All characters from Divergent belong to Veronica Roth as well as all characters from Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I own nothing except my version of events.

A/N: Yes I'm late again... Sorry!!!!

Chapter 24 Just Pretend

"I still don't get it." Tris said, absentmindedly wiping crumbs off her long sleeved white blouse. We were currently in the food hall, as always it seemed, playing our part and using the time to make our plans. We suspected our room was bugged and so we were hoping that with the amount of people here, the powers that be wouldn't be able to overhear us. "They said they had taken us from our home because Erudite would soon destroy the faction system, but that didn't happen. Max and the rest of the leaders stopped it before it did. So why don't they let us go back now?"

"Because now that we know the truth they can't afford to send us back. They don't trust us enough to keep our mouths shut… and we wouldn't." I confirmed.

"But when we first came here, Aro said they'd found a way to modify people's memories. That's how they'd found a way to implant Eric as if he'd been there all along, I'm assuming they did the same with Felix. So why can't they do it again for us?" She asked in confusion.

"Too many people are aware of our disappearance now. It would be impossible." Tobias suggested.

"We don't know that." Edward butt in, "They are so much more advanced than us, both in technology and medicine. We don't really know what they can or can't do."

He was right, of course. Carlisle's lab alone was a clear example. He had holoscreens hidden in places I would've never thought. Various handheld devices that he used when working with us along with large machinery that also performed extensive work. Granted, I have very little knowledge of the equipment Erudite carried in their facilities but if Edward's expression everytime he encountered a new device was any indication... This place was decades, if not centuries, ahead of us.

"Still, that's too much effort. They would never risk exposure just to put us back in the system." Tobias persisted.

"And what if they decided to use the serum on us instead? We could all lose our memories." I added.

"But maybe they could erase just the parts they need to." She suggested.

"If it were possible." Edward argued. "But we don't even know how it works."

"And even if they can do that. Do we trust they won't erase more than necessary?" Tobias asked now.

I already knew the answer to that question. I trusted them as far as I could throw them, so let's say, not at all. Still, this conversation had opened up a can of worms. I anxiously bit the inside of my cheek in thought. There was no way they would send us back now... and not just because we knew the truth. I had a feeling there was something more going on. Something deeper none of us were aware of and that the people in charge were working very hard to keep hidden.

"Something doesn't feel right." I admitted.

Tobias snorted at my declaration. "No shit."

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "No. I mean, I feel like there's much more going on… like maybe they need us for something. Our knowledge of the outside world isn't the only reason why they're keeping us here. I mean, look around you. Everyone is free to go as they please but we're the only prisoners here. How many times have we asked to see the rest of the city? They give us everything we ask for but refuse this one request every time. But why? They keep saying this is our home but they're not acting like it... So maybe there's something out there they don't want us to see."

"I see your point, but why hide it? It's not like we have a say in anything. Like you just said, we're prisoners here. Whatever we see out there won't change the situation." Tobias responded.

Meanwhile Tris shook her head vehemently, her brows furrowed so deep it created creases on her forehead. "No, that's not true. They would lose our compliance... Think about it?" She asked almost aggressively now, as if the lightbulb in her head had suddenly turned on. "Every time we talk to someone they're always asking us if we're happy, making sure we have everything we need. They bend over backwards to give us whatever we want. Bella is right... They need us happy and compliant."

Damn that girl was brilliant sometimes.

"For what?" Tobias asked, trying to maintain pretenses as he put a spoonful of food in his mouth.

"We'll just have to find out." I stated the obvious.

We remained quiet after some time until I felt Tobias' stare on my face. I looked up to find him looking upon me in worry. "You know there's only one way to do that…" He trailed off, his eyes communicating everything I needed to know.

We'd have to talk to Aro.

I felt the food I'd just attempted to swallow form a lump in my throat. I took a hard swallow using the drink in my other hand to help me wash it down. I wasn't sure if I could do that yet. Not when I had barely held onto my composure when I'd seen Eric the other day. It had affected me much more than I cared to admit, slowly eating away at me like a third-degree burn. I was being tortured by my conflicted feelings for him. A part of me wanted to so desperately believe in him. That the pain he'd expressed when he'd begged me to listen had been real. That all of those months we'd spent practically living together had been real... that his feelings for me had been real...

The other part of me simply laughed at my pitiful denial. Blaming that side of me for the pain I was currently suffering through. Because if I had remained strong and unmoved like I'd had from the beginning, Eric would have never been able to use me as he had. I was letting my emotions sway me again and I was more than aware of how stupid that would be. You 'd think by now I would know better than to fall for his lies again. It was just so hard to get my heart to understand that fact too.

"I think I can handle it. I handled my last confrontation with Eric and if you're ok with seeing Aro then I will be too." I decided, forcing myself to feel the strength in my words.

He remained silent for some time, watching me intently to make sure I was speaking the truth.

I wordlessly tried to reassure him. At least as best as I could when we were both fully aware that my temper had no bounds... Still, we both also knew how much I wanted answers too. I had to continue to play my part in order to figure out a way out of here. It would be motivation enough to continue on with this charade for just a bit longer.

After some time, Tobias finally nodded, turning to look to the rest of our group. "Should we all go together?"

Edward nodded immediately. "We need answers too." He said immediately, as if reminding us that we weren't the only ones stuck in this predicament.

He wasn't wrong. We were all stuck in this nightmare together. Whatever we decided to do, we would do it together. It wasn't just about Tobias and I.

"Ok. So who's going to initiate contact?" I asked. Normally I would've taken the lead but I wasn't offering myself up this time. I needed to take a back seat. Letting Aro, his associates, and everyone else here continue to believe I was not the leader of this group was vital to our plan. They needed to believe they had succeeded in breaking me enough to lose my fighting spirit. I also didn't want to ask Aro for the answers I needed. It somehow felt demeaning if I did. I think they knew that too and so Tris quickly offered to take my place.

I released a drawn out breath of relief. Our conversation taking a more casual tone now that we'd come to a collective decision. I tried to be as helpful as I could manage, inputting my own thoughts into the conversation... or as much as I could manage at this point in my life. A pitiful attempt but much better than my customary silence. At least I was trying this time…

Once dinner was over we all decided to go see Carlisle since he appeared to be the one in charge of us. When we walked in, Carlisle was hard at work doing god knows what. At our entrance he stopped what he was doing and looked up, his eyes widening slightly at seeing all of us together and voluntarily coming to see him without being asked to. Well, except for Edward, that tall handsome nerd seemed to always want to be here all on his own.

"Oh, hello. I'm so glad to see you all together." He said happily. "Is there something I can do for you?" He asked without missing a beat, assuming correctly that we weren't just here to make pleasant conversation.

Tris stepped forward then, taking the lead as we'd previously discussed. "Actually, yes. We were wondering if you could arrange for us to meet with Dr. Volturi and his associates. We've had some time to absorb the news, and we have a few more questions." She said breezily. "Oh, and Bella has promised to keep her cool this time." She added with a laugh.

I rolled my eyes but didn't remark.

Carlisle's gaze instinctively moved over to me for a single heartbeat before he quickly looked back towards Tris a bright smile appearing on his face again. "Of course. They have been eager to speak with you all and will be delighted to hear you are ready to continue. I will notify your guides as soon as everything is arranged." Carlisle said happily, his eyes crinkling at the sides.

Always so damned happy and eager to please. Tris was right. They wanted us happy and compliant… now we just needed to figure out why.

Carlisle's call came a lot sooner than expected. It had been just after dinner. This time six guards, including Alec, had been waiting for us at the exit of the food hall to let us know they were ready to continue on with our unfinished conversation.

I steeled myself and released a calming breath, centering myself and calling upon my stone wall of self-control to take the lead. I decided to remain in the back next to Edward. Tobias taking his rightful place next to Tris and providing her with the silent support she needed. Though from the look of her, she didn't seem to need it. I almost smiled at the confidence she carried as we walked. Her head held up high and her posture looking demanding while also leaving her expression open.

We were guided to the elevator and it immediately flew up into the air. We all looked out into the open scenery before us. It was always so overwhelming to witness with our own eyes just how big this world really was. We had once foolishly believed we were all that was left of this world... such an ignorant concept. Now we were wiser. Forcefully thrust into the world without even a life jacket to keep us afloat. As we reached higher and higher, the more of the world we began to see. A storm was brewing in the land that lay past the dilapidated buildings surrounding the city. Swirls of red dirt dancing around large craters marring the surface, as if not wanting to get caught in the bowls of its steamed waters.

The ding of the elevator announced our arrival and we all turned to walk out. I almost missed a step at the sight before me. I had expected for them to meet us in the same place they had first welcomed us in, but this place was much smaller. It almost looked like its own apartment, with furniture laid out around a large coffee table. Almost half of the walls were made up of wall-to-celing glass windows that allowed us to see more of the world. It was both dizzying and exhilarating at the same time. I had to physically shake my head to center myself once again. It was then my eyes finally moved away from the glass walls. Off to the side on the far right of the large room lay a long glass table, accented by white leather upholstered chairs with odly shaped metal legs. And that is where we found Aro, Marcus, and Caius patiently waiting for us.

They all immediately stood up as we neared, Aro taking the lead once again as he greeted us. "Thank you all for requesting to meet with us again. We were trying to give you all the space and time to adjust to your new home, but I have to admit we were all more than eager to speak with you once again."

Tris moved forward, taking her seat across from him. "Oh no, thank you for meeting with us so quickly. We thought we wouldn't hear from you for some time, taking into account how busy you must all be running this place." She said politely.

I waited for everyone to be seated before I took the last empty seat furthest away from them, or as much as I could get. Edward took the seat beside me and across from Caius. I was thankful I had no one in front of me to speak to directly.

And though I tried to avoid having to speak to anyone, Aro's voice immediately directed itself towards me. "Bella," He started. My head begrudgingly swiveled up, trying not to show my displeasure over gaining Aro's attention so quickly. His expression tried to convey his regret, I didn't trust it. "I apologize for how I misspoke the first time we met. I was just so excited to meet you all in the flesh that I forgot to be mindful of my words. I realize now I should have taken into consideration what a shock it must have been to wake up in a strange place so suddenly and then to find out that there was more to the world you once knew. I don't blame you if it has tainted your first impression of me. I know it will take some time to change your mind but I am willing to put in the effort for you to get to know me… you and Tobias." He finished, shifting his eyes from mine to my brothers.

Tobias nodded immediately, "Of course and we would like to get to know you too. Right, Bella?" He asked, tilting forward slightly to make eye contact with me.

I released a small smile too, though I loathed to do so. "Yes, of course. I apologize too for reacting the way I did. Sometimes I let my temper get the best of me." I finished with a self-deprecating chuckle.

Marcus and Aro smiled at me happily, but I didn't miss the slightly disbelieving expression on Caius' face. I ignored it though and let Tris take control of the conversation again, thankful that she was willing to take the spotlight away from me.

"We have some questions that have left us a bit curious and we were wondering if you were open to answer them." She started.

"Absolutely, ask away." Aro said happily, steepling his fingers together and focusing his attention away from me and onto Tris.

"How was the faction system created?"

Good, she was starting with an easy question.

Aro smiled happily, excited to have a reason to speak again. "When humans began to genetically modify themselves to perfection, the more volatile attributes of human nature became more prominent within the world. Too brave and you're cruel. Too peaceful and you're too passive. Too smart and you lose your compassion."

"So you boxed them in and surrounded them with other like-minded individuals... Wouldn't that defeat the purpose? It never gave them the opportunity to change, to become better people. And they haven't. Take Erudite for example. They still lacked compassion for others, imprisoning and torturing those they deemed inhuman in the name of science."

Aro frowned at her logic. He knew she made sense, but I also knew he would never admit to it. "I apologize but I must correct you from that unfounded assumption, Tris. The purpose of the experiment wasn't for them to learn to change. The founders of this experiment implemented the faction system simply to keep the peace, to prevent the same wars that once destroyed the world we lived in. For 200 years it had proved to be successful, but what you don't seem to understand is that the appearance of Divergents changed everything."

"What do you mean?"

"What you consider as Divergent, to us, are exactly what we were hoping to accomplish from the beginning. A true scientific miracle. The initial theory was that if we could rescue the genetically damaged people from the toxic environment in 'the Fringe' and put them in a safe place like Chicago, then perhaps, over time, man's genetic material would heal itself on its own. To someday return to its original form."

"So Divergent's are genetically pure?"

Aro shook his head before she could finish her question. "Not necessarily. From what we gather, they are a sign that there is hope for genetic restoration but it doesn't guarantee they are 100% undamaged."

"So they're still partially damaged?"

"Yes, but they are still a step in the right direction."

"So why didn't you stop Jeanine from trying to kill them all?" Tobias asked this time.

"An experiment cannot be interfered with simply because we want to."

"You intervened with us. Twice." He stated matter-of-factly.

Aro was initially startled by the accusation but he quickly recovered. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he found a way to twist the facts to work in his favor. "That was different. We knew there was a high probability the faction system would be dismantled within Jeanine's reign. It was a last-ditch effort to find some type of results before it all came crashing down. Years on top of more years of work gone to waste. We had an opportunity, and we chose to interfere then in a way that would not be noticed."

Though Aro desperately tried to force it all to make sense, he wasn't being very successful. It was all bullshit in my ears, I knew I wasn't the only one. My attention, however, shifted to another pressing matter. I'd felt eyes on me during most of our discussion. I had refused to give in but I found myself finally unable to resist. My eyes shifted, finding Caius looking at me intently. I wondered what that look meant. I frowned as our eyes connected, and suddenly, it felt as though he were holding himself back from telling me something important. He hadn't spoken a single word since we'd arrived, not even to greet us. I wondered if Aro had prohibited him from speaking... Why wouldn't he want Caius to speak? I also wondered why he seemed so interested in me now and why he looked so…pained? I couldn't quite be sure, but it was an expression that left me more than just unsettled. Reaffirming my previous suspicion that Aro and this whole situation could not be trusted.

"You said Edward finding out about Eric's involvement with Jeanine changed your timeline. You made it sound as though removing us from the city had always been your intention. Is that true?"

Aro smiled politely and responded, "Like I've said previously, intervening with two rounds of insemination had been our last-minute attempt to save any type of results. We never thought we would ever get another chance to intervene and stop the impending destruction of the faction system. But when we developed the new memory serum, we finally found a way to implant Eric into the system. A way to intervene and to change the future that seemed almost destined to take place. Initially, his mission had been to pacify Jeanine by whatever means necessary. But soon after, we learned of Max's plan to betray Jeanine and Eric's mission had been modified to assist from the shadows. We were confident that the rest of the factions would work collectively to stop Jeanine in the end. And they have, just as predicted. And though initially Eric had been sent to pacify Jeanine, he had also been sent in to gain us access to you from the inside until the time was right to pull him out. We never expect him to live out the rest of his life in Chicago, Caius had made that strikingly clear." He added in disgust, his eyes shifting to Caius as if to display his disapproval. Caius, on the other hand, never even reacted to the diss, as if he were used to hearing the accusation repetitively over the years. When Aro failed to get a reaction he continued speaking. "After Eric provided us with your blood samples, we discovered you were all genetically pure and it reaffirmed our decision to pull you out as well."

Well, fuck me. That man had been working really hard the entire time. I wondered how the hell he'd found the time to pretend to have a full blown relationship with me while still working with the outside world, Jeanine, assisting Max, and his duties as a leader of Dauntless. I tried to hide the shock and undeniable hurt assaulting me again. Really I did. But I could feel my body straining with the effort to contain the torrent of emotions. I grasped onto my thighs tightly, practically digging my nails into my skin to keep me grounded while the discussion continued on without me.

"Why?" Tris asked. "Wouldn't it have been better for us to stay and reproduce? Wouldn't our genetics have helped repair the damage over time?" She asked smartly.

I could tell Aro and Marcus had not expected her questions to be so on point. Sure we weren't knowledgeable in the area of genetics but some things were just common sense. Did they really think we were that stupid?

Marcus cleared his throat, deciding to speak for the first time. "Yes, and while that is true. Aro and I couldn't bear to continue to watch you through the screens for the rest of our lives without even a glimmer of hope that one day we would have the chance to meet you in person."

"Still." Tris persisted, as if his words had meant nothing to her. I could tell she, too, was bearly holding on to her anger. "You were willing to leave us there to be raised by other paternal figures for the greater good. I would assume continuing on with the experiment would have taken top priority. If I were in your shoes, I would have continued with what I'd started. Not cut it short and lose the chance to witness the effects of our influence in the experiment. After all, curing the damaged is the ultimate goal, is it not?"

They tried to hide it but they blinked back in surprise, except for Caius. For the first time since we'd all sat down I swear I could see the barest of smiles playing along his lips.

"It was, initially, but can you blame us for wanting to bring our children back home to us?" Aro asked sadly, as if the underhanded implication they didn't care about us had hurt him deeply.

I pushed down the laugh bubbling up in my throat. Did he really think he could play up that angle to get us to stop asking questions?

Tris was smart though, resisting the urge to push for more. We didn't want to appear suspicious with our questions, simply curious.

Sensing none of us had any more questions, or anything further to add, Aro continued speaking. "We were hopeful that once you made it back home you would give us a chance to make it up to you somehow. I know you are all in a difficult situation at the moment. Still trying to adjust to your new surroundings, but both Marcus and I were hoping to get some alone time with you in the near future... I would understand if you refused... and you have every right to. We were unable to take part in your more formative years and lost the opportunity to build a connection with you, but we were hoping you would allow us the opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level. We consider ourselves very patient and are willing to wait for as long as necessary until you are ready."

"We don't want to push our luck, of course." Marcus spoke up again. "You do not know us and we only know of you, or at least from what we have seen through the screens. Even for us, it is still strange to see you all here before us and in the flesh. We understand all that you have gone through and how hard adjusting to the outside world has been and continues to be for you all. Like Aro said, we will be patiently waiting for you to give us a chance. And if you ever need us, know we will always be immediately at your disposal." He said softly, almost caringly. To be honest, he came off a lot more honest than Aro had, like he actually believed in the words he spoke. At least the way he looked at Edward and Tris conveyed a deep sense of yearning none of us could understand.

There was something about Aro though… I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It was mostly just an inexplicable feeling I got, one with no explanation other than for the fact that I hated him for what he'd let Tobias suffer as a child. I couldn't be blamed for it. I still couldn't fathom what kind of soulless monster could leave their child in the hands of an abusive man like Marcus Eaton. It spoke volumes to his character. He didn't have to be Tobias' father to have felt a need to stop what was happening to protect him. Any normal caring human being would have done something to stop it, not idly sat by while they watched it happen, just like my parents had when I had dragged him half dead into our home.

We all silently nodded. Tris and Tobias speaking to something to the effect of agreeing but asking for more time to process what we have learned today. There was a lull in the conversation before Aro spoke up again. "I know I've already asked too much of you, and I feel terrible asking for more. But now that we have you here with us we were hoping to get your assistance."

"With what?" Tobias asked.

"We were hoping you would be willing to work with us."

"How?"

I could see Aro hesitate before speaking, as if to display he really did feel guilty for asking so much of us in such a short amount of time. "We were hoping you were willing to undergo some tests with Carlisle."

We all frowned at that. "I thought we already were." I spoke up this time.

His eyes swiveled over to me eagerly, as if thankful to have an excuse to focus all of his attention onto me… it was weird. "Oh yes, simple bloodwork, but we were hesitant to proceed onto more in-depth analyses without your consent. We wanted to respect your boundaries and felt it necessary to ask you personally before moving forward. You see, if we can understand what made you, well you, then maybe we can use that knowledge to help the damaged."

"But we're different from them, I mean, we're half genetically undamaged and not originally from Chicago... technically speaking. So wouldn't we be considered different?" I asked curiously.

"And though you're right, my dearest Bella, you could have still been born somewhat damaged considering half of your genetics came from a fully genetically damaged individual. All of you were, and yet the genetically undamaged half somehow found a way to overcome the rest against all odds. Statistically speaking, more than half of you should have come out somewhat damaged… including Eric. But the five of you are all miraculously pure. It is still a mystery that calls for solving, don't you think?" He asked, trying to leave it up to me to agree with him.

I played along like the good little girl I was. "Right." I said with a careless shrug, acting as if it didn't bother me to have to undergo more procedures.

"Thank you so much for understanding and for helping us when you do not need to, and again, if you ever need us or if you have any more questions or just wish to spend time with us. We will all be here when you need us."

And with that we were dismissed, sent back to our room to pretend like we weren't their prisoners once again. I walked stiffly the entire way, my mind spinning with all that we had been told once again. I had thought I would finally get the answers we needed, but instead of solving the puzzle, I found there were now more pieces missing from the whole. Nothing made sense and I wondered if anything ever would. It almost seemed like we were destined to live perpetually in a state of confusion. Our lives continuing to be controlled by outside forces. I was chilled down to the bone to think we never had and never would gain control over our lives and our futures.

But as I looked at my brother, Edward, and Tris, I knew that no matter what, we would never stop until we found out the truth. Because Aro and his associates might be convinced that they had won us over but we knew better. We would play the same game until the very end, until one side finally won. And with the determination I could detect in each of our eyes, I knew that no matter what we discovered... we would always claw our way to victory.