A/n: Thank you all so much for all of the love and support! This chapter is all due to elliesmeow who inspired me to keep going with her questions, comments and support. Thank you all! Stay safe and I hope you enjoy this.

Chapter Thirty-Six

By the time I return home, I am exhausted. Despite the assurances I have seen from others, I cannot help but feel as if I am under scrutiny as if someone is waiting with a microscope to shove me under. Sleep does not come. It feels like only moments of lying on my bed before my tablet beeps.

It is harder than I expected to pull myself out of my bed. It still smells of Eric and I make a note to wash the sheets. Scents are powerful triggers for memory and I do not need to recall the weakness that allows me to give in to him.

I check the tablet as I try to wake. I feel myself freeze as I read it again. Jeanine requests my presence in the lab. While I know I have done nothing to warrant her suspicion and that it is likely another demand for information, I cannot stop the fear that one day it will not be.

The fear does not ease as I make my way there. Thankfully, Erudite is well equipped with soda made to keep people awake when they lose themselves in research. It is fast becoming a necessity.

I pause before the doors of the lab, waiting as it scans me.

"Amelia Elswood. 8th generation. Faction of origin: Erudite. Faction of choice: Erudite. Authorized." The doors open and I feel as if I can breathe again.

Jeanine is staring at one of the screens. I move closer and wait until she acknowledges me. She does not take to interruptions well.

"What do you see?"

I stepped up next to her and looked at the screen. "The frontal lobe is very active as well as the hypothalamus." I glanced at the other image on the screen. "An enlarged adrenal gland. This is a Dauntless."

She looked at me and smiled. "Good."

The pride I felt at her acknowledgement still was not outweighed by the fear of her I generally held. There was a reason she was the leader of our faction and to have her praise still seemed exhilarating. Even if I was aware that she would not hesitate to dissect me if she knew.

"Did I wake you?" she asks.

"No." It is the truth. I did not get close to sleep, but then I rarely do when Eric is not surprising me. The stress of trying to ensure my own survival mixed with the guilt of my actions does not allow slumber to come easily. Even knowing the necessity of sleep, I cannot will myself into it.

"Hmm." It is a noncommittal noise that does not give me any hint to what she is thinking. "The supplies to Dauntless. Is it in order?"

"I went myself to ensure their safe arrival and that the room will be set to our satisfaction within the week. I was given Eric's word that he would observe the Abnegation girl who transferred to him. He will inform us if there are any concerns."

"Ensure the reports come directly to me."

I nod and make a note on my tablet. At least that is one area where I am not involved. "Yes, ma'am."

"And our meeting?"

"Still arranged for later in approximately...twelve hours."

"Good." There was a pause as she zoomed in on something on the file she was looking at. "Catherine would do well with a challenge. Inform her to contact Communications. We are going to start briefing the faction on the dangers we face and the fault of Abnegation."

I have not yet discovered the cause of her hate for the faction. I make another note. Catherine will not be pleased to have this ordered by me but she will have to deal. "Do you wish for her to connect with them and arrange a meeting with you or are you tasking her with working work Communications to create a viable speech for you?"

The look she gave me was pleased. I tried not to react to it. "Create it. I wish to see what she produces."

"Very well." Another note. At least she has not tasked me with the speeches. Jeanine usually takes care of them herself so I am uncertain what she hopes to gain from this. It is a test for Catherine. We will see if she will fail. "Is there anything else?"

"You may leave."

"Thank you. Good night."

I leave without another word. It is not unusual for Jeanine to demand my presence only for it to last mere minutes. Occasionally she demands I transcribe for her. Thankfully it is not today.

I send off the notice to Catherine while I make my way through the faction. She will not be pleased but if she argues it will only cause her own problems. I am calculating how much sleep I may get when I hear my name.

"Amelia."

I turn to locate the source and pause. Riley is walking towards me. He is still dressed as if he was an educator though I admit the clothing is not that different from Erudite style in general. I do not know what his new position is.

"Riley," I greet. I am wary, but I am also tired. I hope that if I am polite enough he will cease prattling and allow me to continue to my home.

"I have not seen you in some time," he says. He does not seem as upset as I expect him to be. "Not since the last time we spoke."

"There is a reason for that," I say, giving him a pointed look.

"You were not seeing reason," he grinds out before taking a deep breath and collecting himself. "I admit I was...blinded by our potential. I would hope that I can restore your opinion of me."

I try not to sigh. After all that had occurred, including his demotion at my own hand, he still seems to hold hope. I try not to show my frustration. What will it take for him to understand? "It is unlikely," I say slowly, trying to think of a way to phrase it that will not cause him to react. He has done so violently in the past. While I expect violence from Eric, it is somehow more alarming to me when it comes from an Erudite. Even if I am more capable of dealing with it. "Our history does not show you favourably. Not in my eyes. You forget, Riley, that you have hurt me before when my answer did not suit your desire. You attempted to fail my brother in your anger at me. It is clear that we are not well suited, despite your beliefs and I will tell you once again. Do not come near me or my family. You will not like the results."

Something in his face changed. He grabbed my arm again, gripping it tightly. "You still do not see sense! Has that hellion corrupted you from logic?"

"It has nothing to do with the Dauntless and everything with how you have treated me so far!" I snap. "I will not be held responsible because you cannot handle your disappointment. Find another who is more compatible with you. It is not me." I took a deep breath before lowering my voice. The sound was echoing through the mainly empty halls. "If you do not release me this instant, you will find yourself ejected from this faction. I will return to demand it from Jeanine myself and considering your demotion, it has already been proven who she finds to be of more use between us."

He lets go instantly.

"Thank you. Do not contact me again." I turn and continue walking. I do not hear his footsteps follow. Still, that doesn't assuage the fear in the base of my throat. I almost wish that Eric was accompanying me if only to ensure that I had not run into Riley at all. Like most of Erudite, Riley was afraid of the Dauntless. He would have waited and at least in daybreak, when the faction was closer to full capacity, he would not have dared to touch me in public. It is unfortunate timing that brought our meeting. I will have to find out what his position now is and ensure it does not happen again.

The meeting is held in Erudite. I am tasked with directing and leading the Dauntless leaders to the room. I suspect it is because I have had the most contact with them, outside of Jeanine, but likely it is because there are few Erudite who will willingly communicate with the Dauntless.

Thankfully, I do not need to wait long before Eric and Max arrive before me.

"Gentlemen," I nod in greeting. Eric smirks at that. I do my best to ignore him.

"Amelia," Max says with a smile. "It's good to see you. Shall we?"

"Certainly. Follow me."

The men follow behind me as I lead them inside and towards the elevator. Despite the inclination for stairs, they came with me. Others decided to wait for the next one as we got on.

Eric murmured something to Max and I heard him try not to laugh. I knew well enough what they thought of us here. Nothing changed. Everything felt the as it did months ago and for a moment I cannot help but wonder what is the point of it all? If everything I do to survive just keeps me in this battle of chess, staying one move ahead at all times, when does it end?

I am pulled from my thoughts as the elevator doors open. Max moves ahead and there is a familiar hand on my back, pushing me forward. I try not to stumble. "Follow me," I say, trying not to snap at Eric.

The room is not the largest we have but Jeanine has set herself up at the far end of the table. I motion for the men to sit before I head towards Jeanine. I sit next to her and quickly prep to take notes.

"Gentlemen, thank you for coming," she says. She folds her hands together on the table in front of her. "Tell me exactly what happened to our room in your faction. You told us it would be safe." I try not to react to her use of plural terms. It was not ours. Everything that has happened was hers.

"Nice to see you too, Jeanine," Max drawls. He doesn't look alarmed by Jeanine's sharp tone.

"They broke in during the night," Eric cuts in. "New recruits. Drinking. Said they saw Erudite colours and didn't think it belonged. They took care of it."

"Took care of it?" Jeanine nearly snarls. "You were supposed to protect it. Where are the tapes?"

Eric pulls something out of a pocket on his chest and holds it up in between his fingers. It is a small data drive. Jeanine motions for it. Neither of them move.

I am standing before she can say my name, directing me to retrieve it. Eric's eyes watch as I move closer. I reach for the drive and there is a moment where I imagine he will not let go. One of his fingers shifts slightly, stroking the side of my thumb before he releases it.

Jeanine takes it from me as I sit back down next to her. She takes my tablet and uses it to watch the video. I am unsure of what exactly it shows or how Eric managed to hide his own destruction. Jeanine closes the video and hands my tablet back to me.

She peers over her glasses to look at them. "And the culprits?"

"Dealt with," Eric smirks. "We questioned them thoroughly beforehand. The data is on there as well." He motions to my tablet.

Jeanine glances down. "Send it to me." I nod and instantly go to do so.

"I expect that this will not happen again. Am I understood?" Jeanine looks at all of us.

"Of course, ma'am."

"Course not," Eric says. He leans back slightly in his chair. "No reason it should."

I feel my throat tighten slightly at the veiled threat. He destroyed the room because I demanded we end the dalliance between us that he kept pushing for.

Jeanine stares at him and for a moment I wonder if she knows. If she has actually listened to the rumours that run through Erudite about me.

"We brought the things you asked for," Max cuts in. It is his turn to reach into his vest. He does not hold it and wait for me to retrieve it. He tosses it forward on the table, letting it slide towards us. I catch it as it slows. It is not quite the same data drive as Eric has given. This one belongs in a simulator.

"Should have the information you need."

"Excellent." Jeanine holds out her hand. I place the drive in her hand and cannot help but notice that she puts it in her own pocket, one close to her heart. My curiosity on what that drive holds will have to wait. It is a reminder that I am not privy to all of Jeanine's plans. "I expect the new control room to be finished within the week. Amelia will return at that time for the inspection and to ensure it is ready for the computers to be moved in." She turns to look at me. "The approved list of people for the project has been sent to you. I expect you to inform them before your return to Dauntless."

"Yes ma'am," I say softly, making another note for myself.

"Are there any concerns so far?" Jeanine asks the men.

"No," Eric says. "It's all going as planned." His eyes meet mine. I am suddenly aware that he means something else. I am unsure though if he is referring to what he demands from me. The thought unsettles me.

"As it should." Jeanine stands up suddenly. "Thank you for coming. Amelia will see you out." Her hand touches my arm as I stand next to her. "I will be in my lab," she says. "I expect your report on the initiates at the end of the week."

I nod and she nods to the men before leaving. They both turn to me. I try not to sigh. "If you'll follow me." It is a courtesy considering they have been here often enough now to know where they are going. A Dauntless running loose is not trusted though.

Again they follow me to the elevator. Thankfully, nothing further happens. Eric manages to keep his hands to himself, though his presence is nearly suffocating. I can feel his eyes on me. It is as if he believes he can brand me with only his stare. As if the marks on my neck are not enough.

Others watch as I lead them outside. Max simply nods at me before he takes off running. Eric pauses. His lips quirk up slightly.

"Amelia." He says my name as if he owns it. "Until next time."

I stop myself from clenching my teeth together and simply nod. He looks around before he nods and takes off after Max. Finally, it feels as if I can breathe again.

[tbc]