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Tris POV

I reluctantly leave the table and head to the ladies room. I kinda feel bad leaving Tobias alone with Caleb. God only knows what Caleb will ask him, but Tobias is strong and knows what he wants and doesn't take crap from anybody.

As soon as I enter the restroom I see a group of girls huddled together whispering to each other. They stop as soon as they see me. It doesn't take a lot of thinking to figure out what they were talking about. They clearly saw me with Tobias and are wondering why a guy like him would ever be with a girl like me. I mask my hurt by glaring at them and pushing past them and entering an open stall. I hear them leave the bathroom and I finish my business. Before I leave I take a deep breath and blink back my tears. I won't let them get to me. Tobias loves me. I know he does.

I walk back to the table and see Tobias and Caleb sitting in silence. I take this as a bad a sign.

"What happened? What did you say?" I ask, looking at Caleb.

"Nothing. Four and I were just getting to know each other better."

I don't really believe him so I turn to Four. He wouldn't lie to me.

"Four?"

"Everything is fine, Tris. I promise."

I give him a look like says "You better be telling me the truth"

He gives me a small nod, understanding, and squeezes my hand. Caleb clears his throat.

"So, um, Tris I just want to say that even though I'm leaving tomorrow there's a possibility that I'll be coming back to Chicago soon."

"Really? What for? Anything in particular?"

"I'm waiting to see if I'll be reassigned for work to a new location and the top choice is here."

"When will you find out?"

"Hopefully within the month. I'll let you know."

"Okay."

"Tris, if I do come back I want us to be closer, but even if I don't I still want to be able to call you and visit when I can."

"Caleb, I'm tired of holding a grudge. The ball is in your court. I want the same and hope we can meet halfway instead of me going the whole 100."

"I can do that. I promise I will."

"Okay. I believe you, Caleb."

We finish up and say our goodbyes.

"Take care of my sister." Caleb says to Tobias.

"With my life." Tobias replies.

PAGE BREAK

Tobias and I head to the car. I do want to know what he and Caleb talked about when I was gone.

"So, tell me what happened when I went to the bathroom. What did Caleb say? He wasn't hard on you, was he?"

"No, he wasn't. He just wanted to give me the 'big brother talk'."

I scoff. "I haven't even seen him for years and he still thinks he can dictate my life? I can take care of myself."

"Of course you can. He just wants to know what you're doing and who's in your life. If he was concerned enough when you were with Peter then his behavior wasn't totally out of line."

"What exactly did he say?"

Tobias scratches the back of his neck. "He thinks I'm too old for you."

In my head I think What? But I decide to tease Tobias a little.

"Well, you are older than me." I say, matter of factly.

"Yes, that whopping two year gap really is insurmountable, isn't it?"

"I'm just teasing. Caleb is ridiculous if he thinks you're too old for me. As far as I'm concerned, you're perfect for me."

He smiles. "I think you're perfect for me too."

He takes one hand off the steering wheel and grabs mine and kisses it.

"Did something happen to you when you went to the bathroom? He asks. The question catches me off guard a little.

"Why do you ask?"

"I could sense something else was bothering you when you came back. I knew it wasn't just because you were worried about what Caleb would ask or say to me."

I sigh. "All right. There is something but I don't think the conversation is appropriate for the car ride."

"Fair enough. We're almost to my house."

PAGE BREAK

We get to his house and I change into comfortable clothes that I leave here in one of the guest bedrooms just in case. I think I now spend more time at Tobias' house than I do at my apartment. But it allows for Will to stay with Christina from time to time. When I make my way to the couch I see that Tobias has also changed into a black t shirt and sweatpants. His shirt reveals all his muscles and I can't help but stare and relish the fact that this man is all mine. But it also scares me that he could be taken away from me just as easily.

I sit and immediately he wraps his arms around me and I snuggle into him.

"Tell me what happened, my love." He says.

I sigh and sit up slightly to look at him better. "I guess I was too oblivious to notice anything beforehand but when I went to the bathroom there was a group of girls in there and I just knew they had been talking about me or about us because when I stepped in they all stopped talking and just looked at me."

"Why would they have been talking about you or us?"

I groan. "Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? Clearly they were checking you out and were wondering why a guy like you is with a girl like me."

"What do you mean 'a girl like you'?"

"I mean that out of all the girls you could have chosen, you chose plain ol' me. I know I'm not pretty and I don't know what you're expectations are and if you only want me for..." I don't finish before he cuts me off.

"What? Sex? Tris, I don't what delusion you're operating under, but this is all new to me too."

"What? You mean you've never...?"

"Tris, I spent the better part of the last decade or so in training, on the battlefield or in a hospital. And I got cheated on, remember? Anyway, even if I wanted to I don't think I would've enjoyed doing that with my ex, Nita. That's one of the reasons we broke up and always had problems. She wanted it and I didn't."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I just assumed..."

He blushes, red with embarrassment. "Well, you assumed wrong."

"I didn't mean to embarrass you."

He smiles and kisses my hair. "It's okay, babe. Just know that I'd never force you into anything you're not ready for. When the time is right we'll decide together to take that step in our relationship, okay?"

I nod and I can't help but giggle at something he said. He pulls back. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. I'm just not used to anyone calling me 'babe', babe."

"Well, get used to it."

I laugh again. "Okay."

"And don't ever think you're not pretty, Tris. You are even more than pretty. You're beautiful. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on."

He is looking deep into my eyes when he says this and I can see that twinkle in his eyes and I know he's telling me the truth and I believe him.

"I love you, Tobias."

"I know. I love you too."

I snuggle into him and don't ever wanna move.