Tris POV

After Edward's incident, Four announced they were giving us another day off, along with a stern warning that we would be expected in top shape the next day for stage two of initiation.

I resorted to walking around the empty compound rather than attempt to sleep in the dorms. I hardly slept anyways, and although the painkillers Toby gave me make me drowsy, there was no way I was going to be able to sleep in that dorm tonight. Not knowing that if I had been there, I would be in Edwards place. The compound doesn't exactly feel safe either, and I would do anything to be back in Toby's bed, but if I had learned anything over the past year, it was that life wasn't always fair.

"Tris?"

I flinch, wincing as my back reflexively tenses. Spinning around, I ball my hands into fists, ready to put up something of a fight.

"Chill, it's just me. It's safe, I promise. My bad." Uriah steps closer, holding his hands in the air. "I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry."

Breathing hard, I shake my head. "No, sorry, you're fine. I'm just really jumpy."

"Understandable. I mean, you did just get attacked, didn't you?"

Words catch in my throat, and I immediately break eye contact. Heat floods through me as I try to search for a response through the building awkward silence.

"I'm sorry," I glance up in surprise as Uriah breaks the silence first. "I'm not the best with serious things; I keep messing this up. I'm sorry."

"Don't be." My Abnegation rushes out as I try and take the blame. "I'm just, weird, right now. Don't feel bad." Uriah shakes his head.

"You're not weird, okay? You're just going through some stuff. And that's ok." Uriah runs a hand through his hair and takes a deep breath. "You're not going to sleep anytime soon, are you?"

I shake my head.

"You wanna just talk? I'm not either, and it seems like you could use some friendly company."

"If this is you trying to get in my pants, that's going to be a solid no." The words escape my lips before I think. I gasp. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry, I-" I break off, seeing that Uriah is laughing.

"No offense, Tris, but that isn't what I want." Glancing at the camera further down the hallway he whispers. "I know there's no taking you from Four, anyways. No, I just want a friend. If you're up for that?"

I give him a tight, but relieved smile. "You already have that."

He ends up leading me to an edge of the chasm, far enough to stay dry, but close enough that the loud crash of water covers up any conversation we have from looming cameras.

"I want you to know this is a safe place," Uriah starts, "if you feel uncomfortable, or need to stop talking about something, tell me. Whatever you want to talk about, it won't go anywhere but my head. I'm not into that gossiping business, so your secrets are safe with me." A smug grin grows on his face, and I'm surprised to find that I can tell its not out of smugness but sarcasm. I chuckle a bit.

"For someone bad at sensitive stuff, you sure are good at it."

"Nah, I got that from Shauna. Trust me, I'm pretty shit at the rest, as you already know." A smile starts to form on my face, and the flashes of blood and Edward's stabbed eye begin to fade.

"I forgot you know Shauna too."

"You know her?"

"Yeah, she's um; she's actually been my therapist since I transferred." Why did I tell him that? Stupid. Can't keep your mouth shut. You basically just told him everything. Nice going, Tris.

"Wow." Uriah chuckled. "Small world, huh?" I nod hesitantly. Praying he didn't know the specifics of Shauna's job, or would make the connection.

"Haha, yeah."

"That must've been scary, to get help. Especially being new here and everything." I nodded shyly, "I'm proud of you. That was a really strong move on your part."

Heat floods my chest. "Thanks."

"Doesn't she specialize in rape and domestic violence victims or something?" He mutters out loud. "Shit, I'm sorry. That's none of my business. I swear you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'm sorry if it feels like I'm cornering you into telling me."

I clench my fist, counting to ten in my head. Am I really going to do this? I already told Christina. And Toby. Did I really need to tell Uriah?

No. I want to, though.

Is that enough?

"No, it's just hard to talk about." I say slowly, "I'm-I'm going to have to pause sometimes and like stop me when-whenever you want to stop listening. I kind of roped you into this on Visiting day anyways, you deserve to understand."

"And you deserve to feel comfortable." Uriah slipped one of his hands into mine and squeezed it lightly. "I don't care what you think I deserve to know.. It's your choice, and whatever you choose is ok."

I nod, tears already beginning to brew in my eyes. "So, um, if you couldn't tell, it all has to do with that guy you saw me with on Visiting day."

"Mr. Eaton?" I flinch but nod. "Is he like, your dad or something?"

"No, he was a good friend of my dad's though." Taking a deep breath, I go through the story again, only keeping out the part that Marcus was Toby's dad. Uriah sits there quietly, listening intently. His hand continued to squeeze mine, which grounded me.

"Oh, Tris." He whispers when I finish. "Can I hug you?" I nod, and he leans in and wraps his arms gently around me. "I'm so so sorry."

"Not you're fault" I mutter. "It's fine."

"No, it's not." Uriah pulls back. "That bastard did terrible things to you. I can bring Zeke and beat him up for you if you want. Teach him a lesson of his own." His hands balled into fists at his sides, jaw clenched.

"No, no, no. Please. Stay out of it as much as possible. I don't want you guys hurt too." Uriah looked dubious for a second but eventually nodded.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"You're already doing more than enough. Honest. I'm safe from him here; I just have to get over this."

Uriah bumped his shoulder into mine. "Stop being so hard on yourself. You went through some shit, Tris. You deserve some time to figure it all out and to heal. Mentally and physically."

"Thanks." I weakly smile.

"Of course." Uriah smiles. "That's what older brothers are for. If anyone messes with you, they have me to deal with."

My mind flashes to memories of Caleb. Constantly reminding me to do the selfless thing. Leaving me to fend for myself against bullies.

I nod. "Ok," glancing up, I notice tearstains on his cheeks. "Are you okay?'

"Don't worry about me." Wiping his cheeks with his black hoodie, he keeps smiling. "I just hate that even now Dauntless can't be totally safe for you either."

I grimace, knowing exactly what he means. "Edward got stabbed in the eye in our dorm tonight."

"What? How? Who did it?'

"Yeah, it was a butter knife from the cafeteria. And I'm pretty sure we both know who did it."

"That sucks."

"Yeah." I take a deep breath, drawing my knees to my chest. "I was at T-Four's apartment for a while-if I had left earlier it would have been me. Edward was ranked right below me."

"Nothing against Edward, but I'm really glad it wasn't you." Uriah cast me a small smile, which I returned.

"Yeah, me too." I sigh. "I don't know how I'm going to be able to sleep in those dorms after this, knowing Peter has it out for me. What's stopping him from taking another knife and stabbing me tomorrow night?"

"Now that people, now that Four knows about it, I doubt he would risk it again. The other transfers are going to be on high alert too, it would be much riskier to do it a second time."

I sigh. "Yeah, maybe."

"Hey, look at me." Uriah guides my face to look at him. "We're going to make it through, yeah? You, me, Four, and Zeke. Know that we've got your back. It sounds like you've never really had that before, or know what that means. But I promise, we're your Dauntless family now. Ok?"

I nod, going in for another hug as tears roll down my cheeks.

"Thank you."

"Of course." Uriah checked his watch. "The cafeteria should be open, wanna go and get some chocolate muffins before they run out?"

I smile. "If they're anything like the chocolate cake, I'm in."