Duplicity [p.h]

A/N: this took me so long to get right. relatively unedited but it needed to go out. she's a long one.

"YOU HAVE TEN seconds to explain what the hell you're doing here before I shoot."

My hands flew from my holstered gun into the air almost as fast as the Dauntless — the true Dauntless — aimed a plethora of scavenged guns and knifes at me and my newly defected compatriot. Stay calm, I told myself, meeting the blue eyes on the other side of the muzzle closest to me. I hoped my negotiation skills were enough to make them believe I wasn't actually a traitor.

Or, in the event that they were unconvinced, that I was resourceful enough to save mine and Cara's skins empty handed.

"I appreciate the warm welcome, Four. Always a gentleman."

In any other situation, I was sure I could have earned an eye roll from my ex-instructor. But this wasn't sort-of-Divergent, love-life consultant Four. This was the fearless Four: stoic and steady and certainly not in the mood for my admittedly nervous antics. This was the Four that was did not want to lead, but took the reins anyway because it was what he was born to do. The Four that wanted to protect all that was good and right, at any cost. "Nine. Eight."

"Okay! Okay, okay."

Where to begin? Were I in his position, I doubt I would believe a leader of the Dauntless traitors with Erudite ties waltzing in to plead for forgiveness and trust.

But Four is not like me — not entirely. We think, we act, we speak like Dauntless, and yet neither of us feels like one. I am cautious, now. Analytical. Slow to trust.

Beneath the harshness, Four sees the best in everyone. He is selfless. Trustworthy.

"I'm not a traitor," I blurted out.

Four cocked up a sardonic eyebrow, while Cara — Cara started to pray.

"I swear upon my life. I went undercover with Zeke, Tori, and Verity. Worked in Erudite-Dauntless leadership. Pulled all the strings to minimize casualties and make sure you all," I huffed, sweeping my gaze across the room, "had an escape route. None of the blue-banded Dauntless have come yet."

How strange it was — to tell the truth and fear being turned away after lying through my teeth about everything and getting away with it every single time.

The small group, composed optimistically of twenty armed Dauntless and five Candor stragglers, fell to a low chorus of skeptical murmurs, all of the weapons still raised. Not my ideal outcome so far, but I supposed uncertainty was better than a bullet in my head.

"You're here now," one of them piped up. Christina stood at the back of the room, her arms crossed with an unmistakeable look of distaste smeared over her face. I couldn't blame her.

But I knew how to get her to believe me.

"Yes, I am. I came in with my gun holstered and my hands up — and alone, save for Cara." Careful not to make any sporadic movement that might set off a trigger, I methodically nodded in Cara's direction. "This is Will's sister."

Murmurs again, but they were different this time. Christina glanced at Cara with unwelcome wetness in her wide eyes — and along with it, sympathy. Trust, though hesitant. It was working.  

"I can't possibly explain the whole situation now, and I will gladly do so later under the truth serum if you allow me to stay. I do not expect you to trust me completely. But soon... soon, the other Dauntless will get here. They will drug you at best, kill you at worst. If you want to save the rest of your factions — or at least yourselves — you have to come with us. Now."