Hello readers, I hope this update finds everyone well. Here is the next chapter for everyone to enjoy which is part 2 of Tobias leaving. Thank you to everyone who has been continuing to read, comment, and generally support this story. It means the world to me. I don't own Divergent, all military-related mistakes are mine, and I did change some things in regard to the military. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Happy Reading!

A few reviews I couldn't respond to personally:

Guest Reviewer: I guess you will have to keep reading to find out if she is pregnant. My lips are sealed on that aspect.

Potterhead2611: I'm glad you are enjoying the story and you like the writing style it was written in. I agree the last chapter was emotionally intense. You'll have to let me know about this one too.

Chapter 22: Goodbye To You

Tobias intertwines his fingers with mine while we walk into a large hanger where his pre-deployment meeting is being held. I squeeze his hand more tightly with each step we take inside. It is like the world is threatening to tear us away from one another if our hands break apart. Glancing at Tobias from the corner of my eye, his fingertips run over my knuckles in an attempt to reassure me. I bite my tongue, trying to keep a fresh set of tears at bay. I won't cry for what feels like the millionth time since I woke up today.

Tobias and I sit in hard metal chairs. During the meeting, I don't want to pay attention to what the woman in front is speaking about, but I do anyway. The meeting is brief, lasting only ten minutes. The woman speaks about pay, giving very detailed instructions of the pay category breakdowns: family separation, hardship duty pay, imminent danger pay, and hostile fire pay. My mouth dries hearing the words "imminent danger" and "hostile fire." I cringe when the process of notification is brought up should your loved one become injured or killed overseas. My eyes flit to Tobias during her speech. He sits rigid: as still as a stone next to me. I bite my lip repeating in my mind, I'm not going to cry. His eyes attempt to lock with mine, but I look at the floor. I pretend to find it interesting, unable to look directly at him. If I do, I will break down. An arm wraps around my shoulders as he whispers into my ear, "Don't think like that. It won't happen," and his fingertips touch my chin, drawing my eyes up to his. Unshed tears threaten to fall from his eyes. I can only imagine what is going through his mind right now. After all, on Tobias's past deployments, he was cheated on by Stacy. He has sat through multiple meetings like this before.

When the meeting concludes, another man, who I assume to be one of Tobias's ranking officers stands before the group, commanding, "Men and Women, now comes the hard part of saying goodbye. You have ten minutes to do so. In ten minutes, you are to report to your designated areas." The man's words hit my ears, and I can no longer contain my tears. I don't care that I have eyes on me. Tobias and I only have ten minutes left until he is gone for who knows how many months. I ask, "How am I supposed to leave you, Tobias? I love you. It's going to kill me to watch you walk away from me!" His sad eyes meet mine. Wrapping his arms around me, he pulls me to him. His forehead rests against mine, whispering, "I love you, Tris. Always remember that, for as long as I breathe, you are the love of my life. I know I'm not the easiest person to love, but I invest my all in you, in us. I'm only doing this because I'm being told I have to, not because I want to, which is a first for me, Mrs. Eaton. Every other time I have deployed, I have wanted to go. I volunteered for it because it was a way for me to escape from the situation I was living in with Stacy. Now, I don't want to leave you. I need you to understand that I'm leaving today because I'm being ordered to by the government, not because I want to."

His full pink lips touch mine. Once. Twice. Three times gently in a light kiss before I throw my arms around him. Tugging him toward me as close as I can get him, I want to feel every curvature and hard muscle of his body and press my lips hard against his. My brain is screaming, "This could be your last kiss with him ever!" His hands cradle my face, as his fingers smooth away the tears streaming down my cheeks while we kiss goodbye. We continue to kiss; neither one of us wanting to break this kiss for air. When the kiss ends, our eyes connect, and our foreheads remain touching. Tobias hesitantly begins pulling back then presses his lips against my forehead and draws me close to his side. At this moment, I command, whispering, "I love you. Come home to me. That's an order. Will you promise me?"

"I promise," he murmurs, holding his little finger up in the air to me. I hook my little finger with his. His arms slide from around my waist as sadness overwhelms me. His eyes glance at his watch. He intertwines his fingers with mine and tugs me out of the hanger. He brings me outside, away from the crowds of crying and hugging people, out to the truck.

At the truck, he opens the driver's side door. I frantically shake my head, no. He nods his head, yes. His fingers touch my cheek, stopping the movement of my head. He stares into my eyes, pressing his lips into mine, as he lifts me into the truck's open door. I cry, "I love you, Tobias!" When his lips pull away from mine. He doesn't respond. Starting the truck, the tears cascade down my cheeks, and I repeat, "I love you." His hand remains connected with mine. He whispers, "I love you, Tris. I want you to drive home now. I don't want you to watch me leave." His words send a fresh wave of tears from my eyes. With his thumb, he wipes my eyes one last time and then shuts the door of the truck. I press my hand against the glass; he does the same. My forehead falls against the glass, unable to muster the courage to leave him, as the tears continue to fall uncontrollably. Tears fall from his eyes. He rests his head against the glass with mine. Closing his eyes, he steps away from the truck, and wipes his eyes dry. He motions for me to put the truck into drive. I do. Taking a breath, I begin to drive away. I glance into the rearview mirror, looking back to see if Tobias is standing where I left him like he was that day in the airport when I turned around. My heart shatters into a million pieces when I find he is gone. The only thing I see in the mirror is his retreating form and a cloud of dust surrounding him.

Thoughts and opinions on this chapter. Can't wait to read them. The next chapter will be up the weekend of November 7, 2020.