AN: Hi all, thanks for your patience. Here's an update! Hope you enjoy it :)

Chapter 13

The next weeks passed by quickly, Tris and her friends worked hard, trained hard, adjusting to the rapid pace of learning and life.

Tris had increasingly less time to attempt to see Four outside of training, for she was very focused on excelling in the second stage of training. So she had little free time, and was very tired. On the weekends she had to make time to keep in touch with her family, as well as relax and bond with her new friends.

The matter of Edward and Myra's departure had been an extra pressure on the recruits, which they could have done without. They were all questioned briefly, and lectured severely about the incident, though nothing really came from it, as had been expected.

Two weeks had passed since the second stage of training had begun, and Tris had hit a wall, she needed a break, to actually blow off steam and indulge herself. She'd barely spoken two words to Four outside of training and had begun to sorely miss the closeness they had started to develop.

It was Friday afternoon, and Tris had an individual hand-to-hand combat session with Shauna. After it, she hoped to find a way to spend some time, in private, with Four on the weekend, that was, if he was still interested.

He still kept a close eye on her when he saw her in training, and she often caught him looking meaningfully at her. In passing he'd sometimes subtly brush a hand tenderly across her arm, or touch her hand. But they really hadn't had any real time together.

So when Tris walked into the room assigned for her hand-to-hand combat training session and found Four waiting for her, she was pleasantly surprised.

"Hey," she said, with a genuine, easy smile. "I thought Shauna was working with me today?"

"She was, but I suggested it might be good for you to learn a little about overpowering someone much stronger and larger than you," Four answered. "Plus, I wanted to see you, and for longer than 3 minutes."

"I was thinking that myself," Tris replied with a shy smile. "That I wanted to see you, that is. I have some free time this weekend. I really need a break, and to do something fun."

"Well, how about you leave that up to me," Four suggested. "I'll plan something, how good it is, depends on how well you do today."

His voice was serious, but his eyes were teasing.

Tris trained hard, even though her focus was frequently broken by electric tingles when she connected physically with Four.

She finished the week's training feeling relieved, and excited for the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, Tris got a message from Four on her cell, telling her to meet him on the 17th floor that evening after dinner, and to wear gym gear. This perplexed Tris, but she assumed Four would have a good reason for the odd request.

Tris knew it would be easy to ditch Christina and Will, they had become particularly close. Tris was sure something was going on between them, but didn't push Christina for details, she was sure Christina would share when she was ready.

After dinner Tris threw on her gym gear and departed for the 17th floor. Christina assumed she was just going to have a late evening work out.

On the 17th floor, Four was waiting for Tris when she stepped out of the elevator.

"I didn't know there was anything else up here, besides the pool," Tris said, approaching him. "We did only come up here once last weekend to check it out though."

"No, you're right, the pool is pretty much the only thing up here," Four said with a smile. "That's where we're going."

"But it's closed after dinner," Tris said in confusion.

"Well, with my seniority, I get certain, privileges," Four said, grinning. "You could look at it as bending the rules, or just making the use of my position."

Tris laughed as Four let them into the pool.

The pool was a long, rectangular style one, designed for the main purpose of lap swimming for fitness. It was also used to training drills for missions that might involve water. The recruits and agents were also allowed to use the pool for recreation.

The room was a large one of course, so accommodate the size of the pool. One edge of the pool ran right along side the expansive window of the building, giving you the impression you could just drop out of the pool and fall to the ground below. It also allowed for a lot of natural light, which made the room a very pleasant one.

"It's almost like being outside," Tris said, sitting down on a poolside bench and looking around appreciatively.

"Yeah, there's enough light coming from outside, thankfully, so we can just leave the lights off, avoid drawing any attention to us," Four agreed.

Tris stood and walked along the edge of the pool, right up to where the pool and window met.

"The view is amazing," she said quietly. "I didn't notice the other day. Four? Aren't you going to look too?"

"I can't say I'm all that keen on heights," Four said with a grimace.

Tris turned around and looked him, bemused. "But surely that gets in the way as a Dauntless agent."

"Well, I just block the fear out, when I have to. But if I don't actually have to do things involving heights, I won't," Four shared. "I'd rather just enjoy the water."

Four shed his shirt, preparing to get into the water.

His back was to Tris when she said, "Wait. Can I look at your tattoos? I've been wondering what they are."

Four stood still and waited, conveying his agreement.

Tris walked quickly towards him, and gently began to trace the extensive inking on his back.

As she ran her fingers over the shapes and patterns, she thought she noticed a number of scars in the dappled moonlight. She wasn't sure though, but just assumed he probably had a number of scars from the line of duty, or from training.

"What to they mean?" Tris asked softly.

"Well, they're lots of different things, that mean something to me, woven together, of course including the Dauntless D in it," Four said quietly. "The largest tattoo is a big tree, I kind of liked the symbolism of it. Trees put down roots, they grow, they change, they weather storms, they sprout new growths. My mother's name in written on there, as is 'Fortune favours the fearless' in Latin."

"It's beautiful," Tris said gently. "What it means to you, what it represents, I mean."

Four turned around and faced her, gently cupping her face with his hand, and looking intensely into her eyes.

"You're beautiful," Four said seriously.

Tris's heart thudded in her chest, and she closed her eyes and leaned in instinctively.

Four did not disappoint, gently pressing his lips to hers.

He drew back after a moment, and she opened her eyes and smiled encouragingly at him.

He kissed her again, this time more firmly, pulling her close to him, melding her body to his.

When they drew apart the second time he said, "Well, seeing as we're here, maybe we should actually use the pool."

Tris nodded, and Four slipped into the water.

As he did, she pulled off her shirt, leaving her in shorts and a sports bra.

She quickly followed him in to the shallow end of the pool, where they stood in the pleasant water.

"Why are you called Four?" Tris asked after a minute.

"Why are you scared of the ocean?" Four countered.

"I asked you first," Tris protested.

"It's a nickname, one that I got when I was younger, in high school. It was my jersey number in soccer. I kept it when I came here, I prefer to be called by it than my real name," Four said evasively.

"I've always hated the ocean," Tris replied. "I think it's the fear of the unknown, the uncontrollable. I've just always hated the ocean. I love to swim, in pools, but the ocean is just something I have always been scared of."

"When I saw you come out of that simulation on the first day, you looked so awful, I'd never been affected by anyone that way before. I wanted to protect you, look after you, and that really confused me," Four told her. "Not because of you, but because of me. I've always maintained a certain distance, especially from anything romantic, and suddenly, I was inexplicably drawn to you."

Tris looked shyly at him, and moved closer in the water. "I've never done this before," she shared. "I was always an outsider at school. I don't really know what I'm doing."

"We'll figure it out together," Four said, running his fingers across the ravens on her collarbone. "I like these, they look good on you. I've had to stop myself from looking at them too long."

Tris smiled at him, and he kissed her again.

They swam a little, splashing around and enjoying the freeing sensation of the water.

After a little while they moved to sit and rest on a ledge on the edge of the pool.

"You're doing really well, you know," Four said. "In training that is. Eric and I get regular reports on all of our recruits, and you're really impressing the other instructors in this stage."

"I'm really feeling like everything is starting to click," Tris replied, pleased with the compliment. "Everything you said to me that first week all started to sink in. I'm discovering more about myself, and I feel less and less like that quiet, reserved girl from Abnegation. I sometimes think my family would hardly recognise me."

"What are they like, your family?" Four asked.

"My mom is really sweet, she teaches elementary school. She always made sure Caleb – my brother – and I had everything we needed. She thinks of everyone before herself. Caleb is only a year older than me, he's at college, studying law. We were always close, even if we didn't always understand each other," Tris shared. "My father is a doctor, he's very serious, and was always focused on his work, helping others."

"They sound like good people," Four said, a little wistfully.

"What about you? What's your family like?" Tris asked curiously. She had been intrigued by about Four's family, from little comments he had made on occasion.

"My family is a big part of why I'm here," Four replied evasively. "My mother is dead, as you might've guessed. She died when I was young. I don't have any siblings. My father and I…it's complicated. Family isn't really something I like to talk about."

Tris nodded understandingly, sensing there was a lot he was not telling her, and that it would take him a while before he opened up about it.

"It's getting late," Tris said softly. "I'm pretty tired."

"Of course," Four said quickly, hopping out of the pool, then offering a hand to Tris and helping her out.

Four grabbed a couple of spare towels, and they dried themselves off quickly, slipping back into their shirts.

Four walked her back to her floor, holding her hand in his the whole way. They encountered no one, the building was fairly quiet, with most people settled for the night, sleeping, or doing one thing or another.

Just before the elevator doors opened on the 6th floor, Four placed a light kiss to Tris's lips and whispered, "Good night."

"Thanks for tonight," Tris replied softly. "'Night."

Tris softly slipped into her bed, noticing that Christina's was still vacant.

In the morning, Tris was up and dressed before Christina stirred.

She sat up with a scowl.

"You got in late," Tris said with a grin.

This brought a smile to Christina's face.

"Good night, I take it?" Tris asked, smirking, and looking expectantly at Christina.

"Fine, fine, yes, Will and I are together," Christina exclaimed, trying to look casual, but only coming off as very happy.

"Thanks to those psychology and profiling lectures, I'd figured out that was coming a while back," Tris teased. "But seriously, I'm happy for you both."

"Come on, let's get to breakfast, and enjoy today. Tomorrow will be here before we know it, and we'll be snowed under with training," Christina grumbled good-naturedly.

The girls wandered into the dining hall, grabbed their breakfast, and sat at their usual table.

Will was already there with Uriah and Marlene. Christina sat down next to him, as close as humanly possible.

Tris smothered a smile, and then wondered if she would be like that with Four, if they were able to be open about their relationship.

Tris quickly calculated the amount of weeks before training would be over, and she and Four wouldn't have to hide anymore. The first stage of training was a week, the second stage was five, and the last, two. Eight weeks in total. Three weeks out of eight completed. Five to go. It seemed like a long time to sneak around in the shadows with Four. The only plus side was that the first three weeks had flown by, so the next five probably would.

"Can you believe that piece on Senator Eaton?" Marlene said in a loud, indignant voice, startling Tris and causing her to rejoin the conversation her friends were having.

"No," Christina said curiously. "When did it come out?"

"I first read it this morning, but it hit the wires late last night," Marlene answered. "I've got it here on my cell."

Marlene passed it across to Christina, who began to read quickly.

"What happened?" Tris asked Marlene curiously.

As a part of their second stage of training, the recruits were encouraged to keep up with current events, so they could apply their knowledge to the current political, military, criminal and legal occurrences. So, the recruits kept a close eye on the media, particularly the political news.

"A piece has come out accusing Senator Eaton of a number of things, mostly political indiscretion and corruption, but he is also accused of being an abusive parent," Marlene shared disgustedly. "They have quotes from previous employers who wish to remain anonymous, so it seems like the accusations of abuse are at least true."

"That's awful," Tris said, eyes blazing. "That poor child."

"Well, he's not a child now. According to the article, Tobias – that's his name – left home as soon as he graduated high school. Apparently he's going to college on the other side of the country, and never come home," Marlene told them. "I don't blame him in the slightest."

"I can't believe his mother didn't do anything about it," Will remarked. "Does it say anything about her?"

"Oh yes, she's been dead for years. I think her name was Emmaline, or Evelyn or something," Marlene supplied.

"Evelyn," Christina confirmed, having just finished the article. "I hope Eaton gets what's coming to him, the bastard."

"That's what I'm looking forward to, taking down evil bastards like that," Will said venomously.

"I'm looking forward to going after anyone who needs to be taken down," Uriah countered. "Preferably anything that will let me to use any of those weapons we trained on in that last workshop. The things you can do with technology these days!"

Tris nodded, in agreement with their sentiments. This was what she was working towards, being a Dauntless agent, someone who would make a difference, someone who would do what needed to be done, to make their country a safer, better place.

AN: Thanks for reading! Please review and let me know if you enjoyed the FourTris development :)