Athena had just settled into her bed, everyone else around her was fast asleep, when Four and Eric came clanging into the dormitory making as much noise as possible.

"Wake up initiates!" Eric yelled loudly

Athena groaned and sat up sleepily, she glared at Eric through half closed eyes.

Within ten minutes everyone was trudging out of the Dauntless compound yawning and stretching, trying to wake themselves up. Four and Eric had woken them up at two o'clock in the morning. Outside it was still completely dark, the bright moon giving off just enough light to see the hand in front of you face.

Suddenly the front of the group started taking off in a run.

"Great, we have to jump on trains half asleep," Shaw grumbled from beside Athena

Jessie groaned before they took off at a fast pace.

They settled down on the train with a unified huff. Athena stayed standing, looking out of the train as they passed by the outskirts of Chicago. They were getting closer to the Erudite compound, but she had never seen this part of the city before. The buildings here were all dilapidated, and the billboards that were still standing were peeling or bare. One billboard caught the eyes of Athena, Jessie, Rox, and Sky as they came to stand next to her. It looked like an old cologne ad with a shirtless male model stretched out on his side by the poolside. His face was completely peeled away.

"I wonder what his face had looked like" Rox murmured

"Who cares" Athena, Jessie, and Sky said at the same time, following the board as they passed by.

Bobbie and Shaw, who had become interested in what had caught the four girl's eyes, shook their heads and rolled their eyes at the girls' reactions. Athena herself couldn't help but compare the model's body to that of Eric's. Too bad there was no comparison, Eric was much more ripped and toned from his daily exercise routine than any male model hoped to be. He also had an added benefit of being a very comfortable pillow. Out of habit, Athena let her eyes roam over the train car and settle on said Dauntless leader, who appeared to be watching her, a heat in his eyes that seemed to tell Athena he knew exactly what she was thinking. Athena felt a blush coming on and quickly looked away. Last night had been a mistake, she couldn't be caught having sleep overs at one of the leader's apartments, it would look like she was giving herself up for the favor of the said leader.

A couple minutes later, Four and Eric congregated in the middle of the train car, gathering everyone's attention.

"This morning we are playing a friendly game of capture the flag." Eric said, suddenly pulling a gun out of a large bag.

"You want us to shoot each other?" Someone from the back of the car called questioningly

With lightning fast speed Eric readied his gun and shot it through the gun at the person in question, the group parted like the Red Sea and a dauntless-born initiate was hit square in the chest with a paint ball. Everyone looked visibly relaxed.

"We will be playing along the Navy Pier," Four explained, "Go ahead Eric, pick your team" he offered.

Eric looked irritated and slightly offended, "Oh no Four, I insist you be the first group" he pressured, using a dominating tone of voice.

Four shrugged, "So be it," he said looking around the car, his eye landed on Athena, "Athena, you're on my team." He looked back at Eric with a smug smile.

Athena walked to stand next to Four, Eric's jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. Athena raised an eyebrow at his behavior, Eric was acting almost territorial. Confused she shook the thought out of her mind.

Eric called out, "Alex"

"Bobbie"

"Cal"

"Shaw"

"Jessie" Athena narrowed her eyes at Eric as he called out her friend's name. What was he playing at Athena wondered.

"Rox"

"Patricia"

"Sky"

They then started calling out Dauntless-born names.

When they got to the pier, Athena's team jumped out first, they headed towards the end of the pier.

"Where should we hide our flag?" Four asked

"The very end of the pier?" Someone suggested

"Where did you hide it last year Four?" A Dauntless born girl asked

"That would be beside the point Meyers" Four responded sternly to the girl who just rolled her eyes.

She fell in step with me and held out her hand, "Alissa Meyers" she introduced

Athena took her hand and opened her mouth to respond when the girl said for her, "Athena, right? You were the first jumper, everyone knows who you are."

Athena smiled at her a little bashful as Alissa continued, "Maybe we should use the Ferris Wheel?" Athena then remembered the books she read on Chicago before the war, she remembered looking at pictures of Navy Pier, she knew the ins and outs of this pier.

"Inside that large glass building is carousal, if we keep it there, we can hide out and ambush them as they come for it."

Four pondered the suggestion for a minute before he nodded his head, "Let's go" and with a wave of his hand everyone broke out in a steady run with guns strapped to their backs.

Once in position they had to decide what to do now.

Athena once more spoke up, "We should wait for them to come to us, of course they wont all come, but when we have slimmed down their numbers enough we can send out a larger group of our own on the offensive."

Four looked at her like she was a genius, "Creative plan, anyone object?" There were murmurs all around, but no one voiced any opposition, "All right then," Four said, "Let's get at it".

The first group of Eric's team came about fifteen minutes later, trying to act stealthy as they crept up on the glass building. Four's team were all in position, Eric's team was wide open to them. Once they got into the building, and the area outside was clear, it was like open season. Not one person in the opposing group was not hit. Athena looked through the group who now sat in the middle of the building. Among them was Patricia, and Alex, but Jessie was not.

"Seems like Eric isn't completely stupid." Athena said mostly to herself.

"How's that?" Four questioned

"He sent those who were most likely not to give up the position of their flag. If he sent Jessie, he knows she probably would have given it up immediately." She explained.

"Hmm" Was Four's only response.

Athena thought about the location for a moment, then the idea came to her. She took a closer look at some of the opposing team members. One in particular caught her eye, Patricia. Tangled in her hair was a leaf. No where else in this area would a leaf come from other than the park at the beginning of the pier.

"I know where they are keeping their flag" Athena said aloud

"Do tell" Shaw said curious as he walked up to her, the rest of the team gathered around.

"Well thanks to Patricia here," Patricia looked up at her with a glare, Athena reached down and plucked the leaf out of her hair and showed it to everyone, "The location is obvious. Where else on this pier would you get leaves?"

"The park at the entrance," Bobbie said excited

"Bingo" Athena confirmed

Four looked proud of her as she gathered her things to set out to capture the flag with the group that was put together. She walked along side of Shaw and Four, with Bobbie and Sky flanking them, several others joined them, including Alissa. Someone stepped on a twig. "Shhh" Athena reminded them quietly.

They were about to come up on the border of the park when Athena made the gesture for them to split into two groups and go around and try to catch the remaining of Eric's team off guard.

Shaw, Bobbie, Sky, and Alissa joined Athena as the took the right side of the park; Four took three others with him on the left side. Covered by trees and bushes, they managed to get a view finally of the other team's base. They all separated, and stayed hidden, waiting for their companions to distract Eric's team. Athena took in their little camp, they had set up in a small clear of sorts, where the cover of trees was the thickest that way no one could see their flag from above, 'smart' Athena thought. She found Jessie standing guard right in front of the flag, it was probably Eric's way of a little extra security in case it was Athena coming to get the flag, 'clever' Athena mentally applauded. Standing a little farther away from Shaw and the rest of her companions, Athena didn't realize there was one important person missing from the encampment, Eric himself. Suddenly there was a large calloused hand clamped around her mouth and pulling her down. She struggled against her assailant, now pinned underneath him. She glared up into the smug grey eyes of Eric.

"I am guessing my offensive team is wiped out," He assumed

She gave him a 'duh' look.

"Who thought of this plan, I have to admit, it was pretty smart. Was it Four? I swear - he wasn't supposed to help, that was the point of this. That idiot is so infuriating." Eric started ranting, pissing Athena off more and more by the second. On impulse she brought her knee in contact with his manhood, and with a grunt he loosened his grip just enough to where she was able to flip him over. Now he was the one pinned. She knew though, that if he really wanted to he could easily remove her, but either by the pain that was just inflicted upon him, or for some other reason, he didn't.

"And how are you so sure Four had anything to do with the planning?" She asked with a cocky tone. She looked up through the bushes, and from across the clearing she could see Four sneaking up. She looked back down at Eric with a smug smile, "Looks like you are going to lose again this year." And acting on pure adrenaline she boldly bent down and gave him a kiss on the cheek almost to rub it in his face that he was getting beaten by a girl.

She stood up and crouched away from him, out of the corner of her eye she could see him grab his gun, and in a flash she turned and shot him in the abdomen. He grunted at the impact and laid back down with a thud, "Bitch" he muttered, she scoffed. Suddenly she heard what was left of Eric's team yelling that they were coming in from the left and she made her move. She darted into the clearing while all the attention was away from her and made to grab the flag. Luckily Jessie had stepped away to see what the commotion was about and Athena didn't have to shoot her to get the flag.

Then it was over, and her team was cheering, the flag securely in her grasp. She laughed as Shaw picked her up and spun her around; she saw Eric looking her way with a dangerous look in his eye, she just laughed some more. Jessie cheered along with them, and when Shaw finally set her back on the ground she admitted to Athena that she had seen her before she came into the clearing, but because she didn't want to have to confront Athena, she pretended to be preoccupied with the incoming onslaught of Athena's team members from the left.

Athena hugged her friend and they walked together with the group back to the train.

They were allowed a couple of hours of free time before combat matches began again. Athena decided to get another hour of rest and something to eat before heading to the training room. She gathered around the circle with her fellow initiates, on the board her name was second, accompanied by Cal's. She looked over at him, he looked smugly back she just smirked at him.

Bobbie was up first against Alex. Bobbie managed to keep up for almost fifteen minutes even after blow after blow from Alex. But with a swift punch to the side of the face, Bobbie went down, out cold. He managed to get back on his feet a couple minutes later, and didn't need to be taken to the infirmary.

Eric, who showed up quietly ten minutes ago, walked to the board to cross Bobbie's name off the match lineup. Walking back to his spot by Four he muttered quietly under his breath, "Kick his ass". And with a smirk Athena walked into the middle of the circle. Her pulse raced faster and faster as her and Cal circled each other.

"Begin!" Four announced

Cal, being the impulsive cocky person he was, threw the first punch. With his whole body he flew at Athena, his arm swinging without accuracy; Athena dodged it easily and landed a hard kick to his stomach. He grunted but stayed upright. With sudden speed he landed a right hook to her own stomach. She lost her breath as she fell onto her knees. Cal circled her, and suddenly was behind her pulling her ponytail harshly, she gasped in surprise. "Seriously, you went for the hair, asshole?" She said through gritted teeth. She turned slightly and kicked his knees, just enough to knock him off balance and let her hair go. "You want to fight dirty then?" She mocked with raging anger. With her scalp still burning she punched him with a force she didn't know she had, he leaned forward, arms wrapped around his stomach. Quickly Athena took the opening and kicked him hard between the legs. He started to fall to his knees with a loud agonizing groan, the boys around the circle could be heard muttering "oh shit", or "damn". As he fell Athena grabbed his head and kneed him right in the face, the cracking of his nose could be heard. There was no stopping her now. She had mustered up every problem she had with Cal and his posse, they were cowards, picking on those even when they aren't there to defend themselves, no subject was off topic to the; they also did whatever it took to win, Athena was positive that they would turn on each other in a heart beat if it meant being number 1 in the rankings. Cal fell back onto the ground, he tried to get up but Athena pinned him down and punched him twice, once on the left eye, the other landed on his right eye. To everyone it probably looked like she was just randomly hitting him, but she knew exactly where to hit him to do the most damage, and where it would take longer for him to heal. Then after taking a right hook to the jaw, he passed out.

Athena, breathing heavily, stumbled to her feet. Rubbing her scalp, which still burned, she just walked away. She was still shaking with uncontrollable, confusing, anger. Rox tried to stop her, but Jessie just told her to let Athena cool off.

Athena walked, and walked, she felt like she was suffocating in the enclosed Dauntless compound. She came to a steel door, and with some effort she managed to heave it open. It led out onto a small balcony of an abandoned looking building, it looked out onto what was now the great mud pool that was once the Chicago River. Gripping the railing she took deep breaths, gasping; when she finally was able to calm her breathing, she found tears silently running down her face. She laughed. Athena felt pathetic, she was suppose to be Dauntless and here she was crying on a balcony for no damn reason. She slid down the exterior wall to the ground and looked up. The sun was setting. Athena knew she should feel overjoyed that she just beat the crap out of Cal, she should right? But all she could think about is how powerless she felt when her anger had consumed her, and she didn't even try to hold back. Honestly, the amount of anger she felt in that moment terrified her. She kicked the rail out of frustration.

Some time later, Athena didn't know how long but the sun was still setting so it couldn't be that long, the door opened. Athena scoffed and looked away when she saw it was Eric. Her face was still wet from tears, she tried to wipe it off with the back of her hand without him noticing. He slid down next to her with a heavy sigh. She still couldn't look at him, she felt ashamed somehow.

"Well you definitely kicked his ass." Eric said with a soft laugh, Athena snickered slightly.

"What are you feeling?" He asked softly tucking a strand of hair, that got loose from her hair band, behind her ear.

Athena looked at him now, her eyes a little red from the tears she couldn't stop. "Too many things," She replied frustrated, "I - I feel happy that I won, but... I also feel horrible. I couldn't control myself, all I could think about was hitting him again, I was so angry, it was like everything I've kept pent up all my life came spilling out at once. I feel horrible that I just kept punching, I felt ruthless and cruel and I didn't care. I know I should be tough and able to control my emotions, anger included, but I don't want to be cruel, I - I can't let myself become that." Athena shook away more tears that threatened to show.

"You would never become that. Just because you're in Dauntless doesn't mean you have to be, I know I'm probably not the most reassuring example, but-" Eric wiped away a stray tear on Athena's cheek with his thumb, "You're a much better person than me."

She didn't know if it was his sudden show of compassion, or her haywire emotions that caused her to do it. All she knew was that his lips looked really soft and how much she really wanted her own against them. In a flash she was straddling him and pressing her lips against his she didn't know if she was doing it right, being her first kiss and all, but she just did what felt right. It was just one kiss, that's all she felt confident she knew how to do. Her eyes widened at the realization of what she did.

"I-I, I'm sorry" She stuttered standing up quickly and making to leave. Her hand just brushed the cold metal of the door handle when Eric caught her elbow. Spinning her around he pressed Athena against the railing.

"You didn't really think you could just do something like that and just run away did you?" He asked incredulously.

She looked up at him almost afraid, but before she realized what he was doing, his mouth was against hers.

His lips were warm and soft, but strong. When she finally relaxed and started kissing back he made a sound that made a shiver go through Athena. His hands when to her waist and pulled her closer, her back arching inward. Her arms wrapped around his neck. Their lips moved in sync, and Athena felt all her previous emotions dissipate and only need was left; need for Eric. He licked her bottom lip, she didn't know what that meant, he grunted angrily and nipped her lip, she gasped in surprise and her lips parted. Suddenly the kiss intensified and Athena found herself wanting to be even closer to Eric, her hands tangled into his hair pulling him in tight.

When they finally separated they were both breathing heavily. Eric leaned his forehead and against hers.

"D-did I do that right?" Athena asked bashfully

"Do what right?" Eric looked at her with wonder

"K-kiss" Athena looked away suddenly shy

Eric laughed, "Was that you're first time?" She nodded, "Athena look at me," when she didn't he grabbed her chin and turned her head to look at him, "You're amazing, Athena, truly amazing. You not only can kick ass, but you're smart and kind, confident and yet shy.

Eric had realized what he had just said. He's pretty much confessed his feelings to her without even flinching. He stepped away from her, and clearing his throat said, "You should probably go."

Athena looked confused, and then an emotionless look took place of the confused one. Without looking back at him she walked back inside.

"What the hell" she thought to herself as she headed back to the dormitory. She had come to the conclusion that Eric probably didn't want to be seen with her, or even associated with her.

Athena had a difficult time sleeping that night. She couldn't get over the feeling that had erupted in her when he kissed her the second time, and then the overwhelming frustration she felt when he pushed her away. Sometime during the night she concluded that she would prove herself worthy and rank number 1. Maybe this was a good thing, this way no one could say she only ranked number 1 with the help of a certain young leader.

Okay! Here is the next chapter! Personally I loved this chapter a lot. :P Please tell me what you think?

From here on out I am writing everything from scratch (meaning I dont have previously written material on my computer). So maybe give me a day? Weekends I work most of the day so it's hard to update as often but I promise you will have the next chapter soon!

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