Something wakes me with a jolt but I can't quite figure out what it is. I yawn as I roll in Tobias' arms and see that he's sleeping peacefully on the makeshift bed he made out of an air mattress and layers of linens and pillows. It's amazingly comfortable for being on the floor of a moving train. He outdid himself last night with our date. Italian food, dancing, talking, laughing, lovemaking. I can only think of a few times with him that top it. I thought we would be up late into the evening but the rhythmic sway of the train and sheer exhaustion conspired against me, making me fall asleep almost immediately after the second time that he made love to me. A pain unlike anything I've ever experienced in my life moves through my belly causing me to double over, and I finally recognize what woke me up. I grunt in pain, holding onto my abdomen. When it subsides, I lay my hand on Tobias' chest.

"Tobias!" I say, trying to shake him awake while I run my hand over my lower abdomen. No, no, no. It's too early. "Tobias, wake up. Something's wrong." He grunts then drags his eyelids open but I doubt that he sees me clearly right now. "Tobias, something's wrong with Peanut." This breaks through the fog of sleep. "It's too early."

"What do you mean something's wrong with Peanut?" he asks as he sits up, sleep thick in his voice. I explain to him what I just felt and worry crosses his face. He knows it's too early also. "You need to get dressed." He flicks on the twinkle lights so we can see and finds my dress. He helps me to my feet, and as I'm trying to put the dress on over my head, another pain hits.

"Oh, God!" I say, holding onto my stomach. The garment slips through my fingers and falls to the floor and Tobias grabs ahold of me just before my knees buckle. He lowers us to the mattress and starts looking around. When the pain dissipates, I ask, "What are you looking for?"

"My phone," he says, his Four mask firmly in place. I stare at him for a full minute then burst into tears, overwhelmed, frustrated, and scared to death.

"I don't want Four right now," I wail, unable to see through the veil of tears flowing from my eyes. "I want my husband. I want Tobias." He wraps his arms around me and cradles me against him, rocking me ever so gently. "I'm so scared. Don't hide from me right now. I need you. I need you."

"I'm so sorry, love. I'm here," my Tobias says, caressing my hair and kissing my temple as he holds me. "I'm scared, too. I didn't mean to shut down. I'm here. Let's try getting you dressed again." He grabs my wrinkled dress and has me hold my arms over my head. He slips the icy fabric on and lets it fall into place, causing me to shiver. He finds my jacket and hands it to me. I shrug it on as he slips my boots on my feet. He picks up my bra and panties and shoves them in the picnic basket. I watch as he frantically pick things up.

"Tobias," I say. "You may want clothes, too." He stops what he's doing, looks down, and curses. "Usually I like watching you walk around naked in front of me but I don't need to get turned on right now." I give him a small smile in an effort to lighten the mood but then another pain hits and he kneels in front on me. I grab onto his hand and squeeze. I don't know why. I just do.

"These are pretty damn close together," he says. "Do you think you're in labor?"

"I don't know," I say, barely getting it out. He pulls on his boxer briefs, jeans, and sweatshirt and shoves an armful of stuff into his duffle bag. He finally finds his phone. It fell off the bench and slid to the opposite end of the car. He makes a call but I can't hear what he's saying. He hangs up and sits down beside me. His expression is alternating between annoyed and scared. "What's wrong?"

"I didn't think," he says, his Four persona battling to be front and center.

"I don't understand."

"We're on a moving train, love," he slowly says. "We are miles from our car and miles from the hospital." A new fear sprouts inside me but I don't have time to dwell. I breathe deeply when I feel the pain coming. If this is labor, he's never touching me again, and we won't have any more babies. God, I feel like I'm dying.

"How long before we get to the hospital?" I ask when I can speak.

"An hour," he says. "Maybe more." He gets his phone out again and presses a button. "Zander, Four ... Sorry to call so late or early, I guess. Tris woke me up having pains … I don't know how far apart they are. We haven't timed them but they're pretty close … I would but we're on a train … Yes, you heard me right … I thought I was doing something nice for my wife. I didn't know this would happen … Can sex make a woman go into labor … No, I'm not planning on having sex with her now. What kind of a person do you think I am … An hour from the hospital … Yes, I'm stupid. Here, love. Zander would like to talk to you."

"Hi, Zander," I say after I take the phone from Tobias.

"Tris, how are you?"

"Scared," I say.

"That's understandable," he says. "I need you to stay calm for me. Can you do that?"

"I'll try," I say.

"I need you to answer all my questions the best you can, okay?"

"Okay."

"Has your water broken?" he asks.

"I don't think so," I say feeling around me. "The bed's not wet."

"Bed? I thought Four said you two were on a train?"

"We are," I say. "Don't ask."

"I'm not going to," he says. I hear him mutter under his breath and I swear I hear Abnegation and irresponsible, two words rarely spoken in the same sentence. "What does the pain feel like?"

"I don't know if I can describe it," I say.

"I've heard all kinds of descriptions. Just do the best you can."

"It's like my stomach is getting really … tight. Imagine the worst leg cramp you've ever had and multiply it by 100 or maybe 1000."

"Okay." He probably thinks I'm a drama queen but it hurts. "Where is the pain?"

"Mostly in my mid to lower abdomen but it might be in my back, too."

"Hhm."

"I have to admit," I say, "I can't really concentrate when they're happening."

"Are you feeling any pain or pressure in your vagina?" I know I go red at this question. "Tris?"

"I don't think so," I finally say after thinking about it for a moment.

"Have you felt any kind of pain before today?" he asks.

"Only the occasional swift kick," I say. "I've never felt anything like this in my life. That I would remember."

"This is very important. I need you to start timing the contractions," he says.

"Contractions?" I sputter. "It's too early."

"It sounds like you're in labor but without being able to do an examination myself, I can't be sure. Listen, the first thing I need you to do is to stay as calm as possible. Elevated blood pressure is your enemy, Tris. Lie down and get some water. If it's Braxton Hicks contractions, pre-labor or false labor, these two things can help stop it."

"Okay. What else do I need to do?"

"Like I said, have Four time the contractions. How long they are and how far apart they are," he says. "Braxton Hicks aren't regular and they don't get closer together."

"Okay," I say. "I'll lie down and try to relax after I drink some water."

"Get to the hospital as soon as you can and, Tris, remember that you need to stay calm. I'm not saying this to scare you but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't tell you that getting yourself worked up could put you and the baby at risk with your possible preeclampsia. I'll call the hospital and Isobel so they will know to expect you."

"Okay, Zander," I say then push the phone toward Tobias and roll up into the fetal position and moan through another maybe contraction. When it fades, I roll over and look up at Tobias.

"Here's some water, love." I ease myself up on my left elbow, take the proffered bottle, and slowly drain it then lie back down. Tobias grabs a few pillows and puts a couple under my head and one under my belly. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Hold my hand," I say. He grabs my hand between his and caresses it gently. "Thank you. Zander told me that you need to start timing the contractions, Tobias." Tears wet my eyes when I say that word. "It's too early."

"I know it is, love." He reaches out and wipes the tear off my cheek. "I need you to do something for me, Tris. It isn't going to be easy. It will probably be the hardest thing you've ever done but you are to strongest person I know."

"What is it?" I ask, really worried now.

"I need you to let me do all the worrying for both of us. Stress isn't good for Peanut. Stress isn't good for you," he says, trying not to get choked up. "You lie there, breathe through the pain, and imagine our perfect little girl in your arms when this is all over."

"Tobias," I start to say but he places his lips to mine to silence me. The kiss is over before it can really begin.

"Please, love. Do this for me."

"Okay." He sits beside me, holding my hand and timing the contractions, which aren't as close together as we thought they were but are getting closer. The first two contractions he timed each lasted a little over 30 seconds and were just over seven-and-a-half minutes apart while the last ones were just under seven minutes apart. The pain seems to be getting worse also, which I didn't think was possible. I told Zander that I thought I had back pain and now I know I wasn't imagining it. It seems like my entire midsection, front to back, is trying to rip me in two or tie me in a knot.

I'm trying to stay calm for Peanut and Tobias but it's not easy. I've never been more terrified in my life than I am right now. Not when I found Tobias' name on a hit list, not when Peter attacked me, not when Marcus and Peter kidnapped me, not when I was shot. All these things pale in comparison. I could lose my baby if we don't get to the hospital soon.

"Tris, love, hang in there," he says as I pant through another contraction. "We're almost there. Everything's going to be alright. I promise."

"Rub my back please," I say when the contraction is over. "I'm going to close my eyes." I'm exhausted and only want to sleep but the excruciating pain is keeping me awake and on edge. He releases my hand and moves behind me. He rubs my lower back right where it's hurting and kisses my head. I don't know if I doze off or not but one minute I'm listening to the metal on metal of the train on the tracks and the next I'm listening to my husband.

"I'm not a religious man. I prayed many hours when I was a child, asking for Marcus' abuse to stop but it never did. If I had any faith before, I think that's when I lost it. But I'm desperate enough right now to try anything. You can't take my wife away from me. I couldn't bear it. She's everything to me and more. She's my reason for getting up in the morning, my sanity, my conscience. She's the love of my life, the mother of my children, and my very best friend. She would probably be angry if she heard me putting her over our daughter but … I just can't." His voice cracks and he's quiet for a moment. "Please keep Tris safe. I can't live without her. I won't. It's a complete improbability. My life would end with hers. She would expect me to go on because of the kids but I'm not sure I could do it. I'm not as strong as she thinks I am. She has always been the strong one in our relationship. I've known that since I saw that flash of gray hurling toward the net that day a little over a year ago. Part of me thinks you sent her to me, my prize for surviving those hell years with my father. Please don't take her back. Don't take my heart. Please."

"Tobias," I mumble, moaning as another contraction starts. I reach up and he grabs my hand. He thinks I'm strong. He's wrong. I'm going to need his strength to get me through this. I squeeze his hand and try breathing through the pain. It's so hard.

"We're almost there, love," he whispers in my ear. "Just hold on." He continues rubbing my back while I attempt to cut the circulation off in his hand.

"How long was that?" I ask.

"45 seconds."

"They're getting longer. I need you to look and see what's going on down there. The contractions are making me feel … weird."

"I'm not a doctor. I don't know what to look for," he says, almost sounding appalled at the request.

"Please. I don't want to give birth on this train. We need to know."

"Alright." He helps me roll over onto my back. I bend my knees and spread my legs before him. I think for a moment we both remember the last time we were in this position just a few short hours ago. He shakes off his dazed look and lifts my skirt. I watch his eyes. They don't change. "I don't see anything different. Let's get you back on your side unless this is comfortable for you."

"How much longer?" I ask as I roll onto my other side, trying to reach some measure of comfort. He glances at his phone as he pulls my skirt down to cover everything.

"10 minutes," he says as he lies down in front of me. We gaze into each other's eyes. We're both lost, scared, anxious. We don't say anything because we don't know what to say. When I feel the train coming to a stop two contractions later, I breathe a sigh of relief. Tobias gets up and opens the door. I'm surprised to see Purple-Hair, Snake-Tattoo, and two other Dauntless guards jump into our car. Tobias helps me up then when the train stops completely, he helps me out.

"What are they doing?" I ask as I look up over my shoulder at them.

"Taking our things to my office," he says. "The hospital is a short walk. Do you think you can make it?"

"I'll try." I lean up against his side as he guides me down the sidewalk to the hospital. The breeze is cool in the predawn darkness and I shiver. He pulls me close in an effort to block some of the wind but it doesn't do any good. I may never be warm again. We make it through the sliding glass doors into the empty emergency waiting room just as what feels like a metal band painfully tightens across my midsection. "Oh, God!" This gets someone's attention. A petite, fresh-faced blonde nurse comes rushing through the heavy wooden doors and takes in our plight.

"Are you Four and Tris Prior-Eaton?" she asks, getting a wheelchair for me to sit down in.

"Yes," Tobias says sounding like Four again. This time I let him. I know it's his way of dealing with this situation. It's fine as long as he doesn't talk to me like that.

"Drs. Parrish and Wilson as well as the clinic nurse, Isobel, said you would be in. Do you know where OB is?" she asks. Her bubbly personality is really beginning to rub me the wrong way. I hold on to my belly and moan.

"Yes, we do," Tobias says quickly turning the chair toward the elevator. The doors open and he pushes me inside.

"We're never having sex again," I spit as the doors close, leaving us alone. Usually the sexual tension is unbearable when we're in close confines but not today.

"That's fine, love," he says, an irritatingly warm smile on his face.

"I mean it," I say. "Down there is going to be boarded up like the old abandoned buildings in town. Your play area is closed. FUCK!" I grab my stomach again, doubling over. I hope Peanut's okay in there.

"Breathe with me," he says.

"I hate you," I say narrowing my eyes and glaring at him. "Get out of here. I don't ever want to see you again. You and your stupid penis. Get away from me. Go away!"

"First of all, we're on an elevator; where exactly do you expect me to go. And secondly, you don't mean that, love," he sighs.

"No, I don't," I moan. "When is it going to end?" I blow the short puffs out my mouth until the pain subsides. That was a very long one.

"That was a hell of an elevator ride," he says as he pushes me out into the familiar, dimly lit hallway. He quickly pushes me to the admit desk where Zander, Isobel, and Dr. Wilson are waiting.

"Four, I need you to fill out some paperwork," Dr. Wilson says as Isobel says, "Come on, Tris, let's find out what's going on."

"No, I want him with me," I whine. I can't believe I'm the same person who was just cussing his penis seconds ago. I can tell by the look on his face that right now he doesn't know which Tris he's going to get.

"Tris, the sooner Four fills out everything Dr. Wilson needs him to, the quicker he'll be back to you," Zander says. "It'll only be a few minutes."

"Okay," I pout. He leans down and gives me a quick kiss then Isobel wheels me down the hall to a large, cushy looking suite with an adjustable double bed centered in the room with minimal medical equipment surrounding it. There's also an extra-large couch, a rocking chair, and a dresser. What surprises me the most is the huge tub that dominates the other side of the room.

"This is a birthing suite," she says, noticing my eyes touching on all the furniture. "You can stay in this one room from labor to delivery if in fact you are in labor. Dr. Parrish updated me on your condition. Can you tell me how far apart the contractions are?"

"The last ones were 6 minutes and 27 seconds," I say.

"Are they getting closer together?"

"Yes," I say. "The first ones we timed were over 7 minutes apart."

"And their duration?"

"They've been anywhere from 30-60 seconds."

"Alright. Can you tell me where the pain is?" she asks.

"It's across here," I say, showing here exactly where the pain is located. "It's also in my back. And the last few contractions I've had a really weird sensation kind of like gas."

"In the vagina?" she asks.

"Yeah."

"Okay. I have to say, it sounds like labor. Has your water broke?"

"I don't think so," I say.

"Okay. I am going to need blood and urine from you. Why don't you go into the bathroom and give me a urine sample and change into a gown. I'll then hook you up to a dual monitor that will monitor your contractions and the baby's vitals. Then I'll check to see exactly what's going on down there. How are you feeling?"

"Scared, nervous," I say.

"I'll go see what's keeping your husband," she says. I walk into the bathroom on shaky legs, and after collecting the sample she needs, I wash my hands and change into the dreaded gown I hate. When I come out of the bathroom she has the bed turned down and adjusted to what looks like a comfortable setting. I sit on the edge, and she takes my blood pressure. Her eyes widen at the numbers but she doesn't say anything but I know a lecture of some sort is coming. Next she quickly draws two vials of blood and puts an IV port in my hand in case of emergency. She lets me lie back in bed then attaches the monitors she mentioned via a stretchy band she puts over my abdomen. I relax further when Isobel turns a knob on a machine next to my bed, and I hear her heartbeat. My little Peanut is okay. Next, she has me lie back in bed and she checks my progression. "You are definitely in labor." That's not what I wanted to hear. "You're dilated 3 cm."

"Isn't it too early? Can it be stopped?" I ask. Tobias walks into the room as another contraction hits.

"Sonofabitch," I snarl. He runs to my side, and I grab his hand.

"She is in labor," Isobel repeats for his benefit. "She's dilated 3 cm. I have to consult with Dr. Wilson about something. I'll be right back." I know she leaves the room but I'm concentrating on making it through this minute. That's my plan from now on, to make it through the agonizing minutes. Just as the pain is tapering off, Isobel walks in with Dr. Wilson and Zander trailing behind her.

"Hi, Tris," Zander says, looking at my chart then he looks at the reading on the fetal monitor. "Isobel, how long before the labs come back?"

"I put a rush on them." I furrow my brows at my friends then raise my eyes to Tobias'. They are worried, too. When he sees me watching him he plasters a fake smile across his face and kisses my temple. Something is going on. What is Zander doing here anyway? He doesn't practice at this hospital.

"What's going on?" I ask. "Zander, not that I'm not happy to see you but why are you here?"

"Making sure you have everything you need plus since I've treated you several times throughout the course of your pregnancy, we all decided that I should be here." If he's lying, he's being awfully smooth about it.

"You're worried about something," Tobias says. At first I think he's talking to me but when I look at him, he's looking at Zander.

"Tris' blood pressure is the highest I've ever seen it," he says. "Her past labs are pointing at the strong possibility that she's developed preeclampsia. If that is the case, since she's already in active labor our best course of action will be an emergency C-section."

"This my fault," I say, my voice timid and weak. "You guys have warned me for so long. Stress is my enemy. I didn't listen."

"Calm down, love," Tobias says, putting his arm around me and pulling me close to him.

"We'll leave you two for right now," Isobel says. "Press the button beside the bed if you need me." We watch them leave.

"We need to call my parents," I say.

"Already done," he says.

"I'm sorry," I say. "I'm sorry for the things I said in the elevator. I didn't mean any of them, especially telling you that I hate you. That couldn't be further from the truth. I love you so much. I don't know what I would do without you. We're going to be parents again today, Tobias." I lower my lashes and stare at the bed, a sudden rush of guilt plaguing me. "I heard you on the train … praying." He stiffens beside me. "I'm sorry for being so stubborn these months and putting myself and Peanut at risk. So many things could have went wrong when we were on that train because of me. I'm sorry. Oh, shit. God! Kill me!" A small twinge turns into an agonizing cramp-like sensation across my belly radiating into my back then an odd pressure spreads between my legs and I feel moisture. "I think my water just broke." He jumps up off the bed and throws the blanket off me and sure enough. I'm sitting in a large red-tinged wet spot. He hits the button Isobel pointed out and within a minute she comes into the room.

"We think her water broke?" Tobias says.

"I think it did, too," she says as she looks at the mess.

"Can I clean up?" I ask.

"If you'd like a quick shower that would be okay as long as Tobias stays in the bathroom with you. No sex though."

"Why do people keep telling us that," Tobias says.

"It's our job," she says.

"I have to ask, what's the huge tub for?" I say as I get out of the wet bed.

"Water births," she says. Water births? I'll ask about that another time.

Tobias helps me into the bathroom and I take a quick shower, which makes me feel so much better. I have to sit on the bench in the corner halfway through and breathe through a particularly nasty contraction though. I had to stop Tobias from climbing in with me. I didn't want him getting all wet. Once I'm dried off he helps me into a clean gown. When we come back into the birthing suite, all evidence of my water breaking has been removed and clean sheets and blankets are on the bed. I get situated and after a little prompting, he crawls in with me. I lie on my side facing him, which I find to be the most comfortable.

"You're doing great," Tobias says as he wipes perspiration off my forehead after another round of pains. "I'm so proud of you. With the exception of your outburst in the elevator, you're handling this like a pro."

"I won't lie, it's really hard," I say. I'd like to run my hand through his unruly hair but I'm too exhausted to move it. I feel like I've been awake for days being tortured for information and refusing to talk. "When the pain hits the first thing that crosses my mind is that I'm never allowing you to do this to me ever again but then I concentrate on Peanut's heartbeat and I know she's worth it."

"I know she's worth it, too," he says, almost ashamed. "I thought you were asleep on the train. That must have upset you."

"Not at all," I say. "I would sacrifice my life in an instant for Tyler, Tessa, or Teagan. No question about it but when I think about you doing the same thing," I grimace at the thought, "it hurts my heart. So I think I understand how you feel. I never want to be without you." He pulls my mouth to his and kisses me reverently but swiftly. Just as he pulls away, Zander and Isobel come into the room.

"We got your test results back," Zander says. "All indications state that you have developed preeclampsia. Dr. Wilson is setting up the OR for an emergency C-section as we speak. Tris, you'll be put out with general anesthesia. There is no time for a spinal. Four, you'll have to wait in the surgical waiting area.

"Right now," Tobias and I say at the same time.

"Yes, right now," Zander says. He gives Tobias a look, and he climbs out of bed. I get up with his help and sit in the wheelchair that Isobel is pushing. My anxiety level skyrockets, and I sway in the chair.

"Love, are you alright?" Tobias asks as he drops to his knees before me.

"I'm alright," I whisper. "Just scared. I wanted you with me when I did this."

"I am with you," he says. "I'm right here." He touches his raven and I throw my arms around him and hug him tightly. Zander and Isobel let us have our moment. "I love you. When I see you next, I'll hand you your daughter, Mrs. Eaton."

"I love you, too, Mr. Eaton." I say then I turn my attention to Zander and Isobel. "You guys haven't told us what will happen with the baby."

"We don't know yet," Zander says. "It depends on how well developed she is. She might need some time in the NICU being monitored or she might be able to go home in a couple days. We won't know until she's here. Try not to worry, either of you. She's in good hands."

Tobias walks with me, holding my hand as far as Isobel will allow. After a parting kiss and goodbye, she pushes me into a cold, sterile, brightly lit room. She helps me into a single bed and puts booties on my feet and a cap thing on my head. She leaves the room for a couple minutes then comes back in dressed in scrubs complete with a mask.

"Ready, Tris?" she asks as she wheels me into a larger even colder room, which I didn't think was possible. There are several mask-covered faces looking at me and I get nervous. I hope they are all friendly. A nurse who doesn't bother to introduce herself hooks the IV port that Isobel inserted into my hand up to a drip of some sort. My other hand drops down and runs over my protruding tummy. I close my eyes and talk to my daughter. I can't wait to meet you, Teagan Grace. It's been a long time coming, Peanut. Your mommy loves you with all her heart and soul. I'll see you soon.

"Good morning, Tris," Dr. Wilson says. I open my eyes and meet his and give him a friendly smile.

"Hi, Dr. Wilson."

"Dr. Cutler, our anesthesiologist, is going to introduce some medication into your IV. You'll then be asked to count backwards from 100. That's your job. My job is to get this precious little bundle of joy out of you. I'll see you when you wake up in recovery." Out of the corner of my eye I see a needle being inserted into the port on my hand. "Okay, Tris."

"100 … 99 … 98 … 97 … 96 … 95." My voice gets weaker and more faraway sounding as I go, and I don't make it to 94.