CHAPTER 40

FOUR POV

Tris and I are lying on our bed we have a couple of hours before the banquet and the rankings are announced.

"You only have six fears Tris. That's pretty impressive," I say.

"Not as impressive as Four, but I'm happy with it," says Tris.

"I think that is the second lowest ever so you should be happy," I say.

"Amazing that the only two that have transferred from Abnegation in the last decade have the least amount of fears in Dauntless," she says.

"Have you thought more about becoming a leader?" I ask.

"I have, I think I would like to do it or maybe an ambassador to the other factions. I know I have to make my mind up by tomorrow. I know Will would really like to be a leader in training so maybe he should get the leadership job," she says.

"You need to do what is right for you Tris. You're going to rank first, I'm sure of it and so you need to pick what you want. Don't give up what you want for someone else. You're allowed to be selfish. "What about helping me train initiates? Would you be up for that too?"

"Tobias that is one job I don't think I want. The only benefit would be that I get to hang out with you all day. I don't think I would like to have to watch others go through their fears or see people cut at the end of initiation. I would hate if I had put in all that effort and then I'm told I didn't make it. Plus if I become a leader I can always come and visit you during training." she says.

"I s'pose," I say. I have sadness in my voice. I think the initiates would benefit from having someone like Tris to train them. She doesn't look typical Dauntless and with her small frame it shows that you don't have to be the biggest or the strongest to rank high. Plus I want her to do it for my own selfish reasons.

"If no one else wants to train initiates with you then I will agree to do it. But if someone really wants the job then I will happily let them. I know that Christina was thinking about training initiates. Plus I don't have to make any decision until tomorrow. I might see a different job on the list of available jobs and do something completely different."

"Fair enough, I have to hand out the list of available jobs to all initiates after rankings are announced so you can check it out tonight."

I am standing on one of the tables in the dining hall with our other three leaders. Max has a microphone in his hand and is about to address the initiates and other extremely drunk members of Dauntless. I can see the anxiety on the initiates faces as they wait for their rankings to be announced.

"Okay Dauntless quiet down, quiet down. This year we are welcoming our newest members with pride. We are starting a new era here in Dauntless and I know that some of our initiates were instrumental in helping to keep Dauntless the way it should be. Without the bravery shown not only by these initiates but by other members of Dauntless we are able to stay true to our faction," Max says.

The room erupts with pounding of fists on tabletops and stomping of feet on the ground. There are hoots and hollers throughout the crowded room.

"We believe that cowardice is to blame for the world's injustices. We believe that peace is hard-won, that sometimes it is necessary to fight for peace. But more than that: We believe that justice is more important than peace. We believe in freedom from fear, in denying the fear the power to influence our decisions. We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another. We believe in acknowledging fear and the extent to which it rules us. We believe in facing that fear no matter what the cost to our comfort, our happiness, or even our sanity. We believe in shouting for those who can only whisper, in defending those who cannot defend themselves. We believe not just in bold words but in bold deeds to match them. We believe that pain and death are better than cowardice and inaction, because we believe in action."

The room is filled with more pounding fists and stomping feet. I can't believe that Max has quoted the Dauntless manifesto. I am finally starting to feel that Dauntless is heading in the right direction. With our new leadership team and having been able to weed out the traitors we had within our faction it feels like we can get back to what Dauntless once was. That we can become a team, a family. People who are proud of who they are and what they believe in. We are one within our faction.

"Okay, settle down. If you look at the screen behind me you will see our newest members," Max says. As we all turn to the screen the initiate's names are displayed.

Tris

Uriah

Lynn

Marlene

Edward

Will

Christina

Gabbie

Natasha

Jed

Myra

Although Myra failed Max decided that because she is carrying a new member's child that she would have to be allowed to stay. He wasn't going to let anyone who out ranked her lose their spot so he decided to add an extra spot this year. Max may come across as rough but he really does have a big heart.

The room has erupted once again, the noise is deafening. I can see the initiates hugging and congratulating each other. I push my way through the crowd towards Tris. Now we can go public. Now if I can just get to her I can wrap her in my arms and kiss her. I am not enjoying being around all these people and I am sure that Tris is probably finding it uncomfortable with all the people who are hugging or touching her in congratulations. The sooner we can get out of this room the better. At least when the banquet starts people will be seated.

I finally reach Tris and tap her on the shoulder. She spins around and sees that is me and she jumps up and wraps her legs around my waist. "Congratulations," I say and then I kiss her. Not just any kiss, I put as much passion and desire into the kiss as I can. I want everyone to know that Tris is my girl. We break away both breathless.

"Damn Tris are you sure you came from Abnegation?" Zeke says as he pats me on the back.

Tris is blushing now but we are both smiling. Happy that we have been able to finally make it known to everyone that we are a couple.

The banquet has started and I'm sitting with Tris and our friends. Everyone is laughing and joking and having such a good time. It feels like it is the first time in my life that I can just relax. While I don't know what the future holds for any of us. I do know that tomorrow morning I will get to wake up with Tris next to me and we will be able to start our life here in Dauntless.

Jeanine still hasn't been found. Evelyn could still cause trouble not only for me but for the factions in general. Marcus isn't a threat to me anymore. I have no idea what Andrew and Natalie have decided to do about the Edith Prior video, but while the faction system is working I don't think it is worth showing the video or going beyond the fence.

So for today I have decided that I need to enjoy what I have. To not over think what could happen. I don't have a guide book for the future like I have had for the last two years. While it has been great to be able to have insight in what could have happened, knowing that I may have had a hand in changing our futures, it was also a burden to have to carry the knowledge I had. Even with that knowledge there were certain situations I couldn't change, no matter how hard I tried. Now I have no idea what could happen, but I do know that I have been blessed with the people I have around me.

These people sitting at our table, Tris, Zeke, Shauna, Amar, Uriah, Marlene, Lynn, Christina and Will they aren't just my friends they are my family. And I couldn't have asked for a better family.

Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed or made this one of their favourites.

A special shout out to Aubrey Cortez and Windchimed. Your comments and reviews have been invaluable.

Yes I have left room for a sequel. Sorry but I have another story idea floating around in my head that I need to try and write before I attempt to go further with any ideas for a sequel to this.

I came to this site looking for an alternate ending to Allegiant. I never had any intention of writing. It never even crossed my mind.

I was out for lunch at a cafe with my best friend Kylie and I was telling her how much I loved this site and was my usual over enthusiastic self when she suggested I should write something. I brushed her off thinking it was a ridiculous idea. Anyway a few nights later I wake in the early hours of the morning with the idea for this story.

I sent her a text the next morning that started with DAMN YOU KYLIE! I knew that I now needed to get the story out of my head and that is how this all begun. So if you have enjoyed the story it really is a big thank you to Kylie. If you don't then it is probably a damn you Kylie!

To everyone who is visiting this site, you never know unless you try. So pick up your pens or start typing on that keyboard because you never know what can happen. This has been such a positive and rewarding experience for me. If people like your story then great, but if they don't, does it really matter? Do it for yourself, enjoy the journey and have fun. I certainly have.

So once again thank you.

Before I go I really need to mention the wonderful people who have taken the time to review my story. So here goes: BeatriceEaton46, Soccerpup17, Crazzy GRL, hplcgirl, 4Gracedivergent, .fangirl, badass4ever, Deborahhh, Rebbie444, leek812, enj412, Shizu Uchiha, Castro05, BooksLover2000, LiveLaughLacey, cm103350, Eunice339, featherdusterpixie, Universe-is-a-Mystery, caslynskater, Redlady1952, karina cruz. If I have left anyone out, I'm sorry. To all the guests who have left a review thank you.