Chapter 34

                                    

                                          
AN: Well, I don't usually do this but because I did, here's a  heads up. There is some language in this chapter that is much stronger  than what I've used in the past. I felt it was necessary in this scene  and that anything less would not be believable considering who said it  and the context. Read at your own risk.
                          
Thanks again to Eunice339 for the amazing beta work. You never disappoint.
                          
Natalie  Wright was pacing in front of Amar's office when I turned the corner.  She smiled despite the obvious concern in her expression. "Tobias, Happy  Birthday!"
                          
I gave her an appreciative nod, surprised she even knew. "Ah, thank you."
                          
"Do you have big plans tonight? A hot date maybe?"
                          
"Nah, you know me. Today is just another day."
                          
"Oh, come on." She gave me a gentle nudge in the arm. "Someone must have offered to buy you your first legal drink?"
                          
I  grinned. It was no secret that Zeke and I liked to relax with a  twelve-pack at the end of a big assignment. And as far as assignments  go, this week's had been a tough one. "Yeah, I've had a few offers. Just  not really in the partying mood, you know?"
                          
Her smile  disappeared, "Yeah, I do. In fact, that's why I'm here. Amar and I have  been talking a lot about where Dauntless is heading. Max has been on my  back about the paperwork."
                          
"You haven't signed it yet?"
                          
"I  can't bring myself to. The fine print - I don't know how many of us  have actually read it thoroughly - but it's not what I signed up for. My  God, I'm one of the original founders and I wasn't even involved in  this decision."
                          
My eyes dropped to my feet before I spoke again. "I haven't signed it either. I've seriously considered leaving myself."
                          
Her  face lightened with a knowing smile. "How did I know you would say  that? We're a lot alike." She pulled a deep breath in while shaking her  head slowly. "What I wouldn't give to be your age again. With your  skills you could leave and go do anything, and with your looks, well,  I'm sure women would be throwing themselves at your feet."
                          
My  face turned bright pink as I attempted to steer the conversation away  from myself. "You say that like you're pushing eighty. I'm sure you  could do the same. Go out, meet a nice guy, start a family."
                          
Natalie  giggled, "Tobias, how old do you think I am? I'm not a spring chicken  like you. In fact, I had a daughter, she's only a few years younger than  you."
                          
The way she said it left me confused. "Had?" As in past tense?
                          
She  turned away from me suddenly, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, I once had a  whole family - a husband, a son and a daughter. . They still live right  outside of Portland."
                          
"That's great. You can go back  home to them now. Dauntless is falling apart. We aren't needed anymore,  not like we used to be. The only targets we have now are just people  with dollar signs over their heads. Ever since Erudite took over, we're  not fighting terror anymore. I'm sure your family needs you more than  Dauntless," I smiled sincerely. "How come I never knew you had a  family?"
                          
"It's not something I share with many people. And..." her voice cracked with emotion, "I'm not a part of their lives anymore."
                          
"Oh."  That caught me by surprise. Out of everyone here at Dauntless, and I  know just about everyone but a few new recruits, Natalie was one of the  most loyal, loving and selfless people I had ever met. I couldn't fathom  why she would be cut off from her family. "I don't want to pry, but if  you need to talk..."