Wow y'all really don't want Briar and Sandry together do u..i guess I can change that but I dunno...

Misk-thank u for saying such nice and constructive things. I tried to email u from the email on ur profile but it wouldn't take it. My sn is sorchasvoice if u wanna talk

Imogenhm-u must xplain how u got ur name. It fascinates me.

Lil Picky-yeah ur name suits u but u have some points but I must point out that Sandry doesn't know tris likes Briar and Tris has always showed these insecurities..or at least that's wut I picked up on in the books and that's y it doesn't seem odd to the other sibs. I think I will abandon Sandry and Briar and Briar and Tris getting together but I will follow thru w/ the tris and zak thing. I'll tone down Sandry though but I have a reason for Tris's actions..just follow thru

Kore Yan-sorry it took so long to update

The next day Tris went to the library to get Gorse's book. She'd thrown up breakfast that morning when her stomach had felt fine. Healthy ways to lose weight had to include not throwing up everything, didn't it? She could only hope Zak wasn't there. After yesterday she was uber (A/N luv that word!!!) embarrassed.

Something about walking into the library made the tightness in her stomach just vanish. Maybe she should move out of Discipline and move into her. For the feeling it gave her not for Zak, she reassured herself.

Quickly she cast a glance over to the check out desk. He wasn't there. He was probably off telling people about her fainting episode and what a fat loser she was. That issue resolved she headed to the back of the library to Gorse's book. With Zak gone she could check it out and not worry.

If only most people didn't know me and I could check them out under an assumed name, she thought. All the other books she had checked out had less obvious titles and it was around the time of the blue pox. Everyone just assumed she was taking her anger out on that stupid girl and was going to create her own way. They weren't far off. Tris was extremely upset over this poor girls stupidity but also became more absorbed in people's need to lose weight and the extremities they went to do it. Some went so far as to cut out grains or pork. One book she read tried to cut out vegetables claiming that the leafy greens couldn't be digested and were just mashed up in our stomachs and that's what made our stomach, butts, and thighs so jiggly.

She scanned the shelves looking for it and after a minute or so plucked it off the shelf. How to Lose Weight Without Hurting Yourself. The title said it all. All she wanted to accomplish in simple easy wording.

"What are you looking at?" Tris jumped. She thought Zak was gone.

She turned around, hiding the book behind her back as she did so. "A book," she said simply.

"Well that's no surprise. You're always looking at a book. I meant what book," his eyes twinkled as if he was joking with her.

"I don't think it matters. Shouldn't you be around your fawning following?"

"Fawning following? That's good. No, I'm just looking for a book for myself. I was looking for a book on spinning, but some girls started following me so I tried to lose them and I saw you and knew they would never come near you so I figured you were safe."

"Thanks." She now wished she could have lightning dance over here hair to show him that she wanted him gone. Using her as some kind of repellant. She liked him, but right now she wanted him gone. It was embarrassing enough having this book but to be used like that.

"I didn't mean it like that, Tris," he sounded kinda sorry..."I just saw you and I enjoy talking to you and besides I thought I should check on you after yesterday."

Oh great. He remembered. Guys really should have a terrible memory. They can forget anniversaries but not you fainting. What fickle creatures.

"You could have stopped by Discipline."

"And I was going to, but you were here and it just made things easier."

"Okay."

"So are you okay?"

"Fine. I think it was a stomach virus. Can't keep anything down." Why did she tell him that?

"Why are you here then?"

"I like the library. It makes me feel better. Besides the walk isn't that bad." Zak made a snort. "Okay it's not the shortest walk but fresh air can help." This was a very awkward conversation.

"I could always carry you around."

"No, no never again. I can take care of myself. And I could have gotten home."

"After a few hours."

She glared at him. "I need to check out."

"I can help you," he reached out his hand to take her book.

She involuntarily leaned away from him. "No. It's your day off. Relax."

She scurried off to the check out desk. Yes it was an old Dedicate. She smiled and handed over her book.

"Very good Trisana. Always a good way to lose weight. The healthy way," as she wrote Tris's name down the old Dedicate noticed something. "And your book on snow should be in in a week."

"My what?"

"The book on snow you asked for. Zak ordered it yesterday."

"He did?"

"Yes. Did you not ask him to."

"Well..no. But thank him. I'll be in next week."

"Have a nice day."

Tris hurried out of library. He had ordered a book on snow for her? That was certainly nice. Not something a player would do. Maybe she'd been a little mean to him in the library, but HE hadn't exactly been saying the right things either. She could apologize later.

The heat was getting to her. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad buying some linen dresses with Lark today. It seemed to be hotter than usual. As she walked she fanned her skirts up and down...even if she didn't find any linen dresses maybe she could get rid of the petticoats she wore. At least for the summer. Throwing water over her head wasn't working anymore. It was hot as well and when she drank it there was a funny aftertaste.

Finally she reached Discipline. Maybe Lark would have some iced tea. As she entered the kitchen she saw her hopes were accomplished. On the table was a pitcher of iced tea. The only question was how cold it was going to me. The puddle around it showed that it was going through condensation quite fast. Quickly she poured herself a glass not bothering with adding sugar.

As she stood there gulping down her iced tea she didn't notice the footsteps coming into the kitchen.

"Oh good I'm glad you found the iced tea I made," Tris almost dropped her glass at the sound of Sandry's voice. "Everyone's been too scared to drink it."

"It's really good," was she could muster in her shock. In the doorway from the garden stood Lark, Sandry, and Crane.

'It probably tasted all the better since you've been out in the heat," Lark said with a smile.

Tris nodded as she put down her now empty glass of iced tea. "I'm sure I look a sight."

"That you do, Trisana but it's a good thing I ran into you," Crane said.

Uhoh this could not be good. "Why is that?"

"Well you said you were feeling sick, right?"

"Yeah." He just asks if I was sick, not if I'm feeling better. No I'm sorry you're sick?

"Well..and I know this is going to sound weird but its only a possibility so don't start panicking just remember it won't hurt you exactly and we promise to take the utmost care in your care..." Crane was stammering.

"Just tell me what you're talking about!! I promise I won't panic or anything but just tell me!!"

"We were wondering if maybe you could come in for testing to see if your sickness has anything to do with the sickness of the plants."

Oh great they thought she was a plant. This was just great. "Why would that be?"

"See there you go panicking."

"I'm not panicking!! I responded calmly and you're too nervous to actually listen. Now why would I have the same disease as the plant!!"

"Well as you know plants have personalities and in a way speak to plant mages such as Rosethorn and I." Tris nodded." "And because of this bond and our sharing of notes we both noticed a drop in the plants appetite. They didn't eat as much fertilizer and mulch as they normally would. Lark and Rosethorn tell me you have seemed to have a drop in you appetite as well. We were thinking there could be a connection."

"Just because I lost my eating habits and so did the plants?" Tris couldn't tell them she was going on a diet. They would all tell her she wasn't fat and would watch her all the more to make sure she wasn't.

"You have to admit Dedicate Crane, it does sound weird," Sandry piped in.

Crane heaved a sigh, "I know it's farfetched and I know it makes no sense but it's all we have and I would rather get this disease nipped in the bud so to speak before people start going crazy because all they can really eat is meat. Moonstream is trying to get more of a surplus of grain but the outlying lands are going through a drought as well."

It was Lark's turn to speak. "Tris, I know its sounds strange but you know how this is affecting Rosethorn and soon Briar will start to be like her. This sickness is getting to them because they can't care for the things they hold dear. Please do it."

Tris loved Rosethorn and Briar. She would do anything for them just as she would do anything for her other foster sibling.

Please Tris She heard Sandry say to her. I know Rosethorn is hard to get to know and can be a real thorn at times but we all love Briar. Do it for him if not for Rosethorn.

She didn't need Sandry's push but she was glad to know Sandry had some feelings for Briar, but maybe they were just feelings of sibling love.

"Okay, I'll do it, but no needles," she added.

"Thank you, Tris." Crane said and left.

Watching his form leave Tris was shocked that Crane had called her Tris.