Once Candor received my report, along with the detention report from Peter's night in the drunk tank and his surveillance tape confession, they reviewed the documents and set a trial date. Peter was held in custody at Candor to await trial. Normally he would be kept here in Dauntless where we have our own jail, but with the charge of attempted murder he was taken right to the maximum security facility at Candor.

The date for the trial coincides with the end of my leadership training, so I have a lot on my mind. I'm still doing physical training with Eric in the mornings, when he doesn't cancel on me. Things have been pretty cool between us. Apparently our flirty evening eating ice cream on my couch was uncomfortable for him, because he has kept his distance from me ever since. I miss my friend, and I feel bad about letting things get awkward. I've finished my hands-on office training, and have been keeping regular office hours like the other leaders while studying for my final exam.

My social life is pretty much non-existent. After word got out that Peter tried to kill me during initiation, everyone started staring at me and talking about me. I would walk into the cafeteria and conversations would stop as people looked away or tried to look busy. My upcoming final exam for leadership makes a good excuse to avoid everyone, so I stay in my office or my apartment most of the time.

I still pop in to the store to see Christina and drool over my leather jacket. She, Marlene, and Lynn come by my place some nights to help me study or share a pizza. The rest of my meals I've been taking at my apartment, which means I'm back to eating Abnegation food because that's what I know how to cook.

After filing my report on Peter's attack, I met with Tobias to explain the situation. I informed him that I had kept the wording vague to keep him out of it as much as possible. I don't think Peter knows who rescued me, and where I went after the attack isn't relevant to Peter's guilt or innocence, so I'm hopeful that we can get through this without getting Tobias in trouble.

A knock on my apartment door startles me. Apparently my mind wandered while I was studying. This chapter on protocols and chains of command is so boring. I get it in real life, who handles what and to whom they report, but the abstract description in this textbook makes me want to nap.

I peek out of my apartment and find Tobias standing in the hall.

"Come in," I welcome him as I slide the chain lock and open the door.

He enters and stands just inside the door. His weight shifts from one foot to the other and back, and he has yet to look directly at me.

"Tobias?" I ask. "Is something wrong?"

"No," he assures me, making eye contact for a brief second. "I just want to talk to you about something. I know this is weird and I don't want to add any more stress when you already have your test coming up and Peter's trial. I don't want to make it awkward, which is exactly what I'm doing…"

I cut off his rambling with a raised hand. "Tobias, stop. I told you what I put in my report on the incident. It's unlikely that your name will come up at all. Plus, if it does I'm willing to fight to protect you. I don't think you did anything wrong in not reporting the attack."

This time he cuts me off. "That's um, that's not why I'm here. I mean I appreciate you looking out for me and I'm sorry you have to go through this, but I'm not here to talk about Peter."

"Oh," is all I can manage. I feel dread take root in my stomach. Tobias and I are just finding our footing as friends. I really hope he isn't going to mess that up by trying to get back together with me.

"Listen Tobias-" I begin.

"Actually, I-" he says at the same time.

We both stop and smile awkwardly. "Go ahead," I encourage him.

He shuffles his feet, then takes in a deep breath and blurts out, "I met someone."

"Oh." The single word pops out of my mouth unbidden.

"I just don't want this to be weird, so I wanted you to hear it from me first."

"I appreciate that," I say. "I'm happy for you. Who is she?"

"Her name is Tiffany," he smiles and blushes slightly. It's cute to see him smitten like this. "She was an Amity transfer the year between us. She works in the ice cream and coffee shop in the pit."

"Redhead?" I ask. "Cute? Always smiling?"

"Yeah," he says, his blush deepening. "Shauna set us up."

"Tobias," I encourage him, "please look at me." He looks up and I smile at him. "I'm really happy for you. Tiffany is really sweet. I want you to be happy. I want you to move on and find someone. We had a good relationship and parted on good terms. I'm glad we can still be friends, and I hope she'll be okay with hanging out with us. I promise I won't make it weird if I can help it."

He grins at my answer, and I can see how his face beams with joy. He really likes this girl. And from the bottom of my heart I am genuinely happy for him. There was a time in my life when I thought Tobias and I would be together forever and that I could never be happy without him. Yet here we are moving on, and other than an echo of nostalgia, it doesn't even hurt.

"Thanks Tris," he says, heading toward the door.

"Hey Tobias," I call after him, "she's going to want to know your real name pretty early on. Don't shut her out. You don't have to tell her your whole life story right away, but don't snap at her for asking. It's a normal thing to wonder about. Okay?"

"Okay," he says as he walks toward the elevator. "Thanks again."

I wave at Tobias and think of Eric. He did so much to help me get through those first awkward days after Tobias and I broke up. I try to shrug off the feeling of longing and head back to my apartment to bury myself in a fresh pot of coffee and my studies.

.

xxxx

.

I'm at my desk, unpacking my bag lunch on Tuesday when Max pops his head in my door.

"Hey, Tris, do you have a minute?" he asks.

"Sure Max," I wave him in.

He declines the seat I point to. "I won't stay long," he assures me, "I just need to talk to you about the test and the trial."

I sigh. Having both land in the same week is overwhelming when I let myself stop and think about it.

"Now, you were scheduled to take the leadership final on Thursday, but since Candor scheduled the trial for Friday, I want to give you the option to take the test next week. If the trial is weighing on your mind it's perfectly okay to put off the test for a few days. It's up to you."

"I appreciate your thoughtfulness," I say to my boss, "but I think I want to get it over with. Preparing for the test has kept my mind occupied. I think I want to finish it up, face the trial on Friday, and then sleep for a few days."

Max laughs. "That can be arranged. No matter what happens you'll have the weekend off to recover. If you change your mind and want to move the test, just let me know."

"Thanks Max," I say.

"No problem," he says on his way out of my office.

I turn back to my bag lunch, but am interrupted again, this time by a buzz from the receptionist.

"Yes, Kyle?"

"Christina is here to see you."

I wonder what brings my best friend down here when she should be at work.

"Send her in," I say into the phone.

Christina bursts through my office door, clearly upset.

"It's gone!" she wails.

"Wait. Chris, what's gone?"

"I'm so sorry. It was there yesterday and this morning it was gone. One of the dependents working yesterday evening sold it. I don't even know who it was."

"Christina, slow down. I'm really confused here. What's gone?"

"The jacket," she says forlornly.

"My jacket?" I question. I hold out a tiny shred of hope that she's talking about something else, but in my gut I know. My jacket is gone.

Christina nods and a tear trickles down her cheek.

"Oh Chris, don't cry." Inside I'm torn up over the loss, but I don't want Christina to feel bad. It isn't her fault.

"It's just a jacket," I say, "I guess it wasn't meant to be."

"But you looked so good in it," she laments, "and it meant so much to you!"

I manage to keep up the facade until Christina goes back to work, then I lay my head on my desk and cry.

.

xxxx

.

Eric cancels our training again on Wednesday morning. He hasn't been in the office much this week, either. I think he's involved in the trial preparations at Candor, but no one talks to me about that; they all want me to focus on the test first. I spend part of the day with Veronica, who quizzes me and assures me that I'll do just fine.

Christina, Shauna, Marlene, and Lynn bring me a pizza and ice cream for dinner. We relax and gossip while eating too much junk, and I kick them out early so I can get a good night's sleep. But sleep won't come. I'm too full of sugar and keyed up over the test and the trial. Around midnight I make hot tea with a splash of milk. After that I doze for a while, then wake up in a panic thinking I've overslept, but it's only 3:00 AM. I try a warm bath. It relaxes me enough that I'm finally able to get a couple hours of good sleep before my alarm goes off.

I dress in something casual but professional - dark skinny jeans tucked into my Dauntless-issued combat boots, a short-sleeved black tunic top, and a long chain with a pendant of the Dauntless symbol that my friends gave me for good luck. I pull my long hair into a ponytail so it will be out of the way. Grabbing a yogurt and a water bottle on my way out the door, I head to the leadership wing. The receptionist, Kyle, is waiting in the lobby with Max, Veronica, Harrison, and Eric.

Kyle gives me a quick hug and a word of encouragement. Max and Harrison are grinning ear-to-ear. It's obvious they're confident I'll do well. Veronica reaches for my hand and leads me past a stray chair in the hallway to one of the conference rooms. Today it is set up with a single seat at the large conference table. Across the room, two other chairs are set up.

Max motions for me to sit at the table and hands me several sharpened pencils and an answer sheet.

"Tris, you have two hours to complete the leadership exam. It consists of 50 multiple choice questions and two essays. You may not leave the room during the test. Harrison and I will be here to observe you. Eric will be stationed in the hallway, and Veronica and Kyle will be out in the lobby. We will ensure that you are not bothered during the exam. When you are finished, or at the end of the two hours, your test will be graded. You will have the rest of the day off, in fact you won't be back in the office until Monday, when you begin work as a full Dauntless leader. I have full confidence in you. You've got this, Tris. Do you have any questions?"

I shake my head.

"Piece of cake," says Harrison, taking his seat across the room.

"Good luck," says Veronica on her way out the door.

Eric gives me a real smile that lights up his face and warms my heart before he, too, leaves the room.

Max sets the exam paper in front of me and says, "Go ahead and begin."

I dive right in, filling in the little dots that represent my answer. A computer will grade the multiple choice portion of the test, reading the little dots in an instant. I finish that portion in about 45 minutes and move on the essays. The questions aren't hard, but I take my time, think through my answers, and put forth my best effort.

I finish the test with twenty minutes to spare. Max and Harrison grin at me when I turn in my papers.

"How was it?" Harrison asks.

"Not bad," I say. "I think the studying paid off."

"I'm sure you did great," says Max. "I'm going to take this for scoring. We'll let you know how you did as soon as we can."

I thank them as we leave the room. They head down the hall toward their offices, and I turn the other way to exit the leadership wing. Eric is still waiting in the hall.

"How did it go?" he asks, his voice a deep rumble that shakes my insides.

"Good, I guess," I reply.

"Can I buy you lunch?" he asks.

"I'd like that," I say with a small smile, "but I got no sleep last night and I really don't have an appetite. I was kind of looking forward to going home for a nap."

"How about dinner, then, once you've had a chance to rest?"

"I'd love to," I say, "in the cafeteria? Or did you want to try your hand at more Abnegation cooking?"

Eric smiles at me. "Actually I was thinking about the restaurant in the pit. Have you been there?"

"I have not," I say. "I could never justify paying for dinner when the cafeteria was right there."

Eric laughs, "this is nothing like the cafeteria, I assure you."

"Will I need to dress up?" I ask, suddenly unsure of myself.

"You look fine just how you are," Eric assures me, "but you can dress up a little if you feel like it."

We enter the lobby together and I'm bombarded by Veronica and Kyle, both eager to hear how the test went. I assure them that I did okay, and they both hug me before letting me go. Eric follows me out of the leadership wing, and we find a group of my friends waiting in the hall. Everyone is there - Zeke, Uriah, Christina, Will, Shauna, Marlene, and Lynn. Even Tobias is there with Tiffany by his side.

"There she is!" yells Zeke.

"Trissy!" squeals Uriah. "How was it?"

Suddenly everyone is clamoring to talk at once. I raise both hands to stop their chattering voices.

"Thank you guys for being here. It means a lot to me. The test went okay. I won't get my results for a while yet, but I feel good about it. I'm going home for some lunch and a nap, but on Saturday, once the trial is out of the way, I want us all to get together and party. What do you say? Party at my place on Saturday night?"

My friends cheer and after another round of hugs they disperse back to their jobs and homes. Soon just Eric and I are standing in the hall.

"Can I walk you home?" he asks. The simple words release a flood of memories from my childhood in Abnegation. There walking a girl home from a day of volunteering together is the first formal step in forming a courting relationship. Eric can't possibly know that, but it makes me smile anyway.

"I'd like that," I say.

We walk to the leadership housing area, and Eric holds the door to my apartment so I can walk in.

"Is 6:00 okay for dinner?" he asks.

"6:00 is good for me," I say. That will give me plenty of time for a quick lunch and a long nap.

"I'll see you later then," he says on his way out.

A long nap and a shower later I'm a new person. I put on my same tunic, but pair it with an above-the-knee skirt covered in dull black sequins. I wear the same Dauntless symbol necklace, but exchange my combat boots for a pair of black flats. I wear my hair down long and add just a touch of makeup.

As I examine my face in the mirror, I consider getting a piercing. I haven't gotten any yet because I was afraid that during initiation or leadership training a fresh piercing would create a painful weakness that an opponent could exploit. I've wanted to have my ear lobes pierced forever, and lately I've been in love with the idea of a tragus piercing. I'll be getting my leadership tattoos soon if I passed the test, and I have an idea to add dermals to the top of the leadership ladder, just to add a bit of sparkle.

Promptly at 6:00 there is a knock at my door. I crack it open and find Eric carrying a large box.

"What is that?" I ask.

"Can I come in?" he asks around the cumbersome package.

I hold open the door and he sets the box on my kitchen island.

"This is for you," he says.

I'm dumbfounded. I have very little experience in receiving gifts and the attention and expectation makes me squirm.

"Why?" I ask.

"Open it first, then I'll explain," says Eric with a grin.

Tentatively I begin removing the brown paper wrapping from the box. I lift the lid, and right on top is a blue piece of fabric. I pull it out of the box and see that it's a black and blue plaid skirt, Erudite schoolgirl style, Dauntless short. I can't help but laugh, and Eric does too.

"Okay," he says, "that part's a joke. The real gift is underneath."

I lift a couple layers of tissue paper, and find my leather jacket. The very one I have been staring at. The one I planned to buy myself when I made leadership. I'm speechless.

"I was just going to bring you flowers," Eric says, "but I ran into Max on my way out of the office and he passed along some good news. You passed. You're a full Dauntless leader now."

I still can't speak, and I start trembling.

"Are you okay?" Eric asks, panicked. "Do you need to sit down?"

I shake my head and close my gaping mouth.

"I'm fine," I insist. "Eric, I just - I don't -"

Eric chuckles. "Why don't you try it on," he suggests.

I nod and pull the soft leather garment from the box. Eric holds it for me as I slide it on. It's as perfect as I remember.

"How did you know?" I ask.

"I've seen you going in there on hard days. At first I thought you were just visiting Christina, but one day you went when she wasn't working, and I saw you staring at it. I decided then that I would get it for you when you finished leadership training."

"But it's so expensive," I protest, still rubbing my hands down the smooth surface in awe.

"Don't worry about that," he says, "you deserve it."

Impulsively I throw my arms around Eric. He returns my hug, pulling me close to his chest.

I pull back, blushing. "I have something for you, too." I say shyly, "for being my trainer."

"You didn't need to do that," Eric scolds, "I was just doing my job."

"You did so much more than your job," I laugh. "Plus, it's not a big, expensive thing. Just a little thank you gift."

"Is it blue plaid?" Eric teases.

"You'll see," I call to him as I go into my spare bedroom.

I bring out a paper bag from the Dauntless liquor store and hand it to Eric. He pops one eyebrow inquisitively.

"It's not that cinnamon junk, is it?" he teases.

"You'll have to see," I tease back.

He reaches into the bag and pulls out a deep green box. On the cover is the name of a scotch brand, and Eric pulls a bottle out of the box.

"Wow," he says, "this is good stuff, even better than what I brought over here that one night. How did you find it?"

"I went to the liquor store and asked about scotch," I say. "They had this available, so I got it for you."

"That's really nice, Tris, thank you so much."

"You're welcome," I blush.

For a minute we just stare at each other. Eric breaks the silence.

"So, dinner?"

"Right," I say, snapping out of my trance. "Dinner."

For the next two hours I forget all about tests and the trial coming up tomorrow and just enjoy a delicious steak dinner with Eric, complete with a shared bottle of red wine. We laugh about things that happened at work, and talk about the seasons, our families, and childhood memories.

I learn that Eric's parents are still in Erudite. They didn't have anything to do with Jeanine, though she was a distant cousin of Eric's mother. He talks about his younger sister and how hard it was to leave her when he chose Dauntless. But he's Dauntless through and through, and he knew that he had to be honest with himself and choose the faction where he had the best chance of succeeding.

I tell him about my parents and Caleb, and the simple life we shared in Abnegation. I talk about volunteering with the factionless, and about how hard it was for me to blend in and be selfless in the way Abnegation taught.

"I have a hard time seeing you as Abnegation," he says, "I'll bet you stood out there like a bonfire in the dark."

"I'll admit it was a bad fit," I laugh, "but It was all I knew, so I made it work. I only realized just how bad it was when I got here. I always wanted the freedom of Dauntless."

"Is it everything you hoped?" he asks, his eyes staring intently into mine.

"And more," I answer.

After dinner, which Eric insisted on paying for, he informs me that there's one more surprise. We walk across the pit together, straight to Tori's tattoo shop. The frosted glass doors are closed, and a sign on the door informs us that the parlor is closed for the evening. Eric taps on the glass and Tori opens the door with a smile.

"Tris!" she exclaims, "congratulations on passing your test!"

She envelopes me in a hug, and I return the affection. Tori feels like an aunt to me. She has been there during some hard times, and I appreciate her wisdom, guidance, and friendship. Her partner, Bud, hugs me next, and as we walk past the lobby to the workstations, I see Max with his wife Carissa, Harrison and his wife Debbie, and Veronica waiting for us. They cheer when they see me, and Max pops the cork on a bottle of champagne. I blush deeply at the unexpected attention, and take a step back, straight into Eric's broad chest. He rests his hands on my shoulders, steadying me.

"Have you thought about where you want to put your leadership tattoos?" asks Tori.

"Where do you guys have yours?" I ask the other leaders.

Max lifts the back of his shirt, revealing the familiar ladders on either side of his spine. Harrison reveals his on his calves. Veronica has hers up her sides. Eric, of course, wears his right on his neck.

"I was thinking about the inside of my forearms," I tell them. "Maybe because I'm young, and a woman, or maybe it's because I'm small, but I really want my leadership tattoos visible."

"That's a good spot," confirms Tori. "Not super painful, so Bud and I can each do an arm at the same time."

The leadership team agrees, and Tori prints the stencils in my size. The tattoos will run from near my elbow creases up to my wrists on both arms. When the stencils are in place and approved by everyone, I take a seat in the reclining chair and lay out my arms on wide armrests that hold them where Bud and Tori can easily work on them.

The steady buzz of the tattoo guns drowns out the conversation of my fellow leaders. At first the sound is soothing, but then the artists get to work on my arms, and the pain of the needles makes me tense again. The forearm isn't a painful place for a tattoo. Eric's neck tattoo or Tobias' ribcage pieces would have been much worse, but having both arms tattooed at the same time is a lot.

I try to keep a brave face, but I catch Eric watching me with concern in his eyes. As the artists get closer to my elbow creases, the pain intensifies. Eric must know this, because he comes to stand by my chair, and places a comforting hand on my bare ankle, rubbing small circles with his warm thumb. I try to focus on his soothing touch instead of the clawing sting of the tattoo needles.

When Bud and Tori finish their work and the leadership team expresses their approval, Tori covers my tattoos and hands me a new jar of healing salve.

"Keep it covered until you go to bed tonight," she instructs me. "After that, keep it moisturized with the salve until it's healed. Come back here if you have any problems or need any touch-ups. You know the drill."

I thank Bud and Tori and accept my glass of champagne from Max. As the artists clean up the shop for the night, we leaders make our way to the bar, where Max has reserved the VIP room for us. Being a Thursday night, the bar isn't very busy. I find myself on a sofa next to Eric, enjoying a chance to get to know Max and Harrison's wives.

A few drinks later I'm feeling nice and relaxed from the alcohol and Eric's arm around my shoulders. The adrenaline from the tattooing is fading at the same time, and I start to nod off. I'm jolted awake by the low rumble of Eric's voice close to my ear.

"I need to get you home before you fall asleep and everyone thinks you're passed out drunk."

I giggle, clearly a little tipsy, and take the hand he offers me. We bid our goodnights to the other leaders. I'll see them tomorrow at the trial, with the exception of Harrison, who will stay behind as the designated leader on duty. As we leave the bar, Eric doesn't let go of my hand, but holds on to it all the way back to our apartments.

At my door, Eric stops and waits as I let myself in. I turn to say goodnight and find that his broad chest is just inches from me. I look up, into his molten grey eyes, and my breath catches in my throat. It feels like slow motion as he reaches out and tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering all the way down the silky strand.

I brace myself by placing a hand on Eric's chest. His taut muscles twitch under my hand, causing me to shudder. Feeling brave, I let my hand wander up to his neck where I trace the lines of his leadership tattoo gently. Goosebumps raise on Eric's neck, and he brings his hands to my shoulders to ground himself. For a minute we just stand there, close together, breathing the same air.

Eric breaks the spell by leaning down and placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. His throat is at my eye level, and I notice his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows. I'm tempted to tip my head up and kiss his throbbing pulsepoint, but I chicken out and pull away instead.

Eric slides his hands from my shoulders all the way down my arms to my hands, careful not to put any pressure on my fresh tattoos. He squeezes my hands and looks into my eyes.

"Goodnight, Tris," he says, a hint of regret in his voice.

"Goodnight, Eric," I say in a soft voice.

.

xxxx

.

A/N: In a moment of "get to know you're author," I thought I'd tell you that I have a tragus piercing and tattoos on my left wrist and right forearm. I didn't get them done at the same time, though. My wrist was virtually painless. My forearm wasn't bad either. In fact, I almost fell asleep until the artist got near my elbow crease. Then it got painful! My artist and I are currently working on sketches for my left forearm, and that piece will include a dermal piercing once it's healed.

In real life people don't fit into categories as cleanly as they do in Divergent's Chicago, but I would say that I grew up Abnegation (my father is a minister), married a blue-wearing Erudite engineer with two master's degrees, and have been getting more Dauntless as I get older. In the past year I got my second tattoo, a tragus piercing, and went ziplining for the first time. I've also been adding some bold color in my hair. Just having fun bringing more color into my life!