Edward and Marlene is an unconventional pairing, I know, but sorry, I won't give any spoilers. You'll just have to wait and see...Thanks so much, again, for the reviews, follows and favorites!

CHAPTER TEN

Tris POV

Today is the last day of stage one, and our final fights. I don't know who I'll be up against, but I'm not too worried; I'm pretty sure the only ones I can't beat are Edward and Peter, but even if I lose this fight, I'm in no danger of being cut. I've won all my other fights so far.

I bought some new clothes last night, remembering how I had to go back to the dormitory in only a towel on this day last time around. I hadn't forgotten to bring clothes in with me; the problem was that as I've gained muscle during training, my clothes simply didn't fit any more. So this time, I am prepared.

At least, I thought I was. What I didn't anticipate was Peter and Molly coming into the bathroom while I was showering… and running off with not only my clothes, but also my towel. Yep, that's right. My shower is just about done and it looks like I will have to walk down the hall completely and totally naked and exposed. My cheeks flush and my hands are balled into fists. I'm so angry that I scream out loud. This is just sick. Who does that?!

I shut off the water and look around hoping that someone left a dirty towel or something in this bathroom but there is nothing. The door begins to swing open and I run and hide behind it. I may not be as self-conscious as I was when I was fresh out of Abnegation, but I still don't really want to be seen without even my underwear!

The door only opens a few inches and I sigh in relief when I hear a familiar voice. "Tris? I saw Peter run off down the hall and I heard you scream. Is everything okay?" Thank heavens for Uriah!

"Uri!" I gasp in relief. "Peter and Molly stole my clothes and towel. I have nothing to cover myself with. Can you bring me something?"

Uriah calls out in the affirmative, and I hear him muttering about pansycakes as he jogs away. It feels like forever, even though I know it's just a minute, before he's back. This time he actually comes into the bathroom, standing with his back against the door, but he keeps his eyes shut, respecting that he knows I would be extremely uncomfortable. He holds out the bath towel for me and I grab it. "Thank you so much, Uriah!" I call out as I quickly wrap the towel around me. I don't hesitate now to come out of the bathroom; it's just Uriah, and no one can see anything important with the towel around me.

"Want me to beat them up?" he asks, looking completely serious and unusually angry.

I shake my head no as he walks down the hall with me with his arm protectively around my shoulder. "I need to fight my own battles, but thanks, Uri," I say with a smile, and I kiss him on the cheek, just like I would if it were Caleb helping me with something like this, before I hurry into the dormitory.

Peter is whistling and fluffing his pillow and Molly is sitting on her bed. She looks over at me with a smirk, then a scowl when she sees that I found a towel. I notice my clothes peeking out from under her bed, and march over and snatch them out quickly.

Back near my own bunk, I quickly sort through the clothes and prepare to pull on the underwear. But there that bitch is again, pulling hard at my towel.

"You look like you're twelve, Stiff," Peter cackles, and Molly snorts out her hideous laugh.

"God, you're pale," she adds.

I shrug as I pull on my clothes. I refuse to let them see me upset about this. I will not give them that satisfaction. "At least I don't look like some disgusting ogre and laugh like a horse," I say with a false sweetness in my voice as I tie the laces on my black sneakers.

Molly glares daggers at me. Guess I hit a sore spot, did I? "You scrawny little bitch!" Molly says as I stand up. She swings at me. Hasn't she learned yet that I'm the better, faster fighter? I dodge out of the way, then immediately after, I punch her in the nose. It immediately begins to gush blood; I think I broke it.

"Stay away from me," I say in a low voice, then I saunter out of the room.

For all my efforts not to have Peter and his lackeys laugh at my naked body this time around, they ended up doing worse. When I enter the training room, still filled with rage, I pray that I will be fighting Molly, like I did for my last fight the first time around. I want to hurt them, and I will. My mouth forms a wicked grin when I see the chalkboard. I'm not paired with Molly this time. No, even better: today I get to fight Peter, and our fight is last.

Normally I probably couldn't beat him, but to say I'm motivated today would be an understatement. I remember his weaknesses: he steps before he punches, and that will help me dodge his attacks; he's quick, but not as quick as I am, and he's cocky. Despite how well I have done in training so far, I don't think that he will see me as a threat.

"There goes your winning streak," Christina says sympathetically. I frown at her. Does she still see me as weak?! With no faith at all that I have even the slightest chance at winning? I hate being underestimated, and now I not only want to exact revenge on Peter, I want to show everyone in this room just how strong I am. I will win this fight.

Will and Myra fight first. Myra is easily the weakest of the bunch, so it's over in just a couple of punches. The same goes for Christina's fight against Al, as once again, he's taking a punch or two and pretending to be unconscious. I roll my eyes. Why did he even join Dauntless? Did he really not expect to have to fight?

Molly fights Edward next and I take particular joy in watching him beat her bloody. Edward is an excellent fighter; he's tall and strong, but not overly bulky. He's quick, smart, and has been studying hand-to-hand combat for years. She never stood a chance. No one in our initiate class stands a chance against Edward, honestly. Maybe some of the Dauntless-borns. I think he and Uriah would be evenly matched.

Edward and Molly's fight does last longer than the first two I watched, but soon he's dragging her off to the infirmary and Peter and I take the ring. "You look like you're going to cry," Peter teases. I think he's somehow mistaking rage for fear. Not a good mistake to make. "I might go easy on you if you cry. I mean, I already feel sorry for you, so scrawny and pale. That was a nice birthmark on your right butt cheek, too."

I surprise him now with a punch to the throat. I smirk as he gasps and stumbles back, while I quickly round him and kick his feet out from under him. I get a few kicks to his ribs in before he grabs my foot and pulls me down. I'm flat on my back, and he hovers over me, his face flushed with rage, but doesn't get a good enough hold on me before he tries to punch my jaw and I roll out from under him.

A moment later we're both back on our feet. I block his next punch with my forearm, then dodge the next one, elbowing Peter hard in the stomach. He tries to kick me, but he hasn't fully regained his balance from the blow to his stomach, and I easily knock him down again. Blind fury is all that I'm aware of as I kick him in the head and ribs. It's just like my fight with Molly last time, it's like deja vu, except I think if it's even possible, I'm twice as angry as I was then.

Tobias

As soon as the initiates entered the training room this morning, I noticed that Tris was… I don't know, a little off this morning. On edge. Once her turn to fight against Peter came up and they both entered the ring, my stomach was in knots. Tris is an impressive fighter given her size and background, always using her brain and winning through superior strategy, but the odds were not in her favor against Peter. So, I steeled myself for the worst.

But here I stand, watching in shock as Tris ruthlessly kicks Peter in the head and ribs. He has given up, she has won, but she doesn't stop. It reminds me of my fight with Eric during my own initiation, when nothing short of white hot rage carried me through it. I can clearly see that it is the same for Tris now, and if I don't stop her, she might actually kill him.

"Tris, stop!" I yell as I run into the ring and wrap my arms around hers, holding her arms down, my chest pressed against her back. I lift her off the ground, pulling her away from a very bloody Peter. "You've won, Tris. Stop. It's over."

She stops fighting me and just turns, looking into my eyes as if they are her lifeline, panting. Her face is red and her fists are still clenched. "Everyone, you're done for today. Someone take Peter to the infirmary. You're all dismissed," I call out, not taking my eyes off Tris.

The initiates file out of the room and I occasionally glance at the initiates as they leave. Al drags Peter out, and I notice him watching me, his eyes cold- maybe jealous, or worried. I can't think about that right now and it doesn't matter, he will almost certainly be factionless in a few days anyway.

Tris is still breathing heavily, and she hasn't yet ripped her gaze from my face. My hands find either side of her face, my eyes search hers. Her breathing is finally beginning to slow. "Tris? Are you okay? What happened to make you so angry?" She still just stares. "Come on, Tris, I know that wasn't just you wanting to win, something happened. You can talk to me," I plead.

Her eyes shine with tears, but none fall. "I was in the shower this morning and he stole my clothes and towel," she says. I close my eyes to compose myself. The idea of Tris having to walk back through that hallway with nothing to cover her… everyone able to see her… my blood pressure rises. She continues, "Uriah saw him, checked on me without opening the door enough to look. He brought me a towel." Thank God for Uriah. "But then back in the dormitory, Molly ripped the towel off of me, and she and Peter just… stood around making fun of me."

Now it all make sense. Peter deserved what he got, and worse. She ruined him, and she had every right to. Now all I feel is a mix of anger at Peter and Molly and pride at how Tris stood up for herself against someone who is probably twice her size. She truly is amazing.

"Well," I finally say, "you sure showed him." Finally she cracks a smile and I automatically smile back. Her breathing has finally stabilized. "Are you okay now?" She nods, finally looking away from me.

Even though she beat the crap out of him, I don't want to just let this go, nor should I, as her instructor. It's not just as her instructor though, either. I personally want to see him pay for this. "Tris, I could report this. It's unacceptable. I can't let someone treat you that way… I… this isn't right, Tris."

Tris shakes her head, eyes wide. "No, Four. Please. I just want to drop it. I want to fight my own battles, and I did."

I really wish she would let me bring this to Max, but I understand her feelings on it, and I respect her too much to challenge her decision on this. With a sigh, I nod. "Okay, Tris. Just… be careful. Rely on your friends to help protect you."

Tris simply nods. "I'll see you later… Four," she says with a sigh and turns to leave.

I catch her wrist in my hand, and she looks at me over her shoulder. I swallow hard. "Tris… I want to show you something."

Her eyes light up with curiosity. "Okay… what is it?"

I shake my head. "Can you meet me by the chasm tonight? Eleven o'clock?" She nods and smiles slightly, then leaves without another word.

Marlene

I'm on the roof at sunset again. I won my final fight, but I don't feel like celebrating. All day, my mind has been on what I saw this morning.

I was walking down the hallway when I saw Tris walking out of the bathroom in absolutely nothing but a towel… and Uriah walked out with her. I couldn't see their faces as they walked away from me, but the body language said it all. They walked with his arm wrapped around her shoulders, and at the door to the dormitory, they talked for a second, and then… with the Stiff stood there in absolutely nothing but a towel, she raised herself up so she was standing on her toes and she kissed him on the cheek. He smiled after her as I rushed into an alcove so he wouldn't see me.

I sigh as the scene replays in my head again. He was in the bathroom with her naked. She was comfortable enough with him to go walking around in just a towel?! Stiffs aren't usually comfortable showing… anything. Until she got to Dauntless, she probably had never even shown her forearms. I shake my head and sigh once again as I hear footsteps approaching. When the person intruding on my solitude sits down, I finally glance his way. Edward.

"Tough day?" he asks. I nod slowly.

"You're trying to get over Myra," I say, "and I'm trying to get over someone, too."

He raises his eyebrows. "Want to talk about it? I'm a good listener, too, you know."

I shake my head. "Not right now."

We sit and watch the sunset for a while again. "Tomorrow's the day," he says.

"What?" I ask. "Visiting day?"

Edward laughs. "Well, that too, though I doubt my parents will be coming to see me." He pauses. "I meant it's the day we get the rankings. Tomorrow will be Myra's last night at Dauntless, then she'll be cut and have to leave." I nod slowly and put my hand on top of his. "Are you nervous?"

"Me?" I ask. "What, for the rankings?" He nods. "No… I won most of my fights. I won't be cut." A small part of me hopes Tris will be cut, then I feel really bad about even thinking it.

"Edward," I say, thinking back to his comment about his parents. "You were born for Dauntless, from what I've heard about and seen. If your parents don't show up tomorrow, don't let it get to you. They're not worth it if they can't accept you for who you are. You have people here who think you're pretty amazing." I blush slightly… I probably shouldn't have said that.

He smiles. "Well, Marlene," he says, "I hope you know that whoever it is that you are trying to get over is an idiot, because you're beautiful, kind, brave, fun… anyone would be lucky to be with you." In this moment, I realize how much we've leaned in toward each other. We're breathing the same air. Maybe I don't need Uriah at all. Maybe…

And in that moment, Edward closes the distance and presses his lips to mine.

Tobias

I arrive at the Chasm ten minutes before eleven o'clock. In the five minutes I wait for Tris, my anxiety rises at a pretty constant rate; by the time she steps into view, I am getting worried that I might lose my dinner, I'm so nervous. Maybe this isn't a good idea. What if she pities me? Then I'll still have to see her every day for weeks while feeling completely uncomfortable and ashamed.

She smiles at me as she approaches and looks at me almost adoringly. I'm afraid she will never look at me that way again after she knows everything. But I take a deep breath and motion for her to follow me anyway. I'll take the risk. I decided I could trust her for a reason. I have to give her the chance to prove that my instincts are right.

We don't say a word as she follows me up to the Pire, and too soon, we are standing outside our destination, the Fear Landscape room.

"You haven't been in a fear simulation yet," I say, "but this is like what we use for the final test. It's kind of like the aptitude test, but you'll be aware, and the program will show your deepest fears. Right now, it's set to mine." I finally look at Tris, but she doesn't look… weirded out, or anything, by me showing her this.

"You would let me see that?" she asks, looking only slightly surprised.

I shrug. "It's why we're here." I pull out the black box, which I have stocked with two prepared syringes. I reach to inject her, forgetting again that she has not been through fear sims yet.

She doesn't flinch when I inject the serum into her neck, and then I hand the other syringe to her, leaning down so she can reach my neck. I have been through my fear landscape countless times, and since completing initiation two years ago, I have always injected myself. This time, though… I will be injecting her with serums as her instructor all next week. I want her to know that I see her as my equal, not my subordinate. I want this experience to be as much about her as it is about me. I tap the spot where she should pierce my skin with the needle, and she does not hesitate, her hands surprisingly steady, as if she had done this before.

"See if you can figure out why they call me Four." As I say this, the scene around us transforms.

We stand high up in the sky, on top of a skyscraper. Tris leans against me and I'm thankful for it; I'm having trouble breathing, and I close my eyes to block out the view as I hold onto her shoulders for stability and strength. "We have to face the fear or slow down my heart rate and breathing," I say, now realizing I haven't told her how exactly this works. I feel her nod her head; I clench my teeth as I force myself to breathe in and out, in and out.

"So we have to jump, right?" she asks. I nod without opening my eyes. I feel her hand press against mine, and I hold on tight, as she counts to three and I am abruptly pulled to the edge and into a free fall. My heart races, and I am going to die. I am falling and I am going to die, I am going to-

I am back on solid ground, and I open my eyes. Tris stands quickly, completely unfazed by that terrifying jump, and holds out her hand to help me up. "Now what?" she asks. Does she understand that this is not a game to me? That these situations are utterly terrifying?!

"It's-" I am cut off by walls slamming against my back and appearing in front of me and to the sides. "Confinement," I groan, immediately beginning to panic again.

"Okay, just breathe, Four, it's okay. We make it worse to make it better, right? Face your fear?" All I can do is groan. Even in this box, Tris's hands on mine spread warmth up my arms. She pulls me down and the box shrinks.

"This is much worse. Definitely much worse," I say between panicked breaths. Tris presses her back against my chest and guides my hands so that my arms wrap around her. "Breathe when I breathe," she says, and she puts my hand on her chest, just above her heart. "Feel my heartbeat. See how steady it is?"

Steady is not what I would call it. "It feels really fast," I say. "Why is your heart beating so fast, Tris?" This is actually good. My attention is not only on this damned box now.

"Well… it's fast… because I'm in a box pressed up against a boy that I like kind of a lot…"

I break into probably the biggest grin that has ever crossed my face. I lean in even closer, so close that my lips nearly touch her ear, and whisper, "you like me kind of a lot?"

"Mmm-hmmm," she hums as the wooden walls of the box we were trap in splinter and burst around us, setting us free.

"I have never gotten out of that so fast before." I'm still smiling, and it's not dark any more so I can see her smiling back at me.

But I glance over my shoulder and there she is, waiting for me. The woman- an innocent. She points a gun at me, but she doesn't shoot. My blood runs cold and my stomach twists with dread as I make my way to the table with the gun.

"She's not real, Tobias," Tris says softly. "I know she looks real… it feels real… but it's not."

I bite my lip and nod. "This one isn't so bad. It's not so much panic… more just... dread." I feel Tris's hand rest gently on my back, and that inner strength that I've seen so many times already, I swear I can feel it pour through her hand into me. I load the bullet into the bun, aim, look away, and pull the trigger.

The woman slumps to the floor.

"Here we go," I whisper. Because the worst one is next. The one where all the cards are on the table, where she knows my deepest secrets, my identity, everything. I'm so anxious, it's making me dizzy, but Tris grabs my hand just as my father creeps into view. He wears Abnegation gray and holds his hands behind his back, and I'm already shrinking away from him.

"Marcus," she whispers, and her eyes are trained on him filled with hatred, though I don't know what for.

But I can't think about that right now, because Marcus is right in front of me with black pits for eyes, and he shows us his hand, holding the belt. He says the words that haunt my nightmares, the words I heard so often. "This is for your own good." We are abruptly surrounded by his clones, a dozen of him total, all ready to beat me bloody.

I am frozen in terror. Marcus raises the belt and I can hear nothing but the pounding of my own heart as I close my eyes, steeling myself for the lash that is about to strike me. But it doesn't come.

I'm shocked by what I see when I open my eyes. The belt is wrapped around Tris's wrist, her teeth clenched in pain. She took the hit to protect me. No one has ever protected me before, no one has taken pain so that I would not have to. The people who were supposed to love me never did, but here is this small, brave, selfless girl, protecting me from my worst nightmare.

And that gives me strength that I never thought I would find. Suddenly I am so angry, there is no room left for fear. How dare he hit her? I jump forward, pushing Tris behind my back as he lunges at her. I don't even think, and my fist flies, striking him hard in the jaw. One hit is all I get; all the Marcuses disappear and we are back in the fear landscape room.

Tris looks at me. "And that's why they call you Four..." she says with just a hint of a smile. "...Tobias," she finishes softly. Somewhere in my mind it registers that I have never heard my name said that way before- like a revelation, as if it's the most beautiful thing in the world. It's almost musical, when Tris says it.

I stare at her for a moment, frozen by shock at the way she stood up for me, my lips parted and eyes wide. Before I even know what I am doing, I pull Tris into my arms, holding back tears. She stood up for me. She took that whip… for me. What have I ever done to deserve that from her? "Thank you," I whisper as she hugs me back.

"We got through it," she whispers in my ear.

No. I have been through this fear landscape so many times and this was an entirely different experience. That was all Tris. "You got me through it," I say and I pull back and search her eyes. She doesn't look at me with pity. She looks at me just how she did before, and I know now that I was right. She is worth trusting.

I have never kissed a girl before. Before Tris, I've never really wanted to; I have maybe in an abstract sense, but never have I felt the desire I feel now to be so close to someone. I couldn't stop myself if I tried, and I don't hold back; I lean in and press my lips against hers. Instantly she kisses back, her hands tangling in my hair. Warmth and electricity surges through my entire body, all the way to the tips of my fingers and toes, and the world falls away around us. I'm not sure which of us pulls away first, or maybe it's all at the same time. I rest my forehead against hers and cup her cheek in my hand.

This feels... right. And for the first time, I don't feel so alone.