I slowly open my eyes. It's dark, but not nighttime dark. A glance at the clock shows it to be 3:00 pm. It takes a minute for my groggy brain to remember the difference between am and pm and figure out that it's dark in here in the middle of the day because the blinds are closed tight. I sit up and turn to put my feet on the floor. So far, so good. I stand, cautiously. I'm tired, foggy, and a little dizzy, but I'm not in any pain.

I shuffle out to the living room and find Eric on my couch. He's wearing a pair of glasses and looking over some papers. For a minute I just stand and stare. I've never seen him in glasses before. In spite of his tattoos and piercings they make him look Erudite. I try to picture him young and unmarked, his arms full of books and his head full of useless facts. The thought makes me giggle and he looks up suddenly at the sound.

"Stiff!" he says. "You're awake. How do you feel?"

"Fine," I say, trying to be nonchalant. "I had a nice nap. How long have you been here?"

Eric rubs the back of his neck and doesn't make eye contact with me. "Um, for a little while," he admits hesitantly.

"I thought you were going to wake me up for lunch?"

"You looked so peaceful," he says, "and I wanted you to hold on to that as long as you could. I knew you would wake up if you got hungry enough."

I shrug and start digging through my fridge. I find a bag lunch from the cafeteria and some new grocery items. I settle on the bag lunch and a bottle of water, and start picking at it.

"You still didn't answer me," I say between bites. "How long have you been here?"

Eric shrugs. "I picked up lunch, and you were sleeping, so I went to get some paperwork, and I've been working from here. You don't mind, do you?"

"No," I assure him, "I don't mind at all. And thanks for the lunch."

Eric gathers his papers into a neat stack, tucking them into a folder and then into the leather bag by his feet. He removes his glasses and puts them on the coffee table, then examines me again.

"You're being awfully calm for someone who had a breakdown just a few hours ago," he says cautiously. "What's going on in your head?"

"Shame, mostly," I admit, rewrapping the majority of my lunch. "I'm trying to be calm and not think about everything, but I'm really not sure where I go from here or what I'll be facing tomorrow. The uncertainty and the thought of everyone staring at me, having them all know what Peter, Drew, and Al did to me…"

I grab the edge of the counter and try to regulate my breathing. I hear Eric get up from the sofa and hurry to my side. He timidly puts a hand on my back.

"Stiff?" he questions quietly. "You okay?"

I nod, then let my shoulders fall and shake my head instead. I'm not okay. None of this is okay, and I'm dizzy again. Eric wraps his arms around me and half guides - half carries me to the living room. He seats us side by side on the couch and wraps his arms securely around me.

"It's okay, Tris," he soothes.

I laugh, half hysterical. "You were such a jerk during initiation," I explain, "yet here you are comforting me like a little girl with a skinned knee. It's kind of funny."

Eric sighs. "I had to be a jerk back then. I couldn't let anyone get close to me. It might have blown my cover or given Jeanine someone to leverage against me. I couldn't afford that. And Tris, you are so much more than a little girl, and this is so much more than a skinned knee. It's natural to be upset. It's okay if you break down. It's just us here."

I nod, touched by his words and comforted by his arms. This is so different from my relationship with Tobias. Eric makes me feel capable and encourages me to not hide my feelings. Tobias acted like every little thing that upset me was proof that I made a bad choice by joining leadership, which made me want to hide my feelings.

It wasn't always that way. During initiation and when we first got together Tobias was supportive. I remember jumping on the train one time. When he reached out a hand to help me I insisted that I could do it myself. He agreed, saying that he knew I could, but that I didn't have to do it alone when he was there. Something changed between us when I chose leadership. I don't know if me holding a higher position made him feel insecure, or if knowing that I would be forced to see Marcus at leadership events brought up bad memories. Maybe he really just thought I couldn't handle leadership. In any case, once I started training to be a Dauntless leader things changed.

"Tris?" Eric gently interrupts my reverie. "Are you awake?"

I nod against his chest. He pets my hair, and in a soothing voice asks if I can tell him what happened that night when Peter and his minions attacked me.

I bury my face deeper into Eric's chest and arms. This will be easier if I don't have to see his reaction.

"It was the night after the second stage rankings," I begin, "and I was in the top spot. I had trouble sleeping that night, so at one point I got up to get some water. I was out in the hall when they jumped me from behind. They covered my eyes and mouth. I couldn't scream for help and I couldn't even see what was going on. I bit, I kicked, I fought, but I was outnumbered three-to-one, and they were all bigger than me. They dragged me to the chasm and tried to throw me over. It gets fuzzy at that point. I remember Peter groping me and mocking me, and I remember hitting my head on something hard. Al ran away, and Peter managed to get me over the railing before he ran off too.

Four showed up, and he beat Drew pretty bad, then pulled me back over the railing. I refused to go to the infirmary or press charges against my attackers. Al was my friend, and I knew accusing Peter and Drew would just put a bigger target on my back. I didn't want them to know I was weak and scared, and I didn't want all of Dauntless to know I was incapable of defending myself.

Four carried me back to his place. He cleaned me up, bandaged my wounds, and iced my head. He let me stay in his apartment for the night so I could get some sleep and be safe. He gave me some advice in the morning, and took me back to my friends."

"I can't believe he didn't file a report," Eric snarls. "He knew about an assault on an initiate. As a trainer it's his responsibility to keep everyone safe. Ignoring an attack like that is a serious lapse in judgment. He could be fired for that, or even charged with a crime."

"Please, Eric, leave Four out of this. It's my fault he didn't report it. I insisted. Besides, he saved me! I can't let him get in trouble for that!"

"Tris, we don't have a choice here. You have to file a report about what happened, all the details. And if your story doesn't line up with Peter's confession, you might have to testify under truth serum. Hiding his involvement is just going to look worse when the truth is revealed."

I contemplate the options for a few minutes. "I just wish everyone would leave me alone," I moan. "Al is dead, Drew is factionless, and Peter blew his own cover. I just want it to be over."

Eric sighs again. "You didn't eat much of that bag lunch," he says. "Are you hungry at all? I brought ingredients to make dinner so you could stay in and rest this evening."

I shrug, still preoccupied with the problem of filing my report and even testifying without getting Tobias into trouble.

"I'm going to make us something," says Eric, disentangling me from his arms.

I lay down on the couch and mull over my options. I could try and get a copy of Peter's confession before I file my report. But what he said drunk may differ from what he says under truth serum. I could keep my report vague and hope it's enough to corroborate Peter's testimony so I won't have to testify under truth serum. They already have a confession, so as long as there aren't any discrepancies between what he says and what I say, they probably won't put the victim under truth serum. Right?

"Eric?" I call. "Do you have the report I have to file? I'd like to get it out of the way tonight."

"The doctor told you to rest and wait until tomorrow," he calls back.

"I'm physically fine," I argue. "That doctor isn't a psychiatrist; she doesn't know. She was just making a suggestion. I want to get it over with tonight."

Eric contemplates my argument. "I'll make you a deal," he offers. "If you eat enough dinner we can do the report tonight."

I agree to his conditions, and he presents me with a plate of chicken, peas, and a baked potato. Abnegation food. I give him a knowing look.

"What?" he asks, "The doctor said to keep it simple tonight, and what's simpler than the Stiff dinner special?"

Eric joins me on the couch and I notice that his dinner has some more seasonings, butter on the potato, and a sauce he didn't put on my plate. I enjoy the simple fare. It reminds me of home and quiet evenings with my family. Eric looks pleasantly surprised when I finish my meal.

"Do you still want to fill out that report tonight?" he asks me.

I nod. I want this over with. He digs through his leather bag and pulls out a worksheet and a pen. I take it to the kitchen island where I painstakingly write out a bare bones version of the tale I told Eric earlier. I refer to my assailants as "three masked men who I discovered were Peter, Drew, and Al from my initiate class." I brush over Peter's groping as "inappropriate touches over my clothing." I describe hitting my head on the railing and say that I "made my escape when a Dauntless male arrived, engaging Drew in a fight as Al and Peter ran away." I don't mention Four at all, nor do I mention where I went after the attack. The report is completely factional without being too revealing. Even Eric has to agree that I managed to walk a fine line that might just keep Four from getting involved.

Eric offers to turn in the report at the security office and get us ice cream. I don't know how long he plans on staying here with me, but I'm not going to ask because it might make him think that I want him to leave. The truth is that I'm enjoying Eric's company. He makes me feel safe, and he doesn't push or scold me. He's been remarkably thoughtful and supportive.

Just a minute after Eric leaves, there's a timid knock at my door, and I wonder if he forgot something. I open it a crack and find Christina in the hall.

"What's up, Chris?" I ask, opening the door wider.

"Are you okay?" she asks. "I've been in the Control Room with Four and Zeke practically all day watching for your guard dog to leave so I could check on you!"

"My guard dog?" I ask. "Eric?"

"Yeah," she says, "he won't let anyone come see you. He says you need rest and quiet."

"That's what the doctor said," I confirm. "I've actually been asleep most of the day, and I guess Eric has been working from here. He just went to turn in an official report and get us some ice cream."

Christina raises an eyebrow at me in a knowing way.

"What?" I ask, blushing.

"Oh my gosh! You like him, don't you?" she grills.

I feel my blush deepen. "Chris," I whine, "we're just friends. Besides, I just broke up with Four and I'm not-"

"Oh. My. God." she interrupts. "That was over a month ago now. What are you waiting for? You obviously like him, and if this protective vibe he's had all day is any indication, I'd say he likes you too."

"Chris," I whine. "Stop. I want to finish leadership training before I think about dating anyone again. Besides, Eric could do so much better. He's a leader, and a hero, and, I mean, just look at him!"

"Riiiight," says Christina, her voice dragging and sarcastic. "What on Earth would Eric want with a beautiful blonde who also happens to be deadly smart and one of the nicest people in all of Dauntless. It baffles the mind."

I blush again at her compliments.

"I gotta go," she says quickly. "Your pitbull hottie will be back any minute, and I don't want him to hang me over the chasm again. I'm glad you're feeling better. Come visit me at the store tomorrow if you can."

I agree and Christina hurries away.

Back on the sofa, I don't have long to wait for Eric's return. He taps quietly on the door before letting himself in with the key I gave him earlier.

"I brought chocolate ice cream and cookie dough ice cream," he greets me. "Which would you like?"

"How about a scoop of each," I suggest.

"There's that Erudite aptitude," he teases me. "I think I'll have the same."

He doesn't let me help in the kitchen, insisting that he can handle the simple task of scooping ice cream. I pick out a movie while I wait for him.

Once we're settled side by side on the couch, Eric digs around in his pocket and tries to return my spare key.

"Keep it," I say, trying to sound nonchalant. "You're my nearest neighbor, my coworker, and my friend. You can have a key to my place. Unless you don't want it," I trail off in a small voice.

"You trust me?" his voice is full of wonder. "Shouldn't you give it to Christina? She's your best friend, after all."

"No way!" I argue. "I love Christina, and she is my best friend, but if she had a key to my apartment I would come home to find her here every time she and Will have an argument. Plus, she would go through my wardrobe and replace everything comfortable with something short or tight. It's better if she can only be here supervised!"

"So no replacing your comfy clothes with short skirts and high heels? And I can't come here if I fight with Will? I don't know, Prior, you're asking a lot of me," he teases.

I can't help it and laugh out loud. "I can't imagine what you would add to my wardrobe!"

Eric thinks for a minute, and a devilish grin crosses his face. "How about an Erudite schoolgirl skirt?" he suggests. "Dauntlessly short, of course, with those sexy heels you wore the other day."

"Is this a fantasy of yours, Coulter?" I tease back. "Does the Nose miss his glasses and the sight of blue plaid skirts?"

Eric growls and leans close to my ear. "Don't tease me," he says in a low, seductive voice that makes my stomach flip.

He gathers the dirty dishes and I will my face to cool down while he's out of the room. That went a little far for friendly teasing. Christina was right, I totally like Eric. I have to get ahold of my feelings before I embarrass myself.

I hear Eric start my dishwasher, and then he calls me from the kitchen. "Stiff? I gotta get going. Will you be okay?"

"I'm fine," I assure him. "I feel much better since I got that report done."

"You know where I am if you need me," he says as he hurries out the door.

That was strange. Apparently our teasing was too much for Eric, as well, and he had to get out of here. I hope things won't be weird between us now.