A/N: [Revised and Edited] Thanks so much for the feedback! I appreciate it, it helps me know if I am going in a good direction with my stories. So again, thanks. Hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 2

Almost one year later

I looked at my watch as I stopped the treadmill and moved to the bag I had with all of my equipment and clothes. I grabbed my water bottle and towel, wiping my face and neck quickly before I started to sip from the water bottle.

I had about 45 minutes before I needed to be dressed and meet my sister and Four for dinner. I dreaded this dinner. It was an official meet the boyfriend dinner. Thankfully it was in the dining hall but the downside is that EVERYONE was going to be there. Uri and Zeke were almost as bad as Four when it came to being all overprotective of me. Logan wasn't that far off and he was not happy when he heard who my boyfriend was but refrained from bitching me out like Four did for a good hour or two. No one would say why they didn't like him other than he was a dick and cocky.

I feel arms circle around my waist. I smile and lean into the chest being pressed against my back. "Hey baby." I murmur before turning around and circling my arms around Tyler's waist.

He smiles down at me and kisses my forehead. "Hey babe. I thought I would find you here. You are acting more stressed about this dinner than me."

I nod and chuckle a little. "I can't understand how you are being so calm about all of this. I mean yeah you have met them before, but…" I trail off and shrug.

Tyler shrugs with a cocky smirk. "I am not worried. No one can resist my charms. I certainly wore you down enough to finally get you to say yes."

He gives me a shit eating grin before he kisses me softly. He is right. He spent almost five months being in the gyms and training rooms I was in. Working on trying to get me to even speak to him much less say yes to hanging out.

We have been together for four months now but I had just told Tris and Four last night after it got back to Four that I was making out with someone on a roof. Even if it had only been kissing and some over the clothes exploration. That had not been a fun night. Tris had taken it well but Four almost went supernova.

When we pull away from the kiss I sigh and frown internally. I haven't really felt those butterflies that Tris and Tori say I should be feeling when Tyler and I kiss. It is nice but I don't feel like taking it beyond the kissing and the bit of over the clothes exploring we have done. He doesn't seem to be in a rush to do anymore either. Odd for any other faction besides Abnegation. He was Candor before he transferred. He transferred the class right after my sister, the last one to go through, and is two years older than me as well.

Tyler moves away and grabs my bag for me. "You need to get showered and changed if we want to make it on time. Are you sure it is a good idea to do this at my place?" He frowns, looking worried for the first time.

I laugh and nod. "Four is at work so it is fine and Tris won't care. It isn't like I haven't showered or spent the night there before Ty."

He smirks and scratches the back of his neck. "Yeah well, I don't know. I guess maybe it feels more official now. Before you were always so fucking sneaky about it. Annoyed the hell out of me. But now I don't know what to think."

He takes my hand and we make our way out of the training room and through the hallways. I frown and look at him and voice my worry now. "If you are uncomfortable or don't want…"

He pulls me to a stop in The Pit and looks down at me, interrupting what I was going to say. "Are you kidding? Do you know how long it took me to get you to say yes to a date much less being my girlfriend? I am not chickening out now after all of that work just because your soon to be brother in law might send me death glares. Elle, I asked for the dinner remember?"

I chuckled with a grin. "Oh yeah. How can I forget being told that you and Four got into a stare down in Control when he found out about us. Zeke said you stood up to him rather well."

Tyler shrugs and starts us walking again. "He isn't my instructor anymore and he has nothing to be freaking out about. We got along ok before all this, we will again. What freaked me out was Eric glowering at me though. He didn't say anything but him and Logan standing there was enough to send chills down my spine."

I frown because this is the first I have heard about Eric being involved. "Wait, what? Eric was there? Why?"

Tyler looks at me out of the side of his eye and gives a smirk before he shrugs. "Hell if I know. I just know Four started going off on me and then Logan and Eric show up. Maybe it was just to put Four in his place or make sure he didn't get too out of control."

I shrug but still frown. "Maybe. I still don't get why those two can't just get along. Sure Eric can be a dick but hell every guy in Dauntless can be a dick. Yes, even you Ty."

He chuckles and nods. "Oh, I know. You tell me often enough. I would say I am developing an inferiority complex but that would be a lie. I am too awesome for that."

I roll my eyes. Tyler could be just as big of a dick as Eric, Four and Logan. He was also arrogant as hell and cocky more times than not. He had apparently been a major player before I came along. But he was sweet with me. He had a few issues with trying to tell me what I could do at times but we were getting over that. "Careful Ty. Dauntless may not be able to hold that big head of yours for much longer." I smile at him as he opens his door to allow me in first.

I shower and change quickly. I throw on a pair of low slung distressed black skinny jeans, my favorite thin strapped black tank that has a japanese style dragon curling along the side done in a blood red. I also wear another blood red tank underneath that. My hair I have pulled back in a high ponytail but I braid the sides to make it look more dauntless and edgy. I put on a bit of makeup but keep to just the eyeliner, mascara and a light red lipstick.

I have 6mm black gauges with the plugs being stainless steel with the internal workings of a computer in design. Shortly after I got here I got dermals in a tanzanite stone. It is the same color of my father's eyes as well as my own. The they are in the pattern of the Pleiades constellation right over where my heart would be at the back. The Pleiades constellation has the meaning of heaven and this honored my parents who believed so strongly we would all be reunited there one day.

I never had reservations about being completely Dauntless in dress. The only thing I am saving is the tattoos. Those I will get when I come here as an initiate and member. I already have the designs made up. The dragon on my tank is one of them. I have a few things that I had made into shirts for myself and friends that I have drawn.

I am sitting on the edge of the bed and just pulling on my boots when Ty comes into his room. "You ready babe?" He asks with an appreciative smile at me. "You look amazing Elle."

I blush and shake my head. "Thank you. But it isn't like I haven't worn this before."

He smirks at me. "I meant you look amazing on my bed baby." He almost purrs it and laughs at my blush. He pulls me up and kisses me then pulls back with a little growl. "We have to go or Four will come looking for you."

"They all will Ty. But yes we need to go. I am sort of hungry too. Morning classes were long, then I came straight here and trained." I sighed as he took my hand after I grabbed my bag and we headed out.

"How are the new classes going? I have heard good things about how they are preparing everyone." He asked as we walked alongside me.

I smile at him but am really thinking how proud I am of my sister. She made leader and is working with the other's and the council to make changes to how those that are testing as Dauntless in the early testing period are trained. "Yeah it is pretty damn cool. You know what I start in three months right?"

Tyler frowned and nodded but squeezed my hand. "The Academy is still in this area Elle. It will be fine. Besides, think about. If you do the Academy option then on choosing day you also become a full member. You will have already gone through initiation because of it."

I nod with a smile. "I know. That is a good part of it. I think it will be a good idea and we don't really do much in classes for that last year anyways."

Tyler laughed and smirked. "Yeah I skipped the majority of what we did have."

I shake my head with my own smirk. "Not surprising."

We walk into the dining hall and share a look as we see two spaces ready for us at a very full table. Tris looks up and her lips twitch at my pained look of everyone being there.

Tyler looks down at me with a smile. I hate my height. I may be taller than my sister but not enough to be at eye level with Tyler or most of the guys here. I reach chin level on Tyler level unless I am wearing heels. I am wearing slight heels today but he still has to look slightly down. "Let's grab some food and go meet the firing squad."

I grimace but nod. With a bit of a wicked grin and knowing the table is watching us he leans in and kisses me. He doesn't deepen it but I am fine with that. Once again I wonder why I don't feel those butterflies or the burning in my belly Tori, Tris, Zaria and Mar are always going on about, when he kisses me.

Pulling away he moves to get his own tray and I try not to frown after he moves away at my thoughts. I don't succeed at repressing it completely. Maybe it is ok to not have passion? I sigh and frown at that thought.

My eye quirks because as I was glancing around the room my attention was caught by Eric sitting near our table facing towards the door and food line. He was staring right at us and started smirking after we pulled away from the kiss. I am not sure why he was smirking other than maybe because he knew it was going to bother the crap out of Four.

Eric catches me looking at him and his smirk deepens as his eyes lock with mine. I inwardly scowl at the flip my stomach does. He looks away after a moment and talks the other two leaders Max and Jason. Shaking my head I move to start picking up my own food and then take a deep breath as I move to the table.

I sit down first because Tyler made sure to walk beside me, holding his tray with one arm and the other around my waist. I am not sure which is better. If I sit beside Logan and put Tyler beside Four or the reverse. In the end I sit beside Four because Logan is at least a bit more level headed.

I smile brightly and plop my tray down, then put my bag under the table. "Alright guys. We can get this shit show on the road. Tyler, meet everyone officially as my boyfriend. Everyone this is my boyfriend Tyler. Play nice." I growl that last part and almost everyone chuckles slightly.

Zeke, Four, Logan and Uri however do not. They are glaring at Tyler. I sigh and shake my head, my eyes going to Tris pleading with her silently.

Tris sighs, addressing everyone but look at Four specifically. "Cool it guys. Elle is of age and I don't want any problems tonight." I smile at her thankfully. Then she looks over at Tyler. I see the look in her eye and I groan. "Besides Tyler should know better than to mess with my sister. I mean there is no way he can forget the knife incident in training. Right Tyler?"

Tyler handles things well, though he does tense beside me. "Can't really forget someone throwing knives between your legs, especially if you are a guy."

I frown and look between Tris and Tyler. "Wait what? When and why did that happen?"

Tyler's jaw clenches but Tris stares at him for moment before she shakes her head. "It wasn't a big deal. We almost always use someone from each training class to stand in front of the board. I was the one in mine remember."

I nod and scowl at the thought of her taking up for that piece of shit Al. "Yeah. I remember that." I growl and without thinking am spinning my own knife that I picked up for my steak.

Logan smirked at me and chuckled. "Elle, who are you thinking about throwing that knife at?"

I am startled as I look at my hand and frown. "Well damn. I didn't know I was doing that. And can't you guess who I was thinking of? I would rather not say the sack of shits name."

Tris shrugs with a smile and winks at me. "How were classes today Elle. Mrs. Olson said she is really impressed with your work in Tech advancements and projects."

I cut into my steak and shrug. "They're good. And Emma is a bit biased I think. She seems to have adopted me even before I started classes that Erudite wouldn't let me do before. I told you she taught me on her off hours and provided me all of those books right?"

Logan quirks an eyebrow as he looks at me. "Emma has been teaching you in her off hours? For how long?"

I shrug wondering how he knew her, but then I remember he was from Erudite before he transferred. "Three or four years now." I frown and look at my tray. "Mom and her arranged that apparently. She knew I wanted to learn different languages but I wasn't going to be allowed into many of the classes. And then those I was let into, well it kind of put that red flag on me."

Logan frowns and nods but goes to change the subject. Tyler looks over to me after having taken a bite of his burger and interrupts him. "Baby you didn't tell me you speak another language. What language do you speak?"

I blush as Four growls at his calling me the affectation. "French, Latin, Spanish and Japanese. I am still working on Japanese right now though. That was my fun one she let me pick. You know because I love martial arts movies. Didn't you wonder how I am able to understand what they are saying when I am not even looking at the screen when we watch them together?"

I ask this without thinking. Most of those times had been when I was staying the night over at his apartment. Tyler smirks into his drink looking extremely smug as Four looks over at me. His eyes go hard and his lips thin. "And when would you two have been watching these movies together Electra?"

I sigh and look over to him. "When I was at his apartment watching movies. And before you go all supernova on me Four. We were watching movies and I was usually doing work at the same time. So before your mind goes places it shouldn't. Remember who I am and have a little bit more faith in me and my ability to make decisions."

Tris apparently kicked Four under the table and gave him hard eyes because he just sighed and shook his head. "Fine whatever. I trust you Elle."

His tone implied he did not trust Tyler at all but that was fine. It was going to be a work in progress. The rest of the dinner passed in tense conversations here and there. All the Pedrad's loosened up though and started with their normal demeanor. Zeke was still reserved and kept throwing glances at Ty every now and again.

As I ate Tyler kept pressed close and winked at me every now and then to let me know he wasn't concerned about it all. I just hoped eventually my family would lighten up and it get better.

"Elle are we going to go for our run tomorrow morning? I was thinking if you wanted we could even maybe make a trip to Amity. Johana would be happy to see you and I need to arrange for some supplies anyways." Logan said as he started eating some cake at the end of dinner.

I thought for a moment and debated on my game plan for the weekend. "Yeah that is fine. I promised Lynn, Mar, Shauna and Lauren that I would do girl shit that night. I think they want to go dancing. So long as we are back with enough time for me to brace myself for that we should be fine." I smirk at the aforementioned girls who were giving me the eye.

Mar snorted and shook her head. "You aren't quite as bad about not wanting to get dressed up as Tris but you are pretty bad. You know you love the dancing part though."

I smiled with a laugh. "Yeah that part I am good with. It is the hours you guys want to spend trying to get ready that I don't understand. How does it take you guys more than thirty minutes to get ready? I mean...why? You guys are already gorgeous even without all the war paint. Although war paint would be kind of fun to go in. You know how the Gaul warriors did theirs right?"

I was already blushing at the thought of it. Tyler leaned over to whisper in my ear. "I still say you are sexy when you turn on that brain of yours."

I elbow him and turn even redder. Four clears his throat and looks at me. "Why do I get the feeling I don't want to know exactly how they wore their makeup?"

Logan snorts into his cup. "Because you don't Four. Your mind will melt at the thought of it and then it coming from Elle…." He trails off with a shrug.

Uri and Zeke though grin. "We want to know." They say in unison and then start trying to pinch each other because of the jinx factor.

"Gaul and Celtic warriors usually wore some type of paint but all over their bodies in battle. And that was it. Even the women. They believed in fighting balls and tits out. Literally." I smirked as I said this because I knew Tris and Four were going to choke on their food and drink while the others were going to crack up. I wasn't disappointed.

I wasn't prepared for looking up and seeing Eric at the table behind us that was still facing me, and his eyes looked dark while his nostrils were flared. His lips twitching, he just shook his head before he went back to eating.

I took a breath and looked down at my plate. I just needed to keep Eric out of my damn head. Every since I moved here I run into him way more than I thought I would. He and Logan are best friends. So when there is a party and Logan is there because I am there, Eric usually follows. He is a dick most of the time to everyone else. He is even a dick to me but he also talks to me about things I don't think he does with anyone else.

Usually we talk about books, history or movies. Hell he even drops by and lends me books or sends them to me on my tablet through this sharing app I have. We are sort of friends I guess but he is confusing as hell. He gets angry quickly at times for no reason and can be just as bad as Four about trying to command me about shit. He is also really intense about what training I am doing and when. I would say it will be a relief to get away from him when I go to the Academy but damned if I didn't find out that he and Four are going to be Instructors there. Eric will be there for only certain parts of the day and certain classes. I both dread and look forward to it.

Then there is the feelings I get around him that just make me feel ridiculous. Even though he has never done more than occasionally brush up against me or adjusted my posture when he was near me during training or at a party sits close occasionally. I think I felt those butterflies and burning that the girls are always talking about. I know I think about Eric way more than I should. He is also the only one besides Four, Tris and Logan that I absolutely cannot go into my state of emotional distance. I try and try at times with him but it just won't happen if he is near.

Tyler looks over to me seriously before he has to get up to leave for his own shift at in Control. He will be gone for the weekend basically. "Elle, don't stay out too long. You also better text me when you get in. I don't want to have to go looking for you." Tyler has a bad habit of trying to tell me what to do. I know it is just because he worries but he can sound like such a controlling dick about it sometimes.

I stiffen as I look over to him and speak lowly. "Ty, what have we been talking about that? I don't mind letting you know I am ok but you don't get to tell me what to do."

He holds my eyes for a moment and I can tell he wants to argue. He huffs a little bit but then smirks and shrugs. "Ok babe. I might just end up crashing the party then at some point."

I roll my eyes and nod. "I am sure you will Ty."

He leans in and goes to kiss my cheek then says his goodbyes to everyone. With a final wink to me he leaves and I am left frowning slightly.

"Does he talk to you like that alot Elle?" Zeke asks quietly, his hands clenched a little. Almost everyone had to go to do various things and it was really only Mar, Lynn, Uri, Zaria, Shauna and Zeke left. Logan had moved over to sit with Eric and they had their heads together about something.

I shrugged still frowning. "He can be a dick but for the most part he is pretty cool with me. He just gets protective. I am also a stubborn ass so we have issues in communicating at times." I smirk over at him.

Zeke frowns and shakes his head. "How did you and he even get together Elle?"

I laugh a little. "He is extremely persistent. He was always in the training room when I was there. Shortly after I came here he started being there at the same time I was all the time. We started talking casually there but after about five months of constant asking I agreed to go hang out. I guess it just went from there."

Mar quirked an eyebrow at me. "So have you guys?"

I blush and look at her like she is crazy then look around at the tables. Of course Logan is listening because I can see him side eyeing me with his lips thinned. I sigh. "Not that is any of your or anyone's business but no we haven't gone there yet. He hasn't pushed it and I haven't wanted to."

"Is it the whole Abnegation factor?" Zaria asks with a smirk and I narrow my eyes at her. My supposed best friend already knows that isn't the issue.

"No it isn't the Abnegation factor. You damn well know that Zaria." I growl at her, shaking my head.

She shrugs and smirks. "Just wondering because I mean you would think after four months of kissing and…."

"I don't want to hear what there was four months of Zaria!" Zeke growls and turns to his niece. "Leave the subject alone before I decide I am going to go pull the fuckers spine from his body."

I frown and watch as Zeke gets up and storms off. "Ok, what the fuck guys? I mean, I know he can be a cocky dick but what is with all the animosity towards Tyler? He is fucking trying here. He was even respectful enough to ask for this shit show you guys put on tonight. But you guys have been nothing but a bunch of fucking asses to him the entire night and even before then. You know what! I am with Tyler now and you guys are just going to have to deal with it. All everyone is doing right now is pissing me the fuck off. I don't try and tell you who to date Zaria. Even when the dudes are complete shitheads I stick by your side and support you when you need it." I don't yell all of this but I don't keep it quiet either. I look down at my tray scowling. "Fuck it. I am going to go skateboarding or going to go hit shit again."

I get up grabbing my bag and tray then storm out on my own. I don't stop when the girls try and call me back. I am too pissed and I don't want to say something I will regret. I make my way quickly to my apartment and unpack the bag before I grab my backpack with my normal collection of stuff, grab my leather jacket, board and then head out. I run into a few of my other friends at the area that is set up for skateboarding and bike tricks. After a few hours I head home a bit more relaxed and less mad but even more determined to stick with Tyler and make the relationship work.

I have three months before I leave for the academy for 6 months and then two months after that will be the choosing ceremony.

One month later

I frown as I am shown to a curtained area in the clinic, Zaria beside me. "I thought you said she wasn't working today Zaria."

Zaria chews her lip and looks over to me. "They must have called her in or something. Are you sure about this Elle? I mean, this is kind of a big step."

I sigh and rub the bridge of my nose. "I'm sure. I'm ready. Besides even if I weren't I'm just getting it early. They give it to us when we go to the academy anyways.

Zaria nods but looks at me worriedly. I can get why she is worried. I am planning to lose my virginity here. While I'm not all on fire for Tyler I do care for him and think I love him. I want to take this step before I go off in two months.

Shauna walks in and frowns when she sees me. "Please don't tell me you are here for what I think you are here for."

My face goes emotionless. "I am here as a dependent of Dauntless to see a medical professional for assistance. Can you help me or not Shauna?"

Shauna closes her eyes and sighs but nods. "Yeah Elle. I can help you."

There are no more words needed and she doesn't really speak to me as she gets me the birth control shot. Then she talks to me about safe sex and how long the shot will work for. Inside I am asking myself if I am really doing this and if for the right reasons and the right person. The truth is that I don't know.

How do you know who is right or not? But I had promised myself I wouldn't live in fear. Tyler has been more than patient with me. Telling me I am worth the wait. I see the side of him that no one else sees apparently. I am willing to take the risk and it isn't like any other guys are lining up to take me out or showing interest. Not that I have been looking either though. No risk no reward, I just hope I don't get hurt too badly by putting myself out there.