Chapter 34
Tris
I can't believe it's been a week already. Today, we're to fight for the first time. I was ready to fight the moment I jumped off the roof, but I guess not everyone was ready for it yet. I know that Amar will start the fights with the transfers as well. I've only spoken to some of them a few times. Christina is a bit of a smart-mouth, being from Candor. Will is always offering unnecessary facts about who-knows-what because he's Erudite-born. And Al? Well, Al is quiet. He is the complete opposite of Christina, and I almost always forget he used to be Candor. Then there's Peter, Molly and, Drew, also Candor transfers, who are just weird. That Peter guy is a real pain in the butt – like, he thinks he is some hotshot or something. I'm just so glad that I don't have to train with the transfers. Although, they do know that I used to be Abnegation, and came here before my Choosing Day. They weren't given an explanation as to why, but that didn't stop them from asking questions. I decided to not openly brag that I am the wife of a Dauntless leader. I know my worth, even without the status, but I wanted to prove myself without instigating the transfers. Unfortunately, ever since it came out I was Abnegation, Peter and his lackeys have been calling me Stiff. I ignore them most of the time, and it helps a lot that I don't have to spend time with them.
Max asked all the initiates into the Pit the first night. He explained that at least one person among the initiates was related to someone in leadership. He didn't give names, and I was grateful. To avoid unnecessary speculations regarding favoritism, a panel of three randomly chosen members will oversee the initiation process.
One of the three people is Eric Coulter, my husband's archenemy. Tobias was livid, but Harrison, George and Max assured him that it would be fine. They know Eric wants a better job than IT management, and applied for something in the leadership wing. There aren't any openings, but to be even considered he needed to do a good job. That meant that he would have to watch all the initiates, evaluate them, and hand out his weekly reports to leadership. It was his job to see if anyone was being favored but also be impartial himself. What Tobias doesn't know is that I suggested it to Max to pick Eric. It only seemed his participation was random, but it wasn't. I'd watched Eric for the past few months and, despite his rivalry with Tobias, he really did a great job. I know Tobias thinks Eric was the instigator of the rude comments about me, but I asked Gus, the guy in charge of the control room, to bring up footage of Eric and his buddies. Thanks to Max's insistence that I learn more about computers, I was able to activate the sound on the videos, being able to hear what was said. Apparently, while Mason, one of the guys who hates Tobias, insisted I would only rank high because of my husband, Eric didn't really comment. He nodded, but he was already tipsy.
I then asked Max to interview him, and after I explained why, he was happy to do so. Eric used to be Erudite, and obviously is very smart. He could be an asset on Max's team, if only he could be trusted. So, Max asked if Eric was willing to prove his loyalty to his faction by allowing an interrogation under truth serum. Eric accepted, and we soon found out that he indeed felt like he was always in a competition with Tobias, but didn't really hate my husband. Eric's loyalties lie completely with our faction. And, to my utter surprise, he said he admired me. Of course, he was one of the pricks who let it slip that Tobias got abused by his father, but that was a low-blow payback that Eric seemed to regret. He told Max that he knew how hard I was working to fit in, and after he witnessed several of my fights or sparring sessions, he was convinced I would do well during initiation. Given that my husband and daughter are both Dauntless, he was sure I would choose this faction.
Eric has no idea that this assignment is the last test leadership has prepared for him. They want to offer him a job, but Max didn't say what kind. I know that Cameron, the fifth Dauntless leader, wants to retire, and maybe Eric will get that job. I don't know.
This morning, Lauren has us working the punching bags, while Amar teaches the transfers how to throw knives. To my surprise, Tobias comes in and goes to greet his former instructor - and friend. Damn, he looks hot! I wish we were alone. I wouldn't mind having him on one of the training mats. Ugh, get your head out of the gutter, Tris!
I return my focus onto my punching bag, beating the shit out of it. I am so concentrated, that I nearly jump out of my skin when Lynn touches my shoulder.
"Relax, dude. I'm not gonna gut you," she huffs with an eye roll.
"What do you want?" I ask her, a little annoyed. She tilts her head toward the other side of the room, where the transfers are, and I follow her gaze. Christina and Molly are both standing close to Tobias. He's demonstrating the right technique to throw a knife - yet their gazes aren't on his arm, but his butt. Hey! That butt is for me to drool over. And damn, I actually drooled all over it. What can I say? It's a hot ass!
"Looks like the transfers are undressing Four again," Lauren comments, coming to stand next to me.
"What do you mean 'again'?" I question confused.
"The Candor smart-mouth, what's her name?" Lauren starts with an annoyed eye roll.
"Christina," Lynn offers.
"Yeah, right, Christina. She has been drooling all over your man ever since he first came in to check on the initiates' progress. Obviously, she must have not heard when Amar told them he is married, because she looks for every opportunity to be near him."
This is the first I've heard of this. I know Tobias wouldn't cheat; I know him too well. Yes, during the first few months here at Dauntless I wasn't so sure, but the combination of my Abnegation upbringing, my own insecurities, and the pregnancy hormones made me very territorial. Tobias loved that; I, on the other hand, hated it. I wanted to gut every woman who even dared looking at him. It took me some time to realize it was all in my head. He never once gave me any reason to think that he would be interested in any other woman. I wasn't lying to Dad when I told him that Tobias treats me like I am a queen or something. He is just that amazing.
I watch the interaction between my husband and the Candor transfers, and smile to myself when he pushes his way toward Amar. Our friend laughs at Tobias, while shaking his head slightly. I knew he would ignore Christina – seeing it with my own eyes makes me much more confident. Christina is tall, lean, but with enough curves to be an attractive woman. Her complexion is chocolaty, and her eyes are a soft brown.
A couple of years ago I would have felt inferior to her, but definitely not now. I might not be as tall as other people, but Tobias always says he loves my height, that I fit perfectly to him. I am much curvier than I used to be: my hips are wider, my ass isn't as flat, and my boobs are definitely a cup size up. Pregnancy did some great things to my body. I do have some stretch marks, but I don't mind them. They are a beautiful reminder of how I carried our daughter for nine months, and then gave birth. I am proud of them, and they aren't as deep as I saw in other women. I even considered a tattoo to cover them up, but then decided against it. I am a mother, and I am proud of that.
By lunch, all the initiates file out of the training room, and we're heading toward the dorms. I need a shower, and a change of clothes. I wish I could have lunch with Tobias, but he told me he had a meeting with a few people from maintenance, and needed to check cameras in the other side of the compound. We agreed to see each other later at home.
Once I'm ready, I head out with my friends to grab something to eat. We all sit down next to the transfers, and dig in. Amar and Lauren soon join us, and we talk about training. At some point, Amar stops paying attention to us, and looks toward the transfers. I want to ask what he saw, when Marlene then asks me if she can come with me when I go pick up Rose, because she misses her so much. I am so glad my little girl has so many people who love her, and Marlene is always so happy when she can spend time with Rose. It is endearing watching them.
"Christina," Amar calls, and we all look at him. He was rather loud. We look from him to Christina, who stares back, confused, "Fouris a leader of Dauntless, but more importantly he is a married man. You better remember that before you call him a hot piece of ass again!" Amar yells at her angrily. Wow! I've never seen Amar so angry. I look back at Christina who seems to have shrunken into her seat.
"What's going on?" Tobias asks innocently, as he slips in between me and Lynn. I'm sure he heard everything, but is just too polite to call everyone out.
"Apparently, not all transfers got the memo that you are married," Lauren comments with a grin on her face.
"Oh," Tobias speaks, "well, then," he continues, and then stands up. "Dauntless!" he calls out, his voice booming. The loud voices stop, waiting for their leader to speak. "It has come to my attention that some people don't know that I am married. Well, I am, in fact, a very happily married man, and have been so for over two years now."
"How come we've never seen this mysterious wife?" Molly asks with a smirk. Uh-oh, pissing Four off? Big mistake. I look toward Tobias who turns around to look at her.
"Watch it, initiate!" he warns. "Perhaps you've met her already, but didn't know. She is more than just my wife," Tobias starts explaining, but gets interrupted.
"Mrs. Four makes the best Dauntless cake. Who cares about who she married?" someone in the crowd yells, and the room erupts in cheers and laughter. I feel myself blush. Will I ever get rid of that stupid nickname?
Tobias sits down, and squeezes my knee under the table. He leans in slightly, and kisses my temple. I don't think anyone saw this. I am starting to regret not having told the newbies about us. On the other hand, I never expected to see someone hitting on a married man.
"Maybe we should come out. I mean, we have Max and the panel to check if everything happening during this initiation is legit. Why can't I brag with my awesome wife?" he asks, half pouting. I stifle a laugh, and nod.
Tobias then stands up, having to get to his meeting. We say goodbye, and tell him I'll go pick up our daughter after training this afternoon. He gives me a quick peck, and leaves.
I am glad that, for the second part of the day, Lauren's allowed us to spar. I usually spar with Lynn, but I feel frustrated after seeing Christina hitting on my man. I ask Uriah if he would spar with me, but he is already sparring with Marlene.
"I'll spar with you," Eric volunteers, surprising me. I look at him with a raised eyebrow, and he grins. "Don't worry. I won't hurt your pretty face," he assures with an eye roll.
"I'm not concerned about my face. What gives? Hoping to get some revenge on Four?" I ask, knowing full well he wouldn't injure me on purpose. He frowns.
"No. It is my job to assess that everything runs smoothly down here in the training room, and your instructor doesn't show you any kind of favoritism," he defends, his tone matter-of-factly. I nod my head, and we both take our boots off. We get into the rink, and as we start rounding each other, I observe his stance. "It wasn't Four who trained you, right?" he asks.
"No. I started with the girls. I sparred a few times with him, but I got the basics from Lauren. Why?"
"Different approach to opening move," he observes.
We start kicking and punching back and forth, never really connecting too hard with the opponent's body, but enough to make it count as a hit. Surprisingly, I enjoy sparring with him. I wonder how he'll be like in a fight. I know Tobias would have a meltdown if he knew about this. Then again, Tobias would have a meltdown if I fight with anyone. Period.
Eric is focused, and we don't really talk, but when he turns his gaze away for a split second, I take advantage of that and punch him in the jaw.
"Hey," he cries out, holding his jaw.
"Oops," I say with a grin. I then turn toward where he stared, wondering what was so interesting that he let his guard down. The only thing I see is Lynn. Am I missing something?
"Yeah, right," he scoffs. I turn my gaze back to him, and he smirks. "You are really good. I pity the idiot that challenges you to a fight."
"Thanks," I utter, "can I ask you something though? You don't have to answer," I tell him reassuringly. He nods. "Why do you hate Four?" He frowns for a moment, before sighing.
"I don't hate him. I mean, I thought I did. Can we not talk about this?" he asks, his voice betraying his annoyance over the topic I brought up. I nod my head, and scurry back to the punching bags.
When Lauren finally lets us leave for the day, I hurry to the dorm room to take a quick shower, and change clothes. I know I'm going home, but I'm not going to the daycare center all sweaty and dirty. Once I'm done, I wait for Marlene. Thankfully, she is out a moment later, and we head across the compound to pick up my daughter. Mar starts to tell me something, but I'm not really paying attention.
"Hey, are you okay?" she inquires, stopping me, and making me look at her.
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"You seem so distant. Is it because of the transfers?" she pushes. I want to play dumb, and pretend I don't know what she is talking about, but I don't do that. I nod my head. "Tris, you know Four only loves you," she states, her voice firm, yet soothing.
"I know, Mar. It's not that. I was wondering if it was worth it to keep our marriage secret. I mean, everyone else knows we're married. And I know we didn't keep it secret per se, but we didn't flat out announce it to the newcomers either. I mean, d-don't get me wrong, I am not ashamed. It's just, I don't want anyone to think things are good for me because of who my husband is."
"Tris, no one thinks that. Besides, Max and the other leaders picked three people to oversee everything, and anyone can come in, and watch our fights. There's no chance anyone will ever think your ranking has anything to do with Four. Just ignore the haters. There are so many of us who love you," she assures me with a kind smile on her face. I wrap my arms around her, thanking her for being such a good friend.
As I pull back, I see a boutique behind her, and an idea pops into my head. I ask her to wait for me a second, and rush inside. I pick two tee shirts that I saw in the window, and pay for my purchase. I hurry back, and together we go to the daycare center.
We can already hear loud laughter when we approach. Most parents are here already picking up their kids, and I step inside. I greet Ashley, my daughter's teacher, and ask her to bring Rose to me. Within five minutes, Rose's scuttling outside as quickly as she can, making her way through the couple of people still left in the lobby, until she reaches my legs, and wraps her little arms around them.
"Mommy, miss you," she mumbles with a big pout.
"Aw, I've missed you too, my sunshine. Come on. Let's go home," I say, and crouch down to pick her up. The moment I have her in my arms I feel all the frustration and anger leave my body, and being replaced with love and happiness. I kiss her little cheek, and then hug her tightly, but make sure I don't hurt her.
"Malene!" Rose shouts when she notices one of her many aunts.
"Hey there, Rosie. I've missed you, kiddo," Marlene coos. I ask Rose if she wants to go to Marlene and hug her too, and she bobs her head. I carefully hand my daughter over to my friend, and take the diaper bag that Ashley brought out. I thank her for everything, and after we say goodbye, the three of us walk home.
Reaching the elevator that takes us to our floor, Marlene hands Rose back to me. I invite her to have dinner with us, but she declines, telling me I probably want to spend some time with my family alone. I assure her that it is fine, and that she is a part of our family, but secretly I'm glad she is so perceptive and understands my need to be with Tobias and Rose alone. I miss them terribly, and it has only been a week. I say goodbye to my friend, and call the elevator.
"Did you have fun today?" I ask my daughter once the elevator closes behind us, and we start our ascent.
"Funny, pay Dylan," she babbles.
"You played with Dylan?" I ask for confirmation. She nods happily, and when the elevator door opens, I am positively surprised to find my husband at the end of the hall.
"Daddy!" Rose shrieks. Tobias looks up, and turns around. I step out of the elevator, and set my daughter down. She bolts towards her father, and he catches her with a laugh.
"Hey, sweetheart. I've missed you," he declares while picking her up, and kissing her cheek.
"Miss you," she responds. He smiles happily. I hurry up, and once I am in reach I wrap my arms around them both. Tobias leans down to kiss my lips.
"I've missed you too, babe. Come on, let's go home," he says. He hands me his keys, and I unlock our door. I step inside first, and walk toward Rose's room, where I deposit the diaper bag, and then hurry into my bedroom. I put the tee shirts I bought in my top drawer, and hope Tobias won't open it and find them. After all, they are a surprise.
When I return to the living room, I find Rose playing with some of her toys, while my husband is in the kitchen preparing our dinner. I go help him, and despite his protests, I convince him to let me do something as well. We always loved doing these things together.
"How was your day?" he asks. Should I tell him about Eric? I don't want him to freak out, but I also don't want to lie to him. It's not like anything bad happened.
"Was good. Sparred with Eric," I say nonchalantly, and then wait for his reaction while I peel a carrot. Tobias completely stops what he was doing, and, in my periphery, I see him turn to stare at me. "There a particular reason why you're staring?" I ask, and finally look up. The look in his eyes is murderous.
"Did he hurt you?" he asks, his voice low, and grave.
"Tobias, we just sparred. He was actually nice. We had a civilized conversation, and he complimented my fighting technique. Besides, we were in a room full of people. What do you think would have happened?" I ask, and set my knife down. I wrap my arms around his waist, and lay my head on his chest. I can feel his pounding heart, threatening to jump out of his thorax.
"I hate that he is on that panel."
"You shouldn't. So far, he's been fair, and hasn't said anything out of line. I think, since the two of you were always rivals, no one can say that I was shown any favoritism with him being one of the people assessing my skills."
"I still don't like it," he mutters.
"Honey, I'm fine. You know very well I could defend myself even from Eric. Trust me. And try not to be too judgmental. I think if you would set aside your rivalry, you would see he is doing a good job with this assignment," I challenge. I know he will flip out at first, but eventually will think about what I have said.
"I'm judgmental?" Here we go.
"A little bit," I voice, and lean back so that I can look at him. He looks hurt. Damn. Did I go too far? He takes my arms from around him, and walks out of the kitchen. "Tobias?" I ask confused.
"I need a shower." He disappears in our bedroom, and I hear the door close. Damn! I'm an idiot. Finesse, Tris, finesse, you moron!
Every fiber in my body wants to go after him, and apologize, but I know that it won't matter right now. He is angry, and needs to calm down. Also, I am not entirely sorry. He can be stubborn, and while I'm not siding with the guy who made his life hell during his own initiation, I do have to give credit where credit is due. Everyone has the capacity to change.
I continue cooking, mentally kicking myself for being so insensitive. I know how much Tobias dislikes Eric. I should have been more tactful. On the other hand, my stubborn husband sometimes needs a reality check, and, right now, he needs to realize that having Eric evaluate the initiates, me especially, means that there's no way anyone would fudge my results, whatever those may be. I can only hope he'll see that too. I hate fighting with him, especially now when I can't be at home. But maybe I should sleep here tonight, and only sneak back into the dorm room tomorrow morning.
I hear Rose in the background talking to her stuffed toys, telling them all the things that happened to her at daycare today.
"I still don't like that Eric is so close to you," Tobias suddenly announces, and startles me, "sorry," he adds, when he sees me holding my chest from the scare.
"It's fine. You need to trust me. I can take care of myself. Also, I meant what I said about Eric. I don't expect you to suddenly trust the guy, just to keep an open mind. You are an amazing leader, and you have learned to put your own personal preferences aside, and judge a person for who they are. Who knows, maybe Eric will surprise you."
"You're the second person this week to say this to me," he points outwith a small smile.
"Really? Who else shares my wisdom?" I ask cockily.
"Max." I nod. I figured it must have been him.
"Let's forget about Eric and initiation. I've missed my family, and all I want is to spend time with you and our kid," I groan, wrapping my arms around him anew. He holds me close to his body, which now smells amazingly. "I love you," I declare, looking him in the eyes. His smile widens, before he leans down, and kisses me lovingly. When he pulls back, he rests his forehead against mine, whispering "I love you, too".
A/N: Tris is training with the Dauntless-born. Obviously, since she is a skilled soldier already.
What do you think of Eric as one of the three supervisors? Will he be fair? Or will he try to hurt Four through Tris? Is Tris trusting Eric too much?
What about Christina hitting on Four? Will she stop, seeing that it was repeatedly pointed out that Four is married?
Will Tris tell the transfers that she is Mrs. Four?
And could somebody, please, kick that little bitch Peter in the nuts? Thank you!