Everything became frenzied as soon as she walked in the door. Scientists were pulling her in one direction, while people she had never seen before were trying to pull her in another, with David and Zoe hovering over her through it all. They barked orders and Tris obeyed, just wanting to get everything done and for it all to be over.

They started with her hair, chopping and dying until she was sure they had cut off too much. "Here," another person said, leaning her back in the chair she was sitting in. He held her eye open, dropping something cold into it. He hovered over her until he was satisfied, then did the same with the other eye. He watched carefully and told her to blink rapidly. After a couple minutes he held something to her nose and told her to breathe it in deeply; she scrunched her nose, wiggling it when it tickled. "Don't sneeze. Just hold it in." He looked at his watch, and when he seemed satisfied, he sat Tris up and rolled a mirror over to her. In nearly no time she went from long, blonde hair and gray eyes to chin-length tawny brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. He put a silver clip in her hair, handed her a pair of glasses, then stood back to admire his work as she put them on.

"I'm really glad you chose this look," he said as she stood. She touched her cheeks, and turned her head left and right. Tris was sure she was still there underneath everything, but with the changes to her body from her time spent working out in Dauntless and the tan she had acquired from the Amity greenhouses, she almost didn't recognize herself. It was enough that she was sure Caleb wouldn't look twice at her.

"We created a care bag for you to maintain the look, but it's going to be very simple. These eye drops," he said, holding up a small bottle, "Keep up the eye change. They only need to be used once a week, so pick a day and stick with it. These capsules here," he said, gesturing to a small pouch, "Just drop four of them in your conditioner and it will keep up your hair. We went with a shade of brown that won't look like it deviates from your darker roots too much. But if you find it's looking too light or even too orange, drop in another two and it should darken it up. We also threw in a few extra clips, since they seem to be very popular in Erudite right now. Now last, but certainly not least, this stuff you need to breathe in every morning. It's just a small irritant that will affect your voice. Go ahead, say something."

"Okay," she muttered, clapping her hand over her mouth. She sounded nasally, her voice a higher pitch than normal.

"Perfect. We have one last thing," he said, holding back a laugh while handing her a tube of toothpaste. She looked up at him, her eyebrows scrunched. "Open it and squeeze a small amount on your finger." She did as she was told and saw it wasn't toothpaste at all; instead it contained a lightweight, tan liquid. He pulled the neck of her shirt aside and she understood. It took two applications, but her tattoo was completely gone; the makeup blended into her skin perfectly.

"It's waterproof, but just like the drops, it stays for roughly a week. Just make sure you don't get this and your real toothpaste mixed up." He winked at her, and she couldn't help but smile. "Okay! Onto the next thing."

He paraded her around to nods of approval from the other scientists, some of them stopping to examine her more closely. Zoe let out an 'Aww' when she approached, which made Tris roll her eyes. She stopped herself from speaking up as David looked down at her, his eyes narrowed.

"Before you go, we have to finalize your identity." He handed her a tablet. "I thought it might be best to allow you to choose, since you'll have to answer to that name from now on. This list contains the most popular Amity names from the year you were born. You can take your time." Tris nodded as Zoe directed her to a free table.

They were all very typical, she thought, as she looked through the names. Ava. Demeter. Summer. Iris. Petunia. She rolled her eyes; she wasn't a flower, and she certainly didn't feel like being referred to as one. The list was getting smaller, her hopes diminishing of finding something worthwhile. Something she could actually stand to be called, as well as being easy to remember. She glanced over the list again when she was done, ready to pick a name at random, when one in particular finally caught her eye. It wasn't perfect, but it reminded her of a shared moment with Tobias; the memory caused a coy smile to briefly grace her lips.

"Melody." She was startled by her own voice, but she kept her face composed, trying to hide it.

"Perfect! And a last name?" Zoe asked.

"Wright," David said before Tris could answer; she tried her best to keep her expression neutral, though she wondered if David was aware that she knew about her mother. "You're right-handed, which should help you remember that easily."

She sat patiently while everyone did what they needed to do. It was explained to her that she wouldn't exist anywhere officially until she was safely inside the city walls; it was too big of a risk to insert any of her information until then. She watched them type and prepare, checking on her periodically.

A woman eventually sat down with Tris and worked with her on speech and pronunciation. "Erudite tend to have their own inflection on certain words," she said, handing her a short list.

"But I'm supposed to be from Amity."

"Well, yes. But you don't need to wear glasses, and neither do most of them. It's just something that's expected. It'll be easy enough to pick up on, but it couldn't hurt to practice since you should have already been there for a while." Tris nodded, and they worked together until the woman was satisfied Tris could pull it off.

Lunch was brought to them as they continued to monitor the drops in her eyes to make sure they were effective, while last minute information about Erudite was filtered in: who was currently at the top of the class, recent things that had happened during initiation, people she would want to be friendly with, and more. She was also given information on the people in the dorms she would have been housed near during initiation, allowing her some time to familiarize herself with them.

Tris ate what she could and reviewed every last detail they gave her. She knew there was no room for failure; she needed to succeed without any mistakes, and she needed to make sure she could get out of there as quickly as possible. She read up on the various things an archivist would be expected to do and tried to form some sort of plan; it was obvious she should do everything she could to avoid Caleb, but with him being so close to Jeanine, it seemed impossible.

It was near the end of dinnertime when they excused her, finally satisfied after checking her eyes and voice for what felt like the hundredth time. She was instructed to meet back with them at 10 pm for one final run-through before leaving. Tris thanked them and made her way to the cafeteria, nervous to see Tobias's reaction.

He was sitting in their usual spot, with Ruby and Matthew having joined him. Tris hovered for a moment before she was even noticed, which seemed perfect for her new persona. "Hi," she whispered, not wanting to startle them with her new voice.

"Hey," Tobias said, smiling and pulling the chair out for her. He looked her up and down as she sat there; she might look different to everyone else, but he could see her through any disguise.

"So, my voice," she said, and Ruby's jaw dropped in surprise. "It's a little different, too."

"Holy crap!" Ruby said, her mouth still hanging open. "Tris, that's amazing!"

She gave Ruby a smile while Matthew nodded along. "Not bad," he commented. "No worries, okay?"

"Okay." She gave the two of them a nod before looking at Tobias. "Do you want to—"

"Yeah," Tobias answered, not even letting her finish.

She let out a laugh, clapping her hand over her mouth at the sound. "Thank God this is temporary."

Tris had her hands in her pockets as they wandered through the compound. Every time she started to speak, she felt like she couldn't find the right words, that they wouldn't even sound right with her voice even if she could. It was another level of stress she wasn't sure she knew how to deal with. She had never said goodbye to anyone before, and Tris was afraid she would screw everything up.

Tobias glanced at her, watching for a moment as she worried her lip. He didn't want to think about how soon she would be leaving, or how he wouldn't be there for her if things went wrong. Instead, he focused on what would make her happiest in that moment, and how he could alleviate some of her worries. He turned, leading her down into the tunnels, taking her hand in the low light when she offered it.

"I'm sorry I can't go with you," he whispered. "But I'll be watching every chance I get." She nodded, offering him a small smile. They passed the bar and continued on, just the two of them, until they ended up in the Genealogy room. He led her over to her family; Tris touched her name, and the single AB next to it.

"You have something to fight for," he said, looking at the names of her parents and her brother. "People to try and make things better for."

"I have something here, too," she said, turning to him. "They're okay right now. It's you I'm worried about."

"I know. I promise I'll behave while you're gone." Tris was certain she would never tire of the smirk he wore whenever he was being sarcastic.

He pulled her close, pressing his forehead to hers. She breathed him in, moving just enough to allow his lips to easily find hers. Tris let herself get lost in him, desperate to forget what was about to happen. Tris let out a hum as he pressed himself against her.

"The things you do to me," Tobias whispered.

She looked up at him through her lashes. "Even, you know, like this?"

He nodded slowly, trailing his lips across her cheek. "Even like this." He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. "Your hair might be different and your voice might be different," he said, pressing more kisses on her jaw and neck, "But this is all that matters. This doesn't change." He placed one last kiss over her heart, and Tris relaxed, accepting his love and his warmth as he wrapped himself around her.

Tobias let everything out: whispers about how much she meant to him, how much he loved her, how scared he was for her. He wiped her tears as they fell, and she did the same for him when it became too overwhelming. Tris told Tobias how much she loved him, too, and promised to be careful, willing the worry in his eyes to go away. They kissed and held each other until she needed to pull herself together and get ready to go; her time to leave had come entirely too fast.

They parted ways, with Tris going off to David while Tobias headed to meet with Amar. He had to stop in a bathroom to vomit; Tobias splashed some water on his face afterwards and slid down the wall, trying to calm his nerves. It was no secret that he didn't trust easily, and the circumstances of Tris's leaving were no exception. As he stood, Tobias tried his best to ignore his gut feeling that something horrible would happen, making sure he looked okay before exiting.

Amar eyed him carefully before handing him his itinerary. "You going to be okay with this?"

He sighed. "Yeah. It's not like I have much of a choice. Kinda surprised I'm even going at all."

"I'm not," Amar said, quieting when Jones and Briggs came in. Tobias narrowed his eyes before reading over the plan and finalizing it with everyone.

Tobias was double-checking everything was in place when Tris came out, David and a few scientists by her side. Amar took the small, pre-packed bag that contained what she needed and handed it to Jones before holding his hand out to help her into the front seat. Tris thought it was a sweet gesture and accepted it, keeping her eyes down after she buckled up.

"Good luck and make sure you follow protocol," David said as he shook Amar's hand. "This mission rests on you now."

"Yes, Sir." Amar gave David a firm nod before taking the driver's seat. Tobias climbed in the back first, making sure to take the seat that was closest to Tris, while Jones was quick to put himself between Tobias and Briggs.

It was awkward to see her dressed in all blue; the color didn't suit her at all. Tobias thought that maybe it was because he had become accustomed to seeing her in the various colors that were available at the compound. But she was like him, and stuck to mostly blacks and grays. He smiled at the thought, realizing with a heavy sigh how much he would miss seeing her every day.

"We're going to have to take the train," Amar said, getting Tris's attention.

"Why? Won't we be seen? I mean, Dauntless monitors the cameras around the city, right?"

"We've got that covered. What you need to worry about is running in that skirt." Tris looked down and tugged on the unforgiving fabric.

The remainder of the ride was quiet. Tris stared out the windows, watching the buildings as they passed by before looking straight ahead, mesmerized as the shadow of the wall rose up in front of her; she swore it had grown larger in the months since she had left. Though it was dark, she was still amazed at how different it looked from the outside. Amar flipped off all of the van's lights, startling her until a screen came on between them, showing what they couldn't see in the dark. "Getting close," he clarified for her. "Don't want to be spotted."

As soon as they were in the tunnel, Tris felt her heart speed up. While she didn't have much choice, it suddenly felt like a do-or-die moment; once she stepped into the city, there was no turning back. She looked over her shoulder for the first time to see Tobias; he immediately turned his head, giving her a small smile. She hated that they would be separated.

It was an odd sensation as they left the van to head back into the tunnel; it was Tris's first real glimpse of the secrets her city held and of the path to the outside world. She stayed by Tobias's side, thankful that Briggs was ordered to stay behind. She watched carefully, learning and memorizing as they made their way through the building and onto the streets.

"Wait," Tobias whispered, pulling her arm. They stopped and pressed themselves against a wall while Briggs gave them directions through their earpieces. Amar crept to the corner and looked up, signaling that there was a camera.

"When I say go, you run, okay?" Tris nodded. "Just follow Amar, and Jones and I will be right behind you."

Amar stood still, watching the same corner. Tris saw him hold out something circular that had a small button on it, which he pressed. "Go!" Tris shot out after Amar, crossing the intersection and not stopping until Amar did at the end of the building.

"Okay, explain," she said, catching her breath.

"The cameras rotate so they can be spaced farther apart. That button acts like a kill-switch: it stops the camera for five-seconds, buying us fifteen to get past it without getting caught. Anything longer would alert the Dauntless, so we have to be quick."

"Well, thanks for the heads up," she said, smirking.

Six cameras later, they were standing beside the train tracks; Tobias checked his watch. "Should be any minute now. I'll go ahead so I can pull you up. Amar?"

"Got it."

"Train's fast, so you're gonna have to give it all you've got," Jones commented. "I've seen some Dauntless bust their asses on the screens."

"That's reassuring," Tris said.

She heard the train before she saw it. She thought back to how she used to admire the Dauntless, daydreaming about catching the trains like they did. She honestly never thought she'd get the chance; as the train approached, she ran after Tobias, a wide smile on her face. He jumped up with ease, like he had done it a million times before. Tris pushed her legs harder, faster, but the door was slipping further away from her.

"Back!" Amar yelled from behind her, and Tobias disappeared. Tris panicked as she struggled to reach the open door.

"Tris!" She looked over her shoulder to see Tobias in a different doorway, his hand held out. She reached up as he passed, his large hand gripping her tight and pulling her up with ease. Jones and Amar jumped on after her, the three of them walking in circles or holding their sides, trying to catch their breath.

"You okay?" Tobias asked.

"Yeah. I would have had it, but it's this… this damn skirt!" she said, gritting her teeth and tugging it straight. She let out an exasperated sigh at Tobias's smile. "Please don't laugh at me."

"I'm not," he said, pulling her close. "You're just cute when you get angry."

"Hey," Jones chimed in, "If there's one thing I've learned from Ruby, it's don't call a girl cute when she's pissed." He winked before he turned around, tugging Amar with him to give them some privacy.

"Is that true?" Tobias asked, a grin on his face.

Tris shot a look at the back of Jones's head. "Tell you what. I'll make you a deal. If you're gonna call me cute when I'm mad, then I'm gonna do the same to you."

"Deal," Tobias said, chuckling.

"I do have a serious question, though. Wasn't there another way to do this? I mean, a closer entrance for us to go in?"

"There are three tunnels we can access. While one is technically closer, the one in the factionless sector allows us to catch the train; the other two would require us to walk the entire way, adding too much time and risk." Tobias leaned in and added, "If you have to press that button, this is the way I'll be coming, okay? You just find your way here." Tris nodded as he pulled her into him.

They stood together, watching the city pass, the wind rushing into the car all around them. It was exhilarating, Tris thought, though Tobias kept trying to slowly pull her away from the door; he was fine until the tracks started to rise.

"We could have done this, you know," Tris said.

"What? In Abnegation?"

She gave him a soft smile. "No. I mean, you wouldn't have stayed there, would you?"

Tobias looked at her for a long moment. "No."

"What would you have chosen?"

He looked down at the dark gear he was wearing, a smile crossing his face. "Dauntless, maybe."

"Yeah, maybe." Tris was quiet for a long time before adding, "Maybe we were always meant to meet in black instead of gray."

Tobias took her face in his hands and kissed her, not giving a damn that Jones was clearly watching them, given the way he was whistling and cat-calling. While there was never any doubt in Tobias's mind, that moment solidified for him that he belonged with her. No city, no wall, no genes, and no faction could keep them apart. She was his, just as much as he was hers, and nothing could ever change that.

"Alright," Amar called out. "Jump's coming up. Get it together."

Tobias shot Amar a look before taking Tris in his arms one last time. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too."

Jumping off was easier; Tris stumbled, but she did not fall. She tugged at her skirt one more time, and shot Jones a look when he snickered. They paused while Amar checked in with Briggs and hid their bags, bringing along only Tris's and what they needed to do the reset. Tris, however, didn't miss the gun Tobias pulled out and placed in the back of his waistband, Amar and Jones doing the same. Tobias held her hand as they walked, both for reassurance and to get every last second he could with her. They only had two cameras to avoid before they were at the loading dock doors to Erudite.

"You stay right on top of me," Tobias said. "This could be tricky." Tris nodded just as the door unlocked. They slid through, the doors automatically latching behind them. "Bureau," Tobias whispered, tapping his earpiece, and Tris nodded.

It was the same dance they did through the city: watching, waiting, pressing the button and slipping past the cameras in pairs. Erudite, like the rest of the city, was ordered to completely shut down by midnight. The Bureau knew they disobeyed, keeping the labs operational all night. It didn't matter in that moment, though; the dorm halls — and the access areas they needed to get there — were empty.

Tris held her breath as Amar and Jones split off, entering separate rooms; she followed as Tobias slipped into hers. He pulled a small silver contraption out of his jacket pocket, gently placed it on the arm of her roommate, and pressed the button.

"Your roommate's name is Melody Wright," he whispered in her ear. "You sometimes call her Mel."

"Mel," the girl repeated, her voice thick with sleep.

"Yes, Mel. Melody is quiet, shy. She keeps to herself, though the two of you are friendly. She's smart, but doesn't volunteer much. She transferred from Amity, and you like her."

"Amity."

Tris quietly put her clothes away. When Tobias was done with her roommate, he walked over to the window; she could hear the faint confirmation that she was in her room.

"Okay," he whispered, coming to stand in front of her; he looked as worried as she felt. He unzipped a pocket, removing the mirror, a few alcohol wipes, and Matthew's encryption device, and held them out to her. "Matthew said you'd know what to do with these." Tris nodded as she took them, offering no explanation. His eyes darted back and forth between hers for a moment, assuring himself that she would be fine. "Time to go." He leaned in and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly into his chest.

"Be careful," she whispered, her own arms encircling his waist.

He nodded against her, then pulled back to look into her eyes. "You, too. I'll see you soon. And Tris?"

"Yeah," she said, blinking away the tears.

"Be brave."

She gave him one last kiss before he slid out the door. Tris looked around her room, taking a few moments to make sure she wouldn't wake up disoriented, and allowed herself some time to let all her emotions out. She wiped her tears often as she tucked what Tobias gave her safely away in her bag, stuffing it in between the mattress and box spring before changing her clothes and creeping into the unfamiliar bed.

It took Tris some time to calm down, but when she did, it was because she finally accepted things as they were. She was no longer a child in Abnegation or a refugee at the Bureau: Tris was now a spy in Erudite.

A/N:

I'll see you soon...

As in Thursday, because Christmas is on Friday so I'm not updating then. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and thank you for your reviews!