Redemption

Chapter Three

"Do you realize what time it is, Mr Eaton?" Max groans. He rubs his sleepy eyes with the heels of his palms.
"Indeed I do. But this cannot wait," Tobias says. "I'll let Tris go first."
Max snorts. "Tris? As in Tris Prior? Four, I think you might be losing it."
"He's not." I step from my place behind the doorway where I've been peering through. "I'm alive, Max."
He blinks. "But-how?" He looks quite flustered.
I sit down on his desk. "Let me explain."
I tell him everything, the Bureau, why my death was faked, all of it. He listens patiently, but I know he would rather be sleeping.
"I was hoping you could re-enter Tobias and I as Dauntless members. We have both completed initiation and ranked first," I finish.
He shakes his head. "I cannot do that."
"Did I say I was hoping you would? I meant that you will," I retort.
He glares at me. "You have no authority to do so."
I stare at him. "Who says I need it?" His face contorts.
Tobias stand between us. "Enough."
Max looks at Tobias. "I might have been civil before, but your friend has made no such promise to me, obviously." He leans back in his chair. "I retract your statement. Tris, you will live factionless. Tobias, go back to Abnegation."
Tobias looks defeat. He turns to leave. "Let's go, Tris."
But I don't move. "If you gave the others a chance to rejoin the factions, why can't you do the same for me? And besides, I'm not civil, I'm Dauntless. If you can't understand that, you shouldn't be in charge."
He turns his nose up at me. "Are you threatening my position?"
I narrow my eyes. "Take it or leave it, Max. How do you think the Bureau would react if they knew you were keeping me here? Divergents may not be a problem in Chicago, but the Bureau will not act kindly towards you if word got out."
"But I'm not keeping you here."
I smile. "They don't know that. Keep us here, and you won't have any trouble."
Tobias turns around, grinning. "What do you say, Max? Do we have a deal?"

Tobias turns the key to our new apartment. He looks at me. "Are you happy?"
I nod. "Absolutely."
"Fine. You will have to prove your Dauntless loyalty by a series of daily tasks. And, due to crowding, you'll have to share a house."
Once the door opens, I don't wait. I wrap my hand around his neck and push him against the wall, kissing him.
He raises an eyebrow at me. "Two and a half years, and you don't have any questions?"
I bite my lip. "I was hoping we could talk about that."
"But first," Tobias picks me up and sets me down on our new couch. "I have a question of my own."
I nod. "Shoot."
"Why did it take you two and a half years to come back to me?" I gaze into his dark blue, mesmerizing eyes.
"I was in poor condition when I came to the Fringe. I was scared, confused about if all of you were alive, and tired. My neighbor Joan took care of me. After about a year, I was doing better, but I was still confused. Joan risked death several times to find out what was happening in Chicago. I planned on coming back a year ago, but a fight rang out. And I was shot in my right leg. It took another several months to heal, then Matthew contacted me with a plan. I was to go into Chicago once the time was right. He said that they were spreading 'my' ashes, and it would create even more confusion. It took four months to get through to Matthew again, and he said the factions were being recreated. I decided to wait until everything was settled. So, I asked Joan again to see. I hadn't asked her before, because she had been stabbed in the fight and it was hard for her to travel. She gave me an update, and I decided to go."
"You never mentioned this as a part of your story to Max. Why?"
I sigh. "I'm just so tired, Tobias. This entire morning has been exhausting." I collapse back onto the couch. "Sit with me?"
He smiles. "Do you have any questions for me?"
I nod. "Obviously, but I'm worn out now. Wait until I wake up." I close my eyes and drift off with the image of Tobias in my mind.