Hey readers, here is the next chapter. Thank you to everyone who continues to support this story through your various ways. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I don't own Divergent. I only own the plot, any military-related mistakes are mine. Just a friendly reminder, I have taken some liberties in regards to the military to make some things more interesting for this story. Happy Reading!

I know this chapter wasn't posted as it was originally scheduled, but to my guests who were worried about me giving up on this story, please don't. I'm not giving up on this story. The rest of this second story and the third installment are entirely written. I just need to finish editing them. The reason I didn't update as promised is because I was interviewed and quickly hired into a new job. This new job has longer hours than my other two jobs did, and I have a pretty long commute from my house, but don't worry this story will continue to be publish on here for those of you who wish to continue reading it.

Chapter 34: Mystery Man

Walking to find Tobias, my palms are sweaty and my heart is pounding in my chest. The thoughts of how every scenario and every possible conversation with him could go today, rapidly flood my mind. I feel like I'm having a heart attack from all this anxiety! Tobias has been home for more than a week; in that time, we have barely spoken more than two words to one another and barely touched since the day he showed up on the porch.

Today, that's going to change, whether he wants it to or not. He needs to speak to me. I'm tired of being left in the dark, and I'm sick of feeling unloved and unwanted by him. I'm tired of being treated the way I am by a guy who is supposed to be my husband but isn't acting like it. I know Christina mentioned, in one of our many conversations, the possibility of promotion stuff bothering him or dealing with coming down from a heightened sense of danger when deployed, but I'm still his wife. I'm here to help shoulder his burdens, even if he doesn't want to speak about it or doesn't want me to know what happened in Syria.

A man in a solid blue Coast Guard uniform catches my eye. I blink and recognition dawns on me. Sam. He shyly glances at me while I'm attempting to locate the track for the running portion of PT. Sam asks, "Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Pushing my hair behind my ears, I tease, "Wouldn't you like to know? What are you doing slumming it on the Air Force base? Did you get lost? Don't you belong on your Navy base or the air station? Isn't that where the Coast Guard is?" Sam's cheeks turn red at my teasing. He grins, "Perhaps, but, lately, I seem to be slumming this awful base because of you," his shoulder bumps mine, continuing, "I was actually leaving. I'm on an errand. Where's your partner in crime?" His eyes dart around, searching for Christina.

I sigh, "Will stole her for the afternoon. Do you know where the field is? I have already looked in the gym and the pool. Tobias isn't there. The guy behind the desk said to try the track. He must be running today, motivating people, as he does so well." My eyes float to my sandals, unable to look at Sam, who erupts into laughter, asking, "Why did you check the pool? The Air Force doesn't use a pool for PT. That's the Navy and the Coast Guard, silly; wrong branches." Sam's eyes dart toward the sliding glass doors of the gym, continuing, "Wait, this place has a pool? I bet this one is better than the one at my base." My cheeks heat from the embarrassment of not knowing what Tobias does for PT even though I had to play airman for several weeks as punishment, thanks to Captain Asshat in Maryland. Sam's shoulder touching mine brings me out of my thoughts of the past. I shrug my shoulders, "I don't know. The pool was next to the gym area, and I wanted to check everywhere. One of the guys at the front desk told me to check there."

Sam smiles, "That guy was sending you on a wild goose chase if he believes the Air Force uses the pool for PT. Did you tell him you were looking for Four or Air Force PT?" I shrug my shoulders once again while answering, "I believe so. I knew I was in the wrong place when I saw a bunch of buff guys in swim trunks." Sam lifts an eyebrow, lowering his voice, "Did it bring back any memories for you like that time in high school when I. . ." I place three fingers over Sam's pink chapped lips. He smirks. I change the subject, replying, "Perhaps. Wait, you have to swim for PT? That must suck!"

Sam pulls my fingers from his lips, dropping my fingers midair, answering, "Not all the time, only when it's cold, or when I don't feel like running. It helps to keep me in shape. I don't mind it that much. Plus, you know, I liked swimming in high school and college since I was on their teams. PT swimming isn't bad. It gets me away from everything, and I can be in my head. I don't have to listen to anyone, but don't tell anyone I confessed any of that. If you do, I will deny it until the day I die. I hate PT swimming! It's the worst!" A giggle escapes my mouth at his eye roll at the end of his dramatic statement. I whisper, "Don't worry. I won't. Scout's honor. Do you happen to know where I can find Tobias?" Sam smirks, "I might." Placing my hands on my hips, I wait for him to continue. When he doesn't, I begin to tap my foot impatiently. He lifts an eyebrow, saying, "You might find the running track straight ahead, down the road, to the left. You won't miss it. Do you mind if I walk with you? I'm going that way myself."

I smile, "Sure." Sam's shoulder bumps mine once again while we quietly begin to walk. He asks, "How have things been since Four has been home?" My eyes stay glued to the pavement. I answer, "I don't know. He is different, and he won't talk to me much." Sam glances from the corner of his light blue eyes, replying, "Give him some time. He will come around eventually. It always takes some time to readjust back to regular military life after being deployed. Trust me. I've deployed enough to know. I heard through the grapevine that Four got promoted to Major. That's awesome and quite an accomplishment in itself." A smile tugs at my lips, "Yes, I'm happy for him, but he will always be Tobias to me." Sam laughs, "Well, don't let it go to his head. I know promotion time can be a busy time." Suddenly, Sam stops walking, and he points at a field, grinning, "Right there is the field. I'll see you around."

Wrapping an arm around him, I smile, "Bye, Sam. Thanks for the company on the walk." Sam nods his head and continues to walk down the road. I sit down on the grassy hillside, watching a group of men run around the track. I attempt to make myself comfortable, but I can't. I'm nervous as hell! From where I'm sitting, I attempt to make Tobias out from the group. I try to spot his yellow and orange running sneakers. A smile tugs at my lips while I watch him outpace the others. My eyes draw to another man who looks like Zeke from a distance, hot on his heels, yelling, taunting, "You better run faster than that Major before I catch you!"

Tobias's head darts behind him, shouting, "You'll never catch me!" He slows down, crossing a mysterious finish line. Tobias taunts, laughing, "You lost again, Zekey Bear! You owe me!" Zeke pushes him while he points in my direction. Tobias's head snaps toward me. Suddenly, I feel his eyes on me. I attempt to smile, to be brave, but the butterflies are back in my stomach. I haven't felt butterflies this harsh in a long time! I don't get butterflies like this whenever I'm with Chris, Will, or Sam. Tobias saunters over while I stand, brushing the grass from my bottom. We meet like magnets at the wooden posts that separate the field from the rest of the area. An infectious smile tugs at his beautiful lips. He greets, "Tris, what are you doing here?"

Meeting his eyes, I smile, "Waiting for you. Can we talk?" The butterflies move into my throat while I watch him, watch me. He glances behind him, replying, Sure, I'm done for the day, anyways. I'll meet you back here in a minute. I need to speak to my commander momentarily." I smile, "I'll be here waiting for you," at his retreating form.

Taking a deep breath and shutting my eyes, I go over my mantra in my head: talking with Tobias won't be as bad as I'm making it out to be. I'm over-reacting to the situation. He needed time to decompress from his time overseas, as Chris and Sam stated. He seemed normal right now when we spoke.

A male voice behind interrupts my inner thoughts, shouting, "Tris!" Before I realize it, I'm being picked up into strong arms and spun around. I squeal, "Zeke! It's so good to see you! Life was too dull without you while you were gone!" He smirks, "I'm glad life was dull. I feel like Shauna is ready to ship me off again." I roll my eyes, "No way, you only got back a little over a week ago. I'm sure she isn't ready to get rid of you yet. I know, I'm not ready for Tobias to leave again." Zeke wiggles his eyebrows, grinning, "Yeah, but you two are basically newlyweds." I roll my eyes at him once again. Zeke glances at his watch, declaring, "Speaking of which, I need get going, I have husband and daddy duties to do. Shauna wants help re-painting the nursery for the tenth time this week. I can't believe I'm going to be a daddy soon."

I giggle, "She looks ready to pop any day now." But before I can say anymore, another male voice, one I don't recognize, interrupts, "Well, aren't you cute, Pedred, picking out nursery colors with the wife. Are you sure the baby is even yours?" Glancing at the man, I reply, "I think Zeke is going to be a great dad!" The athletically built man with black short-cropped hair and brown eyes stands across from Zeke and I. His left arm's skin has black and grey ink. The man's eyes snap toward me. His eyes make contact with mine, and I narrow my eyes, shooting him a glance to mind his own business. His eyes quickly dart back to Zeke. This man makes me feel uncomfortable, and I have never met him before, yet, his judgemental eyes lock on me every time I speak. Telepathically, I try to send Tobias signals to hurry up, but he is slowly making his way off the field, talking with a blonde-haired man who looks too familiar. Zeke rolls his eyes, snapping, "Shut up! Of course, I'm the father! My daughter will look just like me!"

The man laughs, "Poor kid." I feel the man's eyes on me once again. I ask, "Do you have a problem?" When Tobias draws closer, he places his arms from behind around my waist. His lips lightly press against my hair. It's the most affection he has shown me since the day I opened the door to find him standing on the porch. "No," the man says sharply. Tobias pulls me into his chest, not paying attention to the banter between Zeke and the mystery man. The blonde man comes into view, and everything clicks into place, "Stephen! Where have you been? I believe Mattie and you promised me a play date the last time I saw you at the park?" Stephen's cheeks tinge pink, answering, "Sorry, we have been sort of busy lately with Mark getting an early transfer to Langley."

Winking at him, I grin, "Well, make sure you tell Mattie I didn't forget about our playdate. I miss her, and I can't wait to meet Mark. I have heard enough about your man after all these months. I can't wait to find out what he's like in person. He is certainly a mystery man." Stephen's cheeks turn a bright shade of pink. Stephen grabs my hand, spinning me toward the obnoxious, odd tattooed man with black hair. The man smiles, "You must be Tris. I have heard a lot about you from both Stephen and our daughter, Mattie. I'm Mark." The man thrusts his hand into the air. Hesitantly, I take it, unsure if I should trust him or not. Tobias moves beside me while I awkwardly smile, "Nice to meet you, finally."

Mark crosses his arms over his chest, a hint of a smile plays across his lips, "I served with Four several times overseas, and I must say, this time he was unbearable. He wouldn't shut up about how he couldn't wait to get back home to his wife. Sorry for the awkwardness earlier. I have issues trusting new people, especially ones I have never seen around the base before. This last deployment was hell for me." Stephen reassuringly says, "Yeah, but you are home now." He brushes the back of his hand against Mark's, murmuring, "You are safe now." Mark touches his shoulder with Stephen's. Their eyes meet momentarily. Mark takes Stephen's hand confidently, a smile falls across his lips, whispering, "I'm glad to be home with you and Mattie. You always help me to remember I'm safe." When Mark's eyes fall on me, I ask, "What do you do in the Air Force, Mark? I know Stephen is a doctor."

He smirks, "I'm a captain, but my job is a special tactics officer." Confusion fills my brain. I ask, "English, please. The only thing I understood from your statement was that Zeke has to salute you in uniform. I don't know all these military terms." Zeke rolls his eyes, grumbling, "I have to salute everyone in uniform. It's a wonder I'm friends with any of you!" Mark laughs at Zeke's childish behavior, explaining, "I deploy as a team leader or a mission commander in combat, seizing and sometimes controlling airstrips. Sometimes, I help with search and rescue, battlefield trauma, guiding airstrikes, fire support by using air assets for operations, and tactical weather observations, and forecasting."

My mind races at his words, "Oh," I answer, confused by the explanation of his job. Tobias cocks his head, whispering into my ear, "He is a jack of all trades, essentially. He can help from the sky or the ground." I ask, "Are you a PJ then?" Using the acronym for pararescuer, I have heard Tobias and Zeke use more than once. Mark smiles, "No, but I do work with those guys. They are below me in rank, and I command them. Four has saved my ass more times than I care to count on both hands."

My mouth becomes dry, and I attempt to gulp while thinking about the types of situations Tobias and Mark have been in together. Tobias can still read me like an open book even though he was gone for nine months. He knows where my mind went wandering. His fingertips intertwine with mine. His breath sends a chill down my spine, whispering, "Let's go home, and we can talk. I need to talk to you because I need you in my life. I can't lose you."

Thought and opinions on this long awaited chapter? What does everyone think of the new character of Mark? What do you think Tobias wants to talk to Tris about? Do you think Tris will finally confront Tobias about his behavior as of late? I'm going to aim to have the next chapter uploaded for the weekend of June 5, but I'm not making any promises at the moment due the nature of things changing in my home life at this time.