After some discussion, Inez agrees to return to Dauntless with us to set up the Divergent mission. I'm still not sure I trust her, but I am trying to show that I trust Tris, and she thinks Inez is important to our success. For that matter, Tris definitely doesn't trust Evelyn, so it says something if she still wants Inez to come with us. Uriah, of course, is in, but then both Christina and Darius say they are in, too. Tris stares at the floor uncomfortably.
I clear my throat and put my hand lightly on Christina's shoulder, the kind of casual contact I imagine most people find reassuring. I use my instructor voice.
"Christina, I've seen more courage and strength from you these past few days than I've seen in Dauntless who've been Members for decades. The way you disarmed that guy - who was he, Inez?"
"Ray," she says, rolling her eyes. "He's a - what was the word, Uriah? Patty cake?"
"Close enough," Uriah crows. I glower at him.
"Yeah - Ray. The point is, I can't think of someone I'd rather have on my team..."
She scowls at me and pushes my hand off, though I can tell she likes what I said. "Don't suck up to me, Four. You look like a dog that just ate a pair of high heels - empty praise doesn't work for you. You don't want me along. I get it. Just say so."
Making an example of Christina on her first day in Dauntless, of what it meant to leave your faction behind - that was easy. Someone makes it easy every year. But there's nothing easy about this. I have to remember not to underestimate Christina.
So I drop my hand and look her in the eyes. "I do want you along," I say simply. "But given what Amanda Ritter said, I am not sure it is safe for anyone who isn't Divergent."
She returns my look, deadly serious, confirming that she's no longer just an initiate. "I am not sure it's safe for anyone."
"Probably not," I agree softly, "but we have to try."
There's nothing else to say for the moment and so we're all quiet until Leo and Cara join us. It's the first time Leo and Darius have seen each other since Sam died, so I stand up to leave and give them some space.
"No, stay," Leo says, flicking his eyes at me. "We're all family now." I look at Tris, startled by his choice of words, and she smiles at me, eyes shining. "Hopefully, he means something a little different," she murmurs.
Leo gives Darius a fierce hug. "Glad to see you alive, baby brother," he says, voice thick with emotion. Darius nods, gripping Leo's arm.
We all talk for awhile about comfortable things. Mostly about Dauntless - the good parts, like paintball, cake, zip lining, just being free. But also the parts that need to change - initiation, training, the fact that our sense of community had frayed long before Max and Eric shredded it completely.
"Well, I think it's a good time for us to go home - literally," Leo announces, standing up and stretching. Darius struggles to rise, too, but Leo reaches out and puts a hand on his chest, holding him back. "I can't do this without you, Dari," he says quietly, "and I don't like leaving you here alone one bit, but I need you to heal."
Darius slams a fist against the pillows in frustration. "I just want out of this hellhole," he mutters. "I'm sick of being here."
"No offense," he adds, glancing at Cara.
"I'm looking forward to getting out of here myself," she responds gravely.
"I'll stay here with him," Christina offers, straining to keep her voice casual. I see a look pass between her and Tris, which I pretend not to notice.
"That would be great," Leo says, putting an arm along Christina's shoulders. "The doctor thinks he might be able to leave in a couple of days."
Christina nods. "I'll take care of him for you, Leo." It's an oblique apology for what she said about losing his brothers. Leo kisses her on the forehead.
"I'm right here, you know," Darius grumbles, clutching at the sheets.
"Oh, get over yourself," Christina says briskly. "Don't make me sorry I said I'd babysit you."
Darius glares at her, but he moves over in the bed and makes space for her to sit down. I glance back as we leave the room and see that he was maybe putting on a show of strength for our benefit. His eyes are closed, sunken with exhaustion, and he's slumped back against the pillows. Christina is holding his hand, murmuring softly to him.
