A/N Sorry again about the late update but so much has been happening and I haven't had the time. I'm starting school in two days so the updates could take a long time with it being an exam year, but I will finish this.

Chapter twenty-four

Tris' POV

I was still pretty pissed at Four for our fight this morning, but I had to push it to the side and focus on operation get Hana and my dad together. Zeke and I had spent ages planning out what we were going to do. We were going to casually slip in the fact that the Bears are playing and watch the romance blossom between them as they yelled at a tv together.

My dad pulled up at their house around twelve and I hopped out and tackled Zeke and Uriah. They both yelled and we started fighting while our parents chatted. Caleb had decided not to come because 'He'd rather not spend time with those hellions'. God, he's so obnoxious.

"Is our plan still in effect?"

"If you mean I've been saying nice things about your dad all morning and pointing out the fact that he's painfully single then yes, the plan is in effect."

"Perfect. I haven't shut up about your mom either so hopefully this works."

"Let's go set up some hopelessly single people," he said taking my hand and dragging me inside. Shauna was inside watching the game and waved when we came in and kissed Zeke on the cheek.

"Aww, aren't you two the cutest," I said grinning as Uriah made gagging gestures behind their backs. I stifled my laughter as Zeke grinned and went on about how amazing the two of them were. Shauna caught on quickly though and turned around and started hitting Uriah playfully. Uriah shrieked and ran to take cover behind me.

"Shauna give the kid a break. He wouldn't know romance if it was staring him in the face. Which it is."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Uri said looking genuinely confused.

"See what I mean? Clueless."

"What am I missing here? Who are you on about?"

"That's for us to know and you to figure out," Zeke said grinning.

We all headed to the kitchen where the parents were and put phase one of our plan into action. Uriah and Shauna offered to go outside and start the burgers while Hana relaxed so we could get the two of them talking. Then Zeke and I would make them talk about stuff they liked and when they realised, they had a lot in common, boom. A date. Next thing you know they'll be honey mooning in the Caribbean.

"Hey dad. Did you hear that the Bears are playing the Packers today?"

"I did. I can't wait to see them wipe the floor with them."

"Oh, so you like football Andrew?"

"Like it! Love it more like. What about you Hana? You know anything?"

"I know a thing or two," she said grinning as they walked into the living room to watch the game. Zeke and I high fived and ran outside to the baby monitor we had out there. The other one was in the living room so we could hear everything they said.

We brought it over to Shauna and Uriah and listened while we cooked the food. Everything was going great and they seemed to like each other. They were both just as crazy about football and Hana found it hilarious how bad my dad was at cooking.

Everything was going smoothly until Hana said she was coming out to check on us. We quickly turned off the baby monitor and shoved it up Zeke's shirt and started talking about the first thing that came to mind.

"So, I heard swordfish are actually monkeys," Uriah blurted out right as Hana walked outside. We all looked at him in confusion before bursting out laughing. He just shrugged his shoulders and laughed as well while Hana shook her head and walked back inside. When we calmed down, we turned the monitor back on and listened until we had cooked all the food.

Then Zeke and Uriah raced inside to tell them the food was ready while Shauna and I set the table. We grinned as they walked back out, nudging each other when Hana wasn't looking. Hana apologised then for not making the food saying that she got caught up in the game, but we just grinned and said we were happy to do it. Because she didn't know that had been our plan all along.

We talked about the game as we ate and Zeke and Uriah didn't shut up for a second, even when they had food in their mouths. It was hilarious but Hana kept giving out to them for it. Uriah eventually gained some manners and swallowed before talking. Sadly, it was too late for Zeke.

"So how long are you staying for Mr Prior?" Shauna asked after a while.

"Until Thursday. I missed Beatrice and Caleb and couldn't wait until Thanksgiving. My job is pretty time consuming, but I love it so it's almost worth it."

"You should come here for Thanksgiving with Tris and Caleb, Mr Prior. We'd love the company, wouldn't we mom?" Zeke said giving his mom his famous puppy dog eyes. They could get him anything he wanted.

"I don't see why not, so long as it's okay with them."

"Yes!" Zeke said and high fived me. Phase two of our plan was in action. At this rate they'd be married by Christmas. Our mission was a success.

The rest of the day passed by without a hitch and we left late that evening, with my dad looking a lot happier than when he came.

. . .

School today was painful. Firstly, I had to deal with Tobias giving me puppy eyes all the way through English. Then I had to deal with Christina's pestering about what was bothering me and as if that weren't enough our P.E. teacher made me help Tobias. Watching him mess up just made me smile which I really didn't want him to see. And finally, Zeke cornered me to talk about Tobias and I during lunch.

"What?" I asked as soon as he closed the door to the empty classroom.

"We need to talk about what happened between you two."

"Why? Can't you just leave me deal with it?"

"No. You're terrible at dealing with things on your own. Tell me what happened, and I'll tell you my opinion on what you should do. Ok?"

"Fine! You know about his dad, right?" He nodded so I continued. "Well his dad also owns a drug business on the dodgy side of town and is employing Factionless students to help him. Four knew he was doing something, but he didn't find out until last night when he decided to follow him."

"Ok, hold up. So why are you mad?"

"Because he left in the middle of the night without telling me. He said he'd stay and when I woke up, he was gone. You have no idea how I scared I was for him. I thought his dad had checked his room or something and Tobias went over there, and he hurt him. I actually went over to make sure he wasn't there. And then he came back, and I guess I was angry that he made me worry."

"I get that, I do. But if you were Shauna and I was in that situation there is no way in hell I would tell you. Because I'd want to keep you safe. And I think he needed to do this for him."

"What do you mean Zeke?"

"Well if you spent, your whole life getting beaten wouldn't you think there's something wrong with you. That you're not worthy of being loved and that's the reason the person who's supposed to love you most is hurting you. And then, imagine finding out that they were the one with something wrong with them all along. He needed to confirm what you and I had been telling him all along but wanted you to be safe as well."

I felt cold all over. Did Tobias really think that about himself? He'd say something every now and then, but I'd always convince him that he was amazing. Why wouldn't he say anything to me? He knows I love him and that he's the bravest and most selfless and loyal person I know.

"Hello? Earth to Tris. You all right there?"

"What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. I just didn't know he felt that way. Did he say that stuff to you?"

Zeke got a haunted look in his eyes as he nodded, looking as if he were a thousand miles away. "One time. We were hanging out and he was a little tipsy. I asked him how things were at home and it was like all his barriers dropped. He spoke about all his doubts about himself and thinking he wasn't good enough. He even told me he had thought about killing himself just to have a way out. There were tears in his eyes, but he wouldn't cry. He held it in even then, because of that bastard. But then," Zeke looked up and a small smile flitted across his face, "He said that you were the only thing keeping the doubt from consuming him. He said you saw him in a way no-one else did and it made him feel like he was someone worthy of being alive. I've never seen him so broken," he said, his voice cracking as he held in the tears.

I rushed over and hugged him tightly, letting my own tears spill out until we were both a sobbing mess. Zeke clutched my arms as if they were the only thing holding him to the earth and I grasped him with the same force. Because we were the only thing holding the other together.

. . .

When we were able to pull ourselves together, I promised Zeke that I would talk to him. We both made our way back to the others, slowly making jokes and laughing. We were still pretty shook, but we hid it well. We always had.

The others barely noticed as we sat down, and Christina launched back into her story about some psycho who she helped put in prison. Apparently, she got a reward and she was putting the money towards college. I barely listened because I couldn't help but keep glancing at Tobias. I can't believe he had almost ended it all because of his asshole of a father.

He hadn't shown any signs but maybe I just hadn't been paying enough attention. I couldn't wait for school to be over so I could talk with him about it. I asked Lynn if she could cover for me for a half hour because I had something to do. She said she'd come up with an excuse and annoy our boss a bit, so he forgot about me.

I made my way towards Spanish and managed to smile in Tobias' direction before I became overcome with guilt. I was so caught up in myself that I didn't notice what was going on with him. I sat next to Christina because I couldn't face him just yet. I kept going over what I was going to say in my head and missed half of the class. No wonder I was barely passing it.

Maths was better because I could actually understand the teacher so focusing was easier. We got a tonne of homework and I groaned internally at the thought of having to stay up and do it. Then my day got even shittier when Tori made us run extra laps because people 'weren't trying'. I was soaked in sweat and dying by the end of it. Will and I leaned on each other as we made our way to the locker rooms.

"You'd swear we were eighty-year olds the way we're acting," he said laughing.

"Yeah well maybe if you had tried running faster our legs wouldn't feel like jelly!"

"Our legs? I'm as fit as a fucking fiddle!"

"Oh really? Then let go."

"W-what?"

"If you're so tough, then let go and walk on your own."

"Ah but I couldn't do that to you Tris. You'd fall over."

"Shut up dumbass," I replied grinning at him as we separated and fell towards the walls. I leaned against it all the way into the locker room and sat down for a good five minutes before changing quickly and heading out to the car. Dad had forced Caleb to lend it to me for a couple days seeing as Caleb was doing some work experience for a week.

I drove to the far side of town as fast as possible and climbed the crumbling stairs. He wasn't here yet, so I sat down to wait. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the spray paints he got me and smiled before grabbing them. I thought for a minute before I began painting. I picked reds and blacks and blues and sprayed half the wall. I poured all my worries and fears into the painting, about Tobias, Peter, Caleb, my dad, and everything else. When I was done, I turned around and saw Tobias standing there, staring at the image.

I stared into his deep blue eyes, looking for some sign of the hurt and pain Zeke spoke of but even at his most vulnerable he hid it from me. I felt sad that he didn't trust me with that part of himself even after knowing each other for so long. It was then I realised how long I had been staring.

"Hi," I whispered, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had been growing between us.

"Hi."

"Um…" I said, wondering how to start the conversation. It had never been this awkward between us, no matter how pissed we were.

"Yeah, you wanted to talk?" he asked, silently encouraging me. I gave him a weak smile before telling him everything.

"I-I understand now why you did what you did. Zeke really gave me some perspective on the situation. I was so focused on my own feelings that I didn't even consider yours. I'm so sorry, I was so caught up in myself. I should have been more supportive."

He stared in shock as I reached out and grasped his hand in mine. He looked down at our clasped hands in wonder before pulling me in for a bone crushing hug. But I didn't mind one bit.

"I'm sorry for not saying anything. I wanted to see it for myself, make sure it was real and deal with it my own way. I didn't want you involved in my problems, but I also was so used to my problems being just my problems, not our problems."

"You don't have to apologise. I was being a dumbass and insensitive and horrible and selfish and-" I was about to go on but he cut me off with a kiss. I pulled him closer, missing him even though it had only been three days. I pulled away and gazed up at him, searching for something in his face I doubt I will ever find.

"Please don't ever leave me," I whispered and buried my head in his chest. He stiffened but it was barely noticeable. It was only the fact that I was pressed right up against him that I noticed.

"Why would you think I would leave you?"

"Just please don't," I said before stepping back. I picked up my bag and smiled at him. "I'm sorry again but I have to go to work or else Lynn will murder me tomorrow."

"Ok. I'll see you tomorrow," he said with a smile. I left happy but I couldn't shake the feeling that his smile wasn't as genuine as I always thought.

. . .

Lynn glared at me as I slipped in the back door that she left open for me. I put a finger to my lips as I slipped on the visor and apron and started rolling out the dough. When our boss went out to the front to deal with an annoying customer, she leaned over to give out to me.

"Dude what took you so long. He almost noticed so I tripped Tony so he would have to deal with that instead."

"I'm sorry, I didn't think it would take so long."

"So, what was this mysterious activity that took a half hour longer than I bargained for?"

"I had to get this special ice cream that's only sold in this weird corner store on the other side of town that closes at six. I wouldn't have made it after work and my dad made me promise to get it. It smells like eggs and old fish. I'm pretty sure that's the flavour as well."

"Ew. No offence but your dad is weird."

"Yeah, he is. I actually kind of wish he would just not eat it, but he says that it's better than pizza so there's no way I can convince him not to eat it."

"Poor you. My dad just eats whatever's there. Except curry, pineapple, and garlic. He refuses to eat them," she said laughing as we put the pizzas in the oven.

"But curry is amazing!"

"I know! We think he had a traumatic experience like someone dropped a pineapple in his curry."

I burst out laughing but stifled it when our boss looked over at us. He tolerated talking but he had a thing about laughing. Specifically making you stay an hour longer if he caught you doing it. We're all kind of scared of him. One time he hung someone upside down for getting an order wrong five times in two weeks.

"Tris! Lynn! Get back to work!" he yelled before storming over to yell at Tony again. We shut up for a while and made about fifty pizzas. For some reason no-one wants to make dinner on Mondays. Fridays either but that's my day off. I had just put a pepperoni pizza in the oven when Lynn and I were told that the delivery person had gone home sick, so we had to fill in. Lynn grinned and snatched the keys out of their hand while I grabbed the pizzas.

We headed out to the car and drove along. I couldn't help but feel a little nervous about this after the last time I was on delivery. Lynn thankfully, let me drive so she would be going up to the houses. I drove along and the whole thing went really well. Until I saw the last address on the list they sent on. I froze in the seat and didn't even notice I was shaking until I tried to turn the key.

"Hey," Lynn said and put her hand on my shoulder. "Are you ok?"

"It's his house," I whispered.

She swore and whacked the car. I had stopped shaking but I couldn't make myself drive to his house. Lynn grabbed my hand then and I realised she had been talking to me.

"Look, I'll drive there and give them the pizza. You stay here and then we can leave. Ok?"

I nodded my head, so we swapped seats and drove there. Lynn looked furious as she got out and walked up to the door. I prayed that his dad opened it but sadly it was him. Without missing a beat Lynn opened the box and threw the pizza at him, took the money from his hand, and yelled something at him. She stormed back to the car and we drove off in silence while she fumed.

"What did you say to him?" I asked after a few blocks.

"I told him that he was a fucking asshole and told him to never order pizza from us again."

"Wow. Thanks Lynn, for doing that."

"No problem Tris. I hate him too, so it was fairly easy."

"Well thank god you hate him, for a minute there I thought you might actually tolerate him," I joked, relaxing the further we got away from him.

Lynn laughed and we kept talking about lighter topics as we made our way back to collect more pizzas. Yay.

We hopped out and grabbed like fifty pizzas. Apparently, there was a huge party and all these pizzas were for them. Talk about overkill. It took five trips for the two of us to carry them in. It's a miracle we didn't drop them with the amount of small kids rushing around the place. We managed to get out of there without dying but were also somehow roped into coming to this kid's birthday in a month and I don't remember agreeing to it.

"Seriously, how did you agree to that?"

"I don't know. I just heard them say 'Great see you at Sarah's birthday in a month and then they shut the door."

"Dude, you know I'm not coming with you."

"Please? You can't just leave me on my own with them. Maybe they'll forget about me and I just won't go."

"I like that plan."

"Who's going to remember they invited a random pizza delivery girl to a party?"

"Yeah, we're good."

We were back at that point, so we parked the car grabbed our stuff and headed home. I pulled into the drive and dragged myself out of the car, emotionally and physically drained. I grabbed my bag and made my way inside. I walked into the kitchen and stopped in my tracks when I saw my dad and Caleb sitting at the table, as if they had been waiting for me.

"Sit down Beatrice," my dad said seriously. I slipped into a seat across from them and looked between the two of them, trying to figure out what was going on. When neither of them said anything after a couple minutes I lost my patience.

"Well?"

"Caleb told me something interesting today while you were at work."

"Ok and?"

"He told me about what happened with this Peter guy."

The blood drained from my face and I felt cold all over as I realised what Caleb had done. I couldn't find the words to explain to my dad why I hadn't said anything but even if I could, I wouldn't have been able to get past the lump in my throat.

"Beatrice," he whispered, reaching for my hand. "What happened?"

As soon as the words were out of his mouth the floodgates opened. I told him everything, how he dragged me upstairs, how Four saved me and how I didn't say anything because I didn't want to worry him.

When I finished my dad came around to me and hugged me while Caleb just sat there awkwardly. "I can't believe you kept that from me. Are you ok? You know you can trust me, right?"

I nodded before leaning my head against his chest. He stroked my hair before asking the question I had been dreading. "When did this happen?"

"A month ago," I whispered.

"A month! Do you not trust me at all?"

"I do Dad! It's just every time you picked up the phone you sounded so happy and I didn't want to ruin that, so I just said nothing. It was hard, I didn't know how to start or what to say."

"Ok sweetie, I understand. Do you want to take this to court or tell the police?"

"No. I just want to leave it be. He transferred schools and it happened a month ago. I just want to forget about it."

"Alright. But if you ever change your mind, just tell me and we'll drive right down to that police station."

"Ok Dad."

"Now do you want something to eat or do you want to talk about anything else?"

"I just want to go to bed."

"Ok. Goodnight Beatrice."

"Night Dad," I said and headed upstairs. I was just about to go into my room when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I spun around to see Caleb standing there and waited for him to say something.

"What?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were ok."

"You haven't cared for years now. Why bother caring at this point?"

"I always cared Tris."

"Oh really. So, you stopped talking to me because you cared. You hung out with my ex because you cared. You were still friends with him after you found out he tried to rape me. And you have the audacity to say you cared. Fuck you Caleb."

I turned to walk away but he grabbed my hand and spun me back towards him. I was about to yank my hand out of his grasp when I saw the tears in his eyes. The look in his eyes was on of pure hurt and despair. I hadn't seen him this vulnerable in years.

"I didn't talk to you because after mom died, I thought if I wasn't close to anyone, I couldn't feel that kind of hurt again. I always watched out for you and cared but from a distance. Because if I got attached you would leave me too. That's why I was friends with Peter; I hated him, but I wouldn't get hurt if we stopped hanging out. But I was never friends with him after I found out what he did to you. I gave him a black eye over it. I'm so sorry for the way I treated you Tris, I just didn't know what to do."

"I stood there, in shock at what he had said. This was the Caleb I had mourned, the one who disappeared when our mom died. I felt the tears trickle down my face as I threw my arms around him and sobbed. We stayed like that for a while, making up for all the years of silence. I eventually pulled away and wiped my face.

"Look, I love you, but I can't forgive you that easily. You're going to have to work to gain my trust back, ok?"

"Whatever it takes. I'm done being afraid."

"Me too," I said as I walked into the room, knowing I had my brother back.