AN1: Sorry for the delay! Finals plus my internet went berserk. Here's the next chapter! Just pretend that the day is equal to the day this chapter was uploaded, that's how I'm going to continue writing this story. For those of you wondering: yes. I will upload a chapter on Christmas. It should be the final chapter, assuming nothing goes wrong. Chapter 10 occurs on December 18th! Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Less than a week until Christmas. There is less than a week until Christmas, and my hunt for a present for Tobias has continued with no luck. Maybe today I'll find him something.

I exit the apartment and debate asking Christina if she wants to go. I decide against it, if I invite her, my mind will be cluttered with keeping up with her in shopping mode. It will be much easier to find a gift for Tobias alone.

I make it to the Pit and see Peter inside one of the shops, causing me to quickly decide I will not be finding a present for Tobias in there. Walking in the other direction, I notice a weapon shop not too far from where I stand and think that they might have something I could get him.

When I enter the shop, I notice that there are surprisingly few Dauntless members in the shop. There are a few people crowding around a case of guns, with others spread throughout various locations in the shop. I glance around, trying to find a place to start, when I see the section of the shop dedicated to knives.

I walk over and see a set of throwing knives, encased in a black case with a silver plate on it to engrave a message on. Perfect.

I find a shop keeper and ask them to engrave the casing with 4&6 before I pay for the present I've found for Tobias. As the man engraves the silver plate, I glance at my watch. Tobias has lunch in ten minutes. If I don't hurry, he'll find me and the present. That will not happen. Once the man finishes the engraving, I take the black bag he has placed the set of knives in and exit the store quickly.

I glance around and see Tobias and Zeke laughing as they enter the Pit. Crap, crap, crap, crap. I pull the black hood of my jacket up to hide my hair and face and quickly turn the opposite way. I see the lingerie store and know that they probably won't be heading in there during their lunch break.

I half jog, half walk over to the store and quickly walk to the very back of the store. I lower my head and hide behind one of the tall racks of bras. At least I'm short enough to use this as a barrier.

I watch as Tobias and Zeke walk past, still laughing, headed to the food court, and begin to relax. At first I think about exiting the store and heading back to the apartment, but I quickly change my mind, knowing how Tobias has a sixth sense and would know that I was near.

I look around the store trying to find something that will be less awkward to "look" at while I wait on Zeke and Tobias to head back to work. I notice one of the cheery sales ladies walking my way and immediately regret the decision to come in here.

"Hi! Welcome to Dauntless' Secret! Can I help you find something today?"

"No, uh, thanks. I'm fine," I reply, putting on a fake smile and starting to walk away.

"My, you have the prettiest blue eyes! This would look fantastic on you! It'll complement your eyes!" She exclaims, handing me a lacey, navy blue bra.

"Oh, no, really, it's fine," I attempt one last time, trying to escape her grasp.

"You really should try it on! What's the harm in it?"

My dignity, I think to myself. I take the garment from her and head to the dressing rooms to try it on. If it will get me away from her, I might as well.

I put it on and notice that it does make my eyes look a bit brighter and my chest looks more feminine. I take off the garment and redress, sparing a moment to look at my watch before I exit the dressing room. It's been thirty minutes and Tobias' lunch break is an hour long.

"How did it work for you?" she kindly asks, the too cheery smile plastered on her face.

"Well. What other suggestions do you have?" I ask. I might as well continue this for the next half hour.

"Follow me!" she exclaims, leading me through the store.

*WIBBLY WOBBLY TIMEY WIMEY STUFF*

Two hours later, I finally make it out of the store with three bags full of things.

Oh well.

I walk through the Pit and think I'm going to be able to leave without being stopped. Those thought leave as quickly as they came when I see Peter walking my way.

I pretend I don't see him, but that doesn't work.

"Stiff," Peter growls.

"Peter," I snarl in return, attempting to go around him.

"Dauntless' Secrets? Who'd want to see that on you, Stiff?" Peter asks, sounding amused.

"You're one to talk, Peter. You are the one that felt me up during initiation," I reply

Peter almost growls in response and I see his eyes growing dark. I should be afraid, but I'm not. I'm Dauntless.

"Get out of the way, Candor," I ground out, trying to push my way around him.

"Not a chance, Stiff," he grumbles in response, pushing me back a little bit.

I decide enough is enough and look for a weakness. I see Uriah walking over followed by him shouting, "Hey!"

Perfect. Peter looks towards Uriah and I take this as an opportunity to throw a punch. I punch him in the nose, sending blood gushing, before kneeing him in the groin.

He falls to the ground and I kick him in the abdomen three times for good measure, before leaning in to his ear and growling one last threat.

"Leave me alone, Peter. Get over it. I'm better than you." With that, I pick up my bags and start for the apartment again.

Before I get to far away, I hear the smack of a shoe hitting skin and one last groan from Peter and Uriah yelling something about the Infirmary.

As I continue on my way, I hear the approaching footsteps of Uriah.

"Tris. Wait up," he says, his walk turning into a jog. I don't stop, but I do slow my pace a bit.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asks as he reaches me.

"I think you should ask Peter that question," I calmly reply.

"Haha, very funny, Tris. Seriously, are you okay?" he asks again, gently grabbing my shoulder to prevent me from walking away.

"I'm fine. Why do you care so much anyways, Uri?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"You're like my little sister, Tris. If you weren't fine I was going to go back and kick some Candor ass," he responds, smirking but still serious.

I laugh a little. "Thanks, Uri. It means a lot," I reply smiling.

"Anytime. So do I need to go kick his ass or not?"

"No, I think I took care of that, Uri."

"Alright. I'll walk you back to your apartment," he states, not as a question.

"You don't have to Uri, I can take care of myself."

"I know that. I think you've done enough ass kicking for one day," he retorts, looping our arms and beginning to skip down the hall.

I let out a laugh and skip with him, all of my troubles quickly forgotten.

When we reach my and Tobias' apartment, we share a goodbye and I quickly enter the apartment and lock the door, using the chain, too. Not because I'm afraid of Peter, but rather because Tobias should get off soon and I don't want him to enter the apartment while I'm still wrapping his gift.

I set aside the Dauntless' Secrets bags and grab the bag with Tobias' gift inside. I retrieve a roll of wrapping paper that has a shiny, black background with blue and silver polka dots all over it. I set to wrapping the set of knives, being sure to make this gift the prettiest under the tree.

Once I have securely taped the wrapping paper down, I grab some silver, blue, and white ribbon and tie it into a neat bow, making sure to have curls cascading down the sides of the gift.

Just as I finish wrapping the gift, I hear Tobias' keys jingling outside of the door. I watch as the lock turns, followed by the door knob, as Tobias tries to enter the apartment. I let out a soft laugh at his sigh of exasperation.

"Tris, let me in!" he pleads, trying to push his head through the space between the door and the chain.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" I yell, laughing as I walk to the door.

When I open the door, I'm met with Tobias questioning the door.

"Why'd you have the chain up?"

"I can't tell you," I reply, smirking.

"Did it have something to do with your encounter with Peter today?" Tobias asked.

"No, it didn't. How'd you know about that?"

"I work in the control room, Tris. When Uriah dropped you off at the apartment he told me to go back through the video footage to look for it."

"Oh. Well, if you saw it, you'd know that I took care of that on my own," I reply.

"I know you did. I'm not worried about him, he should leave us alone. If he wasn't the reason you had the chain up, what was?"

"I can't tell you," I repeat, smirking.

"Oh, really? Well, what can you tell me?" he smiles.

I walk over to the Dauntless' Secrets bags and lift them up, "I might be able to tell you what's in these bags, but it depends."

"On what?" he asks, his eyes already growing darker with every word out of his mouth.

"You'll figure it out," I tease, turning quickly on my heel and walking out of the room and to the bedroom, Tobias following not far behind.

AN2: So how was it? Longest chapter yet! Sorry for the delay in posting! Thankfully, finals are over and I'm on winter break! My internet is being weird so I don't know when I'll be able to update again. Hopefully soon! I am working the rest of this week, so that might also interfere with updating, but I'm free Saturday! Hope you guys have had a good week! Thanks for the support! Good luck to those of you suffering through finals and may the curve be ever in your favor. xx, chrissym453