I'm thankful to have Sunday off. Eric and I sleep in again, then nurse our hangovers with water, pain relievers, and burgers delivered from the cafeteria. Eric claims that greasy food cures a hangover, but I think he's just using that as an excuse to get me to eat more iron-rich red meat.

The party last night was amazing. I drank champagne and did shots in the VIP room with my friends and fellow leaders. I danced late into the night, mostly with Eric. When it started getting hot in the pit, he removed his button-down to reveal a black tee that said "Property of Tris Prior." I laughed so hard I almost peed myself, then let him lead me back out to the dance floor where the whole faction could see it while we danced. At the end of the song, Eric leaned down and captured my lips in a passionate kiss that earned cheers and catcalls from the people near us, and made me blush deeply.

My friends had fun, too. Leadership paid for the drinks in the VIP room, so our crew did not hold back. The Pedrad brothers got especially wasted as they challenged each other to try everything on the bar menu. At one point, when they were already well into the list, Lynn dared them to do body shots off each other, and they actually did it! I don't think I've ever laughed harder. I nearly choked, and champagne even came out of my nose. When Zeke actually passed out, we drew obscene things on his face with a permanent marker before Tobias helped Shauna drag him home. Uri was cut off after that, and Tobias and Marlene eventually got him home with his brother where the girls could keep an eye on them as they recovered.

Tobias and Tiffany seemed to be having fun together, and I found that I enjoy the friendly redhead as well. She's tall, nearly as tall as Tobias, and willowy. Her striking red hair flows halfway down her back. She hasn't lost her Amity sweetness, but she can party like a Dauntless. I can tell our friends all like her, and she introduced us to some of her friends, who also seemed pretty cool.

The compound is quiet today as most people are off work and recovering from last night's party. Eric and I don't venture out of my apartment until afternoon, and that's just for a quick check in at the office. We're both off work today, but after a major blowout like last night there are probably things to tend to.

We find out that six people ended up sleeping it off in our detox lockup, and countless others recovered at home. There were no major injuries or incidents, which surprises me. When I express this to Max, he just shrugs and says, "You put a touch of peace serum in the free Dauntless cake, and everyone gets along fine, even the belligerent drunks." I can't help but laugh and admire his craftiness.

.

xxxx

.

Monday is my first day in the office as a full Dauntless leader. I wake up early to go for a run. Mandatory physical training is over, but leaders need to be able to respond to anything. It sets a good example for the faction, too. On top of that, the weekend of junk food and alcohol is weighing me down, so it feels good to sweat some of it out.

I walk into the training room with my sights set on a treadmill, and find Tiffany is already jogging on one of them.

"Good morning," I greet her, stepping onto the treadmill next to hers.

"Morning," she replies. "That was some party the other night."

I laugh, "That was some weekend! I think I'm going to sweat champagne and burger grease."

Tiffany laughs. We jog together for a while, laughing over Zeke and Uriah's antics and the other crazy things we saw at the party this weekend.

After a quiet moment, Tiffany blurts out, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," I say, nodding.

"I'm sorry if this is awkward," she begins, hesitantly. "Why did you and Tobias break up? If you don't mind my asking."

"Not at all," I reply. "Tobias is a great guy. Things just didn't work out with us once I got into leadership training. He always wanted to protect me, and I wanted to do things for myself. Growing up in Abnegation I was supposed to blend in and think only of others. I chose to leave that life, but between my small size and my background people tend to underestimate me. That makes me even more stubborn and independent. Which made Tobias get more protective, and even scolding. Which made me less open with him. It just spiraled out of control. We eventually accepted that we're better as friends."

Tiffany glances at me with a smile. "Thank you for telling me all that," she says. "I've always heard that abused children are more likely to grow up and become abusive. I've never seen any hint of that from Toby, but I remember seeing you bruised in the past, so I just wanted to hear your version of the breakup."

"Do you remember the fights in initiation?" I ask her. She nods. "Between initiation and leadership training I've been sparring since I got here. The only people who hit me outside of training were Peter, Drew, and Al, and they're imprisoned, factionless, and dead. I can assure you that Tobias has never hit me or even come close. He is nothing like his father."

"Thank you," says Tiffany. "He's been so sweet to me, but I always had this nagging fear. So many people are intimidated by him."

I can't help but laugh. "They're afraid of 'Instructor Four,'" I explain. "They don't know Tobias."

"This can't be good for you, man," I hear Eric say from the doorway. I glance over my shoulder and see him standing there with Tobias. "The girlfriend and the ex-girlfriend? At least they don't seem to need the heavy bags."

My treadmill slows to a stop and I turn to kiss my boyfriend as he walks up to me.

"We were just comparing war stories," I tease. "You know, discussing physical traits and idiosyncrasies."

Tobias blushes deep red, and Eric leans in close to my ear. "I see I still have work to do if you remember that stuff."

I giggle as his warm breath tickles my neck. "Four who?" I say in a fake dumb voice. Reaching up to Eric's ear, I whisper, "you can work on erasing my memory right now if you want."

Eric growls and raises an eyebrow. I wink at him and turn to face our friends.

"I'm going to hit the shower," I announce. "I'll see you guys later. Bye, Tiffany. Bye, Toby."

I glance over my shoulder as Eric practically drags me out the door. Tobias and Tiffany are both beet red. I don't know if she realizes that she called him that when we were talking. Its It's such an Amity nickname. I know he won't be happy if it gets out, but its it's funny between us.

.

xxxx

.

Max and the other leaders did a good job preparing me for my new role. My first week is uneventful, in the office at least. At home it's a whirlwind of new love.

Dating Eric is completely different from dating Tobias. Where Tobias protected me by holding me back, Eric encourages me to be and do more. Tobias was deeply private, and Eric threatens to get us in trouble with his public displays of affection. Where Tobias was gentle, Eric is possessive and adventurous. I can't imagine how Beatrice the Abnegation transfer would have responded to Eric. As weird as it sounds, I think being with Tobias first helped me work through some of my discomfort with intimacy and prepared me to hold my own with this man who inspires my fire and drive.

At the end of my first week I have my first on call weekend. This means that I have to be in the office half days on Saturday and Sunday, and that I will be the leader people turn to if anything comes up. Because of this I can't party or drink, and that I have to be in the office during my hours, at the cafeteria during meals, and at my own apartment at night so people can find me. There are two people on call each weekend, and this time it's me and Eric. Max allowed us to work the same weekends so that we can be off the same weekends, but he made us promise, "not to christen every damn surface in the leadership offices." This made me blush furiously, but Eric just replied, "no promises" with a smirk.

On Saturday I work the first half of the day, and after lunch together in the cafeteria Eric works the second half. I decide to use part of my afternoon to visit Tori. My leadership tattoo is pretty much healed, so I want to have her put in the dermals, and maybe a surprise piercing for Eric, as well. Thankfully the shop isn't busy when I arrive.

"Tris!" Tori greets me. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm here to see if my tattoos are healed enough to add the dermals, and I'd like to get my tongue pierced as well."

"Eric will love that," she says with a knowing look that makes me blush.

I select body jewelry with sparkly gems in three different sizes. Tori works three dermals into each arm to add a little something to my tattoos. It hurts a little, kind of a sick feeling as she maneuvers the posts under the skin of my forearm.

While she works we chat about this and that, and I remember the promise I made Tobias months ago about seeing if Tori could give him the aptitude test.

"I don't know how to ask this without telling things that aren't mine to say, but I have a question about the aptitude test." I begin.

Tori makes a noise to let me know she's listening as she does the fine work of threading another dermal into my skin.

"If someone wanted to take the aptitude test as an adult, would that be possible?"

Tori stops working for a minute, considering my question. Finally, she says, "I don't see how. The serum for the tests is kept at Erudite and delivered to the Upper Levels school on the day of the testing. All of the equipment and supplies are kept there. We can't do a test from here."

"What if we got a vial of the serum? Could we administer the test using the equipment we use for fear sims?"

"I don't know," Tori replies, "I don't think the transmitters work the same way. The only thing I can think of is the administrator training day. The day before the tests we get together and go over the new advancements and stuff like that. They always need a few guinea pigs, so those of us who have been doing this longer sometimes go through it again so the new testers can see how it works."

"That might work," I say hesitantly as I consider the prospect. "What is the mindset about divergents this year?"

"I got a message about this year's training, and that's one of the things we'll be going over. There is no one actively looking for divergents any more, but I would still advise them to keep it quiet. Just because Jeanine isn't hunting them down doesn't mean everyone is accepting."

"I'll have to talk to the person I know who wants to take the test and see what they think."

"This individual is divergent?" Tori asks, her old Erudite curiosity bubbling to the surface.

"We think so," I reply, "but I can't really talk about it."

"Fair enough," says Tori. "The dermals are done, let's get your tongue pierced!"

The piercing is practically painless, though I do feel some swelling and discomfort after it's done. Tori advises me on how to care for it, and that I can't drink alcohol for a while. She goes into some detail about other things I can't do until it heals, and by the time she's done I'm blushing like an Abnegation bride on her wedding night.

I pay for the piercings and schedule my next visit when she'll change out the tongue piercing for a smaller barbell.

"Thanks Tris!" Tori calls as I leave. "And good luck keeping lover boy at bay!"

I pop in to the ice cream and coffee shop. Tori suggested a smoothie because the cold treat will feel good on my swollen tongue, but she advised me not to drink from a straw until it heals. Tiffany is working, so I'm excited to have someone to show my new piercings to.

"Hey Tris!" she greets me. "Ice cream or coffee today?"

"Actually," say with a slight lisp, "I'd like a smoothie. White peach berry, please."

Tiffany grins knowingly. "New piercing?"

"How did you know?" I ask.

She laughs. "We're next door to the tattoo place, and Tori advises smoothies for all the new tongue piercings. I see one every few days, so I can spot them a mile away. Let's see it!"

I stick out my tongue for her approval, and she hands me my smoothie.

"My treat," Tiffany says, waving away my payment.

"Thanks!" I reply.

I'm torn between rushing back to the leadership offices to show Eric and stopping at the clothing shop to see Christina, who is also working this weekend. Remembering Tori's injunctions against kissing I decide to visit Christina first.

She's busy when I come in, so I take some time to browse around the store. Unlike the tattoo parlor, it's really busy in here. I end up trying on a couple things before Christina gets free.

"I like that skirt," she says as I twirl in front of a mirror. I stick my tongue out at her in response.

"You got your tongue pierced!" she squeals. "Does it hurt? Was it Eric's idea? What does he think?"

"Actually it's a surprise. He doesn't know yet. It didn't hurt getting it done, but it's sore now."

"Well, he is going to love it." declares Christina.

I hope so. When I finish shopping I go to the leadership office, eager to show off my new piercings to Eric. I find him alone in his office, pouring over paperwork.

"Hey baby," he greets me. "What have you been up to?"

"Shopping," I say with a shrug, working hard to speak without lisping around my swollen tongue. "I stopped at Tori's, too, and got a few piercings done."

"A few?" he asks, arching an eyebrow.

I hold up 7 fingers and Eric's other eyebrow raises too.

"You're here to show me, I hope," he says.

I shrug off my jacket and walk over to Eric's desk. Sliding his chair back, I sit on the top of his desk facing him, and hold out my arms.

"Wow," he says, "that looks really cool."

He studies my arms for a minute before cocking an eyebrow at me again. "I only count six."

I shrug, then lean close to his ear. "Find the other one," I whisper.

Eric swallows hard and slides his hands up my legs. He reaches for the button on my jeans, but I stop him.

"Cold," I say.

He slides his hands further up, lifting the bottom of my shirt to reveal my unpierced navel.

"Cold," I repeat.

He slides his hands up my ribs, stopping below my bra.

"Am I getting warmer?" he asks.

"Warmer," I agree, "but still pretty cold."

I must lisp because Eric's face takes on a knowing look. He swipes his thumb across my bottom lip.

"Open up," he says in a low rumble.

I stick my tongue out and his eyes darken with desire.

"One problem," I say cautiously, sticking out my lip in a pout. "It needs time to heal."

Eric groans.

"I guess I'll have to find other ways to show you how I feel about you."