go over it line by line, twice.

"What's that?" he asks.

"It's about the meeting," I say. "He's been fighting for us all along just like he said." I hand the paper to Tobias who takes in the information.

"Hhm."

"I'm still angry with him," I say. "He should have warned me. Neither of us would have said anything."

'Love, I know you. You couldn't sleep last night because of the stress of this meeting," he says. "What would it have been like if he gave you this news when Dr. Paxton first approached the council? You'd be a raving lunatic by now, and we both know it."

"I kind of already was," I sheepishly say. "They threatened to kick me out and discipline me, which I don't want. I want to know why he chose the bitch. Why didn't he chose some random guy from Amity. My concern is why her."

"That's a good question and one I intend to get the answer to," he says. "I can't imagine that the council would grant his request. She never made it through initiation."

"I already pointed that out," I say. "Obviously since this meeting was called they are overlooking that minor point." A knock on the door interrupts my rant and Caleb sticks his head in the door.

"Ready for lunch?" he asks. "I gave you some extra time but there's only 30 minutes left of our break."

"Yeah, come in," I say. "Since I've talked things over with Four I'm feeling hungry now. Thanks for getting this for us."

"You're welcome," he says. He hands each of us a plate filled with simple Abnegation fare.

"Hey, take a look at this," I say, holding out the memo. He takes it and reads it over, surprise lighting his eyes.

"He was telling the truth," he says. "Now I owe him an apology."

"I probably do too but I'm not ready for that," I say.

"Yeah, his betrayal still stings," Caleb says. "But this puts it in a new light. He really was pushing for this whole situation to just go away."

"Would you like to speak to him now or would you rather wait until the final decision is made?" Tobias asks. I look at Caleb and realize we both want to talk to him now. "I'll go get him."

"No, let me," Caleb says. "You keep eating. I'll go. Be right back." We're quiet as we wait for Dad and Caleb to return. I don't know if Tobias is giving me space to think or if we're just too hungry to do anything but eat. I hate having mixed emotions like this. It's disconcerting. It doesn't help that the pregnancy hormones are still messing with my emotions making me either oversensitive or quick to anger. A light rap on the door grabs both our attention and I get up and stand by Tobias.

"Caleb said you wanted to see me," Dad slowly says, revealing a timidness I've never seen in him before. It's obvious that Caleb didn't say what this impromptu meeting was about.

"Beatrice, you wanted to see me," Dad says.

"Caleb and I wanted to speak to you," I say.

"I'll step out into the hallway," Tobias says, getting up from his chair.

"You don't have to go," I say.

"This is really between the three of you," he says. "I'll be right outside if you need me." He gives me a quick soft kiss then caresses my cheek before heading outside.

"Beatrice, Caleb, I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you," he quietly says, not waiting for either of us to speak first. "I hope you know that."

"We know that," Caleb says.

"I was looking through some of the paperwork on your desk hoping you had a copy of Dr. Paxton's outline so Four could read it," I start. "I found this instead." I point at the memo. Dad knows what it is with just a glance.

"You really shouldn't have been going through my things," he says.

"I only skimmed the titles. I know that some of this might be confidential but, honestly, I was just looking for the outline."

"I believe you," he says.

"What we called you in here for was to apologize," Caleb says. "I'm sorry for how I spoke to you earlier. It was rude and there was no excuse. I hope you can forgive me."

"Don't think anything of it," Dad selflessly says, shaking Caleb's proffered hand.

"I'm sorry, too, Dad, for not believing you."

"I never ever wanted you to find out about Dr. Paxton's absurd request. I know what that woman did to you. I tried to quash it immediately but some of the other council members found his research intriguing. We've have numerous meetings, and I thought the vote to strike down this crazy notion would go my way but, obviously, it progressed to the next stage. I'm so sorry. Maybe I should have said something to you but I was threatened with my job. Technically, this is a conflict of interest for me. For both of you as well. I thought about recusing myself but then I thought better of it. I can't protect you if I'm not sitting on the council."

"I understand that now," I say. "Four helped me realize that it would have driven me crazy to know what he wants to do. But I have to be honest, I didn't like being blindsided when I came in this morning, I'm still not happy but I do realize that it was for the best.

"Can you tell me something? Why her?" I ask, hoping he can give me insight. "Has that question ever been asked? She tried to kill me so I know I'm biased but you would think that someone with a less violent background would be a better candidate."

"We have discussed that at length," Dad says. "Dr. Paxton thinks Olivia is the perfect candidate to prove his research thesis. According to her medical records, some that even came from her time in Dauntless, she had zero signs of mental illness until she was made factionless, and then she had a total breakdown. He theorizes that she wouldn't have become violent if it weren't for her interaction with Molly and Drew. He swears she is no longer a danger to anyone. If he can successfully integrate her back into Dauntless, he has a strong case to put any person who was made factionless and develops psychiatric issues back into a faction." Dad looks at the clock on the wall and pinches the bridge of his nose. "We better get going. Our hour is almost up."

"Okay," I say. "I really am sorry." He pulls me into a tight hug.

"It's okay, Beatrice," he says. "I knew that eventually you would come to accept what I did. I can't say I thought it would be this soon but I'm not going to argue. Your mother, you, your brother, and our grandchildren are my world. I will do anything within my power to keep all of you safe. I love you."

"I love you, too, Dad."

"We best get going," he says. "We have a fight on our hands this afternoon."