Recap:

Four gives her a grateful smile. "Thank you. But it's all right. I can go back to my apartment,"

"No. " Tris says, simply. "You are in no shape to take care of yourself. Stay here for a few days and the. You can go back."

"I can't change your mind can I?"

"No. " Tris grins and puts her arm around his shoulders.

They hobble together back to her bedroom, and Four lies back on the bed. Tris places a blanket over him and switches off the lights.

"Good night," Tris whispers, but Four is completely asleep by the time he hits the sheets. Tiptoeing back, she folds out the couch and rearranges the pillows. Wrapping a blanket sprung her, she closes her eyes.

Four

Pain. Everything was burning. Groaning, he pushed himself off the bed. Blinking, he tried to figure out where he was. Memories came back from yesterday, and Four nearly wanted to slap himself. What was he thinking? Going to a girl's house who he had only talked to a couple of times? He was putting her in danger; he stumbled out the door, only to be greeted by the sight of Tri's cooking. Tobias blinked a couple of times before hissing in pain.

"Hey sleepyhead," Tris smiles at him, pushing a plate of chocolate chip pancakes toward him. "Eat. "

"Tris..." He began.

"Four. I meant what I said yesterday. If you can't tell me who did this to you fine. But I'm assuming this incident happened in your house and I'm not taking the chance that you attacker may not come back," Tobias tries to interrupt her, but Tris continues. "Stay here till you can buy or rent a new house. I don't want you to come bleeding all over my couch again," She gives him a small smile and pushes the plate toward him again.

"I'm putting you in danger-" He whispers.

"I can handle myself. " Tris looks at him with strong eyes, and Tobias realizes that despite her petite frame, she had strength in her. Tobias sits carefully on the chair in front of the food and thinks for a moment. Finding a new apartment shouldn't be too hard; he could just find a room in Zeke's apartment building. The manager, Tori, knew him well and would definitely help him. As for selling his apartment, his building was highly sought after and it shouldn't take to long. As for Marcus; he wouldn't find him here. At least, that's what Tobias tried to convince himself.

He gave her a small smile, before digging into the pancakes.

"Good. Sorry, I can't cook to save my life, so these are just the pre-made ones. "

"Thank you," He grins. "You're lucky I can cook. How about this: You give me lodgings and I cook for you. "

"Done!" She says, excitedly. "You're a good cook?"

He shrugs. "Pretty good,"

"Good enough for me," She extends her arm for a handshake, and he takes it. Stuffing a piece of her pancake in her mouth, she furrows her eyebrows when she looks at her phone.

"What's wrong?" Tobias asks, noticing her change in mood.

"I have a meeting with a source for my newspaper around three hours from now." She looks at him worriedly.

"Don't worry about me. I promise not to steal any of your stuff," He says, smirking.

She rolls her eyes in response.

"How are you feeling?" Her eyes softening, looking at him with concern.

"Fine. " He replied, lying through his teeth. Everything was on fire and even the simple action of chewing made his head spin.

"Take an Advil," Tris says, placing a pill and glass of water near him.

"Thanks," Swallowing the pill, he continues speaking. "I will be fine here. I need to just get my work computer and I can just say I'm working from home for a little bit. I haven't used my vacation days in a while,"

Tris nods. "Would you like me to come with you? To get your laptop?"

"No. It's fine." Tobias regrets the words as soon as he says them. He needed someone to come with him. Going back into his house felt as if he was walking straight into hell. But Tobias had learned from a young age that it was best to do things alone.

Her phone dings.

"Damn my boss can't give me a break can he?" She muttered, making Tobias chuckle.

"My boss is pretty awesome. She brings cupcakes every Friday. " He smirked.

"God I wish. I swear my boss thinks I can just come at any hour of the night and start writing," Tris grumbles.

"Meetings has been moved up." Tris sighs. "New story and apparently it's huge. "

"Go. I'll be fine here. I'll just grab my computer and I'll be set. "

"Ok." Tris agreed. "But when I get home, you better still be here. As a reporter, I know how to find people. "

Tobias wasn't sure whether Tris was joking or not; he let out a weak chuckle and stuffed another piece of the pancake in his mouth.

They ate in a comfortable silence. Tobias forced his eyes away from Tris; the shorts and the large sweatshirt she was wearing was a deadly combination. Cute glasses rested on her nose, and her brunette hair was pulled into a messy bun. In another reality, Tobias could definitely fall for her.

Tobias finished first. He washed his plate and sloped into the open dishwasher.

"I'm going to go get my computer. " Tobias told her, as he slipped on his shoes.

Tris have him a thumbs up, as she piled more whipped cream on her pancakes. Noticing his amused expression, she blushed.

"I love whipped cream. " She stated.

"That's evident,"

"Do you not like it?"

"Too sugary. "

"Too sugary?" Tris cried, indignantly. "There is no such thing. "

"Not a sweet fan," Tobias shrugged.

Tris's eyes widened in disbelief.

"I can't imagine the world with no whipped cream,"

Tobias chuckled and made a crazy sign with his hands.

"I will throw my slipper at you."

Tobias laughed and walked out the door, hearing a clunk on the wall behind him.

His house was right across from hers. He felt his smile disappeared, as he slipped the key into the door. Walking into his house was terrifying. It was stupid; it was his own home. But as he stuffed his computer in his black bag, yesterday night's events came tumbling back. He should have called the police. He knew it. But a small part of him kept saying it was his father. His flesh and blood. A ridiculous hope that he would become the man that twirled him in the air, and gave him piggyback rides. He despised his father, but he wants his old one back.

Slinging the computer bag over his shoulder, he looked around his home once more. A broken vase and some photo frames lay on the floor. Blood, presumably his own, stained his couch and floor: cleaning would be a nightmare. He grabbed the photo of his mother that lay on the floor. Tobias was smiling wide at the camera, while his mother held him in his arms. She was smiling at him lovingly and pinching his cheeks. His eyes watered, as he folded the photo, and slipped it into his wallet. Letting out a sigh, he walked back to Tris's house.

He knew it was selfish of him to stay there. But it had been a very long time since he had someone to talk to, other than Zeke. She didn't look at him as if he was weak; she looked at him as if he was stronger. But he knew he would have to leave as soon as he could. Marcus could easily find him here, and he would never forgive himself if he hurt Tris- or anyone else for that matter. He shook his head to clear his head from these thoughts and continued walking.

HI!

Sorry for not updating in a while. School is kicking my ass.

Please leave LOTS of reviews: any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!

~ "Never regret anything that made you smile"