Looks like Tuesday or Wednesday will be my weekly update to this story. Thanks for all the reviews and follows!

XOXO
Libby

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I toss and turn all night. When I wake again just before dawn, I give up on sleep and shut off my alarm clock. I dress for my morning physical training and wander down to the cafeteria for a small coffee and some fruit. Grabbing a water bottle on the way out, I enter the training room.

The heavy bag directly across from the door still has blood stains from where I beat it bare-handed yesterday afternoon. It reminds me that I need to clean my hands and change the bandages, but I'm not sure how to do it alone. Christina is definitely not a morning person, and I refuse to talk to Tobias until he apologizes for how he treated my at dinner, so I guess I'll wait. If Eric offers again then he can do it, otherwise I'll make a quick stop at the infirmary before my office hours.

I start with a slow jog around the training room, enjoying the feeling of my muscles limbering as they warm up. I feel my spirits lift and my fatigue fade with the endorphins that running sends through my body. As I come around the next lap, I see Eric waiting for me.

"How far did you run?" He asks brusquely.

I just shrug in response, causing Eric to roll his eyes and sigh.

"At least thirty minutes?" he asks.

I nod.

"You're done then," he says. "Shower up and grab some food. We have a meeting this morning to meet the new Erudite representative."

I give Eric a mock salute on my way out the door, then drop in to the cafeteria for a breakfast sandwich to go. The infirmary doesn't look busy, so I stop and ask to have my bandages changed. They clean my hands and are able to replace my bandages with a few swipes of liquid wound sealer. Feeling more like myself, I go back to my apartment.

The ongoing drama with Erudite is a challenge for the leadership of all factions. Mostly through the efforts of Eric, who was working undercover pretending to help Jeanine Matthews hunt for divergents, it was discovered that Erudite was running a secret laboratory. There Jeanine and her cronies tested serums on the divergents she kidnapped, mostly from the factionless. The council and the other faction representatives demanded her removal and a trial in Candor. Jeanine and some of her top scientists were found guilty of human rights abuses and put to death. Underlings who had helped with the kidnapping and guarding prisoners became prisoners themselves.

Some Erudite were appalled when their leader's crimes were revealed, while others felt that her work was valuable and the unwilling sacrifices justified. I often wonder how Caleb feels about all of it, but I haven't seen my brother since I sneaked out to visit him during initiation.

The new representative, Dr. Reginald Marshall, was questioned under truth serum in front of the council and faction representatives before he was approved for leadership. Now he is holding a series of meetings with each faction's leaders to discuss their relationship with Erudite and what his faction needs to do to rebuild the trust of the rest of the city.

I thought about what I would wear to this occasion, my first big interfaction meeting. I wish that I had leadership training completed so I could display the tattoos of a full Dauntless leader. I know that as a trainee I will be required to sit quietly with the faction ambassadors, behind the full leaders. Soon, I remind myself.

Still, my first important meeting requires a little something. Weeks ago, with Christina's help, I planned and bought an outfit that should make a great impression without being too over the top. I got a black pinstripe suit. The skirt is fitted at the top, and flares near the bottom, ending just above my knees. The matching jacket is fitted and has elbow-length sleeves. I got black fishnet stockings to go with it, and black heels with a touch of white contrast stitching that matches the pinstripes. With simple makeup, I feel both Dauntless and professional.

Head high, I walk into the meeting room right behind the group from Erudite. Uriah, training to be a faction Ambassador, spots me from across the room and makes a beeline toward me.

"Trissy," he says with the tact and subtlety of a dump truck, "you look hot!"

"Shut up, Uri," I growl, my cheeks burning. His outburst is not the first impression I want to make.

I glance around and see to my relief that the Dauntless leaders and visitors were all too occupied with introductions to notice my friend's comment. Except for Eric. He stands a little behind the others, his eyes locked on me. At that moment, Max pulls the young man forward as he motions for me to join them as well.

"Dr. Marshall," says Max, "this is Eric Coulter, the one who uncovered Ms. Matthew's scheme. And this is our leader-in-training, Tris Prior."

Dr. Marshall barely gives Eric a passing glance. Instead his eyes roam over me appreciatively. My Abnegation instincts kick in, and I'm instantly creeped out, but I fight the urge to recoil from his stare, and instead offer him a cool and professional greeting. He holds my handshake a bit too long.

"Shall we begin?" Max interjects to my relief.

I take my spot in the second row of Dauntless and notice that the room setup resembles a chess board. Two rows of chairs on either side of the room face each other with an empty "no man's land" between them. The front row on the Dauntless side includes Max as Dauntless' head leader, as well as Eric, Harrison, and Veronica, our other leaders. Across from them sit Erudite's five leaders, including Dr. Marshall. The second row of Dauntless contains the four faction ambassadors, Uriah, and me. I assume that the second row of Erudite hold similar positions.

Max moves toward the podium to begin the meeting when Dr. Marshall calls out, "Miss Prior." I look up quickly. "Please move to the front row with your fellow leaders. There is no reason for you to hide in the back with the ambassadors."

I look up at Max who shrugs and nods. I stand, and Uriah jumps up quickly to move my chair.

"My liege," says Uri with a mock bow.

I take my seat again, now next to Eric in the front row, and cross my ankles. Growing up in Abnegation I wore the standard uniform of shapeless grey pants under a long grey cloak. Although we never wore skirts or dresses, my mother had still drilled into me how to sit like a lady. Max begins a long-winded and boring speech about the history of cooperation between Dauntless and Erudite. As he shifts into a retelling of Jeanine's discovery and capture, I become absorbed in the story. Mindlessly I cross my tired and cramping legs at the knee, and my skirt rides up my thigh a little. As my eyes wander around the room, I notice Dr. Marshall openly leering at my fishnet-clad legs with undisguised appreciation. I quickly drop my foot to the floor and tug my skirt a little lower.

The meeting drones on until lunch is brought up by the Dauntless catering staff and everyone moves to the other meeting room to eat. I try to stay near Uriah, but as I exit the buffet line, Dr. Marshall calls me again.

"Miss Prior," he yells across the room, "come sit with us."

I don't want to, but I do as I'm told, joining Max, Eric, Dr. Marshall, and two of the Erudite leaders at the round table. As the last one to the table, I have to take the seat that is available which places me between Eric and Dr. Marshall.

Like many leaders, Dr. Marshall loves to hear himself talk. I pick at my lunch and try to look interested as he describes some of Erudite's great accomplishments. I nod and smile as he talks about his lab and the new advances his faction is making. Thankfully Max manages to shift the conversation to a new topic, and Dr. Marshall stops talking long enough to eat his lunch.

I'm listening to Max talk about weapons advancements when I feel a hand squeeze my knee. I glance up at the Erudite leader in shock. He raises an eyebrow at me and slides his hand further up my thigh. I squeeze my legs together and give him my best glare. He grins wolfishly in response.

My heart races. My cheeks flush pink. I can't breathe. Dr. Marshall freely pushes his hand up my leg, squeezing hard, and I panic. I don't know how to stop him without making a scene. Desperately, I dig my nails into Eric's knee under the table while trying to push away the Erudite leader with my other hand.

"Ow, Tris," Eric hisses at my as he turned to give me a glare. Seeing the terrified look on my face and the predatory grin on Dr. Marshall's, Eric quickly figures out the problem. He jumps to his feet and grabs the back of my chair. "Tris, we forgot that thing," he says in a voice of mock panic. "Come with me right away. We need to take care of it."

"Of course," I say, latching on to the lifeline Eric throws me.

"Excuse us," I call over my shoulder as Eric drags me out of the room.

As soon as the door closes behind us, I begin shaking, and a single tear streams down my cheek. Eric pulls me in to his broad chest and wraps my in his strong arms. His strength and woodsy masculine smell comfort me.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

I nod, but the shaking doesn't stop. "Just some bruising on my thigh," I say. "Eric, that man is a creep!"

"It's okay," he soothes. "You don't have to go in there. They're almost done. Go hide in your office and I'll call Four to come down here."

Eric's offer rekindles my desire for independence. "No!" I respond firmly, pushing away from Eric. He looks confused by my sudden outburst.

"I will not hide, and you will not call Four to come get me like I'm a helpless little girl who needs a babysitter!"

"Relax," Eric soothes, "I know you don't need a babysitter. I just thought you would like your boyfriend to comfort you."

"He's not exactly the comforting type," I mumble.

"How about this," Eric offers, "when you're ready we'll go back in there together. You'll stay with me or Uriah for as long as the Erudite are here, and when they're gone you can have the rest of the afternoon off as hazard pay."

I smile and nod.

As we re-enter the meeting room, Eric guides me to Uriah, who is sitting with the other ambassadors on the opposite side of the room from Dr. Marshall. Eric leans in and speaks quietly to Uriah, then leaves me with him while he rejoins the leaders and tries to distract Dr. Marshall until the Erudite can be encouraged to leave.

Once they're gone, the Dauntless ambassadors withdraw to their offices, and Max leads the leaders into his.

"I think that went really well," Max begins. "Dr. Marshall seemed especially fond of you, Tris. I think this is the beginning of a good working relationship."

The comment strikes me speechless. Obviously Max didn't see what was going on under the table.

"Are you kidding me!?" Eric yells. "That jerk comes in here, openly ogles and then sexually assaults a Dauntless woman, a leader, and you think it went well?!"

Suddenly everyone is clamoring to speak at once. Eric continues to rail against Dr. Marshall's behavior while Veronica, Harrison, and Max all express shock and outrage at Eric's accusation. I remain silent, my face flushed in anger and embarrassment.

"Tris," asks Max, "is this true?"

I nod mutely and pull up my skirt just enough to reveal the bottom of the bruises that Dr. Marshall's aggressive handling left on my leg.

"What? But, how? When?" Max stammers.

"Under the table at lunch," I answer in a small voice. "I tried to push back, but he was persistent, and I didn't want to cause a scene."

Max draws himself up tall and squares his broad shoulders. "This is unacceptable," he begins, "this is an insult to you as a leader and to our entire faction."

Harrison drops a strong hand on my shoulder. "You need to file a grievance with the council," he advises.

I shake my head. "No way. Relations with Erudite are shaky enough as it is. I'm not going to go whining to the council and destroy what they've just started rebuilding because one creep can't keep his hands to himself. Besides, you all know that the Abnegation would use the situation to rip down Dauntless' 'loose' women and our 'inappropriate' attire. Hell, Marcus doesn't like women in leadership at all. He would probably use this as evidence that women leaders are just distractions to the 'real' leaders. No, I'm not filing a complaint. But next time we have a meeting with Erudite, keep that creep away from me, and don't be too shocked if I throw political expediency out the window and break his damn hand."

Max and Harrison grin and thump me on the back. Veronica puts an arm around me and promises to break his other hand if I do. Eric remains silent and tense.

"I don't want you alone with him, either of you," Eric snaps at Veronica and me. "He's a jerk who thinks that his position entitles him to take what he wants from any woman that catches his eye. Don't give him that chance."

Fire burns in me, but I refrain from telling him that I can fight my own battles. Maybe Veronica or another woman wouldn't be able to. Establishing an unofficial policy that Dauntless women are not to be alone with Dr. Marshall will protect them down the line. Plus, I have to admit that I have no interest in putting myself into position to be harassed again.

The meeting breaks up and, as promised, I'm given the rest of the day off. I hurry back to my apartment and trade in my suit and heels for a pair of cotton shorts and one of Tobias' old tees. Looking at the bruises on my thigh, I know that it won't go well when Tobias sees my leg.