Disclaimer: I don't own Divergent or it's characters

"Tris," I called, waiting to congratulate her. She had just won a fight against Molly, and although it wasn't much, it bumped her up past the line of who becomes factionless.

She turned towards me, her blonde eyes full of rage still. "Woah there, you might kill someone like that."

She looked confused for a second then smiled at me. "Thanks for your help. I wasn't sure I would've been able to beat her without your sessions."

I was waiting for a snide remark or a tone of sarcasm, but she seemed genuine. I didn't know how to respond to that. Gratitude is not that common in Dauntless.

"No problem. I was a transfer too when I came 2 years ago. I know how difficult it can be to adapt."

That was a true enough statement. When I arrived, I realized that my pent up rage was more of a skill than baggage. In my first fight, I broke 3 of my opponents ribs and their nose.

It wasn't until Four beat me later on I even realized how savage my fighting was. Still, having that Stiff bastard place above me is something I'll never forget.

I was always second best in Erudite and now in Dauntless I will always be second best. Thanks to him.

I must've made a fist while I was thinking because the next thing that I noticed was Tris's petite fingers on my forearm.

"Eric are you okay?"

She looked at me with real concern and I nodded.

Jeanine's words echoed in the back of my mind, a command I couldn't obey.

"As congratulations for winning your fight, how about I treat you to dinner tonight? Since it's the end of the first round of training, there's some free time."

She hesitated in answering, a confusion and nervousness planting itself as her expression.

"I would... Wouldn't that be... Is it allowed?"

"Yep. I'm in charge and so anything I say goes. Besides you guys could use a break."

I felt a sharp pain in my chest when she said yes and for a moment I thought I had a small coronary.

"I'll pick you up outside the dorm at 8."

Then I walked away. I cursed myself under my breath for letting myself be manipulated by Jeanine, but then Four began to close in.

"Eric." He addressed me with a vicious anger I'd never seen from him before.

"Yes princess? I know you like to think that I have time for all the little people but I've got a faction to run."

We had reached the control room door by now, but Four was blocking my exit. We were pretty evenly matched, but I knew he would take me in a fight.

"What were you doing with Tris?" He asked, trying to hide his obvious concern. If I didn't hate him so much I would've been touched.

"Nothing much. Why?" I asked, watching him squirm with my lack of answers.

"Eric. I know what you're planning, but Tris is not like that. Abnegation don't treat romance like Dauntless do."

His choice of word in romance caused me to laugh.

"Is Four a bit jealous? What? Mad I got to her first?" He looked violent in that moment, but he seemed to remember who I was and where we were.

"I know you have a thing for this girl, and I feel for you. Actually that's a lie, the fact you like her just gives me more incentive. Now I don't see any reason that two adults can't go have a chat over dinner."

"Eric. This isn't a game. She's not a toy to play with. If you're only doing this to get back at me then just leave her alone."

"And what if I have sincere feelings for her?"

"You don't know how to feel." He spat, trying to put all his frustration and anger into his words.

"Yes well, I'll take that into account, now get out of my way. I have a date to get ready for." I have to admit, watching my actions crawl under his skin and make a little home was giving me immense satisfaction, but this was work just as much as it was fun.

He moved to the side, temporarily but not entirely defeated. As I walked past him, he took my arm and whispered, "If you hurt her I will kill you."

It was almost enough to make me feel bad for the guy. He was in love with her and she was going on a date with his nemesis. I did stress the almost right?

After a couple of meetings and a phone call to Jeanine about my progress, I went to my apartment to get changed.

A shower later, I found myself examining my shoulder length hair. I hadn't cut it since becoming a dauntless, but now it seemed a rather pointless rebellion.

I picked up the phone near my bed and dialed a number. "Hey Milo. No it's Eric. Yes, I know Ive been very busy making sure the world works right. You still cut hair? Yeah, it's getting a little annoying. How soon can you be here? Great! See you in 10 minutes."

I put on a pair of black distressed jeans and a dark red button down before hearing a knock on my door. I opened it and in walked Milo.

He was tall with a sleeve of tattoos on his right arm and the word dauntless across his collar.

"How much we talking? I've been begging you to let me cut it for years."

I just shrugged, telling him to do what he thought would look good and not get in the way. Since my hair was already wet, it was easy. It only took about 15 minutes to get done, and when it was done I almost didn't recognize myself.

"I figured I'd give you something powerful but functional." He remarked, handing me a hand mirror.

It was short, almost shaved on the sides. On top was a kind of faux hawk that I liked. "Nice job Milo. Now I can show off my neck tattoos a little more."

"Thanks. But I know what's going on. You didn't just spontaneously want a cut. You have a date. Now I'm not gonna pry, but if you have a date that you're willing to cut your hair for. I'd say take out about 20 or so piercings. Leave the two on your eyebrow. That way you still look like you don't give a shit, but you also can see your face."

I didn't ask how he knew, just thanking him again. He had another appointment so he had to leave and I thought about what he had said.

In the mirror I saw myself. Well not really myself. The myself I'd created at Dauntless.

Part of the reason I got all those piercings was to hide. I guess he was right. It didn't take long to take out all my piercings except the two eyebrow ones.

In total there were 16 I'd taken out. 1 for every year I'd spent in that hell hole I called a home. My eyebrow piercings were from when I was initiated and when I was chosen a Dauntless leader. They served to remind me who I really served.

At 7:50 I began my walk to the transfer dorms and knocked on the door.

"Eric?" I was asked by a confused Christina. "You're Tris's mystery date?"

She regarded me with fear I could only expect from someone I had forced to hang over the chasm. I knew she wouldn't believe me if I said I had no intention of letting her fall.

"Yes, I'm here to pick her up now if that's alright with you." I meant it jokingly, but she seemed to take it as a move of authority.

"It's okay Christina, I'm ready. I'll meet you and Will later in the tattoo parlor."

She stepped out then, and all my other thoughts seemed to run for cover. She wore a tight black dress that, while modest, certainly didn't do her any shame.

"Wow." I muttered, sounding stupid in response to her beauty.

She really did look really gorgeous. It made me feel even more guilty about having other intentions.

"Let's go then." I finally managed, motioning for her to follow me. Of all my experiences as a spy for Jeanine, this was going to be the most difficult assignment of all,

Well I'll tell you the rest next time, as it was quite an interesting evening.

I am trying to develop Eric a little more so bear with me if he seems out of character. I'm trying my best.