Memories of You

Chapter Fifty-Six - Unexpected Dinner Guest

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Tris' POV

"Harder, Tris!" Tobias growls as I punch the bag again. "Remember to keep low and keep moving." I alter my stance and take another quick jab at the bag.

I begin to dance back and forth, hitting the bag harder each time, trying to keep my footwork fast and unpredictable. "Yes, Tris! Keep it up!" Tobias yells, gripping the bag as he tries to reach around and tap my shoulder.

After a few more moments, I lean over, my hands on my knees, breathing heavily. "Tobias? Can we take a break, please? We've been at this for hours now," I say while panting, trying not to collapse to the floor.

Tobias looks at his watch, then nods. I sink down to the concrete floor, stretching out to let the coolness of the concrete seep into my overheated body. I let out a sigh of relief as I close my eyes, hearing Tobias chuckle as he begins to put everything away. I hear Rags stand up and stretch, yawning, before he comes over to lick my face. "Stop, Rags!" I squeal with laughter, trying to push him away. This only seems to spur him on, causing him to bark and dance around me, his tail wagging furiously as I roll around on the floor trying to avoid him.

I sit up, pushing him away again, and wipe my face to rid it of his slobber. "You silly dog."

Tobias chuckles, coming over to help me up. He takes off my gloves and tape, gently kissing each knuckle he exposes. I know it's been killing him to have to train me again, but I have to admit that my dreams have been getting better with each passing day. It feels like the stronger I get, the stronger my mind becomes, and the nightmares are somehow pushed away. They aren't completely gone, at least not yet, but it's definitely an improvement.

Tobias leads us back into the kitchen, and the cool air feels amazing compared to the stuffy garage. He goes over to the sink and pours both of us a glass of water. He hands me a glass, sitting down next to me, and I gulp it down quickly, placing the empty glass on the table.

"So, Master Sergeant, am I fit to be released for tomorrow's mission?" I keep my tone light, trying to joke with him.

Tobias sighs, his shoulders tensing as he sets the water down, and he looks at his hands. "Honestly, I don't think I'll ever be ready for you to be in the same room as my father, but I also know if he tries to lay a hand on you, you'll kick his ass."

I sigh. "I'll be ok. We've worked hard these last two weeks. You've made sure that I can get out of every hold you've thrown at me and that I can disarm him if need be. You've even made sure that I can lie properly. I'll be fine, Tobias," I say softly. I reach over and gently squeeze his hand. He finally looks up at me with a small, crooked smile, and my heart gives a small stutter.

He leans over, kissing me briefly, and I feel him start to relax against my lips. Rags' head suddenly snaps up and he goes over to the garage door, wagging his tail slowly as he waits. My mother comes through the door a moment later, and Rags begins wagging his tail furiously. "Hey, boy," my mom says, scratching his ears, a smile playing across her face. "Hey, kids. How was training today?"

"It was fine. Tobias made sure to work me hard. How was your day?" I ask, idly wondering what our plans for dinner tonight will be.

She nods, placing her purse on the table with a slightly faraway look on her face, before turning back to look at us. "Strange, really. I thought I had correctly counted my inventory last month, but somehow I managed to miscount some of the drugs. The director and I had to spend two hours counting everything again, but it seems to be in order now."