A/N: Thank you all so much for your support. I do apologize for the wait but I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's setting up big things to come. Please let me know what you think (and if you find any errors. I've only edited myself).

Chapter Thirty-Four

Scheduling Eric's demands is not as easy as he seems to believe it is. I do not have the time to grant him, even if I desired to do so. Thankfully, he does not yet take the matter into his own hands. I do not think him capable of creating another snowstorm to keep me trapped in his faction, but I do not underestimate him either. I can only hope that the new recruits to the factions will keep him entertained. Somehow, I feel it unlikely.

The Aptitude tests occur quickly and without issue. It is a small relief that fades as the results are sent to me. There are not any that signal an alert in the system, but I am well aware that some of the volunteers do not report such things. It is one thing I can claim ignorance of. The Abnegation who did so for me has not been forgotten, but I also have not seen them again. It is of no consequence since I cannot signal my appreciation for their choice now any more than I could when I was sixteen.

The Hub is busiest during the Choosing ceremony. All of Abnegation is here, whereas I am chosen as one of the representatives from Erudite along with Jeanine, Catherine and another. I am not here for show though. My duty today is to compare the results given from the tests to the choices the children make. As I glance around the room, they seem impossibly small this year. I am aware that I was that age once, but it feels as if years and years have passed. I did not know what awaited me when I made my choice. I just wanted to protect myself.

My eyes meet Eric's across the room. He is standing with other Dauntless, ones who I do not recognize. They seem to be laughing, teasing one another as if this Ceremony means nothing. They do not understand the fate that can await some of these children. Not if they are like me. Eric ignores them as he watches me. I nod slightly, just enough to signal that I am aware of him without drawing attention from others in the room. His lips curl up on one side into a familiar smirk. Marcus Eaton takes the stage and I am sufficiently distracted with the excuse of paying attention. The look he has given me tells me everything I need to know. He has not forgotten.

There are a few this year who choose factions that do not match their home factions, but there are only three who chose ones that do not match their test results. I am uncertain if that signifies something as serious as Divergence. I do not have enough information to make an observation. The last one I knew for certain was Vera. An Amity who chose Erudite. I make a note to check what her results were. Perhaps they will lend me some clarity on the matter.

Jeanine touches my arm, drawing my attention to her. "Watch her," she says softly, motioning to the girl who just chose Dauntless. "And her brother. I want their information."

I nod, highlighting the names on my tablet for further investigation. My throat tightens. Jeanine's interest does not bode well for these children. The split between Dauntless and Erudite will mean I will have to ask Eric to watch her for me. A boon he is likely not to grant considering I have not yet given him what he requested.

As the ceremony concludes, the Dauntless leave with thunderous steps as they run out of the building. Cheers echo behind them as they leave and I am grateful for the lack of eyes on me. My attention is diverted as Jeanine stands and we await the new Erudites. I am not in charge of them this year and I am more grateful than I expected. I made a mistake in learning Vera as requested. Her death, the ways she begged haunts me still. Any excuses I have made to myself to justify the choice do not make me feel better. Logically, I know I was unable to help her, but the weight of those choices remains.

"Amelia," I look up as Jeanine calls me. "My assistant will take the recruits. You and I must speak."

I nod, following her automatically. Thankfully she leads me to her office and not her lab. I am unsure if I would pass the testing that allows entrance at that moment. I wait for her to sit behind her desk before I take the seat across from her. The pale blue walls that surround us do not offer the comfort they were supposed to. I hold my breath for a second before I release it slowly. Jeanine looks at me and clasps her hands together, resting them on the desk.

"Tell me the variances."

"Many of the initiates have chosen factions that differ from their home faction. It is not uncommon, but it did seem elevated. I will have to compare the choices with previous years." I tapped quickly on my tablet, sending her the information I was looking at. Her computer beeps. "I have sent you the numbers and details," I explain. "Of those variances, there are three who have chosen factions that do not match their Aptitude test results. One of which is the Prior girl you requested I watch. Her test signified Abnegation."

"And she chose Dauntless." Jeanine looks at the data, peering slightly over her glasses. I wonder if she is aware of it. The slight admission of a fault. The fact that she allows it to be revealed to me is more alarming than I want to admit. I do not want to be a confidant, someone she trusts, though the position of it allows me the freedom I have. "Inform Eric to observe her. I expect reports if she reveals herself to be Divergent."

I nod. "Yes ma'am." My theories on needing his assistance were proving valid.

"Observe her brother as well. He is here in our faction. I want to be informed if he shows similar signs or if he belongs. If he can be swayed to see reason, well, he may prove himself useful."

I swallow tightly. Her tone is light, but I know it well. She will use him against his sister if it obtains her the information she desires. "I will," I say. "I will await the reports and observe the initiation as needed."

"Good." She turns towards me. "What of Dauntless?"

"The meeting is set for two nights from now. I have added it to your calendar. The perpetrator of the crime has been dealt with Eric assures me. He will provide a detailed report at the meeting. I have sent you the schematics I have received of the room and the details made on it so far. Supplies are being prepared to be shipped within the day. I have chosen a list of those to continue the work in Dauntless. It consists mainly of those who helped prepare the last room, however, I await approval before informing them of the change to their tasks."

"Excellent. See to it that it is completed and I expect your presence at this meeting. I will have the approved list tomorrow."

I nod. That will give me at least a moment of time to figure out how I am supposed to observe the new initiate while also maintaining my tasks.

"You may go. I will inform you if I have a need for you," Jeanine says.

"Thank you." I get up without another word and leave. My mind reels with everything that I have been given. I am unsure how I will achieve the tasks I have been given, but if I do not, Jeanine will sense weakness like those fables monsters in the sea. The cracks I feel are beginning to deepen. It is as if I will crumble under further pressure and yet I must remain standing. I will not end like Vera, bare and broken on her lab table.

I pause as I pass the initiates. They are still in the foyer, listening as one of the educators explains the system at Erudite. I make a note to follow up on what happened to Riley. I cannot come across him unprepared. My gaze finds the Prior boy that Jeanine is interested in. He is listening aptly. Attention does not result in trust though. I watch as he nods at different parts of the lecture. He does not stray like some of his companions do. Jeanine will appreciate that. I hope though, for his sake, that her interest wanes. To be pitted against your own family is a torture I cannot imagine. I would not give them up for anything, even myself. At least, I hope that I would not. I have done more unimaginable things than I ever expected myself capable of. I push the thought away before moving on. I still need to ensure the supplies are on schedule. It is only when I have done all that I can that I allow myself to go home.

The night has fallen by the time I leave Erudite. The walk to my building is quiet. The excitement and grief of the families is always palpable this night. Some have gained children they thought might be lost and others will not see them again. Despite knowing that my brother is as Erudite as I claim to be, I still fear what Brighton's results will bring.

My building is silent as I enter. It is made up mainly of those that have yet to start families and many, like me, work all hours. It is only once I enter my apartment, locking the door behind me that I allow myself to finally breathe. I have survived another day but if I am honest to myself, I do not know if I can allow another to be subjected to Jeanine. There is no other option though. I can only warn them to the best of my ability without exposing myself. My chest tightens as it gets harder to breathe. There is no solution that will not end in someone's blood.

"Are you going to stand there all night or actually come in?"

I freeze. I turn away from the door, turning on the light next to it as I look to the owner of the voice. Eric is sitting in my armchair, looking as if he belonged there.

"What are you doing here?" I ask. He tosses the book he was holding down before standing. He moves towards me and it takes everything for me to not move back.

"You haven't arranged our dates."

I scowl at his audacity. "In case you are unaware, I am busy. As I have repeatedly told you. Now there are initiates to deal with."

"My patience only runs so far, Amelia."

I try not to shiver at the way he says my name. "I am aware, Eric. I will have a better idea of my schedule in the next few days, once they are sorted. If you send me yours, I would be able to see what dates align."

His hand trails up my arm. "Send me your dates. I will arrange the times."

I cannot help but sigh. Of course, he cannot make this easier. I would doubt that he keeps a schedule if I did not know that he had his meetings organized somehow.

His hand grabs my glasses and pulls them off of my face.

"Excuse me!" I reach for them but he throws them on the armchair. I will be lucky if they don't break. "You cannot keep taking my things!"

"I can," he says before he kisses me hard. His mouth mouths against mine, demanding entrance. I am tempted to fight him but it is easier to let myself feel this. His hand holds the back of my neck while the other arm wraps around my waist, pulling me against him.

I break the kiss. "Eric…"

"Again," he says, his mouth moving to my neck. "Call my name again."

My breath hitches as his teeth scrape against the area where my collarbone meets my neck. I am lost in him every time.

"Eric, we can't." I know it will aggravate him but I cannot help myself. My neighbours do not fear me as the Dauntless may fear him.

He pulls back and his eyes meet mine. His pupils are blown and he is scowling at me as if he cannot fathom why I say such things. "I'm not leaving," he finally says. "Not tonight." He kisses me again and I can only pray that the others around me are working. This is far more dangerous than anything else we have done so far. I feel my skirt loosen before it drops and he maneuvers me to step out from it.

"Stop fucking thinking," he says against my mouth. "I got you." He pulls me up and I have to wrap my legs around him just to keep myself from falling. My arms wrap around his neck. "Now we're talking."

He moves with purpose to my bedroom, still kissing me. A thought strikes me as he drops me on the bed and I freeze. How long has he been here and why does he know my apartment so well?

[tbc]