The sleek black car snakes along the dark streets, weaving smoothly around the potholes in the factionless part of town I once thought could easily swallow an entire city bus whole. The quiet hum of the car's powerful engine is the only sound inside the car as neither Tobias nor I have made any comment on my sex talk admission. I can, however, feel his seat shaking with silent laughter.

"Tobias, it isn't funny," I whine, my words rushing out, one sentence running into another. "My own mother probably thinks I'm a total idiot. She asked if we were being careful, and I told her we were being as careful as we can because you never knew when the attackers were going to strike next." Tobias' silent laughter turns into full guffaws, and the entire car sways with his movement. "I'm glad you find my horror amusing." I sit back in my seat and cross my arms over my chest, pouting. Finally his fit of hysteria passes.

"I'm sorry, Tris," he says putting his hand on my knee and squeezing. "I shouldn't have laughed. Honestly, I had no idea what she wanted to talk to you about but that was the last thing I thought it would be."

"You think you are surprised? First I couldn't talk, then it got so hot I wanted to take my coat off even though it's bitter cold out, and then I was frozen in place even though the only thing I truly wanted to do was run as far as my feet would carry me." I sigh and let my arms fall, my hand covering his, which is still on my knee. We lace our fingers together.

"I'm truly sorry for laughing. If you want to talk about it, I'll listen. If you don't want to, that's fine also," he says in true Tobias fashion, lifting our hands to his mouth. He kisses our entwined hands then sets them down on his thigh.

"How are you, Tobias? I know it was difficult going back to Abnegation after all this time. Having Marcus show up at my parent's house couldn't have helped either."

"It was rough at first. All the bad memories came rushing back at once. It made it hard to breath but you took my hand and led me through," he says quietly. "The strength you give me is one of the many reasons I love you, Beatrice Prior." Just then he pulls up in front of the compound. I had no idea we were that close. I look into his eyes and pull his mouth to mine and kiss him, almost forgetting where we are. He pulls back and I sigh. I get out of the car and enter the front of the Dauntless building then trudge up the flight of stairs to our apartment, suddenly feeling extremely tired. When I reach the top of the stairs, Christina, Will, and Tori are standing in the hallway in front of my door.

"There you are," Christina says, rushing toward me. "We've been looking everywhere for you."

"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask, panic replacing the fatigue when I see the look on her face.

"Where have you been? Where is Four?" Tori asks.

"He's parking the car. We didn't tell you we were leaving, did we?" I ask quietly. All three of them give me a hard look.

"Come in. We have some news to tell you," I say, unlocking the door and stepping aside to let them enter. Christina lowers herself into her favorite chair and Will and Tori sit on opposite ends of the couch. I sit down on the loveseat, and we wait for Tobias in strained silence. When he comes into the room, he stops in his tracks upon seeing we have company.

"I forgot to tell you we were leaving, didn't I?" he says. "Sorry. In our haste to get to Tris' mother, I didn't even think about telling you guys we were leaving."

"Tris, is your mom okay?" Christina asks, concern lighting her eyes.

"She's fine. We thought she might have some information that could help us with our investigation into the assaults and deaths," I say.

"No offense, Tris, but how could someone from Abnegation help us?" Will asks.

"My mom was born in Dauntless," I say. I told Christina about this and Tobias of course but this news comes as a surprise to Tori and Will. "This afternoon while Four was resting, I decided to look at some of the inactive files, and I found one of the attackers." I get up and walk to where the files are but the top file isn't Cameron's. I remember it's upstairs. "Four, we left it on the nightstand. Do you mind going up and getting it?" He hurries up the stairs to retrieve the file folder and returns almost immediately. He hands me the manila folder and starts looking at his phone, which he must have left here during our spur‑of-the-moment trip. I see him frown at its screen as I open the file to double check my findings then hand it to Tori. She opens it up and starts analyzing its content. "His name is Cameron Wright. He's Dauntless born but he chose Erudite almost four years ago. He's the approximate height and weight of Hana's larger attacker and his picture matches even though he's slightly older now."

"The guy in the infirmary is awake, and I can talk to him first thing in the morning," Tobias says matter-of-factly. He takes my hand and drags me toward the loveseat, and we sit down. Tori hands the file to Will, and I see his eyes widen with surprise.

"Tris, is this your cousin?" he asks. That shocks Tori, and she's on her feet lightning fast.

"What? This person is a part of your family?" she asks angrily.

"Calm down, Tori," Tobias says, sounding very tired. "Tris didn't even know she had family here in Dauntless until a little over a week ago, and who could have guessed they were involved." Tori slowly sits back down but her eyes are burning with hatred.

"I never thought to tell you this, Tori, but the man who pulled me up to safety the night I fell is my mother's older brother, Nathan Wright. I didn't know that at the time. Later when I found him in the cafeteria, we figured it out while talking, and I confirmed it with my mom tonight. I needed her insight into this family that I didn't even know existed after realizing Cameron is one of Hana's attackers.

"My mom told me about her upbringing here in Dauntless with her parents and brother. Her father died when she and her brother were very young, and she said it changed Nathan. She explained that divergence was a hot topic in their household, and they were much mistrusted and misunderstood even then. She also explained to me that she and my grandmother are also Divergent, and she knew since I was quite young that I was also and that I would chose Dauntless when the time came. She gave me some names of Nathan's friends, Asher and Zander Parrish and Miles Randolf who she didn't like much. She said the lot of them were trouble makers."

"Zander Parrish is Dr. Parrish," Tori says. I was afraid one of the names was Dr. Parrish but didn't want to voice that possibility. He's helped us a lot personally and professionally. "Isn't Asher Parrish the new head of Erudite?" I knew that name sounded familiar.

"I believe you're right, Tori," I say. "He was announced as Jeannine's successor after her execution. I had forgotten about that."

"Some other very troubling information was given to us by Tris' mother. She has seen Cameron in Abnegation dressed like an Abnegation member. She couldn't recall exactly where she saw him, but she's trying her best to remember. This conspiracy could also have something to do with Erudite's vendetta against Abnegation."

"I'll be honest. Before I left Erudite, the search for Divergents was the main subject of many meetings and a lot of gossip and, I thought, Jeanine Matthews' number one priority. I never knew she wanted them dead though. Then when the Abnegation plot was uncovered I thought I was wrong but I'm not so sure anymore," says Will. He's very tense talking about his old faction, which still houses family members he loves very much. "Apparently, there are still Erudite members and Dauntless members working together to not only try to take out Divergents but also bring down Abnegation. Are we equipped to handle this? Who do we trust?"

"That's an excellent question," I say. "I trust the people in this room and my parents wholeheartedly. I can't say the same thing about other council leaders or the other faction leaders. Four and I are going back to Abnegation Monday to take copies of the sketches of Hana's attackers, the photo of Cameron from the surveillance feed, and photos of the men in the infirmary and morgue. Maybe, by chance, we can get some answers or perhaps stop another coup." We all sit in silence for a while when something triggers a memory. "Guys, I just thought of something. Nathan came to our table to say hello to me the night of the Christmas party. Later I opened that horrible package."

"I remember him walking away when I brought back our drinks," Tobias says. "Maybe he's the one who put those packages on the end of the table." We all look at one another again trying to grasp the enormity of the situation.

"Not to change the subject," Christina says, "but how are you, Four?"

"I'm good, Christina. Thanks for asking," he says. I can tell he's hurting right now but he would never admit that to Christina.

"And where are your splint and crutches, Tris?" she asks.

"Dr. Parrish took me off my restrictions this morning. I have to use my crutches if I'm walking long distances until the night of the masquerade ball. I can't run, use the punching bags, or hop the trains until February but he did tell me that if I want to work out, I can use the pool. Apparently, it's easier on the body."

"Good," Christina says, "because you need a ball gown and mask for next Thursday night and Four needs a matching costume. Monday night after supper, you and me, and a shopping trip. Okay?"

"That sounds like a plan," I say with a chuckle. She always gets so excited for a shopping trip, and I do need the distraction. "When do you next work at the tattoo parlor? I need to get that tattoo we talked about," I say, meeting Tobias' eyes for a moment. The love radiating out of them is obvious.

"Monday, all day. Come by at 5:30, and I'll do it before supper then we'll look for a gown. Just don't forget your crutches. You're not going to hurt yourself on my watch." I just shake my head at her. I think everyone thinks I'm accident prone now.

"You mentioned that Dr. Parrish is my uncle's friend, Tori," I say and she nods. "Does anyone think we have a problem with him?" Will, Tori, and Christina are extremely quiet. Even Tobias doesn't make a sound. The truth is we don't know who we can and cannot trust anymore.

"Let's give him the benefit of the doubt until he proves untrustworthy," Tobias says, rubbing his temples. "He has helped us a lot."

"Are you okay," I say quietly. He looks at me and his pupils are slightly larger than normal. "Your pupils are dilated again. Are you feeling okay?" Panic is creeping up.

"I'm fine," he says. I get up from the loveseat and find his prescription pain killers on the counter by the sink right by mine. I grab a bottle of water out of the refrigerator and 1 pill and bring it to him. "Take this, Four." He takes the pill out of my hand, pops it in his mouth, and downs the cold bottle of water. "Guys. Maybe we can pick this back up again Monday morning. Four needs some rest. We're sorry we worried you." Tobias frowns at me but Will, Christina, and Tori all say goodnight and leave us alone.

I turn off the living room lights and flip the Christmas tree lights on. This might be one of our last days to enjoy them. Tobias gets off the loveseat and lies down on the couch when I go to the kitchen to fix supper. I stand with the cupboard doors open trying to figure out what to fix for quite some time. He's a much better cook than I am. Hana has taught him well. I open the refrigerator and see that there is still some creamy tomato basil soup left. I open the container, and it smells good so I try to recreate the toasted cheese sandwiches he made the other day. When I have supper ready I walk into the living room with his plate and mug of steaming soup. I set them down on the end table and look at him. He fell asleep while I was cooking. I hate to wake him but he needs to eat. I kneel down in front of him and gently put my hand on his chest and shake him slightly.

"Tobias. Tobias," I say. His eyes flutter open, and he smiles at me. "It's time for supper. I warmed up the tomato soup and made grilled cheese sandwiches. I doubt they're as good as yours but we'll see." He raises his hand and brushes it across my cheek then wraps his hand around my head and pulls me down to him. He kisses me until we are both breathless, then he groans and winces at the same time. I lay my hand over his racing heart.

"Please don't hurt yourself. Look at me," I say. He raises his eyes back to mine, and I see they're normal sized again. "Your pupils are normal sized again. Please take your medicine the way Dr. Parrish prescribed. I don't want you in pain."

"I'm fine, Tris. Please don't worry about me."

"You have no idea how I felt last night, Tobias Eaton, seeing you the way I did. If you won't take care of yourself for you, then do it for me. Please." I lower my mouth back to his and kiss him slowly but passionately. I pull away and grab his hand and help him into a sitting position and point out his food. He scoots over a bit and takes the plate and eats the sandwich in record time. Maybe we should have taken my mom up on her offer of refreshments earlier. As he finishes the sandwich, I bring him another one, and he thanks me. I fix myself one then put the remaining ingredients away. I sit on the couch by him and eat my sandwich and sip my soup. When we finish, he puts our dirty dishes in the dishwasher, and he comes back over to stand in front of me.

"What are you thinking," I say to him.

"I don't know what to do right now," he says looking at the clock. "It's relatively early but I'm tired. I would love to go to bed but I hate wasting time with you and this beautiful tree. It won't be up much longer." I get up and slide the ottoman down in front of the far end of the couch then I sit with my feet up on it.

"Here," I say patting the couch beside me. "Lie down with your head in my lap." He lies down and places his head in my lap, staring up at me. I run my right hand through his hair as my left hand caress his jaw and face. "Are you awake enough to talk or would you just like to watch the lights and relax?"

"Is there something on your mind?" he asks.

"Yeah," I say, taking a deep breath trying to relax. I know he probably won't like my idea. "I would like to talk to Nathan and his family and see if I can elicit any information from them, before we tell them Cameron is wanted for the assault on Hana."

"I don't think that's a good idea. What if Nathan or his wife or other son for that matter is in the middle of this and does something to hurt you?"

"Okay, how about we invite him and his family over for supper with the two of us. I want to talk to him. I need to talk to him. I got my mother's take on their upbringing, maybe his is different. Maybe they have absolutely nothing to do with this and Cameron's behavior was learned in Erudite. We don't know." I look down and stare into his eyes. We are quiet for a while.

"I'm alright with that. Let's set up a dinner for right after the first of the year."

"Do you know how DNA works?" I ask.

"Not really, why?" he asks.

"I wonder if my DNA would match Cameron's since our parents are brother and sister." I had been wondering about this since I matched his face to the sketch.

"I don't know. That would be a good question for Dr. Parrish and announcing you are Nathan's niece might give away how he feels about him now. I know I said we should give him the benefit of the doubt but all the evidence we have has been collected by him. If he's involved, even after the fact, he could be skewing the results. I mean if my DNA would come back telling everyone I'm a murderer who would I want in my corner but the head of the infirmary?"

"You have a valid point, Tobias. I just hope you're wrong. He seems so trustworthy and has been very helpful both personally and professionally. I don't want to think of him as a traitor," I say. My mind wanders for a while as I absentmindedly play with his hair, gently twisting the curls this way and that, winding them around my fingers then letting them go.

"Tris?" I bring my eyes back to his.

"Hhm?"

"Tell me about it, whatever you're thinking. What has you so far away right now?" I blush crimson giving him a hint as to what was on my mind. "Your mother's talk?" he guesses. I nod. "I'll listen if you want me to." I turn and look at the Christmas tree but soon realize I'm not even seeing it. I'm back in Abnegation with my mother, listening to something I never thought I would get, a totally honest conversation.

"My mom told me sex wasn't all about having children like she was adamant about when she first talked to me. She told me it was a way for two people who are deeply in love and committed to each other to show that love." I stop, listening in my mind to exactly what it was my mom said. "She told me a relationship should never be based on sex but that I should remember it's a vital part of the relationship and not to take it lightly or for granted. Sex should never be used as a weapon, and it should never be withheld because you're mad but you shouldn't do it because you think it's your duty because sex is never a duty. Sex can change you here and here." I look down into his eyes and point at my head and then to my heart. "She told me not to be afraid to talk to you. That communication is key in all aspects of a relationship and to keep the communication open and honest. Sex is emotional not just physical."

"Wow," he says, clearing his throat. "She sure did say a lot, didn't she?" He seems at a loss for words at the moment. I caress his face again.

"She caught me off guard tonight. She asked me how serious it was between us."

"What did you say?" he asks, looking deeply into my eyes.

"I told her I was in love with you and it is very serious. That's when she basically asked me if we were using birth control. After I finally found my voice, I thought I'd never speak again, I told her we were being careful. I also told her not to worry about me."

"Tris, she proved to you in so many ways tonight that she will always worry about you because she loves you probably more than a lot of other things on this planet. Not every mother in Abnegation could look into their daughter's eyes and tell her what she told you. Considering our sex talks were almost verbatim, I imagine there are rules but she knew you needed an open, honest conversation with her."

"She told me that. How did she put it, 'The rules I had to abide by during your upbringing didn't allow me to tell you everything I wanted to, everything you need to know.' I had no idea there were actual rules about things like that. It still seems so strange. That might be why my dad reacted the way he did when he found out about us. He said something along the lines of, 'How could Dauntless let this kind of thing go on?' I thought he was just expressing his opinion but maybe not. Maybe Abnegation has strict dating rules also, more than we realize."

"Have I ever told you how glad I am you came from Abnegation, Beatrice Grace?" he says, catching me by surprise, using my given name. I smile brightly at him. I like my name coming off his lips.

"No, I don't think you have. You've told me how glad you are I chose Dauntless."

"I can talk to you about Marcus and Abnegation without fear of seeing pity in your eyes. You don't know how much that means to me," he says reaching up and caressing my face.

"There's nothing to pity, Tobias," I say covering his hand with mine. "You are a survivor, and there's absolutely nothing shameful about what you went through as a child. You are the victim. It wasn't your fault. Maybe, one day, you can find a way to forgive yourself and then maybe you can release the fear." He gets off the couch and stands before the chasm drawing. I look over my shoulder at him for a while then go join him. I see tears swimming in his eyes. I lean my head against his arm, and he takes a ragged breath in.

"Sometimes I think you're my only reason for being," he huskily says, trying to keep the tears at bay. "I love you." Suddenly he has me up in his arms and his hungry mouth lands on mine. He swiftly carries me up the stairs ignoring the Christmas tree lights. He gently lies me down on the bed and covers me with his body. When our mouths finally part, I draw in an uneven breath. I feel him wince above me, and the passionate fog that's swirling in my head suddenly clears. I push him back lightly and surprise lights his eyes.

"We're not doing this now, Tobias. You're hurt," I say.

"I'm fine," he says, lowering his mouth back to mine. I move my head and roll to the side. He sits up, disbelief and pain in his eyes, and not physical pain.

"Tobias, you were beaten badly yesterday. You have a head injury and a broken rib..." I say but he interrupts me.

"I am fine, Tris."

"No you're not. You just winced," I say raising my voice slightly. I run my hand down his face but the Four mask is firmly in place at this time. I decide to use his words on him. "Do you think I could enjoy myself if you're in pain?" He groans and leans back on the bed.

"You're right. My rib and head hurt. I guess I was just looking for a distraction. I'm sorry. Making love to you should never be a distraction," he says.

"You don't need to apologize, Tobias. Let's go to bed. We both need the sleep," I say sliding off the bed. He just lies back staring at the ceiling. I feel his eyes on me as I slide into a pair of long satin sleep pants and a matching lace and satin camisole top but don't turn toward him until I'm clothed. I go downstairs to turn off the Christmas tree lights and leave him alone with his mood. When I reenter our bedroom he's in a long pair of black satin sleep pants that match mine and is lying between the sheets. I turn out the light and slide up next to him then turn my back to him. He pulls me to him like he has done hundreds of time now, and we fall asleep in each other's arms.