I don't own Divergent.

Hey, everyone. Here's an update. I'll try to update ADD soon...finals are coming up and teachers are loading us with tests. Enjoy!

Peter struggles slightly against Four, who doesn't look like he's having any trouble holding him back.

Zeke returns with the cup, and I turn away with AJ, feeling sick at the thought of seeing that...again. Four taps me when he's done and walks me off the field.

Four drops the pee off with someone and then walks AJ and I back to our room. "I need to go do something," he tells me when we're at the door. "Keep the door locked while I'm gone."

I nod and hug him tightly. "Thank you."

"AJ!" I roar. "Get in here."

"I don't want to take a bath, Mommy."

"You can take one later," I grumble.

Then I shower instead of him, making sure to first put on a show in Spanish.

When I get out, I swear quietly. I forgot to bring a towel in. I peek out and AJ is glue to the T.V., so I walk out toward the linen closet. Right before I reach it, the door opens and Four walks in.

For a few seconds, we stare at each other. His eyes roam my body for a few seconds longer, and then his cheeks redden and I grab a towel. I should've done that sooner, but I was frozen…

I grab my clothes and run back to the bathroom.

"I'm sorry about that," Four apologizes. "I - I should've knocked, or -"

"It's fine, Four. It wasn't your fault." I grin. "You didn't…enjoy it or anything, did you?"

His eyes widen, and he reddens. Then he looks away. "No."

Taking a deep breath, I kiss his cheek. "It's okay," I say in a low tone. "It's perfectly natur-"

Four shakes his head. "No, Tris - it can't be - I -" he takes a deep breath "- you make me crazy," he admits. "I think about you all of the time."

I give him a small smile. I open my mouth to reply - and then AJ mumbles something in Spanish, and I realize it was a curse word.

"AJ, honey," I call, standing up from our seat on the ground. "What did you say?"

"Pendejo," he repeats. (A/N: this is a real, extremely offensive curse word in Spanish. Do not repeat.)

"Baby, that's a mean word," I tell him. "Don't say that one, okay?"

He nods. I motion Four over. "Hey, AJ."

"Hiya, Four."

"Maybe Four will help with your bath," I hint.

"I don't want to take a bath."

Four lifts him up. "Well, you have to, bud. C'mon. It'll be fun."

We walk to the bathroom. I fill the tub while Four convinces AJ to take his clothes off. Or tries - he ends up having to just pulls his clothes off.

I sit AJ in the tub and leave, giving Four a "good luck" smile.

Four and AJ come out of the bathroom. Four's shirt is wet and bubbly, but AJ is clean and dry. Four has him wrapped up in a towel. I hand Four clean clothes for AJ.

"I don't have anything for you," I say regretfully.

Four shakes his head and strips his shirt off. "No, it's okay. Unless you want me to put a shirt on?"

I hit his arm lightly. "What time is it?"

"Like five thirty."

I look down at AJ. "Let's -"

"Actually," Four interrupts, "I kind of changed our rooms. I got you, me, and AJ a three-room suite, so we could all stay together. Is that okay?"

I nod. "That's nice of you, Four."

"Okay, that's the last of it," Four grunts. He hands me a key. "What should I wear to dinner?"

I look over to where AJ is standing. "AJ, bud, grab a coloring book and go color," I order gently.

He obeys, and I pull Four into his bedroom. I take his hand and look through his bags.

I hold up the baby blanket and smile. "What's this?"

He reddens and snatches it away. "Nothing."

"Hey, Four," I say in my firm-but-gentle AJ tone, "I'm not judging you. I think it's sweet that you carry around a baby blanket. I still carry around my teddy bear."

Four softens noticeably. "It's just - my dad, he never let me have any toys or anything. My mom helped me hide this blanket under a floorboard, and he never found it. It's the only thing I have from my childhood that's positive, other than Zeke."

I place my hand on his still-bare back. "I don't mind the scars. In fact, I think they represent regrowth and rebuilding - you made an amazing man out of a terrible past."

Four sighs. "Thanks, Tris."

I hand him a dark blue button down and hold two pairs of pants in my hands. "Where are we going? Do I need to dress AJ and I up?"

Four nods. "It's a surprise where we're going, but dressing up would be a good idea."

I hand him the black slacks and put AJ in one of his two dress outfits: navy blue slacks, a blue shirt, and a grey-blue tie to match his eyes. Then I throw a dress (black with some silver accents) and a little makeup on.

"You look pretty, Mommy," AJ tells me, ever the little angel…until he reverts to his devilish, stubborn me self. He's a great kid, though.

Four steps out of his room, too. He's re-gelled his hair, and put on the outfit, and added converse. I chuckle and grab my phone and AJ.

I buckle AJ into the car and get in the front seat. Four begins to drive, and I pull out my phone and text Christina.

Chris. (me)

What? (Chris)

Four, um, he kinda… (me)

HE KINDA WHAT!? (Chris)

…saw me naked? (me)

OH MY FUCKING GOD! (Chris)

It was an accident and we talked about it afterwards and I kissed his cheek and… (me)

YOU DID FUCKING WHAT? (Chris)

And he said I'm pretty much all he thinks about. (me)

Oh my god! My little girl is growing up…. (Chris)

And when I was naked he stared at me and turned bright red and then stammered later when I asked him if he enjoyed it. :D (me)

I think he likes you *squeal* (Chris)

I hope. (me)

"Who're you texting?" Four asks.

I look up, surprised. "Uh, no one." I blush. "Chris," I mumble. He cranes his neck to read the messages, and I pull the phone away. "It's private!" I exclaim.

Four shrugs. Then he looks back at the road, and I look back at my phone.

I think he does. I'll get Will to ask him. (Chris)

NO NO NO NO NO NO! (me)

Why not? (Chris)

We're adults; let us figure it out. (me)

Ugh. You're no fun, but fine. (Chris)

Thanks. (me)

But you have to promise to tell him you like him tonight. (Chris)

Ugh. You're no fun, but fine. (me)

Don't mimic me. (Chris)

Fine. Thanks, Chris! (me)

Np. (Chris)

"We're here." Four chivalrously gets out and holds my door open for my. I hold his hand for a second longer than necessary, smiling at him.

Then I let go to get AJ, making sure to bring his coloring book.

"Hello, Four," a woman with black hair and a gray streak says, smiling at him in a friendly way.

"Hey, Tori. This is Tris, the girl I was telling you about, and her son, AJ," Four says as a way of introduction.

"Nice to meet you, Tori." I shake her hand, and pick AJ up so he can too.

She grins at him. "What a little gentleman you are, AJ." She looks over to Four, who gives her a pleading look. "Tris, if I may, we have a children's dining area. It's staffed by child care experts. He'll be safe there if you want to hang out with Four for a little while."

I hug AJ and hand him to Tori. He takes his coloring book and crayons.

"This is nice," I say quietly, sipping the water Tori gave us.

"It is," Four agrees.

I look down. "Four, I -"

Four leans in suddenly and kisses me. I hungrily kiss him back, and then pull away once I realize what I'm doing.

"I'm sorry!" he exclaims. "I - I didn't mean to -"

I take a deep breath. "It's not you, Four, I promise. I really - I like you. That's what I was going to tell you. But then my fear of - of intimacy kicked in."

Four smiles at me. "I'm sorry." He moves slightly away, and we eat our dinner.

The way back is rather awkward. AJ has fallen asleep, and Four grips the steering wheel so tightly his fingers are whiteish yellow.

I reach over and take one of his hands, rubbing gently. He takes deep, even breaths, not reacting.

I carry AJ in and tuck him in, simply stripping him to his underwear. Then I turn his sound machine on and kiss his head.

"Tris, about -"

I lean over and kiss him firmly. "Four, don't worry about it. We're even now." I don't mention how much I enjoy kissing him.

Four smiles at me. We sit there, simply looking at each other, for a few minutes. Then I scoot closer to him on the couch - so I'm actually cuddled into him - and wrap his arm around me.

"Should we do this?" Four asks, not looking at me, but staring at the blank wall. "Should we take the chance of ruining something as good as this?"

I sigh. "I don't know about you, Four, but I - but I think the chance to find love is worth risking friendship."

"Yeah, but what if we don't click? Then everything is messed up and our friendship - and everything I have with you," Four argues feebly.

"I like you, Four. A lot. If we don't give this a go, it'll ruin us as much as if we do." I look up at him.

He nods slowly. "I like you more than you know," he tells me, finally looking at me with blue eyes ablaze with desire. "I just don't want to mess things up."

I lean my face up and kiss him again. This time he responds hungrily, and then pins us to the couch.

We pull away out of breath. "Maybe we should go on a few more dates before we get all, um, you know," I suggest, reddening.

"I don't mind going slow," Four murmurs. He pulls me onto his lap so I'm straddling him, and I lean my head on his chest.

"I never got to thank you," I tell him. "Thank you for helping with AJ so much. You've been even more amazing than ever, and you were pretty amazing even then."

Four kisses my head. "I got something back from the judge," he tells me.

I perk up. "What?"

"He sent me a copy of the notice he sent Peter. Peter has to pay you twenty percent of his yearly income," Four answers.

My eyes widen. "What does he make?"

"Eleven million a year or so."

"Wait - so does that mean I get like -" I pull out my phone and pull up the calculator app "- two million, two hundred thousand dollars a year?" Four nods again. I grin and hug him. "Thank you so much."

His hand finds my back. "It's no problem."

"I'll pay you ba-"

"Unnecessary," Four cuts in. "I don't need your money. AJ does. You do. I have enough money to last me a lifetime - my income is nearly twice as much as Peter's."

My eyes widen. "Wow."

"Yeah."

"Tris?" Four's voice awakens me.

I sit up and see that he's shaking like a cold puppy. "What's wrong?"

He moves closer to me and my bed. "I - I just - had a bad dream, I guess."

I smile at him. "Do you want to lay with me?"

Four reddens. "Yeah," he mumbles.

I open my arms, and he crawls into my bed, burrowing into me. I sigh contentedly, and we fall back asleep.

"Mommy. Mommy. Mommy!" AJ whines, bouncing on my bed. He stops bouncing suddenly "Four?"

Four and I sit up. I look at Four and realize what I didn't last night - he's wearing only boxers.

I also realize my bare legs are practically tangled with his.

Four untangles himself, reddening. "What's up, AJ?" Damn, his morning voice is cute.

"I'm hungry and -"

"Okay, AJ," I moan. "We're getting up, we're getting up."

"Good." He jumps off the bed and casts a glance back. "Why were you two in bed together?"

"Four had a bad dream, sweetie," I reply, standing up.

"Oh."

I quickly spot Christina when we go down for breakfast. She's sitting close to Will, giggling at whatever he's saying. I leave Four and AJ in line - telling Four what to get for me - and sit next to her.

She quickly abandons Will and squeals at me. "So what happened? Did you tell him?"

I lean closer to her and whisper the story in her ear. She squeals in all the right places, occasionally giggling.

"So are you two going to be going out?" she whispers.

"I don't know. It's up in the air - he said he doesn't want to 'ruin what we have,'" I reply, furrowing my brow.

Christina frowns. "Does that mean -"

Four sits down. "It means exactly what I said. It means I really like being friends with Tris and I don't want to mess that up, but I really, really like her," he growls quietly - so Will can't hear - to Christina.

Christina looks away, and I blush. "Thanks," I mutter, taking my food.

Four gives me a look. "Why did you talk to Christina?" he asks.

"She's my friend. It's what girls do," I respond.

Four discreetly grabs my hand under the table. I smile and finish my oatmeal.

"I have practice today. Are you -"

I lean up a little further and kiss his cheek. "I'm taking AJ to sign up for preschool, remember?"

Four blushes. "Yeah, I remember. So I'll see you later?"

I nod. "I'll stop by your practice, okay?"

"AJ, get out," I order quietly.

"But I don't wanna go back to school," AJ complains.

"If you want Four to play with you later tonight, you need to get out and come," I warn.

He huffs and allows me to help him out of the car.

"Andrew Jeremiah Prior," I repeat softly. "His nickname is AJ. He will be five on March twentieth. He is allergic to Benadryl, bees, and shellfish."

"Why the transfer from..." The receptionist checks the papers I gave her. "Chicago?"

"I got a new job with the Yankees, and my parents couldn't take care of AJ any longer," I repeat warily.

"When will you be dropping him off and picking him up each day?"

"Do you mean like full day and half day?" I reply

The lady shakes her head and pushes a chart towards me. "We have several different options - you can do four hour, six hour, or eight hour."

I bite my lip and look at AJ.

"Honey, he'll be fine here for eight hours," the woman assures me.

"His old preschool was three hours a day," I murmur.

"You can sign him up for the eight hour one and then take him out if you need to on some days," she coaxes.

I put him down for the eight hour one, and then begin to fill out the emergency contacts list.

I hesitate when I get to the second one. I could put my dad, but he's all the way in Chicago. Biting my lip, I add Four to the list as the secondary emergency contact. Then I add Caleb and my parents.

"Hey Four," I say, sidling up to him as he drizzles water over his head during a water break at practice.

"Hey."

I bite my lip. "Um, I put you down as AJ's secondary emergency contact. Is that okay?"

Four smiles at me warmly. "That's great, Tris." He hugs me. "Are you going to watch today's practice?"

I grin at him. "When do I not?"

I can see Four is trying to show off a little for me. It's cute; I like it. I can see Zeke notices, too, and Al. Speaking of Al, he's still black and blue from Four's beating. Peter's been out of practice. I believe Four said he returns tomorrow.

I plop down next to Four as he sits, rubbing his arm from his extra hour of pitching practice.

"Remind me why Max made you do an extra hour?" I tease.

He glares at me. "Don't even."

I hug him. "Wanna come with me to pick AJ up?"

"Hmmm… Let me translate that: will you drive me to pick AJ up?" Four frowns and looks down. "No."

"Please, Four?"

"No."

"Fine. Then will you go pick him up?" I offer.

"I guess."

"Thank you, Four," I say in an almost sing-song voice, hugging him.

"Zeke!" I hiss through his door. "It's me. Let me in!"

He peeks through a crack and then does so. "Good, good. Four's picking up AJ?"

I nod. "Hurry. The preschool is only twenty minutes from here."

A half hour later, we've planned Four's birthday party, as well as double-checking with Max that it's on an off day. We've also sent invites out.

I wait in our room for Four and AJ.

AJ jumps onto me when he gets back with Four, telling me all about his day - how he played, about a boy named Jakob, about nap and snack time, and about how much he likes this preschool. He also solemnly informs me that they told him to tell me he was a good reader, even for kindergarten level.

I smile at him. "I take it you like this preschool?"

He nods, grinning, and runs into his room. Four joins me on the couch. "It was all he would talk about on the way back."

I look over at him and force myself to not jump his bones. I have to bite my lip and look away. "I'm going to take a shower," I mumble.

I can feel Four's eyes on me as I leave. I shut myself in my room and lean against the door.

Four knocks on the door. "Tris?" A pause. "Tris, I know you're in there and not in the shower." Another pause. "Tris, please."

I sigh and open the door. "What?"

He leans his head down and kisses me. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Tris. I do want to be with you. I just - I just -"

I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him.

"Eeewww!" I hear. "Your tongues are touching!"

Four and I jump apart and see AJ making a funny face and sticking his tongue out. I pick AJ up.

"So are you and Four together yet?" Christina asks, whispering in my ear at dinner as she watches the older boys play with AJ, Four among them.

I shake my head. "Christina," I say in a warning tone.

"Okay, okay."

"MOMMY! Mommy!" AJ cries, jumping on my bed to wake me up. "Momma! Four says we need to leave to drop me off for school soon!"

I moan and drag myself from the bed. "Tell Four he can take you to get breakfast," I reply. I then proceed to pull a sweatshirt and pair of basketball shorts on. I wash my face, brush my teeth, and meet Four and AJ in the dining hall.

Four hands me a muffin, a cup of coffee, and a cup of yogurt, and we leave.

AJ hugs Four and I. "Bye, Mommy. Bye D- bye Four." Then he runs off.

I look at Four. "I think he wants to call you Dad."

Four looks down. "Is that okay with you?"

I take Four's hand. "He needs a dad. A real dad. Are you okay with it?"

Four nods and stands abruptly. "We have to go. I have practice in forty minutes."

Max calls everyone together before he begins the practice, myself included. "Peter Hayes. You all know him. He was caught to be on several recreational drugs. He has been suspended for one hundred games. If any of you else are on drugs, I recommend you fess up now." He pauses and waits for a response. "Good. Get out there and warm up."

He grips my arm, stopping me from following them to watch. "Two things, Tris. One: I'd like to promote you to head trainer. Two: I'd like to submit the players to random urinalysis tests. Can you help me organize that?"

I bite my lip. "Look, sir, now isn't the best time to do it - the players will be expecting it. Wait at least four days."

Max shrugs. "Works for me."

I hesitantly join Christina for lunch. Four eats with his teammates.

"Where's Four?" she immediately asks.

I scowl. "Why does everyone assume we're always together?"

"Did something happen between you guys?"

I shake my head. "No, not at all. I just want to be allowed away from him without fear of judgment because he isn't with me."

Christina pats my shoulder. "To be fair, you two are fairly inseparable. So did you need to ask me something?"

"I asked Four if he was okay with AJ calling him Dad," I say flatly. "He said he was, and then he got up really quickly."

"Huh. That could mean any number of things. Just ask him again," she suggests.

"Wow. Helpful, you are," I tell her sarcastically.

"Hey, um, Four," I say, walking along with him from practice.

He wipes his brow. "What?"

"Look, this morning, you were a little, um, awkward about AJ calling you Dad," I mumble. "I just wanted to see if it was really okay with you."

Four looks over at me, confused. "Why wouldn't it be? And I wasn't awkward, just late."

"Oh, I reply, relieved. "I guess I was reading into it too much."

Four chuckles. "Yeah, you were."

Four yawns slightly as we drive to pick AJ up. I study him while he's not paying attention - his perfect body, his handsome face, and his beautiful eyes.

AJ falls asleep on the way back, as does Four. Fortunately, I'm driving.

"Hey." I shake Four slightly. "Hey, Four. C'mon. We're back at the hotel."

Four sits up, rubbing his eyes slightly. "Oh. Yeah."

Four, AJ, and I eat dinner alone. When we're nearly done, someone comes up to Four and taps on his shoulder.

Four looks up and swallows. "Um -"

"Come with me." It's not a request, or an idea - it's an outright order.

Four lets the man pull him away.

"AJ, hurry up," I order gently.

He dawdles slightly in his eating. I clear Four and I's dishes.

"AJ," I warn after a few minutes, "if you don't finish that in two minutes, what you've eaten will be all you get."

AJ pouts but hurries. I pull him to our room and open the door. I hear thwacks of fist upon flesh and cracks of a belt upon flesh. I put AJ on my hip and shut him in his room.

"Whatever you do, don't come out," I warn.

I open Four's door. As I suspected, the man - Marcus, presumably - is beating up a nearly unconscious Four. I step in front of Four, block the next blow - allowing the belt to whip around my wrist - and grab the belt.

"Don't touch him," I hiss. "Don't come near him ever again or, I swear to God, I will rain down a lawsuit on you."

"Why haven't you?" Marcus asks, wiping a little blood from his lip. I guess Four fought back at first.

"Because he's that one that should get to do it….unless you come near him again. Now get out," I order.

I make sure he leaves and then deadbolt the door. I grab some medical supplies and put on a t.v. show for AJ.

"Hey, Four," I say softly, tapping on his cheek.

He shifts slightly. Then he moans something.

I figure - and this is gonna be a shocker, so prepare yourselves - he's a little out of it from the beating, so I simply strip him of the now-useless shirt and pants. Sighing, I pull his underwear off, too. Marcus neglected to leave any part of Four's body untouched.

I clean and bandage him and then redress him in basketball shorts. I place him on his stomach on the bed and then clean up.

I put AJ to bed and run to the kitchen, requesting something. They look at me like I'm crazy, but oblige.

I wake Four up and hand him the quite honestly nasty-looking smoothie.

"What is this?" he mumbles. He takes a sip and chokes.

"Avocado, banana, salt, sugar, lemon juice, chocolate milk, butter, protein powder, spinach, and orange juice," I reply. "Drink up, Four. It's good for blood loss."

"Yeah, and it tastes like someone shit in the cup." Four grimaces and swallows more.

"I don't care. Finish." I put a hand on his shoulder. "Four, I -"

He grabs my arm, staring at the welt. "Did Marcus do this?"

I shrug. "I grabbed the belt from him. It's no big deal, Four."

"No, it's an enormous deal," Four growls.

I pull my arm away. "Four. Drink your smoothie. I'm gonna grab some advil."

He sighs and obeys.

"Here," I say, pressing them into his hand.

"Are you okay, Tris?"

"I'm fine, Four. I promise. Marcus didn't hurt me," I reassure him, placing my hand on his shoulder again.

Four sighs. "I'm sorry, Tris."

"How do you feel?"

"I'm okay. This isn't the worst I've had by far," Four answers, adjusting his shoulders slightly.

I sit in front of him on the bed and move my hand to his chest. "Hey, Four - you should never have even had this."

He shrugs. "Well, I did."

I run my hands through his hair hesitantly. He leans closer and fills the gap between us, kissing me softly. I feel a pang in my chest - the good kind.

When we separate, I can feel Four's heart racing as fast as mine beneath my hand. He kisses me quickly again and then attempts to stand, stumbling. I catch him.

"Hold up, soldier," I tease slightly. "Where are you going?"

"I need to pee," he admits.

"I'll help you to the bathroom."

"Tris!" Four calls softly as I go to leave. "Will you - will you stay with me tonight?"

I smile at him. "Sure. I need to check on AJ, though."

I smooth the hair back on my baby's forehead. Then I gently lift him up and bring him to Four's room.

"Tri- why'd you bring him in here?"

I look down at AJ. "I couldn't resist. He's so beautiful."

Four smiles at me. "He's a great kid, Tris, but you should let him sleep in his own room."

I sigh and put him back.

"I love him so much."

Four wraps an arm around me. "Feeling nostalgic?"

I shrug. "I remember the day I found out I was pregnant. I was horrified - I'd recently been raped, and I was having major issues. I'd dropped out of my college for a semester. I was basically sitting in my room at my parents' house, wrapped in blankets with my mother. When I found out, I basically began throwing things in my bathroom. Then I broke down and just cried. I yelled for a long time.

"Then we were talking about whether or not to keep it. My mother didn't care much - she wanted me to do what I thought was best, but my dad felt pro-life. So I kept it.

"I planned on giving him up for adoption, but then, after they handed me my baby, I couldn't sign the papers. So I gave him a name - Andrew, for my father, and Jeremiah, because the prophet Jeremiah was so strong, and, I don't know, I just want AJ to be strong. Especially when he finds out about Peter."

Four hugs me. "It's amazing how - how perfect you are today, considering everything you went through. Also...AJ is so perfect. You managed to heal yourself as well as raise a great kid."

I cuddle closer to him. "Well, they say adversity builds character."

"It does, it does."

"Hey, Four, I - Max said he's going to start drug testing the team," I whisper. "In four days. Three, really. I know you're not on drugs, but are any of your friends?"

"None of the close ones - Will and Uri and Zeke wouldn't need drugs to do well," Four answers, yawning.

I run a hand through his hair again. "Good. Don't tell anyone."

"Never," he mumbles.

I cuddle closer again and drift off.

I wake up early tomorrow and slide out of Four's grasp, kissing his cheek quickly before getting AJ ready for school, feeding him, and driving him to preschool. Then I tell Max that Four is sick, leave Four a note telling him he has the day off, and go to help Max with practice for the day.

"When is their first Grapefruit League game?" I ask.

"A week." Max watches tersely and then turns to me. "What did you say is wrong with Four?"

"He's, um, not fit to play today," I reply.

Max snorts. "Getting drunk does not qualify as 'not fit to play'," he informs me.

"Max, he wasn't drunk. Trust me. He's not fit to play," I insist.

"He'll be here tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

At lunch, I bring Four some food. He's asleep when I get up there, so I wake him gently and give him the tray.

"What time is it?" he mumbles.

"Lunchtime."

"Oh, shit - practice."

"Max knows you're taking the day off," I soothe.

He sits up and eats. I touch his split lip and then trail my hand down his chest slightly.

"Dude, you're so incredibly perfect it's hard to believe," I whisper. "All of you." I waggle my eyebrows.

Four chokes on his bite of banana. "How have you - I never -"

I chuckle. "Marcus destroyed all of your clothes. I had to strip you. And, I have to say, you were pretty hot."

Four reddens slightly and smiles at me. "You shouldn't be talking about me till you take a look at yourself."

I lightly slap his shoulder. "Shut up, you."

"Nah." But he does, taking a bite of soup.

"How do you feel?"

"I'm okay, Tris. I just need a little more rest and I'll be golden," he responds.

I pat his shoulder. "I have to go. I'm going to pick AJ up after practice and then I'll be back. Don't you dare leave this room. Get some rest." I kiss his cheek and return to practice.

"Where's Four?" AJ asks, looking around.

"He doesn't feel very good," I reply. "He's taking a nap."

"Mommy, Tristan's mommy asked me to ask you to watch him for a little while. She gave me this for you." AJ hands me a note.

It reads:

Hey, AJ's mom. He said your name is Tris? I'm sorry about not being able to actually talk to you about this - I only found out today about the meetings. I told the preschool this morning you'd be taking Tristan home. I'm sorry!

My number is: 646-123-4567. I know, easy.

- Susan Black - Tristan's mom

I shrug and go ask the preschool for Tristan and his carseat as well.

I look at the boy with brown curly hair in front of me. He has dark eyes, medium skin, and brown hair.

"Tristan?" I ask, squatting down.

"I'm not allowed to talk to strangers."

"I'm AJ's mommy. I'm going to take you home today, okay?" I say, holding a hand out.

He takes it. "Okay. Where's my mommy?"

"She has a meeting." I buckle AJ and Tristan in and drive back. They chatter the entire time.

Once we're at the hotel, I tell the boys to hold onto my shirt and then text Susan.

Hi, Susan - this is Tris. I just wanted to let you know I have Tristan with me. (me)

A second later, I get: Hey, Tris. Thank you so much for taking care of him! I'm really sorry about this. I can pick him up about nine, if that's okay. Where do you live? (Susan)

It's no problem. I get the childcare issue, believe me. I actually work for the Yankees for Spring Training, so I stay at the Hampton at Clearwater? Do you know where that is? (me)

Really? You work for the Yankees? I work for the Mets - hence the 646 number. And yeah, I know where that hotel is. Thanks a ton, Tris. (Susan)

Np. (me)

Four is sitting at the table when I get back, head in hands and shirt off.

"That's Four," AJ whispers to Tristan.

Four stands and looks at me, smiling. "Hey, Tris."

"Hey." I pick AJ up. "This is Tristan, AJ's, uh, friend. We're watching him for tonight."

AJ leans over in my arms and hugs Four tightly. Four winces, but AJ doesn't notice. "Four?" he whispers. "Can I call you Daddy?"

Four looks at me and then back at AJ. "Sure. Why not?"

AJ grins and then jumps from my arms. "Mommy, Tristan and I are gonna play in my room!" he tells me.

"Don't be too loud!" I call. He nods and shuts his door.

I place a hand on Four's shoulder. "How -"

"Don't ask me how I feel."

"What do you want for dinner?" I amend, holding a hand out for him to grip to stand up.

He shrugs and winces. "I need to shower."

I help him to the bathroom and leave the door cracked in case he falls. Then I check in on AJ and Tristan, who are playing with what appear to be Avenger action figures. I kiss AJ's head and ruffle Tristan's hair.

"Tris!" Four calls. I've been reading on the couch, waiting for him to need help.

I stand and walk to his bathroom, yawning slightly. "What's up?"

"I need help," he admits.

I allow him to lean on me and hobble to the bed. Then I give him some clothes and leave.

I get AJ and Tristan ready to go to dinner. It's a little early - about five fifteen - but I anticipate Four will take a while. Also, I want to put the boys to bed early - including Four.

After waiting about fifteen minutes for Four, I bang on the door of his room. "What are you doing, Four?" I pop my head in and see him lying on the bed, asleep. I sigh and wake him up. He's still naked. "Get changed, Four," I remind him, leaning on the wall.

He yawns and pulls on the clothes on the bed, wincing. "Dinner?" he mumbles.

I pull him up. "Yeah. Come on."

Four yawns again and stands shakily. I allow him to put an arm around me, and we walk down to dinner, AJ and Tristan in front of us. By the time we get down there, it's nearly six.

Zeke sees us and grins, but then deflates slightly when he sees Four hobbling along. Christina stands and helps with the boys while I support Four.

I get food for Four and I and carry it to the table, all the while allowing him to lean on me. Zeke helps him into a seat. I place his dinner in front of him, and he eats, looking embarrassed and beaten.

Max walks over to us and claps Four on the back - hard. Four hisses, swears, and winces. Max looks at him surprised. "What's wrong with your back, Eaton?"

"It's hurt, sir."

"Will you be in practice tomorrow, Eaton?" Max's eyes flicker to me only once.

"Yes, sir." Four sits up straighter.

"Good."

"Tris," Four moans when he wakes up in the middle of the night, face white with pain. "I think - ow."

I pull his shirt off and unwrap the bandages. One of the lash marks ripped open again after today's practice. He didn't tell me. "I told you you shouldn't play," I remind him, adjusting it and rewrapping him.

He bites his lip. "I know. Oh, it hurts."

I sit next to him on the bed and rub his shoulders and the base of his neck. "Let's talk about something else to take your mind off the pain."

Four nods, clearly measuring each breath. "Can I ask you -" he winces "- questions?"

I kiss along his jaw. "Sure."

"What's your favorite type of music?" He takes a sharp breath.

"I like a lot of different genres. I'd say that my favorite band is The Front Bottoms. Maybe Seahaven or Modern Baseball." I gently rub the front of his shoulders, too.

"Mmm. I like The Front Bottoms," he replies. "Where did you grow up?"

"Chicago. Englewood, mostly," I reply. "We moved to Lincoln Park when I was seventeen."

"That's where I grew up," Four answers drowsily. "Boyfriends?"

"A few in high school and Peter in college. None of them were serious," I reply. "Well, it was serious when he raped me."

Four looks up at me. "I've actually only had a few girlfriends." He hesitates. "Other than Peter, are you a virgin?"

I bite my lip and look away, a flush creeping onto my cheeks. "Yes. You?"

"Yeah. I mean, I've fooled around some, but nothing..." He trails off, getting his point across.

I press a kiss to the back of his neck tenderly. "How's your back?"

"Why do you bother asking?"

"Because I care about you and want to know how you are," I reply, continuing to rub his neck and shoulders.

He instead decides to ask, "Do you - do you really like me?"

I hesitate, my hands faltering for a second. "Yes. Do you like me? For real?"

Four frowns. "Why would you like me? Especially after what you saw - saw with Marcus?"

I almost laugh, but settle for smiling at him. "For a guy, Four, you're pretty self-deprecating."

"I like you. I do. I just don't get why you would go for me," he insists.

"And I don't get why you would ever go for me. I'm not pretty, I have a son, I was raped, and I have nothing interesting about me. But you do like me, and I do like you," I reply matter-of-factly.

Four sits up and kisses me softly. "Yes. Yes, we do."

"Four, I -"

"Don't call me that."

"What should I call you, then?" I retort.