Disclaimer: I do not own Divergent or any of the characters. I do not own Eric's last name. Does anyone know who originally came up with Coulter? It's everywhere and has somehow become his officially unofficial last name in my mind.

Summary: The more he uncovers the more he struggles with the mission he was groomed for. The curious, intelligent Erudite side of him is at war with the ruthless, obedient Dauntless side. How does Tris fit into his struggle? And will she be the one to tip the scales? But when the dust settles, on which side will Eric land? [Eric/Tris]

The story will follow the basic timeline of the first book but from Eric's point of view. The characters look like the actors who portrayed them in the movie because it's too difficult for me to separate the two. As we go there will be slight to moderate changes in the storyline in order to accommodate the Eric/Tris pairing. I am planning on keeping everyone as in character as possible, obviously I can't keep them 100% in character or the story would simply progress exactly as Divergent did. I look forward to your feedback. - MWB


Chapter 1

The scenes on the screens pass before my eyes but my mind is somewhere else. The control room isn't part of my usual duties but with one of the regular operators transferring to initiate training full time for the coming weeks I offered to pick up some of his shifts. While I wouldn't usually volunteer, the control room provides me with access to every inch of video surveillance in and around the Dauntless compound which will be helpful to my mission.

Tomorrow is the day of choosing ceremony and in less than twenty four hours a new batch of initiates will arrive at the compound excited to start their new lives. They will be a lot less excited, however, once they realize initiation is a fight to the top and only the strong succeed in becoming full members of Dauntless. Dauntless is the one faction that doesn't blindly accept new members. Every member of the faction is forced to prove themselves through their initiation therein proving their loyalty to the faction.

I turn around quickly at the sound of knocking. Seconds later, it opens to reveal the familiar, stony face of Jeanine Matthews, leader of Erudite.

"Good evening, Eric," she says with a small smile.

"Jeanine," I reply standing up.

She closes the door behind her before walking across the small room, slowly scanning the monitors in front of us.

"I trust you are prepared for tomorrow?" she says.

She is referring to the arrival of the new initiates. While I won't be working with them full time, I have been asked to oversee their training.

"As prepared as I can be," I reply.

"Do not take this task lightly Eric. I realize that Max has been coaching you on what to look for when it comes to them, but his efforts are better placed elsewhere now. You are responsible for seeking them out on your own," her stony grey eyes bore into mine and I want to look away but instead I force myself to stare back with conviction.

I'm not a child. I was given a mission and I will follow orders. I don't need reminding. I want to say this to her…but that is not how you deal with someone like Jeanine, so instead, I unclench my jaw and say "I understand."

"Good," she says, before turning her attention back to the monitors. "These will come in useful. It's not easy to identify Divergents and you must take advantage of every resource provided to you."

I suppress a frustrated sigh as she repeats the same lines she has been feeding me since this beginning of the mission.

She turns and looks at me sceptically. "Eric," she says in a patronizing tone. "It is of the utmost importance that we identify those who demonstrate acts of divergence before they become full members of our factions. They are a very real threat to our society and our way of life. The sooner they can be eliminated, the easier this will be." She pauses for a moment and once again locks eyes with me. "That is why I have tasked you with overseeing the training of the new initiates. You will learn that it is quite difficult to recognize those who are Divergent. The combat trials won't be of any help, but the simulations, the fear landscapes, this is when they will reveal themselves. Until then, use the intelligence and curiosity that your former faction engrained in you and watch for any signs that these individuals don't fit into the Dauntless mould."

"If there are any Divergents among the new initiates I will find them," I say confidently. "They don't belong in our society."

"Good," she replies. "For now, focus on the transfers. It is more likely that one of them will show an aptitude for divergence than a dauntless born who has chosen to stay within their faction. But when the combat trials are over, you will need to keep a close eye on them as well. Be especially aware of any Abnegation transfers. We have come to realize that the majority of 'inconclusive' results during the aptitude test are from members of Abnegation. This result is often a sign of divergence."

"Noted," I reply curtly, wondering if she is almost done.

She purses her lips slightly before walking towards the door.

"I expect weekly reports on your findings," she says over her shoulder. When she reaches the door she turns to face me once more. "And Eric?"

I nod in response.

"Don't disappoint me," she says, her eyes are threatening and I know that failing is not an option.

"Yes, Ma'am," I reply as she closes the door behind her.

I let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding and sit back down in from of the screens.

"No pressure," I say aloud to myself. "No pressure at all."


There it is, Chapter 1 complete. Go easy on me folks, it's been a hot minute since I've written anything but I just couldn't let this idea go.