I'm sorry to anyone who thought this was a new chapter. Real life has seriously gotten in my way and i have no time to write lately. Also i seem to have misplaced my muse. i hate leaving a story incomplete, so i added this to the original story and deleted the sequel. i am sorry to anyone who is disappointed but i didn't want to leave you hanging hoping for more that might never come. for now this is the end, thank you for reading my story. There is more to the shower scene, check it out on my A03 account if you want

Pretending to be grownups

Tris

I wake up in Tobias's bed, warm and safe. He isn't next to me but I can hear the water from the shower running, he never closes the door completely. I get out of bed and walk to the bathroom, a shower sounds really nice. I walk into the steamy bathroom, shedding my pajamas along the way. When I pull back the shower curtain, I am struck momentarily speechless.

We finish our shower, helping each other wash. I laugh when Tobias starts to show a renewed interest, "down boy, we don't have time for a second round. We need to get dressed, ambassador meeting this morning." Tobias swears softly, but allows me to drag him out of the shower and dry us off. "Yes I remember it's time to be grownups, though our time in the shower probably qualifies as adult activities too. Time to change the world, you know everything you want to say right?"

I smile and nod, walking out of the bathroom to get changed. "I have notes so I won't forget anything, we can do this I know we can." I stand in front of Tobias's closet debating between the 2 outfits I brought. My original choice is badass Dauntless all the way, tight black leather pants, combat boots, and a tight tank top that shows off my tattoo. But this outfit just doesn't feel right. We need my dad's support today and making him uncomfortable with my appearance seems like the wrong approach to take. I pull my back up choice out of the closet and put it on. The main part of the outfit is a black dress, still very Dauntless but much more conservative. The dress looks like a black military coat; it has a high collar, long sleeves, and 2 rows of bottoms down the front. The details turning it into a dress are a tight waist and a flared skirt with a few pleats in the front, it reaches my knees. I finish it with black tights and combat boots; I am covered from neck to toes. I pull my hair into a messy bun and smudge some makeup around my eyes.

Tobias

I exit the bathroom fully clothed and stop in shock when I see Tris. She looks so sexy in a military style dress coat, who would have thought that someone could look that hot completely covered. "You look good Tris." She smiles at me brightly, "it looks Dauntless but respectful of my father's presence right? I know we need his support today, so I don't want to shock him by wearing something revealing." I smile in amazement and nod; she is already being a good leader, thinking of the little things that could make a difference. "We better get going, have to catch the train on time. Once more into the breach."

We catch the train right on time and hop off in the center of town. We walk into the government building side by side, a team. I swear I hear someone from Abnegation mutter that Dauntless leaders get younger and younger every year. I can't help but laugh, it's true after all. In other factions the leaders tend to be older and mature, but Dauntless is a faction that values strength and youth is strength. We walk into the meeting room and Tris makes a beeline for the coffee. Her dad is standing next it and hands her a cup made just the way she likes it. He laughs "you may be in a different faction now but you are still predictable. Are you planning to make a splash today or just observe quietly?"

I watch Tris decide how much to say before she responds, "I'm making a splash, begin as you mean to continue and all that. Plus we need Jeanine to realize that we know what she tried to do and stopped it. If we don't suggest changes right off we will never make anything better." Andrew Prior smiles and gives Tris a hug. He whispers something to her and she smiles brightly.

Tris

I was already feeling confident with Tobias at my side but having my dad tell me he is proud of me, sends that confidence souring even higher. I can do this I know I can. We all take our seats and the meeting begins. It is boring and tedious at first, just reports on food supply, medicine, and initiate numbers. We finally get to the part I have been waiting for, "does anyone have any other business that needs to be addressed?" My dad looks straight at me when he says this, it's now or never.

I clear my throat and address the group, "I have several issues that need to be addressed. Our faction system is broken and it needs to be repaired. We spend so much time preaching faction before blood, because of this I believe most people are in the wrong factions. No one listens to their tests anymore; they just pick the faction they were raised in so they can stay with their families. The transfer numbers are going down each year. We need to allow people to see their families so they will pick the faction they truly belong in. The faction system made sense at first, it's an organized system encouraging us to do what we will anyway, gravitate towards like-minded people. But finding your true place shouldn't require you to leave your past behind you. In addition to this, I think we need to educate children about all the factions. When I went into Dauntless initiation, there were transfers that had no idea Dauntless only keeps 10 members. People truly didn't know they needed to fight for their place. I know that Candor and Erudite have similarly difficult initiations. We should send representatives from each faction into the schools to explain their initiation process. Maybe even offer training, god knows I never would have survived Dauntless initiation without years of training." I have more to say but I figure one subject at a time is the best way to go.

Everyone in the room looks thoughtful, but most seem to agree with me. The woman with Jeanine speaks up "you are absolutely right. The idea of sending in representatives and trainers to the schools is a good one. Maybe instead of having a visiting day once a year for parents we can allow members to visit their family on weekends. You will be free to visit your parents at home have dinner with them and your siblings. Something like that, should work. It would still keep the factions separate but allow for visits during your free time." A few people bicker around me a bit but finally the matter is closed when my dad and Marcus give the final approval. Abnegation having the final say brings me perfectly into my second point.

I smile and cough to get the rooms attention again "I have more issues that need to be addressed. I understand the idea that we give power to those who don't want it, which is why Abnegation is in control of the government. But everyone can be corrupted, everyone has a price. We need a more even balance of power. What is the point of these meetings, having representatives from each faction, if the final say is out of our hands? Each faction should have a vote; there are 5, no possibility for a tie. We can allow all the factions to vote people into the lower level government jobs but the 10 of us will remain in charge, we did earn our places after all. If the power is not balanced soon, our society may dissolve into civil war."

I look straight at Jeanine when I say that last part, smirking when her eyes widen in understanding. Marcus speaks up loudly "is Dauntless threatening war if we don't give them more power?" I was afraid of that reaction, but before I can respond Tobias beats me to it "we have no plans to start a war but we aren't the only faction. Anyone can be controlled with the proper serums after all." Jeanine eyes widen further, good she knows we stopped her. My dad stops the bickering "I agree with my daughter, the balance of power is off. We need to acknowledge that each faction has admirable traits and combine those to form a cohesive government." I watch my dad whisper urgently to Marcus; I think he is telling him enough to get him on board. I see the moment Marcus realizes he has no choice but to agree and he does. 2 issues down one to go, this is going really well. We may be in the early planning stages, I know true results will take months if not years but I am happy we are on the right track.

Everyone turns to me again, probably to see if I'm done. "Sorry guys one more issue, after which I believe we break for lunch before discussing everything in detail. I think the factionless are becoming a problem. We expect them to do all the jobs in the city that no one wants but we barely compensate them for it. They are homeless, hungry, and miserable. I know Erudite believes they are a drain on our resources and they are partially right. We don't keep track of who is working and who isn't. Abnegation passes out resources randomly and that is a drain on our city. I propose that we should organize the factionless, almost make it its own faction of sorts. We can fix up some of the unused buildings downtown and they can live there. Everyone living in the housing will have jobs assigned to them, the same ones the factionless do now. You can't live in factionless housing without an assigned job. Food and basic supplies will be provided to the factionless staff at the housing units only. If you don't contribute to society you don't get any supplies, period. Everything will be watched and inventoried; nothing will go to those who choose not to be a useful member of society. I believe doing this will kill 2 birds with one stone. Abnegation will no longer be accused of hoarding resources as everything will be accounted for and we prevent the factionless from deciding to gather and start their own civil war."

I watch the room break into excited chatter. My dad clears his throat, "I guess this is the first issue we will exercise our new voting system on. Each faction gets one vote, so discuss your opinion with your companion and decide your position." Everyone discusses the issues with their fellow leader and the issue is put to a vote, it is unanimous. More progress, this is going so much better than I expected.

We break for lunch and my dad walks over to me, giving me a proud smile. "Good job Beatrice, I am so proud of you." Marcus looks at Tobias at my side and nods in acknowledgment. I see Jeanine approaching and turn my full attention to her, Tobias grabs my hand and squeezes. To reassure me or caution me, I'm not quite sure. "That was a very good show in there, I'm impressed. Let's call a truce you and I. I planned to strike you, you struck back and now we are at a stalemate. You got me what I wanted in there, it may not be complete control but it's better than what we had." I smile happily "so we are good, no more crazy plans?" Jeanine smirks evilly "we have a truce, for now."

The day drags on as every minute detail is hammered out. Abnegation is going to be put in charge of the factionless housing project. Elections for the lower government positions will take place in a month and the new power structure will be discussed in the factions individually. Each faction will also pick instructors to visit the schools and provide information and training options. Family weekends will go into effect immediately. All in all everything is going according to plan.

Tobias and I catch the train back, happy but tired. When we reach the compound we meet with the other leaders and explain all the changes. Everything will be announced tonight at dinner. We allow Max to announce all the changes to Dauntless; he is the senior leader after all. Everyone seems to be taking the changes well, but only time will tell. I yawn hugely "so I know this is really not Dauntless but I am tired, I'm going to bed. You can make fun of me for going to bed early tomorrow." I grab Tobias's hand and drag him with me. We head to my apartment since we try to switch off. I barely have the energy to put on pajamas, and wash off my makeup. But I manage, we climb into bed and I fall asleep almost instantly wrapped secure in Tobias's arms.