I groan as I roll over in my warm, soft, luxurious bed, not quite ready to wake up and face whatever the day has to bring. It feels like I just got to sleep. It's a good thing the kids are at my parents or Tobias and I would both be sleepwalking through the day. When we walked through our door last night, or should I say early this morning, he practically attacked me, taking all my clothes back off just like he had promised he would when we were still in Erudite. We leisurely made love on the couch because we couldn't wait two minutes to go up one flight of stairs to our bedroom. When we finished, he carried me upstairs, and after talking, laughing, kissing, and cuddling for about an hour, the passion exploded once again, and we couldn't keep our hands off each other.

I reach out for Tobias, but all I find are warm, empty sheets. He couldn't have gotten up long ago. I finally pry my heavy eyelids open and am nearly blinded by the midday sun filling our bedroom. I raise my head and look at the clock on Tobias' nightstand. I'm surprised to find that it's nearly 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I guess we slept longer than I thought. I roll out of bed and stumble into the humid bathroom, still half asleep. I smile when I see the outline of my handsome husband through the cloudy shower door. Before I go to join him, I relieve my extremely full bladder. When I finish, I stand to join Tobias, and the room starts to violently spin, so I plop back down on the toilet seat trying to make my world quit turning.

"Tris?" Tobias opens the shower door and sees me sitting with my head practically between my knees. He hurriedly grabs a towel off the warmer and wraps it around his hips then kneels down in front of me, water dripping off his body onto my bare feet. "Are you okay, love?"

"Yeah," I say as I look up but the dizziness is very profound. I sway but before I can fall his arms are around me, rooting me in place.

"No, you're not," he worriedly says, kissing the top of my head. "Do I need to call the infirmary?"

"No," I mutter but suddenly my tummy does a series of flip flop and I roughly push against his chest but he doesn't budge. "Oh, God! Let go of me!" He releases me, and I move as quickly as I can, turning around just in the nick of time to empty the contents of my stomach into the porcelain bowl. He holds my hair away from my face as I continue retching. When the nausea disappears as quickly as it came, I flush the toilet then sit back down.

"You're white as a ghost," he fretfully says, caressing the side of my face with a gentle, loving touch. I give him a small smile.

"I must be coming down with something," I say. "I got really nauseous in the hotel last night. I thought it was the dust and mold. That place reeked."

"You didn't tell me that," he says. He gets up and fills the small tumbler that sits next to the faucet with water and hands it to me.

"Thanks." I take a couple small sips. "I actually forgot until right now," I say, chuckling embarrassedly. "When I heard the laughter and couldn't figure out where it was coming from, I hightailed it out of there. I hate to admit it but I was…"

"Scared," he softly says, interrupting me. I nod my head.

"Yeah, I was. The ghost stories got to me, I guess. That place is beyond creepy. I can see how the rumors that it's haunted got started."

"Are you feeling better?" he asks as he takes the empty glass from my hand and puts it back on the counter where it belongs. "Your color is better."

"Actually, I do feel much better," I say. "Do you need to finish your shower?"

"Well, I probably should rinse the conditioner from my hair."

"May I join you?"

"Of course, you can," he says. "You don't have to ask permission."

"I'm going to brush my teeth first," I say when he offers me his hand.

"Okay," he says then he kisses the top of my head. I stay seated and watch him as he drops his towel to the floor and steps inside the glass shower enclosure. Damn, he's good looking. I definitely married well. I shake off the sudden surge of desire and get up. I quickly brush my teeth then discard his t-shirt that I slipped on when I got out of bed. Wearing it feels like having his arms wrapped around me. I ensure we have enough towels on the warmer then open the door and step into the steam-filled shower. Tobias turns with a smile on his face but it quickly fades as his eyes slide up and down my body.

"What the hell?" he mutters.

"What?"

"You have more bruises, Tris," he says, his voice anguish laced.

"What? Where?" I look down and am surprised to see several sets of fingertip bruises on my hips, thighs, and breasts … everywhere he held me as we made love. This makes absolutely no sense.

"Did…" He closes his eyes, and his voice trails off. He takes a deep breath then clears his throat. "Did I get too rough with you last night?"

"No, you didn't. As a matter of fact, you were gentle." I caress his worried face. "I think it's time we talk to Zander and get to the bottom of this. He said there could be a medical reason behind the bruising." I look down at the numerous little purple prints on my body and my anxiety level increases. "Oh, God! There must be something wrong with me, Tobias." Tears well up in my eyes as panic accelerates my poor heart.

"Hey. Let's not jump to conclusions," he says as he cups my face and kisses away the lone tear that escapes down my cheek. "We don't know what's going on. When we're done, we'll call the infirmary and make an appointment with Zander."

"I'm scared, Tobias."

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't," he says as he engulfs me in his embrace. "Zander would tell us not to stress though. There's no reason to worry until we know something for certain."

"You're right," I sigh. "I'll try not to worry." But the moment I say it my mind runs through the possible causes and I know it could be bad, really bad. I don't want to leave Tobias or the kids.

"You're stressing," he says as he grabs my body wash and pours a good amount into his open palm.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. It's only natural to worry," he says. "Let me help you relax." He steps behind me and begins massaging the rich lather into my tight shoulders. I feel my muscles start to loosen as he works his way down my back. He brushes his lips against several places on my left hip, and it takes me a moment to realize he's kissing the bruises just like he did with the handprint on my arm those weeks ago.

"You're not beating yourself up about this are you?" I ask. He looks up at me, mixed emotions on his handsome face. "Please don't."

"I'm not but I don't like seeing bruises on your skin," he says. While he's on his knees he also kisses my scars. "You didn't have any marks when we met."

"Not until Eric matched me with Peter," I say winching at the memory of his fists repeatedly hitting me.

"Not funny, love," he says. I run my fingers through his wet hair then caress the side of his face.

"I wasn't trying to be funny," I say. "I was just stating a fact. Myra got a few good punches in but she didn't give me any bruises. You know technically you are the first one who injured me." He furrows his brows in confusion. "Tell me, baby, does my ear have a scar on it?" This time I was trying to be funny but I only feel guilty when I see his face fall. I help him to his feet and wrap my arms around his midsection in a tight hug. "I'm sorry. That was insensitive. What that ass made you do was so wrong. I shouldn't tease you about it."

"There's no scar there," he says as he kisses the top of my head.

"How do you know?"

"I just looked," he says. He lowers his smiling lips to mine, and I get lost in his searing kiss. He leans back, panting and his heated gaze burns through me. "I need to be inside you right now, love."

"I want you, too, Tobias," I mumble before crashing my lips into his. He turns off the water then easily lifts me off my feet. I wrap myself around him, kissing him as he carries me into our bedroom and lies me down on the bed. I think he's going to join me but instead he steps back and stares at me so I take a moment to enjoy my view. As my gaze travels up and down his body, I realize that my core is aching painfully with need and I squeeze my thighs together. It takes so little to make me want him so desperately. "Come here." I beckon him with my index finger. He kneels on the end of the mattress and climbs up my body, dropping kisses as he goes until I'm lying beneath him. I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist and feel him, hard and wanting between us. He moves a damp strand off my face, lowers his lips to mine, and kisses me tenderly, causing a slow shiver to run up my spine. He reaches between us and tests my readiness. Finding me very wet, he moves his hips back, and then slowly slides inside me in one steady thrust. I close my eyes and moan, savoring the feel of him on me, in me. There's still no better feeling in the world than when he pushes inside me, stretching me almost to the point of pain.

"Open your eyes. I want you to look at me while I love you." My eyelids flutter open, and I stare up at him. "God, I love you, Tris."

"I love you, Tobias," I say, caressing his cheek. He lowers his mouth to mine and kisses me tenderly. It soon deepens, and he begins a slow, sensual, in-and-out rhythm. I squeeze my arms and legs tightly around him as we move together harmoniously. He pulls his mouth from mine and stares down at me as he balances on his elbows, his fingers in my hair. The love in his eyes is intense, and it chokes me up. He keeps the pace steady, controlled, rocking into me in long, smooth strokes. I roll my hips to meet every one of his deep thrusts.

"I love being inside you," he pants as he kisses my neck. I clench down on his hard length and he groans.

"I love having you inside me," I murmur then I moan. My hands roam up and down his back, feeling his well-defined muscles beneath my fingertips flex and contract with each powerful thrust. We pick up the pace and pressure builds in my sex. Our hips meet in a perfect, synchronized dance. I pull his mouth back to mine and kiss him roughly as I get closer. He shifts, thrusting into me at a deeper angle like he's trying to crawl inside me. I gasp against his probing tongue then moan his name but it sounds like a garbled mess. He reads my body perfectly and thrusts more forcefully. I rip my lips from his just so I can breathe.

"Look at me," he roughly demands. "I want you to look at me when you come." I open my eyes, which I didn't know were closed. He's rests himself on his forearms, driving into me with all he has. I cling to his body as he pistons in and out of my tight sex at an impressive rate but my eyes never leave his. The pressure in my core builds and builds and when I don't think I can take anymore, I explode. I tighten around him almost painfully, drawing him deeper inside as my body shudders uncontrollably. He thrusts deeper still one final time, erupting in his own satisfying release. His body shakes above mine then he collapses on top of me. Our mixed heavy breathing fills the room as we let our heartbeats return to normal. After a few minutes he pulls out of me and rolls onto his back. I snuggle into his side, draping a leg over his and run my fingertips over his swollen lips then down his stubbled chin as his fingertips slowly roam my naked body.

"I should call the infirmary," I say after a few quiet minutes.

"I'll do it. You relax," he says as he kisses my bare shoulder. He rolls onto his side and grabs his phone off his nightstand. "I take it you want the first available appointment."

"Yeah," I say. "It doesn't matter what's going on, I'll make time." He dials the infirmary and learns that Zander actually has an available appointment in half an hour, so we spring out of bed, shower, and dress in a hurry. Before we leave the apartment, I strip the wet sheets off our bed and throw them in the washer. They're still soaked, as is our mattress. I guess that's what we get for not taking the time to dry off before falling into bed. If it doesn't dry out by tonight, we'll have a long night ahead of us on the couch. We dash down the path ignoring grumbled protests and dirty looks to get to the infirmary on time.

"What has you a million miles away?" Tobias asks as we sit side-by-side on an uncomfortable metal examination table, the thin mattress doing nothing to warm up the cold steel beneath us.

"Nothing." Feeling a shiver run through me, he puts his arm around me and rubs his hand up and down the chilled skin, trying to warm me up.

"Tris," he admonishes. "What's wrong?" I huff out a sigh.

"I was just thinking about the rumors."

"What about them?" It's his turn to sigh.

"I saw how everyone was looking at you on our way here," I murmur. "I wanted to tear their heads off."

"I know," he says as he tucks an unruly strand of hair behind my ear.

"How?" I ask, leaning into him.

"I'd say that about, oh, 95% of the time I can easily read on your beautiful face what you're thinking," he says. "It hurts that the Dauntless members think I abuse you."

"I don't want anything to be wrong with me but if there's a legitimate medical reason behind the bruising then we can tell everyone that it's not your fault." He gets up and starts pacing.

"Love, I think that most people have made up their minds about me … right or wrong." I start to argue but he quickly continues. "I know it isn't right and I know it hurts you but what can we do?"

"Let me stand up in front of our faction and tell them the truth," I say. "It's what I've wanted from the beginning. I don't care if they believe me or not. At least I will have tried to make them see the truth. Then maybe, just maybe, they'll stop looking at you like you're the devil, and I'll stop wanting to murder them." He stares at me for the longest time then a smile turns up his lips, brightening the entire room.

"Okay," he acquiesces. "I still don't agree but I'm not going to ignore your wishes any longer. If this is what you need to do then do it." Suddenly, I feel very guilty.

"Tobias? Am I ignoring what you want?" He thinks about it for only a second, maybe two then shakes his head.

"No. No, not at all," he vehemently denies. "We did it my way. It didn't work. Now we'll try it yours and see what happens."

"Thank you," I say. I reach out, take his hands, and pull him to me. I press my body against his and drag his lips to mine. I hook my legs around the back of his thighs as I kiss him hungrily. He pulls away from me when someone clears their throat and I flush at getting caught.

"You two act more like newlyweds than most newlywed couples I know. One of these days I'm going to walk in on you having sex," Zander says with a smirk and I'm sure I turn an even more stunning shade of red. "So, what can I do for you today?"

"I have more bruises," I say.

"Where are they located?"

"Her hips, thighs, and breasts," Tobias says when I hesitate. "We had sex last night but it wasn't rough, not at all. That's why we're worried. She shouldn't bruise this easily."

"You told us there could be a medical reason for this," I say. "What could it be, Zander? Could it be something serious?"

"Some causes are more serious than others," he says. "I'll have some blood drawn then do a physical exam. And just so you know, lots of couples leave bruises on their partners during sexual activity. It's not uncommon."

"It is for us," Tobias murmurs. "We've gotten rough with each other in the past but last night wasn't like that … not at all. She's got bruises everywhere."

"Normally I would ask you to wait in the waiting room while I examine Tris, Four, but I know she's more comfortable with you here," he says to Tobias then he looks at me. "I need you to change into a gown. A nurse will be in momentarily to collect some blood then I'll be back to perform the physical examination. We'll get down to the bottom of these bruises, Tris. I promise."

"Thanks, Zander," I say. As soon as he leaves the exam room, shutting the door behind him, I strip down and put on the ever-hated hospital gown. A nurse I've only seen a handful of times almost immediately comes into the room, and I'm careful to keep my bruises covered but it's hard in the revealing gown. Tobias doesn't need another rumor spreading around the compound. She takes several vials of blood without as much as a hello then leaves us alone again. After sitting on the examination table for far too long, nervously swinging my legs back and forth, Zander walks through the door. After poking and prodding my bruises – great, I'll have even more tomorrow – he performs a very thorough physical examination.

"I'm going to check on the test results," he says as he tosses the disposable latex gloves in the trash. If I'm not mistaken, he looks troubled. Hopefully, it was my imagination. When the door creaks open I expect to see Zander but it's the same nurse from earlier.

"Dr. Parrish needs a urine sample," she says, sounding bored.

"Okay," I say as I take the specimen cup from her. "Did he say why he needs this?"

"No."

"Tell me something, Kelly," Tobias says. She turns and looks at him. "Do you like your job?"

"Yes," she says, her brows furrowing.

"Then you should act like it," he says. She narrows her eyes at him before painting a fake smile on her face.

"Of course, Four," she says, utter contempt dripping from her high-pitched little girl voice. "I'll wait for you outside, Tris."

"Bitch," I mutter as she heads into the hallway. I'm definitely saying something to Zander. If she's this rude to her leaders, how does she treat her other patients? "I'll be right back, baby." I hop down and go into the small bathroom in the corner of the room. I easily fill the specimen cup then seal it. After I wash my hands, I make sure the back of my gown is closed, and I step out into the hallway to find the snarky nurse. She's leaning against the wall with her back to me, twisting a strand of hair around a finger. I hear her talking in hushed tones, although I can't make out what she's saying. I try to peer over her shoulder but I don't see anyone else around. "Excuse me." She turns, a phone pressed against her ear.

"I've got to go." She doesn't give the other person time to respond, and she doesn't say goodbye, she just hangs up. "You have the urine sample?" I suddenly have the strongest urge to undo the cup and throw its contents in her face but then we'd have to wait until I could give another sample so I shake off the errant thought.

"It's right here," I say. "Perhaps you should be nicer to my husband and me."

"I don't tolerate wife beaters." I shove her up against the wall forgetting about my gown, catching her by surprise. I'd get in her face but she's taller than me.

"You listen and listen good. My husband has never once lifted a finger against me. I'm sick and tired of people like you who don't know me or Four thinking you have everything figured out. You heard a rumor, which happens to be completely false and instead of doing the right thing and ignoring it, you decided to keep it as gospel. Let me tell you this, he has never beat me. He has never hit me. He doesn't abuse me. He treats me like a queen. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Tris. I'm sorry." Funny she doesn't sound remorseful.

"You should be," I mutter as I move away from her. "Four and I deserve respect and much better treatment than what you are providing."

"What's going on here?" Zander asks as he appears in the hallway.

"Nothing, Dr. Parrish," she says.

"It sounded like a lot more than nothing to me, Kelly," he says, his eyes razor focused on his nurse. "I heard every word of what Tris just said."

"I apologized to her," she stubbornly says like that makes her behavior okay.

"You shouldn't have needed to apologize to begin with," he says. "First of all, Four and Tris are good friends of mine. When you insult them, you insult me. Second, they are leaders of this faction and no matter your personal beliefs, they deserve respect at all times. Third, if I see you being disrespectful to a patient ever again you will be relieved of duty. Since you are Dauntless that would mean guarding the fence for the rest of your career or becoming factionless. Is that what you want?" She gets paler with every word.

"No, Dr. Parrish," she says. "I love my job."

"As of right now you are on probation," he says. "One infraction, no matter how small, and you're done around here. Understand?"

"Yes, doctor."

"You're relieved for the day," he says. She opens her mouth to argue, I imagine, but his stern look shuts her up. "Go. Now." She throws me a dirty look then turns and walks away.

"Are you okay, Tris?" Zander asks.

"I'm fine," I say. "I just hope my husband isn't in the exam room unnecessarily beating himself up because of her."

"I meant every word I said to her," he says. "She'll be dealt with."

"I appreciate it, Zander," I say. "Um, can you tell me why you need this?" I hold up the full specimen cup.

"I need to confirm my diagnosis," he says, taking the sample from me. "I'll put a rush on your test results. Once I get them back, I'll be in to talk to you and Four. Just sit tight."

"Can I change back into my clothes?"

"Not yet," he says.

"Okay," I sigh. "Thanks, Zander." When I enter my exam room, Tobias greets me with a deep, leisurely kiss that catches me off guard. When he releases me, leaving me breathless and wanting I ask him, "What was that for?"

"Being you," he huskily says. "I heard you standing up to that nurse. You are the bravest, sexiest, most loving woman I know."

"I'm not that brave," I say, hugging him tightly, feeling his racing heart beneath my ear.

"It does things to me when you stand up for me, for us." I feel the sizable bulge in the front of his jeans and can't believe he's aroused. Who am I kidding? I'm aroused, too. It's hard not to be when he's holding me in his arms like he is right now.

"I better sit down before things get out of hand," I mutter against his chest. "I know Zander was only kidding earlier but I don't want his prediction to come true."

"You thinking of having your way with me right here?" he asks, amused.

"If there was a lock on that door, I'd turn it and we'd see if this exam table is sturdy," I giggle. We hold each other closely, his lips in my hair, my fingers grazing his back. We finally reluctantly release each other, knowing better than to get carried away despite my earlier joke.

I lift myself back onto the cold exam table and try to relax while we wait for the test results. I expect Tobias to join me but he's much too nervous. First, he paces for a while then he leans against the wall, staring at the floor. When that's too much for him to bear, he sits in the chair, his legs bouncing wildly then he gets up and stands before me, concern on his face.

"What's taking so long?"

"Zander told me that he's confirming his diagnosis," I say. "Do you have any idea what it could be?"

"No." Something akin to guilt flashes in his eyes but quickly disappears making me think I imagined it.

"Tobias?" He raises his eyes to mine just as Zander comes back into the room.

"I have your test results, and I know the cause of the bruises, Tris," Zander says. "You're anemic."

"Anemic?" I repeat. "What causes that?"

"Well," he pauses then cautiously says, "it's not uncommon in the first trimester."