I can't sleep. I don't know what is going on. I don't know why both Four and Eric are circling me like vultures…like I'm something to be won. Maybe I am. Maybe it's a game to them because I'm the Abnegation girl. First one to give the Stiff a Stiffy wins. I crawl out of bed with a groan of disgust as I change into my training clothes. It's only three in the morning, but it's better to get a handle on training rather than stare up at the ceiling thinking of ways to avoid my pursuers. It has to be my previous faction that they're interested in. There has to be some bet or wager. No one has ever shown me the time of day and both Eric and Four know what faction I came from. They know the way I was raised. I roll my eyes as I step into the hallway leading down to the Pit. The cafeteria is open for the night owls and I walk in for a muffin so that I get a boost of energy before heading down for some late night training.

After grabbing what I've come for, I turn for the door and see Four out of the corner of my eye. He's drinking a beer with Lauren and Zeke in the corner, but he looks up and meets my eyes. It's like last night when I meet his eyes. I can barely move. I wish the sight of him didn't elicit such a response, especially considering everything I've thought about this morning. But I force myself to as I leave the cafeteria and start my trek to the Pit. As to be expected, it's empty. I sit down on the floor as I take bites of my muffin. I lean back against the wall, studying the area in front of me, not sure if I want to start with knives or the punching bag first. My point of view is interrupted when someone is standing in front of me. My heart leaps in my chest when I see Four looking down at me, with a curious expression on his face.

"What are you doing in here?" he asks me.

I shrug, taking a bite so that I can take my time before answering. Trying to seem cool is what I have no practice in doing. Especially not when he's got those eyes focused on me. "At this current moment in time? Eating a muffin."

He rolls his eyes. "Don't' be a smart ass," he says. "It's three in the morning. Why are you out of bed?"

I take another bite. "I can't sleep," I tell him. "Too many thoughts…distractions."

"And you're down here why?" he asks. "I'm sure the pharmacy has a sleeping pill you can take to knock you out or something."

I shake my head. "No, I'd rather not be drugged during any point in time. Especially not around you." I stand up and throw my muffin wrapper into the trash and make my way over to the punching bags.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Four snaps, following me.

I whirl on him. "You and Eric, you're a perfect pair you know that," I snap back at him. "Let's pick on the girl from Abnegation because she won't say no? Because she's so desperate for attention, she'll take it anyway she can get it?"

Four stops in his steps, like he's walked into an invisible wall. "What?" His voice comes out a whisper.

"That's part of the reason I can't sleep," I say. "I shouldn't admit it to you, not here, not as a Dauntless, but I'm scared to close my eyes."

Four stares at me, realization flooding his features. "Did Eric put his hands on you?"

I scoff. "Like you won't do the same."

"Tris, I'm being serious," he says. "Did Eric put his hands on you? Did he touch you?"

My eyebrows come together on my head. This isn't the way I'd expected this to go. This isn't how he is supposed to react. He seems almost…worried. Like he cares or something. But that definitely can't be right.

"What?" I ask. Four's eye are running over every inch of my skin and I'm surprised that I don't feel as dirty as I did when Eric looked at me. But it doesn't stop me from blushing. "What are you doing?"

"I'm looking for wounds. Scratches."

"Scratches?"

"Did he force himself on you?" Four sounds angry now. Pissed.

"What?" I ask. "No. No. He only touched me-"

"Where?" It comes out in a shout. I wince.

"My tattoos," I answer, my voice quiet.

Four swallows. "How badly did he hurt you?"

I shake my head. "He didn't hurt me," I say.

"I'll never let him even get close."

"What does it even matter to you, Four?" I ask him. "I'm just a stupid girl from Abnegation. You and Eric just want to see who can stick it to the Stiff first, am I right? All you care about is making sure you get there before Eric."

He takes a step back like I've slapped him. "You really think that about me?" he asks.

"What other reason could there be?" I ask him. "What other reason could there be for you to want to keep Eric away from me? Other than wanting me for yourself?"

Four shakes his head. "I want to keep Eric away from you because he's dangerous. Not because I want you."

"So you don't want me then," I say. Weird that I feel disappointed at that.

"I want you for my own selfish reasons," he says. "Not to get to you before Eric."

"What are you selfish reasons then?"

"Because I'm drawn to you."

Blatant honesty…it kind of takes my breath away as I stare at him. "You're joking right?"

He looks surprised. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"It must not show on your face because you can't be serious."

"Why not?"

"Because well…look at you. And then look at me."

"What am I supposed to be looking at?"

I hadn't noticed that during this time, he's been walking closer to me. How had I not realized and how had I not moved away from him? It's automatic to move away from Eric but something about Four pulls me in.

"I'm not pretty," I tell him. "The only reason you'd even spend time looking at me is to settle a bet."

"Is that how you see yourself? You think that that's all you're good for? An easy lay?"

Thinking that about myself and hearing Four say it are two completely different things. I swallow.

"There's not much else I'm good for," I admit.

"That's where you're wrong, Tris."

The sound of his voice makes me look up at him. The look on his face is so completely passionate and caring. It's then I really realize how close we've gotten during our talking. I open my mouth to question him again, but he closes the distance between us and kisses me. It takes me a second to react, but when I do, I don't push him away. My hands find his shirt and I pull him closer to me. He pushes his tongue between my lips and fights for dominance, and I willingly surrender it to him. He releases me after a moment pushing me away from him and I'm gasping for air.

"What…" I pause, still finding it hard to breathe. "What was that?"

"That was my selfishness," Four answers, sounding just as affected as I am.

I look up and see him in a completely different light. "I kind of like your selfishness."

He smiles at me, his eyes softening as he looks at me. He lifts a hand and caresses my cheek. I can't stop myself from leaning into his hand. "Do you believe me then? That my attention is my own and not because of my some bet?"

"Is that what that kiss was for?" I ask him. "To prove that you aren't trying to force yourself onto me?"

He grins. "No. That was me wanting to shut you up before you try to argue with me again," he says. "And because I couldn't stop myself."

"You couldn't stop yourself from kissing me?"

"I didn't want to."

"So what does that mean? The kiss?"

He shrugs. "It can mean whatever you want it to me," he says. "But know that it's a promise that I'm going to protect you from Eric no matter what."

"Why?"

Four steps up and kisses me again, softer this time. "Because I'm selfish."

"Oh."

"Oh is right," he chuckles. "Did you want to go over some moves? From the way you knocked Drew out today, it's obvious you're picking up this stuff really quickly."

"But I'm still weak," I tell him. "If I tried going after Peter or Edward, I'd be the one in the infirmary."

"You're fast," Four tells me. "But I've got some tricks that'll help even someone as little as you knock the best on their asses."

"Like you?"

Four smirks. "Tris, don't you know this? You've already brought me to my knees."