Christina was livid, but also relieved and happy to see me at her doorstep. She pulled me into a hug faster than I could pull a trigger and she started crying, whispering her frustration at me for not telling her I was back sooner, and for scaring her. Then she threatened me and told me never to do it again. I only nodded, and reveled in the love my friend had for me. Her tears and comforting hugs left in a rush when she realized something was wrong, and she took me by the shoulders in the doorway and demanded to know what happened.

I spilled everything, shuddering and wheezing as tears began to fall as I described the reason for our initial fight in the first place, that I had refused to be around him if he was going to act like some horny teenager, that I couldn't focus and I was tired of giving in, which made him get furious at me, thinking I didn't love him and that I was just pretending to pass initiation when we both knew neither was true, yet we still said the words. She knew the next part, but not of everything that specifically happened in Candor, not what the Factionless had done and planned to continue doing, as she was just a shop keeper. I told her how Eric of all people occupied my night and I struggled to tell her of our endeavors while drunker than drunk because my memory was still fuzzy when it came to that night.

By then she'd taken me inside and sat me on the couch, held my hands and looked into my eyes as I spilled the truth to her that I had felt something more than distaste for Eric, that I didn't hate him. I told her even as she narrowed her eyes, that I spent the night with him. She was silent when I told her we woke up to each other in a way I don't believe anyone in Dauntless has had the privilege to do. That I ruined to moment he made, which made my mocha skinned friend scoff and roll her eyes at me.

My voice grew quieter, and the tears returned one by one when I went through my experience with Four, with the other woman. How upset I had gotten, how I cursed for the first time in my life, because never before had I been so distraught, so angry. When I told her of my decision to leave him and move out, she smiled fondly and proud at me. And for once, after I emptied all that I held in, she didn't ask any questions, simply hugged me close until my cries stopped, and my lungs were sore and fuzzy.

She explained to me her and Will's schedule for work, and that it was okay for me to stay there as long as I didn't throw any parties, picked up after myself, and didn't bring anyone back here. She laughed after the last one and kissed my cheek in the friendly way we had grown accustomed to doing whenever we met, and she wished me luck in whatever came next.

What came next? I didn't know. Neither did my brain, or my body. I was at an extreme loss for the first time since choosing day, when my father disowned me and my mother became a rebel. I rubbed my palms over my dirty jeans, the ones I had worn for three days now. I crinkled my nose at them, and at my shirt, and my hair. I hadn't showered since I got back, and now, because no one was home for a few hours, seemed like a good a time as any. I peeled my clothes off as I walked into the guest bathroom, and I was suddenly grateful for Christina and Will living together. It meant they had the opportunity to upgrade their square footage space, and had an extra room installed with a full bathroom. Part of me wondered why they had all this space when it was just the two of them, but I dismissed the thought when I stood bare skinned in front of the mirror.

My body was covered in green and yellow, spanning up my legs and cradled my ribs. This is the cost of being in danger, and I was suddenly very thankful for body armor, as it did save my life. I took my hair from the tie it was in, and ran my fingers through the knots and grime while the water warmed. A strange thing to watch in the mirror, the motion of your own body, of things you grew so used to doing that you didn't realize how strange they actually were. I cracked a smile, weightlifting from my shoulders as I expelled any foul thoughts from my mind, I was just taking a nice warm shower, washing my hair, getting clean finally in three days.

I was done in 45 minutes, a strange feeling, having the pads of my fingers and toes wrinkled like dried cranberries. I'd never taken such a long shower before, but I loved the feeling of it. A massage had pulverized my muscles and skin and soothed away the sore bruises. My scalp was scrubbed clean and my hair smelt like, I don't know what, just very good. For some reason I felt guilty for taking such a long and warm shower, not only because it was in someone else's home, but because in Abnegation, you were given a bath, of lukewarm water for a max of 5 minutes, because any further and you'd be dubbed as selfish.

The white towel around me was incredibly soft, and I wondered if it was intended, or if my towels were that much less extravagant. Then I realized that I should talk to one of the leaders or the real estate agency and see about one of my own apartments, and perhaps grab one of my friends to go shopping with me. I'm thinking royal purple, as it is one of the colors I found I liked the most, for the trim of the black of my new apartment, maybe paint some. I smiled at the thought. Quickly I got dressed, and because I didn't have anything to do today work wise, I chose to don something more stylish, a backless black t with crossed straps from my lower back to my neck and shoulders, the hem of the shirt falling to my upper thighs, the sleeves hugging just above my elbow. My pants went up just below my midsection, tight black jeans with holes spliced up the thighs. Then the pair of shoes that Christina had convinced me to buy, simple black flats that had never been worn.

My hair dried down between my shoulders as I made my way to the Pit. I knew where the Real estate center was, where a woman or a man sat at the front desk and had you sign papers and fill them out, where they cheerfully accepted them and sent an agent down to show you various places that were available. They met me with curious stares when I got there, and when they read my name they congratulated me on my successful mission in Candor. I was over it. I just wanted to have everything go back to normal, whatever that was now. They handed me multiple papers and a pen and asked me for my identification and we went through the drill again.


Will got back somewhere around 7, while I was wiping down the counters and cleaning the dishes. He watched me with a tired yet still curious expression, confused as to why I was there, cleaning his house. So after setting his things down and hanging his coat he decided to ask me, "What are you doing here?"

"Christina didn't tell you?" I asked him, concentrating on rinsing the plates and cups in scalding hot water. I assumed he shook his head at me as he walked around to help me, "I haven't seen her today," he told me, and I'd admit that it was strange being in the same quarters as him, as he and I weren't the closest of friends, we got along and picked on each other from time to time. This was the first time in a few years that we talked to each other aside from formal and timid "hellos". I watched and allowed him to help me wash his plates and cups, drying them with a clean rag before setting them onto the rack, "I can leave if you want me to Will," I told him, "You'd have to explain to your girlfriend why you kicked me out though," he laughed,

"Wouldn't dream of such a thing, I should really be asking if everything is okay. Your doctor told me you were in perfect condition aside from bruises and a few cuts, your ribs had a little break down due to some of the bullet impacts. Still, I was worried,"

"I'm okay, thanks," I said to him, smiling before beginning, "I came back to a situation that I didn't know how to handle, and wasn't prepared for, so I left. Christina told me it was okay to lay low here for a while, I assumed she told you right away,"

"Mind telling me what's up?"

"I broke up with Four," I said bluntly, Will stopped, staring at me with those big celery green eyes of his, blond lashes brushing his brow bone. He shook his head at me, "Why?"

"He cheated on me," I mumbled as if it were nothing, that it happened to me every day. I struggled to suck in the emotional turmoil that threatened to pour from me, that pulled my insecurities to light and shoved them back in my face, my brain coming up with ways as to how it was entirely my fault that all of that had happened, that I was in the wrong, that I was a terrible person. Suddenly arms wrapped around my shoulders, and my face was pressed against Will's sculpted but soft chest. He sighed through his nose and said comforting things to me, he apologized for Four, and described various ways of assault on sight. He made me laugh at least.


Two days into my stay with Christina I had planned to go shopping with her in a furniture and essentials store the next day. It was precisely five minutes after the talk that my mobile device rang, I answered hastily, receiving news that the estate agent was more than ready to provide a tour of some of the finest apartments Dauntless had. I left to meet up with them, and as promised was given a very formal show of some of Dauntless's free apartments and flats. I settled on the 6th floor, one on Eric's leadership level, because according to Dauntless I was considered a leader in training publically, therefore I was able to access any means within the more senior leaders disposal. I was thrilled at the announcement, but also confused, as I had been told nearly half a year ago that I wouldn't qualify for such a thing until my entitlement ceremony, and coronation.

The flat I settled on was a two bedroom, one and a half bath, equipped with two closets in the master bedroom, a washer and dryer down the hall from the guest bed, a large living room, and a nice adjoining kitchen. It was a bit big for just me, especially looking so bare and empty, which brought me to ask my agent her policy on painting. To much to my delight was allowed without penalty. The rent wasn't bad, but it wasn't cheap either. But I was happy regardless to sign the rental agreements and go through various background checks.

It was mine, I finally had a place to relax in without the weight of the world following me through the door. Before she left, the agent informed me that the movers I had requested were ready and waiting in the Pit, and had scanned a certain code into my key card that allowed me to enter, lock, and unlock my place. I grinned, and got the movers air right away, now that I had a place I was too thrilled that things worked out. Now to buy some paint. And a bed.

Thankfully Tobias wasn't in the apartment, and my things weren't destroyed. I didn't have much that I needed to take, just my dresser, nightstand and my desk. All of which now sat without any damage in the middle of my new apartment. I thanked the helpers and paid them for their help, and briskly left my thoughts of everything that had happened over the last few days out the window. I didn't want any trouble, and I was glad to be rid of it, I just wanted to be alone for now, left to whatever I had to do, without the distraction of drama.

My thoughts were halted when I ran into Eric on the stairs, he going up and I going down. He stared at me with a half glare and half bored look, which rivaled his next choice of words to me, "What are you doing here?"

"What were you doing?" I asked right back, descending the last few steps to stand before him. As he had paused in place to gawk at me, he tensed up and crossed his arms the closer I got, and soon the distance between us was only a few feet, and one step. He gave in to my question, "Four raised hell in the control room, I came to find you,"

"What about?" I asked, ignoring the fact that I didn't live there anymore, and him not knowing. Which was strange, that he didn't know, because he was my superior and it was part of his job to verify anything that went by him, including the status and location of any vital Dauntless members. Including me. Still, he cocked his head in a way that would appear violent to most, but I knew enough in my three years in Dauntless working with him that the gesture was a half assed shrug. He spoke in the quick clipped manner that he did everyone, "A meltdown, he nearly destroyed most of our software. Injured a few people, threw a few things. Not exactly good when one of our best coders starts beating the crap out of people claiming it's his girl friend's fault,"

"My fault?" I gaped, furrowing my brows, "Okay, first of all, it wasn't my fault, I wasn't the one throwing punches and trying to break stuff, and second of all, how could I have caused the episode when I wasn't even there?" Eric stared at me with half lidded eyes, and a frown on his lips. He didn't look particularly disappointed, but he didn't look incredibly interested, if I was anyone else I would've assumed he wasn't listening to me. He shifted, opening his mouth to say something to me, before he noticed my strange working attire, of cargo pants and a loose t shirt, "What are you doing?"

"The only way I'd tell you that is if you join me," I told him,

"Where," he demanded, not liking the prospect of not getting what he wanted right away. I smirked at his unease, as it was not everyday that Eric was openly cautious of something, still I didn't answer him, but did speak, "I'd change out of your presentable clothes into something you don't mind getting dirty," he narrowed his eyes at me, frowning even more if that was possible. I merely smiled at him, I had all day for his brooding and decision making. Suddenly he made up his mind and scowled at me, curiosity got the best of him as he grabbed my wrist and dragged me up the stairs by two a time to his apartment door. He pulled me inside with him and sat me roughly on his couch as he disappeared into his room. He came out a few seconds later in training shorts and a tank top. I gave him a thumbs up though I doubted he needed encouragement on something he'd already made his mind up on. We left his flat and were strolling through the Pit, getting more looks than what I would have liked, until we came up upon the store I was looking for. Paint.

I walked in, letting Eric follow me with a confused look on his face, still frowning though. A man approached us, and asked if I needed anything specific, I told him I was looking for a royal dark purple for sure, and that I'd browse to see if I wanted something else. He nodded cheerfully and retreated into an aisle at the back of the store and started a machine, grabbing a rather large paint can. I was picking out little slips of dark and light colored paper when Eric came up behind me, nearly touching me as he spoke in my ear, "You're painting something Stiff?"

"Yep," I affirmed, holding back a smile at the way his breath tickled my neck. I could almost feel him smile when he looked over my shoulder and pressed his chest to my back, he was messing with me in the middle of a store, though practically void of people, in an intimate way. I could slap him. He reached out, speaking as he fingered a grey selection of color, "That new tenant across the hall from me wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"

"Congratulations, you got first prize!" I exclaimed to him, stepping away from his teasing fingers and warm body, "You get to help me paint my walls!" he froze and furrowed his brow when I turned back to look at him. I grinned and tilted my head in a question, asking him to follow me. He did, looking out to the door as he walked over to me in the brush section. Instead of looking at me directly he picked up a hand brush and played with the bristles as he spoke, "So why'd you move out from Four? He kick you out?"

"No," I snorted, "Cheated on me, I left him," Eric paused, turning and looking at me before he said without humor, "So Stiff's do that too?"

"Do what?"

"Have sex and cheat," I choked on the air I was breathing in, he was incredibly blunt. I turned and grabbed a few brushes I knew we'd use and chose not to answer him, picking out pans to hold the paint for the rollers. The whole shop smelled of fresh cut wood and lead, and something else and it distracted me from recalling the whole event that I didn't want to think about. Eric put two and two together, "No wonder he freaked out,"

"Why do you say that?" I asked without real interest, I just wanted to talk and be rid of the silence between us. Eric walked over to me and mumbled so low I almost didn't hear him over the machine, "I'd lose my shit too if my girlfriend of three years left me,"

"He was the one that cheated, should have thought of that before he went and did it," I told him simply, though it was tearin me up inside. Eric smirked at me and brushed a fan brush against my cheek, as if he were wiping something off, or dusting me. I swatted him away playfully and set out for the counter. The man who grabbed my paint for me was already waiting with a smile, I set everything down and pointed out one more color, an aluminum grey color I thought would add a nice trim to some of the walls. He got it for me and Eric didn't say anything else, I paid.

We left and dumped everything in my new apartment, Eric was kind enough to pop open the purple can for me and inhale the fumes, I laughed at him as I grabbed a few waters for us. He told me to wait as he got an idea, he left as I began to pour the paint into the tray, I would paint the bedroom back wall purple, and trim the bathroom the same. Then I would do the main wall in the living room, the one that would hold a T.V. Eric returned with a small folded silver ladder that was self explanatory, and a few rolls of blue masking tape. I explained my idea quickly to him as he told me we used the tape for details. The floor was wood, so we didn't have to worry about dripping paint. We started, me on the ladder and he standing next to me rolling paint onto the wall. It was a beautiful dark lavender color, a mixture of blue, purple, and grey. I fell in love with it.

I was done with the top and working my way down when I felt something wet flick onto my side and cheek. I froze before looking at Eric accusingly who no doubt flicked paint on me. He worked innocently and diligently as I climbed down the ladder. I re dipped my brush and walked over to join him as I didn't need the ladder anymore, switching arms not only because it was easier to paint him, but because my other threatened to cry. I noticed the coat went on thickly and easily, that we wouldn't have to go over it with another layer. I smiled and moved my arm, sliding my brush down his arm and painting one side with a streak of purple. He pulled away from me slowly and looked over his arm, a mad grin coming onto his face before he chuckled.

He walked away and set his brush down and I reveled in my victory. Or assumed victory. He splattered paint on me with one dipped hand before he slapped my ass, I yelped and jumped away from him, dropping my brush and glaring at him. I started laughing at the grin on his face however, noticing that both hands had been dipped in the purple. I laughed when I realized there'd be a purple handprint on my left side of my pants forever, Eric laughed at me laughing and I realized that I wanted more of this. More of this carefree, of this fun, of just being, us. I didn't know what made him cold, or angry, or what put that sheet of ice and barbed wire around his heart, but I made the decision right then and there to always try to make him happy, to smile.

I rejoined him in painting and told him that he'd one, to which he smiled about for the rest of the day. We finished the silver or darker grey trim that split around the room, and made up what little wall there was in the kitchen. Eric and I were covered in paint, both from accidents and from messing with each other. I thanked him and offered for him to eat dinner with me, but he declined, explaining that he'd need to scrub the paint from his clothes for the next few hours. As thanks, and partly friendly I kissed his cheek before he left, to which he stared at me for, and rewarded me with a slight smile. Part of me regrets closing the door and saying goodbye, but as I look back on it, I think it left him in suspense.


Christina was still upset about Four, and had expressed it in full the next day when we were shopping together. She told me how much she'd like to dig her nails into his- yeah let's not go there. Long story short she rambled on and on about how much she hated him and the other woman who still wasn't given a name other than "whore," to whom he was still apparently with. When I told her of his reported meltdown in the control room she laughed and congratulated me on leaving him.

She also nagged at me about some other guys who had shown great interest in me, I declined as politely as I could, telling her that I wanted some time and space to myself. She made fun of me, excitedly informing me that I was becoming a strong and independant woman. Inside I knew what the real reason was. I was waiting, for something and for someone I found had made me feel alive and safe, yet made me feel more hurt than I knew possible, who scared me so badly I wanted to cry thinking of it. I wanted someone that made me think as I felt. Part of me knew who it was but refused to share this valuable information with the rest of my brain and my body. I also knew that most of the guy's Christina sought to hook me up with were posers, and players, and were only interested in my title as opposed to me.

The rest of the shopping trip went as such, her ranting and firing questions at me about the perfect guy, asking everything that came to her mind that she didn't as when I broke down in her arms. It was refreshing, to have my normalcy back, my friend, and it made me want to hug her. Still we simply picked out several black and purple towels and blankets. A black rug with grey and white fibres in it, a black couch. We even settled on buying a soft mattress and everything that came with it. She told me that she'd be the one to pay for any dining ware of my choice because I was paying for everything else and she felt bad, telling me to think of it as an unbirthday present.

We set up my apartment with what we bought and could carry, as the other things took time as it took special orders. My towel rack was installed, my sink was cleaned and my cabinets were fixed up on all of them. The plates were stored in newly cleaned cupboards and silverware in nice silently shutting drawers, the dish towels were all white, whereas the regular towels were a light lavender purple color. The sheets for my bed were the same silver and light purple color. The black L shaped couch arrived earlier than expected along with the rug, and we set those up accordingly. It was around 7 that Christina told me she had to go home, but we stayed a few minutes to marvel at how much we got done today. Everything was really coming together.

This is part two of the last chapter, and I had planned for this to be a triple shot, but the word limit prevented that. It'll be slightly longer! Yay! Tell me what you think c: She Knows will be the next update, or it is planned to be.