A/N: I want to thank all of you who read this story. It's amazing how many followers this story has, how many people review and add it to their favorite list. Thank you so much.

Tobias' POV

I hurry to get to Tris. I'm angry that Christina hurt her, I'm upset that her brother and friends don't really know the amazing person she is, I'm pissed with Nita for saying these awful things about her, I'm glad our principal revealed some of the great things she did, I'm hurt that Tris didn't call me sooner, but I'm glad she called me in the end. I park my car in my drive way and hurry to the Prior's house. I knock on the door and Tris opens it. She looks like she'd been crying. I pull her in my arms and hold her close. I breathe in her scent and I instantly calm down.

"Let's go to your room," I say and we walk upstairs, my arm securely around her. She keeps her head low, as if she is ashamed, even though there's nothing she has to be ashamed of. We go inside her room and she sits down on her bed. I sit next to her and she leans against my shoulder. "I'm sorry for what happened," I say. I am.

"It's not your fault. I overreacted and when I came to realize that it was too late. And I'm sorry it took me so long to text you," she says still looking down. I wrap my right arm around her keeping her close and hold her hands in my left one.

"No, babe, you didn't. You are different and Christina should accept that and not try to change it. As it happens, I really like this Tris and not some Barbie doll version of her," I say with a chuckle and she laughs lightly.

"Thanks. What about that rumor?" she asks.

"What about it? Someone who is jealous made up some fucked up lie to hurt you. But anyone who knows you knows that it isn't true. Tris, you are amazing, kind, loving, smart and funny. I pity everyone who doesn't know this already. I love you," I tell her and she finally looks up, tears streaming down her face. "Don't cry, baby." I lean down and kiss her softly. She wraps her arms around my neck and I hold her tightly. I let her cry and lean back on her bed. This isn't the first time we do this. Sometimes after she had a nightmare she calls me and I sneak out of my house and come over here. I climb up her window and stay with her until she falls asleep again. When her tears finally subside we sit across from each other on the bed, just staring at the other and not saying anything. I want to ask her what she is thinking of, but I know she will answer that question when she's ready.

"I'm really trying to be more like a regular girl, but I feel like I'm losing myself," she says.

"Tris, you don't have to do anything you are not comfortable doing," I reassure her. "Just because Christina or anyone tells you to be something you are not doesn't mean you have to do it. I've told you, I love you just the way you are. People should like you for you and not for something you pretend to be."

"I know, Tobias, but I feel like I'm the freak and that's what I actually am. I don't fit in," she argues.

"Tris, maybe that's a good thing," I say and she gives me a questioning look. "Think about it. Did it ever bother you that you are different?" I ask and she shakes her head. "Would you want to be different? I mean in your heart is it that what you want?" She shakes her head again. "Then ignore them. They don't know half of the amazing things you've seen and done. They think pretty dresses and school dances are important, but they haven't seen the world the way you did. You literally stood on top of everything and you are still this amazing young woman, grounded, humble, sweet and beautiful. I wouldn't change a single thing about you," I tell her and she smiles. The few tears that run down her cheek make her look even more lovely than usual. I stretch out my hand to wipe them away but she shakes her head.

"Let them fall. I want them to wash this whole thing away," she says. I nod. She crawls into my arms and we stay like that, in each others arms, for a long while.

"You wanna grab a bite to eat?" I ask her. I haven't eaten since lunch and the hunger monster inside me demands attention. She laughs lightly and nods her head.

"Let's go out for burgers," she says.

Fifteen minutes later we are in our favorite burger place, me eating a king sized chilly burger and Tris a double, no onions, cheeseburger. We each got a milkshake and a soda. We eat in silence, mainly because Tris has something on her mind, but doesn't know how to tell me. I let her be. I know she will eventually tell me when she finds the right words. We finish eating and Tris keeps staring at me. I swallow down my questions and let her think. She sighs loudly and I just can't take the waiting and tension anymore.

"Wanna share?" I ask casual.

"I wanna go," she says. I look at her confused.

"Okay," I say and get up.

"Sit down. I didn't mean now."

"Okay," I say even more confused.

"I wanna go to Argentina. In December. To climb the mountain," she announces.

"Are you sure?" I ask her. I know she is. She wouldn't have told me otherwise.

"Yes. What do you think?" she asks, taking me by surprise.

"Uhm, I think it's your decision," I say.

"Tobias, I know it's my decision, but we are a couple. I want to know what you think. And be honest," she says.

"Alright." I remain silent for a moment. I want to tell her not to go, because I'm scared something might happen to her. But at the same time I'm afraid she will resent me if I ask her not to go. It would also be hypocritical of me given that not two hours ago I told her to not give a damn about what other people think or say. She should be herself and mountain climbing allows her to be that.

"Tobias, I won't get mad. You can tell me your concerns. I can see them written on your face."

"I want what's best for you," I say looking her straight in the eyes. "Yes, I'm scared that you might get hurt or worse." I don't need to say the word out loud. She knows what I mean. "But at the same time I have no right to tell you not to go. You are your own person and I know that you are strong and capable. You climbed Everest for God's sake. The fear in my heart won't go away until you are back in my arms, safe and sound. I want to tell you not to go, I swear, but I also can't do that. It is your decision and whatever you do I will love you. Always." I finish my little speech and stare at her. She keeps quiet and it's hard for me to decipher what she thinks. She turns her head and looks out of the window, thinking.

"Thank you," she says and turns her gaze to me again, smiling. "Thank you for your love and support. The climb isn't as rough as Everest. I'm in good shape and I'm experienced. As a matter of fact, if someday you want to do this I would recommend Aconcagua."

"You haven't even been there," I say chuckling.

"I know," she says smiling. "But as a mountaineer I know my mountains," she says with a cocky grin.

"Maybe one day," I say.

We stay at the burger place a couple more hours talking mainly about unimportant things, until the dance comes up again.

"How about the two of us take your truck? I'm not really in the mood to spend too much time with anyone else right now. We could go to the dance, stay a few hours and then leave. We get up early Saturday morning and start our hike earlier as initially scheduled. That way we'll reach the cabin before sunset and can spend some quality time just the two of us in front of the nice, cozy fireplace" she tells me.

"Sounds good, baby. I'm not really in the mood to party either. We could even skip the dance if you don't want to go anymore," I reassure her, in case she goes for my sake.

"No. We should do this. I mean, I wanna dance with my man," she says with a small laugh.

"So, I'm your man?" I ask smirking.

"You can bet your cute ass that you are," she says, finally acting more like her old self.

"So, you think I have a cute ass," I say teasingly. "Is that the only thing you find cute?" I ask her wiggling my eyebrows. She rolls her eyes and gets up. She comes over to me and sits down on my lap, her left arm wrapped around my neck and her right hand cupping my face.

"You are the cutest, sexiest, kindest, most loving person I've ever met. I love you so much, Tobias."

"I love you, too, Tris," I say and lean into her and kiss her gently. I feel an all too familiar warmth spread through my body and try to focus, but when I'm kissing her everything seems to fade into oblivion and only she remains. She licks my bottom lip and I open my mouth, granting her access. She slips her tongue inside my mouth and it soon mates with my own. She moans softly into the kiss and I feel myself getting more and more uncomfortable in my pants. I reluctantly pull away and rest my forehead on hers.

"I'm sorry," she says.

"It's okay. But maybe we should go back home," I suggest. She stands up and goes to her seat to get her bag and then turns around to look at me. "Maybe we can wait another minute," I say and she chuckles.

It's almost seven p.m. when we reach her house. Since tomorrow is Friday and none of us has a test to prepare for we just lie down on her bed watching a movie. At least that's what we tell ourselves. I watch the screen but don't pay any attention to the movie. I keep thinking of what Tris and I talked about today. I'm so proud of her for fulfilling her dreams, but at the same time I'm terrified I might lose her. I know we are young and I overheard my parents talk about us once. Mom, despite liking Tris, thinks that our relationship won't last, that it's just a teenage infatuation. But I know in my heart that it isn't. I'm not that kind of guy to fall for every pretty face that comes along. And Tris is mature beyond her years. Yeah, she is a little crazy, but only to those who don't know her and I came to realize there aren't many who do. Even her own family seems to have a wrong impression regarding her. The only one who seems to understand is her cousin Matt, since they've been on many expeditions together. Mr. Williams, her maternal uncle, seems to have a pretty good idea, but he isn't able to climb such high mountains anymore. As for the Prior brothers, they are more hobby mountaineers and don't really know the hardship professional mountain climbing brings with it.

"You okay?" Tris' soft voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah. Why?" I ask looking down at her.

"You seemed so far away," she says, concern seeping through.

"I'm fine, babe. I was just going through my list for tomorrow," I lie. She gives me a skeptical look but doesn't say anything.

"List?" is all she asks.

"Yeah. Wash truck, take a shower, put on suit, pick up my gorgeous girlfriend, give her a sweet kiss, telling her how beautiful she looks, thinking what a lucky son of a bitch I am, leading her to the truck, driving us to the dance, dance with my girl, kissing her some more, offer her some punch, taking her under the bleachers and make out with her shamelessly," I say and Tris laughs whole heartily.

"You are nuts," she says and kisses my jaw.

"Nuts about you," I say and kiss her nose. I look at my watch and see that it's late. I untangle myself from her and stand up.

"I wish you could stay," she says, a look full of love, but also fear on her face.

"I wish that too, but I think your dad wouldn't like that," I say trying to be cheerful for her sake.

"Yeah, the old man might freak out," she says jokingly. I laugh. She gets up and walks me out of her house. We say goodbye and kiss for a long while before I finally make my way home.

I walk into my house and find it unusually quiet. I go to my room and let myself fall on my bed. I still can't shake the feeling I've been having all day long, like something bad is about to happen. Maybe the revelation that Tris will indeed go to Argentina to climb Aconcagua made me more anxious than I was willing to admit to myself.

I take a long, hot shower and then go to bed. Maybe a good night's sleep will make this feeling go away.

A/N: I have a question. If someone would have told you about this story, but instead it being a Divergent fanfic it would have been an original one, would you have still read it knowing only the synopsis? Please answer.