AN: Thanks for your reviews and follows! Today we have a slight time jump, showing us where Tris' head is. Hope you enjoy, and see you Saturday ;)

Two Months Later

I tap my pen against my desk as I edit my case notes from today's session. Two months ago, I had gone to Johanna and asked to be relieved from Eric's case. I admitted to Johanna that lines had been crossed with Eric, and that I was extremely concerned that the integrity of his case would be compromised if I remained in my position as his main therapist.

Johanna surprised me that day, she honored my request to be relieved from his case but she didn't reprimand me. She simply assigned me another case, and said she would finish out the step down sessions with Eric. Since she had established a professional relationship with him during my sickness, and since he had openly admitted to her that he was in love with me, she felt it was a better decision to step in and continue our sessions.

Another surprise was that Eric cooperated completely with Johanna, and she's been conducting his twice a week step down sessions for these past two months. She, Pedro and Jack have all kept the family appointments with Miles and Eric as well. Even though Johanna had asked me repeatedly to get back into the rotation, I've refused because I need to make sure that absolutely nothing will hurt his case, or his relationship with his son.

I needed to stay away from him.

I've been having daily appointments with my new case, a woman named Evelyn Johnson, who was the de facto leader of the factionless population during the war, and also my ex mother in law, even though I had no idea back then that she was still alive.

Plus, she's the mother of the half brother that Eric still hasn't decided if he wants in his life.

This case has layers of complications that I've been peeling away much like an onion. Evelyn was presumed dead, she is the former wife of Marcus Eaton, the shamed former Abnegation leader, who was found guilty and executed for his own war crimes. During his testimony, it was revealed that not only had he abused his own son, Tobias, he had also beaten Evelyn to the point where he had believed her to be dead.

She was very much alive, and she had been living factionless for nine years at the time of Jeanine's war. What I also didn't know is that she had been meeting with my ex-husband in secret for over a year leading up to, and during the war, a fact that he had kept well hidden from me. I realize now what Eric said months ago about Tobias sneaking out of the compound made sense, he was sneaking out to meet his mother. Evelyn was not captured or arrested when Jeanine or her followers were, instead it took several months after Jeanine's war was ended to find Evelyn and her small team, all of whom were held in facilities outside of the city. Evelyn's attorneys had won an appeal to have her case heard again, and that ruling also ordered her to be returned to Chicago and entered into Johanna's program.

I also found out during yesterday's session with Evelyn that Tobias hadn't initially planned on leaving me when he learned of my pregnancy and the circumstances surrounding it, it had been his mother who had pushed him to make the decision. To top it all off, she also knew that Eric was Marcus' son. Evelyn had suspected Marcus' affair with Jeanine, but she never had solid proof until she had gotten the DNA profile of her own son when he was six years old. It was then that she found out he shared DNA with a child named Eric Coulter in Erudite. The child was listed as the biological son, proven by DNA, of Jeanine Matthews and Marcus Eaton, and was less than a year younger than her own son Tobias.

She had biological proof of the affair, and she held onto the knowledge for years, then used it to entice her only son to talk to her.

Evelyn enjoyed telling me this.

She also enjoyed telling me that it was her command, not Jeanine's as we had suspected, to send the factionless men to find and kill Eric Coulter that day on the train. Evelyn had wanted to take out every member of Jeanine's regime so she could rise to power and abolish the factions herself, and she had also wanted to have the pleasure of killing her ex husbands bastard son. It was something that she almost got away with, except her own son ended up turning her in.

I absolutely do not recommend her for rehabilitation at this time, but because of my own admitted bias I've asked Johanna to help with this case and try to provide the unbiased opinion that I know Evelyn deserves.

This afternoon's session with Evelyn definitely derailed me, and I'm doing my best to clear my own head. I'd checked in with Pedro and Miles earlier, and I know that my little boy is having a great time with his grandfather and seems to be unaware of my most recent stress. There's been so much weighing on me lately, and my main goal was to shelter my son from my storms.

A knock on my door brings me to reality and I call to the person to come in. Johanna steps through, carrying two cups of steaming coffee and smiling as always.

"I thought you might need this," She hands a cup over to me and I thank her, "You've been burning the midnight oil. I got your case notes on Evelyn Johnson, I'll be sure to look over those tomorrow morning. Would you mind if I accompany you to your session with her one day this week?"

"Not at all," I shake my head, "I definitely need it. You've not read the notes yet, correct?" I ask and she shakes her head, "She told me several things that threw me, the first being that she is who pressured Tobias to leave me when I was pregnant. According to her, he didn't want to leave me, but she pushed him to do so. She is also who sent those bounty hunters after Eric, with the orders to kill him, because she knows that he is Marcus' son."

"My word," Johanna breathes out.

"She said that Tobias also knows that Eric is his half brother."

"Tobias never mentioned it to you?" She asks and I shake my head, "Did she say how long he knew?"

"She alluded that he knew about Eric being his brother longer than either of them have known me." I sigh.

"Tris. My goodness..." Johanna trails off.

"She enjoyed telling me this, Jo, she smiled and drew out the story like it was her greatest accomplishment." I shudder.

"I will certainly review your notes today. This may be a situation I choose to step in and relieve you from the case. I hope you understand."

"I do." I nod, "Jo, there's something else." I begin.

"Go on."

"I saw Four today. He was there, waiting to visit with Evelyn when I was leaving from my appointment with her. He said he knows I've been meeting with his mother, and he hoped that we could talk. I can't talk about her case with him, and I have no idea what on earth we would need to talk about. He left me ten years ago and married my best friend before Miles was even born. I mean, what…" I trail off and sigh.

"You don't have to meet with him, however maybe he could provide some answers as to why he reacted the way he did back then." Johanna offers.

"I lied to him, slept with someone he hated, who we now know is his half brother, and got pregnant. I think that sums it up."

"By Evelyn's own admission, Tobias also knew by then that Eric is his brother. Maybe you can provide answers for him as well." She replies gently. "Why don't you talk to Eric about it?" I look at her and my face must tell her everything I am thinking, because she actually reaches for my hand across the desk, "Eric is a part of your life, and you've grown to trust him. I've been meeting with him, I know exactly what his feelings are, and the validity of those feelings. Don't forget I've also reviewed the recordings of your sessions to ensure there were no professional boundaries that were crossed that would harm his case, my dear. I know you, and I see what the two of you had been building, and how your conversations with each other ranged from Miles, to the case, to everyday life. If you need someone who cares about you to offer a second opinion from mine, he would be it."

"I've not talked to him in two months, Jo. He calls every day, but when I see it's the prison I just accept the charges and hand the phone to Miles." I reply slowly.

"I'm aware that you haven't, he and I have talked about it several times." She says with a furrowed brow.

"I needed to stay away from him so he could focus on his case."

"I know you did when everything was fresh." Johanna replies, "However you have not been treating him for two months now. During that time, don't you think at minimum you could have had a conversation with him to level set where you both stand?"

"He says that he loves me," I shake my head, "He's been locked up in prison for almost ten years, Jo, I'm the first woman he's truly become close to in that time, and maybe he's just lonely. I mean, I am actually the only person he's ever been intimate with. There's so much more out there for him to see when he's out."

"Tris, Eric has had issues with intimacy his entire life stemming from the sexual abuse he suffered as a child. You have been the only person he has trusted enough to share that experience with. He's not fixated on you, or romanticizing a relationship with you, he has bonded with you and trusts the foundation the two of you have built. Why are you so afraid to recognize that his feelings for you are valid?"

"What if he feels he needs to be with me to be a part of Miles life?" I ask, "I know you've reviewed those sessions too, Jo, you heard him mention it was in the back of his mind."

She shakes her head, "You've made it clear to Eric that he doesn't need to date you to be in his son's life. Up until the incident during your last session, you had brought Miles to every family visit, you've allowed Eric to call Miles anytime he wants. He's helped him with his homework, with building his little projects, and that's been without pursuing anything more with you. I've watched, Tris, I see the development there. As your friend, as your family, as a licensed psychologist, and more importantly as someone who views you as my own child, he's being the father you want with no promises of anything from you. You had asked him to focus on the case, and on his son, and he has honored your wishes. These past two months he has done everything and more to prove that he wants to be outside of that prison, and more than anything to be a father to his son. Perhaps you should follow your own advice to him." She finishes.

"Which is?" I ask.

"Let him try. Let him in. I came to tell you that as of today, we are no longer required to meet with him as part of his parole hearing, and all future professional appointments have been cancelled. We just need you to work on your final recommendation questionnaire, since you had treated him for the bulk of this case. I know it's late right now but for some reason they're requesting it as soon as possible, so if you're able to get it done tonight please do. His hearing is coming up in less than three weeks. You are free of your professional responsibility, you are free to feel again sweetheart." Johanna's eyes sparkle and she squeezes my hand.

"I don't know what is getting into me, Jo. I know he's Miles' dad but the logical side of me knows that that should be the extent of things. You don't base a relationship on a one night stand that resulted in an unexpected pregnancy."

"You're not, you've been very practical when you speak of your past with Eric and the intimacy that led to Miles' conception. I have observed that you are developing feelings for Eric based on the man you've gotten to know these past six months." Johanna says.

"I know that I am, and I really need to get my head on straight for Miles. If I cross lines with Eric, they can't be uncrossed, and I can't let something derail his relationship with his son." I reply and Johanna smiles at me.

"He's told you repeatedly that his relationship with his son is separate from the one he wants with you. When are you going to believe him?" Johanna asks.

"I'm overthinking this." I sigh, "I have been making myself crazy over this. I just don't want Miles to be hurt by this if Eric and I can't make things work."

"He's the father of your son, and you've had quite a tumultuous relationship with him over these past ten years. Eric is a good man, Tris. He's made mistakes, and he has admitted them and has worked hard to heal from them. He's sincere in everything he does." Johanna says.

"Jo, if I start something with Eric, and it doesn't work out, it will devastate Miles." I reply.

"Tris, you and Eric have completely opened up to each other these past six months. You've peeled away layers of hurt, mistreatment, abuse and outright neglect from Eric, and he's allowed you to. That man has spent almost ten years in prison for crimes he didn't commit simply because he was afraid of what life would be like for him on the outside world had he left confinement. He admitted that to you, and only you initially. Eric has opened his mind and his heart to both you and Miles, and as a twenty eight year old man he finally has found the confidence he needs to live his own life. Eric's choice is you, Tris. He chooses you, and he chooses his son." Johanna explains gently, "Tris, we've known each other for a long time, you've never put Miles in harms way. If for some reason you and Eric didn't work out, you'd both be mature enough to continue to put that boy first. Let yourself be happy."

"I'll try." I reply.

"That's all I ever ask," She replies with a warm smile, "I know it's late, but do you think you can have his evaluation questionnaire back to me tonight so I can review it and sent it to the board tomorrow morning?"

"Jo, there's something you should know before I write his recommendation. I think I'm in love with him too."

"I know that you are, sweetheart." She replies softly.

"Are you going to allow me to prepare the questionnaire for the board? Will they allow it?" I ask, "I'm in deep, Jo. This is like nothing I've ever felt before."

"Tris, you were given this case because we all knew that you were the only one who could get Eric to open up. We knew you would be harder on him than any other client you've worked with because of Miles. We knew for you to recommend Eric for parole, you would have to implicitly trust him to be an active part of his sons life. I've reviewed your sessions, we also had Jason review them, we had legal sign off, and everyone agrees that you've done outstanding work with him. We all saw the two of you falling in love, and it never caused you to develop a bias, it caused you to scrutinize him even more than you normally would. Once Eric was unable to suppress his feelings for you, you came to me immediately and requested to be relieved from his case. You have followed everything exactly by the book. Tris, knowing if he's released that he will be a part of your sons life, do you recommend him for parole?"

"Yes." I reply firmly.

"That's all I needed to know. The parole board has had no issues with anything they've reviewed thus far, Jason will write his own recommendation based on his review of your sessions, as will I. This is business as usual." She replies.

"Then I'll have it to you tonight."

I get home later than normal, and once Miles is in bed I finally sit down to work on my recommendation for Eric's parole. My heart to heart with Johanna is heavy on my mind as I fill out the questionnaire, and while I was surprised when I was asked for it early, I feel prepared to offer my final thoughts.

After filling out the basic information, like my name, license number and Eric's name, I begin on the questionnaire.

Question one: How many official sessions did you conduct with the inmate?

I check the box that says over one hundred.

I am surprised when I calculate my answer. I had spent almost every weekday for four months straight with Eric, and we have spent thousands of hours talking, building rapport, and discovering each other.

Question two: What are your findings?

Answer: Mr. Coulter was raised by a single mother, and abandoned by his father at birth. His mother had him at the age of sixteen, and had little interest in raising a child. Mr. Coulter was raised mostly by his nanny from birth to the age of sixteen, when he was forced to defect from his home faction by his mother. Mr. Coulter was a confused and sheltered eighteen year old when his alleged crimes occurred. Mr. Coulter was groomed by his mother, Jeanine Matthews, to become a leader in Dauntless to give her a connection with a faction she desperately needed to help carry out the plans for her war. Mr. Coulter was not initially aware of his mother's plans for a war, he simply thought her interest was to have a more equal representation in the city's government. He was unaware that a tracking serum he injected was actually a mind control serum, and he was also unaware that his search for Divergents was for his mother to open a box that she was hunting for in the Abnegation faction. When Mr. Coulter started getting suspicious of his mother's intentions, he began to voice his concern, causing his mother to begin the simulation for her war two days earlier than she had planned. The chaos this caused made it harder to stop, and Mr. Coulter remained in Erudite under his mother's watch after she had threatened his life. Mr. Coulter suffered from mental and emotional abuse at the hands of his mother for his entire life, including the time he was living in Dauntless. Mr. Coulter was also a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a former babysitter for a period of approximately ten months at the age of ten. Mr. Coulter witnessed the murder of his childhood nanny, a woman who raised him, killed by his mother's hand. Mr. Coulter did not have a father or father figure in his life, and he chose to stay close to a Dauntless leader, Harrison Vines, who had been hired by his mother to train and groom him for Dauntless. Mr. Vines and Miss Matthews manipulation of Mr. Coulter ran deep, and it was impactful from an early age.

Mr. Coulter's act of helping Miss Matthews prisoner, a pure divergent named Beatrice Prior to escape was the turning point in Mr. Coulter's life. He had finally made a decision to go against the mother who had spent his entire life manipulating him. Mr. Coulter was able to successfully sneak Miss Prior out of the Erudite compound, and onto a train headed for Amity. He once again put his life on the line when factionless rebels boarded the train with the intent to kill both Mr. Coulter and Miss Prior. Mr. Coulter fought the attackers, holding their attention long enough for Miss Prior to escape the train, and she ultimately made it to Amity. Mr. Coulter almost bled out on the train.

Mr. Coulter's failure to comply with the investigation stems from his deep seeded fears of rejection and abandonment, and also from pressure by his mother to sacrifice himself to save her life. Mr. Coulter felt safer locked inside of a prison than released into society because he felt that the society he would be released into would blame him for his mother's war, or that one of his mother's followers would exact revenge on Mr. Coulter for not following her orders to sacrifice himself to save her. Mr. Coulter believed he would be killed by people who were loyal to his mother, as he was now viewed as being a traitor to both his own faction and to the war.

Mr. Coulter suffered from feelings of abandonment from his birth father, and also when the person he had an intimate encounter with right before being attacked by the factionless married another man, effectively severing any chance for Mr. Coulter to advance the relationship.

Question 3: Can the inmate be rehabilitated? Provide details to support your answer.

Answer: Yes. Mr. Coulter is innocent of the crimes he was accused of, with the exception of hindering the investigation due to his refusal to answer direct questions. He has spent almost ten years incarcerated for war crimes, none of which he committed. He has spent his last almost five years of incarceration being a model prisoner, has had no behavioral infractions, and has participated willingly in all court ordered programs. He has also volunteered to be a mentor and has gotten glowing remarks from the staff at the prison regarding his work. Mr. Coulter has deep remorse for what he feels was his own inaction to stop the things that happened in the war, even if those things were outside of his control. He has cooperated with his court ordered therapy, and plans to continue it once released as well.

Question 4: If released, what will the inmate contribute to society?

Answer: Mr. Coulter is a dedicated father of an almost ten year old son, and he plans on participating in all activities regarding his son. He is an active parent, and he is dedicated to ongoing therapy to strengthen the relationship he has with his son after missing so many events over the course of his life. Mr. Coulter has expressed an interest in mentoring outside of the prison walls, to guide at risk youth to make choices that will keep them on an honest path. Mr. Coulter has the support of his entire parole team, along with the friendships he has built on the outside. If paroled, he will be an active and thriving member of society, who will work to ensure other impressionable youth don't repeat his mistakes.

Question 5: Do you recommend this inmate for parole?

Answer: It is my recommendation that Eric Coulter is paroled. He has remorse, he has rehabilitated and he will be an asset to return to society.

I read over the words I have written, knowing that Johanna and Jason will also add their own comments from their individual viewpoints as well. Ultimately, it will be in the hands of the parole board.

All I want is for him to be healed, and to come home to his family, and to me, if I haven't ruined everything.