A/N: Hey everyone! If you're new here, my name is Aly and this story is following Tobias and Tris' life together following an alternative resolution to the war. More details about the "universe" this story takes place in can be found in chapter one! For reference on the initiates (since there are a lot,) see the initiate roster in chapter two. This is just to help you keep track since the initiate class is larger than usual. Anyways... here is where the real fun begins.

I hope you love it!

-Tris POV-

When I wake up from my alarm, I feel warm sunshine filtering through the window in Tobias' apartment. It wraps around me and I sink deeper into the warm blankets around me in his bed. My hands stretch across the sheets, reaching out for him, but then I inhale the smell of fresh coffee and realize he is already up.

Four. Dauntless prodigy. Famous hero, defender of the righteous. At least it comes with a couple of benefits, like an apartment with windows and sunshine.

"Hey sleeping beauty, it's choosing day. Rise and shine." His voice says, after hearing me stir. Tobias comes up to the bed and hands me a mug of coffee, warm and still steaming. I smile and take it gratefully. He leans down to kiss me on the cheek, and then I get up to begin getting ready for the day.

I jump in the shower, then brush out and blow dry my hair so that it's straight and soft and light blonde. It's getting long again. I get dressed, choosing a pair of plain black, high waisted skinny jeans, and a tight black halter tank top that dips in a moderate v-neck and shows off just barely the edges of a lacy black bralette underneath. I apply makeup, my mascara and light eyeliner making me look darker, less innocent than my natural appearance. I don't know why I started wearing makeup– it's not that I think I need it, but maybe because sometimes I feel closer to my true self with it on. I feel more lethal. My piercings and various tattoos stand out, and I feel good today. I feel good about myself for once, even if just for a couple of seconds.

"I see you're letting me show you off today, huh?" Tobias says, wrapping around me from behind. "You look stunning. 'Initiates– this is Six, she's hot as hell and she's all mine.'" He adds in a mock version of his instructor tone. I laugh and turn to face him, looking into his deep blue eyes.

"I'm so happy to be all yours."

He smiles back at me, slowing walking towards me and pushing me gently back against the wall.

"Damn straight." He whispers, he face inches from mine. He kisses me slowly, gently holding my wrists against the wall.

A few minutes later, I peek at the clock over his shoulder. "We should probably go, the trains will be here soon. He nods, and passes me a muffin. I take it and eat it on the way over to the net.

-page break-

Outside the compound, we climb to the top of the building where the initiates will jump in a few short minutes. A smile breaks over my face, and biting my bottom lip, I turn to look at Tobias.

"Ready Instructor Four?"

He nods. "One..." he begins, grabbing my hand. "Two..."

And before he gets to three, he pulls me off the roof with him, catching me off guard. I shriek at first and then break into pure laughter all the way to the bottom. I land nearly on top of him and roll myself over, pinning him down. He smiles at me and reaches up to cup my face.

"Sorry to interrupt, but the initiates with be here soon and I'd like to brief all of the instructors." Says Eathan, in a voice that does not sound remotely sorry. Tobias and I slide off the net and join the small group standing by Eathan. My eyes flick around to observe who is here. Zeke and Uriah stand together, and a Dauntless nurse stands by Eathan, looking stern and at attention. I quickly say hello to Uriah and Zeke and we turn to Eathan.

"Tris, Four, you know Uriah and Zeke. They will be in charge of training the Dauntless-born initiates this year. And this..." He says, turning to the nurse, "Is Maria. She will be the nurse on call for both of your initiate groups during training, this is a new mandate. If you need her assistance, her contact is already in the training app on your phones, and she is available 24 hours a day. I'm sure you've all heard of me, but my name is Eathan. I was a Dauntless-born trainer for four years, and previously oversaw perimeter defense. I was ranked first in my initiate class, and intend to create a class of initiates who can all stand up to the abilities I had when I went through initiate training. We're walking blindly into a new era, and these initiates will be burdened with the task of helping carry us through this era safely. Do not go lightly on them. I will be supervising this program with a firm hand, but I respect all of you. Please come to me with any issues or updates. I expect you to follow my training curriculum down to the detail." Eathan pauses, taking a look at each of us. "With that, let's get ready to welcome our initiates."

-page break-

When the first jumper comes crashing down to the net, I see black and white clothing with a stream of brownish red hair following in a wind-whipped mess. The girl gets her bearings, and slides over to the edge of the net, and Four reaches up to help her off, his strong arms supporting her until she's on the ground. For a moment I wish I was tall enough to help the initiates off, but the net sits well above my head.

"What's your name?" Four asks in his stern and focused voice. "Choose carefully, you can only pick once."

The girl looks around for a moment, then says in a loud and clear voice, "Mia. My name is Mia."

I smile at her. "First jumper, Mia!"

One by one, the initiates drop onto the net, most of them screaming, some laughing, and some looking quietly fearful. We split them up into Dauntless born and transfers, and I count 16 transfers. More than usual– this is going to be a harsh round of initiation.

"Listen up," Four shouts over the murmuring. The room is instantly silent, and all the initiates turn their attention to him. "For the next several weeks, you will undergo mentally, physically, and emotionally difficult training with the group of people you see here. By the end, many of you will be cut. You understand the consequences of not giving your all, do not underestimate them. If you belong here, you'll have to prove it." The initiates eye Four and the rest of the trainers, and then move to observe their fellow initiates as if sizing everyone up.

"Two of us will be training transfers, two of us Dauntless borns, and one of us, Eathan, will oversee initiation as a whole. Maria will be your on-call nurse during training." Four continues.

"Dauntless borns, you're with me and Uriah." Zeke announces. The group of Dauntless borns files off, following Uriah out the door, along with Eathan and Maria.

When the room is quiet again, Tobias continues. "We will be your instructors. Initiates– my name is Four and this is Six, she's hot as hell and she's all mine. She's also highly skilled, and absolutely lethal when necessary. Treat her with respect." Four says confidently.

Amused, remembering what he said earlier, I sneak a side glance at him and he winks, almost imperceptibly.

A snicker rises up from the middle of the group. "Please. She's tiny."

Four's eyebrows instantly arch. "Who has something to say? Don't be a coward, step forward so we can see you."

Out from the crowd, a blonde Erudite girl steps forward, a cocky half smile playing over her lips. Four edges up to her, towering over her at his full height. She stands her ground and doesn't step back.

"What's your name initiate?"

"Nikki."

"Right, Nicole. Remember I told you you only get to choose once." I take a step forward until I stand at Four's side. She looks annoyed and glares at Tobias. I easily sweep my leg behind hers and she drops to the ground with no resistance. I stand over her body, pinning her to the ground.

Four breaks out into genuine laughter and his eyes glimmer at me. I flash my most innocent face at Four and the crowd, then dip low and whisper in her ear. "Then you won't mind fighting me for the first fight? It's a date."

Her face immediately goes red with fear, her originally cocky expression completely gone. She swallows hard.

"Carry on." I say to Four with a smile, and after a quizzical but amused look, he continues his spiel. Nicole is quiet for the rest of the tour.

As we guide them through the compound, I try to get a sense for who we're working with. I count two Abnegation, three Amity, and several of the usual Candor and Erudite. I notice the two Abnegation, Lucas and Camila, listening so intently to every word for says that they look like their heads might explode from trying to remember every detail. On the other hand, some of the initiates, I think their names are Kat, Natalie, and the first jumper, Mia, are chatting and mumbling to each other after every interesting detail they learn. James, an Erudite boy with Charming features looks in awe of it all. I can tell he feels comfortable here.

"... And this is the chasm." I hear, as I tune back into Tobias' words. "The chasm reminds us that there is a fine line between bravery and idiocy. A jump from this ledge will end your life, there are no exceptions. It has happened before and it will happen again. You've been warned."

I get goosebumps as his words echo through the roar of the water. Mist tickles my face and I look over the edge and think of Al. There are no exceptions.

-page break-

"And this will be your new home sweet home." I announce as we enter the initiate dormitory. I pause for a moment as the initiates look around, waiting for them to notice the completely communal bed space, showers, and toilets. There is an expression of surprise on many of their faces, but some like Aaron, a tall Erudite boy, have a curious smirk on their face. "You'll be getting very cozy with your fellow initiates, so drop your insecurities now. There is no place for them in Dauntless."

"But, remember, you're expected to be respectful to one another. If I hear about targeted sexual harassment, there will be consequences." Four says in an extremely menacing voice. He directs his stare right at the boys who are already starting to group together– Adam, Jack, James, and Aaron. I'm never scared of Tobias anymore, but it is times like these when I feel a prick of fear that tells me I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that stare.

We let the initiates get settled in and change into their Dauntless clothes, reminding them to throw their old faction's clothes into the fire as they leave, and tell them we will meet them in the dining hall in 15 minutes. As Tobias and I walk back towards the dining hall, I walk slowly, dragging out our limited time alone together.

"You were amazing." Tobias says to me with a wink while we're walking. I look up at him and smile.

"That means a lot you know, coming from a dauntless prodigy." I say with a laugh. Tobias gives me a fake glare, then scoops me up while tickling me and carries me over to a small alcove where a door is nestled.

I'm laughing uncontrollably while simultaneously fighting Tobias' hands away, when he says, "You know you're just as skilled as me, I made sure of it!" He has a huge, boyish grin that makes my heart swell.

When I can't take it anymore, I finally throw my hands up and say, "Fine! I surrender!" between laughs. Tobias stops tickling me, and pulls me immediately into a kiss.

"Good." He says against my lips.

Just then, the door we're leaning against slides open, and stumble back into a tall male frame behind me.

"Sorr-" I start to say before turning around, and then I notice Tobias' face. He immediately pulls me toward him and steps slightly in front of me in a protective stance. I whip around to see who caused him to react this way.

"Peter." Tobias says, with ice in his voice.

"Well look who it is," Peter starts, "The stiff's not so stiff anymore, huh?"

Tobias looks extremely irritated. Even though Peter helped us escape from Erudite, Tobias still hates him for his attack on me during my initiation. I shiver, remembering his cold hands groping my body while I tried to fight back. Tears threaten to rise up in my eyes, but I blink them back.

"Peter, as much as I'd love to stay and chat, we have somewhere to be." I roll my eyes and begin to drag Tobias back towards the cafeteria, but his feet stay planted, eyes staring down Peter.

"You'd better keep her under control. Wouldn't want her bumping into the wrong person these days, you never know who might want the both of you dead." Peter says, with an erie half smile as he turns to walk away.

Before he gets very far, Tobias grabs his arm, freezing him in place.

"What do you mean by that? Is that a threat?"

Peter scoffs. "If you I wanted you two dead, I had my opportunity. I just mean there's been talk... Some people would've liked to see Jeanine in power, and I know for a fact some still fear the Divergent. You two are the most well-known Divergent alive– and when people fear something, they fight. They kill."

Tobias releases his arm, and there's an imprint where his grip was. Peter walks away, and Tobias stares, deadpan, into the wall.

"I guess we never really escape the war, do we?"

I see the look in Tobias' eyes and I immediately hate Peter even more for causing it. I pull him into my arms. "It's okay. It's okay Tobias," I whisper, "We're safe."

"What if I can't protect you?" He whispers, eyes brimming with tears.

"Then I can protect myself." I hold his head to my chest firmly, running my fingers along his back and wondering if there will ever be an escape after all.

-page break-

Several minutes later, Tobias and I finally enter the dining hall, and when we do, a big group of heads turn to us. We get our food and sit down with the initiates, who are laughing and eating and talking, but Tobias and I can't find the energy to join in. We finish up and I stand to address them.

"We'll see you all in the training room tomorrow morning, 8:00 a.m. sharp. Don't be late." They nod and Tobias and I slide out of the cafeteria and back to our apartment.

Climbing into bed is a relief, and the sheets are cold, so I curl up to Tobias' warm chest. He presses a kiss to the top of my head, and I drift off into a dreamless sleep. The last thing I remember is Tobias' voice, soft and sweet, "I'll keep you safe Tris. I promise."

A/N: And there goes the first normal chapter! Let me know what you think in the reviews. I know this is a sorta long chapter, future chapters will probably be a little more short and sweet. I am soooo excited about this story and can't wait for you all to read the next chapter. It will pick up with the first day of training!

Xx,

Al