I roll over and glance at the clock on Tobias' nightstand. The green numbers glow bright, practically screaming 2:18. I roll back over with a groan and stare up unseeing into the darkness above. I've been tossing and turning for what seems like hours. I don't know if I've slept or not. I close my eyes and take deep, even, calculated breaths in an attempt to relax, but I'm just too keyed up to sleep.

I swear I haven't done anything but worry about my children for over a week. I haven't let them out of my sight for more than a few minutes at a time. I've barely eaten a thing; I've been too nauseated. Whether it's the lingering morning sickness or the intense worry, I don't know. If I were to step on a scale, it wouldn't surprise me if it told me I've lost a pound or two. Sleep has been elusive. I'm not getting more than a couple hours each night ... if I'm lucky. I'm beginning to look a lot like the walking dead from those classic movies Tobias likes.

We still have no clue what the photographs of Tyler, Tessa, and Teagan mean or who sent them to us, and there has been no further communication from the anonymous number. I don't want to jump to conclusions but I can't come up with any other reason for those pictures except that they are a threat of some sort. But why would someone target our kids? They are completely innocent. They've never done anything to anyone, and for the life of me, I can't think of anyone Tobias or I have pissed off enough in the past that they would retaliate in such a despicable way.

Tobias and I sat down after we put the kids to bed the night we both received the pictures and came up with a list of suspects. At the top of mine was the bitch. When she was admitted to the psychiatric wing of the city hospital after trying to kill me she told the doctors that I was standing in the way of her happiness with Tobias. Even though she has convinced the medical establishment of her sanity, she will never convince me and maybe she now thinks of our kids as some sort of roadblock and wants them eliminated. Tobias didn't disagree but he had other thoughts. He thinks this has something to do with Terrance Samuels. When he first approached Hector, he not only interrogated his son about us but he brought up our kids. It didn't sit well then and with the addition of the pictures, it does make him a viable suspect. We also added Jessica Samuels' name to our list. Since her failed attempt to discredit Tobias with false abuse rumors she hasn't been much of a nuisance but that doesn't make her innocent either. Another name we tossed around was Marcus'. We've seen him from time to time in Abnegation when we've visited my parents and he hasn't made a scene but this sounds like something he would do to scare us.

Tobias asked Zeke to put digital surveillance into place for each of our suspects, which he readily agreed to. Terrance Samuels has proven to be a worthy adversary. Zeke's yet to find him on a live feed. He seems to know where all the camera blind spots are, and he sticks to them. While Zeke worked on that he assigned Nathan to go through surveillance video from in and around the park for the hours and days leading up to the time Bridget took the kids to play but, unfortunately, he found nothing that stood out as unusual. I thought for sure that the person who spray-painted the cameras would be identified but the perpetrator struck in the dead of a moonless, rainy night and was completely camouflaged.

Since the call came from an unknown name and number, I gave my phone to Callen to see if he could use his technical expertise to determine who it came from but he, too, came up empty, except to tell us that the photos were taken at 10:07, 10:10, 10:15, and 11:06 a.m. on Monday, July 30. We may not know much else but at least we have the timeframe when the asshole was taking the photos. Callen did set up a tap and trace, which will tell us the origin of the call if that number contacts either of us again. That has given me some peace of mind but not much. I just want this over.

Tobias and I had a private meeting with Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo about our unusual text message and showed them the series of pictures. We gave them copies, and they went to the park and determined exactly where the photos were taken from. My blood ran cold when it was revealed that the shots were taken from near the woman's restroom. For me, this was a confirmation of what I had been thinking from the very moment I first opened that damn text. I was certain that the bitch was behind it and still am but Tobias still needed more convincing and unfortunately, it caused a heated argument. I wanted her arrested while he wanted more evidence of her guilt. I now know I was being overly emotional and he was being rational but no one could have convinced me of that at the time. We finally compromised on 24-7 digital and undercover surveillance on her. If it turns out not to be her, I'll still know what she's up to at all times.

I glance toward the clock again. 4:43. I sit up and gently slide out of bed so I don't disturb Tobias. He's had just as rough of a night as I have. I pad down the dark hallway and into Tyler's room. He's right where he was the last time I checked on him, lying on his side with his hands up by his face, his nightlight casting a soft glow over him. He looks like a little angel. I gently ease myself down on the side of his mattress and brush his hair off his forehead so I can see him better. I know for a fact that I wouldn't survive if something were to happen to him or to Tessa, Teagan, the twins, or their father for that matter. I need them all to be safe, healthy, and happy not only for my sanity but for my survival. I watch him for a while then sigh, softly kiss the side of his head, and go back into my bedroom but instead of getting into bed, I go straight into the nursery. I need to check on my girls, too. I know it's irrational but I need to see if they're okay.

I stand in front of Tessa's crib first. She's lying on her back, her thumb in her mouth, her wild curls crowning her head. Tobias and I have tried to break that habit but we've had no luck so far. I reach down and gently move her hand away from her mouth, and she frowns at me but she doesn't wake. Then she starts sucking the air like she did when she was an infant, and my heart constricts with love. I watch her for about five minutes then move to Teagan's crib. She's lying on her stomach, her little fanny stuck up in the air. It's how she's always slept. I think it's because she didn't have a lot of room inside me. I brush her hair out of her face, and she smiles but doesn't stir. I watch her until she gets restless, possible sensing my presence, then I gently rub circles on the small of her back, and she immediately calms down. I sigh knowing my babies are fine then decide to try to get some sleep.

I walk back into our bedroom my hand resting on my slight bump and stand at the foot of the bed. I stare at Tobias. He's on his back, one arm over his head and the other lying low across his abdomen. Usually when he sleeps, he has a peaceful look about him but it's not there right now. His brows are furrowed, his jaw tense. The worry line between his eyes is deep. He's suffering, too. I take a deep breath suddenly feeling ashamed. I've only been thinking about myself and how those pictures make me feel. I didn't give a thought to what Tobias is going through. I've been cold and distant with him. He tried to connect with me early on but after rejecting him more than once, he stopped trying. I haven't been fair and I know it. Frustrated tears well up in my eyes. I haven't allowed myself to cry because anger was my driving emotion and because I needed to be strong and in control for my family but right now, I can't stop. I tightly squeeze my eyelids shut in an attempt to stem the flow but I don't succeed. I'm so overwhelmed right now.

"Tris?" Tobias says. His sleep-filled voice startles me. "What are you doing standing there?" I open my mouth to answer but the only thing that escapes is a strangled sob. "Oh, love!" He's out of bed in a heartbeat, and then I'm surrounded by his comforting embrace. I cling to him as he murmurs that everything's going to be okay. I'm not entirely sure I believe that. I break. I claw at his chest, trying to catch my breath but oxygen eludes me. My knees buckle, and if he wasn't holding me so tightly, I would surely fall to the floor. He gathers me up in his strong arms and gently lies me in our bed then follows me down onto the mattress. I tuck my head into his shoulder and relish the feel of his lips in my hair. I hold him close as I let all the rage and frustration I've felt for over a week flow out of me. Every time I think I've calmed down, a new wave of despair washes over me, and the tears start all over again. I'm an absolute mess. Once the tears finally dry, I feel emotionally drained and physically exhausted. I lift my head then rest my chin on my folded hands, staring into his eyes. "Feel better?"

"I think so," I say.

"I'm glad to hear it," he says. "You need some rest."

"We both do," I say. "Why don't you text Will, James, and Shauna and tell them you're taking today off?"

"I can't," he says as he runs his hand through my hair. "Will and Christina are off this weekend, remember?"

"Oh, that's right," I say. "I forgot." Tobias made reservations at the lighthouse for them last weekend but when we got the pictures they postponed their plans, worried that they too would get pictures of Liam, which thankfully never arrived. We talked them into going this weekend. Hopefully this short getaway will help them reconnect.

"It's not like you haven't had other things on your mind," he says. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I'll be fine once we find out who sent those pictures," I say. I pause then add, "And why."

"I'm confident we'll find them but we have to be realistic, love," he says, absentmindedly twirling a strand of my hair around his fingers while staring into my eyes. "Since we have no real leads, it could be some time before we confirm who the culprit is and until we do, we can't stop living."

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

"I'm worried about you, Tris," he says. "You haven't left the apartment since we got that text. I'm concerned about what the pictures mean but I'm more concerned about you."

"What about me?" I ask, sounding defensive.

"You're like an overprotective zombie," he says, obviously trying to lighten the mood but I don't smile. He sighs. "You hover over the kids, not letting them out of your sight. You haven't worked. You're not eating. You're not sleeping. Think of the twins. This stress is not good for them, for your body. You made me get a physical because you were worried about my health, remember?"

"Yes," I grumble.

"I'm just as worried about you. I'm also concerned about Button and Bean," he says. "I didn't want to mention this before but Zeke and Shauna invited us out tonight."

"No," I say, pulling away from him. He wasn't expecting it and he pulls my hair causing me to wince before moving his hand. "I'm not going anywhere. They can come over for supper."

"I already told them we'd go out," he sternly says.

"Well then call them and cancel," I say. "Like I said, I'm not going anywhere, Tobias Eaton. I'm not leaving my kids." I roll off him and sit against the headboard and defiantly cross my arms over my chest. I'm angry now. "How could you make plans like that without consulting me first?"

"I knew you'd say no," he says as he leans up on one elbow, "and you need to get out of this house. So do I," he says.

"Oh! So, this is about sex," I spit, knowing my thought process is dangerously slipping into the absurd but unable to stop myself.

"No, this is definitely not about sex, but let's talk about sex. When's the last time we made love, Tris?" he asks, his blazing eyes boring into mine. "We haven't been together since we received those damn pictures. Not for my lack of trying but you keep pushing me away."

"Sex is more important than our kids?" I bark at him. He hangs his head and sighs.

"Of course not, and you know it," he says. "But we need each other, Tris. It's how we deal with stress. We usually can't keep our hands off each other at times like this." I continue glaring at him, knowing he's absolutely right but not ready to admit it "Well, I guess I'm wrong. Apparently, you don't need me like I need you." Pain and vulnerability flash in his eyes before his Four mask falls into place, which should break my heart but my illogical thought process only angers me further.

"Tobias." He raises his masked eyes to mine, and I know what he's hiding, hurt and rejection. "I didn't mean to reject you. I'm worried about our kids. I can't help it. I don't want to take the chance that someone could get to them when we're out because you want to have sex. We can have sex at home."

"But we're not," he says. "That's part of the problem."

"I'm not going anywhere tonight," I spitefully say. "I won't leave them."

"Yes, we are going," he says, rolling out of bed. "I'm not backing down on this, Tris. We need to get out of this damn apartment and blow off some steam. We need to be Tris and Tobias for a few hours instead of Mommy and Daddy, and as I see it there's no better way than spending a few hours with Zeke and Shauna. Gavin will watch Tyler, Tessa, and Teags. He's a good guy. He's excellent with the kids, and they love him. They'll be excited to spend the evening with him. They'll be locked in the apartment with someone we wholeheartedly trust. They'll all be perfectly safe. I will even go as far as to post guards outside the door if that would make you feel better." He stalks to my side of the bed during his speech and leans over me until we are practically nose to nose. "But we are going out and then when we get home I'm going to bury myself so deep inside of you that we won't know where I begin and you end." I gasp. "I'm done letting the unknown eat me alive and now that you're pregnant, I'm not going to let it turn you inside out either."

"What if something happens while we are out?" I whisper, staring into his stormy eyes. "We'd never forgive ourselves. I would never forgive you, Tobias."

"Love, nothing is going to happen," he says, resting his forehead on mine.

"I'm sorry," I say, ducking away from him and rolling out of bed. I adamantly shake my head. "You'll have to go without me. I'm not leaving my kids until I know who the hell sent those pictures and why." He huffs out a frustrated breath.

"So, if we never figure this out you're never leaving the apartment again? What about your job? I can't justify you staying at home forever. The others are already asking questions."

"Fine," I say. "I quit."

"Excuse me? Are you being serious right now?" he finally asks after staring at me for at least two minutes. His words are calm but his body language is anything but.

"Dead serious," I say, squaring my shoulders for a fight. "You know I can do my job from anywhere. Why not let me do it from here? You're being unreasonable."

"Me? Unreasonable," he yells. "That's the pot calling the kettle black, sweetheart."

"I can't do this right now," I say, my eyes darting for the door.

"Beatrice Grace Eaton, don't you dare walk away from me," Tobias angrily says. I freeze at his furious tone. "You promised you wouldn't do that anymore, and this time I'm holding you to it. We have the start of a real problem here, and we're going to deal with it." He gently sets his hands on my shoulders and turns me around. "I know you're scared. I'm scared too. I want to find the jackass who sent those pictures for so many reasons." I raise an eyebrow at him, indicating for him to continue. "First, I want to know my kids are safe and not the target of some lunatic. I would die if something were to happen to them. You know that. You and those kids are my life. Second, I want to know what this person's game is. Hell, for all we know, this is it. Maybe they want us distracted while they do whatever it is they have planned. We don't know. Third, I want my wife back."

"I'm right here," I say but even I know that isn't entirely true.

"I've watched the vibrant, strong woman I fell in love with shrivel before my eyes this past week," he says, cautiously stepping toward me but not touching. "I want my Tris back. I need her. And I'm not just talking about sex. I need a connection. I need my wife."

"Can't we please compromise?" I ask, knowing that I'm seriously close to insanity at the moment but I still can't help myself.

"Tris, love, it's obvious that the pregnancy hormones are magnifying your terror." I start to argue but he puts his finger over my lips and continues. "Stop it, Tris. You know I'm right. Will you please just admit it?"

"Okay. I'll admit it. I'm being irrational. I know," I say after a long minute. "But how do I stop this gnawing in my gut or the hollow feeling in my chest when they are out of my sight? How do I stop the incessant need to check and see if they are safe? How can I leave them when that bitch took pictures of them when I wasn't there to protect them? How can you expect me to leave them, baby? How can you leave them?"

"Come here, love," he says as he pulls me into his arms. I hug him fiercely as he protectively runs his loving hands up and down my back. "I don't want to leave them either. It takes everything I have to kiss them goodbye each morning but they don't need both their parents breaking down at once. I need to be strong for my family."

"I don't want to go out tonight, baby," I whisper.

"You mentioned compromise. This is the best I can do. We won't leave the compound. We can go to dinner then the theater or the nightclub. Hell, I'm sure Zeke would love it if we went to the arcade. He would fit in with all the other adolescents." I chuckle at his joke, and I hear him sigh in my ear.

"Love that sound," he murmurs.

"You promise they'll be safe?" I ask, looking up at him.

"You really are worried about them," he states. This can't be the first time that he's seen it.

"Yes, I am," I say. He closes his eyes then shakes his head.

"They will be safe," he says. "I promise you they will."

"Okay," I say with a sigh, finally giving in. "Please don't make me regret this, Tobias."

"You won't," he says. "I'll call Zeke, and we'll plan everything."

"No leaving the compound," I state.

"I already promised," he says. "I know it's easier said than done but you don't have to worry. The kids will be in good hands."

"I believe you," I say. "I trust you."

"Thank you," he says. As he lowers his mouth to mine, a timid knock sounds at the open door. We both turn to find Tyler standing there. His eyes are wide and the color is drained from his face.

"Hey, buddy," I say. "What's wrong?"

"I'm scared," he whispers.

"Why are you scared? Did you have a bad dream?" Tobias asks as he releases me. He immediately picks up our son and rubs his back while he hugs him.

"You was yelling. Both of you," Tyler quietly says. "Is something going to happen to me and Tess and Teags?" I think it dawns on me and Tobias at the same time that Tyler must have been standing at our door long enough to hear our argument. Damn it!

"Nothing is going to happen to any of you," I say, my eyes on Tobias'. I join my husband and son and wrap my arms around them both.

"Tyler, buddy, I would never let anything bad happen to you," he says, his tone serious and grave yet loving and caring. "You, your mommy, and your sisters are my life. Nothing will happen to you. Not on my watch."

"Mine either," I say.

"Why was you yelling?" he asks. He lays his head on Tobias' shoulder and peeks through his eyelashes at me.

"Daddy and I were having a disagreement," I say. "We shouldn't have yelled."

"Are you still mad?"

"I don't think either of us were ever really mad," Tobias says. He kisses my temple and I give him my shy smile. "We were both frustrated but we figured everything out. Isn't that right, love?"

"That's right," I say. "Gavin is coming over to watch you and your sisters tonight while Mommy and Daddy go out for a few hours." Instead of the happy reaction I'm expecting, Tyler looks really upset.

"I don't want you to go," he says, his bottom lip trembling. His glassy eyes look terrified. "What if someone hurts us?"

"How long were you listening to Daddy and Mommy?" Tobias asks. He sits down on the side of the bed, and I sit beside them. Tyler scrambles into my lap and I hug him closely. I look over his head at Tobias and mouth I'm sorry. This is all my fault. The kids didn't know anything about the potential danger. They thought the only reason I was home was because I wasn't feeling well. Now Tyler knows there's more to the story than that.

"You waked me up yelling," he says, sniffling. "I came to see what was wrong. I hear you talking about pictures and getting hurt. I don't want you to leave me."

"Oh, Tyler," Tobias says but I shake my head at him. This is my mess that I need to clean up.

"Buddy." He looks up at me. "Mommy and Daddy got a message last week that scared us," I say. "I overreacted a little because the babies," I run my hand over my stomach, "have my emotions all mixed up. I promise nothing will happen to you tonight or any other night. Gavin will come over and play games with you or watch a movie. If there was any chance that something would happen, I wouldn't be leaving you. I would never let anyone or anything intentionally hurt you. Do you believe me?"

"Yeah," he says. "I just got scared."

"It's okay to be scared," Tobias says. "Everyone gets scared sometimes." Tyler frowns and leans in close.

"I hear people talking that Daunt … Daunt."

"Dauntless?" I help.

"Yeah! Dauntless isn't 'pose to be scared," he says. "We're 'pose to be brave."

"Sometimes even the bravest of soldiers gets scared," Tobias says.

"Even you, Daddy?" he asks.

"Even me, buddy," Tobias says, ruffling Tyler's hair. "If someone says they never get scared they're probably lying to you. We all have fears. How we act in the face of them determines our character. If you cower in a corner when you see a spider, that isn't very Dauntless but if you face your fear and move past the spider, that is Dauntless."

"So, if I'm scared for you to leave, I need to be brave when you go?" he asks, showing wisdom beyond his years.

"That's really good, Tyler," I say. "You understand better than I was just a few minutes ago."

"I'm Dauntless!" he says with a giggle.

"You sure are," Tobias says. He looks over his shoulder and sighs. "I can't believe that it's time to get up already. Daddy has to take a shower. Why don't you go back to your room and get dressed for the day?"

"I laid out shorts and a t-shirt for you last night," I say.

"Can we have pancakes for breakfast?" Tyler asks, looking back at us from the doorway.

"I was thinking," Tobias says, "that we can go to the cafeteria for breakfast then we can all have our favorites this morning. What do you think, love?" I take a deep breath, needing to face my fears, especially in front of Tyler.

"I think that's a really good idea," I say. "But no cake."

"I want pancakes, Mommy," Tyler says. "With blueberries in them. And bacon. Not cake." He wrinkles his nose at me like it's the most unappetizing thing he's ever heard.

"Okay," I say. "Go get dressed then play. Mommy and Daddy will come get you when it's time to go."

"Okay, Mommy," he says before disappearing into the hallway.

"Would you like to join me in the shower?" Tobias asks.

"I'm going to check on the girls," I say. "I imagine if we woke Tyler up we woke them too."

"All right," he says, disappointment obvious in his voice.

"Tobias." He looks back over his shoulder at me. "I know where a shower would lead – where I want it to lead – and we don't have time right now." I close the space between us and go up on my tiptoes as I wrap my arms around his neck. He automatically joins his hands at the small of my back, pulling me firmly against his body. "I'm so sorry for my behavior. I realized earlier that I wasn't being fair to you but I let my hormones continue to make me act badly any way."

"It's okay, love," he says.

"No, it's not," I say, shaking my head. "I didn't stop to think how those pictures affected you. All I've been thinking about this week is myself. You tried to get us to connect, and I pushed you away more than once. I was being selfish. I don't want you to think that I don't want you right now because I want you very much but we'll just have to wait until tonight."

"You really don't have to apologize but thank you for doing it," he says. "I know that the pregnancy hormones make you react differently than you normally do. I don't and won't hold it against you. I'm just glad that you realize what you've been doing. Please don't take this the wrong way but sometimes I have to walk on eggshells around you. It can be exhausting."

"I'm sorry for that, too," I say. "I'm sure it's not a pleasant experience." I softly press my lips to his and kiss him lovingly. When I pull away, Tobias has a big smile on his face. "What's that for?"

"I'm just thinking about tonight," he says. "I wasn't lying earlier when I said I was going to bury myself inside you. I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too, baby," I say. "Me too."