AN: Happy weekend everyone :) Thanks to all who continue, or have just started, to support this story!
Chapter 33
"I still can't get over this room," Uriah crowed in delight to Tris.
"It's a suite," Tris pointed out with a grin. "And I get you, even though we've been here for a few days now, I still can't quite realise that it's our current reality either."
"When I called Mar last night it was so hard to tell her how cool everything is without giving anything away that might give her a hint as to where we are or what we're doing," Uriah shared. "I suppose you were able to tell Four stuff in more detail?"
"Not really," Tris said evasively. "Harrison doesn't want anyone knowing we're here. Now, are you ready to head to Lyon today?"
"Yep, even though you won't tell me what we're up to, besides taking dance lessons in Geneva on the way," Uriah said, grimacing.
"We're also sight seeing in Lyon," Tris pointed out with a grin. "Now, let's check over what you're wearing. We have to look every bit the wealthy couple we are when we're out in public."
Tris declared him suitably dressed, after which Uriah pretended to check her over.
"Um, that scarf does not match that coat," he pointed out snootily. "I'm kidding, you look fine. But seriously, you are forgetting something important. Your rings."
"Oh, right," Tris said, quickly snatching 'her' wedding ring and engagement ring off her bedside table, and putting them on. "There, now I am Mrs Beatrice Murray again."
The huge diamond decorating 'Mrs Beatrice Murray's' finger was rather ostentatious, or so Tris though. The giant rock of a ring certainly felt foreign on her hand. A couple of times she had found herself idly wondering what type of ring Four would one day get her, and she had to shake herself out of that train of thought. It was simply not something she could even begin to think about daydreaming about, especially with the way things currently were between them.
"I'll grab the stuff we need from the safe," Uriah offered, heading straight for the safe in their suite.
Apparently if you paid enough money, you could have a first rate safe in your room. It didn't even arouse suspicion, as wealthy couples liked to keep their expensive jewels safe while they weren't wearing them.
Tris and Uriah, apart from having the necessary expensive jewels, also had a variety of weapons and gadgets in the safe, also a necessity for them.
Uriah grabbed a couple of weapons for each of them, and which they concealed on their persons. He also grabbed a necklace to add to Tris's ensemble for the day.
Five minutes later they were in their R8 and headed for Geneva.
"So, if it's 9.30am Tuesday here, its 3.30am back home," Uriah mused, as he drove. "Mar is lying in bed, sleeping sweetly, and hopefully dreaming naughty things about me."
"Too much information, Uri," Tris said firmly.
"I'll let you tell me anything you want about Four, and your sex life," Uriah offered seemingly graciously, but grinning salaciously.
"That's a lovely offer, but I think we'll not talk about any of that," Tris said, amused. "How about you put the radio on and prepare yourself for a 90 minute ballroom dancing lesson while I go over some notes for my meeting in Lyon."
Tris didn't really need to go over any notes for her meeting in Lyon, she was well aware who she was meeting with and what they needed to discuss, she just wanted some quiet to think over her conversation with Four the evening before.
As Uriah had mentioned, he had called Marlene on Monday evening, and Tris had called Four. They had decided it was save enough to call, and they had time, so they set up the necessary apps on their cells so tracking them would be impossible.
Uriah had enjoyed a light hearted call to Marlene, but Tris had not exactly enjoyed her call with Four.
Flashback
December 2nd, Monday evening.
"Hi Four," Tris said softly when he answered. "You on your lunch break?"
"Yes. How are you? Where are you?" Four asked a little tersely.
"I sent you an email on Sunday, letting you know we'd arrived at that everything was fine," Tris said patiently. "Did you get that? You didn't reply."
"I got it," Four said dully.
"Well, then you should have also noticed that I told you that I just couldn't tell you anything about this mission, not even where I am," Tris said seriously. "I want to, but I have the strictest instructions not to tell anyone anything about this. If anyone needs to be told anything, it will be Harrison that does the telling."
"Fine," Four said shortly. "Is there anything else?"
"I was hoping we could talk," Tris suggest softly.
"Well, I don't really have anything else to say to you right now," Four said dismissively.
"Four? Fine!" Tris exclaimed, irritated, for Four had already hung up on her.
She paced the floor of her exquisite room, muttering frustratedly for a few minutes. She then flopped into a large lounge chair, crossing her arms, thinking seriously.
She pulled out her cell and called Four again.
"Hello," he said warily.
"I wasn't sure if you'd pick up," Tris said quietly.
"Yeah, well, I felt a little bad for hanging up on you," Four admitted reluctantly. "I shut you down, and you wanted to talk, and we do need to talk."
"Yeah," Tris agreed softly. "Even if we can't talk about the mission, I thought we could at least discuss what's going on between us," Tris suggested tentatively.
"Are you really sure you want to get into that now?" Four said tiredly.
"I think there's a lot to say on the matter," Tris said seriously. "We fought, and then I had to leave the country, giving you very little information. I can understand that you'd be upset, I really do, but I also thought you might understand my position a little better."
"Well, theoretically, I do understand your position, if we were just two agents, friends even, but we're not," Four said slowly. "I thought we meant more to each other than a casual farewell in a group of people. You might have taken the time to explain your decisions a little more, instead of leaving me in shock, to then run after you to demand an explanation."
"It was hard for me too, Four," Tris said hotly. "I did my best, I didn't set out to hurt you. This isn't exactly the easiest, or most normal of situations, and there certainly isn't a 'How To' book available on the subject."
"I still think that if you care about a person enough, you could find a better way to handle a situation like that," Four said obstinately. "And if it comes down to being understanding, I think you at least should be able to appreciate that I worry for your safety, that I don't want you to get hurt, or killed, and that it's normal for me to feel that way."
"You know I care about you, don't you dare go bringing that up again," Tris said fiercely. "But I'm not going to refuse missions just because I might get hurt."
"You could at least promise me that you'll be careful," Four said quietly. "I mean, you just seem to rush off recklessly, and you were shot less than a month ago."
"I promise to be careful, I really do," Tris said genuinely. "I, I'm sorry for not handling my leaving better. If I could do it again differently, I would."
"I forgive you," Four said, as if the words pained him a little.
"So we're okay now?" Tris asked hopefully.
"It's hard for us to be okay, when you're God knows where, and we really still have some things we need to work out," Four pointed out with a sigh. "But, I'm not mad at you, not really anymore."
"I'll call you when I can while I'm gone," Tris promised. "I know we still have things to work out, and I want to talk about them."
"Okay," Four said in acceptance.
"I've got to go, I'll talk to you before too long," Tris said. "I miss you."
"I miss you too," Four replied. "Take care."
Flashback
"Take care."
The 'take care' had sounded forced, awkward, and they were definitely not the words Tris had wanted to hear, or the words Four had really wanted to say.
She had wanted to hear him say 'I love you', but she couldn't exactly blame him for not saying it again, at least not until she had said it to him. And now it was just another little thing to add to their list of unresolved issues.
Tris and Uriah headed right into the heart of Geneva, Uriah competently following the directions provided via GSP.
Soon they were walking down the Avenue du Cure Baud 58, Tris's classic, cream Louboutin heels clicking along the sidewalk. They were just one element to her expensive outfit of the day. She had on a pair of black Michael Kors wool-blend slacks on, paired with a navy blue Donna Karen blouse. This of course was all hidden under her warm weather gear, a black Balmain crop jacket, a cream Valentino coat, scarf, leather gloves, and beret. The necklace Uriah had grabbed from the safe, a delicate diamond necklace was clasped around her neck, some 39 carats of diamonds set in platinum glittering in the sunlight.
If Tris had known much about fashion, she wouldn't have been guilty of mixing her designers so atrociously. Still, she had at least colour coordinated her outfit well, though she had had to search thoroughly trough the Dauntless provided suitcases to find more muted items of clothing.
Flashback
Saturday evening, as Tris and Uriah are unpacking and settling in to their hotel
Tris began opening the suitcases that they had brought with them, but which she had certainly not packed, or had any input as to their contents.
She started looking over the items, her heart sinking further after each minute. There was nothing in there that looked remotely recognisable to her, everything was exquisitely made, and were expensive designer labels, but it wasn't her style. There was certainly far too much in a pink, baby blue, and pastel.
"It would not surprise me in the least if Harrison had Marlene put together this wardrobe for us," Tris said in disgust. "That girl has been waiting all her life to recreate the fashion she sees on Gossip Girl, but better."
"But Mar couldn't have been given details of our mission?" Uriah pointed out in confusion.
"Yeah, but he could've easily given her a nondescript mission, just outlining social status, weather, and region, as well as general sizing," Tris countered. "Yeah, I'm sure this was the work of Marlene. Remind me to smack her a few times when we get back."
End flashback
In addition the many items of clothing in soft pinks, blues and the many pastels, as well as many glittery, sparkly, showy pieces, Marlene had of course provided tamer items clothing, darker colours, less flamboyant pieces. Tris had favoured those from day one, and made an effort to make sure she wore something that she at least felt the tiniest bit comfortable in.
She hadn't even looked at the carefully packed evening gowns, she hadn't quite mustered the strength to start putting together her outfit for the fundraiser on Saturday just yet.
"So, we're looking for K'Danse, right?" Uriah asked in confirmation, his accent perfect as he pronounced the French name of the dance studio, interrupting Tris's mind from dwelling on her loathing of fashion.
"Yeah, and its right here," Tris said brightly. "Come on honey, this should be fun."
"Sure, sweetness," Uriah said, clearly trying hard not to laugh at how forced their terms of endearment sounded.
Uriah led the way to the front desk, where he started talking fluently in French to the receptionist, explaining that they were there for a private session that had been booked in.
Tris understood a little of what he was saying, having some knowledge of French. Enough to be able to understand bits and pieces, and say a few things, but not enough to be able to hold comprehensive conversations, unlike Uriah who spoke it like a native. If anyone asked, it was a skill he had picked up at the snobby rich-boy schools he had attended in America, as well as from summering in the south of France.
"Alright, lovelies, let us reignite your love of dance," their instructor said, with a heavy accent. "Monsieur, place your hand on your lovely wife's waist. We will begin with covering the basics of the beautiful waltz."
Tris and Uriah looked at one another, both inclined to grimace, but instead placing happy, loving expressions on their faces, and doing what their instructor asked. It was going to be a taxing 90 minutes for the both of them.
Ninety minutes later, Tris and Uriah left the studio, waving merrily, Uriah taking Tris's hand in his as they walked out.
As soon as they were outside Tris removed her hand and said, "Why were you holding my hand?"
"It seemed like the natural thing to do, wifey," Uriah pointed out. "We never discussed PDA guidelines for us, as a couple, so I thought I'd just try it out."
"A little warning would've been good," Tris grumbled, as they walked back to the car. "But you're right, we should set down some ground rules."
As they began the 90 minute drive to Lyon, France, they discussed what they were and were not willing to do, for the sake of appearing as a couple.
"There will be no making out," Tris said firmly. "You may give me a peck on the lips, and vice versa, if the situation really calls for it. A kiss on the cheek is a good show of a affection, and hand holding seems harmless and natural. And no allusions to having seen me naked, or to our imaginary sex life."
So, it was more of Tris laying down the law, rather than a discussion.
"Seems reasonable, but a little boring," Uriah said with a grin. "Now where are we headed, exactly?"
"200 Quai Charles de Gaulle, Interpol General Secretariat at Lyon," Tris told him seriously. "I have an crucial meeting with some important people there. I'm afraid you won't be sitting it. There we'll be Tris Prior and Uriah Pedrad, and you're accompanying me for my protection, and you won't have access to all of the classified information. I won't need you to interpret there, as they all speak English very well."
"Right," Uriah said, impressed. "I get it, you'll tell me what I need to know. Well, this is going to be much better than dance lessons, that's for sure."
AN: Thanks for reading!
I have created a Pinterest board on my account, putting together some of the items that have inspired or been used/will be used in Tris's outfits for the mission. (There are also some there that Tris will refuse to wear too haha - they're lovely, but too girly for her.) Let me know in a review if you're interested in the link to it, and I will PM it to you :) Or you can just PM me directly :)
Plus, just as an aside, I've been cooking French food, getting into the spirit of this mission haha.
Please review :)