A/N: I apologize for how long it took to get this chapter ready. I have had almost no time to write in the last two weeks, and on top of that, this chapter kept growing. It was originally pretty much a filler chapter, but it kind of took on a life of its own. I hope you like it.

I also want to thank everyone who has taken the time to review, favorite, and/or follow this story - and everyone who took the time to send good wishes for some rough things that were happening in my life. Your support has really helped me to keep going through some difficult times, and I appreciate it very much! Thank you also to the wonderful BK2U, who turned this chapter around super-fast, giving me a chance to post it today.

Chapter 7: Tobias – The Day After

Tobias keeps his arms around Tris in some form or other all night. It starts with him cradling her after the single best lovemaking experience of his life, while sleep slowly claims their satiated bodies. But the desire to maintain contact is too great to stop there. Instead, he finds himself waking up every time she moves away during the night, even if it's only a temporary shift to the side. He can't seem to avoid following her, pulling her close again and spooning with her in a way he never has with anyone else.

He doesn't, however, realize the full depth of his need until he awakens around three o'clock, still holding her tightly even though one arm is so deeply asleep it has lost all sensation. He moves it just enough to restore blood flow, gritting his teeth against the painful pins and needles while stubbornly refusing to unwrap his other arm from around her. Clearly, he is physically incapable of letting her go.

So, he's not surprised when he opens his eyes to the sunlight streaming over the bed and finds that she's still locked firmly in his grasp. Her head is on his chest again, while he holds her close, and he smiles a little as he realizes that both cats are pressed against her back, effectively keeping her in place against him. He mouths a silent thank you to them, amused that this is what it took for DC to come near Tris.

It's too late in the morning for him to drift off again, but he doesn't want to disturb Tris, so he lies there quietly, just watching her. She is beyond beautiful – sweet and relaxed, with her short hair reflecting the sunlight in a sparkling blend of blond and brown fire.

If he could change one thing in his life, it would be the way he left her all those years ago. Realistically, he had to leave, but he should have done it differently. He should have made sure she knew there was no one else. He should have told her over and over at every possible opportunity that she was the only one he wanted – the only one he looked at – until she could no longer even begin to doubt her worth. She deserved that certainty.

She stirs a little next to him, groaning in protest of the morning. It makes his lips quirk upwards, since he's never had the chance to see her wake up after a full night's sleep. They were still in high school the last time they were together – and had the severely limited privacy that goes with that – so their moments together were stolen and shorter than he always wanted.

"Good morning," he murmurs, pulling her even closer so he can place a light kiss on the top of her head.

She opens her eyes, slowly focusing on the grin that's lighting his face. "Oh, God, you're a morning person, aren't you?" she mumbles in disgust. The comment draws a wry chuckle from him.

"Hey, I woke up to you. Of course I'm in a good mood."

She raises a droll eyebrow. "And yet I'm not. What does that say?"

His amusement rumbles through his chest. "I see an additional reward is needed." He leans closer, dropping his voice to a whisper as he adds, "Look behind you."

For a second, her expression is quizzical, and then she turns her head slowly. He smiles when her mouth drops open a little in wonder.

"Seriously," she murmurs incredulously, staring at DC and shaking her head. "You could have told me he'd like me if I slept here."

Tobias raises his hands defensively. "Hey, it's a surprise to me, too." His shoulder lifts a little when she meets his gaze. "I've only had them for about a year. And I haven't had anyone else over during that time."

The words draw an unmistakable glint of satisfaction from her, and he smiles in return. Clearly, she likes being the only woman his cats have slept with. She twists in place so she can reach DC, being careful not to disturb him as she pets him very gently.

"Typical guy," she coos, rubbing her fingers under his chin and eliciting an audible purr. "You like it when your buddy gets laid, don't you?"

"First," Tobias clarifies, his voice deep with mock protest, "those are not words I would ever use to describe last night." His gaze wanders down Tris' backside, loving the fact that she's still stark naked – and doesn't seem self-conscious about it at all. "And second, of course he does. I removed his ability to do that type of thing himself, so vicarious pleasure is all he gets."

Tris giggles. "Man, the poor kitty…. Forever deprived of orgasms like that."

"Indeed. It's very sad." Her scent draws him in, and he presses a kiss to the back of her neck as his lower region begins twitching to life. "We should give him all the secondhand joy we can to make up for it."

"Mmm…." Tris stretches luxuriously, rotating toward him in the process and wrapping her arms around his neck. "You certainly are considerate."

For a second, Tobias is incapable of answering verbally, mesmerized by the way her arching back is causing her pert breasts to press against him. But his body responds with its own language, and he makes no attempt to shush it as he pulls her hips closer, letting her feel his arousal. Judging by the way she smirks, she enjoys the sensation as much as he does.

"DC, my friend," he calls to where the feline is still sleeping soundly. "This one's for you."

"I think you've totally sapped my energy for the day," Tris murmurs as they lie there afterwards, their limbs in a tangled pile of relaxation and deep pleasure. "I can't even move."

Tobias gives a low chuckle, his fingers trailing down her side. He spent so many years wanting to be with her like this again, and now that she's here, he can't seem to get enough. "Do you have anything you need to do today?"

"Not that I can remember right now." She gives a contented sigh. "But that might be because I'm falling back asleep…."

His lips curve upwards, and he wraps an arm around her backside, drawing her close. "Sleep, Tris," he whispers, still enjoying the feeling of her skin on his even though every part of him is utterly sated. "I can't think of anything I would rather do than spend the day in bed with you."

When he opens his eyes again, Tris is awake, propped up on one elbow and watching him. "You know, for a morning person, you sure sleep late," she comments, a smile tugging at her lips.

He returns it as his gaze moves to the clock on his nightstand. It's almost ten-thirty. "I can't remember ever sleeping this long," he answers, running his fingers down her spine until they come to a rest, curving around her perfectly-shaped rear. "You must have really worn me out."

She chuckles, flopping onto her back, effectively trapping his hand between her and the mattress. Stretching her arms over her head, she says, "That's too bad, because I was thinking about round three, personally."

There's no way to suppress the grin those words elicit. Using the arm that's already under her, plus his other for balance, he pulls her abruptly on top of him, smirking at her surprised squeal and relishing in the feel of her entire body lying on his. "My, my, aren't you greedy?" he murmurs, nuzzling into her neck. "Good thing I can accommodate you."

"I think," she manages to say, placing her hands on either side of his chest to prop herself up slightly, "we've already established that you're very accommodating." She turns her head a little, giving him better access to the side of her neck. "It would be hard to be any more accommodating than the last two times."

He slides his nose along her soft skin, breathing in her aroma. "That sounds like a challenge." One hand slides slowly down her back, pulling her even closer to him and pressing his growing response against her leg. The other slips through her hair, holding her head in place as he continues to suck lightly on the soft skin of her throat. "And you know how I love challenges."

Her chuckle vibrates against his mouth, making him smile again. She tastes so good, and in this position, her fragrance is filling him. They should both have morning breath, and residual sweat from earlier, but somehow she's still as irresistible as always. Honestly, he could get off just from this.

But he'd rather have the rest of her, too, so he takes his time, moving deliberately across her neck while he imagines all of the things he'd like to try next. Their previous two rounds were intense, to say the least, but there are so many possibilities he'd like to explore….

Her breath is coming in small pants by the time he's unable to move any lower in their current position, so he pauses briefly in his ministrations to flip her onto her back, moving instantly onto his side next to her. Now, it's her turn to tangle a hand in his short hair as he begins sucking on one of her nipples, bringing his free hand to her other breast so he can massage it. This part of her tastes even better, and it makes him think about other areas that might be sweeter yet.

"I could do just this all day," he exhales against her skin as he begins kissing his way slowly down her body. "Tasting every part of you…." Judging by the little moan of pleasure she emits, she has absolutely no objection.

At least, not until he finally reaches the area he's most eager to sample, running his tongue experimentally along it with a guttural sound of desire. Tris' reaction then is definitely not what he expected.

She sits up abruptly, looking startled. "Tobias, no." Her hand pushes him away as her expression changes to something akin to fear. The protest startles him, and he freezes – not sure what he did wrong. "It's…." She begins, more than a little flustered. "It's not that I don't want you to…." She looks torn – apologetic and anxious and desirous all at once. "But you could get the herpes that way."

Wringing her hands nervously, she continues quickly. "I mean, I'm probably not contagious, since I haven't had symptoms in a really long time, but there's always still a chance." She swallows hard. "And I wouldn't want to do that to you."

It's impossible to categorize the feelings that go through him at that declaration. He feels a flare of anger at the Peter he never met for doing this to her, and at himself for opening that door. If he had never left, Tris undoubtedly would not have ended up with that bastard in the first place. But more than that, he feels sadness that she would deprive herself of pleasure out of some selfless attempt to protect him, even though the odds of him catching this from her aren't really any worse than if he'd continued to date other women.

The last thought draws out a deep determination that overpowers the rest. "Tris, I think we've established that it's a bad idea for either of us to make decisions for the other." He meets her gaze evenly. "I know what the odds are, and the worst possible symptoms, and I've accepted that risk." He runs his hands lightly up her legs, inching closer to her again. His voice softening, he adds, "I want to be with you, even with that chance. Please let me."

For a very long thirty seconds, she debates that, her eyes reflecting how fast her mind is churning. He almost says something else, desperately wanting to convince her, but his heart is already in his throat, and he knows if he speaks again, he'll reveal emotions that she clearly isn't ready to hear. So, he waits in silence as she comes to her conclusion.

Finally, hesitantly, she nods, biting her lip with the last remnants of her worry. He continues to hold her gaze for another long moment afterwards, letting her see his growing smile and the joy infused in it. Those three little words are dangerously close to slipping out, but he contains them yet again as he lays her gently back on the bed. "Feel free to make plenty of noise," he tells her before resuming his original position.

And she definitely does. Three times over, before his own desire becomes impossible to ignore, and he slides a condom on so he can thrust into her, seeking her warmth and her tightness and her closeness in a release that's far faster than their previous two rounds. It's incredibly satisfying, though, and when he cradles her to him in the aftermath, it's no surprise that they somehow both fall asleep yet again.

"I love you, Tris." In his dream, he tells her that over and over, as he delves deep inside her, and as he holds her, and as he faces her in the light of day. And she smiles each time, gazing at him with absolute trust as she responds the same way.

A twinge of disappointment goes through him when he awakens to find it isn't real. He watches her where she's lying, still pressed into the crook of his arm, and lets her presence soothe the residual sadness. He's incredibly lucky to have this much, and he knows it, but at the same time, it makes him want more.

She's twitching a little, her eyes darting behind their lids in time to whatever she's dreaming, and he finds himself wondering if maybe – just maybe – she's imagining the same types of scenes he just was.

Running his fingers lightly along her hair, being careful not to disturb her, he whispers those words very softly. Even at that volume, there's a power to uttering them, and he feels the emotion more intensely than ever as his gaze absorbs every detail of her sleeping form. Maybe the message will filter into her mind and make her more receptive to hearing it when she's awake….

Another noise is what finally makes her stir. Her face is near his stomach, so when it gives a loud growl of protest in the early afternoon, complaining vociferously that he hasn't eaten anything since last night's dinner, she begins her way back to alertness.

Her own stomach responds in the process, and she sighs as she finally opens her eyes. "I don't suppose you happen to have lunch makings?"

"Umm…." Tobias does his best to take a mental inventory, but he can't for the life of him remember what might be lurking inside his refrigerator. "I was going to go shopping today, since I had to buy something for Zeke's barbeque anyway."

For a long, pregnant moment, the only noise comes from their bodies, before they both sit up abruptly. "Shit," Tris says, "I totally forgot that was today." Her eyes go straight to the clock, as do his. "We're supposed to be there in forty minutes."

"Yeah." Tobias is already out of bed, grabbing some clothes, before he realizes that the only outfit Tris has is the one she wore on their date last night. It's not exactly suited to an afternoon barbeque.

"Do you want one of my shirts?" he offers as helpfully as he can. He stops at Tris' withering stare.

"Yes, because nothing screams 'We spent all day having sex' like showing up to an afternoon event in a guy's clothes." She clears her throat, glancing down at the dress in her hands. "Except maybe arriving in last night's outfit instead."

Tobias chuckles. "See, that's the difference between men and women. When it's obvious that a guy had sex, everyone congratulates him. Women get this weird shame thing."

Tris nods a bit wryly. "Yeah, double standards are a bitch." Her gaze travels to the clock again. "We're going to be incredibly late if we have to go by my place and go to the grocery store…. And I desperately need a shower." He can see her mind working furiously toward a solution. "What are you supposed to bring?"

Tobias feels red going up his face, knowing that she's hoping to skip the store – and that they can't. "The steaks," he mumbles.

There's another long silence in which Tris stares at him, appalled. "Are you serious? You're bringing the main dish?"

As Tobias nods, scratching the back of his neck uncomfortably, Tris gives a long sigh. "I don't suppose the grocery store sells clothes?"

It's somewhat miraculous that they're only a half-hour late when they reach Zeke and Shauna's condo. Tris clearly feels uncomfortable in the touristy T-shirt and sweatpants that Tobias bought for her while she was showering, but there weren't exactly a lot of options between his apartment and the grocery store. Besides, he figures, she can always borrow something from Shauna if she gets desperate; they're close to the same size.

What he doesn't quite expect is the reaction when they walk in the door together. Every eye in the place seems to turn toward them, and judging by the smirks and open mouths, everyone knows perfectly well why Tris is dressed the way she is.

It doesn't take long before Christina whisks her away into a group of women who alternate excited squeals with the visual daggers they shoot at Tobias periodically. That's hardly a surprise – he doubts that Tris' friends will truly like him anytime soon, except for Shauna, of course. She gives him a friendly wave as she wheels across the room to join the others, and he feels his lips pulling up a little in response. It's nice to have one supporter, even if it's only because he pulled her from a burning car a decade ago.

With a resigned sigh, he turns toward the guys, realizing immediately that he's in for some new form of hell when his gaze lands on a livid Uriah. He's all chest and posturing as he barges into Tobias' path, snarling, "Just what the hell do you think you're doing?"

The attitude shouldn't bother him, since it's really no different than Christina's, but Tobias still finds it difficult to look at his best friend's brother without imagining him and Tris together. And that is an image he would gladly live the rest of his life without.

Pulling himself up to his full height and putting on his most intimidating expression, he glares down two inches at Uriah. "Delivering the steaks," he answers coldly, extending the bag toward the younger man.

Uriah doesn't even acknowledge that response. "You're sleeping with her?" He raises his eyebrows in disbelief. "Seriously?" Shaking his head as if that is the worst idea in the history of time, he adds, "Do you have any idea how long it took her to get over you last time? Any at all?" Tobias opens his mouth to answer, but Uriah runs right over him. "You have no right to fuck with her like this again."

"I am not 'fucking with her,'" Tobias insists, his own fury rising to Uriah's level now. "That isn't remotely…." But his words are cut off when Zeke comes over, looking more than a little concerned as he places a firm hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Back off, Uri."

"No." It's a simple statement, far more succinct than the silent exchange the two have as they stare intently at each other. But eventually, he adds to it. "Just because he saved Shauna's life doesn't mean he should get away with everything else."

"Yeah, it does," Zeke answers unwaveringly. "My wife would be dead without him, so in my house, he gets the benefit of the doubt. If you don't like that, leave."

For a second, as the two brothers try to glare each other down, Tobias considers accepting the reprieve that Zeke is offering. He already has enough trouble sleeping as it is, haunted by thoughts of how he hurt Tris; he definitely doesn't want to have those be reiterated by the man who helped her get over him. But however tempting the idea is, he knows it wouldn't be right.

"Let him talk," he says gruffly, his gaze solidly on Uriah even though he's addressing the older brother. "I'm a grown man – I can face the consequences of my decisions."

For another long moment, Zeke turns back and forth between them, clearly seeking a way to defuse the situation. But if there is one, he doesn't find it, and he scrubs his fingers through his short, curly hair in frustration as he makes a final plea to his brother. "Their relationship is none of your business, Uri."

It's the wrong thing to say. "None of my business?" Uriah spits, his expression incredulous. "I'm the one who had to clean up after him. I'm the one who spent years trying to restore Tris' self-esteem. And I'm the one who rescued her from that asshole, Peter." He glares at Tobias again. "He hit her, you know."

The sentence is far too short to have the impact it does, but that doesn't change the way it slams into Tobias like a physical blow. He staggers a half-step backwards, his hands raised defensively and his eyes widening as his mind tries to process the concept with the only images it has available.

It's as if she's in Evelyn's place, with his father standing over her while she cowers on the floor, his expression sadistic and his foot driving into her over and over, splattering her blood and battering her body. And Tobias is trying not to hyperventilate as he rips his fingernails to shreds in a desperate attempt to claw his way out of the locked closet, needing to reach her – to protect her from whatever Marcus is doing to cause those screams that penetrate the walls and echo around him. Something like a whimper comes from him as he tries to shield her unconscious form from the belt that keeps coming down, slicing flesh with every blow, because he's sure that this time, Marcus will kill them both.

He jumps when Zeke places a hand on his shoulder, concern etched deeply into his face. "Uri, you're an idiot," he snarls at his brother, but Tobias barely registers the words, too lost in the images searing themselves into his brain – merging Tris into the worst memories of his life. If she went through anything like that because he left….

"She said it only happened once," Uriah explains, his tone less vicious and more confused now that he sees the reaction he elicited. But Tobias can only shake his head, the damaged child inside him knowing better. Abuse never occurs just once. Who knows how long Tris put up with it, feeling like she didn't deserve better? Because of him.

He's trembling badly now, but Uriah's strong voice draws his focus through all of that. "Yeah, I didn't believe her, either. So, I did what you should have been there to do, and I made sure that Peter knew never to do that again." His lips lift in a deadly half-smile. "He didn't walk straight for a month afterwards."

For a second, their gazes lock, before Uriah adds, "If you hurt her again, I'll do the same thing to you. You know that, right?"

Despite the turmoil still raging through his mind, a deep sense of relief sinks through Tobias at the threat – at the idea that Tris has someone to protect her the way his mother never did. He meets Uriah's stare, able for the first time since his return to see his old friend without picturing him with Tris.

"Good." There's a ferocity in the response that somehow sums up the gratitude and anger and shame and terror that are upending everything inside him.

Uriah nods slowly, seeming calmer now that he's gotten that out of his system. Zeke, on the other hand, is visibly disturbed by the last few minutes. Taking the bag of steaks from Tobias, he extends it to his brother, muttering, "Do me a favor and get these started, okay?"

There's a pause before the younger man accepts them, giving a tight smile and heading to the small back patio. Zeke immediately turns his focus to Tobias, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder and guiding him through the front door. He presses his friend down to a sitting position on the wooden steps next to the wheelchair ramp before dropping down beside him.

For a long moment, they're both silent, caught in their own thoughts. And then Tobias speaks, his voice quivering a little. "She didn't tell me."

"No." Zeke's tone is unusually gentle. "But that's pretty common, isn't it? Staying quiet and protecting the abuser…."

His meaning is clear, and really, there's no point in denying it. Zeke always suspected something, he's sure, from the glimpses he caught of Marcus' temper – and of his friend's frequent injuries. And Tobias is long past wanting to protect his father from the truth.

"Yeah, it is," he states flatly. He stares at the parking lot in front of the condos, watching as a woman walks her dog across the far end of it. "But I told Tris."

Zeke draws his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them and resting his chin on top of them. "That probably doesn't make it any easier for her to say something." They don't look at each other. "If your reaction today is any indication."

Tobias doesn't particularly want to acknowledge the truth in that. So he just nods, his gaze on the dog as it cocks a leg at a small bush. "How long do you think it went on?"

"Tris and Peter?" Zeke shoots him a quick glance, apparently trying to confirm exactly whose abuse they're discussing. "It can't have been that long. They only dated for a few months." It's a vaguely comforting statement. "And after they broke up, Uri pretended to date her until they graduated, to make sure Peter didn't try anything else."

That definitely catches Tobias off guard. "Pretended?" The word comes out strangled. "You mean, they didn't really date?"

Zeke gives him a lopsided smile. "Sorry, man, but yeah, they did. Later." He stares at the parking lot for a while before adding, "If it makes you feel any better, she dumped him."

A strained chuckle finds its way out. "A little better, yeah."

Zeke's lips curve upwards, but the effect doesn't last long. "He's why you left, isn't he? Marcus?"

There's dead silence for a moment before Tobias gives a jerky nod. He can't keep the bitterness out of his voice when he answers. "Well, it sure as hell wasn't because of Tris. Or some other woman."

Zeke sighs. "No, that was kind of obvious when you didn't come to my wedding." He scrubs his hair with his hands again. "I wish you had said something back then. You could have lived with us. Mom always loved you like a third son, anyway, particularly after everything with Shauna."

Tobias shakes his head, not wanting to dwell on what could have been. It's not like he hasn't spent plenty of time in those thoughts as it is. "She was already working two jobs to support the three of you. You think I should have added to that burden? Or – what? Found a minimum wage job and tried to somehow save up enough for college?" He leans forward, resting his arms on his knees. "I did what I had to. There's no changing it now."

Silence overtakes them again, before Zeke risks another glance at his friend. "You never really got over her, did you?"

"No." He doesn't need to ask who the pronoun refers to.

The woman on the far side of the parking lot moves out of sight, leading her dog back to wherever they live. "Have you told her that?"

This time, it's Tobias' turn to sigh. His gaze moves to the steps he's sitting on. "I don't think she wants to hear it. Every time I try, she gets this look…."

Zeke nods, a rare gleam of wisdom on his face. "She's gun-shy. Understandably." He turns toward Tobias. "But you need to tell her, anyway. Because the longer you wait, the more time you give her to worry that you're not serious, and that you'll leave again." He gives his friend's arm a comforting pat. "Don't expect her to say it back for a while, but you've still got to do it."

Tobias contemplates that as they sit there together, not sure if he should take advice from this particular man, given some of the things he's seen his friend do over the years. But he also knows the problems that Zeke and Shauna dealt with after the accident, as she struggled with never being able to walk again. She tried hard to push him away then; they're still together because he didn't let her. Maybe he does know a thing or two about this type of situation.

"Yeah," he says softly, still gazing ahead of him. "You might be right."

"Of course I am." The answer is typical Zeke – filled with confidence and bravado – and it makes them both laugh. Zeke stands, dusting himself off, before extending a hand down to his childhood friend. "Come on. I'm hungry."

"So am I." Tobias lets a smirk form as they head back into the house. "I worked up quite the appetite this morning."

A/N: Okay, that ended up being the second longest chapter so far. Hopefully, that's a good thing, but please let me know what you thought of it. I can't make any promises on when the next chapter will be posted; I'll try to get it done within a week, but it might end up stretching a bit past that. It's just really, really hard to carve out writing time right now. :-(