AN: Thanks for all the reviews - sorry about the cliff hanger, but you didn't have to wait long :)

Chapter 39

Tris stood, her body trembling with exhaustion and trauma. She looked around the formal living room and took a few shuddering breaths, trying to compose herself. Her body ached, her eyes burned with unshed tears, for she had not been able to cry, she had need to remain professional. Her hair, once neatly done was now coming undone, stray bits handing her and there.

She looked down at her hands and clothes, which were stained with Uriah's blood. The medical team who had picked him up said that he was in a critical condition, but his wounds should not be life threatening.

The Federal Criminal Police had just finished speaking with her and were taking away the living captives, and were making arrangements for the deceased. Uriah had been stabilised taken away by ambulance over an hour ago. Tris had spoken with Richard, who was going to source a trusted surgeon through Interpol for the sake of secrecy.

Tris went and found her coat and the keys to the R8 so that she could leave. She had reports to make, people to call, Uriah to check on, bags to pack and she really needed to get changed out of her bloody clothing.

Uriah had been rushed to Clinique de La Source in Lausanne for medical treatment. Tris had received word that she would be able to meet with Richard Noble there, as well as the head of the Federal Police and Fedpol, to discuss Uriah's condition, and to begin to close up their part in the mission.

Tris drove the R8 back to their hotel, took a shower, and then picked out some clothing. Now that she no longer needed her cover she dressed in her best black, Dauntless, business suit, to head to the hospital. She wanted to look as professional as possible, and the idea of dressing in her own clothing was very comforting.

Tris spent half an hour putting together a report of their day, making it as comprehensive as possible. She added it to their already extensive electronic file from their mission and notified Harrison by email that the report was ready for him to look at. Then she grabbed her purse, strapped her gun to her hip, and headed for Clinique de La Source.

On the way she called Richard Noble, who was already there, and he told her where to go to speak with him, and the other necessary officials. They were in a secure room near to where Uriah was being cared for.

"Agent Prior, thank you for your work today, and meeting with us now, I know you have a lot to manage just now," Richard said, as soon as Tris made her way to where they were.

"Thank you, Richard, I'm eager to make sure we can finalise this mission efficiently and correctly," Tris said.

"This is Philippe Cereghetti, Director of Fedpol, and Kristof Vincent, Chief Inspector of the Federal Criminal Police," Richard said, gesturing to the two other men with them. "Agent Tris Prior."

"Thank you both for the assistance given by your organisations," Tris said seriously. "My partner and I both truly appreciate your efforts."

For the next hour or so Tris was involved in a lengthy discussion with the three men, answering many questions about their mission, particularly the events of that day. She presented all of the intel and information they had gathered over the weeks, explained how it should be used in the prosecution of the captured members of The Factionless. They spoke in depth about the two deaths that had occurred, easily establishing that the deaths had been unavoidable, and that Tris and Uriah were at no fault.

"Now," Richard began. "All that remains is to arrange your departure. I don't want your partner's condition to complicate things for you. I also understand that it would be best for him to receive medical care from your own organisation in your own country. I will have him flown back to your headquarters in The States, with a trusted medical team, sourced through our organisation. He'll be completely safe, well cared for, and stabilised before he leaves. We will need you to remain here for at least tomorrow, in case there are more questions we need to ask you, but you should be free to return to your country by Saturday morning."

"Thank you, I would appreciate that a lot," Tris said in relief. "I'll return to my hotel, and work on some things there. You can contact me via cell if you need me. If I don't hear anything by Friday evening I will assume there's nothing more you need from me, in person, and make arrangements to fly home on Saturday morning."

Tris stood, and shook the hands of all three men.

"Once again, thank you for your help in our completion of this mission. Your assistance has been invaluable," Tris said warmly.

"No, thank you, Tris, to you and your partner. We could not have captured the Geiserts, and their accomplices without your tireless efforts," Richard replied. "I hope I will get to work together again some day."

Before leaving Tris looked in on Uriah, who was in a private, intensive care room, with more tubes in him than Tris cared to count. She was going to have a difficult call to make to Marlene when she got back to the hotel.

Tris looked at the time on her cell. It was after seven. She didn't feel hungry, but she knew she had to put some food in her body, or she would feel good enough to do the things she had to do over the next 24 hours.

Back at the hotel Tris ordered room service and took another shower. She'd showered before to remove the blood, but she wanted to shower again, to relax, and to remove any last trace of blood on her. Of course, she had washed thoroughly before, and had removed all the blood, but her mental and emotional fatigue left her feeling like she still had blood on her hands.

After eating Tris called Harrison. She gave him a brief summary of her day, in addition to the written report he'd already had.

"Harrison, I'd like to be the one to speak to Marlene about Uriah," Tris said seriously. "Uriah should be leaving tomorrow by plane, with a medical team provided by Interpol, and should be back at the compound tomorrow afternoon. She needs to have warning, and I feel like it's my responsibility to explain what has happened. The mission is at a stage where it is okay to give her some details, right?"

"Yes, you can call her, if you're sure you want that responsibility," Harrison allowed. "I trust you to say the right things."

"Thank you, sir," Tris said. "If it's alright with you, I'll hang up and call her now. Unless you hear otherwise, I'll be back some time on Saturday, probably in the evening."

"You know that's the Snowflake Ball, right?" Harrison said, stopping her before she could hang up. "I don't except you to come as you'll just have got back, but there will be a lot of other agents from other compounds and no one will be on hand to welcome you home. I'm sorry about that."

"Oh, don't worry about it," Tris said. "I don't want any fanfare. I'm just looking forward to coming home. Don't tell anyone I'm coming, just in case I'm delayed. I don't want them to be disappointed or worried if I don't turn up when they're expecting me."

"Sure, I understand. So long as you keep me up to date, I won't talk about your plans with anyone else. It's probably best for the sake of maintaining our secrecy that we still keep things as quiet as possible," Harrison decided. "Now, I'll let you call Marlene."

Tris hung up and called Marlene straight away.

"Hey Tris!" Marlene explained! "What's up? Why are you calling and not Uri?"

Tris was silent, and silent for too long, for Marlene uttered a little gasp and said, "Tris, is Uriah alright? You're calling because he can't, aren't you? Please tell me he's not dead."

Tris felt a little guilty that Marlene knew it she was calling because something was wrong. To be fair, neither she nor Uriah had called anyone other than their significant others while they had been away, because they avoided making too many calls home to avoid any chance of blowing their cover.

"He's going to be okay, Marlene," Tris said softly. "He's injured, but he should recover. He's stabilised, and he'll be coming home to you tomorrow."

"He's coming back?" Marlene asked, her voice shaky. "What exactly happened to him? You can tell me, I can take it."

"He was shot in the abdomen," Tris explained. "He lost a lot of blood, and the bullet made a bit of a mess internally, but they said he should make a full recovery."

"Are you coming back with him?" Marlene asked after a pause.

"I can't leave yet, there are things I need to finish up," Tris answered. "I'd come with him if I could, but he's having a really well qualified medical staff fly with him. I'd say don't worry, but I know that's not really helpful. He told me to tell you he loves you."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that, he can tell me himself," Marlene sniffed. "Thanks for calling me yourself Tris, and I'm looking forward to seeing you when you can come back, but I need to go now. I need a few minutes to myself."

Tris very much understood, and hung up.

Tris considered doing some work or starting to pack their things, but instead curled up on her bed and fell into an exhausted sleep.

She spent the next day packing up the suite and going over and adding to all the reports in her file for the mission, making sure everything was finalised so that she could officially finish on the mission. She received word in the morning to let her know that Uriah had been flown out that morning to The States, and was in a stable condition.

In the evening she received a call from Richard Noble, letting her know that they didn't need anything further from her, just the completed mission file, which could be sent electronically.

She was free to go home.

Tris briefly entertained the idea of seeing if the plane was available to fly her out that night, but dismissed it. She'd be better off just sticking with her original plan and getting back to Dauntless on Saturday evening.

An idea suddenly crossed her mind, and she delved into the suitcases to find some things she needed for her newly formed idea.

Twenty minutes later she was repacked and settled in to bed with a cup of hot chocolate and a movie. She cuddled into her pillows, realising that it was her last night of living in luxury, and she was okay with that. She was definitely going to enjoy it though, the silk pyjamas she wore were testament to that.

Meanwhile at Dauntless, Four was in Harrison's office, unsure of why he had been called there.

"We need to have a talk, Four," Harrison said seriously. "I want you to listen, and then explode when I've finished, if you must explode. Firstly, Tris is fine, she's healthy, and doing well on her mission, so don't start panicking about that. I'm going to tell you about her mission."

Four looked warily at Harrison, and nodded, so Harrison continued.

"Tris and Uriah were sent to Europe, at my request, after I was contacted by the director of Interpol, they needed help in getting a breakthrough on a mission concentrated on capturing a ring of people dealing in the trade of illegal artefact," Harrison began. "The leader of the group was named Evelyn Geisert – formerly Evelyn Johnson-Eaton."

Four looked as shocked as if he had been told the group was lead by Harry Styles.

"This was one of the key reasons which you weren't assigned to assist on the mission, and especially why you weren't told anything about what Tris and Uriah had been assigned to," Harrison explained. "There was too much at stake. I'm sorry we weren't able to tell you, but I'm telling you now, now that the mission is at a point where it's safe to tell you."

"My mother is not dead, and you're only just telling me now?" Four asked, his tone dangerously calm. "You could have at least told me she wasn't dead, regardless of anything else. This is my mother we're talking about!"

"Tris wanted me to let her tell you, begged me actually," Harrison replied. "So please don't blame her. If anyone is to blame, it's me. She doesn't know that I'm telling you now, she's pretty busy taking care of the last details of the mission, especially now that Uriah isn't there to help her."

"So, you're essentially saying my girlfriend is busy in Europe finishing up a mission that's end goal was to catch and imprison my mother?" Four scoffed, his voice raised. "So my mom is in gaol now too. Both my parents are criminals and are in gaol, thanks to the efforts of my girlfriend. This is just fucking perfect."

"Your mother isn't in gaol, Tris tried to capture her, but your mother resisted, and swallowed a cyanide pill instead," Harrison said quietly.

Four exploded. He stood up, kicking aside his chair, finding the nearest wall and punching it, cracking the plaster.

"Does the universe hate me? What I some fucking bastard in another life?" Four raged. "My father abused me, my mother abandoned me, and my girlfriend didn't tell me that my mother wasn't dead! I could have seen her, talked to her, and maybe she wouldn't be dead now! What kind of person deserves that? Who treats people that way? How could they treat me this way?"

Four slumped down onto the floor, leaning against the floor, his body shaking with emotional trauma.

Harrison quietly approached Four, looking at him in concern.

"Tobias," he said quietly and seriously. "You've had awful things happen to you, and you didn't deserve them. Your father was a fucking prick. Your mother was weak and self-centred. You didn't deserve any of that. But Tris, Tris didn't do anything to deliberately cause you pain. She did her job, she did what was asked of her, and she wasn't happy about not being able to tell you about Evelyn. Believe me, I know. I had you here, hassling me to tell you where she was and what she was doing. I had her calling me, begging me to let her tell you what she was involved in. Your parents did awful things, and treated you terribly, but don't blame Tris for any of it. You two are strong on your own, but you're better together, so I'd really like it if you thought about this before you explode at her. I'd really like to keep you both working here, together. Take the rest of the day off, and think things through, okay?"

Four nodded absently, very much lost in thought about what Harrison had said to him. He was grateful Harrison had bothered to take the time care about his emotions, that he had explained the situation in detail, and that he had tried to calm the demons attacking Four's mind.

Four headed for his room, he had a lot of thinking to before Tris returned, whenever that would be.

On Saturday morning Tris woke, dressed, ate breakfast, arranged for their luggage to be taken to the R8, and then checked out. She drove straight to the airport at Geneva, to return the car and to board the Dauntless jet waiting for her.

Tris struggled along with her minimal French, but usefully most of the airport staff spoke very good English.

"Hi Jim," Tris said brightly as she stepped onto the plane. "It is so good to see a familiar face!"

"Good to see you too, Tris. I bet you can't wait to get home. Don't worry, we'll be taking off as soon as you get secured in your seat," Jim replied.

Tris, her purse, and her carry on overnight bag settled into a large, comfy seat and settled down to watch a movie. She had a long flight ahead of her. They took off just before noon, and therefore expected to fly into their aerodrome in Pennsylvania just before six on Saturday evening. Tris wasn't looking forward to the jet lag that promised to plague her for a few days after her return.

Tris drifted off to sleep about 7pm Switzerland time and was woken by Jim when they landed in America.

Tris was well rested after her 5 hour nap and was filled with nervous excitement and anticipation about her return home. She couldn't wait to see Four, and her friends, and surprise them all.

By the time her car pulled up at the compound and she entered it, the halls were empty, the Snowflake Ball having started already. A ball wasn't exactly Tris's idea of fun, and she knew Harrison didn't expect her to go, but that was where Four would be, so that was where she was going. And she was going to look just right. At least her 'socialite extravaganza' of a mission had left her with a much more developed sense of fashion, and she was more than capable of making herself ready for a ball. She didn't need her glam squad, but she was sure Marlene and Christina would be playing dress up with her in the near future, regardless.

Tris grabbed the garment bag she had put with her carry on luggage. She had pulled it out of her luggage the night before at her hotel when she had realised that if she was going to the Snowflake Ball, she needed a dress, and there was one from her designer wardrobe from the mission that she wanted to wear.

She changed quickly, freshening up by putting on some makeup and combing her long, blonde hair and putting it into a quick, stylish, low bun. She stepped into the pair of heels she'd chosen, grabbed a clutch, dropped her cell in it, then composed herself. She was about the see Four again, and she had a lot of important things to say. Calmness suddenly washed over her, and she knew, come what may, she'd know what to say, and they'd work through whatever Four's reaction was, because she loved him, and he loved her.

Tris headed for the main function room, which was serving as the ballroom, the skirt of her dress swishing softly around her legs.

A few minutes later she entered the ballroom, no one noticed her arrival. There were scores and scores of people there, and they were all busy with one another, some dancing, and some drinking and talking.

Some invisible force drew Tris's eyes straight to Four, regardless of the fact that they were in a room full of people. Somehow he was the first people her eyes landed on. He was talking with a man who Tris didn't recognise, and she assumed he was a leader from another compound.

She walked up to them, no one really noticing her. Perhaps it was because they could tell she didn't really see them or wish to talk to them, or it might have been because they didn't quite recognise her in her finery.

When Tris reached Four she gently tapped him on the back and waited for him to turn around. He glanced over his shoulder and saw her, his eyes lighting up. He quickly excused himself, then turned around, picked her up and twirled her around, kissing her passionately.

"You didn't tell me you were coming!" Four exclaimed, setting her down, but still keeping her locked in his embrace.

"I wanted to surprise you," Tris said with a grin. "I'm quite pleased with the result."

Four kissed her again, and then looked her up and down.

"You look beautiful," he said fervently. "Did you just step off the plane looking like that?"

"No, I changed in my room, I got here about half an hour ago," Tris answered.

"Well, you are absolutely stunning," Four reiterated.

Tris did look beautiful. She was wearing a white and gold Marchesa dress, made of a lightweight silk-chiffon. There was a decorative V-shaped neckline, mirrored on the back, of gold beading, crystals and sequins. There was also a delicate nipped-in gold embellished waist. It had little cap sleeves and fell gracefully to the floor.

"Dance with me," Four said, keeping hold of her hand and leading her to the dance floor.

Four swept her into his arms and they started to sway.

"I know how to waltz now, and foxtrot," Tris said with a smile.

"Well, I hope we get a good song soon so you can show me," Four said with a grin, looking lovingly at her, as if she was the only one in the room.

Tris's heart ached with the love she saw in his eyes, and the love she felt for him.

"I love you, so much," she said suddenly. "I wanted to tell you for so long, but I wanted to say it in person. I love you."

Four cupped her face and kissed her, again and again.

"I love you too," he replied, as they started to sway.

John Legend's All of Me started to sway, and Four began leading Tris in a simple foxtrot.

"What would I do without your smart mouth? Drawing me in, and you kicking me out. You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down. What's going on in that beautiful mind? I'm on your magical mystery ride. And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright."

"I have to tell you something," Tris said hesitantly, as they danced. "It's about your mom."

"Harrison told me everything," Four said, quietening her. "It took me a while, but I understand that you couldn't tell me, and I know what happened wasn't your fault. You did your best, and that's more than enough for me."

"Really?" Tris said. "Oh, you have no idea how worried I was about hurting you. Part of me wishes I'd been able to comfort you, and part of me is so grateful to Harrison for explaining things to you ahead of time."

"I'm very glad he explained them to me, I may have not reacted too well at the time," Four said, grinning wryly. "We've got a lot to talk about, and I'd like to talk more about what you got up to while you were in Europe, but for now, I'd rather just dance. Especially as I'm sure I'll lose you to your friends before too long."

Tris smiled at him and looked into his eyes, more than happy to go along with his suggestion.

"Give me all of you. Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts. Risking it all, though it's hard. 'Cause all of me loves all of you. Loves your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections. Give your all to me, I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginning, even when I lose I'm winning. 'Cause I give you all of me, and you give me all of you."

They moved around the dance floor, fitted together perfectly as they danced. They had no idea what else life would throw at them, but they knew that whatever happened to them, they could face it, together. They were Dauntless.

"I give you all of me. And you give me all of you, oh."

AN: I know this sounds pretty final, and it is kind of an end of a stage in this story. I will do an epilogue chapter of sorts to wrap this up, just so everyone can catch up with Christina, Will and Marlene, etc, and see how Uriah is doing, and some more Fourtris. I'm also considering writing some bonus chapters, containing stuff like what was happening at Dauntless while Tris and Uriah were gone, some insight into Four's life while Tris was away, plus some other Fourtris interaction during the mission, if people are interested.

Please review!

I'd love to know what you think! And if you have any requests for what you want in the last few chapters :)