For the first time since returning to work at Dauntless Healthcare, I have time to sit down and check my email. My inbox is full of mostly junk mail, weekly updates and get well soon notes. One email in particular catches my eye, its a toxicology report from the lab. I click on it while trying to remember any patients I had run a tox screen on before I went on medical leave. As soon as the report opens I am flooded with the memory of Peter laying unmoving and bleeding out on my kitchen floor. This report isn't for a patient of mine, it's for Peter.
I nervously scroll through the report. Unsurprisingly, his blood alcohol level was through the rough. My blood runs cold when I see that there was at least 200mg of Sildenafil in his system. I can't breath, my pulse is racing and I can't focus on anything but getting out of my tiny office and seeing Tobias.
I pack my bag and leave for the day. I don't bother stopping at my place, I don't feel safe there anymore and haven't slept in my own bed since the attack. Tobias won't be at his apartment yet, since I left work early two hours early. I decide to swing by the leadership offices instead of being alone. He sits practically unmoving behind his computer looking very focused, absentmindedly drumming his fingers on the desk. I watch him for a moment, easily getting lost in thought.
He was the boy who pulled me from the net they day I jumped into Dauntless. He remains the best boss I ever had the two years I worked as an initiation instructor while on PA school break, and I think I've fallen in love with him. Although if I'm telling the truth, I think I fell in love with him a long time ago.
Watching him has calmed by heart rate and returned my breathing to normal. Just then he looks up at me, a huge smile crosses his face and he gestures for me to come in. I don't wait for pleasantries, I don't care if anyone sees us. I kiss him. Hard.
An hour later were curled up on his couch. A dinner I whipped up is in the oven. I am trying to push the events of the day to the back of my mind but it's not working. I have to tell him what I read today. I look up at him and before I can say anything he can already tell it's something serious. We both sit up.
"Tobias, I have to tell you something" I say my voice shaking.
"What happened?" His voice escalating. I can tell he's getting nervous.
"I looked at Peter's toxicology report today… He was drunk and had more than double the recommended dose of Viagra in his system. He showed up my door with a plan and it wasn't just to chat."
Tobias doesn't respond. He leaps from the couch and runs for the door.
"Toby wait!" I scream after him.
I know where he's headed and I have to stop him. Peter is still in the hospital. During the fight, Tobias broke his jaw and they won't release him until he is no longer being tube fed. Although Peter will go to trial after he is out, he is not cuffed to his bed nor does he have an armed guard at the door. Right now I wish he did, as it would probably protect him from Tobias's wrath, if I don't catch him soon.
I don't bother with shoes as I sprint down the corridors of Dauntless after him. I can hear him pounding down the hallways towards the clinic. He's faster than I am, as this rate I'll never catch him. My only hope is that he'll come to his senses before he get's himself into trouble. Almost as if he can read my mind I hear his footsteps stop. I run until I find him, slumped up against a wall, breathing heavy.
"Ah thank god you stopped, you know I can't catch you" I huff at him.
"Don't gloat, you know I'd beat him senseless if it wouldn't cost me my job and him getting a trial" he says into his hands.
"Tobias, I'm angry too, and scared, but you saved me that night. He's already in the hospital and going to trial, with the hospital reports and our statements he will most likely be getting jail time. We can't ask for anything more. Now lets go home" I say extending my hand to him.
"I know you're right, I just don't want to think about him touching you or hurting you" He says squeezing my small hand in his large one.
We start to walk back to his apartment hand in hand when he stops abruptly. He stares at me with the most peculiar look on his face. For a moment I'm worried he's upset again.
"Tris, did you say 'lets go home'?" he asks.
"Umm I guess I did, I'm sorry I meant let's head back to your apartment" I say shyly.
"Don't be sorry, it was nice to hear" he says with a smile.
We walk the rest of the way in a comfortable silence. It's only when we get closer that I remember our dinner in the oven. The door to the apartment was left ajar and I can smell dinner cooking. Thankfully there is no smoke billowing from the door.
Tobias is still being uncharacteristically quiet as we sit down to dinner. We both have a lot to think about so I don't push talking. My mind is filled with thoughts of Peter, work and Tobias.
"Tris" Toby says quietly.
"Tobias?"
"I've been thinking about you calling this place home" He says looking around at his very minimalistic apartment. "What do you think about moving in together…?" He says with a hint of fear in his voice.
"You want me to live here?" I say with a smile
"Well actually, I was thinking maybe we could look at a place together. Your place has bad memories and my place isn't very home like. We could find a new place that is our"
"I love the sound of that" I say.
Tonight we make slow love. He worships every inch of my body and I do the same to him. He kisses along my jaw, down my neck and to the spot that still carries a fading bruise. Tobias traces the outline with his cool fingers and lays lingering kisses against it.
I run my small hands down his back and outline his tattoo. I leave wet kisses on each faction symbol. When we finally come together we're both buzzing with passion. In just a few short months our bodies have become one when we're making love. I never thought that a physical relationship could be so exciting, meaningful and fun!