A/N: I'm sorry this chapter took so long. I had to write it in little bursts of time where I could find them, and then it ended up being a lot longer than I expected, and then I didn't really like it, so I spent a lot of time editing it. Ugh. I'm still not entirely sure I like it, but I think I just need to post it at this point and move on to the next one.

At any rate, thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed, and especially reviewed this story! I really appreciate your support. Thank you also to the marvelous BK2U, who (as she somehow always manages to do) turned this chapter around overnight so I could post it quickly.

Chapter 8: Tris – Someday

"Fine, don't tell us how it was," Christina gripes as she holds up a skirt from Shauna's closet, turning it in Tris' direction so she can evaluate how her best friend will look in it. "It's not like it was an important event or anything."

Tris rolls her eyes. "Christina, you know I don't talk about that kind of stuff." But they both know that doesn't stop her from trying to drag it out, so Christina grins impishly before opening her mouth to try again.

"You don't really need to answer, you know," Marlene interjects, her tone as calm as always. "It's already obvious." At Tris' look, she gives a little shrug. "Sorry, but seriously?" She waves a hand up and down the tourist clothing that Tris is wearing, courtesy of Tobias' rush to find something and get to the barbeque on time. "No one would end up wearing that unless the sex was spectacular."

Heat burns its way up Tris' face. She can't outright deny it, since it's absolutely true, but she doesn't have to admit it, either. "I told you – we just lost track of time and didn't want to be any later than we already were."

"Yeah." Shauna makes no attempt to hide her amusement as she wheels past them to the front part of her closet. "Don't worry, Tris. We all believe you." Picking up a dark orange blouse, she looks at Christina. "I usually wear this one with that skirt, but I'm not sure it will work with her hair color."

Christina's brows knit together for a second before she hangs the skirt back in its place. "Definitely not."

"I can pick my own clothes," Tris mutters, but she makes no move to actually do so. It's honestly easier to let the two of them come up with suggestions than to select something – and then have them argue with her about it.

So, instead, she saunters across the room, sitting on the end of the bed to wait. Lynn gives her a half-smile as she flops down next to her, sprawling across far more of the surface than someone of her petite stature should be able to manage. She's practically a cat that way.

"Personally, I think it should be mind-blowing," Lynn murmurs conspiratorially, while Christina and Shauna debate some additional items of clothing. "He's not worth the heartache unless he's the best lay you've ever had."

Tris' eyebrows rise, somewhat surprised by that comment, considering the source. Usually, Lynn stays dead silent on the subject of Tobias, uncertain what to say about someone she never liked – who then went on to rescue her sister from an accident that she caused.

"What if he is?" Tris whispers back, lying down so her head is right by Lynn's. She's never been comfortable discussing personal subjects, particularly when her feelings are as hopelessly tangled up in them as they are now, but some part of her definitely wants advice. "Then what?"

A smirk invades her friend's face. "Then, go for it."

"Just like that, huh?" Tris finds an answering smile forming. "That's all it takes to get your blessing?"

Lynn laughs, rolling away a bit and flopping her arms onto the mattress above her head. "It will be a sad day when you want my blessing on men, but sure – you have my official benediction." She lifts herself up on one elbow, making the sign of a cross over Tris and mumbling something in obviously-fake Latin. "Go forth and have marvelous sex, my child."

Tris bites back her own laughter, realizing in that moment just how good it feels to have someone agree with her decision to give Tobias another chance.

Apparently, their exchange wasn't quite as private as Tris thought, because Shauna abruptly speaks up from the closet. "For what it's worth, I approve, too." She glances over her shoulder at where the two of them are lying on the bed. "And not just because he saved my life. I've known him longer than any of you, and he's a good guy." Rotating her wheelchair to face Christina, she pointedly adds, "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

There's an uncomfortable silence before Christina retorts. "I never said he wasn't. I just hate what he did to Tris."

"I know." Shauna sounds suddenly tired, as if she's had this discussion too many times. "We all do. But Zeke stayed in touch with him over the years, so I've seen some of what he's been through. And it was plenty hard on him, too."

Christina sighs, hanging up the dress she was examining. "Yes, Shauna, I do realize that." She sounds frustrated. "And yes, Tris, I know that he's not the jerk we all thought he was for so long. But I'm still finding it hard to trust him." Her eyes narrow as she meets her roommate's gaze. "And it doesn't help that you won't tell me how serious you are about him, or give me anything to work with. For all I know, you're fucking 'friends with benefits' or something."

No one answers at first, until Marlene mutters, "Seems a bit redundant." She gives a small shrug when Christina turns a hard look on her. "That's what 'friends with benefits' are, right? Fucking friends?"

They try hard not to reward such a bad joke, but it's impossible to ignore the little grin playing at Marlene's mouth, or the way Lynn's lips start puckering in response. Shauna is the first to break, letting a small bubble of laughter slip out. It erodes the rest of Lynn's resistance, bringing forth a rare giggle, which, in turn, makes Christina lose it.

They're all in a much lighter mood by the time Christina sags onto the bed next to Tris, holding a pile of clothes in her lap. "I just want you to be happy," she murmurs to her roommate. "If that's with Tobias, then I'm all for it."

Tris nods gratefully as she sits up, letting Christina wrap an arm around her. But she doesn't answer aloud. The problem is that she doesn't really know how serious things are with Tobias, because she's never let herself think that far ahead. And she's never dared to ask, or even listen….

Like it or not, it's time to change that.

Tris feels oddly shy when the group of women finally makes its way back into the living room. She's wearing a flowing sundress now, one that's barely still in season and only works because it's paired with a brown and tan jacket that makes the outfit more suitable for autumn. It's pretty, though, she thinks, and judging by the way Tobias stares at her openly, he agrees.

He takes her hand, linking his fingers with hers and squeezing firmly, as he leads her to the patio table that's laden with the typical Shauna and Zeke fare. The two are the only ones in their circle of friends who have anything resembling a backyard, so they've become the default party hosts, and they always put on a good spread.

Seating, on the other hand, is tight, particularly once Lynn's girlfriend, Yvette, shows up. There are ten of them in total then, so they end up divided between the dining room table and the living room, calling to each other over the half-wall that connects the two spaces.

It's a rowdy meal, as these events always are, and it seems to make Tobias edgy. He alternates between staring at his food and watching Uriah and Marlene, as if he's trying to decide how solid their relationship is. On another day, it might have made Tris uneasy to see him focus on another woman that way, but it's impossible to miss his true intentions right now. Whether consciously or not, he keeps trying to insert his body between Tris and Uriah, acting as a physical barricade to the idea of them ever being together. It makes her smirk just a bit, knowing that today he's the jealous one.

In fairness to him, though, he's not the most uncomfortable person there. Yvette sits by Lynn's side, glowering at the others with a distaste that borders on contempt, as if she'd rather be anywhere else. It doesn't entirely surprise Tris – Lynn has been flitting from relationship to relationship ever since she and Marlene broke up, and this one is undoubtedly on its tail end.

In contrast, Will seems to be utterly at home, despite being the only one who's never been to an event at Zeke and Shauna's house before. He socializes easily, bonding with everyone in that instant way he seems to manage so well, and blending his calm humor perfectly with the Pedrads' heartier style. He and Christina really are a remarkably good match.

By now, it shouldn't surprise Tris when Uriah stands at the end of the meal and begins an announcement. "Since we have some new people here…." He pauses briefly, glancing at Tobias. "And some who haven't been here in a very long time, I think we should play some games to get acquainted."

The words garner a mixed reaction, with Christina and Shauna cheering while Lynn groans. Tobias rolls his eyes before stating loudly, "Seriously? What are we, twelve?"

"And a half," the younger Pedrad answers cheerily. "So, we'll start with 'Never Have I Ever.' Does everyone know how to play that?"

Personally, Tris thinks that it could be worse. In a group of this size, her answers are less likely to be noticed during this particular game than in some others. So, when Tobias looks like he's about to protest, she lays a hand on his arm to stop him. "Trust me," she whispers, "we're better off with this one." His brows furrow together before he nods.

Will, though, speaks up. "I have actually never played that." It's hard to know if he's serious or is just baiting Uriah, but the younger man leaps into explaining the rules anyway.

"We go around the group, and when it's your turn, you say something that you've never done. If anyone else has done that, they take a drink of whatever's in front of them. If they haven't done it, they don't drink. It's pretty simple."

"And more than a little revealing," Christina adds, nudging her boyfriend. He looks like he doesn't doubt that.

"So, I'll start," Uriah continues. Looking solidly at Tobias, he announces, "Never have I ever cheated on someone I was dating."

It's obviously intended as a dig, based on his own assumptions about why Tobias left, but it backfires when the only person who takes a sip is his girlfriend, Marlene. For a moment, he stares at her, appalled. "Not on you," she reassures him quickly. Turning to Lynn, she adds, "Or you." But as all eyes stay on her, she becomes gradually more red. "Really?" Her voice is quiet now. "No one else needs to drink?"

When the silence continues, she clears her throat. "Um, so, moving on, never have I ever painted my fingernails black." All of the other women take a swig at that, even Tris. Somewhat surprisingly, Uriah does, too.

"Bad Truth or Dare," he mutters as Zeke laughs at him.

Tris grins. "Yeah, me too."

Lynn, whose fingernails are currently sporting that shade – and who was the source of Tris' dare – makes no apologies. Raising a challenging eyebrow, she instead takes her turn. "Never have I ever slept with a man."

Again, all of the other women drink, except for Yvette, who makes an ewww type of face. Will takes a calm sip, too, holding his head high despite Zeke's curious look. "Bi, and proud of it."

The statement causes Marlene to grin at him before raising her fruity cocktail in a toast, which Will cheerily returns. It makes Lynn shift uncomfortably, though; she's definitely not over her former girlfriend.

Yvette obviously knows that, too, because she glares at Lynn before snarling, "Never have I ever slept with more than one person in this room."

That's a sore subject for many of them, and Tris drinks quickly, trying to ignore the way Tobias has stiffened next to her – and the way Uriah is flourishing his drink between her and Marlene. But what catches her attention the most is the way Shauna casually takes a sip.

Zeke certainly notices, too, his mouth dropping open as he abruptly surveys the others to see who else is drinking. "What the hell, Shauna?" he demands, hurt and anger mixing in his voice in a way Tris can't remember ever hearing. "Who? And when?" It's a fair question, since the two have been together since their senior year of high school.

Shauna arches an eyebrow at him far more calmly than seems appropriate. "She said 'slept with,' dear, not 'had sex with.' Lynn and I shared a bed when we were little."

It takes a second for Zeke to overcome his surge of emotions, but then a flush starts rising vividly up his face. "Oh." He takes a chug of his own drink before muttering, "Uriah and I did, too."

He has to compose himself before taking his turn, looking around the table as if searching for ideas. His gaze finally lands on Tobias and stays there. "Never have I ever left someone I was dating for another woman." At first, it seems like a continuation of Uriah's attack from the start of the game, but then Tris understands why he's doing it. He's giving Tobias a chance to show that he didn't leave for the reason everyone thinks he did.

Tobias obviously understands, too, because his lips lift a little when he says, "I'm getting thirsty here. Someone say something I can drink to."

Shauna grins at him before stating loudly, "Never have I ever climbed the stairs to this place." It's typical Shauna, acknowledging her limits with the humor she uses to face all of her problems, but it creates a touch of sadness in the rest of them as they drink. And that's particularly true for Tobias, Tris knows. He told her once that no matter how many times people credited him with saving Shauna's life, he always wondered if she'd still be able to walk if he had only carried her differently.

The bitterness on Lynn's face echoes that guilt. Shauna has forgiven her sister many times over for the accident, but Tris doubts that Lynn will ever forgive herself.

The silence continues for a moment as everyone watches Tobias, waiting for him to take his turn. He debates, his eyes moving over Tris and pausing on Christina before landing on Uriah. His lips lift as he says, "Never have I ever used this game to target a specific person." The entire group laughs as everyone except Will indulges. Even Tobias does after a second, apparently realizing that he just defeated his own statement.

It's Tris' turn next, and she looks at Lynn as she mirrors her words from earlier. "Never have I ever slept with a woman." She knows that she's in the definite minority there, but she's surprised to see just how wide the margin is. Only she and Shauna don't take a sip.

"Whoa," Uriah mutters, his eyes a bit wide as he looks at Christina. "This is like the perfect group for three-ways, isn't it?"

Tobias is the first to react, his instant "No" snapping through the air and causing every eye in the room to turn to him. He stiffens defensively at the attention.

"I didn't necessarily mean with Tris," Uriah states, amused, "though I certainly wouldn't turn that down, either." Tobias' glare is deadly, but before he can respond, Will chooses that particular moment to take his turn.

"On that subject…." He winks at Christina. "Never have I ever had a three-way, though I'm definitely open to the idea." His eyebrows waggle suggestively.

Among the chorus of me toos and amens and I'd consider thats and smacks on arms, Tris almost misses the way Tobias takes an extremely fast swig of his beer, his expression hard. She stares at him, too shocked to look away as her insides slowly solidify and her mind fills with images that she spent years trying to block out – thoughts of him with scores of women who are better and more beautiful and more adventurous than she could ever be.

"No way!" Uriah exclaims, abruptly catching on – and utterly oblivious to the way Tris' world is dissolving around her. "No fucking way! You – Mr. 'Didn't even kiss anyone until you were seventeen' did not have a three-way."

Tobias is way beyond uncomfortable now, his gaze pleading with Tris to understand. But she can't look at him anymore, her eyes dropping to the table as she tries to remember how to breathe.

"It was stupid," Tobias growls. "A last-ditch attempt to save a dying relationship. I wouldn't do it again."

The guys clearly have no idea how to respond to the harsh debunking of their favorite fantasy. Uriah actually sputters, while Zeke begins coughing violently. "I find that hard to believe," he manages to choke out. Tris isn't sure which part, exactly, he doubts.

Tobias' response is a gruff sigh. Staring at the bottle that's now sitting on the table in front of him, he mumbles, "Think about it. If you're with someone you care about, why would you want to dilute that by sticking it into someone else instead?" The vulgar words sound odd coming from him. "And why would you want to watch her getting it on with someone else instead of you?"

"Because it's a three-way," Uriah responds instantly, as if he can't even imagine not loving the experience.

But Tobias shakes his head. "It's something you do when you don't care much about who you're dating, and you're hoping that quantity will make up for quality." Tris can feel his eyes on her as he adds firmly, "Trust me. It doesn't."

There's a sizeable silence at that, with Tris trying desperately to believe his words – and not particularly succeeding. Finally, Will mutters, "Dude, you can get kicked out of being a guy for saying things like that."

"No," Zeke says slowly, his gaze moving to Tris and back to Tobias. "I can kind of see where he's coming from." He turns to his wife, the side of his mouth quirking a bit. It draws an unusually gentle smile from her, a sight that makes something melt a little inside Tris despite the turmoil gripping her. Unfortunately, that doesn't make it any easier for her to face Tobias, so she sits still, waiting for this moment to end.

It's probably not helpful that Christina's turn is next. Her best friend's brow furrows while she peers between Tris and Tobias, considering her options. As a guess, she's torn between her ever-present desire to learn the truth about everything and the wish to ease Tris' current agony.

Something like a smirk forms when Christina eventually declares, "Never have I ever had the best sex of my life right before going to a barbeque with my friends." Beside her, Will looks slightly affronted.

The comment simultaneously adds to Tris' mortification and distracts her from it. She freezes completely, staring at Christina like a deer caught in the headlights. She's so absorbed in her own thoughts that it takes her a little while to realize most of the group isn't watching her at all.

Instead, they seem to be mesmerized by Tobias as he slowly drains the rest of his beer, making a definite show of it and drawing all attention to himself. For a single second, his gaze locks with Tris', filled with protectiveness and apology and concern all at once. She doesn't hold it long, but as he continues to drink, making a stronger and stronger statement about how much he enjoyed their night together, she finds a new set of emotions rippling through her. Maybe he really does mean what he said.

The hope gives her the strength to admit her own feelings. She doesn't look at anyone as she lifts her bottle, taking a sip and dropping it back onto the table with a thud, but she does at least take the action. And she's pretty sure that out of the corner of her eye, she can see profound relief on Tobias' face in response.

He finishes the bottle with a flourish, passing it across the table to a startled Uriah. Extending a hand toward Christina, who is sitting nearest to the drinks crowded onto the kitchen counter, he comments, "Yeah, I'm going to need another one of those."

Despite everything, it's difficult not to smile when the room bursts into raucous cheers.

There's very little chatter during the taxi ride home. Tris is still struggling with the aftermath of today's revelations, and her stiff posture must be relaying that, since Tobias sits silently beside her, making no attempt to touch her beyond the way they're pressed together in the tight space.

Will and Christina, on the other hand, barely seem to notice, too absorbed in each other to pay attention to much else. So, it's no surprise – though a definite disappointment – when Christina gets out at Will's stop.

"Don't wait up," she calls, ignoring the visual daggers coming from her friend. It's not that Tris really wants the two of them around; it just seems easier than being alone with Tobias right now. She's in no mood to discuss the images still floating through her mind.

The rest of the ride is completely quiet, with Tris leaning against the door to stay as far away from Tobias as possible. She gives some serious thought to saying goodnight in the taxi, avoiding any difficult discussions for a little longer, but he doesn't give her the chance. Instead, he presses cash at the driver and climbs out, holding the door for Tris and following her up the stairs without invitation. Clearly, he's determined to have this conversation whether she wants to or not.

Sure enough, he starts as soon as they're through her front door. "We both have pasts, Tris. It's not fair to punish me for being honest about mine."

The words make Tris grit her teeth, mostly because she knows he's right. And that certainly doesn't make her feel better.

"No, but you don't have to flaunt your past, either," she snaps back. "It was a game – it's not like you had to tell the entire group about that." She looks away, trying to hide how much it hurts her to think about him with not just one, but two pretty women at the same time.

Tobias' voice is unwavering when he answers. "I wasn't flaunting it. I would have preferred not to say anything at all, but I thought that you didn't want me to lie to you, or keep secrets from you, or make decisions for you about what you can and can't handle." That catches her off guard, and she manages to bring her gaze to his, startled by the determination she sees there. "I answered because I want you to know that you can always believe me. That you can trust me – even if you don't necessarily like what I say."

A squirm of discomfort goes through her at that, because trust is exactly what she struggles with the most. He's right that if she ever caught him in a lie, even in something as foolish as a game with their friends, she would absolutely doubt everything he'd ever said.

But does it work the other way around? Does knowing that he told her a hard truth mean that she can believe the rest? She pictures him draining that bottle of beer, unabashedly claiming that last night – with her – was the best of his life. It's difficult to accept that as true.

"How did it happen?" she finds herself asking, not at all wanting to hear the answer but somehow needing it anyway.

Tobias closes his eyes, his expression making it clear that he doesn't want to deliver the details, but he does nevertheless. "Claudette and I had been dating for a few months." A wave of cold goes through Tris at the name – at adding that detail to the images haunting her. "But we were both bored, and we knew it was ending, and I guess she thought she could stave it off by bringing a friend in."

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "She surprised me with it, and it's the classic male fantasy, so I didn't exactly object." His mouth tightens. "But it was just awkward and uncomfortable, and all it did was highlight how wrong we were for each other." He lifts a shoulder. "We broke up a week later."

"Awkward?" Tris can't help the way her voice rises skeptically at that. It doesn't fit with any stereotype she's ever heard.

"God, so awkward." He shakes his head, a touch of amusement lifting the corner of his mouth. "No one really thinks about the dynamics, but three adults don't fit well onto a full-sized bed. We kept elbowing each other and getting arms and legs trapped and squished and bruised. At one point, I actually fell off." Despite herself, Tris feels a hint of humor working its way into her. "And you can't see much through the pile, so it's not like you're getting a great view. And then there's the whole mess about everyone trying to make sure that no one feels left out, and that no one's feelings are getting hurt."

He raises a sheepish shoulder. "Fantasy or not, it was a total fiasco, and I would never repeat it."

For a long moment, Tris stares at him as all the upset of the last few hours dissolves into an image of general bumbling and dissatisfaction. Her lips begin twitching upwards. "So, you don't think I should bring someone in?"

He's smiling a little now, relief evident in his expression. "Tris, I would take you – just you – over that any day of my life." He steps a little closer, testing the waters. "Believe me, what we shared last night, and this morning…." He holds her gaze as he shakes his head slowly. "Nothing that I have done with anyone else compares to that."

The words spread a balm through her chest, releasing the fierce knot of tension that accumulated over the course of the day. But with that, her conversation with Christina comes back to mind – and all of the uncertainty that plagued her then.

"What are we, Tobias?" she breathes out, suddenly not able to wait any longer. She needs to know where they stand. "Are we still exes who are exploring our options, or…." She remembers what Christina thought. "'Friends with benefits', or girlfriend and boyfriend, or what?"

For several long seconds, Tobias meets her gaze, his expression difficult to read. "Okay, first, I am not a 'friends with benefits' kind of guy." He cocks an eyebrow. "I don't have enough friends to go losing them that way." A smile tugs at Tris' mouth, acknowledging the truth in that statement.

He steps closer as he continues. "Second, I never liked using the term 'ex' for you." A tinge of pain winds itself around the words. "I didn't want to accept that we were done, and that we'd never have another chance." He's much closer now. "Besides, it implied that you were just in my past, and that was never really true. You changed me too much for that."

She can almost feel the heat coming from his body at this point. "So, I definitely vote for the third option." His tone softens. "But 'girlfriend' doesn't seem like a strong enough word for you."

Tris swallows, nerves jumping into her throat, knowing that they're dangerously near the subject that made her panic last night. But the defiant spark inside her rises to the challenge. "What would you use instead?" she whispers.

Tobias gazes at her for another second, his fingers caressing the side of her face very gently. "Lover?" He leans down, his lips brushing her cheek. "Significant other?" They trace her jaw as his hands find her hips. "Better half?" His breath is warm by her ear, and every nerve in her body seems to tingle in response. "The love of my life." She doesn't seem to be breathing as he kisses right behind her ear. "The woman I hope to marry someday."

It's not until the last part that she stiffens, her brain finally catching up to her body and understanding what he just said. But he doesn't move away, and she doesn't, either, standing there with his face by hers and his hands holding her hips.

"Someday," he repeats, his tone soothing her raw nerves. "Someday, when I've earned your trust again." She can't see his face when he's this close. "And when I've found a way to deserve you." His voice grows deeper. "And when you let yourself love me as much as I love you."

Her heart is pounding in her chest at this point, and a dozen conflicting emotions are trying to push out of every pore of her body, and she's trembling as the fear and the desire battle each other. His breathing is uneven, too, but he waits there, holding her for another long moment while the message sinks in. And while she fully grasps why he refused to lie today. He wanted her to believe him now.

His lips find the top of her head, and then he releases her, turning and starting to walk toward the door as if he doesn't want to see her reaction. He put himself out on a limb, and he thinks that she'll let him fall.

"Tobias." Her fingers catch his arm, suddenly needing to keep him there. To make sure he knows. "It's not that I don't feel that way." He's motionless, his back to her and his breathing rough. "But that's why it's so hard to trust this." She forces the whisper out through her constricted throat. "There's too much to lose."

Very slowly, he turns back to her, his eyes dark with emotion. His fingers trace her face and her hair, tucking the loose strands behind her ears as he stares at her wordlessly. "Someday," he finally repeats, hope and love and sadness blended equally into the word.

She manages a small nod – a promise to try, at least. "Someday," she agrees softly. For now, it's the best she can do.

A/N: Sorry about the Never Have I Ever game. It's really too juvenile for the age range, but it fit much better than what I had originally, so I decided to give it a try. Hopefully, it worked okay. Anyway, please let me know what you thought of this chapter. Your reviews really do wonders to motivate me to write and to post, so please keep them coming! :-)