Eric stands up abruptly, his eyes wide and posture rigid. "I need Tris. Please don't leave. I need her." He says hurriedly as he darts down the hallway.

Tori leans her head back on his couch, worried that she's said too much. George was a great man, kind and gentle, but like anyone he was prone to making poor decisions. He got involved with Shannon Coulter during one of her many tries at being sober, and when he'd heard that she was pregnant it was after he'd already made his move to Dauntless. He spent Eric's early life trying to get to know the boy, but Shannon soon forced him to leave her alone once she got back into her lifestyle of hard drugs and promiscuity, and she would deny that Eric was George's son. She watches as Eric returns to the room, clutching Tris' hand as the two sit on the loveseat together. Eric still looks panicked and uncomfortable, and Tori watches as Tris gently rubs their entwined hands, picking them up and pressing kisses to Eric's hand.

"Do you know if she was telling the truth? My mother was not well acquainted with the truth the entire sixteen years I lived with her." Eric says coldly.

"Shannon refused to get a DNA test. After you were born George tried to spend time with you. He'd already transferred to Dauntless, so he'd sneak back to Erudite to visit you. She stopped letting him visit when you were almost three. She and my brother didn't agree on her lifestyle choices and her response was to tell him you weren't his and for her to avoid him after that. He fought for you, all the way up until his death."

"Why didn't you ever tell me, Tori? I've been here over two years. I've had no one! This whole time you've known you might just be my aunt, my only family and you chose to say nothing! How?" Eric seethes. Tris wraps her arms around him and begins playing with his long hair. Tori notices it relaxes him marginally, but she can still see the anger in his eyes.

"I didn't trust you or like you much at all Eric. You came here from Erudite acting like the world owed you something, being hateful to everyone, joining Jeanine fucking Matthews cause, the same cause that got my brother murdered. I wanted nothing to do with you. Your mother might as well have pulled the trigger herself, because as soon as George had a court order from Candor to have a DNA test done suddenly my brother's divergence was discovered and he was dead!" Tori yells. "He spent over ten years fighting for you and it cost him his life."

"Did Amar know?" Eric asks quietly.

"Yes, there were no secrets between my brother and him." Tori replies quietly. "I begged him to let me be the one who told you."

"Why didn't you tell him then?" Tris asks angrily. She had planned on just offering her quiet support, but she refuses to let anyone else hurt Eric.

"Because as soon as Amar confided in Eric that he was divergent he was dead too. Can't you see the pattern here Tris?" Tori shouts.

Tris can feel Eric slump in defeat against her. Her heart is absolutely breaking for her boyfriend. "You blame him for their deaths?" Tris asks incredulously.

"I did. Before you lecture me, let me say this, I know it was wrong to blame him, and I'm trying my best here. George was my everything. He was the only family I had after I left Erudite. I followed him here, and I would have no matter what my aptitude had of been. When he died I did too. Amar and I just had each other after George was gone, and the minute that he became close with Eric suddenly he's gone too." Tori explains.

"I had nothing to do with their deaths. Nothing!" Eric seethes. "I never knew George personally, but I knew of him through Amar. I cared for Amar, he was like the father I never had and I believe he cared for me too. He was the only person to so much as even acknowledge me after I transferred. He told me so many times I reminded him of George and he told me stories about George all the time. He at least tried to let me know my father and you decided to be selfish and keep everything you knew to yourself!"

Tris can feel Eric trembling next to her and she removes her hand from his and wraps both arms around him. He lowers his head to hers and rests his chin on the top of her head as he takes several deep breaths to calm himself. He can smell the sweet vanilla scented shampoo she uses and its familiarity calms him.

"Tori, would you be willing to go through a DNA test to see if you and Eric are related?" Tris asks.

"Yes. He deserves to know." Tori replies.

"You both do." Tris answers angrily. "You may not like his mother for the atrocities she caused your family, but that is not his fault. He was a child Tori, he had no one when he left Erudite and the only person who acted like they gave a damn about him was Jeanine. I realize I didn't know Eric back then, but I don't care how much of a raging asshole he was he deserved to know the truth well before now. Whatever needs to happen to run this DNA test needs to happen as soon as possible. You both need answers, and if it turns out your brother is his father you not only are his family, you're also the only one who can tell him about his dad. He deserves that."

Eric pulls Tris as close to his body as possible. The short time that he's known Tris is the only time he's truly ever felt loved, and never as much as he does in this moment as she defends him to Tori.

"You're absolutely right. We can go to the infirmary now if you want. Shauna works there, and I'm sure she'd be willing to keep this as quiet as you'd like Eric." Tori replies as she watches the younger man nod his head.

Tori knows it's a good possibility that this angry young man is her nephew. His mother was fair skinned, with the lighter shaded eyes she shares with her son, and naturally light blonde hair. Eric has her pale skin tone as well, but his dark and shiny hair and the slight almond shape of his eyes are all George. Tori realizes how unfair she's been to Eric, and she vows to begin making it up to him if he's ready.

"I'm going to call Shauna to see when she works again." Tori says before excusing herself to the hallway.

Eric clutches on to Tris as he buries his face in her neck and breathes in her smell. "She's known this since the minute I transferred and she's never said a damn word." Eric says quietly.

"I know, I'm so sorry." Tris says as she tries to soothe Eric.

"What if he's my dad, Tris?"

"Then you get to know your aunt, and through her you get to know your dad." Tris whispers as she runs her fingers through his silky dark hair.

The door opens and Tori steps in. "Shauna's not there now, but she's due there tonight. She said we could come in around 7."

"Will you come with me?" He asks Tris.

"Of course I will." She answers.

"We will meet you there." Eric says to Tori and she nods.

"Alright, I'll see you then." Tori replies. She stands up to walk towards the door and Tris stands up to follow her. Eric grabs her hand and gives her a questioning look.

"What's wrong?" Tris asks Eric.

"You're leaving?" He asks. The look on his face almost breaks her heart.

"Baby, I'll be right back. I just want to talk to Tori for a minute." She leans over and kisses his lips gently. "I love you."

"I love you too." He replies as he lets her hand go.

Tris follows Tori out the door and as soon as they're in the hallway she steps in front of her.

"How could you do that to him?" She asks the older woman.

"Tris, stop. You know nothing about this." Tori says.

Tris pulls Tori into a small alcove away from the cameras.

"I know plenty about this. He's been lost for eighteen years. He never knew who his father was, his mother was absolutely awful to him and the only person who even pretended to give a damn about him was using him as a pawn in her war. You judged him Tori. You warned me about him. You treated him like everyone else in his life has, and for what? Because his mother was a piece of shit?"

"No Tris! Because your precious boyfriend had a choice and he chose to follow Jeanine! The same woman who murdered my brother and Amar!" Tori says angrily.

"He had no one else. You know his mother. You know what she put your brother through, this man who is likely Eric's father. Eric had no one Tori. I'm so sorry about George, because it's obvious how much you loved him, and I'm sure he was a great man. Tori, Eric may be the only piece of George you have left and you completely shut him out." Tris says calmly. She watches as Tori leans against the wall and looks up. "No ones ever given him a chance. He's compassionate, he doesn't even realize he is but he really is. He's kind, and gentle with me. He's so smart, and he's passionate about Dauntless. He doesn't want a war Tori, and he doesn't want anything to do with Jeanine's plans, all he wants is to help us be the absolute best soldiers. He makes it very hard to get to know him, but if you put forth the effort he's so worth it. He's the best person I know."

Tori's hard exterior is in place, but the look in her eyes has softened. "He's lucky to have you." Tori says softly.

"I'm the lucky one." Tris answers.

"Tris, I'll do whatever I can to give him a chance. No matter what this test shows, ok?" Tori says quietly.

"Thank you." Tris replies as she grabs Tori's hand and squeezes it. "I'll see you tonight."

"See you." Tori replies as she heads off towards her own apartment.

Tris walks back inside of Eric's apartment and she hears water running. She heads to the bathroom and finds Eric checking the temperature of the bubble bath he's preparing. He stands in his boxers with his back towards Tris, and he hasn't noticed her in the room. She walks up to him and wraps her arms around him from behind.

"Eric..." She says before kissing his shoulder.

"You wanted a bath. I hope this is ok. I had to use some of your body wash for the bubbles." He replies.

"It's perfect. You get in first." She replies as she begins undressing. Eric kicks his boxers off and sinks into the tub. Tris cuts the water off and steps into the tub, sitting between Eric's legs with her back resting against his chest.

"This is good." Eric says while he wraps his arms around his girlfriend.

"You are so sweet." She replies.

"That adjective has never been used to describe me." He chuckles.

"There are so many more I could use. Kind. Handsome. Warm. Considerate. Hot." She replies.

"Hot?" He asks.

"God yes, so very hot. The hair, the piercings, the tattoos, your eyes, your smile, these arms, that chest...hot." She muses.

"You do wonders for my ego." He nuzzles his nose in her hair.

"I'm not trying to inflate your ego. You should hear how much you mean to me every day." Tris replies.

"I love you Tris."

"And I love you too, so very much." She replies as she lifts one of their entwined hands and kisses his.

"Thank you." He whispers.

"For what?" Tris twists so she can look at him.

"Loving me. Defending me. What you did back there...no ones ever done that for me. I've never felt loved before you. So thank you." He says hesitantly.

"You never have to thank me for loving you, and I will defend you until the day I die if necessary. I just need you to let these walls down and let others in. The people who truly care about you, ok?" She replies.

"That's a pretty exclusive club, Tris. You're the only one." Eric replies.

"Not anymore. Tori cares too. She said no matter what this test says, she still wants a chance to know you." Tris carefully replies.

"Tris, no one loves me except you. Not my mother, not Jeanine, not anyone. I'm flawed." Eric says quietly.

Tris turns completely so she is facing Eric. "This club might be exclusive as you call it, but that is a temporary situation. Once people get to know the parts of you that you keep hidden, they are going to adore you Eric."

Eric leans in and gently presses his lips to hers. Tris breaks their kiss and turns around, leaning her back against Eric's chest as the two of them enjoy the warm water and the comfortable silence.

"What if he's not dead?" Eric says in a soft voice.

"You think Jeanine could be telling the truth about speaking with him?" Tris asks.

"They never found his body, Amar's either. What if George is alive?" He asks again.

Tris takes a deep breath and carefully chooses her words before opening her mouth to speak. "Eric, anything is possible. I just don't want to see you get hurt. No one has heard from him in years."

"I know. Or maybe I don't know. I just don't know what to think of all of this." Eric replies.

"Eric, it's ok to be confused. You've had so much to deal with in your life, so no one would blame you for not having the answers right now. No matter what happens today, I'll be right by your side. You will never be alone again." Tris says resolutely. They spend more time soaking in the warm water and talking before finally deciding to get out and get dressed.

Tris and Eric get changed in relative silence before hearing Eric's stomach growling loudly.

"What time is it?" Tris asks and Eric grabs his phone.

"Shit. It's after 4:30 already. We missed breakfast and lunch." He replies. "Want to go grab dinner?"

"I really want to see my friends, would you be willing to eat down in the cafeteria?" She asks timidly.

"You want to be seen with me?" Eric asks.

"Is that ok?" Tris retorts. "I mean, if you think it'd be better that we don't appear to be friends it's fine."

"No, I want to go with you. Max thinks I'm working on an assignment, so seeing us together won't phase him, and the fuckers who attacked you won't dare do anything if they see me with you." He replies.

Tris and Eric leave his apartment, careful to leave enough space between them so that they appear to be nothing more than casual acquaintances. When they walk into the cafeteria, Tris immediately spots her friends sitting at a table, and Christina excitedly waves her over. Eric trails behind, unsure of how to proceed.

"Tris, what happened to you?" Christina exclaims, noticing the bruising on Tris' neck and jaw. Her outburst gets Uriah's attention from the table behind them and the young man turns around to face the small group of transfers.

"Tris, who did that to you?" He asks angrily, darting looks at the leader who is standing much closer to Tris than he'd prefer.

Tris turns and gestures to Eric to join her. They sit across from Christina and Will, and Uriah moves next to Will.

"I was attacked." She says quietly, glancing around to see who else is in the cafeteria with them. Zeke and Four move from the table that Uriah left them, Zeke plopping down next to his brother while Four sits on the other side of Tris much to Eric's chagrin.

"What happened?" Christina asks angrily.

"Tris who would do this to you?" Will adds.

"Peter, Drew and Al." Tris quietly responds.

"Oh my god. Al?" Christina chokes.

"Yes. I found the three of them holding her over the chasm, trying to rip her clothes off of her." Four spits.

"Why the hell aren't you doing something about it Eric?" Zeke asks angrily.

"Yeah. What's your deal?" Uriah adds.

"I asked them not to report it." Tris hisses. "You all saw what happened with Edward. They won't do a damn thing other than scold him. Then who do you think he's going to come after even harder?"

"They can't get away with this." Uriah growls.

"They won't. We may have to take justice into our own hands a bit." Will replies.

Uriah looks at Eric, silently wondering why the reclusive leader is even sitting there.

"I see and hear nothing." Eric says simply, causing a huge smile to break out over Uriah's face.

"I knew it. You can be cool." Uriah grins at Eric.

"Don't get used to it." Eric replies gruffly. "I'm grabbing food, do you want something?" He asks Tris while carefully schooling his features.

"Sure, if you don't mind. Thanks." She replies. Eric nods before walking away, and Four and Zeke follow him.

"What's with you and Eric, Trissy?" Uriah asks quietly.

"He heard about what happened last night and he's not happy about it. He's just looking out for his initiates." Tris replies.

"He doesn't talk to anyone, and this isn't the first time I've seen you two together. What gives?" Uriah presses.

"Jesus Uri, the girl gets physically attacked last night and then has to go through an interrogation by her friends the next day? Maybe Eric's just trying to make sure his number one initiate doesn't end up at the bottom of the chasm." Christina says much to Tris' relief.

Uriah glances at Tris with a strange expression. "Hey Tris, can I talk to you, alone?" He asks. Christina gapes at Tris, thinking Uriah is going to finally confess to his crush on Tris once he gets her alone.

"Um, sure." Tris replies. "If they come back with my food just let them know I'll be right back." She says to Christina before walking away with Uriah. He leads her to a small alcove outside of the cafeteria.

"Why are we here?" Tris asks.

"No cameras." He replies pointing around them. "Is he forcing you to cooperate with him?" Uriah asks quietly.

"What? Who?" Tris asks.

"Eric." He hisses.

"What the hell Uri?" Tris asks.

"You've heard the rumors about him, right?" He asks and Tris nods. "They're true. He's an Erudite plant, he's here to hunt divergents Tris. You need to stay away from him." He whispers.

"He's not what you think Uriah." Tris begins and Uriah cuts her off.

"He's exactly what I think. Zeke has seen him meeting with Jeanine and Max many times on the control room cameras. Jeanine has brought him something to weed out the divergents..."

Tris cuts him off. "Yeah, a scanner. I know." She replies and Uriah's jaw drops open in shock. "He's not on her side." She whispers.

"Tris, I'm pretty sure you're divergent too. Your sim times are making it quite obvious, mine are too which is why Four is helping me. You need to let him help you too. Eric is definitely on Jeanine's side. He's been assigned to watch you specifically." Uriah warns.

"I know I'm his assignment." Tris replies.

"How'd you know?" Uriah asks.

"He told me." She replies.

"What? Dude. What kind of mind fuckery is he pulling on you?" Uriah asks.

"He's with us. Tori and Four too. We were going to meet again on Friday night at Eric's apartment, but since your curiosity has peaked we should probably meet tonight. Can you bring Zeke, Chris and Will with you?" Tris asks.

"Wait, how do you know he's with us?" Uriah asks.

"I trust him." True replies simply.

"What has he done to you? He's not a good person." Uriah presses.

"Uri, that's enough!" Tris hisses.

"Fine. Lucky for you I trust you!" He huffs.

"You know where his apartment is, right?" She implores.

"Yeah." Uriah responds.

"Good. Meet us there after curfew. Everything will be explained then. Come on, we need to get back inside." Tris says and Uriah reluctantly follows her back into the cafeteria.

They walk towards the table with their friends and Tris immediately picks up on Eric's uncomfortable body language so she hurries to get back to the table. She's stopped by a hand on her arm.

"Tris, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I don't know what got in to me." Al says in a tear choked voice.

"Get your hands off of me!" Tris shouts, gathering attention from many in earshot, including Will, Uriah, Eric and Four, making all of the men stand at the table. Tris gestures for them to stay put. "Stay away from me." She growls at Al.

"Please, I just want to apologize. Please forgive me." He pleads.

"You were supposed to be my friend Al, but you are nothing more than a coward. I will never forgive you." Tris replies before walking away from the larger boy, taking her seat next to Eric.

"Are you ok?" He whispers to her.

"Later." She whispers back.

Tris notices Will's eyes widen and follows his gaze. She sees Drew and Peter, both sporting terrible bruises from an obvious fight.

"You did all of that?" Will asks Four.

"Tris got a couple of good hits in before I got to her." Four smirks.

"Don't let him fool you, that was all him." Tris replies. Christina's eyes widen in shock.

"Remind me to never piss our instructor off." She deadpans.

"That's a good idea, you might want to follow your own advice and keep that Candor mouth in check." Four replies and Christina blushes causing everyone to laugh except Eric, who is glaring daggers at Peter and Drew.

Tris leans over towards Four, speaking only so he can hear. "Uri knows. Meet us at Eric's after curfew. Uri will bring Zeke, Chris and Will. Pass the word."

Four nods once and returns to his meal. Tris feels a hand on her thigh and she glances at Eric. His grey eyes are dark and stormy, along with his grim expression and body language.

"We need to meet tonight. I'll explain once we're out of here. Eat." She whispers and he nods. She discretely lowers her hand and they thread their fingers together. She can feel her boyfriend begin to relax, and they both eat quietly.

"So first the zip line, and now an actual meal. Is this the beginning of a new Eric?" Zeke asks teasingly.

"Maybe." Eric replies.

"Well I'll take that as a yes. It's nice to see you out amongst us peasants." Zeke replies. Tris can tell he's still joking, but Eric tenses next to her. She squeezes his hand reassuringly.

"Careful." He growls to Zeke and the smile drops from the other man's face. Zeke begins eating his cake and there is an uncomfortable silence at the table.

"He's here with me. Please don't make a big deal out of it, ok? He can't show favoritism and if the other initiates find out he and I are friends they'll use it against me." Tris whispers.

"Kind of like trying to push you over the chasm?" Will whispers back, scowling at Eric.

"None of that is his fault." Christina chimes in and Tris smiles warmly at her best friend.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Eric asks.

"Are you two secretly in love or something?" Zeke whispers while batting his eyelashes.

"Yes." Eric replies, surprising everyone at the table and shocking Tris. "Tris and I are together, and it's serious. That doesn't leave this table, you understand?"

"Shit. Yeah, got it. I was just kidding around, I had no idea." Zeke replies, all humor erased and replaced by the pure shock everyone is feeling at Eric's admission.

"They're holding hands under the table, it's kind of obvious." Christina whispers. Tris quickly drops Eric's hand and moves both of her hands to the top of the table as Chris snickers. "No one can see it, I only know because I specifically looked. Relax. No one suspects a thing, look around."

Tris and Eric glance around and see Chris is right, there's no one paying the slightest bit of attention to their table. Eric threads his fingers with Tris' and brings their joined hands to his thigh, brushing his thumb over the back of her hand. Everyone continues their meal, and the usual raucous conversation and behavior soon is back in full force. Eric glances over at Tris and offers her a small grin, which she quickly returns. A sense of relief washes over him as he realizes that Tris isn't angry at him for blurting out their secret.

Tris spends as much time with her friends as possible, catching up on the latest developments in Chris and Will's relationship, hearing Zeke talk warmly about his plans to propose to his long time girlfriend Shauna and listening as both Four and Zeke chide Uriah for not making his move on his childhood crush and fellow initiate Marlene.

Eric feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to see Tori standing behind him. "Can I borrow you two for a little while?" She asks, gesturing between him and Tris. Eric nods. Tris says her goodbyes to her friends, noticing the strange look Four is giving her. She leans close to his ear and whispers something to him before following Eric and Tori out of the cafeteria.

"Shauna called, she has time now. Sorry for interrupting your time with friends." Tori offers. Eric says nothing, but Tris walks close to his side and they make their way down to the infirmary together. Shauna comes out and gestures for them to follow her and she takes them into a private room, Eric quickly grabs Tris' hand once they're away from everyone else.

"Shauna, this needs to be kept quiet. All of this." Eric says as he watches the woman look inquisitively at Eric and Tris' joined hands.

"You have my word. I'm not sure what is more surprising, the fact that I'm doing a DNA test on you and Tori or the fact that you appear to have a girlfriend." Shauna replies with a warm smile. "You've started to be more approachable. Well, more real I suppose."

Everyone in the small exam room can tell that Shauna is carefully choosing her words, even so Tori cringes a bit and waits for the barking response she's come to expect from Eric any time he feels even the slightest bit threatened. Tori is susrprised when Eric's expression softens a bit before he begins to speak.

"Love changes your perspective on things." Eric replies quietly and Shauna's eyebrows shoot up in shock. "Shauna, I'm serious, all of this needs to be kept confidential. As for our relationship, there are some who know, namely your boyfriend and your circle of friends. For obvious reasons we want to keep this quiet until she's a full member."

Shauna swabs the inside of Tori's cheek and places the swab in a plastic container. "Eric, you know me better than that. Whatever this is with you and Tori is already bound by medical confidentiality, even if I were the type of person to gossip. Now, a leader dating an initiate is pretty taboo, and I'd certainly not want to see either of you in trouble. My lips are sealed. Open up." Shauna swabs Eric's cheek and places the swab in a separate plastic container. "Give me a few minutes and I'll be back with the results." She says before gathering her supplies and leaving the room.

An awkward silence fills the room, as Tori nervously fidgets while sneaking glances at the couple sitting in front of her. She's never liked Eric, no matter how hard she's tried. He's cold, cruel and has absolutely no personality. She'd convinced herself since the moment she saw him walk into her tattoo shop that this blatantly evil boy could have never been her kind brother's son. But last night, witnessing the way he interacted with Tris made her think that maybe she was wrong about him. Eric's still not someone she would ever consider a friend, but if he does happen to be her nephew he'd be the only thing left of her precious brother. She watches the young couple, and realizes it's obvious the two are in love by the way they treat each other. Eric is gentle and kind with Tris, something that Tori has never witnessed from the angry and off putting young leader. She watches as Tris gently runs her fingers through Eric's long hair, and she sees the comfortable way he leans into her touch. In the two years that she's known Eric she's never seen him let anyone get close to him, physically or emotionally, and here is a former Abnegation who has completely broken his walls. He's a handsome young man and arguably brilliant, but his mother's neglect has left him with many personality flaws with the most obvious being his blatant distrust of almost everyone he comes into contact with. Tori knew from the moment she met the young woman sitting across from her that she was something special, but nothing could have prepared her for the sight in front of her. Tris has helped Eric become someone else, and Tori has to admit that it's possible that she could like the young leader if she tries hard enough to see past his rough exterior.

Eric catches Tori staring. "What?" He asks gruffly.

"Young love." Tori answers calmly. "It suits you both and it's nice to see."

"You're finally willing to acknowledge that it's possible that I actually love someone?" Eric scoffs.

"Yes." Tori answers calmly. "I think it's quite obvious that the two of you are very much in love."

Tris squeezes her boyfriend's hand and his grip tightens on her even more. His nervousness is radiating off of him, and even though she's witnessed Eric being nervous throughout the more romantic encounters in their relationship she's never seen him quite as rattled as he is right now.

"Does this mean you approve?" Eric asks curiously.

"I think the two of you are good for each other. You balance each other out quite well." Tori replies.

"I think so too." Tris says sweetly as she presses herself close to Eric's side.

Shauna walks back into the room with papers in her hand. She sits down next to Tori, and takes a deep breath, unsure on how the results she's about to share will be received.