A/N: Thank you so much for the flood of reviews that you wrote for the last chapter! I really appreciate the support. Thank you also to my wonderful beta reader, BK2U! This chapter is a lot lighter than some of the previous ones.

Chapter 13: Tobias – Bathroom Discussions

It's a typical status meeting, filled with excuses on why everyone is running behind without it actually being their fault. At least Amar is good at navigating through the bullshit, his calm presence and easy guidance helping to get the project back on track. As many years as Tobias has been watching him deal with situations like this, it still surprises him sometimes to see how well Amar works a room. He has an almost magical ability to get people to accept his ideas as if they'd thought of them themselves.

Despite that, Tobias' patience is more than a little thin by the end of the meeting, and he's just as glad to stay behind for a few minutes, finishing his notes in peace while everyone else files out, complaining about people who aren't there and about how much they have to do.

He doesn't realize that Nita has stayed behind, too, until she speaks. "What's the matter, Four?" Her eyebrows are knit together with concern. "You seem out of sorts today."

Tobias' back stiffens as he fixes her with a cold look. He really shouldn't answer that question. He's spent too long building up his reputation for being professional and detached to lose it now. But at the same time, there's no way to pretend that he isn't furious with this particular coworker.

"It's okay," she reassures him, "you can tell me." She reaches a casual hand out to touch his arm, and the gesture sends him over the edge.

Pulling away quickly, he snarls, "I do not appreciate what you did to my girlfriend."

"I'm afraid I don't follow." Her innocent expression would probably fool most people, or at least most of the men who get distracted by her sultry style of beauty. Tobias isn't one of them.

"I'm pretty damned sure you do." His tone is icy. "I saw you watching us at the party. When Tris went to the ladies' room, you followed her, didn't you?" It's not really a question. "So she would overhear the crap you said."

For a split second, Nita's expression changes, a glint of satisfaction showing along with displeasure at getting caught, but then she masks it. "Oh, no." Her eyes widen in mock distress. "She heard my conversation with Amanda? Four, I'm so sorry. I had no idea she'd gone in there. When she left your side, I thought she went to get more drinks." She all but bats her eyelashes in feigned innocence. "I hope we didn't upset her too much."

"Can it, Nita." It's a low growl. "You're not fooling anyone." He gathers his papers, rising to his full, intimidating height and pointedly walking around the other side of the table to reach the door without going near her. "Just stay away from Tris."

He's almost to the door when Nita responds. "What do you see in her anyway?" Her tone is openly scornful.

Tobias turns back, his fury deepening. "Everything." He knows he should stop there, but Nita is wearing a disgusted, disdainful expression now that is such a blatant insult to Tris…. So, he finds himself adding, "The real question is what I ever saw in you." Raising a dubious eyebrow, he gives her a pensive look while lifting a shoulder, like there's no possible answer to that question. "I guess that's why I had to fantasize about Tris when I was in bed with you. It was the only way to get hard."

There are no words to describe the outrage on Nita's face. "You most certainly did not!"

"Yeah, I did." It's somewhat of an exaggeration, since he only really did that a few times, but he lets the memory of those times fuel his smirk. "But you know, the funny thing is that I've never fantasized about anyone else when I'm with Tris. So, I'll stick with her, thanks." He takes a step toward the door before pausing, looking back over his shoulder. "We're done here, right?"

She doesn't answer aloud, but judging by the visual daggers that she's sending his way, they are in fact done in every possible manner. That works for him.

"Good," he mutters as he walks out the door.

"My Lord, you're cold," Will comments from where he's standing two feet away. Tobias starts at the unexpected presence. "Seriously, dude, that's just…. Wow."

The taller man responds with a shrug, walking at his usual brisk pace toward his cubicle. Will keeps up beside him.

"And to think – I was rooting for you and Nita to get back together." Somehow, Will manages to keep his voice deadpan.

"Fuck you, too," Tobias growls back, eliciting a laugh from his friend.

"Should I ask what she did to deserve that?"

"No." By now, they've arrived at Tobias' cubicle, and he gives Will a pointed look. "Did you need something?"

"Just curious if you're going to Zeke's party on Saturday."

Tobias takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself back to a normal state. "Yeah. We'll be there." He sags into his desk chair, watching as Will plops into the nearest guest seat.

"Good. Christina was bummed when you guys left the company party early. I think she feels like she doesn't get enough time with her roommate these days."

"Hmm." At Will's look, he adds, "You're not expecting an apology, are you? It's not like you don't take all the time you can get with Christina."

"True." His friend smiles, obviously picturing his girlfriend – and probably some of the things they do when they're alone together. "Did I ever thank you for introducing us?"

"No, but honestly, your presence has worked very much to my favor." The side of his mouth lifts. "So, thank you for distracting her every time she wanted to kill me."

Will's chuckle is low. "Yeah, Christina pretty much hated you for a while there." He raises his left shoulder. "But, you know, she gets this wild energy when she's angry, so it worked out pretty well for me, too."

Tobias doesn't quite hide his snort. "Glad I could contribute to your sex life."

His friend laughs again. "I must say, out of all my coworkers, you are definitely not the one I expected to introduce me to the love of my life." Tobias is only slightly surprised by the revelation; it's been obvious for a long time how much the two of them care about each other. "But, um, I'm glad I accepted your invitation that first day." A lopsided smile finds its way onto Will's face, and for a few seconds, he sits there, lost in thought.

When he glances up again, their eyes meet in the awkward guy manner that goes with acknowledging real emotions to each other.

"Anyway," Will adds hastily as he stands, brushing off his slacks, "Amar and George will be there, too. On Saturday. Christina really hit it off with them the other night and asked Zeke if she could bring them." He nods a little, reinforcing his own words. "That's okay with you, right, Four?"

"Yeah. They'll be a good addition to the group." In fact, now that he thinks about it, Tobias wishes he'd mentioned the idea to Zeke a while ago.

"I thought so," Will continues, "but I figured I should warn you, in case you're one of those people who doesn't like seeing their boss in a personal setting or something."

Tobias actually rolls his eyes at that. Clearly, Will has no idea how many years he's been in karate classes with those two men. "They're definitely not a problem." He pauses, looking toward his cubicle door as he remembers the risk of being overheard. Lowering his voice, he adds, "Just don't invite Eric."

Another laugh comes from Will. "Man, how did I miss that opportunity?"

Tris and Tobias make a point of arriving fifteen minutes early, wanting to avoid a repeat of their conspicuous entrance to the barbeque. It proves to be overkill, since no one else shows up for another half-hour, but they don't mind. It gives them a little quiet time with their friends.

As a whole, the party proves to be more laid back than the last one they attended here, presumably because everyone has gotten used to Tobias being back in Chicago – and dating Tris again. Uriah gives him a friendly clap on the shoulder, and Christina actually hugs him, something that freaks him out slightly. Tris laughs at his expression.

They end up packed into the living room, Tris sitting between Tobias' legs on the floor, leaning back against his chest, while the last dinner dishes finish cooking. They're playing a casual game – a Pedrad holiday tradition where everyone pulls another person's name from a hat and states something they like about that person. So far, it's been much milder than that stupid round of Never Have I Ever, and Tobias is in a good mood as he nuzzles his nose into the back of Tris' neck, enjoying her scent as he always does.

"Okay, okay, I've got it," Shauna announces after thirty seconds of trying to figure out something to say about Amar, given she just met him. "I really like your shirt."

"Oh, sure," Amar mutters good-naturedly. "Compliment a gay man on his clothing. That's original."

They all laugh, though Lynn responds with, "Well, she's always insulting mine, so it's a wash."

Zeke leans forward, pulling a slip of paper from the hat. With a grin, he comments, "All right, then, Lynn. I happen to love your current outfit."

Shauna smiles slyly at her sister. "Maybe I could borrow it – you know, in a couple of months when none of my clothes fit." Lynn just wrinkles her nose, refusing to be flustered. Prior to Shauna's pregnancy, the two were essentially the same size, but Lynn tends to like baggy, oversized clothes while Shauna prefers form-fitting ones.

Marlene catches the hat when Zeke tosses it to her, drawing a name and pursing her lips as she considers it. "Um, Will, I like that you make my friend happy."

A small chorus of "aww" goes through the women, and Christina cheerily gives her boyfriend a peck on the lips.

Uriah is next, and Tobias immediately knows whose name he drew when the younger man waggles his eyebrows at Tris. He tries very hard not to bristle, knowing that he should be long past any jealousy by now, but he still can't quite keep himself from glaring. The effect is amplified when Uriah announces, "Tris, I like your butt."

A collective laugh goes through the group – minus Tobias, and Tris herself, who seems to be looking at Marlene curiously. But Marlene just shrugs. "What can I say? He's right." She winks at Tris. "It's a great ass."

"I've been telling her that for years," Christina agrees enthusiastically.

"They're not wrong," Tobias whispers into his girlfriend's ear, pulling her further back into him so he can feel that particular body part pressing against his own favorite region. Something flits across the back of his mind with the movement, as his hands slide up her thighs to her hips to lift her. He's not quite sure what.

Uriah passes the hat to Amar, who draws a name. "Ah." His gaze settles on Tobias. "Four, my friend, I admire many things about you, but your integrity has to be at the top of that list. You are one of the most trustworthy and deserving individuals I have ever known." The older man inclines his head, and Tobias feels warmth spreading through him. For over a decade now, Amar has been his mentor and teacher and boss and friend – more of a father to him than Marcus ever was. His praise carries weight.

Beside him, George nods. "For what it's worth, I agree." Reaching into the hat, he pulls a name of his own. "Christina, I know that we only met recently, but I'm already thoroughly enjoying your attitude toward life. Never lose that." An almost shy smile touches Christina's face before she blows him a light kiss of thanks.

Tris shifts a little to take the hat, and again, a thought he can't quite place flits across Tobias' mind. He watches as she selects one of the few remaining names. "Uriah, I certainly don't always appreciate your sense of humor." The corners of her mouth lift. "But sometimes you kind of manage to win me over." Her friend gives a triumphant crow, and she quickly adds, "A little. On rare occasions. Don't get used to it."

Over the general laughter, Tris shifts again so Tobias can reach the hat, and abruptly he figures it out. She's not wearing underpants.

A complete blankness washes over his mind, and for a good five seconds, he sits there, staring at his girlfriend as she continues to hold the hat. His breathing is already starting to quicken. There's nothing but that dress between him and the body he loves to devour. He could lift it so easily….

"Tobias?"

His name, on her lips, is not entirely helpful under the circumstances, but it is enough to get him to draw a slip of paper. Dimly, he catches Zeke's name on it.

"Um." He can't seem to take his eyes off Tris, suddenly very aware of the way she's rubbing against his lower region. "Um, Zeke…." His hands tighten, pulling Tris even closer, and he notices a mischievous gleam on her face. She knows that he knows now. Or maybe she's just feeling his physical reaction. Either way, that expression turns him on even more. "I, um, like…. Um…."

Tris' lips turn up just the barest hint as she finishes for him. "Tobias likes how you're able to understand his meaning with so few words."

A roar of laughter goes through the room, and Zeke stands up, bowing with a flourish. "Yes, I'm a master mind reader." His gaze moves over Tris and down Tobias, making it very clear that he does indeed know exactly what his friend is thinking right now. But he just smirks as he adds, "I've had a lot of practice lately with Shauna." He winks at her. "Pregnancy hormones, you know." He loops his finger by his ear.

Shauna hits his arm, turning red, but perhaps she knows what a good friend he's being, because she doesn't protest aloud. Instead, she nods at Tobias before calling out, "Christina's next."

Dinner is rowdy, as expected for anything that Zeke and Shauna host. Tobias, though, finds his tunnel vision getting worse the longer they sit there, his gaze fixated on Tris. He's far from sex-starved – they made love just this morning, after all, and last night, and maybe in between once, too, though that might have been a dream. It's difficult to tell the difference sometimes, since his reality is as good as his fantasies these days.

But no matter how satiated he should be, he still can't shake the last half-hour from his brain. It was almost exhibitionist, having her sit in his lap with only a slip of cloth between them, in a room full of people. And now she's right next to him, her leg pressed against his and her hand migrating up his thigh, hidden by the tablecloth, as they eat. It is an unbelievable turn-on.

The rest of the world disappears entirely when she begins eating the Chocolate Decadence dessert that Marlene brought. There's plenty for everyone, but Tobias is far too distracted by Tris' small moans of pleasure to even touch the slice sitting on his plate. All he can do is stare at his girlfriend, growing harder by the second. By the time she's done, his eyes are wide, and his breathing is shallow, and he's pretty sure that he's not going to sit comfortably again for a very long time. Though he certainly can't leave the table like this, either.

His attention is so far gone that he actually jumps when Christina asks him a question. "What?" he asks, bug-eyed.

"I asked if you were enjoying the dessert?" she repeats, her voice rich with amusement.

Tris gives her roommate a sly smile. "It is absolutely fantastic, Christina." Underneath the table, she runs her fingers idly along the zipper of Tobias' pants. It's all he can do not to groan. "Best I've ever had."

"Apparently," Christina responds dryly, her gaze moving to Tobias again. "One might even say, 'orgasmically good.'"

Will leans closer, smirking as he mutters, "Let's find out." And then he's extending his fork to his girlfriend, inviting her to eat, and just like that, the attention is off Tobias. It's a good thing, because he can't seem to find his voice to save his life. Particularly not when Tris keeps running those fingers where she is.

Honestly, he's not sure how he manages to subdue his reaction long enough to leave the table, but when Tris vanishes down the hallway to use the bathroom, he's quick to follow. She only gets the door halfway open, on her way out, before he's pushing her back in there, joining her and quickly locking the door behind them.

"You," he whispers huskily, "are driving me insane."

She smirks as she loops her arms behind his neck, swaying tantalizingly against him. "I have no idea what you mean, Tobias."

"Of course not." His hands slide down her butt, enjoying the smooth feeling, before shaping themselves to the back of her legs. Lifting her abruptly, he sets her on the countertop, stepping forward to stand between her knees. "You're the picture of innocence." His palms begin working their way up her thighs, under her dress. "I'm sure you simply forgot your underwear today."

Her low chuckle answers him. "Well, I had a pair on this morning, until a certain someone removed them." She trails her fingertips along the bulge in his pants. "But I didn't have any extra for after that."

"Uh-huh." He has reached the area he's most interested in now, and some type of primal sound comes out of him when he feels how wet she is. "You are definitely not making a case for needing another drawer at my place, you know."

"Mmm." She pauses, unable to speak for a moment as he traces patterns along her sensitive flesh. "So, you like it when I go commando?" Her voice is more of a gasp, and there's an urgency to her movements as she finishes undoing his pants, shoving them down his legs.

"Like is completely the wrong verb." He has her dress hiked all the way up now, out of his way, and he's pressing hard against her, barely able to maintain enough control to wait as he fumbles for a condom. "Commando may not be right, either. That seems like a guy term."

A sigh of deep relief exudes from both of them when he's finally able to push into her. "This really isn't the time to be comparing me to a guy," Tris mutters as he pulls back, long and slow, before sliding all the way in again.

He chuckles. "Whine, whine, whine." Her legs wrap around him, pulling him tight. "But I'll agree. You are definitely all woman." Another slow draw out and a hard thrust in. "You have no idea how good you feel, Tris."

"Oh, I know exactly how good I feel," she sighs back. "Thank you for that, by the way."

He's unable to answer, too immersed in her – and them – to banter anymore. Instead, he directs his pent-up desire into more productive avenues, letting their bodies work in symphony, hands and lips and considerably more intimate parts eliciting a level of ecstasy he's only ever felt with her.

For the first time, he loses count of how many peaks she reaches, oblivious to everything except the sheer raw sensations that they share as they thrust and swirl and grasp, their moans mixing as much as their bodies. "I love you, Tris," he exhales as he finally gives in, plunging deep inside her those last few times before he erupts. His arms are a solid cage around her, pulling her tight when his orgasm overwhelms him. "I love you so much."

She's panting, her hands clasped behind his neck to support herself, their foreheads touching. "I love you, too, Tobias."

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knows that they weren't exactly subtle about disappearing together – or quiet in their tryst. But it's still a surprise to see Lynn standing outside the door when he opens it, trying to surreptitiously slip out to rejoin their friends. She looks at him levelly, her mouth pinched, before handing him a container of disinfectant wipes.

"Seriously, the rest of us have to use that room, too."

A/N: I figured Tris was due for a good bathroom experience after the last chapter... ;-) Please let me know what you thought!